Sustainable Bellingham

(Compiled by Arthur Tenebrae, and Rachel Perry)

 Doctober: Environmental Spotlight Presents In Organic We Trust
Monday, October 22nd, 2:30 pm, Pickford Film Center, 1318 Bay Street
Can gummy bears or bananas flown halfway across the world truly be organic? This is an eye-opening food documentary that looks beyond organic for practical solutions. Local farmers markets, school gardens, and urban farms are revolutionizing the way we eat. Our special guests will be a Food Co-op. Don’t miss the one and only premiere of In Organic We Trust! Click here to purchase tickets.

Korean Tacos with Mary Ellen Carter
Tuesday, October 23rd, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Cordata Community Co-op, 315 Westerly Road
It all started with Kogi BBQ, the Los Angeles taco truck with a cult following. Now, Korean tacos—using Mexican-style corn tortillas and Korean fillings–are taking other cities by storm. Mary Ellen Carter will make marinated short rib tacos and miso marinated chicken tacos tipped with a spicy sesame slaw with cabbage and jicama in a chili soy vinaigrette. Enjoy this fusion phenomenon in your own kitchen. A wine option, payable at class, is $7. To register, call the Whatcom Community College at 360-383-3200. The cost is $35 per person.

Washington Wines with Laurent Martel
Wednesday, October 24th, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Cordata Community Co-op, 315 Westerly Road
Veteran wine educator Laurent Martel invites you on a taster’s tour of the nation’s second largest wine-producing state. We will sample as many regions and varieties as time will allow while discussing Washington’s eight wine appellations (soon to be nine), the particular qualities of Washington merlots, the potential for Syrah in this state, what’s next for Washington wine producers, and more. You must be 21 or older to attend this class. To register, call the Whatcom Community College at 360-383-3200. The cost is $35 per person.

Festive Mexican Dishes II with Ana Jackson
Thursday, October 25th, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm, Cordata Community Co-op, 315 Westerly Road
Ana Jackson presents three festive recipes with the spotlight on mancha manteles (literally “tablecloth stainer”) a luscious dark red mole-like stew featuring pork, root vegetables and fruit. Ana fills out the menu with mushroom-corn tortilla soup; and almond flan, a Spanish-style baked custard made with almond meal. To register, call the Whatcom Community College at 360-383-3200. The cost is $39 per person.

Putting Your Garden to Bed
Saturday, October 27th, 9:00 am, Garden Spot Nursery, 900 Alabama Street
Don’t get caught with your plants down – or gamble on winter! Prepare for the season ahead. Debra Olberg, of Secret Garden Design, will give you tips on how to save and store your begonia and dahlia bulbs, and share methods to protect your shrubs and containers. This class is free. Click here or call 360-676-5480 to register.

 Make A Difference Day Work Parties
Saturday, October 27th, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Please call us at the Whatcom Volunteer Center at 360-734-3055 before Saturday. This will help us plan for enough tools, gloves, and plants! Sign up for one of these work parties:
Squalicum Creek Park
Take part in establishing an urban forest surrounding the park by planting trees and mulching around the existing trees! Park in the Squalicum Creek Park parking lot off Squalicum Parkway across from West Street, and then follow signs to the work site.
Franklin Park
Work with Park Steward Helen Jackson and neighbors of the York Neighborhood planting and mulching. It’s located off of Ellis Street at the corner of Whatcom and Grant Street; street parking is available.
Big Rock Garden Park
Join Park Stewards Tim Fry and Diane Rapoza for a morning of cleaning sculptures, planting and mulching. Head east on Alabama Street, turn left on Sylvan Street, then right on Balsam Lane. Parking is limited so try to carpool, ride a bike, or walk.
Memorial Park
Join Park Steward Jon Doop in restoring a native plant edge in this park that honors our veterans. Park on King Street (adjacent to Memorial Park) and walk on the Railroad Trail to the south end of the park.

