Walk around downtown Bellingham and you’ll notice right away the city is full of interesting architectural details. Old buildings with long-gone owners house trendy boutiques and chic restaurants now, but there’s a yesteryear story, and it’s one you won’t know about unless you take the Downtown Bellingham Historic Tour.
The city launched this self-guided history tour for pedestrians in 2015, covering some 45 buildings and sites that date back to the 1890s. The tour goes back to the first contact between the Nooksack and Lummi tribes and white settlers in 1853, when tidal flats and rocky outcroppings marked the landscape.
Though they’ve long been filled and urbanized, much of the architecture of the old buildings remains the same. The dramatic peaks of Old City Hall (now Whatcom Museum), for example, its 1892 origins carved into one of its turrets, are still a magnificent landmark. At each site there’s interesting detail about the architecture and politics of the time.
During the tour, participants learn that Old City Hall, designed by architect Alfred Lee, was built of brick and Chuckanut. “It was an extravagant Victorian meant to display civic superiority over the rival town of Fairhaven.” But times changed and as the building was nearing its completion, America was sinking into a depression. When the first council meeting was held in the new City Hall in May 1893, the tower had no clock and the interior was still unfinished.
On Holly Street, at the corner of Commercial, we look up at the Romanesque architecture of the Red Front Building, erected in 1900 as a clothing store. Its upper floors operated as the Savoy Hotel from 1915 until the 1960s, and engraved in stone above the building’s front column are the words “Canoe St.,” which mark a time prior to the Commercial street name.
The five-story Chicago style 1912 Bellingham National Bank was once the city’s most prestigious business address. It boasts a semi-circular fanlight over the business lobby entrance and shallow, black cast iron bays, decorative features unusual for Bellingham at the time. Today it’s home to Key Bank.
Pickett Bridge is a rich historical site, too. The unassuming 60-foot long concrete arch on Dupont street crosses Whatcom Creek and was named for Captain George E. Pickett. In 1856, the US Army sent him to oversee the construction of a fort on Bellingham Bay, to protect the four pioneer bay towns against Indian raiders from the north. The bridge he built in 1857 was replaced in 1920 and Pickett’s house, constructed with boards from the Roeder-Peabody mill, is still standing at 910 Bancroft Street.
One site I found particularly fascinating during the tour is a historic photograph of Whatcom Beach at what is today’s Maritime Heritage Park. It was taken in the mid-1890s and depicts the tents and canoes of Lummi and Nooksack Tribes, both of whom used the beach as a seasonal fishing camp. The beach was at the base of a bluff directly below Old City Hall, and it is quite amazing to stand at the same site and compare the 1890s image to the view today, since it’s so vastly different.
The Downtown Bellingham Historic Tour is filled with fascinating historical nuggets, a journey in which past and present intersect vividly.
To enjoy the tour to its full extent, all you’ll need are a few things. If you have a Smart Phone, download the free audio/mobile tour by visiting the City of Bellingham online. If not, print a copy of the booklet online or purchase a bound version from the Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism Office at 1306 Commercial Street, the Whatcom Museum Gift Shop or the Bureau of Historical Investigation. Ensure you’re wearing comfortable footwear, give yourself at least a couple of hours and determine which route you want to take: the 1.25-mile Short Loop or the 2-mile Long Loop.
For more information and to start planning your tour, visit the City of Bellingham online.
It’s that time of year again: Time to hunt all the Easter eggs! Grab a basket and your little ones and head to any of these area events for some wholesome family fun.
All of the following events take place on Saturday, March 26, except where noted.
Bellingham Elks Lodge #194, at 710 Samish Way in Bellingham, hosts a free community Easter egg hunt at 11:00 a.m. Children ages 1-10 years old can search for eggs, with each age group being staggered. Eggs will be hidden outside, weather permitting, and the Easter Bunny will be on hand to visit with the children.
