Choose Monroe Summer 2024

31

Directory

Published By:

Colibri Northwest P.O. Box 13130

Des Moines, WA 98198 www.ColibriNW.com (206) 284-8285

Peter Philips, Publisher peter@colibrinw.com

Advertising Sales: Katie Higgins (206) 914-4248 katie@colibrinw.com

Writer:

Adam Worcester

Photographer:

Sterling Hammer Photography

Ixtapa Restaurant Owners Mateo and Baudelia Barajas

from the mayor

Dear Monroe Residents and Visitors,

As Mayor of the City of Monroe, I am pleased to welcome you to our city. Located at the foot of the Cascade Mountains in the stunning Skykomish River Valley, the City of Monroe has the best of urban amenities with convenient access to outdoor recreation. Our vision is to create a community where people feel connected, where our downtown and business districts are thriving, and where there are a variety of choices for shopping, dining, events and activities. This issue of Choose Monroe highlights new parks, outdoor dining options, businesses, and rainyday activities.

I encourage you to read through this issue of Choose Monroe to get inspired and explore all that Monroe has to offer.

Warm regards,

Mayor of Monroe

In 2025, Choose Monroe will be transitioning to a once yearly publication which will publish in April. We value your opinion and want your feedback about topics to cover in future publications. Visit https://bit.ly/4ayBE7M or scan the QR Code to share your thoughts.

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas

Monroe Library

1070 Village Way, Monroe, WA

Adventure awaits at the Monroe Library!

Dive into a world of sizzling summer reads and fun events that are hotter than the summer sun! Your library is the ultimate destination for a summer adventure that’s sure to make waves. Read with us this summer.

Kids and teens who read for 10 hours will get a free book and sticker. It’s easy to get started! Track your reading online using the Beanstack app or stop by the library to pick up a reading log. All reading counts, including being read to or listening to an audiobook.

Visit the library for fun and engaging events for all ages.

Discover more each Sunday at 2:00pm* with rotating crafts, games, toys, and activities. In the mood for a story? Enjoy a unique Campfireball Reverse Storytelling event on Thursday, July 18 at 10:00am.

Explore Washington State Parks and wildlife areas.

Borrow a Discover Pass for one week from your library. Check out a guidebook before you go!

Start your journey: sno-isle.org

*No Discovery Hour June 23 & July 20.

snohomish regional fire & rescue (SRFR)

163 Village Court, Monroe, WA

Serving 160,000 residents in Monroe, Lake Stevens, Clearview, Maltby, and unincorporated southeast Snohomish County, SRFR responds to an average of 17,000 calls per year with highly trained personnel and state-of-the-art rescue programs.

As we approach the summer months, many of us are planning trips that will allow us to enjoy all the open waters the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Be sure that as you plan for your trip, don’t forget one of the most important pieces of gear…your life jacket!

When swimming, boating, or paddling on open water, it is important to always wear a life jacket. Safe Kids Snohomish County says, “It’s not enough to simply wear a life jacket. It must fit correctly to be effective.” From Memorial Day through Labor Day, you can come to Station 31 to borrow a life jacket for the day. Go to SRFR.com to learn more about our loaner life jacket closet or scan the QR code.

a family traditionIxtapa:

BY ADAM WORCESTER

The story of Ixtapa begins almost a half century ago in the small city of Cuautla, some 68 miles southeast of Mexico City. Beginning in the early 1980s, more than 60 members of Mateo Barajas’s extended family migrated from Cuautla to the United States within a few short years. Mateo joined them at age 17.

“That was the thing to do,” he says. “You finished sixth grade, or you finished ninth grade, then you came to the U.S. to work.” His older siblings had found restaurant jobs. Mateo was working in a Bellevue restaurant when a colleague, Ramón Mejía, approached him about buying their own place. Using money borrowed from an aunt, Mateo, his older brother Tomás and Mejía opened Ixtapa in November 1986 at 118 East Main Street, site of the current Tijuana Restaurant.

“We were looking for a town that didn’t have any Mexican restaurants,” Mateo says. “The first time I came here was in ’85. I thought it was in the boonies.” Mateo worked as waiter and server, while his partners handled the cooking. “We learned by mistakes,” he says.

Business boomed from the start. A group of regular customers developed who would critique dishes in exchange for free samples. This is how the house specialty, the “no name” appetizer, was born. Cooks whipped up plates of small, deep-fried chicken burritos, topped them with melted cheese, guacamole, sour cream

and tomatoes, and handed them out. Patrons loved them. When they asked what the dish was called, the creators had no immediate answer. By 1992, they had saved enough money to build the current

restaurant at 19303 US 2. It’s a bright, airy building with warm colors and high ceilings. The foyer is lined with photos of family and various youth sports teams Ixtapa sponsors. A colorful fresco covers

one wall. License plates adorn the walls of the bar, which is also festooned with sports banners, hanging inflatable beer bottles, Mexican knickknacks, and another large fresco. The dining area is aqua themed: an ocean-blue ceiling and hanging marlin.

