Cooper Lanza's portrait series "Caught in the Moment" will be on display during the grand opening of Tillie Lace Gallery in Fairhaven. Photo courtesy: Tillie Lace Gallery.
Cooper and Morgan Lanza opened the doors to Tillie Lace Gallery and School of Fine Art on April 15, 2016. This mother-daughter duo brings together the fine and performing arts under one roof. Tillie Lace Gallery and School of Fine Art is hosting their Grand Opening Party on June 4, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Live music will be featured throughout the night by local musicians, including award-winning artist Cheryl Hodge.
Cooper Lanza’s expressive portrait series “Caught in the Moment” is showing as a solo art exhibition at Tillie Lace Gallery. Cooper Lanza is known for her expressive oil paintings and unique palette. She is a visual storyteller who has collectors from all over the world, including Paris, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Arizona and Seattle.
“Caught in the Moment” explores the state of mind that people experience while working. In her artist statement, Cooper writes: “Whether you’re painting, singing or washing dishes — my interest lies in that feeling that space no longer exists. You are no longer doing, you are it. You have become what you are creating.” This body of work was created for Cooper Lanza’s MFA Thesis. The dates for this show are May 6, 2016 through June 30, 2016. The gallery is located at 1415 13 St in Fairhaven, formerly the Lucia Douglas Gallery. Tillie Lace Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information, follow Tillie Lace Gallery on Facebook or give the gallery a call at 360-223-5352.
At WhatcomTalk, we strive to create meaningful, engaging content about the people, businesses and organizations that make Whatcom County such a great place to live, work and play.
Whether highlighting a community member donating time to a local non-profit or sharing information about fun activities to enjoy with your family, our talented writing team works hard to source stories our readers care about.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s shared a link to SouthSoundTalk’s Whale Trail article on its Facebook page. The post received 666 likes, 58 comments and 373 shares.
Because all of our content is published online, it’s easy to measure how the stories we share impact the community. As an online community social network, the content we publish on WhatcomTalk can be shared easily across the web with our readers, local businesses and other organizations — near and far.
“You don’t need to be on a boat to get great views of whales in Washington!” the Washington State Parks’ Facebook post stated. “SouthSoundTalk shares how you can spot orca, humpback and gray whales from land. And we’re happy to say that many of the best vantage points are from trails within your state parks — on the coast and in the Salish Sea! Whale watching season is just around the corner!”
The Washington State Parks’ post received 666 likes, 58 comments, and 373 shares — reaching thousands of people outside SouthSoundTalk’s own distribution network. This is similar to dropping a pebble in a pond — the impact reaches beyond the source, outward into the community.
As SouthSoundTalk’s Whale Trail article was being circulated around the web, Olympia Orthopaedic Associates’ logo went right along with it.
The article also included the Olympia Orthopaedic Associates’ logo. The business chooses to have their logo embedded in articles about outdoor recreation and healthy living. Our content engine matches a customer’s target market to stories written by our paid, professional writers.
As this article was being circulated and shared, the Olympia Orthopaedic Associates’ logo went right along with it. As each person read the article, they were exposed to the logo, and the impressions far exceeded our promised reach.
The unique structure of the community social network offers, by design, a way to create chatter around a story and have far-reaching influence. This is just one example of the power of online content and how it creates real impact beyond its original source.
WhatcomTalk is a digital media company sharing positive stories about people, places and businesses in Whatcom County. WhatcomTalk offers content marketing and online options to advertise across our community social network in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and beyond. Advertise with WhatcomTalk to reach your target market, grow your brand, and measure results.
Have fun exploring Whatcom County with the whole family this summer on a dime.
One of the best things about Whatcom County is the number of great, free or low-cost activities there are for families in this magnificent natural playground. Looking for something to do this summer? Here are a few of our top picks for filling your time with fun.
Tidepools with Toddlers
Take a toddler tide-pooling and you’ll have ’em mesmerized for hours. Choose a sunny day at low tide with a picnic lunch from the Haggen deli and you have a guaranteed winner. The tide goes out for miles at Birch Bay, leaving long stretches of sandy beach littered with interesting shells, pebbles, crabs, starfish and tide pools. Select the right spot and the only company you’ll have are bald eagles, seagulls and the statuesque herons. For more information. call Washington State Parks at 360-902-8844 or visit www.parks.wa.gov.
