Kent-area community calendar | Aug. 26

Events

Kent Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays, June 6-Sept. 26. Fresh produce, flower, vendors. Kent Lions program. For more information, visit www.kentfarmersmarket.com.

Benson Hill Co-op Preschool Open House: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 29, First Christian Church of Kent (not affiliated), 11717 SE 240th St., Kent. Offering classes for children from birth to pre-K. For more information, call 253-833-9111, ext. 4829, or visit www.bensonhillcoop.org.

Coffee With The Chief: 8 a.m. Sept. 2, Saimin Says Restaurant, 6621 S. 211th St., off South 212th. Community invited to informal gathering. Neighborhood Response Team and the Community Education Unit also available to answer questions. For more information, call 253-856-5884 or email jpagel@kentwa.gov.

Washington State Fair: Sept. 11-27, 110 Ninth Ave., SW, Puyallup. Gate hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Concerts, rides, food, vendors, rodeo, animal exhibits, art and culture, interactive fun, special attractions. Admission: $12.50 adults; $9 students (ages 6-18) and seniors (62 and older); kids 5 and under free. Pre-fair discounts available online through Sept. 10. Parking: $10 Monday-Friday; $12 Saturday, Sunday. For more information: www.thefair.com or 24-hour hotline at 253-841-5045.

Sixth annual Hops & Crops Music and Beer Festival: Noon-6 p.m. Sept. 12, Mary Olson Farm, 28728 Green River Road SE. 21-and-up event features a beer garden with 30-plus craft brews and ciders from local breweries, live music, tours. All proceeds from the event support educational programming at the farm. Barbecue and snacks available for purchase.Reber Ranch presents the festival. Tickets: $15 pre-sale, $20 at the gate. Taster admission includes taster mug and five tokens. $10 designated driver/no taste admission. Purchase tickets at the festival or online at wrvmuseum.org/hopsandcrops.html

Downtown Wine Walk: 6-9 p.m. Sept. 18, Down Home Catering, 211 1st Ave. S, Kent. Presented by the Kent Downtown Partnership. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. at Down Home Catering. Hosting 12 wineries in 12 downtown shops. Tickets: $25 per person and available at downtownkentwinewalk0815.brownpapertickets.com. For more details, contact Kent Downtown Partnership, 253-813-6976, or kdpadminassistant@kentdowntown.org.

Surviving Domestic Violence – Then and Now 25 Years Later: 6-8 p.m. Sept. 30, Federal Way City Hall, Council Chambers, 33325 8th Ave. S. Presented by the City of Federal Way Domestic Violence Task Force. Host: Lana Matthew, chair, Federal Way DV Task Force. Speakers: Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell; Police Chief Andy Hwang; Beth Hollis, victim/survivor; Laron Burris, batterer treatment; Mac Macdonald, author, “Lighting your own Fuse” and actor, “Apocalypse – 1979”. Refreshments will be served.

Kent Chamber of Commerce Business Expo: 3-7 p.m. Oct. 20, ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St. Featuring 90 business booths, more than 10 restaurants for the Taste of Kent; do-it-yourself presentations, games and prizes; and giveaways. Network and create business connections. Free and open to the public.

Benefits

Sleep Country’s School Supply Drive for Foster Kids: Now through Sept. 6. Donations of new school supplies can be dropped off at any Sleep Country store. For more information or to find the nearest location please visit the store locator at www.sleepcountry.com or call 888-887-5337. Store hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cash donations can also be made online and Sleep Country representatives will shop on your behalf. All contributions are distributed among Sleep Country’s foster care partner organizations. For more information, visit www.sleepcountryfosterkids.org.

Beds 4 Kentwood: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 12, Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave SE, Covington. Kentwood football’s second annual mattress fundraiser. All mattresses are made to order with full factory non-prorated warranties. All sizes available. Prices are 30-60 percent lower than retail. Delivery available. Cash, check and credit cards accepted. Free layaway, if needed. bit.ly/Beds4Kentwood

Kent Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale: Sept. 18, 19, 20, Kent Library, 212 Second Ave N. Hours are: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 1-3 p.m. Sunday (bag sale). Proceeds support library programs for children, teenagers and adults. Books are $1 each. Multimedia and children’s materials are also available.

