Pups and Peaks — 7 Dog Friendly Hikes to Enjoy in Whatcom County

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Skyline Divide's rolling ridgeline is an excellent summer hiking destination for dogs and their humans.

It’s good to be a dog in Whatcom County. Not only do we have an abundance of off-leash parks, but our trail system is extensive and diverse. Winter or summer — rain or shine — we’ve got dog-accessible trails for every occasion. This round-up features seven of our favorite Fido-friendly places to hike in Whatcom County, ranging from 3- to 28-mile treks, roundtrip. All of these trails are generally accessible year round, unless otherwise noted.

Lookout Mountain Preserve

Featuring a new trailhead parking area with restrooms and informational signage, Lookout Mountain Preserve is now easier to access than ever. There are over 6 miles of forested, pet-friendly trails here. Try the short Waterfall Loop to see two 12-foot falls along Austin Creek — an abundant water source for your four-legged friends. Or check out the 3.6-mile Lookout Loop for views of Lake Whatcom and Mount Baker.

Lake Whatcom Hertz Trail

On the east bank of Lake Whatcom, the Hertz Trail offers an easy lakeside stroll for hikers and dogs alike. Older dogs (and their humans) will appreciate this trail’s minimal elevation gain of just 100 feet. Interpretive signs near the trailhead explain the area’s history. Read up, then enjoy walking along the former Bellingham and Eastern Railway grade, built in 1902 and since converted to a wide gravel path. The lake, streams and waterfall provide plenty of water sources for your pup. Stop at one of the scenic benches and turn around anytime — the trail ends abruptly after 3 miles.

Rock Trail

Little Toby loves easy lakeside hikes.

For a short but sweet workout in the Chuckanuts, Rock Trail is hard to beat. Views from the parking lot alone are fantastic on a clear day. Check out the informational sign for help identifying Samish Bay’s islands, and then look north to see if you can spot any Canadian peaks. On the trail, more than 100 stair steps descend from Cyrus Gates Overlook to Lost Lake, losing about 1,200 feet in 1.2 miles. Head left at a signed junction for Lost Lake, curving around to the lake’s eastern shore for a 3.5-mile roundtrip hike. The lake provides an ample water source for your pooch before the climb back to Cyrus Gates Overlook. Don’t forget your Discover Pass for parking here.

Pine and Cedar Lakes

Another great Chuckanut trail, Pine and Cedar Lakes is a 5-mile roundtrip hike with 1,400 feet of elevation gain. From the Old Samish Way trailhead, the first mile of this trail is a steep grind. Make sure your pooch (and you!) are up for the challenge. At the top, both lakes offer water access for dogs to splash around in. You can do a loop around Cedar, taking in the views and stopping at benches along the way. Pine features a short boardwalk out to a secluded camping area — great for a weekend backpacking trip. Be sure to display a valid Discover Pass for parking.

East Bank Baker Lake

This excellent trail just barely qualifies as a Whatcom County hike. Near the Skagit-Whatcom border, East Bank Baker Lake trail runs 14 miles along Baker Lake’s eastern shore. At times high above the lake, this rolling trail swoops down to the water at various points and crosses enough streams to keep doggies hydrated. Enjoy the old growth forest and views of Mount Baker. Good turnaround points are Anderson Point at 2 miles, and Maple Grove at 4 miles. Both offer backcountry camping amenities such as fire pits, bear boxes and privies. A valid Northwest Forest Pass is required for trailhead parking.

Thunder Knob

Axle the German Shepherd enjoys splashing around in Baker Lake.

North Cascades Highway offers a variety of trails for aspiring hikers, from easy rambles to strenuous climbs. Thunder Knob falls somewhere in between. This 3.6-mile roundtrip trail gains just over 600 feet of elevation, making it the perfect leg-stretcher for drivers and their four-legged passengers. Your walk begins with an easy stroll through Colonial Creek Campground, with a view of Lake Diablo through the trees. Let the dogs have their water fix at the lake or Colonial Creek before beginning this climb — they should dry out by the time you get back to the car. Surrounded by lodgepole pine, you’ll feel like you’ve already traversed the pass into Eastern Washington. At the top, mountain views and a Lake Diablo overlook await.

