Home for the Holidays—Buy Locally-Made Gifts This Festive Season

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home for the holidays, shoping, christmas, market, store, — Customers check out vendors at the Home for the Holidays show. Photo courtesy: Joyce Hill.

How many miles did your holiday gift travel? Imagine meeting the craftspeople who produced the gifts you give to your loved ones. From luxurious personal products and gourmet food, to jewelry and art, the Home for the Holidays bazaar brings it all under one roof—the Bellingham Cruise Terminal from November 17- 19.

The 35th Annual Home for the Holidays takes place at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Photo courtesy: courtesy Joyce Hill.

Expect a diverse array of gifts from over 60 vendors during the 35^th annual event. Joyce Hill launched the holiday event in 1982, out of a passion for holiday decorating. She held the event in her home. The show would eventually land in several homes including the Lairmont Manor, Bloedel Donovan Field House and the Assumption Church before arriving at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in 2004.

While the majority of vendors hail from Washington State, five travel here from Oregon and Utah. According to Hill, “This year promises a fabulous selection of seasonal creations to trim your ‘Home for the Holidays,’ distinctive gift items, a few antiques and delicious gourmet foods. The vendors who participate have been hand-picked for their very special creativity. They are a collection of some of the very best in the Northwest.”

Sara and Brent Whitehead own and operate a lavender and honey farm in Lynden. Their unique products will be on sale at the Home for the Holidays Bazaar. Photo courtesy: Sara Whitehead.

One of those vendors is relative newcomer Bee in Bloom. “They have created a line of bath and body products that they hope will comfort your skin and that you will enjoy the essence of the lavender and honey every time you open a Bee in Bloom product. Sara is in her booth the entire event and welcomes you to stop by and try her products,” Hill says.

To get a better appreciation of the work that goes into vendors offering their products, Sara Whitehead, co-founder of Bee in Bloom describes her preparation for the holiday event. “I start working on holiday gift ideas as soon as harvest wraps up in August,” says Whitehead. She and her husband, Brent Whitehead offer a product line of honey and lavender products year-round that they grow on their Lynden farm.

“Joyce told me, when we first met, that I should always have a lot of stock on the shelves,” says Sara Whitehead. “She said full shelves of product sell. Empty or sparse shelves don’t. I stock up on all of the products that we make. The list is quite extensive, so that means a lot of time. I am also making bar soap with our lavender essential oil and honey and lavender buds specifically for Home for the Holiday. I like to have something unique for each show that I come to. I make holiday gift sets that range from $10 to $30.”

Shoppers can buy unique clay jewelry created by Carolyn Oltman at the Home for the Holidays Bazaar. Photo courtesy: Carolyn Oltman.

A Home for the Holidays veteran, Artist-Jewelry Maker Carolyn Oltman also began preparing for the event earlier this year.

”I’m always working on polymer clay jewelry throughout the year,” Oltman says. “My new work each year is the result of experimenting with clay and pushing it beyond the usual methods used by others. I like to have several new lines of jewelry ready for the Home for the Holidays Show. No matter how early in the year I start, I am always working on more new ideas the night before the show opens.”

Unlike the Whiteheads, who offer product lines, Oltman offers unique jewelry. “I avoid making mass quantities of pieces of jewelry,” Oltman says. “I’m more interested in keeping new pieces coming. I may have 25 pieces in a certain collection. When they are gone, they are not duplicated and a new design will replace them. Only one necklace, my Big Bead Necklace, is continuously available but the beads are never the same. I sell enough jewelry each year to keep me very busy.”

Customers peruse vendors at the Home for the Holidays show. Photo courtesy: Joyce Hill. — Customers check out vendors at the Home for the Holidays show. Photo courtesy: Joyce Hill.

When asked about her participation with the annual event, Oltman mentions that she looks forward to the Home for the Holidays show. “The people attending the show are interested in meeting the vendors. I enjoy talking to people about my work as there are always a lot of questions about it. The number of people who attend make it the best show I have been in,” remarks Oltman.

