Regardless of their relationship status, everyone wants to feel special on Valentine’s Day – husbands, wives, parents, kids, teachers, friends and more! To help you say “I Love You!,” you can post a love note* online on iLoveKent.net on  Valentine’s Day this year. Choose from three Love Note packages:

A)  $10 for up to 3 lines of text

B)  $15 for up to 3 lines of text and a photo (max size 250×250, you provide the photo*)

C)  $25 to post a video

Love notes must be prepaid online by Feb. 11 to be live by Feb. 14. A few other restrictions apply:

*Love notes must be “family friendly.” If you wouldn’t want your child to read it, it’s not OK.
**You must have permission to use the photo to be posted. Personal photos are typically OK. No Google images, Flickr or Tumblr pix, etc. will be posted without a signed release stating that you own or have permission to reuse the image.

To purchase a Valentine Love Note package:

1)  Choose from packages A, B and C above.

2)  Send text, photo and/or video to iLoveKent.net via email. Be sure  to indicate the date the love note should be posted. Unless otherwise noted, we’ll post all love notes on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 at 12:01 am.

3)  After confirmation is received, we will send an invoice to you with a payment link. Debit and credit cards will be accepted. Ads must be paid by Mon., Feb. 11 at 5 p.m.

Press Release Contributed by Ian Henry of the Seattle Thunderbirds

T-BIRDS MOURN PASSING OF BRUCE MCDONALD

Bruce McDonald was part of radio broadcast team for last 14 years, organization for 30 years

Kent, June 6, 2012 – The Seattle Thunderbirds organization is in mourning with the passing of radio color commentator and play-by-play voice Bruce McDonald early Wednesday morning.

Bruce was diagnosed with leukemia in April. He had been courageously fighting cancer through several rounds of chemotherapy.

Bruce, born January 8, 1971, has been a member of the T-Birds family since he was 12-years-old. Even though he suffered from cerebral palsy, Bruce regularly attended Seattle Breakers games in a wheelchair with his mother Char. It was at one these games in 1983 that Bruce was called into the locker room by then Seattle Breakers head coach Marc Boileau. Boileau gave Bruce a clipboard and asked him to help the team track and keep statistics. He was a member of the team from that point forward.

Bruce joined play-by-play voice Chris Collins as part of the Thunderbirds radio broadcast team for the 1998-99 season. When Collins moved on two years later Bruce joined Joe Dominey in the broadcast booth. When Dominey moved on a year later Bruce joined Thom Beuning in the broadcast booth. Bruce and Thom have called the action on T-Birds broadcasts for the last 11 seasons.

Bruce is survived by his mother Char, sister Nolette Everett, half-brother Stevie McDonald, half-sister Stacy Talley and Grandmother Bertha.

Memorial services will be announced once they are finalized.

“This is a sad day for the Thunderbirds family and our fans. Bruce loved the T-Birds and his dedication to the team rubbed off on every person Bruce came in contact with. We will miss Bruce dearly and offer our sincerest condolences to his family.” – Russ Farwell, T-Birds President/General Manager.

 ”I only knew Bruce for 12 years, but his passing Wednesday has made this one of the most difficult days of my nearly 50 years of existence. Only the passing of my dad nearly three years ago could rival the sorrow I feel today knowing my good friend is gone. But I can’t feel sad and sorrowful for too long because Bruce would not accept that. If there is a book of adages out there, you will find Bruce’s picture on the page beside that old saying “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”’ – Thom Beuning, Seattle Thunderbirds play-by-play voice. Read Thom’s In The Corners Blog Post on the passing of his friend.

“Bruce McDonald was a tremendous broadcaster and colleague but an even better person and friend. While the teams we represented were bitter rivals on the ice, none of that extended to the press box and I always looked forward to spending time with Bruce prior to the games talking about our teams, hockey and life in general. His dedication to the Seattle Thunderbirds and the WHL was undeniable and he was an inspiration and someone that always had a smile and positive outlook, regardless of the situation. It is going to be very strange to not see Bruce on my many visits to the ShoWare Center or when the ‘Birds visit Portland. I know that his spirit will live on and he will now be providing color commentary from on high moving forward. My condolences to all of Bruce’s family, Thom Beuning and the Seattle Thunderbird family for their loss.” – Andy Kemper, Portland Winterhawks Broadcast Team.

“Bruce was a ray and hope and a true shining light for me and all of us to keep positive and deal with whatever life hands our way. Trips to Kent will never be the same without Bruce. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to Char and the entire Thunderbird family of staff and fans.” – Craig West, Tri-City Americans play-by-play voice.

“Bruce was always the epitome of dedication in our profession. Hardworking, kind, intelligent, and overcoming anything put in his path. A great broadcaster and colleague, I’m proud to have known him.” – Todd Vrooman, Portland Winterhawks Broadcast Communications Manager.

 ”I first met Bruce when calling my first T-Birds game in Seattle. I was immediately impressed. His physical limitations were never once considered and or complained about ever. My partner actually climbed and willed his way into press boxes and provided NHL level analysis on a regular basis. 14 seasons later I’m amazed at the work, effort and desire to be the best colour analyst in the WHL that Bruce put in. While his loss is devastating to me personally, his life example, loyalty and friendship will never be forgotten.” – Chris Collins, former play-by-play voice for the Seattle Thunderbirds.

“When I got the job with the Thunderbirds, I had no experience calling hockey. My early attempts were a struggle to say the least, but Bruce would constantly encourage me and emphasize the positives despite those early pitfalls. Every game was exciting to Bruce. Thunderbirds hockey was an event that he was thrilled to be part of. His mom Char was always there with him and she was absolutely devoted to her son. She raised a terrific one. If everyone would have the same positive attitude that Bruce did, the world would be a much better place. He was a terrific human being who cared about people, was very forgiving and saw the good in everyone. He made things around him better just by his presence. He is now getting his well deserved chance to play hockey in heaven.” – Joe Dominey, former play-by-play voice for the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Written memories and condolences from WHL teams, players, personnel and media can be sent to Ian Henry at ianh@seattlethunderbirds.com . They will be posted to this page as they are received.

Seattle Thunderbirds
Ian Henry, Director, Public & Media Relations
253-239-7825

Contributed by Nathan Box, Kent Youth & Family Services

On May 2, 1,200+ nonprofits will ask for your support during the Seattle Foundation’s 2nd Annual GiveBIG. We are one of those nonprofits. Our difference is clear though. We are right here in your community. Every dollar donated to Kent Youth and Family Services stays right here in South King County. In fact, your dollars go to work providing Youth/Family & Substance Abuse Counseling to residents of Covington and youth and families throughout the Kent School District. They also provide Outreach services at three King County Housing Authority sites, as well as transitional housing to homeless single moms and learning opportunities to 400+ kids in our Head Start/ECEAP program. Our services powered by your generosity supports 8,000 individuals in our community every year.

So, from midnight to midnight (Pacific Time) on May 2, join the Seattle Foundation as they host their 2nd annual GiveBIG. The goal is to turn out thousands of new and returning individual donors to help support local nonprofits. Donations will be stretched further thanks to individuals donors and business sponsors like Seattle Sounders FC, Microsoft, Seattle International Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, Russell Investments, Starbucks and more.

KYFS is excited to participate in this local day of giving. To support us directly, visit our Seattle Foundation page on May 2.

Thanks in advance for the support. Happy Giving.

Working toward a better future,

Nathan H. Box
Fund Developer and Community Relations Manager
Kent Youth & Family Services
nathanb@kyfs.org
(253) 859-0300 Ext. 3045
www.kyfs.org

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.