Everson-Nooksack News May 2024

EvE rson-nooksack nEws

Lynden Tribune | Ferndale Record | Wednesday, May 15, 2024

From ski to shining sea

Annual race returns Memorial  Day weekend, passes through Nooksack Valley

Lynden Tribune Staff

WHATCOM — A 93-mile race across snow and water, this year’s Ski to Sea is Sunday, May 26.

First run in 1973, the Ski to Sea is a multi-sport team relay from the Mt. Baker Ski Area to Bellingham Bay. The race is held annually on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

A Ski to Sea team consists of anywhere from three to eight racers who compete in cross country ski, downhill ski/snowboard, running, road bike, canoe (two paddlers), cyclocross bike and sea kayak.

As of May 8, the 4-mile cross country ski component nor the 2.5-mile downhill ski/snowboard component have been confirmed for this year’s race.

For those who are new to Ski to Sea, of the seven components, the 41-mile road bike component takes competitors from the Shuksan D.O.T. snow shed along

Each year, Ski to Sea is a multisport relay race from Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay. This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, May 26 and will include stops in Everson and Ferndale. (Dennis Cairns for the Tribune)

See Ski to Sea on C8

Emergency drill shows community spirit, resourcefulness

Whatcom County Fire District No. 1/EMS and various law enforcement agencies participate in a recent emergency flood drill. WCFD No. 1 Chief Rachel Carlson said volunteer participation “underscores the deep-rooted sense of community and the importance of readiness in safeguarding our residents.”

(Elisa Claassen for the Tribune)

Whatcom County Fire/EMS, law enforcement agencies assemble

NOOKSACK VALLEY — Despite challenging weather conditions, Whatcom County Fire District No. 1 hosted a training that showcased the resilience and camaraderie of the Nooksack Valley community in a recent emergency preparedness drill.

With an impressive 100% turnout from committed volunteers, the drill illuminated the enduring spirit of volunteerism and cooperation across the county.

“We were thrilled to witness the unwavering dedication of our volunteers, who braved the elements to participate in the drill,” said Rachel Carlson, chief of Whatcom County Fire District No. 1. “Their commitment underscores the deep-rooted sense of community and the importance of readiness in safeguarding our residents.”

The drill brought together volunteers from various amateur radio agencies, and fire/EMS departments, law enforcement, Search and Rescue, and Canadian emergency response partners. Through collaborative efforts, participants honed communication skills, utilized mapping tools, and drew upon past experiences to enhance response planning.

“We were truly inspired by the overwhelming support and participation of volunteers from Whatcom County,”

Carlson said. “Their dedication enabled us to conduct a comprehensive exercise, replicating real-life scenarios and offering invaluable training opportunities. Our ultimate objective is to minimize and alleviate risks, and this preparedness drill was instrumental in fulfilling that objective.” However, the exercise also shed light on infrastructure challenges faced by the department. The fire station’s cramped conditions, exacerbated by its 1978 construction, posed operational constraints during the drill. Moreover, difficulties in sending and receiving radio signals necessitated innovative solutions.

“Our resourceful team rose to the occasion, devising creative solutions to overcome obstacles,” Carlson said. “One such challenge involved building an antenna due to limitations posed by the station’s construction.”

Despite these challenges, the success of the drill underscores the department’s commitment to continuous improvement and preparedness. By harnessing community resources and fostering collaboration, the agencies and personnel involved in this drill remain dedicated to their missions of ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents.

Mark your calendars for July 12-13 Everson Summer Festival

Mark your calendars, July 12-13 for the annual Everson Summer Festival. Join in on the fun. Visit ci.everson.wa.us/community/summer_ festival.php for more information. To volunteer, email eclark@ci.everson.wa.us. (Lynden Tribune file photos)

EVERSON-NOOKSACK NEWS BRIEFS

June 16: Gear Heads Father’s Day Car Show

May 19: Keepers Of The Faith Concert

The Gear Heads of Whatcom County will hold its annual Father’s Day Car Show from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Sunday, June 16 at Bellewood Farms, 6140 Guide Meridian Road. Free entry for spectators. Vehicle registration for the show is $20 for car or truck. The show is open to any classic, custom, sports car and hot rod cars or trucks. Proceeds from the show will go to several local charities, such as Humane Society, Food Bank and Vietnam Veterans. For registration to enter your car into the show, visit gearheadswc@gmail.com or http:/www.gearheadswc. com. Pictured, Gear Heads of Whatcom County present a symbolic check to the Bellingham Food Bank. Each year, Gear Heads donate the club’s car show proceeds to several local non-profit organizations. (Courtesy photo)

Keepers Of The Faith Concert, 6-10 p.m. May 19 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 5782 Lawrence Road, Everson. Keepers Of The Faith tour over a large part of the states and into Canada. The harmonies and blend are truly exciting to listen to as the singers are all family. CDs are available for sale, along with other stuff. Refreshments will be served after the concert. No coverage charge but a freewill offering will be taken. For more information, email n-dworkman@msn.com.

Ongoing: Knowing the God of All Comfort

Knowing the God of All Comfort, an

inductive Bible study, is from 10-11:30 a.m. Thursdays beginning Feb. 15, at Nooksack Christian Fellowship, 201 Jackson St., Nooksack. Study by Jan Wells, led by Jan DeFoe. Text or call 707-953-5862 to reserve a book or for more information. Ending date estimated to be 8 to 10 weeks but is open ended.

Mondays: Everson Senior Center

Gather Mondays at the Everson Senior Center, 111 W. Main St., from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. At 9:30 a.m., join us for coffee and conversation, cards, cribbage, pool and puzzles. At 11 a.m. is exercise time, then at noon is lunch, either inside dining or take home your hot meal (by donation ages 60-plus). Call 360-9663144 for more information.

