On May 25, Village Books is hosting Suzanne Selfors, Kevin Emerson and Garth Stein in a special three-author event. This is a great event for families. Come meet the authors and get your books signed! The event will be held at 7:00 p.m. at 1200 11th Street in Bellingham.
Village Books is hosting Suzanne Selfors, Kevin Emerson and Garth Stein. Photo courtesy: Village Books.
Don’t miss this trio of celebrated authors!
Kevin Emerson’s Last Day on Mars is an epic, science fiction adventure, complete with alien mysteries and two kids on a mission to save the human race.
Kevin Emerson has written 16 books for young readers, including the Atlanteans Trilogy and The Fellowship for Alien Detection. He is a former science teacher. He lives with his family in Seattle, where he is a drummer and singer in the band, Northern Allies.
Enzo & the 4th of July Races takes its readers on a thrilling racing adventure with Enzo, the beloved dog from Art of Racing in the Rain. Garth Stein is the NYT best-selling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain. His most recent novel is A Sudden Light. He co-founded the literary group, The Seattle7. He lives with his family in Seattle.
Suzanne Selfors’ Spirit Riding Free: The Adventure Begins is an adventure about a city girl and a wild mustang who work together to find a new home in the wild west. Now a Netflix Original Series.
Peter in is natural habitat, watering the hanging plants in downtown Bellingham. Photo courtesy: Bellingham Herald.
Bellingham’s Peter Gunn wakes up every morning thinking “How can I go out there and make somebody laugh today?”
When I first met Peter in 1999, I thought he had lived in Bellingham all of his life. He seemed to know everyone and everyone seemed to know him. I would soon learn that Peter has a way of ingratiating himself into every work and life situation using his own special brand of humor.
Peter Gunn has brought laughter and service to Bellingham since his arrival. Photo courtesy: Peter Gunn.
Peter was born in New York and has not lost one ounce of his distinctive east coast accent. Growing up, he had been told he was funny. He recalled that the first time he made someone laugh was when he was in high school. It was the pivotal moment when he knew he wanted to spend his life making people laugh.
Peter moved to California on Lincoln’s Birthday in 1973 after getting his degree in Liberal Arts from Nassau Community College in Garden City. He spent that next summer in Colorado working. Then he hitchhiked back to Los Angeles where he spent the next 15 years working for the phone company.
When Peter was about to turn 40, a friend at work was also turning 40. His friend went skydiving to mark the occasion. To mark turning 40, Peter took his first comedy class, taught by Judy Carter, and started doing stand-up comedy at the Comedy Store in LA. Until then, he had never “gotten up” in front of an audience to do stand-up comedy because he was afraid of failing. “Guess what, you will fail,” he laughs.
From 1991 to 1996, Peter’s life went through a transition that resulted in his moving away from Southern California. He was out of money, the LA air was too smoggy, there was too much traffic and his neighborhood was being overtaken by gangs. He moved to Bellingham and for the first three years, he lived at The Lighthouse Mission.
A gentleman named Bill Cardinal who worked with the residents took a shine to Peter, noticing how Peter made everyone in his path feel important, not judged and worth talking to. Bill helped Peter create a resume and cover letter, shared knowledge and job skills that included using a computer and the art of being interviewed (and interviewing … a skill that would come in handy years later in his work at KVOS where he created “Peter Gunn, Man on the Street.”)
This portrait of Peter Gunn was painted by his dear friend, the late George Jartos. Photo courtesy: Peter Gunn.
Other than living, eating and working at the Mission during those early days in Whatcom County, Peter kept very busy, volunteering at many local non-profits. He also attended City Council meetings, spent countless hours in the library, bookstores and going to movies. He used all of these opportunities to network in the community while sharing his unique brand of humor, gradually putting the pieces of his life together.
Peter contributed articles for the Cascadia Weekly (then the Every Other Weekly) and other magazines. While still living at the Mission, Peter did standup gigs at the Cookie Cafe and Stuart’s (now Bayou on Bay.)
When he was ready to move out of the Mission, Peter was hired to work part-time for the Downtown Neighborhood Association, now Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) where he worked on and off for more than 15 years. He also worked at The International Newsstand for three years until it closed. Thanks to his connections in the community, he landed a part-time job at Pepper Sisters where he worked for almost 14 years until his recent transition into retirement.
