Sustainable Connections is excited to celebrate September Eat Local Month, a month-long celebration of eating local food and honoringthose who grow, raise, harvest, and prepare it to share with this community.
One of the highlights of Eat Local Month is The Whatcom County Farm Tour. On September 16th from 10am-4pm, twelve farms in Whatcom County will open their (barn) doors for visitors to get a behind-the-scenes look at how food gets from the farm to their plates. This family-friendly, free event brings folks from all over the state to celebrate the unique food and farming culture of Northwest Washington.
There are many epic adventures awaiting those on the Farm Tour. Take a stroll with Barmann Cellars through their property that boasts a 30+ year-old Pinot Noir vineyard, kiwi arbor, and fruit tree orchard. Hear about their regenerative farming approach and learn about low-intervention wine and cider making rooted in old-world style and techniques. Meet their friends from Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and discover the benefits of their collaborative stream restoration project. Then, tour the winery and sample the fruits of their labor.
Stop on in at Fair Cow’s Path Farm and have the opportunity to say hi to their animals (including goats, cows, chickens and emu chicks!), learn about their first generation beef cattle operation and the importance of supporting local meat production, purchase theirgrass-fed beef and handmade body care products AND, if you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat from The Mobile Mouth Hole, a local food truck that’ll be on-site featuring beef from the farm.
Visit Spring Time Farm and see what 15 acres of Certified Organic vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs look like. They’re proud to grow for Whatcom County and Seattle and would love to show you how they grow your food. They will have farm tours; produce, flowers, and merch available for sale; music, and more! Learn about their equipment, CSA program, farming practices, and very special ecosystem on the farm.
These are just a few of the amazing opportunities to explore, learn, and connect on the Whatcom County Farm Tour. “Whatcom County’s food and farming community is so rich and diverse,” says Jess Meyer, Sustainable Connections’ Outreach Coordinator. “The Farm Tour is a chance to experience that culture, enjoy delicious food, and appreciate the how food travels from farms to our tables.”?
Sustainable Connections is thrilled to be able to share so many opportunities to dive deeper into our local food movement and the agricultural and culinary worlds of Northwest Washington and Whatcom County.?
Eat Local Month is made possible by support from Whatcom Community Foundation, Bellingham Farmers Market, Cascade Radio Group, FarmWild, Community Food Coop, Mt. Baker Care Center, Whatcom County, City of Bellingham, Aslan Brewing Company, Katheryn Moran Photography, Puget Sound Food Hub, and Heritage Bank
The city resurfaced Civic Stadium's track in 2017, allowing numerous track and field events to continue. Photo courtesy Bellingham Parks and Recreation
Most folks are familiar with the stadiums and indoor facilities for baseball, football, soccer, swimming, and more that are found in the center of Bellingham, just off I-5. What’s less well-known is that the City of Bellingham runs all these facilities, together called the Civic Athletic Complex — and it’s leveling the playing field with new developments.
“The whole area that makes up the Civic Athletic Complex is quite large now,” says Bellingham Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Oliver. “It includes Civic Field, Joe Martin Stadium, the Aquatic Center, and the skate park/jump park. All the woods are also part of what we formally call the Civic Complex.”
The complex was established in the mid-1950’s with the city gradually acquiring facilities over several decades. Many organizations have leases — including Bellingham Bells at Joe Martin Stadium, Bellingham Bay Swim Team at Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, and Bellingham School District and Western Washington University across facilities.
The Bellingham Bells lease Joe Martin Stadium, where attending baseball games is a summertime favorite for young and old alike. Photo courtesy Bellingham Parks and Recreation
“We wanted to assess the complex because we had all these requests for expanded uses, and we have aging infrastructure,” Oliver says. “There’s also a very strong interest from the school district in relocating Carl Cozier Elementary School.”
The city has conducted needs assessments for maintaining and expanding the complex over several years. These have already benefited Bellingham Sportsplex, home to indoor soccer and ice arenas.
Sportsplex Renovations
Whatcom Sports and Recreation (WSR) has run Bellingham Sportsplex since 2004. As Executive Director Marc Ronney explains, the city sold it to them in 2019 and funded renovations in 2023. These included $50,000 refrigeration repairs and roof repairs. Their nebulous growth plan may add new soccer and ice arenas — possibly even a second facility — within three to five years.
