Community: Ice For Your Cell Phone

Ice is catching on in Canada and may catch on with emergency services in the states. In Case of Emergency or ICE was started in London, England as a quick way to learn more about an injured person. It entails entering personal information in your cell phone under the heading ICE. Emergency personal are trained to check the cell phone for ICE information. This information should include a contact number and other medical information. You can have multiple ICE's by adding numbers at the end.
This hasn't been officially started in Washington, but considering how it is catching on worldwide, it would be worthwhile to have ICE in your cell phone.

Computers: Vista, For Better and Worse

In his article for the Washington Post, personal technology columnist Rob Pegoraro delves into the pros and cons of Microsoft's new operating system, Vista.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/26/AR2007012602026.html?referrer=email&referrer=email&referrer=email
For those of you who are still using Windows XP, not to worry--most of the world will also continue using XP and Community Education will be offering XP classes for at least the rest of this school year. If you are buying a new computer with Vista, look for our new Vista classes in Fall 2007 or Winter 2008.

Digital Imaging: Larrabee State Park - Picture

Digital Imaging: Larrabee State Park a Great Picture Spot in Winter

Finding interesting picture spots is always difficult during the gray days of winter. For our digital camera students, checkout Larrabee State Park.

At low tide, climb around the base of the rocks and experiment with shooting the patterns and colors found their. These rocks make for excellent pictures and give you experience with a more art-based photography. When you get your pictures home, try increasing the saturation in of the picture in your photo software, this will bring out the color even more.

At a really low tide, you will also find some tide pool critters to take pictures of. If nothing else works, you always have a great view and a relaxing place to spend a hour on a winter day.

Community: What Makes Up a 911 Call

Have you ever wondered how a 911 call works? Ever wonder what to expect during a call? The Bellingham Herald had an awesome article on 911 calls this morning explaining how they work, what to expect, and information you should be ready to give when calling. A great article to read and share with your kids.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/47343.html

Cooking: A review of the mouthwatering food at Fool's Onion

Last fall, our "Harvest Dinner at the Winery" class was a success due to starry skies, fine wine--and the delicious catering from Fool's Onion. Now you can enjoy their tasty international dishes anytime at the new Fool's Onion restaurant in Fairhaven. The Bellingham Herald and our students agree---Fool's Onion food is divine!

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/135/story/47196.html

Washington employers can receive $29 million tax break

The federal government is reauthorizing $29 million in addition tax breaks for those employers who hire veterans, ex-offenders, and other hard to place job seekers. This program provides up to a $2400 dollar credit towards federal taxes and can be applied for by submitting an application to the Washington State Employment Office.

Click here for more information

Bilingual Abilities Pay Off

Dave Gallagher, Business Editor of The Bellingham Herald, highlighted Whatcom's Command Spanish classes in addition to noting the demand for workers in various industries to know Spanish.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/117/story/47019.html

Here at Community Education we are excited to add Command Spanish to our language offerings. While our general Spanish classes are great for people who are interested in becoming fluent in the language for travel or personal enrichment, Command Spanish is ideal for people who need to learn specific Spanish phrases for their work in a short amount of time. Learn all about our Command Spanish program at http://www.whatcomcommunityed.com/spanish/index.htm

New Passport Rules will Effect Your Travel Plans

New passport rules went into effect today. If you are flying out of the country and want to get back in, you will need to have a passport. Land travel, still doesn't require a passport until next year.
If you have vacation plans coming up in the next couple months, you need to act fast. The word on the net is that passport process is jammed up here in the US and in Canada (shout out to our Canadian students!). It can take more than a month to get a passport.

For more information about the newest change, checkout the New Requirements for Travelers page on the State Departments website on passports.

Enough Storm Damage for a Timber Sale

Stanley Park in Canada has been in the news with all the storm damage it took and the millions it will require to fix-up the park. Thousands of trees came down in Stanley Park and professional loggers have been called in to clean it up.

It seems our own Deception Pass State Park was hard hit as well. It seems enough large trees fell to have a small timber sale. The money from the timber sale will go to cover some of the nearly $30,000 needed to clean-up the park from the storm.

This is good! For all you digital photographers out there, Deception Pass is a year-around photo opportunity.

http://access.wa.gov/news/2007/Jan/n2007018_8581.aspx

Weather is Always a Challenge

The last month or so has been a big challenge for Community Education as far as weather is concerned. Decisions about closing are made by the college President and Vice-President.

When the college is closed, we will make an attempt to call workshop students and let them know what is going on with their class. In most cases we will re-schedule the class at a later date. If we can't re-schedule a class or class session, we will always refund your money.

For more information on our cancelled class policy, checkout our website at: http://www.whatcomcommunityed.com/inclement_weather.htm

Whatcom College's main website at http://www.whatcom.ctc.edu
is updated regularly with updated information during inclement weather.

Tom Hodge Starts Ukulele Club With Fellow Musicians

Tom Hodge, our much beloved guitar and Ukulele instructor was featured in the Bellingham Herald today. It seems he and fellow ukulele lover Aryn Whitewolf have started B.U.G. or Bellingham Ukulele Group.

The first meeting had over twenty players of all skill levels showing up. For those readers interested in the club you can contact Tom Hodge at 734-2472 or email him at tom.hodge@comcast.net .

The article in the Herald is located at http://www.bellinghamherald.com/129/story/45483.html
Remember: Herald articles go into archive after a couple weeks.

It's Not the Name That Counts, It's What You Sell

There was a little tidbit in the Bellingham Herald today about Montana Furniture changing it's name to Cascade Fine Furniture because "customers thought all we sold was log furniture."

That brings up a good point for all small businesses. Your name is only important if it helps sell your product or service.

Years ago, I worked for a computer store in town and the owner put up a lighted sign featuring the companies name with three dimensional graphics and multiple colors. Cost a mint, looked impressive... and people came in all the time wondering what we did. I spent $50 bucks and ordered a vinyl banner that said "computers" and hung it on the side of the building. More people came in and they never mentioned the nice sign again.

You just can't get caught up in a name.