Are you tired of seeing graffiti and tags around the City of Kent? If so, you can help.

Join us for Community Graffiti Clean-Up Day on Saturday, September 18 from 8 am to 12 pm. Volunteers are needed in teams of 6 to 10 to help rid our city of this blight. Meet at 8 a.m. at Town Square Plaza (corner of 2nd and Smith St. – across from the Kent Library) to pick up your assignment, paint and supplies.

This is an ideal project for Key clubs, teens needing service hours, neighborhood councils, and individuals and companies who want to make a difference in Kent.

To sign up, contact Sara Wood with the City of Kent.

Looking for some great, live entertainment at an affordable price? Check out Pat’s Bar & Grill for live stand-up the first Wednesday of each month. Pat’s next show is Wed., September 1 from 7 to 9 pm and features Tommy Savitt. Tommy is the 2008 winner of the Seattle International Comedy Competition and the 2007 winner of The Boston Comedy Festival.

Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 at the door. Come early for a tasty dinner or stay after to have a few drinks with your friends. See you Wednesday!

Pat’s Bar & Grill, 114 Railroad Ave. N., Kent, WA 98032
253-852-7287

This year’s Puyallup Fair is set for September 10 – 26. The popular fair includes entertainment, a rodeo, concerts, Sillyville, a treasure hunt, animal exhibits, rides and much more.

This year’s concert series features:

Puyallup Rodeo
Bret Michaels
Kenny Rogers
John Legend
We The Kings
Willie Nelson
Chris Botti & Natalie Cole
Dierks Bentley
Fiestas Patrias
Queensryche with Tesla
Adam Lambert
Daryl Hall & John Oates
MercyMe and Jeremy Camp
Billy Currington with Uncle Kracker
An Evening with Heart
Kid Rock

For concert times and tickets, click here.

For more information, visit the Puyallup Fair online.  To purchase tickets online, click here.

The City of Kent is ramping up its campaign to license pets and is granting amnesty to dog and cat owners until September 30, 2010. After that, owners face stiff penalties and fines for not licensing Fido and Fluffy.

Officials at the city want the awareness campaign to have a lighter side though. They are hosting an event at Kent Station on September 25, 2010 to prove it. Dog Daze & Feline Fantasies will take place between 1 and 4 pm and will feature fun events including a pet show, pet parade, agility course and more. Owners are encouraged to bring their leashed pets and those that are licensed may participate in the events. King County Regional Animal Services will be on hand to license pets that day as well.

For more information on pet licensing, visit KentPetLicense.com.

Christian singer/songwriter Michael A. Wilkins of Kent will make his music debut at a reception at Marie Haggin Accessories at Kent Station next week.

The public is invited to meet Wilkins and hear him perform on Wed., August 18 from 6 to 8 pm at Marie Haggin. He will be performing songs from his debut album “I Don’t Want to be Lost” featuring songs including “Defeated Giants” and “Don’t Want to Forget Ya.”

Wilkins’ debut reception is being hosted by Wilkins’ sister, Debbie Marie Haggin, owner of Marie Haggin Accessories.

“I know I am biased, but his music is so beautiful,” Haggin says. “I can’t wait for the rest of the world to hear his work!”

To learn more about the Christian artist or to hear clips of his music, visit him online at Big Dream Music Productions.

Wed., August 18, 2010 (6 to 8 pm)

Christian singer/songwriter Michael Wilkins performs live at Marie Haggin Accessories at Kent Station (441 Ramsay Way, Suite 103, Kent).

Questions & RSVPs? Call 253-859-9769 .

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.’”

Ride to Make a Difference – Kent A.M. Kiwanis teams up with Children’s Therapy Center and Pat’s Bar & Grill on August 1 to do their 5th Annual Kick Start For Kids, a benefit motorcycle ride.

{Download the flyer here}

The rain-or-shine ride starts at 10:30 am at Children’s Therapy Center in Kent (sign up starts at 9:30 am), goes on a leisurely, unescorted ride to Snoqualmie Falls, and ends at Pat’s Bar & Grill, 114 Railroad Ave. N. in downtown Kent.

The ride will take place rain or shine and the event benefits Children’s Therapy Center to help provide scholarships to families whose children need therapy services to help them reach their full potential.

Cost:  $35 at the door + $15 for additional passengers or spouses

Coffee and light snacks will be provided before the ride and riders will receive a commemorative pin. The ride will finish with a celebration at Pat’s Bar & Grill.

