MI Weekly

    A weekly update from the City of Mercer Island


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

Nov 7

Nov 8


Nov 10 

Nov 11 

Nov 12


Nov 13

Nov 15


Nov 20

MAYOR
Debbie Bertlin
 
DEPUTY MAYOR 
 
COUNCILMEMBERS 




Volunteer Opportunities 

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



Donations Requested 

The Mercer Island Food Pantry relies on your non-perishable food donations to keep the shelves stocked year-round.
Click for more info.
Nov 7, 2018 | Vol. 13 | No. 45
MITS_AnniversaryThrift Shop Celebrates 43rd Anniversary
Click to visit the Thrift Shop website
The  Mercer Island Thrift Shop celebrates its 43rd Anniversary with its popular annual Holiday Showcase Event, this Monday, November 12, starting at 9:00am. Note: The store will be closed on Sunday in preparation.
 
Customers will enjoy a store-wide discount of 30% on all manner of  treasures: from toys for kids, holiday home decor, and jewelry, to luxury apparel, art, and housewares. Come enjoy personalized customer service and refreshments while you shop!
 
The Mercer Island Thrift Shop is a revenue-generating component of the City's Youth and Family Services Department, and supports programs such as counseling, senior adult outreach, substance abuse and family assistance.
Mercer Island Goes Green
Arbor_DayMercer Island Arbor Day a Big Success
Dignitaries in attendance at the City's first Arbor Day event; 
click for other planting events this fall and winter
On Saturday, October 20, approximately 200 volunteers planted nearly 1,200 native shrubs and trees as part of the first-ever Arbor Day and tree planting celebration for Mercer Island. In partnership with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, attendees celebrated Mercer Island's Tree City USA designation, and honored the Greenway's ten-year partnership with Carter Subaru, which invests in regional tree planting efforts.
 
A short program inspired participants during lunch, with special guests Mayor Debbie Bertlin, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, Harry Thomas (MTSG Board Member), Danny Levine (Carter Subaru), and Lisa Ciecko (Washington Community Forestry Council). Special thanks to local Mercer Island businesses Pagliacci and Homegrown, as well as KIND Snacks, for fueling our hard-working volunteers!  View many more photos on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
 
Incense cedar, Garry oak, and Douglas fir, as well as a diversity of native shrubs, were planted in a portion of Luther Burbank Park to improve overall ecological health and aesthetics.

 Learn more about other  forest stewardship volunteer opportunities.
Storms Getting Ready for Winter Storms
Click for more info from the City's Emergency Preparedness program
As the storm season approaches, Mercer Island will likely see more lowland snow events, windstorms, downed trees, heavy rains and even landslides...

The City's Emergency Preparedness program advises all residents to take standard precautions for winter events, such as:
  • Prepare to be without power
  • Set aside non-perishable food and water for three days
  • Plan for the loss of landline phone service and internet connectivity
  • Keep cellphones charged
  • Locate flashlights and spare batteries
  • Prepare for winter driving (view City snowplow routes)
  • Know your neighbors and check on the elderly or infirm
  • Sign up for City alerts
When the power goes out, check the online outage map at Puget Sound Energy's (PSE) website, or call their outage hotline at 1(888) 225-5773 for more information.  These are the sources for the most up-to-date information.

Learn how to assemble your own emergency kit at  Take Winter By Storm.

And remember, if you see a problem like downed powerlines, or fallen trees, report it to our regional dispatch which is open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week: (425) 577-5656
InsuranceFree Health Insurance Advice for Seniors
Click to learn more about SHIBA services
Once again, it's o pen enrollment for Medicare Supplemental plans. including Part D.  Until December 7, 2018, you are able to change your Medicare plans to start in January 2019.

Since 2016, the City's Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS) has partnered with the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, which provides State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBAto provide a trained volunteer to assist in exploring the different options available to Medicare recipients.  This volunteer is at MIYFS twice a month and is currently accepting appointments, but they are filling up fast.

Contact  Betsy Zuber, Geriatric Specialist and Mental Health Counselor at (206) 275-7752, or Email  [email protected], for an appointment.
Veterans_DayCity Facilities Closed for Veterans Day
Click to see all City Holidays
A quick reminder that City facilities will be closed on Monday, November 12, in observance of Veterans Day.  This includes the Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC), where no programs or rentals will be offered on both Sunday and Monday.

This week the City Council acknowledged veterans on Mercer Island, as well as the many veterans on staff at the City; read the Proclamation. Thank you to all veterans for their service to the country.

 

  
For questions and comments on the MI Weekly, contact
Sustainability & Communications Manager Ross Freeman at

[email protected] or 206.275.7662.