From Surviving to Striving, …

From Surviving to Striving, Then Thriving

WE ALL DREAM of building a community where everyone can belong, especially the most vulnerable among us—and Northwest Youth Services (NWYS) has been working to make that dream a reality since 1976. What began as a foster program has blossomed into a multifaceted organization that provides a range of social services for 13- to 24-year-olds experiencing homelessness or unstable housing. Now, under the leadership of Executive Director Jason McGill, its impact in Whatcom, Skagit,…

Meet the Family Behind …

Meet the Family Behind Whatcom’s Most Exciting New Winery

PERCHED ON A steep, four-acre hillside just south of Canada is a vineyard that’s both family-owned and community-minded. The Delooff and Van Wingerden families transformed what was once a dairy farm into a full-fledged winery, even renovating an old milking parlor into a tasting room—but although the property itself is…

Thriving in the ‘Ham …

Thriving in the ‘Ham with Place-Based Skincare: Good Graces

I F YOU’VE BEEN shopping the local makers scene for natural skincare over the last few years, you’ve probably seen Good Graces. It was founded in 2019 by Saragrace Wyckoff, who runs her business on three tenets: education, sustainability, and collaboration. Wyckoff herself is an educator, and credits her Montessori training for giving her the tools to pursue the Good Graces journey. Montessori teaches about the…

Whales, Birds, and Beers: On …

Whales, Birds, and Beers: On the Water with San Juan Cruises

E VER NOTICED A boat full of happy people cruising around Bellingham Bay at sunset? Chances are it was a San…

A Culinary Paradise on Lopez …

A Culinary Paradise on Lopez Island: Haven Kitchen and Bar

THE WORD “HAVEN” brings about feelings of safety, comfort, and respite—and it’s an apt descriptor for Lopez Island’s Haven Kitchen & Bar. This tranquil,…

Inspiring Fun Via Fashion: …

Inspiring Fun Via Fashion: Blackberry Lane

The Shop Blackberry Lane’s brick-and-mortar boutique has only been open since 2021, but the venture began in 2018 when Owner Stephanie Bates began selling fun and affordable clothing online. Since then, they’ve grown into a bustling business that’s always got something exciting going on, be it specials, parties, or just another chance to find your new favorite closet staple. The Atmosphere When you walk into Blackberry Lane, it…

Building Queer Community: …

Building Queer Community: From Vision to Reality

PRIDE MONTH MAY only come once a year—but the Bellingham Queer Collective (BQC) celebrates community and togetherness for the LGBTQ+ folks year-round. The social group has only recently gained nonprofit…

High-Quality Ice Cream All …

High-Quality Ice Cream All Rolled Up

“WHATEVER YOU ARE thinking about right now, just do it,” was the text Izaiah Ellis got as he sat on…

Aquatic Adventures

WHETHER YOU’RE KAYAKING the San Juan Islands, rafting the Skagit River, or doing yoga on a paddleboard at Lake Padden,…

A New Space for Ceramics in …

A New Space for Ceramics in Downtown Ferndale

Tell me about how you first began with pottery. How did you turn your art into a profession? I first started doing pottery in high school. It was required to take at least one year of fine arts credits in order to graduate, and the ceramics class was the most hands-on. I had no idea I…

Manila Clams Simmered in …

Manila Clams Simmered in White Wine and Harissa

NOTHING SAYS SUMMER quite like fresh seafood, and if you’re craving the flavors of Orcas Island, give this recipe from New Leaf Cafe a go. Chef Andrew Martin’s spin on Manila clams utilizes many of the usual suspects in Italian cooking—white wine, garlic, butter, bread—but the addition…

Finding Identity and Starting …

Finding Identity and Starting Conversations: Remy Coutarel

REMY COUTAREL, A Franco-American artist who has lived in Bellingham since 2017, believes that art can be used to open dialogues. After moving to the U.S. in 2011, exploring aspects of artistic and personal identity in Seattle and Bellingham, and experiencing…

Get Cozy in PNW-Inspired …

Get Cozy in PNW-Inspired Clothing | Q&A with Eliza McElroy, Owner of Absideon Apparel

First of all, tell us a bit about you, your background, and how Absideon Apparel came to be! s Photograph by Dani Winters Photography What does the word “absideon” mean, exactly? “We started by googling “cool words,” discovered “absideon,” and fell…

The Man Who Made Waves with …

The Man Who Made Waves with Wood and Glass | Greg Klassen

10 years ago, we wrote about an up-and-coming craftsman who was breaking into the national scene for his fine furniture. In the decade since, Greg Klassen fathered a viral sensation, has sent his artwork to every corner of the globe, and continues to hone his craft and add to his certified body of work. Photo courtesy of Greg Klassen Klassen first began selling his woodwork around 2005 from a booth at the…

8 GREAT TASTES

The Chicken Ramen at Setsunai Noodle Bar on Lopez Island is some of the North Sound’s best food. Featuring local ingredients, house-made noodles,…

Since Time Immemorial: Lucas …

Since Time Immemorial: Lucas Kinley

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 shared home in a good, life-sustaining way. We live in a time when we need to restore our relationship…

The Mixing Tin | Casino