WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The following business announcements were recently received by Whatcom News.
New Bellingham clinic to specialize in prediabetes, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, weight management, osteoporosis, osteopenia and bone health
Sandhya Gelou, MD and Alexander Gelou, MD have announced the opening of their specialty medical practice, The Diabetes, Osteoporosis & Weight Loss Center, PLLC, located at 2101 Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham. The clinic is scheduled to open on September 20th.
Sandhya said in a press release, “Having practiced medicine in this community we have firsthand experience with the limited access to specialized healthcare locally.” Alexander is also quoted as saying, “We intend to use our specialized training to fill this void, in part by increasing patient access and giving them a much better chance to improve their health and quality of life.”
More than $9 million needed to fund construction on new Lighthouse Mission Ministries facility
The proposed remodel of the Lighthouse Mission Ministries campus in Bellingham’s Old Town, including a new facility to replace the building at 910 W. Holly St., is entering the final stage of fundraising before starting construction.
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Click for more information“We’ve raised more than $13 million in cash and pledges through the generosity of major donors and organizations,” said Hans Erchinger-Davis, president and CEO of Lighthouse Mission Ministries. “But we still need more than $9 million to fund construction that will save and transform lives of many who currently are homeless in our community.
The new facility, which will be on Lighthouse Mission-owned property on 910 W. Holly St., will replace the 24-hour Base Camp emergency shelter on 1530 Cornwall Ave. It will include micro-shelters for families, working guests, elderly guests, and guests requiring mental health care. The number of total beds available overnight will go from 200 beds to 300 beds, with additional overflow capacity of 100 during severe weather.
Grand opening of a new Bellingham reflexology practice scheduled for September 22nd
Michele Nagy, the state-licensed and National Board-Certified reflexologist and massage therapist announced her new reflexology practice at Serene Footfalls, located at 1200 Dupont St., Unit 2A. Nagy says in her announcement reflexology’s gentle pressure therapy primarily focuses on specific points of the feet but can alternatively work on a client’s hands or face while clients remain fully clothed with only their feet exposed.
Nagy is quoted as saying in the announcement, “My goal is to help clients de-stress and relax so their body can heal itself.”
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Click for more informationNagy says she is 1 of only 2 state-licensed reflexologists currently practicing in Bellingham.
The grand opening will be at Serene Footfalls from 4pm to 7pm on September 22nd.
WECU donates $110,000 to 3 local nonprofits
WECU announced last week it will award a total of $110,000 to 3 local nonprofits as part of the credit union’s annual Education First Grant Program. Recipients are as follows.
- Bellingham Childcare and Learning Center
- Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
- Pickford Film Center
“These organizations are doing amazing work for our community.” said Jennifer Kutcher, WECU President and CEO. “We’re proud to be able to support them in this way.”
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Click for more informationThe program’s goal is to move forward education in its many forms in our community. Its focus on education recognizes WECU’s history as a credit union founded by Bellingham teachers in 1936. The three recipients join the 2021 recipients, bringing the total currently funded by the program to seven.
Grants will be allocated over a 2-year period.
New development to build 79 detached single-family condos in Lynden
Home construction will begin soon in River-Walk, a Lynden community offering views and pedestrian-friendly connectivity to downtown Lynden.
Most of the streets have been paved and foundation work is starting on the first of River-Walk’s 79 detached condominiums, according to project spokesperson Shane Bajema. He is one of its 4 partners with Tim Broersma, Brian Davidson and Greg Neufeldt, all living in the Lynden-Everson area.
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Click for more informationThe condominiums will range in size from 1,312 square feet to 2,047 square feet, plus attached garages or carports.
New manager announced for Ferndale Public Library
Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) officials announced Alix Prior is the new manager at the Ferndale Public Library. Former manager, Sarah Koehler, retired earlier this year after 25 years with WCLS.
Prior earned an undergraduate degree at Western Washington University and a master’s degree in social work from Portland State University. She has held a variety of roles supporting programs that provide shelter to individuals and families in Portland, Oregon. She was also the director of SafeChoice, a domestic violence program in Vancouver, Washington.
Prior moved to Ferndale in November 2021 and had been working as a housing programs coordinator with the Opportunity Council. She also serves on the board of Ferndale Community Services.