Let’s celebrate the one year anniversary of the knit rope’s arrival at Bellingham Bay with this special exhibit including photographs of the project, the hose reel and lots of handmade cozies and community. In conjunction with the show, artist Christen Mattix will also be offering 2 Cozy Bees at Social Fabric and NW Handspun Yarn to create whimsical cozies which will be randomly placed throughout downtown Bellingham as free gifts.
The show runs now through August 31, with Social Fabric Hours Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
When I first moved to Bellingham, I made it a habit of driving around trying to get lost. I figured the best way to get a handle on my new surroundings would be to pick a new road and see what I could find — and hope I could figure out how to get back home again. What I didn’t realize was that during all this driving, I was actually mapping out my very own self-guided cheese and wine tour.
On one of my very first excursions, I stumbled upon farm stands, cheese stores, and breathtaking views. When friends would come visit I would take them on the same drives (minus the confused U-Turns and brief moments of panic of my solo explorations). We would grab some cheese and fruit and either take our loot back home for a luxurious dinner or find a good spot for a picnic if we happened to be lucky enough for a sun break.
If you haven’t taken advantage of the many farms, dairies, wineries and distilleries Whatcom County has to offer, you’ve been missing out on an easy and inexpensive way to be a tourist in your own backyard. Summer is a natural time to DIY your own self-guided tour of Whatcom County’s dairies, but this can be done any time of year. A few tips to ensure a great tour:
Keep yourself from feeling too overwhelmed (and from getting cheese overload) with nor more than 3–5 stops in a day.
Make sure you mix it up a bit: You’ll want cheese and wine, but don’t forget to take advantage of farm stands and markets when in season for a well-rounded meal.
Bring buddies, or go it alone: A self-guided tour can be just as fun as a solo adventure as it is with friends and family. Need a day on the road alone? Treat yourself!
Whether you feel like venturing out into rural Whatcom County or staying put in the city, these tours are based on where to find cheese (the most important part of any meal) and include ideas for other easy-to-find stops along the way.
Bellingham
Community Food Co-op
If you are crunched for time but want to get a variety of local cheeses, you don’t have to go farther than the Community Food Co-op. The Downtown and Cordata locations each have their own cheese specialists with regular hours, and they’re knowledgeable and friendly. They have personal relationships with the local farmers and can speak from experience when you have questions about Whatcom County cheeses.
The Community Food Co-op’s downtown and Cordato locations are in no short supply of local cheese. Photo courtesy: Community Food Co-op.
“I encourage people to ask for help and suggestions,” says the Downtown Co-op’s Stephanie Willard, my new go-to cheese expert. “It’s one of my favorite parts of my job, suggesting new cheeses and helping people find the perfect one for them. I love food and have lots of ideas on how to prepare different things with cheese. I usually have a few recipes posted near the case with simple recipes for the seasonal cheeses.”
There’s also a container in the cheese case of snack cheeses that they try to keep under $4, so it’s a great way to try something new without breaking the bank.
Cheesemakers without retail stores can be found at the Co-op. Check out Ferndale Farmstead’s artisanal Italian style cheeses (try their Fontina!) and Ring of Trees sheep’s milk cheeses while you’re there.
You can also grab a Washington Cheese Association cheese map near the cheese cases at either Co-op location.
“Most of the dairies are really close to one another,” said Stephanie. “It would be feasible — and delicious — to stop by all of them!” Just make sure you note which dairies have retail shops before you head out for a visit. Not that I made that mistake…
Not sure what kind of cheese to try? Ask a Co-op staff member for a recommendation and you won’t be disappointed. Photo courtesy: Community Food Co-op.
If you want to try a variety of treats but don’t have time to leave town, I suggest stopping by:
Chuckanut Bay Distillery for a sampling of one of their small batch spirits. Pair their gin or vodka with a fresh lemonade and club soda for an easygoing summer spritzer.
Touring on the weekend? A stop by Bellingham Farmers Market is a no-brainer for fresh fruits and produce.
Downtown Co-op
1220 N. Forest St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-734-8158
Cordata Co-op
315 Westerly Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
360-734-8158
Whatcom County
Twin Sisters Creamery
A variety of cheeses — both local and imported — can be purchased at the Twin Sisters Creamery’s Cheese Shop, located on Portal Way in Ferndale.
