Thanks to a combination of efforts from our customers and partnering with other Northwest utilities, the natural gas system has stabilized and Puget Sound Energy is beginning to return to normal operations following the rupture of the Enbridge natural gas pipeline Tuesday evening in British Columbia, Canada.
We are now reaching out to business customers who curtailed their usage to let them know that they may resume normal gas use. While our calls for conservation are over for both business and residential customers, saving energy is encouraged. Tips can be found here.
Efforts made by our residential and business customers were critical in helping to stabilize the system. Although PSE is returning to normal operations, we will continue to monitor the natural gas system as Enbridge works on their supply pipeline.
While the natural gas supply was impacted due to this incident, there is no damage to the PSE gas system or safety hazard to our customers from the pipeline failure in Canada. There was no loss of electric or natural gas service as a result of this incident.
Riannon Bardsley (right), executive director of NWYS, stands with Hollie Brown (left), Peoples Bank marketing manager, inside 22 North. The two women, along with their organizations, are collaborating to find solutions to youth homelessness. Photo credit: Matt Benoit.
In the last year, Northwest Youth Services (NWYS) provided nearly 1,000 minors and young adults experiencing homelessness with food, shelter and supplies. Since 1976, the Whatcom County-based nonprofit has been a doorway to safety and pathway to progress for thousands of at-risk, runaway and homeless youth.
A new apartment building in Bellingham, called “22 North,” is NWYS’s latest housing project. It’s slated to open in mid-October. Photo credit: Matt Benoit.
Through a series of quality programs, and partnerships with local organizations like Peoples Bank, NWYS continues their quest to end youth homelessness. Peoples Bank works with NWYS to provide sponsorship and financial resources, as well as internal leadership.
Hollie Brown, Peoples Bank’s marketing manager, is also a NWYS board member. Brown says she didn’t understand the scope of youth homelessness locally until becoming involved with the organization.
“The image in my head originally was pretty stereotypical of an old man huddled in a corner,” Brown says. “I wasn’t picturing a 16-year-old not having a home. When we have a better understanding of the causes of homelessness and who it affects, we can do more to help.
Reaching Out
Since 1976, NWYS has been providing resources and solutions to at-risk, runaway and homeless youths. Photo credit: Matt Benoit.
Riannon Bardsley, NWYS’s executive director since 2009, says Peoples Bank has been an excellent local leader in how for-profit institutions can partner with nonprofits, benefiting each other and the communities they serve. The partnership has inspired Bardsley by showing that NWYS is not alone in shining a light on the underprivileged.
“Homelessness has lots of different layers to it,” she says. “Young people are experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County and Skagit County. They’re our kids’ friends, they’re students, they’re young people who’ve experienced a lot of trauma, and gone in and out of foster care. It’s complex and dynamic.”
Some youth become homeless while escaping a domestic violence situation, either with a romantic partner or between parents. Many young people encounter multiple failures in traditional education systems or foster care, and many more are affected by mental illness and substance abuse.
And while adolescence in general is a time of emotional vulnerability, Brown points out that vulnerability is often vastly compounded for those who find themselves on the streets.
Riannon Bardsley (left), executive director of NWYS, stands with Hollie Brown (right), Peoples Bank marketing manager, inside 22 North. The two women, along with their organizations, are collaborating to find solutions to youth homelessness. Photo credit: Matt Benoit.
“They need that developmental help,” she says. “Can you imagine being 16 and not having parents, or not having somebody guiding you on where you should be going or in your decision-making?”
That’s why NWYS provides a variety of support services, beginning with general street outreach. NWYS outreach members work to find homeless youth between the ages of 13 and 24 and offer them snacks, showers, a place to rest and access to further services.
These services include behavioral health support for mental illness and chemical dependency, which are the leading factors in youth homelessness and incarceration. Last year, NWYS received a three-year funding commitment from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The funding allows NWYS to partner with community-based agencies, ensuring in-crisis youth have their behavioral health needs met in a comprehensive manner.
NWYS also offers vocational readiness, which helps participants plan and achieve employment and education goals. This includes one-on-one vocational support meetings, a “We Grow” partnership with Growing Alliances and a Youth Jobs Initiative.
Other programs include the long-running Teen Court, provided through a partnership with the Whatcom County Superior Court. The program gives juvenile offenders alternatives to juvenile detention and allows them to be judged by a jury of their peers. NWYS’s Queer Youth Project provides an outlet for the LGBTQ community, which is largely represented among homeless youth. Services include family reunification counseling and youth safety and resiliency training.
Home Is Where the Help Is
Inside the entrance to “22 North,” construction is almost complete. The new building, a collaboration between NWYS and the Opportunity Council, will provide 20 homeless young adults with housing and on-site support services. Photo credit: Matt Benoit.
And then there are NWYS’s housing programs. Emergency housing provides short-term lodging up to 90 days for both minors and young adults, while transitional and permanent housing programs provide affordable solutions for young adults.
NWYS is making a major impact through “22 North,” a new multi-story apartment building providing supportive housing for homeless young adults. The building, located at 1022 North State Street, is slated to open in mid-October.
“It’s a really cool, unique partnership with the Opportunity Council,” Bardsley says of the project. “We get to provide housing to 20 young people who are unable to find housing anywhere else in Whatcom County.”
The building will feature 40 studio apartments split between NWYS and the OC. It will have many of the aforementioned support services on-site, helping these young adults on their journey to independence and well-being.
