An Easy Day Trip with Fall-ish Vibes | Camano Island

It’s been coined “the easy island” for its bridge access, but Camano has more to offer than its lack of ferry lines. Less than an hour from Bellingham, with pristine beaches, plenty of hiking options, and foodie-worthy eats, Camano checks the box for a cozy fall day trip. Step Into Nature Pack your Merrells—Camano is full of easy hikes and combable shores. The island is home to two state parks: Camano Island…

Since Time Immemorial | Xwesultun Raven Borsey

 Xwesultun Raven Borsey is a graduate student in cultural anthropology at Western Washington University, where as an undergraduate he won the 2024 Outstanding Student Award. He is Young Tribal Leader and Culture Keeper at Children of the Setting Sun…

Behind the Scenes at Water Tank Bakery

Flour poofs into the air, rich with the smell of baking bread. Three people stand around a table of thick wooden butcher block, quickly shaping dough into loaves of bread. Behind them, amassive oven radiates heat into the 80-degree room. Every surface is covered in a thin layer of flour. Next to the oven sit racks and racks of loaves, which are in the process of “proofing”before they bake. This is…

Gathering for a Good Cause | Hotel Bellwether’s Holiday Trees

Last year’s Holiday Trees at Hotel Bellwether was a huge hit, raising more than $10,000 for Skookum Kids. Voting kicked off on Dec. 7 and ran throughout the month, with visitors…

Literary Arts in the North Sound

Our September issue is all about the arts, which might at first bring to mind paintings and dance performances—but literature is a huge part of the arts scene too! The North Sound is a hotbed of literary activity, from writing classes and retreats to independent bookstores that put Amazon’s recommendation algorithm to shame. Here are just a handful of our favorite ways to celebrate the literary arts in our bookish corner of the world. Literary Festivals If…

WWU QueerCon

I first heard about WWU QueerCon just one day before the event. It was late April, and Bellingham was just starting to really blossom with activity like it does every Spring. I was…

Hiatus Campers

Life partners Erin and Tyler founded Hiatus Campers in 2018 based on their love of adventure. The native Washingtonian UW alums met at the campus climbing gym. Tyler, an Industrial Design graduate, had always loved working with his hands. He spent years commercial fishing in Alaska, which also allowed him to develop his fabrication background through use of specialized equipment. After graduation, Tyler and Erin built their first hard-sided pop-up camper and traveled…

The Star Behind The Orion

As you walk down Holly Street toward the bustling streets in downtown Bellingham, you come across a mysterious yet welcoming set of stairs with a large star at the top. It draws you in and takes you to the front door of The Orion. As you step inside, you are embraced with constellations lining the walls and the sound of games from the ‘80s consuming you.  With every…

Beloved Bakery Adds Savory to Their Sweets | Barb’s Pies and Pastries

When strolling down Main Street in Ferndale, you might spot a powder-blue bakery sign promising scrumptious treats. Once you step inside, you’ll likely find the namesakes of Barb’s…

Drag Me 2 Church

Sunday nights in downtown Bellingham are usually quiet. After the Friday and Saturday night buzz is over, the streets are still. However, this could…

Offering Brightness and Joy in Dark Times | Soul*drift’s Valentine’s Love Cabaret at Amendment 21

February can be a hard month. All the joy and brightness of the holiday season has passed, and the excitement of the new year is starting to wane (as is your dedication to resolutions, if you’re like most people). Sure, there’s a heart-filled holiday in there,…

It’s All About the Atmosphere: Raven’s Cup Coffee and Reclamation Candle Company

Are you visiting the relaxing small town of La Conner? Don’t forget to stop by Raven’s Cup Coffee, a local coffee shop that also is an art gallery and a candle shop.    Co-Owners Greg Whiting and Jenelle Whitton have worked to make the shop multifunctional after buying…

Wearable Works of Art by Women

Bellingham is full of femme creatives, and many of these artists make wearable works of art that can be shown off every day rather than just hung up…

Multicultural Recipes

I created my recipe blog, The Little Ferraro Kitchen, nearly 10 years ago to share my love for world cuisine and to share my diverse cultural background. All of the places I’ve lived constantly…

The Perfect Martini Bar

He was a real estate agent and she was an accountant. Neither had any intentions to buy a martini bar, but a decade ago, Becky and JD Merris did exactly that.  

Q&A with Gardening Expert Ciscoe Morris

Check out this Q&A for tips on how to make your spring garden flourish.

20 Local Gifts Under $20

Whether you’re shopping for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day or just want to spread some love to family and friends, these gifts are sure to satisfy without hurting your wallet. Plus, they’re all from retailers in Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan Counties, so you can keep the love local.

