The Lake Stevens Library has much to offer those who call Lake Stevens home. Not only can residents come by to use the computers and check out movies, books and music, but also connect with others by taking part in a variety of activities and programming. The events calendar is full of opportunities for people of all ages to come learn something new, use their imaginations, and meet others who call Lake Stevens home.

Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to the library on Thursday, February 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th from 10 to 10:30 a.m. for Little Science Lab. This event happens weekly in conjunction with Imagine Children’s Museum and requires advance registration. School aged children can improve their reading skills at Reading with Rover on Saturday, February 9th from 11 a.m. to noon. Reading to a friendly canine can take the pressure off and allow children to gain more confidence. Teens can come to the library for Candy Sushi on Thursday, February 28th from 3 to 4 p.m. Make some new friends while making sushi from candy.

A very special opportunity is coming up for preschoolers through tweens on Friday, February 15th. Twilight Tales from the Pacific Science Center Planetarium will take place throughout the day every half hour beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m. Register in advance for a time slot so that children can come with their caregiver to learn about cultural myths from around the world as they relate to the stars and constellations. This event is a great way to experience the planetarium and will take place at the Lake Stevens Boys and Girls Club.

Adults have some great opportunities to learn some new things too. Healthy Living For Your Brain and Body will take place at the Lake Stevens Educational Service Center on Thursday, February 7th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. All who attend will learn valuable information about making good choices to keep their bodies and brain healthy as they age. Also learn how to better take care of finances at Better Budgeting with BECU. This will take place on Saturday, February 9th from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Lake Stevens Community Center. Find the full calendar with links to register for these events at the Lake Stevens Library. 

All who call Snohomish home are invited to spend a fun afternoon with the entire family at the 14th Annual GroundFrog Day Celebration. It is the battle of the groundhog vs. frog. Who will get the prediction right and which creature will capture more hearts? Can residents of the Pacific Northwest expect a short rest of the winter or will everyone have to get ready for more cold? Come check it out at the Avenue A Gazebo on Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. This is a free event and a great way to bring together residents of Snohomish and the surrounding area.

There will be much to do for the whole family. Kids will be able to participate in a variety of games and create some fun crafts. There will also be music to groove to and plenty of photo opportunities with friends, family members, and Snohomish Slew, the frog. Also be sure to participate in the Lazy River Frog Race. Those in attendance can buy a numbered ticket and then cheer on their frog in the race. All proceeds will support the Snohomish Aquatic Center’s Swim for Life program and prizes will be awarded to the three fastest frogs.

While you are downtown for the festivities, make a day of it and do a little shopping for your Snohomish home, grab a bite to eat, or go for a walk along the beautiful Snohomish River. Pop into Artisans Mercantile, Oopsie Daisy children’s boutique, Tammy’s Boutique, Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse, Cathouse Pizza, Snohomish Pie Company, Mariposa Day Spa, or one of many other shops. Find more information about the GroundFrog Day event. While you’re at the Chamber of Commerce’s site, take a look at the calendar to see what other fun events are coming up in the area.

The 2019 NW Model Hobby Expo is coming to the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, a very versatile Monroe property. The fairgrounds host so many fun and entertaining events throughout the year, including races, shows like the hobby expo, and of course, the Evergreen State Fair. The 2019 NW Model Hobby Expo is lucky to have such a fantastic facility to house all of the competitions and projects. Come on out Saturday, January 26th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Sunday, January 27th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to take a look around this event, which is bigger than it has ever been.

Watch drone racing as well as training and an open indoor drone course. Learn how to get a drone up in the air at your own Monroe property. See who will win the scale model competition, see maker projects, 3D printing, Raspberry Pi and Arduino Projects, rock crawlers, RC trains, and car racing. Be sure to make your way over to the pond that will have RC boats zipping around and do not miss the battle robots. Anyone interested in Radio Control can watch a live demonstration. Many experts will be on site to give beginners advice and point them in the right direction.

There will be special workshops with demonstrations and everyone will get to experience the latest in parts and technology. If all of these gadgets and projects are interesting to you, consider chatting with someone at the expo about joining a club. The more resources the better, especially if new to these hobbies. Also be sure to bring your wallet. There will be some great bargains to grab for your existing projects or to start some new ones. If you have a kid who is always tinkering or interested in how robots, drones, and RC boats work, get them to this show. Read more and plan your day at the Model Hobby Expo.

Anyone living in Snohomish who is looking for a great place for a haircut, styling, or color should check out the Vault Hair Lounge. Each stylist is not only licensed by the state but has also taken an extra six months of specialized training. This enables them to work with each client individually, to help them come up with a cut or color that complements their unique style, bone structure, and coloring. You’ll never get better communication than with a Vault Hair Lounge stylist! In fact, the salon was voted as the best salon in Western Washington in 2018.

