From the City of Kent:

The City of Kent is hosting the largest creative gift boutique in all the state’s senior centers when the 25th Annual Holiday Craft Market opens its doors on Friday, Nov.4 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov.5 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This Juried show boasts 70 booths of handcrafted one-of-a-kind gifts all in one stop at 600 E. Smith Street in downtown Kent. There is free onsite parking, festive live entertainment and the ever popular Figgy Pudding Café and Bake Sale. No admission fee is charged. Proceeds benefit the programs and services of the Kent Senior Activity Center.

For more information about the Holiday Craft Market, call 253-856-5162.

Contact:
Cindy VandenBerg Robinson, Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services
253-856-5162

If you are a fan of Dancing with the Stars, or just enjoy a fun night out, mark your calendars! The Kent Parks Foundation and Arthur Murray Dance School are sponsoring “Dancing with the Stars Kent” on Saturday, October 22. Held in Green River Community College’s Cascade Room, the event begins at 5:30 pm and it features the following “celebrity” dancers:

1. Mayor Suzette Cooke
2. Kent City Councilwoman Deb Ranniger (sponsored by Allegro Performing Arts Academy)
3. Kent City Council President Jamie Perry (sponsored by Pacific Raceways)
4. Deputy Chief, King County Steve Strachan (sponsored by Great American Casino)
5. Representative Dave Upthegrove (sponsored by Pat’s Bar & Grill)
6. Kent Chamber President Andrea Keikkala (sponsored by Airways Brewing Company)
7. Timberwolves Receiver Jeremiah Captain (sponsored by Charley’s on Central)
8. Kiwanis Noon Club President Janet Stebbins (sponsored by Kiwanis Noon Club)
9. Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas (sponsored by Rotary Club of Kent Sunrise)
10. Kent Firefighter Marvin Oakcrum (sponsored by Gators Sports Bar and Grill)

Guest Judge:  Ken Sharp, owner of Minuteman Press of Kent

VIP Tickets are $100 and include dinner, wine, priority seating and voting rights in the People’s Choice Trophy Presentation; General admission tickets are $30 each.

Call 253-639-0124 to purchase tickets, or buy them online now –>  Click Here To Buy Tickets Now

Additional information is available on Facebook.

Donations will benefit the Kent Community Center’s music lab.

Oktoberfest comes to Kent via Kent Sunrise Rotary on Saturday, October 1 at Town Square Plaza.  The event is scheduled from 12 noon to 8:oo  pm, rain or shine.  This family friendly event features grub and grog and entertainment.  Beer garden pre-sale tickets are $20; $25 at the door.  The ticket price includes a German beer stein and first beer, and there is free admission to the Family Fest Zone.  Proceeds will support local veterans’ organizations.  It is a family event so kids and grand kids are welcome!  There will be entertainment for all ages, food booths and lots of fun.  Hope you’ll stop by!

Buy tickets online now at OktoberfestKent.com. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the event.

Proceeds for the event will support returning veterans.

On Saturday, October 1, ShoWare Center presents its fourth Ladies Night Out show. Hosted by comedian Nate Jackson and DJ Funkdaddy, featured performers include Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, Michel’le, Choklate, Rocky Sandoval and Caitlin Cardier.

Tickets are available at $32, $42, $55, $60* and $99. *Club seats include access to the lounge with a full bar. Doors open at 6 pm, show begins at 7 pm.

For more info. and to buy tickets, visit ShoWare Center online.

Kent, Washington, August 30, 2011 – Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to sip, shop and sparkle at the sixth annual Wine, Women, WOW! celebration, hosted by Kent Downtown Partnership. This year the event moves to Saturday, September 10 and features pampering, shopping, wine sipping, beer tasting, food sampling, live music and more.

Wine, Women, WOW! will be held at the Kent Senior Activity Center (600 E. Smith St., Kent) from 5 to 9 p.m. It will include many new features. One exciting addition to the event is the ManCave, a 32-foot mobile game theatre with the latest in video games, six 50-inch TVs, a cigar bar, cocktails and more. Sponsored by Clowns Unlimited and Games2U, the ManCave is open to both men and women.

