This week’s post covers a curious interaction between a Crow and a Garter Snake. It did not turn out as I expected. More on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
A Curious Corvid
A Mother’s Love
A story of two avian mothers and their love and protection. More at:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Montlake t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats
We have a new shipment of all styles and sizes of our Montlake Gear.
You can purchase gear at two Pop-Up Shops at the Boyer Children’s Clinic on Tuesday, May 14thand Tuesday, June 11th from 6:30 to 7:00 PM. The shops will be in the Boyer Clinic (1850 Boyer Ave E) – basement conference room. The entrance to the conference room is in the garage, entrance on E Howe Street.
If these dates don’t work for you, please contact us at treasurer@montlake.net and we can arrange to drop off your gear at your home.
Beyond The Bay
This large species of shorebird can be found around the world. However, it it is most often seen in Washington during the month of May. Can you guess what it eats? More on:
Have great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Support your community
GIVE BIG is a regional fundraiser happening now through May 8th. Please share the above link on social media and use it to donate to your Montlake Community Club.
Your financial support actively improves our neighborhood through volunteer-run projects like:
~The Second Annual Turkey Trot that raised over $30,000 in 2018 for the University Food Bank
~Improving transportation and safety in the neighborhood
~Challenging the city and state to improve traffic, bike and pedestrian safety including 520 design and construction issues and the 23rd Ave Corridor Improvement Project
~Promoting the annual All Montlake Yard Sale
~Sponsoring the festive winter lights that adorn downtown Montlake
~Driving the campaign to save the Montlake Market
Thank you for your support!
2019 Windermere Cup Party on the Montlake Cut on Friday Night
Come kick-off Windermere Cup weekend at Seattle’s third annual Party on the Montlake Cut.
Friday, May 3rd, from 6 – 10 PM on the northeast shore of the Montlake Cut in the ASUW Shellhouse located at the North shore of the Montlake Cut (East of Montlake Boulevard)
In honor of the German National Crews visiting Seattle to race in the Cup races, we’ll be celebrating German-style. So break out your lederhosen and dirndls and come on out to the party!
Two popular Seattle Bands, (Nite Wave and the Love Jacks) will rock the Party.
Drink German (and other) beer in commemorative steins along with other adult beverages at one of the Penrith Home Loans beer tents. Take a sneak peak of whats to come on Saturday with the first-ever twilight sprints held on the Cut. Take advantage of a rare opportunity to see the historic ASUW Shell House where the infamous George Pocock built his first rowing shells and the Boys in the Boat trained for the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Well play lawn games, take memorable photos and welcome Spring to Seattle.
Must be 21 or older with valid ID to enter.
Tickets are required for entry. Purchase tickets at https://2019partyonthecut.brownpapertickets.com/
WHEN ONLINE SALES END ON MAY 2, TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ON-SITE FOR $30.00!!
Proceeds from the Party on the Cut will establish rowing scholarships for low income youth, through the Windermere Foundation.
UW Welcomes Germany to Windermere Cup This Saturday
The Windermere Cup returns to the Montlake Cut for the 33rd year this Saturday, May 4, with races starting at 10:16 a.m. PT. The annual spring rowing event is held in conjunction with the Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day parade, which marks the beginning of boating season in Seattle.
Men’s and women’s crews from Germany will travel to Seattle to face Washington, as well as the Boston University men and the UCLA women. The two Windermere Cup races are the featured events in a long regatta schedule that includes other collegiate races, as well as juniors’ and masters’ events.
“We hope everyone will join us on May 4 for Windermere Cup and Opening Day, which has grown into one of the largest free community events in Seattle,” said OB Jacobi, President of Windermere Real Estate. “With thousands of competitors and spectators coming together at such a spectacular venue, it’s a celebration unlike anything else.”
The German teams will be making their first-ever appearance at Windermere Cup, which has previously hosted national teams from more than 15 nations in its 33-year history. Boston University will be making its second appearance in the regatta, having rowed in the 1993 event, while the UCLA women will also be making a second trip to Opening Day, having last appeared in the Windermere Cup in 2004.
As a nation, Germany currently sits among the world powers in rowing. The men’s team holds the world best time in the men’s eight (5:18.680, set at a 2017 World Cup event) and won the 2017 and 2018 World Championships in that event, having taken the silver at the 2016 Olympic Games. The German men have also finished in the top five in the men’s eight at the last three Under-23 World Championships. Last summer, a U.S. eight that included six Huskies (four of whom are on the 2019 roster) won the U-23 men’s eight gold medal, with Germany finishing fourth in the A final.
