Local News and Events for Kent, Washington
We hope everyone is having a safe and fun Labor Day weekend, and enjoying a little time off. We are working a bit and relaxing a bit. On the work front, we are busy planning and promoting the Sept. 21 and 28 iLoveKent debates. See more on that below. On the home front, today Jelly Bean and I went for a walk along the Green River Trail at Riverbend Golf Course. It was warm and muggy out, but it was still nice to enjoy one of Kent’s many beautiful outdoor spaces. What’s your favorite Kent park?
~ Dana
NEW–Submit candidate questions for the debates by Sept. 18
As promised, we are asking for reader questions for the iLoveKent Kent Mayoral and Kent City Council candidate debates on Sept. 21 (mayor) and Sept. 28 (City Council). Please submit your questions here by noon on Sept. 18, so our moderator – Greg Haffner of Curran Law Firm – and I have time to review and select the questions to be asked prior to the debates. Submit your questions here. [NOTE: We are requiring your first name, last name, email address and zip code, so that we can ensure we are hearing from Kent residents, and so that we can clarify any questions we might have.] Click here to submit your questions online now.
NEW–Afterschool Steel Band Program in Kent is a GO!
Yesterday Steel Magic Northwest founder and executive and artistic director Gary Gibson told us that Steel Magic Northwest has found a way to continue and expand the afterschool steel band program for Kent School District students from 6th to 12th grades. Enrollment is starting now. Learn more about the program here.
REMINDER–Volunteers needed to help distribute iLoveKent debate materials
iLoveKent is hosting candidate debates in Sept. Presented by Marti Reeder of John L. Scott, the mayoral debate will be on Thurs., Sept. 21 and the Kent City Council candidate debate will be Thurs., Sept. 28. Additional sponsors include gold sponsor Denali Federal Credit Union and silver sponsors 33rd District Democrats and 47th District Democrats. We want to be sure the events are well publicized to ensure that anyone who wants to attend can. To help spread the word, we could use your help sharing the print materials in your neighborhood, let us know. Email Dana Neuts at [email protected]. Thank you! Learn more about the debates here.
NEW–King County Sheriff’s Office asks for help identifying bank robber
Do you know this woman? She is wanted in connection with an Aug. 25th robbery at the Key Bank branch in Maple Valley. She is described as a white female in her 30s or 40s. She was wearing all black and yellow-tinted sunglasses. Learn more about the incident and who to call if you have information about her identity here.
NEW–SKCAC Industries celebrates 50 years in Kent
SKCAC Industries and Employment Services, a company that helps people with developmental disabilities get work experience and jobs, is celebrating 50 years in the Kent Community. Learn more about the Kent Valley-based nonprofit in Michelle Teeter’s latest feature for iLoveKent.
REMINDER–Kent Has Talent auditions scheduled for Sept. 23
Are you a singer, dancer, magician, artist, poet or musician? Auditions for the Kent Has Talent all-ages talent show will be held Sat., Sept. 23 at Allegro Performing Arts Center (222 Central Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032). Click here to complete an entry form for auditions. All proceeds benefit the work of the Kent Community Foundation, a Kent nonprofit supporting cultural arts and education. Mark your calendars for the main event on Sat., Oct. 7, 2017, emceed by Bender of 106.1 KISS FM in Seattle.
NEW–KDP to Host HAWKtoberfest Car Show on Sept. 23
Kent Downtown Partnership is hosting its annual HAWKtoberfest Car Show on Sat., Sept. 23 from 11 AM to 3 PM on Railroad Avenue in downtown Kent. Join hundreds of other Seattle area football fans and car enthusiasts for lots of fun. Learn more about the event here.
REMINDER–DAWN to host Bubba’s BBQ Fundraiser Sept. 24
DAWN (Domestic Abuse Women’s Network) is hosting their 3rd annual fundraising BBQ at Bubba’s (21237 84th Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032) on Sun., Sept. 24 from 1 PM to 5 PM. Money raised at this year’s BBQ will go toward new playground equipment and/or needs at the children’s annex at the shelter. See the event on Facebook here for more details or click here to make a donation now.
NEW–Greater Kent Historical Society plans annual gala for Sept. 30
The Greater Kent Historical Society is hosting its annual gala on Sat., Sept. 30 at the Kent Senior Center.Tickets are $60 and available for purchase online This year’s theme is ‘1917: 100 Years Ago’ and the guest speaker is Erik Fling, U.S. Army Museum Director at Fort Lewis who will speak about ‘The Military in Washington State in 1917.’ . Net proceeds from the event will go to support the work of the Greater Kent Historical Society.
NEW–September is National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15
Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the culture, heritage and contributions of Hispanic Americans. Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968, begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period.
NEW–Things To Do in Kent, Washington in Sept. 2017
Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean that activities and events die down. In fact, this month is full of fun activities including Seattle Thunderbirds’ hockey, a KDP-Kiwanis golf tournament, the 21st annual Frog Frolic at SHADOW Lake, fundraisers, book clubs, farmer’s markets and much more. Here are some of the month’s highlights. Does your group or organization have an event or fundraiser coming up? Be sure to email us at [email protected] so we can add it to our calendar. [NOTE: We get LOTS of requests, so if you could please check our Google calendar first to see if your event is already listing, it will save time. Thank you!]
Event Highlights This Week
[For details, visit our Sept. 2017 ‘Things To Do’ list or our Google calendar.]
Sept. 5 Kent City Council
Sept. 7 KDP-Kiwanis Golf Tournament
Sept. 9 Kent Farmer’s Market
Sept. 9 Green Kent Event – North Meridian Park
Sept. 9 21st Annual Frog Frolic
Sept. 9 REPPS Annual Charity Event
Sept. 9 Best of the Best Comedy Jam
Sept. 10 Green Kent Event – Park Orchard Park
