Firefighter fundraiser, Cole Porter revue among local events | The Bellingham Herald

Operation Warm — More Than A Coat

For the third year, Whatcom County firefighters are raising money for Operation Warm, a nationwide effort to buy American-made winter coats for children in need.

Last year, more than 100 students at Alderwood Elementary School received coats through Operation Warm, a charity supported by the International Association of Fire Fighters and community groups such as Rotary Clubs.

This year, IAFF Local 106’s goal is to distribute 300 coats and firefighters plan to surprise qualifying students with their new coats and a visit with a fire engine. To donate directly to Operation Warm, go online to operationwarm.org/local106.

“A Swell Party with Cole Porter”

10:30 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 Texas St. free. The Bellingham Music Club present excerpts from “A Swell Party with Cole Porter,” a new musical revue directed by Scott Henderson. Donations help fund BMC student competitions. The show will take the audience back to 1947, when a society hostess is throwing a grand party for Cole Porter, whose music and lyrics help to answer the question: Can young lovers survive a celebrity-studded party at Elsa Maxwell’s penthouse? Martha Benedict, Martin Bray, Ben Buchanan, Sherrie Kahn and Megann Schmidt star in the show. Details are at bellinghammusicclub.org or 360, 306-8580.

Tig Notaro

7 p.m. Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham, $20.25-$50; 360-733-5793. Tig Notaro is helping raise funds and awareness for Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood’s early cancer detection and prevention programs. A documentary feature, “Tig,” was made about the comedian following a series of devastating life events. In 2016, Harper Collins will be releasing Tig’s memoir. In 2014, Tig was nominated for a Grammy Award for her sophomore release, “LIVE,” which sold more than 100,000 units in just six weeks. The album is a stand-up set delivered just days after she was diagnosed with stage 2 bi-lateral breast cancer. She has since announced her cancer to be in remission.

Bridging Communities: Maher & Lydia Place, a Fundraising Dinner

7 p.m., Ciao Thyme, 207 Unity St. $85, 360-733-1267. Enjoy a five-course Indian-inspired meal prepared by Ciao Thyme and inspirational stories told by Sister Lucy, visionary founder of Maher. Be touched by this model of unique ecological, inter-spiritual, cross caste, age and abilities model of healing in the Maher community. Maher has also assisted more than 500 rural villages in establishing self-help groups, addressing the root causes of poverty and gender-related violence. Details: elizabethkerwin.wordpress.com.

NAMI Whatcom Stigma Stomp- Mental Health Fair and 5k

10 a.m., Bloedel Donovan Park, 2214 Electric Ave. Adults: $26 (includes T-shirt), Youth (15 and younger): $21 (includes T-shirt), free for ages 10 and younger; 360-671-2950. The Stigma Stomp challenges Whatcom County to come together and reject the stigma of mental illness. Connecting the community to health and wellness resources and encouraging physical activity is the first step to ignite the conversation about mental health. All funds go to NAMI Whatcom, which provides free support and education to individuals and families impacted by mental illness. Details: namiwhatcom.org.

Everyday Superheroes 5K Run/Walk

10 a.m., Squalicum Creek Park, 1001 Squalicum Way, Bellingham. $20 per runner, group rates available. 360-778-8000. A family, stroller and dog friendly 5K put on by a group of St. Joseph hospital emergency room nurses. All proceeds raised go to hospital caregivers and employees in financial need as a result of a personal tragedy in their lives. This is a chip-timed event. Great prizes, raffle prizes, food and fun. Group rates available. Come check out our new course at Squalicum Creek Park.

Amber Darland

7 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett St., Blaine. $7 suggested donation; no one is turned away for lack of funds; 360-332-4113. Bellingham’s Amber Darland is one of the most exciting emerging singer-songwriters of the Pacific Northwest. Her intensely personal music has the passion reminiscent of Patty Griffin, Lucinda Williams and Shawn Colvin. Event proceeds after expenses benefit the greater Blaine and Birch Bay community with assistance for food, utilities, lodging, gas and other needs.

NW Trails and Tales: Dr Linda Allen - Here’s to Washington State Women

3 p.m., Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St. Adults 10; students 5; children under 12, free for ages 70 and older; 360-733-3837. Linda Allen will use songs, stories and images to tell stories of Washington State women, focusing on the 50-year struggle for the right to vote. Tours of the Pickett House will be available after the presentation. Proceeds benefit Pickett House Museum.

