Nowicke Estate Presents $144,000 Bequest to Everson Library Friends Group

Library Manager, Eileen Shaw, and Everson Friends Treasurer, Christel Bronsema, were thrilled with the generous donation. Photo courtesy: Everson Library Friends.

Submitted by: Friends of Everson Library

The 33rd annual Silver Tea at Whatcom County Library System’s Everson McBeath Community Library was all about silver and gold. Staff and Friends of the Library were on hand to dole out tasty cookies and piping hot tea while local musicians played and sang. There was a warm buzz around the room, as neighbors caught up with neighbors.  There were several older people in attendance who had been brought there by friends and family. Two individuals were overheard to exclaim how much they enjoyed socializing and experiencing local culture at the library.

The gold part of the day – besides the golden glow of friendships old and new – came in the form of a presentation of a check to the Friends of the Everson Library, on behalf of the estate of Fred D. Nowicke.  The Whatcom County Library Foundation had recently received over $4,000 from the estate for use at the Everson Library.  At the Silver Tea, a trustee for the estate presented a second gift to the Friends of the Everson Library – a check for over $144,000!  To say that everyone was amazed and thrilled is an understatement.

Several Friends officers were on hand along with Everson Library Manager Eileen Shaw. Treasurer Christel Bronsema accepted the check, which must be used for capital improvements. “What a wonderful bequest from the Nowicke family to the Friends of the Everson Library,” said Bronsema.  “We are so grateful for their heartfelt thoughtfulness and incredible generosity.”

The Friends will be working closely with WCLS staff and administration, the City of Everson, which owns the facility, and local community groups such as the Lions Club to determine the best way to honor this generous legacy.

“Listening to the description of Fred Nowicke and his wife Evelyn, it is clear that they loved books and reading and treasured the Everson Library,” said WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins.  “Reading brought a lot of joy to their lives and the library played a significant role.”

Originally from the Chicago area, the Nowickes eventually landed in Everson, where Mr. Nowicke worked as a butcher.  After retirement, the couple continued to read avidly, and their home bookshelves had books several layers deep. Their friends mentioned the couple’s deep intellect and their sense of fun.  Former Everson Library staff member Susan Johns remembers visiting them at their home and having good conversations about books.

“It is extremely touching that they chose to recognize the library by making such a major gift,” said Perkins. “The Friends, so active in the creation of the Nooksack Valley Heritage Center, can’t wait to get to work!”

northwater Welcomes Christy Fox as Executive Chef

Photo credit: Photiio Portraits.

Opening soon for breakfast, lunch and dinner, northwater at Bellingham’s brand new concept hotel, Holiday Inn & Suites, plans to feature regionally focused food from the Pacific Northwest. Behind the creative menu, boasting memorable flavor profiles, is Executive Chef Christy Fox.

christy fox
Executive Chef Christy Fox has a deep passion for food. Photo credit: Photiio Portraits.

Christy brings her years of passion with food to northwater which enables her to create a diverse menu that embraces the many cultures of the Pacific Northwest. Utilizing the best of what the region has to offer and by working with local farms and artisans she is crafting a menu to serve a wide range of exciting and interesting foods to please the palette. It’s important to her to include many choices for people with food sensitivities so everyone can experience northwater. “I am looking forward to providing taste tempting meals that offer a wide range of dining experiences, a quick business lunch, a leisurely dinner or happy hour with friends,” states Chef Fox.

bellingham holiday inn
Executive Chef Christy Fox prepares a regionally focused menu for the new concept restaurant, northwater, at Holiday Inn & Suites. Photo credit: Photiio Portraits.

Situated across the parking lot from the Bellingham airport, northwater offers an inviting atmosphere that strives to bring the outdoors inside with homage paid to all aspects of water, predominant in our unique corner of the world. Styled with comforting slate blues, etched glass and a water feature, northwater creates a feeling of balance and community with plenty to keep the senses alive. It’s the perfect place to relax before checking in for your flight or waiting for arriving family and friends. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy a memorable meal full of fresh ingredients and exquisite flavors served by a team of friendly professionals.

The restaurant will introduce the freshest of coffee to the area, roasting their own northwater brand daily in their custom roasting room on site. Enjoy with your meals and also buy a bag to take with you!

christy fox
Executive Chef Christy’s culinary creations are infused with imagination. Photo credit: Photiio Portraits.

