Some local events this weekendSaturdayLake Whatcom Railway's old passenger train travels through the woods near the south end of Lake Whatcom. Departure is at noon and the trip takes about 1.5 hours. No reservations necessary. $14 ages 18 and older, $7 children, free for ages 1 year and younger. Details: 595-2218 Bellingham ukulele groupCome play-along at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1708 I St, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. All levels of uke players welcome. Bring music to share and your music stands. Free. Contact: 366-5660, ukuleidy@aol.com, http://www.bhamuke.com/Washington state Harley Owners' Group motorcycle rallyDozens of HOGs will be in town this weekend for the rally. There are several events that are open to the public, including demo rides both days at Harley-Davidson of Belli... 08/31/2007

According HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) there will be help for an estimated 240,000 families avoid foreclosure by enhancing its refinancing program that will take place  immediately. Under the new FHASecure plan, FHA will allow families with strong credit histories who had been making timely mortgage payments before their loans reset-but are now in default-to qualify for refinancing.According to HUD;  To qualify for FHASecure, eligible homeowners must meet the following five criteria:A history of on-time mortgage payments before the borrower's teaser rates expired and loans reset; Interest rates must have or will reset between June 2005 and December 2009; Three percent cash or equity in the home; A sustained history of employment; and Sufficient income to make the mortgage ... 08/31/2007

Bellingham's Wellspring School is expanding this year with the addition of environmentally friendly building Eco House. After several years of planning, renovating, and landscaping to three room house which will have solar generated electricity, a greenhouse, rain barrels and terraced garden will be ready for students. Even the flooring and paint used in the building our environmentally friendly. The school which was founded by Laurie Riskin and Bill Snow came up with the idea after looking at what other cultures have been doing to help the environment. Eco House will be used for science classes with the garage being used for art. The school plans to open the facility to the public for workshops on sustainable systems, organic gardening, technology, and alternative power as well as the ... 08/31/2007

We just added a new service to our website, now you are able to be sent new home listings in Bellinghamas they become available.  Our website subscribes to a data feed from the multiple that is updated every three hours, notifying us of homes that are just listed.  We are able to send these listing via email as they hit the market.  All you need to do is sign up on-line let us know what you are looking for, then we will send you properties that match your criteria. 08/30/2007

This has been a question that has seen much press and attention when referring to homes sales. Kitchens are a popular room to redo before selling a home as they are one of the classic "show points" in any home show. Also it is a room that can be very easily improved and upgraded. New appliances and countertops can bring new life to a kitchen and indeed this is one of the first rooms that people consider upgrading when closing in on selling time.The question remains; will you be able to justify the costs of the new kitchen in the asking price? This is a question that should be investigated thoroughly from all angles. Take a look at the average asking price of homes in your area. Make sure that you also look at what they are actually selling for. If your home is already worth that amount ... 08/30/2007

When it comes to selling a home there are certain things that a seller can fix up to increase the home's allure. But there are also things that won't really help the home to sell and a seller should be able to distinguish these things from each other. The best way to look at these things is to realize what needs to be fixed in order to make the home sellable and what could use fixing to improve the look of the home. Buyers will notice things that should have been fixed before the showing and were not and that can reflect badly on a home and that can kill a show rather quickly.It may be difficult to do so, but ask yourself what you think "needs" to be fixed and make a list of the results. Then ask your realtor to make one as well, compare the lists and see what the results are. If things... 08/30/2007

So you are selling your home and need a little guidance on getting it ready for the droves of interested buyers that will be coming to see what you have to offer? No problem. Getting a home ready for shows is a pretty simple thing. All it really takes is some planning and careful execution, a bit of time, and maybe a few bucks but the end result is amazing when done properly. You may even wonder why you are selling the home in the first place! It funny, some people are amazed at how different their home looks when all is said and done.All right, let's get down to business. The first thing that you will have to consider is cleanliness. Now, you may say "but my home is already clean!" This might be true, but go and have a look at a new construction show home, how clean is your home compar... 08/30/2007

Want to try Kiteboarding. It's a like windsurfing with a parachute. There will be a Free introductory kite-boarding lessons from Bellingham Kiteboarding and Western Kiteboarders, a Western Washington University club at 7 p.m. Thursday Aug. 30 at Zuanich Point Park at Squalicum Harbor.Trainer kites will be available to try. You need your own shoes that don't have slippery bottoms, something with soles that stick to maintain balance for your lesson on land. Kiteboarding is gaining popularity here in Bellingham as the waters at the beach at the end of Locust Ave are some of the best in the state for kiteboarding because the winds are good winter and summer. Locus beach also has shallow water making for warmer water and making it easy for a beginner to rest without having to paddle very far... 08/29/2007

The Whatcom County Centennial Story Totem Pole, which once stood outside the Whatcom County Jail will soon be available for public viewings again. Local carvers have spent close to 2 years restoring the pole.The pole which was first created in 1952 by Lummi tribe members Joseph Hillaire and Herb John, was carved  to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Russell Peabody and Henry Roeder, the first white settlers on Bellingham Bay. The pole will be transferred to a new location in front of the Whatcom County Courthouse, along with an interpretive panel documenting the story it tells very soon. The two-sided 22-foot-tall, carving depicts Peabody and Russel accompanied by the Lummi Nation tribal leaders who escorted them: Ts-likw and his brother, Chow-itsut. The group is shown... 08/29/2007

