Submitted by: Whatcom Literacy Council

Alcoa Intalco Works is giving a total of $135,000 in Alcoa Foundation grants for continued community enhancement in Whatcom County. The 2016 partners are Sustainable Connections, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, Whatcom Literacy Council, and Northwest Innovation Resource Center.

This year, Alcoa Intalco Works designated Alcoa Foundation funds to organizations that are focused on holistically improving education, protecting the environment and creating improved community infrastructure.

“The Intalco team is always excited about the investments we’re able to make through the Alcoa Foundation,” said Barry Hullett, Intalco Works Plant Manager. “The organizations we’re partnering with this year have a proven record of success, high credibility and are keenly aware of their role in benefiting the entire county.”

The Alcoa Foundation is focused on building sustainable communities through strategic investments that are focused on achieving measurable, long-term results.
The grants from Intalco’s Alcoa Foundation allocation are focused on providing funding and support for leading environmental and educational organizations all around the world, building stable, strong, long-term partnerships that produce meaningful results.

2016 Partnerships:

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington:

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington’s (CCS) Alcoa Foundation-funded project will update and enhance the treatment rooms in the building where Whatcom County children and youth ages 0-21 and their families receive professional treatment for diagnosed mental health problems that disrupt their lives and ability to function at home, school and in the community. Recognizing that almost all CCS child and youth clients and their families have serious trauma histories, CCS knows that upgrading and refurbishing their counseling rooms will provide a comfortable, soothing and attractive environment of care that says: we respect your dignity and we want you to feel comfortable and safe when you are in our premises. For more details, contact Kathy McNaughton.

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington provides a wide array of services in Whatcom County, including children’s mental health services, addictions treatment, home care for elders and persons with disabilities, low income and supported housing, and basic needs for those who live in poverty or on the street. CCS is committed to helping those who are the most poor and vulnerable in our communities through services that are characterized by compassion, respect, professionalism and excellence.  In a given year, thousands of Whatcom County citizens are impacted by CCS’s local array of programs.

The Northwest Innovation Resource Center:

The ability of entrepreneurs to access the expertise of business leaders is critical. After working with each innovator to develop a strategy, the Northwest Innovation Resource Center (NWIRC) draws on the business experts that match the unique needs of each innovator at each phase of their implementation. The Alcoa Foundation grant will provide NWIRC the resources to expand its “Just in Time” mentor program which facilitates the sharing of business knowledge and advice with entrepreneurs. For more details, contact Diane Kamionka.

The Northwest Innovation Resource Center was established in Whatcom County to provide innovators in our area with ready access to an essential entrepreneurial support system normally available in large cities. The organization’s objectives are to support Whatcom County innovators from all types of industries and provide a means for innovators to succeed in their local area and bring value to their own community.

 Sustainable Connections:

The Sustainable Connections “Toward Zero Waste” program provides technical assistance, education and training to help businesses and organizations achieve their waste reduction goals. With help from the “Toward Zero Waste” program, over 400 local businesses have significantly reduced their waste. Together, with strong campaign supporters like the Alcoa Foundation and Whatcom County, Sustainable Connections is moving this community Toward Zero Waste! For more details, visit the Sustainable Connections website or contact Derek Long.

Sustainable Connections is a local non-profit membership organization of northwest Washington business and community leaders working to build a vibrant local economy built on sustainable practices. Our five program areas educate the public, connect businesses to each other, and engage in market development in their respective sectors. To date, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses become more sustainable, created a culture of Thinking Local First in Whatcom County, and cultivated relationships to deliver dozens of innovative campaigns that have created positive impacts for our community.