Join BelleWood Acres for a whole weekend of Easter Bunny fun, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. On top of a delicious country brunch and continually hunting for eggs (ages 1-12), there will be a petting zoo, pony rides, family photos with the Easter Bunny, face painting, a scavenger trail hunt, and apple bin train rides. The egg hunt is $10 for kids; brunch tickets are $24 for adults and $10 for children under 10. Order tickets online here.
Gather at 10:00 a.m. in Fouts Park at Ellsworth Street and H Street in Bellingham for the 8th annual Lettered Streets Easter egg hunt, which includes a free Easter egg hunt for kids 10 and under, plus a bounce house, crafts, snacks, family photos, and door prizes from local businesses. Sponsored by the Lettered Streets Covenant Church.
Industrial Credit Union and the Ferndale Boys and Girls Club bring their annual Great Community Easter Egg Hunt to Pioneer Field, next to the Ferndale Boys and Girls Club, at 10:00 a.m. Children ages 1 to 12 years old are invited to search for over 6,000 eggs. Bring your camera and snap photos with the Easter Bunny, who will be available from 9:30 a.m. until 30 minutes after the egg hunting ends.
Kids will enjoy Easter egg hunts (at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.), games, face painting, performance and fun at North County Christ the King Community Church, 1835 Liberty Street in Lynden. Over 7,000 candy-filled eggs will be waiting to be discovered. For more information, call 360-318-9446 x133.
Each year, Christ the King Sudden Valley organizes a community-wide Easter egg hunt and hot dog roast at the Sudden Valley Dance Barn, 8 Barn View Drive. Easter egg hunts for babies through 12-year-olds begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by field games hosted by the Sudden Valley YMCA.
Egg Hunt in the Pool – 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, 1114 Potter Street in Bellingham. Suit up the kids and let them search for eggs hidden underwater! Children six years and under require an adult to accompany them in the pool. Regular admission costs cover this fun event.
Come meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy a free Easter egg hunt at Sumas Park, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
CTK Ferndale hosts its annual Easter egg hunt at 11:15 a.m. in the field next to the church. 5627 3rd Avenue in Ferndale. There will be three age divisions for kids 1 to 12 years old. More than 3,000 eggs will be stuffed with candy, toys, prizes and cash! Free coffee and hot cocoa available.
Imagine more than 4,000 eggs full of candy and raffle tickets for $18,000 in prizes hidden on the slopes of Mount Baker for kids (and adults) of all ages to find. Find the one Golden Egg and you’re the winner of a 2016-2017 Mt. Baker Season Pass. The hunt begins when the lifts open at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.mtbaker.us.
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Boundary Bay Brewery, 1107 Railroad Avenue in Bellingham. Enjoy brunch and an Easter egg hunt – at 11:00 a.m., sharp! – in Boundary Bay’s beer garden, geared toward the little ones. Available to brunch participants only, reserve a spot between 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. by calling the brewery at 360-647-5593. Cost: $24 per person, $12 kids 6-10 years old, $18 seniors, and free for kids 5 years and under (with purchase of adult meal).
The wonderfully eclectic and original iDiOM Theater announced that it will relocate this summer, after 14 years at its Cornwall Avenue location, to a new Whatcom County arts community hub, Sylvia Center for the Arts.
Founded by Glenn Hergenhahn-Zhao in 2001, the iDiOM Theater has premiered hundreds of original plays by accomplished artists who live in or have deep ties to the Bellingham area.
The theater is known for its irreverent and creatively unique productions and its nurturing of up-and-coming talent, including writers, directors and actors.
The theater became a non-profit in 2009 and shortly afterward began considering a move. Space became a limiting factor in the existing Cornwall Avenue location as the theater grew its audience and productions. “iDiOM will be drastically changing what we’re doing,” explains Artistic Director, Glenn Hergenhahn-Zhao. “When we make the jump to the new space, we’ll go from our existing seasons of 42 to 44 weekends of performances to 20. We’ll put focus on fewer productions…and what that does is…it makes the vast majority of the weekend open for other people in the community to use the space, which was our hope.”
