Completion date: August 2025 Location: North Bellingham Engineer: Frame Studio, Inc. Builder: Casali Construction and Remodeling Interior Designer: Alexa Casali with Casali Remodeling Photographer: Melissa Daughters with MKDaughters Photography For this recent renovation, our clients came to us with a clear vision: while they love to cook and entertain, the current layout of their home was making it difficult to connect with guests and prepare meals at the same time. They imagined an open and inviting floorplan that fostered…
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 institution. Brought back under new…
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…
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…
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 got to try the Fried BBQ…
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….
A fresh new Japanese dining experience is opening soon in downtown Bellingham courtesy of Bank and Aoi, the husband and wife duo behind the popular Thai Maison restaurant. Iki Izakaya & Bar draws inspiration from Japanese izakayas. Much like tapas bars, izakayas are popular after-work spaces where friends, family,…
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 even a little…
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…
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 and produce one-of-a-kind jewelry influenced by the landscape and patterns of the Pacific Northwest. These include their own projects as well as custom pieces by commission. Part of the joy of metalsmithing…
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…
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 studio with a deep appreciation for “traditional craft, use of sustainable materials, and modern sensibilities.” Bitters Co….
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 encourage you 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 with information about the postponement. Thank you. — The Editorial Department at Bellingham Alive. The 37th Legendary Banked Slalom, originally intended to take place this Feb. 6-8, was postponed and…
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 of each featured…
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 and found a new space on Unity Street in Downtown Bellingham. They opened this new location on Jan. 9, allowing them to provide the community with affordable textile art supplies and job-skills training, keep textile waste out of landfills, and reunite…
