Lifestyle

Culinary Couple Begins New Chapter | Next Chapter Cafe

Bellingham residents may be familiar with the stories of Jennifer Worthley and Bryan Matamorosa, the culinary couple who own It’s The Sweet Things and Bry’s Filipino Cuisine, respectively. Now they’re embarking on a new venture, this time together. Found on the second floor of Fairhaven’s Village Books, Next Chapter Cafe features the best parts of each of their established…

Nestled in the northeastern-most expanse of the Olympic Peninsula, located at the Jefferson County International Airport, is the Port Townsend Aero Museum. One…

Lifestyle

Vote Now For Best of the Northwest 2025

Lifestyle

Vote Now For Best of the Northwest 2025

Lifestyle

Vote Now For Best of the Northwest 2025

Lifestyle

Vote Now For Best of the Northwest 2025

Lifestyle

Vote Now For Best of the Northwest 2025

Lifestyle

Whatcom Home & Lifestyle Show

This year’s Whatcom County Home & Lifestyle Show was even more exciting than usual, thanks to special guests like gardening guru Ciscoe Morris and the twin stars of HGTV’s “Unsellable Houses”—and, of course, we were there too, meeting readers and handing out free magazines! The crowds were full of couples across all age ranges, families with little kids (their tiny hands stuffed with balloons, candy, and branded swag), and industry professionals, all looking to get inspired and learn about local…

Since Time Immemorial | Teresa Taylor

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…

Lifestyle

A Tribute to Community | Blaine’s Blessing of the Fleet

Despite the constant flow of travelers passing through the Peace Arch border, the seaside city of Blaine maintains a distinct small-town charm. In the heart of downtown, residents call out greetings to familiar…

Lifestyle

Bellingham’s Summertime Hub Comes Back to Life | Portal Container Village

The Portal Container Village at Bellingham’s Downtown Waterfront reopens on May 2, bringing with it local seasonal food, shopping, and outdoor fun. Both the Waterfront Bike Park (a.k.a the Pump Track) and its nextdoor neighbor, the Portal, began as experiments to get folks out to the undeveloped waterfront—they opened in 2019 and 2021 respectively. Kulshan Trackside Beer Garden opened with and anchors the Portal, and has become a…

Lifestyle

Getting Market Season Running! | EN Valley Farmers Market 5k

The team behind EN Valley Farmers Market in Everson has teamed up with the Greater Bellingham Running Club to start the summer farmers market season off with a burst of endorphins….

The San Juan Islands are an understandably popular summer destination for travelers from all over the world, but those of us who live in the North Sound are lucky to have year-round…

Lifestyle

Black History Month

The idea surrounding Black History Month originated in 1915, started by historian and “the father of Black History,” Carter G. Woodson; the idea began during the early stages of the Association for the…

Lifestyle

Since Time Immemorial | Xwesultun Raven Borsey

Xwesultun Raven Borsey is a graduate student in cultural anthropology at Western Washington University, where as an undergraduate he won the 2024 Outstanding Student Award. He is Young Tribal Leader and Culture Keeper at Children of the Setting Sun Productions. He is also a carver. Along with his twin,…

Lifestyle

Gathering for a Good Cause | Hotel Bellwether’s Holiday Trees

Last year’s Holiday Trees at Hotel Bellwether was a huge hit, raising more than $10,000 for Skookum Kids. Voting kicked off on Dec. 7 and ran throughout the month, with visitors and guests choosing their favorite trees and wreaths. The top three trees were just…

Lifestyle

Access to Movement for an Island of Dancers | Orcas Dance Collective

Island life may have a reputation for being laid-back, but it can definitely throw residents some curveballs. Dancer Chelsea Sherman moved to Orcas in 2020, just as the island’s established dance company was…

Lifestyle

Resources for the Unhoused | The Way Station & Lighthouse Mission Base Camp

The rate of homelessness has been rising in Washington State over the last few years, with many people in our immediate community facing these challenges daily. With these numbers increasing each year, there are several groups in the area trying to make a change by providing resources to unhoused members of our community, with two new facilities opening up recently in Whatcom County: the Way Station,…

Lifestyle

Macronutrients: The Maestro of Your Metabolism

Lifestyle

Beauty Tips for Everyone

The best beauty advice isn’t limited to just women—it’s for all of us! These five timeless tips are worth pursuing to ensure you always look your best! 1. Beauty Rest: Tried and True You probably all know this, but some of you still need to hear it—looking good starts with getting good sleep. While we rest, our body is repairing itself and purging stress. Shop from Bellingham-based…

Lifestyle

Ignite the Night | Paper Whale’s Fire & Story

After the success of its debut, Paper Whale’s Fire & Story is returning for round two! From Jan. 23-25, this all-ages event will illuminate the darkest nights of the year with four artistic wood-burning fires and over 50 unique performers spread across the Bellingham Waterfront. With Fire & Story’s extensive line-up, attendees can expect three curated evenings showcasing a variety of…

Lifestyle

A New Multi-Use Space Opens in Downtown Mount Vernon | Mount Vernon Library Commons

At the end of last year, a project that was two years and $56 million in the making came to a…

Lifestyle

Two Years of Since Time Immemorial

This month marks two years and 20 instances of one of our favorite recurring Bellingham Alive columns: Since Time Immemorial. The wonderful Julie Trimingham began interviewing indigenous community members for Bellingham Alive in late 2022, and those interviews, along…

Lifestyle

Expanding to Better Serve Our Community | PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Stronger Together Campaign

If you live in or near Bellingham, you’ve probably been to the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center; since 1966, many in our community have relied on “St. Joe’s,” as it’s affectionately known, for lifelong care across a wide spectrum…

Lifestyle

Local Rugby | Empowering Girls Through the Game

According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14; this can be due to factors such as lack of access and social stigma….

