Montlake School Plans Annual Auction
Saturday, March 28,2015, is the date of this year’s school fund raising auction. It will be held at the St. Demetrious Greek Church. This event raises over 50% of the PTSA’s annual budget. The funds are used to reduce class size, provide extra reading support and support the multi-media, art, music and green house programs.
This year’s auction chair person, Maureen Gaines, is hoping for a big turnout. Past auctions have brought over 300 supporters from the Montlake community to this important and fun event. Maureen is also hoping that both parents and other Montlakers will make donations to the auction. This can be done by going to the auction website and down loading the donation form.
In addition to donating items or services to the auction, supporters are encouraged to buy advertising space in the auction catalog to advertise a business or service. The catalog will be distributed to hundreds of Montlake area residents. All donations made to the school are tax deductible. The PTSA is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
The Montlake Community Club is a strong supporter of our neighborhood school. It continues to be one of Seattle Public Schools best performing elementary schools. This is in part due to the excellent enrichment programs and strong financial support from the parents and the neighborhood.
Union Bay Watch | Will You Help?
I was just contacted by Connie Sidles, Master Birder and author of four birds books about the Union Bay Natural Area. Connie, Dr. Dennis Paulson, leading expert on shorebird ecology in Washington state, and the Seattle Audubon Society are asking for our help in saving the shorebird migrations through Union Bay. The shorebirds are unable to speak for themselves. Please read Connie’s request on:
and seriously consider adding your voice to the petition.
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature is hoping to migrate through the city!
Larry
New Garden Shed Coming For Montlake Elementary
With donations by Café Lago, The Pike Brewing Company, Noble Wines, support from Montlake Community Club and Montlake Elementary PTA and by all of the community pizza enthusiasts who purchased event tickets, the “Benefit Pizza Party” was a heartwarming success that will fund a new shed for the Montlake Elementary Garden Program.
Carla Leonardi, Café Lago owner, was presented with the fundraising opportunity by LeAna Alvarado-Smith, Montlake Community Club board member, after the Community Club received a request from Cheri Bloom, Montlake Elementary Garden Program.
Carla, who kept the wood fired pizza flowing, was absolutely thrilled at the success of the event, shared “What a wonderful event! I was overwhelmed by Montlake’s generosity! Everyone was in such great spirits, the kids were all smiling, sun was shining, the whole afternoon had a magical feeling. Thank you Montlake!”
Elementary PTA provided assistance to facilitate online ticket sales. “It was amazing to have so many groups work together for this fun and beneficial event; I am honored to have been involved and proud to live in such a wonderful neighborhood” said LeAna.
Cheri Bloom shared a similar sentiment, “It was wonderful to see support for the project from community members as well as parents and students of Montlake Elementary School. Carla and her staff were amazing and the entire event exemplified community. We are filled with gratitude.”
Cheri will keep the community posted on installation timing but hopes to have it up this spring.
Union Bay Watch | When the Fog Lifts
Union Bay Watch | Sugar and Spice
SR 520 Final Concept Design: Transportation & Neighborhood Activists Respond – Have You?
WSDOT and the City of Seattle have posted the SR 520 West Side Final Concept Design Draft and it is available on Montlake.Net Everything 520 Page and here. A printed copy will also be available for review at the library later today. This draft was prepared with input from Montlake Community Club members in cooperation with the city appointed 520 coordinator, SDOT, and the WSDOT and city’s design team. In August, the Seattle Design Commission conducted a thorough review of the plan and made specific recommendations that touch both the interchange in Montlake and the Portage Bay Bridge. While the draft marks some significant progress from previous WSDOT proposals in terms of pedestrian and bicycle mobility solutions, some concerns exist.
In response to this draft, Montlake Community Club board member Lionel Job, Montlake Neighborhood Greenways, Neighborhood Greenway activists, and pedestrian and bicycle groups have sent the letter below to Mayor Murray with council members, state representatives and senators in copy. The letter thanks the city and WSDOT for their cooperation in the last 18 months, highlights concerns with the lack of flexibility with the layout of the off and on ramps and suggests a number of improvements that could ease some concerns.
