Bacon Cupcakes - Come to Papa!

Big Papa needs a little bacon on his cupcakes after bringing it all home. For Father's Day, this should definitely be on your shopping radar. I mean - desert meets your favorite breakfast meat, what is not to like?

It's no mystery that the undisputed local Queen of Cupcakes, Crystal Roberts, has been cooking up this meat mischief at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes. The bacon is laced with butterscotch and given some bling, then put on top of a vanilla or chocolate cupcake frosted with butterscotch butter cream. I am a confirmed bacon lover, and this confection just goes to show how versatile this pork product can be.

There will only be so many available from now until June 20th, the third Sunday in June (Father's Day). Crystal has a stock of little scotched bacon bits, but my thought is - these babies are gonna go fast. Like hotcakes, only more cuppy.

Tonight also launches Common Ground's return to the First Friday Block Party arena with music by Devin Moore (singing, ukulele) and photography by Jayne Rose. Jayne's photo cards have some incredible images and are very affordable. I like photos and make photo cards myself - her's are good.

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

New Shop needs a miracle

Thrift store meets swap meet and a place to feed the homeless out of the back - that was Dawn Finn's dream when she opened her store at 210B Wells Ave.S. not too long ago. Dawn and an old friend were partners in the store, but at the last hour, literally, it became a one woman show. Dawn has been struggling to realize her dream ever since.

To say it's been hard is an understatement. A third party that was savvy to the ways of Swap Meets also quit on Dawn and her husband lost his job this month. Someone came on to help at the store, but wrote scriptures on the store walls and then went off to join the carnival (really, I didn't just make that up). Dawn just was not getting any breaks.

The good news is that Renton, being the great town that it is, reached out to help. Charles of St. Charles Place Antiques and Restoration just down the street has given Dawn several display cabinets to use and sell at her store. Deb of Girlfriend's Antiques, Gifts and Floral on S. Third has lent a hand. Everyone I know was trying to drop by unneeded items to donate to the cause. But it might in the end just not be enough.

Dawn needs a miracle by this Sunday to help her pull through - a new partner. The owner of the building is not making this any easier on her and she just needs some assistance to help get over the hump.

Everyday the shop is looking better, shaping up and filling out. If you can help - give Dawn a call today. She's waiting and keeping the hope alive.

Dawn Finn
Finn Thrift & Swap 210B Wells Ave. S.
425.829.6526

Cupcakes and the Art or War

Local Cupcake Queen and frosting artisite, Crystal Roberts helps dream up the lovely delicacies that go along with a cup of coffee and a smile at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes in our lovely Downtown Renton.

When she puts on the apron - you know she means business!



Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes
900 South 3rd Street
Renton, WA 98057-2710
(425) 235-1717
Get directions

Wanna decorate cookies?

Cookies - yum! Bring the frosting and the sprinkles, the cookies will be on hand to decorate at the Liberty Cafe tomorrow, Sunday, from 10am til noon. Of course, what better place to hold such a tasty event, but at the cafe with the mostest. Have your coffee and then nibble on your creative cookies. Great pairing.

The community will be out - a great time to wish everyone well during the season. Hope to see you there.


Liberty Cafe
926 S. Third Street
(425) 235 - 1400

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

DC's Bar and Grill - Comedy Night

DC's Bar & Grill gets some amazing talent in for their monthly Comedy Night. This Thursday, Oct. 15th at 8pm for a mere $5 bucks you can see Vince Valenzuela (headlining Satelite Radio, TNT "Leverage"). Also appearing with him will be Dan Moore. Now, you don't have to be a big drinker or indulger to be able to come and enjoy the show. You can nurse your coke or beer, and just come to laugh - Pete, one of the three owners of this Renton DTR hang has told me that is A-okay with him. He would just like to see people come in, have a laugh and a good time. Maybe you'll like the joint, come back in another time, try his burgers and fries. Just maybe.

And you should - because Monday through Friday the bar has their $5 lunch menu, with daily specials and the burger and fries are always just $5 from 11 til 3pm. And they are good. Handmixed and handformed, they taste like the burgers you get at a friend's BBQ grill - good friends with good eats, that is. While there today eating my yummy burger, the Morrison Brothers were also there, extolling the virtues of the burger meal. Fifth generation Rentonites, they had stories to tell and wise cracks to make. One is about to become a daddy. The DTR is a slice of life area, people, and you should venture out into it as often as you can.

DC's Bar and Grill
907 S. Third St.
Renton WA 98055
(425 255-2511

Make Art in Renton at the Uptown Glassworks - for free

Uptown Glassworks in the DTR is hosting a free class to teach you how to blow glass - it's called Make Art in Renton. Iif you ever wondered if you would rock at this, now is your chance to work with the molten lavalike stuff that comes out of the glory hole - glass. As I write this - there were only 4 spots left in this rare opportunity on this Sunday, Oct. 18th. The times were 12 noon, 2:30, 4:00 and 4:30 - and there is a maximum of two people per time slot.

