Kent-area community calendar | April 23

Events

Conference on Horse Keeping and Climate Change, Managing the Uncertainty: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. April 25, Emerald Downs, 2300 Emerald Downs Way, Auburn. King Conservation District and Horses for Clean Water present the program. Keynote speakers: Dr. Gary Muscatello, DVM, University of Sydney, Australia; Chad Kruger, WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources; Dr. Nick Bond, state climatologist, University of Washington. Afternoon session offers participants tools to “future proof” their land and horses. Content on land management practices include new twists on pasture management, innovative approaches to water conservation on horse properties and more. To register, go online at KingCD.org, call 425-282-1949 or email signup@kingcd.org. Cost: $20 for horse owners/general public, $35 for agency participants, includes coffee and fruit at sign-in, catered lunch, vender display, tram tour of Emerald Downs horse facilities, plus a free ticket to the races redeemable any 2014 race day.

Teaching Equity Conference: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 26, Highline Community College, 2400 S. 240th St, Des Moines. Providing innovative strategies to narrow the opportunity gap by offering insights to support the recruitment and retention of teachers of color. Keynote speaker: 2013 National Teacher of the Year Jeff Charbonneau, of Zillah. Breakfast and lunch included in the registration fee of $35. Online registration deadline is April 17 at www.TeachingEquity.com.

Spring WBCA Antique Bottle & Collectible Show: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 17, Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N, Kent. The Washington Bottle & Collectors Association presents its spring Antique Bottle, Insulator & Collectible Show & Sale. Great old bottles, jars, glassware, insulators, advertising collectibles, breweriana, photos, pottery and much more. Early buyer admission $5 on May 16; fREE admission on May 17.

Sixth annual Kent International Festival: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. May 31, ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent. “Learn from Each Other” is a celebration of cultural diversity. Generations walking together, ethnic food, cultural and crafts booth, cheer hand carried float contest and new festival finale in the evening. Free admission. For more information, visit www.kentinternationalfestival.com.

Benefits

Breakfast For The Kids: 7:30-9 a.m. May 22, Kent Phoenix Academy gymnasium, 11000 SE 264th St., Kent. Proceeds benefit Communities In Schools of Kent continuing services in the Kent School District. Last year’s breakfast raised more than $24,000 for CISK, a nonprofit agency supporting programs for at-risk students. Kent Schools Superintendent Edward Lee Vargas is guest speaker. Other speakers include Sen. Joe Fain (R-Auburn, District 47). The Windermere Foundation, Umpqua Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Omaha Woodmen Life Insurance Society Chapter 35, Kiwanis Club of Kent, Kent Station, WCP Solutions, Kent Police Employee Benevolent Association, and Kent Lions Club are sponsors. The Golden Steer is catering the event. The event is free but registration is being take online. For reservations and sponsorship opportunities, call 253-867-5637 or email Katie Adams at kadams@ciskent.org. Free, but please order tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/breakfast-for-the-kids-2014-tickets-9561058383. For more information, visit kent.ciswa.org or www.facebook.com/ciskent.

Health

Kent4Health presents ShoWalk: 9-11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 625 W. James St. Free indoor walking. Register at the door or call 253-856-4968.

Cascade Regional Blood Center drives:  For more information, call 1-877-242-5663 or visit www.crbs.net/home.

Puget Sound Blood Center drives:  Noon-2 p.m., 3-6 p.m. April 25, First Christian Church, 11717 SE 240th St.; 7:30-10:30 a.m. April 25, Starbucks Kent Roasting Plant, 18411 77th Place S.; noon-2:30 p.m. April 25, Fred Meyer, 10201 SE 240th; 12:30-3:30 p.m. May 7, Expeditors International, 21318 64th Ave. S.; 8:30-11 a.m. May 7, Flow International, 23500 64th Ave. S.; noon-2 p.m., 3-6 p.m., May 14, Zion Lutheran, 25105 132nd Ave. SE. For more information, call 253-945-8667 or please visit www.psbc.org.

TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly): 6 p.m., Thursdays, Swanson Court Clubhouse, 12200 SE 207th St., Kent, near Kentridge High School. Nonprofit weight loss support group. For more information, call 253-709-5098 or visit www.tops.org or www.whywelovetops.com.

Southeast King County Parkinson’s Disease support group: Meets on the third Tuesday of the month, 10:30 a.m., St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, 25810 156th Ave. SE,Covington. Group’s monthly lunches are on the first Tuesday of the month at the Auburn Senior Activity Center, 808 Ninth St. SE, Auburn. For more information, contact Stephanie Lawson at 206-579-5206.

Gamblers Anonymous: For meeting times and locations, call toll free the Gamblers Anonymous Hotline 1-855-222-5542. Visit www.gawashington.org or www.gamblersanonymous.org for additional information.

Faith

“The Making of a Champion”: 7-9 p.m. May 10, Calvary Chapel South, 1340 W. Smith St., Kent. Join us for a life-changing, inspiring night with guest speaker, the Seattle Seahawks’ Clint Gresham, and special musical guest Brandon Bee. Free. For more information, contact Joe Monto at 206-234-8331 or joe@ccskent.org.

Volunteers

City of Kent Parks community events: 9 a.m. to noon, April 19, Morrill Meadows Park, 10600 SE 248th St., East Hill, Kent. Volunteers removing invasive blackberry roots and planting 22 trees. Also: • April 26 at West Fenwick Park, 3824 Reith Road, West Hill, Kent. Volunteers transforming the park, clearing invasive weeds and planting more than 70 ground-cover plants and one big tree. Pre-registration is required to keep events manageable and safe for everyone. Deadline is April 16 for Morrill Meadows Park, April 23 for West Fenwick Park. Register at KentWA.gov/ComeVolunteer. Students and others needing community service hours may also register for upcoming Green Kent work parties run by trained volunteer park stewards.

Team Up 2 Clean Up Kent: 8 a.m.-noon, May 17. Three locations: Trinity Community Church parking lot, 3807 Reith Rd. (West Hill); Kherson Park, 307 W. Gowe St. (downtown); Golden Steer Steak & Rib House parking lot, 23826 104th Ave. SE (East Hill). Residents, neighborhood and faith-based organizations, civic groups, schools, youth organizations, businesses and families are encouraged to get involved. Volunteers can pick up free gloves and trash bags and get directions to the “hot spots” by meeting at 8 a.m. at one of three three locations. Trash bags can also be dropped off at the same locations that day until noon. Please register by 5 p.m. May 14 at KentWA.gov/TalkingTrash. For additional information, contact Gina Hungerford at ghungerford@kentwa.gov or 253-856-5549.

Clubs, programs

What Really Makes People Happy Explored: 7 p.m. April 28, Lifetree Café, Community Room, First Christian Church, 11717 240th St. SE, Kent. The program, Life’s Myths: What You Believe That’s Wrong, features a filmed interview with Oliver Burkeman, author of “The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking.” For questions about Lifetree may be directed to Bob Brooks at 206-653-6532 or pastorbob@kentdisciples.org. More information is available at Lifetreecafe.com.

American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Kent: 6:30-8 p.m., April 24, May 22, Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St. Team meetings. Open to anyone who has been on a relay team or would like to know more about the relay. Relay For Life enables a community to come together to celebrate those who have survived cancer, support those who are fighting it, and remember those who have been lost. This year’s Relay For Life of Kent is May 30-31 at Kent-Meridian High School’s French Field. To become a community sponsor, contact Lance Goodwin at lgoodwin@RFLKent.org or 253-740-2363. Visit www.RFLKent.org for additional information and team registration. Follow the relay at www.Facebook.com/RFLKent.

Community garden p-patch: Season runs April 1-Oct. 26, corner of James Street and 64th Avenue South. Gardeners may rent a 20-by-20-foot plot for the season for $45 plus a refundable $25 deposit. There are 44 plots available, assigned on a first-come, first-served basis once the rental fee has been paid. Returning gardeners are allowed a maximum of two plots per household. Open registration. For more information, call 253-856-5110.