Everything from basic hair maintenance to complex coloring to conditioning treatments are available at the Vault. Women’s hair cuts start at $37, and men’s cuts start at $27. Clients can also stop in for a quick trim of their bangs or to get beard maintenance. If you have a special occasion coming up, schedule a consultation with one of the hair artists. Special occasion hair designs start at $64. Highlights are also available, both foils or balayage. Full highlights start at $77, and partial highlights start at $67. Corrective color is also available and require a consultation.

If your hair needs some TLC after the holidays, schedule yourself for one of the conditioning treatments. Clients who are over 21 can relax with a small glass of wine or a beer for treatments that take over an hour. You can get a brow tint, brow shaping, or lip or chin wax, too.

Visit the Vault Hair Lounge online to find the full menu of services offered. You can also book an appointment on the website or by calling 360.243.3803. The salon is located at 1009 First Street. It’s open Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and closed on Sundays. 

Get out of the rain and the monotony of your Monroe home and get your brain working at an event at the Monroe Library. There are many events for all ages going on the end of January. There are regular events like storytimes, Socrates Cafe, Reading with Rover, and much more. Here are a few additional highlights:

Ick-tivity Club will take place on Tuesday, January 22nd from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event is for children ages nine and up. All who attend will have a great time exploring their sense of smell with various games and activities. Play guess that smell, participate in speed of smell races, and play a scent matching game.

Adults can learn new things at the library too by attending Introduction to Microsoft Word on Wednesday, January 23rd from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Learn all about creating documents, modifying them, saving them, and much more at this class. Just be sure to register in advance.

STEAM Storytime will take place on Thursday, January 24th from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. This event is for ages 3-5 with their caregiver. All participants will explore science, engineering, technology, art, and math through books, songs, and lots of fun activities. If you cannot make this date, there will be another one on Thursday, January 31st also from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

All ages are invited to the library for Last Friday Community Games. Meet new friends playing Scrabble, this month’s featured game. There will even be prizes for winners. This event will take place on Friday, January 25th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

While at the library, pick up some books, movies, and music to take back to your Monroe home. Find contact information for the library, links to register for events, a full calendar, and much more.

Lake Stevens property owners looking for ways to eat more healthfully this year should check out Urban Pantry. They offer catering, carry out, and even delivery options. When you or a family member has special dietary needs, it can be really hard to find tasty choices. Urban Pantry has you covered! Their focus on healthy eating has led them to explore ways to bring allergy-friendly options to their menu. Those who need to eat gluten-free or who have other allergy needs can rest assured that Urban Pantry will work with them to create a delicious meal. Those who have found that a vegan, keto, or paleo diet works best for their health can also find tasty options at Urban Pantry. Feel free to come in for lunch or dinner during open hours, which are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Urban Pantry offers a variety of cuisines. There are Italian, American, Mexican, Asian, Indian, barbecue, and Pacific Northwest specialities. If you’re throwing a party on Lake Stevens party, call Urban Pantry to decide on a great menu that will be both delicious and nutritious and safe for all your guests. You can also get party planning services and referrals to photographers, equipment rental, musicians, and much more. They even do weddings!

In addition to dining in and catering, Urban Pantry offers home meals. These are ideal for anyone--from busy professionals to families on the go. Rather than having to subscribe to a service and pay for food you may or may not like, just call up Urban Pantry and make an order.

Visit Urban Pantry to learn more about their menus and find out about daily specials or call 425.374.7060.

Many people living in Monroe have already discovered Highway 2 Fusion Diner. If you have not yet, give it a try. The location may look a little deceiving but it is definitely worth checking out. This restaurant is very well reviewed, clean, offers delicious comfort food, an accommodating kitchen, and an attentive waitstaff. Chefs Octavio Lepe and Justin Bentley are masterful in the kitchen and pump out consistently good food. They are also very friendly and welcoming to all who come into the diner.

Most people come for breakfast food, which is served all day. Try eggs benedict, a monte cristo, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, pancakes, waffles, french toast, huevos rancheros, machaca, or chilaquiles, among many other dishes. There are also a variety of three egg omelettes such as veggie, kielbasa, lumberjack, meat lovers, Denver, and the HWY 2 Ultimate Omelette. Other offerings include soups, salads, seafood, sandwiches, enchiladas, tacos, carnitas, burgers, and fish and chips. Kids also have many choices such as grilled cheese, hamburger, cheeseburger, chicken tenders, or a cheese quesadilla served with a choice of fries or fruit. Wash down your meal with soda, juice, coffee, a smoothie, beer, wine, or a mimosa.

Highway 2 Fusion Diner is located at 19721 US HWY 2, a short drive for anyone living in Monroe. This location also means that owners can utilize fresh ingredients from surrounding farms. All patrons can expect fresh food made with care, a coffee cup that never goes empty, and the ability to make changes to menu items to accommodate allergies and food preferences. Make a reservation online or by calling 360.217.8564. Catering is also available for your next event or meeting. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Read more about Chefs Octavio and Justin, view the full menu, and find contact information about Highway 2 Fusion Diner.

