Tie Dye and Hula Hoops, oh my!

"Saturation of color" - that is what Drew Hoffswell's Tie Dye shirts are most immediately known for when first glimpsed. After nearly three decades of creating his T-shirt art, first in a shop, then on the festival circuit and now just for a couple of blues events he attends each year and for the friends that keep wearing his work, Drew has a deft hand at creating the rainbow hued spirals that stand out above the average tie dye wear.

Just this month, Drew opened a stall at the Happy Delusions store in Downtown Renton, a place known for it's cornucopia of handmade treasures and gifts. So many people continued to ask where the shirts and Tie Dye babywear could be found, that Drew was forced to find a way to make his creations more readily available.

Moderately priced from $20-$30 bucks, depending on the size and type, there is a shirt or pair of leggings for everyone. A mutual friend of Drew's and The Picaroon is carrying cards for the shop around with him now, so that he can direct the many admirers he has of his wild hued hoodie. Everyone wants to know where they can score such a spectacular find.

The master himself at work. The Picaroon had the distinct pleasure of seeing Drew working his craft.



Perhaps my own personal favorite at the booth are the hand taped Hula Hoops that Drew makes. I personally own one already and it is the second in my growing collection. Hooping is really starting to take off across the globe (check out this link for hula hooping) and was initially created by the Greeks as a form of exercise. Usually one has to be at a festival to find such rad and richly colored adult hoops. These are not the Wham-O hoops of your former youth. These are large and heavier weighted hoops that any adult can relearn to use. Tune up the IPod and get around to that lurking New Year's resolution.



Happy Delusions
924 S. Third Street Renton WA 98057
425-255-6078

One more store for S.Third - Ginger's Klosett

Sometimes, the second time around is the best - and for Ginger's Klosett, a recent and classy clothing shopping addition to Downtown Renton, that would be on South Third Street.

With the recent remodel of the old Louisa Building on Wells, there have been some changes in the shops on street level. The beauty parlor has gone and now Ginger's Klosett moves onto their nearby location on our city's main drag. Ginger's Klosett will open up at 825 S. Third, right on the corner of Wells and kitty corner to Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes. I personally love seeing more store fronts occupied on this street - revitalizing our historic downtown. So, although this move is a laborious one for owner Ginger Phair and her daughter, Kim, I look forward to seeing them in their new digs - and just in time for holiday shopping.

Kim always wears something lovely and has a strong sense of community spirit that she brings to Renton. Recently the store featured Breast Cancer Awareness for the entire month, with windows dressed in pink.

Ginger showed me that there is a size and a price point for everyone - and believe you me, there IS something there for all of us, girls. For Fall, it is all about the return of the suit, and there are some lovely ones for sale.

The shop also carries wonderful gift and pampering items, making this a good place to consider adding to your list of holiday shopping spots.

Ginger's Klosett
soon to be at
825 S. Third St. Renton

Start you local shopping engines

Today begins that lovely procession of craft bazaars and holiday shopping suggestions that will become part of our weekends from this time forward. The Renton Senior Activity Center yearly host a Craft Bazaar and fills at least three rooms full of vendors with any type of handcrafted item you can imagine - and, they have coffee and donuts, usually, for the weary shopper to indulge in once there. Musical entertainment and others things to eat will also be available - so scoot on over and check things out.

I always love to go to this local event. The prices are always good, I am bound to see an item or two that tickles my fancy and this always makes the day of some hard working crafter who spent hours preparing for this sale day.

Today from 10:00 am til 4 pm

Renton Senior Activity Center
211 Burnett Ave. Renton, WA

Another closure in Renton - say goodbye to Value Village

Yet another goodbye in the Renton shopping and dining arena - Value Village will close it's doors a week from this Saturday. That's right - after 30 plus years of having a presence in our community, the thrift store will say goodbye very soon.

