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Happy Friday, Kent!
As we head into June, I am super excited to announce some of our fun summer events coming up, as well as some great opportunities that are just around the corner.
We have multiple events happening tomorrow that you can learn more about below.
As a reminder, the Kent City Council will be switching back to a Committee of the Whole format starting next week, which means our individual committee meetings with councilmembers have all been condensed to that biweekly meeting.
Hope you enjoy this week's update and have a great weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
Congratulations to the exceptional Class of 2023! Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off, and you should be immensely proud of your achievements. |
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Our Seattle Thunderbirds face the Peterborough Petes in the Memorial Cup semifinal tonight at 6:30! Let's go BIRDS! You can watch the match live on TSN.ca and on the TSN App. |
Blast off at Kherson Park
“Blast Off” to Summer with our Parks team!
Join us 6 p.m. tonight at Kherson Park for a free showing of WALL-E from the park's permanently installed projector. Enjoy the new, space-themed renovations, try out the Space for Kidz app that complements the park’s amenities.
The Half Lion Food Truck will be there for you to grab dinner and have a picnic in the park or dine-in at one of our other downtown restaurants. Showing starts at dusk.
📅 TONIGHT
🕕 6 p.m.
📍 Kherson Park
Kent Paw-Fest
Join us and Regional Animal Services of King County at Paw-Fest tomorrow at Kent Station! 🐕 😻
Animal rescues will have sweet animals up for adoption and we'll have licensing help on-site. There will be a best pet costume contest, pup cups, demos from dog agility teams and dog trainers! 🐶
📅 Saturday, June 3
⌚ 12-3 p.m.
📍 Kent Station
Kent International Festival
International Festival is tomorrow at the accesso ShoWare Center!
This event is a celebration of the cultural diversity represented in our city, and it's a great way to come together, celebrate various heritages and build respect, understanding and a sense of inclusivity in our community.
It will feature performers, cultural and informational booths and so much more.
📅 Saturday, June 3
⏰ 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
📍 accesso ShoWare Center
National Night Out
National Night Out is August 1!
National Night Out elevates the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Most importantly, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
It's time to start planning that neighborhood party!
Kent PD's Community Education Unit will help you with the sign-up process. Let's give crime a going away party!
Recycling Event
Tomorrow is another FREE recycling collection event that allows residents to dispose of recyclable items not typically accepted at the curb.
Instead of going to the landfill as trash, all collected items will be reused or recycled!
Here's the list of items accepted tomorrow!
📅 Saturday June 3
⌚ 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
📍 Kent Phoenix Academy
Employee of the Month
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Congratulations to our May Employee of the Month, Melissa Edlund-Oakley! Melissa is a Paralegal for City Attorney's Office and was hired on in 2008 as a Legal Secretary.
Prior to being with the city, Melissa worked as a Court Clerk at the Issaquah District Court, a Paralegal with the King County Prosecutor's Office, and at a private law firm.
Melissa was nominated because she's the quintessential team player. She goes above and beyond to make her coworkers feel seen and appreciated and is consistently brainstorming ways to help things run more efficiently.
One of her greatest attributes in her coworkers' view is her sheer kindness and selflessness, and just willingness to solve problems and support her team. Her level of motivation is unbreakable and she works hard to serve the residents of Kent.
Outside of work, she's an avid hiker, collector, and enjoys spending time with her husband and pets. Melissa continually embraces our values, and we celebrate her as May's Employee of the Month!
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Earlier this week, I joined the Mayor's Alliance to end childhood hunger. The alliance is tapping leadership to take meaningful actions to end childhood hunger in cities nationwide.
In engaging our state leaders, federal nutrition programs can run more effectively and efficiently, reaching more kids with the food they need to grow up healthy and
strong.
I'm looking forward to bringing the right people and get proven solutions.
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Wednesday afternoon, I attended the Pediatric Interim Care Center luncheon at accesso ShoWare Center.
Former Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin gave an inspiring speech about how we are all a part of a team and how our role in this world can make a difference.
Similar to how PICC makes a difference in the lives of drug-exposed newborns.
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I'm super grateful for the dedicated work they do to are for newborns withdrawing from prenatal drug exposures.
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Farmers Market
It's farmers market season!
Living Well Kent and the Kent Lions Club have partnered to bring their Farmers Market downtown! This is a community driven market, increasing access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant produce to our community. 🥬
📅 Every Saturday starting June 17
⏰ 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
📍 2nd Ave between Smith and Gowe
Van Doren's Landing Park
 Van Doren's Landing Park is now open! 🏔
This new and improved park include an expanded parking lot, restrooms, large open lawn space, two park shelters, horseshoe pits, wiffleball field, pickleball court, and a children's play area that offers a Mt. Rainier-inspired climbing structure!
The park also offers a vast network of trails and nature experiences in the Green River Natural Resource Area.
4th of July SPLASH
4th of July SPLASH is back! Set at Lake Meridian park, our free Fourth of July event is a great way to celebrate Independence Day.
- Event hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Fireworks at 10 p.m.
- Free shuttle from 5 p.m. to after the fireworks
- Gates locked at midnight.
We'll have live music, food trucks, and it will be tons of fun. Check out the details and share with your family & friends!
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This weekend was Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, celebrates the Sikh New Year and the establishment of the Sikh community in 1699.
I really enjoyed running into Councilmember Kaur and seeing families celebrating Khalsa at accesso ShoWare Center!
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The Veterans, Senior and Human Services Levy is hosting an open house in Kent to provide community members with information.
📅 Wednesday, June 7
⌚ 5:30 - 7 p.m.
📍Kent Memorial Park Building (850 Central Ave N)
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Kent Valley Loop Trails are perfect for biking, a jog or a day hike, with 30+ miles of trails and beautiful scenery!  |
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We're HIRING! Check out our featured jobs and great opportunities on our hiring page at Jobs.KentWA.gov!
🟡 Police Officers
🟡 Parks Youth Leaders/Sports Officals
🟡 Civil Engineers
🟡 Water/Solid Waste Maintenance
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Summer Concert Series
Kent Summer Concerts are back starting July 6! Super excited for this annual series of musical performances presented throughout the summer.
Learn more about specific performers and dates on our website.
Wednesday Picnic Performances sponsored by Republic Services:
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. now at West Fenwick Park and Chestnut Ridge Park
Wednesday Family Date Night at Kent Station: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Kent Station
Thursdays at the Lake: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Lake Meridian Park
Join us for the 2023 Kent Cornucopia Days 5k!
The race will start and finish at the Three Friends Fishing Hole Park. Race fees are $20, or $35 with this fun throwback shirt! Reminder that the shirt deadline is coming up on June 16.
Sign up to race and get your fun throwback shirt!
📅 Saturday July 15 at 9 a.m.
📍 Three Friends Fishing Hole Park
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The Kent Senior Activity Center offers a wide variety of programs, clubs, and activities for adults aged 50 and older. There's a full summer itinerary of hikes, trip, tours and movies all lined up! Sign up now to reserve your spot! |
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Are you interested in serving the Kent community?
We are now accepting applications for the Special Events Center Public Facilities District Board!
Learn more and apply now! |
Don't forget to check out the KentNOW podcast! Josh and Tracy update you on the important, fun and interesting things happening here in the city!
Listen to new and previous episodes on:
🔊 Apple Podcasts apple.co/3J2UMkd
🔊 Spotify spoti.fi/3GNCeli
🔊 Amazon Music amzn.to/3jjaOvU
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Translations
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