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 |
Interactive Fairhaven Map now OnlineWednesday, February 24, 2010)
Above is a screen shot of just part of our new Fairhaven Interactive map - online now and just inviting you to check it out. There is also now a permanent graphic link in the left column of all pages at Fairhaven.com. It is always ready for you to use it and it features mouse over blue buttons with information about many Fairhaven shops and restaurants. This is exactly the same map we are using on our new comprehensive Fairhaven Brochure - which is now available at over 40 Fairhaven shops and restaurants. Chuckanut Drive - including art galleries and restaurants - is also included online and in the brochure. If Interstate 5 exit 250 is the front door to Fairhaven, then Chucknut Drive from I-5 Exit 231 is the garden door to our little historic district. A beautiful drive with views of the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands which ends right in Fairhaven. We thank Larry Morris and his Town Graphics for working so well with our Fairhaven business owners and developing this new brochure for us. Included inside the brochure are the 10 most historic buildings in Fairhaven with information about each and a suggested walking tour. Fairhaven now has a first class walking map of the historic district. Wet Pug predicts more rainSaturday, February 13, 2010)
Raining Queen Diane Philips pets Mattie the pug and finds the fur wet. (Well, of course - its owner, Taimi Gorman, was holding her in the rain) While the royal court was not sure at first what that meant, they quickly decided that we in the Northwest are in for another 10 weeks of rain. What a surprise. The 9th annual Official Pacific Northwest Rain Festival was held Saturday noon on the Fairhaven Village Green. The queen and her court held several contests in which all got prizes and all were declared the winners. Fairhaven merchants donated some very fine gift certificates for meals, beauty services and products.
The gathering on the Green took place in a typical February light drizzle. All were thankful for the rain - especially after recalling how sunshine has wrecked some festivals in past years.
The Queen and her court. At the mic is Dirty Dan Harris, the founder of Fairhaven - also known locally as Jim Rich. The historical Dan started Fairhaven in 1854 and platted it for a town in 1884. Her court is the Ladies of the Evening Society, local business women who commemorate the early business women of the 1880s in Fairhaven. Today they are strictly a social group that lends color to our Fairhaven events.
Jim Milstead reads his rain poem. He read a very good poem - probably the best.
Kim Erickson reads her rain poem - actually a poem she wrote for something else long ago. She inserted the word rain at several places. All approved and the Queen loved it. Dirty Dan got to wondering why he was standing on the Green.
Hue Beattie reads his one sentence poem. We may as well print it. “The grain in Spain grows mainly thanks to rain.” All thought this was even better than haiku. Profound. The rain fest was a great success. All retreated to the fine Fairhaven restaurants for food and drink after the 25 minute long festival. The festival almost did not happen this year, but Diane Philips, who owns The Barbershop in Fairhaven, decided it had to go on and organized one of the best rain fests ever. She promised that she and her court would stage the festival again in February 2011. We look forward to it. Good Earth Pottery celebrates 40 yearsSaturday, February 6, 2010)
A 40th anniversary reception and show will be held next Friday, Feb 12, from 5 to 9pm. The theme of the show is “Tea for Two” and will feature functional and artful teapots-just in time for Valentine’s Day. Come enjoy some fine catering, finer company and enter their door-prize drawing. Teapots will be on display throughout the month of February. All are welcome and encouraged to come celebrate the past, present and future. In early 1970, Good Earth Pottery opened in the historic Morgan Block building, built in 1890. It was one of the original businesses that helped develop Fairhaven into a center of fine art and crafts. It was the young folks into alternative lifestyles who created an economic boom in Fairhaven between 1969 and 1973 and set the tone for what is today a center of fine art in the Pacific Northwest. Those of us who remember it when it opened can tell you it is still true to its roots. These days, it represents over 50 local artists. Book Fare Cafe for meeting friendsSunday, January 24, 2010)
Located on the second floor of Village Books, the Book Fare Cafe offers a great view out over the Village Green and to the bay and islands. Plus it is almost a hideaway - with no outside street sign. Lori, the owner, provides a very full menu of sandwiches, soups, starters, wraps, paninis, coffees and other drinks. It opens at 10 am - when Village Books opens. Here we show the room on one of our bright January days with warm sunlight flooding in. We invite you to discover this perfect out of the way meeting place. Fairhaven Library ReopensTuesday, January 12, 2010)
