Business Expo and Harvest Festival this Saturday..

Come to the Piazza Renton this Saturday from 10am-4pm to participate in the Harvest Festival and the Business Expo. I can think of no better way to enjoy this amazing Fall weather that we have been having.

The Harvest Festival is going to take place at the Piazza Renton and will feature a farmer’s market, arts and crafts, live music, food, pumpkin patch and a kid’s booth.

The Business Expo is happening inside the Spirit of Washington building and over 70 businesses will be on hand. This is an awesome way for consumers  to get familiar with all of the businesses in Renton, especially when holiday shopping is right around the corner.

After you have spent some time at the Expo and Harvest Festival make sure you stroll through Downtown to checkout all of the scarecrows and spooky decorations that are on display in local businesses. Autumn and Halloween are definitely in the air and it is apparent all through Downtown.

After strolling through Downtown stop at The Met, Liberty Cafe, The Red House, DC’s Bar and Grill or one of the other local restaurants that we have to catch a bite and get a drink. My own personal favorite for a quick bite and a really good beer is The Met. It is my opinion that they have the best tasting beer on tap in all of Downtown and the staff is always really nice to us.

So, get out and enjoy our great little Downtown and all that it has to offer.

thanks for reading and I’ll see you tomorrow, Sammy and I will definitely be decorating a pumpkin.

 

Ending Too Soon

Wednesday marked the end of this summer’s Play Day in the Park and Summer Concert Series at Coulon Park. We had the opportunity to attend both events and I have to say I wish they could go on for a few more weeks because I hate to think that this summer is already coming to an end.

Play Day in the Park was held at Thomas Teasdale Parkand I thought it was great. There were two inflatables that were kept busy at all times, a great craft on City of Renton paper complete with paint and glitter and there were free lunches available to anyone 18 and younger through the City of Renton’s Free Summer Lunch Program. I am not sure if the workers there were volunteers or city employees but I have to commend them on being so patient and engaging with the kids, they really make the program enjoyable for those who participate. I am sorry to see the program go for the season, sometimes it is nice to go to the park knowing that there will be a lot of kids to play with.

Creme Tangerine

Concert at the Park was great. It was truly enjoyable to go out, lay on a blanket in the grass, eat, drink and listen to live music. The weather could not have been better and again the sense of community was felt all around. Creme Tangerine provided the soundtrack for the night with Beatles’ songs that got the crowd, both young and old, on their feet and dancing.

It was a great way to spend an incredible summer night and like I said before I hate to see it end, but there is always next year.

Sammy showing off some of his moves

 

Pancake Breakfast and Parade to Start the Day

No better way to start off a Saturday morning than with a pancake breakfast over at the Renton Senior Center and then following it up with the crowning moment of Renton River Days, the Parade which starts at 10am….. Click here to see the road closures that will happen because of the parade.

In addition to all the great things that have been going on all week there are a few new things to tell you about for Saturday, July 25th at Renton River Days. The Chalk Art Contest will be held at the basketball/Sport Court from 12-3:30pm and if it is anything like last year you should check it out, Renton definitely has some very talented artists. There will also be a lot of live entertainment throughout the day on both stages at the event. Check out the line-up here.

Yesterday we headed down to RRD’s and I think we did everything there was to do. We walked around Downtown and checked out all of the window

And the winner is... Ginger's Klosett

 displays and try as I might I could not get any additional information about the voting. As far as I can tell the voting is reserved for a secret group of people and they already voted. Congratulations to Ginger and Kim of Ginger’s Klosett, they received the grand prize for their window.

Sammy and Grandmomma outside the Renton History Museum

We stopped at the Renton History Museum and got caught up on some local history, we went to the Renton Public Library and checked out all of the gorgeous quilts, had a bite to eat at the Nibble of Renton, went to the petting zoo (I encourage feeding the llama), strolled through the Art Market and then we went to the KidsZone. It was definitely a busy day and a fun one.

So, get out and support our awesome city, enjoy the parade, the food, the

Just one of the many amazing quilts on display at the Renton Public Library

 people and the entertainment.

Shuttle servicefrom Renton Memorial Stadium to Liberty Park started this morning at 9am and continues till 9pm, take advantage of this free service and take the stress out of finding a place to park.

Hope you have a great day out there. Remember to keep hydrated and sunblocked from what I can see it is going to be a Washington scorcher today.

