Tonight, neighbors will be celebrating Seattle’s Night Out Against Crime with block parties. Montlake has 7 locations and we want to see your block party photos. Share your photos with the hashtag #MontlakeBlockParty or @montlakeflyer. Select photos will be shared on The Flyer later this week. Have fun & be safe!
The Easy Life | Union Bay Watch
This week’s post is all about The Easy Life of a bird residing next door in the Arboretum. Can you find it in the photo above? If not or if so you may want to visit Union Bay Watch for more information and another challenge or two.
Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature lives in the city!
Larry
Gate to Nowhere: Everyone Paddle Through
Had a good look at the Gate to Nowhere yet? After months of planning by a local group called Re-Collective, this urban art work is right here in Montlake — visible from the shore near Lake Washington Blvd, but even better from a canoe, kayak or row boat. It’s a temporary installation on an arch of one of the Ramps to Nowhere near the Arboretum. Re-Collective members designed it to commemorate the successful 1968 citizens campaign to stop the R. H. Thompson Freeway from bisecting Seattle from north to south, while destroying hundreds of homes and neighborhoods, including Montlake.
Two recently published articles give you a good idea of the story behind the historic citizen campaign and recent installation effort (The UW Daily, 7-16-14), and the importance of the design work as abstract expression (Designboom, 7-04-14). Here is how The UW Daily’s Danielle Palmer-Friedman described the installation and its purpose:
“One ramp’s support arch is now covered in reflective acrylic. This mirrored surface is designed to gently speak out against the removal of the ramps and was engineered by a group of former UW students that goes by the name of Re-Collective. This art installation, the “Gate to Nowhere,” was engineered over the course of a year to draw attention to the beauty and importance of a place so greatly used, which now waits to be so casually destroyed.”
See the full story here.
And here is how the international design publication, Designboom, wrote about the artistic elements of the work:
“For the public project, the architecture-artist group has wrapped a single support pier in acrylic mirror with stainless steel strapping to to reflect images of water trees, and air against its brutalist form. The perceived effect is a distorted representation of the surroundings into abstract forms, varying dramatically in accordance with the amount of sunlight, weather conditions, and time of day. Furthering the manipulation is the water below, whose form constantly ripples and undulates as animals, trees, and other forces of nature disrupt its condition. The designers encourage passage through the gate by means of a boat.”
See the complete piece with photos here.
The entire ramp on which the installation arch appears is slated for demolition by WSDOT starting this Fall, so don’t delay in getting over to appreciate this special one-of-a-kind wonder.
Re-Collective’s project team included Caroline Davis, Abby Inpanbutr, Greg Lewis, JJ Powell, and Montlake residents Bojana Ostojic and Rainer Metzger.
19th & McGraw Stairs
![Photos: SeattleStairs.Home.Comcast.net & Montlake Flyer](https://montlake.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/stairs-1024x614.jpg)
Photos: SeattleStairs.Home.Comcast.net & Montlake Flyer
Construction is almost complete on the 19th & McGraw stairs. While final touches are still needed, the staircase has been opened for people to utilize. Enjoy!
Montlake Blvd Market Weekly Product Demo
As Aaron Gepner promised, the Montlake Blvd Market (Hop-In) continues to roll-out new features. The Hop-In plans to host weekly product demos and today’s product is VOKE Tab. You can stop by until 6:00 pm to pick up a sample and learn more about the product. Future demo events will be post the to our community calendar.
Wednesday’s What’s Happening
Events in and around Montlake for the week of July 30th – Aug 5th. Click the event name to get all the details.
In Montlake
- Little Critters, 11:00 am Montlake Library
Monday, August 4th
- Sorcerer’s Apprentice, 1:30 pm, Montlake Library
- Night Out – Montlake Block Parties, 6:00 pm, Various Streets throughout Montlake. Connect with neighbors, visit the event page to find your block party.
