The Children’s Therapy Center of Kent provides children with special needs and their families with services to enhance their development.  The mission is to maximize the potential of children with disabilities by providing individualized, family-centered intervention services.  Our ultimate goal is to give children functional skills that will help them today while decreasing their need for future services.

For more information or to register visit, http://www.dynamicfamilies.org/Page.aspx?hid=459.

The City of Kent has revamped its new website.  With the ever-growing list of changes in everything from going green to technology the City of Kent decided to update its website to a more user-friendly site.  It’s more appealing to the eye and a lot easier to navigate.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to see the changes check it out at www.choosekent.com.

Earthworks Park is calling you to “Celebrate Earth Day” on April 17, 2010 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Celebrate Earth Day by spending the morning at this landmark park. It’s a fun, environmental education event for volunteers of all ages and abilities.  Come clean up this landmark parked named for the Earth we are celebrating. There will be pruning, planting and removing.  For more information visit the City of Kent website or contact Victoria Andrews, Special Programs Manager at vandrews@ci.kent.wa.us.  Come join the City of Kent for this historic day!

The City of Kent is sponsoring an Arbor Day event on Saturday April 24, 2010 at West Fenwick Park.  “Celebrate Arbor Day ‘10″ runs from 9am to noon, rain or shine.  Kent has been named a Tree City USA since 2003 and wants to celebrate this by keeping it green.

Join in the festivities by:

• Removing invasive plants.
• Planting native trees along the cleared area.
• Laying weed barrier and mulch.

The City of Kent is looking for volunteers to join in the already large list including scout troops, corporate groups and students earning community service hours.  For more information visit the City of Kent website or contact Victoria Andrews, Special Programs Manager at vandrews@ci.kent.wa.us.  Celebrate Arbor Day with Kent!

The Kent Fire Department claims the Kent Regional Fire Authority will ensure..

• Strong emergency services and fast response times for our growing community
• Long-term financial sustainability and accountability for emergency services
• A proven, diversified funding model less dependent on property taxes
• Lower costs and greater efficiency through consolidation of contracts and resources

The Kent Firefighters are looking for a “YES” vote on Tuesday, April 27, 2010.   Proposition ! is endorsed by the Covington City Council, the Kent City Council, Fire District 37 and Kent Firefighters 1747.  For more information visit the City of Kent website.

My point, you ask, as I ramble on? I have found the hair salon of my dreams…Blanc ‘n Schwarz, 207 E. Meeker St., next to Edward Jones Investments (Kelsey Keener). After visiting Kelsey last month, I popped into the salon next door to make an appointment for a haircut. In and of itself, that was somewhat of a miracle. I’m a “low maintenance” gal, and I don’t usually schedule haircuts. I just go when I need one. But a friend had recommended Wade at Blanc ‘n Schwarz so I thought I’d give it a try.

I gave Wade the option to choose a style that was flattering, and I love what he did. In addition, he was incredibly personable and the salon was fun. It was decorated in a simple but upscale way, with shampoo bowls that adjust to your comfort level. The reclining shampoo chairs also had a foot rest so I could put my legs up while being shampooed and conditioned.

I went back last week for a four week trim (believe me, this NEVER happens in my “low maintenance” world) and to try a new haircolor and highlights. As expected, Wade was his usual charming self, but he was also very in tune to what I wanted and what would look good for my coloring.

As an extra bonus, I love Wade’s entrepreneurial spirit and his desire to support the Kent community. Despite being new to the area (his salon was previously in Ballard), he is all about Kent and proud to offer his ideas for helping it grow in ways that benefit businesses and residents alike.

So for the first time in nearly five years, I can say I have a stylist and a favorite salon. Wade @ Blanc ‘n Schwarz. Gotta run…it’s time to make an appointment for my next trim…

[Note:  Blanc 'n Schwarz is open Mondays - Saturdays and Sundays by appointment only. I don't believe they have a website, but here's how you can reach Wade or another one of his stylists: 253-856-1355]

Although defeated, the Predators played a good game with a lot of action.  They played the now 3-0 Fairbanks Grizzlies. The first half started out rough but they came back with a vengeance.  Unfortunately it was not enough, with a score of 57-42 the Predators fell short.  The Predators are currently 0-3 but with a few games behind them the chemistry is heating up and we see many great games ahead.

