Local Business Owner Celebrates 35 Years Serving Bellingham Yoga Enthusiasts

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Ingela Abbott yoga northwest — On May 24 Ingela will celebrate her 65 birthday by participating in her 25th Ski to Sea race with yogic power.

On May 24 Ingela will celebrate her 65 birthday by participating in her 25th Ski to Sea race with yogic power.

Ingela Abbott, owner of Yoga Northwest in Bellingham celebrated 35 years of teaching yoga around Bellingham this week.

Before Abbott opened her first studio in the Fairhaven neighborhood, she offered 12 classes weekly at locations ranging from WWU and NW Physical Therapy to Lairmont Manor and the county jail. The original Yoga Northwest, opened in 1987 at the intersection of Harris and 10th Street, was originally a Yugoslavian dance hall and drew around 75 yoga students a week in the early days. The current Yoga Northwest studio, opened in 2008 in the McKenzie Square Building overlooking the Padden Creek greenbelt, attracts about 400 students a week.

Abbott says, “Since I started teaching yoga in 1980, close to 10,000 people have learned to do the dog pose, stand up straight, and breathe deeply. Every class is a fun adventure, seeing how I can take my students on a journey of discovery into their own hidden abilities and full potential. I love helping them be the best they can be and open up to life mindfully, joyfully and soulfully.

Yoga Northwest attracts about 400 students each week.

A native of Sweden, Abbott found her way to Bellingham after traveling extensively, including a trip through the Sahara desert, a train ride across Russia on the Trans Siberian Railway, and several years in Japan, where she taught English and studied Japanese pottery. Abbott also went to Pune, India, to study with B.K.S. Iyengar, whose style of yoga she and the 10 other instructors at Yoga Northwest teach.

Of that first trip to India, Abbott recalls, “I studied at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune for two months, taking classes and practicing privately together with Mr. Iyengar for six hours a day. I feel very grateful that I had the opportunity to study with a master back in the ‘70s, when the classes were small and intimate and before he was world famous. It was a transforming experience and sparked in me a desire to embrace the practice of yoga for life and to share the gift of yoga with others.” Since that initial visit, Abbott has been back to India six times. In 2005 she passed the 6^th level of Iyengar Yoga certification, a teaching credential held by only two teachers in the Northwest.

YogaNorthwestTeachers — Yoga Northwest has been voted Best Yoga in Bellingham for eight years in a row.

One of Abbott’s first students in Bellingham, Constance Drake, is now a teacher at Yoga Northwest. Drake, other teachers, and long-time students will be present to celebrate Abbott’s successful milestone.

On May 24 Ingela will celebrate her 65 birthday by participating in her 25th Ski to Sea race with yogic power. This year due to no snow she will do the alpine run instead of cross country skiing.

Yoga Northwest has been voted Best Yoga in Bellingham for eight years in a row. As the popularity of yoga has increased and new yoga centers have opened in town, Yoga Northwest continues to draw enthusiastic students with its quality instruction and the most highly trained and certified yoga teachers in the state.

Pickford Film Center Acquires New Accommodations for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Visually Impaired Patrons

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by Pickford Film Center

Pickford Film Center is proud to announce new accommodations that will bring a richer cinematic experience to those of the deaf community, the hard of hearing and the visually impaired. These upgrades were made possible, in part, from the support from the Bellingham Central Lions Club, Harborview Lions Club and Fairhaven Lions Club.

For those who are Deaf, there are now two different captioning options at your disposal. The first are Closed Captioned Receivers, which are gooseneck boxes that can be placed in a seat’s cupholder and are adjustable for viewing purposes. The second option are Closed Caption Headset Receivers, which operate as glasses that project a caption box superimposed into the view of the wearer of the apparatus.

These headphones are unique in how they offer a better isolated soundtrack, and also offer a loop option for people that have telecoils in their hearing aids or cochlear implants. In addition, they offer the option of a visual narrative of films for those who are visually impaired. However, it should be kept in mind that even though we have updated our projectors so that they are compatible with our new additions, the usage of captioning devices and visual narrative devices are limited to the films that allow for these accommodations to be utilized. It is up to the studios or filmmakers’ to embed the films with closed captioning and descriptive audio functions, and not all titles are guaranteed to have those enhancements included.

