Backpacks, pets and big marquees: Editor’s Note

I hope I’m not the only one who’s beside themselves with joy over the latest Kent City Council decision.

At long last, the ShoWare Center will have a video marquee sign. Finally we’re going to know, as we are driving down the street, what is going on in Kent’s biggest sports and entertainment venue.

When ShoWare went in, on taxpayer dollars, major signage was not part of the initial plan because of costs, although we do have state-of-the-art toilets. The sign was planned as a future investment.

As I’ve noted in a past column, that sign isn’t just a sign: it’s a sure-fire way to inform those of us who live in Kent just how far our nickel is going.

Not to mention a way for the rest of humanity – to the tune of about 26,000 cars a day – to figure out what’s going on.

The Council also found a way to do it without dipping into the city’s general fund. The roughly $225,000 lighted edifice will come to us from lodging tax, a state measure which directs that 1 percent of city taxes collected on hotel rooms be used for tourism. The city’s reserve fund from that 1 percent has built up to roughly the estimated cost of the sign. So it appears to be an easy call – the city needs to use those dollars for tourism-related investments anyway.

Thanks to all those who kept this important element to the ShoWare Center on the front burner.

Moving right along, I’d like to introduce you to another topic, this one concerning a major demographic in Kent:

Families struggling to make ends meet, and who are facing a new school year.

Yes, that means backpacks and a small truckload of school supplies for most kids in our schools, and a hard time for parents who have been hit with the worst this recession has to offer.

Kent’s families need our help. And our local Kiwanis Club has an easy way for anyone who wants to hand a backpack stuffed with school supplies to an excited youngster.

With help from Communities in Schools of Kent, and the Kent Food Bank, the Kiwanis will give away 400 backpacks full of supplies Aug. 30.

You can drop off new school supplies at a variety of places in town, including our office at 19426 68th Ave. S. Needed are three-ring binders, notebook paper, folders, No. 2 pencils, pens, glue sticks and scissors, to name a few items. You also can donate money to the cause by sending checks made payable to CISK (Community Schools In Kent) to P.O. Box 62, Kent, WA 98035.

Volunteers also are needed for a backpack-stuffing party Aug. 24.

For more information, go to the Kiwanis Web site at www.thekiwanisclubofkent.org.

I’d also like to send out a tickler about a novel way the city of Kent is trying to get more folks to license their pets. Did you know that your pet license will be a required accoutrement starting Oct. 1? Funds from licenses are critical to the function of the regional animal-control organization, of which Kent is a part, and keeps city tax dollars at home.

On Sept. 25, head to Kent Station for a pet-friendly event where you can license your pet, as well as participate with your dog or cat in a variety of activities: pet-owner lookalike competitions, a costumed pet parade, canine exhibitions and pet-food samples (not to mention people-food samples put out by local eateries.) I have the dubious honor of being a judge in some of these contests, so brace yourself.