WCLS Presents Golden Apple Educator Awards to Three Ferndale School District Educators and Leaders

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Submitted by Whatcom County Library System

Three Ferndale School District educators and leaders who successfully advocate for reading and public libraries to further student success will be honored with Whatcom County Library System’s Golden Apple Educator Award at a 2:45 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 ceremony at the Ferndale Events Center, 5715 Barrett Road, Ferndale. The celebration is part of the library system’s noon-5 p.m. Open Book Festival.

The honorees are Tim Keigley, special projects coordinator for the school district; Sharon Lawler, para educator, library at Eagleridge Elementary School; and Amy Nylen, language arts teacher at Vista Middle School.

Keigley consistently connects Ferndale students with the public library. “He is that welcoming school staff person who makes sure that our library staff are able to host lunchtime book clubs or run a pop-up library for middle schoolers,” says Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) Teen Services Coordinator Tamar Clarke. Keigley encourages teachers to invite library staff to present book talks to their students and partners with the library to host author presentations and all-school reading programs. He shares library resources with families and students through newsletters, emails and school displays. “Most of all, he knows and cares deeply for Ferndale students, which is always apparent when he visits the Ferndale Library during an early release day,” Clarke adds. “Within minutes, the kids have surrounded him, ready to chat it up with a teacher they very much respect.”

Lawler is a tireless advocate for student access to reading materials. She is constantly promoting ConnectED (a partnership between the library system and all local school districts) by helping students place holds on library materials, scheduling instructional visits with WCLS staff, and visiting the library herself to pick up materials, collaborate and stay up to date on library resources. “Sharon regularly communicates with Youth Services staff at the Ferndale Library so that her students and teachers can have books to fit the topics being discussed at school,” says WCLS Childrens Services Coordinator Theresa Morrison. “We frequently get requests for topical read alouds, books in other languages and eye-catching materials to display in her display window. Sharon is a passionate supporter of the public library and wants all her students to know about the richness available to them.”

Nylen is an active supporter of young people in the Ferndale School District and Ferndale community. “I had the pleasure of meeting Amy seven years ago and right from the beginning she has been the biggest advocate not only for the public library, but also for the voices of young people,” says WCLS Youth Services Librarian Sarah Lavender. “She always puts her students first and really listens to each and every one of them.” Nylen has been an integral part of implementing library book delivery to students at Vista Middle School. She also made sure that every 6^th grader in the Ferndale School District was able to visit the library on a class field trip this fall. “Amy will always advocate for young people and their freedom to read whatever they choose,” Lavender adds. “The students of Ferndale are so incredibly lucky to have her.”

WCLS began the Golden Apple Educator Award in 2007 to celebrates successful partnerships between school and library staff that engage students with library resources to further their education and personal growth. “We are incredibly grateful to all the local educators who partner with county libraries to serve the young people in our community,” says WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins. “It is our honor to recognize Tim, Sharon and Amy this year and to thank them for their outstanding work.”

Open Book: A Festival for Readers is a free event presented in partnership with Village Books and Paper Dreams and the Whatcom County Library Foundation. The noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 event celebrates readers, writers and bookish enthusiasm with author presentations, book talks, and weird and wonderful hands-on book-related experiences at more than 20 booths and stages. Find details at wcls.org/openbook.

About WCLS

Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) serves Whatcom County residents outside the city limits of Bellingham through online resources (wcls.org) and at 10 branches: Blaine, Deming, Everson, Ferndale, Island (Lummi Island), Lynden, North Fork (Kendall), Point Roberts, South Whatcom (Sudden Valley) and Sumas. WCLS also has a bookmobile (serving Glenhaven, Birch Bay, Wickersham, Lake Samish) and a Library Express on Northwest Drive. Apply for a free library card at any location or online at wcls.org/getacard.

Bellingham Sister Cities Association Promotes World Peace Through Citizen Diplomacy

By

Anna Diehl

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Bellingham-Sister-Cities-Association-Ski-to-Sea — In 2016, the Sister Cities Ambassadors Ski to Sea team had one member each from all seven sister cities and Bellingham itself. Photo courtesy Bellingham Sister Cities Association

As a border community with sister cities on four other continents, Bellingham has more avenues for friendships across borders than many may realize. The Bellingham Sister Cities Association (BSCA) presents Whatcom County locals with opportunities to meet people from other cultures in the interest of world peace.

The BSCA incorporated in the 1970s in sisterhood with Tateyama, Japan. As part of Sister Cities International, they followed the example of Seattle’s sister city relationship with Kobe, Japan.

“Eisenhower started the program after World War 2,” says BSCA president Ross Grier. “It’s a peace movement, really — we’re in pursuit of world peace through what is termed ‘citizen diplomacy.’ So, you’re a citizen, I’m a citizen, and we conduct diplomacy that builds friendship and understanding across international borders. Eisenhower used it as a tool for cities to have relationships with cities after the war to help us lick our wounds and become friends again.”

Bellingham has since established six more sister cities: Vaasa, Finland; Nakhodka, Russia; Cheongju, South Korea; Port Stephens, Australia; Punta Arenas, Chile; and Tsetserleg, Mongolia. Together with Bellingham, these cities share educational and recreational programs, friendships, and a common interest in world peace.

As this image shows, BSCA members frequently visit sites such as Nakhodka Municipal Art Museum in Russia. Photo courtesy Bellingham Sister Cities Association

Sister City Programs

The BSCA assigns one chairperson to each sister city and establishes coordinators for major programs. These have included the school pen pal exchange and summer camp with Cheongju, orchestral performances with Vaasa, and the Tateyama Friendship Garden — which has adorned the Bellingham Public Library since 1958.

“We have two beers, and a third one is going to get brewed here in the next year with Vaasa, Finland,” says Grier. “So there’s a beer czar position, as well. The whole point is to build awareness about the existence of cities with different cultures that we can be friends with.”

