Mercer Island, WA June 2024

FOOD + BEVERAGE CHEERS TO THE GENTS!

AUTO + MARINE

REVVED UP! WELCOME TO THE VIBRANT WORLD OF CARS N COFFEE

Godzilla, Trueno, and Beyond: Shinka Evolution Revolution

6930 96th Ave SE

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6811 East Mercer Way

4 BD | 2.5 BA | 3,020 SF | SOLD FOR $2,560,000

3350 97th Ave SE

4 BD | 1.75 BA | 2,380 SF | LISTED AT $2,350,000

Cheers to the Gents

Dear Mercer Island Residents,

Welcome to our Gents-themed issue of Mercer Island City Lifestyle! We're thrilled to bring you a diverse selection of stories that celebrate the remarkable men in our community and the passions that inspire them.

First, we take a deep dive into the fascinating world of Japanese automotive culture with the Shinka Evolution Revolution exhibit at the LeMay – America's Car Museum. Discover the rich history and captivating stories behind some of the most iconic JDM cars, brought to life through an immersive and visually stunning display.

Next, we shift gears to explore the vibrant Cars N Coffee scene on Mercer Island, led by the passionate Greg James and enriched by the expertise of community members, like SODO MOTO founder Adam Chovanak. These informal gatherings blend the rich aroma of coffee with the polished chrome and sleek lines of classic and contemporary cars, fostering connections and celebrating the community's shared love for all things automotive.

Following that, Missy Claridge and the cocktail connoisseurs at Vons 1000 Spirits have whipped up a special treat for the gents – the Northwest Spirits Black Manhattan, a complex and flavorful libation that's sure to delight your palate.

We then turn to the skilled hands of Chef Greg Kim of Kiwami Sushi and the Fuudi Kitchen, who shares his secrets for crafting the perfect teriyaki chicken.

Next, we explore the innovative world of integrative men's wellness, where practitioners like Mercer Islander, Michelle Brown, and partner, Amaris Murphy, are redefining the way men approach their physical and mental health. By blending functional and aesthetic medicine, they are empowering men to look and feel their best from the inside out.

To wrap things up, we introduce a new column, Mercer Island Voices,  and we head to Lakeridge Elementary School’s cherished end-of-year musicals, where Paul Shoemaker fondly reminisces about watching the talented students he knew grow up to become accomplished professionals across various fields. His reflections on the power of community to nurture and guide future leaders are truly inspiring.

We hope you enjoy this eclectic mix of stories that showcase the vibrant spirit of our Mercer Island community. As always, we are grateful for your readership and support.

Cheers!

CHRIS ISHII & SHARON PEREZ

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Chris Ishii | chris.ishii@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Sharon Perez | sharon.perez@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Laura Ohata, Suzie Mulligan, Greg Kim

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jim Garner, Zach Corbin, Kellen Eskridge, Suzie Mulligan, City of Mercer Island

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

JUNE 2024

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Lori, Rich, and Ariel Dewey celebrating the final touches on their gorgeous new home 2: Robyn Farrish, Tom Gallagher, Jay Nygaard, Sharon toasting the refreshed view compliments of Gallagher Co. 3: Colin Brandt and Tom Gallagher, collaborating for a stunning remodel on Shoreclub Drive 4: Chris, Sharon, and “Voices” writer, Laura Ohata at NW Event Show at Seattle Convention Center 5: Julie Hsieh, Deb Brandt, Chris, and Aly Burks at Yuan Ru Art Center 6: Amy Walsh and Gary Yamamoto of LeMay and Glenn Mitsui of Mitsui Creative 7: Chris and Glenn Mitsui at Shinka Evolution Revolution at LeMay - America’s Car Museum Photography by @mercerislandcitylifestyle

Arista Catering Winner Best in the PNW 2023 People’s Choice

Islander Brett Willard’s Arista Catering has been awarded the Gold for Best in the PNW by The Seattle Times.  10 years ago Arista set out with one goal in mind, to help people have the best possible experiences with catering possible.  Arista Catering serves private events, corporate functions and private jet catering, with quality northwest sourced ingredients.   Arista Catering has been a long-time supporter of many Mercer Island organizations and events.

