Susan DuFresne of Exclusive Exotics reaches out to Velvet, a female red-sided Exlectus.

Romeo, an African gray parrot with a large vocabulary, gets a special wrap for grooming at Exclusive Exotics.

Gary Travis, left, manages Exclusive Exotics with his sons and is learning about birds on the job. Shawn holds Simon, a 3-year-old channelbill toucan. Susan holds Romeo, a Congo African gray parrot, and Velvet, a female red-sided Eclectus parrot. Susan and Shawn have owned the Renton bird store for 6 years.

Tequita, a male 6-year-old scarlet macau, is one of the many birds in the Exclusive Exotics bird store in Renton. Susan DuFresne is at left. Don Holets, a customer, is on the right.

Raja the cat often hangs out on Shawn DuFresne's back during routine chores such as changing the paper in the shop's many cages.

Brownie, a 1-year-old Normanl gray cockatiel, nibbles on Garret DuFresne's ear in his mom and dad's bird store.

The Grotto in Renton's Waterworks Garden features small pools and a fountain. The inlaid mosaic incorporates recycled materials.

"The regulars" at Renton's historic Melrose Tavern gather for a group portrait. Built in 1900, the three-story Melrose Hotel lost two floors to fire in 1920. "The regulars" at Renton's historic Melrose Tavern gather for a group portrait. Built in 1900, the three-story Melrose Hotel lost two floors to fire in 1920.

Renton's Historical Museum is located downtown near City Hall. Many interesting displays fill the tidy museum. Renton's Historical Museum is located downtown near City Hall. Many interesting displays fill the tidy museum.

Students at Renton's Talbot Hill Elementary gather around for serious merchandising during the school's Marketplace Day. The exercise in financial and consumer lessons allows the students to use special school-issued currency to purchase goods and services from student merchants. Students at Renton's Talbot Hill Elementary gather around for serious merchandising during the school's Marketplace Day. The exercise in financial and consumer lessons allows the students to use special school-issued currency to purchase goods and services from student merchants.

Leland Gayles works with Zane Fitch, 16, a Renton High School student, and other young people at his downtown office. Leland Gayles works with Zane Fitch, 16, a Renton High School student, and other young people at his downtown office.

Aircraft mechanic Kris Johanson checks a plane on the flight line at Pro-Flight Aviation at Renton Municipal Airport. Boeing is a big part of Renton, but private flight-oriented businesses also thrive in the area. Aircraft mechanic Kris Johanson checks a plane on the flight line at Pro-Flight Aviation at Renton Municipal Airport. Boeing is a big part of Renton, but private flight-oriented businesses also thrive in the area.

Felix DelVillar of Renton concentrates on his next shot during billiards at the Renton Senior Center.

Marnie Monaghan and fellow students practice hair styles on mannequins at the Renton Beauty School. Marnie Monaghan and fellow students practice hair styles on mannequins at the Renton Beauty School.

A clock tower crowns downtown Renton's transit center on Burnett Avenue.

Bob Johansen lines up a shot during billiards at the Renton Senior Center. Bob Johansen lines up a shot during billiards at the Renton Senior Center.

Owner Craig Lande holds Booners, one of the many pets he keeps around his feed store in the heart of downtown Renton.

Gene Ballestrasse tosses a bocci ball during a game at the Renton Senior Activity Center.

Renton's first fire truck, purchased in 1927 for $7,800, has been restored for display by the city's Historical Society. The truck was in service until 1960. Renton's first fire truck, purchased in 1927 for $7,800, has been restored for display by the city's Historical Society. The truck was in service until 1960.