This morning National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) named two Kent and one Covington high school students as semifinalists in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program:

- Kyle A. Woo, Kentlake High School

- Patricia Galvez, Kentridge High School

- Caleb Eades, Tahoma High School

These students are among 16,000 semifinalists in the 57th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. From this pool of high school seniors, 8,300 scholarships worth more than $34 million will be awarded next spring. Congratulations to these local students on their incredible achievement!

 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.

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.

Contributed by Victoria Andrews of Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services
253-856-5113

Neely-Soames Historic Homestead Celebrates Milestone with
Open House: August 20, 2011 10 am – 2 pm

July 25, 2011–This year marks the 10th anniversary of a ribbon-cutting ceremony that opened up the Neely-Soames Historic Homestead to the public for the first time. The

King County Master Gardeners, whose members lovingly maintain the heritage gardens and grounds, will help Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services celebrate with special activities at the annual public open house and tour, Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Photo by Dana E. Neuts, 2009

The homestead is located along the Green River Trail at 5311 S. 237th Place, just north of the Russell Road Athletic Complex. David Neely and his family settled in the Kent valley in 1854 and moved their home to its current location in 1885. Neely’s daughter Ruby was born in the house in 1895, and after she married Harry Soames, the couple lived there until her death in 1986. The bed she was born in, hand-carved by her father, is on display at the home.

One of the oldest houses in Kent, the Neely-Soames Homestead was listed on the State Register of Historic Homes in 1977. It underwent significant renovations in 1999 and 2000, supported by the Washington State Historical Society, King County and the city of Kent. Eight Eagle Scout projects added an informational kiosk, a grape arbor with benches, a picket fence, a trellis for hops, picnic tables and historic photographs.

The home can be rented for meetings and small events. But the gardens are open to the public year-round, with all flowers and vegetables clearly marked. Since 2004, employees of Hawkeye Consultants, a Kent-based company, have volunteered to help the Master Gardeners harvest the gardens and do other projects as part of the city’s Adopt-a-Park program.

For more information about the open house or to receive a self-guided walking tour of the gardens, call 253-856-5110.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

There are ADT Ohio security systems available which provide 24/7 home monitoring protection.

Elementary students can win P.E. equipment for their school and healthy treats throughout the summer by participating in the Cruzin’ Passport Challenge put on by Kent4Health with support from local business donations.

“The Passport Challenge includes a calendar of local free or low cost events where children can journal their activities.  Whether it’s walking, hiking, biking, going to the library, swimming, or eating healthy meals, kids can get credit,” Clark said.

Kicking off June 1, students are encouraged to “Eat Smart, Play Hard & Learn”.  According to Kent4Health liaison Pam Clark, students and their families can participate in a lot of different activities and programs and get credit for them.

The Passport Challenge also features the following events:                 

June 11 - The Cruzin’ Passport Challenge Kick Off, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Kent Station, FREE interactive booths, raffles, prizes and demo’s.

• July 15 – Kid’s Cooking Class, 10:00 a.m. – noon, MultiCare Covington Clinic
• August 13 – The Cruzin’ Passport “Walk and Roll” 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Kohl’s (Covington location) parking lot, FREE 1 mile fun run/walk, bike rodeo, games, prizes.  Fun Run/Walk registration opens at 9:30 a.m.
• September 18 – 1 Mile Junior Run, 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run, Kentwood High School.  Registration required.

Cruzin’ Passports will be distributed by participating elementary schools before June 1.  They are also available at any official Passport site. Call 253-856-4968 or visit www.cruzinpassport.com for a complete list of activities and participating schools and sites.

The cities of Kent and Covington along with donations from MultiCare Health System, Kohl’s, Univar, Kent Community Foundation, Valley Medical Center, Valley Bank, Pinnacle Medical Wellness, Barclay Seafoods, and over 80 local businesses and organizations, have pitched in to present healthy topics and incentives for children to get healthy.

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

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

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

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

Visit the website for more information and ONLINE registration.

Camp Registration now OPEN!

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

Realtor® Marti Reeder of John L. Scott has been awarded the CRS designation – Certified Residential Specialist – by the Council of Residential Specialists, an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors®.  Reeder adds this designation to three others:  Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Accredited Sellers Representative (ASR) and Certified Foreclosure Specialist (CFS).

The CRS designation is earned by exhibiting the highest standard of ethics, achieving a high level of professional experience and sales, managing residential transactions and maintaining strong technical skills to keep up with today’s ever-changing real estate market. Fewer than 4% of Realtors® have earned the CRS designation. Reeder qualified for the designation by executing more than the minimum requirement of 75 transactions in the last five years plus the completion of numerous hours of continuing education courses in the field of residential real estate. As a Certified Residential Specialist, Reeder has specific training and expertise to help clients buy and sell their homes.

“I want my clients to know that I take my job – and their homes – very seriously,” Reeder said. “This is one more credential that exhibits my commitment to learning all I can to help them with their purchase or sale.”

