When Joe Allen, CEO of Strikes For Kids, reached out to us and asked if we would like to sponsor their bowling tournament for the second year in a row, we were delighted to say yes. Strikes For Kids organizes bowling tournaments across the country to benefit different nonprofit organizations. This year, the event was hosted by Seattle Seahawks Earl Thomas & Marshawn Lynch, and benefited the Guardian Angel Foundation and Fam 1st Family Foundation. We were happy to support these great nonprofit organizations!
During this exciting evening, a few Merriman clients and employees bowled and hung out with Earl and Marshawn, and Russell Okung even dropped by. ESPN’s sports journalist Kenny Mayne got a lesson from Pro Bowler Norm Duke and knocked down a strike. Seahawks mascot Blitz was also there showing off his bowling skills for the kids. There is no better feeling than you get when you see excited kids meeting their favorite Seahawks players and having fun with their family.
You can watch some video coverage of the event here. Next time you are in our office, be sure to check out our autographed Seahawks bowling ball at the front desk!
We recently had the opportunity to be the title sponsor for Merriman Live Bowl United Presented by Team Avril, a bowling tournament for all ages and skill levels hosted by Seattle Seahawk Cliff Avril. He was joined by several of his teammates: Red Bryant, Brandon Mebane, Michael Bennett and Clinton Mc Donald.
During this fun evening, a few Merriman clients and employees got to hang out with some Seahawks and show off their bowling skills at West Seattle Bowl. I think I threw more gutter balls than strikes, but that did not matter because the evening was about having fun and supporting a great nonprofit organization.
Net proceeds benefited United Way of King County and Strikes for Kids, a nonprofit organization that partners with professional athletes in bringing local business, fans, children and sports together for great causes. There is no better feeling seeing the excitement that the children have to meet their favorite Seahawk while having fun with their family. Strikes For Kids coordinates these bowling and golf tournaments across the United States. We were thrilled and honored to sponsor this first event in the Seattle area.
Below are some links to check out video coverage and photos from this event. Go Hawks!
At work on a Monday someone will ask “what did you do this weekend?” My answer is usually “I golfed,” and their response is usually “in the rain?”
Putting aside my addiction to improving my golf handicap, the desire to surround myself with the beauty of nature provides me a calming perspective. Often when I am in the fairway, I stop to look at the beauty that surrounds me. Not in a passive sort of way, but to really take it all in. On some courses there are breathtaking views of The Puget Sound, gorgeous colors of foliage and wildlife. Just last weekend, we encountered two deer walking across the fairway. Visual reminders like the deer stick with me when I am making environmental choices.
In going about our daily lives – working, eating, commuting, and taking care of our home – we have an impact on our surroundings. If you take a moment to pause and appreciate the beauty around you, you may be motivated to make small changes in your own life to decrease your carbon footprint and keep the beauty that is in nature.
Why do I golf in the rain? Well, we live in Seattle. All this beautiful nature often happens in rain. In the elusive sun, clouds, or in the rain, the Pacific Northwest landscape is visually magnificent.
This Sunday is Earth Day, and I challenge you to celebrate this magnificence with a hike, walk, gardening, or a round of golf – any activity that will take you outside to enjoy the beauty of nature, even if it’s raining.
The honor of being recognized as one of the 50 greenest companies in Washington by Seattle Business Magazine means a lot to us. We are always looking for ways to encourage green living and commuting.
In 2010, Americans took 10.2 billion trips on public transportation. From 1995 through 2010, public transportation ridership increased by 31%. The American Public Transit Association claims that public transit saves an estimated 1.4 billion gallons of gas annually, which translates into about 14 million tons of carbon dioxide.
In an effort to offset our carbon emissions, reduce the cost of parking in downtown Seattle and shorten the length of commute times, we know that providing our employees passes for public transportation is the most cost effective and efficient way for them to get to work. We are pleased that 90 percent of our employees use public transportation to commute to our office.
We want our clients to have options when they come to our office as well. The next time you travel to our Seattle office for your review we would be happy to give you a bus ticket for your ride home.
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Merriman Wealth Management, LLC, an independent wealth management firm with over $3.5 billion in assets under management, is pleased to announce the promotion of two new principals – Wealth Advisors Aimee Butler, CFP®, and Chris Waclawik, AFC®, CFP®.
Merriman Wealth Management, LLC, an independent wealth management firm with over $3.6 billion in assets under management, is pleased to announce the additions of Geoffrey Curran, CPA/ABV, CFA, CFP® and Paige Lee, CFA, CFP®, CSRICTM to the firm’s investment committee.
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My answer is usually “I golfed,” and their response is usually “in the rain?”
