The city freezes and the blog block melts

Snow - again? Three times may indeed be the charm, as this is the third time this day that the flakes have fallen and this time they may even stick. I did not get what I needed this Winter where snow was concerned. I like the blanketing of white, the crunch under foot and the chilly breath that comes with snow.

The views of North Renton as I sloshed home tonight were dipped in pearly white and slightly mushy around the edges. My camera somehow made the cut into the new handbag and voila! instant Kodak moment.

A snow blizzard feel as I made tracks in the unmarked lanes about town.The blue light here stands out in a wonderfully weird way.

The houses wrapped in snowflake batter were what drew my eye.

 

While the city became drowsy with cold, a hearty group of bloggers met to discuss the plans for a new blog in the offing. One that brings a confluence of assets and efforts and helps lapsed writers reenter the land of the web and Renton news.

So stay tuned and I will help spread the word. There is a new voice in town ( well, a few voices pulling together under one gleaming banner head) and we mean to make a difference.

Redhouse reacquainted

The Redhouse is one of those fine places to dine in our town, and we should be thankful that it has weathered this bad economic storm that has taken a few of our other dining hot spots away. Frank Lucarelli has for been at the helm of the kitchen for over a year, and his food is a force to be reckoned with - YUM. The night I went there his homemade Torta (read pizza rustica) was one of the specials. I would go back for this dish in a heartbeat. On a night when the sun is pretending to shine, the outdoor deck awaits you.

Under the sure hand of Jeff Andrew, The Redhouse has not only a great kitchen, but a very fine wine selection by the glass or bottle and a treasure trove of beer. In fact, a whole room dedicated to just beer. You need not be dining there to go and purchase a bottle of something good.

For the last nine years, Aleana McMurray has been living and breathing her love of good wine and good beer, four of those years at The Redhouse. I love heading for her table and asking for her input on what I should be drinking (and eating). Aleana deserves a nod of recognition for a job well done. Gene - I love your restaurant. If I wasn't so budget constrained, you would see me around a lot more often.


The Redhouse
410 Burnett Ave.S.
425.226.2666

Poker runs in Renton

Poker runners ran throughout the downtown of Renton this past Saturday for the annual Spring Festival and Poker Run. Dave of Cedar Chest Antiques on S.Third St. was dealing out the cards from his deck in style. Like a man who dresses for the occasion.

Dacia Hanson of The Old Renton Book Exchange on Wells Ave.S. might be the newest arrival to the DTR, but her store had the best poker paraphernalia and hats in town. If you have not made your way into this wonderful haven of books, make it a priority soon. Dacia has the best book exchange policy to be found and the stacks are growing by the day, making it a much fre

Cedar Chest Antiques
916 South Third Street
(425) 271 - 0511

Old Renton Book Exchange
227 Wells Ave. South
425.430.BOOK / 425.430.2665

Spring Festival and a run at Poker

Renton is blooming.

Spring has sprung and this Saturday we celebrate it at the Piazza with a festival and some low key poker playing. The Renton Poker Run is a great way to see the sights in Downtown Renton, acquaint yourself with some of the newer additions to the neighborhood and maybe win a prize. There are 34 businesses participating this year - visit them all, get your best poker hand together and maybe you'll get lucky.

Tulips at Liberty Park.

Rather just slowly sip your coffee and shop? Spring Festival also means Farmers Market, arts n' crafts vendors, music, kids activities, just general fun. This is when the Piazza is the way it ought to be more often- full of people and in use.

The look of spring in North Renton.

Personally, I am on the prowl for flower bouquets at the festival and hoping that my favorite snack vendors make an appearance. Mad money well spent, I say.

Veteran's War Memorial in the DTR

Spring Festival and Poker Run
Renton Downtown Piazza
S. Third St. and Burnett Ave.S.
Saturday, April 17th 12noon - 5pm

Poker Run
Sign up at booth in the Piazza - $1 donation or canned food to benefit Renton Salvation Army
Visit all participating businesses, get a poker card from each and try to get the best hand.
12noon - 4pm

When you don't know what to wear

It all began with Liberty Cafe's first year anniversary and a caricature of Mike Moskowitz, one of the cafe owners, drawn by the tat artist, Tor from next door at Ancient Arts Tattoos. This cool piece of artwork that Tor just tossed off one day (his mad art skills just work that way) had been hanging on the bulletin board for some time already when a plan began to be hatched.

Ron Hughes, Liberty Cafe regular, had the idea to have a small run of T-Shirts made bearing Mike's image. Sarah Caldwell at Black Anchor T-Shirts and Printing, whom The Picaroon introduced ya'll to here, did the honors and a small posse of caffeine induced Rentonites descended on the cafe en mass March 13th to surprise Mr. Mike.

Mike was surprised. Now a couple dozen of his happiest cup o' joe regulars can be seen around town with a small copy of him emblazoned on their chests. Mike is, as we speak, making plans to insure that Ron Hughes' birthday is just as memorable.

Bill Provin, lovingly referred to as "Farmer Bill" by some, sporting the T.

