Did you miss the Kent Cornucopia parade? Would you like to see what other neighborhoods did to celebrate National Night Out in August? Or maybe you’re a pet lover who wants to hear about the new dog park being built on Kent’s East Hill. You can see all of the above on Kent TV21 online.

Here are links to some of their latest programs.

National Night Out – For 27 years, neighborhoods throughout Kent have been celebrating National Night Out. This year 103 events were held.

Tails are Wagging for an Off-Leash Dog Park in Kent – If you are a dog lover, you’ll love this fun video talking about the new off-leash dog park on Kent’s East Hill.

Kent Cornucopia Grand Parade – View the 2010 Kent Cornucopia Days Grand Parade.

{Note:  You’ll need Windows Media Player to view the videos.}

Are you tired of seeing graffiti and tags around the City of Kent? If so, you can help.

Join us for Community Graffiti Clean-Up Day on Saturday, September 18 from 8 am to 12 pm. Volunteers are needed in teams of 6 to 10 to help rid our city of this blight. Meet at 8 a.m. at Town Square Plaza (corner of 2nd and Smith St. – across from the Kent Library) to pick up your assignment, paint and supplies.

This is an ideal project for Key clubs, teens needing service hours, neighborhood councils, and individuals and companies who want to make a difference in Kent.

To sign up, contact Sara Wood with the City of Kent.

Looking for some great, live entertainment at an affordable price? Check out Pat’s Bar & Grill for live stand-up the first Wednesday of each month. Pat’s next show is Wed., September 1 from 7 to 9 pm and features Tommy Savitt. Tommy is the 2008 winner of the Seattle International Comedy Competition and the 2007 winner of The Boston Comedy Festival.

Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 at the door. Come early for a tasty dinner or stay after to have a few drinks with your friends. See you Wednesday!

Pat’s Bar & Grill, 114 Railroad Ave. N., Kent, WA 98032
253-852-7287

This year’s Puyallup Fair is set for September 10 – 26. The popular fair includes entertainment, a rodeo, concerts, Sillyville, a treasure hunt, animal exhibits, rides and much more.

This year’s concert series features:

Puyallup Rodeo
Bret Michaels
Kenny Rogers
John Legend
We The Kings
Willie Nelson
Chris Botti & Natalie Cole
Dierks Bentley
Fiestas Patrias
Queensryche with Tesla
Adam Lambert
Daryl Hall & John Oates
MercyMe and Jeremy Camp
Billy Currington with Uncle Kracker
An Evening with Heart
Kid Rock

For concert times and tickets, click here.

For more information, visit the Puyallup Fair online.  To purchase tickets online, click here.

The City of Kent is ramping up its campaign to license pets and is granting amnesty to dog and cat owners until September 30, 2010. After that, owners face stiff penalties and fines for not licensing Fido and Fluffy.

Officials at the city want the awareness campaign to have a lighter side though. They are hosting an event at Kent Station on September 25, 2010 to prove it. Dog Daze & Feline Fantasies will take place between 1 and 4 pm and will feature fun events including a pet show, pet parade, agility course and more. Owners are encouraged to bring their leashed pets and those that are licensed may participate in the events. King County Regional Animal Services will be on hand to license pets that day as well.

For more information on pet licensing, visit KentPetLicense.com.

Christian singer/songwriter Michael A. Wilkins of Kent will make his music debut at a reception at Marie Haggin Accessories at Kent Station next week.

The public is invited to meet Wilkins and hear him perform on Wed., August 18 from 6 to 8 pm at Marie Haggin. He will be performing songs from his debut album “I Don’t Want to be Lost” featuring songs including “Defeated Giants” and “Don’t Want to Forget Ya.”

Wilkins’ debut reception is being hosted by Wilkins’ sister, Debbie Marie Haggin, owner of Marie Haggin Accessories.

“I know I am biased, but his music is so beautiful,” Haggin says. “I can’t wait for the rest of the world to hear his work!”

