Sustainable Bellingham

(Compiled by Arthur Tenebrae and Rachel Perry)

Yoga in the Parks: Whatcom Falls Park!
Tuesday, June 26th, 7:00 pm, Whatcom Falls Park

This week continues the Sustainable Bellingham and Kaleidoscope Yoga’s Yoga in the Parks. Each week includes a different beautiful park in Bellingham. The yoga begins at 7:00 pm on each Tuesday through July. Bring a dish to share; after the yoga, we sit and eat together.

 This week will be held at Whatcom Falls Park, weather permitting. Check the Kaleidoscope Yoga Facebook page, or call 360-676-1487 if the weather is questionable.
(Right now, it looks like slight chance of showers.)

 These are great events, and a sign that summer is here. We do yoga for approximately one hour, and then share a meal together. Bring a light dish to share, your dish and utensils; and a drink.

 We will be near the basketball courts at the park. If you get lost, call 360-927-8735 before the class begins.

 Bellingham Parks Volunteer Work Party at Boulevard Park
Wednesday, June 27th, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Boulevard Park, 470 Bayview Drive, Bellingham
Help remove invasive weeds from the beautiful headlands section of the South Bay Trail located between the two overwater walkways. Park in the lower parking lot at Boulevard Park. Walk south over the first over-water walkway and watch for the work party signs. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 360-778-7000 or parks@cob.org.

Bow Little Market
Every Thursday, June 28th – October 4th, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Belfast Feed Store, 6200 North Green Road, Burlington, WA
Bow Little Market is a project of Chuckanut Transition. It is a volunteer-run, non-profit, open-air market centered in the Samish watershed. Our vision is to build the time and place for our community to meet, provide mutual support, and create local solutions. We invite all to join us in creating a fun, family-friendly atmosphere in which to do a little business, barter, find a treasure, and support a neighbor. Because vendor space is limited, Holiday Festival organizers will be accepting applications until late August. Successful applicants will be notified in September. Applicants must vend at a minimum of one Thursday Bow Little Market to qualify. We are always looking for new volunteers, vendors, class instructors, musicians, and entertainers. Give us a call at 360-724-3333 or email at bowlittlemarket@yahoo.com.

Canning 101 with Susy Hymas
Thursday, June 28th, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm, Cordata Food Co-op, 315 Westerly Road
Learn how to stretch your food dollars and enjoy seasonal flavors all year long in this three-session demonstration class. Course covers the techniques and equipment you will need to safely can fruit, quick pickles, salsa, jams, pressure canning vegetables, seafood, and meats. Instructor Susy Hymas has been a Certified Master Food Preserver for 14 years. The harvest is coming! The cost is $59 for members and non-members alike.
To register, call the WCC at 360-383-3200.

Bellingham Parks Volunteer Work Party at Big Rock Garden Park
Saturday, June 30th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Big Rock Garden Park, 2900 Sylvan Street
Join Park Stewards Tim Fry and Diane Rapoza as they continue improving this special gem. Heading east on Alabama St., turn left on Sylvan St. then right on Balsam Lane. Parking is limited so try to carpool, ride a bike, or walk. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 360-778-7000 or parks@cob.org.

 5th Annual Camano Island Habitat Garden Tour
Saturday, June 30th, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Starting at 141 E Camano Drive, Camano Island
Visit wildlife gardens at the Fifth Annual Camano Island Backyard Wildlife Habitat Garden Tour. The event is free to the public. Pick up maps at Camano Multipurpose Center (a.k.a. The Blue Building) at 141 E Camano Drive on the day of the event. Besides a lovely garden tour, the Wildlife Habitat Garden Tour will demonstrate how people can live happily in harmony with nature, show how any property can be a Backyard Wildlife Habitat, and promote awareness of the National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program — just by providing food, water, shelter and places to raise a family. Gardens range from small to large, simple to extravagant, forested to waterfront. Information on native plants, wildlife, composting, as well as challenges faced on particular properties will be available. For more information, call the Camano Wildlife Habitat Project at 360-631-1616 or email at camanowildlifehabitat@gmail.com. 