The Sportsplex’s ice offerings include hockey, figure skating, and speed skating. Photo courtesy Bellingham Parks and Recreation
“Then we have our Learn to Skate programs, which are meant to help teach young kids to skate and then move on to whatever discipline they like better, whether it’s figure skating, speed skating, or hockey,” says Ronney. “We also have the Blazers, a junior hockey team. They play in the USPHL, which is the largest junior league in the United States. And we travel all over the west coast right now to play games.”
WSR also runs the indoor soccer league for nearly 200 teams, plus Lil Hammers classes for players aged 3-5 and private training for older children.
“The kids can come play at a more reasonable price,” Ronney says. “Our facility, with the help of the city, is able to offer programs a lot cheaper than if you went down to Seattle.”
The city has worked with WSR and Swift Haven Tiny Home Village to address homelessness in the area, offering the use of warm areas in nearby locker rooms.
“Our partnership with Whatcom Sports and Recreation in the Sportsplex has been a meaningful and long-term partnership,” says Oliver. “But they are hoping for more investment, more attention, more expansion.”
Upcoming Plans
The city’s immediate plans also include renovations to the Aquatic Center changing rooms.
“There’s a real need for more aquatic space for our growing community,” Oliver says. “We heard more about the Sportsplex and the Aquatic Center in that needs assessment than any of our other facilities.”
Since returfing and resurfacing Joe Martin and Civic Field in recent years, the city has carefully studied the feasibility of stormwater treatments and other environmental concerns.
The sports fields at the Civic Athletic Complex, including the Frank Geri and Downer Softball Fields, are available to be reserved. Photo courtesy Bellingham Parks and Recreation
“Field space is a bit of premium — it’s hard to find,” says Oliver. “We are in the process of adding several neighborhood field parks to our inventory of rentable, reservable fields.”
Sports organizations leasing Civic Athletic Complex have lent the most support to facilities’ growth.
“A lot of the smaller baseball leagues lobbied heavily and were allocated some good funding,” Oliver says. “We’re going to see some money for investment for Joe Martin coming in this year from the state.”
Transforming a Central Sports Hub
The city’s expansion plans will help Civic Athletic Complex continue to serve players of all ages and experience levels.
The city resurfaced Civic Stadium’s track in 2017, allowing numerous track and field events to continue. Photo courtesy Bellingham Parks and Recreation
“Especially for the youth, having sports in their life gives them avenues to learn how to work with other people, which they’re going to have to do the rest of their lives,” says Ronney. “Learning to be a teammate, learning to play for each other, and what you can do as a team, is fantastic. Sports is usually a big component of a lot of people’s lives. And by giving them an area of facilities they can go to use, they can continue to strive to get better.”
As the “civic” in Civic Athletic Complex, locals can lend support by using these facilities and donating to nonprofits that operate them.
“Anything they can do to help support us to help continue to grow this facility and make it nicer and safer would be much appreciated,” Ronney says.
On August 18, a coalition of nonprofit organizations committed to addressing homelessness and improving public health held a groundbreaking ceremony for The Way Station, a state-of-the-art health and hygiene facility dedicated to serving individuals experiencing homelessness in Bellingham. Unity Care NW, Opportunity Council, PeaceHealth, and the Whatcom County Health Department have joined together on this unique project to provide for some of the community’s basic needs and help address some of the most foundational issues that create barriers to housing.
The groundbreaking event marks a significant step forward in enhancing the well-being and dignity of Bellingham’s most vulnerable population. Jodi Joyce, CEO of Unity Care NW, spoke on behalf of The Way Station partners.
Unity Care NW CEO Jodi Joyce speaks on behalf of The Way Station partners. Photo courtesy Unity Care NW
“The people in our hearts today are those who are experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County,” said Jodi Joyce, CEO of Unity Care NW. “This facility will assist people with many of the challenges they face. We will be able to help the family who is living in their car to do their laundry and the person recovering after a surgery will have a place to rest and someone helping them take their medications. A person who has fallen on hard times can come shower and shave before a job interview and while they’re there, they can work with housing case managers to find a place to live.”
Key Highlights of The Way Station
Hygiene amenities: The Way Station will make essential hygiene services more widely available and will be equipped with state-of-the-art showers, clean and safe restroom facilities, and laundry services to promote personal hygiene and restore a sense of dignity to those in need.
Representative Rick Larsen at the August 18 event. Photo courtesy Unity Care NW
Comprehensive health services: The new facility will offer a range of essential health services tailored to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Patients experiencing homelessness who are discharged from the hospital but require space where they can recuperate, will be referred to The Way Station’s medical respite program to heal on a temporary basis.
