Bellingham Residents Giving Back

By

Caden Stoane - Intern from Squalicum High School

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Peru woman market rugs blankets — This Peruvian woman sells her wares at the market. Photo courtesy: Hunt family.

People love living in Whatcom County for its natural beauty. Yes, the trees are wonderful and the ocean is great, but what makes Whatcom County truly beautiful is the people. Many sacrifice their time and effort to help others in need. Here are two stories of Bellingham residents giving back in unique ways.

The Hunt Family

The Hunt family lives in Bellingham, but their good deeds spread beyond the boundaries of Washington. In the summer of 2016, the Hunts went to Peru and volunteered in Cusco. Here the Hunts worked to paint a boardinghouse for children. Family matriarch, Jolyn Hunt, said, “Whenever I travel to places, I get so much out of it. I felt selfish and I wanted to give back.”

Jolyn and her husband, Vance, have a daughter and a son, Arden and Noah. Arden is 14 and Noah is 12. “I felt as if I was doing something good for the world,” said Noah.

Arden felt close to the kids in Peru, despite the difference in their upbringing and culture. She now wants to travel to other countries to help other kids in need. “Playing with the other children showed that even though we live thousands of miles away, we can still have fun together.”

The Hunt family built this mud brick stove. Photo courtesy: Hunt family.

For Jolyn and Vance, their goal of teaching their kids the importance of giving back and living meaningful lives was accomplished through physical work of building an oven and painting a room for children who were living far away from their families and attending schools without heat. Physically being in a place where people live in houses with dirt floors, no heat and no running water opens your eyes to another level of poverty that most of us here in America will never experience. “People think it’s too much work but in the long run, it’s more productive and fun than going to Hawaii and sitting on a beach,” said Vance.

Jane Talbot

Surrounded by the animals she rescued, Jane Talbot exudes love and kindness. When she moved to Bellingham she wanted to be a positive, contributing member of Whatcom county. Jane has always loved animals and had a profound experience with taking care of urban feral cats in Chicago while studying art at a university.

She started working with Whatcom County Humane Society and now is an integral member. Jane functions as a veterinarian assistant and donates part of her house to serve as an after-surgery recovery center. Because of her experience in Chicago, she firmly believes in spaying and neutering animals and the majority of her work is in this area.

Jane Talbot loves to care for rescues like this one.

Jane would like to see a more peaceful, nurturing society and she believes animals help people become more compassionate. “Make time and make it a priority,” Jane said. “Make your community a better place by taking care of those who can’t speak or take care of themselves.”

Whatcom County is a beautiful place to live. It’s not just nature that makes it nice, but the people who care enough to give their time and energy. The people who choose to make things better are what makes Whatcom a beautiful place.

Scenic Washington State 365 Introduces Integrated Marketing Platform with Reach to over a Million Travel Consumers

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by: Scenic365

Scenic365, publisher of several popular Scenic Washington State 365 travel planning resources, is expanding and integrating its marketing channels to help advertisers reach more people likely to consider Washington as a travel destination. Called ScenicWA Surround Sound, the integrated offering now includes the Scenic Washington State 365 mobile app, which rewards users for exploring the state. The app joins the Scenic Washington State 365 Road Trip Guide, Map, digital and toll-free travel planning tools used by more than a million Washington State travelers annually.

Scenic washington 2 — The Scenic Washington State 365 mobile app rewards users for exploring the state. Photo courtesy: Scenic365.

Historically a resource for people traveling the state’s 29 officially designated scenic byways, Scenic Washington State 365 is expanding its content to include Washington’s major metropolitan areas. Recommended stops within Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver and Olympia will be added to all Scenic Washington State 365 materials and engagement channels.

“What we hear loud and clear from Washington State tourists is that they want more of what we’ve been giving them—across the entire state and spectrum of media in which they engage,” said Marcus Yearout, President of Scenic365. “As ‘consumers’ media consumption habits—and therefore advertisers’ marketing needs—continue to shift, we are improving our product to ensure we engage Washington travelers—whoever they are, wherever they are and whenever they want 365-days-a-year.”

ScenicWA Surround Sound integrates print, web, e-marketing, social and mobile media—combined with the only Washington State toll-free concierge center—to create a comprehensive engagement platform that enables clients to influence the millions of people to choose Washington State from among our neighboring states and provinces. Channel improvements include a new ScenicWA.com with more of a magazine format and easier trip planning tools. Clients also now have the option of sponsoring daily posts from the wildly popular 365 Things to do in Washington State Facebook page, with a following of 110,000 that grows by several thousand every month.

