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2024 Snapshot on Whatcom County Homelessness

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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Submitted by Whatcom County Health and Community Services

Whatcom County Health and Community Services, in coordination with the Opportunity Council, has published a new comprehensive look at homelessness and housing instability in Whatcom County. This year’s comprehensive analysis uses data from the Point in Time Count (PITC) but also makes use of additional information from other sources. 

Key findings include:

  • Overall, the state of homelessness remained about the same from 2023 to 2024. 
  • Housing programs are successfully finding homes for the unhoused, but additional people are becoming homeless as fast as the system can find available homes for them. 
  • The most common reason reported for someone’s homelessness was a lack of affordable housing. 
  • More than half of all Whatcom County renters are cost-burdened, meaning they spend thirty percent or more of their income on housing costs. This makes it harder for them to create an emergency fund. They are at higher risk of becoming homeless when a medical bill, job loss, or other unexpected expense makes them unable to pay rent. 

“There were more referrals to permanent housing programs in 2023 than any year in the past, but we also had a record-high number of households seeking services,” said Chris D’Onofrio, Housing Program Supervisor at Whatcom County Health and Community Services. “Only about one in five eligible households actually got a housing referral last year because of the lack of appropriate and affordable housing in our community. There are a lot of folks out there who we haven’t been able to help.” 

The majority of people who access the homeless crisis response system need some level of supportive services in addition to housing because they’re dealing with underlying issues such as domestic violence, complex medical problems, substance use, or mental health challenges. This often looks like service-rich interventions to create long-term sustainability, like rapid re-housing or permanent supportive housing. For others, they just need a place they can afford.

The demand for homelessness prevention services in Whatcom County has grown in recent years and exceeds the current resources available. Households are routinely denied prevention assistance despite being eligible because there is not enough dedicated funding to provide services to all those who qualify.

“So, on the one hand, we’re doing more than we ever have, and that’s worth celebrating; but at the same time, we’re falling well short of where we need to be to see homelessness decrease across the county,” said D’Onofrio. “Over a thousand households sought services in each of the last two years. That’s one out of every one hundred households in the county. It’s a huge number, and unless we can decrease it in the years to come by getting upstream and addressing the causes of homelessness, we’re going to have a difficult time decreasing homelessness at the community level.”

Upstream prevention solutions include rent subsidies and services dedicated to homeless prevention, access to healthcare, and mental health treatment that will help reduce the rate of individuals and families becoming homeless.  Creating more housing of all types, including housing that is affordable to low and very-low income individuals and families is the number one way to address the homelessness crisis by ensuring that everyone has a safe, affordable place to live and that their basic needs are met. 

A New Way to Report Data

In previous years, WCHCS and the Opportunity Council created a report based on the annual Point in Time Count (PITC). The PITC has long been recognized as an undercount locally and across the nation, but it has some benefits. The count is useful for tracking trends over time, general demographics, and data on people using shelters because shelter operators are well trained in administering the PITC. 

“The Point in Time Count is not the best tool we have this year to measure unsheltered homelessness because of the inherent difficulty in finding people who are sleeping outside and may not want to be found,” said Jake Brandvold, Epidemiologist for Whatcom County Health and Community Services. “There was less participation in this year’s annual survey than we typically see from those sleeping outside, and the PITC methodology only considers certain types of people homeless.” 

The PITC does not consider everyone without a permanent address as homeless. For example, a homeless person who paid for their own hotel room that night would not be considered homeless by this definition, but a homeless person whose hotel stay was paid for by a shelter provider would be counted as homeless. It doesn’t include people who are ‘doubled up’ or ‘couch surfing’ as homeless, either.  

This year’s snapshot on homelessness uses Housing Pool data to estimate and describe unsheltered homelessness. Outreach teams gather Housing Pool information by building relationships with the unhoused population and maintaining contact with them over time. Because the Housing Pool is maintained over time and includes all individuals seeking services, it is considered a more reliable data source for unsheltered homeless people.  

Next Steps

The homeless crisis response system and accompanying services in Whatcom County make a meaningful difference in the community. However, the services offered are failing to get ahead of demand. Further investment is needed to expand services that will meet the long-term housing needs of Whatcom County’s unhoused community, especially the creation of new service-enriched shelter beds and new permanent, affordable housing opportunities for people who have endured homelessness. 

This year and next, the Whatcom County Coalition to End Homelessness will update its five-year strategic plan to end homelessness in Whatcom County. Key focus areas will be sheltering and affordable housing. Contact the Whatcom Homeless Service Center at 360-734-5121 x1131 to learn more about the coalition. 

For More Information

September is Emergency Preparedness Month

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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Submitted by Whatcom County Division of Emergency Management

As summer wildfire season winds down and before fall storms and winter weather sets in, September is the month to begin preparations to endure and recover from these natural disasters.

Not all emergencies are weather-related. On September 11, 2001, terrorists destroyed New York’s iconic Twin Towers and damaged the Pentagon. Closer to home, on June 10, 1999, a leaking pipeline exploded on Whatcom Creek just below Whatcom Falls Park, claiming three lives.

During National Emergency Preparedness Month, residents are encouraged to take steps to become prepared — not only to avoid potential harm, but also to respond and recover when disaster strikes. 

Tips to prepare your own household

Become ready to respond in your own neighborhood

In a major disaster, residents are often their own “first responder.”  After an earthquake, flooding, tsunami or other major catastrophe, police, firefighters and EMTs will be called in many directions. It could take days before help arrives.

There are local opportunities to learn what to do first and how to respond safely following an emergency. CERT training is one. Now in its 25th year locally, CERT has offered its eight-week course in communities throughout Whatcom County – from Point Roberts and Lummi Island to Sudden Valley, Western Washington University and the small cities.

