MONROE Magazine

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Businesses, events, and unique experiences that make our community special

MAGAZINE

Fossilera in Monroe shows off a 270 millionyear-old trilobite

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Dear Readers,

2025 EDITION | VOL 8 | ISSUE 1 Writer Adam Worcester Photographers F4 Photography Chris Hendrickson Jake Campbell Richard Porter Sarah Mac Photography Cover Photo Fossilera

MONROE Magazine is published

by Colibri Northwest and the City of Monroe 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

onroe is a place that values connections, opportunity, and a strong sense of community.

The city’s vision statement, Imagine Monroe, envisions a place where local businesses thrive and offer a variety of choices for dining, shopping, arts, services, and activities. In Monroe, we seek to create a place where everyone feels at home, and everyone feels they belong.

As part of our mission to realize this vision, I am happy to introduce MONROE, the city’s annual community magazine.

Formerly known as the Choose Monroe Magazine, this relaunched publication continues to promote local businesses, events, and unique experiences that make our community special. With this new name and format, MONROE magazine serves as a year-long guide to our community. This re-launched magazine will now feature even more opportunities for residents and visitors to shop, play, and dine local. Additionally, the city is expanding our digital reach by sharing content from the publication and other businesses on the city’s Facebook and Instagram. We hope you will enjoy the changes we’ve made.

In this issue of MONROE, learn about the Wagner Theater and Sky Performing Arts productions, dog-friendly adventures, history of the Monroe Steamstack, savor and sip opportunities, and experiences unique to Monroe. No need to travel far for what you are looking for. Then for fun, you can test your Monroe knowledge with local trivia such as where the city’s first hospital was located and what is there today. As always, don’t miss the events calendar for your go-to list of community events.

We hope MONROE serves as both a resource and an invitation to experience all our city has to offer. If you have any feedback or suggestions for future issues, please reach out to socialmedmonroe@monroewa.gov.

Thank you,

Geoffrey Thomas, Mayor

www.MonroeWA.gov

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RICHARD PORTER

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MONROE Magazine

In This Issue City News

6 City Hall, Municipal Court Redesigned With Monroe’s Culture In Mind Arts & Culture 8 Creating Community Camaraderie 10

Memorable Murals

Experiences 14 A Day to Discover Monroe 16 High-Flyin’ Hydros 18 A Walk on the Wildside History 20 The Evolution of Monroe’s City Hall 22

The Monroe Smokestack (Steamstack)

24 Get To know Monroe’s Historical Buildings Only in Monroe 26 Diggin’ For Dinos 30

The Best Café You’ve Never Heard Of

Pet Friendly 32 A “Doggy’s Day Out” Savor & Sip 34 A Taste of Monroe 36 A Tasty Tour In a region renowned for craft beers and excellent wines, Monroe offers a smorgasbord of delectable delicacies.

Take a Tasty Tour of Monroe starting on Page 36.

Services 38

Take Care of Yourself

40 Mental Health Resources in Monroe Events Calendar 42 Community Events & Programs in 2025

www.MonroeWA.gov

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City News

City Hall, Municipal Court Redesigned with Monroe’s Culture In Mind

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onroe’s newly remodeled and expanded City Hall and Municipal Court showcase the community’s vision and are expected to reopen to the public this summer. When asked to “ Imagine Monroe,” the local community envisioned Monroe’s culture as friendly, natural, inviting, welcoming, and vibrant.

These characteristics are reflected throughout the design of improvements to Monroe’s Municipal Campus.

City Hall, the administrative wing of the campus, features interior earthtone colors of grey, blue, and green, reflective of the natural landscapes of mountains,

forests, and waterways. Exposed wood beams and interior planters with rocks will give a sense of being outdoors when indoors. A welcoming foyer for customer assistance, ample seating along planters and a central conference room are at the heart of the building. City Council Chambers will have more seating, improved audiovisual equipment, better acoustics and multi-purpose room capability.

Monroe Municipal Court, which formerly operated from the council chambers, has dedicated space adjacent to the police department, joining the justice wing of the campus.

Court customers will be assisted in the foyer by administration and security personnel.

Exterior improvements include more parking, including accessibility spaces, and new pathways leading to v a r io u s e nt r a nc e s . Nat iv e landscaping and public art will greet campus visitors.

The remodel improves safety with seismic upgrades, fire protection, back-up power, upgraded network and security operations, enhanced air quality, sound buffering and energy and environmental efficiency. These types of improvements have not been made in over 30 years; city services have occupied the campus since 1977.

Visit MonroeWA.gov/cityinfo to learn how to receive information on the public opening date.

Monroe City Hall and Municipal Court

Reopening Summer 2025

Monroe City Hall

We look forward to serving you from the newly remodeled Municipal Campus located at 806 W. Main Street. Reopening date will be shared soon.

Project info: MonroeWA.gov/campus Monroe Municipal Court 6

MONROE Magazine

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As your community-owned hospital, EvergreenHealth provides the comprehensive services you want with the convenience you need, no matter how busy life becomes. Our compassionate, expert doctors are always here to provide the high-quality care and personalized experience your family deserves.

Learn more about your primary and specialty care teams at evergreenhealth.com/monroe. www.MonroeWA.gov

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Arts & Culture

May 9-11 and 16-18 Puss ‘N Boots: A musical presented by Sky Performing Arts June 21 Monroe Community Band Summer Concert ~ 7 p.m.

July 12 Shakespeare in the Park 5 p.m. ~ Sky River Park December 13 Monroe Community Band Christmas Concert ~ 2 p.m.

December 19 Take Seventeen Big Band Concert For more details please visit monroeartscouncil.org Improv Night

F4 PHOTOGRAPHY

Creating Community Camaraderie On a freezing February evening, past, present and future converge on the Wagner Performing Arts Center at 639 W. Main St. Onstage in the historic theater, built in 1939, members of the Sky Performing Arts (SPA) group are rehearsing for their initial foray into edgy productions aimed at adult audiences.

started ‘SPA After Dark’ to produce more grown-up theater, something edgy,” Clark said. SPA has also started improv performances from 7-9 p.m. each Wednesday at the Wagner Performing Arts Center. It’s a chance for experienced and novice performers alike to hone their skills and stretch creativity. “This is a place

Alexandra Clark, a Sky Performing Arts member and co-founder of Last Leaf Productions, says Monroe is becoming a bedroom community for Bellevue, Redmond , and Woodinville. “We want to attract people to entertainment here,” she said. “We want to offer new stuff that’s challenging.”

“SPA After Dark” fits that bill. The new series, which kicked off in February, will feature presentations aimed at adult audiences. “ We 8

MONROE Magazine

Monroe Community Band

for people to get their feet wet,” Clark said. “We encourage them to come and learn.”

It’s an exciting time for performing arts in this rapidly changing city.

For those looking for productions for all ages, Sky Performing Arts is the resident company of Wagner theater

Sky Performing Arts

where it stages multiple productions each year.

The 45-member Monroe Community Band rehearses at Wagner, taking advantage of its full orchestra pit.

The all-volunteer band gives free seasonal concerts in the theater.

Other dates are reserved for school and cultural performances, such as Kala Vaibhavam Indian Dance shows. “Just about every weekend is booked,” said Craig Burkhead, president of the Monroe Arts Council.

The Council is working to update the theater, which hasn’t had a cosmetic boost since the 1970s. About half of its 640 seats have been reupholstered; grant requests are out for money to replace the stage curtains. “It’s an historic gem,” Clark said. “It just needs a little love. We’ve had theater in Monroe for 40 years, and I still hear people say, ‘You’ve got theater?’”

Not all of that theater is in the Wagner Performing Arts Center.

Last Leaf Productions, a nonprofit touring company, brings “affordable, portable” plays to parks in Monroe.

Its repertoire ranges from original musicals to Shakespeare in the Park.

“We realized there were towns where parents couldn’t pack up their kids and take them to Seattle Children’s Theater,” Clark said. “There were a lot of areas not being reached.”

Sky Performing Arts

She hopes Monroe will one day become an entertainment destination t h at at t r ac t s aud ie nces f rom surrounding cities, akin to Village Theater in Issaquah. “Community theater builds community,” said Burkhead, Monroe Arts Council president. “It’s something that pulls us together.”

“People in community theater are remarkable,” said Clark, who grew up in a Los Angeles acting family. “They almost have more passion for theater than those doing it professionally.”

She would scream her message from the rooftops if she could: “Monroe has theater! There is theater in Monroe!”

Come check it out.

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Arts & Culture

Memorable Murals

By Adam Worcester

Not many artists can say they’ve painted the sky. Muralist David Hose has not only painted it, but he has captured its very essence and infused it into some of the most cantankerous old walls in the Sky Valley.

O n e o f S n o h o m i s h C o u n t y ’s most prolific muralists, Hose not only specializes in indoor and outdoor murals – he also excels at calligraphy, portraiture, animal por traits, and landscapes – on canvas or walls. His latest mural, “Imagine Monroe,” will be displayed

in the newly remodeled City Hall.

The mural spells out Monroe in block letters filled with scenes from the city and its surrounding scenery.”.

