Kent Station will expand its shopping hours from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24: Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm; and Christmas Eve, 10 am to 5 pm. Many merchants will be open extended hours on Friday, November 25. Check http://www.KentStation.com for details.

Kent Station is full of holiday cheer and activities:  Santa arrives on Saturday, November 26 at 11 am; the annual Winterfest parade through Kent Station is on Saturday, Dec. 3 (approximately 4:30 pm) which is immediately followed by the Kent Lions’ tree lighting at Town Square Plaza (approximately 5:30 pm); and on Saturday, December 10 the WOLF 100.7 will have a remote broadcast featuring Microsoft’s Kinect and its newest games.

Want to give back this season? Kent Station supports local families in need by accepting donations at Santa’s House for food, clothing or cash – all donations go to the Kent Food Bank.  Next to the Santa House in front of AMC is Kent Station’s Giving Tree benefiting children and their siblings who receive services from Children’s Therapy Center. From November 25 through December 19, the tree will be decorated with hosting “mittens.”  Each mitten is dedicated to a child and lists the child’s age, clothing and shoe sizes, along with a wish (a basketball, baby doll) and a need (a warm jacket, blankets, socks).

Kent Station encourages shoppers to take a mitten or two to brighten a child’s Christmas.  Simply bring back the gifts unwrapped, attach the mitten, and drop in the Big Red Box, located inside AMC Theatres’ lobby.

As always, hop by our hip Santa House for holiday wishes and photos. A photo CD is available for $20. Prints can also be purchased in varying sizes, ranging in price from $15 to $40. Santa’s hours are:

Nov. 26 – 27:               11 am – 8 pm
Nov. 30 – Dec. 2:        4 – 8 pm
Dec. 3 – 4:                   11 am – 8 pm
Dec 7 – 9:                    4 – 8 pm
Dec. 10 – 23:               11 am – 8 pm

“The holiday season is our favorite time of the year, with our additional decorations, lights and, of course, Santa. We invite our customers to join us in celebrating the season.” says Sommer Ueda, marketing and property manager for Kent Station. “It’s a special time to share with family and friends. We enjoy making it fun, while also giving back to the community with our giving tree and food drive.”

For additional details about Kent Station’s Holiday Countdown or holiday events, call the Kent Station management office at 253-856-2301 or visit Kent Station’s website at http://www.KentStation.com or Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/KentStation.

About Kent Station

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Tarragon a Seattle based company. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, professional office space, and dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatres Cineplex and a branch campus of Green River Community College.

In addition to Kent Station merchants and dining and entertainment venues, the popular outdoor shopping center hosts free, family-friendly events throughout the year as well as nonprofit fundraisers to support the community. For more information, visit the Kent Station website at http://www.KentStation.com or call the management office at 253-856-2301.

About Children’s Therapy Center:

Since 1979, Children’s Therapy Center, a Dynamic Partner organization, has provided quality therapy services for infants, children, and adolescents ages birth to 21 with the mission to maximize the potential of children with special needs by providing individualized, family-centered therapy services.

Children are referred to CTC with a variety of developmental delays and disabilities including cerebral palsy and neurological disorders, torticollis, speech and language disorders, brachial plexus injuries, spina bifida, Down syndrome, feeding disorders, sensory processing difficulties, autism and dyspraxia. For more information about Children’s Therapy Center, visit http://www.DynamicFamilies.org.

In addition to trick-or-treating, Kent Station will host its annual Halloween costume contest. Open to individuals and groups of all ages, the judging will begin on the Fountain Stage outside AMC Theatres at 4:30 p.m. A panel of guest judges will select their favorite costumes in a number of categories, and present the winners with Kent Station gift cards. Winners will be announced about 6 p.m. and must be present to win.

“We’re expecting about 1,500 kids to trick-or-treat this year, and the costume contest always draws a huge crowd,” said Sommer Ueda, marketing and property manager. “This is one of our favorite events, and a fun way to get involved in the Kent community.”

The Halloween fun begins at 4 p.m. Kids and families can begin at any participating Kent Station merchant, identified with a pumpkin hanging in the store window, and make the rounds throughout the shopping center. For additional information, visit Kent Station online or call contact Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301. Trick or treat!

