The Bellingham at Orchard’s mini Ski to Sea relay will give residents an opportunity to participate in something that’s not only familiar, but offers a connection to friends and neighbors as well.
A number of residents at The Bellingham at Orchard are long-time Whatcom County residents, and so they are familiar with the Ski to Sea Memorial Day Weekend traditions: the parade, festivities, and — of course — the big race. Our mini Ski to Sea relay will give residents an opportunity to participate in something that’s not only familiar, but offers a connection to friends and neighbors as well.
Erin Bean, Activities Director at The Bellingham at Orchard, voices her excitement, “We’re a part of Bellingham and we want to celebrate our small-town quirky culture, too!”
Bean also talks about the importance of this event and what she wants to accomplish for the residents.
“We are hoping to promote a greater sense of community through this fun event. Just like the large scale Ski to Sea relay race, there’s something that binds us to one another when we share a couple of laughs or competitive glances. When we come together and play, we become a part of something greater than ourselves. Those bonds, and those experiences, are so important in forming a sense of community.”
Aging doesn’t mean you lose your sense of adventure, vitality, or your need for community and purpose. That’s why we’re bringing this Bellingham favorite to our residents as we celebrate life, activity and friendship. Hosting this event is also a perfect opportunity to create happy memories for residents and their families who can be overwhelmed with the emotions that often accompany a dementia diagnosis.
The mission of The Bellingham at Orchard is to serve the needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other forms of memory loss. For more information, visit our website at www.thebellinghamatorchard.com or contact Ashley Ward at 360-715-1338.
Tickets for Terri Clark’s grandstand show go on sale to the public at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 3 at www.nwwafair.com.
The driving, passionate country music of Terri Clark will be presented August 21 at the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden.
The eight-time Canadian Country Music Awards’ Entertainer of the Year has also taken home the CCMA Female Vocalist of the Year award five times. She has made her mark on radio with more than 20 singles, including six Number Ones in the United States and Canada – hits such as “Better Things To Do,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” “Girls Lie Too,” and “I Just Wanna Be Mad.”
Clark, who also performed at the Northwest Washington Fair in 2006, has sold over 5 million albums and achieved Gold, Platinum, Double Platinum, and Triple Platinum status as certified by the CRIA and RIAA. The accomplished guitarist has the honor of being the only Canadian female artist to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry. For more information about her, visit www.TerriClark.com.
“Terri Clark was a hit with our fans last time she was here and her popularity has grown since then,” said Jim Baron, general manager of the Northwest Washington Fair.
Tickets for Terri Clark’s grandstand show go on sale to the public at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 3 at www.nwwafair.com. They also will be available then at the fair office, 1775 Front St., Lynden, and by phone at 877-699-FAIR. Prices are $15 each for reserved grandstand seats and $40 for preferred seats.
The Northwest Washington Fair, scheduled August 17 – 22, previously announced that rock band Skillet and special guest Colton Dixon will perform August 20. Tickets for that grandstand show already are on sale.
Maria and Jonny pictured here with their two boys, are the founders of Dandelion Organic Delivery. They are dedicated to offering you fresh, organic produce delivered right to your door.
By Katie Atkins
Soft morning sun settles over the painted blue picnic table outside Dandelion Organic’s red barn. There’s a stacked tower of drying blue and gray totes sitting beside us and faint music can be heard from the dish room through the propped open window. The ricochet of water hitting thick plastic blends in with the radio, as Maria and I sit down in the warmth of the day. Maria is the owner and co-founder of Dandelion Organic Delivery along with her husband Jonny. They deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to the greater Bellingham area and have been doing so for the last eight years.
Maria and Jonny pictured here with their two boys, are the founders of Dandelion Organic Delivery. They are dedicated to offering you fresh, organic produce delivered right to your door.
Maria shares about the roots of their steadily growing business, a business that has expanded immensely since its beginning in May 2007.
They worked with and were customers of a similar business in Seattle which is where the origin of their business model began. They realized they had a different idea for the direction of their business. And so began their journey to Bellingham, where undiscovered opportunities awaited them. A door opened for the couple to move to Bellingham, and as Maria described, “sight unseen, we moved ventured out, not sure what to expect.”
