Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County Receives $18,400 from the UPS Foundation

Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County received
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County received an $18,400 grant from The UPS Foundation. Photo courtesy: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County.

Submitted by: Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County received an $18,400 grant from The UPS Foundation, which drives global corporate citizenship and philanthropic programs for UPS.

The grant will be used toward funding healthy snacks and nutritious meals to all members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County’s Healthy Foods Program.

Established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation identifies specific areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues. In support of this strategic approach, The UPS Foundation has identified the following focus areas for giving: volunteerism, diversity, community safety and the environment.

In 2016, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $116.6 million in charitable giving around the world. The UPS Foundation can be found on the web at UPS.com/foundation. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.

“The UPS Foundation is honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County’s efforts to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and chief diversity and inclusion officer at UPS. “Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference on the global community.”

Bellingham TheatreWorks—Mrs. Bave Presents The Pig War

Bellingham TheatreWorks will perform Mrs. Bave Presents The Pig War. Photo Courtesy: Bellingham TheatreWorks.

Submitted by: Bellingham TheatreWorks

Bellingham TheatreWorks was founded in 2014 by Western Washington University theatre professor Mark Kuntz, who assumed the role of artistic director, and producing director Steve Lyons.

Bellingham TheatreWorks will perform Mrs. Bave Presents The Pig War. Photo Courtesy: Bellingham TheatreWorks.

With a commitment to celebrating stories of significance to the Pacific Northwest, utilizing local actors and local playwrights, the productions of Bellingham TheatreWorks have been enjoyed by nearly 6,000 patrons over the past three seasons. Bellingham TheatreWorks keeps tickets prices low, usually under $20, making theatre more affordable for everyone.

Bellingham TheatreWorks produced Border Songs in Bellingham and Lynden, based on the best-selling novel by Olympian writer Jim Lynch. We next premiered Steve Lyons’ The Ghosts of Tonkin, about Oregon Senator Wayne Morse. We opened The Ghosts of Tonkin in Bellingham and then toured the show to Portland, Eugene and Seattle. In Seattle our production was co-produced by ACT. We debuted Marina by local playwright Sandy Wolf. The musical, with full orchestra and twenty-five actors, premiered at the Mount Baker Theatre in May 2015.

This past season we produced Quality: The Shoe Play (produced at 12th Street Shoes), The Gun Show by Oregon playwright EM Lewis and Steve Lyons’ comedy Peaches en Regalia.

Our work has garnered the attention of both local and national media, including American Theatre Magazine, Bellingham Herald, WhatcomTalk, Bellingham Wins, Playbell, Entertainment News Northwest, Cascadia Weekly, Northern Light, The Oregonian, Portland Monthly, Bellingham Alive, Willamette Week, Eugene Weekly, Lynden Tribune, as well as radio stations KIRO, KMRE, KLCC, KXRY, KPSU, KBOO, KBAI, KEXP, and Oregon Public Broadcasting.

This fall, Bellingham TheatreWorks will continue its commitment to celebrating stories of significance to the Pacific Northwest by premiering Steve Lyons’ comedy Mrs. Bave Presents the Pig War.

Subtitled “The almost true story of a play that nearly happened about a war that never occurred,” at the center of this comedy is the Pig War of 1859, which was a border dispute between the United States and Britain over ownership of the San Juan Islands. This war is significant because ultimately there was no war! Peace was chosen over war.

This comedy is inspired by the wacky, true tale of Emilia Bave and her “San Juan Saga.” Mrs. Bave’s play was originally presented in 1959 on San Juan Island in celebration of the centennial of the Pig War. The premier of the play featured local acting talent. However, when she wanted to re-mount the play the following year, she found no one wanted to be in her play! Undaunted, she re-wrote the script to be a narration with the reluctant actors replaced by mannequins.  Using her mannequin cast, she presented her play to unsuspecting visitors for nearly 20 years.

In our comedy, Mrs. Bave’s cantankerous Pig War mannequins spring to life, and take over the telling of the Pig War tale.

The Pig War is one of the few examples in our country’s history in which diplomacy triumphs over war. Although tempers flared, the Americans and the British ultimately resolved their dispute over the ownership of the San Juan Islands peacefully.

