I remember one of my very first encounters on the Sounder train, heading back to downtown Kent from a Seattle Mariners game. The man sitting next to me said, “I’m sorry,” as I got up for my stop. When I asked why, he said, “you live in the armpit of South King County.” That was several years ago, and I didn’t agree with him then. After all, I really do love Kent, and I’ve always thought it had a lot of potential.

After attending Kent Downtown Partnership’s Downtown Breakfast Hour this morning, I know he was wrong, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Business owners, managers, representatives from the city and community members gathered to hear about all of the growth in downtown Kent.

Here are just a few of the exciting things in the works:

- Demolition of the unfinished parking garage

- Development of Kent City Center, a mixed use property on Smith Street between 4th and 2nd Streets

- Opening of Cal’s Classic American, a new restaurant at Kent Station

- Opening of a second location for Airways Brewing Co. on Meeker Street

- Improvements to downtown buildings and streetscapes

Kent, Washington is not perfect. Like all cities, it has its brights spots as well as its blight. But it has character. It has passion. It has residents who love it and believe in its feature. I’m one of them. Are you?

Kent, Washington, December 8, 2010 – Kent Station is sharing its holiday spirit this season by giving back to children and families in the community. The popular Kent-based shopping center is sponsoring a Giving Tree, accepting donations for holiday meals for families in need, and offering a gift wrapping station. All donations benefit programs supported and operated by Kent Youth & Family Services, a nonprofit serving Kent and South King County families for 40 years.

Located in Kent Station Plaza just outside AMC Theatres, the Giving Tree holds tags for over 250 families and children. Each tag lists all the pertinent information, along with a need (e.g., warm coat) and a wish (e.g., Barbie doll). Local businesses and community members are encouraged to participate by fulfilling wishes and needs and depositing the unwrapped gifts in the Big Red Box inside AMC Theatres by December 15.

To kick off the holiday season, Kent Station eagerly selected a family from the Giving Tree. “Our goal is to give our chosen family the best and biggest Christmas ever,” said Kent Station general manager John Hinds. “And we encourage other local businesses to participate in this worthwhile program that truly makes a difference for families in need who are located right here in Kent.”

For those who want to help but do not have time to shop, you can provide a holiday meal for families. Kent Station has partnered with BECU, Angel Food Ministries and the Calvary Community Church of Sumner to accept monetary donations. Just $39 will purchase a holiday meal for an entire family. To participate, contact Kent Station at 253-856-2301, ext. 101 for more details.

From December 17 through 19, Kent Youth and Family Services will offer a gift wrapping station to help shoppers get their purchases ready for giving. Kent Station will donate the space and resources for the gift wrapping with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Kent Youth & Family Services. Hours for gift wrapping are published on the Kent Station website and Facebook pages.

“This has been a difficult year for so many Kent and Covington children and families,” said marketing manager Sommer Ueda. “We want to help make the holidays a little brighter for those who need it the most. We invite our community to join us in providing needs, wishes and meals for local families this year.”

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 about Kent Station or its holiday festivities, visit the Kent Station website at http://www.KentStation.com or contact marketing manager Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301.

Founded in 1970, Kent Youth & Family Services is a Kent-based nonprofit serving children, youth and families in South King County, Washington. The agency offers counseling, Head Start and early childhood education and assistance, substance abuse programs, housing for homeless young mothers and more. In 2009, Kent Youth & Family Services provided services to more than 4,000 children and families. For more information about Kent Youth and Family Services, visit KYFS online at http://www.kyfs.org or contact executive director Mike Heinisch at 253-859-0300.

For more information, please contact:

Sommer Ueda, Marketing Manager
Kent Station Management Office
417 Ramsay Way, Suite 110
Kent, WA  98032
253-856-2301
www.KentStation.com
sueda@kentstation.com

Kent Station celebrates the 2010 holiday season with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus this Saturday, November 27. The jolly couple will welcome shoppers and visitors at 10 a.m. at the Fountain Stage outside Kent Station’s AMC Theatres.

Following their official welcome, Santa and Mrs. Claus will hold court at the Hip Santa House where children and well-behaved pets may have their photos taken, and adults can take Santa’s patented “naughty or nice” test. Photos are offered at a discount in exchange for donations of nonperishable food items and new, unwrapped toys for the Kent Food Bank. A complete list of Santa’s hours and photo packages is available at the Kent Station website.

