Skagit Wild Bird Supply General Manager Tia Melhus, didn’t always like birds. In fact, she only started paying attention to them after being laid off during 2020. For Melhus, the crisis of being suddenly at home a lot more became an opportunity to learn…
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 in a new era for the beloved and historic Fairhaven…
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…
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…
1. For a quick and delicious hot lunch, swing by Leaf & Ladle and get yourself a Seasonal Panini. It’s stuffed…
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 the cutting board…These are the flavors I grew up with and the ones I naturally reach for no matter the season. I was born…
A fresh new Japanese dining experience is opening soon in downtown Bellingham courtesy of Bank and Aoi, the husband and…
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,…
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…
Metalsmithing is an ancient craft dating back to the Bronze Age when artists first began to forge and shape metal. When jewelers practice this ancient artform, they create intricate pieces that reflect their unique artistic vision. Two Whatcom County metalsmith artists, Bobbie Marquette and Leah Meleski, design…
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 of aging in American and French oak. Lush and full-bodied, the wine balances rich fruit with smooth tannins and a hint of pepper on the finish. At 15.9% ABV, it’s generous without being overwhelming, making it…
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 wholesale business, Bitters Co. is a design and product development…
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…
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…
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…
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…
It’s been 16 years since Galentine’s Day first hit the mainstream, thanks to the sitcom “Parks and Recreation.” According to character Leslie Knope, the day before Valentine’s is all about “ladies celebrating ladies” with brunch, heartfelt stories, and showing plenty of love to all your gal-pals. Galentine’s Day has outlived its origins and grown to encompass all sorts of celebrations around non-romantic feminine relationships. To…
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…
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…
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 successfully raised nearly $40,000 in donations…