The BSCA’s annual Peace Grant, one of its most important programs, proposes opportunities to improve relationships between Bellingham and any of its sister cities. During the Ski to Sea race and parade, the BSCA recruits athletes and arranges homestays.

The BSCA has joined other cities’ sporting events such as the Wakashio Marathon in Tateyama — attended by Bellingham and Port Stephens. Photo courtesy Bellingham Sister Cities Association

“Say we have a marathon program in Port Stephens, Australia,” Grier says. “Our runners will stay with a family in Port Stephens. And the same thing — when Port Stephens comes here to run a marathon in Bellingham, they homestay here. And it’s that homestay experience where citizen diplomacy really happens — it can result in lifelong friendships.”

BSCA has also arranged a “civil servant exchange” where city staffers of Bellingham and its sister cities collaborate to solve problems facing their communities.

Citizen Diplomacy in Action

With BSCA membership, Bellingham locals can explore a world of cross-cultural education.

“The other important thing that the Sister Cities Association provides to Bellinghamsters is a chance for them to get back into a previous international experience they may have had,” says Grier. “Like you, in college, may have gone to Spain and you got a little bit of Spanish in you. You may be interested in joining the association and being part of the Punta Arenas, Chile, subcommittee, where the relationship is a Spanish language-based exchange.”

Through BSCA, Western Washington University has coordinated programs such as this interpretation of a Japanese New Year’s song by Japanese language program students. Photo courtesy Bellingham Sister Cities Association

Other cultural enrichment and volunteer opportunities include “Ikebana: The Art of Japanese Flower Arrangement” workshops with Noriko Sharik, Ski to Sea leadership roles, and Tateyama Friendship Garden improvements.

“If you’re interested in one of our sister cities, you can join that city’s support group headed by that city’s chair,” says Grier. “If you’ve got an interest in Russian affairs, you can join the Nakhodka city support team and work with Derek Moscato, who’s a Western Washington University journalism professor. He’s our Nakhodka, Russia, city chair.”

Community members can support the BSCA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, through donations or the $25 membership fee on their website.

The BSCA and their guests frequently hold cultural workshops such as this South Korean cooking class in association with Cheongju. Photo courtesy Bellingham Sister Cities Association

Bellingham on the World Scale

The influence of Bellingham’s sister cities can be seen in everything from Aslan Brewery’s Tateyana label to lasting friendships from homestays.

“Living proof of that is a decade ago, when a team of South Korean Cheongju citizens came here for Ski to Sea,” says Grier. “I make a point of putting everybody on the spot in front of everybody at the farewell dinner and say, ‘What did you get out of this trip?’ This housewife that had come all the way over here was just in tears with how moved she was that people as distant as Bellingham, Washington, can be such heartfelt genuine friends. In spite of language, in spite of culture, in spite of age. For that woman, it was: We are all the same in the end.”

Although policy-based movements may advance the cause of world peace more directly, the sister city movement provides a solid foundation of hope and understanding.

“It’s a feel-good thing if you just want to do the right thing,” Grier says. “Join up, and magic will happen — I’ve been witness to that.”

Financial Literacy Checklist

By

Zoë Bowen

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Submitted by First Fed

Financial literacy is an essential life skill that helps you take the steps towards achieving long-term financial security. As you begin your journey towards financial literacy, this checklist can help you build a solid understanding of personal finance and take control of your financial future.

Test Your Financial Vocabulary

The first step towards financial literacy is identifying the gaps in your knowledge and educating yourself in those areas. Reading through these checklists is a big step towards a more complete understanding of what it takes to manage your finances with informed decision making.

Financial Literacy Checklist – Basic Finances

These essential financial terms will help you on your path to financial literacy:

Income: The money you earn from various sources, including salaries, wages, dividends, and interest.
Expenses: The costs incurred to maintain your lifestyle, including rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, transportation, and entertainment.
Budget: A plan that outlines your expected income and expenses, helping you manage your finances and track spending.
Credit Score: A numerical representation of your creditworthiness, used by lenders to evaluate your risk as a borrower. First Fed offers free credit score monitoring through online banking.
Interest: The cost of borrowing money or the earnings on investments. There is simple interest and compound interest. Simple interest grows based only on the principal amount of money you deposit or invest. With compound interest, you earn based on the principal plus the interest you’ve already earned.
Assets: Items of value that you own, such as cash, investments, real estate, and personal property.
Liabilities: Debts and financial obligations you owe to others, such as loans, credit card balances, and mortgages.
Net Worth: The difference between your total assets and total liabilities, representing your overall financial health.
Insurance: A contract that provides financial protection against potential risks or losses.
Emergency Fund: A savings fund set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies.

Financial Literacy Checklist – Bank Accounts

These common banking terms will help you as you navigate managing your money:

