Cherish the Moment with Family and Senior Portraits at Turner Photographics

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It wasn’t long ago that senior portraits were taken very uniformly. Young women appeared in high school yearbooks with a black drape around their shoulders while young men wore suits and ties. With the exception of that familiar face or brightly captured smile, there wasn’t a lot to differentiate individuals. Fast forward a few decades and times have changed. Now senior portraits can be created in a way that really represents the individual. For Mark Turner, owner of Turner Photographics, “Today that portrait is an opportunity to express your personality.”

Mark knows that photographing seniors is all about capturing that final moment before they go off into the world on their own. The photos provide a way to cherish the 18 years you have spent together with your senior, from the time they fit into your arms to the time they leave the familial nest. The senior portrait is a way to remember who your child is and who they have grown up to become.

Having a portrait to honor that significant point in the timeline of your lives is more than just important – it’s a need. “It’s a need to remember what their loved one looked like at a point in time,” Mark points out. “The need that I’m satisfying is the need for that image to stand the test of time. It’s going to be there to look back on 20 years from now, 30 years from now.”

More than a photo

Part of what makes Mark’s photographs truly special is his attention to his clients. His consultation session is designed to get acquainted and find out what each individual is looking for. “It starts with sitting down with them to find out what their interests are — what excites them,” Mark shares. It’s during this time that the planning for the photo session takes shape. Figuring out the location and context for the images is the first step in showcasing each client’s unique personality.

“We want to get a nice portrait, but we also want to do some things that really show what they are doing,” Mark explains. “One of the most fun sessions I did last year was with a boy who is a fencer. This was a studio session for him, and he came in with full fencing garb. We did a whole series with him going through all the classic moves in fencing and ended up with a beautiful composite piece — multiple images of him as a fencer.”

Each individual takes a photo session in a different direction. For one senior it could involve going out to the sports field, football in hand. For another, it could be capturing dance poses and movements. Mark’s talent is in highlighting the way each personality uniquely shines. “Another young man was very much into running around in Birch Bay on the family’s jet ski, so we went out on the water at high tide,” Mark shares. “He’s also a musician so right at sunset I had him playing his trumpet on the beach with the sunset behind.”

Primp, prep and plan

In a world familiar with cell phone photos and selfies — pictures often taken on a whim — Mark offers a contrasting approach. These are the timeless photos people want to come back to and look upon again and again. They’re the photos that were taken with care and precision. Seniors go out and pamper themselves in preparation— hair freshly styled and make-up applied professionally. Pair this attention to detail on the seniors’ part with Mark’s invaluable photography and lighting skills, and you have images that will withstand the test of time, serving as keepsakes for the senior, their family, and future generations alike.

Just as time goes by so quickly raising a child and watching them grow, the senior year goes just as fast. With yearbook photo submissions coming up quicker than you realize (they’re due in October), it’s important to get that photo session in early. Mark recommends scheduling even before the senior year has arrived. Truthfully, scheduling that session in early is going to get you the best weather conditions as well — a gift that truly comes in handy, considering teens often want those outdoor photo shoots.

Get the whole family involved

Senior portraits are a special milestone in any teen’s life. These photos mark the start of a senior’s last year in high school, serving as a visual reminder of who they were and what they cared about in that moment in time. But as your senior grows and changes, your entire family unit does, too. Take advantage of your child’s senior photo shoot as an opportunity to capture some special memories with the whole family.

With any senior portrait session, Mark also offers a free family session. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to capture a special moment of everyone together before their oldest child leaves the flock.

To schedule and reserve a custom senior portrait session — with a free family session — contact Mark Turner at Turner Photographics by visiting Turner Photographics online or by contacting Mark directly at 360-671-6851.

Turner Photographics
4682 Wynn Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
360-671-6851
www.turnerphotographics.com

‘What to Expect When You’re Electing’ Comes to Mount Baker Theatre

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LocalTalk Contributor

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What to Expect When You're Electing — The Capitol Steps comedy troupe leads you on an insider tour of Washington D.C. Photo credit: Mike Reyna.

Submitted by Mount Baker Theatre

There was a time when events in big, public halls were where people got their information about national candidates and engaged in face-to-face political discourse — and then private correspondence was where they shared jokes and other stories. Social media seems to have reshaped the second part of that. During the 2012 elections, over one-third of 18 to 24 year olds said their vote was influenced by social media. According to the Pew Research Center, 44% of adults today are saying that everything they learn about the presidential candidates is through social media.

