Dear iLoveKent.net fans,

I frequently get asked why I Love Kent. Some people get it, especially those that live here and appreciate the city’s little known treasures, but people not from Kent, Washington have no idea. People from Tacoma and Seattle often can’t imagine what a town like Kent could offer that they don’t have. But Kent, Washington is a special place.

I can’t say why other people love Kent, or what people, places or things are important to them, but I can tell you why I Love Kent…and I’m going to. In 2013, I’m going to post 365 reasons that iLoveKent.net on the iLoveKent Facebook page. I’ll note people, places or things I love about Kent – favorite restaurants, shops, community leaders and volunteers, etc. and I’ll include photos whenever I can. I’ll recap those daily posts here weekly.

Please keep in mind that these are MY reasons for loving Kent. I know that not everyone will agree with my selections; in fact, I hope each Kent fan has his or her own reasons for loving our little ‘burb. I encourage feedback, comments and your reasons for loving Kent.

Kent isn’t perfect, but it has a lot to offer if you know where to look.

Happy New Year!

Dana Neuts, Publisher

Hosted by the Kent Parks Foundation and Arthur Murray Dance Studios, Local celebrities will gather in the Lindbloom Center at Green River Community College this Sat., Oct. 20 to dance their hearts out in the second annual Dancing with the Stars Kent. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to support parks programs including buying new computers for the Big Blue Bus, resistance trainer bike stands for Adaptive Recreation classes, lifeguard supplies for Lake Meridian, supporting Green Kent Partnership and drop-in soccer fields at West Fenwick Park.

Celebrity dancers include:

- State Representative Tina Orwall
- Senator Joe Fain
- Matt Schweitzer, Direction of Operations, Cal’s Classic American
- Kent Councilmember Elizabeth Albertson
- Barbara Smith, Executive Director of the Kent Downtown Partnership
- Patrick Briggs, Executive Assistant to Mayor Suzette Cooke
- Sharona Chandra, Chair of the Kent Arts Commission
- Commander Tracey Church
- Firefighter Ryan Dudley
- David Hobbs, Parks Program Coordinator
- Kent Councilmember Deb Ranniger (winner of last year’s Philanthropic Trophy)

Barbara Smith, pictured above, said, “I feel so honored to be asked to dance; one, because Arthur Murray dancers at Federal Way are fabulous instructions, and because we are raising money for programs to help kids through the Kent Parks Foundation. It’s just a win-win.”

Tickets are available online at KentParksFoundation.org. General admission tickets are available for $30 and VIP Dinner tickets are $100.

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.

Contributed by Nathan Box, Kent Youth & Family Services

On May 2, 1,200+ nonprofits will ask for your support during the Seattle Foundation’s 2nd Annual GiveBIG. We are one of those nonprofits. Our difference is clear though. We are right here in your community. Every dollar donated to Kent Youth and Family Services stays right here in South King County. In fact, your dollars go to work providing Youth/Family & Substance Abuse Counseling to residents of Covington and youth and families throughout the Kent School District. They also provide Outreach services at three King County Housing Authority sites, as well as transitional housing to homeless single moms and learning opportunities to 400+ kids in our Head Start/ECEAP program. Our services powered by your generosity supports 8,000 individuals in our community every year.

So, from midnight to midnight (Pacific Time) on May 2, join the Seattle Foundation as they host their 2nd annual GiveBIG. The goal is to turn out thousands of new and returning individual donors to help support local nonprofits. Donations will be stretched further thanks to individuals donors and business sponsors like Seattle Sounders FC, Microsoft, Seattle International Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, Russell Investments, Starbucks and more.

KYFS is excited to participate in this local day of giving. To support us directly, visit our Seattle Foundation page on May 2.

Thanks in advance for the support. Happy Giving.

Working toward a better future,

Nathan H. Box
Fund Developer and Community Relations Manager
Kent Youth & Family Services
nathanb@kyfs.org
(253) 859-0300 Ext. 3045
www.kyfs.org

Halloween Happenings in South King County abound. Fun for all ages and different levels of “scary”! In addition to these events, a number of local churches are offering alternatives to traditional trick-or-treat, so check your local place of worship for more info.

