Contributed by Victoria Andrews, Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday, is Monday, January 16. With schools and many businesses closed, including city of Kent offices, Kent Parks would like to encourage students, scouts, families and others to observe it by contributing community service.

Once again, we will focus on collecting litter along the Interurban Trail. Volunteers will meet at the Kent Lions Skate Park on West Smith St. near Lincoln Avenue/Valley Highway overpass in downtown Kent. Parking is available in the Park-and-Ride lot next to the skate park.

Trash bags and a limited number of pick sticks will be provided. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear sturdy boots or shoes, bring work gloves and a bottle of water if they wish. Special programs manager Victoria Andrews staffs the event and requests pre-registration by January 12 to ensure she brings enough supplies. To download the registration flyer, visit www.KentWAParks.com and click on Volunteer. Or call 253-856-5110.

On Thurs., Jan. 26, 2012, ShoWare Center and Pandora present Unforgettable Moments of Love on Ice, a love-themed ice skating extravaganza featuring world class ice skaters and entertainers.

Sponsored by The Joint Center at Valley Medical Center, the show will be hosted by Nancy Kerrigan and Kristi Yamaguchi. Kenny G and Gladys Knight will also be performing that evening, along with ice skaters Ilia Kulik, Ekaterina Gordeeva, Joannie Rochette, Sasha Cohen, Ryan Bradley, Kurt Browning and more.

The live show will be taped by NBC and aired on Feb 4.

Ticket prices range from $39.50 to $125. The higher end packages feature club seats, dinner and a post-event reception. Visit ShoWare Center online to buy tickets.

City of Kent 2012 Recycling Events

Jan. 7:  Christmas Tree Recycling Event at Service Club Ballfields

Jan. 9-13:  Christmas Tree Recycling for City of Kent residents

Jan. 28-29, Feb. 4-5:  Wood Debris Recycling at Russell Road Park (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Jan. 28:  Appliance and Electronics Recycling at Meridian Elementary, 25621 140th Ave SE, Kent (10 a.m. to p.m.)

Mar. 17:  Special Recycling and Collection Event at Russell Road Park (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Mar. 24:  Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale (9 a.m. until supplies are gone)

Mar. 31:  Celebrate the Environment with Earth Hour 2012 (8:30 to 9:30 p.m.)

Jun. 2:  Residential Recycling Event

Aug. 9:  Business Recycling Event

Oct. 20:  Residential Recycling Event

For more info., visit KentRecycles.com.

For a list of where to take materials for reuse or recycling, visit the City of Kent online.

2012 Relay for Life of Kent Kickoff

January 26, 2012
7:00 p.m.

Kent Senior Center
600 E. Smith St.
Kent, WA  98030

For more info., call Dave Foltz at 253-686-6799 or email him.

Sign-up before kickoff for $50 registration.

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

Join Kiwanis Club of Kent for Dinner, Jazz and Comedy.

Sat., Dec. 17, 2011
6:30 p.m.

Honorary Emcee Susannah Frame, KING5 TV

Kent Events Center
10120 SE 260th St.
Kent, WA  98030

*Live Jazz
*Local Comedy
*Kids Corner
*Silent Auction
*Live Auction

Dinner and Entertainment, $30 for adults, $20 for children

Buy tickets online:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/210921

Contact Bailey Stober with questions at 253-306-4445 or by email.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle celebrates the holiday season with community service throughout the Puget Sound. In November, the local franchise assisted World Association for Children & Parents (WACAP), ARAS and Kent Downtown Partnership.

Last weekend TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® team members Scott Doyea and Anthony Roberts picked up items at WACAP and delivered them to the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle for the Children’s Hope Gala. Approximately 300 people attend this auction, raising $300,000 annually to help the organization find homes for abused and neglected children. On the event’s Facebook page, a volunteer posted this: “TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® rocks! We couldn’t have pulled off this auction without your help! Thank you!”

In addition to this event, team members Anthony Canfield and Colin Gibson worked with Mary Trask of the ARAS Foundation to coordinate pick-up and delivery of donated items for the organization’s annual Harvest Festival on November 19. This year’s event was held at the Highland Community Center in Bellevue. During this annual event, low income families can “shop” for food, clothes and toys and receive free services like haircuts. This is the third year TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle has participated in the event.