Through his business, American Light Studio, Hose has built a spectacular por tfolio of work, much of it located in Monroe and its neighboring communities. He is well known for his unmistakable brand of sweeping colors and stunning realism, along with his unique ability to tell a story without using a word. His paintings have

JAKE CAMPBELL

For more information about Muralist David Hose, email him at: davidhose.777@gmail.com.

illuminated Sky Valley history with depth and accuracy, each mural artfully woven together with countless details, anecdotes, and little bits of local treasure.

“It all starts with a conversation,” Hose explained. When someone hires him for a mural, he meets with them face to face to better understand their vision for the work and how to best bring it to life. It’s about building a connection, right from the beginning.

“I start with a client and end with a good friend,” he said.

Once he understands the vision, he spends some time at the wall. As the

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MONROE Magazine

overall design begins to emerge in his mind, he sketches it out, working with his client to ensure a “win-win.”

If his client wants family members or historical references, they provide him with photos to work from. Other

aspects come from his imagination, or from his own life. The visual story that forms is a pastiche of true, make-believe, and a little bit of fantasy. “I started drawing on my mother’s bedroom walls when I was

three,” Hose said. “I’m addicted to art.

It’s always been something that took me to a different place.”

Hose loves honoring community members in his work. “They become

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Lake Tye Park

Hose is far from finished, as there are many more stubborn surfaces

Find David Hose Murals in Monroe

he’ d love to t ra nsfor m , ma ny more snippets of the sky that he’d love to commemorate. He awaits the next big thing and hopes to someday complete a mural larger than anything he’s done to date.

“I’m ready to work,” Hose said. “My dedication is stronger than it was 10 years ago.”

CHAIN LAKE RD

His mural at the NAPA Auto Parts in Monroe features the owner’s cat TJ, famously known as the “real owner of NAPA.” As a tribute to the cherished cat, Hose painted not only TJ’s urn, but also a small golden halo Evergreen State Fairgrounds above the orange tabby’s head.

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KELSEY ST

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icons,” he said. “These are people who are full of love and care for their community, and I want to represent that as much as I can.”

He also likes to include dogs in his murals, sometimes more than one.

Occasionally an owner will pay for their pet’s inclusion, but he often LAKE adds them on a whim.

TYE

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Park Meadows City Park

4 FREMONT ST ee k 6 5 s Cr oo d

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LEWIS ST

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Whitfield’s Licensing Agency 19677 US-2 #106 Monroe High School 360-794-5678

2 Exterior

Smiley’s Pro-Lube 506 E. Main St.

3 Exterior

126 E. Main St. (East wall)

4 Exterior

Masonic Lodge (South wall) 125 S. Lewis St.

5 Exterior

NAPA Auto Parts (South wall) 200 N. Lewis St.

6 Exterior

Keg-N-Cue (North wall) 202 S. Lewis St.

* Please call ahead before visiting interior murals

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MONROE Magazine

Al Borlin Park

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7 Interior*

Skykomish River Park

10 Interior*

er Miracles and Memories Academy Riv sh mi o k 123 N. Blakeley St. Sk y 360-805-8858

Monroe Montessori School 733 Village Way 360-794-4622

8 Exterior

Northwest Differential (North wall) 211 S. Lewis St.

9 Exterior

Bliss Yoga Studios (North wall) 207 N. Lewis St.

S LEWIS ST

1 Interior*

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11 Interior*

City of Monroe City Hall 806 W. Main St. 360-794-7400

12 Interior*

Fryelands Elementary 15286 Fryelands Blvd.

360-804-3400

Are you interested in learning more about our region?

The Sky & Sno Adventure Guide is the Skykomish and Snohomish River Valley’s visitor publication covering Monroe and the Sky Valley region.

Read online

www.MonroeWA.gov

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Experiences

deliberate but ultimately decides on hot chocolate and a chocolate chip cookie, a savored treat for her.

Did you know, last summer, the owners of Paesano’s became the proud new owners of Vista Clara Coffee? This happens to be my favorite local coffee bean, so I was thrilled. Especially since it’s such a convenient stop for me when my stock at home is low.

The morning is a bit on the brisk side so, instead of heading across the street to take a stroll around Lake Tye as I relish my coffee, we decide to stay next to the fireplace in the cozy atmosphere at Paesano’s. Plus, Grace appears content in her chosen comfy chair, cookie in hand.

A Day to Discover Monroe Have a free day but can’t decide what fun things to do? Let us help you with a day of adventuring around the city by following the day of Monroe local April and her daughter Grace.

--As I wake for the day, I’m feeling a bit sluggish and, knowing Grace

and I have a fun day planned, I’m in need of my morning energy-boost.

Since we live in the Fryelands neighborhood, Paesano’s Coffee & Café is a short drive or walk away and offers a delicious menu.

When we arrive, I decide on a hot cup of drip coffee with a dash of flavoring. Grace takes a bit of time to

After we both finish, we head to Lake Tye Park’s newly surfaced pickleball courts. I love pickleball and want to teach Grace more about the familyfriendly game. If the south side of the city is more accessible to you instead, Sky River Park has two designated pickleball courts that were installed last summer.

After a few hours, Grace has worked up an appetite and I get the “Mom I ’m hung r y”. Las T res Ma r ías immediately comes to mind; their friendly staff, quick service, and mouth-watering queso dip & chips is one of our favorite menu items.

As we finish up lunch Grace asks, “Mom, can we go see Miranda?”

Monroe Fish and Chips 1000 W Main St, Monroe, WA 98272 (360) 217 -7263 monroefishandchips.com

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MONROE Magazine

Since we are on Historic Main Street, I can’t say no – this means I can support our local businesses by shopping on Histor ic Ma in Street. Giving in, our first stop is Main Street Books. We are barely through the door when Grace cheers “Miranda!” Sure enough, the friendly black cat is sauntering around the sales counter.

We make a few quick stops after v isiting Miranda and I find a bir t hday gif t t hat I needed at Blac k Ba r re l Vintage Co. The vendors in the store regularly spruce up their booths so I was eager to see what was on display.

After I find the perfect gift, I surprise Grace with one last adventure, a girls’ night-out at Galaxy Theatres with their upgraded luxury recliners. Grace doesn’t know this, but this is just as much a treat for me. The theatre’s flaming hot Cheetos are one of my top go-to snacks, but I also can’t go wrong with their famous movie popcorn covered with melted butter. It’s going to be a tough choice tonight.

Insider tip: Check out Galaxy’s Facebook page before you go. They frequently host fun movie-themed events, dressup opportunities, or themed mov ie swag, somet i mes even drawings for free gifts.

Additionally, on Sundays they show a f lash back mov ie s o t he c o m m u n i t y c a n experience a classic on the big screen.

Now we are officially beat -what a day! I love our girls’ days together and hope they will be memories that Grace will cherish. Monroe has so much to offer throughout the city, it’s never hard to find something fun for us to do with the time we have.

Monroe Arts Council Presents: Sounds of the World 2025 Benefiting Treehouse for Kids May 4, 2:00pm

Drama Summer Camp

Puss ‘n Boots

skyperformingarts.org May 9-18

skyperformingarts.org July 7-11: Grades 1–6 (The Day Zero Left Dodge) July 14-18: Grades 6–12 (Totally Red)

Pixelated Melodies

Into the Woods

monroecommunityband.org Jun 21, 7:00pm • Free Admission

skyperformingarts.org Nov. 7-16

Winter/Christmas Concert monroecommunityband.org Dec. 13, 2:00pm Free Admission

Take Seventeen Big Band Concert Benefiting the Monroe Arts Council Dec. 19, 7:00pm

All events at the Wagner Performing Arts Center, 639 W. Main Street, Monroe • monroeartscouncil.org

www.MonroeWA.gov

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Experiences

GEOFFRY GREMBOWSKI

High-Flyin’ Hydros

By Adam Worcester

If you head to Lake Tye Park on Sunday, Sept. 7, you can witness a uniquely Monroe event: the Radio/ Control (R/C) Unlimiteds hydroplane races. The regatta starts at 10 a.m. and includes scale-model hydros powered by electricity, gas, and nitro-methane fuel.

“It’s a great place to watch a race,” said Beau Rarig, the club’s statistician and Lake Tye race director. The event is one of thirteen in the 2025 Meyers Autotech Championship Series, and one of just two races held in Western Washington. Lake Tye “is one of the few places on our calendar that can draw a sizable crowd,” Rarig said. “It’s a tremendous lake. I’m just glad the City of Monroe is willing to have us.”

R/C Unlimiteds, founded in 1974, is “the original, and most highly regarded organization dedicated to scale radio-controlled unlimited hydroplane racing in the world,” accord i ng to its website. T he organization has more than 100 registered members throughout the 16

MONROE Magazine

state, and its popularity is growing, Rarig said. He expects to have more entrants this year than the 41 boats that raced at Lake Tye last year.

Par ticipants compete in t hree classes: fast electric, nitro, and gas scale. The fast electric and nitro boats are 1/8th the size of a real unlimited hydroplane. The

GEOFFRY GREMBOWSKI

gas scale boats are 1/6th scale.