I suppose that makes sense, since we’re talking online about everything else, but we all battle the blur between “correct” and merely “catchy” daily. It can be confusing to tell where entertainment stops and information starts. Sensational news broadcasts don’t sound much different than comedy political interview shows or the messaging written by regular folks that is posted, shared, and retweeted all over social media. The intent gets blurred — are we learning or laughing?

Since folks think the issues are being laid out in tweets, we at Mount Baker Theatre are happy to handle the in-person, big hall event with a new intent that is very clear: laughter. There is still a place where the intent is purely to entertain and the bipartisan spirit is firmly alive: with veteran political comedy troupe the Capitol Steps.

On September 16, “The Capitol Steps: What to Expect When You’re Electing” will be performing live at the Mount Baker Theatre. The Capitol Steps, a bipartisan troupe of ex-staffers from Washington, DC, are setting out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. You can get ready for side-splitting roasts of the presidential candidates, hilarious parodies, and an escape from the viciousness of the political news cycle.

If you can’t beat ‘em, and you can’t join ‘em, you might as well laugh with them all equally! And if you happen to strike up an interesting conversation in the lobby with a new friend at intermission instead of checking for status updates, all the better. Join us at the Mount Baker Theatre on September 16 for “What to Expect When You’re Electing” — tickets are on sale now!

Spikeball Hits Bellingham with Skill, Satisfaction and Silliness

By

Jade Thurston

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Spikeball is taking Bellingham — and Western Washington University students — by storm. ©WhatcomTalk.

At a party last year in early May where many were preoccupied watching “The Fight of the Century,” a professional boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, Bellingham resident Andy Gallent’s attention was somewhere else.

Gallent, 26, recalls four Western Washington University students actively moving around a yellow device on the lawn. Included was a circular net lifted off the ground that was similar to a miniature trampoline and a yellow, rubbery ball sized to fit in a person’s palm.

“That was the exact moment I was introduced to Spikeball,” Gallent said. “I was instantly interested.”

Spikeball is taking Bellingham — and Western Washington University students — by storm. ©WhatcomTalk.

Like what Gallent saw in his first encounter, Spikeball is played with four people divided into two teams. To start, one player on Team A serves the ball to the Team B player across the net. To serve, you must toss the yellow orb up in the air and swat it onto the net, where it may bounce only once.

The two players on Team B then return the ball to Team A by hitting it back off the net. Each team has the opportunity to return the ball in three touches. These touches may be from any part of the body, however, the partners must alternate who touches the ball and get it bouncing off the net by the third touch.

If a player fails to return the ball, the other team receives a point. A point is also awarded if the ball mistakenly hits the rim of the net.

At 11 points, teams switch sides. The objective of the game is to earn 21 points first.

Another detail is the “pocket.” This happens when the ball is hit by a player and slightly embeds in the space between the net and the rim, causing the ball to awkwardly bounce off the net. Players on either team can call a pocket whenever necessary, meaning the play is disregarded and starts over.

Lastly, “hinder” is when a player gets in the way of another player during the game. This also prompts a redo.

Andy Gallent reacts quickly to a swift serve in a Spikeball match. ©WhatcomTalk.

Yet, beyond these basic directions, Spikeball proves to be an entertaining and lively pastime for anyone as the summer days draw even more people than usual outside in Whatcom County.

In fact, Gallent spends much of his summer introducing and playing Spikeball with friends and strangers around town.

Justin Spencer, 23, friend to Gallent, hadn’t played a single game of Spikeball until he and Gallent became roommates this past year.

“Spikeball is easy to learn, but when you first play it feels awkward,” said Spencer. “It’s going to take a little bit of practice, but it’s seriously so fun.”

Though they have varying styles of play — Spencer more laid back and Gallent somewhat competitive — these guys can’t stop raving about the game.

Both agree that Spikeball is similar to volleyball with an easier setup, though there are elements of handball and four square in there, too.

Therefore, they have no problem taking advantage of Spikeball’s simple setup by engaging in matches throughout Bellingham’s many parks and beaches, like Boulevard’s sandy areas or Fairhaven Park’s grassy field.

Spikeball easily packs into a light, drawstring backpack. ©WhatcomTalk.

“The game is lightweight, you can travel with it anywhere, and you don’t need too much room to play,” Gallent said.