Ongoing
- Outdoor Kettlebell Cross Training – Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – Montlake Community Center
- Pilates – Mondays, 7:00 pm, Montlake Community Center
- Parent & Child Nature Classes
– Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat, 10:00 am, Arboretum
- Family Story Time – Wednesdays, 11:00 am, Montlake Library
- Montlake Mediation Group – Thursdays, 9:30 am, 2145 Boyer Ave East
Around Montlake
Wednesday, July 30th
- Sounds of Summer Concert Series
– 5:45 pm, University Village
Thursday, July 31st
- Sixteen Candles – Outdoor Movies at Magnuson Park – 7:00 pm, Magnuson Park
Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 3rd
- Seafair Weekend & the Blue Angels – Noon, Lake Washington
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.
Rare ‘Horinji’ Cherry Tree topples at Montlake Community Center
On Saturday, July 26th, Seattle lost one of its rare Japanese Flowering Cherry trees. A thirty foot tall ‘Horinji’ tree, likely dating from the 1940s, fell over into an adjacent Yoshino cherry tree near the Montlake Community Center tennis courts. To the east still stand two other ‘Kwanzan’ cherry trees, and more of Yoshino. Both these latter kinds are very common in contrast to ‘Horinji’.
This photo shows how the flowers appeared in mid-April (the first photo above shows rot at the tree base). Tree root rots are exacerbated by such factors as mulch applied too heavily at tree bases, and overwatering. Dry-site trees in general live longer than trees in wet places.
The ‘Horinji’ tree is not grafted, being unlike most cherry trees sold these days. Own-root Japanese Flowering Cherry trees live longer than those that are grafted on European rootstocks. It seems that somehow a delayed graft incompatibility sets in, becoming—in effect—the nursery industry’s version of planned obsolescence.
Since the fallen ‘Horinji’ tree is not dead, people can attempt to root twig cuttings from it, before the Park workers feed it into a chipper. Since few cuttings will root, many should be tried. ‘Horinji’ is no longer available at nurseries, so if people desire one they must do their own propagation.
‘Horinji’ is the name of an ancient Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.
Duckling Dreaming | Union Bay Watch
Have you noticed which type of young duckling is most common on Union Bay these days? The mallards seem to have been pushed out of first place, at least for the last week or so. Although I am sure the mallards have long since secured their 1st place position for annual reproduction. You can see more at:
Wednesday’s What’s Happening
Events in and around Montlake for the week of July 23rd – 29th. Click the event name to get all the details.
In Montlake
Wednesday, July 23rd
- Get Moving Montlake – Fitness – 6:30 pm, Montlake Community Center
- Spoke & Food: Bike to Dinner – Raise Funds for Good – 5:00 pm, Traveler Montlake
Ongoing
- Outdoor Kettlebell Cross Training – Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – Montlake Community Center
- Pilates – Gentle Workout – Mondays, 7:00 pm, Montlake Community Center
- Parent & Child Nature Classes – Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat, 10:00 am, Arboretum
- Family Story Time – Wednesdays, 11:00 am, Montlake Library
- Montlake Mediation Group – Thursdays, 9:30 am, 2145 Boyer Ave East
Around Montlake
- Sounds of Summer Concert Series – 5:45 pm, University Village
Thursday, July 24th
- Gravity- Outdoor Movies at Magnuson Park – 7:00 pm, Magnuson Park
- Woodland Park Zoo Wine Tasting – 6:00 pm, Woodland Park Zoo North Meadow
Friday, July 25th – Sunday, July 27th
- Capitol Hill Block Party
– Various Start Times, Capitol Hill
Saturday, July 26th
Roosevelt Bull Moose Festival
– 11:30 am, Roosevelt- Seafair Torchlight Parade, 7:30 pm, Seattle Center
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.
Predator or Prey
This week’s post covers a half a dozen birds of prey photographed around Union Bay. One of them is this young Barred Owl from the Arboretum. The owl shows us that it has learned find its own food. Actually, if you look closely at the photo above you can see a tiny bit of proof. Can you guess which other predators were photographed? To see more about who is eating and what is on the menu please visit Union Bay Watch.
Wednesday’s What’s Happening
Events in and around Montlake for the week of July 16th – 22nd. Click the event name to get all the details.