WSDOT’s draft will be reviewed this month by the City Council. Furthermore, this concept design was used as an element for the 2015 Transportation budget presented by the governor in Olympia. If the budget is passed, based on the Final Concept Design, WSDOT will gain access to the funds and approval to build. This draft represents only a 5% design and may change; however, it can be used to obtain 100% of the project funding. Therefore, it is critical that neighbors review the draft and submit comments without delay. All comments should be sent to the city council members, posted here or following this post WSDOT Seeks Community Feedback on “Rest of the West” Design.
Letter
Dear Mayor Murray,
Thank you for your leadership building a transportation system that moves people efficiently throughout the region, and creates healthy places to live, work, and play. We are glad you share our vision of a modern transportation system that furthers Seattle’s economic, social justice, climate, livability, public health, and safety goals. We want to start by thanking you for the significant improvements that have been made to the SR-520 design over the past year. The collaboration between SDOT, WSDOT, and consultants has resulted in better solutions than previous iterations.
We understand WSDOT has unduly constrained this collaborative effort, and been unwilling to reconsider some of the underlying assumptions. By locking down the requirements for the number of access ramps and the Montlake interchange configuration, WSDOT has closed the door to innovations that would significantly improve the comfort and safety for people walking and biking (such as options X, Y, and Z on page 44 of the SR 520 Final Concept Design document). We recognize these constraints are unlikely to be reexamined before funding is secured this legislative session.
We recommend the following changes that would make this project safer and healthier for Seattle. This $1.5 billion project will be set in concrete for the next eighty years. It must work for kids walking to Montlake Elementary, elders walking from the Husky Light Rail Station to the Arboretum, or a physician in scrubs biking from the Central District to the UW Medical Center. We urge you to continue to lead us towards a better transportation future.
Top SR-520 Design Innovations and Remaining Opportunities
We support the following design innovations proposed by WSDOT
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North-South: A Montlake Cut walking and biking bridge will alleviate the failing level of service on the existing bridge for people walking and biking. Alignment B would add the most value to Seattle’s transportation system by connecting to the proposed protected bike lanes on Montlake Boulevard and to the future UW Light Rail Station. This connection is part of the 2014 Seattle Bicycle Master Plan.
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North-South: The “Land Bridge” will provide a useful and iconic connection over the SR-520 highway mainline.
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East-West: An E Roanoke Greenway and short E-W protected bike lane along E Roanoke St will form the critical East-West connection in this system for people of all ages and abilities.
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East-West: The Portage Bay Bridge Trail will be a critical piece of the healthy transportation infrastructure for the city and region. This facility is part of the 2014 Seattle Bicycle Master Plan.
We strongly recommend the following design improvements
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North-South and East-West: Given that separated above grade options have been taken off the table for now, it is incumbent upon WSDOT to create the safest possible Montlake interchange pedestrian crossings along both sides of Montlake Blvd for people of all ages and abilities. To accomplish this, all on-ramp and off-ramp conflict points should be raised crosswalks, lane widths should be reduced to NACTO standards, turning radii should be consistent with NACTO standards, and the on-ramp storage lanes should be narrowed to a single lane at pedestrian crossings. These improvements are consistent with WSDOT approved NACTO and SDOT’s ROWIM.
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North-South: A two-way protected bike lane on the east-side of Montlake Blvd from E Roanoke St, across a new walking and biking bridge, to the University Light Rail Station at Husky Stadium is important to creating a safe and convenient system for people biking through this area. This facility is part of the adopted 2014 Seattle Bicycle Master Plan.
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North-South: Funding for neighborhood greenway improvements along the Lake Washington Loop from the SR-520 Lid south will simultaneously improve a key link in the non-motorized system and improve the livability of the neighborhood by mitigating cut-through traffic from the relocation of the eastbound SR-520 ramp. These improvements are part of the adopted 2014 Seattle Bicycle Master Plan.
