Dale Serbousek discovered that you don't have to be a millionaire to connect with Bellingham's sailing community. Photo courtesy: Dale Serbousek.
Dale Serbousek, when he moved to Bellingham in 2000, recalls looking out at the bay and all the boats. “I used to think, ‘That’s so cool, it must be nice to be a millionaire and race sailboats,’” he says. Now the local real estate broker with RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc. is actively involved with Bellingham’s sailing community and the Bellingham Bay Yacht Club. He says he also learned one does not have to be a millionaire to race sailboats on the bay.
Dale Serbousek has made many great connections through sailing. Photo courtesy: Dale Serbousek.
“I never knew I could be out there myself until I talked to the right person,” Serbousek says of his first time on a sailing boat with local dentist Eric Yaremko in 2013. That first experience led him down the road of buying his own boat in 2014 and sailing in regattas regionally.
As a member of the yacht club, Serbousek connected with a group of people he knew he could learn a great deal from and from whom he would find support. He credits Cathy Franklin of Chariot Adventures, a local company offering sailing lessons and charters with preparing him for his own sailing experience.
“Sailing is a great thing to have in your life,” he says. “It can build a lot of confidence and self-esteem.”
Serbousek’s love of sailing has now passed to his daughter Natalie. Photo courtesy: Dale Serbousek.
Serbousek’s love of sailing has now passed to the next generation. Serbousek’s daughter Natalie has taken the sailing baton and become a part of the high school and BYC sailing teams in Bellingham. With the support and encouragement of Mike Powell, BYC Youth Sailing Director and an avid supporter of the sailing community, young people throughout Bellingham are becoming increasingly excited about sailing. After all, Bellingham was voted one of the five best places in the U.S. to sail by Sailing World magazine.
Serbousek is excited to see his daughter participate in the sport that created a new connection for him in the community as well as taught him something new and gave him a new experience. He describes the great friends his family has met through the sailing community and the enrichment it has brought to his own life. “I have really valued getting out and meeting new people in our community,” he says. “I’ve learned new things and met great people. We have a great community.”
Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert, owners of Village Books, will guide the literary side of Books A'Sail. Photo courtesy: Village Books.
I studied English Literature and Creative Writing in college. I read innumerable books, excerpts, short stories, poems and essays. I participated in twice-weekly writing workshops where we discussed themes, motifs, dialogue and intention. Sometimes class would rendezvous under a tree on campus, sometimes we would read Shakespeare in our professor’s living room. Even at the time, it was a romantic endeavor. Now, fifteen years later, my memories lack any of the deadline anxiety or final exam stress and play like a film in my mind, a montage of dreamy scenes through a lens of distance and nostalgia.
Books A’Sail is an adventurous book club aboard the Schooner Zodiac. Photo courtesy: Village Books.
I’ve been taking a very long hiatus from those mellow days of quiet contemplation and conversation. I’m reading a lot of board books to toddlers now and discussing the finer points of Curious George rather than The Brothers Karamozov. I think, however, I might be ready to talk literature again.
My mother-in-law, a person in a near-constant state of reading, formed a book club a few years ago and revels in the discourse with her fellow book lovers. Their meetings rotate among members’ homes where they snack on small plates of food and sip wine. Most important to my mother-in-law is that the settings foster intimate conversation. Whether the members are perched on stools at a kitchen island, relaxed on a sectional around a coffee table or poised in armchairs before a hearth lit with a crackling fire, there must be a strong sense of place.
Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert aboard the Schooner Zodiac at last year’s Books A’Sail cruise. Photo courtesy: Village Books.
I recently heard about what is perhaps the most romantic, most adventurous, most intriguing location for a book club—The Schooner Zodiac, a classic two-masted gaff topsail schooner, circa 1924. For all you landlubbers unfamiliar with those terms, like myself, the Schooner Zodiac is one of those gorgeous, stately, old ships with multiple sails that look like they were painted on the sea’s surface. In a fog, they can look like a ghost from another century.
