Creating Great Summer Eats from Joe’s Gardens

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Submitted by: Joe’s Gardens, written by Kevin Coleman

Food really is an extension of happiness, and I love creating happiness with those around me. Cooking is a passion for me. I’m always looking for new things and recipes that my family will enjoy eating, while still being healthy. Because eating healthy is important for me, as well as buying local as much as possible, there are a few places that are staples for my kitchen and cooking needs. If you are looking to find great local produce then you need to head to Joe’s Gardens. I love my weekly visits there in the late spring and summer. Many times, you can find great inspiration in the produce they have. Not to mention the local flowers, eggs, honey and the odd and end things you can get at Joe’s Gardens all the time.

This dish is delicious and easy to make. Photo courtesy: Kevin Coleman.

This week, I found a number of things that I just had to have to create a great lettuce wrap with curry and yogurt chicken, and a mild peanut sauce. Not only is this meal fairly easy to prepare, but it’s also refreshing, colorful and can be served hot or cold. I prefer hot but to each their own. Plus, my two teenage boys like it. So that’s a parenting win anytime!

First, you want to get the produce. The produce is the key to overall freshness and taste. I found a great crispy romaine and a beautiful, purple variegated butter lettuce for my wraps. This is delicious combined in a huge garden salad as well on the side if you wish. It was also important to get some green onion, cilantro (optional for those non-cilantro folks), garlic, ginger, jalapeno (just in case I wanted to add to the peanut sauce) and a tomato for the chicken part of the dish.

I love this dish because of the various options you can create with it, as well as the easy prep and clean up. So, let’s get started!

You’ll find the perfect ingredients for great summer eats at Joe’s Gardens. Photo courtesy: Kevin Coleman.

Marinade:

Combine the yogurt, ginger, garlic and curry powder in a shallow mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Add salt and pepper for taste. Chop chicken up in bite size pieces and add to the bowl. Let the chicken and ingredients marinate for an hour or two in the refrigerator.

Cooking:

Take a sauté pan and add a little sesame oil and olive oil and get the pan really hot. Place the chicken mixture into the pan and start to cook. Add green onions and cilantro half way through the cooking to add more flavor. I personally like to add it to my yogurt and curry mixture and cook it all together. Some may prefer more crispness in their green onion and cilantro. Right before the chicken is completely done, add one chopped tomato and sprinkle a little feta on top. Cover and prep the lettuce leafs for the wraps.

Peanut Sauce:

Simply saute ingredients to perfection. Photo courtesy: Kevin Coleman.

Combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, red chili paste, brown sugar, finely diced jalapeno and lime juice in a food processor or blender. Puree to combine. While the motor is running, drizzle in the hot water to thin out the sauce – you may not need all of it. Pour the sauce into a nice serving bowl and garnish with the chopped peanuts. (This is optional as well.)

Prep:

Take the lettuce leaves off one by one from the head and wash them. Then dry them with a paper towel. Put them into the refrigerator to crisp up. The larger lettuce leaves do great for that perfect burrito wrap style and feel. Put two spoonsful of chicken mixture onto the lettuce leaves and then drizzle the peanut sauce on it. (You can also have the peanut sauce to the side for dipping if you prefer.)

This dish is as beautiful as it is delicious. Photo courtesy: Kevin Coleman.

Ingredients Needed

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 diced tomato
½ cup feta cheese
Olive and sesame oil for sautéing
Fresh butter or romaine lettuce leaves
½ cup diced fresh green onions
Fresh cilantro leaves

Marinade

1 cup plain yogurt (Greek yogurt adds a little more tang if you want that taste.)
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons curry powder

The key to this recipe is in the fresh produce. Photo courtesy: Kevin Coleman.

Peanut Sauce

1 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons red chili paste, such as sambal
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 jalapeno pepper
2 limes, juiced
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup chopped peanuts for garnish

This is one of many meals that are easy to make and create enough. You can get the whole family involved in the cooking. You also have the option to switch out the protein – beef for land lovers, jumbo prawns for those seafood lovers or a bean combination for those who are vegan. You can even create an entire platter of wraps for a summer outdoor gathering or a fun get together with friends and family. The options really are up to you and your creativity. So be sure to find the ingredients for your favorite summer eats at Joe’s Gardens—your local source for inspirational cuisine. Have fun in the kitchen! Happy cooking!

Marilynn Huffman Makes a Difference for Heart Patients

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Tessa Kilcline - Intern from Bellingham High School

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Marilynn Huffman with Jessica — "I was privileged to introduce Jessica Rogers, prior to her recent heart transplant, as the winner of the Mended Hearts national award for her video telling about her experience with an LVAD (left ventricular assistance device) and how it had effected her and her life," Huffman says. Photo courtesy: Marilynn Huffman.

