Readers’ Choice: WhatcomTalk’s Most Read Stories in March

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B-town-INTERIOR 2 four points — B-Town Kitchen & Raw bar has televisions for special sports events. Photo courtesy: Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center.

March saw the addition of many new and interesting local reads to the pages of WhatcomTalk. Each month we like to take a look back at what most resonated with our community. Here are some of WhatcomTalk’s most read stories published in March:

The B-Town Kitchen & Raw Bar is Coming to Bellingham

WhatcomTalk's most read — B-Town Kitchen & Raw bar will offer a brand new culinary experience. Photo courtesy: Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center.

B-Town’s raw bar plans to serve raw oysters, salmon carpaccio, hamachi crudo, ahi tuna, scallops, clams, peel & eat spot prawns, crab cocktail, shrimp cocktail and more. Bento Boxes will offer combinations of tuna or salmon, poke, sashimi or carpaccio, seaweed salad, yuzo miso or ponzu sauce, and edamame. Fresh flavors featuring the Pacific Northwest’s maritime bounty are sure to keep any seafood lover satisfied. This article on B-Town was WhatcomTalk’s most read in March.

Brotha Dudes Creates Fast, Affordable and Healthy Food

Brotha Dudes, the new “fresh eats” restaurant is located at 202 East Holly Street in Bellingham. Photo credit: Conor O’Keefe.

Brotha Dudes’ mission statement is to create fast, affordable and healthy food, three things much needed in the college town. The origin of Brotha Dudes’ namesake is every bit as unique as the food they serve up. Bellinghamsters are excited about this new eatery, as evidenced by its ranking in WhatcomTalk’s most read stories in March.

Bellingham Farmers Market Celebrates 25 Years of Sustainable Agriculture

From seasonal vegetables to beautiful flowers, Bellingham Farmers Market has offered the very best in local, sustainable agriculture for 25 years. Photo courtesy: Bellingham Farmers Market.

The Bellingham Farmers Market supports local sustainable agriculture by connecting the public with local farmers, artisans and other producers in an economically viable marketplace. What started as a dream for the founding members has grown into one of the largest farmers markets in Washington State, and a destination for both locals and tourists. Their 25th season opened April 1 with a fun celebration for the whole family.

Editor’s Pick: Stephanie Meester of Lynden Becomes First Tupperware Consultant to Earn Three Convertibles in Sales Program

Meester is the only one among more than 100,000 independent Tupperware consultants in the United States and Canada to earn a third Mustang convertible for reaching sales goals earlier this year. Nobody else in the history of Tupperware, which has provided food preparation, storage and serving solutions since 1946, has accomplished the feat.

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

Old World Deli Introduces Theme of the Month Program

By

Kenneth Clarkson

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Old World Deli 2 — Although formed in 2007, The Old World Deli opened up its State Street location in 2010. Photo credit: Conor O'Keefe.

Starting this April, the Old World Deli will be hosting a new theme of the month program at their Bellingham location on N. State Street. The restaurant is beginning a new monthly calendar focus that includes a country, area or theme for the evening specials Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The program will consist of offering wine and food specials specific to that focus.

Anna and Cristos hand select and personally enjoy the specialty food items offered at Old World Deli. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.

Owners Anna and Christos Adams had been thinking of creating theme nights at the deli for a while, but finally decided to bring the idea to fruition in 2017. They created the concept as a way to bring more customers to their location, particularly on Thursday nights, their slowest night of the week.

The deli already offers a 10 for 10 wine program on the last Thursday of every month. Anna said the theme of the month program will create more specific events on Thursdays in addition to offering food and wine specials throughout the month.

Old World Deli offers a plethora of delicious, cured, artisan meats. Photo credit: Conor O’Keefe.

“What we want to do is host a themed dinner on the second Thursday of every month showcasing food and wine from different regions,” Anna said. “The themed dinner will be the highlight of the themed month, and introduce the specials we put on our evening menu for that month.”

Currently, the staff at Old World Deli has their themes planned through the month of July. They plan to carry them on throughout the rest of the year, especially if they are well-received. “For April, our theme is going to be Italy. We are planning for the first themed dinner to feature house-made sausage, meatballs and pasta,” Anna said. “We are most likely going to offer a smaller version of our 10 for 10 wine program on the dinner nights. We are thinking of doing a 4 for 4.”

