Last look at October

Halloween began with a great brewing of Halloween Tales over at the Renton History Museum. Dorota Rahn (pictured above)  helped conjure up a crowd to come see the free speaker program that I am so fond of over at the museum. Why weren't you there?

Bea and her well known talent of a mother, Naomi Baltuk, regaled a rapt crowd with tales of Halloween at the museum. Storytelling is a craft and form of entertainment that is good for the soul. Get away from that TV and video game when the opportunity presents itself. What a great duo! 

While out on the streets of Renton, some dressed for the holiday - and others, just dressed in the tie dyes that comprise the greater part of their wardrobe. Phyl Carroll is a grandma who dressed as a granny and Richard Stout is a man who loves color, especially the swirly kind.

Halloween can be a great time to experiment with possible new looks and hair colors - like Bill Provin here, who I must say, has a flare for purple. So does Brandy.

 How could I get away without one last fond look at jack o 'lanterns? They should somehow be an acceptable use of a pumpkin all the way up to Thanksgiving.

North Renton as a neighborhood completely rocked - with the Schelgel's Home on Williams Street hosting a Haunted House in their backyard - which was awesome.

Across the street, Halloween craftsmen, Evan and Dave created their own ghoulish destination for the more intrepid trick or treaters.

 

It was a great Halloween season - sigh.

Wanna know why I started to blog again today? I read my horoscope over at Rob Brezsny's Free Will Astrology and it said - blog. I kid you not. I was gonna try to be lazy a little longer, but I was shamed back into it. Really.

History/Herstory

Jack Hamann courtesy of his website

The Renton History Museum has the most entertaining way of learning about history - attend one of their free speaker programs. Tomorrow night at 5pm, Jack Hamann, author of the award winning book "On American Soil: How Justice Became a Casualty of WWII" will present the story of the 1944 riot at local Fort Lawton that resulted in dozens of African American soldiers being unfairly imprisoned for the murder of Italian POW Guglielmo Olivotto. The longest court martial of that war and the 28 men sent to prison were only exonerated three short years ago. If that isn't an interesting footnote in Washington history, I don't know what is. The program is free and you should consider heading over there after work.

Fort Lawton photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Fort Lawton was opened in 1900 and at least 20,000 troops passed through it's doors during WWII, where the fort was used as a POW camp for Germans and a stopping place for Italians en route to Hawaii for imprisonment.

Toni Douglas and Barbara Collander

2010 also marks the 100 year anniversary of Women Suffrage. A mere century ago, many women from pioneers to the more settled midwestern and east coast women's vote activists worked together to get ballots in the hands of the female population in Washington state. We forget that not every woman had the exact same vision or method for achieving this goal. May's Vote, a play written and acted by Barbara Collander and Toni Douglas, was presented last month at the Renton History Museum. The tale of the flamboyant May Arkwright Hutton of Spokane and the prim and proper Emma Smith DeVoe was both funny and moving as the audience recalled the struggle for women to be accepted as citizens with a voice.

Our local museum is a treasure, and I wish more folks would come to know it as I have since my return to Renton a short couple of years ago. History is full of stories that bear repeating, and there are lots of them that need to be heard.

Jack Hamann, Speaking Truth to Power: Modern Lessons from Historic Injustice
Tuesday May 4th at 5:00 pm
Free even appropriate for teenage audiences and up

Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave.South 425-255-2330
Renton, WA 98057

To the beat of the drum

Speaker Events at the Renton History Museum are anything but dull. Take Lora Chiorah and her Rhythms of Zimbabwe free performance yesterday morning right here in the 98057. It was not long before the whole audience was on their feet and chanting out songs, playing games and laughing.

While Lora beats out the measures on the drum, her students dance for rain (yeah, someplaces need that dance), or just dance to dance. While many dances have a meaning, movement for movement's sake is just as pervasive.

The youngest troupe member was Lora Chiorah's granddaughter, and while still practicing her moves, she comes along to events because she loves to be there. Dance and drums can do that to you.

Lora Chiorah

Northwest Tap Connection and Spectrum Dance, located just north of our burg, offer classes in African Dance for those inspired. I was. Lora claimed to be 60 and I think that drumming and dancing must be the elixir of youth. Check out Lora's link here.

