Double savings can be found at Community Food Co-op on more than 100 essential grocery and household items used every day. Photo courtesy: Community Food Co-op.
The Community Food Co-op is committed to providing high quality, local items at the most affordable prices. These great deals are available every day to everyone in the community along with the ability to redeem any manufacturers’ coupons.
Here is a sample of products that one can find at everyday low prices at Community Food Co-op. Photo courtesy: Community Food Co-op.
Co+op Basics, the items that make up the necessary foundation for healthy day-to-day living, includes more than 100 essential grocery and household items used every day. Just look for the purple Co+op Basics signs on items such as pasta, beans, butter, cleaning supplies, baby formula, flour, milk, eggs, and many more pantry and household staples.
In addition to great prices on Co+op Basics, the Community Food Co-op has partnered with United Way of Whatcom County and Whatcom Community College-Community Education to offer the “Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4 a Day” cooking class. The class is designed to demonstrate that you can have it all—meals that are nutritious, inexpensive, delicious, and easy to prepare at home.
Additional savings are always available on a large selection of products and food items at the Community Food Co-op through the Co+op Deals flyers. These flyers feature a wide range of new sale items every two weeks. Customers can find even more savings in Co+op Deals coupons available in stores.
Double savings can be found at Community Food Co-op on more than 100 essential grocery and household items used every day. Photo courtesy: Community Food Co-op.
Additionally, fresh department sales from the meat, deli, bakery, and produce departments feature sales on select items making it even more affordable to eat healthy, local foods.
For Co-op member-owners, exclusive opportunities are available through members-only coupons published in the “In Season” magazine, not to mention discounts of up to 25% on special orders.
Making it even more affordable for anyone to create a healthy lifestyle is what the Community Co-op strives to do!
In 2016, WhatcomTalk shared hundreds of stories about the people, businesses and organizations that make Whatcom County such an amazing place to live, work and play. We were thrilled to be the community social network that binds this amazing community together. We were honored to provide a platform from which to share all the positive news happening in Whatcom County.
Here are the five stories that our community loved most in 2016:
“You let me know who ‘my people’ are. Through you I am able to choose companies that share the same values I do. I can join community events because you let me know about them. In a nutshell you are my eyes and heart. I spend money on the people who advertise with you – I join efforts you support.” ~Anneliese Dompe
Readers land on WhatcomTalk.com using these top 5 search terms:
Local News
Things to do in Bellingham WA
Beaches in Bellingham
Bellingham Events
Bellingham Farmers Market
Our paid, professional writing team includes 15 regular contributors. Here are a few of their favorite stories from 2016:
“Awesome page about what’s going on in Whatcom county and Bellingham. I loved the piece on Mr. Felix and the kids. Great writing. Put me right at the co-op in class with Mr. Felix doing crazy cool science.”
~Ralph Havens
Thanks to our readers, we are able to share many beautiful, scenic images from these favorite photography contributors. Here are a few of our favorites:
Rob and Yuki Shepherd camped every weekend for almost a year up by Mount Baker. Photo courtesy: Yuki Shepherd.It took a little patience, waiting for the sun to peek beneath the clouds for this sunset portrait on Chuckanut Bay. Photo credit: Mark Turner/Turner Photographics.Mount Shuksan reflects in the mirror that is Picture Lake. Photo credit: Brandon Fralic.This photo of Mount Baker was taken from the Cordata neighborhood. Photo credit: Jeff Duncan.
“Stacee, Kevin and the team are such inspirational members of our community. We’re truly fortunate to have everyone at Whatcom Talk supporting our businesses, schools, and personal ambitions. They are both amazing assets to this incredible place to live!”
~Paulina Antczak-Bevens
People connect with WhatcomTalk through social media. In 2016, our Facebook followers grew by 28.8 percent. Over the past year, 124,500 people reacted to our content.
Across western Washington, our distribution network approaches 100,000 people that choose to hear from us on a daily basis. Besides WhatcomTalk, you can find our sister sites at ThurstonTalk, SouthSoundTalk, GraysHarborTalk and LewisTalk.