They decided to let Bellingham be the grounds on which to start their new business. Before settling into their new home however, they agreed to stay the better part of three years at Goldmyer Hot springs as caretakers. Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Maria and Jonny, in a small secluded cabin began dreaming and organizing the future of Dandelion Organic Delivery. Their produce delivery company is the first in Bellingham, offering door to door delivery of an assortment of produce.
A newly certified organic farmer, Kal Mozes, is another person you will support with your purchases from Dandelion Organic Delivery.
The joy that Maria shows as she talks about her passion for cooking, family and caring for the environment is evident in her voice. The door to their red warehouse opens and Tanner, one of Dandelion’s four employees steps out to add more clean totes to the tower. Maria introduces Tanner before turning to continue sharing her story.
The direction of our conversation changes course as I ask her where her inspiration comes from. She shares about her sweet grandmother from Greece and how the roots of her company’s name, “Dandelion,” originated from her childhood. She would pick dandelions with her mother and grandmother, cook them up and enjoy the taste and health from this plant that most people assume is simply a weed. Maria grew up on the East Coast and spent most of her time at the family owned restaurant. She was surrounded by the sounds and smells of a bustling business with all the right combinations – food and family.
The roots of this company go much deeper than Maria and Jonny, but stretch all the way over to Greece, where Maria’s family originates from. Her extended family still lives in Greece and owns their own olive grove (olive oil from the heart of Greece can be purchased with your weekly or bi-weekly tote).
Dandelion Organic always gets great feedback when they are able to get the local shiitake mushrooms. Thanks to Alex and his crew at Cascadia Mushrooms for providing such a great item for the menu.
The beautiful history of Dandelion Organic Delivery is now scribbled in my yellow notepad, as Maria and I stand up to take a walk around their property off Marine Drive.
At this point, I am already fully convinced their company has the perfect idea, as gravel crunches under our feet. The convenient and affordable services save time and money – perfect for a family of seven or a small house of college girls. You have the ability to choose what you prefer in your bin and how often you’d like it delivered as well as decide if you want all fruit, all vegetables or a little of both.
The Dandelion Organic staff is dedicated to providing beautiful, fresh and delicious organic produce directly to people’s homes. They strive to be environmentally friendly and aware and are eager to support the local community. Their vision is to create a viable business that is in harmony with the environment, community and their shared desire for well being.
Dandelion Organic is a local, home based, family business serving the Bellingham community.
Here is what a few people are saying about Dandelion Organic: “Hi Jonny and Maria, I just received the veggie bin. The produce looks amazing! I just wanted to say that I have been really enjoying your vegetable delivery. The vegetables and fruits are fresh and delicious. I love the quality you put in the bin and love that they come from our local growers. Thank you so much for doing this business.” –Kagari.
“I also wanted to say how much I appreciate getting our Dandelion box every week. It has made my life so much easier as far as shopping and keeping fresh fruits and vegetables in the house, and our meals have been much better because of it. Thank you for the service you provide!” –Keturah.
To start your organic produce delivery by Dandelion Organic, simply go online or call (360) 933-1130. Fresh bins are headed your way!
Locust Beach is a natural wonderland close to town.
By Laura Rogers
Spectacular natural attractions are everywhere you look in Whatcom County. But our beaches don’t always get the spotlight in the way that Baker or Galbraith or the Chuckanuts do. What’s the key to falling in love with rough-around-the-edges Whatcom beaches, you might ask? Answer: Just go. Once there, the tide pools, the climbing rocks, the views, (in many cases) the solitude, and the wind in your hair will easily win you over. Also, as a parent, I have to say, kids are crazy over beaches. They don’t care if it’s cold and muddy and there is seaweed stuck to their legs. Give them some buckets and shovels, have them catch a tiny crab or two, and you’re golden.
One of the most remarkable things about Whatcom beaches is simply their proximity. I can get a sudden beach-hankering and be at Locust in five minutes. And all of my favorite beaches are less than 20 minutes away. If you are curious about the beaches around this beautiful place, make yourself a beach calendar and hit one every weekend, or take a beach happy hour after work once a week. You won’t regret it. And, bonus, most of them are free!
An abundance of driftwood is up for grabs at Point Whitehorn.