In addition, Wine, Women, WOW! will include a one-hour VIP event preceding the main event. Sponsored by Heritage Bank, the VIP hour will run from 5 to 6 pm and VIP ticket holders will enjoy complimentary appetizers, a hosted cocktail hour, and the opportunity to preview the pampering and shopping vendors, along with a few extra goodies including a color-changing “blinky” glass.

The main event runs from 6 to 9 pm and will include a variety of pampering services and shopping opportunities, as well as wine sampling, beer tasting provided by Airways Brewing Company, hors d’oeuvres and delicious treats. As an added bonus, guests may purchase raffle tickets to win a beautiful diamond ring donated by Bonaci Jewelers, a getaway weekend from Hawthorne Suites and gift card trees featuring gift cards and other items from local businesses. Guests will enjoy live music jazz and blues by the Still Got It Band, sponsored by Hanis Irvine Prothero.

“Wine, Women, WOW! has always been a fun event, but we wanted to bring back that ‘girlfriend feel’ this year with more pampering and shopping,” explains Barbara Smith, Executive Director for Kent Downtown Partnership. “We’ve also added a VIP event and a ManCave to make our guests – men and women alike – feel extra special!”

Bonaci Jewelers is the presenting sponsor for Wine, Women, WOW! Other sponsors include Clowns Unlimited, Games2U, Kent Station, Hanis Irvine Prothero, Heritage Bank, Airways Brewing Company, Tents & Events Party Rentals, Kent Reporter, Virtually Yourz, Café Pacific Catering, Teresa Clark of Silpada Designs, Pearson Chiropractic, Marti Reeder of John L. Scott Kent-Covington, Judy Woods, Valley Bank and MultiCare.

VIP tickets and tickets to the main event, including the ManCave, are available by calling Kent Downtown Partnership at 253-813-6976. VIP tickets are $50 and tickets to the main event are $25 in advance, or $5 additional at the door. Raffle tickets will be available for $5 with special pricing for multi-ticket purchases. For more information about the event, including a current list of sponsors and vendors, please visit http://winewomenwow.com.

All proceeds from the event benefit Kent Downtown Partnership, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. KDP’s mission is to develop and promote a vibrant downtown. To learn more about KDP, call Executive Director Barbara Smith at 253-813-6976 or visit http://kentdowntown.org.

For more information, please contact:

Barbara Smith, Executive Director
Kent Downtown Partnership
202 W. Gowe St.
Kent, WA  98032
253-813-6976
barbaras@kentdowntown.org
www.winewomenwow.com

The Thunderbirds home opener is Saturday, September 24 against the Portland Winterhawks at 7:05 pm at ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St. in Kent. Single game tickets go on sale on Wednesday, August 24 at 10 am and can be purchased online at http://www.seattlethunderbirds.com/ and at the ShoWare Center box office.   Here is the list of the promotions and giveaways for the season.

2011-12 Promotions For the Thunderbird Games

September
Friday, September 24 vs. Portland, T-Birds Magnetic Schedule presented by Beacon Plumbing (all fans), Party on the Plaza

October
Saturday, October 8 vs. Victoria, Valley Medical Center GLOW Event Pink T-Birds Hats (first 3,000 fans)
Tuesday, October 18 vs. Brandon, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 1 (first 2,500 fans)
Sunday, October 23 vs. Everett, Kent Reporter Family Pack, BECU T-Birds Beanies (first 1,000 kids)

November
Tuesday, November 1 vs. Vancouver, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 2 (first 2,500 fans)
Friday, November 18 vs. Tri-City, Pub Night 1
Saturday, November 19 vs. Portland, State Farm T-Bird Fleece Headband (first 2,000 fans), Fred Meyer Turkey Shoot (post game)
Friday, November 25 vs. Prince George, XFINITY Marcel Noebels Bobblehead (first 2,500 fans)
Tuesday, November 29 vs. Swift Current, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 3 (first 2,500 fans)