This is certainly a way to wet your glass blowing whistle, as a half an hour will surely not give you more than a glimpse in to this wonderful art. But what a great way to spend a portion of your weekend, while the winds cool us down and the temperatures continue to drop. Let me tell you, the glasswork's studio is always warm.

Renton is unique for having such a place to shop, let alone learn this ageless craft. Drop by regardless - they always have something new to show.
Uptown Glassworks
230 Main Ave. South
Renton WA 98057
(425) 228 - 1849

Scarecrows for the lighthearted

St. Charles Place Antiques & Restoration
230 Wells Ave. S.
(425) 226 - 8427

He is a buccaneer, a pirate at heart and is willing to ravage the ladies - if you dare!

Things are getting a wee bit scarier as you walk the streets of downtown Renton - the scarecrows have come out of the fall closet and are lurking behind the glass panes of Renton merchants everywhere.

As we near this Saturday's Fall Harvest Festival & Chamber Expo at the Piazza, the fight for the best scarecrow continues, with new inclusions everyday. As promised - here are some I saw today.

Cedar Chest Antiques
916 South Third Street
(253) 271 - 0511

She will tell you your fortune and then take yours, leaving you with a deep fear of ravens and red to last you a lifetime.

Deb's Antiques, Gifts and Floral
920 S. Third St.
(206) 261 - 2802

Little Red Riding Hood will never know what bit her - 'cuz the wolf is lurking somewhere near and a basket full of goodies is only an appetizer for his dinner of Granny and more.

Yoggi Yogurt
801 S. Third St.
(425) 204 - 9991

Fred likes to think he has become a sweethearted, desert eating skeleton but his thirst for blood has yet to be slaked.

Record Store in Renton is ramping up

Adam Jones, graphic designer and Nich Sullivan, owner

Tyrannosaurus Records, our little burg's one and only independent music store, has laid down the carpet and put up some rad graphic art created specifically for the store by Adam Jones. New stock is coming in, as well as other cool merchandise like shirts and the like. You can also find a coupon on the front counter that offers a 10% discount on purchases of 10 bucks or more, so this weekend would be an excellent time to go in and check out the wares.

Adam Jones, who lives up in Lynnwood and is a graphic designer by trade, came to know owner Nich Sullivan through his sister. Seems that both Nich and Adam are from Kansas (and yes, they are very aware that they are not there anymore, Toto!). Adam designed the logo on the front door and the Tyrannosaurus business cards. The work is eye catching and meant to be fun. You can tell by the pic above, these guys have absolutely zilch in the way of natural humor.

Tyrannosaurus Records
914 S. Third Street
(425) 988 - 4118 tyrannosaurusrecords@yahoo.com
Hours Fri and Sat 12 - 7/ Sun 12 - 5

Fire at Taylor's Auto Body this morning in Renton

A fire in Downtown Renton broke out in Taylor's Auto Body late this morning. Renton Fire Chief I.David Daniels told The Picaroon and Fox News that the source was still undetermined, but that the fire was relatively small and that Taylor's should be back in business by the end of the day.

Since initially the fire seemed bigger and there was a lot of smoke, the Renton Fire and Emergency Department did request a 2 Alarm, but once the other units began to appear they were able to turn them away as things were in hand.


Employees at the body shop found flames in a paint booth at the establishment and immediately used fire extinguishers to attack the fire, which was significant in helping to maintain the spread of fire and confine the damage to a small area.

Always prepared for the worst, at least 40 to 50 people did arrive on the scene to assist. I counted 8 fire engines and saw Kent, Tukwila and possibly Bellevue represented amongst them.

Fire Chief Daniels said that a Hazards Material Lieutenant had been working with Taylor's Auto Body just the previous week on how to deal with combustible materials and their disposal, etc.

Lucky for us, Daniels stated that it doesn't appear to be a significant fire. Fire Chief Daniels is above talking with a Metro Bus Representative as there is a bus stop located across the street from Taylor's Auto Body.

Fox News came as quickly as some ugly traffic would allow to catch up on our news - Brian of Q13 Fox News there is downloading pics onto the Web from his phone for immediate update.

Renton Fire Chief David Daniels giving Fox News and The Picaroon the fire update. Whew! Glad it wasn't something any bigger. One 5 Alarm Fire and a 4 Alarm Fire is enough for our poor city this year.

Taylor's Auto Body
330 Main Ave S
Renton, WA 98057-2729
(425) 271-3001

Only $5 bucks for a night of laughs

Five bucks will get you in at DC's Bar & Grill tonight for some laughs and guffaws. Starting a 8pm, two comedians, Brett J and Edi Z will be entertaining you at the comedy night that happens every third Thursday over on South Third St. Holding the flyer for the event is Pete Olive, one of the owners of the establishment. Check it out. With any luck, some of the Oktoberfest beers have started making there way to the beer line-up at DC's. Yum.

PS -Go over early and have a great $5 PUB CLUB sandwich for lunch - that's turkey, ham and bacon on a long roll with tomato and mayo - all part of the DC's Monday through Friday daily five buck lunch specials. Hey - what is it with you guys and five bucks?

DC's Bar & Grill
907 S. Third Street
(425) 255 - 2511