Articles written by Maria Montalvo
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 55
Strong winds and big waves | Moment's Notice
“Don’t let people pull you into their storm. Pull them into your peace.” – Maya Angelou This past Sunday morning, our 11-year-old dog, Lulu, took on the strong winds and... — Updated 12/29/2021
You'll go down is history (like George Washington)?
The other night, at a small but very lively holiday party that began with stories of pandemic life and gratitude for some of the simplest of things, most of the guests became embroi... — Updated 12/17/2021
At Charcoal, chefs meet the artists | Arts & Appetite
After visiting Charcoal, the new restaurant in downtown Edmonds tucked inside the Graphite Arts Center, I planned to title this review "Food as Art." However, when I asked Mary... — Updated 12/10/2021
Cocktails in a beautiful, chill setting | Arts & Appetite
The tasting room at Scratch Distillery is still a bold and bright space, and serves as the perfect setting for the expanding repertoire of our very own local distillers, Kim and Bry... — Updated 11/19/2021
It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine) | Moment's Notice
There is a song, a somewhat fatalistic song, that I used to listen to quite a bit in my early 20s: “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine).” We do that in... — Updated 11/19/2021
Truly modern thinking at Cascadia Art Museum
"That exhibition was such a surprise," my Mom said as we walked away from Cascadia Art Museum after seeing their current exhibition, "Kenjiro Nomura, American Modernist: An Issei... — Updated 11/12/2021
85 Degrees Bakery | Arts & Appetite
My mom heard about the 85º Bakery in Edmonds and asked if I had ever been there. Oh yes, I replied, but just as quickly responded that it had been too long. We stopped in for... — Updated 11/5/2021
The question of the duck, part deux | Moment's Notice
In 1992, nearly 30,000 rubber duckies fell off of a boat leaving China. Yes, 28,800 bath toys were lost at sea, and for years to follow, rubber duckies washed up on beaches far,... — Updated 11/5/2021
A few rainy-day bites | Arts & Appetite
The weather forecasters are telling us to prepare for a longer, cooler, and wetter fall and winter than we have experienced for the last few years. If the rain this week is any indi... — Updated 10/29/2021
Dumpling Generation: The specialty is HOT | Arts & Appetite
The experience of my recent visit to Dumpling Generation will only build on the original effusive review (April 2019). The dining room exudes the very reassuring combination of... — Updated 10/22/2021
The meaning of the X | Moment's Notice
X – such a dramatic letter, mysterious, unique. Fewer than 2% of words in the English language use the x, and in Spanish, only words taken from indigenous languages or from Englis... — Updated 10/22/2021
Everything about Hawaii is comforting, even the food | Arts & Appetite
We in the Pacific Northwest are lucky to be as close as we are to Hawaii. It may be six hours away, but when you are talking about taking in the beauty and gratification of being... — Updated 10/15/2021
Rubber ducky at the beach; what's it all mean? | Moment's Notice
Walking along the beach the other day, a bit of bright yellow entered my field of vision. It caught my attention because on a Pacific Northwest beach in the fall, the colors tend... — Updated 10/8/2021
A first look, and a look back at some great returns | Arts & Appetite
The last few days of summer brought sunshine and an apparently universal impulse to get out and enjoy the sights and sounds – and tastes. With no shortage of options in our... — Updated 10/1/2021
A hot pot for a chilly day | Arts & Appetite
I have to guess that most people have already been to the Boiling Point in Edmonds – on a cool day, when the chill in the air makes you shiver? Since we have had a few of those... — Updated 9/17/2021
Drive-by dreaming at Caravan Kebab | Arts & Appetite
Ah, how I love the Caravan Kebab restaurant. Every time I drive by their sign at Firdale Village, my mind (and stomach) dream of pierogi. Those potato-filled dumplings, a... — Updated 9/17/2021
Fruits of labor exist because of labor | Moment's Notice
“Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed.” – Abraham Lincoln We just... — Updated 9/10/2021
The soundtrack of my life | Moment's Notice
"After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexplicable is music." – Aldous Huxley Music is a celebration in times of joy. Music is a refuge in times of pain. To... — Updated 8/27/2021
Yummy ... It's in the name | Arts & Appetite
I am dismayed to say that we have another amazing fried chicken restaurant in Edmonds: Yummy Teriyaki & Fried Chicken. Why on earth would I express concern over the deliciously... — Updated 8/27/2021
Rage: It's all the rage | Moment's Notice
“Rage,” from the Latin meaning “frenzy” or “madness,” is a noun referring to explosive anger or furious intensity, and a verb meaning “to act or prevail... — Updated 8/13/2021
An absolute gem for sandwiches in Lynnwood | Arts & Appetite
There is a new sandwich place in town – in Lynnwood, that is. LASA Sandwiches and Pearls (not the gemstone kind but the traditional Filipino tapioca pearls) recently opened near... — Updated 8/6/2021
And I could really care less | Moment's Notice
“I could care less” is one of those commonplace and misquoted phrases. Many other colloquialisms may be more egregious, such as the painful overuse of “literally” to... — Updated 7/30/2021
Monday, sushi Monday | Arts & Appetite
A recent visit from out-of-state friends necessitated finding a new sushi spot. You see, our friends arrived on a Monday, and as several of our local sushi restaurants are closed... — Updated 7/30/2021
A great place to live: Perception as reality | Moment's Notice
We live in a pretty remarkable place. Having grown up and lived in many other states and countries, I cannot imagine living anywhere else in America. Washington is beautiful ... — Updated 7/16/2021
Kahlo's Cantina: A long-awaited dinner | Arts & Appetite
Most of us who travel by or near the Edmonds ferry have been anxiously awaiting the completion of the major remodel of the spot now known as Kahlo's Cantina. We saw the signs go up... — Updated 7/16/2021