“As our local newspaper changed, it’s been harder, I think, to find the local flavor and learn what’s going on. WhatcomTalk is a lovely way to stay connected and experience new adventures in the community!”
Katey S.
WhatcomTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and throughout Whatcom County. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@whatcomtalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Bellingham and the surrounding area, visit our events calendar. To submit an event of your own, visit our events calendar and click on the green “Post Your Event” button.
New Year’s Eve is a time of closing out the end of the year and ringing in the new. Filled with gaiety and parties, it also caps off the deadliest season for drinking and driving according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The predictable toll from impaired or drunk driving results in a life sentence of heartache for everyone.
No one ever sets out to maim or kill when they make a choice to get behind the wheel while drunk, but that’s the thing about alcohol—it impairs our judgment. Partygoers who are too intoxicated to make the call for a taxi or Uber somehow escape the watchful eye of friends, bartenders, and store clerks.
Consider the case of Brandon Thomas. The 17-year-old student was on his way home in December 2012 when a 22-year-old drunk driver drove north in the southbound lane of Highway 22 south of Calgary. By the time Brandon saw the drunk driver in his lane, he had no time to react and was hit head-on. The 22-year-old, who had no prior run-ins with the law, was arrested at the scene and then released while Brandon went to the morgue.
On a busy stretch of freeway at rush hour, how did the drunk driver, who struck two other vehicles in his three-quarter ton truck before killing Brandon, get so far on the road?
That’s the thing about drunk driving—because of the myths that continue to surround alcohol, partygoers and their friends can easily fall victim to common deceptions. Because of the destruction left in the wake of those who succumb to the effects before planning ahead, the cost to our society is dear. With New Year’s Eve upon us, one of the deadliest weekends of the year, dispelling the myths that continue to surround drunk driving bear repeating—because the life saved may be your own.
Myth #1: Drunk driving is just an accident.
It’s not an accident when a person makes a decision to drive drunk, distracted, or in a negligent manner. It’s a crash that is fully avoidable. In a time when Uber and Lyft are just a finger swipe away, partygoers who fail to plan ahead really have no excuse to overlook responsibility. “It is a conscious choice resulting in a preventable tragedy,” says Bill Downs, president of the nonprofit organization AVIDD, and a father who lost three kids to a drunk driver in 2007.
Myth #2: Alcohol affects only seasoned drunks and young adults.
That’s another thing about alcohol—you don’t have to be a drunk to be drunk. It impairs the judgment of everyone, not just alcoholics and young 20-something males. Consider the case of Janakae Sargent. One night in November 2006, the 20-year-old Texas Tech University student was easing into an intersection in the same moment that a 48-year-old female ran a red light in excess of 100 mph, striking Janakae’s pickup. She died four days later from her injuries. The drunk driver had a blood alcohol content of 0.25 percent. Janakae had nothing in her system – not even an aspirin.
Myth #3: Intoxicated people look obviously intoxicated
Not all intoxicated partiers look drunk as they get behind the wheel of a car. Short-term effects of alcohol begin with relaxation and reduced inhibitions, which is what makes alcohol so tempting. In an effort to keep the buzz going, partygoers continue the alcohol. As the blood-alcohol content increases, brain activity slows down. Concentration begins to dive, and reflex and response time become dangerously slow. All the while, the drinker’s outward appearance looks deceptively fine. This is how they escape the watchful eye of friends, bartenders and store clerks.
Myth #4: Coffee or cold air will sober up the drinker
The only way to get sober is to allow the body time to metabolize the alcohol. On average, it takes approximately 2 hours to metabolize 4 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirit. Simply put, there is no magical shortcut to sober up. Until then, your brain remains under the influence.
Myth #5: A DUI can be resolved in under a couple of years
Sure, the drunk driver faces charges and court time but in instances of vehicular homicide caused by drunk drivers, these offenders rarely receive a life sentence in prison. It’s the victim who is injured, or the family left behind when a life is lost, who is handed a life sentence of grief and pain.
There's something about a tree lighting that really makes it feel like the holidays. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.
