United Way of Whatcom County Honors Local Businesses, Spotlights Lives Changed

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Submitted by United Way of Whatcom County

With ten different categories of awards and a special spotlight on individuals whose lives have been changed through United Way’s work, the annual awards banquet was an exceptional time to honor a variety of community partners and celebrate success. The United Way of Whatcom County’s annual event honors the individuals and organizations that made the Fall 2014 Workplace Giving Campaign a success and celebrates the impacts that will be made in the community due to their efforts. The annual event was held at the Silver Reef Event Center on March 12th and highlighted people and organizations that are determined to make a difference in our community and it also provided a glimpse in to the lives of those helped by their support.

United Way of Whatcom County's Community Engagement Manager, Kristi Birkeland, presented Barry Hanson from HUB Northwest with the Company Achievement Award. — United Way of Whatcom County’s Community Engagement Manager, Kristi Birkeland, presented Barry Hanson from HUB Northwest with the Company Achievement Award.

Throughout the evening local non-profit leaders shared inspirational stories of individuals whose lives were changed thanks to support from United Way of Whatcom County. Karen Ekdahl, Executive Director for Bellingham Childcare & Learning Center, gave the crowd a glimpse in to the life of a little boy who needed extra support for learning due to his autism. His low-income family was able to get the help they needed and he was able to enter school on track and with the necessary skills to ensure success in his educational career. Riannon Bardsley, Executive Director for Northwest Youth Services, shared stories of a struggling youth who was able to get his life back on track finding a job, a home, and self-confidence. Elya Moore, Deputy Director for Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement, painted a picture of the variety of services that came together to ensure that one man with disabilities had access to crucial medical needs as well as job opportunities. His condition is now stable and he is working towards a degree in order to give back to the community that helped him in his time of need.

United Way of Whatcom County honored their top supporters with the Super Star awards, given to the top 3 largest Workplace Giving Campaigns in Whatcom County (in order of largest to smallest): BP Cherry Point Refinery, Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery, and PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. These three organizations and their generous employees form an amazing foundation of support making up almost one third of the total United Way Campaign here in Whatcom County.

Throughout the evening five individuals and teams were highlighted for their volunteer leadership in coordinating their United Way Workplace Giving Campaigns at their respective employers. These individuals went above and beyond to inspire others to give, advocate, and volunteer. At the end of the evening, Kori Olsen from WTA was honored with the Campaign Coordinator of the Year Award in thanks for her dedication and hard work in surpassing WTA’s total giving from last year. Olsen was a new employee at the time and did a remarkable job on a very successful campaign, engaging fellow co-workers in United Way’s work, holding a chili cook-off, and getting people excited and engaged in making a difference.

A special award, The Cornerstone Award, was presented to Whatcom Educational Credit Union (WECU) for their ongoing support in creating strength and stability for United Way and for the community. Not only did WECU have a record breaking United Way campaign, they were also recognized for giving back to the community through their free financial literacy seminars, their Sweat Equity Team that works on volunteer projects for local nonprofits, scholarships to local college-bound students, as well as providing donations to a variety of local causes. WECU even made a fun and light-hearted video showcasing their United Way support throughout the decades.

Samson Rope Technologies was honored with an Inspiration Award for their unique approach to their Campaign by engaging employees, having them share their stories of how a United Way-funded program personally changed their lives. The Community Partner Award was presented to Washington Federal for their unique support of the Campaign as well as providing a generous donation of office rental space on the top floor of their Cornwall branch building.

The PeaceHealth group from St. Joseph Medical Center were the recipients of one of United Way's Super Star Awards. — The PeaceHealth group from St. Joseph Medical Center were the recipients of one of United Way’s Super Star Awards.

The most prestigious award of the night, The Joseph and Anne McClain award, was presented to the company whose level of support was exceptional and whose campaigns inspired others to the highest levels. This year Mills Electric was honored with the Joseph and Anne McClain award for doubling their Campaign both in dollars and in number of donors. Their supportive leadership and dedication to the community made this feat of generosity possible.

After awards were handed out, President/CEO of United Way of Whatcom County, Peter Theisen, spoke about the interconnected nature of Education, Income, and Health and how we all benefit from success in these areas.

“No one program can do it alone, it takes all of us and a variety of solutions and strategies working together to solve these crucial community-wide issues. United Way is in a strong position to continue to work towards ensuring that all children have access to early learning, all families have a safe place to sleep at night, and that everyone has access to the crucial medical care that they need,” said Theisen, “ Together through the generosity of our local supporters we can make our vision of a stronger community a reality.”

