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Yes, I want to support My MLTnews!Showing up for each other
This week made me think a lot about what it actually means to show up for someone. The real, physical act of being there can make such a huge difference to the people in our lives.
Midweek, I stayed up too late on a weeknight to watch my friend win a karaoke competition. I was tempted to stay home — I was tired and had a lot of work waiting for me the following day. But I’m so glad I was in the room when her big moment happened, cheering, clapping and feeling so much joy as she belted out a tune before a crowd. She nailed every note, and I lost my voice from cheering too loudly.
Then Saturday came. My husband was valedictorian of his journeyman carpenter class and gave an inspiring speech. Changing his career mid-40s took a huge leap of faith, but I have been proud to witness his growth through every step. So many people showed up to celebrate his class of graduates. It was the perfect way to end the past four years of his apprenticeship.
Afterward, we threw a graduation party at our house. My kids and I spent the day cleaning, cooking and getting things ready. Everyone pitched in. My teens did grocery runs and my oldest son made his famous chicken skewers. So many people came, even though the party was an impromptu one for which I’d given people short notice. They filled the house, brought food, hugged him, told stories and stayed longer than they had planned. It felt like the weekend couldn’t get any better.
But it did. On Sunday, I volunteered at a Girls on the Run 5K. It’s not really a race in the way people usually think of races. The girls who participate can run, jog or walk at whatever pace they need. Many are paired with running buddies so no one is out there alone. The entire course is lined with people cheering from start to finish. Families and friends wave and cheer along along the route. You could see each girl pick up speed as she approached the finish line, and the roar of the crowd grew louder.
In life, our biggest moments are rarely the ones we spend alone. Someone is usually there — cheering, helping, fixing appetizers in the kitchen, encouraging us from the sidelines, staying up late and waking up early to show up for us. It’s graduation season right now and I know so many people will be doing the same thing for their friends and family. And this week, there’s even more opportunities to show your support for people in your community at multiple Pride events.
So make sure you show up.
Some of the activities in this column are free, some cheap and some splurges. Come back every Monday for more ideas and explore the community resources at the bottom of this column if you’re looking for ways to give back or need support. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for fresh posts and weekend reminders.
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Free Fun
Celebrate Pride Month!
June is Pride Month, and there is a full calendar of local of events all month long!
- Friday, June 12 from 1:30-3 p.m.: Aging With Pride at Edmonds Waterfront Center
- Friday, June 12 from 6:30-9 p.m.: Pride Movie Extravaganza at Edmonds Center for the Arts
- Saturday, June 13 from 10:30-11:15 a.m.: Pride Story Time at Edmonds Library
- Saturday, June 13 from 7-11 p.m.: Pride Party at Bar Americano
- Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Pride Picnic at Hickman Park
Listen to music at Musicology Co. in Edmonds
Explore the latest music at the coolest record store in the region. Musicology Co. is a vibrant, woman-owned music boutique and record store offering new and used vinyl, CDs and cassettes, with a strong focus on spotlighting local artists through live in-store performances and a curated music‑lover experience. Drop in for an upcoming live performance or Listening Party.
Events this week:
- Thursday, June 11: 11:59 p.m.-1 a.m.: Olivia Rodrigo — You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl in Love Midnight Release Sale!
LEGO Brick Building, homework help, and reading with therapy dogs at Sno-Isle Libraries
Sno‑Isle Libraries regularly hosts a variety of free, family friendly events — such as baby and toddler story times, book talks, crafts and community gatherings — across its branches and online year-round. Find one at the library near you and check out some books to read while you’re there.
From 4-6 p.m. on Tuesdays, go to the Lynnwood Library for free Homework Help, where volunteers are available to assist students in grades K-12 with school assignments. No registration is required; just bring the work you’re working on. Assistance is offered on a first-come-first-served basis and is a great way for students to get a little extra support after school.
