Lack of Lighting a Concern near Laurel Park

As winter transitions to spring, the days will start to get longer, and natural light will do its part to illuminate Laurel Park and its surroundings.  But for now, some residential streets, such as Laurel Street and High Street, are swathed in winter darkness.

For some residents around the area, the darkness creates a safety issue.

One of those residents is Kayla Thomas, a sophomore at Western Washington University, who has been living on the 1100 block of High Street since Sep. 2.  Since moving in, Thomas said her house has been broken into at least once.

“They took all Apple products, money, and left the Dells,” she said.  “Our house has been broken into and so have others across the street.”

She said she feels a little light would go a long way, preventing burglaries and providing a safer environment.

“Right now there are no street lights on High Street,” she said, emphasizing the “no.”  “It’s pitch dark.”

Bellingham doesn’t have any requirements for lighting on residential streets according to Clark Williams, transportation superintendent with public works.  He said that, at the moment, the budget doesn’t allow for it.  Lights, he said, are only put in place by the city for arterial streets; major streets designed to move traffic as efficiently as possible.

“We have around 4,800 street lights in Bellingham,” he said.  “The city pays $50,000 a month on the electricity bill, we can’t simply add one, or two, or three lights whenever anyone asks for one.”

City Council President Terry Bornemann represents the Sehome neighborhood as head of the 5^th ward.  He too said that it was an issue of finding the money if lights were ever to be installed, but mentioned that if there was enough demonstration by residents, possibly via a petition, the issue could be looked at more closely by the city.  He also indicated one major argument against added lights.

“There are a number of people that have trouble with the concept of light pollution,” he said. 

Light pollution, which is the illumination of the night sky by man-made sources that inhibits the observation of stars, is a problem for some people said Mark Young, public information officer for the Bellingham Police Department.

“At some point, too much light becomes a problem,” he said.  “You have to strike a balance.”

In relation to crime, Young said that while lighting is a factor, it is not the only factor.  It is a combination of solutions he said.

“Historically, lighting is an answer most people turn too, but sometimes lighting creates more opportunities for people to commit crimes,” he said.

Bruce Derr has been a resident on the 1000 block of High Street for more than 2 ½ years.  He lives less than a block from Laurel Park and said that lights would deter misbehavior in the park.

“Some people seem to be emboldened, under the cloak of darkness, to misbehave in Laurel Park. The park seems to be a popular place to gather and drink alcoholic beverages late at night, especially on a Friday or Saturday night,” he said in an email.

Parks and Recreation Director Marvin Harris said that Laurel Park gets more use when students are around and is impacted by more of the college population.  He said that he foresees little change in the future and to avoid dangerous situations.

“If it’s a dark park and you decide to walk through it, that’s your individual choice,” he said.

Thomas believes the addition of lights would create the perception of security.

“I don’t know if statistically it would help, but I would feel safer,” she said.

In addition to her house being broken into, Thomas said that her sense of safety took another hit when Western informed students in an email that an assault was reported on the 1100 block of High Street on Feb. 28th. 

A 19 year old female student from Western, was walking home at 3 a.m. when a man came up behind her and forced her to the ground at knifepoint.  The altercation took place less than a block from where Thomas currently lives.  She said the incident was more concerning to her safety than the burglary.

“The break-in was more of a property violation,” she said.  “This time it’s someone attacking another person.”

Young knew of the reported assault and called attention to the need for a “common sense of movement,” where a level of responsibility is placed upon the traveler to walk safely.

Western’s email also provided tips for traveling safely emphasizing to never walk alone, but if walking alone can’t be avoided, “stay in well-traveled and well-lighted areas.”

But not all students live in well-lighted areas.

“My concern is that lots of students walk to and from the WWU campus on High St. throughout each day, however, at night, it's scary for anyone to walk up or down High St.,” said Derr in reference to the lack of lighting.

Thomas said that she sometimes has to walk alone after a long day on campus.

“I try and avoid walking alone, but I had to that time,” she said referring to one of her long days.

Elementary Kids Give Fish a Wish

  The most popular thing in Happy Valley Elementary these days may very well be in the form of nearly one hundred tiny coho and chum salmon fry in a tank sitting at the end of the hallway.

These tiny celebrities are being cared for under the eyes of the students, teachers and parent volunteers in preparation for release into Connelly Creek in late March as a part of a program by the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association called “Students for Salmon” emphasizing salmon and their life cycle.

The program, kick started at Happy Valley by the help of an anonymous $1,000 donation by a Happy Valley family, has been implemented on and off for the past seven years.  The family who gave the donation wished for it to be used for salmon education so that children grow up with an understanding of the salmon said Principal Karen Tolliver.  The money was first used for the purchase of the tank and now is used for general maintenance. 

Tentatively set for March 19, the salmon release celebration at Connelly Creek this year will be like it always has been, full of fanfare.

