Continuing our lists from January and February, our March 2013 list will include 31 more reasons that I Love Kent. Follow the series on our iLoveKent.net Facebook page, where we post a new reason to love Kent daily. Please comment, add your own suggestions and tell us what you love about Kent!

 Mar. 1:  Kent People – People like Mike Hanis and Merle and Marti Reeder make Kent a fun, friendly place to live.

Mar. 2:  Farm animals – We have a lot of variety in Kent — llamas, alpacas, cows, chickens, goats and more.

Mar. 3:  Allegro Performing Arts Academy – This local dance academy has such a wide variety of dance classes available to people of all ages. I also love that Allegro is active in the community, coming up with events like Kent’s Got Talent.

Mar. 4:  Curran Law Firm – In addition to being a sponsor of iLoveKent.net, attorneys at the firm are very active in the community, including Greg Haffner who serves as the Kent Rotary president this year.

Mar. 5:  Jack Becvar, our city’s historian, is one of my favorite Kent residents. He has a wealth of historical information about Kent, and he and his wife Mary Lou truly love our city.

Mar. 6:  Mayor Suzette Cooke – Regardless of your politics, Mayor Cooke is an enthusiastic, friendly and approachable leader.

Mar. 7:  Annual “Fun for Funds” Dinner Auction – Each year the Children’s Therapy Center and its Dynamic Partners host their annual “Fun for Funds” dinner auction to raise money to help children with special needs and their families.

Mar. 8:  Seattle Thunderbirds – It is so much fun having a WHL hockey team right here in Kent. It is fun family entertainment and the hockey players are not only talented but friendly and humble. [See my story on the mentoring program at Neely O'Brien Elementary.]

Mar. 9:  Lazy Larry’s Ranch – Located on 132nd, I watch the cows daily from my office window. What a delight to see these huge creatures romping around the pasture!

Mar. 10:  Shindig Martini Bar - This classy bar in downtown Kent is a nice break from the usual sports bar. The martini selection is excellent, and happy hour makes these otherwise pricey drinks affordable.

Mar. 11:  Regional Justice Center – This full-service municipal building was beautifully designed, housing our local courts as well as services like CASA, marriage applications and more.

Mar. 12:  Wilson Playfields – Beautiful athletic complex on Kent’s East Hill, ideal for soccer and track events.

Mar. 13:  Lake Meridian – It may be small, but it is ours. With views of Mt. Rainier, this calm, quiet lake is a nice departure from the hustle & bustle of our busy lives.

Mar. 14:  Kent TV 21 – Want to know what’s going on in Kent? You can find it on Kent TV 21. The city’s own TV channel features programs regarding local events like the Kent International Festival as well as streaming Kent City Council meetings live.

Mar. 15:  Small Business Development Center at Green River College – For business owners on a budget, the SBDC is a useful resource for starting and growing a business in Kent.

Mar. 16:  McLendon Hardware – It may not be a big box store, but it has just about everything you could want. I love the garden section!

Mar. 17:  Kent Station Easter Egg Hunt – Easter Egg Hunts at Kent Station have become a new Kent tradition. Free family fun.

Mar. 18:  Soos Creek Trail – Located between Kent and Covington, Soos Creek Trail provides miles of paved trails for walking or running, and every once in awhile, you’ll see a horse on the path.

Mar. 19:  Children’s Bookshop – This downtown store is a good resource for teaching supplies as well as educational books, toys and games for kids.

Mar. 20:  Stefano Langone of American Idol fame is a graduate of Kentwood High School.

Mar. 21:  Kaibara Park, downtown Kent

Mar. 22:  Coldstone Creamery

Mar. 23:  Arbor 360 Skate Park

Mar. 24:  Petco is where Jelly Bean shops for her favorite food – Solid Gold Wee Bits and treats we don’t get at Mud Bay.

Mar. 25:  Fig & Feather – a fun home decor and gift store on W. Meeker St. in downtown Kent

Mar. 26:  Planned Parenthood – I’m glad we have affordable health care and family planning options close to home.

Mar. 27:  Spiro’s Greek Island on First Ave. South has great food in a fun atmosphere right in downtown Kent.

Mar. 28:  Historic homes on Scenic Hill keep a thread of Kent’s past running through the city.

Mar. 29:  Shari’s Pies. Do I really need to explain this one?

Mar. 30:  Sue Froyd, owner of AAA Pest Control and Maggie’s on Meeker, is a wonderful, generous woman.

Mar. 31:  Kent Covenant Church opens its doors regularly to community events.