An inability to find housing is an especially difficult obstacle to overcome. While minors are legally unable to sign a lease, young adults face different hurdles. They may not have a co-signer, a credit history or the ability to afford a security deposit. Combine that with a potential lack of understanding about leasing contracts, and many landlords simply won’t take a chance on them when another applicant has more financial stability.
A project like 22 North is especially critical in Bellingham, where the rental vacancy rate is below one percent. On average, local renters spend nearly 42 percent of their income on rent alone. Bardsley says NWYS currently has around 100 young adults on a waiting list for housing. The organization is still identifying the best candidates for 22 North housing, and Bardsley says many of those already selected have struggled with homelessness for at least half a decade.
“We’re really going to get to provide housing to some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities who can’t find housing anywhere else,” she says.
The Sweetest Reward
Riannon Bardsley (right), executive director of NWYS, stands with Hollie Brown (left), Peoples Bank marketing manager, inside 22 North. The two women, along with their organizations, are collaborating to find solutions to youth homelessness. Photo credit: Matt Benoit.
As a former NWYS case manager, Bardsley occasionally runs into the people she’s helped. Recently, she bumped into two of them in a single week. A full decade removed from needing homeless resources, both stopped her to share how proud they were.
“They were grateful for what Northwest Youth Services did,” she says. “They saw it as a place where they got to take a different path.”
“Every human has an opportunity to contribute in a really positive way to their community,” she says.
“I appreciate how Peoples Bank’s values are based on doing the right thing – and that means encouraging employees to volunteer and give back,” says Brown. “For me, offering my time and marketing expertise to NWYS as a board member is the right thing to do. It’s important that we bring more attention to the organization and the young people who need help in our community.”
Anyone seeking to donate time or money to NWYS can contact Bardsley or Jenn Daly, development director for NWYS. Additional information is available at their website and they’re always looking for more volunteers.
“Homelessness is a product of our culture,” says Bardsley. “We are so grateful for the support of Peoples Bank, and need everybody to participate in order to actually turn the corner and make a difference.”
Kevin Coleman finds meaning in the smallest drop of water. Photo courtesy: SpringHill Suites.
You’re in a space with mod decor and a blown glass sculptural installation. A full bar. A patio with a view. It’s not surprising a venue like this would host live music and local art. But is it surprising that it’s in SpringHill Suites? This fall marks the fifth anniversary of the hotel’s stay in Bellingham. To celebrate, they’re hosting their annual ArtNight and making it their most engaging event so far.
Jessie Chandler’s dreamy and colorful work will be available for sale. Photo courtesy: Springhill Suites.
On the evening of Thursday, October 25, SpringHill Suites’ lobby will transform into an interactive art experience. Mingle among the colorful work of their six showcased local artists, who encompass a variety of disciplines. Or, if you’re feeling inspired, try your hand at their table of provided art supplies and craft an impromptu masterpiece. Don’t be shy, there will be ample opportunity to boogie down with a live performance by local musician, Ava Sakowski.
The event is a great opportunity to pick up a holiday gift for a friend whose walls could use a bit more color. The works will be for sale at an affordable price point to encourage people to take them home, and support a good cause.
In addition to supporting local artists, guests can also donate to SaveArt! It’s an unfortunate reality that tight school budgets often target art programs as they trim their expenses. The money raised at ArtNight through SaveArt! helps alleviate the need for art supplies in these classrooms. SpringHill Suites wants to ensure children don’t lose their access to opportunities for creative expression in an educational setting. For the third year, proceeds will go to Cordata Elementary School.
Suzanne Gusukuma of Lightening Tree Designs uses a unique method of imprinting with electricity. See a video demonstration of her work during ArtNight! Photo courtesy: Springhill Suites.
Carolyn Gill has been with SpringHill Suites for four years and is their ArtNight Curator. Talking with her made it apparent how excited she was about the event and, more broadly, about what SpringHill Suites has to offer. “We want to be involved in the community in any way we can,” she says. “There are so many opportunities to experience art and live performances here, and we feel it’s important to help support that.”
ArtNight is just one of the quarterly events SpringHill Suites hosts to support the arts. They have a full “Art of Local” program through Marriott, which is actually a requirement for all SpringHill Suites Hotels. Each brand within the Marriott family has its own flavor, so to speak. SpringHill Suites happens to be their ambassador to local craft, food and visual arts. They organize events that aim to connect guests with their host community by celebrating local culture.
Art Night is the perfect chance to bring home a piece of art that will enliven your space, as well as support our local schools. This exciting painting is by Jessie Chandler. Photo courtesy: Springhill Suites.
Gill took a recent trip to Marriott headquarters, and came away thoroughly impressed. She felt they really cared about connecting their hotels to the communities they were in, not just catching people passing through them. “I feel like I’m always talking up my work,” she says. “But when you have this level of a product, it’s easy to go out and talk about it!”
With an event this wonderful, SpringHill Suites also wants to welcome locals; you don’t need to be a hotel guest to walk in their doors. ArtNight has become an approachable opportunity to show off what SpringHill Suites has to offer. “We see it as a chance to bring in locals so they can see what we’re about,” says Gill. “We depend on them in the off season, so we want to keep ourselves in the community’s mind and, at the same time, support local artists and schools.”
