Mercer Island to welcome new city manager on Jan. 3

The public is invited to a short reception from 6:15-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, to meet the city of Mercer Island’s new permanent City Manager, Julie Underwood.

Light refreshments will be served in Council Chambers at City Hall (9611 SE 36th St.) prior to the regular City Council meeting.

Underwood has nearly 20 years of local government management experience, and since March 2014, has served as the assistant city manager for Daly City, California, a first-tier suburb of San Francisco with a resident population of over 100,000. For more information about the reception, contact City Clerk Ali Spietz at 206-275-7793.

City lists holiday tree recycling options

When the holiday season winds down, most Islanders need a way to dispose of their holiday trees. The city encourages Island residents to recycle their trees and suggests choosing one of the following options:

Tree Chipping

The city’s annual holiday tree chipping service is offered for free from Dec. 27 to Jan. 13 for Mercer Island residents only.

Undecorated holiday trees can be brought to the city’s Public Works Shop at 9601 SE 36th St. (behind City Hall) during daylight hours, where staff will chip the tree and re-purpose it for use in city parks, trails and open spaces. For safety, leave your tree in the designated location only. When dropping off your holiday tree for chipping:

• Remove tree stands

• Remove all ornaments and lights

• Deliver your tree only during daylight hours

Note: No flocked or artificial trees will be accepted, and no garbage or other yard waste will be accepted.

Tree Collection

All curbside yard waste customers can also set holiday trees out on their regularly scheduled collection day. Trees must be free of flocking, tinsel, ornaments and metal hangers, cut to 4-foot lengths, and tied into bundles less than 2 feet by 3 feet. Use biodegradable string or twine to secure bundles instead of nylon, plastic or other synthetic materials. (Note: Flocked trees are not recyclable and will not be accepted; put flocked trees in the garbage.)

For more information about holiday tree services, contact the city Public Works Department at 206-275-7608.

Annual MIYFS Foundation breakfast is Feb. 8

Join almost 600 community-focused Islanders at the 15th Annual “Giving from the Heart Breakfast” that supports Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) programs. Registration is now open.

Whether you are new to the Island or a traditional attendee, this lively, dynamic community celebration is always inspirational, informative and entertaining — and a true local tradition.

This fundraising event will be held from 7:30-8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8 (with coffee at 7 a.m.) at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. The breakfast is free, but attendees will be encouraged to make a donation to the Youth and Family Services Foundation at the event. All proceeds from the event directly support MIYFS, the Human Services Department of the city of Mercer Island. MIYFS touches every member of our community through counselors in the schools, senior outreach and advocacy, affordable family counseling, drug and alcohol prevention programs, arrested youth and early intervention programs, family assistance and a thriving thrift store.

For questions about the event, contact Sari Weiss, youth and family services development officer at 206-275-7756. Reserve your seat at miyfs.org.