Kent-area community calendar | Oct. 15

Events

Open House Mixer: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 16, Cascade Room, Lindbloom Center, Green River Community College, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn. Opportunity for college officials to showcase its new building and appreciate the old facility. Open to the public.

Riverview Fall Festival: 4:30-7 p.m. Oct. 26, Riverview Community Church, 4135 S. 216th St., Kent. Fun fall event for families Trunk or Treat, face painting, popcorn, cookie walk, carnival games and candy. Come dressed in your costume. Free admission. Corn dogs and pizza slices on sale for $1. For more information, call 253-872-8881 or visit www.rcckent.org.

Halloween Trick-or-Treating & Costume Contest: 4-6:30 p.m. Oct. 31, Kent Station, 417 Ramsay Way. Merchants will pass out tasty treats to your little ghosts and goblins. Costume contest from 4-6 p.m. Judging begins after 4 p.m. on the fountain stage in the plaza next to ColdStone Creamery. Winners of the best individual costumes and best group costumes will be announced from 6:10-6:30 p.m. Must be present to win. Prizes are Kent Station gift cards. For more detailed information, visit www.kentstation.com.

Soul’d Out Kent Candy Explosion: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 31, Washington Army National Guard, Kent Armory, 24410 Military Road S. A free event that offers a safe and dry environment for your children. Lots of candy, games and more. www.souldoutkent.org.

Kennedy Catholic High School Open House: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 5, high school, 140 S. 140th St., Burien. Meet teachers, talk to students, tour the new Milette Family Science Complex and visit the new William F. Eisiminger Athletic Field. Applications for the 2015-16 school year are due Jan. 12. For more information, visit www.kennedyhs.org/events.

Benefits

Doll Tea Party for Pediatric Cancer Research: Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 19, Kent Bargain Boutique, 215 W. Meeker St. Supporting the cancer awareness campaign for Dr. Michael Jensen’s research and the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer. Seattle Children’s Research Institute is one of the nation’s top five pediatric research centers. Even features a selection of dolls, wonderful teapots and vintage linens. 253-850-8216

New Connections of South King County: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 24, Golden Steer Steak N’ Rib House, 23826 104th Ave. SE, Kent. Dinner fundraiser; silent and live auction with prizes ranging from a trip to Mexico to a week in Ocean Shores, as well as gift cards from Trapper’s Sushi, the Melting Pot, 90-minute Swedish massages at The Wellness Sanctuary, Disney on Ice at ShoWare Center and much more. Kent-based New Connections of South King County helps provide some of the basic needs to clients such as Washington State ID’s and hygiene packs. These items are a necessity to someone seeking employment. If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation, send your tax deductible donations to New Connections, 422 West Titus St., Kent WA 98032. For more information and to reserve seats at the dinner, call 425-241-1247.

Gettin’ In The Holiday Spirit Sale: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 1, Green River Community College campus, 12401 320th St., Auburn. Asking for donations of nonperishable food items to assist the food bank with holiday help or cash donations to help fight juvenile diabetes. More than 50 vendors and crafters selling items. For more information, contact Mary Kirkman at 206-383-9006 or myangelevents@gmail.com.

KentHOPE’s “Hope Springs Forth”: 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 1, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, 19300 108th Ave. SE, Kent. Proceeds support the continued operation of the KentHOPE’s day center and future acquisition of a permanent facility. Sponsorships available. To register or to learn more, visit kenthope.wordpress.com or contact Pat Gray at info@kenthope.org.

Party Like It’s 1985 Auction: 6 p.m. Nov. 1, Fairwood Golf and Country Club, 17070 140th Ave. SE, Renton. Proceeds benefit Kentridge Grad NIGHT 2015, a long-established tradition for a “safe” all-night party for graduates, with secret destinations and entertainment, and all food and transportation provided. Live auction items include: seats for Super Bowl XLIX; tickets to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”; South African photographic safari; Napa, Calif., getaway, plus chauffeured wine tour or cooking class. Cost: $40 per person includes dinner, silent and live auctions, and dancing. Open to the public. Reserve your seats by Oct. 24 at krptsa@live.com or send your name, number of attendees, and check to Kentridge PTSA, PO Box 59806, Renton, WA 98058.

28th Annual Holiday Craft Market: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 7; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 8, Kent Senior Activity Center. City of Kent hosts large, creative gift boutique. Juried show features 70 booths of handcrafted gifts. Figgy Pudding Café and Bake Sale, hourly door prizes compliments of the Craft Market artists and live entertainment by Tammy Davenport (Friday) and John Ansotigue (Saturday). Free parking. No admission charge. Sponsored by Farrington Court, Judson Park, Stafford Suites, and Regence. Proceeds benefit the programs and services of the senior center. For more information, call 253-856-5162.