It’s time to say farewell to 2016 and welcome in a brand new year. For some people this means a night of raucous revelry. For others, it’s a time to curl up on the couch and watch the ball drop from the comfort of home. Then there are those who would rather just go to bed and welcome the new year from the blissful depths of a deep, sound slumber. No matter your personal preferences, you’ll find lots to do around Whatcom County this weekend. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Don’t forget to check out our full calendar for all the end-of-2016/ beginning-of-2017 fun.
If you want to celebrate the New Year with the kids, but don’t want to deal with the catastrophic aftermath of keeping them up past midnight, go to Lynden Library’s New Year’s at Noon.
For a more refined celebration, welcome 2017 with a prix fixe meal handcrafted by Chef Bruno Feldeisen. While you savor this delicious feast, you can look out over the sea and dream of what the new year will bring.
Join other revelers ringing in the New Year by lighting road flares along the Birch Bay shoreline. This is a spectacular sight as the bay becomes a ring of fire, signifying hope for the coming year.
Take the Polar Bear Plunge at Birch Bay or Lake Padden, or both! This annual ritual draws hundreds of participants and thousands of onlookers each year and has become a destination spot for New Years Day. Participants come from all over the area, and as far away as Spain, Tokyo, and Dubai to take the plunge.
Lose yourself in the experience of “The Golden Age,” an intriguing tale set in the Golden Age Cabaret, the favorite nightly haunt of dancers, bandits and young revelers. Here the young fisherman, Boris, falls in love with Rita, a beautiful dancer and friend of a local gangster.
Blow off the last of your 2016 steam at an open mic.
WhatcomTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and throughout Whatcom County. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@whatcomtalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Bellingham and the surrounding area, visit our events calendar. To submit an event of your own, visit our events calendar and click on the green “Post Your Event” button.
When engaging in outdoor recreation, participants should take care to respect Whatcom wildlife. Photo credit: Justin Pedigo | FC Photography.
Looking back, 2016 has been an exceptional year for WhatcomTalk. We have had the opportunity to feature many stories about amazing people working to improve and uplift our community. We have learned about innovative new businesses, fascinating non-profits and many other creative enterprises. In all, WhatcomTalk has published more than 475 positive stories about what it’s like to live, work and play in Whatcom County. We’ve compiled a list of our WhatcomTalk writers’ favorite stories from 2016 along with explanations of why they found them so impacting. We hope you will enjoy these highlights and that you will continue to visit WhatcomTalk.com for your positive local news in 2017. Thank you for making these stories and the community they represent a part of your daily lives.
Lorraine Wilde
Helen and Cal Swindell are great examples of the unsung heroes throughout our community. Their consistent effort over so many years is a great example for us all. They show us that if each of us chooses just one selfless act to do each day, each week, or each year, together we can make our community, and this world, a better place.
Patricia Herlevi
This is an easy question for me to answer. The Tufted Puffin story was my favorite because I’m a bird-lover. Lauren Kramer has a storytelling gift that captivated me. I felt like I was on the boat with the passengers while I read the story.
Like Lorraine, my favorite article of 2016 was “Helen and Cal Swindell – Keeping the Neighborhood Clean, One Walk at a Time.” This article reminded me of all of the people in our community (and beyond) who are always in motion, moving toward positive change. Instead of being overwhelmed by the amount of trash in neighborhoods, or by the thoughtlessness of people who dump it, Helen and Cal Swindell are actively and cheerfully improving their world every day.
Jade Thurston
It’s a seriously tough call but I say my favorite story would be “Spikeball Hits Bellingham with Skill, Satisfaction and Silliness.” The Spikeball article was the first time I put the necessary pieces of a WhatcomTalk story together on my own – a topic I was passionate about, a subject both relevant and intriguing to the community, the incorporation of my own photos and a variety of sources and hyperlinks. This collaboration of work was a wonderful, first-time challenge.
