The next best thing to a car

Biking season is upon us once again. On those Spring days where the sun is shining and the breeze not so brisk as to blow you over, it's time to think of training for the days when the weather bodes well and the clothing becomes shorter.

Ron and Maggie will be embarking on some wheeled adventures, maybe even blogging about them. Recommendation for you lovely folks? Get those cup holders for your bikes that GHY Bikeshop sells. Coffee and biking never looked so good.

Speaking of bikeshops, on S. Third Street is the great GHY Bikes with a really lovely supply of Electra Bikes, like the Townie line. Test driving one of these babies is way fun. This is the bike that my friend took for a spin last year, and it went home with her. FUN.

AJ, the owner of GHY Bikes, will put you in the driver's seat of something good. Or fix up the one you have sitting around at home, so you can start hitting the Cedar River Trail - or own little workout haunt. Read the bikeshop's blog and get some inspiration.

Personally, I love to ride with a book and a skein of yarn or two, waiting for the perfect patch of green, inviting grass to appear and plop! down I go.


Bikes like these Townies also make a statement - and look great in any decor or setting. My friend uses her bike in a variety of ways.

What plans do you have for your bike this season?

GHY Bikes
909 S. Third Street, Renton WA
425.227.4825/800.979.4825

It's all about the art and music, people

Art and music - that, along with a great drink in your one hand (caffeine or otherwise), and cupcake in the other was the exactly what last night's Block Party was primarily about. Aside from meeting the very talented etching artist, Joey Katzer at Happy Delusions and viewing the new art installation at Liberty Cafe, my favorite art presence were the chalk drawings on our South Third Street boardwalk. Anyone could drop down and join in - and surprisingly, many did, like Samantha Goetz-Granquist pictured above.

The family artwork of 4 generations turned Liberty Cafe into something that felt like a art salon of old. So many canvases were hung that the work covers nearly floor to ceiling. The ambiance created is colorful, vibrant and inspiring. The above painting is just one of many that caught my attention last night. Mark Arnold Remington, the impetus behind this family congregation of art, said that about 200 hundred people came through the door last night and he couldn't have had more fun if he tried.

Joey Katzer here with her copper plate etchings. A self professed shy and retiring individual, having a show at Happy Delusions for Joey was quite a stretch. Her work is of an incredibly high caliber and one can only hope that she will grace us with her presence more often. Check our her Flickr photostream here and marvel at her detail. Joey's work has a permanent site in Mary's store, but the full complement of her work will remain up throughout the weekend.

I thought that these mini Common Ground cupcakes with the DTR/I heart Renton buttons on them were the best idea yet in promoting our dear little main drag. Still hearing people question those "in the know" about the meaning of "DTR". How long is this gonna take? Acronyms, we Americans usually eat this stuff up! Get with the program already, Renton! If you have a DTR button, help out by wearing it proudly and giving people the "look" when they query what it means. That will teach them not to make our downtown part of their weekly rounds!

And the MUSIC - well, DC's Bar & Grill hosted DJ Nich Sullivan of the soon to open Tyrannosaurus Records for the later part of the night and he had things rockin'. DJ Phil Anthony was over at Liberty Cafe and I recommend him highly. If you happened to miss this month's event. stay tuned and catch up with the fun next time around. Why go outside the zip code when you can hang right here and have fun?

Happy Fourth Everyone!

All American Cupcake in the classic flavor of Apple Pie available at the Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes, 900 S. Third St., and they will even serve it to you on the 4th - they're gonna be open.

Rising Star's The Patriot is a man after my own heart. He survived the fire at The Comic Den and he still looks good! The Comic Den will be selling your favorites on the 4th from 12 - 4pm at their new digs at 822 S. Third Street.


G.H.Y. Bikes has a ride for every season - and holiday. This gorgeous work of red,white and blue is available for $549. It is the ever popular Electra bike and this ride is, in a word, sweet. AJ, owner at G.H.Y.909 S. Third will be happy to put you on a bike this 4th from 10 - 6pm. Get into shape this year with some class.


Happy Delusions has swag for every occasion. These 4th of July firecracker blocks by "Do me a favor" sell for $9.95 and you can pop in and get them today until late or on the 4th from 11 - 2pm at 924 S. Third St.

Jacob Matthew is sporting a red vintage shirt and blue shorts - poster boy for the colors of the weekend. GQ style on the streets of Renton.


"J" Hand at Ancient's Arts Tattoo can hook you up with some great ink anytime. 928 S. Third Street (425) 255 - 5841

Floral flag at the corner of Main and S. Third Street at the Renton Veteran's Memorial. The remaining 2 photos were taken there as well. Beautiful.

Have a safe Fourth of July out there, folks

The Bike Squad

The Police Bike Squad is out and about - and I, for one, am happy to see that. The petty thefts that have been plaguing my neighbors and I during the middle of the day will be better served by a swift biker in a police uniform that is patrolling the streets of our dear Renton.
Pictured above is Officer Adam (left) and Office Humphreys, some of Renton's finest. Within an hour of taking this photo, I saw 5 police on bikes having a meet-up in North Renton. I told them about the plant thefts, the gas siphoning from cars - all that have occurred in the middle of the day in my 'hood within the last few days! Some extra attention to my street would be very welcome. So, thanks in advance guys - and I really mean it.

I am on a warpath myself. No one hurts my peeps and goes unnoticed!