Late Night Swim This Week

Last day of real summer, August 31st. At least, that is the way it feels like to me. This is the last week that the Henry Moses Aquatic Center will be open until next year. Sigh and deep sense of sadness. You have two more glorious evenings of late night swimming - tonight, Monday, from 8pm to 10 pm - its called TWILIGHT SWIM. Next and last chance will be this Wednesday evening at the same hours.

Daytime swimming, outside of the morning Lap Swims from 6 am till 8 am, will be Leisure Swim from 12 noon till 3:30 pm and then from 4:00 pm till 7:30 pm. You have until Closing Day which will be September 7th.

Henry Moses Aquatic Center
1719 SE Maple Valley Hwy
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 430-6780

lawn weddings

Weddings - I saw two of them, after the rainy start of Saturday subsided and the sun perked up the sky. This was just the tail end of a joyous function held on the lawn just outside the doors of the Renton Senior Activity Center here in North Renton. Such a beautiful spot, I am surprised that this is the first I have had the pleasure of happening upon.

The photos were taken with my Blackberry Phone - so not the greatest, but you get the idea.

Jazzy Brunch for Everyone

A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub is the newest best place to take the family for brunch. That's right - their license has gone through, and now up until 9pm, the under aged are allowed on the premises and everyone can come together to enjoy the great restaurant vibe that owners Pat and Jenna are putting down

I have written about the brunch at A Terrible Beauty before, but since then it has gotten even better. Now you can go and listen to the mellow and melodic music of a pair of jazz guitarists while you sip your good cup of joe and enjoy an incredible collection of eggs benedict dishes and omelets, served with (my favorite choices) a scone or piece of Irish soda bread. Oh, and the bit about being able to bring in the younguns is important update news as well.

The breakfast/brunch begins at 9am and ends at 3pm. If you were partying at the pub the night before, bring in your receipt and get 20% off your breakfast until they stop serving it. Jenna and Pat have also been hitting the streets with a handy dandy coupon that entitles you to 50% off the second brunch, lunch or dinner entree when you purchase the first at equal or lesser value. Try to pick one up. Sundays feature the $3 Bloody Mary.

Be on the lookout for a lot of incredible music opportunities at A Terrible Beauty as well. They are promoting Alternative, Punk and Rock Music without cover charge and on a weekly basis. Sign up with Jenna to receive a biweekly update as to who is on the stage/docket and include it in your rooster for nights out and fun.

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

Newly opened on South Third Street

Cedar Chest Antiques boasts new management, new stock and a new name on the front window. With a soft opening a couple of weeks ago, Beverly Franklin and David Olds, recently of the Antique Shopping Mall from around the corner on Wells Ave., have opened new antique shopping digs for themselves. The storefront was home to another antique store prior to this one, but has a much cleaner and uncluttered look to it and there is no mistaking it for the previous shop.

The Antique Mall was one of my favorite shopping haunts when I first came to Renton, and as I pen this post, my laptop sits on a cute 50's linoleum table with matching chairs that became my first of many purchases from Beverly's previous store. I loved it in there - there were many treasures to be unearthed. The new store still has some of the goodies I grew to love looking at, but is a mite less full of the clutter and clump that are still an endearing featuring of an interesting antique shopping experience for me. Yet, as I whisked through this morning, David was purchasing some goodies from a client (yes, you can come here to relieve yourself of antiques as well!) and my thought is that more stock will be added in no time.

Cedar Chest Antiques
916 South Third Street
(25) 271 - 0511
11 - 5pm Tuesday - Saturday

When an apron is all you need

The Little Black Dress Apron is adorned with a neckline of tasteful jewels. has two different styles and is $34. The Retro Fabric Wall Art is made by Mary Clymer, owner of Happy Delusions, is $40 and Mary does take custom orders. The ubercool red heart necklace is $44. The cutest window in the DTR can be found at...

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

summer fruits

Summer fruits. At times my kitchen has been abundant to overflowing with them these last couple of weeks. I am always on the look out for a recipe that will help diminish my fruit stash and make me want to bake more. This recipe was discovered at a cute food blog "Cookie Pie" , and was originally called The Blueberry Crumble Bar.Note that ANY fruit combination can be used in this recipe and not just blueberries. The fruit pictured above has peaches, Italian plums and rainier cherries in it and it was an amazing mouthful - yum!

Fruit Crumb Bars
Makes 24

1 1/2 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. plus a pinch of salt
16 Tbsp. (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg
4 cups fresh fruit
1 TBS vanilla
1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang over 2 sides. Mist foil with cooking spray.

2. In a food processor, pulse together 1 cup sugar, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add the butter pieces and pulse again until mixture resembles wet sand. Pulse in egg, just to blend. The dough will be crumbly. Pat half into the baking pan.

3. In a bowl, stir the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch and pinch of salt. Fold in the fruit and vanilla. Pour the fruit mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble the reserved dough over the berries. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling. Let cool on a wire rack until room temperature, then cover and chill for at least 1 hour before lifting out and cutting into bars.

Note: These keep beautifully in the fridge, covered, for up to 4 days. You can give them a little toast in the toaster oven to crisp them up again. They're also great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I didn't try it but I bet they'd freeze well, too.

The Renton Reporter moves to Kent

The sign outside the Mills Ave. building where The Renton Reporter resides says "Your Community Newspaper". While still planning to be of the community, for the community, the Renton Reporter will no longer be in the community as of tomorrow, when it moves to Kent to share digs with sister publication The Kent Reporter just three blocks shy of Renton.

Helping out with overhead at the West Valley Hwy and S. 194/6th Street location is just temporary, the staff at the Reporter assured me today while they had an impromptu going away cake amidst the moving boxes and slight disarray. (The Picaroon was graciously offered cake but declined - our summer sugar intake has been a tad scary!). The Kent Reporter can expect to have Renton around just until their lease is up and then the plan is to return back here, with the ultimate goal being to open their offices in a storefront location.

The Renton Reporter Staff :
Jamie Faase, Natalie Bonham, Dean Radford, Rene Flansaas, Ellen Morrison, Celeste Gracy, Adam McFadden

The general staff consensus is that you will see them around even more and not less. The Reporter would not like us to feel as if we have been abandoned in anyway. However, it will put a kink in Celeste Gracy being able to walk to half of her interviews for articles and from seeing Rene and Natalie out and about on a coffee run to Liberty Cafe.

Safe travels down Kent way and hope the lease is up soon!

caught in my camera frame

even when it's gray

Overcast and gray, but still it's okay to float upon the river. The Cedar River in Renton is busy all year long, but most of the time we residents remain outside of the water and not in. Yesterday a certain mugginess in the air and thoughts still on summer being here, there was a confluence of people on and in the river just near the Jones Park. How fun.

Tomorrow you can have your nails done

It has been a long road of recovery since the 5 alarm fire that struck in downtown Renton over 2 months adversely affected the building housing the CK Nail and Spa on South Third Street. Granted, the building that went up in flames was around the corner on Wells Ave. S. but the thousands of gallons of water that were used to save the block from going up in flames rained down heavily through the roof of the salon. After all the other businesses seemed to have gotten up and running thus far, CK is just now ready to reopen their doors once again.

Chi and her husband, Kevin were both in the store this afternoon putting the last finishing touches in preparation for opening tomorrow. The entire salon was gutted and redone, with a new color on the walls and a rejuvenated air about the place.

