Conservation Event
Happy Friday, Kent!
I hope you will join in our conservation efforts and volunteer to help keep our parks and natural areas healthy and thriving this weekend!
Community members of all ages are welcome to volunteer and work alongside Kent Parks staff to help clear invasive species, mulch, and plant native shrubs.
Our volunteer events are also a great way for students to get valuable experience and complete community service hours! You can sign up to help at MyKentParks.com/VolunteerEvents.
📅 Tomorrow, October 19
⌚ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
📍 Riverview Park
We have some great opportunities to get involved in this week's update and plugs for a couple of programs you may want to participate in. I hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
Earlier this week, I met an extraordinary young leader in our Springwood neighborhood, 8-year-old Liriel Quinn!
Liriel, alongside her dad Evan, have been hard at work keeping our streets clean and inspiring us all with her dedication.
What started as a small project to pick up a few bags of litter has grown into something truly amazing. Using their homemade, remote-controlled litter "BUG-gie" (complete with 3D-printed attachments and googly eyes!), they’ve turned neighborhood clean-ups into an adventure!
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In September alone, they logged an incredible 52.7 miles over 21 days, collecting 53 bags of trash—1,280 gallons in total! Their efforts aren’t just helping to beautify our city; they’re setting an example for all of us.
I proudly presented Liriel with a special Community Service Award. Her energy and commitment remind us of all of the power we have to make a difference, no matter our age.
Thank you, Liriel and Evan, for your amazing contributions to Kent. Keep up the great work—we are all so proud of you!
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At Tuesday's council meeting, I presented the proclamation for Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month to members of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh.
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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October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Its purpose is to raise awareness about domestic abuse that affects so many within our communities. This campaign provides efforts to end domestic violence by providing education and support for members of our community.
Tuesday night, I presented Katya Wojcik from Project Be Free, the Mayor's proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Project Be Free provides crisis response to individuals affected by Domestic Violence. They utilize partnerships within the community that allows support and navigation of mental health needs to increase advocacy and promote individual wellbeing.
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Katherine and Rita's Houses provide women in recovery with stable housing, access to education and the support needed to successfully navigate life. It was great seeing so many people support their wonderful work this morning at the Toast for Recovery breakfast. |
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Council President Kaur had the sweetest time at the grand opening of Top Pot’s “The Foundry”. CEO Jim Eschweiler started the festivities with a ceremonial "maple bar cutting”.
Top Pot will open a café after the first of the year, so we can all enjoy coffee and donuts in Kent.
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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.
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Kent City Council
Here's the recap on what the Kent City Council has been working on!
 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.
Medal of Honor
Last week, in a special department ceremony, Chief Padilla presented the Kent Police Department Medal of Honor to Kent Police Officer Taylor Burns for his heroic actions at Lake Meridian on August 24, 2024.
“The Medal of Honor is the highest award presented by the department. It shall be awarded only in those exceptional cases where employees perform an act of heroism that is above and beyond the normal call of duty and is performed at extreme risk of personal safety.”-Kent Police Department Policy
We also recognized Officer Burns at our city council meeting this week.
Awarding the Medal of Honor is a rare event, only 1 other Kent Officer has received this award in the history of the department. If you would like to watch the video of the ceremony and Officer Burns memory of the day, I've linked it here.
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The Friends of the Kent Libraries are holding their annual book sale.
You can purchase used books, DVDs, and CDs from Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children's, and Young Adult, Cookbooks, and more.
All proceeds support library programs and events in Kent Libraries.
📅 Saturday, November 2
🕚 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
📍Kent Library (212 2nd Avenue N)
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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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Puget Sound Fire invites scouts and their families to the Scout Night at the Fire Station event on Wednesday, October 23 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Station 74 (24611 116th Ave. SE).
The fire station open house features activities to meet scout badge requirements including: first aid, knot tying, emergency preparedness, and more.
Register by calling (253) 856-4480 or emailing PubEd@PugetSoundFire.org.
If you can’t make the 23rd? Our friends over at Valley Regional Fire Authority are also hosting one on November 6 at their Station 33.