With new evergreen-themed rates, clients can take advantage of ScenicWA Surround Sound, regardless of budget. At every price tier, clients’ message will reach consumers across the media spectrum—from printed guide to mobile app. Furthermore, every Scenic Washington State 365 client will receive an annual Travel Trends Report, which delivers information and insights about who is visiting Washington State and why.

The new ScenicWA Surround Sound rates are available immediately. The redesigned ScenicWA.com and Washington State 365 mobile app will launch in spring 2017. Rates and product descriptions are available at www.scenic365.com/ScenicWA.

About Scenic365

Publisher of the popular Scenic Washington State 365 platform, Scenic365 is a full-service destination-marketing firm that develops strategy, builds products, creates content and delivers audiences for a range of tourism clients. For decades, the company has worked with and knitted together communities that share common routes and goals. In the process, Scenic365 has built a portfolio of people, skills and tools to create compelling stories that engage consumers across a growing array of platforms.

Growing New Opportunities for Women at 2020 Solutions

By

Sara Holodnick

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2020 solutions marijuana — Karry Johnson shows off some of her favorite products. She wants to help erase the stigma people have about marijuana users. "We're not lazy," she said. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.

The recreational marijuana industry is still relatively new in Washington State, so retail companies and product offerings are evolving. But a 2020 Solutions Buyer, Jackie Munoz, noted that women are playing a larger role in the recreational marijuana industry and new products are now being geared specifically toward women.

Potency isn't everything. Naturally existing aromatic compounds called terpenes give cannabis strains a wide variety of scents and flavors. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick. — Potency isn’t everything. Naturally existing aromatic compounds called terpenes give cannabis strains a wide variety of scents and flavors. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.

“I’ve been in multiple meetings and multiple locations where everyone in the room is a woman,” Munoz said. “Women work in extracting, growing, managing businesses, owning businesses and as budtenders.”

Munoz worked for years at a major hardware company but started to feel stuck as her opportunities for advancement stalled. She noticed that her equally-qualified male counterparts were offered promotions that she wasn’t. “I worked for a very male-heavy retailer and I did get pushback,” she explained. “There was a glass ceiling there.”

She moved into the recreational marijuana industry on a whim and, while she loves the product, it’s been the opportunities for advancement that have truly ignited her passion for the work. “The industry is new, so there’s more breathing room for women to create things on their own,” Munoz said. “Other industries were started by men and operate under more traditional systems, but here there’s none of that. Here we get to start something from scratch.”

As Buyer for 2020 Solutions, Munoz is introduced to many new products from companies looking to make their way into the burgeoning industry. She’s noticed an uptick in products being created for and targeted specifically to female customers. One such product is a new line by California-based company, W!NK.

While some companies are starting to develop products geared specifically for women, Karry had product recommendations beyond gender-based packaging, such as edibles and CBD salves for aches and pains. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.

“It’s made, created and marketed by women,” shared Munoz. The beautifully designed pens are discreet, portable and beautifully packaged. Their low-potency and fruity flavor profiles might be a draw for women who have been hesitant to try marijuana before, but it may not be the right fit for longtime consumers.

Munoz suggested that, rather than focus on the potency of a product, customers can have a better experience with cannabis if they focus on the naturally existing aromatic compounds called terpenes. From fruity to lavender, marijuana strains have a variety of scents to please a host of preferences. The shop’s Budtenders are happy to help customers navigate these products to find the right fit – whether they’re geared toward a specific gender or not.

“There are so many products coming out now, but one of our main goals is to make sure our guests are educated,” shared Munoz. “They can ask as many questions as they want, because education is our main goal.”

Originally from Palm Springs, California, Karry Johnson has been working with 2020 Solutions for about two years now. Johnson is the Store Manager at the company’s Iron Street location, but because her father is a cannabis grower she’s been connected to the industry for her whole life.

Karry Johnson shows off some of her favorite products. She wants to help erase the stigma people have about marijuana users. "We're not lazy," she said. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick. — Karry Johnson shows off some of her favorite products. She wants to help erase the stigma people have about marijuana users. “We’re not lazy,” she said. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.

