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.

ShoWare Center presents the Royal Comedy Tour on Sat., Nov. 5, featuring Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Mark Curry and Tony Rock. Doors open at 7 pm. Show starts at 8 pm. Tickets range from $45 – $59. Order tickets by phone by calling 866-973-9613, buy them online or at the ShoWare Center box office.

For more info. about the event, visit RoyalComedyTour.com or ShoWareCenter.com.

Disney on Ice and Pixar present Toy Story 3 at ShoWare Center from Nov. 9 – Nov. 13.

Visit the Disney on Ice website for more information including show times and tickets. Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

The Thunderbirds home opener is Saturday, September 24 against the Portland Winterhawks at 7:05 pm at ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St. in Kent. Single game tickets go on sale on Wednesday, August 24 at 10 am and can be purchased online at http://www.seattlethunderbirds.com/ and at the ShoWare Center box office.   Here is the list of the promotions and giveaways for the season.

2011-12 Promotions For the Thunderbird Games

September
Friday, September 24 vs. Portland, T-Birds Magnetic Schedule presented by Beacon Plumbing (all fans), Party on the Plaza

October
Saturday, October 8 vs. Victoria, Valley Medical Center GLOW Event Pink T-Birds Hats (first 3,000 fans)
Tuesday, October 18 vs. Brandon, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 1 (first 2,500 fans)
Sunday, October 23 vs. Everett, Kent Reporter Family Pack, BECU T-Birds Beanies (first 1,000 kids)

November
Tuesday, November 1 vs. Vancouver, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 2 (first 2,500 fans)
Friday, November 18 vs. Tri-City, Pub Night 1
Saturday, November 19 vs. Portland, State Farm T-Bird Fleece Headband (first 2,000 fans), Fred Meyer Turkey Shoot (post game)
Friday, November 25 vs. Prince George, XFINITY Marcel Noebels Bobblehead (first 2,500 fans)
Tuesday, November 29 vs. Swift Current, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 3 (first 2,500 fans)

December
Friday, December 2 vs. Tri-City, Hawaii Night Friday, December 9 vs. Prince George, Northwest Harvest Food Drive – Presented by Beacon Plumbing
Saturday, December 10 vs. Victoria, Boy Scout Night 1, Northwest Harvest Food Drive – Presented by Beacon Plumbing
Tuesday, December 13 vs. Vancouver, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 4 (first 2,500 fans)
Saturday, December 17 vs. Tri-City, T-Birds Calendar Night (first 3,000 fans), Fred Meyer Ham Shoot (post game)
Tuesday, December 27 vs. Everett, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 5 (first 2,500 fans)
Friday, December 30 vs. Moose Jaw, XFINITY Colin Jacobs Bobblehead (first 2,500 fans)

January
Saturday, January 7 vs. Spokane, BECU T-Birds Beanies (first 1,000 kids)
Friday, January 20 vs. Kamloops, Pub Night 2
Saturday, January 28 vs. Portland, Fred Meyer Teddy Bear Toss
Sunday, January 29 vs. Kelowna, Kent Reporter Family Pack, Beginner Fest
Tuesday, January 31 vs. Spokane, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 6 (first 2,500 fans)

February
Saturday, February 4 vs. Kamloops, Luke Lockhart Jersey T-Shirt (first 1,000 kids)
Saturday, February 11 vs. Portland, University of Phoenix T-Birds Bandanas (first 4,000 fans)
Tuesday, February 14 vs. Kelowna, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 7 (first 2,500 fans)
Friday, February 17 vs. Tri-City, Pub Night 3, Bang Banners (first 4,000 fans)
Sunday, February 19 vs. Spokane, Youth Group Night, Girl Scout Night, Kent Reporter Family Pack, Mascot Game
Saturday, February 25 vs. Everett, Hockey Challenge to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska
Sunday, February 26 vs. Tri-City, Hockey Challenge to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska, Boy Scout Night 2, Kent Reporter Family Pack

March
Saturday, March 10 vs. Portland, University of Phoenix T-Bird Thunderstix (first 5,000 fans)
Sunday, March 11 vs. Everett, Kent Reporter Family Pack
Tuesday, March 13 vs. Spokane, State Farm 2-for-Tuesday, State Farm Player Magnet 8 (first 2,500 fans)
Saturday, March 17 vs. Everett, Fan Appreciation, T-Birds Team Poster presented by Sterling Savings & XFINITY (first 5,000 fans)

There will be several special group nights, including Youth Group Night, two Boy Scout Nights, a Girl Scout Night, two Northwest Harvest Food Drive Nights presented by Beacon Plumbing, a Mascot Night and Fan Appreciation Night.  For more information, please contact the Thunderbirds office at 253-239-7825.

