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Bellingham Weekend Events Calendar

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WhatcomTalk Editor
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The countdown has begun! Less than one week remains until we get to indulge in a feast of roasted turkey, savory gravy, succulent stuffing, sweet cranberry sauce and a wide assortment of eagerly anticipated goodies. My holiday favorites include roasted onions, green bean casserole, fruit salad and any pie I can get my hands on.

Thanksgiving is almost upon us but there are still a few days to go. As with anything, the best way to pass the time is to stay busy. With that in mind, here is a list of weekend events to keep you busy while you anticipate your upcoming holiday feast. Take a look at this list of possibilities and don’t forget to check out our events calendar for a full list of all the fun happenings around Whatcom county this weekend.

Things to do this weekend in Bellingham:

Whatever you choose to do, I hope your weekend is filled with lots of fun and adventure, and that the coming week is filled with family, friends, lots of good food and gratitude.

 

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 article, send us a note at submit@whatcomtalk.com. If you have an event you would like to share, please submit it through our website by clicking the green “post your event” button on the calendar. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Bellingham and the surrounding area, visit our events calendar.

Bellingham’s Past Preserved: Whatcom Museum Research Technician Jeff Jewell Talks Local History

By
Patricia Herlevi
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Jeff Jewell became a local history sleuth in the early 1980s. Photo courtesy: Patricia Herlevi.

When I relocated to Bellingham, editors of the history anthology, “Western Washington Reflections” invited me to contribute a personal essay on Bellingham. I turned to Jeff Jewell at the Whatcom Museum. After climbing the long stairway to the museum’s archive department, I engaged in my first conversation with Jewell, which lasted several hours and much of it ended up in my essay.

Jeff Jewell became a local history sleuth in the early 1980s. Photo courtesy: Patricia Herlevi.
Jeff Jewell became a local history sleuth in the early 1980s. Photo courtesy: Patricia Herlevi

Jewell possesses in depth knowledge of Bellingham’s history which spans around 150 years. The museum’s archives and Jewell’s immense knowledge of Whatcom County’s past, presented a treasure trove. Any journalist or researcher benefits from a visit with Jewell, who is also a gifted storyteller.

After graduating from Western Washington University with a degree in Anthropology, Jewell began sleuthing Bellingham’s past.

“I worked as a furniture mover and in restaurants as a dishwasher and cook for the next ten years,” Jewell said. “Local history grew organically out of simply walking all over Bellingham and being curious as to when buildings were built or what had come before, or who lived in a house 100 years ago. The Bellingham Public Library had all the free resources for research. And I knew, met and befriended a lot of ‘old-timers’ who were kind enough to answer questions and tell me stories.”

Jeff Jewell mentioned a few three-dimensional objects housed in the Photo Archives - canned goods from previous eras. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Jeff Jewell mentioned a few three-dimensional objects housed in the Photo Archives – replicas of canned salmon from previous eras. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi

Some of those old-timers included, his former boss (proprietor of A-1 Moving and former City Council member) Charlie Lancaster, a long-time taxi driver Timothy Capone and Gordy Tweit of the Fairhaven Pharmacy.

“Gordy was always so generous with his time and in sharing photos and artifacts,” Jewell said. “He’s a wonderful person.”

Jewell’s list expanded to include other local favorites. “I remember talks with George Hunsby, the great storyteller, who held court at Aladdin’s Lamp in the Mason Building at Railroad and Holly,” Jewell said. “I got to work with Galen Biery, the historian, with a Pacific American Fisheries exhibit and video. I worked with Jack Carver, the Bellingham Herald staff photographer, for more than a decade. He was a dear friend. I’ve been fortunate to work with Rosamond Van Miert and all of her book projects.”

The world's Tallest Tree was once set up in downtown Bellingham. Photo credit: Harris Gonsalves, Whatcom Museum.
The world’s Tallest Tree was once set up in downtown Bellingham. Photo credit: Harris Gonsalves, Whatcom Museum

In fact, one of the first photographs we saw as we entered the archives was Jack Carver’s “Last Day of School” which the photographer took for the Bellingham Herald. On the far wall stood a bank of computers. Photographs peppered the archival office’s austere walls.

While the space mostly houses two-dimensional representations (photographs), three-dimensional objects like canned food from other eras take up shelf-space. However, the most important collection housed in the museum’s archives are the stories of everyday people. Ask the locals who grew up in Whatcom county and they’re sure to share a significant story.

In the holiday spirit, Jewell shared a Christmas tree story.

“Bellingham’s 135-foot Yule tree in 1948 established the record-setting pace, but it was a mere shrub compared to the 153-foot ‘World’s Tallest Christmas Tree’ of 1949,” Jewell said.