The community may never again experience devastation similar to the 1999 pipeline explosion; however, some emergencies are inevitable. September is the month to prepare for power loss, floods, extreme cold, falling trees or possibly an earthquake. Personal preparedness will help ensure we can survive, rebuild and recover.

A Brief History of Bellingham Area Mascots

By
Matt Benoit
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Since 2011, the Bells have been lovingly represented by Dinger the Bellinghamster, seen here in 2021. Photo courtesy Matt Benoit

Whether you’re at a school assembly or a sporting event, nothing summons some extra team spirit quite like a mascot.

Bellingham schools and sports teams have had an eclectic variety of costumed supporters over the years, from anthropomorphic hamsters to oversized Norsemen. The following is a fun sampling of mascots you may have seen around town, with emphasis on mascots outside of educational institutions (those will be covered in a future article).

Cluck and Dinger, Bellingham Bells Baseball

Although the Bellingham Bells have been represented by Dinger the Bellinghamster for years, they did not always have an ideal mascot.

In the early 2000s, for reasons that remain unclear, Bells ownership unleashed “Cluck the Chicken” as the team’s official mascot. The costume was basically a jersey-clad chicken wearing a cape – complete with an unsettlingly dead-eyed rubber chicken head.

“Somebody told me that they found that chicken at Goodwill,” says Stephanie Morrell, the Bells’ current general manager. “I don’t know if that’s true.”

The Bellingham Bells utilized a bizarre chicken mascot named “Cluck” in the early 2000s. Photo credit: David Cohn

A 2004 Bellingham Herald article noted that Cluck was a right-handed pitcher and would “probably taste great with sweet-and-sour sauce.”

Cluck continued bawking until around 2010. Another iteration of the costume made a final appearance at the Bells’ 20th anniversary celebration in 2019.

As part of the team’s rebranding in 2011, the Bells received new team colors, new uniforms, and a new mascot. That spring, Whatcom County baseball fans were informed the mascot would be a family-friendly hamster — a “Bellinghamster,” to be precise. The team even trademarked the term, which is a nickname for a Bellingham resident.

The costume was designed by Scollon Mascots, a company known for making mascots of Disney characters, and supposedly cost the team between $5,000 and $10,000, Morrell says.

Wally Whatcom and the Bells’ current version of Dinger, seen here in a baseball-themed event at the Lightcatcher building in 2023.

Local residents were asked to vote for the hamster’s name, and given the choices of Hammy, Homer, Dinger, and a write-in. Nearly 200 votes later, Dinger emerged the clear winner. His name provides a dual meaning, referring to both the nickname for a home run and the “ding-dong” sound a bell makes.

Dinger’s original form faithfully entertained the masses until 2023, when the costume underwent a needed refresh by Maydwell Mascots, a Canadian company with a list of clients including the Chips Ahoy! cookie. In addition to losing weight, Dinger also gained shoes and baseball pants.

Fit and furry as ever, Dinger continues bringing joy and team spirit to Bells home games, which include his signature 5th inning “Dinger Run” across the infield with children. On a team that sees constant turnover due to its collegiate make-up, Dinger is among the few constants of attending a game.

“It’s a memorable part of people’s experiences,” Morrell says.

Baker the Mountain Goat

In the mid-1980s, a new “ambassador for tourism” appeared in Whatcom County. He was tall, furry, and horned — and his name was Baker.

Initially introduced as the official mascot of the Ski to Sea Festival in May 1985, Baker the Mountain Goat was created to represent Whatcom County at local and regional community events.

The mascot was originally owned by the then-named DARE Association of the Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which chose the mountain goat mascot after officials saw a commemorative pin from the Mount Baker Marathon, according to a 1988 Herald article.

Baker continued appearing in the Ski to Sea Grand Parade through at least 2004, according to parade entry lists. In 2000 he even entered national politics, riding in a parade truck adorned with signs reading “Vote Goat” and “Baker for President.”

Originally introduced in 1985 as the official Ski to Sea mascot, Baker the Mountain Goat made a return in the 2023 Bellingham St. Patrick’s Day parade. Photo credit: Whatcom Events

Baker endured a long hibernation until 2022, when Ski to Sea Race Director Anna Rankin was cleaning the Whatcom Events office and found the costume. In 2023, he re-appeared in that year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Rankin says they considered having Baker also participate in Ski to Sea, but nobody was willing to wear the costume.

Despite his age, Rankin says Baker is still in decent shape, and will continue being a proud part of Ski to Sea’s heritage in some form.

“It’s pretty historic,” she says of the costume. “I can’t believe we still have it.”

Sammy the Salmon

The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association’s official mascot has popped up at plenty of community events — sometimes with an assistant dressed like a fisherman — since debuting around 1983.

According to Amy Johnson, NSEA’s development manager, Sammy was commissioned by Heather Higgins of Bellingham’s Maritime Heritage Center for the city’s education programs.

“Sammy’s job is spreading cheer and creating awareness about salmon,” says Johnson. “They even have a coloring book that tells the tales of life as a salmon.”

Sammy the Salmon, the official Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association mascot, throws out the first pitch of the 2024 West Coast League All-Star Game. Photo credit: NSEA

The Coho costume was designed by Donna and Roger Germain — an Everson couple who designed multiple mascots for local organizations of the era, including Wally Whatcom the Museum Mouse and the KISM 92.9 FM beaver, according to a 1988 Herald article. Donna studied theater costuming at WWU, and Roger was a scene shop director at the university’s College of Fine and Performing Arts. There are several versions of the costume, which has been spruced up occasionally to continue being used after so many years.