Ixtapa’s menu is extensive. It includes standard Mexican dishes – tacos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas – as well as soups, salads, specials, combination plates and drinks. Many of the original recipes from Cuautla are still in use.

Ten years ago, Mateo built an outside patio on the side of the building adjacent to US 2. Roughly half the patio adjoins the bar and half the dining room; a gate separates the two sections. A wood trellis with

faux grape vines provides shade and dims the noise of passing traffic. The patio can accommodate 40 to 50 people and is popular to rent for wedding rehearsal dinners and other special occasions.

After Mateo and Tomás established the initial Ixtapa, named for a Mexican resort city, other family

members began opening Ixtapa branches. Along with his son, Ramón Mejía, an original partner, runs the Duvall Ixtapa. There are nine in Washington and 14 more in Oregon. But the chain is not a franchise, so no two Ixtapas are exactly alike.

These days Tomás, his wife Claudia, and Mateo’s wife Baudelia mostly run the Monroe restaurant, which has 35 employees, including six cooks. “I’m about done,” Mateo says. “Hopefully I’ll be able to slow down and not work as much. I’m trying to retire.” He aims to simplify the menu, focusing on basics while keeping the most popular dishes. He would like to sell the business sometime in the next three years but will probably retain partial ownership.

“We’ve been pretty lucky,” Mateo says. “We were making real money from day one. We didn’t expect to be as good as we were.” There was no time to think about failing, he says; “we were too busy.” Mateo and Tomás moved to Monroe shortly after founding Ixtapa, and they have lived here ever since. “I love it,” Mateo says. “I like the people. I’ve been here 37 years. I hope (Ixtapa) lasts as long as I live. It’s been a really good business. I’m happy as heck.”

locations to enjoy food and drinks outdoors this summer

Crooked Label Brewing

773 Village Way (360) 217-8741

“Outside” at Crooked Label could mean listening to live music in a huge, white tent, or just carrying your chair out to the grassy lawn adjacent to the former boat repair shop. There are food trucks and live music. Furry companions are welcome. “I brought out my two German Shepherds, who got biscuits from the owner,” wrote a reviewer who stopped in from out of town. “Great beer and great atmosphere! I’ll be back!”

Dreadnought Brewing

16726 146th Street SE #153 (360) 863-2479

www.dreadnoughtbeer.com/lander

The high wood fencing that surrounds Dreadnought’s outdoor seating area gives the section the feel of an intimate private room. It has umbrella-shaded picnic tables to encourage communal gathering, with heaters for colder days and misters for warmer ones.

Food trucks service Dreadnought patrons at least once a week, and large screens show sports and movies. There are more than 15 beers on tap, plus root beer. A kitchen is planned soon, maybe by mid-summer.

El Paraiso Mexican Grill

14090 Fryelands Blvd. (360) 294-8579

www.elparaisomexicangrillmonroe.com

It’s tough to beat kicking back on the outdoor patio at El Paraiso with a refreshment in hand and watching the sun set over Lake Tye on a lazy summer evening.

This longtime community staple lies literally on the shore of the lake, offering an unobstructed view. El Paraiso specializes in fresh food – especially its homemade tortillas – strong margaritas, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Monroe Coffee Company

408 West Main Street (360) 348-1569, www.monroecoffeeco.com

From its rustic, house-like storefront to friendly staff to creative coffee drinks, this shop has been a long-time favorite place to relax and chill, either inside or at an outside picnic table.

It serves sweets such as cinnamon rolls and apple crisps as well as a variety of hot and iced coffees and teas. There are also community events such as author readings and “Coffee With Your Chiefs,” featuring the heads of the City Police and Fire Departments.

Paesano’s Coffee & Cafe

14655 Fryelands Blvd, Ste 109 (360) 794-2922 www.paesanoscoffee.com

Paesano’s is a go-to place for grabbing a coffee on the way to Lake Tye Park or relaxing and having a snack on the way back. The shop serves more than coffee and sweets, such as meat burritos and honey-made power bites, as well as many gluten-free options. There is a nice uncovered, outdoor seating area with rectangular tables – perfect for opening a book or a laptop, or maybe meeting a new friend.

Route 2 Taproom

19837 US-2 (360) 863-2036 www.route2taproom.com

This popular bar/restaurant features a large, wood-fenced beer garden in its parking lot. There are about a dozen picnic tables and umbrellas, and space for games such as Cornhole and Ladder Ball.

Customers can choose from a rotating selection of 30 Northwest craft beers, plus a hearty menu that ranges from mac & cheese to prime rib dip. Special events include open mic nights, live music, and “paint and create” evenings.

Tacos El Rey

17630 West Main Street (425) 280-0866

Customers rave about the quality of food available at this truck, a subsidiary of Taquería El Rey, 19191 US-2 Ste. 173. The truck is there from 10:30a.m. to 7:30p.m. every day but Tuesday, and has an eating space with picnic tables and umbrellas.

Asada burritos and tacos are customer favorites. “This food is KILLER!” one reviewer writes. Adds another: “This Is THE place to go for tacos in Monroe.”