Whatcom Literacy Council Does So Much More Than You Think

Katherine Freimund is on a mission. As executive director of Whatcom Literacy Council she coordinates numerous activities that assist residents of Whatcom County to read and write more fluently. Individual tutoring? WLC does…

Lifestyle

Since Time Immemorial | Takwiltsa Cheryl Kinley Sanders

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…

Lifestyle

Holiday Recipe Round-Up

Holiday Recipe Roundup It’s fair to say that the tastes of the holidays—mountains of potatoes, cranberry sauce, grandma’s top secret pie recipe, or whatever your seasonal staple may be—are daydream-worthy all year round. To aid you in your holiday cooking journey, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite recipes ranging from appetizer to dessert—plus, we’ve got a new recipe from our friends at…

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Since Time Immemorial | tsi sq̓ʷal?alq̓ʷal Lora Pennington

*Interview and Photo by Julie Trimingham 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…

Fall Arts Guide

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Since Time Immemorial | Hy’oltse Shirley Bob

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…

Lifestyle

Collaborating Through Challenge | Keeping Divorce as Painless as Possible

It’s common to think of divorce in terms of litigation, which often means conflict, court dates, hard feelings, and a great deal of money. There’s also mediation, which still tends to focus on there being a “winner” and a “loser.” However, there’s another option that many people might be unfamiliar with collaborative divorce, a process which avoids the court system entirely. Collaborative divorce was introduced by Minnesota lawyer Stu Webb in 1990, and the Uniform…

Lifestyle

Literary Arts in the North Sound

Our September issue is all about the arts, which might at first bring to mind paintings and dance performances—but literature is a huge part of the arts scene too! The North Sound is a hotbed of literary activity, from writing classes…

Lifestyle

Ways to Get out on the Water

As lucky as we are to live surrounded by water, it can be all too easy to forget to stop looking at it from the land and get out on/in it! Whether you prefer to visit a lake, a river, or the Puget Sound herself, summer is the perfect time to enjoy the cold, clear water our region is famous for. 1….

Lifestyle

Empowering Teens, Enriching Communities: Inside Triumph Teen Life Center

Children thrive when their own natural desire to learn and grow is activated. This is something that Silvia Alvarez, founder and executive director of Triumph Teen Life Center, believes in wholeheartedly and has spent years dedicating her life to. Located in the heart of Mount Vernon, in Skagit Valley, Triumph Teen Life Center has…

Lifestyle

Since Time Immemorial | Sqw-Qual-Ten Kyle Kinley

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…

Lifestyle

Water, Warm Weather, and Wine

Four Nights in Canada’s Okanagan Region If you’re craving a long weekend away this summer but you want to avoid booking flights, it’s always worth remembering that British Columbia is just a border crossing away and has a ton to offer—plus, with the current strength of the U.S….

Lifestyle

Seeing a Problem and Finding a Solution | EN Valley Farmer’s Market Founder Jesse Johnson

When longtime gardener and homesteader Jesse Johnson came across a YouTube video about starting a farmers market, she was struck with an idea. Her city, Everson, didn’t have a farmers market, despite being surrounded by farms that sold their wares in Bellingham and Lynden. Johnson asked around, and after receiving positive feedback from her neighbors and other locals she jumped…

Lifestyle

Taking the Classroom Outside

Imagine yourself in preschool. You look up to find a canopy of trees overhead. You hear noises of a creek rushing through, wind blowing through the foliage of the trees. Imagine days spent learning about what you find, bugs,…

Lifestyle

Investigating the Living Legend of the Quarry

Located past Lake Samish but just before Alger, the Lookout Arts Quarry (LAQ) is many things: a rural arts center, an outdoor festival venue, a campground, a community with permanent residents, and…

Lifestyle

Bringing the Odd Fellows to the Orion

The Orion is known for their eccentric artworks and creative house cocktails. When you first walk in, the dark atmosphere hits you and takes you up to space. It‘s hard to imagine anything could compare to the game tables and free birthday shot, but as you walk farther…

Discover, Learn, Grow

Local Resources for Garden-Lovers This Spring As March brings us into spring, gardens all over the North Sound are waking up from their winter slumbers. Nurseries that might have closed for the season are open again, and local destination gardens are…

Lifestyle

Since Time Immemorial

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…

Lifestyle

Drag Me 2 Church

Sunday nights in downtown Bellingham are usually quiet. After the Friday and Saturday night buzz is over, the streets are still. However, this could not be further from…

Lifestyle

TRAVEL | BUDAPEST

Break out your bucket list; it’s time to imagine UNESCO sites in Europe to explore. Whether you can only dream or have the means to go, our ongoing travel series will take you far away from reality into a time when Kings and Queens ruled, family feuds were deadly, and the countryside was filled with castles and forts that protected against invaders. “UNESCO World Heritage is the designation for places on Earth…

Lifestyle

Mangiamo! Italian Cuisine

Lifestyle

Lovers to the Stage! | “My Circus Valentine”

Go beyond cards and candies! There’s no better way to feel the love this February than by attending Bellingham Circus Guild’s “My Circus Valentine.” “My Circus Valentine” is an annual circus performance that highlights “our human need for connection and what that means.” It’s been recurring since 2010 when Producer and Principal Artistic Director Anneka Deacon, a founding member of…

Lifestyle

The Beauty of Ordered Chaos: Kathy Bastow

Photograph by Kristen Boehm Art has always been a part of Kathy Bastow’s life. No matter where she is or what she’s doing, she’s always managed to keep her artistic…

Lifestyle

Since Time Immemorial | Cyaltsa April Finkbonner

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…

Lifestyle

Offering Brightness and Joy in Dark Times | Soul*drift’s Valentine’s Love Cabaret at Amendment 21

February can be a hard month. All the joy and brightness of the holiday season has passed, and the excitement of the new year is starting to wane (as is your dedication to resolutions, if you’re like most people). Sure, there’s a heart-filled holiday in there, but not everyone wants to spend too much money eating a set menu alongside every…

Lifestyle

The Magic in the Messy Middle: Labyrinth Artist Kristen Winn

On Kristen Winn’s left inner wrist is a teal-blue tattoo of an oval seventh-circuit labyrinth, its lines snaking around and around until your eyes almost cross trying to see the path. She got the tattoo 10 years ago, during a time of major transition. According to Winn, labyrinths are all about transition. “There’s only one way in and one way out. In order to get through your sh*t, you’ve gotta work through it,” she says. Eight years later,…

Lifestyle

A Passion for Community and an Eye for Special Gifts: Mike and Skye Hill of Hill’s Chevron

The Chevron in Blaine is my frugal husband’s nightmare and my dream. When you pull up to the pump, it’s pretty similar to any other gas station, besides the Sinatra playing and the sign advertising fresh bread. But then you pop into the store for a drink or a pack of gum and come back out carrying a stuffed axolotl, a handmade mug, and a fistful…

Lifestyle

January Feature: Menopause and Andropause

Lifestyle

The Best Spas for a Little ‘You Time’

