8 Great Tastes | April 2025

We love Fairhaven’s Skylark’s Cafe for brunch, but this dinner item blew us away: Flat Iron Certified Angus Steak, marinated and sliced to order, with Yukon Gold garlic mashed potatoes, whiskey…

She Said, ‘She Shed’

Loretta W. Clease lets the men in on a little secret about female power: The She Shed. Women have closets, and allow men to have their man caves.

Boys and Girls Clubs Step Toward Future

A generous grant from Phillips 66 oil refinery will allow the Boys and Girls Club to update computers and fund educational STEM programs.

Fork, Yeah!

The Fork at Agate Bay restaurant is under new ownership. David Kas and Paul Lawrence run the restaurant, while Chef Nora Kas oversees the menu.

Five Faves

This month’s Five Faves is a list of five garden centers where you can find everything to make your garden grow beautifully this Spring.

The Mixing Tin

This month’s Mixing Tin is a Lemon-Rosemary Champagne Cocktail brought to you by Brandywine Kitchen in downtown Bellingham.

Winter Haven for Homeless

Winter Haven is a tent city behind Bellingham’s City Hall run by HomesNOW! The organization’s president Jim Peterson provides the basics for the residents.

Why the Emerald Isle Makes Black Beer

Neal Tognazzini shares his insights on black beer. Looking for a traditional way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish beer? Try Meance Brewing.

New Home in Bellingham

Ashley HomeStore has a new home at the Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham. Chris Busby and April Barnes are part of a team that helps the store run smoothly.

From Hard Knocks to Helping Hands

Tina Tate is the exeutive director of Frienship House, a clean and sober shelter that provides food, clothes, and recovery to the homeless in Skagit County.

‘Living Coral’ Makes a Splash

“Living Coral” was voted Color of the Year for 2019 by the Pantone Color Institute. You may start seeing a trend of this pinky-orange color as you shop.

‘Water of Life’

In Ireland, whiskey is known as the ‘water of life.’ Here is a list of a few local spots to find a good Irish whiskey and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day right.

In Spring, Get Radishes for Pickling

With the coming of Spring, you’ll want to try this recipe for pickling watermelon radishes. They are nutritious and can be preserved for months.

Chrysalis Inn & Spa Gets Fresh Update

The Chrysalis Inn & Spa is getting an update. Renovations will stay aligned with the original look created by architect Betty Blount of Zena Design Group.

Furnishings Store Has New Owners, New Lease on Life

Greenhouse, a home furnishings store in Bellingham, is under new ownership. BreAnne Green bought the store last year and has kept a strong community focus.

Inside the Notes

WWU professor Erika Block has created a podacst, “Inside the Notes,” focusing on the stories behind classical music. Oboist Joseph Robinson is a guest.

Sips of the Season

Galloway’s Cocktail Bar hosted our Sips of the Season event. Manager Alli Sutherland and talented mixologists taught guests how to make winter cocktails.

Extraordinary Wood Art for Your Home

Mark Carrier is the owner of The Wood Merchant in downtown La Conner. At this gallery, you can find beautiful creations by talented woodworking artists.

Internment Camp Inspires Music Composition

Whatcom Chorale presents “Heart Mountain Suite,” a musical composition by Sarah Mattox using journals from Japanese internment camp prisoner, Kara Kondo.

The Essentials of Essential Oils

These are the do’s and don’ts when using essential oils. Check out options from Bramble Berry, Target, Living Earth Herbals, and Edens Garden.

Hearts to Soles

PeaceHealth members provided footcare and boots to Jacob Hood and other homeless people in Bellingham during the annual Our Hearts to Your Soles event.

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.