Seated (L to R) Tina Perona as Jack and Hannah Rants as Algernon, Standing (L to R) Will Johnson as Gwendolyn and Brendan Shannon as Cecily. Photo credit: Yalda Naimzadeh.
Seated (L to R) Tina Perona as Jack and Hannah Rants as Algernon, Standing (L to R) Will Johnson as Gwendolyn and Brendan Shannon as Cecily. Photo credit: Yalda Naimzadeh.
Squalicum High School’s Drama Program opens its season with a clever new twist on an old clever favorite, “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. In this version of Wilde’s most famous comedy of manners, directed by advisor Daniel Ruiz and assisted directed by sophomore Quinn DeKubber, the world has been turned upside down and it’s the young men who are painted-up objects of affection for the women who rule London with style.
Jack and Algernon, played by seniors Tina Perona and Hannah Rants respectively, are sophisticated ladies of wealth and influence who lead double lives in the city and country – both as Earnest – in order to woo Gwendolyn and Cecily, played by seniors Will Johnson and Brendan Shannon, two “excessively pretty” young men who politely battle each other for Earnest’s hand in marriage and who keep sensational accounts of such adventures in their diaries. Lord Bracknell (senior Kyler Cantrell), Gwendolyn’s father who is as equally obnoxious in fashion as he is in elocution, will have nothing of the sort and tries to control the situation before it gets woefully out of hand, or handbag rather. It is an infamous handbag, once owned and lost by the short-sighted but well-meaning Mr. Prism (sophomore Jakob Liming) that causes a massive confusion of identity, made even more precarious by the baptisms to be conducted by Reverend Chasuble (senior Elizabeth Hanna). Who is the real Earnest? And will anyone get to marry her? Make your way to Squalicum High School to find out for yourself.
Evening performances of this “twisted” classic will be held November 19, 20, and 21 at 7:00 p.m. with two additional matinees on November 21 and 22 at 2pm, all in the school’s Forum at 3773 E. McLeod Rd. in Bellingham. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors, and $5 for children 10 and under. The Drama Parent Athletic/Activity Committee will also host a DVD sale and a raffle at each performance with prizes from local arts organizations, restaurants, shops, and more. All proceeds will support future productions of the Squalicum High School Drama Club and International Thespian Society festival competitions.
The Tough Enough to Wear Pink volunteer committee presented a $30,000 check to Dr. Jennie Crews, medical director of the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center. Photo courtesy: Lynden PRCA Rodeo.
The Tough Enough to Wear Pink volunteer committee presented a $30,000 check to Dr. Jennie Crews, medical director of the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center. Photo courtesy: Lynden PRCA Rodeo.
The Lynden PRCA Rodeo, presented by the Northwest Washington Fair, recently donated $30,000 to the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center in Bellingham for breast cancer patient care and research.
The contribution is the result of many donations raised through the rodeo’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign. Contestants, volunteers and spectators in the Lynden PRCA Rodeo, conducted Aug. 15-16 during the Northwest Washington Fair, wore pink shirts during competition to raise awareness of breast cancer while local rodeo volunteers conducted fundraisers for the Cancer Center.
“It is through the support and generosity of community groups such as the Tough Enough To Wear Pink committee that we are able to continue to grow our programs and services for our patients and their families,” said Carol Brumet, outreach coordinator for the Cancer Center. “This year we added two new support groups as well as two new exercise programs. We also are able to expand our wig bank and comfort supplies that we provide for our patients during chemotherapy.”
The Cancer Center uses 100 percent of donations for patient support services and research.
“This year was so successful due to the efforts of our committee members, plus the donations of countless individuals and businesses,” said Audrey Seaholm, chair of the Tough Enough to Wear Pink volunteer committee.
Since its inception in 2004, Tough Enough to Wear Pink has empowered rodeos and western events in North America to focus attention on the need for a cure. The campaign has raised more than $20 million for breast cancer research and patient care. For more information, visit www.toughenoughtowearpink.com.