Tomorrow there will be specials to welcome the clientele back, so spread the word and come on in to have a soothing mani/pedi in the deluxe spa chairs. Rub the Happy Buddha's belly while you are there. Many other shop owners might have thrown in the towel and walked away. Lucky for us, Chi and her nail salon decided to stay.

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

The Meaning of life

I have often thought that the meaning of life could be found in the bottom of my coffee cup, so the fresh roasted stuff of Caffe D'Arte bearing that name was speaking my language. It is also available to all of you, $11.95 a coffee pound, which is cheap for life altering truths and obscure mysteries solved.

While there with your omniscient beans, you may consider a little something sweet to help make the revealing messages of life go down that much easier. Try these mini cupcakes, in their assorted flavors and dreamy color combos. Match it to your outfit or your mood. Remember, you still are in charge of your destiny, no matter what the coffee cup says to you. And whatever you do, don't hold a conversation with the coffee in public - somethings should remain a secret still to the rest of us listless coffee drinking peeps.

Common Ground Cupcakes and Coffee
900 South Third St.(425) 235 - 1717
www.commongroundcupcakes.com

Renton Hill has their picnic

Potluck Picnic on Renton Hill this evening at the Phillip Arnold Park. Anyone in or around that area should surely go - those neighborhood gatherings are what give Renton our cool and comfy small town feel. They are also a great way to get to know your neighbors better, share in some potluck dishes and see a few of the city council members making the rounds.

I am sending my best thoughts out to Marcie Palmer who seems to have taken some kind of spill and damaged a leg, forcing her to slow down (so NOT Marcie-like) and put her feet at ease. Gary, her husband (pictured with Marcie above) filled me in this weekend on the news. It happened about a week ago, so maybe Marcie is a-okay now. Hope so - she is always one of those friendly faces you want to see while eating a hot dog and buying a raffle ticket for some goodies at the neighborhood gathering.

UPDATE: Directly from Marcie Palmer herself this morn:

Hi Lady P and all my Renton Friends!

Yes, I broke my right leg and will be unable to put any weight on it for 6 weeks:(

Thursday I get a cast put on, and hopefully that will be somewhat more comfortable. For now, I'm watching all of you through the blogs, enjoying the pictures and stories of what's going on, and missing you all! I have crutches, but anybody that has had to use them knows how hard they are on the upper body. I hurt in places I didn't know were there!

Keep the colorful pics coming and thanks for the Howdy!

Marcie P.

Phillip Arnold Park
720 Jones Ave. S
Renton, WA 98055
(425) 430-6700

Let me take you to the Market - Week 13

Jessie's Berries professed "We've got the Blues!" today at the Renton Farmers Market, and they most certainly did. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries - luscious berries. Buy a little, buy a lot - every berry your little heart desired.

You know me - gotta plug the absolutely gorgeous $5 bouquets of flowers that are everywhere in our market. I have recently been down Pike Place Market way in Seattle, and let me tell you, our fleurs are more plentiful and wonderfully priced than those I glimpsed there (personal opinion, of course).

Future generation of flower shopper in the making.

Sign up to have delivery of milk and eggs directly to your home by Smith Brothers. First week that both eggs and milk have been available for purchase at the market - wonderful. Makes for a one stop shop approach at the market and helps add further appeal to our ever growing market selection. Want to find out more? Head to the Smith Brother's website.

Oh Fudge! has more than just candy to offer - this week, they had the largest squares of 7 Layer Bar Cookies imaginable and the price that could not be beat! $3! Don't lick the screen, it's bad for you.

Fall is coming - you can feel it in the air and the crops are beginning to change, and so are the fruits. I know that you can always find at least one vendor with apples, but I am already thinking of those cherries who are having their last week at the market, making way for other goodies to come. Like soon to arrive fresh fall apples.

Life is always colorful at the Market. That's why you should stop by.

I had never seen so many colors of carrots before until this week at Full Circle Farm - where all the produce is certified organic and all the colors are mesmerizing.

If you buy no other herb or spice than this, you will still have the best basic ingredient in your kitchen. Onions - they can make any savory dish taste even better

Free Range Eggs! Only $4 a dozen or bring your own egg carton and knock down the price by 50 cents. They looked so warm and fresh - straight from the hen.

Don't forget your veggies! I know that the tasty market desserts are calling your name, but not before you have your basic colorful greens and lycopene filled tomatoes first, please.

Music is always an element of the market. Sidewalk busking, guitar melodies making the shopping that much nicer. Today was supposed to be Public Karaoke at the microphone. Our citizens with singing skills were somewhere else this afternoon. I did not hear a peep or a squeak from the stage while skirting the edges of the booths. Okay - maybe that was for the best. I wouldn't want to accost anyone with my singing, maybe everyone else was being just as considerate.

Renton Farmers Market
Tuesdays from 3pm till 7pm
The Piazza/ S Third and Burnett

Meet me at the Market

Something new to round out your weekly shopping at the Market today - fresh milk and eggs!

"Starting August 25, there will be farm fresh eggs available at the market from the Twisted S Ranch. Bring in your own egg carton and receive 50 cents off your eggs!!"

"Check out Smith Brothers Dairy!!! They will also have eggs, and you can sign up to have local organic milk delivered to your house!! "

This news directly from the Renton Farmer's Market Newsletter. Wanna get the news and the green sheet yourself? Go the the Renton Farmers Market website and sign up now! There are only 4 weeks of the Market left, so make the most of them! The newsletter is also offering a smattering of great recipes and news on how to preserve fruits and veggies as well

Chef Demo at 4:30pm Jack's Pub (sponsored by Renton Tech)
Karaoke for the public at 5:30pm

Renton Farmers Market
Today 3pm till 7:00 pm
The Piazza/ S. Third and Burnett

Poor you - you missed out on Amy Bleu!

Barritone Ukulele and guitar playing Amy Bleu was belting out some great tunes Sunday afternoon at the Tyrannosaurus Records on South Third. The second day of free live music in the store to help kick off the grand opening of Renton's only independent music store, Bleu played original tunes off of her three CD's (two of which are on sale at T-Rex) and sang what was her third performance in a 23 hour period. Amy liked her visit to Renton the best - as we hung on her every lyric and showed her the Renton love she so richly deserved.

Amy and her band are located in Oregon, but sometimes Amy hits the road and does some solo work, like the Shelton Farmers Market, a cafe in Tacoma and then here to Renton. Her CD's feature her bassist husband, Matt and also the accordion/xylophonist. Check out her website hear toe see what you so sadly missed.

Nich Sullivan, owner of T-Rex, has a great ear for music, and the weekend with Laura Jorgensen, Jonathan Kimball and Amy Bleu was a great line-up of talent. Nich hopes to have live music at the shop twice a month, so stay tuned. His wife Samantha, owner of Spotlight Dance, and he will be collaborating on a huge live music and dance event on November 14th at the Renton Civic Theatre. 4 live bands will play, there will be a dance program and art featured in the lobby. Fun stuff so check in at the blog for the shop here and stop by and shop for some tunes.


Tyrannosaurus Records
914 S. Third St. in the DTR
tyrannosaurusrecords@yahoo.com
tryannosaurusrecords.blogspot.com

The right kind of pageant for Renton

In a time when girls in pageants look like wilder versions of poor JonBenet Ramsey, it is nice to hear of a pageant that doesn't focus on tutus and big hair, but on scholarship and true talent. The Picaroon had the pleasure of meeting Renton's candidate for the 2009 National American Miss Washington Jr. PreTeen Pageant this weekend. Alice Serret-Sather is a state finalist who will go to the Bellevue Hilton on September 3 - 5 for the Finals and her last walk down the stage. When she heads towards the platform, she will be escorted by her father, because this is an event that sponsors family participation. Alice was wearing her badge proudly this weekend proclaiming her participation in the event and her family were even prouder of her involvement. Finally, a competition that awards girls for academics and brains over the obvious physical attributes. "Today's Girls and Tomorrow's Leaders" - putting the focus on our youth back where it belongs, on their innate and inner skill set.

