by Marnie Jones

KENDALL – Kendall Elementary students, teachers and families broke ground on a new garden on Saturday, Dec. 3. The garden, which is being constructed under the guidance of the Common Threads School Garden Collective, will allow students to learn about food, farming, horticulture, and the environment.

Kendall joins 10 other Whatcom County schools in engaging with Common Threads to get their garden started. “School gardens are more sustainable if there’s a garden educator or an outside human resource to keep the energy going,” according to Common Threads’ Tessa Bundy. Having an experienced person come in and rally the troops, she explained, can make the garden more  sustainable.

Saturday’s ground-breaking followed guidelines laid out by a landscape designer who works with Common Threads, but the work to follow will offer opportunity for creative input from the Kendall Elementary community. A garden committee, made up of parents, teachers, and staff, will join Common Threads staff in a visioning process to determine what shape the garden should take in the spring. What to plant and whether to prioritize food crops, vibrant flowers, or a garden theme are all questions that will be answered in a collaborative process over the coming months.

Kendall Elementary principal Charles Burleigh is happy to see the garden starting, and feels that student interest will grow now that the first visible progress has been made. The project has evolved almost entirely out of parent support, Burleigh said, pointing to Kendall parent Katie Chugg as the garden’s most vocal supporter. “I would say she’s right at the center of making these things happen,” Principal Burleigh said “I really appreciate our parent organization taking the lead. [The project] is going to be a great opportunity for our students.”

Common Threads, operating as a non-profit, requires a $2,300 per year membership fee for schools which join the collective. This money goes primarily towards paying their Garden Educators, who spend time at each garden site on a regular basis to help plan and inspire. Examples of the work that might be done by a Garden Educator include organizing school gardening clubs, helping with garden-related curriculum development and lesson plans, and helping the school to embrace their garden and appropriate it into their own culture.

As for Common Threads, their staff is pleased to be working with the enthusiastic Kendall community. “There’s a lot of potential [in Kendall] to engage these kids in growing food and using the garden in the school,” Bundy said.
Kendall Elementary is the Collective’s second outlying school, joining the Lummi Nation School and nine Bellingham member schools. “We’re thrilled to have a garden out in the county. Interest in school gardens is growing, and we’ve been able to gain a sense of what works for different schools.”

According to Bundy, the Common Threads staff have become very good at guiding a school towards creating a garden that works for their distinct needs.

For more information about Kendall’s school garden, contact Katie Chugg at 599-1391 or Chuggkm78@yahoo.com, or Tessa Bundy at 961-7562 or email tessa@commonthreadsfarm.org.

by Cameron Deuel

GLACIER – Kristen Fisher and her husband, Bear Yoho, didn’t intend to start a glass-blowing company. “It just sort of happened,” Fisher said.

Glacier Glass Works’ Kristen Fisher and daughter Isabella at their booth at the Bellingham Farmers Market. Fisher and husband Bear Yoho operate the glass company. PHOTO BY BRENT COLE

Their interest in the craft began about 15 years ago when Yoho was just starting to toy around with the art of blowing glass. Fisher remembers people asking them to create pieces, especially pendants. “People were ordering such large amounts that it started to effect our work schedules,” Fisher explained. Eventually, the two decided to work on their art full-time.

Although they began in Glacier, they traveled to Florida for a short time, eventually returning to the Pacific Northwest – first in Eugene, OR, then settling back in Glacier. They have created a presence at the Bellingham Farmers Market and Allied Arts in Bellingham, as well as locally at Glacier Creations and hold occasional sales at their Glacier home. Bellingham provided a great community as an artist, Fisher said, which gave their new company a chance to grow.

“We made really good glass-blowing friends,” Fisher said. “You just start to sell more merchandise and you end up buying new equipment. Before you know it, you have a business.” Fisher said she didn’t consider her glass-blowing as a career until she had been doing it for eight years.