The world needs more examples of peaceful resolution of conflict. And we have a beautiful example of that in our own back yard.

Likewise, the spirit of Mrs. Bave is an inspiration. Writing plays is all about tolerating countless rejections. Emelia Bave would not take “no” for an answer, even when no one wanted to be in her play! No problem, she hired a bunch of mannequins!!  This is a playwright driven by the need to tell her story!

For Mrs. Bave Presents the Pig War, we have commitments from the following funders: The Honeywell Foundation, Washington State Arts Commission, The Bellingham Lodging Tax Fund and The Floyd Jones Family Fund.

Bellingham TheatreWorks partners with local businesses and organizations for all of our productions. For Mrs. Bave Presents the Pig War, our partners include the San Juan Island National Historical Park, Village Books, The Pickett House, Washington State Historical Society and the Whatcom Historical Society. Business sponsors include Zane Burger, City Dogs Grooming and Salon Bellissima.

Our audience engagement programs include a “meet and greet” reception with Mrs. Bave’s actual mannequins (and the stuffed boar) used in the San Juan Saga and post-play discussions with Marsha Bave (daughter of Emelia Bave) and Mike Vouri, Chief Historian of the San Juan National Historical Park.

On September 13, Village Books will hold a book tie-in reading of The Pig War: Standoff at Griffin Bay by Mike Vouri.

Meet Bellingham’s Natural Lee

Lee Becker sees much of Whatcom County from the seat of his bicycle. Photo credit: Dan Burwell.

A year ago a friend gave my wife the book Humans of New York and later Humans of New York Stories. It’s a compilation of pictures of interesting people in New York and brief descriptions. The first book is kind of like reading a National Geographic but just the pictures and captions – the latter book with the articles. The project began originally as a Facebook page and grew to three books, the third I have not yet read. When our family received the books, I read each book the night they were received. The books contain fascinating pictures of everyday and not so everyday people filled with joy, heartbreak and dripping with humanity.

Lee Becker is ready to ride. Photo credit: Dan Burwell.

Before that, maybe five years ago, I had the idea of creating a website called, “Stranger no stranger” where I wanted to take pictures of local people who I (and I assume many) see in our community but don’t know their story. The stories I’m telling fit this niche and are the reason why I began writing for WhatcomTalk. The person who I wanted to interview more than anyone, my family has seen for decades. We call him, “naked bike guy.”

You’ll know of him if you’ve ever seen him. He rides a road bike with nothing more than spandex shorts. Of late, he wears a helmet. My family thinks he’s a legend. So, my adventure to find him begins.

I email many of my local friends to ask if they know him. I get a lot of encouragement but no one seems to know him. They’ve seen him riding on the Guide or they’ve seen him on Elm Street. Finally a friend texts and says, “His name is Lee Becker but everyone calls him Natural Lee. He doesn’t wear a shirt, like ever.” So, there was hope, but no phone number. I search and find a link to Running Bear Painting and Remodeling. I leave a message on an automated answering machine. Nothing. Weeks go by. I miss my deadline. I keep leaving messages.

I ask my friend again, “Can you get his number?” I move on to other story ideas. I ask my editor what she can do to get his number. Then, on the same day, I get an email from my editor and a text from my friend with his number. I call and it’s … Natural Lee himself! We talk on the phone and Lee is very cordial. “You know I’m the guy who doesn’t wear anything, right?” he asks.

“Yep and I’ll be wearing bright orange,” I reply. We set a date for a bike ride to Ferndale on a Wednesday evening, perfect temperature for a ride. I prepare, fill my pockets with a water bottle and snack. We will meet at a church. I wait in my spandex. I ride around the block. I wait. No one there. It’s 20 minutes past our time to meet. I decide to ride thinking maybe I missed him. I call and I leave a message on his phone. No answer. I ride to Ferndale but don’t see him. Then I get a message on my cell phone.

Lee Becker covers a lot of ground. Photo credit: Dan Burwell.