Hill agrees. “Home for the Holidays is an annual shopping event that I hope you’ll enjoy as much as we love putting it on for you. This year’s show is holding a drawing for six gift bags. Each contains an assortment of gifts and décor provided by the vendors. Also tucked inside are several gift certificates from local merchants for dining, merchandise and spa treatments.”

Home for the Holidays
Thursday, November 17 from 5:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Friday, November 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission and parking are free.

A-1 Builders – Fulfilling the Desire to Age at Home

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Theresa Golden

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a-1 builders — A-1 Builders and Adaptations Design Studio owners, Cindi Landreth and Rick Dubrow, pause on a hike at Artist Point with their grandchildren. Photo courtesy: A-1 Builders.

Home is where the love is. It’s the place memories are made, friends and family gather and day to-day life happens. It’s also a place many people imagine growing old in. Cindi Landreth, design manager and co-owner of A-1 Builders & Adaptions Design Studio, helps people to do exactly that. Working hand-in-hand with clients and universal design solutions, Cindi and her team strategize to find the best suited changes for home owners to help them live comfortably and confidently at home throughout their aging years.

A lot can go into the comfort and care of a home suitable for aging family members. And there can be a lot to consider from a community level all the way down to a minor interior change to a home. When it comes to community, an individual’s ability to age comfortably can depend on ease of travel and close proximity to senior centers, cultural centers or simply access to those particular things that make each person uniquely happy. For aging drivers, safely and easily getting in and out of the driveway and around town can be a huge help. While some driveways and remote home locations might not be entirely alterable for everyone, adaptations such as having an indoor garage built or a carport installed can help provide comfortable and safe conditions for getting in and out of vehicles no matter the weather. For someone who cannot drive, it can make a huge impact to have safe paths and maybe even a bus stop nearby. Pathways from the home to neighborhood sidewalks without challenging level changes or breaks between steps and with hand rails can really help individuals get around more independently. It can mean the difference between still being able to run their own errands, get themselves to doctor visits and pick up groceries versus having to rely on someone else to get them there.

It’s known that the potential for falling can be a tremendous concern when it comes to aging. “Falling is a big issue – the texture of sidewalks and whether there’s a lot of lumps in the sidewalk, that’s prohibitive to someone who can’t pick up their feet very well,” Cindi explains. Fortunately, quite a bit can be done in and around the home to create safer day-to-day situations. Smooth well-lit paths are a good choice for the outside of homes. One level floors with all the necessities on it such as a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and laundry provide easier access and lower risk when accomplishing daily needs than a first floor with level changes or a multiple story home with stairs. One story homes can even have safety features installed that smooth out transitional changes between rooms so there isn’t an extra element to trip on. If a home does have steps or stairs, features such as a sturdy weight bearing wall hand rails, lifts and even elevators can be installed to make aging in place more feasible.

There are also a lot of modification options for adding lighting to a home to help with security or anxiety caused by diminishing vision or just the tendency to become more anxious as we age. Thoughtful placement and selection of light switches can be installed to keep anyone from having to walk down a dark hallway or into a dark room where there may be tripping hazards. Plenty of lights around the home can help people feel safer and less vulnerable as well. Light can also help with mood. “Natural light is amazing at how it affects a person’s happiness,” Cindi shares. “As we age, a lot of people can get depressed or sad and maybe are more sensitive to seasonal affective disorder. Having a lot of natural light and having it come from more than one direction is a really good thing to add.” Natural light solutions can come in many forms such as skylights, solar tubes and by adding extra windows.

While most hope to age well, and many people do, there are also many instances where more extensive care may need to be provided. Someone who may need a walker for daily assistance or a wheelchair may find that in order to stay at home, movement related modifications to the house might need to be made.

“With the goal of keeping a person as independent as possible, for as long as possible, wide hallways and doorways are an advantage. Turning corners into rooms or even just turning around in the hallway when using assisted mobility devices requires more space. Ideally, doorways will become 36” and hallways 42” wide.” Cindi explains. “It also helps when a person needs assistance with their mobility.” Having plenty of room around furnishings is also a big help. Walk-in tubs, curbless showers, washlets, and grab bars in the bathroom can really improve self-care. Even a small change in faucet handles can mean the difference of being able to turn on or off water when needed.