Point Whitehorn – This place is truly magical. I was delighted to discover this relatively new North County beach several years ago when my daughter was tiny. We would head out for the better part of the day, and take our time; my six month old tied to my back, my 2-year-old on his Strider bike. The trail is short – 3/4 of a mile, and flat. It’s forested and marshy and beautiful with quite a few boardwalks scattered throughout the hike.
When the trail ends, there’s a short downhill section to the beach. Emerging onto the expansive beach with island views and dramatic cliff-faces is breathtaking and delicious. Kids will quickly locate all the driftwood – for climbing on, fort building, and….well, you name it. The beach is rocky, but the pristine beauty of the spot more than makes up for it.
Georgia Straight and Vancouver Island are the natural landmarks you’ll see straight ahead and there are about two miles of picturesque beach to be explored. Many times, we even had the beach to ourselves.
Details: No pass needed, ample parking, porta-potty
Directions: From I-5 North, go to the Grandview Exit, head West on Grandview until you’re almost to the water. Parking area and signage for Point Whitehorn are on your left.
Kids (and adults) can’t resist the soft, squishy mud at Locust Beach.
Locust Beach – Locust is an easy favorite in my book. Located just three miles from downtown Bellingham, this beach is a hidden gem. The key to Locust is to watch the tides. Check out the app TideTrac, and visit on a low tide. The resulting beach is something out of a fairytale or a moonwalk. It feels other-worldly. At low-tide the water recedes and leaves a shimmering, ripply, smooth-sand-mud surface to walk across. Without knowing better, you’d think the beachcombers here were walking on water. It’s possible to walk out for what feels like a mile. This effect is due to the area being part of the Nooksack River Delta.
Kids have a ball running around out there and usually can’t resist slinging a little mud. Also, because of the abundance of calm, shallow water at the beach, skimboarders can be seen practicing their stunts nearly every time we go. Up on the beach near the trees and pilings, hammacks are usually out and the college set usually present, but families are there too. The hike to the beach is another easy one: maybe 1/4 of a mile down the trail, including some stairs. Locust is a must-play beach.
Details: No pass needed, limited street parking, no bathroom
Directions: Follow Holly Street to Marine Drive, continue 3 miles to just past Pack-a-Nut and turn left on Locust Ave. Park on the street and heed the parking signage. Walk under the railroad tracks and go right down the trail.
The beach at Larrabee is a local favorite.
Larrabee Beach – Playing at the state park isn’t complete without a walk down to Larrabee Beach and Samish Bay. This is another very compact, kid-friendly hike to the beach. Are you sensing a theme? There is a play structure, grassy romping zone, amphitheater, tunnel, and beach with tide pools, all within a quarter mile of the parking lot.
Once you’re on the beach, there is usually a lot to see. The little cove is full of life. I’ve never been there and not seen a great blue heron hanging out on the rocks. The tide pools are full of tiny crabs and other discover-ables. And, there are, more often than not, kayakers putting in or arriving back. Rock-climbers can even be seen scaling the cliffs, using their ropes and harnesses.
If you want to do more than a simple trip to the beach, there are a lot of options. Many trails take off from Larrabee and there’s camping, fishing, crabbing, and clamming. It’s a hub of adventure!
Details: Discover Pass required – $10 for a day pass, $30 for an annual pass. Bathrooms, playground located on site.
Directions: Take Chuckanut Drive (Hwy 11) South about 9 miles from downtown Bellingham, and look for signs to Larrabee State Park.
Kids simply adore Whatcom beaches.
Boulevard and Taylor Dock – This one might feel like a no-brainer to locals, but there are multiple small beaches around the docks that are a little more out of the way than the main attraction.
I like to go to the first beach (if coming from Fairhaven) that is kind of tucked under Taylor dock. It’s a small, quiet beach on Bellingham Bay with some outstanding sandstone climbing rocks, and a gorgeous view of Taylor Dock and the islands. It’s another easy walk, starting either from Taylor Dock parking area or Boulevard Park. We usually bring a couple buckets and shovels for digging, and a picnic.
If you’re feeling adventurous, it’s easy to continue down the dock to more beaches. There’s the large beach at Boulevard Park, or another small, less-popular, broken-up-shell covered beach toward the north end of the park. Note to parents: Always keep an eye out for the very-nearby railroad tracks.