December
Friday, December 2 vs. Tri-City, Hawaii Night Friday, December 9 vs. Prince George, Northwest Harvest Food Drive – Presented by Beacon Plumbing
Saturday, December 10 vs. Victoria, Boy Scout Night 1, Northwest Harvest Food Drive – Presented by Beacon Plumbing
Tuesday, December 13 vs. Vancouver, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 4 (first 2,500 fans)
Saturday, December 17 vs. Tri-City, T-Birds Calendar Night (first 3,000 fans), Fred Meyer Ham Shoot (post game)
Tuesday, December 27 vs. Everett, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 5 (first 2,500 fans)
Friday, December 30 vs. Moose Jaw, XFINITY Colin Jacobs Bobblehead (first 2,500 fans)

January
Saturday, January 7 vs. Spokane, BECU T-Birds Beanies (first 1,000 kids)
Friday, January 20 vs. Kamloops, Pub Night 2
Saturday, January 28 vs. Portland, Fred Meyer Teddy Bear Toss
Sunday, January 29 vs. Kelowna, Kent Reporter Family Pack, Beginner Fest
Tuesday, January 31 vs. Spokane, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 6 (first 2,500 fans)

February
Saturday, February 4 vs. Kamloops, Luke Lockhart Jersey T-Shirt (first 1,000 kids)
Saturday, February 11 vs. Portland, University of Phoenix T-Birds Bandanas (first 4,000 fans)
Tuesday, February 14 vs. Kelowna, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 7 (first 2,500 fans)
Friday, February 17 vs. Tri-City, Pub Night 3, Bang Banners (first 4,000 fans)
Sunday, February 19 vs. Spokane, Youth Group Night, Girl Scout Night, Kent Reporter Family Pack, Mascot Game
Saturday, February 25 vs. Everett, Hockey Challenge to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska
Sunday, February 26 vs. Tri-City, Hockey Challenge to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska, Boy Scout Night 2, Kent Reporter Family Pack

March
Saturday, March 10 vs. Portland, University of Phoenix T-Bird Thunderstix (first 5,000 fans)
Sunday, March 11 vs. Everett, Kent Reporter Family Pack
Tuesday, March 13 vs. Spokane, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 8 (first 2,500 fans)
Saturday, March 17 vs. Everett, Fan Appreciation, T-Birds Team Poster presented by Sterling Savings & XFINITY (first 5,000 fans)

There will be several special group nights, including Youth Group Night, two Boy Scout Nights, a Girl Scout Night, two Northwest Harvest Food Drive Nights presented by Beacon Plumbing, a Mascot Night and Fan Appreciation Night.  For more information, please contact the Thunderbirds office at 253-239-7825.

The Kent Chamber of Commerce “Find It In Kent” event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 28 from 3-7 p at ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St. in Kent.

This is a great opportunity for local businesses to showcase their services.  There are multiple sponsorship opportunities available.  Please log onto http://www.kentchamber.com/ for more information.

The Taste of Kent Reception will feature 12 local restaurants with samplings of their finest cuisine from 5 to 7p, the closing of the Business Expo.  Interested restaurants are invited to register.  It’s a wonderful way to market your restaurant!  Please log onto http://www.kentchamber.com for information.

The cost of the Taste of Kent Reception is free for those participating in the passport program and you can do this by picking up a free passport at the Kent Chamber booth.  The passport also entitles you to be entered to win great door prizes.  The Taste of Kent is $10 admission for those that don’t want to participate in the passport program.

Come to ShoWare Center on September 28 to experience all of the things Kent offers!

Come and join the fun on August 20 with host Pacific Cascade Mustang Club.  The 2011 Classic Ford Show and Mustang Roundup will be held at Bowen Scarff Ford Lincoln, 1157 Central Ave. N. in Kent.  Spectators are always welcome!

There will be a free barbecue, raffle, great cars and great people too.  Online preregistration is required, $20 per car, payable at the gate.  Includes dash plaque and t-shirt and awards for all class winners.

