Not counting the wood ducks, which North American specie of duck sometimes sits in trees? See the answer in current photos from the Arboretum on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Not counting the wood ducks, which North American specie of duck sometimes sits in trees? See the answer in current photos from the Arboretum on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Do you see something odd about this photo? Last Monday, there were some oddly strange behaviors around Duck Bay. Use the following link to visit Union Bay Watch and find out more.
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
SR 520 will be closed across Lake Washington this weekend, April 1-3 to celebrate the grand opening of longest floating bridge in the world. The closure will begin at 11pm on Friday, April 1st with the bridge reopening at 2pm on Sunday, April 3rd.
The festivities kick-off at 7:30 am with Fun Run/Walk across the bridge.
Looking for a fun and creative summer program for your child? Check out Boyer’s Summer 3-5 Preschool Program!
Children will participate in activities such as art, music, problem-solving/listening activities, and playtime in the gym. The Preschool will meet for 2.5 hours four times a week. This year we’re offering five individual week sessions, running from July 11 – August 11. Cost is $200/week, and parents are welcome to sign up for one or multiple sessions.
Space is limited! If you are interested in having your 3-5 year old participate, please contact Denise Swanson at 206-325-8477 or denise.swanson@boyercc.org.
The MCC is currently recruiting members of the community to serve on the Board of Trustees for 2016-2017. These positions are open to anyone who lives or works in Montlake and wants to engage with the community in a leadership role as a board member.
There are many areas in which a board member can be involved: block watch, snow brigade, art and music, beautification, welcoming new neighbors, web editor, annual all Montlake yard sale, traffic issues, bicycle and pedestrian safety, etc.
Those interested are encouraged to send a short statement which details their experience with the neighborhood, why they are interested in joining the Board and what experiences and skills they can apply to serving as a board member to secretary@montlake.net by April 12.
This week’s post continues with the saga of Storm and Chip – two of our local pileated woodpeckers – and their adventures in Montlake and the Arboretum. Is Storm homeless once again? Read the latest update on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Celebrate the coming of spring with an egg hunt. Be sure to bring your bag or basket and make sure you are early because the hunt starts right at 10am ! Parents can visit with friends and family at our coffee and pastries table. Meet in the community center multi-purpose room before the hunt.
When: Saturday, March 26th 2016 (Rain or Shine!)
Time: 10 a.m. SHARP! Ages 12 & under
This week’s post features one of these two aggressive, black birds found around Union Bay. Can you guess which one wins in this confrontation? It is the one with the heart of a warrior. Learn more on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Photos by Suzi-Pratt.com
Neighbors will be pleased to know, Canal Market won’t be closed for long! The much-loved owner of Café Lago, Carla Leonardi, has rented the market and has plans to reopen as a neighborhood market and deli with an emphasis on Italian food.
From cooking classes for the Montlake elementary students to hosting fundraisers, Carla’s commitment to the neighborhood shines through in running a successful local shop. A longtime Montlake resident herself, Carla understands what it takes to run the charming neighborhood market on Fuhrman Ave.
Recently, Carla reached out to Portage Bay & Roanoke neighbors to share the news and receive their thoughts and comments on the new market. The Montlake Flyer contacted Carla to get her permission to share some of the tidbits.
Have an idea to share with Carla? Post a note in the comments section below, all comments will be forwarded for her review.
This week’s post covers one of our Montlake neighbors. Last year he and his mate fed and raised young in the Arboretum. You may have seen him as he raided your bird feeder – although he would not have been searching for seeds. Learn the rest of his story on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where hawks live in the city!
Larry
The Montlake Community Center and Kay Catering have partnered to offer three months of cooking from around the world. Each class will be a hands-on cooking experience, participants will learn to cook new dishes, meet new friends and the best part is every class ends with a dinner party to enjoy creations.
Let your inner chef play while you learn how to cook new dishes to impress your family and friends with.
Vienamese Night: Thursday, March 17th 6:00 – 8:30pm
Learn how to make your own Shrimp Fresh Rolls with Peanut Sauce and a big warm bowl of Chicken Pho
Italian Night: Thursday, April 21st 6:00 – 8:30pm
Create a beautiful Tomato Mozzarella Caprese Salad and learn how to roast your own vegetables for an amazing Roasted Vegetable Beef Lasagna.
Korean Night: Thursday, May 12th 6:00 – 8:30pm
Mmmmm….. The smell of cooking Kalbi (marinated short rib beef) will make your mouth water as you learn how to cook Jap Chae (vermicelli noodles with sautéed vegetable) and make your very own Cucumber Kimchee.
$45 per class
All Classes held at Montlake Community Center
Call 206-684-4736 to register
This week’s post features a couple of male hooded mergansers. You will find out why each one is lucky and get to consider some of the different varieties of luck that we experience. There is also a link to a remarkable story about a cougar living in L.A. See it all on:
have great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
If you have been following my posts you may have noticed that I believe the Pintail is the most elegant of ducks and that I find Trumpeter Swans the most graceful of waterfowl. However, I have never before mentioned which duck I consider the most dignified. The photo above is a clear hint. Whether you know the answer or not I hope you will follow my link and read the reasons for my choice on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Photo: Camknows, Flickr
VIA WSDOT:
Do your weekend plans take you to the UW campus or the Montlake neighborhood? If so, be prepared for a couple of major closures! The Montlake Bridge and the westbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard East will be closed from 6 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28.
During the closure, our maintenance crews will replace three large sections of the deck, or roadbed, across the Montlake Bridge.
Bicyclists and pedestrians will have access across the bridge.
We’ve posted a news release with more information and details on marine traffic restrictions.
