Here’s our weekly round-up of events from July 24 – 30 on Mercer Island:

Where’s Waldo? Community Event
July 1 – July 31
At participating locations on Mercer Island

It’s the 30th anniversary for the world’s best-loved missing person, Waldo, and Island Books (along with other Mercer Island merchants) are celebrating! Throughout the month of July, look for businesses on Mercer Island with the “Shop Local–Find Waldo” sticker on their windows. Hidden somewhere within them, you’ll find a hidden Waldo or his friend Wendy. Get your passport stamped for proof. Three stamps earns you a button and a discount coupon; a stamp from every participating business enters you in a drawing for the grand prize at the end of the month! Local institutions on the Waldo hunting trail include: Island Books, Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, Banner Bank, Mercer Island Orthodontics, and Yogabliss.
Learn more >>

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Breaking Down Comics: Art Workshop
Monday, July 24, 3:30 – 5 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Presented by Elizabeth Guizzetti, come and learn how to create your own comics, from writing a script to character creation to drawing pages. The workshop includes information about splash art, cover art, and panel pacing for comics. For ages 10 – 18; no registration required.

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Community Coffee Hour
Wednesday, July 26 & Friday, July 28, 9 – 10 am
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street

Join Mercer Island Parks & Recreation for Community Coffee Hour every Wednesday and Friday! This is a free program for kids, teens, adults, seniors, and families. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee in a fun and engaging atmosphere with people from the community.

For more information, call MICEC at 206-275-7909 or email at [email protected].

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Storybook Corner
Wednesday, July 26, 10:30 – 11 am
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Bring your little ones in to enjoy popular picture books read by our staff or special guests.
Learn more >>

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Kaleidoscope Play & Learn
Wednesday, July 26, 10:30 am – Noon
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art, and playing. Kaleidoscope Play & Learn is in English. Ages 5 years and younger with caregiver. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library.

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Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Wednesday, July 26, 6 – 8 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

Island Books is so excited to welcome author Taylor Jenkins Reid to the store to discuss The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, a summer reading favorite among Island Books staff. In an interview with The Huffington Post, Reid said one of the big messages of the book is “Ladies, go on, get yours,” and this classic Hollywood tale will speak to the parts of us that are endlessly fascinated with stars like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. Join for mingling, reading, signing, drinks, food, and fun!
Learn more >>

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The Strength of Shapes Math Workshop
Wednesday, July 26, 7 – 8 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Presented by Witty Scientists, this exciting math workshop is for ages 8 – 11 who are curious about how math shapes the world around us, like why engineers use the triangle as their shape of choice. Learn how engineers design and build suspension, beam, and arch bridges as you explore the strength of trusses and use geometry to solve a building problem. Registration is not required, but space is limited.

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Mother Goose on the Loose
Thursday, July 27, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Mother Goose on the Loose is an award-winning, interactive literacy program for infants and toddlers and their caregiver. Enjoy rhymes, songs, and stories for the littlest members of the family. Free and no registration necessary.

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Youth Theatre Northwest presents The Music Man Jr.
July 14 – 30
Thursdays, 11 am; Fridays & Saturdays, 7 pm; Sundays, 2 pm
MIHS Performing Arts Center, 9100 SE 42nd Street

Don’t miss your last chance to see Youth Theatre Northwest’s performance of The Music Man Jr.! Based on Meredith Willson’s six-time-Tony-Award-winning musical comedy, The Music Man Jr. features some of musical theater’s most iconic songs and a story filled with wit, warmth, and good old-fashioned romance.
Learn more >>

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Tabletop Thursdays
Thursday, July 27, 4 – 7 pm
Mercer Island Community & Event Center, 8236 SE 24th Street

Drop by for an afternoon of board games, video games, playing pool or ping-pong, and hanging out. There’s a huge selection of games, and the staff is always up to taking on a new competitor. Games include: Codenames, Mission Red Planet, Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride, Connect 4, Monopoly, and more. Free for ages 7 – 14.

For more information, call MICEC at 206-275-7909 or email at [email protected].

