What To Do Around Bellingham Post-Thanksgiving Weekend

Photo credit: Justin Pedigo | FC Photography.

We hope your Thanksgiving was fun and festive. Now it’s time to shake off that overindulgence coma and check out what’s happenin’ in Whatcom County. Here is a list of fun things to do around Bellingham post-Thanksgiving. And be sure to check out our full events calendar for all the great local happenings.

Up Next Weekend:

WhatcomTalk aims to be your source for positive information and events happening in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and throughout Whatcom County. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@whatcomtalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Bellingham and the surrounding area, visit our events calendar. To submit an event of your own, visit our events calendar and click on the green “Post Your Event” button.

Photo credit: Justin Pedigo | FC Photography

Infusion Solutions – Providing a Choice in Care

With high ratings from clients, the team at Infusion Solutions is incredibly patient focused. Photo courtesy: Infusion Solutions.

As Washington State’s only independently-owned home infusion service, Infusion Solutions has a reputation for always saying “yes” to their patients and referral sources alike. “We have consistently done the right thing,” says Infusion Solutions’ Account Manager Chuck Loos. Indeed, their mission statement puts patients first, and they always strive to meet their unique individual needs.

The onsite specialty pharmacy provides additional services such as compounding prescriptions for other facilities as well as patients of Infusion Solutions. Photo courtesy: Infusion Solutions.

While infusions may not generally be at the forefront of people’s minds until they find themselves in need of services, it is important to know what options are available. Infusion Solutions provides infusions of all kinds including IV antibiotics, TPN, enteral nutrition, hydration, chemotherapy and more. They also infuse specialty medications such as Remicade, IVIG and Tysabri, and offer travel consultations and vaccines.

The home infusion industry is a solution for many patients with a variety of ailments which allows them to remain in a comfortable setting. The objective is to keep people out of more expensive sites of care, such as nursing homes and hospitals, and home in a warm and familiar environment.

Rowena Birnel RPh, owner and operator of Infusion Solutions, decided to take her extensive fourteen-year knowledge of the home infusion industry and open a new location after leaving a large national home infusion company. She opened Infusion Solutions in 2010 with only five employees. They now have 27 employees and see patients in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Shohomish and even northern King counties.

Conveniently located just off Meridian in Bellingham, Infusion Solutions provides a comfortable setting for patients receiving infusions. Photo courtesy: Infusion Solutions.

Their facility on Prince Street just off Meridian in Bellingham boasts large, comfy chairs with amenities such as movies, television, free Wi-Fi and blankets. Comfort is key for those patients who come to the facility for their infusions, often staying as long as six hours depending on the type of infusions they are receiving.

Currently, the Infusion Solutions clinical team consists of four pharmacists, 11 RNs, eight pharmacy technicians and one registered dietitian. They are truly collaborative advocates of their patients, meeting daily to discuss the optimal way to provide care for each patient they serve.

“How we go about our business is what differentiates us,” says Loos. “We are constantly and consistently patient-focused. When you call our office, you get a live person. Our team interacts with each other and are always looking for what could be improved or done better. That’s what makes us different.”

Comfy chairs and warm interactions are just part of the extraordinary service provided by Infusion Solutions. Photo courtesy: Infusion Solutions.

Loos explains that the patients are an integral part of the home infusion process. Patients and caregivers are taught the modalities needed to self- administer the infusions at home. Once that initial teaching and training is complete, the patients are seen weekly for lab draws, dressing changes and full RN assessments. While the staff may not see their patients every day, they interact often and are on call twenty-hours a day, seven days a week.

From a five-week old to a 102-year old, patients’ needs vary as much as their difference in years. “We’ve seen some young mothers through some pretty challenging pregnancies,” says Loos as he compassionately describes the types of patients they are fortunate to serve.

As an accredited specialty pharmacy, Infusion Solutions is able to further meet the needs of patients living outside their local service territory. “We’re able to compound the drugs in our pharmacy and ship them,” explains Loos, who says they currently ship as far as Eastern Washington and northern Idaho. They coordinate with nursing agencies in those locations to fulfill the administration side of the home infusion process.

With high ratings from clients, the team at Infusion Solutions is incredibly patient focused. Photo courtesy: Infusion Solutions.