Daily through Oct. 31:

Mosby Brothers Farms
Pumpkin patch, corn maze, produce stand, hay rides
12754 SE Green Valley Rd., Auburn
253-939-7666 or mosbyfarms@earthlink.net

Carpinito Brothers Farms
U-pick pumpkins, corn maze, hay rides, prize drawings and more.
Corner of S. 277th St., W. Valley Hwy. and Hwy. 167, Kent
9 am to dusk
253-854-5692

Serena Farms
Corn trails, hay rides, u-pick pumpkin patch.
22431 84th Ave. S., Kent
Noon to dusk
253-261-8789

Oct. 27 – 29:

Dark Hollow Haunted Forest (Oct. 30 – 31)
Royal Arch Park
20821 Renton-Maple Valley Hwy. SE
Maple Valley
$9 general, $8 Family Walk
7 to 9 pm Thursday
7-11 pm Friday/Saturday

Oct. 28 – 29:

The Den Youth Center Haunted House
Very Scary (Fri & Sat):  7 to 10 pm
$5 once-through + glow bracelet
$8 twice-through + glow necklace
Call 425-432-1272 for more info.

Oct. 29:

Tricks & Treat Funfest
Federal Way (876 S. 333rd St.)
6 – 8:30 pm
Ages 2-12
$6 in advance, $8 at the door

Spooky Swim
Covington Aquatic Center
Session 1 (younger kids):  5 – 6:30 pm
Session 2 (preteens & teenagers):  6:30 – 8 pm
Fees apply; 425-413-POOL

Halloween Costume Party
Pat’s Bar & Grill, Kent
Live Music 8 pm – 12 am with Boneyard
Prizes for best 3 costumes.
Drink specials.

Oct. 30:

Halloween Puppet Show (Oct. 30)
The Magic Show by the Magic Man
Toy Theater production of “Jack the Giant Killer”
Maple Valley Library
21844 SE 248th St.
Maple Valley
7 pm
FREE

Oct. 31:

Trick-or-Treat and Costume Contest
Kent Station
Kent
4 to 6 pm
FREE

Pictures at the Reporter
Costumed kids can have their photo taken for publication.
Covington/Maple Valley Reporter
22035 SE Wax Rd (425-432-1209)
3 to 4:30 pm
FREE

IKEA Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular
IKEA, 601 SW. 41st St., Renton
4 to 7 pm
FREE

GMVCC’s Trick or Trucks!
Halloween Trick or Treating
Greater Maple Valley Community Center
22010 SE 248th St., Maple Valley
4 to 5:30 pm (no horns)
4 to 6 pm
$3/child for Trick or Trucks
$3/child for Less Scary Haunted House at The Den
Pizza, Salad &  Dessert also available:  $5/adult and $3/child
425-432-1272

The Den Youth Center Haunted House
The Den Teen Center
22010 SE 248th St., Maple Valley, WA
“Less Scary” Haunted House from 4 to 6 pm
Regular Haunted House 4 to 10 pm
Call 425-432-1272 for more info.
See flyer for details.

Auburn Meadows Halloween Party and Trick-or-Treating
Auburn Meadows, 945 22nd St. NE, Auburn
3 to 7 pm (party 3 to 5 pm, trick-or-treat 3 to 7 pm)
Ages 12 and under
253-333-0171

Des Moines Halloween Carnival
Carnival-style games, costume contest, candy, prizes, magic show and more.
Field House, 1000 S. 220th St., Des Moines
6th grade and younger
$2/child, free for parents
Hotdogs and soda available for sale
206-870-6527

Are we missing an event? Email us at iLoveKent.net, and we’ll add it!

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!

Every once in awhile someone will ask me why I love Kent. Sometimes it is someone far away from Washington who has no idea where Kent is or what it has to offer. Other times it is someone who visited Kent long ago and remembers it as a not-so-special place they wouldn’t go back to.

