Grass Roots efforts to keep our Library Local

The ballots have been sent out, and the time has come to cast your vote. There is a strong grass roots effort to keep our library local (as it has been for the last 100 years) and inform you, the voter, of the price that you will have to pay to get that shiny, new KCLS that is being promoted as the library's second coming. More taxes, a bond, and the loss of a local treasure.

With 4 million books in their stacks and over 40 locations, the undisputed need to update our local library through the hands of KCLS seems to many the pretty penny choice - until you look further. Newcastle(joined in 2005) and Federal Way joined KCLS, and where are their new digs? (Thanks RentonBen for the links). Ever try to get a book in a timely fashion when you are the 200th person on the list? At the holidays, I looked for a book by author Garrison Keillor and when the librarian assisting me noticed it wasn't in the stacks, she ordered it for the library and within a week I was reading it. Now that my friends, is service. I personally think our book selection nothing to be sniffed at and don't feel like becoming a lost cog in the KCLS wheel.

The effort to remind citizens of the benefits to stay local is provided by the hard work and efforts of concerned library goers. The signs are paid for by those that hang them. The signposts in streets and in front of homes are made from recycled council election signs. The artwork by local denizens who care (thanks Catherine Mille).

My mother's home received a very pretty and shiny mailer endorsing KCLS and asking for a "Yes" vote on Prop 1 the other day (targeted audience - my home never got one!). It was at least an $8,000 investment a practiced eye told us, and listed so many of the council members who refused to take a stand on the KCLS issue in the January 8th issue of the Renton Reporter and at the council meeting held a little over a week ago Monday. But they were willing to endorse and add their names to the pretty, expensive flyer that goes along with the expensive, singular "special election"voting ballot for this issue. Now why again could we not wait for a later date when there surely would be other issues that the citizenry had to vote upon? So much for our precious taxpayer dollars. A big shout of praise and thanks to council member Marci Palmer who has publicly been a supporter of keeping the library local since day one - never keeping us in suspense as to her thoughts or affiliations.

Look for yourselves before you vote - these links have a lot more to say about this issue than The Picaroon could ever begin to address.

Vote No 'til you Know

Save Renton Libary

Beth Asher handing out pamphlets asking voters to keep our library in our own hands and out of KCLS's domain. Hard work and hoping to win the good ole fashioned way - one vote at a time.

Local businesses are not afraid to let you know where they stand. Yeah Liberty Cafe and Happy Delusions, you rock!


Super artistic effort for the cause by Catherine Mille (but not a super picture here on the blog. See it in person - this doesn't do it justice)

VOTE NO on PROP 1

Tie Dye and Hula Hoops, oh my!

"Saturation of color" - that is what Drew Hoffswell's Tie Dye shirts are most immediately known for when first glimpsed. After nearly three decades of creating his T-shirt art, first in a shop, then on the festival circuit and now just for a couple of blues events he attends each year and for the friends that keep wearing his work, Drew has a deft hand at creating the rainbow hued spirals that stand out above the average tie dye wear.

Just this month, Drew opened a stall at the Happy Delusions store in Downtown Renton, a place known for it's cornucopia of handmade treasures and gifts. So many people continued to ask where the shirts and Tie Dye babywear could be found, that Drew was forced to find a way to make his creations more readily available.

Moderately priced from $20-$30 bucks, depending on the size and type, there is a shirt or pair of leggings for everyone. A mutual friend of Drew's and The Picaroon is carrying cards for the shop around with him now, so that he can direct the many admirers he has of his wild hued hoodie. Everyone wants to know where they can score such a spectacular find.

The master himself at work. The Picaroon had the distinct pleasure of seeing Drew working his craft.



Perhaps my own personal favorite at the booth are the hand taped Hula Hoops that Drew makes. I personally own one already and it is the second in my growing collection. Hooping is really starting to take off across the globe (check out this link for hula hooping) and was initially created by the Greeks as a form of exercise. Usually one has to be at a festival to find such rad and richly colored adult hoops. These are not the Wham-O hoops of your former youth. These are large and heavier weighted hoops that any adult can relearn to use. Tune up the IPod and get around to that lurking New Year's resolution.



Happy Delusions
924 S. Third Street Renton WA 98057
425-255-6078

Cake and Balloons in the DTR

What's a party without some cake and balloons? Just this week, Downtown Renton received a new addition in the holiday baking and celebrating arena - Go Deli's new specialty cake counter.

The cakes are all baked and decorated on site - and every flower and flourish is hand piped on and made of frosting. The only exception would be the tiny silk leaves and the toys. The cakes are lovely pieces of art. Light and fluffy cakes that are not your typical American cake fare.