Ambo Ehtiopian Cuisine is celebrating its one year anniversary with a party. Photo courtesy: Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine.
Bellingham’s first Ethiopian restaurant will celebrate its one year anniversary with a party from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2015.
“I want to say thank you to Bellingham,” said Mulunesh Belay, owner of Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine, located inside the Bellingham Public Market at 1530 Cornwall Avenue. Mulunesh said she hopes that people who have never tried the restaurant will also come to enjoy the first birthday party. “This restaurant, to share my people’s food, is my dream come true. I want to celebrate with everyone.”
The party will feature a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, birthday cake and door prizes, including a Grand Prize of a complete catered meal for a family of five. Other prizes include the family platter meal worth $50, a $25 gift certificate, and a number of gift certificates for a free meal.
At the party, Mulunesh will also unveil some exciting new menu changes. Fans of the very popular chicken stew don’t need to worry though, as Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine will continue to serve the dish known as doro wot. Mulunesh said that earlier in the year, she put some new dishes on the menu in its place, but so many people were desperate for their Ethiopian chicken stew that she brought it right back.
“People are crazy about doro wot,” she said, with a smile.
After nine years of running her popular and beloved food stand at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market, Mulunesh Belay, also known as Mulu, opened Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine restaurant last November.
Traditionally, an Ethiopian family sits around a large platter on which there is injera, a huge round of sourdough flatbread, on top of which are heaped fragrant mounds of spiced meats and vegetables. Rather than using utensils, diners tear off pieces of the injera and use them to scoop up the delicious morsels of food. At Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine, Mulu offers traditional food served in individual-sized portions or on family platters. Everyone is welcome to use the injera to eat or the restaurant’s forks, knives and spoons.
The Squalicum Harbor boat launch will be completely closed to boater use November 16 through 20 for improvements to the site. The Port of Bellingham will be removing a scour hole at the end of the boat ramp and extending the concrete panels used to launch boats further into Bellingham Bay.
Construction crews will begin mobilizing to the Squalicum boat launch site on November 9. The work is expected to take several weeks to complete and a minimum of one boat launch lane will be open at all times with the exception of full closure November 16-20. The Port selected the timing for full closure because it is historically a very low use period for the Squalicum Harbor boat launch.
Improvements to the Squalicum Harbor boat launch are being partially funded with a grant from Washington State’s Recreation and Conservation Office Boating Facilities Program.
Squalicum Harbor is a year-round, 4-lane paved ramp which is popular with trailer boaters for its ease of use at all tides. Other Whatcom County salt water boat launching facilities are available in Fairhaven, Blaine Harbor Marina, Birch Bay State Park, and at Larrabee State Park.
Photographers nicknamed this brown bear cub Velcro for how it stayed close to its mother at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Photo credit: Kenneth Kearney.
By Lorraine Wilde
Kearney loves to photograph young animals like these brown bear cubs watching their mother at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Photo credit: Kenneth Kearney.
Before moving to Bellingham from Louisiana in 2012, photographer Kenneth Kearney owned a web hosting company, worked as an independent accident investigator, and owned and managed several rental properties. “When I was ready to leave Louisiana, I researched everywhere in the US that I might want to live and this area stood out to me,” explains the artist, whose rarely seen without his tuque. “I liked that it has a college and there is so much nature around it. There’s easy access to the ocean, and mountains, and wildlife for photography — and just life. The people, the climate, the music and arts scene all seem to fit me. It’s all exceeded my expectations.”
Kearney’s photography is focused on his two favorite areas — music and nature. “I’ve been taking pictures for over 20 years. I like any music that has soul in it, any musician that has a lot of emotion and loves what they’re playing — Americana, bluegrass and string band are popular here —but there’s great music in every genre,” notes Kearney. “I take photos of local bands because I like to give something back to the music community — help publicize local bands and venues. Locals don’t always have good pictures so I let them use my photos for web and print promotion,” explains Kearney. His work has been used by The Green Frog, Wild Buffalo, The Bellingham Herald and WhatcomTalk.com.