Bellingham Farmers Market
Passing by the Bellingham Balloon Fairies, you might overhear a fairy telling a child how she got her wings.
The cacophony of sound, color and aroma at the Bellingham Farmers Market is a great place to start your weekend. This wonderfully social environment is full of farmers selling corpulent fresh fruits and veggies, musicians strumming guitars, delicious samples, friendly faces and eye candy aplenty. Even if you’re not in the mood to shop, the market is a beautiful place to soak in the warmth and vibrancy of Whatcom County and to appreciate the artistry and green fingers of the entrepreneurs and farmers who display their wares each Saturday. For more information, visit the market online at http://www.bellinghamfarmers.org/.
Bloedel Donovan Park
In the mood for a swim on a hot day? Lake Whatcom’s waters will surely cool you down, and the grassy banks at the Bloedel Donovan Park are an excellent place for a picnic, a game of Frisbee and some good old fashioned downtime. Bring a large mat to lay on the grass when you arrive, as the Canadian geese love this park too, and often leave little ‘gifts’ behind. And stop on your way there or back for a sugary treat on Electric Ave at Lafeen’s Donut, Ice Cream and Espresso, a much loved Bellingham tradition. For more information about Bloedel Donovan Park, visit www.cob.org.
A short hike in the shade of trees at Sehome Arboretum is a rejuvenating experience.
Hike in the Arboretum
With its forested trails covering six miles on a 175-acre preserve, the Sehome Hill Arboretum is one of the city’s hidden gems. Pick any one of them and you’re likely to see fossils of ferns and alders, bedrock and sandstone boulders, and towering maples. At the hill’s summit, the view of Bellingham Bay is a reward in itself. Visit www.wwu.edu/share for more info.
Cornwall Spray Park
Another great place for kids to cool off is atCornwall Park in Bellingham, where a spray park open 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily (June through September) can provide hours of fun. Just a short walk from the spray park, more fun awaits at the shallow pools and small waterfalls of the creek. Be sure to bring water shoes, as the rocks tend to be slippery with moss.www.cob.org.
Lunch at Taylor Shellfish
The picnic tables at Taylor Shellfish’s farm store are a great place for an impromptu lunch.
The sun-soaked picnic tables overlooking the tidal flats at Taylor Shellfish’s Farm Store are a perfect place for lunch. Shuck your own oysters, indulge in some smoked salmon or cook a Dungeness crab. Whatever you choose at the farm store, you’ll have the world’s best scenery at your fingertips, with the tide lapping at the beach nearby and the Chuckanut Mountains a mass of lush, steep greenery behind you. www.taylorshellfish.com.
Raspberry Heaven
You’ve never tasted raspberries like those grown on Lynden farms, where fragrant rows filled with pink fruit are a dreamy place to spend an afternoon. In July, the raspberries are ready for picking and several farms open their doors so families can pick and purchase their own ripe fruit for pies, jams and more. The sweet fruit makes for a delicious sundae. To try one, head to Lynden’s Northwest Raspberry Festival July 15–16 2016. www.lynden.org.
The historic Plover pedestrian ferry moves between Semiahmoo Resort and the Blaine Harbor daily in the summer months. Admission is by donation.
Blaine Harbor Festival
Drayton Harbor Days is an annual maritime festival held on the first weekend in August in Blaine that includes tours of tall ships, boat displays, music, arts and crafts. Watch the George Raft Race, a fun spectacle where folks compete as they row across the harbor in homemade rafts. And don’t miss an opportunity to ride the Plover pedestrian ferry across the bay. A historic vessel built in 1944, it moves between the City of Blaine and Semiahmoo Resort in the summer months. www.draytonharbormaritime.org.
Million Smiles Playground
This one-of-a-kind playground in Lynden’s City Park (8460 Depot Road) is full of innovative climbing equipment, including a 35-foot treehouse, a rock climbing wall and a tire tunnel. There’s a ‘tot lot’ for the 2- to 5-year-old crowd, and the shallow Fishtrap Creek, which burbles alongside the park, is a source of endless fascination for fish and tadpole hunters and those just looking to cool off. Stop for an apres-play treat at Edaleen Dairy (9593 Guide Meridian Road), where a kid cone will set you back less than $1.50 but will score you a day’s worth of smiles.
Homesteading History
A short walk up the Hovander Homestead path can produce surprising close up views of birds.
