News from Downtown Bellingham Partnership

Thank you to all of the businesses who participated in the November Artwalk: Allied Arts Of Whatcom County, The Amadeus Project, Artisans, Backcountry Essentials, Greenhouse, Jinx, PFC Dreamspace, Studio UFO, and Lucky Monkey.

Trick or Treat

We would also like to thank all of you who participated in our 10th Annual Downtown Trick or Treat event! Over 1,200 attendees came downtown to take part in this festive, family-friendly tradition. A special thanks to Little Tiger Toys for sponsoring the event and to Jessica Erickson, our intern who managed and coordinated it.

Board of Directors

President

Leslie Langdon

Vice President

Steve Crosier

Treasurer

Dianna Del Giorgio

Members

Jim Bjerke

Robert Brim

George Dyson

Murphy Evans

Chris Gerston

Cindy Meche

Cerise Noah

Bob Pritchett

Jill Radel

Ken Reinschmidt

Troy Wills

Ex-Officio

Carolyn Casey

Barry Buchanan

Susan Holden Walsh

Executive Director

Rob Camandona

From the Director...

If you haven't noticed, Fall has come to Downtown Bellingham. A few maple leaves remain clinging to branches, but we know their days are numbered and the barren trees they leave behind add up to one more reminder that winter is near. I know this reminder is depressing for some (though I think we value too highly the sun and heat of summer, and the beauty of living in a temperate climate, but I digress...), but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Winter isn't here yet, and one of our most cherished Autumn holidays lies just down the road.

Thanksgiving announces the end of Fall and the start of the holiday season, and for all of us, it presents a terrific opportunity to take stock of the goods in our lives. But this isn't a civics lesson, and it's not about soul searching, or making lemonade out of lemons. I'll leave those discussions to the teachers, clergy, and philosophers. This is about taking stock of downtown and being grateful for the good things it provides, if only briefly.

I spend most of my days listening, thinking, and talking about all of the ways in which downtown falls short and how it can be made better. I find this to be both important and engaging. And, that by virtue of being members in this organization, we're acknowledging that a coordinated effort to remedy and enhance the city center is, all things being equal, better than the alternative. However, perhaps it would be good for all of us this season to momentarily set aside downtown's defects, and consider those attributes for which we can be grateful.

For my part, I'm grateful that when I think about grabbing lunch, that I have many options to choose from, and that when I do finally choose a place, I'm likely to run into another member who made the same choice. And then, after that moment of being grateful, I can get back to the work of how to make downtown better.

Rob Camandona

Downtown Bellingham Map and Business Directory 2012

Want your business in the 2012 Downtown Bellingham Business Directory and Map? To sponsor the map or place an ad, or for more details, call or email our new marketing manager, Amy Vergillo: amy@downtownbellingham.com.

Holiday Promotion

Stay tuned for more information on an exciting new holiday promotion for members only.

Did you know?

We will publish your press releases and push them out to the entire membership as well as to the Partnership's Facebook and Twitter followers. Email Alyssa at alyssa@downtownbellingham.com and she'll take care of it!

Fresh Faces

Meet some of the new faces in our office!

Alyssa Deaton, Work Study, Membership Coordinator

"Hi I'm Alyssa. I'm a Freshman at Western, planning on majoring in elementary education. I'm from Yakima, WA and loving it here in Bellingham; even though I miss the sun! With this being my first real job, I am determined to try my best and help this community out! I'm happy to help assist you with any questions you have about your membership. Fill free to contact me anytime.

Amy Vergillo, Marketing Manager

I am so excited to join the Downtown Bellingham Partnership's team. I have lived and worked in Bellingham for almost 9 years and still think it's the most amazing place I've ever been. I love spending time downtown and look forward to meeting all of you. I'm open to your ideas and want to know how we can best help you and your business. I'll also be concentrating on increasing our membership base, so tell all of your neighbors about us! You can contact me anytime at amy@downtownbellingham.com.