Germany’s women have established one of the top sculling programs in the world. Additionally, German entries have rowed in the A final in the eight at the last three Under-23 World Championships, and won the women’s quadruple sculls at the 2018 World Championships, having won silver in that event at the 2016 Olympics.
Washington’s men’s and women’s rosters each include three Germans. Klara Grube, Calina Schanze and Tabea Schendekehlhave all rowed for their country at the junior and/or under-23 level. Schanze and Schendekehl won bronze in the women’s four at 2017 Under-23 Worlds, while Schendekehl also won a silver medal in the eight at 2016 Junior Worlds.
The 2019 UW men’s roster includes Philipp Nonnast, Sebastian Ritter, Alexander Vollmer, Nils Vorberg and Max Schwartzkopff. Both Nonnast and Vollmer rowed for their country at the 2017 Under-23 World Championships, while Nonnast also competed at the 2015 Under-23 regatta. Vosberg and Schwartzkopff, both freshmen at UW, have rowed at the U-23 and Junior levels, respectively.
“Germany is without a doubt among those at the top of the international scene right now,” said UW men’s head coach Michael Callahan. “It’s going to be a terrific challenge for our program and it should be a great race.”
“Every year, Windermere Cup offers our team a chance to square off against great competition in the best setting in college rowing,” UW women’s head coach Yasmin Farooq added. “We’re really looking forward to it.”
Germany is sending crews of experienced, young rowers who are certain to provide a high level of competition to their collegiate competitors.
The German men’s crew that will compete on Montlake Cut includes five individuals who have competed in World Championship regattas, while the other four have rowed at Under-23 World Championships. One member of the crew coming to Seattle – Maximilian Korge – rowed in the German men’s coxless four at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
The women’s team that will row vs. UW and UCLA includes seven individuals with World Under-23 Championships experience, including several who have competed in the U-23s on several occasions. The crew also includes two members with senior national team experience at the World Championships and World Cup levels. Members of the crew range in age from 19 to 30 years old.
Boston University is consistently among the nation’s top-10 men’s programs. Last year, the Terriers finished eighth in the Ten Eyck Trophy (overall points at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association championship regatta) standings, and finished 10th in the men’s eight.
UCLA’s women finished sixth at the Pac-12 Championships each of the last three seasons. The Bruins have participated in four of the last nine NCAA Championship regattas, with a top finish of eighth in the nation, in 2012.
The Husky men have won seven of the last 11 Intercollegiate Rowing Association varsity eight national titles, while also winning the Ten Eyck 11 of the last 12 years. Washington’s women finished second at the 2018 NCAA Championships, winning the second varsity eight final, after having swept the 2017 NCAA regatta for the first time in the event’s history.
RACE SCHEDULE
Here is the complete schedule of races, including masters and junior events
10:16 a.m. – Men’s Masters 8+ (30+)
10:18 a.m. – Men’s Masters 8+ (40+)
10:20 a.m. – Men’s Masters 8+ (50+
10:22 a.m. – Men’s Masters 8+ (60+)
10:24 a.m. – Women’s Masters 8+ (30+)
10:26 a.m. – Women’s Masters 8+ (40+)
10:28 a.m. – Women’s Masters 8+ (50+)
10:30 a.m. – Women’s Masters 8+ (60+)
10:32 a.m. – Men’s Junior 4X+ George Corkey Jr. Cup
10:35 a.m. – Women’s Junior 4X+ Dewitt Whitman Cup
10:38 a.m. – Women’s Junior 4+ Colin Sykes Cup
10:41 a.m. – Men’s Junior 4+Sara Nevin Cup
10:44 a.m. – Women’s Junior 8+ Eleanor McElvaine Cup
10:47 a.m. – Men’s Junior 8+ Fred Honebein Cup
10:50 a.m. – Men’s Open 4+
10:52 a.m. – Women’s Collegiate Varsity 4+
10:54 a.m. – Women’s Collegiate Open 8+
10:58 a.m. – Men’s Collegiate Open 8+
11:01 a.m. – Women’s Collegiate 3V8+
11:05 a.m. – Men’s Collegiate Freshman 8+/3V8+
11:10 a.m. – Women’s Cascade Cup (2V8+)
11:20 a.m. – Men’s Cascade Cup (2V8+)
11:30 a.m. – Women’s Windermere Cup (V8+)
11:45 a.m. – Men’s Windermere Cup (V8+)
The most up-to-date information on lanes, entries, etc., can be found at RegattaCentral.com.