Nope, you won't find a buttercream frosting in sight on these cakes that have a texture akin to that of an angel food cake. The frosting is whipped (non-dairy) and not a bit cloying or overly sweet. The cakes each have a flavorful filling - like chocolate or strawberry are two that I saw yesterday afternoon. There are cakes available for immediate pick-up with matching festive balloons for sale, or you may browse through the books and place an advance order. Weddings, birthdays - you name it.

The counter is right in the front as you enter the deli. You will also find that Dawn Hart, the manager, has been expanding her baking repertoire and there are now muffins, quick breads, pastries and lava cakes for those wanting a small portion of something for their sweet tooth. What I love are the great mylar balloons that we now can get so easily in the DTR for celebrating. Balloons always put such a nice touch on cake days, whatever the cause for celebration.


Go Deli
306 Williams Ave.S. Renton WA 98057
425-255-0620
www.Go-Deli.com
Open 7am til 7pm 7 days of the week

Walking off the Holiday Pounds

Cedar River trail - 60 degrees out, sunshine and a public holiday. Needless to say, the pavement was getting pounded by a few more than the regulars yesterday afternoon. New Year's resolutions and a great outing for families to take together. Whatever the reason, let's just check in with this local and lovely gem.

In the shade, there are still all the remnants of this being winter. On cooler days, the path can still be coated with a hoary frost in places that the sun never gets to shine upon.

I like the little waterfalls and special quiet moments that are a part of the meditation that is one of the benefits of walking the trail.

There are now new signs advising the public to call the police if they are harassed or bothered. I put in a quick call to see if there was any incident that caused these signs to be placed. I will keep you informed of the answer when I have it. Don't let this put you off from enjoying the area. There are more folks who come now that the dog park is in full swing. This added trail attendance can be to our advantage.

Note that if you are a regular walker on the trail (or biker), that construction along the trail begins today for the next week. Think of it as an obstacle course and use it to your workout benefit.


All the rain has given our dear Cedar River a little more girth these days. It is cresting over the corners of the walkway here and threatening to dampen our toes. But only on small stretches of the trail, so don't let that stop you from getting out there anytime soon.

DK Market

If you like to mix it up in the kitchen and come out with a load full of groceries for a very pleasingly low price, than DK Market may become your new grocery food haunt. This is not the place for everyone. Some have likened it to a kind of "Winco" of an Asian, Russian, Indian, Filipino persuasion. I love it and especially like the fact that I can come and find new taste treats that differ from the previous visit's, but are just as welcome.

It is in a huge warehouse space, with pallets as display cases and a definite chill to the air (dress warmly for an extended stay). There is tea, jams, juices, spices, canned goods and dried legumes.

The bread selection is always improving. There are fresh selections from Russian and Asian bakeries, as well as pita bread and nan bread sitting side by side for sale. The Vietnamese Bakery's croissants and the Russian Rye bread are not to be missed. There is also something for the sweet tooth. Try the Chinese "Cocktail Buns" with the coconut inside. Personal favorite.

The produce selection is good and cheap. I bought a bunch of fresh mint for 79 cents, where it goes for more than three times that at Safeway. Russet potatoes were the same price as Red and Yellows. Cauliflower was a little over a dollar a head. I made out like a bandit.


This is a good place to come if you are on a budget, like to cook and want to experiment in your cooking routine.

Did you get enough chocolate for Christmas?

More and more, the parking lot seems to be crowded, so the word must be getting around. Inside the store, there are two structures housing a Russian Deli and a Vietnamese Herbalist. Weekends tend to be busy, so be forewarned. It is a treasure in the rough, probably why the prices are still so good.

DK Market

720 Lind Ave SW
Renton, WA 98057

(425) 228-2635

Renton in the rain

Morning Rain by Tu Fu

A slight rain comes, bathed in dawn light.
I hear it among treetop leaves before mist
Arrives. Soon it sprinkles the soil and,
Windblown, follows clouds away. Deepened

Colors grace thatch homes for a moment.
Flocks and herds of things wild glisten
Faintly. Then the scent of musk opens across
Half a mountain -- and lingers on past noon.

Cinnamon spice and everything nice

There are some of you that count on me to tell you the latest flavor of cupcake to be found around town. I do hate to let you down - so let's get right to the facts. It's cinnamon flavored and it's rockin'.

Salted cinnamon frosting? Yes, and worth every caloric bite! This may in fact be my favorite frosting that they have conspired to create.

Go in and have a smile from Brandie and a cupcake that will light your spirits up. You need it - did you see all that water falling down from the sky lately?

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