GKHS Dinner Gala: 5:30-9 p.m. Oct. 3, Kent Senior Center, 600 E. Smith St. Major fundraiser for the Greater Kent Historical Society. Program features filmmaker Steve Edmiston with “Tales of Adventure from Old Military Road,” with a focus on the Nike missile bases on Kent’s West Hill. Evening also includes dinner by the Golden Steer, a gift basket raffle, wine raffle and desert dash. Cost: $65 before Sept. 1, $75 after Sept. 1. For more information, email ctyofknt@msn.com or visit gkhs.org/dinner-gala/.

MSC Helps Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 22, Emerald Downs, 2300 Emerald Downs Drive, Auburn. Fundraising luncheon benefits programs at the Multi-Service Center, a nonprofit agency that offers people pathways out of poverty through support and resources in education, employment, housing, energy assistance, food and clothing. Guest speaker is Alfie Alvarado, director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. Cost: $100 suggested donation. Contact: Le Ann Taylor or Sarah Villian at 253-835-7678 or rsvp@mschelps.org.

Kent Guild Artisans’ Festival: 3-8 p.m. Nov. 2; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 3, Meridian Valley Country Club, 24830 136th Ave. SE, Kent. Benefitting Seattle Children’s Hospital. Arts and crafts marketplace filled with unique holiday gifts, home decorations, treasures and thoughtful gifts for that special person on your list. Wine tasting on Monday evening only. Free. For more information, contact Karen Zink at 206-890-5235 or karenzink@comcast.net.

Health

Bloodworks Northwest drives:  Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-398-7888, or visit www.bloodworksnw.org.

TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly): 6:45 p.m., Thursdays, Swanson Court Clubhouse, 12200 SE 207th St., Kent, near Kentridge High School. Nonprofit weight loss support group. Cost: $32 to join and $7 monthly. 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

Open House, Glover Empower Mentoring (GEM): 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 26, Kent Library, 212 Secondnd Ave. N. GEM is a mentoring for young men in Kent and South King County. For more information, visit gementoring.wix.com/gementoring or email gempowermentoring@gmail.com.

Roll and Read: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 19, South King County Family Resource Center, 212 Fifth Ave. S., Kent. Presented by Children’s Home Society of Washington. Parents and children can walk, bike, pull a wagon or push a stroller through downtown Kent while enjoying various reading activities along the way. Cat in the Hat, Waldo and other literary characters will be present. Walks begin every 15 minutes at the center. 253-854-0700, www.childrenshomesociety.org

Rotary Club of Kent: Join the local Rotary Club of Kent every Tuesday for its weekly meeting and luncheon at Down Home Catering in historic downtown Kent, 211 1st Ave. S. For more information go to: www.kentrotary.com

Kent Evening Toastmasters: 7 p.m., Wednesdays, Kent Commons, Interurban Room, 525 Fourth Ave N. 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.

Faith

Greater Things Ministry: 9-11 a.m., Sundays in August, gazebo at Burlington Park, on Railroad Avenue North between East Meeker and East Smith streets in Kent. Free breakfast. Open to the community. Call Pastor Danny at 253-335-4727 for more information.

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.

Attract New Businss Customers Presentation: 8-9:30 a.m. Sept. 22, Kent Chamber of Commerce, 524 W. Meeker Street, Suite 1. Learn how to grow your business by attracting new customers. Free. For more information, contact Dan DeVries at 425-891-5163 or dan@wildhorsestrategies.com, or visit wildhorsestrategies.com/growmybiz/

“Spirit of Hiring” Job Fair: 3-6 p.m. Oct. 7, Green River College, Lindbloom Student Center, 12401 SE 329th St., Auburn. For all businesses seeking part-time, full-time or seasonal employees. Bring your resumes. First 100 attendees receive a job fair swag bag. Free for job seekers. Businesses need to reserve their booth paceSpace is limited to a total of 50 booths. For more information, visit 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. Aug. 28, Sept. 4, 11, 18 and 25,. 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.

Family Pajama Story Times: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15, 22, 29. Family program, all ages welcome with adult. Stories, songs and fun.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m. Sept. 16, 23 and 30. Ages 3 to 5 with adult. Stories, songs and fun.