The Workplace Giving Campaign is made possible through the Community Builder Program, which allows companies to sponsor the Campaign through monetary donations or loaning a staff member to participate in the Loaned Executive Professional Development Program. This year there were four individuals loaned and one sponsored. All of them participated in an in-depth training that included improving public speaking, learning about the issues facing our community, improved time management skills, and a variety of other important professional skills. They were then tasked with working with 25-35 local businesses and organizations to support their workplace campaign efforts. The five participants in the program all expressed a renewed understanding of the community as well as an increase in professional skills to bring back to their workplaces. Community Builder Participants included: Samson Rope Technologies, BP Cherry Point Refinery, Anvil Corporation, Matrix Service, Inc., PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, WECU, Boeing Corporation, CH2M HILL, PowerTek Electric, and Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery.

The approximately $1.8 million raised by this effort will be used to support solutions for current issues affecting our community in the areas of Education, Income, and Health. A team of local volunteers will review programs and conduct site visits in order to grant funds to make progress on goals in Education, Income, and Health. Funds are granted by teams of community volunteers based on current issues, relevancy of the program within the community, and ability to use best practices to help achieve specific community-wide goals. Those interested in participating on the committee are encouraged to contact United Way of Whatcom County.

2015 Easter Egg Hunts & Events Around Bellingham and Whatcom County

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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easter egg 2010 059 — Easter egg hunts are a great way to celebrate Easter and celebrate the start of spring with the whole family.

Looking for an Easter egg hunt? Search no further. Easter egg hunts pop up all over the area during this special time of year. Grab a basket, work on your kids’ strategy, and hop to it!

All of the following events take place on Saturday, April 4, except where noted.

Arne Hanna’s Egg Hunt in the Pool

Egg Hunt in the Pool — 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, 1114 Potter Street in Bellingham. Suit up the kids and let them search for hidden eggs underwater! Children six years and under require an adult to accompany them in the pool. Regular admission cost covers this fun event. For more information, contact Justin Shields at: 360-778-7665 or jshields@cob.org.

BelleWood Acre’s Easter on the Farm (April 4 and 5)

Join BelleWood Acres for a whole weekend of Easter Bunny fun, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On top of a delicious country brunch (from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and continually hunting for eggs (ages 1–10), there will be a petting zoo, family photos with the Easter Bunny, face painting and a scavenger trail hunt. Egg hunt is $8 for kids; brunch tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for children under 10. Order tickets online here.

Bellingham Health Care Annual Easter Egg Hunt — 11:00 a.m. at Avamere Bellingham Health Care and Rehabilitation Services, 1200 Birchwood Avenue in Bellingham. Three different areas to search, depending on age, with prize eggs and free face painting, as well. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand to visit with the hunters.

Boundary Bay Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt (Easter Sunday, April 5)

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Boundary Bay Brewery, 1107 Railroad Avenue in Bellingham. Enjoy brunch and an Easter egg hunt — at 11:00 a.m., sharp! — in Boundary Bay’s beer garden, geared toward the little ones. Available to brunch participants only, reserve a spot between 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. by calling the brewery at 360-647-5593. Cost: $24 per person, $12 kids 6–10 years old, $18 seniors, and free for kids 5 years and under (with purchase of adult meal).

Menu will include many gluten and dairy free items such as sausage, bacon, potatoes, scrambled eggs, grilled chilled marinated vegetables, biscuits and gravy, croissants, tea cookies, pastries, tea sandwiches, fresh fruits, spinach salad, pasta salad, and smoked salmon.

Regular Boundary Bay menu available as usual at 11:00 a.m.

CTK Ferndale Easter Hunt (April 5)

CTK Ferndale hosts its annual Easter egg hunt at 11:15 a.m. in the field next to the church. 5627 3rd Avenue in Ferndale. Kids of all ages welcome!

Elks Lodge Easter Egg Hunt

Bellingham Elks Lodge #194, at 710 Samish Way in Bellingham, hosts a free community Easter Egg hunt at 1:00 p.m. Rain or shine, children ages 1–11 years old can search for colored hard-boiled eggs, as well as prize-filled plastic eggs. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to visit with the children.

Fairhaven Spring Scavenger Hunt — April 7 and 8

Fairhaven’s Spring Scavenger Hunt returns! The first stop is Fairhaven Toy Garden, to pick up a clue sheet. Wander the historic district while solving clues and collecting stamps from participating businesses. Once all the stamps are collected, return to the Toy Garden to get a prize and enter a raffle for a basket of goodies donated by participating merchants.

This year’s annual Spring Scavenger Hunt will be over two days, rather than the usual one day. “We are hoping this will allow more people to attend and it will also give families an opportunity to spread it out over two days, which can be better for the younger children”, says Fairhaven Toy Garden co-owner Robin Bigelow. The event, started by Bigelow three years ago, has grown to 22 participating merchants this year. “The more businesses we have involved, the better the exposure for Fairhaven, and more fun for the sleuths. It’s really a great community event,” adds Bigelow.