Skyline Divide

Come summertime, Mount Baker Highway is a doggone dream come true. There are many trails to choose from, with rolling ridgelines, mountain views and wildflowers galore. Skyline Divide has it all. The trail starts out steep, gaining 1,500 feet in the first two miles. Once you attain the ridge, it’s all yours. Hike as far out as 4.5 miles out and 6,563 feet high to a knoll with front-row views of Mount Baker. Or simply stroll among the meadows and admire alpine views all around. Like many hikes in this area, Skyline Divide is only accessible during summer and early fall. There is no water source on the trail once snowmelt is gone, so bring plenty for yourself and the pooch. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking.

As a reminder, dogs should be always be leashed when hiking unless otherwise posted. For additional tips on hiking with dogs, the Washington Trails Association provides an excellent Q&A page. A comprehensive guide on the subject, “Best Hikes with Dogs Western Washington,” is available from Mountaineers Books.

Governor Inslee Appoints Dr. Diane Staves to Whatcom Community College Board of Trustees

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Whatcom Community College

Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed Bellingham resident and retired medical doctor Diane Staves to Whatcom Community College’s Board of Trustees. Staves began her five-year term March 7, 2016. She fills the position vacated by brand marketing and communications consultant Sue Cole on the five-member board. Cole’s term expired in 2014, and she is stepping down after a decade of service to the College.

The trustees are appointed by the governor and serve five-year terms and/or until their successors are appointed, and must reside within the College’s district boundaries. The board’s duties include setting the College’s strategic direction, establishing policy, awarding tenure, approving the operating budget and hiring the College president.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Diane Staves to Whatcom. Her broad experience as a physician in this community, as well as worldwide, will be a significant asset as we expand our leadership in offering quality education for the health-care professions,” Board Chair Steve Adelstein said.

Staves retired in 2013 as an internist with the Nooksack Health Center in Everson. She was the medical director from 2009 to 2011. Her professional experience includes similar roles at the Interfaith Clinic and Western Washington University Health Center in Bellingham as well as with non-profit clinics in Connecticut. Staves, who speaks French and Spanish, has served as an advisor with international medical relief organizations in countries such as Venezuela, North Korea, Haiti and Mexico City. She has a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a medical degree from the University of Connecticut. She attended the master’s program in molecular genetics at the University of Washington and the master’s program in public health at Yale University School of Medicine, specializing in international public health. She is board certified in internal medicine and has taught at the university level.

Staves volunteers as a facilitator for the Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement, the Whatcom Medical Reserve Corps and has participated in medical relief work in Latin America and India. Her board experience includes the Slum Doctor Programme, Whatcom Day Academy and King Low Heywood Thomas School in Connecticut. She has lived in Bellingham since 1999.

Other members of WCC’s Board of Trustees are Steve Adelstein, attorney at law, Adelstein, Sharpe & Serka; Barbara Rofkar, counselor and mediator in private practice and with Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center as well as part-time faculty at Western Washington University; Tim Douglas, retired, former mayor of Bellingham; and John Pedlow, a retired business executive.

Sculpture Northwest and City of Bellingham Introduce Downtown Sculpture Exhibition

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LocalTalk Contributor

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IMG_20160408_134133844_HDR — Sculpture are on display now through April 2017. Photo courtesy: Sculpture Northwest.

Submitted by Sculpture Northwest

In celebration of International Sculpture Day on April 24, Sculpture Northwest and the City of Bellingham have collaborated on the Downtown Sculpture Exhibition. The outdoor exhibition features the sculpture of prominent Pacific Northwest sculptors: Ann Morris (Eagle Arm); Jason Reed Brown (Raven II); David Kitts (Giant Mailbox); Aaron Loveitt (Hollow); Thor Myhre (Buddha); Christopher Pauley (Two Cats on a Bicycle and Red Bird Apartment House) Lillian Pitt (She Follows the Dreams and Dreaming About Weaving Baskets).

The sculptures were installed on April 6, 2016, and will be on display until April 2017. Scroll through the slideshow below for a sneak peek at the sculptures included in this year-long exhibition.

