The community is invited to enjoy a hearty Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage and support San Juan and Whatcom County’s Meals on Wheels. The event will also offer local beer, a silent auction and live music from Maggie’s Fury.
Meals on Wheels and More is hosting its second Traditional Irish Dinner & Silent Auction at the Bellingham Ferry Terminal. The event will take place Saturday, March 11, from 6 until 9 p.m., and will include an array of local beers, a silent auction and live music by local Celtic band, Maggie’s Fury. Sponsor, Haggen Market Street Catering, will provide a hearty corned beef and cabbage dinner and fun is sure to be had by all.
Tickets cost just $35 and are expected to go quickly as they sold out last year. Tickets are available now online at BrownPaperTickets.com or in person at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center, Village Books or the Community Food Co-op.
All proceeds from the event will support Meals on Wheels and More, a program of the Whatcom Council on Aging, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Bellingham Ferry Terminal is located at 355 Harris Ave. in Bellingham.
Meals on Wheels and More supports the health and independence of older adults in Whatcom and San Juan Counties by delivering nutritious meals to homebound adults age 60 and over, serving senior meals at local community centers and senior housing and providing nutrition education and nutrition case management.
Visible remnants of history, like these pilings in the water, make the North Shore of Lake Whatcom one of Mark Turner's favorite places to take portraits. Photo credit: Turner Photographics.
Mark Turner has always been passionate about photography. He got his first camera at the age of six and never looked back. His career took a turn into television and interactive media for a time, but when he was laid off from his job at Western Washington University in the early 1990s he found his way back to his first love.
Photographer, Mark Turner, is adept at photographing scenery, people and combining the two. Photo credit: Mark Turner.
He started Turner Photographics by producing a line of notecards with landscapes and flowers and, while he sold some, he wasn’t getting the reorders he wanted. He regrouped and began photographing gardens, selling his images to book and magazine publishers. Turner’s work has been published on covers and inside magazines like Sunset, American Gardener, Organic Gardening and Birds and Blooms, as well as in numerous garden and local feature books. Turner eventually shifted his focus to family portraiture, aiming to showcase people’s personalities through their photographs.
Turner has explored all corners of Whatcom County, and when he’s not photographing people, gardens or wildflowers, he is an active outdoors person. Through his travels he’s developed a long list of favorite places, which also happen to be beautiful settings for family and high school senior portraits. He’s sharing his favorite places in his monthly email newsletter but he agreed to share a few of his most popular spots with me.
Larrabee State Park’s beaches are beautiful and accessible, making them perfect for family portraits. Photo credit: Turner Photographics.
“Most of these locations are places people can walk and enjoy time with their family without a whole lot of effort,” he shared.
Birch Bay
“If we’re doing a beach portrait, we consider the tide,” shared Mark. His featured shot of a high school senior was taken at sunset on the beach during high tide. “Low tides are generally better, except at Birch Bay. If you don’t want the mudflats, then you need a high tide.”
When the tide is out, Birch Bay beaches are large enough to accommodate large, multigenerational families in one picturesque shot. “You get all the grandkids out there and have them jumping in the mud on the tide flats, and it’s really a lot of fun,” said Turner. “Whether it’s at the state park or somewhere else along the beach, there are lots of possibilities on Birch Bay.”
Hovander Homestead Park & Tenant Lake Park
According to Mark Turner, Hovander Homestead Park is one of the most popular places to take family photos in Whatcom County. Rustic farmstead backdrops make for the perfect portrait setting. Photo credit: Turner Photographics.
“Hovander Homestead Park and Tenant Lake are very popular places for portraits and there are lots of ways you can work those spaces,” said Turner. A few years ago he was working with a high school senior who was reluctant to take his senior photos. The teenager’s mother wanted the photos taken, so Turner asked what spots were special to him.
“What he really liked was this spot down on the banks of the Nooksack,” Turner said. “We walked a half-mile down the path to the spot where he and his friends liked to go hang out. It’s a spot I had never seen.”
