Starting Monday, November 5, outdoor walking enthusiasts can get out of the rain by participating in ShoWalk, a free indoor walking opportunity on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at ShoWare Center, 625 W. James Street, downtown Kent.

Sponsored by Kent4Health, ShoWare Center provides ‘ShoWalkers’ two levels for walking with a full loop on the upper level for walkers and a horseshoe on the lower level for those with strollers or walking aids. There are also stairs for those interested in getting additional cardio and variety.

While there is no cost, registration is appreciated at Kent4Health.com or at the door on walk days.

Stay in shape this summer! Join the Kent4Health walking group as it hits the trails throughout the summer. Walks take place every Wednesday through September 12. Walks will occur at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in various parks throughout Kent. Click here to see a full schedule.

Wed. morning walks are 9 to 11 a.m. Evening walks are 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Note:  There are no walks scheduled for Wed., July 4.

Starting today, November 14, walking enthusiasts can get out of the rain and walk in ShoWare Center, 625 West James Street, Kent.  ShoWalk is presented by Kent4Health and ShoWare Center and is a free indoor walking opportunity on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-11 am, running (or walking) through April 25,2012.

ShoWare Center provides “ShoWalkers” two levels for walking according to Pamela Clark, Kent4Health Coordinator.  “There’s a full loop on the upper level for walkers and a horseshoe on the lower level for those with strollers or walking aids.  There are also stairs for those interested in getting additional cardio or working their glutes,” Clark said.

Other features of ShoWalk include an area to stretch, warm up and cool down; free blood pressure and sugar screenings on the second Monday of every month provided by Valley Medical Center.

There is no charge to participate but registration is appreciated for planning purposes.  Please register at Kent4Health.com or at the door on walk days.  More information is available at Kent4Health.com or by calling 253-856-4968.

Elementary students can win P.E. equipment for their school and healthy treats throughout the summer by participating in the Cruzin’ Passport Challenge put on by Kent4Health with support from local business donations.

“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.

This Saturday the Kent International Festival committee presents the second annual Kent International Festival at Town Square Plaza. Located in downtown Kent at the corner of 2nd and Smith Streets, the day-long festival will include informational booths, an international fashion show, ethnic music and performances, authentic native attire and more!

The festival will be held from 10 am to 6 pm and it is FREE to the public. This year’s theme is “Learn From Each Other.” Informational booths will host activities and provide information from different countries and cultures to help us bridge the gap of diversity.

In addition, Town Square Plaza and 2nd Street will feature the Kent Lions Club’s Farmers Market from 9 am to 2 pm. Don’t miss out on the action!

Sponsors:

Allied Waste

Kent4Health

Great American Casino

Neighbor2Neighbor

Adam’s DJ Service

Kent Chamber of Commerce

Kent Community Fund

Kent Downtown Partnership

Kent Lions Club

From Linda Thielke at the King County Department of Transportation:

Kent East Hill ‘In Motion’ program rewards healthy travel choices

King County Metro Transit is launching an “In Motion” program on Kent’s East Hill to entice residents to get around by walking, cycling, riding the bus or train, and sharing rides. Program participants receive detailed travel information and earn rewards when they reduce their driving over a period of time.

During the first week of June, about 3,500 households on the East Hill are receiving an In Motion mailer with information about local travel options that emphasize the health, cost-savings and community benefits of driving less. The mailing features a neighborhood map showing bus routes throughout the East Hill area, and destinations near Southeast 240^th Street and 104^th Ave Southeast that are reachable by a short bike ride or walk.

Residents are invited to register as participants to receive more information and free ride tickets for Metro and Sound Transit. If they pledge to drive less, they can earn rewards that continue through September. Rewards include a shopping tote bag, pre-loaded ORCA transit cards, and gift cards from local businesses. Kent merchants benefit, too, from the increased emphasis on shopping locally. Several businesses have donated items for three prize drawings, including a Diamondback mountain bike and $100 gift cards to Kent Station.

Two organizations involved in the Kent community will help with outreach. The Lucy Lopez Center will offer information to Spanish-speaking participants, and ReWA (Refugee Women’s Alliance) will help Russian speakers. Metro’s other partners in the effort are the City of Kent’s Kent4Health program and the Kent Chamber of Commerce’s East Hill Partnership.

Over the past six years, Metro’s grant-funded In Motion program has reached residents in more than 20 King County neighborhoods. Metro estimates the popular programs have reduced more than 1.3 million miles of driving, 66,000 gallons of gas, and 674 tons of CO₂ emissions.

Information is available online at www.kingcounty.gov/inmotion or by calling the In Motion hotline at 206-296-3455

Kent International Festival is hosting a fundraiser dinner on Saturday, June 19 (6-9 pm) called International Taste of Kent. Enjoy an evening of international food and entertainment including a full dinner from five of the city’s top international restaurants:  Greek, Chinese, Thai, Indian and Mexican.

Saturday, June 19, 2010
6 to 9 p.m.
Kent Senior Center, 600 E. Smith St., Kent, WA
Tickets are $50 each or $350 for a table of 8

Greek – Chinese – Thai – Indian- Mexican
Irish Step Dancers – Japanese Taiko Drummers – Indian Punjabi Dancers

For reservations, call 253-852-0874 or visit KIF online.

Sponsored by the City of Kent Sister Cities Association and Kent4Health.

This month is National Nutrition Month and, to help celebrate, Kent4Health volunteers will be available at Top Foods, 26015 104th Ave. in Kent, every Saturday in March  from 11 am – 2 pm to give shoppers a taste of quick, healthy recipes from the “Grab & Go” meals program. Nutritionists will be on hand to answer shoppers’ questions and to pass out recipes. For more recipes and tips on living a healthier life, visit Kent4Health online.

Kent4Health is a city initiative that promotes healthy living including good nutrition, exercise, community service and more.

Kent4Health sees the potential to make Kent a healthier community. They share opportunities for personal wellness at group meetings, join a committee to promote healthy lifestyles, help create awareness of existing programs by participating in activities, make new friends, and advocate Kent4Health (physical, spiritual, emotional and environmental wellness).

At Kent4health.com, you can find recipes for healthy eating, health and fitness tips, activities and interests, and links to wellness. To submit a recipe, health and fitness tip, or to have Kent4Health linked to your business group, please contact Kent4Health.

Kent4Health meets bi-monthly for community discussions. At these meetings, they have leaders and experts relating to healthy living. To get involved, call 253-856-4YOU, or via email.
Thanks to Kent4Health for this info!

1.   Set a goal. This could include physical health, such as weight loss, or cardio improvement. It could also include cleaning up a local park.

2.   Get involved. You can learn about your city and attend a Kent City Council meeting. You could join a neighborhood group, or volunteer. Also, you can make connections with people who have the same goals as you have.

3.   Be committed. No amount of goal setting will work if a person is not committed enough to thegoal.  Healthy people, families, or communities all take work to create.

4.    Be open-minded. Part of the fun is trying new things. Try biking, hiking, or eating new things. The sense of taking on new challenged and achieving new accomplishments is the best encouragement of all.

Thanks to Kent4Health for this info!