We learned that Ron Colston, much-loved KSD teacher and coach, passed away earlier this week. The staff at iLoveKent.net wants to extend its condolences to the Colston family and those who have been touched by Colston.

Information regarding services for Ron:

Please join the Communities In Schools of Kent Annual Fundraising Breakfast located at the Kent Senior Activity Center on March 17, 2010 at 7:30 to 9:00am.

CIS Kent provides assistance to at risk students in the Kent School District through mentorships, internships, and support to stay in school and graduate. Contributing to success in school for today’s children and youth ultimately produces a future skilled workforce for area businesses which will be key to many businesses’ immediate and future needs. We’ve come a long way in the past five years and will celebrate our work March 17, 2010 with a St. Patrick’s Day fundraising breakfast. Please attend our event, at the Kent Senior Activity Center, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00. Dr. Edward Lee Vargas, Superintendent, Kent School District, has agreed to deliver the keynote address for us.

This is our primary fundraising event…reaching our fundraising goal allows us to continue to provide much-needed services to the at-risk youth in the communities that the Kent School District serves.

We appreciate your interest in supporting Communities In Schools Kent, helping make a difference in the lives of our most valuable asset – our children.

If you would like to attend the breakfast, serve as a table captain, and/or learn about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Alice Pfaff, Tom Wood, or Mike Heinisch. Hope to see you there!

Back This Month Only:  Kent Station’s Earning Dollars for Scholars Program – Make College Dreams Happen

Kent, Washington, March 9, 2010 – Kent Station’s Earning Dollars for Scholars scholarship fundraiser is back. Now in its fourth year, this popular, shopper-friendly program has helped Kent Station award 11 scholarships totaling over $15,000. The scholarships benefit Kent area high school graduates attending Green River Community College. In many cases, the scholarships provide money for college for students who couldn’t afford to go otherwise.

After receiving her scholarship in 2009 Miranda Green 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.”

This year Earning Dollars for Kent Scholars expanded its scholarship package to include a grant that is awarded to a GRCC student who created the visual graphics for this annual fundraiser. This year’s grant winner is Ella Shkurina, a second year student at Green River Community College.

How does Kent Station’s Earning Dollars for Scholars fundraiser work? Visit participating Kent Station merchants from March 1 through 31 to enter to win one of ten Kent Station gift cards, ranging from $25 to $500. Shoppers can enter once at each participating merchant and, for each entry, Kent Station will donate $1 to the Kent Station–Green River Community College Scholarship Fund. The winners of the gift card drawing will be selected at random on April 5, 2010.

“Kent Station is proud to be able to partner with our stores, restaurants, and the community to provide scholarship money for local high school graduates,” Sommer Ueda, Kent Station marketing coordinator, said. “Green River Community College offers a number of programs for students to get a quality education, and we’re glad we can help make that available to Kent students.”

The community’s participation allows Kent Station to give local students a chance at a continued education. The more entries received, the more scholarships provided and the more chances shoppers have to win!  Please help to make college dreams happen.

“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.

“Last year, the Dollars for Scholars program provided four of almost 160 scholarships given to students at Green River Community College.  With the help of community members like Kent Station, our scholarship program and our community will continue to grow,” she added.

For a list of participating merchants and complete details of the Earning Dollars for Scholars program, visit 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 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

This month is National Nutrition Month and, to help celebrate, Kent4Health volunteers will be available at Top Foods, 26015 104th Ave. in Kent, every Saturday in March  from 11 am – 2 pm to give shoppers a taste of quick, healthy recipes from the “Grab & Go” meals program. Nutritionists will be on hand to answer shoppers’ questions and to pass out recipes. For more recipes and tips on living a healthier life, visit Kent4Health online.

Kent4Health is a city initiative that promotes healthy living including good nutrition, exercise, community service and more.

Each year the City of Kent, Kent School District, the Kent Downtown Partnership, and private sponsors work together to celebrate National Youth Art Month with Spring Into Art. Art from several Kent schools is displayed in various businesses in the Downtown area. Kent Downtown Partnership and local businesses support a night of activities coinciding with the City’s Art Walk and Reception.

Visit our website for complete details:

Spring Into Art 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
4 – 9 p.m.
Downtown Kent

Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services presents “AfterSchool Express”.  “AfterSchool Express” is a program set-up to encourage achievement, motivation and creativity for K-6th graders.  An after school program focusing on enhancing a child’s learning skills all while making friends.  The best part of all is that it is FREE!  Registration is required and is offered on a first-come first-served basis.  For more information visit the Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services website or call (253) 856-5030.

This is a reminder for parents with kids in the Kent School District. The school district’s mid-winter break is this Monday and Tuesday, February 15 – 16. Normally the break is a full week long, but this break and spring break (April 5-6) have been cut short due to the teachers’ strike.

For a complete 2009-2010 KSD student calendar, visit KSD online.

From now through March 26, the City of Kent is hiring camp counselors for its Camp WALKAPALA Day Camp. The camp runs from June 23 to August 20, 2010, and leaders are sought for 40 hours per week during that time. Pay ranges $9 – $10/hour depending on experience.