Others prefer the rustic feel of photos taken around the barn or in front of the other homestead structures. Sometimes Turner can incorporate the views of Mount Baker or natural beauty of the slough into his photos as well.
Larrabee State Park
Low tide makes room for larger family groups. Photo credit: Turner Photographics.
In 1913, Governor Charles Lister suggested to Charles X. Larrabee that he should establish a state park along Chuckanut Drive. Larrabee agreed to deed some of his waterfront land to the state, but died before the transaction could be completed. His wife, Frances, ensured that the sale went through, thereby making way for the first Washington State Park to be opened in 1915.
The 2,682 acre park is known for its beach and water recreation, as well as scenic hikes such as the Fragrance Lake and Chuckanut Ridge trails. It’s also a great location for portraits.
“Larrabee is always a popular place,” shared Turner. There is a wide variety of settings within the park, so there are plenty of options for taking stunning photos. “You’ve got the beaches with really cool rocks which are good for families, or you can go up to the Cyrus Gates Overlook up on the ridge with some grand vistas, or just be in the woods. There are lots of choices.”
North Shore Lake Whatcom
Visible remnants of history, like these pilings in the water, make the North Shore of Lake Whatcom one of Mark Turner’s favorite places to take portraits. Photo credit: Turner Photographics.
The interpretive signs at the North Shore trailhead explain how the trail follows part of what was once the Bellingham Bay and Eastern Railroad (BB&E), built in 1902. The railroad was built to service the forestry and mining industries, including the former Blue Canyon Mine just south of the lake.
“There are some beaches along the trail, there’s a waterfall way out there,” said Turner. A recent high school senior took advantage of the old dock pilings in the water, which add more interest to an already beautiful setting.
For more information about Mark Turner and Turner Photographics, visit his website or call 360-671-6851.
The team at Still Life Massage and Float are able to provide custom care based on your needs. Shown here, left to right: Shannon Fuller, Tess Hustead, Richard Seacrist, Yvonne Newgard, and Tim Fuller. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.
Still Life Massage and Float is a family-owned wellness clinic located on picturesque Squalicum Harbor. While its roots are in medical massage, their clinic has expanded to include floatation therapy. Still Life’s practitioners use a variety of modalities – which they refer to as their “bag of tricks” – to meet the diverse needs of their individual clients.
With stunning views of Squalicum Harbor, it’s almost impossible not to find peace at Still Life Massage and Float. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.
“Every client who walks through the door is going to want something different,” shared owner and founder, Shannon Fuller. Shannon has been practicing massage for 15 years, many of which she operated as a sole proprietor. She started Still Life Massage five years ago in a different location but when she and her husband, Tim, decided to add flotation therapy to the mix, they knew it was time to expand. Today they can meet the needs of just about any client given the wide range of services they are able to provide.
“I consider myself a matchmaker, finding the right therapist for the right client,” she explained. “We offer all different kinds of massage.” Each of the practitioners at Still Life have their own specialties and are therefore able to provide a wide variety of massage including abdominal massage, craniosacral therapy, cupping, medical massage, pregnancy massage and Swedish massage. “We are considered a medical massage clinic but we offer a little bit for everybody,” added Tim.
The team at Still Life Massage and Float is collaborative and non-competitive, which helps them meet the needs of clients if their journey changes, or adapt if they need to try a new practitioner to get the best experience. Therapists can refer clients to one another to help meet specific needs or find a better fit. “We work together as a team,” Tim said. “We really do all have harmony.”
Owners Shannon and Tim Fuller want clients to find peace and relaxation at Still Life Massage and Float. “Just leave the world behind you,” shared Tim. “Turn your phones off. You’re welcome to hang out here and drink tea after your massage and stare at the boats and keep that zen.” Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.
That harmony gives practitioners the space to fully share their unique talents and passions with their clients. “Massage allows me to affect people’s lives in such a positive way,” shared Tess Hustead. She’s been practicing massage for about five years now but with her empathetic nature and experience with energy work, massage was an instinctive progression. “It was another way for me to express my caring and my compassion,” she said. “I’ve always been a natural caregiver.”
