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.

Welcome the holiday season by participating in the inaugural Find It In Kent Holiday Scavenger Hunt. Sponsored by the Kent Downtown Partnership, this free, family-   friendly event encourages shoppers to come to downtown Kent to visit local businesses.

Shoppers will pick up a passport and map at participating locations, then go to each site to find a special holiday nutcracker. Upon locating the nutcracker, participants will receive a sticker to put on their passports. Everyone who completes and submits their entire passport by December 3 will be eligible for prizes including a suite at a Seattle Thunderbirds game, $200 2nd prize, $100 3rd prize and $50 for 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th prizes.

Find It In Kent Holiday Scavenger Hunt – Sponsored by Kent Downtown Partnership

Sat., Nov. 26 – Dec. 3, 2011

• Kick-off Celebration on Nov. 26, National Small Business Day
• Visit 20+ Kent businesses to find a special holiday nutcracker
• Get your passport stamped and submit completed passports for prizes!

Call Kent Downtown Partnership at 253-813-6976 or Dana Neuts of Virtually Yourz at 360-920-1737 for more information.

Sponsored by:

Duane Weber Insurance

Allegro Performing Arts Academy

Kent Reporter

Virtually Yourz

BDP Design

Minuteman Press of Kent

Pick up your Passport & Map at any of these participating businesses:

Maggie’s on Meeker
AAA Pest Control
Duane Weber Insurance
ShoWare Center
American Colleges of MMA
Doug Jones State Farm
Candy Bouquet
Seattle Thunderbirds
Tork Lift Central Hitch & Tow
Tork Lift Central RV
Two Men & A Truck
Central Ave. Mini Storage
Children’s Book Shop
Children’s Thrift Store
Christian Science Reading Room
Treasures
Kent Library  (passport drop off location)
Airways Brewing Co.
Allegro Performing Arts Academy
Valley Bank

Or download the Passport and Map here (two pages).

From the City of Kent:

The City of Kent is hosting the largest creative gift boutique in all the state’s senior centers when the 25th Annual Holiday Craft Market opens its doors on Friday, Nov.4 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov.5 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This Juried show boasts 70 booths of handcrafted one-of-a-kind gifts all in one stop at 600 E. Smith Street in downtown Kent. There is free onsite parking, festive live entertainment and the ever popular Figgy Pudding Café and Bake Sale. No admission fee is charged. Proceeds benefit the programs and services of the Kent Senior Activity Center.

For more information about the Holiday Craft Market, call 253-856-5162.

Contact:
Cindy VandenBerg Robinson, Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services
253-856-5162

Ghosts and goblins, grab your ghoulish gear; Halloween is near! And that means it’s time for trick-or-treating and Halloween fun at Kent Station, sponsored by MultiCare. Kids, bring your parents down to Kent Station on Halloween, Monday, October 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. to collect candy and special offers from participating merchants.

In addition to trick-or-treating, Kent Station will host its annual Halloween costume contest. Open to individuals and groups of all ages, the judging will begin on the Fountain Stage outside AMC Theatres at 4:30 p.m. A panel of guest judges will select their favorite costumes in a number of categories, and present the winners with Kent Station gift cards. Winners will be announced about 6 p.m. and must be present to win.

“We’re expecting about 1,500 kids to trick-or-treat this year, and the costume contest always draws a huge crowd,” said Sommer Ueda, marketing and property manager. “This is one of our favorite events, and a fun way to get involved in the Kent community.”

The Halloween fun begins at 4 p.m. Kids and families can begin at any participating Kent Station merchant, identified with a pumpkin hanging in the store window, and make the rounds throughout the shopping center. For additional information, visit Kent Station online or call contact Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301. Trick or treat!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

10am – Noon

Kent Station

Come and join us for an enjoyable morning of egg hunting and scavenging.  Our eggs are filled with chocolates, temporary tattoos, and special offers from our merchants.

Scavenger Hunt: 10am – Noon, all ages
Pick up your first clue on the Fountain Stage – 6 clues total

Traditional Easter Egg Hunt
Ages 3 and under, 11am*
Ages 4 – 6, 11:30am*

*families with siblings in both age groups
can choose to hunt for eggs together in either age group.

Wingnut from 100.7 The Wolf
and the WolfPack will be on-site with the prize wheel
and handing out exclusive prizes.

Call 253.856.2301 for more details.

