HomeBusinessesEvents/NewsCommunityThe BuzzAdvertise        Historic Fairhaven  Dan Harris web site  Saturday, September 11   Fairhaven LinksFairhaven IndexQuestions or info?Email the publisher,John Servais at: john@fairhaven.com ©2010 John Servais, except where other noted. More copyright info at About Fairhaven.com |
Flavor of Fairhaven all day todaySaturday, October 17, 2009)
At Pacific Chef, a food preparation demonstration was happening early this afternoon. It is one of over a dozen events today in restaurants and food shops all over Fairhaven. Here, Chef Alex is showing his methods for making guacamole. It was one of several free domonstrations that will continue till 9 pm tonight. Click here to download an easy to print schedule - a PDF file. You can also visit the Flavor of Fairhaven website for complete information. Most restaurants are offering very inexpensive tastes of their dishes. Prices vary from $1 to $2 or $3. And the samples I’ve had so far today have been generous. Chefs Showdown on SaturdayWednesday, October 14, 2009)
The Flavor of Fairhaven on Saturday will feature continuous food events starting with the Griddle Fest at Sorellas at 11am and continuing with 15 more events till after 9pm. Call it a taste or bite of Fairhaven. With almost 30 eating and food establishments participating, the flavors are being stressed. The restaurants will be offering samplings for very modest costs - some for only $1. You can walk about our historic district while you sample flavors and enjoy watching the events. One event is the “Chef Show Down” at 3pm at The Big Fat Fish Co. restaurant. Sort of a Fairhaven Iron Chef competition. Above are three of the five chefs expected to prepare the local mystery ingredient into their own specialties. From left is Brandon, head chef at Dan Harris Steakhouse; Craig, head chef of The Big Fat Fish; and Alex of Chef Alex & Co. They are expected to to be joined by a mystery chef and also another Fairhaven chef. Fun to watch and fun to taste. Click here to download an easy to print schedule - a PDF file. Use it to plan your visit to Fairhaven this Saturday. Some of the events are: Viva Italia Dough Throw, Caesar Czar, Desserts Flambe, Sushi Sage - and more. You can also visit the Flavor of Fairhaven website for complete information. Benefit sale in beautiful Sycamore SquareSaturday, October 10, 2009)
Today a nice event took place inside the atrium of the Sycamore Square building. Jaimie, the owner of Fun to Shop, had a benefit sale to aid the tsunami victims in the Philippine Islands. She spread donations and items around and proceeded to work the afternoon selling as folks came strolling through. It was very generous of this small shop owner. As I looked for a photo, I wandered up to the fourth floor and, with the sun filtering in the two clear stories, the beauty of Sycamore Square came out. The first floor has shops and Mambo Italiano restaurant - you can just see one of their tables. The upper three stories have offices, beauty salons and The Black Cat restaurant. A vibrant and alive building every day of the week. Back in the 1970s, Ken Imus bought this building and spend a few years renovating it. He added the second floor as the original first floor had very high ceilings. He fixed up all the woodwork and brought the building back to life. He has since sold it and now Patrick Uy owns it and cares for it. Special credit goes to April McAllister, the building manager. And, yes, she has two offices that are available on the second and third floors. This building is a must see when you visit Fairhaven. It is at 12th and Harris - right at the stoplight - well, one of two that we have. Fairhaven Library nears completion of repairsSunday, October 4, 2009)
Built in 1904 - over 100 years ago - the Fairhaven Library was originally a red brick building. But within a year it became obvious that the builders had used the wrong kind of brick - and it was starting to wear away. So the building was given a wrap of stucco - or something close to it. And that lasted almost 100 years. About 10 years ago, the cracking and aging became serious and the city became aware of this. However it took strong insistence by the “Friends of the Fairhaven Library” and direct appeals to the Bellingham City Council to get the city to finally replace the exterior protective coating. Work began early this summer and should be complete this month. You can see the Dawson Construction workers have replaced the outside lettering on the south wall. This lettering was purchased by the Friends after approval by the Bellingham Library Administration - after 10 years of requests. The money for the lettering was paid for entirely from public donations to the Friends. We were a little worried about whether or not the lettering would be replaced. Now - this past week - come reports the city may not reopen the library when the repairs are finished. Budget woes are the excuse - the same excuse that the city has tried to use five times since 1992 to close our beloved library. In truth, this library is much more cost effective than the main library - a fact which when researched and revealed in 1992 prevented the closure. The years have shown this library to be be cost effective. And green. By saving