The Herald article describes Sammy as enjoying “sea shanties, horn pipe music, and maritime tunes,” but also prone to embarrassment when children ask how many offspring the fish has fathered. Sammy was also once in a long-distance relationship with “Salley Sockeye,” a fish mascot from Snohomish County, the article states.

Sammy is brought to life by a variety of staff, board, and community volunteers, and makes frequent appearances at local events, including the Bellingham SeaFeast and Run with the Chums 5k.

Wally Whatcom the Museum Mouse

The dapperly-dressed Wally Whatcom was introduced to the masses in 1988 and has represented Bellingham’s Whatcom Museum ever since.

Museum Archivist Jeff Jewell says Richard Vanderway, the museum’s former curator of education, was and early promotor of Wally and likely the first to don the costume. In a 1988 Herald article, Vanderway provided Wally’s origin as having been born in a log cabin belonging to Bellingham pioneer Edward Eldridge. Eventually, Wally moved into the museum and began educating himself on local history and art.

Wally Whatcom the Museum Mouse has been a local history and art buff since his introduction to representing the Whatcom Museum in 1988.

Wally appeared at many public festivities over the years, including the 1988 opening of Bellis Fair Mall, the 1993 opening of the Peace Arch Factory Outlets, and numerous Ski to Sea parades through the mid-2000s. He even had his own section, “Here’s Wally,” in the children’s section of the mid-1990s Herald.

Wally was also joined by a female friend, Winnie, though Jewell says she was never used as often as Wally and is likely still in storage somewhere. While Wally’s head was occasionally updated over the years, the changes were not always to people’s liking:

“A lot of people complained that it didn’t look like a museum mouse,” Jewell said of one particular head style that’s no longer used. “It looked like a museum rat.”

While Wally Whatcom made few appearances in the 2010s, he began appearing more frequently in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the decades, various museum educators have stepped into the costume, even though there was no extra pay for doing so.

So, did Jewell ever want to become Wally?

“It never really caught my interest,” he says with a laugh.

From Forgotten to Functional: Embrace Energy Efficiency and Modern Comfort With a New Fireplace

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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Photo courtesy Barron

Submitted by Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing

As the air starts to cool and leaves turn, many of us dream of cozying up by a crackling fire. But your dirty, aging fireplace may be less than appealing, especially if it shows signs of wear or inefficiency. Modern fireplaces offer a range of benefits, including improved comfort, energy efficiency, safety, and style. And with end-of-summer savings and endless design options to fit your unique needs, now’s a great time to consider an upgrade.

Photo courtesy Barron

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if you have an old, wood-burning fireplace in your home, it may actually be a source of heat loss. Allowing 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to escape outside, it pulls in cold air from your home’s doors and windows, resulting in low efficiency. In fact, older wood fireplaces can be rated with efficiencies as low as -15 to +15%—a draw that can greatly impact your energy costs, especially with fuel prices that continue to rise (heatilator.com).

Upgrading to a new fireplace insert, whether gas, pellet, electric, or wood, can drastically increase the energy efficiency of your hearth, with many new models rated 85% efficiency—or even up to 99%—for advanced gas models. In addition to lower fuel costs, high-efficiency fireplaces also have improved safety features with less effect on indoor air quality, producing minimal pollution or smoke. And fireplace inserts can be swapped directly into your existing masonry or prefab fireplace, then vented through your chimney (or wall for free-standing units), proving to be a seamless way to makeover your home.

If gas is your priority, it’s hard to beat its convenience with instant warmth and flame at the flip of a switch or push of a remote. With a flame that can be extinguished as easily as it was started, temperature control is at your fingertips, and with an electronic ignition, you can save money by eliminating the need for a pilot light. But modern fireplaces of all fuel types have made great advancements in heat distribution. Many feature advanced blowers or fans that help with consistent heat delivery. By circulating heat more evenly throughout the room, these blowers help reduce cold spots and ensure a more comfortable space overall.

Photo courtesy Barron

The wide range of sizes, shapes, and finishes available for modern fireplaces is just one more layer of the appeal to upgrade. With endless options for style, fronts, realistic logs and flame, and even LED accent lighting to add dimension, your new hearth can be incredibly custom.

“Fantastic improvements have been made over the last ten years with gas inserts and fireplaces of all fuel types; not only in efficiency, but quality of presentation and available styles,” says John Boone, Firelight expert and Outside Sales Manager at Barron Heating AC Electrical and Plumbing. And customers agree. Guests that visit our Firelight by Barron Showroom are often looking for simple, quality additions to add value to their homes and invest in their families.

Ready to revitalize your living space? We’re kicking off Barron’s Summer Sendoff Event, making now the perfect time to transform your old fireplace from forgotten to functional—and beautiful. With savings across all service divisions, Firelight by Barron is offering $500 off any fireplace, stove, or insert as part of the event. So, whether it’s curling up with a book or making memories gathered with your family, let our Firelight experts transform your home’s comfort for what matters most. As your Pacific Northwest home and building performance experts since 1972, we stand by Our Mission: Improving Lives™.

Birchwood Food Desert Fighters: Fighting to Promote Food Sovereignty and Access

By
Anna Diehl
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The BFDF also helps direct neighbors to healthy food options near them, such as the seasonal harvest truck.

“Food deserts” are defined as urban areas that lack access to affordable or healthy foods, contributing to the food insecurity that afflicts tens of millions of Americans. In Bellingham, Birchwood Food Desert Fighters (BFDF) works to provide mutual aid, education, and advocacy for neighbors facing one such crisis.

“Birchwood Food Desert Fighters started when, in 2016, the Albertsons closed in Birchwood and everyone assumed another grocery store would go in, because [it] had been there for 35 years,” says co-founder Tina McKim. “Then we found out that there were non-compete clauses on the building and all of the surrounding buildings in that shopping center, which prevented a grocery store from going in. We thought that was a major injustice.”

