Jayme Curley:  Clay Sculpture with watercolor. Jayme’s creations of watercolors on clay begin on a canvas, sculpting and working the clay into its destined design.  The canvas adds texture, the teeth imprinted on the clay. Her sculptures speak about our environment and the impact of human behavior on our environment.  An example of this is her Whatcom Creek sculpture created after the 1999 pipeline explosion which is on display at Western Washington University.  In addition to her sculpture’s Jayme also creates collage, and the occasional painted door!

Andra Millage: Sugar Sculpture/Cake Creations/Edible Art
Andra Millage has been creating cake and sugar sculpture for the last 26 years.  Working out of the commercial kitchen of her Eldridge home, she creates chocolates, cookies, and sculptures of sugar and flour.  Her cake creations very from traditional and elegant wedding cakes to fun and fantastical.  She states that her geologist training helps in fulfilling her logical side and building the right support for her cakes while the designing of the cakes fulfills her creative side.    And by the way, they taste as good as they look!   Let them eat cake!

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet some of Bellingham’s talented artists as well as private showings of their work.  The tour continues Saturday 10/8 and Sunday 10/9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..  Map/Brochure/Artist Locations

For more information about Bellingham cultural activities, Bellingham Homes for Sale or Bellingham real estate, contact Roberta Soares at 360-303-3898.

One of the many great aspects of Bellingham are the assortment of trails that one can hike.  My favorite is in Fairhaven. This is the Interurban Trail that will take you all the way to Arroyo Park(1.8 miles) and Larrabee State Park(6.6 miles).
I usually catch it at 10th and Donovan and make my way westerly down to the edge of Bellingham Bay. This path is a level cleared path, landscaped with dense brush and foliage and old trees. Along this path, Padden Creek passes through on its way to the Bay, hydrating all the vegetation.   I love the quietness of this path.  Except for the distant horn of the train, you can hear the leaves fall, the dewdrops as they hit the ground, the pitter patter of squirrels and rabbits.  Peaceful and serene.

Along the way you hit the off leash dog park, it is set down in a large bowl well protected from the streets and elements.   Usually I’ll have my Jezebelle with me and will have to sit a good while to watch her romp and play.  One can’t help but stop and watch the interaction between the pups. I’m convinced this is therapy.

Go a  little bit further and you reach the Heron Nesting Colony. From February through
summer, the colony will be alive with the Heron and their young nesting, breeding and teaching their young.

At the west end is Marine park and the Bay with its views of Lummi Island.  On this particular morning it is beautifully fogged in.

This is how I start my day each and every day.  With views like this, with sounds of nature, with the play of my dog and others.  I never tire of this route, or for that matter any of the trails around Bellingham.  They change every day, with every step.  There is always a new color to see,  a new sound or scent, a new experience.  Like I said,  I start each and every day with a hike and so tomorrow will bring a new day and a new trail.         Happy Hiking!

Centrally located in Bellingham,WA, this 241 acre park has several trails, lush foliage, tennis courts, fish hatchery, covered picnic area and of course, being Autumn, vibrant foliage.  The foliage  has not changed quite like I hoped, it can be very brilliant as this 2009  photo shows.
The falls water comes from Lake Whatcom and travels SW via Whatcom Creek and depositing into Bellingham Bay.

Whatcom Falls Park is situated between the Silver Beach community of Lake Whatcom and just north of Lake Padden, another large park with trails, golf, canoeing, tennis, swimming, dog park and so much more.
Come and enjoy the power of nature.    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzALifjgn20[/youtube]
For information about Bellingham Parks, Real Estate and Bellingham Homes for Sale contact Roberta at: 360-303-3898

The tour gives you a close-up view of parks, businesses, industry and neighborhoods from the water. Travels down waterways, past shipyards, historic points of interest, work, fishing and pleasure boats, freighters and tugboats that are all in the harbor. The trip makes for a very memorable evening.

The cruise tour guide is Brian Griffin has an extensive knowledge of the area.

The Island Caper has inside seating for more than 100 passengers as well as a covered upper deck viewing area. Bring a picnic dinner and make sure you have some warm clothes as it can get quite chilly on the water in the evening, and binoculars to see the sites close up.