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Apple Yarns Fosters Creativity, Community and Support in Bellingham and Beyond

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Lorraine Wilde

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Just some of the Wednesday Social Circle knitting group members that have been the primary force behind Knittedknockers.org. Owner Andrea Evans stands on the far right while Barb Demorest is seated . Photo courtesy: Andrea Evans.

Local, family-owned Apple Yarns has built and supported a community of knitters and crocheters who have, in turn, used their fiber arts skills to reach out and give big to the local community, across the US, and even to other countries around the world.

The brain child of Andrea and Andrew Evans, Apple Yarns first opened in 2008 in Barkley Village. “Andrea had been working in another yarn shop in town and realized owning her own shop was something she could do well,” Andrew recalls of their start.

Apple Yarns remained in its Barkley Village location for five years before moving to their current Iowa Street location three years ago. “We love this spot because it’s centrally located, has easy parking, and it’s close to the freeway,” Andrew notes. “We have three employees that have each worked with us since the day we opened eight years ago,” Andrea adds proudly. “Bellingham is our home. We want it to be the greatest, grandest place in the whole wide world.”

Whatcom County knitter and crocheters are lucky to have a wide variety of products and expertise available to them locally at Apple Yarns. Photo courtesy: Apple Yarns.

Also a member of Sustainable Connections, Apple Yarns prides itself on supporting the local arts community. “We love our locals — not only our local customers — but also our local artisans and dyers. Several of our products are locally made,” explains Andrea.

Apple Yarns’ primary focus is to sustain the knitting and crocheting community while hosting a number of classes ranging from smaller groups for beginners up to larger, advanced workshops taught by out-of-town experts. “Andrew and I support people all the way through their project, whatever their skill level, or where they are within it,” Andrea explains.

Their generous attitude extends beyond knitting projects and into the needs of the community at large. “We try and help whomever we can. It’s just part of being an important member of the community. It’s one of our goals and it makes doing business a lot more fun,” Andrea says. “We’ve helped through direct donation of course, but we also reach out through our community of knitters and crocheters.” For example, the Thursday Social Circle — just one of Apple Yarns many Social Circles available almost every day of the week — sent out a call for blanket squares. They were made and sent to the store from far and wide. The group made them into two blankets for Whatcom Hospice House that were later auctioned for more than $1,600.

Another Social Circle drawing lots of attention is the Wednesday group, whose central focus over the past two years has become the local 501(c)3 breast cancer survivor charity, Knitted Knockers. Led by breast cancer survivor and group member, Barb Demorest, this group’s mission is to connect volunteer knitters who make knitted breast prostheses with breast cancer survivors who have undergone a mastectomy. Survivors receive the prosthetic that is just right for them, free of charge.

Social Circles at Apple Yarns provide knitters more than an opportunity to practice their knit 1, pearl 1 — these groups allow knitters and crocheters alike to connect with fellow makers and create things for their community. Photo courtesy: Apple Yarns.

According to Barb, approximately one in eight women will experience breast cancer at some time in their life. There are approximately 1.2 million women in the US living post-mastectomy without surgical reconstruction. Local physicians estimate that more than 200 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Whatcom County each year. At least 50 of those will have a single or double mastectomy. “Nationally, approximately 90% of women who have a mastectomy will wear a prosthetic at some point,” Barb notes.

This project is particularly personal to Barb who was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy in 2011. “When I asked my doctor about the options, he said reconstruction was expensive and most people were not satisfied with the silicone prosthetics.”

Traditional prosthetics are made from silicone and, for some, can feel uncomfortably hot and heavy. “When I started to look for alternatives, my friend Phyllis found a woman in Maine that owned a yarn shop who had a mastectomy herself and had posted a knitting pattern. The name Knitted Knockers started there and she let us use it after her shop closed down,” Barb explains. “I made the website and the Facebook page and it really took off from there.”