Photography by The Seattle Times

receiving the prestigious 2024 Family Business of the Year Award from The Puget Sound Business Journal.  The story began over three decades ago when Tim Firnstahl, father of now owner Missy Claridge, opened the doors of Von’s RoastHouse.  In 2012, Missy took the reins of the family business as President of Heritage 1904: Vons1000 Spirits, Sharps Roasthouse and Northwest Spirits in Seattle and Woodinville.

by Heritage 1904

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City of Mercer Island Summer Celebration 2024 Sponsorship

Mercer Island’s Summer Celebration is the largest one-day event for the Island, featuring live music, family entertainment, food vendors, community groups, fireworks show and a parade!  The 2024 Summer Celebration will be on Saturday, July 13, 10am-10pm.  Mercer Island City Lifestyle is proud to be a Presenting Sponsor of Summer Celebration - and invites you to become a sponsor for this beloved community event.  Contact Katie Herzog at Katie.herzog@mercerisland.gov or 206-795-8518 for sponsorship information.

Photography by Mercer Island City Lifestyle

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STAY WELL

Photography

GODZILLA, TRUENO, AND BEYOND: SHINKA EVOLUTION REVOLUTION

ARTICLE BY CHRIS ISHII | PHOTOGRAPHY BY J GARNER PHOTOGRAPHY

The

The Japanese Car has a rich history in America. Do you remember the Accords, Preludes, 300ZXs, RX7s, Celicas, and Supra GTs in the MIHS parking lot back in the day? Mark Harrington of BMW Seattle tells me that the cool thing about cars is that every car has a story. Welcome to the story of JDM Cars in the Shinka Evolution Revolution exhibit at the LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma. The first time that the museum has had a full showcase gallery. (Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars are made in a way that complies with the rules and regulations of the Japanese Market.) Museum Collection Coordinator Amy Walsh explained, “We really tried to make it more immersive than we’ve done in the past. We tried to really showcase more artwork and more cultural aspects of Japanese cars and culture. To really inspire people and show them there’s more to the car than just RPMs and horsepower.” Storytelling was artfully embedded into the exhibit and the vision of Executive Director Gary Yamamoto and the genius that executed his vision, Glenn Mitsui of Mitsui Creative.

2022 Acura NSX Type-S at Samurai themed pod

Travis Pastrana's 2006 Subaru WRX STI

Gary’s background at the Wing Luke and Nordstrom gave him the perfect background to imagine the ultimate immersive experience. Gary says, “Details make the experience!” He beamed when speaking of the music, the scents, and the visuals that are the ambiance of this amazing exhibition. When you enter, you are walking into Tokyo! Cars positioned in pods creating Japanese themes. Glenn rallied the community. Dean MIyauchi’s Daruma with two moving eyes to represent a completed goal. The wheels turning are Toyo tires with Watanabe 8 spoke rims, the iconic wheel of JDM mods because of its light weight, making it perfect for racing. Wire Bonsai trees carefully crafted by Kyfu Bonsai because real bonsais would die during the yearlong exhibit. Glenn’s cousin, Kiyoshi Ina crafted a Taiko Drum and drove it up from San Francisco. (He will be coming up with the second one before this issue drops.) A Samurai helmet and “yoroi” (complete armor) were contributed by the Japanese Consulate. KING-TV newscaster, Lori Matsukawa contributed her Wedding Kimono. Samurai culture is mainstream TV today.

