Mercer Island Reporter, January 27, 2016

Page 1

REPORTER

Mercer Island www.mi-reporter.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27,20, 2016 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2013| |75¢ 75¢

‘Provide hope and empower lives’

Islander is new Sounder

Check out schools during open houses Learn about Island schools before you apply or enroll at upcoming events. St. Monica School will host an open house at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31 and Yellow Wood Academy will hold one at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday, Feb. 4. See page 15 for more information.

Philanthropy award winners give from the heart back to community

MIHS to present ‘Arthur Miller’s Playing for Time’

After last week’s public forum, the Joint Commission will have a working meeting at 6 p.m. tonight, Jan. 27 at City Hall. The Chamber of Commerce is planning to discuss the Town Center planning process at its next meeting. RSVP by Feb. 2 for the Feb. 4 luncheon, featuring a panel with economic and design experts. See page 5 for more information, or call the Chamber at 206-232-3404.

By Joe Livarchik

jlivarchik@mi-reporter.com

At long last, local soccer fans can collectively breathe a sigh of relief. The Seattle Sounders FC introduced Jordan Morris as the newest member of the club on Jan. 21 at the Ninety in Seattle. Finally, after a couple years of speculation where the homegrown talent’s career would take him next, Morris officially put it all to rest, donning the Sounders’ blue and green in a tweeted photo. “The only way I could describe it is as a dream come true,” Morris told the Reporter. “I’m excited to get on the field in front of these amazing fans.” Morris, a member of the U.S. men’s national team and a for-

Martin Weiss 425.417.9595 www.MartinWeiss.johnlscott.com

martinweiss@johnlscott.com

mer standout at Mercer Island High School, wrapped a career season at Stanford University this past winter. Last December, he led the Cardinal to the program’s first-ever national championship. Earlier this month, Morris won the NCAA MAC Hermann Trophy, the highest individual intercollegiate award administered by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. He recently spent a week on trial with the German sports club Werder Bremen, fueling speculation he’d begin his professional career overseas. But Morris returned to the U.S. without signing a contract with the German club. “It was a good experience,” Morris said of his time with Werder Bremen. “But it kind of

HEART | PAGE 3

MORRIS | PAGE 14

Betty DeLaurenti 206.949.1222 www.bettyd.johnlscott.com

bettyd@johnlscott.com

REPORTER

Town Center work continues

It’s official: Morris signs with Sounders

Mercer Island

Probus Club speaker Jeb Wyman and members will discuss stories and veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars at the group’s next meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 3. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Presbyterian Church.

reaffirmed my belief that I wanted to play in my hometown and play in front of 45,000 fans at Century Link.” Mercer Island High School boys soccer coach Colin Rigby was an assistant under Steve Newman when Morris helped lead the Islanders to the 3A state final in 2012. Rigby said he knew right away great things were in store for Morris on the soccer field. “I was talking to my MIFC U12 boys team and told them [Thursday] was such a historic moment. I mentioned [Jordan’s] name and the kids already knew who he was,” Rigby said. “He’s solidified himself as a local legend and someone to look up to for the young kids on Mercer Island. There are very few communities that provide such leadership and such a great role model to try and follow.” The Sounders billed Thursday’s press conference as a “special” press event, giving few details,

STARTING AT $39/YEAR

Learn about ‘ordinary soldiers’

Joe Livarchik/Staff Photo

Mercer Island native and new Seattle Sounders FC forward Jordan Morris addresses the media alongside Sounders coach Sigi Schmid Jan. 21 at the Ninety in Seattle after signing with the team.

Giving back comes naturally to the 2016 Giving from the Heart philanthropy award winners — Mercer Island Pediatrics and Barb Hovsepian of Au Courant salon. Both are deeply engrained in the Mercer Island community. The salon, which Hovsepian has owned since 2010, is a gathering place and frequent sponsor of many causes, from the Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) Food Bank to Relay for Life. Mercer Island Pediatrics is also uniquely situated to help children in need,

Subscribe online at www.Mi-Reporter.com or please call 1-888-838-3000

Mercer Island High School Drama’s show opens at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Jan. 28, and runs this weekend and next. Based on a true story, the play follows the journey of a French opera singer who survives Auschwitz. Tickets are $10 presale, $15 at the door and $5 for seniors.

By Katie Metzger

kmetzger@mi-reporter.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

MI | THIS WEEK

Serving Since1947 1947 Servingthe theMercer MercerIsland Island Community community since


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.