Even so, we are very proud and excited about these new ways in which everyone can have a satisfying experience at the Pickford. Cassie Revell ,Assistant Operations Manager, expands on this when she says “I am very excited that the Pickford is able to bring this cutting-edge captioning technology to Bellingham! We hope that folks affected by hearing or vision loss will find themselves not only able, but also excited, to go to movies in the theatre again. We at the Pickford take great pride in being able to provide the best viewing experience for ALL of our patrons. A passion for film is now the only requirement for admission.”

The Hive Celebrates Its Grand Opening With Alley Party

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Dana Hubanks

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Submitted by The Hive

The Hive, Bellingham’s newest maker space, will celebrate its opening with an alley party on Sunday May 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. featuring music from The Loofahs, Karma Taxi and Dana Hubanks, food from Kurly’s Fries, on-site t-shirt printing courtesy of Red Boots Design, a membership raffle and other festivities throughout the afternoon.

The Hive is a member-based community business that offers woodworking tools, sewing machines and space to work on a wide array of crafts, repairs and do-it-yourself projects. Its doors officially opened to the public earlier this spring after a year of building grassroots support for the project through outreach at summer festivals and two crowd-funding campaigns as well as connecting with members of the maker and DIY community in Bellingham.

Upon successful completion of the Tilt funding campaign in November, which raised almost $20,000, Hive founder Kendall Dodd turned her attention to establishing the makerspace in a cozy warehouse downtown in the alley behind the Upfront Theater and 3 Oms Yoga.

In keeping with the bootstrapping ethos of The Hive, the space was set up with hours of generous help from friends and family and furnished with work surfaces from the ReStore and University of Washington surplus as well as tools donated from near and far.

“I love that every part of The Hive has a story and a connection to our community,” says Dodd. “Makerspaces are a part of the newly emerging shared economy, and I believe they should represent that by taking advantage of the resources already present here in our area.”

Once people become members, the tools and space at The Hive are accessible in one of two ways—using a punch card to pay by the visit (like most yoga studios) or with a flat monthly fee (like most gyms).

The Hive also offers an activity schedule with everything from casual meet-ups to project-based maker events to formal classes for members who want to learn new skills or just want a little bit of guidance about where to start.

In addition to celebrating its opening with the party on the 17th, The Hive is offering free annual membership to everyone who makes their first visit to The Hive in May. Whether that means attending a class or activity, or just coming in to work on a project, if someone sets foot into the space for the first time before the end of the month, her or his membership fee will be waived. “It’s all a part of The Hive’s mission to make it as easy as possible for people to get to work on whatever project or idea is at the top of their list.”

For more information about The Hive, please visit www.makedolearn.org.

Whatcom County Library System Welcomes New Deputy Director

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Whatcom County Library System Deputy Director, Michael Cox. — Whatcom County Library System Welcomes New Deputy Director, Michael Cox.

Submitted by Whatcom County Library System

Whatcom County Library System Welcomes New Deputy Director, Michael Cox.

The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) welcomes our new Deputy Director, Michael Cox, who recently relocated to Whatcom County from Pueblo, Colorado.

As the former Director of Public Services for the Pueblo City-County Library District, Mr. Cox lead a team of ten library managers, helped plan 3 new libraries, defined a new customer service model for the system, and opened an “Idea Factory Learning Lab” that showcased new technologies for all ages.

Before his stint as Director of Public Services, Mr. Cox was the Manager of Youth Services and the Library @ the Y in Pueblo, where he instituted year-round programming and increased summer reading participation by 40%. He began his library career as Teen Services Librarian in Pueblo, creating the library’s first Teen Center with multiple community partners and creating nationally recognized teen programing. Mr. Cox received his Masters of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

The hiring process for WCLS Deputy Director included a series of phone and in-person interviews with different panels of library staff members, culminating in a full-day of library tours, a one-on-one meeting with the Executive Director and an evening presentation attended by staff, library trustees, and Friends of the Library officers.