“Twin Sisters Creamery is new up in Ferndale, and they make such a delicious raw milk blue,” said Stephanie. “They have a super cute cheese shop with lots of other good things.” You can usually find cheeses from other local dairies in their case (including nearby Pleasant Valley). It looks like they’ll even be adding cheese classes soon.
Appel Farms was the very first cheese shop I ever stumbled upon. Back then, their tiny shop was tucked away down a long gravel driveway, but they’ve recently expanded their operations to a brand new store with gift shop and cafe.
Appel Farms offers a wide variety of cheeses, from cheddars and goudas to feta, quark, and paneer. You can try samples at their full-service cheese counter and have them cut a wedge just for you, or pick-up something from their case of grab-n-go cheeses. They even have a discount bin of perfectly good cheeses that weren’t quite up to their cosmetic standards.
Appel Farms
6605 Northwest Dr.
Ferndale, WA 98248
360-312-1431
Monday–Friday: 6:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m–5:00 p.m.
Pleasant Valley Dairy
This family operated dairy and rustic cheese shop is definitely worth stopping by if you’re interested in raw milk cheeses.
“They have the most delicious gouda ever,” Stephanie said. “It has been, since the Temple Bar started their cheese plate for happy hour, one of my all-time favorites.”
Pleasant Valley Dairy
6804 Kickerville Rd
Ferndale, WA 98248
360-366-5398
Call ahead for hours.
While you’re exploring all things cheesy in the county, you might want to check out:
BelleWood Acres in Lynden is a great stop for apples in the fall, but I love checking out their distillery any time of year (their Eau de Vie is tasty in cocktails or on its own). You can also arrange farm tours.
Fresh produce, fruits and flowers at Boxx Berry Farm in Ferndale. I recommend their U-Pick dahlia’s to bring a little color back home.
Whatcom Community College’s Corrinne Sande has been selected as the 2016 Pacific Regional Faculty Member Award winner by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). Ms. Sande is the director of computer sciences and information systems/CyberWatch West at Whatcom and is a renowned national leader in cybersecurity education.
For the past 17 years, Ms. Sande has provided exceptional leadership in growing WCC’s Computer Information System (CIS) program. As the lead faculty member in CIS, she gained national recognition for the College in cybersecurity education. Due to her leadership and vision, WCC is one of only a few dozen community colleges nationwide named a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense 2-Year Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. WCC is a founding member of CyberWatch West, one of only four cybersecurity education centers in the nation, established by the National Science Foundation. Ms. Sande has played a key role in WCC’s successful awards of over $9 million in state and local grants, too.
Whatcom Community College’s Director of Computer Sciences, Corrinne Sande, has been selected as Outstanding Regional Faculty Member by Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). Photo courtesy: Whatcom Community College.
Through Ms. Sande’s commitment to continued cybersecurity training and certifications, new fields of educational career options have opened for students at WCC. Graduates from the CIS program experience almost 100-percent employment. Her dedication to her students includes beginning the student-run technical help desk on campus as well as securing internship opportunities for real-world experience.
“The impressive growth and success of Whatcom’s CIS program is a direct result of Ms. Sande’s leadership in this high-demand and critically important field,” WCC President Kathi Hiyane-Brown said. “Her vision guided WCC to become one of the nation’s leading community colleges in cybersecurity education. Students always come first with her: she makes herself available to her students for extra help, and has devised several ways to help students understand the often technical and intricate aspects of working with computer networks. We hold Ms. Sande in the highest regard here at Whatcom.”
A lifelong learner, she has integrated cutting-edge technology into the CIS program to support evolving industry needs, such as control systems security, which protects essential infrastructure services such as electricity, water and communications.
Ms. Sande partnered with Western Washington University faculty to develop one of a very few 2+2 programs in the nation, whereby Western accepts all 91 WCC credits – including 61 professional-technical credits – toward a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. Her acknowledged expertise was also critical to the College’s successful application to offer a baccalaureate of applied science (BAS) degree in IT networking, which will launch fall 2017.
She received WCC’s Faculty Excellence Award in 2012. In 2014, regional technology industry leaders selected her as the recipient of the Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington Technology Influencer Award.
Ms. Sande will be recognized at an Oct. 7 ceremony in New Orleans. ACCT is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community colleges in the United States.
The Whatcom County Down Syndrome Outreach Buddy Walk® encourages participants to take strides toward acceptance and Inclusion for people with down syndrome. Photo courtesy: The Arc of Whatcom County.