Tacos Pihuamo Taco Truck

329 East Main Street (425) 345-4747

There is plenty of space to enjoy the food from this taco truck, with about a dozen picnic tables spread out next to it on the adjoining lawn. It is open from 11:00am to 8:00pm every day but Sunday, and 11:00am to 9:00pm on Thursday and Saturday.

Spicy pork tacos are the most popular order. “The spot they are at makes me feel like I’m on vacation…a cool spot to eat while in town,” enthuses one recent reviewer.

Taquería La Michoacana

357 North Lewis Street (425) 343-5041

This food truck also boasts rave reviews and features a covered, comfortable outdoor eating section with a half dozen picnic tables. It is open from 10:30a.m. to 6p.m. every day except Sunday.

The ranchero burrito and lengua and tripas tacos are frequently lauded. “The most authentic Mexican food in Monroe,” states a typical review. “Highly suggest anyone to come and give this place a try,” says another. “This place is legit.”

Tuscano’s Italian Kitchen

14919 North Kelsey Street (360) 805-5453 www.tuscanositalian.com

What’s better than a meal of fresh, homemade Italian food? A meal of fresh, homemade Italian food enjoyed outside on a warm summer day!

Tuscano’s has a covered, gated outdoor patio that offers views of trees, fields, and distant mountain peaks. In addition to its trademark brick-oven pizza, the restaurant has five flat-screen TVs, a full wine list and 24 rotating craft beers. It’s a great place to gather and watch a game.

Pickleball

Monroe

' s new favorite past time

official state sport, will soon

(pickleball only) courts will open in July at Sky River Park, while tenniscourt resurfacing at Lake Tye Park

more pickleball courts at about the

easy to pick up. When these courts are done, I think I’m going to want to

Space (PROS) plan, approved by the City Council in 2022. The plan provides 20-year strategic guidance for the entire parks and recreation

shorter-term park enhancement projects. In a community survey, pickleball courts were consistently listed as a high priority for new park amenities. The City sought input in turn from pickleball enthusiasts such as Larry Imbeau, a Monroe player, and Rick Bomar, a self-proclaimed pickleball advocate dubbed “Pickleball Rick.”

Bomar, a longtime Snohomish County resident, has helped several cities establish new courts. He aided court design and endorsed a grant to secure state funding for Monroe’s project. “You see a lot more people getting into pickleball,” Bomar says. “It’s really changed the last eight years. It’s exploding.”

The sport – invented on Bainbridge Island – was for many years a recreational activity dominated by older players in their 40s and 50s. Now children are taking lessons, 16- to 22-yearolds are competing in national tournaments, professional leagues and senior circuits are sprouting, and pickleball will soon be

introduced as an Olympic Games demonstration sport. Nationally, almost nine million people play pickleball. Between 2020 and 2022 the number of players increased by 159 percent, making pickleball the

United States’ fastest-growing sport. It was named Washington State’s official sport in 2022.

“It’s cross-generational,” Bomar said. “It gets the whole family

involved. And it’s just such a great social sport.” Because pickleball courts are relatively small, about a third the size of a tennis court, players spend the

“It's cross-generational. It gets the whole family involved. And it's just such a great social sport.”

entire game within a few feet of each other. “Intimacy is forced on you,” Bomar noted. “You get to know these people.”

The Lake Tye courts are part of a resurfacing that includes a full basketball court and two tennis courts. The east tennis court will be lined with one pickleball court, and the west tennis court will be lined with four pickleball courts. Nets will be available to use. The courts at Sky River Park are under new construction; nets will be a permanent part of the facility. Concrete has been poured and surface work has started at both sites, but their opening dates are weather dependent. Farrell said he expects them to be finished “sometime around July.”

The seven new park courts complement existing pickleball courts at the Monroe/Sky Valley YMCA on Fryelands Boulevard. The YMCA has three indoor dedicated courts available to members, as well as video lessons, links to private instructors, and locations of courts in nearby cities. There is also a private, dedicated pickleball court with lights and restrooms at Florence Acres, 25920 132nd Street SE, available to reserve online or by calling (206) 595-0973.

Pickleball courts in other cities have drawn complaints about noise

caused by whiffle balls and wooden paddles. Monroe attempted to minimize concerns by placing the new courts as far away from houses as possible. “We went into similar criteria about where to site a skate park or an off-leash dog park,” Farrell said, applying those lessons learned to pickleball courts.

Technology in new paddles can deaden the sound of balls being struck, said Bomar. Some cities, such as Mill Creek, limit the hours pickleball can be played on public courts. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they (Monroe) do that,” Bomar said. “They usually just put signs up. It’s pickleball etiquette.”

