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.

ShoWare Center provides “ShoWalkers” two levels for walking according to Pamela Clark, Kent4Health Coordinator.  “There’s a full loop on the upper level for walkers and a horseshoe on the lower level for those with strollers or walking aids.  There are also stairs for those interested in getting additional cardio or working their glutes,” Clark said.

Other features of ShoWalk include an area to stretch, warm up and cool down; free blood pressure and sugar screenings on the second Monday of every month provided by Valley Medical Center.

There is no charge to participate but registration is appreciated for planning purposes.  Please register at Kent4Health.com or at the door on walk days.  More information is available at Kent4Health.com or by calling 253-856-4968.

Each year more than 9,000 kids participate in the city’s parks programs, but the need for scholarships grows along with Kent’s population. With 29,000 new residents from the Panther Lake annexation and a growing economic need, scholarship requests have increased by 30% since 2008. Marti Reeder wants to help meet that need.

“As a Kent resident and mom whose children participated in many Kent Parks sports activities and classes, I know how important it is for kids to have access to sports and other activities,” Reeder said.

“So does my son, Anthony Cantu, who has worked for Kent Parks in their afterschool and summer programs for the last four years. We are grateful that our city offers so many opportunities for our children, particularly those who don’t have the money to participate,” Reeder added.

As a result of Reeder’s donation and those of other local businesses, eligible children can qualify for scholarships which cover up to 50% of a program’s fee for parks classes, sport leagues, adaptive recreation and youth and teen courses. For more information about this program or to join Reeder in making a donation, call the Kent Parks Foundation at 253-856-5099. Donations can also be made online at www.KentParksFoundation.org.

About Marti Reeder:

Reeder is a broker/real estate agent with John L. Scott in Kent-Covington. She is an award-winning Realtor®, earning presidential honors from John L. Scott the last four years and named “Best in Kent” three years in a row. Last December, Reeder also received the “Five Star Real Estate Agent, Best in Client Satisfaction” award from Seattle Magazine.  Reeder is active in the Kent community as a member of the Kent Chamber of Commerce, Kent Downtown Partnership and Noon Kiwanis Club.

For more information about Reeder, visit http://www.marti-realtor.com. You can also find Reeder on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Biznik and YouTube.

For more information, contact:

Marti Reeder, John L. Scott
17115 SE 270^th Pl., Ste. 102
Covington, WA 98042
253.859.8500 (office) or 206.391.0388 (cell)
martireeder@johnlscott.com
www.marti-realtor.com

Get your hands dirty and join Kent Parks, Starbucks and REI to celebrate National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 24 at Lake Fenwick Park, 25828 Lake Fenwick Road, Kent. Volunteers are needed to continue the environmental restoration of the Park’s 140 acres.   Kent has participated in National Public Lands Day for the last five years.  The event on September 24 will be held rain or shine, with orientation beginning at 9:00 am and projects continuing until 12 noon.

Last year was the largest National Public Lands Day in history.  Approximately 170,000 people volunteered at more than 2,000 sites across the nation.  They contributed to over $15 million in improvements to public lands.  The event began in 1994 with 700 volunteers.  It was established as a way to continue the promise of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the 3 million Americans who worked from 1933-1942 to preserve and protect America’s natural heritage.

All ages and abilities are welcome!  Registration is required for planning purposes; the deadline is September 21.  Contact 253-856-5110 or download a registration form at www.KentWAParks.com to volunteer.  Tools and gloves are supplied, but extra shovels and pruners are always welcome.  Volunteers are advised to wear sturdy shoes or boots (no flip-flops or sandals allowed) and to dress for the weather.

The 4th Avenue and Meeker Street Starbucks is donating coffee and hot chocolate, as well as water and snacks, and each volunteer will receive an REI volunteer t-shirt.

2011-12 Promotions For the Thunderbird Games

September
Friday, September 24 vs. Portland, T-Birds Magnetic Schedule presented by Beacon Plumbing (all fans), Party on the Plaza

October
Saturday, October 8 vs. Victoria, Valley Medical Center GLOW Event Pink T-Birds Hats (first 3,000 fans)
Tuesday, October 18 vs. Brandon, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 1 (first 2,500 fans)
Sunday, October 23 vs. Everett, Kent Reporter Family Pack, BECU T-Birds Beanies (first 1,000 kids)

November
Tuesday, November 1 vs. Vancouver, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 2 (first 2,500 fans)
Friday, November 18 vs. Tri-City, Pub Night 1
Saturday, November 19 vs. Portland, State Farm T-Bird Fleece Headband (first 2,000 fans), Fred Meyer Turkey Shoot (post game)
Friday, November 25 vs. Prince George, XFINITY Marcel Noebels Bobblehead (first 2,500 fans)
Tuesday, November 29 vs. Swift Current, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 3 (first 2,500 fans)

