Social program for seniors to expand
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department received a $5,000 grant from the Senior Foundation of Mercer Island to expand its Senior Social program from two to three days per week.
Senior Social has been serving the Island community for more than 20 years. It provides an opportunity for senior adults with physical, memory, hearing or visual limitations to socialize with one another through music, art and crafts, games, exercise, guest speakers and education. It also fills a need for respite time for caregivers of the participants.
Currently, the program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Community and Event Center. It is staffed by a part-time program director, an assistant lead staff member and volunteers. The program has been at capacity for over a year, with a waitlist of participants waiting to enroll.
April proclaimed as ‘sexual assault awareness month’
At the March 21 City Council meeting, Mayor Bruce Bassett proclaimed that April will be Sexual Assault Awareness month on Mercer Island.
“Rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment harm our community, and statistics show that one out of three girls, one out of five boys and 23 percent of women are the victims of sexual assault,” Bassett noted.
He said that he was sensitive to this issue, as he has a daughter in college. One in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted during their time in college, he said.
“We must work together to educate our community about sexual violence prevention, support survivors and speak out against harmful attitudes and actions,” Bassett said.
Council seeks volunteers for boards and commissions
Help improve the livability of Mercer Island by getting more involved in your community. The City Council is seeking a diverse range of citizens to serve on several volunteer advisory boards.
Appointments to boards and commissions are made by the mayor and affirmed by the council. Generally, terms run June 1 through May 31, for a four-year period. Upon appointment, board members can expect to spend approximately ten hours a month serving on the board, although the level of commitment may vary.
The boards and commissions with positions available are:
Arts Council (four positions)
Community Services Board (five adult positions and six student positions: three entering ninth grade, and three entering 11th grade)
Design Commission (two positions)
Mercer Island Library Board (one position)
Open Space Conservancy Trust (two positions)
Planning Commission (two positions)
Utility Board (two positions)
Contact Deputy City Clerk Karin Roberts at 206-275-7795 or by email for further information, or to have an application mailed to you. The application deadline is Friday, May 6.
