Kent’s largest festival of the year, Kent Cornucopia Days, has been scheduled for July 9 through July 12 in downtown Kent. Named “The Festival of the Valley,” this is the 38th year for Kent Cornucopia Days. The annual festival is sponsored by the Kent Lions Club and was first held in 1934.

Highlights include:

• Dragon Boat Races
• Cornucopia Carnival
• Cornucopia Cup – Soccer
• Cornucopia 5K Run/Walk
• Grand Parade
• Kent Farmers Market
• King County Jaguars “Cornucopia Bowl IV”  Football Game
• Skateboard and Inline Skate Tournaments
• Lions Street Fair
• Party on the Plaza @ ShoWare Center
• …and much more!

For complete details, visit Kent Cornucopia Days online. Don’t miss the largest family festival in South King County!

We are trying to spread the news about iLoveKent.net. You can help us do that by telling us why YOU love Kent, Washington! Comment on a post or tell us what you love about Kent – your favorite hair stylist, manucurist, restaurant, boutique, dentist, park or anything else (family friendly please) – and you will be entered to win a $10 Kent Station gift card. We will draw three names at random on May 26 for this month’s drawing. The only eligibility rules are that you must be 18 years of age and must reside in King County, Washington!

So tell us why YOU love Kent and you could WIN!

I get a lot of questions about why I started iLoveKent.net and what I get out of it. I started it as a simple blog last summer, but moved it to a larger, friendlier format a couple of months ago because it was getting more attention and I saw the need for information in our community growing. I wanted to provide a venue to talk about some of the businesses, events and people in Kent that I think are great but aren’t getting the exposure they deserve. Some that I’ve written about are clients, but many are not.

I’m not sure where the site is headed or what I eventually want to accomplish with it, but for now…

- The site is a free, community-based website.

- I do not receive any money from advertisers or others to maintain the site.

- I post content on the site as I have time. I do it on a voluntary basis as a community service.

- Readers and members of the community occasionally send me items and events to post. I do so as I have time and at my discretion. I am the sole editor and publisher of the site.

- Readers comments are moderated the first time they submit a comment. After they have had a comment approved, future comments are automatically posted. I reserve the right to delete to inappropriate or offensive remarks.

- I have hired several people to assist with the site because there aren’t enough hours in the day, but I do so at my expense. As a result, at some point, I anticipate having to generate some revenue from the site to cover my costs. I don’t know what that looks like yet.

- Any errors or omissions are strictly my own. If you find something that is inaccurate, please contact me at info@ilovekent.net, and I will make the corrections as soon as possible.

I welcome your input, feedback, content suggestions and ideas. I want this site to show some of the great things that Kent, Washington has to offer. Your input will help to make the site more useful, so keep those ideas coming! Send them to info@ilovekent.net.

Thanks,
Dana Neuts, publisher
iLoveKent.net

Humanity, the latest hair salon in Kent, offers more than traditional salon services like haircuts, coloring, shampooing and up-dos. It offers hair styling and care with a twist. The new salon, located in downtown Kent (where Catwalk used to be) is a nonprofit organization. So when you get a haircut or a shampoo and style, you can choose a local charity to donate the profits to.

According to the organization’s website, about 20% of the salon’s profits will be donated to local charities including the Kent Food Bank, World Vision, WWEE, Katherine’s House and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Any remaining profits will be set aside for community outreach and future expansion.

So the next time you want to splurge on a new look, consider Humanity and do something nice for others as well.

Humanity
109 2nd Ave. South
Kent, WA  98032
(253) 981-4182

Artist, graphic designer and yoga teacher extraordinaire Linda DeSantis and two friends are bringing back bartering in a big way. The three artists who often trade products and services with each other have also traded services with other locals. The thrifty gals say it is a good way to stretch limited dollars further in a struggling economy. DeSantis, who is co-owner of Heartbeat Yoga & Healing Arts in Kent, and her friends have also started a new website to facilitate bartering:  www.BarterTacoma.com.

For more on the story, see this news segment which aired on NWCN.com earlier this week.

Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan reports that 15 “johns” were arrested on Kent’s West Hill on Thursday, March 12, 2009 in a prostitution sting operation. This was one in a series of arrests in connection with reducing crime and prostitution in that area of Kent.

“Our neighborhood along Pacific Highway South deserves better, and that’s part of the initiative and that’s part of the message to change the paradigm,” says Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan.

For more information, please contact the Kent Police Department at (253) 856-5200. For the full story, see this clip from KING 5 TV.

Coming soon: regular updates from the Kent Police and Fire Departments right here!

As a journalist, it is gut-wrenching for me to see my colleagues out of work. Even more painful, however, is the loss our region will feel now that the Seattle P-I has ceased publication. Sure, they’re giving their online counterpart, SeattlePI.com, a try and I sincerely hope it works…but when you cut the staff of 150+ down to 20, there will be gaps in coverage.

First, we lost the King County Journal and now the P-I. Who will be next, and at what cost? We are losing a collective voice, a bridge to open government, a slice of democracy, and a necessary member of the check-and-balance team.  So whether you love Kent, or Seattle, or both, we are losing something valuable.

