MI Weekly
    A weekly update from the City of Mercer Island


Table of Contents
Like us on Facebook

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




May 16

May 17



May 18

May 21

Your City Council
MAYOR
Debbie Bertlin
 
DEPUTY MAYOR 
 
COUNCILMEMBERS 
Quick Links


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


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.
May 9, 2018 | Vol. 13 | No. 19
Volunteer_HoursVolunteers Contribute Over 27,000 Hours in 2017
The City appreciates its many hundreds of dedicated volunteers!
In addition to the many unpaid members serving on its various Boards and Commissions, the City of Mercer Island is also fortunate to have an incredible pool of talented volunteers who eagerly assist with all manner of other programs and specific events.

Many departments benefit from these selfless individuals, but the areas listed below tend to have the greatest number of tasks suited to volunteer assistance. In preparation for an upcoming volunteer appreciation event, staff tallied some of hours contributed by volunteers in 2017:
While the list above is certainly not all-inclusive, it shows the City benefited from over 27,000 volunteer hours in 2017, the equivalent of over 13 additional full-time employees. "We're incredibly grateful to all of our volunteers that keep the engine of City government running," said Julie Underwood, City Manager.
Mercer Island Goes Green
Farmers_MarketFarmers Market Opens June 3
Click for more information
In just a few weeks, Mercer Island's popular Farmers Market will return for its eleventh season, at the customary location next to Mercerdale Park.  It runs from 10:00am-3:00pm on Sundays, starting June 3 through October 7, with a special extra session just before Thanksgiving on November 18.  Residents can avoid a trip off the Island, buy farm-fresh produce direct from the grower, and support local businesses all at the same time! The City is pleased to help support the Farmers Market.

Last year the Market hosted 63 different vendors, donated 2,000 pounds of produce to local organizations, and diverted 2 tons of food waste per month through composting programs.

This non-profit operation features a wide-range of regional producers, live music, kids activities, and educational booths.  Note that the 2018 Market is closed on July 15 due to Summer Celebration, and on August 5 due to Seafair.  View schedule here.
Youth_SubstancesLong-lasting Youth Drug and Alcohol Prevention 
Click to read or listen to the KNKX interview
The City's Youth and Family Services Department (MIYFS) offers a broad range of services for all ages, including mental health counselors in each of the Island's public schools, and drug and alcohol prevention and intervention experts at the middle and high schools.

For about a dozen years, MIYFS has been using the " Communities That Care" model as part of its Healthy Youth Initiative, a cross-community effort focused on preventing the harm caused by youth drug and alcohol use in our community.

A recent study published by researchers at the University of Washington tracked thousands of students from fifth grade into their early twenties and found that the Communities That Care model has lasting effects.

Derek Franklin, MIYFS Administrative Manager, oversees the City's program and was recently interviewed on local NPR Station KNKX about the successes seen on Mercer Island. One especially powerful tool has been social norms marketing: letting students know that far fewer are using drugs or drinking alcohol than they think. Listen here.
Memorial_DayCity Facilities Closed Memorial Day
Click for other City holidays
In observance of Memorial Day, City facilities will be closed on Monday, May 28.  This includes the Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC) where no programs or rentals will be offered on that day.   

 

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

ross.freeman@mercergov.org or 206.275.7662.