びびなび : シアトル : (アメリカ合衆国) Seattle

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Mayor's Update



December 22, 2023




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Merry Christmas Kent!

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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Kent!

No matter how you choose to celebrate this festive season, I hope you and your loved ones have the opportunity to relax and cherish the joy you bring each other. 

I know many of you are traveling to celebrate the holidays this weekend, so please remember to stay safe!

If you're going to be in town, there are a few holiday events before Christmas. I've put them below!  

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor

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*Weekly Roundup*

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This is just a reminder that Kent City Hall, the Centennial Center, Kent Commons, the Senior Activity Center, and Kent Municipal Court will be closed on Monday in observance of Christmas Day.

closed

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consolate visit

It was a pleasure to welcome the Consul General of Japan Makoto Iyori to Kent this week!

This was an introductory visit, as he has just started his term here as Consul General in Washington.

We discussed our relationship with our sister city Tamba, his time in Washington when he was a university student, the industry here in Kent, and some of the things we face as the 6th largest city in Washington.

Looking forward to visiting with him more this upcoming year!



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I had a great time at the welcome party for Deli O'Clock this afternoon with Councilmember-elect Boyd, Councilmember Larimer and Kaur! 

Deli O'Clock is a vibrant culinary hotspot, serving a creative fusion of Mediterranean breakfast sandwiches and shawarma.

deli o clock

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photos with santa
2022 Santa Photos at Santa's Cozy Cottage
in front of AMC! 

Visit Santa at Kent Station through tomorrow!

*Click here* [ https://www.kentstation.com/events/santaphotos?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] for details including photos of Santa Dale, Santa Cecil and Santa Chukundi and to reserve your appointment online.



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Kent Station Giving Tree!

Kent Station is collecting gifts for Seeds of Hope. Grab a tag off the giving tree outside the Santa house through tomorrow.

Bring your unwrapped gifts to the red box outside Johnny Rockets.

giving tree

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Shop with a Cop

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shop with a cop

[ https://fb.watch/p2Vt5kWZT4/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]Earlier this month we held one of my favorite events of the year—our 10th annual Shop with a Cop!

For the past several years, our multimedia department have joined us at the event to capture the special moments occurring between our Officers and our Kent kids, *you can check that out here! [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&v=RpPUuX1hUmA ]*

Kent Police Officers, Explorers, volunteers and I gathered in the early hours of the morning to make a special holiday experience for kids in our community.

Every year we partner with Kent Youth and Family Services to pick some kids, pair them up with an officer, and have them pick out Christmas gifts!

This is a special time for our officers who are here on their own time, often after working until 6 a.m. on grave shift. Despite the early hour, we never have a problem finding volunteers.

Special thanks to Kent Youth and Family Services and the staff at Target for their continued partnership.

Having an opportunity to spend a half hour to make a Kent child's Christmas more joyful is a privilege, and I'm so thankful for the community support of this event.

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Impaired Driving Awareness

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dec

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Impaired driving is a serious threat to public safety—and often, without outside intervention, this behavior repeats.

The DUI Court program at the Kent Municipal Court connects offenders with with substance use and mental health disorders to recovery support services.

It's a specialized, therapeutic court program dedicated to changing the behavior of high-risk DUI offenders through intensive treatment and supervision.

The KMC DUI Court program consists of five phases designed to keep the participant alcohol and drug-free in order to rehabilitate and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.

We connect them with the treatment and resources they need so they can be healthy, thriving members of our community. Learn more at *bit.ly/4abOSbC [ https://bit.ly/4abOSbC?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ].*

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winter solstice

Thursday was the Winter Solstice, which marks the shortest day and longest night of the year!

So from now on, we can observe the path of the Sun moving back up in the sky.

The winter solstice has been seen as a significant time of year in many cultures, often celebrated with festivals and rituals.



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We recently updated our Winter Weather Plan, which has tips and best practices for preparing for winter weather.

It explains the city’s capabilities and strategies for maintaining roadways, communication and public safety during rain, snow and ice.

It also has our anti-icing and plowing routes as well as details on our roadway response priorities during weather events. Check it out at *KentWA.gov/Winter. [ https://www.kentwa.gov/guides/winter-weather-plan?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

winter weather

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winterize car

Winter is here! That means the air is colder and the roads are wetter. Snow, ice and heavy rain can make getting around more difficult. 

Be proactive and take steps to winterize your car now! Learn more at* KentWA.gov/Prepared* [ https://www.kentwa.gov/guides/emergency-preparedness?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

 



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The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program opens up January 1, 2024. This offers matching funds on a competitive basis to recognized neighborhood councils to develop and implement projects which will enhance the livability of their communities. *Here's information on how your neighborhood can apply! [ https://www.kentwa.gov/guides/neighborhood-program/neighborhood-grant-program?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

neighborhood

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Kent 101

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Kent 101

Kent 101 is a free program that offers residents the opportunity to better understand how local government works through civics classes, interactive activities and tours. Participants will receive a certificate of completion.

It covers the roles and work of city leadership, staff and departments and more! This program is perfect for:


* High school students looking for career inspiration.
* College students who need more experience before joining the work force
* Working adults who want to have a stronger understanding about government work.
* Retirees looking to be more involved in their community.

The Spring 2023 Session will be February 8, 2024 - April 4, 2024, with classes every Thursday at Kent City Hall Chambers from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Learn more and apply on our website at KentWA.gov/Kent101! [ https://www.kentwa.gov/guides/kent-101?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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People of Kent 

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people of kent

Meet Brian.

