Another year, another stupendous, confounding, murderous caper for the community to solve! Fairhaven Association welcomes you to join in its third annual Dirty Dan Mystery Weekend, collecting clues and interacting with various characters and Fairhaven merchants to solve a mysterious murder written by award-winning author Jes Hart Stone.
An Original Mystery
“A year ago, I was invited to be one of the actors,” says Stone. “It was a blast and I had so much fun.”
As an author, Stone focuses on mysteries and thrillers, so writing the Dirty Dan Mystery Weekend murder was a perfect challenge. “They told me they wanted something from 1890-ish, and it had to deal with Fairhaven,” Stone says. “I did a bunch of research and I realized that the first train that came into Fairhaven came in 1890, so I thought what if there was a murder the first night the train came? And that’s how it started.”
Award-winning author Jes Hart Stone acted in last year’s murder mystery — this year, she wrote it. Photo courtesy Fairhaven Association
The scene of the murder is set during a relentless downpour and as rain sluiced through the streets, an extravagant gala was afoot, with dancing and laughter. Unbeknownst to the partygoers, when the train left the station, it rolled over the body of Mr. Nelson Larrybees, a very important man in the community.
With just his bowler hat left in a puddle at the drenched train station, the question of who killed Mr. Larrybees remains.
The Clues
Actors will take on character roles of folks such as London Jack, Myrtle Buttinski, and Miss Pearl.
“This is so much fun,” says Stone. “First of all, all of the actors are volunteers, and they are really good. They could be professional. They all have great parts. It’s loosely scripted — more of an improv for two days — and they all have clues.”
The aforementioned clues will be nestled around Fairhaven and each actor has the coveted knowledge of where those clues may be. “They all have a reason why they might have been the murderer and they all are pointing fingers at other people,” Stone says. “When I did it last year, I saw families, dogs, and even people on dates. It brings out that community spirit and all the fun.”
Local sleuths can collect clues until 5 p.m. on April 29th and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 30th. Photo courtesy Fairhaven Association
Join in the Fun
Dirty Dan’s Mystery Weekend will commence April 29th at 10:30 a.m. with check-in beginning at 9 a.m. — go to the HUB located at 1106 Harris Avenue inside Finnigan’s Alley. Local sleuths can collect clues until 5 p.m. on the 29th and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 30th. The culprit will be announced at 1:30 p.m. on April 30th on the Fairhaven Village Green.
“Nobody knows who did it — not even the merchants or the Merchants Association,” says Stone. “The actors don’t know, either. Friday night there is a cast dinner, and they will get a few stage directions. Saturday morning, they’ll get a few more from me, and then the same thing again on Sunday. They will not know until the very last second.”
After the murder is solved on Sunday, April 30th, Fairhaven will be celebrate Dirty Dan Day with a free event held on the Fairhaven Village Green. Photo courtesy Fairhaven Association
The mystery weekend is sponsored by Village Books and Paper Dreams and involves 25 different businesses throughout Fairhaven. Registration is open until the first day of the event. Opening remarks from the constable will be heard on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the train station, and from that point on detectives can amass their clues, ask questions, and ponder suspicions to solve the sad end to Mr. Larrybees.
Dirty Dan Day
After the announcement on Sunday, Fairhaven will be celebrating Dirty Dan Day, a FREE event held on the Village Green. There will be live entertainment by the Song Wranglers, a pie eating contest, a fish toss, an 1800s costume contest, and more! Registration for the pie eating contest is now open and folks interested in the costume contest should contact the Fairhaven Association at event@enjoyfairhaven.com.
Security Lynx founder and Lynden resident Ron Faber manufactures CrimSafe security screens in Bellingham. Photo courtesy Security Lynx
With plenty of recent headlines about home burglary rings and break-ins, it’s easier than ever to feel insecure about home security.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to discourage crime and avoid the headaches and emotional trauma associated with burglaries. The folks at Security Lynx — trusted local makers of nearly indestructible security screens for doors and windows — have the following tips on how to better assess your home’s security.
The Little Things
As with so many goals in life, starting small with common sense home protection is a great first step.
Because front doors, first floor windows, and back door patios are among the most common entry points for home break-ins, always ensure your doors, windows and gates arelocked — especially when nobody is home. Locks can include deadbolts and chains, as well as dowels or other braces for sliding doors and windows.
Unlike alarm systems, the full protection of Security Lynx products can be used with open doors and windows, giving you good ventilation and safety. Photo courtesy Security Lynx
When not home, also ensure yourlights are on, as drawn curtains and darkness make for an easy target. Automatic lighting systems can even be set to go on and off at specific times. In addition, installing motion sensor lights aimed at access areas serve a dual purpose: guiding guests to entrances while scaring away the unwelcome.