Checking Account: A bank account that allows you to deposit and withdraw money for everyday transactions, such as paying bills and making purchases using checks, debit cards, or electronic transfers.
Savings Account: A bank account designed for saving money, typically offering interest on the balance. It’s intended for funds you don’t need for daily expenses.
Online Banking: The ability to manage your bank accounts and conduct transactions through a secure website or mobile app.
Mobile Banking: A service that allows you to access and manage your bank accounts using a smartphone or tablet.
Interest Rate: The percentage at which a bank pays you (in a savings account) or charges you (on a loan) for the use of money.
Minimum Balance: The minimum amount of money you must keep in a bank account to avoid fees or maintain the account.
Overdraft: An overdraft is when you spend more than your available balance in your checking account, but the bank covers the amount of your purchase. A fee is usually charged when you spend more money than is available in your account, and your account will be in a negative balance. An Overdraft Line of Credit can help protect your account from going into the negative by automatically transferring money to your account when you overdraw.
Annual Fee: A yearly fee charged by some financial institutions for maintaining certain types of accounts or credit cards.
ATM (Automated Teller Machine): A self-service machine that allows you to perform various banking transactions, such as cash withdrawals and deposits.
ATM Fee: A fee charged by a bank when you use an ATM that is not owned by or in partnership with your bank.
APR vs. APY: Annual percentage rate (APR) is the calculation of the interest charged on loans or credit cards. Annual percentage yield (APY) is the amount of interest you make on your interest-bearing deposit accounts – like savings, checking, money markets, and/or certificates of deposit (CDs).
Routing Number: A unique nine-digit number assigned to a bank or credit union, used for identifying the financial institution in electronic transactions.
Account Statement: A summary of all transactions, fees, and balances for a specific period provided by the bank or financial institution.
Certificate of Deposit (CD): A time deposit with a fixed term and usually a fixed interest rate, where you agree not to withdraw the funds until the maturity date.
Joint Account: A bank account shared by two or more people, who all have equal access to the funds.
FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation): A U.S. government agency that insures deposits in banks and savings institutions, providing protection up to at least $250,000 per account holder per ownership category, in case of bank failure.
NSF (Non-Sufficient Funds) Fee: A fee charged by a bank when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction.

Tip: Have you stopped by your local bank lately? Relationship bankers are happy to walk you through the different account options and make sure you understand the features available to you with your account.

Financial Literacy Checklist – Payments

These common banking terms will help you as you navigate managing your money:

Bill Pay (Automatic Bill Payment): A service that allows you to set up recurring payments to be deducted automatically from your bank account to pay bills.
Credit Card vs. Debit Card: A credit card allows you to make purchases and payments by borrowing money from a financial institution to make purchases. A debit card allows you to make purchases and payments by deducting money directly from your bank account.
Direct Deposit: The electronic deposit of your paycheck directly into your bank account, provided by your employer or other sources.
Person to Person (P2P) Payments: An instant transfer from your bank account to another person using their email address or phone number.
Wire Transfer: An electronic transfer of funds from one person or entity to another, often used for large or international transactions.
ACH (Automated Clearing House): A network used for electronic money transfers between banks in the United States, including direct deposits and bill payments.

Financial Literacy Checklist – Investment and Retirement

These investment and retirement terms will help as you plan for your future:

401(k) / Retirement Account: A tax-advantaged retirement savings account often provided by employers to help individuals save for retirement.
IRA (Individual Retirement Account): A tax-advantaged retirement account that individuals can open independently to save for retirement.
Stocks: Ownership shares in a company, allowing investors to participate in the company’s growth and profitability.
Bonds: Debt securities issued by governments or corporations, representing a loan from the investor to the issuer.
Mutual Funds: Pooled funds from many investors used to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities.
Dividends: Payments made by companies to their shareholders from profits.
Capital Gains: The profit earned from selling an asset at a higher price than its original purchase price.
Investments: Assets purchased with the expectation of generating income or appreciation over time, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate.
Diversification: Spreading your investments across different asset classes to reduce risk.
Liquidity: The ease with which an asset can be converted into cash without significant loss of value.
Stock Market: The marketplace where shares of publicly traded companies are bought and sold.
401(k) Matching: An employer benefit where they match a portion of an employee’s contributions to their 401(k) plan.

Tip: A great way to gain a better understanding of investments and retirement planning is to talk to an investment services expert. They can walk you through your options, and help you make the best choices for your situation and goals.

On the Path to Financial Literacy

Achieving financial literacy requires commitment and continuous learning. By following this checklist, you can start by focusing on the gaps you’ve identified in your financial knowledge. Navigating these key areas of personal finance and developing your understanding of them is an important step towards long-term financial well-being. Remember, financial literacy is a journey, so take small steps, stay persistent, and watch as your financial future grows brighter with each informed decision you make.

To learn more about banking with First Fed, visit ourfirstfed.com or stop by one of the First Fed branches.

First Fed is a local member FDIC community bank and equal housing lender.

Happy Halloween! Look Back at How Bellingham Celebrated Spooky Season at the Turn of the 20^th Century

By

Jennifer Crooks

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Spooky-Cat-Halloween-postcard — Creepy, comic, or cute, many people enjoyed sending Halloween postcards at the turn of the twentieth century.

Halloween traces its history far into the past. By the early twentieth century the day had become a popular holiday in America. Usually spelled Hallowe’en at the time, a Bellingham Halloween looked very different back then than it does today.

Halloween Tricks Not Treats

“A person’s age is sometimes indicated by the way he feels about Hallowe’en,” quipped the “Wheezes and What Not” column of the Bellingham Herald in 1929. While many enjoyed quiet parties, Halloween was primarily seen as a night of mischief — for young boys. Boys, often in large groups, would cause havoc all night. The “Hallowe’en urchins were at large in the city last night” the Herald wrote in 1906, as the town surveyed the damage the next day.

A large police presence was put together to keep the peace on Halloween night, including deputizing a number of volunteer “special” officers. The downtown business district was easy to patrol, but the sprawling residential areas proved more of a challenge for the overextended cops. “Hoodlums” could easily run off before the police came.

Police could promise to enforce the 8 p.m. curfew for children, but catching the older boys was next to impossible. “Kids,” the local paper wrote that year, “will own the city tonight.” Those arrested were usually let off with a warning after their parents picked them up. Some years, rain brought a welcome damper to the rascals’ celebrations.

“Out of the shadows of candlelight, your fate will smile in mirror tonight,” promised the Bellingham Herald on October 30, 1910. These two girls peer into the mirror to see the faces of their future husbands. Courtesy Washington State Library

Most pranks were fairly harmless. Popular pranks included knocking over wood piles and hen coops, dumping garbage, stealing gates, changing signs, and soaping over windows of businesses and homes. “Now that Hallowe’en is over,” declared a 1929 ad for men’s winter underwear at the Home Store on Bay Street, “we had our usual soap removing exercise.”

