The sun is peaking out more and our neighbors are starting to prepare for home improvement jobs this spring and summer! Puget Sound Energy wants to remind its neighbors how they can save potentially thousands of dollars in damages with a single call before even starting the project.
In observance of National Safe Digging Month, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is hoping to share these warnings and advice.
A recent national survey revealed more than half (51 percent) of U.S. Homeowners plan to complete an outdoor do-it yourself project involving digging in the next year.
About 26.9 million of those same Americans do not plan to notify 811 ahead of their next project, putting themselves and their communities at risk by not contacting 811 before digging.
Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in serious injury or death, inconvenient service disruptions, and costly fines and repairs. Hitting underground gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines while digging can have a major impact on communities and businesses. Making a free request before digging online at Washington 811’s website, or by calling 811, will help everyone who digs maintain essential utility service for their communities, while keeping themselves and their neighbors’ safe by reducing the likelihood of accidentally digging into buried utility lines.
Without calling, customers in 2022 saw on average $1,300 to $3,200 in damage. Some of the more serious damages even cost upwards of $7,500.
Locally, in 2022, King, Snohomish and Pierce County residents accounted for 95 percent of homeowner damages to natural gas lines, with Seattle by far being the largest contributor. Throughout Washington, nearly half (46 percent) of the 2,069 reported underground utility damages in 2023 were caused by those who did not call 811.
When asked why homeowners aren’t planning to call 811, the top reasons are related to beliefs around shallow digging and unfamiliarity with the 811 notification process.
Even small projects like planting a garden or installing a mailbox or post light require homeowners to contact 811 since many utilities are buried just a few inches below ground.
As part of National Safe Digging Month, PSE encourages everyone to take the following steps when planning a digging project this spring:
Always contact 811 a few days before digging, regardless of the depth or familiarity with the property.
Plan ahead. Make a free 811 request on Monday or Tuesday for work planned for an upcoming weekend, providing ample time for the approximate location of lines to be marked.
Confirm that all lines have been marked.
Consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings.
If a contractor has been hired, confirm that the contractor has contacted 811. Don’t allow work to begin if the lines aren’t marked.
The original Terminal Building bore a sign listing its prior occupants and a plaque describing its designation on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo credit: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / GFDL
On December 16, 2023, Bellingham tragically lost one of its historic buildings and an enterprising community member to a fire. The Terminal Building was Fairhaven’s oldest surviving structure, and the fire claimed the life of 39-year-old Nate Breaux, owner of the building’s Harris Avenue Café and Old Independent Coffee House.
Over subsequent months, the community has worked to grieve and heal from these losses. As an earlier LocalTalk article describes, Village Books and Paper Dreams has begun collecting community stories, writing, art, and photography about the Terminal Building.
“It was prompted by the response to the Terminal Building burning down and this outpouring of a desire for people to remember and share the stories and share in the grieving,” says Village Books co-owner and steward Paul Hanson. The owner approached Village Books with the idea of putting together a guest book where people could write down stories.
Hanson was inspired to dream up something a little more permanent with information captured far and wide. “People have been happy to be able to share and look forward to closure to the grieving process — and also a chance to celebrate the renewal.”
The building’s shell was completely removed within a few weeks of the fire. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
“A couple of ideas we’ve had is a public reading here at the store or on the site of when the building starts going up again,” Hanson says. “Also, depending on how many we get, we might collect those into a book to commemorate it.”
With over 130 years of continuous commercial use, the landmark still stands tall in Fairhaven’s memory.
Early History
Built between 1888 and 1889, the Terminal Building exemplified the High Victorian Italianate style. Named the Evans-Fick Block for owners Evan Evans and Henry Fick, it used a wooden frame and imported bricks. Its first commercial occupants included Denny Butler’s Sideboard Saloon, George D. Pierce’s barbershop, and Jarvis and Odell Cigars and Billiards.
“I didn’t realize it was the oldest building in Fairhaven,” says Hanson, who also didn’t initially understand why it was called the Terminal Building. “It’s where the streetcar was set up and that’s where people got on.”
After the loss of the Terminal Building, the only remaining individual building on the National Register of Historic Places is Fairhaven Library (built 1904). Photo credit: Anna Diehl
The City of Bellingham document on the Terminal Building notes its name may have taken influence from Fairhaven’s early dream to become the Great Northern Railroad terminus. When the railroad went to Seattle in 1891, Fairhaven’s economy declined — dovetailing into the panic of 1893. The Terminal Building has only now joined other vanished landmarks from the vision of “Imperial Fairhaven.”