driving downtown - 3 miles away - and parking downtown, this library serves to dramatically lower carbon use. We don’t usually use this space for community appeals. Indeed, this may be the first time in seven years. But, our library now needs the vocal and written support of all residents of the southside of Bellingham if it is to continue to stay open. It particularly serves the school kids and the elderly. But we all love it - and have loved and used it for over 100 years. I urge you to contact the library system and your council representative - and Mayor Dan Pike. One bit of fun trivia. This is not a branch library. When New Whatcom and Fairhaven joined in 1904 and chose the name “Bellingham” as a compromise, each town’s library continued to be a full library. Our library has never been designated a “branch” and thus, although it effectively serves as a branch now, we still properly call it The Fairhaven Library. - John Servais A sunny autumn weekend in Historic FairhavenSaturday, September 26, 2009)
The sidewalks and shops were alive to visitors today as beautiful fall weather continued in the Pacific Northwest. And this photo shows some of the heart of the historic district. On the left under the trees is A Lot of Flowers which has utilized an empty corner lot for over 30 years and has slowly developed a beautiful hidden garden and courtyard that is open to the public. This business is one of the treasures of Fairhaven and adds much to our ambience. Next is the tall old Pythias Building, built about 1892 and the last historic building we have that needs restoration. The bottom floor is home to three businesses but the upper floors have been empty for many decades. Next is the low old building that is home to Paper Dreams, our incredible card and gift shop. And then the taller building where Village Books has three floors of books plus the Book Fare cafe that overlooks the Village Green. This building is new but built with the rich red brick so it matches the rest of the street. And on the right is the Terminal Building, our oldest building, built in 1888. This is where Tony Campbell started roasting coffee beans and selling them in 1971. Tony long ago left and went on to other ventures but his coffee shop has continued under several successive owners. The kids no longer play hacky sack on the corner and the area is a bit more gentrified but Tony’s remains a touchstone for those who once lived here and enjoyed Fairhaven two and three decades ago. We invite you to visit Fairhaven and explore our magic places - regardless of the weather. There are many magic places to explore here. Salmon + Sidwalk Sale = Great Fairhaven DaySunday, September 20, 2009)
For us residents of the Pacific Northwest, this is a picture of beauty. Mouth watering beauty. Chef Kyle Bornstein preps his fillets of wild King Salmon caught off the Columbia River - brought to us courtesy of Vis Seafoods on James Street in Bellingham. This was the preparation for the annual Salmon BBQ on the Village Green Sunday. Watching is Jim Lee, husband of Cathy Lee of Southside Trends, who helped transport supplies and setup for the BBQ on Sunday morning. The Salmon meals sold out by 3 pm - an hour early. About 200 were served and, yes, it was just a good as you can imagine.
Also, the sidewalk sale was drawing a lot of people as shops put out super bargains on all sorts of excess or old merchandise. Here we have the tents and table in front of Paper Dreams on 11th. This was our once a year sale day in Fairhaven. Many do not realize that every shop and restaurant in Fairhaven is locally owned. Not a single chain business. The benefit for shoppers is great unique choices on products - with many shops featuring Northwest art and crafts - items made in the counties near Fairhaven. Next up is the Flavor of Fairhaven on Saturday, October 17 - when Fairhaven restaurants - about 15 of them - will be featuring tastes of their unique dishes for one and two dollars. Check here for more information in the next couple weeks. Sidewalk Sale on Saturday in FairhavenFriday, September 18, 2009)
These sidewalks will see tables with bargains tomorrow, Saturday, starting at 11 am and ending at 5 pm. Shops will be marking down the prices for summer items, excess items and even old merchandise from their storerooms. A one day sale of super bargains right on the streets of our historic district. Clothes, shoes, books, jewelry, accessories, gifts, And there is the Salmon BBQ with all the trimmings on the Village Green. Wild King Salmon barbecued to perfection by chef Kyle Bornstein. Salmon served with corn on the cob, coleslaw, bread, desert and a drink - for just $12. Serving starts at 1 pm and continues until all 300 meals are sold or until 4 pm. A fun day - a money saving day - in Fairhaven. All our restaurants will also be serving up their fine fare. And the Penny Stinkers will be playing their untraditional versions of traditional music on the Village Green. We invite you to join us. Fairhaven Runners 15K Waterfront RunSaturday, September 12, 2009)