There is also a 1/10th scale electric class for young racers. Drivers either custom-build their boats or assemble them from kits. The hydros are painstakingly crafted to resemble their full-size originals.

Like their full-size brethren, radiocontrolled hydroplanes kick up

different boats, all of which he built from scratch. He estimates he’s built 15 to 20 hydros in his seven years in the club. “It’s a fun family thing to do,” he said. “I’ve always watched unlimited hydros, since I grew up in Washington. We lived on Camano Island and my dad had friends in the club. We went to Marysville to watch them run.”

GEOFFRY GREMBOWSKI

rooster tails as they race five laps around an oval course, reaching speeds of 65 mph. “People just don’t understand how fast these things are going,” said club race coordinator Steven K inney. For safety measures, no one is allowed in the water during races, and no one can enter the pit area without insurance from the North America Motor Boat Association.

Also, like full-size unlimiteds, radiocontrolled hydros race a statewide circuit from April through Sept. in which drivers compete for points.

They earn scaled points for finish position in each heat, from 400 points for first place to 71 points for 7th. Drivers with the most overall points are crowned champions of their class, and the leading rookie driver earns a Rookie of the Year trophy. Boats also earn points, even if they’re not driven that heat by their registered owner.

Kinney’s boat, a replica 1974 Miss U.S., won the 2023 nitro points title, and his daughter, Brooklyn, has topped the 1/10th scale driver standings two consecutive years.

K i n n e y c u r r e n t l y r a c e s fo u r

Rarig recalls coming out of his bedroom as a young boy while his parents had the Seafair hydroplane races on TV. “I thought that was the coolest thing I’d ever seen,” he said.

He begged them to attend a race and wound up with a gig during COVID as a driver for the U-40, Miss Flav-RPak, in a virtual hydroplane league.

He will debut his 1/8th electric remote-controlled Miss Flav-R-Pak this season.

For more information, visit rcunlimiteds.com or facebook.com/rcunlimiteds.

“I’m expecting our club to grow stead i ly,” Ra r ig sa id . “ We’re a family-friendly group.” Joining R/C Unlimiteds involves several steps, including building a boat, buying insurance, and passing a driver’s test. Annual fees are $30, and there are race-day entrance fees of $10 per heat for participants. Watching an R/C Unlimiteds race, however, is free, so, mark Sept. 7 on your calendar, round up blankets and picnic gear, and spend the day at an event you can tell your friends is truly “a unique Monroe event.”

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www.MonroeWA.gov

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Experiences

Trees:

Norway Spruce Recently identified by Monroe’s Pa rk s Depa r t me nt ’s Ce r t i f ied Arborist, this tree is one of the most recognizable and widely cultivated coniferous t rees in t he world .

Although not native to our area, it is widely planted for windbreaks, reforestation projects, and erosion control. Can you find this tree and guess why it was chosen to be planted in its chosen location?

A Walk on the Wildside Many trails throughout Monroe offer a fantastic opportunity to witness the wildlife living around us. Lake Tye offers a 1.63-mile paved path, providing an opportunity to observe nature and recharge. How many species you can identify? Please remember to be respectful of your surroundings and “leave it like you found it.”

Plants/Grasses:

Cattail - Typha latifolia You can see this around the lake’s per i meter. Wel l-k now n for its identifiable flower head which some say resembles a corndog. This plant provides a habitat for the beautiful Red-winged blackbird and Coot waterfowl. Historically, it was used as stuffing for mattresses, pillows, and diapers. Did you know, it can grow to be 10 feet tall?

Black Cottonwood Populus trichocarpa Cottonwoods grow in moist areas and are fast grow ing. Did you know a single cottonwood tree can consume up to 200 gallons of water a day?

Salal - Gaultheria shallow

Queen Anne’s Lace Also referred to as wild carrot, this plant boasts a delicate white flower when in bloom. Not to be confused with poison hemlock one major differentiator is Queen Anne’s Lace’s hairy stem.

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MONROE Magazine

Salal can be found in coastal woods or brushy places and is an evergreen shrub with white/pale pink flowers that bloom from April-July. Flowers are followed by dark-blue fruit which is a source of food for wildlife. You can find this plant around the lake and identify what season of blooming it is in.

Willow Tree Look for these perched on top of t he cat ta i l . T he ma les a re more recog n iza ble w it h t hei r dist ing uisha ble red shoulders.

Spring and Summer are the best time of year to spot these eyecatching birds.

Birds:

Red-Winged Black Bird Look for these perched on top of t he cat ta i l . T he ma les a re more recog n iza ble w it h t hei r distinguishable red shoulders. Spring and summer are the best time of year to spot these eye-catching birds.

Canada Geese & Cackling Geese Both are present at Lake Tye - learn to differentiate these two species.

Cackling Geese are smaller and have shorter necks than the Canada Geese. However, don’t be fooled, small Canada Geese can be similar in size to the Cackling Geese. One way to positively identify the two is by their call. Cackling Geese have high-pitched squeaks, yips, and cackles whereas the Canada Geese have more deep honks.

Coots This is a migratory dark-gray/black bird with a bright-white bill and forehead.

The legs are yellow-green and their eyes are red. They are omnivorous, meaning they eat mostly plant material, but also small fish and eggs.

Fish: Lake Tye is home to numerous species of fish. Although hard to identify from around the lake some of these include trout, small and largemouth bass, and perch.

Monroe has a vast trail system that winds its way throughout the city.

In 2024, the Parks & Recreation Department created the city’s first Trails Master Plan. The new plan establishes a framework for improving, growing, and maintaining Monroe’s network of trails over the next 20 years. The Trails Master Plan will help guide City decision-making, set priorities, and direct the use of resources so that Monroe has a great trail system for all to enjoy.

Scan the QR Code to view the full Master Plan.

Not all of these trails are City of Monroe maintained, they may be HOA owned and maintained.

www.MonroeWA.gov

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History

unrestricted access to the upstairs. A large skylight over the upper landing let in daylight. Initially the large room at the rear of the upper floor was the council meeting room. The room has a wall of large windows facing north. The front upstairs west room was a “rest room” intended mainly for women, who were in town for business or shopping, to relax. The front east room held the town library, with a small book alcove with the librarian’s table. Built-in settees by the windows originally held dishes for receptions located under the seats, these still remain today.

1920-1940

City Hall, 1970

MONROE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Evolution of Monroe’s City Hall

By Dexter Taylor

Wit h i n fou r yea r s of b e i ng incorporated in 1902, Monroe added a water department, fire department, and a library association. In April of 1908, the town council recognized the need for a city hall and approved a design for a two-story, 50’ by 60’ brick building. The contract went to four men: JJ Cretney, RE McKinnie, AH Lemon and DF Stephens, with a bid of $5,769.65. Work began in June.

The exterior walls were of large concrete blocks made onsite, with a decorative brick veneer on the front wall. The new structure was completed that November, with the final cost being just over $7,000.

The west half of the first floor held the fire department and the east half held the police department, including a two bunk jail cell and 20

MONROE Magazine

a holding cell at the rear. The cells, with 11-inch-thick concrete walls, still remain today, with the smaller cell still containing its toilet and sink.

There was also a small office for the Mayor adjacent to the cells. A central 8 feet wide stairway was open to the exterior at the bottom to provide

City Hall and Firemen, 1941

Within a few years the skylight, which was prone to leaking, was covered over and the rest room became the firemens’ room, with a hole cut through the floor for a brass fire pole. In 1924, the library expanded into the larger council chambers, and eventually the original library room became the courtroom. In the 1930s, a kitchenette was constructed between the front upper floor rooms, mostly to serve the firemen.

1950-1970 In 1959, a new fire hall was built immediately to the west, including a new hose tower with the town siren on top. The old fire doors were closed

MONROE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

in, partition walls were built, and the old fire hall became city offices.

In 1966, the library moved to a new building on Hill Street, partly due to the noise coming from the town dog pound located behind city hall.

1970-Present A decade later the city moved its services nearly a mile west to the remodeled Collins Chevrolet dealership building, with the fire department moving shortly thereafter.

The city remained in the dealership building despite the rapidly growing city until it was re-developed this past year. The court, which had become the Evergreen District Court, remained until a new courthouse was built in 1978. The police department area was taken over by the Washington State Patrol until about the same year. At this time the city sold the building

City Hall front entrance, 2022

to C.O.R.E., an umbrella group supporting arts and culture in Monroe, ending its involvement in Old City Hall. The mortgage soon passed to the Monroe Historical Society which houses its museum in part of the building.

This year, City Hall will open its doors to the public in the redesigned Municipal Campus. This campus has been designed to keep up with the growing population of the city and includes improvements that will provide a welcoming environment to the whole community.