Please take a moment to read P-I Managing Editor David McCumber’s farewell column. It left me speechless (which doesn’t happen often), with a pit in my stomach and tears on my cheeks. Thank you, David and your dedicated team, for giving us all that you had and them some. We will miss you dearly!

Thanks to Meilee Anderson of Seattle Southside for passing along these events:

Music Night at the Winery
Saturday, March 28
7:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Comedy Night at the Winery
Friday, April 3
7:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Castle Bridge Winery
7645 South 180th St
Kent, WA 98032
More info:  425-251-0983

Now in its 25th year, more than 3.5 million people in the United States participate in the Relay for Life each year. Hosted by the American Cancer Society, this annual event raises funds for those fighting cancer in addition to celebrating those who have fought and won and remembering loved ones who lost  their lives to this terrible disease.

This year’s Relay for Life event is scheduled for May 29 – 30 at Kent’s French Field at Kent-Meridian High School.

For more details, to donate or to sign up for the event, visit the event’s website here.

I received this note from KDP today. It’s important news – and good advice – so I thought I’d share it:

• Keep personal and valuable belongings out of sight. Do not invite a break-in by leaving valuables such as cameras, CDs, IPODs, money, computers, stereos, bags, packages or shopping bags (including re-usable bags) in plain sight. Take them with you out of your car or discreetly lock them in your trunk if you cannot remove them when you park. DO THIS EVERY TIME YOU PARK!
• Keep all doors locked and windows up at all times when you park. A lock is only effective if you use it!
• Secure your vehicle in your garage or park in a well-lit and highly visible area. Criminals look for cars that are isolated and parked in dark areas.
• Use your alarm system at all times.
• If you have a GPS system, remove it when you park your car. And, remove the GPS holder as well. Criminals know that a GPS holder means there is probably a GPS somewhere in the car! Out of sight, out of mind!
• If you see a person looking into cars and appears suspicious, call 9-1-1.

I’ve heard of The Alki Bakery in Seattle, but have never been to one. Today I was surprised when a friend of mine took me to their Kent location – who knew?!! Located off 68th on 72nd Avenue South in Centerpoint Corporate Park, the cafe had the most wonderful selections. Similar to the more widely-recognized Panera, you have a wide range of selections of soups, sandwiches and salads, along with delicious-looking desserts and fresh fruit. You wait in line, place your order and they bring it to your table.

My friend had the Mahi-Mahi Fish Tacos and I had the Italian Grinder. I can’t speak for her meal – though she seemed to enjoy it – but my sandwich was delicious. Served on a soft French roll, the sandwich was full of fresh salami, cheese, peppers, dressing and more. It was tasty, fresh and very affordable! Guests can get their meals to go, eat in the cafe itself or take their meal alfresco. Two meals plus fountain drinks = $20. Thanks to Carol for treating me – I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Downtown Kent has a handful of locally-owned restaurants. Here are a few of my favorites:

Spiro’s Greek Isle – Open for lunch and dinner, this restaurant on First Avenue South has delicious, affordable Greek food. I recommend the gyros, Greek salad, baklava and the interesting selection of cocktails.

Archa Thai Bistro – Located on East Meeker across the street from Renaissance Yarns, this Thai restaurant has an elegant decor and the tastiest lunch specials. My favorite – Garlic Chicken. You can enjoy a nice lunch for less than $8.

Maggie’s on Meeker – On West Meeker, this diner has the best breakfast sandwich in town and the entire staff is friendly, cheerful and remembers each and every customer. For an affordable breakfast you can’t find anywhere else, check out Maggie’s for breakfast or lunch.

Do you have a favorite spot in Kent? If so, post a comment and share your favorites!

If you are a knitter, or know someone who is, you will love Renaissance Yarns on the backside of Kent Station, next door to Kent Station Family Dentistry. Located conveniently in downtown Kent, this shop has anything and everything for the creative knitter in a stylish, boutique setting. Owned by the bubbly and knowledgeable Nancy Skorupa, this charming store is not your grandmother’s knitting store and it certainly outshines the giant “big box” craft stores.

If you are looking for the right materials, ideas for a project, knitting or crochet classes, or a knitting group to join, check out Renaissance Yarns. Nancy, Liz and the rest of the RY team will lead you in the right direction!

Renaissance Yarns
417 Ramsay Way, Suite 115
Kent, WA  98032
253-852-YARN
info@renaissanceyarns.com

[This item has been revised since its original posting. Renaissance Yarns moved to Kent Station in Fall 2008. This post reflects its new location.]

Originally from Indiana, I moved to Washington State five years ago. I lived in Bellingham for two and a half years and moved to Kent nearly three years ago. Kent isn’t for everybody, but I love that it’s close to Seattle while retaining its small town charm and diversity. It is a unique place with great people, wonderful restaurants and unique shops. I created this blog to tell people more about Kent, so they can learn about all that this town of 85,000 has to offer.