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TO SUDAN| Kent church on a mission abroad [3]
SWIM PREVIEW | Kentwood’s Jesse Denert plans to play and dive to the top. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011 [15]
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WEBSITE | Check the website for breaking news, sports stories and weather updates. www.kentreporter.com
U.S. Postal Service looks at closing center
KBAC looks ahead and toward the community BY DENNIS BOX
BY STEVE HUNTER
dbox@kentreporter.com
shunter@kentreporter.com
Community organizations often start, evolve, sometimes end and other times resurrect into a different form. The Kent Black Action Committee is a community organiTAKING zation that has roots reaching back more than a decade, and it is building into an organization emphasizing action. The committee has numerous founders and folks who have put time and energy into the first events, including Melvin Tate, a former Kent School District teacher, administrator and diversity expert; community leader Rev. Jimmie James; and Gwen Allen, a former Kent City Council candidate.
The U.S. Postal Service is considering closing its Kent Delivery and Distribution Center but no decision has been made yet. “Any decision on the facility would not be made until about next February or SAVING March,” said Ernie Swanson, spokesman in Seattle for the U.S. Postal Service, in a Tuesday email. The Postal Service announced Monday in Washington, D.C., that it plans to move forward with a proposal to change service standards and close distribution facilities in an effort to reduce revenue loss, according to a Postal Service media release. “The U.S. Postal Service must reduce its operating costs by $20
ACTION
MONEY
Christmas Shopping
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Youth learn about the ‘Game of Life’ BY SARAH KEHOE skehoe@kentreporter.com
Bailey Wheeler, 13, is no longer afraid to stand up for herself because of what she learned during one of many workshops at a youth conference in Kent. “The people taught us that if you don’t stick to what you believe in than you are just a follower,” Wheeler said. “Being a leader takes courage and a commitment to be true to yourself.” Wheeler, an eighth-grader at Cedar Heights Middle School, joined more than 200 teenagers who attended one of the two-day Game of Life conferences Dec. 6-7 at the Kent Commons recreational facility. Students discussed and learned about drugs,
Sophia Gordon, 6, and her mom Megan, of Kirkland, are excited about finding the doll dress at Diana’s Dolls on Saturday, during the Winter Craft Bazaar at the Kent Commons. CHARLES CORTES, Kent Reporter To view a slide show go to www.kentreporter.com and to buy photos go to the website and click on the photo reprints tab.
[ more POSTAL page 11 ]
leadership, the environment, traffic safety, pregnancy and other topics. “This conference made me think about the kind of life I want for myself and what I can do to get it,” Wheeler said. The Kent Police Youth Board, comprised of more than 20 students from high schools and middle schools, organized the 25th annual conference. They spoke to teens, talking about how to make educated choices about drugs, alcohol, nutrition, relationships and careers. “I think the coolest thing about this conference is that people are hearing this advice from people near or at their same age,” said Patrick Pham, executive board member. “They know we understand exactly what they are going through and that we are dealing with the same issues they are.” The conference hosts teams of middle and high school students from Kent, Renton, Auburn, Maple Valley, Enumclaw, Seattle and Gig Harbor. The focus
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15423 SE 272nd St., Ste. 110; Kent, WA 98042
[ more YOUTH page 5]
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Rhaquel Abutin, junior, left, and Jasmine Frazier, an eighth-grader, sort cards during the Game of Life Youth Conference in Kent. CHARLES CORTES, Kent Reporter
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