“This is a fun time of year for a lot of us, but many in the Seattle area are struggling this holiday season,” says Rick Clendenen of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle. “We like to help out where we can, particularly in the communities where we serve. These communities have been good to us, and we want to give back wherever we can.”

From November 26 to December 3, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle will also participate in the Find It In Kent Holiday Scavenger Hunt, a week-long event sponsored by Kent Downtown Partnership. The goal of the project is to celebrate local small businesses and to introduce local shoppers to Kent’s downtown businesses. “Hunters” pick up a passport and map at participating locations, visit each business to locate the special holiday nutcracker and then turn in their completed passports at the Kent Library to be eligible for prizes. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle is one of the stops on the map. To learn more about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle, visit them online at http://twomenandatruckseattle.com or call 253-656-4322.

About TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle:

The Seattle area franchise of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is owned by husband and wife team Rick and Glenna Clendenen. The firm serves the Seattle area out of offices located in Kent and Kirkland and actively participates in the communities it serves. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK© offers a full-range of residential and commercial moving services, senior move management, packing services, supplies and workshops. To learn more about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle, visit them online or call 253-656-4322.

Kent, Washington, November 22, 2011 – Kent Station is celebrating the holidays with a 30 day holiday countdown: 30 days of deals starting Friday, November 25 through Christmas Eve. Kent Station merchants will offer different deals each day throughout the holiday season. These one day special offers will be posted to Kent Station’s Facebook page at http://facebook.com/kentstation, so be sure to visit often.

Kent Station will expand its shopping hours from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24: Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm; and Christmas Eve, 10 am to 5 pm. Many merchants will be open extended hours on Friday, November 25. Check http://www.KentStation.com for details.

Kent Station is full of holiday cheer and activities:  Santa arrives on Saturday, November 26 at 11 am; the annual Winterfest parade through Kent Station is on Saturday, Dec. 3 (approximately 4:30 pm) which is immediately followed by the Kent Lions’ tree lighting at Town Square Plaza (approximately 5:30 pm); and on Saturday, December 10 the WOLF 100.7 will have a remote broadcast featuring Microsoft’s Kinect and its newest games.

Want to give back this season? Kent Station supports local families in need by accepting donations at Santa’s House for food, clothing or cash – all donations go to the Kent Food Bank.  Next to the Santa House in front of AMC is Kent Station’s Giving Tree benefiting children and their siblings who receive services from Children’s Therapy Center. From November 25 through December 19, the tree will be decorated with hosting “mittens.”  Each mitten is dedicated to a child and lists the child’s age, clothing and shoe sizes, along with a wish (a basketball, baby doll) and a need (a warm jacket, blankets, socks).

Kent Station encourages shoppers to take a mitten or two to brighten a child’s Christmas.  Simply bring back the gifts unwrapped, attach the mitten, and drop in the Big Red Box, located inside AMC Theatres’ lobby.

As always, hop by our hip Santa House for holiday wishes and photos. A photo CD is available for $20. Prints can also be purchased in varying sizes, ranging in price from $15 to $40. Santa’s hours are:

Nov. 26 – 27:               11 am – 8 pm
Nov. 30 – Dec. 2:        4 – 8 pm
Dec. 3 – 4:                   11 am – 8 pm
Dec 7 – 9:                    4 – 8 pm
Dec. 10 – 23:               11 am – 8 pm

“The holiday season is our favorite time of the year, with our additional decorations, lights and, of course, Santa. We invite our customers to join us in celebrating the season.” says Sommer Ueda, marketing and property manager for Kent Station. “It’s a special time to share with family and friends. We enjoy making it fun, while also giving back to the community with our giving tree and food drive.”

For additional details about Kent Station’s Holiday Countdown or holiday events, call the Kent Station management office at 253-856-2301 or visit Kent Station’s website at http://www.KentStation.com or Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/KentStation.

About Kent Station

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Tarragon a Seattle based 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.

In addition to Kent Station merchants and dining and entertainment venues, the popular outdoor shopping center hosts free, family-friendly events throughout the year as well as nonprofit fundraisers to support the community. For more information, visit the Kent Station website at http://www.KentStation.com or call the management office at 253-856-2301.

About Children’s Therapy Center:

Since 1979, Children’s Therapy Center, a Dynamic Partner organization, has provided quality therapy services for infants, children, and adolescents ages birth to 21 with the mission to maximize the potential of children with special needs by providing individualized, family-centered therapy services.