“Here’s the remarkable thing,” said Executive Director Christine Perkins. “Throughout the ordeal, Michael stayed upbeat and positive, and every single piece of feedback we received about him was overwhelmingly positive as well. That’s quite an accomplishment! To say we’re all thrilled that he accepted our offer is not an exaggeration.”

As Deputy Director for the Whatcom County Library System, Mr. Cox is responsible for staffing and services to the public through our ten community libraries and mobile services, enhancing the patron experience in the library, developing and monitoring the public services budget, strategic planning for current and emerging library service needs, and acting as Executive Director in the Executive Director’s absence.

In the coming weeks, Mr. Cox will be visiting each of our ten library locations and doing a ride-along on the Bookmobile. He will meet with staff, Friends, Trustees, our Foundation, and the public. He will be diving in to strategic planning with both feet as WCLS develops a new multi-year plan and will bring a fresh perspective to the work of connecting information, ideas, and community through library services in Whatcom County.

Bellingham TheatreWorks Brings Semiahmoo Playwright’s ‘Marina’ Musical to the Mount Baker Theatre Stage

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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marina musical — Gary Giles plays piano man Ivory Jack alongside Katherine Strohmaier’s Marina in ‘Marina,’ opening at the Mount Baker Theatre on May 21st. Photo credit: Damian Vines.

By Stacee Sledge

Semiahmoo playwright Sandy Wolf is set to bring her play Marina to the Mount Baker Theatre—and it’s been a long, creative climb to get it there.

The play, set in Blaine in 1908, revolves around a heartbroken mother, a love story, rowdy fishermen, fierce union activists, noisy temperance fanatics, and anti-Asian bigotry. It’s a musical drama with serious themes.

Bellingham TheatreWorks will present the world premier, with music composed by Justin Melland, a live orchestra conducted by Ryan Dudenbostel, and choreography by Pam Kuntz.

Seattle actress Katherine Strohmaier plays Marina, who is supported by her long-time friend and piano man Ivory Jack, played by Gary Giles, who travels from Philadelphia to star in the production.

“It’s a typical musical in that it’s primarily a love story,” says Wolf. “But just like South Pacific, the world of the play is what makes it unusual.”

Wolf, age 71, grew up in Bellingham. Watching a performance of Showboat at Bellingham High School when she was in junior high became an important turning point in her life.

“I was forever changed by it,” she says. “I saw that and thought, ‘Oh, someday! Someday I want to do that.’”

She went on to participate in chorus and the drama department at Bellingham High School, her love for musical theatre firmly implanted.

Her father was a doctor and her mother a nurse; Wolf went to the University of Washington and entered a career in medicine. But she never lost her drive for drama.

Her husband’s career took them to Alaska, where they lived for 30 years. Wolf was very active in the Fairbanks theater community and eventually went back to school and got a degree in theatre and a master’s in playwriting.

“I had a wonderful job running the theatre division of a fine arts camp and directing musicals,” she says, smiling at the memories. “I also worked in the theatre department at the University of Alaska.”

She always felt that one day she would write a play of her own. “So I could leave behind one thing that showed all I had learned during my study of the theatre,” she says. “But I didn’t have any idea what to write!”

After Wolf and her husband moved back to Whatcom County, she was inspired to create something to help attract tourists to Blaine.

She originally thought it would be a story about the cannery workers, but soon a far richer history unfolded.

“I found out about the Star of Bengal and all the Chinese conflict, and realized there was the basis for a really good musical here,” she says. “The parallels to today are so interesting—the same fights over immigration, pay for union people, rights for women.”

Wolf began writing 15 years ago. Over the years, she worked with several industry talents to help bring the play from the page to the stage.

Former Bellingham local Justin Melland is now a multiple award winning film composer and songwriter. He and Wolf met, discussed her project, and soon began working together. Melland wrote all the songs for Marina.