Yvonne Newgard has been practicing massage since 2006 and has a strong client following in Whatcom County. She works in a variety of modalities to meet her client’s needs but she was emphatic about the benefits of cupping, a therapy originating in Chinese medicine. “I just love cupping,” she said. “It decompresses muscle tissues using negative pressure, dislodging toxins and debris that are stuck.” Cupping helps reduce inflammation, stretches muscles and connective tissues, and aids in circulation, in addition to a host of other benefits.
Still Life Massage and Float’s mission is to hold a space of stillness where practitioners can use intuition and clinical knowledge to facilitate healing acute and chronic conditions, and where clients feel safe and calm reaching a deeper sense of relaxation and self-healing. The Still Life team prides themselves on a calm and safe environment. The peaceful energy of their space is palpable.
“Everybody who comes through the door for massage or for float feels like they’ve left the world,” said Tim. For many of us, the pace of the world feels like it quickens every day. That speed makes it challenging to remember to be gentle with ourselves, but that makes acts of self-care all the more important. Massage and floatation therapies not only help provide much needed rest and retreat, they often help people process the joys and traumas of life.”
The team at Still Life Massage and Float are able to provide custom care based on your needs. Shown here, left to right: Shannon Fuller, Tess Hustead, Richard Seacrist, Yvonne Newgard, and Tim Fuller. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.
“People’s life stories are told through their bodies,” shared Richard Secrist. Secrist is able to make use of his Masters in Spiritual Psychology to hold space for clients if emotions come up during physical treatment. “A lot of times with bodywork stuff will come up, so that experience is helpful to be present with the client when that happens.” He’s also noticed that practicing massage on others has changed the way he cares for himself. “I realized that, in order to help them, I had to help myself.”
And that’s really what’s at the heart of Still Life Massage and Float’s bag of tricks: Providing space for deep, radical healing.
“Everyone is cared for,” Shannon said.
Still Life Massage is located at 19 Bellwether Way #101 in Bellingham. Make an appointment online or give them a call at 360-647-2805.
The MBT main stage hearkens back to a bygone era. Photo credit: Damian Vines Photography.
I’ve been floating through the ornate halls of Mount Baker Theatre (MBT) since it opened in 1927. Everyone calls me Judy. I wouldn’t really say that I “haunt” the theater. I’m more of a friendly spirit. I putter through the dressing rooms and balcony and especially love seeing the joy and wonder of the children who visit.
It’s almost as if the dancers are flying just like Ghost Judy. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
My favorite holiday since becoming a ghost is by far April Fools’ Day. I simply can’t wait to try a brand new prank. Perhaps I’ll wander into one of the Education Program shows like “The Toad Prince” running from March 21-24. Oh, I must be able to play a silly prank with those wonderful puppets. Or maybe some trickery with the aviation set pieces for “Wings of Courage” that will be here March 27? Or perhaps I can tease one of the community groups that rent MBT for their performances? Luckily, the upcoming shows are already helping me come up with some new ideas.
Alton Brown combines food, science and hilarity. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
“Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science” is coming to MBT on March 28. If you haven’t seen him before, his show mixes songs, a talk-show style, science and potentially dangerous food demonstrations to create a hilarious show for all ages. The show is a hoot and I can’t wait to see the audience crack up. I’m already getting new ideas for pranks from his blog. In his honor, I might switch the salt and sugar containers in the concession stand or find a way to add guinea pig to the menu.
On April Fools’ Day itself, April 1, the extraordinary “Houston Ballet: Season Tour” will be here! Of course, being the friendly ghost that I am, I would never jeopardize a performance with pranks, especially not the fourth largest company in America. There will be just too many excited people in the audience. Ballet is my favorite kind of show, except for the silent films of course, because it seems like the dancers can float just like me!
Garrison Keillor is among America’s greatest storytellers. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.
