Local News and Events for Kent, Washington

Happy Monday, Kent friends!

What a beautiful fall weekend we had! I hope you got a chance to get outside to help at Green Kent Day, go for a hike, or enjoy some of the fun, fall festivities around the area. This Tuesday is Halloween, so expect to see ghosts and goblins in your neighborhood for trick-or-treating. Kent Station is also hosting trick-or-treating and a costume contest, and a number of local churches are hosting trunk-or-treat events, so there are lots of Halloween options for your little ones. In addition, this is the final week of the election season, leading up to the November 7 General Election. If you haven’t voted already, make sure you fill out your ballot and get it in the mail or a ballot drop box by November 7.

Have a great week,

Dana

REMINDER–Halloween trick-or-treating and costume contest at Kent Station
Halloween is next week, and that means lots of fun fall activities for families across the city. Kent Station is hosting its annual trick-or-treating event and costume contest on Tuesday, October 31 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The costume contest will be on the stage next to Coldstone Creamery from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Prizes will be announced starting at 6:45 p.m. Must be present to win. Trick-or-treating starts at 4:30 p.m. and goes while supplies last. Get more details here.

Airways Brewing in Kent reveals new branding and announces new tap room location.NEW–Airways Brewing to celebrate 6th anniversary of Bistro with free dessert
This Wednesday, November 1, Airways Brewing Co. is celebrating the 6th anniversary of the Bistro at 320 W. Harrison St. in downtown Kent. To celebrate, Airways is offering complimentary desserts to customers from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., or while supplies last. Congrats to Airways! We are proud to have them as a member of the Kent community and an advertiser.

NEW–Prepare for fall storms with free sandbag supplies in Kent
The City of Kent has a self-service sandbag filling station at Russell Road Park, between Russell Road and S. 240th St., NE corner of the parking log. Sandbags and sand are both available. Bring your own shovel. The program is funded by the King County Flood Control District, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Learn more about flood control here: http://www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org/

NEW: Guest editorial from Merle Reeder, running to retain his commissioner’s seat on the Soos Creek Waer and Sewer District 
If you’ve ever met me, you know I’m not a political person and running a political campaign is the furthest thing from my mind. I’m a down-to-earth, community-minded family man who works hard and cares about his neighbors. When I was asked this spring to fill a vacancy on the Soos Creek Water and Sewer Board of Commissioners left by Larry West who passed away, I was honored and humbled. I didn’t hesitate to say ‘yes’ or to help out where I was needed, not because I sought an elected position, but because I care. Read the full editorial here.

Copyright (C) 2015 Dana E. Neuts. Photo from 2015 storm.

REMINDER–Severe Weather Shelter training Nov. 8, 2017
From November through March, the City of Kent opens a Severe Weather Shelter in life-threatening conditions. The shelter is located at Kent Lutheran Church and staffed by volunteers and one employee from Catholic Community Services. To prepare for the season ahead, there will be a volunteer gathering on Wed., Nov. 8 (6:30 to 8 p.m.) for awareness and training. Click here for more information about the Severe Weather Shelter.

NEW–Kent is the second fastest-growing city in the U.S.
According to WalletHub, Kent, Washington is the second fastest-growing city of any size in the United States, and the second fastest-growing mid-size city, based on 15 key criteria. Seattle ranked #4 in the large city category, Bellevue ranked #16 in the mid-size category, and Federal Way was #98 in the small city category. Read more here.

How Kent Works: When to call 911 versus calling the non-emergency number.NEW–How Kent Works: When to Call 9-1-1 vs. Non-Emergency Number
Last week we launched a new series called How Kent Works, where we will explain how different things in Kent work. Our first feature was on when to call 9-1-1 versus calling Kent’s non-emergency number, 253-852-2121. For medical calls, always call 9-1-1. If there is a theft in progress, the theft of a firearm, or a burglary at your residence, call 9-1-1. For other tips and guidelines, read our feature here. Our next article will be about what to expect when attending a Kent City Council meeting (e.g., where to get the agenda and meeting materials, how to participate in the public comment section, etc.) Have an idea or a burning question about Kent processes? Email us at [email protected] to share your suggestion.

REMINDER–Free Indoor Walking at accesso ShoWare starts Nov. 13, 2017
Don’t let the rainy weather interrupt your daily walking routine! Take part in free indoor walks at accesso ShoWare Center, Mondays and Wednesdays, November 13, 217 through June 27, 2018, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Free indoor walking is open to all ages and modalities, and there are two levels of walking and stairs for extra cardio. In addition, Kent4Health hosts monthly health screenings. Dates are subject to change based on accesso ShoWare’s schedule. Check the community calendar at KentWA.gov for changes.

REMINDER–General Election Day is November 7
King County Elections and the Secretary of State have mailed voter guides and ballots. All ballots must be signed and mailed by Election Day, November 7, or dropped off at a ballot box by 8 p.m. on November 7. Read our post for additional details – including ballot box locations and resources from King County elections.

NEW–31st Annual Holiday Craft Market is Nov. 3-4, 2017
Local craftsman and artists will display their wares at the 31st annual holiday craft market at the Kent Senior Activity Center (600 E. Smith St.) this Friday, Nov. 3 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and Saturday, Nov. 4 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.). The event is free to attend and parking is also free. In addition to crafts for sale, the Figgy Pudding Cafe will host lunch and a bake sale, and there will be musical entertainment. Shop here for juried, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts. In addition, there are other craft fairs at local elementary schools next week. See the full list of activities in our November 2017 “things to do” post here.

NEW–Kentridge Players present “Peter and the Starcatcher,” Nov. 8-18, 2017
Kentridge High School is proud to present “Peter and the Starcatcher,” directed by Jennifer Grajewski and Eia Waltzer with music direction by John Kelleher, at the Kentridge Performing Arts Center (12430 SE 208th St., Kent, WA 98031). The Tony-winning “Peter and the Starcatcher” upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan).

A wildly theatrical adaptation of the best-selling novels, the play was conceived for the stage by directors, Roger Rees and Alex Timbers, and written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker. From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, “Peter and the Starcatcher” playfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty and love. Performed with the permission of Music Theatre International, New York, NY. Show dates: Nov. 8 – Nov. 11 and Nov. 15 – Nov. 18. Shows are at 7 p.m. nightly with Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for reserved seating, $8 for seniors (over 65), and $5 children (under 10). Buy tickets at www.showtix4u.com.

Event Highlights This Week

[For details, visit our Nov. 2017 ‘Things To Do’ list or our Google calendar.]

Oct. 31         HALLOWEEN
Oct. 31         Trick-or-treating and costume contest at Kent Station
Oct. 31         Kent Rotary After Hours
Nov. 1-6       Disney on Ice 2017: Follow Your Heart
Nov. 2          KDP’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
Nov. 3-4       31st Annual Holiday Craft Market
Nov. 4          Free Children’s Art Project at Rusty Raven Studio
Nov. 4          Elementary School Craft Fairs: Martin Sortun and Sunrise
Nov. 4          KentHOPE 5th Annual Fundraising Dinner
Nov. 4          Green Kent Event
Nov. 5          Green Kent Event

 

 

 

 

 

Dana Neuts

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