Other outdoor considerations include pruning vegetation so it doesn’t obscure building entrances, windows, or other vulnerable areas, as well as making sure that trees, carports, or lattices can’t act as natural ladders to upper floors. If someone can find a way to open upper floor windows, you can bet they’ll try it.
Many people leave hide-a-keys around their property, whether under a flower pot, door mat, or something else. While it’s handy for when you or someone else accidentally lock yourself out, leaving the keys to your castle in an easy-to-access place isn’t ideal. If you insist on an extra hidden key, put it in a key safe that only you or someone else would be able to open.
Whether it’s a first-floor window or a patio door, CrimSafe security screens provide tightly woven, stainless-steel mesh that’s nearly indestructible. Photo courtesy Security Lynx
You might also consider giving an extra key to a trusted contact, especially if that person is a neighbor. When you’re out of town, a neighbor can also lend a hand in picking up newspapers, packages, and other porch-delivered mail, or even park their car in your driveway to give the impression you’re at home.
And although it might be fun to spread travel plans and vacation pictures across social media when you’re gone, consider waiting until you get home to post, orat least locking your posts to a security setting not accessible to just anybody.
Your most irreplaceable or valuable household items should also have their own secure place in your home. Consider a quality safe to hold jewelry, money, and important documents, and ensure that only you or those who need the combination have it.
Front door screens are among Security Lynx’ most requested products. Photo courtesy Security Lynx
Finally, consider buying and installing a digital doorbell. These provide you with immediate indication — through cameras and motion sensors connected accessible with smartphones — when someone is at your door, no matter where you happen to be at the time.
Security Lynx Security Screens
While not as effective as they once may have been — due to the brazenness of criminals and slowed response times or availability of law enforcement — both security cameras and alarm systems can still play an effective role in providing early warnings of impending break-ins.
Placing motion sensor alarms in front of windows and doors ensures that if any point of entry is breached, you’ll know about it right away. Even if someone isn’t arrested because your camera identified them, or someone still eventually breaks in, alarm systems can provide you enough time to call police or arm yourself, potentially scaring the intruder away or limiting what they can get away with.
To take home security to the next level, however, consider installing security screens over your doors and windows.
Security Lynx security screens not only provide unparalleled protection from break-ins but provide a more unassuming aesthetic than traditional metal bars or screen grates. Photo courtesy Security Lynx
Security Lynx screens — patented in Australia under the brand name CrimSafe — are about the most secure safety screens money can buy. And thanks to Ron Faber, Lynden resident and CrimSafe dealer, they’re now being manufactured right here in Bellingham.
These security screens are made of tightly woven, stainless-steel mesh that’s married to an aluminum frame with a virtually indestructible clamp system. They offer protection against anyone attempting to kick in a door or smash a window, and unlike security alarms, can be used to great effect even when you’re home.
“You cannot separate the screen from the frame,” Faber says. “A lot of the other brands, if you start beating on it with a baseball bat, or at the corner with a sledgehammer, the screen will rip lose.”
Folks in Faber’s Bellingham workshop have tried their best to destroy the screens: hitting them with sledgehammers, baseball bats, knives, and crowbars. They only managed to separate frame and screen by driving a forklift into the area where one was installed; the screen, however, still didn’t break.
Security Lynx founder and Lynden resident Ron Faber manufactures CrimSafe security screens in Bellingham. Photo courtesy Security Lynx
Only extraordinary, impractical measures can be used to defeat a Security Lynx screen system, likely requiring more time and noise than any criminal is willing to expend. And compared to traditional metal bars, they’re a far more aesthetically pleasing security solution.
“They’re still attractive,” says Faber. “From the road, nobody knows you have a security product on. You don’t realize it until you touch it or pound on it.”
If you’re interested in seeing if Security Lynx screens are right for you, a quick phone call or website visit can get you on the road to a more secure home.
A Security Lynx employee can visit within a day or two of contact, examining and measuring your doors and windows. Once you give the go-ahead for install, Security Lynx can have your home fixed up in about three weeks, a significantly lessened lead time from when Faber imported screens from out-of-state.
For more information or to obtain a quote, please visit the Security Lynx website or call 360.922.0978 today.
When the world doesn’t provide what you’re looking for, sometimes you have to go do it yourself. Suzanne Taylor was in this situation as she watched her adolescent son growing into adulthood. For her son, Kaden Taylor, the future looked to be one with few options. He had been born with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and while there are some programs in the public schools for individuals with disabilities, after graduation, the prospects are few and far between. Taylor wanted her son to enter adulthood with opportunities and a future, so she created the D.I.S.H Foundation to help fill that need.
“When they age out of the school system, not only do they lose a support system, but they also lose the social aspect of life, which is important to as human beings,” Taylor says. “And they lose their skills training. They can’t get a job because they don’t have experience, and they can’t get the experience because they can’t get a job. That inspired me to do something about it.”
