July 10 - 13, 2008

Kent Cornucopia Days 2008 - "The Festival of the Valley" - A community service project of the Kent Lions, Kent WA
 

2003 News about Kent Cornucopia Days

Briefly

2003-05-28

AUBURN: Auburn Area Citizens Corps meets at 6 tonight

The public is invited to attend a meeting of the Auburn Area Citizen Corps at 6 p.m. today at Auburn fire station No. 31, 1101 D St. N.E.

The goal of the meeting is to develop a citizen-based emergency response program, said organizer Richard Hildreth, a Pacific city councilman.

For more information on the program go to www.citi zencorps.gov.

KENT

Man, 56, pleads innocent to attempted murder charge

A 56-year-old Kent man pleaded innocent Tuesday to kidnapping and attempted murder in an attack on his girlfriend, who was rescued last week by a state trooper.

Kenneth Henry Doxsee faces 17 to 22 years in prison if convicted of shooting Bunnie Arntzen in the head with a pellet gun, strangling her with a rope and pouring lamp oil on her chest, setting her on fire.

Arntzen, 53, of Kent, apparently did not attend the hearing.

A state trooper pulled Arntzen's speeding van over on May 12; Doxsee was driving, police said. The trooper found Arntzen tied up in the back of her van with a rope tied tightly around her neck.

Doxsee, who's being held in the Regional Justice Center jail in lieu of $500,000 bail, is due back in court June 12, when a trial date could be set.

Kentridge student crowned Miss Cornucopia 2003

Patti Carter of Kentridge High School is Miss Cornucopia 2003.

Carter, 18, the daughter of Robert and Carol Carter, won the title Friday night over 10 other scholarship contestants.

She takes the title from Alexandrea Conn, a Kent-Meridian High School graduate and the 2002 Miss Cornucopia.

Over the next year, Carter will participate in parades and events throughout the region.

Those also receiving awards at the pageant Friday night sponsored by the Kent Lions Club, were: first runner-up, Danielle McMahon, 18, Kentwood; second runner-up, Wendy Tran, 17, Kentwood; and Miss Congeniality, Sheena Burwell, 18, Kentridge. Tran also won community-service and academic awards.

Carter receives a $3,000 scholarship for winning the title. McMahon was awarded $1,000, and Tran garnered $750, as well as money for her other awards.

Carter sang ``All That Jazz'' for the performance section of the pageant. Her platform issue dealt with ways to link generations together, with teens reaching out to younger children and seniors.

At school, Carter is heavily involved in music and theater. She has also been a member of Kentridge's varsity swimming team for four years, receiving an Academic All-American national award.

Carter carries a 3.7 grade-point average and is involved in several community-service activities such as helping the homeless, migrant workers and others through various clubs and St. Stephens Catholic Church.

SKYWAY

Fire marshal investigating suspected arson at school

The King County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a suspected arson fire at Campbell Hill Elementary School.

When District 20 firefighters arrived at the school, 6418 South 124th Street, Monday evening, they found the flames in a trash bin on the north side of the school dying down.

The flames left some burn marks on the building but did not damage it, fire officials said.

Several kids told officials that they saw a boy about 11 or 12 years old start the fire.

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call the Arson Alarm Hotline at 1-800-55-ARSON and refer to case No. 03-159641.

CORRECTION

Auburn American Legion Post 78 sponsored the Memorial Day observance Monday at Veterans Memorial Park. Earlier articles listed the wrong post number.

Summer festivals: A month-by-month look at summer fun - JUNE - JULY - AUGUST - SEPTEMBER

2003-05-23
by Sue Kidd
Journal Reporter

It's that time of year again. With Memorial Day weekend comes the beginning of the summer festival season. It's time to pack the sunblock (or an umbrella), put on some sturdy shoes and pile the kids in the car.

In this guide, included listings are a plethora of community festivals, heritage celebrations and some of the bigger summer events in the region.

The festival season ``officially'' starts this weekend with an ode to art and culture -- the Northwest Folklife Festival, beginning today and continuing through Monday at the Seattle Center.

