Bring Your Appetite to the 9th Annual Bite of Bellingham

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By Stacee Sledge

Photo courtesy of Downtown Bellingham Partnership — Stop by Bayou On Bay’s oyster bar during the Bite.

You might want to skip breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 14. That’s the day the Downtown Bellingham Partnership throws its 9th annual Bite of Bellingham – from noon-4 p.m. at the Depot Market Square – and you’ll want room to taste every nibble on offer.

“The Bite of Bellingham is a festive and unique way to experience the wide array of delicious food available in the Bellingham area,” says Lindsey Payne, events manager with the Downtown Bellingham Partnership. “And not only do attendees get the opportunity to sample a variety of eateries in once place, they also get to vote for their favorites.”

Last year’s event drew a crowd of more than 3,500 hungry taste-testers.

This year’s Bite will also feature a beverage garden for attendees ages 21 and older, which will highlight the plethora of diverse, delicious beer found in and around Bellingham – including the collaboration brew from this year’s Bellingham Beer Week.

Classic rock favorites will be streamed by 92.9 KISM and a Play Lab Kid’s Corner will add another layer of fun for the younger set.

Sponsored by several community sponsors such as WECU, Comcast, Silver Reef Casino, and Banner Bank, the Bite encourages attendees to indulge their taste buds from a selection of more than 20 Whatcom County restaurants, with cuisine ranging from Cajun and pub fare, to modern American and Asian.

Payne’s favorite bit at previous years’ Bites?

“How it embodies community,” she says. “It’s fun to see restaurants come together in friendly competition while providing mouthwatering samples to attendees.”

Just a few of the participants you can look forward to at this year’s Bite of Bellingham include: Bayou on Bay, Silver Reef Casino, Mi Casa Catering, Pure Bliss Desserts, The Green Frog, and the Slo Pitch Sports Grill & Casino. Many more eateries will be announced before the big day.

Admission to this all-ages event is free, with food and beverage tickets for sale at $1 per ticket. Attendees can vote for Bellingham’s “Best Bite,” “Best Drink,” “Best Sweet,” and “Best Gluten-Free Bite” categories.

Last year’s Bite of Bellingham winners included The Steakhouse at Silver Reef Casino, which won “Best Bite” for its Ahi Takosu. “Dreamiest Drink” went to India Grill’s chai tea, and Pure Bliss Desserts won two top spots: “Sweetest Sweet” for its chocolate salted caramel cupcake and “Best Gluten-Free Bite” for its Nanaimo bars.

Don’t miss Bite of Bellingham 2014 – where you can eat your way through the competition, and then help decide who gets top honors this time around.

Bite of Bellingham
Sunday, Sept. 14, noon-4 p.m.
Depot Market Square
210 Lottie St
Bellingham, WA 98225

All photos courtesy of the Downtown Bellingham Partnership

Kuntz and Company Presents: “Hide and Seek”

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by Kuntz and Company

Kuntz and Company Hide and Seek — “Hide and Seek” explores how our children are cared for in our community through the eyes of the child, family, and system.

Kuntz and Company, a non-profit dance/theatre company directed by Pam Kuntz, presents Hide and Seek, a dance/theatre work that explores how our children are cared for in our community through the eyes of the child, family, and system. In partnership with staff from the Bellingham School District, Brigid Collins Family Support Center, the Parent Child Institute of Whatcom County, The Whatcom Family and Community Network, as well as several individuals, the evening includes nine stories that share a wide range of perspectives and situations where the care of children is examined through dance and film.

These true stories, from our neighbors, help us understand the complexities of caring for our young. As is typical in Kuntz’s work, the piece combines the talents of professional performers with the community members whose stories are being told. Hide and Seek features Bellingham artists and Kuntz and Company collaborators Ian Bivins, Cara Congelli, Jaynie Hancock, Angela Kiser, Pam Kuntz, Ella Mahler, and Richard Scholtz.

This is the fifteenth in a series of performance pieces created by Kuntz that have explored a wide range of social and personal issues using the stories of local community members. Past works include The Mom Project (2005), That one Curve (2006), Stories from Jim and Jo (2010), Leave my Shoes by the Door (2011), Hello, my name is You (2013), and Positive (2014). Using dance as the vehicle for delivering these stories, performers provide a revealing, sensory experience that makes public those things we don’t normally talk about. Hide and Seek contains mature subject matter and is not recommended for children.