This company will perform excerpts from my favorite classic “The Sleeping Beauty” and also some contemporary works by their internationally-acclaimed Artistic Director and one of the world’s leading choreographers, Stanton Welch. I’ll have to save my new pranks for the volunteer ushers while they are setting up. Move some programs here. Lock a door there. Maybe I’ll even trick a few patrons during intermission.
I’m also getting some new ideas from good old Garrison Keillor. He’s one of America’s greatest storytellers and I love his calm, rye wit. I listen to this writer and humorist’s live radio show, “A Prairie Home Companion,” along with four million other listeners every week. He’ll be here in person April 9 and I just cannot wait to hear his next story live. His show has described many pranks and practical jokes over the years, including these ones in his “News from Lake Wobegon” that have given me lots of ideas for new things to try this year.
Of course, I will probably always play tricks on the staff, volunteers, patrons and performers of MBT all year long. But I’m most excited about the upcoming intriguing, quality shows that will inspire me during my next century as MBT’s friendly ghost.
Port of Bellingham locations have seen many very special events held by families and guests. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.
The Port of Bellingham’s Meeting and Events Division is dedicated to community outreach. “We facilitate more than 500 events each year in our public rental spaces,” says Tiffany DeSimone, Port of Bellingham Meetings and Events Supervisor. “From weddings to memorials to company parties to concerts and official ceremonies, we work with a variety of families and organizations to give them market rate access to Bellingham’s waterfront locations.”
From elegant to casual, there is an abundance of options to choose from. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.
Through a dedicated staff and community outreach effort, the Port of Bellingham supports access to the waterfront for events, including hosting numerous events such as Ski to Sea, Bike to Work Day, Haggen Family 4th of July, Hoop It Up, SeaFeast and Holiday Port. From planning and logistics to sponsoring events, the Port of Bellingham works directly with community organizations and businesses to bring many event opportunities to the area.
Holiday Port, a free event which features the local favorite gingerbread house contest and over 40 local community performance groups in December, draws around 5,000 people. It also offers arts and crafts, a ferry terminal tour and a horse and carriage ride held at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. SeaFeast, held in September at Squalicum Harbor, is a Maritime Festival celebrating the maritime industry in Bellingham.
The Port of Bellingham offers locations to fit any need. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.
These community events draw tens of thousands of county residents and visitors each year providing a strong sense of community through involvement and support of local businesses that are a part of each of these events. With over 100,000 guests and community members coming through the doors of the various facilities each year, the Port of Bellingham is involved in some of people’s most important life events.
“A day in our office is so varied and so interesting,” says DeSimone. “We provide an affordable and flexible way to hold your special event at one of Bellingham’s iconic waterfront locations.”
One great thing about renting one of the Port of Bellingham’s facilities is the freedom to do absolutely anything you want for your catering at most locations. The facilities managed by the Port of Bellingham Meeting and Events department include the Squalicum Boathouse, the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, the Blaine Boating Center and the parks owned by the Port of Bellingham.
The many locations available for rent include the beautiful Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.
Jerry McGarity, who has been with the Port of Bellingham for over ten years, knows all about the life events held at each of the Port of Bellingham spaces because he has been at nearly all of them. McGarity ensures that each facility is opened and closed for each of the events. It is easy to find him because he is the one with the keys and the cell phone ready to help. He is always on call to make sure that the customer has whatever they need to ensure a successful event.
As an actor who ran The Neighborhood Playhouse, Jerry McGarity is an icon in the community. He takes great pride in Port buildings and parks. “It’s such a great joy for me to be able to help folks with their events,” McGarity says. “Whether it’s a wedding, a company party or a celebration of life, I feel honored to be a small part of it.”
The Port of Bellingham’s Meeting and Events Division provides access to some of Bellingham’s most beautiful waterfront locations. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.
This sentiment is visible in all aspects of the community outreach efforts of the Port of Bellingham’s Meeting and Events Division.
The rates and policies of the property locations are set by the Port Commission. DeSimone explains that they are based on market rates that are competitive yet do not undercut the available locations in the private sector of the community. The fair rental rates make these locations available to a wide variety of community members. With a simple process of a reservation, rental agreement and insurance, anyone can be set to host their event and invite their guests.