After the stress and chaos of the holiday season, we all need a little self-care, and what better way to unwind than by taking some time out at a spa? The mellow lighting, fluffy robes, and relaxing music will begin to calm your nervous system as…

Lifestyle

Since Time Immemorial: Barbara Lewis

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. Barbara…

Lifestyle

5 Winter Getaways to Warm the Soul

As the days grow short and the weather turns cold here in the Pacific Northwest, a change of scenery can be just the ticket to help lift spirits and brighten up the season. Whether you’re looking for a fun day trip or a full-on weekend escape, rest assured there’s a whole world…

Lifestyle

Q&A with Jen Parker of ReImagined

Hello! Please introduce yourself and ReImagined. My name is Jen Parker and I began ReImagined in 2018 as a simple hobby. In 2022, I began working in art as my full-time job. With ReImagined, I purchase wood that…

Lifestyle

Empowering Women Against Adversity | YWCA Bellingham

Since its founding in 1907 by prominent Bellingham clubwoman, Frances Larrabee, YWCA Bellingham has gradually evolved into one of the most impactful nonprofit organizations in…

Lifestyle

Holiday Dinner Redo

Lifestyle

Huge Community Effort Sends Thanksgiving Home in a Basket: Thanksgiving Basket Program

Every year, Blaine’s Community Assistance Program (CAP) gives away hundreds of ready-to-cook Thanksgiving meals. For the last two decades, Shirley Tobian has been a vital part of the process. CAP is a non-profit organization that formed as an outreach of Blaine area churches. They receive no funding from the government, are all-volunteer, and run off donations. They serve Blaine, Birch…

Lifestyle

Focus on Northwest Art | Art’s Alive! in La Conner

The small town of La Conner has been a center for the arts for many years, with its surprising number of galleries and museums. Every November it becomes even more so, when Art’s Alive! makes the town an even greater hotbed of art than usual. An annual, volunteer-run invitational art show in downtown La Conner, Art’s Alive! demonstrates the passion and involvement…

Lifestyle

Since Time Immemorial: Sul ka dub | Freddie Lane

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…

Lifestyle

Five Faves: Ways to Give Back

Festival of Trees The Skagit Regional Health Foundation hosts this annual festival that goes to support their life-saving medical programs. Families can attend Santa breakfasts, grown-ups can dress to…

Lifestyle

Holiday Shopping Guide

Apse Jewelry Studio & Showroom Downtown Bellingham’s coolest jewelry spot with a colorful selection of rings, chains, and hoops. We handcraft all our jewelry in-studio using genuine precious metals and gemstones and design with a genderless focus. 1153 N. State St., Bellingham apse.us Northwest Yarns & Mercantile Located in…

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New Location, Hot Off the Press! | Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress

Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress has served the book arts appreciators of Bellingham with their letterpress printmaking, book-binding, and stationery selection since 2004. Now, we can look forward to a second location situated inside the Granary Building! “Downtown Bellingham has been our home for 19 years. It’s always been part of our mission to build a vibrant and thriving downtown for our community, and we’re proud of our contribution,” says Carly James, who owns and operates Bison with her…

Lifestyle

Intentional Choices for Positive Change | Sunchea Phou of YaY Novelty

Two local businesses, the Foundation and COF&, have joined forces to bring the city something new: Downtown Bellingham’s first-ever coffee event lounge. The space is the newest addition to Owner Brian Womack’s collective of businesses—and it’s just one small piece of his entrepreneurial and philanthropic efforts. It can sometimes be easy to forget that little choices and actions everyday are what build up into…

Lifestyle

Building Confidence and Community through Outdoor Recreation | Shifting Gears

Have you ever wanted to learn to kayak or mountain bike, but have no idea where to start? You’re not alone. Breaking into outdoor sports can be daunting, especially for women— but Shifting Gears is dedicated to leveling the playing field. Shifting Gears is a Bellingham based organization that breaks down barriers to accessing outdoor recreation. They offer welcoming, positive programming where women from all walks of life can make their outdoor dreams a reality, whether they involve finding…

Lifestyle

The Makings of an Authentic Island Experience | Stay & Sea Lummi Island

A five minute ferry ride is all it takes to visit Lummi Island, but despite its proximity to Bellingham, this seaside escape feels like a world unto itself. From the quirky arts community to the local farms,…

Lifestyle

Best of the Northwest 2023

Lifestyle

Since Time Immemorial: Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut/Tokitae

Since Time Immemorial is a recurring series featuring community members whose families havebeen 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…

Lifestyle

Keeping the Fires Burning: Children of the Setting Sun Productions

Children of the Setting Sun Productions started as a Lummi song and dance troupe, formed by Frank Hillaire. Before his passing, he instructed his descendants to “keep my fires burning,” and today Children of…

Lifestyle

Spirited Women: Meet the Women of the North Sound Beverage Industry

Taylor Melim, L&L Libations When it comes to crowd-pleasing cocktail bars, L&L Libations is hard to beat— and this is…

Lifestyle

September Feature: Unexpected Ingredients

Lifestyle

A Weekend in Walla Walla

If you’ve ever been wine tasting, you know that an excellent bottle is a delight in and of itself. In Walla Walla, however, the real magic lies in the stories behind…

Lifestyle

Skagit Valley Woman Creates the Change She Wants To See: Marla Chapa

When you are unabashedly unafraid to create the waves necessary to produce change, you are a force to be reckoned with. At first glance, Marla Chapa’s small frame and brilliant, welcoming smile could deceive you into thinking that she’s not this person. Born and raised in south Texas,…

Lifestyle

Since Time Immemorial: Quatz’tenaut Candice Wilson

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, lifesustaining way. We live in a time when we need to restore…

Lifestyle

Oh. No? Thank You? Bellingham Story Hour

In December 2022, Kamarie Chapman and Krissa Woiwod started Bellingham Story Hour at the New Prospect Theatre, a monthly event consisting of two workshops and a true story share. But Bellingham Story Hour is…

Lifestyle

Murals to Make Waves in Bellingham: Noisy Waters Mural Festival

From Gretchen Leggitt’s colorful mountainscapes to Jason LaClair’s Coast Salish designs, street art has played a major role in defining Bellingham’s character. Now, residents can expect to see even more art around town thanks to Noisy Waters Mural Festival, a new annual event taking place Aug. 18–20 on…

