Local News and Events for Kent, Washington
Good morning, everyone and Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed the beautiful fall weekend. We’re expecting cold, rainy weather this week, so it was good to get a last dose of sunshine before the fall rain hits. I spent Saturday evening at Kent Has Talent, hosted by the Kent Community Foundation. What a fun night! Read more about it below.
As you may have read on Facebook, I will be starting a contract with the City of Kent today, working in the mayor’s office to support day-to-day communications for the city. I will still be maintaining iLoveKent and my other business, Virtually Yourz, but Michelle Teeter and Kara Hackney have agreed to help take on more of the daily operations of iLoveKent, so you shouldn’t see a big difference. The contract is through year end, so this is just a temporary gig. During that time, Michelle Teeter will be covering city issues for us, rather than me. It will be a busy few months, but I’m excited about the opportunity to serve the city I love and to learn more about it from the inside.
Have a great week!
~ Dana
NEW–Congrats to the Kent Has Talent winners!
Saturday night, attendees were treated to some fabulous local talent, organized by Allegro Performing Arts Academy and the Kent Community Foundation. Thanks to all of the volunteers and participants, and congratulations to this year’s winners!
Adult: Katie Jones
Teen: Dalamari Holman (she won in 2016 too!)
Youth: Dre’moni Watts
Grand: Alix Chappell
Audience Choice: Sanaina Kaur Dhaliwal and Jasmin Kaur Bains
The event was emceed by Bender of KISS FM, and all proceeds for the event benefit the Kent Community Foundation in its mission to strengthen and support the greater Kent community through partnerships and philanthropy.
NEW–Kent Police Dept. to host community meeting, Oct. 11
This Wednesday, October 11, the Kent Police Department is hosting a community meeting at Panther Lake Elementary (10200 SE 216th St., Kent, WA 98031) at 7 PM. The meeting will bring together members of the community and the Kent Police Department to help make neighborhoods safer. At this meeting, there will be a special presentation on body cameras. Learn more here.
NEW–King Co. Sheriff’s Office wear pink badges through October
This month the King Co. Sheriff’s Office is honoring breast cancer awareness month with pink badges and label pins. Deputies could buy customized badges and pins to wear in October. More than 500 pins and 305 badges were ordered, raising more than $8,000 for the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Read more about it here.
REMINDER–iLoveKent’s 10-year anniversary celebration is this Friday — CANCELLED
NEW–Watch iLoveKent mayoral and Kent City Council candidate debates
If you weren’t able to attend the debates we hosted last month, Kent TV21 recorded them for us. They are part of their regular broadcast line-up, and they are also available on demand at Vimeo and on iLoveKent. Click here to watch the Kent Mayoral and Kent City Council Candidate Debates on iLoveKent.
NEW–United Way of King County is hiring for AmeriCorps
United Way of King County is looking for workers passionate about social justice issues and who are interested in social work, public health, nonprofits or the government to affect change. There are currently three positions available: Streets to Home AmeriCorps, Benefits Hub and Free Tax. Learn more about the positions and how to apply here.
NEW–Voter registration deadline is today
Today is the last day to register to vote online in King County. To register online, you’ll need a current Washington State Driver’s License or a current Washington State ID Card. New voters have until Oct. 30 to register in person. Visit King County Elections online for more information.
NEW–Beyond High School Night at Kentridge High School, Oct. 25
High school juniors and seniors and their parents are invited to Beyond High School Night at Kentridge High School on Oct. 25 (6:30 PM – 8:30 PM). Universities, colleges, tech schools, the military, apprenticeships, employers and other vendors will be on hand to guide students on the next step in their educational or career journey.
REMINDER–Register Now for Team Up 2 Clean Up Kent, Oct. 14, 2017
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.
REMINDER–October in Kent: hockey, fundraisers, live 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–Torklift Central kicks off annual Turkey Challenge, Oct. 12
This week Torklift Central kicks off 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.
Event Highlights This Week
[For details, visit our Oct. 2017 ‘Things To Do’ list or our Google calendar.]
Oct. 10 Cultural Communities Board: Mayoral Candidate Forum
Oct. 10 Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Vancouver Giants
Oct. 11 KDP’s Business Block Watch
Oct. 11 Business Expo and Taste of Kent
Oct. 11 Kent Police Dept. Community Meeting
Oct. 12 Meet School Board Candidate Denise Daniels
Oct. 12 Project Feast Meet and Greet
Oct. 13 No School – Teacher Workshop
Oct. 13 Kent Food Bank – 17th Annual Breakfast Fundraiser
Oct. 13 iLoveKent’s 10th Birthday Celebration
Oct. 13 KBAC Kent Candidates’ Forum
Oct. 14 Team Up 2 Clean Up
Oct. 14 ReLeaf
Oct. 14 Arts & Tech Fest
Oct. 14 Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Victoria Royals