The Kent 50 Plus Program, which has hosted numerous summer community events including retirement, investment and housing fairs, boomer blasts and the nationally acclaimed Jazz and Art Showcase, is launching a new food, fun and entertainment program in a familiar but newly branded venue to be known as Kent Place.

On Thursday, Oct. 4 from 5 to 8:30 p.m., the Kent Senior Activity Center will be transformed for the inaugural event of the Dinner and Music at Kent Place series featuring food, fun, entertainment and relevant information for baby boomers, their parents and families.

The first event, entitled Jazz at The Place includes hors d’ oeuvres, informative workshop, pizza dinner, mocktail corner, coffee bar, beverages, dessert, a jazz mini-concert and dance music by the Richard Dean Jazz Duo.

Advanced tickets are available for $2 (for hors d’ oeuvres at 5 p.m. and workshop at 5:30 p.m.) in person at the senior center, 600 E. Smith Street in Kent or by phone with Visa or Mastercard (253) 856-5150. Limit two tickets per person.

Entitled “Medicare Open Enrollment Information Without a Sales Pitch,” the featured workshop is hosted by Liz Mercer, regional trainer with SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors), a program of the Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner funded in part by the Federal Medicare Program. She will provide information regarding the changes in Medicare, share tips on what to ask insurance agents in order to find the best Medigap supplement policy and answer questions about Medicare and the evolving healthcare programs.

Space is limited and guaranteed only for the first 80 who purchase advanced $2 tickets for hors d’ oeuvres (created and donated by Diana’s Home) and the Medicare workshop. After the first 80, limited tickets may be available in advance for $8.

Upon completing the Medicare workshop, guests may opt to have their advanced tickets stamped to receive a free dinner (homemade pizza, breadsticks and chicken Caesar salad served buffet style) beginning at 6:45 p.m.  The Jazz Mini-concert and dance by the Richard Dean Jazz Duo begins at 7 p.m.

Walk up guests are welcome to enjoy the Jazz Mini-concert session, mocktail corner, coffee bar and dessert bar (and if still available, hors d’ oeuvres and dinner) for only $8. The billiards room will be open and personal trainer John Dineen will be available to answer questions during the fitness center open house. Jazz at The Place concludes at 8:30 p.m.

Plans for future outreach events include other music genres, menus, workshops, formats and entertainers to inform baby boomers, their parents and families of aging options. Participants are encouraged to complete an interest survey at the event.  SHAG is a major co-sponsor of this project. For more information contact Helena Reynolds at (253) 856-5164.