Other pranks were more malicious and even dangerous. Janitors had to guard schools from break-ins. False fire alarms sent fire trucks scattering across the city. Streetlights were damaged. In 1909, elderly Abaraham Cohen, a school supply dealer, was stoned out of his business while the Model Grocery’s delivery wagon was backed into the bay. In 1911, 300 heads of cabbage were torn out at Pat Geraghty’s garden, as well as some rare dahlias.

One of the most dangerous stunts was greasing the streetcar line. Workers often patrolled the line, but that was rarely enough. In 1912, the line was greased on the Harris Avenue hill, causing a heavy mainline car crash down the slope. Other miscreants put up street barricades to surprise automobile drivers in the dark. In 1938, 16-year-old Anthony Shinner was critically injured when the car he was riding in hit a barricade of stones and logs.

Parties

For those who wanted a calmer Halloween, parties were popular, especially for young people. Clubs, lodges, churches, and friends held Halloween parties. People enjoyed decorating rooms with jack-o’-lanterns, black cats, witches, and bats and playing old-fashioned fortune-telling games. For example, sisters Muriel and Dorothy Young entertained their teenage friends with games and music in 1917 at their home, cutting a fortune cake baked with tokens inside to represent future possibilities.

Groups often held parties and dances, especially masquerades. For example, the Woman’s Relief Corps hosted an “old fashioned” Halloween masquerade party at their hall in 1923 for Civil War veterans, serving pumpkin pie, doughnuts, and cider. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Fire Department held a masquerade in 1926, enjoying a night of cards and fortune telling. In 1919, costumed dancers at Garden Hall enjoyed visiting a fortune telling “witch” in an elaborate fake-woodland cavern.

Schools sometimes organized Halloween parties, as well. In 1925, Whatcom High School’s Girls’ Club’s service committee held a masquerade party at Dorothy Knuppenberg’s house, which included showing a “shadow movie.” The Geneva School PTA made its 1921 Halloween party a fundraiser, selling coffee, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and Scottish mint drinks.

Trick or Treating

Trick-or-treating was introduced in the 1920s but began to truly take off in the late 1930s. While 30 boys and girls were arrested in 1939 for vandalism, trick-or-treat was clearly gaining popularity as a way to keep the mob appeased.

“Have the grub ready Oct. 31st,” warned a scrawled note stuffed into a Meridian Street mailbox a few days before, “or the soapers [will get your windows] — No apples or pears.” “The increasingly popular ‘treat or treat’ dodge,” noted the Bellingham Herald that year, “…has denuded many a cookie larder.” To further help keep kids off the streets, the YMCA also sponsored a party for 210 schoolboys, to keep them busy on the holiday.

After World War II’s rationing and frowning on property destruction, trick-or-treating became the norm. Stores began selling candy and baked treats like cookies and doughnuts to give out to trick-or-treaters. In 1947, Virginia’s Cafe urged patrons to buy their orange-frosted “Halloween doughnuts” to “be prepared for trick or treat.”

Halloween is still a popular holiday today, enjoyed by many people. From trick-or-treating to parties or however you may choose to celebrate, here’s wishing you a Happy Halloween!

Make a Splash at Westport’s International Mermaid Museum

By

Jennifer Rawlins

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An enjoyable experience for adults and children alike, the International Mermaid Museum teaches ocean ecology “from seashore to sea floor” through folklore. Located halfway between Aberdeen and Westport on the Washington coast, the nation’s first museum dedicated to mermaid mythology opened in 2021 and has strived to enchant and educate visitors ever since.

As part of the local coastal community, the museum’s intention is not only to provide a fun and unique experience for visitors but also to relay the importance of keeping our beaches and oceans clean. “Mermaids in storytelling encourage people to see the undersea environment, not just through the lens of marine life, but through the view of humans in the underwater world, thus helping them better understand the importance of clean oceans, the sea as a living environment, and the reality of ocean exploration as one of the last great adventures on earth,” their mission statement reads.

“Ocean ecology is what the museum is really about,” says Kim Roberts, the chairperson of the nonprofit museum’s board of directors, “and mermaid mythology is how we make it fun.”

A baby wears one of the complimentary mermaid tales and poses on the mermaid throne at the Mermaid Museum in Grays Harbor. Photo credit: Jennifer Rawlins

Upon entering the museum, guests large and small are invited to borrow a colorful mermaid tail and pose for pictures upon a blue and green sea glass encrusted mermaid throne. To the left of the throne is a sluice box, where guests can pan for sea shells, gems and fossils to discover more about treasures from our beaches and ocean floors.

A few steps beyond is the exhibition hall that contains over 40 displays connecting mermaid mythology to ocean ecology. Children are given a treasure map, where they answer questions from the exhibits and receive a prize once completed. Adults can read about mermaid and oceanic mythologies and folklore, including historical information about a local shipwreck.

Guests are also welcome to explore the museum wearing their own mermaid costumes, while young children have been known to bring mermaid stuffed animals and dolls with them to share the experience.

2024 Mermaid Festival

During the annual Mermaid Festival, the museum celebrates many forms of mermaid culture, with terrestrial, aerial and aquatic performers, as well as visiting unicorns and Bigfoot. The 2024 Mermaid Festival runs from April 6-14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the museum is free during the festival. During the rest of the year, admission is $3 per person ages five and up or $10 for a family.

a woman in a mermaid outfit floats underwater in tank — Visitors will have the chance to see Una the Mermaid at the 2024 Mermaid Festival in Aberdeen. Photo courtesy: Una the Mermaid

Festival attendees can meet Una the Mermaid performing in her underwater tank; Olive the Alchemist, founder of the Seattle Mermaid School, will greet visitors from the mermaid throne; and Rachel the Sailing Siren will perform her fire dance. There will be daily aerial performances by Vertical Axis, as well as the opportunity to meet Sky and Blue, the Pacific Northwest Unicorns. On the weekends Halcyon the Mermaid will play her harp.