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!

Bring your family to ShoWare Center for “amazing thrills and outlandish fun,”  on Thursday, September 1st through Monday, September 5th.  Ringling Bros. and Barum & Bailey Circus is coming to Kent, hosted by Thrillusionist David DaVinci.  Audiences will be amazed with his eye-popping illusions and mind-blowing transformations.  He’ll take you to the center of the ring to be mesmerized by the Hairdaring Duo; Sky-High Sensation; BOOM A RING; feats of strength from the King Fu Kings; The Barons of Balance; and the Salsations, flying high and flipping furiously.  And these are just a few of the acts you and your family will experience!

BOOM A RANG will get audiences up close with the majestic animals of the circus. Thirteen high-energy dogs maneuver through hurdles, jumps, do backflips and high dive from 16 feet!  Camels, horses and ponies perform without riders and the treasured Asian elephants will demonstrate their incredible grace just feet away from audiences’ seats.  And, of course, no circus would be complete without the Ringling Bros. clowns bringing their own brand of hilarity and mayhem to the ring.

Tickets range from $15 to $65 plus fees at ShoWare Center’s Box Office, 253.856.6999 or use the link http://tickets.showarecenter.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=92

Come join us for the first game of the season. The Predators are also selling family ticket packs for the first game, 4 tickets for $40. Join us on February 25th for the return of Show Time at the ShoWare!

Win 2-tickets to an event each month, April 2011-May 2012

ShoWare Center’s Marquee Tickets Contest

Come to ShoWare Center’s Plaza, take a photo that includes the new marquee featuring full color images & videos of upcoming events. Upload your photo and then encourage your social network to vote for your photo. Voting concludes March 7. Winner will attend an event of their choice each month starting in April. Get creative + get votes = WIN!

For more info:
www.facebook.com/ShoWareCenter

Contributed by Ian Henry of the Seattle Thunderbirds

HOCKEY CHALLENGE 2011 CELEBRITY ALL-STAR GAME PLAYERS ANNOUNCED

Michael Rosenbaum and Jason Thompson return, 7 T-Bird Alumni and 6 local celebrities to participate

Kent, February 10, 2011 – The Seattle Thunderbirds and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska are pleased to announce the names of the celebrities taking part in the Hockey Challenge 2011 Celebrity All-Star Game on Saturday, February 26, at ShoWare Center in Kent.

The national and local celebrities scheduled to appear in the All-Star game include: Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville), Jason Thompson (General Hospital), Cameron Bancroft (24: Day 4, Hockeyville on CBC), Bill Wixey (KCPQ 13 news anchor), Aaron Levine (KCPQ 13 sports anchor), Ian Furness (KJR 950 AM Host), Brad Goode (KING 5 morning news anchor), Christie Johnson (KING 5 morning news reporter) and Steve The Producer (BJ Shea Experience on 99.9 FM KISW). The T-Birds and the Ronald McDonald House hope to announce more celebrity players in the coming weeks.

T-Bird alumni playing in the Celebrity All-Star game include Jamie Huscroft, Regan Mueller, Blake Knox, Lloyd Shaw, Corey Schwab, Brett Duncan and Ryan Gibbons.

A ticket to Hockey Challenge 2011 gives fans access to all Challenge events on each day of the Challenge. Events on Saturday, February 26, include the Celebrity Game and autograph session, all other Challenge games and the T-Birds game that night against the Portland Winterhawks. The Celebrity autograph session starts at 5 p.m. at ShoWare Center and will go until 5:30 p.m. The T-Birds encourage fans to line up early for the autograph session. The Celebrity Game is scheduled to start after the T-Birds game ends.