Hide and Seek is supported in part by Brigid Collins Family Support Center, The Leopold Ballroom, Inspire Studio, the Whatcom Family and Community Network, the Bellingham School District, and grants from the Whatcom Community Foundation, the Community Food Co-op, and the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Six performances of Hide and Seek will be held at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Avenue, Bellingham, WA over the period of two weeks. October 17, 18, 24, 25 at 7:30 PM and October 19 and 26 at 5 p.m.. $15.00 tickets available at Village Books in Fairhaven, online at kuntzandco.org, and at the door. Pay what you can, admission is available at the door the evening of the performance. For more information click here or call 360-510-4711.

Photos courtesy of Juliette Machado.

Heroes Day Honors First Responders on September 11

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by Christian Health Care Center

Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) in Lynden is preparing to host their 7th Annual Heroes Day event on Thursday, September 11.

Heroes Day is a time set aside to remember the sacrifice of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and to honor local heroes who protect and serve Whatcom County residents every day.

“Showing patriotism, honor and respect to those who serve is important – CHCC is honored to host a free event that brings community helpers and local citizens of all ages together in a positive, respectful way,” shares Anita Tallman, CHCC’s executive director.

Plans for Heroes Day 2014 include a 10 a.m. start with American Legion Honor Guards, the Pledge of Allegiance and opening remarks by local dignitaries. A moment of silence and the National Anthem will also be included, followed by vehicle tours, meet and greets with first responders and light refreshments by Sugar Shack Ice Cream Truck. The event is scheduled to conclude at 11:30 a.m.

“What started as a simple way for our facility to show appreciation to first responders has evolved into a community-wide event. We love that Heroes Day has become a multigenerational event that attracts all ages – from babies in strollers to our own elderly residents. It’s a truly wonderful day.”

Heroes Day 2014 will take place at 855 Aaron Drive in Lynden. Visit www.chcclynden.org to learn more.

Whatcom Community College Offers Free Community Classes

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by Whatcom Community College

Start the school year off right by attending a free Self-esteem and Effective Communication Workshop 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15 at Whatcom Community College. This fun and interactive class teaches practical strategies to renew feelings of self-worth and offers techniques to improve communication skills.

Career Exploration
If you’re interested in figuring out what to do next in your life, the Career/ Life Planning Course may be for you. The class begins with the self-esteem workshop on Sept. 15 then runs 8:30 a.m. – noon, Monday through Thursday through Oct. 8. Participants will identify skills, look at the job market, explore career choices, learn interviewing and resume techniques and develop a practical plan to achieve career and life success. The atmosphere is warm and supportive, and the instructional style is fun and interactive.

All classes will be held on the Whatcom Community College campus at 237 West Kellogg Rd. Bellingham, WA. Registration and instructor permission is required. Childcare support and transportation assistance may be available for eligible participants. For more information, to determine eligibility and to register, contact Robin Bailey, WCC Turning Point Coordinator, at 360-383-3132, rbailey@whatcom.ctc.edu.

Enter SPIE’s International Year of Light Photo Contest

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Light, water, camera, action: Indirect light in a darkened aquarium highlights anatomical detail in a tank of swimming jellyfish. (Nikon D40, Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, ISO 1600).

Submitted by SPIE International

Light, water, camera, action: Indirect light in a darkened aquarium highlights anatomical detail in a tank of swimming jellyfish. (Nikon D40, Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, ISO 1600). — Light, water, camera, action: Indirect light in a darkened
aquarium highlights anatomical detail in a tank of
swimming jellyfish. (Nikon D40, Nikon AF-S DX
Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, ISO 1600).

Show us your photonics – that’s what the SPIE Professional magazine staff are asking of photographers around the world.

The SPIE International Year of Light 2015 Photo Contestis part of the society’s observance of the United Nations-declared International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies in 2015 (IYL2015).

IYL2015 is a celebration of the crosscutting discipline of science that has revolutionized medicine, astronomy, and clean energy and opened up international communication via the Internet, and that continues to be central to linking cultural, economic, and political aspects of the global society.

Entries in the SPIE Professional contest must be received by September 30, 2014. Prizes will be awarded in 2015.

Judges knowledgeable in light-based technologies and photography will award a top prize of US $2,500, a second prize of $1,000, and a third prize of $500.

In addition, members of the optics and photonics community and the general public will vote on winner for a “People’s Choice” prize of $500.

Photographers of all ages are eligible to submit a maximum of two photos that show light or a light-based technology used in everyday life. Photos are not required to be scientific but they should hold some scientific interest or communicate the International Year of Light theme.

