Neighborhood-Kids - Bellingham, WA

Whatcom Museum's Lightcatcher to Open

2009-11-09T00:00:00-08:00

The creation of a facility that can simultaneously house both world-class art exhibitions and a permanent arts-and-activity gallery for families was no small undertaking. Keeping the whole thing "green" provided yet another challenge.

Outside the Lightcatcher.
Photo by Tim Bies
Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

Instead of viewing these stipulations as obstacles, the Whatcom Museum, in a collaborative effort with several Northwest companies and artists, embraced such guidelines with aplomb. Their efforts will be unveiled at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Museum's newest and first original building, the Lightcatcher, on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 11 AM. Admission to all is free on opening day, thanks to a sponsorship from Key Bank.

In development since 2004, the Lightcatcher is a 42,000 square foot facility that will house visiting art exhibitions, a permanent Family Interactive Gallery (FIG; formerly the Children's Museum), a courtyard, classrooms for both youth and adult education, a museum store, and a café. The building's name is derived from its focal point—a 37 foot high and 180 foot long translucent, curved wall—which bridges the interior spaces of the Museum with its open courtyard.

Inside the Lightcatcher.
Photo by Tim Bies / Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects

Jim Olson of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects designed the building to include an iconic structure that would compliment other local landmarks in downtown Bellingham, and to create a warm, inviting space for the community. The Lightcatcher, quite literally, achieves these goals.

Designed to meet LEED Silver Standards, the Lightcatcher wall provides natural light and an energy-efficient heating and cooling system for the building. Further sustainable features at the Museum include a vegetated green roof, rain gardens, and rainwater harvesting cisterns.

The invitation to the community is also evident in the courtyard, which is accessible through the Museum lobby, or even the exterior sidewalk. From Grand Avenue, a passerby can see into the courtyard and through windows in the Lightcatcher wall to the art displays inside.

Once inside the magnificent facility, visitors have the chance to enjoy two visiting exhibits on display for the Museum's grand opening. Like the Lightcatcher itself, the opening exhibits give particular attention to the materials used in the construction of art and our ongoing relationship with the planet.

The inaugural exhibition, Out of Bounds: Art from the Collection of Driek and Michael Zirinsky, will be on display through March 21, 2010. Whatcom Museum Art Curator Barbara Matilsky selected over 80 contemporary pieces from the Zirinsky collection that reinforce the following themes: Reinventing the Figure; Reimagining the Landscape; Transforming Objects and Materials; and Making Art New: Form and Process. Matilsky was conscious to include pieces in all types of media for this exhibit. A number of these pieces contain commentary on social, political, and environmental issues as well.

Bloom: The Elephant Bed by John Grade

Also on display is a site-specific art installation by Seattle-based artist John Grade called Bloom: The Elephant Bed. With immense, bell-shaped sculptures suspended from the ceiling, Grade's piece takes full advantage of the 26 foot high gallery ceiling. Ironically, these huge sculptures are inspired by the white, limestone shells of microscopic ocean organisms called coccolithophores. A commentary on cycles of formation and erosion, as well as climate change issues, Grade's installation incorporates an element of disintegration throughout its five month exhibition. At its close on April 10, 2010, the remaining sculptures (made from sustainable materials that break down into harmless particles in water) will be cast into Bellingham Bay after a public procession.

At the other end of the Museum, the Family Interactive Gallery extends an emphasis on art and nature with hands-on activities to inspire creativity and learning. Stay tuned to Neighborhood-Kids.com for a more detailed exploration of this facility!

The Lightcatcher is located at the corner of Grand Avenue and Flora Street in Bellingham, Washington. Regular Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 PM. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students/seniors/military, $4 for children 5 and under, and free for Museum members. For more information, please contact the Whatcom Museum at (360) 778-8930.

Veterans Day Celebration

2009-11-04T00:00:00-08:00

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Heritage Flight Museum is hosting special Veterans Day events. The museum will celebrate the holiday with a remote broadcast on KGMI AM791, HFM aircraft flights (weather permitting), and car making for a great friend of the museum, CW3 Dustin Engelhardt, who recently started his third deployment to Iraq. For more information, call (360) 733-4422.

Jogo Kids Fitness Class

2009-10-05T00:00:00-08:00

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Kids ages 8 to 12 can check out a unique fitness program. In addition to improving all aspects of physical fitness, this program helps kids learn confidence and teamwork in a fun environment. Wear athletic clothes; bring a water bottle. Cost is $120 per month (3 sessions per week) or $96 per month (2 sessions per week). For more details, visit Jogo Gym.