Hockey Challenge 2011 Schedule

Saturday, February 26

Game 1 – Windows vs. Exchange, 10:35 a.m.

Game 2 – MSFT vs. Concur Technologies, 12:15 p.m.

Game 3 – Interactive Entertainment Business vs. Microsoft Mystery Team, 1:55 p.m.

Game 4 – Windows Live vs. MS IT, 3:35 p.m.

Celebrity Autograph Session – 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on west concourse of ShoWare Center

Game 5 – Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Portland Winterhawks, 6:05 p.m.

Game 6 – Celebrity All-Star Game, immediately following T-Birds/Winterhawks game

Sunday, February 27

Game 1 – Courage Women vs. Heart Women, 9:35 a.m.

Game 2 – Microsoft Spartans vs. Tiny Zamboni Hockey Club, 11:15 a.m.

Game 3 – SQL Server vs. Windows Phone Services, 12:55 p.m.

Game 4 – Amazon.com vs. Shamrocks, 2:35 p.m.

Game 5 – Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Everett Silvertips, 5:05 p.m.

Game 6 – Top Fundraisers Game following T-Birds/Silvertips game

Hockey teams are formed by sponsors that raise money to play in the Challenge. All proceeds from the Challenge directly support operations of the Seattle Ronald McDonald House, which provides a “home-away-from-home” for children and their families during medical treatment, making each day a little easier. In fact, last year the Seattle Ronald McDonald House provided accommodations for approximately 700 families.

Over the past 12 years the Hockey Challenge has raised over $3.9 million for the Seattle Ronald McDonald House.

The T-Birds are expecting a large crowd for the game against the Winterhawks. To purchase single game tickets to this game fans should go to the ShoWare Center box office or go online to the T-Birds website.

T-Birds group tickets are currently also on sale. Group tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.

Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke is set to give her annual “State of the City” address this Wed., Feb. 2 (11:30 am) at ShoWare Center. Mayor Cooke will highlight 2010 accomplishments, as well as give an update on what’s happening in Kent now and in the near future. The address will be taped for viewing on Kent TV21 and will be reprised in an expanded format during the Mar. 15 Kent City Council meeting.

For more information about the event, which is being hosted by the Kent Chamber of Commerce, visit the City’s website online.

Families and kids of all ages are invited to attend “You Me We,” a festival of free family fun scheduled for Friday, February 18 at the ShoWare Center.

The free event is a celebration of Kent’s being named, for the first time ever, one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People in America, by America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest partnership organization dedicated to youth and children.

“We want to celebrate Kent’s kids with the community in a big way, so we’ve asked for ideas and more importantly, participation from a lot of different groups,” said Julie Stangle, the City’s Youth and Teen Program Manager. “The response has been terrific; families won’t want to miss You Me We! It’s a celebration with a street fair atmosphere.”

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with stage entertainment by Master of Ceremonies Greg Bennick, nationally renowned juggler, comedian, speaker, and family fun guy, as well as local performers starting at 6:30 p.m. Other activities include:

* Interactive booths

* Hands-on art activities

* Sports competitions

* Face painting

* Bounce houses

* ShoWare Center tours

* Games, contests, raffles, and prizes including a Redline bicycle

* “Family friendly pricing” on concessions

The event is being organized by a collaboration of community groups, including the Kent School District, Kent Parks Department, youth groups, sports and scouting organizations, churches, local businesses, service clubs and the list is growing every day.

For more event details, visit www.YouMeWeKent.com. To register your group to provide entertainment or to host a free interactive booth, call 253-856-5030 or email jstangle@ci.kent.wa.us.

The 100 Best designation recognizes those communities that make youth a priority by implementing programs that help keep children in school and prepare them for college and the 21st century workforce. The entire 2010 list of 100 Best Communities for Young People and their accomplishments can be found at www.americaspromise.org/100Best.

As always, ShoWare Center has lots of family-friendly entertainment coming Kent’s way. Here’s what’s on tap over the next few weeks:

Jan. 7, 7:35 pm
Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey
T-Birds vs. Kelowna

Jan. 17 & Jan. 28
High School Hoops Action
Jan. 17 – Comcast Showcase
Jan. 28 – Les Schwab Shootout

Jan. 22, 2011, 12:30 and 3:30 pm
Disney Live:  Mickey’s Magic Show

Feb. 10, 8:00 pm
Ladies Night Out, Vol. @ – Valentine’s Day Edition
Featuring Bell Biv DeVoe, Al B. Sure and SWV & Jon. B.