In December 2010, Marilynn Huffman was told that she needed heart surgery. Now, over six years later, she devotes herself to helping others who are going through the same experience.

Huffman advocates for heart patients and represents Mended Hearts at a Cardiac Nurses conference. Photo courtesy: Marilynn Huffman.

Mended Hearts is a, “peer to peer support group for heart patients and their caregivers.” Huffman is the president of Chapter 382 in Bellingham. It is a volunteer position and Huffman was elected for the first time in 2015 and for the second time in 2017. Prior to that, she held positions as secretary and vice president.

Huffman is present at meetings for the board of directors and at meetings for the members. The meetings are held monthly. Besides attending meetings, Huffman has a variety of jobs which she does in the hopes of carrying out the Mended Hearts mission to help patients. Often she seeks out opportunities to give presentations to hospital staff, service organizations and community members. Other parts of her job include interacting with Mended Hearts members, answering their questions and helping calm their fears.

In April 2017, Young Mended Hearts of Northwest Washington celebrated two years of making a difference in the lives of young heart patients in the northwest. Photo courtesy: Marilynn Huffman.

“After my own open heart surgery I found I could relate to the fears and anxiety people feel when they learn they have a serious heart issue,” Huffman explains. “I also realized that by helping others, I was helping myself.” Huffman devotes much of her time to helping others and she does it because she wants to, not for pay. Not only does she take time out of her schedule to visit members in the hospital after their surgeries, but she encourages others to make a difference in the lives of fellow heart patients.

In 2014, Mended Hearts had 50 volunteers through PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. These volunteers work with both heart patients and their families and caregivers. Many make a difference through Young Mended Hearts, which is a Mended Hearts group aimed specifically at younger people, from their teens to their forties. Younger heart patients often have different concerns than older heart patients because they are in a different phase of life. Young Mended Hearts recognizes these differences and needs and makes sure to give people of all ages the support that they need. In order to help people in a variety of circumstances and phases of life, former heart patients and caregivers volunteer through both Mended Hearts and Young Mended Hearts. For Huffman, it is inspiring to see these former heart patients and caregivers help others after their own experiences.

“I was privileged to introduce Jessica Rogers, prior to her recent heart transplant, as the winner of the Mended Hearts national award for her video telling about her experience with an LVAD (left ventricular assistance device) and how it had affected her and her life,” Huffman says. Photo courtesy: Marilynn Huffman.

“Our members make Mended Hearts and Young Mended Hearts special,” Huffman says. “They are people who have faced challenges either as patients or their caregivers, risen to that challenge and now want to make a difference in the lives of others.” Mended Hearts members come together to express concerns, share ideas and encourage one another. It is a special group, where people come to support one another and feel supported in return.

Members also receive another form of support through guest speakers who come to meetings. Cardiologists and other doctors share their knowledge, answer questions and clear up misconceptions. These sessions are free of charge and open to all.

Huffman draws extreme satisfaction from helping people. Through her position at Mended Hearts, she is able to extend her helping hand to a large group of people. Huffman reflects, “When I leave a patient’s hospital room, answer a call from a frightened patient, leave a meeting with hospital staff and most especially leave a Young Mended Hearts meeting, I know that I am doing exactly what I am meant to do.”

Whatcom Women: Jan Hayes of Domistyle Design Makes Residential Design Bold and Sustainable

By

Patricia Herlevi

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Hayes' designs portray the intersection where vintage meets modern technology. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.

In Bellingham, historic houses await new and veteran home-buyers. And often these home-buyers remodel the vintage bathrooms and kitchens in the Craftsman, Victorian and mid-century homes. While some home owners slap on white paint and cover the wood floors with gray carpet, Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer Jan Hayes shows up with color swatches to get home owners to think outside of the box. She asks them to be bold and splash darker colors on their walls.

When I visited Hayes’ home where her Domistyle Design business is located, she mentioned that gray is her least favorite color. Hayes inspires her clients to brave the color spectrum. “We love color. And we use color. It’s not uncommon to come into a situation where the clients have three examples of off-white.”

Jan Hayes home features darker tones (featured in the 2016 Sustainable Connections Home and Landscape Tour). Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.

Her living room features reds, browns and a blue accent that appears on the hearth. As far as materials, Hayes said that granite is on its way out and quartz and quartzite are trending. And for the budget-conscious homeowner, Hayes mentioned that laminates provide substitutes for wood and stone. Most people can’t even tell the difference between laminate and the natural materials.