Tessa Kilcline
My favorite article was “AAUW Bellingham Sends Middle School Girls to STEM Camp.” This article was really important to me because it was the first real article I ever wrote. It was very exciting for me to have my first taste of what it is like to be a real writer and do something I am passionate about. I also attended the STEM camp when I was in middle school, so it was a great way for me to give back to AAUW for giving me such a great experience.
Theresa Golden
My favorite story this year is “Viking Food Delivers Hot for Local Restaurants”. Though I loved all the stories I wrote and the special encouragements I gained from each one, hearing Deron Newman’s story about the care that he places into his business as a result of the struggles he experienced first hand really struck a cord with me. It’s one thing to fall into a hole and get out, but another entirely to then fill in the hole so that those in your care can’t fall into the same one. To actually be able to make the changes you want to see happen in the world, even on a small scale, feels inspiring to me and I believe that is something worth hoping for.
Beauty and the Beast is a play filled with wit and whimsy. Photo courtesy: Squalicum High School Theater.
Squalicum High School is widely known for its sports. What most people don’t realize, however, is that Squalicum has an amazing choir and drama program as well. Recently, Squalicum put together the fantastic musical, “Beauty and the Beast.”
Bell descends the stairs to meet Beast in this classic play. Photo courtesy: Squalicum High School Theater.
The story was first recorded by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, who lived in France. Called La Belle et la Bêt, Villeneuve’s tale has been abridged and republished in various formats, such as plays and movies. According to Spanish researchers, the original tale of the Beauty and the Beast originated about 4,000 years ago.
In September of 2016, casting began for Squalicum’s drama production. Many people tried out, but only a few were allowed to be on stage. Jake Bowen, a Freshman, was one of the skilled students allowed to be in the production. “As a Freshman, trying out for a role is kind-of intimidating,” Bowen said. He has a long history with singing and acting. He was part of several productions at Lynden Middle School, and started singing at a young age.
The characters of Gaston and Belle came to life on the stage. Photo courtesy: Squalicum High School Theater.
Bowen tried out for many roles, and got the part of Monsieur Dark. He was surprised but excited. “I do think some of my previous experience helped me get the role,” he said. “I had to beat a bunch of other people. It’s kind of cut-throat.” Jake was the only Freshman to get a solo in the play.
Jacob Liming, a Junior, has been an active member in the drama club. “I started doing drama as a Sophomore and continued with it throughout the year.” Liming said he wanted to do it Freshman year, but was participating in athletics instead. “Sports got in the way. So, I quit doing sports.”
Liming played the role of Lumier, the comedic, French candle stick. For the entire performance, he had to play his role with a French accent. When asked how many accents he can do, he proceeded to tell jokes in Scottish, British and Australian accents. He loves the drama experience. “Everyone bonds together, working towards the same goal. We’re in the trenches, but as a team.”
The impressive costuming and dedicated performance of the students added an air of professionalism to the production. Photo courtesy: Squalicum High School Theater.
In the performing arts, the story is centered around a lead character. In a high school production, this role would usually be played by an upperclassman. In this play, a Sophomore played the lead of Bell by Sydney Glover. She has been performing since she was in Kindergarten. “I like singing,” Glover said. “It’s just fun for me.”
Glover wasn’t expecting to have the leading role in her second year of high school. In fact, she didn’t even try out her Freshman year. “I was really nervous,” she said. “I just didn’t think I would make it.” Fortunately, she had friends in drama club who convinced her to join.
“I didn’t think we would be ready for the play,” Glover said. “We didn’t even have the set finished right up until the first performance.” After asking many students who saw the play, all of them said it was a great performance. “It wasn’t all good.” Sydney said. “During the first performance, I fell down a flight of stairs coming offstage. My back was killing me, but I kept on going.” Other people were hurt during the play as well, including someone who had their foot run over while moving a set piece. Aside from these mishaps, the play went over smoothly.
Beauty and the Beast is a play filled with wit and whimsy. Photo courtesy: Squalicum High School Theater.
Squalicum has one of the best football teams around, an excellent academic track record and one of the best drama clubs in Whatcom County. Students of many different backgrounds participate in drama, including football players, orchestra members and many more. Some sing, some play an instrument and some work behind the scenes. All have their role and all play their special part. “The lead doesn’t do everything,” Bowen said. “It takes an orchestra to play a symphony.”