The 13th Annual Whatcom County Buddy Walk® will take place at the Fairhaven Village Green on Saturday, October 1. More than 400 people are expected to attend the event, which is one of over 250 Walks across the country this fall to raise awareness and funds for programs that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. Registration is free for individuals with Down syndrome and children 5 and under. For ages 6 – 12 registration is $7, and adults are $12. All registrations include lunch and a t-shirt. Additional t-shirts are $8, lunch only is $7, and raffle tickets are $2.
The National Buddy Walk® Program is supported by Emmy-Award Winning Imagination Movers, who lend their talent by appearing in the new national public service announcement.
Individuals across the country will walk together on October 1 to promote Down Syndrome awareness. Photo courtesy: The Arc of Whatcom County.
“Buddy Walks are fantastic events where smiles are shared, hugs are free, games are played and most importantly — footsteps are heard as we all walk together to support people with Down syndrome,” said Imagination Mover Scott Durbin.
The National Buddy Walk® Program welcomes participants of all ages and abilities. The goals of the program are to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome and to positively influence local and national policy and practice. Last year alone, Buddy Walk® events raised more than $12.1 million to benefit national advocacy initiatives, as well as local programs and services. All funds raised through the National Buddy Walk® Program support both local and national programs.
The Whatcom County Buddy Walk® will feature the local band Out of the Ashes, which is comprised of musicians with developmental disabilities. There will also be a catered lunch, raffle, silent auction, face painting, games for all ages, and additional entertainment by special guest performers. To learn more, please visit www.buddywalk.org, or contact Jessika at The Arc.
The Buddy Walk is co-sponsored by Bellingham Parks & Recreation and made possible by the generous contributions of many local organizations and businesses, in addition to private donations. Our generous donors include Barlean’s, PeaceHealth and WECU.
All in the family — from left to right, Paul Moceri, Tony Moceri and Dominic Moceri. Photo courtesy: Moceri Construction.
When asked about his father’s company, Moceri Construction, Tony Moceri offered up the business’ definition of sustainable design. “Our idea of sustainable building is building homes that last.”
Whether Moceri Construction builds palatial homes overlooking Mother Nature or tiny homes constructed to reflect changes in the way people live, the building team offers the best possible service. Customer service is the key to success and it differs with each client, explained Tony.
“We give the best value possible, which includes fine woodworking, well-built homes, houses that stay within budget, and energy efficiency.” The company’s management style revolves around clear communication and staying on schedule — everything a client asks for when employing a construction company to build or renovate a home.
Signature woodwork of Moceri Construction is evident at a glance. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Paul Moceri started the construction company 42 years ago and even at that time, Moceri committed himself to building green with a focus on alternative energy. He built his first passive solar house on his property in the Mount Baker foothills in 1984.
Paul Moceri also built a business centered on community. “One of father’s first projects was renovating a home on Mosquito Lake Road.” The family who hired Paul befriended him and now they enjoy a multigenerational friendship. That’s not surprising since Moceri Construction represents a family business. Paul and his wife co-own the business. Their son Dominic handles the role of project manager, while Tony handles office management. Employees include long-time family friends, and long-time project managers and crew members have also come on board as surrogate family members.
This familial warmth comes through during a visit to the Moceri Construction headquarters. Often a small pack of dogs wander through the offices located in an Arts and Crafts house in the heart of Old Fairhaven. A sense of community lingers, too, since Moceri Construction employed 30 Mount Baker High School grads during its 42 years in business. It currently employs eight Mount Baker High School grads. The construction company focuses on local clients in Island, Whatcom, and Skagit counties and serves residential, non-profit and commercial clients. Look no further than La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza, Fiamma Burger, Mambo Italiana Café, Yorky’s Market on Alabama, and Pickford Cinema for examples.
House designed by Domistyle and built by Moceri Construction. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
While we could describe most of the Moceri constructed homes as modern craftsman in natural settings, the company constructed its first tiny house in 2015. In fact, the square footage ranges from 180- to 19,000-square-feet with a 40,000-square-foot synagogue in the works. According to Tony, the company built the tiny home in two months using Forest Sustainable Certified wood products. They bought the blueprint from Tumbleweed Homes (famous among tiny house builders).