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Paddle with the J 
Thursday, July 27, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

Meet at the Herzl waterfront (across the street from the J) to spend an evening on the water! We’ll get out the J’s kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards and enjoy some sunshine, get exercise, and meet new friends. Each trip is two hours. There will be a lifeguard on duty. This activity is $10 for SJCC members and $15 for guests.
Learn more >>

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Shakespeare in the Park: Pericles 
July 27 – 29 | Thursday – Saturday, 7 – 9 pm
Luther Burbank Park, 2040 84th Ave SE

Seattle Shakespeare Company will be performing free shows in Luther Burbank Park, family-friendly and open to the public! Bring a blanket or a chair and come watch an all-ages friendly performance of Pericles. Prince Pericles romances maidens, gets chased from port to port, finds his true love, and then loses her and his infant daughter in the storm-tossed sea. With only the stars and his heart as a guide, Pericles charts one man’s epic lifetime voyage to reunite with the family he thought he had lost forever.
Learn more >>

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Mostly Music in the Park 
Thursday, July 27, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue SE and SE 32nd Street

Mostly Music in the Park is Mercer Island Arts Council’s annual summer concert series.  Concerts feature various bands and artists from around the region performing a wide variety of music. This week’s featured artist is alternative/indie singer-songwriter, Chris Staples!

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Opera Preview: Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini
Thursday, July 27, 7 – 8:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

Sponsored by the Friends of the Mercer Island Library,  this free lecture is provided to increase the enjoyment and appreciation of Seattle Opera productions, featuring Norm Hollingshead and recorded musical excerpts. This special event will focus on Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, the touching story of a 19th century Japanese woman who is loved and then abandoned by an American naval officer. Space is limited. First come, first seated.

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Open Book Club: Wonder by R.J. Palacio 
Thursday, July 27, 7:30 – 9 pm
Island Books, 3014 78th Ave SE

In July, our Open Book Club will read and discuss Wonder by R.J. Palacio. August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. The thing is, Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances? Island Book’s open book club meets the last Thursday of every month at 7:30pm. All are welcome to attend, and if you purchase your book at the store, you’ll get a 10% discount.
Learn more >>

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Summer Shuk 
Friday, July 28, 3 – 6 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

Celebrate Shabbat at our open-air market. Vendors will have produce, baked goods, flowers, wine, and more. Drop by our Kesher Garden for a Shabbat gathering with a food truck, live music, and s’mores on our campfire. No RSVP required.
Learn more >> 

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Shabbat Dinners in the Garden 
Friday, July 28, 5:30 – 8 pm
SJCC, 3801 East Mercer Way

In partnership with Herzl-Ner Tamid, come to the J’s beautiful Kesher Garden for Shabbat, songs, s’mores, and togetherness! You can purchase your meal at a food truck at the J’s shuk open air market. Then bring a blanket and find a cozy spot in our garden, joining other families for a meaningful and fun night filled with Shabbat joy. We will top off the night with s’mores! The event is free, but please RSVP.
Learn more >>

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Healthy Kids Summer Saturdays: Summertime Snacks
Saturday, July 29, 10 – 11 am
New Seasons Market, 2755 77th Ave SE

Join the NSM store nutritionist in the deli seating area on Saturdays to learn about healthy food. This week, it’s all about summer snacks! Ages 5 – 12 yrs are welcome with their parents.
Learn more >>

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Mercer Island Farmers Market
Sunday, July 30, 10 am – 3 pm
Mercerdale Park, North End, 77th Ave SE & SE 32nd Street

Celebrating their 10th season, the Mercer Island Farmers Market is open every Sunday from June – October! Enjoy the sunshine and check out the freshest fruits and vegetables of the season, as well as locally-made food and drinks, artisan crafts, and fun activities for the whole family. Visit the website for weekly updates and special events.
Learn more >>

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Meet the Authors: Life Matters by The BookClub – Seattle
Sunday, July 30, 2 – 3:30 pm
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE

In 1991, Seattle’s BookClub formed to share and celebrate books written by African American authors. Over time, as personal stories bubbled to the surface, the  group members decided to write short stories to capture how each individual’s experience added to the beautiful multicolored quilt of community and life. Their stories include subjects of civil rights, coming-of-age, career situations, vacation reflections, family relationships, love, and more.

Please join The BookClub for the book launch of Life Matters, their collection of short stories. Meet the group members, hear their stories, see the beautiful quilt inspired by the book, and learn more about the origins of this original collection of short stories. Books will be available for purchase and signing.