The Monroe Library offers many great classes and programs every week to those who call Monroe home. Here is a look at a few opportunities coming up to connect with others at events at the library.

English as a Second Language (ESL)/English Language Acquisition (ELA) will take place on Saturday, May 19th from 10 a.m. until noon in the Monroe Meeting Room. This event is facilitated by trained volunteers and provides a space to practice English speaking skills and meet new friends.

Socrates Cafe will take place on Saturday, May 19th from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Monroe Meeting Room. Adults are invited to come engage with others to further our understanding of human nature. A facilitator will steer the conversation, and the goal is to become more empathetic and learn to make inquiries in a more critical and creative way. This version of the Socratic Method that is used at this event is based on the work of Christopher Phillips, founder of Socrates Cafe. Visit philosopher.org or look on YouTube for examples of what goes on. 

Little Science Lab will take place on Monday, May 21st from 10:30 until 11 a.m. in the Monroe Meeting Room. This event happens every week in partnership with Imagine Children’s Museum. Preschool-age children will learn more about the world around them by exploring topics such as science, engineering, math, and technology.

Ready Readers: Baby and Me Storytime will take place on Tuesday, May 22nd from 10:30 until 11:15 a.m. in the Monroe Meeting Room. Caregivers and babies ages 0-18 months are invited to hear stories and rhymes and participate in activities that instill an early love of learning. Stick around for playtime and connect with other babies and their caregivers.

Teen Gaming: Card Games and Board Games will take place on Tuesday, May 22nd from 3:30 until 5 p.m. in the Monroe Meeting Room. Teens and tweens are invited to come play games and make connections.

Before or after coming for any of these, grab some books, movies, and music to take back to your Monroe home. Check out the Monroe Library calendar to find more details about these and other upcoming events. 

Everyone living in Lake Stevens is invited to a free networking event at Business After Hours Networking that will be hosted by the Lake Stevens Brewing Company. The event itself begins at 5 p.m. on May 16th and will last until 6:30 so that guests have a chance to mingle and network with as many people as possible. These evening reception gatherings are a wonderful way to get to meet many professionals in the local area in a relaxed and fun environment. Those who attend are encouraged to bring their business cards along with them.Trading business cards allows people to be able to easily stay in touch no matter how busy their schedules are, so make sure you card has all your current and up-to-date contact information. Everyone should expect to make new contacts while enhancing their current business relationships.

Professionals living in Lake Stevens can greatly benefit from strengthening their ties within the local community. The Business After Hours Networking Events in the area provide the perfect place for this to happen. Their events draw professionals from a wide variety of career backgrounds. People with careers in everything from the hospitality and tourism industries to business services and marketing can be found at these fun and relaxing evenings. There are always professionals from a wide variety of job levels in attendance as well. Managers, directors, and coordinators rub elbows with those just beginning their careers as well as many entrepreneurs. The evenings are always fun and people frequently make contacts with others they can partner with and organizations they can join.

All the venues that Business After Hours Networking chooses for its events are right in the local Lake Stevens area. The Lake Stevens Brewing Company is $1 off pints to everyone who attends the event on the 16th, and those who are planning to come are encouraged to RSVP at 425-334-0433. Guests will be able to enjoy its historic downtown location along with a good beer and plenty of great company. Come enjoy making connections with other local professionals and see what networking can do for you! 

Historic Downtown Snohomish properties will be offering their unique atmosphere to visitors for the Sunsets in Snohomish Wine Walk events this summer. Once a month from June through September guests will be able to visit a variety of downtown shops as they each feature a different wine. Beginning at 4 p.m. and lasting until 8 p.m., on June 9th, July 14th, August 11th, and September 8th, the shop doors will be open and anyone with a ticket will be able to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience. The tickets themselves are already on sale for the June 9th date, and those who are interested are encouraged to buy them early. They sell out quickly!

As they shop, visitors will be able to stroll down the 150 year old streets of these Snohomish properties, and take in the beautiful architecture of bygone days. Participating shops will each feature a different winery with their own delicious regional wines. For the 9th of June event, Tried and True Boutique will be hosting wine from the Long Cellars winery. Maple + Moss Boutique will be hosting Adrice Wines, while Looking Glass Coffee will host Finn Hill Winery. At Jehan’s guests will find J & A’s Winery, and ANIMALE wine will be found at HC Home. DeLille Cellars will be hosted at Artisans Mercantile, and the Armstrong Family Winery will be at the Arts of Snohomish Gallery. Finally, the Chic BOATique will be hosting the Kasia Winery. Each of these shops will lend their unique space to this event and all the proceeds will support the revitalization and beautification of Snohomish’s historic downtown.