“Dan, this is Lee. I’m sorry I missed the ride. I have no excuse. Please call me. Again, I’m very sorry.” I finish my ride and come home and give Lee a call. He answers and we make another date for a ride. Sunday morning.

Sunday arrives and again I’m in my spandex. I wait at the church. I check my phone with my head down and then hear a voice. “You must be Dan.” I look up and it’s Natural Lee, before me, shirtless, spandex shorts and a helmet. Lee in real life! Talking to me! So awesome!

We click into our pedals and are riding side by side toward Ferndale. The first and most natural question is why he rides shirtless. I heard an urban legend that I wanted to confirm. It was that his wife died of hypothermia so he wanted to honor her and acclimatize his body to all conditions, so he rode shirtless.

“No, that’s not it but 11 years ago when my wife left me, I was a discombobulated mess,” he says. He continues with the real story. “So, I was 15 or 16 living on Long Island, New York and I hitchhiked to New Hampshire to visit friends for the weekend. I had just purchased an $80 leather jacket ($80 in the late 1960s is about $600 today). I went to a dance at Nashua High School. We all left our jackets in a room before going to the dance and when I came back, the jacket was gone,” he describes. “I remember being outside and so furious that my jacket was stolen, I didn’t realize how cold it was.” It was January in New Hampshire. Thus, the awareness of what is cold and what is not was born. And Lee to this day just sees his shirtless bike riding as a way to be more aware.

We continue riding, almost to the Nooksack River bridge on Marine Drive. The next question, “When did you start riding?”

“I was 16. I got my driver’s license but I knew my parents wouldn’t let me have access to a car,” he describes. “I had a three-speed Sears bike, so I rode it. I had friends to see, things to do.” Lee goes on to say, “Cycling just works at the speed of my brain. There’s nothing like it. You feel like you are one with the earth.”

Indeed, that’s the reason many of us ride. You see more, you’re not in a cage. You’re not going too fast, nor too slow and you have a keen sense of grade and slope as you are doing all the work. We both bond over this fact. “It’s ultimate freedom,” Lee describes.

Lee Becker sees much of Whatcom County from the seat of his bicycle. Photo credit: Dan Burwell.

I recall seeing Lee on his bike with no helmet and was surprised to see him with a helmet when he arrived. “I’ve had 14 or 15 concussions,” he says. He goes on to describe hitting a crescent wrench and then crashing. He was awry for a few days after the crash, arguing with his wife for no reason. He got up groggy one morning, felt his temple to finally notice a scab the size of a grain of sand. That explained it. One more concussion.

Another time in the 1980s Lee was dumped by his girlfriend who moved to New Mexico. He decided to fly down to Phoenix, Arizona and bike to Taos, New Mexico – a distance of 550 miles which he completed in four days. Upon arrival to his ex-girlfriend’s house, he simply said, “I didn’t like the way you treated me,” and he rode back to Albuquerque to stay at a friend’s house. After his confrontation with his ex and before he reached Albuquerque, the front pannier bracket of his bike snapped and swung into his front wheel. He woke up to find a policeman hovering over him. He was taken to a hospital to recover. He had hit his right eye socket on the pavement and was bleeding heavily. With some help from strangers, a $250 hospital bill and a free ambulance ride, he made it to a friend’s house for the night. He then hitchhiked to Albuquerque. “I was livin’!” Lee proclaims. Six years later he heard from his ex. She appreciated how he reacted to the breakup and told him she’d changed how she treats people due to his feedback. “That made it worth it,” he smiles.

Since then, his present wife has finally convinced him that a helmet is worthwhile. I concur. I would have seen my dad die twice on a bike if it weren’t for a helmet, same with my college roommate. I agree that safer biking infrastructure would reduce accidents but cars have bumpers, cages, crumple-zones and seatbelts for a reason. That same reason is true of cyclists. In the Netherlands, people rarely wear helmets but they also rarely go over 15 miles per hour with safer more protected trails, cycle tracks and bike lanes. Drivers there are also much more aware of cyclists as many cycle as well. We don’t have that here yet, we both agree. We also have mountains and large hills!