Future plans include the unveiling of the northwater whiskey society, a platform where connoisseurs can develop their knowledge of the spirit by attending special tastings with specially designed pairing menus to compliment a vast variety of whiskeys.

At northwater, you can look forward to creative specialties from Chef Christy’s imaginative culinary expertise. For Christy, the work she continues through northwater will come from her love of the region and local offerings paired with 25 years’ experience as a chef. For Christy, food is about community. “It’s about gathering,” Christy shares. “It’s about bringing people together and enjoying great food and drink in that moment in time.”

Holiday Inn & Suites Bellingham / northwater is located at 4260 Mitchell Way. www.northh2o.com

 

Bellingham Weekend Event Calendar

Bellingham for Martin Luther King

This week has flown by in a hurry. It seems like it was just New Years and now we’re a full month into 2017. After spending most of this week working, fulfilling family obligations and trying to find that thermostat sweet spot between freezing and financial ruin, I am ready to go have some weekend fun. I hope you are too. Here are a few Whatcom County and Bellingham weekend event ideas to get you started. Don’t forget to check out our full events calendar for all the fun happenings in Whatcom County this weekend.

  • Get your groove on at MiniHam. This event is held on both Friday and Saturday at Tillie Lace Gallery and is jam packed with music and activities.
  • Let loose with some lively Irish and Scottish folk music at Honey Moon Meadery. It promises to be a roarin’ good time.
  • See what’s new in health and wellness at the Health & Fitness Fair where you can meet local natural health practitioners, sample and learn about supplements that can support your fitness goals, and enter to win great door prizes. Then swing by the Wellness Fair where you’ll find free samples, raffles, free massage coupons and more! Your body will thank you.
  • Speaking of health, try out some veggie based dishes at these great local restaurants.
  • Finally figure out how to use that digital camera at Turner Photographic’s Digital Photography Workshop. You’ll learn to take control of your camera and develop the confidence to make better photos.
  • We’re deep into winter now, but spring is just around the corner. Get ready to sow those seeds with the class, “Learn to Grow a Vegetable Garden.” Staff from Cloud Mountain Farm Center for a practical overview of how to successfully grow a wide variety of produce throughout the year.
  • Go for a walk downtown and check out The Phone Booth. This grassroots art project exemplifies the spirit of Bellingham.

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

Photo credit: Jodi Broughton 

Western Solar – Creating Solutions

Western Solar focus on what they do best and that provides value to their community. Photo courtesy: Western Solar.

When asked about their newest product, a small-scale battery system, Markus Virta of Western Solar says, “We were inspired by the idea. There wasn’t a cost-effective solution on the market so we built one.”

This battery solution is safe enough to be in your indoor living space. Photo courtesy: Western Solar.
This battery solution is safe enough to be in your indoor living space. Photo courtesy: Western Solar.

Virta explains that many of their solar clients were looking for more flexibility with their power, especially if the utility grid went down as is the case with a power outage. Western Solar created a more affordable solution that has a small footprint and everything you need to keep your power on during an outage. A battery system coupled with solar panels can provide a long-term solution that is not dependent on a fuel supply. This solution can be designed to fit customers’ needs.

The small scale battery storage system created by Western Solar is more affordable than a conventional battery system providing all the electricity needed and with a more localized generating capacity. “The size of the battery system can be customized based on the individual needs of the customer,” says Virta. “Energy consumption can feel like an ambiguous thing for many people. We like to help our customers determine and understand what their exact electric consumption is. This enables us to design a battery storage system that fits their specific needs.”

Virta goes on to explain that their battery system is an alternative solution to a home generator. A typical solar installation does not supply power during an outage (as required by the National Electric Code). This battery system ensures continued production of solar panels despite loss of utility service. It can provide an uninterrupted power source which is important to those customers with vital medical devices which can’t afford to lose power.

The battery solution provided by Western Solar is sourced within Washington State, supporting local manufacturing. Western Solar takes pride in doing business with companies they know, who create quality products, treat their employees well, and believe in ethical business practices.

Stackable and custom-sized to fit the needs of any customer based on personal power consumption. Photo courtesy: Western Solar.
Stackable and custom-sized to fit the needs of any customer based on personal power consumption. Photo courtesy: Western Solar.