Shaw Island Professional Herbalist Retreat
Sunday, July 1st – Tuesday, July 3rd, 11:15 am – 4:00 pm, Shaw Island, WA
This class provides a unique opportunity for advanced herb students to study herbs and sea plants of Shaw Island. It will be taught by a trio of herbal experts including Ryan Drum, Ph.D. herbalist and expert on marine plants, Cascade Anderson Geller an herbalist and educator, and Glen Nagel, ND, an herbal naturopathic physician. This course delivers a direct experience of medicinal plants in their natural habitat. It includes three days and two nights of camping at a marine preserve. We will be studying the local flora, botany, medicinal properties, ecology and lore. Students will have the opportunity to gather wild herbs/sea plants and dry them and prepare food and medicines from them. This is an experiential, hands-on class with a focus on advance clinical and practical skills. Registration is required. To sign up or learn more, email Glen Nagel at info@herbalwiseguy.com or gsnagel@msn.com. The cost is $295 or $350 with continuing education before July 1st, and $350 or $395 with continuing education after the date.

 Summer Rides: Ode to Alan Rhodes, A Bicycle Saunter
Sunday, July 1st, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm,  Lettered Streets Coffeehouse, 1001 Dupont Street
Ride a meandering route through bike paths and quiet streets of the Columbia and Lettered Streets Neighborhoods, recreating part of local author Alan Rhodes’ well-loved sauntering walks. Returning to the Lettered Streets Coffee House, participants are invited to purchase treats and coffee, and enjoy conversation and musings by featured guest, author, and humorist Alan Rhodes.

Master Gardener Event: Perennial Gaerdening Made Easy
Sunday, July 1st, 2:00 pm, Hovander Homestead Park, 5299 Nielsen Avenue, Ferndale, WA
Learn how to grow and maintain perennials that do well in our Whatcom County climate. This event is hosted by Sheila Reid and Peg Nathon. For more information, contact the WSU Whatcom County Extension at 360-676-6736.

Woodstock Farm Concert Series
Sunday, July 1st, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Woodstock Farm, Chuckanut Drive, Bellingham
Join Bellingham Parks & Recreation for the Summer Concert Series at Woodstock Farm. Ranger and The Re-Arrangers (Gypsy Jazz featuring Hot Violin) will be playing on the first day of July. Concerts are free, but no seating is provided. Consider bringing your own lawn chair or blanket. This event is supported by the Woodstock Farm Conservancy. Members will provide tours of house and provide information about the history of the farm. For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 360-778-7000 or parks@cob.org.

Wild Medicinal Plant Walk at Blanchard Mountain
Sunday, July 8th, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Blanchard Mountain, Skagit County
Learn their medicinal and culinary benefits, ethnobotany and sustainable, ethical harvesting methods. Find out where to harvest herbs on your own and when to harvest each plant for optimum vitality, potency and nutrition. Gain hands-on herbal experience and confidence in harvesting herbs that may very well be growing in your own backyard! Registration is required; click here to sign up. The cost is $35 per person. For more information, contact Suzanne Jordan at suzanne@cedarmountainherbs.com.

 Earthways Nature Education School Youth Day Camp
Monday, July 9 – Wednesday, July 11, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Bodhi Creek Farm, Kendall, WA
Join Cody Beebe on a wild adventure through the wetlands, creeks, fields, and forests of Bodhi Creek Farm. Discover the creatures that dwell there, how to thrive in the outdoors, campfire tales, and wild games. This day camp caters to children ages 5 – 11. To learn more or register, call 360-599-1393 or email at info@earthwaysnature.org. The cost is $150 per person.

Northwest Animals: Opossums
Wednesday, July 11th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Bellingham Public Library, Lecture Room, Central Library, 210 Central Avenue
Join Jan Stamey and Jan Nelson from the Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and create art crafts, sing songs, listen to stories, and learn about the American opossum. This event is for children ages 6 – 9. No live animals will be present. Pre-registration is required.
To register, call 360-778-7200 or visit the Bellingham Children’s Library.