Lee has family in northern Italy near the coastal city of Imperia. He’s visited them many times. He continues to describe the bike culture in Europe. He was cresting a mountain pass when a car came up from behind. He waved at them to pass him but the car waited from behind. As he crested the pass, the car passed and the people in the car cheered him for his efforts. “It’s simply a different culture in Europe regarding bikes,” he describes.

Lee grew up in New Hampshire and New York. He moved out west and lived in Glacier for many years riding his bike regularly on State Route 542 (Mount Baker Highway). He told me he’s one of the characters in a book, Philly’s Bridge by Scott Swanson, which I hope to read in the future. Lee now lives with his wife in the Geneva neighborhood just outside Bellingham’s city limits. His wife is a creative welder and has her own welding shop. His dad still lives in New Hampshire and his sister is there too, helping to take care of dad.

We arrive back in Bellingham and my epic ride with the legend, Natural Lee, had come to an end. We shake hands and I ask to see if we can ride again. We agree it would be fun. So, my hopes are high I’ll ride with him again. Maybe next time I’ll go shirtless…

*

Got an idea for someone you’ve always wondered about? Maybe you already know them but think they deserve some lime light. I’m looking to get to know others that make our community a better place, a unique place, maybe even a stranger place. Drop me a line at submit@whatcomtalk.com.

Best Bites of Bellingham with a View

best bites of Bellingham
Keenan's at the Pier is right near Boulevard Park and the boardwalk. Photo credit: Kali Klotz-Brooks

Whatcom County winters might be known to be a little glum and drizzly, but talk to any local and they’ll tell you how beautiful our summers are. Long days make for warm evenings and stunning sunset views that pair well with the region’s tasty bites. Given that Bellingham is known for utilizing the local farm fresh foods and delicious seafood, there are plenty of great outdoor dining options for every palette out there.

Outdoor Seating 

Let’s get the important things out of the way first – pizza. I know what you are wondering. Where in town can I eat some of the best pizza of my life on the roof of a building? Consider FatPie Pizza to be the only answer. With sweeping, high-up views and heat lamps to keep you comfortable even after the sun goes down, you’ll want to continue eating pizza all night long.

Enjoy morning on the bay at Keenan’s at the Pier. Photo credit: Kali Klotz-Brooks.

Pepper Sisters is another fun option with outdoor seating. The views might not be from a rooftop, but this funky, fun restaurant specializes in delicious southwestern foods with tons of vegetarian and vegan options. Located in the Alley District, Pepper Sisters is also near the Honeymoon and Green Frog, making it easy to extend your day into a festive evening.

Waterfront Seating

If you are looking to catch the sunset on the bay while you dine, check out Keenan’s at the Pier. This “casual, yet elegant” restaurant overlooks the bay from the south end of Boulevard Park. Perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine from the restaurant’s vast wine list and diving into Steamed Manila Clams with your significant other.

Keenan’s at the Pier is right near Boulevard Park and the boardwalk. The best of Bellingham at your fingertips! Photo credit: Kali Klotz-Brooks.

Another great option that provides a similar style as Keenan’s is The Lighthouse Bar and Grill. This upscale restaurant makes sourcing local foods a top priority and has plenty of options for those with food allergies or sensitivities. And while the patio is sure to provide views to indulge your wandering eye, the lovely meal presentation is sure to do the same. Give into all your senses at The Lighthouse.

Another option is Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill (and Anthony’s at Squalicum harbor just down the way!). Known for their steaks and pacific caught seafood, the Bellingham location offers a large outdoor seating area that makes dining extra delightful.

From both Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill and The Lighthouse Bar and Grill, you can watch boats travel in and out of the marina. Photo credit: Kali Klotz-Brooks.

Then, down the street a short jaunt, you will find Nicki’s Bella Marina Restaurant and Bar. If you are looking for a gosh-dang-good burger to pair with your bay views, this is the place to be! Enjoy the fish and chips, recently voted best in Bellingham, and maybe a deep-fried Twinkie for dessert. You can’t go wrong with their fun atmosphere (who doesn’t love place with a good food challenge? Check out their Man Vs Food burger!) and awesome patio.

