Where to get your baked goodies without turning on your oven

Cupcakes are one of my favorite treats - and the holiday flavors over at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes are fast becoming favorites. These are holiday morsels that you can just pick up and take without having to bake. That has gotta be good news. The Gingerbread Cupcake has small bits of crystallized ginger in the batter and a little gingerbread man on top. Cute and lipsmakingly good.

The CandyCane Lane Cupcake has tiny bits of the cane itself in the batter. This is just the right amount of peppermint and in no way overwhelms the delicate cupcake balance. Just right. Possibly my personal holiday fav - just might be if not for the next cupcaket offering of the season...

The Eggnog Cupcake has a spiced rum frosting that is amazing. The batter is lightly spiced as well. Perfect with your coffee or taken home to be had with a hot drink with a dash of liquor while you warm your toes and gaze fondly at the tree you still need to decorate.

What I have always admired about the Common Ground is their community spirit. Don't forget to tip you barista AND add some money to the Forgotten Children Fund. This is for King County families that need help at this time of year and 100% of the proceeds go to the cause.

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

Photos with Santa

Santa was poised and picture perfect ready in the Piazza today in Downtown Renton where free photo taking was available for all ages and members of the family. Hear tell even some furry ones made their way to Santa's lap this afternoon between the hours of 1 pm and 4.

Raya had no problem walking up and bending the big guy's ear about what she would like for Christmas. Full of smiles, she was ready for the photo shot.

Tanya became Santa's photo helper this Saturday, decked out in antler ears and layers of warmth to brave the cold. Can you believe this cool weather Renton has been having? There is even the "S" word being thrown around for tonight and tomorrow. Tanya requested mocha's as her guard against the encroaching cold. For all her volunteer efforts, I hope she got a few of them.

Jessica and Noona Rose stood outside while sister Raya had her moment with Santa. Not all kids are as enthralled by the red suit. From what I could see, Noona was having none of that sitting on Santa's lap stuff- regardless of the candy incentive.

Hey, and you still have two more days of visiting Santa's House and having a photo taken with Santa. How does it work? You get a card with a number and go to the indicated site and download your photo.

Friday, December 18 5pm - 7pm
Saturday, December 19 1pm - 4pm

The Piazza
233 Burnett Ave. South
For more information, contact Alecia Rivas at 206-619-1101.

Free Santa Photos

Have your photo with Santa - today for free, from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Piazza, Downtown Renton at South Third Street and Burnett. Just look for Santa's little house - you can't miss it!

The Piazza
Downtown Renton
South Third Street and Burnett

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

Dog Park News - Tree Planting and more

RUFF - the Renton Offleash Dog Park was going to plant these lovely trees (see above) with volunteer help this Saturday. Frozen ground and freezing temperatures have put a delay on this venture until the following weekend, December 19th at 9:00 am (weather permitting). So, if you already signed up for tomorrow, please contact RUFF and let them know if you can help next weekend instead. For those of you hale in body and spirit, a handful of folk will be installing the kiosk roof and stabilizing the log benches and putting up a large canopy. Please email rentonoffleash@gmail.com if you would like to join in.

Thanks to McLendon's for all of their support for the Renton Offleash Dog Park - the fence is just great. My furry nephew is a Boston Terrier, so I love the sign.

During this Holiday Season you can further support the Cedar River Dog Park by visiting our local store, Happy Delusions, where you will find an entire selection of goodies on sale. All proceeds go directly to the park, and there is something for both dog and cat lovers.

Pint glasses are $7, pet charms (both cat and dog friendly) are $8 and all of the T-Shirts, regardless of size, are $20. Great stocking stuffers or gifts for colleagues and friends who are partial to their pets.



RUFF - Cedar River Dog Park (Renton's Offleash Dog Park)
Directions click here


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

Your pet loves to see Santa too, you know

Yep, that's right - Santa Claws wants to take a photo with your beloved furry one and tomorrow at Poddie's Pet Palace is your last day. This particular Santa is a good one and all of the proceeds for the mere $10 donation go to Friends of King County's Animals. Any additional prints are very reasonable as well.

Saturday, December 12th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Sheryl, the owner of Poodie's Pet Palace, says that the turn out this year on the three days the photo shoot has been held so far has been very good. With every penny of the photo fee going to the animal rescue, that is great news to hear.

Poodie's Pet Palace
123 Mill Avenue S., Renton
(across from the Renton Public Library downtown)
425-228-8225

Best Rueben Around Renton - and beyond

Food envy is a terrible thing to be plagued by when it comes to family outings and restaurants of choice. The Rueben Sandwich at A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub is served up on lovely marble rye, is so large and unruly that it took two of us to manage it and the large plate of freshly made fries from real spuds served with salt and pepper that was our choice of sides.

This is your sandwich alert. If you love a good Rueben, this spot should be on your immediate "go to" list for lunch or dinner. Don't miss it - it will blow your mind and your tastebuds.

PS Remember - until 9pm, this is a family joint - so you can take the kids - if you really want to share that is.

A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub
201 Williams Ave. S.
in the DTR
(425) 227 - 3396

The Picaroon is aware that we love this restaurant - and we just want you to love it too!