Directions: Take State Street south from downtown Bellingham. Turn right on Bayview Drive. Take another quick left on State Street, continue onto 10th street and park near the Chrysalis Inn to access Taylor Dock.
Western Washington University grads, Tony Luciano and Jack Pflueger, are in the final stages of construction and about to realize their dream of opening Stone's Throw Brewing Company.
By Laura Rogers
Western Washington University grads, Tony Luciano and Jack Pflueger, are in the final stages of construction and about to realize their dream of opening Stone’s Throw Brewing Company.
Bellingham is loaded with fantastic breweries. Locals know how Kulshan struck gold a few years ago with their James Street brewery, Boundary and Chuckanut are trusted Bellingham mainstays, and last year we welcomed Aslan Brewing and Wander Brewing. It’s almost hard to believe there is room for more breweries in our fair city. I said almost. If there’s one thing locals here know how to do well, it’s how to gather over a pint with friends. And so the brewery machine is full steam ahead in 2015, with four more slated to open this year. What a delicious year it will be!
If a brewery was ever designed to fit right into the Fairhaven scene, Stones Throw Brewing Company is the one. The brewery’s residential-style setup and creative use of small space will make their patrons and neighbors alike, feel right at home. Billing itself as “The Closest Pint to Adventure,” Stones Throw has the added advantage of being the only Bellingham brewery (of nine!) located in Fairhaven.
Sitting unassumingly on a mostly residential street, the new brewery has a modest entrance, but a crazy-cool design out back. The production area, beer storage tanks, and even the bathrooms will all be housed in large shipping containers. What’s more, the containers are stacked, and the top of one container will function as a rooftop patio. The quaint taproom (a revamped two car garage) and a sunny beer garden will sit out front. Behind the taproom there will be steps going down to the tree-lined backyard beer garden, complete with fire pit. When it comes to seating, there will be a bevy of options.
Operating a business out of shipping containers may be new to Bellingham, but there are others doing it. Starbucks, for one, has a coffee shop made from shipping containers in Ballard. Stones Throw owners even consulted with them when taking on the idea. Portable buildings are not the only unique part of their building process. They are also employing sustainable practices such as installing radiant floor heat in the taproom, which will be warmed by expelled heat from the beer coolers. Keeping the beer cold is going to keep the taproom warm.
Co-owner Tony Luciano is looking forward to their official opening in June or July. Like a lot of new breweries, they plan to start with the basics and the favorites. He says they’ll be “focusing on easy-drinking beers and not too many choices. Things like porters, stouts, IPA’s, pale ales, and blondes will be here, but I’m open to doing specialty beers. The clients will dictate what stays and what goes and what’s coming in. We will build it and just watch it evolve.”
Stone’s Throw Brewing will have a unique vibe, due to the shipping containers used in construction.
Stones Throw is looking to offer food from Fairhaven eateries at the brewery. With the theme of keeping it simple and building a friendly neighborhood vibe, they will have basic bar food available like soft pretzels and pizza by the slice, but with a locavore twist. The bar food will be brought in from “places such as Mount Bakery, Fairhaven Pizza, or Pizzazza. Maybe even a mac and cheese option from Mambo to keep the kids happy.”
There will also be ginger ale and root beer for the younger set. Tony and co-owner Jack Pflueger also have plans for neighborhood barbecues and potlucks in the works. “We’ve lived here for a while now and really want to be a part of the Fairhaven community.”
Tony began brewing in 1998 after meeting the owner of what was then the Whatcom Brewery, on a ferry to Alaska. He joined him in brewing and learned rather quickly, brewing 10 kegs at a time. A serendipitous twist came when Tony began studying organic chemistry at Western. “The teacher was explaining all the enzymes and chemical reactions and I was like, ‘hey, those are things I read about in my beer books – will you explain it?’ He did, and my beer got pretty good.” He’s been making beer ever since, and a few years ago realized Fairhaven was his spot to make the dream a reality. “All the trails are here. It’s where I go crabbing, kayaking, and now, plan to run a brewery.”
People can stay current with Stones Throw happenings by going to their website and signing up for their email list. They will contact those on the list about a few soft opening parties, and people can also follow them on Facebook.
Subdued Brewing Company is just getting off the ground. K2, Kulshan’s second location at 1538 Kentucky Ave. and Gruff Brewing at 104 E Maple downtown Bellingham both plan to open this year as well. A two kilometer race called K2K, which will run from Kulshan’s first location to it’s new location, is planned for June 28.
