Kent Downtown Partnership is hosting a breakfast meeting for downtown Kent property owners to gather input on the city’s vision for downtown Kent. Guest speakers include architect William H. Kreager of Communita Design and Fred Satterstrom, community development director for the City of Kent. Find out what the city is looking to achieve in downtown Kent over the next 10 to 20 years.

Fri., Oct. 26, 2012
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Down Home Catering
211 First Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032

Breakfast Meeting Sponsored by Valley Bank and Hanis Irvine Prothero

RSVP to Barbara Smith at Kent Downtown Partnership at 253-813-6976.

On Friday, June 22 at 9 pm ShoWare Center will present the 30th Anniversary Tour of New Edition featuring all six original members.  This incredible two-hour performance by the entire crew of New Edition will include hits like “Candy Girl,” “Cool It Now,” and “If It Isn’t Love,” and many more.

Ticket prices: $150 – Meet and Greet; $125, $85*, $75, $55, $45.  *Club Access $85 seats include access to the Club Lounge with full bar.  Not available to floor seating.  Purchase New Edition tickets at ShoWare Center, 625 West James Street, Kent, Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm.  Don’t miss this performance!

See the legendary Isley Brothers and KEM at ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St. in Kent on June 2 at 8:00 pm.  These R&B giants will play one-night only in Kent as part of “Smooth Grooves Music Fest”.

With such hits as “Twist & Shout”, “Summer Breeze” and “It’s Your Thing”, the Isley Brothers will make you want to dance! The Grammy-award winning Isley Brothers formed in the early 1950s in Cincinnati, Ohio and today are considered one of the most important and influential groups of the last half-century.

It has been said that music feeds the soul, but KEM’s journey is equally, if not more inspirational. R&B Singer/Songwriter/Producer KEM’s love of music began as a child. Music saw him through the darkest moments in his life, took him to the top of the industry’s record charts, and earned him a record deal with Universal Motown Records. A self-taught musician, KEM was born in Nashville and raised in Detroit, the birthplace of Motown Records.

Today, KEM takes the opportunity to minister through music, sharing his life’s journey with his audience at every concert. He testifies openly about overcoming alcohol addiction and drug use and touts his sobriety since 1990. He never neglects to give honor and glory to God for his achievements.

Reserved seats range from $30 to $85. Tickets are on sale to the general public at ShoWare Center’s Box Office (with no fees) or online at ShoWareCenter.com, Facebook.com/ShoWareCenter or 253.856.6999.

For more information about this and other events, visit http://showarecenter.com.

The First Annual “Stuff the RV” Classic Car Show is free to enter and attend and is presented by Torklift Central RV.  Entries must be received by May 18.  To qualify for entry, vehicles can be no newer than 1976 – the year Torklift Central RV opened for business.

The car show, scheduled from 9 am to 3 pm is the kick off to the “Stuff the RV” drive benefiting soldiers stationed overseas.  Torklift Central RV will be collecting non-perishable food, hygiene products, reading materials and games for our troops.  Torklift’s General Manager, Rick Shafer’s goal is to stuff one RV completely full with the donations.

Prizes will be awarded, raffle tickets will be available and given away to participants and a free catered barbecue will also be provided during the car show.

Torklift is located at 917 Central Avenue South in downtown Kent.  To enter your “classic” car, call 253-299-0076.

Did you know that prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused narcotic preceded only by marijuana? A nation wide effort to reduce drug abuse, Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for Sat., April 28 from 9 am to 2 pm at the front of the Kent Police Station, next to Kent City Hall, 220 Fourth Avenue South in downtown Kent.  The goal of this unique program is to provide a safe and secure environment for the community to turn in unused, expired or otherwise unneeded medications.

Medications that can be dropped off include controlled, non-controlled and over the counter medicines; all solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers and liquid products like cough syrup, cold medicines, etc.

Let’s reduce drug abuse!  If you have any of the above medications to get rid of, support the Prescription Drug Take Back Day by taking them to the Kent Police Station on Saturday, April 28 from  am to 2 pm.

Join Mayor Suzette Cooke at Airway Brewing Beer & Bistro in downtown Kent, 320 W. Harrison Street, on November 8, 5 pm – 6 pm with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony (must be 21 or over to attend).  The Bistro is scheduled to open in early November.

Friendly service and tasty beer make Airways Brewing Company a favorite with locals as well as beer enthusiasts from all over.  Their tap room, which opened on March 4, 2010, is located at 6644 S. 196th Street, Ste. 100 features full pints and growlers of their five standard beers: T-Tail Blonde Ale; Jet City ESB; First Class IPA; Starliner Stout and Sky Hag IPA.  Founder and brewer Alex Dittmar has had a lifelong passion for 60′s era jetliners as the names of his beers show.  Airways Brewing Company and now Airways Brewing Beer & Bistro is a combination of his love for airplanes, good beer and a connection with people from all over the world.

Please join Airways Brewing Co. for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on November 8 and welcome Airways Brewing Beer & Bistro to downtown Kent.