In Whatcom County, young professionals are revitalizing the business scene. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Young Professionals.
Submitted by: Whatcom Young Professionals
We hope you’ve been paying attention to Whatcom Young Professionals (WYPs) this year, because it was a monumental year for the group.
Social Networking is an important aspect of doing business in Whatcom County. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Young Professionals.
Not only did WYPs celebrate their 10 year anniversary, but in conjunction with the Bellingham Business Journal and the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber, they also threw their first Top 7 Under 40 event to celebrate young professionals who are doing big things in our community. That is on top of throwing monthly networking socials, supporting two weekly coffee meetups, quarterly educational events and quarterly philanthropic events. It’s safe to say that this group is on the move.
With a mission to connect and develop young like-minded individuals, WYPs, a program of the Bellingham Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, focuses on providing a social venue for young professionals, while also providing education and community involvement opportunities.
“When I relocated back to Whatcom County I needed to reestablish myself both personally and professionally,” said Meg VanZanten, Semiahmoo Resort. “WYPS offered the perfect venue for this as I was able to meet and network with individuals who have similar goals and motivations. Through networking I have gained relationships that have positive guidance on all aspects of my life.”
In Whatcom County, young professionals are revitalizing the business scene. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Young Professionals.
Looking into 2017, WYPs plans to expand their popular Morning Buzz coffee meetups. The group, which currently meets every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at The Woods Barkley Village and every Wednesday at 8 a.m. at The Woods Coffee Railroad, will be adding two more buzz’s to the mix.
Starting January 3, you can also find the group Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. at The Woods Barkley Village and Wednesdays at 7 a.m. at The Woods Railroad. Adding two earlier times will allow young professionals more flexibility and more opportunities to get involved with WYPs programs.
2017 will also bring an expansion of philanthropic opportunities to the group with more community involvement and more impact on community issues.
WYPs membership stands at just $50 a year per person. Young professionals and those who employ young professionals are encouraged to get involved with the group.
WYP adds even more fun to the adventure of business. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Young Professionals.
“What I value most about WYPs is its energy and vision for bringing the younger business generation into the circles and discussions with the broader business community,” said Troy Wills, Vice President and Market Area Manager for Whatcom County at First Federal Bank. “These connections allow for wonderful partnerships to be established and ensure we build a strong business bench as the business community ebbs and flows.”
If you would like to learn more about Whatcom Young Professionals, you can visit their website, www.bellinghamwyps.com
Trail system information kiosks, restrooms and parking lots will improve existing trailheads. Photo courtesy: Whatcom County Parks and Recreation.
Whatcom County Parks and Recreation (WCPR) recently approved the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve and Lake Whatcom Park Recreational Trail Plan. The plan proposes 99 miles of new trails. Of those 99 miles, 45 are within the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve and 54 are within Lake Whatcom Park. Both of these sites are located near Lake Whatcom. The suggested trails will be available for hiking, biking and equestrian purposes. Some of the trails will accommodate all three types of non-motorized recreation, while others will accommodate only one or two of the three types.
Trail system information kiosks, restrooms and parking lots will improve existing trailheads. Photo courtesy: Whatcom County Parks and Recreation.
In 2007, WCPR began to collaborate with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in order to transfer forest trust lands in the Lake Whatcom watershed to the county. This process is called reconveyance. Reconveyance allows the forest trust lands to be used for park purposes. In January 2014, the transfer became official and approximately 7,000 acres of land in the Lake Whatcom watershed were designated as new Whatcom County park lands.
In these park lands, Whatcom County hopes to increase the protection of the Lake Whatcom watershed and water quality. The project intends to create sustainable trail systems that will benefit forest and wildlife health. It also aims to minimize impacts on sensitive habitats and prevent landslides, soil erosion, and other similar environmental issues.
The process of developing a plan such as the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve and Lake Whatcom Park Recreational Trail Plan is very complicated.