Through Adaptations Design Studio and A-1 Builders (they are the same company), a designer can discuss aging needs on a personal level. Clients can access a checklist where they can go through and decide what the must-need alterations will be based on their own perception and experience of their home. “Most people, when we first meet with them when they want to do an aging-in-place consultation, are very much focused on low-maintenance of the house,” Cindi shares. This involves focusing on changes that can make the home easier to manage as a whole. Cindi or one of her team members can do a walk-through to determine potential problem areas related to aging or even problem areas associated with the general health and wellness of the house. A-1 Builders can even provide a realtor to discuss the potential value that remodel plans can add to the home.

Bellingham is a popular area to retire and home remodeling can give an advantage to an on-the-market home that already provides aging-in-place adaptations. While aging is often something people think about for the future, remodels and feature changes can take time and it is best to have those changes in place well before they are actually needed.

To learn more about aging-in-place, visit www.a1builders.ws. For an aging-in-place consultation with one of the designers, Cindi Landreth, Maggie Bates or Sharon Petker, call 360-734-5275 and ask for Rick Dubrow.

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Sleighbells Ring at BelleWood Acres

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LocalTalk Contributor

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christmas tree farm bellingham — John and Dorie Belisle and Mike and Maggie Belisle of BelleWood Acres wish everyone a happy holiday season.

Holiday spirit flows at BelleWood Acres with seasonal shopping and activities! Weekends on the farm, located at 6140 Guide Meridian, will be full of festive fun to celebrate the season and provide guests with a unique shopping and entertainment experience. BelleWood Country Café, Farm Store and BelleWood Distillery’s tasting room open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Destination distillery tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday for guests 21 & over. Register online at bellewooddistilling.com. The Whatcom Art Guild enlivens the BelleWood Art Gallery with paintings, photographs and other pieces featured by local artists. Everything kicks into high gear at 10:00 a.m. on the weekends when several special activities will be offered for the entire family.

bellingham tree farm — There is nothing like the sweet aroma of a freshly cut Christmas tree.

November 25-27

The season commences with a sale of fresh cut Christmas trees and wreaths. Noble Fir and Douglas Fir come in many heights. Warm mulled cider is free. Kids can get crazy crafting ornaments. A roaring bonfire will be available for toasting s’mores- weather permitting. Host John Belisle will design specialty cocktails with our “Farm to Glass” Pumpkin Spice Liqueur. You can sip and shop to your heart’s content in our market featuring local country gifts.

December 3-4

Sales of Christmas Trees and Wreaths continue, as well as S’mores at the Bonfire, free mulled cider and kids’ ornament decoration. The distillery will spotlight BelleWood’s Reserve Brandy. Community choirs will add to the ambiance on both Saturday and Sunday.

holiday cocktails featured — A warm cup of mulled cider will keep you warm on a cold winter’s day.

December 10, 11, 17 & 18

Santa is in the house from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be a great family photo opportunity! There is no better country backdrop. Relax on an orchard ride all aboard the Horsedrawn Sleighbell Trolley from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., a delight for the whole family. Kids get to decorate Christmas cookies this week and sing along with Dave Nellis and our all-star community choir! S’more’s, Shopping and Sips continue and breakfast and lunch are available. So much fun…

December 19, 20, 21 & 22

School is out for Christmas break. Let Elf Heidi entertain your children while you shop and eat. From 11:00-2:00 p.m., Heidi will lead crafts, coloring and other activities for children while holiday movies play on the big screen.

BelleWood will be closed at 3:00 p.m Christmas Eve and all day Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

For more information check out www.bellewoodfarms.com or the BelleWood Acres Facebook page.

Bellingham Weekend Event Calendar

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Events Editor

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The leaves have all turned a vibrant shade of red, yellow or orange, there is a crisp bite in the air and the sunny days of summer are giving way to increasing cloud cover. Fall is upon us and winter is fast approaching. Fortunately, we happen to live in one of the most beautiful and interesting places in the country, brightened by the people, activities and events that make our area great. If you’re looking for something fun or fascinating to fill your weekend, you have come to the right place. Browse this list of local highlights or refer to our community calendar for all the fun under the … clouds.

