An informational meeting and coffee, hosted by Mercer Island High School principal Kathy Siddoway, on proposed changes to the high school Bridges advisory program will be held at 7 p.m., May 25 at the Mercer Island High School library.

The high school administrative staff is considering a move to increase the time allotted to the Bridges student advisory and leadership program at the school for the 2005-06 school year. The program currently meets just every other week or as needed for special events, such as the recent day of service, a career day and a day of respect. If implemented, the program would be held twice each week for a total of one hour and 16 minutes

The time would be used for administrative details such as surveys and announcements on Mondays for 20 minutes and for approximately one hour each Friday. Friday sessions will include speakers, assemblies, culminating project check-ins, celebrations and Bridges curriculum and discussions.

The Senior Foundation of Mercer Island is now accepting grant applications/proposals from individuals or organizations which meet the following requirements:

? Benefits Mercer Island senior programs and be open to the public; and/or

? Addresses unmet program needs; and/or,

? Assists existing Mercer Island agencies and programs to increase the health, safety, and well-being of seniors; and/or

? Acts as a catalyst for educational programs that raise community consciousness on aging.

The foundation encourages proposals that are innovative and creative, that capitalize on resource and resident involvement, and that offer programs and events not currently existing on Mercer Island. Call Leslie Scott (232-4597) for an application form. Submit completed proposals to PO Box 51, Mercer Island, by June 15th.

Meals on Wheels program for MI seniors

The Meals on Wheels program provides frozen meals to homebound seniors age 60 or older. Meals on Wheels participants are also eligible to purchase liquid supplements, such as Ensure. If you would like additional information about the Mercer Island Meals on Wheels program, call (206) 236-3545.

Can you spare a ride?

The Senior Services Transportation Program is seeking volunteers who are available weekdays to drive seniors to medical appointments. While more seniors are calling the program for rides, there are not enough volunteers to help them all.

Volunteers use their own vehicles and choose where and when they wish to drive. The program offers mileage and parking reimbursement and supplemental liability insurance. For more information, call 448-5740, 800-282-5815, or visit www.seniorservices.org on the Web

Free VIN etching

In the first three months of 2005, over 12,000 cars were stolen in Washington state and more than 4,400 cars were stolen in the King County area alone. Washington state ranked sixth-highest in the nation for the number of auto thefts that occurred per person, in 2004.

Marking a vehicle windshield by etching the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the glass makes it easier for police to recover the vehicle if it has been stolen. Car thieves are less likely to steal a car that has been etched — it makes the vehicles much harder to unload.

Free VIN etching will be held between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. Thursday, May 26, at Valley Ridge Park, 4644 S. 188th St. next to Tyee High School in SeaTac.

The event is sponsored by Allstate Insurance with the King County Sheriff’s Office and Safelite Auto Insurance.

For information call 425-489-2289.

Islander Jazz bands take honor

Two Mercer Island School District student jazz bands won top places at the annual Bellevue High School Jazz festival held May 6 and 7 in Bellevue. The Mercer Island High School jazz band took first place, winning the contest for the second year in a row.

The high school ensemble played “Basically Blues” by Buddy Rich and other classic jazz tunes to outplay and out be-bop the competition.

“We have worked hard,” said senior Lee Cordova, who plays alto saxophone for the high school ensemble. “Many of us have been together in the jazz band for three years. We have worked hard and prepared well. We were focussed and relaxed.”

Their major competition is Mt. Si and Sammamish High schools, Cordova noted.

The Islander Middle School jazz band placed third out of bands from 20 other schools. The young Islanders played “Things Ain’t What They Use to Be” composed by Mercer Ellington and arranged by David Mills.

Evan Sadler, who plays alto saxophone, was surprised the Jazz Band placed so high in the competition. “I didn’t think we had any chance–at the other middle schools, jazz band is a class that meets every day but we do it on our own time before school,” he explained. The 25-member band meets at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and sometimes oat 7:15 a.m. on Fridays. Sadler, who was the featured artist in “Ballad for Duke,” added, “We just do it for fun–we love the music and the chance to play together.”

The success for the middle school band was particularly sweet, said band director, David Bentley.

“This is especially noteworthy in that it is really just the group’s second year in existence,” Bentley said of the middle schoolers.