Clashing swords, roasting turkey legs, magical creatures, and royals holding court. Where can you find all these things in the 21st century? At a renaissance faire, of course! Earlier this summer, Skagit County hosted its first full-weekend renaissance faire, a novel event called Faire du Well. Organized by the Washington Shakespearean Festival (WSF), it took…
The largest of the Gulf Islands along coastal British Columbia, Texada Island is somewhat of a hidden gem, despite being the largest Gulf Island. Accessible mainly by ferry from Powell River and about six hours…
A whistle tweets, signaling the end of the jam. Wheels squeak to a stop, and knee pads slam onto the shiny linoleum floor of the Lynden Skateway skating rink. At first glance, roller derby almost looks like wrestling on roller skates. “They eat, live, breathe the sport,” says Shreddy Bruisevelt, one of the coaches who started Whatcom County’s first junior roller derby league…
After over 20 years of owning Fairhaven shop 12th Street Shoes, Jody Proctor passed the mantle to Michelle Shines, a familiar face in the local boutique scene. Shines ran a shoe boutique in downtown Bellingham, Mi Shoes, from 2005 to 2017. She also owned Heroine Clothing and a mobile clothing boutique. After closing these businesses, Shines moved towards a career in health coaching and yoga…
Nicknamed an “urban nursery” by Owner Max Wolf and famous photographer and employee Dylan Furst, Ferny’s Nursery lives next to a busy street and train tracks. Ferny’s mission is to “help inspire and create resilient landscapes through the use of native and edible plants in the urban environment,” and they are doing just…
On a late fall evening, with the sun falling behind the horizon, the dim of twilight pushing out the warm evening sun, and the night’s chill creeping forward to fill the space left behind, there are few things more inviting…
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…
The 2026 Bellingham SeaFeast will be the culmination of a decade of celebrating the maritime community that sits at the core of the Puget Sound. Back in 2016, SeaFeast began as a two-day festival in both downtown Bellingham and Zuanich Point Park, and featured storytelling and poetry, food and art vendors and events, and commercial…
Every one of Christie Scollon’s neighbors had seen her practicing, so backing down wasn’t an option. Christie quickly learned that there were only two ways this could end: either she would land herself in a cast, or learn to ride the unicycle. Christie’s fascination with the circus arts started when her son, Owen Scollon, learned to juggle in his fifth-grade P.E….
For more than 60 years, Meerkerk Gardens has been shaped by generations of care, preserving its unique woodland landscape while honoring the vision of those who came before. Tucked among the forests and coastal views of Whidbey Island, the gardens have become a refuge where visitors can simply slow down and reconnect with nature. “I’ve heard people describe it as walking into a fairy tale,” says Garden Operations Manager Ron Newberry. “It’s very peaceful here.”…
A smoother morning. A calmer evening. A space that supports you without asking for constant attention. That’s the kind of home transformation that lasts. A well-designed home doesn’t just look good in photos; it works hard for you, even on a random Tuesday morning when you’re running late,…
The idea starts sprouting with the first sunny days of spring. It grows as you walk by beautiful flowers, blossoming trees, and eye-catching sculptures. This is the year I’ll start sprucing up my place! Of course, the challenge to all great ideas is the details. What kinds of plants and trees should I add to give me color…
On any given day in Bellingham, a group of riders is gearing up to roll out, weaving through faded green bike lanes and disappearing into the verdant forest of the Hundred Acre…
Travelers passing through the San Juan Airlines office in Bellingham will notice some colorful new additions lining the hallways. In May, modern artist and interior designer Tom Bakker hung four of his…
Situated within the Whatcom Museum’s walls lives an exhibition titled “Vivid Victorian: Whatcom County Fashions from 1860–1900.” This showcase contains dresses and photographs from the Victorian era. As the women who wore these dresses were all from Whatcom County, it gives guests an intimate view of the time period like never before. “I just love seeing the [dresses] up close. It can be a surprise to see how colorful they really were, because…
Skagit Valley contains some of the most diverse landscapes in Washington State. From rolling hills to dense forests, lakes, and fields stretching as far as the eye can see, to quaint villages, abandoned rustic barns, ocean-side sunsets, and mom-and-pop diners. This is a place full of inspiration, which is why Washington Filmworks and the Skagit Tourism Bureau partnered together to bring “location managers and film industry…
Here in Northwest Washington, outdoor dining isn’t reserved for certain or special occasions. It’s simply how we like to eat whenever the weather cooperates. You know the feeling—someone checks the forecast, the temperature climbs a few degrees, and suddenly dinner plans shift toward anywhere with a table outside. Some evenings call for waterfront views and boats drifting through the harbor. Other times it’s a hillside patio along Chuckanut Drive or a quiet…
Get ready to make the most of the season with our Summer Fun Guide, packed with exciting community events, local adventures, family activities, and more. Whether you’re looking for outdoor recreation, live entertainment, delicious eats, or hidden gems to explore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long. Dive in and start planning your best summer today!
The sun is high in the blue sky as you walk toward row after row of healthy purple buds bursting with fresh and comforting floral scents. Bees have gathered in abundance around these…
Last November, the Inn at Lynden unveiled its three newly renovated gathering spaces: the Waples Room, the Edson Room, and Rübus. Situated on the Inn’s lower level, Rübus is now the Inn’s largest meeting space, perfect for special events and memory-making of all…
Samish Park reopened after two summers of restoration and repairs. The southern Whatcom County park was closed in May 2024 due to the reconstruction of the North Lake Samish Bridge. After the bridge work was completed,…
Paid political advertisement. The views expressed are those of the advertiser and do not reflect the views or endorsement of K & L Media, Bellingham Alive Magazine, its staff, or its ownership. Third-generation Blaine resident, clinical psychologist, elected Blaine School Board Director, mother of three, small business owner—yet Dr. Erika Creydt tends…
This story was edited on June 9 to correct errors made by Bellingham Alive staff. There was not a change in ownership at Boundary Bay Brewing Company, and Madison Pugmire and Connor Cottrill are not married. Bellingham Alive apologizes deeply for the error. Boundary Bay…
Last year, three local teens were the recipients of the first-ever Youthpreneurs of NW Washington Awards. More than just offering a financial boon, the awards recognized their efforts, boosted their confidence, and inducted them into our community’s network of small business pioneers. The Youthpreneurs of NW Washington Awards were created by three Bellingham-based…
Throughout June and July, the largest ever FIFA Men’s World Cup will feature six matches at Lumen Field, a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood. This is a special opportunity for the Emerald City, as Seattle is one of just…
The food, farming, and fishing culture of Northwest Washington is rich and diverse, and one of the most exciting ways to explore our region’s offerings is by taking a trip on the Farm to Table Trails. Whether you’re a local hoping to learn more about your backyard or a visitor coming to the area for a getaway, the Farm to Table Trails have something for everyone. The Farm to…
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…
In December 2016, “Bellingham Alive” published a story about Growing Veterans (GV), a Whatcom-based organization that was being nationally recognized for its powerful veteran-focused agrotherapy program. Veterans often struggle with anxiety, depression, PTSD, social isolation, and long-term injuries when they return from duty. Growing Veterans creates an environment where they work shoulder-to-shoulder with other veterans…
The Claire Theatre has been a pillar of the performing arts community in Lynden for almost four decades. After its recent remodel, the theatre has absolutely no plans on going anywhere. Originally named The Queen Juliana Theatre after a queen of the Netherlands, the theatre can seat 160 people and is located in the quaint Dutch Village Mall. Claire vg Thomas established the Lynden Performing Arts Guild with the help of some friends, which was…
Traveling workers, families, adventurers, and staycationers have an exciting new place to stay in Sedro-Woolley. The Kulshan Hotel, which opened in March 2025, is a boutique 49-room hotel with all the modern amenities. It’s already brought a noticeable boost to the city’s…
From coastal escapes along the Pacific to destination resorts east of the Cascades, Washington’s casinos offer far more than gaming alone. Many have grown into full-scale hospitality destinations, blending thoughtfully designed hotels with standout dining, live entertainment, spas, and plenty of ways to unwind beyond the casino floor. Whether you’re planning a fun night out, a quick overnight stay, or a long weekend getaway, these casinos reflect the character of…
Paul Chiyokten Wagner is an activist, a tribal member of the W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) Nation, and the Founder of Protectors of the Salish Sea, an Indigenous-led environmental protection organization. But ask him about…
Gently burbling water, swaying underwater plants, and hundreds of fish flashing their colorful scales and fins at you as they swim by. For most, it’s an undeniably captivating view, and one known to help reduce stress….
Opportunity Council is an organization supporting Whatcom, San Juan, and Island Counties with childcare, early education, employment, financial, and basic needs services. Maple Alley Inn, their hunger-fighting healthy meal program, has been operating since 1987. …
When borders divide, communities can choose to sail toward each other. On a weekend in Sept. 2025, a flotilla of boats carrying roughly 100 Americans crossed the Salish Sea from Orcas Island, Washington, to Salt Spring Island, British Columbia—two islands separated by a…
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…
Mother’s Day, as we think of it, was founded in the United States in the early 1900s by Anna Jarvis, the daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, a community organizer and social activist during the Civil War era. After her mother’s death, Jarvis created Mother’s Day as a way to pay tribute to…
Sometimes, out of nowhere, your fridge decides to stop working. Or your dryer decides to burst into flames. Or your piano is fine, you just don’t want it anymore, and you don’t know…
During their 2025–2026 season, the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra (BSO) launched BRAVISSIMO!, a brand new community for folks aged 21–39. BRAVISSIMO! was inspired by Seattle Opera’s BRAVO!, a highly successful young patrons group created in…
Editor’s note: This story originally ran with Michelle Schraeder’s last name misspelled as “Schrader.” It has been updated here. Our deepest apologies for this inaccuracy. On a quiet stretch of land near Everson, where Ten Mile Creek winds through marshland and meadow, Ed Stone kneels…
Earth Day happens annually on April 22, and the Pacific Northwest is the perfect place to celebrate, with an abundance of community…
The fourth annual Skagit Wood Expo and Marketplace is going down at The Skagit County Fairgrounds in lovely Mount Vernon on April 18 and 19. This family-friendly event focuses on locally-sourced wood and lumber, with one-of-a-kind events throughout the weekend. With over 50 local vendors, the artisan marketplace presents the perfect opportunity for visitors to shop unique and affordable…
If you garden west of the Cascades, you already know this truth: rain isn’t possible to fight—you just have to work with it. Western Washington gardens don’t follow the tidy rules found in seed catalogs or glossy how-to books. They grow sideways, stretch through gray “days” and surprise us when we least expect it. Moss…
One of the prettiest views you may ever have the privilege to look upon can be found in Agassiz, Canada. Endless rows of tulips as…
“From the Vault: Hard Edge/Soft Ground” is one of three new exhibitions on view at the Whatcom Museum. It brings the museum’s extensive permanent collection to the fore in an exhibition that explores everything from Pop Art and Op Art to bold color field works. The exhibition includes paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, and collages by regional and internationally acclaimed artists whose works consider different sides of…
Pacific Northwest fans of HGTV’s popular “Fixer to Fabulous” will recognize some familiar faces on an episode from last December. Longtime Whatcom County business Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing appeared on an emotional episode of Dave and Jenny Marrs’ home renovation show to install solar panels…
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…
After closing down in June 2025, Cloud Mountain Farm Center has been incubating a new future. The Whatcom Land Trust took temporary control of the 20-acre Everson farm in Dec. 2025 with…
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 Good Earth…
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 nature fanatics alike. For the foodies, one excellent…
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,…
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…
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 Deane and Delaney Skordal began serving as Interim Co-Executive Directors of the organization on Nov. 1, 2025. Before taking on these new leadership roles, Skordal and Deane guided Sustainable Connections as Development Director and Program Director respectively, bringing a…
“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…
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…
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…
In 1927, Fire Station #2 was constructed at 1314 Harris Avenue in Fairhaven. The Spanish Mission-style building was designed by local Bellingham architect Frederick Stanley…
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…
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 latter. Every wall in their home displays the paintings that the couple have spent a lifetime creating. Richard…
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 temperatures, heavy snowfall, avalanche hazards, and complex terrain. The snowboarder endured a night in the frozen backcountry. The next day, Jan. 2, BMR mapped a route, scrapped it as avalanche conditions shifted, and then plotted a second route. They navigated the…
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…
Updated 2/6/26: After our February 2026 issue went to print, the 37th Legendary Banked Slalom was postponed due to “an unworkable…
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…
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….
Inside Passage Counseling opened its new downtown Bellingham office in July 2025, offering trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy to clients in a beautifully remodeled space. Founder and Executive Director Heather Varnau, MA, LMHC, has practiced therapy under the Inside Passage name for more than 18 years. Varnau and…
Many of us seek peace, composure, and resilience, but it can be hard to find. If you’re looking for some guidance, Bellingham’s friendly neighborhood Zen community is waiting with a warm welcome at their newly- opened temple. Red Cedar Zen Community was founded in 1991 and practices Soto Zen, a school of Japanese Buddhism with a focus…
For so many of us, health concerns fall into two camps: “worthy of a doctor appointment” and “I’ll probably wonder about this forever.” But even questions that…
If you were to drive past the alleyway between the new Setting Sun Circle and the Wild Buffalo House of Music on Holly Street, you might catch a glimpse of some wonderful, fresh art. Setting Sun Circle is the Children of the Setting Sun Productions’ (CSSP) new home, a community-minded space that will contain a Salish gallery, a theater, a meditation…
If you want to go above and beyond with your New Year’s resolutions in 2026, consider adding “saving a life” to the list. The good news is you don’t have to learn CPR or go through years of schooling–it’s as easy as scheduling a blood donation appointment! Don’t think your blood is needed? Think again! Annually, 5 million Americans require a blood transfusion, which amounts to one person every two…
Treaty Day, observed on Jan. 22, is the anniversary of the signing of the Point Elliott Treaty in 1855. While the Treaty is in effect every day of every year, marking this day can provide us with a chance to learn about and reflect on what the Treaty is and how we can best honor and uphold it. In the late 1800s, as the United States expanded ever westward, it…
Located in the former Fireside Martini & Wine Bar space, MJ’s Martini Bar rekindles the flame with its own special spark. With upscale eats, specialty cocktails, and a boozy Sunday brunch, this new kid on the block is a must-try in the new year. Co-owned by siblings Maurice Christion…
Last fall, Allied Arts of Whatcom County unveiled their all-new Whatcom County Arts Awards, a program celebrating the individuals and organizations…
In pretty much any Northwest Washington town, you’ll often find yourself near local art. Below, you can find just a few of the galleries that showcase the creative work of our area. Allied Arts of Whatcom County In the heart of downtown Bellingham, we’re surrounded by the creative endeavors of the folks…
Bellingham’s Cosmic Games is gearing up for a huge expansion! They’re moving from their 4,500-square-foot location on the Guide Meridian to a 12,000-square-foot space at Bellis Fair Mall. Cosmic Games is a staple for local gamers and collectors, thanks to their packed inventory and expertise with trading card games like Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon, video games across platforms, roleplaying and table top games, and related toys, apparel, and accessories. This upcoming expansion could help them become a…
The Bellingham Technical College (BTC) Foundation recently announced a new endowment that will support Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences students for generations to come. The…
Winter is a season of contrasts: it’s the darkest, coldest season, representing quiet, solitude, and endings, and it’s also when we come together for festivities around joy, connection, and light. Many winter celebrations pay homage to the struggles of the season while reveling in the human capacity to endure, survive, and counteract them—here are some holidays, traditions, and events that celebrate everything there is to love about winter. Lucia…
Haircutting is a delicate craft. It takes a person who can connect with their client—someone who knows just how important a fresh cut can be. That’s where Aminah Roe fits into the picture. She’s been cutting hair for more than 10…
I first met Indira Rouw through my local Buy Nothing group—she’d put out a call for sturdy grocery bags, and my cupboard was overflowing, so I popped over to her downtown Mount Vernon office with my arms full. I expected to have to explain myself to the person at the front desk, but the…
Sofie Hynes has been an independent jeweler in Bellingham for around three decades, and her business, Sofie’s Goldmine, operated in a repurposed gas station on State Street for the last 19 years. In late August, Sofie’s moved to a bottom-floor storefront in the Hotel Leo building on Cornwall Avenue. “I felt like it was time to take this opportunity,” says Hynes, whose previous space was scheduled for demolition. “Everyone…
Bellingham’s poetry scene has been quietly brewing for decades, with writers’ groups, kitchen table readings, open mics, and acclaimed poets making an occasional splash. This Nov. 7–9, the inaugural Salish Sea Poetry Festival hopes to bring poetry front-and-center. The festival is the newest program from the Whatcom Poetry Series (WPS), which also supports the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest every spring. It’s the culmination of years of brainstorming and pop-up events organized by a small band of passionate poets….
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…
It’s been coined “the easy island” for its bridge access, but Camano has more to offer than its lack of ferry lines. Less than an hour from Bellingham, with pristine beaches, plenty of hiking options, and foodie-worthy eats, Camano checks the box for a cozy fall day trip. Step Into Nature Pack your Merrells—Camano is full of easy hikes and combable shores. The island is home…
Downtown Bellingham is becoming somewhat of an art exhibit, featuring works sanctioned and unsanctioned from many local artists and muralists. One artist making his mark…
Anyone looking for even more scares this Halloween season should stop by Bleedingham, Bellingham’s annual horror film festival. From Oct. 24-26, attendees can enjoy horror to the max with fun events happening throughout downtown Bellingham. Run by Gary Washington, Michelle Barklind, and Langley West, Bleedingham has been a passion project since 2012. “We decided, hey, there’s a lot of stuff in town, but there’s no horror,” Washington says. “It’s not like we want just horror and blood and stuff,…
130 Categories. 78,318 Submissions. 1,212,472 Individual Votes. 390 Winners. A 16-Year Tradition. Each October, we bring you the results of our annual Best of the Northwest readers’ choice contest. For the entire month of July, readers, fans, followers, clients, friends, and family alike voted for their favorite local businesses. We are proud to…
130 Categories. 78,318 Submissions. 1,212,472 Individual Votes. 390 Winners. A 16-Year Tradition. Each October, we bring you the results of our annual Best of the Northwest…
Indigenous Peoples Day, which falls annually on the second Monday of October, is a chance to celebrate the contributions and living cultures of Indigenous peoples. “Indigenous people” usually refers to a…
Thomas Lutz is the craftsman behind Uisce Irish Pub’s 36-foot mahogany bar in Bellingham, the custom dining furniture at the now-defunct Willows Inn, and dozens of bespoke pieces of fine furniture all over the Pacific Northwest. After 32 years living on Lummi Island, he finds it difficult to imagine living anywhere…
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 businesses. “It’s called Next Chapter because it’s like our next chapter,” Worthley says. Customers will find…
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…
Every October, Skagit farms open their gates for the annual Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms, a two-day celebration of agriculture and heritage. This year’s event takes place Oct. 4–5 and features around 14 participating farms across…
The grounds look like something one might see in Tuscany—creamy stucco buildings topped with terracotta roofs, with the Cascade mountains as a backdrop. The faces who peered from the windows during the property’s heyday, however, weren’t European vacationers—they were patients struggling with inner demons. Schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. “Exhaustion” and “dementia.” Addiction. The beautiful campus was the “Western State Hospital Farm for the Harmless Insane,” originally established in 1909 to aid the overcrowded Western State Hospital. Patients worked…
For tens of thousands of years, music has been a gateway for people from all walks of life to get together, bond, and create community. We’re lucky enough to have an orchestra right in Bellingham that embodies these…
We usually enjoy cocktails in their completed forms, after they’ve been measured, shaken, and poured. But the process is enjoyable in and of itself—hence the hypnotic effect of sitting at a bar and watching a mixologist work their…
Alexis (Lexi) Hughes, executive director of Burlington Little School (BLS), is serious about play. Passion beams from her face as she shows me around the property, which was a single family home before the school was founded by Bruce Campbell in 1997. “Here at our school, the…
Each fall, one of Whatcom County’s most anticipated events brings together community leaders, business owners, and changemakers for an evening of inspiration and impact. The Whatcom Women in Business Annual Awards Celebration, held each September, honors local women making a lasting difference, while also raising funds for scholarships that support women pursuing higher education. Since 1978, Whatcom Women in Business (WWiB)…
When more than 500 runners gather at Burlington-Edison High School’s track this September to toe the line for the 48th Annual Skagit Flats Marathon, they’ll be carrying on a tradition that’s been a source of pride in Skagit Valley for nearly five decades. The Skagit Flats Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K—which is scheduled for Sunday,…
On Aug. 1, Pickford Film Center officially opened Pickford on Grand, a long-anticipated expansion just one block from its Bay Street location in downtown Bellingham….
The Mount Baker Theatre will be hosting a variety of shows throughout their upcoming theatre season, starting with “Mrs. Doubtfire: The New Musical Comedy” on Nov. 19. December will see the MBT taken…
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…
The 2025 Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival is Friday through Sunday, September 5, 6, and 7. There are plenty of activities for all ages, including a parade, food, fun, music, fireworks, and new this year, a drone show! If you like people, food, and fun, then one of the best times to discover all that Mukilteo has to offer is by heading to the annual Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival, which some also refer to as Mukfest. This…
One of the most wonderful things about our region is that it offers ways for everyone to enjoy nature, and one fabulous property on San Juan Island is taking that offer a step further: Lakedale Resort makes camping in the woods accessible to even the most dirt-averse among us. “It’s kind of like a curio cabinet,” says Operations Director Richard Pitchford. “Where you’ve got two of these and seven of these…could we build a…
Through numerous education and volunteer programs, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) has been working with local community members to remove barriers and create watersheds for salmon recovery for the past 34 years. Created in the wake of…
Feeling at home in a space is all about satisfying the senses—not only sight and touch, which are the usual focus of interior…
Thanks to a grant from Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power Community Support Program, the Community Boating Center (CBC) in Bellingham was able to install a new solar energy system in early May. This project marked a major…
When you step into the Sophia Grace Gallery in Ferndale, you’ll feel an immediate sense of curiosity intertwined with fascination. The owner, Dr. Sophia Kidd, greets her guests with a warm welcome, and her passion for art is truly magical—she has always known that she wanted to make her career…
The Kiplingcotes Derby originated in 1519 in Britain, earning the title of Britain’s oldest horse race. Now, over 500 years later, this horse derby still takes place annually on the third Thursday of March. The term “derby” itself is widely thought to originate from an Earl of Derby, who started his own horse race almost 300 years after…
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…
Twice a month, the Whatcom County Cruising Association (WCCA) hosts meetings for members at the Cedars RV Resort in Ferndale. These gatherings are an opportunity to meet new and old friends, enjoy good food,…
You may be surprised to learn that nestled in north Bellingham is Washington’s largest, green-built, solar community: Larrabee Springs, one of…
It’s time for 31 Days of Giveaways! Enter to win a prize from a local business every day in August, plus a chance to win the Grand Prize!
