Normally, I don’t share job postings on iLoveKent.net. I’d never get anything else posted if I did, but this one is particularly Kent-centric, so I’m making an exception. is 

KEHR, Kent East Hill Revitalization, is looking for a community coordinator to spearhead and coordinate efforts of businesses and residents of Kent’s East Hill to revitalize the area. KEHR is looking for a self-starter with a positive attitude who can see a project through from start to finish. The position is a half-time position (15-20 hours per week) on a contract basis for one year. The job will including scheduling, attending and participating in meetings; related administrative tasks; social media, marketing and event promotion; and other tasks as they fall into the purview of this position.

For more information, please download this job description.To apply for the job, please send a résumé, cover letter and three professional references to Josh Hall via email.

For more information about KEHR, visit KEHR on Facebook or online at DiscoverEastHill.com. Questions? Contact Josh Hall at 253-856-5707 or email him.

Folks at the City of Kent and local volunteers are busy planning another fun You We Me, an interactive evening of free family fun. This year’s event will be held at ShoWare Center on Fri., Mar. 1 and will feature a variety of activities for kids of all ages. In addition to collecting food for the Kent Food Bank, event highlights include:

• 44 interactive vendor booths
• Bike raffle from Redline Bikes
• Radio Disney
• Sports competitions
• Face painting, hands on activities, games
• Bounce houses
• Rainier Youth Choirs
• Neely O’Brien DRUM and Red Hawk Singers
• Electronettes Drill Team and Drum Squad
• Cameron Sterling
• Kitana Turnball
• Allegro Performing Arts Academy
• Kent Elementary STOMP and Dance Team
• New Beginning Alofa Tunoa Youth Dance Group
• Kent Meridian Bridging the Seas Bollywood Group
• Kent Knights Jr. Cheer Team
• Kent Meridian Pacific Island Club
• $1 hot dogs and soda

Kent Food Bank will be on hand to accept donations of nonperishable food items. The event is organized by a cross-section of community groups, the Kent School District, Kent Parks, local youth groups, sports teams, scouts, churches, local businesses and service clubs. Come join the fun!

Kent Parks Department is encouraging members of the community to participate in cleaning up litter on the Interurban Trail on Martin Luther King Day, January 21 from 1-3 PM. Volunteers will meet at the Kent Lions Skate Park. Trash bags and a limited number of sticks will be provided. Please dress for the weather; poor weather may cancel the event. Pre-registration is requested by January 16, or you can call 253-856-5113 by January 18. Details can be found at http://www.kentwa.gov/ParkVolunteers/.

Seattle Center Kwanzaa Showcase and Celebration (Seattle Center)

As part of Seattle Center’s Winterfest, there will be a Kwanzaa Celebration on Saturday December 27, 2008 at 2:00pm on the Center House Stage.

Participants can join or watch the Adefua African Music and Dance Company for an all-city Kwanzaa Harvest Festival celebration. The performance and subsequent cultural exhibit is designed to honor African-American ancestors and the principle of collective work and responsibility (Ujima).

This is Seattle’s biggest group Kwanzaa celebration.

Seattle Children’s Museum

Every year, the Seattle Children’s Museum hosts a Kwanzaa learning event as part of its Cultural Sundays program. This year, you can look for it on Sunday December 28th. For more information, visit the museum online at www.thechildrensmuseum.org.

Meredith Matthews YMCA Kwanzaa Clinic and Meal (Central District)

The date hasn’t been set yet, but the Meredith Matthews YMCA on 23rd is promising to host another Kwanzaa this December (likely mid-to-late month) with a meal, education and fun for all. Check their website at http://www.seattleymca.org/page.cfm?id=mm for updated details.

Dear iLoveKent.net Readers and Fans,

When I started iLoveKent.net in 2009, I did it to showcase some of the great people, places and things in Kent, Washington. I wanted to show the rest of the world, or at least South King County, that Kent has a lot to offer — from basic shopping, dining and recreational options to deeper values like culture, diversity and creativity.

Over the years, my passion for Kent has grown, and I’ve tried to reflect that in the pages of iLoveKent.net and on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. I’ve done this as a service to the community, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I will continue to provide this service because I believe in Kent, and my readers have shown that they believe in Kent too.

But my mission is evolving and I want your help. Kent needs us now, perhaps more than ever. Over the last several months, we’ve heard about fatal car crashes, missing teens, vandalized stores, closing businesses, shootings and other crimes. Financially, our city is in danger as well. Businesses are being asked to pay more to run the city, the city is cutting valuable services and programs, and job layoffs continue. With so much going on, particularly at election time, it may seem like we as individuals can’t make a difference…but we CAN and we need to! Our city needs us, our schools and businesses need us, and our neighbors need us.

Many of you are already active in the community. You volunteer at school or church, participate in local government, or serve as a mentor or board volunteer somewhere. Those contributions continue to be important, but I think we need to do even more — at the most basic level, we need to look out for each other. We need to report burned out streetlights, call 9-1-1 when we see suspicious vehicles and erratic drivers, and need to avoid unnecessary distractions when driving, biking or walking through town. We need to remember to be kind and compassionate, pay attention to our surroundings,  and clean up after ourselves when out in public. While these may seem like minor actions, each time we help someone else in a small way, it adds up to big change and a safer, more secure community.

