Punched door lock and smashed windows:  According to Kent PD, these are two popular methods for thieves to use to gain access to your vehicle. To prevent this, always lock your car doors and remove valuables from your vehicle. These items are the most appealing to would-be thieves:  GPS units, tools, computers, spare change, sunglasses and cell phone charges.

Full-time DUI patrols are in force:  This summer special full-time DUI patrols are patrolling local streets and highways to keep drunk drivers off the road. Kent PD recommends that you be safe and be smart by finding alternative transportation if you’ve been drinking:  (1) take public transit; (2) designate a driver to remain sober; and (3) take a taxi.

Never leave children unattended in a vehicle: Did you know that it is illegal to leave your vehicle running with a child in it? In addition, running cars with kids in them are easy targets to thieves, and it is unsafe to leave your child or pet in the car during the summer time. When outdoor temps are 80 or above, the inside temp of your vehicle can escalate to as high as 130 degrees in just an hour!

For more tips like these or to learn more about crime prevention, contact one of the Kent PD’s public education specials:

West Hill – Cesi Velez, 253-856-5884

East Hill – Stacy Judd, 253-856-5883

Valley – Sara Wood, 253-856-5851

Thanks to Leora Schwitters of Rainier Youth Choirs for contributing this story.

Kent’s Rainier Youth Choirs received two standing ovations from an audience of 1,500 delegates representing 17 countries Tuesday night at the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Convention in Spokane.

The first ovation, early in the program, was for Kent composer and DKG member Janice Hannesson Moen’s composition, “We Sing for the Children”.  The song, selected by the United Nations as the theme song for UNICEF’s CD promoting the Afghan Teacher Training Project in 2008, holds special significance for the Delta Kappa Gamma organization.  “I have never heard my song sung so well!” was Moen’s reaction.   Many in the audience were moved to tears.

The choirs presented a variety of songs from around the world.  Among the favorites were Quick’s arrangement of “Loch Lomond” featuring Kentwood High School’s 2010 graduate, Ryan Callahan, tenor, and “For Good” (from Wicked) with solos by alto Devon Wilson, Kentwood High School, 2010, and soprano Katie Wenndt, Kentridge High School, 2010.  The final showstopper was a rendition of Marcos Leite’s “Trěs Cantos Nativos dos Indios Kraó”, a set of three short songs from the Brazilian rain forest that began with an amazing rainstorm effect using body percussion.  Leora Schwitters, Rainier Youth Choirs’ Artistic Director, stated, “This was one of our finest programs ever.  The singers were entirely engaged and their performance was electric.  The use of two giant video screens above the stage and professional sound reinforcement allowed even those in the very back of the giant hall to participate in the intimacy of a heartfelt sharing of songs.  We were all transported in that magical way that only choral music can allow.”

Moen reported these and other complimentary reactions from audience members:  “That is the finest youth choir I’ve ever heard.”  “It was so inspiring!”  “I loved the variety of music they performed.”  “They have restored my faith in the youth of today.”  DKG delegate Joy Lauderbaugh of Kent shared that the convention newsletter included these quotes from attendees:  “The young people’s chorale was the best thing on the program.”  “I loved hearing the choirs and watching them make music together.  Outstanding examples of young people!”  “The Rainier Youth Choir set a high performance standard.  Washington is lucky to have talented musicians and a great director.”

For more information about this community nonprofit, visit Rainier Youth Choirs online.

July 30, 2010

Be Responsible With Summer Fun on the Water

Summer is here, and many King County residents are celebrating by taking advantage of the many water recreation opportunities available here.

While cooling off in local lakes and rivers is a great way to beat the heat of a hot summer day, it also is important to be respectful of neighbors and of the environment, said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who represents northeast King County. She has heard from citizens complaining about garbage left on their property, and they would like recreational users to be neighborly by cleaning up after themselves.

“Summer vacation is a good time to remind everyone to dispose of your garbage properly, especially in a water environment,” said Councilmember Lambert. “In addition to polluting waterfront properties and contaminating salmon habitat, throwing garbage in a state waterway such as a lake or river is unlawful.”

RCW 9.66.010 specifies that befouling a lake, navigable river, bay, stream, canal or basin is a public nuisance, and state law bans disposal of trash in the state’s waterways. An offender can be charged with a misdemeanor, which is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail. The King County Sheriff’s Office will be watching for careless swimmers, rafters and boaters this summer.

“Summer is a time for everyone to have fun, including your neighbors, and to make sure to keep our waterways clean and beautiful for the next user,” said Councilmember Lambert.

Ride to Make a Difference – Kent A.M. Kiwanis teams up with Children’s Therapy Center and Pat’s Bar & Grill on August 1 to do their 5th Annual Kick Start For Kids, a benefit motorcycle ride.

{Download the flyer here}

The rain-or-shine ride starts at 10:30 am at Children’s Therapy Center in Kent (sign up starts at 9:30 am), goes on a leisurely, unescorted ride to Snoqualmie Falls, and ends at Pat’s Bar & Grill, 114 Railroad Ave. N. in downtown Kent.

The ride will take place rain or shine and the event benefits Children’s Therapy Center to help provide scholarships to families whose children need therapy services to help them reach their full potential.

Cost:  $35 at the door + $15 for additional passengers or spouses

Coffee and light snacks will be provided before the ride and riders will receive a commemorative pin. The ride will finish with a celebration at Pat’s Bar & Grill.

For more info., call 253-854-5660 or email kentamkiwanis@gmail.com!

Open to all motorcycle riders 18 years and older with valid endorsement.