This particular Value Village was the first in the greater Seattle area, one of the sweet store staff told me today. That was over 30 years ago, and most members of the community have memories of coming to the store when they were kids. With the Halloween stuff already contained in a single aisle, Christmas decorations have already started to creep onto many a shelf and the common lament when the customers are told of the immanent closure is - But what about Christmas?

The store staff has been told that they can apply for a transfer and many of them have been going for interviews in Kent, Auburn and some as far as Puyallup. But like Amelia, my favorite of all staff at the store, says she will really miss the community and her customers the most. Amelia is a spreader of sunshine and smiles - so it will be a loss for all of us who look forward to be greeted by her on our visits to the store.

I will be the first to admit that I was once a completely devoted "Vee Vee" shopper, making it there a couple times a week at a minimum. I have treasures plucked from their store strewn throughout my home. The prices made it hard to consider shopping anywhere else - and I always found something in their selection to suit my fancy. But the last year, I have tapered off going. The prices rose and the sale days never held anything with the requisite tag color to make me want to continue to go. Family members even wrote as much into the company on a comments form. To no avail.

But I still would occasionally drop off my discards for donation and take a spin through the store and that is how I came to find out the news today. I am bummed - this economy just doesn't seem to be picking up as the news would have us believe. I know so many people seeking employment (including moi) and things are tight for most. Exactly the time when you need a good thrift store to help you make it through the most expensive holiday time of the year. Value Village - I will be missing you.

Value Village
1222 Bronson Way N Renton, WA
98057-5792
(425) 255-5637

Flea Market - oh, shopping heaven!

You remember what fun it was to shop at The Feathered Nest down on South Third Street, don't you? Well, Melanie and Sue, the previous owners of that cutely appointed store and St. Charles Place Antiques around the corner on Wells are joining forces and hosting a Flea Market. Those folks have a good eye for lovelies and it will be a welcome weekend outing addition to see what they have found for us to oggle and ooohhh over. I don't know about you, but I sorely miss The Feathered Nest and Sweet Grass. I bought the best smelling candles and many wonderful gifts for my home decor and for friends from those two establishments. This Flea Market will be a great time to catch up on some much needed shopping.

Downtown Renton Flea Market
Hosted by St. Charles Place Antiques and Feathered Nest
October 16, 17 and 18th 10 am - 5 pm
228 Main Ave. S. (next to Uptown Glassworks)
Furniture, tools,books,glassware and much more. Plenty of parking in the City owned lot that is just north of the store, Venus Moon.

Let me take you to the Market, this one last time

Last call for friends of the Renton Farmers Market - today finished a stellar season for the vendors and visitors with sunny blue skies, warm temperature and sweet, sweet treats to be had by all. The Picaroon will be featuring some of this blog's favorites of the market today. Selfishly, it is all about what The Picaroon has come to love and associate with the market over these last three months. I have even more photos, but I had to limit myself to the task at hand.

These were the wackiest pair of squash, in shapes and sizes akin to small household pets and children. They were for sale - but it was like arranging for an adoption of an unwieldy beast - no one wanted to cart either of them home.

I am sooo gonna miss the fruit. Bags, boxes, bunches - every way you can think of to describe and buy a mess of fresh grown goodies.

Cute hand drawn signs and things to gnaw on - what more could you ask for from your local market?

Boy, when Marcie Palmer, member of Renton City Council told us she did a number on her foot, boy was she not kidding. Here she is keeping Brian Larson, MC of the market and Rocco Fiore company after demanding to be set free from the house for the afternoon and hopping into her wheelchair. Okay, she didn't hop into the wheelchair, and it will apparently still be some weeks more before she can even begin to think about that kind of frivolous footwork.

Some of my favorite market peeps - seen on a weekly basis and always enjoying the market scene - Pam and Lee Chiccoine and Phyl Carroll.

Another pair of my peeps that I love to see - Jim Gould, Renton Police and Linda Middlebrooks, Farmers Market Volunteer Manager. I will miss not seeing these folks on such a regular Tuesday occasion.

I love my flowers - so just get over it!