Hayes’ design team includes Thea Stephens, who Hayes has worked with since 1982, and Anne Carmichael who came on board in 2016 by way of a design school in Denver. During my interview with Hayes, Carmichael worked on her design in the downstairs office—soft jazz wafting in the background. The basement office afforded an expansive view of the foothills and forest where Happy Valley intersects with the Chuckanuts. This setting no doubt inspires the rustic and vintage designs associated with Domistyle.

Hayes relocated to Whatcom County 35 years ago. She worked for Sash and Door and A-1 Builders/Adaptations Design Studio before launching her own residential building design firm. In addition, she brought her expertise to her own homes, including her latest 2,300 square foot residence.

“We love color. And we use color,” says Jan Hayes of Domistyle Design. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.

“My first house was designed together with my husband in my early 20’s. We then built and designed two more houses with a break to remodel one 1910 house,” says Hayes.

Hayes relocated to Happy Valley from a 4,000 square foot Silver Beach home that overlooked Lake Whatcom. While she misses the lake views, a current view from her kitchen and deck overlooks a greenbelt that stretches toward the foothills.

And across the street from her front door, the Larrabee Elementary School provides a historic landmark of Bellingham’s past. While Hayes designed her current home from scratch (Moceri Construction built the house), it possesses a vintage or classic look. And it fits like a hand in a glove with the Craftsman and Victorian homes that pepper Happy Valley. It’s no wonder that Sustainable Connections selected Hayes’ home to appear in the Sustainable Connections Home and Landscape Tour for 2016.

Newest designer with Domistyle Design, Anne Carmichael enjoys the view from the basement office. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.

And while the publicity from the tour provides a boon, Hayes and her design team keep on their toes as they experience a steady flow of clients. “We work with an average of 15-20 clients at any one time. Some only require one to two meetings, others require months of meetings, technical drawings, engineering and specifications,” says Hayes.

The clients range from age 35 to 80. And no matter the age of the client, Hayes designs for aging in place—a popular concept both with residential building designers and architects. The clients come from as far away as Hong Kong and England. And many of the clients come from a listing on Houzz—a competitive directory for the design and construction trades.

“Houzz represents perhaps 10 percent of our clients at present. The work requested can be for design work for a new house, additions and remodeling existing space – often involving kitchens and bathrooms. Interior and exterior color consultations are often requested. We do not hire contractors. We can provide many types of materials that relate to this design work, from surface materials for countertops and floors, fabrics and window treatments, light fixtures, cabinets and furniture,” says Hayes.

Hayes’ designs portray the intersection where vintage meets modern technology. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.

While Hayes has her eye focused on retirement, she said that the design business is in capable hands with Stephens and Carmichael for when she retires. As we watched Carmichael work with the CAD program on her large screen, Hayes mentioned that she still prefers designing by pencil as opposed to design software—not that any clients are complaining.

Hayes’ designs are turning heads and changing minds, especially around imaginative colors used in the interiors of Pacific Northwest homes. And for the time being, Hayes enjoys coming up with solutions for homeowners. “I love spatial puzzles. The 3D considerations of residential design are what make it fun for me. The payoff is the satisfaction the results give our clients.”

Neighborhood Notes: The Lynden Toy Store That’s the Bee’s Knees

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Daniel Meyer

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Bumblebees Kids 2 — Bumblebees Kids opening up shop for the day. Photo credit: Daniel Meyer.

When Rick and Jenny Meyer took over ownership of the Lynden toy store Bumblebees Kids in 2012, they were excited to own a store that had been a part of Lynden for so long. They also saw a lot of potential.

They began making changes as they settled into their new business. First, they rebranded Bumblebees Kids’ logo to give it a more modern and fun feel to freshen up the store’s vibe. Then, they relocated to the Fairway Shopping Center and set up shop right next to Surroundings and The Woods Coffee. They saw an increase in traffic immediately and have enjoyed the new location.

Bumblebees Kids is nestled between The Woods Coffee and Surroundings on Front Street in Lynden. Photo credit: Daniel Meyer.

“It’s great having Surroundings next door. Moving to this location brought in some more traffic and about doubled our floor space which allows us a lot more variety in what we carry,” says Rick.

That wasn’t the only perk. Jenny adds, “I love being next to Woods Coffee. It’s nice to have coffee next door. It’s the greatest thing!”

Both rebranding and relocating were good moves for Bumblebees Kids. The other big change came in the types of toys, games and clothes they chose to carry. According to the Meyers, choosing what products to carry is one of the most fun aspects of owning a toy shop. For guidance, the Meyers continuously seek wisdom and insight from their grandchildren. “We have our grandkids look through and mark our toy catalogs to tell us what they think would be fun and neat to sell at Bumblebees. We figure kids are a good resource for deciding what kids would like best,” says Jenny.