In Montlake![seward.park.strikerfit](https://montlake.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/seward.park_.strikerfit-150x150.jpg)
Ongoing
- Pilates – Gentle Workout – Mondays, 7:00 pm, Montlake Community Center
- Outdoor Kettlebell Cross Training – Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – Montlake Community Center
- Parent & Child Nature Classes – Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat, 10:00 am, Arboretum
- Family Story Time – Wednesdays, 11:00 am, Montlake Library
- Get Moving Montlake – Wednesdays, 6:45 pm, Montlake Community Center
- Montlake Mediation Group – Thursdays, 9:30 am, 2145 Boyer Ave East
Around Montlake
- Sounds of Summer Concert Series – 5:45 pm, University Village
Thursday, July 17th
Seafair Trophy Cupcake Party with Princesses – 3:0 pm, Trophy Cupcakes – University Village
- Lego Movie – Outdoor Movies at Magnuson Park – 7:00 pm, Magnuson Park
Thursday, July 17th – Sunday, July 20th
- Shakespeare in the Park
– Various Start Times and Locations
Friday, July 18th – Sunday, July 20th
- Bite of Seattle – 11:00 am, Seattle Center
- Seattle Dragon Boat Festival – 9:00 am, South Lake Union
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.
Hop-In to Montlake Blvd Market | Interview with Aaron Gepner
There have been many changes within Montlake Blvd Market aka the Hop-In; I recently chatted with Aaron Gepner, the store manager, about how the store has evolved and plans for the future.
LAS: The full shelves are hard to miss when you enter Montlake Blvd Market, I love all the recent additions and changes I have seen at store since you took over as the store manager in June 2011. How many new items have you added? What do you look for in new products?
AG – Well, first of all thanks to you and others in and around Montlake neighborhood for all the support of this locally owned and independent grocery market. Since I joined we have added roughly 5,000 new items, bringing our total of grocery goods to 12,000 plus.
Our product selection has been heavily influenced by our loyal clientele base. We encourage customer comments on any part of the store, especially when it comes to items they want see on our shelves. They are the people that are buying them, so naturally that makes the most sense to accommodate their needs. The items we are adding are unique to a store our size. Just the other day someone called looking for lingonberry jam, we had it. She was ecstatic because our big boy competitors do not carry it. We really try to accommodate for not only the conventional consumer but also for higher end choices. We have most of everything that you would find at the big stores and many of our new items added are niche, local, organic, independent fresh and small batch made.
LAS: I love the new additions of Thai Fusions Sauces, Uli’s Sausages and Seattle Cider – What are some other popular items that have been flying off the shelves?
AG: The Thai Fusions Peanut Sauce is amazing! Oh, where do I start? Some new additions over the past year that have been a success include High 5 Pies, Britt’s Pickles and Kimchi, Uncle Buds Peanuts, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Hot Cakes, Local Salt Water Taffy, Essential Baking Co (delivered every morning at 7), Rapa Nui Empanadas, Seastack Cheese – the list goes on and on.
LAS: Tell me about other changes around the store.
AG: Another store area that has seen a nice makeover is our produce department, with an amazing selection, just recently added Rainier and Bing Cherries and Jumbo peaches.
The Beer and Wine department will blow you away. Better selection and just as competitive as those other guys.
Our cold beverage selection could possibly be Seattle’s best. Come in and check out our “Alley of Beverages” down aisle 8. Daily, we see customers stunned by the variety of choices. A few staff favorites are Stumptown cold brew coffee with milk, Yerba Mate drinks, and the 50 plus glass bottle vintage style sodas.
In the Deli, the quality of the items, freshness, and selection has changed drastically. I am fortunate to work with Max Gottlieb who has over 30 years’ experience in the food industry. He has transformed the deli to a whole new level as of now and many other changes to come. With the sandwiches, the secret is the fresh ingredients. All the produce used in the deli comes from our produce department. Additionally, we have seen an influx of catering orders the past couple of months. Our popular chicken tenders and Max’s homemade ranch dipping sauce that compliments them well have been a big hit for parties and get-togethers. Grab one of our menus next time you come in to the Market.