On the banks of the Nooksack River a giant-size red and white barn built in 1913 anchors the historic farm setting at Hovander Homestead Park, alongside the original farmhouse built by Swedish homesteader Hakan Hovander in 1903. The park features 720 acres, including the original 60-acre Hovander Homestead. Kids love seeing the many farm animals, climbing on old-fashioned tractors, and running through acres of grass. Adults also enjoy viewing the blacksmith shop, antique farm equipment and historic structures. Picnic tables and a children’s play structure are available. Follow a pedestrian trail a quarter-mile to Tennant Lake. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to dusk. www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/hovander/hovander.jsp.
WhatcomTalk.com has opened a limited internship opportunity to Whatcom County high school students interested in writing for our community social network.
The internship will run from September 2016 – June 2017 and is open to all Whatcom County students entering grades 9 through 12.
Read a first-hand account of what our interns who participated in our sister site’s (ThurstonTalk) internship program gained during this school year by clicking here.
Include your name, school, grade level and contact phone number
Introduce yourself in two to three sentences and include two or three goals that you hope an internship with WhatcomTalk will fulfill by the end of the school year
Now entering its fourth year, Handbags for Housing is poised to set a new standard for community collaboration and local partnership, while demonstrating the importance of keeping large-scale events in Downtown Bellingham.
On Thursday June 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Depot Market Square, Lydia Place, along with event partners Whatcom County Association of Realtors, The Beauty Institute-Schwarzkopf Professional, and Labels Consignment, present Handbags for Housing, Downtown Bellingham’s largest philanthropic fashion show and handbag exchange. Limited tickets are still available for the sell-out 400 person event, with all proceeds benefitting services and housing for local homeless families.
Now entering its fourth year, Handbags for Housing is poised to set a new standard for community collaboration and local partnership, while demonstrating the importance of keeping large-scale events in Downtown Bellingham.
Handbags for Housing is the brainchild of Lydia Place Executive Director, Emily O’Connor, who saw the event as an accessible idea to raise funds for critical services and housing for homeless households in Whatcom County, while encouraging conscious fashion, and showcasing the Lydia Place community thrift store Wise Buys.
Last year’s Handbags for Housing event raised more than $42,000.
“I wanted to add an event that showcased our incredible thrift store Wise Buys, while giving our community and supporters a new and affordable way to come together,” said Lydia Place Executive Director Emily O’Connor. “And with all the purses in all of our closets, it’s a great way to promote refashion while raising awareness and funds for those in need.”
In its first year Handbags for Housing was an immediate success, opening to a sold-out crowd, and grossing over $10,000, quickly establishing itself as a Bellingham staple and adding an exciting night of entertainment and shopping that anyone could enjoy. With a quick move in year two to Depot Market Square in Downtown Bellingham, the weekday happy-hour styled event doubled its capacity and sales, and by year three, the event saw event revenue rise to over $42,000, with over 300 people in attendance.
With a swelling audience, and approaching maximum venue capacity, event organizers grappled with the reality that a change of venue, and a possible transition from Downtown Bellingham was imminent. This prompted discussions with City officials, local businesses, and alternative county venues, in a search for a solution to the challenging issue of space and capacity, for large-scale events.
Organizers were challenged to find a venue that would allow the event to remain centrally located and accessible, while still accommodating the anticipated 300+ attendees. The City of Bellingham, recognizing the importance of community involvement in issues such as homelessness, and keeping positive community events and engagements in the city core, worked vigilantly with Lydia Place to find a solution; the answer was closer than it seemed.
City officials, parking, parks and recreation, and ultimately Mayor Kelli Linville, agreed to allow the use of the adjacent Depot Market parking lot for the one-day event for the inclusion of a large scale fashion tent, allowing the event to grow, and as trial for all future weekday rentals.
Handbags for Housing raises funds that support critical services and housing for homeless households in Whatcom County.
The City of Bellingham and Lydia Place collectively recognized that so much was to be gained by keeping Handbags for Housing and other events centrally located in Downtown Bellingham, while also recognizing the needs of permit holders and businesses.
“These types of events are so important for our downtown, and our community in general,” said Darby Cowles, a senior planner with the City. “They bring people downtown who might not otherwise visit, and also have a multiplier effect when attendees eat, drink and shop before and afterward. We are happy the City found an experimental solution to keep Handbags for Housing at Depot Market Square this year and hope we might be able to accommodate this event and others of its size in the future.” Permit holders who normally park in the lot during the week were provided with the option of parking for free on the street or in an alternate City lot in order to accommodate the event.
