Montlake Community Club

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Montlake Tree Elf Holds Open Garden & Offers May Tours

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pic_2Arthur Lee Jacobson, tree elf, plant expert, arborist, gardener, author, teacher, and life-long Montlake resident/treasure shared his love of plants with visitors to his Open Garden last Sunday.

His lush multi-level garden on Blaine welcomed neighbors for a peek at more than 500 kinds of plants from towering trees to exotics to weeds. The plants are amazing, but Arthur is the real show. Ask him a question about a plant and he will be off on a delightful ramble about where it comes from, how tall it grows, what nutrients it needs, what it smells and tastes like. Lately, it seems Arthur’s become really interested in the tasting part. He can (and will) tell you how to cook, not just your ordinary vegetable parts, but all the things you usually take to the compost bin. He says, “Why not try cooking radish greens, carrot tops, or sweet potato leaves? They’re tasty and good for you too.” Arthur says a lot more too, but you’ve got to be there for the full effect.

And you CAN get the full effect even if you missed the Open Garden. You’ve got some chances to learn from this elfin plant expert in the next couple weeks. Jacobson has scheduled to lead three Seattle Tree Tours in early May.

Sunday, May 4th in Volunteer Park, 10:00 to noon

Sunday, May 11 at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park, 2:00-3:30

Saturday, May 17, Washington Park Arboretum, 3:00-5:00

Group size is limited; Cost $10. For information or to register, email alj@consultant.com or phone 206-328-8733. Check out the website www.ArthurLeeJ.com to order books on wild plants and trees or read tons of articles on all kinds of plant topics. Watch for the next Open Garden later in the summer too. Blaine Street doesn’t just have big bunnies and the Halloween House. It has a full-sized tree elf too!photogarden

Montlake Authors & Artists Still Needed For May 18 Happening

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artistWe know you’re out there. We know you’re good at the art form or writing that you do. NOW, young or old, professional or amateur, we urge you to show your friends and neighbors your good works. It’s not a sale. It’s a celebration.

Please join in the celebration of  Montlake’s talents by bringing your creations to the Montlake Community Center on Sunday afternoon, May 18 for the All-Montlake Music & Arts Happening, aka AMMAH.

All you have to do to get involved is send an e-mail message to AMMAHappening@montlake.net, then we’ll answer any questions you may have, and ask you for some information about yourself and your work. Just like that you’ll be added to the participants (No jury; No fee; No fuss). We’ll send participants information on procedures as the date nears, AND the date is nearing. This is our last “All-Call,” so don’t hesitate. Get on Board!

Big Bunnies on Blaine

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IMG_2415Early in the morning at The Bunny House (aka Halloween House) found the Big Bunnies welcoming neighborhood children and parents on Sunday, May 20th. Clearly “somebunny” was up really early hiding colorful eggs for little ones carrying baskets–or really little ones being carried. Big Bunny Don led the enthusiastic egg seekers in a vigorous round of hopping before giving the ear wiggle signal to begin the hunt. Big Bunny James presided over a grand eggy buffet and helped “egg on” a few hesitant hunters. Some egg seekers came costumed to bond with the bunnies; some dressed for a garden party; some blended into the crowd, but EVERYONE had a memorable time,  and applauded the Bunny Hospitality. Thanks Big Guys! Montlake doesn’t just like you; Montlake loves you!

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Montlake Artists, Where Are You? Come Show Your Stuff

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We’ve got Musicians. We’ve got Authors. We need MORE Artists for the All-Montlake Music & Arts Happening, Sunday, May 18 (2-5 p.m.) at the Montlake Community Center.

Last year, we had a great time celebrating our talented Montlake artists and musicians. We want to have that pleasure again. Young and old; amateur and professional; all kinds of artists are needed to show off their creations– ceramics, paintings, prints, photography, jewelry, carvings, sculptures, fly tying, fabric creations, fiber art, wood crafts, cartooning, caricatures, bonsai and more. If your artistry doesn’t fit in any of these categories, try us anyway. We invite variety. (And it’s okay if you showed your talent last year. We’re ready to see your new creations.) Contact us at AMMAHappening@montlake.net to sign up or ask some questions.

And Montlake neighbors, get that May 18 date into your calendars now. You don’t want to miss this chance to enjoy the gifts of your friends and creative folks down the street. Bring the kids. Bring your extended family, Bring your friends from other neighborhoods. This event, sponsored by your Montlake Community Club, is worth it!

