Contributed by Victoria Andrews, Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national holiday, is Monday, January 16. With schools and many businesses closed, including city of Kent offices, Kent Parks would like to encourage students, scouts, families and others to observe it by contributing community service.

Once again, we will focus on collecting litter along the Interurban Trail. Volunteers will meet at the Kent Lions Skate Park on West Smith St. near Lincoln Avenue/Valley Highway overpass in downtown Kent. Parking is available in the Park-and-Ride lot next to the skate park.

Trash bags and a limited number of pick sticks will be provided. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear sturdy boots or shoes, bring work gloves and a bottle of water if they wish. Special programs manager Victoria Andrews staffs the event and requests pre-registration by January 12 to ensure she brings enough supplies. To download the registration flyer, visit www.KentWAParks.com and click on Volunteer. Or call 253-856-5110.

Join Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services on Monday, January 18 for the 2nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.  This year the project is Clean-up at West Hill Skate Park.  The community service project will begin at 2pm and continue until 4pm.  Please make sure to dress warm and wear sturdy shoes and gloves.  Trash bags and pick up sticks will be provided.   Please pre-register by January 14.  For more information or to register visit kentwaparks.com.

I get a lot of questions about why I started iLoveKent.net and what I get out of it. I started it as a simple blog last summer, but moved it to a larger, friendlier format a couple of months ago because it was getting more attention and I saw the need for information in our community growing. I wanted to provide a venue to talk about some of the businesses, events and people in Kent that I think are great but aren’t getting the exposure they deserve. Some that I’ve written about are clients, but many are not.

I’m not sure where the site is headed or what I eventually want to accomplish with it, but for now…

- The site is a free, community-based website.

- I do not receive any money from advertisers or others to maintain the site.

- I post content on the site as I have time. I do it on a voluntary basis as a community service.

- Readers and members of the community occasionally send me items and events to post. I do so as I have time and at my discretion. I am the sole editor and publisher of the site.

- Readers comments are moderated the first time they submit a comment. After they have had a comment approved, future comments are automatically posted. I reserve the right to delete to inappropriate or offensive remarks.

- I have hired several people to assist with the site because there aren’t enough hours in the day, but I do so at my expense. As a result, at some point, I anticipate having to generate some revenue from the site to cover my costs. I don’t know what that looks like yet.

- Any errors or omissions are strictly my own. If you find something that is inaccurate, please contact me at info@ilovekent.net, and I will make the corrections as soon as possible.

I welcome your input, feedback, content suggestions and ideas. I want this site to show some of the great things that Kent, Washington has to offer. Your input will help to make the site more useful, so keep those ideas coming! Send them to info@ilovekent.net.

Thanks,
Dana Neuts, publisher
iLoveKent.net

Thanks to Victoria Andrews from the City of Kent for this information.

Kent Parks Hosts April Events:  Earth Day (April 18) and Arbor Day (April 25)

Calling all…

* students looking for community service opportunities
* church and corporate groups
* scout troops
* elementary students and their families
* neighbors and other individuals

* service clubs

Even though our weather has been, to say the least, unpredictable, crocus are blooming, leaves are popping out and we’re eager to begin our spring volunteer season. Our first two events are Saturday mornings, rain or shine (or snow), from 9:00 AM sharp until 12:00 noon:

Earth Day, April 18th at Lake Fenwick Park (park in the middle or south entrance, meet at the north entrance)

Arbor Day, April 25th at West Fenwick Park (park in the lot or across the street at Trinity Community Church, 3807 Reith Rd.)
The flyers explain what we will be doing.  A reminder: wear sturdy boots…absolutely no sandals or flip-flops!

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged: register yourself or your group no later than 3 days before each event. Thanks – that really helps us plan.

Please try to arrive at 9:00 AM for orientation and safety tips. Younger volunteers who can’t stay for the whole 3 hours can sign out whenever they need to. We’re expecting a big group for both of these popular events, so everyone’s cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Registration forms and info are available online.