The couple differ in style and content, Fisher said, as she enjoys decorating vases and jars with images of trees made from smaller pieces of glass. “Bear likes to make nautical themed pieces,” Fisher noted, “Maritime things like a ship in a bottle.”

A glass-blown ornament. COURTESY PHOTO

Overall, the couple enjoy speaking with customers and learning about who buys their products. In addition to the farmers market and the Allied Arts Festival, they now sell their glass on Etsy, a website geared towards giving independent craft-makers an online storefront. “I like the idea of people learning about our glass but how the heck did someone from Virginia find out about us?” she said. While they strongly appreciate their online business, the couple appreciates being able to interact with their customers.

In addition to pendants, Glacier Glass Works offers a variety of products from tooth fairy jars to goblets and straws made of glass, as well as ornaments for the holidays. Fisher mentioned how they use borosilicate pyrex glass, which makes for a more durable piece of art.

The couple are planning to have a holiday party on Dec. 11 to show off their latest work. “We’ve had a few of these before,” she said. “I make cookies and people stop by to look at our art.”

Fisher said that Glacier Glass Works needs to have a larger presence in the craft-market. She added, “I need to network more,” explaining how she’s excited about her latest project, glass buttons.

The vibrant swirl of reds and blues amongst the clean, clear glass shows how both artists have managed to hone their craft. Glacier Glass Works provides a strong variety in their products, ranging from meticulously created glass ornaments to beautifully crafted shot glasses. It’s no wonder how they are attracting customers from other parts of the country.

For more information about Glacier Glass Works, visit their booth a booth each Saturday through Dec. 18 at the Bellingham Farmers Market, or at the Allied Arts Festival. Call 599-1485 or e-mail glacierglassworks@netzero.com. Items are available online at etsy.com/people/glacierglass.

Correction: The print version of this article incorrectly stated items are available at Glacier Creations.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MT. BAKER SKI AREA

MT. BAKER – A new mid-mountain lodge, expected to open later this week, will offer food, warmth, and comfort to Mount Baker Ski Area visitors.

Raven Hut Lodge sits at the base of chairs 4, 5 and 6 and is only accessible by ski or snowboard. COURTESY PHOTO

Accessible only by ski and snowboard, the new Raven Hut stands at the site of the former Raven Hot Cafe. Full dining service, a rock fireplace, and classic Northwest architecture characterize the new $3.5 million building, which has been designed in the style of the original 1920’s Mount Baker Lodge.

Ski area representative Amy Trowbridge calls the design “timeless,” and expects that the artisan-crafted lodge will rank among the nation’s finest. “It’s very northwest, very classic, very Cascades,” she said.

Ski Area staff had at least two compelling reasons to build a new lodge, according to Trowbridge: first, large crowds at the ski area’s popular White Salmon Lodge needed room to spread out. Second, the old Raven Hot Cafe was suffering the ravages of time and challenging weather, and needed to be replaced.

As for the construction process, it’s been managed during a short warm season. “With the incredible snow pack we had last year,” Trowbridge explained, “things didn’t melt out until well into the summer.” Staff and construction crews managed to cut a road and clear snow to get into the construction site during the spring, while general contractors Wellman & Zuck managed to work through a summer of challenging alpine conditions. Finishing touches are being put on the commercial kitchen now, and final permits should be in on time for an estimated Dec. 9 opening. “We’re hoping,” Trowbridge said of the opening date, “though you never know until you actually open the doors.”

While construction of the lodge is wrapping up, artistic details will be added throughout the season and into next year. “We’ve had some Northwest artists do some beautiful [detailing] for us,” noted Trowbridge, who hopes that visitors will observe such touches as bronze ravens on the door, artful post carvings (yet to be completed), and a stone fireplace which was handcrafted by a local crew.