Peter continued to hone his craft and performed at benefits and open mics all over Bellingham, incorporating humor when he regularly introduced films at the Pickford Film Center.
The first time I saw Peter do comedy on stage, he was the emcee for an event at the Mount Baker Theater the year actress Hilary Swank was nominated for “Boys Don’t Cry.” One of Peter’s bits featured him on a treadmill. He and I agreed that the set was “a bomb.”
Peter records voiceover work in the studio. Photo courtesy: Peter Gunn.
He still didn’t give up his dream.
Years after that bad set at MBT, he did a set at another event at Poppe’s (now B-town Kitchen and Raw Bar.) Again, it bombed. Six months later, he did the exact same set at The Upfront comedy club and the audience laughed like crazy!
Peter’s humor is political and social commentary and observational comedy. “When somebody my age gets up on stage, the kids are really respectful,” he says. “I don’t get heckled. Or maybe they just assume because I’m so old I can handle it better.”
Peter describes himself as being approachable, reflective and considerate. When I told some local business owners and politicians that I was writing a story about him for WhatcomTalk, they jumped at the chance to contribute their thoughts about their friend, Peter Gunn.
Max Kaiser from Hand Crank Films said, “Peter Gunn brings a sweet and very human warmth to all his roles that feels completely unique and original. Our films wouldn’t be the same without him.”
Jeff Margolis from Everybody’s Store said, “Being somewhat of the same generation, my respect for fastidious working men enabled a casual acquaintanceship to arise between Peter and myself. When I last saw him he complimented me by remarking that I was looking ‘good.’ I’ll tell you Peter, you should know, there are three stages of life – childhood, adulthood and ‘you’re lookin’ good!’”
Peter in is natural habitat, watering the hanging plants in downtown Bellingham. Photo courtesy: Bellingham Herald.
Norman Green from Threshold Documents said, “We can easily riff off of each other’s material, which is all either of us is looking for in this world. He makes me laugh.”
Susan Albert from Pepper Sisters said, “How many times in the midst of my crazy life did I hear jokes, crafted for his latest stand-up routine, and slow down and laugh, laugh with this warm funny, irreverent, fellow New Yorker.”
Deb Slater, formerly of KVOS-TV said, “He always gave me something to smile about. Through the years, that hasn’t changed.”
County Councilman Ken Mann said, “Peter loves downtown and has worked hard to make it a great place. Best of all, he always makes me laugh.”
Mark Asmundson, former Mayor for the City of Bellingham, said, “When I was mayor I used to have breakfast every morning with a group at the Little Cheerful Cafe. At least three days out of five, I would see Peter and chat with him on the corner. He always had a joke that was either really good or really bad. He is the human equivalent of the Bellingham Farmers Market, he is that important of a fixture of downtown Bellingham. Peter is a key anchor to downtown.”
Peter recently retired from all of his formal work for DBP and Pepper Sisters. He plans to do more stand-up in his leisure time. And more volunteering, maybe at the Bellingham Senior Center. “If I make a joke about Adlai Stevenson, they’ll laugh,” he said.
You may see him downtown putting up posters or gardening every spring for Washington Federal Bank. If you stop and say hello, I can guarantee he’ll have a joke or two for you.
Rain gardens are an excellent form of stormwater management. Photo courtesy: Northwest Rain Solutions LLC.
If you live in Whatcom County there must be some small part of you that likes wearing perpetually wet shoes and the challenge of walking to your car after work without an umbrella. Not unlike our coffee, beer and sword ferns, the Pacific Northwest rain is plentiful. Much of it, however, immediately turns into stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants into our local waterways and drinking water, creating harmful living environments for ecosystems and the community alike. Luckily, there are many ways rainwater can be managed and used to benefit not only the environment but individual residents and commercial businesses.
Rainwater Harvesting
Plantas Nativa is open every Friday and Saturday and always by appointment. Photo courtesy: Kali Klotz-Brooks.
Northwest Rain Solutions LLC is a local company that specializes in rainwater catchment and harvesting. They make it possible to put rainwater to use within our homes or businesses by providing storage, filtration and use solutions, all while reducing stormwater runoff. President of the company, CJ Huxford, explained, “We do everything from rainwater catchment for irrigation all the way to drinking water. We do commercial applications and water and storage tank installations and maintenance, as well as design and install full filtration systems.”