You may recall that another aspect of Japanese culture frequently portrayed on the silver screen is the Yakuza. Near the entrance, you will notice a 1971 Nissan Skyline GTX. This JDM car is extremely rare because the Yakuza revered this model and “strongly suggested” it not be exported out of Japan. The signature pod is the Zen garden with cherry blossom tree. A picturesque scene hosting the 1967 Toyota 2000 GT with the backdrop of Fujiyama, Mount Fuji. An eight-screen mural featuring famed stunt performer (and drifter) Travis Pastrana gives you the feel of motion complete with his 2006 Blue Subaru WRX STI on display. It took 8 screens 16,000 pixels by 9,000 pixels and a 110 gigabyte video. There are so many stories, like the 1989 Nissan R32 GT-R nicknamed Godzilla, the 1983 Toyota AE86 Trueno GT-APEX made famous in anime as Takumi Fujiwara's father’s car that doubled as a race and tofu delivery car. Immersive storytelling is the new standard. Shinka has truly set the bar for more upcoming exhibitions. Shinka has set attendance records and runs through 2024. Gary, Marketing Manager Jake Welk, Amy, and the rest of the LeMay and its army of volunteers are ready to prove to the world why “America’s Car Museum “is the LeMay in Tacoma, Washington.

1980 Mazda RX-7 Wide Body

Top floor view of Shinka

LeMay - America's Car Museum

Revved Up

THE VIBRANT WORLD OF CARS N COFFEE

ARTICLE BY CHRIS ISHII | PHOTOGRAPHY BY J GARNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Ann Sekizaki with Greg James and 1977 Datsun 280Z

Mike Gallatin and 2022 Ferrari F8 Spider

Cars N Coffee group on April 9th

Cars & Coffee events, a cherished tradition among automobile enthusiasts, blend the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee with the polished chrome and sleek lines of classic and contemporary cars. On Mercer Island, a particularly vibrant group led by Greg James exemplifies the community spirit integral to these gatherings. A little less emphasis on coffee because the customary meeting time is 6 pm on virtually any sunny Tuesday. Just drop by the Metropolitan Market parking lot to partake.

Originating in the early 2000s in Southern California, Cars & Coffee

started as simple, informal meetups at local coffee shops where car enthusiasts could share their passion. It quickly became a popular venue for showcasing prized vehicles and exchanging stories over coffee, without the formality of traditional car shows.

The Mercer Island Cars N Coffee event not only continues this tradition but has evolved to serve as a platform for broader community issues.

“Mercer Island has a lot of interesting cars tucked away in garages and out of sight. It’s great to see them and the owners on Tuesday evenings”- Greg James

Contributions from gearheads like Adam Chovanak, founder of SODO MOTO, enrich these events significantly. Adam’s

deep knowledge of every car brings a level of expertise and enthusiasm that inspires both novices and seasoned collectors. His participation highlights the educational aspect of Cars N Coffee, where learning and passion for automotive history and technology thrive.

As with its origins, the appeal of Cars N Coffee lies in its ability to foster connections. On Mercer Island, these events are more than just about cars; they are a community space for mentoring young enthusiasts, discussing trends, and promoting charitable causes. This local flavor adds a personal touch while maintaining the grassroots spirit that has characterized Cars & Coffee since its inception.

Chris with Greg and 1996 Porsche 993RS (never sold in NA)

Tom and Stefania Buckley and Speed Yellow 2000 Porsche 911 GT3 Club Sport MK1, first Gen of GT3 series

Jason Du and Daytona

Eric Schumy and Carmine Red 1955 Jaguar XK140MC OTC

Adam Chovanak and 1988 Renault Alpine GTA, made at Alpine factory in Dieppe, France

CHEERS TO THE GENTS!

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY HERITAGE 1904

Northwest Spirits Black Manhattan

PREMIERE POUR OF THE MONTH: Northwest Spirits Black Manhattan

Heritage 1904 is Seattle’s Cocktail Connoisseurs with Mercer Island roots. Crafting excellence for over 50 years with iconic establishments like Von’s 1000Spirits, Sharps RoastHouse, and Woodinville’s newest woman-owned distillery, Northwest Spirits, our expertise in mixology is unmatched, ensuring each sip is a masterpiece. Trust us – we know how to make a helluva great cocktail.

ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Savor Spear® Bourbon

• 0.5 oz Sweet Vermouth

• 0.5 oz Amaro Ramazzotti

• 0.5 oz Amaretto

• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

• 2 dashes Chocolate Bitters

• 3 bourbon soaked cherries

directions:

Step 1. In a shaker tin or mixing glass, combine Bourbon, Sweet Vermouth, Amaro Ramazzotti, Amaretto, Angostura Bitters, and Chocolate Bitters.

Step 2. Fill the shaker with ice and stir vigorously for 30 seconds, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to chill to perfection

Step 3. Strain the elixir into your preferred chilled glassware.

Step 4. Garnish with three luscious bourbon cherries skewered on a pick, adding a burst of sweetness to every sip.

Missy Firnstahl Claridge, President Heritage 1904

Northwest Spirits Black Manhattan

ARTICLE BY SHARON PEREZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MERCER ISLAND CITY LIFESTYLE

Wellness Integrative Men’s

BEYOND HORMONES AND AESTHETICS: IAM CENTER IS HELPING MEN LIVE WELL BY LOOKING GOOD AND FEELING GOOD INSIDE AND OUT.

Integrative men's wellness is a comprehensive approach to health and aging. The focus is wellness and prevention, recognizing the internal and external factors that contribute to overall well-being.

Mercer Island resident Michelle Brown is an Integrative Wellness Expert, and for our Gents Issue, shares an educational overview of the holistic approach to Men’s Health & Wellness, that she and co-founder and partner, Amaris Murphy, provide at IAM Center. Both Michelle and Amaris are Certified Nurse Practitioners and bring an extensive medical background to their practice.

Whether addressing hormone imbalances or aesthetic procedures, men can take control of their health to live well.

In the realm of men’s wellness, the integration of functional and aesthetic medicine is paving the way for a holistic approach to health. Unlike traditional healthcare models, which often focus solely on treating symptoms, integrative medicine looks at the root causes of health issues and aims to prevent chronic diseases.

At the core of integrative men’s wellness is the optimization of hormones. Testosterone, a key hormone in men, plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including energy levels, muscle mass, sexual health, and mood. However, the decline in testosterone levels that occurs with age can lead to a myriad of symptoms, from fatigue to depression. Integrative medicine seeks to educate men about hormone optimization and individualized treatment plans that go beyond simply replacing testosterone.

Despite the growing body of evidence supporting its benefits, testosterone replacement therapy remains outside the standard of care. Integrative healthcare providers must navigate this landscape by staying informed about the latest research and advocating for personalized treatment approaches tailored to each patient’s needs.

In addition to hormone optimization, integrative men’s wellness encompasses aesthetic treatments aimed at enhancing physical appearance. From Botox to laser resurfacing, these procedures go hand in hand with hormone therapy in helping men look and feel their best. However, the focus is not on achieving unrealistic ideals of youthfulness but rather on enhancing natural features and promoting self-confidence.

As the conversation around men’s wellness continues to evolve, integrative medicine is poised to play a significant role in reshaping how men approach their health. By emphasizing prevention, education, and personalized care, integrative providers are leading the way toward a future where men not only look good but also feel good from the inside out.

Michelle Brown WHNP-BC, Co-Founder IAM Center for Integrative Aesthetic Medicine

ARTICLE BY SHARON PEREZ

ZACH CORBIN AND KELLEN ESKRIDGE

Fine Arts Showcase

Mercer Island Fine Arts Advisory Council (FAAC) is a 501(c)(3) created to raise funds to support arts education and educators in MISD schools for grades K-12, including band, orchestra, choir, drama, dance, and visual arts.  FAAC also spearheads initiatives such as bringing art educators to the elementary schools, enhancing district art education excellence, and ensuring continuity of arts curriculum goals.