Things to do this weekend in Bellingham:

Honor our Veterans with a special Veteran’s Day Dinner at Semiahmoo Resort. There will be a three course meal and auctions. MC Mark Wright from Seattle’s King 5 TV will be in attendance along with guest chefs Patrick Glennon and Roy Breiman. The proceeds from this event will benefit Growing Veterans.
Experience teen angst in a whole new (and more visually appealing) way with Airings … The Voices of our Youth at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center.
Let your laughter loose with PALS, an improvised sitcom currently playing at the Upfront Theatre. This production follows the vein of the hit television show “Friends” but this time you, the viewer, get to shape the outcome.
Swing into Whole Foods Market to meet the FizzPOP Media team. The first 30 people get a free cup of delicious Whole Foods coffee and you can enter for a chance to win a Whole Foods Gift Bag and an Amazon Echo Dot! Plus you can pick up a few things while you’re there.
Take a leisurely stroll through the Bellingham Farmers Market at Depot Market Square. Stock up on fresh, locally sourced produce and get to know your local farmers. You could even get ahead of the game by finishing your Christmas shopping early and supporting local artists and artisans at the same time.
Get hands-on, indulge your creative side and learn a new skill with Introduction to Weaving or Sewing Bootcamp at Ragfinery.
Sail the world with Lynne Givler and Keith Carpenter as they share their experience exploring from the Andes to Antarctica aboard the Quark Expedition’s Sea Spirit.
Delve into the art of poetry and storytelling with the 6th Annual Poetry Cafe at Van Zandt Hall. This event features poets, musicians and storytellers, not to mention a delicious dessert potluck. Donations go toward the maintenance of Van Zandt Hall.
Check out this new take on Dungeons & Dragons- Giggles & Goblins at the Upfront Theatre. This episodic improvised adaption allows audience members and dice rolls to determine the events and outcomes.
Explore the past and enrich the present with Jim Glass and Rod Perry, master storytellers, at the WCLS Everson Library. You are guaranteed to be entertained and to learn something fascinating and new.
Channel your inner beatnik with a Jazz Jam Session at the Underground Coffeehouse. Or, step into the spotlight and play right along.

No matter how you choose to spend the next few days, be sure to take a minute to sit back and simply appreciate the beauty and flavor of this wonderful place we are so lucky to call home.

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.

Skilled Nursing Social Workers at Christian Health Care Center: Your Family Away From Family

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Christian Health Care Center

Family. They’re trustworthy and reliable, always around to help when you need them. You laugh with them, cry with them and, especially as you get older, you rely on them daily.

Christian Health Care Center has a team of social workers on staff whose job is to think and act like family.

Members of the social services department, led by Steve Wallace, are hand-picked for their ability and desire to welcome residents to the facility and take care of their needs. Team members are always looking out for residents’ health and well-being.

As adults transition to CHCC, members of the social services team meet with them to perform an initial assessment of their needs. Team members also might talk with family, friends and community agency representatives to form a complete, holistic care plan.

They advocate for residents, help manage medications, identify potential behavioral health needs and provide counseling when needed.

Social workers at CHCC hold meetings with residents and family members to review their care and they ensure that residents are always aware of their rights in the facility. They’re proactive in looking for ways to improve the quality of life for residents.

Christian Health Care Center’s social services team works closely with representatives of PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital, Whatcom Hospice, assisted living facilities, and adult family homes throughout the county to ensure residents have access to the care providers they need.

They practice active listening, ensuring that residents’ questions are answered and concerns are heard. They also enjoy a good conversation, and sitting with residents who just want a friend to talk with.

Just like family.

If you’re nervous about placing your loved one in a nursing home, reach out to CHCC today to learn more about our social services team and discover what life is like at our Lynden skilled nursing campus. We would love to be your loved one’s family away from family.

