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MI Weekly

A weekly update from the City of Mercer Island


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(For event details, visit the City's online calendar or click on a specific event)

 

Your City Council

MAYOR
Bruce Bassett
 
DEPUTY MAYOR 

Dan Grausz  

 

COUNCILMEMBERS 

Debbie Bertlin 

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City of Mercer Island Website

Volunteer Opportunities 

City of Mercer Island
Address
9611 SE 36th Street
Mercer Island, WA 98040

Phone
206.275.7600


Fax
206.275.7663


Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30am to 5:00pm


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Click here to help Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department save a number of recreation and special events programs, including Adventure Playground, Community Campout, the April egg hunts, and the Fun Mobile.

 
For more information on the 2012 Parks and Recreation Fundraiser, click here.  
March 13, 2013 | Vol. 8 | No. 10
tollingUpdate on I-90 Tolling: 41st Legislative District Town Hall Meetings on Saturday I90

Tolling and transportation are likely topics of discussion at two town hall meetings this weekend. The meetings are being hosted by the House and Senate members of our 41st Legislative District and will provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss these issues directly with our elected officials. Details are as follows (both Saturday, March 16):

 

Morning Town Hall - 10:00am-11:30am
Where: Hazelwood Elementary
7100 116th Ave. SE, Newcastle, WA 98056

 

Afternoon Town Hall - 1:30pm-3:00pm
Where: Discovery Elementary
2300 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish, WA 98075

  

For information on I-90 tolling, contact Noel Treat, Deputy City Manager, [email protected], 206.275.7661. 

voiceVOICE and SVP Registration Opens March 27

voice

This summer, Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) is offering two summer volunteer opportunities for youth as part of their ongoing youth development programming. The middle school SVP program is open to current 6th and 7th grade students, and VOICE is open to current 8th - 11th grade students who want to participate in volunteer projects throughout the summer.

 

These programs give Mercer Island students the opportunity to raise their social awareness by working directly with populations in need around the greater Seattle area while volunteering alongside their peers. SVP and VOICE projects are plentiful and diverse. Participants in the program might cook a meal at a soup kitchen, tutor a child in need, participate in recreational activities with people living with disabilities, build a hiking trail in Snoqualmie, or much more.

 

Current 10th and 11th graders with two or more years of VOICE/SVP participation experience are encouraged to apply to be a Project Leader in Training (P-Lit), where they will assist Project Leaders on SVP volunteer projects.

 

Registration will open 10:00am on Wednesday, March 27 and close at 5:00pm on Wednesday, April 24. All P-Lit applications are also due by 5:00pm on April 24. Registration and the P-Lit application can be found online at www.mercergov.org/voice.

 

The 2013 VOICE/SVP programs will run from June 23 - August 16.

 

For more information, contact Tambi Cork, Youth Development Program Coordinator at MIYFS, at 206.275.7755 or [email protected].

recguideSign-up for Parks and Rec Spring and Summer Events
recguide
Click on Image for Information and Event Registration

Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Superintendent, Diane Mortenson, reminds Islanders that Spring is just around the corner and that, "It's time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and parks, or take a new class."

 

Mortenson advises residents to keep a lookout for the Parks and Recreation Department's spring/summer recreation guide arriving by mail this week.

 

Early registration for all Spring and Summer activities, classes, and events begins online on Monday, March 18. In-person and over the phone registration begins Wednesday, March 20.  "Get an early jump on planning your child's summer--we have an incredible variety of camps and programs all summer long," says Mortenson. 

 

Register Online

Register In Person: 

Visit the Community Center or call 206.275.7609  

   

Upcoming Event: Spring Eggs-travaganza Egg Hunts

Hop on over to Mercerdale Park for the annual Egg Hunts. Our resident Bunny and Leap have been working overtime putting together eggs, candy, and prizes for everyone!

 

Ages 1-6, 5:00pm (sharp)

Ages 7-10, 8:30pm (sharp; bring a flashlight)

Do not forget your basket.

Date: Saturday, March 30

Fee: $5 per family donated at the park

Location: Mercerdale Park

solicitorsPolice Report Increase in Solicitor Calls; Provide Safety Tips
door
Click on Image for Attorney General Press Release on Solicitors

The Mercer Island Police Department has experienced a recent increase in calls regarding solicitors going door-to-door to residences on Mercer Island, especially commercial salespeople selling products and services. This is a good opportunity to brush up on some tips for interacting with salespeople that arrive on your doorstep.

 

What do you do to avoid door-to-door salespeople?

  • To avoid solicitors, post a "no solicitors" or "no trespassing" sign in a conspicuous location on your home or property. On Mercer Island, it is a crime for someone to knowingly enter or remain on property when they have been given notice against trespass by a posting that is reasonably likely to come to their attention.
  • Remember, you are not obligated to answer the door-if uninvited persons remain on your property, call 9-1-1.

What do you do when a salesperson knocks on your door?

  • Before opening the door, look out a window to see who is there. If you do not feel comfortable opening the door, then do not.
  • Ask the salesperson their name, company, and the product or service they are selling. If you request that they leave, they must do so immediately. If the salesperson asks to use the bathroom, the phone, or get a drink of water, refuse their request and ask the individual to leave. If the person refuses to leave or if you feel intimidated, pressured, or threatened at any time, call 9-1-1.
  • If you choose to purchase an item from a salesperson, you are encouraged to avoid paying immediately. Instead, find out from the salesperson how you can order directly from the company or receive the bill upon receipt of the product or service. However, if you do make a purchase directly from the salesperson, a Federal Trade Commission Regulation gives you the right to a three-business-day "cooling off period" when the sale price is more than $25.
  • Stay informed. In 2012, the Washington Attorney General's Office issued a press release warning citizens of door-to-door salespeople selling outrageously priced magazine subscriptions. Before giving a donation to a door-to-door charity, check out whether the charity is registered with the Secretary of State. A state search engine listing registered charities is available here.

Always use good judgment when interacting with strangers at your door. The safest approach is never allowing strangers into your home. Do not be afraid to refuse to buy a product. Do not be afraid to ask someone to leave. Call 9-1-1 if you feel intimidated, pressured, or threatened.

   

Link to Mercer Island Police Department: http://www.mercergov.org/police

Mercer Island Goes Green
greenworkGoing Green at Work
greeneye
Click on Image for Additional Information on Going Green
The City reminds residents that reducing your carbon footprint and "going green" can also happen on the job.

Below are a few tips for reducing your ecological footprint while at work:

Optimize energy setting on computers and electronic devices. Remember to shut down computers at the end of the day and consider unplugging seldom -used devices like printers or scanners because even in "standby" mode, energy is used.

The "greenest" paper is no paper at all. Keep files on computers instead of in file cabinets, review documents on-screen instead of printing them out, and eliminate blank pages from documents you do print. Use recycled paper if necessary.

Remember to recycle at work. Place boxes for recycling paper throughout the office and for bottles and cans in the lunchroom.

"Green" the workspace. Consider taking advantage of natural lighting whenever possible--replace incandescent bulbs with compact florescent or LED, or improve air ventilation to help keep employees healthy.

The City remains committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through City operations and community education. Click here for additional information on the City website about "going green" on Mercer Island.

 

 
For questions and comments on the MI Weekly, contact
Maintenance Director Glenn Boettcher at

 [email protected] or 206.275.7661.