Kent Black Action Commission Action Up Meeting: 3-6 p.m., every fourth Saturday from September through June. November and December meetings are on the third Saturday, Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N. Welcome all who live, work, or attend school in Kent or the South King County region to join us. For more information, call 253-852-0614 or visit www.kentblackactioncommission.com.

Kent Evening Toastmasters: 7 p.m., Wednesdays, The Lodge, Arbor Village Retirement Center, 24004 114th Place SE, Kent. Are you interested in practicing and improving your public speaking skills? Boosting your self-confidence? Making yourself heard in that weekly meeting at work? Come practice your oratory skills with a friendly and informative group of people. With members ranging from beginners to experts, Kent Evening Toastmasters welcomes people of all skill levels. For more information, visit www.kenteveningtoastmasters.net.

Leadership seminars, workshops: Noon-2 p.m. Saturdays, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Room 1, 310 3rd Ave. S., Kent. Parents encouraged to attend and participate with their children. Topics to be discussed: leadership; advocacy within the school system; college readiness; job readiness, preparation skills; community service; public speaking and presentation skills; accounting class; robotics; mathematics, reading and writing. Free. If you have any questions, please call the parish office at 253-859-0444, ext. 14, or Antonio M. Morales at 915-252-7874. Fore more information, email moralesantoniom@gmail.com.

Autism Support Group: 6:30-8:30 p.m., second Wednesday of the month, Kent Covenant Church, main conference room, 12010 SE 240th St. Share resources and encouragement. Childcare available with 72-hour advance reservations by calling Fabiana Steele at 253-631-0222, ext. 325. For more information, visit www.kentcov.org.

NAMI Support Groups: 6:30-8 p.m., every second and fourth Tuesday of the month,  515 W. Harrison St., Kent.  Friends and family support group for family members and friends who are affected by mental illness. Free. For more information, call 253-854-6264 (NAMI)  or email namiskc@qwestoffice.net, or visit www.nami.org.

Valley Mothers of Multiples Club: First Christian Church of Kent, 11717 SE 240th St. Free. Inviting new and established parents/guardians of multiple order children to attend monthly meeting for support, resources and social activities. Club has monthly speakers and group sharing sessions. 425-445-7845. www.valleymomc.org

Network

The Kent Chapter of Business Network, Int’l (BNI): Meets every Wednesday morning at 7 at the Old Country Buffet, 25630 104th SE, Kent.  Chapter is growing.  Currently have 38 members.  Do you want excellent, personal, word of mouth referrals for your business?  Then come join us.  For more information, contact Dr. Allan McCord at 253-854-3040.

Speed Networking: 5-7 p.m. May 1, Meridian Valley Country Club, 24830 136th Ave. SE, Kent. Presented by the Kent Chamber of Commerce. Free to chamber members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.kentchamber.com, by calling 253-854-1770 or by email at info@kentchamber.com.

Crowdfunding Workshop: 9 a.m.-noon, May 6, Highline Community College’s Outreach Center; Building 99, Room 132, 23835 Pacific Highway S., Kent. Interactive workshop designed to provide entrepreneurs and business owners with an introduction to crowdfunding, an alternative to more traditional methods of raising capital. Registration is $35 and can be purchased at: crowdfunding-sbdc.eventbrite.com. More information can be obtained by contacting the Small Business Development Center at 206-592-4151 or SBDC@highline.edu.

Reunions

Kent-Meridian Class of 1959: 5 p.m. Aug. 15, 16, Hilton Garden Inn, 1800 NW Gilman Blvd., Issaquah. 55th reunion. Events on Friday and Saturday. Contact Reunions Unlimited at 360-866-8842 or www.reunionsunlimited.com for details and to pay.

Libraries

Kent Public Library: 212 2nd Avenue N., Kent. 253-859-3330. Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; 1-5 p.m., Sunday. Library events include:

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Play & Learn: 10:30 a.m. April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. Kaleidoscope Play & Learn is an organized play group for newborns to age 5 and their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, nannies, brothers and sisters, and other people who take care of them. Have fun learning together while we play, sing songs and create art.