The festival’s event tents will contain booths of woodwork, jewelry, soaps, and various other artwork, including Pirate Cliff offering oyster shucking for pearls with Mermaid Pockets. In the tent next door, kids will be able to make a fish print, called a gyotaku, to take home.

two white miniature horses with fake unicorn horns and their manes dyed pink standing in a wood — The Pacific Northwest Unicorns will make daily appearances at the 2024 Mermaid Festival April 6-14. Photo courtesy: Pacific Northwest Unicorns

Visit the Mermaid Museum in Grays Harbor

The International Mermaid Museum is located on the grounds of the Westport Winery Garden Resort along with Ocean Daughter’s Distillery and Sea Glass Grill. Families are encouraged to explore the free 15-acre garden that features over 80 sculptures by local artists. Wine and spirit tasting is available both in the museum gift shop and next door at the family-friendly winery. For more information, visit the International Mermaid Museum website.

There is so much to do in “Unforgettable Grays Harbor” that families should consider staying for multiple nights when visiting the museum. Westport is a fishing community where visitors can purchase fresh seafood. The local beaches are famous for clam digging and the waves for surfing. There are terrific shops, restaurants, and museums dotted throughout the coastal community. From vacation rentals to quaint hotels to oceanfront campsites, this is the place to make lasting memories.

International Mermaid Museum
7 S Arbor Road, Aberdeen
360.310.4882

Two sisters enjoy the photo cutout board outside the International Mermaid Museum. Photo credit: Jennifer Rawlins

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Protecting Your Health and Investments With a Commercial Service Agreement

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing

Pumpkin spice, cozy sweaters, and falling leaves — all the things we love about fall are here. But so is the wet, the cold, and the illnesses. With kids back in school, families are being exposed to an onslaught of germs. And from close learning environments to shared supplies, these germs are enough to bring a healthy child down with respiratory and/or stomach bugs six to eight times per year (chop.edu).

Whether you have children in your life or not, the uptick of viruses in the fall and winter months is hard to escape. And as many of our workplaces are now returning to in-person or hybrid working environments, these viruses are circulating not just in schools, but in the office spaces where we spend much of our time. Poor indoor air quality, faulty HVAC systems, and limited ventilation can all exacerbate unhealthy work and learning spaces, compromising the health and comfort of our day-to-day lives.

Photo courtesy Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing

Sick Building Syndrome, or SBS, highlights this common issue of poor indoor air quality. Known to cause physical symptoms like headaches, sore throats, and dizziness, SBS has also been known to affect less measurable traits like productivity and decision-making — qualities that are essential to successful students, employees, and businesses (forbes.com). From viruses to dust, pollen, and mold, airtight buildings with poor ventilation intensify the presence of indoor pollutants. And when combined with improperly maintained or faulty heating and cooling equipment, indoor spaces can become harmful for the health of their occupants and the pocket of their owners.

Breathe Easier (At Work, Too!)

A common sentiment as of late is in regard to air quality in our homes versus the workplace. Over the past few years, many of us have made improvements to our homes to improve air quality. But now that we’re back in the office, we just don’t feel like the air we breathe every day is as good as when we’re at home. What can we do?

Many of the improvements made to your system at home can be put to work in the office, too. From proper ventilation to prevent the spread of illnesses to equipment maintenance to improve system performance, protecting your investments — employees and equipment alike — is essential to a successful business.

Protecting Your Investment

If you’re a business owner, a Commercial Service Agreement (CSA) with Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing can be an ideal solution — safety and productivity being at the top of the list. It’s simple: well-maintained equipment works better. And just as poor air quality limits productivity, healthy air quality and properly operating equipment translate to comfortable and healthy employees, increasing your workers’ productivity, performance, and profits.

With a Barron Commercial Service Agreement, business owners can save money and make budgeting easier with discounted service rates and reduced equipment operating costs. A Barron CSA provides access to expert evaluations by trained technicians who know and understand your equipment, as well as comprehensive building-performance approaches unparalleled in the marketplace. Automatic preventative maintenance appointments make scheduling easy, as does priority scheduling. And finally, we can provide a wide range of Indoor Air Quality solutions, including air purifiers that kill 99% of tested viruses. Ensure your air is clean for your employees and those you serve.

Now IS a Good Time

2024 is quickly approaching, and for a limited time, Barron is offering a chance to sign up and save. Lock in 2023’s rates for the next 12 months!

And referrals are welcome! If your workplace could benefit from commercial services, Barron is offering a $50 gift card for you, as well as a $50 discount for “The Boss” if your company becomes a new agreement holder after your referral. Plus, they’ll receive $200 off any new installation! That’s a lot of Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

Just like with your home, the experienced Commercial Team at Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing looks beyond the equipment box to improve your building’s comfort, health, and energy efficiency — a win-win-win for your guests, employees, and bottom line. Sick season is inevitable, but being proactive about the safety and comfort of our indoor spaces is something we can all benefit from. As your Pacific Northwest home and building performance experts since 1972, We stand by our mission: Improving Lives™.

Bellingham Training and Tennis Club Powers Ahead With 240 Solar Panels

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Bellingham Training & Tennis Club

Bellingham Training & Tennis Club made another significant step toward sustainability and environmental responsibility by converting over to its own solar power system. BTTC, with its energy partner, Western Solar, installed 240 solar panels on the south side of the Club’s roof. In addition to the panels, the new energy system includes a large on-site 208 volt inverter that allows for on time solar module monitoring and optimization. The newly installed solar system will generate an impressive 134,281 kilowatt-hours of clean, renewable energy annually, substantially reducing the business’s reliance on traditional energy sources.

By utilizing solar power, the Club will slash its use of PSE generated power and make us much more energy independent. This initiative marks the Club’s continuing and substantial investment in renewable energy and environmental responsibility.