We are continually growing the store. Some other areas that will be improving in the next year will be an expanded meat selection, more organic produce items, a better selection of “meal ready” options for those busy families, fresh refrigerated dog and cat food, blended smoothies and coffee shakes, expanded hardware and household item and whatever else our clientele suggests. Anyone can speak up to either me or anyone on our team; we want to assist ours neighbors. Customers can email Ryan and me via email: montlakemarket@gmail.com. We try to be as accessible as possible.
LAS: What is a hidden treasure of the Market that you think more people should know about?
AG – I would say that a hidden treasure at the store is not anything that we sell. The treasure is the people who work for me. I can honestly say that everyone at Montlake Blvd. Market wants the best for each other, the store, and the customers’ products and experience. Trust me; it isn’t always that way in business. We have set a new standard of customer service at the market, and we all execute that mindset. We all have fun at the store and it is a great ‘work hard and have fun’ environment, just talk to the people who work here and you will understand what I’m saying.
I attribute a lot of the advancements in the store to 2 people in particular: Max, Deli Manager, and Ryan, Asst. Store Manager. Max is the reason you can get those treasures in the deli. If you haven’t had one of our made to order sandwiches lately, try one! I usually don’t even give him a specific sandwich order if I’m hungry. I just tell him to surprise me. The Flyin Hawaiian Sandwich will be the July sandwich of the month. It is crazy good. Ryan has been instrumental in advancing the product selection, media and advertising, along with all of our custom chalk signs around the Market. He has a skillset that is far above an assistant manager role, and a great person to work with.
LAS: I heard a rumor that the market is considering wine tastings, are they still in the pipeline? What other products or events are in the works at Montlake?
AG – Yes, wine tasting and beer growlers are in the works. The wine tastings will highlight winemakers and their product. This will be an opportunity for people to try it before they buy it, and become educated on specific wines. I envision this as being a weekly staple at the Market….maybe “Tuesday Night Tastings at the Market”? Free wine, sounds good to me.
The beer growlers will be a chance for customers to purchase beer that you do not typically buy at a grocery store. There are many local microbrews that do not bottle or can. A growler is a 64 oz. glass bottle that can be filled and chilled in your fridge to consume when you want, Ryan and I will only serve local brewers in the Seattle and Washington state region. No out of state beers because we love our state and the small businesses.
LAS: I have also noticed the Market’s increased community outreach. Is this a change from the past or something that has slowly been evolving? Many people may not be aware that the Market donated dinner for each of the Outreach Events that were hosted by Montlake Family Fitness and Montlake Community Center last summer. Would you share any other local events you have been involved in? Are you seeking to continue this community outreach?
AG – I am not sure about the community involvement in the past. I do know that moving forward the Market is trying to be as active as possible. A few events that we did contribute to and were involved in last year were the community yard sale, the 3 outreach events you mentioned for the construction of the outdoor fitness equipment and sport court at the playground, the 4th of July parade, a fundraiser for a school nearby, neighborhood park work parties, Halloween trick o’ treating, etc.
Recently, I made arrangements with NW Center to park one of their big blue trucks out back of our parking lot on every Saturday and Sunday. They will be accepting donations for people in need. More information is at the store.
As far as future projects and involvement, we are open to many ideas and are willing to assist when we can.
![Yelp Photo](https://montlake.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo-11.jpg)
Yelp
LAS: Ok, I must know, so be honest, how do you and the owners feel about everyone calling Montlake Blvd Market – the Hop-In?
AG: Honestly, from what I understand is that the owners wanted the store name to associate with the community when they did a slight remodel roughly 4 years ago. Hence, Montlake Blvd Market. Many people still call it “Hop In” because that is what it was named for 30 or so years. That is perfectly fine with us; whatever it is to you – call it that! We don’t mind.
Many people do not realize that the store was one of the original Safeway stores in Seattle. I actually plan on printing and displaying a very cool 1930’s photo of the original store. It is remarkable to see that this Market has been here as long as it has serving the community.
I along with the staff at MBM look forward to serving you soon!
Montlake Blvd Market/ Hop-In
Monday – Friday 6 am – 12 am
Saturday 7 am – 12 am
Sunday 7 am – 11 pm
A Mystical Isle of Puffins | Union Bay Watch
Puffins are one of the most alluring birds on the planet. The bad news is I have never seen one on Union Bay. The good news is they are relatively close by (as the crow flies). If you would like to see the photos and learn how to visit the Puffins click on Union Bay Watch.