The new Raven Hut Lodge is designed in the 1920s-30s Cascadia style architecture and features the work of numerous local woodworkers and artisans. COURTESY PHOTO, Nov. 2011

The Raven Hut sits at the base of chairs 4, 5, and 6, opening after what has been a great start to the season. “We’ve had a bit of a roller coaster with the weather this week,” Trowbridge said, “but what a fantastic opening day we had.” She described their opening weekend as boasting “some of the best conditions we’ve ever had.” The weekend allowed for the establishment of a great base, which will serve skiers and snowboarders well as the season goes on.

In other news, Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit the ski area on Dec. 10-11.

For more information and snow conditions, visit www.mtbaker.us or call (360) 734-6771.

Three Rivers Holiday Silent Auction and Show: All are welcome to join the local non-profit school, Three Rivers Cooperative, for the annual Holiday Silent Auction and Show. 6 to 9 p.m. at the Van Zandt Hall. Family fun, bingo, and children’s musical performance. Varied selection of over 50 auction items, donated from local businesses. Three Rivers Cooperative is a non-profit, community school in eastern Whatcom County.

Everson-Nooksack Winter Festival: Hosted by the Everson-Nooksack Chamber of Commerce. Featuring family-friendly holiday activities and open house at local businesses. Visit from Santa, free hot chocolate in Everson City Park from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and more. For more information, contact 966-3407.

Happy Holidays: The choir at Mount Baker High School presents a concert filled with songs and sentiments of the Holiday Season. Dinner-theater style setting. Admission is $5 each and includes a hot beverage (coffee or apple cider) and a dessert donated by a local restaurant. All proceeds support choir program. Tickets may be purchased at the door. For advantce tickets, contact Linda Moore at 383-2033 or lmoore@mtbaker.wednet.edu. Event held at 7:30 p.m. the Bellingham Covenant Church, 1530 East Bakerview Road, Bellingham. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Mt. Baker Foothills Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting & Holiday Social: Beginning at 7 p.m. East Whatcom County Regional Resource Center, 8251 Kendall Road, Columbia Valley. Potluck dinner to follow business portion of the meeting. Service and beverages will be provided.

Port of Bellingham Holiday Festival: Free, family friendly event with many festive activities including a fire truck and horse-drawn wagon rides, local choirs, bands, and dance troupes, gingerbread houses on display, and more. Santa Claus will appear too! Noon to 5 p.m. Bellingham Cruise Terminal. For more details, visit portofbellingham.com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

Snowshoe Trail Brushing Work Party: Join the Mount Baker Club, Whatcom Events and REI for a light-duty trail brushing party to connect the upper White Salmon Road and the lower Snowpark. A new map of the snowshoe routes will be given to all volunteers. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Crossroads Grocery Store in Maple Falls. Lunch, t-shirt, hand tools provided. Wear appropriate clothing. Participants must RSVP by calling 360-746-8861 (days) or 392-1015 (evenings) or send an email to Info@skitosea.com so that the organizers can plan for lunches.

Santa Train: Take the Lake Whatcom Railway with Santa. Rides depart at 9:30 a.m., 12 noon, and 2:30 p.m. (Advance reservation by mail only.) Ben the banjo player and elf will be on board, and the coffee shop will be open. Visit lakewhatcomrailway.com for more information, or call 595-2218.

Kendall Elementary Garden Work Party: Help break ground on the new school garden. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing, bring gloves and tools,and pack a drink and lunch. Coffee and snacks will be provided. For more details, contact Katie Chugg at 599-1391 or Chuggkm78@yahoo.com.

Let’s Make Presents! Make great gifts for family and friends. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For grades K-5. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway. For more information call Tammy LaPlante at 384-3150 x219.

The Children’s Shop: A special holiday craft bazaar just for kids. Thirty vendors are selling unique handmade gifts items all priced at $8 or less. Shopping limited to kids only, but adults may accompany their children or wait in the food concession area. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bloedel Donovan Community Building.

Happy Holidays: See Dec. 2 for details. For Saturday performance, doors open at 2:30 p.m. Show starts at 3 p.m.

