Foothills Gazette » March 1-11

Mount Baker School District gets $500,000 energy grant

Becca Schwarz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:29:19 +0000

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. Rick Gantman. A contract signed late last year with energy performance contractor Schneider Electric eased the application process, and the sheer need for energy efficiency upgrades helped win the grant, Gantman said.
Old building design contributes to the need for the upgrades. “The oldest buildings in our district are in very, very good shape, but they’re old,” Gantman said, adding some of the buildings were constructed in the 1930s and ‘60s.
According to Schneider Electric’s energy estimates so far, they expect the district to save around 20 percent of its total electrical and natural gas costs once improvements are completed.
“That equals to about 205 tons of carbon emissions saved, or the equivalent of planting 15,000 trees,” said Harrison Eng, LEED engineer with Schneider Electric.
Lighting and heating equipment might be replaced, and walls may be reinforced with insulation to help meet efficiency goals.
“It’s undefined now what the limit of our design work with them will be,” Gantman said.
The scope of work will depend on a cost-benefit analysis, combined with the district’s available capital projects funds. “There are some things we might like to do that might not have a huge energy return, but that might be common sense to improve a building,” he said. “We’ll see what they say.”
What is known is that the energy upgrades will make a big impact on the district’s budget, Eng said.
“An even more substantial impact is in the learning environment,” Eng said. “Updating the lighting levels in the classroom and gyms and making the building HVAC system operate more consistently will create a better environment for students without sacrificing anything financially.”
The next step will be a presentation of what the company finds during an “energy audit” of the district’s buildings.
The audit involves on-site visits from Schneider Electric engineers and computer modeling of the buildings’ current energy use.
For example, light sensors were installed, as well as motion detectors, to record when the lights are on in relation to when people are actively using the space. If the lights are on a lot with little or no motion, the company might recommend motion-sensor light switches that turn on the lights when someone enters a room, Gantman said.
In addition, the company looks at the district’s history of heating bills and other hard data.
Assistant Superintendent Jim Frey compiled the grant proposal. He said the process has been revealing and helpful in determining where the problem spots are within district buildings, and district officials look forward to identifying energy savings and facility upgrades that will crate a better learning environment.
“Our district has done a tremendous job over the years of taking care of the facilities, but some of our lighting, controls, and systems have exceeded their life expectancy,” Frey said. “In addition, some of our building envelopes are not constructed up to modern standards, and we demonstrated that by upgrading, we will experience significant cost savings from a reduction in energy usage.”
Schneider Electric is in the process of working up proposals based on what they have learned, and will make a proposal to the district sometime in March, Frey said.
After that, the district will choose which projects they would like to proceed with.
Gantman said the school board will probably see some project proposals in April or May, and can choose the highest priorities from the list.
“We’re extremely pleased and excited that we get to do some work on our energy usage,” Gantman said. The district has a unique financial model that makes funding these types of projects a challenge, because it is geographically large but contains a small industrial and retail tax base.
“It’s right for Mount Baker School District to get access to this revenue source,” Gantman said. “It’s just plain right.”

Efficiency Projects

Schneider-Electric, the company contracted with the Mount Baker School District to work on energy efficiency improvements, is currently compiling an “energy audit” of the district. The school board will likely see some project proposals in April or May. Mount Baker was one of 59 school districts statewide that received funding.

Published March 1, 2010

North Cascades Highway: Crews to begin snow removal this month

Becca Schwarz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:28:03 +0000

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 found a relatively shallow and stable snow pack,” Avalanche Control Supervisor Mike Stanford said in a press release.
Based on the field trip, the assessment team has set a date of March 22 for crews to begin the annual process of snow removal.
Despite the lower-than-normal snow totals, the March 22 start date isn’t any earlier than the previous four years’ start dates, officials said. “We really can’t start any earlier,” Maintenance Assistant Region Administrator Dave Bierschbach said. “Our mountain pass maintenance crews and equipment are on an round-the-clock winter schedule until March 15. That’s the soonest we can release any of the snowblowers and crews from the other mountain passes and bring them here.”
Bierschbach also said that the lower-than-normal snow amounts should make for a faster-than-usual opening and that it could take as few as three weeks instead of the usual six.
The assessment team took snow-depth measurements from Silver Star Gate (milepost 171) all the way to the bare pavement they found about nine miles above the west side closure gate (milepost 134). Measurements included: Silver Star Gate – 3.3 feet compared with 2 feet last year; Cutthroat Ridge #6 – 9 feet compared with 25 feet last year; and Liberty Bell Mountain #1 – 12 feet compared to 40 feet last year.
The highway was closed for the season on Nov. 17, 2009. Last spring, the highway reopened on April 24.
For more information, visit the SR 20 North Cascades Highway web page at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/Passes/NorthCascades/

