Holiday Donation Match for Bellingham Food Bank by First Fed

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Outside-Bellingham-Food-Bank — Photo courtesy First Fed

A warm meal is a basic need that not everyone can take for granted. In Whatcom County over 28,000 people are food insecure, including nearly 1 in every 5 children. Food insecurity is defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household.

To help address this need, First Fed is matching donations made to Bellingham Food Bank up to a combined total of $5,000. Donations must be made by cash or check in the branches by December 30 to qualify for the match. Or First Fed customers can transfer donations from their accounts over the phone with Customer Service.

Bellingham Food Bank, located on Ellis Street, has 50 years of experience combating hunger in the Bellingham area by serving quality foods, effectively networking, and standing up against racism. They serve up to 5,000 households a week though their free grocery program, drive through, and home delivery service. Last year they provided over 89,000 household visits and distributed over 117,000 food boxes. Their mission is to address not just the immediate needs of hunger in the community, but also the root causes of it.

Community-Driven

The Bellingham Food Bank relies on support from their donors, volunteers, and partners to sustain their programs and outreach. In 2022, they received over 20,500 volunteer hours and 80% of their funding from community members. This support has helped them grow substantially over the last few years, with their numbers more than doubling in 2022 and growing an additional 30% in 2023.

“With demand continuing to rise, we’ve doubled our hours of operation to create greater access,” said Stephanie Sission, Communications & Outreach Coordinator for the Bellingham Food Bank. “We are grateful for the support that allows us to offer healthier and more culturally relevant food and have enough staff to maintain a trusted and safe environment for anyone who uses our services.”

For those who use the drive through or home delivery service rather than visiting the market, the food bank offers a choice of specialized food boxes, including Latin American, gluten-free, and vegan.

Much of the fresh produce the food bank offers is purchased from small Whatcom farms, which helps create stability and support for local farmers. Volunteers also glean, or pick, surplus produce from farms and gardens in the region, resulting in over 82,000 pounds of produce for the food bank last year.

In addition to their core services, the Bellingham Food Bank serves as a distribution center that collects and sends several million pounds of food every year to additional food banks in Whatcom County.

Fresh produce from local farms in the Bellingham Food Bank market. Photo courtesy First Fed

Partnering With First Fed

It was a natural collaboration for Bellingham Food Bank to partner with First Fed, a trusted community bank with 100 years in the PNW. First Fed has a long history of outreach and support for local organizations, including the holiday match campaign for donations to the Bellingham Food Bank.

“We couldn’t do what we do without community-based funding,” said Sisson. “The donation match from First Fed is one of the most effective and efficient ways to help our community in need. We really appreciate their support.”

“Our Chief Banking Officer Chris Neros is a longtime supporter of the Bellingham Food Bank,” said Julie Ranson, First Fed District Branch Manager for Whatcom County. “It was his idea to set up a donation match in Whatcom. We are excited to support their mission.”

Last year’s donation to the Bellingham Food Bank with Crystal Marvin, Jennifer Barnhart, Chris Neros, Jessica Haugen, and Julie Ranson of First Fed. Photo courtesy First Fed

“This holiday season, you can double your donation to the Bellingham Food Bank in our First Fed Barkley or Fairhaven branches,” said Ranson. “We are accepting cash or check donations payable to the Bellingham Food Bank and whatever is deposited in the food bank’s account through December 30 will be matched up to $5000.”

Anyone interested can drop by the branches to make a direct deposit to the food bank’s account. “We encourage everyone to give what they can,” added Ranson.

Donations to the Bellingham Food Bank can be made by cash, check, or account transfer at the First Fed Bellingham Barkley Boulevard or Fairhaven branches by close of business on December 30, 2023. Or if you have a First Fed account you can donate by calling Customer Service at 800-800-1577.

First Fed is a member FDIC and equal housing lender.

How Bellingham Celebrated Thanksgiving During the Great Depression

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Jennifer Crooks

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The Great Depression was the worst economic disaster in American history. During the 1930s people adapted to difficult times and helped each other as the country tried to recover. Through it all they still found reasons to give thanks at Thanksgiving. While looking back on this time in our community, it’s important to also acknowledge and honor the truth about the holiday while supporting our Indigenous peoples every day of the year.

The traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce was already well established by the time of the Great Depression. “Crisp sharp air out-of-doors, busy preparations for the feast filling the air with glorious scents within,” wrote a syndicated columnist in the Bellingham Herald in 1938, “That’s the Thanksgiving story that never loses its charm.”

But budgets were tight and many opted for more affordable meats than turkey, like chicken and beef. Stores used sales and gimmicks to tempt customers in. Howard’s Market, at Railroad and Magnolia Streets, offered free balloons and shopping bags at their “Thanksgiving party” in 1934. Others threw in a free turkey with select purchases. In 1932, for example, Weisfield & Goldberg, at 102 West Holly Street, gave a free eight-pound dressed turkey with a purchase of $24 worth of on-sale items. In 1938, B.B. Furniture Company, located at 1311-1319 Bay Street, handed out a free turkey with the purchase of a Monarch range. That would set someone back $89.50, or five dollars down and five dollars a month.

