WTA’s most senior transit operator, Steve Sage, recently received the National Safety Council’s Million Mile Safe Driving Award. Sage earned this award by driving a WTA bus an average of 25,000 miles per year, for 40 years–without a preventable accident.
WTA General Manager Pete Stark said, “Imagine 40 years of endlessly entering and exiting traffic to pick up passengers, all while answering their questions and helping them make connections. All without causing a single traffic accident. While we are incredibly proud to recognize Steve’s safety record, his passengers and fellow employees recognize him for being a kind person and an extremely professional transit operator.”
So far in 2015, the National Safety Council has awarded 62 transit operators the Million Mile Award, throughout the United States.
Carol’s inclusive coaching style keeps her Fit School workouts fun and full of camaraderie. Photo credit: Melissa Marteny.
Carol Frazey, founder of Fit School, Inc., knows firsthand the importance of a good coach. During her middle school years in rural Pennsylvania, she struggled with making good choices. “I was hanging out with the wrong people, doing the wrong things,” she recalls. Then she discovered something she was good at — running. “Finding cross-country saved my life. I had a really good coach who guided me gently in the right direction.”
A passion for coaching
Carol started Fit School as a way to teach families how to practice healthy nutrition and exercise habits. Photo credit: Melissa Marteny.
As Carol’s abilities and self-confidence grew, she went on to run Division One cross-country and track and field at Penn State. She became a teacher and coached middle school track and cross-country. It didn’t take her long to realize that coaching was her life’s calling, so she pursued her M.S. in kinesiology (the scientific study of human movement) at the University of Colorado, focusing on the psychological aspects of competition.
Carol and her husband Paul moved to Bellingham in 2000, and their first child was born soon after. Looking for ways to pursue her passion and recalling the escalating rates of childhood obesity she had observed while teaching, Carol started a newsletter subscription for schools, teaching about nutrition and exercise and focusing on things that families could do together. With more than 100 schools across the country subscribing, the Fit School Newsletter is still going strong.
Her “aha” moment
As we warm up with a lap around the track, Coach Carol (far left) keeps our Fit School class moving and laughing. Photo credit: Melissa Marteny.
As Carol’s kids grew older, she started running regularly with a group of local women. “One day we were running, having a deep discussion, and I realized how easy it was to talk about things,” Carol recalls. “Sometimes it’s easier to talk when you’re not looking face to face, but doing something focused, like running on a trail.”
As Carol turned to her running friends and said, “More women need this!” she realized what her next mission would be.
Carol put out a call on Facebook, and in January 2011, her first Fit School class began with six students. Before long, Genevie Roguski at Fairhaven Runners & Walkers took notice and asked her to lead a class in conjunction with the store.
My Fit School experience
It was at a Fairhaven Runner’s introductory class that I first met Carol and got a taste for her Fit School coaching style. I’d taken a couple runners’ training classes before and felt a bit out of my league, so I was slightly apprehensive. I didn’t start running until my 40s, and my pace is on the slow side.
But Carol kept it fun and light, and by the time our one-hour track session was over, I was impressed with her running tips and with the easy camaraderie of the group. I signed up for the next Fit School session, a six-week, 12-workout commitment.
When I showed up at Civic Field for my first workout, we began by walking around the track, warming up and introducing ourselves. Coach Carol gathered us together and shared her three ground rules:
Don’t say anything negative about yourself. If you do, you have to say three awesome things about yourself in front of everyone.
Go your own pace. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Be selfish with your time. Give yourself an hour a day to do your thing.
Next was the one-mile time trial. My pace was faster than I anticipated, an instant boon to my confidence. We did a bit more track work, then hit the field for some drills, followed by a three-minute core workout and stretching. It was a good workout, but not a grueling, boot camp-style experience. I was hooked.
Your goals, your pace
A gentle approach is at the core of Carol’s coaching philosophy. “It’s not pushing you to an extreme, it’s gradually building you from where you began at your own pace,” she says. “The sense of community that the women bring makes for a really supportive environment. It’s not competitive at all.”
Carol’s inclusive coaching style keeps her Fit School workouts fun and full of camaraderie. Photo credit: Melissa Marteny.
Over the next few weeks, as I got to know Carol and my fellow Fit Schoolers, I was struck by the diversity of our group — from power-walking half marathoners to sub-eight-minute-milers, we embody a wide range of ages, abilities and intentions. But for two mornings every week, we come together to work on improving at our own paces — and to cheer each other on. Any event completed, be it a 5K or full marathon, is shared and celebrated by the group.
Fellow Fit Schooler Carole Foldenauer recently ran the local Turkey Trot 5K. Like me, she has run her share of half marathons, but her goals have changed over the years. “I exercise for increased functional strength and stress relief. I want fresh air, camaraderie, encouragement and the helpful instructions of a wise fitness coach,” she says. “The workout is challenging but not punishing. We work at our own pace while slowly but steadily getting stronger and fitter.”
Kate Adad began running less than two years ago but already has 13 races under her belt, including four half marathons. “Not only has my form and pace improved since taking Carol’s class, but she’s helped me to believe in my abilities as a runner and achieve whatever goals I set for myself,” Kate says. “I’m not sure I could have done all this without the support of Carol and her program.”
A community of runners and walkers
Carol has coached more than 600 local women since 2011. And as the Fit School community continues to grow, she cultivates it with a private Facebook group where members can share stories and and photos and find regular opportunities for running or volunteering at local events. I recently helped out at the Girls on the Run 5K and had a blast running with hundreds of local girls and their families.