In the past two years, homelessness has visibly increased in the downtown core. This increase impacts local business and the public, and can create challenges for law enforcement, service providers, and emergency responders. Keeping Handbags for Housing in Downtown Bellingham not only brings attention to the issue of homelessness but also highlights the importance of preserving and promoting opportunities for positive downtown public engagement.
“The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is committed to having an open dialogue with all our downtown neighbors about safety, security, and the encouragement of positive downtown engagement.” said Alice Clark, Executive Director of The Downtown Bellingham Partnership. “This is a topic that many entities feel passionate about, and affected by, and we are always encouraged by events and conversations that promote the values of our organization, and that positively consider those that live, work and play in Downtown Bellingham.”
In addition to promoting commerce and community in Downtown Bellingham, Handbags for Housing encourages attendees from across the economic spectrum to get involved in philanthropy. Event attendees are able to purchase a ticket for just $25, plus a gently used handbag. This accessible price provides hundreds in our community an opportunity to be a part of breaking the cycle of poverty, and becoming aware of the faces and causes of homelessness.
Handbags for Housing takes place on June 2 at Depot Market Square.
Handbags for Housing, and Lydia Place itself, are a collaboration of local community members and partnerships. The organization’s operational budget is largely comprised, nearly 70%, from local community dollars. This local dedication makes for a very positive programming catalog as the organization is able to shift gears quickly and focus on immediate and ever-changing community needs.
The story of Lydia Place is a love letter between the community and the more than 300 homeless families it serves every year, and this event showcases the history and future of that very theme. “I’m thrilled we are able to keep the event in Downtown,” said Lydia Place Development and Outreach Director Shultzie Willows. “Like so many of the services our organization offers, the heartbeat of our community lives in Downtown Bellingham. So many individuals have come together to make Handbags for Housing possible. We live in an incredible community that believes so strongly in its people.”
Because of the involvement and support from the City of Bellingham, and other local partners, this year’s Handbags for Housing is seeing big changes and exciting growth. With an emphasis on expansion of its runway show, new partnerships with sponsors, and an integration of retail and exhibit vendors, the evening event is set to break records and prove the impact our community can have when it comes together in the spirit of fun and philanthropy.
Tickets, sponsorship, and handbag donations available by visiting handbagsforhousing.com.
“I’m really busy,” Perigo says, nodding, “but it’s better than the contrary.”
In just his third full year of teaching, Perigo has proven himself an effective educator who gains the respect of his students and keeps his classroom of 10- and 11-year-olds successfully on task — most of the time.
And he’s found that lessons learned as a baseball coach often translate to the classroom, and vice versa.
Perigo has had great success as both a basketball and baseball coach over the years. Photo courtesy: Nick Perigo.
Born and raised in Bellingham, Perigo attended Roosevelt Elementary and grew up in the Texas Street neighborhood.
“Our apartment backed right up onto Roosevelt Park, so I’ve seen some stuff,” he says with a wry smile. “I really try to keep the perspective I got from that.”
The summer before third grade, Perigo made a new friend in Jeremy Hirschkorn. Little did those two boys know that they would become best friends, one day be roommates, and grow up to coach side-by-side for some of Whatcom County’s most talented young baseball players.
“I decided I wanted to be a teacher when I was in seventh grade,” Perigo says. “I’d always wanted to be a paramedic, but then I had a phenomenal seventh-grade teacher and changed my mind.”
Perigo began attending the Bellingham Boys and Girls Club when he was 14, not long after the facility opened its doors next to Roosevelt Park.
“Fourteen is kind of late,” he admits, “but there was really nothing else in the neighborhood to do.”
Another thing he came to late? Baseball.
“I became a baseball fan in eighth grade,” he says. “I’d watch on TV and score games at home.” He felt he was already too old to start playing the game. “In hindsight, I wish I’d done it differently, but I decided I was going to just be a fan of the game.”
“I’m always going to use some sports metaphors in the classroom,” says Perigo, “because that’s my frame of reference.” Photo credit: Stacee Sledge
Meanwhile, as a member of the Boys and Girls Club, Perigo landed leadership opportunities that took him twice to Florida as a representative of the Club. He became a Club employee at 16 and worked there during summers in high school.
