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Your Guide to the Best Holiday Events in Bellingham

By
Kenneth Clarkson
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Santa and Mrs. Clause
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Holiday Port Festival on December 2, 3 and 4. Photo credit: Mark Turner | TurnerPhotographics.com.

The holiday season is just around the corner and there are many events you and your family can partake in to spread cheer and blissfully usher in the winter months. From Thanksgiving to the end of December, Whatcom County is packed with fun events. Here is your guide to can’t-miss holiday happenings.

Free Thanksgiving Meal

November 23

There will be a free Thanksgiving meal held at Assumption Church Gym in Bellingham. And everybody is welcome! Doors open at 12:00 p.m. If you would like to volunteer, you can check out the Lighthouse Mission volunteer page here.

A snowy storefront conjures beautiful memories and smiles. Photo courtesy: Fairhaven Winterfest.

Fairhaven Winterfest

November 23 to December 22

Fairhaven Winterfest, located in historic downtown Fairhaven, has a plethora of different holiday-themed events. Check out all their unique offerings below:

  • Father Christmas – November 23 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Father Christmas will be at the Fairhaven gazebo ready to take pictures with all those who wish to pay a visit.

  • Holiday Art Walk – November 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Horse-drawn covered wagon rides bring back memories of childhood during the holidays. Photo courtesy: Fairhaven Winterfest.

The Holiday Art Walk and Open House will take place throughout Fairhaven’s shops and restaurants, and will display work from artists conveying the holiday spirit.

  • Horse Drawn Carriage Rides – November 23 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Journey to historic downtown Fairhaven and catch a horse drawn carriage ride from the Village Inn. There’s no better way to enjoy a beautiful afternoon around historic downtown Fairhaven.

  • Holiday Market on the Fairhaven Village Green – November 23 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  

Nonprofit organizations sell wares and offerings benefiting a good cause. Don’t miss out on a chance to help those less fortunate than you, and walk away with some nifty holiday wares. This event takes place on the Fairhaven Village Green.

  • Christmas Tree Lighting followed by Christmas carol sing-alongs on the Fairhaven Village Green – November 23 5:00 p.m.

Watch the Christmas tree get lit, then sing to your heart’s content! The annual Christmas tree lighting will take place at Fairhaven’s Winterfest, followed by group Christmas carol sing-alongs.

  • Fairhaven Fa-La-La Caroling Competition – December 22

Fairhaven Fa-La-La Caroling Competition benefits the Historic Fairhaven Association and NW Youth Services. Dozens of caroling teams will compete and sing their hearts out in downtown Fairhaven. Top teams will compete against each other on the main stage of the Fairhaven Village Green.

From candy-adorned gingerbread houses by young kiddos to elaborate buildings by professional bakers, festive Gingerbread House Contest entries are a sight to behold. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.

Miscellaneous Special Events

Yep, that’s right! It’s Washington State Parks FREE Day. Go out and bask in the beautiful late fall foliage. No Discover Pass required in observance of Autumn Day.

  • Shipwrecked! The Amazing Adventures of Louis De Rougemont (As Told By Himself) – November 23 to December 9

Don’t miss this wonderful show at the Bellingham Theatre Guild! Shipwrecked tells the story of Louis de Rougemont as he’s whisked away by the high seas following his leave of 19th century England. There are many things to be excited about in this play, including flying wombats and giant sea turtles. Shipwrecked runs from November 23 to December 9.

  • Holiday Festival of the Arts – November to December 24, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week

The Holiday Festival of the Arts is a five-week long indoor arts festival in Whatcom County. The festival features over 100 different artists and artisans throughout the region. Peruse the vendors, enjoy live music and check out their art workshops. The festival is open daily, except on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve.

  • Holiday Port Festival

Don’t miss the chance to gather with friends and family at the locally beloved Hoiliday Port Festival. Enjoy festive holiday performances, free holiday goodies and a plethora of creative gingerbread houses.

  • Santa Paws Photos

Bring your companion animal for a visit with Santa Paws on December 1 and 2, from 11:00 a..m. – 3:00 p.m. at Mud Bay. Give a $20 donation and receive a 4×6 print and digital file which will be sent via email. Proceeds benefit the Whatcom Humane Society. No appointment necessary. All animals must be on leash or in a secure carrier. For more information visit www.whatcomhumane.org or call 360-733-2080.