D.I.S.H. stands for Dignity, Independence, Sense of Purpose, and Hope. The foundation’s mission is to employ persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The basis of the organization is to teach individuals culinary skills they can use in the workplace. The foundation started with vocational training in 2019. After a COVID interruption, training is once again in action, and applications can be filled out on their website.
Our Kitchen staff and volunteers working at Container Village. Photo courtesy Suzanne Taylor
The trainings take place at Our Kitchen, which was the second step in Taylor helping create employment opportunities for people with IDD. This coffee shop and restaurant is located in a shipping container at The Portal Container Village. Vocational training is for individuals who are close to entering the job market. Most are 18+ with no age limit, but there are a few older teens, including Kaden, turns 18 on April 23rd. For younger participants, D.I.S.H offers respite cooking where kids, starting around 5th or 6th grade, can come in, have fun with dough, and learn cooking skills. Both classes are seasonal at this time because of the location, but Taylor is looking for options to make it year-round.
Our Kitchen is far more than a training location, it is a fully operational coffee shop and restaurant. The employees are individuals with IDD who have undergone the D.I.S.H vocational training. While there are always volunteers assisting in the container, the only paid employees are people with IDD. The Our Kitchen team can whip up your favorite coffee drink to accompany their scratch-made treats like cinnamon rolls, scones, and banana bread. They also offer savory options like soft pretzels, chicken taquitos, and gluten-free chicken quiche. Specials are regularly offered so that the Our Kitchen staff can stretch and show off their culinary skills.
Tasty treats made by the Our Kitchen staff. Photo courtesy Suzanne Taylor
Our Kitchen’s first season was in 2022. While it had its bumps, like all new businesses, the community received it well, and it was an overall success.
“The individuals that were working there enjoyed their job. They were committed to their job and showed up early. I never had to worry about them not showing up or not putting forth their effort; they had incredible work ethic,” Taylor says. “One of our students that came in at the beginning of summer could cook every item on the menu by the end.”
If you can’t make it into Our Kitchen, you can still enjoy the fruits of the D.I.S.H foundation by watching their videos. “Cooking with Kaden” segments were a product of COVID when classes were put on hold. Each episode contains clear instructions for safely cooking a common dish. In addition to having the fun of creating the videos, it helped keep up the organization’s awareness. They also created the show “Get DISHed,” where contestants battle it out in a cooking show challenge.
With this year’s season just kicking off, Taylor and the rest of the D.I.S.H Foundation are excited to return to the kitchen, learning about and making food. In addition to volunteers helping with classes, shows, and at Our Kitchen, a team of board members is behind the scenes helping promote and grow the organization.
Suzanne and Kaden Taylor pose inside the Our Kitchen container, a fully operational coffee shop and restaurant at 296 West Laurel Street. Photo courtesy Suzanne Taylor
If you’re interested in getting involved or supporting the organization, they’re always looking for volunteers and ways to partner with the community. For a complete list of upcoming events, ways to get involved, or to see episodes of their shows, you can go to www.dishfoundation.net. To see Our Kitchen’s menu and hours of operation, visit www.ourkitchenbellingham.com or stop in at 296 West Laurel Street.
Typical office spaces have endured ever-changing trends. Some folks spend their careers in cubicles, while others work side-by-side in shared, open-layout spaces. And yet, more than ever, many people work remotely, creating their own office space within their home — or their favorite coffee shop. If one thing holds true, it’s that every work space is unique — but perhaps few quite as much as the two you’re about to learn about.
Surrounded by a Moat
Eric Chauvin is both an esteemed painter and special effects creator for television and the big screen. His IMDb page has more than 58 credits, including “Star Trek: Voyager,” “The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones,” “Jumanji,” “The Mask,” and “Forrest Gump,” among many others.
For many years, Chauvin lived and worked in northern California’s Marin County, working at George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic. But Chauvin tired of his commute and its effect on his family and their lifestyle. The family relocated to a home in the woods at the end of a private road in Bow, Washington, just minutes from the delicious diners of Edison and easy access to Interstate 5 in Skagit County.
Artist and special effects master Eric Chauvin gave up his horrific commute years ago in northern California in favor of building a unique office on his property near Bow, Washington. The house-like building is accessed by crossing a moat. Photo courtesy Eric Chauvin
The family home has a spacious yard where Chauvin’s children enjoyed their growing up years in a peaceful setting. And since making that move, Chauvin no longer climbs into his car to go to work, he simply walks across the yard to a building across his long driveway that’s surrounded by a moat — yes, a moat!
Many years ago, I visited Chauvin for another article featuring his work on popular television shows at the time, “Lost” and “Alias.” I teetered my way across stepping stones and thought he had a snobby coworker — which turned out to be a life-like statue of a man.
