It’s Friday in Whatcom County, and you know what that means: A sea of Seahawks jerseys, hats, scarves – and nearly anything else you can slap a logo on – shouting out to the word that the wearer is a 12th Man (or Woman, Kid, or Pet).
WhatcomTalk would love to share your favorite Blue Friday photos – from snapshots of the kids headed off to school to your officemates at the water cooler. Please send them to submit@whatcomtalk.com.
Go Seahawks!
Submitted by Snapper Shuler Kenner Insurance
Snapper Shuler Kenner (SSK) Insurance’s third-annual turkey drive is seeking to help more than 200 local families this holiday season.
Snapper Shuler Kenner Insurance, with offices in Lynden and Bellingham, is matching through Dec. 12 contributions of $15 for each turkey that a person or business wishes to donate, up to the first 100 turkeys. The turkeys will be distributed to families in need by Bellingham Food Bank and Lynden-based Project Hope. Donors will receive recognition on SSK Insurance’s website and Facebook page.
“Every month Bellingham Food Bank receives more than 11,000 visits and responds by handing out more than 225,000 pounds of food,” said Paul Kenner, executive vice president of SSK Insurance. “Project Hope assists many north-county families. Our turkey drive aims to help both of these fine organizations make the holiday season a little better for some families.”
An independent agency with origins dating back to 1925, SSK Insurance has offices at 501 Front St. in Lynden and 2115 Barkley Blvd., Suite 201, in Bellingham. Donations may be delivered or mailed to either office. For more information, call (360) 354-4488 or visit www.sskinsurance.com.
By Sarah Eden Wallace
Though she’s a thoroughly modern entrepreneur who has traveled from Australia to Czechoslovakia, Juliet Jivanti of Bellingham has her feet planted firmly in the ancient past through her work with the 5,000-year-old Indian health tradition called ayurveda.
Often accompanied by her diminutive Schnauzer, Gus, Jivanti offers treatments, workshops and consultations at her Ayurvedic Health Center in downtown Bellingham, which she founded in 2006. A sister science to yoga, ayurveda is gaining increasing popularity in the West, with celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Dr. Oz and Julia Roberts espousing it. Jivanti says a growing number of Whatcom County clients are drawn to its approach that includes using nutrition, herbs and simple home practices to help the body heal itself.
Jivanti took a globe-trotting path to connecting with the pursuit of inner peace.
After growing up as a tomboy on a 1,000-acre ranch in Montana that her mother helped to manage, Jivanti first earned a business degree at the University of Montana and then pursued a high-stress career in software management that took her to four continents.
“I always wanted to get out of Montana and see the world,” she remembers.
For seven years, she specialized in mapping-software systems, working in London, Alaska, Mexico, Costa Rica, Paris, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
“Eventually I realized that I was seeking something, but wasn’t finding it,” says Jivanti. “I was always in a plane, or a hotel, or a rental car,” she recalls. “I could see the path: First you’re a manager, then you’re a CEO, and then you have a heart attack. I didn’t want to continue down that path.”
She started doing yoga. She quit the software industry, moved to Texas, and started teaching at Texas A&M International University in Laredo. Then she discovered ayurveda at an alternative-health workshop. “The lightbulb went off — it was exactly the piece I was looking for.”
After studying with renowned ayurvedic physician Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, N.M., she moved to Bellingham for its “sense of community and a slower pace,” and opened the ayurvedic center in 2006.
Though it can be a little daunting to even pronounce “ayurveda,” many have welcomed the addition to Bellingham’s natural-health scene.
“My attitude toward ayurveda is that it is very powerful,” says Summer Starr of Blaine, who has a background in non-profit management. “If someone’s just looking for a quick-fix diet fad something or other I would not recommend ayurveda. But if someone really wants to make a commitment to their body and their life in a new way then I would say this is a really beautiful practice to do that with.”