Outdoor Happy Hour

If you are looking for something new this summer, northwater restaurant has an awesome happy hour and comfortable outdoor patio. Enjoy a yummy cocktail that has been crafted with tender love and care, and share a few seafood corn dogs – a signature dish that you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, northwater has not just one, but two happy hours every day: 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 – 11:00 p.m., plus all day on Sundays.

So get out and enjoy all the delicious and scenic places Whatcom County has to offer!

Casa Que Pasa – A Uniquely Bellingham Restaurant

Casa Que Pasa's cantina, known as the Tequila Research Institute, has over 115 different tequilas to choose from. Photo credit: Sarah Day.

A long-time favorite of the Bellingham food scene, Casa Que Pasa will celebrate its 25th year in business in 2018. This milestone alone is something they should be very proud of, in a town where food establishments go in and out of business so frequently. It is truly impressive that Casa Que Pasa has been a stalwart in the Bellingham food industry for such a long period of time.

Originally created as a weekly special, the BLT-ski has become one of Casa Que Pasa’s best-selling items. Photo credit: Sarah Day.

Known for its Potato, Rancho Deluxe and Bean Supreme burritos, Casa Que Pasa is the perfect spot for lunch, dinner or late-night cravings. The Mexican-inspired restaurant is open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Possibly the most characteristic quality of Casa Que Pasa is their portion size. I am not exaggerating when I say a Potato Burrito can get you through at least two meals. These generous portions, along with their unique recipes, set them apart from other burrito-driven restaurants in Bellingham.

“We serve up 300, or more, burritos a day,” Co-Owner Spencer Willows says. The restaurant doesn’t only serve burritos though, the menu is diverse and stacked with a variety of different dishes. From the BLT-ski Quesadilla to the Hand-Made Jalapeno Poppers, the kitchen staff at Casa Que Pasa makes sure to keep it fresh and interesting. Some of these new food items started as specials and later became menu staples. “We’re constantly trying out new specials and some have become favorites,” Willows says. They even offer specific specials depending on the day of the week, such as the popular Saffle’s Sassy Tacos on Fridays and the Guacka Flocka Flame on Wednesdays.

In addition to the restaurant side, Casa Que Pasa is also famed for their backroom cantina, otherwise known as the Tequila Research Institute. I can assure you, this is definitely the place to go if you are looking to get schooled in tequila drinking, sipping and tasting. The cantina has over 115 different types of tequilas. If that alone isn’t quite your thing, then maybe one of their drink specials (which feature all types of booze) will do the trick.

Casa Que Pasa’s cantina, known as the Tequila Research Institute, has over 115 different tequilas to choose from. Photo credit: Sarah Day.

Still thirsty? “Our Tequila 101 program rewards you for tasting tequila,” Willows says, and he’s right. For every 15 tequilas tasted there are rewards in the form of free food, and once you have completed all 72 tequilas you will be gifted an exclusive T-shirt and a lifetime discount on premium tequila.

Having been a landmark of the Bellingham food scene for many years, Casa Que Pasa is all about community. The restaurant is always looking for new ways to give back to Bellingham and its people. Recently, Casa has donated proceeds from their sales of Jumbo Potato Burritos to The Alternative Library, Conservation Northwest and The Volunteer Center of Whatcom County.

Willows says community service is an indispensable aspect of doing business and it is a no-brainer to give back to the community that has treated himself and his staff so well. “We live, work, play and raise our families in this great city,” Willows says. “Many of our customers and employees directly benefit from the incredible network of social services in Bellingham and we all benefit from a strong and stable community.”

Casa Que Pasa’s Vegan Supercrunch – it’s portions are just as big as non-vegan options. Photo credit: Sarah Day.

Casa Que Pasa is a uniquely Bellingham restaurant. From the vibrant and full-of-character atmosphere outlined by tons of art from local artists to the funky and wonderful Tequila Research Institute in the back, Casa Que Pasa’s oddities make it an enjoyable space to spend time in. “We’re the perfect place to go after swimming, biking, hiking during the summer. Our food is delicious, our portions are huge and our prices are reasonable,” Willows says.

