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.

The Kent Police Department is offering a Community Police Academy class on six Wednesdays, starting March 31st and ending May 5^th, 2010.   The Academy offers participants an excellent opportunity to learn more about the daily operations of the police department and its role in the community.

The classes will be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with an officer available for a question and answer session 30 minutes prior to the start of class. The academy will be held at the Police and Fire Training Center, 24611 116^th Ave SE in Kent. There is also a Saturday session, which will include tours of the City of Kent Corrections Facility and our dispatch operations at Valley Communications Center.

The 6-week curriculum includes topics such as officer recruitment and hiring, traffic enforcement, patrol functions, detectives and criminal investigations, SWAT, use of force policy, community education and the Neighborhood Response Team.  K-9 officers will demonstrate their K-9 partner’s abilities.  All questions will be answered.

Academy classes are taught by veteran police officers and supervisors. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with the Chief of Police and staff members. They are encouraged to ask questions and express ideas and concerns to police employees.

The academy is open to any adult (18+), living, working, or interested in the City of Kent and its police department.  There is no cost for attending.

Applications and information are available online at http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/police/ or call the Community Education Unit at 253-856-5838.

“This is an excellent opportunity for residents to gain insight into the day to day operations of the police department” said Sergeant Dina Paganucci. “We enjoy being able to interact with the community and answer any questions they have.”

Evergreen City Ballet presents its 2nd Annual Dinner Gala on April 10.  This year’s theme is “A Night at the Races” at Emerald Downs.  The evening will start with opening weekend races followed by a dinner and auction.  The last race is the “ECB Stakes.”  Eight lucky people will have their picture taken in the Winner’s Circle!

Enjoy a wonderful evening of food, wine and racing on 2010 opening weekend of racing at Emerald Downs.

Your Gala ticket includes free admission and free parking at Emerald Downs. Come early and enjoy the last three races of the day from our special private viewing room.  Place your wager at our private betting window .

There are one-of-a-kind auction items including:

• Tickets to the Oprah Show with a two night stay in the Omni Suites Hotel in Chicago

• Tickets to Pacific Northwest Ballet with one night stay in Pan Pacific Hotel , including a gourmet dinner

• A weekend at a luxury, private, waterfront cabin in British Columbia

Tickets are $100 per person or $680 for a table of eight.  For ticket or more information email Larry@evergreencityballet.org.

It’s that time again.  What time is that?  Uhg…yes…spring cleaning time.  However, it doesn’t need to be all bad.  There is somewhere you can take those hard to get ride of items.  The City of Kent is sponsoring the “Special Recycling Event” on March 20, 2010 from 9:00am to 3:00pm.  Bring your approved items (check out their website for more info) all to one location.  Make that spring cleaning fast, easy and less stressful.

Kent Youth & Family Services is celebrating its 40th year in business in 2010, and will host a birthday party on September 25 to celebrate.

Executive Director Mike Heinisch is hoping that those who have been involved with KYFS in the past will come to the celebration, including counselors, past clients, board members, staff and members of the community.

To learn more about the event, contact Mike at KYFS at 253-859-0300 ext. 3002 or via email.

To read more about KYFS, view this recent column by editor Laura Pierce in the February 20, 2010 edition of the Kent Reporter.

Stand-Up Comedy Night was such a success this month that Pat’s Bar & Grill is doing it again. Next week’s show features comedian Ron Osborne, a past winner of the Seattle International Comedy Competition.

Wed., March 3, 2010
7 to 9 p.m.
Pat’s Bar & Grill, 114 Railroad Ave. N., Kent (253-852-7287)
Tickets:  $10 in advance, $13 at the door

For more info., call Pat’s Bar & Grill at 253-852-7287. See you there!

