Page 3: Ferndale is stronger for the journey
Page 4: Ferndale by the numbers
Page 5: Ferndale campus nears completion
Page 8: A look back at Ferndale
Page 16: Social media and a salon
Page 18: Making trips to the store shorter
Page 20: Phillips66 Sports Complex
An almanac is traditionally an annual publication that contains dates, statistical information and tables that relate to the coming year. The Ferndale Community Almanac is a little different. It is a snapshot of Ferndale as it exists in the year of publication. In this case, that year is 2023.
We hope you enjoy this year's collection of local stories and an in-depth look at our community.
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As I marched in the Old Settlers Parade this year, it felt like coming home. To walk Main Street surrounded by friends, family, and neighbors after the disruption of the pandemic, it feels like Ferndale is once again on the rise.
We have not been idle in our time, far from it. From the parade route, I can catch glimpses of the new Ferndale High School where contractors are finishing up their work. Already, our students roam the halls and we have seen how this facility can provide a fresh heartbeat for our community, old and new at the same time.
As I marched through downtown, I can see all the improvements our downtown grant program has brought to our community; District Brewing open for business, new awnings along Main Street, Barb’s Pies and Anytime Toffee open in their new location, new murals and public art. Our city is coming alive with activity, business, and people.
Neighbors, new and old, line the streets, ready to cheer and dance and celebrate one of the longest-running community events in Washington State, and that enthusiasm continued into the night for music, hot air balloons and more.
With more residents each year, it is wonderful to see them jumping into our community traditions with both feet.
And there is more to come for Ferndale! By the end of this year, we are on track to open the Thornton Overpass, which will fundamentally reshape how we move through our city. We have already made key investments in our utilities with an expanded wastewater treatment plant and new well, and we anticipate cutting the ribbon on our new skate park next summer.
Thanks to our representatives in Olympia and Washington, DC, we have secured
millions of infrastructure dollars for a brand-new civic campus. This facility will provide us with a new courthouse/council chambers, and the office space required so we can maintain city services well into the future.
The old city hall will be repurposed to serve our community groups – the Chamber, Downtown Association, Ferndale Community Services and other social services so that we have one common area with the library, post office, city hall and community groups where people can do all their business. Thanks to the surge of infrastructure dollars coming down from the federal government,
we can do it all without raising taxes one cent on the voters of Ferndale. Ferndale has had a hard couple of years. The pandemic, the 2021 flood, rising inflation and housing costs, have knocked us around. But Ferndale is resilient. We pick ourselves up and get back to work.
As the parade concluded at what will be the new Civic Campus, I am more confident than ever in the future of our city. We have had hard times, but we are stronger for the journey.
Thank you for making the journey together.
Greg Hansen Mayor of Ferndale* Figures from the US Census Bureau. Figures retrieved on Aug. 25. Data derived from Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, Current Population Survey, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, Non-Employer Statistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners and Building Permits.
** Ferndale School District's report card from the Washington State Report Card from the Washington Office of Public Instruction
• Population Population estimates (July 2022): 15,840
Population estimates (2022): 15,058
Population (April 2020 census): 15,048
Population (April 2010 census): 11,415
• Age and sex
Female: 51.9%
Male: 48.1%
Children younger than age 5: 8.4%
Children younger than age 18: 29.4%
Senior citizens (65 and older): 15.4%
• Ethnicity
Caucasian: 81%
African American: 0.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native: 2.6%
Asian: 7.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.2%
Hispanic or Latino: 12.7%
Two or more races: 3.6%
• Population Characteristics (2017-2021)
Veterans: 1,107
Foreign born: 13.9%
• Housing (2017-2021)
Owner-occupied: 65.6%
Median value of owner-occupied: $366,200
Median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage: $1,823
Median selected monthly owner costs without a mortgage: $532
Median gross rent: $1,174
• Families and living arrangements (2017-2021)
Households: 4,936
Persons per household: 2.99
Living in same house one year ago (percent of persons ages 1 year and older: 86.1%
Language other than English spoken at home, percentage of persons ages 5 years and older: 20.5%
• Computer and Internet use (20172021)
Households with a computer: 96.1%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription: 99.1%
• Education (2017-2021)
High school graduate or greater, ages 25 years and older: 94.8%
Bachelor’s degree or greater, ages 25 years and older: 32.9%
• Health
With disability, younger than age 65
(2017-2021): 8%
Persons without health insurance: 9.9%
• Economy (2017-2021)
In civilian labor force, male and female, ages 16 and older: 63.4% In civilian labor force, female, ages 16 and older: 56.7%
• Transportation (2017-2021)
Mean travel time to work, minutes, workers ages 16 and older: 21.2
• Income and poverty
Median household income (20172021): $77,746
Per-capita income for previous 12 months (2016-2020): $30,692
Persons in poverty: 11.3%
FERNDALE — The Golden Eagles campus is in the process of being majorly restructured and expanded to support the number of students who attend the school. This process started in 2019 with a vision and a $105 million bond plus $20,868,238
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from the state. In 2020, the designs were laid and in late 2021, the permitting and construction began.