Starting March 1, Kent Station will launch the “Moolah for Schoolah” pgrogram, its newly titled annual March scholarship fundraiser. “Moolah for Schoolah” provides scholarships for Kent area high school graduates attending Green River Community College (GRCC). Since 2007, Kent Station has held the annual fundraiser, providing 15 scholarships and more than $20,000 in college funding to students who might not be able to attend school otherwise. During the month of March, shoppers can participate in the scholarship fundraiser by picking up a postcard at any one of Kent Station’s 56 participating merchants.

For each postcard completed, Kent Station will donate $1 to the GRCC scholarship fund and provide the shopper with a chance to win a $500 Kent Station gift card and other prizes. The prize winners will be selected in a  random drawing to be held on April 5,2011; winners will be notified via email or phone.  For further questions, please contact Sommer Ueda at Kent Station at 253-856-2301.

Update, April 8, 2011 – The 23rd annual dinner auction netted $190,000 to be used to help children with special needs. The dinner auction served as the official kickoff of CTC’s capital campaign to raise $4 million to purchase and remodel its third therapy center in Burien. The auction fund-an-item brought in cash donations to go toward that campaign. Donations up to $50,000 were MATCHED by Cascade DAFO, Inc., the company that manufactures CTC’s orthotics.

Thank you to our volunteers, as well as our sponsors:  premier sponsor Kent Station, Cascade DAFO, Quota International of Kent VAlley, Belfor USA, Brantley Janson Yost & Ellison CPAs, Charter Private Bank, Curran Law Firm, Edward Jones (Tim Scheuffele), Emerald Downs, FamilyCare of Kent, Haeger Orthodontics, Live Oak Audio Visual, Miller Hayashi Architects LLC, Mountain Construction, Hentschell & Assoc., Inc., Shannon & Associates, SPIO Compression Garments, Sprague Israel Giles Insurance, Stephen and Barbara Glass, The Creative Office, The Hunt Family, Rock Wood Fired Pizza and Spirits, Univar USA and Wesley Homes.

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Children’s Therapy Center

23rd Annual Fun for Funds Dinner Auction
March 26, 20111 @ Emerald Downs
6:00 – 10:00 pm

Register for this event using our secure online form! This year we are honored to receive a matching gift from Cascade DAFO for expanding the orthotics program in our new therapy center! All fund-an-item donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000!

Individual Tickets are only65.00.

Unlocking Potential…One Child At A Time

There are so many questions when a parent discovers that their child has special needs, the most pressing of which is “Where do I go for services for my child?”  We have been empowering children with special needs and their families in King and Pierce County since 1979 through the provision of quality, individualized physical, occupational, and speech therapy; early intervention; specialized education; family resource coordination; parent education; custom orthotics; and compression garments:

https://dynamicfamilies.org/Page.aspx?hid=513

South Puget Sound Realtor® Marti Reeder Tops Off an Award-Winning Year withJohn L. Scott’s President’s Award

Kent, Washington, March 1, 2011 –

Following a tumultuous year in the real estate market, Realtor® Marti Reeder of Kent continues to excel in helping clients to buy and sell homes in the South Puget Sound. Most recently, Reeder received the 2010 President’s Award from John L. Scott for her real estate work last year. She and several other agents received awards last week in a ceremony hosted by J. Lennox Scott, Chairman and CEO of John L. Scott, in the company’s Kent office. This is the fourth year in a row the Kent Realtor® has won a President’s Award from John L. Scott. (Pictured at left are J. Lennox Scott and Marti Reeder.)In addition, in the local John L. Scott office, Reeder was named Top Producer and Top Salesperson during the second and fourth quarters and Top Listing Agent during the first and third quarters of 2010. She was also named a Five Star Real Estate Agent for Overall Satisfaction in the December 2010 issue of Seattle Magazine. As a full-time, full-service real estate agent and broker, Reeder credits her success to hard work, engaged clients and a strong support team, both at home and work.“This has been a whirlwind year for me, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Reeder says. “These awards are always fun to receive, but the best reward is knowing that I’ve helped a client to successfully buy or sell a home. That’s what keeps me going, no matter what the market is doing!”With more than 25 years of industry experience, Reeder has worked in the John L. Scott office on Kent’s East Hill for the last six years. She is a certified buyer’s and seller’s representative, and she specializes in pre-foreclosure properties and short sales. Born and raised in the Seattle area, many clients seek Reeder out because of her vast knowledge of the area, its neighborhoods and their unique charms. In fact, she has been voted “Best in Kent” for the last three years for this knowledge and personalized service.In addition to her real estate work, Reeder is active in the Kent community. She is a member of the Kent Chamber of Commerce, Kent Downtown Partnership and the Noon Kiwanis Club. This summer she is sponsoring a Relay for Life team called Friends 4 Life! For more information about Reeder, visit http://www.martireeder.com.