There are Windermere Cup-related events all week long leading up the May 4 races, including the Windermere Party on the Cut, Montlake Night Sprints, the annual Media Cup, and Kids Crew community event. More information below:
WINDERMERE PARTY AT THE CUT ON FRIDAY NIGHT
In honor of the German National Crews visiting Seattle to race in the Cup races, we’ll be celebrating German-style. So break out your lederhosen and dirndls and come on out to the party! This year’s pre-race Party on the Cut will take place Friday, May 3rd, from 6 PM to 10 PM. Join us on the northeast shore of the Montlake Cut for an evening of live music, lawn games, and food and drinks. Advance tickets are just $20, or $30 at the door. This year features live performances by Nite Wave and Brian DiJulio & the Love Jacks. This event is 21+ and tickets can be found through Brown Paper Tickets. Proceeds from the Party on the Cut will establish rowing scholarships for low-income youth, through the Windermere Foundation.
MONTLAKE NIGHT SPRINTS ON FRIDAY NIGHT
For the first time, UW Rowing will host “Montlake Night Sprints” the evening before the Windermere Cup/Opening Day Regatta. The boats that will race the following morning in the two Windermere Cup races will compete in a sprint from the traditional Montlake Cut finish line and travel approximately 600 meters from west to east down the course, finishing right in front of the old ASUW Shellhouse at the east end, where the annual “Party at the Cut” will be in full swing. Races are scheduled for 8:17 and 8:25 p.m., which is during a scheduled break between bands at the party.
AWARDS CEREMONIES
Award ceremonies will take place following the conclusion of Windermere Cup races AT THE FINISH LINE (i.e., not at the Shellhouse) on the north side of the Cut, for the Windermere and Cascade Cups. The award ceremony for Masters, Collegiate, and Junior’s races will take place on the same stage at 1:30 p.m. PT.
Results of the races are posted, in real time, at HereNow.com. You can also follow via Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter at @UW_Rowing and @WindermereCup.
WINDERMERE CUP HISTORY & INFORMATION
The Windermere Cup rowing regatta got its start 33 years ago when Windermere Real Estate founder, John Jacobi, joined up with the University of Washington to create the annual rowing event. They wanted to bring the best team in the world to Seattle’s Montlake Cut, which at the time was the Soviet Union. After that, the precedent was set for what has become one of the world’s premier rowing events, and certainly a staple of Seattle’s rowing community. For more information please visit WindermereCup.com. (http://windermerecup.withwre.com/).
ABOUT WASHINGTON ROWING
Rowing at University of Washington was established in 1901 with support from the local business community. In 1903, Washington entered its first intercollegiate race and defeated California, starting their storied “Cal Dual” rivalry. From this beginning, UW crews became the champions in the nation, winning the Gold Medal in the Olympics in 1936 as described in the New York Times bestseller The Boys in the Boat. UW has continued its tradition of winning championships and Olympic medals, and today is one of the best university rowing programs in the world. With its state-of-the-art training facility located on the UW campus right on the shores of Lake Washington, surrounded by mountains and in close proximity to the iconic Montlake Cut, Washington Rowing attracts the best men and women student-athletes from the Pacific Northwest and around the world. More information at GoHuskies.com, WashingtonRowing.com and @UW_Rowing.
Growing Up Fast
Growing up can be challenging whether you are a human or a Cooper’s Hawk. Sometimes circumstances force us to mature a bit early. Is this young bird, who we call Percy, up to the challenge? More on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
The Ospreys Fight On
Once again the Ospreys have returned to Union Bay. The question are, Can they supply enough fish to enable this year’s young to survive? What can we do to help? More photos and thoughts at:
Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature competes in the city!
Larry
The Circle of Life
This week’s post is a who-done-it? Read the story and see if we both come to the same conclusion. Click on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the City!
Larry
State Rep. Macri calls for WSDOT to keep Montlake Market open — for now
From the Capitol Hill Seattle Blog:
Posted on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 – 7:00 am by jseattle
State Rep. Nicole Macri has responded to survey results that show some Montlake residents — and their supporters across Seattle — would do pretty much anything to save the Montlake Market from being torn down and eliminated during construction of new SR-520 improvements through the area.
Macri announced a new limitation on 520 construction spending in the House transportation budget that requires WSDOT to “work with the Montlake Market to keep it open through the year.”
“Further, WSDOT is required to work with the City to allow food vendors in the area and develop a communication outreach plan to the community to solicit community input as to the food services provided,” Macri’s announcement reads.
The proviso is part of a $10 billion transportation budget proposed by House Democrats that “makes investments in each part of the state to get people where they need to be and get goods shipped around the world. It includes major funding to remove fish-barriers on state roads as part of the broader solution to helping our struggling orca population,” Macri said.
