Polar Bear Plunge:
As a Renton tradition, many partake in a chilly start to their New Year. The Polar Bear Plunge is a staple in the Renton Community on New Year’s Day. Each year, hundreds of brave plungers meet at Gene Coulon Beach bright and early to be counted down into a daring plunge in the freezing water. When the countdown reaches zero, participants run into the water at once, then are quickly met with hot chocolate and Ivar’s clam chowder upon making their way back to shore.
This year’s tradition took a bit of a different route, but that didn’t stop Renton plungers. The plunge moved locations to Henry Moses Aquatic Center as Coulon’s water had unsafe algae levels. Approximately 340 participants kicked off their new year in the 45-degree water this January.
Denmark Trolls Near Us:
A Danish artist, Thomas Dambo has been creating troll sculptures and lots of them. Dambo has scattered nearly 100 of his sculptures around the world and now you can find 5 of them near you. Dambo’s trolls are made out of recycled material and range from 12 to 20 feet tall. With trolls located in Issaquah, Ballard, West Seattle, Bainbridge, and Vashon Island. Thomas Dambo hopes that his art serves as a reminder for Washington folk to think more about conservation.
Each sculpture has a name of its own. For example, “Pia the Peacekeeper” sits in a peaceful position holding up peace signs underneath the trees on Bainbridge Island. Dambo has slowly been releasing the locations of his trolls. The most recent troll is Jakob Two Trees in Issaquah. Jakob lives right in town under the trees beneath the Rainier Trail.
Dambo’s art is inspiring and a great reminder for local communities to get back out into nature. If you get the chance, I encourage you to visit one or a few of these trolls to see their beauty in person.
Crave Cookie:
Crave Cookie, a new sweet treat small business is now open in Renton! Crave Cookie is here to stay however, their menu isn’t. Every Friday a new week-long line-up of 6 cookie flavors becomes available to purchase. Their menu rotates every week and it keeps the customers coming with new creative flavors. Crave ensures a delicious and perfectly baked cookie that is “Not Raw, Just Right!” Crave’s Renton location is the first and only location in Western Washington. Crave is open from 9am-10pm on weekdays, 9am-11pm on Fridays, and 10am-11pm on Saturdays. These long hours ensure that customers can grab a cookie whenever they are craving one. Make sure to check out Crave Cookie at 10825 SE Petrovitsky Rd, Renton, WA 98055 to support their business as they kick things into gear.