Annual Support Officer Community Care Fundraising Dinner

5 p.m. Five Columns Restaurant, 1301 E. Maple St. $35, 360-676-9900. Dinner will be served by members of the Whatcom County fire and law enforcement community. All proceeds are donated to Support Officer Community Care.

Art Show and Dinner for Disabilities Awareness Month

5 p.m., Lighthouse Bar & Grill, 1 Bellwether Way. $60, 360-671-8766. Attend this art show and dinner featuring artwork by artists with disabilities. Artwork is for sale with part of the proceeds returned to the artists, who are both from Whatcom County and Tateyama, Japan; and Nahoudka, Russia. Sponsored by Sisu Children’s Fund and Bellingham Sister Cities, among others.

Common Threads Farm Friend Raiser

6 p.m., Aslan Brewing Co., 1330 N. Forest St., Bellingham. $5 suggested donation, 360-778-2088. Common Threads Farm, which hosts an evening of food, music, drinks and inspiration in a fundraiser. Bellingham’s Amber Darland will set the mood with her folk-pop music. Common Threads is helping thousands of kids each year fall in love with good food through our partnership with 16 Whatcom County schools. Read more about the projects: https://commonthreadsfarm.org.

The Down East Boys

7 p.m. Faith Community Church, 586 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Lynden; 360-354-4815. The Down East Boys are a name synonymous with gospel music and have been singing together in the U.S., Canada and Mexico for the past 30 years. They have recorded 22 projects with more than 40 songs reaching the top of gospel music charts. There is no admission charge; donations go to the musicians and their ongoing ministry. They will appear in concert with Evergreen 3, a dynamic gospel trio from Seattle. Doors open at 6 p.m. and refreshments will be served. The person bringing the most first-time guests will receive a CD compliments of the Down East Boys.

Pancake Breakfast

8-11 a.m., VFW Post 9301, 7011 Hannegan Road. $6; free for children 5 and younger. Support your local veterans at the VFW Post 9301’s pancake breakfast, held on the third Saturday of each month. It includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, milk, coffee and juice.

Blues Benefit for the Arts

7 p.m., Chuckanut Square, 12th St. free, $1 for raffle ticket. Benefit concert featuring local blues and jazz-fusion artists such as Brian Simpson, Andy Koch and Fat James. Enjoy refreshments while listening to great jazz and browse great silent auction and raffle items. This is a free event, however, donations are greatly appreciated and all proceeds support the Allied Arts Education project bringing art classes to elementary school children in Whatcom County.

Terry Bronkema’s “Road Show”

6 p.m., Sumas Community Center, 461 W. 2nd St. Suggested $5 donation, 360-988-2714. Get appraisals for up to three of your treasures for a suggested $5 donation. Proceeds support Sumas Center Programs. Local auctioneer and real estate agent Terry Bronkema will offer his services and expertise at the center Wednesday, Oct. 21, following the 6 p.m. potluck and also on Friday, Oct. 23, following a noon lunch. These items will not be appraised: jewelry, clothing, fine art, firearms or edged weapons.

Whatcom Love INC Dessert Auction

6 p.m., Bellingham Covenant Church, 1530 E. Bakerview Road. $25, 360-733-5920. Love INC’s Annual Fall Fundraiser includes appetizers, live and silent auction, entertainment and dessert dash. This event supports Love INC’s programs to help those in financial need with furniture and household goods, budget coaching, medical transportation and home repair.

Open Mic Night

6:30 p.m., First Christian Church, 495 E. Bakerview Road. Suggested donation $5, 360-734-6821. Pull out those dusty old ukuleles and French horns. Tune your windpipes. Practice your knee-slapping jokes and your heart-melting poems. This is an open mic for anyone with talent and a night for fun and family to help raise money for families in need. This project helps provide basic necessities in areas where clean water is lacking, medical care is next to nil, education is a luxury, and housing is minimal. Learn more at crophungerwalk.org.

Boo!zy Bingo

5:30 p.m., Bellingham Senior Activity Center, 315 Halleck St. $15 This event is open to anyone in the community age 21 and older. There will be Bingo, karaoke, and a Halloween costume contest, with beverages provided by Wander Brewing. Admission includes bingo sheets for all eight regular games, snacks, plus wine with a $2 suggested donation. In addition to eight regular games with a $30 payout, everyone will have an opportunity to purchase cards at $2 each for a “special bingo” where the winner will take home half the pot. All proceeds for the event support the programs and activities of the Bellingham Senior Activity Center. Details: Eric Pierson at 360-733-4030 ext. 1035 or epierson@wccoa.org.