In the weeks and months ahead, I’ll use iLoveKent.net to share ideas and resources with members of the community to show you ways you can help. I welcome your suggestions and comments as well. I don’t have all the answers; together we do! Let’s show Kent we care.

Caring for our community,

Dana Neuts, Publisher
iLoveKent.net

[Pictured above, right:  Kent Fire Department at Kent Cornucopia Days, 2012. Photo taken by Dana Neuts.]

by Brooke Blozis

National Night Out:  August 7, 2012 (5 to 9 pm)

Heard about break-ins and car prowls recently? Do you want to do something about it? Get to know your neighbors at National Night Out.

National Night Out is coming back to Kent on August 7! Participate in a neighborhood barbeque, dessert social, or just bring your community together. Let crime know that you’re aware that it’s happening, and you’re not afraid to do something about it. Local events will run from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. We were ranked number 13 out of the entire country for the new population category last year, let’s do it again!

Register your neighborhood’s event online, and request a banner, invitations, give-aways, t-shirts and balloons for your event! Call Sara Wood, Kent Police Department, at 253-856-5851.

See the legendary Isley Brothers and KEM at ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St. in Kent on June 2 at 8:00 pm.  These R&B giants will play one-night only in Kent as part of “Smooth Grooves Music Fest”.

With such hits as “Twist & Shout”, “Summer Breeze” and “It’s Your Thing”, the Isley Brothers will make you want to dance! The Grammy-award winning Isley Brothers formed in the early 1950s in Cincinnati, Ohio and today are considered one of the most important and influential groups of the last half-century.

It has been said that music feeds the soul, but KEM’s journey is equally, if not more inspirational. R&B Singer/Songwriter/Producer KEM’s love of music began as a child. Music saw him through the darkest moments in his life, took him to the top of the industry’s record charts, and earned him a record deal with Universal Motown Records. A self-taught musician, KEM was born in Nashville and raised in Detroit, the birthplace of Motown Records.

Today, KEM takes the opportunity to minister through music, sharing his life’s journey with his audience at every concert. He testifies openly about overcoming alcohol addiction and drug use and touts his sobriety since 1990. He never neglects to give honor and glory to God for his achievements.

Reserved seats range from $30 to $85. Tickets are on sale to the general public at ShoWare Center’s Box Office (with no fees) or online at ShoWareCenter.com, Facebook.com/ShoWareCenter or 253.856.6999.

For more information about this and other events, visit http://showarecenter.com.

Contributed by Nathan Box, Kent Youth & Family Services

On May 2, 1,200+ nonprofits will ask for your support during the Seattle Foundation’s 2nd Annual GiveBIG. We are one of those nonprofits. Our difference is clear though. We are right here in your community. Every dollar donated to Kent Youth and Family Services stays right here in South King County. In fact, your dollars go to work providing Youth/Family & Substance Abuse Counseling to residents of Covington and youth and families throughout the Kent School District. They also provide Outreach services at three King County Housing Authority sites, as well as transitional housing to homeless single moms and learning opportunities to 400+ kids in our Head Start/ECEAP program. Our services powered by your generosity supports 8,000 individuals in our community every year.

So, from midnight to midnight (Pacific Time) on May 2, join the Seattle Foundation as they host their 2nd annual GiveBIG. The goal is to turn out thousands of new and returning individual donors to help support local nonprofits. Donations will be stretched further thanks to individuals donors and business sponsors like Seattle Sounders FC, Microsoft, Seattle International Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, Russell Investments, Starbucks and more.

KYFS is excited to participate in this local day of giving. To support us directly, visit our Seattle Foundation page on May 2.

Thanks in advance for the support. Happy Giving.

Working toward a better future,

Nathan H. Box
Fund Developer and Community Relations Manager
Kent Youth & Family Services
nathanb@kyfs.org
(253) 859-0300 Ext. 3045
www.kyfs.org

At Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke’s annual State of the City address today, Mayor Cooke asked businesses to participate in  helping the city out of the economic downturn.

“This is your city,” Mayor Cooke said. “Be a part of the solution.”

Mayor Cooke was referring specifically to the city’ significant revenue losses – including a 32% reduction in sales tax revenue and a 75% reduction in real estate tax revenue. The city’s administration and seven-member Kent City Council have been tasked with finding ways to continue offering critical services with fewer staff and less money. Among the creative solutions being considered are imposing a local Business & Occupation (B&O) tax and creating a transportation benefit district. Mayor Cooke asked businesses to stay or become engaged with the city to help it find solutions for expensive problems like the$3 million price tag to remove sandbags along the Green River.

The two-term Kent mayor highlighted several projects in the works, including the Kent City Center project which will replace the now-demolished parking garage that was located at Smith and Fourth in downtown Kent.

“It was such a dream that went awry,” she said.

