Robert Hall’s new book, “This Old Building,” is an essential guide for first-time restorers and a must-read for anyone who cares about preserving the historic character of our cities. For three decades, Robert Hall has been on a mission to rescue old buildings and take them back to their original glory, first through restoration, and then by managing them in such a way as to enhance the community, as intended when newly built.
In this book, he shares entertaining stories and valuable trade secrets from first-hand experience. Hall demonstrates how to restore the integrity of the architecture while making these old timers fit to thrive another hundred years and earn a healthy profit for the owner. With practical guidelines, do-it-yourself tips, and before and after photographs, this book has everything needed to make an old building restoration a success.
“…This Old Building illustrates how deeply these structures are woven into the economic, cultural and social fabric of historic downtowns and Main Streets. Hall’s work is an inspiration … his book provides a blueprint for historic property redevelopment—a perfect primer for anyone afflicted with the historic building bug!”
—Chris Moore, Executive Director, Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
Also announcing the release of a new documentary film about Robert Hall’s journey: “Oldies but Goodies,” produced by Lanny Little.
Robert K. Hall is a pioneer in the restoration and preservation of historic commercial properties. Hall’s company, Daylight Properties, owns and manages over 30 heritage buildings in the state of Washington. Hall is recognized as the force behind the urban renaissance in Bellingham, where he revitalized the historic downtown. Hall’s restorations, including award-winning façade renovations, are listed on the Washington Heritage Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Hall and his management team share a vision to preserve and showcase historic buildings by establishing healthy, sustainable businesses, and well-managed residential housing.
This Swallow has found a safe, new home. Photo credit: Rob Rich.
Like wet newspaper, another old wasp comb clings to a swallow box roof. “Aww, darn. This is why the boxes must be checked,” says Veronica, scooping out the mess and replacing it with a layer of fresh wood shavings. In a successful nest, the swallows will thatch this faux wood rot with dried grasses, then line it with feathers gleaned from molting larger birds. But for now, Tricia kills off the few winter-weary insects on the front board, raises it and with a quick – bzzzzz – Veronica drills it back in place. “Two more to go,” she says, climbing down the ladder.
The six boxes at Sisters Christmas Tree Farm near Van Zandt are among 120 swallow boxes that Veronica Wisniewski and Tricia Otto have installed in fields and meadows throughout Whatcom County. In agricultural areas with rough pasture (and perhaps a good barn), they have 51 barn owl boxes. And along forested ponds and streams? 120 wood duck boxes. Each species has a unique cavity and hole fit to its body. And though unwanted nest-fellows may slip in, most all are proofed against intruding raccoons and raptors.
It takes a lot of work to get some of the boxes into place. Photo Credit: Rob Rich.
Birds haven’t always lived in boxes. Historically, the wounds of dead, standing trees made life possible for these cavity-dependent nesters. But in 1988, when Tricia moved to a cutover property along a creek that flows into Lake Whatcom, she found few of these “snags” for birds to use. So she gave nest boxes a try, in all style and circumstance: little ones (for chickadees), medium ones (for flickers) and big ones (for ducks); in the woods, near the water, out in the open. After five years, the real estate trends were clear: without good snags in the forest, the ducks were desperate. “The more boxes I put up,” Tricia recalls, “the more were occupied.”
Anyone who loves birds, or knows Tricia, will understand why this was no small temptation. As Tricia’s energy mounted to extend the project beyond her property, she met Veronica, who was then working with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA).
Sometimes collaborating landowners come out for the box-raising. Here, Veronica (left) leads a helper to install a barn owl box up high. Photo Credit: Tricia Otto
Veronica had also started to experiment with wood duck boxes, along the creeks that NSEA helped restore. Initially, Tricia challenged Veronica’s placement among NSEA’s newly planted trees, thinking her boxes should be deeper in the woods where starlings wouldn’t pirate them. But soon enough they reached an agreement and, today, they have extended the project with 82 collaborating landowners countywide.
Even if the big, holey trees were lacking, their stumps remained useful. Purchasable boards proved insufficient for duck and owl boxes – which require at least a 12″x12″ base – so Tricia and Veronica enlisted Jack Sturgeon, Wally Clark and George Garlick to salvage what they could from the hefty stumps that logging crews left behind. They found durable success with cedars, and using Wally’s sawmill and their collective tinker-power, they improved the duck box designs of the legendary waterfowl conservationist Frank Bellrose. Instead of an awkward reach from above, their boxes would open from the side, an accommodation that greatly enhanced safety and access from their simple orchard ladders.