Published March 1, 2010

Community Clean-Up Day at Saxon Cemetery on March 6

Becca Schwarz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:27:07 +0000

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 to help. Participants should bring gloves, rakes, and wheelbarrows if possible, Maleng said.
The Foothills 4H group will join the clean up efforts as part of their Community Service Project.
Saxon Cemetery, also known as the Acme Cemetery, is located 1.5 miles off of Highway 9 (Valley Highway), on Doran Road, which turns into Bowman Road. The cemetery includes an American Legion board featuring the names of more than 100 residents who served in the military.

Community Calendar: Local Events

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:48:52 +0000

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 and staff. Free with proof of public assistance low cost to others. Other services available at time of surgery. At Dodson’s IGA, Nugents Corner. Starts at 6:15 a.m. Visit www.WeSNIP.org for more information.

Thursday, March 4

Baltic Cousins: Live music at Graham’s Restaurant, Glacier. 9 p.m. 21+after 10 p.m. Call 599-1964.

Friday, March 5

Homeschoolers Game Time: An open game time for anyone who home schools. All ages are welcome and open to all kids. First Friday of the month, March 5, 1–3 p.m., Deming Library Community Meeting Room. Bring your favorite board games. Game time is a “food free zone.” 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming. Call 592-2422.

Friends of the Lynden Library Spring Book Sale: Sorted fiction and non-fiction books, DVD & VHS movies, books on tape, and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lynden Library, 216 4th Street, Lynden.

Saturday, March 6

Community Clean Up Day: Whatcom County Cemetery District 1 (Saxon Cemetary in Acme) is hosting a “Community Clean Up Day” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The focus will be on picking up blown down branches, leaves, and debris. Members of the community are invited and encouraged to bring gloves, rakes, and wheelbarrows if possible.

Everson Lions Club Steak Dinner: The dinner is only $9 per plate for a steak dinner with all the fixins! Bring the family out, join the neighborhood groups and catch up on old times. 5–7 p.m. at theEverson Senior Center, Main St., Everson.
Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Auction: Silent, live and dessert auction, as well as a buffet dinner and jazz music by the Mark Kelly quartet, from 6-10 p.m. at the Northwood Hall, located at 3240 Northwest Ave., Bellingham. Tickets are available for $50 per person and can be purchased by contacting Jan Stamey at 647-1415 or nwwildlife@netzero.net.

The Replayzements: Music at Club 542, Nooksack River Casino. Starts at 9 p.m.

Friends of the Lynden Library Spring Book Sale: See March 5.

Upcoming

Free Community Pancake Breakfast: Saturday, March 13. The Mount Baker Lions Club will be offering its free Community Pancake Breakfast from 8–11 a.m. at Kendall Elementary School. All are welcome from the community.

Whatcom Farm Forestry Association Tree Sale: Saturday, March 13. 10 a.m. to noon at the Lynden Fair Grounds, Henry Jansen Ag Center. Fifteen types of trees are available, including pine, cedar, fir and spruce varieties, for 85 cents each. For more information, call 332-5803.

Rubber Band Mania! Saturday, March 13. There are so many amazing things to do and make with rubber bands. Join Laurie Dawson and see for yourself! For ages five and up. 10:30 a.m. Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Dr., Everson. Call 966-5100.

Music Extravaganza! Saturday, March 13. Learn how to play the recorder and make a rubber band guitar. With Ellen Dodson. For ages 5 and up. 10:30 a.m. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming. Call 592-2422.

Bead ‘Soup’ Bracelet Class: Saturday, March 13. 3–6 p.m. at Mountainside Gardens, 6900 Mount Baker Highway. Join instructor Aly Brown and learn the peyote stitch and design a bracelet with the color and bead combination of your choice. Cost is $30, plus materials fee of $5 – $10. Call 599-2890 or visit www.mountainsidegardens.com.

Spoonshine: Saturday, March 13. Live music at Graham’s Restaurant, Glacier. 9 p.m. 21+ after 10 p.m. Call 599-1964.
Northwest WA Steelheaders Benefit Auction: Saturday, March 13. Deming Log Show Grounds, doors open at 4 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m., followed by auctions. $25 per person or $45 per couple. For more information, call Dave at 220-0067.