CJ described the benefits of rainwater management for residents and businesses trying to obtain building permits or meet regulations. “Last year we went down to Elysian Brewery in Seattle and we built a corrugated steel tank that’s only purpose was to manage the rainwater,” he said. “When the rainwater comes off of their 40,000 square foot roof it goes into these tanks. It has a little orifice that lets water out very slowly so that before the next rainstorm comes it has slowly gone out into the system instead of all at once and causing problems.” This strategy also cuts down on stormwater fees that commercial businesses have to pay, which has the potential to be a major cost savings.
There is a wide variety of systems and different tank sizes available to match the needs of residents and commercial businesses. Photo courtesy: Northwest Rain Solutions LLC.
For issues like the current well moratorium that has restricted building in rural areas due to low producing aquifers, catchment systems can provide water access and thus allow potential builders to obtain building permits. “We have helped a couple folks just this past year who weren’t able to get water. We designed a rainwater system that was able to meet their whole house use,” CJ explained.
Northwest Rain Solutions LLC is also very active within the Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP), a program that reimburses homeowners who do mitigation projects on their lot, which helps to reduce the runoff from impervious surfaces. This program especially targets homes within the Lake Whatcom watershed since the lake is the primary reservoir for most residents in the area. Its goal is to convert 87 percent of the developed watershed back into a natural, hydrologically functioning, undeveloped area within the next 50 years.
Plantas Nativa carries rain barrels in three different sizes: 55, 265 and 300 gallon tanks. Photo credit: Kali Klotz-Brooks.
“Given that you can’t have everybody move out of the watershed, that’s where low impact development and managing rainwater onsite comes into play,” CJ explained. Over 400 projects have been implemented due to this program. It’s especially nice because there are a lot of solutions to help solve these problems by using different strategies. For instance, consider your water use. The water we use from Lake Whatcom is expensive to treat and, considering what we use it for, often quite unnecessary for it to meet drinking water standards. “About 25-35 percent of the water you use indoors gets flushed down the toilet or is used in your cold water laundry,” CJ said. “So the philosophy is that if you have more people in the watershed with toilet flushing systems, in which case the water is not running off, being retreated and using energy, there is a lot of potential cost savings.”
Sustainable Landscaping
Another solution that goes hand-in-hand with rainwater is sustainable landscaping. Implementing rain gardens by planting native plants is a great way to reduce stormwater runoff and keep waterways healthy. Plantas Nativa, owned by Bay Renaud and located in Bellingham’s one-of-a-kind Alley District, is an excellent resource for such projects.
Plantas Nativa has over 130 different types of native plants for sale. Photo credit: Kali Klotz-Brooks.
The local business started in 1994 for commercial native plant seed collection and has since morphed to include wetland mitigation, landscaping and the wholesale and retail of native plants and rain barrels. When asked how rainwater collection and native plants pair together, Bay responded, “It’s just kind of the same. You are preaching to the same choir. People who want native plants understand the importance of conserving water and they want their plants to do the same.”
While Northwest Rain Solutions LLC handles larger rainwater catchment installations, Plantas Nativa addresses the do-it-yourselfers who use rainwater on a smaller scale. Plantas Nativa sells three different sizes- 300 gallons, 275 gallon and your typical blue barrels which are 55 gallons. “Most people use them for watering plants,” Bay explained. “Occasionally people use them for storage water in case of emergencies. Some people use them for aquaculture where they grow fish in them and use the water as fertilizer for water their plants.” He also mentioned how much of an economic incentive there is to use rainwater now that the city has implemented meters. By cutting back on city water use, residents not only have the potential to reduce stormwater runoff, but to also save money.
Rain gardens are an excellent form of stormwater management. Photo courtesy: Northwest Rain Solutions LLC.
Between rainwater catchment savings and the Homeowner Incentive Program, which is willing to reimburse residents up to $1.30 per square foot of protected area, there are many reasons why low impact development solutions should be put to use. Both CJ and Bay make it easy and are here to help get you started. You might as well take advantage of our PNW rain. Keep your plants happy, up your savings and keep local waterways clean!