Growing up in the country in Louisiana influenced Kearney’s appreciation for nature, the environment and wildlife in particular. “I like to show the animal’s behavior and emotion — action, motion, telling a story through a photo. If people see the value of wildlife, connect with it, they are less likely to kill or eat it. Sparking a person’s curiosity might help them see the value of public land and preserving habitat.”
In addition to wildlife photography, Kearney enjoys capturing local musicians performing on stage. Photo credit: Kenneth Kearney.
Kearney is mostly self-taught through books and trial and error. According to Kearney, similar skills are needed to capture both music and wildlife. “A lot of wildlife technique transfers over to music. You’re trying to anticipate the moment. You have rapidly changing conditions and the same gear is used. In both cases, the emotion and action are what you’re after.”
In Louisiana, Kearney says most of the work he did was macro photography of insects and flowers. Macro photography is extreme close-up, high-magnification photography, usually of very small subjects. “It requires a technique called focus-stacking that involves using a very shallow depth of focus, taking many, many pictures and then using a computer program to digitally blend all the focused parts together,” explains Kearney. “One finished photo could require many hours of meticulous work.”
For Kearney, the increased access he has to wildlife in Whatcom County versus Louisiana has transformed the type of photos he is able to take. “There is a lot more public land here compared to Louisiana, which means I’ve had more access to sweeping vistas and landscapes,” he says. “Whatcom County is a prime raptor area [meaning birds of prey] for the US in the winter, so birds are a common nature subject here. Bears are just another challenge.” Compared to Louisiana, the Pacific Northwest is just a short drive or flight to where bears are abundant. “I started in Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, just to take pictures of any wildlife I found. The first grizzly shot I got was of a sow and three cubs on a bison carcass, defending it from a male grizzly and a pack of wolves. That was enough action to get me hooked.”
A short-eared owl (right) chases a Northern harrier (left) over the Samish Flats in Skagit County. Photo credit: Kenneth Kearney.
Since that trip, Kearney has photographed bears in many other locations in the US and BC. He seems pretty fearless about how close he’s willing to go to get the perfect shot, but that’s because he’s done his research. “I’m more afraid of cars than bears,” he says, laughing. “You have to respect the animal and treat it like its wild. You go at the right time of year. The bear can smell you before you see it. You make a lot of noise if traveling along the trail with the wind in the wrong direction.”
Kearney camps on many of his trips to keep expenses low, but he takes precautions. “If you have bear spray or you’re hiking with four or five people or you’re on a horse, you’re very safe. But alone with no spray, if you stumble on a bear with a kill or cubs, or you surprise it, it could be a bad outcome.”
But his work isn’t restricted to bears. “I’ll target any wildlife that interests me, which are most. I focus on rare moments, as opposed to rare animals,” clarifies Kearney. “I also recently went to San Juan Island with a couple of photographers on a scouting trip for the Bellingham Photography Club. We saw red fox and the grey variant.”
Photographing wildlife requires a fair bit of knowledge of the animal’s life cycle and habits. “You have to know your subject. Whether it’s a bird, a bear, or a musician, you have to know what they are probably going to do next.”
Kearney captures moments like this grizzly bear sow nursing her cubs in the British Columbia interior. Photo credit: Kenneth Kearney.
Kearney appreciates the path he’s on and has more work planned. “I’ll do small local trips this winter to take advantage of all the birds here. In the spring, I’ll head to Yellowstone and Grand Teton to photograph all the babies because they are fun to shoot — cubs, elk, foxes, and young bison — everybody loves those.” He’d also like to build new connections with local businesses to offer his work in print format. “It’s tough to make a living as a nature photographer, but I have a decent portfolio now.” Kearney is also developing a local show with fellow music photographers that would showcase a number of talented local artists. “It would be nice to finance future trips and gear, but I also really just want more people to see and experience the feeling captured in the work.”