Old World Deli offers an inviting place to shop or dine. Photo credit: Conor O’Keefe.

The themed dinners will be set at a fixed price. Patrons will pay one price for both dinner and the accompanying wine selections. The deli will make exceptions for those who do not wish to drink by offering a discounted rate for just the food portion of the dinner. Other potential additions to the dinners will be raffles, discounted wines and live music, Anna said.

Anna and Christos want the themed dinners to be an introduction to the new evening specials for each respective month. “It’s our 10-year anniversary this year and we really wanted to try something new and special because of that. Having the themed months is one way to do that,” Anna said.

Old World Deli is a great place to find excellent wines as well as vermouth, bitters and olives to go in a cocktail. Photo Credit: Theresa Golden.

Old World Deli will be hosting an anniversary party to celebrate the 10-year milestone on June 13. The party will most likely coincide with their theme of the month for June, as they are finding a way to make the party and themed dinner night tie together.

Old World Deli is located at 1228 North State Street, between Holly & Chestnut, in Bellingham. For more information call 360-738-2090, email oldworlddeli1@mac.com or visit the Old World Deli website.

Sponsored

CAZ Energy Excels with Toward Zero Waste

By

Lorraine Wilde

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CAZ Energy Team — CAZ Energy Services reduced the waste their weatherization business sends to the landfill by 50% through reuse and recycling. Photo courtesy: CAZ Energy Services.

Whatcom County-based CAZ Energy Services (CAZ Energy) recently underwent a Sustainable Connections’ Toward Zero Waste audit. By implementing recommendations and techniques provided in the audit, CAZ was able to divert more than 50 percent of its business waste from the landfill. This affordable program is available to other area businesses through Sustainable Connections’ Sustainable Business Development program.

Co-Owner of CAZ Energy Services, Dan Dunne, implemented sustainable business practices for both the benefit of the community and the company’s bottom line. Photo credit: Mark Peterson.

Disposing of waste is an increasing problem. Much of it goes into landfills that take up usable land area and concentrate harmful chemicals for centuries or even millennia. In Washington State alone, we generate around 17 million tons of waste per year. In the U.S., $200 billion is spent on solid waste management and lost energy resources from disposing of trash. It’s clear that solid waste represents wasted resources, energy and money. But Bellingham-based Sustainable Connections is doing something about it.

“A recent Northwest Washington Waste Characterization Study revealed that organic or food waste is the number one waste product we’re sending to landfills, followed by paper and then construction and demolition debris,” explains Sustainable Connections’ Sustainable Business Manager, Mark Peterson. “There is a lot of opportunity for us to change that because we have the programs and infrastructure to compost, recycle and reuse those materials to keep them out of the landfills.”

Since 2002, Sustainable Connections has helped locally-owned and independently-run Whatcom County businesses thrive through sustainable business practices in support of a strong local economy. Their programs focus on promoting business practices that contribute to a healthy environment and include Food & Farming, Sustainable Business Development, Think Local First, Green Building and Smart Growth and Energy Efficiency and Renewables.

Sustainable Connections’ Sustainable Business Manager, Mark Peterson, leads the Toward Zero Waste Campaign. Photo courtesy: Sustainable Connections.

The Sustainable Business Development program seeks to help businesses improve their economic, social and environmental bottom line by implementing meaningful sustainability practices and programs. The Toward Zero Waste campaign is just one of the ways they are putting these goals into action.

In addition to the free Toward Zero Waste audit, the program also includes the creation of a waste reduction plan, employee education and scouring for every waste reduction and savings opportunity.

In the Fall of 2016, CAZ Energy agreed to be a case study for the campaign. They received a free waste audit by trained Toward Zero Waste Campaign specialists. “It seemed like the right thing to do for business and for the community,” explains Dan Dunne, CAZ Energy Manager of why they participated in the program. “There was a real chance of reducing the cost of disposing of our waste with fewer trips to the dump and fewer solid waste pick-ups, while contributing in a positive way.”