Bomar, 68, took up pickleball in 2004. He played competitively for six years, then became an instructor and ambassador who founded the Pickleball Rick Pickleball Academy. He pitches

the sport in schools, advises clubs, teaches instructors, runs clinics, and travels the state helping cities design courts and find funding. He recently helped Marysville and Mill Creek open dedicated pickleball

courts and started a pickleball club at Pinewood Elementary School in Marysville. He hopes to see pickleball clubs sprout up at other elementaries soon. “It’s a good, healthy addiction,” Bomar said.

new park updates just in time for summer fun

Blueberry Park

18399 Blueberry Lane

After delays with a preceding stormwater project, the City of Monroe has moved forward with the installation of the new playground at Blueberry Children’s Park. The design of the playground was developed around input from the public with the goal of providing the most-requested play opportunities at the site. The playground will be 50% larger, and provide more play equipment than the previous playground.

communication boards

Lake Tye Park, Sky River Park and Blueberry Children’s Park

The City has begun installations of communication boards in our parks. A communication board is a board with symbols or pictures that is used to facilitate communication for children with limited expressive language ability. Funding for the communication board at Lake Tye was generously provided by the Monroe Kiwanis Club. This is one of three communication boards purchased with help from Kiwanis. The other two boards will be installed this summer at Sky River Park and Blueberry Children’s Park. Rotary Club of Monroe has also committed funding to purchasing communication boards for other park sites. Our goal is to have a board at all playground areas in our parks.

Currie View Park

17260 153rd Street SE

In March, the City of Monroe hosted an open house for public feedback regarding Currie View Park playground concepts. One option received overwhelming support at both the open house and virtually across social media platforms. Due to the feedback the City received, there will be minor updates to the presented design. Construction is expected to begin late summer after the playground order is shipped, with an expected completion this fall.

Lake Tye

Loaner Cabinet

The Lake Tye Life Jacket Loaner Station is up and running! As the weather gets nicer and families start enjoying activities on the water, make sure that your loved ones are safe. Everyone should wear a properly fitted life jacket while in the water. You can visit the life jacket loaner cabinet and borrow an infant, youth or adult life jacket at no charge. When finished, simply return the life jackets to the same cabinet. Life jacket loaner stations/cabinets are located at many marinas, launch sites, and State parks. The goal is to increase the use of life jackets and educate boaters about the importance of wearing a properly fitted life jacket. If you can’t find a cabinet where you’re headed, stop by SRFR Station 31 on Village Way in Monroe to borrow a jacket. The State parks boating program partners with the Washington Drowning Prevention Network and local agencies to coordinate the life jackets. The Lake Tye Loaner Cabinet is made possible by Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue, the City of Monroe, and Snohomish County Safe Kids. Life jacket loaner cabinets are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Find the loaner cabinet nearest you

Trombley Park

Corner of 191st Ave SE and 134th Street SE

In 2021, the City of Monroe purchased the five-acre site now known as Trombley Park. The goal for this land is to develop the site into a neighborhood park. In 2022, with the input from surrounding residents, the City developed a preliminary design plan for future development of the park. Due to the estimated development cost of $10 million, the project was broken into two phases. The City is currently seeking grant funding or other funding alternatives to move forward with the first phase. The goal of developing Phase 1 is to develop three acres of the five-acre park area for the surrounding residents. The park is currently vacant of amenities but welcomes residents to use this area for open space play. On a clear day, be sure to check out the view of the distant mountain landscape.

STREAMLINE AUTO REPAIR

an adventure worth the Escape

BY ADAM WORCESTER

Looking for a fun getaway without leaving the city?

Head toward EscapeGoats, housed in the former DSHS building at 19705 US 2, Ste. 200. “We’re family friendly and team building,” says Brenda Cavoretto, who with Lars Axberg started the business in October 2023.

Cavoretto, a retired police chief, lives in Gold Bar. Axberg, a pipelayer and former Marine, lives in Index. They chose Monroe for EscapeGoats due to its strategic location along Highway 2 and because the city “needed something to do that’s family friendly,” Cavoretto says.

EscapeGoats features three themed rooms. Groups of two to eight players have one hour to “escape” from each room by finding clues and solving a variety of puzzles. Solving a special “escape

goat” puzzle buys the group five minutes’ extra time.

Each room is ADA accessible, and clues can be adapted for participants in wheelchairs. Escape room doors remain unlocked during play; contestants communicate via walkie talkie with Cavoretto and Axberg, who watch on camera and can offer subtle help.

“We love escape rooms,” says Cavoretto. She had been touring them with her husband Dave before meeting Axberg at a concert in 2016. The trio have since visited escape rooms all over the country: Las Vegas, New Orleans, Hawaii. “It was something we all could do,” she says. “We don’t go to bars. We had to go out and find something fun to do that doesn’t involve drinking.”

Cavoretto and Axberg designed and built each of the three EscapeGoats rooms – with help from Dave, an electrician. The first room, The Dog House, “is based on my worst nightmare,” says Cavoretto. Players are dog sitting four missing canines and must find them before their owners return. In the second, The Winning Hand, the hostess of an underground card room has lost a valuable locket,

and players must identify the victorious poker player and likely culprit. The third room, Grandpa Jim’s Cabin, is the largest and most challenging. Jim is a Bigfoot enthusiast gone missing; his “family” has one hour to locate him.

19705

www.escapegoatsmonroe.com

Currently, only three of 40 groups had escaped from the Cabin.