The hunt is from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days, and on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. there will be a professional photographer available for spring photos.

The Great Community Easter Egg Hunt

Co-hosted by the Ferndale Boys & Girls Club and Industrial Credit Union, this free annual event takes place at 10:00 a.m. on April 4 at Pioneer Field, next to the Ferndale Boys & Girls Club, 2015 Cherry Street in Ferndale. Children 1 to 12 years old are invited to search for over 6,000 eggs. Families should bring cameras to take photos with the Easter Bunny, who will be available from 9:30 a.m. until 30 minutes after the end of the egg hunt.

4th Annual Kids Easter Fair
St. Luke’s Community Health Center hosts its 4th annual Kids Easter Fair from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 3333 Squalicum Parkway in Bellingham. Looking for an indoor hunt? Here’s one option. Sponsored by the PeaceHealth and Friends Relay for Life Team as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, the Kids Easter Fair also offers pictures with the Easter Bunny, games, prizes, a coloring contest, treats and more. Suggested donation of $5 per child.

Lettered Streets Easter Egg Hunt

Gather at 10:00 a.m. in Fouts Par at Ellsworth Street and H Street in Bellingham for this annual tradition that includes a free Easter egg hunt for kids 10 and under, plus crafts, snacks, and door prizes from Neighborhood Businesses for Parents. Sponsored by the Lettered Streets Covenant Church.

16th Annual Mount Baker Golden Egg Hunt

It all starts at the White Salmon Base Area: 9:30 a.m. for ages 3–4; 10:00 a.m. for ages 5–7, 10:30 a.m. for ages 2 and under; 11:00 a.m. for ages 8–10. All kids are welcome and no lift ticket or season pass is necessary. Thousands of plastic eggs will contain jelly beans, coins and other prizes – plus a special t-shirt for each participant.

North County Christ the King Community Church Easter Extravaganza 2015

Kids will enjoy Easter Egg hunts (at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.), games, face painting, performance and fun at North County Christ the King Community Church, 1835 Liberty Street in Lynden. There will be over 7,000 eggs stuffed with candy just waiting to be found. For more information, contact children@ncctk.com or 318.9446 x133.

Click on our complete event calendar for even more ideas for weekend fun.

Tina La Named Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County Youth of the Year

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Stacee Sledge

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youth of the year — Tina will share her story during the Youth of the Year state competition in Seattle on March 25.

By Stacee Sledge

One doesn’t have to look far to find remarkable, inspirational stories at Boys & Girls Clubs across the United States, and Whatcom County is no different. Its four Clubs provide a structured, nurturing place for young people to go after school, where they can find support – and the path to a successful future.

Each year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County announces its Youth of the Year, a member selected to represent the Club at a state competition held each March.

Fifteen-year-old Tina La – who attended the Bellingham Club off and on for many years and is now involved with the Ferndale Club – was this year’s recipient.

Kayleigh Knapp, Marketing and Communications Manager for Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County, was impressed with all the candidates’ speeches in the run-up to the Youth of the Year decision – but particularly Tina’s.

whatcom youth of the year — Tina La was selected as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County Youth of the Year. The 15-year-old student is involved with the Ferndale club.

“She started off speaking in Vietnamese, and then switched to English and talked about how she didn’t learn English until she was in first and second grade,” Kayleigh says. “She now speaks it amazingly well.”

Kayleigh says a longtime goal of Tina’s was to do well in school – which she’s done, with help from the Boys & Girls Club.

“Her school accomplishments have been amazing,” she says. “Tina worked hard to bring her grades up and not let English being her second language be a barrier for her.”

Tina moved back and forth between Bellingham and Vietnam five times over 10 years. When she first attended the Bellingham Club, she was a kindergartener who spoke no English.

“By chance, I met a teen at the Club, named Vang, who spoke Vietnamese, too,” she says.

Vang Le would talk with Tina every day, explaining to her what was happening, and helping her navigate day-to-day challenges.

“He became my male role model,” says Tina. Vang was also named a Youth of the Year and eventually became a staff member before attending Western Washington University. He’s now a board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County. (You can read more about Vang Le here.)

Moving back and forth so often over the years was difficult for Tina, as was getting acclimated to school – but with Vang’s help, she succeeded.

“Vang helped me with speaking English and with my homework,” she says. “Some people want to hang out with their friends, not a little kid – but he was really nice and would help me.”

Even during the times when Tina didn’t yet speak English fluently, she always loved returning to the Club when coming back from Vietnam. “I was always excited to go back because of how much fun I was having,” she says. “Even though I didn’t know their language that much yet, I still liked meeting other kids and having fun with them.”

Tina has learned so much from her time with the Clubs. “Seeing people you don’t really know well, you can be nice to them,” she says. “You learn how to treat others well – and yourself.”

