Mercer Island, WA April 2026

WAY YOU LIVE INVEST IN THE

18201 17th Street E, Lake Tapps 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 3,033 Sq. Ft. MLS# 2475715 | Price Upon Request

Investing in the way you live means choosing more than square footage. It means choosing how your days unfold. It is the ease of residing in a peaceful neighborhood, the natural flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, and the comfort of a home that feels both private and connected. The right home is not simply a purchase. It is a thoughtful decision that shapes your lifestyle and supports your long-term goals.

When you invest in a home that reflects how you truly want to live, one that is beautifully updated, designed for gathering, and set within a sought-after neighborhood near the water, you create value that extends beyond market appreciation. You invest in peace, in beauty, and in the everyday experience of living well.

FEATURED PROPERTY

8243 W Mercer Way, Mercer Island

Architecturally significant and boldly modern, this custom Mercer Island contemporary pairs cantilevered design, warm wood, and walls of glass with sweeping Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier views.

Learn more at Livingonmercerisland.com

Investing in Community and All of You

Hello Neighbors and Friends,

Welcome to our Investing issue.

When we think about investing, our minds often go first to finances — markets, portfolios, long-term gains. But the most meaningful investments we make rarely appear on a balance sheet. They show up in the way we spend our time, where we focus our energy, and how intentionally we shape our lives.

In these pages, you’ll discover a multitude of ways to invest in your life, your family, your career, and your community. From thoughtful conversations about financial stewardship to stories of local leaders building something that didn’t exist before — this issue is about agency. It’s about recognizing that we all have the power to choose where we place our attention and how we direct our resources.

As we move further into this year, I invite you to consider:

Who will you be?

What will you create?

What will you build?

What will you facilitate for others?

Our community is strongest when we invest not only in personal success, but in collective wellbeing — supporting local businesses, mentoring young leaders, showing up for neighbors, and contributing to the long-term vitality of the place we call home.

The return on that kind of investment is immeasurable.

Thank you for being part of this community and for choosing to invest your time in reading and engaging with the stories we curate each month. Together, we are building something lasting.

With gratitude,

SHARON PEREZ, EDITOR & CHRIS ISHII, PUBLISHER @MERCERISLANDCITYLIFESTYLE

April 2026

PUBLISHER

Chris Ishii | chris.ishii@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Sharon Perez | sharon.perez@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

J Garner Photography

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

QUALITY

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

city scene

1: Many volunteers, including Sole Mates, set tables for MIYFSF Giving From the Heart 2026 breakfast. 2: MIHS Award-Winning Radio Station students greeted MIYFSF breakfast guests early in the morning. 3: Hundreds of Islanders got up early to support the programs and people that MIYFS serve. 4: Bill Radke is the host and MC for MI Youth & Family Services Breakfast. 5: MI Youth & Family Services Foundation awarded Ellen and John Hill, posthumously, with Community Supporters. 6: The Philanthropy award for their parents and grandparents, Michael Hill, Felix and Anne Hill Thompson. 7: MIYFS Counselor with her therapy dog, Marshmallow, at MIYFS Marina share stories of growth. Photography by Mercer Island City Lifestyle

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business monthly

ROUNDUP OF

FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Baklinski Home Improvement Wins BTA Turnaround of the Year

After a period of rapid growth, Andrew Baklinski, Joe Vogel, and Niki Baklinski took a thoughtful step back to reimagine Baklinski Home Improvement’s future. With renewed focus and elevated vision, the Mercer Island firm has expanded into larger, transformative home renovations while continuing to deliver their signature “Wow-level” experience. Their evolution earned a Breakthrough Academy Turnaround of the Year nomination—an honor that reflects both resilience and deep commitment to the community they serve.

MBellish Studio by Maria Opens in South-End Mall

Bespoke permanent makeup for polished brows and lips has opened a beautiful new studio at 8435 SE 68th St. Suite 110.  Maria Gallardo, is the founder and PMU artist behind  MBellish Studio by Maria on Mercer Island. “I help women feel confident and effortlessly polished with soft, natural-looking PMU that enhances what’s already beautiful.” Appointments and more information @ mbellishstudiobymaria.com

Photography by MBellish

Art as an Investment in Well-Being

Investing in art offers rewards that extend far beyond ownership. Art enriches daily life with beauty and quiet joy, while supporting emotional well-being through reflection, calm, and healing. It fosters connection—between people, cultures, and ideas—and becomes a meaningful expression of personal identity. At its best, art inspires creativity, invites contemplation, and brings depth to the spaces we inhabit. In this way, collecting art is an investment in happiness, connection, and a more thoughtful way of living.