CAZ Energy is an insulation and weatherization company serving Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan Counties since 2010. Their services include installation of ductless heat pumps; attic, wall and floor insulation; air sealing; duct sealing and insulation; home ventilation; energy assessment; blower door testing and thermal imaging. Their work supports The Opportunity Council and the Community Energy Challenge. Much of their work occurs in residential homes built before 1970.

The Toward Zero Waste Campaign has been partnering with local governments and over 400 local businesses since 2009. Photo courtesy: Sustainable Connections.

As a result of the audit, CAZ Energy implemented many of the recommendations with free technical assistance from Sustainable Connections. With time and effort CAZ was able to accomplish these diversions from the landfill:

Separation and recycling of scrap metal from wiring, flashing and ducts
Cleaning and recycling more than four cubic yards of plastic sheeting each month from crawl space vapor barriers
Recycling and reuse of wood pallets
Recycling of cardboard at a rate of about 50 pounds per week
Recycling of paper products

By putting these recommendations into practice, CAZ Energy reduced its waste sent to landfill by more than 50 percent. That has translated not only into positive feelings about stewardship of the environment but also lower costs for waste disposal.

The Toward Zero Waste Campaign has enlisted the partnership of local governments and more than 400 local businesses. “It’s been around since 2009 and is one of our most requested programs,” notes Peterson. “Our goals include reducing volume and weight of waste headed to landfills, increasing reuse and recycling, and increasing purchase of recycled and environmentally-preferable products.”

CAZ Energy Services reduced the waste their weatherization business sends to the landfill by 50% through reuse and recycling. Photo courtesy: CAZ Energy Services.

“While a lot of construction and demolition debris recycling has focused on builders and contractors, construction subcontractors like CAZ Energy hold a lot of opportunities to reduce waste sent to landfill,” explains Peterson. “Our local governments have been very supportive of this program and we’re excited to help more and more businesses like CAZ Energy jump in to sustainable business practices and move ‘Toward Zero Waste!’”

CAZ Energy Services
4801 Northwest Drive
Bellingham
360-389-1056
dan@cazenergy.com
www.cazenergy.com

Sustainable Connections
1701 Ellis St. Suite 221
Bellingham
360-647-7093
www.sustainableconnections.org

Sehome Science Olympiad Students Mix Fun with Science

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Abigail Johnson - Intern from Sehome High School

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Group Shot — Sehome brought 220 students to Seattle on March 4 to compete at Science Olympiad. Photo credit: Amy Taylor.

Three weeks before the competition, the Sehome Science Olympiad Facebook page sees a frenzy of activity. Students are bombarded by reminders to turn in permission slips and screen print t-shirts. Work parties are scheduled. Event changes are announced. Anticipation builds. Many long nights later, hordes of coffee-wielding high schoolers gather at Sehome at 5:00 a.m. to start the journey to Seattle Central College for Science Olympiad.

Sehome students make final adjustments to their wind power device at the regional competition. Photo credit: Amy Taylor.

Starting in November, students work in small groups to prepare for tests and building events that take place at the regional Science Olympiad competition. Events span a range of subject areas including biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and environmental science.

Participating schools can register as many fifteen-person teams as they want plus additional alternates. Schools typically register two or three complete teams for the competition. This year, Sehome registered twelve.

“One of the most unique aspects of our team is its size,” notes Mark Toney, Physics teacher at Sehome High School. That seems to be an understatement, as Sehome boasts the largest Science Olympiad team in Washington State, with 23% of the student body participating this year. It easily wins out as the largest club or sport at Sehome.

Students test the accuracy of their robot arm by picking up and moving small piles of coins. Photo credit: Amy Taylor.

“The other unique thing about our team is that it’s completely student-led and student-driven. As coaches, we don’t do much in terms of organizing,” Toney adds. With the help of some impressive color-coded spreadsheets, student leaders spend hours assigning events, checking for scheduling conflicts and keeping team members on track. “I still don’t understand everything they do,” says Toney with a laugh, “but they all put in a lot of time to make this go smoothly.”