The Club had investigated “going solar” multiple times over the last 20 years. A number of key factors made the transition possible:

The Robertson’s decision to value the wider benefits of PSE energy use reduction into its business model.
The wonderful advice on the system design, creation and installation by Western Solar
The ongoing technical and installation expertise of our roofing partner Von Bodkin at Commercial Waterproof Coatings. With a roof as big as ours, Von’s guidance has been invaluable in making the installation of solar on the roof a functional option. The installation of the feet for the solar arrays were an integral part of sealing the roof surface before the panels were installed.
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act included important tax credits and depreciation benefits that reflect our nation’s current goal of developing alternative energy sources.

Please stop by the Club and see the positive impact “green energy” is having in your community.

Robin Robertson, co-owner and general manager of Bellingham Training and Tennis Club, is wildly excited about this monumental achievement: “We are excited to announce the installation of 240 solar panels on our massive rooftop. This initiative is a significant step towards our commitment to reducing our environmental impact We hope this project inspires other businesses and individuals in our community to embrace renewable energy and work together towards a cleaner, greener future.”

“I have a degree in environmental science and have always worked toward reducing the environmental impacts of our business. The solar panels are the ‘icing on the roof’ in addition to the LED lighting, reflective tennis court walls and ceilings to improve light quality, recycling, composting, and environmentally friendly cleaning products we already have.”

About Bellingham Training and Tennis Club

Bellingham Training and Tennis Club is a family owned tennis and fitness club in the Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham dedicated to providing high-quality services since 1973. Committed to environmental responsibility, the company actively seeks innovative ways to reduce its ecological footprint and contribute positively to the community.

City of Sublimated Curiosity: A Deep Dive Into Bellingham’s Haunting Mysteries and Weird Tales

By

Anna Diehl

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Bellingham-Washington-mysteries-georgia-pacific — Georgia-Pacific’s pulp mill, site of the boiler stack where an unidentified body was found, operated from 1963 to 2007. Today, Waypoint Park makes use of the remaining original structures. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

As “the City of Subdued Excitement,” Bellingham has modest claims to fame as a quiet college town, hipster bastion, hiking destination, and the last major city before the northwestern Canada border. Yet we can hardly subdue the excitement of its weirder draws — preternatural encounters, historic mass panics, and unsolved crimes and disappearances.

Bellingham’s early history holds several curiosities: who can forget the water fight that dampened our chances of outcompeting Seattle, historic markers on unknown dead, or James Wardner’s bizarre black cat hoax? But this Halloween season, we can unearth more recent stories that have earned Bellingham national notoriety among enthusiasts of the strange.

Hauntings and Happenings

Every town needs its tall tales, and Bellingham is no exception. The most popular ghost legends concern “The Green Lady” of Sycamore Square, the Wardner Castle mural, and others at Redlight Bar, Mount Baker Theater, and Hotel Leopold. Stories about Bayview Cemetery’s “Angel Eyes” and “Death Bed” monuments combine urban legend archetypes and real tragic histories.

In local legend, Bayview Cemetery’s “Angel Eyes” and “Death Bed” monuments are supposedly haunted or cursed. In reality, they commemorate William H. Bland and Edmund L. Gaudette, respectively. Photo credit: Anna Diehl

On the cryptid front, Bellingham has birthed The Bigfoot Adventures — a tour dedicated to spotting the Pacific Northwest’s most elusive primate.

The Northwest is also no stranger to UFO sightings, being the source of the term “flying saucer” (and the band Foo Fighters, named for another term-of-art). Whatcom County’s most famous incident occurred July 27, 1984, on Lummi Island. According to Klipsun Magazine, “an orange and white fireball, trailing sparks, surprised two fishermen aboard the Steeva Ten,” crashing into the water. The Coast Guard concluded it was likely a meteorite, but divers reported seeing a “teacup-shaped object” that disappeared on later expeditions.

For believers and skeptics alike, the truth that doesn’t get in the way of a good story is out there.

The alleged UFO crash of 1984 took place between Lummi Island and Eliza Island. Dominic Papetti, the fisherman who led the diving expedition five months afterward, reportedly kept searching for the object after its disappearance on subsequent expeditions. Photo courtesy Dicklyon / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-4.0

Stranger-Than-Fiction News

On several occasions, Bellingham has made national news with tales of the weird and wonderful.

In 1954, Bellingham originated a true mass panic: the Seattle windshield pitting epidemic. From late March to mid-April, residents reported small holes and cracks appearing in their car windshields. The panic quickly spread to Anacortes and Seattle as theories ranged from H-bomb test fallout to sand flea eggs.

The panic resulted in nearly 3,000 reports, mass vehicle inspections in Anacortes, and Seattleites fearing residue later confirmed as coal dust. However, scientists concluded that windshield pits resulted from typical wear-and-tear — only becoming noticeable with the power of suggestion. The short-lived scare shows how geopolitical anxieties can convince citizens the sky is falling — Forteana-style.

In much more recent history, Bellingham’s Trader Joe’s made news as the original smuggler’s cove for Pirate Joe’s. Vancouver grocer Michael Hallatt, seeing an untapped market for Trader Joe’s in Canada, started a store in 2012 to resell their goods. The chain sued Hallatt for trademark infringement in 2013 unsuccessfully, but legal costs caused Pirate Joe’s closure in 2017. Yet Hallatt’s exploits — shopping in disguise, hiring others, and labeling his van “grocers without borders” — remain the stuff of internet legend.

Bellingham’s Trader Joe’s has inspired legends about more than just available parking spaces — Pirate Joe’s used it, among other locations, before bans required Michael Hallatt to venture further south toward Seattle. Photo credit: Anna Diehl

In late 2019 and early 2020, the internet was abuzz with speculation about “murder hornets.” Asian giant hornets appeared in Vancouver, Blaine, and Bellingham, sparking fears about dangerous invasive species. However, these nests all reportedly disappeared by 2022 — showing the necessity of trusting experts over fearmongering.