Sue Rider in her pink version, of course.

Sue Hughes wears her caffeine colors proudly.

Don't mess with Mary Clymer, she is a total Team Mike supporter.

The T-Shirts are available by order at Liberty Cafe for a reasonable $15. Sarah of Black Anchor Printing is very preganant, so be patient with the time frame. These are like a special DTR phenomenom, which is what makes it all the cooler to request one.

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

Putting a face to Renton ART

Gretchen Mertes

Renton is artistic - make no mistake. Our burg has a talented population, and last night at the IKEA Performing Arts Center, I saw a few of the faces that comprise that collage of local talent we should be supporting.

Gretchen Mertes is a pastor at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church and very involved in the Luther's Table that will be coming soon in the ground floor of the VA building under construction across from Renton High School. Seems so fitting to have this place where you can get food and find something to nourish the soul on the former site of a Lutheran Church. Lending her hand to organizing the talent on stage last night at the Open House, Gretchen also has a great voice and mean hand at the guitar. She rocks.

Watercolor painter, Helga Jacques contact 425.226.4383

Helga Jacques, Renton resident and water color painter, was on the stage painting and selling artwork while dancers were flinging about and music was being made.

Watercolor painting by Louis Anderson contact 206.772.2317

The paintings of Louis Anderson made me stop more than once to ponder (and covet). Local resident since 1952, Louis remembers having an artist studio on Wells Ave back in the 60's that he rented for $50 a month and religiously visited to paint in every evening after work. Louis wonders why the empty store fronts in Renton don't have artist galleries in place until a permanent tenant is found. Yeah - why not, Renton!?

Spotlight Dance Center represent! Renton is lucky to have a place right in our downtown where the desire to explore movement and dance is encouraged and flourishes.

Show Brazil! founder and performer, Eduardo Mendonca, played the guitar and sang, reminding us that Renton is an incredible cornucopia of languages and sounds. He has played for world leaders and in other countries, and he lives right here in our little town. Who knew.

Wanna get involved or ask some questions? For more information, call 425.430.6589 or email Arts@RentonWA.gov.

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

The Sub that was hit but didn't sink

Sub Shop #8 - with an unpretentious name like that, you know it has got to be good. It has been a staple sandwich stop spot for many walking the Cedar River Trail or seeking a good and quick sandwich (like nearby Boeing workers) on the go for years. Then a car ran into the building in the Fall of last year, and everyone wondered if the owners would rebuild again.

This isn't the first time that an automobile making the corner at Airport Way S. and Logan Ave. has come barreling through the Sub Shop's window. From what I hear, it has happened once or twice before. So it brings me great pleasure to say that once the molding has been put in and a little further rebuild on the kitchen, the place should be open within a month.

From what I can ascertain, it will be the same owners (see link below to their website) and a sub shop once again. Kudos for having the balls to rebuild one more time. Hey, City Council, can we help them out with some guard rails or something? It looks so good - I would hate to see a car meet that pretty new wall.

Sub Shop #8
30 Logan Ave S.
Renton, WA 98055
directions

Celeb SIghting in Renton

Survivor Samoa has one of Renton's own - Shambo, and as of tonight with just three episodes to go, she is still in the running.

The Picaroon and Phyl Carroll ran into her shopping up on Benson Hill, and with that huge, welcoming grin of her's, allowed us a photo op.

Timing being everything, Survivor is airing tonight. Fingers crossed, Shambo will be on there next week. She looks great, by the way - trim and healthy and glowing. Ahhhh, it won't be long now before we all get to hear the rest of the story from Shambo's lips. But until the end of the show, there is nothing to tell and no way to know.

Catching up on Cupcakes

When you have been down ill and haven't gotten out, there isn't much worth telling in the blog world. No one wants to hear how many tissues you have seen or lament the copious amounts of liquids one must drink (none of them of the fun sort), so you just sorta breathe and let it all go. So when you do make it to a local hang, you gotta take a photo or two, hang out and catch up.

Auntie Kristen seated with nephew Connor and Connor's Mom, Kat Mille at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes, says that she likes to check out The Picaroon when I have a photo of her adorable nephew featured. Connor and I have a love/scorn relationship and he is such a big flirt when in the mood, that I can't help but take his picture. So I am sending out this photo to you, Auntie. Being a doting Auntie myself, I completely understand how enthralled one can become with the "little people" in our lives - especially a little one named Connor.

Marie here is proudly wearing her Birthday Tiara and having a cupcake and coffee to celebrate the day. She came to the coffee shop with her good gal pal looking too cute in her gold headgear not to notice. Happy Birthday Marie - hope it's a good one.

The Picaroon was given a cupcake on the house to celebrate our combined November birthdays (that of blog and blogger), but being sick and all, never had the chance to indulge. So here we are, eating a delicious Almond Joy Cupcake and highly recommending it to all of you. But remember to stock up on your baked goodies in a cup soon -

Common Ground will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.

You may end up baking them yourself if you don't hurry.

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