Local Kent, Washington News and Events
Last week we held our second candidate debate – this time with the Kent City Council candidates. Each of the six candidates participated, and we got good information from them on where they stand on Kent issues. If you missed the mayoral or city council debates, you can view both of them on our debates page here. Thanks to the candidates for their time and willingness to serve, Greg Haffner of Curran Law Firm who served as our moderator, our helpful volunteers, our sponsors and all who attended the debates. It was exciting to see the enthusiasm and engagement in our community!
Have a great week,
Dana
NEW–Kent Has Talent is Oct. 7, save $5/ticket by buying in advance
This Saturday, October 7 is the second annual Kent Has Talent all-ages talent competition, hosted by Kent Community Foundation. There will be cash prizes in each of three age divisions, a grand prize winner, and an audience choice award. This super fun event will be emceed by KISS FM’s Bender, and all proceeds will benefit the Kent Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving the greater Kent community. Tickets for adults are $20 and $10 for kids, in advance, plus a service fee. Tickets at the door are $25 (adults) and $12 (kids), so get your tickets now.
NEW–Kent Police are investigating a shooting that left 1 dead and 2 injured
Early Sunday morning, Kent Police officers responded to a report of gunshots somewhere east of the 18000 block of E. Valley Hwy. A security guard on patrol in the 18100 block found a man lying on the ground from a fatal gun shot wound. Two additional males were found with gun shot wounds; they were transported to Harborview in Seattle. Read more about the incident here.
NEW–Volunteers needed for Team Up 2 Clean Up, Oct. 14
On Saturday, October 14, the City of Kent, Kent Downtown Partnership, Kent Station, Republic Services, Doorman Services and the Lions Club are teaming up to clean up Kent with another citywide littler clean-up event, Team Up 2 Clean Up Kent. The event will be held 9 AM to noon, rain or shine. Click here to learn more, or click here to register now.
NEW–Election deadlines to remember
October 9 is the last day to register online or by mail or to update your registration information for the November General Election. Ballots and voters’ pamphlets will be mailed on October 18, and ballot drop boxes will be opened that date. Kent has two drop boxes: one at Kentridge High School and the other at the Regional Justice Center, near the parking garage. October 30 is the deadline for new Washington voters to register to vote in person, and election day is November 7. You can access all of those deadlines, and profiles of each of the Kent mayoral and city council candidates here: https://ilovekent.net/debates/
NEW–Mayor Cooke presents balanced budget adjustment to City Council
Last week,at a special city council meeting, Mayor Suzette Cooke presented a balanced budget adjustment for the second year of the 2017-18 biennial budget. Mayor Cooke did not propose any additional tax or free increases, except her proposal to use the city’s banked property tax to balance the proposed general fund budget. Read the full text of her proposal here.
NEW–October Things To Do list includes hockey, fundraisers, music & more
October is a busy month in Kent. The Seattle Thunderbirds continue their 2017-18 season, the Tacoma Stars and the Kent Spotlight Series kick off their respective seasons. We’ve also got election events, social security and historical workshops, fundraisers and much more. Get the highlights of this month’s events in our October 2017 ‘Things To Do’ list here. For additional details and new additions, visit our Google calendar.
REMINDER–Annual PICC Walk for the Babies, 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.
NEW–DAWN to host annual gala fundraiser Sat., Oct. 7, 2017
Also this Saturday, October 7, DAWN (Domestic Abuse Women’s Network) in Kent is hosting its annual gala fundraiser at Hyatt Regency Bellevue (900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA). This is DAWN’s largest fundraiser of the year and all money raised will go to help survivors of domestic violence in King County. This year’s theme is Casino Royale, and the event includes dinner, silent and live auctions, dancing and karaoke. Learn more about the event here. To learn more about the organization, read Michelle Teeter’s latest feature for iLoveKent: ‘DAWN: Bringing Domestic Abuse out of the Darkness.’ here.
NEW–Torklift Central to Host 7th Annual Kent Turkey Challenge, Oct. 12-Nov. 15
Torklift Central is, once again, hosting its annual Kent Turkey Challenge to collect food and raise money for hungry Kent families. The goal this year is to raise $25,000 and 10,000 pounds of food for the Kent Food Bank. Learn more about the Kent Turkey Challenge and how your or your business can participate here. NOTE: iLoveKent is collecting donations of non-perishable food items at our 10th anniversary party on Friday, October 13. RSVP here.
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. In addition to light refreshments and giveaways, we will be collecting donations for the Kent Turkey Challenge, so please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to donate.
Event Highlights This Week
[For details, visit our Oct. 2017 ‘Things To Do’ list or our Google calendar.]
Oct. 3 Understanding Social Security Workshop
Oct. 3 Kent City Council meeting
Oct. 4 Hamilton: Beyond the Musical
Oct. 4 Kent Rotary Monthly Backpack Packing Party
Oct. 4 Gracias Christmas Cantata
Oct. 5 Block Watch 101
Oct. 6 Kent Spotlight Series: Wylie and the Wild West
Oct. 7 Green Kent Event: North Meridian Park
Oct. 7 PICC Fundraiser: Walk for the Babies
Oct. 7-8 Greater Seattle Paper/Postcard Show
Oct. 7 Kent Has Talent
Oct. 7 Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Portland Winterhawks
Oct. 8 Green Kent Event: Lake Fenwick Park
Oct. 8 Watercolor Your World