Spencer added that you don’t even need all four friends with you for a match to take place. Since most onlookers around Bellingham find interest in the game, they are happy to stand in and give it a go themselves.

“Spikeball is a hybrid sport that people love,” said Gallent.

“And it isn’t just another backyard game,” Spencer added.

They couldn’t have said it better. Beyond beaches, yards and parks, Spikeball also has another local home at WWU. As of two years ago, the University began to offer Spikeball as an intramural sport.

Bob Hofstetter, Associate Director of Facilities and Operations of WWU’s Campus Recreation Services, said that Western is happy to have Spikeball featured as a league and tournament during certain quarters throughout the school year.

Hofstetter believes Spikeball is growing in popularity and claims that various students — athletic or not — enthusiastically play the game. Spikeball is even brought out at WWU’s kids’ camps, where children — pre-teen ages and younger — enjoy the sport.

Justin Spencer lays out his body in midair as he returns the ball. ©WhatcomTalk.

Hofstetter recently received his own Spikeball set for Father’s Day. He appreciates the competitive aspect Spikeball brings out, while still having a great time.

“My family is pretty diverse in athletic ability, yet we all enjoy to play Spikeball,” he said.

Athletic or inactive. Hand-eye or foot-eye coordinated. Petite or large physic. Vying or just playing for the laughs. You may be truly surprised at just how fit of a contender you are for Spikeball.

Put Your Best Foot Forward with Pedal Party NW

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Lorraine Wilde

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No matter the occasion, Pedal Party NW provides a fun way to celebrate birthdays, bachelorettes and more. Photo credit: Lorraine Wilde.

Brought to bike-friendly downtown Bellingham in May 2015 by long-time residents Amy and Tom Lawson, Pedal Party NW has been entertaining tourists and helping locals celebrate birthdays, bachelorettes, and business with their state-of-the-art 10- to 15-person-bicycle. I recently took a very memorable ride on one of Bellingham’s newest attractions.

The Lawsons have been married for almost 34 years, having lived and worked in Whatcom County for decades. Amy taught high school science at Squalicum High School for 19 of her 20 years with Bellingham Public Schools, recently retiring in June 2016.

“I’m enjoying learning new things through the business,” says Amy of her role as booking and communications agent. “What I love about it is that everyone is always so happy and satisfied.” Tom has worked as a builder in the area with his company Compass Woodworks for more than 40 years. Pedal Party NW is currently Tom’s pre-retirement hobby.

The Lawsons became owners of Pedal Party NW almost on a whim. They were attending their daughter Sarah’s wedding in Portland, Oregon. On their younger daughter’s suggestion, they took a shared ride on a multi-person bike with a bachelor party. “We had a blast. Then our daughter saw a web article on the 25 things Bellingham needed and this kind of bike was on the list,” Amy explains of their start. “And here we are.”

Co-owner Tom Lawson hands out water to help patrons stay hydrated during their trip while answering technical questions about the inner bike’s inner workings. Photo credit: Lorraine Wilde.

After a lot of research and communication with local breweries and other businesses, the Lawsons decided on the MegaCycle brand built in St. Paul, Minnesota by Pedal Biz. “Our bike is number 16 manufactured there,” notes Tom, the technical and maintenance brains of Pedal Party NW. “This is sort of the Cadillac of models. It’s more expensive, but it’s also engineered the best. It’s the safest and easy to step onto.”

“We also could do it without having to buy into a franchise,” adds Amy.

Tom road tripped to pick up the bike himself from the Minnesota factory. He also took along a passenger — at the time, his daughter’s boyfriend — to help with transport. “We were most of the way back on that trip before he asked me for my daughter’s hand in marriage,” explains Tom. “It was pretty special.”

This impressive bicycle took its inaugural ride in Bellingham’s 2015 Ski-to-Sea Parade, carrying Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville as one of its first passengers. “My daughter’s team pedaled for her and that was our very first ride. The City and the police have been so supportive, and the community shares pictures of us on Facebook and Instagram.”

Since then, Pedal Party NW has been helping groups of 10 to 15 transport and entertain themselves, safely, in a fun, memorable atmosphere throughout Bellingham’s downtown area. “We do a lot of birthday, bachelorette, and bachelor parties, with people wearing costumes, dancing in the aisles, and having a blast,” notes Amy of their typical clientele. “We have family and class reunions, we do parades, and it’s a great way to see the craft breweries here, too. Every party is a little different, but everyone is in a celebratory mood so it’s really a fun business to own.”