Click here to vote (you’ll be asked to sign in)!

Voting ends October 9, 2011.

“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.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

10am – Noon

Kent Station

Come and join us for an enjoyable morning of egg hunting and scavenging.  Our eggs are filled with chocolates, temporary tattoos, and special offers from our merchants.

Scavenger Hunt: 10am – Noon, all ages
Pick up your first clue on the Fountain Stage – 6 clues total

Traditional Easter Egg Hunt
Ages 3 and under, 11am*
Ages 4 – 6, 11:30am*

*families with siblings in both age groups
can choose to hunt for eggs together in either age group.

Wingnut from 100.7 The Wolf
and the WolfPack will be on-site with the prize wheel
and handing out exclusive prizes.

Call 253.856.2301 for more details.

Kent

Following the conclusion of Moolah for Schoolah, Kent Station awarded prizes to participating customers in the March promotion. Prizes included Kent Station gift cards, a $500 Kent Station shopping spree and an iPad.

“Kent Station customers are the best! With their support we are able to provide GRCC scholarships to Kent residents,” said Sommer Ueda, Kent Station Marketing Manager. “We are excited to be able to provide scholarships to help GRCC students fulfill their dreams.”

Beth Gatzke of the GRCC Foundation said, “This program is really a win-win for everyone. The GRCC Foundation is thrilled to partner with Kent Station to support educational opportunities for youth in our community.”

In addition to Moolah for Schoolah, Kent Station regularly hosts family-friendly events including a summer concert series, trick-or-treating, pet events, Santa photos and more. Kent Station’s next event – an Easter Egg Hunt – is scheduled for Saturday, April 23 from 10 am to noon. Families are invited to participate in an all ages scavenger hunt starting at 10 am, and a traditional Easter egg hunt for ages six and under. The Easter eggs are filled with chocolates, temporary tattoos and special offers from merchants.

For more information about Moolah for Schoolah or Kent Station’s upcoming events, please visit Kent Station online at http://www.kentstation.com or call Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Seattle-based Tarragon. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatre, professional office space, a branch campus of Green River Community College and the offices for Social Security Administration.

For more information, please contact:

Sommer Ueda
Kent Station
417 Ramsay Way, Suite 110
Kent, WA 98032
253-856-2301
www.KentStation.com

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.

In addition to wine and beer, Reds offers a tapas-style menu of fresh bread, cheese, soup, salad, paninis, and appetizers with a focus on healthy ingredients and palate-pleasing wine pairings.  Food and wine by the bottle may be ordered to-go. Members of the Reds wine club will enjoy birthday specials, discounted corkage fee and case purchases and personalized notes on customers’ wine preferences. The wine club helps personalize the experience for guests.

“Reds Wine Bar is a great addition to Kent Station,” said John Hinds, Kent Station general manager. “The Kent community desired a casual, inviting, neighborhood wine bar and we are delighted to have another locally-owned and operated tenant.”

Previously, the Xaviers worked in the mortgage industry. However, last year after Angela’s dad was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer, the news catalyzed the couple to make their retirement dream of owning their own business a reality. Their goal was to own a community-oriented business that would be inviting and welcoming to their friends and family. Their dream evolved into Reds Wine Bar which opened with a “soft launch” on December 30, followed by their official launch on New Year’s Eve.

“We enjoy wine but we aren’t wine experts,” explained Angela Xavier. “We know what we like and we invite our customers to share their love and taste of wine with us. We want to have a really fun experience and build relationships in our community.”

Reds Wine Bar (321 Ramsay Way) is open seven days a week:  Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 pm. The dining area is family-friendly. Reds Wine Bar is planning a grand opening celebration February 4 and 5. Visit their website, http://redswinebar-kent.com, find them on Facebook, or call 253-277-1852 for details.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Tarragon a Seattle based company. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, professional office space, and dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatres Cineplex and a branch campus of Green River Community College. For more information, visit the Kent Station website at http://www.KentStation.com or contact marketing manager Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301.