  • Holiday Events at Semiahmoo Resort

Discover the magic of the season at Semiahmoo Resort, Golf and Spa. From gingerbread house making, to festive and fun crafts, to curling up with a hot cup of cider by the fire, they have something for everyone.

  1. Wreath Making – Wednesday, November 21
  2. Elf on the Shelf – Saturday, November 24
  3. Photos with Santa – Saturday, December 1
  4. Holiday Ornaments – Wednesday, December 5
  5. Gingerbread Houses – Saturday, December 15 and Saturday, December 22
  6. Holiday Scramble – Saturday, December 22
  7. Snow Slime and Winter Paintings – Saturday, December 26
There’s nothing like a visit from Santa to enhance your holiday shopping experience. Photo courtesy: Downtown Bellingham Partnership.

Christmas-Related Events

  • Whatcom Symphony: Holiday Magic! December 16

Featuring Director of Orchestral Studies at Western Washington University Ryan Dudenbostel, the Whatcom Symphony provides an evening filled with holiday cheer. They will showcase holiday musical favorites for the whole family, and there’s hot cocoa at intermission for the kids! This event takes place at Mount Baker Theatre.

  • Tour of the Trees – November 30 and December 1

Enjoy cookies, view trees and listen to live music at this free, family-friendly event. The Tour of Trees is a walk-through of beautifully-decorated trees in Bellingham hosted by the Bellingham Festival of Trees and Bellingham Senior Activity Center.

  • Festival of Trees – December 1

The Bellingham Senior Activity Center, a program of the Whatcom Council on Aging, hosts the Festival of Trees. This event features a wonderful dinner, scrumptious dessert courses and a live auction of special Christmas trees. This really is a wonderful way to spend the evening!

Hanukkah-Related Events

  • Hanukkah Party at Congregation Beth Israel – December 9, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Hanukkah Party at Congregation Beth Israel in Bellingham. The celebration will feature food, music, games and more. And don’t miss the annual Dreidel Spin-Off!

  • Public Menorah Lighting – December 2

The Public Menorah Lighting will take place at Lee Memorial Park in Bellingham. The event is hosted by the Rohr Center for Jewish Life-Chabad of Bellingham and WWU. This public event marks the beginning of Hanukkah.

Local Student Athlete Maggie Davis-Bower is on a Mission for Change

By
Kenneth Clarkson
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Maggie Davis-Bower (center) holds the mic as she prepares to speak at a rally against gun violence. Photo courtesy: Maggie Davis-Bower.

Maggie Davis-Bower is a poised, strong, confident woman. The 17-year-old has seen more than some people will ever see and, because of that, she’s decided to make a difference. One of the leaders of Students For Action, a Bellingham-based organization focused on student safety, Maggie, now a senior, hopes to pass the reigns of the organization onto fellow students after she heads off to college.

Maggie Davis-Bower (center) holds the mic as she prepares to speak at a rally against gun violence. Photo courtesy: Maggie Davis-Bower.

Maggie created Students For Action following the Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting in Parkland, Florida. She had heard and seen enough. She didn’t want anyone – student or otherwise – to lose their lives to gun violence again. This issue affected her deeply, as she’s a survivor of the 2016 Cascade Mall Shooting in Burlington.

Students For Action was designed to get Whatcom County students involved in efforts to prevent gun violence, and to help of-age students register to vote. The organization was created via an Instagram post, following the Parkland shooting. Maggie posted about the idea of a Whatcom County school-wide walk-out and, the next thing she knew, 25 local students showed up at her house to help facilitate her goals.

Since founding Students For Action, Maggie has gone on to attend the March For Our Lives Rally in Washington D.C., protest, and helped register voters at school and throughout Whatcom County.

Maggie (middle row, second from left) and her fellow students in front of the U.S. Capitol following the March for Our Lives in Washington D.C. Photo courtesy: Maggie Davis-Bower.

“We want to keep our peers informed about the issues impacting us,” Maggie says. “That’s why we use social media to keep in touch with them, and I think we have highly motivated underclassmen that will help keep Students For Action functioning once I leave.”

