Founded in 1921 as Peoples State Bank, Whatcom County’s longest running financial institution has been headquartered in Bellingham since 2008. Photo credit: Steven Arbuckle
Peoples Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Lervikas WhatcomCommercial Banking Market Leader. Adam is a highly technical and skilled commercial banking professional with over 20 years of experience.
Adam Lervik. Photo courtesy Peoples Bank
Having originally joined Peoples Bank in 2017, Adam aims to provide strong relationships with clients and enjoys working alongside them to solve complex financial problems as a trusted advisor. He appreciates the opportunity to help his clients succeed and achieve their goals.
Adam is a 2022 graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School and has also earned two bachelor’s degrees, one in Accounting from Washington State University, and another in Finance from Western Washington University. Born and raised in Whatcom County, Adam lives in Bellingham with his wife and three children. When he is not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, playing pickleball, and woodworking.
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 23 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.
Robert MacDonald on the Ice in Bellingham. Photo courtesy Robert MacDonald
Robert MacDonald was a member of the local Bellingham and Whatcom County hockey community for several years after first coming to the “City of Subdued Excitement” from Colorado to play junior hockey with the Bellingham Blazers for their inaugural season. MacDonald helped anchor the Blazers in goal during their run to league championships in the 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 seasons.
After his junior hockey career in Bellingham and a stint playing NCAA Division III hockey in Minnesota at St. Olaf College, MacDonald returned to finish his college hockey career at Western Washington University (WWU) in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).
“When I first came to WWU, the team didn’t have a coach or a goalie, so they were eager to get me to play,” MacDonald says. “So, I convinced my dad to coach the team, which set the stage for what was an awesome end to my playing career.”
WWU won their league during MacDonald’s junior season and appeared in the national tournament in New York.
After his college hockey career, the Bellingham goaltender got a big opportunity with the new National Hockey League (NHL) team in Seattle. In 2021, MacDonald received an invitation to try out for the Kraken’s “Emergency Backup Goaltender,” or EBUG, position.
MacDonald playing in net with a WWU jersey. Photo courtesy Robert MacDonald
Seattle’s goalie coach evaluated nine goalies in a 90-minute tryout. MacDonald and three others were picked from the group to serve as the initial EBUGs. MacDonald has been an EBUG ever since.
Every NHL team is required to have an emergency backup goaltender at their arena for every game. In the infrequent occurrence where both rostered goalies cannot play — usually due to injury/illness — the EBUG suits up and can go into the game.
“I think the most interesting part [of being an EBUG] is that you can go in for either team,” MacDonald says. “So I’m not just there for Seattle specifically, but could go in for their opponents too.”
All the home games are divided up among Seattle’s EBUGs. Outside of attending games, the backups are invited to help fill in at various practices throughout the season and training camp.
MacDonald plays goal against NHL prospects at the Kraken Iceplex. Photo courtesy Robert MacDonald
On game days, when MacDonald is the EBUG on duty, he arrives an hour before puck drop with his gear in his trunk and parks in special underground team parking. Dressed in a suit, MacDonald makes his way up to the press and media level, where he watches the game and stays ready to go in at a moment’s notice. Seated among media members, he must stay impartial and contain his emotions, even when the Kraken score.
Last season, MacDonald nearly got his shot at potentially playing in an NHL game — or at least being on the bench. Seattle’s starter, Martin Jones, left the game unexpectedly after the second period and didn’t return.
When they announced the goalie change at the start of the third period, he got a text from the team’s assistant general manager, saying Jones had a minor issue but was staying dressed. If the backup goalie had gotten hurt in relief, and Jones couldn’t re-enter, MacDonald could have gone in. As of this publishing of this article, a few of Seattle’s EBUGs have been called on to get ready on the bench, but none have gotten into the game.
During a lifetime of hockey, MacDonald has remained close to the game, and this opportunity with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken allows him to do just that at the world’s highest level as an Emergency Backup Goaltender.
Charles Fisher left behind correspondence, including letters to his children about how his achievements were obscured, and documents that would reveal context about the conspiracy against him. Photo from Campus History Collection, Special Collections, Western Washington University
As a college town with liberal leanings and increasing diversity, Bellingham can often seem remote from national controversy. Likewise, Western Washington University has a reputation for educating civic-minded people invested in justice. But one understated chapter of local history puts these assumptions in sharp relief: Charles Henry Fisher, Western’s fourth president, lost his job after a politically-motivated committee falsely accused him of communism.
Throughout the 1930s, Bellingham Herald editor Frank Ira Sefrit organized business interests into the Committee of Normal Protest to investigate Charles Fisher for communist sympathies. In reality, Fisher was politically liberal and only in favor of academic freedom.
The incident, footnoted in Western’s history, has obscured Fisher’s influence in shaping the school into the modern liberal arts college it is today. It also thrust Bellingham into the national spotlight of twentieth-century anticommunist panics called “red scares.”
Although difficult to acknowledge, investigating this history shows us how we can avoid repeating it and make a better way moving forward.
Fisher’s Tenure
Fisher served as Western’s president from 1923 to 1939. He had previously served as president of Pennsylvania’s Bloomsburg State Normal School after decades of teaching experience.