Whatcom Community College was approved by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to offer its first applied four-year degree program. Photo credit Stacee Sledge.
Whatcom Community College (WCC) was approved by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges on May 7 to offer its first applied four-year degree program. Pending accreditation approval by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, beginning fall 2017, accepted students can enroll in Whatcom’s new Bachelor’s of Applied Science (BAS) degree in IT Networking. The degree addresses the growing employment gap for qualified IT networking personnel with enhanced skills in cloud computing, mobile technologies and industrial control systems. WCC will work closely with area colleges, including Bellingham Technical College, Northwest Indian College and Skagit Valley College, to provide access to students with associate’s degrees in IT. The new four-year degree is the only one of its kind in the northwest corner of the state and further confirms Whatcom’s stature as a regional and national leader in computer information systems (CIS) and cybersecurity education.
“Information technology is a growth industry in this region, and Whatcom Community College is ideally suited to prepare students for careers in this exciting field,” says WCC President Kathi Hiyane-Brown. “Having an applied bachelor’s degree program is a significant achievement for the College and an excellent option for students who aspire to a career in IT. This new, forward-thinking degree also helps local employers by preparing the well-trained workforce they need to succeed in this dynamic industry, now and in the future.” Currently enrolled and recent CIS program graduates indicated their strong support for the BAS when recently surveyed.
According to October 2014 reports from the Washington Employment Security Department, between 2012 and 2022, there will be growth of 15 to 20 percent in information security and related computer positions.
The new BAS degree in IT Networking will build upon Whatcom’s well-established reputation for excellence in the IT networking field and its current curriculum that trains students on emerging cybersecurity topics, industrial control systems (SCADA), and mobile and cloud technologies. Whatcom’s BAS degree went through a rigorous application process, including peer review of the proposed curriculum by subject matter experts at regional universities and appointed by the state board. WCC is also a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance 2-Year Education (CAE2Y) and is the lead institution for CyberWatch West – a National Science Foundation regional center for cybersecurity education. WCC will use these resources and expertise in developing this new degree that leads to jobs supporting IT infrastructure, a fundamental cornerstone for virtually all organizations and an economic development building block in northwest Washington. Graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce as network administrators and related job categories such as computer and information systems manager or computer network architect.
The national, state and regional demand for a well-trained IT networking workforce, particularly with skills in emerging areas, is well-documented and illustrated by the tremendous growth of the field. According to October 2014 reports from the Washington Employment Security Department, between 2012 and 2022, there will be growth of 15 to 20 percent in information security and related computer positions. Regional employers note that four-year degrees in this field are preferred; yet, currently in Washington state, there are limited options for an affordable, hands-on four-year degree in the subject. Community college students can complete an associate’s degree in CIS or IT-related topics at many two-year institutions, but their options for continuing their education in face-to-face programs have been limited by a variety of factors including cost, location, and capacity at state universities, which do not offer applied baccalaureate degrees.
The Port of Bellingham has awarded Tacoma-based American Construction Company with a $30.6 million contract to clean-up the Whatcom Waterway on Bellingham’s downtown waterfront.
The Port of Bellingham has awarded Tacoma-based American Construction Company with a $30.6 million contract to clean-up the Whatcom Waterway on Bellingham’s downtown waterfront. Construction is set to begin this August and be completed by mid-2016.
The Whatcom Waterway is contaminated by heavy industrial activities at Georgia-Pacific’s former chemical plant dating back to the 1960s. Cleaning up the Whatcom Waterway will transform the shorelines and set the stage for the Port and City of Bellingham’s efforts to redevelop Bellingham’s downtown waterfront.
“The Whatcom Waterway is the largest cleanup site in Bellingham Bay” said Port Environmental Director, Mike Stoner. “Cleaning up this legacy of industrial contamination will protect the environment, restore salmon habitat, improve public access, and allow us to reestablish the economic viability of the central waterfront for the next generation of uses.”
“The Whatcom Waterway cleanup project is essential to the redevelopment of Bellingham’s downtown waterfront” said Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville. “It will be fantastic to finish this phase of work so the City can begin building parks and roads to access the waterfront.”