Go to the City of Kent website for details.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Letter to the Editor, from Darren Motamedy:

Dear Editor,

I love my community of Kent Washington.  I have lived in Kent for over 40 years, and attest to the strength of our schools, not only because I attended Panther Lake Elementary, Meeker Junior High School, and Kentridge High School, but because today I am an educator in the Kent School District.  On February 9^th, we are going to vote on two critical propositions, proposition one and two.  http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/ksd/cr/2010levy/web/index.html The purpose of these levies will be to “maintain” the current status of education for our children at our current tax rate!  By voting yes, we will continue to ensure that our students are technologically savvy in the 21^st century.  By voting yes, we will ensure that our students will continue to have “clean and well maintained classrooms”, after school sports programs, music programs, safety officers, and a highly trained teaching staff that is preparing our students to become our future leaders!

I appreciate what the Kent School District offered me when I was a student.  My teachers taught me the importance of hard work, knowledge, dedication, and the high ideals of contributing back to the society that raised me.  Today, I am a band director in the Kent School District because of the ideals that my teachers instilled upon me.  I see those ideals being met every day in the classroom by observing my colleagues.

I see teachers tirelessly and lovingly instructing students every day.  I see teachers continuing their personal education by taking college classes, master classes, professional certification classes, and national board class to ensure that they are acquainted with the newest teaching techniques available to help their students.  I see teachers helping disadvantaged students by opening their checkbooks to pay for clothing, food, school supplies, and school camps.  Why?  Because they care about the future of our community!

By voting yes on February 9^th, we are adopting the district motto to “Successfully Prepare All Students For Their Future”. Voting yes on February 9^th will ensure our teachers have the tools necessary to “Prepare All Students For Their Future”.  The School Administration, Teachers, and School Board in Kent are united in our quest to build our community, student by student, classroom by classroom, school by school.  Yes means quality education for our children of Kent!  Yes means a positive future for Kent!

Sincerely,

Darren Motamedy

Darren Motamedy teaches 5^th and 6^th Grade Band in Kent and was the 2008 teacher of the year in Kent, as well as  the KCTS Golden Apple Recipient for 2009.

King County 4H Cat Show
Saturday, January 23
9 am – 2 pm

Kent Station
(between See’s Candies &
Portrait Innovations)

Raffle and prizes as a fundraiser. Admission is free; donations will be accepted.

This week a mailing went out to King, Pierce and Snohomish County voters from the King County Library System, outlining Proposition 1. This proposition, which is up for a vote on Feb. 9, 2010, would restore the King County Library System’s property tax levy rate to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for collection in 2011.

What will happen if Prop 1 passes?

According to the mailer, KCLS would use the restored revenue to preserve the current level of library service, programs and resources at its 44 libraries and to maintain its outreach services to community centers, low-income daycare facilities and to the elderly and homebound.

What will happen if Prop 1 does not pass?

KCLS will face 10-15% in budget cuts which includes funding for books, computers and building maintenance. In addition, if the levy lid is not lifted, KCLS anticipates that library staff and hours of operation may have to be reduced in future years due to the lost revenue.

For more information, call 425-369-3275 or visit KCLS online.

Looking for continuing education classes to brush up on or learn new skills? Green River Community College has recently released its Winter 2010 schedule. Among the offerings in Kent:

• Principles of Accounting I and II
• Video Editing
• History of Jazz
• Introduction to Law
• Public Speaking
• Beginning Word
• Advanced Excel
• Advanced Keyboarding
• Professional Selling
• Writing:  Humanities
• Yoga 1 and 2
• General Psychology

In addition, GRCC offers a variety of vocational training programs including EKG technician certificate, phlebotomy technician program, LEED Green Associate Exam prep, Medical Office support specialist, flagger training and more.

GRCC also offers instructor-facilitated online courses, with classes starting at $115. Click here for the online curriculum.

White River Valley Museum is hosting the Small Works, Big Presents: The Gift of Art Juried Art Show.   Join the festivities and watch artist demonstrations, create your own miniature work of art, and more. Free with regular Museum admission.

Sale ends on Sunday, December 20, 2008.

White River Valley Museum is located at 918 H Street SE, Auburn. Open Wednesday – Sunday, 12 – 4 pm.

United Way of King County needs volunteers to read one-on-one with 3 to 5 year olds at preschools and child care centers throughout King County. The hope is that this program will spur the children’s cognitive and emotional development and, in doing so, help them to start kindergarten on the same level as their peers.

For more information, please visit United Way online or call Mandy Lehigh (206-461-5017), Early Learning Volunteer Recruiter VISTA of United Way of King County.

The Kent Fire Department offers tips on fire and life safety for a safe and enjoyable holiday season. Read the full article online here.

• Never use outdoor grills, BBQs or generations inside your home
• Purchase and install a Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitor inside your home
• Never leave the kitchen while cooking
• Keep paper and flammable items away from open flames such as candles and fireplaces and other open heat sources

Be safe this holiday season!