Port of Bellingham Holiday Festival: See Dec. 2.

Lighted Christmas Parade: Lynden’s 21st annual holiday celebration begins at 6 p.m. with the Lighted Christmas Parade, where visitors are treated to holiday carolers and a display of lighted trucks, cars, floats, wagons, farm equipment, and more. The procession starts at Fairway Center and travels along Front Street through downtown Lynden. See the unique light displays through town. Free.

Nick Vigarino – Back Porch Stomp: Slide guitar “slop jar delta funk” blues, starts at 9 p.m. Graham’s Restaurant, Glacier.

SUNDAY, DEC. 4

Rome Grange Community Pancake Breakfast: Featuring made from scratch pancakes, french toast, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee.  Biscuits and gravy available. Tickets are $5 per adult, $2 per child (ages 6-10) and free for kids 5 and under. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fastest service 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rome Grange, 2821 Mount Baker Highway, east Bellingham. Call 739-9605.

Painted Angel and Beaded Snowflake Workshop: 1 to 4 p.m. at Mountainside Gardens, 6900 Mt Baker Highway, milepost 24. Cost is $35, includes all materials. Join the fun and get into the holiday spirit.  Call 599-2271 for more info and to sign up.

28th Annual Silver Tea: The Friends of Everson Library hold their annual Silver Tea at the Everson Library. Discover individually decorated tables with this year’s theme, Christmas Angels. Tea and coffee, cookies, and music. Free, all welcome. 2 to 6 p.m. Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Dr. For more information call 966-5100.

Bellingham English Country Dance Ball: Traditional 18th-19th century English dances as seen in Jane Austen Movies. Easy dancing to beautiful music. All dances are taught and called; all levels welcome. Formal attire admired but not required. Please wear soft shoes. 2 to 5 p.m. at the Rome Grange,2821 Mount Baker Highway, east Bellingham. For more information, contact englishcountrydance@comcast.net.

TUESDAY, DEC. 6

Teen Monster Creating and Cupcake Decorating!: Make creative felt Monster presents for your friends while decorating and eating cupcakes. Sign up at the Deming Library. For grades 6-12. 3 to 4 p.m. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway. Call 592-2422.

THURSDAY, DEC. 8

bentgrass: Local bluegrass band performs every other Thursday night at Graham’s Restaurant, Glacier. Starts at 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

Let’s Make Presents!: Make great gifts for family and friends. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For grades K-5. Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Drive. For more information contact Tammy LaPlante at 384-3150 x219.

Everson Senior Center Annual Bazaar & Bake Sale: Local arts and crafts vendors will participate. Browse the handcrafts, antiques, and collectibles. Get your $1 raffle tickets for the drawings with lots of prizes donated by local businesses. Pie by the slice for $1. Profits benefit the Everson Senior Center. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Everson Senior Center, 111 Main Street, next to Everson City Hall. Call 988-3144 on Wednesdays or Fridays for more information.

Holiday Tea: Tea, cookies and music! Join the community in celebrating the holiday season with the music of the Mt. Baker Swing Choir, Honey Bees, McLaughlin Irish Dancers, Lutheran Bell Choir and Mockingbird. All ages. 1 to 5 p.m. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway. Call 592-2422.

Santa Train: See Dec. 3.

SUNDAY, DEC. 11

Free Wreath Making Workshop: Bring some greens to share if you have them, everything else provided. 1 to 4 p.m. at Mountainside Gardens, 6900 Mt Baker Highway. For more information call 599-2271.

THURSDAY, DEC. 15

PTO Cookie Exchange: Kendall Elementary School.

Open Mic at Graham’s: All welcome. Must be over 21 after 9 p.m. Graham’s Restaurant, Glacier.

FRIDAY, DEC. 16

Get Creative Gift-Making for Teens: Seasonal craft material and projects will be available for teens. Light refreshments provided by Friends of the Everson Library. 3:30 to 4:30 pm. For grades 6-12. Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Dr. Call 966-5100.