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21

History Steamstack Condensery, 1925

GEOFFRY GREMBOWSKI

The Monroe Smokestack (Steamstack)

By Dexter Taylor

T r av e le r s on US 2 t h rough Monroe may wonder about the tall smokestack at the east end of town, perhaps thinking it was associated with an old lumber mill or smelter. But its origin stems from the condensing and canning of milk, more than a century ago. By 1907, the Monroe area supported hundreds of small dairies and there was talk of locating a condensery in town to handle the large amount of milk being produced, as well as provide needed employment. In January 1908 members of the Monroe Commercial Club met wit h representatives of Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company, makers of Carnation condensed mil k . Pacific Coast agreed to build a facility in Monroe if a certain tract of land adjacent to the railroads in town could be procured and donated to the project. The town quickly came up with $6,000 to procure the site and donated it to Pacific Coast, who installed water and sewer lines to the site and immediately began construction of 22

MONROE Magazine

the 110-foot by 220-foot plant, using local lumber and labor.

Before long the condensery was processing the milk from 5,000 cows and returning much higher profits to the farmers than they received from the creamery. The condensery maintained its own horse stables and wagons. The horses and wagons were used on 11 milk pick-up routes and on a steamboat called “Carnation 1” to collect milk from farmers along the Snoqualmie River. The process consisted of placing incoming milk into glass-lined kettles where it was steamed, drawn into condensers, cooled in a refrigeration room, canned and then sealed. The sealed cans were then reheated to sterilize the contents. Once the process was complete, the cans were labeled and boxed, ready to be shipped out on railway freight cars. Each month about 26 carloads shipped. The condensery was a good employer in Monroe, offering around 60 jobs, many available for women.

Initially the facility had only one 60-foot-tall metal stack. As part of a remodel in March 1909, a second 60-foot metal stack was installed. The stacks, while venting some exhaust from the plant’s boiler room, mostly vented steam from the condensing process.

Ten years after the remodel, the metal stacks were removed and a 150-foottall concrete stack was constructed.

Measuring nearly 11 feet in diameter at the base, the stack sports a decorative band of triangles, initially painted red, at the top.

Steamstack, 2018

GEOFFRY GREMBOWSKI

to save the boiler building and other small structures on the site. The cause of the fire was attributed to spontaneous combustion of the 600 tons of flax stored in the building.

Only partially insured, there was no effort to rebuild.

Women Working in Condensery

Starting in 1914, production at the plant slowed because of nation-wide overproduction and falling prices for condensed milk. Unfortunately, by late 1920, condensing and canning milk in Monroe came to an end. Instead, local milk was skimmed at the plant and the cream sent elsewhere to make butter while the remainder was processed with acids and heated to make casein, a hard plastic-like substance. The raw casein was exported and used to make a variety of products, from combs to faucet handles to billiard balls. In 1929, the plant shut down completely and was advertised for sale.

The plant sat idle for over 10 years, until the beginning of World War II. At that time flax, used to make linen, was declared a strategic material and local farmers were encouraged to grow it. In 1942, The Pacific Fiber Flax Association purchased the condensery facility and began to remodel it into a flax processing plant. By early 1944, the remodeling was complete and the plant, which employed about 40 workers, began processing flax into linen. After only three weeks of operation, however, in the early

GEOFFRY GREMBOWSKI

hours of March 23, 1944, the factory caught fire. By dawn the fierce fire had reduced the main wooden structure and its contents to ash.

The local fire department managed

The remaining structures on the site were removed by 1959 to make way for the Monroe Shopping Center we know today; it opened the following year. The smokestack was deemed too difficult to remove. In the 1960s and early 1970s, an Enco (later Exxon) service station sat near the smokestack, which had the station’s emblem painted on its east facing side. Beginning in the 1970s, there was discussion of cleaning and painting the monolith, but it wasn’t until 2014 that, through the efforts of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, it was cleaned and painted.

Bed & Breakfast d Private Event Space

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MONROE Magazine

1 Down: Stephens Hospital • 2 Down: Monroe General Hospital • 3 Down: City Hall • 4 Down: Camp Building 5 Across: Central School • 6 Across: Lewis Street Bridge • 7 Across: Hallan Building • 8 Across: Wagner Performing Arts Center

8 7 6 5 3

4 2

History

Get To Know Monroe’s Historical Buildings

1

DOWN

1 Located at 126 W. Main St. and previously a hospital— what was this hospital’s name from 1903-1910?

2 Located at 126 W. Main St. and previously a hospital— what was this hospital’s name from 1910-1939?

3 The tenants of this building currently reside at 806 W. Main St.—what was this building in 1908?

4 Built in 1923, what is this building’s name?

ACROSS

5 What was the name of this school founded in 1929 that resided at 200 E. Fremont Street?

6 First built in 1894 and re-built multiple times—what is the name of this bridge which still stands today?

7 Built in 1909, what is this building’s name?

8 What is the name of this Historic Performing Arts Center?

www.MonroeWA.gov

25

Only in Monroe

F4 PHOTOGRAPHY

Diggin’ For Dinos

By Adam Worcester

Matt Heaton digs digging. For as long as he can remember, Heaton has loved sifting through sandboxes and delving into dirt piles in search of fossils. Some kids want to be sports stars, some doctors. Heaton always wanted to be a paleontologist. After finding a snail fossil in Issaquah as an adolescent, he began collecting in earnest. His passion eventually became Fossilera -- “the world’s largest online retailer of authentic fossil and mineral specimens,” boasts its website.

From its 12,000 square-foot Fryelands warehouse at 16722 146th St. SE, Ste. 190, Fossilera sends fossils, crystals, minerals, and meteorites to buyers across the globe. Looking for a dinosaur bone? A billion-yearold polished sphere? A Martian meteorite? This is the place to shop.

“We have a really varied customer base,” said Heaton, from institutional collectors to “people who want something cool to put on a shelf.”

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MONROE Magazine

Since opening in 2013, Fossilera has shipped more than 200,000 orders to customers in 100 countries. Its inventory includes items ranging from less than $10 to tens of thousands of dollars. But Megalodon teeth are “by far the most popular thing,” Heaton said. Megalodons were gigantic sharks with teeth as long as seven inches. Other popular sellers are polished agates, crystals, and meteorites, which are relatively new.

Heaton did not unearth all these t rea su re s h i m se l f , of cou rse .

Fossilera uses a network of trusted suppliers. It sells only material collected legally and guarantees the authenticity of each specimen it ships. But Heaton has contributed his fair share of material. He has discovered “probably several dozen new species” of trilobites, which were ancient marine arthropods.

This spring he found a pair of small mammal fossils side-by-side (photo above) that have “baffled all mammal

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researchers.” He has shared pictures of the find with experts, but no one has been able to identify the fossils yet. “It’s certainly possible they might be something new,” Heaton said. “We are looking for a museum interested in acquiring the specimen.”

At Sammamish High School and The Evergreen State College, Heaton shifted focus to computer science, then founded several small startups.

Yet he remained at heart a boy in a sandbox, spending almost all his free time hunting fossils. He still does.

“I want to be in the field as much as possible,” Heaton said. “Personally, I’m having fun.” He splits his time between his Monroe home and Fossil Lake Safari, a new venture launched in 2024 near Kemmerer, Wyoming, where tourists can search for fossils in a leased quarry rich with specimens.

They get to keep all fossils they find, and Fossilera guides ensure no one leaves empty-handed. The site is open from late May to mid-Sept., and on peak days draws more than 100 visitors.

D ue to comple x i nte r n at ion a l restrictions, most commercial fossils

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come from private land. Misinformation abounds in the paleontology world, and fakes are common. So Fossilera takes great care in cataloging, photographing, and writing accurate descriptions of each item it sells.

“We have a lifetime guarantee on the accuracy of the information we provide,” said photography director

F4 PHOTOGRAPHY

www.MonroeWA.gov

27

Jeff Dils, “so when you buy from Fossilera, you know you’re getting authentic fossils and minerals, and you know right up front what it is you’re getting.”

The company employs 11 people in Monroe and another half dozen in Wyoming. All share the same mission: to promote paleontology and stoke the excitement of holding a billions-year-old fossil in your hands. “We have something for everybody,” said HR manager Becky Shaffer, “and that’s kind of our joy, to educate people and show them what was around this earth that many years ago.”

Toward that end, Fossilera holds a parking lot tent sale each summer in conjunction with neighboring Dreadnought Brewing. There are food trucks, and adults can crack

408 W. Main St, Monroe 360-348-1569 Mon-Fri 6am-3pm Saturday 8am-1pm

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MONROE Magazine

F4 PHOTOGRAPHY

open beers a nd geodes wh i le watching their kids dig for fossils planted in mobile sand pits.

For most of the youngsters it will be a fun one-off experience. But maybe in one of those sand pits there will be a child who is obsessed with dinosaurs. One who reads all they can about old bones and fossils.

One who wants to spend the whole summer digging soil and cracking rocks. Maybe, just maybe, there will be the next Matt Heaton. **** This summer’s tent sale event is scheduled for August 8-10. Check Fossilera.com for more details.

Celebrating You Always, Happy Heavenly Mother’sMom! Day! “All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

To the best mom there ever was and will ever be How beyond blessed are we to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?

Forever in our Hearts

Caring for you has been the highest honor of my life and I wouldn’t be who I am without these last four years. What a wonderful vision you had for this endeavor and I will always hold the memories of creating this together fondly in my heart!

Enjoy catching up with your grandma up there and I promise to make sure ours is doing well down here.