But she is encouraged to see Kent City Center in the works, a five-story, 164-unit mixed use building go up to include residential units with corresponding parking, lower level retail space and 35 parking stalls for downtown shoppers and visitors. In addition to this project, the economic development department is working on a bid to the GSA and FAA to bring a 2,000 employee facility to downtown Kent. There are other properties under consideration, including nearby Renton, but the Mayor is optimistic that Kent will be considered a strong candidate.

Another portion of her discussion focused on infrastructure and the importance of maintaining and upgrading it as needed. With nine top tier suppliers to Boeing in Kent, Mayor Cooke stressed the importance of being smart with our educational and infrastructure decisions, particularly in meeting the needs of the aerospace industry.

“We cannot let our infrastructure deteriorate,” she said.

Inviting Kent Chamber president-elect Ken Sharp and executive director Andrea Keikkala, Kent City Council President Dennis Higgins, KDP president Dawn Colston and executive Barb Smith to join her on stage, Mayor Suzette Cooke urged each of them to be part of Kent’s solution, asking each of them to hold hands and recite their commitment to the City of Kent.

She closed with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.:  “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.”

HOPE FOR FAMILIES LUNCHEON:  Please mark your calendar for Thursday, December 8 at noon to be at the Golden Steer Restaurant, 23826 14 Ave. SE in Kent.  The Kiwanis Club of Kent would like you to join them for a $5 lunch to help and support local struggling families.   How do you get a $5 lunch deal you ask?  By bringing any new or gently used sleeping bags, jackets, hats, gloves and socks to the Golden Steer.  Cash or check donations will be cheerfully accepted as well.

Please join  your friends, neighbors and community leaders in helping struggling families in Kent.  Call Sally Goodgion at 253-852-0880 or email catalysttravel@hotmail.com with an RSVP no later than December 6.

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.

 Is your organization an arts, heritage and/or cultural King County-based non-profit?  4Culture is offering a funding opportunity for cultural facilities.  They are combining “big ticket” facilities requests of over $30,000 for both arts and heritage.

4Culture is a unique integration of the arts, heritage, preservation and public art, committed to advancing community through culture.  4Culture believes the arts are critical to a healthy community and that arts experiences should be accessible to all residents and visitors.  4Culture stimulates cultural activities and enhances the assets that distinguish a community as vibrant, unique and authentic.

The Heritage Cultural Facilities program funds projects providing strong heritage programming that focuses on the identification, collection, evaluation, preservation, restoration, exhibition, and/or interpretation of the County’s heritage resources.

The Arts Cultural Facilities program supports the purchase, development and renovation of arts and cultural facility projects.  A separate program provides funding for arts equipment.

4Culture Cultural Facilities Application deadline is September 14, 2011, 5 pm PST.   All applicants are encouraged to attend a free workshop that will explain the step by step application process. To learn more about this funding opportunity for both Arts and Heritage Cultural Facilities, please email Deb Twersky at 4Culture.

From the City of Kent:

The public is invited to weigh in on Kent’s Comprehensive Plan and City Code by September 1, 2011.  The City needs input on what the Economic and Community Development Department should focus on in the coming year. 

“We need to know if the comprehensive plan and development regulations create any barriers to the city growing responsibly, equitably, and with environmental and neighborhood sensitivity,” said Fred Satterstrom, Kent’s Planning Director.  “This is the community’s opportunity to participate in making changes.” 

This annual review looks at the challenges that the City’s planning documents, land use plan and zoning maps, and regulations present to economic development and neighborhood vitality. 

The following online tools can help people to weigh in on this annual update.  The public is encouraged to visit the following links:

Submit a request for changes.

View additional details on creating a docket (or list) of suggested changes.

View the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan Map and Zoning Districts Map.

Contributed by the Kent Police Department

Residential burglaries in Kent are on the rise! In particular, Kent burglary trends have shown that homes of Asian families are targeted because of unsecured valuables. Recently there have residential burglaries during the day time, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00p.m. Burglars are gaining access by punching holes in smaller windows next to front doors, punching holes in windows or smashing/prying rear slider doors. In each incident, cash, jewelry, and other valuable items have been targeted; especially “hidden” quantities of money. In some cases, the burglars knock or ring the door bell first. If no one answers, they are going to the back of the house to gain entrance through the sliding glass door.

Here are some ways to help prevent from becoming a victim:

- If you choose to keep cash and other important items in your home, keep them locked in a safe. You may also use a safe deposit box at a bank.

- Keep valuables such as purses, laptops, iPods, and jewelry out of plain sight from windows and doors and locked up if possible.

- Keep all windows and doors locked whether home or not, including back sliding doors.

- Install protective window film to smaller windows next to doors. This helps prevent breaking of glass and denying access to inside of front door.

- Do not leave your garage door open, even if you are at home.

It is important that neighbors be aware of what is going on in your neighborhood. Whenever you see anything suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately and then notify security. We encourage residents to call 9-1-1 even when something suspicious, such as an unknown person or car in the neighborhood, is occurring.

For more information go to www.kentpoliceceu.com, or contact Stacy Judd with the Kent Police Department at (253)856-5883.

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

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

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.