After about 8 months closure for repairs, our 106 year old library is again open. Donated in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie, our library has served continuously as a full service library for the six neighborhoods on the south side of Bellingham. Hours have been reduced from last year because of low tax revenues. It is open from 2 to 6 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Here is a view of the main reading room. Note the cozy fireplace and chairs. The Friends of the Fairhaven Library has raised funds with southsiders since 1992 to enhance the library furnishings. The Friends also worked to get the fireplace turned on after it had been off for decades. Beautiful window display at RenaissanceWednesday, January 6, 2010)
A tip of the hat to James Might for his always superb window displays. And you know, if your living space is a little drab on these long winter nights, you might browse his gallery and consider a piece of colorful glass art to help brighten up things. James carries art from several professional glass artists, providing you with a wide choice. His shop is conveniently located at Harris and 10th, kiddy corner from Good Earth Pottery. And he also carries a wide selection of fine jewelry. James has one of several fine art and craft galleries in Fairhaven - all locally owned and carrying the work of local and Northwest artists and crafts persons. You owe it to yourself to visit and browse our galleries before purchasing art elsewhere. Fairhaven has been a center of fine galleries since the mid 1970s. Good Earth Pottery was our first, opening in 1969 followed a few years later with a second gallery. We invite you to come and browse. Just check the Businesses > Shops > Art for a listing of fine shops. Wishing All a Merry Christmas and Happy HolidayThursday, December 24, 2009)
Each year Dan tries out new holiday threads. He likes to think of himself as a bit of a sport. With Emily snuggling up to his whiskered chin, he is a contented guy this holiday. We thank Nostalgia and Covet Boutique for providing Dan’s wardrobe. Fairhaven jewelers offer hand crafted giftsSaturday, December 19, 2009)
Russ Milenbach, the owner of Silvery Moon jewelry on Harris Avenue, wraps a gift for a customer. He just moved into his new shop after many years on 11th Street - but a move into larger space for him to fully display his wide selection of unique items from several West Coast artists. He has Northwest Indian silver pieces and also Hawaiian styled items. All are reasonable priced for any budget. Several fine jewelers have their shops in Fairhaven. Three shops create jewelry: Jewelry Affair at 1006 Harris, almost next door to Russ; Coenraad Zielstra Goldsmith at 1201 11th; and Fairhaven Gold at 1302 12th. All three offer beautiful unique hand crafted jewelry made right in their shops. Two more shops sell hand crafted jewelry not made on premises: Renaissance Celebration at the corner of Harris and 10th and Whimsey at 1200 10th #104. We invite you to shop in Fairhaven where you will find many shops with the perfect gifts for your holiday list. Book on Historic Fairhaven is publishedMonday, December 14, 2009)
MY DARLING ANNA has arrived in time for Christmas! A romantic, historic and fascinating book that is perfect for holiday reading and gifting. Brian Griffin and Neelie Nelson collaborated on this intriguing look back in time to Boom Town Fairhaven 1890 when Will Gray, a lovesick young doctor from the Midwest arrived in Fairhaven to establish his medical practice and send for his beloved Anna. These were exciting times on the frontier of Bellingham Bay. This true story is built around a treasure trove of the doctor’s letters to Anna. The book is a wonderful look at the early history of Fairhaven with 200 photos and illustrations. It celebrates the cultural legacy brought by Dr. Gray from Mount Pleasant, Iowa to Fairhaven (ultimately Bellingham) and ends with a special tribute to his daughter Margaret Gray, beloved drama teacher of Bellingham High School. MY DARLING ANNA includes a one hour CD with interviews of Margaret Gray by Galen Biery and Haines Fay and a couple of killer duets from BHS operettas of the 1940s. This is a Bellingham treasure to be found at Village Books and ensconced on your bedside table. Have a hankie nearby, this book can get to you. The photo shows Neelie and Brian speaking about their book last week. Santa and the Young OnesSaturday, December 12, 2009)
Santa Claus, aka Dave Hannah the manager of the Whidbey Island Bank branch in Fairhaven, and three young sisters. The little one in the middle is Azurai and we will get the other two names shortly. Santa was at the Fairhaven Village Inn today listening to Holiday and Christmas requests and giving the oranges as gifts, a tradition from the 1800s. Santa will be back next Saturday, December 19, from 12 noon to 3 pm at the Village Inn. Plan to bring your little ones down.