Children’s Therapy Center and Their Dynamic Partners Set $250,000 Goal for
25^th Annual “Fun for Funds” Dinner Auction on March 23

As Dynamic Partners plans its 25^th Annual Fun for Funds Dinner Auction on March 23, organizers set an ambitious goal to raise $250,000. Net proceeds from the fundraiser will be allocated for the Burien Multi-Service Center, a new facility designed for the expansion of SKIP Early Intervention, Children’s Therapy Center, Dynamic Orthotic Services and SPIO Compression Orthoses. All of these organizations serve children with special needs under the Dynamic Partners’ umbrella.

The title sponsor for this year’s event is Olympic Pharmacy Healthcare Services who has generously donated $25,000 toward Dynamic Partners’ goal. With a Roaring 20s theme, this exciting event will be held on Sat., Mar. 23 at Emerald Downs in Auburn. Fun for Funds will include a cocktail party for sponsors, a plated dinner, dessert rush, a game of “heads or tails,” two silent auctions and a live auction. KOMO4 news anchor Denise Whitaker will emcee the event; Keith Robbins will serve as the auctioneer.

Among the auction items this year are tickets to Disneyland, Alaska Airline tickets, weekend getaways, winery tours, original artwork, handcrafted quilts, museum passes, restaurant gift cards and more.

Tickets for the speakeasy-themed event are $65 each and include dinner and a Roaring 20s-style cocktail. Tickets can be purchased online on the Dynamic Partners’ website. Once registered, guests will receive the special password to enter the speakeasy. To get in the spirit of the event, guests are also encouraged to dress in 1920s attire – flapper dresses, feathered headbands, pin-striped suites, fedoras, etc.

“Our annual event is a fun evening for our guests! It’s why they come back year after year,” says Jon Botten, CEO of Dynamic Partners, the parent organization for Children’s Therapy Center. “They also come back for the satisfaction of knowing they are helping children with special needs reach their full potential.”

To date, the following sponsors have signed on to support the event:  Olympic Pharmacy Healthcare Services, SPIO, Kent Station, Univar USA, Live Oak Audio Visual, Industry Sign & Graphics, Highline Graphics Production, Emerald Downs, Virtually Yourz, Moneytree, Inc., Kent Lions Club, Brantley Janson Yost & Ellison, FamilyCare of Kent, Kudasai, Miller Hayashi Architects, LLC, Cox Financial, Curran Law Firm, Hatchbacks Footwear, Inc, Haeger Orthodontics, ONEDURR Painting, Inc., The Rock Wood Fired Pizza & Spirits, The Creative Office, Whidbey Island Bank, R. L. Evans Company, Inc. and ATG Rehab.

Additional sponsors and auction item donors are still being sought. To become a sponsor or to donate, visit Dynamic Partners online or call Lois Linth, Chief Development Officer, at 253-854-5660. For more information about the event, including stories of children and families who have been helped by Dynamic Partners, visit the organization’s website.

Dynamic Partners is a consortium of organizations collaborating to help children with special needs and their family through the provision of pediatric physical, occupational, and speech language therapy, early intervention, specialized education, custom orthotics, and compression garments and parent training. The children we serve are ages birth to eighteen living in South King and Pierce counties and have a wide variety of disabling conditions including autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, strokes, and other developmental delays.  Our Dynamic Partners include Children’s Therapy Center, South King Early Intervention Program, Dynamic Orthotic Systems, SPIO Compression Garments, and Dynamic Labs.    

For more information, contact:

Lois Linth, Chief Development Officer
Dynamic Partners
10811 SE Kent-Kangley Rd.
Kent, WA  98030       
253-854-5660
lois@dynamicpartners.org
www.dynamicpartners.org

Updated Feb. 2, 2013 at 9:11 p.m.

Each year a number of Kent nonprofit organizations plan fundraising auctions. Here is a list of some of those events, so you can plan ahead. See one missing? Please email us so we can add it. Thank you for supporting the Kent community!

Rainier Chorale Stardust Cabaret & Silent Auction
Sat., Feb. 9
6:00 p.m.
Tickets are $65 each, or $600 for a table of 10.
More info. available online at RainierChorale.org, or call 206-835-8888.

Soroptimist International of Kent – Food, Fashions & Fun
Mar. 14, 2013
5:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Fashion Show, Dinner and Silent Auction
Fund-an-Item to benefit the Genesis Project, a drop in center for women in the greater Kent area who are trying to escape the sex trafficking trade. Tickets are $50. Call event chair Adrienne Rockwell at 253.631.3372 or via email to buy tickets.