Whatcom Literacy Council:

Whatcom Literacy Council programs help adults improve their literacy skills, forming permanent competencies that allow them to become more employable, self-sufficient, and engaged members of the community. A threefold programming approach offering one-to-one tutoring, small classes, and individualized learning plans utilizes the most effective formats of education. Sessions are scheduled when learners are available, at places that are convenient and accessible. Each learner’s customized curriculum reflects learning styles, personal goals and interests. Demographics, participation and achievement levels are tracked. Professional staff provide volunteers with some of the most rigorous and complete training and ongoing support in the area. In 2015, with the help of over 100 volunteers, we worked with 818 learners, each identifying goals they wanted to achieve with their new literacy skills. For more details, contact Katherine Freimund.

Since 1983 the Whatcom Literacy Council has been transforming lives by offering free literacy programs to adults who ask for help with basic reading, writing, math and computer skills and English. Working with trained volunteers, our one-on-one tutoring and small group classes focus on essential skills that allow individuals to access educational and job opportunities. We partner closely with local service providers using a collective impact approach to adult education. Every dollar spent on adult literacy provides returns to the community through higher employment, added tax revenue, reduced welfare payments, and less crime.

About Alcoa Corp:

Alcoa (NYSE: AA) is a global industry leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum products, with a strong portfolio of value-added cast and rolled products and substantial energy assets. Alcoa is built on a foundation of strong values and operating excellence dating back nearly 130 years to the world-changing discovery that made aluminum an affordable and vital part of modern life. Since inventing the aluminum industry, and throughout our history, our talented Alcoans have followed on with breakthrough innovations and best practices that have led to efficiency, safety, sustainability and stronger communities wherever we operate. Visit us online on www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Alcoa.

About Alcoa Foundation:

Alcoa Foundation’s predecessor, currently known as Legacy Alcoa Foundation (and formerly known as Alcoa Foundation), was founded in 1952 as one of the few endowed corporate foundations in the United States. As a result of the separation of Alcoa Inc. into Alcoa Corporation and Arconic Inc. in November 2016, two new foundations were formed, into which the assets of Legacy Alcoa Foundation were transferred. One of the newly formed foundations, known now as Alcoa Foundation, is the foundation associated with Alcoa Corporation. Alcoa Foundation is the sponsor going forward of these grants. Today, Alcoa Foundation invests where Alcoa Corporation has a presence, providing grants that contribute to environmental excellence around the world, particularly in the areas of biodiversity conservation and climate change research. Learn more at alcoafoundation.com and follow @AlcoaFoundation on Twitter.

Submitted by: ACME Farms + Kitchen

The ACME Farms + Kitchen Holiday Pop Up Shop is set to open in downtown Bellingham. It will be located at 1230 Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham at the base of The Leopold Retirement Residence, the former location of Mary L. Harding, GG, local jeweler.

The Pop Up Shop will offer carefully curated gift boxes featuring locally sourced foods and treats. Customers can see examples and place orders at the shop. Shoppers will also find ACME Farms + Kitchen’s popular line of baking mixes and frozen cookie, scone, puff pastry and pie doughs, perfect for holiday meals. The shop will also feature individual favorites from local and regional food artisans including San Juan Sea Salt, Moon Valley Organics, Flying Bird Botanicals, Jonboy Caramels, Alma Chocolate, Not Without Salt and more.

“We love the opportunity to be in Downtown Bellingham over the holiday season,” states co-founder, Cara Piscitello. “As an online business this is a rare treat to interact with our customers in person and to meet new people. It’s also a great way to share some of our favorite locally sourced items that are perfect for holiday giving.”

The shop officially opens for business on Saturday, November 26 at 10:00 a.m., closing at 6:00 p.m. In celebration of opening and Shop Small Saturday AF+K will have freshly baked cookies to share. Regular days of operation will be Thursday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The shop’s last day of operation will be Friday, December 23.

About ACME Farms + Kitchen:

ACME Farms + Kitchen, headquartered out of Bellingham, delivers weekly meal kits comprised of locally sourced ingredients, a weekly meal plan and recipes to homes in the Whatcom County, Seattle and Portland, Oregon regions. ACME Farms + Kitchen currently sources from over 75 local food producers throughout the greater Pacific Northwest. Details about the new lunch service can be found at the ACME Farms + Kitchen website.