Carol and her husband Paul attend the Whatcom Women In Business Professional Woman of the Year awards banquet. Paul is Fit School’s science advisor. Photo credit: Mary Walker.
Carol often encounters Fit School members running together on the local trails. “That’s the greatest thing for me to see,” she says. “Seeing women from my classes in a group, out and about. That brings me so much joy, and it’s what I wanted it to be about.”
Carol’s contributions to the local community were recently recognized when she was nominated for Professional Woman of the Year by Whatcom Women in Business. Accompanied by an entourage of Fit School followers, she thoroughly enjoyed the award ceremony.
When asked by the awards committee about her bucket list goals, Carol recounts, “My answer was to get one million women empowered through running. I don’t know how that’s going to happen, but I feel like it’s my calling.” When pressed about the lofty number, she holds firm. “If I hit it, I hit it. If I’m done, I won’t know.”
Spending time with your kids at the mountain is a great way to reconnect and get some exercise too
For snow lovers, Christmas came early this year. Our majestic Mount Baker is open for the ski and snowboard season, and with lots of fresh snow and fantastic conditions, you’ll hear rousing cheers all around. For parents of young children however, this news can evoke loud sighs and fond memories of when skiing was a regular part of their lives. But wait — did you know it’s now possible to take your young children skiing at Mount Baker (and get yourself a lift ticket, too) without breaking the bank?
Parents and kids can learn together in the 4-week course, Dads, Moms & Groms.
Yep, it’s a beautiful truth called the Powder Pups program. Active parents everywhere who’ve been looking for their long-lost freedom and frivolity can now score half price lift-tickets just for bringing their little ones along (ages 6 and under ski free!). And this isn’t the only brilliant offer for kids and families at Baker this year. It’s now easier than ever before for kids and parents to get up to the mountain and learn to ski or snowboard.
Powder Pups arose out of the conundrum parents face when they spend several hours of their ski day dressing, teaching and helping their child on the mountain. Afterward, maybe one parent can break free for some sweet adult-only runs, but by the time they’re able to hit the slopes on their own, most don’t want to buy a full-price ticket. Enter Powder Pups. If your child is between 4 and 6 years old, which also happens to be prime learn-to-ski years, you’re in luck. Up to four adults can be designated as the Powder Pups family and two adults (age 18+) can take advantage of the deal in a given day. Once registered for the program, a parent should bring their 4 to 6 year old to a ticket window after 11:00 a.m. to receive a half-price ticket.
Ready to sign up your little one, or as they say at Baker, “Bring a little ripper, leave a little richer”? Parent and child must go together to the Mount Baker business office, located at 1420 Iowa Street in Bellingham, with proper documentation for both to sign up. At the office, you will receive a Powder Pups card and be required to sign a release form. The card is good for 10 adult half-price tickets per child per year. Remember, children ages 6 and younger ski free. If a Powder Pup kid comes to the mountain seven times in a season, he or she can earn a $30 voucher toward a first child season pass.
The gentle, open slope outside Heather Meadows is the perfect place for kids to try their ski-legs for the first time.
As the mother of a 3 and 5 year old, Mount Baker’s Marketing Director, Amy Trowbridge, doesn’t just plan awesome programs at the mounting, but she knows firsthand how important it is to keep skiing and boarding accessible and affordable for families. “We’ve had an amazing start to the season,” Amy says. “We opened November 19, which is even earlier than our average. Conditions and visibility have been great, especially for those who are learning. For beginners, we have something for everyone — from the gentle sloping hill outside the Heather Meadows Lodge (where many kids take their first runs), to the free Handle Tow, to the beginning chair lift. For programs (just to name a few), there are Powder Pups, Dad’s Moms and Groms, Snow School, Best for Beginners, Komo Kids, and don’t forget that all fifth graders ski free this year.”
Dads, Moms & Groms
This class series for 5 and 6 year olds and their parents not only teaches kids essential ski and snowboard skills, but it teaches parents how to teach their children as well. “I am planning on doing the class this year because I actually have no idea how to teach my daughter to ski,” Amy says. Even seasoned skiers can feel lost when it comes to instruction. The class is a four-week session starting mid-January and meets every Saturday or Sunday. Kids are grouped by age and ability and meet with the same instructor each week, making the series both fun and welcoming.
Komo Kids
Young children enjoy lessons from expert instructors at Mount Baker.
Designed for young skiers and snowboarders ages 7 to 15, Komo Kids derives its name from the native name for Mount Baker, Komo Kulshan. This program is tried and true, as it’s been a Mount Baker staple for over 40 years. Komo Kids follows a similar format to Dads, Moms & Groms, but parents don’t come to class and classes and the entire series run a little bit longer. Sign up before January 1 and save $30 on the series.
Best for Beginners
Best for Beginners is an economical way for a newbie to spend a day at the mountain. For kids and adults ages 7 and up, Best for Beginners includes a group lesson, rental gear, and an all-day beginner lift ticket. All this for the low price of $49.
Regardless of which track you take, the beginner chair lift is a perfect place for kids to start learning how to ride the ski lifts. “I love how the beginner lift goes nice and slow and has a safety bar to lower down,” Amy says. “It offers my kids a break and a chance for a snack. It has also become somewhat of a tradition for my kids and I to look for various animal tracks while we’re up there.”