The Lynnwood Library will host Medicaid: 2026 Updates and How to Apply on Tuesday, June 9, from 1-5 p.m. The free workshop, presented by the Chinese Information Service Center in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, will cover current Medicaid eligibility rules, benefit updates and step-by-step guidance for applying or renewing coverage. Participants can also receive free, unbiased assistance from CISC-sponsored SHIBA and WAHBE navigators, with interpreter accommodations available upon request through the library.
Kids ages 5 and up can get creative at the Lynnwood Library’s LEGO Brick Building event on Friday, June 12, from 3:30–4:30 p.m. During this free drop-in session, children can build and share their own LEGO® creations, connect with fellow young builders and enjoy snacks.
Young readers ages 6-12 can build confidence and practice their reading skills at Paws for Reading on Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Mountlake Terrace Library. Kids read aloud to certified therapy dogs in a relaxed, supportive environment designed to make reading fun and less intimidating.
Registration is required for many events, so check out Sno-Isle Libraries’ event calendar link below for more details.
Silver Creek Indoor Playpark
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays
Need to get out of the house? Bring young kids to the free Indoor Playpark at Lynnwood’s Silver Creek Family Church to hang out and play. Parents can enjoy some coffee or tea while kids play with indoor toys.
Cheap Thrills
Seattle & Everett sports this week
The AquaSox and Mariners are both on the road this week, so no home days for baseball fans.
The Storm have a busy week. They play at Las Vegas on Monday, then host the L.A. Sparks at Climate Pledge Arena on Wednesday and the Golden State Valkyries on Friday.
The Sounders are still on the MLS World Cup break, but soccer is officially here. The tournament kicks off June 11, and Seattle’s first match at Lumen Field is this Sunday, June 15, Belgium vs. Egypt. Five more World Cup matches follow through early July.
Try local drop-in childcare options
Need a night off from parenting? Several local spots offer childcare with an evening of fun for kids.
- Drop-in childcare at KidsPark in Lynnwood. Flexible schedules.
- Drop-in playcare at Time4Kidz Lynnwood. Flexible schedules.
- Lynnwood Rec Center’s Parent’s Night Out. 6-9:30 p.m. on the first and third Friday every month.
Get your game on at Around the Table Boardgame Pub
Don’t miss out on this lively destination in Lynnwood for families and friends with tons of board games on site that you can play together from classics to new favorites. Enjoy ice cream, treats and a library of games to play.
While the regular calendar lists tabletop‑gaming events, prereleases and league nights, the core appeal is that you can drop in any day to choose from hundreds of games and play at your pace, making it a great hangout for kids, teens and adults alike. It is easy to organize casual meet‑ups (like board game afternoons), and the friendly staff can help you find games that suit your group.
Public swim sessions at Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds pools
Schedules vary, see pool sites for details.
Open swim sessions generally charge a fee of less than $10 per person.
We’re lucky to live in a region with multiple indoor and outdoor heated pools to help us get some recreation in during the dark, rainy months. My family has a membership to the Lynnwood Rec Center, and we love attending the open swim sessions for a fun, budget-friendly outing.
- Lynnwood Rec Center Pool: Multiple open swim and rec swim sessions happen each week, featuring a recreation pool with two water slides, a lazy river, water playground, spray features and more. See the pool schedule and register ahead to reserve your spot.
- Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion Pool: Warm water, a lazy river, sauna and more. What’s not to love? See the full schedule to plan your visit.
- Yost Pool in Edmonds: Yost has limited open swim sessions during this season but makes for a fun outside option for people who want to experience a heated pool outdoors. See the full schedule to plan a visit.
Beginner skate lessons at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate
Lessons 11 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Drop-in sessions 11 a.m. to noon Sundays at
6210 200th St. SW. in Lynnwood.
Please note that this week’s schedule may be affected by Easter. Call to confirm.
Sign up for weekly lessons for kids and adults. Lessons include a 30‑minute instruction period followed by 30 minutes of practice, taught by national‑level coach Ezra Thompson. Learn skills like balance, stopping and forward and backward skating, with more advanced skills offered in a Level 2 course.
