Contributed by Lori Nevin of Urbia Fresh Cafe:

ANOTHER BUSINESS CLOSING IN DOWNTOWN KENT

 August 22, 2011, Kent, Washington — In an open letter to the Kent Community, Urbia Fresh Café would like to thank each and every one person that visited the Cafe over the last year. The business grew 53% while operating costs were lowered by 40%. The Urbia Connections Program contributed to eleven community organizations helping with support in over $2500 in cash and products. Urbia hosted many ad-hoc business meetings for Kent, and three ongoing meeting groups. Urbia participated in the Mayor’s initiative Kent 4 Health, the Kent Chamber of Commerce, and Kent Downtown Partnership.

The Cafe operated at 30% capacity. It needed to be at least 50% within the first year to continue. Therefore, this month the Café ends regular business hours and the shop is closing August 31. Urbia sends sincere thanks to those of you who were brave enough to try out yet another new restaurant at this location. Urbia will miss you all and provides a recommendation for independently owned restaurants: Maggie’s on Meeker, Golden Steer, or Pat’s Bar and Grill. These owners contribute greatly to the Kent community.

Please do your part to carry the vision of transforming downtown Kent, the sixth largest city in the state. Don’t wait until another downtown business is gone. Be a part of making Kent downtown lively again not just by spending your money locally or frequenting the national chains, but take walks through downtown, sit in the Town Square or on a corner bench, even go in to look in the independent shops and just meet the business owners. Find out how they contribute as your neighbors making a difference for downtown Kent.

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!

College students and parents, schedule your back-to-school move by August 26 and receive a $20 pizza gift card free, compliments of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK© of Seattle. Moves include local (55 miles or less one-way) and long distance moves in Western Washington such as dorm moves, moves to off-campus housing and moving items into storage.

“We do a lot of moves this time of year, so our schedule is already filling up,” says Rick Clendenen, co-owner of Two Men & A Truck of Seattle. “We encourage students and parents to take advantage of this special offer by booking their move now.”

Ideally, Clendenen explains, back-to-school moves should be scheduled two weeks in advance to ensure availability. This also helps to lock in pricing for weekday and weekend moves. Per Washington State regulations, different minimums apply to weekdays versus weekends. By booking ahead of time, parents secure their spot while students get the benefit of the free pizza!

To schedule your move with Seattle movers who care, call TWO MEN AND A TRUCK© at 253-656-4322 or visit their website at http://twomenandatruckseattle.com.

The Seattle area franchise of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK© is owned by husband and wife team Rick and Glenna Clendenen. Originally from the Midwest, the couple moved to Western Washington to expand the popular moving franchise. The firm serves the Seattle area out of offices located in Kent and Kirkland. In addition to back-to-school moves, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK© offers a full-range of residential and commercial moving services including senior move management. The company also offers packing services, supplies and workshops.

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.

Ladies, mark your calendars for a fun evening of wine tasting, shopping, pampering and guaranteed girltime! The Sixth Annual Wine, Women, WOW! is scheduled for Sat., Sept. 10 at the Kent Activity Center. This year’s WOW! begins with a one-hour VIP event from 5 to 6 pm, with the main event beginning at 6 pm and running until 9 pm. It will feature Washington wines, shopping from local merchants and pampering from some of your favorite area salons. And this year we’re giving the men what they asked for – a Man Cave.

The event is hosted by and benefits Kent Downtown Partnership, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting and growing a vibrant downtown Kent.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Wine, Women, WOW! online or contact KDP at 253-813-6976.

Wine, Women, WOW!
Sat., Sept. 10, 2011
Kent Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St., Kent, WA

VIP Event:  5 – 6 pm
Main Event:  6 – 9 pm

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 Lori Nevin of Urbia Fresh Cafe

FUN-FILLED FOLDING: ONE THOUSAND PEACE CRANES FOR JAPAN RELIEF
Sat., April 9, 9 am – 3 pm
Urbia Fresh Cafe, 415 Central Ave., Kent

With a goal of the Kent community folding at least 1000 Origami Peace Cranes, Urbia Fresh Café will be hosting a public event on Saturday April 9, 2011 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM at 415 Central Ave. N. Local community member Emiko Knowlton and others will be providing the origami paper, instructions on how to make the cranes, and personally helping each individual fold their Peace Crane. Feel free to bring your own origami (or you can recycle paper from catalogs, magazines, etc.). You can make cranes now and drop them off on the day of the event too.