Lifestyle

Feature: Find Your Perfect Palette

Lifestyle

Creating an Inclusive Arts Culture in Bellingham: Synapse Gallery

Bellingham’s Bay Street Studios Studios may seem unassuming from the outside looking in, but if you frequent First Friday art walks, you already know that the interior is home to a vibrant (and growing) arts community. This includes Synapse Gallery, a studio/event space that’s quickly becoming a hub for Bellingham creatives. Synapse is owned and operated by Jax Mildner (Fine Art Jax, fineartjax.com) and Sienna Dawn (siennadawn.com), both of whom are…

Lifestyle

Embracing the Low-Key Delights of Lopez Island: Edenwild Boutique

On Lopez Island, passing cars salute each other with a one-finger wave, whether or not the drivers know each other. You might not find cell service, but you are likely to strike up conversations with strangers at the coffee shop or karaoke bar. Also, did we mention that you…

Finding Identity and Starting Conversations: Remy Coutarel

REMY COUTAREL, A Franco-American artist who has lived in Bellingham since 2017, believes that art can be used to open dialogues. After moving to the U.S. in 2011, exploring aspects of artistic and personal identity in Seattle and Bellingham, and experiencing the naturalization process firsthand, they are ready to start conversations with illustrations and comics. Coutarel grew up in France, where comics have persisted as an important cultural institution since the…

Lifestyle

Since Time Immemorial: Lucas Kinley

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 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. …

Lifestyle

CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival

It’s statistically undeniable: Even in 2023, women are sorely underrepresented in the film industry. A 2022 study by USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative showed that just 9% of directors for the year’s 100 top grossing domestic films were women. Moreover, just…

Lifestyle

Connecting Cultures with Art, Poetry, and Academia | Q&A with Dr. Sophia Kidd

Dr. Sophia Kidd is an Asia-focused scholar in the humanities, an Associate Research Fellow at Sichuan University, and an Affiliated Researcher at Southwest University. She is the Founder of Nuance Art & Culture and the Publisher of Igneus Press, both of which are Bellingham-based organizations. Read on to learn more about Dr. Kidd and her academic and artistic works. Photo courtesy of Sophia Kidd Would you please introduce yourself to our Bellingham Alive readers? Hi! I’ve…

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Centuries Old Timber Inspires Bellingham Home Design | Skagit Valley Slabhaus

Oftentimes the juxtaposition between two opposites can create a result so masterful that the differences seem to fade. For this 3,395-squarefoot, 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath new home construction project in Bellingham, the outdoors was brought in and man befriended nature, marrying opposition and creating a design that was not only aesthetically remarkable but a design that told a story. Situated on nearly an acre of land at the top of Yew Street, this design intentionally highlights the homeowner’s…

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WINE PICK OF THE MONTH : Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Chardonnay Alexander Valley, California $18

For four generations Alexander Valley Vineyards has been family owned and operated, creating award-winning, certified sustainable, and organic wines on their picturesque estate. They are located 75 miles north of San Francisco on a property that borders the Russian River, whose fog-inducing cool temperatures make it ideal for growing…

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…

Lifestyle

Q&A with Jessica Gigot

Author of the Memoir “A Little Bit of Land”

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A Community Coffee Spot in Cordata

Maple Bar

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Experiencing the North Cascades from Above

Snowking Aviation

Classic Christmas: On the Town

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A Seed-To-Table Approach

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Bridging the Gap, Impacting Systemic Change

Distinctive Voice Consulting

Meet the Unflappable Custodian Who Battles Glitter, Squeaky Seats, and the Ravages of Time

Meet Glenn Curtright, the head custodian at Mount Baker Theatre. Here’s some of his favorite stories from behind the curtain.

Lifestyle

Despite Closings, Area Schools Deliver Lunches

Summer BBQ

For our Summer BBQ feature we grilled up some signature barbecue recipes with Bellingham-based chef, Mike Siggers—fit with drink pairing advice, grilling advice, side dishes, vegan options, and more.

Ken Karlberg analyzes the history and future of America as a powerful nation in this month’s Final Word, “Our Invisible Empire.”

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Western State Landmarks

Here’s an inside look of everything you need to know about visiting Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming.

Lifestyle

Western State Landmarks

Here’s an inside look of everything you need to know about visiting the Kenai Fjords National Park and Exit Glacier in Alaska.

Lifestyle

Five Faves

From beer to wine, mead to olive oil and vinegar, this month’s Five Faves takes a look at the best local tasting rooms in Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan.

Lifestyle

Maybe, A Moose

Allegiant Air is now offering direct flights between Bellingham International Airpport and Anchorage, Alaska. Pack your bags and look for moose!

Lifestyle

Shaping Whatcom County’s Future

Rand Jack is a local conservationist, attorney, and wood carver. He works closely with the Whatcom Land Trust. He also carves beautiful wooden birds.

She Said, ‘She Shed’

Loretta W. Clease lets the men in on a little secret about female power: The She Shed. Women have closets, and allow men to have their man caves.

Chrysalis Inn & Spa Gets Fresh Update

The Chrysalis Inn & Spa is getting an update. Renovations will stay aligned with the original look created by architect Betty Blount of Zena Design Group.

Lifestyle

Inside the Notes

WWU professor Erika Block has created a podacst, “Inside the Notes,” focusing on the stories behind classical music. Oboist Joseph Robinson is a guest.

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Lifestyle

How We Met

For Valentine’s Day, we bring you the stories of five local couples. They share how they met and fell in love, and what they are doing now in our community.

Lifestyle

WECU Gets Fresh Look

Whatcom Educational Credit Union is rebranding their organization to become simply WECU. Jennifer Kutcher is the CEO and Keith Mader is a program manager.

Lifestyle

Tourism CEO Helping Whatcom Find Its Way

With professional travel and tourism experience, Sandy Ward, CEO of Bellingham Whatcom County Touris, is working on a way-finding plan for Whatcom County.

Lifestyle

Latitude Kitchen and Bar

Jeff Holmes, owner of the Loft, has a second location on Sunset Drive, The Latitude Kitchen and Bar. Steven Engels is the executive chef.

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Lifestyle

For Jane Goodall, The Forest Is Home

Primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall talked to a sold-out audience in October through WWU to share her work and efforts to save the planet.

Lifestyle

Swinomish Tribal Leader Affects Change Locally and Nationally

Brian Cladoosby, senior tribal leader of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, is enacting national and local change, improving the lives of his tribe.

Five Faves

Nothing beats a good Bloody Mary in the morning! Find out who has the best Bloody Marys in town in this month’s Five Faves.