Once the summer tourism crowds die down, local hotels often lean on the support of their community to get through to the next season. What does that look like? Maybe you’re a parent who wants a date night out, away from your angelic children. Getting a room at SpringHill Suites can feel like a world away. They even have a complimentary shuttle service to take you downtown for dinner and back. SpringHill Suites also has a full bar with happy hour and appetizers seven days a week and everyone is welcome.
Anissa Caprina’s wonderful painted bottles also illuminate! Come see them arranged at ArtNight, they could end up brightening your own home! Photo courtesy: Springhill Suites.
Or perhaps you’re organizing a corporate luncheon. They have multi-use spaces available to rent, perfect for company meetings and seminars. Gill’s favorite place is their 4th floor Terrace. A door at the end of the hall opens up to a tidy patio with a view of Mount Baker’s slumbering form. She thinks it’s the perfect place for private events and fundraisers.
If you want to bring home a fabulous new piece of local art, enjoy an elegant event or can see yourself using SpringHill Suites’ offerings, save the date for this year’s ArtNight! The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. on October 25. Donations for SaveArt may be made at any time through the end of the year at the SpringHill Suites’ front desk.
Enjoy ocean views on the Interurban Trail. Photo credit: Amy Page.
It’s officially autumn, and the colors are already changing. As nature transitions from bright summer green to orange and red fall hues, you may want to check these changes out for yourself – and what better way to do it than a crisp hike through nature?
Here’s a list of hikes we recommend for fall just outside your door. We picked out parks and trails in and around Bellingham, and we’ll even let you know which hikes your dog can tag along on. Check it out!
The mossy bridge at Whatcom Falls Park is made of Chuckanut sandstone. Photo credit: Amy Page.
Whatcom Falls Park has several trails perfect for watching the colors change. Surrounded by trees, it’s easy to look up and enjoy the show. Some paths wind along multiple places, including thick forest, open spaces and the creek.
Follow Whatcom Creek as the water moves from waterfall to waterfall. The constant, peaceful rush is a calming sound. You can check out the main part of the falls from the mossy stone bridge near the parking lot. There’s a swimming hole further down the trail too and, though I wouldn’t personally recommend going for a swim in the middle of October, it’s still a pretty sight.
Whatcom Falls is also part of the Washington State Birding Trail, and it’s easy to figure out why. Just stepping out from the parking lot, you can hear chips and squawks from multiple species. Other points include a playground for kids, the hatchery, a seasonal fishing pond for youth 14 and under, and more.
Enjoy ocean views on the Interurban Trail. Photo credit: Amy Page.
The Interurban Trail runs from Larrabee State Park to Fairhaven and can be long or short depending on what you want to do, according to the Whatcom Trails Association. The result of former railroads that ran through the trailheads until 1928, the Interurban trail is a fantastic hike for those who want to take in incredible views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands.
Tree branches hang over many parts of the trail, and it’s not uncommon for fallen leaves to litter the ground, making for a cool Autumn hike from Larrabee to Fairhaven.
Parts of the hike branch off into other trails, including a path to Fragrance Lake. Depending on where you embark or disembark, you can pass small waterfalls, feel the crunch of leaves under your feet and more.
Sehome Hill Arboretum’s tunnel was hand-dug. Photo credit: Amy Page.
Sehome Hill Arboretum is right next to Western Washington University, and it’s not uncommon to see students and professors alike on morning jogs, casual walks or even taking classes.
Considered a “backyard playground” for WWU, the arboretum is a thickly forested park on Sehome Hill with sights that will definitely remind you fall is here. The arboretum also has an overlook tower, great for looking out over Bellingham Bay. You’ll sometimes run into joggers climbing the tower. Be sure to check out the tunnel too, which was hand-carved out of rock in 1923.
Chanterelle Trail is a fantastic hike to take along Lake Whatcom. Lake Whatcom Park offers a large, winding network of trails, including Hertz Trail. Chanterelle Trail in particular, however, offers gorgeous views of Lake Whatcom.
The trail itself is a 2.4-mile uphill climb with an elevation gain of 100 feet, featuring long switchbacks. It can be a strenuous hike despite its short mileage (switchbacks and I don’t get along, and I’ve hiked Oyster Dome), but the view at the top is definitely worth it.
Along the way, appreciate the forestry of the park. You might catch a squirrel rustling through the foliage, or a woodpecker in the trees above. Though this hike is great now, the Whatcom Trails Association also recommends visiting in the winter after enough leaves fall, opening views along the way.
All three generations of Heppner men stand outside Brian and Brock's home in Lynden, Washington. Photo credit: Kenneth Clarkson.
The Heppners have a lot in common, besides the fact they’re related. Grandfather Howard Heppner, son Brian Heppner and grandson Brock Heppner are all basketball players – champions, in fact. Each generation of Heppner has a coveted championship win for the Lynden High School Lions. Howard even has two.
At 6 feet 6 inches, Howard’s still the tallest. The grand ol’ theory of shrinking with age didn’t apply to him. Brian and Brock aren’t small either; both stand well over 6 feet tall. Brian is closest to Howard in height, but Brock’s only a junior in high school. He’s still growing.
Howard Heppner is in the Seattle Pacific University Hall of Fame and the Lynden High School Hall of Fame. Photo courtesy: Seattle Pacific University Athletics.
Throughout the last few decades, the game of basketball has changed and so have the players. Howard’s favorite player is Bill Russell (he’s a die-hard Celtics fan). Brian grew up in the 1990s, the era of Michael Jordan, so that’s obviously who he enjoyed watching. And Brock’s partial to Lebron James, the greatest basketball talent of the last 20 years (yep, I said it).