But the Schooner Zodiac is a real, three-dimensional ship, not an open-water apparition. She sails regularly thanks to thousands of hours of volunteer labor and a highly-trained live-in crew that keeps her seaworthy. In addition to day cruises, dinner cruises and private charters, you may also book a multi-day cruise aboard the Schooner Zodiac. I have suggested one in particular for my mother-in-law and the members of her book club. Books A’Sail is a three-day, two-night “literary journey” amidst the splendid scenery of the San Juan Islands, which takes place September 12-14, 2017.
Local Author Jim Lynch’s new Book “Before the Wind” is the primary book-club selection. Jim and his wife Denise will be on board for the duration of the cruise. Photo courtesy: Village Books.
Village Books in Fairhaven is the official sponsor of Books A’Sail and owners Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert will be on board to guide the literary portion of the weekend. Their primary book selection is local author Jim Lynch’s new book, Before the Wind, a story about a multi-generational boat-building family set on the waters of Puget Sound. An avid sailor, Jim has cruised these coastal waters since childhood and he, along with his wife Denise, will spend this late-summer weekend aboard the Schooner Zodiac affording passengers a very unique opportunity to explore the connections between sailing and Jim’s Northwest writing life. Paul and Kelly have also selected two companion books for the cruise – Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman and Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean by Jonathan White.
Last year was the inaugural voyage of Books A’Sail. Paul and Kelly tell me that it was a resounding success and they cannot recommend it enough. They describe the book-club aspect of the cruise as a guided “free-forming” experience. The passengers will decide how and when the hosted discussions unfold.
Typically there is a full day of sailing, the boat drops anchor in a secluded area of the islands for the night and out come the books. But participation is totally up to the individual. “It’s self-determined,” Paul adds. “You’re going to get out of it what you put into it.”
Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert, owners of Village Books, will guide the literary side of Books A’Sail. Photo courtesy: Village Books.
Kelly stresses that while this is a book-themed cruise, it is not wholly-focused on literature. Passengers aboard the Schooner Zodiac are treated to classic sail training during their stay. This is an interactive, completely voluntary educational experience where you learn about all aspects of navigating the vessel. And what if you are a landlubber like me? “You bring good gloves along so you can stand in a line and hoist the sails,” assures Kelly.
There are also opportunities to disembark and explore the islands before gathering for a delicious dinner and an intimate group conversation above or below deck. One thing that Paul mentioned that really stuck with me is that passengers have freedom to roam the ship. You can eat in a group or take your plate to a quiet corner of the deck. You can assemble for the discussion or curl up with a book in your bunk. And, perhaps the most romantic of all, if the weather is conducive, you can sleep on deck, under the stars. I called the Zodiac Schooner folks to confirm that. You can.
Talk about a sense of place.
Books A’Sail 2017
Date: Sept. 12 – Sept. 14, 2017 (3 days)
Standard Bunk: $595 per person – includes all meals.
Stateroom: $675 per person double occupancy
Boarding Time: 9:30 a.m. Return: 3:00 p.m.
Whatcom Falls Park is centrally located in Bellingham with serene scenery yet with a vibe of activity with bikers and walkers. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Falls Park.
A beautiful day in Bellingham becomes even more enjoyable once you step into the Holiday Inn Express Bellingham lobby located just off Meridian Street.
Woods Coffee has been called one of the world’s finest coffee shops. Photo by Lyla Jansma, courtesy of The Woods Coffee.
Our mother and daughter getaway adventure in Bellingham begins with a morning stroll down Boulevard Park with a stop at Woods Coffee overlooking the water. We get our coffee to go and sit outside watching the children play at the water’s edge in the sand. The cool breeze hits our faces as we continue walking along the path from Taylor Dock. The walk winds through blackberry bushes into Historic Fairhaven with its many shops touting locally made items from clothing to wind chimes.
After meandering through Fairhaven, we head into downtown Bellingham with its charm and diversity of stores, restaurants and even a French bakery for an indulgence in a croissant or crème puff. The streets are buzzing with the sounds of conversations and people gathering and shopping. We stop at the French bakery, Opera, on Cornwall. My daughter chooses a lemon and a chocolate macaron from the variety of flavors and I indulge in the decadent pain du chocolate with its flaky croissant texture and rich chocolate filling.