Maggie is one busy high school senior.

Amidst all her political action, she still goes to school like a normal teenager, is captain of the Squalicum High School women’s cross country team and plays tennis for the school in the spring.

As the cross country season comes to a close, she’s, unfortunately, battling two sprained ankles, but that doesn’t stop her from participating. Although her time competing for Squalicum may be over, she’s still a huge supporter. Maggie shows up to every practice to cheer on her team even when she can’t run.

Coach Erin Fraser says she isn’t just a remarkable runner, but a remarkable person who’s going to continue to do great things in life. Maggie smiles and thanks her coach; the camaraderie between the two is palpable.

“Maggie is just amazing,” Erin says. “She’s our team captain and, although she was injured this year, she was still a very important part of the team. She helped show the younger girls the ropes and was a great role model.”

Maggie and fellow students hold signs asking for common sense gun laws. Photo courtesy: Maggie Davis-Bower.

Maggie doesn’t have plans to run in college yet, but thinks she might try to walk on the team at Pitzer College in Claremont, California, the university she’s applying to this fall. Maggie says walking onto the cross country team is enticing because it’s important to exercise and build community with other peers.

She doesn’t know for sure if she wants to go into politics specifically, she says she enjoys it and has become very politically active. She also has an affinity for marine biology, and ideally could combine the two areas of interest into her future line of work.

“A good understanding of both marine biology and political science will help me if I want to work on research that goes into policy making,” Maggie says.

Instead of just reading the stories on the news, Maggie is involved and making a difference. Her organization, Students For Action, is a bastion for change not only in her local community, but nationally. And she isn’t done yet – who knows where her future studies and career will take her.

What To Do In and Around Bellingham November 9—11

By
Events Editor
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Photo credit: Paulee Offerson.

After a long work week, the weekend is finally here. Time to kick back and relax, or get out and do something active. No matter what kind of weekend you have in mind, you’ll find lots of fun things to do in and around Bellingham November 9—11. Here are a few ideas to get you started. And don’t forget to check out our full events calendar for all the fun happening in Whatcom County.

WhatcomTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and throughout Whatcom County. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@whatcomtalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Bellingham and the surrounding area, visit our events calendar. To submit an event of your own, visit our events calendar and click on the green “Post Your Event” button.

Doc and da Vinci: Dr. Daniel Roeter Treats Urologic Conditions with Robotic Surgery

By
Kenneth Clarkson
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Dr. Daniel Roeter finished studying under world-renowned urologist Dr. Inderbir Gill at the University of Southern California.

In 2016, to provide patients with expanded surgical options, PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center purchased the da Vinci® Si Surgical System. This robotic surgical machine is integral to the success of many urological operations, working in tandem with a team of doctors and nurses.

Dr. Daniel Roeter studied under world-renowned urologist Dr. Inderbir Gill at the University of Southern California.

Over the last 15 years, robotic-assisted surgery for urological conditions has increased in popularity in the United States. Prospective urologists undergo training to specialize in the field of robotic-assisted and minimally-invasive surgery. Dr. Daniel Roeter is one of these urologists. In 2016, he finished studying under world-renowned urologist Dr. Inderbir Gill at the University of Southern California.

Here’s what happens when Dr. Roeter uses the machine to perform a typical urological operation:

Once turned on, the da Vinci is powered by technology that allows Roeter’s movements to become more precise. Roeter uses his hands on “pincher-like” controls to make movements the robot will mimic, which will be translated to the instruments the robot holds.

As opposed to laparoscopic surgery, which uses 2D cameras, the da Vinci® Si Surgical System operates with 3D cameras that provide high definition visualization. This feature gives Roeter better visuals of the patient when performing surgery.

“We aren’t on autopilot or anything,” Roeter says. “I am right there operating the machine. A lot of people hear the word “robot” and they think the machine is going to perform the operation on them. That isn’t the case; my team and I are there every step of the way.”

Dr. Roeter is a urologist for Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists in Bellingham and traveled across the entire United States to receive his training. Originally from Spokane, he’s since lived in the South, Midwest, Pacific Northwest and Southern California. Each of these regional stops was necessary and all helped him get where he is today. Each taught him different skills he now incorporates in his day-to-day operations.