For customers who are not into escape rooms, there is a spacious party room stocked with more than 100 family-friendly board games, card games, and puzzles. It has

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five four-seat tables, a microwave, hot-dog griller, coffee maker, refrigerator, and a large-screen TV. Karaoke will be coming soon, and much, much more.

The pair plan to open two more escape rooms before the end of the year, themed on garden gnomes and infamous skyjacker DB Cooper. They will almost certainly add an onsite bar and grill. “We’re licensed as an amusement park, basically,” Axberg says. “We could become a Family Fun Center” like locations in Tukwila and Lynnwood.

The eventual goal is to occupy the entire building (DSHS still uses the second floor). “Then we’ll have more escape rooms and more things to offer,” Cavoretto says. “We’ll be the destination spot to go.”

There’s enough space for eight or nine total escape rooms. Axberg and Cavoretto hope to start an annual

puzzle fair, at which skilled patrons could network and help brainstorm future room designs. They also envision competitions among businesses and schools to escape a room the fastest, noting that the rooms are adaptable to different grade levels.

Now Open! FARM STAND

FARM TOURS

The pair drew upon their previous experience and personal lives to create each EscapeGoats room. Cavoretto’s dog is the model for The Dog Room posters; Axberg’s father is the inspiration for Grandpa Jim’s Cabin. Goat-themed gifts were a staple of Axberg’s family Christmases. Props are scrounged from garages and attics, handmade, and thrifted from local stores.

Each puzzle in an escape room leads to the next. Many interact with each other. For example, setting something on a stove or countertop might magnetically open a drawer or cabinet, revealing a new clue. The first two EscapeGoat rooms require players to solve 12-15 different puzzles. Grandpa Jim’s Cabin has 25-30 puzzles to figure out.

“Coming up with a puzzle takes only an hour or two,” Axberg says. “It’s how you put them together. It’s so hard to build a room if you’re not actually sitting in the middle of it.” Cavoretto says she often wakes up in the middle of the night with new ideas. “Anything can be a puzzle. It’s just how you look at it,” she says. “There are so many kinds of puzzles you can design; it’s limitless.” Much like the potential for EscapeGoats’ future.

monroe welcomes new businesses

Iron Eagle Golf

Cranes on Main

206 East Main Street, (360) 805-5276, www.cranesonmain.com

For almost two decades, Jump, Rattle, and Roll has been entertaining children of all ages. “We liked the small town feel of Monroe but also loved that it was growing,” owner Jamie Dockstader says. “We get to celebrate so many birthdays and special occasions and watch so many friendships develop here. I love watching people come together to just play.”

Jump, Rattle, and Roll’s newly opened arcade, Cranes on Main, features a game zone with a 55-inch TV and dozens of popular video games, including Fortnite, Plants vs. Zombies, and Super Mario Warrior. Use of a Nintendo Switch and ping pong table for up to four players is available in a private room.

Customers can either reserve the game zone or walk in and play if it’s unreserved. Tickets can be purchased by credits or time limit. A Monroe Experience Play Pack includes 30 minutes of free play at Cranes on Main St. plus an open play pass for nearby Jump, Rattle & Roll.

124 East Main Street, (360) 863-3456, www.golfironeagle.com

New in early 2023, Iron Eagle is more than a driving range. It’s a “golf experience,” boasts its website, where patrons can train, play, and compete 24/7 via TrackMan, “the most accurate golf simulator in the world.”

Customers can take lessons, play a simulated course, compete virtually against others, or simply practice various parts of their game. Instructor Matt DeLoux, an ex-pro golfer, “incorporates science and modern techniques along with PGA tour-proven fundamentals” to teach everyone from tournament champions to weekend warriors.

Golfers enter booths – up to eight in each one – and hit balls into a large screen that simulates famous courses from all over the world. TrackMan technology can scan their swings and help develop consistency as players practice drives, chips, and putts.

Iron Eagle also sells golf supplies and branded merchandise. “We are selective in the gear we offer,” declares the website, “to ensure you get nothing but the very best.”

Main Street Mountain Sports

120 West Main Street (360) 863-3381

www.mainstreetmtnsports.com

Whether you’re an experienced bicyclist or a curious beginner, Main Street Mountain Sports has you covered.

Under new ownership as of 2024, the shop “proudly serves all types of cyclists,” its website states, from casual to off-road. Shoppers can order bikes online then pick them up at the store or come in and browse in person. The shop sells parts and accessories, performs repairs and services, and offers rentals.”

It also rents, fits, repairs and tunes skis, boots, and snowboards, but the staff’s heart and soul lie with wheels.

“We’re passionate about bicycles,” says the website. “We believe that bikes offer a simple solution to many of our communities’ complex problems. Bikes are great for your personal health and for the health of our environment. Bikes can help you save money on transportation, and bikes can provide you with endless miles of fun with your family and friends.”

Seam and Sew

208 West Main Street, (425) 552-0094

Teresa Lara wanted to open a tailor shop ever since moving to Monroe 15 years ago but kept getting delayed for various reasons. As of early 2024, she finally has.