Redefining MVP: TIM TEBOW’S LIFE BEYOND FOOTBALL

An exclusive Q&A with City Lifestyle

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

From championship trophies to global humanitarian impact, Tim Tebow’s journey has defied every standard playbook. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Tebow pulls back the curtain on the moments that truly defined him, from a humbling middle school church retreat to the life-altering shift of fatherhood. This isn’t just a look back at a career; it’s an invitation into the heart of a man driven by purpose. Read the highlights below, then join us for the full, unfiltered experience by scanning the QR code at the end.

Q: WE ALL KNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE CURL CONTEST.

A: I was competing for my future high school team (my brother’s team), and I pushed myself way past what was smart. I ended up collapsing and needing medical attention. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pain, it was the lesson. Would I be willing to do something that others aren’t? For much of my life, I strived to bring my best for a game, but I hope that I can say at the end of my life I was willing to do that for things that actually matter.

Q: YOU’VE ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SPORTS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT NOW?

A: Becoming a dad. Nothing compares. From the moment I knew my wife was pregnant, I felt a new depth of love for our child, but when you bring your baby home, the responsibility hits you like nothing else. Suddenly, everything you see, every decision you make, you’re asking, “Is this corner too sharp? What happens if she reaches that drawer?” It changes how you see the world and how you see other people.

Q: YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND FOOTBALL. HOW DID THAT SEASON OF LIFE SHAPE YOU?

A: I talked a lot about that very thing in my book Shaken . We all go through moments where our faith in our abilities and purpose feels rattled, but I believe it’s often in those storms when God can show us who we could become.

Q: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT COMPARISON CULTURE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE COMPARISON HAS BECOME SUCH A TRAP TODAY?

A: Because we’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. Social media shows people’s “best day,” often filtered and staged, and then we measure our reality against that. There’s a reason filters are so popular—it’s not real. We end up scrolling through images that don’t tell the full story, and without realizing it, comparison starts to steal our joy and our gratitude.

“We’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel... comparison starts to steal our joy.”

Q: YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE “MOST VULNERABLE.” WHERE DID THAT CALLING BEGIN?

A: When I was 15, I met a boy in the Philippines who was treated as a throwaway because he was born with physical differences. That moment changed me. I realized God was calling me to pursue a different kind of MVP, not “Most Valuable Player,” but “Most Vulnerable People.”

Q: FINALLY, WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

A: I have some weird coffee habits, which include protein powder, collagen, and cream all mixed together. I love golf dates with my wife. And every night, I bring snacks to bed to share with our dogs. It brings me more joy than it probably should.

This conversation barely scratches the surface. Tim goes deeper into the moments that rattled him, the joys of fatherhood, and one story he has never shared publicly until now. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

MERCER ISLAND CHAMBER PRESENTS:

SUSTAINABLE FASHION SHOW

THURSDAY

APRIL 23RD

11:00AM1:00PM

MERCER ISLAND COMMUNITY & EVENTS CENTER

Investing in Life

The Highest Return: How Devi Brunsch Redefined Investment

Devi Brunsch didn’t set out to write an investing playbook. But if you spend an hour with her, you realize she has. Hers just doesn’t start with stocks or spreadsheets—it starts with the courage to pivot, the discipline to build skill, and a belief that the best returns are measured in health, relationships, and community impact.

A trained artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Devi entered college in the early 2000s with a dream many creatives know well: to become “the next big artist.” But as she studied art history, she noticed what was missing. The canon was overwhelmingly male. Female artists were few. And for Devi, a South Asian woman, representation felt almost nonexistent. The message, subtle but loud, was that art was a risky path— especially for someone who wanted stability and financial security.

So she invested in a different kind of future. Devi earned a master’s degree and built a successful career in software and tech—work she enjoyed and excelled in for two decades. Like many high-achievers, she learned to measure success in the language her industry rewarded: titles, bonuses, salary, momentum. “You kind of

get caught in that,” she says. Until life interrupts the momentum and forces a harder question: what matters when the title disappears?

