I am not a golfer. It’s not that golf doesn’t appeal to me; I just could never quite summon the gumption to take a “swing” at it. Therefore, the Bistro at Shuksan might never have appeared on my radar, if it weren’t for writing this review. Now, I believe it should be on everybody’s. The entrance at Bistro at Shuksan boasts high ceilings and classic white tablecloth settings. Beyond the doorway lies a spacious deck overlooking the sprawling…
Cafe Velo In January, Kim Strang and husband Andrew Francis opened Cafe Velo, a European-inspired cafe with a twist — in addition to serving fresh espresso, the cafe houses a bike shop. While Strang serves up beer, wine, espresso, and cold sandwiches, Francis operates the in-house bike shop. The couple were inspired by their love of cycling and time spent…
This set of feature stories appeared in the August 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
This set of feature stories appeared in the August 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
The Waterside Citrus INGREDIENTS Hedge Trimmer gin, fresh lime, fresh grapefruit, a sprig of mint, with soda water, over ice, $8.75 With the summer finally settling in here in the Pacific Northwest,…
What would happen to the wine industry in the United States if, by some crazy chance, Washington, Oregon, and California were hit by…
Goat Mountain Pizza Goat Mountain Pizza just might be the first living restaurant in Bellingham. To sustain local produce year-round, Goat Mountain has installed an aquaponics system. The in-house garden looks anything but traditional. With no dirt and no garden bed, you may not even notice the…
Ferndale Landmark It’s hard to believe the clock tower building that looms over Main Street in Ferndale was once a 1920s craftsman home. Today the structure is a sprawling, multi-story sight to behold. Each exterior wall is coated in a different siding material, highlighted with maroon trim and scattered windows, all beneath a series of jutting rooftops. Its most prominent feature is the brick-lined clock tower that sprouts from the original…
While the tiny building that sits on Pam Bosch’s property isn’t legally a house, it serves as a model for future construction…
WHAT TO WEAR The perfect outfit isn’t one that breaks your wallet, nor is it that adorable LBD (Little Black Dress) that has faded into charcoal grey because it’s worn at least four times a month. The most fashionable outfit is one that you feel comfortable and confident in. It’s a plus if it’s versatile. Clothing that works well as office attire can also be worn…
“Paying the ultimate sacrifice for our country” — I dislike that expression. We hear the phrase every Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and sometimes on the Fourth of July, as if…
In the height of the sunshine season — family vacations, downtown concerts, summer festivities, early sun rises and late sunsets — it can be easy to feel a bit drained by the time fall rolls around. Luckily for us, it’s also the time locally grown produce is at peak production. Community farmers markets and local grocers are bursting with ripe berries and carefully stacked, farm-fresh vegetables. Taking the time to prioritize…
2020 Solutions THE SHOP Any preconceived notion you have for how a marijuana retailer should look would probably be dashed when you enter 2020 Solutions on Meridian. The store, one…
Pike Street Press We all love the convenience and connection modern technology affords us, but do you ever yearn for the old-school ethos of doing things slowly and with great intention? Not many trades call for the high-level of skill and precision as much as letterpress does, and Pike Street Press is doing it the right way. Pike Street Press is a commercial craft letterpress printing company headquartered in Seattle….
Forte Chocolates Pushing away from corporate chains mechanically mass-producing their chocolate, Forte Chocolates takes a step back, continuing to handcraft their world-renowned sweets. Turn the corner and walk closer. The smell of hot chocolate hits you first, drawing you inside. Go ahead — sample Forte’s decadent hot chocolate mix. Make sure you don’t miss other samples placed around the store. Visit Forte, and…
The Edgewater Hotel If you are looking to pamper yourself in Seattle and want a truly Pacific Northwest experience, the historic Edgewater Hotel is the perfect boutique alternative to Seattle’s predictable national chains. The Edgewater is a fusion of old school and contemporary styles — offering warm and rustic charm, edgy pop-culture energy, and stunning unobstructed shoreline vistas of brilliant sunsets,…
Pizza’zza Expands in Fairhaven After about six months of renovation Pizza’zza officially reopened in June as a full-service, sit-down restaurant and tap room. While the carryout counter has been a part of what was once Yorky’s Market for 13 years, the expansion has allowed owners Will…
Western Washington University Summer Theatre With the vast amount of outdoor activities available to Pacific Northwest residents in summer, theater-going is…
Bow Hill Blueberries Summertime means warm breezes, crab boils, and berry picking. If you haven’t already visited Bow Hill Blueberries in Bow, then you’re missing out on some of Washington’s best berries. The farm has been selling blueberries since 1947, owned by the Anderson family until Susan and Harley Soltes bought it in 2011. The Solteses wanted a farm with the whole package: an infrastructure, WSDA license, and the crops ready to…
Cloud Mountain Farm Center Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, apples, pears, peaches, pumpkins, and so many more types of produce cover the 20 acres of…
Opera Pastries and Coffee Those hungry for a taste of France have a new destination to try in downtown Bellingham. Opera, a French pastry and coffee shop, officially opened its doors on April 1. The bakery features an array of classic French pastries baked in-house daily. Opera’s display case is filled with traditional…
Barb Demorest Barbara Demorest’s story is one that begins with a diagnosis and leads to a ripple of hope for thousands, extending from her Bellingham community all the way to women of rural Uganda. In July of 2011, Demorest received…
The summer is when the best parts of Washington come out to play. There’s nothing quite like rooftop dining during the warmer months. Maybe it’s the skyline views or the general fancy ambiance. Maybe it’s the above-it-all feeling you get as you enjoy food and drink. Or maybe it’s because food has been known…
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. But thankfully, there are options out there. Sometimes all it…