Thank you for your continued commitment to improving the SR-520 project. Please see our full comments in the attached letter.
Sincerely,
Barb Chamberlain, Washington Bikes
Bob Edmiston, Madison Park Greenways, Seattle Board of Park Commissioners
Cathy Tuttle, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways
Dennis Shaw, MD, Montlake Greenways
Elizabeth Kiker, Cascade Bicycle Club
Forrest Baum, University Greenways
Jerry Fulks, Arboretum Neighbors for Safer Streets
Lionel Job, Montlake Community Club Transportation Committee, Montlake Greenways
Lisa Quinn, Feet First
Mike Archambault, Capitol Hill Community Council, Central Seattle Greenways
Shefali Ranganathan, Transportation Choices Coalition
The Point of No Return | Union Bay Watch
This week’s post covers cedar waxwings. They were photographed eating berries near to Montlake Cut. Have you ever wondered why they are called waxwings? Are you curious what they have to do with, “The Point of No Return.” See the photos and learn more on:
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
WSDOT Seeks Community Feedback on “Rest of the West” Design
Last week WSDOT and the city of Seattle released a draft design report containing the final conceptual design recommendations for improvements to the SR 520 corridor in Seattle. Planned but still unfunded improvements in this west side section of the highway include a new Portage Bay Bridge, the new west approach bridge south, lidded overpasses in the Montlake and Roanoke neighborhoods, and enhanced facilities for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders.
Got an idea or opinion to share about the design? We love residents taking an interest – tell us what you think! The official public comment period is open, and will run through Feb. 13. You can review the full final report here (as a 22.5 mb PDF) or find it on our website split into smaller bites (better for the digestion).
We have developed a short survey for people to fill out in response to the report.
If you wish to provide your own free-form comments, you can submit them via e-mail or snail mail:
Email: SR520Westside@wsdot.wa.gov
Mail: SR 520 West Side Project, SR 520 Program Office, 999 Third Ave., Suite 2200, Seattle, WA 98104
Thanks for your participation as we finalize plans and seek funding for the Rest of the West!
What’s Happening In & Around Montlake
Events in and around Montlake for the week of Jan 20th – Jan 26th.
Upcoming Special Event
Sunday, January 25th
- Cafe Lago Build A Garden Shed Benefit Pizza Party – 12:00 pm & 1:30 pm Tickets Available Now – Helping Montlake Elementary Garden Program raise money for a new garden shed
In Montlake
Saturday, January 24th
- Intro to Vedic Astrology – 1:00 pm, Mediate Seattle – 2145 Boyer Ave E
Ongoing
- Fiddleheads Family Nature Classes – Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat, Arboretum
- Celebrate Story Time with Fuel – Wednesdays, 10:00 am, Montlake Fuel
- Family Story Time – Wednesdays, 11:00 am, Montlake Library
- Montlake Meditation Group – Thursdays, 9:30 & 6:30 pm, 2145 Boyer Ave East
Around Montlake
Sunday, January 25th
- Open House & Parade of Homes – 1:00 pm, Aegis Living
Visit our neighborhood calendar to keep track of upcoming events. All registered users of Montlake.net are authorized to submit events via our Post Your Event tool.
In Our Reflection | Union Bay Watch
This week’s post covers common merganser’s in Montlake Cut. The student graffiti adds a new and unexpected dimension to the photos. See more on: Union Bay Watch
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Montlake Challenged by Rash of Car Prowls: Now What?
Distressing reports on car prowls and vandalism make us all uneasy. It’s hard not to be “creeped out” when we are victims, or just read reports of windshields and windows smashed, of electronics and other belongings stolen—all on our block, down our streets, and now in the Community Center parking lot. We in Montlake are not the only ones. This kind of crime is the most common one reported in Seattle, and reports are up all over. It’s no wonder– most car prowls last less than two minutes and score saleable goods. So this is just the time we need to all work together. Now What?
A Few Reminders For You On What To Do
Leave NO Valuables: electronics, cash, packages in your cars.