Then called “Washington State Normal School at Bellingham,” the institution originally trained teachers. Fisher introduced a wider liberal arts curriculum with extracurricular programs such as Mount Baker hikes, fine arts, and athletics.
Fisher served for 16 years at Western before being essentially blacklisted from education as a result of his ouster. Photo from Campus History Collection, Special Collections, Western Libraries Heritage Resources, Western Washington University
Despite the Great Depression, which caused a 50 percent drop in enrollment, Fisher secured funding for present-day Wilson Library in 1928 and a Physical Education Building in 1938.
By 1937, the “Normal School” changed its name to Western Washington College of Education — reflecting new shifts toward the university it would become.
Fisher argued at the committee hearing: “We have turned this institution from a glorified high school, which it was when I took charge of it, into a four-year college type of institution with national recognition.” His opponents would conflate this ideal of progressive education with progressive politics.
Red Scares in Context
Nationally, historians recognize the 1920s and 1950s as the height of Red Scare campaigns. The Fisher case stands at the crossroads of unresolved national tensions and local Depression-era political upheaval.
Over decades in journalism, Frank Sefrit had a history of leveraging the Herald to target political opponents. Formerly friends with Fisher, Sefrit’s enmity grew over the school hosting perceived progressive influences.
Concurrently, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1932 election had cost Bellingham conservatives political power. Organizations such as the American Legion and Daughters of the American Revolution targeted perceived “Reds” locally and nationally.
Western’s original building, today called Old Main and pictured here in 1972, was the site of the 1935 Charles Fisher hearing. Photo from Campus History Collection, Special Collections, Western Libraries Heritage Resources, Western Washington University
Local spread of reactionary ideology culminated in the Bellingham Ku Klux Klan, which inflamed racist, white supremacist, and anti-Catholic sentiments since 1922. One self-proclaimed “Grand Dragon,” real estate owner Blanton Luther, played a minor role in Sefrit’s committee. (The organization declined due to resistance by the 1940s.)
Other committee members included clergymen, American Legion representatives, and prominent businesspeople such as Arthur W. Deming and Frances Payne Larrabee.
Ultimately, the committee precisely targeted the school’s academic freedom in its students, speakers, and books as “evidence” of communist activity. On December 11, 1934, the student-run Social Science Club in Edens Hall sent a telegram demanding dismissal of charges against striking miners in Ellensburg. Sefrit called this communication “criminal syndicalism.” On April 10, 1935, peace activist Kirby Page spoke in Bellingham in favor of post-New Deal collectivism. Sefrit had a court reporter transcribe the address for evidence.
The Historic Hearing
On May 22, 1935, in the building now called Old Main, Fisher and Sefrit’s committee spoke for five hours with the three men in the board of trustees. The committee brought 10 charges of “un-American” activities, all of which the board dismissed.
The 81-page meeting minutes present the Red Scare in miniature, between Fisher’s defense of academic freedom and Sefrit’s accusatory, editorial tone. At various points, Fisher and board members cautioned Sefrit against asking derailing questions without legal authority. Cooperating fully, Fisher offered to testify under oath — telling Sefrit, “I think I could whip you in court on every question.”
Charles Fisher left behind correspondence, including letters to his children about how his achievements were obscured, and documents that would reveal context about the conspiracy against him. Photo from Campus History Collection, Special Collections, Western Washington University
Calling for suppression of school newspaper, The Northwest Viking, Sefrit made accusations reminiscent of later McCarthyism. He argued that organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union extended freedom of speech and press to include treason and sedition.
Sefrit also argued that the school library should censor or provide teachings to “counteract” numerous books. What he called “this subversive, this un-American, free love, atheistic literature” included muckrakers Upton Sinclair and Lincoln Steffens, political writers Bertrand Russell and Kirby Page, and Russian writer Maxim Gorky.
Fisher rebutted: “Why are you people so alarmed about Communism? It hasn’t a chance in this country.” He rejected Sefrit’s accusations on the basis that exposure to multiple viewpoints promotes critical thinking, as liberal arts institutions encourage today. Fisher concluded: “Our young people have, in my opinion, been given every opportunity to form their own opinions and to think for themselves.”
Despite their dismissal, the committee lobbied Governor Clarence Martin for Fisher’s removal for three more years. In 1938, the board caved to threats of their own removal.
Fisher’s sendoff to the school he loved was addressing and assisting searches for the students lost in the 1939 Mount Baker avalanche. He became president of the Washington Pension Union, subject to a 1948 Red Scare controversy, and advocated to require probable cause in cases of firings like his.
Learning From History
While unduly overshadowed, Fisher’s legacy remains at Western in one central area: Fisher Fountain in Red Square. Humanities chair Arthur C. Hicks said of Fisher at the 1968 dedication: “Among his favorite maxims were these two: ‘Let a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend’ and ‘Slumber not in the tents of your fathers; the world advances, advance with it.’”