Yes, Bumblebees Kids carries plenty of Fidget Spinners to meet the high demand for the latest toy craze. Photo credit: Daniel Meyer.

They also decide by talking with their customers, especially those seeking a particular product that may not yet be carried in the store. On some occasions, they’ve even found great products just by keeping their eyes open and seeing kids playing with something they don’t yet carry. For example, while at a wedding, the Meyers saw a little boy playing with a toy called Automoblox during the rehearsal. They ordered them soon after and continue to carry them in the store today.

Rick adds, “We want our selection of toys and games to be unique, well-made and fun focused. We also want to carry what our local customers want. Our goal is to save folks from having to leave Lynden to find a gift.”

The Meyers have really enjoyed owning a small business and a lot of that seems to be because Lynden is such a tight-knit community. Rick mentions the fact that there are many community-focused events right around where their shop is located. These include the Lighted Christmas Parade and Fairway Center Date Night in the winter and the Northwest Washington Fair in the summer. There’s always something fun coming up to look forward to.

Bumblebees Kids opening up shop for the day. Photo credit: Daniel Meyer.

It’s easy to sense that the aspect the Meyers most enjoy about owning and operating Bumblebees Kids is the customers they serve. “The people of Whatcom County are great people to have as our customers. We’re really glad we get to have a store like this in a town like this. They’re good people,” says Jenny.

The Meyers are thankful for their community and for the strides Bumblebees Kids has made thus far. Currently, they’re looking forward to the new supply of toys and clothes they have coming in for this summer season.

To find out more about Bumblebees Kids you can visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bumblebeeslynden or just stop by at 1758 on Front Street in Lynden and say, “Hi!”

Community—A Handshake Away

By

Kenneth Clarkson

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Arlen Coiley operates a hand-pulled espresso machine at Handshake Coffee's mobile coffee bar. Photo courtesy: Arlen Coiley.

Ah, the era of mobile food service. Throughout the last decade, we have seen an influx of food trucks, pop-ups and bars on wheels burst onto the food and beverage scene. This new fad combines the idea of convenience with that of community. The proprietors of these literal “meals on wheels” set up anywhere and everywhere to share their product with the world. From farmers’ markets to neighborhood gatherings, breweries to music festivals, you’re bound to run into a pop-up food or beverage stand somewhere. Arlen Coiley of Handshake Coffee aims to take the movement one step further, using his mobile coffee bar to forge relationships between the coffee drinker and the local coffee roaster.

Handshake Coffee is a mobile business unlike any other. Not only is Coiley’s company one of the few transportable coffee bars, but it is also a business with a clear goal – connect people with others around them. Think about it. When is the last time you stopped to ask where your coffee was from? Just like every person, every product has a story and Handshake Coffee is there to help tell it.

Handshake Coffee’s mobile cart set up at Maritime Heritage Park in Bellingham, WA. Photo courtesy: Arlen Coiley.

“I love the pop-up business model. It is truly an amazing outlet. I’ve learned so many different things through pop-up business,” Coiley says.

Coiley has been an active member of the food service industry for many years, most recently as one of the chefs at Rifugio’s Country Italian Cuisine in Deming, WA. A stalwart of the Bellingham community, he graduated with a degree in ethnic gastronomy and a minor in entrepreneurship from Western Washington University.

The idea for the small-scale specialty roaster came shortly after Coiley travelled to Central America for three months. During his travels, he and a friend visited coffee farms and developed relationships with the local farmers. Upon returning to Bellingham, he enrolled in Western Washington University’s newly created entrepreneurship minor. The program calls for students to create their own small business. Coiley settled on Handshake Coffee for his business proposal but it wasn’t his first idea.

“The very first idea I pitched for the minor was to create a waterfront restaurant in Bellingham called the Salish Circle,” Coiley says. “As more time went by I thought about my trip to Central America and realized I wanted my business to be involved with the coffee trade,” he says.

Arlen Coiley operates a hand-pulled espresso machine at Handshake Coffee’s mobile coffee bar. Photo courtesy: Arlen Coiley.

Handshake Coffee’s original idea was to serve as a local coffee roaster that only sold bags of coffee. Coiley wanted to establish a relationship with farmers and then help sell their high-quality product. Handshake’s first incarnation operated on this platform for a while but Coiley wasn’t satisfied with the model. He wanted more. After some frustration and a few trips back to the drawing board he came up with the idea to not only establish relationships with the farmers, but to create meaningful connections with the people drinking the coffee.