Under the historic streetlights on 11th Street, the 5th Annual Waterfront 15 Kilometer Run and Walk gets off to a quick start. Over 700 participated in this 9.3 mile race which goes along the Bellingham Bay waterfront to Squalicum Harbor, 4 miles away, around the harbor and back to Fairhaven - a fairly flat route. The run and walk is beautiful and the day is sunny and perfect. At the end will be refreshments and massages on the Village Green with music and awards. By noon all will be getting on with a beautiful weekend in Fairhaven. If you are not into running, here is a geek update. Each runner has an ankle bracelet with an electronic chip - which contains their entry number. As each runner goes over the blue mat laying across the street, their chip number is picked up electronically by wires under the mat and sent to the computers in the big blue boxes. In one to three hours when they return on 10th Street next to the Village Green the mats will be placed down there waiting for them and record their exact time to finish. Each runner is accurately timed for their own run - and not based on when the starting horn went off. Slick. Winners will finish the 9.3 miles in 50 minutes and most will finish in less than an hour and a half. Into running? Consider joining the race next September. We will post the graphic link in the left column next summer just as we have each year. We thank Steve and Genevie Roguski of Fairhaven Runners and Walkers shoe shop right here on 11th Street for sponsoring this event each year. It is Fairhaven business owners like them who help make Fairhaven such a fun place. We have a gallery of photos of last year’s race and also the 2007 race if you would like to see more. No gallery this year as we are off to a fun hike today on a high mountain trail - within 40 minutes of Fairhaven. 2009 Results are now posted and available at the Fairhaven Runners website. Skylark’s scene at night in FairhavenSaturday, September 5, 2009)
Don White of Skylark’s has been featuring intimate musical groups in his restaurant during later evening hours. And his place is now a genuine evening scene on his entertainment nights with more folks coming down. Tonight was ‘The Otters’ playing what is described as casual jazz from 8 pm till midnight. The singers are Nancy Button on the left and Nicole Hurtubise. This photo shows only a few people. The place was packed and some were standing on the sidewalk listening. You can check the Events here on Fairhaven.com for all of Don’s music nights and who is playing. Tomorrow night, Sunday, is Irish accoustic night from 7 pm till 10 pm. Come on down and enjoy. The ambience of the Village Green pergolaThursday, September 3, 2009)
The Farmer’s Market continues every Wednesday afternoon through September 30 on the Village Green. It is a quieter and more cozy market than the very crowded Saturday markets in downtown Bellingham. And part of the warm ambience comes from the wooden pergola surrounding the green. Vendors use the 21 pergola stalls for their displays - and the rich warm old timbers give a nice ambience to the market. The timbers are all recycled old growth wood from local buildings - and the trees were cut down over 100 years ago. Cascade Joinery of Fairhaven, working with local citizens who contributed over $100,000, recycled old beams from demolished buildings and constructed this beautiful structure. It borders the green grass square on three sides and provides a venue for many events throughout the year. With its clear plexi roof, it allows events even on our rainy days. And the grape vines, planted and carefully tended by Brian Griffin, are now reaching the roof beams and spreading across the top. We invite you down to Fairhaven - and to enjoy our Village Green. It is an enjoyable place to relax and read or people watch every day of the year - even when no event is taking place. Chuckanut Radio hour on the Village GreenSunday, August 23, 2009)
Perfect August weather greeted the second annual visit of the Chuckanut Radio Hour. Chuck and Dee Robinson - on the left in pale red shirts - are at the microphones doing their dialog while the announcer and the band named “Brother Dalton’s Euphonic Elixir” stand by for their cue. Pretty cool. The special guest tonight was Randy Sue Coburn, author of “A Better View of Paradise”. The Radio Hour is sponsored by Village Books and is in its third year. After the radio hour, the Woody Allen movie “Vicky Christina Barcelona”, was shown. There will be one more outdoor movie next Saturday evening - “The Princess Bride”. Local Fairhaven business, Epic Events and Promotions, presents these movies for the Old Fairhaven Association for 10 Saturday evenings each summer. All just our Fairhaven fun. We invite you to come join us. Outdoor movies on the Village GreenSunday, August 16, 2009)
One of our treasures - one of our assets - is the outdoor movies on the Village Green every summer. For 10 saturday evenings we have great live music during sunset as all get seated and then a great movie carefully selected for wide appeal and acceptance. The Old Fairhaven Association sponsors these and contracts with Epic Events to put them on. On this evening, the crowd enjoys the music while waiting for the movie “Marley & Me” to begin. Next Saturday, August 22, is special with the “Chuckanut Radio Hour” preceeding the movie “Vicky Christina Barcelona”. Come early so as to be seated by 6:45 pm as the radio hour starts at 7 pm sharp.