Infusion Solutions has proven that they meet and exceed patient expectations when it comes to high quality service. “Of all of the [customer] surveys collected, not one said they wouldn’t come back or refer us to friends and family,” says Loos. “We have gotten some amazing thank you cards from people we have helped through some really tough times.”

That compassion and caring is apparent in Infusion Solutions‘ commitment to the community. Each year the company supports various sports teams and tournaments, senior events and more, including productions at Mount Baker Theatre.

While you may not be thinking about infusions today, it is good to know you have a choice in care when and if the time comes. Thanks to Infusion Solutions, you or your loved one will have the best options in home infusion care.

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BowEdison Fine Food and Drink – Removing Barriers in Fine Dining

BowEdison Fine Food and Drink is a culinary experience. Photo courtesy: BowEdison Fine Food and Drink.

For most diners, seeing the top chef in action is a rare occurrence. Maybe you’ll see a flash of white through a swinging door or hear a voice shouting directions over the kitchen din. It’s almost as though they prefer to remain an enigma. If a chef steps outside the kitchen to chat with a table, other guests sit in jealous awe at the special treatment.

At BowEdison Fine Food and Drink, everyone gets the special treatment.

After selling her wildly popular Agate Pass Café in downtown Suquamish, Executive Chef and Owner Marty Bracken knew what she wanted to do differently—knock down those walls and barriers between the chef’s kitchen and the patrons.

Chef Marty Bracken is the genius behind BowEdison. Photo courtesy: BowEdison Fine Food and Drink.

Although there are plenty of cozy niches within the restaurant offering intimate dining experiences, at BowEdison Fine Food and Drink, you are highly encouraged to reserve ringside seats at the “Chef’s Table” where all the magic that goes into food prep is revealed.

“I like that it creates honesty in what you’re doing,” Marty explained. “Interacting with the chef and learning their stories and motivation is the direction food is going in now, and I embrace that presentation.”

Some folks are born with skills and others are influenced by their environment. Marty laughed and shared that as one of five kids, her mom wasn’t keen on preparing haute cuisine.

The best seat in the house is the chef’s table. Photo courtesy: BowEdison Fine Food and Drink.

Armed with a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Oregon State, Marty spent over a decade in administration before landing an unpaid apprenticeship in her mid-30s at a Seattle chef’s cooking school. There, she discovered a passion for masterminding dishes in the back of the house, rather than directing the front.

And that’s how great chefs are born. After years of grunt work and elbow-grease and learning all sides of the industry, they hit their stride.

“I was definitely the oldest line cook, but I worked with notable Seattle chefs Johnathan Sundstrom and Maria Heinz,” Marty said.

The dining area is both comfortable and stylish. Photo courtesy: BowEdison Fine Food and Drink.

Ready for a challenge in 2007, Marty saw a for-lease sign on a restaurant in the booming metropolis of Suquamish, wrote a business plan and opened the Agate Pass Café. After eight years, she was made an offer she couldn’t refuse and looked for her next adventure.

After searching throughout Whatcom and Skagit Counties for a suitable location, Marty stumbled upon a building on the corner of Chuckanut Drive and Bow Hill road and squinting her eyes, could imagine its potential.

Plus it had a range hood, so that was a start. She had disengaged from the design process in her first restaurant, but now she managed the teardown and rebuild in the new location. With everything taken down to the studs, she was free to envision how the space should flow to complement her culinary creations.

If you haven’t experienced BowEdison yet, you’re missing out. Photo courtesy: BowEdison Fine Food and Drink.

Through her efforts, the one-time gas station and convenience store was transformed into a chic, open-concept dining experience. Sight lines create a feast for the eyes—one can appreciate the contemporary paintings of local artist Kathryn Hackney adorning the walls, observe the kitchen in action, or take in the hung pallet chandeliers and bold yellow accents.

Equally important to the restaurant design was planning the front of the house. Partnering with General Manager Bridget McShane, they decided on some critical policies, including being a no tipping establishment. Bridget’s restaurant career has included everything from busing tables to high-end catering and with her insight, they cooked up an appealing compensation plan that included revenue sharing to recruit top talent.

Grace expertly mixes drinks. Photo courtesy: BowEdison Fine Food and Drink.