“One day in the spring of 2016 I grabbed my barbecue, a table and my coffee gear and set up downtown,” he says. “I knew my strengths laid in meeting and interacting with people, so it was logical that a mobile coffee bar was the next step for Handshake Coffee.”

Using pour over and aeropress methods of brewing for their coffee, Handshake Coffee ensures no one cup of coffee is the same. In addition, the coffee bar is a great staging area for conversation. When you walk up to the coffee bar, not only do you get a fresh cup of hand-ground locally roasted coffee, but you interact with community members you may have never encountered before. Coiley dubs it his “coffee theater.” Coiley uses social media to announce when and where Handshake Coffee’s mobile coffee bar will be located at on certain days.

Handshake Coffee’s mobile coffee bar set up at the Alternative Library in Bellingham, WA. Photo courtesy: Arlen Coiley.

“I want to create spaces and events that are positive for everyone involved,” he says. “Community support is one of the most important things and Handshake Coffee is built on the idea of human interaction.”

Right now, the name of the game in the food industry is hyperlocal, and Handshake Coffee is most certainly a player. With all roasts coming from various local roasters, or Coiley’s own private roasts, he wants to connect his customers with the many great coffee producers in their area. And if you find that one of the roasts quickly enters you into a state of caffeine-fueled bliss, you’ll be happy to know that Handshake Coffee sells roasts by the bag. After visiting Handshake’s coffee bar, you may just walk away with your new favorite coffee blend.

Coiley is a man with many ideas and what it means to be Handshake Coffee keeps expanding. With an eye on the future he plans on Handshake becoming a hub to help future entrepreneurs. He will be using a 3D printer to create more mobile carts and will then sell the carts to other small business owners and offer instructional courses on mobile entrepreneurial endeavors.

“I want to see real change in our business models and in the community,” Coiley says. “Active collective participation in your local economy is what will bring people together and allow them to work side by side.”

Whatcom County Weekend Events for July 21—23

By

Events Editor

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Hallelujah! Another wonderful weekend is upon us! So much to see. So much to do. But where to start? I’d recommend you start by checking out these fun Whatcom County weekend events, including our great local farmers’ markets. Don’t forget to check our full events calendar for all the great local happenings this weekend.

Contribute to a legacy project with the Deming Community Quilt Project.
Root for your favorite Hogwarts house at Quidditch Fest.
Go behind the scenes at Mount Baker Theatre’s Embark! Open House.
Cheer on the Bellingham Bells.
Check out BAAY’s production of The Drowsy Chaperone.
Take an interest in local government at the Bellingham City Council Meeting.
Learn how to make no-bake summer desserts.
Forage for Fun.
Stock up on fresh, locally grown, healthy produce at the Ferndale Farmers Market, Bellingham Farmers Market and Twin Sisters Farmers Market.
Try some delicious Ethiopian Food.
Indulge in some classic summer activities.
Take the family out to eat at these delicious and affordable local restaurants.
Jump in the water and go for a swim.
Set sail.
Hit the trails for some of the best mountain biking in the state.
Hike the great outdoors.

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.

Main photo credit: Jodi Broughton

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites-Bellingham – Bellingham’s Pet Friendly Hotel

By

Sara Holodnick

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park and fly at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites-Bellingham — This property is located within walking distance of the Bellingham airport. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham.

Traveling with pets is easy with the generous pet policy at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites-Bellingham, the area’s newest full-service hotel. Conveniently nestled between Interstate 5 and Bellingham International Airport, hotel guests could easily walk to catch their flight or explore the best of what Whatcom County has to offer. And because the Holiday Inn brand promises to champion the joy of travel for everyone, the new hotel has been developed to create a guest experience that is comfortable for anyone – including pet owners.

Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham’s friendly hotel staff will provide dog owners with a dog goodie bag upon check-in that includes a water bowl, leash, waste bags and treats. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites-Bellingham.

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites-Bellingham is the first new build that has embraced the company’s H4 Solution. Representing Happiness, Hospitality, Home and Holiday Inn, H4 design provides a home away from home atmosphere for travelers of all backgrounds. This makes it especially comfortable for folks who like to travel with their four-legged friends. After all, what makes a pet owner feel happier and more at home than being with their furry travel buddy?

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites-Bellingham’s pet friendly hotel staff will provide dog owners with a dog goodie bag upon check-in that includes a water bowl, leash, waste bags and treats. You and your dog will feel right at home. “Man’s best friend is welcome here and we try to give them rooms on the second floor so they can access the outside easier,” shared General Manager Ragan Humphrey. “We have a designated pet area for them to visit as the need arises as well as many areas to walk in the immediate vicinity.”