“The first song he wrote is the opening of the show and is about people working in the cannery,” Wolf explains. “I was just thrilled with it and asked him how in the world he nailed it so completely. He said, ‘Well, I worked in a fish cannery in Alaska!’”

The duo worked remotely over the Internet and when most of the music was composed, Wolf took the project to a Los Angeles theatre production company for feedback. She reworked the play a bit, and then brought it to London to British theatre director, producer, and writer Julian Woolford for more carefully reading and evaluation.

“There are some big ideas in the show that are from Julian,” Wolf says.

Two years ago, Wolf entered the play into the New York Musical Theatre Festival, where it was accepted. “So we went to New York and invited audiences to give us feedback on stage readings. We did a lot of rewriting in New York,” she says. “Those three professional connections had so much to do with the development of the script.”

About six months ago, Wolf read about Bellingham TheatreWorks and its mission to do works of local significance. She emailed artistic director Mark Kuntz, who agreed to produce.

“I knew of his reputation and knew he was really good,” Wolf says. “He’s a superbly experienced stage director and really thinks about the story. It’s been so valuable to have someone with his background see it with a new set of eyes.”

After so many years of preparation, Wolf is excited to see the culmination of her hard work—but the loss of her husband last fall also brings some sadness to the otherwise happy occasion.

“My husband was killed last September in an accident,” she says. “He was my greatest fan and of course I’m wishing he could see this.”

“But,” she continues, “I’m absolutely delighted that it’s going onstage and I think the Mount Baker Theatre is a wonderful venue. It’s a big, fully orchestrated show and needs to be in a big theatre.”

With her talented, experienced cast and crew in place, Wolf feels confident about opening night. “The key people are all excellent. My job is to sit there and be scared to death,” she says with a laugh.

“You feel like you’re stark naked when you write something,” Wolf says. “You’re really letting people look into your soul.”

Marina debuts at the historic Mount Baker Theatre for three nights only, May 21, 22, and 23, with shows at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10-$24 and are available online or by calling 360-734-6080.

10 Live Music Venues in Bellingham

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Lorraine Wilde

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bellingham live music — Portland, OR junkbox blues duo, Hillstomp, toured through the Wild Buffalo in April. Photo by Kenneth Kearney Photography.

By Lorraine Wilde

If you love rock, hip hop, jazz, blues, soul, folk, or classical, Whatcom County has it covered any night of the week with a variety of live music venues. Whether you want to dance, bang your head, or just sit and enjoy a savory snack and a drink, this list is a great starting point for any music-lover’s quest to see the best of what Bellingham has to offer.

Although we couldn’t include them all, these venues provide opportunities for both local and touring artists to bear their soul and their craft for your entertainment.

The Green Frog Acoustic Tavern

This Bellingham staple has an industrial vibe, a medium-sized dance floor, and quality sound. The Frog has a history of visits from some music legends as well as a dedication to locals. In fact, most or all of the variable cover charge goes directly to the performers, which often include folk, string band, and blues artists. The substantial deck out back with a view of Bellingham Bay and the house-smoked BBQ are a bonus. Patrons can play stringed instruments hung throughout the venue and enjoy great local beers, a wide variety of whiskey, or their famous grilled cheese sandwiches. My favorite is the Elvis: peanut butter, bacon, and banana grilled on thick bread to perfection.

The Green Frog Acoustic Tavern

1015 North State Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

The Wild Buffalo House of Music

Also known as The Buffalo, this venue offers perhaps the widest variety of music in town including reggae, hip hop, funk, soul, and electronic to name a few. The cover ranges from free for open mic and monthly Free Funk Friday up to $20 for some nationally-recognized touring artists. The sound system is good and loud and there is ample space on the dance floor. “Balcony” seats offer the best view and make you feel like you’re sittin’ in with the band.