Since that time, Tony has developed an interest in tiny houses. He and his brother Dominic teamed up to design and build a second tiny home for the same client located in the Mount Baker foothills. While Whatcom County zoning laws and building codes frown upon off-grid living and tiny houses (the current minimum size is 600 square feet), the tiny house client plans to create models to promote tiny houses and she plans to rent them out with AirBnB.
The first tiny house appeared in Sustainable Connections Sustainable Design Conference during the fall of 2015 where it turned heads. Beautifully crafted woodwork, a fully functional kitchen and bathroom along with a sleeping loft dispelled the classic images of the off-grid models with bucket toilets filled with peat moss. Set on a trailer (wheels), the house sports a covered porch among its many enticing features. When walking into it, the scent of freshly cut wood greeted my nose, and images of classic tiny homes tumbled from my brain as I imagined the possibilities.
Moceri Construction has served diverse clients over the decades including retired school teachers, high-level professionals, authors, and young families. The current trend revolves around clients looking for age-in-place sensitive builders. Moceri can also boast returning clients with La Fiamma Fire Wood Pizza and Fiamma Burger coming to mind. And what’s not to love about this local family-owned business that takes pride in their work and offers the best value for the buck?
Moceri goes small with its first tiny house. Photo credit: Patricia Herlevi.
Tony’s sense of community doesn’t end at the office. He coaches team sports at Mount Baker High School. And he boasts a diverse list of sports including track, cross-country, basketball and baseball. His past employment ventures include co-owning a salon with his wife, real estate investing, and a screen printing business. Not bad for a man who earned a history degree.
In the end, it’s about taking pride in one’s work. “I find happy customers, happy team members — extremely talented people taking pride in their work — and repeat clients most gratifying.”
Tiny or palatial, Moceri built homes are made to last.
Marketing efforts are the cornerstone of every business, and yet in a world filled with information and ads around every corner, consumers have never been blinder to traditional forms of marketing.
Content marketing is a way to reverse that trend.
While consumers may mute the television or change the radio station during commercials, or close a pop-up ad online without even thinking about it, content marketing is different — it is a unique form of marketing that benefits not only the business, but also the consumer. Consumers not only tend to read content marketing pieces, they often enjoy them, at least when it’s done right.
Content marketing revolves around content — articles written about a business, person, event or place that offers something relevant and interesting to the reader. In the case of WhatcomTalk and its sister properties, these articles focus on positive stories in the community. We believe commerce is an integral part of any community and we aim to become part of the word-of-mouth network that helps promote our amazing local businesses.
When a business works with us, we pair the business with one of our writers, all of which live, work and play in the same communities they write about. The writer then works closely with the business to craft a story to share that business’ services or news with our readers. Want to share an overview of what you’re all about? Or a piece about a specific service you offer or an upcoming event? Or highlight a story about someone who used your service? Content marketing is the perfect avenue for all of these. Stories are completely customized to what you’d like to share.
This article about Village Books’ retiree Robert Gruen is a great example of content marketing. Rather than highlighting a product that Village Books sells, this article tells the story of long-time Village Booke employee Robert Gruen on the cusp of his retirement. It’s not a commercial; it’s a meaningful piece of content that connects with the community.
In this article, WhatcomTalk tells the story of long-time Village Books employee Robert Gruen. Photo courtesy: Amy Blackwood.
Our writers understand what’s important to their communities, and when they write about a local business, that local expertise helps them further connect a story to the community, whether they’re writing about a farmers market, a funeral home, bus service or a local service provider, like a chiropractor, dentist or insurance agent.
The result is an article that helps to promote the business, but also to educate local readers about great things to do, services or people in the community around them.
Once a story is complete, that’s where content marketing really shines. We publish the content to our Community Social Network, and then share it with our social media subscribers. Content will reach hundreds to thousands of local readers through these efforts alone. But after that, content stays on WhatcomTalk forever. Customers access the static link and use the story repeatedly for social media, email campaigns or other outreach.
Readers also continually will find the story through search or social media shares, allowing the stories to live on long after they’re published, too.
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.
For 100 years, the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce has supported and worked for the Bellingham and Whatcom County business community. Photo courtesy: Jack Carver/Whatcom Museum Photo Archives.
“Throughout our 100-year history, the chamber has always worked to improve conditions for our Bellingham and Whatcom County business community,” says Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Guy Occhiogrosso. “It has always been our initiative to grow healthy businesses, attract quality employers and a talented workforce, and truly help build a community with a strong sense of place.”