Jenna Deane, co-founder of the community-oriented gardening app GeoGardenClub, is passionate about local food sustainability. After graduating from Western Washington University with a degree in environmental education, Deane ran a school garden program in California for…
Rolling in on the Saturday morning tides onto the shore of Marine Park, rain or shine—and even sometimes snow—you are likely to find members of the surf ski group who have named themselves The Barnacles. Their group is well known by fellow surf skiers on the water. If you find yourself in conversation with someone about the group, it’ll spark curiosity to learn more about them. Between humorous banter and friendly arguments about how old you really need to…
Nestled in the northeastern-most expanse of the Olympic Peninsula, located at the Jefferson County International Airport, is the Port Townsend Aero Museum. One of just nine aviation museums in the state, the Port Townsend Aero Museum first began operations in 2001 with just six donated planes. The publicly-owned nonprofit was founded by Owners…
Listen, everyone loves a cheese board, but sometimes you just want to break the mold! Boards are a great way to feed a crowd without having to do a ton of cooking; they can also be a beautiful centerpiece for an event and provide an activity for gatherings as people cluster around, assessing their options. And while nobody we know would ever turn their nose up at the usual spread of cheeses and meats, we wanted to get…
Summer is the time of year to create long-lasting family memories. Not sure where to go? Consider checking out these five amazing locations that are fit for all ages! Plan a day, or a full weekend filled with sun and excitement, and don’t hesitate! 1. Boulevard Park Featuring…
The Pacific Northwest is home to an abundance of ecological and wildlife diversity: the expansive and lush forests of the Olympic Peninsula, the mountainous regions of the North Cascades, and ports, bays, and islands galore. It sometimes feels like you could visit a new beach every day and still have just barely scratched the surface. With June 20 marking the summer solstice, it’s a better time than ever to go and explore—trudge…
Inside Fairhaven’s historic Sycamore Square building is the studio, gallery, and gift shop of Echo Chernik, a commercial artist known internationally for her powerful Art Nouveau style and over 30 years of work. If you haven’t visited yet, you’re missing out! Echo Chernik Gallery opened after Chernik and her family moved to Washington in 2020. In the back is a studio area, where Chernik works and records her podcast, “The Professional Artist.” She’s also the coordinating…
Children of the Setting Sun Productions (CSSP) is chock-full of kind, educated, friendly individuals who have made it their life mission to advocate for the environment, human rights, and Native history. One of the company’s main goals is to fight for Native communities by working to educate the public. “We’re constantly fighting erasure, there’s no easy way to say it…but there is something special about growing up indigenous and embracing those life-ways and to be able…
Little Squalicum Pier is open to the public for the first time in its history. Stretching 1,248 feet over Bellingham Bay, the pier offers a new perspective for people to view this gorgeous expanse of dark blue water. Beginning in 1912, railcars carrying cement products to barges offshore were some of the first occupants of the pier, with operations ending in 1987. Nearly 40 years later, the…
Introducing our 2025 Farm, Garden, U-Pick Guide; the perfect resource to help you plan your summer activities! Take advantage of the sun and warm weather this season by spending an afternoon supporting…
Don’t miss our 2025 Summer Fun & Camp Guide! From farmer’s markets to art festivals to plain old community fun, our guide has it all. Check our what’s going on in our communities this summer below!
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…
A traditional Lhaq’temish woman raises her hands in thanks and looks out over waters that were once thick with salmon and reef net gear. She blesses the water and wishes protection upon all those who travel past her. Salmon swim at her feet. She is not Salmon Woman, but she does evoke that story and its teachings…
Beach days and sun rays are all fun and games until the temperatures really start to kick up. This summer, if you’re looking for a place to escape the heat and enjoy some lovely, live entertainment, look no further than your nearest theatre. Bellingham’s theatre scene has a variety of showings for every taste and type, so get out there, support your neighbors, and enjoy the show! “THE…
“One great thing about living in the Pacific Northwest,” a local writer said at a recent First Friday, “is that I can visit just about every gallery and…
Calling the Pacific Northwest home goes hand-in-hand with a perk many of us may take for granted: being just a short trip away from our neighbors to the North. Whether you’re looking for a picturesque weekend getaway or an action-packed weeklong vacation, I have a location to…
The universal appeal of line dancing has led to a recent surge in popularity and frequent appearances at local venues. The South Fork Country Kickers combine rural charm…
Ever wake up on the weekend and feel a tug to get out of the house and do something fun, but you have no idea what fun thing to do? Sometimes, you can waste a whole beautiful day languishing around trying to…
March 3 marked the opening of the new Hallowell Todaro ADHD & Behavioral Health Center in Bellingham. The health center, an offshoot of the larger Seattle location, will initially serve as a place for new client consultations and therapy, with plans to eventually expand to patient and parent coaching. Nick Mabbutt,…
Strolling through downtown Bellingham, you’ll come across many treasured local haunts. And from May through October, you’ll find yourself face to face with something unique to the summer months: enormous flower baskets hanging from downtown lamp posts. The presence of these vibrant flower baskets is the result of the Adopt a Flower Basket program, a community giving campaign put in place by the Downtown Bellingham…
A new restaurant has moved into the previous K-Pop Chicken and Beer space in downtown Bellingham, and it’s serving up something that Bellingham’s been missing: dim sum! SOHO Bellingham Asian Kitchen & Bar serves “dim sum, Thai cuisine, and other Asian-inspired dishes in a dynamic fusion,” according to their website. It’s a new venture by married Wanida Thai Owners Surachai (Alex) Teachaakarakasem and Thanisara Tantraporn. The…
Melissa Hatcher, 32, isn’t just the new owner of downtown Fairhaven’s Adored Boutique—she’s a legacy. Since Adored opened in August 2020, Hatcher has worked by the side…
Flowers represent spring, which is associated with new life and motherhood—that’s part of what makes them such a popular gift on Mother’s Day. Here are some great local options for sourcing blooms for…
Excitement was in the air. Cornhole bags flew across the astroturf field of the Bellingham Sportsplex as players warmed up for the ensuing tournament. That was the scene at the first fundraising cornhole competition hosted by United Way of Whatcom County,…
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…
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 faces as they stroll streets lined with local restaurants, boutiques, and salons. From my seat at the Portal Way Starbucks, I can see boats of all…
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 community gathering space…
The team behind EN Valley Farmers Market in Everson has teamed up with the Greater Bellingham Running Club to start the summer…
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…
Beach Cat Brewing’s first location opened in 2020 after Jake Gobeille, owner and director of operations, unexpectedly fell in love with the craft. Now he’s opening a second location at 1010 C Street on Bellingham’s Downtown Waterfront….
We North Sound residents are extremely fortunate to be spoiled with excellent scenery, culture, and food right in our backyards—but even we still get the travel itch, especially when the weather is wet and cold and…
April Brews Day kicks off its 25th annual beer-tasting festival on April 26. The event will take place from 4:30-8 p.m. at Bellingham’s Downtown Waterfront on the corner of Granary Avenue and Chestnut Street. Since 2001, April Brews Day has helped to raise money for the Max Higbee Center, a local grassroots organization that helps support and cultivate community for teens and adults with developmental…
In the heart of Skagit Valley, where spring transforms the landscape into a vibrant sea of color, Andrew Miller has carved out a unique space in…
I started my career in book publishing, working at Bloomsbury in London and publishing my first book over there, but when I moved back to the States I figured I’d have to leave that world behind—the great majority of book publishing is centered around New York City, and I was moving back to the West Coast. So imagine my delight when, four years later, I moved…
The waterfront area of Seattle has undergone a huge makeover—it’s not only easier to access but also has a beautiful new park and pedestrian Overlook Walk leading city-goers and tourists directly to Pike Place Market. It’s now a lot easier to navigate, giving foot traffic a leg up in moseying through the city. “It was a big disconnect between downtown [and the water],” says Amy Barr, a seasonal vendor in Pike Place. “It…
If you’re headed to see the tulips this month, keep your eyes peeled! Just after you cross the river into West Mount Vernon a charming new bookshop…
The sole technical college in Northwest Washington has received one of its biggest donations yet. Bellingham Technical College (BTC) was gifted $780,000 by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. With the finalization of the donation in December 2024, it’s now being put into effect. Around $300,000 of the gift will fund student scholarships, which some people rely on to put themselves through college and relieve financial…
The Import Guys storage room is full. Japanese cars and minibikes cover the floor; it’s a squeeze to amble around the building, but you could look for hours. Cars of all colors, varieties, shapes, and sizes sprawl out, and in the corner sits a collection of Japanese video game machines. The “corner of lost hopes and dreams,” Dylan Cain, owner of The Import Guys, calls it. Cain jokes that if he moved his business to Seattle—and swept up…
People from all over Skagit and Whatcom converged on Mount Vernon’s Riverwalk Plaza on January 31 for the annual Illuminight Winter Walk. Crowds of families and friends lit the winter sky with lanterns of all shapes and sizes,…
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,…
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is underway, and this year, there’s even more blooms to enjoy! Skagit Acres has become the fifth named farm in the Festival’s official roundup. Skagit Acres is already a South Mount Vernon destination for their nursery, garden center, restaurant, and gift shop. Now their new Skagit Acres Tulip Field boasts three acres of tulips in 18 different varieties, with gorgeous vistas of Mount Baker increasing the…
Looking to check out something new around the Pacific Northwest area? Whether a long time resident or fresh to the northwest, we may be able to help you experience something new. From beaches,…
A new La-Z-Boy store opened its doors for a soft launch on Jan. 16, followed by a grand opening on Jan. 29. This is the first La-Z-Boy located in Bellingham—previously, the two closest stores were in Ferndale and Mount Vernon. La-Z-Boy, predominantly known for its patented “La-Z-Boy” recliners, sells a wide variety of furniture and decor, including loveseats, couches, and sectionals, but also lamps, plants, and tables. “Everything you see is for sale,” David, manager of the Bellingham La-Z-Boy says….
Nestled along the Swinomish Channel lies Seaport Books—the only bookstore in La Conner. The location in the Seaport Landing Building gives one the illusion of stepping back in time, with its light mint paint color and white trim that has the…
Fidalgo Coffee Roasters CEO Darryl Miller loves to talk about two things: coffee and people. I sat down with him at the main roasting facility in Burlington to find out more…
On February 17, 1993, Kent Taylor opened a restaurant in Clarksville, Indiana called Texas Roadhouse, working off the cocktail napkin on which he’d drawn his original vision and…
The new headquarters of Dementia Support Northwest, Amy’s Place, is slated to open this spring, adding another vital community hub to Bellis Fair…
As we peek around the corner into spring weather, it’s the perfect time to replenish your garden with plants “that have evolved and adapted to grow in this area,” says Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) Resource Specialist Emily Hirsch. This year will mark the WCD’s 32nd Annual Native Plant Sale, held…
If you’ve ever looked into staying near SeaTac airport, you’ve probably prioritized proximity and free shuttle service over views or luxury—which makes sense for an overnight before an early flight. But if you’re planning to stay in the Seattle area for a few days and want to be near the airport or just get away from the downtown hubbub, may I submit…
The Bellingham Folk Festival took place over four days from Jan. 23 to Jan. 26. Through sessions, jams, workshops, and concerts, the festival contained 66 events and had something to offer all sorts of folk fans. Some of the more unique events included a yodeling workshop, multiple square dancing workshops, and a Burns supper—a traditional Scottish holiday celebrating Scottish poet Robert Burns. Venues like El Capitan’s and Honey Moon Mead & Cider became warm dens for collaborative, expressive folk performance…
There are big changes underway at everyone’s favorite Bellingham science museum, SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention! The popular educational museum is working on a new rotating gallery, due to open in late spring; a major remodel of the space was recently completed by local design-build…
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…
Depending on you local chops, you may need no primer whatsoever before reading the following interview. However, if you, like me, haven’t been living in Washington for too long, I’d like you to stop reading this—just for a second! Do me a favor: open up a search browser and find a 1-minute clip from “Last Week Tonight” titled, “You Wish You Loved Anything as Much as Seattle Gardening Expert Ciscoe Morris Loves Everything.”…
Bellingham Aerial and Dance (B.A.D.) opened in late September 2024 and has already created waves in the arts community. The business idea came to Max Rodzon, the owner and founder of B.A.D., in July—they could tell…
After years of traveling and cultivating a deep appreciation for food and wine, Bryan Holmes returned to Anacortes seeking to translate his experiences into something he could share with the community. And so, he opened Blackbird Wine & Charcuterie in November 2020. “I want to provide a space where people can build relationships, nurture friendships, and have a shared memory,” he explains. “I’ve always found that…
Are you an aspiring artist, with all the corresponding hopes and dreams, but without the space to properly create? Luckily for you, the Whatcom Art Center is up and running. Located in the charming neighborhood of Fairhaven, the center boasts three art studios, along with space for pop-ups, meetings, classes, and shows. “We wanted (to be) available to the art community in general so…
Nestled in the hilly landscape of the Ferndale countryside, you will find LaBelle Bridal Cottage—a quaint home that Owner Lisa Shumski has turned into a dreamy bridal suite. The warm, vintage environment of the interior is immediately showcased upon entering; a stoic grandfather clock and elegant baby grand piano greet you from across the living room. White furniture is placed throughout the space, and…
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 access to their beauty. And I’d argue that the low season—late fall through late spring—is actually the best time to visit. Especially if you, like me, are the kind…
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 Study of African American Life and History to combat the lack of information regarding the achievements of Black people. The tradition was originally a one-week celebration in 1926 that displayed the contributions of Black Americans, but over time (and after multiple…
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, Free Borsey, he was recently awarded the Bullitt Prize by Washington…
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 a few votes apart—NEKO: A Cat Cafe’s Grinch tree came in first, the Bellingham Bells won…
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 disbanding. Looking for connection, collaboration, and work opportunity, she set about laying the groundwork for a new dance collective. “I invited a bunch of dancers in the…
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…
The best beauty advice isn’t limited to just women—it’s for all of us! These five timeless tips are worth pursuing to…
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 performers, including storytellers, comedians, poets, authors, musicians,…
At the end of last year, a project that was two years and $56 million in the making came to a…
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 with beautiful full-page portraits, have appeared in the magazine’s Life section since January 2023….
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 of needs. Now, that spectrum is expanding, thanks to a massive, multi-year community effort and more than $400 million in funding—including nearly $100 million in private donations. “For someone in my area…
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…
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…
Christmas wasn’t quite the same that first year after grandma died. Oh, it was still Christmas in a lot of ways. The tree was there, decorated with many of the same ornaments as last year. Brightly adorned presents abounded and we kids eagerly waited, as usual, to strip them of their shiny wrappings. It didn’t even seem to matter that we…
During the holiday season we trade in chicken for turkey and socks for stockings, so why not swap out regular beverages for something bubblier? These Washington State bottles are sure to add festive joy to any gathering with their celebratory “POP!” and may even help you through Christmas dinner with the in-laws. 1- Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir Crafted in the San Juan Islands, this classic breakfast wine…
Whether you’re an artist, maker, shopper, or lover of unique gifts, the holiday season always brings out the best and most diverse markets in the region, from the sip and shop artist markets in local Bellingham breweries and…
Often referred to as “the town so nice, they named it twice,” Walla Walla is a well-known Eastern Washington destination for wine lovers, but it’s also a culinary destination, and a shopping one—I spent far too much money on Main Street in just four days! I was lucky enough to experience the town twice, at two very different properties:…
In the heart of Bellingham, a diverse tapestry of businesses is weaving a narrative of community and compassion. These establishments, from bookstores to breweries, are not only providing goods and services but also actively contributing to the well-being of their community. Village Books and Paper…
Whatcom County is an area awash with artists, galleries, and art festivals. Yet despite the rich tradition of vibrant art in…
For the past two years, the City of Bellingham has been working on the Padden Creek 24th to 30th Streets Restoration Project—and Phase 2’s construction just wrapped up. The city has…
The wonderful thing about this time of year is that it’s full of opportunities to celebrate. No matter your religion or culture there are so many chances to spend time with the people you love, consume delicious things, and send off the year with joy, community, and love! Our Holiday Wish List can help! Check it out below.
Bellingham has a new race track in town, and it’s revving up the fun factor for the whole family! Mach1 Speedway offers an electrifying experience with its state-of-the-art electric…
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 that. Small group classes?…
Since Time Immemorial is a recurring series featuring community members whose families have been here since time immemorial. The ancestral knowledge carried…
Holiday Recipe Roundup It’s fair to say that the tastes of the holidays—mountains of potatoes, cranberry sauce, grandma’s top secret…
*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…
31 Days of Voting… 127 Business Categories… 77,419 Submissions… 1,006,837 Individual Votes Cast… YOUR 2024 BEST OF THE NORTHWEST RESULTS ARE IN! Check them out below!…
The Victorian Seaport of Port Townsend is the perfect October destination for Whatcom and Skagit spooky-enthusiasts, and not only because stepping off the ferry and into their waterfront downtown feels a bit like time travel. Amongst the historic brick buildings and eclectic storefronts is a…
The moment you walk into a Pacific Northwest forest, you’ll feel magic in the air. It’s hard not to look under toadstools, inside hollow trunks, or around rocky outcroppings just to see if a curious faerie is there looking back at you. One Bellingham performance company strives to create a world where that flight of fancy comes to life. Cirque Cadia is a performance company founded in 2017…
Oh poi! This month’s online exclusive takes us inside the kitchen of Seattle Poi Company. Culture, food, and community mash together to create the story of a small business making big waves. By bringing fresh poi to the continental United States, the folks at…
This Fall, The Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon will once again transform into a vibrant haven for enthusiasts of the elusive Bigfoot and fans of lively community gatherings. The 3rd Annual…
For so many of us, Seattle is a medical or entertainment destination—the kind of place you go for a few hours or a day trip. But one of the benefits of spending…
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…
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…
Our September issue is all about the arts, which might at first bring to mind paintings and dance performances—but literature is a…
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. Take a day cruise. Whether you want to watch some whales (San Juan Safaris), take a peaceful…
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 been a sanctuary for area teens since opening its doors in 2022. By offering an after-school haven for kids to feel supported and heard, both personally…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Since Time Immemorial is a recurring series featuring community members whose families have been here since time immemorial. The ancestral knowledge…
Passing signs for Kirkland on the freeway, you’ve no doubt joked about how good the Costco must be there—but the city is so much more than that (and honestly, the Costco is nothing special; you want Issaquah for that). Given its location just across Lake Washington from Seattle, Kirkland is considered by many to be a suburb of the larger city; in fact, Kirkland has a reputation for being its own community, where residents not…
I first heard about WWU QueerCon just one day before the event. It was late April, and Bellingham was just starting to really blossom with activity like it does every Spring. I was looking forward to a weekend at…
“Fly safe, talk to you soon,” says Jason Douglas, owner of San Juan Airlines, into his green headset as he lands his plane at the Friday Harbor Airport, passing another plane about to take off. It’s the very same airport the founder of San Juan Airlines, Roy Franklin, built years ago. On an early spring morning in March, as stick season comes to an end and the first blooms appear, a refurbished 1960s…
Life partners Erin and Tyler founded Hiatus Campers in 2018 based on their love of adventure. The native Washingtonian UW alums met at the campus climbing gym. Tyler, an Industrial Design graduate, had always loved working with his hands. He spent years…
A HOY! One of Bellingham’s oldest ships is turning 100, and you’re invited. The Schooner Zodiac is hosting an open house on May 19 to celebrate the vessel’s centennial birthday. The celebration will be held upstairs of the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and aboard the Zodiac, allowing you to experience a piece of history. Displays 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…
One of the most important parts of any getaway is your temporary home away from home. The new Village Inn at Eastsound, opened in 2023, is a fantastic home base for your Orcas Island escape. The Village…
Since opening its doors in August 2004, Bellingham-based nonprofit Brigadoon Service Dogs has placed more than 100 trained service dogs within the Pacific Northwest, aiding and enhancing the lives of their handlers who live with diverse abilities. “Every dog that we place is a Whatcom County success story,” says Kevin M. Ryan, executive director of Brigadoon Service Dogs. “We’ve seen a growing need in our community for the…
As you walk down Holly Street toward the bustling streets in downtown Bellingham, you come across a mysterious yet welcoming set of stairs with a large star at the top. It draws you in and takes you to the front door of The Orion. As you step inside, you are embraced with constellations lining the walls and the sound of games…
IN UNDER A decade of operation, ocean cleanup company 4Ocean has already pulled over 34 million pounds of trash from the world’s oceans and waterways. In honor of Earth Day, we spoke with Alex Schultz, co-founder and CEO of 4Ocean, to…
Are you ready to look and feel your best? Look no further than RejuvenationMD® Aesthetic Skin Treatment & Wellness Center where science meets…
Whether you’re entering your golden years or have loved ones who are, we’re here to help with resources for aging gracefully in the North Sound.
For the folks at Kona, cycling is not just a sport, it’s a whole global community of riders—or that’s how Shae James, of Kona Bikes, explains it. As she speaks, you can tell that she believes it. The bike manufacturer has many locations, but its global headquarters is right here in Ferndale, where James works as a global branding creative. James moved to Whatcom County with her parents…
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 back in the building, you enter a time warp. The Odd Fellows Temple Room opened on December 15, 2023, adding a calm atmosphere to…
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…
When strolling down Main Street in Ferndale, you might spot a powder-blue bakery sign promising scrumptious treats. Once you step inside, you’ll likely find the namesakes of Barb’s Pies and Pastries: a vast selection of pies and Owner Barb O’Brine. “I’ve been working in Ferndale longer than I care to tell you,” says O’Brine, who founded the business in 1999. “February was our 25th anniversary, I can’t believe it. We made it through…
Edinburgh, Scotland has been the Scottish Capital since the 15th century. Here you’ll find two distinct UNESCO Heritage sites, Old Town which includes Edinburgh Castle and New Town, whose neoclassical style dates back to the 18th century and…
Since Fall 2018, Marc Blake, Founder of Pacific Multisports Network, and his team have helped with just over 200 race events. Marc created an all-encompassing platform for athletes and event coordinators that combines registration, timing services, race organizing, and a support system. “… we waitfor the last participant,…
MARCUS MINDLIN SMILES a lot. And not just in a politely professional way. He has the smile of a guy who cares a lot about other people. When I asked him how he joined the arborist trade he explained that it’s just what he’s always done. “My whole life I’ve always done landscaping. My mom always said I just…
Whether you’re embarking on a new build, planning a selective remodel, or just looking for ideas for making your home more livable and fun, our March feature article is full of inspirational customizations to make your home work for you! Check out…
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 coming into bloom. Read on for resources galore, from local businesses to the area’s Master Gardeners and their gorgeous Discovery Garden in Mount Vernon. Master Gardeners: Community Members, Community Resources Master Gardeners are volunteers who receive training to become…
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…
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 the truth at Rumors Cabaret. Every Sunday at 9:30 p.m., Rumors Cabaret hosts Drag Me…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 other couple in town. Enter: The Valentine’s Cabaret at Amendment 21,…
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…
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 of whimsical stickers and your husband has a…
After the stress and chaos of the holiday season, we all need a little self-care, and what better way to…
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…
As the days grow short and the weather turns cold here in the Pacific Northwest, a change of scenery can be just…
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…
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 the North Sound. Dedicated to its mission to ending racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, and freedom for all, the YWCA is always looking for new ways to uplift…
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…
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,…
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…
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 the nines to attend the Gala and Auction, and you can bid on their decorated mini-trees in Downtown Mount Vernon. St. Joseph…
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 beautiful downtown…
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…
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 lasting change. For Sunchea Phou, an entrepreneur in Sedro-Woolley, making a lasting positive impact has…
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…
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, fishing traditions, and picturesque sunsets, this island has far more to offer than many realize— and nobody knows this better than Ashley…
127 Categories. 381 Winners. 72,809 submissions. 946,062 individual votes. And your 2023 Best of the Northwest winners are…
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 with one another. We are grateful for these…
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 the Setting Sun continues under Executive Director Darrell Hillaire as a…
Taylor Melim, L&L Libations When it comes to crowd-pleasing cocktail bars, L&L Libations is hard to beat— and this is largely thanks to the efforts of Co-Owner Taylor Melim. Melim co-owns both Leaf and Ladle and L&L Libations and comes from “a long line of restaurant people.” She loves creating cocktails with floral notes, teas, and fresh fruits and herbs, and while…
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 each glass— and you don’t have to be an expert sommelier to appreciate them. Here, you…
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, Chapa has always been bold. At 44 years old, one could say she’s lived a full life already….
