Local News from iLoveKent for Monday, Feb. 20

Today is President’s Day so government offices, including the U.S. post office, will be closed today. Also, this week the Kent School District is closed for Presidents’ Break.

Create your own art at ‘Be Artful’ This Thurs., Feb. 23
On Thursday, February 23 the Interurban Center for the Arts will host ‘Be Artful,’ an annual fundraiser that raises money for art docent programs in local elementary schools, including 15 Kent schools. At this year’s event, participants will get the opportunity to create their own art with the guidance of three local artists. Learn more about the event here.

Tacoma Stars to host Kent Business Night This Fri., Feb. 24
Join the fun as the KDP Raptors take on the Kent Asteroids prior to the Tacoma Stars game on Fri., Feb. 24. Tickets are $11 each and include a pregame social, the local business scrimmage and the Stars’ game against the Chicago Mustangs. Suites are available for fans, groups and companies. Learn more here.

NEW–4Culture to host “office hours” on the third Tuesday of each month
4Culture is coming to Kent to hold office hours at the library the third Tuesday of the month from 10 AM to 2 PM, starting Feb. 21. Staff will be on hand to talk to people about 4Culture resources, so bring your questions, ideas and plans. No need to RSVP or register.

NEW–City seeks artists for Kent Summer Art Exhibit
The City has put a call out for prints, photographs, paintings and other types of artwork for a juried exhibit, the Kent Summer Art Exhibit, at the Centennial Center Gallery. The works will be on display from June 7 through Aug. 24. All artwork selected for the exhibit is eligible for City Art Purchase Awards and Kent Arts Commission Exhibit Awards. Click here to apply.

NEW–Learn more about Evidence-Based Policing on Mar. 14
The Des Moines Police Department is consider evidence-based policing as a strategy. Highline College, which teaches EBP as part of its Criminal Justice program, is inviting the public to learn more about EBP at a free training session on March, 14 2017 from 8 AM – 11 AM at Highline College in Building 2. Space is limited; registration is required. Register by emailing Crystal Kitterman at [email protected].

NEW–Kent Senior Center Closed Feb. 27 – Mar. 3
The Kent Senior Center will be closed from Feb. 27 through Mar. 3 for carpet replacement.

Kent Community Garden registration opens Feb. 22
For returning gardeners, Kent Community Garden registrations begin Feb. 22. For new gardeners, registrations begin on Mar. 8. Sign up at the Kent Commons (525 Fourth Ave. N., Kent, WA) or by calling 253-856-5000.

NEW–Seattle Rock Orchestra to perform Led Zeppelin I & II March 10
Seattle Rock Orchestra brings the music of Led Zeppelin to Kent’s Spotlight Series on Friday, March 10. The show will feature music from the legendary rock band’s “Led Zeppelin I & II” albums and is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Kentwood Performing Arts Center, 25800 164^th Ave. SE, Covington. Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and $15 for youth. Visit KentArts.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

NEW–City of Kent utility customers will see rate increases this month
Utility customers in the city of Kent will see increases in their bills this month, as well as a new fee for dedicated fire lines for sprinkler systems. Learn more at KentWA.gov/UtilityRates or call 253-856-5201.

NEW–Kent Kids’ Arts Day is March 11
Celebrate National Youth Arts Month by bringing your child or children to Kent Kids’ Arts Day on Sat., March 11 at Kent Commons. This year will be the 29th year for the event, and it gives children the opportunity to do a wide variety of hands-on art projects. Admission is $10 per child. Adults and children age 2 and under are free. Click here for more info.

4Culture is offering grants for arts, heritage and preservation projects
4Culture is now accepting grant applications to support individual and group projects for arts, heritage and historic preservation. The grant program is open to King County residents who are artists, part of an art group, local historians, or owners of historic properties. Get more details, including application deadlines, here.

NEW–View criminal activity in Kent online
Kent is a great city, but it is not perfect. Like every city, we have crime. To stay up to date on what’s going on in Kent, visit CrimeReports.com on the city website. It is updated once a day and shows you what incidents have been reported in Kent. Click on the icon in a specified area for additional information like the type of incident (e.g., theft, property crime, vehicle theft, breaking & entering, assault, etc.)

NEW–“Witty Scientists” focuses on teaching hands-on, STEM-based learning
In our latest feature, Michelle Gehlman-Teeter interviews Mariola Kulawiec, PhD, who founded Witty Scientists to feed curious minds with science to increase their creativity.
Read more here.