Marrowstone summer music on the GreenSaturday, August 8, 2009)
Young talented music students from over 20 states and several countries presented the second of two free concerts on the Village Green today. The Marrowstone Music Festival is in Bellingham for two weeks each summer, with most concerts at the Performing Arts Center at Western Washington University. But each year they give a couple concerts on the Green. Today’s weather was cold and cloudy but the one a few days ago was warm and the audience was much larger. Regardless, the music was just as fine at both. We appreciate the Marrowstone organization bringing the musicians to Fairhaven. There are two more concerts this weekend at Western - with tickets still available. Click the ad in the right column of this page for schedule and ticket information. You will enjoy the energy and talent of these young people. Bocce - every Monday at 5 pmMonday, August 3, 2009)
On the Village Green. These are pickup games with whomever shows up. You, gentle reader, are invited. If you have never played, you will get instruction by the others who show up. It is a really fun game. While it is enjoyed by all ages, it is especially enjoyed by older folks. It is competitive but relaxing. There is no fee or cost. Just show up. I encourage you to try it - any Monday evening at 5 pm. Sometime this fall, when the weather gets too bad, the games will stop and wait for next spring. Then they will start again. It has been so for six years now - every Monday evening during the summer. Another reason Historic Fairhaven is fun. Come join us. Hot hot summer day ice cream coneWednesday, July 29, 2009)
Record breaking 96 degrees this afternoon in Bellingham and Fairhaven. Breaks the old 94 degree record for the hottest day since records were started 60 years ago. Whew. Many of us moved here to escape the 90+ degree summers. So, what better photo for today than the serving of ice cream cones. Alison serves up a modest cone for Abbie while others enjoy at the Colophon Cafe this afternoon. The Colophon serves old fashioned scooped hard ice cream with always 12 flavors to choose from. Alison said business was very brisk today. Over at the Fairhaven Fish & Chips, Vicki has soft ice cream in 28 flavors. And down Harris Avenue, Sirena is serving their fine gelato. And there are several places to get good shakes and malts. You know, we don’t need 90 degree heat before we can enjoy cold treats. The forecast if for not so hot tomorrow. Outside dining with a Bay viewSaturday, July 25, 2009)
Sorellas on the Bay, located in the Alaska Ferry Terminal, is THE place for a weekend breakfast or lunch this summer. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday only, they have plenty of tables outside with incredible views of Bellingham Bay and the boating. A welcome cool breeze is always present. They open for Breakfast at 8 am and are open till 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. (6 pm on Friday) Plus they serve beer and wine - making this perfect for an afternoon treat. A few days ago the post and photo here listed 10 restaurants in Fairhaven with outside dining. We missed Sorellas and so we feature them today and they make it 11 places with outside dining. In total, our modest historic district has 24 dining spots - every one of them locally owned and managed - which provides you with lots of choices for what food and drink to enjoy. We invite you to Fairhaven. Especially during our high season of July and August. Outside dining at ten Fairhaven restaurantsSaturday, July 18, 2009)
Yep, 10 restaurants to choose from. Through July and August and into September. Treat yourself and a friend or your loved one. Enjoy the pleasure of outside dining during our high summer. Here we have friends enjoying the Colophon this evening. You can choose from Dirty Dan Harris steaks, Flats for Spanish tapas, The Big Fat Fish Co. for seafood, Skylarks for American, Fairhaven Fish & Chips, Mambo Italiano’s for - yes - Italian, Milagro’s for Mexican and AW Asian Bistro. Harris Avenue Cafe has outside tables for breakfast and lunch, but is closed for dinner. We invite you down to our historic district to enjoy outside dining. Fiddlin Fox and her dancing music in JulyTuesday, July 7, 2009)
Love dancing? Or, want to learn? How about with free instruction and with a live band playing for you? All free. Really. Each Sunday in July, from 3 to 6 pm, we have just that on the Village Green in Fairhaven. Young or old, you are invited. Above, the Saltwater Octet, a swing jazz band, plays on Sunday, July 5. Watching that group of dancers are two professional instructors who helped them learn the swing steps before the band started playing. Next Sunday, Yambique, a Latin Jazz Salsa band will be playing - and there will again be instruction for any who want to step forward. And how is all this possible? Fiddlin Fox, shown below introducing the band and inviting folks up front to dance, has provided this each summer. Her generosity is our fun Sunday afternoons. Linda feels the Village Green is the perfect venue for dancing and she loves dancing and music. We agree. And invite you to join us.