Good luck there Alice!

(the PNW local news did a article on the Auburn finalist, read about it here)

A-1 Up and Running

10 days ago Tom Swanson opened his doors after having them forcefully closed on 6/11 when a 5 Alarm Fire raged in the building housing his business on Wells Street this year. 2 months and a silent auction fund raiser organized by his wife later, Tom is just "trying to get the ball rolling again."

The business originally was comprised of Tom and his brother, Bud with Tom handling the keys and locks end of the business and Bud specializing in vacuum repair and maintenance, of which he has 28 years of experience. When the fire occurred, Bud thought to just retire. Now Bud will help out with any repair work that comes through the door and make sure to keep up on the warranties that were issued through the shop back when it was around the corner.

The location on South Third Street is a nice and central location, definitely helping fill out our blossoming downtown business sector. Open everyday except Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, if you were a longtime client of Tom's or just in need of his services, now is the time to drop and say "Welcome Back."

A-1 Locksmith and Safes
715 S.Third Street
425-228-2613

our back alleys of Renton

Back alleys - they are of a time nearly forgotten, when space wasn't at such a premium and garages were detached and held only one car. A simpler life, a life where you knew your neighbor, had a yard big enough for a garden or a small crowd and a both a front and back porch to hang out on when the sun hit just right.

This is something North Renton should cherish and maintain. The lovely quiet and no longer created back alley.

naughty little knitting

those little bits of naughty knitting = they just can pop up anywhere

Marvelous Music Mecca

Sooooo, tonight was marvelous live music hosted by the music maven himself, Nich Sullivan, owner of newly opened (try today) Tyrannosaurus Records. First on the docket was the amazing songstress and accordion player, Laura Jorgensen. This instrument is definitely making a come back, and certainly is in the competent hands of this local artist. Laura will head to Boston for the upcoming school year where she plans to gather a band together, and she is one to keep your eyes and ears peeled to hear and see. Due to the wonders of the modern music scene, I was able to purchase an EP entitled "The Wings and The Waters", with 4 original songs for the affordable price of 5 bucks. Local, affordable, and worth the investment. I already foresee that this shop will easily find ways to part me with my holy dollars.

Jonathan Kimball was featured next, with an mean steel guitar and an acoustic guitar that he used to serenade and seduce our earlobes, regaling us with original works and songs that were finely honed and a treat to hear. Newly released CD "Optimisms" was the source for many of the tunes this night and was well worth the easy $10 asking price. While I could not find a video of his music to upload for you, click on over to the Jonathan Kimball Myspace page to listen to a few of his finely wrought tunes. Just to give you an idea of the caliber of music this man is putting down, this is what the website CD Baby has to say:

It seems Jonathan Kimball can't help but make great music. With a background of collaborating in progressive rock, roots reggae, punk, and ska bands - no one would have expected his solo masterpiece would sound so beautiful and delicate.

Tomorrow at 2pm, Amy Bleu will be playing at Tyrannosaurus Records for yet another inhouse free concert. Amy's CD, Geek Love, which was just released in the first month of the year with her new band, is already available for purchase in the store and some songs feature the accordion/xylophonist, Adam Sullivan and her husband on bass, Matt Cornett. Amy herself sings and plays the guitar and baritone ukulele and also does solo performances. The Amy Bleu website describes the music as "Indie, Americana, Experimental. They hail from just south of our Washington border in Oregon.

The good news is - Nich, the owner would like to have LIVE MUSIC at his place at least twice a month. This would make for some incredible opportunities for all of us to widen our music appreciation and pleasure while having yet another cool evening destination in the DTR. The other good news is that my friend, Garrison, put 800 of his used and vintage records up for sale at the store as well - so you have no excuse not to go and stock up on some cool vinyl.

GO LISTEN - if you have any clue of what's good for ya!


Tyrannosaurus Records
914 S. Third St. in the DTR
tyrannosaurusrecords@yahoo.com
tryannosaurusrecords.blogspot.com

Art and Cars in the DTR

Today is the Art Walk right on our main drag in the DTR - S. Third Street. 65 artists all nicely packed in together in a couple of streets, so you don't have to go wandering all over everywhere to find them. Music - live music provided by the event as well as at the newly opening Tyrannosaurus Records. Plus a car show. I love car shows. Vintage cars are like art to me - here are some as yet unshared photos from Renton's last car show. Things start up at 11am. Head on down!

Bark it up at the Dog Park - Volunteer

This is just a "bark" excursion for you tomorrow to the Renton Off -leash Dog Park. A big load of bark mulch has arrived and needs to be spread around from 9:30 am until about noon. Email rentonoffleash@gmail.com to sign up. You just bring your gloves, sunscreen and water and the necessary tools for spreading the bark will be provided. A perfect way to begin a Saturday that has an Art Walk, Car Show and the opening of our first independent music shop, Tyrannosaurus Records, to complete the rest of the day.

As you might remember, this dog park has been open since June 29th and has seen a great many happy additions and changes since then. Long rustic benches have been added for a weary dog handler to take a rest. A kiosk has been built and another one will be added at the other end ( more wheelchair accessible) very soon. You still need to bring in water, but the city contractor is finishing hooking up the water line by next week. Shade trees will also be planted so that the 10 x10 ft. canopy will not be the only place to escape the sun.

The Grand Opening Ceremony will be held Saturday, September 19th from 10 am till 12 noon and there will be an official "leash" cutting with city dignitaries and everything, so put it on your calendars now.

Renton Off-leash Dog Park
Driving Directions, click here

Pizza at a perfect price

Last Saturday a new pizza joint opened in town - Little Ceasars on South Second right next to Safeway on Rainier Ave. This is a franchise, to be sure, but it is owned and operated by the Singh family who hail from Kent. This is their third pizza store, with the two others located in Burien and White Center. Pictured above is Harpeet, daughter of owner Mohan Singh and she is holding there 50th Anniversary special pizza, plain cheese or pepperoni, which is only $5. No need to preorder, call, limit your purchase - this is the pizza that fits any budget. My Mom had one today - not too shabby! The special, Harpeet informs me, will go on for sometime, so everyone will have a chance to sample their wares.

I love a family run business - it just makes my little heart beat faster with joy. Both the owner's daughter and nephew were working today and the store was spotless. I am certain that they will do well - what Renton High School kid won't be there this coming Fall or a hungry grocery shopper for that matter.

Little Ceasar's
203 S. 2nd St., Suite H
(Next to Safeway on Rainier Ave.)
425-235-2284

Keep this date on your Rock n Roll Dial

Independent Tunes for the Restless Rentonite who needs an infusion of music in their lives - that is what one of our newest stores is about to throw down.

The Grand Opening for Tyrannosaurus Records will be on tomorrow,August 22 with a line up of Johnathan Kimball - author of the album "Optimisms", Laura Jorgensen - accordion player, Door Prizes and DTR Goodies.