In addition to scientific interest, judges will also evaluate photos on creativity, artistry, and overall appeal. Minimal digital enhancement will be permitted. Because the top photos will be published on the covers of the print editions of SPIE Professional in 2015 and displayed in large format at SPIE Optics + Photonics in 2015, only print-quality digital files will be considered. Files smaller than 5 MB will not be accepted.

Complete information on the contest and rules are available here.

How do you see light or light-based technologies being used in your daily life? Send in your photos.

Looking for inspiration? Take a tour of the gallery of gorgeous images from space presented by astronomer and science educator Ryan Hannahoe.

Explorations Academy Kicks Off 20th Anniversary with Community Service

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by Explorations Academy

Explorations Academy announces the return of Blisterama! – the kid-powered work party that makes house calls! On Friday, September 26, 2014 the entire Explorations Academy student body, accompanied by a dozen volunteer team leaders, will leave their classrooms for the day to perform all manners of yard work and service projects to raise money for the school’s Financial Aid Program.

Since 1995, Explorations Academy has provided motivated youth with a dynamic high school education, including local and international community service opportunities. In the last year Explorations students have restored trails on the San Juan Islands and in the Cascades, helped feed the homeless in Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., and helped teach art in a Kenyan international school. The school is dedicated to preparing young people to become change-agents by imparting social responsibility and global stewardship. Frequent service projects serve this goal.

Donors can sponsor a Blisterama! team to do yard work at their homes, or tackle community service projects like graffiti removal or picking up litter. The minimum donation is $50/hr, and any gift above that amount is tax deductible. All proceeds fund our Financial Aid Program, which supports tuition for more than 50% our student body. Blisterama! teams will be available to work from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and donors should call 360-671-8085 to sponsor a team.

For more information about Explorations Academy, click here.

Whatcom Community College Announces Spring 2014 Graduates

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by Whatcom Community College

Whatcom Community College announced the graduates from spring quarter 2014. Graduates from the 2013-14 academic year were honored at the College’s commencement ceremony on Friday, June 20, 2014.

Associate in Arts and Sciences (Honors Program)

Michael S. Andrews (with Honors)
Ulrike Bartlett (with Honors)
Brittany L. Breedlove (with Honors)
Yan Tung Chan (with Honors)
Celeste J. Haehnel (with Honors)
Katherine N. Haveman (with Honors)
Sonia R. Herman (with Honors)
Matthew M. Howey (with Honors)
Marisa C. Kerkvliet (with Honors)
Connor B. Kitzan (with Honors)
Oryx Battiste Moore (with Honors)
Duncan A. Ogg (with Honors)
Jennifer M. Pierce (with Honors)
Grace C. Pyles (with Honors)
Ribka Tanzil (with Honors)
Wing Tung Tsoi (with Honors)
Avery E. West (with Honors)