Doug Robertson spent his first act as an attorney; now his Second Act is working as an adjunct professor at Whatcom Community College.

Lifestyle

Russ Kendall

Russ Kendall started out as a documentary photojournalist. Now he is in his Second Act as the owner of Gusto Wood Fired Pizza.

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Susan Soltes

Susan Soltes started her second act at 50 years old. She tells her story of how she went from film production to organic blueberry farming.

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Lifestyle

August Ice Cream Main Feature | First Scoop

A quick look into the history of ice cream and a list of local ice cream shops in the North Sound that make their own delicious desserts!

Lifestyle

See something, say something

Ken Karlberg makes suicide prevention personal by asking each of us to take the time to lsiten and talk, and to ask for help when you need it.

Lifestyle

Spreading Pure Bliss

Pure Bliss desserts is expanding! A new extended menu will include more savory options and an expanded alcohol selection.

By its nature, Bellingham Alive is designed to be a perpetual work in progress. As our community changes, Bellingham Alive will always change with it. Few may have believed that Bellingham Alive would succeed when we published our first issue 10 years ago in the Great Recession. I did, however. I had faith in my wife, Lisa, and her vision and determination. Our goal was simple—to simply make a difference in our community, to celebrate our community, and to help drive business through the doors of our community. Certainly, we hope that our magazine has become a source of pride for our local counties. That is our goal. That is our commitment to you.

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Lasting Image | Kerry Butowicz

Beltane is celebrated with a maypole dance. This shot was achieved by standing in the middle of the dancers underneath the interwoven ribbons….

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Youth Arts Academy Leader Has Theater in His Blood

Ian Bivins As executive director Ian Bivins enters the small children’s theater in downtown Bellingham, he takes a moment and looks at the old fold-up chairs, scuffed wooden floors and creaky stage with a twinkle in his eye, as if he’s standing in a Broadway theater. Theater is his home, and always has been. Bivins, 38, is now in his second year as executive director at the local nonprofit Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth. It includes pre-school, after-school enrichment programs,…

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Empowering With Employment

While many may know The RE Store on Meridian Street for its salvaged building materials and curious odds and ends, the store makes up only one facet of the nonprofits’ impressive agenda. The RE Store is a program of RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, which runs various programs aimed to develop a healthy,…

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Mortality Meets Coffee Klatsch

When you hear about a group called Death Café meeting in a funeral home, you may not think it would be a lively group. But, according to the founder of the Death Café of Whatcom County, Sandy Stork, these meetings are anything but morbid. “You should hear the laughter,” says Stork, 74. “We have so much fun.” Death Café was founded in London in 2011. It has since spread across Europe, Australia, and North America….

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Tiny Homes, Big Voice

Before he became a homeless advocate, Jim Peterson himself lived on the streets. “I have a unique perspective,” he says. “I know what they’re going through.” Peterson, 59, spent 17 years of his life…

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Five Faves Outdoor Sculpture Gardens

1. WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY CAMPUS If you’ve ever strolled the campus situated well above downtown Bellingham, you can’t miss the intriguing, and sometimes befuddling, artwork placed between buildings. (At least one piece even…

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Lasting Image | Pat McDonnell

What is your favorite thing to take pictures of? Street Photography is my favorite thing to shoot, it’s spontaneous, gets me out, and I really get to see the town. I love shooting both film and digital. What do you do when you aren’t taking photos? I help craft micro social media content for independent businesses for Instagram, and I shoot short documentaries. What is your favorite spot to photograph? The streets of…

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Grabbing Life By the Horns

The first bite transports you to a warm, Mississippi morning. The array of spices paired with a hint of pineapple give a burst of flavor, but the carrots and walnuts provide a smooth finish. Top that all off with cream cheese frosting and a buttermilk glaze, and you’ll find yourself licking the plate clean. This southern carrot cake is a staple…

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The Art of Forgiveness

Colleen Haggerty Colleen Haggerty lay on the precipice of sleep. The same scene that had visited her countless times before would visit again. She was in a car, sometimes driving, sometimes not. It was dark and raining. Out of the darkness comes a car, barreling straight for her, faster and faster, destined…

Fighting Food Insecurity With Milk

In Whatcom, San Juan, and Skagit counties, Northwest Harvest works with a total 21 food banks, feeding more than 245,000 families.

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The Art of Forgiveness

Colleen Haggerty lay on the precipice of sleep. The same scene that had visited her countless times before would visit again. She was in a car, sometimes driving, sometimes not. It was dark and raining. Out of the darkness comes a car, barreling straight for her, faster and faster, destined for catastrophic damage. At the last moment, just before impact, Haggerty wakes in terror. For 15…

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The Power of One

Ken shares his thoughts on the spirit of Valentine’s Day For most males in serious relationships, Valentine’s Day is one of three days each year that strike fear in their hearts, the others being their partner’s…

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Western Washington student Breezy Johnson Named to Olympic Team and Goes on a Tear

Change skier Breezy Johnson’s status from “Olympic hopeful” to South Korea-bound. In an update to our story in the February edition of Bellingham Alive (p. 68), the Western Washington University sophomore, who grew up in Victor, Idaho – and has yet to ski Mount Baker, Western’s “home” mountain – has been named to the 2018 U.S. Olympic team that will compete in Pyeongchang, South Korea, when the Games run Feb. 8-25. (The February magazine…

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Sustainable Connections Means (Local) Business

Derek Long grew up in a one-stoplight town in Ohio before pursuing a career in business and economics. Much like the Pacific Northwest, Long’s hometown barely saw the sun. However, it wasn’t until after earning his degree…

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Banking on Two Wheels

Bellingham’s New Pump Track Is a Hit With just a push or two of a pedal, riders weave up, down and around, gathering speed and harnessing it to tackle the next turn or incline. On Bellingham’s very first pump track, inertia is the name of the game, one that can be played by both four year-olds and Olympians. A pump track is essentially a bike…

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Alaskan Odysseys

Women in Fishing Find Their Passions, Help Others: Comprising a small group in a large and unforgiving industry that is Alaskan fishing, women persevere through extreme conditions, long hours, little sleep, and little to no contact with the outside world. But they keep returning, summer after summer, to catch what can’t be found…