Hambone: Saturday, March 13. Music at Club 542, Nooksack River Casino. Starts at 9 p.m.

Kendall PTO Community Potluck: Friday, March 19. 6 – 7:30 p.m. All welcome from the community. Bring a dish to share.

Ongoing

Bingo in Sumas: Proceeds benefit veterans, charities and local scholarships. Sumas American Legion Hall, 134 Harrison St. Sundays at 12:40 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays at 6:40 p.m. Call 966-4971.

Deming Library: Open Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-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: March schedule: 3/03: 1 p.m. Board Meeting; 3/10: 12:30 p.m. Nomination for Board Members; 3/12: 12:45 p.m. Loretta Green Sing-a-long; 3/17: 12 noon, St. Patrick’s Day Lunch, 12:30 p.m., Luck of the Irish Party – games & prizes; 3/26: 9:15 a.m., Pool Tournament, 12 noon, Birthday Lunch, 12:30 p.m. Carol Simmer shares healthy soup recipes and chocolate. Water Color Classes on 3/19, 3/24, and 3/31 at 12:45 p.m. 3/31: 12:30 p.m., Speaker with information on the Gate Keeper Program, the advocacy group for seniors. Ongoing schedule is the same. Hot lunch at noon. Cost is $3 – $5.50 by donation. Membership dues $10 a year. Open Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 111 W. Main St., Everson. Call 966-3144.

Glacier Public Service Center: Open weekends 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last day of season is Saturday, march 13. National Register of Historic Places. Permits, trail conditions, books. Call 599-2714.

Karaoke & Piano Bar: Karaoke every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. Piano Bar every Sunday at 6 p.m. Bobby Lee’s, 108 W. Main Street, Everson. Call 966-8838.

Knit Night at Deming Library: Wednesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. All welcome. 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming. Call 592-2422.

Maple Falls Library: Open Tues. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7509 Mt. Baker Highway. Call 599-2020.

Maple Falls Sew and Sews (quilt group) meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 at Kendall Elementary School. Quilters of all skill levels are encouraged to join. For more information, call Kathleen at 392-8717.

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

Preschool storytime: A half-hour of stories and more for preschoolers. Deming Library: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; Everson Library: Mondays, 10:30 a.m.; Maple Falls Library: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Sumas Library: Mondays, 11 a.m.

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 Mondays and Wednesdays 12:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. 451 2nd Street, Sumas. Call 988-2501.

Sumas Library Knit Night: Enjoy conversation while working on needle crafts. Mondays from 6-7:30 p.m. Free, open to the public. 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. wcls.org.

The Write Idea: A writing and discussion club for authors of all ages. Bring pen/pencil, paper, and ideas. Thursdays, from 4-6 p.m. at the Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Drive, 966-5100.

EVERYDAY LIFE: The dentist

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:44:54 +0000

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 look at it. At least they’d know what to do with it. And maybe I’d be able to eat cold pizza without a fork again.
So where do you find a dentist? The last one I went to 28 years ago was in Edmonds, WA. Surely he was dead. And his name was Dr. Cruikshank. I had no desire to see any dentist named Cruikshank ever again. I’m sure he was a good dentist, but the name still makes me shudder. The only thing I clearly remember is that getting the Novocain shot felt worse than not getting it. He’d wiggle the needle around to make sure you felt it, and every section of your mouth got at least 4 shots.
I could have used a phone book. But that was just too confusing, so I pulled an issue of the Gazette out of the kitty litter box. That’s where I found my dentist. Not in the litter box, in the paper. Truth is we don’t have a cat or a litter box, but I do have a dentist. And his name isn’t Cruikshank.
Before I had time to think about it I was walking through the door to Ellis Dentistry for my first appointment. What I found there was scary, but only in the incongruity of not being what a dentist office is supposed to be. Or how it’s supposed to be when your dentist is Cruikshank and you haven’t been there in 28 years. The people there are nice. Nothing they did hurt. And Barb my hygienist was stoked to clean the disgusting filth of 28 years out of my mouth.
But first the x-rays, sure enough that tooth was ready to come out. In fact the x-ray showed it hanging there without a stitch of bone holding it in. Looking at it all you could do was wonder how it hadn’t dropped to floor years ago. Seems cracks associated with the 35 year old root canal had allowed bacteria to get into the bone and eat it away. Yuck and ouch. But did it bother me ever? Well it used to once in awhile but the pain only lasted a couple of days then would go away. I’d forget about until the next time. And frankly, it hadn’t really hurt in over a year. Well no wonder dumb___. You can fill in the blank.
Three hours later after what to me was a thorough clean, I found out I had to come back for two more two hour deep cleaning sessions. And still Barb remained stoked. I guess she figured by the time she got done with me she’d finally be able to stand my breath. I sure hope so. So does my wife.
Next stop is the orthodontist. He doesn’t advertise in the local paper, so I won’t mention his name. But I’m sure I’ll have more stories after he yanks out my tooth, and the little one next to it for good measure. Amazingly after 28 years without seeing a dentist, or a Cruikshank, I didn’t have one cavity. But my teeth are falling out anyway. It’s going to cost me about $200 apiece to have them yanked. And no Tooth Fairy, these teeth are well past their prime and not worth a wooden nickel.