“Researching that, we then started to see what the subsequent buildings are,” says Hanson. “Paper Dreams is, I think, third in line.”
The Terminal Building’s later occupants would include real estate offices and Will Berthiaume’s Terminal Store, which provided a soda fountain and grocery for visitors waiting for the streetcar.
In Living Memory
The Terminal Building originated a local mainstay, Tony’s Coffee, in 1971. During Fairhaven’s hippie years, it became a popular gathering place. Tony’s moved its roastery to its present location in 1995, and in 2022, the Old Independent Coffee House took its place in the Terminal Building under the new name.
In the wake of the fire, Tony’s raised over $10,000 for the Breaux family with a commemorative mug depicting their old building.
While the Tony’s mug is no longer for sale after reaching its fundraising goal, other designs have been created to honor the local community. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
“As long as anybody’s been here, it’s been such a fixture and a place for people to meet,” Hanson says. “It’s like a shorthand; it’s the place where you say, ‘Let’s meet at Tony’s or let’s meet at the Old Independent.’”
In 1975, the Terminal Building joined the National Register of Historic Places with an engraved plaque.
“I don’t know if people took [it] for granted,” says Hanson of the historic building. “When something is around long enough, they just think, ‘Oh, it’s a given it’s always going to be there.’ I hope that for [other] fixtures in Fairhaven that never becomes the case, and we always value them while they’re here — not only after they’re gone.”
While there are no exact plans for what will replace the Terminal Building on the vacant lot, Village Books is hopeful for a new structure that would pay tribute to the area’s history. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
Moving Forward
Village Books has tentative plans to collaborate on commemorative efforts with organizations such as Whatcom Museum.
“I think remembering our past is very important,” says Hanson. “That’s one of the things we do here: help to tell the story of our history to see where we came from. And not necessarily to define that this is the way we’ve done things and how we always should do things. But it’s good to know your heritage and your history.”
The vacant lot still awaits city plans, but stewards are hopeful for a fitting tribute in the building’s place.
“We’re always telling that history of Fairhaven and of Village Books here in Bellingham to our new employees who just moved here, [or] new Western students,” Hanson says. “We say, ‘Okay, we’re the stewards of history and here are the stories,’ because people remember these and it’s important to be remembered. I think we all want to be witnessed. We all want to be seen and this is an exercise in seeing our institutions and the people who built Fairhaven.”
The Fairhaven Association, along with presenting sponsor Village Books, is preparing for its 4th annual Dirty Dan Murder Mystery Weekend.
The clock will turn back to the 1970s — the Dirty Dan Community Garden is set to be demolished and protestors will not go down without a fight! The Case of Fairhaven’s Fallen Flower will take place on Saturday April 27 and Sunday April 28.
This year’s story is written by Cryptid Escapes.
Gumshoes: can you find the murderer and discover the motive?
Collect clues from 25 village businesses, question suspects, gather information, and then make your accusation (you could win prizes!)
Saturday Schedule:
Check in opens at 10 a.m. Collect clues and interview suspects until 5 p.m.
Sunday Schedule:
Check in opens at 10 a.m. Collect clues and interview suspects / accusations are due by 1 p.m.!
Live Music with the Lindsey Street Band on the Village Green from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Chill out” on the green from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy lawn games, bring a picnic! There will be a few vendors on the green as well as a community art project with Refind Creations.
The “Whodunit” will be announced at approx. 1:15 p.m. with prizes drawn afterwards.
There will also be 1970s costume contest at 2 p.m.
Save a bit of dough and purchase early bird tickets until April 15!
Individual ticket (includes 1 accusation) – $15 per person/early bird available until April 15 – $20 per person starting April 16th
Group ticket (includes 2 accusations, make your team as big as you like) – $25 / early bird available until April 15 – $35 per group starting April 16th
VIP Add On – $10pp while supplies last / includes clip board, color changing pencil, signed color copy of the cast, individual suspect sheets to take notes, groovy peace sign necklace, and Q&A with the cast after the “whodunit” is announced.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.enjoyfairhaven.com or follow @enjoyfairhaven on Facebook and Instagram
Check in is located at the Fairhaven Association Hub, 1106 Harris Avenue, inside Finnegan’s Alley.
Colin works his magic along the roofline of the large Rocket Building mural. Photo credit: Charlie Schmid
As an artist, Ivan Colin strives to not repeat himself, and a quick look at his work shows his willingness to travel new paths. Split between large, outdoor murals, and smaller pieces on canvas, some of Colin’s creations appeal to a wide audience, and others feel much more personal. Most bring a graffiti style to mind, and some use strong, solid shapes while others hint at perpetual movement. The only real constants are bold, bright colors and an invitation to the viewer to interpret for themselves what’s being shown.