“As a manager, I have seen that the people who work here truly care about serving, and genuinely like the industry,” Bridget explains. “They’re not working a table for a potential tip and they know that the better the restaurant does, the better everyone will do. Universally, servers have commented that this literally fixes every problem with the industry. No more fighting or blame between the front and back of the house.”

Marty has also noticed more teamwork. “It’s not competitive. They’re not behaving like independent contractors marking their territory. Everyone pitches in to take care of the tables and all shifts are equally appealing. I’m happy about the energy in the country behind eliminating tipping and increasing minimum wage. It all fed into what seemed like the right decision. I hope more restaurants will follow.”

BowEdison Fine Food and Drink is a culinary experience. Photo courtesy: BowEdison Fine Food and Drink.

To appeal to a diverse range of diners, Bridget advised Marty that the restaurant should offer more vegan and gluten-free options. So Marty adopted those restrictions in her personal diet for a month to learn how to create things she would want to eat.

“As a chef, completely changing your diet is like learning another language,” she said. “And like any new skill, at first it was difficult to be creative on the fly, but I’ve become more nimble with practice.”

During the experiment, Marty discovered how frustrating it was to eat at many restaurants when on a restricted diet. She and Bridget sought to make it easier for their own diners with clearly listed menu options. And because Marty missed French fries, they added a dedicated fryer to accommodate vegan and gluten-free foods.

Grace has a gift for mixing drinks. Come see for yourself! Photo courtesy: BowEdison Fine Food and Drink.

BowEdison serves “eclectic, modern American” cooking. What that means for diners is a sophisticated, creative, yet accessible menu with seasonal offerings showcasing local producers. Partnerships with Well Fed Farms, BreadFarm, Bow Hill Blueberries and other local businesses allow diners to get a taste of where they live, while supporting local artisanal food producers.

“I feel very strongly that four people seated at a table here with their differing tastes and dietary restrictions will each find something they love on our menu,” Bridget stated.

At BowEdison, Marty is free to indulge in her creative whims and bring others into the fold. By removing the barriers, both physically and socially, between herself and the diners, she’s creating a new kind of fine-dining experience. A restaurant where you can show up wearing whatever but eat like you’re at The Ritz.

“I want this place to be known for the quality of the food and the integrity of the establishment,” Marty said.

She’s found the best way is to remove those walls and meet her customers at the table.

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Give the Gift of Holiday Relaxation with The Chrysalis Inn & Spa

Sit, relax and enjoy the calming environment at The Chrysalis before or after your spa treatments. Photo courtesy: The Chrysalis Inn & Spa.

The first snow has fallen and with it comes the reminder that the holidays are just around the corner – a wonderful time of year, filled with excitement and anticipation. The days are shorter now and it seems that there is less time to get things done, present shopping included.

The Chrysalis has incredible spa packages, including hydrating manicures and pedicures, massages and facials. Photo courtesy: The Chrysalis Inn & Spa.

The holiday season is all about getting to spend quality time with the people you love and expressing your gratitude for them. This year I’ve discovered the perfect way to show the special people in my life just how much I care.

I’ve always enjoyed the idea of giving gifts to friends and family that make a positive difference in their lives, which is where The Chrysalis Inn & Spa plays perfectly into my holiday plans. The Chrysalis is well-known in the Bellingham community for its relaxing qualities and incredible restaurant — it’s scenic bay views and tranquil atmosphere — and of course, its incredible massages and spa treatments.

There are so many people in my life that deserve to be recognized for their hard-work and gifted a calming trip to The Chrysalis. When I think of Tracy, my friend that restores boats, I think about how straining and demanding bringing back these beautiful wooden boats’ luster can be. A gift-certificate to The Chrysalis will present Tracy with a well-deserved, pampered afternoon off. She can relax in the eucalyptus steam room, enjoy the views of the water and wildlife and most importantly, she can let the worries of the world pass her by.

Take a weekend off and come recharge at The Chrysalis. Photo courtesy: The Chrysalis Inn & Spa.

This is what I love so much about The Chrysalis, it provides complete relaxation and stress-relief. In a world that is so fast-paced and connected, often the best way to recharge is by spending time focusing on healing ourselves in a quiet sanctuary, unplugged from the world around us.