Seam and Sew fulfills a lifetime dream. Lara trained as a seamstress in Mexico and has extensive experience, including projects for textile giants such as Gramicci, Patagonia, and Nordstrom. Her shop can handle anything from refining a suit to creating a wedding dress to customizing jeans for a perfect fit.

“I am extremely grateful to have been able to finally establish Seam and Sew right in the heart of town” on the corner of West Main Street and West Fremont Street, Lara says. “Sharing my skills and what I’m most passionate about. It is what brings joy and fulfillment to my life, and being able to do this for such an amazing town is a dream come true.”

A fun in the sun — safely!

s clouds give way to warm sunshine and rain puddles dry up, the out-of-doors beckons us to engage in our favorite summer activities. Water-based sports, hiking, camping, and outdoor gatherings are among the top activities enjoyed around Monroe over the next few months. Amidst all the fun, it’s important to remember that safety must always be first when enjoying outdoor activities. Let’s delve into some essential tips for staying safe while enjoying the myriad of summertime activities our region has to offer.

Hot Weather

Water Safety

As summer approaches, we must prepare for extreme heat events, which are becoming more frequent and intense in our region. According to Snohomish County Public Safety, these events pose significant risks to public health, leading to increased hospitalizations, demand for emergency medical services, and unfortunately, even fatalities. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion can occur when the body’s temperature rises faster than it can cool itself. It’s important that everyone take precautions during extreme heat, but certain groups are particularly vulnerable, including older adults, infants, young children, pregnant women, outdoor workers, people with limited mobility, and those with preexisting or chronic medical conditions. Being informed and proactive can help lessen the risks associated with summer heat waves, ensuring a safer season for all.

During the hottest spells, seek refuge in air-conditioned spaces. If your home lacks A/C, consider spending time in shopping malls, libraries, or other public venues that offer cooling facilities. Just a few hours spent in air conditioning can significantly lower your body temperature, making it easier to cope with the heat when you return. Use the QR code at left to access the most up-to-date information on cooling centers, including hours of operation and contact details.

Swimming, paddle-boarding, and river rafting rank among our favorite summer pastimes, yet they require us to exercise caution and common sense. To ensure kids have fun safely in the water, Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue offers their annual Kids Water Safety Day

Camps to provide invaluable education and hands-on experience to prevent drowning. Scan the QR code above for more information and registration.

Camp Dates and Locations:

• Monroe, Lake Tye: July 9th, 10:00am-2:00pm

• Lake Stevens, Lundeen Park: July 17th, 10:00am-2:00pm

Hiking & Camping

Have a FUN and SAFE Summer!

“The mountains and rivers of the National Forest lands along the US-2 Stevens Pass corridor offer endless opportunities to enjoy the beauty and nature of your public lands near Monroe,” states U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Michael Smith. “For safety tips and information, please visit our website (QR code at right), call us at (360) 677-2414, or stop by our office in Skykomish when you’re recreating in the National Forest.”

Plan Ahead: Research your destination, know the terrain, and check the weather forecast. Let others know your itinerary and expected return.

Pack Essentials: Always bring along the 10 essentials, pictured here, to be prepared for unexpected situations.

Stay on Trails: Stick to marked trails and avoid wandering off into unknown territory. Pay attention to trail markers and follow park regulations.

Leave No Trace: Follow the QR code at left to learn more about outdoor ethics and Leave No Trace principles, plus other forestlands preparedness information.

Fireworks

What’s more traditional than fireworks on the Fourth of July? While they may be fun, fireworks can cause injury and/or start fires. Please remember consumer fireworks may be purchased in Monroe July 1-4 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. and they may be discharged in city limits on July 4 from 9:00 a.m. to midnight. It is illegal to discharge fireworks at city parks,

and at

make the most of your recycling

Recycling may seem like a modern-day practice, but it’s been around since ancient times. Paper is the first material documented to be recycled because it was considered a scarce resource. Recycling has evolved over time, as have the materials that can be recycled.

In the United States, we collectively generate more than 1.6 billion pounds of solid waste every day. That’s a daily average of nearly five pounds of waste per person. For the approximately 20,000 people who live in Monroe city limits, that

equates to 50 tons of waste each day just for Monroe alone.

So, why recycle?

Recycling conserves resources by making them last longer. Using recycled materials requires less energy than making something from raw materials. For example, using trees to make cardboard takes more energy than using recycled cardboard to make more cardboard. Recycling produces much less carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases than other processes, which reduces the impact to air and water quality. Reducing waste in landfills protects the environment because there are less toxins being released into the ground and the air.

following before placing recyclables loosely in the appropriate cart:

• Flatten cardboard (remove liners from dry food boxes).

• Rinse, empty, and dry glass and plastic containers and tin and aluminum cans.

Mon-Fri 6am-3pm Saturday 8am-1pm

Recycling supports a healthier planet, and it requires everyone to take responsibility. Here are some tips to make sure the materials you recycle can be processed efficiently:

• Know what materials are accepted by your service provider.

• Recycle empty, clean, and dry materials.

• Keep food and liquid out of recycling.

