We Speak to where you live.

Sea to Salt Shaker

Sea salt starts with seawater. When the water evaporates, the salt it contains is left behind in crystal form. Around the world, salt makers use a variety of methods to make that transformation happen, but many small producers rely on slow, careful processes that let…

History, Fantasy, and Everything in Between at Skagit Valley’s New Renaissance Faire | Faire du Well

Clashing swords, roasting turkey legs, magical creatures, and royals holding court. Where can you find all these things in the 21st century? At a renaissance faire, of course! Earlier this summer, Skagit County hosted its first full-weekend renaissance faire, a novel event called Faire du Well. Organized by…

Wine Pick of the Month | Airfield Estates Chardonnay

Airfield Estates Chardonnay delivers a smooth, sun-kissed profile that feels both relaxed and refined. Aromas of ripe apple, lemon curd and a touch of pineapple rise gently from the glass, layered with soft hints of toasted oak and warm vanilla. The first sip is round and inviting, with notes of orchard fruit, citrus and a subtle creaminess that adds depth without feeling heavy. A streak of fresh acidity…

A Hidden Gem in Coastal BC | Texada Island

The largest of the Gulf Islands along coastal British Columbia, Texada Island is somewhat of a hidden gem, despite being the largest Gulf Island. Accessible mainly by ferry from Powell River and about six hours from Vancouver, what does a trip to this, in a sense,…

Junior Roller Derby League Takes Skaters from Standing to Slamming | Subdued City Rollers

 A whistle tweets, signaling the end of the jam. Wheels squeak to a stop, and knee pads slam onto the shiny linoleum floor of the Lynden Skateway skating rink. At first glance, roller derby almost looks like wrestling on roller skates. “They eat, live, breathe the sport,” says Shreddy Bruisevelt, one of the coaches who started Whatcom County’s first junior roller derby league in…

A New Shine for Fairhaven Shoe Boutique | 12th Street Shoes

After over 20 years of owning Fairhaven shop 12th Street Shoes, Jody Proctor passed the mantle to Michelle Shines, a familiar face in the local boutique scene. Shines ran a shoe boutique in downtown Bellingham, Mi Shoes, from 2005 to 2017. She also owned Heroine Clothing and a mobile clothing boutique. After closing these businesses, Shines moved towards a career in health coaching and yoga instruction. “I was in a whole…

Self Expression and Confidence Through Skating

Terrified of what the other kids might think of him, Zac cowered, stuck in a stare-down with a jump ramp. For one day only, the students of North Middle School in Everett were allowed to bring their skateboards to school. The teachers had miraculously agreed to let their wood shop class craft a ramp for the skaters to try out for the field day. Zac…

An “Urban Nursery” Has Sprouted | Ferny’s Nursery

Nicknamed an “urban nursery” by Owner Max Wolf and famous photographer and employee Dylan Furst, Ferny’s Nursery lives next to a busy street and train tracks. Ferny’s mission is to “help inspire and create resilient landscapes through the use of native and edible plants in the urban environment,” and they are doing just that. From plant enthusiast to owning a plant nursery with his wife, Wolf began his career in 2018 with his landscape…

The Mixing Tin | Busker’s Espresso Martini

 Sumptuous and invigorating all at once, the Busker’s Espresso Martini from Penny Farthing at Chuckanut Bay Distillery is the perfect end to a delicious meal, and the start of a great night. Served up, cold, and sweet, this cocktail’s built on Chuckanut Bay Distillery’s smooth “grain-to-glass” vodka and their classic Old Busker Coffee Liqueur. Add in robust cold brew coffee,…

Mixing, Serving, Creating | Tera Richardson, Elk St. Tavern

On a late fall evening, with the sun falling behind the horizon, the dim of twilight pushing out the warm evening sun, and the…

Since Time Immemorial | Joshua Hillaire

Since Time Immemorial is a recurring series featuring community members whose families have been here since time immemorial. The ancestral knowledge carried by Lhaq’temish (Lummi), Nooksack, and other Coast Salish peoples is knowledge about how to live in our…

The Feast of the Decade | Bellingham SeaFeast

The 2026 Bellingham SeaFeast will be the culmination of a decade of celebrating the maritime community that sits at the core of the Puget Sound. Back in 2016, SeaFeast began as a two-day festival…