“Development of the plan was completed in-house and was a years-long process that included staff, stakeholders, regulators, emergency services professionals and consultation with numerous parties,” explains Christ Thomsen, Parks Operations Manager at WCPR. “It is the work of these folks that now guide the implementation process.”
Community members are involved in nearly every step of the development and construction process. Photo courtesy: Whatcom County Parks and Recreation.
The implementation process is also very long. In Lake Whatcom Park, trail construction will begin in 2017, and in the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve, it will begin in 2018. It is difficult to know when construction will be complete. The areas to be constructed have been divided up, so there are four phases of construction for each location. For example, Phase I of construction in the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve focuses on expanding around the pre-existing Lake Louise Road trailhead. The phases will be completed as the funding is available.
“We currently have funding to construct up to eight miles of trail,” Thomsen says. “Construction of these trails is anticipated to be complete within the next few years.”
Funding for the project comes from Real Estate Excise Tax (REET II) funds. WCPR is also in the process of applying for a Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office NOVA grant, which would provide additional funds. The total cost of trail construction will likely be around $7.43 million. Right now, WCPR has an initial project budget of $443,000 to use to begin construction. The grant would provide an additional $200,000 to be used in the first phase of construction. Other sources of funding are donations and volunteer work.
The new trails will accommodate hikers, cyclists and equestrians. Photo courtesy: Whatcom County Parks and Recreation.
Volunteer work is key in constructing and maintaining the trail system. In the plan, WCPR demonstrates an eagerness to work with recreationists and members of the community. WCPR considered public input when putting together their plan. Overall, the comments given by the public emphasized the importance of the trail system’s effect on the environment and a desire to be involved in constructing, using and maintaining the trails. For WCPR, the public’s excitement is a positive sign.
“We rely on recreationists for assistance in most aspects of trail development,” says Thomsen. He adds that if citizens are interested in helping out, they can contact Reid Parker, the Conservation and Parks Steward, by calling the main office at 360-778-5850.
The expansion will connect many more Whatcom County residents to the trail system. Additions in the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve will give people in the Glenhaven and Cain Lake areas access to the trail system. Those living in Sudden Valley will also have increased recreational opportunities, since the new trails will be near where they live. New trails in Lake Whatcom Park will connect to existing trails, making for a more diverse trail system. Recreationists will have more options in trail difficulty, length, and scenery. In both locations, accessibility will be supported by the improvement of trailheads, including additional parking lots, restrooms and trail system information kiosks.
The new trail system will expand on the trail system currently available to Whatcom County residents. Photo courtesy: Whatcom County Parks and Recreation.
The current plans could possibly be modified as more information comes in. WCPR hopes to keep consistent with its environmental goals. If changes must be made to accommodate those goals, they will do so. The process of constructing all of the new trails will take a long time, but will certainly be worth it. Whatcom County recreationists and environmentalists alike are excited about the benefits that the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve and Lake Whatcom Park Recreational Trail Plan will bring to their community.
After spending six months perfecting a solo, a violinist from Sehome High School performs it in front of judges. Photo credit: Jeremy Davies.
Every January, young musicians from Island, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties gather at Bellingham High School to showcase their talents and hard work in the SJMEA Senior Solo and Ensemble Contest. High schoolers that thrive in band, orchestra or choir are given the opportunity to perform self-selected pieces and receive feedback from an adjudicator. The winners of each category get the honor of proceeding to the state competition in April.
By participating in ensembles, students improve communication and listening skills in addition to sharpening their musical technique. Photo credit: Jeremy Davies.
Although it is certainly encouraged by parents and music teachers, the beauty of this competition is that it is ultimately driven by the sheer self-motivation of the students. Kate Rose, senior violinist at Sehome High School, says that the kind of students who are drawn to the competition come together to form a unique kind of community. “Everybody there has something in common: the capacity to fully appreciate music,” Rose says. “It becomes clear that so many people do it for the pure joy of playing music. That’s a cool thing to be a part of.”