The need for performing arts space in the Bellingham area is not new. Back in 1992, a long-term city planning report by the Regional Urban Design Assistance Team included in its recommendations the need for the development of a central arts district and facility. The report suggests the former Cascade Laundry building at 205 Prospect Street as an ideal location. It’s no coincidence that this building will be the future location of Sylvia Center, just a few blocks from iDiOM’s current location.
Other arts organizations — including a number of veteran and new theater and dance production companies — have also been in need of performance space. In 2013, Kuntz and Company led an indiegogo.com campaign that raised over $50,000 but fell short of its $300,000 goal needed to create a 200-seat performing arts venue on Commercial Street. That effort may have paved the way for Sylvia Center. “I am excited about the possibilities this arts center brings to our community and I look forward to supporting Glenn’s efforts in realizing this space,” says Kuntz and Company Founder and Artistic Director, Pam Kuntz.
Although Sylvia Center could open as soon as May for classes and rehearsals, many details have yet to be solidified. “We’ve been doing a delicate dance with this project to try to get it far enough along that we could bring people into the fold,” explains Hergenhahn-Zhao, “but we purposely left as many details out as possible so that we can bring other people from the performing arts community into the conversation. That includes the design of the facilities, and the calendar, and what organizations are going to be utilizing the space.”
Sylvia Center hopes to include members of the dance, theater and music communities as well as other forms of performance, including storytelling, literary events, speakers, festivals, circus acts and anything else the community might need.
More than 80 people came out for the February 27 announcement, which officially introduced Sylvia Center for the Arts. The center is named for Sylvia Scholtz, a lifelong supporter of the arts and front-row-center patron of the iDiOM for almost every show of its early years while she was in her 80’s.
“[Sylvia] was a remarkably energetic person…. If you were going to pick someone as a symbol of personal support of the iDiOM, she’s a good choice…The iDiOM, and Glenn, and Krissa [Woiwod] meant a ton to her. She was incredibly proud of it for Bellingham and interested in its progress,” remembers Sylvia’s grandson, Mallard Ice Cream Owner, Ben Scholtz.
“…it was refreshing that Sylvia was very, very encouraging of experimentation and taking risks in theater and the arts,” adds Hergenhahn-Zhao.
Built in 1966, the renovated Cascade Laundry building will include two new theaters — a 75-seat Studio Theater and a 160-seat Main Stage Theater. Seating in the smaller Studio Theater will be flexible to accommodate a range of theater, dance, music and other special event performances beginning in fall 2016. The space will include a dance floor and sets will be moveable to allow use for classes and rehearsals. “The Studio Space is a little further along in development because it’s simpler and it will be open soon,” notes Hergenhahn-Zhao.
Soundproofing is planned so that productions can run simultaneously with the Main Stage Theater, without mutual disturbance from the planned café and bar space that will include a live music venue. “We’re still talking to community members about their needs and incorporating that into the design of the Main Stage, making it as flexible as possible,” explains Hergenhahn-Zhao.
The Main Stage that is slated to be ready for use in February 2017 will use a modified thrust stage design and raked seating that allows for quality viewing from any seat and variation for each production. Acoustics are planned to be suitable for both amplified and unamplified sound.
The new space will also feature an art gallery and a large green room for actors and performers, an element especially limited at iDiOM’s existing space. Both theaters will be equipped with state-of-the-art lighting.
“Phase two will include additional classroom, rehearsal and event space, sound-proof music practice space and non-profit office space, and video and photography studios upstairs,” adds Hergenhahn-Zhao.
Sylvia Center for the Arts has a long, hard, exciting road ahead of her. The total cost of the project will be $1.4 million, which includes $400,000 the building’s landlords will contribute in building updates, plus $350,000 of seismic work, and $100,000 of tenant improvements that will go toward the center’s eventual restaurant. iDiOM will be holding fundraising efforts in the coming months to help cover the remaining $550,000 needed to complete the project.