A good friend of mine is a new mother, masseuse and now a full-time student. Kristina works harder than anyone I know and is always putting everyone in her life first – that’s the amazing woman that she is. A weekend at The Chrysalis is the best gift I can think of for her, a stay at the hotel to enjoy the beautiful views of the bay, breakfast in bed and plenty of time in the spa. Kristina loves time at The Chrysalis to reset, which is why I chose the Signature Trio spa package for her. This includes an hour-long Swedish massage, organic facial and a hydrating pedicure. This will surely have her feeling rejuvenated and rested in no time.

My partner owns Hammertime Carpentry, a Bellingham construction company, with his brother. Their days are filled with difficult, strenuous work as they create custom projects, regardless of if it’s raining or snowing. They build houses and they build dreams, creating spaces for families to grow and thrive, truly helping to build this community from the ground up. Their hard-work and determination deserves to be rewarded – and what better way to treat them than to gift them each a deep tissue massage (or three)?

Sit, relax and enjoy the calming environment at The Chrysalis before or after your spa treatments. Photo courtesy: The Chrysalis Inn & Spa.

Anyone would love a gift card to the Chrysalis. You could give your children’s teachers yet another craft or treat them to a massage for all their hard work cultivating young minds. Imagine your mail carrier’s surprise when he or she discovers a special gift just for them in the mailbox. Your married friends would love a gift card to be used for a romantic dinner at Keenan’s at the Pier. Girlfriends would be thrilled by a friend’s spa day. And who wouldn’t love a chance to just unplug and relax?

Gift cards to The Chrysalis can be used at the spa, Keenan’s at the Pier and the hotel. The Chrysalis will be hosting a holiday sale from November 24 to December 23. For each $150 gift card purchased, a $25 promotional gift card will be given to the purchaser.

Let’s not let the holidays catch us off guard this year. Instead, relax and know that all your gifts are taken care of with The Chrysalis Inn & Spa. Show those that you love in your life just how much you care for them by giving them the ultimate gift of relaxation. And while you’re booking holiday gifts for your friends and family, you might as well treat yourself to a luxurious bayside weekend too.

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The Lynden Rodeo is Tough Enough to Wear Pink

This year's donation to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center is impressive to say the least. Photo courtesy: Lynden PRCA and Northwest Washington Fair Association.

In 2004, the Tough Enough to Wear Pink national campaign was created by cancer survivor Terry Wheatley, who is from a professional rodeo family, along with Karl Stressman, the former director of Wranger. The campaign was designed to raise money and awareness for breast cancer by creating an inspirational opportunity for rodeo competitors and spectators to wear pink. This national campaign has empowered rodeos and western events in North America to focus on the need for a cure. To date, it has raised over $25 million for breast cancer research and patient care. Most of the dollars raised remain right in the communities in which they were given.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink is an inspiration each year at the Lynden PRCA Rodeo. Photo courtesy: Lynden PRCA and Northwest Washington Fair Association.

Today, our own Lynden Rodeo Tough Enough to Wear Pink Committee, working through the Lynden PRCA Rodeo presented by the Northwest Washington Fair Association, is one of the largest contributors to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center for cancer patient care and research. They have donated $42,000 this year alone.

That contribution is the second-highest total ever raised in the ten years of the Lynden PRCA Rodeo’s local Tough Enough to Wear Pink Campaign. In fact Jim Baron, manager of the Northwest Washington Fair, says just two years ago their contribution was the fifth largest contribution through the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign in North America.

“That’s what happens when you have a commitment to a cause,” says Baron with pride. “When you see a willingness to put in the time and effort, things happen.”

The committee, through their involvement in several events and administrative support from the Northwest Washington Fair Association and Lynden PRCA Rodeo, donate 100 percent of event proceeds directly to the Bellingham PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center. This grassroots effort has continued to grow every year through the amazing efforts of the volunteer force behind it.

Pink is the official color and Wrangler is the national sponsor of the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign. Photo courtesy: Lynden PRCA and Northwest Washington Fair Association.

The annual Lynden PRCA Rodeo, which began in 2005, takes place each summer. It boasts some of the biggest names in professional rodeo. With events such as bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding, this rodeo is exciting for all who come to watch. Professional rodeos consist of two types of competition, the rough stock events and timed events. They end with the all-round cowboy crown.

Contestants, volunteers and spectators all proudly wear their pink shirts to raise awareness of breast cancer while the local volunteers conduct fundraisers for the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center. “I’m so impressed with the generosity of the people that support the rodeo,” says Baron.

