Hey, Sales Wizards, Patch Is Hiring!

Do you have what it takes to sell local advertising and be part of the Patch team?

QUESTION: Do You Believe Facebook is Sustainable?

There's been a lot of debate lately about the staying power of Facebook.com, after company stock has taken a plunge in the national market.

Factoria Walmart Hiring About 125 People, Opening in October

The Walmart at the Marketplace at Factoria is now hiring for 125 positions.

House Hunt: Aug. 11-15

The following homes are holding open houses this Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, Aug. 11-15.

BBB Delivers 'F' Rating to Mercer Island Ticket Broker

Mercer Island online ticket broker SongTicketing.com receives an "F" from the BBB after the company failed to respond to 41 of 76 consumer complaints.

Mercer Island Home Prices Hold Steady in July

Year-over-year, Mercer Island's overall home values increased slightly to $786,500, about 2 percent higher than last July — but dropped from last month's $855,000, according to the July 2012 NWMLS sales statistics.

Farmers New World Life Names David J. Dietz New CEO

Current Global Life CEO David J Dietz will assume control of Mercer Island-based Farmers New World Life Insurance in mid-August.

Poll: Microsoft Leaving Hotmail Brand Behind

On Tuesday, the company rolled out Outlook.com as its new email service.

House Hunt: July 28-29

The following homes are holding open houses this Saturday and Sunday, July 28-29.

Smith Supports Bill to Normalize Trade With Russia

U.S. Ninth District Rep. Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) said current legislation would lift trade barriers to U.S. companies and address concerns over Russia's human rights record

Fork Dork: Walmart Shopping in a Local Economy

Stores of differing types and sizes affect the entire business ecology from local stores. Local consumers still can vote with their feet and wallets.

House Hunt: July 15

The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday, July 15.

So Many Wine Awards and Reviews, so Little Time

The myriad of wine recommendations can be confusing leaving consumers exasperated. For the best shopping experience find one or a few sources, perhaps, the Cork Dork.

Report: Microsoft Cuts Hundreds of Jobs

The Seattle Times has cited an anonymous source as saying hundreds of positions have been cut from the company, mostly in the advertising sales and marketing divisions.

Will Microsoft Sell MSNBC.com? Reports Say NBC Deal in the Works

A report by Howard Kurtz of The Daily Beast suggests a deal for NBC to fully purchase the website from Microsoft could be announced this week.

Mercer Island Surgeon Receives $100,000 Grant

University of Washington professor and surgeon Dr. Thomas S. Hatsukami was awarded the grant by the non-profit Society for Vascular Surgery to investigate "MRIs of High-Risk Carotid Plaque"

Report: Mercer Island Residential Real Estate Sees Low Inventory, Flat Prices

Online real estate broker Redfin.com provided Mercer Island Patch with a report using their own statistics of how the local real estate market is shaping up

House Hunt: July 8

The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday, July 8.

Deadline Approaches: Nominate Mercer Island's Favorite Places for Readers' Choice

The deadline is 11:59 p.m. July 9 to nominate your favorite businesses for our Readers' Choice contest.

Summer Heats Up Mercer Island Real Estate Market

Decade-low numbers of homes for sale and an increased number of successful closed sales are returning the local real estate market to something approaching a normal, seasonal cycle

Island Corportate Center to Be Placed in Receivership

Day-to-day operations of Island Corporate Center and 10 other Puget Sound office buildings will be handed over to Kirkland-based Talon Portfolio LLC on July 9 after the owner defaulted on loan repayments in April.

Meet Adam Johnson, Patch's New Advertising Manager

Adam is the new advertising manager for Mercer Island, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish-Issaquah, Woodinville, Edmonds, and Shoreline-Lake Forest Park. But he's not new to the Puget Sound.

Free Coffee at Starbucks on July 4

CEO Howard Schultz issued a statement calling for political unity and offering a free tall brewed coffee on Wednesday.

Microsoft Co-Founder Gates, CEO Ballmer Donate $100,000 Each in Support of Gay Marriage

Mercer Island resident and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen made a similar $10,000 donation two weeks ago to Washington United for Marriage, a group encouraging voters to uphold the state's gay marriage law.

House Hunt: July 1-2

The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday and Monday, June 10-11.

Vote for Mercer Island Farmers Market in National Contest

Fans of the Mercer Island Farmers Market markets can give their favorite market some regional and national recognition in a contest sponsored by American Farmland Trust.

PSE Offering Discounts on Energy-Saving LED Bulbs

The utility company says the average household can save $150 a year by replacing the 25 most frequently used lights in the home with LED bulbs.

Mercer Island is Third-Weathiest Zip Code in Puget Sound for 2012

The Puget Sound Business Journal released a list of the top-25 wealthiest zip codes in the Puget Sound in its June 8 print edition.

House Hunt: June 17 & 20

The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 20.

Islander Barber Shop Closing After 49 Years

Mercer Island's long established Islander Barber Shop closes on June 30 after the owners decide not to renew their lease.

Father's Day Calls for Celebrating with Wine

Fathers and their children have shaped the Woodinville wine industry.

PHOTOS: More Food, More Choices at 2012 Mercer Island Farmers Market

MI Farmers Market has its largest line-up ever, with over a dozen new vendors, on its 5th year in business near Mercerdale Park.

Farmers New World Life's Financial Strength, Credit Rating Earn High Marks

Mercer Island's largest employer's finances affirmed as "secure" and "investment grade", stable outlook forecast by insurance credit rating agency A.M. Best

House Hunt: June 10

The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday, June 10.

Popular Local Kids Shoe Company Responds to Import of Lead Tainted Shoes

See Kai Run quickly reached out to customers after discovering some of its shoes were part of the tainted shipment from China.

Local Craft Bars and Craft Distillers Look to Capitalize on Privatization of Liquor Sales

The privatization of liquor sales has potentially created growth for local craft bars and distilleries.

Wine Pick of the Week: 2011 J. Bookwalter Couplet Conner Lee Vineyard Chardonnay/Viognier

Mercer Island Patch's Cork Dork Chris Nishiwaki says this local blend of Chardonnay and Viognier is perfect for a food pairing with grilled salmon or other fatty fish — just in time for grilling season.

Cork Dork: Eastside Businesses Stock Up as Private Liquor Sales Start

Shoppers will start seeing liquor at local stores, including Costco in Woodinville, although the transition will be bumpy and gradual.

Fork Dork: Cast Iron Studios, Bake's Place Bring New Special Event Venue Options to Bellevue

Cast Iron Studios and Bake's Place opened downtown in May, giving locals luxury special event options.

Agent: Dressing Your Home for a Successful Sale

Joan Probala talks about steps you can take to help your house give that all-important good first impression in a market of savvy buyers.