Holiday Inn & Suites – Bellingham Hires Assistant Director of F&B and Catering Sales Manager

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LocalTalk Contributor

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meg-head-shot — MegAnne Offredi is the new Catering & Sales Manager. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn & Suites- Bellingham.

Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham, an IHG property slated to open in January 2017, is pleased to announce the addition of two new leaders to its management team – Juli Wavada, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage and MegAnne Offredi, Catering & Sales Manager. The announcement was made by Ragan Humphrey, General Manager.

MegAnne Offredi is the new Catering & Sales Manager. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn & Suites- Bellingham.

“Holiday Inn & Suites-Bellingham is the newest full-service hotel to enter the Bellingham market and we are very excited to introduce our new restaurant, ‘northwater,’ to the travelers coming into the area and to our locals. I believe Juli and MegAnne will be a great fit for the restaurant and catering side of the business,” Humphrey said. “They embody the passion for excellence and commitment to service that is paramount to our guest experience.”

Juli Wavada joins the team as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage with a career in the industry spanning more than 13 years. In her new role, Wavada is responsible for creating a specialty and seasonal drink menu for the bar at northwater along with supporting the restaurant and catering teams.

Prior to joining northwater, Wavada served as Director of Food and Beverage Outlets at the Best Western Lakeway Inn, starting as a bartender and working her way up into a leadership role.

With a passion for the hospitality industry since her first job at age 17, Wavada has served in roles from dishwashing to management. She is enthusiastic about her new role at northwater and looks forward to growing with what she considers to be a fantastic team.

“We have the start of a strong family and I am eager to share the northwater experience with others. Creating lasting relationships within our property and throughout the community is where our heart is at,” Wavada said. “This is truly the start of something great and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

As Catering and Sales Manager, Offredi, who began her hospitality career over 15 years ago as a bartender and moved up to catering sales with Best Western Lakeway Inn and eventually Director of Marketing at a local casino, is responsible for establishing new relationships among the area’s business community to grow the property’s meeting and event clientele and overseeing the planning and execution of the property’s special events and catering contracts.

“I am extremely excited to have the chance to be a part of this new property,” Offredi stated. “Knowing the leadership that is in place already, I was honored to join the team. I am looking forward to using my 15 plus years in hospitality to create truly outstanding experiences for those who visit our property.”

Holiday Inn & Suites – Bellingham is located at 4260 Mitchell Way at Bellingham International Airport, about 500 feet from curb to curb from the main terminal. The hotel will introduce 153 contemporary design guest rooms, an onsite fitness center featuring the latest in exercise equipment, an indoor mineral pool, a steam room and a sauna. It will also offer over 9,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and northwater featuring locally sourced cuisine. The hotel is under contract with Hotel Services Group LLC to manage the operation for the investor group.

Rose Construction Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary

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LocalTalk Contributor

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rose-construction-team — The Rose Construction, Inc. team with their lead mascot, Yuki. Photo courtesy: Rose Construction, Inc.

Rose Construction Inc, a home remodeling company specializing in bathrooms, kitchens, and additions, celebrates 30 years in business.

“This is a significant milestone for any company,” says DyLon McClary President and CEO of Rose Construction, Inc. “We are extremely proud and honored to have served our clients for 30 years. Our dedicated employees and loyal customers are the key to our success.”

A new kitchen can make your entire house feel new. Photo courtesy: Rose Construction, Inc.

“My wife and I have depended on Rose Construction for our home improvement projects for many years, both large and small,” says Whatcom County resident Toni Taft. “DyLon McClary and his dependable crew provide outstanding service while delivering a superior product. You can depend on their expertise whether you are doing minor repair work, remodeling a bathroom or kitchen, or more major renovations. We appreciate their dependable service over more than a decade of extensive projects. We are proud to be a loyal, long time client. Congratulations on your 30 year anniversary!”

Over one third of Rose Construction’s clients are return customers. “We pride ourselves on creating and maintaining lasting relationships with our clients,” says McClary. “Many of our projects start out as bathroom or kitchen remodels. Then, as our clients get older, they call us for aging-in-place renovations. We get to play a large role in the story of a home and that’s pretty great.”