The iDiOM will finish out its fourteenth season of daring, innovative productions at the Cornwall Avenue location before saying goodbye in June. But that sadness will be fleeting as iDiOM embraces its 2016-2017 season at the vibrant, new Sylvia Center.
Submitted by Whatcom County Library System
While the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is well-known for offering print books, audiobooks and DVDs, over the last few years they’ve also added an impressive list of digital services to their offerings. However, a survey of local residents found that most county residents are unaware of these library services.
Because of this, WCLS is kicking-off a “My Modern Library” campaign that promotes newer services, like eBooks, eAudiobooks, music streaming and downloads, and online language tutorials — all of which can be accessed from home. Residents can now register for library cards online, too.
“For us, this campaign not only represents the hard work we’ve invested in making the library more relevant and accessible, it will also help transform how people perceive public libraries,” said WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins. “Instead of regarding libraries as old-school shelves of books, they’ll see we offer dynamic, relevant materials that help connect and educate the community in the modern world.”
WCLS staff hope their new “My Modern Library” campaign will increase public awareness of the library’s services and boost the number of county (outside the City of Bellingham) households with library cards from 44% to 55% over the next few years.
“We’ll be doing some really unique things this year to involve and educate the community, including an online giveaway, interactive social media campaigns, and a tablet scavenger hunt,” said Perkins. “Ultimately, our goal is to get at least one library card into every household in Whatcom County. We believe by showcasing our newer digital services that can be easily accessed from home, we’ll attract more local residents — particularly millennials — to the library.”
Learn more about the My Modern Library campaign and register for a WCLS card at www.wcls.org/digital-services.
“I’ve seen a lot,” Alex ‘Lex’ Bannister says as he describes his Cincinnati childhood, where he and three siblings grew up in rough neighborhoods surrounded by drugs and violence. “We came up kind of hard.”
Lex’s parents divorced when he was a toddler. He lived with his mother and saw his father on weekends. He was surrounded by alcoholism and drug use on his father’s side of the family.
“My cousin was murdered at 19, shot five times over drugs and bullying,” Lex says. “I’ve seen the effects of drugs, my father being drunk and high.”
His mother, who is white, raised her three bi-racial boys in black, urban neighborhoods. “Cincinnati was very segregated,” Lex explains, “more like the South. And that’s how bad it could be, at that time. Living in a white neighborhood wasn’t an option.”
From a difficult upbringing that included rat- and roach-infested homes with no running water and windows painted shut on sweltering summer nights, Lex eventually escaped through sports — making it all the way to the NFL.
“I didn’t have time to make excuses,” Lex says of making his way out of Cincinnati. Instead, he worked hard. “You can’t make excuses because then you’re going to fail; you’re not going to make it out. And a lot of people don’t.”
Lex was five years old when he turned to sports. “We’d go outside and play with all the neighborhood kids,” he says. “We were always active.” They played a lot of football, and typically they played on cement.
“I grew up with my older brother and his friends who played football and I wanted to play with them,” Lex remembers. He was short at the time — not to mention several years younger — but he was always picked because he was fast and athletic.
“I remember tackling my brother, who was eight years older than me, on the cement and he quit because he was bleeding,” Lex says with a laugh.
Lex also played soccer from a young age, landing on a select team for Coca-Cola at age 10.
“My mom did a hell of a job raising all of us,” he says. “She always made sure I went to practice and took me to all my games.”
In high school, Lex played football and ran track — even though his school didn’t have a practice field.
“We were the only school in the entire city that didn’t have its own practice place,” he says. They ran laps around the school and through the hallways and walked a mile to an abandoned park, where they painted football lines on the grass.
Lex walked onto the football team at Eastern Kentucky University where he finally had access to a small weight room. “We didn’t have any dumbbells for the first couple years,” he says, “but we did have two squat racks and two little mats where you could do Olympic lifting.”