To learn more about the Christian artist or to hear clips of his music, visit him online at Big Dream Music Productions.

Wed., August 18, 2010 (6 to 8 pm)

Christian singer/songwriter Michael Wilkins performs live at Marie Haggin Accessories at Kent Station (441 Ramsay Way, Suite 103, Kent).

Questions & RSVPs? Call 253-859-9769 .

Every once in awhile someone will ask me why I love Kent. Sometimes it is someone far away from Washington who has no idea where Kent is or what it has to offer. Other times it is someone who visited Kent long ago and remembers it as a not-so-special place they wouldn’t go back to.

I’ve lived here for five years, but every week I discover something new to love about Kent. Here are 10 things I love about Kent, Washington!

1. People: Despite the fact that Kent is the fourth largest city in King County, it retains its small town feel. Everywhere I go I am greeted with a smile. People in Kent are some of the nicest I’ve ever met. They are open minded, welcoming and good natured.
2. Parks: Kent, Washington has a handful of beautiful-but-small lakes that are serene and peaceful. Most are adjacent to a city-owned park with almost every amenity you can imagine. There are specialty parks as well like Arbor Heights 360 and Wilson Playfields, encouraging outdoor recreation for kids and adults. Some of my favorite parks include Clark Lake Park, Lake Meridian Park, Fennewick Park and Town Square Plaza.
3. Entertainment: There is always something to do in Kent. We have everything here from Kent Station and ShoWare Center to a Historic District and Kent Historical Museum. We also have a wealth of arts programs and school drama programs that provide dozens of performances, plays and other opportunities every year. What’s even better is that many outlets offer free or affordable things to do. Who doesn’t love free?
4. Shopping: Kent does not have a mall, per se, but we have much more shopping than most people know about. In addition to the always-popular Kent Station, there are locally-owned stores like Marie Haggin Accessories, Fig & Feather, Cheryl’s Unique Boutique, Titusville Antiques and more. There are also little niche areas like the “International District” on 104th and the shopping plaza on 104th and Kent-Kangley Road (Joann Fabrics, Linda’s Apparel, etc.) No matter where I go, I can find something special that fits my taste and my budget. See our Shopping page for more stores.
5. Dining: No matter how picky or broad your tastes are, there are multiple restaurants, cafes and diners to suit everyone. For American diner-style food, Maggie’s on Meeker is a favorite. For Thai, I recommend Archa Thai in downtown Kent. For Indian, I love Punjab Sweets on the East Hill. Proud to display its diverse heritage, Kent has a little bit of everything. Visit our Dine page for more suggestions.
6. Diversity: It is politically correct to say you embrace diversity, but not everyone truly does. In Kent, though, I believe we have a diverse population as well as a culture of inclusion and acceptance. We have several areas of town and specific businesses that cater to particular populations (e.g., Indian, Ukrainian, Hispanic, etc.), but we are eager to learn from each other as well. With more than 120 languages spoken in our schools, for example, most schools have English-learning programs as well as International Days where students can share their culture. This year the city of Kent partnered with a group of citizens to put on the 2nd annual Kent International Festival in downtown Kent. As a more personal example, my daughter goes to Dr. Na of the Mountlake Acupuncture Clinic on Central Avenue. He was born, raised and educated in China. When we go for my daughter’s weekly treatments, we exchange stories about our respective cultures. I think we learn as much about Chinese culture as we do about acupuncture and healing!
7. Accessibility: When I say “accessibility,” I mean that people and government in Kent, Washington are accessible to the average resident. I truly believe that anyone in Kent can send an email to the mayor or place a call to the police chief and get a prompt, personal response. I feel very comfortable that are our local leaders are accessible as well as eager to listen.
8. Entrepreneurial spirit: I love the fact that people in Kent, Washington have an entrepreneurial spirit about them. This includes business owners who passionately build their own companies, but also teens and young adults in the area who want to make a difference. People in Kent don’t accept that we have to do things the way they’ve always been done. They say, “I don’t like this. Let’s change it.” One local citizens group, for example, wanted an off leash dog park on the East Hill. Recognizing that the city didn’t have the funds to build one, they created the park in cooperation with the city, raising money on their own and turning their dream into a reality. In another case, a group of teens calling itself Project U(th) formed this summer to create opportunities for work and leisure for their peers. In Kent, we are not afraid to work hard or to pave our own way. We are a spunky bunch!
9. Community pride: Kent has been called many derogatory names over the years, but those who love Kent remain proud of their city. We show up in the thousands for events like Kent Cornucopia Days, Seattle T Birds and Predators’ games and concerts like the Backstreet Boys and REO Speedwagon. We work together to show our spirit and to shout Kent’s strengths to the world. For example, Kent’s neighborhood program brings residents together to solve mutual problems, to beautify neighborhoods and to clean up graffiti. Call us what you want – we will love Kent anyway!
10. Beauty: While I’ve touched on this a bit in #1 through 9, I love the beauty of Kent which includes its parks, lakes and mountain views but also its historic buildings, its public art work and, most of all, its people.

