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

Mad music talent in the DTR

Please excuse the shoddy mess of my recording skills- this was all on the fly, only had my Blackberry phone standing by and I didn't even catch the best of what this newly formed duo were laying down this weekend in the DTR.

But, let it be said here and now - that there is mad talent between these two and a musical collaboration that is hard not to notice immediately. Yorusalem has the pipes of Lauren Hill, and I wish I could have gotten my stuff together quickly enough so you wouldn't have to take my word on it.Hard to believe that they just met one another a week ago at the Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes and things quickly moved from there.

Mike Dwyer and Yorusalem Zewolday just have the right feel for one another's music moves. Yorusalem has two other people she collaborates with, one is her fiance that writes more than he performs and leans towards hip hop/rap. Yorusalem has just begun to explore that side of the music scene, looking more for songs that speak of love and empowerment than anger and subjugation. Mike has seldom found a singer that the synergy has flowed so easily with and has a sensitivity and talent that quietly oozes from the guitar. Both may be showing up for a show on S. Third Street soon. If you see them jamming together, stop and take a listen.

Freaky, fierce Saturday winds

There was some crazy rain and wind storm action in the downtown Renton area come Saturday afternoon. The petals and branches from trees swirled, dipped and dived under the force of the malevolent wind. It broke off some large branches of a couple of the trees on our main South Third Street drag with apparent ease.

Kaboom! And down it went, without anyone or thing being hurt. But other Rentonites in different zip codes apparently were not hit in the same way at all. More's the luck for them!

Good thing Toto sized dogs were safely out of harms way. They surely would have been lifted and carried off to the wilds of Kansas if not for the foresight of their loving humans.

It rains here in Renton, but then we get Rainbows

It must be something written down, agreed upon and signed, but honestly, against the collective Renton will, that it should always happen to rain on Easter. Egg hunts be damned, and cute little dresses with matching Easter bonnets to be drenched. But what we do get are some pretty spectacular Rainbows - like this baby, that came out for a few minutes last night. That, my firends, was our collective Easter gift.

Renton in the Sun

Things were definitely happenin' at Liberty Park today - the place was hoppin'. Families picnicking, ball games in play, bikes being pedaled. There wasn't a quiet corner to be found. It was as if the lights had been switched on in a room too long abandoned - you could see everywhere clearly. Smiling faces and bared arms and shoulders - all willingly soaking up the sun.

Spring showers and it's flowers

Puddle jumping

Raindrops

Time to get your party apron pressed

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Tomorrow night from 5 - 7 pm, the members of the Renton Historical Museum will be getting together for an evening of Key Ingredients - the new museum exhibit and hopefully come clad in their favorite kitchen attire - the apron. Hey, these little cloth beauties that once were a part of any woman's wardrobe are making a come back. Sometimes referred to as the "hostess apron", aprons often were as important as the pretty outfit being worn and as such, finely constructed. Others were larger; meant to cover the entire front of the body and more utilitarian. Any good chef will agree to that - and that means that this is an equal gender opportunity where apron wearing is concerned, so no one has an excuse not to dig on out of a drawer for tomorrow night. Historically, aprons have been handmade and showcased a form of stitchery, smocking, embroidery or ruffles. Not unlike samplers, they showed the owners skill set and fashion inclinations. Wonder what your apron's gonna look like?

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

Go Green in your shopping routine

The Salvation Army has gotten back to their previous habit of posting monthly calendars of their sales promotions for the month and including it with your bill of sale. I have mine hanging on the fridge and use it as an excuse to take a walk in that direction every couple of days. Today was "Manager's Special" which turned out to be 50% off all clothing. Now, Salvation Army has some reasonably priced clothing - so take another 50% off and you have got yourself a deal. This store also has a very nice selection of furniture - I have purchased a few choice items for my home here - and tomorrow is 50% off furniture, so go shopping. Seniors and Military get a 15% discount everyday. $.85 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to the needy.
While I am happy that there are concerned consumers who like to shop and donate where the most effort and finances are returned to those in need, I am personally a fair opportunity "thrifter" - I shop everywhere. My mission with these posts about "thrifting" is to get people to think about buying secondhand instead of new for a change and to encourage donating rather than dumping and adding to our landfills. If you are a family newly on the "edge" where finances are concerned - you can find all your family needs at thrift stores - really.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store 4222 S. 3rd St. (425)255-0171

PS Check out the chalkboard at the entrance - it always has some specials listed!

Alcholism hurts everyone

You may think this is in poor taste - so avert your eyes, or move along or something - but I found this on my daily walk about town today, and now maybe someone came along before me and set this little diorama up for viewing, but ,well, I just couldn't help taking a shot of it. Really - is it so bad in Renton that this is what the squirrels are left with?