Fisher Fountain is the centerpiece of Western’s Red Square, but its origin story is not widely publicized. Although “Red Square” is a common name on college campuses, an apocryphal story from archival materials states that “a Fisher detractor” nicknamed it in reference to the scandal. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
Mount Sefrit in the North Cascades — named for him by connections in the Chamber of Commerce — speaks to an influence lasting beyond Sefrit’s death in 1950.
Once thought lost, the hearing’s meeting minutes resurfaced almost miraculously in 2013. Found in the Herald building’s basement in 2000, they were nearly recycled until an employee sent them to Western’s archive. The Center for Pacific Northwest Studies documents them and other primary sources for this story, which reveal how Sefrit’s conspiracy ran deeper than once known.
The meeting minutes document, available in Western’s Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, includes handwritten notes that Sefrit used to present it as evidence to Governor Martin. Photo from Bellingham Herald collection on Charles H. Fisher, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
Today, journalists such as Ron C. Judd have called for wider public acknowledgment of Fisher and his firing. His initial study, available to read in Western Cedar, uncovered the extent of the conspiracy and involvement of figures such as Frances Payne Larrabee. Judd later investigated the story in the Seattle Times, and Cascadia Daily.
For Bellingham, the story of Charles Fisher is a steadfast reminder to uphold truth against powerful interests that would obfuscate it. We can start by remembering those who worked to make freedom of thought and expression a reality.
The West Coast League has unveiled its plans for the highly anticipated return of the All-Star Game to the league’s lineup of summer events in 2024.
The 2024 West Coast League All-Star Game will be hosted by the Bellingham Bells, scheduled for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch on Wednesday, July 17, at the iconic Joe Martin Field in Bellingham. The two-day extravaganza, spanning July 16 & 17, promises a series of thrilling events, including a community adaptive baseball game, a player pro-style workout featuring MLB scouts, and a riveting skills challenge featuring top WCL All-Stars.
Former Seattle Mariner Jamie Moyer talks with players before the 2015 WCL All-Star Game. Photo courtesy Bellingham Bells
Highlighting the league’s top talent, the 2024 All-Star Game will showcase the stellar players representing each of the league’s 16 teams and will be broadcast live on MLB.com.
WCL Commissioner Rob Neyer expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “The return of the All-Star Game is a testament to the league’s commitment to excellence. It’s a celebration of the remarkable talent within the West Coast League, and we can’t wait to see all our stars together again.”
Following a competitive bid process, the Bellingham Bells were awarded this prestigious event. One of the West Coast League’s founding teams, the Bells boasted an impressive fourth-place attendance ranking in the 2023 season, drawing nearly 60,000 fans to their games. The classic Joe Martin Field, with its all-turf playing surface, full video display scoreboard, batting cages, and a seating capacity of 3,100, serves as the perfect venue for this premier baseball event.
Most famously, Joe Martin Field is where Seattle Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. made his rookie debut with the Northwest League (Short Season A) Bellingham Mariners in 1987.
Stephanie Morrell, General Manager of the Bellingham Bells, expressed her excitement, stating, “We are beyond thrilled to be hosting the All-Star Game this summer. We’ve collaborated closely with the league to enhance the event’s impact and showcase the league’s outstanding product and talent. I couldn’t be happier for our fans and our community that the WCL is trusting us with this event.”
Mark your calendars – tickets for the 2024 West Coast League All-Star Game will be available for purchase starting April 1, 2024, at www.bellstickets.com. For more details about the All-Star Game and related festivities, visit www.bellinghambells.com.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the best of the West Coast League in action, as the All-Star Game returns to Bellingham for an unforgettable summer spectacle.
Seeing the effect learning with A-B-C books had on her own son informed Lane’s decision to write one of her own. Photo courtesy Sharayah Lane
Sharayah Lane was born in Seattle but only five years old when she moved to Bellingham to be near the rest of her family on the Lummi reservation. And although she lived inside of Bellingham city limits, she attended the tribal school, and did all of her youthful running around on the beaches and islands bordering the reservation.
Lane didn’t plan on becoming an author, but she has always valued reading and writing. One of her first memories of writing centers on winning a national poetry contest while attending tribal school, and the thrill she felt then still makes her smile today. “It’s a vague memory — I don’t really remember what the poem was about — but I thought that it was pretty cool,” she says.
On paper, things looked good for Lane’s school career. She was part of the gifted and talented program and is remembered by her yearbook as always helping other students with their homework. But Lane also struggled with the difficulties she and her family faced living in poverty, and all the challenges that come with it.
Despite testing well and being a voracious reader, Lane decided to drop out during her 10th grade year. She did, however, sign up with Job Corps, a free training and education program that helps low-income young adults learn trades. “More than anything it exposed me to different cultures for the first time. I would go to different places, like Portland or L.A., and be exposed to different walks of life and different parts of the world,” she says. “It was just like being in a melting pot, with people from all over the map.”
Lane wrote the book with a tone and cadence that would keep kids coming back for more. Photo courtesy Sharayah Lane
Growing Outside of Whatcom
After the priceless experience she gained, Lane was asked if she planned on going to college, and she remembers her immediate response. “No, that ship has sailed. Like, you don’t even want to see my transcripts,” she says. Nobody in her life, or in her family, had been to college, and Lane hadn’t learned yet that she could earn a GED and start her journey at a community college.
