Expression, Connection, and Ink: Meet Me at the Con | Chibi Yeti
In a world where designs of peaceful PNW landmarks are king, Chibi Yeti is a different kind of screen printer. Founded and operated by artists Ahnnawake “Wakey” Nelson and Megan…
A Safe Bet | Slo Pitch Casino
Whether you’re looking for a 2 a.m. nightcap or a 10 a.m. cup of joe, Slo Pitch Casino is truly the place to be for food, drinks, and all kinds of fun. People from all walks of life are welcome, just as long as you’re old enough to gamble and drink. Owned and operated by the Gill family, Slo Pitch Casino (previously known as Slo Pitch Sports Grill & Casino) is a pillar of Meridian…
Access to Movement for an Island of Dancers | Orcas Dance Collective
Island life may have a reputation for being laid-back, but it can definitely throw residents some curveballs. Dancer Chelsea Sherman moved to Orcas in 2020, just as the island’s established dance company was disbanding. Looking for connection, collaboration, and work opportunity, she set about laying the groundwork for a new dance collective. “I invited a bunch of dancers in the community…
Resources for the Unhoused | The Way Station & Lighthouse Mission Base Camp
The rate of homelessness has been rising in Washington State over the last few years, with many people in our immediate community facing these challenges daily. With these numbers increasing each year, there are several groups in…
New Leadership at Semiahmoo Resort | Packer’s Kitchen & Bar and Great Blue Heron Grill
For many Whatcom residents and visitors, the restaurants at Semiahmoo have been longtime favorites. Now the resort is building on that strong foundation with the addition of three new team members. On a recent visit to Packer’s Kitchen & Bar, we sat down with Executive Chef Debbie Vance, General Manager Andrew Tenis, and Food and Beverage Director John Reagan. All three of them joined the property in the last nine months. “It’s exciting that we’re…
Macronutrients: The Maestro of Your Metabolism
Beauty Tips for Everyone
The best beauty advice isn’t limited to just women—it’s for all of us! These five timeless tips are worth pursuing to ensure you always look your best! 1. Beauty Rest: Tried and True You probably all know this, but some of you still need to hear it—looking good…
The Mixing Tin | The Classic Manhattan
THE CLASSIC MANHATTAN The Manhattan dates back to the latter half of the 1800’s, first making an appearance at the Manhattan Club in New York City, although many have claimed that this recipe has been around much longer. The first written mention of the Manhattan came from the “Olean Democrat” on Sep. 5, 1882, although the first recipe with exact measurements of the cocktail comes from…
Ignite the Night | Paper Whale’s Fire & Story
After the success of its debut, Paper Whale’s Fire & Story is returning for round two! From Jan. 23-25, this all-ages event will illuminate the darkest nights of the year with four artistic wood-burning…
Winter Harvest Healthy Meals
Weather you’re harvesting from your own garden or buying at the store, winter-time produce makes for delicious dishes! And there are more options than you might think. For…
The Family That Frames Together | Wilson Picture Framing
Whether you received a new print for the holidays or you’ve had a beloved poster rolled up in the shipping tube for months, let this be the nudge you need to get it framed. I know, I know, custom framing can be expensive, especially if you (like me) love museum glass. But a beautiful frame like the ones made by Wilson Picture Framing in…
A New Multi-Use Space Opens in Downtown Mount Vernon | Mount Vernon Library Commons
At the end of last year, a project that was two years and $56 million in the making came to a close: the new Mount Vernon Library Commons is officially open to the public! In addition to a new public library…
8 Great Tastes | January 2025
The perfect breakfast to accompany a morning meet-up with a friend? The Soft Boiled Egg on Toast and a Cardamom Latte at Cafe Blue! It’s just filling and indulgent enough without being too heavy and distracting you from the conversation. For Peruvian-cuisine enthusiasts, Cafe Rumba is the restaurant for you, as they serve many different pastries and a variety of different Peruvian sanguches. One snack you have to try here are the Yucas, fried yucca roots that come with an…
Looking and Feeling Your Best at Any Age
No matter who you are or what stage of life you’re in, we all want to look and feel our best. Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a rut or feel boxed…
Two Years of Since Time Immemorial
This month marks two years and 20 instances of one of our favorite recurring Bellingham Alive columns: Since Time Immemorial. The wonderful Julie Trimingham began interviewing indigenous community members for Bellingham Alive in late 2022, and those interviews, along with beautiful full-page portraits, have appeared in the magazine’s Life section since January 2023. See all 20 profiles—and catch up on any you might have missed—right here!
Wine Pick of the Month | Sonder x Sage Rat Carbonic Nebbiolo
SONDER X SAGE RAT CARBONIC NEBBIOLO Keep the winter celebrations going with this rose-colored stunner! Winemakers Sonder and Sage Rat made their Carbonic Nebbiolo in collaboration here in Washington State, from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown right here in Washington—which is somewhat rare because Nebbiolo is a temperamental grape that is especially sensitive to the weather. There’s a myth that you can’t…
Bringing a Mount Vernon Home Into the 21st Century | True Bearing Built
The primary goal of this Mount Vernon kitchen remodel was to take the original closed-kitchen layout and turn it into an updated, stylish, and functional open-layout space where the homeowner could host guests and feel connected to the rest of the house. The new design removed the L-shaped dividing wall, opening the floor plan to enhance the kitchen and living spaces. To achieve this, a 20-foot beam was installed, supported by new posts and…
Expanding to Better Serve Our Community | PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Stronger Together Campaign
If you live in or near Bellingham, you’ve probably been to the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center; since 1966, many in our community have relied on “St. Joe’s,” as it’s affectionately…
Local Rugby | Empowering Girls Through the Game
According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14; this can be due to factors such as lack…
Literary Events | January
Ashley E. Sweeney, “The Irish Girl” Book Signing January 4, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Attend this book signing and release celebration of award-winning author Ashley E. Sweeney’s newest novel, “The Irish Girl”—a story loosely based on her great-grandmother’s solo journey from Ireland to America in 1886. Village Books,…
Since Time Immemorial | Tsx’vilum Free Borsey
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 home in a good, life-sustaining way. We live in a time when we need to restore our relationship with Mother Earth and with one another. We are grateful for these stories, told in the words…