Growing up in Indiana, I enjoyed the massive lake effect snow we got every winter. Our cities were well-equipped to tackle the snow and ice, so we didn’t miss school very often…but there was always plenty of snow to play in. I remember snow tunnels, forts, sledding until my fingers were frozen, and snowball fights.

Fast forward to 2008 and I am in awe of the snow we’ve seen in Kent this year. I’ve lived in Washington for five and a half years and have never seen snow like this here. We have at least 10 inches at our house, not to mention thick layers of ice. Some roads are closed, others are impassable and the rest are just plain messy. So if you have to travel this week, please be careful. There is more snow and ice to come. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy watching it from my office window as I make the most of this weather-induced break.

Happy Holidays!

Dana, Virtually Yourz

Last week I learned that the Kent Salvation Army would not receive its usual bounty of toys from the Salvation Army distribution center in Seattle for its holiday Toys ‘n Joy program. Instead, it would have to rely on local donations. I put out a plea for help, and you responded generously. Some of you brought toys to me to drop off, some of you went directly to the Kent Salvation Army on South Central Avenue with your new toys, and I picked up a few from your offices and delivered them.

To all who gave, or hoped we’d find a solution, I thank you. Single handedly, one person would not have made a significant difference, but as a caring community, we were able to provide gifts for dozens of Kent children this Christmas. Thank you and Happy Holidays to you and your families! I’m proud to know you.

Dana

Hello, friends.

I recently did a story for Kent Magazine on the Kent Salvation Army. I met the staff and several volunteers of this passionate organization. Our local office is small, but it provides the area with much needed services, particularly in these hard times. I just learned today that our local Salvation Army will not be benefiting from the Seattle area’s Toys ‘n Joy toy drive, meaning they don’t have any toys this year to give their clients.

I had bought several games that I was going to donate. Instead of donating them to the Toys for Joy program here (which will be distributed around the Seattle area but not to the Kent Salvation Army), I am going to give them directly to the Kent Salvation Army on Central Avenue. If you’d like to help, please help me spread the word by forwarding this e-mail to your friends, co-workers and neighbors. This Christmas will be a tough one for many in our area, and I want to try to do what I can to help. I hope you’ll join me.

If you want to make a donation, I will collect them personally (at my house or I’ll pick them up), or you can drop them off at the Salvation Army office:

My address: 12813 SE 241st St., Kent, WA 98030 (call me first at 360-920-1737)

Kent Salvation Army: 1209 Central Ave. South, Ste. 145 (drop off between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m, Monday through Friday)

Thank you and happy holidays to your and your families!

Kent Parks & Recreation Dept. is hosting its annual Holiday Bazaar this Friday and Saturday at the Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Avenue North, Kent, WA.

Fri., December 5: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sat., December 6: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Here’s a brief description from the city’s website describing the event:

“The annual Holiday Bazaar features more than 100 vendors selling pottery, wooden toys, gourmet foods, wood craft items, handmade soaps and body products, wreaths, snowmen, stained and hand painted glass, wonderfully handcrafted jewelry, quilts, specialty items and gifts. Four raffle drawings, with items from the vendors are held each hour. ”

Shop “local” this Christmas! Questions? Call 253.813.6795.

For complete details, visit the city’s website.

Downtown Kent has a lot to offer at this year’s annual Winterfest celebration on Saturday, December 6. Here is a brief schedule of events. For more info., visit the Kent Winterfest website.

9 am – Noon: Holly Jolly Breakfast at Maggie’s on Meeker (they have delicious food!)
10 am – 6 pm: Holiday Shopping & Dining
11 am: Holly Jolly One Mile Walk with Mayor Suzette Cooke & Kent4Health
11 am – 9 pm: Morford Family Holiday Carousel
12 – 3 pm: Meet the Kent Fire Dept.
1 – 5 pm: Holly Jolly Horse Drawn Carriage free with Kent Food Bank donation
2 pm: Kids ‘n Kritters Pet Walk
4 pm: Holiday Reading at the Kent Public Library
4:30 – 6:30 pm: Kent Lion’s Parade, Santa’s Arrival, Bike Giveaway, Annual Tree Lighting

Share your Holly Jolly spirit this holiday season with a food or monetary donation to the Kent Food Bank.

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This year is Santa Don and Christmas Carole (Vandel)’s last year as Santa in downtown Kent. This year our favorite holiday couple will be available to have pictures taken with children and pets at the Morford Carousel in the new Town Square Plaza in downtown Kent during the month of December. Bring your own camera and pictures are free. Their request: a donation to a local charity.

He also needs a backdrop for the photos. If you have something he can use or have any ideas, e-mail me or call Mark Mandolin at Chair & Trellis at 253-852-8520.

This is Santa’s last year, so let’s make it a special one for him!

[P.S. - Don't forget Winterfest 2008 scheduled for Saturday, December 6!!!]

Photo by Spyder-Web Photography