Gear Rental
For nearly everyone new to the sports of skiing and snowboarding, they need to rent gear. Luckily, Mount Baker has good prices on rentals and some great packages to go along with the various class series. The standard kids rental package comes with skis, bindings, ski boots and poles for $20 for kids under 6 years old, and $28 for kids ages 7 to 15. Add a ski helmet for another $9. Be sure to check the specific rental package deals under each class series description. For instance, if your little one is signed up for Dads, Moms & Groms, you can score kids rentals for $60 for the four-week program.
The beginner chairlift is intentionally slow, to give kids a break and make sure they get on and off safely.
Rental boots at Mount Baker begin at a children’s size 10.5. For children or toddlers with smaller feet, it’s possible to buy skis with stretchy bindings, where the child can wear their own snow boots. Yeager’s Sporting Goods in Bellingham also offers ski and snowboard rental gear. Yeager’s rental prices are comparable, and the rental length is always 48 hours, which allows the convenience of picking up the day before your trip to the mountain.
Introducing your children to skiing or snowboarding is a great way to spend time together outdoors during the winter months. However, it’s important to give your kids lots of breaks to warm up, which is why Amy stresses, “The most important feature of any trip to the mountain is the hot cocoa break.”
Sustainable Connections is seeking nominations and entries for the 14th annual Sustainability Champion Awards. Members of the public can nominate a Sustainable Connections business who is a pioneer in our local economy to receive a Sustainability Award.
Drawn from the four tenets of Sustainable Connections’ mission, the awards congratulate leaders in promoting a Strong Community, Healthy Environment, Meaningful Employment and Thinking Local First as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award for leaders making positive changes within their business and the greater community.
The Strong Community Award recognizes a Sustainable Connections business that actively engages our community, leads by example, and gives back. They are strong collaborators and openly share their knowledge with others.
The Healthy Environment Award goes to a Sustainable Connections business that measures their triple bottom line benefits (people, planet, profit) and inspires others to implement sustainable business practices in their own business.
The Meaningful Employment Award is given to a Sustainable Connections business that provides employment opportunities to engage employees, provide livable jobs and plan for the future.
The Buying Local First Award recognizes a Sustainable Connections business that promotes a strong and diverse local economy. They have also increased awareness about the personal, community and economic benefits of choosing local first.
The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2016. A directory of Sustainable Connections Businesses, previous year’s winners and a short online nomination form can be found on the organizations website at www.SustainableConnections.org. Nomination forms are also available at Sustainable Connections’ office at 1701 Ellis St, Ste 221 in Bellingham.
The awards will be presented at an annual awards ceremony held in February. The winning businesses will receive a custom engraved wood plaque, promotional photos taken at their place of business, media exposure and the hard earned recognition of their contribution to a local lively economy.
Kathy Green stands next to her colorful sample balls of Potluck Roving.
What do Widehand hermit crabs and Romney sheep have in common? The answer is most likely Kathy Green — marine biologist, teacher, Marine Life Center Advisory Board member, and owner of Ferndale Fiber.
When Captain Jacques Cousteau stepped onto the Calypso for his five-year exploration at sea, he was also inspiring one Bellingham middle school student, Kathy Green, to become a marine biologist.
Once an outdoor fountain, the Observation Pool is the Marine Life Center’s largest aquarium.
Kathy’s first adventures at sea were sailboat racing with her father aboard the Gypsy Rose. “It was a big fleet that raced on Wednesday nights out on Bellingham Bay,” Kathy says. “We had a crew of guys – and me. It was really fun.”
It was during her sailboat racing days that Kathy met her future husband, Dave Green. “He was racing on a boat that belonged to one of the teachers at Bellingham High School,” Kathy says, “and he saw me and came over and asked me out.” The high school sweethearts married at ages 19 and 20.
As a college student at Western Washington University with an interest in marine biology, Kathy spent a lot of her time at the Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes. Kathy studied biology at the undergraduate level and marine biology at the graduate level before going on to teach laboratories and a 400 level biology class for a university instructor who was on medical. It was during this time that Kathy discovered her love for teaching.
While earning her Masters degree, Kathy taught courses at Whatcom Community College and became involved with the Marine Life Center, initially working on her thesis in the back room. It was here that she first started studying the molting patterns of the Widehand hermit crab.
The Marine Life Center is open daily with free admission and features a variety of local marine life.
Kathy’s question was if the Widehand hermit crabs would continue to grow and get bigger even if they didn’t have larger shells. To find out more, Kathy started to experiment and observe. “I isolated some [crabs] with empty snail shells they could move into and some without and then watched to see what size they would get. If there were larger snail shells to move into they would grow larger in their whole body but if there wasn’t then just the parts that hung out of the snail shell would grow bigger. Their claws would get bigger but their body would stay the same,” she explained.
While working on her thesis, Kathy was invited to join the Advisory Board of Directors for the Marine Life Center, where she has currently served for more than 20 years.
After completing her graduate studies, Kathy continued to teach at Whatcom Community College. And over the years, she partnered with Whatcom Community College colleague Sue Weber and Western Washington University biology professor Burt Weber to provide educational tours to middle school students around Whatcom County.
Kathy Green currently keeps a small flock of six Romney sheep.
For 13 years, Kathy worked as a part-time biology instructor, so when Sue, a full-time biology instructor at the college, retired, Kathy was hopeful of filling the position. However, when the position was filled by another applicant, Kathy decided to resign and embark upon a new career path — Ferndale Fiber.
Kathy’s first Romney sheep, Sofie, is what started her on the gradual journey into the world of fiber processing. “We had to have her sheared and I thought, ‘I can’t throw this wool away. I have to do something with it.’ So then I went and took a spinning class and learned how to process and spin,” she explains. “I knew about fiber processing because I had stuff sent off to be processed. So I thought, well maybe I could do that.”