“When I was 18 and working at the Boys and Girls Club, they needed a coach for a sixth-grade basketball team. I never played a game of basketball in my life!” Perigo says, laughing. “But I had a blast. And it really reaffirmed the idea of teaching for me.”
Perigo applied to Western Washington University after graduating from Bellingham High School. “I’m a close-to-home kind of person,” he says, “and I figured, well, we have a great university right here.”
He began the coursework to be a high school math teacher but hit a snag when he reached multi-variable calculus.
“I needed to reevaluate,” he says with a laugh. “Someone said, ‘You could teach elementary school,’ and I said, ‘No way.’”
Perigo was still working at the Boys and Girls Club, in athletics, and volunteering to coach both basketball and baseball. He switched to a major in recreation with a minor in business administration — but teaching remained in the back of his mind.
After graduating in December 2009 — his father, a custodian at Western for 20 years, handed him his diploma — Perigo was appointed athletic coordinator at the Bellingham Boys and Girls Club.
Perigo coaches alongside childhood friend Jeremy Hirschkorn (left) and Inside Pitch owner Brandon Hundt (far right) in 2012. Photo courtesy: Nick Perigo.
His coaching also moved to a new level as he led a basketball team of eighth graders through an undefeated season, and then coached a 12U summer baseball team (many of whom he’d now coached in basketball and baseball for two to three years) to a state championship.
“So I said, ‘All right — I’m going to finish on that,” Perigo says of clinching the state title alongside co-coach Pat Check.
He set his sights on continuing with the Boys and Girls Club, with a goal to transition into executive leadership. He came very close to starting a graduate program in leadership at Gonzaga.
“And I don’t know exactly what it was, but I realized that I had to teach,” he says. He changed direction again and returned to Western to get his post-baccalaureate teaching certificate, with hopes of teaching social studies and coaching at the high school level.
An advisor knew the competition on that exact path would be extremely tough, and suggested he would find greater success and be able to stay here in Bellingham as a male teaching in elementary. After thinking about it and discussing with friends, family and colleagues, Perigo made the leap.
Around the same time, Perigo got a call from Brandon Hundt, owner of Inside Pitch, who wanted to know if he might be interested in coaching a new competitive baseball program, Cascade Crush.
Perigo has been involved with the Bellingham branch of the Boys & Girls Club since becoming a member at age 14 and working for the organization for many years. Photo courtesy: Nick Perigo.
“I tell you what,” Perigo says, smiling. “Getting a call from a guy who played baseball in the minor leagues, to help coach with him is one of the more flattering things I’ve ever experienced. Brandon was head coach and Jeremy coached, as well.”
Flash forward five years later and 14 kids that were on Perigo’s first Crush team are now seniors in high school — some of the same kids Perigo coached in his early days at the Boys and Girls Club. And 10 of them are heading to college athletic programs this fall; nine playing baseball (including Austin Shenton), and one playing football (Taylor Rapp).
He’s modest about his part in their success. “I just feel so fortunate that I got to be along for that ride,” he says. “Here were these phenomenal kids who were so coachable; I hope I imparted something to them.”
Perigo completed his student teaching at Bellingham’s Lowell Elementary in June 2013, and then moved to Silver Beach Elementary as a replacement for a teacher on maternity leave; he was offered a permanent spot the following year.
Always one to challenge himself and look ahead, Perigo started a master’s degree at Western in January of 2015 and will do an internship at Silver Beach with principal Nicole Talley.
He tells a story from his high school days when he interviewed his principal, Steve Clark, for a writing project. “He asked me what I wanted to do with my life and I said, ‘At some point, I want to take your job.’”
As both a coach and teacher, Nick Perigo is putting his leadership skills to the test while working on a master’s degree in leadership from Western Washington University. Photo credit: Stacee Sledge
Perigo likes to be busy and continues to coach Crush. He’s also added sports officiating to his list of passions, working football games at the Boys and Girls Club and varsity high school matches.
Unsurprisingly, he often uses sports themes in the classroom, to great effect. For instance, every student in his class this spring — including those not interested in sports — enjoyed using March Madness brackets to learn about statistics.
“I work hard to get to know each individual kid,” Perigo says, “I have 27 unique students in here, and I work hard to get to know each individual kid. At the same time, I’m going to use some sports metaphors — that’s my frame of reference.”