Those are just 10 of the reasons I love Kent, Washington. Tell me some of yours! Post them here or email them to us at iLoveKent.net, and we’ll post them online.

Thanks for visiting, iLoveKent.net! We encourage our fans, followers and readers to post relevant comments to our website. We love hearing from you, whether the feedback is positive or negative. We also want your ideas, suggestions and tips on ways we can improve the site and we hope you’ll send us your events for posting on our calendar. Before you leave a post, we want you to know:

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Photo by Dana Neuts

The Master Gardeners will host an open house on Sat., August 21 (10 am – 2 pm) at The Neely-Soames Historical Homestead, the oldest documented home in Kent. The home was built in 1885 along the Green River Trail near Russell Road.

The group will be on hand to give tours of the home, the heritage gardens and the grounds. In addition, the event will include a penny fair.

For more information about the Neely-Soames home, owned by the City of Kent, visit the City’s website. For information about the event, contact Ed LaCrosse of the Master Gardeners at 206-878-1573.

In addition, I wrote this article which was originally published in Kent Magazine in 2009:

Neely-Soames Historical Home and Garden:  5311 S. 237^th Place

“Believed to be the oldest home in Kent, the Neely-Soames home was built on 320 acres of land claimed by the David A. Neely family on what is now the Green River Valley. The Neelys originally lived in a riverside cabin which contained a general store and the first post office where Neely served as Kent’s first postmaster. His fifth child, David F. Neely, built the much larger home in 1885. Representative of a typical Kent farmstead of that period, the original home was a modest, two-story rectangular-shaped home with a wooden veranda. Additions in 1900 and 1954 expanded the home to approximately 2,000 square feet.

On the State Historic Register since 1977, the home was last owned by David F. Neely’s daughter Ruby Neely Soames, who donated the home to the City of Kent upon her death in 1986. The city has renovated much of the home, keeping as much of the original architecture intact as possible. The home now serves as a meeting place, exhibit space, and trail head and parking for the Green River Trail.

In addition, several garden clubs and Boy Scout troops have adopted the home to preserve and maintain the property. The Des Moines Garden Club and the South King County Master Gardeners, for example, have grown heritage gardens to show what herbs and other plants were grown on the site in the 1800s. The produce from the gardens is donated to local food banks each season.

In a city report on the project, it says, ‘The fertile Kent valley brought life, hope and sustenance to original settlers, beckoning people of diverse heritage. The Neely-Soames Project attempts to preserve our agricultural heritage and celebrates the beginning in Kent.’”