Don't forget: LIVE MUSIC!!
Saturday--6pm: Laura Jorgensen,
7pm: Jonathan Kimball
Sunday--2pm: Amy Bleu

Tyrannosaurus Records
914 S. Third St. in the DTR
tyrannosaurusrecords@yahoo.com
tryannosaurusrecords.blogspot.com

Soon there will be sandwiches

Soon there will be hot, fresh sandwiches in Renton. Bahn Mi Vietnamese sandwiches and traditional American sandwiches on bread that is baked right on site and a coffee bar where you can get your caffeine hook-up to boot. Note the lovely and inviting fireplace as well. Hard to imagine it this week, but this will be a toasty destination once the wetness remembers to fall from the sky and our temperature numbers begin to drop in the Fall.

Photo by Su-Lin/Flickr

The project is moving quickly apace and next month is slated for the Grand Opening of Go Deli, which is owned by Pho Hoa Noodle Soup Restaurant on the corner. After a mere handful of months since opening my new favorite dessert spot, Yoggi Yogurt just around the corner, I am impressed that the owners were willing to move on this new investment so fast. However, with no bakery in the vicinity and no sandwich shop nearby to fight for our hungry stomachs attention, I feel certain that this will be a successful venture right from the start.

GO DELI 306 Williams Ave. S.

On the hill this morn

Beautiful homes, beauiful morn - Renton Hill.

getting cozy

It's warming up again, and people are getting cozy. This is a new addition to the DTR crowd - Lucky 13 Johnson, dog and companion to Phil Johnson. Lucky is getting quite comfortable in his new home and surroundings in Downtown Renton, making lots of friends in the process. Don't be surprised to run into him and his human someday soon when you make it down this way.

Benches in the DTR are a definite benefit, and in heavy use in some areas. Especially when there is a pillow to be had and room to stretch. Perry Davis knows a napping opportunity when he sees one.

Let Me Take You to the Market - Week 12

I arrived later in the day at the market, and the angle of the sun on the flowers was inspiring. Could not help myself. The $5 bouquets are breathless beauties, full of color and texture, depth and scent. Did you get yours today, my friend?

Tons of basil, so fresh, green and pungent - so much nicer than anything you see in the supermarket. Had me dreaming of pesto sauces and tomatoes with mozzarella. Look at that price!

The Piazza, home to the Renton Farmers Market, has lots of areas, rocks and fountain sides that become perfect perches for someone to land with a snack or their evening meal. Everywhere you look, friends and families are taking a load off and eating a mouthful of market munchies.

The bees were having a field day on the large, blowzy sunflower blooms that peeked out at each of the flower stands. They were punch drunk, weaving drowsily from place to place and let me watch them without worrying about stings.

Cheryl's Jams, Jellies and Toppings is made right here in Renton from berries found within our lovely state. This is the owner and creator, Cheryl's, seventh year at the market and she is constantly expanding her repertoire. I was most interested in the Black Cap/Rhubarb Jam - which is made from a wild relative to the Black Raspberry and Rhubarb. There are also offerings for those who can't eat sugar but don't object to Splenda. Samples gladly served and the prices will fit anyone's budget. Huckleberry, blackberry, strawberry, golden apricot - to name some of the line-up. 804 Renton Ave. S. 425-235-0130.

These peppers never fail to make me happy - the waxy, colorful glow makes me want to take them home and include them in dinner. These were at the Magana Farms out of Yakima.

Hayton Farms has some of the best berries at the market. Right now it is blueberry season with them, and a flat is selling for $15, with 2 going for $22. These really freeze well and last quite awhile. Great to have on hand for baking or just using on top of cereal. Plan ahead for the winter months, and stock up now.

The music today was Brazilian and the group, Show Brazil, had everyone dancing on their feet and banging or rattling an instrument. The enthusiasm was contagious, and I saw members of all age groups shake what God gave them to the percussive beat the group was laying down.

The group came to the market through a joint partnership between Arts Unlimited and the Renton Farmers Market. We have Stefeny Anderson, Renton Farmers Market Coordinator, to thank for this stroke of genius and for helping to cook up some variety and flavor for us regular market goers to soak up.

Thanks, Stefeny!

Market Day!!

Meet me at the Market Today!

From 3:00 to 5:30 pm each Market Day there is a Master Gardner Clinic available for free. If you have any pests or pesky questions concerning your garden or yard, feel free to drop on by and ask an informed individual.

Kid's Fun Patch is held from 3:00 to 5:30 pm each Market Day. Under the cool shade of a large white tent, kids can play and decorate handmade dough and take their creations home.

Today, the Chef Demo will feature The Dog and Pony Alehouse and Grill located in North Renton at 4:30pm, and at 5:30 there will be a Local Artist Showcase.

Renton Farmers Market
Today 3pm till 7:00 pm
The Piazza/ S. Third and Burnett

Swim until September

By my count, you have exactly 12 more days to swim in downtown Renton. The Henry Moses Aquatic Center, which resides at Carco Park, will be open until September 7th. As we experience a secondary mini-heatwave this week, you may consider heading over and using the facilities. For residents of Renton, the entrance fee is $6 for adults, and depending upon the age of the child, up to the age of 4 is $2 and then after that $5 or $6.

Two sessions are held daily - Session I from 12:oo noon till 3:30 pm, Session II from 4:00 pm until 7:30pm. On Monday and Wednesdays there are Twilight Swims from 8 - 10pm. Remember to bring proof of Renton residency, as the price goes up substantially if you cannot.

Feel free to bring your own food and snacks, making it a picnic outing. There is grass to sit on when all the seats become filled - and filled they will be on these warm days, with most sessions selling out, so plan ahead and arrive early. There is also a very well stocked food stand with all sorts of fun treats in case you can't be bothered to do more than pack your swim trunks and a towel.

I am one of those pesky Rentonites that still doesn't understand why the pool doesn't stay open longer than June 20th to September 7th. Schoolbound lifeguards returning to their fall schedules aside, with rates for out-of-towners at $14 a pop and the evenings the facility is rented out for private functions and prepaid classes, I feel certain there must be a way to operate the pool with a cover in the cooler months and provide us all with swimming now that the Renton Technical College has closed it's pool doors. Please, pretty please please could we just make an attempt at such a plan dear City of Renton? Seniors need a place to workout, adults need a place to keep trim and work off some steam and there are just as many kids wanting to swim and learn to tread water.

A girl can dream, can't she?

Henry Moses Aquatic Center
1719 Maple Valley Highway
425-430-6780

Free Summer Fun - Movies for the Young (and, okay, young at heart!)

The Regal Cinemas at The Landing are hosting a series of movies that are FREE for the whole family. Trying to figure out a way to keep the younguns' occupied? For the next two Tuesdays and Wednesdays, at 10:00 in the morning, head over to the movie theater and watch a film for free. The weather will be warming up these next couple of days, so you could just go in, relax with a tub of popcorn, and bask in the chill of aircon and beat the heat.

8/18 Tuesday - 8/19 Wednesday, the following TWO films will be playing at 10 am:





Next week, 8/25 Tuesday and 8/26 Wednesday are the following films for free at 10 am:

The Landing Stadium 14 900 N 10th Place Renton ,WA 98055 425-203-9264
08/18/2009-08/19/2009	Everyone's Hero (G)
	Surf's Up (PG)
08/25/2009-08/26/2009	Igor (PG)
	Journey To The Center Of The Earth (PG)
Check for regular Movies and Showtimes

bikes, baby

remember these?
mine was purple
it sparkled in the sun
and i got it for Christmas on a day when the sun shone
and i could ride it right out from underneath the tree to the street

this banana seat is bad
just waiting for you to take a comfortable ride around the block
only thing missing is streamers on the handlebars
right?

bling bling bling
i love the bicycle bling
this is what i see that gets my photo mojo going
here in the wilds of Renton

What a ride!