Colin is first-generation American, born to Mexican parents and raised in Napa, California. Like many artists, he enjoyed drawing as a child. But unlike many, he calls what he did “messing around,” and didn’t see art as a viable career path. He began to study visual arts in high school. “I saw a classmate in the back of the room drawing something, and I thought, ‘That looks like fun to do in class, and the final product is pretty cool,’” he says. “It was graffiti lettering, and I was really drawn to it.”
The graffiti look went well with his appreciation for street art and public art, which appealed to him because it didn’t require him to pay to enter a sterile building and stand in a plain white room staring at a wall. But rather than attracting negative attention by expressing himself through graffiti, he decided to take his inspiration into the studio, where he could take his time and produce a truer representation of his vision.
He was finding his way, but the resources available to him, especially at school, weren’t enough to show him a future in the arts. “I still enjoyed it, and I knew I was good at it and wasn’t going to stop,” he says. “But it wasn’t enough to make me think this is what I want to do [as a profession]. It wasn’t until college that I figured that out.”
Colin in his home studio, surrounded by the tools and canvases he uses to create his ‘indoor’ art. Photo credit: Steven Arbuckle
Turning a Corner in Oregon
Colin wanted to make his years at a university pay off, so he focused on business marketing at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon. When he realized that wasn’t feeding his soul, he took an art history course. Soon he was fully immersed in the studio art track, taking courses that exposed him to digital media, woodworking. mixed media, and more. Not only was he on the right track, but he knew what he wanted to do.
“It was part of our curriculum to try everything, so I touched a bit of each part of the visual arts realm,” he says. “I knew drawing was a timeless skill. Part of intelligence is being able to use a tool and craft with it, and I really appreciate that in our history of making art.”
Colin created the art on the right-hand side of the Rocket Building mural, which commands the intersections of Holly and Bay Streets in downtown Bellingham. Photo credit: Ivan Colin
A Home in Bellingham
Outside of class, Colin was involved with another of his passions: playing soccer. When he graduated, he sent email inquiries to coaches up and down the West Coast, from California to Canada. Bellingham United invited him to try out for its semi-pro team, and he made the drive north. He still remembers driving down Holly Street and passing under the “Downtown Bellingham” sign that arches over the roadway. “It just felt right,” he says. “It wasn’t overwhelming, like Seattle or someplace like that. I knew I was following my intuition, and it was leading me to the right place.”
After several lengthy commutes the team invited him to join, and Colin became a Bellingham resident in 2017. As a Hammer — as members of the Bellingham United Football Club are known — Colin also got involved with Whatcom Sports and Recreation, a nonprofit that oversees athletic facilities and teams across Whatcom County. He has worked as a referee for them and coached soccer camps and afterschool programs, as well as blending his business acumen with his artistic skills as a graphic designer.
The Hope Project Mural can be seen at the intersection of Lynn and W North Streets, in Bellingham’s Columbia neighborhood. Photo credit: Robbie Hochreiter
Going Public
But Colin has consistently been drawn to making art — and public art — whenever possible. He’s already made his mark by assisting with the large “Hope Project” mural at the intersection of Lynn and West North Streets, the “Rocket Building” mural at Holly and Bay Streets, Cob + Cork restaurant in Bow, and the alley behind 3Oms Yoga in downtown Bellingham. He will also soon paint a mural inside the new home of Opportunity Council, which will also feature works by Jason LaClair and KáaSháyee Kéet’aakw. Colin is actively looking for new opportunities to create public art and invites the public to contact him through his website and his Instagram page, where he shares photos of his projects.
One of Colin’s murals can be seen off of Chuckanut Drive, in Bow, at the Cob + Cork restaurant. Photo credit: Sarah Colin
Colin’s love for graffiti styles merges with his desire to create clean and purposeful art on canvas, and he’s produced a number of striking works meant to be hung indoors. While he sometimes mixes in a small amount of watercolors, oils or graphite, his works on canvas predominantly use acrylics. A practice of layering color on top of color leads to bold and eye-catching finished works and allows him to use brushes to create a sense of motion one might only expect from spray paints.
As far as subject matter, Colin starts in the abstract and allows his style to develop, rather than pushing towards themes and motifs. “I pull from master artists and learn from them, but when I see their art, I don’t feel it looks like mine,” he says. “With what I’m doing right now, I feel like I’m paving a path.”