Kathy did some research, bought a little machine, and began processing fiber for people. She toured mills with her husband, a fellow Marine Life Center Advisory Board member and president of Acme Valley Foods, to gain knowledge of the industry and was later given the opportunity to buy an industrial sized carding machine from a mill in Oregon that was going out of business.
Kathy is currently processing “Paradise” roving on her industrial sized carding machine.
Weighing nine tons, the carding machine was originally shipped from the East Coast to the Oregon mill around 1925. From Oregon, it travelled by Semi Truck and moved with a forklift to Kathy and Dave’s workshop in Ferndale. At this time, Kathy stopped custom processing and began dying wool to process for wholesale instead.
Working part time at her own business allowed Kathy to be involved with her children while they were in school. “It was fun raising the kids on a farm with sheep and they would get to see lambs born,” Kathy says. “They would help out and do stuff around the farm. I think that was good for kids.” But now that her children are grown, Kathy says she’s ready for a change and plans to sell her Ferndale Fiber business.
From the sea to the land, Kathy has always found herself working with animals. As she looks ahead to the next chapter of her life, she’s not yet sure where exactly she will end up, but like the Widehand hermit crab, she will take on a new adventure and continue to grow.
Give Daphne's Pomegranate Flip a try if you're looking for something fresh and light.
The busy holiday season makes me crave comforting. I like a margarita as much as the next girl, but ‘tis the season for cocktails full of warmth and spice. The following are cocktail recipes from some of my favorite Bellingham bars. If you’re looking for something fancy for your holiday festivities, add these cocktails to your holiday menu. Not the adventurous home bartender type? Head to these fine establishments and give any of these drinks a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Daphne’s in Fairhaven
Stay warm on cold nights with this spiked cider from Daphne’s.
You don’t have to leave town to find a classy dark-bar this holiday season. Whether you’re meeting friends out or hoping to escape on your own for a bit, Daphne’s is the perfect small bar with a big city vibe. I recommend you stop by for a hot cider (recipe below) or Pomegranate Flip, made with pomegranate seeds, white rum, Meletti 1870 bitters, lime, and hint of maple syrup.
Can’t bring yourself to get out of your comfy pants? Never fear: Daphne’s Creative Director, Thomas Grayling, shared Daphne’s hot cider recipe for your at-home enjoyment.
Daphne’s Hot Spiked Cider
Mulled cider base:
Pour a half gallon of organic, unfiltered apple juice into a large saucepan or slow cooker. Add your favorite mulling spices. Daphne’s uses cloves, orange peel, star anise and cinnamon (Thomas suggests that you could add unsalted almonds and raisins, too). Heat on low to medium and allow to steep until it reaches your desired spiciness.
By the glass:
1 oz Christian Brothers brandy
.25 oz St Elizabeth’s allspice dram
4-6 oz mulled cider
For a crowd
16 oz Christian Brothers brandy
4 oz allspice dram
Half gallon of mulled cider
Serve in mugs or tea cups. Garnish with an apple fan and a stick of cinnamon. Thomas says: Enjoy the boozy almonds and raisins, too!
*Editor’s Note: Daphne’s closed their doors in December of 2016.*
Redlight Bar
Lightly cinnamon-kissed, Redlight’s Winter Busker is a coffee cocktail lover’s dream.
If brick walls and creaky floors make your heart swoon, Redlight is the spot for you. Originally a butcher shop in the early 1900s, Redlight has turned the original meat locker into a seating area that you can rent for your goth holiday party (complete with red glow, of course). In addition to the drink below, I recommend trying the Cranberry Shrub Martini or Spiced Pear Sazarac — a holiday spiced spin on the rye whiskey classic.
If meat-hooks don’t put you in the holiday spirit, Redlight owner Rebecca Ogden shared her recipe for the bar’s seasonal Winter Busker cocktail to serve houseguests at your own holiday party. From Seattle’s Sun Liquor and Scrappy’s Bitters to Bellingham’s Chuckanut Bay Distillery and Flying Bird Botanicals, this cocktail is filled with the best locally-produced ingredients.
In a cocktail shaker combine rum, coffee liqueur, brewed tea and bitters. Fill halfway with ice and shake until well chilled (20 seconds or so). Strain contents into a serving glass filled with ice. Add a splash of cream (as much as desired) and a cinnamon stick to stir.
Keep your insides warm with a Winter Wassail at Rock and Rye.
If you want to have a delicious meal while you sip on seasonal cocktails, Rock and Rye is the perfect fit for your holiday needs. This is a great spot to toast to the New Year or grab a quick drink at the bar. I recommend sampling the Winter Wassail (recipe included), Tequila and Sherry Eggnog, or the Mati Hari — a combination of cognac, chai-infused vermouth and pomegranate.
In need of a warm drink to serve a crowd? Bar Manager, Dennis Schafer, shared Rock and Rye’s Winter Wassail recipe, perfect for your big holiday gathering.
Winter Wassail
Wassail base:
1 gallon unfiltered apple juice
8 oz cranberry juice
Aromatics: 1 inch piece of ginger, 4 cinnamon sticks, 12 allspice berries, 24 cloves (tie into cheesecloth pouch for easy retrieval).
Combine juices and aromatics in a stock pot or slow cooker. Heat until mixture comes to a light simmer and allow to steep on low for around 45 minutes. Strain aromatics from mixture.
To serve: Pour 1.5 – 2 oz of your favorite dark spirit such as apple brandy, whiskey, cognac, or dark rum into each mug. Top with wassail base. Garnish with a sprinkle of freshly ground cinnamon and nutmeg.