From seasonal vegetables to beautiful flowers, Bellingham Farmers Market has offered the very best in local, sustainable agriculture for 25 years. Photo courtesy: Bellingham Farmers Market.
While exploring downtown, we stop at the Bellingham Farmers Market with its locally produced and created products such as vegetables, fruits, dairy and even locally-raised meats and crafted chocolates. A local musician plays his guitar softly in the middle of the market leading into the indoor section which houses local crafts, locally roasted coffees and beautiful, locally-grown flowers. The smell of the fresh flowers greets us as we stroll from vendor to vendor.
With the many artisan eateries in downtown Bellingham, including the many food choices at the farmers market, choosing a location for lunch creates a fun experience and gets us ready for the afternoon. We choose La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza with its unique menu items, I enjoy my own personal pizza topped with sweet cherry peppers and spicy sausage as my daughter goes for the meatballs and cheese pizza.
Whatcom Falls Park is centrally located in Bellingham with serene scenery yet with a vibe of activity with bikers and walkers. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Falls Park.
After lunch, we opt to explore the beauty of the Whatcom County trails. The terrain and difficulty offer many options. We hike through Whatcom Falls Park, easily accessible just off Electric Avenue in Bellingham. Its serene yet active vibe includes many walkers and bikers and creates a great way to relax and take in the scenery. We gaze at the beautiful waterfalls and water pools as we wind our way through the trails surrounding this local park.
And, as the day comes to an end and we head back to the Holiday Inn Express and are immediately greeted by the warmth of the helpful hotel staff and the bright cheeriness of the lobby that brings a smile to my face. I immediately feel comfortable, relaxed and welcomed.
As we head to our room to settle in and get ready for a swim, we are greeted by other guests coming in from the pool area. A woman in town for a soccer game informs us that the temperature of the pool is simply perfect. As she tells us about her own stay at the Holiday Inn Express, she describes how much she enjoys the courtyard and relaxing with her family after a day of watching soccer games. We share that after our own adventurous day, we are definitely ready for a dip in the pool and a warm finish in the Jacuzzi.
The welcoming pool of the Holiday Inn Express boasts a view of the courtyard and a perfect temperature! Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn Express.
The sparkling and inviting pool is bright with a view of the courtyard where other guests are enjoying the outdoors in the lounge chairs and at tables. The temperature of the water is perfect just as we were told.
As we finish up our swim and head back to our room, we run into a couple staying at the hotel who anxiously await the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. We decide to also wait for the late-night treat and we hear travel stories of the couple and learn that this is their third time staying at the Holiday Inn Express. Within minutes we see an enthusiastic smile and hear “hot out of the oven just for you,” from the hotel staff bringing the cookies to the table. We grab a couple of the warm and gooey chocolate chip cookies and head to our room.
Our room, bright and crisply clean, is inviting and comfortable. The large screen television and a cup of tea from the Keurig in the room awaits our return after our swim and Jacuzzi. I choose an herbal tea from the choices and brew the hot water as my daughter enjoys the last of her cookie, ensuring that every morsel of mouth-watering chocolate is consumed.
The bright and welcoming rooms of Holiday Inn Express Bellingham are the perfect way to end a day of discovery in Bellingham. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn Express.
With a choice of firm or soft pillows, we settle into the king-size bed and turn on the big screen television before calling it a night after a fun day around town. I choose the soft pillow, nestling it under my neck and turn the lights out. Our glorious day is complete.
And, after a peaceful sleep, I’m up early seeing the sun peek through the side of the heavy curtain. I stretch, taking in the moment of quiet, thinking about the day and what awaits us on our exploration of Bellingham. But first, there is breakfast to be enjoyed as I realize my stomach is growling. It’s time to get our day started.
Breakfast consists of a variety of options to satisfy any diet or preference. Buttery scrambled eggs and sausage for the traditional breakfast eaters and biscuits and country sausage gravy for others along with an assortment of Danish and muffins are a part of what is offered each morning. Cold and hot cereal with fruit and yogurt round out the morning menu complete with juices, coffee and teas.