After clearing a hurdle or two, she enrolled at Seattle Central College, where she found another new set of people from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and religions. Soon enough she enrolled in the University of Washington’s journalism program, learning what reporting could look like in the internet era, including new multimedia models like podcasting and editing video.
“There was one person who was all about video journalism, and now she’s all over Instagram, doing great,” Lane says. “There was another guy that specifically wanted to do sports writing, and he’s doing that now. I started to learn about policy, especially the intersections of policy and social justice.”
In the mid-2010s, subjects like police accountability and the Black Lives Matter movement were a major part of the news cycle. “What was really important to me was taking things that might be really complex, or might feel out of reach for some people, and simplifying them, getting to the essence,” she says. And though she does not work as a journalist, she continues to display that same desire and drive in the writing she does today.
Sharayah Lane’s book is the product of inspiration, followed by large amounts of polishing and perfecting. Photo courtesy Sharayah Lane
Starting a New Chapter
Lane brought her experiences and her accomplishments with her back to Bellingham, where she leads the life of a working mother fully engaged in her community. And although she didn’t expect it, inspiration was waiting for her. “I heard about this idea, that if you’re having a hard time or not in a good place, you can go through the alphabet, naming something that you’re grateful for with each letter, and that can change your attitude,” she says.
Practicing gratitude has become more widespread in recent years, even trending on social media. It might be tempting to dismiss it as backhanded bragging or ‘feel-good’ platitudes, but modern medical research is proving that taking a moment to think about what you have to be happy about has real and measurable effects. It can improve sleep and the immune system, and lessen anxiety and depression, chronic pain, and the likelihood of disease.
This healthy habit, and using the alphabet as a prompt, struck Lane as a natural fit for a children’s book — and she had just seen for herself how helpful ‘A-B-C books’ were for her son. But she admits that she didn’t know where to start. “There are so many things to consider, like ISBN and illustrators and distribution and publishing and all this stuff. It’s just overwhelming,” she says. But she has a friend and mentor in Seattle who had written a well-received children’s book and was happy to lay out the steps Lane would take to self-publish.
Spending time with Job Corps gave Lane a powerful new perspective on the world, and the people who make it up. Photo courtesy Sharayah Lane
A Process Full of Intention
To hear Lane tell the story, she spent more time perfecting the book than she did writing it. She knew she wanted to be precise with her word choice, since children are very sensitive to the tone and cadence of words as they’re read aloud. She also remembers how well a child knows whether or not they identify with the story being told. “For example, I was in foster care growing up, and I would see books that talked about how important a mom is — and that wasn’t my experience,” she says. “I remember how important it felt to be able to identify with what I was reading, so I wanted to be very conscious of including things that anybody can relate to.”
She also had a lot of ideas about the artwork for the book. “A lot of children’s book illustrations are computer generated, and they can look great, but I really wanted to work with somebody who was actually drawing,” she says. “And then, of course, somebody who had experience with inclusivity and diverse characters.” She found Artkina Celestin, who had experience illustrating children’s books, and was able to collaborate with Lane and visually interpret the meaning of the book in a truly meaningful way.
The Results
The ABCs of Grateful is Lane’s first title for children, and there are already plans for more. Given the amount of thought she put into its creation, it’s not surprising that she gets a little philosophical when asked about which age range it appeals to.
“I would say from birth — because I think it’s so important to read to babies from birth — to about 10 years old,” she says. “But then, I could say from zero to 100, because I hear that adults get just as much out of it as the kids they’re reading it to.”
The important thing to Lane is that, with a little effort, kids can grow healthy alongside their parents. And she’s happy to help.
“My truth is that I have 10 million things to be grateful for, but if I’m upset, I can’t seem to find one that I can actually feel,” she says. “So here’s a template, something to start with.”
The Spice Hut started in 2004, making spice blends for local restaurants in addition to the business in Cordata. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
Lying directly under a national border and seeing its population grow in ethnic diversity, Bellingham benefits from international flavor in its food culture. Our standard grocery stores offer a garden variety of spices to stock most pantries, but sometimes we want to look beyond. Spices can present residents with a window into other cultures or, if they’ve come here from abroad, a taste of home.
Searching for spice stores in Bellingham reveals a selection of specialty spots as diverse as their offerings. They range from spice and tea specialists to international grocers to restaurants and herbal medicine stores. Let’s explore the spiciest stores in Bellingham and the other culinary and cultural curiosities they have to offer.
The Spice Hut
With over 175 tea options, The Spice Hut has featured in WhatcomTalk articles on its business and places to find bubble tea in town. In addition to bulk spices and teas, they sell teaware, sauces, and snacks from eastern and western countries.
The Spice Hut locally produces their spices, herbs, and teas in a warehouse on Axton Road. They also offer bubble tea specials in-store, with new flavors rotating every month.