When Howard played the game at Lynden High School and then Seattle Pacific University, there was no three-point line. In both professional and youth basketball nowadays, it’s almost impossible to prevent someone from shooting a three. Two extremes: the basketball of the 1960s and that of the 2010s. Brian’s basketball of the 1990s is the middle ground, the three-point line was becoming more popular and slam dunks more inventive.
If each Heppner was in their prime, who would win in a head-to-head match? With Brian pitted against his dad, Howard says there’s no question he would have the upper hand.
Brian disagrees, “Dad I would shoot threes all over you. You didn’t even have the three-point line.”
“That’s true, but I started learning how to shoot them later on and I would beat you in the paint, get all the rebounds.”
The competitive spirit is fierce. While fighting back a few laughs, Brock listens as his father and grandfather dispute who would best the other.
Brian Heppner after winning the state championship with Lynden High School in the 1990s. Photo courtesy: Brian Heppner.
How to quell the boiling competition? Ask a question that can bring them all back together, a question that brings all Washington sports fans back together: When do you think the Sonics are coming back?
Leaving after the 2007-2008 season, many Washingtonians feel as though the Seattle SuperSonics were taken from them. The Heppners are no different.
“There was a period of time in the 90s where I didn’t miss watching a single game for five straight years,” Brian says.
In the 1990s, George Karl was running the show, and Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton established themselves as some of the best SuperSonics of all time. The Sonics were a play-off team year in and year out. The only time they were better was in the 1970s.
Howard remembers the team coming to Seattle. In fact, he recalls the team’s creation in 1966. When he was a member of the Seattle Pacific University Falcons, the Sonics would use the gym after they were done practicing. Howard was around for the championship years. He remembers the back-to-back years in the late 70s where they reached the NBA Finals and took home Seattle’s only championship in the 1978-79 season.
In his years at Seattle Pacific University, Howard racked up quite the storied career. In 1966, he was the SPU athlete of the year and in 1965 his team qualified for SPU’s first ever national appearance where they made it to the Elite Eight. He played against the likes of NBA greats Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan and Walt Frazier.
Playing against Jackson was especially memorable. “Phil was all arms and legs,” Howard says. “Real gangly, used his elbows a lot. Playing against him was tough.”
Brock Heppner and the Lynden High School Lions won the state championship last year. Photo courtesy: Brian Heppner.
Brock didn’t grow up in the same Pacific Northwest that Brian and Howard did. Seattle and its surrounding areas were no longer a basketball haven. The Sonics left when Brock was six, and his only memory is when Brian took him to a Sonics game during their last season and got then-Sonic Jeff Green’s signature.
This is part of the reason Brock’s more focused football. He says growing up without a local NBA team made a difference in his connection with the sport of basketball. He still loves the game, but is hoping to play football in college and not basketball.
A member of Lynden High School’s football and basketball teams, Brock plays quarterback, outside linebacker and receiver on the field, and both small and power forward spots on the basketball court.
Brian and Howard were two-sport athletes as well. Both ran track in addition to playing basketball.
“Track was a great way for me to stay in shape for basketball season,” Howard says. “It was extra conditioning.”
All three of the men agree basketball has been a way to forge relationships with friends that stand the test of time. To this day, Howard still talks to some of his fellow teammates from his days at Lynden High School.
All three generations of Heppner men stand outside Brian and Brock’s home in Lynden, Washington. Photo credit: Kenneth Clarkson.
“The chemistry you create on the court is something special,” Brian says. “I look back on those days fondly. There’s nothing better than hanging out with your buddies and having success on the court at the same time.”
Due to the age gap between them, the three Heppner’s haven’t played much competitive ball against one other, other than intense games of “Pig” or “Horse,” that is.
Brian’s wife Sally calls out from the living room, “The hospital bills would be too much if you all played against one another.”
Howard laughs, “Well you know, when you get older, your mind makes you think you can do more than your body enables.”
Sally is a basketball powerhouse herself. She was part of Lynden Christian’s State Championship basketball team in 1990, 1991 and 1992, under Coach Curt DeHaan. “Some of my best memories are battling it out on the court with those ladies,” Sally says. “We even beat cross-town rivals, Lynden, in 1991 for the State Title!”
Following their basketball careers, Brian and Howard made the conscious choice to give back to the Lynden community that grew them into the men they are today.
Howard became a teacher before going on to serve as superintendent of the Lynden School District for 24 years. Brian currently teaches Language Arts and Social Studies at Lynden Middle School, and helps coach the Lynden High School Lions Men’s Basketball Team.
Although Brock still has two years of high school left, who knows? Maybe he’ll continue the Heppner tradition of giving back to the community as well. As they say, only time will tell.
Sound Women's Health has a private room devoted to their CoolSculpting procedure. Once comfortably arranged, the procedure takes between 30 minutes and several hours depending on which areas are being targeted. Photo credit: Hannah Zoe.
Do you have a stubborn area that no amount of diet or exercise can reduce? Even in the face of successful weight loss, it can be easy to fixate on a lingering belly roll or jiggly underarm. But sometimes it just takes a little tweak with the help of a professional to meet your goals and feel more confident in your body. Bellingham’s Sound Women’s Health and Aesthetics offers a non-invasive fat reduction technique that really smooths out your edges. They call it the “Magic Machine.”