True Crime and Cold Cases

On the darker side, Bellingham has received national notoriety for unusual deaths and disappearances. T.A. Warger’s Murder in the Fourth Corner is among Bellingham’s most popular local history books, and the Good Time Girls’ Gore and Lore Tours likewise recount grisly early history. But some of the most chilling incidents happened in living memory.

Many a true crime aficionado attests that Ted Bundy, Gary Ridgway (“The Green River Killer”), the Hillside Stranglers, and the Washington D.C. Snipers visited Bellingham. Two such rumors are confirmed: Lee Malvo of the 2002 D.C. Sniper case attended Bellingham High School, and Kenneth Bianchi of the 1977-1979 Hillside Strangler murders worked security at a local Fred Meyer. Two of his victims, 22-year-old Karen Mandic and 27-year-old Diane Wilder, attended Western Washington University. Rumors that these killers frequented the Waterfront Seafood and Bar have warped the reputation of an ordinary, longstanding establishment.

Far from earning its dubious notoriety, the Waterfront Bar is historically notable for being built in 1912 atop the only remaining pilings that held Old Town Bellingham above the mudflats. Photo credit: Anna Diehl

In September 1987, Bellingham witnessed a cold case that testifies to the limits of DNA identification. At Georgia-Pacific’s pulp-and-tissue mill, worker Roy Harris discovered a charred skeleton in boiler stack number nine. Due to charring and the boiler stack’s remote location beside the roof, police could not determine the person’s identity or means of entrance. Still a mystery and tragedy, this case continues to spur widespread speculation online.

Georgia-Pacific’s pulp mill, site of the boiler stack where an unidentified body was found, operated from 1963 to 2007. Today, Waypoint Park makes use of the remaining original structures. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Another cold case, the 2000 disappearance of Leah Roberts, received attention from television series Unsolved Mysteries and Disappeared. Inspired by Jack Kerouac’s works from the North Cascades, Roberts (aged 23) visited Mount Baker Highway — where only her car was found. The case led missing persons organizations to raise awareness nationwide with the “On the Road to Remember Tour.”

While fascination with unsettling stories may seem morbid, it can help individuals and communities to safely understand our fears and retain a sense of wonder. To paraphrase Hamlet: there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in Bellingham.

Bellingham Central Lions Club Receives $25,000 Impact Grant from Peoples Bank

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Peoples Bank

Peoples Bank has awarded the Bellingham Central Lions Club a $25,000 Peoples Bank Impact Grant to be used by the organization’s Haskell Lions Eye Clinic for the purchase of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) machine. In operation for 12 years, the all-volunteer clinic provides free eye examinations and glasses for qualified low-income and homeless people in the community.

Optical coherence tomography is a non-invasive imaging test that helps with the diagnosis of a number of eye conditions including glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, macular holes, central retinal edema (fluid retention), vitreous fiber traction on the retina and other eye conditions.

A dispensing station at the Haskell clinic. Photo courtesy Frank Haskell Lions Eye Clinic

“Vision has been a focus on Lions Clubs internationally since the 1920s when Helen Keller challenged Lions to be Knights of the Blind,” said Debbie Costello, President of the Bellingham Central Lions Club. “We are so honored to receive the 2023 Peoples Bank Impact Grant, which through the purchase of an OCT machine, will enable us to continue to deliver the highest standard of care for the low income and homeless people in our community.”

Founded in Bellingham in 1923, the mission of the Bellingham Central Lions Club is to volunteer time and provide financial assistance to the disabled, underprivileged, elderly, and youth in local communities and internationally where appropriate, particularly related to sight and hearing in accordance with the mission of Lions Clubs International. Like Lions the world over, its causes include the eradication of preventable blindness and deafness. In addition to providing free vision and hearing services, the Club operates the Wheelchair Warehouse which loans out a variety of medical equipment to people in the greater Whatcom County region.

“We are thrilled to support the Bellingham Lions Club to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need in our community through their exceptional work at the Haskell Lions Eye Clinic,” said Lisa Hefter, President and Chief Operating Officer at Peoples Bank. “At Peoples Bank, we believe in the power of local organizations to drive positive change, and the Lions Club’s dedication to providing quality sight and hearing care aligns perfectly with our commitment to community well-being.”

Public Voting Opens for Additional $10,000 Grant

An additional grant of up to $10,000 will also be awarded to a nonprofit based on a public vote taking place between October 17 and November 1. More information about the nonprofits eligible for this award and voting instructions are available at www.peoplesbank-wa.com/peoples-choice.

Animals as Natural Therapy (ANT): Animal trailer for mental health visits to local schools, assisted-care facilities, and hospice – Whatcom County
Generations Early Learning & Family Center: Infant room to provide early childhood education program within a residential care facility – Whatcom County
Immigrant Resources and Immediate Support (IRIS): Immediate assistance to immigrants facing temporary crisis – Whatcom County
Ballyhoo Theatre: Free theatre performances for underserved populations – Snohomish County
Homage Senior Services: Emergency food boxes for seniors – Snohomish County
Children of the Valley: Transportation for elementary-age children to and from after-school programming – Skagit County
Triumph Teen Life Center: Backpack and school supplies giveaway for low-income families – Skagit County
Edible Hope Kitchen: Serving morning meals to local homeless and low-income workers – King County
SPiN Café: Commercial kitchen addition for facility serving homeless and at-risk guests – Island County
Chelan Douglas County Volunteer Attorney Services (CDCVAS): Free civil legal aid for those experiencing poverty – Chelan / Douglas County

About the Peoples Bank Impact Grant

The Peoples Impact Grant program was launched in 2017 to help fund a specific project, use, or identified purpose that will have a long-lasting, positive impact on the community. Past winners of the Peoples Bank Impact Grant include the Anacortes Family Center, Teachers of Color Foundation, Northwest Youth Services, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) of Whatcom County, and Skagit Habitat for Humanity.