While ayurveda may seem exotic at first, Jivanti emphasizes that she sees clients ranging from software consultants to soccer moms who learn to integrate the ancient practices with modern lifestyles and busy schedules.
“I would say to people to not be intimidated by the fact that it’s an Eastern philosophy of medicine,” says retired tugboat captain Mark Butterworth, who saw Jivanti for help coping with uncomfortable side effects from his cancer treatments. “It’s not hocus pocus or any kind of weird thing like that.”
Indeed, Jivanti aims to make ayurveda comfortable and accessible. Now she brings her global perspective to her small center, filled with comfy chairs, artwork and plants. It’s decorated with colorful artifacts, books and talismans as well as jars of aromatic herbs, oils and teas.
Jivanti, who has studied yoga for nearly 20 years, released a DVD called “Ayurvedic Yoga: Yoga for Your Body Type” in 2010. It features Jivanti demonstrating moves on an idyllic beach setting in Birch Bay. She’s exploring even more ways to share her enthusiasm for ayurveda, such as webinars.
“Ayurveda is a way of life that only gets better the more you practice,” she says. “I just met with a client yesterday who was so happy that she knew what to do when she started feeling out of balance with the cold, rainy fall weather. Ayurveda is easy to apply, but it’s so comprehensive.”
As ayurveda recommends, Jivanti now balances her work life with hanging out with friends and outdoor experiences. For enjoyment, she bikes, hikes — often foraging for herbs, berries and mushrooms as she walks — and takes Gus for long strolls reveling in Whatcom County’s natural beauty. She’s seen the world but knows self-care and simple enjoyment are essential. “That’s powerful and that’s what I hope to share with others.”
For more information about the Ayurvedic Health Center, visit 203 W Holly St, Suite 201, call (360) 734-2396 or see ayurvedichealthcenter.com or the Flying Elephant blog.
Submitted by Chuckanut Brewery
Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen at 601 W Holly St, Bellingham, is excited to announce the tapping of the new Schankbier. This sensational German sessionable lager was collaboratively created by Chuckanut head brewer Bryan Cardwell and Kevin Davey, Gordon Biersch Seattle head brewer. The two brewers will be tapping the new Schankbier on Nov 7 at 5:30pm in Chuckanut’s bar. Both brewers will be on hand to answer questions and talk about this special collaboration.
The two brewers have been good friends ever since working at Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen together. Davey, now at Gordon Biersch Seattle, recently met up with Cardwell and the two brewers discussed creating a collaborative beer. After putting their heads together over a pint they came up with the Schankbier German style Session Lager. Hoppy and crisp, this quaffable lager will please both devout hop-heads and can-crushers alike. Its golden hue and frothy white head remind us of earlier nights and autumn mornings. Liberally hopped with Saphir and Saaz, this spicy treat could also be dubbed a “Autumn German Session Lager.” We hope you enjoy it at both Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen and Gordon Biersch Seattle.
Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen, located at 601 West Holly St, was awarded the National Small Brewpub/Brewer of the Year 2009 and National Small Brewery/Brewer of the Year 2011 at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO. The full service “Kitchen” is open daily at 11:30am to guests of all ages with an eclectic fresh local menu. Bar specials include: HOPPY Hour Sun-Thurs 4-6pm, Monday Night $3 Pints, Kolsch Night Tuesday’s and more. Check out additional information about Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen at www.chuckanutbreweryandkitchen.com.
Walk awhile through downtown Bellingham and you’re sure to spot Mat Hudson’s work.
From the Bureau of Historical Investigations to Make.Shift Art Space, plus innumerable show and event posters dotted around town, Hudson’s illustrations and graphic designs jump right out at you.
It’s also quite possible that any young ones in your life have raved about his picture book, “Dig,” which was published last year.
His artwork appears on album covers and t-shirts. Frankly, the 27-year-old artist seems to be able to do it all.
Hudson shape-shifts into yet another of his favorite artistic directions with his latest project – a novel titled “Hazel.” A Kickstarter funding campaign launched earlier this year to help make the book a reality raised far more than its initial goal.