 

Friday at IKEA Renton River Days 2009

Friday is gearing up to be a great introduction to the weekend at IKEA Renton River Days.  In addition to the Kids Zone at Liberty Park, free admission to the Renton History Museum, Old McLendon’s Farm and the Community Information Booths there are a host of other things happening.

Opening on Friday is the Annual Quilt Exhibition at the Renton Public Library, the Nibble of Renton at Liberty Park which features goodies priced at $5 and under, Renton Annual Art Show at Carco Theatre and the Art Market at Liberty Park.

While you are checking out all of the great things that are happening at Liberty Park make sure that you take a tour of our ever growing and changing DTR. The businesses have their windows decorated in honor of Renton River Days and the theme of “Explore the Heart of Renton”. There is a contest for who has the best window but I have yet to uncover any additional information about voting but I will figure it out tomorrow.

Saturday is a busy day at Renton River Days so be prepared to spend the whole day there, check back tomorrow for a complete list of events (or at least the ones that I know of)…..

thanks for reading…

 

For the Love of Beans

There are very few things that I miss about Phoenix, especially right now when I see that the temperature there is a steady 115 degrees. But about every 2 weeks I crave a bean burrito.

I remember the beginning of my love affair with bean and cheese burritos, it all started circa 1992 when these little Mexican restaurants, Filiberto’s, began popping up all over Arizona. My older brother would come home from going out, pick me up and we would hit Filiberto’s at about 1 o’clock in the morning and thus my love for beans began.

Those bean burritos fueled me and all my friends through our high school years, through college, after college and they made Sammy the 9 pound baby he was, I love bean burritos. This is no Taco Time or Taco Bell burrito this is a 2 pound burrito made with a tortilla that is 15 inches in diameter, they are huge. So, needless to say I have been missing those burritos ever since I have moved here. Bean burritos must not be a common thing here because everytime I have ordered one there seems to be some confusion that I could only want beans and cheese, everybody always wants to throw in some meat or rice or something.

The other day when Sammy and I were running some errands I got the craving for beans and decided to take a chance at the burrito mobile located across the street from McClendon’s and it brought me back home. The beans were moist, flavorful and most importantly refried. The tortilla was warm, soft and huge. The only thing that could have made it better was some hot sauce but I forgot to ask, I just thought it would be in the bag.

The mobile was busy while I waited for my burrito and I happened to notice that everyone was ordering the meat tacos so they must be good. Even in AZ I would not eat meat from a burrito mobile so you are on your own for that one.

So, if you ever get a craving for beans head on over to Taquerio Juanitos, it is located east of Rainier Ave, behind the donut shop or across the street from the northend of McClendon’s.

 

Beach Bums

Sammy making new friends at the beach

There really is no better way to spend a glorious day like today than at Gene Coulon Beach Park. This park is one of Sammy’s favorites and he always suggests we spend the day there when it is sunny out.

Coulon not only has a beach park it has one of the best playgrounds out there. Lots of swings for both the big kids and the little ones, two jungle gyms and one of the fastest zip lines I have come across yet.

Swinging in the Sunshine

It is easy to spend the whole day at this park between the beach and the playground so make sure you pack accordingly and don’t forget the sunblock. If you are as lucky and can go to the beach park during the week I highly recommend it, you will avoid the crowds, if you don’t have that luxury just be prepared if you head out on the weekend.

If you don’t feel like packing a lunch or you have a craving for some local grub head on over to Kidd Valley for a burger, fries and milkshake or enjoy some fish and chips at Ivar’s. Rumor has it Ivar’s has some of the best clam chowder out there and their fries aren’t bad either.

Hailey climbing like a pro

So, if you have been looking for a way to enjoy these beautiful spring days head on over to Lake Washington and enjoy Gene Coulon Park, you won’t be disappointed.

 

$5 Lunch at DC’s Bar and Grill

Did you know that DC’s Bar and Grill has $5 daily lunch specials and an everyday $5 menu. It’s true and $5 is a good deal for lunch, not to mention that DC’s has some of the best french fries in Renton.

• Monday: The Classic BLT
• Tuesday: The Reuben
• Wednesday: The Houston
• Thursday: The Burger Dip
• Friday: Chili Bread Bowl

Those are just the Daily Specials there are many items on the everyday $5 menu items as well. So, the next time you don’t know where to go to lunch head on over to DC’s. The lunch menu is available from 11am-3pm. DC’s is located at 907 S. 3rd in Downtown Renton, of  course.