William Kent Teaches Watercolor Classes

Starting this Wednesday, 10/01/08, artist William Kent will be teaching watercolor classes from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Exclusively Art in the Crossroads shopping center. Students will get discounts on framing.

Contact William Kent for more information.

Best of Western Washington

King 5 is running a "Best of Western Washington" contest (9/15 to 10/13) for people to nominate and vote for their favorite area businesses. I nominated a few of my favorite local companies, and hope you'll check it out and vote for your favorites or take the time to nominate a favorite store, shop or local business.

Nominate or vote for your favorites in 175 categories including A&E, Auto, Beauty, Cheap Eats, Fashion, Great Meals, Health & Fitness, Local Services, Nightlife, People, Pets, Shopping, Specialty Food and Drink, Weddings, Where We Live and Year in Review.

Wouldn't it be great to have winners from Kent? We can show everyone that Kent has a lot more to offer than people expect!

For more details, visit King 5 - Best of Western Washington.

Vote today - the 10/13 deadline will be here before you know it!

Roxanne Lapping, Massage Therapist at Heartbeat

Last Friday I decided it was time for a massage, so I made an appointment with massage therapist extraordinaire Roxanne Lapping. The experience was much different than I expected. I had been to the studio before, so I knew the decor was beautiful and peaceful with amazing artwork and antique furniture. What I didn't know was that Roxanne knows much more than how to give a good massage. She could tell how healthy I was by the feel of my muscles and skin and how they reacted to touch, but she was also able to sense that something else was going on - perhaps a food allergy! She offered helpful advice and some additional resources where I could get more information. It was a great experience. For more info., visit their website: Heartbeat Yoga & Healing Arts.

Heartbeat is located on First Avenue South in downtown Kent.

PICC & Downtown Kent Sponsor Little Pumpkins Trick or Treat

I just heard that Pediatric Interim Care Center (PICC) and the Kent Downtown merchants are sponsoring a trick-or-treat event again this year.

October 31, 2008
2 to 5 p.m.
$5 donation
Costumes preferred

Kids and their parents will pick up trick-or-treat bags and maps at PICC (328 Fourth Ave. South in downton Kent) and visit downtown merchants for a safe, fun Halloween. Pix by Kathy's Photo Impressions will be available at PICC for $2 each.

PICC is a nonprofit organization in downtown Kent that provides specialized, 24-hour care for drug-exposed and medically fragile newborns.

Fish Pedicures Come to Kent Station this FRIDAY!!!

Have you ever heard of fish pedicures? It seems that I'm the last to know. Somehow I missed the media buzz this summer when fish pedicures hit the East Coast. Anyway, Tweety from Peridot Nail Salon called me today to let me know that she is starting fish pedicures at her salon this Friday. $20 for 15 minutes. In case you don't know what one is (maybe we were under the same rock?), a fish pedicure is when you dunk your feet in fish-infested, warm water. These little fish, called doctor fish, nibble on your dead skin, leaving your feet soft and smooth afterward. Who knew? Anyway, if you want to be one of the first in the area to experience a fish pedicure, check out Peridot Nail Salon at Kent Station this Friday, September 19. For more info. or to make an appointment, call Tweety at 253-854-2547.

Earthworks Gem Design Studio

If you haven't visited Earthworks on the corner of First Avenue South and Titus Streets in downtown Kent, make time to stop by. This jewelry boutique, owned by Steve & Donna St. Louis, is one of my favorite jewelry stores. I bought a gold & silver ring designed by Steve there a few months ago, and I just love it. It's pretty, funky and different. They have unique jewelry, hand created by several different artists. They have a great selection, particularly of wedding jewelry. I stopped by last week to check out wedding bands for my fiance and they had a good selection ranging from affordable to pricey. What I liked is that there were unique choices...not just your usual gold and silver bands with the occasional diamond tossed in. In addition to their inventory, they also do customized designs, jewelry cleaning and appraisals - your one stop jewelry shop, I guess you could say. Stop in next time you're downtown and make sure you tell them Dana said, "hi!"

Reminder - First Ave Block Party is Tomorrow!