Dr. Roeter attended Western Washington University for his undergraduate studies, where he majored in biochemistry. Perhaps it was then he developed his love for Whatcom County.

“I’m not sure that right after college I knew I was going to live in Bellingham again,” Roeter says. “But following years of traveling for my studies, my wife and I thought it would be a good fit for our family to live here.”

Roeter knew he wanted to become a doctor since his freshman year of college at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, where he got his associate’s degree before heading to Western. After that, it was off to far flung new places. Dr. Roeter attended medical school at the University of Miami, and then his residency at Wayne State University in Detroit.

“I wanted to practice urology because in this profession you can see that patients are very happy and relieved once they’re finished with surgery,” Dr. Roeter says. “A lot of the procedures we do help people who were once feeling very miserable, recover.”

When Dr. Roeter enrolled in his fellowship, he performed surgery under the guidance of supervising physicians on many occasions. In fact, in the fellowship alone, he completed over 225 robotic surgery cases. He says it makes you excited when the time and work you’ve put in really shows, and the supervising physicians realize you can handle the situation; it gives you confidence heading into the profession on your own.

Dr. Roeter now treats all adult urologic conditions including enlarged prostate, kidney stones and forms of cancer. Robotic surgery is mostly used for oncological surgical needs.

“I think the future of urology is headed toward developing and utilizing single port surgery,” Dr. Roeter says. “Right now, even with machine assistance, we use five incisions when performing most surgeries, but the idea is to move toward one larger incision, which will allow the patient to have a faster healing time.”

Most frequently, Dr. Roeter uses robotic-assisted surgery to remove prostates, kidneys and tumors in patients with cancer. He has done over 100 robotic cases in the last two years. He encourages getting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests to screen for prostate cancer for those men ages 55 and up.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists’ website. And keep up to date with their official Facebook page, YouTube channel and Instagram account.

Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists
3232 Squalicum Parkway
Bellingham

Mount Baker Theatre Invites Community to a Free Open House

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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The MBT main stage hearkens back to a bygone era. Photo credit: Damian Vines Photography.

Submitted by: Mount Baker Theatre

Mount Baker Theatre invites the community to attend an Open House Tour on Friday, November 9 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  The 91-year-old historic venue is located in downtown Bellingham’s Arts District on Commercial St. All ages are welcome.

Activities include self-paced exploring with information from volunteer docents, hearing and seeing the vintage pipe organ, interacting with lighting effects, seeing backstage, and enjoying a scavenger hunt with prizes for kids of all ages!  Concessions will be open and previous patrons can bring their reusable MBT Concert Cups.

RSVP to AmyB@MountBakerTheatre.com.  The tour is free, but donations are always welcome.  Part of the mission of Mount Baker Theatre is historic preservation of this building for use as a regional venue.

The Mount Baker Theatre, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting the performing arts, receives support from a Tourism Facilities Grant from the City of Bellingham.

Celebrate the Season at the 2018 Holiday Port Festival

By
Andrea Culletto
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From candy-adorned gingerbread houses by young kiddos to elaborate buildings by professional bakers, festive Gingerbread House Contest entries are a sight to behold. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.

There’s something magical about this time of year. The air is crisp and fresh, and we can almost smell the promise of snow on the wind. Winter’s darkness magically lifts as brilliant twinkle lights pop up along our city streets. Everyday life becomes imbued with happiness and joy.

Don’t miss all the fun performances at the Port Holiday Festival. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.

When I was younger, I thought my enthusiasm for the holiday season would wane with age. But, much to my delight, it only continued to grow, fueled by family traditions and special community events that enhance the joy of the season.

One of my favorite events is the Holiday Port Festival, hosted by the Port of Bellingham. This free, family-friendly event takes place on December 7, 8 and 9, 2018, at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. “Each year for 28 years, the Port of Bellingham has looked forward to hosting the community at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal,” says Port of Bellingham Meeting and Event Supervisor Tiffany DeSimone.

To me, the Holiday Port Festival embodies the spirit of the season. I love attending with family and friends, relishing the festivities and making cherished memories. And there’s no better way to connect with community than in this joyful space.