Of course, SEAFAIR will be the largest ongoing regional festival this summer, with dozens of community festivals and officially sanctioned events from early July through early August. Highlights include the Torchlight parade in downtown Seattle July 26 and the hydroplane races and air show on Lake Washington Aug. 1-3.

We've compiled a list, organized by date, of upcoming events. Because some festivals are weeks or months away, it's wise to double-check times and dates through the phone number or Web site provided.

A few things to remember about summer festivals: Pack a survival kit, including water, sunblock, hats and changes of clothes for weather that's warm by day and cool by night. Also, arrive early and check in advance regarding parking situations. It always pays to plan ahead.

JULY

* Kent Fourth of July Splash: July 4, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd St., Kent. Live entertainment, old fashioned games, food, Dragon Boat demonstrations and rides and a fireworks display about 10 p.m.. Free. Call 253-856-5050.

* Kent Cornucopia Days: July 10-13, downtown Kent and other locations. Downtown sidewalk sale July 9-13. Carnival July 10-13. Community parade, live entertainment, square dance, skateboard tournament and soccer cup. Free. Call 253-852-5466 or visit www.kcdays.com.

* Italian Heritage Fair: July 12-13, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. both days, Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St., Kent. Sample Italian food, play Italian card games, trace genealogy and take cooking classes. Free. Call 206-285-8271 or visit www.osiaglnw.org.

SOUTH COUNTY SCENE - Reliving Eco-Challenge 2002 with Team Washington members

2003-03-23
by Mary Swift
Journal Columnist

* Team Washington --Remember Maple Valley's Jeff McCann, captain of Team Washington during the Eco-Challenge 2002?

He and teammates will describe their adventure at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Seattle REI store and on April 2 at the same time at the Tukwila store.

McCann said video of the race, which took place in Fiji last October, will be televised May 5-7, from 10-11 p.m. on the USA Network. On May 8, the segment will be telecast from 9-11 p.m. The program repeats at midnight each night.

* Shipmates -- Her husband, a naval reservist called up for Desert Storm, is now on active duty again, called up for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Her son, who is finishing a high school completion program at Green River Community College, is scheduled to enter the Marines as soon as he's done.

The woman, who asked that neither she nor other family members be identified, is a Green River employee.

Like many with loved ones in the military, the woman feels especially proud of her husband and son.

She didn't have to look far to find a way to honor them.

The Green River College Foundation is in the midst of an effort to raise $600,000 to build a new commons area featuring an outdoor amphitheater that will seat 250. (The project, which will cost $1.2 million, received $600,000 from the 2002 Legislature.)

To help the fund-raising effort, the foundation is selling 1,500 engraved black granite tiles that will be inlaid on the vertical faces of steps throughout the commons.

The tiles may be purchased for a donation of $100 or more.

The wording on them runs the gamut -- from former students marking the years they attended to tiles honoring a favorite teacher.

The Green River employee chose these words: ``Anchors Aweigh'' (for her husband) and ``Semper Fi'' (for her son.

The final line reads: ``Your Shipmate.''

That line is no accident.

A couple of years ago the woman herself enlisted in the Naval Reserve.

She knows there's always the chance she could be called up too.

``I have mixed feelings,'' she said. ``I believe in what the military stands for. That's why I joined. But it's hard to think about leaving friends and family.''

She said she started thinking about using the tile project to honor her husband and son some time ago.

``I just felt it was really important to honor them for the service they're giving,'' she said. ``I told my husband. I haven't told my son.''

* Joining The Tile Project -- You don't have to be a Green River alum or staff member to participate in the tile project.

Josh Gerstman of the Green River Community College Foundation said anyone who wants to honor someone or send a special message is invited to participate.

The only caveat: The foundation maintains editorial control over the content.

For information on the tile project, go to www.greenriver.edu.

* The ``Battle for the Paddle'' -- It happens July 11, on Lake Meridian.

That's when representatives of an assortment of local cities climb into ``dragon boats'' on Lake Meridian to see which city will win the ``Battle for the Paddle.''