If you haven't already made plans for tomorrow night, check out the First Avenue Block Party in downtown Kent. On First Avenue South between Gowe and Titus Streets, merchants and artists are setting up booths for selling their wares, local restaurants are offering drink and meal specials, Earthworks Gem Design will display the beautiful work of several artists, and new store Cypriana will open its doors. Check out the gourmet snacks at Bella home & garden, enjoy a glass of wine from the wine garden, and stick around for the live music! It's the fourth year for the block party and it sounds like a fun neighborhood event. See you there!

Upcoming Events - Kent Historical Museum

NEW EXHIBIT COMING:

Opening Friday, September 19, "Kenjiro Nomura: An Artist's View of the Japanese American Internment" featuring artwork from the collection of George & Betty Nomura. The works were created by Kenjiro Nomura while he was interned first at the Puyallup Assembly Center, then the Minidoka Relocation Center during WWII. The exhibit will run through December 19 at the Kent Historical Museum, 855 E Smith St—Wed-Sat, 12-4pm. Call 253-854-4330 for more information. Kenthistoricalmuseum.org

SPECIAL EVENT:

The Kent Historical Society presents their 7^th annual dinner auction “Centennial Celebration of Our Heritage at the Bereiter House” featuring dinner catered by Golden Steer Steak ‘N Rib House and music by the swing band DeLively—with silent and live auctions. Saturday, November 1, 5:30pm at the Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith Street, Kent. Advance tickets: $40.00 per person, table of eight $320—reservations begin 9/1/08, 253-854-4330.

Special Event November:

The Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker Rose Garden will be available for public access Tuesday, November 11, 2008 from 7:00am-6:00pm in recognition of Veteran’s Day. The garden is located on the grounds of the Kent Historical Museum at 855 E. Smith St., Kent. The Museum, however, will be closed.

American Charm - After Labor Day Sale

This news is compliments of KDP. Thought I'd pass it along. If you aren't familiar with American Charm, it's a cute home decor and gift store on West Meeker in downtown Kent.

The "After Labor Day Sale" has begun at American Charm in Historic Downtown Kent.

We have a great collection of Home Decor and Gifts.

Stop by and take advantage of a 35% discount through Wed., Sept 10. There are a few exclusions, but they are only a very small portion of our product lines.

Our hours are 10:00 AM through 5:30 PM, Monday through Saturday. The store is closed on Sunday.

American Charm

317 W. Meeker St.

Kent, WA 98032

253.850.7350

Kent Station Celebrates MOMosa Day - Sept. 4

MOMosa - \mom\moh\sah\
noun :an adult drink, traditionally comprised of Champagne and orange juice, especially engineered for Moms.

activity :a day for Moms to celebrate themselves, while their children are at school on Thursday, September 4th from 10am - 2pm.

Example Sentence: Kelley and I are dropping off the kids at school and we are heading to Kent Station to celebrate MOMosa Day!

Now that your kids are back in school, take a day for yourself to enjoy shopping, pampering, special offers and discounts, and sipping on "MOMosas" at your favorite Kent Station merchants.

Begin the day at Zephyr Grill's banquet room (10am - 10:45am) with hors' devours.

Receive a gift bag (while supplies last), map of merchants offering Free MOMosas, and special offers from Kent Station merchants.

Without this email, MOMosa Day is $20, or $10 with a donation of school supplies such as pens, pencils, markers, crayolas, notebooks, paper, binders, folders, peechees, and more.

To participate in MOMosa Day, please preregister by emailing your name to info@kentstation.com.

All proceeds and donations will be donated to Kent Youth & Family Services.

For more details call 253.856.2301 or visit www.KentStation.com

Participating Merchants:
Aerosoles
Bath & Body Works
Bella home and garden - Offering MOMosas!
Butterfly Salon & Spa - Offering MOMosas!
Chico's
Cold Stone Creamery
Dilettante Espresso & Mocha Café
Duke's Chowder House
Hairmasters
J. Jill
just the thing - Offering MOMosas!
Justice Just for Girls
Marie Haggin Accessories - Offering MOMosas!
Peridot Nail Salon - Offering MOMosas!
Road Runner Sports
See's Candies
T-Mobile
Topaz Boutique - Offering MOMosas!
Waxen Art
Zephyr Grill & Bar