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Do You Have A Rain Garden?

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Montlake Rain Garden

Sierra Club Photo: Montlake Elementary Rain Garden 2009

4th and 5th grade students on the Montlake Elementary’s Green Team wants you. The Green Team is working to restore the Montlake Elementary rain garden, the first for Seattle public schools, and is seeking out Montlake neighbors with rain gardens. They would like to to know what worked and didn’t when creating your rain garden. Additionally, the team hopes to create a map of all Montlake rain gardens and requests neighbors share their addresses. You may send replies to montlakegreenteam@gmail.com or submit comments via the form below.

Mortlake Gardens Open to All

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FlowersIn lieu of a regular Montlake Garden Tour this summer, people may visit two large Montlake Gardens this Summer Solstice weekend, featuring diverse edibles and ornamentals mingled together.

Saturday afternoon 1:00 to 5:00 visit Kari Olson’s garden at 1911 E Eaton Place. It is certified wildlife friendly.

Arthur Lee Jacobson’s garden (via either 2215 E Howe St or 2216 E Blaine St) is open Friday 4:00 to 9:00, and Saturday and Sunday 1:00 to 9:00.

The two gardens are a few blocks apart, but notably unlike one another. Both hosts welcome beginners and pros alike. Hundreds of plants, from common to rare, are labeled with both common and scientific names. Free refreshments are provided. You may get to see some baby LaMancha goats at the Jacobson Garden, though they will not be allowed to eat any rare plants. There is one “stump the expert plant” that if anyone can identify correctly, he or she gets a prize. If you seek more details, please see the website: www.ArthurLeeJ.com, or telephone 328-8733.

Free Garden Tour April 25th & 26th

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EucalyptusSaturday & Sunday afternoon (noon till 6:00), everyone is welcome to visit the Montlake garden of Arthur Lee Jacobson. Hundreds of plants are labeled; free food & drink; stimulating company to mingle with. The state’s tallest eucalyptus tree towers over 108 feet, its trunk 2 feet thick. You may reach the garden either coming to 2215 E Howe or 2216 E Blaine. If you seek more details, please visit www.ArthurLeeJ. com or Call Me (328-8733).

New Garden Shed Coming For Montlake Elementary

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IMAG0229With 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.

IMAG0234Carla, 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.

lago 2

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.

Café Lago: Keeping Things Simple at a Neighborhood Staple

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Café Lago 2305 24th Avenue East Seattle 98112 206-329-8005

Café Lago
2305 24th Avenue East
Seattle 98112
Tele: 206-329-8005

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.

Cafe Lago Pop-Up

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)

Montlake Tree Elf Holds Open Garden & Offers May Tours

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pic_2Arthur Lee Jacobson, tree elf, plant expert, arborist, gardener, author, teacher, and life-long Montlake resident/treasure shared his love of plants with visitors to his Open Garden last Sunday.

His lush multi-level garden on Blaine welcomed neighbors for a peek at more than 500 kinds of plants from towering trees to exotics to weeds. The plants are amazing, but Arthur is the real show. Ask him a question about a plant and he will be off on a delightful ramble about where it comes from, how tall it grows, what nutrients it needs, what it smells and tastes like. Lately, it seems Arthur’s become really interested in the tasting part. He can (and will) tell you how to cook, not just your ordinary vegetable parts, but all the things you usually take to the compost bin. He says, “Why not try cooking radish greens, carrot tops, or sweet potato leaves? They’re tasty and good for you too.” Arthur says a lot more too, but you’ve got to be there for the full effect.

And you CAN get the full effect even if you missed the Open Garden. You’ve got some chances to learn from this elfin plant expert in the next couple weeks. Jacobson has scheduled to lead three Seattle Tree Tours in early May.

Sunday, May 4th in Volunteer Park, 10:00 to noon

Sunday, May 11 at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park, 2:00-3:30

Saturday, May 17, Washington Park Arboretum, 3:00-5:00

Group size is limited; Cost $10. For information or to register, email alj@consultant.com or phone 206-328-8733. Check out the website www.ArthurLeeJ.com to order books on wild plants and trees or read tons of articles on all kinds of plant topics. Watch for the next Open Garden later in the summer too. Blaine Street doesn’t just have big bunnies and the Halloween House. It has a full-sized tree elf too!photogarden