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Happy Friday Kent,
The leaves keep falling, temperature is dropping, and the rain and wind are starting to pick up!
Here's a few quick reminders to make sure you and your loved ones stay safe while out and about on the road.
🚘 Turn your headlights on.
❌ Don't use cruise control.
🛑 Increase stopping distance.
👀 Eyes on the road. No distractions.
🌊 Watch for water over roadways.
We have some great opportunities to get involved in this week's update, and plugs for a couple programs you may want to participate in. Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
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At Tuesday's council meeting, Councilmember Troutner presented the proclamation for Hundu American Awareness and Appreciation Month to Ram Krishna Ji from the Kent Hindu Temple.
This proclamation was brought forth to increase awareness and understanding of the Hindu American community and encourage residents to recognize the contributions made by the Hindu community.
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Thank you, Boy Scout Troop 407, for coming to City Hall Tuesday night! The troop got a tour around City Hall and talked to the Kent Police Department grave shift. |
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Kent City Council
The Kent City Council met again this week! As a reminder, you can view the agendas, minutes and livestream recordings of the meetings on our website and YouTube.
Haunted Boo-levard
Put on your best costume and join us for a free spook-tacular trick or treating event! Kids can trick or treat around Kent Station at participating businesses, then stroll down Ramsay Way for a trunk or treat!
Be sure to vote for your favorite decorated trunk and stick around for dinner! If you want to sign up or learn how you can volunteer visit KentStation.com
📅 Tuesday, October 31
⏱ 4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
📍 Kent Station
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Grab your most creative costumes and head to downtown Kent for the 5th Annual Street of Treats Autumn Fest!
📅 Saturday, October 28
⌚ 2 - 5 p.m.
📍 302 W Meeker St
Participating businesses will be welcoming visitors to stop in for Spooktacular treats. (Teal pumpkin friendly too!) Please support the Kent Food Bank by bringing a non-perishable food donation. Register online here.
There will also be a costume contest, kid’s activities, photo opportunities, and clowning around with Boy Scout Troop #480, Allegro Dance Academy, Sound Transit, Zero & Somebuddy, Kent Police Department and more!
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Ballots are headed your way! Check your mailbox for the next few days to see if your ballot has arrived. If you don't receive it, give King County Elections a call at 206-296-8683. You can also go to VoteWA.gov to check your registration status. |
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The Greater Kent Historical Society and Museum have partnered with the Kent Library to bring in some famous authors! Tomorrow, folklorist and author Margaret Read MacDonald shares folktales from Appalachia and beyond. Sponsored by the KCLS Foundation.
📅 Saturday, October 21
⌚ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Kent Library (212 2nd Avenue N)
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Join Chief Padilla and command staff for a community meeting on October 25.
There will be discussions about current crime statistics, hiring/retention, staffing and legislative priorities. There will also be time for question & answer.
📅 Wednesday, October 25
⌚ 6 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
📍 Zion Lutheran Church, 25105 132nd Ave SE Kent
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Medicine Take Back Day
The Kent Police Department is participating in a nationwide program to take unwanted or expired prescription drug medications!
📅 Saturday, October 28
⌚ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
📍 Kent Police Department, 232 4th Ave S
If you have unnecessary medication at home and are looking for a safe way to dispose of it, this is it! For more information on what is accepted and what we cannot accept, click here.
Please contact Stacy Judd at sjudd@kentwa.gov or 253-856-5883 if you have any additional questions.
Interested in serving the Kent community? Applications for an at large and law enforcement position are available for the city's Disability Retirement Board. The board reviews medical and disability claims made by police officers and firefighters. Here's some more information. |
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Our city Neighborhood Matching Grant Program offers matching funds on a competitive basis to recognized neighborhood councils to develop and implement projects which will enhance the livability of their communities.
Our city provides some amazing opportunities with grant money to communicate and beautify neighborhoods.
Here are some fantastic examples.
We have together a neighborhood grant workshop on December 3 at the Kent Senior Activity Center.
Please email Tracy Taylor ttaylor@kentwa.gov to sign up
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Sound Transit is considering changes to Link light rail fares and our parking program. We want your feedback to help us create a more accurate and equitable picture of what works for our riders. To learn more and take the survey visit this link! |
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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so here's another reminder with some best practices to stay safe.
- Enabling multi-factor authentication
- Using strong passwords
- Updating software
- Recognizing and reporting phishing
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Speaker Series
The City of Kent is partnering with World Relief to bring their From Home to Home exhibit as a part of the Race and Equity Speaker series!
The exhibit is semi-guided which put you in the shoes of refugees and other who have been forced to leave behind their homes, and often loved ones.
You can learn about the challenges of resettlement in the United States, build greater empathy and find out what next steps you can take. Here's a little more information about the event.