Since Time Immemorial is a recurring series featuring community members whose families have been here since time immemorial. The ancestral knowledge…
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 about much more than just…
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,…
Bellingham’s Bay Street Studios Studios may seem unassuming from the outside looking in, but if you frequent First Friday art walks,…
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…
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…
WE ALL DREAM of building a community where everyone can belong, especially the most vulnerable among us—and Northwest Youth Services (NWYS) has been working to make that dream a reality since 1976. What began as a foster program has blossomed into…
E VER NOTICED A boat full of happy people cruising around Bellingham Bay at sunset? Chances are it was a San Juan Cruises outing. Founded in…
PRIDE MONTH MAY only come once a year—but the Bellingham Queer Collective (BQC) celebrates community and togetherness for the LGBTQ+ folks year-round. The social group has only recently gained nonprofit status in Washington State, and while they already serve an important role in Whatcom County, Founder Michelle Harmeier says they’re just getting started. Harmeier is a former educator, and in addition to her work with BQC, she also serves on…
WHETHER YOU’RE KAYAKING the San Juan Islands, rafting the Skagit River, or doing yoga on a paddleboard at Lake Padden, our region’s waters have something to offer everyone. That’s why we’re bringing you a guide to the local resources you need to make a splash this summer—but appreciating these waters requires looking beyond outdoor recreation alone. Luckily…
S UMMER HAS ARRIVED in earnest, which means that school’s out for the season—and, for better or worse, kids have a lot of time on their hands. Hoping to help your kids get the most out of their break? Summer camps are a surefire way to keep them social, active, and challenged. There are…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Frelard Tamales and El Sueñito Brewing Company are officially open in Sunnyland as of this February—and if you haven’t given their offerings a try yet, you’re missing out on something truly delicious. Frelard has been a Seattle favorite since…
Tabletop gaming fans have a new destination to meet, play, and enjoy some tea! Co-owners CEO Travis Peacock and COO Gideon Jones have opened up the first brick-and-mortar location for their tea company, D&Tea. D&Tea was born when Peacock was looking for new avenues to explore after a while of selling Dungeon & Dragons dice at conventions. Their…
According to the ASPCA, roughly 390,000 dogs are euthanized in U.S. kill shelters every year—and a substantial portion of these pups fall under the category of “bully breed.” Luckily, there are organizations that help misunderstood dogs find forever homes; here in Bellingham, that organization is the Pittie Project PNW. The Pittie Project PNW is a nonprofit that rescues bully breeds…
Whether you go by foot, bike, or car, exploring the PNW is always an adventure – but city-hopping by rail? That’s an entirely different level…
Imagine enjoying your morning coffee while overlooking a 268-foot-tall waterfall, with no immediate responsibilities save for a massage treatment or two. If you’re overdue for a mountain escape, a visit to the Salish Lodge and Spa…
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…
For outdoor recreation enthusiasts, Whatcom County is a national treasure—and the region’s mountains, waters, and trails should be accessible to all. This mentality is the ethos behind the AIROW Project (Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation of Whatcom County), a local nonprofit working to provide adaptive recreation opportunities and gear for individuals with disabilities. AIROW was founded by April Katz, a passionate disability advocate who also provides support and services through her…
PNW residents rejoice: Spring is just around the corner, which means longer days, milder weather, and blossoming gardens galore. Whether you’re…
Babygreens originally opened in Downtown Bellingham in April 2018, started by Owner Nick Meza after a lifetime of appreciating what plants can do for a home. “Plants have always been a really great passion and hobby of mine,” he says. “[I love] plants from all perspectives; keeping them alive and caring for them, designing spaces with them, generally appreciating all they do.” Photo by River Porter This passion and…
With March coming back around and the seasons on the verge of changing over, spring migration is in swing for the…
It’s safe to say that the Connection Breakfasts at Her Connection Hub are unlike any other networking event I’ve ever been to—and not just because all the attendees are women. There are no awkward introductions or forced exchanging of business cards. Rather, participants engage in genuine conversations about their lives as both…
When Kristin Loffer Theiss started her own business in 2005, she had been looking for a career that would let her use her creativity and would also let her be a parent. She began by making nursery decor, including handmade mobiles, and the fledgling business immediately took off. “I hit it timing-wise with the maker’s movement,” she says. With…
“What the gods gave me” is a new horror play by Eryn Elyse McVay that has only been produced twice: Once at Ohio University, where the playwright is attending grad school, and most recently at Western Washington University, where McVay completed her undergraduate degree. McVay started working on “what the Gods gave me” during her time at Western. It follows the women of Nevermoore Inn as they prepare for the Rite and the magic that…
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,…
Author of the Memoir “A Little Bit of Land”
Maple Bar
Snowking Aviation
Dr. Lexie Tom
Estelle
Savannah LeCornu
Q&A with Nia Gipson
Q&A with Owner Patricia Mallett-Edlin of Unique Technique Dance Studio
BBay Running Pub Rubs
Blue Water Pottery
Financial Wellness with Money Maven Financial
Since Time Immemorial is a new 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,…
Paper Whale
SilverSneakers program at the YMCA
Heartful Retreats
Skagit Regional Health Festival of Trees
Organizations and opportunities to give back to our community.
Organizations and opportunities to give back to our community.
Kayla Colburn, Old Growth Photo & Film
Winter Outdoor Activity Roundup
Under the Tree Presentation (pun intended) is part of the fun when it comes to holiday gifting– and if you’re looking to shop local for gift wrap, Cresswell…
Classic Christmas: On the Town
Whatcom Million Trees Project
If you’re looking to start the holiday season in the spirit of giving, get excited for the return of the Giving Trees, a form of gift drive that appears all over our community near the end of every year. At Village Books and Paper…
Q&A with Author Laurie Noelle and Illustrator Sharon Beth
Rexville Grange Art Show
Kementari’s Creatures
Lummi Artists on Lummi Island
Gordon Skagit Farms
It’s that time of year again! After 31 days of voting, 122 local business categories and over Seventy Four Thousand submissions, we are proud to announce your 2022…
The Foundation Lounge
Haunted Road Trip
Doctober at the Pickford Film Center
Q&A with Kick Step Design
Meet the Inspirations for Your Favorite Local Beers
Museum of Northwest Art
JoyRiders Mountain Bike Club
SeaFest
Sunnylandfest
Wines with Sommelier Amberleigh Brownson
fillerfogg design
Volli Bellingham
The LIDO Collective
Bunanza Rabbit Rescue Ranch and Adoption Center
The Yurts at Lakedale Resort
HATS Feature
Q&A
30 Years of the Bellingham Farmers Market
Amy Chaloupka, Curator of Art at the Whatcom Museum
Q&A with Jimmy Watts of Shuksan Rod Co.
Dunbar Gardens
Picnics are the perfect way to welcome summer’s return, whether you’re watching the sunset with your sweetie or planning an outing with the whole family. You can make yours as adventurous, low-key, spontaneous, or extravagant as you want– really, there’s no right way to have a picnic. You just have to get outside (and bring some snacks)!
Northwest Tune-Up
Our Kitchen
Outstanding in the Field
Emily O’Connor, Executive Director of Lydia Place
As the biggest island in the San Juan archipelago, Orcas Island has no shortage of activities to keep you occupied. This 57.3-square-mile oasis offers everything from outdoor recreation to shopping, spas, and delicious farm-to-table food. Best of all, Orcas Island is easily accessible via ferry from Anacortes– so if you haven’t explored the San Juans yet, why wait any longer?
Whatcom Youth Pride
Q & A with Artist and Fisherman Tom Crestodina
Eleanor Hines
The Opening of Quantum Leaf
Couture Weddings 2022
Goat Boat Farm
LockBreaker Escapes
Genuine Skagit Valley
Rena Priest
Madison McKay
Special Advertisement
Towns To Transport You
Steikhen Out & About
Whatcom Women in Business
Bellingham Language School
Q&A with Kyleigh Rogers, co-owner of Freedom Vans
Celebrate Earth Day with Whatcom Museum!
The Blue Room Grand Opening
Sarah Bell
Tulip Festival
Historic Mount Baker Theatre Turns 95
The Willows Lodge
Make a Scene
Storefront Improvement Grant
Smith & Vallee Gallery
Because We Matter
Whatcom Cultural Arts Festival
Co-host of Plants for All People: The Podcast
Sikh Community and Whatcom Community Foundation Donate $150,000
A Seed-To-Table Approach
Katheryn Moran Photography
In honor of Valentine’s Day, you’re invited to enjoy three (very different!) love stories as told by people in your neighborhood. Get comfy and grab a cup of something warm– we hope you enjoy these tales as much as we did.
Getaway Skagit Valley
WinkWink Gets a New Storefront
Alma Clark Glass Hall
Connect NW Physical Therapy & Wellness
Vamos Outdoors Project
Music lovers of all stripes are sure to feel at home at Black Noise Records. This new addition to downtown Bellingham buys, sells, and trades vinyl– but you don’t have to be a seasoned collector to appreciate what they have to offer. “If you’re trying to get…
Mindfulness Northwest
A look into a Ferndale artist’s home studio
As Christmas draws closer, Hotel Bellwether is busy preparing its 10th annual Holiday Tree Lighting Event.
Rebecca Meloy
Distinctive Voice Consulting
Missing and murdered Indigenous Women Washington (MMIWW) is a charitable nonprofit that aims to create change and healing for victims, their families, and their communities. They work with government agencies, schools, and law enforcement to ensure that these organizations have the resources to educate and prevent crimes against Indigenous people. They also work to provide support services and resources to help victims and families heal.
Creative Hope Studios
If your Winter agenda could use some inspiration, you’re in luck—there’s plenty of festive fun to be had in Bellingham and beyond. As the holidays draw closer, here’s a peek at our 2021 to-do list.
Beloved illustrator Phoebe Wahl has opened a new brick-and-mortar retail shop in the heart of the Bellingham Arts District. Now residing within Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress, the gift shop is home to her collections of prints, home decor, and her own illustrated children’s books.
The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra’s new concertmaster is Dawn Posey, a violinist who comes from a family of musicians. Posey, who attended her first live concert when she was 10 days old,…
Lightbulbs, batteries, plastic foam: All items that are recyclable, but not without a little effort. Given the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be difficult to make the time to take these items where they need to go to be given a new life.
October is here, which means Halloween is just around the corner– and perhaps it’s time for a trip to the pumpkin patch. No matter your age or skill level, carving pumpkins is a time-honored way to celebrate the spookiest season of the year.
It could be argued that the best way to experience a region is through its food, and there’s no shortage of local bounty in the San Juan Islands. You’re invited to indulge your senses at the 14th annual Savor the San Juans event, back in full force after going virtual in 2020.
View the winners of the Best of the Northwest 2021 Reader’s Choice Awards below!!
Leah Foster knows firsthand that cutting down on waste can be a daunting task. Working in the airline industry made her mindful of our society’s reliance on disposables, and after becoming a mother, she noticed that her own family was going through more of everything. Household necessities such as shampoo, dish soap, and baby products are traditionally sold in plastic. However, finding sustainable alternatives proved challenging.
But challenges often arise– especially for Randhawa, who is in a unique position to make key decisions. The COVID-19 pandemic completely changed the university’s operation, meaning that the past year has required innovation.
Picture an art gallery. What do you see? Perhaps a large building with pieces carefully and thoughtfully lined up on the walls, each work of art unique. Now picture that same gallery, but one thousand times smaller.
Have you ever wanted to learn more about mushrooms, or maybe you’d like to be more aware of the nature that surrounds you? Now is your chance to do just that. The North Cascades Institute (NCI) is putting on a workshop titled “Meet the Mushrooms” that allows participants to interact with and learn more about fungi.
Read & Share aims to spread the love of reading while connecting the community through ideas, information, and a nonfiction book by a regional author. This year’s book is “House Lessons: Renovating a Life,” by four-time bestselling author Erica Bauermeister.
Show your local love this Halloween with these locally-inspired pumpkin carving stencils!
Artist collective formed in 2020 provides space and community for all
How Aline Prata became the Executive Director of the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center
Cascade Adventure Vans
Visitors can now top off their visit to the Whatcom Museum with an Italian-style beverage at Bar Cicotti.
What started as a simple hobby soon blossomed into a full-on business for Marisa Papetti, owner and creator of Marie’s Bees.
How Erin Crosby’s interest in glass turned into a business
When Devin Parks started Are You My Human? Dog Rescue & Lounge in May of 2021, he expected to have an impact on the lives of rescue dogs. What he didn’t anticipate was the effect his business would have on the lives of his customers.
Animals as Natural Therapy
When the community Needed PPE, Makerspace Answered the Call
WeSNiP
Want an affordable mountain vacation home? Share it.
For Bellingham City Council President Hannah Stone, finding common ground between herself and others, and recognizing the interconnectedness of work and family are key to seeking peace, togetherness, and growth.
Bellingham artist settles into his York neighborhood studio
Victim Support Services
Care through Collaboration
New Farmers Market Mural
Q&A with artist Sarah Finger
Vote now in our annual Best of the Northwest Competition! Voting open through July 31. Click here.
Northwest Washington is all about outdoor recreation. With water to the west, mountains to the east, and plenty of trails, lakes, and forests in between, it’s easy to fill every weekend with a different adventure. In these pages we look at a few ways to get out and…
Mt. Baker Skyline Divide Trail
Gabe Rogel
Monica Koller
The Bellingham Farmers Market (BFM) is kicking off the summer with a brand-new market located in the historic waterfront district.
Flatstick Pub
Have it all at Barkley Village’s new business complex
Bellingham resident Rena Priest was recently named the 6th Poet Laureate of Washington State.
Rachel Carter took her first belly dancing class while attending Washington State University in Pullman. She loved it so much she continued taking classes when she moved to Bellingham,…
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to appreciate what’s close to home. Lucky for us, northwest Washington offers countless vacation-worthy destinations. From cities that boast world-class cuisine to breathtaking islands filled with beauty and wildlife, our state is rich with wonders both manmade and natural. As inspiration for your next vacation, we’ve taken a look at five destinations within four hours of Bellingham: Kirkland, Friday Harbor, Bainbridge Island, Leavenworth, and Sequim. Each one offers something unique, whether you’re hoping for a relaxing seaside escape, an adventure in the mountains, or a weekend of fine dining, shopping, and spa treatments. Whatever vacation means to you, get out your calendar and start planning.
Looking for a safe, educational, and fun activity to get your young ones out and about during the pandemic? Look no further than Bellingham Coding + Robotics Club (BCRC).
Residents of Birch Bay can soon look forward to a construction-free drive along Birch Bay Drive. The shoreline that runs parallel to the road has been…
Ciara Sana
Q & A with Suzanne Taylor, founder of the DISH Foundation
Liane Redpath’s journey to jewelry
Despite the hiatus, MBT is gearing up for their eventual reopening.
Q&A with Representative Debra Lekanoff
A Bellingham local, Ford has been writing books and managing his own software company for the past 30 years.
Dorothy Smith and Allegro Strings
Plants for All People
Bellingham Local Opens Rotisserie Food Truck at K2
Interfaith, funded almost entirely by local donations, brings together people in need with people who have abundant resources.
Near Whatcom Community College, the airy 10,000-square-foot gallery presents a new multi-generational exhibition, Origins and Evolutions: Five Generations, set to run through May 22 or later.
A New Studio Offers Opportunities for Bellingham Creatives
The 1.5-acre park is home to attractions for the whole family.
Click the link below! https://northsoundlife.com/enter-to-win/
As 11,907 K-12 students in Bellingham grind away at their studies this school year, some have a harder time than others when it comes to finding a comfortable workplace at home. Shawn Serdahl of A1DesignBuild in Bellingham recognized this issue for his own kids and promptly ordered desks for both of his daughters. “When my family was getting our two girls set up at home for…
A window into Andrea Joyce Heimer’s paintings
Restoration Project on Nooksack Merges Indigenous and Western Knowledge
Kulshan Community Land Trust Pushes Forward in 2021
Bellingham Family Partnership Program Helps Kids Learn from Home
Looking for a Sign?
Bellingham’s own Tony’s Coffee has been awarded Macro Roaster of the Year for 2021 by Roast coffee magazine in their November/December issue.
Chalkboard climbing gym plans to open doors in 2022, joining Vital as a space where climbers can train, socialize, and practice their sport.
If you’re looking to enjoy a cold one on the beach, head to Blaine’s newest beachfront brewpub, Beach Cat Brewing.
La Conner writer pens new novel about the Donner Party
Suffering from a case of “mask mouth?” The stress of 2020 may have taken a toll on your oral hygiene, here’s a guide on how to save your smile during COVID-19.
New to caregiving? Here are some tips from Bellingham counselor and author Miriam Drake.
On September 16, Whatcom County celebrated the opening of its first BECU Neighborhood Financial Center (NFC).
Lhaq’temish Foundation
Celebrate the holidays in 26 different ways!
Ferndale’s own Twin Sisters Creamery has been named the best cheese shop in Washington by Taste of Home magazine.
Say hello to Bellingham’s newest park and playground.
Channel your inner adventurer and become a believer with The Bigfoot Adventures.
Gretchen Leggitt’s murals capture the heart of Bellingham
Western Solar and Puget Sound Energy Team up to Support Low-Income Organizations
Favorite Cool-Weather Hikes
View the winners of the Best of the Northwest 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards below!
Whatcom Community College is bringing Bellingham Alive across the globe.
The Lighthouse Mission Base Camp re-locates to the Bellingham Public Market.
Make the most of your autumn, with fun social-distancing activities at these local farms.
WACO will leave you seeing stars.
Epic Memorials
One woman’s mission to serve the children of Skagit Valley
Sustainable Connections is inviting the community to explore farm fresh flavors and experiences with the Local Farm Stand Loop.
Bellingham potter Linda Stone captures the PNW in her creations
Bury the hatchet with Bellingham Axe, Bellingham’s newest axe-throwing venue.
Peoples’ Perspectives: COVID 19 in Whatcom County
Fill up your week with fall fun! We’ve compiled a guide for seven days of social-distancing friendly activities for you and your whole family to enjoy.
Local photographer Lou Nicksic captures the beauty of the great blue heron.
Nothing makes you dream about the future quite like a government-issued shelter-in-place order. I don’t know about you, but I spent most of my time in self-isolation planning…
Recycling medical supplies for those who need them most
Asian giant hornets arrive in Whatcom County.
Bellingham Local Jake Riley prepares to go for the gold despite Olympic postponement.
Western’s Jeopardy Magazine Publishes 56th Issue
The Bellingham Housing Authority continues to develop the former site of the Aloha Motel
elSage Designs offers local art and products in store and online.
Bow Wow & Woofs offers a pet pantry for owners struggling to feed their pets during the COVID-19 outbreak.
If you’ve ever hiked, biked, or otherwise enjoyed Whatcom County’s scenic splendor, it’s likely the Whatcom Land Trust (WLT) had a hand in protecting it. Or more likely, thousands of hands.
Leather meets literature in Artist Kasey Potzler’s hand-bound leather books.
Explore the beautiful cities of British Columbia: take a car, boat, or plane over to Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, and Whistler to experience the magic of our neighbors to the north in this month’s feature “Visit B.C.”
Weed lovers: It’s your special day! If you’re celebrating 4/20 today, have you ever wonder how this number got a “higher” meaning?
The COVID-19 pandemic is rocking our world. Restaurants and bars are shuttered, schools are closed, and our local service industries are suffering badly. The impact from the virus has spared no one. But the threat has not changed our community’s character.
Through poetry, Wong is dissecting her own fears in comparison to her family history.
The Historic Hotel Leo gets a modern uplift.
Orcas Island hosts third annual literary festival.
Tulip Town welcomes new owners, and new tulips.
Allison Sutherland from Galloway’s Cocktail Bar dominates during Bellingham’s Cocktail Week.
Have you ever been to the Heritage Flight Museum? Learn more about the history behind it, and what’s on the horizon.
Thinking of switching to an electric vehicle? Here’s some words of wisdom from a dealer-trade driver.
Meet Tommy Gibson, a 76-year-old photographer from Whatcom County. Hear his story and inspirations in this Q&A.
Meet Glenn Curtright, the head custodian at Mount Baker Theatre. Here’s some of his favorite stories from behind the curtain.
With the continuing spread of COVID-19, we’re living in uncertain times. Restaurants and bars are closed, people are working from home, and notably, schools are closed. Not only does this mean K-12 students in Whatcom County are missing out on classes, but it also means many are missing out on meals. Of the 29.8 million students who receive school lunches each day in the U.S., more than 67 percent, or 20.2 million students, receive lunch for free.
Here’s what local schools are doing to make sure no students go hungry:
This month’s Wonder Woman is Kira Iaconetti, a 20-year-old performer who is two years out from her awake craniotomy.
Whatcom Museum is introducing new accessibility initiatives for people with sensory processing disorders, dementia, and memory loss.
The next time you find yourself at Leader Block Wine Co. & Eatery in Ferndale, prepare for a shiny surprise. In January, the restaurant installed a coin floor made from more than 41,000 pennies.
Editorial/Marketing Coordinator Anelyse Morris shares her experience growing up as a military child, and how it led her to journalism.
2020 marks 100 years since the ratification of the 19th amendment, guaranteeing American women the right to vote. Learn a little bit about the amendment’s history as well as how your community is celebrating the centennial.
Hear the story behind the founding of Days For Girls International, an organization that aims to increase period education and access to menstrual care for girls around the world.
The Seattle Mariners head to spring training to begin the 2020 season.
Make the most of your Valentine’s Day with this guide on how to keep the party going from morning till night.
Local author Kathryn Trueblood discusses her career as an author and her journey while writing “Take Daily as Needed.”
Whatcom Humane Society is gearing up for swan season, read more about their efforts and what you can do to save local swans.
Roses are red, violets are blue. But as a Valentine, you may want to try something new.
This pop-up business space aims to provide resources for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Nobody puts Baby Cakes in a corner! This nonet is taking the Bellingham Funk scene by storm. Read more about the group and how they got started.
From veterans experiencing homelessness to hungry children, Wildbird Charity has led the flock in Whatcom County outreach since 2016. Founded by a group of college friends, Wildbird aims to ease the daily struggles of communities in need, while also raising awareness.
Western receives a $302,000 contract to help build new equipment and gain a new understanding of Mars.
No matter your age or experience level, you can channel your inner ninja at Life Force Ninja Gym.
Cozy up with this season’s sweater trends. Find the perfect winter look from these local boutiques and stores.
Bre Sheppard’s unique style is taking the Instagram world by storm. Hear her story and her winter fashion favorites.
See the bucks behind the buds! Catch up on how the initiative that legalized marijuana in Washington has financially affected the state.
Western’s new Tribal Liaison Laural Ballew discusses her background and plans for her position.
Western Washington University opens new Multicultural Center to celebrate diversity and inclusion on campus
Local artist Lin McJunkin raises climate change awareness through her glasswork creations.
Since 1980, luthier Andy Beech has crafted and sold a myriad of handmade instruments through his business D’Haitre’ Guitars.
Over the years, Andrea “Andy” Leebron-Clay has touched thousands of lives, healed many hearts, and provided opportunities to those in need.
Since 2008, the Bellingham Circus Guild has bolstered the circus arts and performers of Whatcom County—offering one-of-a-kind shows, classes, and events.
For this month’s Five Faves we invite you to explore the work of some of our favorite local fine art painters, from kaleidoscopic landscapes to geometric forms.
To help you stay inspired and creative throughout the cozier winter months, we’ve compiled a list of ways to artistically engage all five of the senses.
The Guest Brewer’s Brew Pipeline program—a network that assigns different brands of beer to distributors across the country—means better beer for everyone.
In late July, the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District installed ShakeAlert, a pilot system for detecting earthquakes before they occur.
Lori Hill is an award-winning artist currently living in Bellingham, who has been featured in galleries and markets across several states.
Check out these nearby markets open during the month of November, where you can find fresh produce, local goods, and holiday gift items.
Life Between the Pages—A collaborative book club between Evolve, Village Books, and local bars creates an immersive literary experience.
Having successfully opened its first location in Captiol Hill, NEKO—a cat cafe—will soon be opening a Bellingham location at 1130 Cornwall Avenue.
Mount Baker Care Center & Summit Place Senior Living tailors everything they do around the residents’ needs—from daily dining specials to a senior prom.
Local visual artist Kevin Coleman is a philanthropist and champion of the arts in Bellingham—read about his work at WhatcomTalk and with local nonprofits.
Bay Breeze Restaurant in Birch Bay reopened this past summer, after being severely damaged by a storm surge last December.