Advance ticket purchase is recommended as cruises often sell out.  (360)778-8963. The cost is $35/$30 Museum Members

Enter this serene country estate through a large rustic gate blacksmithed by the owner himself.   This is just a taste of the multitude of attributes this estate and property has to offer.

If you’re looking for a quiet ” room to roam” property spread out from your neighbors, yet close enough to all that the city has to offer, this is it.   Just about 15 minutes to Bellingham, 45 minutes to Mt. Baker and 25 minutes to the Canadian Border, very central and ideally located allowing you to still live the country life.

Miss the sounds and wonder of wildlife?  You’ll have it in your own backyard.  In the still of the night you can hear the coyotes howl, or on occasion the owls’ hoot.  One look out your bedroom window and behold “ the deer and the antelope playing” .   In the spring comes the fabulous honk of the geese and their gaggle.  Witness Mother Goose herself as she teaches her young goslings the ways of the world in the large shared pond at the north end of the property.  There is so much to explore here and we haven’t even hit the home yet!!

Situated on five acres of rolling pasture sits a 3200 sq.foot palace of a home designed and built by the owner.  It is a 3+bedroom, 2.5 bath incredible fortress with soaring ceilings and massive windows in the great room that allows in light even on the darkest of our NW days.  The great room is combined with the gourmet kitchen complete with concrete counters, high-end appliances, custom made cabinetry and beautiful tile-back splash. The maple flooring hand laid and the slate tile flooring hand cut and laid by the owner.  There is a Garden room off of the great room with a mosaic-themed tile floor and plumbed for a hot tub or to protect your prized plants in this climate controlled environment.
What you see on the surface belies the craftsmanship beneath/behind the walls.  The owner built this to withstand the cold and blustery winters as well as hot days of summer.  The insulation is above the normal requirements therefore, keeping your energy costs down in all climates.  Pretty much everything about this home is above and beyond the norm.

Maybe you own your own business and need a property large enough for your home, family and business?  In addition to the home is a 3000 sq.ft heated shop complete with office space.  You have to see it to believe it and appreciate it.  Also, other outbuildings to house your equipment or maybe house your farm animals.  This  would  be a great property for the hobby farmer.  So much space to plant your garden, or a few grazing animals such as sheep and horses.  Sit back on your covered deck and watch the eagles soar.

There is so much more to mention, but I really suggest you come and see this marvel for yourself.

Call me, Roberta Soares,  for a private tour at 360-303-3898.

The Lettered Streets Neighborhood is located centrally, along the old waterfront of Bellingham Bay. The neighborhood was originally established as a middle-class community adjacent to the city’s downtown district. Many of the homes here were constructed in the late 1890s and the early 1900s for middle-class and working families. Homes are of varied sizes and styles, reflecting the trends from the early 1900s. Most homes are on small lots on the neighborhood’s quiet, tree-lined streets.

Today, the neighborhood is a mixture of residential and commercial areas. Many of the homes in the neighborhood are rentals. The neighborhood also has a few apartments

Residential growth has taken place throughout the neighborhood and includes apartments, multi-family housing, and single-family homes.

On Barkley Hill, several subdivisions of newer, single-family homes cover the western hillside. These homes are built near the top of the hill and enjoy stunning views of Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the Canadian Cascades. These are all fairly large homes that were built from the 1990s to the present.

The Alabama Hill neighborhood is named for the major arterial street that bisects the neighborhood, Alabama Street. It is perched on the Hill where many of the homes in this neighborhood take full advantage of the beautiful views of the city, Bellingham Bay and the islands beyond, with fantastic sunsets like the picture to the left available to many of the neighborhood residents. Most of the homes were built during the 60s and 70s.

Whatcom Falls Park is at the south end of the neighborhood, there are a few small neighborhood parks like St. Clair and Highland Heights Park and one of Bellingham’s hidden treasures Big Rock Garden Park with its beautiful array of outdoor sculptures. The neighborhood also borders below Bloedel-Donovan Park and access to Lake Whatcom. The popular Railroad Trail winds through the neighborhood as well.

Students in this neighborhood attended Roosevelt elementary, Whatcom Middle School and Bellingham High School.