Summer Vehicle Maintenance

Quality Automotive Repair by People Who Care

Jim’s Automotive Experts has been in downtown Everson since 1981. We are a full service automotive shop that can help YOU with any automotive need. We have 5 ASE-Certified mechanics to help keep your vehicle in great condition. We have the latest equipment for your vehicle and have quality parts & fluids. Call us for a quote on repairs or to schedule an appointment.

Affordable housing comes to Everson

Habitat for Humanity gets word out about new housing project

By Racquel Muncy For the Tribune

EVERSON — Habitat for Humanity

Whatcom County held a meeting in Everson on April 27 about the Mateo Meadows Community housing project that is being built along Lincoln Street.

More than a dozen community members came out to learn more about the housing project, how to apply and the process to be accepted for Habitat housing.

Mateo Meadows Community will be made up of 30 townhomes, ranging from two to four bedrooms.

Construction Director Chris van Staalduinen said the houses will be built to be economically maintained and heated. He said the first home will be net zero, so the energy bill would only be $10 to be on the grid. The goal is for all of the homes to be net zero.

“I think everyone realizes the cost of electricity is only going up,” van Staalduinen said.

He said the homes are also built to keep the air inside, so owners are not paying to heat air just for that air to escape. This is done with insulation, a heat recovery ventilator and making the homes air tight, so the wind does not come in and blow out the warm air.

All of the homes will also have a garage and off road parking space.

The homes are also all built two feet above the base flood elevation and the

for Humanity held a meeting in Everson for community members to learn more about the Mateo Meadows project and apply for Habitat housing. Executive Director John Moon, in photo above, gave a presentation on the Mateo Meadows Community and what it takes to be an applicant. Mateo Meadows will be made up of 30 townhouses, most of which will be three bedroom.

TUXEDO GARDEN

3246 South Pass Road, Everson WA

Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-5:30pm

Gar y Pike - Owner

Large selection of shrubs and trees.

Practically all plants are locally grown.

Full line of bamboo products also!

Great Plants at Great Prices! Phone: 360-966-7829 360-927-2877

Habitat

(Photos by Racquel Muncy for the Tribune)

majority of the bedrooms are on the second floor. Van Staalduinen said the attic is where all of the homes’ mechanical systems will be, so if the house does flood there should be minimal damage.

“We’re trying to build responsibly,” he said.

Executive Director John Moon said one concern he has heard from the neighboring community is how much water this could push into neighboring homes during flood season.

Moon said a hydrological study was completed and it would impact other homes a miniscule amount.

According to Moon, if it were to have cause more than one-tenth of an inch increase in water then permits would not have been issued.

“We’re not building something that is going to cause any of the neighborhood any trouble,” he said.

Van Staalduinen agreed.

“We wouldn’t want to do this at the expense of more damage (to neighbors),” he said.

Moon explained the application process and what it takes to get a home through Habitat for Humanity.

“It’s a long process and there are two parts to it,” he said.

Attendees of the meeting were able to fill out the short form to see if they are eligible to have a house within Mateo Meadows.

Eligibility conditions include living in substandard condition, a willingness to partner with Habitat, prove an ability to pay for the home and be within 30-120% of the area median income for Whatcom County. For a family of four this would be between $28,800 and $115,200.

Substandard living conditions can include everything from tran-

sitional housing and overcrowding where more than three children share a bedroom to living in an unsafe neighborhood or proving a cost burden where the mortgage or rent is more than 30% of the household annual gross income.

Moon said it typically takes a family between a year and 18 months to finish their home, depending on their willingness to partner. This can be a difficult factor for those living in transitional housing.

The willingness to partner also includes 500 hours of sweat equity. Moon said half of this must be done by the family living in the home and the other half can have help from outside family or friends.

“What this means is that you’re going to work hard to get your house,” Moon said.

The homeowner will still be paying the fair market price, which for the homes in Mateo Meadows will be around $400,000, according to Moon.

However, the owners will have two mortgages. The first will a zero percent interest mortgage for the cost to build the home. The second mortgage will also be zero percent interest, but will be paid off once the home is sold. For example if the home cost $300,000 to build the homeowner would pay off $300,000 over the course of the loan and the final $100,000 from the sale of the home.

Mateo Meadows will also include a homeowners association fee, on top of the usual insurance and taxes.

Building began in March and will last about four years. Moon said they are expecting to fill about 10 applications per year for the housing community.

Ski to Sea: Annual race returns Memorial Day weekend

Mount Baker Highway through Nooksack and into Everson where they continue to Riverside Park. Next is the 18.5-mile canoeing component, which goes from Everson along the Nooksack River south of Lynden into Ferndale where racers stop at Hovander Park. The 11mile cyclocross bike component from Hovander to Zuanich Point Park in Bellingham.

There’s more, of course. However, these are the race components that go through North Whatcom. For a complete breakdown of Ski to Sea, visit skitosea.com for more information.

Since 2018, racers have been allowed to participate in as many as three legs on race day, for one team or for multiple teams.

The Ski to Sea course runs through Glacier, Maple Falls, Kendall, Everson, Lynden and Ferndale, and will finish at Marine Park in Bellingham’s Fairhaven district.

Ski to Sea is owned and operated by Whatcom Events, a volunteer-operated community 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.

Whatcom Events also hosts the Tour de Whatcom bicycle ride in July, The Mt. Baker Hill Climb in September and Trails to Taps Relay in October. More than 1000 volunteers help run these community events.

“We