Wire Service

Mark Sparks starred as Michael and Karen Nelson as Agnes in the Renton Civic Theater’s original production of “I Do! I Do!” in 1997
Mark Sparks starred as Michael and Karen Nelson as Agnes in the Renton Civic Theater’s original production of “I Do! I Do!” in 1997

Kiwanis of Kent honor exceptional students

The Kiwanis Club of Kent commended 13 Kent School District students for their exceptional writing skills, compassion and commitment to language arts June 13 at an annual awards luncheon at the Golden Steer Steakhouse in Kent.

Radcliffe Place Seniors and Meridian Elementary School joined together June 10 to plant flowers at Covington Christian Fellowship Church. From left

Meridian Elem. kids, seniors team up to beautify church

The front walkway of Covington Christian Fellowship Church became 100 flowers prettier June 10, thanks to a group of Kent seniors and students working side by side in one “Labor of Love.” Residents of Radcliffe Place Senior Apartments in Kent and special-needs students in the third-through-sixth grades at Meridian Elementary School gathered that day to plant flowers and enjoy the company of each other’s generation despite the cold, wet weather.

Radcliffe Place Seniors and Meridian Elementary School joined together June 10 to plant flowers at Covington Christian Fellowship Church. From left
The team of Isabelle Ayers (left to right)

Are you ready for some … reading? Kent elem. schools compete in book battle

How do you get kids to read more books? Make it a competition. Kent School District elementary schools did just that at the seventh-annual district Battle of the Books June 6, bringing teams from all 28 grade schools together to test their knowledge of a long list of children’s tomes.

The team of Isabelle Ayers (left to right)

Many Kent coaches stand out in 2007-08 season

A listing of some of the top coaches in boys and girls high school sports for the 2007-08 school year.

People needed for rec basketball | Kent Recreation Calendar

A calendar of recreational events, announcements and updates from around Kent.

Kentlake baseball coach Jason Evans is focused on the action as the Falcons rally to beat defending state champion Richland in the Class 4A semifinals last month.

Loss of father didn’t halt Kentlake baseball coach’s success | Coach of the Year

The Kentlake High baseball team spent pretty much the entire spring on an emotional high, winning game after game on the way to a state finals berth at Safeco Field. On that same diamond, however, coach Jason Evans was in the midst of an emotional roller coaster ride, stemming from the loss of his father Dale, who passed away April 14 after a short bout with lung cancer.

Kentlake baseball coach Jason Evans is focused on the action as the Falcons rally to beat defending state champion Richland in the Class 4A semifinals last month.
Ben Wolters

Kent Events Center: ‘Not a bad seat in the house’

Nearly everyone who took a private tour June 9 of the more-than-half-built Kent Events Center left with the same reaction. “There’s not a bad seat in the house,” said Kent City Councilman Ron Harmon, during the tour led by Kent Economic Development Director Ben Wolters and project superintendent Neal Schaefer.

Ben Wolters
Kentridge High School senior Brandon Smith shares a hug Saturday with his younger brother Keaton outside the Tacoma Dome

4 Kent high schools graduate at Tacoma Dome

Kentridge High School senior Brandon Smith shares a hug Saturday with his younger brother Keaton outside the Tacoma Dome, after his school's graduation ceremony. The Tacoma Dome saw a major influx of Kent residents that day: in addition to Kentridge, the senior classes of Kent-Meridian, Kentwood and Kentlake also had their grad ceremonies there.

Kentridge High School senior Brandon Smith shares a hug Saturday with his younger brother Keaton outside the Tacoma Dome

Out & About in Kent | June 18

A listing of arts and entertainment events happening in and around Kent.

Kentridge High School student Danny Lindgren accepts the award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role June 9 at the 2008 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards in Seattle

Kent thespians top state schools musical list

Kentridge and Kentlake high-school drama students earned several nods June 9 at what has been dubbed the state championship of high-school musicals, the 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Kentridge High School student Danny Lindgren accepts the award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role June 9 at the 2008 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Awards in Seattle
Katie Burke of Des Moines adopts a kitten at last year’s Adopt-a-Thon event in October.

Kent Animal Shelter to host pet-adoption event

Hundreds of dogs and cats will be available for adoption at the third annual Super Pet Adopt-a-Thon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the King County Kent Animal Shelter, 21615 64th Ave. S.

Katie Burke of Des Moines adopts a kitten at last year’s Adopt-a-Thon event in October.

Kent garden-store owner sentenced in marijuana case

Le My Nguyen, the former owner of a Kent garden store, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 41 months in prison and four years of supervised release for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

After disappointment on draft day when he didn’t get a phone call

Atlanta Braves draft Kentlake’s ‘Big Fella’ Voelkel

He took a flight to Florida a couple Tuesdays ago. But had Ryan Voelkel thought about it, he probably could’ve skipped the flight and flown south using nothing but his two arms. That’s just how much of a high the former Kentlake High star was on. And who could blame him? The big fella, in a roundabout sort of way, had realized a lifelong dream less than a two days earlier and was busy packing his belongings – and dreams – in a suitcase and bracing for the next step in his baseball career. That next step for Voelkel, a 6-foot-6 230-pound first baseman is playing for the Atlanta Braves rookie league affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.

After disappointment on draft day when he didn’t get a phone call

Kent Special Events Calendar | June 18

Jazz musicians and local artists will present their work at An Evening of Jazz and Art at 5:30-8:30 p.m. June 26 at the Kent Senior Activity Center, located at 600 E. Smith St. in Kent.

A. Ken Beckwith

A. Ken Beckwith

A. Ken Beckwith1919 – 2008Ken passed away June 15, 2008. He was pre-ceded in death by his wife, Marge. Ken was born in Kitscoty, Alberta… Continue reading

A. Ken Beckwith
Stand-up comedian Jack Mayberry (above) will headline the upcoming “Comedy Night at the Ave” 7:30 p.m. June 19 at the Auburn Avenue Theater
Stand-up comedian Jack Mayberry (above) will headline the upcoming “Comedy Night at the Ave” 7:30 p.m. June 19 at the Auburn Avenue Theater
‘Wait for me, Ma!’

‘Wait for me, Ma!’

Array

‘Wait for me, Ma!’

Who should be Obama’s running mate?

With his party’s nomination in hand, would Barack Obama be better off with Hillary Clinton as his running mate?

Out & About in Kent | June 11

Arts and entertainment events happening in and around Kent.