I’ve lived here for five years, but every week I discover something new to love about Kent. Here are 10 things I love about Kent, Washington!

1. People: Despite the fact that Kent is the fourth largest city in King County, it retains its small town feel. Everywhere I go I am greeted with a smile. People in Kent are some of the nicest I’ve ever met. They are open minded, welcoming and good natured.
2. Parks: Kent, Washington has a handful of beautiful-but-small lakes that are serene and peaceful. Most are adjacent to a city-owned park with almost every amenity you can imagine. There are specialty parks as well like Arbor Heights 360 and Wilson Playfields, encouraging outdoor recreation for kids and adults. Some of my favorite parks include Clark Lake Park, Lake Meridian Park, Fennewick Park and Town Square Plaza.
3. Entertainment: There is always something to do in Kent. We have everything here from Kent Station and ShoWare Center to a Historic District and Kent Historical Museum. We also have a wealth of arts programs and school drama programs that provide dozens of performances, plays and other opportunities every year. What’s even better is that many outlets offer free or affordable things to do. Who doesn’t love free?
4. Shopping: Kent does not have a mall, per se, but we have much more shopping than most people know about. In addition to the always-popular Kent Station, there are locally-owned stores like Marie Haggin Accessories, Fig & Feather, Cheryl’s Unique Boutique, Titusville Antiques and more. There are also little niche areas like the “International District” on 104th and the shopping plaza on 104th and Kent-Kangley Road (Joann Fabrics, Linda’s Apparel, etc.) No matter where I go, I can find something special that fits my taste and my budget. See our Shopping page for more stores.
5. Dining: No matter how picky or broad your tastes are, there are multiple restaurants, cafes and diners to suit everyone. For American diner-style food, Maggie’s on Meeker is a favorite. For Thai, I recommend Archa Thai in downtown Kent. For Indian, I love Punjab Sweets on the East Hill. Proud to display its diverse heritage, Kent has a little bit of everything. Visit our Dine page for more suggestions.
6. Diversity: It is politically correct to say you embrace diversity, but not everyone truly does. In Kent, though, I believe we have a diverse population as well as a culture of inclusion and acceptance. We have several areas of town and specific businesses that cater to particular populations (e.g., Indian, Ukrainian, Hispanic, etc.), but we are eager to learn from each other as well. With more than 120 languages spoken in our schools, for example, most schools have English-learning programs as well as International Days where students can share their culture. This year the city of Kent partnered with a group of citizens to put on the 2nd annual Kent International Festival in downtown Kent. As a more personal example, my daughter goes to Dr. Na of the Mountlake Acupuncture Clinic on Central Avenue. He was born, raised and educated in China. When we go for my daughter’s weekly treatments, we exchange stories about our respective cultures. I think we learn as much about Chinese culture as we do about acupuncture and healing!
7. Accessibility: When I say “accessibility,” I mean that people and government in Kent, Washington are accessible to the average resident. I truly believe that anyone in Kent can send an email to the mayor or place a call to the police chief and get a prompt, personal response. I feel very comfortable that are our local leaders are accessible as well as eager to listen.
8. Entrepreneurial spirit: I love the fact that people in Kent, Washington have an entrepreneurial spirit about them. This includes business owners who passionately build their own companies, but also teens and young adults in the area who want to make a difference. People in Kent don’t accept that we have to do things the way they’ve always been done. They say, “I don’t like this. Let’s change it.” One local citizens group, for example, wanted an off leash dog park on the East Hill. Recognizing that the city didn’t have the funds to build one, they created the park in cooperation with the city, raising money on their own and turning their dream into a reality. In another case, a group of teens calling itself Project U(th) formed this summer to create opportunities for work and leisure for their peers. In Kent, we are not afraid to work hard or to pave our own way. We are a spunky bunch!
9. Community pride: Kent has been called many derogatory names over the years, but those who love Kent remain proud of their city. We show up in the thousands for events like Kent Cornucopia Days, Seattle T Birds and Predators’ games and concerts like the Backstreet Boys and REO Speedwagon. We work together to show our spirit and to shout Kent’s strengths to the world. For example, Kent’s neighborhood program brings residents together to solve mutual problems, to beautify neighborhoods and to clean up graffiti. Call us what you want – we will love Kent anyway!
10. Beauty: While I’ve touched on this a bit in #1 through 9, I love the beauty of Kent which includes its parks, lakes and mountain views but also its historic buildings, its public art work and, most of all, its people.