This beauty of a ride is owned by Ron Hughes and was seen at the top of South Third Street in all of her glory at the recent Renton car show, Return to Renton. A 1948 Dodge, Ron has owned this car for about 4-5 years, but just recently got around to getting the last finishing touches done and ready for public ahhhing and ooohhhing.

A big fan of Ed, the owner of Kenny's Upholstery right here in town, some bits and pieces of the car restoration were still not getting done. Ron looked at the work faux finish painter, Norm Petersen performed on the Happy Delusions store sign for Mary Clymer (see here) and wondered if some similar magic could be applied to the interior of the Dodge. Norm was off and running with the project in no time.

The dashboard and all the the other interior trim pieces were taken out and given a paint treatment that made it all look just like lovely, handworked pieces of wood. Except that they weren't wood - just metal painted with great care and skill to look as if they were. Many people have been fooled into thinking that all of the interior was original .

Both Norm and owner Ron have stories of car owners and restorers coming up and telling them how good the wood looks inside the Dodge, only to be see their completely shocked faces when they realize that it is just some clever paint and brush work on metal. It never fails to amaze people. A cursory glance, or even an good inspection by a car enthusiast can have you fooled.

Norm Petersen is a master hand at many an assorted finish, and maybe this car will start something new in his business. Check out his blog on finishes to see some of the other examples of his lovely work and creative endeavors.

Besides being the proud owner of the 1948 Dodge, Ron Hughes can often be seen riding to morning coffee in his 1967 Datsun. He also has a '68 Electra Convertible, a '53 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, and a '69 Riviera. No shortage of vintage flash and fun rides there. These aren't trophy cars for Ron either. He drives them and appreciates them for exactly what they are - automobiles, a means of transportation and just a bit of eye candy for those inclined to see the beauty in a well designed car.

Cupcakes and fond memories

Miss Lavender - this cupcake at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes has a title. It's prissy, purpley pink and adorable - and needs to be eaten.
Located on South Third and the corner of Wells Ave.S. - yum!

Recognize this two impersonators? This is Rachel and Maeghan, staff at the Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes and soon to depart back to school staff. Tonight, Crystal Roberts, one of their coworkers, calls you all to the Going Away Party that takes place at 8pm at the other coffee shop in the same block, Liberty Cafe. How cool is that? I love that we can all hang together and share in the DTR.

Friday Funny

Friendly Faces

I am lucky, camera in hand, to take photos of faces that just brighten up any day. This is Che and Kevin's daughter Katie, owners of the CK Nail Salon that is still under repair after the big fire 6/11, and she is their youngest. And she is a smiler.

This is Mary and her daughter, Shannon. They presently live together and take an midmorning coffee break in our downtown together (Liberty Cafe, of course). Peas in a pod, wouldn't you say?

Mark Arnold and his entire 4 generations of family member's artistic endeavors are currently on display at the Liberty Cafe. He showed up to the blogger meetup with a name tag " Skate Park Mark". I think he can go somewhere with that, don't you?

This is Tyson, recently photographed at the Renton Farmers Market, and that expression cracks me up every time I see it. Aaaarghhhh! Tyson was working off a ticket for Burning Man that week and when this was taken, the end of his labors were looming ever so near.

Just Peachy, thank you!

Excuse me, but I have been happily ensconced in
my little home all day, playing Domestic Goddess if you will and getting to be creative in and around my old homestead. It has been a good three weeks that I haven't merely been breezing through the place, in a tailspin of activity and without a chance to connect with what surrounds me. Today, I am baking up something yummy from a box of fresh peaches I received yesterday, straight from the farm. Time to share a little recipe with you once again. It's been awhile - indulge me.

Paula Deen's Peach Cobbler

1 1/2 scant cups of flour
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
8 TBS (one stick) of butter
1/2 cup of water\
2 cups pf sugar, divided
4 1/2 cups of fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 cups of milk
1 tsp of cinnamon (optional)

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine peaches, 1 cup of sugar(I used just 1/2 cup and it was still sweet and good!) and water in a saucepan on the stove top. Heat until boiling and then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a 3 qt baking pan, place stick of butter and put it into the oven to melt. (Watch it! this happens pretty fast). Mix remaining cup of sugar, the flour, baking powder, salt together and slowly add the milk so that you can mix it together without it clumping. Pour this batter on top of the butter in the quart pan, don't stir. Spoon fruit gently on top, gently adding the syrup. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Batter will rise to top while baking. Bake for 35 - 45 minutes. Serve with whip cream or vanilla ice cream. 8-10 servings.

*Please note - in the original recipe it call for self-rising flour. I already made that adjustment for you in the ingredients above - so, go on - make some!

Let me take you to the Market - Week 11

What a difference a week makes - the Renton Farmers Market was plagued with hot weather last week, and this week, a sprinkling of rain and temperatures in the mid 60's brought people slowly out of their homes, but many came prepared with an umbrella and some rubber boots.

Looking for certified organic fruits and veggies? Head to Full Circle Farm out of Carnation,WA with these lovely beets for a start. Want to learn more, you can check out their farm website.

Cindy was just a vision of market shopping - look at her fresh bread, bags of fruit and veggies and is patiently awaiting her turn for a bit of sugar and sweetness - a Hawaiian Shave Ice. Just desserts for her hard work at shopping.



The market has so many beneficial ingredients to add to our health and life. Yesterday Dr. Lucas and Christopher and Stefeny Anderson held a Cancer Fighting Foods Chef Demo. If you want to be updated on cool and creative recipes from the market and a list of fruits and veggies that are in season, please follow this Renton Farmers Market website link and add your name to receive the email newsletter.

The riotous colors of the $5 bouquet flowers are an amazing find each and every week. Give over to the color and purchase a bit of happiness.

Corn on the cob for dinner? Please!!

John the Market Dancer adds a special bit of movement and marvelment every week and he is sometimes joined by a mirror image of himself. This is the next generation of market volunteers in the making.

Linda Hays of the Forest Fairy Bakery wakes up early on the morn of the market and bakes her heart out for those carb lovers who turn out to her booth. Shirley, her mother, displays a lovely bear-face cupcake and mans the store during the day. All natural, all moist and full of goodness - a great place to include in your market rounds.

I am always pleasantly surprised by the music that graces the market from 5:30 - 6:30 pm each Tuesday. Monday at One was a great duo that was playing some great 80's tunes and kept the shoppers happily humming along with their tunes.

Rain gear was definitely on display Tuesday and was too cute not to relay. Look at these LadyBug Toes - don't you wish you had a pair as well?

I couldn't leave you without one farewell shot of the Umbrellas at the market. For some, merely a device to keep from getting wet - and for others, a mobile fort to offer up to friends, where travel to foreign lands was assured, away from green and "good for you" dinners and adults doing their shopping, and onto lands where sugar and candy coated goodies were the established norm and bedtimes had yet to be set or discussed.

Library Love and Interblogging Support

Sometimes we have to question the why and how of things, and sometimes we have to come together to do so. Miss Lynar has been strangely absent from her blog and blogging at All about Renton as of late, taking on a much larger project than the everyday life and times in Renton. Miss Lynar is looking into the Renton Public Library and the current question on the table of whether or not Renton should join the King County Library System.