Like creating the boxes, positioning them takes a lot of creativity. Photo credit: Rob Rich.
With duct-taped foam padding worn from frequent shoulder carries, their ladders have gotten a lot of mileage. They visit every box at least once per year, transported back and forth and back on Tricia’s 1987 Volvo, whose trunk is stuffed with drills, hammers, a posthole digger, a shovel and a whole lot of screws. One day a week, Tricia and Veronica make rounds to maintain boxes for their landowners, most of whom they’ve met through word of mouth. Scott Delbecq worked with them in the early years too – when he grew from age 12 to 20 – providing the crucial teenage muscle that heaved most of the original boxes into place. In 2006, this trio won Re-Sources’ Environmental Heroes Award for their efforts, which by then had already nurtured thousands of birds that Whatcom County might never have known.
And over a decade later, their work goes on, with many more birds on the wing. Scott is now a doctoral student at UW, but Tricia and Veronica still follow nesting seasons like fishermen do tides. Duties ramp up in late summer, when the great cycle of cleanouts begins with the wood ducks, then by early fall, the barn owls. This intensive housekeeping deters invaders and prevents next year’s nesters from laying in last year’s failures. But it also extends the meticulous tally that Tricia and Veronica keep on each box’s history. With this information, they might add or move boxes to better locations through winter. By early spring, they’re racing to clean and erect any storm-fallen swallow boxes before their early-migrating tenants return from Central America.
This Swallow has found a safe, new home. Photo credit: Rob Rich.
Changes in climate and land use practices are making this trek more challenging each year. Even for our non-migratory wood ducks, loss of wetland habitat remains an obstacle that goes beyond what boxes can do. But the barn owl program is growing, which should be great news for local farmers, given how these birds offer some of the most organic, effective rodent control around.
As Veronica and Tricia closed out their day in late March, more good news arrived, just in time: three male tree swallows swooping down, announcing themselves with twitters and scolds. After a few tumbles and taunts, one landed on the last, just-cleaned box to stake his claim. It was a successful one last year and it seemed to hold promise for this year, too.
In addition to their fun Easter egg hunt, BelleWood Acres offers a delicious country Easter brunch, petting zoo, pony rides, scavenger hunt and more. Photo courtesy: BelleWood Acres.
Happy Easter weekend everyone! The next few days are chock full of great opportunities to celebrate spring, get out and play and hang with the Easter Bunny. Here are a few fun Whatcom County weekend events to get you started. Don’t forget to check our full events calendar for all the great local happenings this weekend.
Join the first trail building day on the recently adopted, well-loved Cedar Dust on Galbraith Mountain. This is a family-friendly event! They’ll be bringing along their house-made Root Beer and lunch for the helpers and will be hosting kid-friendly and adult-friendly egg hunts!
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.
Creating relationships is key to the quality of life for the members of the program. Photo courtesy: Northwest Adult Day Health and Wellness Center.
Update: As of August 10, 2018, Northwest Adult Day Health & Wellness Center is closed. Alternative resources can be found by clicking this link.
Northwest Adult Day Health & Wellness Center provides a range of services that support the physical and mental health of seniors and individuals with chronic illness. A program of Christian Health Care Center in Lynden, Northwest Adult Day Health & Wellness Center’s team provides a range of specialized programs for their members.
Mary Faber Wynstra is passionate about her work with the Adult Day Health Program. Photo courtesy: Christian Health Care Center.
These programs help older adults and people with long-term illness and disabilities build strength and maintain their independence while bringing meaning and enjoyment to each day. With opportunities for members to visit daily, Monday through Friday, these programs also offer much-needed respite to caregivers. And thanks to strong community partnerships with Whatcom Transportation Authority and Christ the King Church in Bellingham, roundtrip transportation is provided for free for many.
Valuable Therapeutic Care
Northwest Adult Day Health & Wellness Center (NWADH) operated in Bellingham for 37 years but when PeaceHealth announced in 2014 that they would be discontinuing the program, clients and families weren’t sure if anyone would step up to continue the valuable service. Thankfully Christian Health Care Center in Lynden, a long-term health care facility, volunteered to take over the program. Mary Faber Wynstra, who had been employed by Christian Health Care Center for many years, became manager of the adult day health program.
