Early spring is one of my favorite moments in the kitchen. Winter cooking starts to loosen its grip, the markets brighten up, and seafood takes center stage again. This dish brings together a Louisiana-inspired blackening technique with Pacific Northwest halibut and fresh spring vegetables. Finished simply, it’s clean and balanced. With the addition of a light lemon beurre blanc, it becomes a slightly more elegant plate while still letting the ingredients lead….
When Good Earth Pottery first opened its doors in downtown Fairhaven in 1969, it was a pottery cooperative studio where local ceramicists worked and sold their art through a small gallery. Over time, as the gallery gained a devoted following and required more space, the studio component was removed. Now, Starflower Studios continues Good Earth’s early art studio legacy. AnnMarie Cooper, the sole owner of…
Last September, La Conner was the latest PNW town to welcome family business Pie Dive Bar into the community. This bar and restaurant combines two great American traditions, defined right in the name. What could make a perfectly imperfect, come-as-you-are dive bar better than the addition of delicious, fresh-baked pie? This is the third Pie Dive Bar, with previous locations opening in…
1. Samosas are fried, savory pastries that are perfect for a light meal or an on-the-go snack. We love Naan &…
THE SHOP Nestled among the storefronts of La Conner’s quaint downtown, ERTH is a quiet and calming oasis brimming with natural clothing and goods. Owner Stephanie Banaszak opened ERTH in 2023, and the shop represents an opportunity for connection—with the items, with each other,…
Vashon Island, also known as Vashon-Maury, is a Puget Sound island cradled between Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula. It’s smaller and more populous than our San Juan Islands, with forested shorelines, small farms, and a range of accommodations to satisfy luxury-lovers and…
Last September, Keenan’s at the Pier restaurant at the Chrysalis Inn & Spa in Fairhaven welcomed new Executive Chef Eli Cobb. Cobb was previously at the Majestic Inn & Spa in Anacortes, and comes to Keenan’s with 25 years of experience in the kitchen. “My approach to cooking is rooted in the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. I was taught to use local ingredients to showcase the uniqueness of our region, and I believe that guests…
A new Mexican restaurant has arrived on the scene in Fairhaven, taking over the space previously occupied by Jalapeños. Tacos Guadalajara opened its doors in November 2025 and is owned by Guillermo Rosas, who operates a quick-service taco joint by the same name in Ferndale. Patrons can expect the same authentic flavors at the Fairhaven location, with an expanded menu for the more traditional restaurant setting. Tacos Guadalajara is a family affair. Guillermo’s son, also named Guillermo Rosas, waits tables…
PEPPER BRIDGE WINERY MERLOT Pepper Bridge Winery Merlot is the kind of wine that feels like a hug in a glass—rich, smooth, and effortlessly inviting. Aromas of ripe black cherry, plum, and a hint of cocoa draw you in, while…
Embarking on a custom home build comes with so many questions, considerations, and decisions, it can seem as daunting as climbing Mount Everest. How do you know where to build, what professionals to go…
There are few meals more comforting or more closely tied to St. Patrick’s Day than corned beef and cabbage. This version keeps things simple, balanced, and deeply satisfying, with tender brisket, buttery parsley…
In an unassuming building downtown, there’s a tireless effort taking place daily on behalf of our region’s most vulnerable children. “I just can’t believe how many people don’t know what exists in this building,” says Kaelen Grimes, director of development and communications at the Brigid Collins Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). She reached…
BLACK & TAN The Den | $10 Ingredients: Pale ale, stout Bellingham has a certain affection for beer cocktails—if you’ve ever enjoyed a night at Cap Hansen’s…
There’s plenty of stressful details to worry about before a wedding, but The Town Seamstress is there to make sure that the dress isn’t one of them. Founded by Master Tailor Kristin Griffith, The Town Seamstress is a bridal and women’s…
Following the resignation of Executive Director Derek Long, it was with great pleasure that Sustainable Connections announced the appointment of interim leadership for the organization. Jenna…
“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” — Audre Lorde In the United States, since 1987, March has been Women’s History Month—the annual celebration of the contributions and accomplishments of women everywhere. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911, and is now widely recognized on March 8. Not only are women the mothers of the human race,…
Experience nature’s awakening in beautiful La Conner, as the town welcomes the season of renewal with the 12th Annual Daffodil Festival. Skagit County produces more daffodil bulbs than any other county in the United States, and for the entire month of March, the town invites visitors to explore 500 acres of daffodils as they put forth their buds and face the shining sun. Presenting a plethora of picturesque walking, driving, 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 individual. Smak…
In 1927, Fire Station #2 was constructed at 1314 Harris Avenue in Fairhaven. The Spanish Mission-style building was designed by local Bellingham architect…