Associate in Arts and Sciences

David J. Aguilar
Surya E. Aguilar (with Honors)
Steven W. Alves (with Honors)
Lauren S. Anderson
Raena K. Anderson (with Honors)
Sherielyn P. Arcena
Natasha L. Bachman
Kandi S. Baldwin
Savanna M. Balfour (with Honors)
Arianna R. Barrett
Karly C. Batterman
Angela C. Bersin
Ashley A. Beymer
Hannah L. Borland
Marcus S. Brittain
Shawna M. Burbank
Abraham D. Buri
Michael O. Canty
Armando J. Cervantes
Chun Yan Chan (with Honors)
Elijah J. Christie
Carly T. Christopherson
Cole W. Clark
Jessica L. Clark
Sydney A. Coleman-King
Michelle Compton
Mike A. Connolly
Monique M. Coty (with Honors)
Robert A. Coty Jr. (with Honors)
Madison M. Coulthurst
Matthew D. Coward
Scott R. Cranston (with Honors)
Corey J. Cross
Forest E. Crouse
Kandice L. Crown
Eddie W. Czebator (with Honors)
Isaac C. Day (with Honors)
Melissa DeGraaff (with Honors)
Carrie-Ann B. DeGuzman
Emma A. Delaney
Ellen M. Dennis
Bryce T. Dickerson (with Honors)
Dong M. Dinh
McKenna L. Downing (with Honors)
Anne R. Dufner (with Honors)
Clara J. Duncan (with Honors)
Sonja Duncan (with Honors)
Emily E. Dymond
Amy R. Edmondson (with Honors)
Michelle R. Edmondson (with Honors)
Heather L. Elsworth
Emily S. Erickson (with Honors)
Keith G. Erickson (with Honors)
Britta J. Fast
Jonathan R. Fedele (with Honors)
Meleia H. Ferreira
McKenna A. Fishbook (with Honors)
April C. Fleming (with Honors)
Natalie M. Forsloff
Faith L. Foster (with Honors)
Katrina N. Foster
Mackenzie Foster
Maura J. Frazier (with Honors)
Monroe M. Freeman
Robin Freeman (with Honors)
Alisha L. Friberg (with Honors)
Elizabeth D. Gage
Rose Gallant (with Honors)
Katherine S. Gallion (with Honors)
Kylie R. Garrison (with Honors)
Clinton J. Gauthier (with Honors)
Alex J. Gibby
Christine A. Gilliland
Jacob R. Gobeille
Chelsea M. Goebel
Rachel B. Gordon-Ball
Alexander J. Gosselin
Joe I. Grasdock
Anthony B. Griffith (with Honors)
Nicholas J. Grobe (with Honors)
Caleb J. Haan
Krysta L. Hamilton (with Honors)
Madeline C. Hamilton (with Honors)
Timothy Kenno Handojo
Cody A. Harder
Conner E. Helms
Steven T. Henderson
Jesse J. Henson (with Honors)
Ashley M. Hill
Amy Elizabeth Hubbard
Reba M. Hughes (with Honors)
Christie Lynn Hunt (with Honors)
Annalee B. Hynes (with Honors)
Erik Ibarra
Meghan M. Ingram
Nicholas A. Jackson
Samandar Jamalzada (with Honors)
Yuqing Ji (with Honors)
Benjamin T. Johnson
Chelsea E. Johnson
Karalyn C. Johnson
Teresa K. Judy
Rajdeep Kaur
Inna M. Kazadayev
Marley A. Keel
George T. Keizer (with Honors)
Joseph W. Kelstrup
Manpreet K. Khehra (with Honors)
Ngan Kim Khong (with Honors)
Photchanicha Khowabut (with Honors)
Anne E. Klootwyk
Jeremy C. Knott
Barbara K. Kolby (with Honors)
Svetlana Kovalenko
Sierra A. Kowalski
Saraswati A. Kroesen
Anna M. Lallas
Madison R. Lancaster
Wendy A. Lantzy
Sydney M. Lariviere
Christina M. Latham
Hanh Le (with Honors)
Brandon W. Lee
Robin M. Levy (with Honors)
Hailey R. Loid
Heidi M. Longstreth (with Honors)
Karina O. Lopez
Hunter T. Lundstrom
Kelsey A. Maloy
Briahnna L. Martin (with Honors)
Lynette N. Martinez
Teslin J. Matthews (with Honors)
Aurora Mattson-Hughes
Teagan A. McClain (with Honors)
Erin E. McDonald
Jill A. McLeod
Laura Medina
Alix J. Melton (with Honors)
Emily R. Meyer
Sarah I. Mielke
Tristan A. Mikkelson
Serena R. Milam (with Honors)
Rylee N. Miller (with Honors)
Mao Mitsuhashi
Johannah Moles (with Honors)
Kaitlin L. Montague
Winona L. Moore
Elijah W. Morgan (with Honors)
Poowadol Napaeng (with Honors)
Sam D. Nelson
Etaane M. Neumann (with Honors)
Thao Nguyen (with Honors)
Sarah G. Nondorf
Trevor A. Northrop
Patrick W. Olcott
Osman H. Olivera
Taylor R. Olson
Marianne E. Ostos
Emily C. Pacheco
Amy M. Page (with Honors)
Jonathan H. Park
Lee A. Park (with Honors)
Seonghwan Park
Merrick Parnell
Brent A. Paul
Ryan D. Peabody
Michael E. Peckham
Kayla M. Pegues
Evan S. Pennell
Oliver S. Perkins (with Honors)
Pearl Reita Petaia
Nikolai A. Powell
Dillin T. Puckett
Sirre K. Radtke
Jarrett C. Richards
Kevin J. Richardson (with Honors)
Esther M. Ritsema
Sean M. Romond
Brittany M. Roper
Brian J. Rowe
Douglas J. Roybal
Cody J. Russell
Elisabeth A. Ryan (with Honors)
Fernanda F. Sanchez
Adrienne M. Sanders
Dupinder K. Sandhar (with Honors)
Jashandeep S. Sanghera
Marcelina T. Santana (with Honors)
Eli M. Savage
Dusten J. Savard
Kate R. Seaholm (with Honors)
Donald A. Seburn
Gladys N. Serrano (with Honors)
Cortney T. Sharp
Daniel R. Shelley (with Honors)
Alexa M. Siebring (with Honors)
Kyler D. Simpson
Chanteal R. Smith
Keenan J. Smith
Napoleon M. Smith
Sofia K. Smith (with Honors)
Julie M. Solomon
Sarah I. Sparling
Jaime A. Spencer
Ashlee L. Sperry (with Honors)
Alec T. Stieve
Scott K. St. John (with Honors)
Haruna Suzuki
Sonni A. Tadlock
Kristine N. Taylor
Lilibeth G. Tejeda-Ruiz
Brenton R. Thomas
Lauren S. Thomas (with Honors)
Tyler N. Thran
Haotian Tian
Shuk Kan To
John J. Tobin
Gabriela L. Toledano
Chelsea D. Torvik
Andrew Scott Townsend
Danika A. Troupe (with Honors)
Wyatt J. Uhrig (with Honors)
Tianna M. Valiani
Hope E. Van-Bruggen (with Honors)
Anne M. VanderSypen
Bradley P. Vario (with Honors)
Darin A. Vinkes (with Honors)
Elizabeth Anne Vohs (with Honors)
Hannah C. Voss
Sara Vwich (with Honors)
Jake D. Waggoner
Kasey I. Wagoner
Kelsey A. Walczak
Jenaye D. Weidenaar
Catherine R. Welty
Preston W. Whitman (with Honors)
Amanda J. Willett
Lovissa Winyoto (with Honors)
Ayesha Wise
Nick A. Works
Aimee N. Wright (with Honors)
Tien Hsun Yang
Chi Lam Yu (with Honors)
Jason A. Zamora
Renee R. Zavala
Rufinojr Zavala-Suarez