Post updated August 8, 2010 –

A group of Kent residents and dog owners are pitching in to create a dog park on the East Hill between Morrill Meadows Park and East Hill Park on 248th. Though volunteers have helped to clear the blackberry bushes to get the park dog-ready, there is much more work to be done. Funding is also needed. You can help make this dream a reality. Here’s how you can help:

• Purchase and donate fencing at Home Depot ($45 a roll; volunteers can pick it up, if needed).
• Purchase a plaque on behalf of your dog for $102. Half pays for the plaque; the other half goes toward the dog park.
• Buy a bench for $500 (4 are needed).
• Purchase a garbage can for $350 (2 are needed).
• Monetary donations are always helpful.

For more information or to make a donation, call volunteer Michelle McDowell at 253-639-0124 or visit DogPark online.

In kind donations such as fencing and other items needed for the park can also be donated. Contact Brian Levenhagen, parks planning and development manager to see if the materials you want to donate meet city standards.

Need a little more laughter in your life? Join Pat and friends to welcome nationally known comedian Morgan Preston to Pat’s Bar & Grill this Wednesday, August 4 at 7 p.m.

Pre-sale tickets are available for $10, or $15 at the door. For more info., visit Pat’s Bar & Grill online or visit Morgan Preston’s website.

Come early for dinner and enjoy outstanding food at affordable prices!

Mark your calendars, King County voters! August 17, 2010 is the due date for the primary & special election. If you are a registered voter, you should have received your voter’s guide and ballot in the mail.

For more information about who’s running and what special initiatives are on the ballot, visit the King County election website.

For a list of 24-hour ballot drop boxes, click here.

The Kent Police Department released the crime stats for last week, July 20-26, 2010, along with some helpful crime prevention tips to keep you and your family safe this summer.

Punched door lock and smashed windows:  According to Kent PD, these are two popular methods for thieves to use to gain access to your vehicle. To prevent this, always lock your car doors and remove valuables from your vehicle. These items are the most appealing to would-be thieves:  GPS units, tools, computers, spare change, sunglasses and cell phone charges.

Full-time DUI patrols are in force:  This summer special full-time DUI patrols are patrolling local streets and highways to keep drunk drivers off the road. Kent PD recommends that you be safe and be smart by finding alternative transportation if you’ve been drinking:  (1) take public transit; (2) designate a driver to remain sober; and (3) take a taxi.

Never leave children unattended in a vehicle: Did you know that it is illegal to leave your vehicle running with a child in it? In addition, running cars with kids in them are easy targets to thieves, and it is unsafe to leave your child or pet in the car during the summer time. When outdoor temps are 80 or above, the inside temp of your vehicle can escalate to as high as 130 degrees in just an hour!

For more tips like these or to learn more about crime prevention, contact one of the Kent PD’s public education specials:

West Hill – Cesi Velez, 253-856-5884

East Hill – Stacy Judd, 253-856-5883

Valley – Sara Wood, 253-856-5851

Thanks to Leora Schwitters of Rainier Youth Choirs for contributing this story.

Kent’s Rainier Youth Choirs received two standing ovations from an audience of 1,500 delegates representing 17 countries Tuesday night at the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Convention in Spokane.

The first ovation, early in the program, was for Kent composer and DKG member Janice Hannesson Moen’s composition, “We Sing for the Children”.  The song, selected by the United Nations as the theme song for UNICEF’s CD promoting the Afghan Teacher Training Project in 2008, holds special significance for the Delta Kappa Gamma organization.  “I have never heard my song sung so well!” was Moen’s reaction.   Many in the audience were moved to tears.

The choirs presented a variety of songs from around the world.  Among the favorites were Quick’s arrangement of “Loch Lomond” featuring Kentwood High School’s 2010 graduate, Ryan Callahan, tenor, and “For Good” (from Wicked) with solos by alto Devon Wilson, Kentwood High School, 2010, and soprano Katie Wenndt, Kentridge High School, 2010.  The final showstopper was a rendition of Marcos Leite’s “Trěs Cantos Nativos dos Indios Kraó”, a set of three short songs from the Brazilian rain forest that began with an amazing rainstorm effect using body percussion.  Leora Schwitters, Rainier Youth Choirs’ Artistic Director, stated, “This was one of our finest programs ever.  The singers were entirely engaged and their performance was electric.  The use of two giant video screens above the stage and professional sound reinforcement allowed even those in the very back of the giant hall to participate in the intimacy of a heartfelt sharing of songs.  We were all transported in that magical way that only choral music can allow.”