Ten pedalers are needed to move the bike along, although batteries assist when hills are too steep. Photo credit: Lorraine Wilde.

Businesses also use Pedal Party NW for team-building, celebration, and networking. “We’ve had some businesses join us that needed to find a way to build office morale and camaraderie, and it works!” adds Amy. “Everyone is pretty calm and congenial at first and after the first stop, everyone is laughing and talking. By the second or third stop, everyone has bonded and is having a blast. Some give us big hugs and say, ‘Our department really needed this.’ It’s a real win-win for everybody.”

I recently took a ride with the employees of a locally-owned supplier of building materials that has operated in Whatcom County since 1992, Bellingham Millwork Supply Company. The Pedal Party NW trip was given to Millwork employees by the sales representatives of Tacoma-based treated wood supplier McFarland-Cascade as a thank you gift for their long-time business partnership.

On our trip, we listened to classic rock piped into the bicycle’s 6-speaker sound system from the phone of a Millworks employee. “The party can have a custom soundtrack chosen by the group,” explains Tom, who considers this bicycle one of the most high-tech multi-person bicycles available in the country.

“There is a computer that senses speed and kicks in with electric-assist when needed to get up hills that are tougher than our pedalers,” says Tom. Up to 10 people can pedal at any one time, and it travels at a safe top speed of 7 miles per hour. The padded seats are adjustable and have a back cushion for added comfort. There are non-pedaling seats for five additional passengers plus the licensed driver provided by Pedal Party NW to steer, guide, and park this specialized vehicle. The bicycle also has overhead storage for purses and bags, plus holders for water cups offered by Pedal Party NW employees to encourage responsible continued hydration throughout the trip.

“We’ve also been able to accommodate some patrons in wheelchairs and of almost any age, including the Whatcom Family YMCA’s Pedaling for Parkinson’s group, so there are very few limits to who can ride along,” adds Amy.

Employees of Bellingham Millwork and McFarland Cascade pedal to their first stop at downtown’s The Local. Photo credit: Lorraine Wilde.

On my ride along, Millworks employees decided among themselves where they’d like to stop on their 2-hour trip. Most trips include two to three stops at almost any downtown Bellingham location within biking distance of their headquarters near the intersection of Meador Street and North State Street. The stops are only limited by time and the group’s willingness and ability to pedal. For obvious reasons, businesses at higher elevations are less popular destinations. Stops common on Pedal Party NW tours include Bellingham’s award-winning breweries and Mallard Ice Cream. “Some groups want to spend time and get food while others want to get in three stops, but it’s really up to them,” explains Amy.

“But we’re happy to give advice on places to stop based on our experiences and the interests of the group,” adds Tom. We’d like to add new businesses to our list of stops like Kombucha Town and Vinostrology.”

Our tour took us first to The Local for microbrew beers and a couple games of table shuffleboard. Then the group pedaled to Schweinhaus Biergarten for some outdoor enjoyment of comfort food —sausage on kraut, Bavarian pretzels, and locally-brewed beer — before pedaling back to the Meador Street headquarters.

Scheduling a party is simple. Patrons can contact Amy via phone or e-mail to select a date. Party attendees meet at the Meador Street location, sign a standard insurance waiver, and then depart at the scheduled time. The party returns to Meador Street at the end of each trip. Pedal Party NW can usually accommodate up to four or five 2-hour trips in a single day, charging batteries overnight.

Bachelorettes and businesses alike benefit from Pedal Party NW. Photo credit: Lorraine Wilde.

Pedal Party NW has also donated discounted trips to local charities including a Whatcom Humane Society auction prize that raised over $1200. Business is doing well enough for Amy and Tom to donate about six discounted trips each year.

No matter what the occasion, taking a ride with Pedal Party NW is a unique, unforgettable way to get some fresh air and exercise, explore Bellingham’s downtown businesses, and celebrate with friends or colleagues.

“We plan to schedule rides pretty regularly through Halloween but can accommodate die-hards later in the year, too. Our rain policy covers bad weather,” adds Amy. “We want to support the local breweries that are an incredibly caring community here. People come to us for a party and we do our best to deliver.”

Pedal Party NW
501 Meador Street, Suite 106
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-255-0822
letsride@pedalpartynw.com

Tickets on Sale Now for Industrial Credit Union’s 4th Annual Food Truck Round Up

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Food Truck Round Up

Tickets are now on sale for Industrial Credit Union’s 4th Annual Food Truck Round Up! The event takes place Saturday, September 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Civic Stadium in Bellingham.