Each year the Kent Arts Commission puts on its Spotlight Series.  Check out these upcoming family-friendly shows in the 2009-2010 Spotlight Series:

"In the Mood: A 1940s Show"

February 20 – “In the Mood, A 1940s Musical “
Kentwood Performing Arts Center

“In The Mood: A 1940s Musical” is a show that offers a look into America’s greatest generation. Singers, dancers and a big band orchestra offer everything from up-tempo rhythms to ballads. The costumes and choreography are authentic, and they put the finishing touches on re-creating this sentimental and romantic era. At the Kentwood Performing Arts Center on February 20, at 7:30 pm. Tickets for general audiences are $28, seniors are $26, and youth are $20.

March 11 – “Men of Worth “
Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center

“Men of Worth” is presented by Scotsman Donnie MacDonald and Irishman James Keigher. They’re performing traditional and contemporary Irish and Scottish folk music. The music combines vocal harmonies and a wide variety of instruments. Men of Worth have been called “the real thing in Celtic entertainment”. Also, Irish dancers and additional musicians join the duo for this pre-St. Patrick’s Day performance. Men of Worth will be at the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts center on March 11, at 7:30 pm. Tickets for general audiences are $20, seniors are $18, and youth tickets are $15.

March 13 – “Robin Crusoe” with the Missoula Children’s Theatre
Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center

The Missoula Children’s Theatre is putting on a production of “Robinson Crusoe” on March 13 at the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center. The play is varying from the novel, and teaches the lesson that reading invites more than observation. It also teaches that books allow readers the luxury of the imagination. Open auditions will be held March 8 from 4 to 6 at Glenridge Elementary. Tickets for all are $5.

March 20 – “Luminous Edge” by Thomas Arthur
Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center

On March 20, Thomas Arthur will bring us the “Luminous Edge”, his family performance. The performance brings choreographed juggling, digital film projections and audience participation. “Luminous Edge” will be at the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center at 3 pm. Tickets for general audiences are $12, seniors are $10, and youth tickets are $8.

April 3 – The sound of Maui, brought to you by Hapa
Kentwood Performing Arts Center

The sound of Maui is being brought to Kent on April 3. Hapa is a musical group that evokes tropical paradise. Combining ancient changes, Portuguese fisherman ballads and Spanish cowboys, melodies of early missionary choirs and more, they bring a dose of American acoustic folk/rock. They will be at the Kentwood Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm. Tickets for general audiences are $28, seniors are $26, and youth are $20.

April 9 – The Wailin’ Jennys
Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center

The Wailin’ Jennys are a band with a fresh acoustic sound, coming from Canada’s mid-western heartland. They are brought onward by an increasing fan base, which loves their harmonies. They have an engaging stage presence. They are enchanting audiences across North America, the U.K. and continental Europe. They will be performing at the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center. Tickets for general audiences are $24, seniors are $22, and youth are $18.

May 1 – “Guthrie Family Rides Again”
ShoWare Center

Four generations of the Guthries bring you the “Guthrie Family Rides Again”. The family will perform songs they’ve written. Also, unpublished Woody Guthrie lyrics will be put to music. The performance will be at ShoWare Center on May 1 at 8 pm.

In a press release from Jim Granacker, director of operations for the Kent Predators, the Kent Predators announced that the community and media are invited to attend a press conference this Friday, February 12 at ShoWare Center to meet members of the front office and coaching staff, including team owners Chris Kokalis and Ken Moninski, VP of football operations and Predators head coach William McCarthy. The group will discuss their first season which kicks off with its first home game on Friday, March 12. In addition, Mayor Suzette Cooke will be available to answer questions regarding how the Predators’ presence in Kent will affect the community.

Also making an appearance is IFL Commissioner Tommy Benizio who will officially kick-off the league’s season tomorrow.

“Heading into the league’s second season, the IFL has quickly established itself as the nation’s premier indoor football league,” he stated in the February 10 press release.  “I am very excited to come to Kent to announce the kickoff of the 2010 campaign and to watch the Predators compete in our Pacific North Division this year.”

