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.’”

This isn’t in Kent, but it sounds like fun so I thought I’d pass it along.

Impromptu Wine Tasting
Friday, July 16
12 – 3 p.m.

Wine tasting, cheese & crackers, gift baskets and 10% off, in addition to the wine club discount

Northwest Wine Academy
Wine & Welding Building
South Seattle CC Campus
6000 16th Ave. SW
Seattle, WA  98106

Call 206-764-7942 for more info.

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.

South King County Genealogical Society is hosting a Living History Performance on July 17 and 18 (1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.) at Saar Pioneer Cemetery and 91st and 212th Way in Kent.

This performance tells a living history of six characters whose stories were taken from those buried at the cemetery. Each character will tell his or her own personal story of life in Kent beginning with Margaret Saar and ending with Civil War veteran Elias Clark.

For more information, call 253-850-2777. Admission is $10/person. Reservations are required. View flyer here.

A collaboration between The Saar Cemetery Living History Committee, Book-It Theatre, and Living Voices

WITH THE HELP OF THESE SPONSORS:

• South King County Genealogical Society
• Greater Kent Historical Society
• Saar Pioneer Cemetery Project Committee
• Goodwill Industries
• and Hilda Meryhew

Thanks to Meilee Anderson of Seattle Southside Tourism for passing along this unusual – but very cool – event!

Kent Cornucopia Days is just around the corner. The 39th annual street fair and community festival will be held in and around Kent July 8 – 11, 2010 with a variety of favorite events (dragon boat races, carnival, Grand Parade) and a few new additions (bike ride).

Highlights include:

• Crowning of Miss Cornucopia
• Funtastic Shows Carnival
• Kent Lions Street Fair & Taste of Cornucopia
• Farmers Market (Sat., 9-2)
• Kent Youth Soccer Association’s 11th annual Cornucopia Cup Tournament
• Kent Valley Artists Association Art Show
• Kent Cornucopia Days First Annual Bike Ride
• Plaza and Gazebo Stages
• Dragon Boat Races
• Blood Drive
• Safety Fair
• Beer Garden
• Pet Adoptathon from KCACC
• Grand Parade (Sun., July 11 at 2 pm) – It’s Kentastic!
• First Annual Bike Ride (25 & 60 miles) (Sat., July 10)
• Military Displays from the Army National Guard, etc.
• Lions Bingo
• 5k Fun Run & Walk
• Beatles Tribute Band

For a complete schedule, please visit the Kent Lions Club’s Kent Cornucopia Days website.

In this weekend’s issue of the Kent Reporter, journalist Steve Hunter reports that Darren Motamedy, a popular Kent-based jazz musician and elementary school band teacher, is moving to Las Vegas. He started searching for a job 18 months ago when it seemed imminent that the Kent School District would soon be cutting school band programs from the budget. Although KSD offered him a teaching position at the middle and high school levels here, Motamedy and his family had already made the decision to move to Las Vegas where Motamedy had accepted a teaching position.

A Kentridge High School graduate, the 51-year-old Motamedy is a community favorite. He has won a Golden Apple award in 2009 for his teaching in Kent schools and was named Teacher of the Year by the Kent School District in 2008.  He has also won awards for his work as a composer and jazz musician. Though he plays a number of instruments, he is best known locally as a saxophonist and jazz musician.

One of Motamedy’s final performances in Kent will take place this Thursday, June 24 at the free Evening of Jazz and Art event at Kent Senior Center.

Having interviewed Motamedy several times along with his music students, I anticipate that his move out of the community will be a big loss to our cultural arts programs as well as to his students. There is no doubt, however, that he will be a success wherever he travels. Best of luck to you, Darren, and to your family! You will be missed!

File photo by Dana Neuts, February 2009

While students and teachers are anxious to end the school year, parents are planning ahead for the next school year. To help you plan your summer and beyond, you can view Kent School District’s 2010-2011 school year calendar here.

Key dates include:

Sep. 1, 2010:  First day of school

Dec. 20 – 31, 2010:  Winter vacation

Feb. 21 – 22, 2011:  President’s break

Apr. 4 – 8, 2011:  Spring break

Jun. 16, 2011:  Last day of school

Congratulations to all of Kent’s graduating seniors! Here are a few of the local ceremonies planned.

June 10:

Kent Phoenix Academy (7 pm)
11000 SE 264th St., Kent

June 11:

Kent Mountain View Academy (6 pm)
Kent-Meridian HS East Wing Auditorium

June 12:

ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St.

Kentlake High School (9:30 am)
Kentridge High School (12:30 pm)
Kent Meridian High School (4 pm)
Kentwood High School (7:30 pm)

From the City of Kent, May 21, 2010:

Kent TV21, Kent’s Government Access television channel, took home a first place award in the 2010 Best of the Northwest Video Awards. The video, entitled “A Game of Life” won top honors in the “Empowerment” category.

“A Game of Life” documents the creation of a mural by a group of local high school students.  The students learned valuable workplace and life skills while creating an original piece of art for Kent’s Glenn Nelson Park.  “A Game of Life” follows the students as they plan and create the mural, growing as artists and people during the process.

