Meet the Innkeeper
Meet Margie Arndt and her daughter Tammi
Waverly Place Bed & Breakfast
Spokane, WA
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WBBG
Making a Difference
Angela Elgee, a member of the WBBG and soon to be an innkeeper, tells her story
During my first meeting with Skagit County I was told no one in years has gotten a B&B permit because installing an overhead fire sprinkler and meeting ADA requirements was cost prohibitive for most. Sure enough, the estimates I obtained totaled nearly $100K. More importantly, the "homey" architecture would be destroyed.
I worked for the federal government for 20 years and knew associations were much more persuasive than individuals so I got on the internet and found WBBG. Luckily, WBBG had an “aspiring innkeeper” program which I joined immediately. Best decision I ever made!
I was quickly assigned mentors, including Don Malatesta, who was very knowledgeable of government regulations. Long story short, Don sent me all of the reference materials showing me the codes had changed in 2010 allowing owner occupied B&Bs with 5 guest rooms or less to be exempt from overhead fire sprinkler and ADA requirements. I shared that information with my architect who researched it and yes, he agreed.
I told the County we wanted to discuss the change of requirements in the next meeting. Well, they must have done their own research because they rolled right over without any argument in the meeting and agreed with Don.
There is no doubt in my mind that Skagit County will sit up and take notice any time WBBG comes to the table!
Visit her website here. |
WBBG Annual Meeting
We Need Your Talent!
Do you have a talent you would be willing to share? Do you sing, play an instrument, tell jokes, or dance? WBBG has been working hard to plan our November annual meeting and it is shaping up to be one of the best! We're still looking for a few volunteers to provide entertainment after our main dinner on Monday(November 5). Prizes will be offered! Please share your talents and help us make this a fun event. Contact Julie McAferty with your ideas at vpmembership@wbbg.com or call 206-729-8700.
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And for Breakfast...
Blueberry Morning Cake
Serves 6-8
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tsp. lemon zest or more — zest from 1 large lemon
3/4 cup and 2 tablespoons
1 egg, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 cups fresh blueberries
½ cup buttermilk
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Cream butter with lemon zest and 3/4 cup of the sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Toss the blueberries with ¼ cup of flour, then whisk together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Add the flour mixture to the batter a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk. Fold in the blueberries.
4. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with butter or coat with non-stick spray. Spread batter into pan. Sprinkle batter with remaining tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick for doneness. If necessary, return pan to oven for a couple of more minutes. May take 10 extra minutes to bake....keep checking. Cool 10 minutes before cutting.
Enjoy this summer with those fresh blueberries
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Co-Presidential Musings!
Today, it feels like summer has come early in the NW. Business is picking up and we are entering the busy (read profitable) part of the year. Yahoo! With the busier bookings calendar can come less free time for innkeepers. That can mean less time for fraternizing and friendship. Fortunately, the new WBBG forum is there to give you an asynchronous way to connect with your fellow innkeepers. Take the time to register for the forum and then you can bookmark it and just stop in to see where you can get suggestions on a problem or help out others with their challenges.
I’ve noted that some members were having difficulty getting on the forum site. The reason is that it doesn’t just accept your WBBG username and password. Rather, it requires that you register a username and password for the forum. When you first navigate to www.forum.wbbg.com it will ask you for username and password. If it is your first time, you must select Register just above the username prompt. You can reuse your WBBG login credentials if you want, but your forum account has to be created before you can login and post on the site.
Another note: your username will be your “handle” on the forum. All your posts will be marked with that name. Bob’s, for example, is winemaker.
There will be other opportunities to take advantage of WBBG this coming Fall. We are planning more regional meetings and a great Annual Meeting Nov. 5-6 in Bremerton. Have a great summer!
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WBBG Lodging Maps
Did you receive your WBBG Lodging Maps?
Our 2012-2013 directory which we refer to as the WBBG Lodging Map has been mailed out to all members including over 150 visitors centers, chamber of commerce and tourist attractions. If you DID NOT RECEIVE your 2012-2013 Lodging Maps please contact Linda Dike at directory@wbbg.com.
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Do You Know a Good Agent?
The Cozy Rose, an inn located in Grandview, WA is selling after 20 successful years. Regretfully, they are selling because of serious health issues and would welcome any reasonable offer. If you know someone who is interested or an agent who would do a great job for Mark and Jennie, please contact them at: stay@cozyroseinn.com
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