The Indoor Football League (IFL) was started in 2008 from a merger between the Intense Football League and United Indoor Football Association. Two years later, the IFL consists of 25 teams in 13 states in six divisions. The IFL season is 14-games long and the season’s regular schedule runs from March through June. The season ends with playoffs in August, followed by the IFL United Bowl.

Refreshments will be served at 2:30 pm as informal announcements are made. The question and answer session will begin promptly at 3:00 pm.

For more information, contact Jim Granacker at 253-239-3254 or via email.

After a major disaster, some emergency services may not be available. To help the city respond as needed, Kent is offering CERT – Community Emergency Response Training – training. This eight-week program offers instruction on preparing for a disaster and useful skills like first aid, triage, fire safety, search and rescue and more.

Starting March 11, classes will be offered on Thursdays from 1 – 4:30 pm and 6 – 9:30 pm. To find out more or to register, call Kent Emergency Management at 253-856-4440. Space is limited so reserve your spot today!

For more information on the City of Kent’s handling of emergency management, visit the city’s online resource here.

That’s right!  The famous Harlem Globetrotters make their moves at the Showare Center on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 7pm.

Remember going to a game with your dad when you were five years old; that game made basketball the most amazing sport that you had ever seen.  They are still around and still making those amazing trick shots.  In 2009 they made an appearance on the Bachelorette where they showed the guys up by wowing Jillian Harris with their smooth moves.

They always put on a great show.  It’s so much more than a sporting event.  This is a show you don’t want to miss.  As they say, “Our greatest trick is bringing families together.

For more information or to purchase tickets go to visit the Harlem Globetrotters or  Showare Center’s website.

Mickey Fay presents NW Extreme Flat Track Racing Saturday, April 17 @ 7:00PM.

Saturday, April 17, 7pm

TICKETS:

$23 – GOLD (Club & Rows 2-4)
$17 – Reserved
$10   – Reserved Youth (under 12, not valid for Gold Seating)

Plus applicable fees.
Special PRESALE Opportunity: Reserve your seats today, before they go on sale to the general public on February 12, 10am.   PRESALE Password – “FAST”

FOR TICKETS CLICK HERE

DISCOUNTS FOR GROUPS OF 10 or MORE:
Call Chris at 253-856-6723 or email groups@ShoWareCenter.com

Punjab Sweets is offering tasty treats for your Valentine at great prices.  Freshly made, hand-crafted Indian desserts are a great, unique gift for your sweetheart.  They offer fudge, vegan cakes and cupcakes all wrapped in special Valentines Day boxes.

These sweet Valentines Day promotions are avaialable Feb 8-15. Punjab Sweets is located in Downtown Kent at 23617 104th Ave SE C Kent, WA 98031.  For more information on Punjab Sweets visit www.punjabsweetsonline.com.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010, Kent, Washington–Today Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke gave her annual State of the City Address at the February Kent Chamber membership luncheon. With a packed room at the ShoWare Center, Mayor Cooke revisited 2009.

“This past year was challenging, not just for this city, but for all governments, large and small,” Mayor Cooke said. “Kent, like all cities, worked under a tightening budget.”

She is, however, optimistic about three things:  1) that 2009 is over; 2) the economy appears to be recovering; and 3) flood season is ending. She recounted a number of the city’s 2009 highs and lows, including:

1)  The popularity of ShoWare Center which brought 350,000 guests through its doors in 2009, including 60,000 guests who saw Disney on Ice at the new sports arena

2)  The implementation of the new CodeRED system which allows the city to make 60,000 emergency contacts per hour via phone, email and text message

3)  The four labor unions taking voluntary pay cuts to avoid staff reductions and to help the city save more than $1 million in 2009 spending

4)  2.8%, or $2.2 million, drop in revenue

5)  8.1%, or $1.5 million, drop in sales tax revenue

6)  Elimination of 56 positions within the city, about half of which resulted in layoffs. Other vacant positions were not filled.