“Stuffed bird to stuff a boy.” Tommy’s ready to dig into his mother’s roasted turkey fresh from the oven. This photo accompanied recipes for oyster, skinless frankfurter, sausage, and skinless frankfurter/rice stuffings. Image from Bellingham Herald, November 20, 1939. Photo courtesy Washington State Library

Some stores offered Thanksgiving specialty items. Bakeries sold freshly baked pumpkin and mince pies. Fruit cake was another popular option. People could preorder fruitcake from Fisher’s Bakery at 1327 Cornwall Avenue to pick up closer to the holiday.

Ice cream was particularly popular, despite the usually chilly weather. In 1937, Hillview Dairy, at 1824 Cornwall Avenue, offered ice cream in individual turkey-shaped molds, as well as bricks of ice cream with a dyed turkey design in the center perfect for serving in slices straight from the freezer. Holiday flavors included cranberry sherbet and pumpkin or mincemeat ice cream. Darigold sold individual ice cream pumpkin “pies” for ten cents each in 1931.

For those who did not want to cook, a holiday dinner could be had at a hotel or restaurant. Prices were low during the Great Depression, usually between fifty cents and a dollar. In 1932, Ford’s, the “moonlight pie headquarters,” in the Herald Building at 1146 North State Street, served a full turkey dinner for 75 cents — or 60 cents for a chicken option.

A turkey chef reminds people of Thanksgiving sales at Mallahan’s Fountain Grocery in this ad from the November 22, 1935 edition of the Bellingham Herald. Photo courtesy Washington State Library

Community Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day, businesses and stores closed to give people time to spend with their families, though some sawmills continued production. Churches held union, or joint, Thanksgiving services.

Groups organized inexpensive gatherings and parties around or on the holiday. Typical was a social given by the Scandinavian Methodist Church’s Young People’s Society in the church’s basement. Members and guests enjoyed pumpkin pie and coffee. Other groups added musical and speaking programs to their gatherings and collected donations for charity.

Dances, often with live music, were also very popular. In 1937 the Eagles held an annual “grand ball” in their hall Thanksgiving night. They hired Jay Curtis’ orchestra while the Welcome Grange hired Chuck Sudduth’s orchestra to play at their 1938 Thanksgiving dance.

Schools held their own programs before the holiday, centering around the themes of thankfulness. In 1932 Lowell School junior high students put together a program of orchestral music, speeches, and readings themed to the holiday. Sixth graders also performed a short play, “The First Thanksgiving.”

Another popular tradition was Thanksgiving day football games — Bellingham residents could choose between high school and Western Washington State University games. In 1938 the WWU Vikings clashed against Eastern Washington University at Bellingham’s Battersby Field. Other teams had to spend the day away from home when traveling for the matchups. In 1930 Whatcom High School traveled to to Wenatchee to play against the Wenatchee High School “Applepickers.”

Like something out of a sci-fi movie, a giant turkey looms over football players in this holiday image from the front page of the Bellingham Herald on Thanksgiving Day 1936. Photo courtesy Washington State Library

Helping Those In Need

During the Great Depression, putting food on the table was hard for many and charity groups worked to ensure families had enough to eat on Thanksgiving. The Bellingham Family Welfare Association, Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, and the Elks distributed baskets filled with ingredients for the Thanksgiving feasts, from turkeys to vegetables. These baskets were packed by groups such as the Campfire Girls, Girls Reserve of the YWCA, Visiting Nurses Association, veteran organizations and auxiliaries, churches, and schools. People donated enough food to serve hundreds of families every year.

For unemployed single men, many of them living on the street, groups such as the Salvation Army and Lighthouse Mission hosted free holiday dinners. “We asked no questions,” said the superintendent of the Lighthouse Mission at 1313 E Street in 1939. “If they were hungry, we fed them.” The need was great. The Mission served 140 men in 1932 alone.

The Thanksgiving holiday offered hope during the trials and troubles of the Great Depression. “It was a day of feasting and goodwill,” the Bellingham Herald reported in 1939. Even during the hard times, people could find reasons to be thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Community Support Makes Health Care for Everyone Possible — Unity Care NW Provider Shares Her Experience

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Unity-Care-NW-health-care-for-everyone-Bellingham-Washington — Health care should always be accessible and affordable for everyone. Unity Care NW believes that no one person is more deserving than another. Photo courtesy Unity Care NW

Submitted by Unity Care NW, written by Dr. Katy Mayer

When I was growing up, I knew I wanted to become a doctor. I had a strong desire to play an active role in building and becoming a part of a strong, healthy community. Throughout my medical training it was clear that individuals of a community who are healthy in mind, body and spirit are better able to get an education, have a successful career, and better care for family, friends and in turn their community.

Dr. Katy Mayer, MD feels her role as a family physician is to work with her patients on becoming healthy and whole so that they can in turn focus on caring for their families and friends. She enjoys caring for families through all stages of life — from newborn care to elder care. Photo courtesy Unity Care NW

When I began practicing medicine, I was deeply concerned to see that the cost of basic medical services was burdensome to many and that some people weren’t able to get the care they needed. I knew then that my calling was to provide care for everyone, regardless of status or income. No one person is more deserving than another.