I am always surprised that more people don't take advantage of these awesome free moments of entertainment in the DTR. Really - try just one, and you will be hooked.

Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057
425.255.2330

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

Telling the stories of Renton

Renton is reclaiming it's historical roots and passing the stories onto the children of our community. Today at Hazelwood Elementary, storyteller Roger Fernandes helped the the third, fourth and fifth grade students who are studying a "story path" in school about Native American Indians indigenous to the area, to glimpse the life of the Coast Salish Indians through interactive story and drum.

Roger Fernandes, who is a member of the Klallum tribe, is well versed in the legend and lore of the first people of this land we call Renton. These were not the tribes of totem poles and masks, which are to be found miles north of here, but the peoples of the Duwammish. Roger was part of program sponsored by the Renton History Museum, 4Culture, Sam's Club and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to help school children understand the local native culture. Fourth grade teacher Lynn Maybee shared that last year when trying to help the children fulfill the CBS (classroom based assessment) curriculum and answer the question of "How did the environment effect the lifestyle, tradition and beliefs of the Native Indians?", there were obvious gaps in the school materials. This year, through the introduction of this new program, a greater depth of understanding and appreciation of the subject had been achieved.

Stories impart not only the feel of a people, but share morals and messages. Roger is a master of the art.

There is always more than one way to teach - and getting your audience on their feet helps engage them at all levels.

If you are a teacher or interested parent, please feel free to call the museum and see if this program could be applicable to your kid's school. The Renton History Museum is a little, local gem that never gets the full attention it deserves, as far as I am concerned. Letting kids get involved with culture leaves its helpful mark on their young psyches for years to come.

Valentine's Day Party for museum volunteers

If you are looking for a great outlet for your volunteer time, the Renton History Museum is a great place to donate. Greeters, docents and other positions are available. It is both a great opportunity to share what you know and to become a part of a huge local learning curve - all at the same time. They really treat you well.


Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057
425.255.2330

Holiday Stories - come listen and remember

Ballads and tales of the great Hans Christian Andersen will be told by Alan Hirsch tomorrow at 11 am at a free program at the Renton History Museum. Allan told the story of toys to a rapt audience last year - so this is not the same program as before, so make sure to come hear him perform such classics as The Tinder Box, Five Peas in a Pod, The Wild Swans and more.


Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057

Come hear a story...

Harvest Moon is a weaver of both tales and baskets. These two loves of hers become intertwined as she regales audiences with traditional Coastal Salish lore and transports her listeners into "Basket World." This shared wisdom comes from years of harvesting great skills and having heard Harvest Moon last year, The Picaroon can attest to her storytelling (and the baskets were amazing as well).

Come listen to be both educated and entertained at the Renton History Museum for this free speaker event tomorrow, Tuesday November 10th at 5:00pm. This is event is for high school through adult.

Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057

When did you last hear a good Ghost Story?

Today is the day that the thin boundary between the living and those that have passed over can be crossed. The day we call Halloween in Celtic tradition was a far more frightening day to the average Joe and Harriet of old. Come join storyteller Naomi Baltuk and her apprentice daughter, Bea, to hearing haunting scary tales.

Witches and ghosts and general horrific mayhem - not for the weak or faint of heart! (but FREE!) Come in costume - if you dare!

Renton History Museum

TODAY at 11 am
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA

Remember your civic duty today and join a meeting

So many places to be tonight in Renton and all are good for your civic soul and the heart of your community. But how to choose? All I know is that your presence at any one of these meetings would be greatly appreciated - so wait to put on the fuzzy pink slippers and sweats tonight for a little while, and come hang out with your Rentonite friends.

The North Renton Neighborhood Association will be holding a meeting tonight at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N., and the half an hour before the official start at 7pm is for drinking coffee, schmoozing with the crowd and have a snack or two. This will be on the ground floor this time around, as the usual room will be holding a Block Watch Meeting upstairs.

