Back This Month Only:  Kent Station’s Earning Dollars for Scholars Program – Make College Dreams Happen

Kent, Washington, March 9, 2010 – Kent Station’s Earning Dollars for Scholars scholarship fundraiser is back. Now in its fourth year, this popular, shopper-friendly program has helped Kent Station award 11 scholarships totaling over $15,000. The scholarships benefit Kent area high school graduates attending Green River Community College. In many cases, the scholarships provide money for college for students who couldn’t afford to go otherwise.

After receiving her scholarship in 2009 Miranda Green said, “I am honored to be one of the recipients of the Kent Station Scholarship. Thanks to [Kent Station’s] support, I am the first in my family to attend college. Without this scholarship, I would not be able to go to college.”

This year Earning Dollars for Kent Scholars expanded its scholarship package to include a grant that is awarded to a GRCC student who created the visual graphics for this annual fundraiser. This year’s grant winner is Ella Shkurina, a second year student at Green River Community College.

How does Kent Station’s Earning Dollars for Scholars fundraiser work? Visit participating Kent Station merchants from March 1 through 31 to enter to win one of ten Kent Station gift cards, ranging from $25 to $500. Shoppers can enter once at each participating merchant and, for each entry, Kent Station will donate $1 to the Kent Station–Green River Community College Scholarship Fund. The winners of the gift card drawing will be selected at random on April 5, 2010.

“Kent Station is proud to be able to partner with our stores, restaurants, and the community to provide scholarship money for local high school graduates,” Sommer Ueda, Kent Station marketing coordinator, said. “Green River Community College offers a number of programs for students to get a quality education, and we’re glad we can help make that available to Kent students.”

The community’s participation allows Kent Station to give local students a chance at a continued education. The more entries received, the more scholarships provided and the more chances shoppers have to win!  Please help to make college dreams happen.

“This program is really a win-win for everyone.  The GRCC Foundation is thrilled to partner with Kent Station to support educational opportunities for youth in our community,” said Beth Gatzke.

“Last year, the Dollars for Scholars program provided four of almost 160 scholarships given to students at Green River Community College.  With the help of community members like Kent Station, our scholarship program and our community will continue to grow,” she added.

For a list of participating merchants and complete details of the Earning Dollars for Scholars program, visit KentStation.com or call Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Seattle-based Tarragon Development Company. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, professional office space, and dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatres Cineplex and a branch campus of Green River Community College.

For more information, please contact:

Sommer Ueda
Kent Station
417 Ramsay Way, Suite 110
Kent, WA 98032
253-856-2301
www.KentStation.com
sueda@kentstation.com

This month is National Nutrition Month and, to help celebrate, Kent4Health volunteers will be available at Top Foods, 26015 104th Ave. in Kent, every Saturday in March  from 11 am – 2 pm to give shoppers a taste of quick, healthy recipes from the “Grab & Go” meals program. Nutritionists will be on hand to answer shoppers’ questions and to pass out recipes. For more recipes and tips on living a healthier life, visit Kent4Health online.

Kent4Health is a city initiative that promotes healthy living including good nutrition, exercise, community service and more.

Be a Cool Bird and get your game on.

More info.:  Facebook.com/FindItInKent

On Thursday, March 4, the Kent Downtown Partnership hosted a property owners and commercial real estate agents’ meeting at Bittersweet Restaurant. Sponsored by Valley Bank, the breakfast meeting drew about 55 community members including downtown property owners, commercial brokers, property representatives, business owners, city officials and KDP board members. The mood was enthusiastic and participants were eager to hear what the city is working on in terms of economic development in downtown Kent.

After a welcoming statement from Valley Bank’s Mike Miller and the introduction of participants, Kent’s Economic Development Director Ben Wolters took the floor to discuss the city’s recent successes. He noted the Regional Justice Center, Kent Station, the rail station and ShoWare Center as having been some of the area’s most significant recent developments.

“The city has tried to attract businesses that are game changers,” Wolters said.

He further noted that the ShoWare Center has only been open for 15 months, and has already attracted more than 400,000 visitors to its hockey games, concerts, business fairs and other community events. These numbers are likely to escalate with the addition of the Kent Predators, Kent’s new IFL expansion team. The Predators play their first home game at ShoWare Center on Friday, March 12.

“Looking forward, the city is looking at another game changing opportunity,” Wolters added.

