The Mixing Tin | Rum Punch
RUM PUNCH If you’re in the mood for a fruity, refreshing drink, rum punch is the one for you! Punch is widely considered to be the first cocktail, from which all…
History, Fantasy, and Everything in Between at Skagit Valley’s New Renaissance Faire | Faire du Well
Clashing swords, roasting turkey legs, magical creatures, and royals holding court. Where can you find all these things in the 21st century? At a renaissance faire, of course! Earlier this summer, Skagit County hosted its first full-weekend renaissance faire, a novel event called Faire du Well. Organized by the Washington Shakespearean Festival (WSF), it…
Sleeping in the Woods—On Your Terms | Lakedale Resort
One of the most wonderful things about our region is that it offers ways for everyone to enjoy nature, and one fabulous property on San Juan Island is taking that offer a step further: Lakedale…
Shake Up Your Coffee Routine | Ballistic Brew
Ballistic Brew is a travelling coffee trailer with unique drinks, a sense of adventure, and a growing customer base throughout Whatcom County. The Everson-based business was founded in August 2024 by Jillian Ball, with help from husband Kent, daughter Kenzie, and son Burke. While they originally planned to focus on special events on weekends (they can bartend out of the trailer, too!), their main focus shifted to “daily parks” thanks to customer demand. “People were…
BTC’s Culinary Arts Cafe Is Crushing It | Bellingham Technical College’s Café Culinaire
Twice a year, Bellingham Technical College (BTC) presents the community of Whatcom County with the opportunity to enjoy food made by their own culinary students at Café Culinaire. The cafe was…
NSEA Continues to Fight for Salmon Recovery | Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
Through numerous education and volunteer programs, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) has been working with local community members to remove barriers and create watersheds for salmon recovery for the past 34 years. Created in the wake of the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group (RFEG) Program, established by Washington state legislature…
Wine Pick of the Month | Brian Carter Cellars’ Oriana
Summer is my favorite time of the year for white wine, and my favorite is from Brian Carter Cellars in Woodinville. This Washington winery is known for its exceptional blending of WA wine and this one is my favorite during the summer months when I want a rich, full-flavored wine to pair with lighter summer meals or just sitting on the deck enjoying the warm weather.
Visit the Treasure Trove in the Loft of the Skagit Valley Co-op | Skagit Valley Co-op Mercantile
Since 1973 the Skagit Valley Food Co-op has been bringing local, organic, fair trade, and natural grocery items to the residents of Mount Vernon and beyond. But did you know that this philosophy applies to their wearables selection as well? Climb the stairs to the Co-op’s Mercantile and you can find fashionable soft goods and jewelry that are as gorgeous as they are sustainable. On a recent visit I…
Tomahawk Steak with Grilled Corn & Peach Salsa | Chef Matthew’s Corner
Long, golden evenings and backyard gatherings are what summer is all about—especially when there’s a perfectly cooked tomahawk steak from Widnor Farms cooking nearby. One of my favorite ways to enjoy the season is cooking outdoors with family, friends, and…
Interiors to Satisfy the Senses
Feeling at home in a space is all about satisfying the senses—not only sight and touch, which are the usual focus of interior design advice, but sound, smell, and, yes, even taste! We’ve rounded up some of the best ways to ensure your home is a sensory masterpiece, so you can…
A Leap in Solar Energy | Community Boating Center
Thanks to a grant from Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power Community Support Program, the Community Boating Center (CBC) in Bellingham was able to install a new solar energy system in early May. This project marked a…
The Power of Art and Culture | The Sophia Grace Gallery
When you step into the Sophia Grace Gallery in Ferndale, you’ll feel an immediate sense of curiosity intertwined with fascination. The owner, Dr. Sophia Kidd, greets her guests with a warm welcome, and her passion for art is truly magical—she has always known that she wanted to make her career involve art. When I visited the gallery in June, the exhibit was “Maps of No Return,” featuring the work of the artist…
Someone’s Trash Is Someone Else’s Fashionable Fit | Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County Trashion Show
Vibrant sparkles, radical acceptance, flamboyant creativity, safety in expression, unbridled joy—these are just a few phrases that describe this year’s Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County Trashion Show. The show was created six years ago by…
8 Great Tastes | August 2025
1. Red Star Taco Bar’s Philly CheeseSteak and Korean BBQ Beef tacos bring something new to the table! Pair them with a non-alcoholic Afternoon Colada. 2. Recently opened in the old Little Dog Coffee Co. shack, Full Steam Coffee Co.‘s Avo Turkey Bacon sandwich on ciabatta is a power-packed lunch on the go! 3. Rock and Rye Oyster House serves a delectable Poutine appetizer, perfect for sharing! For…
Uniquely Spirited Tasting Room Opens in Ferndale | Doc Swinson’s Barrel Lab
Did you know Ferndale is home to an internationally-acclaimed whiskey brand? If you answered “no” and want to learn more, keep your curiosity about you when you visit Doc Swinson’s new Barrel…
Derby Derby Do!
The Kiplingcotes Derby originated in 1519 in Britain, earning the title of Britain’s oldest horse race. Now, over 500 years later, this horse derby still takes place…
Since Time Immemorial | Joshua Olsen
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, Nooksack, and other Coast Salish peoples is knowledge about how to live in our shared…
Red, White, and Blue Antique Automobiles | Whatcom County Cruising Association
Twice a month, the Whatcom County Cruising Association (WCCA) hosts meetings for members at the Cedars RV Resort in Ferndale. These gatherings are an opportunity to meet new and old friends, enjoy good food, and geek out over antique vehicles. “We’re a big family,” says Russ Gregor, a member of WCCA. After some friendly conversations and light teasing, the meeting begins. First, they recite the Pledge of Allegiance, introduce themselves, and recap the…
Pros in the Know: Green Built, Solar Homes
You may be surprised to learn that nestled in north Bellingham is Washington’s largest, green-built, solar community: Larrabee Springs, one of the city’s best-kept secrets. It’s the vision of Caitac USA that has been brought to life by green builder Alex Wynstra of AJW Builders. Larrabee Springs has earned a reputation as one of Bellingham’s most respected builders…
31 Days of Giveaways
It’s time for 31 Days of Giveaways! Enter to win a prize from a local business every day in August, plus a chance to win the Grand Prize!