The A-1 Builders team Rick Dubrow, Shawn Serdahl, Justus Peterson, Maggie Bates, Cindi Landreth, Patrick Martin and Bobbi Plata celebrate Sustainable Connections' Meaningful Employment Award. All but Rick and Cindi will be members of the WOC. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
The crew at A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio has led the way in Whatcom County on green building and sustainable business practices. Owners Rick Dubrow and Cindi Landreth have recently shifted their company’s philosophy of thinking long-term towards additional areas, like the Universal Design and Aging-In-Place movements.
Rick Dubrow and Cindi Landreth are the current owners of A-1 Builders. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
These admirable practices, combined with quality work from highly skilled professionals, have made A-1 Builders in high demand for remodels, with a current load of ten designs in progress and a waiting list of 14 more design clients. Meanwhile, their production crew is working on five projects with eight others waiting to start. Projects cover the gamut of what can be done to an existing structure, from a deck extension to a kitchen redo; from a Victorian exterior remodel to the addition of a new garage. With all the work pouring in, A-1 Builders has extended its staff to include two new carpenters and two additional designers.
So what does it take to be a part of the growing A-1 Builders team? The credentials range just as much as the project types they handle. Take the two new-hire carpenters, for example. Alex Fletcher brings along a 10-year background in cabinet making while Bradlee Frierott, former business owner and yoga educator, is new to town and seeking to learn the construction trade.
A-1 Builders Office is easy to find with its readerboard on Northwest Avenue. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
“A-1 Builders believes in making a fair profit by hiring, training, motivating and rewarding a highly professional group of co-workers who work as a team to produce a well-designed and well-crafted product,” says A-1 Builders co-owner, “First Hammer” and President, Rick Dubrow. “We hire folks interested in a career path, not just for a project here or there.”
Another key to success is having a team that focuses on customer service and satisfaction in every step of the process. “Achieving such satisfaction in this business takes many forms,” says Dubrow. “It’s often said that managing dust and debris is as important as the quality of our product. When problems arise, we try to deal with them honestly, transparently and with integrity, fairly and firmly.”
Mike Gill [Project Manager] and Maggie Bates [designer and future design manager for Adaptations Design Studio] collaborate on a project. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.Customers take notice of this attention to detail and commitment to respect and integrity, as is nicely illuminated by the amount of repeat business and glowing reviews A-1 Builders has built over the decades. “Nobody is perfect but one of A-1’s best qualities is their willingness to make things right and even point out their own mistakes when they find them,” says Whatcom County resident and A-1 customer Anthony Bon. “They listened and took the time before we started to understand our wants and tastes, and provided a thorough and professional proposal detailing everything from insulation to doorknobs.”
It’s not just clients who have taken notice of A-1’s superior business practices. The company has been racking up awards for years, including the Best of HOUZZ Award in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 for client satisfaction and the Angie’s List Super Service Award in their “Remodeling – General” category in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
A glimpse into the Adaptations showroom at 3310 Northwest Avenue in Bellingham. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
“When it comes down to it, I’m an environmentalist who runs a business and this has driven oh so much,” says Dubrow. “[Environmental entrepreneur, journalist and author] Paul Hawken said that ‘There’s no polite way to say that business is destroying the world.’ And I agree with him. Hence our focus on people and planet. Our awards emerge from this focus.”
A new recognition came in 2016 when Sustainable Connections selected A-1 Builders for their Meaningful Employment Sustainability Champion Award. Every year the local nonprofit honors five local businesses that are taking steps towards achieving a healthy triple bottom line: taking care of employees, the environment and the local economy. This particular award goes to a local company that provides employment opportunities that engage employees, provides livable jobs and plans for the future.
The A-1 Builders team – Rick Dubrow, Shawn Serdahl, Justus Peterson, Maggie Bates, Cindi Landreth, Patrick Martin and Bobbi Plata – celebrate Sustainable Connections’ Meaningful Employment Award. All but Rick and Cindi will be members of the WOC. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio.
Not only have owners Dubrow and Landreth worked hard to create a meaningful working culture and family-like environment in many ways today—such as providing exceptional benefits for their employees—they are also looking forward to the team’s future. Now on their way to retirement, Dubrow and Landreth are in the process of selling their entire business to eligible staff, forming a worker-owned cooperative; a Subchapter-T Corporation. Within a few months they will metamorphose into “A-1 Builders & Adaptations Design Studio, a Design/Build, Worker-Owned Cooperative.”