Contributed by Larissa Long

In addition to passing out season tickets, the festivities included a dance off, organized by Larissa Long, an iLoveKent.net contributor. The dance team performed in unison, followed by a trio of football players who attempted to best the ladies’ moves. The crowd cheered enthusiastically for both sides, but the girls were ultimately named the winners.Following the impromptu dance competition, the team introduced itself with a special intro of player #9 aka Sweet Roll. The dance team also introduced themselves to the cheers of the crowd.

With 80 to 100 people in attendance, the mood was festive and the community was supportive of the Kent Predators, an IFL expansion team to play its first home game at ShoWare Center tomorrow evening.

For more info. about the Kent Predators or to buy tickets to tomorrow night’s game, visit the team online.

CIS Kent provides assistance to at risk students in the Kent School District through mentorships, internships, and support to stay in school and graduate. Contributing to success in school for today’s children and youth ultimately produces a future skilled workforce for area businesses which will be key to many businesses’ immediate and future needs. We’ve come a long way in the past five years and will celebrate our work March 17, 2010 with a St. Patrick’s Day fundraising breakfast. Please attend our event, at the Kent Senior Activity Center, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00. Dr. Edward Lee Vargas, Superintendent, Kent School District, has agreed to deliver the keynote address for us.

This is our primary fundraising event…reaching our fundraising goal allows us to continue to provide much-needed services to the at-risk youth in the communities that the Kent School District serves.

We appreciate your interest in supporting Communities In Schools Kent, helping make a difference in the lives of our most valuable asset – our children.

If you would like to attend the breakfast, serve as a table captain, and/or learn about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Alice Pfaff, Tom Wood, or Mike Heinisch. Hope to see you there!

Kent, Washington, March 9, 2010 – Kent Station’s Earning Dollars for Scholars scholarship fundraiser is back. Now in its fourth year, this popular, shopper-friendly program has helped Kent Station award 11 scholarships totaling over $15,000. The scholarships benefit Kent area high school graduates attending Green River Community College. In many cases, the scholarships provide money for college for students who couldn’t afford to go otherwise.

After receiving her scholarship in 2009 Miranda Green said, “I am honored to be one of the recipients of the Kent Station Scholarship. Thanks to [Kent Station’s] support, I am the first in my family to attend college. Without this scholarship, I would not be able to go to college.”

This year Earning Dollars for Kent Scholars expanded its scholarship package to include a grant that is awarded to a GRCC student who created the visual graphics for this annual fundraiser. This year’s grant winner is Ella Shkurina, a second year student at Green River Community College.

How does Kent Station’s Earning Dollars for Scholars fundraiser work? Visit participating Kent Station merchants from March 1 through 31 to enter to win one of ten Kent Station gift cards, ranging from $25 to $500. Shoppers can enter once at each participating merchant and, for each entry, Kent Station will donate $1 to the Kent Station–Green River Community College Scholarship Fund. The winners of the gift card drawing will be selected at random on April 5, 2010.

“Kent Station is proud to be able to partner with our stores, restaurants, and the community to provide scholarship money for local high school graduates,” Sommer Ueda, Kent Station marketing coordinator, said. “Green River Community College offers a number of programs for students to get a quality education, and we’re glad we can help make that available to Kent students.”

The community’s participation allows Kent Station to give local students a chance at a continued education. The more entries received, the more scholarships provided and the more chances shoppers have to win!  Please help to make college dreams happen.

“This program is really a win-win for everyone.  The GRCC Foundation is thrilled to partner with Kent Station to support educational opportunities for youth in our community,” said Beth Gatzke.

“Last year, the Dollars for Scholars program provided four of almost 160 scholarships given to students at Green River Community College.  With the help of community members like Kent Station, our scholarship program and our community will continue to grow,” she added.

For a list of participating merchants and complete details of the Earning Dollars for Scholars program, visit KentStation.com or call Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Seattle-based Tarragon Development Company. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, professional office space, and dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatres Cineplex and a branch campus of Green River Community College.

For more information, please contact:

Sommer Ueda
Kent Station
417 Ramsay Way, Suite 110
Kent, WA 98032
253-856-2301
www.KentStation.com
sueda@kentstation.com