While it seems a tempest in a teapot, residents have told WSDOT they are willing for the state to spend millions in possible construction and delay costs to save the market which has been planned to be removed to make way for the $455.3 million in projects to create an improved Montlake Boulevard interchange, a landscaped lid over SR 520, a bicycle and pedestrian “land bridge” east of the lid, and a three-lane West Approach Bridge South over Union Bay for eastbound traffic.
CHS reported on the various options for keeping the market and WSDOT’s efforts to gather neighborhood feedback here. You can read WSDOT’s report on the community feedback here (PDF).
The WSDOT Accountability Coalition says it has run a survey of its own showing neighbors are “highly frustrated with the mega-project’s design & construction methods, including the unnecessary condemnation of the Montlake Market property for staging.”
The Montlake Blvd Market, or Hop-In, lists an opening year of 1936. The property’s owner has been Lynne Parrott, a Clyde Hill resident and Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman, Jr.’s niece, according to King County records. The property has a taxable value of around $1.4 million.
Construction is slated to start later this year and the work could wrap up in 2023.
Help build tiny houses for the homeless
The Montlake Community Club is building houses for our homeless neighbors as a step toward permanent housing. We are looking for volunteers to build these houses in Redmond the weekends of June 8th and June 15th.
You can sign up for more than one shift.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050c48acae23a3ff2-tiny
Also, any donation will help. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this project.
Early Montlake Project work beginning next week – opportunity for public comment
In order to prepare for design and construction of the SR 520 Montlake Project, our contractor, Graham Contracting, will conduct daytime and nighttime exploratory work in the Montlake neighborhood. This work will begin the week of April 15 and last three to four weeks. Crews will use drilling equipment to collect soil samples and additional equipment to cut holes in the roadway, remove soils, and locate underground utilities. This early work, often referred to as utility locating and subsurface geotechnical investigation, is being done to support the design of the project. The map below shows the location of this work.
How can you provide feedback on early work?
Graham has developed a Community Construction Management Plan (CCMP) specific to this preconstruction work. Please review the Early Work CCMP and take this survey to let us know your thoughts on our procedures to avoid, minimize, and reduce the effects of this work on neighbors. The Early Work CCMP identifies best measures and practices to reduce construction effects on the nearby neighbors and travelers on the SR 520 corridor. The Early Work CCMP allows members of the public an ongoing opportunity to provide input on these measures. The Early Work survey will remain open through Tuesday, April 16.
This Early Work document will be a part of a more comprehensive CCMP for major construction. You will have another opportunity later this spring to comment on the comprehensive Montlake Project CCMP currently under development.
How to reach us and stay informed about SR 520 construction:
- Call the 24-hour construction hotline (206-775-8885) with pressing Montlake Project questions or concerns.
- Call the SR 520 Program information line (206-770-3554, M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) with general SR 520 inquiries.
- Email SR 520 staff with your questions about the project or construction activities.
- Visit the SR 520 Construction Corner for the most up-to-date information on closures and construction impacts.
- Visit the SR 520 Program website to find general information about the project.
- Follow us on Twitter @wsdot_520 to get key news and updates about the SR 520 program.
The Hidden lives of Herons
This week’s post contrasts the early-season nesting behavior of our local Great Blue Herons with our Bald Eagles. Hopefully, my photos and descriptions help to shed some light on these somewhat obscure avian activities. These were first time observations for me. More at:
Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Crews to start work on SR 520 Montlake Project construction
As we prepare for the start of major SR 520 Montlake Project construction later this spring, our design-builder, Graham Contracting Ltd., will conduct exploratory work in the Montlake neighborhood, beginning the week of April 15.
Specifically, Graham crews will perform utility-locating and subsurface investigation. This design-discovery work will take about three weeks and will occur in the following locations:
- In the alley off East Hamlin Street, east of Montlake Boulevard East
- This is daytime work and requires a short-term closure of the alley.
- This work will not take place on Wednesdays to avoid conflict with trash and recycling collection.
- At the northeast corner of East North Street and East Montlake Place East
- This daytime work requires the closure of East North Street during work hours, for two to three days.
- Local access will be available from 24th Avenue East.
- In the Old Canal Reserve and MOHAI areas off 24th Avenue East near the SR 520 Trail
- This daytime work will require intermittent closures (5 to 10 minutes) of the SR 520 Trail.
- On SR 520 ramps and mainline
- This will require nighttime single-lane closures on the westbound off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard, the eastbound on-ramp from Montlake Boulevard, and on westbound SR 520 east of Montlake Boulevard.