Providing incredible locations with spectacular views for the community to hold their special events, corporate meetings or parties at an affordable rate is an opportunity the staff takes great pride in. The next time you have an event to host, check out the Port of Bellingham locations for some amazing options.
Regus' rustic interior lends an air of professionalism to any business meeting. Photo courtesy: Regis.
Shed the traditional, stationary brick and mortar office, unimpressive cubicle space or home office for that important upcoming meeting. Welcome to Regus – the biggest virtual office sharing company in the world. In our last article about Regus, we discussed the private, full-time office space with flexible terms. In this edition, we explore the amazing offerings of Regus even further.
Professional doors open when selecting one of Regus’ global properties. Photo courtesy: Regis.
Become a Regus member and the world literally becomes your office. For professionals visiting from afar or locals who wish to wow a potential client or a group of prospective business partners, there’s a new and sophisticated business lounge in town. Regus caters to all the details of a well-managed office without the effort of setting up shop.
Regus is an established global company that began in 1998 in Brussels, Belgium. Having recently expanded into the Barkley area of Bellingham, the company touts an impressive 3,000 locations in 900 cities and 120 countries. The Regus brand of elite offices has established an alternative to doing all the managerial legwork yourself. With receptionists at the ready, invoice and mail services, formal meeting rooms, board rooms and modern décor, the space assures that the only thing a business person will need to do is show up and grow their business. Regus provides an elegant kitchen, catering services, a boardroom and ready to go power point presentation equipment. In leaving the details to the experts, clients can direct their energy to the most important components of a new partnership or potential acquisition.
According to Area Manager, Hillary Williams, Regus is an inclusive office space that helps people evolve their dreams. It is able to provide answers for an ever-changing workforce while creating a way to engage with like-minded professionals. Williams expanded, “Regus has stayed ahead of the curve to offer solutions and options for many different business types, be they sole proprietors or corporations, and help turn that business into a new market.”
Regus moved into the area a year ago at the request of other Regus members who deemed Bellingham a unique market. These roving innovators are popping up in every industry to utilize their global offices and to redefine what building a business network or community looks like. Everyone from world business leaders to start-ups can rest assured in the continuity of the physical office spaces as well as the customer service support from their team members to help clients be as productive as possible.
The board room can be customized to offer Regus clientele the visual aids and technical support for an upcoming presentation or target audience. Photo courtesy: Regis.
With Mike Roe and Chaz Langford at the helm, the Bellingham location offers professionalism and logistics along with a localized touch. Chaz Langford is a Community Associate for Regus who grew up in Everett. Having graduated from Western Washington University with a business management degree, he worked for local company, Maniac Roasting, before being hired on with the South Whatcom Fire Authority. When he’s not helping the community as a firefighter, he’s helping Regus customers navigate a board meeting or recommending one of Bellingham’s countless eateries to guests.
Moonlighting with Regus is all in a day’s work for Langford. “What we’re trying to do at Regus is build a community within our structure. You can have an office anywhere but you can’t have a sense of community everywhere,” he said.
Regus’ kitchen offers the comforts of home in the heart of Bellingham. Photo courtesy: Regis.
Regus isn’t just a place to hang your hat while you’re having a business luncheon. The people who use the facility form the interconnectedness of the community itself. “One of my favorite parts of the job is seeing and talking to new people from different places,” Langford said. Regus’s objective becomes a mission. “We just want to make sure that our clientele are satisfied and can impress their clients, with not only their own business, but Regus’ business as well,” he said. And if you happen to refer a customer, Regus returns the favor with a $500 gift card.
Mike Roe, Regus’ Community Manager, is dedicated to the reciprocal approach. As a musician, he managed Mojo Music for a number of years before joining the Regus team. Where customer service meets convenience and an air of prestige, Roe is committed to ensuring a quality, front-facing business model. After ten years managing other businesses in Bellingham, Roe was drawn to the company when he and a friend were looking for office space themselves. That’s when Regus came onto his radar and the concept of travel office space first became of interest.