Please join us Monday, March 7th from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Montlake Public Library Branch meeting room for a Block Watch presentation by Seattle PD Crime Prevention Coordinator, Terrie Johnston.
Sponsored by the Montlake Community Club, this discussion will focus on crime prevention including home and neighborhood security, how to set up a Block Watch, how and when to report criminal activity, and several other safety related topics. If you are concerned about crime in your area, this is your opportunity to ask questions and be prepared.
A Spotted Towhee and an American Robin may look a bit alike, however they are actually quite different. They differ in their size, colors, sounds, feeding habits and even what they indicate about your yard. See the photos and learn more about Towhees on:
Have a great day on Union Bay – where nature lives in the city!
Larry
It is impossible to know what a heron dreams. It might be frogs and fish or it could be wishing for the warmer weather and sunshine of Spring. The dreams and signs of Spring are all around us. Bundle up and step outside to see them or if you are pressed for time just visit:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where dreams of Spring are in the air!
Larry
Montlake Boundary Map
UPDATED with MCC President comments
A request to change the southern boundary of Montlake Community Club (MCC) has been brought before the Montlake Community Club. According to the “official” description in the bylaws, the southern boundary line is E Galer St. Residents that live just south of E Galer St have approached the MCC about expanding the boundary because, even though they feel they are part of Montlake, they are not truly recognized as “Montlake”.
The MCC Board approved a motion to officially bring to a member vote the proposal to make E Helen St the southern boundary line which is four blocks south of E Galer St, the current boundary.
The only way to change the official boundaries is to change the MCC Bylaws which requires a vote by the MCC members. MCC members include all residents and business owners within Montlake. This proposal must be posted on the Montlake Flyer for at least 30 days for the community to consider and members can submit their vote by mail or on-line. This post serves as the official notice.
To be approved, the proposal must receive 2/3 approval from all of the votes submitted by members. You must submit a vote for it to count.
Update: Voting Has Closed
Or look for “Vote” at the top of the web page and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you may submit a vote by mail. A ballot is provided in the paper version of The Montlake Flyer that is currently being distributed to Montlake residents within the next few days. The results of the vote will to posted on Montlake.Net after the required time period.
UPDATE:
I would like to thank everyone for their online comments and suggestions regarding the proposed boundary change which is obviously a controversial topic. I’ve been following the conversation closely and now I would like to try and provide some history and answer questions about this issue.
What is a Montlake Community Club (MCC) “official” southern boundary change? Is it a land grab?
No, a community club doesn’t grab land. MCC and other community clubs and councils aim to foster community and offer representation. An “official” boundary change is simply a change of the area the community club represents. It is not a neighborhood definition change. There are many common interests between residents of Montlake currently falling with the boundaries of the club, and residents of areas not within the boundaries. Common interests include bicycle and pedestrian safety, traffic, bus service and schools. Joining together gives members a louder voice so that hopefully we will be heard.
If the boundary change is approved, does that mean my neighborhood will change from the Arboretum to Montlake?
No, of course not. But, in addition to pooling resources with neighbors to work on specific issues, you can get the support of the Montlake Community Club, its representation, its support in obtaining grants, improvements to streets, access to parks, school issues, etc. You also can volunteer on the MCC Board, represent the MCC at East District meeting to vote on grants, etc.
How and when did this proposal start?
The idea to change the “official” southern boundary has been discussed for a while. It first began as conversations with some residents who live south of E Galer St, our official southern boundary. They expressed a desire to be included in the Montlake Community Club representation area. As they are not officially part of Montlake they are ineligible to serve on the MCC Board which is a well organized neighborhood group recognized by city and state officials.
Because of this, The Montlake Community Club started doing some research on the area south of E Galer St, east of 23rd Ave E, north of E Madison St, and west of Lake Washington Blvd, an area where exact neighborhood boundaries have sometimes seemed unclear. We found that, according to the Madison Valley Community, their northern boundary is E Madison St. Some say it is E Helen St, but if that is true, it is not backed up by their own neighborhood description which is clearly stated on their website. Last year the past MCC President, Julee Neuhart, contacted the Madison Valley Community Council and she reported that they supported a club boundary change. A few months ago, I contacted Zachary Pullin, the President of the Capitol Hill Community Council, and he confirmed their east boundary is 23rd Ave E and he also supported a club boundary change. Residents that identify as the “Arboretum” proved to be more difficult to communicate with as a whole, however, we did find that the people we did speak to supported the idea. Considering all of this, the MCC felt a change in the boundary was worth pursuing.
According to the MCC Bylaws, the only way to change the boundary is through a vote by members, which must receive 2/3 approval. Unfortunately, according to the Bylaws, only members that live inside the official boundaries are allowed to vote. The decision to bring this to a vote was made and approved at the December MCC Board meeting, ballots were printed and distributed in the Montlake Flyer and on the Montlake.Net website.
What is Montlake Community club’s motivation to change the club boundary? What are the Pros?
We simply want to provide representation to everyone who lives in Montlake and Arboretum neighborhoods because we all share common interests. A larger group certainly speaks with a louder voice and maybe E Helen St should have been the southern border all along. We also benefit by possibly getting more volunteers that have the desire and drive to get involved and make a change.
What are the Cons?
The MCC does not recognize any Cons at this time. If you fall within the boundary area, you automatically become a member. No forced fees, no obligation whatsoever. You can, in fact, ignore the MCC if you want to.
Bryan Haworth
Montlake Community Club, President
Valentine’s Day at Cafe Lago
Enjoy lovely new menu items with your Amore, with your lovely family or with your sweet friends. Reservations are limited so please call 206-329-8005 to reserve your table.