To the beat of the drum

Speaker Events at the Renton History Museum are anything but dull. Take Lora Chiorah and her Rhythms of Zimbabwe free performance yesterday morning right here in the 98057. It was not long before the whole audience was on their feet and chanting out songs, playing games and laughing.

While Lora beats out the measures on the drum, her students dance for rain (yeah, someplaces need that dance), or just dance to dance. While many dances have a meaning, movement for movement's sake is just as pervasive.

The youngest troupe member was Lora Chiorah's granddaughter, and while still practicing her moves, she comes along to events because she loves to be there. Dance and drums can do that to you.

Lora Chiorah

Northwest Tap Connection and Spectrum Dance, located just north of our burg, offer classes in African Dance for those inspired. I was. Lora claimed to be 60 and I think that drumming and dancing must be the elixir of youth. Check out Lora's link here.

I am always surprised that more people don't take advantage of these awesome free moments of entertainment in the DTR. Really - try just one, and you will be hooked.

Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057
425.255.2330

Free Fun Saturday

Singing, dancing, stories waiting to be told, games to be played and an audience to be involved.

"Lora Chiorah-Dye is the Artistic Director for LORA & Sukutai Marimba and Dance Ensemble that interprets Zimbabwean culture. According to Ms. Chiorah-Dye, “There is no distinction between audience and performers in my culture. If you can walk you can dance. If you can talk you can sing!” Come and be a part of the fun as... she engages families in storytelling, children's games, singing, and dances from Zimbabwe."

Renton History Museum
Saturday, 11 am, April 10th
235 Mill Ave. S., Renton WA

Audience: children through adult. 425.255.2330

Renton and the people of the inside

Cecile Hanson, Chair person of the Duwamish Tribal Council and her dog, Quidee

The first people of this land we call Renton were the Duwamish Tribe. Known as "the people of the inside", they gave their name to the river nearby and helped the early settlers and founders of Seattle make the Elliot Bay basin and it's watershed rivers their home. Last year, the 600 member Duwamish built the first native longhouse on Puget Sound in 115 years and are helping to educate the local populace about their ongoing cause to be officially recognized as a tribe.

The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center is right across the street from the mouth of the Duwamish River and is constructed of red and yellow cedar that still flavors the air. The building is traditional cedar post and beam and houses a little gift shop, conference room and longhouse. If you are looking for a cool place to hold a meeting, look no further. This place is lovely and available for bookings.



Native Master Weaver, Mary Lou Slaughter has her work on display in the longhouse and is the fourth generation great granddaughter of Chief Sealth. The small gallery/museum holds a few pieces of her work, reproductions of the photographer Edward Curtis' work and some signage explaining the Duwamish peoples' history.

The gift store at the entrance to the longhouse.

This is a view inside of the cedar longhouse itself.

Photo courtesy of Renton History Museum

This is the Duwamish Chief, Henry Moses in the year 1920. Henry was born in a longhouse located at what is now known as Renton High School. Henry was a star athlete, respected civic leader and the last hereditary chief of his tribe. I don't know about you, but that just doesn't seem all that long ago. I would have loved to have met this guy.


This is the face of a Duwamish tribal member today - Cheyenne Shelafoe. The kids dance and sing in their native tongue - Lushootshed, and a new generation embraces it's history while creating a new future.

The Duwamish Longhouse has a new director, Dave Haladay, who came to join the staff here just 6 weeks ago. If you are interested in pursuing more information or looking for a tour, contact him.

This article written a year ago from the magazine, Seattle Metropolitan, was really well written and informative.

Keep in mind that the Renton History Museum is offering a wonderful program for 3rd,4th and 5th graders on the Coast Salish Indians.

Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center 4705 W Marginal Way Southwest Seattle, WA 98106 (206) 431-1582
Get directions

Telling the stories of Renton

Renton is reclaiming it's historical roots and passing the stories onto the children of our community. Today at Hazelwood Elementary, storyteller Roger Fernandes helped the the third, fourth and fifth grade students who are studying a "story path" in school about Native American Indians indigenous to the area, to glimpse the life of the Coast Salish Indians through interactive story and drum.