A wide variety of birds fly over Snohomish real estate, with some of the most majestic being bald eagles. Most people across the country do not have the opportunity to see these beautiful birds as often as residents of the Pacific Northwest. Come to learn more about these amazing creatures at Year of the Eagle: A Year in the Lives of Pacific NW Bald Eagles. This event will take place on Saturday, January 19th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Snohomish Library.

Join nature photographer and author Kevin Ebi to hear some amazing stories of a group of resident bald eagles. This is a rare group that stays in the same area of the Pacific Northwest year round. This gives people like Kevin a very unique opportunity to study how these birds develop, learn to fly and hunt, and start their own families. Kevin spent three years at one nesting site doing his best to document the story of these bald eagles in their home environment. He used his extensive photography experience to document everything he could and residents of Snohomish real estate have the awesome chance to hear about his time at the site through his pictures and stories. Kevin’s images have been featured by such publishers as National Geographic, BBC Earth, Smithsonian, and Outdoor Photographer. One of his pictures even appeared on a U.S. postage stamp.

If this event spurs your interest in local birds, head out for the next event of Snohomish Winter Birding, a guided winter birding expedition, on Saturday, January 26th, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event starts at the Snohomish Wildlife Refuge and will continue at a few other sites, to which participants can follow in their own vehicle. The Snohomish Valley is home to more than 80 “wintering” bird species. Expect to see swans, geese, ducks, song birds, and even raptors. Be sure to dress warm and be prepared for muddy conditions. Read more about both of these events and keep an eye out for others at Snohomish Winter Birding.

All who call Lake Stevens home are invited to consider signing up for Community Education Classes through the Lake Stevens School District. The winter schedule is out now, and it features many returning favorite classes as well as several new ones. The new classes include Decorating Basics and Accessorizing Your Home with Patty Goodman, Becoming a Budget Expert with Alicia Sheppard and Wells Fargo Bank, and The Five Components of Life Balance with Monika Kristofferson.

Learn about some practical ways to find a healthy work/life balance in The Five Components of Life Balance. This is an area many of us struggle with and all who come to the class will leave with a solid plan to move forward feeling more balanced. The class will take place on Thursday, January 24th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in ESC Conference Room B and the cost is $20.

Delve into your own decorating style by signing up for Decorating Basics, which will take place on Thursday, January 31st from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in ESC Conference Room A. The class fee is $20 and participants are invited to bring pictures of rooms in their Lake Stevens home they would like a little help in decorating to discuss with the instructor and other participants.

Keep with the decorating theme and come to Accessorizing Your Home on Thursday, February 21st from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in ESC Conference Room A. Learn how to give your home personality by using accessories. The class fee is $20 and all will walk away with some great ideas.

The last new class offering, Becoming a Budget Expert, is free of charge and will provide tools and resources to become a pro at saving and budgeting. Walk away with the ability to build a personalized plan for your finances. Choose from a session on Tuesday, January 29th or Thursday, March 21st from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in ESC Conference Room B. Call 425.335.1500 to be added to the roster.

Read more about all of these classes as well as other offerings and register for Lake Stevens Community Education.

Christmas is over, and many crafters living in Snohomish got cash gifts for new supplies. Other knitters and crocheters are finally done with creating gifts for others and have plans for new projects for themselves. And then there are the people who want to try a new craft. Every crafter is welcome at Country Yarns. The shop is on holiday break until Thursday, the 27th, when it will be open for regular hours again. On Thursdays, the shop is open from 1 to 8:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday it’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Country Yarns has a regular schedule of classes and gatherings. Come in on Thursdays at 6 p.m. for the Yarn Divas! Group. Bring your latest project and meet up with friends while everyone works on their knitting or crocheting. You can also purchase supplies in the shop. On Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m., the Knotty Knitters Group meets. It’s open to both knitters and crocheters. The cost to participate is $5 and includes help with your project from shop employees. To reserve your spot for any class, call 360.568.7611 or email info@countryyarns.net.

Country Yarns has everything that fiber artists living in Snohomish might need. The owner, Teresa Wilson, developed her own line of richly colored yarns, made from blends of wool, silk, and Tencel. The line is called Artistry, and it’s exclusively available at Country Yarns. The shop also carries a variety of other beautiful yarns, including Brown Sheep, Fiesta, and Wonderland Yarns. There’s also a great variety of quality tools, including yarn bowls and bags to organize hooks and needles. Find a delightful selection of books, with techniques and patterns. There are also many lovely hand-crafted buttons, including those of DragonHouse Designs.

Plan your visit to Country Yarns today!