Community collaboration: The center’s unique partnership between local health care providers and social services will lend itself to better disrupt cycles that keep people from accessing available housing. Visitors to The Way Station will find case management and other services to assist their transition to sustainable housing.
Public Investment
Whatcom County owns the building at 1500 N. State Street where renovations have begun and have contributed $4 million to the project. Senator Sharon Shewmake made the funding request from the state capital budget that allocated an additional $4 million and $2 million was included in the federal Omnibus Spending Package after a request was made by Representative Rick Larsen and Senator Maria Cantwell.
State Senator Sharon Shewmake. Photo courtesy Unity Care NW
Thanks to the support of elected officials as well as foundations and individual donors, all capital funds and most of the first year of operational funds have been secured. The partners are currently seeking additional support to cover the cost of start-up items, supplies, and equipment for the site as well as ongoing operational expenses. To see the full list of supporters, see the Way Station page on the Unity Care NW website.
“We have a problem that has been decades in the making and there is not just one solution but many solutions needed to address homelessness. This project is a win, win, win — caring for community, saving money, and helping to get people better and in housing,” said State Rep. Sharon Shewmake, in her remarks.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu. Photo courtesy Unity Care NW
“Part of being healthy is having access to a restroom, a shower and clean clothing and everyone deserves the dignity that comes with these things. Thank you all for your work on bringing The Way Station to our community. We look forward to seeing you all again next year when we can celebrate our grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony,” said Joyce.
While renovations have begun, the partnering organizations continue operations planning for The Way Station and are looking forward to hosting a ribbon cutting with the community to officially open the center next year.
Bellingham Exit, a multi-day, multi-stage, multi-sensory experience will be held in downtown Bellingham from Wednesday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 15. The festival will feature music, art, comedy, dance parties, art vendors, and curiosities on the fringe of expectations.
The line-up includes Deltron 3030 (reunited hip-hop project), The Hu (Mongolian metal legends), Monet X Change (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Marc Maron (stand-up comedian and screenwriter), Joe Pera (stand-up comedian), The Pharcyde (classic hip-hop artists), Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway (bluegrass Grammy winner), The Funk Hunters (funky electronic duo) and many more.
Exit the Ordinary
Familiar downtown music venues will transform into living, breathing art installations. Bellingham Exit draws comparison to other events that take over cities like South By Southwest, Treefort Music Festival, and Iceland Airwaves but it’s set apart by its art-forward approach, themed this year after Bellingham’s “natural world.”
Exit’s Core Venues — Wild Buffalo (The Nest Stage), The Shakedown (Mush Room Stage), The Blue Room (Moon Emporium Stage), New Prospect Theater (Deep Sea Comedy Stage) — will be brought to life by WWU professor Mark Kuntz and the team at Bellingham Theatreworks.
The inaugural Bellingham Exit includes free concerts in unexpected spaces supported directly by local businesses. Community partners are scheduled to host these DIY, pop-up style shows around the city and will include Ritual Records, Black Noise Records, Red Rum Tiki Bar, Champlin Guitars, Culture Cafe, Bantam, Mallard Ice Cream, Gruff Brewing, and The Upfront Theatre.Attendees will also find treasures and culture at Bellingham Bazaar, a two-day indie art market with more than 30 PNW vendors and craftspeople, produced by BE.
Ticketing/RSVP
A limited 200 festival passes will be available for Bellingham Exit offering fans priority access to all events throughout the week. Individual tickets will also be available, as well as various “free with RSVP” events throughout downtown.
A team of local and regional industry professionals compile the Exit team. Hunter Motto is the music director for Bellingham festival Northwest Tune-Up, creative director at legendary Seattle venue the Crocodile, and a Western Washington Alumni. Off the heels of this year’s successful second Northwest Tune-Up festival, Hunter and his team aim to grow and elevate the local music and arts community through Bellingham Exit.
Park and rides typically include signage that notes the number of hours permitted for use. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
It’s a question most drivers have asked: “Where can I find parking?” And whether you’re taking a long commute to school or work, living far from transit routes, or even preparing to hike an unfamiliar trail for fun, it can be difficult to answer. Thanks to park and rides, though, motorists can find easy ways to transfer to transit or travel on foot.