Northwest Adult Day Health & Wellness Center keeps an occupational therapist, nurse and social worker on staff. Photo courtesy: Christian Health Care Center.
“When the opportunity to help run the adult day health program came, I jumped on it,” she shared. “Our goal is to help members stay in their homes with their caregiver for as long as possible.” The center has an occupational therapist, nurse and social worker on staff who care for members’ health and cognitive well-being.
“There’s always a purpose behind what we’re doing,” said Wynstra. “Our program members spend time with a therapist working on their goals and they have regular visits with our nurse.” These appointments can be incredibly valuable, offering quality preventative care that can catch illness early and even keep folks out of the hospital.
Engaging Activities
NWADH staff gathers information from members and their families about interests and favorite hobbies. Daily activities developed around these shared interests provide meaning and enjoyment for all members. Scheduled activities include guest speakers, live music, art classes, holiday programs, travel programs, health education and group games.
“We have a lot of entertainers who come and volunteer their time with things like live music and travel slideshows,” shared Wynstra. “We have a great volunteer named Mary who comes in every week and leads an art group for us.”
Volunteers enjoy sharing their talents at the center. Photo courtesy: Christian Health Care Center.
The community also shares their talents by providing valuable companionship. Volunteers at NWADH help serve coffee, visit with members and even go on walks together. “Walking and talking with our program members is a great volunteer opportunity,” said Wynstra. “Walking is always more fun with a friend!”
Care for Caregivers
In addition to therapeutic care and activities for members, NWADH provides much-needed opportunities for caregivers – often family members – to have a break from the challenges of tending to their loved ones’ needs. “Most of our members come twice a week and some come five days a week,” shared Wynstra.
Creating relationships is key to the quality of life for the members of the program. Photo courtesy: Northwest Adult Day Health and Wellness Center.
Program days last from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., which gives family caregivers time to run errands, go to appointments or simply take advantage of much-needed respite. The center also supports caregivers by offering Caregiver Connection support groups. “We want to help strengthen the caregiver and make sure they feel taken care of too,” Wynstra explained.
Free Transportation
Transportation is key for getting folks from all parts of the county to NWADH’s healthcare campus in Lynden. Three vans go out to layover sites such as church parking lots to pick-up members and bring them to NWADH. Round-trip transportation to the facility from various layover sites is provided free of charge thanks to partnerships with Whatcom Transportation Authority and Christ the King Church in Bellingham.
Round-trip transportation to the facility from various layover sites is provided free of charge thanks to partnerships with Whatcom Transportation Authority and Christ the King Church in Bellingham. Photo courtesy: Northwest Adult Day Health and Wellness Center.
“Program members who live in Bellingham are brought to Christ the King Church by paratransit buses or by their family members,” explained Wynstra. “Christ the King Church has provided a space for our members to gather while we wait for a large WTA bus to arrive. We load everyone on that bus and bring them directly to Lynden, then do the same in reverse in the afternoon.”
This strong partnership with Christ the King Church in Bellingham was a critical piece for making the program accessible to clients in Bellingham. “Had they not been willing and volunteered their space and facility, it would’ve been a huge struggle for Bellingham clients to access our program. They’ve opened their doors to us Monday through Friday.” NWADH maintains a reciprocal, mutually beneficial relationship by leading a caregiver support group at the church.
Northwest Adult Day Health & Wellness Center operates Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with extended hours available. Transportation is available with pick-up locations throughout the county in Bellingham, Blaine, Everson, Lynden and Sumas. Members must be over the age of 18 and individuals with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, depression, memory loss, heart disease or stroke are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about the program visit Northwest Adult Day Health & Wellness Center’s website or give them a call at 360-306-3031. Informational tours are available.
These team members are getting ready to participate in one of the Cascadia Adventure Race Series' adventure races. Photo credit: Brent Molsberry.
Ever wanted to feel like Indiana Jones? Well look no further than the sport of adventure racing. Although you won’t be facing any dastardly foes, you will be navigating a secret wooded-course by way of mountain biking, sea kayaking and trail running.
Adventure race team members always discuss strategy before taking to the sea. Photo credit: Brent Molsberry.
