Renton Peeps talk about work and taxes

Have you had the pleasure of seeing this smiling face before? He is one of Renton's finest. Pedro Hawkins is one of those people out making a difference in our daily lives. He is the UPS guy with the best attitude around, who is usually in a continual state of "jogginess" and wears his shorts through any season. I love this guy. I have almost fallen on the street, running in pajamas 'cuz I missed him at my door with a package I was waiting for, and he stops and smiles and makes it all right. People who work in the public realm, enjoy their jobs and take the time to pass that along are becoming a rarity. Pedro can make you see things in a brighter way. Order your package today - and, with any luck, they will send Pedro your way.

Tax Time - and some of us get to go shopping with our tax returns. Michelle Klanieki has a penchant for BAGS. With her tax return, she bought this beauty at Happy Delusions on S. Third. She did, however, have to clean out at least a dozen old purses in order to secure this baby - husband's orders.

Ngan Huyhn has informed me that her tax return went to paying rent. Hummm, keeping the ole "roof over your head" tactic during times of economic hardship. Nice move, Ngan. I must divulge that that is exactly how I am spending my own tax return.

Samantha Goetz-Grandquist would just like her parents to remember her fondness for things Princess Leia-like. If she could, that would be how she would help spend her parent's tax return. But it's not happening - so we took the picture for posterity, and hung the cool yarn hair dreads back up and walked, rather glumly, away.

While over at the Landing...

"I wanna give people a taste of food that they remember having had in their mouths before" - enter Chef CJ Houk, lover of food and travel, fluent Vietnamese speaker and the driving force in the kitchen at the Landing's new Papaya.

The restaurant is as local as you can get- restaurateur Gene Sens, of Redhouse/Blossom fame, is the owner. Chef CJ hails from studies at Renton Vo Tech. The kitchen staff includes Chef CJ's own apprentice that he brought with him, interns from Youth Service - a work program for youth at risk, and CJ's Mom, who helps in the kitchen. "It's about giving back" and Chef CJ isn't just going to stop here - plans are to have a nonprofit cooking school started as well.

The atmosphere is good and inviting (everyone greets you upon arrival) and right across the street from the Regal Cinema . The food is lovely - well presented, uber fresh and very satisfying. The prices are very easy on the pocketbook - hovering around $7.95 per entree, they have a kids menu, beer and wine selection and a range of choices from Vietnamese baguette sandwiches that come served with yam fries, to Pho noodles, to lovely bowls of vermicelli noodle salads topped with chicken, pork, salmon and more.

Chef CJ treated me to a helping of his Chocolate Ravioli with the Mango/Pomegranate sauce. I am still smacking my lips over that taste in my mouth - a food memory I don't want to forget.

Papaya Vietnamese Cafe - The Landing - Across from Regal Cinema Theater
830 N. 10th Street (425) 917-1447


Look, I also found the UPS Store...
Finally some of the spaces are filling up at The Landing. There were lots of workmen making busy sounding noises there and some store fronts seem to be getting ready for (hopefully) some "opening" action.
UPS 720 N. 10th St. (425) 235 - 7447
Mon.8-7, Tues- Fri. 8:30 -6:30 pm, Sat.10-5, Closed Sun.