Local News and Events for Kent, Washington

This edition of Sound Bites is sponsored by AAA Pest Control.

I love summer, but this last week was a bit too hot for my liking. Add the smoke from the wildfires, and it was a good time to stay in. This week will bring more 90 degree days, but it looks like coastal winds will blow away some of that pesky wildfire smoke, so our air quality should improve soon. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy these last few weeks of summer before the kids go back to school. In Kent this week, free summer concerts, more historic Kent events, the Lake Meridian Triathlon, a Green Kent event and more. Hope you’re staying cool out there!

~ Dana Neuts, publisher

NEW–Wildfire Smoke: Safety and Health Information; current air quality update
With the high temps and wildfire smoke blowing down from Canada, the Washington Department of Health has offered information on how to protect yourself and your family from potential dangers of inhaling microparticles caused by the smoke. Here’s what to watch for, tips to protect yourself, additional resources and an air quality map, as of Saturday morning. The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement on Sun. at 3:55 AM that an air quality alert continues through noon on Monday. As winds from the coast blow inland, air quality in Western Washington is slowing improving. Read the weather statement here.

Kent Event: The next Coffee with the Chief is Wed., Aug. 9 at the Kent Community Foundation.REMINDER–Coffee with the Chief is Wed., Aug. 9
The next Coffee with the Chief is this Wednesday, August 9 at Kent Community Foundation (220 Railroad Ave. N.). Meet Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas, his command staff and members of the neighborhood response team to talk about safety and crime in Kent. Coffee and light breakfast bites will be provided.

NEW–Kent Primary Election results are being tabulated
Following the August 1 primary, King County Elections has been counting our votes. Four Kent races had more than two candidates, so they participated in the primary: Kent Mayor; Kent City Council, positions 2 and 4; and kent School District No. 415, Director District No. 4. We will update results regularly until the final results are certified on August 15. See the latest results here.

NEW–Project Feast shares Ukrainian and Indian cuisine at August events
Project Feast, housed at Ubuntu Street Café (202 W. Gowe St.), is hosting two events in August, featuring international cuisine. On Aug. 15, guests can enjoy summer favorites from the Ukraine. Learn more about the event and purchase tickets here. On August 24, Project Feast hosts a summer evening of food and discussion at Punjab Sweets. Learn more about the event and purchase tickets here. Project Feast is a local nonprofit whose mission is to transform lives by providing pathways to sustainable employment in the food industry and to enrich communities through intercultural exchange.

Kent Event: Fill the Bus: 5th Annual School Supply DriveNEW–SOAKS: Free Family Fun Event at Kent Station on Aug. 17
Next Thursday Kent Station will host its annual SOAKS (Summer’s almost over at Kent Station) from 5 PM to 7 PM, in conjunction with Communities in Schools’ 5th annual school supply drive, Fill the Bus, and Road Runner Sports’ monthly Adventure Run. Families are invited to join the fun and check out vendor booths with family-friendly activities. iLoveKent will have a booth. Please stop by, say hi, and help us fill a “wall” with reasons we love Kent. Learn more about SOAKS here.

NEW–ShoWare has implemented additional security measures
In an email to subscribers, ShoWare announced that it has implemented additional security measures effective July 1. These enhanced measures include metal detector wands at all points of entry, the prohibition of backpacks, bags must not be larger than 14″ x 14″ x 6″, all bags are subject to pre-entry search. Click here for more rules, policies and prohibited items.

NEW–Volunteers and sponsors wanted for Kent candidate debates
iLoveKent is hosting Kent candidate debates on Sept. 21 and 28, and we need volunteers and one more sponsor. Our presenting sponsor is Marti Reeder of John L. Scott. Denali Federal Credit Union has also signed on as a sponsor. In terms of volunteers, we need people to help us spread the word on social media and to put up posters and share flyers in September so as many people as possible will hear about the events. Kent TV21 will be hand to record the events for those who can’t attend in person. Learn more about the debates here. Contact publisher Dana Neuts at [email protected] to volunteer or ask about sponsorship opportunities.

iLoveKent coffee mugNEW–iLoveKent now has merchandise available for purchase
We had a few hats and signs made for our booth at Kent Station’s SOAKS event on August 17, and readers were excited to get some of the merch for themselves, so we opened a store on Cafe Press. You can now buy iLoveKent hats, shirts, coffee mugs and dog shirts! iLoveKent will earn a portion of the proceeds from sales and will reinvest that into our work. Thank you for supporting iLoveKent! Start shopping now.

SPONSORED–Excel Public Charter School adds 9th grade
Excel Public Charter School in Kent has added ninth grade, its first high school class, for the 2017-18 school year. The school is a tuition-free public school teaching 7th through 9th grades with a curriculum focused on projected-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) content. Learn more here. THIS IS A SPONSORED POST.

NEW–Amazon Jobs Day in Kent draws hundreds to apply for jobs
Last Wednesday the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Kent hosted its first ever Jobs Day in the hopes of filling part-time, full-time and seasonal jobs. According to The Seattle Times, hundreds turned up at the 800,000-square-foot warehouse to take a tour of the facility and apply for jobs where they would pick, pack and ship packages to Amazon customers around the world. Amazon said in an earlier announcement that they would make on-the-spot job offers, but they did not specify how many positions were filled on Jobs Day. Read more at The Seattle Times here.

Event Highlights: This Week in Kent

(Get additional event details on our Google calendar):

Aug. 8          Take Out Tuesdays Free Summer Concert
Aug. 8          STEM Night at Excel Public Charter School
Aug. 8          Building a Better Zombie Apocalypse: The Show
Aug. 9          Coffee with the Chief
Aug. 9          Kent4Health Self-Guided Trail Walk
Aug. 9          Wednesday Picnic Performances Free Summer Concert
Aug. 9          Bucket Drumming Remix
Aug. 9          Wednesday Family Date Night Free Summer Concert
Aug. 9          Next Up: Jeffersonian Dinner Series
Aug. 10         All King County Libraries are closed for an All Staff Day.
Aug. 10         Thursdays at the Lake Free Summer Concert
Aug. 12         8th Annual Lake Meridian Triathlon
Aug. 12         Green Kent Event
Aug. 12         Kent Farmer’s Market
Aug. 12         Mill Creek Neighborhood Historic Home Walking Tour
Aug. 12         OUTCRY Tour 2017
Aug. 13         All Kent Reunion

Dana Neuts

I am a full-time freelance writer, editor, marketing pro and the publisher of iLoveKent.net.