Lynden Baby Storytime

2009-01-19T00:00:00-08:00

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Come to the Lynden Public Library to enjoy songs, rhymes, movement activities, and instrument play that will encourage your baby’s or toddler’s early learning. Social and play time before and after the program. Led by music teacher Lisa Kusick. For more information, please call (360) 354-4883.

Write It! at the Library

2009-09-21T14:53:23-08:00

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Write It! gives young writers an opportunity to explore their creativity and imagination through a variety of writing exercises. You may attend one session or all sessions. Bring pen, paper and imagination. No pre-registration necessary. For grades 4-7. Lead by Stephanie Dethlefs, founder of Young Writers Studio.

Local Thanksgiving Cooking Class

2009-10-29T00:00:00-08:00

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Celebrate the bounty of our local harvest at your Thanksgiving dinner! All of the gorgeous local ingredients available at this abundant time of year will be showcased in a veritable feast in this cooking class with Mary Ellen Carter. Advance registration required at your neighborhood Community Food Co-op. All proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank Farm.

Veterans Day Event

2009-10-27T11:57:50-08:00

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Come to Village Books for a special Veterans Day event and slide show. Bellingham veteran Pete Davis noticed there wasn’t much published about the daily lives of enlisted WWII soldiers in the South Pacific. Based on letters he wrote home at the time and pictures he collected while in the Army Corps of Engineers, his book Bulldozing the Way: New Guinea to Japan describes the everyday challenges of enlisted men from stateside training (Feb 1943) to service in New Guinea, the Philippines, Okinawa, and Japan (Jan. 1946). Pete has donated his materials to the Library of Congress Veterans’ Project.

10th Annual Breakfast of Champions

2009-11-10T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Join Bellingham Boys and Girls Club for an annual benefit breakfast with guest speakers John Curley, former host of “Evening Magazine,” and State Attorney General Rob McKenna. Admission is free; donations requested. Proceeds help more than 3,400 kids participate in BBGC programs and services. Reserve a table by calling (360) 527-9777.

Stroller Strides Fitness Class

2009-10-15T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

With Stroller Strides, moms can get an hour of total body exercise while kids chill out in the stroller (no umbrella-type strollers). Dress yourself and child for the weather, and wear athletic shoes. All other workout equipment is provided. Cost varies; the first class is always free! Call (360) 391-4855 for details.

WCLS Toddler Storytime

2008-01-17T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

A time of sharing stories, songs, and other amusements for very young children, ages 1-3 at various Whatcom County Libraries.

For more information, visit Whatcom County Libraries or call (360) 332-8146.

Raccoon Storytime

2007-12-04T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Raccoon Storytime is intended for toddlers and their parents to enjoy a half-hour session of stories, songs, and a craft project. It takes place at the Central Branch. For more information, call (360)778-7200 or visit Bellingham Public Library.

Bellingham Railway Museum

2007-12-28T14:44:04-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Bellingham Railway Museum features a number of model railroad layouts in several scales. These include display layouts, interactive exhibits where visitors to the museum can actually run the trains, and a floor layout for the kids to play with. The BRM believes that model railroading is both an important part of railroad history, and also an excellent vehicle for communicating the history of railroads to the public. The BRM features exhibits of railroad lanterns, a historical Centennial exhibit, train simulator, and model trains.

The Bellingham Railway Museum is located at 1320 Commercial Street. Hours of operation are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 PM. The museum is also open by appointment at other times for groups or special events. Admission cost is $6 for families of 4, $4 for adults, $1 for kids ages 2 to 16, and free for children under 2. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

For more information or to make an appointment to view the museum, please contact the webmaster or call (360) 393-7540. Read more: All Aboard to the Bellingham Railway Museum.

Power Hour Homework Help

2009-09-30T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Boys and Girls Club staff lend their homework help to elementary school-age kids at the Lummi Island Library. This is a free tutoring program. Call the library at (360) 758-7145 for more information.

Dog Day Afternoons

2008-04-23T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Sign-up now for a popular reading program at Bellingham Public Library. Kids ages 6 and up can cuddle up to a good book and read to a canine friend from the Whatcom Humane Society; each dog has passed behavioral training and will be with his/her owner. Limited space. Sign-up for your 30 minute timeslot today! Call (360) 778-7200 to register.

