- 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

“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.