This event is in support of Laura Fournier who started the project “A Thousand Paper Cranes for Japan” for the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Known as “Senbazuru” in Japanese, an ancient legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane.

Paper cranes have come to symbolize world peace and the process of healing, and as Japan picks up its pieces, this will express our wish for hope and their recovery. Fournier states, “The goal is to fold one paper crane for each life lost. I cannot do this alone. I’ve never even folded a thousand, let alone over 20,000. I need your help.” If you would like to be part of this project, please show up at this event. The paper cranes and any written well wishes will be sent to community centers and schools in Japan.

Donations will be collected to go towards Global Giving’s Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. In addition, Urbia Fresh Café will be donating 10% of the days proceeds to the relief fund. Photographs of the event will be taken by Shawna Perko Smith of Sweet River Photography. Photographs from this event and others involved with this project will be collected and sent along with the cranes to Japan. We hope to see you there!

Everyone is invited to participate by coming in to watch, learn, and fold at 415 Central Ave. N., Kent (the old Kentucky Fried Chicken building). Call Lori Nevin at the Café, 253-220-8078, for more information.

Save the date…April 27th from 7-8:30 at the Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center. You are invited to come hear uplifting stories about the dramatic impact made in people’s lives through DAWN’s programs and services.

You will be treated to a hearty breakfast and an opportunity to win Great prizes!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center
17620 Pacific Highway South, Seattle
7:00-7:30 a.m.: Check-in, Social, Coffee
7:30-8:30 a.m.: Breakfast & Program

DAWN-domestic abuse woman’s network

Would you like to captain a table of 10 guests? Contact Annual Giving Coordinator Sharon Yamada-Heidner at 425-656-4305 x 261.

Kent Station welcomes Reds Wine Bar to the popular downtown shopping center. This new wine bar is located across from the Sound Transit parking garage. Owned by husband and wife team Nick and Angela Xavier of Kent, Reds features a selection of regional wines along with artisan crafted beers.

In addition to wine and beer, Reds offers a tapas-style menu of fresh bread, cheese, soup, salad, paninis, and appetizers with a focus on healthy ingredients and palate-pleasing wine pairings.  Food and wine by the bottle may be ordered to-go. Members of the Reds wine club will enjoy birthday specials, discounted corkage fee and case purchases and personalized notes on customers’ wine preferences. The wine club helps personalize the experience for guests.

“Reds Wine Bar is a great addition to Kent Station,” said John Hinds, Kent Station general manager. “The Kent community desired a casual, inviting, neighborhood wine bar and we are delighted to have another locally-owned and operated tenant.”

Previously, the Xaviers worked in the mortgage industry. However, last year after Angela’s dad was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer, the news catalyzed the couple to make their retirement dream of owning their own business a reality. Their goal was to own a community-oriented business that would be inviting and welcoming to their friends and family. Their dream evolved into Reds Wine Bar which opened with a “soft launch” on December 30, followed by their official launch on New Year’s Eve.

“We enjoy wine but we aren’t wine experts,” explained Angela Xavier. “We know what we like and we invite our customers to share their love and taste of wine with us. We want to have a really fun experience and build relationships in our community.”

Reds Wine Bar (321 Ramsay Way) is open seven days a week:  Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 pm. The dining area is family-friendly. Reds Wine Bar is planning a grand opening celebration February 4 and 5. Visit their website, http://redswinebar-kent.com, find them on Facebook, or call 253-277-1852 for details.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Tarragon a Seattle based company. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, professional office space, and dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatres Cineplex and a branch campus of Green River Community College. For more information, visit the Kent Station website at http://www.KentStation.com or contact marketing manager Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301.

The Kent Valley Hockey Association invites you to join them for their eighth annual dinner and auction to support youth hockey.

Kent Valley Hockey Association
8th Annual Dinner & Auction
Fri., Feb. 4, 2011, 6:30 pm
ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent, WA 98032
$50 per person

- Fully catered dinner
- Complimentary glass of wine
- Fun, festive evening

For more info., contact Stacy Cinderella, KVHA Auction Coordinator, 253-850-2400, ext. 25.

