colors of the season at Pike Place Market

The florist on the right hand entrance to Pike Place Market was carving out the innards of these little gourds and making the prettiest of floral displays. Makes you glad for all the rich and abundant royal tones that is requisite for FALL.

I LUV brussel sprouts - but, alas, they do not love me. I thought this gila monster on the sprouts was totally appropriate - you either love the little green buggers or hate them.

Cabbage roses - the bloom of Autumn. The bouquets began at a mere $5 and had the lovely tones of ivory and purple. The whole family took some home for display.

Pike Place Market/Seattle
on 1st Ave. in downtown
a great destination in any season

Start you local shopping engines

Today begins that lovely procession of craft bazaars and holiday shopping suggestions that will become part of our weekends from this time forward. The Renton Senior Activity Center yearly host a Craft Bazaar and fills at least three rooms full of vendors with any type of handcrafted item you can imagine - and, they have coffee and donuts, usually, for the weary shopper to indulge in once there. Musical entertainment and others things to eat will also be available - so scoot on over and check things out.

I always love to go to this local event. The prices are always good, I am bound to see an item or two that tickles my fancy and this always makes the day of some hard working crafter who spent hours preparing for this sale day.

Today from 10:00 am til 4 pm

Renton Senior Activity Center
211 Burnett Ave. Renton, WA

Happy Birthday to The Picaroon

Happy Birthday greetings from The Picaroon to The Picaroon - you have made it a year, baby!

The Picaroon has it's sun sign in Scorpio, as does the author of said blog, and because of that, we get along famously. Loyal sometimes to a fault, tendency to have a long memory for arcane information that not too many others are likely to be interested in and loves a good book, cup of tea and or coffee and is snap-happy in the photo department to a fault.

You are likely to catch this blog taking walks in the community, smiling at babies and petting dogs. The Picaroon loves color, isn't afraid of the deep and heavy stuff, and occasionally speaks out if the time for such discussions is right. Otherwise, just trying to spread a little local sunshine and cheer will do just fine.

The Picaroon is presently looking for gainful employment, as are too many these days, and would love something part time so as not to get in the way of studious endeavors (gotta learn that Photo Shop!) and community efforts. This could include being a Renton barrista (good coffee hand here), cleaning nearby homes, rearing children for a few hours or giving Reiki/and or creative and intuitive pep talks (a real strength). The Picaroon is also a dab hand at decoration, redecorating (think homes, offices, retail windows) and repair work of the fiber kind (clothing, etc.) It goes without saying that I could take photos at a gathering for you and of course, who hasn't waited tables or poured beer.Speaks Mandarin Chinese and has done marketing and led tours.
Most obvious - can help you begin to blog and use social media.

Respectful and fairminded folk need only respond,
as we are all equals in this daily struggle on planet earth.

ladypicaroon at gmail dot com

Another closure in Renton - say goodbye to Value Village

Yet another goodbye in the Renton shopping and dining arena - Value Village will close it's doors a week from this Saturday. That's right - after 30 plus years of having a presence in our community, the thrift store will say goodbye very soon.

This particular Value Village was the first in the greater Seattle area, one of the sweet store staff told me today. That was over 30 years ago, and most members of the community have memories of coming to the store when they were kids. With the Halloween stuff already contained in a single aisle, Christmas decorations have already started to creep onto many a shelf and the common lament when the customers are told of the immanent closure is - But what about Christmas?

The store staff has been told that they can apply for a transfer and many of them have been going for interviews in Kent, Auburn and some as far as Puyallup. But like Amelia, my favorite of all staff at the store, says she will really miss the community and her customers the most. Amelia is a spreader of sunshine and smiles - so it will be a loss for all of us who look forward to be greeted by her on our visits to the store.

I will be the first to admit that I was once a completely devoted "Vee Vee" shopper, making it there a couple times a week at a minimum. I have treasures plucked from their store strewn throughout my home. The prices made it hard to consider shopping anywhere else - and I always found something in their selection to suit my fancy. But the last year, I have tapered off going. The prices rose and the sale days never held anything with the requisite tag color to make me want to continue to go. Family members even wrote as much into the company on a comments form. To no avail.

But I still would occasionally drop off my discards for donation and take a spin through the store and that is how I came to find out the news today. I am bummed - this economy just doesn't seem to be picking up as the news would have us believe. I know so many people seeking employment (including moi) and things are tight for most. Exactly the time when you need a good thrift store to help you make it through the most expensive holiday time of the year. Value Village - I will be missing you.