The building is comprised of a workshop downstairs for making physical pieces, such as a boat structure for “Lost,” and his past experimental airplane. Upstairs the workspace looks like a living room with computers set up with the most current specialized software, awards on the walls, a library, coffee table, kitchen, and views through the windows of the trees.
An office above a coffee shop and within a windmill is the site of another friend’s work space. While Chauvin’s space is in a private setting not seen by the public, Mark Warren’s office is hard to miss and passed by hundreds of people a day along Lynden’s Front Street.
Warren has been a career coach since 1996 and involved in leadership training. Previously he had offices in Bellingham, teaming at Whatcom Community College and being on a church staff in a part-time capacity. When the owners of Lynden’s Fairway Center contacted him with their unusual office availability, he was intrigued. “They pursued me,” he says, “and said, ‘We think you will like it.'”
Shoppers at Lynden’s Fairway Center walk and drive by the windmill every day and might assume it contains seating for Woods Coffee. Instead, it’s Mark Warren’s office space. His wife’s shop, Surroundings, is just downstairs. Photo courtesy Mark Warren
At first, Warren was hesitant to make the change, but was willing to think about it. “My clients were in Bellingham, and I thought they would be reluctant to come.” Instead, they happily make the drive and usually share the same reaction to the distinctive space: “They think it’s cool.”
Below Warren’s office is a Woods Coffee location with the smells of bakery goods and coffee drinks wafting up where his clients now wait for their appointments. Mark claims he no longer notices the delightful aromas, but many of his clients end up stopping at the coffee shop, as well.
What’s found inside of an office in a windmill? In this case, unsurprisingly, a desk, chairs, and a nice setting for meeting clients in need of leadership and career counseling and training. Woods Coffee beneath offers up the smells of fresh coffee and baked goods. Photo courtesy Mark Warren
Also just downstairs is a colorful, cheerful gift shop, Surroundings Home Gifts and Garden, owned by Warren’s wife, Christa Warren. The gift shop had already relocated from within the former Dutch Mother’s Restaurant in the downtown following a remodel before Warren moved into his current location.
Visitors to Woods think the windmill space must be accessible to coffee shop patrons, but are disappointed when they can’t access it, Warren says. He looks out through his window toward Mount Baker, consistently hears clients discussing the charming setting, and sneaks down at lunch as often as possible to enjoy lunch breaks with his wife.
Seniors in the community, along with family, friends and service providers, are all welcome to take part in Summit Place’s series of meetings. Photo credit: Christina Williams
When it comes to major life decisions, many people think about the questions that come up early in life, like whether to attend college, start a family, or buy a house. But there’s another set of decisions that need to be made later in life that they are no less important or difficult — yet we often don’t get around to them until forced to make a quick choice.
The staff at Summit Place Assisted Living are starting those conversations and giving people the information they need to be more deeply informed. Their new series of community enrichment meetings, called ‘Light Up Your Mind,’ are designed to bring seniors together with the people who love and care for them, and spread some education. The series is overseen by Director of Nursing and Executive Director Elizabeth Martin.
Summit Place Assisted Living Director of Nursing and Executive Director Elizabeth Martin. Photo courtesy Summit Place Assisted Living
With her local roots, it’s no surprise that Martin is driven to serve the community that has surrounded her from the start. She graduated from Meridian High School and has been in the medical field for 20 years. “It’s really gratifying to be able to give back to the community and serve these people,” Martin says. “They have so much life experience and so much energy and sass — it’s really fun.”
Martin’s service isn’t confined just to her clients, as she often interacts with their family members, as well. It happens so often that it inspired the ‘Light Up Your Mind’ events as a way to answer tough questions about subjects like dementia. Common questions include: “How do I interact with my mom, who is going to forget what I say in five seconds and ask me the same question over again?” And: “My dad has congestive heart failure; how can I help him live the best life he can live?”
The need to make major life decisions never stops, and Williams is dedicated to helping people make informed choices. Photo credit: Christina Williams
Martin stresses that while sitting down one-on-one can feel intimidating to many, doing so in a group setting often feels much more comfortable, since it lets folks know they’re not alone.
The first ‘Light Up Your Mind’ event was available only to the residents of Summit Place, but future gatherings will be open to all members of the local community.
“One thing we learned with COVID is that we missed that community feeling. We’ve seen depression and cognitive impairments skyrocket because people are meant to be social,” Martin says. “We want to engage not just the Summit Place community — or even just the senior community — but as a Whatcom County community.”
Summit Place Executive Assistant and Community Relations Director Christina Williams is helping to spread the word about the series. The first event showed Williams the value of addressing tough, deeply personal questions with a lighter touch. “It’s important for us to bring in engaging guest speakers because we want it to be fun.”
