All Stories - Mercer Island Reporter

King County's primary election results certified

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:17 PDT

King County Elections certified the results of the 2010 Primary Election on September 1. Thirty-nine percent of King Count voters participated in the August 2010 primary,the highest voter turnout for a primary since 2004, according to county officials.

Mercer Island state testing scores still high, but with mixed results

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:17 PDT

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction released the state testing score results this week. The latest scores are the first for the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) and the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) which were given to students last spring.

State revenue slump could slow light rail

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:17 PDT

State glaciers shrink

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:17 PDT

Police respond to unexplained death on Sunday at a home on West Mercer Way

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:17 PDT

A 20-year-old man died last weekend at a home in the 4200 block of West Mercer Way. He was a 2008 graduate of Mercer Island High School and lived in Bellevue. Police were called to the scene at 2:20 p.m., Sunday.

‘Fifty’ mystery solved

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:17 PDT

Trial date set for suspected murder of former Mercer Islander

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:17 PDT

Mercer Island Police Blotter | Aug. 31

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:17 PDT

Boaters go overboard on Lake Washington

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:17 PDT

Moth count in progress

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:17 PDT

Since mid-June, 81 gypsy moth traps have gone up and been monitored on Mercer Island, part of a 36-year-old Washington Department of Agriculture campaign to prevent infestations in the state of one of the most destructive invasive species that U.S. forests have ever known.

Islander Aquathon a success

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

The first ever Islander Aquathon, which debuted last night, was a success. Approximately 200 people took part in the race, which started with the swimming portion in Lake Washington, followed by a run through Luther Burbank Park.

Seattle residents, Mercer Islanders can swim for a great cause

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

People don swimsuits and get in kayaks and canoes for a lot of different reasons — fitness, the pure enjoyment of the activity. On Saturday, Sept. 11, Mercer Islanders and residents across the Seattle area will be braving the waters of Lake Washington for an entirely different purpose: to raise money and awareness for Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA).

Islander water polo returns with a vengeance

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

In most programs, three coaches in four years signals a program isn’t as dominant as it could be, and usually under a first-year head coach, expectations may be lower. If there was ever an exception to the rule, it would be the Mercer Island boys water polo team.

Reporter Newspapers Preseason Football Poll

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Islander Aquathon debuts Sept. 1

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

The first ever Islander Aquathon will be held Wednesday, Sept. 1, starting at 6:15 p.m. at Luther Burbank Park.

Eastside girls U11 team win Rimland Pacific Cup | Sports briefs

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

The local Eastside Football Club Girls U11 team were the Champions of the Puma Rimland Pacific Cup soccer tournament.

Pre-season football chat today at 2 p.m.

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Today, starting at 2 p.m. the Eastside Reporter sports writers will be hosting an online chat to discuss and answer questions about the upcoming football season.

Friends of Hoop tryouts in September | Sports briefs

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Friends of Hoop, a top level AAU basketball program, is adding a girls program to its successful boys program this fall.

Local softball players finish at Junior Softball World Series

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Over the last week members of the District 9 Washington softball team from Bellevue and Mercer Island played some of the best softball teams in the world.

MIHS football hits the turf with new energy

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

There’s a different feeling on the football field as Mercer Island prepares to practice. It’s palpable — the energy streaming from player to player as they prepare for opening night. While part of it might simply be a hometown football team getting revved up for a new season, it seems to be more than that.

ONYX Chamber Players to perform at St. Thomas

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

The ONYX Chamber Players will present "Schumann and His World: at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16.

Master Chorus Eastside sets auditions for 20th anniversary season

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

In celebration of its 20th anniversary season, Master Chorus Eastside will produce holiday concerts in Sammamish and Kirkland in December, perform a staged version of Bach’s powerful St. John Passion in March, and, with an eye on its 21-year history, perform a whimsical choral overview of the passage of time in May.

Fitness challenge to benefit Hopelink

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Element 5 Fitness in Kirkland is teaming up with Hopelink to raise money for the Eastside agency while helping people get in better shape.

Paintings, jewelry coming to East Shore Gallery

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

East Shore Gallery will feature abstract and still life painting by Alice Case and jewelry by Betsy Resnick and Maurene Preas from September 13 to November 9.

Early Music Fridays launched in Kirkland

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

A series of concerts covering over 700 years and representing the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, will be performed on Fridays in Kirkland.

Lecture set on Chinese Art Song

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Puccini soprano and Ball State University Professor of Voice, Dr. Mei Zhong, will speak and sing on the Development of Chinese Art Song at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 28 at First Covenant Church, 400 East Pike Street, Seattle.

Bellevue artists to show at 'Art in the Garden'

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Three Bellevue artists are part of a 20-artist contingent offering sculpture and garden art at "Art in the Garden" at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.

Scott Ward's whimsical art coming to Pogacha

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Scott Ward likes to make people smile. Reflecting on his own experiences in a positive way, Ward paints his inspirations with a contemporary, colorful and whimsical style.

Women will eat up 'Eat, Pray, Love' | Aran Kirschenmann

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

The film 'Eat, Pray, Love' is based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s successful novel of the same title about her amazing decision to leave everything, including her husband, home, and friends in New York, to travel the world in search of herself.

Youth Theatre Northwest closes summer season with musical

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Youth Theatre Northwest will present Thoroughly Modern Millie from August 27 – September 5.

Veloce Velo cruises onto Mercer Island

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Half of the former Mercer Island Hollywood Video storefront will shift from one form of entertainment to another later this month after a slew of bikes replaces the hundreds of VHS and DVDs that once lined the store walls.