Considering the success he’s helped direct on so many fields over the years, it’s clearly a fantastic approach.
Ken admires an old-growth cedar on the Baker River Trail. Photo courtesy: Ken Wilcox.
Like many Bellinghamsters, I first came across Ken Wilcox’s “Hiking Whatcom County” guide at Village Books. Signed copies were on display, complete with the bookstore’s signature handwritten recommendation hanging below. The 5th edition of the book, published in 2006, has accompanied me on many hikes throughout the county ever since. From Lookout Mountain to Racehorse Falls, Ken covers dozens of lesser-known trails in his guide, making it invaluable to any Whatcom hiker. And after 10 years, “Hiking Whatcom County” is getting a long-anticipated overhaul.
“The first edition hit the shelves in early 1987,” Ken says. “Amazingly, people actually bought it.”
After moving to Bellingham in the early 1980s to attend Western Washington University, Ken began hiking extensively throughout the county. He never dreamt of writing a hiking guide. Then one day, a coworker suggested it. “You should write a book. You know all of these places, why don’t you write a book?”
Nearly 30 years later, “Hiking Whatcom County” is going into its 6th edition. Expanded and completely rewritten, the guide contains 125 trails from the Cascades to the coast. “I totally rewrote the book and tried to use as many new photos and maps as I could,” Ken explains. This new edition will be released May 27, 2016, at a Village Books author event, kicking off Ski to Sea weekend.
Meet Ken Wilcox, author of “Hiking Whatcom County,” during a book signing at Village Books on May 27. Photo courtesy: Ken Wilcox.
Researching and writing a local guidebook is an ambitious undertaking; even more so for someone who lives across the country. Ken relocated to Alexandria, Virgina for work five years ago — which is perhaps the chief reason why “Hiking Whatcom County” hasn’t been updated in a decade. However, Ken visits Whatcom County often. “Every time I’m out there I’d be out hiking around, taking photos and taking notes,” Ken shares. “Wish I could have spent more time up in the North Cascades. There are still a couple hikes up there that I haven’t been on for awhile.”
For those elusive North Cascade trails that Ken wasn’t able to reach, he turned to local friends, the US Forest Service, and other land managers for the most up-to-date information. One such trail — Little Jack Mountain — is among Ken’s favorites. “It’s all south facing, and it’s got these really big meadows up high so it tends to flower earlier than a lot of the high country. It’s a nice way to go when you get warm weather in early summer. In June, it feels like August,” Ken says.
Hannegan Peak is another of Ken’s favorite high country, wildflower-strewn trails in Whatcom County. Its favorable features include excellent views from 6,200 feet — a “sea of mountains” in Ken’s words — and minimal crowds. Ken shares, “I’ve never been up there when it’s been at all crowded. You’ll run into people, but not like going to Table Mountain.”
Hiking near the 6,200-foot top of Hannegan Peak. Photo courtesy: Ken Wilcox.
As an outdoor recreation planner, Ken was hired by Whatcom County Parks to develop a trail plan for the Chuckanuts in the mid-1990s. He played an important part in the eventual creation of many trails, including the Rock Trail. Ken explains, “One of the priorities was to connect the overlook up on top of Cleator Road down to Lost Lake. And we had kind of stumbled on this corridor that was really beautiful.” The plan was finalized in 1996. However, another decade passed before the Rock Trail’s construction started rolling.
Ken explains, “I finally approached the state parks manager about building this trail as a volunteer project. So it was sometime in 2010 that we had it flagged, and took the manager and his staff and walked the corridor to show them what we had in mind.” The manager was sold, and Ken got the green light to start building the Rock Trail. Unfortunately, he also received a great job offer in Washington DC around the same time, prompting him to move east. But that didn’t stop Ken from continuing his work here in Whatcom County.
“I was out there a lot, so I thought well heck, I’m gonna do it. I’ll just take some vacation days, we’ll schedule work parties whenever I can come out there. So it took like two years,” Ken says. He took the lead on building the Rock Trail’s upper half, while the Washington Trails Association — with a volunteer crew led by Arlen Bogaards — built the lower half. Ken gives credit where it’s due. “We had lots of volunteers from the Mount Baker Club and Bellingham Mountaineers. REI gave us a grant to pay for all that lumber for the stairs,” Ken says. Today, the Rock Trail is arguably one of the finest trails in Larrabee State Park.