I enjoy watching our local choirs, bands and dancers perform each year. Their excitement is contagious, as is the proud gleam in their young eyes as they showcase their talents and hard work. “This fun family tradition brings over 900 local students together to perform for their friends and family,” says DeSimone.

The Port of Bellingham’s Holiday Port Festival features performances by local bands, orchestras, choirs and performance groups. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.

And that’s just the beginning. The weekend is filled with fun highlights, like horse-drawn carriage and tractor wagon rides, kids’ art activities and the beautiful belles of the ball – the winter princesses. Best of all? The big man himself! Santa Claus loves hanging out at the Holiday Port Festival almost as much as I do. This year FREE Santa photos will be available online after the event.

My favorite part is simply relishing the sounds of holiday music, people-watching and sipping a flavorful cup of hot apple cider – which is free thanks to Haggen, along with some scrumptious holiday cookies. Who could ask for more? These simple delights mean the most to me this time of year. Plus, they’re delicious.

Speaking of delicious, I always enjoy perusing the Holiday Port Festival’s gingerbread house display. I’m constantly amazed at the creativity in these sugary creations. I really take my time and examine each one, finding the special details and hidden gems. Some additions make me laugh out loud. One of these years, I may try my hand at culinary construction myself ….

The Holiday Port Festival Gingerbread House Contest

These gingerbread houses will blow your mind. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.

While gingerbread houses are a clear holiday classic, this contest welcomes any kind of edible structure. You could build a gingerbread igloo, a graham cracker yacht or a candy spaceship. Perhaps a candy corn condo is right up your (city) alley. Or maybe you prefer a mellow marzipan mansion. For ideas and to explore the amazing creations from past years, check out the Gingerbread House Contest Facebook page.

The contest is free and open to all ages and ability levels. Participants are invited to compete in one of several categories, including:

  • 2018 Theme Category: Home Sweet Home
  • Business/ Nonprofit
  • Family
  • Adult
  • Senior Citizen
  • Professional
  • Youth 5 Years and Under
  • Youth Grades K – 3
  • Youth Grades 4 – 8
  • Youth Grades 9 – 12
The gingerbread house contest is open to edible structures of all kinds. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.

Ribbons are awarded to the top three entries in each category. Entry forms must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28. You can enter online or call the Port at 360-676-2500 to have an entry form mailed to you.

Participating in the Gingerbread House Contest is a beloved tradition for many Whatcom County families, and it does more than warm hearts and delight the senses. After the judging, many donate their masterpieces to the Holiday Port Festival’s silent auction. Proceeds from this event benefits Toys for Tots, a nonprofit that provides Christmas presents for kids in need. The event also includes a food drive benefiting the Bellingham Food Bank.

This year’s Gingerbread Contest theme category is “Home Sweet Home.” What better way to celebrate the season than gathering with loved ones and hand-making a sweet structure that exemplifies your idea of home? I’m always amazed how one simple prompt can result in such a diversity of creations. I can’t wait to see what “Home Sweet Home” looks like to our community.

And don’t forget to vote for your favorite entry. The People’s Choice Award winner will receive a ribbon and a special prize.

Don’t miss the 2018 Holiday Port Festival. This year promises to be better than ever, but it’s the people who really make it great. DeSimone says “Thanks to the folks of Whatcom County for joining us to celebrate the Holiday Season.”

This is the perfect way to kick off your holiday season, connect with your community and bond with those you love. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are all about? It’s certainly what makes my season merry and bright.

Holiday Port Festival 2018

December 7, 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.
December 8, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
December 9, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Bellingham Cruise Terminal

Express your creativity at the gingerbread house contest. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.
The Holiday Port Festival Gingerbread House Contest is free and open to bakers of all ages and abilities. Entries don’t have to be houses—they don’t even have to be made out of gingerbread! Structures just need to be visibly edible. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.
From candy-adorned gingerbread houses by young kiddos to elaborate buildings by professional bakers, festive Gingerbread House Contest entries are a sight to behold. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.

Savor the Flavor of Fall at BelleWood Acres’ Ciderfest

By
Andrea Culletto
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Don't miss apple picking at BelleWood Acres. Photo courtesy: BelleWood Acres.