“Took off” is an understatement. Knitted Knockers’ Facebook page now has more than 11,000 followers. The patterns the Wednesday group improved have been downloaded from Knittedknockers.org site over 90,000 times to date, and their instructional videos have exceeded 84,000 views. “We are inspiring and equipping volunteers all over the world to provide for their own communities,” Barb says. More than 100 other groups that provide the prosthetics in their communities — spread across 46 states and 9 countries — have registered at the site. The Wednesday group sent out over 1,000 prostheses in the month of February and 279 in a single week. According to Andrea and Barb, the program has grown exponentially over the past 18 months.

Providing quality yarns and materials is just a small piece of what Apple Yarns provides to our community. Photo courtesy: Andrea Evans.

“We get requests from all over the world and we don’t turn them down. We have three new groups in Spain. This week we have orders headed out to Japan and the Philippines that we’ll fill because we don’t have groups registered in those countries. Recently we sent 100 to Rwanda,” Barb notes. The group is operated entirely by unpaid volunteers and funded solely by donations. “Postage is one of our major expenses. We spend $800 to $1000 per month,” Barb adds.

In addition to sending the artificial breasts far and wide, the group also provides them free to local surgical and imaging centers and oncologists.

Apple Yarns was the obvious choice for Barb once she decided to make Knitted Knockers a major focus in her life. “I had been knitting in the Wednesday circle for a few years before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That community of people expanded my horizons. Apple Yarns already had this beautiful network of several different groups,” Barb recalls.

“Many of those groups have been meeting for the entire eight years that we’ve been in business,” Andrea adds.

“It touches a chord with women when they know they can help somebody in such a tangible way,” Barb says of the local fiber arts community. “They are so charity-minded. You send out a call to action and they respond with no ulterior motive. They aren’t trying to make money. They care and they want to help.”

Apple Yarns Social Circles and workshops connect knitters and crocheters that support our community. Photo courtesy: Andrea Evans.

You don’t have to know how to knit to help either. Apple Yarns will assist even the absolute beginner. “There are at least three ways to get involved,” Barb says. “You can help us get the word out to women that can use them, become a volunteer knitter, or make a monetary donation.”

“A key aspect of the program is partnering with local yarn shops, and Andrea and Apple Yarns have been just amazing in helping us through the process of learning what works,” explains Barb.

Interest in Knitted Knockers and demand for the prosthetics has been so high recently that a new knit and crochet group was added on Friday mornings. Whether for relaxation, learning, community or charity, Apple Yarns is a comfortable, enjoyable place to gather. “We provide a space at no charge for groups to just sit and knit — and talk and giggle and laugh and solve world problems,” Andrea says with a wink and a smile.

For more information and a full list of Social Circles, workshops and more, visit Apple Yarns online, by calling 360-756-9992, or by visiting the shop at its Iowa Street location.

Mind of the Chef: A Behind the Scenes Look at Bellingham’s EAT Restaurant

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Theresa Golden

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Dominique Faury, Eric Truglas and Amberleigh Brownson — partners on site at EAT Restaurant. Photo credit: Sharon Beth Photography.

Imagine receiving local, farm fresh ingredients hand delivered to your doorstep each morning then preparing these ingredients — using French culinary techniques — to create American-style entrées paired with a Pacific Northwest wines. Bonjour! This is what life is like every day at EAT Restaurant.

Described as “American food with a French twist,” EAT Co-Owners Eric Truglas and Amberleigh Brownson have teamed up with Executive Chef Dominique Faury and CFO Jeff Kahn to bring their very tasty vision to Bellingham.

According to Eric and Amberleigh, the idea for EAT restaurant was conceptualized back when the two worked together at Semiahmoo Resort.

“Jokingly we talked about how we should open a restaurant,” Eric recalls. “We were working so hard — why not work for ourselves?”

Established on a foundation of great teamwork, exceptional cuisine, and top-notch ingredients, EAT offers Bellingham-area residents American cuisine with a French twist.

Though Eric and Amberleigh valued each other’s humor, they also valued the teamwork that they shared. Over time, their pipedream didn’t seem so far-fetched after all.

“In this business, it’s about the strength of your team and being generous. Any one of us could have done it alone, but the fact is, it’s a lot better if we do it as a team,” Eric shares. “You have to choose your partners wisely.”

As the idea of opening their own restaurant became less of a dream and more of a goal, Eric and Amberleigh started devising a serious business plan, one that included looking for other professionals to join their already dynamic team.

