Aging on the Rock Forum : Thursday May 16, 2013, 6:30-8pm

Senior Couple In response to a recent survey conducted by the Senior Foundation of Mercer Island and Senior Advisory Board, the Aging on the Rock Forum will be held this Thursday, May 16th, 6:30-8:00 pm. The forum will be conducted at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, located at 8234 SE 24th St.

The survey was mailed out across the island to find how Seniors feel about living in the Mercer Island community. Subjects touched on in the survey include transportation, safety and quality of life issues. The results of the survey will be discussed during the forum. In addition, it is hoped that those in attendance will help continue the discussion of happy and healthy aging on Mercer Island – what services are still needed to help accomplish that goal?

All ages are welcomed and encouraged to attend. If you have questions about the event, or need a ride, please call (206) 232-4597.

Queen Anne Historical Tours: Presented by Nicole Demers-Changelo

QA Historical Tour Poster Windermere agent, Nicole Demers-Changelo, is hosting a monthly Historical Walking Tour in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. The theme of the tour is Real Estate Speculation and Architectural Innovation within Queen Anne. Nicole states, “In particular, we will review the evolution of real estate ventures and architectural approaches from the late 1800′s to the present.”

Nicole is able to present a unique perspective to this tour, as she is also an architect. She began her career drafting and designing spaces. She is also immersed in the history of various architecture and has spent much time researching the lovely historical character which embodies the Queen Anne community.

The tours are scheduled for the first Sunday of the month May to September, beginning at 10 am. You will need to reserve a spot on the tour by calling 206-271-1267, or sending an email to andition@windermere.com. Also, a minimum tax-deductible $20 donation is recommended, with the proceeds benefiting 3 Queen Anne nonprofit organizations. Payment can be a check made out directly to the benefiting non-profit, or cash. Tour meet up spot is Kerry Park, 211 W. Highland Drive. The tours are approximately an hour and a half long; the walking distance is less than two miles. Dress for the weather – tours will occur rain or shine!

The May 5th and Aug 4th tours benefits the Bayview Intergenerational Childcare, “which harnesses the excitement of youthful exploration to provide a place for growth and learning; children develop a positive attitude towards age and disability from frequent interaction with the residents of Bayview.”

The June 2nd and September 1st tours benefits Beginnings School, “which provides a place for children to develop intellectually, emotionally, and physically through social interaction and individual exploration.”

The July 7th tour benefits Queen Anne Historical Society, “which has the goal of preserving the historic heritage of the Queen Anne community.”

If you would like to participate in a tour, but have little ones and need to use a stroller, Nicole is coordinating abbreviated tours with Twirl Cafe. Check their calendar for details.

This weekend: 2013 National Association of Realtors Open House Weekend

No Date Door Web AdSaturday, April 20th, and Sunday, April 21st, is the 2013 National Association of REALTORS Open House weekend. Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island agents will be participating, along with REALTORS® all across the nation.

Potential home buyers rely on open houses to help them find the home of their dreams. During National Open House weekend, buyers can have a greater chance of doing just that. ~National Association of REALTORS®

Please enjoy a sneak peek of our office listings scheduled to be open over the weekend.

In case you are interested in attending an open house, here are the details about each Windermere Real Estate/Mercer Island listing being held open for this event. The details for each home are listed by city, and include the date and time of the open house.

Mercer Island

$695,000 l 3045 68th Ave SE l Nancy LaVallee | Sunday, 4/21, 1-4PM

$749,000 l 7627 SE 22nd St l Doug McKiernan | Sunday, 4/21, 1-4PM

$1,449,000 l 9252 SE 46th St l Jay Agoado | Sunday, 4/21, 1-4PM (hosted by Kristopher Herrell)

$1,575,000 l 7850 SE 62nd St l Erin Ewing | Sunday, 4/21, 1-4PM

$1,598,000 l 7900 Northbrook Lane l Bonnie Sanborn | Sunday, 4/21, 1-4PM (hosted by Kathryn Lerner)