Dr. Karyn Tapley is a widely experienced women’s health provider with ongoing training in aesthetics. She founded Sound Women’s Health in 2016. Photo courtesy: Dr. Karyn Tapley.
CoolSculpting is an innovative procedure that targets fat cells by freezing them away. The treatment is non-invasive and doesn’t damage skin in the treated area. There are no injections, incisions or medications, and it’s FDA approved for most areas. With no recovery time, clients can walk out of a session and go about their day. While results can be seen in as little as three weeks, the full effect is achieved by the third month after treatment.
And it’s not just effective, it’s also enjoyable. At Sound Women’s Health, a CoolSculpting treatment means relaxing in a comfortable chaise in a room softened with silky drapes. Master Aesthetician Shannon Joneli places the cooling bands on the areas you wish to target. She says many clients catch up on their magazines or even fall asleep during the procedure. The length of time you’ll spend depends on how many areas you’d like targeted, anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on your session.
The treatment sculpts your body by crystalizing (freezing) fat cells, which then die and are processed through the body over a period of weeks. This treatment is not to be misunderstood as a weight loss or management strategy. It’s purely fat reduction, where 20 to 25 percent of the given cells are targeted each cycle, the results of which are permanent. Your body contains a set number of fat cells that swell or contract during weight gain or loss. CoolSculpting reduces the amount of fat cells clustered in a given area, giving the visual impact of a smoother belly or thigh.
The results of the CoolSculpting procedure show how it can smooth out the areas of the body that are hard to target with exercise. Check out the Sound Women’s Health website for more before and after testimonials. Photo courtesy: Sound Women’s Health and Aesthetics.
Those who experience the most visible results tend to be within 30 percent of their target weight range. These are often people who have lost weight and have some stubborn spots, or those who have gained a little in problem areas. Many of the procedures at Sound Women’s Health, including CoolSculpting, are appropriate for all genders and body types.
While CoolSculpting’s effects are most visible on those within their target weight range, there are benefits for those who are above where they’d like to be. Gently smoothing out an underarm or softening the top of the hips can help clothes drape more gracefully. For some, feeling more confident in this way can help motivate further weight management. A consultation with the knowledgeable Dr. Tapley at Sound Women’s Health will help determine if the CoolSculpting procedure is in line with your body and goals.
Because it often takes several treatment cycles to achieve the desired result, Dr. Tapley highly recommends having them done in tight succession. “I suggest that clients wait a full month after their first session so they can see that their treatment is working,” she says. “Then I like to have them back and get their follow ups done each month in succession. Those are the people that will see the most dramatic results.”
Sound Women’s Health has a private room devoted to their CoolSculpting procedure. Once comfortably arranged, the procedure takes between 30 minutes and several hours depending on which areas are being targeted. Photo credit: Hannah Zoe.
If the treatments are spread out over a long period of time, clients may see a gradual change that they don’t notice. That’s why Sound Women’s Health likes to take before and after photos, to encourage clients to see the improvements that have happened over time.
There are a few, very rare contraindications that would prevent someone from getting a CoolSculpting treatment. Your personalized consultation will determine whether you are an appropriate candidate.
Sound Women’s Health wants their clients to leave feeling more confident in their bodies. They offer non-surgical and minimally or non-invasive procedures for those looking to refine their appearance or balance their hormones. Visit their website for more information on their CoolSculpting procedure, as well as other medical and aesthetic treatments. Swing by their clinic or schedule a personalized consultation to take the next step in your weight loss journey.
Open Concept model floor planning can provide a comfortable, stylish layout to any home. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
Interior design is among the most personal ways to make a house your own, highlighting your sense of both style and utility. The folks at Adaptations Design Studio – the design division of A-1 Builders – are ready and willing to help make your plans a reality. Maggie Bates and Sharon Petker, members of Adaptations’ first-rate design team, have some pointers to consider for your home’s next interior design project.
#1: Utilize Space
A full-size pantry closet can help you maximize kitchen storage. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
In general, your home’s interior layout should be planned with function foremost in mind. The use of space, says Bates, should be both logical and comfortable. Clearances for doors, windows and appliances should be proper and meeting code. After that, ask yourself how you want to utilize an area’s open space.
“How do you want it to feel inside?” Bates asks. “Do you want it to feel cozy, with a low ceiling, or do you want it to feel cathedral-like?”
One of the most popular floor plans is the “open concept” model, adds Petker. This trends toward opening up the living, dining and kitchen areas to one another. For many people, that means having a spot where guests are separate from a cooking area, but still nearby for entertaining purposes.
“Most people say, when they’re entertaining or have anyone in their house, everyone wants to be in the kitchen,” Petker says.
#2 Find the Right Storage Solutions
The two places people say they need the most storage are the main bedroom suite and laundry area. For bedrooms, walk-in closets can’t be beat. In addition, most people commonly like having either a pantry cabinet or full-size pantry closet in their kitchen. Petker adds that many original kitchens don’t have cabinets extending all the way to the ceiling. Gaining cabinet storage space in a kitchen, whether it’s a pull-out spice cabinet or a place to store appliances, is always a plus.
#3: Light it Up
People love making lighting changes to a home. “When they re-design, lighting is always a big part of it,” Bates says. “I’d say 98 percent of the time, we have clients that say they want to talk about lighting.”
