Kent high school seniors will graduate on Saturday, June 15 during ceremonies at ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St. Here’s the schedule:
Kentridge High School, 9 a.m.
Kent-Meridian High School, 12:30 p.m.
Kentwood High School, 3:30 p.m.
Kentlake High School, 7:00 p.m.
Contact individual schools for additional details, including ticket information.
Congratulations to our local grads!
Join American Sign Language (ASL) students from three Kent high schools – Kent-Meridian, Kentridge and Kentwood – as they interpret, choreograph and perform at this year’s “Feel the Music” event.
This year’s event is scheduled for May 31-June 1 at the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $7/adults and $4/students with ASB and can be purchased at the event. Doors open at 6 p.m. Performances begin at 7 p.m.
*Stuff the RV: This event is a local fundraiser to collect donations to send care packages to troops stationed overseas. For each donation you bring, you’ll receive a raffle ticket.
Items needed: non-perishable food, hygiene products, letters of encouragement and support, books, magazines and games
Join local leaders and volunteers to raise money for youth in the Kent School District at the annual Communities In Schools breakfast. 
Thurs., May 23, 2013
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Kent Phoenix Academy
11000 SE 264th St.
Kent, WA 98030
FREE, Donations are encouraged.
Ensuring student success is everyone’s job: schools, parents, communities.
Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest dropout organization. In over 200 communities across 27 states, we work closely with schools, social services, businesses and volunteers to get young people the things they need to learn and grow: after-school help and family services to stabilize the home. Without these basic supports, kids in need or at-risk are far less likely to succeed and grow into productive adults.
CIS of Kent services students in 14 Kent schools. During the last school year, CIS of Kent provided services to 3,880 students through programs like its Elementary Mentoring Program, hosted at 12 Kent elementary schools, and the Kent Performance Learning Center at Kent Phoenix Academy, a non-traditional high school program designed for students who have ability but are not succeeding within the traditional schools setting.
Recent third-party findings confirm: Of the many organizations working to improve student outcomes, Communities In Schools, through coordination of services, is proven to be more effective, and results in higher graduation rates, and higher percentages of students reaching proficiency in math and reading.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Communities-In-Schools-of-Kent/269096273112662
Treat your mom this Mother’s Day with afternoon tea at Sweet Themes Bakery (317 W. Meeker St.) in downtown Kent. The bakery will open on Sun., May 12 from 2 to 4 p.m., so moms and their guests can enjoy a lovely afternoon with savory snacks (quiches, tea sandwiches, croissants), sweet treats (chocolate dipped strawberries, fruit tartlets, sugar cookies), and an assortment of refreshing beverages including Harney & Sons teas, lavender lemonade and cucumber and mint-infused water.
$35 adults, $25 for kids 12 and under
Space is limited, so reservations are required. Call 253-981-4999 during normal business hours (Mon.-Fri., 9 am – 5 pm and Sat. 9 am – 2 pm) to reserve your spot today!
Continuing our lists from January and February, our March 2013 list will include 31 more reasons that I Love Kent. Follow the series on our iLoveKent.net Facebook page, where we post a new reason to love Kent daily. Please comment, add your own suggestions and tell us what you love about Kent!
Mar. 1: Kent People – People like Mike Hanis and Merle and Marti Reeder make Kent a fun, friendly place to live.
Mar. 2: Farm animals – We have a lot of variety in Kent — llamas, alpacas, cows, chickens, goats and more.
Mar. 3: Allegro Performing Arts Academy – This local dance academy has such a wide variety of dance classes available to people of all ages. I also love that Allegro is active in the community, coming up with events like Kent’s Got Talent.
Mar. 4: Curran Law Firm – In addition to being a sponsor of iLoveKent.net, attorneys at the firm are very active in the community, including Greg Haffner who serves as the Kent Rotary president this year.
Mar. 5: Jack Becvar, our city’s historian, is one of my favorite Kent residents. He has a wealth of historical information about Kent, and he and his wife Mary Lou truly love our city.