“I use cannabis medically and I use it recreationally,” Johnson said. “I use it for everything.” Johnson is passionate about educating people with regard to the stigmas associated with recreational marijuana use. “I’m a working, single mom. I work 60 hours a week and regularly use cannabis. We’re not lazy.”

Johnson likes that 2020 Solutions takes care to provide a good experience for anyone coming into one of their locations, regardless of gender. “This is the most nonjudgmental slate you could possibly have,” she said. “I’m glad we’re not geared toward anybody. We have an open floor. That’s how it should be.”

The most fulfilling part of her job is getting to connect people with products that will help them medically or recreationally. Her knowledge of cannabis is vast, but she’s ready to share it with anyone who wants to learn. “This is my favorite job I’ve ever had,” Johnson said. “I love people, I love talking about cannabis. I get myself worked up over it because I’m so passionate about this. It’s a wonderful job and my whole team is phenomenal. We’re family.”

2020 Solutions has two locations, 2018 Iron St. and 5655 Guide Meridian. It is the largest marijuana retailer in Whatcom County with almost $11 million in sales in just over two years.

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County Library Foundation Awards $10,000 Grant for New Point Roberts Library

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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WCLF 10K Grant to PR Friends Jan 2017 — WCLF has named Friends of the Point Roberts Library as the recipient of a $10,000 grant for the Point Roberts Library Building Fund. Photo courtesy: Whatcom County Library System.

Submitted by: The Whatcom County Library Foundation

The Whatcom County Library Foundation (WCLF) has named Friends of the Point Roberts Library as the recipient of a $10,000 grant for the Point Roberts Library Building Fund.

WCLF awards a grant each year to a library program or capital improvement project for the Whatcom County Library System. Since its inception in 2006, the Foundation has provided nearly $150,000 in funding and grants.

“Typically our capital grants have been smaller, but as our Foundation has grown, so have our grant awards,” said Amy Puderbaugh, WCLF Board Chair. “We are so pleased to give a grant of this size for such a worthy endeavor.”

The Friends of the Library have been fundraising for five years and have secured more than $560,000 in private funding. A building levy on the November 2016 ballot would have covered the remaining $300,000 needed to begin the project, but just missed getting the 60% majority of votes needed to pass.

“The Foundation’s board of directors decided to act following the disappointing levy election,” said Jennifer Rick, WCLF Development Director. “This grant will help bridge the funding gap,” said Rick.

Currently, the library occupies 900 square feet in the Point Roberts Community Center at 1487 Gulf Road, which is owned by the Point Roberts Park and Recreation District. The new library, to be located next door, will be three times larger. The Whatcom County Library System will provide staff, services, library materials and furnishings for the new space.

Whatcom County Library Foundation has provided capital grants to the Ferndale, North Fork, Deming and Lummi Island library branches. Additionally, the Foundation provides funding for Whatcom READS!, the Summer Reading Program, Books for Babies and specialized reading programs for at-risk teens.

To learn more about Whatcom County Library Foundation, please visit www.wcls.org/library-foundation.

Ladies of Laughter Brings Award-Winning Comics to Bellingham

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Mount Baker Theatre Stage by Damian Vines — The MBT main stage hearkens back to a bygone era. Photo credit: Damian Vines Photography.

Submitted by: Mount Baker Theatre, by Zoe Bronstein

Since the 1990s, amateur and professional female comics have flocked to the Ladies of Laughter Comedy Festival hoping to launch their careers. In 1998 the show was performed in a YWCA in New Jersey, but since then has moved into comedy clubs, Atlantic City Casinos and eventually grew to take place at Madison Square Garden. Contestants from the United States, Canada, Australia and England bring their best jokes to win a chance at cash prizes and performance bookings.

601-Stephanie-Blum-sblum_headshot-2 — Stephanie Blum, a school psychologist, is known for her sarcastic and irreverent voice. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.

On March 18, the Mount Baker Theatre will host three Ladies of Laughter winners from previous years – Stephanie Blum, Alycia Cooper and Dana Eagle.

The executive producer of Ladies of Laughter (LOL), Peggy Boyce, has been with the comedy competition since its beginning in 1992.

MBT: How does LOL pick their winners? What kinds of opportunities does LOL provide?