The Wild Buffalo House of Music

208 W. Holly Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-746-8733

Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro

Across from the Farmers Market, this kid-friendly bistro offers beer brewed on-site, an outdoor deck, and beer garden. Concerts are outdoor in the summer and in the bar when the weather doesn’t cooperate. They are partial to Americana, folk, and blue grass but also blues-rock and other genres, with both local and touring bands. The food hasn’t changed much over the years, but that’s because it’s great. My favorites since 1995 are the Yam AleChiladas and The Great Northwest Pizza.

Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro

1107 Railroad Avenue

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-647-5593

Shakedown

The Shakedown is just finishing a recent remodel upstairs that will add the quieter Racket Bar and Pinball Lounge with 18 pinball tables. The sound on the main floor is good and loud. Affordable drink prices and a cover from free to $15 makes this place a favorite with local rock bands and patrons alike.

Shakedown

1212 North State Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-778-1067

Make.Shift Art Space

Local musicians are part of the core of this all-ages DIY non-profit art and music venue. The music variety is as wide as the interests of Bellingham’s musicians and every dollar raised supports local artists. The Make.Shift is also home to a documentary film center, Bellingham’s Local Music Library, and the new community radio station.

Make.Shift Art Space

306 Flora Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-389-3569

Honey Moon Mead & Cider

Built in a historic warehouse on the alley behind Pepper Sisters restaurant, the Honey Moon is an all-ages venue for local singer/songwriters as well as a variety of bands including Latin fusion, Irish fiddle and cello, country, and Appalachian tunes. Their additional outdoor seating is great in good weather. Mead isn’t my thing, but I always enjoy the cider.

Honey Moon Mead & Cider

1053 North State Street Alley

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-734-0728

Kulshan Brewery

Kulshan is kid-friendly in their outdoor seating area and offers plenty of locally-brewed beer and live music, especially Americana, Irish, and folk. Some of the area’s best food trucks park right out front or you can bring your own food from off-site. I ride my bicycle to this venue to play darts and appreciate the relaxed atmosphere.

Kulshan Brewing Company

2238 James Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-389-5348

The Swillery Whiskeybar

The Swillery is also a favorite with local rock bands because there is no stage. Performers play among the audience making the concert atmosphere electric.

The Swillery Whiskeybar

118 W. Holly Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

The Star Club

An intimate venue, the Star Club calls itself a speakeasy. Its comfortable atmosphere is perfect for the Americana, singer/song writer, Irish, and folk rock they offer. I like their new twists on old-fashioned cocktails.

The Star Club

311 E. Holly Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-656-6075

Mount Baker Theatre

The Mount Baker Theatre is a sumptuous 1500-seat venue. Open since 1927 and listed on the register of National Historic Places since 1978, it is home to the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra and at least one young female ghost named Judy. It provides a grand stage for cultural music performances as well as international favorites like the upcoming Bruce Hornsby, Michael McDonald, and UB40. Ticket prices are generally higher than the other venues.

Mount Baker Theatre

104 North Commercial Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

360-734-6080

This is just a splash of the great live music available in Whatcom County. For practical reasons, music venues tend to cluster near the business districts along the I-5 corridor, so if we’ve missed some gems off the beaten track, please let us know via email and we’ll be sure to check them out.

Whatcom County’s Great Outdoors Offers Recreation Options For Everyone

By

Stacee Sledge

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By Stacee Sledge

Many of us patiently (or not-so-patiently) wait out the gray fall/winter days in hopes of exactly what eventually comes around: sun, sun and more sun! Warmer temperatures, a few fluffy clouds floating among all that vibrant blue sky, and longer days that start early and end late.

And here in Whatcom County, the wait is certainly worth it. Our area is bursting with outdoor recreation options, from down by the water on up to the mountains—and everywhere in between.

Check out our list of things to do in the great outdoors—and please email us with any of your favorites that we might not have mentioned.

Surf and Shore

boating whatcom county — Even if you don’t have your own boat, there are many ways to get out and enjoy time on the water in Whatcom County.

So many favorite Whatcom County activities revolve around water. Stroll the beaches along our coastline, from Larrabee State Park south of Bellingham stretching all the way up to Birch Bay State Park in Blaine—pick a beach, any beach, and then comb it.