She still comes to the Club often, balancing it with other volunteer work, school activities, and church. She became a junior staff member at the Bellingham Club and plans to do the same at Ferndale.

Tina’s long-term goal is to work with kids, and her time at the Clubs has already helped put her successfully on that path.

In the summer, she works lunch and snack programs every day and helps run activities with the younger members.

She’s currently working hard to prepare for the upcoming Youth of the Year state competition in Seattle.

“They get to go down to Seattle for a couple days and do some fun activities, and then they’ll all give their speeches on March 25,” says Kayleigh.

“I’m really nervous,” Tina says with a laugh. “I haven’t really talked in front of people a lot. My first speech was at the Boys & Girls Club dinner and my heart was really pounding.”

But she’s up for the challenge and excited to see how it goes.

“For me, working at the administrative offices, I don’t get to see the kids and hear their stories all the time,” says Kayleigh. “So when Youth of the Year rolls around I’m always excited, because there are always amazing, moving stories.”

Watching the candidates prepare is inspirational, she continues.

“Just to see them go up there,” she says. “They speak in front of five community members we select – past board members, donors, people from different relationships within the Club – and that can be nerve-wracking; these audience members are taking notes and judging them. But they all do such a good job and even if they don’t have the most perfectly worded speech, you can still see how excited they are to be up there.”

Kayleigh says the organization sees the Youth of the Year competition as a way for kids with stories and dreams to see the path they’ve been planning for themselves as a reality; to see that they can take those hopes and dreams and turn them into a workable plan for the life they want.

“We have kids with all different kinds of dreams, goals, aspirations, and passions,” Kayleigh says. “It’s wonderful for them to see that what they want out of life is worth it and meaningful and absolutely possible.”

Port of Bellingham and Harcourt Developments Propose Master Development Agreement

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by the Port of Bellingham

The Port of Bellingham is nearing an agreement with Ireland-based Harcourt Developments to develop a new commercial and residential area on 19 acres of Bellingham’s downtown waterfront.

Port Executive Director Rob Fix presented the details of a tentative Master Development Agreement to the port commission today. The agreement is available on the port’s website and a special commission meeting has been scheduled on March 31 for commissioners to weigh-in on the proposed transaction.

“We have reached a tentative agreement with Harcourt which would provide a reasonable schedule for private investment on the waterfront,” said Rob Fix. “Harcourt has built many successful projects around the world and has a concept for our downtown waterfront consistent with the port and city’s master plan which was developed over many years in close collaboration with the citizens of Whatcom County.”

The port began negotiating with Harcourt at the unanimous recommendation of an evaluation committee which included representatives from the port, City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and Western Washington University.

Under the terms of the proposed Master Development Agreement, Harcourt would complete two major building projects on Bellingham’s central waterfront no later than the end of 2021. Harcourt would adaptively reuse the Granary Building by 2019, and complete construction of a second building with a minimum of 40,000-square-feet of mixed-use space by 2021. Development of the first two buildings might occur faster, but no later than the deadlines specified in the agreement.

The Granary Building, built in 1928, is located at the entrance to the downtown waterfront redevelopment area and is distinguished by an iconic cupola structure.

In total, Harcourt would develop 1,000,000-square-feet of mixed-use buildings by 2034. The port could terminate the Master Development Agreement if performance standards are not met, however, extensions would be granted to accommodate fluctuations in market conditions.

Beginning this summer, the public will see a significant amount of construction activity on Bellingham’s central waterfront as the port continues extensive site preparation and environmental cleanup activities.

The city will build new roads and parks for the public to access the downtown waterfront beginning in 2016. The agreement with Harcourt would allow building construction to begin as early as 2016.

“This is an exciting time for Bellingham’s central waterfront as we transition from planning to construction,” commented Fix.

Love of Cooking Leads Blaine Woman to Publish “Such Great Recipes” Cookbook

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Evelyn Hoefakker featured — Evelyn Hoefakker's book "Such Great Recipes" will make its debut at the Lynden Spring Craft and Antique Show.

Submitted by Such Great Recipes

Evelyn Hoefakker’s love of cooking and baking goes back to her childhood days, first watching her grandmother make the perfect gravy and then joining a cookbook club, poring over many different recipes.

Now the Blaine woman has published her own cookbook, “Such Great Recipes,” which will make its public debut March 19–21 at the Spring Craft and Antique Show, held at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden. Hoefakker will discuss cooking with attendees at the popular show and have the book available for sale for $19.95.

“My cooking and baking style can be labeled “traditional” because I like to make things that everyone recognizes and loves,” Hoefakker said.

The 115-page book features more than 90 recipes with sections on appetizers and salads, soups, dinners, side dishes, muffins and quick breads, desserts and beverages.

