REPORTER
Mercer Island www.mi-reporter.com
MI | THIS WEEK
Serving the Mercer Island community since 1947
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011 | 75¢
Daylight robbery attempt fails
Firehouse fun
‘Bells of Sound’ concert is Friday The Mercer Island Presbyterian Church will host the Bells of Sound concert on Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. A nationally acclaimed handbell ensemble will perform. The suggested donation is $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors. Contact Sue Sherwood at (206) 300-0313.
By Reporter Staff
Evo holiday sale for Mercer Island As part of a fundraiser for Islander Middle School, Evo will be offering a sale through Friday, Dec. 9. The ski and snowboard site will give a portion of sales to the school. Islanders can get 10 percent off in Evo’s online “store” and 21 percent off in the “outlet” section of the site. The deal is only available for residents of the 98040 ZIP code. Visit evo.com to learn more.
MISD School board meeting Dec. 15 There will be a regular school board meeting for the Mercer Island School District Board of Directors on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the district’s board room.
MIHS basketball broadcasts this week The Mercer Island High School basketball radio broadcasts continue this week with boys and girls games. On Friday, Dec. 9, tune in at 7:30 p.m. for the girls game at Bellevue, and next Monday listen as the boys play Sammamish at home. All games can be heard on the radio at 94.5 FM or find a link online at www.mi-reporter.com.
Matt Brashears/Contributed Photo
Julius Perez has a reindeer’s-eye view atop his dad’s shoulders at the Firehouse Munch inside the Mercer Island Fire Department’s north end station, where people gathered for treats and entertainment.
Aljoya is the 2011 business of the year Retirement community offers arts, activities to their residents and beyond By Linda Ball
lball@mi-reporter.com
Aljoya Mercer Island has been awarded the Business of the Year award by the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce. The award was announced at the Chamber’s monthly business lunch last Thursday at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. The senior housing community was nominated by both a business and an individual for the honor,
HAPPY HOUR
said Terry Moreman, the executive director of the Chamber. A committee made up of a past winner, a Mercer Island resident, a board member and the chamber’s executive director choose the business to be honored. Aljoya Mercer Island is a 112unit residential community for seniors with services and amenities not found in traditional retirement communities. “The criteria (for the award) is how has the business made a significant impact on the economic vitality and/or how the business brought value and benefit to the community,” Moreman said. “In this case, one of the nominators mentioned that it brought new people to the community who are
check out our
New Menu
7650 SE 27th Street | 206-407-3016 | www.cellar46.com
A man followed a 22-year-old Island woman off a bus last Friday afternoon, claimed he had a gun and attempted to rob her. The woman struggled with the man, but was able to get away. With the help of witnesses and an alert bus driver, Mercer Island police made an arrest. The 21-year-old suspect followed the woman off a Metro bus after 3:25 p.m. in the 8600 block of S.E. 44th Street on Friday, Dec. 2. The woman was going home. Shortly after exiting the bus, the male approached the woman and demanded she give him her cell phone and wallet. He said that he didn’t want to hurt her, but claimed he had a gun and would shoot her if she did not comply. The suspect implied that he had a
ROBBERY | PAGE 2
Linda Ball/Staff Photo
Marketing representative Sylvia LeMier, left, and community relations director Molly Cole accepted the award for Aljoya. out shopping and are involved in the community.” The individual who nominated Aljoya credited the work it does for the community in terms of giving back. Molly Cole, community relations director for Aljoya Mercer
The Mercer Island High School wrestling team began the season strong. See Sports on page 14 for details.
ALJOYA | PAGE 2
Saturday, December 10 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Leica Demo Day at Omega Photo JUST NORTH OF BELLEVUE SQUARE t 1100 Bellevue Way NE t (425) 455-2126 t www.OMEGAPHOTO.biz