The plan included a new athletic wing, auxiliary gym, commons, CTE (career and technical education) wing, student and staff parking lots, performing arts center and a bus drop-off zone.
The plan also included a
new football stadium and track for the school. The football stadium has been much needed for Ferndale and has been in the building process for two years.
Ferndale has been playing their home games at Blaine High School since the demolition and construction began. Essentially they have not had a real home game in two years.
That will change this fall as the stadium will be ready for
use before the football season starts and they will begin practicing on it next week.
Ferndale Athletic Director Eric Tripp said, “We are excited to have a home game here and I know the community is fired up too.”
Tripp added there will be some logistical roadblocks to get over prior to the beginning of school.
“We are going to take ownership of the stadium, but they
are also still rebuilding all of our parking lots. So we are hoping to have that all paved out and ready to go at the start of school,” Tripp said. “But it’s going to be a challenge here before school starts with kids coming here to practice. We’ve got to find our own place to park and get all those logistics figured out.”
Most of the projects on campus are expected to be done before school starts, but there
are a couple of buildings that will not be.
The performing arts center is having renovations done, particularly redoing the roof. That building is not ready for use just yet.
The CTE building is the other project that will not be completed in time for school. According to Tripp, it should be ready in the wintertime.
Ferndale football will have their first home game on their campus in two years on Friday, Sept. 15, against Glacier Peak. The girls soccer team will break in the field first on Thursday, Sept. 7, against Squalicum.
“We are just excited for our community,” Tripp said. “To get this school, stadium and facilities all done and let the community use it and see what we could do.”
-- Contact Nathan Schumock at nathan@lyndentribune.com.
1923
March 30
Wanted: 12 farmers of this Ferndale territory to agree to put in one acre of sugar beets.
The Utah-Idaho Sugar Company is confident that if 12 acres can be signed up here this year, there will be no future doubt as to the advisability of growing beets in Whatcom County.
“All we ask is a trial” said Mr. T.R. Horne, field man for the company. “Once there has been a crop of beets raised here, there will need be no further doubt.”
April 20
Harter & Wells Piano Co.
211 E. Holly St., Bellingham
May 16
Champions, both of them
Ferndale High School Boys
Baseball Nine
Back Row, left to right: Hendrickson, Rice, Barnes, Prevost, Timmerman, Daniels.
Front Row, Mostue, Bennett, Jacobs, Graves, Baeirsto, Parker
Ferndale High School Girls’
Baseball Nine
Back Row, left to right: Melba Miller, Opal Burrous, Helen Harris, Ella Byers, Frances Amunds, W.T. Meyer.
Front Row, Rubye Parker, Violet Bartruff, Harriet Hood, Rachel Perry, Evangeline Rosendahl.
Sept. 14
Legion post has eye on own home
Kulshan Post, American Legion is hot after a home for its own. Several proposals for a legion home were brought to the floor of the meeting
May 4, 1923: Central School, Ferndale.
and the outcome was the appointment of a committee on investigation to report at a later meeting. Should the legion obtain a home, it would also be available for use by the Boy Scouts and the Auxiliary, it was tentatively decided.
Follow up: Nov. 16
Two Lots Bought for Legion Home
Two lots adjoining on West Main street are now property of Kulshan Post, American Legion, as a site for the proposed Legion home for Ferndale.
Dec. 7
Robbers Get Money in Raid on Custer Stores
Custer was visited by safe looters Monday night, who entered the store of Claude Behme, postmaster and his brother, Elmer Behme, pro -
prietor of a confectionery. The stamps in the post office safe and a small amount of cash were taken there and about $50 cash was obtained from the confectionery.