However, coaches and students agree that the best moments in Science Olympiad happen when things don’t go smoothly. Toney looks back fondly on the memory of last year’s competition when there was a significant mix-up with event times. “An hour before the competition, everybody’s schedules were completely messed up. Everything was in chaos. We panicked for a second then we just figured it out. Everyone snapped into action to solve the problem.” According to Toney, that day captured the essence of Science Olympiad. “This club teaches students how to work through problems calmly and independently. Students don’t depend on teachers to solve things for them; they learn to think about it on their own or work through it with a partner.”

These students are eager to test the strength of their tower. Photo credit: Amy Taylor.

Science Olympiad is just as much about cooperation as it is about leadership. Sehome Senior Angie Petrichenko values this balance as she prepares for her events. “You have to know that other people are relying on you,” she says. “You don’t have to be the best at science but you’re expected to contribute in whatever ways you can.” This responsibility to contribute is the sole driving force of everyone’s efforts and is the main factor that separates Science Olympiad from the culture of typical high school classes. “Nobody is working for a grade,” Toney points out. “Students take responsibility for learning it. It’s up to the students to excel.”

The sheer size of Sehome’s club clearly sets it apart from other programs. But what’s the real difference? According to Petrichenko, it boils down to the club’s culture. “Science Olympiad is stigmatized as a nerdy place with intense, unsocial people. But here, it’s a social activity as well as being about science.”

Sehome brought 220 students to Seattle on March 4 to compete at Science Olympiad. Photo credit: Amy Taylor.

It’s the social aspect of the club that makes it appeal to the masses. “Science Olympiad clearly promotes STEM education but it really creates enthusiasm among students with a variety of academic interests,” says Amy Hankinson, Chemistry teacher at Sehome High School.

Sehome Science Olympiad isn’t exclusively for future chemists or engineers but for all curious, motivated students. The secret ingredient is a relaxed and inclusive team atmosphere. “There’s a distinct culture here,” says Petrichenko, “It’s the teachers and the students that make it great. Science Olympiad could just be a lot of boring, burdensome work. But we enter the competition looking to have fun and looking to be excited, so that’s how it is for us.”

Raising the Roof at Lydia Place

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by: Lydia Place

Lydia Place is raising the roof. For nearly three-decades, the Bellingham-based housing and social service organization has been committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness for families and their children, expanding to meet the needs the community, while the physical footprint of the organization largely remained the same. The desperately needed expansion project involving the organization’s program office required a nearly two-year capital campaign, “Strengthening Families, Building Futures,” that included the leadership and support of both Bellingham Bay Rotary Club and Rotary Club of Bellingham, who contributed $50,000 and $100,000 respectively to the project. Further, both clubs committed representatives to Lydia Place to support the building and material acquisition process. Construction is expected to last upwards of six-months, with RAM Construction and RMC Architects guiding the way. A celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony are planned for fall 2017.

Lydia Place is committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness for families and their children. Photo courtesy: Lydia Place.

Lydia Place Executive Director Emily O’Connor states, “Our community is struggling with a housing and homeless crisis. On any given day there are roughly 80 homeless families with children in Bellingham. It is time for creative and innovative solutions to ensure that we disrupt the cycle of homelessness so the children in our programs today do not experience homelessness as adults. This is the heart of our work at Lydia Place.”

Under the guidance of the Lydia Place Board of Directors, management team and strategic partners, Lydia Place has expanded services and its capacity to meet the need of the community. “In the past five years we have added over ten staff, increased housing placements by 30 percent and added a parenting program and counseling services. However, through this significant growth, our physical operation space has remained the same. Staff have been tripled up in single offices and we have relocated some staff to an offsite location.”

The “Strengthening Families, Building Futures” campaign addresses the agency’s desperate need for additional infrastructure for its programs. The second story addition and ground floor remodel will allow Lydia Place to continue expansion of programs in pursuit of the agency’s vision – a community where every family has a home and the opportunity to thrive. Lydia Place relies on community support for over 60 percent of its operating budget. O’Connor is quick to note that this project is no different, “Our program expansion and the capital project would not be possible without our neighbors, community partners and generous supporters,” said O’Connor.