A park and ride is a public parking lot where commuters park their cars to board a bus or other public transit or to carpool. These lots may or may not allow general parking to access businesses or natural areas, and some require permits, while most others are free.
Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) operates park and rides that connect to public transit from populated areas of Bellingham and surrounding towns. Per their rules, WTA stations and other lots are free for commuters but do not permit general parking. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) operates park and rides in many natural areas within their statewide map. Their lots typically permit free 48-hour parking with connections to Interstate-5 and hikes off the beaten path.
Knowing where to find Whatcom County’s park and rides can open up new spots on the map to convenience and recreation.
Cordata Station and Park and Ride
With its striking lettered sign and clock, Cordata Station at 4194 Cordata Parkway? is a familiar landmark to Whatcom Community College students and nearby Bellingham residents. The station services WTA’s 3, 4, 15, 24, 26, 27, 48, 71X, 232, and 331 buses.
Cordata Station’s park and ride offers an information booth, public restrooms, and 70 spaces. WTA permits free parking for commuters boarding the buses and carpoolers, but not visitors to WCC and nearby businesses. However, WCC does offer free parking immediately north of Cordata Station. From there, visitors can access the college, businesses, and trails adjoining Juliana Park and Cordata Park.
Cordata Station at the north end of Bellingham primarily services students at Whatcom Community College, which provides free parking to all community members. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
Lincoln Creek Park and Ride
Western Washington University operates Whatcom County’s largest park and ride, which has approximately 530 spaces off I-5 exit 252 and requires a student permit. Students who live off-campus park there to access Western and other destinations on the 80X, 80S, 190, 190S?, 196?, 197, and 533 routes.
Lincoln Creek Park and Ride is historically notable as the site of the Samish Twin Drive-In theater. From 1972 to 2003, Seattle’s Sterling Recreation Organization operated the drive-in for generations of residents’ enjoyment. Western acquired the property for $2.65 million in 2006.
South Bellingham Park and Ride
WSDOT operates one park and ride in two parts on either side of I-5 exit 250 in South Bellingham. The west park and ride offers 24 spots, the east offers 29, and both allow free 48-hour parking. The west lot is a short walk to bus stops on 30th Street and Old Fairhaven Parkway for the 105.
From the west, visitors can access businesses at Fairhaven Plaza and Connelly Creek Nature Area from Old Fairhaven Parkway. From the east, visitors can access Padden Gorge Trail south of the Stair Step Streets.
Many park and rides, such as South Bellingham Park and Ride (pictured), are available immediately off the freeway and provide an easy return to the onramp. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
Lake Samish Interchange Park and Ride
North of I-5 exit 246, WSDOT-operated Lake Samish Interchange Park and Ride offers 18 free parking spots for 48 hours. This popular spot for hikers, bicyclists, and other recreationists adjoins several roads and trails before the lake.
Immediately to the northeast, an abandoned stretch of Samish Way offers a mile of flat road and links to logging roads near Cougar Ridge Trail and Lookout Mountain. Running southwest on a left turn from Lake Samish Drive, Old Samish Road links to private timberlands leading to Lake Samish Park.
When visiting private timberlands, always heed rule signs at the entrance gates.
Lake Samish Interchange Park and Ride is among the WSDOT lots with access to trails that provide stunning nature views. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
Ferndale Station and Park and Ride
At 1671 Main Street, commuters to WTA’s Ferndale Station can find 131 spaces for buses on the 27 and 7?5 routes. The station offers sheltered buildings and easy walking or commuting access to Ferndale’s businesses along Main Street.
Ferndale Station (pictured) and Lynden Station offer parking and shelter to commuters going to and from Bellingham. Photo credit: Anna Diehl
Lynden Station and Park & Ride
Lynden’s own park and ride at 1945 Front Street offers parking for 89 cars and roofed shelters like Ferndale Station. Route 26 starts at Cordata Station, connecting the two park and rides for easy access to Lynden’s businesses within walking distance.
Birch Bay Square Park & Ride
WTA also operates a park and ride at 8115 Birch Bay Square Street off I-5 exit 270. As part of a mall plaza, this park and ride offers 10 parking spaces for commuters on route 75. Bellingham Station lies at the opposite end of route 75, which also takes commuters through Ferndale Station.
When visiting park and rides, always read the signage to review all rules and hours. Stay safe by locking your vehicle and keeping any valuables out of plain sight. With the right considerations, park and rides make the journey smoother.