131 W. Kellogg Road 360.671.2800
Intercontinental Foods
With goods from India, Pakistan, Fiji, Mexico, and the United States, Intercontinental Foods offers an array of specialty imports. The front of the building serves as an American convenience store, while the back room offers spices, teas, and other treats from around the world. Their Facebook page regularly stays updated on new products and specials.
4564 Meridian Street 360.715.2015
Euro Market
On Meridian Street, Euro Market sells goods from European countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. These include not only spices but candy, tea, sweets, meats, cold drinks, and traditional gifts.
4151 Meridian Street 360.733.3747
Gifts at Euro Market include traditional dolls and children’s books. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
West Coast Oriental Grocer
Another convenience store along the Guide Meridian, West Coast Oriental Grocer carries brands from numerous eastern countries. They sell seasonings, sauces, noodles, cooking ingredients, produce, frozen foods, and more. West Coast Oriental Grocer has also started a cafe that sells banh mi sandwiches to go.
4064 WA-539 360.738.6614
Europa Food
Spices are among many offerings at Europa Food, which specializes in imports from Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the Balkans. They also sell cured meats, fresh cheeses, wine and beer, bulk candy, gifts, and other groceries. Europa Food carries international brands such as Kinder, Vegeta, Dr. Oetker, and Milka.
3908 Meridian Street 360.676.7103
India Mart
The newest store on this list, India Mart is a grocery store with both foods and essential items from India, Fiji, and southeast Asia. They have an entire aisle of spices, and others dedicated to rices and flours, produce, baked goods, and even traditional wedding reception items. India Mart also offers freshly-baked sweets in their in-house dessert case.
193 Telegraph Road 360.208.0800
India Mart opened in 2024 with a page on Instagram for updates. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
Em’s Herbals
In addition to selling spices, Em’s Herbals specializes in herbal medicine. They offer bulk herbs, spices, tea blends, infused oils, and natural body care products. Noting their Organic Certificate from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), their website also offers regular specials and online shopping.
2795 E. Bakerview Road, Unit 17 360.778.2295
Asia Oriental Market
A mainstay of the Fountain District, Asia Oriental Market is a specialty grocery store with recognized brands from numerous Asian countries. In addition to packaged spices, they sell produce, canned goods, noodles, sauces, sweets, and cooking ingredients.
2408 Meridian St. 360.671.0446
Bellingham’s spice stores are some of the only places in town for hard-to-find international spices, teas, and cooking ingredients. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
Wonderland Tea and Spices
As covered in another WhatcomTalk article, Wonderland Tea and Spices has operated in downtown Bellingham since 1976. They sell hand-blended teas, spices, and herbs in bulk, plus gifts such as candles, teaware, and body care products. Wonderland’s Facebook and Instagram pages provide updates on new offerings and classes on how to make oils, salves, and tinctures from herbs.
1305 Railroad Ave. 360.733.0517
Drizzle Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room
Representing Fairhaven, Drizzle Olive and Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room is a specialty gourmet store. True to their name, they offer samples of ultra-premium extra virgin olive oils, fused and infused olive oils, and balsamic vinegars. Their spice blends, teas, honeys, meats and cheeses, and gifts are also locally sourced and gourmet.
1208 11th Street in Fairhaven 360.392.8838
Drizzle Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room offers spices, olive oils, and vinegars sourced both locally and from around the world. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
Old World Deli
A restaurant first and grocery second, Old World Deli offers spices alongside wines, meats, and cheeses online and in-store. This European-style delicatessen sources rare ingredients they also use in their sandwiches, soups, salads, and charcuterie. Old World Deli’s website also allows local pickup and delivery for lunch orders, catering options, and the Food + Wine Club where members can receive monthly selections.
Most of us have insurance on our homes or cars. But many people only realized the importance of deposit insurance after a couple of high-profile bank failures in 2023 — Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank. Insurance coverage on your bank deposits is just as fundamental as on your tangible assets.
Trustworthy financial institutions have FDIC insurance, which was established with the Banking Act of 1933 during the Great Depression. But it’s important to understand both the benefits and limitations of this protection and the options available for greater coverage.
What is FDIC Insurance?
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is a government agency that provides insurance to banks, effectively ensuring the safety of your deposited money. FDIC insurance covers deposits to at least $250,000 per account ownership type, per depositor, at insured banks. Covered account types typically include checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money market accounts. This means in the unlikely event a bank fails, you would not lose the money you have in your deposit accounts, up to the insured limit.
“More than 99% of deposit accounts in the U.S. today are fully protected by the FDIC because they are under the deposit insurance coverage limit,” said Geri Bullard, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer at First Fed, citing a FDIC statistic published in October 2023.
Geri Bullard, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer at First Fed.
What if I have more than $250,000 in savings?
It’s important to keep in mind that the $250,000 limit applies to each ownership category. This means that you can potentially have more than $250,000 insured with a single bank by holding different types of accounts, such as joint accounts, trust accounts, or retirement accounts. ICS (Insured Cash Sweep) and CDARS (Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service) are also available to give you access to multi-million-dollar FDIC insurance coverage through a single bank relationship.