Children are referred to CTC with a variety of developmental delays and disabilities including cerebral palsy and neurological disorders, torticollis, speech and language disorders, brachial plexus injuries, spina bifida, Down syndrome, feeding disorders, sensory processing difficulties, autism and dyspraxia. For more information about Children’s Therapy Center, visit http://www.DynamicFamilies.org.

Starting today, November 14, walking enthusiasts can get out of the rain and walk in ShoWare Center, 625 West James Street, Kent.  ShoWalk is presented by Kent4Health and ShoWare Center and is a free indoor walking opportunity on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-11 am, running (or walking) through April 25,2012.

ShoWare Center provides “ShoWalkers” two levels for walking according to Pamela Clark, Kent4Health Coordinator.  “There’s a full loop on the upper level for walkers and a horseshoe on the lower level for those with strollers or walking aids.  There are also stairs for those interested in getting additional cardio or working their glutes,” Clark said.

Other features of ShoWalk include an area to stretch, warm up and cool down; free blood pressure and sugar screenings on the second Monday of every month provided by Valley Medical Center.

There is no charge to participate but registration is appreciated for planning purposes.  Please register at Kent4Health.com or at the door on walk days.  More information is available at Kent4Health.com or by calling 253-856-4968.

HOPE FOR FAMILIES LUNCHEON:  Please mark your calendar for Thursday, December 8 at noon to be at the Golden Steer Restaurant, 23826 14 Ave. SE in Kent.  The Kiwanis Club of Kent would like you to join them for a $5 lunch to help and support local struggling families.   How do you get a $5 lunch deal you ask?  By bringing any new or gently used sleeping bags, jackets, hats, gloves and socks to the Golden Steer.  Cash or check donations will be cheerfully accepted as well.

Please join  your friends, neighbors and community leaders in helping struggling families in Kent.  Call Sally Goodgion at 253-852-0880 or email catalysttravel@hotmail.com with an RSVP no later than December 6.

Kent, Washington, November 3, 2011 – Dr. Sue Hollinsworth, her staff and patients participated in Making A Difference Day on October 22. The Kent family dentist has had an ongoing project for several years of collecting personal hygiene supplies for the homeless and Kent Food Bank. Dr. Hollinsworth’s office continued that project this year for Make A Difference Day, a national day of helping others.

“Whenever anyone stays at a hotel, we ask that they bring back the toiletries to donate. My office adds toothpaste and toothbrushes to this. These are the perfect size to make up personal hygiene care packages that are small enough to carry for those living on the streets or in their cars,” Dr. Hollinsworth explained.

As a family-centered dental practice, Dr. Hollinsworth and her staff believe it’s important to participate in community events. In addition to the Making A Difference project, Dr. Hollinsworth also participates in Kent Relay For Life cancer walk, Kent Crop Walk, Valley Medical Center’s GLOW program, local health fairs and school groups. She serves on the board of directors for Children’s Therapy Center. Earlier this week Dr. Hollinsworth and her staff participated in a candy buy-back event.

Dr. Sue Hollinsworth is located at the corner of 132^nd and 240^th in Meridian Valley Plaza at 13210 SE 240th Street, Suite B3 in Kent. Her practice emphasizes family dental care as well as cosmetic procedures. Patients of all ages are welcome. For more information, call (253) 631-8286, email smilestaff@qwestoffice.net or visit the office’s website at http://www.DrSueHollinsworth.com or Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/DrSueHollinsworth.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Sue Hollinsworth, DDS
13210 SE 240th St., Ste. B3
Kent, WA  98042
253-631-8286
Email
www.DrSueHollinsworth.com

Join Mayor Suzette Cooke at Airway Brewing Beer & Bistro in downtown Kent, 320 W. Harrison Street, on November 8, 5 pm – 6 pm with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony (must be 21 or over to attend).  The Bistro is scheduled to open in early November.

Friendly service and tasty beer make Airways Brewing Company a favorite with locals as well as beer enthusiasts from all over.  Their tap room, which opened on March 4, 2010, is located at 6644 S. 196th Street, Ste. 100 features full pints and growlers of their five standard beers: T-Tail Blonde Ale; Jet City ESB; First Class IPA; Starliner Stout and Sky Hag IPA.  Founder and brewer Alex Dittmar has had a lifelong passion for 60′s era jetliners as the names of his beers show.  Airways Brewing Company and now Airways Brewing Beer & Bistro is a combination of his love for airplanes, good beer and a connection with people from all over the world.