Moen reported these and other complimentary reactions from audience members:  “That is the finest youth choir I’ve ever heard.”  “It was so inspiring!”  “I loved the variety of music they performed.”  “They have restored my faith in the youth of today.”  DKG delegate Joy Lauderbaugh of Kent shared that the convention newsletter included these quotes from attendees:  “The young people’s chorale was the best thing on the program.”  “I loved hearing the choirs and watching them make music together.  Outstanding examples of young people!”  “The Rainier Youth Choir set a high performance standard.  Washington is lucky to have talented musicians and a great director.”

For more information about this community nonprofit, visit Rainier Youth Choirs online.

Contact: Kathy Lambert 206-296-1003

July 30, 2010

Be Responsible With Summer Fun on the Water

Summer is here, and many King County residents are celebrating by taking advantage of the many water recreation opportunities available here.

While cooling off in local lakes and rivers is a great way to beat the heat of a hot summer day, it also is important to be respectful of neighbors and of the environment, said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who represents northeast King County. She has heard from citizens complaining about garbage left on their property, and they would like recreational users to be neighborly by cleaning up after themselves.

“Summer vacation is a good time to remind everyone to dispose of your garbage properly, especially in a water environment,” said Councilmember Lambert. “In addition to polluting waterfront properties and contaminating salmon habitat, throwing garbage in a state waterway such as a lake or river is unlawful.”

RCW 9.66.010 specifies that befouling a lake, navigable river, bay, stream, canal or basin is a public nuisance, and state law bans disposal of trash in the state’s waterways. An offender can be charged with a misdemeanor, which is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail. The King County Sheriff’s Office will be watching for careless swimmers, rafters and boaters this summer.

“Summer is a time for everyone to have fun, including your neighbors, and to make sure to keep our waterways clean and beautiful for the next user,” said Councilmember Lambert.

Ride to Make a Difference – Kent A.M. Kiwanis teams up with Children’s Therapy Center and Pat’s Bar & Grill on August 1 to do their 5th Annual Kick Start For Kids, a benefit motorcycle ride.

{Download the flyer here}

The rain-or-shine ride starts at 10:30 am at Children’s Therapy Center in Kent (sign up starts at 9:30 am), goes on a leisurely, unescorted ride to Snoqualmie Falls, and ends at Pat’s Bar & Grill, 114 Railroad Ave. N. in downtown Kent.

The ride will take place rain or shine and the event benefits Children’s Therapy Center to help provide scholarships to families whose children need therapy services to help them reach their full potential.

Cost:  $35 at the door + $15 for additional passengers or spouses

Coffee and light snacks will be provided before the ride and riders will receive a commemorative pin. The ride will finish with a celebration at Pat’s Bar & Grill.

For more info., call 253-854-5660 or email kentamkiwanis@gmail.com!

Open to all motorcycle riders 18 years and older with valid endorsement.

MOMS Club of Kent is hosting its annual fundraiser/garage sale this weekend:  Friday, July 23 (i-5) and Saturday, July 24 (9-3) at 18609 139th Way SE in Renton. Stop by for some great deals on kids’ clothes, household items, toys, baby gear, and much more!

For more information, email Kristen Jordan.

I was driving in the Kent-Covington area this morning, doing my best to avoid all of the construction zones – some large, some small. I was frustrated by the traffic cones, flaggers and closed lanes and sidewalks…but then I realized that this isn’t about me or even about you. This is a necessary function, one that we as taxpayers ask our cities, counties and states to manage for us.