The combinations to both safes had been worked and the robbers left no traces of damage.
Entrance to the stores was gained by a pass key, it is believed, and the safes opened by working the combinations. The case is being worked on by the sheriff and postal inspectors.
1933
Aug. 10
Production of Cheddar Cheese was started at the Ferndale plant last month and plan to make other kinds.
Several tons of American or Cheddar cheese as it is known
have been manufactured by the new cheese department of the Ferndale Carnation plant, as stated by Manager, A.H. Schomburg this morning.
The first batch will not be placed on the market until September after it has cured.
Nov. 23
Your Own Whatcom County Made SUGAR will be demonstrated at the FERNDALE COOKING SCHOOL on Dec. 5-6.
See it demonstrated and made into tempting dishes ... Then demand U & I Sugar.
Utah-Idaho Sugar Company.
1943
May 13
Care of Wool Necessary Task During War Days
June 29, 1933: The Bellingham Eagles Lodge expect big crowd at Pioneer Park, Ferndale dances Saturday, Monday Tuesday Nights: Lummi Indians Promise Good Time 4th. Members of the Lummi Indian tribe invite Ferndale residents to their Fourth of July celebration to be held at Gooseberry Point. The International Peace Arch in Blaine will be the scene of celebration on Sunday.
For each Johnny Doughboy there must be about 200 pounds of fleece wool for warm uniforms and blankets, says, Mrs. Eunice G. Carlson, assistant county agent in Home Economics.
Because our country’s wool supply is limited and imports are uncertain, it’s up to us to use and store wool clothing and household articles with care.
Pointers can be found at the at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Circular called “Take Care of Wool You Have” and now available at county
agent offices.
Editor’s note: The name doughboy was originally applied to a small cake or dumpling fed to British sailors. They later applied it to British infantrymen-since the infantryman pipe-clayed parts of his uniform and so became covered with dough when it rained.
Taken from a book called Why Do We Say It. The Stories behind the Words, Expressions and Clichés we use. By Castle Books 1985.
July 22
The tremendous task of
issuing and mailing War Ration Book 3 to every eligible person in this state is about complete. “We have mailed 1,807,683 books thanks to the generous help from we have had from volunteers and the cooperation of the Seattle post office,” Paul W. Copeland, director of the OPA state mailing center, Volker Bldg., Seattle-1, said today.
1953
Feb. 2
State Skaters to Compete in March
Ferndale Rink Hosts to 125
September 2023
Contestants
Around 125 contestants from all parts of the state of Washington are expected here March 29-31 when the state roller skating meet will be held at Ferndale’s Roller Arena.
Ted Bruland is placing seats on the ends of the rink, in order to accommodate the crowds expected.
First-, second- and thirdplace winners in events will go to the regional meet to be held in Portland, Oregon in June.
See Looking on 10
Continued from 9
April 23
Bill Follis took an aerial picture of the site of the Ferndale General Petroleum Refinery.
The road on the right is the Slater road and the southern edge of the company’s track.
The dock will be, so we understand, a little south in the site in the foreground.
June 4
Thirteen big 11-man canoes are entered in this year’s races, a highlight of the threeday celebration planned for the annual Lummi Stommish Carnival.
To date, more than 300 visiting Indians from British Columbia and other northwest points have indicated they will join the Lummi in the water carnival and sports activities, according to Herb John, publicity chairman.
Dec. 31
The annual drive to raise money to fight polo, will open in Ferndale on Jan. 1, when the annual March of Dimes starts. Ferndale chairman, Tom Gannon, reports that 2000 envelopes with coin cards have been mailed to residents of this school district.
Money can be place in the card and then the wrap-around
June 5, 1963: Ferndale High’s baseball team is mighty jubilant after winning the county championship for the eighth straight year. This belated picture taken last week includes most members of the team - a few bolted and went to lunch. Coach Bob Gates and his boys won 11 games and lost only two in league play. Incidentally, for the edification of other schools, Gordy Iverson is the only Senior lost by graduation.
addressed mailer can be returned which will reach the Ferndale committee.