While Santa was inside holding court, outside the horse drawn wagon that brought him to Fairhaven was giving free rides to young and old. Four Fairhaven businesses sponsored the rides: The Fairhaven Toy Garden, The Fairhaven Village Inn, Village Books and Avenue Bread. They contracted with Cramer Classics of Lynden to provide the holiday rides to any who wished. A rare treat for little ones - a visit with Santa and a horse drawn wagon ride all at the same time. We thank them for their generous treat. And we thank Connie and Gene Shannon, the owners of the Village Inn, for hosting these two events. A little plug for Cramer. Fairhaven businesses have worked with them in the past. They provide a well managed and fun experience and have several different vehicles to choose from. Their phone number is 360 966-2623. They may not be a Fairhaven business, but we sure do like working with them. Psst! - Santa is coming Saturday - tomorrow.Friday, December 11, 2009)
And this is his throne - big chair, actually. A chair fit for Santa Claus. Bring the little ones. Santa is a jolly fellow and very good with the little ones. At the Village Inn from 12 noon to 3 pm on Saturday, Dec 12 and again on Sat, Dec 19. He will arrive by horse drawn wagon. The Village Inn is on 10th Street at Mill Ave - right across 10th from the Village Green. Right in the heart of the Historic District. And don’t forget to check out the two full toy stores in Fairhaven - plus toys and books for children at Village Books. We invite you down.
Shops open till 9 pm FridayThursday, December 3, 2009)
A street scene in Fairhaven, with the historic streets in a holiday mood. Shops will be staying open until 9 pm every Friday till Christmas. You can find gifts for anyone and in any price range. Books, jewelry, art, furniture, clothing, skiing and boarding gear, shoes for men and women, cooking tools, gardening and home decor items, and lots of toys. Two full toy stores - The Fairhaven Toy Garden and Wild Blueberries. Plus toys and children’s book at Village Books. We invite you to shop in Fairhaven for your gifts.
The Whatcom Art Guild & Friends has staged a very eclectic and fun art show in Fairhaven this holiday season. It is in the lower floor of the Waldron building - off McKenzie Alley - and that is accessed from 11th by the Rustic Coffee shop. The show runs every Friday through Monday from 10 am to 6 pm. Parking is available on McKenzie street which runs along side the Waldron building.
Fairhaven has the holiday spiritSunday, November 29, 2009)
Even before dusk, the holiday lights add a touch to the historic streets. With every shop and restaurant locally owned, Fairhaven business owners are hoping the current efforts to support local businesses will help them. What shoppers will find is shops with locally crafted items - jewelry, art, furniture, toys and even books. Shops will be staying open until 9 pm every Friday till Christmas. We invite you to Fairhaven for your holiday and Christmas shopping.