‘Muddies’ business comes to town

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Island Sun tanning salon is closed for business

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

The Island Sun tanning salon, which was in business for over four years, closed during the first week of August. The space at 3016 78th Ave. S.E. is currently vacant, and at least one person has filed a permit for a new business.

Sisters reunite after 18 years

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Eighteen years ago in the small town of Pu San in South Korea, a poor family said goodbye to their 7-year-old daughter who was heading to the United States for cleft palate surgery and, they hoped, for a better life than they could provide for her.

Back To School 98040 available Sept. 1

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

The Mercer Island Reporter's 98040 publication publishes today, Sept. 1. Copies are available at the Reporter office, but are not in paper stands due to limited copies printed. The Reporter regrets any inconvenience to readers.

A banner day in downtown Mercer Island

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Mercer Island Arts Council. In a multipurpose approach to celebrate it's silver anniversary, beautify Town Center and lure new business into town, the council proposed a banner art project.

Gluten Free Foodies

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Adventure Playground draws curious kids outside

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Remembering to stay alert to the world around us

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

A look at the Everett press

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

On Tuesday, the Mercer Island Reporter staff, including the editor, reporters, advertising executive, office coordinator, graphic designer and an intern, visited the Everett Printing Facility where the Reporter is printed weekly.

Everett press cranks out Mercer Island Reporter

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

This week the Mercer Island Reporter staff, including the editor, reporters, advertising executive, graphic designer, office coordinator and an intern, toured the Everett Printing Facility where the Reporter is printed each week.

Restaurant meals at home

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

When I took my first bite of the delectable banana cake served at Monsoon, I wanted to know how they got it to be so out-of-this-world moist and how they made that killer coconut sauce that complemented it so perfectly. Have you ever thought to yourself how great it would be to make some of your favorite restaurant dishes in your own kitchen, taught to you by the actual chefs who created them? I have. That’s why I’m absolutely over-the-moon in love with “Dining in Seattle: Past & Present.”

$23.8 million Mercer Island mansion has one of Zillow's top 10 pools

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

The swimming pool at a $23.8 million mansion for sale near Faben Point on Mercer Island has been named to a list of top 10 swimming pools at homes presently offered for sale across the nation. The list of luxury residences was compiled by the real estate company Zillow.

Online poll of the week: Cast your vote now

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Workers Day | Editorial

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

When I think of the Labor Day holiday, I think of my grandfathers. Each was born just before the turn of the last century. My father’s father, Johan, was born just a few months after his family made the long journey by ship from Reykjavik, Iceland, to the promise of America. As a young man, he held many jobs in small towns from Minnesota to Montana.

Tradition vs. values | Editorial

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

The first sign off exit 7A on I-90 reads, “Headlights?” Every time I see it, I wonder, is it asking me if my headlights are on or off? It seems like a sign that no longer pertains to the technology of modern cars whose lights shut off automatically or state law mandating that motorcycles keep them on. If the sign no longer makes sense, why still have it?

An Island of art | Editorial

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Hooray for the Mercer Island Arts Council, which celebrates its 25th anniversary tomorrow at the Art Walk in the Town Center. The Arts Council’s effect on our city has been profound. We may not always know who is behind the events that we take for granted or artwork that we see every day — but the Arts Council’s footprint is everywhere from music in the park, to seminars at the library, to the art on display in so many places.

Intersection should be reconfigured at 40th and 86th

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

With classes resuming at the high school and the Boys and Girls Club open, I am wondering if city officials will be re-configuring the traffic light at the intersection of S.E. 40th Street and 86th Avenue S.E. Unless some changes are forthcoming, that intersection will become a major bottleneck and a danger to both drivers and pedestrians.

Full park-and-ride lot forces choices

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Elect Peter Dunbar

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Is there a doctor in the house? Unfortunately, the answer is no in the Washington State House of Representatives. Dr. Peter Dunbar would be a most welcome addition, and I support his candidacy. As a physician assistant (PA), I met Peter when he and I practiced medicine together at Harborview Medical Center. From my first meeting with him, I saw a doctor with compassion, leadership, creativity and the ability to bring people together.

Island Crest Way crosswalk

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

I have just finished reading an article in the Mercer Island Quarterly regarding residential roadway resurfacing projects. My concern is the crosswalk at Island Crest Way and 42nd Street. I have lived on Mercer Island for 22 years, in three different homes. I understand the traffic here. Now that we live close to MIHS, our kids can walk to school if they can survive getting across ICW.

Mercer Island Park and Ride parking relief suggestion

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

This is a suggestion for alleviating a little of the local usage problem at the park and ride lot on the Island. It was used by the city of Orinda some years ago to save some space for local users of the transit system.

Thanks for the public record forum at CCMV

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

I appreciate becoming educated about the Public Records and Open Meetings law by the Coalition for Open Government (with the support of the League of Women Voters and the Seattle Times) last Wednesday right here at our Community Center.

Dancin’ at the Boys & Girls Club

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

Mercer Island Special Olympic athletes, coaches and parents are pleased to thank Blair Rassmussen and the Boys and Girls Club for opening their door to our program. We started our season off with a “Hoe Down” dance and had a blast at the new facility. Even though the outside temperature was nearing 100 degrees, we stayed cool inside the air-conditioned rooms.

Save lives and save Mary Wayte Pool

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:13:18 PDT

I am deeply saddened by the news of six teens in Louisiana who died trying to rescue another teen from drowning. None of them knew how to swim! Our local news often reports needless drownings in our beautiful lakes and rivers.