The 9th Annual Casino Night fundraiser sponsored by the Meridian Kent Kiwanis helps support youth services in Kent and the surrounding area.  This fun event will be held on Saturday, November 12, 6 pm – 10 pm at the Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St. in Kent.

Tickets are $30 which includes a $20 gambling scrip, champagne, lots of delicious hours d’ oeuvres and a silent auction.  There will be Black Jack, Roulette, Craps and many great prizes to be won!

If you are interested in Casino Night sponsorship levels: Platinum $2,000 (+32 tickets); Gold $1,000 (+16 tickets);  Diamond $750 (+12 tickets); Silver $500 (+8 tickets); Bronze $300 (+4 tickets) and Table $150 (+2 tickets) with recognition given throughout the evening.  Contributions for the silent auction are also being accepted.

Buy your tickets today for this fabulous event to support youth services in our community.  Just click on the Make a Purchase link on this website.  Sponsorships can also be made through this link as well.

For more information, please contact Pat Hanis at phanis@hiplawfirm.com.

Thank you for your support of the 9th Annual Casino Night fundraiser to help youth in our community.  Hope to see you there!

Oktoberfest comes to Kent via Kent Sunrise Rotary on Saturday, October 1 at Town Square Plaza.  The event is scheduled from 12 noon to 8:oo  pm, rain or shine.  This family friendly event features grub and grog and entertainment.  Beer garden pre-sale tickets are $20; $25 at the door.  The ticket price includes a German beer stein and first beer, and there is free admission to the Family Fest Zone.  Proceeds will support local veterans’ organizations.  It is a family event so kids and grand kids are welcome!  There will be entertainment for all ages, food booths and lots of fun.  Hope you’ll stop by!

Buy tickets online now at OktoberfestKent.com. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the event.

Proceeds for the event will support returning veterans.

The Kent Chamber of Commerce “Find It In Kent” event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 28 from 3-7 p at ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St. in Kent.

This is a great opportunity for local businesses to showcase their services.  There are multiple sponsorship opportunities available.  Please log onto http://www.kentchamber.com/ for more information.

The Taste of Kent Reception will feature 12 local restaurants with samplings of their finest cuisine from 5 to 7p, the closing of the Business Expo.  Interested restaurants are invited to register.  It’s a wonderful way to market your restaurant!  Please log onto http://www.kentchamber.com for information.

The cost of the Taste of Kent Reception is free for those participating in the passport program and you can do this by picking up a free passport at the Kent Chamber booth.  The passport also entitles you to be entered to win great door prizes.  The Taste of Kent is $10 admission for those that don’t want to participate in the passport program.

Come to ShoWare Center on September 28 to experience all of the things Kent offers!

Come and join the fun on August 20 with host Pacific Cascade Mustang Club.  The 2011 Classic Ford Show and Mustang Roundup will be held at Bowen Scarff Ford Lincoln, 1157 Central Ave. N. in Kent.  Spectators are always welcome!

There will be a free barbecue, raffle, great cars and great people too.  Online preregistration is required, $20 per car, payable at the gate.  Includes dash plaque and t-shirt and awards for all class winners.

Registration opens at 8:00 am; show starts at 9:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm.  Please contact Mark Palmore at 253-852-1480 or Tom Rowley, Mustang Club President.

Bring your family to ShoWare Center for “amazing thrills and outlandish fun,”  on Thursday, September 1st through Monday, September 5th.  Ringling Bros. and Barum & Bailey Circus is coming to Kent, hosted by Thrillusionist David DaVinci.  Audiences will be amazed with his eye-popping illusions and mind-blowing transformations.  He’ll take you to the center of the ring to be mesmerized by the Hairdaring Duo; Sky-High Sensation; BOOM A RING; feats of strength from the King Fu Kings; The Barons of Balance; and the Salsations, flying high and flipping furiously.  And these are just a few of the acts you and your family will experience!

BOOM A RANG will get audiences up close with the majestic animals of the circus. Thirteen high-energy dogs maneuver through hurdles, jumps, do backflips and high dive from 16 feet!  Camels, horses and ponies perform without riders and the treasured Asian elephants will demonstrate their incredible grace just feet away from audiences’ seats.  And, of course, no circus would be complete without the Ringling Bros. clowns bringing their own brand of hilarity and mayhem to the ring.

Tickets range from $15 to $65 plus fees at ShoWare Center’s Box Office, 253.856.6999 or use the link http://tickets.showarecenter.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=92

Ladies, mark your calendars for a fun evening of wine tasting, shopping, pampering and guaranteed girltime! The Sixth Annual Wine, Women, WOW! is scheduled for Sat., Sept. 10 at the Kent Activity Center. This year’s WOW! begins with a one-hour VIP event from 5 to 6 pm, with the main event beginning at 6 pm and running until 9 pm. It will feature Washington wines, shopping from local merchants and pampering from some of your favorite area salons. And this year we’re giving the men what they asked for – a Man Cave.

The event is hosted by and benefits Kent Downtown Partnership, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting and growing a vibrant downtown Kent.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Wine, Women, WOW! online or contact KDP at 253-813-6976.

Wine, Women, WOW!
Sat., Sept. 10, 2011
Kent Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St., Kent, WA

VIP Event:  5 – 6 pm
Main Event:  6 – 9 pm

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.