Regus’ rustic interior lends an air of professionalism to any business meeting. Photo courtesy: Regis.
When Roe heard about Regus’ arrival, he liked the idea of coordinating other people like himself in search of temporary office space. And not just any space, “A pretty special space,” he added. “What I was drawn to through all the services, the waiting room and the reception area, was the fact that we really take care of everyone so they can focus exclusively on the work at hand. Leaving the IT and details to us provides an all-inclusive experience. That’s another reason it’s cool for me to work for local businesses, I can network with people I’ve known my whole life that are looking for space or who now have businesses themselves. Regus is a unique company, not just in Bellingham but throughout the world.”
“Regus takes pride in being able to network and connect,” said Williams. “We’re connecting the dots between one professional and another, between one company and another.” To meet like-minded professionals in multiple industries can be a boon for anyone looking to expand a company beyond borders or simply find a space that’s private and supportive to one’s immediate mobile office needs. Network growth is a high value to new market entries as businesses look to move in fresh and dynamic directions and seek strategies to uplevel their business as a whole. With Regus, there’s nothing standing in the way between a professional and their business’ next success.
Regus has an open house coming up on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 5 p.m.
Jerry and Virginia got ready to leave in Early December. Photo courtesy: Virginia Malmquist.
Local counselor, Virginia Malmquist, recently returned from a journey of a lifetime. “I was so struck at how vast the ocean is and we as human beings can have such an impact on it,” she says.
Virginia and Jerry on the journey of a lifetime as they sailed 15,000 miles. Photo courtesy: Virginia Malmquist.
Malmquist describes the incredible 15,000-mile oceanic excursion she and her husband took after hearing about a trip being organized by Blue Planet Odyssey to build awareness of climate change. “It took two years to get ready for the trip,” she says. “It was seven days a week and twelve to fourteen hours a day.”
From sail mending to rig and rope splicing and taking serious classes on topics such as weather and even sailing skills, Malmquist describes the vast amount of learning that had to be done before they would be able to leave port. The couple learned about weather from an instructor with the Maritime Institute and a lot of help came from Sampson Ropes in Ferndale as they prepared their 1986 sailing boat for departure.
“We had to learn serious first aid,” she says. “We had to learn how to suture.” Malmquist goes on to describe the book of information they received from their physicians that covered every country they planned to visit and included diseases prevalent in different seasons and different regions. And, as they would be on their own for a majority of the time, they would need to carry their own medical supplies including antibiotics. “When you are two days out of port, you are out of helicopter range,” Malmquist explains. “We were more than 270 miles away from shore. The closest people to us were the astronauts in the space station.”
A Village in Oa Pua with the rugged mountains in the background. Photo courtesy: Virginia Malmquist.
Fully equipped with three of everything just in case, they set out just after the New Year on January 11, 2016 with a wind generator, radar and seven different kinds of antennae.
With a mixture of good and bad weather all the way down the coast, along with stops to visit friends and family along the way, they landed in San Diego where they tended to a long list of things to do before heading south. Doing 150 miles a day, they knew the journey to the Marquesas Islands would take 28 days. They made it in 25. “That’s pretty fast,” explains Malmquist. “Our boat is like a cross between a Porsche and a Winnebago.”
As they reached the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) near the equator, the water got warmer at 86 degrees with an air temperature of 87. Their first stop was the northernmost island of Hiva Oa. Malmquist describes this island with its spiky mountains and rugged roads and where laundry was $30 a load. “They had every kind of fruit you could think of,” she says. “Not to mention the beautiful dancing by the natives.”
Until the late 1800s the island was home to cannibals. Malmquist explains that only males were ever killed by other tribes and never the females. As a result, many families raised one of their males as a female to keep the child safe from other cannibalistic tribes.
A village chief on the island of Oa Pua in the Marquesas holding Virginia’s granddaughter’s gnome. Photo courtesy: Virginia Malmquist.