A Gift of Dance Studio Recital: An evening of dance for the winter recital “Love and Life.” Students will perform ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, worship styles of dance. Starts at 7 p.m. Nooksack High School Performing Arts Center, Everson.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17

Mrs. Claus at the Blue Mountain Grill: Naughty or Nice, Mrs.Claus is near! Visit from 1 to 4 p.m. Crafts, goodies and fun for the kids. Blue Mountain Grill, 974 Valley Highway, Acme. Call 595-2200.

UPCOMING

Tim McHugh and the Lost Poets: Wednesday, Dec.  21 at Van Zandt Community Hall. Tim McHugh and his former bandmates perform in a birthday celebration for his wife, Kristina Coyne-McHugh. Potluck at 5 p.m., music at 7 p.m. All welcome.

ONGOING

Deming Library: Open Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 5044 Mt. Baker Highway. Call 592-2422.

Everson Library: Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday. 104 Kirsch Drive, Everson. Call 966-5100.

Everson Senior Center: Open Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 111 W. Main St. Regular hot lunch at noon. Cost is $3 to $5.50 by donation. Call 966-3144.

Good Yarns at Deming Library: Wednesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. All welcome. 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming. Call 592-2422. All needleworkers welcome. Check out our blog at http://yarnravelers.blogspot.com/

Kept in Stitches: Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. Everson-McBeath Library, 104 Kirsch Dr., Everson. For more information, call 966-5100.

The Helpful Knitters: Enjoy good conversation while working together on needlecrafts. All crafters welcome. Winter hours are 2 to 4 p.m. each Monday. Call 988-2501 for more information.

Knit Night at North Fork Community Library: Bring your crafting for an evening of good company.Thursdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m. North Fork Community Library, 7506 Kendall Road. Call 599-2020.

Maple Falls Sew and Sews (quilt group) meets the third Monday at 6:30 at Kendall Elementary School. Quilters of all skill levels. Call 392-8717.

North Fork Community Library: Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday 1 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7506 Kendall Road, Kendall. Call 599-2020.

Preschool Storytime: A half-hour of stories and more for 3 – 5 year-olds. Deming Library: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. through Dec. 13, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, 592-2422; Everson Library: Mondays at 10:30 a.m. through Dec. 5, 104 Kirsch Drive, 966-5100; North Fork Community Library: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., 7509 Mt. Baker Highway, 599-2020; and Sumas Library: Mondays at 11 a.m., 451 2nd Street, 988-2501.

Saturday Evening Gathering: Special event for all ages at Silver Lake Community Church, 7836 Silver Lake Road, Maple Falls. 5 to 6:15 p.m. Child care provided. Refreshments and fellowship.

Sumas Senior Center: Lunch available Monday and Friday. All welcome. Call 988-2714 for potluck dates, lunch menu. 461 2nd Street, Sumas.

Sumas Library: Open Monday and Wednesday, noon to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. 451 2nd Street, Sumas. Call 988-2501.

Welcome Valley Senior Center: Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 5103 Mosquito Lake Road, Deming. Call 592-5403 for events and lunch menu.

Wickersham Bookmobile: Saturdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Little Brown Chapel, Wickersham and Royer Streets. Visit wcls.org.

–compiled by the Foothills Gazette

The weekend forecast calls for cold temperatures and clear skies with no additional precipitation, however an incoming storm is expected early next week. Riders are encouraged to pay attention to early season snow conditions.

The new $3.5 million mid-mountain lodge called Raven Hut, accessible only by ski or snowboard, will open in mid-December. The facility features 1920s and 30s-style Cascadia architecture. A number of local woodworkers and artists have been involved in construction. Additional details will be in the next Foothills Gazette.

Last  year, the ski area opened on Nov. 20.  Other regional ski areas are expected to open this weekend.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

The National Weather Service forecast indicates cold temperatures and clear skies for the weekend. Into the week, rain and winds are likely, while temperatures will increase into the 40s and possibly low 50s during the day. For up to date snow conditions at the Mt. Baker Ski Area, visit mtbaker.us and click on Snow Report.