For more info., call 253-854-5660 or email kentamkiwanis@gmail.com!

Open to all motorcycle riders 18 years and older with valid endorsement.

MOMS Club of Kent is hosting its annual fundraiser/garage sale this weekend:  Friday, July 23 (i-5) and Saturday, July 24 (9-3) at 18609 139th Way SE in Renton. Stop by for some great deals on kids’ clothes, household items, toys, baby gear, and much more!

For more information, email Kristen Jordan.

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.

Icon Theatre presents The Seahorse, a play by Edward J. Moore in late July – early August.

Tony Driscoll and Jennifer O’Brien star in ICON THEATRE’S presentation of the The Seahorse by Edward J. Moore, directed by Rebecca Lloyd. This riveting play examines the lives of Harry Bales and Gertrude Blum inside the walls of The Seahorse, a seaport bar.

This play features only one man and one women alone on stage discovering each other and working on love. This is not a fairy tale love story. It is dark and clouded with the sum of the past, but it illuminates what is possible when you commit yourself to loving someone unconditionally. Due to strong language, this performance is for mature audiences only (13 and up only please).

July 29, 30 & 31 and August 5, 6 & 7
7 pm curtain
Kentwood Performing Arts Center
Kentwood High School 25800 164th Ave. SE., Kent, WA  98042
Tickets are $10 each
Purchase online at Brown Paper Tickets

[Bonus: The theatre will be air conditioned, so come out to support the community with a dramatic theatrical performance by local actors.]

Update-July 2, 2010:  Opening date pushed back to July 16 (was originally set for July 14):

The City of Kent is bringing back the Morford Family Carousel the summer.  Your favorite Kent amusement  ride returns on July 16 at Town Square Plaza, on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Harrison Street in downtown Kent.  You can ride the 1940s classic Venetian-style carousel carousel through August 22 for a $2.00 donation.

This summer the carousel’s donations will benefit the Girl Scout Troop 41104, to help send the girls, next summer, to Savannah, GA, the Girl Scouts’ home base.  They will also be participating in other fundraising efforts including crafts.  So come to Downtown Kent with your family, do some shopping and go for a spin.

Weekly hours (may vary) will be:

Wednesdays, 11 am – 1:30 pm;
Thursdays, 5-8:30 pm;
Fridays, 5-8 pm;
Saturdays, 10:30 am – 3 pm; and
Sundays, 1-5 pm.

For more information, call 253-856-5110 or visit the City’s website at www.ci.kent.wa.us.

After a delicious lunch at Archa Thai Bistro on East Meeker St., Brooke, Larissa and her girls – Nadia & Kira – spent the afternoon at Kent Cornucopia Days. It was darn hot, but who could complain? The weather was significantly better than Fourth of July. Anyway, we had a great time.

I got a 10-minute back massage at Lemon Drop, a $5 brow wax at Blanc ‘n Schwartz, Brooke got a henna tattoo, Nadia & Kira had caricatures done, and we all got free face painting (think artsty, fun, colorful!) at Blanc ‘n Schwartz. We also met Miss Cornucopia, Lauren Vermilion, enjoyed a little ice cream and did a bit of shopping! Thank goodness for the nearby Wells Fargo ATM.

One of my favorite vendors had historic photos from around Washington. I bought three that were Kent-specific, one of the old Kent High School and two of the downtown area. They’ll look great in my office where most of the “iLoveKent” action happens.  : )

There was so much we didn’t have time to do though – we may go back again today for the Farmers’ Market and to see the booths and downtown friends we missed yesterday.  I would also like to swing by Lake Meridian today to see the Dragon Boat Races. I’ve never been to them before and this year is the 10th anniversary for the dragon boat races at Kent Cornucopia Days!

Hats off to Bill Westcott and the Kent Lions’ Club for putting on such a fun, family-friendly, all-volunteer event. Great job!

For more pix, visit our iLoveKent Facebook page.

Contributed by Melanie Mosshart

Sunshine!  Lots and lots of sunshine.  That alone will bring Kent residents out from hiding in their homes for fear of getting wet in the rain-drenched Kent Valley.  On Saturday, June 26^th however, not only were people fleeing from their homes to get outside, they actually enjoyed getting wet ~~ in the fountain downtown!

