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Partnership News
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August 2010
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Hello DBP members!
It's hard to believe summer is well underway - perhaps half over - no, we're not going there yet. Let's just say we're in the swing of summer excitement, half way through our Downtown Sounds Summer Concerts and looking forward to the 2010 Bite of Bellingham, presented by our title sponsor Portionables, on the 21st of this month.
We know it's still truly summer as the information center has been a buzz of activity, with visitors from near and far, parents and prospective college students, families on their way to Canada or the San Juans, those visiting or relocating here, and former B'hamsters back for a family visit and amazed at the changes. They are all looking for where to shop and eat and stay and play. We hope that you have been the beneficiaries of our team's directions and recommendations!
In this newsletter you'll learn more about Downtown Sounds and Bite of Bellingham as you schedule the rest of your summer. We've also begun planning for this fall's Trick or Treat and holiday Shop Where Your Heart Is. We encourage you to give us your new ideas to enhance these fun annual events. We're also getting an early jump on the new 2011 Map so you'll hear from us very soon to reserve your space.
Additionally, we're staying on the pulse of activity downtown, from following the release of the Waterfront plan and proposed noise ordinance by the City, to participating in the relocation of a playground in Maritime Heritage Park, to investigating new ways to fund our downtown landscaping and beautification programs. My dedicated co-director Vanessa Blackburn is leading the research along with committee chair Bob Brim, in order to help us develop a long-term strategy and funding plan to supplement our ongoing support by the City. You'll learn more about their work and ideas this fall.
On a personal note, please join me in congratulating Kirsten Walker and her family on the arrival of her second daughter in July!
Best regards,
Susan Holden Walsh, Interim Director, DBP
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Events
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Brown Bag Programs at Whatcom Museum in the Old City Hall building, 121 Prospect Street. $3/Museum members free.
First Fridays
Downtown Art Walk
Art lovers are invited to stroll through the streets of downtown to enjoy an array of artwork by local and visiting artists. 6-10pm.
June 23 - August 11
Wednesdays, 2pm
Summer Movie Matinees
Dodson Room in the Children's Library at the Central Library.
July 14 - August 11
Downtown Sounds Summer Concert Series
Live music, food and fun for the entire family in the heart of downtown Bellingham. Wednesdays from 5-9pm on Bay St.
August 11
The Waterfront Advisory Group will host an open house at 6pm at the port offices to discuss the preliminary plan and answer community questions.
August 21
Bite of Bellingham
Sample a delicious variety of foods from local restaurants and vote for your favorites.
1300 Block, Cornwall Ave.
September 9-10
WWU's Small Business Development Center is hosting ThinkBiz, a training conference to maximize value for local business owners at Whatcom Community College's Heiner Center.
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Downtown Sounds Brings Music To Bellingham's Streets
Award winning concert series celebrates 6th anniversary in the Arts District
 Throughout Wednesdays in July the Downtown Sounds Concert Series brought a wide variety of up-beat music to Downtown Bellingham's Arts District on Bay Street, between Holly Street and West Champion Street. The Downtown Bellingham Partnership's annual series will start August off on the same note by offering all-ages outdoor concerts on Wednesday, August 4th and Wednesday, August 11th from 5:00-9:00 PM. After offering several diverse musical genres in previous weeks, Downtown Sounds is spicing up the lineup with a performance by Latin Expression on August 4th. Latin Expression, a popular Northwest band, is known for their unique sound that combines Caribbean influences like salsa, cumbia, and Afro-Cuban to create a sound that they cal "power salsa." Latin Expression will be joined by opener Umami, a local Bellingham band whose electronica sound promises to get the crowd dancing in the street. On August 11th, Downtown Sounds will come to an end with a performance by the New Iberians, a Portland-based zydeco band. The New Iberians are a club and festival favorite in the Pacific Northwest due to their upbeat sound, which combines a little bit of Cajun and a whole lot of zydeco, blues and rock and roll. The New Iberians will be joined by an exciting new Bellingham-based rock and roll band, The Sunshine Bumper. The Sunshine Bumbers are gaining recognition for their unique sounds, which is created by overdriven guitar and provocative bluesy Janis Joplin-like vocals. In addition to great music and dancing, visitors to Downtown Sounds can enjoy family friendly activities like face painting, chalk art, on-site screen printing from INNATE and a rock climbing wall provided by Backcountry Essentials. Visitors can also enter for the chance to win a new bicycle donated by Kulshan Cycles. Food will be available on-site for purchase from The Mount Bakery, Peace Love Pizza and Rocket Donuts. The American Museum of Radio and Electricity and Boundary Bay will provide refreshments for the over 21 crowd. The 2010 Downtown Sounds is supported by generous community sponsors including: Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro, American Museum of Radio and Electricity, Bayou on Bay, Temple Bar, Mount Bakery, Rocket Donuts, Best Western Heritage Inn, WTA, Kulshan Cycles, Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Sanitary Service Company, Grandview Sign and Awning Company, Amjay Screen Printing, Towner Press Inc., Cascadia Weekly, Cascade Radio Gorup, Chamber of Commerce, Appliance Depot, Kulshan Community Land Trust, Slum Doctor Programme, RESources, Haggen, Home Depot, the Groove Merchant Northwest and the City of Bellingham.
