Title Alternative

Klipsun, April 2003

Volume and Number

Vol. 33, Issue 4

Files

Download

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Publication Date

4-2003

Creator

Western Washington University

Editor in Chief

Tillman, Karla

Publisher

Western Washington University

City

Bellingham, WA

Production Staff

Managing Editor: Emily Christianson; Copy Editor: Tarin Erickson; Story Editors: Dian McClurg, Kiko Sola; Co-Lead Designers: Stephanie Whitaker, Kit Shaughnessy; Designer: Brooke Smith; Online Editor: Quoc Tran; Writers: Betsy Anderson, Jeanna Barrett, Kristina Beall, Eric Berto, Matt Black, Courtney Brousseau, Veronica Bruffy, Suzanne DeSelms, Robin Duranleau, Ivory Firsching, Jeff Hoffman, Brandon Ivey, Scott Lefeber, Candace Nelson, Romeelah Payofelin, Ivy Plewman, Christina Tercero

Description

Last summer I spent 20 hours per week working as a public relations intern at the Whatcom Museum of History & Art. Although I wore a nametag that said “VOLUNTEER,” I was not doing the work entirely for free — I was receiving university credit. When my supervisor asked me to write a feature story for the member newsletter about museum volunteers, I was surprised to discover that hundreds of people contribute their time and energy (for free) to this downtown landmark. As they contribute to the museum, they are ultimately improving the Bellingham community.

Although Klipsun doesn’t normally have a theme, we editors decided to use one for this issue. We instructed our staff to write stories focusing on individuals, organizations, nonprofit groups, volunteers, programs, events, businesses or anything else that contributes in some way to the improvement of communities within Whatcom County. Sound too general? That’s because it was; we didn’t want to be too specific. And the result was exactly what we had hoped for. We received a diverse collection of stories. Some you might expect; others might surprise you.

Community improvement is happening everywhere, not just in the places or with the people you’d imagine. For example, have you ever noticed the decorative benches and colorful metal garbage cans on the sidewalks of downtown Bellingham? When I worked at a downtown shop, every day I’d throw out my coffee cup into one of the hideous concrete garbage bins on the sidewalk in front of our store. One day I stepped out to toss my cup, but the garbage bin was gone. We complained about the inconvenience for a week, mumbling about the perishable items (e.g., banana peels) that created a stench in our store’s overflowing garbage can. But as I complained, I had no idea that bright, festively designed garbage bins had been created and were in the process of being placed throughout downtown. And with the addition of artsy new benches, a little color was added to this business district. People actually took the time to think about how downtown could be improved, and how they could contribute to beautifying the area.

After reading these stories, I was more thankful for those who work to make our community a better place. I think you might be too.

Photography Editor

Parker, Evan E.

Advisor

Duke, Shearlean

Publisher (Digital Object)

Resources made available by the Special Collections, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, and www.klipsunmagazine.com/.

Type

Text

Geographic Coverage

Bellingham (Wash.)

Disciplines

Higher Education | Journalism Studies

Keywords

Student life

Description

Independent Student Publication at Western Washington University

Document Type

Issue

Rights

This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Klipsun Magazine, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Subject-Topical (LCSH)

College students’ writings, American--Washington (State)--Bellingham--Periodicals; Universities and colleges--Washington (State)--Bellingham--Periodicals

Subject-Names (LCNAF)

Western Washington University--Students--Periodicals; Western Washington University

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

Klipsun Magazine, 2003, Volume 33, Issue 04 - April
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