I love you always and forever, I miss you every day. xoxo Jess

Melonie LuEll Adkinson Claybrook Founder of Adkinson Estates AFH

December 14th, 1959 ~ April 7th, 2025

Local, Generational & Woman-Owned premier care solution catering to Snoh. Co’s highest maintenance Golden Girls since 2020 AdkinsonEstatesAFH.com / 425.760.3948 www.MonroeWA.gov

29

Only in Monroe F4 PHOTOGRAPHY

The Best Café You’ve Never Heard Of

By Adam Worcester

Some of the tastiest meals in Monroe are being served at a place few have heard of. The Trax Edge Café, in a back corner of Evergreen Health abutting the railroad tracks at 14701 179th Ave SE, is not a typical hospital cafeteria.

Since Thomas Cuisine began managing the Food and Nutrition department at Evergreen Monroe five years ago, the focus has

“I have a pretty classic French/ European background, but I probably specialize in Cajun/Creole and Southern food,” Hymel said. “Karla has a broad palate and background as well but has a great knowledge of authentic Mexican food. We try to make flavorful food from around the world to keep things interesting.”

Chef Manager Ryan Hymel and Sous Chef Karla Ramirez collaborate to produce an eclectic assortment of international specialties, most less than $10. Recent offerings have included crawfish étouffée, tom kha gai, chimichurri steak, shrimp curry, and Tuscan salmon.

“Our focus is making good and tasty food as homemade as possible,” Hymel said. “Hospitals historically have been very reliant on processed and preprepared food items to reduce labor.

We avoid this whenever possible.”

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MONROE Magazine

been on REAL food. The acronym stands for food that has Robust flavor, Exceptional ingredients, Avoids additives, and is Loaded with nutrients. Hymel came from Evergreen Health Kirkland in 2019. Rodriguez was promoted last year.

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The café, which is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mon. to Fri., has a breakfast and lunch grill, build your own salad/sandwich/flatbread options, as well as two entrée specials, a breakfast special, and a soup of the day.

On one Friday in February, the breakfast special was a fresh-baked scone ($2.99) that can be added to many delicious breakfast options; the market entrée was creamy poblano chicken in two sizes ($8.99/$5.99) with choice of refried beans ($1.99) or Spanish rice ($1.99); the Field of Greens was a Thai steak salad ($8.99); and the soup of the day was shrimp bisque ($3.99/$2.99). The weekly menu features delightful dishes from around t he world to include Indian , Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican cuisine along with traditional recipes representing different regions of the United States.

Trax Edge can keep prices low because whole foods are generally cheaper than processed foods, Hymel said. “It’s about ordering different products and using different recipes. While it may take some more labor to cook from scratch, the food cost goes down a bit and it evens out,” he explained.

REAL food is a concept developed

by T homas Cu isi ne fou nder Thad Thomas. Before retiring, he challenged his successors to create a “unique,” “special,” and “different” company by serving scratch-made food without preser vatives and other “junk.”

The company emphasizes food that is organic, grass-fed and sustainably farmed where possible. There are lean proteins, whole grains, brothbased soups, sea salt, extra virgin olive oil, fiber-rich legumes, healing spices and herbs.

“We see the need in our industry to provide service that revolves around the best tasting, most nutritious food available,” states the Thomas Cuisine website. The general public is starting to take note, too. Hymel estimates that 20 to 30 percent of Trax Edge customers come from off campus.

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“ We’ve been d raw i ng outside customers more and more over the past few years,” he said. “We’ve gotten a lot of positive comments and are definitely all ears if people have

requests or suggestions. We run four specials per day, which is 80 items per month, so it’s nice to get fresh ideas from guests.” So, if you are craving fresh and flavorful dishes, be sure to stop by!

Monroe

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31

Pet Friendly

Is your dog shy or does it have trouble playing well with others?

Maybe you want to have a private dog party? Sam’s Cats and Dogs provides rental options for their dog park! You can pick out your dog’s birthday cake from the store. Their dog park is fully fenced and offers a place for dogs to explore and play.

Don’t forget to pick up some Wet Noses treats on your way out. Wet Noses is a Monroe-based company that offers a variety of natural, human-grade and non-GMO goodies.

CHRISTINE MITCHELL

A “Doggy’s Day Out” Few things are better than having a good day out with a good dog.

We often need to leave our pets at home for long periods of time.

Let’s make it up to our four-legged family members and take them on a “Doggy’s Day Out” on the town.

Monroe’s pet-friendly environment offers many places to explore with your furry companion.

Start your day off right with your best friend with some locally brewed coffee and a leisurely stroll around Lake Tye, soaking up that morning sunshine. Take in the sounds of the ducks and their morning gossip while sipping your favorite cup of coffee. Bring a blanket, a few breakfast snacks and, if your favorite barista offers one, a pup cup.

After your breakfast settles, it’s time to burn some energy by a good 32

MONROE Magazine

walk and some physical and mental stimulation to get your pup to switch gears. Just 15 minutes of mental stimulation for a dog is like one hour of physical stimulation. Let your dog take in all the smells along the trails of Al Borlin Park while you listen to the birds and stroll beneath the canopy of maple trees.

Maybe your dog is a social butterfly who loves to show off. Have you checked out Wiggly Field Off-Leash Dog Park? The large space with agility equipment on site will help give your dog the outlet it needs.

Agility equipment offers more than just a physical work-out. It creates a mental work-out for your dog and helps build confidence. Don’t forget to bring a ball or frisbee if your dog loves to play fetch. Friendly reminder: the City of Monroe removes the wire mesh fencing from Wiggly Field in preparation for the annual flooding of the Skykomish River to preserve the rail fencing from water flow. The flooding occurs during winter months, approximately October through April.

The dog park remains open to the public; however, containment for

sip a refreshing beverage. Wherever you choose to go, make sure you call ahead of time to verify the restaurant is pet-friendly and has outdoor seating to accommodate you and your doggo.

There are a few things to keep in mind as you enjoy the day with your dog.

• Be mindful of other dogs and people. Some dogs do not play well with others. Take note of different dog behaviors and the way they communicate with each other. This will give you a better understanding of when to remove your dog from an area to prevent possible injuries.

Wiggly Field Off-Leash Dog Park

the dogs is limited to the 4-foot split rail fence, and dog owners should be extra vigilant as most dogs can escape this area. The City reinstalls the wire mesh fence after the flood season is over. During winter months the Winter Dog Park at the Evergreen State Fair Park is a great covered and secure back-up option open October through February and located in the Judging Area #606.

• While your dog may be friendly, it may wander and say hello to a dog that is more reserved. Always make sure collars are fitted properly and leashes are secure to avoid unwanted altercations.

If your dog is in an off-leash dog park, make sure it has a solid recall. Dogs are not allowed offleash in the City of Monroe, unless they are at an off-leash dog park.

• Always pick up your pet’s waste and dispose of it properly. There are waste stat ions at many locations throughout the city.

• Service animals may also be out and about enjoying the day. Do not approach or distract a service

You may notice your dog has gotten dirty and stinky after the park. Stop

by Pet Pros and use their self-wash.

Pet Pros offers a large tub, shampoo and conditioner, blow dryer, brushes and nail clippers. The best part is all the dirt and hair that comes off your stinky friend gets thrown away and doesn’t come home with you.

Finish the day enjoying a meal on the outdoor patio of your favorite petfriendly restaurant such as Route 2 Taproom. Watch clouds slowly drift across the sunset-painted sky and

If you encounter an unsafe situation with an off-leash dog, please contact Monroe Police Department’s Community Service Officers at 360-863-4594.

animal and never allow your dog to approach a service animal.

Make sure any establishment you visit is pet-friendly before entry. It is unlawful to misrepresent your dog as a service dog.

• If you are planning on running errands and the temperatures are above 65 degrees F outside, do not leave your dog in the vehicle for any length of time. Temperatures quickly rise inside a vehicle and can cause irreversible damage.

• Before you leave the house don’t forget a proper leash and collar, waste bags, dog treats, training aids and a water bowl. Check the outside expected temperatures and plan accordingly.

Now that your “Doggy’s Day Out” is complete, it’s time to head home, relax and enjoy those yummy treats while treasuring the wonderful memories you’ve made with your furry companion -- until your next adventure together!

Wiggly Field Off-Leash Dog Park

www.MonroeWA.gov

33

Savor & Sip Sushi Spott

Blazin’ K BBQ

A Taste of Monroe

By Adam Worcester

Feel like going out instead of cooking? Monroe has you covered.

The city offers a diversity of dining options that includes Thai, Italian, Hispanic, Chinese, Indian, Hawaiian, Greek, Sushi, and BBQ – both Korean and American style – at a wide range of prices. Here is a sample of available choices.

If you enjoy Pacific Northwestfocused food or want to celebrate a special occasion, check out Lewis and Main Restaurant and Brewery at 104 N. Lew is St . , feat ur ing “American farmhouse cuisine,” craft beer, and local wines. For meat lovers, head to J & L BBQ at 19191 US-2 and try some Texas-style beef, pork, and chicken. For Hawaiian treats, Island Blends Açaí and Poke, 14655 Fryelands Blvd. SE Ste. 163, 34

MONROE Magazine

offers bowls, sorbet, poke, and an array of smoothies, juices, and shots.