Hudson moved to Bellingham from Michigan seven years ago, coming here for an AmeriCorps position as a reading tutor in elementary schools.
“I’ve always made visual things and tried to tell stories,” he says, describing his artistic background. “Ever since I was very young, both of those have coincided together.”
Using a drawing tablet to sketch directly into his computer, Hudson digitally creates his visual pieces, and then modifies them using Photoshop.
His artwork first popped up in Bellingham at Make.Shift, the all-ages music and art venue, when Hudson started crafting show posters for them; the popularity of his work turned into more opportunities and bigger projects around town.
“It was great to really try out some things and gain confidence – because I didn’t go to school for graphic design, I went to school for film and storytelling,” he says.
Hudson batted around several different picture book ideas before jumping into “Dig” in March of 2013.
The story involves a fox that digs the wrong (very large) hole, and then falls through the earth. The book is read vertically, as one would flip the pages of a calendar.
“The nature of that formatting allowed me to be able to do one page a day, and I just connected it,” says Hudson, who knew where the story would end before he began. He posted each new page online daily.
On the fourth or fifth day of the project, a small comics and graphic novels publisher in Chicago, Yetee Books, contacted Hudson; they released the finished title the following August.
“It was a great experience,” Hudson says of working with a publisher. But with his second book, “Hazel,” he’s setting out on his own.
“I’ve been intrigued by Kickstarter since it popped up in 2009 and kept thinking about new ideas and ways to use it,” he says. “Amazon has a pretty cool printing process and there are a few other ways we can do some cool stuff.” He – along with his friend and “Hazel” editor Sara Holodnick – are now deep in the book-creation process.
Hudson’s first title was for children. This second book – a novel with a graphic element – is a bit harder to pin down.
“Sara and I have talked many hours about this,” Hudson admits, when asked to classify its genre. “It’s young adult fiction in that it’s appropriate for kids, but it’s kind of young adult with more of an emphasis on adult. It happens to star kids, but it’s got a feel that I think adults will really enjoy.”
After raising over $6,000 to cover the costs of editing and printing “Hazel,” Hudson has enjoyed the freedom of producing a book that’s exactly as he wants it to be.
Shooting for a late November or early December “Hazel” release for all his Kickstarter backers, Hudson then hopes to launch the book publicly in January or February.
What’s next?
“For the moment, I’m really enjoying writing stories and being able to scatter illustrations and make something that’s a visual companion,” Hudson says. “This particular story is so important to me.” He hopes to write a series of four “Hazel” titles.
When asked about the future and how he got from point A to point B to point C thus far, Hudson laughs. “A lot of this has been following winding paths, kind of a choose-your-own-adventure.” He pauses and thinks. “I don’t really know. I know right now I want to do ‘Hazel.’ Besides that, I just kind of think that whatever happens next is going to happen.”
Submitted by Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine
Bellingham will have its first Ethiopian restaurant when Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine opens on Saturday, November 8 inside the Bellingham Public Market.
After nine years of running her popular and beloved food stand at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market, Mulunesh Belay is opening a restaurant where customers can find a variety of authentic Ethiopian dishes including all the usual farmer’s market favorites. Expect to find delicacies like Ethiopian chicken stew and spicy lentils atop the signature steamed sourdough pancake known as injera.
“I want to share my people’s food,” said Mulunesh, who is also known as Mulu. “I am so, so happy. This is my dream.”
Mulu began learning to cook at her mother’s knee in the village of Gindeberet, Ethiopia. They worked in an open-air house with no electricity or running water. Mulu had to fetch water, cook over a fire, and walk 30 minutes to gather firewood. At age 15, the family moved to the town of Ambo, Ethiopia, where she and her family had electricity and running water. It is the town after which her restaurant is named.