The Food Truck Round Up — a benefit for Whatcom County Food Banks — is presented by Ben Kinney & Keller Williams Realty. It features over 20 local food trucks, a beer garden serving Kulshan Brewing Co. beer, a family area hosted by Nature’s Path Foods and live music by SpaceBand on the Haggen Food and Pharmacy stage. This family-friendly event provides a fun opportunity to try food from local mobile eateries and support a great cause.

Tickets are on sale now at all 8 Industrial Credit Union locations throughout Whatcom County. They are $7 and include a custom pint glass (while supplies last). Event proceeds — including all tickets sold — will be matched by Ben Kinney and Keller Williams Realty for the third year in a row.

The Food Truck Round Up is possible each year because of the generosity of many local businesses. Industrial CU receives support from Ben Kinney and Keller Williams Realty, Haggen Food and Pharmacy, Lithtex NW Printing Solutions, Kulshan Brewing Co., Nature’s Path Foods, Ideation Design Group, Star Rentals, Rice Insurance and many others.

If you are interested in supporting this year’s event, contact Amanda Ager, Food Truck Round Up Coordinator, at aager@industrialcu.org. Event updates and details will be announced on the Community Food Drive Facebook page.

100-Year-Old Lovebirds — Pickford Shows One-Time Screening of South Korean Documentary

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Pickford Film Center

On August 18, the Pickford Film Center will have a one-time showing of an intimate documentary about love, death, and family. “My Love, Don’t Cross That River” follows the “100-year-old lovebirds” — 98-year-old Byeong-man Jo and 89-year-old Gye-Yeol Kang — throughout their daily lives in a mountain village in South Korea. We meet the adorable couple as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives, after 75 years of inseparable kinship.

Come prepared with a pack of Kleenex in tow as “My Love, Don’t Cross That River” will leave you both laughing and crying. The initial scenes filter through the seasons, showing the playful couple tossing snow and leaves at each other and next a springtime water fight. Though the film is not always so lighthearted. These scenes give a quick glance of just how in love the characters are.

Directed by Jin Mo-Young, who is a veteran to documentary filmmaking, “My Love, Don’t Cross That River” made its debut in South Korea in 2014 and was praised as South Korea’s most successful independent film ever. It also saw success at multiple international film festivals, receiving awards for best independent film and documentary award and nominations for best film and best director.

Join us at the Pickford Film Center on Thursday, August 18 at 6:30 p.m. for a one-time showing of this heart-tugging film. Stop by earlier at 6:00 p.m. for pre-screening reception including light snacks and traditional Korean tea! This beautifully filmed documentary approaches love, the inevitability of death and family in a way that is so intimate and sentimental you’ll leave feeling heart-warmed and heart-wrenched.

Fairhaven Village Inn Named Pacific Northwest’s Top-Rated Family Hotel

By

Libby Liming

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The Fairhaven Village Inn was recently recognized as the Pacific Northwest’s Top-Rated Family Hotel by ABC News. Photo credit: Libby Liming.

Tucked into a corner of Fairhaven, across from the Village Green and within walking distance to the Alaska State Ferry docks, sits the picturesque Fairhaven Village Inn. A privately-owned hidden gem, this 22-room hotel is identified by a tiny green sign hanging from the second story and a gold-leaf “1200” painted on the transom window above the front doors. But don’t let its humble nature fool you. This local inn was recently named the Pacific Northwest’s Top-Rated Family Hotel by ABC News.

ABC News worked with Family Vacation Critic to name the top-rated hotels in each of the 10 top vacation spots in the US, compiling opinions from Family Vacation Critic’s members and requiring an employee of Family Vacation Critic to visit the location.

Out of the 600 properties that were reviewed and considered, Fairhaven Village Inn was named as the Pacific Northwest’s Top-Rated Family Hotel.

How the Shannons came to Bellingham

When Connie Shannon and her husband Gene purchased the inn in 2004, they never dreamed that their little hotel would be featured on a major news network. Connie was a children’s librarian and worked for a book publisher for years and Gene owned commercial properties in the Midwest. They decided they were ready for a change and followed their daughter across the country as she attended grad school at Western Washington University.

Connie and Gene didn’t originally move to Bellingham to run the inn. The adventurous couple took a look at several properties in the area but the “happiness meter” always dialed into the Fairhaven Village Inn.

