Get Fired Up for Summer Cookouts
SUMMERTIME IS HERE—don’t miss it, break out the brisket! Jokes aside, there’s no denying that summer is prime time for BBQ…
New Flexible Event Space Highlights Lynden’s Historic Charm | Rübus Events + Gatherings, Inn at Lynden
Last November, the Inn at Lynden unveiled its three newly renovated gathering spaces: the Waples Room, the Edson Room, and Rübus. Situated on the Inn’s lower level, Rübus is now the Inn’s largest…
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…
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 picturesque,…
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 heart-hand connection– something important to her,…
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 Juan Cruises outing. Founded in 1987 by Drew Schmidt, the company started out as Gray Line Cruises, doing tours out of Semiahmoo. In 1989 they moved to the Bellingham Ferry Terminal in Fairhaven, continuing their tours to San Juan Island but also…
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, nautical-themed restaurant specializes in cuisine both comforting and gourmet, and patrons enjoy their meals alongsidean unparalleled view of the Salish Sea. Haven was established a decade ago by Owners JK and Mariah Honeywell, both of whom are deeply involved in the Lopez…
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 feels like a celebration! Bright white walls…
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 status in Washington State, and while they already serve an important role in…
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 his couch contemplating his plan to start a business. After getting laid off from his job in 2020, Ellis was wondering what to do next. Bringing in his love of culinary arts, Ellis started recipe testing for rolled ice…
Aquatic Adventures
WHETHER YOU’RE KAYAKING the San Juan Islands, rafting the Skagit River, or doing yoga on a paddleboard at Lake Padden, our region’s waters have something…
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,…
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 of harissa paste makes this dish one-of-a-kind. Harissa is a hot North African red pepper paste used to…
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?…
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…
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, and a deeply flavorful broth, this is a meal you won’t want to miss. 2. The Vegan Crunchwrap at L&L Libations is late-night food done right. This plantbased take on Taco Bell is stuffed with all manner of vegan fixings (including housemade vegan cheese!), then…
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…