Rock and Rye Oyster House
1145 N State Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-746-6130 www.rockrye.com
Unique handmade cocktails at Daphne's in Fairhaven will create a memorable experience. Photo credit: Portraits By Claire.
When I get to escape and head out on the town with my gal pals, we look for that perfectly comfy place to catch up, vent, relax and reconnect. The venue we choose must have savory appetizers, an interesting variety of beverages, and above all, atmosphere.
Girl time is so important to me. Whether it’s an opportunity to check in with my book club, catch up with an out-of-town friend from the old days, bond with fellow moms, or blow off steam from a hectic week, I rely on that precious time away from the hustle and bustle. Here are a handful of my favorite Whatcom County spots to just be with my besties.
Temple Bar
Spice up your ladies night with the smokey Santa Anna cocktail from Temple Bar.
The red velvet wallpaper and gold framed mirrors in the romantic evening light make a soiree at the Temple a fun treat. My girlfriends and I order and share the hot stuffed dates, Tosca polenta, and the twice-grilled cheese to complement the crisp, unique salads. The blended Black Dahlia tastes a little wild — yet familiar — with light rum, absinthe, coconut cream, lime and nutmeg. The friendly, patient servers and the warmth of the apple ginger toddy keeps us chatting long into the evening.
Everyone agrees that the bartenders are great at Daphne’s, and they know how to make a stellar cocktail. The gentle lighting and wide variety of specialty drinks make this a great stopping point after shopping in Fairhaven.
“The majority of our customers are female,” notes Daphne’s Creative Director, Tom Grayling. “We provide a fun, safe place to unwind a bit with friends throughout the week or let loose on the weekends.” Daphne’s Happy Minute, at 5:00 to 5:01 p.m., is a bartender special for only $5, with Happy Hour from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. offering a dollar off wines, beer and classic cocktails. Customer favorites include the Ginger French, Mountain Pear and the Italian.
*Editor’s Note: Daphne’s closed their doors in December of 2016.*
Pure Bliss
Satisfy your sweet tooth with the Triple Chocolate Cake at Pure Bliss Desserts. Photo courtesy: Pure Bliss Desserts.
Offering some of the most delectable cake I’ve ever eaten, this charming dessert bistro has something to satisfy every one of my discerning girlfriends. All desserts are made on-site from scratch and — even better — the ingredients list is short and wholesome. As Pure Bliss’ website mentions, Pure Bliss uses “…hormone-free dairy products, organic eggs, sweet cream butter, no-spray produce, expeller-pressed oil, and an overall ingredient list that says NO to trans fats.” Tea, espresso, beer, wine, a incredible and creative range of sweet and savory desserts, and the tasteful décor in black, white and petal pink keep my gaggle of pals content well into the evening.
When we want to feel pampered, we head for tea. The cares of the outside world are left at the door when stepping in to this British-style tea room. Abbey Garden’s soft music, antique china, and the tinkle of tiny spoons make me feel like I’ve been to the spa. The wide variety of fine loose leaf teas are a perfect complement to traditional and creative tea sandwiches or a mid-day meal of hearty soup, fresh fruit, salad, or one of the tea room’s other savory mainstays. I usually leave with some loose leaf to extend the cozy experience into my own home. The loose leaf also doubles as excellent gifts for my anglophile chums. Abbey is closed in the evenings, so be sure to take advantage of this option when you’re seeking afternoon respite or a mid-day recharge from the night before.
Fresh, fragrant ingredients contribute to the style and comfort of Daphne’s in Fairhaven. Photo credit: Portraits By Claire.
I can’t decide if it’s the comfort of classic Italian food or Giuseppe’s effervescent ambiance that makes it one of my favorites. I tend toward the succulent fresh seafood and try a new Italian wine with each visit. I love the crisp white table cloths, the sunset over the marina, and the twinkle of the wine glasses in the muted evening light. With notice, they’ve been able to accommodate a group of almost any size — and noise level. Giuseppe’s stylish Wine Room accommodates groups up to 15.
Giuseppe’s Al Porto
21 Bellwether Way
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-714-8412 www.giuseppesitalian.com
The ACME Farms + Kitchen Founders' Favorite Box is one of four special holiday boxes that can be shipped anywhere in the United States. Photo credit: Tiffany Brooks Photography.
In 2011, Bellingham friends Cara Piscitello and Joy Rubey’s young children were reaching that stage of eating real food — the meals moms and dads also ate — and both women grew increasingly concerned with the quality of food on offer.
“We wanted to know where it was coming from and make sure we were feeding them the best food that we could,” says Piscitello.
The duo developed ACME Farms + Kitchen as a way to easily shop for local, farm-fresh items without having to make multiple stops — from farmers market to co-op, grocery store to individual farms.
ACME Farms + Kitchen provides an easy way to shop local for farm-fresh foods without having to make multiple stops. Photo credit: Tiffany Brooks Photography.
ACME Farms + Kitchen morphed into offering consumers weekly Locavore Boxes, which still provides all the great local options, but pairs them with recipes and a meal plan. They can be ordered online just once or on a weekly or bi-weekly subscription basis. Other box options include a paleo option, salad kit, produce and more.
Just peruse this lengthy list of fantastic farmers, ranchers, fishers and artisans that ACME Farms + Kitchen works with.
“It’s impossible to list them all — we have so many great suppliers,” Piscitello says with a laugh.
In developing the Locavore Box, ACME Farms + Kitchen also created regular, large orders their vendors can count on.
