It's like the Big Top coming to town...

Cruising through Liberty Park on my way to the Renton Annual Art Show, I saw the dormant tents of our yearly celebration - Renton River Days.

A burst of welcomed sunshine lightened the sky and brought a smile to my face as I saw the beginnings of one of my favorite local happenings. There is an excitement that reaches back to your childhood whenever you see the big white canvas of a tent being erected. An as yet, clean canvas that will soon be painted in fun.

Here's your spot, #23! Today begins the Kid's Day at Renton River Days. Free fun and a focus on the young. The Wenatchee Youth Circus is performing for the next two days - see, the Big Top really has come to town! Today at 1pm and 6pm, tomorrow at 1pm and all for a buck or two, depending on your age.

I love a big tent.

I also love some great music - this group played the last two Renton Annual Art Show's that I have had pleasure of attending - Uptown Lowdown Swing.You too can attend - it's free and open 7/22 (today) and 7/23 from 10 til 6pm. Sunday noon to 5.

The evening was lovely, and nestled in on the elbow of the Cedar River, this deck was a buzz with art appreciators and artists. Catered by Gene Sens' The Redhouse, head chef Frank working his magic, it was a classy and tasty affair. I love being in this space - hey somebody, have a wedding here and invite me, will ya?!

No sneak peaks this year - you want art?? Go see some art!! Get inspired by incredible Renton talent and then go home and make a plan to enter yourself, next year.

Renton = Rain, yet again

Walkways on the Cedar River from the Renton Public Library on over to the Renton Memorial Stadium are under water and impassable. Little bit of river over the pavers some days, a bit more on others. The weather man says we've got more of the wet stuff on the way. Oh bully for us.

Won't see to many people out these days, except for the diehard walkers. When the rain lets up, they stream out of their houses, eager for a moment of respite from the grey, wet skies. No one lingers in any one spot for long. Nothing looks dry enough.

Yet, the flowers bloom and Spring shines through in bright little corners if you care to look. Color shines forth in the most unlikely of places.

I wanna tan this year sometime. My rust lines are doing just fine.
 

Budding Holiday Spirit

The holiday spirit is starting to creep into Renton - and it all began last weekend with some garland and red balls. The Downtown Events Committee of Renton put up the first bit of holiday bling on the poles of South Third Street with the help of our downtown Boy Scouts Troop and some helpful local citizenry. Don't they look grand?

With Thanksgiving right on our doorstep, I have transgressed my personal "no Xmas yet" rule and brought you a bit of the green and red. Can't help myself - it's too cheery and cool not to tell you about.

Downtown Renton -
a cool place to be on any day

Roving Renton Returns!

Tonight at 5pm, starting with Armondos, Roving Renton Returns! The fee is $25 per person, that includes gratuity, and you get some wine and an appetizer at four lovely downtown tasty spots. Blossom, Redhouse and the Melrose are the next on your list, in any order really - as seating is limited, so make it there early!


Thanks to reader Lao Gong for giving me the heads up!

How to "Beat the Heat" Farmer's Market Style

It started with a cooling thought, earlier this morning. Linda Middlebrooks, Volunteer Manager at the Renton Farmer's Market was on the horn to McLendon's, our favorite local hardware store, to see if they would be interested in letting a pair of "misters" be out on loan to the Kid's Patch at the market. Kiddies need to be nice and cool if they want to play. So do adults.

Needless to say, the misters were a Big Hit - with everyone at any and every age. With about a third of the usual crowd today, but still a rather full complement of vendors, it was essential to find ways for the farmers market faithful to keep as comfortable as possible.

Who doesn't love a little water? People just naturally gravitated to the moist and cool spout.

It was like mini-bath time at the mister for these two.

"It tickles!"


Vendor from Tiny's Organic Fruits drenched himself before heading back to the trenches, I mean, work.


When not in water, people drinking the water was the next best way to cool down. Hawaiian Shave Ice - great suggestion for really any kind of day. Just really good for today.


She was very proud of her own snow cone.


Dean at Sound Bites & Spread Co. was taking advantage of a plastic top and turning it into her own handheld ventilation system - a fan.


Joe and Pat both agree that Ice Cold Lemonade is the best "beat the heat" technique in town.


By far, the best drink of the day was a Mojito inspired green tea beverage that Huyen Martin at Pacific Mist Tea concocted up just for the day. She made each one to order, like a cocktail, with fresh mint and lime to top off this incredibly refreshing libation. At $2.50 it was heaven in a glass.


When asked, this sporty gentleman said that they way he intended to "beat the heat" today was to head off to the swimming pool. Which is just what I intend to do - as soon as I post this to all of you.