“When we bought the inn,” Connie says, “Village Books wasn’t there; those condos and shops weren’t there.” Fairhaven has continued to grow around them over the last 12 years, becoming a very family-friendly place.

How the ABC coverage has impacted the Inn

“It’s humbling, and also kind of intimidating,” Connie laughs, regarding their national recognition. “We always pay careful attention [to our guests],and now we feel like everyone is watching!”

She says it’s great for them to be included in this list alongside hotels like Legoland in Florida and the Four Seasons in Chicago. “At the end of the day,” Connie states, “traveling families are looking for something simple and something that will appeal to everyone.” adding that the Fairhaven Village Inn’s library and collection of board and card games — along with their adorable breakfast nook with its black and white tiled floor — are a definite draw for families.

Connie shared an endearing story about a dad who showed up with his two young boys late one night to the hotel. The boys were becoming a bit rowdy in the lobby, so dad tried to contain them by shooing them into the library as he checked in at the front desk. As the boys explored the library, Connie (who was passing through the lobby) could hear them shouting “Oh hey! Candyland!” Grandparents have played Twister with their grandchildren in that library, or a guest unearths a favorite poem or a travel writer’s secret tip. Sometimes simple is golden.

If you prefer to play your games outside or you’re visiting the Fairhaven Village Inn during one of our gorgeous Pacific Northwest summers, there are four city parks within a decent walking distance of the hotel, as well as some great walking trails and hiking. The waterfront is nearby, as is the Community Boating Center. Fairhaven Bike is around the corner for convenient bike rentals, and Rocket Donuts serves ACME Ice Cream. It is a short hike up Harris Avenue for that after-dinner treat.

On summer Saturdays, you can even open up your window and watch the movies on the Village Green from the park-side hotel rooms. Don’t have a park-side room? Grab a blanket and head for the gorgeous deck that juts out over the inn’s driveway. Pick up some popcorn and snacks from the Haggen store up the road and you’ve got the best seats in the house.

With a plethora of family-friendly activities in the surrounding area and a marvelous place to lay your head after participating in all said activities, Fairhaven Village Inn is getting some much-deserved press coverage for their delightful accommodations and top notch service.

Fairhaven Village Inn
1200 10th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-733-1311
www.fairhavenvillageinn.com

WhatcomTalk Uses Insights and Analytics to Guide Customers’ Marketing Decisions

By

WhatcomTalk Editor

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Through the use of insights and analytics, WhatcomTalk is able to guide its customers in smart marketing decisions. ©WhatcomTalk.

Businesses have lots of options when it comes to reaching their audiences, including sponsoring events and airing commercials on the radio. In the digital age, one of the most common ways businesses do this is by placing ads online. From banner ads to pop-ups, the options that exist for advertising within the Internet are vast and ever-changing.

As a media company serving Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and surrounding Whatcom County, WhatcomTalk has a unique lens into this hyperlocal market. Once a piece of content is published to WhatcomTalk’s website, our team collects data based on gender, age, location and other insights so that we can identify which stories matter most to certain demographics.

While this information helps WhatcomTalk craft its content to better serve our readers, it also helps us tailor individualized advertising plans for our customers.

For instance, if a customer wants their logo to reach families living in Lynden, we can place their logo on articles about family-friendly venues such as local parks and playgrounds or events taking place in the area.

Knowing who our readers are allows WhatcomTalk to better guide its customers’ marketing decisions by providing personalized advertising options so that they can reach a specific audience.

Using insights in this way is good for both our customers and our readers. Our customers gain value in the benefits of targeted marketing, while our readers enjoy perusing content without the distraction of oddly placed ads.

This unique form of marketing is a direct result of the close relationship that exists between WhatcomTalk’s sales and publishing teams. While most media companies’ sales and publishing teams work independently of one another, WhatcomTalk’s staffers work closely together, ensuring that customer logo placements are matched with the pieces of content that best reach their target audiences.

Village Books, Robert Gruen — Content marketing is another way WhatcomTalk helps tell a customer’s story. Photo courtesy: Amy Blackwood.

You can learn more about WhatcomTalk’s many advertising options, including traditional banner and block ads, personalized logo placements, and unique content marketing opportunities, by contacting a member of our sales team here.

Let WhatcomTalk help you grow your business through personalized marketing options that work for you.