“My patients, no matter their challenges, can depend on Unity Care NW for affordable whole-person care.”
— Katy Mayer, MD Unity Care NW Medical Provider

As a provider at Unity Care NW, I have the privilege of caring for a variety of people on a daily basis: a small business owner without insurance, a single mom with a new baby, a 20-something just out of college, and an unhoused individual seeking care. And for all of them, prevention is key. If an individual postpones care because they are afraid it will cost too much, undiagnosed conditions may become costlier to treat, or deadly.

Unity Care NW is a nonprofit community health center and never turns anyone away, regardless of their ability to pay. Photo courtesy Unity Care NW

I was grateful that, during the pandemic, emergency measures meant Medicaid was able to provide coverage for more people. We started seeing patients who may not have sought care otherwise. But now, with the end of the public health emergency, many of our patients are no longer eligible for Medicaid. We’re caring for more patients without insurance which puts more pressure on our limited resources.

We can all see that our community is struggling from mental health problems, addiction issues, increased homelessness, and general poor health — but you can help by making a nonprofit donation to Unity Care NW! Our health center is well equipped to support our community, we’ve been doing it for over 40 years. Unity Care NW is strong and serving more patients than ever before. Our sliding fee discount program makes sure care is always accessible and affordable for everyone.

Charitable giving from generous individuals like you make it possible! This giving season, make your donation to Unity Care NW. Your nonprofit donation will provide care, hope, and dignity to so many who may have forgotten that they deserve it. Donate to Unity Care NW and support the medical, dental, and mental health of our community this holiday season!

Assistance League of Bellingham Lifts Holiday Spirits

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Assistance League of Bellingham

At a time when we are all affected by economic forces and the world seems to be lurching from one crisis to another, we at Assistance League of Bellingham, through our mission, offer our members and our community the path to celebrate what is meaningful for all of us.

Working together toward our common goals, we are busy this holiday season.

It began with the Yule Boutique on November 4th. Our annual gift and baked goods sale was a huge success. A festive gathering of friends meeting friends enjoying the offerings available. Members work year round to offer handmade items, jewelry, soup mixes and, of course, a tempting variety of cookies and cakes. Added to the festive atmosphere was the music provided by Enrichment Scholarship Program students. If you missed this year’s celebration, mark it on your November calendar for next year.

While we would like to think of our friends and relatives enjoying their golden years, many living in care centers can feel alone in their memories and isolated from this festive holiday season.

The core of our Care Center Support program answers the need to bring joy this season with our members shopping for 121 residents in seven care and skilled nursing centers. Each team works with the center’s activity director who provides us with a personal gift request list for each resident. We work very hard to fill each request, no matter how difficult it may be. In the past we have had requests like old Mexican songs, Prayer Book in Russian, and old John Wayne movies — all of which we were able to fill. If we have funds remaining in our budget after our Christmas purchases, we use that money to buy a spring gift for each facility that all residents can enjoy.

Don’t let your holiday season go by without visiting the Old City Hall’s Rotunda Room, filled with decorated uniquely crafted Christmas trees. Assistance League of Bellingham is honored to be included in showcasing our tree. Look for a new design this year that will bring delight to your visit. Deck the Old City Hall viewing times are Friday, November 24 through Saturday, December 31 from noon to 5 p.m.

This holiday season is a celebration of hope and joy. There are many volunteer opportunities in Bellingham, either as a family or individually. Make your holidays more meaningful for all.

You can support us by:

shopping at our Thrift & Gift, 2817 Meridian Street in Bellingham.
making a donation on Assistance League of Bellingham’s website “Donate” page.
mailing a check to Assistance League of Bellingham, P.O. Box 2998 Bellingham, WA 98227.
becoming an Assistance League of Bellingham volunteer.

All funds stay in Whatcom County to support our five community programs.

Learn more about us at assistanceleague.org/bellingham.

Whatcom Smart Trips’ Discount Merchant Program Can Save You Green for Green Trips

By

Matt Benoit

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Smart Trips Discount Merchant Program Pedestrian Crosswalk — Data supports that if customers are walking or biking past a business, they're more likely to notice that business than when simply driving past. Photo courtesy Smart Trips

Foregoing a solo drive in favor of biking, busing, walking, or ridesharing can come with many satisfactions. From getting exercise to knowing you’re doing the environment a solid, using active (or other modes) transportation is a great thing to do.

But did you know that doing so frequently can also save you money at dozens of Whatcom County businesses?

That’s all thanks to Smart Trips, a community-wide program for residents and businesses that encourages active forms of transportation for a healthier lifestyle, while also reducing traffic congestion. As a program of the Whatcom Council of Governments, Smart Trips receives funding from the City of Bellingham, Whatcom Transportation Authority, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Once someone logs 10 or more annual Smart Trips, they’re eligible for a Smart Trips Merchant Discount card and eligible savings at dozens of local businesses. Photo courtesy Smart Trips

Smart Trips’ Discount Merchant Program — which has close to 100 participating businesses in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, and Blaine — allows customers to log their trips with trip dairies on the program’s website. Once customers have logged 10 trips annually, they’ll receive a discount card in the mail. This card provides savings on everything from food and beverages to bike accessories and wellness, recreation, and even pet care.