Those are just 10 of the reasons I love Kent, Washington. Tell me some of yours! Post them here or email them to us at iLoveKent.net, and we’ll post them online.

I was driving in the Kent-Covington area this morning, doing my best to avoid all of the construction zones – some large, some small. I was frustrated by the traffic cones, flaggers and closed lanes and sidewalks…but then I realized that this isn’t about me or even about you. This is a necessary function, one that we as taxpayers ask our cities, counties and states to manage for us.

Think about it. We want our roads pothole free, our sidewalks without cracks, and our trips in and out of the city without traffic…but yet we hate the work required to keep our roads and sidewalks safe. We complain about every road and lane closure and how they inconvenience us. We gripe about how some projects seem to take forever, and how we hate the black tar and paint striping that sometimes sticks to our cars when we drive in newly paved and painted zones. We simply don’t like going out of our way.

Taking that one step further, think about the summer road construction crews and engineers who are out there working long hours in the hot sun, getting cursed at, honked at and flipped off. They probably don’t want to be in our way any more than we like having them there, but they show up for work every day anyway. Like us, they go to work so they can take care of their families and put food on their tables. Summer road construction crews know they aren’t popular with local drivers, but they do the work no one else wants to do. They do a thankless but necessary job with nothing but grief from us.

I’d like to change that up a bit. I propose that, instead of being frustrated with these crews, we should be grateful that they are doing their jobs so our streets can be safe. We should thank them, wave to them or offer a simple smile to say “Hey, thanks, buddy! I appreciate you!”

Give it a try tomorrow. I think the road crews will appreciate the small kindness, and it will make you feel better too! Happy motoring!

——————-

Resources to learn more about road closures in your area:

WSDOT – Northwest (includes King County)

WSDOT – Olympic Region (includes Pierce County)

King County Road Services (Traffic Alerts, Construction Updates, etc.)

City of Kent Public Works Projects

Covington Public Works Projects

This Friday the Greater Kent Historical Society will host an open house at the Kent Historical Museum (855 E. Smith St., Kent) to celebrate Kent’s 120th birthday — Friday, May 28 from 4 to 7 p.m.

City of Kent:  120th Anniversary
1890-2010

Join us on the anniversary day of Kent becoming the 2nd city incorporated in  King County, May 28, 1890!

•    New Mayoral History Display
•    Heavy hors d’oeuvres & cake
•    Presentation program at 6pm

Questions? Call 253-854-4330.

KENT, Wash. – March 17, 2010 – The City of Kent urges residents to put all of that sand to good use with spring fever in the air. With March 30 marking the official end of the 2009-2010 flood season, people are beginning to look for ways to get rid of their sandbags for the summer. While the sandbags won’t last until the next flood season, there are ways residents can save the sand for fall or use it for gardening and home improvement projects.

“The best thing people can do is place a plastic covering in a corner of their yard or garage and empty the sand there,” says Greg Reed, Utilities Superintendent with the Public Works Department. “If they cover the sand pile with plastic, they’ll have their own personal sandbag filling station for the new sandbags we’ll pass out come fall.”

How to use the leftover sand:

• Aerate lawns and spread sand to help improve drainage
• Fill in low spots in the lawn, cover with grass seed for a green and level lawn
• Mix with garden or potting soil to promote good drainage for plants and flowers
• Use as the base for brick or stone walkway projects

For residents unable to keep the sand onsite through the summer, the City will collect the sand and sandbags each Saturday in April from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the following locations in Kent:

• Home Depot, 26120 104^th Ave. SE
• Grandview Park, 3600 S. 228^th St.