Want to check out more of Kenneth Kearney’s photography? Visit his Flicker page here, or scroll through the gallery below.
The exterior of Terra’s home in the Bellingham Public Market. Photo courtesy: Terra Organic and Natural Foods.
Stephen Trinkaus, owner and general manager of Terra, welcomes customers to his expanded store. Photo courtesy: Terra Organic and Natural Foods.
Owning and managing a nationally recognized organic grocery store wasn’t originally part of the hopes and dreams of Terra Organic and Natural Foods founder, Stephen Trinkaus. Instead, his passion to offer quality organic products grew gradually, beginning in 1991. Trinkaus attended a speech at Western Washington University by the labor organizer and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, where he learned about the plight of migrant farm workers. That talk hit Trinkaus particularly close to home because he had worked and befriended many migrant workers in previous jobs.
Trinkaus’ growing awareness led him to alter his life drastically, changing from a typical American diet to an all-organic one, living off-the-grid for a time, and even shifting his career focus from international business to organic agriculture.
“I attended farming conferences and industry trade shows and took nutritional workshops,” Trinkaus explains of his early days learning about the organic foods industry. “I saw organic values being corrupted by greed. Large corporations — with little interest in planetary or human health — gobbled up small companies, and industry pioneers were trading integrity for higher profit margins.” These and other similar realizations led him to action — opening his own all-organic grocery store, “a back-to-the-roots endeavor of integrity, where people and planet would always come before profits.”
Fresh produce, all of it organic and much of it locally grown, is available on the shelves at Terra Organic and Natural Foods. Photo courtesy: Terra Organic and Natural Foods.
Beginning in a former auto parts store on State Street in 1997 on a shoestring budget, Trinkaus’ tiny store, then named Terra Organica, opened to great demand. By 2005, continued demand drove Trinkaus to search for a larger location. He discovered the grocery store’s current downtown location at the corner of Cornwall Avenue and York Street. Although ideal in many ways, the space was much bigger than what he wanted or needed at the time, but Trinkaus turned that conundrum into inspiration.
With the large space, Trinkaus was able to expand from a grocery store business model into the multi-vendor marketplace now known as the Bellingham Public Market. “In a public market, businesses can share things like parking, restrooms, utility fees and marketing expenses, and that benefits customers through lower pricing due to reduced operating costs. It also provides easy access to many great stores in a single location,” explains Trinkaus. Terra is the largest tenant and acts as the anchor business for the market.
The Public Market has changed significantly since 2005, saying goodbye to some former vendors and working through growing pains that challenged the business in ways Trinkaus never anticipated. In 2013, the Organic Consumers Association named Terra one of the Top 12 “Right to Know” grocers in North America, in part because of their pioneering of voluntary transparency using shelf-based labeling of products likely to contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). In the same year, they received the Sustainable Business award from the Bellingham-based nonprofit Sustainable Connections.
With Terra’s recent expansion and super-wide aisles, one-stop shopping for organic an natural foods is easy. Photo courtesy: Terra Organic and Natural Foods.
The Bellingham Public Market continues to grow and thrive. This year, the market celebrated the completion of an expansion and remodel. Terra is now three times as big, with 15,000 square feet of retail floor space, additional bathrooms, and more than twice the number of organic products. There’s also a conference room offered free of charge to non-profits and community groups.
“We focused on creating a market space that is a pleasure to visit,” Trinkaus says. “The aisles are wide, the background music upbeat, and we topped it off with local artwork and décor that makes the space feel vibrant and reflective of the natural and artistic flavor of Whatcom County. Every day people compliment us for what a beautiful space this is.”
In early October, beloved Bellingham video store Film is Truth 24 Times a Second moved to join the family of public market vendors. “Film is Truth now occupies space that was a former storage area,” notes Trinkaus, “and they absorbed our store’s former movie rental business.”
Besides Terra and Film is Truth, the Bellingham Public Market is hopping with a variety of other locally owned and independent businesses including:
Among other things, Terra prides itself on having a premier selection of wine and beer. Photo courtesy: Terra Organic and Natural Foods.