Mar. 6: Mayor Suzette Cooke – Regardless of your politics, Mayor Cooke is an enthusiastic, friendly and approachable leader.
Mar. 7: Annual “Fun for Funds” Dinner Auction – Each year the Children’s Therapy Center and its Dynamic Partners host their annual “Fun for Funds” dinner auction to raise money to help children with special needs and their families.
Mar. 8: Seattle Thunderbirds – It is so much fun having a WHL hockey team right here in Kent. It is fun family entertainment and the hockey players are not only talented but friendly and humble. [See my story on the mentoring program at Neely O'Brien Elementary.]
Mar. 9: Lazy Larry’s Ranch – Located on 132nd, I watch the cows daily from my office window. What a delight to see these huge creatures romping around the pasture!
Mar. 10: Shindig Martini Bar - This classy bar in downtown Kent is a nice break from the usual sports bar. The martini selection is excellent, and happy hour makes these otherwise pricey drinks affordable.
Mar. 11: Regional Justice Center – This full-service municipal building was beautifully designed, housing our local courts as well as services like CASA, marriage applications and more.
Mar. 12: Wilson Playfields – Beautiful athletic complex on Kent’s East Hill, ideal for soccer and track events.
Mar. 13: Lake Meridian – It may be small, but it is ours. With views of Mt. Rainier, this calm, quiet lake is a nice departure from the hustle & bustle of our busy lives.
Mar. 14: Kent TV 21 – Want to know what’s going on in Kent? You can find it on Kent TV 21. The city’s own TV channel features programs regarding local events like the Kent International Festival as well as streaming Kent City Council meetings live.
Mar. 15: Small Business Development Center at Green River College – For business owners on a budget, the SBDC is a useful resource for starting and growing a business in Kent.
Mar. 16: McLendon Hardware – It may not be a big box store, but it has just about everything you could want. I love the garden section!
Mar. 17: Kent Station Easter Egg Hunt – Easter Egg Hunts at Kent Station have become a new Kent tradition. Free family fun.
Mar. 18: Soos Creek Trail – Located between Kent and Covington, Soos Creek Trail provides miles of paved trails for walking or running, and every once in awhile, you’ll see a horse on the path.
Mar. 19: Children’s Bookshop – This downtown store is a good resource for teaching supplies as well as educational books, toys and games for kids.
Mar. 20: Stefano Langone of American Idol fame is a graduate of Kentwood High School.
Mar. 21: Kaibara Park, downtown Kent
Mar. 22: Coldstone Creamery
Mar. 23: Arbor 360 Skate Park
Mar. 24: Petco is where Jelly Bean shops for her favorite food – Solid Gold Wee Bits and treats we don’t get at Mud Bay.
Mar. 25: Fig & Feather – a fun home decor and gift store on W. Meeker St. in downtown Kent
Mar. 26: Planned Parenthood – I’m glad we have affordable health care and family planning options close to home.
Mar. 27: Spiro’s Greek Island on First Ave. South has great food in a fun atmosphere right in downtown Kent.
Mar. 28: Historic homes on Scenic Hill keep a thread of Kent’s past running through the city.
Mar. 29: Shari’s Pies. Do I really need to explain this one?
Mar. 30: Sue Froyd, owner of AAA Pest Control and Maggie’s on Meeker, is a wonderful, generous woman.
Mar. 31: Kent Covenant Church opens its doors regularly to community events.
KENT, Wash., Mar. 15, 2013–Yesterday I had the privilege of tagging along while 10 of the Seattle Thunderbirds mentored 10 fourth grade boys at Neely O’Brien Elementary School in Kent. Thursday’s mentoring session was the final in a six-month series of weekly meetings between the TBirds and “their boys.” While enjoying pizza and homemade treats, the TBirds reminisced about their activities including a visit to ShoWare, play board games and bonding with the students, and hosting two assemblies, one for fifth and sixth graders about about goal setting and a school-wide assembly on how to be a buddy, not a bully.