Assistance is available for those who need it by calling the Service Clubs Volunteer Hotline at 206-755-4814 or by email at kentserviceclubs@yahoo.com. Kent Sunrise Rotary, Rotary Club of Kent, Kent Meridian Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis Club of Kent, Kent Lions, Soroptimist International of Kent and Quota International of Kent Valley have all come together to serve as volunteer coordinators to help those who are physically unable to move sandbags.

Businesses are not allowed to dump sand at these sites, but they can find additional resources and potential disposal sites at www.kingcounty.gov/floodplans.   Residents of other cities or unincorporated King County should contact their local emergency management office for sandbag disposal options in their area.

Whichever method residents choose, it is important that the sand is properly disposed of. It is illegal to dump sand or litter in wetlands, rivers, creeks and drains. Doing so can impact drinking water and damage fish and wildlife habitat. For more information, contact the City of Kent Public Works Department at 253-856-5500.

The City of Kent is the fourth largest city in King County, Washington with a population of 88,380. As a culturally rich destination, Kent’s dynamic quality of life features captivating neighborhoods, award-winning parks and nationally accredited police and fire departments. In recent years, Kent has experienced impressive economic growth, and is nationally known as a prime location for manufacturing.  Visit www.choosekent.com.

The Children’s Therapy Center of Kent is holding their 22nd Annual Dinner Auction, “Hats Off to Kids, a Day at the Derby”, to benefit children with special needs. The event will be held on
March 27, 2010 from 6 – 10pm at Emerald Downs in Auburn.   They are asking that attendees join in the festivities by wearing your favorite Kentucky Derby style hat.

The Children’s Therapy Center of Kent provides children with special needs and their families with services to enhance their development.  The mission is to maximize the potential of children with disabilities by providing individualized, family-centered intervention services.  Our ultimate goal is to give children functional skills that will help them today while decreasing their need for future services.

For more information or to register visit, http://www.dynamicfamilies.org/Page.aspx?hid=459.

The Kent Fire Department is asking for support on Proposition 1.  The proposition is coming to the public in hopes of creating the Kent Regional Fire Authority.

The Fire Authority will join the Kent Fire Department and King County Fire District 37.  By doing this, the Authority will be funded by a six-year fire benefit charge and a property tax which will decrease by $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.  The Authority will keep the Kent Fire Department name and will be governed by a 6-member board of 3 elected councilmembers from Kent and 3 elected commissioners from Fire District 37.

The Kent Fire Department claims the Kent Regional Fire Authority will ensure..

• Strong emergency services and fast response times for our growing community
• Long-term financial sustainability and accountability for emergency services
• A proven, diversified funding model less dependent on property taxes
• Lower costs and greater efficiency through consolidation of contracts and resources

The Kent Firefighters are looking for a “YES” vote on Tuesday, April 27, 2010.   Proposition 1 is endorsed by the Covington City Council, the Kent City Council, Fire District 37 and Kent Firefighters 1747.  For more information visit the City of Kent website.

Punjab Sweets has secretly been hiding on Kent’s East Hill for nine years.  This hidden treasure is an experience the second you walk in the door.

I was invited by a friend, who informed me that this was a vegetarian restaurant; this caused a little hesitation at first because I love meat.  However, as soon as you walk in the door the sweet aroma fills the air as I was greeted by soothing Indian music.  Then as you approach the counter you are cheerfully greeted by the staff who in my case was also an owner, Harpreet Gill.  The menu has so many fabulous selections which, may I add, came with extremely reasonable prices.

Harpreet offered assistance in ordering which was extremely helpful since I am, by no means, an Indian cuisine expert.  She made many recommendations but I decided to go with the sampler so I could try a little of everything.  The wonderful smell was still lingering in the air; I could not wait to eat.  After a short wait the food came and it was just as I expected, fantastic!  Wow!  I never thought I could become a vegetarian so easily, but with food like that maybe I’ve been wrong about meat.  No matter what, if I choose to go back to beef,  I know that Punjab Sweets has a fan for life.

Contributed by Larissa Long

Having a clean hotel room and grounds are the first and most important things a person looks for when booking and staying at a hotel.  It’s a hard thing to find when you are staying outside the big city.