Spanish Story Time: Noon, April 26, May 3, 10 and 17. Family program. Ages 2 and older. Please join Miss Xiomara for an interactive Story Time in Spanish that includes Early Literacy fun with books, songs and finger plays. Speakers of all languages welcome.

Kids Movie of the Month: 3:30 p.m. April 25, May 30. Family program, all ages welcome.

Infant & Young Toddler Story Time:  10:15 a.m. April 24, May 1, 8, 15. All ages welcome, ages 5 and younger with adult.Stories, catchy tunes, puppets, finger plays and fun.

Family Story Time: 11 a.m. April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 7 p.m., May 6, 13. Family program, all ages welcome with adult.

Preschool Story Time: 11 a.m. April 30, May 7 and 14. Ages 3 to 5 with adult. Come for an alphabet adventure that will feature stories, finger plays, songs and a simple craft activity for your preschooler.

Study Zone: Grades K-12. Drop in for free homework help from trained volunteer tutors. Call the library for current hours.

Family Evening Story Times: 7 p.m. April 29. Family program, all ages welcome with adult.

Early Literacy Parties in Spanish: 6:30 p.m. April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5. Series of free workshops in Spanish for families to learn about Early Literacy and how to prepare their children for Kindergarten. www.kcls.org/fiestas/

Día Celebration!: 3 p.m. April 27. Enjoy a celebration of children and books with stories in Spanish and English, songs, Spanish Bingo and refreshments.

TEENS

SAT Prep Classes: 1 p.m. April 26. Contact the library for details.

Find A Job – The Hidden Job Market: 2 p.m. May 10. Discover the “Hidden Job Market” and present yourself for interview success with the 30 second commercial and other techniques that can win you a job. Seating is limited.

Teen Zone, Game On: 3:30 p.m. May 6. Play video games at the library.

Teen Zone, Manga Club: 3:30 p.m. May 13. Fun discussions and other Manga related activities – new topics and activities each month!

Teen Zone, Writers Club: 3:30 p.m. May 20. Monthly meeting to share inspiration, fun exercises and creative work time.

Teen Zone, Movie Time: 3:30 p.m. May 27. Call the library to find out what’s showing.

ADULTS

Computer Class: For a list of classes and to register for a class please call the library, 253-859-3330.

English as a Second Language (ESL): 6 p.m. Mondays. No class on May 26. A formal class to learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversation skills.

Talk Time: 5 p.m. Tuesdays. Improve your speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group.

Citizenship Class: 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Get help with the citizenship interview process, including civics and government questions, reading and writing English and practicing your interview skills.

Drop-In to Learn about eBooks: 10 a.m. April 26, May 24, 31; 7 p.m. April 24, May 22, 29. Library staff are here to get you started with KCLS eBooks. Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions.

After Lunch Book Bunch: 1 p.m. May 14. “Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher” by Timothy Egan

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): Free counseling for small businesses. Please call 206-553-7320 for appointments.

Start to Fitness, Bolly’robics: 1:30 p.m. April 27. Presented by Dance with Bollywood Seattle. Bollywood is a combination of folk dances from around India. Discover how to put different dance moves together to keep moving and have fun.

Start to Fitness, 40 Years in the Outdoors: 7 p.m. May 20. Authors of the bestselling “Wilderness Navigation”, father and son team Bob Burns and Mike Burns will present an entertaining evening of good stories and decades of mountain adventures as seen through the lives and lens of these two Pacific Northwest outdoorsmen. www.kcls.org/fitness

Entertainment

SHOWARE CENTER

625 W. James St., Kent. 253-856-6777. Order at www.tickets.showarecenter.com. Events include:

Legends Football League: 9 p.m. May 2, Seattle Mist v. Green Bay Chill. Tickets: $15-$65.

Glow – The Power of Who: 6 p.m. May 8. Filled with humor, life lessons and powerful stories, author and CEO Bob Beaudine helps you achieve your dreams through the power of relationships. Floor seats $50, general admission $25.