With the spooky season upon us, we bring you a list of some of our favorite scary movies—get ready to sleep with the lights on!
Bloodworks Northwest is a local, independent nonprofit that connects donors to lifesaving services—read about their programs here.
With three main tours—Sin and Gin, Gore and Lore, and Bellingham History—Fairhaven’s Good Time Girls know how to bring history alive.
The results are in. You—readers from Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties—cast more than a total half-million votes in 126 categories for your favorite North Sound businesses, places, and people. From Best Date Night to Best Dentist, you made your choices known. Here they are. Thank you to all our readers and followers for participating and voting, and congratulations to all of the winners! Click below to see the…
Over the summer, HomesNow! Not Later—a nonprofit that provides safe, temporary housing—received a permit allowing them to operate in Fairhaven.
Since purchasing their first 80 acres of farmland in 1963, Steve and Susan Schuh have expanded to 250 acres and now manage Schuh Farms with their children.
Heather Hitts opened Burnish Clay Studio last February on North State Street, joining Bellingham’s vibrant clay community.
Celebrate the season with some classic autumn activities—Take a hayride, sip some cider, or get lost in a corn maze.
This month’s online exclusive is all about Big Rock Garden Park, an easy, local outing that offers accessible trails and plenty to see.
For this month’s feature, we’re here to help you plan your own weekend wine escape—with a list of overnight wineries only a day’s drive from Bellingham.
This month’s Five Faves features some of our local favorites for charcuterie cheese—delectable additions to any fall harvest cheese boards!
Leo E. Osborne is a multi-award-winning artist and writer whose love of nature led him to the Pacific Northwest, where he continues to explore his craft.
On July 3, Leader Block Wine Co. & Eatery in Ferndale announced some big news: It has received an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.
North Corner Brewing Supply—opened in 2000 by Robert Arzoo—sells a range of supplies for new brewers and seasoned professionals alike.
Shop around for your favorite Washington wine in our list of 25 must-have Washington wines, as part of our September wine issue.
To aid the food access issue in Birchwood, Bellingham farmer Ellie Duncan and her farm partner, Annah Young, started Birchwood Farmers Market in 2018.
Tomas Aminnie and Chay Tan founded Downtime Taps in Ferndale—a unique pay-by-the-ounce taproom experience—to help beer lovers expand their horizons.
Bellingham has launched it’s own chapter of The Pink Boots Society (PBS)—a nonprofit aimed at helping women brewers find a seat at the industry table.
With schools back in session, we took a closer look at private school options in Whatcom, San Juan, and Skagit counties—from Christian and Catholic schools to non-denominational academies.
Brad Haggen—whose grandparents, Dorothy and Ben Haggen, co-founded the Haggen grocery store chain in 1933—purchased Skylark’s Hidden Cafe last fall.
Family-run brewery, Stemma Brewing Co., opened its doors in June—a long-time dream for owners Jason Harper and Kimberley Harper.
West Coast Pops, which has been supplying events and parties with sweet treats since 2016, opened a storefront on North State Street in April 2019.
This month’s Five Faves explores some of the top local spots for oysters—from raw oysters served with pink grapefruit to jalapeno vodka oyster shooters.
We take a look at Bellingham local Ryan Sandholm, known around town for his acoustic shows that fuse pop, rock, and country.
Tiny Onion Cooking School, founded by Annalee Dunn, offers classes that aim to introduce food and nutrition to children in a fun, engaging way.
What started as a guided biking business, became a nonprofit dedicated to connecting female-identifying individuals to the world of outdoor recreation and to one another.
In this month’s Final Word, Ken Karlberg pulls his “anti-aging” secret formula off the market.
For a helping hand in decorating your space, take a look at our list of some of the best one-stop shops in our corner of the Pacific Northwest.
With the help of four local interior design experts, we bring you the ultimate guide for redecorating your home and take a look at four common decor themes.
Mary Elliott, an occupational therapist, opened Bellingham Makerspace in 2014, selling her house to afford the initial equipment.
Bellingham’s newest hair salon, Vanity Hair Studio opened on May 28 of 2019—the second location of the popular Seattle salon.
The four-day event, which starts on July 24, is a celebration between several Native Nations, with special guest tribes traveling from as far as New Zealand, Maui, and Papua New Guinea.
To the east of Sedro-Woolley, amid Skagit Valley Farmlands, sits Willowbrook Manor—an overnight destination fit with Tea Time events and bike tours.
Mount Baker Theatre welcomes 180 kids aged 7–18 to their stage this month for three separate week-long theater camps hosted by Missoula Children’s Theatre.
During four weeks of July, for six days a week, Bellingham TheatreWorks is presenting three productions for Fairhaven’s first Summer Repertory Theater.
Bellingham community members celebrate this 4th of July with a KidsZone, beer garden, live music, and of course, fireworks—at Zuanich Point Park.
Still wondering where to go for the Fourth? In this month’s online exclusive, we highlight the best places around the Sound to watch the fireworks boom.
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.
In this month’s Final Word, Ken Karlberg honors a mother’s love—sharing admiration for his own mother and the many ways in which she is “simply beautiful.”
We took a look at this generation’s college experience through the eyes of four students, each who currently attend or recently graduated nearby colleges.
This month’s Five Faves is an ode to the finest spare ribs in town, this is our summer BBQ edition after all—how could we not!
Pure Bliss Desserts owner, Andi Vann, has expanded this Cornwall Avenue storefront—with doubled seating and tasty additions to its drink and dessert menus.
Celebrate Burlington’s history of agricultural and farming communities with the 82nd annual Berry Dairy Days presented by Peoples Bank.
The Bellingham Roller Betties, now in their 12th season, use the rink to spark new friendships between community members.
The iconic Lime Kiln Lighthouse, located within the Lime Kiln State Park, is celebrating 100 years with a centennial event taking place on June 30.
Karen Chapman’s new book helps those looking to plant a beautiful fence-free garden, without attracting hungry, roaming deer.
Rich Appel, of Appel Farms, was awarded the Vim Wight “Building Bridges” award for his efforts to improve water quality in the Nooksack River basin.
Bellingham Alive provides an extensive three-month internship program for local students looking to break into their prospective industries.
Ken Karlberg honor’s the memory of a cherished friend in this month’s Final Word.
Construction of a five-story building, reminscent of the historic Fairhaven Hotel, is under development, a symbol of Fairhaven district’s growth and future.
Take a look at the rapidly transforming, urban district of Fairhaven and how it became the chic residential and tourist destination it is today.
Through the eyes of city planners and local residents, take a look at the future of Bellingham and how Urban Villages might affect its continued growth.
Take a look at this comprehensive plan of Bellingham’s urban village districts, and the pros and cons that come along with each area.
Anmly Cafe, opened by Emile Diffley in January of 2019, is a zero waste space that offers lattes, smoothies and meals with sustainability in mind.
Local 20 Taproom in Sedro-Woolley, owned by Jake Clary, is the first taproom to arrive to the area and will soon be celebrating its two-year anniversary.
Cinco de Mayo or not, it’s never a bad time to order a margarita! This month’s Five Faves is all about the best of the best local margaritas.
Whatcom County Library System is celebrating its 75th anniversary, embarking on a nine-month history preservation project and building a new Bookmobile.
The Mount Baker Scholarship Foundation endowment has reached $2.8 million, continuing to support graduating seniors of Mount Baker Senior High School.
This month, Bellingham Alive is celebrating these boss moms from around the North Sound who manage to balance motherhood while also working full-time jobs.
Animals rescued from a fire at Hohl Feed and Seed by the Bellingham Fire Department, now find new homes through the Whatcom Humane Society.
Leif Whittaker is a climber, ranger, and author. His new book, “My Old Man and the Mountian,” talks about his childhood and journey summiting Mount Everest.
Orcas Island was listed on the New York Times’ Best Destinations for 2019. Celebrities are taking notice, including Oprah, who owns a house on Orcas Island.
Ken Karlberg analyzes the history and future of America as a powerful nation in this month’s Final Word, “Our Invisible Empire.”
Here’s an inside look of everything you need to know about visiting Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming.
Here’s an inside look of everything you need to know about visiting the Kenai Fjords National Park and Exit Glacier in Alaska.
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.
Allegiant Air is now offering direct flights between Bellingham International Airpport and Anchorage, Alaska. Pack your bags and look for moose!
Rand Jack is a local conservationist, attorney, and wood carver. He works closely with the Whatcom Land Trust. He also carves beautiful wooden birds.
April is National Volunteer Month, and there are many ways to be involved. Help in your community, celebrate Earth Day, and visit the Volunteer Week Fair.
Online trip planning is fast and easy, but there are some things you get with a travel agent you just can’t from the internet. Frank Zurline fills us in.
Sarah Menzies has made her way from Ferndale to Seattle as a filmmaker. Her work will be shown at the Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival.
A look at the history behind the beautiful Skagit Valley Tulip Festival shows a vibrant Dutch background. Visit Tulip Town and RoozenGaarde this April!
Here’s an inside look of everything you need to know about visiting Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls, the Snake Rive, and Dierkes Lake in Idaho.
Here’s an inside look of everything you need to know about visiting Zion National Park, Emerald Pool, and Angels Landing in Utah.
Here’s an inside look of everything you need to know about visiting Antelope Canyon National Park and Lake Powell in Arizona.
Here’s an inside look of everything you need to know about visiting Joshua Tree National Park and the Oasis of Mara in California.
Here’s an inside look of everything you need to know about visiting the Grand Canyon National Park and Havasu Falls in Arizona.
Here’s an inside look of everything you need to know about visiting the Hoover Dam, a National Civil Engineering Landmark, in the Black Canyon in Nevada.
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.
A generous grant from Phillips 66 oil refinery will allow the Boys and Girls Club to update computers and fund educational STEM programs.
Carolyn Roy is the director of Family Promise through Interfaith Coalition. Case managers, volunteers, and employees are helping lift people out of poverty.
The Hope Auction is a fundraiser supoprting Interfaith Coalition programs to help the homeless. Tara Gilligan Reimer is the auction coordinator.
Louis Tabor and Andie Whitewing share their stories of homelessness and how Interfaith Coalition and Family Promise helped in their time of need.
This month’s Five Faves is a list of five garden centers where you can find everything to make your garden grow beautifully this Spring.
Winter Haven is a tent city behind Bellingham’s City Hall run by HomesNOW! The organization’s president Jim Peterson provides the basics for the residents.
Tina Tate is the exeutive director of Frienship House, a clean and sober shelter that provides food, clothes, and recovery to the homeless in Skagit County.
“Living Coral” was voted Color of the Year for 2019 by the Pantone Color Institute. You may start seeing a trend of this pinky-orange color as you shop.
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.
WWU professor Erika Block has created a podacst, “Inside the Notes,” focusing on the stories behind classical music. Oboist Joseph Robinson is a guest.
Whatcom Chorale presents “Heart Mountain Suite,” a musical composition by Sarah Mattox using journals from Japanese internment camp prisoner, Kara Kondo.
PeaceHealth members provided footcare and boots to Jacob Hood and other homeless people in Bellingham during the annual Our Hearts to Your Soles event.
Our online exclusive this month showcases companies that provide local, fresh wholesale seafood from Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan counties, and Alaska.
Ken Karlberg has an unwanted visitor digging up his yard: a mole. He has tried many tactics, but hte molehills keep coming. What will he do next?
Drifters Fish is a community supported fishery (CSF). Michael and Nelly Hand wanted to connect their customers with sustainably harvested salmon.
This month’s feature brings up questions regarding Governor Jay Inslee’s plan to help chinook salmon and orca whales in the Pacific Northwest.
New student housing apartments are in the works up Samish Way for Western Washington University students. Samish Station will be another off-campus option.
This month’s Five Faves features Wines Under $20. Take a look at our top picks from local wineries and neighboring vineyards.
Heard Around the Sound: a recipe for skewered salmon & calamari, facts about dark chocolate, and how you can help nonprofits at the Chrysalis Inn & Spa.
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.
Whatcom Educational Credit Union is rebranding their organization to become simply WECU. Jennifer Kutcher is the CEO and Keith Mader is a program manager.
With professional travel and tourism experience, Sandy Ward, CEO of Bellingham Whatcom County Touris, is working on a way-finding plan for Whatcom County.
Jeff Holmes, owner of the Loft, has a second location on Sunset Drive, The Latitude Kitchen and Bar. Steven Engels is the executive chef.
The McHughs is a local family band. Tim McHugh and his three kids are celebrating their new album, “A Day Will Come,” with a CD release party this Spring.
Kara Nelson describes what it’s like to be married to a commercial fisherman. Her husband, Laeth, is gone for extended periods of time for much of the year.
Ken Karlberg shares a personal account of a family member dealing with an addiction. PeaceHealth is saving lives during this opioid epidemic.
This month we are sharing five of our favorite Bellingham podcasts. With the shows discussing community, science, beer, food, comics, and more!
Owned by Kevin Buck, Chocolate Necessities changed locations last fall and now has two stores where you can enjoy artisan chocolate, gelato, wine and beer.
Brian Shasserre is part of the Zero Waste Movement. He refuses single use items to create less waste and instead reuses items.
Professional organizer Monika Kristofferson of Efficient Organization gives you some hints to help simplify your space and clear the clutter this new year.
Josh and Tomo Kramer are the founders of Cascade Shrub Farm, bringing you a healthy, refreshing, locally infused cocktail and soda mix.
Mother and son duo released their book, “Raising Ryan: Living with Autism” in June of 2018. Sometimes funny, sometimes hear-wrenching, this is their story.
Professor Merrill A. Peterson, at Western Washington University, teaches biology and entomology. He recently published a book, “Pacific Northwest Insects.”
The Bellingham Food Bank provides hunger-relief to many in our community. The non-profit is run by executive director Mike Cohen, staff, and 150 volunteers.
We have chosen our top five favorite places celebrate New Year’s Eve around Skagit County, Whatcom County, and Island County.
Ken Karlberg gives us a challenge this holiday season in his Final Word: to love thy neighbor and to practice kindness, to open our eyes beyond our bubble.
Fifty years ago this month, Apollo 8 became the first mission to carry men from Earth’s orbit to the moon. But that’s not all. One of its three crewmen, Bill Anders, now a resident of Anacortes, took the photo, “Earthrise,” from the space capsule window. It became one of the most famous photos ever taken. On December 24, 1968, Anders, now 85, was supposed to be taking pictures of the moon….
Suzanne Smith, owner of Betty Be Good, held a fundraiser and raised $10,000 for Engedi, an organization providing support to survivors of human trafficking.
Continuing our Jane Goodall feature, learn about the chimps, the Jane Goodall Institute, and how Goodall is depicted in a Far Side cartoon by Gary Larson.
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.
Brian Cladoosby, senior tribal leader of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, is enacting national and local change, improving the lives of his tribe.
This Christmas Eve marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8 astronauts entering lunar orbit. Greg Anders runs the Heritage Flight Museum in Burlington.
The Lummi Nation purchased the Blaine Loomis Trail Golf Course, located on original tribal land. It will be an addition to the Silver Reef Hotel and Casino.
You can help out your local chapter of the National Audubon Siciety by becoming a citizen scientist and counting birds for the Christmas Bird Count.
The 31st annual Jingle Bell Run starts at Bellingham High School on Dec. 8. This event raises funds for arthritis research and helps spread awareness.
Christopher Morrison is Bellingham’s own Dale Chihuly, creating beautiful glass art pieces inspired by nature. You can find his work at Morrison Glass Art.
As you are preparing for the holidays, here is a list of local, U-cut Christmas tree farms around Whatcom and Skagit counties.
This month’s Final Word is by Ken Karlberg. As someone within the legal system, Ken takes a look at the controversy of the Judge Kavanaugh hearings.
Jordan Pollack has been a fearless wildland firefighter across Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Snohomish for over 40 years.
To help keep boaters, fisherman, and community members safe, the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed in Bellingham, keeps watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Whatcom County Search and Rescue Council and their volunteers play a vital role in assisting the Bellingham Police Department and community.
Whether they’re tracking a suspect or sniffing for bombs, the Bellingham Police Department K-9 Unit and their handlers are putting their lives on the line to keep the public safe.
Police Detective Pauline Renick fights crimes against children with the help of Children’s Advocacy Center coordinator Gail Tierney.
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.
Slow Food USA practices slowing down, understanding where food comes from, and enjoying the local bounty in Island and Skagit Counties.
Cataloging, recording, and saving priceless pieces of Bellingham’s history is up to the archivist Jeff Jewell at Whatcom Museum.
Dr. Joseph Gaydos is an advocate for marine life. He works for the Orcas Island-based SeaDoc Society and is the author of “Explore the Salish Sea.”
You voted, and now you can see who is the Best in the Northwest! Here are the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in all 126 categories.
Scout Urling, owner of Flying Bird Botanicals, makes locally sourced organic tea and drinking chocolate, sold in various locations around Bellingham.
The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and Whatcom Land Trust are busy maintaining fish habitats along the Nooksack River and educating the community.
Carolyn Colwell of Your City Sports has donated thousands of socks to the homeless, working with Rachel Tinnell of the Lighthouse Mission Ministeries.
The Orca Building in Fairhaven is home to the Peter James Photography Gallery as well as a splashy new orca sculpture designed by David Christensen.
Ken Karlberg recalls past pranks at work and with his daughters, and encourages us to be playful and find our inner child.
Bob Hall, owner of Daylight Properties, is an integral part of creating the downtown Bellingham we have today with his historical buiding restorations.
Midterm elections are right around the corner, and Ken Karlberg shares his thoughts on truth, our country, and political parties.
The Pickford Film Center is celebrating their 20th anniversary. The movie theater shows independent films and hosts a variety of film festivals every year.
The Opportunity Council is a local nonprofit providing services like housing, building job skills, disability assistance, and so much more.
It’s October and Halloween is right around the corner! We have a wide variety of costumes for grown-ups: fictional characters, night creatures and more!
Mama’s Garden is a local farm run by three mamas. Located in Deming, they have U-pick blueberries, beef, produce at their farm stand, and more!
Infuse your home with living plants from Babygreens, flowers from your local greenhouse or for a bit more fun, try temporary floral tattoos from Tattly.
Bleedingham, a local horror short-film festival, gives filmmakers a chance to bring their own terrifying stories to the screen, being held Oct. 27-28.
It’s midterm elections again, and Bellingham Alive is here to help with tools for registering, ballot drop-offs, and helpful websites. Vote by Nov. 6!
Here’s a look at local restaurants and bars where you can get a small bite to eat. Check out what’s available and snacks you should try.
Here’s a look at the Orcas Island Distillery, which uses isalnd-grown fruits to make their spirits. Read owner Charles West’s story of how he got started.
Here’s an inside look into Mount Vernon’s Valley Shine Distillery, where prohibition, bootlegging, and Al Capone are a big part of its history.
Here’s an inside look at Lynden’s Bellewood Acres, where everything they make is grown on their farm. Read a list of their homemade spirits.
Take a quick inside look at The Madrona Bar and Grill on Orcas Island. We will also share recommendations of home bar essentials.
Take a quick inside look into the A’Town Bistro in Anacortes, plus learn about a few edible garnishes to make your drinks fun and festive.
Here’s a quick inside look at Bellingham’s Fireside Martini and Wine Bar and a Q & A with Kuma Liqueur owner, Chet Holstein.
We’re taking a look at distilleries who use local ingredients in their craft cocktails. Also read a bio on Alexine Langdon, bar manager at Hundred North.
We did a Q & A with four local bartenders. Here’s what they had to say about their backgrounds, favorite drinks, joys and challenges.
Audra Lawlor uprooted her fast paced Manhattan Wall Street life to start a fruit preserves company called Girl Meets Dirt on Orcas Island as her Second Act.
Doug Robertson spent his first act as an attorney; now his Second Act is working as an adjunct professor at Whatcom Community College.
Russ Kendall started out as a documentary photojournalist. Now he is in his Second Act as the owner of Gusto Wood Fired Pizza.
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.
We are highlighting five of our favorite hikes to take during the fall season, from the North Cascades to the San Juan Islands.
Northwest Youth Services is providing a number of services to help homeless teens in Whatcom County, including housing and mental health services.
Award winning Chuckanut Bay Distillery is opening a new restaurant and event space located in the center of downtown Bellingham.
Dave Mauro has conquered seven summits and shares his stories in his new book, “The Altitude Journals”. He will be speaking at REI stores across the US.
Loretta shares her insights on how bicycle seats can be a very successful form of birth control while being the designated cyclist during girls’ night out.
In this web exclusive, you can take an inside look into the family-run business in Anacortes, Deception Distilling and get the recipe for Lavender and Lace.
Bellingham Alive writer Melissa McCarthy tries riding an e-bike for the first time. Electric bikes are safer and better for the environment.
Todd Elsworth is the founder of Recreation Northwest, a nonprofit organization educating people on the economic and social benefits of recreation.
Western Governors University is a national nonprofit online college. WGU is designed for people with families and careers who need more flexibility.
Downtown Mount Vernon in Skagit County is best known for the tulip fields, but it is growing with new businesses, events, parks, and more!
The Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden celebrates its 107th year and still maintaining its agricultural roots from when it began in 1911.
The eight-horse hitch is a rare performance of eight spectacular draft-horses that will be showcased at the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden.
Lynden Sisters Raise Pigs for Fair One of the more anticipated events in August is the six-day-long Northwest Washington Fair, held in Lynden for more than 100 years. For sisters Becky and Abigail (Abby) Thompson, the fair, both say, is the best week of the entire year. It’s not elephant ears or rides like the whirling Gravitron that draw Becky, 14, and Abby, 11, to the…
The Moo-Wich is the Northwest Washington Fair’s signature treat. This ice cream cookie delight is perfect on a hot day at the Lynden Fairgrounds.
Snoqualmie Ice Cream is an eco-friendly, sustainable ice cream business. Snoqualmie Ice Cream makes quality, consciously crafted, delicious ice creams.
Edaleen Dairy is a family run business that makes delicious ice cream from the milk of happy cows at their Lynden farm location.
Take a look behind the scenes at the Lopez Island Creamery, where new and classic ice cream flavors are created at this local Anacortes business.
Acme Ice Cream and Rocket Donuts share their secret on how they make their rich, dense, delicious homemade ice cream using local ingredients.
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!
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.
Pure Bliss desserts is expanding! A new extended menu will include more savory options and an expanded alcohol selection.
Katie Meier What is your role at the magazine and how long have you been with K&L Media? I have been working at K&L Media since May as part of the intern team. With three other interns, I write, check facts, conduct research, and sometimes take photographs. Since starting here, I have worked…
Ordering is the opposite of Starbucks’ multi-adjective gibberish. Just state size and vehicle. “Small, on a cone” will do.
A generous donation to Lydia Place will help the local non-profit provide housing for an overlooked population: single fathers and their children in need.
Changes are coming to the Whatcom Humane Society and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, including the location of this year’s Dog Days of Summer festival.
Looking forward to the Northwest Washington Fair? We are sharing our five favorite finger-licking foods to find at the fair!
The traveling Caravan Stage Co. presents “The Nomadic Tempest” at the Squalicum Marina. The show hopes to spread awareness of the effects of climate change.
Growth is inevitable. The North Sound region is increasing in population and infrastructure. How is this growth affecting our quality of life?
Top male figure skater for the Thailand National Team and Sehome High School Senior, Micah Lynette, prepares for the Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022.
We wanted to hear from you, area residents and visitors, about plans for Bellingham’s waterfront development, along with the new Waypoint Park, the first phase of the plan. Over the course of a few days in mid-May, we interviewed people on the street and those looking through the fence at the park, which had yet to open. Here’s what you had to say.
Take a tour of a few Washington State Parks and learn about the military history in this area, from the early 1800s to WWII.
A behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island.
Local residents share their thoughts, views, and concerns about Bellingham’s waterfront development project at Waypoint Park.
Humor alert — Loretta reminded me to provide a satire disclaimer. No toes were intentionally stepped on in the writing of this Final Word
Eero Johnson helps local residents participate in city-run BTV public access programming.