An Evening at the Vineyard, held at Samson Estates Winery, is one of the key fundraising events for the Lynden Rodeo Tough Enough to Wear Pink cause. Each year, the event raises money for the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center through a special dinner including spectacular auction items.

Volunteer efforts continue, even beyond the incredible dinner and star-studded Lynden PRCA Rodeo. They also staff a booth at the Northwest Washington Fair featuring games, cowboy hats and other opportunities to support this national campaign that has become an impactful local cause.

“The rodeo and our local Tough Enough to Wear Pink committee have always been very volunteer driven,” explains Baron, who also recognizes the leadership provided by Karen Timmer. “She has been the committee chair person for the past four years and has been the spark plug to really drive the program and donations to these levels,” Baron says. “All of the money is raised locally and donated locally to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center.”

This year’s donation to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center is impressive to say the least. Photo courtesy: Lynden PRCA and Northwest Washington Fair Association.

Community, one of the core values of the Northwest Washington Fair Association, is seen in the passionate efforts, commitment and impact of this local campaign. Top sponsors supporting the cause include Janele Haan and Banner Bank, Mount Bakery Rotary Club and Samson Estates Winery.

If you haven’t already introduced yourself, get to know the local committee of Tough Enough to Wear Pink, organized through the Lynden PRCA Rodeo and presented by the Northwest Washington Fair Association. Check out the rodeo and get your tickets to next year’s fabulous Evening at the Vineyard. Your contribution will go a long way in supporting our local PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center.

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The Chrysalis Inn & Spa Donates $1,900 to Sean Humphrey House

Submitted by: The Chrysalis Inn & Spa

The Chrysalis Inn & Spa was proud to present their October spa donation in the amount of $1,900 to Sean Humphrey House whose mission is to optimize the quality of life for low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS, who may also suffer from other diseases and disabilities, and who are unable to live independently.

The Chrysalis, a locally owned hotel, spa and restaurant on Fairhaven’s waterfront, has given almost $18,000 to Whatcom County non-profits since February and plans to continue giving one percent of monthly spa revenues into 2018. November’s recipient will be Unity Care NW who provides affordable primary medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services for children and adults.

Change Starts with You!

Change starts with you! Photo courtesy: Focus Photography.

Submitted by: Satori, written by Danielle Rosellison

Recently, I was on a panel for the Women’s Professional Network here in Bellingham. To a room of approximately 70 business women, whose ages ranged 40-60, I asked how many of them knew someone who had benefited from medicinal cannabis. The vast majority of hands raised towards the ceiling, and my heart soared.

Danielle Rosellison is an owner/operating manager of Trial Blazin’ Productions, a cannabis farm in Bellingham, and President of The Cannabis Alliance. Photo courtesy: Satori.

This is valuable for two reasons. One, and the most obvious, is that that many people knew someone who had benefitted from medicinal cannabis. This is huge in itself. Two, and maybe more importantly, was that these women were comfortable enough to raise their hands in a professional setting. That, my friend, is what real change looks like.

As we work to free the cannabis plant, personal stories are the most impactful. Grandparents eradicating joint pain through a cannabis topical. Veterans rejoining civilian life by utilizing a vape pen even though they are plagued with PTSD. Children prone to seizures, like Maddy, getting off pharmaceutical drugs and going from multiple life-threatening seizures a day to once a month.

Patients have been denied access to life saving medication and families have been torn apart because fathers, sons and brothers sold a plant to someone who wanted it. The more you educate yourself on cannabis prohibition, the better choices you can make now.

People ask me all the time how they can help. It’s so easy. If you want to help the cannabis movement, then all you need to do is tell your story. Tell people at dinner parties about how cannabis helps you sleep through the night. Tell co-workers that you know someone with Parkinson’s whose tremors decrease after ingesting cannabis. Talk about how you carry a cannabis pain stick with you to address migraines. It doesn’t have to be a big story. Every little story helps, and the more we, the women, the mothers, the daughters, the grandmothers and aunts, tell stories about how cannabis is helping people, the sooner we can begin to repair the decades of harm that prohibition has done.

Danielle Rosellison is an owner/operating manager of Trail Blazin’ Productions, a cannabis farm in Bellingham WA. She is also the President of The Cannabis Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement of a vital, ethical and sustainable cannabis industry.