John McKnight has been exploring Whatcom and Skagit counties for over 25 years. He can be e-mailed at john@foothillsgazette.com.

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

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:44:02 +0000

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 (remember last year?) – before we see continual warmer weather, but we know it’s coming. We know we have made it through the winter blahs that often come in January and February.
While plenty of folks will continue to seek fresh powder at Mt. Baker and beyond, others look longingly at their garden, hiking shoes and t-shirts. The time is coming. And I’m not just saying that.
Growing up, this time of year signified one thing for my brother and I. Well, actually two. It was the start of Spring (even though March 1 was not the official start of the season on the calendar), which meant only one thing to us: mud. Ah, mud. The Mucky Underbelly of Dirt, as my dad liked to call it.
The mud season, most often plentiful in March, April and May, was sort of like summer vacation (but not as good!). It’s arrival signaled longer playing time outside and the coming warmer weather that would eventually bring bare feet, swimming holes and barbecues. But until we could have bare feet, we had our mud boots. We wore them plenty, and they were plenty dirty.
My boots were green with a thick black line at the top. My brother had brown boots with paw prints on them. But many times one could not tell whose boots were whose. Except for the small difference in sizing, our boots were often completely covered in mud. When we would head back to the house for dinner, my mother smiled and shook her head at the same time.
Mud is a universal joy for kids, our folks knew that and let us revel in it. We made mud pies, jumped in puddles (what kid doesn’t jump in puddles?!), dug trenches, built forts, and buried all sorts of things. We played under rainy skies, we played under sunny skies. Sometimes we played under dark skies by the light of the moon or by the front porch light.
My brother and I may be adults now, but we still love to play outside. We don’t make mud pies much anymore, but muddy mountain biking is certainly in order.
And yes, we plan to get plenty dirty, so dirty we won’t be able to tell the difference between our boots.

Published March 1, 2010

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

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:42:56 +0000

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 available to farmers, how to operate a farm business, marketing strategies and regulations on specific products. Sections include licensing, food safety, organic certification and marketing directly to consumers through farmers markets, retailers and institutions, community supported agriculture (CSAs), farm stands and U-pick, and information on agri-culinary tourism. Regulations are also outlined, including the marketing of specific products such as poultry and meats, eggs, fish and shellfish, fruits and vegetables, honey, milk and dairy.
“Helping farmers sell their products and increase the economic viability of small farms is the core mission for our Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program,” said WDSO Director Dan Newhouse in a press release. “A lot of farm wisdom went into this handbook and we paid special attention to summarizing pertinent rules and regulations in plain language.”
Direct marketing has grown in popularity, department officials said, as consumers purchase more fresh local products and are learning about where their food comes from and how it is produced. The majority of Washington’s 39,000 farms are classified as small farms, according to the department.
In 2008, sales at 140 farmers markets in Washington State exceeded $55 million. Figures from 2009 are not yet available. Statewide, there also are about 200 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operations where consumers purchase regularly from a local farm. Locally, Whatcom County has more than 30.
The new handbook builds upon what was formerly called The Green Book, last revised in 2006. It was partially funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency.
The 125-page handbook can be downloaded at http://agr.wa.gov/Marketing/SmallFarm in its entirety, by chapter or by topic. Printed copies may be obtained by e-mailing your address to smallfarms@agr.wa.gov or by calling Leisa Schumaker at (360) 902-1926.