Derek and Debbie Peris share their passion for fresh-roasted coffee with the community at Barnyard Coffee Roasters in Blaine.
The North Cascades National Park, or the “American Alps,” contains nearly 400 miles of accessible trails with 94% of the acreage designated as wilderness.
Plant pathologist Lindsey du Toit and her team are increasing spinach seed production in Skagit County through Fusarium fungus research.
Michael Dyrland of Dyrland Productions uses photography and multimedia to bring environmental issues to the forefront.
Blacksmith Andy Gladish creates beautiful, sharp, and durable knives as owner of Element Fe.
Have a minute? Looking to take advantage of the long summer days? Just trying to get away? Check out our five favorite scenic drives.
Whatcom Community College is planning major renovations, including a new facility for student and staff collaboration and student dorms.
On paper, starting a Bellingham lifestyle magazine in 2009 looked like a crazy business idea. Like the rest of the country, Bellingham was suffering from a recession. In the fall of 2008, just months earlier, a historic financial meltdown threatened to crash worldwide markets. In early 2009, as fears lingered and the recession stifled local businesses,…
Giant Pacific Octopus (Entreoctopus dofleini) Where found: In cold oxygen-rich water at depth of up to 6,600 ft. The record size… Click to read more!
The non-profit organization was founded in 2008 by Celeste Mergens of Lynden who saw the need for feminine hygiene kits while she was working with a family foundation in Kenya.
Women Researchers at Shannon Point Inspire Students Not far down the road from the Anacortes ferry landing is an important marine research center that has studied everything from seaweed to ocean waves to ocean acidification since the 1970s. Once primarily a field station for Western Washington University, it now has community outreach programs along with research…
Bellingham Alive’s Best of the Northwest is both our biggest magazine issue and biggest shindig of year. The Best of the Northwest (BONW) contest, now in its ninth year, has readers vote for their favorites for everything from best bookstore to best yoga instructor. Top three businesses in each of more than 125 categories get a certificate to hang on their store’s wall, and it has become a badge…
1. KEENAN’S AT THE PIER …
He created the Rocket Donuts’ rocket in downtown Bellingham and has been a contractor for 25 years designing multimillion-dollar homes in the Pacific Northwest. Now, Alexei Ford has just opened Ruckus, a downtown art gallery just a stone’s throw from the Bellingham Farmers Market. Ruckus prides itself on combining an authenticity of the West with…
Immigration is a hot issue not only nationally, but locally. And lawyer and teacher Hannah E. Stone has been at its center in Whatcom County. Stone, 42, has worked in immigration and citizenship law in Bellingham for 11 years and has served as chair of the Whatcom County chapter…
Amid the economic crisis of the Great Depression, 200 young, unmarried men ages 18 to 25 labored long days to build access roads, fire lookouts, and other structures on some of Whatcom County’s most prized public lands. Eighty-five years later, the young men’s work is being recognized with a statue at the Glacier Public Service Center, a…
Bryan Dealing yells, “Stand by! Let it go! Twenty-six feet!” and then, splash! The diver, with his hand gripping the weighted rope that leads into the sea below him, steps off from the back of the boat into the cloudy, dark waters of Everett’s Port Gardner….
Your forefathers gave me life more than 240 years ago. When most of them first came to this land, many were in search of a new life, free from religious persecution, free from economic oppression, and free from a system of governance based largely upon one’s circumstances of birth and social status, not upon one’s merit or character. These were the seeds…
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.
Beltane is celebrated with a maypole dance. This shot was achieved by standing in the middle of the dancers underneath the interwoven ribbons. Feeling the joy of the community surrounding me brought this festival to life in its purest form.
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…
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, sustainable community. One of the RE Store’s newer programs is the Community Jobs Training…
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…
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 without a home. When he finally was able to find a stable living situation, he used his experience and his newfound privilege to speak on behalf of the community that had gotten him through those many years. Since getting…
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 has its own Twitter handle.) The university’s first sculpture was installed in 1960, and the collection has grown to include 36 “interactive” pieces, including the one pictured here—“Skyviewing Sculpture,” by Isamu Noguchi (1969), that allow people to climb…
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…
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 of the new Antler Baking…
Tore Ofteness has been a local photographer for more than 30 years. Born in Norway, Ofteness, 72, lives in Bellingham. Now all but retired, Ofteness recently published the book, “A Higher Perspective: Aerial Photography of the Pacific Northwest,” through Village Books’ Chuckanut Editions. It documents a collection of more than 100 images—almost all from film photography—he captured through open windows in small airplanes or helicopters. To craft his book, Ofteness sorted through his…
Unidentified flying objects are personal for Bellingham artist Trish Harding. A Lummi Island native and Bellingham resident, she says she has seen UFOs twice in her lifetime, once on Lummi as a child and also as a young adult off the island. With that partly in mind, she named her downtown workplace Studio UFO. From that studio last year, she won a region-wide competition to be selected…
Ken (and Loretta) offer their post- Winter Olympic Games thoughts to increase viewership Every two years, we celebrate the world’s athletes, their incredible stories of sacrifice, and the spirit of Olympic competition….
What is your favorite thing to take pictures of? My favorite subjects are in the sky: stars, comets, eclipses, the sun and moon. But being a night sky photographer in the cloudiest city in the continental United States can be challenging, so I also spend a significant time photographing wildlife. What do you do when you aren’t taking photos? I work as a real estate broker for the Satushek Team at Keller Williams, and I own…
Last month was Women’s History Month, but we don’t have to stop celebrating just because it’s April. The second annual Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival is April 12–15 at Pickford…
Many residents in Anacortes are lucky enough to live within walking distance to some of the city’s 2,800 acres of forests. With rapid real estate development engulfing much of the city, we have Friends of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, more commonly known as Friends of the Forest, to thank for preserving and educating the community about…
Your shovel and spade have been collecting dust in the shed all winter. They’ve been itching to hit the soil for months now, and spring is finally here. Some novice (and not-so-novice) gardeners may be wondering what…
So, you’ve never muddied your hands with garden soil. You can never remember what a perennial is. You’ve drowned or deprived all your past plants. Do not despair. Below is a list of some of the hardiest, low-maintenance plants you can put in the ground. These, according to the experts, are harder to kill than cultivate. Once rooted, these toughies…
After 22 years as Western Washington University’s director of communications, Lynne Masland has now committed herself to becoming a connector of the…
Kelli Linville chuckles as she recalls how people occasionally mistake her husband for the mayor of Bellingham—a job she’s held since 2012. White men still predominate in the halls of government from Washington D.C. to Whatcom County, but increasingly women are carving out an important role—especially here. Just check out, for instance, today’s city halls in the North Sound. Three of the biggest cities all have elected women mayors: Bellingham, Mount Vernon, and…
For those of us who spent time or grew up in the East, a West Coast road trip has this one, can’t-beat-it novelty: seeing the sun set over the ocean. The…
If not for the California gold rush, the construction of the first lighthouses on the West Coast would have been far less urgent. The “original eight”—seven on the…
THE PIERS AT LA CONNER MARINA The piers at La Conner Marina see all different kinds of boaters from commercial, recreational and marine connected businesses. With bustling downtown La Conner a few steps away—amble over to the Museum of Northwest Art if you have the…
When Does the Failure to Act Become a Moral Issue? Only a handful of issues divide our country like immigration. The debate pits our heritage as a country of immigrants, our compassion for others less fortunate, and fundamental fairness against legitimate concerns over border security, and the rule of law. The merits of the debate, however, include far darker elephants in the room, speci cally subtle and not-so-subtle racism and fear. If undocumented non-white immigrants are given a pathway to citizenship, and…
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 for catastrophic damage. At the last moment, just before impact, Haggerty wakes in terror. For 15 years, Haggerty was haunted by that…
Loretta gets serious about recycling to avoid the public stockade. I don’t shame easily. As a native New Yorker, my adherence to social norms was often optional,…
Bellingham Cider Company In a region dominated by local beers of all kinds, Bellingham Cider Company boldly enters on the leading edge of a brewing renaissance. The restaurant, set to open in February at 205…
Whatcom Land Trust From the North Cascade mountains to the Salish Sea, the committed members of the Whatcom Land Trust have made it their mission to protect the diverse land that draws people to Whatcom County. For many of Whatcom County’s residents, it is the unique landscape, endless green spaces, and integrated park system that combine to make it hard to imagine living anywhere else. For Whatcom Land Trust…
The Ruckus Room Arcade and Fun Center Looking to provide an all-ages space downtown for Bellingham’s under-21 crowd, Collin Topolski and Emmalyn Smith opened the Ruckus Room Arcade and Fun Center in August of 2017. The co-owners designed the space with the…
HIDDEN FIGURES (2016) Discover the true story of three brilliant African-American female mathematicians—Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Katherine Johnson—who played a crucial role in the U. S.’s space race against Russia….
Athletic leisure wear is all the rage, but what about a functional athletic garment that looks as pretty as your non-athletic garments? What about telling your daughter she can play basketball in a…
As a Bellingham native, professional painter Ben Mann has spent much of his life capturing the whimsy of the Pacific Northwest. His paintings are bold with color, yet soft with their overall simplicity. It is hard to imagine the toughest art critic not breaking a smile after taking in…
In 2018, Seniors and Millennials Will Find Common Ground in New Construction. If we only had a crystal ball. Then we could predict, or at least pretend to predict, the real estate economy and the housing forecast for the coming year. With no crystal ball in hand, we just need to focus on that which we…
What is your favorite thing to take pictures of? Sunsets are by far my favorite things to take photos of because they are always unique and unpredictable. A bonfire on the beach with friends is one of my favorite settings to photograph. Being the photographer…
In recent years, health and wellness centers are catering to clients who want far more than feel-good country spas and or challenging exercise adventures. Centers today offer approaches once considered unconventional, but now more mainstream, like acupuncture, natural medicines, and hypnosis. This is the first in a series of stories telling how we can make our lives better through therapies that don’t involve medication. For each, we will list…
Olympians from here have won medals on both snow and ice — remember soul-patched short-track speedskating phenom Apolo Ohno from Federal Way, who won his first Olympic medal by crawling to the finish line after a multi-skater pileup? Ohno went on to win more medals (eight) than any winter Olympian in the nation. (He retired after the 2010 Games.) But when it comes to Washington, skiing has the richest tapestry, with Mount Rainier…
What is your favorite thing to take pictures of? Having lived in Whatcom County for 46 years, I’ve seen some beautiful scenery here that still amazes me each time I visit that location. Yearning to cherish these wonderful places led my interests toward the…
In Whatcom, San Juan, and Skagit counties, Northwest Harvest works with a total 21 food banks, feeding more than 245,000 families.
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….
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 birthday and their wedding anniversary. Get it right, or you die. Forget the dates, and you die. I have all these dates dutifully calendared, with a…
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…
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 from the University of Toledo and traveling around the world…
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…
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 on the…
I grew up with two brothers in rural upstate New York, so I get that the opposite sex often considers their bodies to be toys or musical instruments to be played. Apparently, male infatuation with flatulation is…
From 3-D Printers to gene therapies, medicine is changing like never before Two years ago this month, in a sweeping farewell State of the Union address, President Obama made the startling announcement that the U.S. would drastically ramp up efforts to cure cancer. He…
Photographer and Friends Find Magic and an Eerie Light During Solar Eclipse The tent flaps are pushed aside and a cold breeze greets…
Threshold Singers Since 2007, the Bellingham Threshold Singers have been providing soothing sounds for people who are seriously ill or dying. These 40 or so women are committed to providing comfort for their clients as they labor through death with the help of song. Last year, the dedicated…
Island Hospital Center for Maternal & Infant Care An Anacortes care center is one of just 13 winners of an international…
Recreation NW Parkscriptions Bellingham public health and medical professionals increasingly want you to take a walk in the woods — or even just around the block. It’s all part of a national program called Parkscriptions, or ParkRx. It is a national program, based in Washington D.C., aimed at encouraging community mental and physical health through physical activity like walking and hiking. And, locally, the nonprofit Recreation…
Whatcom Community College is already making a name for itself as a place to be trained in the rising field of cyber security. Now it has taken another step — offering a four-year degree in cutting-edge information technology. Last fall, Whatcom CC offered a new bachelor of applied science degree in Information Technology Networking, the two-year school’s first four-year degree, to 24 students. Officials say it is the only program of its kind to…
Rick Mergenthaler Rick Mergenthaler knows a thing or two about challenges. The retired high school basketball coach learned to ignore naysayers and face obstacles head on. He contracted polio as a child and overcame it without his young doctors ever correctly diagnosing the illness. It wasn’t until he was a high school sophomore complaining of back pain that his more experienced pediatrician recognized the cause…
Why do some things taste better together than others? The tongue, for all its functional importance, is a largely misunderstood, multipurpose muscular organ. We use it to speak, mock others, whistle, and eat. Arguably, the tongue’s most important daily task is the role it plays in the gustatory system. This system includes cranial…
For a standup comedian, Paula Poundstone asks a lot of questions. She is quirky, inquisitive, and brilliant, all traits evident during her September show at Bellingham’s Mount Baker Theatre. She keeps a punishing touring schedule – she is booked for 35 shows in the first half of 2018 alone – and her routine is only partly one – about a third of what she does on stage is unscripted. While some comics play to the audience,…
Ken’s Hopes for Parents in Pain During the Holidays For the holidays, I decided to unwrap a personal wound to support divorced parents everywhere whose relationship with their children brings them a sadness that only parents can know. I have my share of emotional scar tissue from 60 years of life. I carry my pain…
This feature story appeared in the December 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
This feature story appeared in the December 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
Drive through Skagit Valley’s fields from December through February and you’ll likely see hundreds of pristine white birds waddling about the muddy fields. Continue watching and you’ll see a magnificent sight when the flock suddenly takes flight and your field of vision…
Duo Bringing Discovered Screenplay to Life More than a century ago, a confident young writer named Ella Higginson moved to Bellingham, and her career…
Girls on the Run Coordinator, Trailblazers founder The rhythmic sounds of small footsteps on gravel is music to the ears of Jen Gallant. For more than a decade she has been making a difference in the lives of kids across Whatcom County. “I began volunteering at the YMCA coaching my daughter’s Girls on the Run team” in 2005, Gallant said. “My daughters were approaching…
Fidalgo Island & Guemes Gleaners Imagine being at the supermarket and overhearing this conversation between a mother and her son: “Mom, can we get some apples?” “No honey, they’re too expensive, maybe next week.” Head gleaner of the Fidalgo Island & Guemes Gleaners (FIGG), Sylvia Cooper, recounted that story as told by her friend. Thanks to the work of Cooper and…
Best Buds Gaming Lounge As Hugh and Alexis Newmark manage their shop, a little brown package arrives. It has been sent from Germany, which could only mean one thing. Giddy with excitement, they carefully open it on the bar. It’s the European version of the classic video game Super Nintendo, with a miniaturized console and controllers. The Newmarks love it. Not only do they have a rare, new console, but they also get to share it. The Newmarks…
Ferndale Farmstead From “seed-to-cheese,” Ferndale Farmstead is conquering every step of making artisan Italian cheese, and it all happens on the Ferndale farm. The 680 cows that produce the milk for…
Rotary Club of Bellingham After celebrating 100 years of service, Rotary Club of Bellingham member, J.C. Hickman, said it is just the beginning. Started in September of 1917, the Rotary Club of Bellingham has brought community leaders and business owners together for generations. The club’s number is 331, meaning it was the 331st Rotary Club in the world. Rotary’s name comes from the club’s early days,…
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…
Ken Explores the Emotional Health of Male Relationships Affection toward other males does not come naturally to most men. We are conditioned from birth to show strength, typically physical strength, but most certainly to project strength of any type as a means to the ultimate end — that is, to establish a pecking order amongst ourselves. Who’s the best athlete, the smartest, the most successful, and most…
This feature story appeared in the November 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
This feature story appeared in the November 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
Rook & Rogue Board Game Pub Something new has arrived in downtown Bellingham. It’s not a cafe, not a bar, nor is it a restaurant or gaming lounge. It’s all of those things combined. Rook & Rogue is a board game pub and restaurant, and has all the elements to make you feel at home. Rook…
Meredith McIlmoyle, Anacortes Arts Festival Director Anacortes Arts Festival executive director Meredith McIlmoyle has been event planning for 26 years. She began as a student assistant at Arizona State University, solo planning an event for the first time in 1993. She grew up in Denver, then lived in Arizona for 13 years, but now calls Anacortes home after living here for 16 years. McIlmoyle describes event planning as…
At home in the chic, down-to-earth seaside village of Edmonds is the Travel Center for Rick Steves’ Europe. Approach the building from 4th Avenue, with its classic red brick exterior and sculptural stonework just off Main Street, and you’ll get a sneak peek…
I lived near Bellingham for 22 years before discovering there’s a circus in town. It’s aptly named Vaudevillingham and is put on by the Bellingham Circus Guild. Located just down the road from the hub of Fairhaven in a big warehouse, the circus puts on a show the 15th of every month. The event is a variety, kind of anything-goes, circusstyle…
Friday Harbor Film Festival Between 1,400 and 1,500 people are expected to attend the Friday Harbor Film Festival’s fifth annual documentary film…
Ciaò Thyme Ciaò Thyme will take your breath away before you’ve even had your first bite. This “lifestyle brand,” as co-owner Jessica Gillis called it, houses a catering business, lunch…
Bellingham has its artistic success stories (Death Cab for Cutie, comedian Ryan Stiles), but it also has its grassroots luminaries. Author, poet, and radio producer Shannon Laws is one. She has the privilege of not only being one of many talented Bellingham artists, but possesses a passion for supporting the local art community. Since beginning her writing career in 2009, she has expanded her reach to radio and community art…
Big cities in Washington have seen a boom of new marijuana stores in the last few years. New shops can be found all over Seattle and even Bellingham. But not every store’s goal is to make it big in the big city. Smuggler Brothers in Sedro-Woolley is maintaining a small-town identity…
Click below to view the top three businesses in over 120 categories. Congratulations to our 2017 Best Of The Northwest winners!
Ken takes a Sunday drive back to his future Once upon a time—back when the wheel had just been invented but not yet patented—I used to worry only about the rare road rage incident with a local farmer and his John Deere tractor when I drove in…
This feature story appeared in the October 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
Fairhaven Fourth Friday Art Work Fairhaven is Washington’s best-kept secret, according to artist and shop owner Scott Ward, who moved north from Seattle a year ago….
Joe Treat If you drive down Worline Road in Bow you’ll pass a house guarded by life-sized driftwood statues. A massive rhino stares down all who enter the driveway with reflective black eyes. The porch is bookended with two owls and a rather terrifying zombie-like creature. What can be best described as the Loch Ness monster towers over the property surveying a collection of dinosaurs and a single friendly-looking…
Atwood Ales With a yank, the doors of the old barn are pulled open, revealing a network of interconnected piping, flashing lights and chromed steel woven between ancient boards. With only two barrels of small-batch brew coming from the century-old barn turned brew-station, Atwood Ales’ beer is too compelling to overlook, even…
Ray and Keely Deck, Skookum House Upstairs are rooms bathed in natural light from the windows, complete with colorfully quilted beds…
Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms If you’ve ever wondered just how does that food get from farm to table, or if you simply want to channel your inner Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Oct. 7 and 8 Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms can help. It’s held during harvest season, but there’s more than gathering going on. Activities range from educational exhibits to markets…
For the last 2 ½ years, Marie Marchand has done her part to raise up voices from the greater Bellingham community. As host and co-producer of BTV’s Bellingham Voices, a show aired on the city’s public-access station, Marchand’s mission is to grow her audience’s appreciation for Bellingham local government,…
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 of Front and Fifth streets, is…
A Guy’s Viticulture Guide to Relationships I am either fearless or foolish because I habitually connect dots for the sake of humor, like the parallels between romance and wine, that should never be connected in public. This issue’s feature article on wine inspired me yet again — my pencil is out and ready. Despite the threat of grave bodily injury, I just can’t help myself. I am compelled to provide…
This set of feature stories appeared in the September 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
This set of feature stories appeared in the September 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
Bellingham Cohousing Coffee hour starts at 10 a.m. each morning. Residents sit quietly in the common house and drink their coffee while catching up with neighbors. Six acres of land was bought in 1997 and three years later, the first family moved into their unit and Bellingham Cohousing was born. Gail Kirgis and her husband, Tom Cornwall, have been living in Bellingham Cohousing for four years. Thirty-three units, with two to four bedrooms, house an intergenerational society that relies on…
Chris Moench It all started with a lump of clay. While Chris Moench hasn’t always been a professional potter, art has always been a strong force in his life and now occupies him as a full-time career. Moench has made a name for himself with his handcrafted Axis of Hope Prayer Wheels. The ornate pieces of art act as storytelling…
Only some people are aware of the major dispute between Great Britain and the United States over who had rightful ownership of the San Juan Islands, referred to as The…
North Cascades Institute While pursuing his graduate degree in biology at Western Washington University Saul Weisberg worked as a climbing ranger in the North Cascades National Park. As a ranger, Weisberg discovered the beauty of the park so many were still unaware of. In 1986, Weisberg co-founded the North Cascades Institute with a mission to provide education to all in order to promote conservation and stewardship in the North…
Bellingham SeaFeast Festival After a successful maiden voyage in 2016, SeaFeast is returning to Bellingham September 22 and 23 for two days of games, live music, and of course, good eats. The festival celebrates the history and tastes of the Salish Sea, and admission is free. The feasting begins Friday with a “sea-feed” downtown, where attendees…
Kathie Wilson When Bellingham’s Childlife Montessori School opens the doors to its final year this month, Kathie Wilson will begin her 41st year of teaching. Her career in education has come full circle, beginning and ending in Bellingham….
With career-oriented courses and connections to local industries, Bellingham Technical College has established a considerable foothold among Bellingham’s institutions of higher learning that include Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College. This year, BTC has even more to celebrate: its 60th anniversary, and a reputation for helping students land employment after graduation — no small task in an economy where debt-ridden college graduates can languish…
This set of feature stories appeared in the August 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
This set of feature stories appeared in the August 2017 issue of Bellingham Alive Magazine.
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…
“Paying the ultimate sacrifice for our country” — I dislike that expression. We hear the phrase every Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and sometimes on the Fourth of July, as if the majority of us age 60 and younger know its meaning from personal experience. I know that I don’t….
The Edgewater Hotel If you are looking to pamper yourself in Seattle and want a truly Pacific Northwest experience, the historic Edgewater Hotel is the perfect boutique alternative to Seattle’s predictable national chains. The Edgewater is a fusion of old school and contemporary styles — offering warm and rustic charm, edgy pop-culture energy, and stunning unobstructed shoreline vistas of brilliant sunsets, Seattle’s burgeoning skyline, and the snow-capped Olympic…
Pizza’zza Expands in Fairhaven After about six months of renovation Pizza’zza officially reopened in June as a full-service, sit-down restaurant and tap room. While the carryout counter has been a part of what was once Yorky’s Market for 13 years, the expansion…
Western Washington University Summer Theatre With the vast amount of outdoor activities available to Pacific Northwest residents in summer, theater-going is rarely at the top of the list. From hiking to windsurfing to jumping in the bay, being outdoors is a priority in our short summer months….