If you are an adult 50 years of age or older, then check out Kent’s Senior Activity Center at 600 E. Smith St. in downtown Kent. The center features daily recreation activities, lunch, classes, workshops, trips, health screenings, health and insurance centers, fitness center, entertainment and more.

Hours:

Monday – Friday:  8:30 am to 4:30 p.m., except Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Tuesday:  open until 9:45 p.m.
Wednesday:  open until 9:00 p.m.

Classes include computer classes, fitness classes, mixed media drawing, painting, defensive driving and more.

Fitness Center is available for $1 per visit or $10 per month. Personal trainers are available by appointment for $25/hour. Membership cards are also available with discounts for three months and one year cards.

Health screenings and information:
Blood pressure checks every Tuesday from 10:30 am to Noon
Foot care every Tuesday from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
Massage Therapy, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am to Noon
Health insurance counseling – the second Monday of each month by appointment.

Lunches (open to the public):
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 11:45 am to 1 pm
Lunches are $6 and include soup, entree, vegetable, homemade bread, salad bar, homemade dessert and beverages.
Wednesday from 11:45 am to 1 pm
Panera serves a “pick two” menu:  half a sandwich plus a cup of soup or 1/2 salad with your choice of chips, baguette, or apple with cookies. Served with coffee or tea. Also only $6.

This report as provided by Jim McGinnis, president of the Kent Community Foundation, a local nonprofit organization that provides scholarships and grants for arts and education programs benefiting the Kent School District and the Kent & Covington communities.

DECEMBER, 2009 KCF PRESIDENT’S REPORT

This month I would like to talk about a program coming up on December 8 & 9 at the Kent Commons. This is the “Game of Life: Attitudes and Choices,” a set of workshops under the auspices of the Kent Police Youth Board which partnered with the Foundation earlier this year for fund raising.

The workshops for the youth include nutrition, underage drinking, relationships, sexual harassment, marijuana use, crisis intervention, financial responsibility, prescription drug abuse, leadership, diversity, relationships with the police, domestic violance, gangs, teen parenting and stress management

Interested Chamber members are invited to monitor any of these sessions during the mornings of December 8 or 9 or the closing celebration from 12:45 to 2:00.

If you or your business would be interested in contributing to future programs like this, you can send those contributions to the Foundation at the Chamber office. They should be made out to the Kent Community Foundation and marked for the “Game of Life/Youth Board.” Monies collected will be used to award grants to these programs

A very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year to all from the Foundation board members.

Jim McGinnis

From the City of Kent:

Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks, located in Kent, Washington is renowned for being a Modernist masterpiece. Designed by Bauhaus master Herbert Bayer, it is composed of grassy mounds and a functioning dam, allowing water that runs down the Mill Creek Canyon to collect in a sculpted basin during storms. A Place For People: The Herbert Bayer Earthworks tells the story of how this icon of green infrastructure came to be built.

View this program and more at www.kenttv21.com.

Programming on Kent TV21 gives Kent citizens a view of their government at work. Through various types of programs, including meetings, live events, documentaries, talk shows and more, Kent TV21 highlights the government, events, people, places, and services that make up the City.

Read the full story here.

This workshop is the first of a set of workshops that will be offered over the coming months.

The objective of the 1 Day Workshop is to pass along the tools, techniques and secrets of building out an adequate business continuity plan that is action orientated.  The goal of this course is to take the complexity of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery and makes it simple to understand and implement for the common business person, who is busy running a business day to day.  Once you register for this workshop, you will receive a template. In order to walk out of the class with a completed business continuity plan, you will need to gather some information prior to the workshop.

Date:  Friday, November 20, 2009

Time:  8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Green River Community College – Kent Campus

417 Ramsay Way, Suite 112, Kent, WA  98032

To Register Contact:  Toya Turner
tturner@greenriver.edu
206.520.6261

Space is Limited so please register. This is a first come, first serve workshop for small businesses.

Workshop Outline

* Introduction to Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
* Capturing your Company’s process
* Determining the criticality of the processes
* Capturing the resources necessary for each process
* Determining Risk Appetite (setting scope)
* Building out Business Continuity Strategies
* Building out Business Continuity Plan steps
* Secrets to finishing the BC Plan & maintaining the BC Plan in the future
* How to Test/Exercise

About the instructor – Michael Carter

Mr. Carter is one of the founders of Quantivate LLC, a Seattle-based Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery and compliance company founded in 2005, offering both, BC/DR and Compliance Software, Services and Consulting.  Quantivate, is based in Redmond, WA is a privately held limited liability company and is Privately Owned.

Mr. Carter is an industry expert, with over 20 years BC/DR and Management experience and holder of two BC/DR Profession designations (CBCP and CRP)

Mr. Carter has had the opportunity to implemented Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity for many fortune 1000 companies including Progressive Insurance, AT&T Wireless, Boeing, Safeco Insurance and most recently Washington Mutual.