“A topic like advance directives doesn’t just pertain to seniors, it pertains to everybody in the community,” says Summit Place Executive Assistant and Community Relations Director Christina Williams. Photo credit: Steven Arbuckle
That first event, led by Adrienne Wellendorf, clinical liaison for Eden Home Health, covered fall prevention and transfer safety. “[Attendees] were really engaged and asking her questions, and she demonstrated things for them,” says Williams.
It’s this type of physical and visual engagement that those involved in the series hope will continue to draw people in.
The meetings take place every other month and feature a different guest speaker. The next event in the ‘Light Up Your Mind’ series, scheduled for April, will address dementia. Future topics are still being decided.
“A topic like advance directives doesn’t just pertain to seniors, it pertains to everybody in the community,” Williams says. “We’ll have topics like chronic pain management, heart health, and hospice. And we’re definitely open to requests.”
For anyone interested in attending, learning more, or suggestion future series topics, please contact Christina Williams at marketing@mtbakercarecenter.com.
With warmer and sunnier days finally upon us, spring is a great season to complete home improvement projects.
Whether it’s servicing an old furnace, installing air conditioning, or putting solar panels on your roof, the experts at Barron — a local leader in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) work for over 50 years — can make your plans a reality.
“Spring’s a great time to reset and get out in front of any potential issues,” says Barron Director of Service Blake Trafton. “For that peace of mind, it’s a perfect time to make sure the vital systems in your home are operating at the highest level of efficiency, or to start planning to change to something even more efficient.”
Photo courtesy Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing
As temperatures climb, many people naturally begin to think about cooling their homes, either with traditional air conditioning or through electric heat pumps that also offer AC.
Barron Chief Operating Officer Merrill Bevan says each spring the company supports two types of people: those planning for the hot summer days now, and those responding to them once they happen. “While we do our best to support everyone, the planners often walk into summer with much less stress!”
Lead times for AC installation tend to increase substantially by June, meaning those who wait to request service may have a hard time getting cool while it’s still hot. Last year, Bevan says, increased demand due to hotter summers and supply chain issues combined and led to waiting periods measured in months, something unheard of just a few years ago
While that’s not expected this year, scheduling work as early as possible is the best way to ensure you’ll be comfortable when the mercury spikes. Rob Takemura, Barron’s director of operations, says current lead times from call to install are measured in weeks, “so it’s a great time! To plan.”
Photo courtesy Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing
And the heat can be just as challenging for Barron employees as it is for homeowners.
“Up in those crawl spaces or attics, it could be 130 degrees,” Takemura says. “We try to talk to the customer and start as early as possible in the morning.”
Barron’s home show special, valid through April 30, is $1,000 off the installation of an air conditioner or heat pump unit. A full system upgrade Preseason AC special is also being offered: up to $4,000 in savings with qualifying rebates, incentives, and a Silver Shield Membership.
Air Ducts
After months of having your home buttoned up to stay warm and dry, dust and allergen levels may be high. That’s why duct cleaning and sealing is also a popular spring activity.
Barron technicians provide traditional air duct cleaning and also offer Aeroseal® services to seal ducting and provide energy savings that might be escaping through holes and loose fittings. Takemura had his own home sealed with Aeroseal and saw a profound increase in energy efficiency.
Photo courtesy Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing
“It took an opening the size of a screen door — that’s how much air I was losing in my system — and got it down to a 2-by-2-inch amount of air loss,” he says.
Some homeowners may also wish to go with ductless HVAC systems, to cool or heat specific areas of their home as efficiently as possible.
Barron home show specials include $500 off duct cleaning and Aeroseal® when ordered together, $300 off Aeroseal separately, or $100 off a duct cleaning.
Solar and More
Sunny days get many people thinking about solar power, and with new tax credits available, now is a great time to consider it for your home.
While solar can represent a significant upfront investment, Barron also offers low interest, energy smart financing to that can bring the monthly investment down to something comparable to most customers current utility bills. Paired with energy smart heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, Barron has even seen some customers have lower monthly payments for their solar investment than their prior utility bills. In other words, it paid for itself!. These rates can even be slightly lower, Takemura says, than current interest rates for lending from a bank.
Even if you’re unsure about making the jump, it’s easy to have a Barron technician provide a thorough evaluation on whether your home is right for solar.
While some homeowners opt for battery backups and generators as part of their solar systems, others opt for traditional power generators and battery backup systems. This means that when a storm knocks out power, their generators recharge batteries that keep lights on.
Barron experts at the Skagit Home Show. Photo courtesy Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing
Barron Solar home show specials include saving up to $4,500 on a combined solar system (array, battery backup, and generator), as well as savings of $1,000 to $2,500 on individual or other combinations of these systems — plus a 30% tax credit!
Maintenance
Of course, you don’t have to go wild with new installs to save money or improve the comfort of your home.
Trafton points out that while many people wait until fall for furnace maintenance, now can also be a great time to take care of it. After months of a heavy winter workload, spring checkups can ensure your furnace motors, fans, and other parts are in the best shape possible. It’s like taking your car in for an oil change after a 5,000 mile, around the country trip and Barron we’ll check your air filters, too!