Please join Airways Brewing Co. for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on November 8 and welcome Airways Brewing Beer & Bistro to downtown Kent.

The 9th Annual Casino Night fundraiser sponsored by the Meridian Kent Kiwanis helps support youth services in Kent and the surrounding area.  This fun event will be held on Saturday, November 12, 6 pm – 10 pm at the Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St. in Kent.

Tickets are $30 which includes a $20 gambling scrip, champagne, lots of delicious hours d’ oeuvres and a silent auction.  There will be Black Jack, Roulette, Craps and many great prizes to be won!

If you are interested in Casino Night sponsorship levels: Platinum $2,000 (+32 tickets); Gold $1,000 (+16 tickets);  Diamond $750 (+12 tickets); Silver $500 (+8 tickets); Bronze $300 (+4 tickets) and Table $150 (+2 tickets) with recognition given throughout the evening.  Contributions for the silent auction are also being accepted.

Buy your tickets today for this fabulous event to support youth services in our community.  Just click on the Make a Purchase link on this website.  Sponsorships can also be made through this link as well.

For more information, please contact Pat Hanis at phanis@hiplawfirm.com.

Thank you for your support of the 9th Annual Casino Night fundraiser to help youth in our community.  Hope to see you there!

Halloween Happenings in South King County abound. Fun for all ages and different levels of “scary”! In addition to these events, a number of local churches are offering alternatives to traditional trick-or-treat, so check your local place of worship for more info.

Daily through Oct. 31:

Mosby Brothers Farms
Pumpkin patch, corn maze, produce stand, hay rides
12754 SE Green Valley Rd., Auburn
253-939-7666 or mosbyfarms@earthlink.net

Carpinito Brothers Farms
U-pick pumpkins, corn maze, hay rides, prize drawings and more.
Corner of S. 277th St., W. Valley Hwy. and Hwy. 167, Kent
9 am to dusk
253-854-5692

Serena Farms
Corn trails, hay rides, u-pick pumpkin patch.
22431 84th Ave. S., Kent
Noon to dusk
253-261-8789

Oct. 27 – 29:

Dark Hollow Haunted Forest (Oct. 30 – 31)
Royal Arch Park
20821 Renton-Maple Valley Hwy. SE
Maple Valley
$9 general, $8 Family Walk
7 to 9 pm Thursday
7-11 pm Friday/Saturday

Oct. 28 – 29:

The Den Youth Center Haunted House
Very Scary (Fri & Sat):  7 to 10 pm
$5 once-through + glow bracelet
$8 twice-through + glow necklace
Call 425-432-1272 for more info.

Oct. 29:

Tricks & Treat Funfest
Federal Way (876 S. 333rd St.)
6 – 8:30 pm
Ages 2-12
$6 in advance, $8 at the door

Spooky Swim
Covington Aquatic Center
Session 1 (younger kids):  5 – 6:30 pm
Session 2 (preteens & teenagers):  6:30 – 8 pm
Fees apply; 425-413-POOL

Halloween Costume Party
Pat’s Bar & Grill, Kent
Live Music 8 pm – 12 am with Boneyard
Prizes for best 3 costumes.
Drink specials.

Oct. 30:

Halloween Puppet Show (Oct. 30)
The Magic Show by the Magic Man
Toy Theater production of “Jack the Giant Killer”
Maple Valley Library
21844 SE 248th St.
Maple Valley
7 pm
FREE

Oct. 31:

Trick-or-Treat and Costume Contest
Kent Station
Kent
4 to 6 pm
FREE

Pictures at the Reporter
Costumed kids can have their photo taken for publication.
Covington/Maple Valley Reporter
22035 SE Wax Rd (425-432-1209)
3 to 4:30 pm
FREE

IKEA Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular
IKEA, 601 SW. 41st St., Renton
4 to 7 pm
FREE

GMVCC’s Trick or Trucks!
Halloween Trick or Treating
Greater Maple Valley Community Center
22010 SE 248th St., Maple Valley
4 to 5:30 pm (no horns)
4 to 6 pm
$3/child for Trick or Trucks
$3/child for Less Scary Haunted House at The Den
Pizza, Salad &  Dessert also available:  $5/adult and $3/child
425-432-1272

The Den Youth Center Haunted House
The Den Teen Center
22010 SE 248th St., Maple Valley, WA
“Less Scary” Haunted House from 4 to 6 pm
Regular Haunted House 4 to 10 pm
Call 425-432-1272 for more info.
See flyer for details.

