Do you remember the first time you went through a car wash? I was at the Brown Bear on Rainier in Renton this week. Hey it’s summertime and I had a bunch of dead bugs splattered across the windshield and real dusty, I’m thinking, “No way I can show up for my presentation tomorrow looking like this!”As the attendant pops the big GO button and the roar and whir begin it triggers a memory of when my youngest daughter Paige was along for the first time. Her older siblings Shannon and Jeff had been through the car wash several times. For them it was a thrill and kinda like going on a ride at the Fair. But for Paige, only 3 or 4 then, it was really scary as we entered the tunnel of monsters. Oh, the things that dads remember... #renton #pnw #carwash #kids #family #memories #dads 07/24/2015

I was at the Return to Renton Car Show July 12th. I shared some photos in a post on the 14th at Return to Renton Car Show 2015 and I also shot a bunch of video that day. Of course the video took me a while to assemble...It’s best viewed at full size so after you click play click the fullscreen button in the lower right corner... Or, simply go straight to YouTube: Return to Renton ... Also, best if you use headphones or have decent speaker setup... I love those throaty roars from the hot rods! I really enjoyed the variety of classic cars, but the little 1957 BMW Isetta 300 kinda stole the show in my opinion ;O)This is dedicated to my friend Dan Nordlad (1951 - 2004) who’s playing the drums. This song, Bring Back the Sanity was originally recorded back in 1972 and I overdubbed the piano, ... 07/23/2015

 To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak. ~Hopi Indian Saying Renton Farmer’s Market on the Piazza, July, 14, 2015.click photo for full size image on my Google+ Photo album 07/15/2015

The 25th Anniversary Return to Renton Car Show was a great success this weekend. I really had a great time looking at all the cars and talking to their owners.I was amazed at how many of the car models that were there I remember seeing as a kid around town. I really liked the mix of totally tricked out hotrods to some really fabulous totally restored and stock models.A few of my personal favorites were a 1951 Chevy Deluxe Coupe. This one touched my heart because one of the cars I learned to drive in was my Grandpa’s 1949 Chevy Business Man’s Coupe. Identical body and most everything else but less add ons and without skirts.I was probably under the influence of those British Invasion Rock Bands and the Spy Movies of the 60’s and 70’s. I thought the Jaguar XKE was one of the sexiest cars ... 07/14/2015

I had a great Sunday afternoon in downtown Renton, July 12, 2015. South 3rd Street, the main drag through downtown, was closed to traffic for the 25th Annual Return to Renton 2015 Car Show.There was a great variety of cars to see (over 300 of them) from vintage antiques, muscle cars, roadsters, hotrods, a Maserati from the 80s, even a really cute little 1957 BMW Isetta 300.After a few of us had some fun with Endre Barath, Jr.'s  photo posting incident, the Algos Parse Mystery on Activerain last week, the case was quickly solved by some of our members with keen internet talents and also one with a lot of antique car knowledge.So today, a shoutout goes to Ed Silva who chimed in to clarify a few facts about Model A and B Fords to solve the case.At the car show I came upon this beauty. It’s... 07/14/2015

So, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the photo? My brain did a quantum leap straight to IKEA!I was on my way home and ironically just a few blocks from our local IKEA store in Renton when I caught a glimpse of this PT Cruiser convertible in my rearview mirror. At the next intersection it pulled up beside me. It so instantly had my attention from the get go that I looked around to see if there was a film crew. “Maybe it’s a commercial?” I was that convinced.As I drove by I saw the young lady who was driving and I could tell she was having a white knuckle kinda drive, going a little slow, being extra extra careful. Fortunately it was a beautiful afternoon, no wind and very little traffic.As one with a passion for marketing I just had to tip my imaginary hat to IK... 07/07/2015

After so many 4th of July celebrations over the years I thought I’d do a little research about it. I was curious, do I remember what this holiday is actually about?Here’s a few things I discovered...King George III issued a proclamation of Rebellion in August of 1775 and denounced the promoters of a desperate conspiracy to brainwash his people of America. The Second Continental Congress sent King George an Olive Branch Petition asking him to reverse his policies on July 8, 1775.Independence Day, the 4th of July, commemorates our declared independence from Great Britain. The Second Continental Congress declared independence on July 2, 1776. A committee of Five with Thomas Jefferson the key contributor had begun work on the declaration document about a year before. After the July 2nd vote... 07/03/2015