You can also find Reeder on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

For more information, contact:Marti Reeder, John L. Scott13026 SE Kent-Kangley Rd., Kent, WA 98042253.859.8500 (office) 206.391.0388 (cell) martireeder@johnlscott.com www.martireeder.com

Kent, Washington, December 8, 2010 – Kent Station is sharing its holiday spirit this season by giving back to children and families in the community. The popular Kent-based shopping center is sponsoring a Giving Tree, accepting donations for holiday meals for families in need, and offering a gift wrapping station. All donations benefit programs supported and operated by Kent Youth & Family Services, a nonprofit serving Kent and South King County families for 40 years.

Located in Kent Station Plaza just outside AMC Theatres, the Giving Tree holds tags for over 250 families and children. Each tag lists all the pertinent information, along with a need (e.g., warm coat) and a wish (e.g., Barbie doll). Local businesses and community members are encouraged to participate by fulfilling wishes and needs and depositing the unwrapped gifts in the Big Red Box inside AMC Theatres by December 15.

To kick off the holiday season, Kent Station eagerly selected a family from the Giving Tree. “Our goal is to give our chosen family the best and biggest Christmas ever,” said Kent Station general manager John Hinds. “And we encourage other local businesses to participate in this worthwhile program that truly makes a difference for families in need who are located right here in Kent.”

For those who want to help but do not have time to shop, you can provide a holiday meal for families. Kent Station has partnered with BECU, Angel Food Ministries and the Calvary Community Church of Sumner to accept monetary donations. Just $39 will purchase a holiday meal for an entire family. To participate, contact Kent Station at 253-856-2301, ext. 101 for more details.

From December 17 through 19, Kent Youth and Family Services will offer a gift wrapping station to help shoppers get their purchases ready for giving. Kent Station will donate the space and resources for the gift wrapping with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Kent Youth & Family Services. Hours for gift wrapping are published on the Kent Station website and Facebook pages.

“This has been a difficult year for so many Kent and Covington children and families,” said marketing manager Sommer Ueda. “We want to help make the holidays a little brighter for those who need it the most. We invite our community to join us in providing needs, wishes and meals for local families this year.”

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Tarragon a Seattle based 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 about Kent Station or its holiday festivities, visit the Kent Station website at http://www.KentStation.com or contact marketing manager Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301.

Founded in 1970, Kent Youth & Family Services is a Kent-based nonprofit serving children, youth and families in South King County, Washington. The agency offers counseling, Head Start and early childhood education and assistance, substance abuse programs, housing for homeless young mothers and more. In 2009, Kent Youth & Family Services provided services to more than 4,000 children and families. For more information about Kent Youth and Family Services, visit KYFS online at http://www.kyfs.org or contact executive director Mike Heinisch at 253-859-0300.

For more information, please contact:

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

Kent Station celebrates the 2010 holiday season with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus this Saturday, November 27. The jolly couple will welcome shoppers and visitors at 10 a.m. at the Fountain Stage outside Kent Station’s AMC Theatres.

Following their official welcome, Santa and Mrs. Claus will hold court at the Hip Santa House where children and well-behaved pets may have their photos taken, and adults can take Santa’s patented “naughty or nice” test. Photos are offered at a discount in exchange for donations of nonperishable food items and new, unwrapped toys for the Kent Food Bank. A complete list of Santa’s hours and photo packages is available at the Kent Station website.

Beginning at noon, Kentwood High School’s Royal Court from the Madrigal Feast will sing Christmas tunes from their upcoming performance, adding to the festive atmosphere. In addition, the community is invited to participate in the Giving Tree on display at Kent Station Plaza. The Giving Tree benefits Kent Youth and Family Services, a nonprofit organization that serves kids, teens and families in South King County.