Today, Birchwood Neighborhood still only has grocery access to fresh produce from one aisle of Netos Market and a seasonal farmer truck. Neighbors and allies from other neighborhoods and organizations founded BFDF to meet immediate needs and push for change.

“We work to restore grocery access to the neighborhood and to build food sovereignty in the neighborhood through growing food and sharing food —and meeting immediate food needs, as well,” McKim says. “Our goals are to have culturally appropriate, accessible foods for everybody.”

Mutual Aid

Birchwood Food Desert Fighters’ work has included both legislative and local grassroots initiatives.

“We did vigils for many years, and protests and letter writing campaigns, to get the non-compete clauses lifted and get a grocery store back in there,” McKim continues.

Birchwood Food Desert Fighters has held vigils as legislative protests over stores’ non-compete clauses, which has recently seen a victory in the Albertsons clause being lifted. Photo courtesy Birchwood Food Desert Fighters

These clauses are now lifted as of 2024. But BFDF’s work continues in promoting food sovereignty outside of the corporate food system and building networks of growers in the neighborhood.

This begins with building community networks of people growing and sharing foods for one another within the community and teaching skills for how to grow some foods themselves.

“We realize not everybody has the ability to farm,” says McKim. “Not everybody has the ability to even have a pot of basil and keep it alive. But if we can teach one or two people how to do that, and if people who really love to do it have the time and space and the skills to do it, they can grow lots more to share.”

BFDF hosts a Saturday Share Spot, where they give away 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of food each week to nearly 100 attendees.

“We have a series of food boxes around the neighborhood,” McKim says, “and people can use them like Little Free Libraries: it’s share what you have, take what you like.”

The BFDF operates Little Free Pantry-style boxes that neighbors can use to give and receive food. Photo courtesy Birchwood Food Desert Fighters

Moving Forward

As McKim explains, Birchwood Food Desert Fighters’ work continues to advocate for an affordable grocery to move in, as corporate outlets can be gentrifying forces.

“Now that we have the non-compete clause lifted, we can get groceries back into the neighborhood that are culturally appropriate,” says McKim. “Birchwood is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Bellingham, one of the poorest neighborhoods, with many disabled people, queer people. We want everybody to feel welcome in the place they go to access this very basic need of food. There’s that long term goal and we want it to [create] good jobs for the community too.”

BFDF has partnered with food growing and equity organizations such as the Racial Justice Coalition, Food Empowerment Project, PNW Plateful, City Sprouts Farm, CTK Farm, and Skywood Food Forest, and local churches.

“There’s a core group of about 15 of us on the organizing side of things,” McKim says. “But we’re a community mutual aid organization, and so a lot of people come and go. The people who come to the Share Spot help set up the Share Spot; they’re part of it. And we have community meetings [where anywhere from] 10 to 100 people show up.”

Community gardens in Birchwood provide food for the Saturday Share Spot. Photo courtesy Birchwood Food Desert Fighters

Volunteer Opportunities

The group encourages community members to aid in food distribution: pickup, delivery, and returning of crates and other farm supplies.

“Working with people in the community has been really positive,” says McKim. “Because it’s the community’s ideas being put into action; it’s not some outside group coming in and saying, ‘We’ve fixed your problem for you.”

BFDF welcomes new food donations and will coordinate to preserve extra perishables.

“We always welcome any kind of foods to share; we just ask that people label what they make,” says McKim. Often during the harvest season, the group finds itself with an abundance of, say, donated apples or opportunities for folks to harvest them. “People can only eat so many apples at once, so we can applesauce and save it for later in the year.”

To get involved, please visit the BFDF Facebook, Instagram, or X (Twitter), or email birchwoodfooddesert@gmail.com.

Work, Rest, Recharge: Things To Do in Port Ludlow During Your Bleisure Trip

By
Kristina Lotz
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Bring your e-bike to Port Ludlow or rent one in Port Townsend, and then hit the Larry Scott Trail. Photo credit: Kristina Lotz

The great thing about working from home is the ability to make that “work-from-wherever-I-want.” So, it may surprise you that most people that work from home actually take less vacations, and when they do take vacations, they are shorter. While we know rest and recreation is good for our health, sometimes we just can’t cut work off completely. That’s where bleisure travel comes in. Taking your work with you to a vacation spot will encourage you to unplug more often. Bring family, family and/or coworkers with you, or recharge by yourself. Either way, one of the best local spots to head to on your next bleisure trip is just a bit south-west, right here in Washington! Check out all these fun things to do in the Port Ludlow area during your bleisure trip.

laptop on a desk with a lamp and coffee cup overlooking the South Sound at Port Ludlow Resort
The view from your new office-away-from-home at the Port Ludlow Resort is breathtaking. It’s the perfect bleisure travel destination. Photo credit: Kristina Lotz

Walking and Hiking in Port Ludlow and Surrounding Areas

You don’t have to go very far to get a nice walk – there is plenty of beautiful harbor to stroll around right out the front door of The Port Ludlow Resort, it’s one of the many reasons people love to stay there!