As we leave for the day, we sigh with contentment as we get a smile and departing message to “have a good day” from the front desk staff. The Holiday Inn Express Bellingham, with its easy location and proximity to downtown, the outdoor activities and historical Fairhaven, make it a good choice to stay while in Bellingham.
To make a reservation, visit the or call 360-671-4800.
All-day stage entertainment is included with your admission to the NW WA Fair. Photo courtesy: Northwest Washington Fair.
My husband and I have three little kids. We do a lot of fun things with them. We take them out for ice cream, bring them to the playground or spend a few hours at the beach. We skate at the roller rink, fish on the lake or go to the movies. We frequent birthday parties and barbecues, libraries and museums.
The Small Animal Experience is a favorite exhibit at the Northwest Washington Fair. Photo courtesy: Northwest Washington Fair.
All this fun can get expensive, so we reserve a lot of our outings as special treats. In the meantime, the kids practice entertaining themselves. Experts say boredom is good for creative development and I agree. But sometimes I get stir crazy. Sometimes I get really tired of the fighting. Sometimes I just want to go somewhere that is fun for all of us for an extended period of time.
And then I remember that there is a place we can go. There is someplace we can spend the entire day and everyone will be happily entertained—and maybe even learn something. And we can do all this for less money than a short trip to the movie theater.
The Northwest Washington Fair will be held August 14-19. Photo courtesy: Northwest Washington Fair.
We can head to Lynden for the Northwest Washington Fair which runs from August 14-19. Our kids are all under the age of five, so the grand total for a full day of entertainment for our entire family is just $26. It’s an amazing value that is worth so much more.
The price of admission at the Northwest Washington Fair includes everything you’ve come to love from the livestock barns and craft displays to the wool show and the photography exhibit. My kids especially love the Small Animal Experience where they can pet and even hold animals they dream of raising themselves. There are friendly kids from local 4-H and FFA chapters to answer all their questions and help acquaint them with the livestock.
Learn about and interact with animals at the fair. Photo courtesy: Northwest Washington Fair.
In addition to the many booths and barns full of animals and information, there are shows virtually all day long included in the price of admission. Two times a day Tuesday through Friday at 12:00 and 5:00 p.m. and Saturday at noon only, you can catch a horse show in the grandstand. And new to the Northwest Washington Fair this year is X-Treme Air Dogs, a competitive dock diving national championship for seasoned pros and first-timers. Dogs and handler teams will be judged in five divisions and four sports. The event promises to be extra fun for both participants and spectators alike.
Also included in the price of admission is all-day stage entertainment featuring a hypnotist, a comedian and a magician. The very popular group The Timbenders are returning as part of the music lineup. If you can’t get your kids to stay in one place long enough to watch a stage show, there are interactive acts wandering around the fair all day long. My kids cannot resist a clown with a balloon animal.
There will be two free horse shows per day Tuesday through Saturday at this year’s fair. Photo courtesy: Northwest Washington Fair.
Also back by popular demand this year is the Wenatchee Youth Circus known as, “The Biggest Little Circus in the World.” The performers practice all year long to dazzle you on the high wire and flying trapeze and amaze you with fire acts and aerial acts. You and your kids may actually be inspired to run away with the circus.
I’ve been asking pretty much everyone I know if they went to the fair as a kid. Every single person has said yes. And most people added that they still do. It’s been a part of my life as long as I can remember and I have made it part of my kids’ lives. It is an affordable respite for me and an exciting adventure for my girls. But mostly, it’s a day of pure family fun.
All-day stage entertainment is included with your admission to the NW WA Fair. Photo courtesy: Northwest Washington Fair.
Northwest Washington Fair
1775 Front Street in Lynden
www.nwwafair.com
2017 Fair Hours, August 14-19
Gate Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Carnival Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Vendor Booths: open at 10:00 a.m.