Think about it. We want our roads pothole free, our sidewalks without cracks, and our trips in and out of the city without traffic…but yet we hate the work required to keep our roads and sidewalks safe. We complain about every road and lane closure and how they inconvenience us. We gripe about how some projects seem to take forever, and how we hate the black tar and paint striping that sometimes sticks to our cars when we drive in newly paved and painted zones. We simply don’t like going out of our way.

Taking that one step further, think about the summer road construction crews and engineers who are out there working long hours in the hot sun, getting cursed at, honked at and flipped off. They probably don’t want to be in our way any more than we like having them there, but they show up for work every day anyway. Like us, they go to work so they can take care of their families and put food on their tables. Summer road construction crews know they aren’t popular with local drivers, but they do the work no one else wants to do. They do a thankless but necessary job with nothing but grief from us.

I’d like to change that up a bit. I propose that, instead of being frustrated with these crews, we should be grateful that they are doing their jobs so our streets can be safe. We should thank them, wave to them or offer a simple smile to say “Hey, thanks, buddy! I appreciate you!”

Give it a try tomorrow. I think the road crews will appreciate the small kindness, and it will make you feel better too! Happy motoring!

——————-

Resources to learn more about road closures in your area:

WSDOT – Northwest (includes King County)

WSDOT – Olympic Region (includes Pierce County)

King County Road Services (Traffic Alerts, Construction Updates, etc.)

City of Kent Public Works Projects

Covington Public Works Projects

Icon Theatre presents The Seahorse, a play by Edward J. Moore in late July – early August.

Tony Driscoll and Jennifer O’Brien star in ICON THEATRE’S presentation of the The Seahorse by Edward J. Moore, directed by Rebecca Lloyd. This riveting play examines the lives of Harry Bales and Gertrude Blum inside the walls of The Seahorse, a seaport bar.

This play features only one man and one women alone on stage discovering each other and working on love. This is not a fairy tale love story. It is dark and clouded with the sum of the past, but it illuminates what is possible when you commit yourself to loving someone unconditionally. Due to strong language, this performance is for mature audiences only (13 and up only please).

July 29, 30 & 31 and August 5, 6 & 7
7 pm curtain
Kentwood Performing Arts Center
Kentwood High School 25800 164th Ave. SE., Kent, WA  98042
Tickets are $10 each
Purchase online at Brown Paper Tickets

[Bonus: The theatre will be air conditioned, so come out to support the community with a dramatic theatrical performance by local actors.]

Summer has finally arrived and, along with it, some pretty high temps. While our summer weather can be relatively mild in the Pacific Northwest, it can also range into the 90s at times. Our cars and trucks can be even hotter…even with the windows cracked. When the humidity strikes, the heat is absolutely unbearable for our four-footed friends.

What this means for pet lovers is that we need to leave Fido and Fluffy at home, not take them with us when we run errands, unless we plan to be in the vehicle with our pets at all times and with the windows open or the air conditioning on. This will save our pets from getting dehydrated or having heatstroke, a deadly condition.

Think your pet – or one locked in the vehicle next to you – may have heatstroke? Here are some signs that the pet is suffering from heatstroke:

• Panting
• Staring
• Anxious expression
• Refusal to obey commands
• Warm, dry skin
• High fever
• Rapid heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Collapse

Heat is also a problem for pets who live outdoors. The American Animal Hospital Association offers these tips for keeping your outdoor pet cool and safe this summer:

• Ensure adequate shelter from sun/midday heat.
• Outdoor kennels should be well-ventilated and in the shade.
• Provide plenty of fresh water in a bowl that cannot be tipped over.
• Avoid excessive exercise on hot days.
• Talk with your local veterinarian to determine if your long-haired Fido needs a summer haircut.

For more tips on keeping your pet cool this summer, visit Protect Pets from Summer Scorchers or Your Car is an Oven on Weather.com. For more pet care advice, visit the pet owner site of the American Animal Hospital Association.

Kent TV21 is working on a video with tips on keeping your pet safe and cool this summer.  When the video is posted, it will be available online at Kent TV21.