WhatcomTalk is a digital media company sharing positive stories about people, places and businesses in Whatcom County. WhatcomTalk offers content marketing and online options to advertise across our community social network in Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and beyond. Advertise with WhatcomTalk to reach your target market, grow your brand, and measure results.

McKenzie Temple Shares Her Passion for the Outdoors through Non-profit Work

By

Brandon Fralic

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Seattle native-turned-Bellinghamster McKenzie Temple grew up playing in the mountains.

“Skiing is nearest and dearest to my heart,” McKenzie says. “That’s how I grew up, skiing every weekend with family and meeting life-long friends along the way.”

Those early ski trips shaped McKenzie into who she is today — an active outdoorswoman and regional director for two outdoors non-profit organizations. She’s managed to accomplish what many of us hope for by turning her dreams into reality. In McKenzie’s case, that means turning a lifetime of mountain adventures into a rewarding career.

“It took me a while to figure out how to play as much as I wanted, but I also put in my time in the corporate world at a desk,” McKenzie says. “That’s where I would dream up adventures that I somehow always made a reality.”

McKenzie first moved to Bellingham three years ago, after a trip up to Mount Baker Ski Area for the Legendary Banked Slalom. She fell in love with Bellingham. “It was exactly what I was looking for,” McKenzie explains. “Not a big city, but still close to mountains, water and my Seattle-based family. How can you not love Bellingham? You can mountain bike to work!”

Before moving to Bellingham, McKenzie was working at Crystal Mountain Ski Resort near Mount Rainier. During her time at Crystal Mountain, she met the crew from SheJumps, a non-profit organization whose goal is, “To increase the participation of women and girls in outdoor activities.” McKenzie initially got involved with the organization five years ago as an event attendee and volunteer. Today, she is the Pacific Coast Regional Director of SheJumps.

Founded in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2007, SheJumps has gone nationwide in its efforts to get girls outdoors. Programs are available for ladies of all ages and operate in several distinct regions throughout America. And with the Pacific Coast Regional Director based here in Bellingham, we can expect to see some local events soon.

“Our Youth Initiative Program is called Wild Skills and is led by the amazing Wild Skills Director, Christy Pelland,” McKenzie says. Christy was also responsible for a recent Mount Rainier fundraising climb, in which more than $25,000 was raised to expand programming. McKenzie explains, “Eight ladies signed up to climb and fundraise, and it was a smashing success. Now we can use that money for more programs, like in Bellingham!”

The next Bellingham Wild Skills program will take place August 27 at Whatcom Falls Park. “Wild Skills is a day for young girls to learn the skills they need for outdoor adventuring,” McKenzie says. “Our goal is to see girls learning, having fun and connecting in an encouraging environment with amazing instruction and support.”

SheJumps offers programs for adults, too. They recently held a mountain biking event at Stevens Pass called “SheShreds Stevens.” To welcome riders of all abilities, local lady instructors provided downhill bike lessons for beginners. McKenzie explains, “We have some of the best female riders right here in Bellingham. They are always excited to volunteer their time to help with free skills clinics, or just show the ladies around the trails.” Keep an eye on the SheJumps calendar for more local events throughout Washington and the Pacific Coast.

The weekend of August 27 will be a busy one for McKenzie. In addition to SheJumps, McKenzie is also the Northwest Events Director for 5Point Adventure Film Festival — another non-profit with big Bellingham plans for the last weekend of August.

5Point is an outdoor adventure film fest like no other. The festival originated in Carbondale, Colorado nine years ago, and has since expanded to Bellingham and two other regional locations. Built on five “points” — Commitment, Humility, Purpose, Respect, and Balance — the festival is all about inspiring adventure and building a sense of community. According to McKenzie, “If you have not experienced a 5Point event, it will change your life.”

Attendees can expect all things outdoors during the three-day festival in Bellingham. More than just a film fest, 5Point offers up a Van Life rally, live music, yoga, community parties, beer, food, family, and much more. McKenzie has been working hard on the Bellingham 5Point Film Festival all summer and is excited to share the event with our community.

“We have tied in the SheJumps Wild Skills to this event, so the kids can go from Wild Skills to an adventure film program and then to a family party in the street,” McKenzie explains. Check out the event on Facebook for more info.

When asked what she most enjoys about her work, McKenzie’s answers are as colorful as her various roles and skills. Her meetings take place on an afternoon ride at Galbraith, on a chairlift, or over a local microbrew. She plans events for the benefit of others, and also to learn new skills herself. “If I want to learn how to do yoga on a paddle board, I plan an event and get my friends to come learn and hopefully meet some new people to play with,” McKenzie says.