Harder times call for thrifty measures

Today is .99 cent Monday at our local Value Village (commonly referred to as "V V's" or using a cool french accent and saying the name of the store). Let me be clear if you are a newbie to this; only a certain color of tag, like orange today, is on sale, and this tag system is in constant rotation. Next week it might be green or purple. If you go thrifting there often enough you can kind of predict which color has been around long enough to go on sale. It starts with the tag of choice going to 50% off from Thursday through Sunday, with Monday hitting the less than a buck status.
Thrifting is a great way to go green, to save some money, save the environment, be eclectic and unique in your fashion statement and treasure hunt for unexpected cool stuff. Problem is - you could get too much stuff. Solution is - you go home and fill the same size bag of stuff you just brought in and donate it back.

Value Village 1222 Bronson Way N. #200 (425) 255 - 5637

Other Renton "Blooms"

Carolyn and her crew were out riding in the gorgeous, yet fleeting sunny weather. I don't know how she gets them all out the door and on the bikes at one time - she is a wonder.

This little "bloom" slept through everything that passed the busy street corner. His incredible sleeping technique was envied by all. Ah, youth.

Lynar and Sammy De Luca are self professed "goof balls" - and proud of it. What do you graduate to after that?

Crystal and Krissie have a talent for giving out great, suuny smiles - brightening up any window or sidewalk that comes their way.

Get Your Green Thumb Out

A mere day of two into the official realm of Spring, and already the garden has to be added to the chore rotation. Chore or blessing - just a good reason to head over to McLendon's Hardware and start thinking about dressing up your deck or yard in something "purdy".
I love when I receive the McLendon's small, square coupon book. One more reason to head over to a favorite place and see what kind of mischief I can get further into - like flowers.
Just going outside and seeing the variety of blooms that are on display at McLendon's will make you want to grab some earth and a trowel and get to work beautifying your little patch at home.
Petunias and Pansies were on sale for just .97 cents - not even a buck for a bright bit of petal and greenery. Plant them indoors if you don't have a spot of earth. They last longer than a bouquet of cut flowers any day.
McLendon's Hardware 440 Rainier Ave. S. (425) 255 -3555
There are also 5 other stores - so head to at least one of them!!

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.

Food - The "Key" to Life

"American Food- not real recipes, just a few Key Ingredients constantly stirred by time." Tomorrow kicks off the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit, Key Ingredients - America by Food, at our very own Renton Historical Museum. In the Puget Sound area, only our town will host this program along with an exhibit created wholly based on the history of food in Renton, Sustaining a City, researched and created by Liz Stewart and Sarah Iles of the museum. This is very exciting folks! Saturday, March 21 from 10am - 7pm the Grand Opening of the exhibit will feature a live broadcast with Kiro Radio 97.3 "In the Kitchen with Tom and Thierry". This radio show just had it's 5th year anniversary and stars local chef Tom Douglas (of Dahlia Lounge and 5 other local hotspots fame) and chef Thierry (known as the Chef with the Hat).

The exhibit is really well written and fun to explore. This would be a great opportunity for you and the family to introduce yourselves to a local treasure that is all to often overlooked or unknown, the Renton Historical Museum. Since this is an exhibit that is run in coordination between the Smithsonian and Humanities Washington, the price is right - suggested donation. This outing can fit any one's budget. And there are lots of great programs from now until May 9, the last day of Key Ingredients, to keep you entertained.



Members Only Exhibition Opening - Wear Your Apron!!
Thursday, March 26, 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Closing the Food Gap- talk and book signing with Mark Winne
Saturday, April 4, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Carco Theater Adults/$10, students/$5

3 Feet Under : Digging Deep for the Geoduck Clam
Thursday, April 16, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Film Screening at Carco Theater Adults/students/$5

An Afternoon with Greg Atkinson - talk and book signing
Thursday, May 7, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Carco Theater Adults/$10, students/$5

Tickets can be purchased at the Museum ahead of time.

Viewing this exhibit will make you wonder about what American food is and why you and your family have the food traditions that you do. When my family first came to Renton back in the 70's, we kids went to St. Anthony's and our Mom worked many hours assisting in the office, running the mimeograph machine (no copiers back then) and helping coordinate the yearly recipe books. One year, our living room rug was covered in various pages as my Mom meticulously assembled by hand these donated recipes and family favorites into order. We inherited a new tradition in those years, that still persists today - the Pizzelle Cookie.

Our family is not Italian, we did not have this as standard cookie fare - until my Mom's buddy in the school office taught her the intricacies of making this delicate anise flavored morsel. 30 years later - my Mom is on her second pizzelle iron and makes this family favorite at Christmas time, storing these fragile wonders in coffee cans. This particular cookie is very time consuming to make - really, a labor of love. And it came to us from here, from Italian Renton roots - and it grew into a family memory that perseveres even today. I find that amazing. Food, family meals, the sense of smell - huge repositories of sacred moments of our lives.

Renton Historical Museum 235 Mill Ave. South Renton, Wa
(425) 255-2330 / email : info@rentonhistory.org

Thanks to The Journeyman Cook on Flickr for the pizzelle pic - all the rest are mine!