Congratulations to the Bellingham Baseball team that made it to the Senior American Legion World Series.Unfortunately they didn't make it past the 3rd game which they lost to Eden Prairie, MN by a score of 7-3. The final game of the series will take place tomorrow for anyone following the series. Thanks to this team for representing Bellingham and here's wishing you better luck for next year. 08/27/2007

Bellingham  wins 2nd game in the Senior American Legion World Series against Rockposrt IN 17-8. With a total of 25 runs it must have been a fun game to watch.That will put them into the next round of play tomorrow, Sunday against the loser of tonight's game between Eden Prairie, MN vs. Boyertown, PA.Bellingham had the best record for the season of all the teams in this series with 56 wins & 6 losses.Hope they can bring home the title. 08/25/2007

Bellingham King Nissan Post 7 baseball team is playing in the Senior American Legion World Series at Bartlesville, Okla. Some parents flew down to watch their kids play, other will have to settle for listening on the radio.Bellingham lost the their first game in the double elimination tournament in a heart-breaker 13-12 in 13 innings to Bradford CT. Brady Locker had a grand slam homer for Washington in the top of the second inning. This is the first time that a team from Washington has made it to the World Series. As of this writing Bellingham is up 9-8 in the bottom of the 4th inning, in their second game, results to follow. 08/25/2007

A national expert will be coming to Bellingham to give a free presentation on how to identify and avoid fraudulent real estate transactions.  Richard Hagar is an author who advises law enforcement in 20 states about real estate fraud. His talk will be at 6 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the Bellingham Public Library. He will talk mortgage elimination schemes, predatory lending, adjustable rate mortgages and which agencies can help if your in trouble.   08/25/2007

There was a recent article in the Bellingham Herald about Zillow's quarterly home report stating that the median price of a home in Whatcom County is down slightly in the past year.This may be so, but then again maybe not. The reportshows that the median price for single family residences sold  in Whatcom County was $278,649 during the second quarter of 2007, down 2.1 percent when compared to the same period last year.When I look at the NWMLS statistics they sure are different that Zillows.  According to the NWMLS statistics for the second quarter of 2007 vs 2006, I get a median sales price for a single family residence of  $292,500 for 2007 vs $282,250 for 2006 which is a 3.6% increase in residential home values.When I look at the stats for all homes, I assume they mean residential and... 08/18/2007

"Imagine Ravi Shankar doubled!" That's what you will get this Saturday night at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center. The Mishras: Father-Son Sitar Masters will be performing a sitar concert and kirtan to benefit  the Classical Indian Music Children's Project, which the Mishras have created to help keep the ancient musical traditions of India alive. They give scholarships to children of indigent musicians who can't afford to teach the next generation, so the music lives on.There will also be a Multi-Media Special Presentation - Videos of Sacred Ceremonies on Ganges River, Varanasi, India. 08/17/2007

Bellingham spas may not be a necessity- this town is already quite relaxed - but they sure are popular.  Here are a few Bellingham spas to check out next time you're craving a few hours of bliss: Reflections Day Spa and Salon offers dozens of services including Swedish massage, hairstyling, body wraps, and much more.   Additionally, this Bellingham spa boasts affordable packages for every occasion.  The Wedding Package, complete with hair design, make-up, massage, and fruit trays, is especially popular.   Reflections' friendly and skilled staff has this relatively new Bellingham spa quickly gaining loyal customers.  ( Reflectionsspaandsalon.com, 1211 North State Street, Salon: 360.676.1411, Spa: 360.715.3723) The Sandalwood Salon and Spa is located in the heart of downtown.  This conven... 08/16/2007

Without much fanfare the Whatcom Transit Authority has rolled out a few new buses that are decorated by local art students. They are youngsters from our school system. The art was taken and blown up to r be placed on the outside of a bus. It's kind of surprising The Whatcom Transit Authority doesn't even have a mention of it in their web site. It must make a parent proud to see their children's art rolling around the streets of Bellingham for everyone to see. 08/16/2007

The 4th annual Bowler Hat Bocce Ball Tournament, will take place Saturday August 18 at 9 am on the Village Green in Fairhaven.  All are welcome to practice during the normal Monday at 5 pm open play time.  The Fairhaven Village Green is a beautiful venue for the tournament.  There is still time to enter your team of 4. 08/15/2007

Wildwater race boats will be avaialble to try out at  a demonstration Wednesday at  4:30-7:30 p.m. at Bloedel Donovan Park on Lake Whatcom.  Members of the U.S. Canoe and Kayak Wildwater Team will be at the event, which will include a paddling clinic.Wildwater canoes and kayaks are long and narrow, "tippy," boats and are built to slice through whitewater as quickly as possible. Organizers of the event say they want to make Bellingham the wildwater paddling center for North America. 08/14/2007

Whatcom Transit Authority will be offering free bus ride from August 12 through August 18, 2007. The idea is  to encourage people to try using the bus, especially while the weather is fair and fuel prices remain high.If you are going to the Northwest Washington Fair, WTA is also offering a special late return trip from the fairgrounds.  The special 10 pm trip will depart the fairgrounds August 13 through August 18 from a bus stop at Fairway Center (across the street from the fairgrounds) &  will drop passengers at Cordata Station, located near Whatcom Community College at Westerly Road, as well as at WTA's Temporary Bellingham Station on State Street.Like all bus service during the week of August 12 through 18, the bus to and from the fairgrounds will be offered free of charge.For more ... 08/11/2007