Infant and Young Toddler Story Times: 10:30 a.m. Sept. 17, 24. Ages newborn to 2 1/2 with adult. Stories, songs and fun.

Spanish Story Times: Noon, Sept. 19 and 26. Family program, all ages welcome with adult. Stories, songs and fun.

Kid’s Movie of the Month: 3:30 p.m. Aug. 28, Sept. 25 Family program, all ages welcome with adult. Enjoy a family friendly film with a light snack.

Fun with Bricks: 10:30 a.m. Sept. 26. Family program, all ages welcome with adult. Have fun building with plastic bricks. Create around a theme or build what you like. You bring the ideas and the library will supply the building materials.

TEENS

Game On!: 3:30 p.m. Sept. 1, 29. Middle and high school ages. Play video games at the library.

Teen Writers’ Club: 3:30 p.m. Sept. 8. Middle and high school ages. Like to write? Wish you did? Join us for fun exercises and inspiration.

Teen Movie: 3:30 p.m. Sept. 22.Middle and high school ages.Contact the library for movie title.

Study Zone: 1:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Begins Sept. 9. Students K-12. Drop in for homework assistance from trained volunteer tutors.

ADULTS

Drop-In to Learn about eBooks: 10 a.m. Aug. 29, Sept. 26. Get started with KCLS eBooks! Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions.

English as a Second Language Classes: 6 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays. Learn English grammar, reading, writing, and conversation skills.  Registration required. Please contact the library for details, 253-859-3330.

Job Readiness Program: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays; 3 p.m. Thursdays. Theh library is here to help you get a free email account, start a résumé, start an online job search, or navigate the job application process! Librarians are available to provide one-on-one assistance on a drop-in, first come, first served basis. Strongly recommended that you bring a flash/USB drive.

Talk Time Class: 5 p.m. Tuesdays. Practice speaking English with other English language learners.

Citizenship Classes: 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Learn how to become a United States Citizen.

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 the class, 253-859-3330. • Word I, 7 p.m. Aug. 27; • Internet Level I, 7 p.m. Sept. 10; • Excel Level I, 7 p.m. Sept. 22; • Computer Basics, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29

Hiding Your Trail! Smart Online Sleuthing: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10. A 60-minute class designed to help you learn about protecting your privacy while doing online sleuthing for individuals and businesses. The class will highlight smart sleuthing strategies such as anonymous search engines and private browsing plus discuss some sites to avoid. Please register at www.kcls.org or call 253-859-3330. Sponsored by Public Law Library of King County.

Sign up for ORCA Lift at KCLS Libraries: 5-7:30 p.m. Sept. 14. What is ORCA Lift? It’s a new, reduced fare. Income-qualified riders, ages 19 and older, can save 50 percent or more on: Metro buses, Sound Transit Link light rail and more. Drop in to register with Multi-Service Center’s Intake Specialist. To see if you qualify, check www.orcalift.com or call Multi-Service Center at 253-838-6810. Your income must be at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Please bring ID and income verification documents.

After Lunch Book Bunch: 1 p.m. Sept. 9. Contact the library for movie title.

Mobile Office Hours for Congressman Adam Smith: 10 a.m. Sept. 15. Smith’s staff members are able to assist constituents with Federal Agency issues such as Social Security, Internal Revenue Service, State Department and, provide housing and financial support resources and help with federal agency questions.

Kent Friends of the Library Book Sale: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 18, 19; 1-3 p.m. Sept. 20. Proceeds support library programs for children, teens, and adults. Reduced prices on Sunday.

Entertainment

SHOWARE CENTER

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

Marco Antonio Solis: 8 p.m. Aug. 30. World renowned singer and song writer and former lead singer of Los Bukis, a group he formed as a teenager. Popular in Mexico, throughout Latin America, Spain and the United States, Solis has more than 30 entries on Billboard’s Hot Latin Tracks. Tickets: $65-$175.