Dynamic Partners (“Fun for Funds” Dinner Auction benefiting Children’s Therapy Center, SKIP & DOS)
Sat., Mar. 23 @ Emerald Downs

Kent Chamber Gala – “Prom Night”
Fri., Mar. 29 @ ShoWare Center

Kent Rotary Auction – ESCAPADES
Sat., Apr. 27 @ ShoWare Center

Communities in Schools of Kent – Annual Fundraising Breakfast
Thurs., May 23

Relay for Life Kent
Fri., May 31 – Sat., June 1
French Field, 10020 SE 256th Street, Kent

Kent Downtown Partnership Dinner Auction
Sat., Jun. 22

Kent Youth & Family Services International Gala
Sat., Sept. 14
6 – 9 p.m.
Highline Community College Student Union

Meridian-Kent Kiwanis Club’s Casino Night
Sat., Sept. 28
6 – 10:30 p.m.
Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St., Kent

Kent Sunrise Rotary Oktoberfest
Sat., Oct. 5

Kent Food Bank Fundraising Breakfast
Fri., Oct. 11, 7:30 a.m.
Kent Covenant Church
Email Jeniece Choate for more info.

*This information is subject to change. Please confirm event dates, times and details with the organization’s event coordinators.

KDP Auction June 2010

Savor the Season — SeptemberFest is coming to Kent Station Thurs., Sept. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. Sponsored by Reds Wine Bar and other Kent Station restaurants, the festival will include wine, beer, live music, Click 98.9′s Party Crew and more, all to support Children’s Therapy Center, a local nonproft. Held in the south parking lot, admission to the family-friendly event is free. To participate in the Reds Wine and Beer Garden, however, guests must be 21 or older and show a valid ID. For more info., visit Kent Station online or call marketing manager Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301.

The first 25 guests will receive an additional $10 in food and drink tickets.

The first 100 guests will receive a free wine tasting, courtesy of Reds Wine Bar (must be 21 and have valid ID).

Put June 1 on your social calendar!  At 6:00 pm, the Museum of Flight, located at 9404 East Marginal Way in Seattle will host an event with wine tasting, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a live and silent auction  presented by the Children’s Therapy Center Guild supporting Children’s Therapy Center.

The Museum of Flight has been helping kids fly since 1979 and this event is a way for you and your friends to help in their efforts and have a great time doing it.  For more information, please call 206-764-5700 or visit http://www.museumofflight.org/visit.

Contributed by Jennifer O’Neil, Dynamic Partners

Dynamic Partners Wins $20,000 Zino Society Award for Social Innovation

Kent, Washington – October 6, 2011 – Through a grueling elimination process, Dynamic Partners, emerged as one of

the top two nonprofit finalists competing in the first annual Social Innovation Fast Pitch presented by Social Venture Partners on October 3, 2011 at Fisher Pavilion in Seattle. Dynamic Partners was awarded the $20,000 Zino Society Award for Social Innovation for their Dynamic Labs project. “We feel privileged to have been a part of this inaugural event and incredibly honored to receive such an award,” Jon Botten, the CEO of Dynamic Partners.

“Dynamic Labs exemplifies the core values of the Social Innovation Fast Pitch program through exceptional societal impact, innovation, sustainability and leadership,” said Will Poole, SVP Lead Partner and Social Innovation Fast Pitch organizer. “The ZINO Society Award for Social Innovation represents our community’s enthusiastic support of Dynamic Lab’s vision and work in developing breakthrough solutions for individuals with special needs.”

The 2011 Social Innovation Fast Pitch competition began in August with over 120 applicants. Forty organizations were chosen to compete in the quarter finals with twenty advancing to the semi finals. Of those semi-finalists, Dynamic Partners was chosen as one of seven nonprofits to pitch their projects onstage to an audience of 700 at Monday’s Fast Pitch final event at Fisher Pavilion in Seattle.

Jon explains the purpose behind Dynamic Labs. “By creating Dynamic Labs, we are making an organizational commitment to innovation. We recently went through an intense organizational review as part of a marketing and branding project with an outside consultant. This project brought to light the fact that innovation is a key characteristic of our organization and staff. This drive stems from our commitment to do whatever it takes to help children with special needs reach their full potential. Until now, we did not have a dedicated space for staff, families, and community members to test, vet, and trial innovative products, services and funding models. Consequently, we missed opportunities. We’ve now made a commitment to make innovation a priority via Dynamic Labs.”