Associate in Liberal Studies

Rebecca R. Abshire
Sharon J. Allen
Philip Thor Aronson
Gregory D. Conner (with Honors)
Jessica L. Hanon
Eleanor C. Kahn (with Honors)
Julie A. Norman

Associate in Science Transfer

Dilraj S. Bal
Vladislav M. Belous (with Honors)
Jonathan C. Carlson
Natasha Chrisandina (with Honors)
Benjamin T. Gerhart
Keith D. Hillaire
Nattanai Kuangmia (with Honors)
Cody J. Nagle (with Honors)

Associate in Applied Science Transfer Cybersecurity

Ryan M. Bergsma

Associate in Arts Early Childhood Education

Kamaljit K. Brar
Aimiee L. Cade
Caitlin J. Dodd
Alisha M. Everidge
Bonny L. Fuller-Fells (with Honors)
Maria C. Gonzalez (with Honors)
Kenda M. Sipma (with Honors)

Associate in Science Business Administration

Sheila Gazlay
Matilda Marie Hooper
Merle A. Johnson (with Honors)
Yuka Kamachi
James D. Shively

Associate in Science Computer Information Systems

Jadey Byers
David M. Cushing (with Honors)
Jordan E. Davidson (with Honors)
Justin H. Delahoyde
Michael J. Juntunen
Quinn W. Lund (with Honors)
Jamie D. Majors (with Honors)
Angela L. Mallory
William R. Massengale
Joshua H. Mayer (with Honors)
Walker C. McCabe
Matthew J. Perry (with Honors)
James Wilkinson (with Honors)

Associate in Science Criminal Justice

Alana N. Gist (with Honors)
Iris Gonzalez
Terrell E. Holmes
Farhad Sadat

Associate in Science Massage Practitioner

Bryn Bezona (with Honors)

Associate in Science Nursing

Brenda L. Anderson (with Honors)
Shawn D. Barrett (with Honors)
Megan S. Barry (with Honors)
Samantha R. Basovitch
Sukhdev S. Bilg
Jensen J. Boehm (with Honors)
Michelle D. Cousins (with Honors)
Lyle O. Dollarhide (with Honors)
Joleen W. Forest
Erin A. Johnson (with Honors)
Christina B. Krueger
Nancy E. Landry
Terry L. Lewis (with Honors)
Solee Lim
Ami A. Luhar
Jennifer C. MacDonough (with Honors)
Joseph P. MacEachern (with Honors)
Diana L. Miller (with Honors)
Rachel A. Mowry
Aimee T. Nelson
Janet L. Palmer (with Honors)
Grace E. Parks
Kelly A. Smith (with Honors)
Sheri Spencer (with Honors)
Nicole D. Stanton (with Honors)
Clea A. Taylor (with Honors)
Nicolle M. Tjoelker (with Honors)
Elizabeth R. Vidana
Kristina J. Wood (with Honors)
Elizabeth C. Wynja