When a recent poll was provided for the public to vote concerning this issue, it was a bit difficult to see what the end usage of said poll would be - merely to market to the public better when it comes time for us to vote this Fall, perhaps? I myself wondered why the poll questions didn't really fairly lay out to the public what the true differences would be between remaining autonomous or choosing to join KCLS. Maybe we need to start at a more basic level of inquiry and work our way out from there. Gut level reaction sort of stuff - so here it is.

Should Renton Public Library join the King County Library System or not?

Hit on the above link and head on over to All About Renton's Poll featured today and tell us what you think. My hat is off to Miss Lynar for this undertaking and The Picaroon will be following her progress on this issue closely in the days and weeks to come, so tune in.

Tomatoe?Tomato! It's Market Day

Taking a photo of a photographer. This is Gary Palmer, husband to council member Marcie Palmer, who is a fullblown, card carrying photographer. Gary is freelancing a bit while looking for the next big job (who isn't. right?) and you can look at his pics of Renton related events at his SmugMug website. If you look closely, you will also see some photo credits given to Gary for various Renton Reporter shots.

The Renton Farmers Market begins at the Piazza at 3pm today and Live Chef Demo at 4:30pm today is going to feature foods that are food for Cancer Prevention - like these very friendly tomatoes that feature the wonderful lycopene - a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize harmful free radicals implicated in cancer.

The music will be provided by Monday at One, which begins at 5:30pm.

Renton Farmers Market
The Piazza/ S. Third St. and Burnett
3pm to 7pm
TODAY

Bicycle built for three

Seen today - Martin, with his two furry front riders Mozart (he's the artistic one) and Adorabella making the rounds in Renton.

Back streets and byways

Don't let them fool ya- newer is not always better.

When the internet meets the real world - Renton Bloggers at large

Today was the day that the ethernet/internet materialized for one brief moment in time in Renton. The first Renton Bloggers Meetup took place at noon in the streets of the DTR . Although much publicised by Rich Zwicker, who called this meeting together, it was mostly just those of us who write on, about or around the topic of our little ole town that showed up, had coffee at Liberty Cafe and shot the shit.

A glaring exception would be RentonBen and Daves Not Here - notorious commentators on Randy Corman's blog Renton Community Update and occasionally weighing in at Rich Zwicker's Renton425 and Miss Lynar's AllaboutRenton blogs. The Picaroon avoids such verbal lacerations and shenanigans by monitoring the blog comments, left in the ever capable hands of Mrs. Heimlich Mortimer, staff Blog Monitor and spokesperson for The Picaroon at today's gathering. However, RentonBen must have sent a younger, more kind spoken stand-in today, for much to The Picaroon's (and everyone else's surprise) RentonBen was not as heinous as previously thought. He insists that a good 25% off his blog potty mouth is to incite a little blog blather, and seems to think that he comes off as a "liberal conservative" (huh?!!). Whatever the source of his diatribe, his persona today did in no way match his online caustic antics. This is rather a worrying conundrum - there is still more digging necessary to get to the bottom of RentonBen, but I don't have enough garden gloves to spare.

Brandie, Miss Lynar of AllaboutRenton, Mary Clymer of Happy Delusions Weblog and Mrs. Mortimer of The Picaroon.

The Picaroon was happy to meet a relatively new blogger to the Renton online scene, Rebecca Wright of the blog The Wright Up, whose link I will be syncing to my front page ASAP. Elizabeth Stewart of the Renton Historical Museum swung by to say "howdy" as did our Mayor Denis Law and Marcie Palmer with her photographer hubby Gary Palmer.

Mayor Denis Law, Randy Corman, Cathy Corman, Rich Zwicker, RentonBen and his son Alden, Freakazoid Freddy of the Displaced Hipster's Guide to Renton.

Blogging Celebrity status has it's perks - Mrs. Mortimer was dressed today by Deb of Girlfriend's Antiques,Gifts and Floral on S.Third St. Thanks Deb- our staff Blog Monitor looks great!

A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub offers late night fun and next day breakfast

Where else can you go on a Friday or Saturday night and hangout, listen to music and have fun and then go back the next morning to have a bit of the hair of the dog and feast on some good solid breakfast food? Why, A Terrible Beauty, the Irish pub recently opened by Pat Michael O'Brien and Jenna Shannon-Garvey, of course. Bring in your receipt from the night before and receive 20% off your meal the next morn. How's that for service!!

A friend and I meandered in this morning to check out the brunch fare and found it very pleasing indeed. Pat, the owner and Chef Willie Dzul were manning the kitchen, Erin was waiting tables and serving up some good Pike Place Roast Coffee from Starbucks and the menu had a good mix of omelets and traditional British fare (read scones, Irish soda bread, grilled tomatoes, beans, rashers - you get the gist) - something yummy for everyone.

The doors open at 9am Saturday and Sunday and this is just the first month at having weekend brunch, so get over there before it starts becoming the "in" destination and you can't get a seat.

PS : TONIGHT - Bands all evening - admission is free, Free Banger Dog BBQ Check it Out!

A Terrible Beauty
201 Williams Ave. South

I have met them at close of day
Coming with vivid faces
From counter or desk among grey
Eighteenth-century houses.
I have passed with a nod of the head
Or polite meaningless words,
Or have lingered awhile and said
Polite meaningless words,
And thought before I had done
Of a mocking tale or a gibe
To please a companion
Around the fire at the club,
Being certain that they and I
But lived where motley is worn:
All changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.

The first stanza of "Easter 1916 " by William Butler Yeats

Bloggers meet in the real world

Mrs. Heimlich Mortimer

Noon tomorrow there is a few of us local bloggers that will be grabbing some coffee at Liberty Cafe and hanging at Happy Delusions, both to be found at the top of South Third Street in downtown Renton. Randy Corman from Renton Community Update, Rich Zwicker from Renton425, Lynar Deluca from AllaboutRenton, Mary Clymer of Happy Delusions Weblog and hopefully Freakazoid Freddy from Displaced Hipster's Guide to Renton and representing The Picaroon will be Mrs. Mortimer, our Blog Monitor. She won't be able to stay for too long, however - Mortimer needs his hourly dose of prune juice these days to keep regular, and there is always the daily dusting to be done, and the cats to be hand fed and the laundry to be folded - well, you get the picture.

It's all about the art and music, people

Art and music - that, along with a great drink in your one hand (caffeine or otherwise), and cupcake in the other was the exactly what last night's Block Party was primarily about. Aside from meeting the very talented etching artist, Joey Katzer at Happy Delusions and viewing the new art installation at Liberty Cafe, my favorite art presence were the chalk drawings on our South Third Street boardwalk. Anyone could drop down and join in - and surprisingly, many did, like Samantha Goetz-Granquist pictured above.

The family artwork of 4 generations turned Liberty Cafe into something that felt like a art salon of old. So many canvases were hung that the work covers nearly floor to ceiling. The ambiance created is colorful, vibrant and inspiring. The above painting is just one of many that caught my attention last night. Mark Arnold Remington, the impetus behind this family congregation of art, said that about 200 hundred people came through the door last night and he couldn't have had more fun if he tried.

Joey Katzer here with her copper plate etchings. A self professed shy and retiring individual, having a show at Happy Delusions for Joey was quite a stretch. Her work is of an incredibly high caliber and one can only hope that she will grace us with her presence more often. Check our her Flickr photostream here and marvel at her detail. Joey's work has a permanent site in Mary's store, but the full complement of her work will remain up throughout the weekend.

