Chester-Kidder is one of my favorite red blends with plenty to say, but it knows how to keep the conversation interesting. Crafted by Long Shadows Founding Winemaker Gilles Nicault, this Columbia Valley wine brings together Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and classic Bordeaux varieties for a rich, layered pour. Aromas of dark berries, black currant, cocoa, and a touch of earth set the stage, followed by flavors of blackberry, cassis, and dark chocolate. Firm but polished tannins give the wine…
Short, simple, and thoughtful. That’s the core of Bellingham author Jim Schmotzer’s first book, “Crash Course: 101 Stories in 101 Words or Less.” Sharing an extensive list of stories Schmotzer has written over the years, the book is designed to be a thought-provoking and interesting read. The specific number of words found its origin in an annual fiction contest…
Already a local favorite along the Blaine waterfront for specialty treats and mochi waffles, Aloha Cafe has recently broadened their menu with island-inspired, plate lunch-style offerings. You’ll find tender pork adobo, teriyaki chicken skewers, and a classic breakfast platter featuring fried Portuguese sausage, rice,…
Chester-Kidder is one of my favorite red blends with plenty to say, but it knows how to keep the conversation interesting. Crafted by…
The Rage is a student-run fashion magazine based at Western Washington University (WWU) with a staff consisting of “a community of creatives that come together to create cool stuff,” according to Jaelin McQueen,…
Candy is a year-round delight, but what season gives a better excuse to indulge than fall? This Halloween, we’ve decided to showcase a few talented candy makers who produce fun and delicious candy right in our own backyard. When catering for a spooky-season party or preparing rewards for trick-or-treaters, consider supporting…
Robert Wright, after extensively traveling around the world, now makes his home in Bellingham with his wife. When not creating exciting new worlds, he uses Bellingham…
Fight the November doldrums with a well-deserved foodie trip to Whistler, British Columbia. This November marks the community’s 30th annual…
Local ingredients, organic flour, whole grains. Those are core to the goods made at Main Street Bread in Ferndale. The shop, located next to a gorgeous painted mural, focuses on serving the local community the best that the area has to offer. The owners, Josh and Erika, started out from the back of their minivan while raising a newborn. The demand for affordable baked goods in the neighborhood opened an unexpected door, and…
The winners are in. Years of tradition. Your chosen winners. Welcome to the 17th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. For 17 years, our readers have been telling us where they eat, shop, play, sip, self-pamper, and spend their time. This year’s winners represent the businesses, people, and places that make Whatcom and Skagit Counties as wonderful as they…
Whether you’re stocking a candy dish, filling Halloween treat bags, or just looking for a fun fall activity, making candy from scratch is surprisingly…
Embedded deep within downtown La Conner is a new Italian restaurant that goes by the name Moltobello Ristorante Italiano. There’s nothing like an authentic, locally-owned and run restaurant,…
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…
For Shelly Whan and Kelly Fellers, dance has never been just about pirouettes, pointe shoes, or polished performances. It’s been about community, friendship, and building a second home for generations of Skagit Valley families. Photograph courtesy of Skagit Valley Academy of Dance This year, the lifelong friends and co-owners of Skagit Valley Academy of Dance (SVAD) are celebrating 42 years of…
There’s a new destination for barbecue lovers in Lynden, and the experience goes well beyond the smoker. Rustic Bar & Grill opened for business on May 13 at the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites, adding an elegance to Whatcom County’s dining scene. The restaurant serves up fresh and refined dishes with an established feel that’s equally suited for a casual…
Some houses have very strong identities. This bright blue home is one of those houses, appearing like a bright tropical fish with rooflines reminiscent of gills. Those rooflines are responsible for a very calm, 100% daylit interior. Legend Homes (formerly TC Legend Homes) has been…
Fairhaven Mill recently welcomed Philip Fraley as the new general manager. The Mill has been an active, organic mill since 1974, serving businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest. Fraley has an extensive background in product management with 23 years of experience at Omega Nutrition and, most recently, Birdon America. He has over 25 years of experience running certified organic operations and brings an experienced viewpoint to the team. Since…
As autumn settles over the waterfront, the Blaine OysterFest returns to celebrate the city’s aquaculture roots on Oct. 10. “It’s a very hometown fair kind of vibe with the seafood and harbor feeling to it. It’s a lot of fun,” says Olea Mills, the Event Coordinator at Blaine-Birch Bay…
ReLaced, located in downtown Bellingham, prioritizes selling new, used, authentic, and well-made shoes to sneakerheads at great prices. The Shop This family-run streetwear shoe store, founded…
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 (Lummi), 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…
For more than 30 years, the Whatcom Artist Studio Tour has been a fall cultural highlight in which artists around Whatcom County open their studios to the public. Taking place this year on October 3–4 and 10–11, the Tour offers a glimpse behind the studio doors, deeper conversations, and opportunities to purchase directly…
