REPORTER
Mercer Island www.mi-reporter.com
MI | THIS WEEK
Serving the Mercer Island community since 1947
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012 | 75¢
Beware of Hollywood Video debt notices
Lindquist draws a crowd
Signs of spring The Mercer Island Parks and Recreation department is offering two ways to get outside this month. Coed softball will begin Feb. 25 for a minimum of three games at the South Mercer Playfields. Teams will use a 16-inch ball. Registration is $100, with $75 due at the first game. Proceeds benefit MIHS girls fast pitch softball. Contact Ryan.Daly@mercergov.org. For those inspired by Super Bowl Sunday, there is also an adult flag football tournament with both men’s and COED divisions set for Feb. 25-26 at the South Mercer Playfields. The fee is $309 per team. To register, visit www.tenacitysports.com.
Total Experience Gospel Choir at MIPC The Total Experience Gospel Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. Come hear the Seattle-based gospel singing group that is internationally renowned. Free will offerings are accepted.
How to help out those in need Volunteer bus drivers and helpers are needed to provide transportation for Island seniors to and from their homes and program sites. Call Jeannette at 275-7841. The Youth & Family Services food bank needs donations for families in need. Bring nonperishable items to the Community and Event Center, Albertsons or the Thrift Shop.
MISD Board meeting Thursday, Feb. 9 The Mercer Island School Board will hold a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in the board room. The board will continue its discussion on new facilities.
By Reporter Staff
Chad Coleman/Staff Photo
Islanders senior quarterback Jeff Lindquist, right foreground, speaks as his mother, Juli Lindquist, left, listens during a national letter of intent signing ceremony at the Mercer Island High School library on Wednesday. Lindquist will attend the University of Washington. See page 22 for the story.
Designer chosen for NBC reality show Fashion designer, Islander Lisa Vian Hunter is one of 14 vying for chance to mass market their designs By Breanna Lai
University of Washington Newslab
Fashion designer, Lisa Vian Hunter, an Island resident and owner of Vian Hunter House of Fashion, is one of 14 contestants on NBC’s new series “Fashion Star,” which will premier in March. Designers of all levels will compete for a grand prize of $6 million in orders for collections in H&M, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. The winning designs for each
attend a good public school, and they found that Mercer Island fit the bill perfectly. She got to know Seattle by researching the different shopping neighborhoods. In November 2009, Vian Hunter House of episode will be available online Fashion opened its doors on East immediately after the show and Madison Street. Last spring, the designer was in stores the next day. intrigued by an email from the Vian Hunter’s fashion career casting agents of took a nontradiNBC’s “Fashion tional path. At age Star. ” After a series 39, with two chilof interviews, Vian dren, she graduated Hunter was chosen from San Francisco’s as a contestant. The Fashion Institute show was filmed of Design and over the summer in Merchandising. LA. She was excited Lisa Vian Hunter “Some things take Mercer Island by its unique contime in life,” said cept. Vian Hunter, who “The clothes that we create on grew up in Northern California. the show are accessible, wearable With her husband’s support and they’re sold in Saks, Macy’s she opened a store in Palo Alto, but once the recession hit things and H&M,” she said. “Whatever designs are purchased for that became difficult. Vian Hunter and her family episode are available to buy online moved to Seattle on a whim. It and the next day in the store. It
At least one Islander has received a letter informing her that she owes $32.90 for five videos that she rented and returned to Mercer Island’s Hollywood Video store more than two years ago. Hollywood Video stores filed for bankruptcy and closed their doors here in late 2009. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2010. The Better Business Bureau of Alaska, Oregon and Washington issued a statement last week describing that many former customers had received letters from the collection agency that is working to collect on any outstanding debt from the company. “Complainants say that the fees and excessive and debts are unfounded,” the BBB said. “Some fear that false information may be submitted to credit reporting
VIDEO | PAGE 2
“It is just an enormous opportunity for us little folks.”
was a priority that their children
The Mercer Island High School boys swim team won the KingCo title on Saturday. See Sports on page 16 for details.
DESIGNER | PAGE 2
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