Kulshan Quest is Whatcom County’s own adventure race and takes place May 13. Created by Brent Molsberry in 2014, this year will mark the third Kulshan Quest. Molsberry started Kulshan Quest a few years after he started Island Quest, an adventure race that takes place on the San Juan Islands.
A graduate of Western Washington University, Molsberry wanted to expand adventure racing to Bellingham, the place he loves so much and calls home. Molsberry said there wasn’t any adventure racing in the upper Northwest part of Washington until he created Island Quest and Kulshan Quest.
“Bellingham is a spectacular area. When I design adventure race courses I want to make them specific to that area by showcasing the area’s natural beauty,” Molsberry said. “I really try to bring to light the recreational opportunities in the area.”
Kulshan Quest has both a 12 hour and three-hour race. Molsberry said the number of participants has grown since the inception of the race, even though last year he couldn’t host the race because he was in paramedic school in Seattle.
Unlike a relay race, adventure racing requires the whole team to finish together, going at one unified pace. Teams are made up of two to four members. “It really is the definition of a team sport,” Molsberry said. “Team members should ideally be within 10 meters of each other for leg sections and 25 meters for biking sections.” Molsberry races with his team, “Quest Racing,” but because he is the course designer for Island Quest and Kulshan Quest, he cannot compete in those races with his team.
Two team members share a quick moment during the mountain biking portion of the race. Photo credit: Brent Molsberry.
At Kulshan Quest, participating teams receive their course-specific maps 30 minutes before the race begins. The only navigational materials you can use in adventure racing are the given map, a compass and watch. Molsberry said teams start drafting strategy immediately after they receive the maps. The topographical maps Molsberry hands out show where the checkpoints are. The objective – find the checkpoints as fast as you can.
Kulshan Quest’s 12-hour race will be the Pacific Northwest qualifier for the US Adventure Racing Association National Championships. The national championship this year will be taking place in Lake Harmoney, Pennsylvania on September 21-23.
Molsberry said Kulshan Quest does have prizes from their sponsors for the event’s top three winning teams. But the biggest part of Kulshan Quest is placing and getting points toward your Cascadia Adventure Race Series total, he said.
The Cascadia Adventure Race Series is a series of 10 different adventure races. Teams competing in the race series earn points based on their placement in the races. At the end of the 10-month season teams choose their top five races to create their point total for the season. The top three teams at the end of the season split $3,000. First place receives $1,500, second $1,000 and third $500.
These team members are getting ready to participate in one of the Cascadia Adventure Race Series’ adventure races. Photo credit: Brent Molsberry.
Any team that does any of the qualified races is entered into the point system, Molsberry said. And you want your team to do as many races as they can to receive the most possible points. In addition, your team gets more points if you place first in a race with more participants than if you place first in a race with less participants.
Molsberry said he wouldn’t be able to host Kulshan Quest without the help of Recreation Northwest. He said Recreation Northwest helps with a high amount of logistics on the back-end, such as sponsorships, web page design and registration assistance.
Molsberry encourages anyone to sign up for Kulshan Quest, and is hoping to get people of all skill levels to participate in the race by offering both the three and 12-hour race.
He recalls his own story of how he got into the sport, “A lot of people get into adventure racing the right way, starting off with short races, but I didn’t decide to do that when I started,” Molsberry said with a laugh. He did the complete opposite and went right into a sponsored race in 2004, called Primal Quest. Despite his whole team being inexperienced and the race being challenging, Molsberry said he really enjoyed it and fell in love with the sport.
“The sport is eye-opening and truly pushes your limits,” he said. “With adventure racing, anything goes.”
You just have to cross the street for a Peruvian sandwich at Cafe Rumba. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Take a stroll on North State Street between East Holly and the round-about and discover a treasure trove of Bellingham’s hidden eateries. While most Bellinghamsters are familiar with Rudy’s Pizzeria and the Old World Deli, other offerings on North State Street include Southwestern, Peruvian, Russian, French and American comfort food. Or why not enjoy a cup of artisan tea before walking the South Bay Trail?
There are so many options that, for the sake of this article, I am focusing on seven eateries ranging from the popular Rock and Rye Oyster House to Pelmeni which serves Russian dumplings in a bohemian setting complete with a turntable spinning vinyl.