 NSEA Work Party at Landingstrip Creek
Saturday, October 27th, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Landingstrip Creek
Help NSEA and Whatcom Land Trust plant native trees and shrubs along a new tributary to Landingstrip Creek in Acme. From Bellingham, head east on Mt. Baker HWY (SR 542) for about 15 miles. Turn right onto HWY 9, just outside of Deming, and follow for about 7 miles. Turn right onto Turkington Rd. Parking and shuttle is located at the Acme Elementary school.

Winterizing Your Hanging Baskets, Bulbs, and Tender Plants
Saturday, October 27th, 10:00 am, Bakerview Nursery & Garden Center, 945 East Bakerview Road
From dahlias to gladiolas and fuchsias to begonias, we’ll show you how to over-winter your hanging baskets, bulbs, and tender perennials for the next season. Come learn how easy it is to save your plants for next year! Call 360-676-0400 to register.

Cooking Ahead with Kathleen Bander
Saturday, October 27th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, Cordata Community Co-op, 315 Westerly Road
By keeping your freezer stocked with meals prepared ahead, you can revolutionize your family’s meal plan, saving time and money while maximizing taste and nutrition. Kathleen Bander takes you through the whole process from planning and shopping to constructing the meals while sharing creative tips for every step. The class will prepare spinach lasagna, stuffed shells, vegetable soup, chicken parmesan with marinara sauce and Kathleen’s Catch-All Casserole. Bring your own lunch and take home 2 or 3 servings of each of these dishes. To register, call the Whatcom Community College at 360-383-3200. The cost is $49 per person.

Fall Clean-up for Your Garden and Landscape
Saturday, October 27th, 2:00pam, Bakerview Nursery & Garden Center, 945 East Bakerview Road
Come learn the end of the season “things to do” before winter arrives. We’ll discuss composting, mulching, fertilizing, and pruning, as well as storing geraniums, hanging baskets, and tender bulbs for winter. Call 360-676-0400 to register.

Make Your Own Gluten-free Raw Crackers with Elizabeth Moonrose
Monday, October 29th, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Downtown Co-op, 1220 N. Forest St.
Join Elizabeth Moonrose as she demonstrates how to make raw gluten-free flax crackers using a food dehydrator. The basic recipe can be varied to make crackers that are thin like chips or thick like cookies, with flavor possibilities ranging from spicy to sweet to pure and simple. Easy-to-make and delicious, these crunchy raw crackers are an inspiring addition to any food spread. Hands-on experience and taste treats are provided. To register, call the Community Co-op at 360-734-8158. The cost is $15 per person.

Foods for Aging Gracefully with Lisa Dixon, RD
Tuesday, October 30th, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, Cordata Community Co-op, 315 Westerly Road
While there’s really no such thing as anti-aging lotions or potions—we’re all going to age through the years, whether we like it or not—you can age gracefully, and feel beautiful through those years. And food can help. Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Lisa Dixon will discuss ‘beauty foods’—those foods that help give us glowing skin, healthy hair and strong nails. The class will include sample ‘beauty food’ recipes and Lisa will give you tools to create an eating plan to help you age gracefully. Samples and handouts provided. To register, call the Community Co-op at 360-734-8158. The cost is $10 per person, plus a $6 wine option (payable at class).

Mangia Italiano with Karina Davidson
Thursday, November 1st, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm,  Downtown Co-op, 1220 N. Forest St.
Enjoy a multi-course Italian feast. Karina Davidson features Pasta Bolognese as a main dish, complemented by an antipasto tray of veggies, olives, meats and cheeses; mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette; and cioppino (a hearty seafood soup). For dessert, we’ll enjoy a light and luscious fruit panna cotta. A wine option, payable at class, is $7. To register, call the Whatcom Community College at 360-383-3200. The cost is $39 per person.

What Makes Earth So Perfect for Life?
There are a few key ingredients that scientists often agree are needed for life to exist — but much debate remains as to what limits there actually might be on life.

Organic Farming Increases Soil Quality
An analysis of 74 studies on the soils in fields under organic or conventional farming practices, found that over time the carbon content in the organic fields had significantly increased.