If you’d rather be on the water rather than right next to it, Salish Sea Kayak School offers classes to prep beginner or intermediate paddlers for any kayaking adventure.

The Community Boating Center also offers classes, from sailing to rowing, as well as youth camps for sailing, kayaking, stand-up-paddleboarding, and more.

You don’t need to own your own boat to get out on the Salish Sea. Let Schooner Zodiac take you out on one of their many cruise offerings. Gato Verde also offers customized boat tours on its catamaran for groups of 12, for day tours, and nine for overnight trips.

You probably already know that San Juan Cruises can take you on a spectacular whale-watching trip. But what about bird watching? July 4th fireworks? Beer- and wine-themed cruises? They offer these and more.

Have a boat but are looking for a group adventure? Let NW Explorations lead you on one of their flotillas. For example, you can cruise from Bellingham to Ketchikan, Alaska with a group of other cruisers while enjoying the comfort of a lead vessel.

Whatcom County is chock full of lovely lakes. Move inland to enjoy Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Fragrance Lake, Diablo Lake…the list goes on and on.

Just 40 minutes east of Bellingham, Silver Lake Park is ideal for a variety of outdoor fun from camping, horseback riding, fishing, boating, and more.

Woods and Prairie

hiking whatcom county — Hiking options abound in our area – from easy family-friendly jaunts to serious up-in-the-mountains treks.

Check out WhatcomTalk’s article detailing 12 family-friendly hikes for some ideas to get you outside and moving. Hiking, biking, trail running and horseback riding opportunities are everywhere here in Whatcom County.

If your idea of a fabulous time is a day hike up on the mountain, head east on the Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) and take in the gorgeous scenery on your way to the trailhead. Which trailhead? Well, there are so many to choose from. This detailed list from the Washington Trails Association will get you started.

And who doesn’t love camping? Especially when some of the best in the region is right in our own back yard. Camping options are plentiful in Whatcom County, from Washington State Parks to County Parks, as well as National Forest land.

Larrabee State Park, Birch Bay State Park and Lighthouse Marine Park offer camping very close to the Sound. Looking to camp in the shadow of Mount Baker—or actually atop it?

The aforementioned Silver Lake Park lets you pitch your tent in the Mount Baker foothills. A long list of campgrounds available in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest can be found at this Forest Service website page, and include several campgrounds near Baker Lake (Horseshoe Cove, Panorama Point, Shannon Creek, Park Creek and Boulder Creek, and Swift Creek Campgrounds).

Maybe a day of golf in the great outdoors is really what gets you going. Bellingham and Whatcom County offer many golf options, including:

Farms and Animals

u-pick farms bellingham — U-pick farms around Whatcom County offer both a fun family activity and delicious local eats!

Outdoor recreation doesn’t always have to include specialized gear and major exertion. It can also simply mean connecting to nature and our agricultural history.

U-pick farms are a great opportunity to head out with the family and gather some of the most delicious produce our area provides. For a full list of Whatcom u-pick places—think berries and apples, but also beans and lavender—visit www.pickyourown.org. Always call to confirm u-pick availability before visiting any of our area u-pick farms, as crops can change rapidly.

A stop at Hovander Homestead Park promises a trip back in time to our pioneer farming roots and also offers recreational fun for everyone, including historical tours, barnyard and farm animals, outdoor exploration, a playground area and more.

Visit Moonshadow Alpaca Ranch to learn more about these mild-tempered, gregarious animals. If you like the alpacas—a member of the camel family—you might also enjoy seeing and riding the camels at Camel Safari.

And last but certainly not least is the incredibly popular Bellingham Farmers Market, which brings together our amazing abundance of area farmers and their delicious, nutritious bounties. Shop for produce and flowers, eat at one of the fantastic food stands, and peruse amazing, imaginative hand-made crafts and wares.

Whatcom County offers a plethora of ideas for anyone seeking to reconnect with our great outdoors—from out amongst the lapping waves to deep in a woodland hike, or even a little closer to civilization.