Lock car doors & Close windows; use anti-theft device.
Park in your garage & lock the garage doors
No garage? Then…
Park in best-lit location; consider adding lights, especially a motion detector light system (but be especially considerate to shield neighbors from light invasion).
Monitor your car, others’ cars and the whole street.
Speak to your neighbors AND say hello to strangers in your neighborhood, including the Community Center parking lot. (Let people know they are seen.)
CALL 9-1-1 for EVERY Prowl & EVERY Suspicious Activity (To the Police, an unreported crime “didn’t happen.”) Also report to your Block Watch Captain, your immediate neighbors, and to the Montlake community through the Forum.
For more guidance on car prowl prevention: http://www.seattle.gov/police/prevention/auto/carprowl.htm
MCC Launching 2015 Safety Initiative
Your Montlake Community Club Board is launching the 2015 Safety Initiative through three interconnected efforts (see the December 19, 2014 Montlake Flyer article):
1) Traffic Issues will continue to be addressed by neighbor volunteers led by Montlake Community Club Board member, Lionel Job.
2) Block Watch organizing and revitalization will be led by Bryan Haworth, another MCC Board member. This team will initiate activities to recruit, organize and update training for Block Watch captains.
3) Crime Incidence, Police Staffing & Service Priorities will be addressed by volunteers led by MCC Board members, Bob DeLay and Nathalie Gehrke.
As work proceeds, expect to get progress reports through the Montlake Flyer and Forum. And if you want to help, send a message to Safety@Montlake.net
Let’s Work on This! Let’s keep Montlake welcoming, neighborly, and safe—together.
Discriminating Taste | Union Bay Watch
This week’s post focuses on Varied Thrush and their very selective food preferences. You might even say they are a bit “picky”. It is funny when you look at their tongues they do not look at all like ours so it makes me wonder if they even have taste buds. Somehow they definitely have preferences about their food. You can learn more and see the photos on:
Larry
What’s Happening In & Around Montlake
Events in and around Montlake for the week of Jan 8th – Jan 14th.
Upcoming Special Event
- Cafe Lago Build A Garden Shed Benefit Pizza Party – 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm – Tickets Available Now
In Montlake
Saturday, January 10th
- Fire Station 22 Schematic Design Open House – 10:00 am, Fire Station 22 – 901 East Roanoke Street
- Meditation Intensive – 1:00 pm, Mediate Seattle – 2145 Boyer Ave E
Tuesday, January 13th
- Montlake Community Club Board Meeting – 7:00 pm, Montlake
Wednesday, January 14th
- Intro to Vedic Astrology – 6:00 pm, Mediate Seattle – 2145 Boyer Ave E
Ongoing
- Fiddleheads Family Nature Classes – Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat, Arboretum
- Celebrate Story Time with Fuel – Wednesdays, 10:00 am, Montlake Fuel
- Family Story Time – Wednesdays, 11:00 am, Montlake Library
- Montlake Meditation Group – Thursdays, 9:30 & 6:30 pm, 2145 Boyer Ave East
Around Montlake
Tuesday, January 13th
- Treating Memory Loss with Music & Art Therapy – 5:00 pm, Aegis Living
Visit our neighborhood calendar to keep track of upcoming events. All registered users of Montlake.net are authorized to submit events via our Post Your Event tool.
Cafe Lago: Building A School Garden Shed, One Pizza At A Time
After hearing the Montlake Elementary School Garden Program was in need of a new garden shed, Carla Leonardi, owner of Cafe Lago, had this to share, “Because we are trying to reach the community more and more each year, we feel that the school garden is a perfect place to start. We are going to be working with the students at the restaurant and the garden. So naturally, their need for a tool shed is something we love to help make happen. Also, a benefit at the restaurant will help the community come together for a common good. We love sheds!”