Virta also describes the great deal of intellectual property surrounding battery storage solutions that were pioneered in Washington. This further tells the story of Western Solar’s quality and commitment to power solutions. Washington State has made it a priority to begin exporting these types of solutions globally. Washington will continue to play a large role in this area as power goes from single utility generation to distributed power models creating autonomy and flexibility for the utility and its customers.

These battery solutions provided by Western Solar are turn-key packages. They meet all of the local code and utility requirements providing one solution for one price. They can be safely installed indoors or in an outdoor enclosure. The batteries are sealed, maintenance free, with minimal off-gassing and no watering required.

“Our customers are often concerned about flexibility and their future wellbeing. We get a lot of calls from people looking for a power solution when the grid goes down. Solar with battery storage can give them a more stable generating capacity.” Storage solutions alleviate the strain on generators and the need for fuel. “The battery storage systems we have engineered are simple, scalable and intelligent,” says Virta.

Virta also describes the basic lifecycle of these batteries. With a shelf life of 12-15 years and a cycle life of 2,000 to 3,000 cycles, a battery solution will provide reliability and flexibility long term. To give some perspective on cycle life, the power would have to be out every day for three years to get to 1,000 cycles.

Western Solar focus on what they do best and that provides value to their community. Photo courtesy: Western Solar.
Western Solar focus on what they do best and that provides value to their community. Photo courtesy: Western Solar.

Describing the role of Western Solar in the industry as well as in the local community, Virta says he appreciates the flexibility to be nimble and respond ahead of the curve when it comes to creating and being a part of change. “I love the open space to innovate and grow. Every year we see dramatic change.”

As a member of the Solar Installers of Washington, Western Solar is intent on working with utility companies to develop solutions such as small-scale battery storage that make sense as future needs for power consumption and storage change. And, with the growth of tiny homes and a higher commitment to the environment, the need for energy management systems is also growing. Western Solar continues to respond to the community by developing solutions to fit those needs.

“You have to focus on what’s close and what you know,” says Virta. “That’s how you’ll make an impact around you. And that is who we are at Western Solar.”

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Floating at Still Life Massage and Float

Athletes recuperate and clear their heads in Still Life's float chamber. Photo courtesy: Sara Holodnick.

Submitted by: Still Life Massage and Float, written by Matt LeGrand

Starting in early childhood we are taught to occupy our time and our minds.  We soon begin to believe an idle mind is a wasted mind. We then fill up our brains with tasks and goals to achieve. Before long our minds become overloaded with “voices” telling us where we need to go, when we need to be there, and how much we should have once we arrive.  Luckily as children, we are still encouraged to use our imagination and stare at the clouds. It’s in that wandering mind that we reach new levels of understanding.

As adults, idle time is even more scarce. We are bombarded with our daily life of flashing lights, loud noises, and unwarranted opinions.  These come from the outside but eventually make their way into our inner dialogue. Our minds become scattered and frantic but we live in this state for so long that we don’t know any other mindset.

From time to time we need to turn this chatter off. We need to reach that deeper part of ourselves that is who we truly are and not who we perceive ourselves to be.  Meditation, being in nature, and yoga can help reach that state.

Another way is floating in a float tank. You are literally blocking out all stimulus. Cutting off the food source of a frantic mind.  Once the mind begins to slow down, a deeper self emerges. One that is not concerned with when, why, and how. You are simply existing in the moment.

Physically, floating is a peaceful experience. It may take a second to adjust to the new environment but once you do, it is very relaxing.  It feels as though your whole body is weightless. You feel yourself stretch out physically and mentally. Your pupils open completely to the darkness. We rarely get to experience this complete darkness. Even at night we are still bombarded with various blinking lights and noises.  However this is a darkness that is relaxing and inviting. Once I experienced it I began to crave it.

Upon waking I usually feel very relaxed and refreshed. Energized in a peaceful way. Colors seem a little more vibrant and food tastes better.  The chatter has been turned down and all of my perceived problems seem a lot less daunting.

Join Hearts to House the Homeless this Valentine’s Day at the Lydia Place Hearts for Housing Gala

Submitted by: Lydia Place

Classic Hollywood glamour is coming to Whatcom County at the 16th Annual Lydia Place Hearts for Housing Gala and Auction presented by Innovations for Quality Living. Saturday, February 11th, 400 guests will join hands and hearts at Bellingham’s premier Four Points by Sheraton. A red carpet runway, sky lights, luscious drapery, and sweeping floral displays will bring sophistication and Hollywood style to the region’s most elegant event of the Valentine season. Through sponsorship, ticket sales, contributions, and event activities, attendees will help to raise $200,000 to support housing and essential supportive services at Lydia Place, working to end family homelessness.

