Kent-area community calendar | Dec. 17

Events

Christmas Tree Recycling: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 3, Service Club Ballfields, 14608 SE 288th St., Kent. Boy Scout troops collecting and recycling Christmas trees in neighborhoods around Kent for a suggested donation of $5.  To ensure pickup, trees must be placed outside by 8 a.m. Saturday morning. If you prefer to deliver your tree yourself, scouts will help unload the trees and accept your donation. Trees with tinsel and/or flock cannot be accepted. If you would like to mail your donation, send it to: Attn: Christmas Tree Drive, P.O. Box 5094, Kent, WA  98064. For more information, contact the Kent Lions & Foundation at 253-852-5466 or check the city’s community calendar at KentWA.gov.

“Coffee with the Chief”: 9 a.m. Jan. 7, Golden Steer restaurant, 23826 104th Ave. S.E. Get-together with Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas and other police department members. Come join the chief to discuss police and community issues. No RSVP is necessary.

Benefits

New Year’s 2k/5k Fun Run and Walk: 10 a.m. Jan. 1, Meridian Valley Country Club, 24830 136th Ave. SE. Walk or run the scenic cart paths of the country club. Leashed pets welcome. Coffee, hot cocoa and snacks provided. Warm, dry buildings will be open for gathering and watching. Net proceeds donated to the American Lake Veterans Golf Course in Lakewood. Cost: $20 for 2K and under 18; $25 for 5K and over 18. Registration available at the country club’s front desk or online at Active.com.

Health

ShoWalk: 9-11 a.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent. Outdoor walking enthusiasts can get out of the dark and the rain by participating in ShoWalk.  Presented by Kent4Health and sponsor Transdev Services, Inc., ShoWalk is a free indoor walking opportunity. ShoWalk continues through May 20. While there is no charge to participate, registration is appreciated at www.webreg.KentWA.gov or at the door on walk days.  More information is available at www.Kent4Health.com or by calling 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:  9-11 a.m., noon-3 p.m. Dec. 22, Centerpoint Corporate Park, Mount Baker Room, 20809 72nd Ave. S., Kent; 9-11 a.m., noon-3 p.m. Dec. 23, Recreational Equipment, Smith Commons, 6750 S. 228th St.; 1-3 p.m., 4-7 p.m. Dec. 30, Kent United Methodist, Fellowship Hall, 11010 SE 248th. 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.

Clubs, programs

Resolving Family Turmoil Explored: 7 p.m. Dec. 29, Lifetree Café, First Christian Church, Community Room, 11717 240th St. How families torn apart by conflict can find hope for healing will be discussed. The program, Family Do-Over: Is It Ever Too Late?, features a screening of the award-winning short film, “The Ride.” Admission free. Snacks and beverages available. Lifetree Café is a place where people gather for conversation on life and faith in a casual coffeehouse-type setting. For more information, contact Bob Brooks at 206-653-6532 or pastorbob@kentdisciples.org, or www.Lifetreecafe.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.

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.

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.

South Sound Chamber of Commerce Legislative Coalition: 7:30-9 a.m. Jan. 9, Emerald Downs, 2300 Emerald Downs Drive, Auburn. Breakfast, preview of 2015 legislative priorities. Register at business.auburnareawa.org.

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. Dec. 19 and 26; Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. Kaleidoscope Play & Learn is an organized play group for newborns to age 5 and people who take care of them. Have fun learning while we play, sing songs and create art.

Kids Movie of the Month: 3:30 p.m. Dec. 26. Family program, all ages welcome. Enjoy a family friendly film with a light snack.

TEENS

Teen Zone, Movie Time: 3:30 p.m. Dec. 23. Call the library to find out what’s showing.

Gingerbread House Party: 2 p.m. Dec. 20. Build your own gingerbread house on a graham cracker base. Decorate with candy doodads, icing and cookie pieces. A special event for ages 8 to 20. Supplies are provided. Please register.

ADULTS

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. Registration not required.

English as a Second Language (ESL): 6 p.m.  Mondays, Wednesdays. A formal class to learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversation skills.

