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AuCourant is Business of the Year
Holiday magic
Design Commission to review proposed Hines development The Mercer Island Design Commission will meet tonight at 7 p.m. at City Hall to hear about the proposed Hines Development at S.E. 29th Street and 78th Avenue S.E. The new mixed use building in the Town Center would include 14,625 square feet of commercial space, 215-230 residential units, and 400-430 parking stalls. For more go to www.mercergov.org, click on the ‘agenda and minutes ‘ tab on the left, and select ‘Design Commission.’
Reporter Staff
Classics on film
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The film “Best in Show” will be shown at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 12 at Aljoya as part of the Classics on Film series presented by the Mercer Island Arts Council. Film historian Lance Rhoades will speak and lead a Q&A.
Islanders organize to oppose Sound Transit commuter parking project By Katie Metzger
kmetzger@mi-reporter.com
A Sound Transit proposal to build a parking structure in the hilltop area north of the Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC) has been met with significant public opposition by several different groups on the Island, including Friends of Luther Burbank, North-end neighbors and other citizens. Mayor Bruce Bassett said that the Council subcommittee on this
Tana Senn resigns
BUSINESS | PAGE 2
New Primary Care Clinic on Mercer Island 8015 SE 28th Street #310 • Mercer Island 98040 Robert Goode, MD 206-898-2416 www.lakewapc.com
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REPORTER
A festive Hanukkah party featuring the kid-friendly band Recess Monkey, delicious food, Hanukkah trivia, games and crafts is for all ages. The fun is between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Stroum Jewish Community Center.
Parking proposal brings protests
would be funded by Sound Transit if the lot serves as relief parking during the construction of the South Bellevue Park and Ride. “We’re not dealing with a new issue, or a new need,” Bassett said about parking on the North-end. Mercer Island would provide topic is regrouping, and will pro- the land for the lot. The MICEC duce a list of other sites that have is only city-owned land within walking distance of the bus stops, been studied for which is how the parking and the idea to build on pros and cons. the hill emerged. “Clearly Howe ver, Elected last month as State there’s been a some Islanders Representative for the 41st lot of pushback,” contend that District, City Councilmember he said. “We’re the proposed Senn anounced her retirement going to reopen site, sometimes from the Council. See Page 2. the question of, called “Kite Hill,” ‘where is parking is part of the possible?’” The city is working with Sound Luther Burbank Master Plan. More than 600 people have Transit on its bus intercept and East Link Light Rail projects signed a petition to protect the because with the coming of Light area, which they say is a valuable Rail, Islanders will lose access to open space that provides a view of the center lanes on I-90. City offi- the lake and mountains. They said cials asked for mitigation in the PARKING | PAGE 10 form of a parking project, which
Mercer Island
‘Hanukkah Under the Stars’ is Saturday
Matt Brashears / Special to the Reporter
From left, Anna Bertlin, 10, Savanna Rousell, 6, and Alyssa Rousell, 4, all of Mercer Island, react as the town holiday tree is lit, Friday night at Mercerdale Park.
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Islander Allen C. Johnson, Jr. will sign copies of his awardwinning Blackwater Novels, a set of three chapter books for 4th and 5th graders, that will appeal to everyone, between 3 and 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 14 at Island Books. For more, see Page 13.
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Blackwater author to sign books
The Chamber of Commerce presented the Annual Business of the Year Award to Barb Hovsepian of Au Courant, the Den and Posh. Hovsepian and her husband Alan bought Au Courant in 2009. “It was a hair salon. Today it is that and more, with The Den catering exclusively to men, and POSH, Barb’s wardrobe and image consulting service,” said Chamber President Ralph Swanson. “Keeping track of what is essentially three businesses might be enough for one person, but Barb has more energy than one normal person.” Hovsepian also supports Mercer Island Youth & Family Services (YFS), and AuCourant is the leading seller of the Glass Pumpkins that YFS sells each fall. She has a Holiday Giving Tree that sponsors numerous families.
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