Litzow Recognized for Support of Small Businesses

Mercer Island State Senator Steve Litzow (R-41) was recognized by the National Federation of Independent Business with an award honoring his efforts to protect and encourage small businesses in the state.

Sen. Steve Litzow has been recognized as a Guardian of Small Business for his work on behalf of small businesses during the 2011-12 legislative sessions. The award is presented by the National Federation of Independent Business to lawmakers who have worked consistently to promote policies that protect and encourage small and independent businesses. “I am honored to be recognized by the NFIB and proud to be a small-business supporter in Olympia,” said Litzow of Mercer Island. “As a small-business owner myself, I know it takes great effort and resolve to establish, develop and maintain a company. I am pleased to have advocated on behalf of the individuals in our district who possess the passion to turn their own entrepreneurial ideas into …

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Fork Dork

Fork Dork: Scotch Tasting Dinner on the Menu at John Howie Next Week

Reservations are still available for a five-course dinner with Scotch Whisky Master distillers from Glenmorangie and Ardberg at John Howie Steak on March 29. Also, look for other "Fork Dork" events in Bellevue, Woodinville and Issaquah.

Local restaurateurs are coming out of their businesses' hibernation and hosting special dinners, anticipating guests anxious to dine out as spring arrives. John Howie Steak in Bellevue’s The Shops at The Bravern is bringing in two global scotch experts to help host a five-course dinner paired with scotch on March 29 starting at 6:30 p.m. Bill Lumsden, master distiller at Glenmorangie, and David Blackmore, master brand manager for Glenmorangie and Ardberg, will be leading guests through the dinner that will include roasted butternut squash salad, smoked salmon bisque, Wagyu steak and mushrooms, and Australian lamb loin. Lumsden received the Global Ambassador of the Year and Scottish Distiller of the Year honors in 2007. He also received the…

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New Sales Head Appointed at Farmers New World Life

Farmers Insurance divisional executive Roy Smith will join Mercer Island's largest company as new Head of Distribution/Sales-Life.

The start of 2012 brings another new face to the executive team at Farmers New World Life Insurance Company with the appointment of Roy Smith as new Head of Distribution/Sales-Life.   California-based Farmers Insurance Group of Companies announced the promotion on Monday. Smith previously worked as a divisional director for Farmers Insurance in Los Angeles. Farmers New World Life CEO Jerry Carnahan, who also relocated from L.A. in 2011, welcomed the move. "Roy brings a wealth of insurance knowledge to his new position," said Carnahan. "He has served in many capacities within Farmers and I welcome him to his new position at Farmers New World Life." He and his wife Carrie, have one daughter Caitlin, and will relocate to Mercer Island, …

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Readers' Choice

Update: Thanks For Voting, Results Coming Soon

You get to pick: Where is the best place on Mercer Island to go for teriyaki?

Update, Fri., March 2, 10 a.m.: Our poll is now closed. Thanks for voting — we'll announce the winner later today! ... Original: When you need that quick lunch or dinner, the mind often goes to that popular standby: teriyaki. Where do you go? Your can vote for your favorite by voting in our poll and adding your reviews to the listings below: Click on the links above and rate the business on its Patch Place listing.  In the event of a tie, we will break it based on the comments and reviews, so please explain your choice. Remember to vote by 9 a.m. Friday. We'll announce the winner later in the day. Don't see your favorite place? Tell us in the comments section. Is your favorite in the next town over? Vote for the best teriyaki spot in …

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MeLisa Turcott Strongheart

1:18 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I have to say that I have been a big supporter of Gourmet Terriyaki. I love the spicy terriyaki, and they have Galbi as well which i love, and kimchi if you ask for it. But since i have been eating there for about 15 years to get my terriyaki fix, can't say i have tried the others:)   more ›

Readers' Choice

'Best of Mercer Island' Series Launches Monday

Vote in our weekly "Best of" poll. Results posted on Fridays.

Mercer Island Patch on Monday will kick off its first ever Best of Patch series. Each week, our readers will have a chance to vote for their favorite businesses and service providers in a number of fun categories. Every week we'll post a poll asking users to vote on their favorite. Readers can add a comment and review the business on its Mercer Island Patch Places Page. Then, on Friday, check back for the results. Winning businesses will get a nifty Best of Patch certificate. (Because our poll is not scientific, it is not the sole consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by the Patch editor, based on poll results, comments and reviews on Patch Places. Please vote only once per survey, per Patch.) Here are the …

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POLL: What Is Going on With Gas Prices?!?

Regular gas is averaging more than $4 a gallon on Mercer Island. How is it affecting your commute?

In case you somehow missed it, gas prices are taking a meteoric rise on the Eastside. On Mercer Island this afternoon (Thursday), the price for regular unleaded gas at the Mercer Island Chevron and Pete's South Mercer Chevron is back over $4 per gallon. At Mercer Island Shell, it's $3.99 (Jackson's Shell is closed temporarily for renovations). That's over 50 cents more than what it was last month.  Gas prices usually follow a seasonal pattern of rising in the spring and falling after Labor Day, but this month's increase is unusual. Last year, prices headed north of $4 per gallon in mid-April and stayed there for much of the spring and early summer.  There's lots of speculation about the rising gas prices. Some say speculators are behind it…

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Covenant Shores Recognized as One of 2012 Best Nursing Homes‎

U.S News & World Report named Covenant Shores and 38 other assisted living communities to its "2012 Nursing Home Honor Roll".

The nursing home at Covenant Shores retirement community is one of the 39 best in the country according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 Honor Roll, released Feb. 7, 2012. Out of the 15,500 homes the magazine reviewed, only 39 received four straight quarters of five-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in all three areas the agency evaluates – health inspections, nurse staff and quality of care. Those 39 nursing homes comprise the 2012 Honor Roll. "Our continuing five-star performance reflects the commitment of each employee at our skilled nursing center," says Anne Arakaki-Lock, Covenant Shores executive director. "We’re proud to offer the very best to rehab patients and seniors in the Seattle area." …

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Cork Dork

Cork Dork: For the Love of Valentine's Day Drink Wine

The wine choices for Valentine's Day are many but they don't have to be confusing nor expensive.

Champagne, more specifically pink Champagne or Rosé Champagne, is a suggestive and seductive choice on the most romantic holiday of the year. It is associated with celebration, luxury and romance. The gentle tickling of the bubbles and the soft pink hue suggesting femininity give a wink to romance. Pink Champagne spurred Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant’s relationship in An Affair to Remember, raising the bubbly’s reputation as a romantic elixir. In real life, Grant was married briefly to Dyan Cannon, a Tacoma native and West Seattle High School and University of Washington graduate. Kerr and Grant could make car exhaust fumes romantic, for that matter. Since you are not Grant or Kerr, here are some suggestions on wines to drink with your …

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Mercer Island Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for State's Largest-Ever Ponzi Scheme

Frederick Berg was responsible for the largest fraud scheme ever prosecuted in Western Washington.

In a Seattle courtroom packed with investors, family members and emotion, convicted Ponzi scheme operator Frederick Darren Berg was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in a federal prison. "I'm not sure how you live with yourself, with the damage you caused," U.S. District Court Judge Richard A. Jones said after the court heard from two victims and 49-year-old Berg himself. Jones sent Berg to federal prison for 18 years, accepting a plea agreement prosecutors arranged last August with the Mercer Island resident admitting guilt on three charges of wire fraud, money laundering and bankruptcy fraud (Click here for extensive coverage of Berg's Ponzi scheme on Mercer Island Patch). According to a Feb. 3 affidavit from IRS agents, investors in the …

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