Colin thinks of avant-garde as a whole philosophy of exploring unknown territory. “For me, to paint something that’s already been painted, to do something that’s already been done, that seems very redundant,” he says. “For my studio practice — the stuff that’s going to nourish me — my aim is not to tell the viewer what to see, rather allow the work to suggest. The viewer is allowed their own interpretation of what the work is about.”
Anna Marie Adams began using her warehouse space for the shop, creating a unique ambiance customers can appreciate. Photo courtesy Hela Provisions
After officially opening in early December 2022, Anna Marie Adams’ Hela Provisions embarked on a journey of self-discovery, finding its place in the Bellingham business landscape with an experienced local merchant at the helm.
Kicking off December of 2022 with its first holiday wine tasting — alongside the myriad of specialty food items and delicious wares at Hela Provisions — wine tastings were the perfect pairing. Hela Provisions now hosts monthly wine tastings.
As the business continued to grow, Anna partnered with Sustainable Connections to host the Sandwich Showdown event.
“Molly Bressers of Sustainable Connections reached out to me, they were doing the Sandwich Showdown for the first time, and she told me even if I wasn’t serving a sandwich, I had the ingredients for one,” she says. “I ended up making gift baskets for the winners with sandwich making items. Their focus is local, so I included cheese from Ferndale Farmstead & Twin Sisters Farmhouse, San Juan Island Sea Salt, Girl Meets Dirt, Coro Salumi, Mama Lil’s Peppers, and Kettle Chips for the local ingredients.”
With an established kitchen, Hela Provisions provides grab-and-go sandwiches and catering services, such as charcuterie boards. Photo courtesy Hela Provisions
After the Sandwich Showdown, Anna signed up for the Sunnyland Stomp, a popular annual event that showcases magical creators and shopkeepers in the Sunnyland neighborhood.
“We had about eight vendors for the Sunnyland Stomp,” says Anna. “I had five in the warehouse and three tents outside, and then I had this vermouth rep who is super awesome and really fun; we did a booth tasting. That ended up being an amazing event with a lot of community involvement.” Mark your calendars for this year, which will be Saturday July 20.
Hela Provisions’ kitchen was officially established over the summer, opening up Anna’s services to include charcuterie and sandwiches.
“When the kitchen was done, I could then do a little bit of catering,” she says. “I started plugging away at sandwiches, but I’m still just one person running the shop, so I focused on doing a couple different sandwiches. I eventually made that more like a grab-and-go situation.”
Hela Provisions also started hosting Paint and Sips with local artist Nikki Lang. “She’s a really awesome artist who does palette knife painting,” says Anna.
Every week, Anna offers a variety of sandwiches until they sell out, with rotating flavors and a gluten-free and veggie option. Photo courtesy Hela Provisions
Longtime friend and local business owner, Marisa Papetti of Marie’s Bees, has also been doing cheese making classes with paired food and wine. “We did a little holiday market with wine and cheese tastings for Small Business Saturday that included Leah from Pumped Bellingham, Jennifer of It’s the Sweet Things and her mother, Faith, with Sea Jewel Canvas Co.
“It’s been about a lot of connections; making, reestablishing connections and creating new ones,” Anna says. Bellingham businesses support each other, and Hela Provisions fits right into that loving mold.
Evolving Shop Space
One side of the shop — which is located behind Options High School and very close to Bellingham High, with plenty of easy parking — is a warehouse with storage in the back and a loft. “Before, the shop was in the front room and upstairs there was office space, which I really had no use for,” says Anna. “In the beginning, it was good to have the shop in the front space since I didn’t have as many products. But with this warehouse space I started having more wine tastings, using it more and more.”
Eventually, Anna realized she could utilize the building in a more productive way, eliminating the stress of paying rent on square footage that wasn’t being used. When October arrived, Anna felt it was time to remedy her space issues once and for all. “I decided I needed to start thinking about how to make the rent situation better and improve my use of the space,” she says. “Having the shop separate from the event space in the warehouse wasn’t really working either. ”
Hela Provisions is an excellent place to buy a gift for any special occasion. Photo courtesy Hela Provisions
After listing the space as available, a possible tenant came up very quickly, one who had somewhat of a personal connection to Anna. “I got this email from my current person that shares the building with me, a cello teacher,” says Anna. “She has been teaching for 25 years out of her garage and always wanted to start a nonprofit, then grow a studio where people can afford lessons on a sliding scale.” They met on a Monday, and she came in two days later to try out the space’s acoustics. “There has been so much music in my family and as soon as she started playing the cello, it gave me chills and I loved it. That has been a real game changer for me; she’s the perfect tenant. Everyone loves the warehouse vibe so it’s a win-win having the shop part of the warehouse space.”
