Local News from iLoveKent for Sunday, Jan. 15
Since tomorrow is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and many people are off work, we are publishing Sound Bites a day early to be sure you have MLK-Day related news now.
Kent Schools Closed Monday
Schools in the Kent School District will not have school on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
King Showcase Basketball Tournament – Mon., Jan. 16
Basketball fans can get their fix at two tournaments held at ShoWare Center this month. On Mon., Jan. 16 is the King Showcase, presented by the RAM. From 9 AM to about 10 PM, attendees can watch 8 different high school basketball tournaments, featuring teams throughout the area, including Kentlake and Kentwood. Tickets are $5 to $10 each. Learn more at ShoWareCenter.com.
King Co. Metro to operate reduced weekday schedule on Mon., Jan. 16
King County Metro Transit said most metro routes will operate on their regular schedules on Monday, but some commuter routers outside of Seattle will not operate or will make fewer trips. Visit King Co. Metro online for details on which routes will operate and which won’t.
Highline College Celebrates 22nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week, Jan. 17-20
This week Highline College will offer a number of free workshops and events to celebrate MLK Day. This year’s theme is ‘Fear, Falsehood and Freedom: Where Do We Go From Here?’ All events will be held on Highline’s main campus in Des Moines, just outside of Kent. Visit Highline College online for a schedule of events.
Kent School District’s Tech Expo is this Thurs., Jan. 19 — FREE
This is one of the school district’s most attended event. Learn how KSD uses technology to promote learning, and see some of the projects and tools teachers and students are working on. The event is this Thurs., Jan. 19 from 6 to 8:30 PM at ShoWare Center and it is free to attend. Parking is also free. Read our post for more details. Note: Third Thursday Art is also Jan. 19, but it starts at 4 PM, so start out at Third Thursday and make your way over to ShoWare afteward!
Free Family Fun at You, Me, We on Jan. 27
You, Me, We returns to Kent on Fri., Jan. 27 at ShoWare Center. A collaboration of multiple local organizations, this free family festival features hands on activities, youth and teen performances, games, contests, raffles, sports competitions and much more. Get all the details and view this year’s video promo on iLoveKent.
Kent B&O Tax Filings are due January 31.
Whether you are a quarterly or annual filer, B&O tax filings for the City of Kent are due on January 31. Filing can be done online, at a kiosk at city hall or filers can print off forms to complete their B&O tax return. Get more information about the city’s B&O tax, along with a downloadable B&O tax guide here.
Relay for Life Kent kicks off 2017 with two February events
The American Cancer Society and Relay for Life Kent are kicking off their 2017 fundraising efforts with two events in February, an official kickoff on Feb. 2 and Relay for Life Night at the Seattle Thunderbirds’ Feb. 10 game. This year’s fundraising goal: $125,000 and this year’s main event is Friday, June 2, starting at 6 PM, at Kent-Meridian High School’s French Field. Get more info., including a link to buy hockey tickets, here.
Local Rotarians and volunteers pack hundreds of backpacks to feed Kent kids
Sadly, not every child in Kent has healthy food and snacks to get them through the weekend. Kent Rotary clubs and volunteers are trying to change that with their Backpack Buddies program. Read Michelle Gehlman-Teeter’s latest feature on Backpack Buddies. It will inspire you!
Support Art Docent Programs in Local Schools at Be Artful
Create your own masterpiece at Be Artful, a charitable event hosted by Green River’s Interurban Center for the Arts. Now in its fourth year, the event has evolved from its original title, Painting with the Stars, to Be Artful because guests can participate in two of three distinctive art activities during the event. In addition to creating your own masterpiece, there will be signature bites, live music by Root 5 and a silent auction. All proceeds raised will help provide local elementary school age children with an arts education through the art docent program which the Kent School District participates in. Learn more here.
Arts and Entertainment in Kent
Kent has a rich cultural arts community with classes, exhibits, events, performance venues, performing arts classes and studios, and much more. Here is a sampling of arts and entertainment options in Kent, Washington.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Day, No School
Jan. 16: RAM Presents King Showcase: High School Basketball Tournament
Jan. 17: Kent City Council meeting
Jan. 19: Kent School District Tech Expo
Jan. 19: KDP’s Third Thursday Art Night
Jan. 21-22: Boeing Employees’ Coin Show
Jan. 26: Les Schwab Kent Shootout Basketball Tournament
Jan. 27: You, Me, We
Jan. 27: Kent Spotlight Series: The Peking Acrobats
Jan. 31: Kent Schools – No School, Teacher Workshop