Phyt Kids at BAC

2008-05-02T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Phyt Kids is a program developed by the health and fitness experts at Bellingham Athletic Club to provide children ages 10-15 with the opportunity to learn how their bodies work and move. We believe in the importance of health and activity taught through fun and education. This program incorporates components of nutrition, self-esteem, and motivation into a progressive fitness format including cardio vascular and resistance training.

Kids can come to two sessions each week. The cost is $35 per month for members and $50 for non-members. Discounts are available with 3 month purchase. Contact Payal Mehta at (360) 676-1800 for more information.

Launching Success Workshop for Grown-ups

2008-12-10T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Check out a number of valuable workshops for parents and teachers at Launching Success Learning Store. See descriptions and details below. Participants should call (360) 527-2641 for reservations.

Math and Games for Early Elementary Students
Saturday, October 10, 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM

Learning specialist and teacher, Donna Starr, presents a workshop for parents and teachers on using games for learning early mathematics. Her program, titled “Math and Games for Early Elementary Students,” will introduce a variety of manipulatives that can be used by teachers to teach math to kindergarten and elementary students. Ms. Starr is an expert on how children learn and has been a part-time instructor in education at the university level. The workshop fee is $12; preregistration is required.

Handwriting Without Tears, Part 1
Saturday, October 17, 1 to 3 PM

Former elementary school teacher, Anne Zucci, provides training on the use of the popular Handwriting Without Tears multi-sensory curriculum. This first step workshop called Handwriting Foundations for Pre-school and Kindergarten, features readiness foundation for printing skills using music, play dough, stamping, coloring and other play. This event is suitable for parents and teachers. Cost is $12 and preregistration is required. The Teacher Guide for preschool or kindergarten is recommended (purchase at Launching Success). Two STARS credits are also available.

Assessing Children’s Learning Styles
Thursday, November 5, 6:30 to 8:30 PM

Psychologist Dr. Sylvia Thorpe offers an interactive workshop entitled “Assessing Children’s Learning Styles” for parents and teachers. This popular event has been very helpful for selecting appropriate teaching methods and materials for different children. Information is given on the differences in learning style between boys and girls. This event is offered free as a community service by Dr. Thorpe, but preregistration is required for admission.

Tools for Success for Early Readers
Saturday, November 7, 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM

Educator and conference speaker, Donna Starr, presents “Tools for Success for Early Readers” workshop for parents and teachers. Ms. Starr will share insights on how learning occurs with beginning reading and how to address reading confusion. This phonics and language arts discussion is directed toward early elementary children. Fee is $12 and 2 STARS credits are available.

Tips for Managing the Child’s Learning Environment
Thursday, November 12, 6-9 PM

A class called “Tips for Managing the Child’s Learning Environment” will be taught by educational consultant Roxann Rose-Duckworth. Based on “Love and Logic” philosophy, this three hour class introduces methods for dealing with uncooperative learners. The instructor will explain time-tested strategies that empower parents/techers to have less stress and foster responsible students. Topics include: setting firm limits, dealing with excuses and back talk, communicating expectations, and other similar skills. Rose-Duckworth has 15 years experience teaching elementary and middle school and is an instructor at Western Washington University. The workshop fee is $20. Three STARS credits are available. Registration with prepayment is required.

Handwriting Without Tears, Part 2
Saturday, November 14, 1-3 PM

Anne Zucci leads Part II of her Handwriting seminars with a focus on improving printing skills. The workshop for parents and teachers follows the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum. Zucci shows how printing skills can be developed with the use of music, play dough, magnets, and wood pieces. Activities to develop fine motor skills and posture for writing will be introduced. Zucci also deals with techniques for solving handwriting problems. The Teacher Guide for first or second grade is recommended (purchase at Launching Success). Fee is $12. Two STARS credits are available.

BTC Childbirth Classes

2007-12-14T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Bellingham Technical College offers many classes on preparation for pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding through their continuing education program. For a detailed syllabus and registration information, visit Bellingham Technical College Community Education.

Magic Lantern Slide Show

2009-11-04T00:00:00-08:00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Laura Jacoby will present an evening of local history using original glass slides shown on an antique magic lantern slide projector at the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the North Fork Community Library. Everyone is welcome to attend the presentation at Kendall Elementary School. For more information, call Maple Falls Library at (360) 599-2020.