KVHA’s home rink is the Kent Valley Ice Centre at 6105 S. 240th St., Kent, WA 98032.

Yesterday the Kiwanis Club of Kent hosted “Hope for Families” at Golden Steer Restaurant t0 raise awareness of the changing face of homelessness. With presentations from Officer Autumn Majack of the Kent Police Department and author Richard LeMieux, a former homeless man, as guest speaker, the club accomplished its task, yielding donations of coats, hats, gloves and more.

Following an invocation by Dr. Lee Vargas of the Kent School District and introductions by Sally Goodgion, the program turned to Officer Majack, also known as Miss Nancy to those she protects. Working the streets of Kent for the last 12 years, Officer Majack has met a number of homeless men, women and families, including many she will never forget like Joey, Giggles and Cowboy. Officer Majack recounted a number of stories of homeless men and women she has encountered over the years, most with challenges we cannot begin to imagine.

She readily admits that the homeless don’t always smell or look pleasant, but she also reminded the crowd of nearly 100 that the homeless are human too and deserve respect. Fortunately, she has seen some success stories along the way.

“There are positive sides to seeing people heal themselves.  I learn through them,” Officer Majack said. “As long as we accept them for being human, we can give them hope.”

Sometimes cash donations are acceptable, she explained, but in many cases, food and clothing are more appropriate.

Called an “angel in uniform” by guests in the room, Officer Majack was followed by the formerly homeless Richard LeMieux, the author of Breakfast at Sally’s. Once a successful sports writer and directory publisher, LeMieux lost everything he had at age 58. He was evicted from his home and found himself living in his car with only his clothes and his dog Willow. Six months later, a depressed and homeless LeMieux tried to take his own life on Christmas Day 2002 on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

“I looked in the mirror and looked at this worthless, homeless man,” he said.

His dog Willow – the only thing that loved him in the world – is what kept him alive. Over the sounds of traffic on the bridge, LeMieux heard Willow’s cries, calling him back from almost certain death.

“Willow is a true angel that saved my life,” he explained.

He drove to Bremerton and parked in the Salvation Army parking lot that night and awoke the following morning to see more than 100 people lined up for breakfast at a soup kitchen named Sally’s. He met the “angels of many faces,” he explained, and looked in the faces of homeless men and women and, for the first time in six months, he laughed over the color of the carrots and the mystery meat that resisted being cut.

“I realized I was still good. I didn’t need to be thrown away,” LeMieux said. “I had found the real heroes I’d been looking for my whole life.”

He encouraged those in the audience to continue to give hope to the homeless by giving donations, listening to them and touching their hearts.

“Let’s make and change the world into a better place that we can all be proud of,” LeMieux said. “We can’t ignore homelessness. We just can’t. It’s going to get worse.”

******

Homeless facts offered during the luncheon:

• The average age of a homeless person is 18.
• There are more homeless women and children than ever before.

To learn more about how you can help the homeless, contact Sally Goodgion at the Kiwanis Club of Kent.

[Special author's note:  Thanks to all of those at my table who contributed their programs as note paper, making this article possible.]

Kent, Washington, December 8, 2010 – Kent Station is sharing its holiday spirit this season by giving back to children and families in the community. The popular Kent-based shopping center is sponsoring a Giving Tree, accepting donations for holiday meals for families in need, and offering a gift wrapping station. All donations benefit programs supported and operated by Kent Youth & Family Services, a nonprofit serving Kent and South King County families for 40 years.

Located in Kent Station Plaza just outside AMC Theatres, the Giving Tree holds tags for over 250 families and children. Each tag lists all the pertinent information, along with a need (e.g., warm coat) and a wish (e.g., Barbie doll). Local businesses and community members are encouraged to participate by fulfilling wishes and needs and depositing the unwrapped gifts in the Big Red Box inside AMC Theatres by December 15.

To kick off the holiday season, Kent Station eagerly selected a family from the Giving Tree. “Our goal is to give our chosen family the best and biggest Christmas ever,” said Kent Station general manager John Hinds. “And we encourage other local businesses to participate in this worthwhile program that truly makes a difference for families in need who are located right here in Kent.”