Noninvasive cardiovascular imaging is an essential part of successfully diagnosing many heart-related medical conditions, from coronary artery and heart valve diseases to arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation and heart attacks.
In Whatcom County, Bellingham’s PeaceHealth cardiologists and Mt. Baker Imaging have collaborated to create access to some of the newest noninvasive cardiac imaging technologies, not only in the state of Washington, but in the entire country.
PeaceHealth’s Dr. Kevin Steel is a Harvard-trained cardiologist specializing in non-invasive cardiac imaging procedures. Photo credit: Mark Turner, courtesy PeaceHealth
“We really have something unique going on in Bellingham,” says PeaceHealth’s Director of Cardiac MRI, Dr. Kevin Steel, a retired Air Force colonel who is a Harvard-trained cardiologist. Dr. Steel has special interest in non-invasive cardiac procedures like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans.
Dr. Steel works closely with Mt. Baker Imaging’s Dr. Jason Stoane, a board-certified neuroradiologist with particular interest in cardiac imaging. Together, the two physicians have worked to provide patients with the newest state-of-the-art cardiac imaging technologies, including using FDA-approved artificial intelligence software to enhance the relevancy, accuracy and efficiency of testing.
“At Mt. Baker Imaging, my partners and I have made a commitment to provide the best technology in order to perform these advanced imaging exams here in Whatcom County, so patients don’t need to leave their community to get state of the art care,” Dr. Stoane says.
Mt. Baker Imaging’s Dr. Jason Stoane is a board-certified radiologist specializing in cardiac imaging technology. Photo credit: Mark Turner, courtesy PeaceHealth
Cardiac CTs (CCTA)
A cardiac CT scan is a CT scan with intravenous contrast (IV) used to show the inside of the coronary arteries for narrowing or blockages noninvasively.
Traditionally, in order to see these blockages in the coronary arteries, a patient would have to have undergone an invasive procedure (cardiac catheterization) which requires a catheter to be inserted into a patient’s arm or groin and threaded directly into the coronary arteries to inject dye into them and take X-ray cinematic images.
For the past 15 years, Mt. Baker Imaging has provided CCTA as an alternative diagnostic exam in the initial work-up of coronary disease. Last year, Mt. Baker Imaging incorporated a new FDA-approved artificial intelligence (AI) technology called Fractional Flow Reserve CT (FFRCT) where off-site computers not only analyze the CCTA exam for stenoses, but also evaluates the effect of the stenoses on the blood flow through those diseased vessels. This is all performed on the data that is acquired in only three heart beats from the CCTA exam.
Digital imagery and artificial intelligence are providing faster, safer, and more accurate understanding of heart issues than ever before. Photo courtesy PeaceHealth
As contrast dye travels through the arteries, its brightness can change when it slows at a blockage. FFRCT uses flow dynamics and mathematical algorithms to detect the change in blood flow. This can simulate pressure measurements only previously obtainable in the Cath lab with a catheter and a specialized pressure wire in the coronary arteries.
“It’s a really subtle change in contrast density that you really can’t see with the naked eye,” Dr. Steel says. “But what the AI is able to do is analyze the intensity as the contrast travels through the coronary artery, so it can tell us about blood flow. In addition, we have added an AI pre-read algorithm recently which can help identify areas of blockages for us to go back and further review.”
Using this technology is better, easier and can be accomplished in an outpatient setting, meaning patients have the exam performed and a few minutes later go home. This is a lot quicker and safer than if they’d had a catheter inserted. Mt. Baker Imaging, Dr. Stoane adds, was the first facility in the state to bring the FFRCT technology to an outpatient center.
Cardiac MRI and Stress Cardiac MRI
Cardiac MRIs are also being done at Mt. Baker and PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Centerl at a larger volume than almost anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest, according to Dr. Steel.
A typical university hospital might conduct up to 200 cardiac MRI scans per year, Dr. Steel says. But between PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center and Mt. Baker Imaging, they are on track to administer over 1,500 by the end of this year alone. In fact, PeaceHealth recently performed the first cardiac MRI in the San Juan Islands, using a mobile MRI scanner to conduct imaging at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor.
“It’s something I’m really proud of,” Dr. Steel says of the technology. “The cardiac MRI gives you a complete evaluation of the heart muscle, more than ultrasound and nuclear medicine exams. You get not just pictures of the heart, like a CAT scan, but you also get the motion of the heart and an evaluation of the heart muscle itself. You also get movies of the heart and the valves and how they work.”