“The recipes in this book were created to accommodate busy schedules, special events and one-hour high school cooking classes,” Hoefakker said. “And since a lot of them were first written for my students, they have plenty of details to guide cooks of all levels.”

Hoefakker, a Lynden School District culinary instructor, also writes a cooking blog at www.SuchGreatRecipes.com.

In addition to the craft show, “Such Great Recipes” will be available by March 19 at two Lynden stores, Katz Coffee and Surroundings, and at www.SuchGreatRecipes.com. For more information or to schedule a presentation from Hoefakker, visit the website or call 360-366-5297.

29th Annual Lynden Craft Show Expects 100+ Vendors, 4,000 Attendees

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by Lynden Craft and Antique Show

Handcrafted wares from home décor to garden art, repurposed and vintage treasures, gourmet treats, and much more will be featured March 19–21, during the 29th annual Spring Craft and Antique Show in Lynden, one of the largest shows of its kind in Northwest Washington.

More than 100 vendors from the region will be at the Spring Craft and Antique Show, which draws approximately 4,000 people in recent years. The show will be presented from 10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20 and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center, 1775 Front St.

Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for (seniors 60 and older) and free for children 12 and under.

Admission includes free parking and return privileges for the rest of the show. Live entertainment will be presented during the show. A Garden Café and espresso drinks will be available for attendees.

“Our goal is to gather the most talented, creative vendors in the Northwest,” said Judy Meixner, a co-organizer of the Spring Craft and Antique Show with Trudy Ferguson. “Also, shoppers love meeting the people who actually make the handcrafts and inspire them to refresh their own homes and gardens.

One of the talented vendors at this spring’s show is Melissa Van Datta, who owns Rustic Cottage Home and Garden Décor in downtown Lynden.

“I love to combine new and old objects to create uniquely aged items for decorating inside and outside the home,” Van Datta said.

For more information about the show and its vendors, visit www.LyndenCraftAntiqueShow.com or “Lynden Craft and Antique Show” on Facebook.

Spring Break Camps and Activities Around Whatcom County

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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spring break camp bellingham — A wide variety of classes are available at Jansen Art Center.

Although spring weather has been in the air for a while now (lucky us!), it’s now time to get serious and plan ahead for spring break camps for the little ones in your life. WhatcomTalk has pulled together a list of options to keep them busy – and happy – while school is out.

Jansen Art Center

Lynden’s Jansen Art Center is throwing its Kids: Do Art! spring break workshops, three days of art, theater, music, dance and other activities that encourage children to let their guard down, get involved and simply have fun! The multi-day workshops cover an array of arts, including ceramics, painting, rhythm and percussion, dance, acting, textiles, puppetry, storytelling and more.

Tuesday, April 7 through Thursday, April 9, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., for grades K through 8. For more information and to register, visit http://jansenartcenter.org/kids-do-art/.

Jansen Art Center

321 Front Street

Lynden, WA 98264

360.354.3600

Launching Success Spring Break Camp (Art & Science)

Launching Success Learning Store offers a flexible spring break camp from April 6-10, which can include both a science hour (10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) and an art hour (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.), or just one program separately. Each hour is $5.00 or you can sign up for the entire week, both classes, for $40.00. Call the store at 360-527-2641 to reserve your spot or click here to register online.

Launching Success Learning Store

133 Prince Avenue in Bellingham

360-527-2641

Gabriel’s Art Kids Spring Break Arts Camp

Gabriel’s Art Kids is offering a week of arts camp, including dance and movement, music, ceramics, theatre and creative play, fantasy art, adventure activities and discovery through imagination and experimentation. Sessions include preschool morning sessions from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., as well as half-day (1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or whole-day (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) sessions for K-5 graders. Cost per day range from $35/half day and $45/half day to $125 preschool, $135 half-days per week and $185 full-days per week. Visit the Gabriel’s Art Kids website for more information and to register.

BellinghamART’s Spring Art Camps

BellinghamART offers 3- and 4-day spring break camps for children and teenagers to create artwork through drawing, painting, and more. Younger artists will enjoy narrated stories and music, while all campers will enjoy a creative seasonal theme to the week, which includes all art materials and tools, plus a health snack each day.

Explore different offerings by age and register online here.

BellinghamART

1701 Ellis Street, Studio 203, in Bellingham

360-738-8379

Inside Pitch Spring Break Camp

Inside Pitch’s 4-day spring break camp is back for 2015, covering different aspects of the game each day, including dynamic warm-up, throwing, fielding, base running, hitting, sliding, outfield drills, and live scrimmage games played outdoors.

The camp provides the highest quality instruction from both Inside Pitch staff and members of Western Washington University’s Baseball Club. Spots are limited to 50 players.