For those who want to help but do not have time to shop, you can provide a holiday meal for families. Kent Station has partnered with BECU, Angel Food Ministries and the Calvary Community Church of Sumner to accept monetary donations. Just $39 will purchase a holiday meal for an entire family. To participate, contact Kent Station at 253-856-2301, ext. 101 for more details.

From December 17 through 19, Kent Youth and Family Services will offer a gift wrapping station to help shoppers get their purchases ready for giving. Kent Station will donate the space and resources for the gift wrapping with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Kent Youth & Family Services. Hours for gift wrapping are published on the Kent Station website and Facebook pages.

“This has been a difficult year for so many Kent and Covington children and families,” said marketing manager Sommer Ueda. “We want to help make the holidays a little brighter for those who need it the most. We invite our community to join us in providing needs, wishes and meals for local families this year.”

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Tarragon a Seattle based company. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, professional office space, and dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatres Cineplex and a branch campus of Green River Community College. For more information about Kent Station or its holiday festivities, visit the Kent Station website at http://www.KentStation.com or contact marketing manager Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301.

Founded in 1970, Kent Youth & Family Services is a Kent-based nonprofit serving children, youth and families in South King County, Washington. The agency offers counseling, Head Start and early childhood education and assistance, substance abuse programs, housing for homeless young mothers and more. In 2009, Kent Youth & Family Services provided services to more than 4,000 children and families. For more information about Kent Youth and Family Services, visit KYFS online at http://www.kyfs.org or contact executive director Mike Heinisch at 253-859-0300.

For more information, please contact:

Sommer Ueda, Marketing Manager
Kent Station Management Office
417 Ramsay Way, Suite 110
Kent, WA  98032
253-856-2301
www.KentStation.com
sueda@kentstation.com

This Wednesday, December 1 Pat’s Bar & Grill (114 Railroad Ave. N., Kent, WA 98032) is featuring Auggie Smith. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door the night of the performance. Show starts at 7 p.m. For more info., call Pat’s at 253-852-7287 (PATS).

Support Kentwood choir students by attending the Kentwood Madrigal Feast on Fri., Dec. 10 and Sat., Dec. 11 (beginning at 6 p.m.). The annual Madrigal Feast will be held at Kent Covenant Church (12010 SE 240th St., Kent, WA 98031). You’ll enjoy an evening of feasting, drama and music.

Tickets:  $25 adults, $15 for seniors, active military, and children under 12

Visit Kentwood Choir Boosters online for more info. or email Daisy Emans.

Join the Kent AM Kiwanis to kick off Winterfest at Maggie’s on Meeker for the Kent AM Kiwanis’ annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. This nonprofit event is a fundraiser for the local Kiwanis club who works regularly with children’s programs throughout the City of Kent, including the BUG program at Scenic Hill Elementary.

Saturday, December 4, 2010
8 am – 1 pm
Maggie’s on Meeker, 307 W. Meeker St., Kent, WA  98032

All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage (single serving), coffee, tea, juice or milk. Seating is limited. Pre-purchase tickets to guarantee your seat at this fun and filling fundraiser!

Adults $10
Seniors (60+) $5.00
Children (5-12) $5.00
Children 5 & under FREE

For more info. or to buy tickets, call Maggie’s at 253-852-4116 or Michele Campbell at 253-632-1897 or .

All proceeds benefit programs for children and seniors in the Kent Community.

Sponsored by Kent A. M. Kiwanis.

Spaghetti Dinner! Covington’s non-profit Rainier Youth Choirs is fundraising to cover operating expenses and keep tuition costs affordable.

Bring family and friends on Friday, November 12 to Cedar Heights Middle School, 19640 SE 272nd, Kent, WA, anytime between 5:30 and 7:30pm. Enjoy a pasta dinner with your choice of sauce (Pesto, Tomato, and a meat sauce with meatballs), salad, garlic bread, mozzarella Puffins and dessert. Ice water, coffee, and tea are included in the meal, but there will be pop and bottled water for sale as well.

Children 1-5 years old are $1 per year of age age. Everyone else is $7 pre-paid through an RYC member, or $8 at the door.

Please pre-order tickets via email and pay at the door!