Committee members include Mrs. Lowell Higley, Irv Grout, Mrs. Buryl Bailey and
We changed our hours just a bit. We are here 12pm to 9pm Tuesday through Saturday. Come get all your favorites. Fish & Chips or Cheeseburger, maybe a deep fried Twinkie. Again thank you all for the support. You are all amazing.”
Mrs. Wade Dunn.
There are also 75 containers that will be placed in stores and businesses, all ready for others who would like to make donations.
1963
April 18
Two more lanes of the 99 highway between the Nook-
See Glimpse on 12
Nov. 6, 1963: Now - Chevy spirit in a new kind of car! The New Chevelle Malibu sports coupe. Chevrolet build this one to do more than just stand around looking beautiful. Weight: Down in the 3,000 pound range. Four lusty engine choices, two sixes and two V8s - with output all the way up to 220 horses. This frisky car is roomy, yet its 115-inch wheelbase keeps it highly maneuverable in traffic and very easy to park. For more information contact Manner Chevrolet Co. here in Ferndale.
Jan. 17, 1973: On strike: One of the picket lines of the short-lived OCAW strike at the Ferndale Mobil Refinery was being maintained Monday morning by Carl Bowen of Ferndale, Hank Weins and Warren Anderson of Blaine, Ken Riley of Ferndale, Tom Bell and Al Bachert of Bellingham. Bachert is the union picket marshal. Workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying the new contract Monday evening and were back to work Tuesday morning.
Continued from 10
sack bridge at Ferndale and Bellingham city limits, is being proposed for immediate construction, reports the state highway commission.
In a legal publication this week in the Record, the commission tells of its plans.
Interested persons have the right to protest such construction if they care to file a protest.
The publication gives the procedure.
June 5
Ferndale’s 1963 population as announced by the state cen-
sus board 1,525. The town of Ferndale decided not to take an actual census nose-counting, but instead made a comprehensive study of population fluctuations, including deaths, births and move-outs.
Oct. 2
An Arabian stallion worth $35,000, will be the featured attraction at the Grandview horse farm open house to be held Oct. 12-13.
Dr. G. R. Pettit invites Ferndalites to take a look at his new horse farm and clinic at the corner of the Grandview and Olson Roads, two miles south of Custer.
Dr. G.R. Pettit started this farm 10 years ago with a few ponies, has now graduated to a thoroughbred breeding program with a variety of mares and yearlings with a Canadian firm.
Oct. 16
No. 1 Potatoes Netted Gems, size “A” Clean Washed. 10 pounds. 29 Cents.
Apples: Delicious, Jonathan, McIntosh, Red Romes, Extra Fancy 9 pounds. 99 cents.
1983
May 11
The Ferndale American Legion Auxiliary received their
poppies Tuesday at the Main Street hall in time for Poppy Days May 20-21.
The classic poppies are made from red crepe paper by disabled veterans in the state’s veterans hospitals.
All poppies are sold for a donation and proceeds go back to the disabled veterans or their children.
Shown in the photo, left to right, Amanda Hovander, Cleo Ahlstedt, Virgie Illman, Marguerite Laverty, Ellen Gilbert, Loretta Hunt, Helen Rudy and Edna Dion.
See 100 on 14
July 26, 1993: Ferndale church begun by Swedes: Swedish Baptist Church was organized in 1897 by I.O. Lofgren who had come from Sweden seven years earlier. Slater Heritage House of Ferndale is one stop on a home tour on Saturday, May 15 to benefit the Whatcom-Skagit Orthopedic Association. On Auction Block is a ride in Cap Galloway’s classy 12-passenger stagecoach, just one of many prizes to be bid at the May 22 auction in Ferndale. Proceeds will benefit the Herman Miller 4-H Equestrian Park on E. Hemmi Road.
August 2003: Man on the Street: The Ferndale RecordJournal asked three people: How has the Main Street improvement project affected your business?
Continued from 12
May 25
Skyline Sixth Graders Sabrina Sapp and Katie Reskusich presented librarian Betti Moles a cake on behalf of their fellow classmates.
Why? It was Mrs. Moles Day at the school. And why was it Mrs. Moles Day?
For no special reason except that the students and teachers at the school is a very special person and wanted to tell her so. Each class gave her a present.
For instance, Judy Tucker’s sixth grade wrote a humorous poem that read like a librarian’s lecture in verse.