Less than 2 miles down the road is the Port Ludlow Falls Interpretative Trail. It’s a short, .5-mile loop with some incline and stairs. There are interesting trail signs along the way, telling you about the local flora and fauna, as well as history. It can be tricky to find! Some phone maps do not show it. The easiest way to find it is to put in the Cove Coffee address into your map – 98 Village Way, Port Ludlow – once in their parking lot, take the roadway by the Kitsap Bank, if you are coming from the east you will see a sign for the trail, if you are coming from the west you will see a sign for the Port Ludlow Offices & Administrations. Drive past both of those buildings and park by the wood posts. No parking permit is required. Follow the trail to the left to see the falls from the bottom first.

woman sitting on a wooden log bench in the forest
The Port Ludlow Falls Interpretative Trail is a tranquil walk near Port Ludlow Resort. It even has a picnic spot. Photo credit: Kristina Lotz

If you are looking for a more strenuous hike, check out Mount Walker Trail. This 2-mile trek has a 20% incline – though it feels steeper – but rewards you at the top with incredible views. There are vault toilets and a picnic table at the top, so grab an incredibly delicious sandwich from Gear Head Deli in Quilcene on your way and break for lunch when you reach the top. During the fall and winter, the bottom gate to the road is closed. You will have to park there and walk up, adding another half mile to the journey. If the gate is open, you can actually drive to the viewpoint as well. One woman I met on my way down has been doing the hike for over 60 years. Her advice? Lots of water and walking sticks!

roast beef sandwich wrapped in foil
The Gear Head Deli is a must-stop on your way to Port Ludlow, or after you’ve conquered Mount Walker. Photo credit: Kristina Lotz

On your way back to Port Ludlow, treat yourself to PNW Press in Quilcene. This drive-thru coffee stand has lots of options, including Lotus Energy. I recommend the vanilla matcha latte!

E-Biking in Port Ludlow and Port Townsend

Since the Port Ludlow Resort offers e-bike rentals, it’s easy to just reserve, hop on, and go! You can bike around town, or take your bikes to the many nearby trails. One incredible trail that’s not to be missed is the Olympic Discovery Trail. Fans of the Pacific Crest Trail will love this soon-to-be complete 135-mile trail near Port Ludlow, that starts in nearby Port Townsend. As you travel you will see historic spots, boats, kayaks and more as you travel west on the Strait of Juan De Fuca, with views of Vancouver Island, B.C., Port Angeles Harbor and downtown Port Angeles before turning inland toward into the Olympic National Forest.

Also in Port Townsend is the beginning of the Larry Scott Trail. This trail also starts along the shore and plans are in the works to connect these two amazing trails! You can also rent e-bikes at The Broken Spoke in Port Townsend.

bicyclist on the Larry Scott Trail
Bring your e-bike to Port Ludlow or rent one in Port Townsend, and then hit the Larry Scott Trail. Photo credit: Kristina Lotz

Golfing at Port Ludlow and Discovery Bay

If part of your bleisure plans including golf, check out Port Ludlow Golf Club and Discovery Bay Golf Club. The Port Ludlow Club is just 1.5 miles from the Resort, make it easy to take a break from work to play a round of golf. One of Washington’s top-ranked golf clubs, Port Ludlow offers 18 holes with water and mountain views. Open to the public, it has rolling fairways, historic logging stumps and abundant wildlife to make it a game you will never forget.

Two golfers on Discovery Bay Golf course with a golf cart
Discovery Bay Golf Course is the nation’s most dog-friendly course and is a great thing to do in Port Ludlow! Photo credit: Kristina Lotz

Discovery Bay is about 22 minutes from the Port Ludlow Resort. It’s voted the best dog-friendly golf course in the country because they allow dogs on the green! The front nine holes are part of the original golf course and are the oldest in the country. The course has changed a bit since then, however. They told me that originally, the Chevy Chase Inn across the street was part of the course, and people would start hole 1 at the Inn and hit their ball across the road onto the green. It’s a beautiful course with a fun history where even the dog is welcome!

Travel Tips to Port Ludlow

These are just a few of the incredible things to do in Port Ludlow during your bleisure trip. Port Ludlow Resort has meeting rooms, private rooms with desks looking onto the harbor, a farm-to-table restaurant and is centrally located, making it the perfect home base for your workcation.

Avoid the traffic with a mid-week or long weekend stay! Those coming Thursday-Monday will find the drive a breeze. Fall and winter travel are also great, as trails and activities are less crowded and the changing leaves creates a beautiful backdrop to your Hood Canal adventure. To learn more about all Jefferson County has to offer, visit the Enjoy the Olympic Peninsula website.

view of the forest from the top of Mount Walker
Mount Walker is a great hike near Port Ludlow. The views are worth the trek! Photo credit: Kristina Lotz

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Roll Into Fun: Explore Bocce Ball in Whatcom County

By
Merrick Parnell
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Tom "Boccemon" McNutt's court along Carolina Street in Bellingham where he hosts weekly games. Photo courtesy Tom McNutt

Bocce ball, a lively game with roots in ancient Rome, is played on a long, narrow court. The objective is to get your team’s balls closest to a smaller ball called the “pallino” or “jack.” It’s an excellent choice for social gatherings, whether played casually or competitively. With its European origins, Bocce has gained popularity in the United States, boasting around 1 million players.

Tom McNutt — also known as “Boccemon — is a pivotal figure in the local bocce scene. In 2000, while managing a project on Crane Island, McNutt and a colleague stumbled upon an old bocce court while at a neighbor’s barbecue. Inspired, McNutt built a bocce court in his yard upon his return to Bellingham.

His innovative use of oyster shells in the court sparked interest, leading to the construction of additional courts, including ones at Barkley Village and Fairhaven. To commercialize his bocce court material, McNutt launched boccemon.com to sell materials and construction expertise.

“Boccemon would never have gotten off the ground without the support of my friends and local businesses,” says McNutt. “We’ve shipped over 2,000 court surfaces in the past 22 years, not only across the U.S., but also to places like Greece, Dubai, Canada, Jamaica, and Costa Rica.”

In 2005, the Boccemon company even shipped 12,000 pounds of materials in flat-rate boxes to a field operating base in the Sunni Triangle of Iraq for the Combat Bocce Club.