Gate Admission Prices
Adult (13-61 years): $13.00
Senior (62+ years): $11.00
Youth (6-12 years): $8.00
Children 5 and Under: Free
WTA will offer free rides on all buses (except those serving Route 80X to Mount Vernon) on Thursday, July 20 and Friday, July 21. Rides are free for all members of the public. Free fare days are being offered to support Bellingham Whatcom Project Homeless Connect (PHC). PHC is a community event that provides homeless people from throughout Whatcom County with access to medical screening and care, vision screening, dental care, mental health screening, veterans services, legal services, education planning, employment screening and a wide range of other essential services. Food and child care will be provided at the event.
PHC is based on a national model which has been used successfully in more than 170 cities across the United States.
For route and schedule information, call 676-RIDE or visit www.ridewta.com .
Mulu serving up her delicious lentils. Photo credit: Dan Burwell.
I met Mulu Belay many years ago when she had a stand at the Bellingham Farmers Market. I’d beg my family every Saturday to go downtown, pick up some local veggies and eat some Ethiopian food. My favorite is the lentils with potatoes and carrots over Injera. Once I discovered Kara (“Kahr-uh”) I was hooked. Kara includes minced Jalapeño peppers, garlic and salt. It’s so spicy it hurts. You can’t get enough.
Color and flavor abounds in Mulu’s cooking. Photo credit: Dan Burwell.
Mulu knows my sister, so once she put that together she’d give my sister a small jar of Kara to give to me on occasion. I put it on just about anything from tacos to soup. I’ve been interested in hearing Mulu’s story for a while, so I asked for an interview at her restaurant, Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine.
Mulu started cooking at age five in Ethiopia. She grew up in a small village near Ambo, Ethiopia. She was the second child, the first girl. As was typical for her region, Mulu began to learn to cook for her family at an early age. Mulu cooked with her mom and grandma. There was no electricity and no running water.
“Everyone can cook potatoes and carrots,” she says. “I just took my mom’s and grandma’s recipes and fixed them.” Mulu improved and developed her recipes and continues to tinker. Since she immigrated to Bellingham, she has developed her own spice mixes such as her Burberry which is detailed in her cookbook. For her Injera she has experimented with barley, wheat and sorghum as Teff, the gluten free grain commonly used in Ethiopia, is hard to find here. She has since developed a gluten free recipe for Injera that uses Teff, rice and sorghum.
Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine is located at Terra Organica. Photo credit: Dan Burwell.
About 11 years ago, she immigrated with her family to Bellingham. She first lived in Bellingham Co-housing in Fairhaven. She enjoyed the communal dinners, the morning coffee breaks and the connections she made with fellow Bellinghamsters. While living in Co-housing she cooked a communal meal for 32 people. This got the attention of others living there.
She met the owners of LaFiamma and Fiamma Burger, Ken and Dan. Through this, she was encouraged to develop her cooking and get connected to the community. Ken and Dan hired Mulu to work at La Fiamma for six months. There she learned preparation and cooking skills the American way with the goal to have her ready for the farmers’ market. She learned how to order ahead, how to pace herself and keep up in a busy environment. They let Mulu use their kitchen for two years while she was at the farmers’ market for free. Mulu beamed a smile, “I am so thankful for Ken and Dan.”
Mulu cooked and served Ethiopian food at the farmers’ market for four years. During this time she also taught cooking classes at the Community Food Co-op. She also met Merrill and Carol who later helped her write and publish her cookbook, Ethiopian Feast. Merrill and Carol were customers who agreed that Mulu’s cooking is amazing. Questions from customers kept coming, such as, “When are you going to open a restaurant?”
Mulu serving up her delicious lentils. Photo credit: Dan Burwell.
Thus, Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine in the Terra Organica market started two and a half years ago. “You have to be strong,” Mulu said. “It’s not easy, but better to be on your own. The customers’ comments, feedback and encouragement makes you stronger.” She describes her job as a 24 hour a day job – thinking ahead, paying bills and planning. “I’ve had no problems with customers for 11 years,” she said.
Her business has its challenges. “I don’t write well in English,” Mulu confides. Yet, with the help of longtime customers Merrill and Carol, she was able to share her knowledge of cooking with her cookbook, Ethiopian Feast. The book has been available since March 2017. It took about five years to write.