July 27
Whatcom County has many historical sites
To Friendship: Visit the Peace Arch at the Blaine border which is a striking monument to honor the long friendship between the U.S. and Canada.
Hovander Homestead Park: In the 1880s, pioneers began settling near the first best crossing of the Nooksack River - the place that was to become Ferndale! Most came to clear land and to farm.
One of the early farms that was bought by the Swede, Hakan Hovander, in 1897 has been restored by the Whatcom County Park Department to resemble a pioneer homestead.
Pioneer Village: The church at Pioneer Park (upper right photo) in Ferndale, once stood on California Creek near Blaine. It
was the first church ever built in the county.
Oct. 20
Starting November 1, people throughout Whatcom County will have access to fire, law enforcement or emergency medical help by dialing one emergency number, 9-1-1.
9-1-1 is a three-digit emergency telephone number that will replace more than 20 numbers presently used to contact emergency services throughout the county.
The implementation of 9-1-1 according to Bellingham Police Chief, Terry Mangan should save critical time in an emergency.
And that this has been a culmination of over a decade of effort on the part of community groups, local businesses and public officials.
“It has been a long sometimes slow process but establish a 9-1-1 service required more than installing a few phone lines, it means developing a new county communication system,” he said.
1993
The Ferndale Record has had many names over the years, one being the Westside Record-Journal 1993, also known as the Record Journal
April 28
The International Peace Arch undergoes renovations in preparation for the annual Blaine celebration of peace, scheduled this year for June 13.
Aug. 18
J.G. Andy Anderson, a former Blaine mayor, is bidding for a City Council seat. Anderson, 73, also is one of five former mayors urging an end to the 12-year-old city manager form of government.
Anderson came to Blaine in 1950 and started the Harbor Café located down on the docks. He later trained as a goldsmith and opened a jewelry business in Blaine which his son, Jim, now operates.
Sept. 22
The Bathtub Gin Party Band got a double invite to play to Japan - too good to refuse.
The seven- member Dixieland jazz group , headed by Robert Storms who teaches band at Ferndale elementary schools and Vista Middle School, flies out Friday to visit the Japanese sister of both Ferndale and Bellingham.
Like their counterparts in Whatcom County, the cities of Miyoshi and Tateyama are only a few miles apart.
The band includes: photo (kneeling in front) left to right: Dave McCrary, trumpet; Dale Steele, trumpet; (standing in back) North Storms, trombone; Roy Morris, banjo; Duane Sammons, drums; Robert Storms, clarinet and Rockne Copple, tuba.
2003
May 28
18 Miles of Canoeing
See History on 22
FERNDALE — Growing up in northern Whatcom County, Rainy Kiel’s idea of operating her own business turned into a reality just a few years ago.
After attending Lynden Christian High School for three years from 2018-21 and then transferring to Lynden High School her senior year from 2021-22, Kiel is now a certified tanner. At 20 years old, her Ferndale business, Bronzed Hide and Beauty, has a steady following and positive outlook.
Before entering the beauty industry full time, volleyball played a big role in Kiel’s life.
Growing up playing the sport, she competed for Lynden Christian. Unfortunately, once she transferred to Lynden High School, because the school was in the same district, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association declined her chances of playing her senior year. Supporting her teammates from the bench, she still had scholarship offers to play in college upon graduating.
“With how the salon was, I knew that it was so busy, and it was going to grow into what it is, so I decided that the tanning salon was more important to
me than playing college ball,” Kiel said.
That would prove to be pivotal decision in her success as a business owner.
Learning from the best, creating her own path
Mandy Knutson, Kiel’s boyfriend’s mother, started Airbrush Tanning by Mandy in 2004. Once the pandemic came to Ferndale, Knutson needed someone to take over the salon, and Kiel was eager to hop on board and try it out.
Kiel also became certified through JMT Sunless, which was also another business of
Knutson created in 2010.
JMT sells food-based skin products, and according to its website, the solutions are handcrafted, gluten and vegan free and have been used by Sports Illustrated models, Dancing with the Stars contestants, TV personalities, singers, runway models and celebrities on the red carpet.
“The biggest thing that Mandy taught me was the solution that you use and the customer service that you give out, that’s what’s going to make the business,” Kiel said. “As far as marketing, I learned it all on my own. Mandy was quiet with her
social media, and it’s got to the point where I’m taking over JMT Sunless’ social media just to kind of generate all the products I’m using to other spray tanning salons throughout the country.”