Inside Pitch
1750 Moore Street in Bellingham

360-647-1600

Monday through Thursday, April 6^th to 9^th from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

$200 ($175 for members) or $50 daily drop-in fee

Advantage Basketball

My son took part in one of Advantage Basketball’s camps a couple years ago, and it was superb. Kids practice ball handling and shooting drills for 3-, or 4-day camps at Whatcom Middle School beginning April 6. Cost is $195 for the 3-day camp and $225 for the 4-day option. Learn more and register at www.advantagebasketball.com. Contact Chris Thompson at 310-383-4644, 425-670-8877, or info@advantagebasketball.com for more information.

Bellingham United Soccer Camps at the Bellingham Sportsplex

Bellingham United is offering two different soccer camp options at the Bellingham Sportsplex over Spring Break: a pre-tryout camp – April 6-9 – and the 2015 Spring Break Camp – April 6-10. Times vary for boys and girls. Learn more and register online here.

Players will be divided into teams for the week. Days will be broken down into one hour of technical training, one hour of tactical training, and one hour of competition leading to Camp Championship on Thursday.

Bellingham Sportsplex

1225 Civic Field Way in Bellingham

360-676-1919

Perch & Play Spring Break Camps

Perch & Play is offering a plethora of spectacular spring break camps this year, from April 7-10, with a variety of fun themes, from crafts, dinosaurs, superheroes (and villains), to a jungle safari, fairy camp, and more! Hours and prices vary. Get all the details here.

Perch & Play

1707 North State Street in Bellingham

360-393-4925

The Firs “Sail Away” Spring Break Day Camp

Join After School Adventure at The Firs for a fun-filled week, sailing on the open seas! Look here for an overview of all the fun activities and adventures your K-5th grader can expect to embark upon.

The Firs

4605 Cable Street in Bellingham

Monday through Friday, April 6 to 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Doors open 6:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.)

Cost: $142

Barron Helps You Find – And Tackle – Mold For (Greatly) Improved Indoor Air Quality

By

WhatcomTalk Editor

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barron heating — Thoren Rogers, Building Performance Division Administrator at Barron Heating, reviews a home performance audit with a client.

Who among us doesn’t shudder when we hear the dreaded word “mold?”

It’s frightening, for sure. For those with a sensitivity or allergy to mold, it can result in headaches, sluggishness, poor concentration, irritated skin, itchy eyes and stuffed-up noses – and worse.

With increasing, alarming stories of mold in homes ruining homeowners’ health (and finances), more folks are proactively searching for, removing, and then keeping at bay this all-too-common scourge.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website offers plenty of sobering information about mold. Its list of 10 things you should know about mold includes this simple, powerful fact:

“There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.”

There are many things a homeowner can do to help keep excess moisture at a minimum, including:

fix any leaks and dry wet areas immediately
cover any dirt in crawlspaces with plastic covering
make sure crawlspaces are well insulated
install – and always use – exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, making sure the removes moisture to the outside and not directly into an attic
open doors between rooms and move furniture away from walls to increase air circulation
vent your clothes dryer to the outside
keep roof gutters clean and functioning properly
direct water away from your home, making sure the ground around your home is sufficiently sloping away from the foundation
let fresh air in to reduce moisture and keep mildew at bay

But much of the moisture that breeds mold can’t be seen or easily accessed, because it’s inside your walls and crawl spaces. For those unseen areas, it’s time to call in the professionals.

“Mold is generally found in the attic and crawlspace when there’s poor ventilation,” says Thoren Rogers, Building Performance Division Administrator at Barron Heating. “It can be a plumbing leak or a source moisture issue, where you have a leak getting into a wall cavity that creates the mold, but in general, with a house that doesn’t have leaky plumbing, it’s going to be ventilation.”

Mold needs food and warmth to grow. A leaky duct system pumps a lot of heat, providing the warmth, and a bad vapor barrier then provides the entry for moisture. A compromised attic or crawlspace can quickly become a hospitable new home for mold.

And even a properly constructed crawlspace, which includes vents to help regulate the climate underneath a home, isn’t always enough. Whatcom County sees plenty of periods of heavy rain that lead to standing water, which can take days to completely dry out. And once again, that sets the stage for mold, mildew and fungus.

Barron Heating offers a free, no-obligation 20- to 30-minute visual inspection of attics and crawl spaces.

“We look for signs of moisture, rodent, insect, mold, or other damage,” says Rogers. “We’re then able to bring these to the attention of the homeowner and offer our services as a home performance contractor.”

The most common place to find mold or mildew is in the attic. Why? Because it’s often near the intake for the furnace, which is full of holes and pulls attic air into the home.

“The moisture in these situations is commonly rising on warm air from the house, escaping into the attic through light fixtures and other penetrations,” says Rogers. “It then rises through the insulation and condenses on the cold plywood sheets under the roofing – and mold begins to grow.” Mold is also often found on the material that the moist air passes on its way up.