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Applications are now being accepted for the Land Use and Planning Board! This board holds public hearings on city codes and ordinances, comprehensive plan updates, and matters typically associated with long range planning.
They advise the mayor and council on policy relating to land use decisions. Learn more and apply online.
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Employee of the Month
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Randy Pulkrabek is our October Employee of the month!
Randy was originally hired in 2002 as a Maintenance Worker in the Water Division of the Public Works Department. Randy performs various skilled tasks involving advance operating and maintenance procedures at the water treatment plant and facilities.
Randy grew up on a cattle farm in North Dakota and joined the Army in 1987. He was stationed at Fort Ord in California and served in the 7th Infantry Division.
Randy was nominated because he consistently has a positive attitude and a smile on his face. He’s always willing to go above and beyond to give back to the city. He’s detailed oriented and rarely misses anything.
He is a self-starter, leads by example and mentors’ younger employees. Randy is held in high esteem by his colleagues and truly cares about water quality and his co-workers here at the City of Kent.
When asked what he like most about his job Randy says it’s the great people that he gets to work with every day and training new staff as he nears retirement. Outside of work Randy says he loves hanging out with his daughter Shayli and his two golden doodles named Mojo and Marley. He also enjoys target archery. Randy says working for the City of Kent has been a complete blessing, and loves coming to work every day.
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Randy continuously embraces our values, and we celebrate him as October’s Employee of the Month.
Neighborhood Block Watch
The Kent Police Department is holding a Neighborhood Block Watch 101 class for neighborhoods looking to start or revitalize a block watch!
You will learn about why every neighborhood should have one and how to get it started. There will be information on current crime trends and prevention tips. Grab some neighbors to attend with you!
Please RSVP or direct questions to: West Hill/Valley swood@kentwa.gov
East Hill sjudd@kentwa.gov
📅 Thursday, October 24
⌚ 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
📍 City Hall Council Chambers (220 4th Ave S)
Medicine Take Back Day
The Kent Police Department is participating in a nationwide program to take unwanted or expired prescription drug medications tomorrow!
📅 Saturday, October 26
⌚ 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.
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Grab your most creative costumes and head to downtown Kent for Street of Treats Autumn Fest!
📅 Saturday, October 26
⌚ 2 - 5 p.m.
📍 Kherson Park (307 W Gowe St)
RSVP here!
Participating businesses will be welcoming visitors to stop in for Spooktacular treats. This is a rain or shine event.
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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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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
📅 Thursday, October 31
⏱ 4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
📍 Kent Station
Mark your calendar for the 2024 Winterfest Tree Lighting Festival! We're currently looking for businesses, clubs, and community organizations to walk (or drive!) in the 2024 Kent Winterfest parade on Saturday, December 7 at Town Square Plaza.
We would love to have your business or organization join in on the fun! Completed applications should be returned to the Kent Lions Club by email, mail, or fax. Applications must be received by November 27.
EMAIL: kentlions@gmail.com
MAIL: 2024 Kent Winterfest Parade Committee, PO Box 5094, Kent, WA 98064
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Christmas Rush 5k
Save the date for our annual Christmas Rush!
Christmas Rush offers a great opportunity to gather family and friends and get active while having some holiday fun.
This year's race will be held on Saturday, December 14 at Hogan Park at Russell Road. The 10k race kicks off at 9:50am and the 5k will begin at 10am. Awards are given for overall winners and the top 5 in each age group.
Shirt order deadline is Thursday, November 8. Cost to register is $35 per person if registering with a shirt, or $20 per person (no shirt). Participants 13 and under run for FREE courtesy of Taylor Farms! Sign up here!
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Indoor Park is back at the Kent Commons Community Center!
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9:30-11am, drop by with your little one to experience a traditional playground brought indoors!
No registration is required. Open to all kids 10 months to 4.5 years old. Cost is $2 per visit for the first child and $1 for each additional child. Come by and PLAY!
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Registration is now open for Youth Basketball. Sign your child up for a season of learning and development, new friends, and fun!
