Join the Rainier Youth Choir on Saturday, Jun 19 for an evening of music. The “Sentimental Journey” concert begins at 3:00pm at the Kent Methodist Church located at 11010 SE 248^th St., Kent.  See youth of all ages from Kent, Maple Valley, Auburn, Federal Way, Enumclaw and Renton.  Tickets are $12/$10 purchased in advance and $15/$12 at the door.

RYC is a non-profit community organization, partially funded by the Kent Arts Commission and 4 Culture, which offers age-appropriate, exceptional choral singing experiences for boys and girls with a variety of levels.

“This will be a bittersweet concert with 14 seniors graduating, some of whom have sung with me and each other since they were in fifth grade,” observed Leora Schwitters, RYC’s Artistic Director.  “We’ll be programming several favorite songs from their past as well as adding a few new selections.”  Repertoire for this concert includes lighter Broadway numbers, folk songs, jazz ballads, spirituals, as well as newer selections by Stroope, Ratledge, Sevier and Quick.

Auditions for Rainier Youth Choirs are now available for the 2010-11 season by appointment for boys and girls with strong musical talent, grades 4 and up. RYC groups rehearse weekly throughout the school year in Covington, September through May.

For ticket orders and more information about Rainier Youth Choirs, visit www.RainierYouthChoirs.org .

November 4, 2009 – Kent service clubs are taking the lead to match volunteers with those who need help preparing for potential flooding. Residents can now call or email for help with filling and placing sandbags at their homes.

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.

According to Kent’s Housing and Human Services Manager Katherin Johnson, there has been a outpouring of support from local residents and church groups wanting to know how they can help.

“The free sandbags have been a huge benefit for residents, but some people need help getting them” said Johnson. “Some just aren’t physically able to shovel sand or move sandbags. The local service clubs matching these people up with volunteers will be an outstanding help for everyone.”

Residents needing help with sandbags, or people willing to volunteer, can leave a message on the service club hotline at 206-755-4814 or by email at kentserviceclubs@yahoo.com.  Interested parties can also follow the service clubs on Twitter at twitter.com/SandbagsKentWA.

The Kent Valley is facing a higher risk of flooding this winter due to water seeping more rapidly through an earthen bank next to the Howard Hanson Dam after record high water last winter. Until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can make repairs, it must limit the amount of flood water it stores behind the dam.

Every season the City of Kent puts together a handy guide of activities for kids, teens, adults and seniors. The City’s fall program guide was just mailed to area residents. If you didn’t receive one or live outside of Kent, you can download a copy from the City’s website here.

Highlights include:

Preschool programs
Youth programs
Youth/teen programs
Adaptive recreation
Adult Programs
Fitness
Cultural Programs
Adults 50+ programs
Parks and program sites
And more!