The afternoon of Aug 2 at FUEL Montlake, you can be among the first to see Larry Hubbell’s stunning photographic art show, “Where Nature Lives.” Not only that, you can join him for an informal chat between 1 and 4 p.m, AND buy some of his photos too. Larry, a deeply committed naturalist, believes “that if we observe and intertwine our lives with the wild creatures around us, then we are more likely to protect and preserve them.” He thinks of his photography as a way to engage us in the lives of the creatures around Union Bay—the waters of our Montlake neighborhood. Through his Union Bay Watch blog photographs & narratives, we’ve met Eva & Albert, our bald eagles, and Elvis & Priscilla, our pileated woodpeckers. They’ve become beloved residents because of Larry’s weekly post alerts on the Montlake Flyer. Soon he’ll have you caring about the little Anna’s humming bird you see in the accompanying photo too.
So, come on over to FUEL on Sunday afternoon. Get yourself an iced coffee drink, peruse the 16 photos of the show, and sit down to talk with Larry about his art and his commitment to “harmony between humanity and nature.” You might even find out how he manages to be at just the right time and place, with the right equipment to capture the wildlife of Union Bay—“where nature lives in the city.”
This art show opening is part of Montlake Unabridged, sponsored by your Montlake Community Club.
You’re invited to an Opening Night Party at the Glam & Tonics Aveda Gallery, Saturday, August 1. No, make that an “Opening Afternoon Party” (4 to 6 p.m.) to delight you with the newly installed paintings of artist, Mari Jalbing. Sip a flute of Prosecco as you browse the array of artworks, from “miniature to quite large.” Let yourself be tempted to buy too.
Swedish-born and Midwest-grown, Mari Jalbing now lives and works in Montlake. In the years before beginning to paint, her inner artist manifested as florist, gardner/landscaper, interior designer, and in the fiber arts and tailoring. Her works are sold in many solo and group shows around Washington State, and she regularly donates works to local non-profit fund-raising events/auctions. You really must see Mari’s paintings in person, so why not come to the party? Bring a neighbor or friend too. Jalbing’s artworks will be on display for the entire month of August, so if you don’t get to the Opening, be sure to stop in, say hello to the Glam & Tonics staff, and look around.
Robert Hayden’s evocative carved faces and James W. Sutherland’s fey owls, ladybugs, birds, and hearts are on display (and for sale!) in Montlake for just the last three days of July. Get on over to Glam & Tonics Aveda to see Hayden’s amazing driftwood carvings; go to FUEL to see Sutherland’s paintings– by Friday. The photo slide show below only begins to present the creative energy of these two Montlake residents. Come August 1, you’ll have missed them. So, don’t.
Undeterred by the 95 degree temp on Sunday (July 19th), hearty Montlakers made their way to the party patio of our East-side Downtown businesses. Glam & Tonics Aveda threw open the bright yellow French doors to their lush secret garden, shared with FUEL and Coven. All three patio-linked businesses played hosts to the afternoon guests, with complimentary refreshments provided by the “other Eastsiders”– Mont’s, and Edmond Jones Investments, as well as our uptown, the Montlake Blvd Market.
The Montlake Library played host to the always engaging Mother Pluckers Ukulele Band on Sunday afternoon, July 5. Lucky early arrivers got the chairs, but others stood through the one-hour program of favorites, sing-alongs, clever new takes on oldies, and a totally toe-tapping time. Blythe Summers, Supervising Librarian of the Montlake Branch, and Nathalie Gehrke from the Montlake Community Club welcomed the crowd as the program began. Then the Mother Pluckers took over, charming the audience with their ukulele strumming, aided by a miniature banjo, and, at times, a flute, a tiny “kazoo horn,” and lots of rhythm instruments in the hands of willing audience members. Babies smiles, little kids wiggled, adults did the hokey pokey, and a classical good time was had by all. Will the Montlake Library ever be the same now that music has arrived?! Stay Tuned, AND check out the photos below by Montlake Unabridged Official Photographer, Jonathan Phillips.
Summertime means parties, so why not one on our Piazza? Or do you say Patio? No Matter! 
Monday (June 29) brought another Montlake author before her neighbors for a cool evening at the Library—this time focused on historical fiction. Following welcomes by Julee Neuhart (for MCC Board) & Blythe Summers (for Montlake Library), J.L. (Jennie) Spohr offered a peek into two of her published books. She read revealing excerpts from “