PB: To win the contest, you have to win preliminary events at top comedy clubs featuring the best female comedy talent in the country in front of major industry. Historically, our Grand Finale is judged by top industry, including TV producers and representatives from Comedy Central, Gotham Comedy Club and The Friars Club. Additionally, winners lunch at the Friars Club each year. It actually means “you’re one of the best” when you win. Just to make it to the finals does wonders to women’s careers. Not only does winning bring you cash, bookings and publicity, but lots of networking goes on between the ladies themselves at the competition and they get notoriety from just being present at the events.

NewAlycia — Alycia Cooper’s comedy pulls from politics, observational humor and her own family. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.

MBT: Why is there a specific venue for female comics to start their careers?

PB: Ladies of Laughter is the only national comedy competition that was designed to generate more opportunities for women in comedy, including cash, bookings, publicity and a boost to their image as comedians.

MBT: What kinds of challenges do female comics face that people might not realize?

PB: When Ladies of Laughter first began in 1992, there weren’t as many female comedians in the spotlight with national exposure as there are today. (Amy Schumer, Tina Fey, Tig Notaro, Amy Poehler, etc.). I think it’s getting much better. Stand-up comedy is a very unregulated industry so there are no watchdogs.

There are so many comedians looking for their big break and many comedy clubs are inundated with talent to put on their stages so the competition is fierce. Some comics will want to pay the club to get stage time-especially in the larger cities, as well as bringing entire audiences to their shows. When the competition is this fierce, you have to really stand out from the crowd. This contest does that for women in comedy.

Dana Eagle has made her mark with one-woman shows discussing mental illness and was also a finalist on Last Comic Standing. Photo courtesy: Mount Baker Theatre.

Both men and women have to be tough in stand-up comedy to survive and excel. For men, it’s second nature. For many women, it’s not. But women have to be tough and deal with some old time discrimination- just because they are a woman. But the good news is if you are good and a woman, you tend to stand out more because there are fewer women than men in the game.

It’s not an easy road but you don’t choose to be a stand-up comedian, it really chooses you. Whoever wants it the most doesn’t quit, stays in the game and with some talent, will create a niche for themselves. I’m so happy to provide that to women who truly work hard and deserve the break.

Stephanie Blum, Alycia Cooper and Dana Eagle have all won the competition and the fame that goes with it and will perform at Mount Baker Theatre in Ladies of Laughter: Funny & Fabulous on March 18. Blum, a school psychologist, is known for her sarcastic and irreverent voice. Cooper’s comedy pulls from politics, observational humor and her own family. Eagle has made her mark with one-woman shows discussing mental illness, and was also a finalist on Last Comic Standing.

Tracy Strissel: A Piece of the Farm

By

Theresa Golden

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Tracy and her daughters Ava and Rose care for their small flock of Katahdin sheep on their hobby farm in Ferndale. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.

Central among foraging Galloway cows, pregnant Katahdin sheep and a flock of egg-laying hens is Tracy Strissel’s home, hobby farm and art studio. Here she creates her hand sculpted chickens for coop ornaments, photo holders, earrings and wine glass charms to be sold through her Etsy business, A Piece of the Farm.

Tracy’s original chicken coop ornament idea was born out of friendship. Close friends throughout high school and wanting to continue sharing in each other’s lives, the group of four vowed to get together at a cabin every year around Christmastime.

Tracy Strissel (second from the left) has met annually with her friends Phyllis Hess, Kelley Scarsafava and Megan Thomas for over 25 years. Photo courtesy: A Piece of the Farm.

At one point it was decided they would each hand make ornaments for each other. “One year I walked around my farm and I said ‘What can I make for the girls?’” Tracy shares. “They all live in the city, so I said ‘I’m going to make them a chicken coop for the tree.’” Tracy’s friends, upon opening the coops, told her, “You should sell these!”

Handcrafting art isn’t really the type of work Tracy thought she would ever get into. With a background in heavy equipment operating, Tracy boldly went headfirst into the kind of hard labor that would make many of us pause. Demonstrating her work and techniques in her art studio, however, she seems to be a natural.

Here Tracy shapes the crest of a White Crested Black Polish chicken. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.

Admiring her techniques with clay, I am impressed by the level of handmade artwork that goes into every chicken. From the delicate shaping of the eyes to the hand carving of the wings, each component is shaped and pressed into place by Tracy’s hands.