Sponsored by BECU and supported by Calvary Community Church of Sumner, the Giving Tree will feature tags with needs (e.g., coats, hats, shoes) and wants (e.g., books, toys) for 400 area kids, along with tags asking for board games for Kent Youth and Family Services’ Head Start/ECEAP program. Shoppers may drop off their donated gifts through December 15 inside AMC Theatres near the arcade.

“The holidays are a time of celebration and giving, and Kent Station wants to be a part of that by giving back to the community,” said Kent Station general manager John Hinds. “We encourage shoppers to join us by donating to the Kent Food Bank and Kent Youth and Family Services this holiday season. We can all help by making a sad time for some a little merrier.”

For more information about Kent Station or its holiday festivities, visit the Kent Station website at www.kentstation.com or contact Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301. For more information about Kent Youth and Family Services, visit KYFS online at www.KYFS.org. Visit the Kent Food Bank online at www.skcfc.org/kentfoodbank/ for more information about its hours and offerings.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Tarragon a Seattle based 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.

This Friday, November 5, 2010 from 6 to 7 p.m., Kent Station is hosting a free concert to raise funds for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Join shoppers, dinners and fellow patriots at Kent Station’s Fountain Stage for a concert by the Green River Community College concert choir. They will sing a medley of fun Christmas tunes including Silent Night, Carol of the Bells and a jazz version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

The choir will sing in honor of our soldiers defending U.S. rights overseas while trying to raise money to send “Christmas to Afghanistan.” Cash and check donations will be accepted during the concert.

Yesterday Dana Neuts, owner/publisher of iLoveKent.net, launched iLoveCovington.com, a sister site. Like iLoveKent.net, iLoveCovington.com is intended to be a community website, by Covington, for Covington. To contribute news, events, business information, advertising and more, contact Dana Neuts via email.

In addition to the website, iLoveCovington.com can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

If you live in South King County or within driving distance of Kent, you’ll want to add Carpinito Brothers‘ U-Pick Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze to your October “to do” list. Beginning October 1 through Halloween, the ever-popular Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze are open from 9 am to dusk. The fun fall adventure includes two corn mazes, tractor-pulled hayrides, kettle corn, hot roasted corn on the cob, fall vegetables and more than 10 acres of pumpkins to choose from.

For more info., including a $1.00 off coupon, visit Carpinito Brothers online.

Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze location:

6868 S. 277th St.
Kent, WA  98032

Click here for a map and driving directions.

NOTE:  The corn maze closes an hour before dusk.

With a backdrop of warm weather and sunny skies, Kent Downtown Partnership’s inaugural Autumnfest 2010 was a big success. From 4 to 8 pm yesterday, Kent residents and visitors attended the event which was intended to provide free entertainment as well as to expose shops, restaurants and businesses in the Kent Historic District. More than 20 businesses and organizations participated in the event, which drew more than 100 to the downtown core.

“Very nice evening. Weather was perfect, everything was so festive. Thanks to all the shop owners for staying open late. We had a wonderful time,” said Carol Briscoe on Facebook.

Participating businesses were flagged with Smiley Face balloons, announcing to guests that they had wine samples, beer samples, tasty treats or a combination of the above. Visitors checked in at the KDP Information Booth at Kherson Park to receive their invitation and passport and to have their ID’s checked. Using the passport as a guide, folks took a self-guided tour through the Kent Historic District, having their passport initialed at each of 18 stops. By visiting at least 12 businesses, participants became eligible to win a $100 gift card to be used anywhere downtown. In addition, Project U(th) hosted activities and a babysitting service for kids. They sold ice cream, pizza and soda as a fundraiser, and did karoake and other activities with local children.

At Kherson Park, live music was provided by 7 Second Delay along with dance performances by South Side Dance Force. Here’s a photo of the dancers in action, displaying a Zumba routine.

“Drove down from Snohomish to enjoy this “party.” Had a great time meeting shop owners and meeting in person friends from Facebook. Thanks, KDP, for stepping out and putting this event on,” Tom Dealy said.