Drop-In to Learn about eBooks: 7 p.m. Dec. 18; 10 a.m. Dec. 20, 27. Get started with KCLS eBooks! Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions.

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

Computer Classes: Registration required beginning two weeks before each class, 253-859-3330.

MAKE 2014: All ages. Unleash your creativity and strengthen your science and technology skills at the same time with KCLS’ MAKE events, the new fall season of STREAM-based programs. If you can imagine something, you can learn to make it at the library. Follow your curiosity and explore the latest computer technologies. Try your hand at animation and special effects. Create a robotic puppet and learn basic physical engineering. MAKE programs will show you how in supportive, hands-on workshops.www.kcls.org/make

Entertainment

KENT ARTS COMMISSION SPOTLIGHT SERIES

Tickets at kentarts.com, by calling 253-856-5051 or at the Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N. Hours for phone and in-person sales are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The box office is closed on Sunday.

Marc Cohn: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22, Kentwood Performing Arts Center, 25800 164th Ave. SE, Covington. After winning a Grammy for his soulful ballad “Walking in Memphis,” Cohn solidified his place as one of this generation’s most compelling singer/songwriters, combining the precision of a brilliant tunesmith with the passion of a great soul man. Tickets: $28 general, $25 senior, $15 youth

Broadway’s Next Hit Musical!: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, Kent-Meridian PAC. Every song is fresh. Every scene is new. Every night is different. It’s all improvised and it’s all funny. The New York Times calls Broadway’s Next H!T Musical “Hilarious!” Master improvisers gather made up song suggestions from the audience and create a full blown improvised musical – complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plot twists galore. Tickets: $25 general, $22 senior, $15 youth

“Fairy Tales & Fantasy” presented by BYU Theatre Ballet: 7 p.m. March 12, Kentwood PAC. Selections from classic ballets such as Romeo & Juliet, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Don Quixote, and more bring magical stories, beautiful music, and graceful dance to the stage for all ages to enjoy. Tickets: $22 general, $20 senior and $15 youth

Schoolhouse Rock Live! performed by Childsplay: 1 p.m. March 21, Kent-Meridian PAC. A pop culture phenomenon returns to the musical stage! Academic subjects will never seem boring again when presented through mega-hits like “Conjunction Junction,” “Just a Bill,” and “Interplanet Janet.” Schoolhouse Rock explodes onto the stage with songs you loved updated for a whole new generation. Childsplay is a professional company of adult actors who teach and perform for young audiences and families. Tickets: $10 general, $10 senior, $10 youth

Masters of Soul: 7:30 p.m. April 7, Kentwood PAC. A celebration of the legendary songs and performers that defined Motown and soul music. The show features the incredible harmonies and smooth moves made famous by recording acts like The Temptations, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, The Four Tops, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Jackson Five, Martha Reeves The Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Barry White, The Commodores and many more. Tickets: $25 general, $22 senior, $15 youth

ELSEWHERE

“Oliver!”: 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 20; 3 p.m. Dec. 20, Green River Community College, Performing Arts Building, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn. Heavier Than Air Family Theatre presents the award-winning musical that vividly brings to life Charles Dickens’ timeless characters with its ever popular story of the orphaned boy who asked for more. Tickets: $10 advance, $12 at the door. For more information, call 253-833-9111, ext. 2400, or visit www.heavierthanair.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.). 253-277-1852, www.redswinebar-kent.com.

Kent Valley Figure Skating Club Winter Recital: 6:15-9:15 p.m. Dec. 21, Kent Valley Ice Center, 6015 S. 240 St., Kent. Enjoy the holiday season at the annual ice skating extravaganza. Free. www.kentvalleyfsc.org

CHANCEL ARTS AT KENT LUTHERAN

Jazz: 8-10 p.m. Jan. 24, Feb. 21, March 21,  Kent Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 336 Second Ave. S., downtown Kent. Jazz for listening and dancing. Centerpiece Jazz Band from Music Center Northwest in Seattle performs. Admission: $12.50 adults, $5 senior citizens in groups of 10. Refreshments and drinks available. For more information, call Fergus Prestbye at 253-520-1033.

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