Let Phoenix Desert and Sun Heat Up Your Winter

Escape the gray and head to sunny Arizona. Nestled in the urban core of the Grand Canyon state discover the bustling city of Greater Phoenix boasting more than 300 days of sunshine annually. And there’s no better time than now to come play in this Sonoran playground. Take a day to soak in the sun and explore the desert landscape. Exhilarate yourself and soar up, up and away in a hot air balloon. Float nearly…

Renewed History In Store For Lynden

Inn at Lynden Downtown Lynden’s renaissance began with a fire. The 2008 blaze, sparked by two teenagers, gutted the historic Lynden Department Store building, the two-story, century-old centerpiece of Front Street, and the city itself. Nine years later, Lynden’s downtown, with the LDS building as anchor, appears reborn. On a day in late August, the newly christened Waples Mercentile Building, on the corner…

More Than You Can Chew

Did you have breakfast today? How about lunch? Maybe a little snack before dinner? For as long as I can remember, the expectation has always been that you have to eat a “hearty breakfast” to start your day, followed by a light lunch and then dinner. Some have even gone so far as to suggest we should…

Caring for Animals Since 1902

Whatcom Humane Society It was just 1902 when the Whatcom Humane Society began taking care of animals throughout the county. “I’ve always thought it was pretty amazing that, in 1902, a group of committed citizens in our community gathered together to form the Whatcom Humane…

Up and Coming

Whatcom County: Sunnyland There’s no such thing as the perfect neighborhood. Everyone has different needs and desires. But for Tina…

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31 Days of Giveaways Contest

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How to Redo Your Closet with Style

One of the most personal, and hidden, spaces in your house, the closet is usually the last feature you consider when it comes to an upgrade. Since you’re really the only one going in there, it’s easy to put off. But in the name of self-improvement, and spring-cleaning, maybe it’s time. Sam Drake from Drake Closet Design in Bellingham…

Laundry Rooms are the Home’s Hidden Hub It’s the forgotten room of the house: the laundry room. At the bottom of creaky stairs in a spooky basement, part of the mudroom or tucked in a closet, it’s…

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Lake Samish Garden Remodel

While our Salish Sea coastline gets a lot of deserved attention here, our freshwater lakes are the jewels of Bellingham’s interior. Not…

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Eat, Drink & Entertain

Kitchen Renovation This 1960s-built home hadn’t had a remodel since the 80s, so it was ready for a facelift. My clients enjoy family, cooking, entertaining and sports—not necessarily in that order. During our first consult, we discussed their desire to redesign with some traditional aspects, but also contemporary flair. The biggest concern was…

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It’s in the Details

When you walk into someone’s house for the first time, what do you notice? Bookshelves? A great backsplash? The way the cabinets complement the room? Detail work or “finish” work is often where homeowners provide their creative expression. The tone and style of fine cabinetry, the shape and style of tile work, the gentle curve of a railing—these are details that draw…

Spotlight Artist: Katie Johnson

Katie Johnson did not plan on becoming an artist when she started at Western Washington University. Johnson’s work was featured last year in a show at Aslan Brewing Co., but she’s known mostly for the Brewdeck, a 60-piece set of cards featuring portraits of the luminaries…

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Loretta’s Guide To Post-Divorce Dating

Loretta shares her stud-finding secrets Dating—near as I can tell, the after-market experience is punishment before the crime, kind of like law school. Don’t get me wrong. I love men. Well, most men, anyway. At their worst, men make interesting toys and at their best, men make excellent pets…

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Getting Primed for Primer

There’s a certain decor that is typical of coffee shops in the Pacific Northwest. Usually, the lights are dim, the walls are dark, and the floors are creaky or bare, lending the shop a warm but subdued ambiance. Because this is such a common theme for local coffee shops, the recently opened Primer Coffee’s bright atmosphere and pristine white counter tops make it…

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Two Terriers Dog Food Company Takes Its Work Seriously

The Bellingham company is run by two women, Kellie Szirom and Katya Slater-Szirom. Now, they have spread their passion to Whole Foods, one of the premiere outlets for organic foods. In addition, the dog food is also carried at Whatcom Farmers Co-ops, the Haggen in Fairhaven, and Hohl Feed and Seed, as well as through their website. “We are dog lovers, and they are considered part of our family. We also want them to…

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Neat Art, Niche Locale: The Allery

When Kat Houseman describes the Allery as off the beaten path, she means it. The art gallery is, as the name suggests, down an alley off of Magnolia, between Cornwall and Commercial. Just past the drive-thru exit of Peoples Bank, you’ll find the ornate sign that marks the entrance to the far-flung facility for fine arts. The gallery is owned by Houseman and her husband, Corey Urlacher. Both are products of Montana State University’s Bachelor…

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Wonder Woman–Mount Vernon Mayor Jill Boudreau

It’s hard to imagine a greater sorrow for a mayor than a public shooting. Mayor Jill Boudreau has weathered two major incidents—one in neighboring Burlington at Cascade Mall, and one on December 14 in her own town of Mount Vernon. Not only is there the worry for public safety,…

For Health’s Sake, Let Your Creativity Flow

What do you need to be healthy? Drink plenty of water, exercise, eat good food, what about painting or playing music? Numerous studies reveal a link between creativity and good health. It’s not even about producing a beautiful picture or writing an award winning story, merely the process of…

The Leap

As a young teenager, I leapt a mighty leap from the cliff of life. It was a leap of faith for the bottom was nowhere in sight. I turned and looked back to see my mom,…

Inventive Startup: Slingshot NW

Today’s Thomas Edisons will find direction with the help of Northwest Innovation Resource Center’s new strategic partner, Slingshot NW, a marketing platform…

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2016 Best Of The Northwest Winners Announced

Click below to view the top 3 businesses in over 120 categories. Congratulations to our 2016 Best Of The Northwest winners!