“It’s such a nice part of the incentive area of our program, that local businesses are willing to do this,” says Michelle Grandy, Smart Trips program manager. “Many of them have done it since the Smart Trips program started in July of 2006. They think it’s an important program for community members to participate in, so they want to reward people for it.”

Smart Trips = Smart Savings

Anyone who logs at least five Smart Trips per month is also entered into a $250 cash drawing, and a quarterly giveaway of $1,000 is offered for those taking five trips or more for three consecutive months.

Whatcom Smart Trips partners with nearly 200 Whatcom County businesses, helping employers encourage alternative transportation to and from work. Photo courtesy Smart Trips

There’s no fee to participate in the program, either for citizens or businesses. For the latter, participation essentially offers free promotion and a showcasing of their values, while also potentially soliciting new customers.

“There’s a lot of data out there that proves the more you can encourage people to ride or walk down the street, the more likely you are to get a new customer through that door,” says Grandy. “They have more time to look around and pay attention to the goods and services available in their community.”

Benefits for Employers

Nearly 200 county employers partner with Smart Trips to encourage their employees to bike, bus, walk, or carpool to work.

For those with 100 or more employees commuting between 6 and 9 a.m., Washington State’s Commute Trip Reduction Program actually requires businesses to encourage or assist workers with other transportation methods besides driving in a car alone.

For its employer partners, Smart Trips can provide free bus passes to help familiarize employees with the local transit system. Photo courtesy Smart Trips

Still, many of Smart Trips’ participating businesses aren’t big enough to have to follow state law, Grandy says, and simply choose to encourage their workers to be healthier, happier, and environmentally friendly in how they commute. Smart Trips provides businesses with education and encouragement, including bike classes, educational materials, and free bus passes provided by WTA to help people become familiar with their local transit system.

Some employers also offer their workers additional incentive.

PeaceHealth, which operates Bellingham’s St. Joseph Medical Center, offers caregivers a $1.50 daily stipend for each day they walk, bike, bus, or carpool when signed up for Smart Trips. Barbara Pongracz Lamb, a PeaceHealth communication specialist, says the company also has bike storage lockers at several buildings to support caregivers who bike to work.

How to Participate

Becoming part of the program is easy and involves a simple phone call or email to Smart Trips’ employer coordinator, Blanche Bybee. Each business then designates someone as their ‘employee transportation coordinator,’ and is the contact for Smart Trips to provide free resources.

For more detailed information on Smart Trips, please visit their website’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

Sponsored

The Smart Trips program encourages both local businesses and citizens to choose active transportation methods for getting around Whatcom County.

Whatcom Humane Society Thrift Shop Finds New Home in Birchwood

By

Kristin Noreen

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Whatcom-Humane-Society-Bellingham-Washington — Posters of WHS "alumni" animals decorate the shop, created by volunteer Doug Bestle. Photo credit: Kristin Noreen

Thrift shops are big in Whatcom County these days. With lots of people still struggling to recover from the pandemic’s economic impacts and others simply having discovered the value in reusing things — or the small joy of a great bargain — thrift shopping is in fashion.

Like many nonprofit agencies, the Whatcom Humane Society has been in the thrift shop business for a while. From Paws Awhile, the Fairhaven “gently used gift shop” that attracted foot traffic from the Fairhaven Green for over a decade, to the thrift shop they took over in 2020 from WeSnip, the Whatcom Spay-Neuter Impact Program, thrift shopping has contributed to the agency’s operating budget. The shop benefits domestic, wild, and farm animals in their shelters.

The Move to Birchwood

Recently, though, under the leadership of powerhouses Dana Browne and Jo Williams, the WHS Thrift Shop has become a standout in the Bellingham thrift shop scene. After three years in the Bakerview Square shopping center, the shop moved to the Birchwood Neighborhood in the Park Manor Shopping Center (near the old Albertson’s, now Big Lots) at 1534 Birchwood Avenue.

Photo courtesy Whatcom Humane Society Thrift Store

The move has put the shop in the spotlight. “We have better visibility and much more foot traffic,” says manager Dana Browne. “More drivers impulsively turn in when they see we’re here.”

The Birchwood neighborhood brings in more families, and the shop fills the void created by the closure of the Salvation Army Thrift Store. Another thrift shop, La Segunda, is next door, which has meant more business for both shops. Big Lots, in the old Albertson’s location, is a deep-discount retailer, making the strip mall a center for bargain shopping.

The Park Manor Shopping Center had been troubled by high vacancy rates since Albertson’s closed in 2016. The popularity of the WHS Thrift Shop has revitalized the center and brought a lot more people to the area, benefitting all the neighborhood businesses.

The WHS Thrift Shop stands out by offering only quality merchandise. “We accept clean, unbroken items,” Browne says as she sorts a chipped plate from a donation area into the “pass” bin. “People know when they come here that they will find only working, usable items.”