“We order close to 300 packages of pasta from Bellingham Pasta Company every week,” Piscitello says. “They know that’s coming and that’s guaranteed income. We can map forecasts and plans and arrange things with our vendors and they’re not left surprised.”
ACME Farms + Kitchen also operates year-round. “Having that year-round income is nice for those folks,” she says.
ACME’s large boxes contain meat, fish, bread, cheese, pasta, dairy and eggs, combined with produce and includes detailed recipes to turn everything in the box into five different dinners that feed 3 to 4 people.
The company started in Acme, when Piscitello and Rubey worked only with Moondance Farm, which is located there. They used an old church as a packing facility.
“We quickly realized that bringing all the food from Bellingham out to Acme, packing it in boxes, and then driving it back to Bellingham to deliver to people was not efficient,” Piscitello says. “So we moved into town.”
Their next space was in downtown Bellingham, and now ACME Farms + Kitchen is in the Irongate area off Hannegan Road.
A weekly e-newsletter goes out on Fridays, giving customers information about the following week’s boxes. Orders are due every Monday by 10:00 a.m. and are ready for pick-up or delivery (for an additional cost of between $5 and $8) on Thursday.
ACME Farms + Kitchen has grown into Seattle and will soon expand to Portland.
For the holidays, ACME Farms + Kitchen has pulled together special boxes that are perfect to give as gifts — in person or through the mail.
The ACME Farms + Kitchen Founders’ Favorite Box is one of four special holiday boxes that can be shipped anywhere in the United States. Photo credit: Tiffany Brooks Photography.
“We have five different holiday boxes that are meant to help people break away from the traditional, mass-produced gift boxes,” says Piscitello. “It’s something truly different.”
“For individuals who want to send gifts to out-of-state family or across the country, it’s a great way to show your hometown pride,” she says. “Just look at all this great stuff we have in our region!”
For businesses, it’s a fantastic way to show clients or colleagues that you support your local economy and gift local.
Piscitello says the Savory Snacks Box ($45) is a good respite from all the holiday sweets. With Dakota black popcorn from Lonesome Whistle Farm, housemade kale popcorn seasoning, a Thyme + Season hummus kit, housemade rosemary roasted nuts, Olympia Provisions salami, and Spielman Bagels Bagel Chips.
Keep things toasty with the Warm & Cozy Box ($35), which offers Quin Magic Cocoa Mix, Quin Vanilla Marshmallows, and Breadfarm Chocolate Peppermint Shortbread.
New this year is the Bartender’s Box ($65), which comes with a load of fun accoutrement for making cocktails: Jacobsen Sea Salt Bloody Mary Rimming Salt, Bitter Housewife Aromatic Bitters, Bradley’s Tonic Syrup, Raft Lemon Ginger Simple Syrup, and Stopsky’s Brandied Cherries.
“I think we’re all always struggling for that unique gift to give someone and not do the same old same old,” Piscitello says. “Also, the more money we spend locally strengthens our economy and supports all these independent producers.”
Of course, that’s ACME’s goal throughout the year, evident in everything they do.
“But there’s so much money spent during the holiday season,” Piscitello continues. “Any small percentage we can capture back into our community is a great thing.”
Quantities are limited for holiday boxes; so if any sound ideal for recipients on your holiday list, act fast. “When they’re gone, they’re gone,” Piscitello says, smiling.
Mail orders to be shipped anywhere in the U.S. must be placed by December 18 and the last delivery day for Whatcom County and Seattle is December 23.
But throughout the year, the duo performs as clowns under the moniker Zig Zag and Ragz Z Clowns — and come holiday season, Santa and Mrs. Claus also come out to play.
So, which came first?
“The clowns,” Cameron says with a laugh. He took his first clown class back in 1987, in Pennsylvania, when his then-wife suggested it. “She signed me up for an adult evening class because I was a truck driver and licensed gun dealer, and she thought I needed to do something fun.”
Cameron and Alyse would eventually meet at a North Penn Clown Alley meeting, ultimately move to Whatcom County, and marry in 1997 in a clown-themed wedding on Friday Harbor, broadcast live on 92.9 KISM.
Alyse was drawn to an adult evening clown class through a desire to learn more about the differences between American and European clowns. The instructor taught several styles: whiteface, Auguste, character, hobo and tramp.
Zig Zag & Ragz make appearances at parties, corporate events, and more. Photo courtesy: Cameron Stewart.
“I’m an Auguste clown,” Alyse says, when describing her Zig Zag character. “It shows the flesh tone and is German for ‘silly.’”
The couple’s clown club volunteered at nursing homes, hospitals and a variety of charities.
“That’s where we got our feet wet,” says Alyse, “going out as a group and learning the ropes.”
Nowadays, you find Zig Zag (Alyse) and Ragz (Cameron) entertaining at parties, corporate events and the occasional festival. Their events include balloon creations, face painting, silly magic tricks and much more.
Clowning is serious business for this couple, members of Clowns of America International and the World Clown Association, who have continued their education under numerous professionals and organizations.
Santa Claus came along a bit later.
“I developed Santa Claus first because of the beard and everything,” says Cameron, who has long had a real beard (albeit shorter than Santa’s) and long, mostly gray hair. He began by doing video Santa jobs, speaking to kids around the world via computer.
“I always said to him, ‘Whenever you want a Mrs. Claus, I’ll be there,’” Alyse says with a laugh.
Photographer Mark Turner will take photos of children with Santa again this year at the Holiday Port Festival. Photo credit: Mark Turner | TurnerPhotographics.com.