WCC Student is One of 90 National Recipients of Prestigious Scholarship

By

WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by Whatcom Community College

Sharalyn Sentinella, Whatcom Community College student — Whatcom Community College student Sharalyn Sentinella is one of 90 national recipients – and one of only two Washington state honorees – of a $40,000 scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

Whatcom Community College student Sharalyn Sentinella is one of 90 national recipients — and one of only two Washington state honorees — of a $40,000 scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. The largest private scholarship for community college transfer students in the country, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer scholarship is awarded to the nation’s top community college students to complete their bachelor’s degrees at a four-year college or university. Sentinella will graduate from Whatcom this spring with her associate’s degree. She has been accepted to several universities and will decide soon where she will transfer to study molecular and cellular biology. Her goal is to work as a researcher in cancer treatment development.

“Sharalyn is an inspiration to all of us,” says WCC President Kathi Hiyane-Brown. “As a non-traditional student, she overcame personal challenges to achieve academic excellence. We are extremely proud of her achievements and grateful that she chose to begin her academic journey at Whatcom Community College.”

Sentinella was selected for the scholarship from among 2,061 applicants from across the US. Her application stood out due to her exceptional academic performance, her long-term career goals to help others, financial need, leadership and her persistence in overcoming personal challenges to excel at college.

The granddaughter of Alaska homesteaders and gold miners, Sentinella grew up in an isolated Montana household that honored hard work, tenacity, courage and independence. Her father was a professional boxer and later an industrial mechanic. Her mother trained wild horses. She is the first in her family to go to college.

“I do not regret having a non-academic upbringing,” she says. “However, I did always know something was missing and spent most of my life searching for my niche in society.” Her searching led her to learn HTML coding at 14. She dropped out of high school at 16 to take a job building websites for a small company. Sentinella eventually earned her GED at Whatcom. She continued at the College because she thrived in Whatcom’s academically diverse and challenging environment. “An education helps people get a career, if they stick with it. That’s its general purpose, but I think the real value is that it helps you to discover who you are and makes you a well-rounded person,” Sentinella says.

Sentinella credits her WCC education, scholarships and grants, and support from Whatcom faculty and staff for what she calls “the opportunity to pursue a meaningful life.” She thanks the WCC faculty who “saw me and believed in me — their faith in me helped me grow and fully embrace biology and chemistry from a hands-on perspective.” Professors and science lab staff encouraged her and guided her independent research projects. Math center tutors indulged her lengthy questions that helped her to understand the depth and weight of mathematics and its applications. And, dedicated WCC librarians shared “the beauty of information science, which influenced my capacity to be a credible researcher,” Sentinella says.

“Sharalyn is exceptional in her vision and drive for learning, probably one of the most motivated students I have ever worked with,” says Beth Tyne, coordinator of Whatcom’s learning contract program. “Her work ethic is internalized; it comes from her commitment to growth and self-improvement with a desire to serve others. Other students who encounter Sharalyn cannot help but to be influenced and inspired by someone who does not make excuses, who holds herself accountable for her success, and who uses language like ‘I choose to’ or ‘I want to’ rather than ‘I have to.’”

Tyne says Sentinella’s pursuit of independent study in addition to required classes is remarkable for the number of credits and breadth of interests. By the time she graduates from Whatcom, Sentinella’s credit hours will include 18 credits earned via learning contract and honor’s projects, which may well be a record for the College. The work includes projects in advanced creative writing, chemistry and biomedical research.

“Sharalyn’s desire to learn must be described as remarkable,” says WCC adjunct faculty member Cathy Hagman, who taught Sentinella’s philosophy 101 course. “This desire shows itself in a wide range of subjects, and yet she can focus successfully on each subject that she takes on. She is a natural role model and leader due to her engaging and sincere personality, organizational skills, intelligence and empathy for others.”

Sustainable Connections Team Changes

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Jeff Aslan, Sustainable Connections — Jeff Aslan will be transitioning into Sustainable Connections' Energy Program Manager.

