Do you know that guy, Tom Bodett? He’s the folksy Motel 6 radio pitchman who says, “We’ll leave the light on for ’ya.” I actually met him once, and he sounds just the same in person as he does on FM. In fact, he speaks in stereo at all times.
On opening day last Thursday it was a bit surreal to step out of the mist-laden Cascade forest into the Snoqualmie Tribe’s new state-of-the-art gambling palace. Being inside the 51,000 square foot gaming floor just 24 miles east of Mercer Island is to be transported to Las Vegas. Like the gilded halls of The Mirage or the MGM Grand, the new Snoqualmie Casino is a high-tech indulgence fueled by energy and luxury, food and drink.
Holly Grant and Nate Weddle were married on Aug. 29 at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland, Wash. Pastor Robert Case officiated the wedding ceremony. A reception followed the ceremony.
Alison Rindlaub and Dan Chester were married in Custer, Wash., on July 12, 2008 under a tent on the Tail Skid Meadows farm. Chris Manginelli, of Four Square Church in Mill Creek, Wash., officiated the ceremony. The wedding party and guests stayed at the nearby Semiahmoo Resort.
The Rotary Islander of the Month award for November was given to Mercer Island High School seniors, Tyler Benster and Jacqueline Dean Witter.
The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2008 Business of the Year award. The award is to recognize an Island business that has contributed to the economic vitality of the Island and/or has brought significant value and benefit to the community. Information and a simple nomination form may be downloaded from the Chamber’s Web site at www.mercerislandchamber.org. Businesses may nominate themselves. The winner receives a free Chamber membership and other benefits.
For the second year in a row, Mercer Island’s No. 1 doubles team has won the KingCo 3A title.
In one of the biggest surprises in Washington high school cross country history, the Mercer Island girls beat Seattle Prep to win the state title.
The Mercer Island girls swim team won the 3A district title on Saturday, scoring 269 points, beating next closest Bellevue by 56 points at Mary Wayte Pool.
For the first time in 11 years, the Mercer Island boys water polo team did not enter the state tournament as the No. 1 seed. But the Islanders did continue another streak, winning their ninth straight state title.
The Mercer Island volleyball team has been the picture of domination in league play during the past two seasons, and the 3A KingCo tournament on Friday and Saturday was no different. The Islanders won their second straight league tournament title by beating rival Mount Si, 3-1. The team also pushed its win streak against 3A KingCo opponents to 27 consecutive matches.
The tumultuous Mercer Island football season came to a close on Friday with a 29-26 loss to Seattle Prep, despite a 20-0 lead during the second quarter.
A Porsche 911 parked in an Islander’s garage in the 5000 block of East Mercer Way was keyed down the passenger side during the night of Halloween. According to the owner’s estimate, the scratches will cost $3,000 to repair.