For Chef Dominique, working with Eric was a professed lifelong dream — and a decision that moved him from San Jose to Bellingham. “I really wanted to open something with Eric because I knew that the combination would be something very strong,” Dominique shares. “When Eric called me to say, ‘You know what, I am thinking of opening a new place,’ I said, ‘Let’s do it!’” With no time to hesitate, Dominque packed his bags and relocated to Bellingham.

Using fresh, local ingredients, the edible offerings at EAT are ever-changing. Photo credit: Sharon Beth Photography.

In the early discussion of the business, Eric and Amberleigh agreed that using local, farm fresh food was a must, so they also teamed up with Sustainable Connections to find local farmers who could help stock their shelves. Each farm led to the knowledge of another farm and, in no time at all, EAT has established strong relationships with a handful of local farmers. “They are more than farmers, they are friends,” Eric says.

For Chef Dominique, love of local fresh-farmed ingredients started for him as a 10 year old in France where daily fresh ingredients were a normal part of his daily life. Now, at the start of each business day, Chef Dominique receives locally farmed food delivered straight to the restaurant. These ingredients serve as the inspiration behind the restaurant’s first come first serve specials. Some nights, only 15 plates of these specialty items will be available for order. When should you arrive to ensure yourself the opportunity to taste it? Dominique teases, “As early as you can.”

For Eric, Dominique and Amberleigh, all three know what it’s like to work in corporate environments. Eric traveled extensively for work, Dominique has years of culinary experience, and Amberleigh managed several restaurants. For the three of them, EAT is a way of putting all that energy, effort and talent into a business that is their own.

Chef Dominque finds inspiration from what’s in season. Photo credit: Sharon Beth Photography.

And being able to operate their restaurant in a place they all love is an added bonus. Eric describes the Pacific Northwest as a place you can go up to the mountains to the snow and in the same day come down to the beach. As far as culinary ingredients go, each is satisfied with what the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

EAT Restaurant opened earlier this January and was welcomed by a flurry of hungry and satisfied clientele. For the owners, EAT is a restaurant where people from the ages of 20 and up feel welcome to dine on any given day. Being able to serve such a wide demographic is something the partners are proud of.

Chef Dominique describes the restaurant in the same way he would describe guests coming over to his home for dinner. To make guests feel comfortable, the partners wanted to create an artistic environment and worked hard to bring original art into the space, evidenced in the bottle top sculpture Amberleigh crafted around the column by the bar.

Restaurant-goers give EAT their seal of approval, filling the restaurant’s dining room during a recent beer and wine event. Photo credit: Sharon Beth Photography.

Amberleigh hopes EAT will be a place where people can feel comfortable enough to ask questions about cuisine, pronunciation or concepts behind wine pairings. And Chef Dominique strives to make the experience fun for everyone, cooking passionately in hopes of receiving the biggest accolades his dishes can provide — making people happy.

Governor Inslee Honors WCC Students at All-Washington Academic Team Ceremony

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Whatcom Community College

Governor Jay Inslee honored Whatcom Community College (WCC) students Na Eun Kim of Abbotsford, British Columbia, and Alan Alatorre of Burlington at the 21st annual All-Washington Academic Team recognition ceremony March 24 at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia. The 2016 All-Washington Academic Team consists of 66 students representing the state’s 34 community and technical colleges. Kim and Alatorre are WCC’s representatives.

The All-Washington program honors students who demonstrate a commitment to success in the classroom and service in their communities. Each team member also is a state nominee for the All-USA Community College Academic Team, which will be announced in April. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Washington State Association for College Trustees, the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges, and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, along with Key Bank and WSECU, sponsor the event. Each team member is awarded a $250 scholarship, plus additional transfer scholarship opportunities. Kim received an additional $1,000 scholarship from PTK as a 2016 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Bronze Scholar.

“Na Eun and Alan are successful student scholars and leaders at Whatcom,” says WCC President Kathi Hiyane-Brown. “We are extremely proud of them as examples of the excellent caliber of our students.”