What curious event brought mommies, daddies, children and even dogs in droves to the Kent downtown area?  The captivating and exuberant Kent International Festival, that’s what.  It wasn’t the sunshine alone this time urging people to get out and go.  What a glorious day to partake in the second annual International Festival in conjunction with the Kent Farmers Market in downtown Kent.

Children splashed, vendors vended, cooks cooked, and dancers danced!  The Kent International Festival offered a variety of entertainment, food and an assortment of unique items with an international flair.

Kent’s Farmers Market started on a little plot of land near the Library with perhaps 8 booths, each housing the fruits of local growers and craftsmen. The Kent Farmers Market has grown substantially since its inception, and is a grand mixture of photography, crafts, colorful flowers, fresh garden vegetables and plants in addition to a diverse array of distinctive gifts for every taste.

Taste?  Did I mention taste?  The International Festival touted delicious food, whether your taste buds were craving hot dogs, Mexican, Indian, Thai or Teriyaki, food booths filled the air with the tempting aromas of your favorite cuisine, enticing wanderers to wander over for a plateful of delectable delights.

Delight?  Yes indeed, the dancing was decidedly delightful and the crowds enthusiastic with each and every entertaining event.  There were dancers representing Ireland, India and Chili to name a few, bringing broad smiles to the throng of onlookers.  In addition, the martial artists, drummers and various variety acts truly gave the event its international flavor.  And of course, our littlest dancer brought many a chuckle and applause as she twisted, dipped and tapped her toes with the music like the women on stage that she so enthusiastically emulated.

Representative Dave Upthegrove could be seen coaching the dancers and encouraging the crowd to support the efforts of Harpreet Gill, the chair woman of this successful event.  As a Kent resident, I took great pride in showing off Kent’s International Festival this weekend to a visitor from San Jose, who was duly impressed as well.  I was so pleased to have heard about the festivities through local vendors, because I hadn’t been aware of it before.  I have marked my calendar to watch for next year’s festival, and my suggestion is that you do the same; because if you are able to attend next year with me, I have no doubt that you too will be captivated by Kent’s tribute to a diverse culture and community.

Once again Kent Station is proud to present its free summer concert series, the Soulful Sounds of Summer, beginning Tuesday, July 6, 2010 with swing music by Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio. Kent Station will offer the lively concerts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through August 25.

Pick up lunch at one of Kent Station’s eateries for Take Out Tuesdays which run from noon to 1 p.m. and feature local bands and musicians like Rod Cook & Toast and Darren Motamedy. Before or after dinner, enjoy Kent Station’s Wednesday Date Night performances from 6 to 8 p.m. including EveryDay Jones, Knut Bell and more.

Kent Station’s Soulful Sounds of Summer concerts will be held on the Fountain Stage outside of AMC Theatres, and the live music is free to the public, thanks to premier sponsor Qliance and supporting sponsors Acura of Seattle at Southcenter and the City of Kent.

Qliance, a primary health care provider, officially opened at Kent Station in September 2009.

Meg Tronquet, marketing coordinator for Qliance, says, “Qliance is proud to be more than just a business in Kent, but an active participant in the community. We are delighted to support the concerts and offer free entertainment to the community and to our patients.”

The City of Kent is also sponsoring the free summer concert series as well as adding its own free entertainment line-up including Wednesday Picnic Performances at Town Square Plaza and Thursdays at the Lake at Lake Meridian Park.

“The City is pleased to continue its partnership with Kent Station for the summer concert series,” says cultural programs manager Ronda Billerbeck with the City of Kent. “These free events, along with our own, add value and entertainment to our community at a price everyone can afford!”

Sponsoring Soulful Sounds of Summer for the first time is Acura of Seattle at Southcenter.

“Acura of Seattle at Southcenter is a community partner and proud to support free events for local families and our customers,” says Cline Davis, General Manager.

For a complete schedule of the free summer concert series, visit http://KentStation.com, click on Events and Summer Concert Series. For a schedule of the City of Kent’s concerts, visit http://kentarts.com and click on Summer Concert Series.

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.

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!

The City of Kent invites you to celebrate the Fourth of July at Lake Meridian Park (14800 SE 272nd St., Kent) in the city’s annual Fourth of July Splash celebration from noon to 11 p.m. today!