McNutt has built an avid bocce ball community through his weekly Wednesday games along Carolina Street in Bellingham. Photo courtesy Tom McNutt

According to McNutt, Whatcom County bocce ball has expanded since the first commercial court was built at Barkley Village. He finds more people familiar with the game as they pass by his Sehome-area bocce group that plays on Wednesday afternoons. McNutt’s court is not public, but people are welcome to play on Wednesdays after 3 p.m., weather permitting, at the corner of Carolina and Iron Streets.

During these Wednesday sessions, folks from Skagit County to Custer come to play, representing various professions and backgrounds. “They are folks who have stopped by to ask a question or two, and we inevitably convince them to join in a quick game,” McNutt says. “Some have been coming for 21 years, and others have joined more recently.”

Beyond McNutt’s courts, of course, bocce is also played on beaches and lawns throughout Whatcom County, with regular games taking place in Lynden, as well.

Suzan Brawnlyn oversees the bocce program at the Lynden Community and Senior Center. “Currently, the bocce program is simply for playing,” says Brawnlyn. “Lynden has a well-maintained, sunken field at Bender Sports Fields where the Community Center and Senior Center meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon.”

Bocce ball originated in ancient Rome and is played on a long, narrow court. The objective is to get your team’s balls closest to a smaller ball called the “pallino” or “jack.” Photo by Braedon McLeod on Unsplash

Brawnlyn has enjoyed watching bocce ball grow in Lynden over recent years. “Lynden has maintained the bocce ball surge,” she says, “and we’ve opened it up to all Whatcom County Senior Centers and the public who want to play.”

She noted that seniors come from Bellingham, Everson, and occasionally Blaine or Ferndale — and folks are starting to put together their own teams.

Nearby, Anacortes has a bocce court at Anthony’s Restaurant, and Roche Harbor on San Juan Island has two publicly accessible courts surfaced by Boccemon.

“It can be played anywhere with minimal equipment or experience,” says McNutt. “And court bocce is great because when played on a groomed court, there’s predictability in where the ball will end up.”

And whether you’re nine or 90, it’s easy to play on a bocce court. “People should play simply because it’s good for them!” McNutt says. “It’s a low-impact game that gets people outdoors. Smiles and new friendships are great reasons to play.”

A game of bocce taking place at the courts in Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. Photo credit: Merrick Parnell

Bellingham hosted Washington’s largest bocce ball tournament for 18 years before COVID-19, with all proceeds going to local nonprofits. Today, large tournaments are held at Seattle’s Festa Italiana in late September, and the Seattle Bocce Club hosts frequent games and tournaments at Woodland Park.

Looking to the future, McNutt sees potential for more local park courts in Bellingham and across Whatcom County towns, wineries, breweries, neighborhoods, and country clubs.

McNutt and Brawnly are hopeful that bocce ball will continue to grow in Whatcom, keep rolling, and gain even more popularity as players pick up the game for the first time or continue to enjoy with friends and community.

More on Bocce Ball in Bellingham and Whatcom County

Boccemon

For more on bocce ball in Whatcom County, visit the Boccemon website or Facebook page.

Lynden Community Center Bocce 

Bender Sports Fields Bocce Ball Area

Area Bocce Ball

Anacortes

Anthony’s Restaurant Bocce Ball Court Website:

Seattle

The Seattle Bocce Club can be found on their website

Old Ironsides: When the USS Constitution Visited Bellingham in 1933

By
Jennifer Crooks
-
Crowds throng the Municipal Pier to see the “Eagle of the Seas” towed in. Image from Bellingham Herald, July 15, 1933. Photo courtesy Washington State Library

On July 14, 1933, the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned naval ship still afloat, sailed into Bellingham Bay. Thousands visited during its seven-day stop.

Launched in 1797, the three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate has a long history. It protected American shipping during the Quasi-War with France and helped defeat pirates in the First Barbary War. Its greatest claim to fame, however, came during the War of 1812. The Constitution’s defeat of the British ship Guerriere electrified the struggling young nation.

The ship was immortalized in the 1830 poem, “Old Ironsides,” which helped save the ship from being decommissioned. It was made a museum ship in 1907. To celebrate its restoration, funded largely by schoolchildren, the vessel embarked on a 90-port exhibition cruise of the United States. The Constitution was towed by the USS Grebe, a minesweeper.

Welcome, Old Ironsides!

Departing from Boston on July 1, 1931, the two ships crossed the Panama Canal, making their way to the West Coast, visiting ports both large and small. Everett was the last stop before Bellingham, where the ship made its 68th stop and its northernmost port of call. On the trip, they sailed past Mount Constitution on Orcas Island, named for the ship by explorer Charles Wilkes.

Great excitement greeted the Constitution and Grebe’s afternoon arrival in Bellingham. People flocked to see them come in, even watching from the rooftops downtown. Vessels from the Bellingham Yacht Club welcomed the ships at Eliza Island. Two miles from shore the Constitution was met by the Richard Holyoke and Prosper. These two tugs from the Bellingham Tug & Barge Company pulled the Constitution into dock, followed by the Grebe. Mills and factories rang their whistles, including “Big Ole” at Bloedel-Donovan Lumber Mills.

After docking, Mayor John Kellogg and a committee in charge of the celebrations greeted the Constitution. Lieutenant Commander Henry Hartley was in command of the historic vessel while its captain, Commander Louis Gulliver, was on leave.

This cartoon graced the front page of the Bellingham Herald on the day of the Constitution’s arrival, July 14, 1933. Photo courtesy Washington State Library

Visiting the Constitution

The ship opened daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for free tours. Thousands came each day, creating long lines. No parking was allowed near the dock. Army Street was closed to car traffic at Laurel Street.