Westwater Construction will intermittently close lanes in both eastbound and westbound directions, at the intersection of SR 516 (Willis St.) and 4th Avenue for asphalt placement.

Work will occur Thursday July 22nd, 2010 and Friday July 23rd, 2010, between 7:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.

MOMS Club of Kent is hosting its annual fundraiser/garage sale this weekend:  Friday, July 23 (i-5) and Saturday, July 24 (9-3) at 18609 139th Way SE in Renton. Stop by for some great deals on kids’ clothes, household items, toys, baby gear, and much more!

For more information, email Kristen Jordan.

Think about it. We want our roads pothole free, our sidewalks without cracks, and our trips in and out of the city without traffic…but yet we hate the work required to keep our roads and sidewalks safe. We complain about every road and lane closure and how they inconvenience us. We gripe about how some projects seem to take forever, and how we hate the black tar and paint striping that sometimes sticks to our cars when we drive in newly paved and painted zones. We simply don’t like going out of our way.

Taking that one step further, think about the summer road construction crews and engineers who are out there working long hours in the hot sun, getting cursed at, honked at and flipped off. They probably don’t want to be in our way any more than we like having them there, but they show up for work every day anyway. Like us, they go to work so they can take care of their families and put food on their tables. Summer road construction crews know they aren’t popular with local drivers, but they do the work no one else wants to do. They do a thankless but necessary job with nothing but grief from us.

I’d like to change that up a bit. I propose that, instead of being frustrated with these crews, we should be grateful that they are doing their jobs so our streets can be safe. We should thank them, wave to them or offer a simple smile to say “Hey, thanks, buddy! I appreciate you!”

Give it a try tomorrow. I think the road crews will appreciate the small kindness, and it will make you feel better too! Happy motoring!

——————-

Resources to learn more about road closures in your area:

WSDOT – Northwest (includes King County)

WSDOT – Olympic Region (includes Pierce County)

King County Road Services (Traffic Alerts, Construction Updates, etc.)

City of Kent Public Works Projects

Covington Public Works Projects

Tony Driscoll and Jennifer O’Brien star in ICON THEATRE’S presentation of the The Seahorse by Edward J. Moore, directed by Rebecca Lloyd. This riveting play examines the lives of Harry Bales and Gertrude Blum inside the walls of The Seahorse, a seaport bar.

This play features only one man and one women alone on stage discovering each other and working on love. This is not a fairy tale love story. It is dark and clouded with the sum of the past, but it illuminates what is possible when you commit yourself to loving someone unconditionally. Due to strong language, this performance is for mature audiences only (13 and up only please).

July 29, 30 & 31 and August 5, 6 & 7
7 pm curtain
Kentwood Performing Arts Center
Kentwood High School 25800 164th Ave. SE., Kent, WA  98042
Tickets are $10 each
Purchase online at Brown Paper Tickets

[Bonus: The theatre will be air conditioned, so come out to support the community with a dramatic theatrical performance by local actors.]

July 12, 2010, Kent, Washington

More info. is available online at The Seattle Times, The News Tribune and KOMO News.

Kent City Council Approves Transportation Impact Fees
New Development to Help Pay for City Road Projects

KENT, Wash. – July 7, 2010 – After nearly four years of planning and gathering public input, the Kent City Council approved an ordinance allowing the collection of transportation impact fees to help pay for road projects necessary to accommodate new growth.

Transportation impact fees are paid by developers and expanding businesses to help cover the cost of road improvements that increase traffic capacity.  Money from the fees is tied directly to the size and type of the development and the anticipated increase in traffic associated with the project.

State law requires that cities plan for projected growth and have the infrastructure in place to support it within six years.

“We adopted a Transportation Master Plan in 2008,” said Council President Jamie Perry.  “But a plan is only a plan until it’s funded.  I’m happy to see we’re taking these first steps to implementing the plan we passed two years ago,” Perry said.

Projected future development accounts for roughly 45% of the total cost for new road projects identified in the Kent’s Transportation Master Plan.

Transportation impact fees are calculated by determining how many more vehicle trips are generated as a result of new development; the more traffic that results from a project, the higher the amount paid by a developer.

“Development should help pay the costs of new development,” Perry added. “Current residents shouldn’t be asked to shoulder the costs associated with new growth.”

The new fees will replace the City’s current Environmental Mitigation Agreements, which required developers to pay an average $2,400 per peak hour trip towards the cost to complete three cross-valley corridor projects over the last 15 years.

Citywide, the fees will now average $4,084 per peak hour trip, while downtown area fees will be approximately 25% lower, in part, because the impact fee calculation assumes fewer trips due to the close proximity of amenities and public transportation options.

In approving transportation impact fees, council members were particularly concerned about the effect they might have on future development and will review the rates annually beginning in July 2011.

“We will watch carefully what impacts the new fees have, and make adjustments accordingly” said Perry.  “But right now, we need to be proactive in funding our infrastructure.  Superior infrastructure will be good selling point for investing in Kent.”

Depending on the actual development that occurs, the new fees are expected to generate approximately $89 million from 2010 to 2017 to help pay for $389 million in needed transportation projects.

Transportation impact fees have been implemented across the state as diminishing revenues are insufficient to support the infrastructure needed for future growth.   Neighboring cities including Auburn, Covington, Des Moines, Federal Way, and Renton utilize transportation impact fees.

The City of Kent is the sixth largest city in Washington with a population over 112,000. As a culturally rich destination, Kent’s dynamic quality of life features captivating neighborhoods, award-winning parks and nationally accredited police and fire departments. In recent years, Kent has experienced impressive economic growth, and is nationally known as a prime location for manufacturing. For more information, visit www.choosekent.com.