So do others - like lovely Charlie here with her specially chosen bouquet. Pretty as a picture.

This man and his lovely wife served my Mom I don't know how many servings of Teriyaki Chicken with Rice or Orange Chicken over the past weeks. This was her favorite place to eat at the market, bare none.

Gary Palmer, photographer wunderkind and hubby to dear Marcie Palmer is always where a good photo is to be had - he also tries to sneak in shots of the photo-shy Lady P - arrrrghhhhh!

John aka JJ Springer aka the best dancer and giver of hugs, laughter and smiles in town is the upbeat part of any market outing. I will miss not seeing him weekly. I need my shot of JJ juice to keep me regular and happy.

Oh, the honey was delicious and so sad that some of you will be missing it. Local honey, some infused with local strawberries that is aged for a few weeks before getting to you - it was amazing - called Strawberry Cream Honey. Sweet as Can Bee Honey has a website and some other infused honey flavors, like chocolate, that are not to be missed, in addition to the blessedly good plain old scrumptious golden liquid stuff. It is a 2 person, 60 hive local concern that should be a shopping stop for all of you - online, of course, after today. sniff. (Oh, above with the honey is Cherisse).

Quincy had some incredible music stylins that he was putting down with his electric keyboard and singularly good singing voice! Recent grad of Renton High School, he came on stage to wow the audience after the Rain City Breakers danced.

The Rain City Breakers were break dancing as both a group and then individually for the last of the music and show performances of the Renton Farmers Market season. The group hails from good ole Renton and they were really good. I loved the music too - not hiphop, but soft, melodic R&B like tunes with a great beat. I have some more great shots, so I will do another posting about just them tomorrow. Fun.

The sweetest flower for last. This is Sophie and she has flowers. That and the photo pretty much say it all.

Let Me Take You to the Market - with a little Western Flare

Western gear and the Renton Farmers Market are a natural fit - so the theme for the next to the last Farmers Market (that's right, so Cowboy Up and come next week!) was a very fitting choice. The Picaroon has been on a camping vacation these last few days, and arrived back in town just in time to catch some produce at the market and snap some shots.

Don Sorenson is one of those market volunteers that really puts in a good, hard day at work - he deserves to take a load off. Don told me that within the Renton city limits, spurs were in fact, not illegal. So I had to make certain that I included them in this shot. Just make sure to give way when you see Don up and out of his chair though.

I love all the people who come out to the market, list in hand and an eye for appreciating all the fresh produce and more that is being offered. For many, it will be the ending of a really great market season that was a part of the weekly shopping routine for 14 weeks. Today's weather was in the 70's, and all told, we only had one rather dreary, wet market day this year. Amazing.

Right near the MC and front stage is the best purveyor of pot stickers and dumplings around - Jovee is her name, and she always has a winning smile and a line in front of her booth.

The ears of fresh corn abound, and I don't resist on buying them to take home or eating them right there at the market. I am not the only one who finds this summer delicacy a tasty and portable treat.

Eating corn can be a great way to loosen up before your martial arts class where you have renewed energy to kick somebody's you know what.

Linda Weldon, who works for the city on the Finance Dept. along with her friend, Collen Thornquist of McCorkle's and Associates, like their corn as well. It goes right along with hanging out together and making plans on what to buy for dinner.

Lisa has all the bright yellow energy she can carry today.

The fruit prices at many of the vendors today were really good. Like this sign says, your choice of an assortment of different fruits all for the price of a buck and a half per pound. Plums, nectarines, apple pears, apples, peaches - to name a few.

How did yet another corn photo get in here??! Guess you know what I ate for dinner and what' s on the menu at chez Picaroon tomorrow.

This man by the name of Tex was singing some of the prettiest western tunes and the whole piazza was in his thrall. Hat's off to this fine balladeer.

The Master of Ceremonies will never let you down, nor fail to provide a rootin' tootin' time at the Market. Brian Larson, at your service.