Seattle Rock-A-Thon 2015: noon, Sept. 5. A 12-hour mega concert, featuring: Candlebox; Filter; Drowning Pool; Dokken; Pat Travers; Missing Persons; Girl on Fire; Divide The Day; Valora; Sin Circus; Kings of Spade; Aury Moore Band; Paul Hernandez Trio; Beyond Today; Alive She Cried; Home Wreckr; Vial 8; Girls love Rockets; and Chasing OZ. Tickets: $25-$100.

The Experience, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly: 7 p.m. Sept. 19. A night of R&B and soul. Special guests: R&B Diva KeKe Wyatt, Kelly Price, and local favorite Mycle Wastman. Known for their hits “Happy Feelin’s”, “Can’t Get Over You” and other hit singles, Maze and Beverly have put their stamp in the R&B/Soul music for over three decades. Tickets: $49.50-$119.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus “Built to Amaze”: 7 p.m. Sept. 24, 25, 26; 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. Sept. 26; 1 p.m., 5 p.m. Sept. 27. Among the shows: King Charles Troupe brings a spirited and comedic basketball competition, featuring 10 whirling unicyclists; Crossbow Casanova presents an insanely accurate crossbow act; Supersonic Skyscrapers; trapeze act; daredevil motorcycle stunts; hand-balancing duo; fast-paced equestrian acrobatic riders; and the world-renowned Asian elephants. Tickets: $20-$70.

ELSEWHERE

Live music ballroom dances: 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St. Open to all ages. Cover charge: $4 at the door for all ages, dancers and listeners. Refreshments served at 8:30 p.m. Program schedule: • First Tuesday: 17-member Big Band Kings of Swing, 7:45 to 9:30 p.m. Refreshments by the Lakeshore or Radcliffe Place; • Second Tuesday: Randy Litch, ballroom dance music, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Refreshments by the Weatherly; • Third Tuesday: Andy Burnett, rock ‘n roll music, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Refreshments by Stafford Suites; • Fourth Tuesday: Randy Litch, ballroom dance music, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Refreshments by Farrington Court; • Fifth Tuesday (when occurring): Randy Litch, ballroom dance music, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Refreshments by Judson Park. For more information, call 253-856-5150 or visit kentwa.gov/SeniorActivityCenter/

ELSEWHERE

Rock The Green: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 3, Green River College, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn. Inaugural festival celebrates region’s natural resources. Green River Coalition presents live music and beer garden. Main stage performances include: Tim Noah; Dana Lyons; The Kevin Jones Band; Chick Buser; Howling Rain; The Community Players. Free admission. 253-333-6010, Greenriver.edu/rockthegreen

Auditions

“Mary Poppins”: 7 p.m. Sept. 22, 24, Green River College, main campus, Performing Arts Building, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn. Open audition for ages 15 and above for Heavier Than Air Family Theatre presentation. Supercalifragilistic musical adventure is based on the popular Disney movie. Informal, read-through type group audition. A song from the show will be provided, and no advance preparation is necessary. Community actors with strong singing and dancing skills are encouraged to attend. Comfortable shoes and clothes to move in are recommended. Rehearsals are 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, beginning Oct. 1, with performances scheduled for Dec. 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19. Children’s roles will be cast from Heavier Than Air Musical Theatre Camp participants on an alternate date. For more information, call Joe Baker at 253-833-9111 or www.heavierthanair.com.

Music

Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra: Taylor Creek Church, 21110 244th Ave. SE, Maple Valley.  MVYSO boasts a playing group for every level, from beginning strings to string ensemble. For more information, call 425-358-1640 or visit www.mvyso.org.

Rainier Youth Choirs: RYC has four leveled groups based on age and ability (grades 2 through 14).  Call 253-315-3125 to schedule an audition.  For more information, visit  www.rainieryouthchoirs.org.

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: 205 1st 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., Wednesday-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.gkhs.org

ELSEWHERE

“Legacy of Heart Mountain”: 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sept. 20, White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Way N. Full screening of award-winning documentary, which uses vivid imagery and survivor interviews to tell the story of Japanese Internment during World War II. Program includes slides from the Heart Mountain Incarceration Camp in Wyoming, personal reflections with Amy and Lilly Kato who were raised at Heart Mountain, and a question and answer session. Suggested $10 donation at the door. RSVP by calling the Greater Kent Historical Society Museum, 253-854-4330, or emailing ctyofknt@msn.com.