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| Partnership News | July 2011 |
Welcome the New Director!
Please join us in welcoming Rob Camandona as the new Executive Director of the Downtown Bellingham Partnership. A long-time Bellingham resident and civic leader, Camandona brings experience in tourism, finance, marketing and business management - key skills for continuing our work to improve downtown Bellingham. Camandona was chosen after a month and a half-long search and interview process which fielded several exceptional candidates.
Effective August 1, 2011, Camandona will replace Executive Director Kirsten Walker, who will continue her career as a planning consultant, and current Interim Director Susan Holden Walsh, an event and marketing consultant who is leading the Cascadia Arts Festival 2012. Walker stated: "This is an exciting time for the Partnership and I am enthusiastic about Rob's ability to take the organization to the next level. We all support him and wish him well."
Together with our members, the Partnership has celebrated several important milestones under Walker's leadership, including the:
- Rebranding, identity and name change from Downtown Renaissance Network to Downtown Bellingham Partnership;
- Introduction of a downtown visitors information center and website;
- Institution of the downtown landscaping program;
- Expansion of the downtown maintenance program;
- Seasonal hanging basket program;
- Parkade facelift (painting and courtyard landscaping);
- Expansion of Art Walk from quarterly to a monthly First Friday event; and
- Successful six and seven year runs of the Downtown Sounds summer concert series (Wednesdays from July 6 - August 3), and the annual Bite of Bellingham food festival (August 20th).
Partnership Board President Leslie Langdon, shared: "Rob has the qualifications, experience and energy to be a dynamic leader for the Partnership. That, coupled with his years on the Board and time as our Treasurer will enable him to 'hit the ground running' with innovative ideas and plans." Rob Camandona joins the Partnership from Banner Bank, where he has been a Relationship Manager for commercial lending. Camandona is an active Paul Harris Fellow in the Bellingham Sunrise Rotary Club, where he currently serves as Community Service Chair. He was previously the President and CEO of Toad Mountain Coffee and a manager for Holland America Line. Camandona is a graduate of Western Washington University with a B.A. in Philosophy. |
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CLEAN
@downtownbellingham
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The Partnership operates an e-mail dedicated to providing responsive service to our members in the Maintenance & Beautification District. If you notice a mess, a missing plant, graffiti or anything else in the district that needs our attention, e-mail clean@ downtownbellingham.com or call Peter Gunn at 961-8574. We will respond as promptly as possible to your report. Thank you for helping us continue to keep downtown clean and attractive!
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PBIA Info
| If you are interested in following the discussion about the proposed Parking and Business Improvement Area, please visit our PBIA web page for the latest updates. Or e-mail us at pbia@downtownbellingham.com
with questions.
The Partnership is holding bi-weekly informational meetings to discuss the PBIA proposal with community members. Also, Bob Brim and Robin Halliday, along with support from the Downtown Bellingham Partnership board and other property owners, have been talking with property owners individually and discussing the proposal to continue gathering the necessary signatures.
We invite all parties to attend the public meetings, listen, and share any questions or concerns about the Parking and Business Improvement Area proposal.
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 Downtown Sounds brings music to Bellingham's streets
Thousands of attendees downtown each Wednesday evening!
The Partnership's award-winning concert series, Downtown Sounds, celebrates its 7th anniversary with the best line-up yet! Sponsored by Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro, Downtown Sounds takes place in the Arts District on Bay Street, between Holly Street and West Champion Street. Music starts at 5:30 and runs until 9:30pm each Wednesday from July 6 until August 3.These Wednesday night concerts are free and offer something for all ages.
March Fourth Marching Band kicked off the series on July 6, transforming Bay Street into a gigantic dance party in the sunshine, with the largest turn-out of attendees in the history of the concert series. The July 13th Kytami and 20th Polyrhythmics and Acorn Project concerts also produced great crowd and lots of fun for all ages and abilities as people flocked to bay street. Next up:
- July 27 - Flowmotion w/ Tea Seas Little Big Band
- August 3 -The Moondoggies w/ Polecat and w/ Robert Sarazin Blake
In addition to great music and dancing, visitors to the Downtown Sounds Concert Series can enjoy family friendly activities like face painting and chalk art. Food will be available on-site for purchase from Man Pies, Peace Love Pizza and Diego's Mexican Grill. The American Museum of Radio and Electricity and Boundary Bay will provide refreshments for the over 21 crowd. The 2011 Downtown Sounds is supported by generous community sponsors: Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro, American Museum of Radio and Electricity, Manpies, Bayou on Bay, The Wild Buffalo, Logos, Little Tiger Toys, WTA, Kulshan Cycles, Casa Que Pasa, Kulshan Cycles, Whatcom Educational Credit Union, The Woods Coffee, Sanitary Service Company, Grand View Sign and Awning Company, Cascadia Weekly, Cascade Radio Group, Amjay Screen Printing, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest WA, Appliance Depot, Whatcom Land Trust, Sustainable Connections, Re-Sources, the Groove Merchant Northwest and the City of Bellingham. For more information, contact lindsey@downtownbellingham.com.
We encourage you not only to come enjoy Sounds but to create your own ways to capture this audience that we are bringing downtown to your doorsteps!
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Bite of Bellingham August 20 - Eat. Drink. Vote - for your favorite Bite! August is quickly approaching and the Bite of Bellingham, sponsored by Portionables (a Bellingham-based Sargento Company), is just around the corner. This year is shaping up to be yet another great event for downtown. Over twenty Bellingham vendors will be present, with a variety of cuisines ranging from Cajun and pub fare to modern American and Chinese. To add another dimension, a Kid's Korner and Beer Garden are in the works. Boundary Bay will be sponsoring our stage with performances from Kit Nelson, Emily Leopold and other local talent. We look forward to seeing you there! The 2011 Bite of Bellingham is supported by generous community sponsors including: Portionables Inc., Silver Reef Casino, Comcast and Dahl Electric. Supporting sponsors include Banner Bank, Chrysalis Inn and Spa, Greenhouse and Bellingham Cold Storage. Media sponsors include KISM, Cascadia Weekly, Bellingham Alive, the Bellingham Herald and Grow NW. In-Kind sponsors are provided by Birch Equipment, Sunshine Printing, Signs By Tomorrow, NW Safety Signs, Grand View Sign, SSC and Hertz. For information, contact hanna@downtownbellingham.com.
Make August 20th a great Saturday downtown with your own specials to capture the 3000 - 4000 attendees!
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Sidewalk Sale Feedback We would love to hear if you participated in the Sidewalk Sale July 8-10. How was your experience? If you did not participate, why not? As you know, Barb Lupo organized a group ad campaign for Sidewalk Sale and a series of Super Sidewalk Saturdays but could not get enough participants. We'd like to thank Barb again for her volunteer effort. Please send comments and feedback for future events to Rob Camandona. |
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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 2011 downtown directory is available and has been distributed throughout the region from Seattle to Vancouver. If you need more maps or wish to distribute them at your location, the maps are are available at the Partnership office.
Promotional Events:
The Partnership organizes events throughout the year that attract thousands of people to downtown. These include Art Walks, Downtown Sounds, Sidewalk Sale, the Bite of Bellingham and Trick or Treat. Check newsletters or our website for opportunities to be involved with these events. Also, we encourage our members to take advantage of the event crowds with specials and promotions before, during, and after the events.
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