Bow Hill Blueberries Summertime means warm breezes, crab boils, and berry picking. If you haven’t already visited Bow Hill Blueberries…
Cloud Mountain Farm Center Strawberries, blueberries, cherries, apples, pears, peaches, pumpkins, and so many more types of produce cover the 20 acres of farmland known as Cloud Mountain Farm Center. Cheryl and Tom Thornton began their family farm in 1978 with commercial apple trees, garlic, and a nursery. In 2011, it transformed into a non-profit community…
Opera Pastries and Coffee Those hungry for a taste of France have a new destination to try in downtown Bellingham. Opera, a French pastry and coffee shop, officially opened its doors on April 1. The bakery features an array of classic French pastries baked in-house…
Barb Demorest Barbara Demorest’s story is one that begins with a diagnosis and leads to a ripple of hope for thousands, extending from her Bellingham community all the way to women of rural Uganda. In July of 2011, Demorest received the devastating call that a lump she had biopsied was indeed breast cancer. She would undergo…
The summer is when the best parts of Washington come out to play. There’s nothing quite like rooftop dining during the warmer months. Maybe it’s the skyline views or the general fancy ambiance. Maybe it’s the above-it-all…
One of the greatest tragedies of being lactose intolerant is the inability to enjoy one of the best go-to foods there are—pizza. You can, of course, make your own recipes at home, but there’s nothing that quite compares with going out with friends, ordering a pitcher of beer and a large pie. But thankfully, there are options out there. Sometimes…
Ken, er, Garfield, Jr., goes off-leash to offer some catty remarks No disrespect to horses, rabbits, piglets, and other critters, but dogs, not you all, are my competition for household dominance. Dogs have had their day. It’s “our” turn. As a life-long, card-carrying member of the Feline Brotherhood Local No. 9, I am lodging a formal complaint and organizing a purr-out on behalf of all us cats, the vastly superior and more lovable household pet….
On a small country road near Sedro-Woolley stands a humble building. Aside from the sign, it might be mistaken for a residence. Inside, however, is a luxurious getaway, with rooms that have nearly every amenity. For cats, that is. The Cat Nap Inn…
On Healthy Pet’s manufacturing floor, chief executive Ted Mischaikov sticks his hand under a small waterfall of orzo-shaped paper pellets, then pokes at the soggy crumbles in his palm. The pellets, used for cat litter, dog litter (yes, that’s a thing) and animal bedding, will be baked dry and hard in the next step, which also…
Just yards from the U.S.-Canadian border in Blaine, customs and border dog Greya, on a work break, can’t resist a strip of bush-shaded grass…
If you’re a dog or cat owner, it’s likely you’ll experience — at least once — that eerie, then terrifying, feeling that something’s missing….
Even before Bobbie Ruth Langley began her Life Cycle Pet Cremation service, she knew it wouldn’t be enough. “It’s incredibly valuable for people emotionally to memorialize their pet,” Langley said. So each fall for the…
A horse’s neigh sounds in the distance as Julia Bozzo emerges from her house. Bozzo has always loved horses, but when she came to Bellingham, she realized there wasn’t a riding center. So Bozzo started one. It turned out to be much more than just a place to ride horses. The NorthWest Therapeutic Riding Center, which provides therapy to people with physical and mental challenges, was built from the ground up in…
Chili the Chihuahua, curled on her padded dog bed in front of her home’s fireplace, does not stir when two visitors enter. Chili’s age is a best-guess 16. She is partially deaf and blind, with severe respiratory and thyroid problems. She must be carried down stairs several times a day to go outside. Yet, in the twilight of her life, Chili — 5 pounds, 8 ounces of furry defiance — is living large thanks to Old Dog Haven, a…
After Pat Holmes and Chris Monroe registered their therapy dogs, they wondered: Now what? That’s when they decided to start Whatcom Therapy Dogs. This program connects registered therapy dogs and their handlers with the community. People volunteer their dogs when they’re available to help. A therapy dog is different from a service dog because they provide affection and comfort in…
City dwellers can practice urban farming by keeping chickens in their backyards, but that’s not the only poultry option. Some people are now turning to ducks rather than chickens as their domesticated bird of choice. Benefits to raising traditional barnyard animals in a suburban (or urban) settings include self-sufficiency and the ability to connect with your roots. Also, watching any baby birds grow up before your eyes can be…
When you think about pets, what images come to mind? Dogs? Cats? Maybe the occasional reptile, rodent, or bird. Why not a potbelly pig? Most folks think pigs don’t belong in the house, but most folks haven’t met Mr. Tasty. When the Damaris family — Robyn, Jason, and their son Dylan, 6 — couldn’t agree on what kind of dog to get, they eventually decided since everybody’s got a dog, why not get something more…
It’s not easy being the official canine concierge of Hotel Bellwether. You’ve got to greet the guests with a happy face and a wagging tail. You’ve got to step up if they need help at the front desk. Sometimes you even need to get your paws dirty and chase away those pesky rabbits that like to hide in the bushes out back. It’s…
When I told my boyfriend I was allergic to cats and dogs, he researched high and low for some kind of furry pet we could own together. After a few weeks, he found the perfect solution…
Retro Vibe Meets Pacific Northwest Mood Bellingham’s hotel accommodations have long lacked a middle ground; a space that neither has the price tag of The Chrysalis Inn nor the disconcerting nature of the motels on North and South Samish Way. In May, however, The Heliotrope Hotel filled that void. Located in the same space that was once the Lion’s Inn Motel…
Diane Padys wasn’t always on track to become a photographer. “Photography was always a passionate hobby of mine from college,” she said. Padys spent a number of years working as a staff accountant in San Francisco before she decided to take her passionate hobby and turn it…
Pups rehabilitate in the pool Carrie Lane, owner of K9 Lap of Luxury, was first inspired by the powers of canine hydrotherapy at a pool in Fall City. Lane showed her bull…
WeSNiP Every Thursday morning, cat owners gather in the parking lot of Bellingham’s Salvation Army, and every Thursday morning, the team at WeSNiP is ready to go. Cats are loaded on to the WeSNiP van and taken to the Northwest Organization for Animal Health (NOAH) Center in Stanwood to be spayed or neutered. They are driven back to the parking lot later that evening, ready to head home to their owners. WeSNiP executive director Audrey Seaholm said the message behind…
Avielle Heath The film community in Bellingham is growing, and its success is in no small part thanks to Avielle Heath. She is a producer and organizer working in a…
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…
Ken Takes a Walk in his Dad’s Shoes for Father’s Day I left home at age 17 and was estranged from my…
San Juan County: San Juan Island Samantha Bryner moved to San Juan Island 44 years ago, and has worked in real estate for more than 30 of those. On her first ferry ride into Friday Harbor she remembers being taken aback by the island’s beauty. “Enchanted. I have to live here,” she remembers…
San Juan County: Orcas Island Orcas Island, known as the “Gem of the San Juans,” is the largest of the archipelago. It boasts the highest mountains on the islands, most of which are in Moran State Park; waterfalls, and numerous hamlets, with Eastsound the first stop for many tourists. You can choose to live close to a town or far off the beaten path. Homes facing…
San Juan County: Lopez Island When visitors come to Lopez Island, they feel like they’re part of the neighborhood. Known as the “Friendly Isle,” inhabitants wave to everyone they pass. Rumors claim the kind gesture isn’t actually about being friendly — it’s from Prohibition times when islanders discreetly warned one another that federal inspectors were on the island. Nowadays it’s simply a sign of pleasantness. Lopez Island is on the quieter side compared to Orcas Island and San…
Skagit County: Eaglemont When Denise Hewitt and her husband moved to Eaglemont about 20 years ago there were hardly any other homes. Now, it’s become an established neighborhood. “It’s a great community,” she said. “It started out being mostly retired people and then as the years went by, lots of families [came].” There’s plenty to do in Eaglemont to keep a family occupied. The Eaglemont Golf…
Skagit County: Skyline Courtney Blackston and her family moved into the Skyline neighborhood a year and a half ago, and are happy to call it home. The Blackstons are a military family, and they fell in love with Anacortes for the school district, the downtown amenities, and the community feel. They instantly felt welcomed by all the other military families in the neighborhood, and Blackston loves that…
Skagit County: Shelter Bay Danny Hagen grew up in the Shelter Bay house that he now lives in with a family of his own — his wife, Nicole, and their two little ones, Kaysen and Duncan. The Hagens moved into the neighborhood in 2014 because they…
Skagit County: North Big Lake North Big Lake was once a summer vacation destination for Margie Holdt and her family, but now it’s home. When Holdt and her late husband began thinking of retirement about 20 years ago, they opted for an upgrade, rather than a downsize. “We had three adult sons and…
Bellingham’s neighborhoods have their own character, but some share a feature you can’t even see: a wide network of underground coal mine tunnels. Hundreds of miles of abandoned coal passageways honeycomb Bellingham’s depths, none bigger than the massive Bellingham Coal Mine beneath…
Whatcom County: Columbia The weather is a comfortable middle area, between shedding the last of winter and the opening notes of spring. Residents of the Columbia neighborhood are coming out of hibernation. People are outside jogging, walking their dogs and cycling. Lori Pobuta is pouring a cup of coffee and serving up donuts, observing the quiet commotion from her window. Long before Pobuta built her house in the Columbia…
In November, a string of home break-ins put Bellingham residents on edge. The burglaries followed a pattern: multiple suspects breaking into homes, particularly on sunny days when residents were out. One neighborhood after another got hit. Christy Nieto, an 11-year Bellingham resident, and her Birchwood neighbors felt the unease. They flocked to their…
One of the biggest-trending hair styles I see these days is the “high bun,” popularly known known as the “top knot.” This hairstyle is so quick and simple, you can apply it before you cook breakfast, and it’ll translate throughout the day as you drop…
Whatcom County: Sunnyland There’s no such thing as the perfect neighborhood. Everyone has different needs and desires. But for Tina and Kirby White, Sunnyland has it…
Whatcom County: Lettered Streets With beer, ice cream, and Bellingham Bay just blocks away, the Lettered Streets neighborhood is one of Whatcom County’s most prized for location. Lisa Kaufman, Todd Eastman, and new four-legged companion Zeke have been enjoying their quaint Lettered Streets house and yard since 2003. It was Bellingham’s accessibility to the outdoors that brought them here, Kaufman said. The couple lived…
Whatcom County: Cornwall Park Imagine a block of homes with blooming gardens and the street teeming with children, surrounded by a park. In the 1960s and 70s, this was Marilyn Mastor’s view from her home with her four children and husband. So many children lived in the neighborhood that the mailman at the time, who gave all the children Valentine’s with dimes in them, called the neighborhood “fertile valley.” Parents…
Semiahmoo is more than just a hot spot for retired couples and vacation homeowners. It’s a community for families. Len and Tara Saunders found their home in Turnberry Wood in 2004 after Len’s job led them to the U.S. from Canada. Tara is part of a three-generation family at…
A city’s downtown may shape its identity to outsiders, but it’s a place’s neighborhoods that give it character. If you really want to know a place, visit its residential areas—their homes, parks, landmarks, gathering places. Neighborhoods are the enclaves we come home to each day. Whatcom County’s neighborhoods range from Bellingham’s distinct, park-rich districts to the jaw-dropping view from Ferndale’s Lawson Church Hills neighborhood. In…
Bellingham Railway Museum The sound of children at play filled the Bellingham Railway Museum, along with the recorded sound of a train engine at full speed. The model trains took up a large majority of the room, as they made a circuit through the miniature landscape, highly detailed with trees, stations and logging equipment. Michael Lower, president of the board for the museum, said that the models are all made by museum members and volunteers. The trains are…
Not every 8-year-old has to worry about inviting their third-grade teacher to their movie premiere. But for Kayleigh Finnegan, it was a real predicament. “Where do you have to make sure you end up the next day?” her father,…
The Hub Since 2002, the HUB Community Bike Shop has been catering to Bellingham’s cycle-friendly community. But now, after 15 years, the neighborhood looks very different. New apartment buildings surround the HUB’s location at 903 1/2 North State St., and Kyle Morris said it’s a different view than the one he saw when he first founded the HUB. “There were no apartments around us,” Morris said. “We watched it grow.” With…
Lummi Island Wild Lummi Island Wild is one of few fishing companies to practice the ancient and sustainable practice of salmon reef netting. Reef netting, used in the Pacific Northwest for thousands of years by Native Americans, requires fishers to wait for the…
Elizabeth Park Summer Concert Series The Elizabeth Park Summer Concert Series will be bringing the groove to our summer nights once again starting on June 15. In partnership with the Eldridge Society and Bellingham Parks and Recreation, the free concerts have been a Bellingham…
The Curiosity rover has been treading the surface of Mars for more than five years with a team of NASA scientists watching its every move. Part of the elite team of scientists working it is Western Washington University professor Melissa Rice. Rice came onto the Mars Science Laboratory mission just before Curiosity landed. Curiosity’s nuclear power…
Mountain Science Prof Who Survived Crevasse Now Leads New Program at Western John All, the founding director of Western Washington University’s new Mountain Environments Research Institute (MERI), says the Cordillera Blanca mountains in Peru is one of the best mountain ranges in the world. “I always go back there because it’s a great place to work,” All says. All’s research has taken him…
It’s natural that, because we live in such a stunning place, friends from far and wide would want to visit. But you are past…
won·der noun a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable. It is with great wonder for the remarkable women in our community that has inspired our ongoing series, Wonder Woman, which profiles women who have made an impact in our community. In the following pages, we have the honor of featuring five of…
Personalized Wardrobe Delivered to Your Door Used to be that if you needed a cocktail dress for a wedding, or a new suit for a job interview, you faced a trip to the mall or local boutique. Or you’d have to wade through countless websites with no idea about what will fit or look good. Shopping can be fun but, honestly, who has the time? Plus, let’s be honest: Some of us are just…
We know what you’re thinking: Does a Dog Really Need a Second Coat? In some cases, yes— frail dogs, old ones, skinny, sick, tiny — all can get cold. But your standard Labrador retriever, the one who can’t pass a puddle without treating it like his own personal playground? In that case, maybe the coat’s…
Like so many of you, it’s hard for me to imagine calling any other place than the Pacific Northwest my “home.” Its charm and beauty is hard to match, and the picturesque scenery is fulfilling in every sense of the word. But making yourself beautiful? Sometimes it can be a challenge. 1. Setting Spray Above anything else, my No. 1 product recommendation is always a setting spray. From weddings to inclement weather, to any other day, this…
Sarah Guenther has heard it all. Even in Bellingham, one of the biggest bike-commuter cities of its size in the nation, people give excuses not to ride to work. But Bellingham made a huge commitment to its pedal-loving citizens with its 2014 Bellingham Biking Master Plan, committing $20 million over 15 years to boost its network to 170 miles of cycling routes in the city, including 50 miles…
If You Like Craft Beers… and Getting Caught in the Rain! You wake up in the morning, sun’s out, birds chirping. It’s going to be a beautiful day. By lunch, it’s hailing. By the time you get off work,…
Sweating with Style: What to Do and What to Have Sure, you love running or your 8 a.m. yoga class, but mixing up how you get your daily burn is a fun way to…
Inspired by the relaxed vibe of their favorite pub or intimate lounge, many of my clients are creating a place of their own to entertain. Basements, garages and even hall closets are being turned into trendy residential bars. We have converted larges rooms and small spaces. Here are a some of the key components we included in each design. Seating Bar…
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…
Ken puts a few tongue-in-cheek suggestions in the Mt. Baker Theatre’s suggestion box When I attended the grand opening of the Mt. Baker Theatre…
It seems life has become a lot more casual, but that’s no excuse for forgetting your manners. Arden Clise of Seattle’s Clise Etiquette, an etiquette school specializing in business and children’s etiquette classes, agrees. Clise said so much communication is through digital means nowadays, the lack of face-toface interaction makes it easier…
Tired of the same-old, same-old? Molly Maguire of Molly Maguire Landscape Architecture offers some tips on how to turn your garden and backyard into a thing of beauty — and…
So you want to throw a stylish backyard party — something classier than a barbeque but not as fancy as a Gatsby bash. As founder of SKB Events (skbevent.com), Sarah Brand has seen her share of elegant outdoor shindigs in 11 years of producing domestic and international social functions. We asked Brand to give her advice on holding…
Ski to Sea Team Advocates for Women―and a Mountain-Bike Leg Kirsten Jensen has been participating in the Ski to Sea relay race for four years as a part of an all-women’s team. But not just any women’s team. Many of its members are part of Queens of Dirt, a year-round mountain bike and cyclocross race team. For Ski to Sea, the team is called Jack’s Bicycle…
Mount Baker Theatre Celebrates 90th Birthday When you step inside the 90-year-old Mount Baker Theatre building, you are greeted by a Moorish-Spanishstyled interior. Lush red tones adorn the walls, paired with rich dark wood. An opulent chandelier hangs above, surrounding the theater with cascading warm light. Amy Guerra, the marketing director of Mount Baker Theatre, says stepping inside of the theater is almost like you’ve stepped inside of a ship. And just like a ship takes you to a different…
Lori Hill In the street markets of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, Lori Hill started intensely collecting art, and has been building her collection ever since. Hill, residing in a home in Bellingham with perfect…
Achillea Natural Medicine Dr. Julia Hipp opened the doors of Achillea Natural Medicine in January to bring healthcare to her patients. Literally. Hipp’s clinic is no ordinary natural medicine center. She offers house calls, believing that each patient, no matter their schedule, deserves encompassing healthcare. Beyond providing accessible healthcare, Hipp believes in treating the root of problems rather than merely symptoms. Naturopathic medicine utilizes natural therapies…
As Dana Cohenour’s children’s music class let out, the smiles were in abundance. The students, about 4 to 5 years old, thanked their teacher and ran to their parents. Cohenour happily says goodbye to her students. “See you guys next time!” Cohenour is a nationally recognized children’s songwriter and performer who has released six studio albums and won 20 awards…
Rebecca Abdelbaki opened Bellingham Escape the first weekend of March with the hope of creating a space for friends, families, and co-workers to socialize while…
Oasis Daylight Center & Oasis Teen Shelter When asking for help is difficult, having a steadfast haven for teenagers to visit can be life-changing. “Every day at Oasis is supportive and affirming,” said Katie Lohman, the director of Oasis Daylight Center & Oasis Teen Shelter. Located in an unassuming home on a quiet Mount Vernon street, the Skagit Valley Family YMCA-operated house consists of two facilities: an after-school center called Oasis Daylight Center, and a…
Noémi Ban Noémi Ban has a story to tell. And tell. And tell. She is a Holocaust survivor who has been sharing…
Student finds community at Western Johanna Urbach isn’t sure when she lost the ability to hear in her right ear….
You don’t have to pack any bags or take vacation days. You might not even have to gas up the car. We’re talking about enjoying your hometown by stepping out as a tourist. Sure, we…
The Lynden market was originally founded in 2011 with the goal of supporting local artisans and farmers. It usually hosts around 20 vendors, but since vendors are not required to commit to an entire season, the market shifts each week. The market was founded by the non-profit Christian-based conservation group, A Rocha USA, and is run as part of the group’s Five Loaves Farm…
The Ferndale Market began in 2007 and has since grown into a market of more than 30 vendors. Each vendor hand-selects their products,…
F or weeks, I had mentally prepared myself to dig my stepfather’s grave. The first shovelful of sod was the hardest. I placed the first piece carefully to the side and stared at the clump of dirt and grass. The solemnity of the moment was inescapable—I…
The Fairhaven market was created just a few years after the downtown Bellingham market and was soon brought under the…
When two Western Washington University students came together in the 1990s, they had no idea that their small idea of a market would sprout into one of the biggest farmers markets in the state. With the help of community member Del Lowry, the group worked together to bring vendors and farmers to the market. Opening day in June 1993 hosted almost 50 vendors, and since then the market has…
Take a mid-week break at the Sedro-Woolley Farmers Market. The pint-sized market is ideal for mid-week stocking-up on local ingredients and for an hour or two of relaxing. Their goal to revitalize the community by offering customers locally produced food and artisan products is being realized with an array of products offered by local vendors. Known For The music. Every week features a new artist who keeps the atmosphere festive and prompts visitors to…
Going strong for 30 years, the Mount Vernon Farmers Market has been operating since 1987. Today it’s a vibrant event with live music, an array of vendors, and the occasional cooking competition. Known For The strong sense of community. Market-goers are loyal and vendors are especially friendly. It’s so popular and community-oriented that the market opened…
The Bow Little Market launched in July 2010 with the motto, “Where the little guy is a big deal.” Held in the Belfast Feed Store, the market caters to smaller farmers and producers trying to get their businesses started, which means new and unusual finds for consumers. They have about 30 vendors to shop from, meaning less congestion when compared to larger markets, perfect for…
The Anacortes Farmers Market has been operating at the Depot since 1989. The market’s goal then holds true today: provide locally produced food and promote healthy eating within the community. Today, between 70 and 75 vendors draw about 3,000 visitors every summer Saturday, and for good reason — live music, plenty of food vendors when you want a break from shopping, and the…
Founded in 1987 by a group of island farmers who wanted a venue to sell their goods directly to the public, the mission of the San Juan Island Farmers Market has remained unchanged for 30 years: “Provide an outlet for agricultural products that are grown, harvested, or processed in San Juan County.” Today, vendors offer an array of locally produced, high-quality goods. Visitors are also entertained by live, local music and can view unique art by local artists. Known For…
The Lopez Island Farmers Market prides itself as being as local as possible. They adhere to a hierarchy of home-growing when picking vendors: first priority goes to Lopez Island-produced food and products, second to the San Juan Islands, then the state of Washington. This ensures a truly local feel to the market and a dedication to boosting…
It’s no surprise Orcas Island Farmers Market, like the Lopez Island and San Juan Island farmers markets, values locality. All the food and products are grown and made on Orcas Island. Being on a small island, the market is a big event for locals, offering an opportunity to shop, mingle, and take in the warm summer days….