The Best of the Northwest Video Awards honors outstanding programs broadcast on community television channels in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Canadian Provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.

View the press release online here.

Brush up on computer basics at GRCC this summer. The first 24 students to register can take more than $1500 of computer classes during the month of July for only $495. Students can choose from the following:

• Quick Keyboarding
• Computer Basics
• Intro to Windows
• Creating, Finding & Organizing Your Files
• Adobe Dreamweaver, CS4, Level 1
• Word 2007, Level 1
• Mastering Mail Merge
• Microsoft Publisher
• Excel 2007 Level 1
• Excel Charts & Graphics
• QuickBooks First Steps
• Access 2007 – The Basics
• Access 2007 – Transition Up

Call GRCC – Kent Campus – at 253-520-6282 for more info. or to register OR register online now!

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

Kent teams are gearing up for the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life fundraiser. This year’s event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 4 and will continue until noon on Saturday, June 5 at Kent-Meridian High School’s French Field.

The purpose of the event is to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer. Teams of families, friends and co-workers walk in teams around the Field throughout the night. In addition, activities and ceremonies will be held during the 18-hour event. An opening ceremony will be hosted to Seattle DJ “Bender”  followed by the Survivor Lap. The luminara ceremony will take place at dusk where luminara bags will be lit for survivors and loved ones lost to cancer.

Ninety-six local Kent teams – including 815 participants – have been formed to walk during the race, including Hanis, Irvine & Prothero and the Curran Law Firm. To date, more than $70,000 has been raised. Nationwide, 5,000 communities are expected to participate and hope to raise more than $3 billion in the fight against cancer.

For more information, contact Becky Walter of Hanis, Irvine & Prothero via email or visit Relay for Life online.

This Friday the Greater Kent Historical Society will host an open house at the Kent Historical Museum (855 E. Smith St., Kent) to celebrate Kent’s 120th birthday — Friday, May 28 from 4 to 7 p.m.

City of Kent:  120th Anniversary
1890-2010

Join us on the anniversary day of Kent becoming the 2nd city incorporated in  King County, May 28, 1890!

•    New Mayoral History Display
•    Heavy hors d’oeuvres & cake
•    Presentation program at 6pm

Questions? Call 253-854-4330.

Hosted by the Kent Rotary, local kids will get a chance to try a little bit of fishing at the Old Fishing Hole Sat., May 15 from 8 am to 12 pm.

Contact at Rotary :
Bill Stewart at 253-632-1060

It will be a beautiful day to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and to explore one of Kent’s lesser known parks. Situated along the Green River next to Riverbend’s Par 3 course, this stocked pond is just the right size for families to enjoy a picnic, go fishing or feed the ducks!

The planning committee for the second annual Kent International Festival is hard at work to make the June 26 festival even bigger and better than last year. This day-long event will focus on the diverse culture of Kent, Washington and encourage participants to learn from each other.

Want to help? It is easy to get involved. The KIF committee is looking for:

- Arts & crafts vendors
- Performers
- Information booths
- Fashion show participants
- Event sponsors

If you are interested in learning more about the event, or volunteering in one of the above ways, please contact Harpreet Gill, event chair, at Punjab Sweets (open daily from 11 am to 9 pm) at 253-859-3636.

Kent International Festival
Saturday, June 26
10 am – 6 pm
Town Square Plaza
Corner of 2nd and Smith
(across from the Kent Regional Library)

FREE Event

The Kentwood (High School) Players have put their own twist on the classic tale The Wizard of Oz. In their updated version, The Wizard of Oz is a tale of revenge.

What makes Elmira Gultch so evil toward Uncle Henry and Auntie Em?  Could it be that she fell in love with Henry, when they were young and when he dumped her sophisticated and lovely self for the earthy Emily ….well, Elmira just never got over it.  She has used her money and power to try and make them miserable ever since.

Is the Wicked Witch really wicked, or does she have a reason to seek the demise of Dorothy Gale and her little dog too?  Dorothy’s house did kill the Wicket Witch’s sister and, to add insult to injury, Dorothy has stolen her sister’s magic shoes!

And what is up with those Munchkins?  They live in a land of sweets and that is all they eat!  No wonder they sing in those high little voices!

Join the Kentwood Players as they bring you the characters you love, along with the ones you love to hate, on their magical journey through The Merry Old Land of Oz.

Kentwood Players Present
The Wizard of Oz
May 5-8 and May 12-15 (7 p.m. curtain)
Kentwood Performing Arts Center
25800 164th Ave. SE at 256th
Kent, WA
Info Line:  253-373-7685

Tickets are $8.00 and are available at the door or online at Brown Paper Tickets.

Press release from Kent Station

Kent Station’s March Fundraiser Yields Four Scholarships
Totaling $5,000 for GRCC Students

Kent, Washington, April 27, 2010 – Kent Station is proud to announce that it received nearly 5,000 postcards from its customers during the Green River Community College scholarship fundraiser held in March each year. Kent Station donated $1 to the scholarship fund for every completed postcard submitted by shoppers and visitors. Four scholarships will be awarded in 2010 and, since starting the program in 2007, Kent Station has donated 15 scholarships totaling over $20,000.  Scholarships are awarded to Kent students who may not otherwise be able to attend college without financial assistance.