During his first three years, Lex says he got some honorable mentions, but he wasn’t on anyone’s radar as a football player. That changed during the spring of his junior year when NFL scouts visited for Pro Day.
When Lex — who was also on the track team — ran a 40 in 4.22 seconds, the scouts noticed.
“They had me run it again,” he says, “and I ran a 4.38. That put me on the radar.”
His senior year, he was two catches and 30 yards away from breaking every receiving record the school had. He went to the Senior Bowl and was invited to the NFL Combine.
The Seahawks selected Lex in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL draft, where he played until 2005.
“As a kid, I always felt I was going to be in the NFL — even when I was sitting on the bench in high school,” Lex says. “That was always my goal. I got drafted on my birthday; that was a good gift.”
Lex talks with fondness about his time with the Seattle Seahawks. He’s proud — and rightly so — to have been chosen All-Pro, All-Decade, and voted three-time special teams captain.
“Being voted special teams captain, for me, was just as important as going to the Pro Bowl because it showed how much my teammates respected me and valued what I did,” he says.
But looking back, Lex doesn’t define himself as a former NFL player.
“The NFL didn’t create me, I just happened to be good enough to play in the NFL,” he says. “Alex Bannister was already defined. You learn from all the chapters of your life, of course, but I was a man before I was a football player.”
For the past six years, he has been a personal trainer here in Whatcom County, alongside his wife, Joy — and he believes this has been his gift to share with others all along. For several years, they operated Lex Bannister Fitness in Bellingham’s Haskell Business Park, leading large classes and offering circuit training. They now offer one-on-one training sessions out of a private gym.
“In addition to being an incredible trainer, he’s an amazing person,” says Katie Skipper, a current client.
Skipper started working out with Lex when he and Joy still owned and operated Lex Bannister Fitness.
“I was blown away by the workouts he put together for us, the confidence he had in me to do things I never thought I could do, and how fast I was getting in shape.”
Skipper says Lex’s training approach clearly has deep roots in overcoming his tough conditions as a kid, as well as having a pro-athlete mentality.
“Language around giving up or slacking during workouts doesn’t seem to even be part of his vocabulary,” she says. Lex recently shot a short video of Skipper during a workout and as she watched it, she was struck by his constant patter of encouragement and correction, followed by more encouragement.
“There is no way I could do what I’m doing on my own; the guy has something magic going on,” she continues. “I walk out of that gym feeling powerful, excited and grateful for the beautiful life I have. What an incredible gift.”
Lex wants people to understand that there’s no weakness in asking for help in getting fit and healthy. “It can take somebody else to lead you, to get the best out of you,” he says, “and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
But he also stresses that he isn’t in this to make friends — he’s doing it to help improve peoples’ lives.
“I’m not there to be buddy-buddy and cater to your ego,” he says. “Now, I’m not a mean guy, I’m not gonna yell at you — but when you walk through my doors, you know what I expect of you.”
Lex describes himself as hard-nosed, disciplined and diligent. And he doesn’t accept excuses from anyone, including himself. As long as you do your best, he’s fine with that.
“I can change lives if you give me the opportunity. You’ll work hard,” he says, “but I have the gift of making you work harder.”
Submitted by BelleWood Acres
On Friday, March 11, John Belisle of BelleWood Acres and Justin Hawkinson of Crave Catering will collaborate on the first of four in a Dynamic Distillery Dinner series. The Mad Hatter, Master of Ceremonies, will mark the seasonal change from winter to spring with poetry, story and song. Attendees will enjoy a 4-course meal paired with BelleWood superior spirits. While John and Justin delight you with their magic, guests will have the opportunity to talk with farmer Michael Dietering of Chubby Bunny Farm about sourcing local alternative meat and our area’s regional abundance of salad greens. Vartanyan Wine will also be in attendance with a variety of regional wines specially selected to complement the meal.