Kiel officially took over Knutson’s salon in July 2021
renamed it to Bronzed Hide and Beauty that November, but it was social media that helped Kiel expand her target audience and attract customers.
“The biggest thing was TikTok and reels. Last year, I started blowing up on social media. … I started getting quite a few followers and likes, and I ended up making my account private
Nothing else needed for this young business owner to make other people shineand
for a day just to kind of settle it down,” Kiel said. “It was within four or five days that I got all these followers and all these people liking and all the views. … I’ve been fortunate to have so many amazing people supporting the business and talking about it and telling their friends. Word of mouth and social media have been giant things for me.”
Kiel has now tallied more than 40,000 followers on Instagram and 1,000 on both Facebook and TikTok.
As Kiel made the most of her opportunities running the business and building clientele, she needed a name that would stand out but also be reflective of the salon vibes.
“I added a little bit of a Boho Western touch. There’s a cowhide on our wall in the salon, and I just kept thinking for three weeks straight, because I knew I wanted the name to be perfect,
of all kinds of words that come with the spray tan, ‘bronze, glowy’ all those things,” she said. “I was like, ‘bronzed hide and beauty.’ Beauty as in more beauty products. So, I saw the hide on the wall. Our skin is a kind of hide and so it kind of went from there.”
Each day is also different on how many clients Kiel serves. Depending on the season such as preparing for the fair or prom, Kiel said Thursdays are busiest because folks are wanting to be tanned for the weekends. However, she said tanning can occur all year long, especially for those going on vacations in the winter.
“A lot of girls haven’t thought of it that way, but spray tanning has completely transitioned from everybody wanting a tan. They didn’t care if they were orange. Now, it’s a luxury service, and people are starting to realize they can do it every week,” Kiel said. “I have weekly tanners who come in usually every Wednesday or Thursday just to
keep up with their tan. … In the salon, I see a lot of girls who are using tanning beds who transitioned to spray tans because everybody looks better when they’re tan. When you have a little bit of a glow, you’re just your best, you feel your best, you get that Vitamin D. But the Sunless tan gives you the exact same thing. And it’s amazing for your skin. It suits your skin, you look better, you feel good. It just makes your confidence fly up.”
Kiel has also launched her own self tan extender, which is a lotion that lengthens the duration of the spray tan. It’s natural to a person’s skin tone, and Kiel said it’s customized to her clients’ desires.
As far as going back to school to pursue a college degree, because of the success she’s had and her outlook for the future, she plans on continuing the business and finding opportunities to expand where needed while staying in an area that has a consistent and steady stream
of clients.
“I learn hands-on and from trial and error and so school isn’t really something I’m interested in,” Kiel said. “Before the tanning salon, I hadn’t worked in customer service whatsoever, but it came naturally. I’m a social butterfly when it comes to my tanners. When they come in, I catch up, we always talk about their last event. I’m not going back to school, but I do want to expand the salon.”
Currently, the salon is based out of Knutson’s residence, so Kiel has worked from the house. But because of how much the business has grown, Kiel said more space and employees are needed to keep up with the number of clients.
“I eventually want to have my own salon whether I buy it or rent it. I want to have at least four rooms in it, and I want it to be just a tanning salon. I’m hoping somewhere in the Ferndale area. I really like Axton Road. It’s private and quiet,” Kiel continued. “I want it big enough if people want bridal parties, wine nights with the girls while getting spray tans, that type of a thing. I’m wanting to have at least two girls work for me and have one mobile spray tan option out of the salon. I have big goals, but it just takes time and the perfect opportunity to come.”
Bronzed Hide and Beauty is at 5721 Good News Lane, Ferndale. Follow Bronzed Hide and Beauty on Instagram (@bronzedhideandbeauty), Facebook (@Bronzed Hide and Beauty) and TikTok (@ rainy_kiel).
The salon is closed on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday but is open Monday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Friday from 8:30-11 a.m.
Visit bronzedhideandbeauty.glossgenius.com for more information.
-- Contact Taras McCurdie at taras@lyndentribune.com.
FERNDALE — The pandemic introduced many struggles for businesses, especially for those mom-and-pop startups that did their best to serve customers while also fighting an uphill financial battle.