Roger Fernandes, who is a member of the Klallum tribe, is well versed in the legend and lore of the first people of this land we call Renton. These were not the tribes of totem poles and masks, which are to be found miles north of here, but the peoples of the Duwammish. Roger was part of program sponsored by the Renton History Museum, 4Culture, Sam's Club and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to help school children understand the local native culture. Fourth grade teacher Lynn Maybee shared that last year when trying to help the children fulfill the CBS (classroom based assessment) curriculum and answer the question of "How did the environment effect the lifestyle, tradition and beliefs of the Native Indians?", there were obvious gaps in the school materials. This year, through the introduction of this new program, a greater depth of understanding and appreciation of the subject had been achieved.

Stories impart not only the feel of a people, but share morals and messages. Roger is a master of the art.

There is always more than one way to teach - and getting your audience on their feet helps engage them at all levels.

If you are a teacher or interested parent, please feel free to call the museum and see if this program could be applicable to your kid's school. The Renton History Museum is a little, local gem that never gets the full attention it deserves, as far as I am concerned. Letting kids get involved with culture leaves its helpful mark on their young psyches for years to come.

Valentine's Day Party for museum volunteers

If you are looking for a great outlet for your volunteer time, the Renton History Museum is a great place to donate. Greeters, docents and other positions are available. It is both a great opportunity to share what you know and to become a part of a huge local learning curve - all at the same time. They really treat you well.


Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057
425.255.2330

Our Museum is growing - wanna come play?

Renton History Museum is making a plan - incorporating new ideas, heading in new directions and taking on a whole new identity. You wanna come along and have a stake in what our present and future generations will see and say about our town's legacy? A little like "Killroy was Here", but more defined.

The museum has hired a professional planning firm, Gyroscope, Inc., to help with charting out a course for the museum for the next 15 years. This is not a "one size fits all" approach to consulting, but collaborating with a team of super creative consultants that want to work out specific options to fit our town's needs.

Please come and be a part of a hands on Informational Meeting on Thursday, October 22nd from 7 - 9pm and weigh in with your thoughts and ideas. The consulting firm will be sharing with us the research they have done on Renton, showing similar museums in other areas that are doing things that might be of interest, and some visual exercises will make the meeting more interactively dynamic and fun. Elizabeth Stewart, Director of Renton History Museum, promises that it will be a "cool process".

Consider this your chance to be a part of history making. Adding in your voice, your view for those present and future audiences of Renton history. YOU are the special spice that is needed to make this gathering a go.

What I might also remind you, is that this is a great way to come and see the museum if you have never taken the opportunity before. Don't be shy - no one will mind if it's your first time. Come take a peek at what has come before you on the hallowed grounds of Renton.

Renton History Museum
Informational Meeting with Gyroscope Inc and YOU

October 22, Thursday, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
235 Mill Ave. South, Renton WA 98057
425.255.2330 info@rentonhistory.org

Located one block south of the Renton Public Library
Parking available in the public lot behind the museum

Comfort stories to warm your heart

The weather has changed and so will our diet. As Fall begins, find out about the interesting roots of that food staple, beans, and hear some heart and hearth warming stories from storyteller Karol Brown.

Tomorrow, Saturday at 11:00 am, the Renton History Museum hosts another addition of their free speaker program, sponsored by Humanities Washington,with Karol Brown telling us "comfort stories with a pinch of nutrition education. spiced up with multicultural folktales, a sprinkle of poetry, and garnished with songs."

Everytime I attend, I learn something new and am highly entertained - what a welcome way to spend a late morning. Can't praise this program enough, Renton. This program tomorrow is suitable for all ages - so everyone is welcome to come.

Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 255- 2330

Food Unites Us - an exhibit

Food Unites Us - a new exhibit at the Renton Historical Museum, will open tomorrow and run through the middle of September. This is a year of looking at how food touches our lives and creates new traditions at the museum. You will recall that not too long ago, the museum was the host to the traveling Smithsonian exhibit "Key Ingredients" (link here). I loved the tag line for that show "American Food- not real recipes, just a few Key Ingredients constantly stirred by time."

For this exhibit, the students of the English as a Second Language Program (ESL) at the Renton Technical College have come together with the museum to share their own native countries' food customs and show their ever growing knowledge of English. Moldova, Belarus, Mexico, Vietnam - the list of countries is as intriguing as the handmade pictures and stories that accompany them. All new immigrants, most in the US for less than 5 years - spanning the globe and looking to learn our language and find their way in a vastly different culture than the one they originally knew as home. The sharing of food can always break down the barriers and make new friends of strangers.

My personal favorite at the exhibit is the big, colorful board that is entitled "Sharing Wisdom with Fruit". Who knew that there were so many cute and funny colloquialisms regarding fruit and human behavior? I learned a few new ones that I would like to quickly put to use.

I have always wanted to call someone a "Mango Head" - and now I will do exactly that, but in Ethiopian, thank you.

Cost for this exhibit is the same as entry into the Museum itself - $3 for adults, $1 Students (8-16). Members - free.

Renton Historical Museum 235 Mill Ave. South Renton, Wa
(425) 255-2330 / email : info@rentonhistory.org
Hours - Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm
http://www.rentonhistory.org/

Museum night out

Trying to put the "fun" in fundraising is not as easy as it once was. Wallets are a bit stretched and there are many different good causes pulling at our sense of duty and limited resources. The New York Times recently ran an article (here) stating that charitable giving is at an all time low - the worst in 50 years. It makes me sad just to contemplate the implications.

But in our fair city, the Renton Historical Museum has an amazing support system - and they turned out in good number last night for a lovely evening of food and fun.

Larry Sleeth and Don Persson catered a lovely meal (don't know how those guys do it!), a local trio called "The Tuesdays" played some tunes and long tables were full of goodies for the Silent Auction. The Renton Youth Council, comprised of kids from many local schools, helped set up and serve, as well as clean. Now that they are broken in, I figure they are welcome to come back and help any old time.

Councilman King Parker, Chief Daniels of the Fire Department and Renton Mayor Dennis Law and his wife were just some of the esteemed guests that turned out in support of our local gem of a museum. There were many others - please forgive me - I am still figuring out the "Who's Who of Renton", and can't be responsible to recognize everyone just yet.

My favorite little item of the night were the centerpieces that were for sale that evening. Created from lovely and delicate tea cups and saucers donated by Susie Bressan and planted with flowers by Robyn Bachas (both museum board members), I thought these lovelies so cute and crafty. I went home with a pair somehow, and I couldn't have been happier!!

Please note - anytime is a good time to visit our local Renton Historical Museum. Don't be shy - acquaint yourself with a bit of local history. It will be both harmless and fun.

Just how hot is it!?

Just how hot is it? you may very well ask ... look at what the sign over on Main Street was saying to me a little over an hour ago - geez - it might even be hotter now!

Pool Time! Deb, over on S. Third at Girlfriend's, is my favorite pick-me-up - she's a comedienne at heart - just look at this pool! (and her feet were in it just minutes later!)

How bright the sun? Very bright it seems - you can see the sun just beating down
( Renton Historical Museum)

Greg Atkinson - Storyteller in and out of the kitchen

"Atkinson has one hand on his All-Clad and one in the dirt. He's a storyteller with his cooking". Jonathan Kauffman/Seattle Weekly

This Thursday you have the chance to meet and hear speak a premier voice in the realms of Pacific Northwest Cuisine, Greg Atkinson. Author of books, newspaper columns, radio broadcasts on KUOW 94.9, restaurant consultant, prior head chef at the Canlis restaurant and now instructor at Seattle Central Community College - this man has a passion for local food.