“We have a special ceremony, with songs, and usually invite an elected official to witness it and say a few words,” said volunteer Wendy Scherrer in an email. 

Each student will get their own fish, name it, and give it a wish as they release it via a PVC pipe slide into Connelly Creek, a tributary to Padden Creek, which eventually leads to Bellingham Bay.  Tolliver’s favorite part about the ceremony is seeing the sparkle in the kid’s eyes when they are talking about the fish.  She stressed the importance of the event as a way to make an impression for the kids.

 “We’ve had people from city council come and some people to add to the formality of it. It’s more of an event.  I think it helps them remember when you add in songs or a speech or a poem that the kids wrote, some pictures, they’re really a part of it,” she said.

She releases a fish every year and plans on naming this year’s fish, “Swimmy.”

In the past, salmon education was limited to a few classrooms.  This year however, the program will reach all children at Happy Valley.

“The energy and excitement around it has really grown to the point where this year we decided to make it a school wide project.” 

The expansion in the program requires teachers to contribute extra time outside the classroom.

“A project like this takes a lot to put together.”

Teachers such as fourth grade teacher Patsy DeCastro, who has been the main teacher spear- heading the program since it came to Happy Valley Elementary, maintain the tank and look after the fish.

DeCastro has been involved with salmon since her move to the Northwest 17 years ago.  She feels it is important to pass on knowledge about the salmon considering its impact as a keystone species, a species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community.

“We’re trying to foster ownership to the environment in which they have some responsibility,” she said. “If [I] can get them interested then I’ve done my job.”

DeCastro said she will continue to head the program as long as she is teaching at Happy Valley.

Volunteers also help, most notably with the exchanging of the tank water. 

Scherrer has been volunteering with the program for the last three years and is the one who provides Happy Valley with the salmon eggs, which she gets from Bellingham Technical College’s hatchery on Whatcom Creek.  

The water must be taken from Connelly Creek and transported to the tank in order to gradually introduce the salmon to the water at the release location.  Students accompany parents to get the water from the creek so as to be more involved with the process.  

Ekklesia to Hold Fundraiser for Charity: Water

On Feb. 24^th, 2012, Ekklesia, a newly established church, will sponsor its first charity event at Christ the King Community Church located at 4173 Meridian St.

The event will raise money for “charity: water,” a non-profit organization that raises money to build wells in developing nations.  For 90 days, Ekklesia will try to raise $5,000, enough to build one well for a developing nation.  R.J. Bennett is one of the event coordinators for the fundraiser at Ekklesia and said that the event will help take the message of hope and give it an outward focus.

“It is a chance to have an impact on the community, locally and globally,” he said.

Merchandise will be available for purchase during the three months the campaign is running and half of all proceeds will go to the fund.  In addition, they will be starting a “Drinks for Drinks” drive by asking those who attend to donate the money they would typically spend on drinks such as coffee, tea, or alcohol and donate it to the “charity: water” fund.  Bennett said that he is excited to see the impact it will have.

“We’re a few months in and we’re really defining who we are,” he said.

Every Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m., Ekklesia holds a night of worship at The Majestic, a building on the corner of Forest Street and Maple Street, which they rent on a monthly basis. 

“We are widely open to any race, gender, religion,” said lead Pastor Brian MacSwan.

MacSwan has been the lead pastor since the start of Ekklesia in October 2011.  Before then, Ekklesia operated out of the basement of some of its founding members.  Rebekah Smith, one of the early basement attendees, who now finds herself in an administrative role with Ekklesia, has seen the process grow from the early days in her friend’s basement.

“Ekklesia . . . formed out of several young adult gatherings that were happening throughout Bellingham over the past couple of years. There was cross over occurring by those that attended these gathering, so the decision was ultimately made by the leaders of these groups to join together to create a collective young adult gathering, calibrating these leaders together,” she said in an email.

MacSwan described the experience as a community of multiple communities forming together for a common cause.  He tied this notion with the definition of Ekklesia, a biblical word synonymous with church and the gathering for people around a cause.  Greek in origin, Ekklesia can also be translated as “The Called Out Ones.”  Smith related her relationship with Ekklesia in this way.

“Being a part of Ekklesia means that I am being called out from a normal, average existence to a greater purpose,” she said.  “There were people that were craving community so we created it [on] our own.”

Smith said that since joining Ekklesia she has found a deeper sense of belonging in the community.  She feels “charity: water” is one of the ways for achieving the sense of greater purpose in the community.

“Charity: water” was started in 2006 by founder Scott Harrison after he travelled to Liberia as a volunteer for Mercy Ships, a humanitarian group offering free medical care to nations in need.  “Charity: water” has currently completed 6,185 projects affecting just over 2.5 million people according to their progress numbers, which are updated quarterly. 

“We are working on some exciting upcoming events to accompany our [charity: water] Campaign,” Smith said. “Most likely a charity event concert highlighting a local Bellingham band that would like to partner with us behind this cause.”