Wednesday’s What’s Happening
Events in and around Montlake for the week of July 9th – 15th. Click the event name to get all the details.
In Montlake
Tuesday, July 15th
- Evening Book Club – 6:45 pm, Montlake Library
Ongoing
- Outdoor Kettlebell Cross Training – Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – Montlake Community Center
Pilates – Gentle Workout – Mondays, 7:00 pm, Montlake Community Center
- Parent & Child Nature Classes – Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat, 10:00 am, Arboretum
- Family Story Time – Wednesdays, 11:00 am, Montlake Library
- Get Moving Montlake – Wednesdays, 6:45 pm, Montlake Community Center
Around Montlake
Thursday, July 10th
- Outdoor Movies at Magnuson Park – 7:00 pm, Magnuson Park
Friday, July 11th – Sunday, July 13th
- Shakespeare in the Park – Various Start Times, Volunteer Park
Saturday, July 12th
- Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic – 7:00 am, Husky Stadium
- Madison Valley Bastille Bash – 3:00 pm, Madison Valley
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.
Independence Day
How does this photo of Eva inspire you to think about our country and our future? See more photos of Eva and other birds in flight. See a local bird in the nest and just before its Independence Day. Visit Union Bay Watch.
Wednesday What’s Happening
Events in and around Montlake for the week of July 2nd – 8th. Click the event name to get all the details.
In Montlake![4th of july](https://montlake.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/4th-of-july-150x150.jpg)
Friday, July 4th
- Montlake Family Coop Annual 4th of July Parade – 10:00 am, 18th Ave E & E Calhoun St
- Seafair Summer Fourth – Noon, Gasworks & South Lake Union
Tuesday, July 8th
- Science Magic – 3:00 pm, Montlake Library
- Curator Talks: Hydrangea Family – 7:00 pm, Arboretum
Sunday, June 29th
- Arboretum Weekend Walk – 1:00 pm, Graham Visitor Center
Ongoing
Outdoor Kettlebell Cross Training – Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – Montlake Community Center
- Pilates – Gentle Workout – Mondays, 7:00 pm, Montlake Community Center
- Preschool Story Time, Montlake Library – Wednesdays, 11:00 am
- Montlake Meditation Group – Thursdays, 9:30 am – 2145 Boyer Ave East
Around Montlake
Friday, July 4th – Sunday, July 6th
- 3-Day Jehovah’s Witness Intl Convention – 7:00 am, Husky Stadium
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.
Wednesday’s What’s Happening
Events in and around Montlake for the week of June 25th – July 1st. Click the event name to get all the details.
In Montlake
- Park in the Dark – Walking Tour, 8:00 pm, Graham Visitor Center
Sunday, June 29th
- Arboretum Weekend Walk – 1:00 pm, Graham Visitor Center
Ongoing
- Outdoor Kettlebell Cross Training – Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – Montlake Community Center
- Preschool Story Time, Montlake Library – Wednesdays, 11:00 am
- Montlake Meditation Group – Thursdays, 9:30 am – 2145 Boyer Ave East
- Arboretum Parent & Child Nature Classes – Every Tues, Wed, Thus, Fri & Sat, 10:00 am
Around Montlake
Thursday, June 26th
- Community Connections Conference: Moving from I to We – 8:30 am, Brockey Conference Center
Saturday, June 28th
- Greenwood Car Show – 8:00 am, Greenwood Ave N between 67th & 90th
- 24th Annual Asian Counseling and Referral Service Walk for Rice – 8:00 am, Seward Park
- Seafair Pirates Landing – 9:30 am, Alki Beach
Sunday, June 29th
- Seattle Pride Parade – 11:00 am, Downtown Seattle – 4th Ave
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.
Owls and Other Mysteries
What do the Barred Owls do as the sun falls below the treetops? How many young Barred Owls are growing up in the Arboretum this year? Do you know if Great Blue Herons are nesting near Union Bay this year? You can find the answers to some of these questions on Union Bay Watch and in other cases maybe you can solve the mysteries. See the photos on Union Bay Watch.