COUNTY – Through an agreement with the Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF), the 4th annual Foothill Gazette Community Fund is now accepting donations.

The annual fundraiser benefits the Foothills Food Bank and Everson-Nooksack Food Bank, which also serves the Sumas Food Bank.

Through Dec. 31, the Foothills Gazette will collect monetary donations, placing all of the proceeds towards a fund to benefit the non-profit organizations. In January, coordinated through the WCF, the proceeds will be donated.

Readers who participate in this fundraiser are asked to make a donation of at least $10, through cash, check, credit card or money order. The donations are tax-deductible and each donor will receive a letter from the WCF. Readers who donate to this cause will be listed as a donor (with their permission, see donation form.)

The Foothills Food Bank, located at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Deming, operates on Tuesday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m.

The Everson-Nooksack Food Bank operates on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Everson Presbyterian Church, 204 N. Washington Street in Everson. Call 966-4833.

In addition, the Foothills Gazette sponsors local families each holiday season, helping with food, gifts and other needs. Local residents are invited to participate by purchasing a specific gift for a child or donating good food. Families remain anonymous. Gifts and food are delivered mid-December.

For more information about the Foothills Gazette Community Fund, or how you can help a local family this holiday season, contact the Foothills Gazette at via e-mail info@foothillsgazette.com or call 599-3320.

Results show Louws took nearly 54 percent of the vote, with 34,460 ballots cast in his favor, over Doug Ericksen, who received 29,489. Louws is the former mayor of Lynden; his father was named the first County Executive in 1979. Ericksen, elected as a State Senator in 2010, will continue his position.

In the Whatcom County Council District 1 race, outgoing County Executive Pete Kremen took the seat at nearly 51 percent, over current member Tony Larson, who was elected last year to a one-year term.

Sam Crawford was re-elected to his seat over challenger Christina Maginnis. Ballot counts gave both candidates a lead over one another at different times, but as of Nov. 16, voting showed Crawford as the winner with 50.37 percent.
Barbara Brenner was re-elected to her seat with 56.75 percent of the vote. Challenger Alan Black received 43.25 percent.

Whatcom County Charter Amendment No. 1 creating a salary commission passed by about 61 percent.

In other election news,  Debbie Adelstein will serve as the new County Auditor, and Steve Oliver was re-elected as the County Treasurer. Bill Elfo was re-elected as County Sheriff, and received nearly 75 percent of the vote over challenger Steve Harris.

Port of Bellingham District 3 Commissioner Jim Jorgensen was re-elected to his seat, by a margin of about 73 percent, over challenger Michael Murphy.

Locally, Everson City Council member Andy Rowlson was re-elected with 59.8 percent of the vote. Daniel Bennett received 80.6 percent of the vote to win his Nooksack City Council seat, and Marshall Judy, also on the Nooksack Council, won his district with 64.8 percent of the vote.

Two new commissioners will sit on the Columbia Valley Water District board, serving the Paradise Lakes community. Shane Janitscheck defeated incumbent Gerald Kern, and Victoria Anderson took 63.8 percent of the vote over Ben Kjeldgaard.

Fire District 14 will have a new commissioner. Leonard (Shorty) Bjornstad took 53.8 percent of the vote over incumbent Chris Moe.

As of Nov. 16, a total of 68,943 ballots were counted by the Auditor’s Office. Approximately 150 ballots remained. Voter turnout was approximately 58.8 percent. The election results will be finalized of Nov. 29.

Election results

Election results will be certified Nov. 29. For a full listing of results, visit the Whatcom County Auditor’s website at www.whatcomcounty.us, and click on Auditor, then election results.