Reeder is a broker/real estate agent with John L. Scott in Kent-Covington. She is an award-winning Realtor®, earning presidential honors from John L. Scott the last four years and “Best in Kent” in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Last December, Reeder also received the “Five Star Real Estate Agent, Best in Client Satisfaction” award from Seattle Magazine.  In addition to her work, Reeder is active in the Kent community as a member of the Kent Chamber of Commerce, Kent Downtown Partnership and Noon Kiwanis Club. This summer she is sponsoring a Relay for Life team called Friends 4 Life to earn money for cancer research.

For more information about Reeder, visit http://www.marti-realtor.com or http://johnlscott.com/martireeder. You can also find Reeder on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Biznik and YouTube.

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

Kent, Washington, April 13, 2011 – With the help of Kent Station customers, March’s Moolah for Schoolah scholarship fundraiser raised enough money to provide four scholarships for Green River Community College students. The scholarships will be awarded to local Kent students who have achieved excellent academic standing and are in financial need. Some of the past recipients have said that they would not have been able to attend higher education classes without the scholarship.  Since Moolah for Schoolah began in 2007, Kent Station has provided 19 scholarships totaling nearly $25,000.

Following the conclusion of Moolah for Schoolah, Kent Station awarded prizes to participating customers in the March promotion. Prizes included Kent Station gift cards, a $500 Kent Station shopping spree and an iPad.

“Kent Station customers are the best! With their support we are able to provide GRCC scholarships to Kent residents,” said Sommer Ueda, Kent Station Marketing Manager. “We are excited to be able to provide scholarships to help GRCC students fulfill their dreams.”

Beth Gatzke of the GRCC Foundation said, “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.”

In addition to Moolah for Schoolah, Kent Station regularly hosts family-friendly events including a summer concert series, trick-or-treating, pet events, Santa photos and more. Kent Station’s next event – an Easter Egg Hunt – is scheduled for Saturday, April 23 from 10 am to noon. Families are invited to participate in an all ages scavenger hunt starting at 10 am, and a traditional Easter egg hunt for ages six and under. The Easter eggs are filled with chocolates, temporary tattoos and special offers from merchants.

For more information about Moolah for Schoolah or Kent Station’s upcoming events, please visit Kent Station online at http://www.kentstation.com or call Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Seattle-based Tarragon. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatre, professional office space, a branch campus of Green River Community College and the offices for Social Security Administration.

For more information, please contact:

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

Contributed by Book It Northwest

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

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

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

ADDITIONAL FREE PERFORMANCES

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

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

Contributed by the Kent Police Department

Are you interested in starting a neighborhood blockwatch?

The Kent Police Department is hosting a city wide informational meeting on the benefits of starting and maintaining a neighborhood block watch.

Neighborhood Block Watch 101
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Kent City Hall Council Chambers

Why Attend?

• interested in starting a neighborhood block watch
• interested in re-starting an already formed block watch
• needing a refresher on maintaining a neighborhood block watch
• interested in hearing from other block watch captains and what has worked and what hasn’t
• interested in hearing about Kent crime trends and what residents can do to help prevent crime in their neighborhoods

What You Can Do Ahead of Time:

• find a neighbor or two to attend with you
• notify neighbors that you will be attending and bringing back information
• start mapping the neighborhood and forming a phone tree for each block watch (a block watch is 10-20 homes)

Please RSVP by April 8th to your Neighborhood Sector contact:

East Hill/Panther Lake Area: Stacy Judd at (253) 856-5883

Valley Area/West Hill: Sara Wood at (253) 856-5851

*This format is replacing individual neighborhood meetings. However, public education specialists will continue to visit block watches when crime trend concerns occur.

Photo by Victoria Andrews

Volunteers met throughout Kent on Saturday, March 19, 2011 to rid the city of unwanted graffiti. Seventy volunteers showed up for the event to remove graffiti from 40 different locations throughout Kent. The event was a huge success. The City of Kent would like to give a special thanks to the downtown Starbucks who donated cocoa, coffee, and pastry goodies for all the volunteers.

Supplies were provided by a grant from The Home Depot Foundation and the six 5-gallon buckets of paint used were donated by Ski’s Painting Inc. Volunteers included  people around the Kent area, several Rotary Club members and students from Kent high schools.

For more information, visit the City of Kent’s Graffiti website.

Starting March 1, Kent Station will launch the “Moolah for Schoolah” pgrogram, its newly titled annual March scholarship fundraiser. “Moolah for Schoolah” provides scholarships for Kent area high school graduates attending Green River Community College (GRCC). Since 2007, Kent Station has held the annual fundraiser, providing 15 scholarships and more than $20,000 in college funding to students who might not be able to attend school otherwise. During the month of March, shoppers can participate in the scholarship fundraiser by picking up a postcard at any one of Kent Station’s 56 participating merchants.

For each postcard completed, Kent Station will donate $1 to the GRCC scholarship fund and provide the shopper with a chance to win a $500 Kent Station gift card and other prizes. The prize winners will be selected in a  random drawing to be held on April 5,2011; winners will be notified via email or phone.  For further questions, please contact Sommer Ueda at Kent Station at 253-856-2301.

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.