The free community calendar is published Wednesdays and Saturdays on a space-available basis, and includes free and nonprofit local events and groups. Submit items at least a week in advance of publication dates to calendar@reporternewspapers.com.

Events

Rainbow Girls Christmas Tree Recycle: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 3. Bring trees for recycling. No flocked trees. Cost: $5 donation. Locations: The Royal Arch Park, 20821 Renton-Maple Valley Highway, Maple Valley; Kent Fire Station No. 75, 15635 S.E. 272nd St., Kent. 253-277-2806.

Kentwood Car Show: 5-7 p.m. Jan. 9. Come learn about the auto program at Kentwood High School, and help pick the best car. Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. S.E., Covington.

Classes

Tile installation class: 9 a.m. Dec. 27 and Jan. 10. Learn the fundamentals of setting granite, marble and ceramic tiles. Cost: Free; registration requested. 8605 S. 212th St., Kent. 253-872-0449 or darrell@tilelines.com.

Housing seminar: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 3. Free seminar offered by Washington Homebuyer’s Association. Kent Regional Library, 212 N. Second Ave., Kent. 253-682-1157 or www.whba.org.

REI clinics: 7 p.m. various Wednesdays, including: Jan. 7, “Avalanche Awareness Clinic.” Cost: Free. 240 Andover Park W., Tukwila. 206-248-1938.

“Coping with Grief and Loss”: Noon Jan. 9. Free lecture presented as part of a Health and Wellness lecture series at Arbor Village. Lunch provided. Registration requested. The Inn at Arbor Village, 24121 116th Ave. S.E., Kent. 253-856-1600 or www.arborvillage.us.

Faith

Non-denominational Bible study: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays. All are welcome. Reservations requested. Arbor Village, 24121 116th Ave. S.E., Kent. 253-856-1600.

“The Quest” classes: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Class aims to help people find the divine essence within themselves. Unity Church of Kent, 218 State Ave. S. 253-854-9747.

Food/Meals

Kent Senior Activity Center Deli and Café: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. All ages are welcome. Lunch includes a main entree and soup, vegetables, rice, potatoes or pasta, salad bar, bread, dessert and beverage. Cost: $5. 600 E. Smith St. 253-856-5155, ext. 1.

Wednesday Night Community Meal: 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. All are welcome to join Trinity Community Church in the gym for a free homestyle meal. 3807 Reith Road and 38th Avenue South, Kent. 253-852-1044.

Health

Kent Parks, Recreation and Community Services: City offers a variety of fitness classes, including Nia, Zumba and PiYo. Call for details, cost. Kent Commons, 525 Fourth Ave. N. 253-856-5000.

Living Healthy 101: 5:45 p.m. Wednesdays, starting Jan. 7. Ongoing 12-week sessions include weight-loss challenge, nutrition class and support group. Advance registration required. 27215 124th Ave. S.E., Kent. 253-630-3674 or www.LivingHealthyWLC.com.

TOPS No. WA916: 7-8 p.m. Thursdays. Swanson Court Clubhouse, 12200 206th St., Kent. 253-981-3867.

TOPS: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a nonprofit weight loss support group. New Hope Church, 21115 S.E. 272nd St., Maple Valley. 253-631-3567 or www.tops.org.

Libraries

Kent Regional Library, 212 Second Ave. N. 253-859-3330 or www.kcls.org/kent. Library events include:

• ESL classes: 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 5. Learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversation skills. Registration required.

• Read Three, Get One Free: Children ages 12-18 can read three books, write three short reviews and get a new paperback book for free. Entry forms available at the library or online at www.kcls.org/read3.

• Story times: Library offers story times for children, families and foreign language speakers. Call for details.

Woodmont Library, 26809 Pacific Highway S., Des Moines. 253-839-0121 or www.kcls.org/woodmont. Library events include:

• Talk Time: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Improve your speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group.

Seniors

Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St. 253-856-5150. Senior events include:

• Kent Koffee Klatch Club: 11 a.m. Mondays. Free event features Starbucks door prizes, coffee and mini-concerts. Entertainers include Jee Wong, Beth Wulff, Bob Weymouth and Jason Reynolds.

• Health screenings: 10:30 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, blood pressure checks; 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, foot care; 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, massage therapy.

Volunteers

Christmas Bird Count: Dec. 28. Birders of all ability levels encouraged join Rainier Audubon Society in counting birds by sight and sound in the South King County area. Counters meet afterward for a potluck at Federal Way United Methodist Church. Advance registration is required. 253-796-2203 or nancy_streiffert@hotmail.com.

United Way tax preparation: Volunteers are needed Jan. 13-April 15 to prepare tax returns for low- to middle-income families throughout King County as part of United Way’s Free Tax Preparation Campaign. 206-461-5048 or www.unitedwayofkingcounty.org/taxvolunteer.

Volunteer Chore Services: Kent-area volunteers needed to assist with chores for low-income elders and adults with disabilities. Services include shopping, light housekeeping, laundry, cooking and yard work. Program is a service of Catholic Community Services. 253-850-2509, 888-649-6850 or KizzieF@ccsww.org.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in the PNWLocalNews.com community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. So keep your comments:

• Civil
• Smart
• On-topic
• Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by registering for an account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and drive-by commenters.

As a community site, we ask that the community help by using the "Flag" button on each comment if they feel the comment has violated the rules. You can also use the up and down arrows on each comment to voice your opinion about that particular comment.

Want to tell us something but you don't want it to be public? Talk to us privately.