Talented Neighbors: Register for the All-Montlake Music and Arts Happening on May 18

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Montlake Needs YOU for the Second Annual ALL-MONTLAKE MUSIC & ARTS HAPPENING!

Sunday afternoon (2-5), May 18 at the Montlake Community Center.

We’re looking for our Montlake Neighbors to show off and celebrate…

  • Artists, Musicians, and Authors
  • Professionals and Amateurs
  • Children, Teens, and Adults

We invite ARTISTS to display paintings & drawings, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, fiber art, photographs, woodworking, and other artistic creations.

MUSICIANS– soloists to small groups; folk to jazz to classical; vocals and instrumentals; wacky to inspiring.

AUTHORS, we’re inviting YOU to show off your works

Interested? E-mail AMMAHappening@montlake.net to get a few more details and/or put yourself or your group on the potential participant lists. If you know any bashful artists, authors, or musicians in Montlake, you’d like to see celebrated at the event, let us know. We can only do this event if our talented folks join in. (And, it’s okay if you showed your talent last year, we’re ready to see and hear your new creations.) Would you like to be part of the Montlake Community Club planning committee or staff the event on May 18th? Contact us at the same address.

Calling All Montlake Artists, Musicians, & Authors

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Join in our 2nd ANNUAL  “All Montlake Music, Arts & Authors Happening” 

That’s right, once again we’re looking for our neighbors to step forth, (or nominate neighbors and friends) to entertain and delight us all on Sunday afternoon, May 18 at the Montlake Community Center.

  • To celebrate and enjoy the talents of our many Montlake neighbors–professionals and amateurs, children and adults;
  • To meet and greet your neighbors;
  • To continue a wonderful new tradition.

We invite artists to display paintings & drawings, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, fiber art, photographs, woodworking, and other artistic creations.

We invite musicians — soloists to small groups; folk to jazz to classical; vocals and instrumentals; wacky to inspiring.

And this year, we’re inviting authors to show off their works.

If we’ve caught your interest, e-mail AMMAHappening@montlake.net to get a few more details and/or put yourself or your group on the potential participant lists. If you know any bashful artists, authors, or musicians in Montlake whom you’d like to see celebrated at the event, please let us know so we can encourage them to sign on. We can only do this event if our talented folks join in.

And finally, if you’d like to be part of the Montlake Community Club planning committee or help staff the event on May 18th, contact us at the same address.

Montlake Yard Sales Bask in Fall Sunshine

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Could there have been a more perfect day for the All-Montlake Fall Yard Sale? The sun presided. A light breeze wafted. Early crimson & gold leaves shone against our always green, tree-lined streets.

Montlake yard sale hosts in 42 locations, hauled out all their goods as the morning began. Bright yellow sale signs were barely posted before early bird shoppers descended to pick up choice goods. And then as the day unfolded, Montlake neighbors and shoppers from throughout the metro area continued to arrive.

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Couples meandered hand in hand from yard to yard checking out the array of offerings. Moms and Dads wheeled toddlers, carried babies, led pre-schoolers, and hurried behind fast-moving pre-teens as they made their way from one spot to the next. Elders strolled from site to site finding here, an antique remembered from childhood, there, LPs from the good old days, and everywhere, puzzling modern gizmos.  Treasures discovered. Sale items admired. Prices negotiated. Deals made. Booty carried off.

More importantly, Montlake neighbors greeted neighbors. “It’s great when we get people to stroll through the neighborhood and talk to each other,” said one host. Newcomers met the folks up and down their street for the first time, and long delayed conversations happened between old friends. One yard sale host reported “I talked to a neighbor … and we had several long conversations–more than in the past 25 years!” It’s results like this that the Montlake Community Club Board members were aiming for, in keeping with our charter.

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Of course, it didn’t hurt that in some yards, the profits were satisfying–one host reported $500. Or that another host was pleased because she’d sold “a lot of little things and made a lot of donations to the two trucks,” (from the Northwest Center and St. Vincent De Paul) AND that she felt “so much better after the Autumnal Purification” because “it made a noticeable difference in my house and my head.”

Now that we’ve learned from this first successful adventure in community yard sale organizing, a strong argument can be made for turning this into an annual event. Just to support that argument, look again at Jonathan Phillips’ fine photos around and about the neighborhood–maybe you’ll see yourself or someone you know. Yes, Montlake basked in fall sunshine on Saturday, and the lucky ones were there. Let’s do it again next year!