A cardiac MRI image. Some of the most advanced cardiac imaging technology in the country is available right here in Whatcom County, thanks to a collaboration between Mt. Baker Imaging and PeaceHealth. Photo courtesy PeaceHealth
Cardiac MRI provides doctors unique information about what is going on inside the heart muscle, Dr. Steel adds, allowing them to see scar tissue, fluid, and inflammation.
Mt. Baker Imaging is also among the first free-standing outpatient cardiac centers in the nation to provide MRI-based stress testing, says Dr. Stoane. Traditionally, these procedures are only done in hospital settings, and typically only at large academic-based medical centers. “We worked hard to create a safe, welcoming environment to be able to offer these highly specialized advanced exams in the outpatient setting,” says Dr. Stoane.
The entire process takes about an hour, including 30 minutes in the scanner using an IV and medication to simulate stress on the heart. The method is ideal for heart patients with mobility issues or heart limitations, Dr. Steel says, adding that Mt. Baker Imaging is conducting over 500 stress MRI tests per year.
“It’s the next generation technology for cardiac stress testing, and instead of following in someone else’s footsteps, working together, we paved our own way,” says Dr. Stoane.
From Far and Wide
These advanced cardiac imaging technologies are attracting patients not only from Whatcom and Skagit Counties, but from Canada and Seattle, as well.
Both Drs. Stoane and Steel say the support of their organizations — and the non-competitive way they have viewed each other — is a big part of why their collaboration has been so successful.
For patients, it means safer, faster, and more accurate testing that can lead to more nuanced and successful treatment of cardiac issues.
“We’ve been at the forefront in the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest in bringing these new technologies to benefit the patients of Whatcom County,” Dr. Stoane says. “It’s a testament to the desire of our respective organizations to be able to provide this kind of cutting-edge technology for our patients.”
Designed to connect business and community, the Birch Golf Classic pro- am charity golf tournament, held each September at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club, raises money for integral nonprofit organizations working to transition vulnerable people off the streets, and onto better pathways. Whatcom Dream, along with two other regional nonprofits, will be recipients of the funds raised during the 2023 event for the third year in a row. This year, the Birch Golf Classic is working to raise $300,000.00 which will be equally distributed among the recipient organizations.
Whatcom Dream feels fortunate to have been chosen, knowing there are a number of other worthy causes who could also use these much-needed funds.
“In addition to helping keep our community Financial Empowerment Classes free of charge, this partnership with Birch Golf Classic has provided an opportunity for us to grow and develop as an organization,” says Executive Director Trudy Shuravloff. “We’ve met local business owners and community members that we will continue to have ongoing relationships with beyond 2023.”
The Pro-Am format is a streamlined 5-hour, 5-person scramble that is composed of a diverse melting pot of community members, businesses, and Trailblazers. Trailblazers are selected for their strong ties and significant impact to the Pacific Northwest. Trailblazers are the teams’ fifth-person Pro and they are paired with unique prizes that are often not available for purchase. These prizes are donated by sponsors, businesses and Birch Equipment.
Sarah Rothenbuhler, Birch Equipment owner and tournament co-founder, is passionate about giving back.
“The Birch Golf Classic is a labor of love created to accomplish two things: To shine a light on and raise money for organizations who help transition people off the streets and on to better, more independent pathways, and to connect and reconnect our amazing and diverse businesses and community members,” she says. “We hear from many that this is the best attended tournament! There are so many good people who show up to help make a difference in our community.”
Birch Equipment designed the fundraising part of the event to happen online prior to the date of the golf tournament. Teams compete against each other to raise the most money and the public also donates to help meet the overall fundraising goal. This year’s fundraising competition ends at 2 p.m. on August 30th.
Birch Equipment underwrites the event costs so that 100% of the proceeds raised go directly to charity. So far, the Birch Golf Classic has raised nearly $2 million dollars! To help meet the fundraising goal and to support Whatcom Dream during the 9th annual Birch Golf Classic, please visit www.birchgolfclassic.com.
About Whatcom Dream
For over 20 years, Whatcom Dream has helped people reach their financial goals through improved understanding of the fundamentals of money and finance. Their community Financial Empowerment Classes are offered free of charge to the general public and help underserved individuals become more self-sufficient, reduce their dependence on governmental/community assistance programs, and reach personal, professional and financial goals. They offer classes for Adults, Teens, and Seniors throughout the year. To learn more, visit https://www.thewhatcomdream.org.
