Twenty-four schools in the Road Map Region of South Seattle and South King County have received the Washington Achievement Awards for 2011. The awards are sponsored by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.

Schools receive the award based on seven categories:

1. Overall Excellence
2. Language Arts
3. Math
4. Science
5. Extended Graduation Rate
6. Improvement
7. Closing Achievement Gaps

Kent schools receiving the award are:

• Kent Elementary, Kent:  Overall Excellence – Elementary
• Kent Mountain View Academy, Des Moines:  Special Recognition – Extended Graduation Rate
• Kent-Meridian High School, Kent:  Special Recognition – Extended Graduation Rate
• Mattson Middle School, Covington: Special Recognition – Closing Achievement Gaps
• Neely O’Brien Elementary, Kent:  Special Recognition – Closing Achievement Gaps
• Sawyer Woods Elementary, Black Diamond:  Special Recognition – Closing Achievement Gaps

Thanks to Karen Waters, representing the Road Map Project, for this information.

The City of Kent is now accepting pre-registration for the city’s Community Garden P-Patch at the corner of James St. and 64th Avenue South in downtown Kent. Local gardeners can rent a 20 x 20′ plot for a $40 fee for water. There are 44 plots available on a first come, first served basis.

Pre-registration begins Mon., Feb. 27 and ends Fri., Mar. 9. Call the Kent Commons at 253-856-5000 or stop by the Kent Commons office at 525 4th Ave. South.

Started in 1997, the Garden P-Patch is a collaboration between the City of Kent and The Bishop’s Storehouse, affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.Call 253-856-5110 for more information.

Thanks to Victoria Andrews of the Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services for the story.

Mayor Suzette Cooke will give her annual State of the City Address this year on Wed., March 7 at the Kent Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon:

State of the City Address

March 7, 2012
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
ShoWare Center
625 W. James St.
Kent, WA  98032

Chambers $20
Guests $30

Register online.

Sponsored by Valley Bank of Kent

If you like entertaining basketball, you will LOVE the Harlem Globetrotters who return to ShoWare Center on Thurs., Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Now through Feb. 20, ShoWare is offering this special Family 4 Pack Offer:

4 Tickets, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas for $112
when purchased at the ShoWare Center Box Office

Online Price, including convenience fees, $136.75
Regular price, including fees, $168.75

So save big by buying your tickets at the ShoWare Center Box Office located at 625 W. James St. in downtown Kent.

From Michelle Wilmot, City of Kent, Community & Public Affairs

Kent Mayor Responds to Moody’s Downgrade

KENT, Wash. – February 7, 2012 – The decision by Moody’s Investors Service to lower the rating on Kent’s Limited Tax General Obligation (LTGO) bonds will have no immediate impact on the city’s finances, Mayor Suzette Cooke reported at the City Council’s Operations Committee meeting Tuesday.

On February 6, Moody’s lowered the city’s bond rating one point from Aa3 to A1. In Moody’s terms, an Aa3 rating means that an obligor has a very strong ability to meet its financial commitments while a rating of A1 represents that an obligor has a strong capacity to meet its financial obligations, but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.

Cooke said city government has been in persistent contraction for the last four years. “Rising costs and deteriorating revenues have forced reductions in every area of our budget. We have significantly cut internal supports – like training and supplies, reduced staff, cut programs, and delayed projects until economic conditions stabilize. We’ve been trying to maintain a level of service that least damages our residents and job base,” said Cooke. As Moody’s notes, ‘there is uncertainty with regard to the city’s ability to implement additional expenditure cuts as it has already enacted significant cuts over the last three fiscal years.’

“Uncertainty created by the economic recession has placed a financial burden on all levels of government,” said Cooke. “Locally we know South King County sales tax revenue is down 32 percent. the sluggish construction industry has gutted our development fees income, and the dearth of property sales has reduced Real Estate Excise Tax revenue by 75 percent. As the state and King County re-align their budgets, they have either reduced committed revenues to us (such as Streamlined Sales Tax mitigation) or transferred the responsibility of providing services down to us with no attached revenue (such as animal control). The trickle-down effect has left Kent financially vulnerable to acts and decisions outside our control.” Moody’s report states, ‘There is also uncertainty with regard to the city’s ability to preserve current levels of state shared revenues….’