With ICS, your money is spread between different banks while keeping the management of your money all under one roof — your primary bank. This means your funds are protected by the FDIC insurance from multiple banks, so you can have more than $250,000 federally insured. You still manage your funds and receive statements through your primary bank. The benefit of the ICS system is that you still have regular access to your funds.
CDARS is perfect for those who love certificates of deposit. It allows you to invest amounts from $250,000 to multi-millions of dollars in CDs and still enjoy FDIC insurance. Your money gets spread across a network of CDARS banks, all while being managed through your trusted primary bank. Like ICS, you get the security you need without the hassle of dealing with multiple accounts or banks.
“Our bankers have experience helping customers navigate options to maximize FDIC coverage,” said Chris Neros, Chief Banking Officer. “We’re happy to meet to review the best way to augment your FDIC insurance protection for larger deposits.”
Is my community bank insured?
Community banks like First Fed are valued for the personalized service and strong community ties they offer in addition to being financially secure. These banks play a significant role in local economies, providing lending and financial services to businesses and individuals. If a community bank is protected by FDIC insurance, they will display the words “Member FDIC” or the Member FDIC logo on their website.
Smaller banks who are a Member FDIC offer the same level of deposit protection as larger banks. Whether you choose to bank with a national institution or a local community bank, your deposits are protected by FDIC insurance, up to the statutory limits. This means that even if your community bank encounters financial difficulties, your deposits remain secure.
“As a Member FDIC bank, First Fed offers the same protection as the larger national banks, but with the personal experience of a community bank,” said Neros.
First Fed CEO Matt Deines greets a customer at the Fairhaven branch in Bellingham.
How do I choose a trusted community bank?
While FDIC insurance ensures your deposits are safe, choosing the right community bank is equally important. When selecting a bank to entrust your money with, consider the following factors:
Reputation: Research the bank’s history and reputation. A bank with a long-standing and positive track record is often a reliable choice.
Customer Service: Assess the level of customer service and the bank’s commitment to your community. Personalized service and a strong community presence are often distinguishing features of community banks.
Financial Stability: Review the bank’s financial reports and their Bauer Financial star rating to ensure it is in good financial health.
Product Offerings: Consider the bank’s product offerings and how they align with your financial goals.
Location and Accessibility: Evaluate the bank’s location and accessibility to ensure it meets your needs.
FDIC Insurance Coverage: Confirm that the bank is FDIC insured and understand how your deposits are protected.
“First Fed has been serving our communities for 100 years. We’ve grown steadily by earning their trust and delivering excellent service,” said Bullard. “Our customers know that their money is safe and secure with us.”
By understanding the workings of FDIC insurance and selecting a reputable community bank, you can confidently entrust your finances to a reliable institution that offers both quality service and peace of mind. Your hard-earned money deserves the best protection available, and FDIC insurance provides just that, but you also deserve a more personal touch from your banking relationship. To learn more about what accounts and services First Fed has to offer, visit ourfirstfed.com.
First Fed is a local member FDIC community bank and equal housing lender.
Jory Mickelson has been involved with local literary activities such as the 5 x 5 magazine by WWU graduates and the "Poem Booth,” a converted phone booth formerly posting poems outside of the Bellingham Food Co-Op. Photo courtesy Jory Mickelson
Living in Bellingham and touring across Canada, the poet Jory Mickelson has quickly gained recognition in recent years both locally and across state boundaries. Their work reflects this transcendence of boundaries — drawing on experience ranging from the American West to the Pacific Northwest.
“I had gone back to Western Washington University,” says Mickelson. “I had pursued three years of a studio painting degree that I’d never finished, and began working on an English degree at Western in 2007. And then I submitted to a couple magazines and to a contest, and I won, and I was so naive and so new to writing that it was really encouraging. So, I kept submitting, and that’s sort of how I got my start.”
As a queer, nonbinary author, Mickelson writes poetry that experiments with genre and explores topics of identity, history, and nature.
“One inspiration for my work is the natural world and ecosystems we inhabit,” Mickelson says. “I’ve always had a keen attention to my surroundings. I grew up in rural Montana and learned pretty early on the names of animals and plants; it’s always been important to me to include the landscape in my work. And I find myself returning again and again to history and events of the past to talk about what’s happening in the present.”
Mickelson’s first book, Wilderness//Kingdom, won Floating Bridge Press’ Evergreen Award Tour and the 2020 High Plains Book Award.
Jory Mickelson’s early work includes several poetry collections and the Literary Magpie blog intended to showcase LGBTQIA+ authors. Photo courtesy Jory Mickelson
Recent Works
Mickelson’s forthcoming releases include All This Divide in the U.S. and Picturing in Canada, which draws on their roots as a visual artist.
“Visual arts is another huge inspiration to me,” says Mickelson. “And most of the book deals with what’s called ekphrastic work, which is poetry about visual art. One big inspiration right now is my ongoing obsession with Andy Warhol.”
Mickelson’s works, such as Picturing, seek to understand history and poetics by centering marginalized voices and stories often excluded from mainstream narratives.
“It deals with visual art history, and queer artists, and how LGBTQIA people have been sort of erased from art history,” Mickelson says. “I really love the work of Jasper Johns, but even [in] a college level or history course, his sexuality was never mentioned, or the fact that he was dating Robert Rauschenberg, another major abstract expressionist at the same time. Their relationship is definitely an important part of the work.”