Sam, a 96-year-old volunteer, comes in once a week to test all the electrical items and make sure they can be offered for sale.

A Change for Dana Browne

After working as the events manager at WHS for 10 years, managing the thrift shop has been a huge change for Browne. “I thought about the path to retirement,” she says. “Did I want to do the same thing for 10 more years, or mix it up with something new?”

She has consistently broken fundraising records for the society’s annual gala, and supercharged other regular events with new ideas, like the Dog Days of Summer Festival and the Putt Fore Pets golf tournament. Her long career in fundraising has taught her what works and what doesn’t.

Jo Williams and Dana Browne manage the Whatcom Humane Society Thrift Shop. Photo courtesy Whatcom Humane Society

“My favorite part is working with the volunteers,” she says. “They’ve been around forever and I learn so much from them.”

Browne plans a spring fashion show featuring only clothing for sale at the thrift shop, and getting the shop involved in neighborhood events. “We’re joining the Neighborhood Association and we want to be active citizens of Birchwood,” she says.

Browne is closely flanked by Assistant Manager Jo Williams, who has made a big splash in the year she’s been at the thrift shop. Williams discovered a flair for presentation, including social media promotion. While talking with Williams, her eyes were all over the shop, keeping track of what was happening in every area, ready to jump in if she was needed.

Volunteers Are the Heart of the Shop

It takes a roster of 65 volunteers to keep the shop running. Volunteers worked 1,373 hours from September 1 to October 19, 2023. This included the move from Cordata and the Grand Opening day on September 30.

Browne showed me a binder filled with sign-up sheets for potential volunteers to attend biweekly orientation meetings. Volunteers do donation intake, display, customer assistance, cleaning, cashiering, and often help customers out to their vehicles with their purchases.

Mother-daughter volunteer team Anne and Nancy Seeger sort donations in the shop’s bustling back room. Photo credit: Kristin Noreen

Mother-and-daughter volunteer team Nancy and Anne Seeger work in the donation room. For seven years they did small animal TLC with rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets — whoever came in the door. Three years ago they started volunteering at the thrift shop, and they love spending the time there together.

“I don’t know what this is, Mom,” Anne interrupts, holding out an object that turns out to be a classic book inside a dust sleeve that holds it like a box. It’s like that with donations: sometimes it takes a few people to figure out what an item is for.

Extra Features to Build Community

If you’re lucky, you also might see animals while at the thrift shop. Stephanie, a volunteer who has fostered over 150 kittens in four years, recently brought her litter of four kittens to show at the shop, to raise awareness of the foster care program where animals too young to be in the shelter are cared for until they’re old enough to be adopted.

The kittens had a small swatch of different-colored paint on their right ears. “That’s safety paint, so we give medications to the right kittens,” Stephanie explains. “You can’t rely on their markings to tell them apart; you might still make a mistake.”

Foster care volunteer Stephanie shows off Scottish-fold-mix kittens who will be available for adoption when they reach 2 pounds. Photo credit: Kristin Noreen

Near the kitten enclosure is a community bulletin board where people can post animal- and neighborhood-related notices. A poster on the board advertises that every child who visits the thrift shop may pick a free book.

By the cash register, there is a lovely tooled “vegan leather” purse with a jar next to it for the weekly Customer Appreciation Drawing. “I pick an item that I think will be popular and raffle it off,” says Browne. “It gets people to come back, and it’s just a lot of fun.”

The thrift shop welcomes new volunteers, who can sign up for shifts in 2-hour increments. This encourages people with a range of physical abilities and time constraints to participate. There is a sign-up sheet at the shop, if you’re interested.

The shop is currently decked out in holiday delights — and every child who visits the thrift shop can pick a free book! Photo courtesy Whatcom Humane Society Thrift Store

Location: 1534 Birchwood Avenue in Bellingham’s Birchwood neighborhood.

Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Donations are accepted Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Important note: Only credit/debit is accepted; the shop does not take cash or checks.

Come see what all the fun is about!

Blind Fate: Long-Standing Local Rock Cover Band Is a Family Tradition

By

Tony Moceri

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Blind Fate Chris Zender, Ann-Marie Olive, Drew Anderson, Chet Zender, Jeff Randell — Blind Fate, from left to right: Chris Zender, Ann-Marie Olive, Drew Anderson, Chet Zender, and Jeff Randell. Photo credit: Twelve Shots

It’s time to hop in the way back machine to a time of big hair and hyper colors. You left your boom box behind and don’t have to worry about anyone posting a picture of you on social media. It’s just another night out, rocking with your friends, while live musicians fill the bar with your favorite hits. With the slogan “If it’s too loud, you’re too old,” the band Blind Fate has been transporting people back in time by playing cover songs on stages around Whatcom County since 2006.

Keeping a band going for nearly two decades is an impressive trick, but Blind Fate has a secret weapon for staying together: the band consists of people who are actual family — and additional members who might as well be. Not only do they perform everything from classic rock to current hits on stage, but the bandmates spend time together away from music, as well.