Both preventative and performance maintenance, adds Bevan, is especially important if your equipment is reaching middle age. Even if you don’t know the age of your furnace, Barron technicians can help you figure it out.
Another common springtime maintenance involves plumbing. Specifically, checking outside hose bibbs before you start gardening or watering your lawn.
“It’s amazing how often there have been issues plumbing challenges that happened over the winter but only begin to surface as garden and lawn gets going outside,” Bevan says. “Getting a plumbing inspection before you start pulling out your garden hoses is a great habit to get into each year.”
Silver Shield Memberships
This is also a great time of year to consider something that can provide both peace of mind and cost savings: Silver Shield Memberships.
The memberships, which start at $20 a month, provide discounts on equipment replacement and maintenance, as well as priority service. The latter includes no overtime rates and a spot at the head of the emergency service line, anytime you need it. Barron will also communicate with you proactively about maintenance during its spring and fall “shoulder” seasons — when heating and cooling equipment is being used less.
A $100 kickoff maintenance special is being offered for those who stop by the Whatcom home show (This is an in-booth special just for show goers – be sure to head to the show!). This provides maintenance for the equipment of your choice — at just $100 — when you purchase a monthly Silver Shield Membership.
Regardless of your needs this season, it’s an ideal time to team with Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing for your home comfort needs.
“Now is definitely the time to get in line,” says Takemura. “Even if you get someone out to your house to do that evaluation now, you can schedule for later on in May.”
The Pediatric Care Unit on 2 North at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center expands care for families in Whatcom County and the surrounding community.
The new unit, which opened in February, consists of four dedicated rooms with seven beds to care for children aged 0-17, and two additional rooms for overflow patients.
One of the rooms serves children whose outpatient procedures still may require several hours of careful observation, for example infusions, difficult lab draws, medication monitoring or sedated imaging. Currently, these outpatient services are only offered during the day, Monday through Friday. The unit soon hopes to offer these services with expanded hours and on weekends.
In addition to the specially trained, board-certified hospitalists, all the nurses who work on the unit are specifically trained to care for children of all ages. These providers coordinate care with other specialists, pediatricians, and primary care providers.
The Pediatric Care Unit at PeaceHealth St. Joseph offers family-centered space for children who need to stay in the hospital, from new babies needing extra care, to children experiencing chronic conditions or those recovering from inpatient surgery. Along with the Special Care Nursery that cares for babies 32-weeks and older, PeaceHealth’s Pediatric Care Unit also works closely with Seattle Children’s Hospital to serve as the primary hub for pediatric care north of Everett.
Instead of traveling to Everett or Seattle for some of these services, families can stay local for more of their child’s care – which means less disruption; less expense; less hassle. PeaceHealth St. Joseph plans to continue the growth of dedicated pediatric services to meet the needs of the community.
As this image from Racine, Wisconsin shows, Chautaqua events regularly saw thousands of attendants. The tents could cover 1,000 to 1,500 people and typically read "Chautauqua" and the local name. The companies profited from ticket sales. Public domain photo/Wikimedia Commons
At the turn of the 20th century, Whatcom County was in the path of a movement Theodore Roosevelt once called “the most American thing in America.” This was Chautauqua — a nationwide entourage of lecturers and entertainers that revolutionized adult education.
The movement started in 1873 with Methodists in Chautauqua, New York, emulating public lectures of the Lyceum movement. It soon integrated entertainment — rivaling vaudeville into the 1890s.
“The idea, it started to spread all over the country,” says New Old Time Chautauqua co-founder Paul Magid. “Soon, there were what I call place-based Chautauquas in every state of the union, including Washington state. And there started being Chautauqua bureaus; agencies where you could book lecturers and politicians.”
Thousands of these for-profit organizations would hold “Chautauqua Weeks,” where “first day” lecturers and entertainers traveled each day to a new city that would see a new lineup the following day. Bellingham saw repeated visits through the 1910s and ’20s, and Birch Bay had its own Chautauqua from 1909 to 1912. Thousands locally joined millions nationally in festivities that shaped the face of lifelong learning.
Chautauqua in Birch Bay
Chautauqua attendees visited Birch Bay by steamboat in Bellingham Bay and the Great Northern Railway in Blaine. A May 1909 Bellingham Herald article declared that “Birch Bay is destined to become the finest resort on the mainland of the Northwest.”
As in this image from Juneau, Alaska, Chautauqua performances attracted thousands-strong crowds to idyllic locations. The Bellingham Herald wrote of Birch Bay attendants: “The campers are taking it easy, scores lying in hammocks and lounging beneath the shade trees, and still enjoying music and speeches delivered from the platform.” Photo courtesy Paul Magid
“The idea was that you would go to an idyllic place — it wasn’t like you would hold them in the town,” says Magid. “Initially, you would hold them in some place that was naturally beautiful and inspiring. And people would come there and — certainly at Birch Bay — the idea was that most people would camp.”