Reebok CrossFit Games Northwest Regional: 9 a.m. May 16, 17, 18. Semifinal round for the CrossFit Games season.  The ultimate proving grounds of the fittest athletes on Earth. Tickets: $50 (three-day pass); $20 (general admission); kids under 12 free.

Sonu Nigam – Klose to My Soul:  8 p.m. May 30. Sonu Nigam is an Indian singer whose songs have been featured mainly in Hindi and Kannada movies. He has also sung many songs in other languages. Tickets: $39-$500.

ELSEWHERE

“Shrek, The Musical”: 7 p.m. April 23-26 and April 30-May 3; 2 o-clock Saturday matinees. Kentlake Performing Arts Center, 21401 SE Falcon Way, Kent. Kentlake Drama presents the musical comedy based on the award-winning DreamWorks film about everyone’s favorite green ogre. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a talking donkey, a villain with a short temper and more than a dozen other fairy tale misfits and you’ve got a must-see musical comedy for the family. Tickets: $15 general admission; $12 seniors, children and ASB students; Wednesdays and Saturday matinees $10 for all seats. Tickets available at the door and online at brownpapertickets.com. For more information, visit kentlakedrama.com.

Seattle Violin Piano Duo: 3 p.m. April 27, Kent Lutheran Church, 336 2nd Ave. S. Kent. Chancel Arts at Kent Lutheran Concert Series. Originally from South Korea, the duo has studied with-renowned teachers , continually expanding its musical studies. The duo’s broad variety of repertoire ranges from classical music to jazz, pop, ragtime and Christmas music. Tickets: $12.50 at the door or from www.brownpapertickets.com. Senior discounts available from single residencies when purchased at the door. For more information, call 206-954-7602 or visit at www.chancelarts.com.

‘The Wedding Singer’: 7 p.m. April 30-May 3 and May 7-10, 2 o’clock matinees on May 3, 10. Kentridge High School Performing Arts Center, 12430 SE 208th St. Kentridge Players presentation. Based on the hilarious 1998 romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler. The Wedding Singer is the story of New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer, Robbie Hart, whose life takes a turn for the worst when his own fiancée leaves him at the altar. That is, until he meets Julia, who is already engaged to Glen Guglia, a Wall Street shark. Under the direction of Kentridge artistic director Jennifer Grajewski, music director Catherine Robinson, band director Tarik Abouzied and choreographer Eia Waltzer. Tickets go on sale April 16 at www.showtix4u.com.

Live music: Reds Wine Bar @ Craft Beers, 321 Ramsay Way No. 110 Kent Station, across from the parking lot. Tuesday jazz jam (6-9 p.m.); Thursday bluegrass jam (6-10 p.m.); Saturday rotating local musicians (8-11 p.m.); Sunday open mic (4-7 p.m.). • April 26: 8-11 p.m., “Other Side of Forever” CD Release Show. Port Townsend jazz vocalist/composer Robin Bessier debuts songs from her CD. The evening includes a mix of original and contemporary material, peppered with fresh interpretations of jazz standards. 253-277-1852, www.redswinebar-kent.com.

Galleries, studios

Centennial Center Gallery:  400 W. Gowe St., Kent. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Closed weekends and holidays. For more information, call 253-856-5050 or visit artscommission@kentwa.gov.

Michael Tolleson Savant Art Center: 25524 74th Ave. S., Kent. Art studio and autistic art mentoring center. To learn more about the center and its programs, call 253-850-5995, visit www.MichaelTollesonArtist.com or email michaeltollesonartist@gmail.com. The center also can be found on Facebook.

Museums

Greater Kent Historical Society: 855 E. Smith St., historic Bereiter House, Kent. Hours: noon-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, and by appointment. Admission: suggested $2 donation; no tickets are required for entrance. Parking is available behind the house off East Temperance Street. GKHS is a nonprofit organization that promotes the discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge about the history of the greater Kent area. www.kenthistoricalmuseum.org