I thought that these mini Common Ground cupcakes with the DTR/I heart Renton buttons on them were the best idea yet in promoting our dear little main drag. Still hearing people question those "in the know" about the meaning of "DTR". How long is this gonna take? Acronyms, we Americans usually eat this stuff up! Get with the program already, Renton! If you have a DTR button, help out by wearing it proudly and giving people the "look" when they query what it means. That will teach them not to make our downtown part of their weekly rounds!

And the MUSIC - well, DC's Bar & Grill hosted DJ Nich Sullivan of the soon to open Tyrannosaurus Records for the later part of the night and he had things rockin'. DJ Phil Anthony was over at Liberty Cafe and I recommend him highly. If you happened to miss this month's event. stay tuned and catch up with the fun next time around. Why go outside the zip code when you can hang right here and have fun?

Block Party Tonight in the DTR!

What began as a few Meet the Artists nights at Happy Delusions, then grew to Liberty Cafe having First Friday events, is now a full on Block Party with the whole top block of downtown Renton's South Third Street joining in for a night of music, art and " a darn good time" tonight. I credit Mary Clymer with this groundswell of party fun, creative endeavor and the reason that tonight will be a very good time in the ole DTR. The energy and excitement of having businesses stay open late one night of the month to give Renton residents a new reason to get out and about our historic downtown has been her brainchild for sometime.

Rachel and Crystal

Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes will be serving up mini DTR cupcakes free with any drink purchase tonight. You will have to provide your own mustache, however. Music will be provided by a young local talent named Hailey (sorry if get the spelling wrong there).

Mark Remington Arnold - one of the family of artists

Liberty Cafe will have DJ Phil Anthony spinning tunes, and featuring a new art show on it's walls - the work of 4 generations of one family. Paintings from Grandma Alma Ethazelda Vickers King on down were hung just the other day and how fun to see how one generation influences the next. If we are lucky, Johnny Uysal, the other ownership half of the cafe, will be playing his congos - and he is good.

Work by Joey Katzer

Happy Delusions will be featuring local artist Joey Katzer. Joey has been a friend of owner, Mary Clymer, since grade school, always won every art competition and is ubertalented. Currently a first grade teacher in Skyway, her impressive works can be viewed here. Stop by for a little libation and a bite of something sweet and meet the artist herself.

Calico Cheesecake, Cafe Lure and the Tapestry Saloon - that great trilogy of restaurants is secretly planning something. Whatever it is - you know it will taste great!



Tyrannosaurus Records, while not yet ready to open for business, will be on hand to give us a listen and a view of what to soon expect from our first independent music store. Owner Nich will be partying with the rest of the block tonight, so come by and see where your next music hang is soon to be.

DCs Bar & Grill -which has the best $5 lunch for those on the fly and a need for a tasty something to bite into for those of you not yet in the know, will also be hosting some shenanigans tonight -

$1 BEER $4 MARTINIS

Wow! Can't beat that!! I am soooo there!

Block Party
Top of South Third Street
Tonight from 6pm - ?
BE THERE!

From North to South, the only other alternative to I-5 is the Eastside Corridor. Expansion in population, more people on the road to work - this has affected the commute people face each day and has brought up the idea of connecting I-405 with SR 167 to create a "seamless corridor". WSDOT is considering adding toll lanes from Puyallup to Lynnwood in addition to the present toll free lanes, offering commuters a choice in their travel needs and helping to expand the transit service (both van and bus), improve the interchanges, and provide an overall system that is better equipped to handle our present and future traffic needs.

Want your voice to be heard? Follow the link here to the WSDOT page that explains further their plans and allows you to weigh in on this plan. Your input is important and will be included in a report to the Governor and Legislature in January 2010

Thanks to Laurie Finlayson for bringing this to the Picarron's attention!

Post office off the chopping block

Not long after the last article I posted about the possible closure of the downtown Renton post office, it seems that it was saved from the chopping block and a Kent post office (Ken - Midway FSTA) was put up for scrutiny instead. Life has kept me a little too busy as of late to have posted this sooner. But I have kind and well informed readers to keep me on the straight and narrow.

The link here has a list of the post offices nationally that are under consideration for closure action. The listing for Kent is almost at the very end.

Due to the increase in computer use and other overnight postal services, the post office has seen a great downturn in business and it has adversely hit their bottom line. Will things turn back again in their favor or is this just a sign of the times? My guess is the later, though I am highly inclined to think that if we radically decrease our postal service there may come a time when we will be at a loss for not having preserved such an essential, albeit old world, service.

Let Me Take You to the Market - Week 10

A tropical theme so suitable to Renton's recent heatwave - Hawaiian Day at the Market. One small, but personally never overlooked aspect of the Market are the decorations sprinkled about, helping set the tone for the day's activities. Leis were around many a neck today, and even though the weather was a remarkably cool 75ish, shave ice was still a major hit and there was some swaying of hips throughout the day.

Welcome to Hawaii in Renton!

TINY 'S Organic Fruit and Vegetables from Wenatchee, WA is a stand that few miss on their market meanderings. Samples galore of some lovely eats entice many a shopper. The stand is located right near the music and today some of the lovelier staff were sporting grass skirts along with their leis. The stand remained busy.

Okanogan Harvest is a Farm Network, a market booth that represents a group of farmers for whom having individual stands would be cost prohibitive, but by banding together, their presence and products can be known. Click on the above link and peruse their blog.

I love bundles of status and other flowers that dry easily, remaining pretty long after other cut flowers must be thrown away. I have bouquets from a year ago, reminders of other good market days.

The Renton Senior Activity Center has their very own Hawaiian Dance Troupe - Nahula O Wahine Ilikea. Boasting 18 members, they swirled and swayed for the market today. This is Rosalie's profile - isn't she a beauty?


Music by the Lava Flow Trio - damn, I love that name!

I can't resist - Have you been leied lately?

This is a special, behind the scenes shot at the Hawaiian Shave Ice stand. I want to ask, how big can you make my ice?


I have to feature at least one shot of veggies, requisite for all healthy diets. Okay, there it is.


My parting pictures for you.
Look back and forth between the two and you can see the dance.


If nothing else, it is for moments like this that you should stop by the market every week.

Renton Farmers Market
Tuesdays 3 - 7pm/ The Piazza at S. Third and Burnett

Tonight is National Night Out

The City of Renton will be hosting a National Night Out at the Highlands Community Center located at 800 Edmonds Ave. NE tonight in honor of America's Night Out Against Crime. It begins at 4 and goes until 7:30, with kid's activities and a chance for adults to come to know neighbors and bring awareness to the concerns of keeping our neighborhoods crime free and safe places to live.

This program is designed to heighten awareness around crime and drug prevention, pull together the community to help support and protect one another, raise interest and support for anticrime efforts and the relationship between the community and the police force, but most importantly, to let the criminal element know that we are all fighting back.

How can you join in? Why just sit out on your porch tonight from 7 -10 pm, locking your doors with the outside lights on and spend the evening shooting the breeze with your neighbors and friends.
One small step - one moment of community and unification across the states.

Roving Renton Returns!

Tonight at 5pm, starting with Armondos, Roving Renton Returns! The fee is $25 per person, that includes gratuity, and you get some wine and an appetizer at four lovely downtown tasty spots. Blossom, Redhouse and the Melrose are the next on your list, in any order really - as seating is limited, so make it there early!


Thanks to reader Lao Gong for giving me the heads up!