A four-week session costs $120, including open skate time. There’s also a Sunday drop-in option for $30 that includes a practice session.
Public skate sessions at Lynnwood Ice Center
19803 68th Ave. W. in Lynnwood
Whether your family loves skating, hockey or just trying something new, the Lynnwood Ice Center has something for everyone, including open skate sessions and stick-and-puck sessions and even “theater on ice.” It’s a safe and welcoming spot for all ages to enjoy some time on the rink.
Seattle Skating Club offers skate lessons for people ages 3.5 and up and of varying skill levels. Explore their lessons schedule and sign up for future sessions.
Note that all visitors must pay ahead through their digital system. See the full calendar to find a session that works for your schedule this week.
Resources for Families
Snohomish County resource list
Not sure which resources you need? This list can help you see the options. The Snohomish County Community Resource List provides contact information for more than 300 local services, including emergency assistance, legal aid, youth and family support, mental health resources, financial help and immigration services.
211 North Sound – Snohomish County resource line
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Call: 211
Text: 211WAOD to 898211
211 North Sound connects residents of Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties to a comprehensive range of community services. Trained specialists provide free, confidential assistance in over 140 languages, offering referrals for housing, food, healthcare, childcare, crisis support and more.
In Snohomish County, 211 also supports initiatives like the Homeless Coordinated Entry and Emergency Rental Assistance programs. For specialized support, including assistance for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, call 211 and follow the prompts for TBI services.
Family support through Edmonds School District
The Edmonds School District offers a dedicated Family Support Resource Line to assist families in need. You can reach them at 425-431-1454 or via email at [email protected]. Family Resource Advocates are available to provide holistic support and help families access community resources. For more information, visit the District’s Family Support page.
Snohomish County Human Services
Snohomish County Human Services offers a wide range of programs to help families in our region meet basic needs and support overall well-being. Services include early childhood programs like Early Head Start and ECEAP, family support resources for caregivers, behavioral health counseling and 24/7 crisis services, housing and energy assistance through the Community Action Partnership and specialized support for veterans and their families.
Edmonds Human Services: Resources for Edmonds residents
Edmonds Human Services is a helpful resource for any Edmonds resident facing financial, mental health, housing or other personal challenges. With a range of supports – including food and housing aid to college student services, veteran and senior help, suicide prevention (including 988 lifeline access) – this department connects people to local and county resources tailored to improve quality of life.
Local food banks
Families in need can turn to several neighborhood food banks for weekly groceries and fresh produce. Each food bank serves residents in its surrounding area with easy pickup times and volunteer support.
Domestic violence resources
For families experiencing domestic violence, several local organizations offer confidential support and emergency shelter services:
- DVS-SnoCo provides a 24/7 crisis line at 425-252-2873, offering emergency shelter, legal advocacy, safety planning and support for individuals and families affected by intimate partner violence.
- YWCA Pathways for Women
Located in Lynnwood, this 45-day emergency shelter offers safe housing and resources for women and families experiencing homelessness, including those fleeing domestic violence. - If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Youth ride public transit free!
Kids and teens 18 and under can ride buses, ferry and light rail for free. No pass is required. Want tap-and-go convenience? Get a free Youth ORCA card online or at the Ride Store.
Share the fun!
Wherever your adventures take you, I hope this roundup helps you find fun, affordable, and meaningful ways to connect and enjoy the season. Have an event or suggestion? Want to share your reels from a recent outing to be featured here? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below to get in touch. Don’t forget to check back every Monday for fresh ideas.
Rory Graves is a local writer, editor and parent of three teens who loves helping families find fun, meaningful ways to connect with their community. She covers family-friendly events, local resources, and creative outings around South Snohomish County. When she’s not exploring the region, you can find her cheering at one of her kids’ games, thrifting or curled up with a good book and some tea.
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