Don’t forget to check out Casa Que Pasa’s happy hour which runs Sunday through Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. And don’t forget, the Tequila Research Institute serves up $1 tacos every day, after 11:00 p.m.

Casa Que Pasa
1415 Railroad Ave.
Bellingham, WA
360-756-8226

Sponsored

Ferndale Street Festival Brings Two Days of Family Fun

Kids will have a blast at the Ferndale Street Festival. Photo courtesy: Ferndale Chamber of Commerce.

As 2017 marks the fourteenth year of the Ferndale Street Festival (on August 25 and 26), the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce is in full swing to make it an event that will be the talk of Whatcom County once again. Attracting as many as 10,000 people, this event is one of the largest in Whatcom County. It brings with it a variety of activities and vendors for all. With easy, clearly marked parking, the Ferndale Street Festival is the place to be the last weekend in August.

Dive into some fun at the Ferndale Street Festival. Photo courtesy: Ferndale Chamber of Commerce.

This year the not-to-miss Blueberry Pie Eating contest is perfect for those ready to take on the challenge of fast and fun pie eating. Are you ready to claim the title of Pie Eating Champion in this first annual event? Here is your chance to capture that one-of-a-kind pie trophy.

The dinosaur themed Kid’s Street features a children’s entertainment stage with entertainers, a reptile exhibit and even kids’ Zumba. And, with this dinosaur theme, each child is encouraged to dress up as their favorite dinosaur for the two days of fun in downtown Ferndale. The petting zoo and dinosaur bouncy house are sure to be among the favorite activities for everyone visiting Kid’s Street.

The summer isn’t complete until you experience the Ferndale Street Festival. Photo courtesy: Ferndale Chamber of Commerce.

Friday night and all day Saturday are full of live music on the main stage. Catch this array of local talent while you enjoy a beverage in the beer and wine tent. The tent will feature beer, wine and hard cider and is right next to several food vendors making it convenient to enjoy your favorite drink.

Ready to see some of your favorite cars?  Be sure to stop by the car show that is held on Saturday, August 26 in Downtown Ferndale.

So come on down for this year’s Ferndale Street Festival and enjoy great music, fun activities and the beauty of Downtown Ferndale. We’ll see you there!

Sponsored

Whatcom County Weekend Events for Aug. 25—27

First Federal is hosting
Photo credit: Kate Galambos.

Here we are already—the last weekend in August. Make sure your summer goes out with a bang by taking part in some of these great Whatcom County weekend events for Aug. 25—27. And be sure to check out our great local farmers’ markets. They are still in full swing. The produce is ripe and ready to enjoy! And don’t forget to check our full events calendar for all the great local happenings this weekend.

Up Next Weekend:

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

Joe’s Gardens Fresh Recipes—Kohlrabi Salad with Lemon, Sea Salt and Olive Oil

Joe's Gardens Fresh Recipes---Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is the perfect addition to this salad. Photo credit: Frank Koterba.

Submitted by: Joe’s Gardens, written by Frank Koterba

Joe’s Garden’s presents another delicious recipe by Frank Koterba—Kohlrabi Salad with Lemon Sea Salt and Olive Oil. This is a great way to feature really fresh kohlrabi. You could also add fresh daikon radish or carrots.

Joe's Gardens Fresh Recipes---Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is the perfect addition to this salad. Photo credit: Frank Koterba.

Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

3 large kohlrabies, grated or julienned
¼ c. lemon juice, or more to taste
Lemon zest from 2 lemons
1 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
½ c. extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

I ran the kohlrabi through my mandolin to save time.

Combine kohlrabi, lemon zest, juice and salt in a medium bowl. Allow to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Stir in olive oil. Adjust seasoning as necessary to taste. Serve or let sit, covered, at room temperature for up to six hours until ready to serve.

Enjoy!

Arch of Healing and Reconciliation to Honor Whatcom County’s Immigrant Community and History

The Arch of Healing and Reconciliation will be a welcoming symbol. Photo courtesy: Paul Englesberg.