$2,280,000 l 7270 W Mercer Way l Cherrie Lee | Saturday, 4/20, 1-3PM & Sunday, 4/21, 1-3PM

Kirkland
$825,000 l 215 Sixth St S l Denise Coe l Saturday, 4/20, 1-4PM & Sunday 4/21, 1-4 PM

Seattle
$860,000 l 2721 Warren Ave N l Bonnie Sanborn l Sunday, 4/21, 1-4PM (hosted by Nicole Demers-Changelo)

$950,000 l 2040 43rd Ave E #510 l Nancy LaVallee & Kathryn Lerner l Saturday, 4/20, 1-4PM

If you would like more information about all the open houses scheduled on Mercer Island for 2013 National Association of REALTORS® Open House weekend please click here. Both Windermere listings, and those from other island offices, are included to give you a comprehensive view of the Mercer Island open houses for this weekend’s event.

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Firehouse Munch: Friday, December 7th, 2012

Child Decorating a Christmas Tree Looking toward this weekend, there are two fun Mercer Island Parks and Recreation holiday events to attend. On Friday, December 7th, is the highly anticipated Holiday Tree Lighting and Firehouse Munch. On Saturday, December 8th, is a Breakfast with Santa.

The annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Firehouse Munch kicks off over at Mercerdale Park at 6 pm, with Radio Disney providing holiday tunes from 6-6:30 PM. The tree lighting and caroling will be at the park from 6:30-7 PM. The fun continues over at the North Fire Station from 7-8:30PM. Local island merchants will be providing treats and entertainment for the kids – plus Santa will be on hand for photos. The best part is the price: FREE!

Santa is a busy guy this time of year. He will be back at Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa, which will be held at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. The holiday fun begins at 10am, and runs to 12pm. You must reserve a spot for the breakfast by calling (206)275-7609 and referencing Parks & Rec Course #13056. The cost for the event is $9 for adults and $7 for ages 18 & under. Brunch will be served and jolly old St. Nick is scheduled to bring along a few of his elf pals to visit with and for photos.

And looking at the holiday events calendar over at Mercer Island Reporter, there are a lot more fun Christmas and Hanukkah holiday events in the next few weeks. Hanukkah begins this weekend, on Saturday December 8th, and runs through Sunday December 16th.

One More Opportunity to Share Your Opinion Regarding a 6th School Option for MISD

Hello and Happy Monday!

If you have not had a chance to share your opinion about a 6th school for Mercer Island School District, there is one more community meeting available. There is a coffee klatch scheduled Tuesday, November 27,from 9:30-11:30am over at the Mercer Island School District Board Room (4160 86th Ave SE).

Don’t forget, the Engage Mercer Island Schools Mind Mixer website will be up until 11/21/12. You can share your opinions via this website. Or you can draft a letter and send it to the following address:

Engage Mercer Island Schools
ATTN: Chris Page
811 First Ave Suite 255
Seattle, WA, 98104

MIFM Harvest Market This Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, 10AM to 3PM

It’s that time of year again: this Sunday, Nov. 18th, at Mercerdale Park, is the Harvest Market! An immensely popular annual event, the Mercer Island Farmers Market(MIFM) hosts the Harvest Market the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Not only is it a great time, you can get most of your feast fixin’s all in one place, and from local sources.

Here’s where you can find the details on this year’s vendor list: 2012 Harvest Market Vendors

In addition to food vendors, artists from MIVAL will be on hand selling items for holiday gift giving and MIFM Gift Certificates will be available for purchase at the Information Booth. The market kicks off at 10 am and runs until 3 pm. If you get chilly, stop by the Hospitality Tent for a warm cup of cider or cocoa.

PS: Lunch is Served! Veraci Pizza, BUNS, Got Soup?, Patty Pan Grill and I Love My GFF will be on hand, dishing out the lunch specials.

Stop By Windermere Mercer Island between 3pm and 5pm on Halloween to Trick-or-Treat!

