ART WALK ... AT 7TH AND EUCLID

Opportunity knocked today for Ace Photographer Kovar, who had a chance to participate in the first annual Montana Art Walk. Organized by the Montana Avenue Merchants Association, the Art Walk is a real win-win proposition: In theory, local artists get to display and sell their work in area shops and the shops get extra traffic. But things don't always go according to plan. Kovar's work -- a collection of amazing photographs from all over the world -- was on display at Cozzi Cozzi, a woman's clothing store. When I stopped by, however, it felt more like Empty Empty. Even Kovar was missing. "Where's Kovar," I asked the Attractive Young Manager. "Oh, he stepped away," she said, "I'm sure he'll be back ... he just went out for some fresh air." I found him standing outside near the store, next to a pile of manure. "It's early," he said, "Nobody's around." I guess no one told the event organizers that there are free concerts at the Pier every Thursday night until September 2.

UPDATE/CORRECTION: It turns out I was wrong about last night's Art Walk. Almost as soon as I left, the party really got started. A big crowd arrived, bands started playing and -- as Kovar put it -- the whole thing was a real "extravaganza." Serves me right for leaving early ...!