Feb. 17, 7:00 pm
Harlem Globetrotters 2011 World Tour
Celebrating 85 years of storied history

Feb. 24, 7:00 pm
Hillsong United – Aftermath Tour

For a complete schedule or to buy tickets to any event, visit ShoWare Center’s online box office.

The Kent Valley Hockey Association invites you to join them for their eighth annual dinner and auction to support youth hockey.

Kent Valley Hockey Association
8th Annual Dinner & Auction
Fri., Feb. 4, 2011, 6:30 pm
ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent, WA 98032
$50 per person

- Fully catered dinner
- Complimentary glass of wine
- Fun, festive evening

For more info., contact Stacy Cinderella, KVHA Auction Coordinator, 253-850-2400, ext. 25.

KVHA’s home rink is the Kent Valley Ice Centre at 6105 S. 240th St., Kent, WA 98032.

Earlier this week, the Kent Predators announced that it has signed 13 players for the 2011 IFL season, including some who were re-signed from last year’s team. The roster includes:

Jeremiah Captain, DB; Re-signed from 2010 Kent Predators.

Andre Jordan, WR; Re-signed from 2010 Kent Predators.

Morgan Rosborough OL, University of Washington; Re-signed from 2010 Kent Predators

James Walton, WR, Truman State University; 1^st or 2^nd team All-League four years in a row; played in three straight winning championship games, last two with Billings Outlaws; led league in catches, yards and touchdowns.

Daniel Griggs, DB, McMurry University; Two-year starter in college.

Jesse Feagin, DL, Washington State University; Big contributor to D-line at WSU.

Vaughn Lesuma, OL, Washington State University;2010 starter for Fairbanks Grizzlies (IFL).

Xavier Hicks, DB, Washington State University; One of the top DB’s at WSU.

Michael Eby, DB, Eastern Oregon; 2009 IFL Defensive Rookie of the Year; won two IFL Championships with Billings Outlaws; led team in interceptions.

Alonzo McCord, DB, Grambling State University; Great cover guy, can play space or man-to-man.

Fevaei Ahmu, DL, Washington State University; Two-year starter at WSU; quick first step with good power.

Cecil Ellis, DB, Southern Arkansas; Great cover guy, started for the Billings Outlaws.

DD Holyfield, RB, Southern Arkansas; Warrick Dunn clone, great speed, nose for end zone.

The 2010 season was the first for the Kent Predators, who joined the Indoor Football League (IFL) as an expansion team. Based in Kent, Washington, the team plays its home games at the ShoWare Center.

Professional Bull Riders – Kent Invitational
There are few men tougher than cowboys…
And few sports tougher than bull riding….
And today, the world’s greatest bull riders are known by three letters:
THE P. B. R.!

We’ve seen a lot of things in Kent, but never before have we seen bucking broncos like this! Next Saturday and Sunday, the Professional Bull Riders will host the Kent Invitational at ShoWare Center and tickets are selling quickly. Don’t miss your chance to see your favorite PBRs up close!

Saturday, October 9 @ 7:30PM
Sunday, October 10 @ 2:00PM
** Doors open 1 hour prior to event.
ShoWare Center

Ticket Prices:
$47, $37, $27 (kids 12 and under $12).
Groups of 10 or more qualify for discounted tickets, contact Meryl Stinehour at 253-856-6723.

Ticket prices on event day increase $3, buy today and save!

Click here for more info.

Click here to buy tickets online now.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ShoWare Center Wins “Green Washington” Award
from Seattle Business Magazine

KENT, Wash. – September 24, 2010 – Kent’s ShoWare Center, was named the winner of Seattle Business Magazine’s “Green Washington” award in the sports arena category.  One of 13 winners, ShoWare Center was chosen from over 100 nominees for demonstrating leadership, innovation and commitment to sustaining the environment.  The award was presented at Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle Thursday, September 23 at a special event honoring all finalists.