Terra appreciates its loyal customers while hoping that new ones continue to find them. “Many people still have never heard of Terra or the Public Market,” explains Trinkaus. “But when they do, they are usually impressed by our selection and prices.”
Every week, Terra creates a “Deals of The Week” flyer that’s available in the store and on their website. It’s not uncommon to find, for example, organic olive oil at 50 percent off or organic yogurt for 70 percent off. “There’s no need for value and organic to be mutually exclusive terms,” Trinkaus explains. “We have built long-term relationships with suppliers that provide us with great everyday prices and even better weekly and monthly deals. At the same time, we focus on the higher quality and unique products, so there is something here for everyone.”
Trinkaus recently hired a research coordinator whose focus is ensuring that Terra’s product selection reflects their values of caring for people and the planet and communicating those differences to their customers. “We do a profound amount of research,” Trinkaus says with pride. “At the end of the day, it’s the main thing that sets us apart from all of our competitors.”
Terra also fosters a loyalty program through their Terra Card. “It’s free to sign up at customer service. We send you a $5 coupon for every $500 you spend as well as another $5 coupon on your birthday,” explains Trinkaus. The Terra card also qualifies members for a number of specials and discounts including 20 percent off all produce on Sundays, 10 percent off for seniors 65 and older on Wednesdays, and 10 percent off for students on Saturdays.
The exterior of Terra’s home in the Bellingham Public Market. Photo courtesy: Terra Organic and Natural Foods.
“I opened the business because of my passion for healthy, organic foods, but I have to admit that my favorite part of owning the store is the community that surrounds it,” says Trinkaus. “The employees, the customers, the other business owners and their employees, the delivery drivers and farmers — they are what put a smile on my face and inspire me to continue with our original vision,” he says with a glimmer in his eye. “I can’t think of any place I’d rather work, or anything more rewarding than providing such an essential link between organic producers and the general public. From the seed planted in the soil to the bite of delicious food on your plate or the beverage in your glass; from the book by your night stand to the inspiring movie in your DVD player; from the gift to a loved one to the greeting card that accompanies it, Terra and the Bellingham Public Market are there, 363 days a year, from early in the morning until 10:00 p.m. at night, to nourish the mind, body and soul.”
Terra Organic & Natural Foods
The Bellingham Public Market
1530 Cornwall Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-715-8020
Hours:
Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday through Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership and many downtown businesses happily supplied sweets and treats to all the ghosts and goblins that lined the streets at this year’s annual trick-or-treating event.
Most yarn shops have classes and gatherings scheduled throughout the month, and many of the social gatherings are free!
By Laura Rogers
Many of us are already gearing up for hibernation season. Besides a hot mug of tea, a yarn or craft project is about the most relaxing fall experience I can imagine. And after a hectic summer, who doesn’t want to curl up with a blanket-in-the-making or a needle felting project?
Luckily, Whatcom County has some pretty outstanding yarn and craft stores to get you stocked up for the cold season. Whether you’re brand new to the hobby or a seasoned fiber artist, you will surely find something to weave into a beloved project.
Apple Yarns Customers band together to create an auction item for Whatcom Hospice Foundation’s event, Light the Night.
Apple Yarns
Apple Yarns on Iowa Street opened in 2007 by husband and wife team Andrea and Andrew Evans. The couple was looking for a deeper connection to community and something reminiscent of the hardware store Andrea’s parents’ owned when she was a child. Andrea explains that “what sets Apple Yarns apart from other stores is our ‘smile’ and how we always want to have a relationship with our customers.”
Yarn selection is a main focus at Apple Yarns. Andrea and Andrew are always broadening their yarn horizons with national conferences and their online yarn sales. “We have a greater reach throughout the US and I think that leads to our product quantity and diversity,” states Andrea.