Laying a Strong Foundation
In 1903, the Fairhaven Chamber of Commerce became the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce when the surrounding townships of Fairhaven and Whatcom were consolidated and formed the city of Bellingham. The Bellingham Chamber of Commerce’s first president, Lin Hadley, took the reins in 1904, taking on the task of becoming the voice of a growing business community.
1956 — Bellingham/Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce Secretary checks a Geiger counter with a man from the Atomic Energy Commission. Photo courtesy: Jack Carver/Whatcom Museum Photo Archives.
The early days of the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce saw it function more as a government entity with its focus on key issues such as tolls, roads and the ferries. They organized the Civilian Defense Committee which was prepared to respond to local emergencies including Geiger counter training by the Atomic Energy Commission. The chamber also served as the Better Business Bureau before there was a BBB. With a small government in the county, this local chamber of commerce was definitely the go-to organization for anyone nearby looking for information and support.
Even in those early days, the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce always held economic development high on its priority list.
The focus back in the 1900’s was to attract new residents to the area to fill vacant jobs within the mining community. This effort would also go a long way in building a successful and thriving business community.
It was in 1928 that the chamber advocated for the continuation of the ferry service between the San Juan Islands and Whatcom County. Also during this time, the Aviation Committee began its exploration into attracting “aeroplanes” to the county, fully aware that future prosperity would possibly come to the community.
Over the years, the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce continued to ensure that new businesses, new industry and new growth were a constant theme.
Ferries, Planes and Automobiles
During the 1950s, through the efforts of the Airport Committee and in cooperation with the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the first airshow was sponsored for the purposes of gathering information about customs practices. As a result of that air show, enough information was gathered and a bill was introduced to the United States Congress to provide that certain aircraft may travel between the US and Canada without requiring the owners or operators to reimburse the US for extra compensation paid to custom officers and employees. This bill, HR5501, was passed in 1957, paving the way for improved cross-border commerce.
The 1957 Air Show, organized by the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce and the Jaycees. Photo courtesy: Jack Carver/Whatcom Museum Photo Archives.
In 1966 the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce lobbied that the Alaskan Marine Highway place its ferry terminal to the lower 48 states in Bellingham. Those efforts paid off in 1989 when the new Alaska terminal debuted in Fairhaven, bringing enormous exposure and tourism potential to the area. Part of that effort meant the mailing of 20,000 brochures to Alaska residents, communicating the benefits of Bellingham and the placement of the terminal.
Another major event spearheaded by the chamber involved the creation of the Enhanced Drivers License. Under the leadership of former chamber president Ken Oplinger, the passing of the Enhanced Drivers License paved the way for a more streamlined approach to efficiently cross from the United States into Canada and back again.
With each new president, the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce has shifted its focus here and there, but the original objectives of economic development and community and business advocacy have always remained at the forefront of this organization’s mission.
Many people believe that the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce is supported by local tax dollars, but this is not the case. The fact of the matter is that the Chamber of Commerce is an independent nonprofit organization solely supported by member dues and funds raised during chamber-hosted events.
Continuing Traditions, Adapting for the Future
Under the leadership of President/CEO Guy Occhiogrosso, the priorities of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce have remained focused on the original intent of the chamber, with activities addressing the current issues of homelessness, accessible housing and the lack of affordable housing.
Through the Whatcom County Jobs Summit of 2012, community leaders came together to discuss how to increase the number of jobs in the county and which industries should be specifically targeted.
1955 —The Bellingham/Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce working with the US Chamber of Commerce on a “Program of Work,” similar to our current Jobs Summit. Photo courtesy: Jack Carver/Whatcom Museum Photo Archives.
That discussion continues today with emphasis on identifying opportunities to close the gap between family wage jobs and the cost of living in the area. One question that is often at the forefront of chamber discussions is: What types of jobs and industries should we be attracting to build the community and provide opportunities for business? What industries could we attract that will help us retain graduates from WWU, WCC and BTC?
Economic Gardening, a term referring to finding ways for current local businesses to grow and prosper, is also a current focus of the chamber, as it is as important to attract the new as it is to grow the existing.
While the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce has been a part of some history-making events, its dedication to a strong business community continues to be at the core of this organization. After all, when local businesses thrive, so does the community.