Moving Forward
Now, more than a year into running her own specialty shop in Bellingham, Anna offers a much larger selection of products like cheeses, pastas, sun-dried vegetables, chocolates, vermouth, and so much more.
“I’ve been trying to grow my selection of favorite things,” she says. “I have a lot of items from Italy, Spain, and Portugal but I also carry lots of fabulous local items.” Many of the local products I’ve carried since they started out and it’s wonderful to see how they’ve grown and succeeded.”
Since opening in December 2022, Anna has added a plethora of items to her shop’s roster. Photo courtesy Hela Provisions
As the shop continues to grow, Anna focuses on creating lush gifts as well as many products that are perfect for elevating your pantry or home bar.
“This is such a great place to get a gift and it’s more than just a gift shop,” she says. “There are so many things I carry that I use on a regular basis, like this lemon olive oil that somebody asked me to bring in and now I use it on salads, olives, soft boiled eggs, and vegetables. It’s the specialty items that can change a simple meal into something special.”
The newest growing category has been non-alcoholic cocktail and beverage options. Hela Provisions has a great selection for those not drinking at all or just looking for quality substitutes for moderate adaptations. The Saturday tastings have been quite popular.
Sign up for the newsletter online, check out the events on Facebook and follow on Instagram for all the current happenings at Hela Provisions.
Peoples Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of Isaac Winters to Assistant Vice President and Small Business Loan Officer at the Barkley Financial Center. Isaac has over six years of experience in the financial services industry, specializing in small business lending.
Isaac Winter. Photo courtesy Peoples Bank
Isaac takes pride in helping businesses thrive and grow. He is committed to streamlining the small business loan process, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience through clear communication at every step.
Originally from Ferndale, Isaac earned an Associate degree in Business Administration from Bellingham Technical College. He enjoys spending time with his son going on adventures and cooking.
About Peoples Bank
Peoples Bank is a locally owned and operated, independent full-service community bank with $2.4 billion in assets. Headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, Peoples Bank has served the community for over 100 years and operates in 24 locations throughout Washington. Reflecting its strong financial management practices, dedicated employees, and long-standing customer relationships, Peoples Bank was awarded a superior five-star rating from Bauer Financial, a leading independent bank rating firm. Learn more about Peoples Bank at www.peoplesbank-wa.com. Member FDIC.
At Unity Care NW, we are deeply committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate healthcare to all our patients, regardless of their circumstances. Over the past 3 years, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing the profound impact of our Hand-Up for Health Program, which has allowed us to extend our support beyond traditional healthcare services to address the diverse needs of our patients. Sometimes there are items or short-term services that our patients need but insurance is unable to cover, and our patients are unable to afford.
The generosity of our donors has enabled us to assist individuals and families facing challenging situations. As we reflect on 2023, we are grateful for the opportunity to share just a few of the memorable ways in which these funds were utilized to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
“They made me feel like they wanted to help…they saved my life. Likely more than once.” – Unity Care NW Patient.
Ensuring Basic Needs
Addressing basic needs is fundamental to fostering health and stability. In one case, we provided two pairs of boots to a child experiencing homelessness, ensuring they could attend school comfortably and consistently. By addressing this immediate need, we not only improved the child’s physical well-being but also facilitated their access to education — a crucial step towards breaking the cycle of poverty.
Restoring Dignity
For individuals fleeing domestic violence, regaining a sense of dignity and autonomy is paramount. Through our fund, we were able to provide a woman with a set of dentures, allowing her to reclaim her smile and confidence as she embarked on a new chapter of safety and independence.
Empowering Opportunities
One of the fundamental principles of our fund is to empower individuals to overcome barriers that impede their well-being. For instance, we were able to alleviate the burden of library fines for a patient, granting them access to essential resources for job hunting. This seemingly small gesture opened doors of opportunity and empowerment for someone striving to improve their circumstances.
Promoting Mental Health and Well-being
Mental health is an integral component of overall wellness, and our program supports initiatives aimed at promoting emotional well-being. We provided a sewing machine to a newcomer to the United States, offering them a therapeutic outlet for creativity and self-expression. This simple yet impactful gesture demonstrates our commitment to holistic care that addresses both physical and mental health needs.
Fostering Community and Connection
During times of celebration and togetherness, no one should feel left behind. Through the Hand-Up for Health Program, we were able to ensure that a family of six had the means to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with their loved ones, fostering a sense of community and connection during a time of gratitude and reflection.