“It really helped me think about how judgmental we can be about people with different lifestyles,” Malmquist explains about the experience. “These people openly accepted male children being raised as females. I’ve really applied this sensitivity in my own work as a counselor.”
After spending a few weeks, Malmquist and her husband left for the second island of French Polynesia where the only fruit grown was coconut. However, since the French Revolution, the island has seen the benefit of subsidized French bread.
Here, Malmquist describes her experience at a pearl farm. “We were able to swim out and dive down to collect black pearls. They were just beautiful and we used those pearls later to trade for other items we needed for the trip.”
Their last island in the area was Tahiti, which Malmquist describes as her least favorite because of its busy environment full of traffic. “They had a market,” she describes. “It began on Sundays at 4 a.m. and went to 8:30 p.m. They had everything for sale.”
At this point, Malmquist and her husband decided not to continue. With a new granddaughter at home, they decided to head back via Hawaii. First, they stopped on the small, private island of Tuao, one of the Tuamotus islands. Here they found a family of 10 subsisting on fish, coconut and breadfruit. The couple traded some supplies including 80′ of rope, ibuprofen, fresh fruit, reading glasses, a coloring book, some flour, yeast and sugar for some of the local’s beautiful black pearls.
Jerry and Virginia got ready to leave in Early December. Photo courtesy: Virginia Malmquist.
One of the moments of the trip that really stands out for Malmquist is going through the Great Garbage Patch in the North Pacific, a massive collection of marine debris. “There were a lot of plastic items and other kinds of things,” she describes. “But the bulk of what was left behind are the particles you don’t see underneath because the larger items have been broken down.”
She says the experience made her even more mindful of the love she has for the earth and the treatment of it. She and her husband continue to practice this mindfulness in their own lives with solar powered property and the use of 3,000-gallon rain catchers as their source of water.
Malmquist, a counselor with an active private practice working with clients suffering from PTSD, divorce, depression and substance abuse, loves her job. She describes how this trip made her more thoughtful in her approach to experiences, “Traveling so far away has made me understand how important it is to act locally,” she explains. “It is important to be local in politics, in purchase, such as groceries, and in conservation.”
With the experience and memories from her incredible journey, Malmquist is ready to be back, working with clients and enjoying her community. She can be reached at 360-319-4266 or heronreachcounseling@gmail.com.
The "Real Food Show" is produced and donated ten times per school year to Whatcom County elementary schools by Community Food Co-op. Photo courtesy: Community Food Co-op.
Creating the conversation about making healthy food choices and lifestyles is one of the main goals of “The Real Food Show” created and executed by the Community Food Co-op for elementary school students.
Featuring the characters Frank and Beans, the show is donated ten times annually to Whatcom County elementary schools. The program also travels to nearby cities and other local community co-ops and organizations. The purpose is to spread the message of the importance of making healthy food choices.
“The Real Food Show” is produced and donated ten times per school year to Whatcom County elementary schools by Community Food Co-op. Photo courtesy: Community Food Co-op.
Kids learn what they need to know to make good decisions when it comes to healthy food and lifestyle choices. Everyone leaves with a placemat that illustrates what food groups should go on his or her plate to have a healthy meal. This placemat serves as a great conversation starter at home where kids can further discuss with their families what they learned about making healthy food choices.
Along with the objective of teaching local community kids about making healthy food choices, “The Real Food Show” provides another opportunity for the Community Food Co-op to become a part of the conversation concerning healthy food and lifestyle choices.
Frank and Beans, performers from the Bellingham Circus Guild, bring inspiration through an array of comedy, magic, juggling, and other circus skills all meant to provide entertainment while educating and increasing food knowledge as a part of “The Real Food Show.”
Characters Frank and Beans inspire and teach kids to make healthy food and lifestyle choices. Photo courtesy: Community Food Co-op.
A few key topics covered in the program are label reading, teaching kids to know what is in the food they are eating, and ideas for healthy and delicious snack substitutions for sugary foods. The kids engage in the show by sharing with the performers their own interests and likes when it comes to the foods they choose to eat.