Associate in Science Paralegal Studies

Chellie M. Anderson (with Honors)
Jonathan D. Casson (with Honors)
Amanda L. Gipe (with Honors)
Chloe L. Grafwallner (with Honors)
Cher A. Roorda
Patrick W. Shannon
Joy C. Shaver

Associate in Science Physical Therapist Assistant

Alisa D. Alexis (with Honors)
Megen L. Barrett (with Honors)
Cynthia L. Campbell (with Honors)
Daniel J. Crowley (with Honors)
Maranda M. Davis (with Honors)
Evie M. Edwards
Kimberly D. Fox
Gabriel W. Giraud (with Honors)
Cassie L. Hakala
Amy R. Hambly (with Honors)
Ashlie R. Howard (with Honors)
Chelsea A. Jung (with Honors)
Bonnie L. Keen (with Honors)
Travis J. Lee (with Honors)
Sheryl A. Pentico (with Honors)
Taylor A. Richardson
Mary K. Sokolik (with Honors)
Kelly J. Vanhove (with Honors)
Alexandra P. Waldron (with Honors)
Shelly D. Wipf (with Honors)
Jennifer A. Yagos (with Honors)

Certificate Accounting

Matilda Marie Hooper
Hunter T. Lundstrom
Kathryn L. Rismondo
Jeanne Lynn Shaver
Geneva Ann Spracklen

Certificate Early Childhood Education

Bonny L. Fuller-Fells
Danielle F. Johnson

Certificate Hospitality & Tourism Management

Raja Ali
Izza Asshofi
Emmanuel Babab Attipoe
Nadir Jailani
Ashvi Johnson
Jonia Nessim Makram
Matlhatsi Masenya
Endor E. Rebolledo
Cassidy R. Will

Certificate Massage Practitioner

Melissa D. Buchanan
Noah B. Citron
Marc J. Davis
Mitchell W. Dropp
Nicole V. Durbin
Kimberly A. Halwachs
Satori B. Hanson
Lisa B. McAvoy
Amelia M. Vance

Certificate Medical Billing and Coding

Michael W. Hogen
Brandy K. Lee

Certificate Medical Front Office Reception

Alyssa R. Beyerlin
Dorothy V. Hall

Certificate Office Administration

Kirandeep Kaur
Ashley E. Nichols

Certificate Paralegal Studies

Cynthia K. Ryan
Joshua Vannelli

Certificate Retail Management

Malu Marie Jacob
Jennifer McCoskey
Sana Naz
Lehlohonolo Nonyane
Tuba Pulat
Veipune Sarah

High School Diploma

Lauren S. Anderson
Brittany L. Breedlove
Gregory D. Conner
Isaac C. Day
Emily S. Erickson
Keith G. Erickson
April C. Fleming
Jacob R. Gobeille
Timothy Kenno Handojo
Steven T. Henderson
Reba M. Hughes
Yuqing Ji
Eleanor C. Kahn
Marisa C. Kerkvliet
Connor B. Kitzan
Sierra A. Kowalski
Saraswati A. Kroesen
Karina O. Lopez
Teagan A. Mcclain
Tristan A. Mikkelson
Rylee N. Miller
Johannah Moles
Grace C. Pyles
Samuel E. Roth
Marcelina T. Santana
Daniel R. Shelley
Alexa M. Siebring
Alivia Sutisna
Jethro B. Tannos
Wyatt J. Uhrig
Avery E. West
Ayesha Wise

About Whatcom: Whatcom Community College is an accredited, comprehensive two-year college with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 11,000 students annually. On its campus in Bellingham, WA, and through online courses, Whatcom offers transfer degrees, professional and technical training programs, as well as basic education, job skills, and Community & Continuing Education classes. For more information, visit www.whatcom.ctc.edu.

PLLAY: Bringing Joy to Others Through Play and Creativity

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WhatcomTalk Editor

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PLLAY kids — The Do-Good Gang hands out gift cards to people just to be nice.

By Stacee Sledge

Bringing bubbles and play to Anna's Walk, an event that brought awareness to the importance of staying off your phone while you drive. — Bringing bubbles and play to Anna’s Walk, an event that brought awareness to the importance of staying off your phone while you drive.

For Abby Franklin, longtime owner of Bellingham’s Loving Space School, the idea of PLLAY came four years ago as a natural extension of what her preschool and kindergarten classes have been doing for more than two decades: playing and bringing smiles to faces of all ages.

PLLAY – Programs to Lighten the Lives of Adults and Youth – is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers who simply strive to bring happiness to folks – some who might find themselves in not-so-happy situations.

Think playful activities delivered to those who need more light in their lives, random acts of intentional kindness, surprising a child at his or her birthday party, and parent education classes.