Activities include:

• Old-fashioned games
• Athletic skills contests
• Family games
• Craft project
• Big Blue, the Kent Parks Mobile Technology Bus
• Face painting by “The Magic Brush”
• Inflatable bouncers
• Watermelon and pie eating contests
• Boat parade
• Entertainment on the stage
• Fireworks display

For more info., including shuttle bus locations and schedule, visit the City of Kent website.

The event is proudly sponsored by Allied Waste, Campbell’s Dentistry, Dollarwise Check Cashing & Loan Center, Kent School District, Marlatt Funeral Home, McDowell’s U Frame It, Smith Brothers Daily and RSC.

See Pat’s Bar & Grill online for more info.

And don’t forget Pat’s has live music every Friday & Saturday. Check the bar’s online calendar for dates, times and bands!

Thanks to Victoria Andrews for providing this news update. Contract Ms. Andrews with questions at 206-824-3966 or 253-856-5113 or contact her by email.

Kent Sunrise Rotary to Dedicate Shower Trailer on July 8

KENT, Wash. – June 24, 2010 – With construction provided by a group of dedicated, talented volunteers and a Rotary district grant of $8,000, the Kent Sunrise Rotary Club is donating a new portable shower trailer to help homeless men in Kent.  The trailer will be dedicated on Thursday, July 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Kent Lutheran Church, 336 2nd Avenue South.

Working at a local shed donated for the build, the volunteer team, lead by Dave Anderson, outfitted a purchased trailer with two shower stalls. The trailer will be moved to sponsoring churches in the area serving the homeless.  Catholic Community Services will coordinate services, and the project is endorsed by Valley Cities Counseling and the City of Kent Housing and Human Services Division.

Guest speaker at the dedication will be Richard LeMieux, author of Breakfast at Sally’s, the account of one homeless man’s experience.  The book was written on a second-hand manual typewriter when LeMieux was forced to live in his minivan after his business failed.  Sally’s was the soup kitchen at the Salvation Army in Bremerton.

The Kent Sunrise Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace worldwide. There are about 1.2 million club members in more than 32,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas.  Our motto is “Service Above Self.”  Weekly breakfast programs with local and visiting speakers offer education, fellowship and fun.

From Ian Henry at the Seattle Thunderbirds:

The Seattle Thunderbirds will open the 2010-11 season at ShoWare Center on Saturday, September 25, against the Portland Winterhawks at 7:05 p.m.

The T-Birds will play eight games in the exhibition season.

The exhibition season starts Labor Day weekend at the Holiday Inn Pre-season Classic at Comcast Arena in Everett.

The T-Birds play the Portland Winterhawks on Friday, September 3, at 11:30 a.m. at Comcast Arena.

In their second game at the Classic, the T-Birds play the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday, September 4, at 11:30 a.m. at Comcast Arena.

The T-Birds finish out the tournament against the Everett Silvertips on Sunday, September 5, at 7 p.m. at Comcast Arena.

The T-Birds will then travel to Kennewick for three games at the Red Lion Hotels’ Preseason Tournament. On Thursday, September 9, the T-Birds will face the Silvertips at 3 p.m. at the Toyota Center.

The team takes on the Kootenay Ice at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 10, at the Toyota Center.

The T-Birds finish out the Tri-City tournament against the Lethbridge Hurricanes at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 11.

The T-Birds head back up to Everett to take on the Silvertips on Friday, September 17, at 7:35 at Comcast Arena.

The exhibition schedule ends on Saturday, September 18, when the T-Birds host the Portland Winterhawks at 7:05 p.m. at ShoWare Center. Single game tickets for the only home preseason game will go on sale in early August.

T-Bird training camp for the 2010-11 season starts Thursday, August 26, and will take place at ShoWare Center.

T-Birds season tickets are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.

2010-11 Exhibition Schedule
Friday, September 3 vs. Portland Winterhawks 11:30 a.m. at Comcast Arena
Saturday, September 4 vs. Spokane Chiefs at 11:30 a.m. at Comcast Arena
Sunday, September 5 vs. Everett Silvertips at 7 p.m. at Comcast Arena
Thursday, September 9 vs. Everett Silvertips at 3 p.m. at Toyota Center
Friday, September 10 vs. Kootenay Ice at 3 p.m. at Toyota Center
Saturday, September 11 vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes at 3 p.m. at Toyota Center
Friday, September 17 at Everett Silvertips at 7:35 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum
Saturday, September 18 vs. Portland at 7:05 p.m. at ShoWare Center