The “Strengthening Families, Building Futures,” campaign is nearing its goal. Agency directors hope to close out the final round by the late spring. Community Engagement Director Shultzie Willows shared, “We have been very fortunate to receive the support of some incredible local community members, our Board of Directors, local rotary clubs, First Federal Foundation, RAM Construction and Norcliffe Foundation. We are hopeful we can connect the last few dots and raise the final $75,000 needed to complete this project. We have no doubt that the community and our partners will support us in this goal.”

The total project cost is estimated to be $330,000 and the agency reports that to date the campaign has contributions of $255,000. This is a deferred amount, accounting for discounted materials and community partners stepping in to help defray some market rate pricing. “We are continually blown away by the generosity and kindness of our community,” said O’Connor. “It will take all of us together to create a strong and healthy future for all our children. Starting with ensuring that no child has to call a car ‘home.’”

To learn about the “Strengthening Families, Building Futures” campaign, make a gift of support or learn about the programs and services of Lydia Place contact, Shultzie Willows at 360-671-7663 ext 2001, email info@lydiaplace.org or visit lydiaplace.org today.

Western Washington Women’s Rugby Head to Sweet 16

By

Grant Clark

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Western Washington Women’s Rugby 3 — A pair of home wins and Western will secure a place in the national semifinals, which will take place April 23-24 at Stanford University. Photo credit: Michael Mauger.

The Western Washington University women’s rugby team will look to continue its undefeated season and inch closer to a national title when they host the Sweet 16 round of the Division II National Championship Tournament in Bellingham on April 8-9.

Western Washington University women’s rugby team will host the Division II National Championship sweet 16 round on April 8-9. Photo credit: Michael Mauger.

The Vikings, champions of the Cascade Conference, face Grand Canyon University, runner-ups of the Gold Coast Conference, at Harrington Field on April 8 in the second match of a double-header. Eastern Washington University, the Cascade Conference’s No. 2 seed, squares off against West Coast Champion Fresno State in the other contest.

Eastern Washington and Fresno State open the day at 9 a.m., while Western Washington and Grand Canyon will play at 11 a.m.

Winners will face each other the following day in the West Regional championship at 11 a.m. with the victor of that match moving on to Stanford University in Palo Alto, California on April 22-23 where it will be joined by the three other national semifinalists.

Grand Canyon, a first-year program, is ranked 15th nationally, while Fresno State comes in No. 5.

“Right now we are really focusing on our game plan and our strengths and weaknesses,” first-year WWU coach Mike Mauger said. “We know [Grand Canyon] is going to be a strong team to play against so we will stick to our plays and the best team will win.”

The Vikings capped a perfect 11-0 regular season by defeating Eastern Washington, 65-0, in Cheney. Photo credit: Michael Mauger.

Led by captains Lauren Heller and Kayla Adderley, the Vikings bring an 11-0 record and a top 10 national ranking into the round of 16.

“Since I just started with the team in the fall, we were not sure what the outcome would be. But after getting to know the team better and seeing what they were able to achieve, I had high hopes to be able to go to the playoffs,” Mauger said. “The team was able to get that far thanks to their commitment and hard work. When you have good numbers, when people show up for practice three times a week and work hard and when they trust the game plan, you get good outcomes.”

The Vikings rolled through their regular season slate, posting one rout after another.

WWU opened the season with a 43-7 win over Eastern Washington. Wins over conference foes Reed College (51-12) and Southern Oregon (94-0) followed.

The squad’s lone close game on the scoreboard was a 34-17 home victory over Western Oregon on Dec. 3. The Vikings, however, hammered the Wolves, 85-10, in the rematch on the road.

Western Washington capped the regular season on March 4 by knocking off Eastern Washington, 65-0, in Cheney.

A pair of home wins and Western will secure a place in the national semifinals, which will take place April 23-24 at Stanford University. Photo credit: Michael Mauger.

“Overall we are just very proud of the work we have done all year round. It paid off,” Mauger said. “[The match against Eastern] was also a very emotional moment for the older players on our team. Our season was cut short last year due to a loss against them on our home turf. The team wanted to go out and showcase our hard work and improvement. At the end we wanted that win more than they did and it was a sweet victory indeed.”

WWU, which began its women’s rugby program in 1977, finished third nationally in 2011 and 16th in 2014.

