Local News and Events for Kent, Washington

Last week was an interesting weather week in Western Washington. On Halloween, we had unseasonably warm weather, a real treat for little ghosts, goblins and their parents. Fast forward two days, and we’ve had snow in low lying areas, including Kent. It was also the final week, leading up to the General Election, Kent Downtown Partnership celebrated their 25th anniversary of serving downtown Kent, and we turned our clocks back an hour with the end of Daylight Saving Time. iLoveKent’s mascot and office dog Jelly Bean was not impressed.

This week will also be eventful, particularly as election draws to a close with the General Election on Tuesday. If you haven’t voted but are registered, please make an informed choice, sign and either mail your ballot (first class postage required) or drop it off at a designated ballot box. There are two in Kent, one outside the parking garage at RJC and one at Kentridge High School.

However, you’re spending the week, make it a good one!

~ Dana Neuts, Publisher

NEW–Tuesday is the last day to vote; mail or drop off your ballot today!
Tuesday, November 7 is the General Election, and the last opportunity for registered voters to cast their ballots of Kent mayoral and city council candidates. Ballots must be mailed by first class mail on or before Tuesday, and ballots must be received at designated ballot boxes (Kentridge High School and Regional Justice Center, outside parking garage) by 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Learn more about Kent candidates here. King County Elections will post preliminary election results online Tuesday at 8:15 p.m.

NEW–Editorial: “Being mayor takes time, dedication and the willingness to embrace teamwork…”
Kent resident Sally McDonough shares reasons she is supporting Dana Ralph for mayor: “Dana’s resume adds up to an honest, hardworking, and Kent-first mayor. Being mayor takes time, dedication, and the willingness to embrace teamwork. She shows up. Be informed, and vote accordingly for Dana Ralph for Mayor of Kent.” Read the full letter to the editor here.

NEW–Jeff Bezos is helping Kent grow with vertical farming startup Plenty
Vertical farming startup Plenty is opening its second farm, a 100,000-square-foot indoor farm in Kent. The new facility will have the capacity to grow 4.5 million pounds of greens each year, enough to feed 183,600 Americans, reports Business Insider. Production is expected to begin in spring 2018. Plenty will grow crops using glowing, LED-lit, 20-foot-tall towers that do not require soil, pesticides or natural sunlight. The project is backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Read the full story at Business Insider.

NEW–Shop with a Cop Annual Fundraiser is this Thursday, Nov. 8, 2017
Join the group for dinner to raise money for a great cause. This partnership between the Kent Police Department, Kent Youth and Family Services and Target helps children shop for their families during the holidays. Please help the group raise funds for this important cause. RSVP on Facebook. Not able to attend? You can donate to the program directly through Kent Youth and Family Services or by contacting Dana Ralph.

REMINDER–Severe Weather Shelter training Nov. 8, 2017
From November through March, the City of Kent opens a Severe Weather Shelter in life-threatening conditions. The shelter is located at Kent Lutheran Church and staffed by volunteers and one employee from Catholic Community Services. To prepare for the season ahead, there will be a volunteer gathering on Wed., Nov. 8 (6:30 to 8 p.m.) for awareness and training. Click here for more information about the Severe Weather Shelter.

Kent Event: Veterans Day 2016NEW–Auburn celebrates Veterans Day with 52nd annual parade and observance
Auburn has been designated by the Veterans Day National Committee and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a regional site to celebrate Veterans Day 2017. This will be the 52nd year for the city’s Veterans Day Parade and Observance. The parade, which features close to 200 organizations including branches of the military, local boy scout troops, police departments and government officials, begins at 11 a.m. and will be on Main Street in Auburn. Read more about the parade and other festivities here.

NEW–Drowsy Driving Awareness and Prevention Week, Nov. 5-12, 2017
Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed November 5-12, 2017, as Drowsy Driving Awareness and Prevention Week. Nationwide, drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes a year with 40,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities. From 2011 through 2015, in Washington State, there were 64 fatal collisions and 308 serious injury collisions investigated where a drowsy driver was involved. Top risk groups are young people, especially males under 26, shift workers and those working long hours, particularly the night shift which increases the risk by almost six times, and commercial drivers. Learn more about Drowsy Driving Awareness and Prevention Week here.

NEW–Free Brown Bear ‘Beary Clean’ car washes on Veterans Day
On Saturday, November 11, Brown Bear is offering free “Beary Clean” car washes to current and former members of the military between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at its tunnel wash locations. Drivers should identify themselves to the wash attendant upon arrival. Visit BrownBear.com for a list of Brown Bear’s 24 automated tunnel wash locations. Also, the company will donate $1 for every car washed to Puget Sound Honor Flight. Over the last three years, Brown Bear has donated more than $30,000 to support Honor Flight’s mission of transporting Western Washington war veterans to visit memorials in Washington, D.C.