Registration opens at 8:00 am; show starts at 9:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm.  Please contact Mark Palmore at 253-852-1480 or Tom Rowley, Mustang Club President.

Bring your family to ShoWare Center for “amazing thrills and outlandish fun,”  on Thursday, September 1st through Monday, September 5th.  Ringling Bros. and Barum & Bailey Circus is coming to Kent, hosted by Thrillusionist David DaVinci.  Audiences will be amazed with his eye-popping illusions and mind-blowing transformations.  He’ll take you to the center of the ring to be mesmerized by the Hairdaring Duo; Sky-High Sensation; BOOM A RING; feats of strength from the King Fu Kings; The Barons of Balance; and the Salsations, flying high and flipping furiously.  And these are just a few of the acts you and your family will experience!

BOOM A RANG will get audiences up close with the majestic animals of the circus. Thirteen high-energy dogs maneuver through hurdles, jumps, do backflips and high dive from 16 feet!  Camels, horses and ponies perform without riders and the treasured Asian elephants will demonstrate their incredible grace just feet away from audiences’ seats.  And, of course, no circus would be complete without the Ringling Bros. clowns bringing their own brand of hilarity and mayhem to the ring.

Tickets range from $15 to $65 plus fees at ShoWare Center’s Box Office, 253.856.6999 or use the link http://tickets.showarecenter.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=92

Throughout July and August, enjoy a variety of the region’s best live peformances in some of Kent’s most beautiful parks – for free!

Tuesdays at Kent Station, 417 Ramsay Way, sponsored by Kent Station, happen from noon to 1:00 pm.  Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem are scheduled for July 12 and feature wicked percussion, sublime lead singing and great harmonies.  They are a Kent favorite!

Wednesdays for Kids are scheduled at Town Square Plaza, 2nd Ave. and Harrison St. from noon to 1:00 pm.  July 13 brings Roberto the Magnificent with comedy, juggling and crazy stunts.  The former star of “The Gentlemen Jugglers”, Roberto rides towering unicycles and juggles everything from torches to rubber chickens.  The Wednesday concerts are sponsored by Allied Waste.

Thursdays at the Lake take place from 7:oo to 8:30 pm at Lake Meridian Park, 14800 SE 272nd.  July 7 LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends will wow audiences with passionate vocals and a captivating style.  You won’t want to miss this performance.

Bring a blanket and a picnic and be prepared to enjoy yourself at these free concerts!

Are you looking for a summer program for your middle school teen who is 11 to 14 years old? Camp Fire USA is offering a fun summer day program called Lead Up. Lead Up is a trip-based program, geared towards team-building, outdoor fun, community service, local career/college exploration, and of course, fun, adventure filled fieldtrips all over King County!

Each day up to 10 youth and two Team Leaders will hit the road in search of fun, adventure and self-discovery. Register for weekly sessions each focused around a theme, such as Law and Order, Top Chef, Road Rules, Water Warriors, and We Like Your Style. Small friendly groups, transportation from convenient pick up/drop off sites near your home, all entry fees, snacks, awards, and supervision are covered by the all-inclusive $210 weekly fee.

Camp Fire USA operates Lead Up using caring, well-trained, responsible Team Leaders (Staff) and the program is accredited by the American Camp Association. Sign up for one or more sessions, and make this summer your best summer ever!

See 2011 Lead Up Schedule with dates & rates or contact Marjean McCraw at 206 826 8930 or via email for more information.

Visit the website for more information and ONLINE registration.

Camp Registration now OPEN!

Make this a summer your kids will never forget! Sign up for Day Camps & Summer Camps around the Puget Sound and at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island. Open to boys and girls ages 5 to 18. Learn more at www.campfire-usa.org.

May 23, 2011 — So You Think KENT Has Talent was held Sat., May 21 at Kent-Meridian’s Performing Arts Center. The show was emceed by King County Chief Deputy Steve Strachan, more than 200 people were in attendance at Saturday’s performance. More than $3,000 was raised for Kent Youth and Family Services.