Looking Ahead
The Hand-Up for Health Program will continue to remove hurdles and build resilience for patients inhibited by economic circumstances. The successes of this program would not be possible without the generous contributions of our donors and supporters, whose commitment to our mission fuels our efforts to make a positive impact in our community. To donate to the Hand-Up for Health Program, visit Unity Care NW’s website to provide compassion, dignity, and hope to a neighbor in need.
The Southside. That’s what I remember Fairhaven fondly being referred to.
Thirty-ish years ago — when I began to spend many of my waking hours there — the Southside and Fairhaven seemed almost interchangeable. Though technically part of Bellingham (beginning in 1903, when Fairhaven became part of the city), the area somehow felt a long way away. Neither Bellingham nor Fairhaven have moved, but somehow they now feel closer. I no longer hear Fairhaven referred to as the Southside; although it’s still the southernmost part of Bellingham, it seems to have lost that nickname.
I first began spending significant time in Bellingham in the early 1990s. My parents had purchased a little house on 10th and Donovan to be the office for their growing construction company. The attic office space in our home had been outgrown and Mom said that if she was heading to town for work, she was going to Fairhaven.
I was around 10 years old, so I don’t know for sure, but I think she liked Fairhaven’s quirkiness. Way down on the Southside, it was home to little shops, rich-smelling restaurants, and residents who didn’t necessarily fit in with the rest of Bellingham. Bellingham was an industrial town, and Fairhaven was where the eccentrics went to do art and drink coffee, before doing art and drinking coffee was in vogue.
The cobbled alley remains in Fairhaven, offering what always felt like a secret path between 11th Street and Harris. Photo credit: Tony Moceri
I was a little kid from the East County who hadn’t spent much time in town. The first thing I noticed was that right next door to the office was a yellow house filled with kids. This was incredible, as kids were hard to come by where I lived — and here I was with a whole houseful next door. To be honest, I don’t remember how many kids there were, and I can’t be sure if the house was actually yellow, but that’s how I remember it.
What I do know is that there was a giant weeping willow in between that we played in. A black tire swing hung from its big branches, and a rope draped down the trunk allowed a child to ascend the tree. I loved playing with those kids in the summer when my mom and dad were inside working. I know the memory of the willow tree is accurate because its giant trunk and billowing leaves are still there today.
My childhood view of this giant willow tree provided hours of summer fun. Photo credit: Tony Moceri
As I spent more time in Fairhaven, I explored beyond the two little houses and started experiencing all that this intriguing place had to offer.
When at the grocery store with my mom, we would frequently get stopped by a passerby saying, “You must be Paul’s wife.” They could tell because I looked so much like my dad.
One of my favorite adventures was heading south on the Interurban trail along Padden Creek, past the salmon ladder to Fairhaven Park. It had an incredible playground with one of those structures made of creosote logs that, while they may have been poisoning me, were the most fun to play on. Amazingly, aside from a more responsible playground, little else has changed about the park or the trail leading to it.
The Padden Creek salmon ladder feels unchanged along the Interurban Trail, running from 10th Street to Fairhaven Park. Photo credit: Tony Moceri
If we were really going to have an outing, we would head to Boulevard Park for a picnic. This park also had a great log playground, but even more intriguing were what seemed like giant rocks with smooth, polished faces cut into them. One was flat like a table, and the other stood straight up with just enough space at the top to sit should a kid make their way to the peak.
Going into “downtown Fairhaven” was always exciting as we wandered past the old buildings and little shops. Incredibly — and a testament to the vibrancy of Fairhaven — some of these shops still exist today. The sole goal of this outing was to talk my parents into an ice cream cone or candy. Both were in abundance and although I was already a hyper kid, somehow my parents were willing to handle the sugar-filled version of me.
While it’s now more than 30 years later and Fairhaven has grown up a bit, it somehow feels the same. It’s still the walkable Southside it was when I was a kid.
The rocks at Boulevard Park still overlook Bellingham Bay today. The little notch in the big rock gives the illusion of an easy ascent, but I always needed a boost from my Dad. Photo credit: Tony Moceri
At times, it feels less quirky. But when you really look around, the uniqueness still exists. The trails are still there, leading people from the town center to the parks and back again. The brick buildings, while more abundant, are a reminder of the little town 30 years ago — and a hundred years before that. The memories for me are running around on the streets on summer weekdays when Fairhaven could feel almost empty and on the weekends when festivals would pack the streets with vendors and patrons.