The targeted project is to build a facility for the Federal Aviation Administration which could potentially bring 2,000 employees to Kent – within half a mile of the downtown core. Currently, a dozen municipalities are competing to be considered. The first phase of the process is submitting a letter of interest to the GSA and FAA. The City of Kent has done that and hopes to provide a more detailed proposal in May. If the city advances to the next level of the bidding process, the city will make a presentation and proposal in August, with the final decision coming in December.
Other key projects in the works include Tarragon’s expansion of Green River Community College at Kent Station.

“Tarragon just completed a huge expansion of GRCC, with hundreds of new students, and a lot of energy, excitement and new opportunities,” Wolters said.

He also gave an update on the half-completed parking garage at Smith and Fourth which he called “an incredible legal soap opera.” The property is now in the hands of Washington Federal Savings. To date, there has been some interest in buying that space for office use, but there is no time frame for resolving the issue, developing that property or selling it.

Another meeting highlight included the city’s completion of Town Square Plaza which was an attempt to bridge the historic downtown district with Kent Station. Wolters noted there is still a gap between the two areas, but the city is hoping to do more integration. Wolters also commented that First Avenue is becoming a destination in downtown Kent, with its own personality and flavor.

Wolters said, “It shows what is possible in the rest of downtown if property owners and businesses come together. We are changing the market perception of this place.”

Wolters opened the meeting for questions and comments, and invited property owners to voice their concerns as well as the potential for opportunities. Participants asked about the status of the Howard Hanson Dam, potential flood risk, lack of parking, need for additional ball fields and an aquatic center, the Farmer’s Market, the need for housing in downtown Kent and more.

“What is the long-term vision for downtown Kent?” asked Paul Morford. “The city needs to take on parking. It needs to increase parking on a large scale.”

Wolters wrapped up the meeting by inviting participants to contact him directly with their concerns and ideas. A follow-up meeting is planned for later this spring. To offer your input, contact Ben Wolters at 253-856-5703 or via email.

Your downtown hometown restaurant for breakfast and lunch

More info.:  Facebook.com/FindItInKent

For fragrant flowers and delicious treats, this beautiful shop can’t be beat.

More info.:  Facebook.com/FindItInKent

Whether you collect antiques or simply enjoy nostalgia, you’ll enjoy a trip down memory lane at Titusville Trading Co. Located on First Avenue South next to Goju Karate, this antique shop has a little bit of everything — books, photos, postcards, serving pieces, coins, lighters, cars, vinyl, signs, furniture and more.

I stopped by yesterday between appointments and found all kinds of fun stuff, including an old Elton John LP (aka vinyl) for my teenage daughter who is a collector, some unusual carved buttons for my mother-in-law, and a beautiful China bread dish from France for me. Don’t ask me what I’m going to do with it, but it was beautiful and I couldn’t resist!

If you get a chance, stop by Titusville Trading Co. It buys and sells antiques and is a locally-owned family business. Sales associate Elle was on hand when I stopped in, and she was friendly and knowledgeable. The store’s wares are also affordably priced and pleasingingly displayed though you have to navigate through the larger pieces. Enjoy!

Our own Little Bit of Italy in Kent, thanks to Paul.

More info.:  Facebook.com/FindItInKent

Punjab Sweets is offering tasty treats for your Valentine at great prices.  Freshly made, hand-crafted Indian desserts are a great, unique gift for your sweetheart.  They offer fudge, vegan cakes and cupcakes all wrapped in special Valentines Day boxes.

These sweet Valentines Day promotions are avaialable Feb 8-15. Punjab Sweets is located in Downtown Kent at 23617 104th Ave SE C Kent, WA 98031.  For more information on Punjab Sweets visit www.punjabsweetsonline.com.

A place to get smarter, if you can’t find it – think harder.

More info. at:  Facebook.com/FindItInKent

If exercise is your idea of fun, get to this place at a run -
be sure to keep your Balance.

More details:  Facebook/FindItInKent

Store owner Judy Stringfellow recently announced that she is changing the name of her store from English Cottage Collection to Fig and Feather.

Located at 207, 209 and 211 W. Meeker St., the store features home decor, candles, gourmet items, gifts and more. The store is open Monday through Saturday from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The fifth annual Wine, Women, Wow is planned for Friday, May 7 (6-10 p.m.) at the ShoWare Center. Event chair Libby Seidel of the Kent Downtown Partnership is now accepting applications for:

• Vendors
• Restaurants
• Event sponsors

Please contact Libby at KDP for an application (253-813-6976). See you May 7!