Apple Yarns also holds all kinds of classes. From free social knit or crochet gatherings to specialty classes to charity crafting, there are ample options for getting crafty in a social setting. The store’s patrons participate in the Knitted Knockers program, which relies on volunteers around the country to knit thousands of prosthetics for breast cancer survivors. They also knit and donate items for the Whatcom Hospice Foundation’s event, Light the Night.
Apple Yarns
1780 Iowa St #103
Bellingham, WA
360-756-9992
Hours:
Monday through Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 4:00 p.m.
NW Handspun Yarns
Whatcom County knitter and crocheters are lucky to have a wide variety of products and expertise available to them locally.
A fixture of downtown Bellingham, this friendly yarn store, has a classic, yet hip, vibe to it. There is always someone willing and eager to help when you walk in the door. In addition to their great counter service, there are several free drop-in classes held in their upstairs loft area. Knit Night happens weekly on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 p.m., and all abilities and styles are welcome, including knit, crochet or spinning. Knit Day is the same format and held Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. Crochet specific drop-in happens on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. There are also classes held in lace, spinning and weaving, and other classes can be started up upon request. NW Handspun loves to design classes or lessons around their customers needs and interests. There are private lessons available, as well.
What stands out to me about NW Handspun Yarns is their breadth of products and experience. In addition to their super soft, fun yarn, there are spinning wheels of all shapes and sizes and roving galore. Looking through their store or their website feels a bit like a history lesson on spinning, weaving and knitting.
Yarn lovers will appreciate the vast selection of beautiful yarn options listed on NW Handspun’s website, but not all of the yarns are carried in the store consistently. Be sure to call ahead to see if the yarn your yearning for is in stock.
NW Handspun Yarns 1401 Commercial St.
Bellingham WA 98225
360-738-0167
Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(Closed Mondays)
Wool Station
The Wool Station is another gem located in Historic Fairhaven across from the library on 12th Street. They’ve recently moved directly upstairs from their previous location. This fabulous fiber arts store carries a lot of high quality yarn. Among their best are specialty yarns imported from France, Italy and Australia.
Most yarn shops have classes and gatherings scheduled throughout the month, and many of the social gatherings are free!
If you happen to be looking for a sure-fire project, Wool Station is the place to go. Fully compiled kits are one of their fortes. Each kit comes with a pattern, a high quality color photo and easy-to-understand instructions, along with all of the yarn you’ll need. Especially for beginners, it’s nice to focus only on the creation of your project, not all of the details that go into finding the right supplies.
Wool Station 1118 Finnegan Way, Suite 104
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-527-9831
Hours:
Sunday and Monday: noon to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Beach Basket Yarns
If you live in or near Birch Bay, Beach Basket Yarns should be your go-to shop for all things yarn related. They have a full class schedule set-up and ready for fall. Classes include sock making, quick gifts, how to block, knitted ornaments and more.
After careful consideration by the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) Board of Directors, of a record number of community nominations, recipients have been selected for the 13th AnnualPeace Builder Awards. The 2015 Peace Builder Award recipients are:
Bruce and Cyndie Shepard, Western Washington University, Public Servant Award —For leadership and commitment to equality, empowerment, and communication.
Care Transition Nurses, Lynden Christian Healthcare Center Rehab Program, Healthcare Award — For bringing peace of mind, body, and spirit to patients, families, and caregivers through compassionate and excellent communication, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills.
Geof Morgan, Collaboration Award — For strengthening our community, facilitating collaboration, and empowering individuals and organizations to creatively problem solve, and create lasting connections that affect positive change.
George Guerro, Community Care Award —For building peace by helping to meet basic needs of the Lummi community through a variety of community services programs.
Heidi Alford, Advocacy and Inclusivity Award — For nurturing generations of peace-builders, encouraging openness, understanding, and acceptance among our community, and for helping ensure a safe and welcoming environment for our LGBTQ community members.
Whatcom County Support Officers, Nonprofit Award — For bringing peace to community members in times of tragedy.