Value Village
1222 Bronson Way N Renton, WA
98057-5792
(425) 255-5637

Eat Local and keep it all going

Here is the local restaurant news from Renton - Fin and Bone, Billy McHales and Calico Cheesecake/Lure Cafe/Tapestry Saloon closed all within the last few days. SOooo - here is the plan, people of Renton. Remember to eat and drink locally. Support the local places that we all love so that when we come out of this financially challenging time, and we will, there will be some place to go back to in the days ahead.

Pat and Jenna have put their heart and soul and flair for a great meal into A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub. It is open to the entire family seven days a week until 9pm, has an awesome brunch served on the weekend from 9am till 3pm, and has a host of wonderful specials to make each day different and interesting. For example - Fridays, all day for $10, gives you chowder and fish 'n chips. Tuesdays gives you a pint of Irish red ale brewed by Big Al and a Irish burger that has all the common trimmings plus Dubliner cheese and Rueben sauce for $9. Full bar plus 17 draft beers to choose from - with some lovely choices that include 9Lb Porter, Whistling Pig, Rogue Dead Guy Ale, O'Brien's Harvest at this moment.

Ask Jenna to receive text messages of the free cover music scene (as in good bands) that is a weekly plus occurrence at this hoppin' local hotspot. There is also Open Mike Night/Karaoke on Wednesday's with the beautiful Tara. That 's tonight folks, so you might wanna start making some plans.

Keep your eyes open for a new coupon to come out and for box lunches for people on the go who need a good meal from a kitchen that cares. This should be a welcome addition to the lunch options for working folks in and around downtown Renton. There will also be a special emailing of coupons for those who fill out a form with their email address, and if you use the one you receive, you will get another coupon as a reward and your server will get a bonus for having brought you back in once again. Family style business, here - where everyone comes out ahead.

Come out, eat enjoy and support, dear Renton

A Terrible Beauty
201 Williams Ave. S.
in the DTR
(425) 227 - 3396
Full Menu till 11pm, open til 2am
Happy Hour 3-6 Weekdays

Election Night Party and other DTR stuff

Did you post your ballots today, my friends? I don't know about you, but the whole idea of going to the poll booth and casting the vote in person was always an activity that I looked forward to this time of year. The little old ladies helping out, putting a flag sticker on my lapel that said to all and sundry, "I Voted Today" and just the feel of the day, getting up and reviewing the issues at hand and making your choies. Will this really completely go by the wayside now?

Tonight, Liberty Cafe in the DTR will be hosting an Election Party with pizza and cupcakes and hopefully, YOU. Come on down and join in some good ole fashioned community fun.

Liberty Cafe
926 S. Third Street
(425) 235 - 1400

New sign, still the best lunch deal in town - $5, including tax, for a lunch at DC's Bar & Grill in the DTR. Always a special of the day plus a full contingent of yummy lunch menu items to choose from. Terrence - the new sign is rockin', my friend.

DC's Bar and Grill 907 S. Third St. Renton WA 98055 (425 255-2511

A mere dollar a zombie - these finger puppets will bring a child or childlike adult some gruesome fun. Not Halloween? There is no season limit on Zombie love. Happy Delusions has it for you.

Fun and Flair for 10 bucks - these decoupage belt buckles are way too cute and affordable not to be on your shopping list. Pick one up when you are stocking up on your Zombies.

Happy Delusions 924 S. 3rd St. (425)255-6078

Lay on a layer of laquer, Ladies

We still need to feel pretty, even if no one else sees our toenails except for ourselves. This is the time of year to express yourself, for yourself, in the nail department. Wanna try a new shade? Go for some nail art that makes you grin when you lean over and look in the morning shower? Treat yourselves, gals - add some glam and have a new color of lacquer applied at the best downtown nail salon I know - CK Nail & Spa.

Hahn, the nail specialist, has been busy creating all sorts of new designs and has a great eye for color and detail. My toes are all about FALL. What will yours say about you?


CK Nails & Spa
900 S. Third St. (425)282-6453
Mon - Sat: 9am-7pm Closed Sunday

Halloween Party Pics

Halloween and kids - what could be cuter. Here are some of my favorite shots from yesterday's Olde Fashioned Halloween Party in the DTR.

Hello Janice Tanner!

Phyl Carroll always has a good sense of Halloween adventure.

This handmade costume was one of the best I was privy to see - Mom said it took her an hour to make. Ingenious - this is what the holiday, at it's best, is always about.

Connor as Max, from Where The Wild Things Are - handmade by Mom, Kat, from an oversized man's sweater and the source of my best Halloween Joy.

Halloween Party Props

Olde Fashioned Halloween Party - it had to be the best one that Renton has had thus far. Congrats to the Downtown Events Committee for having given us yet another great shindig. The additional funds that were secured through the Neighborhood Grant Program allowed for more games to be added and the purchase of a popcorn machine this year, making it horrifying good!