Love Mexican food? You’re in luck.

Monroe boasts a quartet of highquality dine-in restaurants: Ixtapa, at 19303 US-2; El Paraíso, on the shore of Lake Tye at 14090 Fryelands Blvd.; Las Tres Marías, at 116 W. Main

Taqueria La Michoacana

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St.; Taqueria La Bamba, at 14650 N. Kelsey St.; and Tijuana Restaurant, at 118 E. Main St. Monroe also has a trio of high-quality food trucks: Tacos El Rey (17630 W. Main St.); Tacos Pihuamo (329 E. Main St.); and Taquería La Michoacana (357 N. Lewis St.) Prefer Italian? Tuscano’s Italian K itchen, at 14919 N. Kelsey St., offers homemade pizza and pasta, rotating craft beers, wine, a covered outdoor patio, and five flat-screen TVs for sports and events. Jeno’s Restaurant serves both Italian and American dishes at 123 E. Main St Mediterranean Kabob Korner, at 19565 US-2, will make you think you’ve wandered into an authentic Greek café.

Is Asian more your style? Thai selections include Thai on Main Street (115 W. Main) and Benjarong T ha i (19480 US-2 #D1). K had i Indian (116 E . Main St.) ser ves

choices are beef bulgogi, spicy pork, chicken bulgogi, short rib, or grilled mackerel.”

Island Blends Açai

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& Auto Care

Since 1988

Differential

Driveline Maintenance

Foreign & Domestic • Change Fluid Every 30K-50K Miles

360-805-2868 211 S Lewis St • Monroe 1 Block South of Main St.

Open 8am-6pm

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Thai on Main

So, if you don’t feel like cooking, put away the pots and pans and start searching your phone or computer. Try one of the restaurants above or a place you’ve never been. Get out and explore all Monroe has to offer. It’s more than you imagined.

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Two new Asian cuisine restaurants celebrated 2024 grand openings in the city. Blazin’ K-BBQ, 19191 US-2 Ste. 149, offers “authentic Korean BBQ” cuisine, ranging from appetizers to soups to fried chicken. The owner’s favorite dish is the tabletop BBQ, where diners can choose their own meat to cook. Choices include pork belly, chicken bulgogi, LA Short Ribs, and New York Steak. Chef Nicole’s favorite dish is the Soonduboo Soup Combination. “This dish is not only tasty and healthy, but it also offers a variety of choices to customers in soup, BBQ, or even a fish,” she said. “It’s a combination of tofu soup in a heated hot pot and a choice of Korean BBQ on a sizzling iron plate. The soup base can be prepared in both meat and vegan options, using beef broth or plain water. Customers can choose kimchi, beef, pork, or seafood; or kimchi and beef or kimchi and pork combinations in different spicy levels. The BBQ

Sushi Spott also has traditional Asian noodle plates, as well as salads, drinks, and desserts.

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“India’s finest flavors, delivered with passion.” Saigon Pho and Grill (19959 US-2) has a wide selection of Vietnamese delicacies, and Asian Spice Chopsticks (14655 Fryelands Blvd. SE) specializes in Pan-Asian dishes from various countries.

Sushi Spott, 102 E. Main St. Ste. 1, features dozens of roll choices, including a Seahawks Roll and a Kraken Roll. The chef’s favorite is the BTS Roll, a blend of spicy crab meat, shrimp tempura, and avocado. The inside is topped with seared unagi and salmon, jalapeños, and a hint of house habanero. Customers’ favorite is the Spider Roll, a mix of soft-shell crab, crab meat, avocado, cucumber, and sprouts, topped with tobiko and eel sauce. The Super Spider Roll adds spicy tuna, crunch flakes and spicy mayonnaise.

Savor & Sip Burnt Barrel Whiskey Bar

RICHARD PORTER

A Tasty Tour

By Adam Worcester

In a region renowned for craft beers and excellent wines, Monroe offers a smorgasbord of delectable delicacies. You need not venture to Seattle to sample superb suds or to Woodinville to sip vintage vino. You can do so right here -- each with a unique atmosphere.

If you’re not sure where to start, try this suggested tour of Monroe staples.

They are listed in alphabetical order, but you can design your own path.

Sample them all in one evening or spend an evening at each one. Either way, we think you’ll agree: Monroe has good taste. Cheers!

perfect balance of sweetness to bitterness,” the Times enthused.

There are screens for sports and movies, as well as free classic table games. Bugu does not serve food but welcomes customers to bring their own. A unique tradition is “Paint Your Pet” nights, in which artists make paintings from photos of your dogs, cats, birds, fish, rodents, and reptiles.

Bugu Brewing Company 14751 N. Kelsey St. 360-243-3364 bugubrewing.com Pat ron s lo v e t h i s f a m i l y-r u n brewer y, wh ich won t he 2024 Seattle Times People’s Choice as Best in the Pacific Northwest. “Each drink is brewed according to the house Bugu ratio, achieving the 36

MONROE Magazine

Bugu Brewing Company

Burnt Barrel Whiskey Bar 102 E. Main St. 360-863-3104 burntbarrelwhiskeybarmonroe.com Located in the heart of historic downtown Monroe, Burnt Barrel boasts more than 200 bottles of whiskey to sample, as well as nonalcoholic options and a curated menu.

Route 2 Taproom

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Crooked Label Brewing

It breaks from serving whiskey-only for wine tasting on the first Thursday of each month.

“Chandeliers, loungy furniture, and Prohibition-era jazz create an inviting ambiance,” said owner Bridgette Tuttle, “pairing perfectly with smoked Old Fashioneds, peaty Scotches, and expertly crafted signature cocktails.”

Crooked Label Brewing 773 Village Way 360-217-8741 crookedlabelbrewing.com

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Dreadnought Brewing 16726 146 St. SE, Ste. 153 360-863-2036 dreadnoughtbrewing.com

Route 2 Taproom 19837 US-2 360-863-2036 route2taproom.com

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this venerable family-friendly facility now offers food and, soon, much more.

New ownership vows to expand beer selection and entertainment options, including live music, comedy, and monthly bingo and trivia.

Joining the Dreadnought Mug Club nets discounts and invitations to private events.

I f y o u’r e a t r i v i a f a n , m a r k Wednesday nights on your calendar and head to Route 2 Taproom at 6 p.m. for competition on subjects such as TV through the decades, one-hit wonders, pets, and think green. Or come for Tuesday Brewer’s Nights, or Saturday for live music. There are also game nights and karaoke nights at this socially oriented establishment.

“Dreadnought takes pride in being a family-friendly space that offers refreshments for ever yone and ensures a safe environment for all,” said spokesperson Sabrina Willard.

“Feel free to visit Dreadnought any day of the week!”

There is also plenty of beer – about 30 Northwest craft selections -and food – a surprising range that includes blackened salmon Caesar sa lad , ba rbeq ue bison bu rger, chicken & waffles, veggie flatbread, a full kids’ menus, and desserts.

Open seven days a week, Crooked Label has open mic nights and taco nights, live music on the weekends and food trucks on a regular basis.

Nearby Monroe Fish and Chips offers free delivery.

“We love malt in our brewing style.

We are very malt forward,” owner Dan Haff says. “My influences are German beers and British beers. We have a wonderful beer garden, and we are family and pet friendly. Can’t wait to pour you a cold one.”

Dreadknought Brewing

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www.MonroeWA.gov

37

Services

At Peace Salon & Spa 15194 Woods Creek Rd. 360-794-4247 Though its official hours are 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., owner Tara Walsh advertises on Facebook that At Peace Salon & Spa is “always open.” It offers hair styling, full body waxing, a variety of facials, reiki energy healing, micro-dermabrasions, and eyebrow/eyelash tinting.

Breeze Esthetics LLC 125 E. Main St., Ste. 203 425-315-3093

Take Care of Yourself

By Adam Worcester

In our fast-paced world of work, family, and social pressures, it’s easy to overlook the importance of self-care. Yet taking time for beauty and wellness treatments can significantly bolster mental health.

It’s not a luxury; self-care is a vital part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

A study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who treat themselves to regular cosmetic treatments or spa visits are less stressed and happier. Time spent pampering yourself also fosters relaxation and rejuvenation, key weapons against bur nout and an xiety. A facia l , for instance, not only cleans and invigorates the skin but also seems like a mini vacation, lying back and letting a pro take control. Likewise, 38

MONROE Magazine

Run by Brianna Gaspar, a licensed esthetician, Breeze specializes in full body sugaring, hard wax, facials, lash lift and brow lamination. It is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, though evening appointments are available upon request.

many spas use aromatherapy and soft music to promote a sense of well-being that lingers long after treatment is finished.

D’Lux Salon & Spa 14711 Fryelands Blvd.

360-217-8442 dluxsalonspa.com

Makeup can be a tool for selfexpression and boosts confidence, transforming self-perception along with outward appearance. And personal grooming, including nails and waxing, prov ides a sense of bodily control that can lead to improved self-esteem and greater personal pride.

