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. May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. 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. May 4, 11 and 18. Ages 2 and older with adult. Stories, songs and fun.
Preschool Discovery Lab: 2 p.m. May 7, 14 and 21. 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. May 7 and 14. Family program, all ages welcome with adult. Stories, songs and fun,
Toddler Story Times: 10:15 a.m. May 1, 8 and 15. Ages 2 to 3 with adult. Stories, songs and fun.
Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m. May 1, 8 and 15. Ages 3 to 6 with adult. Stories, songs and fun,
Infant and Young Toddler Story Times: 10:30 a.m. May 2, 9 and 16. Ages newborn to 2 with adult. Stories, songs and fun. Social time follows.
Movie of the Month: 4 p.m. May 17, “The Secret Life of Pets” (2016). All ages welcome, ages 8 and younger with adult. Rated PG; 90 minutes.
TWEENS & TEENS
Between Time: 2 p.m. May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. 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. No Study Zone on May 27. Grades K-12. Drop in for homework assistance from trained volunteer tutors.
Sculpting on the Road: 3 p.m. May 22. 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.
ADULTS
How to Taste with Author and Chef Becky Selengut: 2 p.m. May 5. Discover the underlying principles of taste and take a deep dive into salt, acid, bitter, sweet, fat aromatics, texture and more. Learn how temperature, color, alcohol and more impact the enjoyment of homemade dishes. Becky will lead us through a few taste experiments and take you through the breakdown of the current science on taste.
After Lunch Book Club: 1 p.m. May 8. “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn.
Small Business Coaching: 10 a.m.-2 p.m May 14 and 28. With Kerrie Carbary, project manager at Business Impact NW. 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 Carbary for free small business coaching. Please register online at calendly.com/kerriec/desmoines.
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.
Coordinated Entry for All, Housing Resources: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 16. 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.
STG’s Broadway at Kent Dance Workshop, “Wicked”: 2 p.m. May 19. With dancer and choreographer Nikki Long. All ages 14 and older welcome. Dance experience not required. Join us for a dance class inspired by the beloved Broadway sensation, “Wicked,” playing June 12-July 7 at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre. Long was an original cast member and dance captain for Aladdin, a cast member of “The Lion King,” “Spamalo”t and a Radio City Rockette in New York City. Please register. Due to the physical nature of this class, participants must sign a waiver in order to participate. Anyone under the age of 17 must have a parent or guardian’s signature.
Computer Classes: Registration required. • One-on-One Computer Help: 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays (no program May 27); 2 p.m. Saturdays. • Microsoft Excel Level 1, 7-9 p.m. May 2. • Microsoft Excel Level 2, 7-9 p.m. May 9. • Microsoft PowerPoint Level 1, 7-9 p.m. May 16, • Microsoft Excel Level 1, 7-9 p.m. May 23.
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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. May 7, 14, 21 and 28. Newborn to age 2 with adult. Stories, songs and fun. Playtime follows.
Toddler Story Times: 11 a.m. May 7, 14, 21 and 28. Ages 2 to 4 with adult. Stories, songs and fun. Playtime follows.
Kaleidoscope Play & Learn-Spanish: 10:30 a.m. May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. 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. May 17. 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.
Light Up Mother’s Day Cards: 3:30 p.m. May 10. Ages 8 and older. Create your own paper circuit Mother’s Day Card. We will create a simple circuit using conductive copper tape, light emitting diodes (LED) and a coin battery to create fun light up creations! Each participate will create one light up Mother’s Day Card to take home. Limited to 17 participants, first come, first serve.
TWEENS & TEENS
Teen Zone: 3:30 p.m. May 9, 16, 23 and 30. No Teen Zone on May 2. Grades 6-12. Hang out, play video games, play board games and eat snacks. Snacks provided by the Friends of the Kent Library.
Study Zone: 3:30-5:30 p.m. May 6, 13 and 20. Grades K-12. Drop in for free homework help from trained volunteer tutors.
SAT Practice Test: noon, May 18. Presented by Danae Bianes, C2 Education Issaquah (c2educate.com). High school ages. Studies show that practicing test-taking skills can improve confidence and even overall results. Use your mock exam scores to identify sections you should work on before taking the real SAT. Bring a graphing calculator and two No. 2 pencils. Registration required online or call 253-854-0211.
ADULTS
STARS Workshop, All About Sensory Play: 6 p.m. May 16. Presented by Linda Crisalli. Sensory play, using the five senses, can calm, focus and engage children in cooperative activities while supporting meaningful learning and positive behavior. This workshop includes many ideas and recipes for creating sensory experiences in the preschool classroom. Provides two STARS training credit hours in Child Growth and Development.
River Rock Art: 6:30 p.m. May 22. Designed and facilitated by Silver Kite Community Arts, LLC (silverkite.us). During this hands-on workshop, explore different ways to design and create miniature artworks on river rocks. All supplies provided. Registration required.
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