The annual Fine Arts Showcase, is the flagship fundraiser for FAAC and a tradition on Mercer Island for over 50 years. Showcase is two nights of performances by musical groups from all MISD schools, as well as Visual Art displays from all arts classes and every elementary student in the district.

“We have world class arts ensemble groups in our Mercer Island Schools,” notes Band Director, Parker Bixby, as he reflects on the pleasure of showcasing these award-winning students to the greater community.

A Mercer Island Tradition for Over 50 Years - Celebrating K-12 Student Arts

Top Left: MIHS Choral Middle: Student Ceramics Bottom Left: IMS 8th Grade Band

Top Right: MIHS Symphony Orchestra Bottom Right: Mercer Island Schools Fine Arts Teachers

Teriyaki Chicken

BY CHEF GREG KIM OF KIWAMI SUSHI AND THE FUUDI KITCHEN

ARTICLE BY GREG KIM, SUZIE MULLIGAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUZIE MULLIGAN

This traditional teriyaki recipe combines sweet and savory flavors in a quintessential Japanese dish. Serve atop a bed of steamed rice or alongside crisp stirfried vegetables.

prep time

15 minutes Cook time: 30 min Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 6-8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, patted dry

• Salt for teriyaki sauce

• 2 tablespoons sake

• 4 tablespoons mirin

• 8 tablespoons soy sauce

• 4 tablespoons white sugar

• 4 tablespoons water

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon water, for slurry

• Green onions, sliced, and sesame seeds for garnish hint

To get the most flavor into your chicken, it’s important to get it nice and brown on the outside. If you lightly salt the chicken, before pan-frying it. This coaxes out any excess moisture from the surface, and then you can use paper towels to remove the liquid, along with the salt before frying it.

preparation

1. Once the chicken is salted and patted dry, place skin-side down into a cold non-stick pan. There’s no need to add any oil since the skin will render out plenty of fat.

2. Cook the chicken slowly over medium heat until the skin side is crisp and browned. Then flip it over to brown on the other side. Remove from pan and set aside.

3. Drain off any excess oil, then use paper towels to wipe up any remaining oil left in the pan.

4. In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, and 4 tablespoons of water.

5. Return the chicken to the pan, skin-side up. Pour the sauce over the chicken, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until chicken is cooked through. Be sure to jiggle the chicken pieces around occasionally, to avoid scorching the bottom.

6. Scoop out any fat that has rendered and is floating on the top, and discard.

7. Now that the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and arrange on a serving platter.

8. Prepare a cornstarch slurry, with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to 1 tablespoon of water. Heat the remaining sauce to a boil and slowly add the slurry to make a nice thick sauce.

9. With a spoon, ladle the sauce on top of the chicken, making sure to coat well.

10. Garnish with sliced green onion and toasted sesame seeds.

CHEF GREG KIM

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Mercer Island Voices

Paul Shoemaker: Social Impact and Rebuilding America

We moved to Mercer Island in 1996, as many people do, for the schools. My kids all went to Lakeridge Elementary and they always had an end-of-the-year musical. Just recently, my wife and I were going back through a bunch of video tapes [of these musicals] to try to save them in a digital format.

The play I remember the most was Alice in Wonderland. Seeing kids that you knew back then, and realizing that today they're management consultants, lawyers, software developers... It reminds me that I'm older than I want to be, but it's also cool to know that the community that I was a part

of nurtured and guided people into the world to do bigger, better things.

I wrote “Taking Charge of Change” 5 years ago. I spent 20 years involved in social change work, largely through a philanthropic network called Social Venture Partners, and in the most recent few years as a private consultant working on social impact work.

Someone asked me what I’d learned about what makes positive social change. You know, you might wish it was a system or a process. That's part of it. But in the end, it always comes down to people. It comes down to leadership.

