Local News and Events for Kent, Washington, June 5, 2017

This past weekend was crazy-busy in Kent with Relay for Life Friday and Saturday, the Kent Farmer’s Market, the Kent International Festival, the city’s summer recycling collection event, the Covington library book sale, Seattle Expo Quinceanera at ShoWare Center and other local events.

Unfortunately, I was home with three sick pets this weekend, so I was stuck at home, but judging by the pictures and comments on Facebook and Instagram, it looks like fun was had by all. While I couldn’t enjoy it, I am glad that the weather was nice and the events were successful. It’s a great way to kick off the month of June!

Have a great week, everybody!

~ Dana Neuts, publisher

NEW–City seeks input on “Meet Me on Meeker” project
The City of Kent wants public input on the Meet Me on Meeker project. For example, how should Meeker Street be redesigned to be more pedestrian-friendly and to encourage walking, biking and disabled-accessible pathways? The city would like to hear from Kent residents, business owners and employees to complete a short survey. Click here to learn more about the Meet Me on Meeker project, and click here to take the survey.

Kent News: Kent Community Foundation Will Award Scholarships This Spring; Applications are available nowNEW–Five local organizations award $52,050 in scholarships to 34 Kent students
On Tues., May 23, five local organizations – the Kent Community Foundation (KCF), Rotary Club of Kent, Kent Area Council PTSA, Rotary Club of Kent-Sunrise and Denali Federal Credit Union – awarded 34 Kent students with scholarships for post-secondary education totaling $52,050. Four students won more than one scholarship, and seven students, marked with an asterisk, received repeat scholarships. Congrats to the students, and thanks to the organizations for supporting education. See a list of students and the scholarships that were awarded here.

Kent Downtown Partnership annual dinner auction is this Friday, June 9
This Friday night, June 9, join KDP staff, board members, downtown businesses and community members at KDP’s annual dinner auction, its largest fundraiser of the year. In addition to silent and live auctions and dinner, KDP will look back on its 25 year history and present awards to local businesses and volunteers. Tickets are $85 per person or $700 for a table, but buy your tickets soon. The event is just days away!

Washington state is part of a multistate salmonella outbreakNEW–Washington state is part of multi-state salmonella outbreak
Last week the Department of Health confirmed that 16 people in Washington have been diagnosed with salmonella after coming into contact with live poultry, including two people in King County, two in Pierce County and one in Snohomish County. Children under five, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to get sick from salmonella and should avoid handling live poultry. Read more about the health risks and what precautions can be taken here.

NEW–Five arrested in drug sting at Papa John’s in Sammamish
Last Friday the Sammamish Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people after a six-month investigation into Papa John’s employees who were selling cocaine and other illegal substances from the Sammamish Papa John’s. Searches yielded $28,000 in cash, a vehicle, and drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, oxycodone, LSD and methamphetamine. Read the full story here.

Kent Summer Art Exhibit Reception, June 7, 2017NEW–Kent Summer Art Exhibit Opening Night Reception This Wednesday
This Wednesday the Kent Arts Commission is hosting an opening night reception to kick off the summer art exhibit at the Centennial Center Gallery. The event is Wed., June 7 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. The event is free, and open to all ages. If you miss the exhibit, you can view it at the gallery June 7 to August 24, Monday through Friday, during regular business hours. Learn more here.

NEW–Tell the City what you think about Riverbend Golf Course
Are you a golfer? Have you played at Riverbend on Meeker St. in Kent? If so, the City of Kent wants your input. Complete the survey by Sunday, June 11 to share what features of a golf course are important to you as well as what types of food and beverage service you’d like to see at the municipal course. Click here to take the survey now.

NEW–10th Annual Music & Art Showcase, June 29, 2017
Join locals for a fun, FREE night of live music, an art show, free dessert, door prizes and more at Kent Senior Center on Thursday, June 29 (4:30 – 8 PM). Outdoor concerts will feature jazz pianist Richard Dean and a 50s and 60s Rock ‘n Roll Revue with Wally and The Beaves. Get all the details here.

Kent Event: South King ChallengeNEW–Registration is now open for 4th Annual South King Challenge
Get fit this summer! Registration is now open for the fourth annual South King Challenge, consisting of four separate run/walk events in South King County (Maple Valley, Kent, Federal Way, Covington). Join one, or all of the races for a chance to win prizes while supporting a great cause. Learn more here.

Kent graduation dates
Summertime also means graduation for hard-working high school and college seniors. Here’s the event schedule for the month of June including Kent high schools, specialty programs and Green River College. If you know of an event we missed, please email us at info@ilovekent.net, so we can add it to the list. Congrats to the class of 2017!

Register to vote by Oct. 10Kent and King County candidates for office
The filing deadline for running for office in the 2017 elections was May 19. There are quite a few contested races in the City of Kent and in King County. Those races with three or more candidates will compete in the August 1 primary, with the top two vote getters in each race advancing to the November 7 general election. See the list of candidates here.

NEW–National Night Out is Tues., Aug. 1, 2017
This year’s National Night Out is scheduled for Tuesday, August 1. This is a great opportunity for neighbors to work together to hold a barbecue, pot luck, ice cream social or other social event with the idea of giving crime a going-away party. Learn more and register your neighborhood on the Kent Police Department’s National Night Out page.

Reminder: Stay up-to-date on local road closures and construction projects
We keep a running list of ongoing construction projects, traffic alerts and related news from DriveKent.com, King County Dept. of Transportation, WSDOT and other entities affecting Kent roads and commuters. View our updated list here.

Upcoming Events

Get additional event details from our June “things to do” list or our Google calendar.

June 5       Kent4Health Free Indoor Walking
June 6       Kent City Council
June 7       SKCAC 8th Annual Breakfast Fundraiser
June 7       Kent4Health Free Indoor Walking
June 7       Open House & Executive Director Reception
June 7       Kent Summer Art Exhibit & Reception
June 8       The Outreach Program (TOP) Graduation
June 9       KDP Annual Dinner Auction & Fundraiser
June 10     Kent Farmer’s Market
June 10     Green Kent Event: Lake Fenwick
June 10     Kent Valley Coin Show
June 10     Rainier Chorale – The Mouse & The Music
June 11     The Bear 5K Run/Walk
June 11      CWU Graduation
June 11      Salad Days
June 11      Rainier Chorale – The Mouse & The Music   

 

Dana Neuts

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