“Cindi and I started studying this model as a possible succession plan as we began to explore retirement. The model fits our values like a glove,” says Dubrow. “We can pass the company on to those responsible for its success, bringing democracy into the workplace and avoiding inequality head on.”
Ballet Bellingham has announced that it is organizing a delightful new performance of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. One of the most adored stories of all time will take center stage at the Mount Baker Theatre on Sunday, June 11 and tickets are now available online at the Mount Baker Theatre box office and also by phone. According to Jessica Crook, Cinderella’s rags-to-riches fairy tale will enchant fans from all age groups and everyone will enjoy the presentation.
Ballet Bellingham will perform Cinderella at Mount Baker Theatre. Photo courtesy: Ballet Bellingham.
“We wanted our production of Cinderella to be entertaining and enchanting for audiences of all ages. Watching these dancers, some of whom are brand new to performing, bring this story to life has been a joy to watch,” said Jessica Crook, Artistic Director at Ballet Bellingham. “Join Cinderella, her silly step-sisters, Fairy Godmother and many other fantastic characters as Cinderella finds her handsome prince in everyone’s favorite happily ever after story.”
In addition to the performance itself, there will be beautiful costumes, graceful choreography and lots of humor to bring this timeless tale to life. This 90-minute production is perfect for even the youngest of audience members. Squalicum High School sophomore, Aislinn Knight, stars as Cinderella. Sehome High School senior, Naomi Whiting, portrays the Fairy Godmother. Furthermore, Whatcom Community College students Bailey Crook and Sierra Thomsen bring the laughs as Cinderella’s stepsisters.
Tickets are $10 and are available at the Mount Baker Theatre box office, online at www.mountbakertheatre.com or by phone at 360-734-6080.
The 15th Annual Bellingham Bay Bocce Tournament, hosted by Boccemon and benefitting the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC), was Saturday, May 6. Thirty-two teams of four, including many local favorites, competed in the largest bocce tournament in the Northwest.
Aslan Brewing played against Kulshan during the 15th Annual Bellingham Bay Bocce Tournament. Photo Credit: Phil Rose.
Smith & Just, PS, a public accounting firm from Seattle took this year’s championship. After a heated championship game, 2nd place went to the Bocce Dawgs of Seattle and 3rd place went to Island Movers of Eastsound.
Spectators cheered on their favorite teams while enjoying this annual celebration. Festivities included: a salmon BBQ lunch donated by The Black Cat, a Boundary Bay beer garden and raffles. Kids enjoyed a bounce castle, activities and face painting.
This successful event raised over $11,000 for the WDRC, a nonprofit serving Whatcom County with a mission of: Providing and promoting constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict through mediation, training, facilitation and community education.
The 15th Annual Bellingham Bay Bocce Tournament benefits the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center. Photo Credit: Phil Rose.
The tournament was started by the McNutt family and made possible by generous sponsors, local donors and dedicated volunteers. The WDRC is grateful to tournament host and title sponsor Tom and Erin McNutt of Boccemon; gold sponsors: Boundary Bay Brewery and The Black Cat; and silver sponsors: Robey Namba PS Personal Injury & Disability Law, Buri Funston Mumford, and Barkley Co.
Plans are in the works for the 16th Annual Bellingham Bay Bocce Tournament in spring 2018. WDRC Development & Outreach Coordinator, Iris Maute-Gibson stated “The tournament is selling out earlier each year as more and more people get the bocce bug. Sponsorship will open in January of 2018 and we encourage those interested to get on board right away.” Those interested in sponsoring a team or playing in the tournament can contact the WDRC at outreach@whatcomdrc.org.
The author's family enjoys some sunshine and lemonade at Fairhaven Fish and Chips while waiting for their order. Photo credit: Amy Blackwood.
Every family needs a break from cooking at home from time to time, but the next challenge is often deciding on what restaurant to visit. Luckily there are a lot of delectable options around town that offer good food at reasonable prices and support our community to boot! So put your worries at ease and choose from one of these neighborhood gems the next time your crew starts looping the seemingly endless “Where do you want to go?” – “I don’t know, where do you want to go?” discussion. Keep your kids, your belly and your wallet happy at one of these locally owned restaurants in Bellingham, Ferndale or Lynden.
An adorable customer enjoys a helping of pancakes at Fiamma Burger. Photo courtesy: Fiamma Burger.