Na Eun Kim is passionate about social justice. As the associated student vice president and chair of WCC’s social justice, equity and pluralism committee, she plans events for the campus community that discuss race, ethnicity and identities. She has served on WCC’s global citizen association, programming and diversity board, and won the 2015 Outstanding Service to Students Award. Kim plans to transfer to University of Washington, and eventually travel the world teaching English. She is one of 150 national Coca-Cola Bronze Scholar honorees from 1,900 applicants. Selection was based on scores the student earned in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition.

Alan Alatorre transferred to Western Washington University winter 2016 to study human services. He hopes to eventually earn a master’s degree in adult education or social work. Alatorre has served as a student ambassador, president of the Latino leadership club and worked in WCC’s intercultural center. He also volunteers for Bellingham’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. He believes kindness, active listening and connections can have a huge impact on people.

Sehome High School Teams Head to State Science Olympiad

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Lorraine Wilde

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Sehome Science Olympiad teachers and team leaders. Back Row, teachers Amy Hankinson and Mark Toney. Middle row (L to R) Elias Hargadine, Eric Newcomer, Zoë Dietrich, and Jackson Schroyer. Front row (L to R) Ali Morrow, Kate Cunningham, Nick Bourlier, and Katrina Dank.

Guided by dedicated teachers and led by the students themselves, Sehome High School’s Science Olympiad teams learn and compete in a variety of science-based events at the regional level while also learning valuable life skills and having a whole lot of fun. They were recently successful at the regional level, advancing two teams to the state competition in April.

Now-retired Sehome teacher Craig Ferguson first started the Science Olympiad at Sehome about 15 years ago with just handful of students. They were very successful competitors for many years, at times winning at the state level and advancing to the national competition. When Sehome physics teacher Mark Toney and chemistry teacher Amy Hankinson joined in helping about eight or nine years ago, the approach changed. “Our style is totally different,” Toney explains. “We’re not as focused on winning at the state level. We’re more excited to include more students.”

Eight teams of Sehome students competed in seventeen events at the Northwest Regional level on March 5 at Seattle Central College. That’s more teams than any other school in the state. “The next largest participating school in our state only has four teams,” Toney notes. “We tried to get two more teams because we had so many interested students,” Hankinson adds.

Senior Riley Allsop (L) and freshman Skyler Weight (R) program a robot for the regional competition.

Each team consists of fifteen students and one alternate. A team leader is designated and each member competes with a different partner from their team in two or three of the seventeen possible events spanning all aspects of science — computer science, statistics, engineering, environmental and forensic science, physics, biology, chemistry and geology, to name a few.

Every event is slightly different, involving demonstration of a combination of skills from written and laboratory performance tests to hands-on activities such as designing and building objects in advance or on-site engineering construction. Most students have a general idea of what they’ll be asked to do but won’t know exactly until the event begins. For example, senior Kate Cunningham knew that she would be competing in the fossil identification event. “I know that the test will be based on specimens from a list of 100 possibilities, but not which ones so I’m currently trying to learn them all,” Cunningham explains, laughing. Students are scored by judges in each event and then individual scores are totaled for each team to determine which schools will advance to the state competition.

The students are successful because of the tremendous support they both give and receive. In addition to the multitude of hours — and pizza — Toney and Hankinson donate to help guide and supervise the exuberant teams, students that have attended previous competitions also mentor first-timers. Many students also help with aspects other than competing in science events, including graphic design, social media, photography and filmmaking. Eight other Sehome science teachers also showed their support by attending the out-of-town event in March.

Sehome Science Olympiad students worked into the evening the night before their regional competition.

When you ask students what they love about Science Olympiad you get a wide range of answers that explain why this year’s gender-balanced, free, inclusive team has over 140 students participating. Some see it as an extension of their high school learning experience.

“Science Olympiad events envelope the relevance of the textbook science we learn in class, so it’s a great application for what we’re learning,” junior Zoë Dietrich shares. “It gives us a look into the real world. And you don’t have to be amazing at science to participate.”

Some appreciate that it might help them figure out the future. “You also learn about different career choices, which is important for high schoolers,” junior Eric Newcomer adds.

