Libraries
Kent Public Library: 212 2nd Avenue N., Kent. 253-859-3330. Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; 1-5 p.m., Sunday. Library events include:
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn: 10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. April 5, 12, 19 and 26. Newborn to age 5 with caregiver. Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing. Play & Learn is in English, and the facilitator is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Arabic Story Times: 3:30 p.m. April 6, 13, 20 and 27. Ages 2 and older with adult. Stories, songs and fun.
Preschool Discovery Lab: 2 p.m. April 16, 23, 30. Ages 2 to 5 with adult. Explore school readiness activities led by a KidsQuest Educator. Learn playful ways to engage with math, scientific thinking, literacy skills and more. Each week, explore new topics and learning opportunities. Space is limited; please register children only.
Family Pajama Story Time: 6:30 p.m. April 16, 23, 30. Family program, all ages welcome with adult. Stories, songs and fun,
Toddler Story Times: 10:15 a.m. April 17 and 24. Ages 2 to 3 with adult. Stories, songs and fun.
Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m. April 17 and 24. Ages 3 to 6 with adult. Stories, songs and fun,
Infant and Young Toddler Story Times: 10:30 a.m. April 4, 18 and 25. Ages newborn to 2 with adult. Stories, songs and fun. Social time follows.
Movie of the Month: 4 p.m. April 19, “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie” (2017). All ages welcome, ages 8 and younger with adult.
Construction Zone, Story and Play Time: 10:30 a.m. April 27. Family program, ages 8 and younger with adult. Enjoy a story or two, followed by time for building Lego masterpieces. Build big or small with bricks, straws and connectors, and other construction sets. All materials provided.
TWEENS & TEENS
Between Time: 2 p.m. April 10, 17 and 24. Ages 9 to 19. Drop in between school and home to meet friends, play games, discover new books and music, study or try different craft or tech activities each session.
Study Zone: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sundays; 3:30-5:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Grades K-12. Drop in for homework assistance from trained volunteer tutors.
Sculpting on the Road: 3 p.m. April 24. Presented by KidsQuest Children’s Museum. Ages 8 and older. Using artist tools, clay and glazes, learn the essential methods of making ceramics. Please register.
Community Drum Circle: 2 p.m. April 28. Presented by Johannes Quilitz of Drum Life. All ages welcome. Imagine a diverse group of people listening to professional instruction while drumming together on hand-crafted instruments.
ADULTS
Job Readiness: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays; 3-4 p.m. Thursdays. Applying for a job? Get one-on-one help starting a job search or resume, or navigating the job application process. Registration required, 253-859-3330.
Small Business Coaching: 10 a.m.-2 p.m April 9 and 30. Are you thinking of starting a business? Or have a business but want it to grow? Are you facing a business puzzle you’d like help with? Join a counselor from Business Impact NW for free small business coaching. Please register online at calendly.com/kerriec/desmoines.
Kent Repair Café: 3-6 p.m. April 9. Don’t toss your broken lamp, pair of ripped jeans or busted chair. Bring them to the free Repair Cafe. Skilled “fixers” will try to help you repair your damaged household items to keep them out of the landfill and save you money. To sign up or if you have questions, contact Tom Watson, tom.watson@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-4481.
After Lunch Book Club: 1 p.m. April 10. “The Rosie Project” by Graeme Simsion.
Coordinated Entry for All, Housing Resources: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 18. Coordinated Entry for All (CEA) ensures that people experiencing homelessness in King County can get help finding stable housing by identifying, evaluating, and connecting them to housing support services and resources. Take the first step and drop in to meet with an assessor. Questions? Call the Multi-Service Center, 253-838-6810.
Bookmarks and Landmarks: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 13. “Slick as a Mitten,” Ezra Meeker and Downtown Kent, at Kent Historical Museum, 855 E. Smith St. Read the book and then visit the historic site for a program including guest speakers, special tours and librarian-led book discussions. Following the book talk, come on a walking tour of historical downtown Kent, where you’ll see several buildings constructed with funds gained during the Klondike Gold Rush. Wear good walking shoes and come dressed for the weather. Registration required.
Introduction to Pastels: 2 p.m. April 14. During this hands-on workshop, learn how to use pastels to draw a simple still life inspired by the colors of spring flowers. All supplies provided. Registration required.
NW Small Business Toolkit Series: 2-3:30 p.m. April 16, 23, 30. Presented by Henry Wong, Business Impact NW. The Toolkit series covers essentials for small business owners looking to maximize their success with topics ranging from writing your business plan to conquering social media. Please register.
Always On, How to Turn Up the Volume on Everyday Communication: 7 p.m. April 18. Drawing from philosophy and psychology, actor and public speaking consultant Monica Viharo explores the roles we play in our lives – and shows how to communicate confidently in all situations. This discussion also introduces exercises for combating performance anxiety and being a confident public speaker.
Coordinated Entry for All, Housing Resources: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 18. Coordinated Entry for All (CEA) ensures that people experiencing homelessness in King County can get help finding stable housing by identifying, evaluating, and connecting them to housing support services and resources. Take the first step and drop in to meet with an assessor. Questions? Call the Multi-Service Center, 253-838-6810.
STARS Workshop, BrainDance – Movement Matters in Early Childhood: 12:30 p.m. April 27. Presented by Terry Goetz. Adults only. Learn about the important connections that movement, touch, and bonding have on the developing brains of infants and young children, and how to create an environment in which infants and young children can move with ease to become lifetime learners. Provides two hours in Child Growth and Development. Wear comfortable clothes for moving and stretching. Space is limited.
Computer Classes: Registration required. • One-on-One Computer Help: 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays. • Microsoft Excel Level 1, 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 18. • Microsoft Excel Level 2, 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 25.
Kent Panther Lake Library: 20514 108th Ave. SE, Kent. 253-854-0211. Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; closed, Sunday. Library events include:
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Infant & Young Toddler Story Times: 10 a.m. April 9, 16, 23 and 30. Newborn to age 2 with adult. Stories, songs and fun. Playtime follows.
Toddler Story Times: 11 a.m. April 9, 16, 23 and 30. Ages 2 to 4 with adult. Stories, songs and fun. Playtime follows.
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn-Spanish: 10:30 a.m. April 10, 17 and 24. Newborn to age 5 with caregiver. Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing. Play & Learn is in English, and the facilitator is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Lego Block Party: 3 p.m. April 12. Family program, all ages welcome with adult. The library provides the Lego bricks, you provide the fun. Build, create and share your masterpiece with fellow builders.
Make Your Own Drum Craft Workshop: 3:30 p.m. April 19. Ages 10 to adult. Presented by Johannes Quilitz, Drum Life. Take your love of music and building to the next level by transforming a raw wooden shell into a piece of playable art to create your own West African inspired Ashiko drum. Registration required online or call the library, 253-854-0211.
TWEENS & TEENS
Painting with Acrylics and Super Heroes: 3 p.m. April 9. Ages 9 to 18. Come and try out your painting skills. You will learn how to mix colors and create a simple backdrop where you can superimpose a cut-out of your favorite super hero.
Teen Zone: 3:30 p.m. Thursdays beginning April 11. Grades 6-12. Hang out, play video games, play board games and eat snacks. Snacks provided by the Friends of the Kent Library.
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