Pelican Bay Books There are numerous places you can go to find a book: the library, a chain bookstore, an independent bookstore, even a thrift sale if you don’t mind rummaging. But a used bookstore is…
Documentaries, directors in focus at Cascadia International Women’s film festival Since high school, Natalie Fedak has had stories she’s wanted to tell. She started off writing screenplays and for the last three years, she’s been producing, editing and directing documentaries. Now one of her…
Tomas Vrba and the Tomas Vrba Studio Every day before he leaves his home in Everett, Tomas Vrba tells his two…
Max Higbee Center helps disabled youth and adults recreate F or more than three decades, the Max Higbee Center has been committed to providing recreational services to developmentally disabled…
Flavored, fermented tea is as popular as a home brew, too Kombucha has been everywhere lately, from lining the shelves at your local Fred Meyer, to the Culture Café at Kombucha Town opening in Bellingham’s own historic Herald Building. Haggen even offers kombucha growler fills for the trendy fermented tea. Making your own kombucha has become a popular hobby among people who’d rather do the work themselves rather than buying it in stores. Though it…
Emily O’Connor From grant writing and public speaking to dealing with finances and program development, Lydia Place’s executive director Emily O’Connor does it all. “I do a little bit of everything,” O’Connor laughs. And “everything” doesn’t just stop at the workplace. In addition to an all-consuming job, O’Connor is a mother of a six-year-old daughter and a three-and-a-half-year-old son. Before working at Lydia…
Evolve’s Chaicolate good for Easter, Mother’s Day The first rule of comparing sipping chocolate to hot chocolate is…don’t. “It’s incomparable…
Graham Kerr isn’t downsizing, he’s actualizing. There’s a difference: Kerr already lives by the notion that we should stop purchasing new things. Instead, give away things we don’t need anymore. It’s an act he’s coined “out-doldrum,” taking an active role in revitalizing your sense of purpose and life by unencumbering it with excess materials. It’s safe to say he’s comfortable giving away earthly possessions, but Kerr is still…
As a vacation home for mostly weekend visits, this house not only looks but feels the part. Homeowners live about an hour away in Canada and say as soon as they walk in, they decompress. A water view,…
It started like so many remodeling projects do, with just a kitchen replacement. Then, like that piece of cake you keep evening out in the pan, it grew, morphing into a renovation of the entire house. The owners, new empty-nesters, wanted an open floor plan and effortless transitions between the outdoors and inside. Floor-to-ceiling windows…
Annual visitors to La Conner were in no rush to complete the remodel of this high-bluff waterfront home in Shelter Bay, mulling and tweaking designs on each summer visit over the course of…
Greenfab is a Seattle-based developer of modern, sustainable, prefabricated homes. In 2010, it made news for installing Washington State’s first prefab, modular home to earn LEED Platinum certification. Since then, it has built affordable, energy efficient, and beautiful single and multifamily modular dwellings. It took less than six hours to install this…
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 not a room that’s usually included in the guest tour. The best part of a laundry room is usually the door—so…
While our Salish Sea coastline gets a lot of deserved attention here, our freshwater lakes are the jewels of Bellingham’s interior. Not only can the views be just as pretty, but playing in the water—warmer than the year-round frigidity of Bellingham Bay—is one of the best things about living lakeside…
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 “kitchen claustrophobia” when multiple people occupied that popular space. An L-shaped sink made it hard to function for couple or family. Plus, the limited area for…
When you walk into someone’s house for the first time, what do you notice? Bookshelves? A great backsplash? The way…
Ken offers suggestions for Trumpcare Is it just me or does anyone else question whether the federal government is serious about health care, public safety, and balancing the budget? Ask any household on a budget—coping in a crisis requires creativity, penny-saving efficiency, and multi-tasking. I…
Tips for early spring One of the best things about warmer weather is vibrant, lush flowers and bountiful vegetable gardens. As with the case of many worthwhile things in life, a flourishing garden needs a little bit of TLC to reach its full potential. The gardening experts at Ace Hardware in Anacortes, Chris…
We all have our ways of escape, whether it is in a guilt-inducing TV show, a long jog, or maybe a glass of wine. For artist and author Holly Barbo it is writing fantasy and thriller novels that keep her sane in what can…
La Conner Daffodil Festival Did you know there are more daffodils than tulips in Skagit Valley? The Roozengaarde fields alone feature 450 acres of daffodils and 350 acres of tulips. These yellow beauties are a sight to see against a backdrop of deep green-blue rolling hills. In celebration of the flower, equally stunning but less famous than its later-blooming cousin, the tulip, La Conner hosts a Daffodil Festival to welcome the year’s first blooms,…
Bellingham Theatre Guild The Bellingham Theatre Guild celebrated a scene change of sorts with a gala to mark the completion of its $1 million renovation in mid-January. The guild is entirely staffed by volunteers, many of whom gathered in the theatre lobby during the event to relish the improvements, which included a new…
Diet-to-Go, ACME Farms and Kitchen, Salt Pepper & Oil It is no secret that current Americans tend to overload their days with endless “to-do lists.” Whether it’s putting in that extra hour at the office, taking the kids from one sporting event to the next, or attempting to keep the house in order, there’s just never enough time. Our self-made chaos makes healthy eating difficult. Food entrepreneurs have caught on and meal home delivery has become more popular, affordable, and…
Bellingham’s Barb Macklow is not your average 82-year-old. She likes to go the distance. Macklow, a runner with a national reputation—she has been featured in Trail Runner and Runner’s World…
Sure, you could watch the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments from the comfort of your own sofa, but what’s the fun in screaming your fool head off in a quiet house? Go find your tribe – or at least some good pub fare – as you cheer on (or…
By age 10, Sharon Robinson already knew her career path. After discovering her mother’s Good Housekeeping magazines, she decided to design…
As the sun starts to return to our dark Fourth Corner, gardeners get busy planting and readying for their healthy crops. But sometimes those crops…
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 of the Bellingham craft beer scene. The name Brewdeck is a play on the phrase “brew deck,” which is the platforms on which brewers stand to brew. The Brewdeck was distributed by the Bellingham…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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, this one is personal—Mayor Boudreau worked closely with the Mount Vernon police department before her tenure as mayor, and…
February is chock-full of events in our neck of the woods. They serve as a great opportunity for both familiar and…
Since the recent expansion of legal travel to Cuba, Americans have become fascinated by the seemingly “frozen-in-time” island. Picturesque streets full of vibrantly painted buildings, classic cars, and friendly people provide quite the draw for travelers. When news of the change in travel regulations hit, Cheryl Willis, tour coordinator for the senior tour program, said Bellingham Senior…
Since March 2016, there has been a massive mobilization of both individuals and corporations speaking out against North Carolina’s now infamous House Bill 2. The outcry has been far-reaching and is evidence of a changing climate toward transgender individuals….
Compass Health is on a mission to advance behavioral health in our area, specifically in Snohomish, Skagit, Island, Whatcom, and San Juan Counties. The private, non-profit state-licensed…
The Bellingham medical community has something new and exciting to talk about — the da Vinci Surgical System. The robotic system is praised for its minimally invasive surgeries, which can…
Serial entrepreneur Anne-Marie Faiola is at it again. In addition to Bramble Berry, her soap-making supply company, Faiola has set to work on providing both…
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…
Ken rejoices in the sweet side of life’s randomness For the past few months, two beloved family members, my aunt and stepfather, have been in and out of the hospital. Both are terminally ill. In the next weeks or months, my stepsisters will be parentless without the critical emotional tether of their father, my mom…
If you haven’t stopped by Saku Tea at the Tide Lines Gallery yet, then make your way to the cozy tea bar. Husband and wife team, Kuros Zahedi and Sandra Loeffelmann, ensure patrons can choose from a wide selection of tea…
Many of us cheat ourselves on a full night’s sleep. Whether you’re up worrying about debt or insurance or elections, your mind is cranking your body into gear, pumping you full of sleep-robbing adrenaline, and keeping you from a nice, peaceful rest. What do we do when we can’t sleep? Reach…
Color and texture, luminance and hue, the key elements of great art are also a part of what makes fashion a mood, a reflection, a statement. Join us for an afternoon at the Lightcatcher in living color. Cape Jacket: BCBGMAXAZRIA Macy’s $228 • Lace Top: INC Macy’s $58 • Pants: Alfoni Macy’s $59.50 • Hat Three French Hens $60 • Shoes: Intentionally Mi Shoes $198 • Necklace: Uno de 50 Three French Hens $715 Dress: Ted Baker Nordstrom…
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For the past five years, the first week of August has meant more than another seven days of summer. For thousands of people around the world, August 1 commences the official beginning of the world’s largest scavenger hunt, also known as GISHWHES: The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen, which began in 2011 and has had teams all over the…
As of September 2014, there were about 2.7 million American veterans who fought in our recent conflicts. A study conducted by the RAND Corporation found at least…
Two mysteries are brewing in the City of Subdued Excitement: on the corner of Magnolia and Cornwall, an underground resistance scrambles to find the name of the double agent working against it. Meanwhile, after a rickety elevator ride in the Herald building, a group is left with just 60 minutes to understand the mysteries left behind by a deceased sea captain….
In 2011, Western Washington University professors Eric Kean and Kirsten Drickey saw an opportunity to develop and sell training software for volunteer organizations and universities looking to expand their reach. Kean, who teaches math and viola at WWU, had an idea to provide a cheaper alternative to traditional textbooks. Wanting to challenge himself, he decided to build a site dedicated to creating interactive e-texts to help students…
There’s something for everyone at The Comics Place. My Little Pony comics are interspersed with Mad Max and Marvel. Six shelves are dedicated to both tabletop and…
When Ferndale Councilwoman Cathy Watson was younger, she dreamed of becoming a science writer. After receiving her undergraduate degree in journalism from Ohio State, Watson joined the U.S. Coast Guard working as an electronics technician. The Guard allowed Watson to live in Maryland, New York City, and Detroit, where she grew up. She eventually transferred to the Navy Reserves working as an Aerographics Mate. She enjoyed the service and her…
The Election That Threatened To Steal Christmas: An Intervention Although about half the voting population felt like they collectively woke up to an empty Christmas Tree this year, Christmas is not lost. The town is still abuzz with murmurings of broken hearts and shattered hopes of a glass ceiling that is begging to be smashed after almost 100 years since the woman’s vote was ratified. (Maybe in 2020…
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, alone, waving. “I love you,” she said. The wind was cool as I began to fall. “Keep your jacket zipped tight,” my mom instructed. I was glad that I listened…
The Lights of Christmas With more than one million lights on display, it is no wonder The Lights of Christmas is one of the most popular holiday festivals in the North End. Not only will you see more lights than you can imagine, but every weekend in December offers food, music, entertainment, and shopping. Warm Beach Camp, Stanwood, thelightsofchristmas.com Snohomish Holiday Market There are few places as…
September is Workforce Development Month, a time to honor workforce development professionals who support job seekers, local employers, and economic development in their communities. Here in Snohomish County, it was a busy month for wonder woman Erin Monroe, the chief executive officer of Workforce Snohomish. In September, Workforce Snohomish was one of three organizations honored with the Change Maker Award at United Way’s Spirit of Snohomish County Breakfast…
The driving motto behind the YMCA is “for youth development, for healthy living, for social responsibility.” You can hear this motto on every phone call and see…
When McMenamins Anderson School in Bothell opened one year ago, it earned bragging rights as the largest McMenamins property in Washington State. Known for its pubs, breweries, and historic hotels, McMenamins restores historic buildings—often working closely with local historical societies and fine artists to…
The role of a producer can be a strange one. You begin, as R.W. “Bob” Goodwin did, in the mailroom. You work your way up. You…
AFTER 13 YEARS of growing a law practice dedicated to community leadership in legal care for DUI, Auto-Accident Claims, Speeding & Criminal Justice, I know very well that no one gets there alone or single handedly. There is an entire community that has to be involved…
There are people who work in community service, volunteer for great causes, advocate for positive change, run for public office, win, and continue their good work toward making our world a better place. But not many of them do so as the only person of color in the room. Not many of them come away from all that fighting and advocating as…
Literacy is more than just a useful skill. The United Nations qualifies adult literacy as a basic human right, without which one cannot function in society. “You can’t talk to your neighbors about issues, can’t read the paper, can’t read a bus schedule, or any of these things we often take for granted without even the very basic level of communication,” said executive director of the Whatcom Literacy Council Katherine…
Without guys like Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and the guys along the defensive line, there would be no Legion of…
This Fall, the San Juan Islands will be the Northwest hot spot for film festivals. Orcas Island will host both the…
Today’s Thomas Edisons will find direction with the help of Northwest Innovation Resource Center’s new strategic partner, Slingshot NW, a marketing platform specifically designed for inventors. The company began in May 2016 with a goal to further the economic climate north of Seattle, said CEO Bryan Brown. Inventions and inventors…
The results are in! Our readers have voted on their favorite businesses, services, restaurants, stores, and spas from Blaine to Anacortes. Looking for the go-to places to get the perfect haircut or find the best dentist? Look no further. >
Beer enthusiasts may know that Yakima is the home for hops in Washington State (well, in the world, really) but it’s also a…
Susan Bennerstrom’s soft blue eyes come into full focus as oil paint and perspective meet on the prepared canvas. Bold lines, clean…
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…
Ken taps his foot to the latest dance, the Trump-Clinton side-step. As a trial attorney, I have forced many unwilling adversaries to answer obvious, but difficult questions under oath. Admit it. You are jealous—don’t we all wish that we had the power to pop people’s balloons when their balloons deserve popping? I know—sounds fun, huh? Over the years, my questions have met with facial expressions that…
Humans first brewed beer many thousands of years ago. More recently, the last decade has seen dozens of craft breweries open in Snohomish County. Eric Radovich, executive director of the Washington Beer Commission, said that statewide the rate of new brewery openings is approaching one per week. “It’s the craft beer revolution,” he said, “I don’t know how else to describe it. And we’re still not anywhere close to reaching market saturation.” In all, there are currently…
1. A Spirit Unbound: The Art of Peggy Strong September 9–January 8 | Cascadia Art Museum EIGHTY YEARS AGO, Peggy Strong (1912–1956) first exhibited her artwork at the Seattle Art Museum’s (SAM) Northwest Annual. She was just twenty-four-years-old at the time and had recently survived an automobile accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Yet, despite her physical challenges, by her thirtieth birthday, Strong would earn…
If our area has a common signature in the summer, it’s a berry fingerprint. Everywhere you go, every time you enter a store or head out for the farmers market, bright, cheery, sweet berries are there to greet you. In this issue, we explore the farms and folks of our number one crop and dive into a little history. So grab a handful of berries and enjoy! Cloud Mountain Farm…
Author. Marriage and family therapist. Nonprofit champion. Speaker. Teacher. Sarri Gilman’s passion for helping others has led her down countless paths she never predicted she’d take. Although she’s been a licensed family and…
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 throttle. The Kitsap pulls away from the ferry slip, our view of Anacortes fades into the mist, and we’re…
The Lake Stevens Community Food Bank, directed by Anne Anderson and made possible through the efforts of about 100 volunteers, is doing its part to help members of the Lake Stevens community. Each month, approximately 100 families benefit from its fresh produce and food items, and a typical month sees about 1,200 visitors. In order to better serve the…
On a recent Saturday, Bruce Higgins organized a complex dive at the 27-acre Edmonds Underwater Park at Brackett’s Landing North, where he volunteers…
As the leaves turn to russet and golden tones and our thoughts turn to ghosts and witches, fall becomes the perfect time for charging or gassing up the car and taking a good old-fashioned road trip around the byways and scenic routes of our beautiful area. Among the whale-watching viewpoints and mountain vistas are little tiny pieces of history. You have to look closely to find them, but they are there, hidden…
At the Majestic on Forest Street on a spring night, jazz flows out of the doorway and vibrates off the walls. On the stage are a pianist, a trumpet player, and a drummer. The instruments harmonize, echo, repeat. Members in the audience range in age, gender, and background, but they all have the same glowing expression on their faces. In the very back of the jazz band is a gentleman wearing a dark…
Unity Care Northwest unveiled plans to open a new health care center in 2018 to meet the growing demand for health care services in our area. The facility will service residents in north Whatcom County who are currently without access to convenient health care. “We know that there are between 8,000 and 9,000 north Whatcom residents…
It’s the mantra many people associate with yoga: a gentle, slightly vibrating “ommm.” Simply defined, om is the sound of the universe, but Yogic scholars remind us the meaning goes far deeper. In its simplest form, yoga is a series of movements in tune with…
Wild Whatcom works to educate children about the natural world, to connect kids to the beauty of our surroundings, and…
For outgoing executive director Ellen Gray, the past 19 years of her life have been devoted to advocating for the growing and distribution of organic food. When she began in 1997, she was part of a group of passionate individuals who decided to be proactive about the kinds of food available….
It would be an exaggeration to say the humble strawberry built Orcas Island, but not much of one — ripe, sweet strawberries have been a huge part of Orcas Island’s history and culture for centuries. The current Strawberry Barreling Building in Olga is a monument to a past industry. Glen Rodenberger was the strawberry king of Orcas. In 1935, he formed The Orcas Island Berry Growers Association with Ethel Pinneo…
There’s a new brand of legends racing to the top at the Deming Speedway this year. They aren’t just breaking track records; they are destroying the myths of self-entitlement and selfishness that too often slows down our youth. These young drivers are amp’d with…
The Pacific Northwest is a dreamscape for outdoor adventures, and Snohomish County is no exception. From the shores of Puget Sound to the craggy heights of the Cascades, the county includes one of the state’s five major stratovolcanoes, Glacier Peak, as well as four river systems — the Skykomish, Snohomish, Sauk, and Stillaguamish Rivers — which carve their courses from alpine forests through farmland to the sea. Bald eagles, salmon, gray whales, migratory birds, the wildlife here is diverse and memorable. Whether…
No matter how you slice it, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are among summer’s sweetest fruits, especially here in Snohomish County, where there are plentiful opportunities to visit u-pick farms and roadside stands. We asked local culinary talents for their favorite berry recipes. Some of these dishes you can find on area menus,…
Ken implores Canada to give Victoria, BC back To my Canadian brothers and sisters to the north—I love you but enough is enough. Your Canadian-U.S. balance ledger is badly…
The colossal proportions of Boeing’s Everett Production Facility, where Boeing 747, 777, and 787 Dreamliner jets are assembled, are the stuff of local legend. The largest manufacturing building in the world in terms of volume, it is also the only jumbo jetliner production facility open to…
It’s Jones’ vision that led him to a successful life of composing, earning numerous awards, and guest conducting with the London Philharmonic Orchestra this past November.
The Centennial is a fine time for children and students to learn about flight and careers in aerospace. “Above and Beyond” is a brand new hands-on exhibit at the Museum of Flight.
The 2016 winners of the James Beard Award for Beverage Writing, Jancis Robinson and Julia Harding edit The Oxford Companion to Wine. Robinson is one of the foremost wine critics in the world, having authored many guides, books, and articles. Harding is a mentor, critic, and educator who is dedicated to mentoring those interested in wine education. She has received many awards for her work. Robinson took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for our readers:…
Lights! Cameras! Action! Coming July 17–30, the Arts Adventure Northwest summer camp will combine classical music sounds with the art of film. Offered by the Peterson Conservatory of Music and Arts in partnership with Cascadia Film Workshop, this summer camp is dedicated to teaching students about…
As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wine industry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world…
A short-haired woman stands in the middle of a large, empty room and stares at her reflection in a tall panel of mirrors that cover the wall from end to end. She begins to sway…
Morgan Paris Lanza, executive director for Bellingham Girls Rock camp, uses music as an avenue to bring young girls together and…
On April 1, the Sylvia Center for the Arts opened its doors to the community for the first time. Curious guests gathered in the upstairs room of the old Cascade Laundry building overlooking downtown through unfinished windows. Strings of temporary lights were hung along the ceiling, lighting up booths filled with unique local art. Children danced together, enjoying boisterous tunes while their parents looked on sipping locally…
As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wine industry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of wine is becoming more inclusive. Washington wine pioneers like Nina Buty, Mary Derby, Eve-Marie Gilla, and Kay Simon have personally witnessed the shift away from male-only wine events, vineyard management,…
As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wineindustry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of wine is becoming more inclusive. Washington wine pioneers like…
Just when we thought we’d lose our collective minds, the summer arrived! Bold, sunny, beautiful weather fills up our weekends and beckons us off the couch and into the woods. We’ve selected a few family-friendly treks that are perfect for an afternoon of wheeling around, a picnic and day trip, or a full-on overnight experience. GRAB YOUR HELMET AND GET PEDDLIN’! DAY TRIPPING Packing the panniers with lunch and having…
Jody Elsom grew up in Woodinville, but is quick to point out that at the time, Woodinville was not wine country at all. “It was farmland and horses.” Her interest in wine started when she took a job with a company based in Sonoma and Napa. “I got to harvest and bottle. One day we sat on the…
As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wine industry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of wine is becoming more inclusive. Washington wine pioneers like Nina Buty, Mary Derby, Eve-Marie Gilla, and Kay Simon have personally witnessed the shift away from male-only wine events, vineyard management, and seminars. Join us in raising a glass…
As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wine industry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of…
As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wine industry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of wine is becoming more inclusive. Washington wine pioneers like Nina Buty, Mary Derby, Eve-Marie Gilla, and Kay Simon have personally witnessed the shift…
This time of year is perfect for charging or gassing up the car and taking a good old-fashioned road trip around the byways and scenic routes of our beautiful area. Among the whale-watching viewpoints…
As with so many industries, the upper echelons of the wine industry were traditionally reserved for men. The past two decades have brought with them significant change, and the world of…
BY ZIAD YOUSSEF MAKING A CHOICE: Whether it’s your neighborhood, your city, or your country, community leadership requires a community effort and it doesn’t just fall on the shoulders of one candidate, and it surely doesn’t end with one VOTE. Just as proper legal care shouldn’t fall on the shoulders of one lawyer, or one act of…
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 man a WUI, officer! Clearly he was writing under the influence of something or sucking up to females….
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 to the water here is inextricable. Before first contact, Native Americans navigated the straits and sounds of the Salish Sea in cedar canoes. With the first settlers—mostly traders…
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…
Welcome aboard the Washington State Ferries. May I have your attention please? The familiar recording issues a pleasant greeting and several instructions as…
You can hear the clicking of heels throughout Meadowdale Middle School hallways, and they aren’t your average heels. They are bright yellow, spiked high heels worn by intensive learning teacher Tamara Musser. Once you catch a glimpse of her, you may think she took a wrong turn on her…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
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 Meyer is an equine veterinarian at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital. DC Builders constructed this classic gable-style custom horse…
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 have to live without access to the wealth of information and entertainment that the digital world provides. According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, almost half of all…
SIX DEGREES OF TROUBLE Part 2: How Big Is Your Problem? WRITTEN BY ZIAD YOUSSEF L ast time we identified that trouble is measured by how difficult it is to identify its source and how much impact it has on your life. The first three degrees were No Trouble At All, Inconvenience, and Brace Yourself. Today,…
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…
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…
The Cascadia Art Museum pays tribute to Nellie Cornish and the Cornish College of the Arts, a school whose international legacy spans both visual and performing arts. Produced in partnership with Cornish, the exhibit draws upon the college’s collection, as well as from private collections such as the estate of Mary Ann Wells, who founded the Dance Department. Curator David Martin’s expertise and personal relationships proved valuable to the exhibition’s development. His efforts…
Every political movement needs a frame, an iconic image, a visual depiction of what threats exist and what is to be saved. Paul Anderson’s photographs are exactly those images…
There may not be anything so disciplined in the arts as ballet. Ballet mercilessly demands great strength, extreme flexibility, and intense musicality; all the while dancers must convey emotions such as joy, sorrow, passion, and sometimes anger. Whatever happens when the curtain rises and breaks the thin veil between reality and fiction, you will find yourself in the throes…
“She says that she is driven by three factors: the urgent need for action, the ability to create programs and policies that help strengthen communities, and her overall love for nature.”
For ten low-income families, Housing Hope meant the opportunity to work toward building their own homes in Snohomish’s Rose Park neighborhood. Numbering 17 adults and 24 children, the group logged 1,500 hours of labor through the sweat equity program Team HomeBuilding. Their friends and families joined in to add 6,000 additional hours of labor. The families opened the doors to their new homes in March 2014. For a…
“Our staff members are incredibly creative and find
ways to help. They care and think with their hearts.”
We’ve rounded up our favorite how-to videos that demonstrate helpful tips and tricks for accomplishing household cleaning and organizing tasks.
Leavenworth is Washington State’s very own Bavarian Village. Here, it’s easy to find German beer and sausage, as well as Christmas charm with the year-round Kris Kringl store. “If you are looking for a quiet romantic experience, like staying at a European-style bed-and-breakfast with wine tasting, we can accommodate that.
” It takes energy, drive, and determination to run an arts nonprofit, but Purves is clearly up to the task. When asked what her day-to-day schedule is like, she laughed. “I allow the staff to do their jobs. I’m the shepherd.”
The summer is the peak season for visiting Coeur d’Alene and there are many fun family events including a classic car show, arts and crafts festival, farmers markets and outdoor concerts. Look forward to the Taste of Coeur d’Alene, the Street Fair, and Art on the Green at the end of July.
“We just like to make everything as enjoyable and relaxed, yet elegant, as we can,” Hank said. “All we want is to be
accommodating — plus a little extra. We want to make a memorable experience.”
Whether it is a blank book, greeting card, or stationery,
everything in the store has a connection to writing.
To really understand the 6 Degrees of Trouble we explore
the nature of problems in general; or, at least, the difference
between small problems and large problems, and the difference
between those that have little impact and those that have
a large impact.
The single most important thing to understand about Aaron Loveitt’s work is that when you encounter a piece, whether it’s a railing or a public sculpture, it was designed and created for that specific space.
All of us have days that are a little less colorful than others—a case of the blahs, a sense of being stuck in our lives, a rough time in relationships around us, the grind of routine.
A garden of glowing spikes, a ceiling of sea creatures—Dale Chihuly’s influence upon Washington’s art scene is felt in every gallery walk and at every art show. With…
Not long after Dr. Jean Hernandez was named President of Edmonds Community College (ECC) in 2011, she received affirmation in the form of…
The inspiring landscape, supportive community, and rich artistic history create a lure that draws artists and art enthusiasts to Edmonds. “There’s a power and a presence about being in Edmonds,” said Elizabeth Martin-Calder, interim executive director of Cascadia Art Museum. Since its beginning, the community has supported and encouraged the arts….