Traditionally, a family sits around a large platter on which there is a huge round of injera, on top of which are fragrant mounds of spiced meats and vegetables. Rather than using a fork and knife, diners tear off pieces of the injera and use them to scoop up the delicious morsels of food. At Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine, Mulu will offer traditional food served in individual-sized portions and everyone is welcome to use the restaurant’s forks, knives and spoons!
Hours will be 11 am until 8 pm Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Ambo Ethiopian Cuisine will be in the Public Market at 1539 Cornwall Avenue, in the space formerly occupied by Seven Loaves Pizza.
For more information, visit amboethiopiancuisine.wordpress.com or follow the restaurant on Facebook.
By Kelli Samson
I want you to humor me here. Measure your life by total weddings attended. There are the weddings of your family members, friends, co-workers, co-worker’s kids. It can all add up for a person, and that’s saying nothing of the mental tally of what you’ve likely spent on gifts. Truthfully, though, what is the sum of your wedding attendance over the years?
What if we stopped counting when you turned 21? How many by then?
Check this out: By the time the 2014 wedding season unofficially comes to a close next month, Olympia-raised, Western Washington University student, Shelby Payne will have attended and photographed nearly 25 weddings during the past year alone. In the few years she’s been a professional photographer, she has booked and shot a total of 47 nuptials.
That’s a lot of kiss-the-brides. That’s a lot of cake.
Interestingly enough, Payne has never attended a wedding simply as a guest. The camera has been her plus-one every time.
I met Payne for this interview – which really turned into a wonderful conversation on the creative process – on a sunny morning at Olympia’s Bread Peddler. All that wedding cake hasn’t ruined her sweet tooth. She showed up boho-chic, looking like actress Liv Tyler, circa 1995.
I first had the pleasure of getting to know Payne when she was a freshman in my English class at Capital High School (CHS) in Olympia years ago. She was bubbly and curious. As her tenure at CHS went by, I would spot her in the halls with a fancy camera on her hip (a gift from her parents) and see increasingly more of her classmates’ senior portraits produced by her.
During her sophomore year of high school, Payne participated in Project 365. “I took pictures every day and tried to find one that captured best what my day encompassed,” explains Payne.
This project sparked the creation of her blog, and the other students began to know her as “the girl who takes pictures,” says Payne.
She job-shadowed South Sound photographer Dorothy Huynh, whom she now counts as her greatest mentor, and Shelby Payne Photography was born.
Payne has had no formal training, but has a magical eye when it comes to photography. “There’s something rewarding about teaching yourself,” she says.
Her true talent can arguably be found in her ability to tell a story. Whether it’s the story of your family, your baby, your engagement, your wedding day, or who you are when you find yourself on the cusp of adulthood, she artistically captures that essence and returns it to you in photographs.
“My goal is to capture who my clients are, not just to take a photo,” explains Payne. “But I’m making art for myself, too, so I want to be excited about what I’m shooting. I like to put my flair on it.”
Her mega-watt smile and warmth of spirit can put anyone at ease. “It’s crucial for me to get to know my clients before our shoot,” says Payne, “but most of my clients are friends or friends-of-friends, which makes it easier. I’ve worked hard to maintain relationships with people, and that is what I feel gets me business.”
This wedding season, Payne has been grateful to have an assistant, up-and-coming photographer Logan Smith. “It’s hard to find someone who not only sees your vision, but also shares it. He is very refined and gets the details. He’s also great because he challenges me to take pictures for fun.”
Adds Payne, “It’s nice to be creative with someone else because it allows my creative juices to keep flowing and it keeps my work fresh.”
One would think with 47 weddings booked over just a few seasons, she could just do this photography gig full-time, but Payne has other pursuits.
While she loves photography, this full-time Western Washington University (WWU) junior also has a passion for social justice. She is studying sociology with an emphasis on social justice and pre-law at WWU, and it is her ultimate hope that her photography in the future will serve as a catalyst for bringing about change.
Payne would like to bring attention to social issues, both at home and abroad. “My hope is that my photography can reach people and show them what I’m passionate about and what I’d like to see change,” she says.