Mehar Singh, Youth Award — For building community at Shuksan Middle School through collaboration, creativity, and communication.
Bellingham Public Schools, Education Award — For helping students learn to resolve conflict productively, reducing out of school suspensions, and incorporating restorative practices into their discipline model.
The Bellingham Public School system has been looking for innovative alternatives to out of school suspensions for its students. Cordata Elementary School Dean of Students, Sharece Steinkamp, stated the magnitude of this change in her nomination. “Rather than pushing away our most fragile students, we are bringing them in closer and wrapping layers of support and love around them. This change of approach is resulting in happier, healthier and more successful students.”
The WDRC invites the public to join in celebrating recipients for their collaboration, creativity, and effort towards reducing conflict and strengthening our community. “News this year has brought many reminders of the need for better resolutions to conflict – school violence, families torn apart by vicious divorce, divisive community issues. This is a critical time to invest in conflict resolution. Help us recognize those who inspire collaboration, embody peace, and give hope to our community.” stated WDRC Director, Moonwater.
The 13th Annual Peace Builder Awards Gala takes place November 20, 2015 at 5:30 pm at the BTC Settlemyer Hall. Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased at www.whatcomdrc.org, 360-676-0122, or in person at the WDRC.
In addition to awards presentations, guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by BTC’s award winning culinary arts program, live music, and Peaceful Poetry Youth Contest presentations; as well as a silent auction, wine wall, dessert dash, and a grand prize raffle.
All proceeds of the Peace Builder Award’s Gala will benefit the WDRC and their mission to provide and promote constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict. For more information, contact Iris Maute-Gibson at 360-676-0122 or outreach@whatcomdrc.org.
Sixth Annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day takes place on Saturday, November 14. Photo courtesy: Astra Toy.
These days, those in the know “shop local” when stocking the kitchen pantry. Restaurants boasting locally sourced ingredients, meanwhile, increasingly draw crowds.
But support for local resources doesn’t have to end at the refrigerator door. This holiday season, consumers everywhere can support their communities by shopping local stores for the best holiday toys. In return, those neighborhood independent toy stores support parents, grandparents and other gift-givers with expert advice on encouraging creative play among the children in their lives.
On Saturday, November 14, Fairhaven Toy Garden will join hundreds of locally owned stores across the country to celebrate the sixth national Neighborhood Toy Store Day, an annual celebration in which independent toy shops kick off the holiday season with special events to introduce consumers to the benefits of shopping local. Fairhaven Toy Garden will offer fun, child-friendly activities such as face painting, arts and crafts, games, and prizes.
Specialty toy store owners are the real experts when it comes to choosing toys for kids, said Kimberly Mosley, president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting local toy shopping and creative open-ended playtime for children. “These store owners spend time with kids day in and day out. They understand the value of play, and what types of toys encourage active, open-ended and creative playtime.”
As a result, neighborhood toy stores offer a carefully curated product selection and provide trusted recommendations on quality toys that offer good value. Because they needn’t adhere to a national sales plan like major chains, they can customize their offerings to specific community needs. And because they source products from both big-brand manufacturers and small, entrepreneurial companies, they introduce children to a world of toys that, often, can’t be found elsewhere.
“Local stores also make holiday toy shopping easier, by offering a personalized approach and additional customer service that contrasts with the sometimes frazzling experience of shopping large retailers. At the Toy Garden, we help customers find the toy that is right for their loved one and for their wallet. Not only do we make holiday shopping easier, but we also make it relaxing and fun!,“ said Robin Bigelow, co-owner of Fairhaven Toy Garden.
In addition, shopping locally supports the community by creating jobs and preserving neighborhoods. Compared to chain stores, independent local businesses put a significantly larger share of revenue back into the local economy in the form of taxes, salaries and more. They also support environmental sustainability, by helping to maintain vibrant, walkable town centers, essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.
After five decades of operation, Barron Heating, AC, Electrical & Plumbing continues to be a local leader in meeting the heating needs of residents....