Montlake Elementary School has created a thriving greenhouse and garden program. Now in its 14th year, all students, “Urban Famers,” at Montlake participate weekly and focus on cooking, nutrition and the arts. But this success comes with challenges, Cheri Bloom, garden program coordinator shared “as the program has become more established, we have outgrown our greenhouse space.” The addition of a storage unit would enable the school to create more space for students in the greenhouse, especially for classroom time and also for projects when weather does not permit us to be outdoors.
With the assistance of Cheri Bloom, Montlake Elementary PTA and Montlake Community Club members, Carla has organized a benefit Pizza Party. Café Lago is donating all food, beverages and labor for the delicious and family friendly event which provides for 100% of ticket sales going to the garden program shed fund. Neighbors and Community members are invited to join this wonderful event. To provide a comfortable experience for those attending, two seating times are available – 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm or 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm. Tickets are available online by clicking HERE.
Café Lago Benefit Pizza Party – Build a Garden Shed
2305 24th Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98112
January 25, 2015 (Choose One Seating)
Noon – 1:30pm or 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Tickets: BUY NOW
Tickets: Adults $20 and Children (14 and under) $5
Includes Pizza, Wine, Beer & a Non-Alcoholic Beverage option (Ex. Juice)
UPDATE: Sincere apologies as we have been notified that many have not received email receipts of their ticket purchases. Rest assured all the purchases have been received by Montlake PTA and parties are listed on the reservation sheet. The payment will appear as “MONTLAKE COMM SCH ASSOC” on your bank statement. If you did not receive your receipt and you need a copy sent, please click to email receipts@montlakepta.org or LeAna to request your receipt. Thank you for supporting the garden program.
Sharing The Wealth | Union Bay Watch
This week’s post focuses on two red-breasted sapsuckers in the Arboretum. It is interesting to compare their differences in both coloring and behavior. Plus it may be surprising to see who is taking advantage of their work.
Click on: Union Bay Watch
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
2014 – One Last Look | Union Bay Watch
This week’s post takes one last look back at the birds we have watched around Union Bay in 2014. The focus is on knowing which birds live here year round, which come here for the summer and which are winter visitors. It seems a bit odd that Union Bay can be both a winter and summer destination. Each birds ability to enjoy our little portion of the planet depends on their particular set of skills and attributes. If you would like one last look at the birds of 2014 click on: Union Bay Watch
Café Lago: Keeping Things Simple at a Neighborhood Staple
For those of us this year who have a few last minute holiday presents to pick out, Café Lago has added a simple yet delicious line-up of Pacific Northwest favorites to choose from in a mini pop-up.
Green Italian Plum Jam ($20): Ayak Gordon’s jam made from fruit from Yakima.
Taki’s Organic English Walnuts ($8 lb): harvested in 2014.
Café Lago Panforte ($30): a 24 year old tradition of “strong bread” resembling a fruit pie, as featured in Seattle Magazine.
Not only does the Café boast a wood fire oven, but also a classy bar located on the side of the restaurant. Soft, white light flows from the windows, creating a perfect holiday ambiance throughout. The featured items above are sure not to disappoint, especially when accompanied by an evening at Café Lago.
Upcoming Festivities
Polenta Night: To engage people and create excitement around food, the Café is creating a special night out of something simple, as creator and polenta queen Arianna Garella says. [We’re] creating meals that have a lot of love and time that go into them without it being a pretentious thing, Garella says. Come join the restaurant and order yourself a plate of American grits on a cold evening night.
When: January 18th
Tips: Regular menu is still available
Kids Cooking Class: Starting on January 14, Montlake Elementary fourth and fifth graders join the restaurant to learn about the craft of cooking two days per week.
Café Lago Benefit Pizza Party: Ticket sales go toward the building of Montlake Elementary’s new shed for the garden program.
When: January 25th
Tickets: $20 adults; $5 children (14 and under)
Happy Holidays! | Union Bay Watch
This native west-coast woodpecker has a taste for rare, imported european food. In the spirit of the holidays the sapsucker shares its bounty. Visit Union Bay Watch to find out who is making good use of this free flowing food source and learn more about our local bird with a taste for the good life.