Pets aren’t allowed to be left unattended but that doesn’t mean you need to be confined to your room. Bellingham is full of attractions for you and your dog, including a bunch of off-leash parks, a pet-friendly tavern and plenty of dog-friendly hikes. And when you and your pet are ready to take a break in your room, you can take advantage of high-quality goodies delivered right to your door. northwater Chef Christy has even created a pet room service menu. That’s right: You don’t have to feel guilty for chowing down on that dry aged pork chop in front of your pet since they can eat their own gourmet treats!

And you and your pet are sure to get a good night’s rest in the ultra-quiet hotel. “When designing this property we opted to install a much higher quality and very sound proof window to minimize outside noise typically assumed with a hotel next to an airport,” shared Humphrey. “We continue to receive great guest feedback about how quiet our rooms are, especially being next to the airport and near the freeway.”

Rest easy while you travel with your pet at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites-Bellingham, located at 4260 Mitchell Way in Bellingham – just steps away from the Bellingham International Airport terminal. Reservations can be made now on their website or by calling 360-746-6844.

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Dale Serbousek Creates Connections through Bellingham’s Sailing Community

By

Jennifer Dodge

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Dale Serbousek Sailing Boating 2 — Dale Serbousek discovered that you don't have to be a millionaire to connect with Bellingham's sailing community. Photo courtesy: Dale Serbousek.

Dale Serbousek, when he moved to Bellingham in 2000, recalls looking out at the bay and all the boats. “I used to think, ‘That’s so cool, it must be nice to be a millionaire and race sailboats,’” he says. Now the local real estate broker with RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc. is actively involved with Bellingham’s sailing community and the Bellingham Bay Yacht Club. He says he also learned one does not have to be a millionaire to race sailboats on the bay.

Dale Serbousek has made many great connections through sailing. Photo courtesy: Dale Serbousek.

“I never knew I could be out there myself until I talked to the right person,” Serbousek says of his first time on a sailing boat with local dentist Eric Yaremko in 2013. That first experience led him down the road of buying his own boat in 2014 and sailing in regattas regionally.

As a member of the yacht club, Serbousek connected with a group of people he knew he could learn a great deal from and from whom he would find support. He credits Cathy Franklin of Chariot Adventures, a local company offering sailing lessons and charters with preparing him for his own sailing experience.

“Sailing is a great thing to have in your life,” he says. “It can build a lot of confidence and self-esteem.”

Serbousek’s love of sailing has now passed to his daughter Natalie. Photo courtesy: Dale Serbousek.

Serbousek’s love of sailing has now passed to the next generation. Serbousek’s daughter Natalie has taken the sailing baton and become a part of the high school and BYC sailing teams in Bellingham. With the support and encouragement of Mike Powell, BYC Youth Sailing Director and an avid supporter of the sailing community, young people throughout Bellingham are becoming increasingly excited about sailing. After all, Bellingham was voted one of the five best places in the U.S. to sail by Sailing World magazine.

Serbousek is excited to see his daughter participate in the sport that created a new connection for him in the community as well as taught him something new and gave him a new experience. He describes the great friends his family has met through the sailing community and the enrichment it has brought to his own life. “I have really valued getting out and meeting new people in our community,” he says. “I’ve learned new things and met great people. We have a great community.”

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Books A’Sail on the Schooner Zodiac

By

Janine Johnson

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books a'sail — Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert, owners of Village Books, will guide the literary side of Books A'Sail. Photo courtesy: Village Books.

I studied English Literature and Creative Writing in college. I read innumerable books, excerpts, short stories, poems and essays. I participated in twice-weekly writing workshops where we discussed themes, motifs, dialogue and intention. Sometimes class would rendezvous under a tree on campus, sometimes we would read Shakespeare in our professor’s living room. Even at the time, it was a romantic endeavor. Now, fifteen years later, my memories lack any of the deadline anxiety or final exam stress and play like a film in my mind, a montage of dreamy scenes through a lens of distance and nostalgia.

I’ve been taking a very long hiatus from those mellow days of quiet contemplation and conversation. I’m reading a lot of board books to toddlers now and discussing the finer points of Curious George rather than The Brothers Karamozov. I think, however, I might be ready to talk literature again.

My mother-in-law, a person in a near-constant state of reading, formed a book club a few years ago and revels in the discourse with her fellow book lovers. Their meetings rotate among members’ homes where they snack on small plates of food and sip wine. Most important to my mother-in-law is that the settings foster intimate conversation. Whether the members are perched on stools at a kitchen island, relaxed on a sectional around a coffee table or poised in armchairs before a hearth lit with a crackling fire, there must be a strong sense of place.

Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert aboard the Schooner Zodiac at last year’s Books A’Sail cruise. Photo courtesy: Village Books.

I recently heard about what is perhaps the most romantic, most adventurous, most intriguing location for a book club—The Schooner Zodiac, a classic two-masted gaff topsail schooner, circa 1924. For all you landlubbers unfamiliar with those terms, like myself, the Schooner Zodiac is one of those gorgeous, stately, old ships with multiple sails that look like they were painted on the sea’s surface. In a fog, they can look like a ghost from another century.

But the Schooner Zodiac is a real, three-dimensional ship, not an open-water apparition. She sails regularly thanks to thousands of hours of volunteer labor and a highly-trained live-in crew that keeps her seaworthy. In addition to day cruises, dinner cruises and private charters, you may also book a multi-day cruise aboard the Schooner Zodiac. I have suggested one in particular for my mother-in-law and the members of her book club. Books A’Sail is a three-day, two-night “literary journey” amidst the splendid scenery of the San Juan Islands, which takes place September 12-14, 2017.

Local Author Jim Lynch’s new Book “Before the Wind” is the primary book-club selection. Jim and his wife Denise will be on board for the duration of the cruise. Photo courtesy: Village Books.

Village Books in Fairhaven is the official sponsor of Books A’Sail and owners Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert will be on board to guide the literary portion of the weekend. Their primary book selection is local author Jim Lynch’s new book, Before the Wind, a story about a multi-generational boat-building family set on the waters of Puget Sound. An avid sailor, Jim has cruised these coastal waters since childhood and he, along with his wife Denise, will spend this late-summer weekend aboard the Schooner Zodiac affording passengers a very unique opportunity to explore the connections between sailing and Jim’s Northwest writing life. Paul and Kelly have also selected two companion books for the cruise – Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman and Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean by Jonathan White.

Last year was the inaugural voyage of Books A’Sail. Paul and Kelly tell me that it was a resounding success and they cannot recommend it enough. They describe the book-club aspect of the cruise as a guided “free-forming” experience. The passengers will decide how and when the hosted discussions unfold.

Typically there is a full day of sailing, the boat drops anchor in a secluded area of the islands for the night and out come the books. But participation is totally up to the individual. “It’s self-determined,” Paul adds. “You’re going to get out of it what you put into it.”

Paul Hanson and Kelly Evert, owners of Village Books, will guide the literary side of Books A’Sail. Photo courtesy: Village Books.

Kelly stresses that while this is a book-themed cruise, it is not wholly-focused on literature. Passengers aboard the Schooner Zodiac are treated to classic sail training during their stay. This is an interactive, completely voluntary educational experience where you learn about all aspects of navigating the vessel. And what if you are a landlubber like me? “You bring good gloves along so you can stand in a line and hoist the sails,” assures Kelly.

There are also opportunities to disembark and explore the islands before gathering for a delicious dinner and an intimate group conversation above or below deck. One thing that Paul mentioned that really stuck with me is that passengers have freedom to roam the ship. You can eat in a group or take your plate to a quiet corner of the deck. You can assemble for the discussion or curl up with a book in your bunk. And, perhaps the most romantic of all, if the weather is conducive, you can sleep on deck, under the stars. I called the Zodiac Schooner folks to confirm that. You can.

Talk about a sense of place.

Books A’Sail 2017

Date: Sept. 12 – Sept. 14, 2017 (3 days)
Standard Bunk: $595 per person – includes all meals.
Stateroom: $675 per person double occupancy
Boarding Time: 9:30 a.m. Return: 3:00 p.m.

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Winding Down in Comfort at The Holiday Inn Express Bellingham

By

Jennifer Dodge

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Whatcom Falls Training — Whatcom Falls Park is centrally located in Bellingham with serene scenery yet with a vibe of activity with bikers and walkers. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Falls Park.

A beautiful day in Bellingham becomes even more enjoyable once you step into the Holiday Inn Express Bellingham lobby located just off Meridian Street.

Woods Coffee has been called one of the world’s finest coffee shops. Photo by Lyla Jansma, courtesy of The Woods Coffee.

Our mother and daughter getaway adventure in Bellingham begins with a morning stroll down Boulevard Park with a stop at Woods Coffee overlooking the water. We get our coffee to go and sit outside watching the children play at the water’s edge in the sand. The cool breeze hits our faces as we continue walking along the path from Taylor Dock. The walk winds through blackberry bushes into Historic Fairhaven with its many shops touting locally made items from clothing to wind chimes.