According to the Washington State Employment Security Department website, the pandemic-induced recession of 2020 “interrupted the long arc of local employment growth. From February to April 2020, total nonfarm employment plummeted by about 15,200 jobs – nearly 15%.”
In the 2022 Small Business Profile report from the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, there were 657,529 small businesses in Washington. And of those, only 6.2% of the owners were Hispanic.
The Employment Security Department’s website also stated that Hispanic and Latino folks made up only 9.8% of the population in Whatcom County and 13% in the state.
Despite those low statistics, business owner Alex Martinez and his family did not let numbers intimidate them with their services in the county.
Born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico with two brothers, Martinez moved to Washington when he was about 11 years old. Having been in Whatcom County since 2005, for most of his life he’s seen opportunities to share his culture with
Alebrijes Mexican Store owner Alex Martinez, top photo, holds an embroidered dress. Martinez said the embroidered products are handmade by indigenous communities in areas such as Chiapas, Oaxaca and Toluca, Mexico. Martinez’s family that resides in Mexico send the products to him to sell in Whatcom County. (Taras McCurdie/ Ferndale Record)
locals. His parents own Tacos La Guelaguetza, a Mexican food truck on Meridian in Bellingham, and they’ve been operating it for several years.
At the height of the pandemic, they also sold embroidered masks made from Mexico to
family and friends. Eventually, this retail side business would transition to being a full-time service.
Wanting to make the idea of expanding into a slightly larger market within the county a reality, Martinez said because there
were already many Mexican stores within Bellingham, serving locals in Ferndale was the next best option. Plus, the family resides in the area anyway.
“We think there’s a big Latino community in Ferndale, and a lot of people have been
saying a Mexican store has been needed,” Martinez said. “So, we gave it a shot.”
Once the building at the corner of Main Street became available for lease, Martinez and his family took the opportunity, called the owner and started working on the business license. Once they moved into the building in mid-May of this year, their Alebrijes Mexican Store has been going steady ever since, hosting its grandopening event May 20.
What makes Alebrijes unique is that it offers locals with a variety of products, helping to meet its customers desires.
“We were thinking of just selling embroidery, but we saw there were a lot of Latinos around Ferndale, so we decided why not a grocery store too. A lot of people who live here, not just in Ferndale but Custer or Blaine, sometimes they have to travel all the way to Bellingham,” Martinez said.
“So, we decided why not give it a try and see what happens. We have a little bit of everything, not just embroidery, the clothing and shoes, but we also have candy, piñatas, pan dulce [sweet bread], Mexican drinks, [and other goods] Latinos would need.”
Because the Mexican stores in Bellingham are focused more on the culinary products, Martinez said sometimes folks looking for specific embroidered products would also have to travel south of the area into the Skagit, Snohomish or even King counties.
“There is a flea market in Marysville I believe every weekend throughout the summer, and that’s where a lot of Latinos would go if they want to buy anything that is embroidered, especially shoes or anything that has to do with the Mexican culture,” Martinez said. “From what I know, we are the only ones who sell this kind of stuff. People come and check out
the things we have like embroidered dresses, shirts, shoes, backpacks. We have a little bit of everything.”
In addition to operating the store, Martinez works for Washington State University as the Juntos 4-H Whatcom Extension Latinx outreach coordinator. The Ferndale Record published a piece in late April detailing how the 4-H program helps Latino youth to graduate high school and explore higher-education learning opportunities.
“Ensuring everyone has access to the resources needed to get a kid successfully through high school and into post-secondary education, the program provides regular workshops and events to support students and their families as they navigate the pathway to college,” the Record wrote.
Martinez said because he has the ability to work remotely, he can double dip and be at the store while also completing
tasks that help children and their families. With no degree in marketing or advertising specifically, Martinez has experience with pricing products and customer interactions from his time spent at Ferndale Express Lane, a gas station. He said the couple of years spent there before opening the store helped him to gain an understanding of the retail industry.
Only being open for a few months now, Martinez said he enjoys working what is essentially two full-time jobs while also being in an area that he loves.
“Ferndale is a really small town,” he said. “People are saying that they’re happy that we’re here, so it’s helping out the community in a way.”
Located at 2046 Main St, Alebrijes Mexican Store is open every day from 10:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.
-- Contact Taras McCurdie at taras@lyndentribune.com.
