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
Infant and Young Toddler Story Times: 10:30 a.m. April 5, 19 and 26. Ages newborn to 2 1/2 with adult. Stories, songs and fun. Social Time with balls, blocks and bubbles takes place right after Story Time.
Family Pajama Story Time: 6:30 p.m. April 3, 17 and 24. Family program, all ages welcome with adult. Stories, songs and fun,
Toddler Story Times: 10:15 a.m. April 4, 18 and 25. Ages 2 to 3 with adult. Stories, songs and fun.
Sculpting on the Road, Push Plates: 4 p.m. April 5. Presented by KidsQuest Children’s Museum. Ages 5 to 14, ages 8 and younger with adult. Mold a beautiful dish using a block of foam and wood tool. Then, use hand sculpting and surface printing methods to make your dish one-of-a-kind. The result is perfect for displaying or filling with trinkets. Please register children.
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn: 10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. March 30; April 6, 13, 20 and 27. 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.
Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m. April 4, 18 and 25. Ages 3 to 6 with adult. Stories, songs and fun,
Arabic Story Times: 3:30 p.m. March 31; April 7, 14, 21 and 28. Ages 2 and older with adult. Stories, songs and fun.
Pretzels & Puzzles: 2 p.m. April 10. Ages 4 to 18, ages 8 and younger with adult. Please pass the pretzels! Pop in with your pals for a pleasant afternoon spent puzzling over a plethora of puzzles for young and old. Pretzels, brain teasers and jigsaw puzzles provided. Prepare to be perplexed!
Coloring & Cookies: 3 p.m. April 12. Ages 4 to 18, ages 8 and younger with adult. Come to the library, choose your favorite page (or ten) to color, eat cookies and enjoy.
Construction Zone: 10:30 a.m. April 14. Family program, ages 8 and younger with adult. Build big or small with LEGO and DUPLO bricks, straws and connectors, and other construction sets. Bring your friends and create around a theme, or build what you like. All building materials provided.
Sculpting on the Road, Hanging Pots: 4 p.m. April 19. Presented by KidsQuest Children’s Museum. Ages 5 to 14, ages 8 and younger with adult. Transform clay slabs into hanging pots! Create decorative textures by stamping other materials on your clay creation. This workshop explores the use of clay slip, as well as, natural materials. Please register children.
Kid Movie of the Month: 4 p.m. April 27. “WALL-E”.. All ages welcome, ages 8 and younger with adult.
TEENS
Between Time: 2 p.m. April 4, 11, 18 and 25. 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 p.m. Sundays; 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. When school is in session. Drop in for homework assistance from trained volunteer tutors.
Poetry Rocks! Rock Painting Workshop!: 2 p.m. April 11. Middle and high school ages. Make your poetry rock, or paint any lively design you like. Inspiration, painting supplies, how-to’s and poems are provided. Rocks for painting will be available, but limited – feel free to bring your own rock.
Poetry Awakens – Unlock Your Inner Poet Workshop: 3 p.m. April 18. Presented by Kiana Davis, author of Digging for Roots and From These Roots. Middle and high school ages. Join us as this author shares her poetry and stories of how writing helped her overcome the barriers she faced growing up in poverty. Learn to use poetry prompts with themes of identity, gender norms, equity and social justice to reveal the power of your story.
Teens & Friends Poetry Coffee House and Open Mic: 3 p.m. April 20. Middle and high school ages. Teens, invite your friends and family! Come for open mic poetry and short prose readings. Read your own work, a favorite piece or the work of a friend. Coffee, treats and a welcoming atmosphere provided.
Bag It! Let’s Talk About Plastic: 12:30 p.m. April 28. Middle and high school ages. Is your life too plastic? Watch the documentary film Bag-It about one man’s journey to lead a plastic bag free life. Learn about plastic pollution and what you can do about it. Film and discussion presented in partnership with Plastic Ain’t Our Bag in South King County, Zero Waste Washington and Kent School District Environmental Action Club students. Bring an old T-shirt for a tee to tote up-cycling demonstration.
ADULTS
Growing Up Wise: 7 p.m. April 10. Presented by Andie Lyons, MTS, Health Educator, Family Planning, Public Health – Seattle & King County. Start building the foundations of healthy relationships and values about sexual health when children are young. This one-hour workshop will focus on the skills parents of young children (ages 2 to 8) need to answer questions and have conversations that are age-appropriate, honest and engaging to begin the process of building healthy sexuality. Adults only, please.
After Lunch Book Club: 1 p.m. April 11. “Songs of Willow Frost” by Jamie Ford. New members are always welcome.
Friends of the Kent Library Meeting: 1 p.m. April 12
Congressman Adam Smith, Constituent Services Community Outreach: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 17. Staff members will be available to answer questions about federal agencies.
WorkSource at the Kent Library: 12:30 p.m. April 18. Get personalized help with your job hunt or with your business, meet with a WorkSource representative today.
Spring Diversity & Inclusion Career Fair: 10:30 a.m. April 24. A multicultural employment & resource event. Learn about jobs and career opportunities. Bring resumes to share with employers and be prepared to complete an application (online application may be required). Space is limited. Register at eventbrite.com
Colors of the West: Watercolor Sketching: 2 p.m. April 29. Drawing from her most recent book, Colors of the West: An Artist’s Guide to Nature’s Palette, author and artist Molly Hashimoto will teach you fun techniques for painting iconic landscapes, flora and fauna of the American west. Registration required.
Job Readiness: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesdays; 3-4 p.m. Thursdays. We can help you get a free email account, start a resume, start an online job search, or navigate the job application process. We do not evaluate resumes. Register online or call 253-859-3330.
English as a Second Language Classes: 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. No class on Feb. 19. Registration required. Please contact the library for details, 253-859-3330.
Talk Time Classes: 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Citizenship Classes: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Computer Classes: Registration required except for One-on-One Help. • One-on-One Computer Help, 5-7 p.m., Mondays and Tuesdays. • Microsoft Excel Level 1, 7 p.m. April 5; • Microsoft Excel Level 2, 7 p.m. April 19; • Microsoft Excel Level 1, 7 p.m. April 26
EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT IT
Made in Puget Sound, The Underwater Photography of Drew Collins: 2 p.m. April 22. Through still photography and videography, Drew will introduce you to the spectacular color and diverse life and creatures that abound in local waters. From the Giant Pacific Octopus, to Wolf Eels, to tiny Sculpins and many others, Drew’s award winning, internationally published images will impress and engage you.
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