“Through a process of systematic innovation, we will gather ideas from a wide variety of constituents including staff, families, referral sources and community members. Then, we will vet those ideas for impact and sustainability. Once something has proven itself inside the lab, we will spin it off into its own social enterprise. Like all of our products and services, Lab ventures are intended to help children with special needs reach their full potential.”

Dynamic Partners is consortium of organizations empowering children with special needs through innovation and collaboration headquartered in Kent, Washington. Our Dynamic Partners include Children’s Therapy Center, South King Early Intervention Program, Dynamic Orthotic Systems, SPIO Compression Garments, Dynamic Labs, and Dynamic Family Services. Member organizations have been providing therapy services for children with special needs in South King and Pierce County since 1979. We currently have locations in Kent, SeaTac and Tacoma.

To learn more about our Dynamic Labs project, make an investment, volunteer your expertise, or present an idea, please contact Jon Botten, CEO at jon@dynamicpartners.org. To learn more about SVP’s Social Innovation Fast Pitch, visit www.sifp.net.

The Morford Family Carousel needs volunteers for shifts throughout the holiday season. Located in Town Square Plaza (2nd and Harrison Streets) in downtown Kent, the carousel is open throughout the holiday season for local children and families to enjoy.

Suggested donations are $1 per ride, and proceeds benefit two local organizations:  Kentwood High School National Honor Society and Children’s Therapy Center via South King County Autism Support Group for Parents.

Carousel volunteers are needed for the following. If you or your organization can help, please contact Angel Townsend at 206-330-4264 or via email.

Carousel Volunteers Needed on…

* Friday, December 17th – 4pm-6:30pm

* Saturday, December 18th – 3pm-6pm and 6pm-8pm

* Sunday, December 19th – 2:30-5pm

* Tuesday, December 21st, 1pm-5pm and 6pm-8pm

* Wednesday,Thursday,Friday, December, 22nd, 23rd, 24th – 1pm-5pm

* Friday, December 31st – 1pm-5pm

It’s easy, it’s fun and it will warm your heart to be a part of the effort!

Updated Nov. 3, 2010, 8:29 p.m.–The City of Kent announced today that the Morford Family Carousel will open this year on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. On Friday, November 26 from 4 to 9pm, the carousel will kick off its fifth holiday season. It will be located at Town Square Plaza at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Harrison Streets, across the street from the Kent Library.

After opening day, the Morford Family Carousel’s hours will be:

Friday:  4 – 8 p.m.
Saturday:  12 – 8 p.m.
Sunday:  12 – 5 p.m.

In addition, there will be Bonus Days during the holiday break from school. The carousel will be open Dec. 20-24 from 1 to 5 pm and December 31 from 1 to 5 pm. The carousel can also be booked for private parties Monday through Thursday. Arrangements for private bookings can be made by contacting the SKC Autisum Support Group via email.  [Notes:  Hours are subject to change due to the weather.]

In addition, the City is planning special musical performances and holiday surprises to draw families to downtown Kent during the holiday season. Once again, the City of Kent is partnering with local nonprofits to operate the carousel as a fundraiser.

This holiday season the nonprofits working the carousel are the Kentwood National Honor Society and the South King County Autism Support Group, with the group’s proceeds going to Children’s Therapy Center. Suggested donations are $1 per ride and will go to the nonprofits to support their respective missions and programs.

For more information, call 253-856-5110 or visit the City of Kent website.

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.

At its annual awards luncheon yesterday at Golden Steer, Soroptimist International of Kent presented its community service awards. With 45 or so guests in attendance at the luncheon, including Mayor Suzette Cooke and Kent City Council President Jamie (Danielson) Perry, the following individuals and organizations were honored for their work in improving the lives of women and girls in the Kent community:

• Volunteer of the Month:  Kenyanna Brown, Kent Phoenix Academy
• Children’s Therapy Center/Dynamic Family Services
• Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN)
• Kent Youth and Family Services
• SKCAC Industries
• Master Gardener Foundation, Tribal Life Trail

Jon Botten, executive director of Children’s Therapy Center, accepted the award on behalf of his organization by reading a letter from MacKenzie, a recent graduate who utilized the center’s services for many years.

“Children’s Therapy Center gave me hope when there wasn’t any,” she writes.

Mike Heinisch, executive director for Kent Youth & Family Services, accepted the award for KYFS’s Watson Manor, a transitional housing program for homeless teen mothers.

“These mothers don’t have a place to call home – home is where our root is, our security and shelter,” Heinisch says.

Each of the honorees also received a donation from the Soroptimists to help them to continue their work. For more information about the local Soroptimist group, visit them online at www.soroptimistnwr.com.