Others see it as an opportunity to stretch their limits. “There are so many people here who wouldn’t necessarily be a big part of science, but we have such a relaxed culture that everyone wants to be involved, so we have a giant team,” senior Ali Morrow explains.

“I think one of the coolest aspects is the interaction between students. Freshmen work with seniors, sophomores with juniors — you’re working with people you might never talk to otherwise,” junior Jackson Schroyer adds. “We meet new people and learn from other students or figure it out together.”

Senior Nick Coats stands before the organizational bulletin board as he works on the final touches of an air trajectory machine he designed and built with the help of teammates.

Many of the students are there simply because they enjoy exploring science. “People get excited about science who don’t usually consider it something they like to do. We have fun doing it and that’s the best part,” senior Katrina Dank says. “There are a lot of things I would never do ordinarily, like make a wind turbine out of balsa wood…. It forces me to learn about it and it’s kind of cool,” senior Elias Hargadine adds. “It allows people to come out of their shell and embrace their nerdiness. Everybody has that inside of them,” senior Nick Bourlier explains.

The teachers help, but the students lead the way. “Science Olympiad is nearly completely student driven,” Toney explains. “Team leaders have to collaborate to form the teams and manage communication, lead the events, and get forms filled out and turned in,” Dank adds. “The competition is pretty chaotic. We also have to figure out what times people have their events, resolve time conflicts for partners, and then schedule all the building events,” Dietrich says. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun.”

These teens also seem to be learning about perseverance, improvisation and bouncing back after failure. “The best stories are when things don’t work out,” Dank explains. “We’ve had some hilarious moments and those are what I remember most about Science Olympiad.”

“For one event, another captain and I spent 18 hours making something in advance that was supposed to fly and then we got there and it broke,” Morrow recalls, laughing.

Students pin their successes on hard work and the dedication of their teachers to the student science community built at Sehome. “Honestly, the reason, in part, why we have so many students involved and coming back each year is because the science department here is spectacular,” Newcomer notes. “We have arguably the best teachers. They are fun and interesting, they teach well, and everyone just loves them.” That dedication is felt by each of the students. “They honestly care so much,” Dietrich adds. “They want us to do well and have fun.”

Students put last minute touches together the night before the regional Science Olympiad competition.

Two teams of fifteen students plus a few alternates will head to the state competition on April 16 at Eastern Washington University to compete against the top seven teams from each region.

“Amy and I choose students from our eight teams who did best at the regional competition to form two new teams,” Toney explains. Only the top team from each state competition will advance to nationals, this year held in Menomonie, Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

For Sehome, it’s not as much about winning as it is about having fun while learning. “The competition to go to nationals is pretty steep. We love Science Olympiad because it’s super fun and it gets kids that weren’t already tuned into science excited about it,” Toney says. “It gets the kids working on their own, as much or little as they want. It offers them something at whatever level they’re at.”

Gospel Music Hall of Famer Bill Gaither Returning to Northwest Washington Fair

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Northwest Washington Fair

The Gaither Vocal Band, featuring Gospel Music Hall of Famer Bill Gaither, is returning to the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden for a performance August 18.

Gaither is well known to thousands through the “Gaither Gospel Hour” and “Gaither Family Music Hour,” which has been airing on multiple television networks since the mid-1990s. Gaither and his wife Gloria also are renowned as songwriters, having written more than 700 popular Gospel songs, including “He Touched Me,” “Because He Lives” and “The King is Coming.”

“The Gaither Vocal Band was a sellout when it first performed here in 2009 so we’re certain many people will be pleased they are returning,” said Jim Baron, general manager of the Northwest Washington Fair. “They’re known for their powerhouse vocals, innovative harmonies and life-altering message – a message of grace, hope and redemption.”

Gaither will be joined on stage by David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb and Todd Suttles.

Tickets for the Gaither Vocal Band’s grandstand show go on sale to the public at 9:00 a.m. April 20 at www.nwwafair.com. They also will be available then at the fair office, 1775 Front St., Lynden, and by phone at 877-699-FAIR. Prices are $25 apiece for reserved grandstand seats and $35 for preferred seats. Prices don’t include gate admission, which is required. For more information about the Gaither Vocal Band, visit www.Gaither.com.

