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.

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:

• 44 interactive vendor booths
• Bike raffle from Redline Bikes
• Radio Disney
• Sports competitions
• Face painting, hands on activities, games
• Bounce houses
• Rainier Youth Choirs
• Neely O’Brien DRUM and Red Hawk Singers
• Electronettes Drill Team and Drum Squad
• Cameron Sterling
• Kitana Turnball
• Allegro Performing Arts Academy
• Kent Elementary STOMP and Dance Team
• New Beginning Alofa Tunoa Youth Dance Group
• Kent Meridian Bridging the Seas Bollywood Group
• Kent Knights Jr. Cheer Team
• Kent Meridian Pacific Island Club
• $1 hot dogs and soda

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!

Photo by Jeff Heiss

UPDATED Jan. 31, 2013:  As promised, I’m going to list 365 reasons I love Kent, Washington throughout the year, one reason for every day of the year. My reasons for loving Kent may be different than yours, but the ones on mu list represent people, places or things that I continue to make Kent, Washington my home. I’d love to hear your reasons! Add them in the comments below or visit our Facebook page.

January 2013

1.  Danny Mumaugh, goalie for the Seattle Thunderbirds  (why is Danny #1? because he’s #1)

2. Reds Wine Bar, celebrating its 2nd anniversary, this wine bar is located at the GRCC end of Kent Station

3.  Kent Station, an outdoor shopping center in downtown Kent with dozens of shopping, dining and entertainment options

4.  Sweet Themes Bakery, a fabulous new bakery in downtown Kent featuring custom cookies, pastries, cakes, soups, salads, sandwiches & more

5.  Kent’s Historic District, it’s a small but quaint part of Kent that reminds us of our city’s past

6.  Greater Kent Historical Museum, a fun blast from the past in the historic Bereiter house (855 E. Smith St.)

7.  Titusville Station, located at the corner of First and Gowe in downtown Kent

8.  ShoWare Center, 2-for-Tuesday

9.  Thrift and discount stores (Value Village, St. Vincent de Paul, St. James Thrift Store, etc.)

10.  Kelly Latte’s, 24220 132nd Ave. SE, Kent, mochas, lattes, smoothies and more

11.  Tyler Alos, retired from the Seattle Thunderbirds

12.  Mud Bay, 10457 Southeast 240th Street, Kent, Jelly Bean’s favorite spot for dog food, toys & supplies

13.  Maggie’s on Meeker, one of the best breakfast spots in Kent

14.  Kent Valley Ice Centre

15.  Green River Community College, quality education close to home

16.  Teddy Bear Toss, Seattle TBirds fan “toss” their teddy bears onto the ice to be given to children in crisis

17.  Nevermind Tavern, beer, wine & hot dogs in a friendly neighborhood bar

18.  Nature’s Market, grocery store featuring organic, gluten free & other specialty items

19.  Chad Gleason, commercial realtor and community volunteer

20.  KWHS Munch Madness, Kentwood High School collected 55,000+ pounds of food for the Kent & Maple Valley Food Banks

21.  ShoWalk, free indoor winter walking, Monday & Wednesday mornings

22.  Dilettante, 514 Ramsay Way, a cafe at Kent Station serving coffee, tea, mochas, lattes, chcolates, pastries and more

23.  Kent Library, 212 2nd Ave. N., a branch of the King County Library System right in downtown Kent

24.  Luke Lockhart, Seattle Thunderbirds

25.  Airways Beer & Bistro, 320 W. Harrison St., the name says it all – beer & bistro, cozy, friendly and delicious!

26.  Murals in downtown Kent

27.  Kent Food Bank, 515 W. Harrison St., Ste. 107, feeding individuals and families in and around Kent.

28.  Bella home & garden, 417 Ramsay Way, Kent Station, beautiful home & garden store, gorgeous floral arrangements, unique gifts & more.

29.  Blanc ‘n Schwartz Salon, 207 E. Meeker St., I just love Wade, Shelby and Nicolette. Fun environment, great service, love my “new” hair!