Cooke said the downgrade does not affect current indebtedness or bond payments, nor would it affect voter-approved or revenue bonds; the city has no plans to issue LTGO bonds in the near term.

Moody’s report lists Kent’s strengths as having a large, relatively resilient property tax base; a stable local economy; and a “still manageable debt burden” with regards to the Public Facilities District that supports ShoWare Center. The report also notes the city appears to be in the early stages of a turnaround, committed to rebuilding negative fund balances, paying down interfund debts and stabilizing recurring fund operations. Cooke said the city is already working to improve its finances.

Vehicle prowls are on the rise, so please remember to remove ALL valuables from your vehicle. It only takes 30 seconds for someone to break into your car and steal your purse, garage remote, CD case or other valuables. Be safe – take everything with you!

And if your garage remote is stolen, Garry Stewart of Doorman Service in downtown Kent says you can erase the code for the remote so that thieves can’t use it to break into your home!

Click here to review the latest crime stats of the City of Kent.

Auto Theft Prevention – Top 10 List  (thanks to the City of Kent for providing this info.)

1. Remove all valuables every time you park.
2. Lock all doors.
3. Completely close all windows.
4. Install and use an alarm system.
5. Never leave your vehicle running unattended.
6. Consider installing a steering wheel locking device such as The Club. Clubs are available at a reduced cost through the Kent Police Foundation.
7. Park in well-lit locations.
8. Avoid parking in isolated areas.
9. Remove your GPS system, including the suction cups that are mounted on your windshield.
10. Call 9-1-1 at the sign of any suspicious activity.

Thanks to Public Health of Seattle & King County for these tips on winter weather safety.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill you. Carbon monoxide gas comes from burning fuels such as gasoline, propane, oil, kerosene, natural gas, coal or wood.

Prevent poisoning from carbon monoxide:

• Only use a generator outdoors and far from open windows and vents
• Never use a generator or portable propane heater indoors, in garages or carports
• Never cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen suddenly and without warning. Physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include splitting headache, nausea and vomiting, and lethargy and fatigue.

If you believe you could be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Call for medical help from a neighbor’s home. The Fire Department will tell you when it is safe to re-enter the home.

For a full list of carbon monoxide prevention tips and other safety and disaster information in English and other languages, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/disaster

If you have a power outage, use safe ways to stay warm:

• Find places where you can go to get warm, such as the home of friends and family whose homes have power. Many cities have opened centers where people can go during the day to stay warm. Center locations can be found at www.kingcounty.gov/safety/prepare
• Wear several layers of light weight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Wear hats, mittens, and blankets indoors.
• Close curtains and cover windows and doors with blankets. Everyone should try to stay together in one room, with the door closed, to keep in body heat.

• Check on elderly friends, family, and neighbors to make sure they are safe.
• Watch your footing on surfaces that may be icy and slick, and wear shoes that provide traction.
• Be careful not to overexert yourself when shoveling snow, especially if you have heart disease or high blood pressure, as the cold weather puts extra strain on your heart.
• Do not sled on streets or on slopes near streets, ponds, or streams.
• Avoid driving if you can. If you must drive, allow safe stopping times and distances.

• Warn others about carbon monoxide poisoning. Share the information with neighbors, friends, family and community groups.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially if they are elderly or if you think their power might be out.
• If you know someone who has lost electricity, invite them to your home to stay warm.

If power goes out where you live, keep food safe:

• Keep the doors closed on your refrigerators and freezers as much as possible. This keeps the cold air inside. A full freezer can stay at freezing temperatures about two days; a half-full freezer about 1 day.
• If you think the power will be out for several days, try to find some ice to pack inside your refrigerator. Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods.
• Refrigerated foods should be safe as long as the power is out no more than a few hours and the refrigerator/freezer doors have been kept closed. Throw away foods that spoil easily (such as meat and fish) if they warm up above 41º F.
• Frozen foods that remain frozen are OK to eat. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed (such as meat and fish), but are still cold or have ice crystals on them, use them as soon as possible. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed and are warmer than 41º F, throw them away.

Updated, Jan. 20–Shelter will also be open this evening, Fri., Jan. 20.

Because of the snowstorm and its accompanying cold temperatures, the City of Kent is opening the Kent Severe Weather Shelter at the Kent Lutheran Church tonight, Jan. 18 through Fri., Jan. 20. Here are the details:

Location:  Kent Lutheran Church, 336 2nd Ave. S., Kent, WA  98032

Check-in and registration:  9 p.m.  (all guests must register)

Shelter closes, guests must leave:  7 a.m.