A great Block Watch Meeting with the ever informative and effervescent Cyndie Parks of the Renton Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit will be the guest speaker, 7pm at The Renton Senior Activity Center 2nd floor for anyone who is interested in coming. Some of my neighbors are thinking to first start out upstairs at the Block Watch Meeting and then move downstairs to catch the remainder of the North Renton Neighborhood Association Meeting. A little two-timing action, if you know what I mean. It could be good, if you are up to a little double indemnity.

The Museum Master Plan Informational Meeting is also occurring this evening from 7 to 9pm at the Renton History Museum which is located at 235 Mill Avenue South, which is one block south of the Renton Public Library. I wrote about this meeting last week, and as the museum's consultants share some of their findings in relation to assisting the museum with it's next 15 year phase, it is an excellent opportunity to have a say in how Renton history will be viewed and made.

Be a good Rentonite - make one of these meetings your preferred destination TONIGHT

Our Museum is growing - wanna come play?

Renton History Museum is making a plan - incorporating new ideas, heading in new directions and taking on a whole new identity. You wanna come along and have a stake in what our present and future generations will see and say about our town's legacy? A little like "Killroy was Here", but more defined.

The museum has hired a professional planning firm, Gyroscope, Inc., to help with charting out a course for the museum for the next 15 years. This is not a "one size fits all" approach to consulting, but collaborating with a team of super creative consultants that want to work out specific options to fit our town's needs.

Please come and be a part of a hands on Informational Meeting on Thursday, October 22nd from 7 - 9pm and weigh in with your thoughts and ideas. The consulting firm will be sharing with us the research they have done on Renton, showing similar museums in other areas that are doing things that might be of interest, and some visual exercises will make the meeting more interactively dynamic and fun. Elizabeth Stewart, Director of Renton History Museum, promises that it will be a "cool process".

Consider this your chance to be a part of history making. Adding in your voice, your view for those present and future audiences of Renton history. YOU are the special spice that is needed to make this gathering a go.

What I might also remind you, is that this is a great way to come and see the museum if you have never taken the opportunity before. Don't be shy - no one will mind if it's your first time. Come take a peek at what has come before you on the hallowed grounds of Renton.

Renton History Museum
Informational Meeting with Gyroscope Inc and YOU

October 22, Thursday, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
235 Mill Ave. South, Renton WA 98057
425.255.2330 info@rentonhistory.org

Located one block south of the Renton Public Library
Parking available in the public lot behind the museum

Comfort stories to warm your heart

The weather has changed and so will our diet. As Fall begins, find out about the interesting roots of that food staple, beans, and hear some heart and hearth warming stories from storyteller Karol Brown.

Tomorrow, Saturday at 11:00 am, the Renton History Museum hosts another addition of their free speaker program, sponsored by Humanities Washington,with Karol Brown telling us "comfort stories with a pinch of nutrition education. spiced up with multicultural folktales, a sprinkle of poetry, and garnished with songs."

Everytime I attend, I learn something new and am highly entertained - what a welcome way to spend a late morning. Can't praise this program enough, Renton. This program tomorrow is suitable for all ages - so everyone is welcome to come.

Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 255- 2330

Museum Day - go see for free

Do you have plans today?, Well, include this - Admission is free today at the Renton History Museum as they participate in the Smithsonian's Magazine's Museum Day.

Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave S
Renton, WA 98057-2133
(425) 255-2330

Being a Volunteer were it counts

In a time when everyone wants a bit of your cash or time, it is important to choose wisely how you spend the energy and funds you have, making the most of what you have to give. The Renton History Museum relies a lot on the hours of dedicated service that people offer through their volunteer hours at the museum. And the museum knows how to show appreciation too. Yesterday's Fall Luncheon is just one of a handful of similar events that I have been privy to and enjoyed since being in Renton.

I came to fall in love with our little hidden gem of a museum through the Renton History Museum Speaker Program that is sponsored by Humanities Washington. (Check this out - I can't rave enough about the series! next up Mixed Beans Soup - comfort stories with a pinch of nutrition by Karol Brown on Oct.3 at 11am)

If you want to make a difference locally, love the heritage of Renton or just want to interact with the public at large in a really cool setting - the museum needs you. Volunteers will act as greeters on Saturdays for 3 hours once a month. Call (425)255-2330 and ask to speak to Dorota Rahn or Elizabeth Stewart.

Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
(425) 255 - 2330