Park your car downtown or take WTA Bus #1 to the bus stop in front of the Herald Building. Start walking south at the intersection of East Holly and North State streets.
People head to Pelmeni for the dumplings but it’s also a fun place to step in from the cold. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Stop first at Pelmeni (1211 N. State Street). When you step through the door of the European-style restaurant, you are greeted by the aromatic steam curling up from simmering soup pots. Expect to see a variety of diners indulging in one of Bellingham’s best kept secrets.
Pelmeni has two items on its menu—beef or potato dumplings. One Facebook user mentioned that she traveled to Bellingham from Oregon to eat Pelmeni’s dumplings on her birthday. In fact, word-of-mouth and favorable reviews on social media fill the seats in this hidden eatery which is open for lunch and dinner.
You just have to cross the street for a Peruvian sandwich at Cafe Rumba. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
If dumplings don’t entice you, hop across the street and enjoy Peruvian sandwiches served at Café Rumba (1140 N. State Street). Practice your Spanish and Indian dialects when ordering from the exotic menu. Try the beverage Chicha Morada made from corn juice, cloves, cinnamon and pineapple. Or, if you are vegetarian like me, try the Peruano sandwich made with yams, avocado, mozzarella cheese, spinach and Huacutay Sauce (Peruvian black mint pesto) or grilled potatoes. This cozy café sets a lively atmosphere. A big screen on the wall features a soccer game, while nearby window seats are available for relaxation. Patrons can watch chefs preparing food with names that resemble Latin dance steps.
Leaf and Ladle’s Asian Pork Wrap to go looks delicious. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Carefully cross the street for American comfort food. Leaf and Ladle (1113 N. State Street) serves fresh fast food made with local and sustainable ingredients. As the name suggests the owners Linda Melim, Taylor Melim and Morgan Gaunt ladle soup and serve up sandwiches, wraps, salads and other take-out selections.
The Cosmos Bistro (1151 N. State Street) also serves local and sustainable comfort food in a kitsch setting. Similar to the other eateries on the west side of N. State Street, the bistro is long and narrow with a loft in the back. I strode past the kitchen with the cook hard at work. Above, a bust of the late Elvis Presley stared down, probably desiring a hunk of comfort food love.
As the weather warms up this bistro entices me to enjoy its outdoor seating while munching on an Earth Burger (vegetarian). There are plenty of options on the menu to please any palate or dietary preference.
Pepper Sisters has the terracotta decor down to a T. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
On the same block, Rock and Rye (formerly the oyster bar for Bayou on Bay) serves local and sustainable seafood, craft food and cocktails. This restaurant features a 25 foot bar that stretches towards the back. Diners have the option of downstairs seating or upstairs seating in the loft. Located at 1145 N. State Street, Rock and Rye is open from 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. for diners to enjoy French and New American cuisine.
Head south one block and explore Southwest cuisine at Pepper Sisters. Clarissa Mansfield (Vegan in Bellingham) recommended Pepper Sisters (1232 N. State Street) and Leaf and Ladle based on their vegan menu options. Pepper Sisters also serves gluten-free options and substitutions. When I showed up on a Wednesday evening to photograph the restaurant it was in full swing. I soaked in the terracotta decor and headed to the loft in the back to get an expansive view. This family-friendly eatery has a wide selection of enchiladas, burritos, tostados and quesadillas. It is open from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and until 9:30 on Friday and Saturday.
World traveler and tea lover, Kuros Zahedi, creates a meditative space. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Finally, at the end of N State Street, stop by the peaceful Saku Tea shop (833 N. State Street). Imagine sitting down with owners Sandra Loeffelmann (Austrian) and her partner Kuros Zahedi (Iranian) sipping crafted tea and joining a conversation about international travel and culture. This tea shop offers a respite for people who live yoga or meditative lifestyles. Where else in downtown Bellingham can we order lattes made from beetroot, Matcha (green tea), turmeric and cacao?
That ends our tour of seven eateries tucked away on North State Street starting at East Holly and stopping at the round-about. So get out of your car and take this journey on foot. Then top off your culinary adventure by walking the trail to Boulevard Park.
Free trainings give program participants tools to participate in a variety of beach surveys and play an important role in protecting marine resources. Photo courtesy: RE Sources.