Submitted by Sustainable Connections

Sam Gearhart, Sustainable Connections — Sam Gearhart was hired as the Sustainable Connections’ new Development Manager. Photo courtesy of Sustainable Connections.

Sustainable Connections is pleased to announce two new personnel changes: Sam Gearhart was hired as the team’s new Development Manager and Jeff Aslan will be transitioning into the organization’s Energy Program Manager.

As Development Manager, Sam will work closely with program managers, members, funders and strategic partners to coordinate all aspects of the organization’s grants, funding, and contracts. He will also be responsible for identifying, defining and developing funding sources to support existing and planned program activities in the areas of Food & Farming, Green Building & Smart Growth, Energy Efficiency & Renewables, Sustainable Business Practices and Thinking Local First.

After growing up in Bellingham and graduating from Sehome High, Sam departed the area with a heavy heart for Oregon where he completed his undergraduate degree at Willamette University. Prior to joining the Sustainable Connections team he worked in Washington, DC where he spent six years working in development for a small international non-profit.

Jeff Aslan, formerly a Business Energy Project Advisor for Sustainable Connections, will be transitioning into an Energy Program Manager by providing leadership in local energy use and generation. Jeff will continue to deepen relationships with team members, businesses, government and strategic partners to develop and conduct research and analysis for Sustainable Connections’ Energy programs. He will lead the Community Energy Challenge team to increase the energy efficiency of businesses and institutions, diversify energy used by businesses to include more renewable energy sources, and increase the percentage of renewable energy that is locally produced.

Jeff has worked with Sustainable Connections for about 2 years and earned his JD from Vermont Law School with a focus on the nexus of business, energy and the environment. Through independent research and internships, Jeff has developed statewide and regional energy efficiency initiatives, and has energy efficiency project management expertise.

Derek Long, Sustainable Connections Executive Director, said, “We are excited to build on such a strong team. Sam and Jeff bring a lot of knowledge to the group, and I’m honored to work with an amazing team that helps businesses succeed environmentally, socially and financially.”

“Honk!” the Musical Comes to Squalicum High School

By

WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by Squalicum High School

"Honk!" the Musical — Hailey Shannon as Penny, Tarin Steffens as Ugly, and Lauren Carr as Cat.

Squalicum High School’s Drama Department finishes up its season with a honk! Students under the direction of club advisor Daniel Ruiz will present “Honk!” The Musical on May 28, 29 and 30 at 7:00 p.m., with an an additional matinee showing on May 30 at 2:00 p.m. at Squalicum High School’s Forum Theater.

With book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe and music is by George Stiles, this family-friendly musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling” incorporates a new message of tolerance and acceptance of others along with a jazzy score and a colorful array of barnyard animals (or rather humans dressed in the “essence” of those animals). On a farm somewhere in the countryside, Ugly the swan is mistaken as a duckling upon falling into his mother’s nest. He looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother’s protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on adventure of self-discovery all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out being different is not a bad thing to be.

Since it first hatched in 1993, “Honk!” has winged its way around the world in over 8000 productions and in many different languages. Winner of multiple awards, including the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical, this heart-warming celebration of being different is sure to delight audiences of all ages with its sparkling wit and memorable score. Honk! is directed by Daniel Ruiz and Assistant Director Hannah Rants. Musical Direction is by Andy Marshall and Kay Reilly, and Choreography is by Tina Perona and Assistant Choreographer Anita Samoylovich. Honk! stars Squalicum seniors and choir members Tarin Stefens as Ugly, Abigail Von Feldt at Ida, and Lauren Carr as Cat. The musical also features Caleb Starkovich as Drake, Hailey Shannon as Penny, Justin Rogers as Bullfrog, Brendan Shannon as Greylag, Maya Solmiren as Dot, Shannon Holmes as Queenie and Quinn DeKubber as Lowbutt.

The Squalicum High School community exists to promote the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of its students which, in turn, will allow them to be successful in a diverse and changing world.

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