📅 October 26 and 27
⌚ 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
📍124 4th Ave. S. Suite #180 Kent, WA 98032
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Thank you to the amazing volunteers who helped out last weekend for Orca Recovery Day with the Green River Coalition. They removed invasive species and planted native shrubs and learned how we can continue to help chinook salmon, a major food source for our local Orcas. |
Arbor Day
Sign up to volunteer for hands on environment conservation with our Parks team!
All ages are welcome to help keep our parks and natural areas healthy and thriving!
At this year's Arbor Day event, we will be celebrating Kent's 22nd year as a Tree City USA! Volunteers will work alongside Kent Parks staff to remove invasive blackberry bushes, mulching and plant native trees, shrubs and pollinator plants.
Help us, help the environment! Sign up here!
📆 Saturday, November 4
⌚ 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
📍 Morrill Meadows Park
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Fall weather has returned! Beat those cold, rainy mornings with Indoor Park at the Kent Commons Community Center.
The program runs Tuesday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. -11 a.m.
Open to all kids 10 months to 4.5 years of age.
Call the Kent Commons at 253-856-5100 for more details.
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When children play sports, we ALL win! Research shows participation in youth sports help students thrive in school, improve children’s mental health, and provide opportunities to develop social skills. Register your child for a Kent Parks program today!
Registration for Youth Winter Basketball is open for students in grades K-12.
Register now at MyKentParks.com/Register
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Spotlight Series
The 2023-2024 Spotlight Series is underway!
Magical Strings 37th Annual Celtic Yuletide Concert, is Sunday, December 3 at the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center. The Boulding Family’s musical celebration of the holiday season is a treasured tradition here in our community. Tickets for this incredible concert will sell out – be sure to get yours online soon! Purchase tickets and see the full line-up of performances 2024 season online here!
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Have you prepared your home for Winter weather yet?Here's a checklist of things you should do!
- Clean debris from drains/gutters
- Ensure pipes and faucets are insulated.
- Repair roof leaks
- Ensure heater, furnace, chimney work.
- Check smoke detectors.
- Check door seals.
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Business or Leisure Tourism Grants Available
The City of Kent has opened applications for the Business or Leisure Tourism Promotion Grant for 2024-25 projects. Applications are being accepted online until October 31, 2023.
The program aims to fund the marketing, operation and promotion of activities, events or projects that promote Kent both as a business or leisure destination, ultimately bringing more people to the city from at least 50 miles away.
Organizations with a creative vision for events or initiatives that attract visitors to Kent are eligible to apply. Projects that draw overnight visitors will be prioritized.
Kent’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) will review the applications in November and make funding recommendations to the Kent City Council.
The grant awards are selected via a competitive process and are provided on a reimbursable basis. Complete program eligibility requirements and criteria is available online.
The money for grant awards is made possible by the collection of a one percent state tax on overnight hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast stays. State law dictates who is eligible to apply, and mandates the funds be used for marketing and promotion of business and leisure tourism
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Exciting news for Kent's vibrant business community! The City of Kent, in partnership with Business Impact NW, is excited to announce a three-year initiative designed to empower our local entrepreneurs.
If you are a small business operating in Kent, you will benefit from a network of connections and resources that are not only extensive but also easy to navigate, ensuring that businesses can focus on growth and long-term sustainability. To learn more and sign up for services, visit Business Impact NW - City of Kent
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Holiday Craft Market
The Kent Parks Holiday Craft Market is coming back! This annual event is a great place to drop by and get some holiday shopping done early.
There are dozens of vendors who offer an amazing selection of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted gifts. Hope to see you there!
📅 Friday, November 3
⌚ 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📅 Saturday, November 4
⌚ 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Admission and parking are free, and additional details can be found online.
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Registration is open for our annual 5k/10k Fun Run & Walk.
The Christmas Rush is a beloved holiday event in our community, and I am looking forward to seeing those runners and walkers take to the course again this year.
📅 Saturday, December 9
⏲ 9:50 a.m.
📍 Hogan Park, 25500 Russell Road
The deadline to register and receive a shirt is November 9 – don’t miss out! Learn more and register online at KentWA.gov/ChristmasRush.
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We're HIRING! Check out our featured jobs and great opportunities on our hiring page at Jobs.KentWA.gov!
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Applications are still being accepted for the city's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Board. The goal of the board is to increase engagement, integration and access to city services for all cultural communities in Kent.
You can learn about the city's work in these areas and the Equity Strategic Plan at KentWA.gov/Race-Equity, and apply to be on the board.
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Get your furry friends licensed with Regional Animal Services of King County to help get them back to you if they're ever lost!
Your license also helps fund RASKC's life-saving animal shelter work. They reunite lost pets 24/7 and provide shelter pet care 365 days a year.
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The KentWorks app 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! KentWA.gov/Kentworks
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Don't forget to check out the new episode of the KentNOW podcast! Tracy, Josh and Kevin talk to Jordan Gustafson from the Seattle Thunderbirds about his injury and how the team is hoping to make another championship run! 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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