The competition was judged by Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke; Deborah Ranniger, Kent City Council; Ronda Billerbeck, City of Kent Cultural Programs Manager; Bill Boyce, KSD Board President; Debbie Theisen, KMHS Campus Manager; and Polly Shepherd, Publisher, Kent & Tukwila Reporter.

Shown below are the winners of this year’s competition:

1st place overall NFI Enterprises Grand prize $1000 -
Brenna Benson, 15, ‘District Sleeps Tonight’ (dancer)

2nd place overall Heather McCurdy PNW Realty prize $500 –
Mackenzie Visser, 15, yrs ‘Green Finch and Linnet bird’ (vocalist)

3rd place overall Baldwin Chiropractic prize $250 –
Brenna Kay O’Farrell, 16, ‘Back to December’ (vocalist)

*’Audience Pick’ Winner – Maria-Victoria Kovalsky, 10, ‘Pie Jesu’ (vocalist)

The audience voted for their favorite with $1 per vote. $1,017 dollars was raised with audience votes for KYFS.

Maria-Victoria received: Pizza for a year from Papa John’s, $100 certificate to Portrait Innovations, $50 cash from Allegro Performing Arts Academy and $25 McClendons Hardware Gift card.

Division Winners –

Youth Division 1st place Curran Law Firm Prize $100- Chloey Chae, 11, ‘Mozart Variations KV 265′ (pianist)

Teen Division 1st place Lemon Drop Skin Care Prize $100 – Brenna Benson, 15, ‘District Sleeps Tonight’ (dancer)

Adult Division 1st place Intimate Pilates Prize $100 – James Bacher, ‘In my daughter’s eyes’ (vocalist)

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May 9, 2011 — The results are in. Kent does, indeed, have talent!

The preliminary qualifications for So You Think Kent Has Talent were held at Allegro Performing Arts Academy Saturday, May 7. More than 50 individuals and groups performed, vying to be selected for the final event later this month. Judged by Mychal Boiser, Dana Ralph, Patrick Briggs and Dave Hobbs, the following finalists will move onto the May 21 competition:

Youth Division (in alphabetical order)

Jacob Bernhard (drums)
Choley Chae (piano)
Joelle Egbert (vocal)
Maria-Viktoria Kovalsy (vocal)
Alvina Ngo (vocal)

Teen Division (in alphabetical order)

Brenna Benson (dance)
Brenna Kay O’Farrell (vocal)
Endless Rhapsody – Jason Garcia & Shaun Fisher (vocal & guitar)
Kailyn Montieth (vocal)
Mackenzie Visser (vocal)

Adult Division (in alphabetical order)

James Bacher (vocal)
Jeannette Benson (vocal)
Theresa Raleigh (vocal)
Mirei Zaborac (Japanese instrument)
5,6,7,8 Dance – Meghna Kapadia, Vinay Kapadia, Juhi Jain, Amit Bhardwaj, Kamal Kalra, Chetan Bhardwaj, Rahul Khyastha, Aditya Saurabh (East Indian folk dancing)

SHOW INFO.

‘So you think KENT has talent!’
Saturday, May 21, 6:30pm
Kent Meridian High School Performing Arts Center
Tickets $10 each, purchased at the door
Tickets can be reserved by calling 253-813-9630
All proceeds benefit Kent Youth and Family Services

Prizes provided by local businesses:

$1,000 NFI Enterprise Grand Prize
$500 Heather McCurdy PNW Realty 2nd Overall
$250 Baldwin Chiropractic 3rd Overall
$100 1st place for each age division: Lemon Drop Skincare, Intimate Pilates & Curran Law Firm

**Audience Pick (voted on by the audience/$1 ticket to vote) will receive:

$50 Cash provided by Allegro Performing Arts Academy
$25 McClendon Gift Card
Papa John’s pizza for a year
Portrait innovations $100 certificate