Spring: As the seasons change, we get together to toast new beginnings and look forward to the warmer months to come. Spring on the farm is our chance to showcase the first ingredients of the year. It is a chance to gather your family and friends and enjoy the sun after a long winter.
Taste: Start the night out with our succulent rabbit with a sweet honey glaze. Then to follow is a wonderful salad of bitter rockette, sweet pea shoots, BelleWood cider-infused figs and salty feta cheese, all tossed with a housemade honey shallot vinaigrette, topped with crunchy toasted pecans. For the main course, our chef is preparing steak and prawns with locally sourced potatoes, parsnips and lacinato kale raab. We suggest that you save room for dessert because we have an unforgettable and delectable molasses cake with ginger and brandy cream that you won’t want to miss.
Sip: All food will be paired with delicious libations featuring brandy, gins and vodkas distilled at BelleWood Acres. Vartanyan wines will be presented to complement the main course.
When: Friday, March 11 | 6:30 p.m.
Where: 6140 Guide Meridian, Lynden, WA 98264 | 360-318-7720
Why: Enjoy an evening of entertainment mixed with education about local food and spirits. Get to know your local farmers and share a delectable meal with your friends and neighbors.
Advance tickets ($62) on sale now at bellewoodfarms.com.
There’s no question that the popularity — and variety — of Whatcom County food trucks has skyrocketed in recent years. And we’re the lucky recipients of the terrific trend.
Whether you’re grabbing dinner from a food truck at one of our area breweries or swing by your favorite taco truck on the regular for lunch, there are options — and locations — galore. Here are just a few that make our mouths water.
Check out the links to each food truck below to find out where they’re parked and when or how to hire them to cater your special event. Our local breweries, like Wander and Kulshan, also do a fantastic job of helping you scope out the usual spot of your favorite food truck, with calendars of who will be where and when.
Keep in mind that some trucks are only open seasonally, so check in at their websites or Facebook pages before you go in search of eats.
StrEAT Food has been serving up a variety of delicious dishes since 2010, from creative burgers and sandwiches to gyros, falafel and so much more. StrEAT Food also has a cafe in the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, so if you’re not at one of their regular spots — both Kulshan breweries, Wander, and Samuel’s Furniture in Ferndale — you can still get your StrEAT Food fix.
Besides having arguably the best food truck name (this is subjective, of course, and we respect your right to prefer your own favorite food truck moniker), Hot Mess Food Truck also has Philly cheesesteaks, original-style and with tantalizing toppings. Best known for these magnificent mess-making beauties, they also dish up other rotating sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and the like.
I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the judges for the 2015 Bite of Bellingham, where the “People’s Choice” award went to Deli’cious Mischief’s Willy B’s: a crab-stuffed, bacon-wrapped prawn with a special Hollandaise sauce. Yup. Deli’cious Mischief dishes up an array of inventive specialty sandwiches and much more, from fish and chips to calzones.
Highway 542-Go is known for its “beer box,” variations of which include barbecue pulled pork, onions and cheddar cheese served over a pile of fries. They’re also known to offer falafel, beef or veggie burgers, hummus platters, pork or chicken quesadillas and more.
Barlean’s Fishery has its own food truck dubbed Peg Leg Dave’s. Hankering for fabulous fish and chips? Head out to the fishery on Slater Road in Ferndale between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and dig in — no fishing pole required.
Barbeque, barbecue or BBQ. It doesn’t matter how you spell it, if you’re a meat-eater, our area barbecue trucks will have your mouth watering.
I once found myself driving behind the JT’s Smokin’ BBQ truck on a sunny afternoon. The aroma alone almost made me purposely miss my turn just so I could keep enjoying the barbecue smell. You’ll find JT’s at Kulshan Brewery on James Street on Sundays, and catering private events.
Danielle’s Back East BBQ also impressed me at the Bite. Their truck is found outside Wander Brewing on Sundays, and like many area food trucks, you can also hire them to cater your event.