Laid out on countertops are custom tools created by her husband Rick for the rolling of the clay and the shaping of the chicken coops. On her worktable is a book on chicken breeds. Tracy studies each breed in detail, even reading what qualifies and disqualifies a breed from competition. These are the features she likes to include in her finely sculpted work. She worries and frets like a natural artist too, seeking the perfection that only her mind can envision. Meanwhile, her customers marvel at the quality of her products compared to the photographic representation.

Based off of the original chicken coop ornament, Tracy now creates photo holder coops that can sport a farm-to-table menu or an event place card. Photo courtesy: A Piece of the Farm.

Tracy currently sculpts 12 different breeds regularly for her Etsy shop. She also sculpts custom chickens for customers who send her photos of their own flocks. When she endeavors to add a new breed to her online roost, she loves to not only research the breed but to see it in person too. This is something Tracy accomplishes at chicken shows or the Lynden County Fair where her daughters Rose and Ava participate each year through the Critter and Company 4H club.

The girls bring Suffolk Hampshire cross sheep for the fair’s junior livestock auction in addition to raising their own Katahdin lambs for fitting and showing. “I really enjoy it,” Ava shares. “I like when we have all the showing. It’s super fun just to be there.” The family even camps at the fair all week.

Tracy’s hobby farm started with chicks. Helping out neighbors with their chickens and cows gave Tracy and her family some experience and idea of what animals they would want to raise themselves. Tracy selected Galloway cows due to their foraging skills and ability to do well in the Pacific NW climate. The Katahdin sheep were selected for their gentle temperament and their easy to care for hair as opposed to wool that needs to be sheared. Neither sheep nor cows grow horns, which makes interacting with them feel safer.

Tracy and her daughters Ava and Rose care for their small flock of Katahdin sheep on their hobby farm in Ferndale. Photo credit: Theresa Golden.

Over the years chickens, turkeys, cows, sheep and pigs have supplied meals for the family who have grown to enjoy the process more and more. “It’s very nice just to know that your food is happy and well cared for,” Tracy shares.

There is also a lot of community surrounding farming in Ferndale. Tracy’s neighbors help eachother out, borrow tools from eachother and check on their homes in a pinch. Students in Ava and Rose’s school also participates in 4H and the friends help each other out with their lambs.

Just as the interview is about to wind up, Tracy’s girls pop into the studio to announce that one of the lambs has been born. I gather up my camera while the girls put on boots and we head out to the pasture. When I first arrived at the farm, I had passed the four ewes standing in the field with rounded bellies. Now we can see two twin newborn lambs being gently licked clean.

Twin lambs were born during the interview for this article. Photo courtesy: A Piece of the Farm.

One is strong-legged and black while the other, a white one, is still rising on wobbly legs. The girls note that their ram, named Tuesday, often ended up with lambs being born on Tuesday. They smile and remark that they were born just for our Saturday interview.

To find Tracy’s handmade chicken earrings, wine glass charms and coops, visit her Etsy shop, A Piece of the Farm. You can also find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/APieceOfTheFarm/

Valentine’s Day Lovers Get More Days to Celebrate at Four Points Bellingham

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Chinuk_crabcakes four points — Chinuk's Crabcakes are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Photo courtesy: Four Points Bellingham.

Submitted by: Four Points Bellingham

A single weekday simply isn’t enough time to express your love, so Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center has extended its Valentine’s Day Escape Package to run from Feb. 10-19.

The Chinuk restaurant's delicious salmon makes for a perfect romantic dinner. Photo courtesy: Four Points Bellingham. — The Chinuk restaurant’s delicious salmon makes for a perfect romantic dinner. Photo courtesy: Four Points Bellingham.

The romantic getaway includes a king room, a $60 dining credit at the hotel’s Chinuk restaurant, chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne or sparkling cider and a 2 p.m. late checkout time, all for only $179. For reservations, call 360-671-1011, ext. 506.

Dining options include a prosciutto-stuffed pork loin with mushroom risotto and seasonal vegetables, flat-iron house steak with Yukon Gold potatoes and seasonal vegetables, and grilled salmon with mushroom risotto and seasonal vegetables.

“We know that Tuesday isn’t a convenient day for most couples to celebrate Valentine’s Day, so we extended our dates to include the weekends before and after,” said John Burns, general manager of Four Points Bellingham.

Chinuk's Crabcakes are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Photo courtesy: Four Points Bellingham. — Chinuk’s Crabcakes are as visually appealing as they are delicious. Photo courtesy: Four Points Bellingham.