The shelter is giving priority to homeless families with children who are living on the streets or in their vehicles. Men and women without children are also welcome. There is separate sleeping space available for families, men and women.

The Severe Weather Shelter is operated by Catholic Community Services staff and volunteers from the Kent Lutheran Church and Kent community.

To locate shelters in Renton, Federal Way, Bellevue and Seattle, dial 2-1-1.

If you know of a homeless person or family who needs shelter, please share this information with them.

For the second year in a row, Seattle magazine names Kent Realtor® Marti Reeder of John L. Scott a Five Star Professional Real Estate Agent. Only real estate agents rated highest in overall satisfaction were selected. Winning this award puts Reeder in a select group of Seattle Five Star Real Estate Agents, representing fewer than 6% of real estate agents in the area.

To determine the winners of the 2011 Five Star Professional Real Estate Agents awards, Five Star Professional surveyed Seattle residents who purchased a home over $150,000 within an 18-month period (Aug. 2009 – Feb. 2011), 1,000 subscribers of Seattle magazine and 250 mortgage and title company representatives. Top agents were also screened to ensure that their licenses are current and that there is no disciplinary action pending against them. Only those with the top scores were awarded the title Five Star Real Estate Agent in Overall Satisfaction, including Reeder, a full-time broker/real estate agent with John L. Scott in Kent and Covington.

In addition to this prestigious award, Reeder has received President’s Awards from John L. Scott every year since 2007, has won top producer and top resale awards at John L. Scott in 2011, and was voted “Best of Kent” Realtor® by readers of the Kent Reporter three years in a row. In July 2010, Reeder was nominated for the Business Examiner’s “Women of Influence.” With more than 25 years of industry experience, she has earned the following professional designations:  Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) and Accredited Seller’s Representative (ASR). She is also an Accredited Staging Professional and a Certified Pre-Foreclosure Specialist.

“It is such an honor to win this award two years in a row,” Reeder said. “It means so much to me that my clients appreciate my attention to detail and continue to refer me to their friends. I am blessed, doing the work I love.”

For more information about Reeder, visit http://www.marti-realtor.com or call 206-391-0388. To learn more about Marti’s Five Star Real Estate Agent distinction, visit http://www.pageturnpro.com/Crescendo-Business-Services/32866-2011-SEARE-Marti-Reeder/index.html#1

As a lifelong resident of King County, Reeder is a full-time, full-service real estate broker. She has a wide range of experience in mortgages, home inspections and real estate. Starting her real estate career with John L. Scott over seven years ago, Reeder specializes in working with individuals and families to buy and sell their homes throughout the Seattle area. In 2011, she helped more than 30 families sell or buy new homes.

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.

From Victoria Andrews, Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services

On Saturday, January 7, 2012, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, local Boy Scout troops will collect and recycle Christmas trees in neighborhoods around Kent for a $5.00 donation.  The location is Service Club Ballfields, 14608 SE 288^th Street (west off Kent-Kangley Road at 144^th).

To ensure pick-up, trees must be placed outside by 8:00 AM Saturday morning; the scouts are unable to confirm an exact pick-up time. If you prefer to deliver your tree yourself, please bring it to Service Club Ballfields.  Scouts will be on hand to unload the trees and accept your donation. Trees with tinsel and/or flock cannot be accepted.  For more information, contact the Kent Lions & Foundation (253-852-5466) or check the City’s community calendar at www.KentWA.gov.

This long-running program keeps the trees out of landfills and provides a stockpile of chips for use by Parks Maintenance to mulch new plants and maintain trails in the City parks system.  By participating in the program, you can help the Boy Scouts, the Parks Department, and the environment.         

City of Kent Recycling:  Jan. 9 – 13, 2012

The City of Kent will also provide free curbside pickup of Christmas trees for residential households within the Kent City Limits the week of January 9-13, 2012.   You must be a current Allied Waste garbage customer to be eligible.  An event flyer is mailed to residential garbage customers in mid-December.

- Unflocked & completely clean of decorations

- Without stands

- Base of tree cannot exceed four inches in diameter

- Trees taller than five feet must be cut into three-foot sections and bundled with natural material like twine

- If your tree is missed, call Allied Waste at 206-682-9735.

