New Sipping Grounds for This Beach Cat | Beach Cat Brewing

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. Gobeille is hoping to open this spring, but curating the right culture and environment is crucial: “We have to make sure that when we do open these doors, the city of Bellingham has no choice but to fall in love with…

The Whatcom Art Center and All It Provides | Whatcom Art Center

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 that they have a space at a minimal fee where they can…

Whatcom Literacy Council Does So Much More Than You Think

Katherine Freimund is on a mission. As executive director of Whatcom Literacy Council she coordinates numerous activities that assist residents of Whatcom County to read and write…

Whales, Birds, and Beers: On the Water with San Juan Cruises

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 1987 by Drew Schmidt, the company started out as Gray Line Cruises, doing tours out of Semiahmoo. In 1989 they moved to the Bellingham Ferry Terminal in Fairhaven, continuing their tours to San…

Building Queer Community: From Vision to Reality

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…

Passion and Positivity at Unique Technique Dance Studio

Q&A with Owner Patricia Mallett-Edlin of Unique Technique Dance Studio

Fighting To Be Found

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.

Dawn Posey Announced as New Concertmaster

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, chose the violin as a child because she thought it looked easy to play. Hindsight, of course, is 20/20.   Throughout her childhood, Posey learned under a teacher who used the Suzuki Method. At 13,…

From Hives to Honey With Marie’s Bees

What started as a simple hobby soon blossomed into a full-on business for Marisa Papetti, owner and creator of Marie’s Bees.

Are you my Human? Dog Rescue & Lounge

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.  

Bellingham Coding + Robotics Club Opens Its Doors

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).

Undammed

Restoration Project on Nooksack Merges Indigenous and Western Knowledge

The Year of Unusual

Bellingham Family Partnership Program Helps Kids Learn from Home

Capturing the Beauty of Bellingham’s Great Blue Herons

Local photographer Lou Nicksic captures the beauty of the great blue heron.

Bow Wow & Woofs Launches Pet Pantry for Pets in Need

Bow Wow & Woofs offers a pet pantry for owners struggling to feed their pets during the COVID-19 outbreak.

A Conservation Conversation

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. 

Building a Legacy in Skagit Valley

Have you ever been to the Heritage Flight Museum? Learn more about the history behind it, and what’s on the horizon.

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

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

A Centennial Celebration for Women’s Voting Rights

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.

Two Birds, One Stone

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.

Play Hard, Get Fit at Life Force Ninja Gym

No matter your age or experience level, you can channel your inner ninja at Life Force Ninja Gym.

Western’s New Multicultural Center Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion on Campus

Western Washington University opens new Multicultural Center to celebrate diversity and inclusion on campus

Better Beer, More Hands

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.

Early-Warning Earthquake Alert

In late July, the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District installed ShakeAlert, a pilot system for detecting earthquakes before they occur.

Bay Breeze Restaurant Is Remodeled and Ready

Bay Breeze Restaurant in Birch Bay reopened this past summer, after being severely damaged by a storm surge last December.

The Good Time Girls

With three main tours—Sin and Gin, Gore and Lore, and Bellingham History—Fairhaven’s Good Time Girls know how to bring history alive.

Bellingham’s Basement Brewers

North Corner Brewing Supply—opened in 2000 by Robert Arzoo—sells a range of supplies for new brewers and seasoned professionals alike.

From Local Grocer to Restaurateur

Brad Haggen—whose grandparents, Dorothy and Ben Haggen, co-founded the Haggen grocery store chain in 1933—purchased Skylark’s Hidden Cafe last fall.

Riding Toward Equality

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.

Let Freedom Ring

Bellingham community members celebrate this 4th of July with a KidsZone, beer garden, live music, and of course, fireworks—at Zuanich Point Park.

Rich Appel: Building Bridges Through Conservation

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.

Celebrating 75 Years of Storytelling

Whatcom County Library System is celebrating its 75th anniversary, embarking on a nine-month history preservation project and building a new Bookmobile.

Winter Haven for Homeless

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.

Connecting Community with Sustainable Salmon

Drifters Fish is a community supported fishery (CSF). Michael and Nelly Hand wanted to connect their customers with sustainably harvested salmon.

Heard Around the Sound

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.

Feeding Families and the Famished

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.

Fighting Arthritis With Bells On

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.

Cleaning and Clearing the Way for Fish

The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and Whatcom Land Trust are busy maintaining fish habitats along the Nooksack River and educating the community.

Help with Heavy Lifting, and More

The Opportunity Council is a local nonprofit providing services like housing, building job skills, disability assistance, and so much more.

Homeless Youths Getting a Place of Their Own

Northwest Youth Services is providing a number of services to help homeless teens in Whatcom County, including housing and mental health services.

Homeless Nonprofit Gets a Lift

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.

Winter Olympics in 2022?

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.

Lights, Camera, Access Bellingham

Eero Johnson helps local residents participate in city-run BTV public access programming.

Hidden Gem: North Cascades National Park Turns 50

The North Cascades National Park, or the “American Alps,” contains nearly 400 miles of accessible trails with 94% of the acreage designated as wilderness.

Days for Girls Tackles a Taboo

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.

Empowering With Employment

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

Friends of the Forest

Many residents in Anacortes are lucky enough to live within walking distance to some of the city’s 2,800 acres of forests….

Protecting the Treasure of Whatcom County

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…

Program is Getting People Outside for Their Health

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…

Sharing the Bounty

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…

A Weekend of Films

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 festival November 3–5. Festival organizers Lynn Danaher and Karen Palmer founded the festival with an intention to share documentary films that tell relevant stories and encourage positive change. Danaher and Palmer run the…

Cable Show Highlights Community Doers

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, nonprofits, and community leadership. While Marchand envisioned…

A Family Farm for Everyone

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,…

Making Spaying and Neutering Accessible

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…

Treating Mental Health, One Person at a Time

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 organization offers comprehensive behavioral health services. They have four locations in Bellingham. Among the core values listed on their website, Compass Health strives to be dedicated to the well-being of the communities they serve. Given their comprehensive services and wealth of compassionate staff members, Compass Health fulfills that value. Compass…

Community Effort, Community Hub: Stanwood – Camano YMCA

The driving motto behind the YMCA is “for youth development, for healthy living, for social responsibility.” You can hear this…