The Sunsets in Snohomish Wine Walk is a “bring-your-own-glass” event for people 21 years old and over. Guests can opt to buy their very own commemorative wine glass for $10. Bring it for each of the Wine Walk events this summer. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door if they haven’t sold out. Your printed PayPal receipt is your ticket. Be sure to bring it to the check in location for the event at John L. Scott, 1001 First Street. Every ticket includes 8 tastes and a $10 voucher toward a wine purchase. Early bird check-in will last from 2 to 3 p.m. and the regular check in period will begin at 3:30 p.m., with the wine tasting itself kicking off at 4 p.m. As a special gift of appreciation, everyone who buys two or more bottles of wine will receive a free wine tote.

To learn more about the Wine Walk and more upcoming events, visit Historic Downtown Snohomish. 

Search for beautiful plants to adorn the outside of your Monroe real estate at the Spring Bazaar and Plant Sale hosted by the Monroe Community Senior Center. This event will take place on Saturday, May 12th, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the senior center located at 276 Sky River Parkway. This is a wonderful way to support local vendors and it is the perfect day to grab some gifts for mom since Mother’s Day is the next day. The Monroe Garden Club will be outside selling plants, lunch will be available to buy, and there will also be door prizes available. In addition to the plants for sale, there will be many crafts, food items, and other treasures that would be perfect for graduation gifts, upcoming birthdays, or to just treat yourself.

The Monroe Garden Club hopes that events like this instill a love of gardening in the community. Chat with members of the club at the event and get answers to questions you may have as you work in your yard during the spring. Also ask them about membership in the Monroe Garden Club. Who knows what the outside of your Monroe real estate could look like if you attended garden club meetings. This plant sale serves as the largest fundraiser for the organization every year. Money will go toward funding a horticulture scholarship and also to help beautify downtown Monroe. Also watch for club members at the Horticulture Department at the Evergreen Fair later in the year. Other benefits of joining the garden club are to meet people with similar interests, going on field trips, enjoying holiday parties, and taking part in interesting talks and classes. Members have recently learned more about herbs, lilies, and how to photograph their gardens. The summer is often full of field trips and also includes the annual picnic.

Get more details about the Spring Bazaar and Plant Sale as well as the Monroe Garden Club.  

Bring fresh fruits and vegetables back to your Snohomish home every Thursday from May through September thanks to the Snohomish Farmers Market. Come out to the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Pearl Street for opening day on Thursday, May 3rd, 2018 from 3 to 7 p.m. Then, come back every Thursday after that through the whole summer. Not only do you get amazing food, but this is also an excellent opportunity to support local farmers, artists, crafters, and artisans as well.

Explore all of the tasty things that the state of Washington has to offer. Bite into juicy berries, apples, cherries, and other fruits and vegetables from hard working farmers and ranchers. Also find other items like coffee, ice cream, honey, jams and jellies, grass-fed beef, and many others. Munch on snacks like kettle corn as you peruse the market and also take the night off from cooking dinner by getting something for dinner at the market. Cheeseburgers, hot dogs, sushi, and many other prepared foods will be available.

In addition to food items, there will also be vendors on site with items that would look great in your Snohomish home or to give as a gift. Find paintings, metal, wood, and glass art, potted plants, lovely hanging baskets, soap, jewelry, and a variety of other hand crafted items. There are many talented people who live in this area. Listen to live music while looking at all of the vendor booths and be sure to bring the kids along as there will be many activities and opportunities to learn about farming and produce at the market.

Any farmers or vendors who would like to be a part of this market can submit an application, which will be considered by the Board of Directors and Manager. This process ensures that only top quality vendors who have desirable objects for the public are present at the market. Find the vendor application as well as more details about the Snohomish Farmers Market. 