On the south side of the Whatcom Waterway near the Granary Building, new beaches will support public access and salmon recovery. On the north side, new bulkheads, pilings and docks will support ongoing marine trade activities, including a barge terminal and boatyard.
Cleaning up the Whatcom Waterway will provide a significant boost to the local economy. The Department of Ecology estimates the project will generate $490 million in business revenue, $90 million in local tax revenue, and create between 500 and 2000 jobs construction jobs and long-term employment opportunities.
“There will be a tremendous amount of economic activity associated with the Whatcom Waterway cleanup” said Port Executive Director Rob Fix. “The combination of short-and long term economic benefits will serve as a platform for job creation and tax growth as we return this property to productive use and connect downtown Bellingham to the central waterfront.”
The Whatcom Waterway cleanup is being paid for by a combination of state cleanup grants and the Port’s pre-paid environmental insurance policy.
Most of the cleanup work will take place in the inner Whatcom Waterway between the Roeder Avenue Bridge and the Bellingham Shipping Terminal.
As part of the cleanup project, American Construction Company will:
Remove 159,000-cubic-yards of contaminated marine sediment.
Remove 263 tons of creosote-treated timber.
Remove concrete and asphalt rubble and other debris from 46,950 square feet of shoreline and intertidal areas.
Open 4,300-square-feet of shoreline and intertidal area by removing unused structures.
Place 126,600 cubic yards of clean material.
Remove three vertical creosote bulkheads and build flatter shorelines.
A second phase of work for the Whatcom Waterway, to start at a later date, will address contamination in the outer waterway and Aerated Stabilization Basin.
Whether you’ve long lived here or are visiting from somewhere else, Whatcom County offers plenty to keep you entertained, engaged, relaxed, and inspired.
Maybe your college roommate is coming to visit from the Midwest. Or your in-laws are in town for two weeks. Maybe you’re moving on and want to make sure you’ve experienced all Whatcom County has to offer one last time before you land in your new home.
Whatever the reason, WhatcomTalk has you covered for the top ten things to do in Whatcom County. (Disagree with our admittedly subjective list? Please share your own top ten lists with us via email at submit@whatcomtalk.com. We’d love to read them!)
Looking for even more things to do? Check in regularly with WhatcomTalk’s events calendar for a current list of what’s happening around Bellingham and all of Whatcom County.
Hit the Bellingham Farmers Market for a true taste of Bellingham. The popular weekly market, which runs every Saturday from April through December, has become a downtown magnet over the years, showcasing an array of fabulous produce, delicious bites, and locally crafted products from over 145 vendors.
Meander your way down cliff-hugging Chuckanut Drive (officially Washington State Route 11) and back for one of the most breathtaking stretches of scenery-drenched highways to be had. Stop at one of the pullouts and take in the stunning island views.
Have a little one who’s hit the obsessed-with-Laura Ingalls phase? I sure do. Two of our favorite recent forays outside Bellingham city limits included stops at the Lynden Pioneer Museum and Ferndale’s Pioneer Park. Both offer time machines back to the days of horse-drawn wagons and make a fitting family outing. Looking for a more contemporary cultural experience? Lynden’s Jansen Art Center offers exhibits, workshops, classes, and live performances.
Mmmmm, beer. Bellingham continues its maltilicious morph into Brewingham, with more spectacular craft brew spots opening every year. Create your own pub crawl and try several of our area’s unbelievable beers. The Bellingham Tap Trail can get you all set to sip.
Explore the Sehome Arboretum atop Sehome Hill and adjacent to Western Washington University, where you can walk or run over five miles of twisting trails under coniferous and deciduous trees. Sit and contemplate at the Quiet Rocks area, found just below the 80-foot-tall watch tower, before climbing up to behold beautiful views of Bellingham and the bay. Fancy yourself a bit of a bird nerd? Check out Western’s field guide for birders, and see how many you can spot.
The charming Fairhaven district, on Bellingham’s south side, is perfect for a day of wandering in and out of shops, restaurants, and bars—just make sure you leave some time to relax in the Village Green. Once you’ve rested, head to Boulevard Park via the South Bay Trail, which takes you to Taylor Dock and the boardwalk, for one of Bellingham’s most iconic strolls.