Contributed by Megan Hilfer for Farrington Court

Farrington Court is hosting a Community Christmas Dinner with Elohim Ministries at Kent Lutheran Church this Saturday, Dec. 17^th.  They will feed over 200 homeless and low-income families in the Kent area.

The dinner starts at 6pm, and the menu features ham and all the trimmings.  They have received many donations from the community but are still in need of some hams, as well as more volunteers to help serve.  If you can donate or volunteer, please contact Farrington Court for more information at (253) 852-2737.

This is the first year Farrington Court has hosted the Community Christmas Celebration.

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.

Valley Medical Center is getting in the holiday spirit by sharing their goodwill with those in need. The community is invited to help them make the holidays a little brighter this year.

Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree

A Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree is on the third floor of the hospital. It includes gift wishes for children from age 1 through 17. Select a tag, purchase a gift and return the unwrapped gift to the tree by Tues., Dec. 13.

VMC’s Occupational Health Services Teams up with BlanketSeattle

Valley Medical Center’s Occupational Health Services is accepting donations of cold-weather items for BlanketSeattle, including:

· Blankets

· Long-sleeve shirts

· Hats

· Thermals

· Pants

· Boots

· Sweaters

· Gloves

· Scarves

· Sleeping bags

· Socks (new)

Donation boxes can be found at the hospital through the end of December.

VMC Fitness Center:  Northwest Harvest Food Collection & Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree

The Fitness Center at Valley Medical Center is collecting donations of non-perishable foods for Northwest Harvest, through December 31. Additionally, a Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree is located at the Fitness Center. Gift wish tags for children ages 1 through 17 are still available. Unwrapped gifts need to be returned to the Fitness Center tree by Tuesday, December 20. The Fitness Center is located on the first floor of the Talbot Professional Center on the Valley Medical Center campus. Free covered parking is conveniently located in the VMC parking garage. 

VMC Day Surgery Center Food & Clothing Drive

The Valley Medical Center Day Surgery Center is having a non-perishable food drive for Faith Harvest Helpers, and a warm clothing drive for the Renton Clothing Bank through December 22. The Day Surgery Center is located at 17820 Talbot Road South, Renton.

Local author Connie Bellemere, MA/LMHC, has just released “Your Marriage:  Classic or Clunker,” an unpretentious, practical guide to maintaining and repairing your marriage. Ideal for holiday gift giving, Bellemere’s book is a car care owner’s manual designed to put the spark back in your marriage. It contains clear, specific steps on how to maintain and repair your marriage, keep the chrome polished and the battery charged, and when to seek outside help like a marriage mechanic.

As a marriage counselor for 20 years, Bellemere has used the car care analogy in her practice for years. It is a scenario that men and women can relate to easily, and it avoids the blame game that often occurs when relationships need a tune-up. The book is ideal for couples who want to jump start a new marriage as well as those who want to transform their clunker into a classic.

“Everything you ever wanted to know about marriage, you learned in Driver’s Ed,” says Bellemere. “This book takes those familiar concepts and puts them in simple terms that we can all understand.”

Published by Sound Counseling Press, this 101-page guide includes chapters on road maps, safety, systems, maintenance and repairs, emergencies, responsible driving and more as they relate to marriage. Throughout the book, couples are encouraged to apply Bellemere’s tools to their own relationship in segments called “Look under the Hood.” In the Maintenance and Repairs chapter, for example, Bellemere includes an 11-point inspection for gauging temperature control.

“Unlike other marriage ‘how to’ guides, this one is brief, fun, sexy and effective. The parallels between the care of cars and the nurturing of marriages are undeniable,” Bellemere adds.

To launch her new book “Your Marriage:  Classic or Clunker?” Bellemere will be teaching workshops in the area and is also available to speak to groups and organizations interested in learning more about relationships. To find out where Bellemere will be speaking next or to purchase the book, visit SoundCounseling.net or call 206-335-9075.

About Connie Bellemere

With 20 years of counseling experience, Bellemere is affectionately referred to as the “marriage mechanic” by her clients. She is the owner of Sound Counseling, a mental health practice based in Tukwila, Washington. Bellemere is also an award-winning speaker and has served as a technical consultant for a television series with Warner Brothers. She lives in the Puget Sound surrounded by family and friends.