IN THE GARDEN: Starting seeds

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:42:13 +0000

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 for your veggie garden this year.
Starting seeds saves money. The cost per plant is way less when you buy a seed package – assuming you actually use the seeds in the package. Also certain varieties of veggies are not always available as started plants. In addition, starting seeds allows one to select the largest, healthiest plants for transplanting into the garden. But one of the biggest advantages of starting seeds is that one gets a jump start on our cool, short growing season.
In the foothills, some plants like tomatoes and peppers simply don’t have enough time to produce tomatoes and peppers, if seeds are sown directly into the ground – hence the need for started plants. For some plants like radishes and carrots it’s always best to directly sow seed into the veggie garden. Other plants like beans, peas, and corn can just as easily grown either by direct sowing seeds in the garden or by planting started plants.
But also consider that there is much more of a time investment in starting seeds indoors early to get a jump on the season. A seed package might say something like “start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost.” Do you have the time and space commitment to water and provide lots of light for 4-6 weeks while the seedlings grow?
It’s easy to get seeds to germinate; it’s quite another task to grow a seedling for 4-6 weeks indoors. Not that it’s difficult, but many lack sufficient light to grow a healthy, robust seedling that really takes off when planted outdoors. Once the seed germinates, very bright light is absolutely essential for the developing seedling to remain healthy until transplanting time.
Initially there is the cost and investment of seed starting supplies. Peat pellets, seed starting mix, rock wool cubes, a tray, pots, and a grow light may be some of the supplies you’ll need to get started.
Seeds basically need moisture and warmth to germinate. If your well-lit seed germinating area is cool, you may need a seedling heat mat which when placed under your tray of starts warms the soil to 10-15 F above ambient temperatures. Because seeds need warmth to germinate, it’s just the soil that needs warmth, not an entire room.
I mention all of this not to discourage you from seed starting, but then again I don’t want you to be discouraged. It’s especially a bummer for the kids to see seeds germinate and then die in a couple of weeks because they’re all stretchy and flopped over from lack of light.
Nonetheless starting seeds is fun. Remember not to start seeds too early. For instance, tomato seeds should be sown indoors in sometime in April for transplanting outdoors at the end of May. If you start your tomato seeds now, think how big that tomato plant is going to be once it’s warm enough to plant it outside! Use the seed package instructions as your guide as to when to start seeds indoors.
Those are just the basics. For more information on starting seeds I’ll be giving a free class Basic Seed Starting, on Saturday, March 6 at 2 p.m. at Bakerview Nursery, 945 E. Bakerview Road. Also related that day will be Basic Vegetable Gardening in Whatcom County at 10 a.m. See you there!
Chuck is the owner of Fantastic Gardens and helps others solve their outdoor and indoor gardening dilemmas. He can be contacted at orchidfruit@hotmail.com.

Published March 1, 2010

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

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:41:13 +0000

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 organization, said Coordinator Margie Bell, who lives on her family’s farm in Welcome Valley, which includes an apple orchard, vegetable garden, large greenhouse, two bee hives and chickens.
“We were a small group of women who loved gardening,” Bell said, adding the women would gather around the kitchen table and talk about food issues, sharing knowledge about growing, harvesting and preserving produce, while their kids played together. They also discussed how their passion for fresh food might be an inspiration for others. “After several years of talking about what our energy and experience could accomplish, we got organized in 2009,” she said.
Local Food Works has a mission to promote food equity, self-sufficiency and sustainable living practices through the cultivation and sharing of knowledge, skills and resources within the community. The team wants to increase “food equity” by giving members of the local communities access to clean, fresh, nutritious food, and encourages self-sufficiency by sharing knowledge, skills and resources so that those who wish to grow their own food have opportunities to learn how to do it and space for their gardening.
Bell and other team members started their project as a response to uncertain economic times. “So many of the environmental, social and health issues we face are related to food, and if more people grew at least some of their own food we could make the whole world a better place,” Bell said.
The $1,500 grant awarded to the group will help them bring fresh produce to area food banks, including Foothills Food Bank at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Deming; Lord’s Table Food Bank at River of Life Church in Van Zandt, and the Nooksack Tribal Food Bank in Deming.
In early 2009, Local Food Works initiated two volunteer-based projects – Liberty Garden and Share Your Bounty.
The Liberty Garden group purchases, assembles and distributes free kits for growing food, to local families and individuals. These kits – each containing seeds, starter peat pots, potting soil, and instructions – are available at food banks through the grant funding. The aim is to encourage people to do their own gardening, thereby being able to enjoy the benefits of fresh, locally grown produce.
In 2009, 75 seed kits were handed out to people visiting food banks in the foothills. At the Deming Library Plant Sale, the group distributed 8 Liberty Garden seed kits, 200 seed packets, 20 pounds of seed potatoes, and 30 gardening brochures. Through the grant, the Liberty Garden project will expand to distribute 150 kits, complete with 3-4 inch peat pots and half a gallon of potting mix to distribute via food banks, and an additional 100 kits to hand out at community meetings and presentations.
The Share Your Bounty Campaign engages local gardeners and farmers to donate some of their harvest to the food banks. Share Your Bounty volunteers organize pick-up and delivery. The group began in 2009 with five participating farmers/gardeners donating a total of 395 pounds of fruit and vegetables. With the grant, the group plans to expand their work by recruiting more neighborhood coordinators to carry out surplus garden produce deliveries in local neighborhoods. The goal is to coordinate the donation of at least 2,000 pounds of produce to local food banks in 2010. The grant will also enable the team to offer a mileage stipend for coordinators who pick up and deliver the produce each week. The grant will also enable the team to distribute a brochure with information about the projects.
Bell explained that Local Food Works encourages practices including permaculture, organic gardening principles, animal husbandry, plant and animal diversity, alternative energy systems, herbal healing practices and economic viability of local farms and businesses. Their work includes a system to track how much food is distributed, to effectively monitor their progress.
“Our hope is to encourage a measure of self-sufficiency – to teach someone to fish,” Bell said. “We intend to increase awareness of local hunger issues, mobilize community members to share what they are able, and encourage all community members to liberate themselves from industrial food by growing what they can.”
Bell works as a grant coordinator at Skagit Prevention Council in Sedro-Woolley, a non-profit group involving community coalitions, tribal organizations and healthcare services that works to reduce substance abuse and violence.
Local Food Works is also working with the South Fork Valley Community Association to plant a community orchard in the park behind the Van Zandt Hall and are seeking funding to purchase blueberry bushes, apple trees and supplies.
Local Food Works seeks to engage more volunteer growers and neighborhood bounty coordinators. For more information, call Margie Bell at 592-0950 or e-mail, localfoodworks@aol.com.

