Fairhaven’s New Bloom | …

Fairhaven’s New Bloom | Bloomhaven Bottle Shop Opens in Fairhaven

Colorful bottles, locally grown plants, and beautiful artwork line the walls of a welcoming new shop in Fairhaven. It might look like any of the bottle shops in Bellingham, but this one is unique; the beverages are non-alcoholic! Bloomhaven is focused on providing non-alcoholic beverages to people in the Bellingham area. The shop is queer-owned and woman-owned, founded by Molly Flynn, a leader in the local non-alcoholic community, and Brandon Paul Weaver, owner of Seattle’s Liberty bar. “I…

Expression, Connection, and …

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 Peeples, this Bellingham-based brand produces unique designs that are cute, creepy, and geeky. Nelson and Peeples have been friends since they met in high school, where they bonded over anime, art, and “general nerd things.” While they joked about starting an art business together,…

Access to Movement for an …

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…

Resources for the Unhoused | …

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 the area trying to make a change by providing resources to unhoused members of our community, with two new facilities opening up recently in Whatcom County: the Way…

New Leadership at Semiahmoo …

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…

Macronutrients: The Maestro …

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 starts with getting good sleep. While we rest, our body is repairing itself and purging stress. Shop from Bellingham-based Sandmaiden Sleepwear to look and…

The Mixing Tin | The Classic …

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”…

Ignite the Night | Paper …

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 fires and over 50 unique…

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 instance,…

The Family That Frames …

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…

A New Multi-Use Space Opens …

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 with youth services and a great teen room, the mixed-use space includes a community kitchen, a…

Looking and Feeling Your Best …

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 in by what you’re ‘supposed to’ wear or do, but style and wellness are for everyone! LOOKING YOUR BEST How you present yourself to the world is important—not because you owe anybody conformity…

Two Years of Since Time …

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…

Wine Pick of the Month | …

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…

Bringing a Mount Vernon Home …

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…

Expanding to Better Serve Our …

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 known, for lifelong care across a wide spectrum of needs. Now, that spectrum is expanding, thanks to a massive, multi-year community effort and more than $400 million…

Local Rugby | Empowering …

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 of access…

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, 1200 11th St., Bellingham, 360.671.2626, villagebooks.com Glen Van Peski, “take less. do more.” January…

Since Time Immemorial | Tsx’…

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…

The Mixing Tin | Casino