As part of Barron’s full home performance assessment, a team member can also search for signs of moisture in the surrounding structural material, such as wood and sheetrock.

“If mold is suspected in the walls, we can also use an infrared camera to locate wet areas behind the wall material,” says Rogers.

Depending on the severity of the mildew growth, Rogers or his team members are either going to suggest Barron’s services to repair the source of the moisture to kill the existing growth, recommend further investigation by an independent licensed mold remediation specialist, or suggest structural repairs by a licensed remodeling contractor to get rid of the contaminated materials.

Whether you opt for a shorter visual inspection of your attic and/or crawl space or a full home performance assessment, you can breathe easy knowing that Barron has the knowledge and tools to help you create – and maintain – a healthy, efficient home.

For more information about how the right ventilation can make all the difference in your home’s air quality, read this recent Barron blog post. And you can learn more much about Barron Heating here.

Holiday Inn Express Bellingham: A Recently Renovated Gem in the Heart of Bellingham’s Busiest Business District

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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holiday inn express bellingham — The Holiday Inn Express is surrounded by 5 acres of commercial conveniences that allow guests to easily access amenities by foot. Photo courtesy: Holiday Inn Express Bellingham

When Terri Sirmans joined the staff of Holiday Inn Express in Bellingham, in 1999, she began at the front desk; today she’s the General Manager. In an industry that often sees regular turnover, her entire management team is made up of dedicated employees who have been with the hotel over a decade, one nearing twenty years.

“None of us started in management,” says Sirmans. “Every one of us has come up through the ranks.”

This says a lot about Bellingham’s Holiday Inn Express, located on Meridian Street and smack dab in the heart of shopping and restaurants galore.

It’s a tight-knit team that Sirmans says is very much like a family – and that feeling shines through for guests of the 101-room hotel.

“I can’t say enough about them; they’re just good people,” she says of her management team and staff, which totals around 35, depending on the season.

“If you pass a Holiday Inn Express staff member in the hallway or at the pool – anywhere on hotel grounds – you’ll get a smile and a hello,” Sirmans says. “It’s just a friendly group of people who’ll do anything to make you’re stay nice.”

Holiday Inn Express Amenities

Bellingham’s Holiday Inn Express offers all the expected amenities – and more – with a hot breakfast bar, free wifi, indoor pool and hot tub next to a lovely outdoor patio, and free access to the full-service City Gym right next door.

And the rooms? Standard rooms have either two queen-size beds or one king, as do deluxe rooms. Other options include a room with a kitchenette and two queen-size beds, as well a junior suite with a dividing wall separating the seating area and bed. Seven rooms are ADA-compliant, and two of those spaces include roll-in showers.

Recently Renovated

The hotel completed a total renovation in 2014, with every single surface throughout – from carpets to curtains, wall coverings to furniture – switched out for brand new.

“Every room was stripped down to the walls,” says Sirmans. New furniture replaced the old – even the bathtubs were torn out and upgraded.

“It was challenging, to say the least,” Sirmans says with a laugh. “We’d take 35 rooms or so out at a time and renovate them. During those months, we did well because the rooms we had available were 95 percent full.”

A Portland designer dreamed up the contemporary, graceful décor, the same woman who originally designed the building. Both a 2003 and the 2014 renovation garnered design awards.

The new tile in the entrance, lobby and breakfast bar mimics wood plank floors, meshing perfectly with a light-handed nautical theme that nods to the Pacific Northwest.

Dark, rich wood tones complement neutral walls and pops of inky blue and verdant green in furnishings and fabrics. Equal attention was given to the rooms, also finished in a sophisticated – yet comfortable – style.

“We did everything we set out to do,” Sirmans says of the transformation. “Simple elegance.”

The hotel also went to 100 percent non-smoking with the remodel.

As for the mountain of older furniture that was replaced, Sirmans gave her staff first choice of items, and the rest was then donated to Love INC of Whatcom County.

“We wanted to find ways to recycle things back into our community,” say Sirmans.

Supporting Local Companies

Giving back to the community is important to Sirmans and her team. Because Holiday Inn Express is a franchise, specific corporations must supply some items – but whenever she can, Sirmans buys local.

“We do a lot of work through Bay City Supply,” she says, giving just one example. “I’ve had several companies want that business, but I always say, ‘I’m sorry, but he gives me good prices and I’m not changing.’ I like to do business in the community, when I can.”

She also buys all of the hotel’s milk through Bellingham’s Dairy Distributing, with the fantastic product itself coming from just up the road at Edaleen Dairy.

“That’s always been a priority, seeing if we can do it locally,” Sirmans says.

