National First Responders Day 

Happy Friday, Kent!

Monday is National First Responders Day!

I am so incredibly thankful for our first responders in Kent, around the region, and across the nation. These essential workers are nothing short of heroes for our communities.

If you see a police officer, a firefighter, a paramedic, an EMT, or a dispatcher this weekend, or any day—please thank them.

When faced with an emergency, these brave men and women are first on the scene. They constantly put themselves in harm's way to protect our community and save lives.

There are some fun events for Halloween in the next few days, check them out below!

We hope to see you there! 

Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor

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

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.

Congratulations to Raman Arora, owner of Maggie’s on Meeker, who was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the PLACE conference in Walla Walla earlier this week. Since taking ownership this year, she has continued its legacy as a beloved community hub. Raman’s generosity, commitment to quality, and support for local organizations have strengthened Kent. We proudly celebrate her well-deserved recognition!

Kent Comprehensive Plan

We are pleased to announce that the Draft 2044 Kent Comprehensive Plan is ready for your review!

This plan is going shape the future of Kent for years to come—covering everything from housing and transportation to parks and economic development. Over the past two years we have worked with you to create a vision and plan for a city we all want to live in!

We want you to dive in and tell us what you think. Have suggestions? Concerns? Brilliant ideas? We want to hear it all! 

Click on this link to share your feedback.  Submit your feedback by November 12.

Just a reminder, check on your storm drains in your neighborhood and clear leaves if you notice blockage. That will help prevent any localized flooding in your area! It’s also a good time to get your windshield wipers, tires, and emergency kits looked at as we head into wetter and colder weather.

Medicine Take Back Day

The Kent Police Department is participating in a nationwide program to take unwanted or expired prescription drug medications tomorrow!

📅 Tomorrow, 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.

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.

There are only a few days left to join in on our Drop-in Beginner Pickleball class. The class is open to all ages. Stop by the Kent Commons Community Center on Monday and Wednesday morning from 8-9 a.m. through October 30 and learn how to play the game that’s taking the nation by storm!

Coffee and Conversation 

Come join me together with Covington Mayor Jeff Wagner for another Coffee and Conversation event at Bruchelle's Bagel Bistro next month. Bring your questions, concerns or compliments!

📅 Tuesday, November 5                        
🕖 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.                                        
 📍 Bruchelle's Bagel Bistro (16340 SE 256th St. Covington)

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)

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!

Kent’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is pleased to announce that its grant application window is now open through midnight on October 31. Nonprofits that attract out-of-town, overnight visitors from more than 50 miles away are encouraged to apply. This funding is available for a wide range of activities, including business events, conferences, and leisure activities that draw visitors and boost our local economy. We strongly encourage eligible nonprofits to take advantage of this opportunity.

Interested in serving the Kent community? Applications for a Fire Department member position is available for the city's Disability Retirement Board. The board reviews medical and disability claims made by police officers and firefighters.

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!

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Curbside Clean Up

It's Fall Curbside Clean-up Time!

With Kent's annual Spring and Fall Curbside Clean-up programs, you can get rid of your extra yard waste and garbage for free!

Just place your extra garbage and yard waste at the curb on your regular yard waste pick-up day November 4-8. You can see more details on our website.

Be sure to check out the Carpinito Brothers Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze with friends and family this month! Last year it was named one of the best pumpkin patches in the country by Yelp. The farm has been operating in the Kent valley for more than 50 years!

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.

Have you voted yet? Your vote is your voice, so make it count! Take some time, learn about what each candidate supports, and vote!  The deadline for in-person voting in the General Election is coming up Tuesday, November 5 at 8 p.m.  You can check your status at VoteWA.gov.

"Hello Mayor, The weather is starting to turn cold and wet, and it's difficult get those steps in. Is there a place where we can walk indoors?" Absolutely! Our Kent Parks team has partnered with accesso ShoWare Center for "ShoWalk".  This FREE indoor walking program is a great way to stay active during the cold, winter months in a dry, safe environment. The program starts on November 4. Here's some more info!

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