The Herald reported “five hundred campers and as many visitors” in July 1911. Organizers in the Pomona Grange of Whatcom County urged farmers to take time off to attend.
“When Chautauquas came into town, a lot of things stopped,” Magid says. “People stopped doing fieldwork or stopped fishing and came and attended Chautauqua to just better themselves. It was part of the self-betterment movement.”
Lectures connected attendees with issues on the national stage and in their own backyard — such as conversations on fishing, logging, and other local industries.
“That’s part of what made the Chautauqua so popular,” says Magid. “It not only brought you into the community of what was happening throughout the country, but it brought you into contact with people from all over the local area. You’d actually be with them for about a week, camping and talking and hanging out and discussing local issues and what was going on and how to better improve the community.”
Advocacy on the Chautauqua Stage
Public figures such as Washington’s Governor Marion E. Hay and good roads advocate Samuel Hill spoke at the Birch Bay Chautauqua. Lecturers addressed the era’s national concerns, such as women’s suffrage and child labor laws.
“If you were going to be a politician, you had to speak on Chautauqua,” Magid says.
Emma Smith DeVoe, a suffragist who spoke at Birch Bay’s Chautauqua, organized the National Council of Women Voters: the first national organization to educate women voters on issues on the ballot. Public domain photo/Wikimedia Commons
Emma Smith DeVoe, who successfully campaigned for women’s suffrage in Washington 10 years before its national ratification, was among the suffragists to speak at the Birch Bay Chautauqua.
“The Chautauqua was incredibly influential and instrumental in the suffragette movement,” says Magid. “There were almost a thousand Chautauquas traveling at that time and seen by 40 million Americans, which was about half the country.”
Chautauqua also platformed advocates for Native American citizenship and suffrage, nationally ratified in 1924. Nipo T. Strongheart of the Yakama Nation spoke across the country, receiving local support from the Lummi and Nooksack Peoples.
New Old Time Chautauqua hosts benefit events with their own entertainers. These include the Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band/Orchestra, which regularly performs at parades. Photo courtesy New Old Time Chautauqua
“Part of what makes the Chautauquas interesting is the local issues that were also featured on these stages,” Magid says. “It wasn’t just the governor of Washington state, it was also local professors and people who were interested in improving the community.”
Birch Bay’s Chautauqua went bankrupt and moved to Ferndale in 1912. The advent of radio, film, and new educational opportunities for women precipitated the national movement’s abrupt decline into the Great Depression.
Chautauqua Today
The Chautauqua movement has profoundly influenced successive movements in education.
“If you listen to National Public Radio or TED Talks or things like that, those are all coming out of the Chautauqua movement,” says Magid. “They’re all the same idea: We should basically bring together education and entertainment into this very American way of learning.”
The New Old Time Chautauqua brings education and entertainment to the same northwest communities as the original traveling groups. They have completed service projects such as building fire pits, cleaning forgotten grave sites and old buildings, and picking up trash from parks. Photo courtesy New Old Time Chautauqua
New York’s Chautauqua Institution has continued alongside numerous states’ place-based organizations. New Old Time Chautauqua, the only modern traveling group, retraces the Chautauqua circuit in Whatcom and adjacent counties.
“Our Chautauqua is different in that we’re a 501(c)(3). We’re a not-for-profit organization, an all-volunteer intergenerational group of people,” Magid says. “So we do this as a way to give back to our community in the greater northwest, and we’ve been doing it since 1981 when we were founded based on the ideas of the old traveling Chautauquas.”
New Old Time Chautauqua regularly collaborates with local cities and native nations on service projects, benefit events, and public advocacy. Through its modern revivals and continuations, Chautauqua still finds a voice.
Every single day, Molly and her family can enjoy the ocean and each other without the weight of maintaining a larger property. Photo courtesy Molly Visser
By downsizing from a 2,400-square-foot home in Bellingham to a 980-square-foot condo in Sandy Point, real estate agent Molly Visser trimmed the excess from her family’s life, chased her dream of owning a boat, and simplified her family’s lifestyle. Recently, Visser sat down with WhatcomTalk to share her story and help others begin their own journey of downsizing.
Why Downsize?
As a real estate agent with John L. Scott for the past eight years, Visser understands the detail that goes into relocating a household — especially with a big family.
Moving to Sandy Point helped the Vissers simplify their life and enjoy the activities they love most. Photo courtesy Molly Visser
“I’ve lived in Bellingham for 30 years and have four boys,” says Visser. “My husband and I are almost empty nesters and we kept having the conversation about what we’re going to do when we’re free. One of the ideas was downsizing and maybe trading things in for more freedom. That was what spurred the conversation.”