• Do not bag recyclables. For optimal recycling, each agency encourages you to do the

• Do not recycle wet paper or cardboard or broken glass.

Monroe's Service Provider

The majority of Monroe is served by Republic Services. The annexed area of Woodlands is served by Waste Management through 2033. Your service provider may have additional guidelines. For example, Republic Services accepts scrap metal no larger than 2 feet x 2 feet; Waste Management does not. Additionally, Republic Services allows lids to remain on recyclable plastics; Waste Management

does not. Refer to the “Recycling Resources” inset to contact your specific provider.

Recycling will continue to evolve but with good habits today, you’ll be more adept at making the most of your recycling.

Visit the City’s website for more recycling information at www.monroewa.gov.

Recycling Resources

Monroe Public Works Environmental Services (360) 794-6100 www.monroewa.gov/339/ Garbage-Recycling

Republic Services

Residential customer: (425) 778-0188

Commercial customer: (425) 778-6508 recyclingsimplified.com

Waste Management (800) 592-9995 www.wm.com/recycleright

regional transfer station facilities

Snohomish County Transfer Station

Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station

10700 Minuteman Drive, Everett

North County Recycling & Transfer Station

19600 63rd Ave NE, Arlington

Do you live outside Monroe or are you interested in learning more about our region? The Sky & Sno Adventure Guide is the Skykomish Snohomish River Valley’s visitor publication which covers Monroe, Lake Stevens, and the towns of the Upper Sky Valley. This issue is all about the summer events and activities happening in our area.

Events Calendar

city of monroe calendar of events monroe chamber calendar of events

Wednesdays through September 25th

Monroe Farmers Market 1 Galaxy Way • 3:00pm-7:00pm www.choosemonroe.com

july

July 5

Music in the Park: BroHamM (pop/r&b)

Lake Tye Park • 6:00pm www.choosemonroe.com

July 5 –7

Party in the Park

DieHard Family RC Park www.diehardrc.com

July 9

Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue Water Safety Camp

Lake Tye • 10:00am-2:00pm www.SRFR.org

July 12

Music in the Park: The Machine (70’s disco)

Lake Tye Park • 6:00pm www.choosemonroe.com

July 13

Fair “OPENING DAY” Food Drive

Evergreen State Fair Park

West Parking Lot • All Day www.evergreenfair.org

Figure 8 Nationals

Evergreen Speedway • 6:00pm-10:00pm www.evergreenspeedway.com

Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing

Sky River Park • 5:00pm www.lastleafproductions.com

July 19

Music in the Park: Highway 9 (country)

Lake Tye Park • 6:00pm www.choosemonroe.com

July 19 – 20

Summer Showdown

Evergreen Speedway • 2:00pm-10:00pm www.evergreenspeedway.com

Washington Midsummer

Renaissance Faire

Sky Meadows Park • 10:00am-7:00pm www.washingtonfaire.com

July 19 – 23

Wilde WERC RC Dirt Off-Road Series #2

DieHard Family RC Park www.diehardrc.com

July 20

Lake Tye Science Day

Lake Tye Park • 8:30am-3:00pm

Not Your Grandma’s Bingo

Monroe Community Senior Center • 5:00pm www.mcsc.org

Walk to Remember Sky River Park • 9:00am

State Fair Park Calendar of Events

July 25 – 28

Nautique WWA Wakeboard & Wakesurf National Championship Lake Tye www.thewwa.com

Nautique WWA Wakeboard & Wakesurf National Championships

July 25-28

9:00am-5:00pm

Lake Tye Park

The 2024 Nautique Wakesurf Series, hosted by the World Wakeboarding Association, is the largest wakeboarding event in the United States and includes competitors of all ages and skill levels in a format designed for competitive-based fun for the whole family.

The results from the Nautique WWA Nationals will also determine who will represent the United States at the WWA Wakeboard World Championships.

Both events are free to the public. Grab a blanket, pick up some food from the restaurants facing Fryelands Blvd., and snag a spot in the grass and watch top competitors from all over the country give it everything they have.

July 19

Music in the Park: Hair Nation (80’s rock)

Lake Tye Park • 6:00pm www.choosemonroe.com

music in the park SARAH

water safety camp

July 26 – 28

Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire

Sky Meadows Park • 10:00am-7:00pm www.washingtonfaire.com

The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire

This event takes place five (5) weekends in July and August at Sky Meadows Park off Tester Road. Every weekend has a specific theme, making each a unique experience.

July 19-21

A Magical Midsummer Celebration - celebrate the splendor and tapestry of the Elizabethan era.

July 26-28

Pirates’ Plunder: A High Seas Adventure - step into an age of piracy at the Village of Merriwick.

August 2-4

Choose Your Alliance: Villain or Hero - the bravest of heroes, heroines and notorious villains will be making appearances.

August 9-11

Warriors of the Wild: Swords & Shields - tribute to the Vikings and Barbarians.