Header photo courtesy: Focus Photography

Signs Plus of Bellingham Takes a Family Approach

Signs Plus knows how to make any business look great. Photo courtesy: Signs Plus.

Signs Plus, Inc. of Bellingham knows what it takes to produce a high quality, highly innovative sign that tells the story of a business. As you drive down the streets of our community and see local business signs, you may only think of them as indicators of what business happens to be in that location. But each sign tells the customer so much more than that. It tells you a little about the personality of the business as well as the people behind it.

As project manager, Sydney Sutterfield enjoys her work. Photo courtesy: Signs Plus.

When I ask the Signs Plus team what makes a sign so important, I am amazed at the response I receive. “Signs are lasting tributes,” says Sydney Sutterfield, daughter of one of the owners and a Project Manager for Signs Plus. “They are the face of your business. Your customers see your sign before they taste your food or buy your product.”

Kim Jeppson, the General Manager and CFO who also happens to be the sister of one of the owners, adds, “Signs can have historical significance as well.”

The Herald Sign, which was renovated in 2016 by Signs Plus, is a great example of that historical significance. “I’ve enjoyed being a part of restoring historical signs in our own community,” says Sutterfield.

What makes Signs Plus such a unique and successful business? It is definitely the team behind the sign. “It is a huge family taking care of each other,” describes Sutterfield of the environment at Signs Plus. “Everyone has a common goal. Everyone contributes to the process.”

Project Manager Kelly Pfannenstiel knows how to get the job done. Photo courtesy: Signs Plus.

Walking in the front door of Signs Plus on Marine Drive, I get a quick view into one of the work rooms before I am greeted by Sutterfield and Project Manager Kelly Pfannenstiel. This is the place where all customers begin and their first opportunity to experience that personal touch that makes Signs Plus such a special and unique business.

Pfannenstiel, Sutterfield and Jeppson proudly describe “The Signs Sickness,” noticing signs everywhere you go and taking note of the good ones, the bad ones and the ones created by Signs Plus. Jeppson tells the story of her brother, co-owner of Signs Plus who is now retired, who created a visual blog of the signs he saw along a trip down Route 66. He repeated this same visual documentation as he traveled via motorcycle through South America. “It gets engrained in you,” she says.

Jim, Jamie and Sydney enjoy spending time together both at work and off the clock. Photo courtesy: Signs Plus.

The “Signs Sickness” is evidence of the team’s attention to detail and pride in their work. The signs they produce are the result of a very collaborative and open workplace environment. As I continue my time with this great group of people, I am inspired by their commitment to their work, their fellow employees and their customers.

“It’s really the relationships that we have with each other and with our customers that makes this business unique,” says Sutterfield.

Pfannenstiel, who is also Jeppson’s daughter, originally started in accounting part-time. “Full time just kind of happened,” she describes. “I noticed I started staying longer and longer. Now I’m one of the project managers. It’s been very exciting learning new skills.”

Jim and Sydney get adventurous in the great outdoors. Photo courtesy: Signs Plus.

She goes on to say that the work environment is one of her favorite parts of working at Signs Plus. Even working with her mom is an added benefit she says with a laugh as she describes the importance of family. “We’re close here,” she says. “We’re all friends and working with family really does help.”

Jeppson came into the business to set up accounting systems at the request of her brother. Twelve years later she is still there. “I love this crew,” she says. “I like walking back and seeing the signs being built, the lighting being tested and the true size and scale of each sign. We’re very proud of our company. We really do produce a quality product, making it the best product for our customers. Nobody here wants to just put in the hours. They want to do their job well.”

General Manager and CFO Kim Jeppson relaxes with her furry friend. Photo courtesy: Signs Plus.

Like the other two, Sutterfield began part time, ultimately moving into a full-time position at the family business. As a competitive gymnast who ultimately coached through college, Sutterfield was looking for a change upon graduation. “This was the right fit for me,” she says with a smile. “I love the team aspect we have here.

“We’re not cookie-cutter,” says Sutterfield. “We are distinctly unique and one of a kind.”

For each, life outside of Signs Plus mirrors life within. They describe the importance of family and friends, and their close connections to the community. “We’re all about family,” says Jeppson.