Christmas trees are now available in Fairhaven. Corey has set up a fine selection at the old service station at the corner of Harris and 12th. You can’t miss it. Yep, he is selling his hot dogs and polish sausages right in the middle of them. Corey has beautiful trees. We invite you to check them out. Saturday eve is second night of Walk A’boutSaturday, November 28, 2009)
Artwood Gallery was busy all day Friday - even before the start of the Walk A’bout at 5 pm. And so were many other shops in Fairhaven. On Saturday, from 5 to 9 pm, the 25 shops will again be open with many of them featuring artists and their art. And some serving refreshments. A map and list of the event is shown just below here. You can easily download and print a PDF file of this map and list. If you missed Friday’s Walk About, then we invite you to come for Saturday evening. You will enjoy the historic district, all the holiday lights and the fully stocked shops. Annual Walk A’bout this Friday & Saturday eveningsThursday, November 26, 2009)
Fairhaven is decorated and fully stocked with gifts - and Friday evening from 5 to 9 pm is what we think is the 18th annual Holiday Walk A’bout. It was called the Tour de’Art in previous years - but the Fairhaven Association has renamed it to better reflect the fun of exploring the old and new shops in the Historic District. Some shops will be offering refreshments and some will have original art on display with the artist present. Two very fun evenings that allow you to shop for great gifts - many made by Northwest crafts persons and artists. You can easily download and print a PDF file of the above map and list. We invite you to Fairhaven to join us in our Walk A’bout. Historic District getting in the holiday moodThursday, November 19, 2009)
Fairhaven is special during the Christmas holiday season. The historic district with the old buildings from the 1890s just sparkles with decorated shop windows and holiday lights. By next weekend and the Holiday Walk A’bout the place will fully ready for shoppers. The Walk A’bout will be Friday and Saturday evenings just after Thanksgiving - a week from now. Shops will be open till 9 pm both nights with many featuring artwork by local artists. Refreshments will be served in many of them. Shelves will be stocked with gifts. We invite you to mark the dates and treat yourself to an enjoyable evening browsing the shops and galleries in the historic district. Paper Dreams is fully stocked with a great selection of Holiday and Christmas cards. The shop is renowned for its huge selection of greeting cards, cards, calendars and all gifts and things of paper. It is a perfect place to find just the right cards for any occasion. Plus they have that Mt. Baker fudge. Fairhaven Fitness helps zombies support kidsThursday, November 12, 2009)
Many of us enjoyed the Thriller dance in the Pit Parking lot on Halloween eve with 60 some zombies and a good MJ imitator. They also performed downtown to an audience of several thousand. What is not generally known is, besides being a lot of fun, it was also a fund raiser for Blue Skies for Children and that the group rehearsed on the tennis courts at our own Bellingham Tennis Club/Fairhaven Fitness. Shown in the photo, from the left are: Ginny Spooner, Fitness Director of the Club; Megan (last name soon); Julie Guay, Executive Director of the Blue Skies for Children; and Robin Robertson, co-owner of the Bellingham Tennis Club/Fairhaven Fitness. We thank them all for their good work while having fun. Leaving FairhavenSunday, November 1, 2009)
After 34 years in Fairhaven around the property of the old Bob’s Southside Service station, the railroad cars are leaving. Two today and the last one on Monday. Pennsylvania bound to be placed in an old RR theme park. A huge crane picked them up - very carefully - and placed them on this oversized semi. They are taken to Burlington, about 20 miles south of Fairhaven, where they will be prepared for their trip east and placed on RR flatcars for the trip across country. Over the years this car had several businesses, the last being Boo’s Grooming Service up to a couple years ago. Lots happening in Fairhaven today. Check the next photos - below. Halloween as fun as ever for everyoneSunday, November 1, 2009)
Gordie Tweit obviously enjoys taking photos of the little goblins each year. He is the retired pharmacist from Fairhaven Pharmacy and together they have been providing free photos to parents for over 40 years on every Halloween. Taking over 600 photos gets tiring for him now as he is over 80. Parents who were photographed by him when they were little are now bringing in their kids. Gordie is our Fairhaven Treasure and he has a heart of gold.
Jamie as cat woman provides some fun and entertainment for the trick or treaters. She owns the “Fun to Shop” in Sycamore Square with her mom Brianne, but most know her because of her skill with the hula hoop.
Laurie provides treats in the new ‘Bay to Baker Trading Company’ shop down on Harris Avenue.