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Best of the Northwest 2016

The results are in! Our readers have voted on their favorite businesses, services, restaurants, stores, and spas from Blaine to Anacortes. Looking…

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A Hop and a Skip

Beer enthusiasts may know that Yakima is the home for hops in Washington State (well, in the world, really) but it’s also a fine place to relax for a weekend. These beer stops and shops will have you coming back often to worship in the hops valley that is Yakima. WHERE TO STAY For those who want good…

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Fresh Oil: The Work of Susan Bennerstrom

Susan Bennerstrom’s soft blue eyes come into full focus as oil paint and perspective meet on the prepared canvas. Bold lines, clean forms, light, and shadow emerge. If one is ever fortunate enough to see a pastel or painting by Bennerstrom in person, the piece will instantly whisk…

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Figureheads and Flying Jibs–Tall Ships Visit Whatcom

The Grays Harbor Foundation shares its wealth with Whatcom every few years by sending us two beautiful tall ships—the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain. Both ships are majestic as they sail into our humble ports of Bellingham and Birch Bay, and both evoke a romantic and adventurous time when pirates and…

Loretta responds to Ken’s “The Full Monty” What was Ken smoking? Did you read his Final Word on the fragility of male egos? Issue that…

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Once Upon the Water | Washington State Ferries

As long as people have lived in and around Puget Sound, the waterways and sounds that connect us have been busy with marine traffic. The relationship people have…

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Chuck Close Prints, Process, and Collaboration

May 12 – Sept 5 Experience world-renowned artist Chuck Close’s creative and technical processes firsthand as Everett’s Schack Art Center hosts “Chuck Close: Prints, Process, and Collaboration” in its main gallery. Nearly 90 large-scale prints and working proofs will demonstrate the artist’s groundbreaking innovations in printmaking mediums. Exhibition curator, Terrie Sultan, worked…

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Welcome Aboard! | Washington State Ferries

Welcome aboard the Washington State Ferries. May I have your attention please? The familiar recording issues a pleasant greeting and several instructions as the engines…

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Schooled in Fashion

You can hear the clicking of heels throughout Meadowdale Middle School hallways, and they aren’t your average heels. They are…

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Matika Wilbur

Matika Wilbur hit the road in November 2012. The photographer was on a mission: to make portraits of members from each of the federally-recognized tribes in the United States, which numbered 562 at the time. Inspired by a dream she had in the mountains of Peru and funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign, Wilbur inaugurated Project 562 by visiting 13 tribes in California. Since then she has crisscrossed the country multiple times, been invited to the White House,…

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Inspired and Inspiring : Cassie Franklin

Here at North End Metro, we have sought to make women’s stories a regular part of our publication through our “Wonder Woman” column, which honors the…

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The Full Monty (Python)

I used to love being male. I didn’t need a great job; I just needed to be the primary breadwinner in the household and all the benefits of prior male-dominated generations were bestowed upon me. Pure magic, it was. As long as I brought home the financial bacon, not much else mattered. I could lose my hair, gain 50 lbs., shower occasionally,…

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Gender Confusion Explained: Loretta puts staplers in “his” place

I love The Donald and the GOP presidential campaign — I feel liberated. Apparently, it is now politically correct to be un-PC. To this I say: “About time.” Those of us with a sense of humor and broken “check valves” live for this moment. Even the discourse between The Donald and Hillary over which of them is sexist or more sexist provides me with…

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DIY Gurus of Youtube

I remember watching This Old House on lazy weekends, idly plucking at a bowl of popcorn while Bob Vila tears apart the plaster wall of a Victorian with glee. These days, homeowners get most of their renovation knowhow in the great howto library of YouTube. But not all home remodel videos are created equal—some of them are too complicated, some skip important steps, and some are just downright silly. But the best of them are so helpful, they deserve a special mention. One of the superstars of YouTube DIY is Matt Risinger of Austin, Texas. Now, not all of the advice he dispenses works in our cooler, wetter climate, but he does some beautiful work and explains it all very well. Another favorite is Craig Heffernan. Craig specializes in deckbuilding for beginners. More enthusiast than teacher, Kirsten Dirksen takes you through ecohouses and tiny houses loaded with features and information. She’s a great person to turn to for inspiration and ideas, Dirksen’s passion shines through. Going with a contractor is usually a good idea for most large remodel and construction projects. But if you feel like rolling up your sleeves and framing your own tiny house, these folks can help you get started. Or at least get you into enough trouble to keep it interesting. Links: Matt Risinger Craig Heffernan Kirsten Dirksen

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Inspired and Inspiring : Dr. Elaine Scott

Here at North End Metro, we have sought to make women’s stories a regular part of our publication through our “Wonder Woman” column, which honors the achievements and contributions of women in leadership roles throughout Snohomish County. This issue we are pleased to expand that column into a special feature article, which highlights the ways five local women are making a difference. They are accomplished community leaders who actively work to help others reach their potential. We…

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Barn Raising

Dreaming of a new outbuilding for your property? Find inspiration in the gorgeous equestrian barns constructed by DC Builders in Snohomish County and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Stephanie…

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Essential Connection

Checking email, looking up drug interactions, receiving photos of grandchildren, video conferencing with family, following up with doctors — digital technology is now so woven into our lives, we can’t imagine an hour, much less a whole day, without it. And yet there are so many seniors who…

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The Steering Column – My Traffic Man

SIX DEGREES OF TROUBLE Part 2: How Big Is Your Problem? WRITTEN BY ZIAD YOUSSEF L ast time we identified that trouble is…

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Inspired and Inspiring : Inez Bill

Here at North End Metro, we have sought to make women’s stories a regular part of our publication through our “Wonder Woman” column, which…

Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress

Whether it is a blank book, greeting card, or stationery,
everything in the store has a connection to writing.

Cleavage Etiquette

Hi there. As a single mother of two pre-school kids, I feel compelled to offer some good natured, but badly needed male guidance in my…

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Poet de la Paz

For many students at Western Washington University, Professor Oliver de la Paz is the amiable and quirky character often seen walking the halls of Humanities building, bobbing his head to his tunes, his large, friendly dog Beau in tow. An encouraging, accessible figure who pushes his students to explore while remaining true to themselves,…

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Five Faves: Great Dates

Keenan’s at the Pier BELLINGHAM After a nice stroll around Boulevard Park and Taylor Dock, a sunset dinner at Keenan’s at the Pier would be the perfect way to spend a special evening. Located in the intimate and elegant Chrysalis Inn and Spa, Keenan’s offers fine food, a full wine list and great views. thechrysalisinn.com -> Keenan’s at the Pier Chuckanut Drive BELLINGHAM Chuckanut Drive is famous for its heart-stopping curves with dramatic drop-offs and amazing views….