Rose Construction, Inc. offers elegant and unique bathroom remodels. Photo courtesy: Rose Construction, Inc.

With over 1,800 completed jobs, Rose Construction, Inc. continues to live by their philosophy, “be professional, be knowledgeable, be fair.” In addition to extensive remodeling experience, Rose Construction, Inc. is dedicated to the communities they serve. In recent months, they have donated thousands of dollars and labor hours to local charities such as the Whatcom Humane Society, Blue Skies for Children, and Old Dog Haven

To celebrate 30 years in business, Rose Construction will hold a special holiday party for employees and their families.

About Rose Construction, Inc.

Founded in 1986, the Bellingham based Rose Construction, Inc. serves residential and commercial clients in Whatcom, Skagit, North Snohomish, and Island Counties. Rose Construction, Inc. provides full-service remodeling including residential and commercial properties, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, and tenant improvements. Rose Construction, Inc. takes a comprehensive approach to each project keeping environmental impact and budget at the forefront. For more information click here.

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WCLS and WTA Kick-Off Joint “Read and Ride” Campaign

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LocalTalk Contributor

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The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) and Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) have just kicked-off a new “Read and Ride” campaign aimed at encouraging more county residents to download WCLS’s free digital resources and ride WTA.

“Riding a WTA bus allows people to kick back and enjoy some free time during their morning commute or evening ride home,” Christine Perkins, executive director of WCLS, said. “What better way to spend that free time than by reading a free eBook, audiobook, or digital magazine from the library on your mobile device?”

New partnership encourages more Whatcom County residents to take advantage of WTA bus routes and WCLS’s free digital services.

The “Read and Ride” campaign is the first time the two organizations have partnered and marks a joint effort to get more people using public services.

“Throughout Whatcom County we have some incredible public services that can improve the quality of life for local residents. The toughest hurdle, though, isn’t getting people to agree these are great services—it’s getting them to use them,” Perkins said. “This partnership is all about encouraging more of our community to take advantage of the free and affordable resources available to them.”

WTA offers bus routes all over the county—taking passengers from the Lummi Reservation, to downtown Lynden, to the Blaine border crossing and beyond. Likewise, WCLS has ten locations around Whatcom County, from Ferndale to the South Whatcom Library in Sudden Valley, and from the North Fork Library in Kendall to Point Roberts. WCLS also offers digital services that can be accessed anywhere, anytime—patrons can login with their library card number to access them. People without library cards can sign up for one online in about two minutes.

WCLS partners with the Bellingham Public Library, which is a department of the City of Bellingham and a separate library system with its own governance and funding. This partnership means Bellingham residents and those living elsewhere in Whatcom County experience seamless library service.

“WCLS and WTA make a great combination,” said Maureen McCarthy, WTA community relations and marketing manager. “Our transit system allows people to travel safely and comfortably around their community at a low price, in an environmentally-friendly way. Our library is on the cutting-edge of digital services. Their new resources and digital entertainment are reshaping how people view their public library system. We’re excited to be partnering with WCLS on the ‘Read and Ride’ campaign.”

WTA bus passes are just $25 a month and offer routes all over the community. WTA’s Gold Cards allow residents 75 and older to ride the bus for free. Children ages seven and under can also ride free.

Likewise, all of the WCLS’s services are free and accessible online. Library patrons can download and read the latest eBooks, audiobooks and digital magazines, stream new music and reserve the latest bestsellers all without ever having to leave their bus seat.

To learn more about the “Read and Ride” campaign, click here.

Businesses Benefit with Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce Support

By

Jennifer Dodge

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14714859_10154019157787358_7578099447211171497_o — The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce provides opportunities to effectively promote your business and create new business connections, Photo Courtesy: Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce

Joining the local Chamber of Commerce is one of the first things that many businesses do when they are ready to form a new business or move their operation to a new area.

The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce represents the business community in more ways than just providing members with important opportunities for networking. The Chamber is your business advocate, helping you to grow through working with other local leaders and governments towards a stable and supportive business environment.

And, when it comes to opportunities to effectively promote your business and create new business connections, the Chamber is ready to respond to that need as well.