Cupcake Heaven

When cupcakes are involved, it's hard not to be happy. I recently tried a new flavor (for me!) of cupcake heaven at the Common Ground - Boston Cream Pie, and though I ate the whole thing in one easy sitting and was flying on a sugar high for the next hour, I would go back for another in a heart beat. Crystal, another fav barrista of Renton's best, suggested this particular cupcake - and the girl did not steer me wrong. Go get one - I am being far to generous even sharing them with you all, so take advantage of my moment of weakness.

For those of you who like to work for your baked pleasure, you can knit a delicate morsel from this pattern here. When you are through, just set that down , and go get yourself one that won't give you a hair ball if you attempt ingesting it. Then, send me a picture - because I love it when people knit cupcakes. It's the second best thing to eating them.

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

Green and Clean Saturday

Wanna lend ahand? Volunteers being sought to help clean and maintain the area at the Highlands Library 2902 NE 12th from 9:30 - 11:30 am. Free Hot Dog Lunch!!! Kids must have their adult chaperones with them. Questions? Call 425 - 430 - 6600

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.

Bowling Buddies

Skyway Park Bowl and Casino is still a great place to go bowling. Major upgrade and reconstruction was completed a little over a year ago, and the place looks good. The lanes are still a good place to come and meet with friends, and I highly recommend joining a league. Unlimited free bowling comes with that territory, and it is one helluva way to get your exercise and have a sense of community.

Skyway Park Bowl also has some gambling available for you - pool tables, casino. Sit down asian cuisine restaurant and also a fast food version of the same were added in the upgrade. I thought it was pretty tasty. There is a banquet facility and birthday packages for kids or adults. I just attended a league bowling banquet and was pleasantly surprised at the roast beef with gravy and mashed potatoes that we were served - seconds, please!

My mother bowls in Skyway during the day without any qualms - but would not venture up that way later on in the day. Skyway has had some problems. But don't discount it just for that reason - Open Bowling Thursday through Sunday is just $3.49 plus tax before 5 pm. Shoe rental is $3.75. Best Value is renting a lane for 2 hours for $36 anytime before 10:30 pm. If you are feeling bold, Tuesday night is 2 for 1 Night from 9pm til 1am and all food and drinks are 50% off if you are bowling - this could be the start of something for you and your mates.

Happier Update - word amongst the bowling crowd is that West Seattle Bowl, who did a really lovely job upgrading their facility, has purchased the Hillcrest Bowl up on Sunset in the Renton Highlands. Hillcrest Bowl closed a couple of months ago, not the first time in their history to do so, but the leagues all had to move to other lanes to continue their bowling.Whew! I did not want to lose yet another bowling alley - they just never get rebuilt these days. So, with Hillcrest Bowl in the capable hands of West Seattle Bowl - we should have a really fine set of lanes to look forward to.

Skyway Park Bowl and Casino 11819 Renton Ave. S. (206) 772 - 1220

Walking Art

Today on our main drag, I happened to see these fine examples of Sailor Jerry tat work coming down the street. Meet Joey and her lovely walking art.

Sailor Jerry designs are traditional old school tattoos that are very much in vogue again. Two of these tattoos were done by Magenta (owner) and the other by Jibo, both of them tat artists at the Diamond Tattoo Parlor here in town. Jibo won the 1st place for the best religious tattoo award at the Seattle Tattoo Convention - so you are in good hands over there.

This is a Dia de los Muertos skull head design. Ever seen the sugar skulls that are decorated in honor of the ancestors that have passed away on the Day of the Dead, which falls on the day after Halloween? That is the inspiration behind this design. Awesome.

Get your free comics right here!

The Comic Den on Wells Street, right in our DTR between South Second and Third Streets, is giving away comics - for free - this Saturday - no obligations to buy, just stop by. The owner, told me to tell all of you, so it must be true.

This establishment has been serving up a healthy dose of graphic novels, a very large collection of comics and other such collectible paraphernalia since it opened in 1991. Every Wednesday, all the cool guys I know get ready to go check out the new goods, 'cuz that is delivery day and there is a pile of boxes usually outside to prove it. The store is small but from what I have heard, has a great staff and the right goods which is why they have that such a loyal clientele. I even saw a new graphic novel with our new prez on the cover in the window. Maybe he really is a super hero after all.

Okay - I know I already posted this photo earlier in the week as the coolest pic, but I don't care! I have a thing for the Wolverine, and I am not afraid to share that - again.

The Comic Den 234 Wells Ave. South (425) 235 - 1663
Noon till they close at 6 pm - they will have enough comics for everyone!