Hearts for Housing attendees will enjoy an array of activities throughout the evening, including a chocolate bar by Evolve Truffles, photo booth by Oh Snap! Photo Booth, Hello, Sweets! cupcakes, music by GMB Entertainment and Roosevelt Elementary Choir, and Valentine inspired silent and live auctions. In addition, Lydia Place will be awarding several outstanding community members with their Heart of the Organization awards to individuals who have gone above and beyond in their support of the Lydia Place mission and commitment to end homelessness in Whatcom County.

“Raising $200,000 in one night is an ambitious goal,” said Community Outreach Director Shultzie Willows. “But when asked, this community steps up, and steps up big. We have complete confidence that together we can not only reach our goal, but surpass it.”

For over 27 years, Lydia Place has been a key partner in the community’s efforts to end homelessness. In addition to its cornerstone housing programs – Family Services, Community Re-housing, and Campus Support – Lydia Place is expanding its capacity with the goal of breaking the cycle of homelessness for families with children. Funds raised at Hearts for Housing will support the Lydia Place Parent Support Program, providing in-home evidence-based parent education for children prenatal to age 5, along with a new Counseling Program that provides in-home mental health counseling services to Lydia Place program individuals and families.

For more information about Hearts for Housing, or Lydia Place programs and services, please contact the Lydia Place business office at 360-671-7663. For event images, quotes, or media inquiries please contact Community Outreach Director Shultzie Willows at shultziew@lydiaplace.org.

Enjoy Tasty Breakfasts and Good Company at Homeskillet

While you wait for a table, you can order drinks from the Mimosa Garden, also known as the Sunnyland Social Club. Photo credit: Tessa Kilcline.

When you drive into Homeskillet’s parking lot, you immediately know that it is a unique place. The outside walls of the tiny restaurant are painted in bright colors. Decorative frying pans hang from the posts of the Mimosa Garden, also known as the Sunnyland Social Club. Inside it is colorful, crowded and loud. Not only is the interior busy, but people gather outside waiting for a table. The wait is worth it.

breakfast plate.JPG: Homeskillet offers a variety of unique dishes in large portion sizes that can easily last two meals. Photo credit: Tessa Kilcline.

Homeskillet, located in Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood, has a reputation for delicious food and a quirky atmosphere. It is best known for its breakfast menu but also serves lunch. The restaurant was opened in May of 2012 by owners Kirby and Tina White. The pair met while cooking in

The pair met while cooking in Antarctica but eventually settled in Bellingham. Kirby is a Western Washington University alumnus and Tina used to live in Seattle, so the transition was easy for them. Before they opened Homeskillet, Tina was a scrimshander, a bone and ivory carver, and Kirby was an independent contractor, but both had worked as cooks on and off for decades. When the building’s previous owner retired, they asked about the space and eventually bought it.

As anyone who has ever been to Homeskillet knows, the menu is wonderfully unique. “Well,” Tina says, “let’s just say that if your friends use the phrase ‘shut up’ when you describe a food idea… you’re onto something.” One of the classic favorites is a Pulled Pork Tater Tot Hash & Eggs which, just like it sounds, combines tater tots and pulled pork into one mouthwatering plate with a side of eggs. Other top choices include The Meaty Veggie Skillet, The Barnyard, Homemade Corned Beef Hash & Eggs, and Hot Green Mess.

Outside of the restaurant, chicken statue Velveeta Jones proudly represents Homeskillet and its quirky energy. Photo credit: Tess Kilcline.
Outside of the restaurant, chicken statue Velveeta Jones proudly represents Homeskillet and its quirky energy. Photo credit: Tess Kilcline.

All of these unique dishes are made by one man: Kirby. Tina calls him “the real heart and soul of the place.” The wait outside is always so long in part because there is only one cook and also because of the restaurant’s small size. Due to limited space, they cannot seat parties larger than four.

It might take some time for a table to free up, but while you wait, you can get a drink from the Mimosa Garden, talk to your friends or meet new people, and enjoy the artwork outside. Most of the art is done by Tina herself, who loves to find any excuse to do art. Various friends, all of whom live in Sunnyland, also contributed.