Four Points by Sheraton Bellingham Hotel & Conference Center, managed by Providence Hospitality Partners, is a full-service property located at 714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, just off Interstate 5 at Exit 253. Four Points by Sheraton is a brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, part of Marriott International.

Four Points Bellingham is totally smoke-free throughout its 132 guest rooms, two restaurants (Chinuk and B-Town Kitchen & Raw Bar, opening this spring), indoor pool, fitness area and 14,000 square feet of meeting-room space. For more information, call 360-671-1011 or 888-671-1011 or visit www.FourPointsBellingham.com.

Guy Occhiogrosso—A True Leader

By

Jennifer Dodge

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Guy Occhiogrosso Bellingham/ Whatcom Chamber of Commerce — Guy Occhiogrosso serves as the President of the Chamber of Commerce. Photo credit: Radley Muller Photography.

The passion that the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Guy Occhiogrosso, has for his community and local business is evident simply in the way he approaches every conversation.

Guy Occhiogrosso shakes hands with Peter Cutbill of Skagit Bank at the 2016 Annual Awards Dinner. Photo credit: Radley Muller Photography.

As an advocate for business and community, Guy appreciates the ability chambers have to truly interact with government, local business and the community. He enjoys creating partnerships and engaging all of these groups.

Family is what brought Guy to Whatcom County, but what he learned while he was living in Louisiana is what ultimately set the stage for a desire to work in the chamber of commerce world.

As an employee of a small business when he was in college and right after graduating, Guy got a behind-the-scenes look at the running of a small business from operations to sales and marketing to development.

Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce President Guy Occhiogrosso taking a selfie with the 2016 Leadership Whatcom participants. Photo courtesy: Bellingham/ Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. — Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce President Guy Occhiogrosso taking a selfie with the 2016 Leadership Whatcom participants. Photo courtesy: Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce.

When he first started with the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, he enjoyed learning about the Chamber, the community and its growth development. And, of course, it’s the people that make the community, making each day different.

It’s these connections and partnerships that keep Guy at the forefront of knowing what’s happening and what issues are impacting the community, allowing him to find opportunities to share this knowledge, getting others involved and making a difference.

Getting behind key community issues such as housing and jobs is what drives Guy in working with community leaders and businesses on finding solutions to set the stage for growth and quality of life in our community.

Guy Occhiogrosso serves as the emcee of the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Dinner. Photo credit: Radley Muller Photography.

Those issues are what we all love about being a part of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce because we have the chance to turn challenges into opportunities.

“No other community has what we have,” Guy says of Bellingham. “We have the opportunity and the privilege to define success and prosperity for our community now and into the foreseeable future.”

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Promoting Talent From Within at SpringHill Suites by Marriott

By

Sara Holodnick

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Becky-SpringHill — Becky Doll joined the SpringHill Suites by Marriott team to be Food & Beverage Manager, but realized that she wanted to push herself further. Now she’s the hotel’s Operations Manager. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.

ome is iHmportant to the folks who work at SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Bellingham. They take pride in offering comfort and hospitality to their guests, but team members also consider each other to be part of a family. It just so happens that this family is full of managers who are committed to seeing potential in their employees and helping them focus and direct their energy into professional growth and progress.

Keith Coleman is general manager of SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites on Northwest Avenue in Bellingham. Photo courtesy: Keith Coleman/Marriott Properties.

“We’re going to make sure you have all of the tools and resources to be successful,” shared General Manager, Keith Coleman, when describing the hotel’s commitment to supporting employee advancement. SpringHill Suites is part of the 360° Hotel Group which offers thorough training programs. “If I could pick any job in the world, it would be to just train,” Coleman said. “I absolutely love it.”

The hotel supports and helps develop employees that want to grow and do more. A desire to advance is rewarded by providing staff with the training necessary to be successful as they promote. “The time commitment is substantial because this program is so detailed,” said Coleman.

Lydia David started at SpringHill Suites by Marriott as a Room Attendant and now she's the Director of Housekeeping. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick. — Lydia David started at SpringHill Suites by Marriott as a Room Attendant and now she’s the Director of Housekeeping. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.