The Best Western Plaza by the Green in Kent, WA has received the Best Western Director’s Award for outstanding quality standard. Located at 24415 Russell Road, Kent, WA, Best Western Plaza by the Green features 97 guest rooms and provides continental breakfast, wireless Internet, Mp3 play capability, local/airport shuttle service and quiet, golf course views.  All of these features and knowing you will be staying at the highest of Best Western standards makes this Kent find a great choice.

For more information or to book your stay visit, visit the Plaza by the Green online.

From the City of Kent:

Kent, Wash. – January 4, 2010 – Kent Fire Investigators have made an arrest following an early morning porch fire which took place on January 1, at 5:46 AM in the 23700 block of 98 Ave. S.

The fire was the result of fireworks, and possibly a liquid accelerant, which were ignited on the porch of the home following a dispute between the female resident and an adult male, who was arrested in Bellevue without incident on Sunday. Damage was limited to the porch and no one was injured.

The man is currently in the Kent Jail awaiting a hearing where he will be charged with Arson in the first degree.

The Kent Predators have announced the signing of 15 players. The group of players selected, headlined by former Western Washington University and Tri-Cities Fever Defensive back Kevin Jones and Portland State Linebacker Keista “KJ” McCrae, proves the team will have a strong emphasis on stopping their opponents attack this season.  Eleven of the fifteen players signed are projected to play on the defensive side of the ball, which is no surprise considering coaching consultant Mike Davis’s pedigree.  Last season he was the Defensive Coordinator for a RiverCity Rage team who was one win away from winning the first ever IFL United Bowl Championship.  Joining the team for the 2010 season are:

Kevin Jones- DB        Tri-Cities Fever/Western Washington University

Jones heads to the Predators after a brief stint in 2009 with the Tri-Cities Fever, formally of the AF2.  He saw action in one game after signing late in the season.  As a local star at Western Washington University, Jones was a standout defensive back while also seeing time on Special Teams as a kick returner.  He had perhaps his best season in 2005 where played in all ten games registering 33 tackles (27 solo), 7 pass breakups, 1 pass interception, 1 fumble recovery and 2 forced fumbles. He also returned 8 kickoffs for 128 yards.  An Achilles injury forced him to miss the 2006 and 2007 seasons.  As a senior in 2008 he played in ten games, totaling 33 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, an interception and 2 pass breakups.

Keista “KJ” McCrae- LB       Portland State

McCrae joins the Predators for his first season of professional football after three seasons at Portland State University.  His senior season for the Vikings in 2008 got him multiple looks from the professional ranks as he totaled 75 tackles, 12 of them for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.  The two-time All-Big Sky Conference Honorable Mention finished his collegiate career with 108.5 tackles (73 solo), 24.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception.

H. Mark Onibokun-DB    Boise State

After two seasons of Junior College, Onibokun was heavily recruited by many major Division I collegiate programs.  He committed to Boise State where he was a member of the 2003 Broncos team that won the PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl, defeating TCU 34-31.  While playing mostly on Offense and Special Teams he finished his collegiate career with 12 catches for 126 while also returning 15 kick for 382 yards for an average of 25.5 yards per return.  On defense he recorded one interception in a game in 2004 versus Hawaii.

Broderick Hutchins-DB  Concordia (WI)/Milwaukee Bonecrushers

Hutchins joins the Predators with prior indoor football experience after playing in four games with the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the Continental Indoor Football League in 2008.  That season he totaled 20 tackles and 1 interception in four games.  In two seasons as a defensive back at Concordia University from 2005-2006, he picked off 13 passes and accumulated 181 return yards off those takeaways.

Blaine McConnell-S/WR U. of Idaho

Tony Grote-OL/DL  Tacoma Cobras

Grote comes to Kent fresh off his dominating performance in the Professional Developmental Football League.  As a member of the Tacoma Cobras, Grote was named as the 2009 PDFL Offensive Lineman of the Year.  He was also named to the First Team All-PDFL Offense as a Center for a Cobras team that won the first ever PDFL Championship.