Brian grew up in the Puyallup Valley, went to Fife High School, graduated from Eastern Washington University, and began teaching science at Peninsula High School shortly after. "Interestingly enough, I did everything I could in college not to be a teacher. That's because my dad was a principal and a long-time teacher that invested an incredible amount of time and energy into those he served. I was just like, 'No, I'm not going to do that.’ because of course I wanted make more money at that time. But it seemed like every road led me back to this profession, and now my dad has become my number one inspiration. I watched him work with many people in diverse populations of Tacoma. His favorite school that he worked at was right on Hilltop. The stories he would come home with and the successes I witnessed really drove me to where I'm at now. He had a tremendous influence on so many people.

After teaching at Peninsula, I eventually transitioned far north all the way up to Nooksack Valley High School in Whatcom County. After a few years, I moved to the Bellingham area and taught at Bellingham High School. This is when I transitioned into athletic and activity administration. I was a long-time coach. I coached for 15 years in multiple sports. I was also a leadership teacher, and those two things kind of combined to help me grow into the position I have now. After ten years of working as the Assistant Executive Director at the WIAA, I wanted to get closer to kids and help lead a big district. I wanted to share some of my thoughts, beliefs, and philosophies. So, fortunate enough, I ended up in Kent. Here we are today, post-COVID, and really starting to get things going. This is year four for me at the Kent School District.

As an administrator in the Kent School District, I serve an extremely diverse population. I see myself as someone that is the ultimate encourager of kids to participate. What you see of me is kind of like an iceberg. Much of what I do is underwater, and there's the little tip you might see of me occasionally, but what I'm really trying to do is give each of my school athletic directors, coaches, and students every capability possible. I want to give students the necessary tools to help them be successful in whatever their passion may be. That includes looking at new programs, new sports, encouraging participation, and encouraging growth in any way that we can.

*Read more about Brian on our People of Kent Series. [ https://www.kentwa.gov/government/race-equity/people-of-kent?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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Apply for Boards & Commissions

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Park and Rec Commission

Do you want to get more involved with Kent Parks?

*Apply to serve on our Kent Parks & Recreation Commission! [ https://www.kentwa.gov/government/boards-commissions?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

Commissioners work directly with the Kent Parks Department to provide input on strategic planning efforts that influence our parks system.



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Do you want to be more involved in your city? Consider joining the Bicycle Advisory Board, which advises our City Council, Mayor and staff on projects, policies and programs that affect bicycling conditions. *Learn more on how to get involved here!* [ https://www.kentwa.gov/government/boards-commissions?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

KBAB

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*Kent Parks Winter Guide *

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parks guide

Have you registered for a Winter class or program yet?

From preschool classes to offerings for Adults 50+ and everything in between, our Parks team offers something for everyone to enjoy. Registration is now open for all Winter programming.

Browse a digital copy or register online or register* online* [ https://web2.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/wakentwt.wsc/splash.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] or by phone, mail, or fax. Participants can also register by walking into the Kent Commons or Senior Center during regular operating hours.

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The Kent Parks ShoWalk program is taking a brief break for the holidays and will return on January 2.

This free, indoor walking program offers a warm and dry place to walk and stay active during the cold, wet months.

*Check out the schedule here! [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks/programs-activities/adult-fitness?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

showalk

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Spotlight Series 

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Spotlight series

The 2023-2024 Spotlight Series has been such a hit so far, and the next performance in the line-up is one you will not want to miss!

The next show is *Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles *on Friday, January 26, 2024. Get tickets and *see the line-up of performances for the 2024 season online! [ https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks/arts/spotlight-series?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

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engage parks

Check out *EngageKentParks.com [ https://engage.kentwa.gov/hub-page/engage-kent-parks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]* to see what projects we're currently working on and how you can get involved in the decision making process! Engage with us online and give us your ideas and feedback to help guide the planning process.  



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Exciting news for Kent's vibrant business community! The City of Kent, in partnership with Business Impact NW, is excited to announce a three-year initiative designed to empower our local entrepreneurs.

If you are a small business operating in Kent, you will benefit from a network of connections and resources that are not only extensive but also easy to navigate, ensuring that businesses can focus on growth and long-term sustainability. To learn more and sign up for services, visit *Business Impact NW - City of Kent [ https://businessimpactnw.org/cityofkent/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*

Business Impact NW

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batteries [ https://www.kingcountyhazwastewa.gov/about-us/hazardous-waste-library/b/batteries?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

*Drop off unwanted batteries at King County Hazardous Waste collection sites for safe recycling at no cost to you! [ https://www.kingcountyhazwastewa.gov/about-us/hazardous-waste-library/b/batteries?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*



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Get your furry friends licensed with *Regional Animal Services of King County [ https://kingcounty.gov/depts/regional-animal-services.aspx?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]* to help get them back to you if they're ever lost! 

Your license also helps fund RASKC's life-saving animal shelter work. They reunite lost pets 24/7 and provide shelter pet care 365 days a year.

raskc

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KentNow

Don't forget to check out the new episode of the KentNOW podcast!  Tracy, Josh and Kyle recap the year with some funny moments! Listen to new and previous episodes on:
?? Apple Podcasts *apple.co/3J2UMkd [ https://t.co/kiMUAwAMdU?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*
?? Spotify *spoti.fi/3GNCeli [ https://t.co/MccBJhOIlp?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*
?? Amazon Music *amzn.to/3jjaOvU [ https://amzn.to/3jjaOvU?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]*



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Translations A/文

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translations

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City of Kent, Washington

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