The Vissers decided they wanted more mobility and less responsibility for their home maintenance, as they were living in a larger house with a sizeable yard. “My husband and I always wanted to have a boat and live on the water,” Visser says. What they found was a unique — and seemingly perfect for them — situation at Sandy Point. “It was a small condominium complex with a unit at the end and a big yard for our dogs, as well as a dock where we could store a boat.”
Pros and Cons
Despite the happiness with her family’s decision, Visser encourages folks to consider all the pros and cons before completely changing their lifestyle.
The Vissers are happy with their decision to downsize and would do it again in a heartbeat. Photo courtesy Molly Visser
“The positive of downsizing is that you have less items to maintain and less square footage to maintain,” says Visser. “There’s less yardwork and it’s a simpler way of life. It requires getting rid of most of what you own, which creates a sense of freedom.”
On the other hand, downsizers would be working with limited space and more restrictions, especially if they were to buy a condo or other dwelling that’s part of a centralized community. “We have to present ideas to the board to get things done in our condo,” Visser says. “It’s a give and take.”
The Process
Downsizing can seem daunting for those who have families or a lot of materials to go through.
Visser’s favorite part about downsizing was her ability to own a boat and enjoy living on the water. Photo courtesy Molly Visser
“I tend to get super excited about everything and make quick decisions,” says Visser. “We had just spent a year and a half remodeling the home we were going to live in forever, so when I found this place, it was a super quick decision.”
Alongside her husband and sons, Visser went through her home with lightning speed, putting items into piles for keeping or getting rid of, and creating a pile for items she was unsure about.
“I wouldn’t recommend going fast to people,” Visser says. “The things I wasn’t sure about keeping I put in a storage unit, and once we got settled in our condo, I was able to go back to the storage unit and decide whether or not I really needed those things. Most of them I actually ended up getting rid of.”
The Vissers love to watch the breathtaking sunsets at Sandy Point from the comfort of their home. Photo courtesy Molly Visser
When sorting through tools or appliances, especially in the kitchen, Visser advises folks to keep things that can accomplish more than two tasks, promoting efficiency and saving space. Visser also recommends folks start downsizing their life six months to a year before they make a final decision about moving.
“Start cleaning out closets, weeding out your wardrobe and slowly start giving things away or donating,” says Visser. “So, when something comes on the market, you’re kind of ready to go. Even if you decide to change your mind, your house is organized, and you still simplified your life.”
Lifestyle Changes and Real Estate
The desire to simplify her life has had an enormously positive impact on Visser, and she would do it all again.
Every single day, Molly and her family can enjoy the ocean and each other without the weight of maintaining a larger property. Photo courtesy Molly Visser
“This makes sense, and it works for us,” she says. “It feels good because we have what we need, and we don’t have too much stuff. Now we have a boat, and we can crab, fish, and watch the sunset on the water.”
Through her work with John L Scott, Visser promotes the same values she lives in her own life and encourages her clients to enjoy what makes Whatcom an incredibly special corner of Washington.
“It’s all about the people and the relationships,” says Visser. “In this job, I get to meet all kinds of people from all stages and walks of life. I love that I get to help them make an emotional decision and that being part of that decision creates a bond between us. We have so many cool treasures to share with people moving here from other places.”
Grammy-nominated multi-platinum band NEEDTOBREATHE are a dynamic force who have appeared on nearly every network television show. They have generated over one billion streams, topped several Billboard Radio, Album and Sales Charts and have sold out arenas and amphitheaters all over the world. We are thrilled to have them join our 2023 lineup at the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden. NEEDTOBREATHE will be the talk of the town on Wednesday, August 16 at 7 p.m where they will be performing a part of the Bank of the Pacific Grandstand Entertainment Series.
NEEDTOBREATHE started making music in the early 2000’s and even as the Pandemic raged on they continued to expand their fanbase as evidenced by their 2020 album release, Out of Body. This album received worldwide praise and debuted in the Top 5 of three Billboard Charts. Shortly after this huge release they surprised fans again with another album Into The Mystery which was a smashing success placing it as their 5th No. 1 album. Now we eagerly anticipate heading into the mystery with them this summer at the Fair.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. grandstand show go on sale to the public at 9 a.m. on March 31. Grandstand reserved seats, preferred seats, and preferred chairs are available. Tickets do not include gate admission, which is required. The show is presented by Manna Insurance Group.
For access to the online pre-sale starting March 29, people can subscribe to the ‘Friends of the Fair’ email here www.nwwafair.com/email.aspx.
Tickets can be purchased at www.nwwafair.com, the Fair Office, 1775 Front St. Lynden, and by phone at 360.354.4111. VIP Experiences and group ticketing are also available. The 2023 Northwest Washington Fair will be presented August 10-19.
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...