Extra DUI patrols for six weeks
COUNTY – Law enforcement will conduct extra DUI patrols in Whatcom County from Nov. 24, 2011 through Jan. 2, 2012.Officers from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol, as well as the Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and Western Washington University Police Departments, will commit extra patrol hours to make the roadways safer for everyone. These efforts are part of Washington’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by the year 2030. Last year during the same time period, officers in Whatcom County on routine and extra patrols arrested 151 people for DUI. For additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, visit www.wtsc.wa.gov.

Everson-Nooksack Chamber’s Winter Festival coming up Dec. 2
EVERSON – The Everson-Nooksack Chamber of Commerce will hold their November meeting at Farmer’s Roost, on Tuesday, Nov. 22 starting at noon. The agenda includes a planning report on the upcoming Winter Festival, set for Friday, Dec. 2, as well as city reports for both Nooksack and Everson. There will be no chamber meeting in December.

Whatcom Writes! contest entries due
COUNTY – Local writers have until midnight Thursday, Dec. 1 to submit entries to this year’s Whatcom WRITES! contest. The theme is “Enemies”, a tie-in to the 2012 Whatcom READS! featured title, In the Presence of the Enemy by Elizabeth George.
Writers may submit a poem, short story, fiction or nonfiction entry of up to 800 words. The top 30 entries will be published in an anthology; rights return to the author upon publication.   Winning authors will be invited to read their work at Village Books on Feb. 12, 2012. Visit whatcomreads.org for writing contest rules and details on how to submit entries.

Library’s holiday bazaar through December
KENDALL – The Friends of the North Fork Community Library are hosting a Holiday Bazaar through the end of December at the North Fork Community Library during regular library hours. Donations of craft items are welcome. All funds raised go toward maintenance of the new library. For more information contact Katie Chugg, Friend of the Library, at 599-1391. The North Fork Community Library is open Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 1 to 8 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Master gardener training announced
COUNTY – Applications are currently being accepted for Whatcom County Master Gardener training beginning February 2012. To become a certified Master Gardener, applicants must complete a 10-week training course; 60 hours of volunteer time as a Community Educator is optional. The cost for training is $300, which includes materials (DVD, online curriculum, guest speakers and field trips). A rebate of $150 returned after volunteer hours are complete. Scholarships are available to those who qualify. For more information, contact Master Gardener Coordinator Beth Chisholm at beth.chisholm@wsu.edu  or call (360) 676-6736. More information about the program is online at whatcom.wsu.edu.

Kendall Elementary to construct garden
KENDALL – A garden work party will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3 at Kendall Elementary School to break ground on the new garden. The work party will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome to participate. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing, bring gloves and tools, and pack a drink and lunch. Coffee and snacks will be provided. On the same day, the Kendall PTO is hosting a holiday bazaar from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kendall Elementary featuring items made by local artists and crafters and baked goods. A free craft is available for kids. Local crafters, artists, and groups interested in participating can have a table for $10 each. For more information about the events, contact Katie Chugg at 599-1391 or Chuggkm78@yahoo.com.

Following are some of the tree farms in eastern Whatcom County area, most open through Dec. 23 or Christmas Eve.

• Alpine Meadows Tree Farm: 3585 Valley Highway, south of Van Zandt, 595-1019. Open through Dec. 22. Hours are 9 a.m. to dark, Monday through Saturday. Trees include Noble Fir, Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Fraser Fir and Nordmann. U-cut, pre-cut and live trees are available, as well as kids’ trees and wreaths and garland. There is an indoor warm-up area with free coffee and hot chocolate.

• Bell Creek Trees: 5669 Mount Baker Highway, Deming, 592-5061 or 592-4005. Open through Dec. 23. Hours are 9 a.m. to dusk on the weekends, as well as by appointment. Trees include Grand Fir, Noble Fir and Fraser Fir, Cedar, and both u-cut and we-cut are available, as well as wreaths and cut greenery. Coffee and light refreshments available.