Pizza just makes perfect, portable sense, doesn’t it? (Then again, so do hot dogs.)
Goat Mountain Pizza has been serving up fantastic ’za in downtown Bellingham since 2012, selling square slices by the pound in a variety of expected and unexpected flavor combinations — all of them fantastic. You’ll also find its truck out and about, selling the same scrumptious slices.
When I moved to Bellingham 20 years ago, Cicchitti’s was a hopping downtown pizza spot. After many successful years in the pizza business, they found that their food truck business surpassed the brick-and-mortar location, so that’s where you’ll find Cicchitti’s now, serving up pizza, hoagies, grinders and more at different locations all around town.
Pizza’zza has long been a favorite for pizza, plus burgers and other scrumptious sandwiches. Now they’re jumping into the food truck fray with Pizza’zza Mobile. Pizza’zza has always focused on community, organic ingredients and supporting local vendors, so it’s no surprise that a crowd-funding campaign to help them build their food truck locally was not only reached, but shot past their intended goal.
Did the food truck craze originate with the taco truck? If it didn’t, don’t even tell me, because I want all the glory to go to these south-of-the-border wonders. The list of local taco trucks is long and I’ve yet to find one I didn’t like. Here are just a few options: Tacos Tecalitlan at the corner of the Guide and Smith Road, Chihuahua’s Taco Truck, and Diego’s Mexican Grill.
Mexican is a popular food truck staple, to be sure, but you’ll also find other ethnicities represented in Whatcom County. The Rickshaw serves up Asian, Hawaiian and Thai flavors. Look no further than the sublime Simmering Tava for Indian delights. Want German eats? Search out the Kermit Dogs Bratwurst Cart for fantastic Kulshan-infused bratwurst and sausages handcrafted at Carne, right here in Bellingham. Also serving up German eats is Schweinhaus Biergarten, with bratwurst, Nurnberger, weisswurst and more. Papou’s Gyros brings the Greek.
As a counterbalance to the slew of spectacular savory food truck options, there are also trucks dedicated solely to the sweet stuff. Though it took the last couple summers off (and lent its truck to Simmering Tava in the meanwhile), Mallard Ice Cream’s The Duckling plans to return this summer. Sugar Shack’s ice cream truck is also a favorite. Hank and Bubby’s serves 12 flavors of Edaleen Dairy ice cream can be rented for any occasion and is often parked at Bellingham Bells games.
How’s that for plenty of transportable dining options? And this isn’t even all of them! Check out BellinghamFoodTrucks.com for an extensive list of every food truck wandering around Whatcom County.
A one-year hiatus from the state boys basketball tournament was plenty long enough for Sterling Somers and his Lynden teammates.
Thanks to the steady play of the team’s senior trio combined with some big plays in the fourth quarter from youngsters Christian Zamora and James Marsh, the Lions were able to exorcism some demons caused by last year’s uncharacteristic early postseason exit.
“Coach asked the seniors to say something before the game and I said I remember going home this night last year after our season-ending loss,” Somers said. “That’s not how we wanted to see last season end. That game has been a motivator for us ever since.”
Freshman Zamora scored a team-high 13 points, Somers chipped in 11 and Lynden kept its quest for another state championship alive with a 57-51 victory over Liberty of Issaquah in the Class 2A regional round.
“Some people in Lynden think it is your birth right to go to state, but we know it’s hard, especially with regional format with eight teams. For us now, we have won three straight loser-out games,” Lynden coach Brian Roper said. “We did that because we have some tough, competitive kids.”
Up next for the Lions (23-2) will be the state tournament March 3-5 at the Yakima Valley SunDome where the will look to capture the program’s ninth state championship.
Zamora was one of four Lynden players to score in double figures as the Lions also received 10 points from both senior Jordan Wittenberg and freshman Marsh.
The team’s third senior, Noah King, finished with six points, and drained a 3-pointer with less than two minutes remaining in the contest to push Lynden’s lead to 55-47.