Throwback Thursdays: Born to be Wild...Wild probably isn’t the first thing one conjures up in their mind when they see an accordion. But hey, this was the 1950s...Like father, like son, I had one of these strapped to me at @ 3 years old. I’m 4 here. I played the accordion into my teens. My dad was a little disappointed when I took up the guitar and embraced rock & roll. That’s when the wild side started to show up, around 1963.Before the English Invasion, before Grunge, Psychedelic, Experimental Rock, or Heavy Metal we had Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Sonics, The Fabulous Wailers, The Kingsmen, The Ventures, The Dave Lewis Trio, Merrilee Rush and the Turnabouts and many more...Back then these local bands got a lot of airplay on KJR AM with Pat O’Day (KJR Seattle, channel 95!) and wh... 07/02/2015

 16120 SE 146th Place, Renton 98059 Welcome home to this extremely well-kept rambler in the desirable Briarwood neighborhood of Renton. Sunlight fills a tastefully updated 4 bed/2 bath home while offering: open floor-plan & entertaining space, granite counters, master en-suite bath, wood-stove & fireplace, generous yard space/landscaping, 2 car garage, RV parking. New carpet & a recently maintained roof & chimney make this beautiful Renton Rambler a must-see! Close to the city & foothills in quiet, safe & convenient neighborhood.   Tyler Kirages (206) 579-9738   Keller Williams Downtown Sea   1100 Dexter Avenue N, Ste 275 Seattle, WA 98109 07/02/2015

We’re standing on the dock at the Renton Rowing Center on Father’s Day afternoon. It’s sunny and beautiful and the views over Lake Washington from here are simply gorgeous. The skyline you see way in the background is looking north to downtown Bellevue, that’s about 11 miles from where we’re standing.We just had a scrumptious lunch at El Burrito Loco nearby and totally stuffed we decide to walk it off at the Cedar River Trail Park. I’m hanging with my son Jeff, my youngest daughter Paige, and her boyfriend Nick.Since I’m dad and it’s my day, I take full advantage of the fact I can reminisce about them growing up and tell a few stories about my side of their family history. It does one good to know a little something about the river of life from which you came.  We didn’t have any multi ... 06/28/2015

Renton Farmers Market 2015June 23, 2015 - Kids Talent DayAfter a day in Seattle I’m headed home and driving through downtown Renton. It’s Tuesday and I’ll be stopping by the Farmer’s Market to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables.Most of everything is a little early this year because of the exceptionally sunny and warm spring we had this year in the Pacific Northwest. One of the venders was saying we’re already midway through the strawberry season. Today was exceptional for berries, I bought raspberries and blueberries, and the cherries are outstanding this week. My favorite is the Rainier Cherry./p>The Rainier (named after the mountain) are a cross between a Bing (I bought a bunch of these too!) and Van cultivars developed in the early 1950’s at Washington State University. Known fo... 06/24/2015

Throwback Thursdays: The ClubhouseWith Dad’s Day coming right up this Sunday of course I’ve been thinking about him. I thought it would be fun to share this photo on Throwback Thursdays... It was taken back in 1959 not long after we moved to Earlington. I wish I had another picture that was a little more upfront and personal, but this one I am fond of and it conjures many memories.Dad had a little help from Grandpa, but for the most part he built our clubhouse himself. In hindsight, Dad was always so busy working we didn’t sometimes know or appreciate he actually had “dad skills”... Along the way we learned he did a lot of carpentry work for my Grandpa, who built many homes in Renton and the area, when he was a kid until he left for the war right after high school, class of RHS 1940.Thi... 06/18/2015

Speechless Sundays: Music for piano, with bow tie.#music #piano #bowtie #speechlesssundays 06/14/2015