Mulu doesn’t have much free time. She exercises regularly and cooks for her family which includes three kids and her husband, a Physics Professor at Western Washington University. She is very thankful for starting in Bellingham Co-housing. “The 10:00 a.m. coffee breaks, the communal meals, it was like the village where I grew up,” she said. “Bellingham is a great place to raise kids.”
Mulu Belay is the author of the cookbook Ethiopian Feast. Photo credit: Dan Burwell.
Mulu encourages her existing and new customers to try her food and remember her food. She can’t say enough about how thankful she is for those that helped her to become the owner of Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine. Mulu is happy to keep her business steady and connected with Terra Organica.
Mulu’s graciousness and thankfulness on her life’s journey is evident and ever present. I cannot imagine Bellingham without her and her business. I am also thankful for the community support Mulu received. It should make us all proud to be Bellinghamsters. If you haven’t tried her food yet, I encourage you to try it. Don’t forget to load up on Kara!
Got an idea for someone you’ve always wondered about? Maybe you already know them but think they deserve some lime light. I’m looking to get to know others that make our community a better place, a unique place, maybe even a stranger place. Drop me a line at submit@whatcomtalk.com.
A good place for fruit, fun, and fall photos is the Cloud Mountain Fruit Festival.
Can you imagine a baby at a food bank? We see them more often than you might think. During an average year at Whatcom County food banks, over 9,000 visits by parents also include an infant.
The new trail system will expand on the trail system currently available to Whatcom County residents. Photo courtesy: Whatcom County Parks and Recreation.
Recreation Northwest, Stones Throw Brewery and Outbound are partnering to host a pop-up beer garden to support the Fairhaven Park Trail and Wetland Boardwalk project. Photo courtesy: Recreation Northwest.
The Fairhaven Park Trail and Wetland Boardwalk Project is the signature stewardship project of the locally based non-profit, Recreation Northwest. This project will better connect Fairhaven Park with the labyrinth of public trails in the Chuckanut Community Forest, endearingly known to locals as “The 100 Acre Woods.”
The event is primarily a fundraiser for Recreation Northwest’s stewardship project but also serves as a means to invigorate an area in the core of Fairhaven. “We are excited to transform this underutilized space into an outdoor gathering spot next to our store while raising money for this critical neighborhood project,” says Jenna Wadkins, owner of Outbound. Outbound is an outdoor lifestyle store strongly rooted in brands that call the west coast home. It is a retail business that reflects the core mission of Recreation Northwest to bring people together to enjoy, preserve and improve the places where we play.
Stones Throw Brewery will be releasing their seasonal Fairhaven Park TrAle that is brewed to support the project. Owner and Head Brewer, Tony Luciano gives his insight into his creation, “The recipe is an American Pale style that is light in body and alcohol, created to refresh trail workers after a few hard hours of digging and sweating. The distinct auburn color not only brings warm smiles but also enhances the crisp character of Cascade and Simco hops.” Also on tap will be Stones Throw Neighborhood IPA and award-winning Raincountry Liquid Sunshine Lager. “We are stoked to continue to work with Recreation Northwest to help provide better access to the trails in Fairhaven Park and improve this gateway to the Chuckanut Mountains,” says Luciano.
Recreation Northwest will be hosting another free tour of Fairhaven Park in their Trail Talk series. Photo courtesy: Recreation Northwest.
This collaborative partnership of a local non-profit, neighborhood brewery and outdoor retailer is an exciting new triad of sustainably minded, community driven people. The community and out-of-town visitors are invited to enjoy this public space, check out the wares in the store, enjoy a fresh pint of beer and know that they are working to support a local charity in the process. Beyond the “Behind the Bus” event, Stones Throw will also donate $1 per pint of Fairhaven Park TrAle consumed in their quaint neighborhood watering hole.
