Get Out: Weekend Planner Aug 20-21

It’s Thursday, and you have no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. 

Mercer Island Patch is coming to the rescue. We have the best bets for your done-with-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bars, restaurants and shops to explore. 

Could You Be A Member of Mensa? Take the American Mensa Admission Test

• Where/When: 11:15 a.m. Sat, Aug 20 at , 8236 SE 24th St
• Why Go: The American Mensa “Culture Fair” Test is a non-verbal measurement of intelligence based on the candidate’s ability to distinguish relationships in shapes without the influence of culture or language. The test is open general public (age 14 and older).  Parental permission required for those ages 14-17.
• Cost: $40 

"The Fog Machine," Pre-publication Event

• Where/When: 2:00 p.m. Sun, Aug 21 at , 4400 88th Ave
• Why Go: Would you like to get involved with a book before it hits the stores and then follow it to publication? Author Susan Follett wants to share her pre-published manuscript and hear how it resonates with you. The Fog Machine follows three people from the hills of Mississippi to the shores of Lake Michigan, from 1954 to 2002. They experience Jim Crow, the Great Migration, civil rights, anti-Vietnam War, women's movements and 21st century conflicts. The event is open to all, but registration is required.
  Cost: Free. 

2011 Redmond Arts in the Park

• Where/When: 7-8 p.m. Fri, Aug 19 at 15670 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052.
• Why Go: Arts in the Parks is Redmond’s summer music and theater arts series held in July and August on the Redmond City Hall campus. Tuesday afternoon performances are geared for small children and their caregivers, while Friday evenings are for the whole family.  All performances are FREE.  So, pack a picnic, bring a blanket and come enjoy the summer with us!
• Cost: Free. 

Talk: Being Jewish in Shanghai

• Where/When: 7:30 p.m. Sun, Aug 21 at Temple B'Nai Torah 15727 N.E. 4th Street in Bellevue
• Why Go: Sponsored By The Washington State Jewish Historical Society: BEING JEWISH IN SHANGHAI Werner Glass will be giving a presentation about the 14 years he lived in Shanghai, including the time that Japan occupied that city (1937-1945). Werner will be presenting a slide-show about his Jewish life in Shanghai, which promises to be interesting, because Japan was an ally of anti-semitic Germany during World War II. This presentation will be made at 7:30 P.M. on Sunday, August 21, 2011
• Cost: $8 members/$10 non-members 

A Reader’s Journal Workshop

• Where/When: 1 p.m. Sun, Aug 21 at , 4400 88th Ave SE.
• Why Go: Learn how to create a unique journal for recording your books. Bring a blank journal of any size. A handout will be provided to take home with instructions on creating your interior pages. Limited to 12 people. Please register. Presented by Susan Olds.
• Cost: Free.