P.E.O. Holiday Marketplace & Bazaar: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 8, Kent First Presbyterian Church, 9425 S. 248th St. Kent. Bake sale, homemade items, plant sale, raffle baskets, new and gently used items. All proceeds to benefit scholarships for women. P.E.O. is a nonprofit organization that focuses on furthering education for women. Contact email: 1812sgm1814@comcast.net.

Kent Commons Holiday Bazaar: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Dec. 5; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 6, Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Avenue N. City of Kent bazaar features more than 100 vendors with handcrafted gifts, musical entertainment, food and beverages. Free admission. For more information, visit www.kentwa.gov/kentcommonsholidaybazaar/

Health

Kent4Health Guided Walk: 9-11 a.m., 6-7:30 p.m., Wednesdays. Locations vary. Kent4Health is designed to encourage wellness by offering free healthy activities and information. For trail locations more information, visit kent4health.com.

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

Puget Sound Blood Center drives:  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.

Volunteers

Green Kent Day: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 25. Volunteers are invited to join the Green Kent Partnership for a morning of restoration work and community camaraderie. Volunteers are needed at the Green River Natural Resources Area, located just north of 22306 Russell Road, and at Morrill Meadows Park, 10600 SE 248th. All are welcome and no experience is necessary for participation in restoration and planting projects. A barbecue lunch at that site will be provided at noon to volunteer groups, thanks to support from Farrington Court. Registration is required at KentWA.gov/ComeVolunteer.

Seniors

Fall Harvest Ball: 7-9:30 p.m. Oct. 21, Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St.  Senior center and Stafford Suites host the event that features hors ‘d oeuvres and desserts beginning at 7. Andy Burnett provides dance music from 7:30 to 9:30. Semi-formal dress optional. Limited tickets available for any size donation to the Kent Senior Lunch Program in person or by phone at 253-856-5150 weekdays. If available, tickets may also be acquired at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Clubs, programs

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.

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. Oct. 17, 24, 31. 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.

Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m. Oct. 22 and 29. Ages 3 to 5 with adult.

Infant and Young Toddler Story Times: 10:30 a.m. Oct. 16, 23 and 30. Ages newborn to 2 1/2 with adult.

Spanish Story Time: Noon, Oct. 18, 25. Family program. Ages 2 and older. Family program, all ages welcome with adult.

Kids Movie of the Month: 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Family program, all ages welcome. Enjoy a family friendly film with a light snack.

Family Pajama Story Times: 7 p.m. Oct. 21, 28. Family program, all ages welcome with adult.

Sugar Skulls (Calaveritas De Azúcar) Art Workshop: 7 p.m. Oct. 30. Ages 6 and older with adult. Learn the significance of sugar skulls placed at the Altars to commemorate the “loved departed ones” as part of Dia de Muertos. Decorate a pre-made sugar skull using glitter paint, sequins, assorted paper and more. Registration required.

TEENS

Teen Zone: Writers Club: 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21. Monthly meeting to share inspiration, fun exercises and creative work time.

Life After High School, The Money Maze & the Scholarship Market: 1:30 p.m. Oct. 26. Presented by College Planning Network. Come to one or both of these back-to-back workshops that present the ins and outs of college finances. Learn about the tools to find and apply for need and merit based college financial aid and scholarships.

Teen Zone: Movie Time: 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28. Call the library to find out what’s showing.

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. Oct. 23, 30; 10 a.m. Oct. 18, 25. 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. • One-on-One Assistance, 3 p.m. Oct. 29; • Word I, 7 p.m. Oct. 22; • Computer Basics, 7 p.m. Oct. 28

Start to Fitness: 6 p.m. Oct. 16. Meditation for Optimum Well Being. Join Ajili Hodari, Esq. who has been meditating daily for 30 years and learn a simple meditation technique that can help you in all aspects of your life.

Start to Fitness: 7 p.m. Oct. 20. Feeding the Young Athlete. Meet Cynthia Lair, author, nutrition counselor, professor at Bastyr University and host of the online cooking show Cookus Interruptus. She will discuss how food and the body work as a team, and how the nutritional aspect of playing sports is the most “fixable” aspect of any athlete’s performance problems. Eating the right food at the right time not only provides the necessary fuel for energy, but sharpens concentration hence preventing injuries.

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

SHOWARE CENTER

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

Lecrae – Anomaly Tour: 7 p.m. Oct. 19. Featuring Grammy Award-winning artist with special guests Andy Mineo and DJ Promote. Tickets are $25 and $35. ($40 deluxe seats sold out).

Seattle Impact season opener: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8. Kent’s new indoor pro soccer team takes on San Diego. Tickets: $9-$39.

Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate!: 7 p.m. Nov. 12. It’s one colossal party on ice, with all your favorite Disney friends. Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they celebrate a Very Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter.  Tickets: $22-$65.