Earth Day was earlier this week, and one of the ways you can carry the message of care for the planet into your daily life is to start a garden. Anyone living in Snohomish who would like to know more about how to grow a garden should check out the Snohomish Garden Club. The club meets on the second Monday of every month from September through May, except December. Meetings are held at the Snohomish Senior Center, 506 4th Street, from 7 to 9 p.m. All meetings include refreshments and speakers who address a wide variety of topics on gardening matters. The club is responsible for planting and taking care of the hanging planters in downtown Snohomish. Club membership is just $25 annually or $30 for a couple. Membership includes many great benefits, garden tours, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. It’s a great way for people new to the area to meet new friends.

The Snohomish Garden Club hosts several events throughout the year. This Saturday, April 28th, the club will host its annual plant sale. Head to the Farm at Swan’s Trail, 7301 Riverside Road in Snohomish. The sale begins at 9 a.m. and goes until noon. There will a huge variety of plants for sale, from perennials to annuals to shrubs. Get herbs, veggie starters, trees, native plants, and ground covers. Everything you need to begin a kitchen garden or create a formal flower garden will be at the sale. You can even buy gently used gardening tools. Meet fellow gardening enthusiasts living in Snohomish and nearby. Beginners will find many people happy to answer questions and advise on the best plants for their projects. The sale lasts until 1 p.m. However, many people find that it’s wise to arrive early to find the best selection.

Visit the Snohomish Garden Club to get more details about the club’s activities and find information on how to join. 

We hear a lot about locally sourced food these days, as well as farmers markets and farm to table restaurants. Many people don’t think about the local food movement when it comes to the cocktails and spirits. The people behind Skip Rock Distillers, however, are dedicated both to producing fine spirits and using the finest local ingredients grown on or near Snohomish real estate to do it. Skip Rock has an impressive line of award-winning whiskeys, vodkas, rums, liqueurs, and gin. Each is produced in small batches with exquisite attention to detail and collaboration with farmers.

If you’re planning a day exploring downtown Snohomish real estate, be sure to leave time to drop by Skip Rock Distillers. The tasting room is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come prepared to taste a selection of really amazing spirits. You’ll be able to purchase bottles of your favorites to take home for your next party or to just enjoy while relaxing in the evenings. If you’re unsure of the best way to enjoy Skip Rock’s offerings, just ask! The staff are passionate about helping people learn how to mix great cocktails, as well as showing them which drinks should be enjoyed neat or over ice.

Anyone looking for a unique venue for a meeting or party should contact Skip Rock. They offer the distillery to rent. The events coordinator will help to make your event a success.

In addition to the tasting room, Skip Rock Distillers has a fully-stocked online shop. You can also find suggestions for cocktails, using rum, vodka, whiskey, or gin. Follow Skip Rock on Facebook to find more cocktails, both classics and modern experiments. You’ll also be able to keep up with the release of new batches and get information about how each is brewed.  

The Reptile Zoo was founded by Scott Petersen in 1996 with the hope that it would further his mission to “help others appreciate more fully the beauties and mysteries” of the natural world. On its Monroe real estate visitors have the unique opportunity to come face to face with reptiles from all over the globe. With the most extensive and varied collection of reptiles in the entire Pacific Northwest, the Zoo allows the public to get up close and personal with these amazing animals in a way that would otherwise be impossible. Some of their most popular attractions are the two headed turtle and an albino alligator, but there are plenty of animals to see from lizards to snakes of every shape and size! The friendly and knowledgeable zookeepers are always there to greet people as they arrive. They are available to answer any questions guests might have as well.

Scott Petersen has come to be known as the Reptile Man because of his 20 years of performing reptile presentations at schools and other places throughout the state. Over 800 schools have seen his presentations, and he has also brought his reptile performances to all sorts of gatherings, from festivals to corporate parties and other events. Scott’s desire to “inspire a reconnection with the natural world” has led him to be featured on PBS’s Biz Kids, as well as Disney’s Bill Nye the Science Guy show. Over the years he has come a long way from his beginnings as a humble teacher of high school biology as he has shared his love of the wonders of the world with his ever widening audiences. Now he has created a family legacy as many of his children are helping him realize his dream of “becoming a force for good in promoting conservation and sustainability.” The Zoo’s hope is that generations that follow after us will also be able to experience and enjoy nature to its fullest.