Sehome’s Grace Kim Places Twice at 2A State Meet, While Squalicum’s Yanran Le Wins Two Titles

Sehome's Stephanie Kirker during the preliminary round of the 2A state diving championships. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

The schedule makers didn’t do Sehome’s Grace Kim any favors at the Class 2A girls’ state swimming and diving championships. The junior’s events bookended the meet – two at the start and two at the end, making for quite a hectic scramble with a long intermission in between. “At least I get to relax about halfway through the meet,” Kim said.

Sehome’s Grace Kim, Joyce Kim and Sarah Leung cheer on teammate Marianna Kemp during the 200 medley relay at the 2A state meet. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

Physically, it was demanding, having to compete against the state’s top swimmers with little time between races. Mentally, however, it may have given Kim an edge.

“It’s stressful,” Kim said about the time leading up to a race, “but with the schedule this way I can just go out there and swim and not think about anything. I’ll swim, and by the time the next race happens all the nerves are out because I haven’t had time to think about it.”

Despite the busy agenda, Kim shined at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on November 10-11, placing among the top 5 in two individual events, while helping the Mariners finish 10th overall as a team.

Sehome junior Grace Kim placed twice at the 2A meet, finishing third in the 100 breaststroke and fifth in the 200 IM. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

“I felt really awesome being out here,” Kim said. “Our team is so close. We all have so much fun and I just love the environment here. Everyone is so nice, even if you are competing against them.”

Kim and the Mariners opened the state finals by placing fifth in the 200 medley relay. She was joined by sophomores Joyce Kim and Sarah Leung and fellow junior Marianna Kemp on the squad, which knocked a full second off its preliminary time in the finals, finishing the event in 1:56.54.

Kim then claimed a fifth-place finish in the 200 IM with a time of 2:17.41 before grabbing third place in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.77).

She rounded out the meet by joining Joyce Kim, Leung and Kemp in finishing 12th in the 400 freestyle relay (3:57.46).

Sehome coach Don Helling talks with Grace Kim following preliminaries at the state meet. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

“She is just a ball of energy,” Sehome coach Don Helling said about Kim. “She’s matured a lot as an athlete since her first two years here. She’s more thoughtful and focused and training harder than she ever has and it’s playing off, and that’s exactly the movement I want to see out of our swimmers here. She’s definitely one of the team leaders.”

Sehome, which also received an eighth-place finish from Joyce Kim in the 100 backstroke (1:01.92), finished with 90 total points. Liberty of Renton won the team title with 298 points – 50 more than any other program.

Lynden freshman Sara Jones finished 14th in the 40 free (26.11). Bellingham junior Avey Bathum finished 12th in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.89), while teammate Carley Preator was the only freshman to place among the top 10 in the diving, finishing ninth overall with a score of 269.40.

Sehome’s Wanling Kratzman following an event at the Class 2A girls’ state swimming and diving championships. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

Prior to the start of the finals, former Sehome swimmer Megan Thompson was inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Thompson, who graduated in 1994, helped the Mariners to one state team title and three second-place finishes. She also won the 3A state title in the 100 backstroke in 1990, 1992 and 1993, and was a member of five Sehome relay teams which captured state championships.

“Megan is our first swimmer from Sehome and just the second swimmer from Bellingham to be induced into the Hall of Fame,” said Helling, who coached Thompson. “She joins John Wilson, who was a swimmer at Bellingham in the 1960s. So it’s pretty exciting for our program.”

Squalicum’s Yanran Le Doubles Down at the 3A State Meet

Sehome’s Stephanie Kirker during the preliminary round of the 2A state diving championships. Photo credit: Grant Clark.

Squalicum’s Yanran Le was a dual state champion at the Class 3A state meet, winning the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke.

The senior won the 200 IM with a time of 2:05.42, which was nearly two seconds ahead of any other swimmer. She later added her second state crown by winning the 100 breast, stopping the clock in an All American Consideration (AAC) time of 1:03.18.

Yanran, who will swim next year at Columbia University, finished second in the 100 breast last year and entered the state meet after setting the 3A Northwest District Meet record in the event.

Squalicum junior Helene Synnott finished second in the 1-meter diving event, narrowly missing out on claiming a state championship. Synnott posted a final score of 395.65. Snohomish freshman Kayli Kersavage won the event with a score of 395.80, while Bellevue senior Sarah Walsh was third (395.50).

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