Miranda Green, a 2009 scholarship winner, said, “I am honored to be one of the recipients of the Kent Station Scholarship. Thanks to [Kent Station’s] support, I am the first in my family to attend college. Without this scholarship, I would not be able to go to college.”

“Kent Station is proud to partner with our merchants to provide scholarship money for local high school graduates,” Sommer Ueda, Kent Station marketing coordinator, said. “We are particularly proud of the community’s ongoing support of this annual fundraiser. It shows us that Kent really cares about its future.”

“This program is really a win-win for everyone.  The GRCC Foundation is thrilled to partner with Kent Station to support educational opportunities for youth in our community,” said Beth Gatzke of Green River Community College.

Kent Station encourages other businesses in the community to donate scholarships to the GRCC Foundation and help make a difference in educating our youth.

For more information about Kent Station’s annual scholarship fundraiser, call Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301. For more information about Green River Community College, visit GRCC online at http://greenriver.edu.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Seattle-based Tarragon Development 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, please contact:

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

May 20 Update–Event postponed until October. Stay tuned for  more details!

Battle of the Chefs:  May 23, 11 am to 6 pm

Healthy cooking does not have to be boring!

The Healthy Edge and All About Hope are teaming up to bring health & fitness and cooking fans together to witness Battle of the Chefs, a live cooking competition that challenges local chefs to cook up tasty, healthy dishes without table salt, butter or cream. See if they can accomplish it from 11 am to 6 pm at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

Tickets start at $15/each and, at the buyer’s discretion, $5 of the ticket price can be allocated to a participating nonprofit organizations like the Children’s Therapy Center, Kent Youth & Family Services, National MS Society and more. Click here to buy tickets online now.

"Fun for Funds" Organizers; L-R: Patrice Briggs, Barbara Frazier, Jennifer O'Neal and Lois Maier

Last Saturday, Children’s Therapy Center held its 22nd annual fundraiser dinner auction at Emerald Downs. Titled “Fun for Funds,” the popular event drew 420 guests, raising net income of $136,500.

Emceed by Kent Station general manager John Hinds, guests to the event donned glamorous derbies and were encouraged to bid on dozens of items that were donated for the silent auction, as well as to participate in the live auction  which included a martini party, a Mariners game package, a sailing trip for 4 on the Puget Sound, a romantic getaway at The Edgewater in Seattle, a 10-day cruise, Kent Station shopping spree and more! Keith Robbins served as the evening’s auctioneer.

In addition, tables of guests bid for the right to choose their dessert first during the Dessert Dash. With designated runners lining up along the wall, the table that raised the most selected its dessert from among dozens of decadent choices including chocolate-covered strawberries, a horseshoe cake, a rectangular chocolate cake covered in white and milk chocolate chips, a peanut butter mousse pie covered with chocolate ganache, a towering chocolate cake from Claim Jumper, and more! This portion of the evening alone raised more than $9,400.

Following the catered dinner, CTC board member Ryan Van Quill and his son Jackson, a former client of CTC, thanked the guests for participating in the fun fundraiser and for helping kids like Jackson who have benefited from CTC services and support. Immediately following their presentation, guests donated $33,000 in cash to support scholarships for CTC services!

Thanks to the event’s sponsors, the entire net profit of $136,500 will go directly into programs that benefit CTC’s clients, kids from birth to age 21. Sponsors include Kent Station (premier-plus), Belfor USA (premier), Quota International of Kent Valley, Waste Management, Univar USA, Cascade DAFO, Emerald Downs, The Resource Group, Rock Wood Fired Pizza, Brantley Janson Yost & Ellison CPAs, Charter Bank, Hunt Family, Kent Firefighter’s Foundation, Live Oak Audio Visual, Creative Office, Curran Law Firm, Emerald Paving Inc., FamilyCare of Kent, Fockler Family, Laser Underground & Utilities, Mountain Construction/Hentschell & Associates Inc., Sprague Israel Giles Insurance, United Way of King County and Wesley Homes.

“I am truly thankful for everyone who helped make this the most successful auction in our 22 years of hosting the Fun for Funds Dinner Auction.” — Lois Maier, Development Director for Dynamic Families

Children’s Therapy Center was founded in 1979 to provide quality therapy services to children from birth to age 21. CTC clients experience a variety of developmental delays and disabilities including cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders, Down Syndrome, torticollis, speech and language disorders, brachial plexus injuries, feeding disorders, sensory processing difficulties, autism and dyspraxia.

Children’s Therapy Center is a part of a consortium formed under the umbrella of Dynamic Families. Other partners include South King Early Intervention Program (SKIP), Dynamic Orthotic Systems (DOS) and Stabilizing Pressure Input Orthosis (SPIO).

Guests gather to bid on silent auction items.

Guests line up to sample Mint Juleps @ Emerald Downs!