Also, on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m., Recreation Northwest will be hosting another free tour of Fairhaven Park in their Trail Talk series. Meet at the trailhead in Fairhaven Park for a slow paced, information rich walk through the trails that wind through the forest. Details on talks at www.RecreationNorthwest.org.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of Sherman Alexie’s appearance at the Mount Baker Theatre scheduled for August 8, 2017. On the advice of his physicians, he is canceling all August appearances and most appearances for the remainder of the year. He has written an open letter that can be found on his website, www.fallsapart.com.
More information can be found at fallsapart.com. Photo courtesy: Village Books.
Village Books owners Sarah Hutton, Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert released the following statement on behalf of the Village Books team: “While we’ll miss seeing him and hearing his stories in August, we are tremendously grateful Sherman Alexie has chosen to focus on his health. We look forward to welcoming him back to Bellingham in the very near future. For now, we hope readers will join us in sending our heartfelt best wishes for rest and recovery to Sherman and his family.”
We recognize that many people in the community will wish to convey their well-wishes to Sherman and his wife, Diane. We have arranged to have cards at each register of the stores (both Fairhaven and Lynden) that the public may come in and sign. We will then pass the cards along to the Alexies.
For further questions, please contact the store directly. Refund information is available at the store and on our website.
From farm to plate and sea to table, celebrate local food with Sustainable Connections every week this September! In the height of harvest season, Eat Local Month is a reminder to celebrate the bounty in Whatcom’s backyard and support the folks who grow, raise and prepare our food by eating locally. This year the celebrations are bigger than ever with a new weekend long Food Fest and the expansion of the Whatcom County Farm Tour!
September will offer many fun “eat local” events. Photo courtesy: Sustainable Connections.
Each week comes with its own events, prizes and ways to delight in local foods and flavors:
Farm Week: Sept. 3 – 9
Sept. 3: Farm Fund Hootenanny: Kick off Eat Local Month with the Farm Fund Hootenanny, which will feature live music and local farmer awards.
Sept. 8 – 10: Whatcom Food Fest: Eat your way through the weekend with the Whatcom Food Fest, a new event that will feature six distinct events, including a Farm Tour Brunch at Goat Mountain Pizza and a Farms, Fishers and Fermentation Fete at Boundary Bay.
Sept 9 – 10: Whatcom Farm Tour: The 10th annual Whatcom County Farm Tour – also a part of the Food Fest, has expanded to both Saturday and Sunday, featuring thirteen farms across Whatcom County with a mix of veggie, meat, cheese, berry and flower producers! Free, family friendly and self-guided.
Market Week: Sept. 10 – 16
Bellingham is the perfect place to “eat local” in September. Photo courtesy: Sustainable Connections.
Sept. 16: Downtown Market Walk: An exploration of Bellingham’s local food scene. Partake in a self-guided tour that showcases the best of downtown’s local grocers, markets and specialty food shops and play “market walk” bingo for the chance to win big in local food prizes. All throughout the week, shop at participating grocers and markets, spend $10 on local products and get your Eat Local Month passport stamped for a chance to win one of five locavore prize packs.
Seafood Week: Sept. 17 – 23
Sept. 23: SeaFeast: Learn about our maritime heritage and internationally renowned fishing and seafood industries at this year’s Seafeast, a free weekend-long event where you are sure to leave with a full belly and a new appreciation for the fishing industry that distinguishes our little corner of the Pacific Northwest. All throughout the week, shop at participating seafood retailers, spend $10 on local products and get your Eat Local Month passport stamped for a chance to win one of five locavore prize packs.
Restaurant Week: Sept. 24 – 30
September is Eat Local Month. Photo courtesy: Sustainable Connections.
All week, dine with participating Whatcom restaurants to try their local specials (made with 50 percent or more local ingredients!) to get a stamp on your Eat Local Month passport! There are 19 restaurants participating that are excited to show you just how incredible local food can be.
Pick up your own Farm Tour & Eat Local Month Guide, which includes a Farm Tour map with stop descriptions, participating Eat Local Month restaurants and a calendar of Eat Local Month events. The Guide can be found at the Community Food Co-op, Village Books, Public Libraries, farmers markets, Whatcom Farmers Co-op stores, participating restaurants, local newspapers and online at eatlocalfirst.org.