Most recently, The Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce partnered with MicroNet, Inc. a leading provider of online solutions for member-based associations including chambers of commerce.

What does that partnership mean to you and your business or organization as a member of the Chamber? You get exclusive access to specialized tools through a new online Membership Information Center. These new features include everything from a new membership listing that you can update, joining interest groups and committees, to networking with other members through the online system.

Once you log in to your online account, be sure to update your listing completely and accurately with the most current information to achieve high visibility and business exposure. You’ll see coupons and special deals from your fellow chamber members as well as have the ability to share your own deals and coupons.

Have a job opening? These new online tools give you the ability to post your job to get the exposure you need to fill the position.

Quick and easy networking with others in the chamber is what’s best about this new tool. You can check out others’ listings as you look for services you need along with any other jobs, deals and events going on!

Log in today to start accessing your organization today.

Leadership Whatcom – Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders

By

Jennifer Dodge

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“It’s great to get to look back and see how careers have blossomed,” says Guy Occhiogrosso, of the growth of the Leadership Whatcom program.

With a history rooted in leading a community working together to make things happen, the Leadership Whatcom program works to create solid leadership skills through real-life examples in the community to continue to build and support future business and community leaders.

leaderhsip whatcom — Leadership Whatcom creates quality leaders through knowledge, guidance and support. Photo courtesy: Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber.

Originally started by the Whatcom Coalition of Healthy Communities to follow a historical legacy of involvement and activity in the community, Leadership Whatcom transitioned to the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce. Though the program has seen changes since, just a year ago the Chamber turned to one of the original program designers and added elements to make it a complete leadership package.

Framed in an adult education style, the program is a start-to-finish leadership program that takes attendees through leadership skills building, community awareness and local leadership with an added the element of safe and honest communication practice.

“The program is structured to educate participants in the varying skill sets of different types of leadership, framing it within the current issues of the community and then talking about it in a safe environment,” says Guy. “It’s a truly reflective opportunity when you’re building a community conversation on a specific issue.”

Guy goes on to explain that the program is for anyone that wants to invest in themselves to become a leader in the workplace, community, church, or organization. It’s a program very specific to the broad sense of leadership.

“We need quality leaders,” says Guy. “We need to build them up and support them. We need to build communication through the noise.”

Part of the program includes trips to a local businesses or organizations that exemplify the leadership skills and qualities discussed in Leadership Whatcom in some way. Recently the group of participants visited Trinity Western University. During this time, they discussed mission-based leadership skills. As a part of the field trip they were able to see these leadership skills in action, a truly educational, hands-on moment.

Through the exploration of leadership skills within the program, the participants also follow and engage in one issue annually. Last year, Leadership Whatcom participants discussed, followed and engaged on the issue of housing, from housing accessibility to housing affordability. And, this year, the issue they are following and engaging is jobs, from job creation to job retention. Throughout the sessions over eleven months, the group learns to work with complex issues such as these through leveraging community assets and working with unlikely partners. They continue to apply what they’ve learned to these issues to be innovative in what it takes to create healthy communities.

Leadership Whatcom participants also explore the meaning of the difference between being an effective leader and a reflective leader. They discuss the meaning of taking a step back and taking a fresh perspective-driven look at any given situation, whether in business or in every day living. And, by putting these skills into action, Leadership Whatcom participants learn the meaning of carrying on community stewardship to protect and improve quality of life in the community.

Each Leadership Whatcom applicant that applies to the program is reviewed and carefully selected. The program draws on experience and diversity in terms of demographics, experience and values.

Applicants are evaluated on their commitment to the community, interest in developing and applying their leadership skills, as well as the ability to fully attend and participate in the program.

At the end of the program, the new graduates are honored at a short reception where they share their plans to actively participate in Whatcom County with their peers and audience members.

As the program continues to grow, the alumni from each year will continue to add to the development, conversation and growth of Leadership Whatcom.

“We are one community. At the end of the day, we are the ones who get to build up this community,” says Guy.

November 25-27

December 3-4

December 10, 11, 17 & 18

December 19, 20, 21 & 22

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