“They were determined to take Sterling away. That was their game plan and they executed it well,” Roper said. “We have a basketball team with multiple guys who can shoot and score. I never thought we would be running plays for freshmen at the end of the fourth quarter of a regional game, but that seemed to be our best match-up. Those two guys delivered down the stretch. They are not freshmen anymore. We told them they are veterans.”
Zamora, who scored 10 points in the second half, hit back-to-back buckets late in the fourth quarter to give the Lions some breathing room as the Patriots attempted to make a push in the closing moments.
Marsh was equally effective on both ends of the court, providing tough interior defense and hitting a pair of big shots midway through the final frame.
“We’ve really grown as a team since the summer. We saw they could play right away as freshmen,” Somers said about Zamora and Marsh. “They’ve matured over the season and you saw that tonight. They’ve been awesome for us.”
Liberty (13-12) posted an early 11-5 lead before the Lions used an 18-2 run to take a slim 28-25 advantage into the intermission.
The Patriots tied the contest at 33 with less than four minutes left in the third quarter before Lynden closed out the third on a 9-2 run to take a 42-35 lead into the final 8 minutes.
The Lions won 11 straight games before suffering a 63-44 loss to Shorecrest in the semifinals of the district tournament. They responded to the rare setback by winning three consecutive loser-out games, starting with a 61-48 victory over Anacortes, which avenged the team’s only other defeat this season.
“We just rebounded the next day after that defeat at the district tournament and got refocused,” Somers said. “It was just one of those games. I’m happy we had it there than in a loser-bracket.”
Lynden saw its string of three consecutive trips to state come to a surprising end last year after losing in the regional round to Mark Morris, 65-62.
“It’s been in the back of our minds,” Somers said about last season’s playoff loss. “We really haven’t talked about it too much, but it’s there. It’s just served as motivation for us this entire year.”
The Lions’ boys squad will have plenty of company in Yakima as Lynden’s girls basketball team also punched its ticket to the state tournament with a convincing 67-39 victory over Liberty in the regional round.
Elisa Kooiman, who sank four 3-pointers, led all scorers with 21 points while fellow juniors Lauren Zwires and Jasmyne Neria scored 15 and 13 points, respectively, for Lynden (22-2).
The Lions finished sixth at last year’s state tournament, losing to White River (53-44) in the trophy round. It marked the fifth time over the past seven seasons the Lynden girls have left state with some hardware. The highlight over that run came in 2009 with a 48-41 win over Archbishop Murphy in the state title game.
Submitted by Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pleased to announce the 9th annual Spring Business Showcase on Thursday, March 17 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Showcase is free to attend and will take place at the Event Center at Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa, located at 4876 Haxton Road in Ferndale.
This business-to-consumer trade show gives the public an opportunity to meet face-to-face with local businesses, watch product demonstrations, and pick up free swag from the vendors. The interaction allows consumers to become more familiar with our vendor businesses and more comfortable visiting their store or making an online purchase.
“As always, we’ll have great giveaways and prize drawings,” said Shelli Jones, Marketing Coordinator at the Chamber. “This year’s grand prize drawing will be two round-trip tickets from Alaska Airlines! The entry form is on the back of the free tickets and can be picked up at any of our participating businesses and dropped off at the event. We’ll also be giving away a 60” LG Smart TV.”
Showcase’s food vendors are a popular attraction. This year, they include Jeckyl and Hyde, Crave Catering and Steakhouse 9. Adult beverages will be provided by Samson Winery and Valley Shine Distillery. The cost is $5 for a tasting glass and ID is required.
KGMI 790 AM has been involved in the Spring Business Showcase since its inception in 2008, broadcasting from the event and serving as a promotional partner. Tracy Ellis from KGMI’s PM Bellingham will be broadcasting live at the event this year.
The event is sponsored by Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa, Print and Copy Factory and KGMI.
The Spring Business Showcase is one of many events the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce provides to help promote its business members.