Registration fee includes team shirt. Register online, in person at the Kent Commons Community Center, or call the Kent Commons at 253-856-5100.
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Holiday Craft Market
The 2024 Kent Parks Holiday Craft Market will take place at the Kent Senior Activity Center in two weeks.
It’s such a great way to kick off the holiday season and support local artists and craftspeople.
📅 Friday, November 1
⌚ 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📅 Saturday, November 2
⌚ 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Event is FREE and open to everyone!
The Kent Parks ShoWalk program returns to the accesso ShoWare Center next month and we need your help!
The Kent Parks team is looking for volunteers to help run the program on Monday & Wednesday mornings from 8:30-11:15am starting November 4. Training is provided!
Email RGilbert@kentwa.gov or call the Kent Commons at 253-856-5100 if interested.
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The King County Council is inviting Kent residents to a public meeting to discuss the county’s budget.
This is a valuable opportunity for you to provide feedback on King County’s resource allocation. Council members will present key elements of the budget, explain upcoming decisions, and listen to community concerns and suggestions.
Everyone is encouraged to attend and learn more about how the county's budget impacts local services and projects.
📅 Thursday, October 24
🕕 6 p.m.
📍 Kent Senior Activity Center (600 E. Smith Street)
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The 2024 Fall Recreation Guides are out!
Registration for Fall programs are now open. From preschool classes and FREE after school programming, to clubs and outdoor adventures for adults age 50+ and everything in between, our Parks team offers something for everyone in the family!
Browse a digital guide and register online at MyKentParks.com/Register
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Don't forget to check out this week's KentNOW podcast!
This week, Josh, Kyle and Tracy talk to Mayor Ralph about her battle with breast cancer. James Endicott and Somen Palit from IT stop by to talk about cybersecurity Month, and the team fills you in on all the things happening in Kent for the rest of the month!
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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2024-25 Spotlight Series
Our incredible Spotlight Series is underway!
The Boulding Family’s musical celebration of the holiday season is a treasured tradition in Kent. Once again, Pam and Philip Boulding are joined by their children, grandchildren, and guests for an afternoon of enchanting Yuletide music.
The Bouldings perform on Celtic harps, hammered dulcimers, whistles, strings, percussion, and harp-like instruments from around the world. Guests add Irish step dancing, drumming, and storytelling for a festive and memorable performance.
The Spotlight Series brings the best entertainment to local stages here in Kent. Tickets are now on sale for all shows. Read more about the performers, see ticket prices, and purchase tickets online at KentWA.gov/SpotlightSeries.
If you are looking to get more involved with the community, apply to join the City of Kent Parks & Recreation Commission! Learn more and apply online at KentWA.gov/BoardsAndCommissions.
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The Drop-in Beginner Pickleball class has been such a great hit, our Parks team is extending the program through the end of this month!
The class is open to all ages. Drop by the Kent Commons Community Center on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8-9 a.m. through October 30 and learn how to play the game that’s taking the nation by storm!
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King County, and counties across the country, are facing behavioral health challenges including growing need for mental health and substance use care, a workforce shortage, and an overdose crisis, impacting residents all across the county, especially children and youth.
King County recently released a new online survey to learn how the behavioral health system can better serve communities. Learn more and take the survey here.
King County is also hosting in-person listening sessions all across King County. What community members share at these listening sessions will help King County to prioritize how we invest in a system for mental health and substance use care that serves our communities.
Light snacks will be served, and gift cards will be provided as compensation to those who attend. Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available.
See dates and locations for the listening sessions, sign up and more here.
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"Hello Mayor, we are swimming in leaves at our house! Are there more opportunities to get yard waste and/or garbage out to the curb?"
The trees flipped like a switch, didn't they! We have two curbside clean-up events each year. One in the Spring, and one in the Fall. The events are free to all residential households living in the city limits. Simply place your extra garbage and yard waste at the curb on your regular yard waste pick-up day.
This Fall, it's going to be held between November 4-8. There are some rules with it, and here's all the info!
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