“I’m extremely proud of this achievement,” said Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke.  “Receiving this award reaffirms our efforts to balance economic development with being good stewards of the environment.  We couldn’t have done this without the strong collaboration among our entire team.  It’s also pretty cool to be in the good company of the other finalists, Seattle Mariners & First & Goal, the operators of Qwest Field.”

Parterning with the City of Kent were LMN Architects, Mortenson Construction, Paladino & Company, Shiels Obletz Johnsen and the Seattle Thunderbirds.

ShoWare Center is the first sports and entertainment facilities in North America to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Highlights of ShoWare Center’s green features include:

• Premium parking for fuel-efficient vehicles and car and vanpools
• Low-flowing water fixtures and dual-flush toilets exceed 40% water savings when compared to similar buildings
• Native plant landscaping that doesn’t require watering
• Energy efficient lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation and ice-making equipment reducing energy use by over 37%
• More than 90% of the construction debris was recycled
• Constructed using more than 50% Forest Stewardship Council certified wood
• Low volatile organic compound paints and adhesives were used to minimize indoor contaminants that exacerbate respiratory problems
• Excess heat rejected from the ice-making equipment is used to warm the ground under the ice rink to maintain the integrity of the foundation

Additional information on ShoWare Center’s green building features and images are available at www.showarecenter.com.

Contact:

Michelle Witham, City of Kent
253-856-5709
mwitham@ci.kent.wa.us

Kent fans & friends, attend the October 6 business expo to meet Kent businesses, sample bites from local restaurants, meet political candidates, get goodie bags and more!

The Kent Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business expo at ShoWare Center on Wed., October 6 (11:00 am to 6:30 pm) . With approximately 90 exhibitors, the event will include an expo, election forum luncheon (11:30 am – 1:00 pm) and Taste of Kent (4:30 pm to 6:30 pm). Admission is free* and the public is invited to attend.

Kent Business Expo
ShoWare Center (625 w. James St.,  Kent, WA 98030)
Wed., October 6
11 am – 6:30 pm

Booths 11 am – 6:30 pm

Election Forum Luncheon* 11:30 am – 1 pm

Taste of Kent 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

For more information, contact the Kent Chamber of Commerce. The election forum is $30/person.

Congratulations to all of Kent’s graduating seniors! Here are a few of the local ceremonies planned.

June 10:

Kent Phoenix Academy (7 pm)
11000 SE 264th St., Kent

June 11:

Kent Mountain View Academy (6 pm)
Kent-Meridian HS East Wing Auditorium

June 12:

ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St.

Kentlake High School (9:30 am)
Kentridge High School (12:30 pm)
Kent Meridian High School (4 pm)
Kentwood High School (7:30 pm)

Pull out your sneakers, grab your basketball and head to the Showare parking lot for the Showare Shootout, “South King County’s Premier 3 on 3 basketball event”.  On Saturday and Sunday August 7-8 the Showare Center in Downtown Kent will let people from all walks of life bring it on.  Featuring  age divisions for men, women, seniors, kids and wheelchair there is a game for anyone to get in on the action.

Players who advance through the first round will have the opportunity to play for the championship.  The entry fee is $100 per team for any division and includes a guarantee of four games, a T-shirt and trophy if your team makes the championship game of the division. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated back to Kent Youth and Family Services.  Sign up soon because the entry deadline is July 10. Visit Showare Shootout’s website for complete rules and information.

Kent Downtown Partnership (KDP) hosts its next Downtown Breakfast Hour on Friday, June 4 at the ShoWare Center’s Club Lounge (625 W. James St., Kent).

Networking begins at 7:15 a.m., followed by Mayor Suzette Cooke’s thought for the day, an update from the City of Kent, a rundown on KDP’s upcoming events, safety & security committee information and community starz awards. In addition, Kirk Davis from GRCC’s Small Development Center and Mark Albertson (Albertson Law) will present “Out Compete, Get More Customers.”

For more info. or to RSVP, contact KDP at 253-813-6976 or via email.

This KDP event is being sponsored by:

Suzanne Cameron, Around the Clock, Inc.
Roland & Company, CPA PS
Judy Woods, Friend of Kent Downtown Partnership