“Our expectations coming in was that we as a team decided to be more competitive,” Mauger said. “With that mind set, this helped motivate and drive the team towards our goals. The focus was also on rigorous fitness drills, gaining the essential equipment of tackle bags and pads and really giving it our all for 80 minutes of every game.”

According to Mauger, the team features 35 registered members with half the roster comprised of players who are new to the sport, providing WWU with a solid foundation for the future.

“This team is amazing and hard workers. It’s truly an honor to coach such young women with that dedication to a sport which doesn’t have as much recognition as other sports,” Mauger said. “The team has major potential for expansion and success in the upcoming years.”

ABCDance Presents “Lindy Hop: Back to Basics” 5-Week Series

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LocalTalk Contributor

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ABCDance IntTap12 — The Lindy Hop class is open to dancers of all levels. Photo credit: JmWorks.

Submitted by: ABCDance

With more than 20 combined years of swing dancing in both Bellingham and Seattle, over a decade of teaching swing for WWU Swing Kids, five years of marriage and two young children, Kevin and Alissa Stock are ready start a new adventure – sharing their love of Lindy Hop with the Bellingham community through ABCDance!

Their 5-week swing dance series “Lindy Hop: Back to Basics” is geared toward adults with no swing dancing experience or those who are familiar with some Lindy Hop moves but want more practice going over great fundamental principles. This 5-week series will cover foundation moves like Lindy Circle and Swing Out in-depth, and will build on those to train students on promenades and inside and outside turns. You do not need a partner to participate in this series.

Kevin and Alyssa’s teaching style emphasizes building connection and momentum with your dance partner(s). Their instruction also covers staying grounded in the music to grow both confidence and skill on the dance floor.

Series: Lindy Hop: Back to Basics

Dates: April 10th – May 8th (5-week series, every Monday)

Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $50 for the series or $12 drop-in

Location: 1844 N State St. Bellingham, WA 98225

For more information contact Tabetha Clark at ABCDance.classes@gmail.com or visit ABCDanceBellingham.com.

Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham Embraces New H4 Design Concept

By

Sara Holodnick

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021_IHG — You'll get a great night's sleep in this luxurious room. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham.

The new Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham is the first new build in North America to embrace the brand’s H4 design concept. The Holiday Inn brand promises to champion the joy of travel for everyone and the H4 Solution – representing Happiness, Hospitality, Home and Holiday Inn – has been developed to create a guest experience reflecting just that.

The new hotel offers a perfect home away from home conveniently located next to the Bellingham airport. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham.

“In 1952, Kemmons Wilson had a vision for a hotel brand that would help everyday people experience the joy of travel,” shared Eric Lent, Vice President, Holiday Inn^®Brand, Americas, IHG. “He did not believe that extraordinary journeys were reserved for only those with extraordinary means.” The new approach allows guests from all walks of life to make the space their own with unique in-room elements such as:

A Design-Infused Approach that is Both Warm and Inviting

The combination of familiar, yet modern touches makes the room feels more like home than a hotel. Earthy design elements reflect the hotel’s goal of bringing the outdoors in, giving rooms a relaxed, comfortable feel.

The Welcome Nook

Room entryways serve as drop zones for guests to hang their coat, drop their keys or bag and plug in their devices. Complete with a bench for kicking off your shoes, the Welcome Nook is a transitional space much like a mud room.

New Room Types

“We offer a smorgasbord of room types,” shared Director of Sales & Marketing, Randi Axelsson. Every room offers a mini fridge and microwave, while some have kitchenettes that allow guests to eat-in to save on costs or meet specific dietary needs.

The King Bed with Comfort Hideaway room type is brand new and features a trundle-type bed which doubles as a sofa during the day and can pull out into two twin beds at night. The room design is perfect for families with kids and teens, giving each member a comfortable place to sleep and play. Business travelers will also find much to enjoy since they’ll find a separate place to work or relax and unwind.

A Sleeper Sofa as Comfortable as the Bed

The new sleeper sofa mattress is as comfortable as a bed. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham.

If you’ve had to sleep on a hotel sleeper sofa in the past, you know that they’ve earned their bad reputation. Poking springs and metal bars make for a poor, uncomfortable night’s sleep. But no more. Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham has invested in sleeper sofas that rival the comfort of their beds.

