For the second year in a row, Seattle magazine names Kent Realtor® Marti Reeder of John L. Scott a Five Star Professional Real Estate Agent. Only real estate agents rated highest in overall satisfaction were selected. Winning this award puts Reeder in a select group of Seattle Five Star Real Estate Agents, representing fewer than 6% of real estate agents in the area.

To determine the winners of the 2011 Five Star Professional Real Estate Agents awards, Five Star Professional surveyed Seattle residents who purchased a home over $150,000 within an 18-month period (Aug. 2009 – Feb. 2011), 1,000 subscribers of Seattle magazine and 250 mortgage and title company representatives. Top agents were also screened to ensure that their licenses are current and that there is no disciplinary action pending against them. Only those with the top scores were awarded the title Five Star Real Estate Agent in Overall Satisfaction, including Reeder, a full-time broker/real estate agent with John L. Scott in Kent and Covington.

In addition to this prestigious award, Reeder has received President’s Awards from John L. Scott every year since 2007, has won top producer and top resale awards at John L. Scott in 2011, and was voted “Best of Kent” Realtor® by readers of the Kent Reporter three years in a row. In July 2010, Reeder was nominated for the Business Examiner’s “Women of Influence.” With more than 25 years of industry experience, she has earned the following professional designations:  Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) and Accredited Seller’s Representative (ASR). She is also an Accredited Staging Professional and a Certified Pre-Foreclosure Specialist.

“It is such an honor to win this award two years in a row,” Reeder said. “It means so much to me that my clients appreciate my attention to detail and continue to refer me to their friends. I am blessed, doing the work I love.”

For more information about Reeder, visit http://www.marti-realtor.com or call 206-391-0388. To learn more about Marti’s Five Star Real Estate Agent distinction, visit http://www.pageturnpro.com/Crescendo-Business-Services/32866-2011-SEARE-Marti-Reeder/index.html#1

As a lifelong resident of King County, Reeder is a full-time, full-service real estate broker. She has a wide range of experience in mortgages, home inspections and real estate. Starting her real estate career with John L. Scott over seven years ago, Reeder specializes in working with individuals and families to buy and sell their homes throughout the Seattle area. In 2011, she helped more than 30 families sell or buy new homes.

Kent Station is celebrating the holidays with a 30 day holiday countdown: 30 days of deals starting Friday, November 25 through Christmas Eve. Kent Station merchants will offer different deals each day throughout the holiday season. These one day special offers will be posted to Kent Station’s Facebook page at http://facebook.com/kentstation, so be sure to visit often.

Kent Station will expand its shopping hours from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24: Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm; and Christmas Eve, 10 am to 5 pm. Many merchants will be open extended hours on Friday, November 25. Check http://www.KentStation.com for details.

Kent Station is full of holiday cheer and activities:  Santa arrives on Saturday, November 26 at 11 am; the annual Winterfest parade through Kent Station is on Saturday, Dec. 3 (approximately 4:30 pm) which is immediately followed by the Kent Lions’ tree lighting at Town Square Plaza (approximately 5:30 pm); and on Saturday, December 10 the WOLF 100.7 will have a remote broadcast featuring Microsoft’s Kinect and its newest games.

Want to give back this season? Kent Station supports local families in need by accepting donations at Santa’s House for food, clothing or cash – all donations go to the Kent Food Bank.  Next to the Santa House in front of AMC is Kent Station’s Giving Tree benefiting children and their siblings who receive services from Children’s Therapy Center. From November 25 through December 19, the tree will be decorated with hosting “mittens.”  Each mitten is dedicated to a child and lists the child’s age, clothing and shoe sizes, along with a wish (a basketball, baby doll) and a need (a warm jacket, blankets, socks).

Kent Station encourages shoppers to take a mitten or two to brighten a child’s Christmas.  Simply bring back the gifts unwrapped, attach the mitten, and drop in the Big Red Box, located inside AMC Theatres’ lobby.

As always, hop by our hip Santa House for holiday wishes and photos. A photo CD is available for $20. Prints can also be purchased in varying sizes, ranging in price from $15 to $40. Santa’s hours are:

Nov. 26 – 27:               11 am – 8 pm
Nov. 30 – Dec. 2:        4 – 8 pm
Dec. 3 – 4:                   11 am – 8 pm
Dec 7 – 9:                    4 – 8 pm
Dec. 10 – 23:               11 am – 8 pm

“The holiday season is our favorite time of the year, with our additional decorations, lights and, of course, Santa. We invite our customers to join us in celebrating the season.” says Sommer Ueda, marketing and property manager for Kent Station. “It’s a special time to share with family and friends. We enjoy making it fun, while also giving back to the community with our giving tree and food drive.”

For additional details about Kent Station’s Holiday Countdown or holiday events, call the Kent Station management office at 253-856-2301 or visit Kent Station’s website at http://www.KentStation.com or Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/KentStation.

About Kent Station

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Tarragon a Seattle based company. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, professional office space, and dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatres Cineplex and a branch campus of Green River Community College.