New flag donated and raised for July 4thFriday, July 3, 2009)
Veterans Arnie Larsen and Bob Atwood raise the new 15 foot by 25 foot flag this afternoon. Mike Hammes, owner of RAM Construction, bought and donated the new flag when he heard the old large summer flag was no longer usable. We thank him. Also in the photo is Stephanie Johnson, President of the Old Fairhaven Association which manages the flagpole and flag for the Veterans. And trying for a good photo angle is the Bellingham Herald photographer Daniel Johnson. Below is a photo by Bob Currie of our 110 foot tall pole just as the new flag was fully hoisted. This flagpole is centered down 12th Avenue as it goes through Fairhaven, making for a wonderful view as you drive north. It is in the approximate location as the pole put up by Dirty Dan Harris on March 4, 1893 which was also 110 feet tall. Dan’s flag flew for many years. We invite all of you to enjoy the 4th of July. And give a moment to the flag for it represents all of us. All of us.
Decorating with the Colors of July 4thWednesday, July 1, 2009)
Pacific Chef Manager, Diane McCarthy places last minute items on an Independence Day kitchen and tableware display this Wednesday afternoon. Most stores and restaurants in Fairhaven will be open for the holiday weekend with the majority closing between about 3:00 to 6:00 on Saturday, July 4th. Call ahead to be sure. You can find individual business phone numbers listed on this website. Movie Crowd Covers Fairhaven Village GreenSaturday, June 27, 2009)
Every square inch and more of the Fairhaven Village Green was covered with movie goers awaiting Mama Mia at the Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema Saturday Night. Pre-movie entertainment was music by Juba Marimba. The crowd enjoyed pizza from Fairhaven Pizza Co. and coffee from Woods Coffee in booths set up around the perimeter. People were still arriving at nightfall hoping for a seat. It appears arriving early at the movies will be the way to go this season. Awaiting the MovieSaturday, June 27, 2009)
Epic Events owner, Doug Borneman, surveys the sell-out crowd at the Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema Saturday Night. “People began arriving at 5:00 pm before we even set up”, he said. Tonight’s movie, to start at sunset, was Mama Mia. In the background is the Fairhaven Village Inn hotel, a perfect place to stay for a short walk to the Village Green and the weekly movie. Visitor Info Available at Bay to Baker TradingFriday, June 26, 2009)
Bay to Baker Trading Co staff member, Noah, shows off a few of the brochures in the new Visitor Information Center at the shop at 911 Harris Avenue. The shop sells travel supplies, souvenirs, card and shirts. He said it’s been a busy week with lots of visitors to Fairhaven, including many today from the Alaska Ferry. People come from all over the world to ride the inside passage ferry to Southeast Alaska ports including Ketchican and Juneau. The Ferry Terminal is at the foot of Harris Ave. Fish & Chips Alfresco in FairhavenTuesday, June 23, 2009)
Fairhaven’s outdoor cafes were crowded with sun worshipers this Tuesday afternoon, even at 2:00 pm. Fairhaven Fish & Chips enjoyed a brisk business at the double-decker bus on the corner of Harris Ave & 11th St. Other sidewalk cafes including Skylarks, The Colophon Cafe, Flats, Avenue Bread, Rustic Coffee Bar and Milagro, were home to espresso sippers, ice cream lickers and lunch grabbers. A note to dog lovers: Most Fairhaven outdoor cafes are happily open to canines and their companions, with several supplying doggie water bowls and treats. |
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