100.7 The Wolf – Hometown Holiday: 8 p.m. Dec. 10. Starring Randy Houser, Lee Brice, David Nail, Craig Morgan. Special acoustic concert with music from some of countries biggest stars. Tickets: $38.50-$114.

1964 The Tribute: 8 p.m. Dec. 11. Tribute band brings back the sound of the legendary. Tickets: $20-$75.

HOT 103.7 – Hot House Party: 8 p.m. Dec. 12. Featuring Bobby Brown, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Ginuwine and Rob Base. Tickets $48.50, $70.50 (reserved seats) and $114 (premium seats), which include the best floor seats, pre-party and after party in the club lounge with appetizers and cash bar, souvenir laminate and chance to take a photo with some of the artists performing.

Hometown Holiday Concert: 8 p.m. Dec. 10.  Entercom Seattle’s 100.7 The Wolf concert, featuring country singers Craig Morgan, Lee Brice, David Nail and more. Tickets at $30, $75, and $114 (include best floor seats, pre-show party with light appetizers, commemorative laminate and chance to take a photo with some of the performers). For more information, visit seattlewolf.com.

AUBURN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CHAMBER SERIES

Old World Masters: 7 p.m. Nov. 21, The First Christian Church of Kent, 11717 SE 240th, Kent. Four members of the Auburn Symphony Orchestra perform: Dvorak, String Quartet in F Major (The American Quartet); Haydn, String Quartet in D Major (The Lark); Mozart, String Quartet in B Flat Major (The Hunt). The concert is sponsored in part by the Kent Arts Commission. Festival seating: $17 adults, $10 students. Call 253-887-7777 or purchase online at www.auburnsymphony.org

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.

The Four Bitchin’ Babes present “Jingle Babes!”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Kent-Meridian PAC. Original tour de force musical comedy theatre troupe. These accomplished musician-actress-comediennes fill the stage with whimsical songs, hilarious shtick, and luscious girl group harmonies. Tickets: $25 general, $25 senior, $15 youth

Magical Strings 28th Annual Celtic Yuletide Concert: 3 p.m. Dec. 7, Kent-Meridian PAC. The Boulding Family’s musical celebration of the holiday season is a treasured tradition in Kent. Pam and Philip Boulding are joined by their children, grandchildren and guests for an afternoon of enchanting Yuletide music. Tickets: $22 general, $20 senior, $15 youth

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

Rainier Youth Choirs Friends & Family Concert: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 16, First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 19800 108th Ave. SE, Kent. Free concert kicks off RYC’s eighth season, ‘Imagine’. Concert includes Beatles, Temptations, Britten, Vaughn Williams, Stephen Hatfield, and Andrea Ramsey songs, and some beautiful folk song arrangements. www.RainierYouthChoirs.org

“Things That Go Bump”: 7 p.m. Oct. 24, Kentlake High School Performing Arts Auditorium, 21401 SE 300th St., Kent. Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra’s first concert of the 2014-2015 season. The fun and somewhat spooky music includes Saint-Saens’ “Danse Macabre,” Johann Strauss II’s “ Overture from Die Fledermaus,” highlights from the musical “Wicked,” and more. Performers in costume. Admission: $5 suggested donation. Proceeds support the orchestra. For more information, visit www.mvyso.org or call 425-433-6009.

“Phantom of the Opera”: 7 p.m. Oct. 26, Kent Lutheran Church, 336 2nd Ave. S. Featuring Organist Nathan Jensen accompanying the classic Lon Chaney film. Refreshments available. Tickets $12.50 at the door or from BrownPaperTickets.com with student admission and seniors in groups of 10 at $5. For more information: www.chancelarts.com or 206-954-7602.

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.

Poetry

Workshop: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 18, East Hill Friends Church, 22600 116th Ave. SE, Kent. Participants will create artwork and write poetry. Materials will be provided, however, participants are welcome to bring supplies of their own. Supplies include: magazines, construction paper, scissors, glue sticks and writing materials. No registration necessary. Come early and enjoy a walk along the Meditation Trail behind the church. Free.

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

PROGRAMS

• Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Telegraph: The Greater Kent Historical Society, Kent Museum and historical partners celebrate the 150th anniversary of the telegraph with a series of free programs. Tied By Lightning – through exhibitions, demonstrations and community conversations – celebrates the beginning of high tech with the arrival of the telegraph in King County 150 years ago.The programs, which span Sept. 30 to Oct. 28, are scheduled for Kent, Federal Way, SeaTac and Tukwila. They are free and open to the public.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

Learn about the history of Military Road and share your own stories of the road.

• Tied by Lightning (Tukwila/SeaTac): Oct. 28, 7-8:30 p.m., Iglesia Rey de Reyes (Old Star Lake School), 3212 S 272nd St., Kent. Community Conversations funded by Humanities Washington