Raise a glass at Mount Baker Theatre. Photo courtesy: Aslan Brewing Company.
During the heat of summer, few beverages are more refreshing than a cold beer. Whatcom County offers no shortage of summer-centric suds, with 10 breweries serving up the goods county-wide. So next time you need to beat the heat, cool down and quench your thirst with summertime suds from these Whatcom County breweries.
Atwood Ales
New on the brewing scene this year, Atwood Ales is a true farmhouse brewery based in Blaine. Operating on a 100-year old family farm, Atwood uses estate-grown ingredients in their small batch brews whenever possible. There’s no public tasting room, but you can find their unique farmhouse beers at the Bellingham Farmers Market and various establishments throughout Whatcom County.
Co-owner and Head Brewer Joshua Atwood Smith is excited to share their seasonal saison, Mos. “We call it Mos (say it like Mos Def), after my wife, Monica, who I sometimes refer to as ‘Mo.’ She loves saisons,”Joshua explains. The current version of Mos is brewed with 10% barley grown on the Smith family farm. Another version of Mos will be released soon, featuring 100% estate grown Tettnang hops. “Both of these versions of Mos are light, fruity, spicy and very effervescent,” Joshua says.
Atwood Ales Mos Saison is available in bottles and limited draft around Whatcom County. Photo courtesy: Atwood Ales.
Another Atwood Ale to watch for is their yet-to-be-named blonde ale.“It’s been ‘kettle soured’ with a blend of lactobacillus bacteria to give it just a very light lemony, yogurty flavor across the sides of your tongue,” Joshua explains. “Expect it to be a crushable, light, refreshing beer with a bit more complexity than a standard blonde.”
Wander Brewing
Wander Brewing offers plenty of space to kick back and relax. Cool off in their huge, airy warehouse taproom, or step outside for sunshine, food trucks, and picnic tables. And while their multi-gold medal award winning Wild Warehouse is long gone come summer, Wander offers up a fine selection of year-round beers and seasonals to keep their customers coming back for more.
Owner Colleen Kuehl suggests trying Wander’s recently released Black Currant Millie. This ruby-colored American Sour “has big fruit forward notes of black currants with an assertive sourness from the use of lactobacillus,” Colleen says. “Perfect for summer weather!”
Wander Black Currant Millie is perfect for summer weather. Photo courtesy: wander Ales.
Additional warm weather favorites on tap at Wander include Wanderale Belgian Blonde, Uncommon California Common, and Doglost Pilsner.
Aslan Brewing
Aslan Brewing is always a hot spot during summer. Drive by any sunny afternoon, and their covered outdoor seating is sure to be packed with happy imbibers. A full menu is available for foodies, ranging from salads and savory bowls to burgers and tacos. Find a spot at the picnic tables and try one of Aslan’s refreshing, organic summer beers for yourself.
New this year, Aslan has teamed up with Itek Energy and Western Solar to create Summer Solar Ale. Described as “zippy” and “bright,” Summer Solar Ale is a fun summer beer for a great cause. This Pink Grapefruit Witbier was brewed to help raise funds for a solar panel for Lydia Place. Once installed, the solar panel will save Lydia Place over $53,000 in energy savings and rebates over 25 years.
Aslan’s Summer Solar Ale. Cheers to a good cause! Photo courtesy: Aslan Brewing.
Also on tap at Aslan this season are summer specials Disco Lemonade, I Am Gruit, and Schweinaversary Pale Ale.
Kulshan Brewing
With two Kulshan Brewing locations in town, it can be tough to choose which one to visit. Fortunately, both provide excellent beer, food trucks, and outdoor seating to soak up the sun. Either way, you can’t go wrong with Kulshan.
This summer, Kulshan is collaborating with Wander Brewing on a special Bellingham Beer Week brew. This Radler-inspired fruited lager will be made with local ingredients, including Skagit Malting Company malts and 1,200 pounds of Whatcom County raspberries. According to Kulshan’s Events Coordinator and Social Media Manager, Paige Godfrey, “The finished product is a light, ‘highly crushable’ lager, with a gorgeous ruby red color that lends itself to a raspberry aroma and tart finish.” Watch for it on tap at Kulshan and Wander during Bellingham Beer Week; six-pack cans will also be available.
Bike to beer at Kulshan Brewery, where you’ll find Full 90 Session Ale and a fruited lager collaboration for Bellingham Beer Week. Photo credit: Brandon Fralic.