This Interactive Scavenger Hunt beginning January 18 and ending March 15, 2010 is fun for your whole family. This 8-week promotion encourages you to shop locally, learn more about our local businesses, and educate you on the benefit of tax dollars to your community.

The Scavenger Hunt will use Facebook.com/FindItInKent and the Kent Reporter. Each Monday a riddle will be released on Facebook, and in the Kent Reporter the following Wednesday. Your job is to solve the riddle, visit the business described in the riddle, and pick up the Golden Ticket. Collect Golden Tickets for all 8 participating businesses and you can enter to win prizes. Drop off all 8 Golden Tickets along with your contact information at Kent Downtown Partnership, Kent Chamber, BECU, or Kent Station. This event is generously sponsored by BECU.

Watch online, http://facebook.com/finditinkent, for weekly clues on Monday and the Kent Reporter for clues on Wednesday!

Today’s clue:  No damsel in distress would ever be turned away from this castle.

The AMC Sensory Friendly Movie for February will be The Tooth Fairy.  The movie will be Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 10:00am. The Tooth Fairy is the story of Derek Thompson, a hard-charging hockey player whose nickname comes from his habit of separating opposing players from their bicuspids. When Derek discourages a youngster’s dreams, he’s sentenced to one week’s hard labor as a real tooth fairy, complete with the requisite wings and magic wand. At first, Derek “can’t handle the tooth” — bumbling and stumbling as he furtively tries to wing his way through strangers’ homes — doing what tooth fairies do. But, as Derek slowly adapts to his new position, he begins to rediscover his own forgotten dreams.

AMC and the Autism Society of America offers a monthly movie to families affected by autism.  The lights are brought up and sound is turned down, all to make the theater experience more enjoyable for both parents and children.  For tickets visit the Kent Station AMC Theatre the day of the event for tickets.

Update–January 22, 2010:  Prices drastically reduced. Most items under $10. Greeting cards now $1. Last day of business  Fri., Jan. 29.

NATURE’S VIGNETTES GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE!

It’s a new year and with the new year we bring new savings to you.  Almost everything in the store is now 50% off, including all gift merchandise, cards, jewelry, painted furniture etc.

Need a project for the new year, Nature’s Vignettes brand stencils are 30% off, and all others 50% off.

Additional markdowns have been taken on furnishings and they are priced as marked.

Mural display panels are now for sale.

Priced as marked!

Come Shop with Wild Abandon!

Nature’s Vignettes

Store Hours Tues-Sat 10am – 5pm

205 W. Meeker St. Kent.  253-813-2593

This past year the City of Kent has seen many changes, some positive and some not. We saw the grand opening of the ShoWare Center, the re-election of Mayor Suzette Cooke and we’ve welcomed the Kent Predators. We also battled floods, crime and graffiti. We saw new businesses come (e.g., Blanc ‘n Schwarz, Humanity Salon, Petrik Photography) and we lost old favorites (e.g., American Charm, Nature’s Vignettes, Cypriana).

With those ideas in mind, what should Kent strive for in 2010? If you were to choose one New Year’s resolution for the City of Kent in 2010, what would it be? New parking garage, repaired dam, thriving downtown, local theater?

Post your proposed New Year’s resolution here to be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $25 Kent Station gift card. One winner will be selected at random. Some restrictions apply.

• Must be 18 or older to enter
• Must be a resident of King County, Washington
• Three entries per person maximum
• Your resolution must be posted by midnight on January 29, 2010 to be eligible.

Looking for a last-minute gift for the hockey lover in your life? Then you’ll want to buy a holiday package from the Seattle T-Birds.

For just $119, you’ll get

• 12 ticket vouchers good for home games between 12/27/09 – 3/14/10
• $20 gift certificate to the hockey store

Tickets are good for family zone seats. Save over $130 with this hockey package. Interested? Call Seattle TBirds at 253-239-7825.

Hockey Store Holiday Hours

Dec. 21-23:  10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dec. 24:  10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Dec. 25:  Closed

White River Valley Museum is hosting the Small Works, Big Presents: The Gift of Art Juried Art Show.   Join the festivities and watch artist demonstrations, create your own miniature work of art, and more. Free with regular Museum admission.

Sale ends on Sunday, December 20, 2008.

White River Valley Museum is located at 918 H Street SE, Auburn. Open Wednesday – Sunday, 12 – 4 pm.