August 16-18

Mystical Realms - be transported by dark magic to a place where there are no boundaries to the imagination. For more information visit www.washingtonfaire.com

wakeboard & wakesurf national championship renaissance fair

august

August 2

Movies Under the Moon: Super Mario Bros Lake Tye Park • Dusk www.monroewa.gov

August 2– 4

Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire

Sky Meadows Park • 10:00am-7:00pm www.washingtonfaire.com

August 3

Lake Tye Triathlon Lake Tye Park • 8:00am www.laketyetri.com

War of the Wings Evergreen Speedway www.evergreenspeedway.com

August 3 – 4

Wings of the West - Clay Oval Racing DieHard Family RC Park www.diehardrc.com

Events Calendar

August 6

National Night Out Against Crime Lake Tye Park • 5:30pm-8:30pm

August 9

Movies Under the Moon: Trolls Band Together Lake Tye Park • Dusk www.monroewa.gov

August 9 –11

Washington Midsummer

Renaissance Faire

Sky Meadows Park • 10:00am-7:00pm www.washingtonfaire.com

August 16

Movies Under the Moon: The Marvels Lake Tye Park • Dusk www.monroewa.gov

August 16 –18

Washington Midsummer

Renaissance Faire

Sky Meadows Park • 10:00am-7:00pm www.washingtonfaire.com

Wilde WERC RC Dirt

Off-Road Series #3

DieHard Family RC Park www.diehardrc.com

August 22– 27 &

August 29 –September 2

Evergreen State Fair

Evergreen State Fair Park www.evergreenfair.org

The Evergreen State Fair & Fair Days Parade

Bright Lights, Summer Nights— so much more in 2024! Don’t miss the Evergreen State Fair August 22-27 and August 29-September 2, 2024. Kick off the fair at the Fair Days Parade and Market on August 24 at 11:00am on West Main Street.

August 23

Movies Under the Moon: Barbie Lake Tye Park • Dusk www.monroewa.gov

August 24

Monroe Fair Days Parade & Market West Main Street • 11:00am www.choosemonroe.com

August 30

Movies Under the Moon: The Little Mermaid Lake Tye Park • Dusk www.monroewa.gov

september

September 7

Belonging Sky River Park • 12:00pm www.monroeequitycommunity.com

NASCAR Championship Night #1 Evergreen Speedway • 6:00pm-10:00pm www.evergreenspeedway.com

Poverty 101

Monroe Community Senior Center 9:00am-1:30pm https://bit.ly/4ag2jGl

September 7– 8

R/C Unlimiteds Model Boat Racing Lake Tye

September 8

Color Run Sky River Park • 9:00am

September 14

NASCAR Championship Night #2 Evergreen Speedway • 6:00pm-10:00pm www.evergreenspeedway.com

September 20

Spaghetti & Silent Auction Fundraiser Monroe Community Senior Center • 5:00pm www.mcsc.org

october

October 5

60 Minutes of Fear Evergreen Speedway • 6:00pm-10:00pm www.evergreenspeedway.com

evergreen state fair

October 19

Octoberfest Bingo

Monroe Community Senior Center • 5:00pm www.mcsc.org

October 31

Downtown Trick or Treat

Historic Main Street • 3:00pm-5:00pm www.choosemonroe.com

november

November 1– 2

The Great Junk Hunt Evergreen State Fair Park www.thegreatjunkhunt.com

November 2

Holiday Bazaar

Monroe Community Senior Center 9:00am-2:00pm www.mcsc.org

November 9 –10

Oddmall: Emporium of the Weird Creepsmas

Evergreen State Fair Park www.Oddmall.co

November 22

Drive Thru Thanksgiving Dinner Monroe Community Senior Center • 5:00pm

November 24

Light Up Monroe Traveler’s Park • 4:30pm www.choosemonroe.com

december

December 6 –7

Pickin’ @ The Barn Holiday Vintage Market 10:00am-4:00pm www.pickinatthebarn.com

December 20

Drive Thru Christmas Dinner

Monroe Community Senior Center • 5:00pm www.mcsc.org

january

January 26

Jayme Biendl Memorial 5k Skykomish River Park • 9:00am

9-1-1

Police/Fire/Medical Emergencies

Non-emergency dispatch (425) 407-3999

City Hall (360) 794-7400 14841 179th Avenue SE, Suite 320 (Temporary location)

Police Department (360) 794-6300 808 West Main Street

Municipal Court (360) 863-4548 769 Village Way (Temporary location)

Utility Billing (360) 794-7400

Permit Center (360) 863-4501

Ballfield/Picnic Shelter Reservations (360) 863-4559

Water/Sewer after hours hotline (425) 239-0189

Online Services at www.monroewa.gov

• Submit a service request via Monroe Listens

• Pay a court fine

• File a police report for non-emergency incidents occurring within the City limits of Monroe

• Apply for a permit; request an inspection

• Pay your utility bill

• Reserve a picnic shelter

• View City Council, commission, committee and board meeting agendas, recordings and minutes

To subscribe to Monroe This Week, Monroe Business and Parks & Recreation electronic newsletters, go to www.monroewa.gov and search “Sign Up For.” @MonroeWAgov @MonroeWAPolice @cityofmonroewashington