ARTICLE BY LAURA OHATA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY J. GARNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Islander Paul Shoemaker

I thought back through the best people I'd worked with who actually created social impact. I interviewed about 100 of those people and then boiled the book down to about 38 people. I gave these folks a name. I call them “rebuilders” because there are a lot of things that needed to be rebuilt in America.

I started to think about what the attributes of those people were. There are many ways you can slice the leadership piece, but I boiled it down to these five traits:

24-7 Authenticity  You must show up with integrity and authenticity from the get-go. You cannot fake it. You can't make it up. You can't hide it. You know, the world is going to pay attention to you if you're a leader, so you have got to be authentic.

Complexity Capacity The ability to process inputs that are constantly changing, and be able to not only adapt, but communicate those out to teams. I have found that women are better at this trait than men.

Data Conviction or people who are adept at using data. Our world is awash in data, and yet, people can have the ability to digest, interpret, and use data as a leadership tool.

Generosity Mindset. People with a generosity mindset change the room. They're not fluffy. They are incredibly strong. When somebody like that is in the room, they change it. They create cohesion.

Cross-Sector Fluency  people who have the ability to work across sectors, public, private, and nonprofit, possess what I call “cross-sector fluency.” If you look at the problems we're trying to solve now, you cannot solve them through one step. The nonprofit sector might have the know-how, but they don't have the clout. The private sector has the money, but they don't have the know-how. The public sector has the scope, but they sometimes don't have the public goodwill. You need people who can fluently work across all those sectors. And those people are critical in making change happen.

Writing “Taking Charge of Change” made me more hopeful. Researching individuals who are positive leaders certainly reaffirms your faith in the potential of people.

Paul Shoemaker has lived on Mercer Island for 28 years. He is a consultant, and author of “Taking Charge of Change”, published by HarperCollins Leadership, and “Can’t Not Do”, published by Wiley.

Rebuilders -“There are lots of really meaningful, purposeful, authentic change leaders out there in the world.  Some of them are famous, and some of them are not famous at all, but they are all trying to make a positive difference in their communities.”

—Paul Shoemaker as interviewed by Laura Ohata.

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

JUNE 2ND

Mercer Island Farmers Market Opening Day

Mercerdale Park | 10:00 AM

The Mercer Island Farmers Market opens for the 17th season, June 2. The Market runs every Sunday from 10:00am - 2:00pm along Mercerdale Park.  The market features a selection of produce and flower vendors, seafood, prepared foods, food trucks and live music every week.  Come enjoy the delicious food, music and community.  Schedule and more information at www.mifarmersmarket.org

JUNE 7TH

Mercer Island First Friday Art Walk

Mercer Island Town Center | 5:00 PM

Enjoy a summer evening of art and community at multiple locations throughout Mercer Island Town Center on the First Friday of each month: Clarke & Clarke, Realogics Sotheby’s, Suzanne Zahr Gallery, Aljoya, Barrels Wine Bar, John L. Scott, Caldwell Banker Bain and MIVAL Gallery.  More information on arts around the Island, at mival.org/member-shows

JUNE 14TH

Mercer Island Chinese Association MI Library Arts & Culture Programs

Mercer Island Library | 12:30 PM

Mercer Island Chinese Association (MICA) and King County Library System (KCLS) are partnering to offer a series of enriching cultural and arts programs. Friday, June 14: Explore the timeless elegance of Su embroidery, a celebrated art form originating from Suzhou, China, renowned for meticulous craftsmanship and exquisite detail.

Open to the public and free of charge. Details @ kcls.org/locations/mercer-island

Serving your Mercer Island neighbors since 1984

Live in the lap of modern luxury with our stunning homes. Our unique designs seamlessly blend form and function to create a living space that is both beautiful and practical. Don’t just live in a house, thrive in a home that is as extraordinary as you are.

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Homeowner — Lea Anne