This spring, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities and the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) are launching a comprehensive North Sound Stewards volunteer program that will train participants to become citizen scientists and play an important role in protecting our marine resources.
Free trainings give program participants tools to participate in a variety of beach surveys and play an important role in protecting marine resources. Photo courtesy: RE Sources.
The program offers a variety of citizen science opportunities, including intertidal surveys, forage fish surveys and sea star wasting syndrome surveys. Participants can also connect with other nonprofits and government agencies to receive additional trainings and participate in green crab surveys and ocean acidification surveys, among other opportunities.
“North Sound Stewards connects a group of people passionate about protecting the North Puget Sound,” said Eleanor Hines, program manager and lead scientist at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities. “The information we collect provides a baseline of data that informs policy, restoration efforts, cleanups and more. Citizen scientists are integral to support important work that underfunded agencies cannot do themselves.”
The program requires 50 hours of trainings and surveys throughout a one-year period. Program participation can reflect individual skills, from the actual survey work to photography, data entry or event coordination. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Upcoming intertidal survey trainings (participation in one of two trainings is required):
Whatcom County: 12:00 – 4:30 PM, Saturday, April 29, Heron Center, Birch Bay State Park, 7290 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine.
Skagit County: 12:00 – 4:30 PM, Sunday, April 30, Interpretive Center, Padilla Bay Reserve, 10441 Bayview Edison Road, Mount Vernon.
For more information about North Sound Stewards, visit re-sources.org/north-sound-stewards. To sign up for the program, click the “Register Today” button. Questions? Contact Eleanor Hines at eleanorh@re-sources.org or 360-733-8307 ext. 213.
Superstar actor and singer in musical theatre, film, and television, Bernadette Peters, wows a full house. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
This May, the historic Mount Baker Theatre will celebrate 90 years as Whatcom County’s hub for live entertainment from around the world. MBT is inviting the public to attend a free Community Open House on May 5, 2017 from 3 to 5 p.m. that will include birthday cake, historical information, video screenings and more.
Mount Baker Theatre has been the centerpiece of Bellingham’s Arts District for 90 years this May. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
MBT History
MBT will officially turn 90 years old on Saturday, April 29. The true birthday gift is that what began as a luxe movie palace in 1927 has evolved through community, government and private support to become the historic home to a premiere Pacific Northwest cultural tourism destination that also sustains the regional community and economy in Bellingham’s downtown Arts District.
Currently, MBT hosts over 110,000 people in more than 400 annual events across its three venues but in the 1980s MBT was slated for demolition. In a great example of civic partnership between city, county and community, a new structure emerged. Today the city-owned facility is managed by the Mount Baker Theatre Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. That ‘80s wrecking ball was set aside to make room for a gorgeous restoration and repurpose of existing spaces. This was done in phases to arrive at the gem of a building we see today.
Access to the Performing Arts
Enjoy great performances at Mount Baker Theatre this season. Photo courtesy: Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism.
MBT gives our community access. Through the touring performances MBT presents, patrons can experience world-class entertainment without having to travel to New York or even Seattle. The Wade Bennett King Education Series hosts over 16,000 school-aged children annually, with professional programming aimed to inspire while augmenting topics studied in more traditional school settings. Commercial renters bring famous acts, festivals and their attendees into the building and the town.
“Access” is not limited to entertainment from afar, but to the building itself as a world-class facility for local presenters. Their professionally-managed historic stage hosts the little feet of local dance students, the “walks” of various college graduates, and well-heeled speakers from many civic and community groups. From ski films to local authors, the stunning theatrical setting can make local events “big.”
But MBT is much more than events with tickets. The community spaces act as an anchor for downtown Bellingham’s Arts District. Performances, rehearsals, keynote speakers, meetings and more happen on the Main Stage, in the Harold and Irene Walton Theatre and in the 1,200-square foot Encore Room. Many community arts nonprofits take advantage of the program that allows free use of the Encore room. There is usually something happening in the building in addition to the all-audience ticketed shows.
“Give Big” in May
MBT’s Education Program serves more than 17,000 Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan and upper Snohomish Counties’ public, private and home school communities each year. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
In early May, in honor of the 90th Birthday Celebration, MBT is encouraging the community to become MBT members and make donations to support the facility and its impact on the community. “Membership supports so many things at MBT: the preservation of the building, keeping the programming we provide accessible, keeping the use of the Encore Room free to local nonprofits, and underwriting the costs of MBT’s extensive education program and the headliners we’re able to bring to the area,” explains Development Director John Purdie.