30.  The Yellow House

31.  Grocery Outlet, 23910 104th Ave. SE, locally owned, affordable grocery shopping.

We’d like to extend a special thank you to Jeff Heiss (Jeff Heiss Painting) for donating his time, talent and photography for this project.

The American Cancer Society’s 37th annual “Great American Smokeout” is November 15.  Use the date to formulate a plan to quit smoking; even if it is for one day.  This could be your first step to a healthier, smoke-free lifestyle, and reducing your cancer risk.

This online resource can offer great resources on how to begin quitting.  Remember, it’s easier to quit when you have support, and The American Cancer Society has fantastic support tools to help you quit. 

Kent Downtown Partnership is hosting a breakfast meeting for downtown Kent property owners to gather input on the city’s vision for downtown Kent. Guest speakers include architect William H. Kreager of Communita Design and Fred Satterstrom, community development director for the City of Kent. Find out what the city is looking to achieve in downtown Kent over the next 10 to 20 years.

Fri., Oct. 26, 2012
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Down Home Catering
211 First Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032

Breakfast Meeting Sponsored by Valley Bank and Hanis Irvine Prothero

RSVP to Barbara Smith at Kent Downtown Partnership at 253-813-6976.

Join Dave and the folks at Shindig Martini Bar  to welcome 2012 Skate America visitors to town. On Fri., Oct. 19, Shindig hosts The Fabulous Po’ Boys from 8 to 10 pm. No cover. Download the exclusive iLoveKent.net coupon and bring it to Shindig Martini Bar with your Skate America ticket stub to get $4 off martinis during Happy Hour, Friday – Sunday!

Shindig Martini Bar
222 First Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032
253-520-4705

Monday – Thursday:  3:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Friday:  3:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Saturday:  5:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Kent business owners Nicole Adams of Intimate Pilates and Sandy Newby of Rain & Co. Salon/Spa are inviting the community to visit their new downtown location at 109 2^nd Ave. S. during an open house on Fri., Aug. 17, 5 – 8 p.m. During the evening event, Intimate Pilates will offer refreshments, gift bags, a raffle and 15-minute free Pilates demos. Rain and Co. will offer hand and arm massages, complimentary bang trims or hair touch-ups, product samples and a raffle.

Intimate Pilates:  In June, Adams relocated her Intimate Pilates studio from her original 1^st Avenue location. She needed the larger space to expand the studio’s private sessions and group classes. The space includes a cozy waiting area, Pilates machines for individual workouts and group classes, as well as space for Pilates mat and yoga classes. The group classes can accommodate between four and six people at a time.

“We just love the new space,” Adams explains. “It’s bigger but it still has that intimate, personal feel our clients love.”

Open seven days a week by appointment only, Intimate Pilates also offers SOMA neuromuscular integration, a treatment-oriented massage. Since opening in November 2009, Adams says the demand for Pilates and yoga has grown, in part because of the studio’s intimate feel and personalized attention but also because services are priced more affordably at $60/hour (less for packages) compared to $70 to $75 in Bellevue or Seattle. Visit the studio’s website for dates, times, classes and appointments.

Rain & Co. Salon/Spa:  Upstairs from Intimate Pilates is Rain & Co. Salon/Spa, a contemporary boutique salon, featuring a talented team of independent salon professionals who focus on the satisfaction and well being of their clients. Eighteen months ago, Sandy Newby, the original owner of Excalibur Salon, took back over her location from Humanity Salons, and has named her new venture Rain & Co. Salon/Spa.

The salon staff offers haircuts and styles, hair color and highlights, deep conditioning treatments, special occasion hairstyles and updos, “real feather” extensions, body and skincare treatments, waxing, massage, body wraps and more. The salon is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and it features Bumble and Bumble products. For more information about Rain and Co., visit the salon online.

“When our clients visit the salon, they enjoy the inviting atmosphere, are genuinely welcomed by our friendly staff and leave feeling absolutely beautiful,” Newby says. “We hope people will visit the salon during the open house to see how relaxing a visit to an upscale salon can be!”