TBirds mentors this year were Connor Sanvido, Mitch Elliot, Connor Honey, Evan Wardley, Luke Lockhart, Justin Hickman, Seth Swenson, Roberts Lipsbergs, Alexander Delnov and Adam Kambeitz. Pictured at right: C.J., Seth Swenson, Justin Hickman and Cody.
Principal Pat Regnart thanked the players for their participation in the mentoring program, offered through Communities in Schools Kent. CISK has other mentors at Neely O’Brien and other elementary schools throughout the Kent School District, but this program was a bit different because the mentors were young adults.
“It’s been a very special year, and we don’t take that for granted,” Regnart said. “Our whole school has been impacted.”
Though the school has 733 students, only 10 boys were given the opportunity to work one-on-one with the TBirds, to build relationships and talk about things like the importance of education and how being a member of a team is much like being a student.
Regnart particularly enjoyed the mentoring session when Mitch Elliot gave an impromptu piano recital. Elliot played Beethoven, a composer that had been discussed in the second grade classes. Following his performance, a student asked, “Don’t you fight in hockey?” Elliot explained that there is fighting in hockey but that it has to be done safely and responsibly. He also said that the fights stay on the ice, and he’d get kicked off the team if he fought outside the rink.
“The players connected in a lot of ways,” Regnart explained.
Jolene Wallace, a second grade teacher whose students were impacted by the mentoring program, wasn’t able to attend the mentoring celebration yesterday, but she sent a letter to be read by Neely O’Brien mentor program coordinator Chris Kunzelman in her absence.
“I can’t begin to describe the impact you’ve had on these boys, our students, staff and the community,” Wallace wrote. “As you move into your future whether in college or the NHL, please note that you made a difference in a public school in Kent, Washington.”
The players enjoyed the mentoring program as well. Seth Swenson of Colorado said he enjoyed being able to give back to the community. It was particularly nice for him because he lives out of state and doesn’t know a lot of people in Kent. Swenson mentored fourth grader C.J. who said he liked visiting the hockey rink the best.
Justin Hickman also enjoyed being a part of the program. Hickman, who previously attended Kent-Meridian High School, said he liked visiting other schools and to “hopefully make a difference. Hickman mentored fourth grader Cody; one of their favorite activities was playing Connect Four.
“I’m the Connect Four Master,” Hickman joked.
Dee Klem, the elementary mentor program coordinator for Communities in Schools Kent, helped connect the TBirds with Neely O’Brien. As a proponent of mentoring and a billet mom to Mitch Elliot, Klem was pleased at the enthusiasm of the players and the success of this year’s program. This is the third year for the program, but the first time so many players participated, Klem said.
Klem added, “I’m not sure they fully understand the impact they’ve had on the kids.”
For more information about the mentoring program, visit Communities in Schools Kent online. For more information about the Seattle Thunderbirds, visit the team website.
Pictured below: Dee Klem and Luke Lockhart
Through the development of the “365 Reasons I Love Kent” series, I’ve been out and about Kent taking pictures so I can show as well as tell folks why I Love Kent. During my travels, I’ve found some hidden treasures that I want to share with my Facebook readers. I’m calling it “Where in Kent?” The purpose of Where in Kent is to challenge readers to go out and explore the community, to share what they know and to engage with other readers. To follow the series, be sure to “like” our Facebook page so you don’t miss any of the clues.
For example, Where In Kent will you find this?
A
s Dynamic Partners plans its 25th Annual Fun for Funds Dinner Auction on March 23, organizers set an ambitious goal to raise $250,000. Net proceeds from the fundraiser will be allocated for the Burien Multi-Service Center, a new facility designed for the expansion of SKIP Early Intervention, Children’s Therapy Center, Dynamic Orthotic Services and SPIO Compression Orthoses. All of these organizations serve children with special needs under the Dynamic Partners’ umbrella.
The title sponsor for this year’s event is Olympic Pharmacy Healthcare Services who has generously donated $25,000 toward Dynamic Partners’ goal. With a Roaring 20s theme, this exciting event will be held on Sat., Mar. 23 at Emerald Downs in Auburn. Fun for Funds will include a cocktail party for sponsors, a plated dinner, dessert rush, a game of “heads or tails,” two silent auctions and a live auction. KOMO4 news anchor Denise Whitaker will emcee the event; Keith Robbins will serve as the auctioneer.