One of Cameron’s first Santa gigs was playing the Jolly Old Elf at the Port of Bellingham’s Holiday Port Festival, which he and Alyse have now been attending in costume for several years, working with Mark Turner of Turner Photographics.
“You have to have thick skin to do it,” Cameron says, recalling the many heart-wrenching questions he hears, such as: Can you bring my Daddy home for Christmas?
Cameron is quick with a stock answer for the tough requests: “I’ll see what my elves can do.”
Alyse’s role is to find out the children’s names, and then direct them to Cameron for a chat and photo.
“When they’re done, I give them a candy cane and sticker,” she explains. “I’m there to make sure everything’s flowing right.”
The couple sees hundreds of children every year.
“There’s one family that has been back every year, so we’re watching those kids grow up,” Cameron says. “And we see generations. I’ve got a collection of Christmas lists I’ve saved over the years.”
Santa and Mrs. Claus also go to people’s homes and make other private visits. As they’ve become busier locally, Cameron has done less video work. “Last year we got so busy that I only spent 20 to 30 hours doing video Santa, as opposed to over 60 hours the year before.”
Whether it’s in their roles as clowns or the Claus couple, Cameron and Alyse always take the soft approach.
A favorite story of Cameron’s involves Zig Zag and Ragz surprising a family with young kids for a party in Anacortes. All the children hid behind the Mom’s skirt.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be on hand again this year at the Holiday Port Festival. Photo credit: Mark Turner | TurnerPhotographics.com.
“We set up and I started making balloons,” Cameron recounts. “One by one, slowly, the kids started coming to us. That’s how education works; they will come to you eventually.”
“We don’t come in yelling,” says Alyse.
Cameron describes a recent television commercial for Walmart, which includes a clown laughing and screaming in a person’s face. He looks personally affronted at the memory.
“No, no,” he says. “I’ve had people who have said, ‘Hey, I want you to come over and scare my friend.’ Nope, not doing it — that’s not our job.”
Cameron approaches Santa Claus the same gentle way. “If I’m sitting down at their level, I’m not scary,” he says. “And Mrs. Claus isn’t scary at all.”
A favorite moment in all their years of entertaining children young and old took place last year around Christmastime, when they were asked to visit a young boy who was dying.
“The parents and caretaker, the sister was there, nobody was bedridden,” Alyse remembers. “Everyone was up and in a good mood.”
Santa and Mrs. Claus got him to smile and presented him with a bevy of gifts. “We had them in our bags, and we just brought them out, gift after gift after gift,” she continues.
“It was one of his better days,” Cameron says, smiling at the memory. “A friend of the family contacted us and we did it for no cost. We went and made somebody happy.”
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Holiday Port Festival on December 4, 5 and 6. Photo credit: Mark Turner | TurnerPhotographics.com.
The couple has often worked with terminally ill children. Rather than focus on how hard a situation is, they find the fun and lighten the mood.
“You go in there and know you’re going to do something fun and you see the smile and you just go with that,” Cameron says. “It’s all about being in the moment. They’re happy, having a good time, and so are we.”
Check out the Zig Zag and Ragz Z Clowns Facebook page for more information about both their clown and Claus events, and to see examples of their balloon creations.
The holidays are upon us. This year, gift your friends and family members with handcrafted items created by local artisans.
By Laura Rogers
The holidays are upon us. This year, gift your friends and family members with handcrafted items created by local artisans.
We live in a place bursting with talented local artisans peddling endless holiday treasures to behold. For those unfamiliar with shopping local for the holidays, it’s easier than you think. There are holiday markets where you can check-off everyone on your list in one place, or, if you prefer holiday shopping in your p.j.’s from your laptop, you can do that locally, too. There are local artisans on Etsy (a handmade online marketplace) whose amazing products are just a click away.
Whatever your shopping style: downtown, farmers market, online, or artists market, we’ve got you covered with convenient and novel ideas. Your friends and family will be thoroughly impressed by your local shopping savvy!
Local Markets
Holiday Festival of the Arts
Allied Arts’ Holiday Festival of the Arts is a local favorite. Tried and true is an understatement. This stellar seasonal arts market has been going strong for 36 years. And this year it will be open for a full five weeks, showcasing more than 100 artisans and craftspeople. Katy Tolles, the artist coordinator for the event, comments that “for those who seem to have everything, you can find that special item by shopping locally for one-of-a-kind handmade items at Allied Arts!” The market even features Friday and Saturday night happy hours this year from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., along with live music.
Horse-drawn carriage rides and visits from Santa during the Fairhaven Holiday Festival make gift shopping just a little bit more magical.
November 20 through December 24
Open 7 days a week
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Fairhaven Holiday Festival
Fairhaven Holiday Festivalis a two-day, fun-filled, family friendly shopping experience. And it couldn’t be held in a more picturesque setting. Fairhaven’s ornate, historic buildings and stately streetlights and cobblestone roads beg for twinkly lights and holiday shoppers. From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, there will be an Art Walk including most Fairhaven businesses. Santa will be present on Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Fairhaven Gazebo on 10th and Harris. There will also be a tree lighting, a high school sining troupe, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more. Find all your gifts in this picture perfect two-day festival.
Some folks don’t realize how lucky we are to have a Farmers Market that goes all the way through December. There’s truly no better place get your week’s dinner fixings, get your holiday shopping done, and see everyone you know. Our amazing, award-winning Farmers Market will be going strong , with more than 100 participating vendors, every Saturday through December 19.