This family- and woman-owned business boasts more than 35 years’ experience. Besides standard hair styling, its team is certified for Brazilian blowouts, sanitization, barbicide, tattoo removal, balayage, and ombre. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and evenings by appointment.

Ready to get started? Fortunately, Monroe has a slew of selections to help you help yourself. Whether it’s a simple haircut, a facial, new na i ls , wa x i ng, body suga r i ng, energy healing, or even weight-loss management, the city is filled with wonderful self-improvement options.

Golden Bough Day Spa 125 E. Main St., Ste. 204 425-879-6181 goldenboughdayspa.com Billed as “a relaxing little getaway in the heart of Monroe,” Golden Bough

offers full spa treatments, facials, energy medicine, and reflexology. Its website informs two new treatments coming soon: a tesla plasma chamber and terahertz wand. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment.

The Grayson Salon & Spa 114 S. Lewis St. 360-794-1618 thegraysonsalonspa.com

Raw Beauty by Bre 101 E. Main St., Ste. 102 425-239-0429 rawbeautybybre.com

Hair styling, body waxing and facials are specialties at this venerable salon, which has been ser ving Monroe since 2000. Its hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, with free two-hour parking on both sides of Lewis Street.

Master Est het icia n Brea n na Lashbrook offers a variety of unique services, from custom facials to chemical peels to dermaplaning to hydrodermabrasion. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, and by appointment.

The Lounge 20012 US-2 360-805-8763 This establishment houses three businesses -- All Eyes on Me Beauty Lou nge, Mau Loa Beaut y, a nd Julieonny Esthetics – and specializes in lashes, brows, airbrush tans, sugar waxing, and facials. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Thairapy Wellness Salon Spa 125 E. Main St., Ste. 104 360-799-6642 This combination women-menchildren’s hair salon, medical spa and beauty salon offers B-12 injections, BOTOX and weight-loss management in addition to hairstyling, facials, and a wide selection of lip, brow, and scalp treatments. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or by appointment.

Family owned full service florist since 1941 Full-line florist with daily deliveries to Monroe, Sultan, Startup, Gold Bar, Snohomish, Maltby, and Clearview.

Peachy Clean Skin Care Studio 209 N. Blakely St., Ste. 101 425-667-5381 peachycleanskincarestudio.com Opened in 2019, Peachy Clean ad v e r t i s e s it s e l f a s “a f re s h approach to skin care.” Esthetician Kayla grew up with bad acne and dreaded treatments, so she strives to make her studio “cheery, bright, and rejuvenating.” Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, or by appointment.

Introduci ng gourmet truffles & specialt y food item s

o Grab-n-G g Weddin es Packag

360-794-7001

215 S Lewis St • Monroe • MonroeFloral.com • monroefloral@gmail.com

www.MonroeWA.gov

39

Services

Mental Health Resources in Monroe

By Rachel Adams and Katelyn Harrigan, City of Monroe Human Services & Joe Neigel, Monroe School District Director of Prevention Services

R

ecent economic and social challenges have i nc reased t he demand for mental health support and resources to support those in times of need. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources in Monroe to help individuals and families navigate these challenges.

Crisis Support Beginning in 2023, the City of Monroe partnered with Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOA) and the City of Sultan to provide mental health services to individuals in crisis. Behavioral health professional Jessi Beyer works alongside 9-1-1 first responders, offering critical support on calls where someone may be experiencing a mental health crisis.

Beyer, who is stationed at the Monroe and Sultan Police Departments, works Sunday through Wednesday from 2 p.m. to midnight, providing services in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and connection to ongoing care. “We have built incredible and supportive re l at ion s h ips w it h bot h f i rs t responders and local human services

organizations in order to provide the best crisis intervention and resource navigation services that we can,” states Beyer. “Though we only currently offer 40 hours of coverage per week, we hope to expand to 24/7 coverage to ensure that anyone can reach skilled, trauma-informed care in the Sky Valley any time they need it.”

Additionally, 988 is the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline, offering free, confidential support 24/7. Trained counselors provide callers with immediate assistance, resources,

Body Therapeutic Healing Center 117 W. Main Street, Monroe WA

Hellerwork Structural Integration Bodywork Injury Treatment / Lymphatic Drainage Occupational Therapy / Insurance Accepted

Also Featuring

Massage Therapy by Michelle Taylor, LMP, Wellness Rising Within Colleen Barker - Energy Healing

Janaki Rose. OTR/L

Stress & Tension

40

Relaxed Balance

MONROE Magazine

360-863-2701 or 206-799-6771 Monroe, Index and Seattle

and connections to local services for support. To contact this service, simply dial or text 9-8-8 from any phone or visit 988lifeline.org to chat with a counselor who can help.

Counseling Services and Local Mental Health Support In addition to crisis resources, Monroe is home to a variety of suppor tive ser v ices for mental health and behavioral well-being.

Sea Mar Community Health Center provides a wide range of culturally competent behavioral health services, including individual, family, and group therapy, case management, recovery support, health education, and other specialized services for both outpatient and inpatient care.

Conquer clinics offers comprehensive mental health services, including assessments, talk therapy, psychiatric me d icat ion m a n age me nt , a nd intensive outpatient programs tailored to individual needs. Take the Next Step, Monroe’s Family Resource Center, connects people by referral

into support programs that fit their individual needs. Cascade Church extends support programming to the community, including through mental health resources and grief groups for individuals and families.

For those in need of a safe, welcoming environment, Scooter’s Place, Miracles and Memor ies, Compassionate Friends, and the Monroe Senior Center offer community-driven prog ra ms t hat foster connection and healing. For a complete list of these resources and contact View and download information the City of Monroe please scan the Community Resource & Support Guide QR code.

support advocates, social workers, and school counselors. Community events and trainings sponsored by the Coalition include the “Hope on the Horizon” mental health panel on May 6, 2025, or the Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training at the end of May. If you missed the panel and want to watch it or are

interested in registering for the upcoming YMHFA training, head to monroecommunitycoalition.org.

As we recognize Mental Health Awareness this Month, it’s important to remem ber t hat help is available, and you don’t have to face challenges alone.

Monroe School District Pa r t ne r i ng w it h t he Mon r o e Community Coalition to ensure a compre hensive response to behav iora l hea lt h a nd suicide prevention, the Monroe School District teaches students essential skills. K-8 students learn self-control and responsible decision making and 6-12 grade students lear n how to recognize and link peers experiencing emotional distress or substance use with helping adults.

Evidence-based programs like the Pax Good Behavior Game, Second Step, Botvin’s LifeSkills Training Program, and Signs of Suicide were chosen to teach these skills because they have been shown, by years of careful research, to positively influence lifelong wellbeing without causing unintended harm.

In addit ion to student-focused programming, t he Distr ict has spec ia l ized sta f f ava i la ble to students for 1:1 and small group support, including trained substance use i nter vent ion ists , l icensed mental health counselors, student

Insurance for all your needs.

Whims Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. Come see us at our NEW location, effective October 1, 2024 113 N Lewis St. // Monroe, WA 98272 www.leavitt.com/whims Auto | Home | Commercial | Bonds | Life insurance

Locally Owned. Locally involved. Let's Talk.

JOHN WHIMS

LAURI WHIMS

DAVE WHIMS

BERTHA M ATA

NORA MENDEZ

360-805-9484 Hablamos español!

www.MonroeWA.gov

41

Events Calendar Wednesdays May 28–Sept 24 Monroe Farmers Market 3 - 7 p.m.

Galaxy Theatres choosemonroe.com

MAY May 9-18 Puss ‘N Boots: A musical presented

by Sky Performing Arts Wagner Performing Arts Center skyperformingarts.org

May 10, 17, 31 Miracle League 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Rotary Field May 10 Master Gardener Plant Sale 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Evergreen State Fair Park snomgf.org

May 10 Republic Services’ Annual Community Cleanup Event 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Evergreen Speedway May 17 VFW Flags for Our Fallen 5k 9 a.m.

Lake Tye Park monroe5k.com

May 17-18 Early Ford V8 Club’s Auto Swap Meet 8 a.m.

Evergreen State Fair Park monroeswapmeet.com

JUNE June 7, 14 Miracle League 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Rotary Field June 7 Lake Tye Challenge 5 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Lake Tye Park

laketyechallenge.com

June 7-8 Fiber Fusion Northwest 9 a.m.

Evergreen State Fair Park fiberfusion.net

June 8 PRIDE 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Sky River Park

monroeequitycommunity.org

June 12 Monroe High School Senior Parade 6 p.m.

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MONROE Magazine

CITY OF MONROE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MONROE CHAMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 14-15 Kaci Edelbrock Memorial Tournament All Day All fields

July 19: Hawaiian DJ Bingo 5 p.m.

Monroe Community Senior Center

June 21 Monroe Community Band Summer Concert 7 p.m.

Wagner Performing Arts Center

July 19: Lake Tye Science Day 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lake Tye

monroecommunityband.org

EVERGREEN STATE FAIR PARK CALENDAR OF EVENTS

mcsc.org

washingtonfaire.com

July 25 Music in the Park: Hair Nation (80’s rock & roll) 6 p.m.