The contest goes beyond the joy of playing. It gives students an experience vastly different from what they are familiar with in the classroom. According to Rose, this exposure is greatly valuable. “It’s a chance to work with someone new and get fresh feedback,” she says. “You learn to get feedback from different types of people. A judge could tell you to play something in a way you’d never considered before.”
In addition to working with judges, students performing with ensembles must also learn how to work with fellow musicians. “It’s a chance to work with a group you chose and to work with different people,” Rose says. Once students form a group, it’s up to them to decide on a piece, and to schedule and carry out group rehearsals. The ensemble experience cultivates the maturity required to listen to all members of a group, give and receive constructive criticism, and make compromises.
After spending six months perfecting a solo, a violinist from Sehome High School performs it in front of judges. Photo credit: Jeremy Davies.
On top of the seven categories devoted to ensembles, the contest boasts 29 solo categories, including seven woodwind categories, five brass, four percussion, four strings, six vocal, piano, guitar and harp. Rose sees the value in solos as well. “You do have to sacrifice a piece of your individuality when playing in a group. That’s why it can be amazing to hear people play solos. People put all of their passion and energy into it. It’s a full expression of their personality.” Rose says that because of this, watching classmates perform is one of the best parts of the contest.
Spectating isn’t only limited to participating students, however. This event is open to the public. High school students perform all day on Saturday, January 28. The junior level competition will occur on Saturday, February 4. Friends, family and lovers of music are all encouraged to attend in support of some of Bellingham’s finest, most passionate students of music.
Large has fun with his cast including the star of Episode III, "Ganamazol's Gambit," Elle Viane Sonnet. Photo credit: Damian Vines Photography.
Whatcom County professional filmmaker Wilson Large is moving forward on the next phase of the successful locally-produced and directed adventure-comedy-fantasy web series, Dark Darkness. With four episodes of Season Zero under his belt, now touring at festivals and winning awards, Large is motivated by the support of local businesses and artists to begin pre-production on Seasons One and Two. He plans to expand both scale and budget while continuing to keep it local.
Snakeman of Episode IV “Snakeman’s Solitude” is played by Jordan Donovan. Photo credit: Damian Vines Photography.
An Epic Journey
Dark Darkness was first inspired by a 2007 serial play by Ben Eisner at Bellingham’s Idiom Theatre (now part of the new Sylvia Center for the Arts). The story is both an odyssey and an homage inspired by some of the best science fiction/fantasy comic books, board and video games, and films. “I call it Saturday morning cartoons for the YouTube generation,” explains Large of Season Zero.
The web series follows four flawed but powerful “Dark Lords” who must become reluctant allies as they solve a mystery that will clear their names of a murder they didn’t commit. They must ultimately learn how to be friends in order to survive. “The underlying message is that even Dark Lords can be compelled to do positive things,” adds Large.
Large had been immersed in Bellingham’s filmmaking community since before 1998 when he bought the Bellingham video production company, Camcord and Company, which he changed to Camcord at Large.
When the serial play was first presented on stage, Large was going through a personal odyssey of his own. His sister, Autumn Gariss, had been battling cancer off and on since 2000. “Real life in 2007 was a hard time for me and my family,” remembers Large. “Going to the weekly play of Dark Darkness was one healthy way to escape that personal sadness. I was really engaged by the clever, funny, complex characters.”
The director, cast and crew are constantly in action on the set. They are seen here filming Episode III “Ganamazol’s Gambit.” Photo credit: Damian Vines Photography.
At the time, Large had no idea that he was about to embark on a decade-long journey of his own. Autumn’s passing in 2008 hit Large hard. “Her way of dealing with the cancer was to never acknowledge that dying was an option,” remembers Large. “She had a child and so many unfulfilled dreams. Losing her inspired me to go after my own dreams because she couldn’t. Since then, pursuing Dark Darkness has been my way to stay connected to her energy, her passion, her desire to fulfill her own dreams.”
In 2011, Large changed the name of his company to Current Media Productions and sold it to local filmmaker Jordan Donovan, who owns and operates it today. Over time, Donovan and Large became close friends. Large continued to make commercials and training videos via his company, One World Productions, all the while writing and developing Dark Darkness and his team of local film artists.