Andre “Piper” Gordon-WR   Renton Ravens

Following a 9-3 season in the Cascade Football League that culminated in a Championship berth, Jordan joins the Predators with a reputation for being a big play Wide Receiver.  The First Team CFL All-Conference member had a league long 70 yard catch and totaled eight touchdowns during the 2009 season.

Marcus Reed-RB    Tacoma Cobras

Reed follows former teammate Tony Grote to the Predators from the Tacoma Cobras of the PDFL.  And much like his former battering mate, he too collected some post-season hardware.  Reed was named the 2009 PDFL Running back of the Year and was also selected to the First Team All-PDFL Offensive team.  The Cobras relied heavily on Reed down the stretch which allowed them to become the first ever PDFL Champions in 2009.

Toby Smith-LB   Seattle Stallions

Like Gordon and McGee, Smith comes to the Predators from the Cascade Football League.  During the 2009 season he helped the Stallions to a perfect 9-0 regular season record as an anchor on defense.  He totaled 38 tackles, 9 for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions which he returned for touchdowns.

Marcus Whittaker-S   Tacoma Cobras

In addition to Grote and Reed, Safety Marcus Whittaker comes to the Predators after a season with the Tacoma Cobras of the Professional Developmental Football League.  Whittaker was a central figure for a defensive unit that defeated the Bellingham Blitz 36-31 in the PDFL Championship.

Damien Coaxum-RB   College of the Redwoods

A bruising style runner out of the College of the Redwoods, Coaxum figures to be a touchdown threat near the goal line.  During his final collegiate season in 2001 he ran for 559 yards on 102 carries with 8 touchdowns (5.4 yard avg.).  He also caught 35 passes for 599 yards and 4 scores.

William McGee-RB   Renton Ravens

McGee joins former teammate Andre “Piper” Gordon from the Renton Ravens of the Cascade Football League to compete for the starting Running back spot for Kent.  He was a CFL All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2009 after averaging over 8 yards per carry and more than 5 yards per catch out of the backfield.

Andrew Pina-OL/DL  King County Jaguars

The addition of Pina brings size to the trenches and he will be counted on to wreak havoc along the offensive and defensive lines.  As a member of the King County Jaguars of the North American Football League, Pina was selected to the 2008 Western Conference All-Star Team as an offensive Lineman.

Jeremiah Captain-DB   Benedictine College/Puget Titans

Captain brings speed and athleticism to a defensive backfield that will be counted on to keep up with many of the IFL’s top Wide Receivers.  After becoming a second team NAIA Heart of America Athletic Conference selection in 2005, Captain took his skills to the Northwest Football League where he earned First Team All-NWFL honors at Defensive back.

Debenaire Nichols-LB    N/A

Another open tryout will be conducted sometime in January for those interested players who were unable to participate last weekend.  Log on to www.kentpredators.com or call the team office at 253-239-3254 for more information.  The team expects to announce a Head Coach next month and will bring a total of 45 players to February’s training camp.

The Kent Predators are an expansion franchise playing in the Indoor Football League. The team’s season will kick off in March 2010. The Predators organization is committed to actively participating in the Kent community. The team will call the ShoWare Center its official home.  For more information on the team, visit www.kentpredators.com.

Flooding in the Green River Valley

Residents, businesses and farms below the Howard Hanson Dam in the Green River Valley should prepare now for a higher risk of flooding. Parts of Seattle, Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila—could be flooded and evacuations in some communities are possible.

MORE INFO HERE.

Are you ready?

See the King County Flood Plan website for complete information on upcoming presentations and tips on how to prepare for potential flooding. Events listings here.

Not sure if you are in an area that may be affected? Check this map for more information. Potential areas to be affected are those below the Howard Hanson Dam including Kent, Auburn, Renton, South Seattle and Tukwila.

Additional is also available in this blog post.