Chet Zender, who sings and plays bass, had been in various bands before putting together Blind Fate. He added his lifelong friend and drummer, Drew Anderson, when he launched the band. His cousin, Chris Zender, and friend, Jeff Randal, play guitar and sing, and the band is rounded out by Chet’s younger sister, Ann-Marie Olive, on vocals.

Their strong offstage camaraderie translates on the stage where years of band bonding creates an clear flow while performing.

“As siblings, our voices just blend together naturally. We have that as a band, too,” says Chet. “A lot of times, we can just feel the way Drew’s playing or Chris is playing or myself or Jeff — you just kind of know. We can feel what the other one’s feeling before they do it.”

Blind Fate perform for a crowd at downtown Bellingham’s The Underground. Photo credit: Twelve Shots

This presence is what Blind Fate is all about. They want to be completely in sync so the audience gets the best experience possible.

“When someone chooses to come listen to us, our job is to make sure they feel like this was the best choice they could have made for the night out,” Ann-Marie says. This sentiment was engrained in Chet and Ann-Marie at a young age, as they watched their parents, who were also musicians. They also had a band of mostly family members, which included Chris’s dad. The band traveled to Nashville on multiple occasions to record records. Band practice was the soundtrack to their Chet and Ann-Marie’s young lives, and what they fell asleep to every night.

This previous generation’s example of hard work and passion directs Blind Fate today. Yes, it’s all about fun, and the band likes nothing better than when everyone is on the dance floor having a blast — but those on stage also take each performance seriously.

The siblings, Chet and Ann-Marie, front and center at The Beach in Birch Bay. Photo credit: Twelve Shots

When you hear about the band’s makeup, it seems natural they would all be together, but it didn’t happen overnight. Chet has been in bands since high school — and Ann-Marie secretly wanted to join him. She spent her time singing in church. Ann-Marie got the chance to sing on stage with her parents before her dad’s passing, but never expected to be in a band until Chet brought her in and coached her on singing rock.

Today when singing in the band, she’s now in her comfort zone, but don’t ask Ann-Marie to talk to the crowd. Chet usually fills the downtime between songs because when he tries to pass the mic to Ann-Marie, she does what only a sister can do. She pretends not to hear him.

While there’s a lot of fun and games in a band with family, it’s also clear that it’s extremely special to those involved. The carrying on of a family tradition runs deep in their purpose to connect with those on and off the stage.

“It’s crazy to be up on stage and look over, and I swear I’m on stage with my dad,” Ann-Marie says. “The expressions Chet makes are identical to my dad’s when he sings. It’s the relationships, just how tight you get as a group the more you work together. Also, we’ve played around Whatcom County long enough that there’s a lot of people that come listen to us that have become friends and feel like family.”

*Mary Ann and Jim Zender*, Chet and Ann-Marie’s parents, paved the musical way for their children. Photo courtey Ann-Marie Olive

While there’s deep meaning behind the music, in the end, the whole point is that the audience gets to rock out. “We like to get people out on the floor dancing, just having a fun time,” says Chet. “Kinda escaping the real world and having fun like you’re back in high school or college, going out with all your friends. We try to play songs that everyone is going to know and can dance to.”

Stay up-to-date on the band’s performance schedule by following them on Facebook. Blind Fate’s next performance is at the Main Street in Ferndale on December 2, 2023, at 8:30 p.m. There’s no cover, so dust off your dancing shoes and come party to your favorite rock songs from the 1970s through the 2000s.

‘Documenting Grace’ Film Series Opens Dance Possibilities for All

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Calendar Girls — Photo courtesy Kuntz and Company

Submitted by Kuntz and Company

Kuntz and Company, Bellingham’s community storyteller through dance and theatre, presents Documenting Grace: a Film Series, beginning Sunday, December 3. This series of six films was selected to portray dance in its power to give voice to people through movement. The films will be shown at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Avenue, in Fairhaven. Films will roll out one Sunday per month, December through March, at 3pm. Tickets are available on the website, www.kuntzandco.org, and are $12 for general and $6 for seniors/students.

Pam Kuntz, principal of Kuntz and Company, has been keeping dance on people’s minds for decades. “I’m frustrated that dance is sometimes placed in the category of concert dance, or only for those with training,” she says. “I’d like to see it ‘in’ our lives instead of a separate thing we watch from the seats. Dancing has an amazing ability to keep us in the present, to keep us in our world. It opens possibilities to move, to stimulate, and to express.”

Kuntz, an educator, dancer, and choreographer, founded Kuntz and Company in 2005 to give expression to a passion for working with diverse communities to tell their stories through the arts. Those communities include the young, the old, prisoners, parents, families, moms, the dying, those with stories to tell about their bodies, those with disorders, the chronically ill—in summary, everyone who has run into life’s challenges. She has received numerous awards for her work and has been on the faculty of Western Washington University since 1999, teaching dance technique, history, and anatomy.

Support for this series has come from a number of sources, listed individually by film on www.kuntzandco.org. In collecting the series, Kuntz was inspired by the idea that “film might have a different potential for awakening people. We are very receptive to film as a medium, and we tend to let it into our minds without being shut down by our subconscious limitations.”