Submitted by: Paul Englesberg

Groundbreaking for the Arch of Healing and Reconciliation, a granite monument honoring Whatcom County’s immigrant communities, will be Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. across from Bellingham City Hall. The arch monument will honor the brave immigrants to the Pacific Northwest from China, India and Japan, and recognize all immigrants who have come to America since the 1800s seeking better opportunities for themselves and their families through hard work and determination.

The Arch of Healing and Reconciliation will be a welcoming symbol. Photo courtesy: Paul Englesberg.

In issuing a proclamation of support, Mayor Kelli Linville stated that the Arch, “symbolizes our renewed commitment to American democratic values and … will celebrate the rich diversity that provides energy and creativity for generations to come.”

The arch, 12 feet high and made of 10 tons of solid red granite from India, is the first part of a multifaceted project to honor and remember the contributions, sacrifices and bravery of the community’s immigrants. The work is led by a group of Whatcom County residents, including the Lynden Sikh Temple, an initial funder of the project, which has pledged $50,000 in matching funds for the project. The Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF), the fiscal sponsor for the program, also pledged $25,000 in matching funds at their July board meeting. As WCF is a non-profit organization, all donations are tax-deductible.

Plans for the Arch have been well-received by the Bellingham City Council, the City Arts Commission and the City Parks Board with unanimous approval. Installation is planned for April 2018.

While the arch is under construction, the Arch Committee continues to raise funds for two more elements of this initiative celebrating the community’s immigrants: a scholarship fund to help children of first-generation immigrants go to college, and an annual ethnic food festival in Bellingham on Labor Day. The committee plans to raise about $2 million, with the bulk of the funds going toward the scholarship fund, which will provide significant educational opportunities in higher education for new immigrant families and their children.

“We believe the best way to honor our ancestors is to educate our future generations. While the granite memorial will be a symbolic reminder about our history, we consider this a learning moment for us all Americans to be vigilant so that such events never happen in the future,” said Satpal Sidhu, a Whatcom County Councilmember and Chair of the Arch of Healing organization.

Bellingham has a long, proud history of immigrants traveling through on their way up and down the West Coast. Many have settled here and have made significant contributions to the community, but the community hasn’t always been a welcoming place for immigrants. Chinese, Indian and Japanese immigrants, in particular, were targeted and forcibly removed from the community. The arch, which will be located on the corner of Lottie and North Commercial streets on the lawn behind the Bellingham Public Library, will include bronze plaques with dates and short descriptions of three episodes in Whatcom County in which immigrants were targeted for removal: Chinese Americans in 1885, Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus from India in 1907, and Japanese Americans in 1942.

The base of the arch will have 18-inch-square black granite tiles with “welcome” in multiple languages, with special recognition being made to Lummi and Nooksack tribes. Paul Englesberg, a local historian and member of Arch committee, noted, “The historical legacy in Bellingham and Whatcom County of intolerance and hostility towards native peoples, African Americans and immigrants is now being recognized and transformed with community initiatives that demonstrate respect, cooperation and solidarity.”

The goal of all facets of the project is to create teaching and learning opportunities for future generations in the hope of avoiding additional anti-immigrant sentiment and violence. “Never have we been so keenly aware of how bigotry can unravel the fabric of our society. The arch symbolizes respect for others, fairness and opportunity for all – internationally recognized values of hope. It’s time to pitch in and make this project a reality,” said Tim Douglas, former Bellingham Mayor and vice chair of Arch Committee.

Plans for the arch began in 2007 when members of the Lynden Sikh Temple began thinking of ways to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1907 forced removal of Sikh timber mill workers from Bellingham. Over time, plans expanded to include commemorating the expulsions of Chinese and Japanese Americans as well. Further plans developed to establish a lasting monument to honor the community’s history of immigrants with a higher education scholarship and an annual food festival. Terry Bornemann, long-time Bellingham City Council member and member of Arch Committee reflected, “During our current troubled times the soon to be erected Arch of Healing and Reconciliation will serve as both a reminder of our past deplorable events aimed toward the Sikh, Chinese and Japanese immigrant populations and as a welcoming beacon for future immigrants coming to our city.”

Learn more at the project website: www.archofhealing.org or on facebook.

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