This edition of Sound Bites is sponsored by AAA Pest Control.

Good morning, Kent friends. Due to the debates and travel last week, I am running a bit behind schedule. Thanks for your patience. If you didn’t have a chance to attend last week’s Kent Mayoral Candidate Debate, it will be aired on Kent TV21 starting this Wednesday. The event was well attended with 150-160 guests, not including speakers and sponsors. We were very excited to be able to offer a platform for this important Kent election. Thanks to everyone who attended and to all of the great volunteers who helped us set up and clean up.

Have a great week,

Dana

[Advertisers: The premium spot in the upper left hand corner of Sound Bites will be available, beginning with next week’s edition of Sound Bites. Email me at [email protected] if you are interested. Rate information is available here.]

NEW–Kent City Council Candidate Debate this Thursday
This Thursday, Sept. 28 iLoveKent is hosting the Kent City Council Candidate Debate at the Kent Senior Center. The format will be same with a meet-and-greet from 6 to 7 PM and the debates from 7 PM to 9 PM. If you’d like to submit a question for consideration, please do so by 5 PM on Tues., Sept. 26. You can submit your question online here.

NEW–KDP hosted HAWKtoberfest on Saturday
This past Saturday, Kent Downtown Partnership hosted its annual HAWKtoberfest car show. if you missed it, it was a beautiful day with lots of happy Seahawks fans, car show enthusiasts, sponsors, volunteers and a food truck on hand to see all of the cool football team-themed cars and a handful of classic cars. If you missed it, you can see some of the cars in our photo gallery.

NEW–Councilmember Dana Ralph proposes body cameras for Kent Police
In a press release last week, Kent City Councilmember Dana Ralph proposed body cameras for all patrol officers at the Kent Police Department. She plans to implement the proposal by the end of her first year as mayor, but would start with a pilot project and working closely with the Kent Police Officers Association and community leaders. Read the full press release here.

NEW–Annual PICC Walk for the Babies set for Sat., Oct. 7
Help raise money for the Pediatric Interim Care Center, a local nonprofit that supports vulnerable babies left in their care. The fundraiser-walk begins at 10 AM at Kent Station Plaza on Sat., October 7. Learn more and register here.

REMINDER–Learn more about Kent candidates on iLoveKent
As part of the debates, we have asked all eight candidates (two for mayor and six for city council) to submit candidate profiles. Click on the 2017 Kent Debates tab to see a list of the candidates, or click on this page to find links to each of the candidates.

NEW–New Artwork on display at the Centennial Gallery
The Kent Arts Commission is featuring the work of Lisa Myers Bulmash and Kathleen McIver at the Centennial Gallery (400 W. Gowe St., Kent, WA 98032) through October 27. Myers Bulmash is a collage and book artist working primarily in acrylics, paper and found objects. Retired from the promotional and display design field, McIver is now returning to her personal art. Learn more about their work here.


NEW–Tickets are on sale now for Kent Has Talent

If you like arts and entertainment, you will love Kent Has Talent, the second annual all-ages talent competition hosted by the Kent Community Foundation. Emceed by Bender from 106.1 KISS FM, this event will include music, singing, dancing and more and the proceeds benefit the work of the Kent Community Foundation. Tickets are available in advance for $20 (adults) or $10 (age 17 and under) plus a service fee, or $25 (adult) and $12 (age 17 and under) at the door the day of the event. Buy tickets online now.

NEW–Editorial AFSCME Local 2617 endorses Dana Ralph for Mayor
Last week we received the AFSCME Local 2617’s endorsement of Dana Ralph for Kent Mayor from president Sara Wood. The endorsement comes as a result of interviewing the mayoral candidates, a discussion and vote from the membership. Read the endorsement here.

NEW–Seattle Thunderbirds win home opener of 2017-18 season
On Saturday, the Seattle Thunderbirds beat the Tri-City Americans 4 to 3, despite the fact that Tri-City had 34 shots on goal to the TBirds’ 29. Congrats to WHL champions on their hometown win! The next home game is Friday, Sept. 29 against the Prince George Cougars at ShoWare Center. See the 2017-18 schedule on SeattleThunderbirds.com.

REMINDER–Submit your organization’s news and events to iLoveKent
Readers tell us that their friends and neighbors still don’t know about iLoveKent. To be honest, we are better at telling other people’s stories than our own. However, you can help us change that. Send us your organization’s press releases and calendar listings for publishing on iLoveKent. We tend to favor nonprofit news and events, but will include anything relevant to the community that isn’t overtly promotional (e.g., no retail sales or promotions). Submit your news and events to us at [email protected].

REMINDER–Join us to celebrate iLoveKent’s 10-year anniversary
We may be busy with debate prep, but we have not forgotten that iLoveKent turns 10 this month. We are proud to have grown and to have been able to serve the Kent community for 10 years now. Help us celebrate. Join us Fri., Oct. 13 (6 to 8 PM) at Artsy Fartsy Art Lessons (218 W. Meeker St., Kent, WA 98032) for a family-friendly celebration. RSVP here so we can plan ahead. We hope to see you there.

Other articles from last week you might have missed:

SeaTac Homeowner Shoots and Kills Burglary Suspect
Four Alarm Fire in SeaTac
Editorial: Kent Police Officers Association Endorses Dana Ralph
Detectives Seek Good Samaritan

Event Highlights This Week

[For details, visit our Sept. 2017 ‘Things To Do’ list or our Google calendar.]

Sept. 27              Self-Guided Trail Walk: Puget Power Trail
Sept. 28               iLoveKent City Council Candidate Debate
Sept. 29               Kids’ Movie of the Month: Storks
Sept. 29               Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Prince George Cougars
Sept. 30               Green Kent National Public Lands Day
Sept. 30               USA Dance Quest for the Best Competition
Sept. 30               Kent Museum Gala ‘1917 – 100 Years Ago’

 

Dana Neuts

I am a full-time freelance writer, editor, marketing pro and the publisher of iLoveKent.net.