And her life philosophy? McKenzie sums it up in a single sentence: “Life is about having fun, so let’s all have fun together!”

Stop and Smell the Lavender at Red Barn Lavender in Ferndale

By

Theresa Golden

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Stop and smell the lavender at Red Barn Lavender in Ferndale. Photo courtesy: Red Barn Lavender.

Head down Thornton Road in Ferndale during the summer months and you might be accompanied by the fragrant scent of lavender meandering in the breeze. Rows of purple and pink, English and French lavender are grown in several varieties each year at Red Barn Lavender. Owners Bridget Boylan and Joe Jowdy, along with Joe’s sister Georgette, enjoy managing the farm and producing one-of-a-kind products available year-round.

“Three years ago, my boyfriend Joseph and I were looking for a farm property,” Bridget shares. “My dad’s from Ireland. He grew up on a dairy farm, so I wanted to live on a farm and [Joe] wanted property.”

Bridget and Joe’s realtor called with a listing she thought might be of interest to the ambitious couple. “She said, ‘You guys might like this. You said you wanted a barn and you said you wanted about five acres and, well — it’s a lavender farm!’” For Bridget, the idea of living on a lavender farm had been previously evoked while visiting lavender fields in Provence, France. “Actually going to France and seeing lavender fields was just amazing.”

Bridget Boylan enjoys developing new products with the lavender grown on her farm. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.

Having learned the required techniques and care from the previous farm owners, it became obvious that Bridget and Joe would need more help. They reached out to Joe’s sister Georgette who was working at a dairy sanctuary on the East Coast. Here, calves not selected for milk production were cared for, raised and re-homed. Georgette agreed to move and help out with the lavender farm if she could bring a few of the calves with her. Georgette’s sanctuary cows can now be seen happily resting behind the lavender fields.

For Bridget, owning Red Barn Lavender is a compliment to her work as a Five Element acupuncturist where she helps people create change within themselves. “People come to me when they are stuck, moving in a different direction, and they are not sure where to go,” Bridget shares. She helps her clients find the direction they seek. Within her practice, she incorporates the use of essential oils from the lavender grown and distilled on her property.

Bridget’s interest and experience with essential oils have also led to the expansion of available products made from the lavender on the farm. “Because I have a lot of education in essential oils and combining them, we’ve got about double the products that [the previous owners] had and we’ve changed some of the formulations,” Bridget explains. “We’re mainly using organic ingredients, unrefined shea butter, organic cocoa butter — so we’ve just moved it into a more organic company, just trying to do everything in the best way for the consumer.”

A variety of French and English lavender is grown and cut each summer at Red Barn Lavender. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.

For Bridget, the lavender farm and its guests offer endless ideas. From facial care products inspired by customer requests to teas, coffees and spices created out of Bridget’s passion for all things culinary, new products are continually in evolution. “We got into the culinary products because I love cooking,” Bridget shares. “So we’ve got a lavender coffee, we’ve got culinary lavender, we’ve got lavender pepper that has fennel in it. We have lavender sugar. I just started doing some Mediterranean blends and Tuscan blends with the lavender, so there’s just so many things we can do.”

Weekends during the summer, visitors can cut their own lavender from the fields and enjoy a cold cup of lavender lemonade sold at the shop in the barn. At the shop, Bridget also offers pints of Mallard lavender chocolate ice-cream for sale as well as a large array of her lavender products. Lotions, lip balms, face scrubs and eye creams can be purchased as well. Collages, clocks and paintings created by local artists decorate the walls, and Joe’s fine art photographs are on display, too. “People come here and they are so happy to be here,” Bridget shares. “And that’s what we want, for people to relax, have fun and be kind of in that space of not worrying about anything.”

Georgette Jowdy brings Red Barn Lavender products to the Bellingham Farmers Market each Saturday. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.

Red Barn Lavender is open to the public Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. June through August, depending on the growing season. The Red Barn Lavender store can be visited off season by request. Call ahead for this season’s hours. Red Barn Lavender products can also be purchased at the Bellingham Farmers Market or online at www.redbarnlavender.com.

And the fun doesn’t stop after summer’s end. Bridget plans to offer wreath-making classes in November as well as guest writer and artist workshops in the Glass House located on the farm.

Red Barn Lavender
3106 Thornton Road
Ferndale, WA
360-393-7057

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