At stake, besides civic pride, is an authentic dragon boat paddle the winning team will get to display at its city hall until next year.

The ``Battle for the Paddle'' is part of the annual Kent Lions Cornucopia Dragon Boat Race on Lake Meridian.

Cheryl Corbin, the event director, said former Covington Mayor Julie Holbrook has sent invitations to participate in the event to two dozen cities.

So far, Corbin said, four cities -- Kent, Tukwila, Covington and Newcastle --have agreed to take part.

You're invited to take part, too.

An orientation meeting for prospective new paddlers is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the Covington Library.

No experience is necessary. Nor does participating require tip-top athletic condition. It does require a commitment to teamwork and fun.

Krista Bradley Smith, an art teacher at Kent Junior High, will lead the session. She has competed in dragon boat racing in Seattle and in Kent and has been taught by Jeff Campbell, a world class paddler from the Wasabi (dragon boat racing) Club of Portland. For information on dragon boat racing or the orientation meeting, call Corbin at 253-735-6368.

South County Scene is written by Mary Swift and appears Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Call 253-872-6672 or e-mail mary.swift@kingcountyjournal.com.

BRIEFLY

2003-02-22
Journal Staff
KENT

Scholarship pageant informational meeting today

An informational meeting for young women interested in participating in the annual Kent Lions Club Scholarship Pageant is scheduled today at 1 p.m. at the Kent Fire Department Headquarters Building, 24611 116th Ave. S.E. on Kent's East Hill.

Representatives of the pageant committee and Alexandrea Conn, the reigning Miss Cornucopia, will be on hand to answer questions about the pageant.

Those who are interested in participating in the annual pageant but aren't able to attend today's meeting should call 253-852-5466 for information.

Pageant hopefuls can attend orientation

Kent reporter
February 5th, 2003

The Kent Lions Club, which sponsors Kent Cornucopia Days, is holding a meeting for young women to learn about entering the Miss Cornucopia Scholarship Pageant.

The orientation will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Kent Fire Department's training facility, 24611 116th Ave. S.E.  Applications will be available and the process of competing will be explained.

Requirements to enter the Miss Cornucopia pageant are that participants be female, never have been married and not have children.  High school students and recent graduates are the usual contestants.  The pageant will be held in May.

Miss Cornucopia participates in year-round parades and other community events in the greater Puget Sound area to represent the Kent Community and the Lion's Club.

The scholarship pageant is about much more than beauty, said Bruce Weissich, pageant director.  He said community service is one of the most important factors of the contest.

Last year more than $6,000 in scholarship money was given in the pageant.   Miss Cornucopia receives a $3,000 scholarship, and first and second runners-up also get part of the fund.

The current Miss Cornucopia is Alexandrea Conn, a 2002 Kent-Meridian High School graduate who is attending Central Washington University.

Call 9253) 852-5466 for more information.

Winning Kent street name to be announced Tuesday

2003-01-20
by Bruce Rommel
Journal Reporter

KENT -- The city has four winners in its ``Name That Street'' contest to come up with the name for the main thoroughfare now under construction in the Kent Station downtown redevelopment project.

With more than 250 entries, four local residents individually submitted the same name, which was picked as the winner by Mayor Jim White and other city officials. The name will be announced when the four are recognized at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

So far, the broad $1.4 million thoroughfare is identified in city paperwork as ``the Second Avenue Extension.'' It curves through the 20-acre Kent Station site, extending Second Avenue from Smith Street north and west to connect with Fourth Avenue North near the King County Regional Justice Center.

The Kent Station is a $130 million development project that will include a movie complex, a supermarket and other stores, business and retail buildings and new housing.

The new street will be the primary access. As a prize, the four winners get a free breakfast with the mayor and front-row seats at ground-breaking ceremonies this summer for the first structures in the new complex.

Dena Laurent, the city's assistant chief administrative officer, said a number of suggested names for the new street included ``Canterbury'' or ``Cornucopia,'' after the city's two annual community celebrations.

Others suggested ``Kent Station'' Way or Street or Boulevard. Other entries included Catalyst Street, Destination Street and Progress Way.