In works such as All This Divide, Mickelson uses history as a lens to illuminate the present.
“I look at the history of the western United States, specifically the 1800s, to talk about what happened there: residential schools, environmental exploitation, illness, racism,” says Mickelson. “I look at those things and I use them as a springboard to talk about them in the present day.”
Mickelson’s author site characterizes their works’ primary themes as addressing “questions of personal and collective legacy, of exile and inclusion, and how we may continue to live with and within the world.”
As the synopsis describes, “Wilderness//Kingdom is a sensual and poetic exploration of the West, the road, and the body.” Photo courtesy Jory Mickelson
Creative Connections
Having taught English and creative writing as a graduate student at the University of Idaho, and a fourth grade poetry classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mickelson also continues their career as an educator.
“Part of it is imparting my own love of writing to other people,” Mickelson says. “And another is equipping people with the tools or the inspiration they need to keep writing on their own.”
“The first bit of advice is to continue to write,” says Mickelson. “There’s no magic ritual or set of instructions that work for everyone. Every writer finds what works for them — but continuing to show up and be disciplined about the work is the most important part. The second is to read widely; especially for poets, reading poetry — and even the poetry you don’t especially like — is a super valuable tool.”
Mickelson regularly attends the Montana Festival of the Book and formerly wrote for 5 x 5, a literary magazine started by Western graduates. As the pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, they have collaboratively started a poetry reading series called “Strong Waters.”
Mickelson teaches workshops and retreats on nature-influenced creative writing, zines, and poetry as spirituality. Photo courtesy Jory Mickelson
New Inspirations
Mickelson continues to write and host classes and workshops, with old collections and recent books available for purchase on their website.
“I’m also starting work on my fourth collection,” Mickeson says, “which deals with a historical figure and how their role mirrors what’s happening today in American politics.”
Readers can stay tuned for updates on Mickelson’s latest works on their website and Facebook.
Monument Records recording artist Walker Hayes is a singer/songwriter originally from Mobile, Alabama. We are happy to welcome him to the 2024 lineup at the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden, where he will be performing on Saturday, August 10 at 7 p.m. as part of the Bank of the Pacific Grandstand Entertainment Series.
Hayes had his 2021 smash hit “Fancy Like” top every country music sales and streaming charts, going as far as securing the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for more than six months. This hit also became No. 1 at country radio and gave Hayes his first GRAMMY award nomination for Best Country Song as well as winding up in a nationwide Applebee’s commercial. With tracks like this and follow up singles “AA” and “Y’all Life” Hayes is one the biggest top selling country artists of this day. Performing his music, notably the Double-Platinum RIAA certified hit “You Broke Up With Me” on Good Morning America, Late Night With Seth Meyers, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and TODAY, gave Hayes his well earned national recognition.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. grandstand show go on sale to the public at 9 a.m. on February 16th. Grandstand reserved seats, preferred seats, and preferred chairs are available. Tickets do not include gate admission, which is required. The show is presented by Manna Insurance Group.
For access to the online pre-sale starting February 14th, people can subscribe to the ‘Friends of the Fair’ email here https://www.nwwafair.com/email.aspx.
Tickets can be purchased at https://nwwafair.com/ the Fair Office, 1775 Front St. Lynden, and by phone at 360.354.4111. VIP Experiences and group ticketing are also available. The 2024 Northwest Washington Fair will be presented August 8-17.
Kitchens with Star Wars actor Warwick Davis and a wooden statue of Wicket the Ewok, which Davis portrayed in Return of the Jedi. Photo courtesy Jimmy Kitchens
Iconic characters from science fiction and superhero stories have long captured the imaginations of children and adults.
And from blockbuster films and video games to action figures and crowd-drawing comic-cons, there’s no shortage of ways in which to encounter these characters. In the last few years, one Whatcom County man has honed a unique superpower of his own: carving them from pieces of wood.
Jimmy Kitchens — a 51-year-old carving artist from Soldotna, Alaska — creates busts and full-figured sculptures with a variety of chainsaws. From Captain America to Wonder Woman, it’s a good bet Kitchens has invested time, sweat, and paint into meticulously crafting the visage of your favorite character.
“I’m still a kid at heart,” Kitchens says. “I’ve always wanted to be able to carve my own superheroes, or my own characters. I enjoy creating something from nothing.”
Carving a Niche
Kitchens’ carving journey began just over 20 years ago in Alaska, when he began serving as an apprentice to a friend. The two frequently traded works with one another — Kitchens made furniture at the time, and his friend crafted all manner of wildlife.
Their first professional collaboration was a large bed frame, with bears surrounding the headboard and cubs climbing the footboard to peer at future sleepers. Having previously done less creative work like deck-building and roofing, Kitchens took immense satisfaction in carving one of the frame’s large bears.