The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce is promoting the second annual Island Business Trick-or-Treating event. Between the hours of 3pm and 5pm on Wednesday, 10/31, participating businesses in the Town Center and the south end Mercer Village Shopping Center will have treats available for local trick-or-treaters.

Windermere Real Estate / Mercer Island is excited to be participating again in this event. We had a terrific time last year and look forward to seeing all the neat costumes the local trick-or-treaters will be wearing! Click here for a list of participating businesses (found via Mercer Island KOMO).

We will also have a box in our lobby for non-perishable food donations benefiting Mercer Island Food Pantry. From the city website, “Examples of food most needed are cereal, soups, tuna, peanut butter and jelly, pasta and sauces, school lunch snacks and canned fruit.”

What do you think will be the most popular costume for Halloween 2012? Please share your guesses in the comment section.

Mercer Island Farmers Market: What’s Happening Sunday, September 30th

The 2012 farmers market season is winding down. Mercer Island Farmers Market (MIFM) only has 3 more market days left in the season. Don’t fret, however. MIFM will be hosting its popular Harvest Market prior to Thanksgiving on Sunday, Novemver 18th.

The Sunday, September 30th, market session will feature local Apple and Pear tasting. Yum! What is your favorite apple variety? I am really enjoying local honey crisp apples– oh my, but they are delicious!!!

There will be an apple themed musical guest– the Hot Cider String Band. They play fiddle tunes, plus sing folk and bluegrass songs. The Children’s’ Table will feature those Fall favorites, Amazing Squashes!

Enjoy MIFM and have a wonderful weekend!

Mercer Island Farmers Market: What’s Happening Sunday, Sept. 16th

This Sunday’s at Mercer Island Farmers Market (MIFM), the theme is Sampling and Tasting Apples and Pears. If you have been waiting for these Fall favorites to arrive, en force, to the market, this is the Sunday to stop in! I hope they will have some yummy Ginger Golds available for tasting.

The Children’s Table, keeping with the market theme, will be offering apple cider pressing. How fun! Local preschool teacher, and MIFM volunteer, Judy Witmer will be providing instruction. The musical entertainment is scheduled to be Down the Road Band, a trio from the North Bend/Snoqualmie area. They play bluegrass/Americana music featuring guitar and mandolin accompanying their vocals.

Sunday offers another opportunity to receive a free MIFM bag. Be watching here for the coupon to print out at home and bring to the market. Have the coupon validated by the vendors you make purchases from, then take the coupon to the information table to receive your free market bag.

It will be a fun weekend to go to MIFM. Enjoy!

Mercer Island Farmers Market: What’s Happening Sunday, Sept. 9th

For those who are fans of the Mercer Island Farmers Market (MIFM) Facebook Page, you may have already heard who will be the special musical guest at Sunday’s market. If not, become a fan– it’s an awesome place to get up-to-date market news!

Okay, back to the special musical guest— first hint is that this weekend’s market theme is Kid Stuff. Second hint— parents with pre-schoolers are probably familiar with his songlist, which includes Sugar Ant, Crazy Blue Beetle, Messy Face, Stompy the Bear and Eleanor the Elegant Elephant. Third hint: fans of the Presidents of the United States of America are probably familiar with the lead singer’s side project…

Yep! Caspar Babypants will be rockin’ MIFM, playing his 3-string acoustic guitar. Joining him will be co-author, Kate Endle, bringing fun songs, and accompanying sing-along books, to children (and their parents!) during MIFM. It promises to be a high-energy, fun event.

The other musical guest during Sunday’s market day is Yammba-Conga Drum Group. I like the poster for this particular market, which says that they will be providing the Market Beets =) The Children’s table will be featuring flower prints and collages.

The following produce vendors will be on hand so you can pick up fresh, seasonal produce for the week: lvarez Organic Farms, Collins Family Orchard, Hedlin Family Farm, Kittitas Valley Greenhouse, Martins Family Orchard and Tonnemaker Family Orchard.

Enjoy!!!