By continuing to create conversations through such programs as “The Real Food Show,” the Community Food Co-op furthers its efforts to educate people of all ages about healthy lifestyle and food choices.
When engaging in outdoor recreation, participants should take care to respect Whatcom wildlife. Photo credit: Justin Pedigo | FC Photography.
I can feel spring just around the corner, which makes me itchy with wanderlust. As we trade in our winter snow for the increasingly rainy days of spring, it’s also time to shed our lethargy for adventure! This weekend could bring the perfect opportunity to get out and explore Whatcom County in all its springtime glory. Here are a few ideas for Whatcom County weekend events to get you started. And don’t forget to check our full events calendar for all the fun happenings this weekend.
Dust off your bike, pump up those tires and hit the trails. Here’s a great guide to Whatcom County mountain biking to get you started.
Check out the breathtaking works of local photographer and artist, Patrick Beggan. He will be displaying a portrait series entitled “Bellingham at Work.” The show focuses on images of local craftspeople, entrepreneurs and artists creating in their work environments.
Take some time to reevaluate your “reduce, reuse and recycle” habits to ensure that you’re as green as can be for spring.
Support youth theater by attending Lynden High School’s production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” This delightful and rambunctious musical set in the rough-and-tumble backwoods of Oregon in the 1850s is a comical tale sure to delight.
Stretch your legs at the Stewart Mountain Half Marathon and 10k. This is the only race that goes up Stewart Mountain. Runners will enjoy forest and lake views throughout the race and there’s a free kid’s race too!
Celebrate 19 years of NEA’s Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’ birthday at Village Books in Lynden. Be ready to hear stories and have your picture taken with none other than the Cat in the Hat himself!
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The Port of Bellingham is pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Clark as its Marine Terminals Business Development Manager. Mr. Clark will be responsible for Sales, Marketing and Business Development at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal and Bellingham Cruise Terminal.
Mr. Clark has over 30 years of experience establishing new shipping routes for bulk and break bulk cargoes throughout the world including a stint exporting goods from Whatcom County. In the 1990’s, Mr. Clark helped launch a break bulk line shipping frozen poultry and meat from Bellingham Cold Storage to the Russian Far East.
Chris Clark has been hired as the Port of Bellingham’s Marine Terminals Business Development Manager. Photo courtesy: Port of Bellingham.
“We are pleased to welcome Chris back to Whatcom County’s maritime community,” said Port Commission President Dan Robbins. “Reactivating the Bellingham Shipping Terminal in support of new family-wage jobs is one of the highest priorities for the Port of Bellingham. We have made significant capital investments to modernize the Shipping Terminal and will now be focusing our efforts on marketing this facility to attract new businesses to Whatcom County.”
Mr. Clark joins the Port from Navico Chartering, a ship brokerage firm specializing in the transport of bulk and break bulk cargoes. Prior to Navico, his experience includes arranging the worldwide carriage of commodities such as grain, fertilizer, aluminum, steel, and logs; as well as establishing new ocean shipping lines servicing oversized container and high value project customers.
“The Bellingham Shipping Terminal has great prospects for a variety of bulk and break bulk cargoes” said Clark. “I look forward to bringing these prospects to reality.”
The Bellingham Shipping Terminal has a long history of efficient cargo handling and distribution. With 1,250 feet of dock space on a deep water pier, a 550 foot barge pier, 85,000 square feet of covered storage, 40 acres of available upland; and access to resources via rail, barge, rafts, trucks, containers and ocean-going vessels, the Bellingham Shipping Terminal is a full-service marine terminal with the flexibility to meet a diverse range of business needs.
Recent upgrades to the Bellingham Shipping Terminal include a new bulkhead, renovation of the stormwater and power systems, and improvements to both of the warehouse roofs.
The Port of Bellingham was established in 1920. Throughout Whatcom County, the Port owns, operates and maintains approximately 1,600 acres of property including a shipping terminal, a cruise terminal, two marinas, industrial development areas, commercial uplands, parklands, shoreline public access areas and an international airport.
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...