Owning her own photography business has afforded Payne the flexible work schedule she needs to be a successful full-time student, while still providing her with an income that sustains her during the lean college years.
“There are so many things I want to do in the world. I want my degree to be broad and versatile so I can help people,” she adds. “I would love to do the media for a non-profit abroad.”
Payne is available to capture your family from Bellingham to Olympia, as she splits her time between both places. She is gearing up for the holiday photo season. You can view her extensive portfolio and pricing on her webpage, but be warned: it will be next to impossible to resist hiring her.
Facebook Page: shelbypaynephoto
Website: shelbypaynephotography.squarespace.net
Janice White offers something at Barron Heating and Air Conditioning that no other employee does: a background in interior design.
After moving to the Pacific Northwest seven years ago, Janice turned her passion for interior design into a position at 23rd Street Interiors.
While there, Barron Heating became one of Janice’s customers, and a year later, she joined the Barron team, working in sales and as the company’s design expert.
Janice came on board just as Barron was moving from its original building on Meridian to a brand new facility on the Pacific Highway.
“The timing was perfect,” Janice says. “I did all the design work on the showrooms, and then began offering that service to our customers, as well.”
Janice’s strong eye for design is evident the moment you step into Barron’s beautiful Bellingham and Mount Vernon showrooms, which allow folks to walk around and see options in a warm, welcoming space.
“I make all the color choices, every fireplace design, the products, the accessories, the mantels,” she says. “I put all of that together.”
The feeling is one of walking into a finished home – many different homes, actually, with a variety of styles, colors, textures, and accessories – all highlighting the array of fireplace options sold by Barron.
The showroom is meant not only for customers to come in and look at the appliances – from fireplaces to free-standing stoves, wood and gas products – but also to function as an idea room, where they can visualize how something might look – and work – in their own home.
“They can see the full gamut of what’s available,” says Janice, including fireplaces installed at floor level, in a raised hearth, or even in a picture frame look, mounted directly to a wall.
When Janice greets a Barron customer, she first asks what type of home they’re building and if they’ve decided on a particular theme or color scheme.
“When I ask those questions, I usually see the wife light up,” Janice says with a laugh. “She realizes that I get it; that I understand she has a concept or color scheme or theme – Craftsman, modern, whatever it is.”
For many Barron fireplace customers, the design process is straightforward – they might be simply changing out or adding some details to an existing fireplace surround.
Others are looking for guidance as they start from scratch, either with new construction or an existing home remodel. Janice is there to help.
She recently completed the re-facing of an existing fireplace in an Alabama Hill home.
“They had a bunch of built-ins that the wife just hated,” she says. “The husband wanted a TV, she wanted a fireplace.”
As she typically does, Janice made a home site visit and helped the couple come to a solution that would create the space they both dreamed of.
“We found a gorgeous linear fireplace that she loved and he got the TV he wanted. I stacked them and created a beautiful look with ledged stone that became the central focus point in the room.”
Seeing the finished project is always a fun moment – for the customer and for Janice. “I always ask them to send me pictures,” she says with a laugh.
Her position at Barron lets Janice do two things she loves most: working with people and feeling like she’s truly helped them.
“When you buy a fireplace for your home, it’s something you’re going to have for a long time,” she says. “I don’t want customers to feel pressured; I want to help them make this big decision.”
Janice happily sings the praises of her employer and is proud to work for the Barron team. “I love to talk about Barron Heating and what a great family-based company it is,” she says. “And no matter what you’re buying from us – a heating system, a fireplace, a hot tub, whatever – we want you to have a good experience and know that we care.”
“John’s longtime tagline is really true: We’re not comfortable until you are,” Janice says with a laugh.
You can reach Janice at 360-676-1131 or by learn more by visiting www.barronheating.com.