Fall is a wonderful time of year in Whatcom County. The leaves put on a vibrant show, the air smells especially fresh and the temperatures drop to an invigorating chill. Best of all? It’s apple cider season. Nothing embodies the joy of fall like a nice cup of fresh apple cider. And there’s no better place to savor this delightful fall flavor than at BelleWood Acres’ Ciderfest – now in its seventh season!

The BelleWood Acres family is excited to host you at Ciderfest 2018. Photo courtesy: BelleWood Acres.

We sat down with new BelleWood Acres Owner Eric Abel to chat about this weekend’s upcoming festivities.

WhatcomTalk: What can people expect at Ciderfest?

Eric Abel: Hard cider in the Pacific Northwest is booming, and as the premiere apple and pear orchard in the region, BelleWood Farms will be celebrating the success of all cideries. Guests can sample the many ciders available from the area and we’ll have a special food menu including our famous pulled pork sandwiches, homemade apple cider pretzels and squash soup made from our garden. There will be live music and our distillery will be open for free tastings of our farm to bottle spirits.

WhatcomTalk: Tell us about the Home Cider Brewing Competition: How many people will be participating and what does the competition entail?

Eric Abel: The growth of hard cider is largely due to craft makers who have started in their own home kitchens and we want to encourage makers to keep innovating. We haven’t even tapped the surface in the United States of the potential for hard cider as seen in Europe. Each year we usually have a dozen or so individuals who bring a couple of bottles of their homebrew, and our judges award a winner, along with prize money.

Cider doesn’t get any fresher than this! Photo courtesy: BelleWood Acres.

WhatcomTalk: What is a Community Carboy Fill?

Eric Abel: At BelleWood, we’re the largest apple orchard in the western part of the state, with over 21 varieties. Local brewers love our premium quality fruit and the Carboy Fill is a great opportunity for homebrewers to get access to our soft cider and fill up their carboys, in order to make their own hard cider.

WhatcomTalk: Who will be performing at this year’s Ciderfest?

Eric Abel: Guests will love our live music – Bellingham’s own Hot Damn Scandal. They’re a hugely popular band with an almost indescribable genre; an upbeat folk sound coined “Northwest Devil Swing” with what I think of as sort of a country-gypsy-jazz flair… Ha! Anyway, they’re entirely creative and as fun to watch as they are to listen to.

WhatcomTalk: Which hard ciders will be available for sampling?

Eric Abel: Guests will be able to taste hard cider from Pacific Northwest cideries including Honey Moon, Herbs, Lost Giants, Bellingham Cider, and more. And as I mentioned, our distillery tasting room will have free samples of our farm made spirits

You’ll love the flavor of our local Whatcom County cider. Photo courtesy: BelleWood Acres.

WhatcomTalk: Which cider is your favorite and why?

Eric Abel: Our cider community in Whatcom County is creating so many amazing brews with a wide range of flavor profiles. I like them all! But my favorite are the dryer, less sweet ciders. A couple of the local cideries are using our own Bellewood apple and pears in their concoctions.

WhatcomTalk: Is there anything else you want the community to know about Ciderfest in particular, or BelleWood Acres in general?

Eric Abel: We hope the community will come and support the amazing work that our local cideries are doing to bring delightful products to our community. They’re putting Whatcom County on the map when it comes to this industry. It’s really quite special and we’re glad to be a part of it.

Don’t miss Ciderfest at BelleWood Acres on November 10 from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit the BelleWood Acres events page.

Come on down, raise your glass and toast to another beautiful Whatcom County fall!

Get Ready for the 2018-2019 WWU Men’s Basketball Season

By
Kenneth Clarkson
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Western Washington University's 2018-19 men's basketball team. Photo courtesy: Jeff Evans.

The regular season begins November 9 for Western Washington University’s Men’s Basketball. The Vikings start the 2018-2019 campaign by taking part in the CCAA/GNAC Challenge, where they will face California State University, Dominguez Hills, followed by a game against UC San Diego the next night on November 10.

For the Vikings, there’s a lot to look forward to this year. A couple of key freshman including Jalen Green and D’Angelo Minnis have joined the team, and the team is returning key starter Trevor Jasinsky and last year’s sixth man Siaan Rojas. Although the team will look different than last year’s second-place GNAC finisher, it will be an exciting season. New faces will need to seamlessly blend in with the old to create a competitor.