This work includes pavement removal and repair as well as removing dirt with pressurized water, vacuums, and backhoes. Much of this work will occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., with some work occurring at night between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. We are applying for a temporary noise variance from the city of Seattle to conduct the nighttime work. Nearby neighbors should expect typical construction impacts, such as increased noise, vibration, dust, and truck activity. We will comply with construction best management practices as well as all city of Seattle regulations to reduce the effects of this work.
We have a number of resources to help you stay up to date about planned construction activities and find information about how to get around during construction. You can find these resources, such as our new 24-hour construction hotline (206-775-8885) and our new SR 520 Construction Corner webpages, at the bottom of this email.
We’ll provide more information about dates and times of these closures as we get closer to the work.
Pop-up shop for Montlake gear
A new shipment of Montlake gear is here!
All styles and sizes now available.
Pop-Up Shops Tuesdays April 9, May 14, and June 11 at 6:30 in the Boyer Clinic basement conference room.
If you have questions or want to preorder any gear please email treasurer@montlake.net
Go to Montlake Gear for pictures and prices.
Thanks for supporting your neighborhood organization.
Arboretum Spring Plant Sale – April 6th
Shop for All Your Garden Needs While Supporting Seattle’s Most Treasured Park
The annual Arboretum Spring Plant Sale<https://www.arboretumfoun
Enjoy a stroll in Seattle’s premier public garden while it’s in peak bloom, and then buy beautiful, quality plants for your own garden and home. Parking and admission are free.
What you’ll find this year:
* A nice selection of classic garden perennials, spring bloomers, native plants, and versatile shrubs at our Plant Donations Nursery<http://www.arboretumfo
* A unique selection of flowering shrubs, small trees, compact conifers, and unusual perennials at our Pat Calvert Greenhouse<http://www.arboretu
* Houseplant Pop-Up: Fremont-based Urban Earth Nursery<https://www.urbanearth
All sales support the maintenance, children’s education, and volunteer programs at Washington Park Arboretum!
For information, go to www.arboretumfoundation.org or call 206-325-4510.
Master Gardener Plant Sale: April 26, 27 at the Center for Urban Horticulture
Eagle Roles
Do Monty and Marsha have eggs in their new nest? Evaluate my assumptions and see the supporting photos in this week’s post on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Interested in the MCC board? Join us at Cafe Lago this Wednesday, March 27th at 5:00 p.m.
Who’s on the MCC board? What do they do? How can I get involved?
Please join the MCC board for beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres at Cafe Lago this Wednesday, March 27th at 5:00 pm. Board members will be on hand to answer any questions you have and fill you in on what the Montlake Community Club board is all about.
What is the Montlake Community Club (MCC)?
The MCC is the collection of homes and businesses that have a street address in the Montlake neighborhood. All residents, property owners and business operators, 18 years of age or older are eligible to become members of the MCC.
Who is the MCC Board?
The MCC board consists of up to 13 volunteer MCC members including a President, Vice‐President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The officers serve with up to nine trustees. The board holds monthly meetings throughout most of the year on the first Tuesday evening of the Month at the Boyer Children’s Clinic.
What is the objective of the MCC and what are some of the committees?
The object of the MCC is to maintain and improve the Montlake neighborhood. Committees include transportation, Turkey Trot, fundraising, recruitment, yard sale, and communications. You can volunteer for a committee without serving as a trustee.
What are some of the MCC board’s key Initiatives and Events?
1) Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot raises more than $20k annually for the University Food Bank
2) All‐Montlake Yard Sale
3) Montlake Business District Winter Lights
4) Advocates for the MCC regarding (i) 520 construction with WDOT, (ii) Montlake roadway safety with SDOT (example includes the new stop at 19th and Lynn)
5) Creation and distribution of the Montlake Flyer
6) Construction of tiny houses for the homeless
How can you participate?
The MCC board is a completely volunteer organization. We are always in search of new MCC members who want to help in any capacity, whether by serving on the board or volunteering for any of our key committees, initiatives or events. New board trustees are asked to select one or two of the projects they would like to work on. Typical involvement is a one-hour board meeting monthly and a few hours annually on a project.
If you would like to become a MCC trustee please send a note expressing your interest with a few sentences about yourself to Board@Montlake.net
Please send by April 30 for consideration for the upcoming Trustee election.
Key Contact Info:
MCC Board: Board@montlake.net
President Sharsti Sandall: President@montlake.net
Montlake Community Club,
4616 25th Ave. NE, PNB 446,
Seattle, WA 98105