He began by writing a weekly column in the San Juan Islands about seasonal ingredients, his recipes and the people that he got the food from, and things just grew from there. Not many individuals are blessed with the ability to create and then vividly write about it, but with 4 books already under his belt(here) and an incredible ability to cook, Greg is doubly blessed.

Tickets for the event are available directly at the Renton Historical Museum or at the door of the Carco Theater on the day of the event. This is the last of a wonderful speaker program that was created in tandem with the Smithsonian exhibit Key Ingredients - America by Food. I recommend calling in advance for your ticket. (425) 255-2330

An Afternoon with Greg Atkinson - talk and book signing
$10 Adults/ $5 Students
Carco Theater
1717 SE Maple Valley Hwy
(425) 430 - 6076


Renton Historical Museum 235 Mill Avenue South (425) 255 - 2330

3 Feet Under: Digging Deep for the Geoduck Clam

This is a documentary film about our own favorite, the GEODUCK clam. I say our own, as this special long necked lad can only be found in our area throughout the entire globe, And though this clam may not have much in looks, it is extremely tasty to some of us - my favorite being sauteed in fermented black bean sauce at a local eatery in the International District!

This film shown today at the Carco Theater at 4:30, has won some awards and has created a devoted following. This is part of the Key Ingredients: America by Food program at our Renton Historical Museum that lasts through May 9th. If you like food and all aspects of eating local, this is a must see.

Carco Theater 1717 Maple Valley Hwy.
Today 4:30 pm
Adul$10 Students $5

Talking about Food

Closing The Food Gap - Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty with Mark Winne, author
Fascinating topic on how we as Americans get our food, and the disparity in this "land of plenty" between those who have and those who do not. Mark Winne is a proponent of finding a way for all citizens of this lovely land to be able to eat well, eat enough, eat organically, eat fairly. As of today, this is still not the case. Compelling ideas to hear about in a time when our economy is feeling even more stressed and the soup kitchens and food banks have record high needs and less than ever on the shelves to give.
This is also a book signing - how fun! Here is a link to Mark's book.

Saturday, April 4th 3:00 pm Carco Theatre 1717 Maple Valley Hwy. Tickets: $10/$5 students FREE with nonperishable food donation/or grocery gift card
(photo courtesy of Flickr/ Faeryboots - thanks!)

Bite of Renton

Tomorrow, from 4 pm to 7 , is the downtown Bite of Renton. This event is in cahoots with the Renton Historical Museum's exhibit about food in America, Key Ingredients, and the tickets are sold exclusively right there. Nine downtown establishments are involved - it is a little walking tour of our own eateries. Tickets are $20 - and if you liked Roving Renton, you should like this too - only, you supply your own liquor this time!

Fellow blogger, Miss Lynar did a nice article on it here, as did Sue at the Feathered nest, here.

About last night....

Here are some of the faces that turned out for the first of many affairs at the Renton Historical Museum now that the Key Ingredients exhibit has been installed and launched. Look closely and you will see Daisy, Liz Stewart and Laura Clawson (great museum folk), as well as Larry and Andy Sleeth, King Parker, Rich Zwicker, Chief Daniels, Lynar De Luca and many more.

Another opening party was taking place not a street away at the new Liberty Cafe -flowers and plants were brought, a special chowder ala Spam was served (don't shake your head - it was delicious! Sue Rider knows how to throw down!) and a new favorite haunt was christened.

Rosa Parks and Civil Rights at our local Museum

Eva Abrams will perform a very well researched dramatic presentation of Rosa Parks at the Renton Historical Museum this coming Saturday, Feb. 28 at 11:00 am. FREE!!
Photo: Rosa Park's arrest in 1956. APP " Woman Fingerprinted. Mrs. Rosa Parks, Negro Seamstress, Whose Refusal to Move to the Back of a Bus Touched Off the Bus Boycott in Montgomery, Alabama." New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection,Prints & Photographs Division, Library of Congress.