The kickoff film is “Moving Stories” (Dec 3, 3pm), an inspiring documentary following six dancers from the acclaimed Battery Dance company who travel the world, working with young people who’ve experienced war, poverty, sexual violence and severe trauma as refugees.

In “Calendar Girls” (Jan 7, 3pm), the love of dance and glitter bonds an unlikely group of 60-plus women in southwest Florida. Under the veil of fake lashes and unicorn horns lurks the deeper truths of what aging women face within society.

“The Dancing Man – Peg Leg Bates” (Feb 11, 3pm) brings to the screen the remarkable story of the legendary tap dancer and entrepreneur, Clayton “Peg Leg” who broke down barriers for Black Americans and all people with disabilities. And wrapping up the film series is an evening of shorts (March 3, 3pm).

In “Adumu” African Choreographer Fernando Anuang’A creates a dance show drawing on contemporary dance and Maasai tradition,

“Dance for Change” shows us a dance scene emerging in Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi and “Why I Dance” is a documentary following a group of dancers in Kigali, Rwanda where we gain insight into everyday life in Rwanda and witness these young dancers’ passion and commitment to dance.

See Bellingham Through the Bird’s Eye View of Public Webcams

By

Anna Diehl

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webcams-Barkley-apartments-Bellingham-Washington — From Barkley Village's webcam page, visitors can take first looks at their apartments and condominiums as well as nearby parking. Photo courtesy Barkley Village

Ever since hot air balloons at the Mount Baker Marathon of 1911-1913 provided the first aerial views of Bellingham, there have been enthusiastic efforts to see the City of Subdued Excitement from above. Public webcams hosted by local organizations and businesses provide one such eye in the sky from the comfort of your computer screen.

Sites such as EarthCam, Skyline Webcams, and US Geological Survey’s Multimedia Gallery attest to the popularity of public webcams worldwide. For tourists and remote viewers, they provide a way to learn about and experience new places vicariously. For locals, they provide useful references on weather, tides, and traffic at one’s destination. And in a town as snug as Bellingham, they present new ways of seeing familiar landscapes from unfamiliar vantage points.

Western Washington University

At Western Washington University, the live webcam overlooks Red Square — a hub of campus activity. Viewers can spot Fisher Fountain and Isamu Noguchi’s “Sky Viewing Sculpture,” one of Western’s internationally recognized art installations. Just beyond lie the Humanities Building, Fraser Hall, Miller Hall, and Sehome Hill Arboretum.

In Bellingham’s geocaching community, one of the most popular local caches uses Western’s webcam as part of the game. Over 2,000 people have logged in at “University of Christi,” a virtual experience where visitors pose for the camera and submit screencaps.

Red Square is the main focus of Western Washington University’s webcam. The camera itself has moved over the years from Miller Hall to Bond Hall. Photo courtesy WWU

Bellingham Cold Storage

From their warehouse on the waterfront, Bellingham Cold Storage provides a webcam displayed as a still image that regularly refreshes for new timestamps. The page lists current weather conditions and weather dashboards ranging from days to years.

The webcam itself shows boats on Squalicum Waterfront, where BCS has operated since 1946 to facilitate portside industry.

The webcam at Bellingham Cold Storage provides a still image that regularly refreshes for new timestamps. Photo courtesy Bellingham Cold Storage

Community Boating Center

Based in Fairhaven, the Community Boating Center hosts webcams at five locations with the assistance of sponsors such as the City of Bellingham, San Juan Sailing, Whatcom Community Foundation, and San Juan Cruises. Every day, timelapses of the previous day’s webcam recording become available to view on the page. Viewers can also consult an on-page map for reference on the cameras’ fields of vision.

The Post Point Buoy cam shows the water past Marine Park, where the buoy collects oceanographic data. Depending on the time of day, viewers can see the BNSF Railway trains pass or watch the buoy blink at night. The other Post Point cam shows a curving portion of the rail track alongside the water. A separate Marine Park panorama captures a broad view of the water by the Boating Center docks.

The Fairhaven Cove Panorama provides a direct view of the boat launch, where Bellingham Cruise Terminal ships to the west and inland Fairhaven to the northeast can be seen in the background. The Fairhaven Public Boat Ramp cam shows a tighter westward view of the Boating Center, with the Cruise Terminal just beyond.

The Community Boating Center has two panoramic views of the waterfront alongside standard resolution views. Photo courtesy Community Boating Center

Barkley Village

The Barkley Village mixed-use neighborhood and commercial center has two webcams. The webcam on Barkley Boulevard provides clear views of businesses such as Chase Bank, Peoples Bank, Wells Fargo, NW Gastro Endo, and Regal Cinemas.

The webcam on Rimland Drive shows apartments and condominiums such as the Cornerstone, the Weatherby, and the Drake. Barkley Village’s housing is specifically designed with sustainability and proximity to local businesses in mind. For residents, prospective residents, and visitors, these webcams provide a first look at traffic and commercial activity in the area.