Five Faves: Happy Hour

Loft at Latitude Forty Eight Five BELLINGHAM On a warm day, the bay doors open and sea breezes waft over the tables. The Loft is a…

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Corner of Inspiration: Doe Bay

Hugging the tip of Orcas Island, Doe Bay is a quiet place. The center includes houses, cabins, yurts, a hostel, campsites and a lodge. Offering Vinyasa…

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Wheels on Fire – Robin Robertson

Robin Robertson of the Bellingham Tennis Club laughed as she said, “Owning a tennis club was never on my list of things to do. I was in environmental science. I’m a Huxley grad.” So how did an environmental…

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Forgiving The Unforgiven

As a young boy, age 5 or 6, I used to play in the woods where Sunset Place is today. The soil was mostly clay and the clay would stick to my PF Flyers — the further that I walked, the longer that I played, the heavier the build-up of…

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Aimee Frazier

It starts with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Aimee Frazier opens the door to her deck and walks out into the wilderness. This is her place. She loves the outdoors, and has dedicated her life to encourage the same sense of wonder and curiosity in others.

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Rosalinda Guillen

As Rosalinda Guillen talks about Community to Community — the organization she started to spread awareness and bring social justice to farmworkers in the community — she sits beneath two distinctive pictures. One is of her inspiration, civil rights activist and co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association, Caesar Chavez. The other is one of her achievements: a group photo of farm workers…

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Bellingham Tap Trail

Hold on Bellinghamsters, an entirely new way to enjoy beer is a-brewing. Those who thought they knew their way around Bellingham’s beer scene will have to start with a blank slate. From Boundary…

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ARTspot

ARTspot encourages bravery, and tries to make art accessible to everyone. It’s a place that gives you the permission to explore and play, and their mission is to bring high quality materials to artists of all levels — even beginners. Owner Tracy Felix Fraker is positive, inspiring and an incredibly talented visionary with a passion for the creative process, and her…

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Edmonds Art Studio Tour

Have you ever wanted to see inside an artist’s process — their studio, tools and techniques? Each September, Edmonds hosts a studio tour that focuses on the artists in the city. It showcases how art is created, the motivation behind it and gives you the chance to find new art to grace your home. Now in its ninth year, the media represented are vast. There are 23 studios and 42 artists featured in this year’s Edmonds Art Studio Tour. The…

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Fresh Fall Produce

Summer brings farmers markets, and we have deliciously fresh, local produce filling our homes and tables. We revel in berries and corn, asparagus and tomatoes — and then it seems to end. The good news is that fall doesn’t prevent us from acquiring that farm fresh produce. We are lucky to have a long growing season and fertile soil here in the Northwest. It’s true that we’ll have…

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Discovering our Fall Leaves

Some say summer is what keeps them living in Western Washington, while others are diehard fall fans. It’s true, New England is featured across the nation as the place to view fall color, but here in the Northwest we experience our own wonderland…

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Judy Tuohy

If anyone knows the power of hard work and perseverance, it’s Judy Tuohy. As the director of the Schack Art Center in Everett, Tuohy helps run the non-profit organization that educates and showcases art in the Everett community. But Tuohy doesn’t — and hasn’t — stopped there. She is also running for Everett city council. Tuohy became involved last fall when a position on the council was vacated, and she realized she…

Best of the Northwest 2013

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BEST CASINO Silver Reef Silver: Skagit Valley Casino Bronze: Swinomish If you combine excellent food, great gaming, live national events and a full-service, first-rate spa, you have the makings of a great weekend away that’s right around the corner. 4876 Red…

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5 Faves: Christmas Tree Farms

Check out our 5 favorite Christmas Tree Farms for your festive fir.

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45 Things To Love About Winter

Yes, Virgina, there is a lot to love about winter! Check out our list of 45 items that might perk your interest.

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Discover Anacortes

On the drive into Anacortes, constant teasing will occur. Just as a glimpse of the beautiful San Juan Islands appears the road meanders, stealing beauty from view. Located on Fidalgo Island, Anacortes is surrounded by water and only accessible by bridge or sea.

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WWU Planetarium Manager Lands NASA Gig

WWU Planetarium manager Brad Snowder got a first-hand look at the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover this summer after being selected by NASA to help promote the mission and landing of the rover as it reached Mars.

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Best of the Northwest 2012

We received more than 30,000 votes within 80 categories for this year’s Best of the Northwest.

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5 Faves – Pumpkin Patches

Check out our top five favorite Pumpkin Patches around Whatcom and Skagit counties.

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Community Health Concerns Through the Ages

Magazine Filter

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A Monumental Mural of Indigenous Meaning | Coast Salish Living Mural

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Face Your Fears, Save a Life | What It’s Like to Donate Blood

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We Are All Treaty People

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Making Martinis & Memories | MJ’s Martini Bar

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Recognizing Artistic Vision and Action in Whatcom County | Whatcom County Arts Awards

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Art Is All Around | Galleries Near You

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Small Step to Bellis Fair is Giant Leap for Local Gaming Store | Cosmic Games

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Large Gift Secures Future Funds for BTC Students | Bellingham Technical College Foundation

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Light, Warmth, and Joy in Winter’s Night | Winter Celebrations

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A Journey Through Hair Cutting | Aminah Roe, Midtown Barber

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A Family Legacy of Giving Back | Indira Rouw

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Trusted Local Jeweler Opens in New Location | Sofie’s Goldmine

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Bringing Poetry to the People | Salish Sea Poetry Festival

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Since Time Immemorial | Sxwole, or the Reef Net

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An Easy Day Trip with Fall-ish Vibes | Camano Island

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Making His Mark | Ivan Colin, Artist and Muralist

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Screen Screams | Bleedingham

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Best of the Northwest 2025 | Winners Announced!

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Indigenous Peoples Day

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Rooted in Place: A Craftsman’s Life on Lummi Island | Thomas Lutz

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Culinary Couple Begins New Chapter | Next Chapter Cafe

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Since Time Immemorial | Squad’dam’a’hon Terry Phair

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Preserving Heritage, Feeding Community | Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms

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Buried Voices and The Man Who Uncovers Them | Northern State Hospital

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Bellingham Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 50 Years

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Dissecting the Cocktail

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Teaching to the Whole Child | Burlington Little School

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WWiB Honors Women Making a Difference

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Keeping Our Community Moving for Nearly Half a Century | Skagit Runners

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A New Chapter for Cinema in Downtown Bellingham | Pickford on Grand

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It’s Showtime! | 2025 Fall/Winter Theatre Season

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Since Time Immemorial | Laural Ballew

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2025 Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival

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Sleeping in the Woods—On Your Terms | Lakedale Resort

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NSEA Continues to Fight for Salmon Recovery | Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association

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Interiors to Satisfy the Senses

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A Leap in Solar Energy | Community Boating Center

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The Power of Art and Culture | The Sophia Grace Gallery

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