Trevor Jasinsky will be a co-captain this year for the Vikings. Photo courtesy: Jeff Evans.

In the annual Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll, Western was picked to finish fourth in the conference. This is understandable, although it’s a slight drop from their second-place finish last year. It makes sense to get a fourth-place selection due to the number of new faces filling the roster this season.

In addition to the new freshman, four new transfer student-athletes will join the team, and the Vikings will lose three key players from last season. In fact, the team’s top three scorers from the 2017-2018 season have departed. Guard Trey Drechsel, a First-Team All GNAC player last season, has transferred to Grand Canyon University for his senior season. Forward Daulton Hommes, another First-Team All GNAC selection, has transferred to Point Loma Nazarene University. Forward Deandre Dickson, a Second-Team All GNAC selection, graduated following his senior season and now plays professionally overseas in Slovakia.

In eight of their last 10 seasons, Western has recorded at least 20 wins. They look to continue that trend this year with their new roster full of fresh faces. The play of true freshmen Jalen Green and D’Angelo Minnis (although Minnis could still redshirt) could be major factors toward that 20-win total. In this year’s Blue-White Scrimmage (where the Vikings split into two practice squads and play each other), Green had 21 points and Minnis 22. If Minnis and Green can remain consistent scoring threats throughout the year, it will take some pressure off head coach Tony Dominguez to figure out where the new roster will get some of its scoring power.

Freshman Jalen Green looks to make a major impact his first year as a Viking. Photo courtesy: Jeff Evans.

Dominguez has been with Western for 24 years, and is entering his seventh season as the head coach of the program. Since becoming head coach, Dominguez has led Western to a combined record of 133-51. Western has notched a winning each of the last 11 years, and looks to continue the trend in 2018-2019.

“We definitely have a new look to our team, but I like how we are improving and I think we will showcase a very quick, athletic brand of basketball,” Dominguez said. “We are expecting to have a team of contributions rather than a specific position or person carrying the load.”

The Vikings won the GNAC regular-season and tournament titles in 2016-17, and if they want to regain those titles they’ll need to learn how to play together quickly and efficiently. In basketball, an overhauled roster can take teams some time to get used to. But once the chemistry is there and everything clicks, new rosters have been known to usher in great periods of winning.

Last year’s season was impressive, as the Vikings had a second place GNAC finish with a record of 16-4. Even with all the changes this year, the Vikings have the ability to take first place in the GNAC; they just need to continue scoring at a high clip (they averaged 83.4 points per game last year) and playing lock-down defense.

Western Washington University’s 2018-19 men’s basketball team. Photo courtesy: Jeff Evans.

The Vikings finished up exhibition games against the Whatcom Slam on October 27 and the Seattle Mountaineers on October 30; the last two tune-ups before regular season games begin. Following the CCAA/GNAC Challenge in La Jolla, California, the Vikings travel to Canada to play two more away games in Burnaby, British Columbia against Minnesota State University Moorhead and Humboldt State University.

“We will be road tested, that is for sure,” Dominguez said when asked how the team starts the season with four games on the road. “But that’s what’s in front of us and all we can do is accept the challenge head on. Our reputation and past performances has made it tough to create a good competitive home schedule, in recent years. For us to work towards the NCAA tournament, we need to play potentially ranked opponents. This year that meant playing on the road and we are very excited about the opportunity.”

Western’s first two home games of the season will be at Carver Gym and on November 23 and November 24. The Vikings will play host to Capilano and Langara Colleges. Both universities are from Vancouver, British Columbia.

“Carver Gym is a special place for our program, our fans, the community and the student-body,” Dominguez said. “We look forward to any time we get to play in front of the home crowd as we have always had a home court advantage due to our fan base.”

Tickets for Vikings’ home games can be found here. To view the entirety of Western’s 2018-2019 schedule click here.

Pickford Film Center Offers Documentary Screenings to Students Free of Charge for the Fifth Year in a Row

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LocalTalk Contributor
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Still from ‘Youth Unstoppable,” a 2018 Doc-ED selection about the youth global climate movement. Photo courtesy: Pickford Film Center.