May 20 Update–Event postponed until October. Stay tuned for  more details!

Battle of the Chefs:  May 23, 11 am to 6 pm

Healthy cooking does not have to be boring!

The Healthy Edge and All About Hope are teaming up to bring health & fitness and cooking fans together to witness Battle of the Chefs, a live cooking competition that challenges local chefs to cook up tasty, healthy dishes without table salt, butter or cream. See if they can accomplish it from 11 am to 6 pm at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

Tickets start at $15/each and, at the buyer’s discretion, $5 of the ticket price can be allocated to a participating nonprofit organizations like the Children’s Therapy Center, Kent Youth & Family Services, National MS Society and more. Click here to buy tickets online now.

"Fun for Funds" Organizers; L-R: Patrice Briggs, Barbara Frazier, Jennifer O'Neal and Lois Maier

Last Saturday, Children’s Therapy Center held its 22nd annual fundraiser dinner auction at Emerald Downs. Titled “Fun for Funds,” the popular event drew 420 guests, raising net income of $136,500.

Emceed by Kent Station general manager John Hinds, guests to the event donned glamorous derbies and were encouraged to bid on dozens of items that were donated for the silent auction, as well as to participate in the live auction  which included a martini party, a Mariners game package, a sailing trip for 4 on the Puget Sound, a romantic getaway at The Edgewater in Seattle, a 10-day cruise, Kent Station shopping spree and more! Keith Robbins served as the evening’s auctioneer.

In addition, tables of guests bid for the right to choose their dessert first during the Dessert Dash. With designated runners lining up along the wall, the table that raised the most selected its dessert from among dozens of decadent choices including chocolate-covered strawberries, a horseshoe cake, a rectangular chocolate cake covered in white and milk chocolate chips, a peanut butter mousse pie covered with chocolate ganache, a towering chocolate cake from Claim Jumper, and more! This portion of the evening alone raised more than $9,400.

Following the catered dinner, CTC board member Ryan Van Quill and his son Jackson, a former client of CTC, thanked the guests for participating in the fun fundraiser and for helping kids like Jackson who have benefited from CTC services and support. Immediately following their presentation, guests donated $33,000 in cash to support scholarships for CTC services!

Thanks to the event’s sponsors, the entire net profit of $136,500 will go directly into programs that benefit CTC’s clients, kids from birth to age 21. Sponsors include Kent Station (premier-plus), Belfor USA (premier), Quota International of Kent Valley, Waste Management, Univar USA, Cascade DAFO, Emerald Downs, The Resource Group, Rock Wood Fired Pizza, Brantley Janson Yost & Ellison CPAs, Charter Bank, Hunt Family, Kent Firefighter’s Foundation, Live Oak Audio Visual, Creative Office, Curran Law Firm, Emerald Paving Inc., FamilyCare of Kent, Fockler Family, Laser Underground & Utilities, Mountain Construction/Hentschell & Associates Inc., Sprague Israel Giles Insurance, United Way of King County and Wesley Homes.

“I am truly thankful for everyone who helped make this the most successful auction in our 22 years of hosting the Fun for Funds Dinner Auction.” — Lois Maier, Development Director for Dynamic Families

Children’s Therapy Center was founded in 1979 to provide quality therapy services to children from birth to age 21. CTC clients experience a variety of developmental delays and disabilities including cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders, Down Syndrome, torticollis, speech and language disorders, brachial plexus injuries, feeding disorders, sensory processing difficulties, autism and dyspraxia.

Children’s Therapy Center is a part of a consortium formed under the umbrella of Dynamic Families. Other partners include South King Early Intervention Program (SKIP), Dynamic Orthotic Systems (DOS) and Stabilizing Pressure Input Orthosis (SPIO).

Guests gather to bid on silent auction items.

Guests line up to sample Mint Juleps @ Emerald Downs!

The Children’s Therapy Center of Kent is holding their 22nd Annual Dinner Auction, “Hats Off to Kids, a Day at the Derby”, to benefit children with special needs. The event will be held on
March 27, 2010 from 6 – 10pm at Emerald Downs in Auburn.   They are asking that attendees join in the festivities by wearing your favorite Kentucky Derby style hat.

The Children’s Therapy Center of Kent provides children with special needs and their families with services to enhance their development.  The mission is to maximize the potential of children with disabilities by providing individualized, family-centered intervention services.  Our ultimate goal is to give children functional skills that will help them today while decreasing their need for future services.

For more information or to register visit, http://www.dynamicfamilies.org/Page.aspx?hid=459.