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Homemade Pretzels

Homemade pretzels entered my life when my in-laws gifted me a class at the King Arthur Baking School, at the Bread Lab in Skagit Valley. When it was time to decide which exact class, the choice to enroll in the pretzel making course was a no–brainer. The hands–on experience was fun…

Bow Wow & Woofs Launches Pet Pantry for Pets in Need

Bow Wow & Woofs offers a pet pantry for owners struggling to feed their pets during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Valley Made Market Goes Virtual

Valley Made Market’s digital platform allows you to continue supporting local, with the same handmade products you know and love.

Why I have a love-hate relationship with HGTV

In an era of ease, the network HGTV is reminding generations of homeowners that housework is possible. Renovation shows are inspiring countless trends and reminding us that, “the first step in bringing an idea to life is putting pen to paper.” We love these messages! But as much as we love HGTV… we also sort of hate it. Hear us out: What is their problem with ignoring the idea of recycling or…

Electric Vehicles for Everyman

Thinking of switching to an electric vehicle? Here’s some words of wisdom from a dealer-trade driver.

Despite Closings, Area Schools Deliver Lunches

With the continuing spread of COVID-19, we’re living in uncertain times. Restaurants and bars are closed, people are working from home, and notably, schools are closed. Not only does this mean K-12 students in Whatcom County are missing out on classes, but it also means many are missing out on meals. Of the 29.8 million students who receive school lunches each day in the U.S., more than 67 percent, or 20.2 million students, receive lunch for free.

Here’s what local schools are doing to make sure no students go hungry:

Embracing the Chaos

Editorial/Marketing Coordinator Anelyse Morris shares her experience growing up as a military child, and how it led her to journalism.

Red roses are a classic Valentine’s Day gift, but they come at a cost.

Roses are red, violets are blue. But as a Valentine, you may want to try something new.

Four-Legged Fitness Hero

Meet the Bellingham cat that has taken the internet by storm, one paw at a time.

Eat, Drink, Read, Repeat with Life Between the Pages

Life Between the Pages—A collaborative book club between Evolve, Village Books, and local bars creates an immersive literary experience.

Big Rock Garden Park

This month’s online exclusive is all about Big Rock Garden Park, an easy, local outing that offers accessible trails and plenty to see.

Private School Breakdown

With schools back in session, we took a closer look at private school options in Whatcom, San Juan, and Skagit counties—from Christian and Catholic schools to non-denominational academies.

Something Delicious

This month’s online exclusive covers one more traveling eatery—not a food truck, but a mobile food tent serving up some cheesy goodness.

Patriotic Parties

Still wondering where to go for the Fourth? In this month’s online exclusive, we highlight the best places around the Sound to watch the fireworks boom.

Lime Time

This month’s online exclusive is a sneak peek at our summer barbecue feature — a grilled margarita shrimp recipe that is sure to wow your guests.

Travel Destinations

April’s Online Exclusive spotlights two additional Travel Destinations: Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, and Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.

Wholesale Seafood in the North Sound

Our online exclusive this month showcases companies that provide local, fresh wholesale seafood from Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan counties, and Alaska.

‘Thrill of the Hunt,’ But Also Danger

Kara Nelson describes what it’s like to be married to a commercial fisherman. Her husband, Laeth, is gone for extended periods of time for much of the year.

Beyond Clearing the Clutter

Monika Kristofferson shares tools for change to help you clear away the clutter. Learn how to make decisions to organize your home and feel more empowered.

Oh, Christmas Tree

As you are preparing for the holidays, here is a list of local, U-cut Christmas tree farms around Whatcom and Skagit counties.

Wellness Centers

Continuing with our series of wellness centers, we bring you a unique type of therapy: hypnosis. Kelley Woods of the Woods Hypnosis Center shares her view.

Midterm Elections are Coming Nov. 6

It’s midterm elections again, and Bellingham Alive is here to help with tools for registering, ballot drop-offs, and helpful websites. Vote by Nov. 6!

Deception Distilling

In this web exclusive, you can take an inside look into the family-run business in Anacortes, Deception Distilling and get the recipe for Lavender and Lace.

Therapy: Float Tanks, or Sensory Deprivation Tanks

Epsom salt float tanks help relax muscles, pressure on joints, and alleviate stress.

On The Street

Local residents share their thoughts, views, and concerns about Bellingham’s waterfront development project at Waypoint Park.