Submitted by: Pickford Film Center

October at the Pickford means Doctober – a month-long film festival dedicated to documentaries. Pickford Film Center is a thriving theater all month long and especially so in the mornings, thanks to Doc-ED, a program that brings thousands of middle school students through the doors of the Pickford to see a documentary free of charge – transportation and popcorn included!

Still from the documentary ‘Inventing Tomorrow,’ one of two film selections for Pickford Film Center’s 2018 Doc-ED program. Photo courtesy: Pickford Film Center.

In the 2017-2018 school year, Pickford Film Center offered every public and tribal middle school the opportunity to see a documentary for free through Doc-ED, giving students a chance to see new, eye-opening documentaries in the theater, where watching alongside other students is a meaningful shared experience. The program began in 2014 with four schools and approximately 1,000 students participating, and has since expanded to 10 schools and over 3,000 students in 2017. Pickford staff, board and volunteers are excited to see Doc-ED continue into its fifth year with great response.

Through generous grants, donations and annual fundraising efforts, the Pickford is able to offer tickets, transportation and popcorn to the students at no cost to the schools. Covering transportation costs gives schools outside city limits the chance to see films without the added hassle.

In an exit survey, a teacher from Shuksan Middle School said, “our population of students struggle to pay for field trips on their own,” and that they found Doc-ED to be “a wonderful experience.”

Still from ‘Youth Unstoppable,” a 2018 Doc-ED selection about the youth global climate movement. Photo courtesy: Pickford Film Center.

Last year, teachers chose from four different documentaries featured in the Pickford’s Doctober film festival. Doctober is the largest documentary film festival in the Northwest, and shows over 50 documentaries during the month of October.

The 2018-19 documentaries are Inventing Tomorrow, which takes a look at kid scientists from around the world preparing for the “science fair of science fairs,” and Youth Unstoppable, filmmaker Slater Jewell-Kemker’s 10-year journey through the global youth climate movement, from age 15 to 25.

The mission of Doc-ED is to provide students with inspirational films that will give them a window on different people, cultures and experiences from all over the world. In addition, classes are supplied with discussion guides to help supplement the film viewing and bring the experience back to the classroom.

Doc-ED is a program that both teachers and students have responded to positively, and only grows with each continuing year.

“I really enjoyed watching, the film was very inspiring,” a Whatcom Middle School student wrote in their evaluation, “the film taught me to be grateful for what I have.”

Teachers and administrators interested in learning more about Doc-ED can contact Education Outreach Coordinator Mikayla Nicholson.

Scott Richardson Celebrates 40th Anniversary

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LocalTalk Contributor
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Photo courtesy: Scott Richardson.

Submitted by: State Street Insurance

Scott Richardson, Allstate Agent and President of State Street Insurance, Richardson Agency INC, is pleased to announce that September 2018 he will be celebrating his 40th year in the insurance business and his concurrent affiliation with the Allstate Insurance Company.

State Street Insurance was the Small Business of the Year for the Chamber in 2014. Photo courtesy: Scott Richardson.

Scott started in the basement of the Bellingham Sears Store in 1978 and over the years was promoted to Senior Account Agent, Neighborhood  Office Agent, and finally to his own agency as an Exclusive Agent/Owner.

Scott has been committed to taking care of his customers and appreciates all the families he has had the privilege to serve over the last 40 years.

He has been heavily involved in the Bellingham Community including serving as a past board member of Lydia Place and a past Chairman of the Board for the Chamber. He now serves as a current Ambassador for the Chamber and has for many years.

His agency, State Street Insurance, was the Small Business of the Year for the Chamber in 2014.

Richardson has been in the business for 40 years. Photo courtesy: Scott Richardson.

Scott has been involved with his professional association, NAFIA, over the years, including serving as the local President, Regional Vice President for the Washington State Association, and as the political involvement chair on the State Board.

Scott spent many years as a speaker for the Washington Insurance Council giving talks to high school students and driver’s education classes, as well as teaching Junior Achievement classes.

Scott wants to thank all his friends, family, current and past customers for their support over the last 40 years.

Stop by his office at 1901 N State Street in Bellingham to congratulate Scott in achieving this huge milestone and wish him continued success.

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