Paige also recommends Kulshan’s seasonal Full 90 Session Ale, a light, crisp, summer quencher.
According to the beer’s description — written by Paige and brewmaster Tom Eastwood — “We like to believe this brew gives you the strength to fight for your club for the Full 90-minute contest.”
Boundary Bay Brewery
A long-standing community hub, Boundary Bay Brewery is Bellingham’s oldest brewery. Diners can choose from the adults-only taproom (best for happy hour), the family-friendly restaurant and deck, or the beer garden BBQ. Wherever you end up, you’ll want a beer to wash it all down.
Try Boundary Bay’s refreshing Amarillo Single Hop Pale Ale, or their crisp, classic Pilsner this summer. Photo courtesy: Boundary Bay Brewery.
This summer, Boundary Bay is excited about the 19th beer in their single hop series, Amarillo Single Hop Pale. Each beer in this single hop series is brewed with the same malt recipe, but only one hop is used throughout the entire brewing process. According to the beer’s official description, “This allows you to discover the essence of the Amarillo hop, which is a medium alpha-content hop with a strong citrus flavor and flowery, orange aroma.”
Boundary Bay’s marketing and media manager, Jonathan Kull, also recommends the summer seasonal Pilsner. “It’s super crisp and perfect for the hot days ahead,” Jonathan says.
WhatcomTalk is a digital media company based in Bellingham. We specialize in targeted marketing using our proven Integrated Branding Platform to educate marketers on advertising options to Whatcom County readers.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Business Development professional interested in joining a fast growing organization. WhatcomTalk offers an uncapped commission plan plus base salary with high earnings potential. If you strive to be the best in your field, value a flexible schedule, desire a team oriented and friendly work environment, we want to hear from you.
Responsibilities
Maintain and increase client base.
Accomplish a set number of sales calls to targeted referral sources.
Develop relationships with community referral base to meet targeted financial objective and annual budget.
Develop and implement market plan that is consistent with market analysis and reflects current potential referral sources.
Responsible for census development through use of marketing programs with both existing and new referral sources.
Requirements
At least 3 years experience in sales
Proven ability to grow a customer base
Energetic, fun personality
Previous experience working with a sales team to meet goals
Compensation
Competitive compensation package includes base salary and commission
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.
“I enjoy convalescence,” Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once said. “It is the part that makes the illness worthwhile.”
Good luck convincing a doctor of that, though. After surgery, your care team isn’t likely to let you get away with much downtime.
Absolutely critical to successful recovery from surgery is a period of rehabilitation to restore movement and function. When it comes to recovery, extended bed rest is rarely good.
Christian Health Care Center, located in Lynden, provides on-site physical therapy so its patients can rest and rehabilitate after surgery, at the same time. Photo courtesy: Christian Health Care Center.
That’s why Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) in Lynden provides on-site physical therapy, partnering with Infinity Rehab, to provide high-quality, focused rehabilitation services to its patients. Their physical therapists work to help patients restore lost movement and function by assisting with basic mobility and balance, pain relief, strength restoration and exercise.
Let’s say you have hip or knee surgery scheduled soon at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. Once you’re discharged, there will be no convalescing (sorry, Mr. Shaw). Doctors will prescribe a regimen of physical therapy to help you strengthen your joints and get you back to normal.
A couple of weeks of focused inpatient therapy care can help speed up the healing process while also easing the burden on family members, who won’t have to drive you to appointments, help you with personal care, or fix you breakfast. Nursing professionals are available 24 hours a day at CHCC, meaning you’re never without assistance.
And because you’ll have more time with your therapist than you would during outpatient rehab, healing and recovery times can be much faster. At an in-patient rehab center, you’ll focus on rehab and recovery (and, yes, a little rest), working with physical and occupational therapists on a regular, consistent schedule.
Transition services post-rehabilitation are also available for interested patients. Photo courtesy: Christian Health Care Center.
After all that hard work, when you’re ready to return home, CHCC also offers transition support to help ensure you’re set up for success.
Surgery is tough, and recovery is no picnic either. You should focus on the hard work of rehabilitation, and allow trained professionals to take care of the other important stuff, like meals, medication management, nursing care and support.
Kevin Wiebe is a Ferndale native. Although he graduated from Ferndale High School, he admits he wasn't a model student. His teachers and administrators...