Seed kits available at food banks

Foothills Food Bank: St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 6206 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming. Open: Tuesdays 9 – 11.30 a.m.

Lord’s Table Food Bank: River of Life Church, 4037 Valley Highway, Van Zandt. Open: 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Nooksack Tribal Food Bank: 4971 Deming Road, Deming. Open: 3rd Friday of most months, 12 noon – 3 p.m.

Published March 1, 2010

Karen Howell: Home is where the art is

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:38:39 +0000

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 for creating things began as a young girl. “My father was a scientist – a metallurgist,” she explained. He worked on projects extracting metals from ore, but was also interested in making things. Howell took interest in her father’s creations, and continued learning from him later on.
“After I left home, Dad sent me books on blacksmithing,” Howell said. Although her Dad did not work with blacksmithing himself, he inspired his daughter to try her hand at it. Howell took a few brief classes in the art, but essentially, she taught herself. “I learned by practicing and practicing,” she said, noting that in addition to making table bases she enjoys making pot racks, hinges, door handles and other items for the home. In a shed in the back yard, Howell works with her set of traditional blacksmithing tools.
Similarly, Howell taught herself how to make stainglass windows. “It is not difficult to learn,” she mused. She likes designing and making not only the stained glass part, but also the wooden frame and the entire window, door or cabinet that encases the glass.
Often found by word of mouth, Howell’s individually designed stained glass windows are found in local homes. However, one large, round stained

Karen Howell in her work space. Photo by Brita Adkinson

glass window marks the entrance to the North Fork Brewery in Deming.
“I’ve been told that a number of people actually got married in front of that window,” Howell said.
Currently, Howell focuses on making oval boxes as well as table legs for marble table tops fashioned by her partner, stone artist Gary McWilliams. Each summer, they travel to the southeast coast of Alaska and gather marble rocks which they bring back to Whatcom County. McWilliams polishes the rock pieces into table tops, and Howell creates wrought iron stands, individually shaped for each piece of marble. The result is decorative tables, each one completely unique.
“I love making things,” Howell commented, “and I enjoy baking and weaving, too.” Currently, Howell is in process of building a small wooden house on wheels, a structure which will serve as her mobile home, and to take into the wilderness for weekend retreats.
Howell revealed that she has a degree in meteorology. “I worked as a meteorologist for a brief period of around six months,” she said. But she realized her heart was in artistic work and left the job. “Since then, all I’ve ever done to support myself is artwork.” Howell believes she has produced around 15,000 wooden boxes.
To see Howell’s artworks in Whatcom County, visit or Mountainside Gardens at 6900 Mount Baker Highway in Maple Falls, or Artwood Gallery at 1000 Harris Avenue in Fairhaven.