NEW–Ivar’s and Kidd Valley offer complimentary meal on Veterans Day
Also recognizing our nation’s veterans, Ivar’s and Kidd Valley restaurants are offering veterans a complimentary meal of select entrees during lunch and dinner on Saturday, November 11, all day during business hours. Veterans must show proof of military service, such as VA Universal ID, DD-214 or Veterans SErvice Organization card. Limit one per person. No purchase required. More info. available at Ivars.com/Veterans and KiddValley.com.

NEW–Kentwood High School Athletic Director Jo Anne Daughtry named North Puget Sound League (NPSL) 2016-17 Athletic Director of the Year
Kent News: Kentwood High School Athletic Director Jo Anne Daughtry named as North Puget Sound League 2016-17 Athletic Director of the YearAthletic Director Jo Anne Daughtry of Kentwood High School is the North Puget Sound League (NPSL), 2016-2017 Athletic Director of the Year. This is the second time in JoAnne’s 19 years serving as Kentwood athletic and activities director that she has received this award. She will now be eligible to represent the NPSL at the West Central District 3, and if selected, can be considered for the Washington State Athletic Director of the Year. This award is voted on by the NPSL Athletic Directors Association.

“Jo Anne is an outstanding building athletic and activities director and is the foundation and force behind Kentwood’s success in extra-curricular activities. She is very deserving of this award,” said Kent School District Athletics Director Dave Lutes.

REMINDER–Only two weeks left in Torklift Central’s Turkey Challenge
With only two weeks left to go, Torklift Central is encouraging individuals and businesses to get their donations in! So far, participants have donated more than 800 non-perishable food times and $3,000 in donations. The goal is to donate $25,000 and 10,000 pounds of food. So far, 71 different groups and companies have joined the challenge. Learn more about how you can help hungry Kent families here.

REMINDER–Free Indoor Walking at accesso ShoWare starts Nov. 13, 2017
Don’t let the rainy weather interrupt your daily walking routine! Take part in free indoor walks at accesso ShoWare Center, Mondays and Wednesdays, November 13, 217 through June 27, 2018, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Free indoor walking is open to all ages and modalities, and there are two levels of walking and stairs for extra cardio. In addition, Kent4Health hosts monthly health screenings. Dates are subject to change based on accesso ShoWare’s schedule. Check the community calendar at KentWA.gov for changes.

Kent News: The 35th annual Christmas Rush Fun Run and Walk is Sat., Dec. 9, 2017. Registration is now open.NEW–Registration is open for Kent’s 35th annual Christmas Rush Fun Run
The City of Kent has opened registration for its 35th annual Christmas Rush Fun Run and Walk. There will be a 10K run and a 5K run walk, so the event is open to people of different abilities. The event is Saturday, December 9, 2017 and will start and finish at Hogan Park at Russell Road. The early entrance fee is $10, or $25 with a technical T-shirt before December 2. Week of race entrance fees are $20, or $35 with a technical T-shirt. Learn more about the Christmas Rush Fun Run here.

NEW–Feast for Change: Annual Fundraiser, Nov. 16, 2017
Project Feast is hosting its annual fundraiser on Thursday, November 16, 2017 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Machine House Brewery in Georgetown. Tickets are $50 + tax which includes food, an Ubuntu Street Mocktail and swag bag. Executive Chef Lisa Nakamura and Sous Chef Iryna Mykhalchuck have paired a delicious international menu featuring traditional foods from Syria, Iraq, Ethiopia, Ukraine and beyond. Buy tickets online here.

Other stories you might have missed:

Kent Police Investigate Shooting, One Male Fatally Injured
November 2017: Things To Do in Kent, Washington
Kent Emergency Management Division Secures Grant to Save Lives with AEDs
Twelve Days of Goodness 2017 with NFL Legends

Event Highlights This Week

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

Nov. 6-7       28th Annual Artisans Festival, Kent Guild of Seattle Children’s Hosp.
Nov. 6          Disney on Ice
Nov. 7         General Election
Nov. 7          Kent City Council (special time: 5 p.m.)
Nov. 9          Shop with a Cop Annual Fundraiser
Nov. 10        Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Tri-City Americans
Nov. 11       Veterans Day
Nov. 11        Train Show
Nov. 11        52nd Annual Veterans Day Parade and Observance
Nov. 11        Rockin’ the Decades for a Cure
Nov. 11        Organist Sean Haley accompanies Silent Film Classic Nosferatu
Nov. 11        Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Kamloops Blazers
Nov. 12        Trail Walk – Natural Resource Area Leader-Guided Walk
Nov. 12        Open House at Islamic Center of Kent

 

Dana Neuts

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