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Your Chamber News & Updates
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News from the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry
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Featured Member Article
Yeager's Sporting Goods: One Man's Journey through the Decades
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As a young boy growing up in the 1950’s, John “Westy” Westerfield remembers walking into Ira Yeager’s little sporting goods store on State Street in downtown Bellingham. Evinrude boat motors, fishing and hunting supplies filled the shelves. Westy knew at once he had entered a really special place. He just loved going in and exploring everything in the store, and became well known by the patrons and employees, alike.
In 1959, when Ira had outgrown the State Street location, Yeager’s opened the new store, way out on the “outskirts” of Bellingham at 3101 Northwest Avenue. Westy continued his fascination with all things hunting and fishing, and went into the new store every chance he got... Imagine the thrill of this large, new space, and all the new products Ira was able to now offer. In addition to hunting and fishing equipment, Yeager’s now offered house wares, hardware, clothing, toys, footwear, marine supplies and BOATS!
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Political Candidates Forum
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Thank you to the seventeen candidates for local office who participated in today's Political Candidate Forum! It was a great opportunity for voters to get answers about business-related questions.
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What are our members saying about us?
Invite a non-member to one of our events.
Introduce a non-member to the chamber
and see what happens!
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Join us on Sunday,
September 24
when host Guy Occhiogrosso, President & CEO of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce
will be talking about chamber programs and events.
Next week,
October 1 Wes Herman from
Woods Coffee will be speaking with Veronica Spaulding.
VERONICA is a new entrepreneur who has started her baking company serving cakes at farmers market. She and Wes Herman are partnering on a new pop-up store in downtown Bellingham to launch her new business
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Can't listen to the program live on Sundays 8-9 AM? That's OK. Listen to the podcasts anytime! Just go to
KGMI.com
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Tune in to KGMI 790 AM on Sundays at 8:00 am, or listen to the podcast anytime at
KGMI.com
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Congresswoman Suzan Delbene Visits Whatcom County
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Saturday, Sept. 23rd
Congresswoman Delbene wants to hear from you!
She will be hosting small community forums in Maple Falls, Sumas, and Blaine on Saturday, September 23.
Do you have questions about what's happening in the other Washington? Come and share your concerns and questions.
No RSVP needed
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Member of the Week (this week)
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Opened in 1999, the
Hotel Bellwether has been among the top Luxury Hotels in the NW. They were recently voted the #1 Luxury Hotel in the Pacific Northwest br Evening Magazine's Best of the NW.
Member of the week is generously sponsored by:
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Member of the Week (next week)
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Founded in 1923 as Parberry's Iron & Metal and Scrap Metal,
NW Recycling has remained family owned and managed. They moved to their Old Town location in the 1950's, and they "proudly provide recycling services for Bellingham and Whatcom County."
Member of the Week is generously sponsored by:
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Annual Cider Press and Ribbon Cutting at Lydia Place
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Thursday, Sept. 28
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
at 1701 Gladstone in Bellingham
This event is free to attend, but registration is requested.
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Friday, October 13
7:15 - 9:00 a.m.
3240 Northwest Ave., Bellingham
$16 with RSVP before Wed., Oct. 11 7:15 a.m.
$20 AFTER 7:15 a.m. on Wed., Oct 11
NO RSVP accepted after 4:00 p.m. on Thurs, Oct. 12
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714 Lakeway Drive
Thursday, October 19
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
No RSVP needed.
Members and Non-members are welcome to attend!
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Welcome New Chamber Members!
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September 28, 2017
5:30 - 7:30 pm
4260 Mitchell Way, Bellingham
Member price with RSVP: Free / without RSVP: $5
non-member with RSVP: $5 / without RSVP: $10
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Join us at our weekly morning "Buzz" at various Woods Coffee locations.
On Tuesdays 7:30- 8:30 am or 8:30 - 9:30 am
on Wednesdays 7 - 8 am or 8 - 9 am
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Google Tightens Grip on Security
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If the Equifax data breach hasn’t already gotten you scared, now there’s even more reason to safeguard your website with an SSL certificate:
Google’s using its ubiquitous web browser, Chrome, to fight the war against unsecure sites.
Beginning in October, Chrome will call out sites that don’t have an SSL certificate by labeling them with a bright red caution sign that says, “Not secure.”
These warnings will likely hurt unsuspecting business owners who don’t have SSL certification by scaring off potential site visitors, reducing leads, lowering conversions and losing sales.
As SEO experts, we also know that protected pages have been getting a boost in Google’s search engine rankings since 2014.
So, if your site doesn’t already have an SSL certificate, it’s time to get one!
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Red Cross Responds to Mexican Earthquake
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The Mexican Red Cross has deployed dozens of doctors and nurses, alongside more than 90 ambulances and its urban rescue unit. In all, more than 500 volunteers and employees were activated in the hours immediately following the deadly quake
. In addition, 17 more urban rescue units, ambulances and logistic units will arrive on 9/.
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Demo Derby Set for Sept 23rd
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Northwest Washington Fair Grounds will host this year's Family- friendly Demo Derby.
"The Fall Demo Derby is ideal for fans who can’t get enough of this great action and for those who weren’t able to attend either of the shows during last month’s fair,” said Jim Baron, general manager of the Northwest Washington Fair & Event Center. “It’s also affordable for families because children 10 and younger are admitted free!”