Thanks to the Kent Downtown Partnership, local businesses and merchants and KDP board members who helped put on the event. Participating businesses included:

• Kent Downtown Partnership
• Management Accounting Specialists
• Project U(th)
• South Side Dance Force
• 7 Second Delay
• Cheryl’s Unique Boutique
• Fig and Feather
• Creamery Art Gallery & Frame Shop
• Treasures
• Maggie’s on Meeker
• Manderly Consignment & Gifts
• Pottery-fic Studio
• Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage
• Perk Up Place
• Titusville Trading Co.
• Airways Brewery
• Intimate Pilates
• NW Electrology
• Petrik Photography Studio
• Earthworks Gem Design Studio
• Pat’s Bar & Grill
• Kelsey Keener, Edward Jones Investments

Event sponsors:  Kent Downtown Partnership, Umpqua Bank, Virtually Yourz, Cheryl’s Unique Boutique and Lemon Drop Skin Care & Massage Studio

Join downtown merchants and performers to celebrate autumn with Kent’s first ever Autumnfest 2010. Set for Friday, September 24 (4 to 8 pm), visitors to downtown Kent will enjoy live music, performances by South Side Dance Force, wine and beer tastes, tasty snacks, a scarecrow decorating contest, kids’ activities and much more!

Stop by the KDP information booth at Kherson Park (corner of 2nd and Gowe) to get your event invitation, passport and map and to have your ID checked (wine and beer “tasters” must be 21 or older to participate). Place your vote for your favorite scarecrow and get your passport stamped to be eligible to win a $100 shopping spree in Kent’s Historic District.

Participants to date include:

Airways Brewery
Cheryl’s Unique Boutique
Creamery Art Gallery & Frame Shop
Earthworks Gem Design Studio
Edward Jones
Fig & Feather
Kent Downtown Partnership
Intimate Pilates
Lemon Drop Skincare & Massage
Management Accounting Specialists, Inc.
NW Electrology
Pat’s Bar & Grill
Perk-Up Place
Petrik Photography
Pottery-fic
Rainy Day Treasures
South Side Dance Force
Titusville Trading Company
Treasures
Vitality Chiropractic

Call KDP at 253-813-6976 or visit Cheryl Wright at Cheryl’s Unique Boutique, 406 W. Meeker St., for more information or to learn how YOU can participate!

[Volunteers needed to work the KDP booth and to pour "tastes" at participating merchants.]

Sponsors include Kent Downtown Partnership, Umpqua Bank, Cheryl’s Unique Boutique, Virtually Yourz and Lemon Drop Skincare & Massage.

In a press release dated September 7, 2010, Kent Station announced that it is opening three new retailers this month at the popular downtown Kent shopping center:  Toys ‘R Us Express, Banyan Tree and General Nutrition Center (GNC).

Kent, Washington, September 7, 2010 – Kent Station is building on the shopping experience for customers by adding three new stores totaling over 10,000 square feet of retail space: Toys ‘R Us Express, Banyan Tree and General Nutrition Center (GNC) will all be open by September 10.

On September 4, Banyan Tree opened its Thai restaurant next to the Ram Restaurant and Brewery. With an open kitchen plan and full-service bar, Banyan Tree will prepare cuisine from all regions of Thailand along with serving Asian-inspired cocktails. The ingredients used for cooking are fresh and sourced from local and natural products whenever possible. Banyan Tree has chosen Kent Station as its flagship location.  Since opening its first Thai food booth stand over three years ago under the name Thai Smile at the Fremont Sunday Market, Banyan Tree has been recognized locally for its unique and exotic food and presentation.

On September 6, Toys ‘R Us Express opened between Kay Jewelers & Famous Footwear.  As the nation’s leading toy retailer, Toys ‘R Us and its Express concept store at Kent Station will make holiday shopping more convenient for Kent and South King County shoppers. The store will carry some of the most popular toys and toy brands including Lego, Zhu Zhu Pets, Barbie, Toy Story, Star Wars, Hot Wheels and many more.

On September 10, GNC opens next door to See’s Candies. GNC will offer shoppers a variety of vitamins, supplements, sports nutrition and diet products. GNC sets the standard in the nutritional supplement industry by demanding truth in labeling, ingredient safety and product potency, all while remaining on the cutting-edge of nutritional science. GNC is the world’s largest company of its kind devoted exclusively to helping its customers improve the quality of their lives.

“We are excited to welcome these three great retailers to Kent Station. They collectively create unique shopping and dining options for our customers, which is always one of our primary goals,” says general manager John Hinds.

For more information about Kent Station, visit the Kent Station website at www.kentstation.com or contact 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 Tarragon a Seattle based 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.

DENAMI DESIGN PRODUCT WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE

Local rubber stamp and paper crafting company to host sale open to the public