PLLAY is made up of four different programs and run by a governing board. The nonprofit organization is always looking for more volunteers to help spread those smiles.

“We wanted to be able to take that feeling that happens at Loving Space – or really anywhere where kids are able to just really engage in real play – and bring that to places that maybe weren’t as playful. Places where people are struggling for whatever reason, maybe with finances or health issues or whatever it is that makes your life feel heavy,” says Franklin.

Play In A Box

To that end, PLLAY volunteers bring a program dubbed “Play in a Box” to the Agape House once a month.

“We go in and play with the kids and adults,” says Franklin. “It’s very open-ended, really interactive – and the idea is to give these mommies a moment to lose themselves in the joy that comes in watching your child play and being able to be a part of that.”

The happiness for volunteers comes in watching how much the mothers love the activities brought in by PLLAY. “They enjoy it just as much – sometimes more than the children do. It’s delightful,” says Franklin.

PLLAY hopes to bring the monthly program to Lydia Place, as well, but needs more volunteers to make that happen.

On the way to do a superhero birthday party.

The Birthday Cake Program

If a family is struggling with finances but would like a little something extra special for a loved one’s birthday, they can apply online at PLLAY to make it happen.

By sharing the child’s age, favorite color, and what kinds of things they’re interested in, applicants supply PLLAY volunteers with the basis of what they need to create a fun drop-in birthday party surprise.

“Say they really love bugs,” says Franklin. “We decorate a cake with all kinds of bugs on it, and then all dress up like bugs and go to their birthday party.” Once there, the PLLAY crew delivers a cake, gives them balloons and a small gift that’s related to their theme, sings happy birthday, and leaves a little sparkle behind before they go.

“We don’t put on the party, but we bring a homemade custom cake and we dress up and just bring that silly, playful thing that we do so well,” says Franklin.

“I love to see their faces,” she continues. “When we first get there, they’re just stunned, and by the end they’re chasing after us and want to play. And I love the fact that we’re leaving them with this idea of: Who were those people who cared enough about me to come and help celebrate my birthday? I must be pretty special.”

The gang work on a farm to help a woman in need get her work done.

The Do-Good Gang

The Do-Good Gang is another faction of PLLAY that’s also a youth-mentor program. A group of volunteers – currently ages 8 through 70 – gets together every month to do random acts of kindness.

“Tomorrow we’ve got about 15 people who are going to go help a one-woman farmer who has a lot of work on her hands,” says Franklin. “We’re going to show up and give her a couple hours of our time.”

The idea behind the Do-Good Gang is for kids to have an opportunity to give back, showing them how good it feels to make somebody else happy.

Recently, a couple younger members of the Do-Good Gang requested gift cards for their birthdays, in lieu of gifts. They then took them to the Bellingham Grocery Outlet and passed them out to shoppers.

“It was so cute to hear the kids explaining to people, ‘No, you don’t have to give me any money, I’m doing this just because I want to,’ or ‘I just want to make you smile,’ or ‘I thought it would make you happy,’” recounts Franklin.

PLLAY board members are currently developing a program around this do-good theory and hope to bring to the public schools by this winter. “We’d base it around activities around the school and the people who are in your school community,” Franklin says. “How can you support and make the teachers feel appreciated? And the custodian? And people in your class?”

Good Stuff for Parents

PLLAY also offers a monthly parent-enrichment program with parent education classes that are held at St. Luke’s Education Center.

The Do-Good Gang hands out gift cards to people just to be nice.

Speakers donate their time, while attendees pay $10. “Every single penny of that goes right back into our program,” says Franklin, “paying for balloons and birthday cakes and glitter and paint and all the supplies we need to make people happy.”

PLLAY’s parent education series for this coming school year kicks off with a session on October 18 at Whatcom Community College, with well-known early childhood educator Bev Bos.

“She’s the pioneer for the importance of play,” Franklin says of Bos, whom she credits as her inspiration and mentor. “To have her come and spread her message and to encourage all those kindergarten teachers and parents to remember the importance of play is a really big deal.”

To see a day in the life of PLLAY, watch Lauren McClanahan’s fantastic short film. Please visit the PLLAY website for more information or to volunteer. You can also learn more about Loving Space here.

Wayne Langei Announces Retirement, Jennifer Kutcher Named New President/CEO of WECU

By

WhatcomTalk Editor

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Submitted by WECU®

Wayne Langlei WECU — After 41 years, President/CEO at WECU, Wayne Langei will retire at the end of the month.