Lighting considerations can include accent cove lighting, task lighting and lights in your showers and closets. It’s also an easy segue into electrical considerations regarding switches and fans. Hidden plug molds and simple switches can also be connected to smart appliances. Petker says smart fans and outlets with USB ports are becoming especially popular.
Colored lighting is also something to consider, says Bates. She’s seen colored LED lights for accent coves, shelving and even in showers. LED lighting also has the added benefit of being low voltage, thus saving on power, and easily configured via smart device if using wi-fi or Bluetooth enabled light strips or bulbs.
#4: Choose Sustainable Materials
Stone countertops are always in style in kitchens and bathrooms, and their durability can’t be beat. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
From countertops to flooring, consider where your building materials come from and how they’re made. Petker suggests getting sustainably produced countertops, while Bates says anything that’s wood – trim, doors, mantles or floors – should ideally be sustainably harvested.
Bates also notes that linoleum is a great sustainable material. Vinyl tiles, no matter how luxurious, are generally made from non-sustainable materials, despite being cheap and durable. Flooring is typically full of unsustainable products that people are often too heavily sold on, she says. With a lot of flooring coming from places like China, it means a large ecological footprint is being used just to get the product to a client.
Water flow is also something to consider. While most water flow devices, from toilets to shower heads, are now regulated for low-flow, manufacturers are coming up with ways to make it feel like you’re getting more water than you are. Furthermore, consider your options when it comes to water temperature controls. Thermostatic and pressure-balance valves can make a big difference in ensuring the water that reaches your sinks and showers is just how you like it.
#5: Always in Style
Among the design elements that Petker and Bates never see going out of style? Stone countertops.
“They’re extremely durable and long-lasting,” says Bates. “And when they’re manufactured correctly, they’re also sustainable.”
Fireplaces are also timeless elements, whether traditional or gas. Customized showers are another style trend to think about, as is whether or not to get rid of bathtubs. Many people, says Bates, tend to keep just one tub in their home.
“Usually, if people don’t love tubs, you’ll see them saying, ‘We just need one. In case we need it. In case a guest needs it. In case we sell the house,’” she says. At the same time, however, she notes many of her clients have installed gorgeous tubs and surrounding style elements. Bates even has a personal connection. “My man loves tubs,” she says with a laugh.
#6: Aging in Place
Aging in place measures, like hand grips in showers, can be easily blended into the stylish design of your bathroom. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
As medical or mobility issues arise with age or disability, many people understandably don’t want to leave their homes to recuperate in a nursing facility. That’s why making plans and investing in “aging in place” mechanics are important to consider.
Bates notes that many of her clients are reluctant to talk about this until they reach old age. But if you’re buying a home and have no plans to move again, you’ll inevitably have to address it. She likes to reframe the idea for her clients.
“I like people to imagine themselves doing their favorite sport or activity,” she says. “Let’s say something happened and you injured yourself. Could you get around in your own house? When people can frame it that way, it’s a great way to plan for the future.”
Aging in place options include putting grab bars in showers and near toilets, creating visibly noticeable spaces where stairs begin and end, and having strong handrails that are up to code. Petker adds that minimizing the appearance of some of these elements, especially in bathrooms, is easier than you think.
“It doesn’t have to look institutional,” she says. “That’s part of our job, too: making sure it doesn’t look like a bathroom at the mall.”
In addition, Bates says to consider “universal design” elements in your home.
“A house that’s designed with universal design principles works for every age,” she says. “Little people and young children are short, and they have a hard time reaching things. And they can get hurt trying to reach things. So, you build in for that.”
#7: Get Smart and Hide
A-1 Builders’ design team has a small army of talented professionals to help make your dream designs a reality. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
A growing trend in many homes is the use of smart appliances. Consider motion-sensing lights, smart fans for bathrooms and laundry rooms, and more. Petker says some smart appliances, like new washers and dryers, can even be controlled from your phone.
In addition, consider hiding your appliances to create a more seamless appearance. Bates says that many people install cabinet doors in front of their dishwasher or refrigerator. Some hide their microwaves as part of creating non-cluttered countertops. Where to put a microwave can also address several issues at once.
“It’s a big deal for many people, where they put their microwave,” Bates says. “How tall are you? Are children going to be using it? Do you not want children using it?”
#8: Historic Updates
For those with historical homes, Bates and Petker’s goals are to both preserve and modernize.
“If you have a beautiful, historic home, we’re going to recommend that you stay with the style of the historical period,” Bates says. “So, how do you modernize a historical home? That’s where you get into smart appliances that are hidden, for instance.”
Understanding the historical period in which your home was built, and what it means, is also important.
“We all think of ‘historical’ as late 1800s or early 1900s, but it’s way more than that,” she says. “You have to dive into it and research it to find the beautiful things that happened in your home’s era and then celebrate those.”
From the 1920s to the 1970s, there are plenty of ways to make your home look old in a new and appealing fashion. From plumbing fixtures to paint colors to moldings and trim work, the little details attended to many decades ago can still be properly restored and preserved.
“We still can get the knives that cut that molding,” Bates says. “They’re available in our state and we know where to get them, to get your moldings cut exactly the way they were 75 years ago.”
It’s really worth it, she notes, to reference historical literature about era-correct paint colors. Mixing south-of-the-border colors with a Craftsman house, for instance, is a recipe for a risky outcome. A basic rule many people follow is this: If you want to resell, don’t be too bold. Consider generally neutral tones. Bates says those who plan to stay put generally do the opposite, diving into creative colors. Whatever you choose, she advocates finding complex colors that can produce pleasing and diverse color schemes.