“Instead of a typical four or five-inch mattress, these have a nine-inch mattress much like the bed you have at home,” shared the hotel’s Director of Operations and General Manager, Ragan Humphrey. “I think they’re going to change people’s minds on the sleeper sofa. It’s not just an afterthought.” They’ve been testing these sofas at another property in Marysville for months and the feedback they’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. Some guests even preferred the sleeper sofa.

Customizable Rooms

Movable furniture makes the space easily adaptable. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham.

A moveable desk and more than five dedicated power stations throughout the room were designed with today’s travelers in mind, giving them the ability to work and play anywhere in the room. “Modular furniture allows guests to make the room their own,” said Axelsson.

The Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham’s commitment to the H4 design concept provides comfort and functionality in a convenient location, holding true to the brand’s founding principal of providing warm hospitality for all. The hotel chain has adapted to the changing needs of travelers by making sure that their rooms make it easy for guests to experience the joy of travel.

Bathroom designs are inviting yet modern with plenty of space to spread out. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham.

“We do know the needs of travelers have evolved over the last 60 years and the Holiday Inn brand is changing with them,” shared Lent. “Through these innovations, we are raising the expectations about what a great stay should be and designing for the future, to create memorable travel experiences for years to come.”

Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham is located at 4260 Mitchell Way in Bellingham, conveniently located just a step away from the Bellingham International Airport terminal. Reservations can be made now on their website or by calling 360-746-6844.

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Brad Felger – Falconer

By

Janine Johnson

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falcon Brad Felger with a Red-Naped Shaheen — Brad Felger and Hoko. Photo credit: Janine Johnson.

I have a few blueberry bushes in my backyard. And I would love to eat the berries from them. I could make a pie … or sprinkle them on my kids’ cereal. Every year, however, I am somehow too slow on the uptake. One day I notice the berries turning slightly blue and the next time I think to check the fruit is all but decimated. I have fierce competition in the birds that swoop from above and consume them before I can pick enough for even a modest cobbler.

Brad Felger and Hoko. Photo credit: Janine Johnson.

Living out in the country as I do, I often drive past fields of blueberries and raspberries that stretch for hundreds of acres. Sometimes the endless rows are covered in a vast stretch of netting to protect the fruit from hungry birds. Sometimes, though, they are not. So, I wonder, if I am disheartened when my would-be harvest of a few quarts of berries disappears, how does a farmer fend off giant flocks of starving starlings?

For many berry operations, nets are an expensive option. And while there are a host of other ways to mitigate problem birds, many are temporary fixes and unsuccessful in the long term. It turns out, the most effective way to get rid of birds is with birds. Or, more precisely, the ancient art of falconry.

A falconer is a person who trains birds of prey to hunt game, a practice that is a complex undertaking, requiring years of apprenticeship under strict federal regulations. For most, falconry is a sport or hobby like other forms of hunting. But falconry also works extremely well to deter a flock of common starlings from a crop of berries since these non-native, invasive birds are innately terrified by the raptors.

During harvest time a berry producer will contract with a bird abatement company and for a week leading up to and the duration of the harvest. At this time a master falconer will fly birds seven days a week, from sunup to sundown. This constant presence of a natural predator ensures that the problem birds stay away from the harvest, leaving the berries for us human consumers. These master falconers are more than hired hands, however. They are raptor enthusiasts, advocates and committed conservationists.

One such champion is Brad Felger, master falconer and founder of Airstrike Bird Abatement, Inc. Brad has been practicing falconry since 1970 when he was 11 years old. He is a licensed bird of prey breeder and the president of the Washington Falconers Association. I went out to visit him at his rural, riverside home, which doubles as a bird sanctuary. His comfort in the world of raptors was immediately obvious in his calm expression and relaxed gait as we walked the grounds, peeking in and out of buildings and bird habitats, meeting and greeting his winged companions.

This is not just work. This is not just a hobby. It seems to have grown from within him, so natural is he with a raptor on his arm. As he lifted up Hoko, a 3/4 gyrfalcon, 1/4 fijian peregrine, their faces close to touching, I asked him why he became a falconer. What influenced him at such a young age? His answer was an incomplete, and perfectly honest, “I don’t know,” reinforcing my hunch that he was born with this love of powerful avians.