A Perfect Fit For Northwest Washington Visitors

Bellingham has seen a sharp increase in the number of hotel rooms available, with several new hotels popping up in recent years, and more on the way. “I’ve got a great product, great staff, and a wonderful location,” Sirmans says of her hotel.

Sirmans goal is to keep the Holiday Inn Express as strong as it’s always been. “That’s why we did the renovation early,” she says. “We’ve made ourselves as beautiful as any of the new hotels.”

Holiday Inn Express hotels across the nation enjoy a wonderful and the company has one of the top award-winning rewards points programs. “Our points never expire,” Sirmans says. “It’s a fantastic program. And as far as our hotel, we’re a perfect fit for anyone coming into the Northwest. We know and love our area – and we want you to enjoy it as much as we do.”

Book online or by calling Holiday Inn Express at 877-859-5095.

Northwest Washington Chapter of American Institute of Architects Announces 2015 Award Winners

By

WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by Sustainable Connections

Northwest Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (NWAIA) announced the recipients of the 2015 Design Awards, the highest recognition of works that exemplify excellence in quality design with a Citation, Merit or Honor Award. Selected from nearly 27 total submissions, 11 recipients were recognized at the 2015 Design Awards Reception held on February 20, 2015. The NWAIA also recognizes Young Architects/Associates Award recognizes individuals of all ages who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in an early stage of their architectural career.

The NWAIA Design Awards were developed to recognize and encourage excellence in architectural design from architects in Northwest Washington. The 2015 jury was comprised of representatives from the pacific northwest architecture community, Ray Colliver, Heidi Epstein and Cynthia Richardson AIA.

The jury voted to recognize projects ranging from a small, private residence in Anacortes to the Sunshine Alley Revitalization Plan in the Town of Friday Harbor. These projects were awarded on their merits for design quality, functional utility, accessibility, aesthetic delight, sustainability, creativity and innovation as well as the independent merit of each project. The Young Architects Award is given to individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in an early stage of their architectural career. The 2015 NWAIA Design Award recipients are:

Stillaguamish Natural Resources Department, Honor and Sustainability Award
Architect: Brooks Middleton Architect
Client: Stillaguamish Tribe
Builder: Quantum Construction
Photographer: C9 Photography

Anacortes Old Town House, Honor
Architect: David Hall AIA, STUDIOEDISON
Client: Kristjan and Monica Ochs
Builder: Moceri Construction
Photographer: David Hall

Saratoga Hill House, Merit Award
Architect: Dan Nelson AIA and Matt Radach AIA, Designs Northwest
Client: Dale Shwartzmiller and Sally Isaiou
Builder: Mike Waite
Photographer: Lucas Henning

Possession Sound House, Merit Award
Architect: Dan Nelson AIA, Tom Rochon AIA, Designs Northwest
Client: Dale Shwartzmiller and Sally Isaiou
Builder: Gaffney Construction
Photographer: Lucas Henning

Brammer Chapel and Center for Visual Communication, Merit Award
Architect: Dan Nelson AIA, Eric Anderson AIA, Designs Northwest
Client: Trinity Lutheran College
Builder: Kirtley Cole Associates
Photographer: Lucas Henning

Sunshine Alley Revitalization Plan, Merit Award
Architect: HKP Architects
Design Team: Beckwith Consulting, HKP architects, SvR Design Company
Client: Town of Friday Harbor

BTC Master Planning & Capital Improvements, Merit Award
Architect: HKP Architects
Design Team: Julie Blazek AIA, Brian Poppe AIA, Kevin Barber AIA, Russ Weiser AIA, Christine Baldwin
Client: Bellingham Technical College, State of Washington
Photographer: Matt Brown

Hanna Park, Citation Award
Architect: Geoff Prentiss AIA, Prentiss Architects
Builder: Michel Construction Inc.
Photographer: Ye-h photography

Island Perch, Citation Award
Architect: Brooks Middleton Architect
Client: Scott Petersen and Regan Weeks
Builder: Kreider Construction
Photographer: McManus Photo

The Cornerstone, Citation Award
Architect: Brad Cornwell AIA, RMC Architects
Client: The Barkley Company
Builder: Dawson Construction
Photographer: Jim Krause Design

Kulshan Land Trust, Citation Award
Architect: Doug Landsem Architects
Builder: Emerald Builders
Client: Kulshan Community Land Trust

NWAIA 2015 Young Architects Award

Jason Willard AIA, RMC Architects
Jason received his architectural license in 2011. After practicing in Boston for 5 years, Jason and his wife moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2006, when he joined the staff at RMC. Jason has proven himself to be a leader in master planning, architecture and interior design for both public and private sector clients this regard. At a relatively early stage in his career, he has operated as a project manager on some of RMC’s largest and most complex projects. He has the ability to create high quality design and construction documents that not only meet stringent technical standards, but go even further to tell the whole story.

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