In addition to Kent Station merchants and dining and entertainment venues, the popular outdoor shopping center hosts free, family-friendly events throughout the year as well as nonprofit fundraisers to support the community. For more information, visit the Kent Station website at http://www.KentStation.com or call the management office at 253-856-2301.

About Children’s Therapy Center:

Since 1979, Children’s Therapy Center, a Dynamic Partner organization, has provided quality therapy services for infants, children, and adolescents ages birth to 21 with the mission to maximize the potential of children with special needs by providing individualized, family-centered therapy services.

Children are referred to CTC with a variety of developmental delays and disabilities including cerebral palsy and neurological disorders, torticollis, speech and language disorders, brachial plexus injuries, spina bifida, Down syndrome, feeding disorders, sensory processing difficulties, autism and dyspraxia. For more information about Children’s Therapy Center, visit http://www.DynamicFamilies.org.

For a spooky good time, join the staff of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle at the “Tricks & Treats Funfest” in Federal Way this Saturday, October 29 from 6 to 8:30 pm. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® will be on hand to entertain kids ages 2 to 12 with their haunted truck, complete with a Halloween-themed scarecrow and spooky lighting. Located next to the s’mores station, kids are encouraged to come in costume with their parents.

“We love participating in community events like this,” said Tera-Rose Layton of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle. “Being next to the s’mores station is a bonus!”

In addition to the haunted truck, “Tricks & Treats Funfest” will feature carnival games, a costume contest, an outdoor s’mores station, prizes, candy and more. Admission is $6 in advance and $8 at the door. Accompanying adults and children under two are free. Sponsored by the City of Federal Way, the event will be held at 876 S. 333^rd St. in Federal Way. Call 253-835-6900 for more information or to register for the event.

About TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle:

The Seattle area franchise of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is owned by husband and wife team Rick and Glenna Clendenen. The firm serves the Seattle area out of offices located in Kent and Kirkland and actively participates in the communities it serves. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK© offers a full-range of residential and commercial moving services, senior move management, packing services, supplies and workshops. To learn more about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Seattle, visit them online at http://twomenandatruckseattle.com or call 253-656-4322.

Contributed by Dr. Sue Hollinsworth, DDS, Kent family dentist:

Kent, Washington, October 20, 2011 — What did the werewolf eat after he’d had his teeth cleaned?  The dentist!

One area dentist is redefining the phrase “put your money where your mouth is.” This Halloween, trick-or-treaters 12 and under can bring their excess candy to Dr. Sue Hollinsworth in Kent and receive a $1 per pound of unopened candy. For the second year in a row, Dr. Hollinsworth is leading this anti-decay movement by offering suggestions for non-candy treats and by giving cash in exchange for cavity-provoking candy.

“Ditch the candy; that’s what we are saying! Visiting your dentist twice a year and brushing daily are great preventative measures, but doing away with excess sweets altogether will really give your teeth a healthy boost,” says Dr. Hollinsworth.

“We all need to ‘think outside the candy box’ for Halloween. There are several great alternatives to candy, such as nuts, balls, seashells, polished rocks, stickers or temporary tattoos, or plastic animals. Kids can still have a lot of fun trick-or-treating, and, if they bring in their candy on November 1, their piggy banks will benefit too,” the Kent family dentist said.

Global sugar consumption for kids increases by about 2% annually and currently sits at 50 million tons per year, which means parents need to be sure their kids’ teeth are being cared for more than ever. Candy, as well as hurting children’s teeth, can lead to hyperactivity and weight gain leading to obesity and diabetes, major concerns for children.

Dr. Sue Hollinsworth’s office (13210 SE 240^th St., Suite B3, Kent, Washington) will collect candy the day after Halloween only – Tuesday, November 1 – from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. The candy must be unopened, so no nibbling please!

Dr. Sue Hollinsworth is located at the corner of 132^nd and 240^th in Meridian Valley Plaza at 13210 SE 240th Street, Suite B3 in Kent. Her practice emphasizes family dental care as well as cosmetic procedures. Patients of all ages are welcome. For more information, call (253) 631-8286, email smilestaff@qwestoffice.net or visit the office’s website at http://www.DrSueHollinsworth.com or Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/DrSueHollinsworth.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Sue Hollinsworth, DDS
13210 SE 240th St., Ste. B3
Kent, WA  98042
253-631-8286
Email
www.DrSueHollinsworth.com

As always, ShoWare Center has lots of family-friendly entertainment coming Kent’s way. Here’s what’s on tap over the next few weeks:

Jan. 7, 7:35 pm
Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey
T-Birds vs. Kelowna

Jan. 17 & Jan. 28
High School Hoops Action
Jan. 17 – Comcast Showcase
Jan. 28 – Les Schwab Shootout

Jan. 22, 2011, 12:30 and 3:30 pm
Disney Live:  Mickey’s Magic Show

Feb. 10, 8:00 pm
Ladies Night Out, Vol. @ – Valentine’s Day Edition
Featuring Bell Biv DeVoe, Al B. Sure and SWV & Jon. B.