Auburn Meadows Halloween Party and Trick-or-Treating
Auburn Meadows, 945 22nd St. NE, Auburn
3 to 7 pm (party 3 to 5 pm, trick-or-treat 3 to 7 pm)
Ages 12 and under
253-333-0171

Des Moines Halloween Carnival
Carnival-style games, costume contest, candy, prizes, magic show and more.
Field House, 1000 S. 220th St., Des Moines
6th grade and younger
$2/child, free for parents
Hotdogs and soda available for sale
206-870-6527

Are we missing an event? Email us at iLoveKent.net, and we’ll add it!

ShoWare Center presents the Royal Comedy Tour on Sat., Nov. 5, featuring Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Mark Curry and Tony Rock. Doors open at 7 pm. Show starts at 8 pm. Tickets range from $45 – $59. Order tickets by phone by calling 866-973-9613, buy them online or at the ShoWare Center box office.

For more info. about the event, visit RoyalComedyTour.com or ShoWareCenter.com.

Disney on Ice and Pixar present Toy Story 3 at ShoWare Center from Nov. 9 – Nov. 13.

Visit the Disney on Ice website for more information including show times and tickets. Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

Frager Farm Stand is now open with U-Pick Pumpkins, farm fresh produce, sweet corn, apples, pomegranates and more.

25189 Frager Rd. S., Kent, WA  98032

2 blocks south of LA Fitness off W. Valley Hwy.

253-854-0207

Twitter.com:  Frager Farm Stand

Kent’s Carpinito Brothers offers Halloween fun for the whole family, on a 20-acre farm:

• Two corn mazes (Huskies & Cougs)
• Hayrides
• Fall decorations
• Squash, fresh-picked corn, fall produce
• Roasted corn
• Kettle corn
• Pumpkins of all sizes
• Pumpkin carving supplies

Open daily through Halloween from 9 am to Dusk.

Corner of 277th and W. Valley Hwy. across from Smith Brothers Dairy

For more info., visit Carpinito Brothers online or call 253-854-5692.

From Dr. Sue Hollinsworth, Kent Family Dentist

Kent, Washington, October 20, 2011 – What did the werewolf eat after he’d had his teeth cleaned?  The dentist!

One area dentist is redefining the phrase “put your money where your mouth is.” This Halloween, trick-or-treaters 12 and under can bring their excess candy to Dr. Sue Hollinsworth in Kent and receive a $1 per pound of unopened candy. For the second year in a row, Dr. Hollinsworth is leading this anti-decay movement by offering suggestions for non-candy treats and by giving cash in exchange for cavity-provoking candy.

“Ditch the candy; that’s what we are saying! Visiting your dentist twice a year and brushing daily are great preventative measures, but doing away with excess sweets altogether will really give your teeth a healthy boost,” says Dr. Hollinsworth.

“We all need to ‘think outside the candy box’ for Halloween. There are several great alternatives to candy, such as nuts, balls, seashells, polished rocks, stickers or temporary tattoos, or plastic animals. Kids can still have a lot of fun trick-or-treating, and, if they bring in their candy on November 1, their piggy banks will benefit too,” the Kent family dentist said.

Global sugar consumption for kids increases by about 2% annually and currently sits at 50 million tons per year, which means parents need to be sure their kids’ teeth are being cared for more than ever. Candy, as well as hurting children’s teeth, can lead to hyperactivity and weight gain leading to obesity and diabetes, major concerns for children.

Dr. Sue Hollinsworth’s office will collect candy the day after Halloween only – Tuesday, November 1 – from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. The candy must be unopened, so no nibbling please!

Dr. Sue Hollinsworth is located at the corner of 132^nd and 240^th in Meridian Valley Plaza at 13210 SE 240th Street, Suite B3 in Kent. Her practice emphasizes family dental care as well as cosmetic procedures. Patients of all ages are welcome. For more information, call (253) 631-8286, email smilestaff@qwestoffice.net or visit the office’s website or Facebook page.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Sue Hollinsworth, DDS
13210 SE 240th St., Ste. B3
Kent, WA  98030
253-631-8286

Email