“The tree was conveyed 35 miles to Bellingham on two logging trucks from a quarter-mile west of Everson. Abner Ludtke, manning the guide truck, communicated via intercom phone with Frank Aubel who was ‘driving blind’ in a second truck hidden underneath the Douglas fir’s branches. Two cranes and fourteen trucks lifted the tree upright in the middle of Railroad Avenue, between Holly and Chestnut streets, where it was decorated by the Jaycees with more than a thousand lights and topped by a fifteen-foot illuminated cross.

The world's tallest Christmas tree of 1949 traveled by two trucks to get to downtown Bellingham. Photo courtesy: Jack Carver, Whatcom Museum.
The world’s tallest Christmas tree of 1949 traveled by two trucks to get to downtown Bellingham. Photo courtesy: Jack Carver, Whatcom Museum

“Edward R. Murrow, the famous CBS newscaster, turned on the tree’s lights for the first time while describing the scene during a national radio broadcast. Jack Carver’s series of black-and-whites for the Bellingham Herald, which document the tree’s arrival downtown, are celebrated every holiday season.”

Unlike the locals who are second or third-generation residents of Bellingham, Jewell grew up in a vagabond family. It wasn’t until he attended college during the early 1980s, that he decided to sink his roots in Bellingham.

“Coming to Bellingham to go to WWU, in 1981, Bellingham was magic,” Jewell said. “It felt like home. There was a Woolworth’s with a photo booth and a lunch counter. There was a bowling alley right downtown. It was Americana that I had only seen in old black and white movies or read about in Jack Kerouac novels. It had history, the Old City Hall, the Mount Baker Theatre, train tracks in the alley and there were neighborhoods of old houses that were like great mysteries.”

Jeff Jewell oversees archival photographs as a Research Technician with the Whatcom Museum. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Jeff Jewell oversees archival photographs as a Research Technician with the Whatcom Museum. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi

While retirees who settle in Bellingham often take up sleuthing Bellingham’s past, Jewell began his quest much younger.

“In my 20s, when most people that age want to set out to see the world, I wanted to establish roots,” Jewell said.

He’s been telling Bellingham’s stories ever since.

Costco Relocates to New Building in Bellingham on Saturday, November 19

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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Submitted by Costco

Costco will replace its original Bellingham location with a new facility approximately 1 mile southwest, at 4125 Arctic Ave. on Saturday, November 19, at 8:00 a.m. Costco opened its original location in Bellingham in November 1991. 

The company determined that the Bellingham location was too small to adequately provide all the amenities newer buildings have. The original Bellingham location will close at the end of business on Friday, November 18.

costco bellingham
The Bellingham Costco will relocate to its new facility on Saturday, November 19.

The new building is 25-percent larger, at 162,000 square feet, compared to the original 130,000 square feet. The building will have the latest services that Costco offers, including an expanded Service Deli, Hearing Aid Center and a Gas Station with Diesel, in addition to almost 500 more parking spots.

“In addition to new and expanded services, the relocation of a new, bigger Bellingham facility will better serve our members,” said Warehouse Manager Andrea Lowden.

The new Bellingham warehouse will offer quality, brand-name and private-label merchandise at substantially lower prices than can be found through conventional wholesale or retail sources. Costco helps small- to medium-size businesses save money on items for resale and on supplies for their business, and provides a wide range of products and services for members’ personal use as well.  

In addition to the departments already listed, the new location will feature an Optical Department with Independent Doctor of Optometry, Pharmacy, Fresh Meat, Fresh Produce, Fresh Bakery, Photo Center, Tire Center, Beer, Liquor, and Fine Wine, and a Food Court. 

This warehouse will employ 330 people. Costco operates 31 warehouses in Washington, 506 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and 723 worldwide.

The company has been recognized throughout the country for providing its employees with real living wages – the highest in the industry – and for its ethical business practices. 

Costco’s home office is located in Issaquah, Wash. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol COST.

Jeff Klausman Receives the 2016 Lisa Ede Excellence in Teaching Award

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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Photo credit: Justin Pedigo | FC Photography.

Submitted by: Whatcom Community College

Whatcom Community College English professor Jeff Klausman has been awarded the 2016 Lisa Ede Excellence in Teaching Award by the Two-Year College English Association of the Pacific Northwest (TYCA-PNW). Klausman, who has been teaching at Whatcom for 20 years, was honored at the association’s annual conference in October.

teaching-award-october-2016
Dodie Forrest, TYCA-PNW chair and professor of English at Yakima Valley College, and Lisa Ede, Professor Emeritus at Oregon State University, pose with award winner Jeff Klausman.

The Lisa Ede award is given to those who exemplify innovation and creativity in the teaching of English, who have demonstrated outstanding teaching strategies that motivate students to excellence, and/or who have made a contribution to the field at the two-year college level. One award is given each year to both a deserving adjunct and full-time faculty member. Three other WCC English faculty members have received the award since 2005: Danielle Gray, Jim Spaich and Sherri Winans.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to work with outstanding colleagues at Whatcom and across our region,” Klausman said. “This award really reflects the work that I’ve been able to do only because of the people I’ve been able to work with.”