Feb. 17, 7:00 pm
Harlem Globetrotters 2011 World Tour
Celebrating 85 years of storied history

Feb. 24, 7:00 pm
Hillsong United – Aftermath Tour

For a complete schedule or to buy tickets to any event, visit ShoWare Center’s online box office.

Contributed by Susan Pearson 12/13/10

The bridge into the main entrance of the recently re-opened Jenkins Creek Park in Covington near the Wax Road traffic circle (SE 267th Pl) is out. It collapsed into the creek some time this weekend.

The Kent/Covington My Little Gym location (24030 132nd Ave SE, Kent, WA 98042) offers parents a bit of a break on Black Friday. Drop off your child from 9 am to 1 pm the day after Thanksgiving, so you can do a bit of shopping – or relaxing – while your child has fun and gets some indoor exercise – climbing, swinging, tumbling and more! See the My Little Gym website for details.

Kent Station celebrates the 2010 holiday season with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus this Saturday, November 27. The jolly couple will welcome shoppers and visitors at 10 a.m. at the Fountain Stage outside Kent Station’s AMC Theatres.

Following their official welcome, Santa and Mrs. Claus will hold court at the Hip Santa House where children and well-behaved pets may have their photos taken, and adults can take Santa’s patented “naughty or nice” test. Photos are offered at a discount in exchange for donations of nonperishable food items and new, unwrapped toys for the Kent Food Bank. A complete list of Santa’s hours and photo packages is available at the Kent Station website.

Beginning at noon, Kentwood High School’s Royal Court from the Madrigal Feast will sing Christmas tunes from their upcoming performance, adding to the festive atmosphere. In addition, the community is invited to participate in the Giving Tree on display at Kent Station Plaza. The Giving Tree benefits Kent Youth and Family Services, a nonprofit organization that serves kids, teens and families in South King County.

Sponsored by BECU and supported by Calvary Community Church of Sumner, the Giving Tree will feature tags with needs (e.g., coats, hats, shoes) and wants (e.g., books, toys) for 400 area kids, along with tags asking for board games for Kent Youth and Family Services’ Head Start/ECEAP program. Shoppers may drop off their donated gifts through December 15 inside AMC Theatres near the arcade.

“The holidays are a time of celebration and giving, and Kent Station wants to be a part of that by giving back to the community,” said Kent Station general manager John Hinds. “We encourage shoppers to join us by donating to the Kent Food Bank and Kent Youth and Family Services this holiday season. We can all help by making a sad time for some a little merrier.”

For more information about Kent Station or its holiday festivities, visit the Kent Station website at www.kentstation.com or contact Sommer Ueda at 253-856-2301. For more information about Kent Youth and Family Services, visit KYFS online at www.KYFS.org. Visit the Kent Food Bank online at www.skcfc.org/kentfoodbank/ for more information about its hours and offerings.

Located on 18 acres in the heart of downtown Kent, Kent Station is an urban shopping village developed by Tarragon a Seattle based company. The 470,000 sq. ft., mixed-use development features locally-owned and national retail stores, professional office space, and dining and entertainment, including a 14-screen AMC Theatres Cineplex and a branch campus of Green River Community College.

In a press release from the City of Covington dated October 28, 2010, the City announced that it will allow local business’s to display temporary banners up to 90 days. The current sign code only allows the temporary banners, like those used for special sales or events, to be displayed for 30 days in a one year period.

Covington City Council voted Tuesday, October 26, to extend the 30 day display time frame to 90 days to allow businesses the opportunity to gain better results and get good use out of their banners. The extension will last from November 3, 2010 through April 30, 2011. During that time, the Community Planning Department and Planning Commission will revisit the temporary banner sign codes to determine if permanent changes should be made. A review of the sign codes would also consider whether or not to continue waiving temporary banner fees.

“Small businesses rely on temporary banners to stimulate walk-in business,” said City Manager Derek Matheson, “and they are concerned they aren’t getting enough time to display those.”

For more information about applying for a temporary banner permit in Covington, contact the City at 253-638-1100 and ask for the permit technician. Questions from the media should be directed to Karla Slate, Community Relations Coordinator/PIO at 253-638-1110, ext. 2234.

Spaghetti Dinner! Covington’s non-profit Rainier Youth Choirs is fundraising to cover operating expenses and keep tuition costs affordable.

Bring family and friends on Friday, November 12 to Cedar Heights Middle School, 19640 SE 272nd, Kent, WA, anytime between 5:30 and 7:30pm. Enjoy a pasta dinner with your choice of sauce (Pesto, Tomato, and a meat sauce with meatballs), salad, garlic bread, mozzarella Puffins and dessert. Ice water, coffee, and tea are included in the meal, but there will be pop and bottled water for sale as well.

Children 1-5 years old are $1 per year of age age. Everyone else is $7 pre-paid through an RYC member, or $8 at the door.

Please pre-order tickets via email and pay at the door!