Gaither became a household name when his self-penned “He Touched Me” catapulted him to the top of the music industry in the late 1960s, earning him a Grammy nomination in 1969. Recorded by Elvis Presley, among the legions of others, it received international recognition and was cited as having more impact on the listening public that year than any other song recorded. Bill and Gloria Gaither have collectively received eight Grammy Awards and more than two dozen Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association.

The Gaither Vocal Band is the second grandstand performer announced for this year’s Northwest Washington Fair, scheduled Aug. 15-20, following last month’s announcement of a Josh Turner concert Aug. 20. More grandstand entertainment will be announced in the coming weeks.

100+ Women of Whatcom — Community Giving with Small Commitment and Big Impact

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Whatcom Women in Business — Photo courtesy: 100+ Women of Whatcom.

Submitted by 100+ Women of Whatcom

100+ Women of Whatcom welcomes women to join our Spring Gathering on April 14, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. at the YWCA Bellingham to select our next recipient organization. This women’s giving organization strives to combine charitable dollars to maximize local impact.

At the inaugural meeting in October 2015, 100+ Women of Whatcom members donated over $7000 to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS). “It was such an exciting evening for us, not just because we were selected, but because we got to be a part of this inspiring group of women, from all walks of life, who were willing to work together to make a real change for their community” said Karen Burke, Executive Director of DVSAS. “It’s commitment and passion like that that inspires our work and makes it possible for thousands of individuals and families to be helped by DVSAS.”

The membership of 100+ Women continues to grow and future donations will likely top $10,000. Members gather twice-yearly for one hour to learn about nominated Whatcom-serving nonprofit agencies. Through a member vote one nonprofit is selected to receive member’s individual checks of $100, written directly to the chosen organization.

“Simply Giving”, the tag line for 100+ Women of Whatcom, embodies the concept and goals of the group. The Board of 100+ Women of Whatcom is excited to continue to grow the membership and expand the significant impact on our local organizations.

All residents of Whatcom County who identify as women are welcome. For more information and to sign up, visit www.100womenofwhatcom.com.

Holiday Inn & Suites — Bellingham Airport Hires Director of Hotel Operations, Director of Sales & Marketing

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LocalTalk Contributor

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Submitted by Holiday Inn and Suites — Bellingham Airport

Holiday Inn and Suites — Bellingham Airport is pleased to announce two important hires:

Therese Lundvall, Director of Hotel Operations
Randi Axelsson, Director of Sales and Marketing

Ragan Humphrey is currently managing pre-opening activities for the project, and will assume the hotel’s General Manager role when the hotel opens (currently slated for mid-October, 2016).

Humphrey, with over 40 years in Food and Beverage (F&B), is currently assembling a management team and developing the food and beverage operations for the property to ensure that quality and service comes first and foremost. Humphrey’s extensive F&B background includes the development and launch of Johnny Carino’s restaurant in Burlington, as well as numerous years in operations of regional restaurants and resorts.

Lundvall is currently General Manager at the Candlewood Suites hotel in Burlington, WA; and has demonstrated all the key characteristics required in her new role. “She is an IHG award winning General Manager! She is passionate about service excellence, highly regarded with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)’s Candlewood Suites brand leadership team, and we’re very excited to see her develop another award-winning team in Bellingham”, exclaims Humphrey.

Axelsson has over 20 years of hotel sales experience, most recently at the Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa. In her new role, Axelsson will be responsible for the sales and marketing of the hotel’s guest rooms, its ample meeting/convention space and the new Northwater Restaurant and Bar. Humphrey adds that “Randi has a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience. We’re thrilled about her passion for the community and our shared excitement about getting us off to a great start. Her focus will also be to bring new business to Bellingham by continuing to show external markets the amazing place they can visit to change their pace and relax, or be productive.”

Having worked on the concept since mid-2015, Humphrey is especially excited about the new Bellingham F&B experience. He notes that “Northwater will be a hip and comfortable-casual, full-service restaurant with locally sourced and sustainable fare on our progressive menu that highlights the best of the Pacific Northwest. Travelers and locals alike can relax and unwind in our lively bar area, or enjoy patio dining.”

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