Rod Stewart?! Is that you in???? Rod of Antique Country Station is full of the groovin' party spirit and a major contributor to the event.

Mary Clymer is hip to the party thing and put a lot of her Happy Delusional mojo into this Halloween gig. Thanks Mary!

Rachel, daughter of Rene Flansaas of the Renton Reporter

Natalie Bonham of the Renton Reporter was also greatly involved in this spooky party enterprise, as well as Jennifer Davis Hayes of the City of Renton Economic Development Dept. and Deb Hanson. You all did soooo hauntingly well!



Trick or Treatin' at the many DTR merchants made the day even more fun. Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes had their share of Halloween spirit.


I have always said that cupcakes were brain food....

Anyone entering into The Comic Den was greeted by the owner, Howard Wheatley's dog, Hercules in all his pumpkin splendor.

Thanks Renton for a wonderful Halloween day

When did you last hear a good Ghost Story?

Today is the day that the thin boundary between the living and those that have passed over can be crossed. The day we call Halloween in Celtic tradition was a far more frightening day to the average Joe and Harriet of old. Come join storyteller Naomi Baltuk and her apprentice daughter, Bea, to hearing haunting scary tales.

Witches and ghosts and general horrific mayhem - not for the weak or faint of heart! (but FREE!) Come in costume - if you dare!

Renton History Museum

TODAY at 11 am
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA

Olde Fashioned Halloween Party Saturday!

Tomorrow is the day when we dress up and scare the neighbors if possible, eat way too much candy and light up the carved pumpkins one last time. My favorite way to enjoy the holiday is partaking in the community fun at the Olde Fashioned Halloween Party that is held downtown just off of Main Street and South Third.

The kids, the costumes, the games and the fun - it is all free, except for the hot dogs that you must really partake in to thoroughly enjoy the outing (you need a layer of real food to buffer all of the candycorn and snicker bars).

Bring the kids or just the kid within - you will not regret it. (Just look at FUN last year was!)

"OLDE" Fashioned Halloween Party
Saturday, October 31st
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Main Street Square in Downtown Renton
(enter on South Main St between 2nd & 3rd across from Uptown Glassworks)
Wear your costume, have fun at the games, have your face painted and your photo taken while snacking on some treats and food
Trick or Treat in Downtown Businesses from 1 to 4pm

Pumpkin Art - how are your carving skilss?

Renton Hill is showing some pumpkin flavor - someone has been up late carving these days. Couldn't resist sharing this ever cute doorstep.

wormy and squirmy came to rest upon a cake

wanna make some of these graveyard delights?

First -
use a cake mix, follow the directions for cupcakes, but put some LUV into it girls, add chocolate milk instead of water, or buttermilk and when it comes to the oil - maybe use that stuff we call butter

Then -
take an 8oz of cream cheese (okay, this could be lowfat), room temperature, and half a bag of semisweet chocolate chips that you have melted carefully on a double boiler on the stove. whip together, add a teaspoon of vanilla for good measure, and approx. 3 cups of powdered sugar. frost right away.

Decorate -
with crumbled oreo cookies (about 7, without the creamy middles), and some gummi sour worms. makes it look like death warmed over at the cemetery.

Flat Moogie will be visiting madlycreative for a few days - so stay tuned to her crazy antics. she is from the south - who knows what that might end up being...

Pumpkins and squash for sale

Goosebump Pumpkins? We-Be-Little Pumpkins? How cute can you get. All found at Carpinito Brothers, less than a mile down the road from Downtown Renton.

Carpinito Brothers Farm
1148 Central Ave N
Kent, WA 98032
(253) 854-5692

Renton Film Frenzy Curvee Awards Gala Tonite!

The Film Frenzy films will be screened tonight at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center - and it is FREE! - come and join the fun. The top ten films will be screened from 7 til 9pm tonight and the Curvee Awards will be given - $1,700 in cash prizes featuring a special performance by the EriAm Sisters.

This is the culmination of seventeen filmmakers 50 hour odyssey to write, edit and produce a 4 minute film masterpiece featuring some necessary bits about Renton for the Second Annual Renton Fim Frenzy Competition.

If you can't make it to this evening's screening, the following two evenings will give you ample time and place to partake in this local bit of creativity. You can even meet the genius behind the effort, as the filmmakers themselves will be on hand to discuss their works.

Downtown Renton FilmWalk October 28-29 7:00 - 8:30 pm
WEDNESDAY Locations
Whistle Stop Ale House
809 S. 4th St.

Armondo's
310 Wells Ave. S.

Blossom Asian Bistro
305 Burnett Ave.S.

THURSDAY Locations

Liberty Cafe
926 S. 3rd St.

Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. S.

DC's Bar & Grill
907 S. 3rd St.


Remember = Admission is FREE. Can't beat that price!