Fundraising work last year with Mercy Housing and Alderwood Elementary School allowed several children to attend Missoula Children’s Theatre Summer Camps at MBT on scholarship. That success helped get more funds including a matching grant from Bellingham Bay Rotary Club that will support scholarships for more than 20 students to this summer’s camps.
MBT is also planning to increase scholarships for the education program that serves Kindergarten through 12th grade. “Many teachers have told us that even our current low cost for tickets and the costs of bussing is too much for them so we’d like to help those most in need,” adds Purdie. The upcoming William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet is a great example of the many shows presented as part of MBT’s education program.
Donations can be made today on the MBT website or during the “Give Big” program in early May. Donors should note in the comments field, “for scholarships,” when making their donations.
Community Open House Celebration
First built as a luxurious movie palace in 1927, community support has restored and modernized the facility that is MBT today. Photo credit: Damian Vines Photography.
The Community Open House will run from 3 to 5 p.m. on May 5. Two screenings of a video project about MBT’s history from local muralist Lanny Little will be in the Walton Theatre, beginning at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The free, family-friendly event will include birthday cake and historical information from volunteer tour docents. A short public presentation and official celebratory announcement by local dignitaries will occur around 4:45 p.m. Advance reservations are not required.
The majestic MBT brings so much to the community as a performing arts center-piece, providing access and education to both locals and tourists of every age. With the help and hard work of staff, volunteers and donors, the theater is looking forward to the Community Open House and the “Give Big” campaign that will celebrate MBT’s 90th year as a vital member of this lovely community.
Tuttle begins the process of introducing electrical current to his newest virgin tabletop. Photo credit: Image Smith Studio, Joe Tondro-Smith.
Paul Tuttle stands in his backyard shop on Orleans Street at the ready. His fiancé Ashley Galindo is his fail safe. Just in case he’s accidently overwhelmed by current, Galindo stands attentively at the electrical outlet ready to pull the plug. She’s taken the precaution of turning off any unnecessary electrical devices inside the house so as not to overwhelm old circuits (again). “I make sure everything is off so I’m not using any extra juice because this thing will take up quite a bit,” Tuttle said.
Everyone is instructed to wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the bright, flashing, lightning glow and not to touch the table or make any sudden movements. The table is repeatedly saturated with the mist of a water bottle and three nails are driven into an evenly spaced line down the center of the tabletop. The crackling sound emanates through the air like a crisp noise all creatures instinctively recoil from.
Tuttle preps his newest piece of furniture by sawing a straight edge to the 2×6 boards. Photo credit: Image Smith Studio, Joe Tondro-Smith.
Tuttle puts on thick rubber gloves as a cautious hush falls over those gathered. Fractal patterns fan out like fiery ferns as Tuttle conducts the electrically charged energy to the desired direction on the table by simply touching different areas on the edge. Then the current travels from the piece of jury-rigged metal through the tip of a foot long, electrical taped, PVC pipe handle, giving Tuttle more room between his hand and the point of contact with the current.
The wood smokes as patterns fan out toward the nails. The electricity seeks to reunite from where Tuttle repeatedly touches the edges back to the nails at the center. The 2×6 lumber he uses to create one of a kind fractal art pieces will eventually be covered in epoxy and become perfectly polished- that’s after he chips out the burnt pieces of flaking charcoal.
Fractal lines grow deeper as the wood catches fire only to reveal unpredictable patterns. Photo credit: Image Smith Studio, Joe Tondro-Smith.
Pyrography is as fascinating to watch as the term implies. Also referred to as the Lichtenberg technique, Tuttle uses a transformer he salvaged from a repurposed microwave to conduct enough electrical current to travel through the wood. The process is slow and methodical. “Once the current makes the connection to the nail, it starts to burn the wood very deeply. Then you have to stop and make a new connection,” Tuttle explained. Even though he cannot predict where the burning lines will travel, he continually moves the contact handle around the table until it’s covered in one of a kind fractal patterned magic.