The Bellingham Farmers Market doubles as a Pop-Up Gift Market for the second year in a row.
In addition, on Friday December 4, the Farmers Market will be teaming up with Downtown Bellingham Partnership and the City of Bellingham to present the 2nd Annual Pop Up Gift Market. This will conveniently be held the same night as the Downtown Art Walk and Tree Lighting. The heart of Bellingham will be full of holiday cheer.
Farmers Market
Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave.
Hours: Every Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Pop Up Gift Market
Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave.
Hours: December 4, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Buy Local Shopping Guide
Sustainable Connections is once again offering its annual Buy Local for The Holidays shopping insert, which will be available after Thanksgiving in select print publications and online. This year’s guide is even more exciting, as Sustainable Connections is offering a Holiday Shopping Passport. Completed passports will be entered into a drawing to win a grand prize of 31 gift cards to local businesses, totaling approximately $775. That’s one gift card for every day of the month. Now there’s an incentive to buy local, if I’ve ever heard one!
A Few of My Favorite Things, On Etsy
If you’ve not broached the handmade treasure trove that is Etsy, your hipster soul hasn’t lived. But before you go and lose yourself in it’s 36 million items for sale, be sure to check out these local Etsy artisans listed below. No need to get dressed to get your holiday shopping done this year.
Moss Bags
The Buttercup Bucket Bag is a slouch bag made from genuine leather so it wears in, not out. Photo courtesy: Moss Bags.
The funky fresh purses and carrying cases that Moss Bags’ creator makes are sure to please the most discriminating fashion-lover on your list. The bright pops of color, buckles, contrast stitching and even well-tailored fringe on her genuine leather bags make Moss Bags a perfect fit for the modern, yet easy-going individual.
Moss Bags’ super talented owner and seamstress, Julie Simon, started her business in 2013, and when asked about this place we live, she said, “I just love my community. Whatcom County has been completely supportive since the beginning! My surroundings have influenced and helped define my style.”
After looking through Julie’s Etsy shop, I can see how it would be hard to narrow down the choices. Julie has given me her two current favorite items to help in this dilemma. She said, “My favorites are The Fringe Clip with Ring —I never lose my keys now that there’s fringe attached. And also the Mossy Messenger Bag — It combines function and fashion. It’s my daily go-to, but also my carry-on when traveling.”
Moss Bags will be at Allied Arts this holiday season. Julie also sells her bags at Sojourn in downtown Bellingham.
Margotbianca
Margot Myers creates gorgeous linens and fabrics, and her skill and dedication to tradition in the way she makes them show through immediately. In her company (and Etsy shop), Margotbianca, Margot uses the traditional hot wax style to create her beautiful batik pieces. This involves dyeing fabric in small batches, by soaking and boiling her fabric. The care she puts into her work shows through in the finished product. If you are looking for unique table runners, tea towels, napkins, and more, look no further. Margot shares that one of her favorite batik patterns right now is the new leaf pattern. “It’s bold and elegant, and seems to work well with fall fruits and colors,” she says.
Many of the items Margot Myers produces are made with organic fibers. Photo courtesy: Margotbianca.
Margot began making fabrics professionally about 10 years ago. She has recently opened a downtown studio called Runway Press, which is where her fabric making happens, but also where she teaches classes. Margot works in etching and printmaking as well as batik and teaches community classes in print and fiber each month.
Margot’s commitment to durables and reusables is something that stands out. It’s clear she loves this area of the world and strives to keep it healthy and beautiful. “I think that the sensibility of responsible consumption in our area is the thing that I connect to most often in my daily life as well as my work. I decided to design a line of table linens initially because I think it’s so much smarter to have reusable fabrics in the kitchen than disposables. As the years have gone by, I’ve been able to incorporate more and more organic fibers into my products, too.”
Margotbianca will be at The Bellingham Farmers Market and at the Pop-up Gift Market this year.
The Nautical Gnome and Siren Silks
Joanna Lynam is the creative genius behind both of these fabulous local shops. The Nautical Gnome is filled with whimsical sea and boat-inspired jewelry, as the name suggests, and Siren Silks is a wonderland of beautiful hand-painted silk scarves, shawls and wallhangings. Between the two shops, there is literally something for everyone. There is even a handy section for Gifts & Ornaments under $20. Joanna’s work is reflective of the landscape, sea-culture, and flora and fauna all around us here in Whatcom County, which make these gifts even more fun to give.
Give a friend a piece of nautical style with this stainless steel shackle bracelet. Photo courtesy: Nautical Gnome.
Working as a visual artist all her life, Joanna chose Bellingham as home due to its landscape and supportive artist community. Originally from the UK and having lived all over the world, Joanna says, “The Pacific Northwest is home. I feel fortunate every day to be here for the incredible natural beauty, the vibrant community, and the mountains and sea.”
At the moment, Joanna is most excited about her work on silk depicting whales, polar bears and birds. She uses silk dyes to sketch the design, then paints the background with a watercolor technique. In her newer Etsy shop, Nautical Gnome, Joanna is raising funds for sailing around the world with her family. She is making and selling nautical gifts such as leather and silver jewelry, paper pennants, and handmade gnome pins. Joanna says, “I really like the stainless shackle bracelets and keychains in particular.” And, I’d have to agree. What a fun, unique gift for the boater or ocean-lover in your life. You can read more about Joanna’s family sailing adventure online, which was inspired by her amazing sea-faring father and a dream.
Kevin Wiebe is a Ferndale native. Although he graduated from Ferndale High School, he admits he wasn't a model student. His teachers and administrators...