The Phillips66 Sports Complex hosts rec league softball in the summer and fall, as well as competitive games and a variety of activities. Pictured are Terry Stach and Joshua Amberson, from left, softball players and members of the Whatcom County Softball board of directors. (Bill Helm/Ferndale Record)
FERNDALE — The Phillips66 Sports Complex in Ferndale hosts fall and summer rec league softball seasons for both men and women.
For competitive men’s games, as well as recreational games for both men and
women (co-ed), the Phillips66 Sports Complex has four regulation softball fields with dugouts, warning tracks, backstops and lighting.
The multi-million-dollar complex also has two football/soccer fields, one with lighting.
Once known as Northwest Soccer Park, the Phillips66 Soccer Park is where kids and adults play soccer.
The Phillips66 Sports Complex also has restroom facilities, plenty of free parking, a playground, drinking fountains, seating and picnic
September 2023
tables, and walking paths that wind through the facility and nearby enhanced wetland areas.
The one-mile loop trail is a flat slope ideal for walking, running or jogging, mountain biking and dog walking. Dogs must be on a leash. Phillips66
Sports Complex provides bags for waste disposal.
Phillips66 Sports Complex also has enough open space to play frisbee or catch, or to do Yoga.
Although city-sponsored events take priority at the Phillips66 Sports Complex, the public is welcome to make reservations to use the facility. Individuals and groups wishing to schedule the use of the Sports Complex must check with the Facilities Coordinator to verify the availability of the Sports Complex.
Phone: 360-685-2369.
Groups and individuals with historic uses, (approved scheduled uses in past years with no problems) must file and sign a completed Tournament Reservation Form no later than Oct. 30 of each year for use in the coming year.
The Parks Reservation Form must be accompanied by a field deposit of $25 per field, per day.
Phillips66 Sports Complex is at 5537 2nd Ave., Ferndale. Call the City of Ferndale at 360-384-4302 for more information or visit cityofferndale.org.
Hours are dawn to dusk.
Two adult softball teams congratulate each other following a game at Ferndale Phillips66 Sports Complex. (Photo courtesy Visceral Photography)
Continued from
Brent Hendricks, right, of Lynden ends his Nooksack River canoeing leg for the Older and Slower team at Ferndale’s Hovander Homestead Park in the Ski to Sea Race Sunday.
A race volunteer, left, takes the canoe at the exchange point to the mountain biking leg. The Older and Slower team ended up 52nd overall among the 400 teams entered, sixth in the Whatcom County division.
It was the 30th year of the 82.5-mile, seven-leg race from Mount Baker to Fairhaven. The winner was Barron Heating Masters in 5 hours, 35 minutes, 20 seconds.
Aug. 6
Come in through the back street urges True Value owner
Steve Martinsen who has owned and managed True Value for over 10 years.
One of his favorite things about his job is “gabbing” and talking with his regular customers. But with the city doing an 18 month overhaul and reconstruction of Main Street,
unfortunately fewer people are shopping at his store.
Thus he is urging people to come in the back way and come down the alley to shop at his store. He says use the side streets to come down and park as there’s no reason to not shop anywhere downtown on Main Street.
Nov. 5
Finding Nemo released by Pixar is the #1 movie of the year. Buy it on VHS for $19.99. Also available on DVD.
2013
April 3
Pretty in Pink raises over $9,000 Walk put on by new group of students each year.
This is the fourth annual walk which benefits the Northwest Sacorma Foundation is held in honor of Chelsey Ebert, a Ferndale High School student who died of that form of cancer in 2006.
Ever since its first year when Chelsey’s sister and a friend organized this walk, a new group of high school seniors has organized
it as part of their senior culminating project.
Nov. 13
Veterans place wreath
The veterans of American Legion Post 154 place a wreath at the new Veterans Memorial in Griffin Park on Veterans Day.
Nov. 27
Shopping the Food Bank
Volunteer, Johnny Saenz, (center) checks his stash against his shopping list of a customer of the Ferndale Food Bank. Volunteers pick up food, help warehouse it, and help pick it out for those at the bank for their weekly shop.
Nov. 27
Flow Motion moves to new location Fitness Instructor Alyssa Springs opened space in the Carnation Building. While her specialty is in dance and belly dance specially, Springs considers herself a lifelong teacher and hopes that her business can be a place where learning and wellness flourish.