J.J. Springer, aka John or the happy dancing man, is perhaps my favorite market volunteer. His mere joyful presence gives everyone license to laugh and dance at the market each week. Here he is with Abraham, and Lena, making the market a fun place.


How could I leave you without a bouquet of flowers and the promise to share them with you, on this, the second to the last market day of the year. Haven't come yet this year? Make it next week. The market does not disappoint.

The Renton Farmers Market
Next Tuesday 3pm - 7pm
The Piazza/ S. Third St. & Burnett

Let Me Take You to the Market - Week 14

Renton Farmers Market is heralding the Fall - you can see it in the subtle change of the colors of the flowers in the stalls. Gorgeous jewel tones nestle up to the brights of summer and tell of of the imminent change to come.

The shirts that bear the lovely artwork for the market this year are dropping in price each week and so now is the time to stock up. Last I heard they were discounted by $3. Here is Rentonite, Steve, in a picture perfect pose.

Sometimes you need to focus on the happy faces that make these market days possible - like Faye and Bill Moss, market volunteers.

Or how about Linda Middlebrooks, Renton Farmers Market Volunteer Manager and local police officer Jim Gould, who can often be seen in the DTR on his days off sharing a cup of coffee with the rest of us cafe goers (like Linda).

Hayton Farms continues to have berries that would make anyone blush for joy. They go fast - people buying them by the flat and freezing them, canning them, just plain eating them by the handful. Is this a recurring photo, recurring theme here? Why, of course it is - you haven't bought your berries yet, and until you do, I will continue to pester you with the sight of these luscious berries.

Call me impulsive - but is really just one bouquet of $5 flowers really enough?

I love the variety of chilies that you can buy - these colors just spark off thoughts of entrees and salsas to me.

Are these watermelons on the loose, or just meandering over to find their way into your car?

Serendipity Artisan Dip Mixes of Kirkland,WA have been selling their wares all market long, and I have been so remiss not to speak of them until now. Buy 4 and get a special price. They always have the yummiest samples for everyone to try. Just combine the dip mixes with sour cream or mayonnaise - then combine them with veggies, or crackers, or get creative.

This is Austin - he has been coming to the market since the very first year it began and he was a mere babe of 4 years of age. Austin loves to come and sing karaoke and is very fond of rock music, and of course, brightly colored shave ice.

The Twisted S Ranch in Enumclaw,WA is now selling their farm fresh eggs at the market. Bring your own egg carton/ $3.50 a dozen or $4 without. If you want to drive out to the farm, owners Cali and Robin welcome you all year round, with artisan cheeses and soon a full range of smoked meats to complete their offerings. Purchase directly at the farm for only $3/dozen and bring the whole family. There are goats and chickens and rabbits to pet and see, it can be an afternoon of farm fun.

Everyone comes to the market - some even dress for the occasion. This is Junebug and she is cruisin' the market in style in a special doggy day bag with matching coat to complete the ensemble. Sue Rider and Gabe accompanied this stylish pup on her market rounds.

The Hayburners were playing their music and setting some toes to tapping, as you can see. Originally from Arizona 4 years ago, Jennifer and David now live in Renton up Fairwood way and really enjoyed playing for the hometown.

This is the kind of sign that I like to see when I am going to the market. Makes me want to hurry up and see what kind of shopping mischief I can get into.

This is not the kind of sign I want to see when I am at the market and trying to enjoy the sights and smells of fruits, veggies and some really tasty treats to take home. Don't get me wrong, I fervently support free speech - just not so close to the apple stand, okay?

I heard that the vendors on this side of the Piazza felt that their sales were being a little cramped by the Ross Perot cronies, and so the Rossies were asked take a hike by the local bicycle police. On their way to scene of "Ross", the one policeman chose to ride his bike through the market, instead of dismounting and walking his vehicle like the rest of the population, and Brian Larsen, MC, took him to task - "walk your bike, please". It was the best laugh of the afternoon. We all get caught outside of the law every now and again.