Cutting edge food at the Farmers Market

Times when you have less money in your pocket but still need to keep the household fed and running, means eating out less and cooking in more. The Renton Farmers Market is the spot you are looking for to provide a moment of entertainment (Chef Demo at 4:30 with the Whistle Stop Alehouse, live music not to far after that with the Lava Flo Trio, and Kid's Patch to keep the littluns' occupied) and a wealth of fresh, wholesome locally grown cooking ingredients.

It is also a place where new food discoveries can be launched and test marketed, like the lovely and flavorful "Traisin" that Darrell Westover of Westover Farms out Maple Valley Highway was taking for a test run last week.

We have all heard of raisins, and then of course the cranberry dried fruit called a craisin, but this is a cherry tomato that, through the process of dehydration, produced a small "pop in your mouth" snack that you could add to zest up salads, put on pizza or just take along as a treat in your pocket.

Come out to the market today and enjoy yourself. Your wallet will be pleased, you will be shopping locally and you'll get plenty of ideas for dinner. Oh, and today is Hawaiian Day - and you might need to stop and have one of those colorful Shave Ices to help commemorate.

Renton Farmers Market
Today 3 pm - 7 pm
The Piazza/ S. Third Street and Burnett

To join or not to join - that is the library question

Tonight at the Renton City Council meeting, step two in the process of allowing the public to vote on whether or not our Renton Public Library joins the King County Library System (KCLS) takes place. On July 20th, the reading of the ordinance was held and tonight it is the approval of said ordinance, which can be seen here at the City of Renton website item number 10, that will be addressed and voted upon.

In August, The Renton Reporter had an article about this issue, fleshing out a little bit of the opposing thoughts and dynamics concerning whether our city loses its independence and possibly staffing to join up with the King County Library System or remain autonomous but find the absolutely necessary funding to improve and expand a library service that has been coasting along on minimal funds and because of it, fallen woefully behind in servicing a fast growing population.

Last month, I posted a link to a survey that was available online for the general populace to make their voices heard about what local library services they felt were more important and basically asking them, if they were the library accountant, where would they scale back and what areas would need more primping and plumping. The survey purportedly was online until 7/31 and the next move for accumulating public feedback will be through an enclosed survey in utility bills which you should see in the mail shortly.

Whatever the outcome, whatever each personal view we might hold - the library needs more money to bring it's services on par with others in the nation and to meet the needs of a changing and growing clientele. I personally like having the small town feel of a library that services it's own clientele first and foremost, allowing the staff to be hired for our town's needs and not being a mere cog in a larger wheel. The consultants that were initially hired by the city, Mirriam Pollack & Associates along with Tina Roose of Roose Research, are also in favor of not joining the KCLS but see a need for a huge infusion of cash and effort. Bottom line, though - how do we market this to the people at a time when finances everywhere are stressed? Being a library and book lover all of my life, I hope to see a little more information about this issue in print before it comes to vote. I don't think anyone yet has a clear picture of just what either choice will bring us where our library's future is concerned. I just have a glimpse - and it makes me want the library to remain a Renton concern.

Seahawk fever in full color

The construction site for the new Savings and Loan building on Wells Ave.S. is very - well, decorative. Couple of days ago, the cute and colorful umbrellas with the "Just Married" sign (scroll down and have a look yourself, here on the ole Picaroon). Today - Seahawk Fever. Training Camp posters for the football team are seen in many windows about town - but some, well, they choose to take things a bit further. So here we are, a little #12 photo layout, as seen today in the DTR.

Antique Country Station on South Third Street flying it's colors proudly.

Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes on South Third St. where sweet frosting and football fever never tasted so good together.

Send more letters

It wasn't too long ago that the terrifying thought of not having a downtown branch of the post office was brought to my attention, and I wrote a post about it here on 3/30 in the ole Picaroon. A couple of days later, The Renton Reporter also chimed in and while the public was now made aware of the possible pending sale, I am not certain that we knew quite what to do about it. I know that in the comments section on the article at the Reporter above, you will see that a couple of our concerned citizens were rushing in to the defense of what I think is a necessary service and element of any healthy and active downtown city area. But come on folks, we need a few more voices than that to make a difference. Even though I don't see it there in the Reporter comment section any longer, I feel certain that one of the council members had also taken up the gauntlet on this essential issue concerning the future well being and livelihood of our historic downtown Renton.

Now, Debbie Englund (of the RUFF Renton Offleash Dog Park fame) has sent me a memo that has recently been circulated amongst the workers at the post office and she wanted me to share it with the viewers here at the blog.

Click on the letter to view it more clearly!

There is an address and there is a mission. Want to have to drive up to NE 4th and mail a package, buy some stamps or view the contents of a mail box you have rented? Ummm - sounds like we should all just start sending more letters to me - and the very next one should be to the address listed above in the memo -

Seattle District Consumer Affairs
P O Box 90306
Seattle, WA 98109 - 9631

Let your thoughts about losing the vital service the post office brings to our zipcode be heard and what that would mean to you personally and to the grander scheme of Renton as a whole. Weigh in now while there is a window of opportunity to express how vital and necessary it is to have the post office remain exactly where it is.

This is important to share from the comment section here at the blog:

"As one of your DTR USPS letter carriers, I for one DEFINITELY DO NOT WANT THE DT Branch to close! I can not for the life of me see how it would save them money. The building has NO AIR CONDITIONING and requires very little upkeep. The extra gas, and wear and tear on the Postal Vehicles , not to mention the overtime because of extra travel time to and from our routes, would in my opinion, more than tip the balance in any revenue lost at this particular facility!!! So yes, PLEASE WRITE THOSE LETTERS - tell them to close the Cascade branch instead if they need to save money. A city's Downtown hub NEEDS a Post Office - it's just good community relations and service. Thanks, Barbara V. route 38, Dt Renton. "

Are you feeling the cool down yet?

I am just not really feeling the trickle down, I mean "cool down" effect here that the dropping of the sun behind the horizon is supposed to bring come evening time. I took a bike ride, the breeze meant to cool the limbs, relax and comfort a body getting far too accustomed to hot and hotter weather. This sign blew me away tonight - and here I was thinking that we were getting a wee bit of heat respite. I don't know about you, but here it is a good ten degrees cooler than midweek and I am feeling almost perky in comparison. Never thought 92 degrees in the shade would bring me such a big sigh of relief.

What do you do on the weekend?

Weekend wonders - or wondering what to do with your weekend. I tend to do a lot of wandering on the weekends, which can be quite the same for me as weekdays, but whatever schedule you may or may not have, Saturday and Sunday always have a special kind of "feel".

I love a good bit of something cool - and with our recent heat, I have not been denying myself indulgences in that area. Sorbet in the freezer? Gone, with no regrets. Popsicle from a sidewalk vendor? Yes, please and make it quick.

The excessive brightness of the sun helps point out all of the dirty spots on the cars and the windows. Glaringly so. Makes me want to clean all the more. Then I get exhausted and need to run to the basement to cool off. It is a horrible cycle that somehow keeps getting repeated.

Spray bottles need to be handy for plants and humans in great abundance. One on every counter surface, indoors and out. Relief in an instant moment of squirting. But all too fleeting. Damn. Squirt me again, will ya?

I am a sucker for a good sign and a great deal. I will pull over for any sale that is prefaced by the word yard, or garage or "G". Doesn't matter if I am close to heat stroke and need another swig of water - I stop for a good bargain regardless. I admire the folks that are out there trying to clear a closet and empty a basement in this kind of weather. They need our support. Cleaning in a heatwave can be a real b*tch. Maybe that's what they were doing with their time while hiding out down below from the sun.

Happy Sunday, everyone!