7)  Expansion of Kent Station with the GRCC expansion

8)  1,677 Kent Parks volunteers

9)  4,000 volunteer hours spent removing graffiti

10)  Annexing Panther Lake to occur July 1, 2010, making Kent the sixth largest city in the state

In addition to these items, Mayor Cooke reviewed the 2010 budget, stating that public safety remains the city’s #1 priority. The 2010 budget is 5.6% less than the 2009 budget and it includes $1 million to be set aside for emergencies like potential flooding.

“Things are looking a lot better economically,” she added.

A topic of major concern was, of course, the flood risk of the Howard Hanson Dam. Once predicted at a 1 in 4 chance of flooding, the flood risk has dropped to 1 in 33. While this is a positive step, Mayor Cooke said, a permanent fix is not available for three to five years.

“Any kind of delay is simply unacceptable,” she added. “Until that dam is fixed, it is going to haunt us.”

To help control potential flooding, the city raised levies by three feet, successfully completing the task before the beginning of flood season last fall. In addition, Mayor Cooke thanked the community, business leaders and service groups for helping to spread the word about potential flood risks as well as helping one another fill sand bags and helping seniors and the disabled prepare for a flood.

Mayor Cooke singled out a number of city staff and community and business leaders for their support of the Kent community. She thanked them for their tireless service and for making Kent the great place that it is. One person instrumental in the city’s survival of a difficult year was Chief Administrative Officer John Hodgsen.

“John Hodgsen is an outstanding leader and worker in the city,” Mayor Cooke said.

The overall mood of the meeting was positive and Mayor Cooke left the audience with some new things to watch for:  a redesigned website, taking the inbox newsletter to an email format, and the second annual International Festival, set for June 26, and the Kent Refugee and Immigrant Forum.

“It’s 2010 and I’m smiling,” Mayor Cooke said.

The event was presented by the Kent Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Allied Waste and co-sponsored by Kent Downtown Partnership. The program was taped to be shown on Kent TV21 at a later date.

Looking for local live comedy?  Look no further.  Pat’s Bar & Grill located at 114 Railroad Ave. N. will be adding live comedy starting February 3 at 7pm.  Gabriel Rutledge, the winner of The 2004 Seattle International Comedy Competition, will be headlining.  He has been seen on HBO and Comedy Central.  Two others will open for him. Pre-sale tickets are available at Pat’s for $7.00. Tickets will be $10.00 the day of the performance.  Come laugh at Pat’s.

The Kent Predators first season – 2010 – will include seven home games at the ShoWare Center. Tickets for those indoor football games go on sale this Monday, January 25 at 10 am. Tickets can be purchased online at the Kent Predators site or at the ShoWare Center Box Office at 625 W. James St., Kent.

Tickets range in price from $14.50/ticket for end zone seating to $42.00 for platinum seating. Group tickets prices for 10 or more people are also available. For info. on individual or group season tickets, call the management office at 253-239-3254.

Monday evening the Kent Predators will also host a special “Pick Your Seat” night from 6 to 9 pm. Attendees can meet players who have been signed already and will receive free hot dogs and sodas.

Kent Predators is one of the newest teams to join the Indoor Football League which holds a 14-game regular season schedule from March through June.

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.

Kent’s South Side Dance Force
presents
“Sweethearts, Thieves & Their Lovers”
on
Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 7 p.m.
704 W. Meeker St., Kent, WA

Set in a 1920s speakeasy, this artistic performance features the South Side Sundays Company in “Sweethearts, Thieves & Their Loves.” Creator, director, producer and choreographer Joselito Castillo describes this performance as “a dark Valentine show” about gossip at a speakeasy. Don’t miss this wonderful show! Some mature content.

Call SSDF at 253-639-5829 for more info. and to purchase tickets. Tickets are only $10.00!

The fifth annual Wine, Women, Wow is planned for Friday, May 7 (6-10 p.m.) at the ShoWare Center. Event chair Libby Seidel of the Kent Downtown Partnership is now accepting applications for:

• Vendors
• Restaurants
• Event sponsors

Please contact Libby at KDP for an application (253-813-6976). See you May 7!