Theater Sponsor – Allegro Performing Arts Academy

Advertising Sponsor – Personal Financial Planning

Award Sponsor – West Coast Awards and Athletics

Judges for the Finals are Mayor Suzette Cooke, Deborah Ranniger, Ronda Billerbeck, Bill Boyce, Deborah Theisen, Polly Shepherd

So you think KENT has talent winners will participate in the Kent Cornucopia Parade on July 10 as well as perform at:

Kent International Festival – 6/18 Time tbd
4th of July Splash – 7/4 6:30 pm
Kent Cornucopia – 7/8  5:15pm

The Third Annual Kent International Festival is set for Sat., June 18 from
10 am to 6 pm at Town Square Plaza, at the corner of 2nd and Smith Streets in downtown Kent. Offered in conjunction with the weekly Kent Farmer’s Market, this popular event is a celebration of Kent’s cultural diversity and will feature native attire, musical performances, ethnic dance, delicious authentic cuisine and a Kent student art display.

For more information, contact Harpreet Gill at (253) 856-4968 or Dave Mortenson at (206) 818-8304.

Want a poster to display at your workplace, school or organization? Click here to download –> 2011 KIF Poster Final-2

This Wed., May 4, Pat’s Bar & Grill hosts comic Chris Warren of Spokane, a comic who revels in being politically incorrect on environmental and religious issues.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

Chris Warren – Live
Wed., May 4 @ 7 pm

Pat’s Bar & Grill
114 Railroad Ave. N.
Kent, WA  98032

Reserve your seats by calling 253-852-7287.

Contributed by Book It Northwest

Free Poetry Writing Workshop with Author Erik Korhel
Event date: April 12, 2011
Location:  Covington Regional Library

Write a poem (or more) with help from King County poet Erik Korhel who will lead a Poetry Workshop for ages 7 and up April 12 at 7 p.m. at the Covington Branch of the King County Libraries, 27100 164th Ave. S.E., (253) 630-8761. Free.

More information at http://tinyurl.com/3u75g6v

ADDITIONAL FREE PERFORMANCES

April 9th at 3 p.m. – Sammamish Regional Library

May 14th at 2 p.m. – Kenmore Regional Library

Update, April 8, 2011 – The 23rd annual dinner auction netted $190,000 to be used to help children with special needs. The dinner auction served as the official kickoff of CTC’s capital campaign to raise $4 million to purchase and remodel its third therapy center in Burien. The auction fund-an-item brought in cash donations to go toward that campaign. Donations up to $50,000 were MATCHED by Cascade DAFO, Inc., the company that manufactures CTC’s orthotics.

Thank you to our volunteers, as well as our sponsors:  premier sponsor Kent Station, Cascade DAFO, Quota International of Kent VAlley, Belfor USA, Brantley Janson Yost & Ellison CPAs, Charter Private Bank, Curran Law Firm, Edward Jones (Tim Scheuffele), Emerald Downs, FamilyCare of Kent, Haeger Orthodontics, Live Oak Audio Visual, Miller Hayashi Architects LLC, Mountain Construction, Hentschell & Assoc., Inc., Shannon & Associates, SPIO Compression Garments, Sprague Israel Giles Insurance, Stephen and Barbara Glass, The Creative Office, The Hunt Family, Rock Wood Fired Pizza and Spirits, Univar USA and Wesley Homes.

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Children’s Therapy Center

23rd Annual Fun for Funds Dinner Auction
March 26, 20111 @ Emerald Downs
6:00 – 10:00 pm

Register for this event using our secure online form! This year we are honored to receive a matching gift from Cascade DAFO for expanding the orthotics program in our new therapy center! All fund-an-item donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000!

Individual Tickets are only65.00.

Unlocking Potential…One Child At A Time

There are so many questions when a parent discovers that their child has special needs, the most pressing of which is “Where do I go for services for my child?”  We have been empowering children with special needs and their families in King and Pierce County since 1979 through the provision of quality, individualized physical, occupational, and speech therapy; early intervention; specialized education; family resource coordination; parent education; custom orthotics; and compression garments:

https://dynamicfamilies.org/Page.aspx?hid=513