The move to The Majestic from the basement where Ekklesia originated was prompted by its proximity says Smith. 

“We knew that we needed to meet at a location convenient to the people that attend. We rent out the space at The Majestic because it is perfectly positioned as a convenient location,” she said.

Yet, after six months, Ekklesia has grown to the point where The Majestic may not be able to hold many more members.  According to MacSwan, they routinely average 280 to 300 attendees a week.  This is drawing near the carrying capacity of 450 people.

“Six months ago, I had no idea what this would be,” said MacSwan.

Smith acknowledged that they might one day outgrow The Majestic, but wishes to remain near downtown because of its proximity to two main community hubs, downtown Bellingham and Western Washington University.

Many of those that attend Ekklesia are in the young adult demographic said MacSwan. 

College students Stevie Ekklecamp and Jackie Striggow view Ekklesia as a place for the younger generation.

“It’s a place for college students,” said Striggow.  “They feel more comfortable [here].”

Ekklecamp said that it is a good place to make Jesus known throughout Bellingham.    

Restaurant Adds Flavor to Samish Urban Village

BELLINGHAM -- Nestled in the convergence of Samish Way and I-5, newly opened Mexican restaurant El Albañil is ready and open for business, adding another family owned restaurant on Samish Way.

El Albañil replaces an IHOP that had previously occupied the building on Byron Street until its closure in December of 2010. 

Last Monday, January 16th, Owner Rafael Alvarado held a grand opening to kick off what he hopes will be a successful business.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature’s frosty greeting stalled the celebration.

            “Not many people want to go out on days like this,” said Alvarado in reference to the snow accumulation.  “It was very bad.”

As the snow melted away, so did Alvarado’s worries about slow business.  He is confident that within the next week, customer traffic will increase.    

            “I opened without a liquor license and I lost a few customers because of that,” said Alvarado, who indicated that his license should be arriving within the next week, bringing with it plenty of new patrons.

Alvarado needs only to look at his restaurant’s name to remind him that times will get better.  The literal translation of “El Albañil” is “the brick layer.”  The significance to the name stems from Alvarado’s humble beginning as a farmer in Guadalajara, Mexico.

            “I’m going layer by layer,” he said.  “I’m still trying to succeed, to grow a little bit, step by step like a brick layer laying on brick one at a time, looking to build a foundation.” 

He operates El Albañil with his wife Rosario and employs his son as a server.  He hopes that El Albañil takes on a family atmosphere.

            “We try to be friendly with the people and adjust to the customers,” he said. “We do our best to give [the customers] good service and a nice smile,” he said, flashing a huge grin in the process.

Restaurant goers Marvin Riggs and his girlfriend Anneke Palmerton stopped by El Albañil for the first time since its opening and were impressed by feel of the restaurant.

            “They’ve seemed very sweet coming up and saying ‘Hi,” said Palmerton.  “I’m very impressed with the kids menu,” she added.

Riggs works as a membership sales representative for the Chamber of Commerce and sees El Albañil as a great addition to a rebuilding area.

            “We support the local economy,” he said.

His girlfriend shares the sentiment.

            “I like to support the local and family restaurants,” she said.  She is excited but is skeptical of how the restaurant will do.

            “It has a lot of potential, but there is a lot of drug use on the other side of the street,” she said.  “They need to clean up the hotel scene.”

The area that she is referring to is the commercial strip on Samish Way just north of El Albañil where motels line the street for blocks.

By moving in, El Albañil becomes part of a transition started in 2009 that called for the development of the Samish Urban Village.  The Sehome Neighborhood Association submitted the Samish Way Urban Village Subarea Plan in an effort to revitalize the area.  The plan, approved by the City of Bellingham, looks to “create a vibrant mixed-use urban village that will enhance a sense of community by supporting the neighborhood’s walkability / bikeability and sustainability of local businesses.” 

Not all were happy to see the IHOP leave.  For students, the IHOP was a steady presence on at the base of Bill McDonald parkway and always guaranteed a late night meal.

            “It was one of the only places open at 2a.m.,” noted Western Junior Steve Graf.

He dined at the IHOP a few times late at night, but noted that that atmosphere wasn’t exactly the friendliest.

            “It was kind of sketchy . . . there were a lot of drunk people coming in,” he said.

Riggs himself was saddened by the departure of the IHOP.  A regular, he said that it was a “sad moment for Bellingham” when the pancake giant closed its doors in Sehome. 

Alvarado, however, has a plan up his sleeve for attracting the students looking to fill in the void left by IHOP.  His specialty is his enchilada sauce, a concoction of his own making and one he claims is different than everybody else. 

            “I have a secret ingredient,” he said with a sly look.  “I’ve tried [other enchilada sauce] and it’s not the same as mine.”

Once he gets his liquor license, Alvarado has a treat for the over 21 crowd as well; a margarita that he says is “the best money can buy.”

El Albañil is located at 3619 Byron St., Bellingham, Wa, 98665