Klausman, who began teaching at Whatcom in 1996, has twice served as English department chair. His accomplishments include developing the teaching-for-transfer curriculum at Whatcom, facilitating a statewide initiative to align all first-year college English courses, and leading an effort to reform and streamline the English course placement process for students, a model that has been adopted by other colleges in Washington and beyond. He has authored several professional guides on developmental education reform and placement reform. Klausman also serves on the executive committee for the Conference on College Composition and Communication and will serve on the leadership team for the College’s recently awarded $150K College Spark grant.

“Jeff has demonstrated leadership and exemplary work in his field,” said WCC President Kathi Hiyane-Brown. “He has had a deep impact on the college and our students’ success throughout his 20 years of service.”

 

Village Books’ Giving Tree Returns

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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village books bellingham

Submitted by: Village Books

It is that time of year when the collaboration among book lovers, Village Books, and several community organizations provides the gift of reading to local children and families through Village Books’ Giving Tree. For the past 20 years we’ve provided books for thousands of kids who would not otherwise have received them. Last year alone, because of your generosity, we gave books to almost 1,300 children through eight local organizations!

Village Books Lynden
Village Books and other community organizations give the gift of literacy. Photo courtesy: Village Books.

The Giving Tree is available now through January 1 in both Fairhaven and Lynden.

How can you help?

Choose an angel ornament from the tree in the store and purchase a book for a recipient. You will be offered a 20% discount for your Angel book purchase. The books will be distributed to kids, through community organizations, in the weeks before Christmas.

Whether you pick up one angel this year, or ten angels, you can appreciate that the children of our community will enjoy a happier holiday season because of your gift.

Books are distributed through the following organizations:

Chuckanut Brewery Taps Special Lagers for the Holidays

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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Indulge in a good lager for the holidays. Photo courtesy: Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen.

Submitted by: Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen

It’s not often that a small craft brewery can say they have Marzen Lager and Baltic Porter for the holidays. But November is a lucky time to be drinking some great Chuckanut beers with these two special craft lagers on tap in the Pacific northwest. Both beers are malty, drinkable beers with distinct features highlighting the use of specialty malts and European hops. Balanced and food friendly Marzen is copper in color with a complex malt structure that goes great with roasts. The Baltic Porter is deep in color, rich, and a full bodied aged lager. It goes great with winter squashes however they are prepared.

chuckanut winter bock
Toast your friends and family with a specialty lager this holiday season. Photo courtesy: Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen.

Chuckanut Marzen is incredibly smooth with a slightly sweet palate, and an almost spicy flavor complemented by a deep toffee like aroma. Chuckanut’s Marzen lager has an appetizing bitterness that serves to balance rather than challenge the malt underpinnings.  At a strength of about 5.7 percent, it’s slightly stronger than Pilsner, but not as strong as a Bock beer. Marzen pairs great with roast turkey, char-broiled steaks, pizzas and burgers. It’s absolutely terrific with ham when it’s glazed, honeyed, or peppered. Chuckanut Marrzen has won numerous awards both nationally and statewide and is always sought out when available. It will be served at several festivals, at Chuckanut Brewers nights around the Puget Sound this holiday season, at the Kitchen in Bellingham and at the Tap Room at the Port of Skagit.

Chuckanut Brewery’s Baltic Porter has been aged a year and is being released in very limited quantities the day after Thanksgiving as thanks to all the loyal Chuckanut fans who have been supportive during 2016. This amazing lager historically was brewed in the Baltic countries and fashioned after the British Porters and Russian Stouts using traditional lager yeast. Baltic Porter is a high alcohol beer with just enough bitterness to balance the sweetness of its dark malts, lots of dark fruit aromas and flavors, and a smoothness that deceives its high alcohol content. Available only at Chuckanut’s Kitchen in Bellingham and the South Nut Tap Room make sure to get in before it’s all gone.

Chuckanut Brewery and Kitcehn
Chuckanut Brewery is the perfect place to raise a glass this holiday season. Photo courtesy: Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen.

Both Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen and Chuckanut’s South Nut Tap Room will be closed on Thanksgiving Day so staff can spend time with family and close friends. Both locations will open again on Friday, November 25 during regular hours with the tapping of the Baltic Porter. Don’t forget to do some of your holiday shopping at Chuckanut as gifting the new line of schwagg is a great way to show your love of family and friends!

Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen, located at 601 West Holly Street in Bellingham, was awarded the National Small Brewpub/Brewer of the Year 2009 and National Small Brewery/Brewer of the Year 2011 at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO.