Among the auction items this year are tickets to Disneyland, Alaska Airline tickets, weekend getaways, winery tours, original artwork, handcrafted quilts, museum passes, restaurant gift cards and more.
Tickets for the speakeasy-themed event are $65 each and include dinner and a Roaring 20s-style cocktail. Tickets can be purchased online on the Dynamic Partners’ website. Once registered, guests will receive the special password to enter the speakeasy. To get in the spirit of the event, guests are also encouraged to dress in 1920s attire – flapper dresses, feathered headbands, pin-striped suites, fedoras, etc.
“Our annual event is a fun evening for our guests! It’s why they come back year after year,” says Jon Botten, CEO of Dynamic Partners, the parent organization for Children’s Therapy Center. “They also come back for the satisfaction of knowing they are helping children with special needs reach their full potential.”
To date, the following sponsors have signed on to support the event: Olympic Pharmacy Healthcare Services, SPIO, Kent Station, Univar USA, Live Oak Audio Visual, Industry Sign & Graphics, Highline Graphics Production, Emerald Downs, Virtually Yourz, Moneytree, Inc., Kent Lions Club, Brantley Janson Yost & Ellison, FamilyCare of Kent, Kudasai, Miller Hayashi Architects, LLC, Cox Financial, Curran Law Firm, Hatchbacks Footwear, Inc, Haeger Orthodontics, ONEDURR Painting, Inc., The Rock Wood Fired Pizza & Spirits, The Creative Office, Whidbey Island Bank, R. L. Evans Company, Inc. and ATG Rehab.
Additional sponsors and auction item donors are still being sought. To become a sponsor or to donate, visit Dynamic Partners online or call Lois Linth, Chief Development Officer, at 253-854-5660. For more information about the event, including stories of children and families who have been helped by Dynamic Partners, visit the organization’s website.
Dynamic Partners is a consortium of organizations collaborating to help children with special needs and their family through the provision of pediatric physical, occupational, and speech language therapy, early intervention, specialized education, custom orthotics, and compression garments and parent training. The children we serve are ages birth to eighteen living in South King and Pierce counties and have a wide variety of disabling conditions including autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, strokes, and other developmental delays. Our Dynamic Partners include Children’s Therapy Center, South King Early Intervention Program, Dynamic Orthotic Systems, SPIO Compression Garments, and Dynamic Labs.
For more information, contact:
Lois Linth, Chief Development Officer
Dynamic Partners
10811 SE Kent-Kangley Rd.
Kent, WA 98030
253-854-5660
lois@dynamicpartners.org
www.dynamicpartners.org
The City of Kent is celebrating National Youth Arts Month by hosting Kent Kids’ Arts Day on Sat., Mar. 2 at Kent Commons (525 Fourth Ave. N.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The day long festival will feature 14 hands-on art projects lead by professional artists. Geared toward children ages 4 to 12, the projects include Print Making, Recycled Robots, Sumi Painting, face painting, Wall of Words and more. In addition, Grammy award winner Bill Harley will perform at 3 p.m. in the Crystal Mountain Hall.
Admission is $10 per child and includes all of the art-projects. Parents accompanying their children and kids under the age of 2 will not have to pay an admission fee. For an additional $5, children can attend Harley’s Performance. Concessions by Pull My Ear Concessions and Sturgis Sweets Kettle Korn will also be available. Visit the city’s website for more information.
Join the Kentwood High School sign choir as they sign the national anthem at the Seattle Thunderbirds‘ March 12 game against the Tri-City Americans. Tickets are just $9 each and available through the Kentwood sign choir, Barbara Key, the American Sign Language teacher/adviser, and through iLoveKent.net. To get your $9 tickets, contact us via email by March 1. Hope to see you at the game!