That question arrived through profound loss. Devi took a sabbatical when her parents’ health declined. Her father had passed, and on the first day of her sabbatical, her mother died. In the rawness that followed, she returned to the one place that had always offered solace—art. One day she reached for a single color and began to paint. What surprised her wasn’t only the comfort it brought, but the beauty that emerged from pain. She painted portrait after portrait of her children—works she describes as “stunning”—and felt both restored and perplexed. How could something so beautiful come from grief?

That year away from the grind became her first major investment lesson: space changes perspective. “It’s only when you remove yourself…for a long period of time, you’re able to detach,” she says. Devi now encourages anyone who feels burned out to ask for a sabbatical— one month, a few months, even a year—because clarity is often the most valuable return.

From that clarity, her definition of investment expanded. Devi’s first pillar is health: “health is wealth,” she says. Seeing her parents live long lives reminded her that we often delay investing in our well-being until it becomes urgent. The second pillar is presence—being truly available to the people you love. During her sabbatical, she

“With fear out the door, I could move forward.”

For Devi, the financial decision wasn’t about ignoring money—it was about putting money in its right place. Necessary, yes. Central, no.

noticed her stress plummet. She was present with her kids. When they talked, she listened—not with a mind racing ahead to the next email or flight.

“Even when your body’s there, your brain is…your to-do list,” she says. Time, she realized, is not just something we spend. It’s something we invest.

The third pillar is community—and it’s where Devi’s story becomes a blueprint for purpose-driven wealth. She began sharing art as a tool for healing: dropping off simple paint-bynumber kits for grieving friends, no pressure to talk, just a hug and a gentle invitation to create. Later, she developed workshops that teach “simple, repeatable” art practices—circles, squares, lines, filling in shapes—techniques designed to regulate the nervous system and offer calm.

Then she took it further. Devi volunteered free workshops for young girls from difficult backgrounds, bringing materials and encouraging them to keep a kit in their backpack for dysregulated moments. Months later, a program director sent photos: the student who resisted most had created several paintings and proudly shared them during circle time. “You change a life,” Devi says. “I gave her a skill for life.”

For Devi, this is investing at its highest level: skills that compound. Relationships that deepen. Community that strengthens. She plans like a designer—thinking five years out, then funneling toward what’s actionable.

Each year, she sets measurable goals across her three pillars: skill-building, family and friendships, and community contribution. She invests in mentorship, including workshops with master artists, not simply to improve technique but to build meaningful relationships in her new field.

And she invests in legacy through a project close to her heart: “Brush Point,” a multi-year series inspired by Amanda, a trailblazing Black ballerina. After hearing Amanda describe the weight of being “the only one,” Devi knew she wanted to paint her—placing her strength and story into the permanence of art history.

“Representation shouldn’t fall on one individual,” she says. “It should fall on each one of us.”

That belief is Devi’s final investing lesson: in a world competing for our attention, values are the compass. If you know what matters, you choose accordingly—what you say yes to, what you say no to, and what you build with your time.

Because the richest life, Devi reminds us, isn’t built in a single vertical. It’s built in an ecosystem—where health supports purpose, purpose supports community, and community reflects back a deeper kind of wealth.

In a world that measures success in one vertical, Devi offers a more complete ledger: the kind that tracks meaning.

PATIENCE COMPOUNDS. DISCIPLINE PROTECTS. CHARACTER OUTLASTS CYCLES.

INVESTING IS A MIRROR

For a long time, investing seemed like it was about being right.

Right about markets.

Right about companies.

Right about timing.

Over time, experience suggests something more important.

Investing is not primarily a prediction exercise. It is a mirror.

In 2008, on the top floors of a Seattle high-rise, a flagship financial office was operating in an environment few had ever seen before. Screens were red almost daily. Calls came constantly. Confidence did not fade slowly — it disappeared.

Fortunes that had taken decades to build evaporated in weeks.

On television, images of employees from once-dominant institutions carrying boxes out of their offices signaled that even firms assumed to be permanent could vanish overnight. Major banks stood on uncertain ground. Long-standing assumptions about permanence were suddenly in question, and extraordinary measures were taken to stabilize the system.

Decades of progress unraveled in days.

But what stood out most was not the market.

It was people. Not balance sheets. Not headlines.

Clients who were frightened.

Advisors who were uncertain.

Support staff quietly wondering about their future.

ARTICLE BY CHRIS ISHII | PHOTOGRAPHY BY

For me, in moments like that, the task was not forecasting. It was steadiness.

Keeping clients focused on long-term plans.

