Mayor Dana Ralph's Weekly Update
 Happy Friday, Kent!
Hard to believe it's already October, but the fog this morning was a good indication that we're well into Fall now.
I have information about some fun events coming up, some reminders about ongoing opportunities, and an update on the city's budget in this week's update.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Dana Ralph, Mayor
 With Halloween just around the corner, the City and Kent Station are co-hosting a fun and safe alternative to trick-or-treating for you and your family.
Join us on Saturday, October 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Haunted Boo-Levard at Kent Station, a FREE drive-thru Halloween event with candy, gifts and City of Kent face masks!
We have more details coming, but I am so excited for this event and I am really looking forward to it. Bring your family and come out to Kent Station for a spooky celebration.
 Just another reminder that our new citywide mobile application, KentWorks, is finally here and available to install for free on iOS and Android phones!
Having a citywide mobile application has been something that I know many of you have asked for, and it’s been a priority that our team has been working on for several months now.
With many of our public-facing buildings and offices closed due to COVID-19, this app will help us address your needs and concerns more easily than ever.
KentWorks lets you access information and improve your neighborhood and community by reporting non-emergency issues to the city.
You can request a service, report a problem and find information about the City of Kent all from your mobile device in just a few taps, so install it and see what you think!
 I recently presented my 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Proposal to our City Council and I wanted to share a link so that you can watch the video on Facebook or YouTube.
While 2020 has provided us with many unprecedented challenges, 2021-2022 will provide us with many opportunities.
Now is our time to rise to the occasion, to show the region what makes us a strong, vibrant and thriving city. We have the opportunity to make continued investments in our residents, particularly communities of color, vulnerable populations and our business community.
We have made significant progress over the past several years, but that work must continue if we want to stake our claim as a regional destination.
I am confident that City leaders and residents have shared values that will set the roadmap for Kent’s future. I look forward to the adoption of this budget so our programs, services and vision for Kent can continue to move forward.
Hispanic Heritage Month continues this month until October 15!
This is an annual celebration which recognizes the extensive histories and rich and diverse cultures of our Latino and Hispanic communities.
It's a time to commemorate how these communities have influenced and contributed to our way of life. Support our local Hispanic and Latino businesses and take some time to learn about and appreciate these cultures this month.
 Free nutritious meals are available to all children and teens 18-years-old and younger every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at select schools and bus stops across Kent School District during remote learning.
See which pickup location works best for you.
Each small box (12 inches by 8 inches by 8 inches) contains meals for the days that school is in session that week. Most boxes will contain five breakfasts and lunches; however, the number of meals will be adjusted for holidays and non-school days because federal regulations allow meals to be provided for school days only.
A menu with instructions for refrigeration and heating items inside. While meals are free for all children through December, we still encourage qualifying Kent School District families to apply for free and reduced-price meals.
This will ensure you are ready in January when meals are no longer free for everyone and that our district receives important funding we rely on to support students.
Kent School District, Seattle Visiting Nurse Association and Seattle & King County Public Health are partnering to host two drive-thru vaccination clinic events.
The first event is this Wednesday, October 7 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the second event is on Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at ShoWare Center.
All vaccines required for K-12 school, as well as the flu vaccine, are being offered for free for kids ages 4-18, no insurance required. Adult flu vaccines are available as well, registration is required.
Please bring your family's vaccination records, wear short sleeves and make sure everyone over age 2 wears a face covering. Please stay home if you are sick.
 It’s a strange time for our running community. We remain committed to doing something fun for our runners and walkers so families can get out, get active, and have fun.
Beginning October 5, we’re holding a month-long event called the Fall Classic.
Our hope is to make it an annual 5k run/walk next year. Each week in October we’ll feature a new challenge; participants can email in their photos or results to be featured on our social media accounts or win prizes!
Week One Challenge: Fastest Time on the Course (Running/Walking) Submit your course time! The fastest time takes home an I Love Kent Parks t-shirt.
Week Two Challenge: Early Riser! Early birds, this one is for you! Show us how early you hit the course. Don’t worry, we don’t judge hair or morning breath!
Week Three Challenge: Family Fun! Circle up your family for some fun. Take a family picture on the course, write a poem about Kent Parks together, share how many times you’ve enjoyed the course during the week together, or submit a photo of your favorite part of the course.
Week Four Challenge: Costume Contest! Hit the course in your best Halloween costume (imagine 4 T-Rex’s on the course at the same time?!) and submit a picture!
The Details:
- The 5k course starts and stops at Three Friends Fishing Hole, located at 20025 Russell Road.
- This is the northbound course toward Tukwila. COURSE MAP
- Starting line is directly behind the wood sculpture on the trail. Look out for the sign!
- Miles and turnaround will be marked with signs.
- Kent Fall Classic full details and challenges will be posted on:
- Submit photos, art or writing to Mark Hendrickson and they'll get posted!
 Kent Restaurant Week is coming up soon! Enjoy the diverse flavors of our city, support local restaurants, and save! Just mention "Kent Restaurant Week" when ordering at participating restaurants to save and see specials.
See participating restaurants on the Visit Kent website.
Please dine responsibly. Our restaurants are following COVID-19 safety protocols, so please do your part to keep them safe and open.
 The intersection of 4th Ave. South and Willis St. will be closed this weekend for construction and paving for the new roundabout.
The intersection had planned closures for the last two weekends, but due to the air quality and rain, they were delayed until this weekend. There may be additional weekend closures in the future to complete this project. This project is really coming along and I'm excited to see it finished.
 Kent Parks has been hosting some great and fun video game events lately, and they have another Mario Kart tournament happening today at 4 p.m.
If you're catching a lot of blue shells, they hold tournaments every Friday so you’ll always have a chance to race!
Tournaments are held on Discord for Mario Kart 8 on Nintendo Switch. Players must have the game, a Nintendo Switch and an online Nintendo membership to join us.
The Kent Parks Discord server link will be posted on their Facebook Event every Friday before the tournament starts.
Please be prepared to hop on to the Kent Parks Discord server link at 3:45 p.m., about 15 minutes before the tournament begins, to go over rules and game play with our Parks Program Coordinators that will serve as moderators.
Kent Parks also hosts similar events for Super Smash and Madden, so keep an eye on their Facebook events for those. This is an awesome event for kids and teens, and adults too. Mark your calendars and invite your friends - we hope you'll join!
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