The PTA brought students to the ship. The Mlunt Baker Theater showed the 1926 silent film “Old Ironsides” at a special morning children’s matinee on July 15.

One visitor had a personal connection to the ship. Abiah M. Geiger of Bellingham was the widow of Shapleigh Geiger, great-grandson of Betsy Ross, who famously sewed the first American flag — and the flag for the USS Constitution. “Very interesting old ship,” she told reporters.

Entertaining the Crew

The community came together to welcome both officers and crew. Hartley, an avid fisherman, visited Lake Whatcom. The Bellingham Golf and County Club offered free golf to officers and all personnel were offered free use of the YMCA.

On July 15, officers and their wives attended a Washington State Firemen’s Association demonstration at Battersby Field. The event culminated with the firemen setting a mock four-room house on fire and extinguishing it.

Through the combined efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and the US Post office, thousands were able to mail special commemorative envelopes postmarked from the USS Constitution. Photo courtesy Hamtopia.wordpress.com

The next day the officers had lunch at Heather Meadows at Mount Baker. In the evening they enjoyed a southern-style chicken dinner at Frank and Ruby Taft’s resort and restaurant, “The Willows,” on Lummi Island. They also got a tour of the Pacific American Fisheries cannery to watch salmon being packed.

300 attended a civic luncheon on Monday, July 17 at the Leopold Hotel given in honor of the officers. Hartley spoke about the history of the “illustrious old frigate.” Officers spoke to other groups as well. On July 14, First Class Boatswain’s Mate Robert Craig and Chief Quartermaster William Stowe gave an illustrated lecture about the ship’s restoration for the Knights of Columbus at their hall. The public was invited. Two days later, Hartley visited the Ninety-and-Nine men’s bible class of the First Christian Church.

The sailors from the USS Constitution and Grebe also played baseball against local teams at Battersby Field. They were beaten 10 to 2 by Gordon’s Wreckers on July 17. Two days later, the sailors faced off against the Bellingham Tulips. Although the sailors lost 0 to 8, their pitcher Hart struck out nine Tulip batters.

The Constitution’s visit culminated with a parade on July 18. Led by a joint army and navy color guard, the parade included veterans and civic groups, as well as a naval band from the USS Concord The parade was followed by an “Old Ironsides” ball in the State Armory.

Crowds throng the Municipal Pier to see the “Eagle of the Seas” towed in. Image from Bellingham Herald, July 15, 1933. Photo courtesy Washington State Library

Bon Voyage, USS Constitution!

At 7 a.m. on July 20, the USS Constitution left en route to Anacortes on an “unruffled sea under a cloudless sky,” wrote the Bellingham Herald. “And after so tempestuous a career, in war and peace, may her voyage be thus until she reaches her last port of heroic ships, to live in the hearts of patriotic Americans!”

A total of 43,064 people visited the ship during its seven-day stop in Bellingham, many more than the city’s official population! The vessel gained an hour on its trip, since Anacortes followed standard time, not daylight savings time. Then it was on to Portland. The historic vessel continued its voyage, returning to Boston in May 1934. Today it welcomes visitors at the USS Constitution Museum in Boston.

The Heart of a Community: Meet the Folks Behind the Fairhaven Association

By
Kelley White
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The Fairhaven Association Board of Directors. Top row left to right: Daniel A., Chris C., Sarah P., Jessica G., Tim A., and Traci B. Bottom row left to right: Marissa P, Bridget K, Robin R. Photo courtesy Fairhaven Association

Fairhaven is one of Bellingham’s most beloved neighborhoods, a popular tourist destination and a pocket of pure history. Members of the association’s board, along with Executive Director Heather Carter, recently sat down with WhatcomTalk to discuss the association’s beginnings and the future of supporting its community members.

Where It All Began

“The Fairhaven Association was established in 1971 by a dedicated group of citizens and business owners with the mission of promoting and preserving the Fairhaven District,” says board Vice President Marissa Powell. “At that time, Fairhaven was perceived as a distinct community, and these folks really took matters into their own hands to address local needs and enhance the district.”

So much of the infrastructure and development we all enjoy in Fairhaven today is a direct result of those efforts and dedication during the early years of the association.

The Fairhaven Association collaborates with the community to create lasting relationships. Photo courtesy Fairhaven Association

According to Fairhaven Association History — an essay compiled through Fairhaven newsletters, emails, memory, and newspaper articles in 2008 by Taimi Gorman — the group was originally called the Old Fairhaven Association, in 1971. Not only did the Old Fairhaven Association create a new eatery and decorate the district for Christmas, but it was also instrumental in having phone and power lines installed underground and installing the now iconic antique-chic light posts.

Amidst compiling donations, festival earnings, grants, and dues, the Old Fairhaven Association introduced historic tours and brochures aided by markers throughout the village.

“In 1984 it became a 501(c)6 and hosted the It All Ends in Fairhaven festival in conjunction with the annual Ski to Sea race,” says Board President Chris Caldwell. “In 2019, we hired our first executive director, part-time, continued to expand event offerings.” In 2022 the group moved into a Finnegan’s Alley office. Now, with a full-time executive director, volunteer board of directors with official by-laws, and more than 150 members, the Fairhaven Association provides a strong anchor and hub for the Fairhaven Village.

The Fairhaven Association will continue to grow and expand to accommodate more programming and community outreach, like its popular and long-running Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema events. Photo courtesy Fairhaven Association

Modern Day Purpose

Today, the Fairhaven Association is one of the main driving forces behind community connection and merchant success in the village. “The purpose of the Fairhaven Association is to advocate for the village with our partners like the city of Bellingham, connect association members through communication, education and action, and attract visitors to the Village through events and activities,” Caldwell says.