About Birch Golf Classic
The Birch Golf Classic is one of the largest, pro-am charity golf tournaments in Washington State. The event is committed to bringing businesses, social service representatives and celebrities together to raise funds for organizations working to help people off of the streets and on to better pathways. The BGC works alongside chosen charity organizations for three years in a row to make a bigger impact with their giving. 100% of the costs to produce the event are underwritten by Birch Equipment so that every sponsorship and donated dollar is given directly to charity. For more information visit https://www.birchgolfclassic.com.
About Birch Equipment
This woman-owned organization virtually rose from the ashes after nearly going broke in the mid-90s to become the 76th largest equipment rental and sales company in the United States. Headquartered in Bellingham, Washington with locations throughout Washington and Alaska, Birch Equipment is a “David” successfully competing against the billion-dollar “Goliaths” of the rental industry. With one of the largest top-line fleets, sophisticated maintenance systems and proprietary rental and utilization software, Birch Equipment is a regular recipient of Washington State’s Best Place to Work and among the Largest Community Giving organizations in Washington State. For more information visit https://www.birchequipment.com.
Visionary architects, ingenious designers, and creative minds are invited to participate in the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Competition, where they can showcase their talent and innovation while vying for substantial cash prizes. The Whatcom Housing Alliance announces this exhilarating competition to reimagine the future of urban living through inventive ADU concepts.
About the Competition: The ADU Design Competition challenges participants to reimagine living spaces within the context of the modern urban fabric. Participants are tasked with envisioning ADUs that seamlessly blend functionality, sustainability, and affordability. The competition encourages designs that transcend boundaries, making contemporary living spaces accessible to all age groups and physical abilities. Given the provided site conditions, contestants are presented with an opportunity to devise ingenious ADU solutions within an existing dense urban environment, offering a realistic context for their creations.
Reasons to Participate
This is an opportunity for architects and designers to leave an inspiring mark on urban landscapes and contribute to the evolution of housing options. Participants can demonstrate their expertise in architectural creativity, sustainable design, and community integration. The contest, organized by the Whatcom Housing Alliance and sponsored by AARP, Julian & Company, and Hindman Construction, allows participants to:
Compete for cash prizes: Compete for the chance to earn cash prizes that acknowledge exceptional design prowess.
Showcase designs on the Whatcom Housing Alliance website: All submitted designs will be prominently showcased on whatcomhousingalliance.org, garnering recognition and exposure within the design community and beyond.
Shape the future: Be at the forefront of shaping modern living spaces and responding to the evolving needs of communities.
Make a difference: Contribute to the creation of housing solutions that promote walkability, community connectivity, and access to essential services.
How to Enter
Interested individuals can visit the website at whatcomhousingalliance.org to access comprehensive competition guidelines, proposal requirements, and submission details. All entries must be submitted by October 3rd.
What: ADU Design Competition Timeline: Proposals accepted: now through October 3, 2023 Public Voting: October 9, 2023 – October 16, 2023 ADU Design Competition Awards Celebration: October 20, 2023 More info: whatcomhousingalliance.org/adu-design-competition-2023
Sometimes, when we want to get out of our comfort zone and try something new, we have to simply go for it. While there may be insecurities about not knowing what to do and fears of failure, overcoming those feelings can lead to great rewards. Bellingham’s Annie Blackburn is one who pushes past those feelings — and the results have been beautiful.
While forced to stay home during COVID, Annie decided to make her son a tackle box as a gift. With no woodworking experience, she made her way down to a little workshop in her condo building, borrowed some tools, and embraced the power of YouTube to learn.
Annie’s original project, a tackle box for her son Dustin features pictures of his catches and her grandson Jack. Photo courtesy Annie Blackburn
‘Let’s Just Figure It Out’
“I came from that era of if you want something, you have to figure it out,” says Annie, who comes from a big family. “If you wanted something fixed, you would figure it out. So, that’s what I say all the time: ‘Let’s just figure it out.”
After taking something many would toss and turning it into something to be cherished, Annie was hooked. She began to buy pieces online, mainly little boxes, and give them new life. Each piece she worked on and every video she watched led to a growing confidence that she could make something old and worn into a new, original piece of art.
This Art Deco piece is one of Blackburn’s favorite pieces she has worked on. She contemplated keeping it but sold it to her neighbor instead. Photo courtesy Annie Blackburn
Annie’s learning process was good old fashioned trial and error.