For more information and updates, visit DowntownBellingham.com or stop by the Downtown Bellingham Visitor Center at 1304 Cornwall Avenue, near the intersection of Cornwall and Holly Streets in downtown Bellingham.
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 Bite of Bellingham Showcases Best Of Town And You Vote!Eat. Drink. Vote!
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is pleased to announce it's 5th Annual Bite of Bellingham presented by Portionables, happening August 21st from 12:00-4:00 PM. Indulge your taste buds in delicious food from over 20 Bellingham restaurants. This year we have added our first Beer & Wine Garden, where we have gathered nine of the best wineries and breweries from our region. Bite attendees will have an opportunity to vote for Bellingham's "Best Bite," "Dreamiest Drink," and "Sweetest Sweet." To accompany drinks and bites, there will be music provided by Polecat, Robert Blake, Pete Farmer and Vaughn Kreestoe! The Bite of Bellingham will take place on the 1300 block of Cornwall Avenue. All ages are welcome, but ID is required for the Beer & Wine Garden. Admission to the event is free, with food and beverage tickets for sale at entry. At $1 per ticket, Bite prices range from 1-3 tickets while entrees range from 4-7 tickets. Sips in the Beer & Wine Garden range from 1 ticket for a 5oz. beer taste to 1-3 tickets for a 2oz. wine taste. The 2010 Bite of Bellingham is supported by generous community sponsors including: Portionables Inc., Silver Reef Casino, Comcast, Bellingham Alive, Avenue Express by Avenue Bread, The Copper Hog, Whatcom Winemakers, Greenhouse, The Leopold, People's Bank and Banner Bank, Cascadia Weekly, KISM, Sunshine Printing, Sanitary Service Company, Birch Equipment Rental, Cash & Carry, Hertz Rental, Bellingham Screen Printing, Signs by Tomorrow, NW Safety Signs Inc., The Chrysalis Inn and Spa, Pickford Film Center, Boundary Bat Brewery and Bistro, and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership. The Bite is a fdun way for local vendors to compete to be Bellingham's best restaurant, and an opportunity for attendees to broaden their horizons, experience new foods and drinks, and then choose their favorite! Last year's event drew a crowd of over 3,700. For a complete list of this year's participating restaurants. breweries and wineries, and additional information visit downtownbellingham.com/bite. |
 2011 Downtown Map & Business Directory
It is that time of year again, the Partnership is gearing up for organizing the 2011 Downtown Bellingham Map and Business Directory and we are excited to have our members participate! The 2010 map was an enormous success with over 60 listings and featured Family Friendly businesses, a project through the Whatcom County Health Department.
The 2011 map will include business listings, a calendar of events, information on downtown and advertising spaces throughout the publication. In the coming year, the maps will be distributed at the Downtown Bellingham Visitor Center, local and regional Convention and Visitor's Bureau locations, Chamber of Commerce, participating businesses, university and college campuses, local lodging facilities and other high traffic venues.
Your participation in the 2011 Downtown Map and Business Directory is a not-to-be-missed advertising opportunity and a great chance to help attract and orient residents and visitors to Downtown Bellingham. Keep your eyes and ears open as we will be contacting you with further information in August! If you have any questions, please contact Alex.
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Partnership Programs & Deadlines
As a
member, you not only support our ongoing advocacy on behalf of downtown, you
have the opportunity to benefit from a variety of programs and member discounts
the Partnership offers throughout the year. Please be aware of the following programs and deadlines in order to
realize maximum value from your membership.
Downtown Info Center:
Each
member receives a free brochure slot at the center and a free listing and link on our interactive online map at DowntownBellingham.com. We accept brochures for the center year round. Additional business advertising is available for a
low fee at the center and on our website.
Map & Business Directory:
We publish
this popular publication annually. The
2010 downtown Directory is available and has been distributed
throughout the region from Seattle
to Vancouver. All participating businesses have received their maps and more are available at the center. Please look forward to hearing about the 2011 downtown Directory
Cooperative Marketing Promotions:
The Partnership
organizes cooperative advertising campaigns to help leverage your advertising
dollars. Our 2010 campaigns
will include the Bellingham Escapes marketing campaign, Ladies Night Out, the Sidewalk Sale and Shop Where Your Heart Is.
Downtown Dollars:
Participation
in the program is free with a small fee when Dollars are spent in your
business. We accept new participants anytime.
Promotional Events:
The Partnership
organizes events throughout the year that attract thousands of people to
downtown. These include Art Walks,
Downtown Sounds, the Bite of Bellingham and Trick or Treat.
If you have further questions about your membership, contact Alex. |
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About Us
Since 2000, the Downtown Bellingham Partnership has been the only organization that unites the diverse interests that define our city center. Through our network of members, we present a powerful voices for Downtown Bellingham.
1304 Cornwall Avenue | 360.527.8710 | downtownbellingham.com
Bellingham, WA 98227
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