#9: Get Artisans
Open Concept model floor planning can provide a comfortable, stylish layout to any home. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
Interior design isn’t just about quality materials; it’s also about quality people. Both Bates and Petker say it’s critical to get craftsman and artisans who know how to get the job done right. Whether they’re tile setters, trim carpenters, cabinet makers or floor installers, do your homework in finding highly-rated and qualified professionals. Fortunately, the folks at A-1 know quite a few of them.
“We have a small army of amazingly talented people, between our carpenters and our sub-contractors,” Bates says. “And believe me: we’re picky about it.”
For more, check out the A-1 Builders website or visit them in-person at 3310 Northwest Avenue in Bellingham.
Check out Subdued Excitement's products at Satori. Photo courtesy: Subdued Excitement, Inc.
In Northern Whatcom County, 30 minutes from the Canadian border, Nick Cihlar and Subdued Excitement grow cannabis that is both pesticide-free and the perfect accouterment to any powder day on Mount Baker.
Subdued Excitement makes these intriguing Chem Cookies. Photo courtesy: Subdued Excitement, Inc.
Subdued Excitement growers share a collective love of snowboarding and their location in the far north of Northwest Washington is the best place to pursue both the art of cannabis growing and snowboarding.
We sat down with co-founder Nick Cihlar to figure out which strains he’s enjoying, what exactly “Grown Near Canada” means, and his favorite thing about Subdued Excitement’s newest product: Cold Smoke concentrates.
WhatcomTalk: Do you have a favorite strain you’re currently growing? If so, why?
Nick Cihlar: We have a really deep portfolio of genetics, so it’s hard to choose just one. We have something for every taste, although we are admittedly on the smaller side, so we don’t have the room to put them all on the market at the same time. But I would say, of the beans we have popped so far, the “Orange” line from Obsoul33t has impressed us the most. Orange Cookies (Orange Juice Bud x Girl Scout Cookies) made a splash in California a few years back and we have a bunch of other strains from his OJB crosses: Orange Poison, Orange Sherbet, Orange Bubble Gum and a bunch more. They all have amazing citrus flavors and some of the best terpene profiles we’ve seen.
This variety is called Cookies and Cream. Photo courtesy: Subdued Excitement, Inc.
WhatcomTalk: Why is growing pesticide-free important to you?
Nick: How could it not be? We’ve been smoking our own product for 25+ years. Why would we poison ourselves? Why would we poison our customers? We rely on biologicals and our integrated pest management procedures to keep us pest-free.
WhatcomTalk: Your tagline is “Grown Near Canada.” Just how close to Canada are you and why did you decide to use that phrase?
Nick: We’re less than 30 minutes from the Canadian border and we’re huge fans of Canada. We love Labatt, hockey, Whistler, poutine … all that good stuff. Who wouldn’t want to be associated with U.S. News and World Report’s number one country for quality of life?
The real question is, why didn’t someone else capitalize on this before? Oh yeah, I almost forgot, we also stole it from our favorite snowboard company – Lib Technologies – that similarly appreciates our neighbors to the north.
Check out Subdued Excitement’s products at Satori. Photo courtesy: Subdued Excitement, Inc.
WhatcomTalk: Cold smoke concentrates are one of the new products from SubX. What’s your favorite thing about them?
Nick: We’re very excited about Cold Smoke. We started out as growers; that’s our area of expertise and how we’ve always thought of ourselves. We only started getting into concentrates about four years ago and it was a revelation. It was like a whole new world opening up to us. After a couple years experimenting, we brought in a top-notch extractor – @jackpot502 – who helped us get the full potential out of our strains. We were so proud of the results, we felt we had to start a new brand to give them the showcase they truly deserve. We have all sorts of good stuff coming down the pipe.
WhatcomTalk: Do you have a favorite story or memory from your time with Subdued Excitement?
Nick: To be perfectly honest, this journey has been a long series of problems and disappointments, laced with heavy doses of frustration and anxiety. It has been a rough ride and we have a lot more painful memories than joyful ones. But we have survived and we will continue to survive. Those facts alone serve as a source of pride that probably qualifies as my favorite ‘memory.’ But the thing that really perks us up is unsolicited phone calls, emails and DMs from our customers saying they like our products. It’s an amazing feeling, connecting with people like that.
The Chrysalis Inn & Spa was proud to present their August spa donation in the amount of $2,100 to Whatcom Center for Early Learning which provides comprehensive, family-centered early intervention services to children ages birth to three with developmental disabilities and delays. Some of the children have Down Syndrome, others are somewhere on the autism spectrum, some just have a speech or motor delay that, with early intervention, helps them catch up with their typically developing peers prior to their entry into the school system.
The professional WCEL staff provides speech, occupational and physical therapy, as well as specialized support for behavior and/or high-risk families, in the homes of the children and their parents or caregivers. Additionally, classroom teachers facilitate playgroup opportunities both at the WCEL building and in other community locations.
WCEL just purchased another facility in Ferndale that will be opening later this spring after a remodel. This generous donation from The Chrysalis Inn & Spa will go toward purchasing toys for the playgroup programs at this new children’s center.
Founder Anne Brown began working with children in Whatcom County in the early 1970s. Incorporated in 1991, WCEL now provides
65-70 percent of all Birth-to-Three services in Whatcom County, and has established itself as one of the leaders of early intervention in the region.