“I learned by seeing and doing it at the same time,” Annie says. “If somebody told me how to do it, I would just go blank; if I read a book, it would just be gone. I have to really touch the stuff and just get into it.”
As Annie’s passion grew, so did the number of items she worked on. Little boxes grew into full-blown pieces of furniture, and she quickly outgrew the small space she was now using more than her fair share. She decided to move into a shop she and her husband used to store their RV. While he was away, she snuck in a few pieces. She eventually took the whole place over and had it converted into a woodworking space designed specifically for her needs.
As word spread about what she was doing with this old furniture, Annie went from buying pieces online to people giving them to her. Her new problem became not having enough time to get to all of the pieces and having to turn some away. She was still learning and struggled with the fact that she would have a vision for a piece but lacked the knowledge or ability yet to bring that vision to life.
A Lane Cedar Chest painted with an Octopus. Photo courtesy Annie Blackburn
Pulling It All Apart
“My favorite part is stripping off the finish covering up whatever is underneath,” says Annie. “Because some of these pieces are so old, and the stain has gotten so dark, and the varnishes go yellow. You don’t really know what’s underneath there. That’s what I really love: to pull it all apart.”
While growing her nonbusiness business — which she named Fresh Flair Furniture Artistry — Annie decided she needed help. She recruited her neighbor Cliff Parsons to lend a hand with the little details. After a few trips to Annie’s shop, Parsons brought his tools, and they carved out a space for him to work amongst all the pieces waiting for a home or to be given new life. With a little more horsepower in the shop and some added experience, the team has been able to get through a few more pieces, digging into the projects that call to their different personalities.
Cliff Parsons pretends to take a nap on one of the larger pieces he and Annie have taken on. Photo courtesy Annie Blackburn
With Annie’s shop filling with completed furniture and a backlog of projects waiting in the wings, she needed to find ways to rehome her work. As much as she loved the artistic process of restoring furniture, she disliked the process of selling it.
After occasionally selling furniture on Facebook Marketplace and holding a friends-and-family sale at her shop, Annie still sought a different way to get her creations into new hands. That outlet turned out to be local nonprofits looking for auction items. She has partnered with groups in Whatcom and Skagit County, donating her pieces so they can be auctioned off at their fundraisers.
A Lane Cedar Chest was refinished and painted with flowers by Blackburn. Photo courtesy Annie Blackburn
Fortunately for everyone who gets to enjoy her furniture, Annie is all about loving the process. “Once I’m done with a piece, I’m done with it,” she says. “I don’t have a sentimental attachment to things, luckily. I’m really happy to let it go on to its next life.”
If you’re interested in putting one of Annie Blackburn’s pieces in your home or just enjoying her work, you can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and on YouTube, where you can see her in action.
Following growing demands from diehard fans in the area, queer comedian Kristin Key is ecstatic to make her headlining debut in Bellingham at The Blue Room on August 18 at 8 p.m.
Kristin has been featured on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and Bring the Funny. Between her popular Dry Bar comedy special, viral “Lesbian National Anthem” song, and standup clips from shows nationwide, Kristin’s videos have amassed over 25 million views with nearly 250,000 followers and counting.
With an engaged Patreon community and weekly livestreamed shows, Kristin’s audience can’t get enough of her hilarious and LGBTQIA+ friendly content. Whether it’s her jokes about cats and crocheting or family and the absurdities of daily life (all set to some seriously catchy tunes) Kristin’s evening at The Blue Room will have something for comedy fans of all kinds.
Event Details
Friday, August 18 at 8:00pm The Blue Room 202 E. Holly St. Units 301, 401 Bellingham, WA, 98225
A nationally headlining musical comedian, Kristin has found a way to perfectly blend together her thought provoking hilarious true stories and original songs with outrageous off-the-cuff improv moments, ensuring that no two shows are the same. In addition to her impressive national credits above, Kristin also hosts the popular Kristin Knows Blank podcast, and has been featured on Comics Unleashed, VH-1’s 100 Greatest series, The Bob and Tom Show, and SiriusXM. She has recorded five full-length stand-up comedy albums and one studio music comedy album. Learn more at www.kristinkey.com.
Kevin Wiebe is a Ferndale native. Although he graduated from Ferndale High School, he admits he wasn't a model student. His teachers and administrators...