Working its way into the mainstream

Acupuncture This wellness therapy has become so widespread that people are even taking their dogs in for treatment. But for people, this therapy has been around for eons. Good for helping with: chronic pain, anxiety/depression, high blood pressure, stress management, infertility, sexual dysfunction, asthma, insomnia, menopause, and a variety of other ailments. Theory behind the therapy: Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that is based on treating the entire body, rather…

Bad Boys in the Garden

Pesky Plants to Avoid We gave you the best and easiest plants to grow in your Pacific Northwest garden, but it’s also invaluable to know what not…

Wellness Centers

In recent years, health and wellness centers are catering to clients who want far more than feel-good country spas and or…

Bellingham Olympian Angeli VanLaanen

Angeli VanLaanen is Bellingham’s lone, home-grown winter Olympian, and after years of traveling and competing on the high-flying, high-pressure world of international freestyle skiing, she is putting down roots where she started. She sounds content, relieved almost, to be watching the 2018 Games that begin Feb. 8 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. “I kind of always thought I would end up back here,” said the 2014 Olympian VanLaanen by…

One-on-one Interview with Paula Poundstone

For a standup comedian, Paula Poundstone asks a lot of questions. She is quirky, inquisitive, and brilliant, all traits evident during her September show at Bellingham’s Mount Baker Theatre. She keeps a punishing touring schedule – she is booked for 35 shows in the first half of 2018 alone – and her routine is only partly one – about a third…

Let Phoenix Desert and Sun Heat Up Your Winter

Escape the gray and head to sunny Arizona. Nestled in the urban core of the Grand Canyon state discover the bustling city of Greater Phoenix boasting more than 300 days of sunshine annually. And there’s no better time than now to come play in this Sonoran playground. Take a day to soak in the sun and explore the desert landscape. Exhilarate yourself and soar up, up and away in a hot air balloon….

Hometown Pot Shop

Big cities in Washington have seen a boom of new marijuana stores in the last few years. New shops can be found all over Seattle and even Bellingham. But not every store’s goal is to make it big in the big city. Smuggler Brothers in Sedro-Woolley is maintaining a small-town identity in the growing world of marijuana sales. Purchasing Manager Olas Yoho said one of the most unexpected aspects of being in a small town…

More Than You Can Chew

Did you have breakfast today? How about lunch? Maybe a little snack before dinner? For as long as I can remember, the expectation has always been that you have to eat a “hearty breakfast” to start your day, followed by a light lunch and then dinner. Some have even gone so…

No Dairy? No Problem

One of the greatest tragedies of being lactose intolerant is the inability to enjoy one of the best go-to foods there are—pizza. You can, of course, make your own recipes at home, but there’s nothing that quite compares with going out with friends, ordering a pitcher of beer and a large pie….

The Ins and Outs of the Top Knot

One of the biggest-trending hair styles I see these days is the “high bun,” popularly known known as the “top knot.” This hairstyle is so quick and simple, you can apply it before you cook breakfast, and it’ll translate throughout the day as you drop off the kids, run your errands, meet your friends for happy hour and wash your…

Overcoming Hearing Loss

Student finds community at Western Johanna Urbach isn’t sure when she lost the ability to hear in her right ear. One possible explanation is when she was 15 months old and received shots, she couldn’t sit up straight afterwards and got an ear infection. While this…

Sipping Chocolate Fits to a Tea

Evolve’s Chaicolate good for Easter, Mother’s Day The first rule of comparing sipping chocolate to hot chocolate is…don’t. “It’s incomparable to hot chocolate,” says chocolatier Shannon Fox, co-owner and co-founder of Evolve Chocolate in Bellingham. “It’s an actual preparation of a food product.” The biggest question we have of sipping chocolate, a fixture at European cafes but only a recent trend here, is “What took you so long?” We…

Ten Good Places to Watch March Madness

Sure, you could watch the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments from the comfort of your own sofa, but what’s the fun in screaming…

Ways to Spend Time With Your Love This February

February is chock-full of events in our neck of the woods. They serve as a great opportunity for both familiar and new experiences. Take advantage of the fun and spend some extra time with your love…or best friends. 1. Chuckanut Bay Distillery hosts tours and complimentary tastings every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Guests will…

Detox 101

Detoxification, detox, cleanse…all hot words in the holistic health industry. Who hasn’t done one (or at least thought about doing one) sometime in…

Piedmontese Flat Iron Steak – Lombardi’s

Enjoy with Castello Banfi’s Belnero, Rosso, IGT Ingredients 1 each Flat Iron Loin or 4 each 8oz Piedmontese Flat Iron (can be purchased at piedmontese.com) 4 each Kumato Tomatoes 4 springs Fresh Oregano 4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 tbsp Gray Salt Salt and pepper to coat the steak Process Season the outside of the entire flat iron or each steak until well coated Grill on a hot grill until the…