Submitted by Chuckanut Health Foundation
Chuckanut Health Foundation (CHF), the Whatcom County funder focused exclusively on investing to strengthen and advance individual and community health, recently awarded $397,000 in grants to 20 local nonprofits.
“The 20 grants we made this year are in addition to the $19,500 in scholarships and grants to nursing students we awarded recently,” Sue Sharpe, Executive Director, said. “We have invested more than $16 million in direct grants to organizations focused on improving health in our community since 1983.”
Many of this year’s grant recipients provide essential services throughout Whatcom County, as well as Bellingham. One example is the Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council. Its primary focus are the Cascade Mountains of eastern Whatcom County. President Eric Beamer said, “We are all mountain climbers and backcountry people who joined Mountain Rescue to help others. Over the last six years, we’ve raised over $50,000 in anticipation of replacing our 21-year-old rescue vehicle. Trying to raise funds for such a large ticket item is a big challenge for us, and it takes away from how we can really help the people of Whatcom County that get into trouble in the mountains. So we are extremely grateful for the matching grant award that now makes a new rescue vehicle a reality.”
Other grant recipients regularly serve communities beyond Bellingham. The Whatcom County Council on Aging delivers nutritious meals to seniors living in the county. Another food-centric grant was awarded to the Northwest Indian College for its food sovereignty project. Grants for organizations like the ALS Association for its Caregivers Day Off and the Whatcom Volunteer Center for its Chore Program both reach out to clients countywide. Through this year’s 20 direct grants, CHF has impacted thousands of people in Whatcom County.
This year’s grant recipients include the following:
Chuckanut Health Foundation awards major grants twice a year. Deadlines to receive applications are October 1 and April 1, for grants awarded in 2015. Mini grants of $500 or less are considered throughout the year.
The Eleanor and Henry Jansen Foundation, a supporting organization of CHF, also accepts grant applications through CHF four times a year. For information on grant applications, visit www.chuckanuthealthfoundation.org or call 360-671-3349.
Chuckanut Health Foundation, with a leadership board of members with deep roots in Whatcom County, shares a bold vision of a community where every child gets a healthy start and every person receives the care needed throughout their lifetime. It invests now for a healthier tomorrow.
Submitted by Sustainable Connections
Sustainable Connections has partnered with BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) and B Lab to provide a free online tool for businesses to measure what matters.
The new tool, a Quick Impact Assessment, is a free confidential tool that is targeted specifically toward small and medium sized businesses to help them benchmark their social and environmental impact. The assessment helps businesses improve by setting goals for continuous improvement.
It is similar to a check up to see how socially and environmentally healthy a business is and how it compares to other businesses. The tool is also meant to give businesses a baseline on their progress so they can identify opportunities to strengthen efforts and move forward in a meaningful manner.
“It’s a great tool to assess how companies perform in regards to best practices on social and environmental impact. Businesses can see how they stack up against other businesses and create a plan to improve,” notes Mark Peterson, Sustainable Business Manager at Sustainable Connections. “We are really excited to partner with B Lab to offer this free assessment to local businesses.”
The tool is available through the Sustainable Connections website, and Sustainable Connections’ staff will also be walking businesses through the free online assessment at a November Member Lunch on Thursday, November 6, from 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Attendees will walk away with metrics that compare business performance to others, get a baseline on best practices, and create a plan to improve. Attendees can purchase a local lunch for $10 or bring a brown bag for free.
The Quick Impact Assessment is powered by B Lab, the non-profit organization dedicated to using the power of business as a force for good. While the measure what matters Quick Impact Assessment takes about 45 minutes to complete and is free, businesses are also able to take a more in-depth survey and become B Corp certified. B Corp certification is to sustainable business what LEED certification is to green building or Fair Trade certification is to coffee. There are over 1,000 Certified B Corps world-wide including Patagonia, Dansko, Numi Organic Tea and Seventh Generation. Locally, companies such as Brenthaven, Vital Choice and Moon Valley Organics have all been B Corp certified and a few more have already taken the Quick Impact Assessment.