December
Friday, December 2 vs. Tri-City, Hawaii Night Friday, December 9 vs. Prince George, Northwest Harvest Food Drive – Presented by Beacon Plumbing
Saturday, December 10 vs. Victoria, Boy Scout Night 1, Northwest Harvest Food Drive – Presented by Beacon Plumbing
Tuesday, December 13 vs. Vancouver, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 4 (first 2,500 fans)
Saturday, December 17 vs. Tri-City, T-Birds Calendar Night (first 3,000 fans), Fred Meyer Ham Shoot (post game)
Tuesday, December 27 vs. Everett, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 5 (first 2,500 fans)
Friday, December 30 vs. Moose Jaw, XFINITY Colin Jacobs Bobblehead (first 2,500 fans)

January
Saturday, January 7 vs. Spokane, BECU T-Birds Beanies (first 1,000 kids)
Friday, January 20 vs. Kamloops, Pub Night 2
Saturday, January 28 vs. Portland, Fred Meyer Teddy Bear Toss
Sunday, January 29 vs. Kelowna, Kent Reporter Family Pack, Beginner Fest
Tuesday, January 31 vs. Spokane, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 6 (first 2,500 fans)

February
Saturday, February 4 vs. Kamloops, Luke Lockhart Jersey T-Shirt (first 1,000 kids)
Saturday, February 11 vs. Portland, University of Phoenix T-Birds Bandanas (first 4,000 fans)
Tuesday, February 14 vs. Kelowna, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 7 (first 2,500 fans)
Friday, February 17 vs. Tri-City, Pub Night 3, Bang Banners (first 4,000 fans)
Sunday, February 19 vs. Spokane, Youth Group Night, Girl Scout Night, Kent Reporter Family Pack, Mascot Game
Saturday, February 25 vs. Everett, Hockey Challenge to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska
Sunday, February 26 vs. Tri-City, Hockey Challenge to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska, Boy Scout Night 2, Kent Reporter Family Pack

March
Saturday, March 10 vs. Portland, University of Phoenix T-Bird Thunderstix (first 5,000 fans)
Sunday, March 11 vs. Everett, Kent Reporter Family Pack
Tuesday, March 13 vs. Spokane, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 8 (first 2,500 fans)
Saturday, March 17 vs. Everett, Fan Appreciation, T-Birds Team Poster presented by Sterling Savings & XFINITY (first 5,000 fans)

There will be several special group nights, including Youth Group Night, two Boy Scout Nights, a Girl Scout Night, two Northwest Harvest Food Drive Nights presented by Beacon Plumbing, a Mascot Night and Fan Appreciation Night.  For more information, please contact the Thunderbirds office at 253-239-7825.

“The Passport Challenge includes a calendar of local free or low cost events where children can journal their activities.  Whether it’s walking, hiking, biking, going to the library, swimming, or eating healthy meals, kids can get credit,” Clark said.

Kicking off June 1, students are encouraged to “Eat Smart, Play Hard & Learn”.  According to Kent4Health liaison Pam Clark, students and their families can participate in a lot of different activities and programs and get credit for them.

The Passport Challenge also features the following events:                 

June 11 - The Cruzin’ Passport Challenge Kick Off, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Kent Station, FREE interactive booths, raffles, prizes and demo’s.

• July 15 – Kid’s Cooking Class, 10:00 a.m. – noon, MultiCare Covington Clinic
• August 13 – The Cruzin’ Passport “Walk and Roll” 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  Kohl’s (Covington location) parking lot, FREE 1 mile fun run/walk, bike rodeo, games, prizes.  Fun Run/Walk registration opens at 9:30 a.m.
• September 18 – 1 Mile Junior Run, 5K Run/Walk, 10K Run, Kentwood High School.  Registration required.

Cruzin’ Passports will be distributed by participating elementary schools before June 1.  They are also available at any official Passport site. Call 253-856-4968 or visit www.cruzinpassport.com for a complete list of activities and participating schools and sites.

The cities of Kent and Covington along with donations from MultiCare Health System, Kohl’s, Univar, Kent Community Foundation, Valley Medical Center, Valley Bank, Pinnacle Medical Wellness, Barclay Seafoods, and over 80 local businesses and organizations, have pitched in to present healthy topics and incentives for children to get healthy.

Road Runner Sports
444 Ramsay Way, Ste. 114
Kent Station, downtown Kent
10 a.m.
FREE 2 mile walk/run around Kent Station
Starts in front of AMC Theatres

- Raffle Prizes
– 10% Discount for Participants
– Consultation and Foot Analysis

Sign up between 9:30 – 9:55 am

Questions?  Stop by or visit Road Runner Sports on Facebook.

Interested in learning to dragon boating? No special skills are needed. Meet at the boat dock at Lake Meridian Park at 10 am Saturday morning. All equipment is provided. Women’s and co-ed classes are available. The first three classes are free. For more information, contact Maureen Roberts.