Honey Mascarpone Semi Freddo – Lombardi’s

Ingredients 4 cups cream 1 cup mascarpone 1 cups sugar 1 cup honey 12 egg yolks 1 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract Process In a mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the cream and mascarpone into medium peaks Add the honey to the cream and continue to whisk until…

Roasted Yellow Pepper Carbonara – Lombardi’s

Enjoy with Banfi’s Chianti Classico, DOCG Ingredients 1 lb Fettuccine 4 ea Yellow Bell Peppers 1 qt Heavy Cream 4 oz Pancetta Salt and pepper to taste Canola Oil or Pomace Olive Oil for coating the pepper Process Pre-heat the oven to 400 Lightly coat each pepper in oil, place on a sheet pan and place in the pre-heated oven Cook…

Seared Ahi Carpaccio – Lombardi’s

Enjoy with Banfi’s Pinot Grigio, San Angelo Ingredients lb Ahi Tuna 1 tbsp Kosher Salt 1 tsp Black Pepper 2 oz Arugula Zest from 1 lemon 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin…

Italian Eclairs – Lombardi’s

Enjoy with Banfi’s Florus, Moscadello di Montalcino DOC Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted 1/8 tsp salt 1 Tbsp sugar, if used for a dessert 4 eggs…

The Accidental Bucketlist

Without guys like Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and the guys along the defensive line, there would be no Legion of Boom, because it all starts up front. Those guys don’t get nearly the credit they deserve. —Richard Sherman Half of what I know about football I learned in second grade, when I told my class that…

Pacific Fly Fishers

The Shop Does a peaceful yet adventurous day on the river or lake this summer sound appealing to you? Want to try something new with the family? Or, do you live to cast a fly rod? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, try visiting Pacific Fly Fishers located in the ever-growing city of Mill Creek, with easy access to both I-5 and I-405. Pacific Fly Fishers specializes in all things fly…

Oops! Landscaping Mistakes

Oh it’s that time of year, time to plant and sow, to weed and cultivate. The sun is getting closer and brighter, the soil…

DIY Gurus of Youtube

I remember watching This Old House on lazy weekends, idly plucking at a bowl of popcorn while Bob Vila tears apart the plaster wall of a Victorian with glee. These days, homeowners get most of their renovation know­how in the great how­to library of YouTube. But not all home remodel videos are created equal—some of them are too complicated, some skip important steps, and some are just downright silly. But the best of them are so helpful, they deserve a special mention. One of the superstars of YouTube DIY is Matt Risinger of Austin, Texas. Now, not all of the advice he dispenses works in our cooler, wetter climate, but he does some beautiful work and explains it all very well. Another favorite is Craig Heffernan. Craig specializes in deck­building for beginners. More enthusiast than teacher, Kirsten Dirksen takes you through eco­houses and tiny houses loaded with features and information. She’s a great person to turn to for inspiration and ideas, Dirksen’s passion shines through. Going with a contractor is usually a good idea for most large remodel and construction projects. But if you feel like rolling up your sleeves and framing your own tiny house, these folks can help you get started. Or at least get you into enough trouble to keep it interesting. Links: Matt Risinger Craig Heffernan Kirsten Dirksen

Roller Derby Workout

Considering that roller derby is like the world’s roughest crossfit mixed with gladiatoral combat, it follows that these women are in seriously good shape. You can be, too, if you follow their strength training tips and tricks. I’m not a derby girl, just a wanna-be who…

Barn Raising

Dreaming of a new outbuilding for your property? Find inspiration in the gorgeous equestrian barns constructed by DC Builders in Snohomish County and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Stephanie Meyer is an equine veterinarian at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital. DC Builders constructed this classic gable-style custom horse barn in Snohomish for Meyer and her husband, Derek. The Meyers’ 36-foot horse barn…

Household Know-How

We’ve rounded up our favorite how-to videos that demonstrate helpful tips and tricks for accomplishing household cleaning and organizing tasks.

Edmonds: The Heart of the Arts

The inspiring landscape, supportive community, and rich artistic history create a lure that draws artists and art enthusiasts to Edmonds. “There’s a power and a presence about being in Edmonds,” said Elizabeth Martin-Calder, interim executive director of Cascadia Art Museum. Since its beginning, the community has supported and encouraged the arts. “If you go way back things sort of started with some of the social clubs in early Edmonds, some of which date…

Roller Derby Workout

Considering that roller derby is like the world’s roughest crossfit mixed with gladiatoral combat, it follows that these women are in seriously good shape. You can be, too, if you follow their strength training tips and tricks.