The Reptile Zoo is open every day from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Infants 2 years old and under are always free, while tickets for 3 to 4 year olds are $6 every day of the week except Sunday. Sundays these little ones can get in for only $3.95, and children from 5 to 17 years old only pay $4.95. The rest of the week the older children’s tickets cost $7.50, and an adult admission will cost $9.95. Sundays Monroe real estate owners are able to visit for only $6.95. Admission for everyone includes the well-loved tortoise petting experience. From Monday through Saturday visitors also have the opportunity to participate in the “close encounters” experience. Whenever guests visit, they should “be prepared to have fun and enjoy quality time with these magnificent creatures!”

Visit the Reptile Zoo to learn more, or call 360-805-5300.

There are tons of great businesses and community organizations around Lake Stevens homes. One of the best ways to get to find out about them is to attend the Annual Discover Lake Stevens Expo. The event is put on by the Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce. Business owners still have time to register for a space. Registration closes today, Monday April 16th. Booths are 8 by 8 feet in size. No tables or electricity are provided.

Discover Lake Stevens will be held on Saturday, April 21st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone living in Lake Stevens homes is invited to attend. Head to Cavalero Mid High School, 8220 24th Street Southeast. More than 60 local vendors will be at the expo. Meet the owners of restaurants, boutiques, and service providers. You’ll find many new places where you’ll love shopping close to home.

In addition to the vendors, you can meet Lake Stevens police officers and fire fighters. Kids who are into big vehicles will get a kick out of the touch-a-truck exhibit. The expo is also an ideal time to get to know the local volunteer and community organizations. Talk with local representatives and find a group you can work with.

Everyone in attendance will be able to join in the fun. There will be a family-friendly celebration of Earth Day. Enjoy a great barbecue lunch. Kids will enjoy outdoor games. All attendees can enter to win great prizes. Those who go in for sports will love the kayaks, paddle boards, bikes, and barbecue grills that are offered.

Admission to the Discover Lake Stevens Expo is free. There will be free parking as well. To get more information, follow the Discover Lake Stevens Facebook page. Find information to register for a booth at the Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce. 

This spring and summer there are a wide variety of learning and recreational options for people living on Lake Stevens properties. The entire community is welcome to participate in the wealth of programs offered through the community education classes provided by the Lake Stevens School District. Adult fitness options include both basketball and volleyball opportunities beginning this spring. For instance, the Over 18 Co-Ed Adult Basketball class with Micah Stevens begins on April 26th and lasts until June 14th. For a $25 fee, participants will have a full workout while playing basketball at the LSMS Main Gym on Thursdays from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The maximum class size will be 25 people. Drop-ins are not allowed, so pre-register as soon as possible.

Volleyball enthusiasts will want to join in the fun of the Non-Competitive Co-Ed Adult Volleyball class with Kristie Carl. Every skill level is welcome, and the teams will be switched up every three games so things stay fun and interesting! For the same $25 fee, players will meet on Tuesdays from April 10th through June 19th in the NLMS Gym from 7 to 9 p.m. Drop-ins will be welcome for a $5 fee. There will be no class on the 29th of May.

People who are looking to beautify their Lake Stevens properties have a variety of gardening classes to choose from this spring and summer as well. On Saturday the 5th of May, those interested in learning the art and science of raised-bed gardening are encouraged to join the Building Raised Beds class with Terry Myer. For just the $25 class fee, participants will be provided with a garden starter kit that includes the seeds, pots, and necessary compost. They will learn all about the different building steps, strategies, and proper materials for raised-bed gardening. Attendees need to bring a pair of good gardening gloves. They will go home with a simple raised garden bed they built themselves. The class will meet at the Lake Stevens Visitors and Information Center from noon to 2 p.m. There will be a tour of the Eagle Ridge Community Garden available afterwards.

The Tower Gardening class with Kathleen Wood will provide another gardening option for those who are interested in growing plants with limited spaces. For a $15 fee, participants will learn the benefits of tower gardening and how to grow over 20 plants in a small space all year round. They will leave with a better understanding of aeroponics as a way to grow fresh food for their families. This class will meet on Wednesday the 6th of June from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in ESC Conference Room B.

With everything from K-9 Manners classes, to Enhancing Photography Skills and Chalkboard Art classes, there’s something for everyone in the offerings this spring and summer. To learn more, call the district office at 425-335-1500 or visit Community Education to register.