Big Buzz in Downtown Kent!

This week is a busy one in downtown Kent. Here are a just of few of this week's happenings:

TODAY: Marie Haggin Accessories opens in her new Kent Station location, next to Chico's.

FRIDAY: PICC Halloween Trick-or-Treat Event (2 to 5 p.m.)

FRIDAY: Kent Station Trick-or-Treat Event and Costume Judging (4 to 6 p.m.)

Watch for KING 5 & Evening Magazine's "Best of Western Washington" winners to be named! There are a number of Kent businesses named. Woo hoo!

Marie Haggin Accessories is Expanding!

Marie Haggin Accessories is one of my favorite stores in downtown Kent. Now at Kent Station, the store has become so popular that it is expanding into a larger space, next to Chico's on Ramsay Way. The store re-opens this Wednesday, October 29 with more selection and some new products and services. If you love fun fashion accessories, handmade jewelry, or unique home decor, then you will love Marie Haggin!

Girlfriends Unlimited Event - November 7, 2008

Check out this Girlfriends Unlimited Event at St. Stephens in Renton, WA. This fall's event features a Paradise Cruise theme and is similar to KDP's nonprofit Wine, Women, Wow event.

Pambering, Feasting, Playing, Delighting, Making Friends

Friday, November 7, 2008
7 to 9:00 p.m.
St. Stephens Parish Social Hall
13055 SE 192nd St., Renton
Tickets: $10 (advance) or $15 (at the door)
Must be 18 or older to participate

The deadline for advance tickets is Monday, November 3 so order your tickets today! For more information or to buy tickets, visit http://ststephensgirlfriends.blogspot.com

Girlfriends Unlimited
Changing Hearts. Changing Lives. One Girlfriend at a Time.

Election Day at Earthworks!

This announcement is from my friends Steve & Donna St. Louis at Earthworks Gem Design Studio on First Avenue South:

"Hello to One and All,

Everyone's invited to attend an all day event on November 4th, Election Day 2008 at Earthworks. We will be running the returns all day, and probably well into the night. We will have some stuff to nibble on and some light libations (after 5:00 P.M.) as well. Perhaps some plain ol' WHITE water, RED wine, or BLUE martini's...who knows?

Also, quite noteworthy, this is NOT A PARTISAN EVENT. While everyone is encouraged to cheer on their favorite, respect for another's political preference(s) is of paramount importance...this is an event to celebrate the unique opportunity we have as a culture to freely elect the leadership of this great nation every four years. If things get rancorous or out of hand, we will respectfully ask for a tamping down of partisan passions, and if this doesn't work, we will kindly wish everyone a good evening and go home. RESPECT for another's views is the key.

Finally, to anyone who attends the event, we will offer a 10% discount on any purchases of regular on-hand store inventory. Now, we realize that 10% doesn't seem like much nowadays, but the many of you who know us understand that we NEVER offer discounts ("...offer uniqueness and quality, price it right to begin with, and dispense with the mark-ups found in "Sales"), so for us this is a big deal.

We look forward to welcoming all of you to our celebration.

Steve and Donna Saint-Louis
Earthworks Gem Design Studio"

Did you know Kent has a Salvation Army?

I learned last month that Kent has its own branch of the Salvation Army. I wasn't aware of that. Located on South Central Avenue, the Kent office is open part-time and it serves the Kent, Auburn, Pacific and Algona communities. Run by Shirley Harris, the office provides a lot of services I didn't realize were available including: eviction prevention assistance, utility assistance, emergency clothing and shelter, holiday gift programs and more.

I also learned that the majority of the Kent office's funding is provided during its holiday "red kettle" program at local stores and shops. All of the money stays local, so please keep that in mind as you shop around the community this holiday season. There are many in our community who need assistance and this is a great way to provide it through an agency we know and trust.

Cypriana - Downtown Kent

This week I attended the Grand Opening of Cypriana on First Avenue South in downtown Kent. It was a fun celebration with tasty treats and some wonderful products and services. Owner Susan Thomas makes custom slipcovers and bedding. I perused the fabrics (natural, organic and "regular") and she has some beautiful selections. After seeing samples of her work, I can see why her slipcovers and bedding are so in demand. She has a great eye for style and a wonderful attention to detail.

She also has added some new products since first opening a month ago. With friends and family having babies this fall, I was particularly impressed with the natural and organic baby lines she carries. The items are a little pricier than traditional baby clothes, toiletries and diapers, but the quality and the fact that everything is organic is SO worth it. In addition to buying a luscious chocolate brown Dreamsacks throw for my family room, I picked up the cutest bib and "baby sack" for my step-daughter's newest arrival.

If you haven't stopped by Cypriana yet, please give it a try. You'll find some lovely things for your home as well as great gifts for friends and family.

Kent Station's Trick-or-Treat on October 31

It wouldn't be Halloween without trick-or-treating at Kent Station. Sponsored by BECU, trick-or-treating goes from 4 to 6 p.m. with costume judging at 5:30 p.m. (best kid's costume, best individual costume, and best group costume). For more details, visit Kent Station's website.

Happy Halloween!

Dana

Kelly Latte's on 132nd (near 240th)

Despite the fact that I think the business name is incorrectly punctuated, I love Kelly Latte's on 132nd in Kent. It has a wide range of hot and cold beverages featuring everything from tea and hot chocolate to mochas and smoothies. It even has a special line of kids' drinks like ladybug soda. I love their peach smoothie, and the fresh-baked mini donuts are yummy. I like the cinnamon sugar ones - delicious! They have as good a variety of drinks as Starbucks, if not better, and the baristas are helpful and friendly. Prices are reasonable too!

I also love their clever signs. Every day they offer a new drink or a 25 cent discount of some kind. This month's theme includes Halloween discounts: 25 cents off if you have candy corn, a pumpkin or a black cat. Each day is different, so it is always fun to see what their latest promotion is.

If you haven't already tried Kelly Latte's, swing by sometime soon. You'll enjoy it!

Events at Kona Kai Coffee Shop

I stopped in at Kona Kai (corner of 4th and Gowe Streets in downtown Kent) to have a mocha on this gloomy, rainy day and I saw that they have some fun events coming up, in addition to their live music and open mic nights.

October 12: Spa Party from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
October 17: Art show and wine tasting from 7 to 10 p.m.

See you there!

Upcoming Downtown Kent Events

There is a lot going on in downtown Kent this fall. Among the many events are:

Cypriana's Grand Opening - 10/17/08 (4 to 7 p.m.) and 10/18/08 (1 to 4 p.m.)
PICC "Little Pumpkins" Halloween - 10/31/08 (2 to 5 p.m.)
Election Results Open House at Earthworks Gem Design Studio - 11/04/08
23rd Annual Holiday Open House - 11/14, 11/15 & 11/16 (times vary)