Keeping employees in their seats.

Providing calm in the middle of noise.

Looking back, focusing on people provided clarity. It shifted attention away from screens and toward my responsibility.

That period reinforced a lesson that has repeated across every cycle.

Markets do not create emotion.

They reveal it.

Since 1987 — through global currency crises, the dot-com collapse, the financial crisis, COVID, and now the rise of artificial intelligence — each era has felt unprecedented in real time. Each period has tempted investors to react quickly.

Some of the most expensive missteps in investing become powerful teaching moments — if they are examined honestly. If not, they simply repeat.

Objectivity is difficult.

Investing provides the mirror.

And like any clear mirror, it is not always comfortable.

It reveals overconfidence at peaks and fear at troughs.

It reveals how quickly conviction can dissolve when prices move. It shows whether decisions were rooted in process or emotion.

Markets do not judge.

They simply reflect.

Over time, the reflection becomes less about performance and more about temperament.

Even individuals with strong minds and steady temperaments are tested during extreme cycles. Markets amplify emotion — sometimes quietly, sometimes dramatically.

Most families are not seeking extraordinary returns.

They are seeking stability.

Confidence.

The ability to sleep at night knowing that temporary volatility will not threaten long-term security.

Liquidity creates calm.

Time does most of the heavy lifting.

Diversification is humility.

Wealth is built quietly.

These principles are not dramatic.

But neither is raising a family, building a career, or sustaining a community. The most meaningful outcomes compound slowly.

Investing follows the same rhythm.

Uncertainty cannot be eliminated.

Every turn cannot be predicted.

Mistakes cannot be avoided entirely.

But responses can be chosen.

Preparation can precede volatility.

Headlines do not have to dictate action.

Long-term direction can remain intact.

If there is one lesson worth passing down, it is not a stock symbol. It is this:

Patience compounds.

Discipline protects.

Character outlasts cycles.

Investing mirrors life.

And when the mirror is faced honestly, something larger than financial return emerges.

Perspective.

And perspective — like wisdom — becomes part of a legacy.

ARTICLE BY KRISTY BELLEY

The drink that makes you look forward to TAX DAY

INCOME TAX cocktail

INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• ¾ oz. Dry Vermouth

• ¾ oz. Sweet Vermouth

• ¾ oz. Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

• 2 Dashes Angastura Bitters

• Orange Twist

• Glass Type: Coupe

DIRECTIONS:

1. Squeeze your OJ.

2. Add everything to your shaker with ice.

3. Shake.

4. Pour into your coupe.

5. Twist your orange peel again, like you did last summer.

6. Garnish.

7. Enjoy being done with taxes.

8. And a good cocktail.

The Income Tax Cocktail likely popped up during the Prohibition party scene of the 1920s. Its exact origin story remains a bit blurry, but it was definitely a hit in speakeasies. The name? Well, it's like a cheeky nod to the idea that sipping on this cocktail might be more fun than paying actual taxes! Made with gin, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and a dash of bitters, it's like a boozy adventure for your taste buds, with hints of citrus and herbs. Despite its vintage roots, the Income Tax Cocktail still brings the party vibes, transporting you back to the roaring '20s.

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

APRIL 2ND

Mosiac MI Open Mic and Listening

Aljoya Mercer Island 2430 76th Ave SE | 7:00 PM

7-9pm all are invited to listen, musicians high-school age and over are invited to join gate lottery to perform in a songwriters-focused gathering; a listening space as much as a performance space. Hosted by local singer-songwriter Abby K.  Sponsors Bread Winner, Aljoya, Barrels Wine provide baked goods and wine. Bring something to share if you wish.  Info@ mosaicmusicmi.com

APRIL 2ND

Family Story Time at the Library

Mercer Island Library | 11:00 AM

11:15-12:00 Enjoy stories, music, movement and rhymes that develop your child’s early literacy skills. A play time will follow.

Kids of all ages are welcome with an adult. Suitable for: Kids (Ages 3 to 5)

Kids (Ages newborn to 2)  Language: English

APRIL 3RD

Mercer Island First Friday Art Walk

Mercer Island Town Center | 5:00 PM

First Friday Art Walk is Mercer Island’s monthly celebration of creativity, community and culture.  Local businesses and galleries in Town Center showcase emerging and established artists.

5-8pm Shop local, wine and dine while you enjoy your neighbors and good art!