Each year, the Fairhaven Association hosts various community events and promotes opportunities for a number of businesses, adding to the neighborhood’s close-knit relationships.

Dirty Dan’s Mystery Weekend is just one of the many beloved events put on by the Fairhaven Association every year. Photo courtesy Fairhaven Association

Annual Impact

The association has an annual budget of $270,000 — a modest figure compared to the number of events they host throughout the year. Yet the association successfully hosts around 30 community events each year, many of which are free to attend and enjoyed by all ages.

“Starting in February with the Chocolate Walk and ending in December with Winterfest, we estimate over 20,000 visitors come and attend these events annually,” says Powell. “Our executive director, Heather Carter, also works very closely with the City of Bellingham and serves on the Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism board to help advocate for and promote the businesses and people in Fairhaven.”

Collaborating with the neighborhood and community is foundational for the Fairhaven Association, creating the exposure and foot traffic needed for its continued success.

“The association supports our community as a whole by providing community-focused events, hosting the visitor kiosk and supplying an informative website and village map,” Carter says. “Our members find value in the events that drive visitors to their businesses, destination marketing, listings on our website and the village map, and advocacy with other Whatcom organizations.”

Have you been to the annual Fairhaven Chicken Fest? Throughout the year, the Fairhaven Association hosts multiple community events and tirelessly supports other programs and events throughout the village. Photo courtesy Fairhaven Association

Annual Community Events

Alongside its unwavering support for a plethora of member-hosted events, the Fairhaven Association holds the following annual festivities:

February – Chocolate Walk
April – Dirty Dan Murder Mystery Weekend
May – Fairhaven Festival
July – Chicken Festival
July & August – Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema
August – Village Sidewalk Sale
*New in September 2024 – Health & Wellness Fair
October – Welcome to “FEAR”Haven Village Trick or Treat
November and December – Winterfest

Powell’s favorite event — though it’s hard to choose — is Winterfest. “My personal favorite is the Firelight Stroll,” she says. Going on its seventh year, this event continues to grow in popularity, with more than 1,600 attendees in 2023. “We’ve had a lot of people during the event tell us it’s become a staple in their holiday traditions, which is something we love to hear. We really strive to create events that engage the community and offer one-of-a-kind experiences.”

Looking Toward the Future

As the association evolves and grows, its programming will continue to expand, as well.

“This year, we’ll be developing an annual report, a membership brochure, updating our new website with itineraries, and working on a Historical Walking Tour guidebook,” says Chris Caldwell. “We hope the changes made in the last few years — official by-laws, full-time executive director, a full slate of events — will take us well into the future.”

For more information and to view upcoming events, please visit www.enjoyfairhaven.com.

Sponsored

New Clinicians Join PeaceHealth Medical Group

By
LocalTalk Contributor
-

Submitted by PeaceHealth

PeaceHealth Medical Group has welcomed several new providers to several of its Bellingham clinics.

Kendra Judd, PA-C joined PeaceHealth’s Neurology team at Cascade Brain and Spine Center. She received her master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, and her undergraduate degree in health promotion and education from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She sees patients at 710 Birchwood Ave., Suites 201 and 202. Make an appointment by calling, 360-788-6870. 

Kendra Judd, PA-C. Photo credit: Mark Turner

Archana Chivukula, MD, is a board-certified non-operative sports medicine physician with medical interests in concussion management and ultrasound guided musculoskeletal procedures. She sees patients at PeaceHealth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, 3015 Squalicum Parkway, Suite, 200. 

“As a non-operative sports medicine physician, my philosophy is to understand the root cause of a patient’s source of physical inability, in order to create a multi-disciplinary approach so they are able to live life to their fullest potential,” said Dr. Chivukula about her practice approach, which blends her medical expertise with her passion for athletics. Make an appointment with Dr. Chivukula by calling 360-733-2092.

Nurse practitioners Katie Kennedy and Maggie Glawatz see patients at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center, 3301 Squalicum Parkway, and appointments can be made at 360-215-2538.

Archana Chivukula, MD. Photo credit: Mark Turner

Katie Kennedy, MSN APRN, AGNP-C, is an experienced nurse practitioner, providing high quality care and education to adult and older patients at every stage of the cancer continuum. Kennedy previously practiced in Florida for more than ten years in both clinic and hospital environments. She received her master’s degree as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.

Katie Kennedy, MSN APRN, AGNP-C. Photo credit: Mark Turner

Maggie Glawatz, MSN, ARNP, is a specialist in hospice and palliative care, complex symptom management and serious illness communication. Glawatz received her Master of Science in Nursing, specializing in gerontology, from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Maggie Glawatz, MSN, ARNP. Photo credit: Mark Turner

Hope Richards, MD, practices at Obstetrics and Gynecology at PeaceHealth Cordata South Clinic, 4465 Cordata Parkway. She says of her practice philosophy, “I prioritize patient centered care and evidence-based medicine. I enjoy developing relationships with patients through the many stages in life that can involve an OB-GYN.” Dr. Richards received her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Wash., and holds a master’s degree in health administration from University of Washington School of Health Sciences. Make an appointment at 360-752-5280.

Hope Richards, MD. Photo credit: Mark Turner

Geoffrey McAllister, DPM, serves as the medical director of the PeaceHealth Wound Healing Center at 4280 Meridian Street, Suite 101. Dr. McAllister is specially trained in wound care and hyperbaric medicine. Dr. McAllister received his medical training at the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, and completed his residency in foot and ankle medicine and surgery at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Call 360-788-7733 to make an appointment.

Geoffrey McAllister, DPM. Photo credit: Mark Turner
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