Lake Tye Park

June 28 Tilted Thunder Roller Derby 5 p.m.

Evergreen State Fair Park

choosemonroe.com

tiltedthunder.org

JULY July 8: Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue Water Safety Camp 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lake Tye

July 19-20, 26-27 Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sky Meadows Park

Discover Skykomish’s

Historic Charm – Creative Spirit – Endless Adventure Plan your visit at VisitSkykomish.com

SRFR.org

July 11 Music in the Park: The Machine (70’s disco) 6 p.m.

Lake Tye Park choosemonroe.com

July 12 Shakespeare in the Park 5 p.m.

Sky River Park lastleafproductions.com

July 18 Music in the Park: Jackie and the Holograms (80’s pop & rock) 6 p.m.

Lake Tye Park

Eat

Shop

Stay

Explore

Whether you’re here for a weekend or just passing through, you’ll find small-town charm, delicious food, cozy lodging, and plenty of photo-worthy moments.

Skykomish is closer than you think — and exactly what you need.

Located just off Hwy 2 (16 miles east of Stevens Pass)

choosemonroe.com

www.MonroeWA.gov

43

CHRISTINE MITCHELL

SARAH MAC PHOTOGRAPHY

Events Calendar AUGUST August 1 Movies Under the Moon: Despicable Me 4 Dusk Lake Tye Park monroewa.gov

August 2 Lake Tye Triathlon 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Lake Tye Park laketyetri.com

August 2-3, 9-10, 16-17 Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sky Meadows Park

August 8 Movies Under the Moon: Moana 2 Dusk Lake Tye Park monroewa.gov

August 15 Movies Under the Moon: Mufasa: The Lion King Dusk Lake Tye Park monroewa.gov

August 16 Kiwanis Golf Classic 8 a.m. kiwanismonroewa.org

August 5 National Night Out Against Crime 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Lake Tye Park

evergreenfair.org

August 21-26, 28-Sept. 1 Evergreen State Fair Evergreen State Fair Park

Foxtrot Fencing

Andy Lamond Owner Operator

44

Building community, not just fences

MONROE Magazine

monroewa.gov

August 9: Walk to Remember 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sky River Park

washingtonfaire.com

August 22 Movies Under the Moon: Captain America: Brave New World Dusk Lake Tye Park August 23 Monroe Fair Days Parade & Market 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

West Main Street choosemonroe.com

August 23-24 FairFest 3on3 Galaxy Theaters

starsunlimited.team

SEPTEMBER September 6 Belonging 12 – 6 p.m.

Sky River Park

monroeequitycommunity.org

September 6 Swifts Night Out 4:30 – 8 p.m.

Wagner Performing Arts Center pilchuckaudubon.org • Custom Design • New Construction • Knockdown/Rebuild • Repair/Restoration • Automatic Gates • Free Consultation and Proposal 360 348 0348 a.f.lamond@gmail.com www.skyvalleyfence.com License - FOXTRF*794KP Bonded and insured

September 6, 13, 20, 27 Miracle League 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Rotary Field September 7 Color Walk/Run 9 a.m.

Sky River Park September 7 R/C Unlimiteds Model Boat Racing 8 a.m.

Lake Tye

Local Art in the Cascades Come explore our gallery and gift shop, highlighting local art celebrating the beauty and history of the region.

Pancake Breakfast Fun Run

• Parade

Seattle Cossacks Open Air Market Bouncy House Pie Social Mini Train Rides KCLS Program BBQ Fundraiser Explore a fire engine!

SHS Museum Silent Auction

Located in the Cascade Mountains, SkyArtworks features local artists and offers seasonal workshops for all ages and skill levels.

Hours: Noon–5pm / Thursday–Sunday / March–December

SkyArtworks.org / 104 W. Railroad Avenue Skykomish, WA 98288 Exhibits / Workshops

Icecream Knotty Knitters Yarn Bomb Installation TunnelDaysofSkykomish.org

Saturday

August 16 Skykomish Ballpark

An unforgettable day of live music, local flavor, and community spirit!

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Cascades, MIP brings people together to celebrate summer with great tunes, open mic talent, and good eats.

Local artists, fresh mountain air, and a whole lotta soul.

Bring your friends, bring your family, and don’t forget your picnic blanket.

Let’s make memories in the mountains!

Good vibes required.

Free

Donations appreciated to support next year’s festival!

www.MonroeWA.gov

45

CHRIS HENDRICKSON

SARAH MAC PHOTOGRAPHY

Events Calendar September 13-14 Seattle Spartan Trifecta Meadow Wood Equestrian Center race.spartan.com

September 19 Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser 5 p.m.

Monroe Community Senior Center mcsc.org

September 27: Legacy Farm Fall Festival Opens

October 4 SRFR Fire Prevention Week Open House Station 31

OCTOBER October 4 Miracle League 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Rotary Field

SRFR.org

October 4 Rotary Barn Dance & Auction 5 p.m.

Evergreen State Fair Park 4H Building

thelegacyfarm.org

October 4-5 Rocktoberfest 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Evergreen State Fair Park

marysvillerockclub.com/events

October 25 Halloween Drag Bingo 5 p.m.

Monroe Community Senior Center mcsc.org

October 31 Downtown Trick or Treat 3 – 6 p.m.

Historic Main Street choosemonroe.com

NOVEMBER

EC

GARDENS LLC LANDSCAPING

TRANSFORM YOUR OUTDOOR

Lawn and bed maintenance Power washing and Cleanups Hedge, shrub and tree pruning Fence installation and repair Irrigation installation/repair and more

360.821.2647

46

MONROE Magazine

CONTACT

Professional Landscaping Services for a Greener and healthier Yard!

US NOW EC Gardens LLC

November 7-16 Into the Woods: Presented by Sky Performing Arts.

Wagner Performing Arts Center skyperformingarts.org

November 8 Holiday Bazaar 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Monroe Community Senior Center mcsc.org

November 8-9 Oddmall Emporium of the Weird Evergreen State Fair Park oddmall.co

Events Calendar November 21 Drive-Thru Thanksgiving Dinner 5 p.m.

Monroe Community Senior Center mcsc.org

December 19 Drive Thru Christmas Dinner 5 p.m.

Monroe Community Senior Center mcsc.org

November 21-22: The Great Junk Hunt Evergreen State Fair Park

December 19 Take Seventeen Big Band Concert Wagner Performing Arts Center monroecommunityband.org

January 25, 2026 Jayme Biendl Memorial 5k 9 a.m.

Sky River Park

thegreatjunkhunt.com

November 22 Monroe’s Mistletoe Market 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. fbcmonroe.org

November 29 Small Business Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Downtown Monroe

BeansForSharing.com

November 30 Light Up Monroe 4 p.m.

Traveler’s Park

choosemonroe.com

DECEMBER December 4-7 Holiday Spark at the Evergreen Fair Park Evergreen State Fair Park evergreenfair.org

December 6 Legacy Farm Christmas Festival Opens thelegacyfarm.org

December 13 Monroe Community Band Christmas Concert 7 p.m.

Wagner Performing Arts Center monroecommunityband.org

December 13-14 Artisans Holiday Fair 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Evergreen State Fair Park

Empowering your fundraising efforts Shop & Support: Get low prices!

30%

or more goes to these Beneficiaries:

● Lighthouse N.W. www.lighthousenw.org Breaking the cycle of domestic abuse one relationship at a time.

● UPC’s Save Our Children - Junior Camp + so much more… ● Hope Church-Des Moines, WA Loving & Serving Jesus + People - Outreach programs. Des Moines ● Hope Church NW-Renton, WA Loving & Serving Jesus + People-Outreach programs. Renton, WA ● KIWANIS CLUB of Helena Montana Improving The World One Child at a time. Chartered in 1921, ●

Your Organization should be here too! Art Review Magazine Club–Big Brother Big Sister Club–Book-to-Movie Club–Boy Scouts-Girl Scouts-Cake Club–Chess Club–Children’s Hospital Volunteer Club–Comic Book Club–Cooking Club–Cultural Exchange Club–Debate Club or Mock Trial–Entrepreneurship & Startups Club-Environmental Sustainability Club-Fashion Club-Film Club–Foodie Club-Foreign Cooking Club-Free Hug Club-Improv Club–Charity Club–Love Against Hate Club–Lumberjack Club–Magic Club–Makeup Artists Club–Mental Health Awareness Club–Monologue Club – Practice your acting and public speaking skills with other students.Nursing Home Volunteer Club–Photography Club–Pi Math Club–Sculpture Club–Scriptwriting Club–Sign Language Club–Skateboarding Club–Skill-And-Tell Club–Soup Kitchen Volunteer Club–UAB (Us Against Bullying) Club–Voice Actors Club–Waffle Club–Wizards & Muggles Club–Zombie Survival Club

evergreenfair.org

www.MonroeWA.gov

47

The Super Speedway of the West

r e v W. O yearths e N. in

70of racing

Evergreen State Fairgrounds • Kids 10 and under FREE!

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MONROE Magazine