Kick off your weekend with breakfast at Fiamma Burger and they’ll throw in free pancakes for the kids. Yes, that’s right—This is the sweet little restaurant down on Railroad where you can get great kid deals and amazing shakes for lunch and dinner. They do breakfast, too, from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. every day. May through September you can bring your kids in on the weekend for free pancakes with the purchase of an adult entrée. The entrées are pretty amazing and reasonably priced themselves, starting at just $6.50 for the Biscuits & Gravy or the JoJo Breakfast Poutine. Done and done.
And speaking of amazing breakfast deals, the Daisy Cafe serves it up hot and fresh every day from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Anyone can order from the “For the Kids” or “Kids at Heart” section of the menu which holds tried-and-true family favorite The Ol’e Twosie. It really packs a punch with two generous pieces of their famous cinnamon orange French toast, one egg (prepared as you like) and your choice of meat. Opt for a booth in the lovely and bright front room or head to the back indoor patio where the kids can visit the building’s lobby fountain while you wait for your order.
The author’s family enjoys some sunshine and lemonade at Fairhaven Fish and Chips while waiting for their order. Photo credit: Amy Blackwood.
If you’re looking for something a little fun and different, drop by Fairhaven Fish & Chips – a stationary “food truck” in the form of a red double-decker bus right at the heart of the Fairhaven historic district. The affordable kid’s meal option includes a choice of cod, salmon or chicken; fries; a drink; and a small ice cream cone. If the weather’s nice, grab a table or counter seat right by the bus. Or take your haul to the Fairhaven Green for a picnic. If it’s not so nice out, you can enjoy your meal inside the sweet little enclosed gazebo.
One of the “darn good” burgers served fresh daily at Ferndale’s Good Burger. Photo courtesy: Good Burger.
For those looking for a good burger, there’s no experience quite like Ferndale’s Good Burger housed in a World War II era steel Quonset hut. As its entertaining commercial proclaims, “It’s called Good Burger because it’s a darn good burger.” Ground fresh every day, it certainly is one of the best in Whatcom County. The rest of the menu is just as enjoyable with a variety of options like fish, chicken, tacos and even chili. It’s always a bonus when the “kids” menu is open to all ages and, at Good Burger, the Little Eagle Meals offer a smaller portion with fries and a drink and can be ordered by anyone looking for slightly lighter fare.
Good To Go Meat Pies owner Holly Bevan-Bumford poses with a fresh batch of Pasties hot from the oven. Photo courtesy: Good To Go Meat Pies.
Following in a Cornish tradition handed down for generations, Good to Go Meat Pies in Lynden specializes in tasty meat (and one veggie!) pies made fresh daily. Working with a long list of nearby farms and suppliers, Good to Go Meat Pies uses local ingredients as often as possible. Their passion and dedication pay off in an array of wholesome and delicious food, including made-from-scratch soups and desserts. According to Bellingham resident Molly Porter, this is a place people will go out of the way for. “Every time I’m anywhere in the vicinity of Good to Go Meat Pies, I make sure to get there,” Porter says. Families love having the choice to order meat pies hot, chilled or frozen, and the size of the pasties is big enough for kids to split (or for Mom and Dad to save half for lunch the next day).
Tacos are just one of the mouthwatering options available on Jalapeños ‘happy hour menu. Photo courtesy: Jalapeños.
Happy Hour may not always bring to mind family-fun time, especially when it’s at the home of the original Big Mama margarita, but Sunday’s all day Happy Hour at local favorite Jalapeños is perfect for the kids. Any place that supplies chips and salsa to munch on while waiting for the food to be prepared gets big bonus points with most families. When the sun is shining you can sit at the outdoor seating found at all three locations—Downtown, Fairhaven and Barkley—or there’s plenty of room inside to keep your crew comfortable. Order up a few of everyone’s favorite appetizers—tacos, nachos, quesadillas, poppers—and enjoy!
No matter where you choose to take your crew, one thing is for certain – everyone will have fun bonding and making memories as you eat out together.
Welding students and enthusiasts from across the northwest and beyond gather each spring at Bellingham Technical College (BTC) to transform scrap metal into art masterpieces at the popular Welding Rodeo Sculpture Competition and Skills Challenge. This year’s event will be Saturday, May 20 with amateur, professional and artist welders creating around a common theme – the Salish Sea.