Long gone are the yellow house and the kids I played with, but the memories remain. For me, Fairhaven will always be the Southside. A place that is Bellingham but also, somehow, a place of its own. I have continued the tradition of heading to Fairhaven to work. I still walk the trails and frequent the shops, and now it’s my daughter coaxing treats from her parents as she takes in the town on the southside called Fairhaven.
April is Financial Literacy Month, so it’s an opportune time to reevaluate and bolster our financial well-being. It’s a time to reflect on our financial habits, educate ourselves on important financial concepts, and implement strategies to improve our overall financial health.
As we look at ways to evaluate and improve our broader financial wellbeing, we can focus on three pillars of financial wellness: saving, spending, and security.
Saving: Building a Strong Financial Foundation
Saving money is the cornerstone of financial wellness. It provides you with money for your budget, a safety net, funds for your financial goals, and opportunity to build wealth over time. This is especially important when considering longer-term goals. Here are key considerations for effective saving:
Setting Goals: Define short-term and long-term financial goals to guide your saving efforts. Whether it’s eliminating debt, saving for a down payment on a house, or planning for retirement, having clear objectives motivates disciplined saving.
Automating Savings: Take advantage of automation tools provided by your bank to set up recurring transfers from your checking account to your savings account. This “pay yourself first” approach ensures that saving becomes a priority.
Emergency Fund: Aim to build an emergency fund equivalent to three to six months’ worth of living expenses. This fund acts as a buffer during unexpected financial setbacks like medical emergencies or job loss, preventing you from dipping into long-term savings or going into debt. As you start to build up emergency funds a personal line of credit (Sage LOC) or home equity line of credit (HELOC) can be a helpful backup resource.
Spending: Maintaining Mindful Expenses
Spending is a necessary part of life — we make daily decisions on how, where, and when to spend our money. Spending wisely is essential for maintaining financial wellness. This involves making conscious decisions about where your money goes and ensuring it aligns with your values and priorities. Consider the following tips for responsible spending.
Budgeting: Create a realistic budget outlining your income and expenses. Track your spending to identify areas where you can cut back and allocate more towards savings or debt repayment. Online banking tools or budgeting apps can help streamline this process.
Differentiating Needs vs. Wants: Differentiate between essential expenses (needs) and discretionary spending (wants). Prioritize essential needs like housing, utilities, groceries, and healthcare, while being mindful of discretionary expenses such as dining out, entertainment, and luxury items.
Appreciating vs. Depreciating Assets. Will your purchase increase in value over time (appreciation)? Or lose value due to use (depreciation)? When weighing options, it may be better to spend on home improvement which builds the value of your property than a new car which loses value as it racks up the mileage.
Debit vs Credit: Using a debit card instead of a credit card whenever possible is a helpful way to keep spending within your means. It can also help you avoid building up credit card debt. Because debit cards are usually tied to your checking account, they often offer customizable spending alerts and transaction limits to help you keep your spending on track.
Avoiding Impulse Buys: Practice delayed gratification by implementing a “cooling-off” period before making non-essential purchases. This allows you to assess whether the item is a true necessity or merely a fleeting desire.
Security: Safeguarding Your Financial Assets
Protecting your financial assets from fraud, theft, or unexpected events is paramount for achieving and maintaining financial wellness. The following strategies can enhance your financial security.
FDIC Insurance: Make sure your bank deposits are federally insured by working with a member FDIC bank. If you have deposited amounts over the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000, learn how you can extend insurance coverage for all of your deposits with CDARS or ICS services.
Monitoring Accounts: Regularly review your bank statements, credit card statements, and investment accounts for any unauthorized transactions or suspicious activity. Report any discrepancies to your financial institution immediately.
Setting Up Alerts: Utilize account alerts offered by banks and credit card issuers to receive notifications for large transactions, low balances, or unusual account activity. These alerts serve as early warning signs of potential fraud or identity theft. You can get started in online banking or your mobile banking app.
Strengthening Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for online banking, investment platforms, and other financial accounts. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an extra layer of security, requiring a verification code sent to your phone or email. Keep in mind that banks will never ask for your password.
Educating Yourself: Stay informed about common scams and fraud tactics targeting consumers, such as phishing emails and text messages, fake websites, and phone scams. Be wary of unsolicited requests for personal or financial information and verify the legitimacy of any unfamiliar contacts or offers.
By integrating these principles of saving, spending, and security into your financial habits, you can cultivate a solid foundation for achieving and maintaining financial wellness. Remember that financial well-being is a journey, and consistent effort and vigilance are key to long-term success.
With the resources and initiatives available at First Fed, now is the perfect moment to embark on a journey toward enhanced financial wellness. The First Fed branch teams are happy to help you review your options and guide you on the path to financial wellness.
