The Return of a Fairhaven Favorite | Dirty Dan Harris Steakhouse
After two years of closure due to damage from the devastating Terminal Building fire of December 2023, Dirty Dan Harris Steakhouse will soon reopen its doors to the public, ushering…
The Morii Spooky the Merrier | Morii Mercantile
Taxidermy art. Vintage goods and oddities. Potion bottles and antique uranium glass juicers. Nothing combines witchy and whimsy better than Morii Mercantile, created in 2024 by Katie Donner after noticing a lack of spooky goods quite like hers in Bellingham. Photograph by Katie Donner “I haven’t seen many people locally doing my kind of art. I’ve mostly seen it other places online, and I feel like Bellingham is, in general, really good at…
A Sustainable Small-Business Sanctuary | elSage Designs
THE SHOP When you first set foot into elSage Designs’ brick-and-mortar in downtown Mount Vernon, you may already be planning your next visit. The colorful designs and high-quality art are welcoming and mesmerizing. Phoebe Carpenter Eells, the owner and artist at elSage Designs, began selling her art online around 2010, and went full-time in 2012. In the summer of 2019, elSage expanded to the large space they are in…
Whatcom County Invasive Species Awareness Week
From Feb. 23 to Feb. 27, Whatcom County will present its second annual Invasive Species Awareness Week. This is a very important week for Washingtonians, as it emphasizes just how critical the protection of our beautiful state ecosystems are. As stated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, “An invasive species is a plant, animal, or other…
8 Great Tastes | February 2026
1. For a quick and delicious hot lunch, swing by Leaf & Ladle and get yourself a Seasonal Panini. It’s stuffed with thinly sliced apples, a thick layer of ham, and gooey, melted brie cheese. 2. Banh Mi & Bubble Tea might be Bellingham’s favorite food truck, and though the banh mi is delicious, you’ve…
A Taste of the Mediterranean in the Pacific Northwest | Little Ferraro Kitchen
If you came over to my house for dinner, you’d smell the menu before you ever sat down. The sizzle of garlic in olive oil, a handful of freshly chopped herbs, citrus being zested right over…
Sharing the Tastes of Japan in Bellingham | Iki Izakaya & Bar
A fresh new Japanese dining experience is opening soon in downtown Bellingham courtesy of Bank and Aoi, the husband and wife duo behind the…
Sweetheart Spots | Dining Destinations for Every Kind of Romance
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of discovering and sharing some of the most memorable restaurants across our region—each one with its own flavor, story, and sense of place. This collection celebrates the passion, creativity, and heart that make dining here such a special occasion. Whether it’s your first date, your forever favorite, or just a friendly night out, these local dining gems set the scene for all kinds of connection, comfort, and…
Art is Everything and Everywhere Author/Artists | Patricia and Richard Missler
Over the years I’ve known a lot of artists. To me they fall into two broad categories: artists who keep studios away from their homes and artists who make their entire home a studio. Patricia and Richard Missler are definitely the latter. Every wall in their home displays the paintings that the couple have spent a lifetime creating. Richard prefers to work in oils whereas Patricia is more comfortable in acrylics…
Local Metalsmiths Craft One-of-a-Kind Jewelry
Metalsmithing is an ancient craft dating back to the Bronze Age when artists first began to forge and shape metal. When jewelers practice…
Wine Pick of the Month | Rombauer Vineyards 2022 Zinfandel
ROMBAUER VINEYARDS 2022 ZINFANDEL The 2022 Rombauer Zinfandel continues the Napa Valley winery’s tradition of bold, fruit-driven reds with broad appeal. This vintage bursts with ripe blackberry, raspberry, and plum, layered with vanilla, licorice, and sweet spice from 10 months…
A Contemporary Curation of Craftsmanship | Bitters Co.
Sisters Amy and Katie Carson of Bitters Co. have worked closely with craftspeople for over three decades to develop their unique homewares collection. Beyond a direct-to-customer and…
Steak Oscar | Pan-Seared Filet with Asparagus, Warm Crab, and Béarnaise Recipe | Chef Matthew’s Corner
February may be the shortest month, but it’s easily the sweetest. With Valentine’s Day at the center and the first hints of winter shifting toward spring, it’s the perfect time for a classic timeless steakhouse dish that feels both romantic and achievable at home. Steak Oscar, born in the late 1800s and named for…
No Charge, No Judgement for Mountain Rescue | Bellingham Mountain Rescue
New Year’s Day, 2025. Mt. Baker Wilderness. A backcountry snowboarder reported overdue. As daylight faded, volunteers from Bellingham Mountain Rescue (BMR) worked against the clock to devise a rescue strategy. The shifting elements conspired against them: frigid temperatures,…
A Classy Place to Eat Steak With Grace | Cask and Cleaver Steakhouse
I’ve got great news for local bourbon and steak lovers! There’s a new, delicious steakhouse in Mount Vernon—Cask and Cleaver! Bill Constantine, owner of Cask and Cleaver and Il Granaio Italian Restaurant, opened this bourbon-centered steakhouse on Nov. 1, 2025. Constantine found that he wanted to spice things up and take on a new challenge. At the time, he had already been operating Il Granaio…
The Mixing Tin | Love Potion No. 9
LOVE POTION NO. 9 Sip into something seductive this Valentine’s Day with the Love Potion No. 9, a vibrant cocktail blending vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice. Topped with a splash of sparkle and a raspberry garnish, it’s the perfect drink to toast love, flirtation, or a little mischief in every glass Ingredients 1 ounce vodka 1 ounce peach schnapps 2 ounce cranberry juice Splash of club soda or prosecco Garnish: raspberries or a heart-shaped strawberry Instructions…
Galentine’s Guide
It’s been 16 years since Galentine’s Day first hit the mainstream, thanks to the sitcom “Parks and Recreation.” According to…
Duct Tape, Banked Turns, and Legendary Snowboarding | Legendary Banked Slalom
Updated 2/6/26: After our February 2026 issue went to print, the 37th Legendary Banked Slalom was postponed due to “an unworkable snowpack in the Natural Halfpipe.” We corrected and updated the online version of our article with information…
Since Time Immemorial | Angela Letoi
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…
Creative Reuse Center Returns | Q&A with Ragfinery Executive Director Kate Stragis
Over a year has passed since Bellingham’s beloved non-profit creative reuse center and textile workshop, Ragfinery, caught fire in December 2024. After losing a decade’s worth of stock, fixtures, and electronics, Ragfinery…