The webcam along Barkley Boulevard provides site visitors with previews of the businesses and traffic in the area. Photo courtesy Barkley Village

Birch Bay

About 20 miles from Bellingham, the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce hosts a webcam view of their unincorporated community. From Birch Bay State Park, the live camera overlooks the residences and businesses facing northeast across the water. “The webcam refreshes regularly throughout the day,” the site explains, also providing weather and tide charts for visitors.

The site notes that viewers can spot the mountains in Vancouver, Canada, on clear days. The condominiums and townhomes stand by businesses such as The C Shop, where visitors can enjoy signature sweets during summer and select seasonal openings.

Traffic Webcams

The Bellingham Herald provides traffic cams for motorists to gauge activity and wait times. These include views of numerous Interstate-5 onramps and Canadian border crossings in Blaine, Lynden, and Sumas.

Whether you consult them for information or recreation, webcams will always provide a way to visit Bellingham in the digital landscape.

Pickford Film Center Expands to Grand Avenue With Loan From Bank of the Pacific

By

Matt Benoit

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Pickford Film Center Bank of the Pacific Bay Street — Photo courtesy Pickford Film Center

Since its founding in 1998, Pickford Film Center (PFC) has been a cherished member of the downtown Bellingham community.

From its former location in the Allied Arts Building along Cornwall Avenue to its present iteration at 1318 Bay Street, the Pickford continues to be an invaluable resource for showcasing independent, foreign, and documentary films, as well as local film festivals, special events, and more intimate showings of popular big budget films.

Soon, the Pickford will take its next step in celebrating cinema, opening a second location with three screens at 105 Grand Avenue — the former location of a skateboard shop and tattoo parlor. The new location is being made possible by a commercial property loan from Bank of the Pacific.

The Pickford has been a cherished member of the downtown Bellingham community since 1998. Photo courtesy Pickford Film Center

PFC has lacked a third screen since March 2020, when The Limelight space on Cornwall closed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That summer, PFC’s board decided to permanently shutter the rented theater space.

Susie Purves, PFC’s executive director, says they’ve been looking for another location ever since.

“Our entire business plan was based on having three screens,” she says.

Although initially focused on renting a space, Purves says PFC’s board treasurer, James Willson, encouraged the organization to buy the Grand Avenue location in 2021, while the commercial real estate market was still in a pandemic-related lull.

Good Timing

The new need for financing led PFC to Bank of the Pacific. The center and the bank have a warm relationship due to a previous loan that made its current location possible. Bank of the Pacific also sponsors “Kid Pickford,” the theater’s monthly Saturday matinee of family-friendly movies with $6 ticket prices.

Back when PFC was seeking financing to buy its Bay Street location, Purves says that finding a bank to support them was tough. In fact, the only other bank willing to lend them enough money to buy the space, she says, wanted Pickford board members to secure the loan by using their own homes as collateral.

The Grand Avenue location will add three screens to PFC’s movie-showing capacity, for a total of five screens. Two of the new screens will have 61 seats, while a third will seat 20 people. Photo courtesy Pickford Film Center

The board didn’t find this feasible — but then Bank of the Pacific came along.

“Bank of the Pacific was willing to take a chance on the Pickford,” says Purves. “They took a look at the books, and they decided it was a solid business, and it was growing. And that it was a good idea to not only have more theaters, but to have the Pickford own its own building.”

Because the Bay Street building has a second floor with over a dozen artist’s studios, PFC was able to use rent from those spaces to help pay its mortgage, while continuing to fundraise and keep The Limelight space showing films.

PFC paid off its loan well ahead of the maturity date. That proved critical when the pandemic hit, as Purves says PFC likely would have gone under if they’d not owned their space.

While an exact opening date isn’t set, PFC Executive Director Susie Purves says they’re hopeful the new space will be projecting films within the next year. Photo courtesy Pickford Film Center

Camryn Boulette, a Senior Credit Analyst for the bank, says that when the Pickford again sought funding, it wasn’t hard to be convinced.

“It’s just been an incredible opportunity to work with them,” says Camryn. “Applying for a commercial loan is a process that can be very cumbersome. The Pickford was on top of things and went above and beyond to make sure our jobs were easy, and the process was smooth.”

Boulette, who loves the Pickford’s popcorn and ability to purchase adult beverages, was able to bask in the fun of seeing “Barbie” at the theater this summer.

“The atmosphere that the Pickford creates made it more of an experience than just going to a movie,” she says. “We feel incredibly proud and thankful that we’re able to assist them with their continued success and positive contribution to Bellingham through celebrating film.”

Coming Attractions

The Grand Avenue location will add three screens to PFC’s movie-showing capacity, for a total of five screens. Two of the new screens will have 61 seats, while a third will seat 20 people.

These additional screens will allow the Pickford to extend movie runs for longer periods at either location, while also expanding the variety of what can be shown. The new location is also conveniently close to the existing theater.

While an exact opening date isn’t set, Purves says they’re hopeful the new space will be projecting films within the next year — hastening the next reel in PFC’s storied history of providing affordable and diverse movie-going experiences.

She is also grateful for Bank of the Pacific’s support, which has helped turn cinematic dreams into heartwarming realities.

“It’s really good,” Purves says. “It’s like the way it’s supposed to work in a Jimmy Stewart movie.”

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