Foothills Gazette

March 1-11

Mount Baker School District gets $500,000 energy grant

by Stephanie Kosonen DEMING –  The Mount Baker School District recently received a $500,000 grant from the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for energy efficiency improvements. The district was already looking into how to be more energy efficient before officials learned they could apply for the grant, said Superintendent Dr.... [Read more of this review]

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North Cascades Highway: Crews to begin snow removal this month

by the Foothills Gazette NEWHALEM – Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews found lower-than-normal snow levels during a field trip on Feb. 22 up the North Cascades Highway to assess snow conditions, officials said. “Right now, snow and debris amounts are down compared to previous years. We dug a snow pit near the summit and... [Read more of this review]

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Community Clean-Up Day at Saxon Cemetery on March 6

ACME – A Community Clean Up Day event will be held at the Saxon Cemetery on Saturday, March 6. Whatcom County Cemetery District Commissioner Terri Maleng said the clean up will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The focus will be on rewoving blown down branches, leaves, and other debris on the grounds. Members of the community are invited and encouraged... [Read more of this review]

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Community Calendar: Local Events

Tuesday, March 2 Duct Tape Crafts: Teens, make cool stuff with duct tape! All materials provided. 2:45-3:45 p.m.  Teens only, free. Refreshments served. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming. Call 592-2422. WeSNIP Spay Station: Free and low cost dog and cat spay and neuter services aboard the WeSNIP mobile veterinary facility by local doctors... [Read more of this review]

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EVERYDAY LIFE: The dentist

It was time.  A 35 year old root canal had given up and the tooth was ready to go.  Where I don’t know, maybe to the Tooth Fairy, but I think the fairy gave up on getting that tooth years ago.  Probably have to pay to get it out from under my pillow at this point.  One way or another it was going to come out soon, so I decided to let a dentist... [Read more of this review]

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March Mud Madness: Having fun with spring’s main ingredient

by Joe “Grizzly” Beeks It’s officially March. The days are getting longer again, kids are waking up earlier, and the birds are chirping each morning. There may be snow in the hills, but March for most folks means the start of Spring, or at least the fact it’s starting to be near the start of Spring. Heck, it could be weeks – or months... [Read more of this review]

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Small Farm & Direct Marking Handbook available for farm, food businesses

STATE – The Washington State Department of Agriculture has released the Small Farm & Direct Marketing Handbook for farmers who sell their agricultural and food products directly to consumers. The handbook, announced at the annual meeting of the Washington State Farmers Market Association earlier this year, provides information about the resources... [Read more of this review]

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IN THE GARDEN: Starting seeds

Along with last year’s increased interest in home veggie gardening, more people are now interested in starting their own seeds. Growing plants from seed can be fun for the kids, and saves money on plants. Like anything, there are tradeoffs to starting seeds versus buying starts. So consider the following if you’re wanting to start your own seeds... [Read more of this review]

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Welcome Valley’s Local Food Works receives $1,500 grant

by Brita Adkinson DEMING – Local Food Works, a food production organization based in Welcome Valley, recently received a $1,500 grant from the Bellingham-based Community Food Co-op Farm Fund to assist their efforts in providing fresh fruit and vegetables to local families and individuals in need. Local Food Works started in 2009 as a kitchen table... [Read more of this review]

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Karen Howell: Home is where the art is

by Brita Adkinson NUGENTS CORNER – Stained glass windows, wrought iron table legs, decorative wooden boxes and kitchen cabinets are among the many creations made by Karen Howell of Nugents Corner. “I have worked with wood and iron for at least 30 years,” said Howell, who uses traditional blacksmithing tools for working with wrought iron. Her love... [Read more of this review]

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Annual auction raises funds for Northwest Wildlife Rehab Center

by Stephanie Kosonen NUGENTS CORNER – The sixth annual Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Auction will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 6 at the Northwood Hall in Bellingham. The wildlife center cares for injured and orphaned wildlife in Whatcom County. “Every patient is treated as if it is the last of its species. All are given... [Read more of this review]

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Investigation continues into man’s death

by the Foothills Gazette COUNTY – An Everson-area man was shot and killed on Monday, Feb. 15 at a residence in the 5900 block of Lawrence Road. Authorities identified the man as Mark G. McCollum, 48. Police were not called to the home until the next day, approximately 14 hours after the incident took place. Lynda Holman, 46, the suspect in the case,... [Read more of this review]

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News Briefs

Lions Clubs host local events EVERSON/KENDALL – The Everson and Mount Baker Lions Club groups are hosting events this month. The Everson Lions Club will hold its Steak Dinner on Saturday, March 6 at the Everson Senior Center from 5 – 7 p.m. The dinner costs $9 per plate and includes a steak dinner with all the fixings. “Bring the family out, join... [Read more of this review]

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Council approves changes to septic inspections, subdivision moratorium

by Stephanie Kosonen COUNTY – The Whatcom County Council has approved amendments to septic system rules, allowing some private homeowners to inspect their own systems as long as they take a free, county-sponsored class on how to care for and monitor on-site septic systems. Following a public hearing, the amendment passed with a 5-2 vote on Tuesday,... [Read more of this review]

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Olympics: Local businesses see small boost; residents visit games

by the Foothills Gazette COUNTY – Local businesses have reported a small bump in tourism related to the Olympic Games held in Vancouver, B.C. Feb. 14-28, with most visitors being Canadian residents. According to Magenta Widner, lead staff at the Glacier Public Service Center, visitation in February was slightly lower compared to 2009. “There have... [Read more of this review]

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