Experience these special craft lagers for yourself:

The full service “Kitchen” serves from 11 am every day to guests of all ages with an eclectic, fresh, local menu. The South Nut Tap Room at 11937 Higgins Airport Way in Burlington is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It serves all ages. You are welcome to bring your own food or get some food from the trucks – Pizzaza (Friday) and Vagabond (Wednesday) or other guest trucks when they are present. Check out additional information about Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen on their website.

A Plethora of Fun Events Await at Village Books this Holiday Season

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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Village Books

There will be an excess of fun at Village Books this holiday season! The Grinch is coming yet again. This time he will pay two visits to the Fairhaven store, both on Friday, November 25. Then he will be in Lynden on Saturday November 26 for one appearance. While I’m on the subject of visits, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be following the Grinch in Lynden on Saturday, December 17 so folks can get their pictures taken with them too! In addition, a series of other fun events await. 

Village Books Lynden
The spacious store also includes a 300-square-foot basement cellar.

Village Books is thrilled to be hosting Kathleen Dean Moore on Saturday, December 3 to present her first novel, “Piano Tide.” Known for her brilliant environmental writing in books like “Wild Comfort” and “Moral Ground” it is so exciting to now be celebrating her first foray into fiction!

Peter Ames Carlin, author of “Homeward Bound: The Life of Paul Simon,” will be here on December 6. This follows closely on the heals of his bestselling book, “Bruce” about the Boss himself. Peter Carlin will be playing some songs of Simon’s.

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and take place in the Readings Gallery at Village Books at 1200 11th Street, Bellingham, WA, 98225.

To see all the fun events happening at Village Books & Paper Dreams, check out our community calendar or the Village Books website.

Village Books Lynden
There’s something for every member of the family at Village Books in Lynden.

Village Books & Paper Dreams New Store Hours:

Fairhaven: Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Friday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Lynden: Monday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving Eve hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day – Closed

Christmas Eve: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Closed Christmas Day

New Year’s Eve: 9:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.

New Year’s Day: Fairhaven: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Lynden: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Shopping Local for the Holidays: An Experience as Good as the Gift

By
LocalTalk Contributor
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Supporting local businesses keeps our community healthy and strong. Photo courtesy: Sustainable Connections.

Submitted by: Sustainable Connections

With the holiday season here and all the trips, gifts, and stress it can entail, Sustainable Connections would like to share its top five tips to enjoy holiday shopping!

Selecting just the right gift can be as fun as giving it. Photo credit: Megan Gehring.
Selecting just the right gift can be as fun as giving it. Photo credit: Megan Gehring.

Tip #1) Keep it local: This may be the number one way to enjoy your holiday shopping. Find the perfect gift and strengthen our community all at the same time. Peruse welcoming and unique shops with knowledgeable staff, maybe with a pastry from the bakery down the street. Feel good about getting that one-of-a-kind gift for your special someone while supporting our neighbors and local economy. It beats the long lines and crazy crowds hands down!

Tip #2) Knock it all out at once: Head out November 26th for Shop Small Saturday. Tick off all of your shopping to-dos with local independent businesses around Whatcom County while having the chance to win incredible prize packages all at the same time. Participating businesses will be handing out shopping passports, so get a stamp at each store and be entered to win. Plus enjoy the extra holiday festivities happening in downtown Bellingham the same day.

Tip #3) Use the Buy Local for the Holidays Shopping Guide: It will make figuring out what to give a snap, with hundreds of local gift ideas and exactly where to find them. You can look for the Guide in the Cascadia Weekly during the week of Thanksgiving, Bellingham Alive’s December issue, at local businesses or online at SustainableConnections.org.

The shopping experience at Fringe is as delightful as the clothing they sell. Photo credit: Megan Gehring.
The shopping experience at Fringe is as delightful as the clothing they sell. Photo credit: Megan Gehring.

Tip #4) Make it a community affair: Visit one of the many local artisanal markets or attend a holiday event to shop and celebrate with your community. Don’t miss the Allied Arts Holiday Festival with live music, the Bellingham Farmers Market and their tree lighting on December 4th, and the Fairhaven Holiday Festival in November to name a few. For a full listing of local events visit our website. The more the merrier!

Tip #5) Treat Yourself to a Local Meal: Eating local food during the holidays is a great way to show your love for your family and yourself – grab a bite at one of the restaurants in town that sources locally while you’re out getting gifts, or pick up some local treats for dinner. The flavors are incredible, fresh feels the best, and you can make new holiday traditions with fantastic local ingredients. You can also take the Eat Local for the Holidays Pledge and get some new recipes by visiting our site.

Shopping at neighborhood stores is a powerful way to build our community. When you shop with locally-owned businesses they invest twice as much money here and keep it recirculating three times longer. This means more jobs in the community, more vibrancy and variety – ultimately a more unique place. Here’s to a relaxing holiday season with the ones you love and to creating an incredible community with every purchase!

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