One interesting piece of artwork that you can find on Homeskillet’s property is a large, colorful sculpture of a chicken, dubbed “Velveeta Jones.” Tina got the inspiration for Velveeta on a trip to Burning Man, where she was impressed with the size of the art. As a scrimshander, she was used to working on a much smaller scale and she wanted to give something bigger a try. Out of it came Velveeta. Velveeta is covered in patches, each displaying bright colors, patterns, symbols, peace signs, quotes, or little phrases such as “Be kind” and “Go green” that perfectly capture Bellingham’s essence.

The inside is just as bright and fun. It is colorful and various knickknacks, gathered from world travels, customers and countless other places, line the walls. Walking into the bathroom, you are met with yet another surprise: the walls are covered in pictures of clowns.

While you wait for a table, you can order drinks from the Mimosa Garden, also known as the Sunnyland Social Club. Photo credit: Tessa Kilcline.
While you wait for a table, you can order drinks from the Mimosa Garden, also known as the Sunnyland Social Club. Photo credit: Tessa Kilcline.

No matter how you feel about clowns, you cannot deny that simply being inside the restaurant has the power to cheer a person up. The combination of comfort food and good company makes it so that sometimes people forget that they are even in a restaurant. Instead, they feel as though they have been eating brunch at a friend’s house. Homeskillet has positive reviews on Zagat, Yelp and Trip Advisor and a segment on King 5’s Evening Magazine, but it is also a small neighborhood place where people can feel at home.

“Homeskillet is not for everyone,” Tina explains. “It’s loud, raunchy, chaotic and cramped. But it’s us, no formula or business plan. People like it here because people actually talk to one another, connect with one another, share their dishes with strangers or pay for the meal of someone they just met that they had a great conversation with. In the ‘connected’ world of social media, nothing satisfies like a real live connection. We knew people are hungry, not just for honest food, but real human connection. We had no idea it would blow up like it did.”

Homeskillet is a place where you can strike up a conversation with the person seated next to you and end up making a great friend. It is a bright place where you can escape the cloudy, gray weather, eat some quality food and really connect to the people around you.

Homeskillet
521 Kentucky Street in Bellingham

WCC receives $650,000 NSF Grant to Award STEM Scholarships to 36 Talented Low-Income Students

Biology classes learn in the field by collecting and discussing samples of pond water. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Community College.

Submitted by: Whatcom Community College

Whatcom Community College will use a five-year, $650,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to provide scholarships and academic support for 36 low-income, academically talented students pursuing associate degrees in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, mathematics and physics.  Leaders of the “STEM Excellence through Engagement in Collaboration, Research, and Scholarship” (SEECRS) grant will employ strategies that help students to successfully complete STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) associate degrees and promote transfer and completion at four-year institutions.

Biology classes learn in the field by collecting and discussing samples of pond water. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Community College.
Biology classes learn in the field by collecting and discussing samples of pond water. Photo courtesy: Whatcom Community College.

“The fact that Whatcom’s proposal was selected in this highly competitive grant process indicates the caliber of WCC’s faculty and the stature of the College’s innovative STEM instruction,” says Kathi Hiyane-Brown, WCC’s president. “We’re honored and eager to begin this important work.”

Beginning fall 2017 and continuing through fall 2019, 12 SEECRS scholarship recipients will be selected annually to participate in the STEM Scholarship Academy at WCC. The project will use what is called a guided pathways approach to provide a distinct road map to the destination of STEM degree achievement, meaning students will spend less time and money earning their degrees. Together, students will experience faculty mentoring, STEM pathway degree planning, and optional research and internship opportunities. The program will support a national need to attract and provide access to students who do not typically pursue, persist in, or earn STEM degrees.

“The program will help boost students’ confidence and concept of themselves as STEM scientists and leaders,” says project leader Dr. Tommaso Vannelli, a chemistry instructor at WCC. “To accomplish this, it will do more than provide scholarships. It will activate strategies that are proven ingredients for STEM success such as mentoring and internships.”

The SEECRS project will contribute to the national conversation on guided pathways and can serve as a model to other institutions. It builds on the strengths of existing College programs and initiatives, including student support, active and collaborative learning, and faculty involvement with other grant programs.

This academic year, WCC has been awarded four new NSF grants totaling $1.3 million. WCC currently leads or collaborates on eight NSF grants totaling $8.1 million. The College ranked third in the state and 150th in the nation among higher education institutions receiving NSF grants in 2015, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

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