The first episode of Large’s passion project, Season Zero’s “Ronald’s Summoning,” debuted in mid-2012. Episodes II and III came out in 2014 and 2015 and eventually Donovan was cast as Snakeman in Season Zero’s Episode IV “Snakeman’s Solitude,” which appeared in January 2016.
Wilson Large attended Rose City Comic-Con in Portland, Oregon with (Cat Lady) Brandi Sheppard, Large, (Stanzi) Collene Ames, Makeup Assistant Izabella Kornelis, and a friend. Photo courtesy: Wilson Large.
Getting Noticed
Large’s drive to fulfill his dreams has garnered attention and accolades. Several episodes were screened and won awards at film festivals in Bellingham and Seattle as well as Vancouver Web Fest in B.C., Canada. In October 2016, Episode IV “Snakeman’s Solitude” was an official selection at the 24th Annual Raindance Film Festival in the Web Fest UK division in London, England. Large attended the festival with his wife, Joanna, who also played a sorceress in Episode I. While in London, Large was also a panelist in the Web Fest Panel: Successful Crowdfunding. “It was a big honor. I made some great contacts and had the privilege of pitching to studio executives and distributers. I got some valuable feedback that really improved my pitch,” notes Large. “I learned a lot from my co-panelists while sharing my own experience.”
In November 2016 Large took Dark Darkness to the American Film Market (AFM) annual conference in Santa Monica, California. Filmmakers who attend learn about the industry, network, and pitch their projects to the feature film industry’s global leaders, decision makers, and experts. “Going to AFM was confirmation that Dark Darkness is a marketable product,” explains Large. “The reaction from distributers and production partners was very positive and supportive. It was great to see the faces of marketing professionals light up. They get the material and can see its potential.”
Built on a Foundation of Local Support
Large was confident taking the project outside Whatcom County because of the tremendous support the project has received within it. His local productions spanned the past four years and have involved more than 90 Washington State artists, most residing in the Bellingham area. The project also has included the skills of connected and incredibly experienced Los Angeles filmmakers who have retired to Whatcom County or who commute back and forth including CSI: NY’sJesse Collver, set designer Mel Cooper, and production designer Garvin Eddy.
Large has fun with his cast including the star of Episode III, “Ganamazol’s Gambit,” Elle Viane Sonnet. Photo credit: Damian Vines Photography.
“We’ve also secured Mel Damski as the director of either future episodes or a full-length feature,” adds Large. Damski lives in Bellingham and is known for his work directing dozens of movies and hundreds of hours of series television including M*A*S*H (1972), Boston Legal (2004), Psych (2006), and Scorpion (2014).
Large is in the planning phase for the future of Seasons One and Two of the series with a projected budget of $1.2 million. He will pursue fundraising and state incentives for the project as either a continued web series or a full-length feature film. “We have several distributers eager to help us deliver a feature-length version. Their letters of intent will help us as we move forward,” explains Large of the development process. “We’ve set up D4 Productions, LLC and are officially accepting additional investors.”
Several of the principal cast and crew are shareholders in the new venture with 33% still available to outside investment. Large continues to work as a commercial producer and editor via his company One World Productions.
Dark Darkness is also expanding to include much more than a film. “It’s such a big universe,” notes Large. “We’re in talks and developing spin-off web series, a board game, comics, and books. It’s turning into an intellectual-property, trans-media franchise. It’s very exciting for us.” The board game is being developed by Dark Darkness creator Ben Eisner with his brother Tim by their Portland-based company, Weird City Games.
Even though Dark Darkness’ seems to be blasting off, Large plans to keep future productions in the Whatcom County area. “I love the vibe in Bellingham because the filmmaking community here is talented, collaborative and supportive,” explains Large. “We’re excited to use as many locals as possible to dive into the next phase with the Dark Darkness Universe.”
After five decades of operation, Barron Heating, AC, Electrical & Plumbing continues to be a local leader in meeting the heating needs of residents....