August 4, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cheryl’s Unique Boutique Hosts Grand Opening Celebration on August 15
& Collects School Supplies for Kent Salvation Army

Kent, Washington, August 4, 2009 – Cheryl Wright, owner of Cheryl’s Unique Boutique, is celebrating the boutique’s grand opening with an in-store customer event on Saturday, August 15. From 1 to 4 p.m., customers and guests will be treated to refreshments, music, sales and prize giveaways at the boutique on West Meeker Street in downtown Kent. The public is invited to attend, and everyone who brings a friend will get a free latte, compliments of Cheryl’s Unique Boutique.

After working in the property management and mortgage industries, Wright opened the distinctive store late last year, fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning her own shop. In the midst of a recession, Wright felt it was a good time to offer local shoppers an affordable place to purchase merchandise for men, women and children, including clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories and more. In an unusual twist, the boutique also offers lattes, mochas and houseplants grown in the boutique’s greenhouse.

“Everything in the store is priced at under $30, so everyone can afford to shop here,” Wright said.

Since airing a new TV commercial, customers have been eager to find Wright’s store. Cheryl’s Unique Boutique is located at 406 West Meeker Street, near Bev’s Cucina and across from the Meeker Street Emporium which is closing later this month. As a Kent resident for more than 10 years, Wright chose downtown Kent for her boutique because she wanted to work close to home and contribute to the revitalization of downtown.

“I just love downtown Kent, and I want to see it thrive,” Wright said.

As an active member of the community, Wright has also agreed to be a donation site for Kent Salvation Army’s school supply drive for Kent and Auburn schools. From August 1 through 31, the boutique is accepting school supply donations during normal store hours for grades kindergarten through 12. Needed items include wide-ruled paper, rules, pens, pencils and erasers, backpacks, glue, crayons, markers and other school supplies.

Cheryl’s Unique Boutique is run by Wright, her daughter Susie and their dog Lilly, an energetic puppy that greets guests from behind the corner. The store is open Monday through Saturday and features new and resale items for men, women and children, all priced below $30. For more information about Cheryl’s Unique Boutique, contact Wright or visit the store’s new website at www.cherylsuniqueboutiquellc.com or blog at http://cherylsuniqueboutique.blogspot.com.

For more information, please contact:

Cheryl Wright, owner
Cheryl’s Unique Boutique, LLC
406 W. Meeker St.
Kent, WA  98032
253-854-0155
www.cherylsuniqueboutiquellc.com

The Salvation Army in Kent is holding a “Back to School” school supplies drive from August 1 through 31. Please help support local low-income families by donating school supplies. This is particularly important this year as the economy takes it toll on area residents and unemployment continues to grow.

Supplies needed for Kent, Auburn, Covington, Algona and Pacific area schools:

Wide rule paper
Pencils & pens
Glue
Backpacks
Crayons
Erasers
Wipes
Markers
Calculators
And more…!

The Salvation Army has a detailed supply list by age group. To sign-up or to make a donation, call the Kent Salvation Army office at 253-852-4983, Monday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm.

Thank you for supporting our children!

Shirley Harris
Kent Service Coordinator
Kent Salvation Army

This weekend Marie Haggin Accessories hosted A Bridal Shower for You along with a Fashion Show to officially launch the boutique’s new collection of bridal gowns and wedding services. At least a dozen or more brides showed up along with friends and family to enjoy the gala event, more than 50 guests in all. Featuring wedding vendors like Paper Monsoon, Jacquie’s Cakes, Wink Cupcakes, Rehma Cookies, Mama Stortini’s catering,  Bella home and garden, and more!

Debbie Marie Haggin, owner of Marie Haggin Accessories, was delighted at the number of guests who attended on a sunny Sunday afternoon for the shower and fashion show.

“I had no idea what kind of a turnout we’d have since this was such a specialized event, but it was very well received. I am so happy! I have the best customers in Kent!,” Haggin said.

For more information about the event or for details about the vendors, please visit Marie Haggin Accessories website or blog online. Marie Haggin is located at Kent Station on Ramsay Way.  Hours:  Mon-Sat:  10 am – 8 pm, Sun.: 11 am – 6 pm