Brad was a farrier in Paso Robles, CA in the early 1990s over a period of time when cowboys were being replaced with vintners, horses with grapes. The green pastures over which he commonly flew his birds became expanses of grapevines. As his falcons and hawks flew nearly 1,000 feet in the air and dove down to claim their prey, entire flocks of problematic starlings would immediately dart away from the grapes. Vineyard owners took notice. Brad took meetings. And a company was born.

Brad slowly transitioned out of horseshoeing and into full-time falconry. As his business expanded beyond vineyards, he found himself frequenting the Pacific Northwest. He fell in love with the area and its people, settling here permanently five years ago to run his bird abatement business from Washington state.

Airstrike remains a fast-growing company, with clients from not only the wine and berry industries, but also dairy farms, oil refineries, landfills, box stores and anyone else who may have a problem with roosting birds of any kind. Clients are attracted to the sustainable, non-lethal aspects of falconry and, of course, to the results. As long as a fierce falcon is flying overhead, your harvest is safe from above.

Whatcom County Weekend Events Calendar

By

Events Editor

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Bellingham Farmers Market Pavilion — From seasonal vegetables to beautiful flowers, Bellingham Farmers Market has offered the very best in local, sustainable agriculture for 25 years. Photo courtesy: Bellingham Farmers Market.

Watch out everyone! April Fool’s Day is upon us. Whether it’s that crazy co-worker, that plotting spouse, the devious friends or your overly enthusiastic offspring, someone is sure to attempt a prank this weekend. It may even be you! There are no pranks here, however, just the fun, fabulous Whatcom County weekend events that make this beautiful area such a great place to be. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Don’t forget to check our full events calendar for all the fun happenings this weekend.

Read up on some otherworldly April Fool’s Day pranks courtesy of Mount Baker Theatre’s Ghost Judy.
Check out the Bellingham Theatre Guild’s “I Hate Hamlet” in which a young and successful television actor relocates to New York where he rents a marvelous, gothic apartment. With his television career in limbo, the actor is offered the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage, but there’s one problem: He hates Hamlet. His dilemma deepens with the entrance of John Barrymore’s ghost, who arrives intoxicated and in full costume to the apartment that once was his. The contrast between the two actors, the towering, dissipated Barrymore whose Hamlet was the greatest of his time, and Andrew Rally, hot young television star, leads to a wildly funny duel over women, art, success, duty, television, and yes, the apartment.
Or root for the underdog with TUpfront Theatre’s “Against All Odds.” This performance structures the classic underdog tale to create a fully improvised journey of the down and out working their way to victory! From the crazy coach to the nasty rival, to the inspirational training montage, you’ll find all of the great aspects of an underdog story live on stage. There will be sweat, tears and laughs each night with a new story and hero created as they overcome impossible odds!
And if you have room for even more laughter, stay for “Face Off” a show of competitive improv comedy. In this production, improvisers will enter the proverbial coliseum of comedy to battle against each other with the audience serving as the judge and jury of comedy quality. Your applause will determine the points players receive in their quest for glory in this high stakes, high energy show!
Explore beautiful and fascinating Pacific Northwest destinations with two fascinating classes at Whatcom Community College.
Make the world a better place and jump in for a joint planting party with Whatcom Land Trust and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association at Riverstead! They will be planting native trees and shrubs to improve the riparian zone to grow large trees that can one day interact with the river. Learn the story of this unique property and the growing South Fork habitat corridor, as well as about the amazing partnerships that help restoration work here in Whatcom County.
Attend this presentation by marine mammal expert Victoria Souze on the cultural differences between Puget Sound orca pods.
Explore and share your formative experiences with Village Books’ Nonfiction & Memoir Writing Group or explore a variety of literary genres with the Village Books Reads Book Club.
Celebrate 25 years of wholesome food and fun at the Bellingham Farmers Market on April 1. Countless local farmers, crafters and artisans have gotten their start at the Bellingham Farmers Market, testing their dreams and ideas with customers who like to support the little guy. Now it’s time to celebrate their successes like only Bellinghamsters can.

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.

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