The sidewalks were crowded with little ones and their parents this evening. And, gentle reader, we need to apologize to the parents. Many shops ran out of treats before the 6 pm end today. We just had way more little goblins than last year or any year. Merchants stocked up with 1,000 treats for this year - 200 more than last year. But even those who had 1,200 treats ran out. Fairhaven will really adjust for next year and be ready for however many little ones visit us. Even more today - see Thriller below. Thriller in FairhavenSaturday, October 31, 2009)
A little after 9 pm tonight, Thriller was danced in the pit parking lot. Lighting was from the headlights of cars parked around the edges. A crowd of hundreds lined all four sides of the pit along Mill Street, the South Bay trail and the upper lot. Amazing. Huge crowd and virtually all young folks. The whole event lasted maybe 15 minutes - and it was over and everyone just melted away into the night with hoops and cheers. Sooo nice for this old soul from the 60s to see Fairhaven reverberate with young energy tonight. If you don’t know Thriller then this photo makes no sense. Check it out on YouTube. All the young ones were into making their individual parts work to their best. Congrats to each of them. Most all shops participating in Trick or TreatingThursday, October 29, 2009)
No need for a list of businesses participating as virtually all businesses in the Fairhaven Historic District are. You can look for this sign on the doors of businesses, but no real need. Most shop owners - and many restaurant owners - will have their front door open and will be right there with the treats. Taking your kids around our streets is easy and real fun. The old buildings really help and many shops are decorated and many of the owners put on some costuming. We have listed this event in the Major Events at the top of this page. We encourage you to check the Events listings for more fun things on Halloween. Gordy Tweit will be taking free photos of the little ones at the Fairhaven Pharmacy. Gordy has been taking these annual photos for over 40 years now. He and the Fairhaven Pharmacy have been very generous each year with this event. Kids love it - and parents appreciate the memorable photo. 1890 Morgan Block brickwork is repairedTuesday, October 27, 2009)
Buildings were named “Block” back in the 1890s. The Morgan Block building was completed in 1890 - before the Railroad boom of 1891 and the depression bust of 1893. This building has served our community for almost 120 years and during the last few, its exterior developed a need for fixes. Since late summer, this scaffolding has graced the front and later, in this photo, the side of the building. A lot of little but important repair work was done, including the replacement of some copper flashing. Here, Evan works up on the scaffolding. Today, it is down and the building shows the same exterior it did in 1890. This building was given new life in 1969 when it was bought and quickly turned into a community trust. It flourished through the 70s and 80s when other buildings in Fairhaven went quiet or empty. The Bellingham Community Food Co-op started here; it has long ago moved to downtown Bellingham. The Northwest Passage alternative newspaper was published from offices on the second floor in the early 1970s. It was one of the first news publications in the country to speak out for the environment and ecological awareness. Today, Artwood Gallery of fine woodwork and the Good Earth Pottery are in this building. Artwood for the last 20 years or so and Good Earth since the early 1970s. The upper floors now provide studio space to artists, writers, poets and crafts persons. It is still the same community trust, and we are very proud of its role in our community. That time of yearWednesday, October 21, 2009)
The hanging baskets of flowers came down today. Putting them up and taking them down each year has become a mark of the seasons. Kenny, in the photo, was part of the two person crew who went through the district taking them all down. The Old Fairhaven Association sees to their being hung up each May and contract with the Lions Club of Fairhaven for watering them each morning through the summer. The Association contributes to the Lions charity fund and the members volunteer their own time to keep the flowers watered all summer. We thank the club members for their help in keeping our historic district a beautiful place to visit. Flavor of Fairhaven a fun eventSaturday, October 17, 2009)
The rain put a damper on - but could not stop - this first “Flavor of Fairhaven” day long food and drink celebration. Most restaurants had great samples for $1 to $2 dollars. There was a pizza dough tossing contest, and all sorts of other fun events. Above is part of the crowd that watched the “Chefs Show Down” at the Big Fat Fish Co. restaurant. These three chefs competed side by side for the audience with great commentary from Pamela, the manager of the Fish.
Above we have the three judges of the chef’s efforts, from left are John deFreest, Bryant Davis and Tina. (I will find her last name) Even the judges had many more folks on either side of the photographer watching their tasting and comments.
Later in the afternoon, the tasting of drinks began. Above is the action at Dos Padres with Joey serving very small Tequila tastings. There were also several wine tastings going on and a pub crawl.
Earlier - late morning - was the “Fairhaven Cup” coffee competition at the Rustic Coffee. Five baristas from our coffee shops, including Woods Coffee at Boulevard Park, competed. Above are three of the entries. We take our coffee very seriously in Fairhaven, as all Whatcom County knows. Our oldest shop was roasting and grinding beans in 1971. And of course we consider Boulevard Park to be part of Fairhaven. Our thanks to Wes Hermann for the photos of the coffees and the baristas below.
Here are the five baristas. The fellow on the far right, Peter from Tony’s, won this very friendly competition. |
        |