Hummingbirds flit about on bright orange flowers blooming in front of the newly opened Cascadia Art Museum, located in the just renovated mid-century Salish Crossing building near the Edmonds waterfront. What lies inside this reinvigorated icon, which was formerly the Waterfront…
My favorite thing about being a part of WDRC is dealing with disputes in an effective and respectable way and making a difference in the community on a daily basis
From grand public displays like Blue Sky Baskets in White Center to tucked away corners like the humble embeddings of Paw Prints in the downtown Seattle REI to bronze masterpieces on school campuses, the Caldwells help shape and artistically humanize our Northwest landscape.
Twenty-three speakers participated in the daylong event at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. It was the first independently organized TEDx event of its kind, unlike the more than 10,000 TEDx events that have been held in communities worldwide since 2009.
Six founders started WPW in 1930 in order to bring together extraordinary women painters from across the state to encourage, engage, and foster artistic growth, as well as help these painters overcome hurdles not faced by their fellow male colleagues.
You’re feeling exhausted, unable to recharge, out of breath, out of energy. One way to gain back those needed moments for yourself is to pack up, feed the cat, kiss your family, and take off.
On GroundFrog Day, Snohomish Slew is the frog of honor and serves as the official Frognosticator Extraordinaire. If he croaks, then spring has sprung
Coloring takes you away from worries and a chattering mind. Some say coloring is a creative venture without the need for artistic flair or skill. Read on to learn more about the current crave.
It’s a new year, and it’s time for a new way to think of law. Pop culture portrays great lawyers as an all knowing, strategic creatures capable of destroying insurmountable challenges with nothing short of relentless…
The day that Jackie found out she was pregnant, her world came into focus. She was 21, homeless, and seeing a man who was being…
A lone stretch of driftwood-strewn beach, a quiet morning stroll along the boardwalk, a cozy cup of coffee watching a storm roll in over the water — White Rock, B.C. is a great place to spend a little time away. Canada without the rush and bustle of Vancouver, but close enough to home to invest your time in being there rather than getting there, this little city by the sea has a…
When traveling between Seattle and Vancouver, Bellingham tends to be the place to stop on the way. We’re striving to be a place…
It could be a misnomer to call Sculpture Northwest a sculpture gallery. Yes, they certainly have one in downtown Bellingham on Prospect Avenue, but they are more than that. Under the leadership of George Drake and Deanna Lane — with significant energy and time from a dedicated board— Sculpture Northwest is a hub, a resource center, a…
It began in 2008 with a lost Orca named Springer. Separated from her pod, Springer was starving and swimming close to shore. A group, led by Donna Sandstrom, came together to reunite Springer with her pod,…
Gear. It’s where a lot of great hikes and camping trips begin. Laying out the bags to fluff in the sun, trips to the camping store for more stove fuel, gathering up the sleeping pads and tucking them into tight…
The results are in! Our readers have voted on their favorite businesses, services, restaurants, stores, spas and more, from Blaine to Anacortes. Looking for the go-to places to get the perfect haircut or find the best dentist? Look no further. Arts & Entertainment BEST CASINO- Silver Reef Hotel…
Relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy the peace and beauty of Lakedale Resort, a woodland getaway just a short drive from the ferry landing at Friday Harbor. There are so many options…
On July 9, volunteers lined up for Project Homeless Connect, a program in which attendees provide free services to almost 1,000 community members. The recipients received a hot meal, medical care, dental care, child support services, information about Social Security eligibility, and other necessary services throughout the day. Jessica…
What started as a test-the-waters product at a small Bellingham, Washington dog show fair can now be bought at more than 5000 pet product retailers. Friends and Nepali natives Suman Shrestha and Nishes Shrestha founded the Himalayan Corporation when they discovered how much dogs love munching on the traditional hard Nepali yak cheese, chhurpi. Despite a dog’s obsession with the taste, cheese…
If your children grow up studying the dramatic U.S.-led mission to deliver planes to Russia through Alaska, you’ll have Whatcom residents Craig Lang and Jeff…
Wonder what happens when art and science mix? Hop the next ferry over to San Juan Island to find out. Here, the mysterious underwater world of the…
Take a ten-hour drive southeast—or a twohour flight—and you’ll find yourself at the famed ski destination, Sun Valley, Idaho. Often thought of as…
It seems reductive to call Darrell Hillaire a playwright, given how much work he has done in his life on behalf of the Lummi Nation, and…
Western Red Columbine (AQUILEGIA FORMOSA) These lovely star-like blooms bob on delicate stems among lacy foliage. Running counter to the claim that native plants aren’t showy, a patch…
When I think of food, I think of the various elegant, modern food photographs I see on Instagram, Twitter and other social media sites. Or I think of the carefully plated dishes…
What’s old is new again in entertaining, and the new interest in vintage culture brings with it the welcome return of the Airstream. With four businesses under her belt, Angi Soulier is a driven entrepreneur when it comes to pursuing new and creative ventures. Three years ago she…
Jenni Cottrell believes in pooling resources and bringing together a community around the beauty and power of art. To illustrate this point, she tells a story about when she was with a friend at an auction in Alaska they saw a painting they loved. The auction was to benefit the town’s new public library, and Cottrell really wanted to see that…
Inspirational doesn’t begin to describe local resident Jim Stegall, who, at 85 and in company with his guide dog Emilio, celebrates the 20th anniversary of his almost four-month, 12,000-…
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…
Zsofia Pasztor is a busy woman. She is a parent of four, part-time instructor, business owner of Innovative Landscape Technologies, and creator of the successful Farmer Frog Model. Her passions are horticulture and education—two things that took on a life…
The Leadership Snohomish County Program has a mission—to develop leaders for a lifetime. Geared toward anyone seeking to build and expand their leadership skills, Leadership Snohomish educates people of all ages for a bright future.
North End Metro caught up with Ciscoe Morris on a chilly Christmas Eve morning. For those rare few who don’t know him, Ciscoe is a local gardening personality well on his way into the annals of Seattle history. His presence immediately warmed the coffee shop, his laugh is head-turning and infectious. He lives up to his hype—friendly, humble, cheerful, and…
The next time you fail a drug test, you might try to blame it on the BB Ranch prosciutto. Nice try, but eating butcher…
Dave Mauro climbed the steep incline, knowing the end was near. He stepped onto the summit, looked out at the twinkling lights of Nepal and Tibet and said to himself, “Thank you.” It was 3:42 a.m. on May 20, 2013, as he reached the top of Mount Everest. A Bellingham resident, Mauro…
She was always a painter, but when Donna Auer joined some friends for a guided painting tour of Italy organized through the former (and much loved) Blue Horse Gallery, she didn’t know that she would actually have to paint, too. “They said that was part of the deal. You got to go to Italy, but you had to produce work from the trip.” She made seven paintings, all of which sold upon her return. Realizing…
Oysters Packers Oyster Bar Semiahmoo You can’t get fresher or more locally sourced oysters than the farm right outside the bar. These succulent oysters are sure to do the trick, and pair nicely with Packer’s well-crafted cocktails. semiahmoo.com/packers Chili Peppers COA Mexican Eatery Mount Vernon Genuine Mexican can be tough to…
Few experiences rival the enthusiasm children bring to exploring the outdoors— whether they’re climbing rocks, exploring moss covered trees, hunting for seashells on the beach or running along trails.
Dr. Mitchell Kahn and the Skagit Opera In January, the Skagit Opera performed at Lairmont Manor in Bellingham for the first time. One of the missions of the Skagit Opera, which has been in operation since 2003, is to spread an appreciation to new audiences, in addition to serving well the audience they have already established….
Past the ferry landing at Friday Harbor, past the outdoor sculptures and the galleries, past the collage of nature and architecture, is IMA—the first fine art museum on the San Juan Islands. But that’s not the only reason why IMA is turning heads. “The design looks like it belongs in a big city,” said one local resident. Exactly the point, said the team of staff and artists behind IMA.
Passionate, community-minded and up for a challenge, Huxley graduate Rose Lathrop has dedicated her career to sustainable planning and design. A former employee at Aiki Homes, which specializes in sustainable, green and co-housing development, Lathrop made a change in 2012 and became the Green Building and…
The impulse to restore old furniture, to find value in the discarded, to resurrect the rusted out, to elevate trash into functionality, maybe even art—is a passionate one. In the old days, the dumpster-divers and junk men were seen as goofy guys in crumbling trucks, typified by Fred Sanford on the hit TV show Sanford and Son.
As a young boy, age 5 or 6, I used to play in the local woods where the soil was mostly clay and the clay would stick to my PF Flyers — the farther that I walked, the longer that…
Most of the world knows Garth Stein as an author. However, those of us in the Northwest who have had greater opportunity to interact with him also know he is an Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker,…
Celebrating the Women of Boeing Be ready. And always have your shoes on. That’s how Nelda Lee, the first female pilot to fly an F-15 Eagle, explained the success of her 35-year long career in aviation. A spellbound crowd gathered at the Future of Flight Aviation Center in Mukilteo as Lee told the story of growing up on a farm with shoes perpetually tied tight, ready to go on a moment’s…
The North End’s Best Beaches A day at the beach burns bright in one’s memory. We are drawn to water, because the sea is a master storyteller. Shorebirds squawk and circle. The salt air aches of escape and adventure. Children squeal and giggle over ribbons of slimy seaweed and watch in wonder as small crabs skitter beneath driftwood. Empires of sand rise up again and again, despite the unavoidable appetite…
With an annual average snowfall of more than 35 feet, Whistler Blackcomb is famous for the soft powder on its Whistler Winter Wonderland slopes. Advanced skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of places to play, including heli-skiing packages. Beginners are best starting out at Blackcomb Base, Whistler Village and Whistler Creekside and gradually working their way up to the more advanced slopes.
Saint Edward State Park KIRKLAND Located on a forested bluff overlooking the northern end of Lake Washington, several dirt trails wind around 316 acres of moss-wrapped old growth trees and peekaboo stretches of sand and waterfront. An astonishing 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline, this former Catholic seminary is known for its undeveloped lakeshore and wide variety of birds and sea life. LEVEL Easy-Moderate LENGTH Multiple mileage options Big Four Ice Caves…
Each issue, we highlight a woman who is setting a prime example of what success looks like in our local marketplace. This issue we celebrate Molly Helmuth,…
The new aquatic center in Snohomish is making a splash. The fully equipped facility has something for everyone. More advanced swimmers can take advantage of the 10-lane lap pool set a comfortable 78-80˚F with two 1-meter diving boards, while kids can play in the variety of pool…
You haven’t been to the gym in ages. You’re busy, you’re tired, and you have endless work, family and social obligations. You know you need to exercise, but who’s got the time and money to invest in a…
Among The Village’s shopping and dining options, which include a Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and Massage Green Spa, will be local chef John Howie’s newest restaurant, The Beardslee Alehouse and Wildwood Distillery.
Ken’s Valentine’s Day gift for the woman who has everything I am a social scientist at heart. As with most males, I am genetically engineered to offer…
Beneath a brilliant blue sky, an emerald valley of farms, vineyards and orchards rolls out to the horizon of amber hills. At a glance, it could be Napa, Burgundy or Chianti — but it’s not. Only a few hours from Bellingham, this gem is the…
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, he amuses his students with funny stories about…
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…
DANIEL HOWARD Daniel Howard was on his way home after spending time in Oregon last May. He had been in Oregon recovering from an injury he sustained while working for the fire department. Near Tacoma, Howard saw a white car cross several lanes of traffic in front of him,…
Every year, Edge.org asks its gigantic constellation of thinkers, intellectuals, scientists and world thought-leaders — among them Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker, Jared Diamond, Rebecca Goldstein and many others — a question and publishes their answers. Bellingham’s own George Dyson is an annual participant in the Annual Question. George is the author of Turing’s Cathedral, Darwin Among the…
With a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of wine in another, Uptown Art makes creating your latest masterpiece more fun and more social than ever. Newly opened in December near the Bellwether Hotel, the spacious art gallery offers a display of beautifully presented paintings as well…
In every issue, we will highlight the accomplishments or great careers of women in our area. In this issue, we celebrate Mimi Osterdahl, the new President of the Whatcom County Association of Realtors®. The Whatcom County Association of Realtors® is…
Ahh, it’s almost spring in the Northwest! The birds will fly north and begin singing again, the rain will subside and you will once again see the faint glimmer of sunshine through the branches of those soon-to-be-budding trees. There are already little signs of hope in your muddy and moss filled “lawn.” All of the sudden, you are…
Ken pays respect to his elders I have your backs, seniors—and your backsides, open medical gowns and all. So what if you unintentionally embarrass your kids by posting private comments about their childhood…
The sun is starting to peek through some of our winter gloom, and springtime is upon us. We called upon the plant experts at Garden Spot Nursery on Alabama St. and Kent’s Garden and Nursery on Northwest Ave. to create beautiful container gardens that harness the hope and beauty of early spring. Hellebores, narcissus and primroses in the…
ADRIENNE LEDERER Neighborhood and Parks Activist Energetic, warm, outspoken Adrienne came into volunteerism through a political campaign in 1996, but it was through a…
Retirement Communities That Offer Amenities: When we think of retirement communities, we generally think of endless games of bingo and terrible food. Fortunately, we have retirement communities in our area that offer amenities beyond television reruns and canasta. The…
In 2001, Boston residents came together and created a model for seniors who want the lifestyle and amenities of living in…
Welcome to the new era of retirement, in which retirees teach part-time, volunteer for nonprofits, mentor young people, doorbell for candidates, organize neighborhood potlucks and run 5Ks. Voted Best Place to Retire many times over by many national publications, Bellingham seems to embody this new feisty spirit of retirement. We are no longer convalescing into old age. We are healthier longer than we used to be, retiring earlier than we…
Homeskillet BELLINGHAM With each pop of a champagne cork, the entire staff yells “opa!” and you know it’s on. Skillets are delicious, but don’t overlook the pancakes and Cinnamon swirl French toast. For serious appetites, the biscuits and gravy are the real deal. homeskilletinsunnyland.com Copper Hog BELLINGHAM Whether you’re hankering for the traditional eggs benedict or you want to branch out and try Kahlua…
Tyree Callahan is probably best known worldwide for his conceptual art piece Chromatic Typewriter, a 1937 Underwood typewriter that has color keys rather than letters. Small paint-laden sponges sit poised to create one of Tyree’s landscapes, a canvas of which is unscrolling from the carriage as if typed into being. Chromatic Typewriter won international acclaim and was the runner-up in the speculative category of the Core77 design awards in 2012. Photos of it exploded across social media…
Nestled in the Alley District is a boutique gallery filled with handcrafted treasures waiting to be discovered. While the mosaic tiled flooring may draw you into Tide Lines, it’s the artwork that…
Sherry and Marlene Rials were driving down Douglas Rd. toward Grant’s Burgers in Ferndale when they encountered a sight they will not likely forget:…
The Alternative Library (or Alt.Lib as it is known) is a grassroots, independent nonprofit in downtown Bellingham founded to foster and promote local artists. Located in the former Tiger Toys space on Railroad Ave., the Alternative Library not only houses an eclectic collection of books, they offer studio space for painters and will soon branch out into offering music recording and performance space as well. The local music scene offers many opportunities to perform,…
When she turns her attention toward you as you speak, you know that Mayor Kelli Linville is listening. Not just putting on the appearance…
Jin came to Susanne and Bruce on a flight into Seattle accompanied by an agency escort. Not unlike a birth, the moment they took him up from his car seat and held him, their lives changed forever….
Robyn Smith believes in one central message when it comes to building a relationship between horses and humans — “natural is normal.”…
Now in its 18th year, the Everett Film Festival was started by six enterprising women. Originally known as the Everett Women’s Film Festival, the festival was created to highlight the work of women in film production. For years, the film festival has featured animated shorts, documentaries and feature films…
Five Faves 1. GALBRAITH MOUNTAIN – WHATCOM The granddaddy of all mountain biking destinations, Galbraith has many challenging but rewarding trails. Maintained by volunteers (many of whom you can meet along the trails), Galbraith isn’t just a great place to mountain bike, it’s an excellent model of balance between the interests of developers and cyclists. 2. LAKE PADDEN – WHATCOM Padden is a popular destination for locals, and it’s not hard to see…
A New Kind of Studio When a small group of local parents decided they wanted something more from the offerings of performing arts education in Bellingham, they didn’t just sit back and wait for the perfect studio to drop into their laps. They created their own. Thus, Opus Performing Arts School was born, thanks…
What’s On Your List? Bucket Lists have made a huge surge in our culture — and somehow it sounds far more appealing than “my list of things to do before I expire.” In fact,…
It’s true, Washington State is not Minnesota or Canada, but we’ve always had a solid history when it comes to hockey. The Lynnwood Ice Center has been around for awhile teaching the smaller set the fundamentals of the sport. The Thunderbirds formed in 1977 as the Breakers, eventually becoming the Thunderbirds…
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 nice place to meet some friends for great late-afternoon specials. Entrée-sized portions for $5? Heck yeah! Generous pours of wine or beer for $3. Hearthfire Grill BELLINGHAM With a wide selection of small plates and a…
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 Power yoga, Nidra and Hatha yoga classes, Doe Bay is a perfect place to pack up your mat…
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…
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…
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.
The future of technology, and certainly of industrial design, seems to be very much 3-D printing.
Every day can be a terrible grind for those in poverty, for those who are living paycheck-to-paycheck, for those who don’t, or can’t, make enough to get by, to feed their families.
I am in mourning. My comic idol is Robin Williams. The tragic loss of Robin should be a dark reminder — the will to live comes from within, even for the most talented amongst us. He had everything and yet he had nothing in his eyes, at least not enough…
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Best Casino Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa Silver: Skagit Valley Casino Bronze: Swinomish Casino & Lodge With events, expos and activities, there are always reasons to spend a weekend at the Silver Reef, but they’ve wisely added one more: the Cigar Lounge. It’s the perfect place to gather and relax — a calm oasis among ringing slots and busy card…
SIGHT Visual art in our area is so abundant. Some say it’s the light, some say the views, some say it’s the calm, easygoing lifestyle. For whatever reason, our corner of the Northwest has become a gathering place for visual…
Quiet and unassuming, Lummi Island isn’t as showy and flashy as some of the other islands in the San Juans, but it has a lot to offer the weekender. The island is named for the nearby Lummi tribe, who called it Skallaham. Today, artists, retirees and young families make up the permanent population, and vacationers swell the ranks in the summer months. In winter, Lummi is a quiet retreat. Getting there From I-5 take Slater Road to Haxton Way. Turn…
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…
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 Bay to Chuckanut Brewery, four Bellingham residents have created the Bellingham Tap Trail — a beer map — as a way for beer-lovers everywhere to navigate the breweries of Bellingham. Shannon…
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 store is an embodiment of her beliefs. As the Edmonds art community continues…
Have you ever wanted to see inside an artist’s process — their studio, tools and techniques? Each September, Edmonds hosts…
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…
Some say summer is what keeps them living in Western Washington, while others are diehard fall fans. It’s true, New England is…
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 could change the sense of apathy she felt…
Scientists need to take a chill pill, starting with Albert Einstein. His idea of a good time on a Friday night was to measure the speed of most everything in the physical world — sound, light, and my personal favorite, light in a vacuum. Really, Albert? I bet you didn’t date much. And your theories of relativity, including E=mc2? Way too complicated — try the old kids’ joke, “what did the snail say as he was riding…
VANCOUVER PNE VANCOUVER AUGUST 16–SEPTEMBER 1 The PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) has been in operation for 101 years, and draws 900,000 visitors during its 17 days. Loaded with cultural demonstrations, performances, rides, fair food and more, the PNE is nonstop fun. Just remember to take cash — the debit machines on the fairgrounds only take Canadian cards. pne.ca NORTHWEST WASHINGTON FAIR LYNDEN | AUGUST 11–16 From cat dioramas to demolition derbies to delightful goats, the NW Washington Fair…
Whether promoting SuperFeet insoles or helping Bellingham to seduce Google into making Bellingham a Google Fiber pilot city, Max Kaiser and his team at Hand…
On August 20, 2013 a lifechanging event occurred for dispatcher and supervisor Faye Whitney. With twenty seven years of experience working as a dispatcher, she knows how to handle a crisis. Given her supervisory role, she has mandatory CPR certification, and she is required to know Criteria Based Dispatch (CBD), which set protocols that match the level of care a person needs with the training…
Bellingham TheatreWorks, a new theater company in town, was recently established by the brilliant team of Mark Kuntz and Steve Lyons. Local playwright Steve Lyons graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and later found his passion in writing. Director Mark…
The Bellwether peninsula now offers visitors, local employees and boaters a one-stop-shop where they can buy anything from chips, candy, coffee, or cigarettes to craft beer and wine. Bellwether Market is a new upscale convenience market that opened in May this year and is located at 6 Bellwether Way. Owner Ann McEvoy said the store even…
2014 finds many business people away from the classic cubicle in the office, without a desktop computer or water cooler in sight. With technology available all around us, we can work from home, from Starbucks and even…
The signs were subtle at first — a wide-open window during a cold snap in January and the perpetual running of Sleepless in Seattle on the Hallmark channel. In hindsight, it is now clear. But at the time, I was simply oblivious. Then…
We are so fortunate for our beautiful, local farms. They feed us with fresh produce — mounds of ripe berries, piles of thick, rich greens, barrels of crisp, sweet apples — and they protect our rolling hills and rural character. Not only do our farmers work hard to grow all this amazing food, they offer their bounty in our local farmers markets,…
SAN JUAN ISLAND San Juan Island teems with life in the summer. Friday Harbor is San Juan’s welcome mat, and a cheery one at that: just up the…
Olaf — the lovable snowman in Disney’s Frozen — sings about his affection for summer “Bees will buzz, and kids will…
Starting out as an unpromising little sandbar, Granville Island now shines as an example of what a community with chutzpah and…
On June 7th, the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Foundation will celebrate the community’s generosity, spirit and leadership at its bi-annual black-tie gala. PeaceHealth takes great pride in its service and commitment to the people of Whatcom County and beyond, but the not-for-profit doesn’t act alone: doctors, patients, caregivers and the community at large are all a valuable part of the PeaceHealth family….
Officer Rhonda Lasley had been on the Sedro-Woolley police force for a month when she and civilian Nicole Vojkovich received a call from the Skagit sheriff’s office about an overturned boat at Dead…
We all know The Woods Coffee as a place to relax and enjoy delicious tea, coffee or a treat, but now they have taken their company to an entirely new level. Their coffee,…
It’s that time of the year again. The Bellingham Circus Guild is back in action. If you have never heard of this event, it’s a collection of professional and hobby circus artists performing as aerialists, stilters, clowns, myth makers, jugglers, acrobats, theatricalists and so much more. Their routines are based on European performance techniques and vintage circus performances. Think Cirque de Soliel meets steampunk, and you get the idea….
Neon green sea grass and fiery fields of red coral bubble with life. Streams of light dance weightlessly to the sway of a gentle current. Tentacles…
I love to entertain. In fact, I do it for a living, which means I also understand the stress entertaining at home can bring. But you can throw a party sans the stress. Here are some of my tips to have a fabulous event and entertain with style:…
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…
Check out our 5 favorite Christmas Tree Farms for your festive fir.
Yes, Virgina, there is a lot to love about winter! Check out our list of 45 items that might perk your interest.
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.
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.
We received more than 30,000 votes within 80 categories for this year’s Best of the Northwest.
Check out our top five favorite Pumpkin Patches around Whatcom and Skagit counties.
This is an art gallery, but also much more. It is a place where artists can create, teach, share and engage adults and children alike in appreciation of the arts.
Take the plunge and learn about the wonderful world of diving in the Pacific Northwest.
From vegetables and cheese to milk, grass-fed beef, chicken, pork or wine, families are encouraged to see another side of Whatcom County – where the locally grown food is brought to life … and to local plates and palettes.
Make your next getaway to the Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort.
Take a quick trip through the charming Leavenworth, a beautiful Bavarian village in Washington.
New charging stations include three in Whatcom, Skagit counties… Lines of electric cars decorated the parking lot of Bellingham’s Sehome Village one morning in late May. Excited electric car owners and supporters…
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