Beginning at noon, Kentwood High School’s Royal Court from the Madrigal Feast will sing Christmas tunes from their upcoming performance, adding to the festive atmosphere. In addition, the community is invited to participate in the Giving Tree on display at Kent Station Plaza. The Giving Tree benefits Kent Youth and Family Services, a nonprofit organization that serves kids, teens and families in South King County.

Sponsored by BECU and supported by Calvary Community Church of Sumner, the Giving Tree will feature tags with needs (e.g., coats, hats, shoes) and wants (e.g., books, toys) for 400 area kids, along with tags asking for board games for Kent Youth and Family Services’ Head Start/ECEAP program. Shoppers may drop off their donated gifts through December 15 inside AMC Theatres near the arcade.

“The holidays are a time of celebration and giving, and Kent Station wants to be a part of that by giving back to the community,” said Kent Station general manager John Hinds. “We encourage shoppers to join us by donating to the Kent Food Bank and Kent Youth and Family Services this holiday season. We can all help by making a sad time for some a little merrier.”

For more information about Kent Station or its holiday festivities, visit the Kent Station website at www.kentstation.com or contact Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301. For more information about Kent Youth and Family Services, visit KYFS online at www.KYFS.org. Visit the Kent Food Bank online at www.skcfc.org/kentfoodbank/ for more information about its hours and offerings.

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.

If you’ve got old household items, chemicals or other recyclable materials ready to go, bring them to Kent’s Fall Recycling Event scheduled for Sat., Oct. 16 from 9 am to 3 pm.

The event will be held at Russell Road Park (24400 Russell Rd., Kent), and the city will accept these items (note: some require a donation):

• Appliances and scrap metal
• Propane tanks
• Porcelain toilets & sinks
• Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners
• Televisions, computers, monitors & laptops
• Electronics
• Petroleum-based products
• Tires
• Reusable household goods
• Document shredding (limit 3 file-size boxes per person)
• Cardboard
• Concrete, asphalt, rock and brick
• Batteries
• Mattresses

No flatbeds or dump trucks allowed. No vehicles will be admitted for entry after 3 p.m. For more information about recycling in Kent, Washington, visit these helpful websites:

Recycling Special Materials

Hazardous Waste

In a press release dated September 7, 2010, Kent Station announced that it is opening three new retailers this month at the popular downtown Kent shopping center:  Toys ‘R Us Express, Banyan Tree and General Nutrition Center (GNC).

Kent, Washington, September 7, 2010 – Kent Station is building on the shopping experience for customers by adding three new stores totaling over 10,000 square feet of retail space: Toys ‘R Us Express, Banyan Tree and General Nutrition Center (GNC) will all be open by September 10.

On September 4, Banyan Tree opened its Thai restaurant next to the Ram Restaurant and Brewery. With an open kitchen plan and full-service bar, Banyan Tree will prepare cuisine from all regions of Thailand along with serving Asian-inspired cocktails. The ingredients used for cooking are fresh and sourced from local and natural products whenever possible. Banyan Tree has chosen Kent Station as its flagship location.  Since opening its first Thai food booth stand over three years ago under the name Thai Smile at the Fremont Sunday Market, Banyan Tree has been recognized locally for its unique and exotic food and presentation.

On September 6, Toys ‘R Us Express opened between Kay Jewelers & Famous Footwear.  As the nation’s leading toy retailer, Toys ‘R Us and its Express concept store at Kent Station will make holiday shopping more convenient for Kent and South King County shoppers. The store will carry some of the most popular toys and toy brands including Lego, Zhu Zhu Pets, Barbie, Toy Story, Star Wars, Hot Wheels and many more.

On September 10, GNC opens next door to See’s Candies. GNC will offer shoppers a variety of vitamins, supplements, sports nutrition and diet products. GNC sets the standard in the nutritional supplement industry by demanding truth in labeling, ingredient safety and product potency, all while remaining on the cutting-edge of nutritional science. GNC is the world’s largest company of its kind devoted exclusively to helping its customers improve the quality of their lives.

“We are excited to welcome these three great retailers to Kent Station. They collectively create unique shopping and dining options for our customers, which is always one of our primary goals,” says general manager John Hinds.

For more information about Kent Station, visit the Kent Station website at www.kentstation.com or contact 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 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.

Just when they thought spring might be near, residents of Kent, Washington awoke to a dusting of snow on the ground and flurries in the air. In addition, the National Weather Service in Seattle issued a high wind advisory with winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts of up to 50 mph. The high wind advisory will be in effect until 11 p.m. PDT.

For more weather info., including today’s forecast, visit KING 5′s online weather center.