The Welding Rodeo is slated for Saturday, May 20 at Bellingham Technical College. Photo courtesy: Bellingham Technical College.
BP has been title sponsor of the Welding Rodeo since its inception in 2002 and this year BP has donated nearly 10 tons of scrap metal to the event.
“BP supports BTC and the welding program because their success is important to our success. It’s wonderful to have a strong foundation for welding and other trade skill development in our own community,” said Pam Brady, Associate Director of Government and Public Affairs at BP and a member of the BTC Foundation Board of Directors.
BP is a proud supporter of BTC and their partnership extends beyond the upcoming BTC Welding Rodeo. Since 2004, BP Cherry Point Refinery has donated more than $275,000 to BTC. BP has two endowed scholarships established which annually provide more than $6,500 in student scholarships.
BP is a proud supporter of Bellingham Technical College and has donated $275,000 to the school since 2004. Photo courtesy: Bellingham Technical College.
“Here at BTC, BP Cherry Point Refinery has made it possible for countless students to attend college, upgrade their workforce skills and obtain jobs, all of which contribute to a healthy economy and vibrant community,” said Dean Fulton, Executive Director of the BTC Foundation.
In addition to annual sponsorships and scholarships, BP Cherry Point Refinery donates items that directly benefit various programs, including scrap metal, program equipment, and specialized clothing.
BP has a direct interest in joining forces with BTC to educate and train future workers for jobs needed at the refinery including Process Technology, Instrumentation and Control Technology, Electronics, Electro-Mechanical Technology, Welding, and Engineering. “As a former BTC student, I’m proud to be able to give back to the institution that trained me to be part of the workforce,” said Tim Mark, General Shop Foreman BP Cherry Point Maintenance Department.
During the Welding Rodeo, Bellingham Technical College students have eight hours to fabricate a sculpture. Photo courtesy: Bellingham Technical College.
BP Cherry Point Refinery has also played a significant role in helping BTC obtain a state-wide designated Center of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing.
“The fact is that countless lives have been changed for the better, critical jobs have been filled, and the local economy has benefitted tremendously because of the generous support of BP Cherry Point,” said Fulton.
The public is invited to join and watch the sparks fly at the May 20 Welding Rodeo as each team designs and fabricates a sculpture in eight hours. The winners of the competition will receive cash prizes and then the welded art pieces will be auctioned at 4:45 p.m., giving spectators a chance to bid on unique art for their home or garden. Auction proceeds will provide scholarships for BTC welding students.
Silvia Reed, Events Coordinator for the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce since 2015, brings a unique perspective to her role in coordinating Chamber events. Prior to accepting the position, Reed was already a Chamber of Commerce member and a regular participant and volunteer in the events she now plans.
Silvia Reed, Events Coordinator for the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, brings a unique perspective to her role in coordinating Chamber events. Photo courtesy: Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce.
While living in the Middle East, Reed was involved in a women’s organization whose purpose was to connect expatriate women from around the world while supporting a cause. It was while she was a part of this organization that she became involved with planning and promoting events. This opportunity put her on the track of a career in promotion and event planning.
As a volunteer with the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, Reed knew the various aspects of events planning from working with staff through the actual event execution. Now Reed feels her role at the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce is the icing on the cake. “I love the energy and the opportunity to represent our organization,” she says. Reed also enjoys working with sponsors, vendors, volunteers and everyone involved in each event. Her community involvement gives her a unique perspective. She truly understands what goes into a successful event such as the Annual Awards Dinner.
Reed enthusiastically describes her role as giving her the ability to create a unique event that allows her to learn something new each time. “There’s something so tangible about coordinating a large event like the Junior Ski to Sea Race or the Haggen Family 4th of July Celebration,” she says. “It’s exciting!”
Next time you see Reed at a Bellingham Chamber of Commerce event, be sure to stop and say hello!
Armed Forces Day is Saturday so why not take the opportunity to express your thanks to those who have served our country? Buy a cup of coffee for a vet. Donate to a veterans’ cause. Lend your support and encouragement to military families. Or just take the time to say thank you. In between, be sure to take some time to enjoy this beautiful land that our military members protect. You’ll find plenty of fun Whatcom County weekend events to keep you busy. Here’s a few to get you started. Don’t forget to check our full events calendar for all the great local happenings this 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.
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...