Tuttle began honing his woodworking skills with a master woodworker some years ago and began to put his own shop together by purchasing a table saw from the annual Grizzly Industrial garage sale. He soon began to collect all the necessary tools he needed for experimentation with new designs and woodworking techniques.
Paul Tuttle’s first fractal patterned coffee table finds a home in his living room. Photo credit: Image Smith Studio, Joe Tondro-Smith.
The elements of fire and wood were meant for one another. After drying the fractal pattern off with a heat gun, Tuttle sands the grain and gets the black charcoal off, then brushes out all the deep crevices. “To scrape and clean the whole table will take at least a couple of hours,” Tuttle said. And there’s a plethora of techniques for filling in the charred out crevices with different elements before the epoxy is affixed.
Tuttle is getting an increasing amount of customized tabletop orders. His unique furniture has inspired a company name, “Paulywood,” his childhood nickname combined with his newest favorite element. Being a welder by day and a woods smith by night is hard work he finds gratifying. Tuttle has recently begun working full-time for Innotech– a company that makes processing equipment and custom metal designs. “I like working at a place that makes my brain work harder and building new and custom projects every day is fulfilling,” Tuttle said. “Every day I have to evaluate what needs to be done to make a new product.”
Tuttle begins the process of introducing electrical current to his newest virgin tabletop. Photo credit: Image Smith Studio, Joe Tondro-Smith.
But it was Galindo’s sister who got him started with fractal burning. Tuttle remembered, “Ashley’s little sister saw the burning online and said, “This is cool, you should try it.” Tuttle immediately jumped on the Lichtenberg technique, chose larger and larger pieces of wood to work on and has been perfecting the method ever since. Through his experimentation, he’s discovered different ways the fractal patterns can be controlled and the myriad methods he can employ to alter where the metal meets and attracts the current.
Tuttle has been stainless steel TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding for six years. To combine his talents of molding metal with woodworking has been a natural progression. In the future he said, “I’d like to expand and move on to woodworking exclusively. I like the aspect of having metal fabrication under my belt. If I want to fabricate a metal frame, for example, I won’t ever need to outsource that, I’ll do it myself.” After finishing the table he’d been working on for several weeks, his client was more than satisfied. His new dining room centerpiece would certainly be a conversation starter. As his art evolves, Tuttle said, “There are bigger and better designs to come.”
For more information on acquiring an original piece of your own, email Paul Tuttle at paulandashley99@gmail.com.
ABCDance is now enrolling for summer dance sessions for students ages 3-8. Each 5-week ABCDance mini summer session covers weekly one-hour dance instruction at the ABCDance studio in the heart of Bellingham. Enrollment in a 5-week summer session is $65 with no enrollment fee. The cost of each session also includes an in-studio performance where the students will present the skills they have worked on during the session in a fun, low-pressure event.
Three different classes will be offered in the summer mini sessions: PreK Moves (ages 3-4), Kinder Moves (ages 5-6), and Primary Moves (ages 7-8). Move classes are designed to give your young dancer a head start in the discipline of dance. Classes are divided into two sections. The first half of class covers the basic techniques of ballet, jazz and creative movement, while the second half focuses on rhythm and tap.
ABCDance is proud to offer a teacher to student ratio of 1:5 and personalizes all instruction based on skill and personality. Class sizes are limited in order to maintain this level of personal instruction. Enroll now!
Session 1: June 5 – July 6 Session 2: July 10 – August 18 Ages: 3-8 Cost: $65 for a 5-week session Location: 1844 N State St. Bellingham, WA 98225
Class Schedule: Tuesday
10:00-11:00a PreK Moves
Wednesday
4:00-5:00p Kinder Moves
Thursday
3:00-4:00p PreK Moves
4:00-5:00p Primary Moves
About ABCDance: Founded in 2014 by owner/director Tabetha Clark, ABCDance has been formed to bring a positive environment for students to learn and grow. Classes are steeped in technique as well as concept and history of tap, jazz and swing. Locally, Tabetha has had the privilege of working with Mount Baker Theatre as tap choreographer for “The Producers,” choreographer and assistant director for SUGAR the Show, and performing with Bellingham Repertory Dance since 2012. She has taught tap and jazz around the country for the past 14 years, is certified in tap and jazz instruction through Dance Master’s of America and is currently in the certification program for American Tap Dance Foundation in NYC.
Submitted by First Fed
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