After meandering through Fairhaven, we head into downtown Bellingham with its charm and diversity of stores, restaurants and even a French bakery for an indulgence in a croissant or crème puff. The streets are buzzing with the sounds of conversations and people gathering and shopping. We stop at the French bakery, Opera, on Cornwall. My daughter chooses a lemon and a chocolate macaron from the variety of flavors and I indulge in the decadent pain du chocolate with its flaky croissant texture and rich chocolate filling.

From seasonal vegetables to beautiful flowers, Bellingham Farmers Market has offered the very best in local, sustainable agriculture for 25 years. Photo courtesy: Bellingham Farmers Market.

While exploring downtown, we stop at the Bellingham Farmers Market with its locally produced and created products such as vegetables, fruits, dairy and even locally-raised meats and crafted chocolates. A local musician plays his guitar softly in the middle of the market leading into the indoor section which houses local crafts, locally roasted coffees and beautiful, locally-grown flowers. The smell of the fresh flowers greets us as we stroll from vendor to vendor.

With the many artisan eateries in downtown Bellingham, including the many food choices at the farmers market, choosing a location for lunch creates a fun experience and gets us ready for the afternoon. We choose La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza with its unique menu items, I enjoy my own personal pizza topped with sweet cherry peppers and spicy sausage as my daughter goes for the meatballs and cheese pizza.

Whatcom Falls Park is centrally located in Bellingham with serene scenery yet with a vibe of activity with bikers and walkers. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Falls Park.

After lunch, we opt to explore the beauty of the Whatcom County trails. The terrain and difficulty offer many options. We hike through Whatcom Falls Park, easily accessible just off Electric Avenue in Bellingham. Its serene yet active vibe includes many walkers and bikers and creates a great way to relax and take in the scenery. We gaze at the beautiful waterfalls and water pools as we wind our way through the trails surrounding this local park.

And, as the day comes to an end and we head back to the Holiday Inn Express and are immediately greeted by the warmth of the helpful hotel staff and the bright cheeriness of the lobby that brings a smile to my face. I immediately feel comfortable, relaxed and welcomed.

As we head to our room to settle in and get ready for a swim, we are greeted by other guests coming in from the pool area. A woman in town for a soccer game informs us that the temperature of the pool is simply perfect. As she tells us about her own stay at the Holiday Inn Express, she describes how much she enjoys the courtyard and relaxing with her family after a day of watching soccer games. We share that after our own adventurous day, we are definitely ready for a dip in the pool and a warm finish in the Jacuzzi.

The welcoming pool of the Holiday Inn Express boasts a view of the courtyard and a perfect temperature! Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn Express.

The sparkling and inviting pool is bright with a view of the courtyard where other guests are enjoying the outdoors in the lounge chairs and at tables. The temperature of the water is perfect just as we were told.

As we finish up our swim and head back to our room, we run into a couple staying at the hotel who anxiously await the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. We decide to also wait for the late-night treat and we hear travel stories of the couple and learn that this is their third time staying at the Holiday Inn Express. Within minutes we see an enthusiastic smile and hear “hot out of the oven just for you,” from the hotel staff bringing the cookies to the table. We grab a couple of the warm and gooey chocolate chip cookies and head to our room.

Our room, bright and crisply clean, is inviting and comfortable. The large screen television and a cup of tea from the Keurig in the room awaits our return after our swim and Jacuzzi. I choose an herbal tea from the choices and brew the hot water as my daughter enjoys the last of her cookie, ensuring that every morsel of mouth-watering chocolate is consumed.

The bright and welcoming rooms of Holiday Inn Express Bellingham are the perfect way to end a day of discovery in Bellingham. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn Express.

With a choice of firm or soft pillows, we settle into the king-size bed and turn on the big screen television before calling it a night after a fun day around town. I choose the soft pillow, nestling it under my neck and turn the lights out. Our glorious day is complete.

And, after a peaceful sleep, I’m up early seeing the sun peek through the side of the heavy curtain. I stretch, taking in the moment of quiet, thinking about the day and what awaits us on our exploration of Bellingham. But first, there is breakfast to be enjoyed as I realize my stomach is growling. It’s time to get our day started.

Breakfast consists of a variety of options to satisfy any diet or preference. Buttery scrambled eggs and sausage for the traditional breakfast eaters and biscuits and country sausage gravy for others along with an assortment of Danish and muffins are a part of what is offered each morning. Cold and hot cereal with fruit and yogurt round out the morning menu complete with juices, coffee and teas.

As we leave for the day, we sigh with contentment as we get a smile and departing message to “have a good day” from the front desk staff. The Holiday Inn Express Bellingham, with its easy location and proximity to downtown, the outdoor activities and historical Fairhaven, make it a good choice to stay while in Bellingham.

To make a reservation, visit the or call 360-671-4800.

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