Kent residents are invited to learn more about their Police Department starting on April 20, 2011. The Community Police Academy is delivered in a series of classes that offer straightforward, candid information regarding daily and specialized operations of the Police Department, while defing the agency’s role in the community. Classes are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m to 9:00p.m and are instructed by department members and civilian experts. There is a one Saturday session which will include tours of the City of Kent Corrections Center and the 9-1-1 facilities at Valley communications Center. After attending the first three classes, participants are also eligible for a ride-along with a Kent Police Officer. Classes are held at the Kent Police/Fire Training Center, 24611 116th Ave. SE in Kent.  A wide range of topics will be discussed to include patrol and traffic enforcement, detective and special investigations, SWAT, canine and other specialized Police functions. Thee will also be instruction on recruitment, hiring and training of Kent Police Officers. There is no cost for participating in the Community Police Academy. It is open to Adults 18 and over and you will need to pass a background check. Applications are available at the Kent Police Department, 220 4th Ave. S or the Kent Police Website at: www.ci.kent.wa.us/communitypoliceacademy. For general questions Please contact Cesi Velez at 253-856-5884.

Update-July 2, 2010:  Opening date pushed back to July 16 (was originally set for July 14):

The City of Kent is bringing back the Morford Family Carousel the summer.  Your favorite Kent amusement  ride returns on July 16 at Town Square Plaza, on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Harrison Street in downtown Kent.  You can ride the 1940s classic Venetian-style carousel carousel through August 22 for a $2.00 donation.

This summer the carousel’s donations will benefit the Girl Scout Troop 41104, to help send the girls, next summer, to Savannah, GA, the Girl Scouts’ home base.  They will also be participating in other fundraising efforts including crafts.  So come to Downtown Kent with your family, do some shopping and go for a spin.

Weekly hours (may vary) will be:

Wednesdays, 11 am – 1:30 pm;
Thursdays, 5-8:30 pm;
Fridays, 5-8 pm;
Saturdays, 10:30 am – 3 pm; and
Sundays, 1-5 pm.

For more information, call 253-856-5110 or visit the City’s website at www.ci.kent.wa.us.

Contributed by Melanie Mosshart

Sunshine!  Lots and lots of sunshine.  That alone will bring Kent residents out from hiding in their homes for fear of getting wet in the rain-drenched Kent Valley.  On Saturday, June 26^th however, not only were people fleeing from their homes to get outside, they actually enjoyed getting wet ~~ in the fountain downtown!

What curious event brought mommies, daddies, children and even dogs in droves to the Kent downtown area?  The captivating and exuberant Kent International Festival, that’s what.  It wasn’t the sunshine alone this time urging people to get out and go.  What a glorious day to partake in the second annual International Festival in conjunction with the Kent Farmers Market in downtown Kent.

Children splashed, vendors vended, cooks cooked, and dancers danced!  The Kent International Festival offered a variety of entertainment, food and an assortment of unique items with an international flair.

Kent’s Farmers Market started on a little plot of land near the Library with perhaps 8 booths, each housing the fruits of local growers and craftsmen. The Kent Farmers Market has grown substantially since its inception, and is a grand mixture of photography, crafts, colorful flowers, fresh garden vegetables and plants in addition to a diverse array of distinctive gifts for every taste.

Taste?  Did I mention taste?  The International Festival touted delicious food, whether your taste buds were craving hot dogs, Mexican, Indian, Thai or Teriyaki, food booths filled the air with the tempting aromas of your favorite cuisine, enticing wanderers to wander over for a plateful of delectable delights.

Delight?  Yes indeed, the dancing was decidedly delightful and the crowds enthusiastic with each and every entertaining event.  There were dancers representing Ireland, India and Chili to name a few, bringing broad smiles to the throng of onlookers.  In addition, the martial artists, drummers and various variety acts truly gave the event its international flavor.  And of course, our littlest dancer brought many a chuckle and applause as she twisted, dipped and tapped her toes with the music like the women on stage that she so enthusiastically emulated.

Representative Dave Upthegrove could be seen coaching the dancers and encouraging the crowd to support the efforts of Harpreet Gill, the chair woman of this successful event.  As a Kent resident, I took great pride in showing off Kent’s International Festival this weekend to a visitor from San Jose, who was duly impressed as well.  I was so pleased to have heard about the festivities through local vendors, because I hadn’t been aware of it before.  I have marked my calendar to watch for next year’s festival, and my suggestion is that you do the same; because if you are able to attend next year with me, I have no doubt that you too will be captivated by Kent’s tribute to a diverse culture and community.

Your downtown hometown restaurant for breakfast and lunch

More info.:  Facebook.com/FindItInKent

Spiro’s Greek Island, one of my favorite local restaurants, has recently added free delivery to downtown businesses during the lunch hour. Order your favorite Greek salads, gyros and other goodies and have them delivered right to your door.

View Spiro’s menu online.

Spiro’s Greek Island
215 First Avenue South
Kent, WA  98032
253-854-1030

Call ahead for hours, daily specials and entertainment schedule.