The Chrysalis Inn & Spa, a locally owned hotel, spa and restaurant on Fairhaven’s waterfront, has been giving one percent of monthly spa revenues to a local non-profit since February of 2017, now totaling almost $38,000.
September’s one percent of spa revenues will be donated to the Bellingham Giving Circle whose mission is to support the needs of homeless kids in order for them to stay in school.
The Yem-Tenino Trial is a great way to explore the small towns of Tenino, Rainier and Yelm. Photo credit: Nate Burgher.
I don’t know about you, but I get bored exploring the same places all the time. Sure, I have my favorite local hikes, restaurants and activities, but I’m fueled by wanderlust, that drive to get out and experience new places and things. And while the days are getting shorter and wetter, autumn is arguably the best time to go exploring, especially if you’ve been trapped inside by the weather!
The Yelm-Tenino Trail is a destination, offering stops at local restaurants like Scatter Creek Winery & Brewery. Photo credit: Nate Burgher.
Take a road trip down south to Thurston County, home to our state Capitol and an abundance of trials and outdoor recreational options. Here you’ll find the 14-mile, paved Yelm-Tenino Trail, connecting the rural cities of Yelm, Rainier and Tenino.
Just over a 100 years ago, it was known as the “Prairie Line” by the Burlington Northern Railroad. Now the well-maintained trail offers recreational users a unique and decidedly different way to access Thurston’s “Bountiful Byway.” Bicycle riders traverse forests, wetlands and other agricultural gems to experience some of the county’s best-kept secrets.
No need to haul in your own bike. The Yellow Bicycle Project in Tenino makes the Yelm-Tenino Trail accessible to all. Photo credit: Nate Burgher.
The Yelm-Tenino Trail is a perfect way to spend the day with someone special or the whole family. With several viewpoints, shops and parks along the way, you can customize your experience based on the time (and energy) you have. And best of all, you don’t even have to haul your own bike to enjoy the trail. Just pick up a bike at the Yellow Bicycle Project, located at 213 Sussex Avenue West, near the Tenino trailhead.
Whether you take the whole day and travel 28 miles round trip, or take a more leisurely journey, Experience Olympia & Beyond has recommendations to help you think beyond the trail. Include these great places to stay if you want to make a weekend of it.
Couples Date Day Itinerary
The Yelm-Tenino trail connects riders to scenic views like this one at McIntosh Lake. Photo credit: Nate Burgher.
For a romantic day you won’t soon forget, head to Tenino and borrow a free bike from the Yellow Bicycle Project (don’t forget your water and a helmet). You’ll find parking and restrooms at the trailhead located at the Tenino City Park on Washington Avenue. If you go on a Saturday between May and September, you can stop by the Tenino Farmer’s Market between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to pick up snacks for your trip.
On the way out of Tenino, at about mile four, you’ll pass by scenic McIntosh Lake. This is a great place to stop and stretch your legs and watch the heron catch fish. After several more miles, stop in Rainier for a pick-me-up. There you’ll find several espresso and food options right off the trail to help fuel the last five miles to Yelm.
Once you reach Yelm, it’s time to rest and rehydrate before your return trip. Take a leisurely stroll or have a picnic at Cochrane Memorial Park, then continue to Uptown Lounge for a refreshing beverage. Or, if you prefer a longer rest, catch a movie at Yelm Cinemas. Once you’ve made your way back to Tenino, return your yellow bike and end your lovely day with a visit to the Scatter Creek Winery & Brewery.
Family Fun Itinerary
The Yelm-Tenino Trail allows you to experience Thurston’s Bountiful Byway up close and personal. Photo credit: Nate Burgher.
For this itinerary, we’ll start in Yelm. But if you plan to borrow a free bike from Tenino’s Yellow Bike Project, you’ll want to follow this in reverse starting at the Tenino City Park on Washington Avenue.
At the trailhead behind Yelm City Hall, located at 105 Yelm Avenue West, take advantage of the picnic tables (no one wants hungry kids!), informational kiosk and restrooms. If you go on Saturdays, May through October, you can make a stop at the Yelm Farmer’s Market between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to stock up on fresh snacks.
Take in all the sights and sounds as you head toward Rainier. Stop into one of the great shops like Main Street Cookie Company to refuel. From here, continue to a sandy beach between mile marker 7.5 and 8. This is about the half-way mark and a great place to stop and let the kids play or turn around if a 28-mile roundtrip ride is not in your plans.
The Yem-Tenino Trial is a great way to explore the small towns of Tenino, Rainier and Yelm. Photo credit: Nate Burgher.
But for those with the time and stamina to make it to Tenino, a visit to the Tenino Depot Museum and – on a warm day – the Tenino Quarry Pool (seasonal), are well worth the stop before heading back.
And finally, one last stop the kids will really enjoy (if they’re not completely wiped out): the bike park in Yelm.
No matter how you decide to spend your time on the Yelm-Tenino Trail, you’re sure to create a unique and unforgettable experience. So, go ahead and make plans for your decidedly different day or weekend exploring the “Bountiful Byway.” Experience Olympia & Beyond has great tips to help you plan this escape and more. Learn more on the Experience Olympia & Beyond website or give them a call at 360-704-7544.
Submitted by Barron Heating, AC, Electrical & Plumbing
Saying goodbye to summer doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to comfort. As cooler evenings creep in...