Operating since 1921, Peoples Bank is known for its dedication to service – supporting local customers, local businesses, and the economic growth of the regions surrounded by each branch. Each year, Peoples Bank donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to local and regional nonprofit organizations providing valuable services in the arts, child and family services, education, health and social services, and civics. For more information about Peoples Bank community giving, please visit www.peoplesbank-wa.com/giving.

About Peoples Bank

Peoples Bank is a locally owned and operated, independent full-service community bank with $2.6 billion in assets. Headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, Peoples Bank has served the community for over 100 years and operates in 22 locations throughout Washington. Reflecting its strong financial management practices, dedicated employees, and long-standing customer relationships, Peoples Bank was awarded a superior five-star rating from Bauer Financial, a leading independent bank rating firm. Learn more about Peoples Bank at www.peoplesbank-wa.com. Member FDIC.

Featured photo courtesy Peoples Bank

Repeating Gossip Brings Late-Night Variety To Live Audiences Every Month

By

Steven Arbuckle

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Repeating-Gossip-Bellingham-Jackson-Jason — Graham, left, is always joined by a comedy foil to complete the ‘late night talk show’ feel of the live performance. Photo credit: David Cohn

For the past several months, Jackson Graham has been blending the timeless appeal of live theatre with the tried-and-true late-night television talk show formula. The result is a show called Repeating Gossip, which you can catch monthly at Bellingham’s The Blue Room.

A Unique Comedy Show

Born in Bellevue, Graham has lived “all around Washington” also calling Kirkland, Duvall, Redmond, and Woodinville home. He’s currently a senior year at Western Washington University, majoring in English Literature with minors in French and history, and plans to attend graduate school for translation or teaching.

He’d been performing stand-up comedy for three years before launching Repeating Gossip a little less than a year ago. “I realized I wasn’t that good at stand up — at least not as good as I wanted to be,” he says. “ I thought if I produced my own talk show and got different acts each time, it’s still a guaranteed 30 minutes of stage time for me every month. So, it started out very selfishly.”

Graham jokes that his own comedy wasn’t strong enough, but he knew he could still have a show if he brought in others. Photo credit: David Cohn

A New Take on a Proven Format

Graham would like to be the next Johnny Carson. More specifically, a Johnny Carson-type that the underground hardcore punk scene can be proud of. A do-it-yourself work ethic gives his talk show a local theatre feel, and a roster of local guest performers helps it keep a grass-roots relevance. Rather than attempting to create a show that transcends its surroundings, Graham chooses to keep it firmly rooted in what makes Bellingham special.

Musical acts like Spurr are culled from Bellingham’s hardcore music scene by Repeating Gossip creator Jackson Graham. Photo credit: David Cohn

“Just like Late Night with David Letterman was New York, this show is an extension of Bellingham,” he says. “We feature oddities from around town; one month we had a perfume salesman, and another time we had Dinger, the mascot for the Bellingham Bells. I go to DIY venues and I grab all my favorite hardcore bands and book them on a professional stage. It’s a cool contrast between really subversive music, and as clean of a talk show as I can put together.”

Expect the Unexpected

Each show kicks off with standup from of one of Bellingham’s comedians, followed by a monologue from Graham as the host. Then Jason, his “chair guy” plays Ed McMahon to his Carson, announcing sponsors and preparing the crowd for upcoming acts. Some of the acts are sketches, while others are slightly less planned out, like taking questions from the audience. But it’s never safe to expect the show to go in any predictable direction.

Jason joins Graham on stage to announce the show’s sponsors and get the crowd ready for guests. Photo credit: David Cohn

“We help old ladies get Worcestershire sauce stains out of their shirts or give away Iraq War-era bumper stickers and such. And we usually have a drag artist. Gotta have a drag artist,” Graham says. He recognizes that the crew of drag queens that perform at Bellingham’s Rumors Cabaret are some of the best drag artists in Washington state; performers known for their ability to be witty and engaging.

Booking a long list of local talent and inviting people to help with the nuts and bolts of the show has not only worn away some of the initial ‘selfishness’ Graham spoke of, but has also shown him that he has a passion for production. When he talks about putting together shows for people to attend, he talks about the magic that comes about as people step into a cinematic scene that transports them from the ordinary into an artistic creation.

Feather Fatale shows why a featuring a drag performer makes perfect sense when it comes to entertaining the Repeating Gossip crowd. Photo credit: David Cohn

Producing for the Future

In addition to Repeating Gossip, Graham is moving forward with a nascent production company by the same name. He recently helped friend Troy Schultz realize an independent film, “Knife of Glass,” through the WWU Film Production Club. It premiered on Western’s campus and should hit other local independent screens, as well. Described as an “Italian discotheque horror film,” Graham is proud of its high production quality and is already moving forward with his involvement in another film project.

If it’s fair to judge by the momentum he has built up with his stage show, it looks like Graham is on the right track to continue enjoying himself while also creating experiences for others to enjoy.

“The last show had a perfect monologue [and] perfect comedian; the sketches went great. We showed a clip from “Knife of Glass,” then the musical act came along and took the roof off. And then we had a great resolution to the show,” he says. “I hope, in the future, it’s an institution for Bellingham so I can [eventually] hand off the foundation of the show to a new comedian. A lot of shows end once the producers think it’s done, but I want to make something that’s separate from me.”

Follow Jackson Graham on Instagram for details on upcoming shows.

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True Crime and Cold Cases

Public Voting Opens for Additional $10,000 Grant

About the Peoples Bank Impact Grant

About Peoples Bank

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A New Take on a Proven Format

Expect the Unexpected

Producing for the Future

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