Whatcom County’s Jimmy Kitchens makes his living bringing characters like the Hulk to life using nothing but wood, chainsaws, and paint. Photo courtesy Jimmy Kitchens
Around that same time, someone told Kitchens that once he began carving artistically, he’d never want to stop. So far, the statement has proven accurate. His early work was mostly nature-oriented — animals like bears and fish — and quickly began selling at sportsman shows.
Eventually, Kitchens moved from Soldotna’s Kenai Peninsula to north of Anchorage, settling in the Mat-Su Valley. He remained there for several years, meeting his life partner and striking up a friendship with Marty Raney, the masonry star of the Discovery Channel series “Homestead Rescue.” The two collaborated to build a log home, and Kitchens has subsequently appeared in several episodes of the show.
But Kitchens says he didn’t particularly love the artistic mentality of the regions where he lived. So when a friend connected him with Skagit County’s Loggerodeo, an annual 4th of July celebration in Sedro-Woolley, Kitchens hopped on a plane.
He took part in the 2015 event’s three-day chainsaw carving show, creating a giant salmon wearing a saddle. The next year, Kitchens returned to craft a statue of adult Groot from “Guardians of the Galaxy,” with Rocket Raccoon perched on his back. Both times, he packed his carving equipment in crates and had it flown south, staying in the region for a month at a time.
Jimmy Kitchens (far right) poses with Star Wars actors (left to right) Temuera Morrison, Jeremy Bulloch, and Daniel Logan. The trio, who’ve all played Boba Fett, signed a Kitchens-made bust of the character at a Comic-Con event. Photo courtesy Jimmy Kitchens
At this point, Kitchens became interested in attending comic-cons — something he’d always wanted to do that wasn’t an option in Alaska. He first visited Spokane’s Pac-Con, arriving by train and sleeping in a public park. But that year, he met comic book legend Stan Lee.
“I think I was actually shaking, I was so nervous and excited,” Kitchens recalls.
During the next few years, Kitchens frequently commuted between Alaska and Western Washington, getting to know the area and its people. He also began to attend more comic-cons in the region, bringing carved busts and statues with him.
Kitchens met numerous actors and stuntmen from the Marvel and Star Wars universe over the years, including Josh Brolin, Carrie Fisher, Giancarlo Esposito, Temuera Morrison, and the late Carl Weathers. Brolin, he says, was impressed by his work on a Thanos piece, and the latter three Star Wars actors all signed his carvings.
Kitchens isn’t sure how many busts and statues he’s completed at this point, but the list is a who’s who of Marvel and Star Wars characters, as well as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Kitchens creates busts and statues of superheroes and sci-fi characters and brings them to regional comic-con events. Photo courtesy Jimmy Kitchens
Though it’s hard to pick favorites, Kitchens said he’s very proud of his Spider-Man statue. He also loves his Mandalorian and Grogu pieces, which are a big hit with cosplayers and picture takers. Grogu, he says, has 14 signatures from the show’s cast and crew.
Chainsaw Hero
Kitchens and his partner moved here permanently about four years ago.
In addition to an actual home and carving studio in Whatcom County, Kitchens has also found an artistic home at Summer-Con. For three days each June at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, Kitchens showcases his superhero carvings for anyone who’s interested.
After a couple years of popularity, Kitchens approached Summer-Con’s coordinator about his very own live carving show. It was green-lit, and Kitchens now carves alongside fellow wood artists Lee Woody and Joe Littlefield in a “Heroes vs. Villains” themed show, where all three bring different characters to life over the course of the event.
Iron-Man and Captain America are just some of the many full-size sculptures that Kitchens has created for fans and clients. Photo courtesy Jimmy Kitchens
Kitchens says he often chooses what characters to create based on what actors are attending, and which characters he feels a strong affinity for. He’ll also talk to artist friends about what they think.
He usually carves from viewing a series of images, or sometimes a smaller statue. Kitchens also hand-draws his concepts several times, wanting to clearly define his idea before firing a saw. He uses up to six different chainsaws for each carving, and then sands a completed piece before painting it.
“I just love being able to carve something that has more meaning than just some bear in the woods carving,” he says.
While he’s unsure how long most of the pieces took to create, he notes that a 10-foot-tall carving of the Hulk probably took the longest to finish. Kitchens had to complete the statue in sections, painting it and allowing it to dry in a client’s garage until the following year. No matter how long one takes, though, someone’s reaction to a carving is always great.
“To see someone smile,” he says, “it’s worth it.”
Kitchens with Star Wars actor Warwick Davis and a wooden statue of Wicket the Ewok, which Davis portrayed in Return of the Jedi. Photo courtesy Jimmy Kitchens
Upcoming Works
In addition to this year’s Summer-Con (where he will likely undertake a life-size carving of Boba Fett), Kitchens will work with Littlefield to carve a full-size firefighter statue as tribute to local first responders. The project will be completed and presented publicly as part of the annual Safe Kids Washington Safety Fair, taking place this summer at the Bellis Fair Mall parking lot.
Kitchens’ goal is to acquire sponsors for the project that can then be laser-engraved onto the statue. In the meantime, he will continue honing his craft, paying tribute to the characters that inspire him.
“I never thought I’d be carving and creating to this level,” he says. “It’s out of this world.”
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