Interested in having a financial education presentation at your organization? First Fed offers free sessions on a variety of topics. For details, contact Jen Swanson at jen.swanson@ourfirstfed.com
First Fed is a member FDIC and equal housing lender.
Featured photos courtesy of David Vitz, Sandra Goodin, Michelle Bates, Nancy Luna, and Joshua Lacunha.
What makes someone want to run off and join the circus? While the phrase is often considered to be a metaphor, Nicole Laumb has realized it in a more literal sense.
In 2022, Laumb and fellow Whatcom County circus performers Matthew ‘Poki’ McCorkle, Sadye Osterloh, and Justin Therrien bought a big top tent from a California circus company and created their own circus production, Shoestring Circus.
After putting on two weekends last year of sold-out performances next to Bellingham’s Waypoint Park through the Port of Bellingham, Shoestring’s big top returns this June with an entirely new program that combines nostalgia with storytelling flair.
“The creative opportunities in circus are pretty endless,” Laumb says. “Circus is spectacle, and you can kind of call anything ‘spectacle’ if you make it high enough quality to be stage worthy.”
2024 Shoestring Circus performances included the highly-skilled duo of Nina Sawant and Christine Lee. Photo credit: Sanderling Photography
The Path To Shoestring
Laumb, the circus’s marketing director, took an interesting path to the big top.
After dabbling in stand-up and sketch comedy in college, Laumb found herself working on a goat farm in California. She began taking aerial classes as a new hobby, and when a traveling circus happened to be looking for an aerialist, she literally joined the circus and never looked back.
In addition to several years of hosting a live storytelling program, Laumb has learned an assortment of circus sideshow skills, including escaping from a straightjacket and spinning chairs with her teeth. Any act that serves the overall narrative of a show, she says, is among her favorite things about being a circus performer.
“I really love when story and circus combine,” she says. “It’s a pretty magical spot.”
Likewise, Shoestring’s other principals all have over a decade of circus performing experience, both locally, across the United States, and beyond.
The magic of the circus comes to Bellingham June 7 to 23 with Shoestring Circus, in its second year of live shows. Photo credit: Rae Candent
Therrien can juggle, swallow swords, and practice magic. Osterloh does clowning and acrobatics, among other things. And McCorkle has a repertoire of acts that include putting swords in his mouth and balancing wine glasses on top of them.
This year, Shoestring Circus is bringing in new faces from around the country for its show. These include a highly skilled diabolo (a type of juggling) artist from Las Vegas, a beautiful duo lyra (suspended aerial hoop work) act from the San Francisco Bay area, as well as a very talented tightrope walker.
“They’re super high-quality circus acts,” says Laumb.
In addition, McCorkle and Therrien — who previously worked together for more than a decade on a show called “Palindrome” — will perform a brand new duo act, as will Osterloh and her trapeze partner Heidi Blossom; the two call themselves “The Bunion Sisters.”
No Bad Views
In addition to seeing legitimately talented professionals, many of whom commit acts of daring, Shoestring Circus provides an intimate, in-the-round performance experience. Its big top seats about 370 people, but Laumb points out there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.
“You’re really close to these people who are flying through the air,” she says. “You’re going to be able to see the detail of jugglers making crazy catches.”
While last year’s show narrative involved a funny dynamic between a father and daughter at the “Shoesday” celebration, this year’s performance will take place in a medieval fantasy world. Laumb could say more about it but wants to preserve a sense of mystery for what will be witnessed under the big top.
The big top of Shoestring Circus will be impossible to overlook this June, when three weekends of never-before-seen circus magic visit the Bellingham waterfront near Waypoint Park. Photo credit: David Vitz
“I’m excited for people who came last year to be surprised,” she says.
The shows will take place in the same location as last year — next to the waterfront pump track along Granary Avenue — on three consecutive weekends from June 7 to 23. Most days will have two shows, but several dates will have three performances: each last roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
Tickets will be available to the public starting April 4. Laumb says tickets sold out quickly last year, so early purchase is a great way to ensure your seats this season.
Tickets for children ages 12 and under are $16, with general seating for adults at $32. A limited number of front row seats are also available for $48.
Even in a world of smartphones, streaming platforms, and artificial intelligence, Laumb says that the circus still maintains a relevant space in the modern world’s version of whimsy and wonder.
“I know I’m biased, but I’ve always found it to be one of the most engaging forms of live entertainment,” says Laumb. “You can put so many things under that umbrella, and I really love that modern circus is expanding that even more.”
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