• Fullner U-Cut Christmas Trees: 3765 E. Hoff Road, 592-5820. Open through Dec. 24. Hours are 9 a.m. to dark, daily. Trees include Douglas, Grand and Concolor Firs, Norway Spruce, and Fraser. A gift shop is also on site. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and candy canes available.

• Kelly Road Christmas Tree Farm: 1129 E. Kelly Road, 510-9198, www.kellyrdtreefarm.com.  Open through Dec. 18. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Trees include u-cut or we-cut Noble Fir, Grand Fir and Fraser Fir. Gift shop on site. Refreshments available.

A couple cuts a tree at Alpine Meadows Farm. PHOTO BY KELLY MAKARAVAGE

• Misty Meadows Farm: 6197 Everson Goshen Road, Everson, 312-3554, www.mistymeadowsfarm.com. Trees are certified organic and include Grand Fir, Douglas Fir, Noble Fir and Nordmann Fir.

• Noon Road Trees: 7188 Noon Road, Lynden, 354-8689. Open through Dec. 24. Hours are dawn to dusk, daily. Trees include u-cut Douglas, Grand, Noble, Colorado Blue, Norway and others.

• Pete Pederson Christmas Trees: 4035 Mount Baker Highway, Deming, 592-2639. Trees include Noble Fir, Grand Fir, Fraser Fir and Douglas Fir.

• Red Mountain Tree Farm: Located on Mount Baker Highway  between Kendall and Maple Falls, 599-1765, www.redmountaintrees.com. Open through Dec. 23. Hours are 10 a.m. to dusk, daily. Trees include Noble, Open Noble, Grand Fir, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Spruce, Blue Spruce, and Nordmann. U-cut, we-cut, potted trees and wreaths available, as well as garland, ornaments and other items.

• River’s Edge U-Cut Christmas Tree Farm: 4773 Deming Road, Deming, 592-5220, www.riversedgeucut.com. Open through Dec. 24. Hours are 9 a.m. to dark, daily. Trees include Noble Fir, Grand Fir, Fraser Fir, pre-cut Douglas Fir, and live trees, as well as garlands and wreaths. Free wagon rides Dec. 3-4 and 10-11. Coffee, cider, hot chocolate and candy canes available.

• Sisters Tree Farm: 3771 Valley Highway, a mile south of Van Zandt, 592-5614. Open through Dec. 24. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to dark on Saturday and Sunday. Trees include Douglas Fir, Nordmann Fir, Fraser Fir and more. U-cut, we-cut and wreaths available. Sisters Gift Shoppe on site includes crafts, ornaments, handmade dolls, stockings and more. Cookies and coffee available.

• Stoney Ridge Farm: 2092 Van Dyk Road, Everson, 592-5220, www.stoneyridgefarm.com. Open through Dec. 10. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Trees include  Fraser Fir, Noble Fir, Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, and Nordmann. We-cut, u-cut, wreaths, garlands, stands and more available. Gift shop, pie shop, animals. Coffee and hot chocolate available.

Road conditions, avalanche danger and weather forecasts will be reassessed on Monday , Nov. 21 to determine if SR 20 can be reopened for Thanksgiving week. The National Weather Service is predicting up to 22 inches of snow by Thursday evening, Nov. 17, with more weather systems bringing more snow through the weekend.

Maintenance crews for the Washington State Department of Transportation worked around the clock since the previous Friday plowing and sanding the three to five inches of snow that has fallen each day since then.

Last year, the highway closed for the winter season on Dec. 1. The 37-mile winter closure zone begins seven miles east of Diablo Dam at milepost 134 on the west side of Rainy Pass (elevation 4,855 feet) to nine miles west of Mazama at milepost 171 below Washington Pass (elevation 5,477 feet).

The highway reopened May 23, marking the second latest in the highway’s 39-year history. SR 20 typically reopens between the last week in March and the first week in May. The earliest opening ever was March 10, 2005. In 1976, a drought year, it remained open all winter.

Visit the North Cascades web page at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades.