If you like beer, wine, hot dogs and games, you’ll love the new Nevermind Tavern (209 E. Meeker St.) in downtown Kent. This over-21 hang-out is open daily for lunch and dinner and offers specials every day of the week. Tuesday, for example, is Doggie Discount Day where you buy one dog and get the second one for $1 off. And while Wednesday is designated as game night, the tavern offers board games including trivia, Yahtzee, Scrabble, Monopoly, cribbage and more to enjoy any time.

I met briefly with Nancy, who also owns and manages the Milton Tavern, who says changes – including a new name – are in the works. Stay tuned for more details!

Hours:

Open daily at 11 a.m. for lunch

Weeknights until 10 p.m.

Friday – Saturday open until midnight.

Sunday – Noon to  9 p.m.

The tavern is located at 209 E. Meeker St., between Central and Railroad, right next to Blanc ‘n Schwartz, one of my favorite downtown salons!

 Update–April 17:  My friend Cynthia and I went to have a drink at Nevermind Tavern yesterday, and we really enjoyed our visit. We were both able to taste our respective drinks (beer for her, wine for me), before ordering, which was really nice. I hate ordering a glass of wine and realizing that I don’t like it. I tried the Big Brown Box Riesling. I am not a fan of boxed wines, but this one was very tasty — super sweet. We enjoyed talking with bartender Andrew and owners Chris and Nancy Guzek. The place had the feel of a neighborhood pub – friendly, casual, comfortable. A great place to go for a celebration or to just hang out with friends! I will definitely be going back.

A Covington resident has started a Facebook campaign to bring a Trader Joe’s to town. As of this weekend, the page had over 1,700 “likes.” That’s great, but Kent can do better, right? Show your support by liking our new Facebook page to bring a Trader Joe’s to Kent, Washington. We want organic produce, vegan and gluten free options, gourmet cheeses, wine and more!

Support the cause. Like our “We Want a Trader Joe’s in Kent!” Facebook page now.

The 9th Annual Casino Night fundraiser sponsored by the Meridian Kent Kiwanis helps support youth services in Kent and the surrounding area.  This fun event will be held on Saturday, November 12, 6 pm – 10 pm at the Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St. in Kent.

Tickets are $30 which includes a $20 gambling scrip, champagne, lots of delicious hours d’ oeuvres and a silent auction.  There will be Black Jack, Roulette, Craps and many great prizes to be won!

If you are interested in Casino Night sponsorship levels: Platinum $2,000 (+32 tickets); Gold $1,000 (+16 tickets);  Diamond $750 (+12 tickets); Silver $500 (+8 tickets); Bronze $300 (+4 tickets) and Table $150 (+2 tickets) with recognition given throughout the evening.  Contributions for the silent auction are also being accepted.

Buy your tickets today for this fabulous event to support youth services in our community.  Just click on the Make a Purchase link on this website.  Sponsorships can also be made through this link as well.

For more information, please contact Pat Hanis at phanis@hiplawfirm.com.

Thank you for your support of the 9th Annual Casino Night fundraiser to help youth in our community.  Hope to see you there!

The fifth annual Wine, Women, Wow is planned for Friday, May 7 (6-10 p.m.) at the ShoWare Center. Event chair Libby Seidel of the Kent Downtown Partnership is now accepting applications for:

• Vendors
• Restaurants
• Event sponsors

Please contact Libby at KDP for an application (253-813-6976). See you May 7!

Since discovering The Grape Adventure a few years ago, I have enjoyed exploring its menu, wine selections and gift items. Every few months it seems that Scott and Katie add something new to discover. In their July newsletter, they report a list of weekly events which I’ve added to the iLoveKent.net Google calendar as well as cooking classes.

Check out these upcoming classes:

July 26, 3 pm, How to Make the Perfect Italian Pizza, $40
Includes recipe book with pix, dough to take home and dinner (all pizzas made during class)

August 17, 6 pm, Pasta & the Secrets to Making those Perfect Sauces, $60
Includes recipes and dinner

September 21, 6 pm, Soup Secrets, $50
Includes recipes and dinner

Click here to RSVP for the classes.

In addition, The Grape Adventure has added 13 new items to its menu including Roasted Red Pepper Dip, Fish Tacos, Flat Iron Steak, Asian Chicken Rolls, Pulled Pork and more!

For more information about The Grape Adventure, please visit their website and be sure to tell them iLoveKent.net sent you there! Enjoy!

The Grape Adventure
12930 SE Kent-Kangley Rd.
Kent, WA  98030
253-631-8400

Castle Bridge Winery, Kent’s “Best Winery” in 2009, presents

Comedy Night this Friday, May 15th at 8 p.m.
Cost = $12 in advance or $15 at the door

Doors open at 7 pm for wine and cheese tasting with show starting at 8 p.m.

Starring Roger Lizaola (Performed on Comcast On Demand, opened for the Backstreet Boys and winner of the Renton Comedy Contest), and featuring Jubal Flagg (KISS 106.1 Morning Show).

Ticket price includes:  Comedy Show, Cheese and Crackers, Three Wine Tastings or Your First Glass of Wine and tax.

For tickets, call 425-251-0983, order online at www.localwineevents.com, or send an e-mail.

Castle Bridge Winery
7645 S. 180th St.
Kent, WA  98032
425-251-0983
www.castlebridgewinery.com

For the last three years, I’ve been involved in the planning and hosting of Wine, Women, WOW, a nonprofit event benefiting the Kent Downtown Partnership and a local charity (YWCA’s Domestic Violence program for the last three years). This year, while I assisted with the marketing, I was not an “on site” volunteer the day of the event, compliments of Seattle traffic. Instead, I was finally able to enjoy the event for what it was – a night of fun, conversation, wine and laughter with some of my favorite local women and men, of course (I can’t forget Mychal, Steve, Greg, Roger or the others).

Event chair Libby Seidel did an amazing job of growing the event, coordinating the details, attracting new vendors and more! She undoubtedly spent hundreds of hours dotting her Is and crossing her Ts. It was well worth it! As always, the event was fun, but this year it was at the ShoWare Center which I really enjoyed. There was more space for new vendors which gave us a great variety of booths to shop at and visit. In fact, there were so many that I didn’t even see them all!

The event wasn’t perfect, but no event ever is. I waited in line for 45 minutes to get in, and had Libby not offered to get my first glass of wine for me, I would have waited for that too. I also didn’t get any of the food, but that’s OK. It looked yummy and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Some evening highlights included:

- Emcee Diana Albertson who is always beautiful, not to mention FUN!
- Mayor Suzette Cooke and her adorable mom
- Dena Brandt’s Cookie Lee jewelry demonstration
- Mary Kay Kissology – very fun! (I am “so you-nique.”)
- Yummy cupcakes and, of course, the wine in red, white and pink!
- Goodie bags featuring Wine, Women, Wow wine glasses – love ‘em, Lib!

It was a fun night out, and I hope KDP will continue to host this annual event. It is a great way to share some of the many things Kent has to offer with the region. Thanks, Libby, KDP and all of the volunteers who made the evening possible. Well done!

~ Dana

Elisa Hope, mother of three, is excited to announce the official launch of Sorrisi Décor, a Kent-based business that offers beautifully-designed tooth fairy pillows with a twist – a portion of the profits will benefit children in need of crisis dental care in western Africa.

The idea for the business came unexpectedly when a nearly-failed tooth fairy attempt created an opportunity for Hope. After her son woke up during a visit from the tooth fairy, Hope hid in his room to avoid detection. While waiting for her son to fall asleep, this creative Kent mom developed the idea for the fun, 14-inch, pocketed tooth fairy pillows.

“I had been making pillows for my nieces and nephews already,” Hope explained, “So I thought if I made a business out of the idea, I could donate part of the profits to help kids who needed dental care.”

Hope followed up on the idea by contacting Medical Teams International who told her the greatest need for crisis dental care was in Liberia and Mali, West Africa. Shortly thereafter, Sorrisi Décor and its tooth fairy pillows were born!

Hope’s initial line of tooth fairy pillows includes 12 brightly-colored, whimsical designs. The pillows retail for $49.99 plus tax, and are available online as well as at specialty boutiques like Marie Haggin Accessories in Kent Station.

Hope will celebrate the launch of her business by participating in Wine, Women, Wow at the ShoWare Center this Friday, followed by an open house at Marie Haggin Accessories on Saturday, May 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. During the open house, Hope will unveil the new line of tooth fairy pillows and introduce a member of Medical Teams International to explain how Sorrisi Décor’s donations will help kids get dental care. The May 30 event will also feature a live jazz trio and complimentary appetizers and beverages. The public is invited to attend both events, but tickets are required for Wine, Women, Wow.

“When I first saw the pillows, I knew I had to have them in my store,” Debbie Marie Haggin said. “They make great gifts for nieces, nephews and grandchildren. My customers will love them!”

For more information about Hope and her new business, visit Sorrisi Décor online at www.sorrisidecor.com. For more information about Medical Teams International and the growing need for crisis dental care, please visit www.medicalteams.org.

______

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Started by Kent mom Elisa Hope in 2009, Sorrisi Décor offers tooth fairy pillows in 12 designs. The artfully-designed pillows are 14-inches square and feature a pocket in the front for lost teeth or other treasures. Made from attractive but durable fabric, the heirloom pillows are made to last. Sorrisi Décor will donate a portion of its profits to Medical Teams International to provide crisis dental care in Liberia and Mali, West Africa.

If you haven’t attended Wine, Women, Wow in the past, mark your calendar for this year’s event set for Friday, May 8, 2009 from 6 to 10 p.m. Now in its fourth year, this popular event will feature more than 50 vendors with women-friendly products and services. Enjoy some girl time, a little shopping, some pampering and a little vino!

The event is a nonprofit event which benefits the Kent Downtown Partnership (KDP) and the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Program.

Contact KDP at 253-813-6976 or visit Wine, Women, Wow online for details.

The popular, local nonprofit event Wine, Women, Wow is returning for its fourth year – this year at the ShoWare Center on Friday, May 8, 2009. This year’s event planners, Libby Seidel and Dena Whipple, are expanding on previous year’s successes by expanding the event and hosting it in the city’s newest venue. If you’re a woman over 21 who likes wine and who wants to help raise money for a good cause, visit Wine, Women, Wow online today!

Timed for Mother’s Day weekend, a ticket to WOW makes a great treat for your mom or someone else’s. Call KDP at 23-813-6976 for more info.!

If you are a wine lover, check out The Grape Adventure on 132nd in Kent. Owned by Scott and Katie Jones, this wine shop has something for every wine lover. The store features an amazing selection of wines, wine serving items, glassware and accessories as well as gourmet chocolates and cheeses. The Grape Adventure also features a great tapas bar open for lunch and dinner. My fiance and I went last weekend to enjoy an afternoon out. We each tried 3 different wine flights (2 oz. pours), and we shared the cheesy garlic bread and cheese plate with fresh fruit and nuts. And, of course, we brought home a few bottles of wine to enjoy later. It was a nice treat!