After 41 years as President/CEO at Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Wayne Langei will retire at the end of the month. Langei will be succeeded by current WECU® EVP/Chief Lending Officer Jennifer Kutcher, who joined the Credit Union 16 years ago. Kutcher is a graduate of Western Washington University and has earned the CUES Certified Chief Executive designation.

Langei plans to stay on with WECU® as a consultant to the new President/CEO through January 2015. Since his hiring in 1973, Langei has led the credit union through incredible growth. During his 41-year career as President/CEO, WECU® has grown from three employees and one million dollars in assets to over a billion dollars in assets and 330 employees.

Jennifer Kutcher replaces Langlei as WECU's President/CEO. — Jennifer Kutcher replaces Langei as WECU’s President/CEO.

“We thank Wayne for his 41 outstanding years of dedicated service as President/CEO. He is leaving WECU® well-positioned for even greater success in the future,” stated Phil Isle, Board Chair.

“I am very happy with the board’s decision to select Jennifer Kutcher as my successor. Jennifer’s knowledge, experience, values, and commitment to WECU® and our members will help shape a new and exciting future, remaining safe and secure for generations to come,” said Wayne Langei, retiring President/CEO.

The Board’s Succession Committee has been active in planning for the leadership transition. The Board retained an outside consultant, Gene O’Rourke, the Managing Director and Founder of O’Rourke and Associates, to help design a rigorous training process that Kutcher completed prior to selection.

Barron Heating & Air Conditioning: How This Family-Owned Company Grew Into One of Whatcom County’s Most Respected Businesses

By

Stacee Sledge

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The Barron Heating & Air Conditioning you know today – with its eye-catching facility just east of I-5, between Bellingham and Ferndale – was a long time in the making.

Dan and Vivian Barron began the company in 1972, with Dan Barron initially operating his new business – and living – out of a motel room.

With hard work and a passion for getting things right, Barron grew into – and continues to be – one of Whatcom County’s most respected businesses.

“My dad lived in north Seattle and worked for a heating and air conditioning company that was traveling up to work on a big development boom in Sudden Valley,” says John Barron. “He commuted up here from about 1968 through 1971; that’s how he really got to know this area.”

Dan was an avid outdoorsman and fell for the Whatcom County lifestyle: from fishing and hunting to snow skiing – and everything in between.

After three years of traveling up and down I-5 every day, Dan sold the family’s home, put what little life savings he had on the line, and started his own business.

The early years: From commercial to residential, installation to showroom

The first employee was Dan Barron’s father, Orie Barron, who came out of retirement from his own heating and cooling career to help his son.

When Barron Heating and Air Conditioning began, the work was primarily in new residential heating and commercial heating and air conditioning. But after a few years, Dan noticed more and more builders asking where to find fireplaces for their new builds.

“So we got into the fireplace business as well as service, which launched us into the showroom and retail side of things, with wood stoves and gas and propane fireplaces,” says John Barron. “Dad was a maverick in a lot of ways; one of the originators of heating contractors that offered retail hearth sales in the Pacific Northwest.”

When new construction took a nosedive in the late 1970s and early 1980s – thanks to 23-percent interest rates – the business had to adjust.

“We started doing a lot of service work and weatherization, through the utility companies, on existing homes.”

That economic downturn helped launch Barron’s into more of a service/retail entity.

“We were still doing what little new construction there was,” says John, “but we really started getting known in the existing home market, too.”

Barron would see this pattern return again in this most recent recession.

“My dad was really driven,” says John. “He was very passionate and loved what he did.” And whereas Dan Barron was the visionary, Vivian Barron was the glue that held things together.

“From the customers, homeowners, and contractors to the employees,” he say, “there wasn’t anyone in our company who did not know how much they were loved and cared for by my mom.”

After many successful years, Dan and Vivian Barron retired in 1998. Five years prior to that, Dan had approached John and Bill Pinkey – the company’s financial manager who has been considered family since joining Barron in the late 1970s – to discuss forming a partnership to eventually buy the company.

New ownership

Barron has continued to innovate and grow under the guidance of John and Bill, who are still driven by many of the central philosophies instilled by Dan Barron.

“My dad told me to get excited when I run into a problem on a job,” says John. “When you’re positive about a challenge, you’re way more creative in solving it.”

When a challenge occurs, John stresses, Barron gets to prove the kind of company it is by taking care of the problem and, ultimately, the customer.

“We carry these philosophies with us to this day – why we do what we do,” says John. “My dad empowered Bill and I to solve problems and put the customer first.”

Learn more about the company at www.barronheating.com or by calling 360-676-1131.

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