Submitted by: Marriott – Bellingham

Starting November 26, 2016 and extending through January 8, 2017 the SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotels in Bellingham are offering great discounts for your holiday celebrations!

Book your holiday event with us and receive 15% off on a group block of guest sleeping rooms (10 rooms or more) OR 15% off event space rental.

Attending a holiday party elsewhere?  Book the “take the elevator home” rate of $99 and have our complimentary 24-hour hotel shuttle pick you up and bring you to our hotels for an easy ride home and great place to stay. (Hotel shuttle available within a 5-mile radius of hotels).

This promotion is applicable for both Marriott hotels:

The SpringHill Suites by Marriott Bellingham is a 122 all-suite hotel with refreshing amenities including an in-room microwave, mini-refrigerator and coffee service, separate areas for eating, working and sleeping, a large well-lit desk and a pull-out sofa bed.  Single King bed or Double Queen bed suites available for this promotion.

Welcome to Real Living – The TownePlace Suites Bellingham offers 83 spacious extended-stay guest rooms which include studio, one and two-bedroom apartment-style suites with functional space for living and working. Each suite features full kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, adjustable work spaces with built-in shelves and lighting, a large flat screen TV and Marriott’s luxurious new bedding.  Promotion applicable to studio suite with King size bed.

Our Marriott Bellingham Hotels provide a complimentary hot & healthy breakfast, 24-hour shuttle service, complimentary parking above or secured underground. Guests can workout in the 24-hour Fitness Center, relax in our indoor pool and hot tub, take advantage of the complimentary self-serve laundry, free high speed Wi-Fi, and a business center with PCs and a printer.  Beverages and other snacks are available around the clock in our Markets with nightly dining options in the Chuckanut Lobby Bar.

To book your holiday group block or event space rental please contact the sales department at (360) 714-9700 or email elisa.george@marriott.com.

We look forward to being a part of your holiday festivities!

Submitted by Mr. Franks Spice Company

An original all-purpose seasoning made famous in a Niagara Falls, Canada restaurant is now available for sale in Western Washington.

Mr. Frank’s all-purpose seasoning is ideal for steaks, salmon, pork, chicken, vegetables, and even popcorn, according to company founder Lisa Campbell of Bellingham. The 8-ounce containers can currently be found on the company’s website and Sudden Valley Market. More local retailers are expected to soon offer Mr. Frank’s.

“It’s the only spice you’ll reach for,” Campbell said. “It enhances flavor by itself or is fabulous with clarified butter and a few dashes of Maggi®.”

Campbell’s father, Frank Postl, developed the seasoning for his restaurant, Frank’s Steak House and Tavern, which he opened in 1964 in Niagara Falls, Canada. Postl, who emmigrated from Austria into Canada in 1953, knew nothing of the restaurant business, nor even what a steak was, his daughter admitted.

“He did, however, have an acute sense of taste,” Campbell said. “He invented a steak spice that, along with his dedication to perfection, would eventually make him famous in Niagara Falls and his restaurant a huge success.”

Campbell followed her father’s footsteps; becoming general manager of three restaurants by the time she was 21. After stepping away from the hospitality industry, almost 2 decades later and upon the passing of her father, she recalled the popularity of her father’s seasoning and decided to carry on his legacy and bring it to retail shelves.

“Mr. Frank’s Spice is very versatile year-round,” Campbell said. “People use it with roast chicken, meat loaf, pumpkin seeds and much more. When warmer weather returns, it’s fantastic with barbecued meats!

“This also is a great area to launch it because we are a small but closely knit community that supports each other, particularly in business. Combined with people’s love of cooking, this has me extremely excited to bring my dad’s original seasoning to the Bellingham market. It truly is an incredible seasoning and I know people will love Mr. Frank’s the first time they try it!”

For more information about the seasoning and Mr. Frank himself, visit www.MrFranksSpiceCo.com.

Featured photo by Beatrice Harper