~ Dana Neuts, Publisher and Proud Mom
Folks at the City of Kent and local volunteers are busy planning another fun You We Me, an interactive evening of free family fun. This year’s event will be held at ShoWare Center on Fri., Mar. 1 and will feature a variety of activities for kids of all ages. In addition to collecting food for the Kent Food Bank, event highlights include:
Kent Food Bank will be on hand to accept donations of nonperishable food items. The event is organized by a cross-section of community groups, the Kent School District, Kent Parks, local youth groups, sports teams, scouts, churches, local businesses and service clubs. Come join the fun!
And the list continues into February. Here are 28 more reasons to love Kent, Washington. I’ll post a week at a time. If you want to see each reason as it goes “live,” please like our Facebook page.
Feb. 1: The Grape Adventure
Feb. 2: Kent Bowl
Feb. 3: Bath & Body Works at Kent Station
Feb. 4: Yogurtland – Kent, celebrating National Frozen Yogurt Day with free FROYO & toppings
Feb. 5: Hong Kong Market, 320 E. Meeker St., Kent for its fresh fish, produce and a wide variety of Asian cuisine
Feb. 6: Band Box Salon & Nails, 13215 SE 240th St., Suite G, Kent, WA – hair, nails and a warm welcome
Feb. 7: Conner Sanvido, Seattle Thunderbirds
Feb. 8: AMC Theatres at Kent Station
Feb. 9: Bartell Drugs (on Kent-Kangley) for locally made chocolates and their Hallmark cards
Feb. 10: The gazebo at Burlington Green Park (Railroad Ave. between Smith and Meeker)
Feb. 11: QFC flowers – potted plants and fresh cut. QFC at 240th and 132nd in Kent.
Feb. 12: See’s Candies at Kent Station
Feb. 13: St. Anthony’s Chapel of Holy Spirit Parish
Feb. 14: Valley View Christian Church signs
Feb. 15: Cool Bird, the mascot for the Seattle Thunderbirds
Feb. 16: Rosebed Park, downtown Kent
Feb. 17: Tahoma National Cemetery
Feb. 18: Olive Tree Restaurant
Feb. 19: Taste of Europe
Feb. 20: Soggy Doggy
Feb. 21: Mama Stortini’s at Kent Station
Feb. 22: You Me We
Feb. 23: Pieces of History
Feb. 24: Kent Train Depot
Feb. 25: Duke’s Chowder House
Feb. 26: Clark Lake Park
Feb. 27: Fireplace at Kent Station
Feb. 28: Riverbend Golf Course
The Kentridge High School dance team, the Chatelaines, is participating in “Kick It Up,” a dance and drill competition next Sat., Feb. 9 at Kentridge High School, 12430 SE 208th St., Kent. The competition begins at 1 p.m.
Booster Club parents Joy Theisen and Carol Jackson said that 28 teams with more than 670 dancers, including Kentridge High School, have signed up to compete in the event. The girls are coached by head coaches Ashley Naset and Staci Mattson and assistant coaches Tami Printz and Joelle Fleming. The competition will help the Chatelaines raise money to pay for other competitions, uniforms and other dance team-related needs. Cheer on our local dancers.
Pictured at right: Kentridge HS Senior Talia Carchedi, daughter of Joe and Alison Carchedi
UPDATED Feb. 2, 2013, 6:18 a.m. — On Feb. 2, local Kent firefighters will climb stairs at Kent Station to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In this year’s event, the Kent Fire Department will have 14 participants who will climb stairs on a stairclimber at the Kent Station Fountain Stage outside of AMC Theatres. The goal is 69 flights of stairs, 1,311 steps and 788 feet of vertical elevation. In 2012, participants raised $7,000. The goal this year is $10,000.
Want to make a donation on site? The firefighters will not only appreciate it but they’ll also give each donor a card with a list of Kent Station discounts as a thank you. Discounts for donors include Cow Chip Cookies, Duke’s, Extreme Pita, Hairmasters, Naked Pizza and Trapper’s Sushi!
For more information, or to make a donation online, visit the Kent firefighters’ Stairclimb page, call 206.628.0777 or send an email.
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