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Photo Courtesy of David Willoughby
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WTA Announces New Bus Route
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Beginning Monday, September 25
WTA has a new bus route serving the communities north of the Nooksack River!
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September is Eat Local Restaurant Week
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September 24 thru Sept 30
More than just delicious meals, Restaurant Week highlights the dedication local restaurants have to our local farmers, fishers and producers.
Nineteen restaurants have dreamt up locally sourced specials, with 50% or more of the ingredients coming from Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan or Island Counties.
Participating restaurants are listed in link below!
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Bellingham's Shipping Terminal Reopens for Business!
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The Bellingham Shipping Terminal is set to receive its first regular cargo shipment in over 17 years.
The 590-foot
MV Diana Bolten is scheduled arrive on
September 28
th loaded with 10,700 metric tons of organic corn and soybeans destined for local markets.
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"Soap for Hope" Toiletry Drive
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AAA is sponsoring a drive to collect unopened travel size and full size toiletries to benefit Lydia Place.
AAA is hoping to exceed their goal of 1 million products state-wide this year.
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SBA Urgent Hiring Opportunity: Disaster Relief Assistance
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In response to the numerous hurricane relief efforts, the demand for Small Business Administration assistance is expected to escalate quickly. To ensure SBA’s disaster team is ready to respond quickly to meet that demand, they need to tap every resource available. That’s why they are looking for additional staff to aid in their efforts.
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"Food to Bank On" Applications Now Being Accepted
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New
Food to Bank On
farmers Kevin and Brianna Buck, owners of Twin Cedars Farm took home the award for Beginning Farmer of the Year for 2017.
Applications for the Food to Bank on Program are available on Sustainable Connection’s website and are
due October 20, 2017. Farmers seeking more information can contact Food To Bank On Coordinator Alex Smith at alex@sustainableconnections.org
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Owner of the Inn at Lynden Appointed Rotary President
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Congratulations to Teri Treat of the
Inn at Lynden on her appointment as the new President of the Rotary Club of Bellingham.
Teri’s career spans real estate management, commercial & residential development, tourism & hospitality consultancy, and food & beverage operations.
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BTC Associate Nursing Program Receives ACEN Accreditation
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BTC’s
Nursing program has always been approved through the state’s Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, but the program has been working toward national accreditation for several years. After a successful ACEN accreditation site visit in February 2017, the Nursing program received its official confirmation of accreditation this August.
BTC President Kimberly Perry says:
“BTC is proud to see the hard work of our Nursing faculty, staff and students come to fruition and be recognized with this national accreditation, This milestone is a testament to the high quality of the program & its instructors, and it is a boon for current Nursing students and those to come.”
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If you have an idea that will strengthen community ties in Whatcom County,
Whatcom Community Foundation
wants to hear from you.
Applications for Project Neighborly grants are available September 1, 2017.
Proposals are due Wednesday October 4 by 3 pm. All projects must take place in 2018.
The Project Neighborly grant program
is for people who have great ideas about how we can all become better neighbors. It fuels efforts to increase kindness and curiosity, and build trust among the people who share this place.
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Muljat Welcomes Buffini & Co. for New Training
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October 9th
Buffini & Company’s revolutionary new training program for real-estate professionals, Peak Producers, will be presented in Bellingham with classes beginning
Oct. 9
.
Developed by industry experts Brian Buffini & Joe Niego, this 12-week course is specifically designed to help real estate professionals & affiliates develop the habits, attitudes & skills they need to serve buyers and sellers at a deeper level, building a sound business
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Free to Attend Employer Forum
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Tuesday, October 10
8 am - 2 pm
Discover Washington's Hidden Work Force!
Learn more about skilled workers who have participated in educational and voluntary employment readiness programs. Discover a potential candidate pool to meet your hiring needs!
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Test Drive Electric Vehicles
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Saturday, October 14 from 10 - 3 pm
Test drive a variety of electric vehicles and E-bikes.
Puget Sound Energy presents this first-come, first served opportunity for licensed drivers age 21 and older to learn about the benefits of electric mobility.
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Alcoa Foundation Awards Grant to Whatcom Community College
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Alcoa has awarded a $25K engineering grant to
WCC. The grant will provide state-of-the-art robotics and circuit lab kits, laptops students can check out to design projects, a laser cutter to bring projects to life and more!
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Gathered Confections Raises the Bar in Bellingham Desserts
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New to the Bellingham area but not to baking, Sarah Woods has been making waves in the Bellingham dessert scene since opening her own business earlier this year. Her company,
Gathered Confections
, brings a refreshing approach to sweets, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients, classical preparations, and old-fashioned scratch baking methods. What’s more, she does custom recipe development to suit all sorts of food intolerances, so if your food restrictions took sweets off the menu, there’s a new option in town
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ITEK Energy Project Nears Completion
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Major construction activity is nearly complete on
Itek Energy’s
new 48,000-square-foot solar panel manufacturing plant on Bellingham’s downtown waterfront.
Itek
is set to move into their new facility and begin manufacturing solar panels by the end of the month.
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Serving Bellingham and Whatcom County
for more than 100 years.
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