APRIL 8TH

Parent Lab: Parenting Between Cultures - for Multicultural Parents

TBD | 6:00 PM

A new country, culture and language can be exciting…and overwhelming. MI parents of all ages (K-12)  are invited to this Parent Lab to discuss and share the joys and challenges of parenting between cultures.

This Parent Lab will be facilitated by Corinne Alef, YFS Clinical Therapist with support from the YFS Team.   6:00-7:30 PM. More Info@ mihealthyyouth.com

APRIL 11TH

The Secrets of Drawing on Location

Mercer Island Community & Events Center 8236 SE 24th St | 10:00 AM

Instructor Steve Reddy will take you through his stress-free method for creating a playful yet representational drawing anywhere. Using photo references, the class will draw along with Steven as he narrates every step of his unique process. 10AM – 4PM  $150 (MIVAL members $120) All Skill Levels, Ages 18+  Students may use any materials, supply kit available for $10

APRIL 11TH

Earth Month - Paint Recycle Event

Mercer Island City Hall 9611 SE 36th St | 9:00 AM

Join a fun and eco-friendly event where you can safely dispose of your unwanted paint! We will be accepting all "architectural" latex to oil-based paints. A team of experts will guide you through the process and ensure everything is properly recycled.

Safely dispose of your leftover paint. Easy drop off. No fees. 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

APRIL 23RD

MI Chamber Sustainable Fashion Show

Mercer Island Community & Event Center | 11:00 AM

Sustainable Style Hits the Runway!

The Chamber’s First Sustainable Fashion Show—where style meets purpose. Featuring Mercer Island's own thrift store and local consignment boutiques, eco-friendly accessories, and fashion-forward products that support sustainability.  In its inaugural year, the show will bring together local consignment shops, sustainable accessory brands, and beauty companies committed to reducing environmental impact. 11:00am - 1:00pm Tickets @Mercerislandchamber.com

APRIL 24TH

MIHS Drama presents Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Mercer Island High School Performing Arts Center | 7:00 PM

One of the Bard’s most beloved comedies, Twelfth Night, a tale of shipwrecks, mistaken identities, and mischievous matchmaking. Viola washes ashore and disguises herself as a man, finding herself entangled in a web of love, loss, and laughter. Witty wordplay, clever twists, and unforgettable characters, Tickets, schedule, info@ misdb.org April 24, 25, 29, 30 at 7pm, April 25 at 2pm.

APRIL 25TH

Mercer Island Preschool Association Circus

Islander Middle School | 10:00 AM

MI families — mark your calendars for a day of unforgettable fun at MIPA's legendary Circus!  A beloved island tradition where kids get hands-on experience to move, play, and make memories.

Over 20 Games & Activities

Fun for toddlers and kids of all ages, games, bouncy castles and inflatables and local performers showcasing their skills in dance, soccer, martial arts.

Imagine Your Perfect Home

Sharon Singh | Global Real Estate Advisor 425.577.0709 | sharon.singh@rsir.com | SharonSingh.com

ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BROCK

FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO INVEST IN YOUR MORNING AND START YOUR DAY OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

habits for morning success

One of the best ways to invest in yourself is by creating a consistent and intentional morning routine. No matter how unpredictable or chaotic the rest of your day may become, starting your morning with self-care and purpose sets a positive tone that stays with you throughout the day.  Once you develop a morning routine that truly resonates with you, you’ll look forward to it every night, knowing it will set the foundation for a productive and fulfilling day.

If you’re ready to elevate your mornings, here are some meaningful ways to invest in your routine and start each day on the right foot.

Be Your Own Barista:

One of life’s simplest pleasures is savoring a homemade coffee each morning. While skipping the drive-thru may be tough at first, brewing your own allows you to appreciate the process—and chances are, you’ll end up preferring your own perfect cup of joe.

Get Your Steps In:

An hour-long gym session before work may not be realistic, but a quick morning walk is. Use this time to clear your mind, enjoy nature, and listen to your favorite podcast or artist—an easy way to start your day feeling relaxed.

Enjoy Some Breakfast:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet often the most overlooked. Setting your alarm just minutes earlier to prepare a fresh, nutritious meal can transform your morning, fueling your body and mind for a more energized and productive day.

Read A Book:

Starting your day with a book is far more calming than scrolling through social media. Reading in the morning helps ease you into the day, providing a peaceful and mindful escape that sets a positive, focused tone for what’s ahead.

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