That time commitment is invested intentionally because the 360° Hotel Group understands that the growth of their team members leads to growth of the company. “We are committed to developing the next generation of leaders,” shared Shawn Walker, Vice President of Operations & Human Resources for 360° Hotel Group. “Our goal is never to need to hire outside the company for any leadership position at a hotel, but instead to always have multiple team members that are trained and motivated to step into their next role.”

The company’s philosophy is paying off at SpringHill Suites, where team members from a variety of backgrounds are advancing. After Lydia David graduated from Western Washington University, she joined the hotel as a room attendant in the hopes of working while she figured out how she could stay in Whatcom County. After a year, she was one of the first graduates of the supervisory training program and was promoted to Housekeeping Supervisor. Now she’s the Director of Housekeeping.

“I love my hotel family,” David shared. “I realized very quickly that this company had some opportunities for growth. I wanted to make Bellingham my home and I knew this was a way I could do that.”

Becky Doll joined the SpringHill Suites by Marriott team to be Food & Beverage Manager, but realized that she wanted to push herself further. Now she’s the hotel’s Operations Manager. Photo credit: Sara Holodnick.

In addition to the in-depth training and support she received to advance to her current position, the hotel sponsored her to go through the Leadership Whatcom program last year. This afforded her a wider breadth of experience and gave her opportunities to connect with emerging community & business leaders from a variety of backgrounds.

“I’m just very grateful for the willingness of this company to choose people within to move up,” said David. “They encourage us to hone our skills and to inspire others to step up and hope for the same for their future.”

“In order for 360° Hotel Group to continue to be successful we must constantly strive to be considered an employer of choice,” shared Shawn Walker. The group doesn’t just want to provide the best choices within the hospitality industry. They want to be competitive beyond hotels as well. “This requires us to consider all the attributes that not only attract a potential team member but which will motivate them to be long term members of our family. Good training programs allow our team members to develop, grow and stay engaged.”

One employee who has developed and grown with the company is Becky Doll. She had worked for a number of local restaurants and hotels before finding her home at SpringHill Suites. She had joined their team to be Food & Beverage Manager, but realized that she wanted to push herself further. Now she’s the hotel’s Operations Manager.

Sarbnoor Kaur started her role as Sales Coordinator at SpringHill Suites by Marriott earlier this month, but she’s already thriving within the training program. Photo courtesy: Sarbnoor Kaur.

“I wanted to be challenged and I’m definitely being challenged,” Doll shared. “But I love it. I get a thrill from that. I love what I do and I love the people I work with.”

Sarbnoor Kaur started her role as Sales Coordinator earlier this month but she’s already thriving within the training program. “I’m really excited to be here,” she shared. “There’s so much to learn. You want to make sure everything is right and that you’re meeting all of the standards and guidelines and everything.” Even though there’s a lot to learn in her new position, Kaur is starting to feel more confident. Plus she knows that she can always ask for help. “They really put people first,” she said.

“This is hands-on, physical training to get you to that next level,” shared Keith Coleman.

As stellar as the training programs are, 360° Hotel Group doesn’t just want to be known as good trainers. “We want to be known as great developers of people,” shared Shawn Walker. “By deciding to emphasize development and opportunity from within, we have firmly established the direction of our culture and our commitment to the company’s future through our number one asset, our team members.”

SpringHill Suites by Marriott is located at 4040 Northwest Avenue in Bellingham.

Life Stories Transcription Services Launches in Bellingham

By

LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by: Life Stories Transcription Services

Life Stories Transcription Services launched on February 1, 2017
by recent Western Washington University graduate, Becks Campbell.

Life Stories Transcription Services is a genealogically-oriented business that
seeks to preserve family histories and stories by transcribing them into formats that are more easily accessible to all (including digital and print). This helps families located across far distances have access to the same information. “Genealogy has always been in my blood,” says Mrs. Campbell, “My mother is a professional in the field and I’ve been interested in it, ever since she took me to my first cemetery as a child.”

“Genealogy has always been in my blood,” says Campbell. “My mother is a professional in the field and I’ve been interested in it ever since she took me to my first cemetery as a child.”

Campbell’s services are available to the residents of Bellingham, Whatcom County and beyond. Life Stories is there to help make family history last. Campbell feels that this will be a boon to Bellingham’s unique economy and history and will bring people closer to together.

For more information contact Becks Campbell, owner of Life Stories Transcription Services, at www.lifestoriestranscription.com. Life Stories is open to any type of genealogical or transcription requests.

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