Let There Be (New) Light!

We’re all very excited here at Boundary Bay Brewery because we’re finally changing over all of our lights our Tap Room to energy efficient LED lighting!  Our Bistro lights were already LED spots, but we hadn’t found dimmable alternatives for our Tap Room that we were happy with.  Until now!

We are actively participating in Bellingham’s Community Energy Challenge and this is just one step in our journey to continue becoming as sustainable as possible.  We’ve been working with Martin Selch – the Commercial Conservations Specialist – and all the great folks at Sustainable Connections.

The Community Energy Challenge (a program of two local non-profit organizations: Sustainable Connections and the Opportunity Council) is working with more than 110 small businesses and has performed assessments at over 650 homes around Whatcom County to cut energy costs while reducing pollution.  The program is paid by grants through the government and utility providers, so they aren’t trying to sell any specific product or equipment.

The CEC helps local homes and businesses save energy and money with personalized recommendations, connections to vetted local contractors, financial incentives, exclusive low-interest financing and quality assurance.  The lighting replacement here at our brewery was thanks to a new addition to the CEC’s business program that provides free efficient lighting to qualifying businesses.

Best of all, these new LED lamps that we’re installing last over 10 years, are dimmable and use 80% less energy than the ones that were replaced!  So, next time you’re in our Tap Room, look up and check out our brand new Endura bulbs by Phillips.

Support the Opportunity Council at Boundary Bay Brewery

Join us Friday, November 20th, for another Late Show at Boundary Bay Brewery!  Brent Amaker & the Rodeo and guest Chris Con Carne will play in the tap room to help raise money for the Opportunity Council here in Bellingham, WA.

The Opportunity Council is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency serving homeless and low-income families and individuals. Their goal is to help people learn to become self-sufficient.  They offer a broad scope of services that range from addressing immediate and crisis-oriented needs (food, emergency shelter, eviction-prevention) to longer-term programs that promote self-sufficiency in our community (early childhood education, home weatherization).

In 1965, the Opportunity Council began as a grassroots group of volunteers and staff, working with a borrowed typewriter and furniture out of a small corner in the Whatcom County Courthouse. This Community Action model was a product of the Economic Opportunity Act signed by President Lynden B. Johnson in 1964 to

help low income people.  Today, the Opportunity Council continues to be a vital Community Action Agency, one of 1,000 Community Action Agencies nationwide. Their 175 full- and part-time employees serve over 18,000 people a year.

Brent Amaker and the Rodeo

As for the music:

Brent Amaker‘s voice will tell you everything you need to know about the Rodeo.  The rhythm is kept on a two-piece drum kit and minimal electric lead guitar provides the only counterpoint to Amaker’s deep, dark voice.  The songs have a stark, bare, traditional sound that still fills the room. This band’s music and lyrics walk a line between simplicity and depth, irony and honesty.  Which is a fancy way of saying that these boys will have you crying in your beer and laughing out loud, pumping your fist and scratching your head.  If you come looking for answers, you may be disappointed. But if you come looking for a good time, you’re on the right trail.

Chris Con Carne is a Bellingham, WA duo featuring Chris Lamb on Mississippi delta slide guitar and Dan Lowinger on drums (he’s also the guitarist of The Footstompin’ Trio). More than just another duo, this two-piece has quite a following in the NW, spreading the gospel in bars and taverns in towns large and small. No other band conjures up the sound, feel and smell of Bellingham’s world famous 3-B Tavern like these boys. So grab yerself a beer and kick back with the raw blues of Chris Con Carne.

Dine Out at Boundary Bay for Maple Alley Inn!

Boundary Bay Brewery will be participating in Dine Out 2009: an all day event that raises money for Maple Ally Inn, an  Opportunity Council program that provides hot meals for people in need.  On May 5th, Boundary, along with many other local restaurants, will donate 20% of our sales from the day to Maple Alley Inn (click here for a complete list of participating restaurants). Whatcom and Bellingham residents can “dine out” for breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday, May 5, and be an active part of raising money for people in need.

“We’re seeing an increasing number of people who are hungry and come to Maple Alley Inn for a hot, nutritious meal,” said Sheri Emerson, Opportunity Council spokesperson. “This annual “Dine Out” event, together with our wonderful volunteers, helps us continue providing meals for people in need.”

The Opportunity Council also accepts individual donations for Maple Alley Inn. Checks payable to Opportunity Council Maple Alley Inn can be mailed to 1111 Cornwall Ave. Suite C, Bellingham, WA 98225.