Western Washington University boasts a beautiful campus, but did you also know its home to a nationally famous public art collection that is displayed throughout? The Outdoor Sculpture Collection spans the campus, featuring works from major international, national and regional artists. While you’re on campus, pop into the Western Gallery and peruse its visual art collection, which includes 19th and 20th century prints and drawings among other various media by Northwest artists. Admission is free.
Explore Tennant Lake and Hovander Homestead Park near Ferndale. Tennant Lake is on a 624-acre site that includes the shallow lake surrounded by wetlands, fields, and forest, with a 50-foot viewing tower overlooking it all and an elevated boardwalk that wends through the swamp and marsh habitat. The half-mile Hovander Homestead Trail takes visitors to Hovander Homestead Park, which harkens back to the days of pioneer farming. Summer visitors can tour the Hovander House and see barn and farmyard animals.
This list could never be all-encompassing—Whatcom County is chock full of amazing businesses, events, and activities to keep us all endlessly entertained and inspired. Consider this list a jumping-off point—and let us know some of your favorite things to do right here in our very own remarkable back yard.
“Unbreakable Girls,” a new collection of gouache paintings, embroideries and quilts by Jennifer Dranttel that showcase the overlooked stories of brave and fearless women of myth and history.
Honey Salon is proud to present “Unbreakable Girls,” a new collection of gouache paintings, embroideries and quilts by Jennifer Dranttel that showcase the overlooked stories of brave and fearless women of myth and history. Each piece details an individual tale through a modern lens, redefining traits and morals. Bittersweet, “Unbreakable Girls” marks Dranttel’s final Bellingham collection prior to moving to pursue her Master’s in Textiles at Savannah College of Art & Design. “Unbreakable Girls” debuts June 5 during the Downtown Art Walk from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. accompanied by the artist’s mobile trailer craft and art pop-up shop NOMAD, music from PhDJ and delectable summer cocktails and cupcakes.
In Dranttel’s “Unbreakable Girls”, individual stories of women of myth and lore have been reinterpreted and newly rendered as icons to inspire and push past what society has been told women can achieve. Early studies of biology and genetics about women and their nature were quick to distinguish innate “feminine” traits of sentimentality, emotion, empathy, and nurturance. In her final Bellingham collection, the artist pays homage to those women of lore who refused to accept their lot as ‘the weaker sex.’ Dranttel’s interpretations of Atalanta’s footrace, the Tru’ng sisters’ female-led rebellion, the Three Fates’ and many more mixed media interpretations remind us that girls are bold, brash, and unbreakable.
Jennifer Dranttel has been showing artwork professionally for over thirteen years, and in Bellingham since moving north from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2008. She was a founding member of Oakland’s Living Room Collective, and her first solo art show was favorably reviewed in the San Francisco Chronicle. She has Bachelor’s degrees in architecture and graphic design, both of which influence her clean lines and minimalist style. Last year she and her husband (and four-year-old son Sam Edison, by proxy) launched Nomad, a mobile pop-up shop housed in a restored 1959 Mercury travel trailer. Nomad sells a well-curated collection of handmade goods from artisans all over the country, as well as an ever-expanding line of their own original products. Jennifer has been the curator and manager of Smith & Vallee Gallery in Edison since September 2014, and will be moving to Savannah, GA in August to pursue her Master’s degree in Textiles at Savannah College of Art & Design.
#ComcastGoesPink for this year’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
XFINITY stores are offering Race for the Cure donation matches of up to $35 for participants if they sign up in person at participating stores.Through race day, June 7, Comcast will match registration fees and donations up to $35/per applicable, non-duplicated registrant. The Susan G. Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure starts at Seattle Center and has events for walkers, runners, walkers, breast cancer survivors and the whole family.
The hashtag for the campaign is #ComcastGoesPink. For information about the campaign, visit www.KomenPugetSound.org/ComcastMatch. For more information, please contact Komen Puget Sound at 206-633-0303 or email race@pskomen.org.
Participating Bellingham-area stores include: 400 Sequoia Drive (Bellingham) and 717 Bennett Road (Burlington). Find the participating store nearest you by following the link here: http://customer.comcast.com/service-center-locations.
Submitted by First Fed
When homeowners need flexible financing, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) stands out as a versatile and cost-effective option. Unlike lump-sum...