More than 100 steps were used to construct the Rock Trail.
When asked what he most enjoys about his work, Ken’s answer is simple. “Field work,” Ken replies. “Getting out there and being on the trail. When you’re consulting or writing, you’re spending a lot of time in front of the computer and that can get old sometimes. But field work is pretty hard to beat.”
Join Ken May 27, 2016, at Village Books for the release of his new book, “Hiking Whatcom County, 6th Edition.” Happy trails!
Over the summer, college students living in Bellingham and Whatcom County can gain valuable work experience as a member of the WhatcomTalk writing team. Join our team of paid, professional writers and craft stories over the summer. Enjoy the flexibility to build a portfolio of published work this summer while being paid for each assignment.
WhatcomTalk publishes positive stories about people, businesses and organizations doing good things around Bellingham and Whatcom County. Our stories are published online and distributed via social media to over 39,000 Facebook followers. Our platform reaches more than 300,000 viewers each month — people that want to know about great things happening around us.
Job Requirements:
High school diploma or equivalent plus planned enrollment in the fall at an accredited technical school, community college, or university
Proven experience creating error-free articles on deadline
Ability to interview and interface with local people
Skills to snap quick photographs during interviews to submit with stories
Initiative to pitch story ideas on a monthly basis
Sincere passion for sharing the positive stories happening in our community
Dog owners can now purchase locally made artisan dog products by Two Terriers at local retailers, including the Bellingham Whole Foods Market.
Two Terriers is a Bellingham-based business that provides locally made artisan dog products, including 100 percent pure beef nutritional supplements, pumpkin peanut butter biscuits and Castile soap shampoo products.
Their 100 percent pure beef is made with Pacific Northwest grown and humanely raised cattle from Yakima. Dog owners can choose from canned heart, liver or kidney. The Two Terriers family hand trims, packs and cans each beef product in glass jars.
Katya Szirom, spokesperson for Two Terriers, said each meat is a super-packed source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy dog. While she advises dog owners to check with their trusted veterinarian about their dog’s nutritional needs, she encourages dog owners to try each of the 100 percent pure beef products, as each meat provides its own set of nutrients.
Two Terriers is a family with four dogs. They want their dogs to live a long healthy life and wish the same for dog-loving consumers, Szirom said. The Two Terriers founder started the company in an effort to provide dog owners with products that use natural and minimal ingredients. All ingredients used in Two Terriers products are made for human consumption. They also focus on sustainable packaging and manufacturing. Making products locally, without the need to transport goods via air or sea, leads to a smaller carbon footprint. They encourage consumers to recycle or reuse their glass jar packaging.
Meet Two Terriers at the upcoming Mt. Baker Kennel Dog Show from May 20 – 23 in Lynden. Entry is free, and doors open at 8 a.m.
For more information on Two Terriers products, or to check for demo dates at local retailers, visit twoterriersinc.com.
Join the Pickford Film Center during its presentation of Josh Fox's new film, "How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things that Climate Can’t Change," on Sunday, May 22. Photo courtesy: Pickford Film Center.
Josh Fox is bringing his new film, “How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things that Climate Can’t Change,” to Bellingham at the Pickford Film Center on Sunday, May 22 with a 4:00 p.m. screening.
The Oscar Nominated director Josh Fox (GASLAND) continues in his deeply personal style, investigating climate change as the greatest threat our world has ever known. The film is visiting Bellingham as part of a 100 city national tour with a mission to stop the mass build out of oil and gas infrastructure and expedite the transition to renewable energy alternatives.
The film features climate movement leaders Bill McKibben, Tim DeChristopher and the Pacific Climate Warriors. Traveling to 12 countries on six continents, the film acknowledges that it may be too late to stop some of the worst consequences and asks, what is so deep within us that no calamity can take it away?
Tabling of local climate action groups will begin at 3:00 p.m. with the movie starting at 4:00 p.m., followed by a Q&A by Josh Fox after the movie. Tickets for the screening ($10.75 general admission, $7.50 for PFC members) must be purchased in advance at the box office of the Pickford Film Center, the Limelight Cinema, or online.
All are invited to the no-cover after party at The Wild Buffalo immediately following the film with more discussion by Josh Fox and a performance by musical guest Gabriel Meyers.