I so relate to young first time homebuyers. It’s a big step. I was there once upon a 30 years ago and a late starter to boot by many standards at 36 years old.I learned a lot then and over the years like:1. Never buy a corner lot that sits below the street.2. Always keep up with repairs because they will compound themselves.3. Pick your own real estate broker to represent you. Not one you don’t know but happens to be a friend of a friend who knows your family and the seller.4. Check your city master zoning plan and the comprehensive future vision of the city plan. Peer into the future as best you can and review the actual documentation so you can figure out where your neighborhood fits into the community grand scheme of things.5. Don’t FSBO the sale or purchase of your home. Find the ri... 06/12/2015

We lived in the Renton Highlands in the 1950’s. Our neighborhood, The Projects, was up on the east hill and made up of little look alike government homes that were built in the early 1940s for the amazing influx of people who came here to work at Boeing and Paccar during World War II.After the war they were available for purchase and Mom and Dad bought our first home in 1950/51 for about $1,000. I’m sure its size (about 750 square feet) and there being three energetic young boys in residence had a lot to do with the amount of time we spent outdoors. But then again it was the 1950’s and most kids in the Pacific Northwest grew up outside. In the rain. ;O)I don’t remember much about those early days. Just a few fleeting memories like the time I jumped off the top of the monkey bars as supe... 06/07/2015

 19214 101st Place SE, Renton 98055 Premium luxury home boasting large windows throughout. The Open Floor plan is a entertainers delight. Offering a Grand Entry, parlor/den & bonus room. Incredible chef's kitchen with spacious pantry. Impressive covered outdoor living space complete with gas fireplace. Large garage including storage space   Rebekah Marsh (206) 858-6800   Keller Williams Downtown Sea   1100 Dexter Avenue N, Ste 275 Seattle, WA 98109   05/15/2015

You see, most every day round 5 am in half sleep, before I get out of bed, I love to drift for a bit feeling 19. Then after that 'snooze alarm' rings and startles me the 2nd time I hear my Freeman cousins yell from way back when. "Up and Adam! Shit, shower, and shave! We're burning daylight!"Aargh!, as I do the morning shuffle for the shower with kinks. "Ahhh... But now life is good, ain't it?" As I wake up all wet warm nice and feeling around 40 again. Then I step up to the bathroom sink, grab my toothbrush, and take that first look into the mirror and bust out laughing! "Who the hell is that!?" "OMG! It's Dad!" :O) No, it's just me, get over it.I glance at my iPhone to check the time and dang!, I gotta git to git'n! The day is calling! I shake off those little reminders that I'm no lo... 04/13/2015

      1609 Davis Ave S, Renton 98055   Spacious 5 bedroom home that has been well maintained and cared for. The partially finished basement is ready for your imagination. The enormous lot hosts several fruit trees and may accommodate an ADU, buyer to verify. The 5 piece master bath includes a jetted tub and a comfortable shower. The roof was replaced in 2006. This house has lots of potential for growth.           Shawn Alirez     (206) 456-6565   Keller Williams Downtown Sea   1100 Dexter Avenue N, Ste 275 Seattle, WA 98109   04/02/2015

Among a few fond memories I have of the later 1950’s (I was just a young'n then) is the advertising in magazines, newspapers and on television. We were all going to live a wonderful modern life with amazing products that would bring us every convenience. We'd see the USA in a Chevrolet and take in the rugged west like a cowboy in Marlboro Country. If we didn’t feel so good we had Alka-Seltzer for speedy results and eased our tensions with Beech-Nut Gum, always a refreshing peppermint flavor.  We paused for a refresher with Coca Cola, it's a natural! And ate Rowntree’s Fruit Gums, because they were long lasting and you can taste the fruit! Van Heusen Century shirts never wrinkled, ever. We stayed regular with all-vegetable Nature’s Remedy, it made the difference! And Dad, always pleasant... 03/29/2015

Update: The Library Over The River We’re starting to see some real progress on the Renton Library over Cedar River this Friday, the first day of Spring 2015. The new roof is up and sheathing curtains cover the outside walls. The new wall is nearing finishing touches on the north side of the building. This is a major remodel with all high energy-efficient systems. I’m looking forward to opening day. If they schedule stays on time it will be finished and open this summer. I’ve posted about the downtown Renton library a few times over the past couple of years and because I did I got to talk to David Johnston of Johnston Campanella and Company, Architects of Renton. They designed and built it back in 1964. David was then 91 and living in Sequim, Washington. He called me one Saturday afterno... 03/21/2015