Belingham Alive Digital Issue Jun/July 2014

5 Faves Happy Hours

Summer Fun Guide San Juan Island Getaways june | july 2014 Display until July 31 $3.99 US • $4.99 CAN

Farm to

Table

There’s No Such Thing As A‘‘One-Size-Fits-All’’ Mortgage.

And That’s A Good Thing.

Why not find the one that’ll work best for you? Call us at 866-374-7090, or go to http://homeloans.wibank.com.

Whidbey ISLAND BANK Making Life A Little Easier

©2014 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of all traffic laws at all times.

It's not a compromise if both sides of the argument get what they want.

Introducing the new Porsche Panamera. The first true sports car that's also a luxury sedan. Step on the accelerator and best in class performance and handling is undeniably present. But now, there's a new source of exhilaration–executive class comfort. Elegantly crafted leather seats, a remarkably spacious cabin and curves everywhere you look and touch. With an endless amount of customization options. In short, the world's most thrilling contradiction. Experience it for yourself, with a test drive.

The new Porsche Panamera.

Roger Jobs Porsche 2200 Iowa St. Bellingham, WA 98229 (360) 734-5230 www.roger-jobs.porschedealer.com Showroom hours M – F 8:30AM – 7:00PM Sa 9:00AM– 5:00PM Closed Sun

Brokerage • Mutual Funds • Roth 401(k)

1-800-SATURNA www.saturna.com

Common Goals Common Rewards Common Sense

401(k)

Investment flexibility Transparent fee structure Affordable plans for small business1

You know it’s your people that make your company successful. They are the face your customers see. They are the architects who make your future a reality. They ensure your success. You have the vision to share the rewards of everyone’s work. Saturna Capital has the 401k plan to help make managing those rewards easier. Ask us how.

Please consider an investment’s objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. For free prospectuses and brochures that contain this and other important information on Saturna’s no-load mutual funds and other investment products, please visit www.saturna.com or call toll-free 1-800-SATURNA. Please read the prospectuses and brochures carefully before investing. Distributor: Saturna Brokerage Services, member FINRA/SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of Saturna Capital Corporation, 1300 North State Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.

1

$750 Annual Trust Fee (plus 0.25% of year end plan assets, with a 0.25% credit on year-end plan assets in affiliated mutual funds). Self-directed brokerage accounts subject to commissions on trades. Investments in mutual funds are subject to ongoing expenses. See prospectus for details.

M O .C O N I S A C P I L A L TU ps ns, The four to The TemptatioON OF THE Supremes ILS AND MARY W

JULY 10 NEIL GIRALD PAT BENATAR &

O + RICK SPRING

AUG 14

FIELD

JULY 31 MIC

,

A nth o ny ing M ichael ur at fe r a g a Sammy H so n AND Vic Jo h n Jason Bonham

AND TOTO HAEL MCDONALD

AUG 3

S TRAVELER

BLUE BLOSSOMS AND IN G , AY R R A G U S kracker with u n cle

AUG 15 YES

AUG 21

visited AND Am

arwater Re CREEDence Cle

SEPT 7

TICKETS

!

W O N E L A S ON D OLDER

ALL SHOWS AGES 21 AN

erica

CON T ENTS Over v i ew

62

80

Š Cynthia St. Clair

72

6 NorthSoundLife.com

LIFESTYLE

Features

19

Bellingham Circus Guild

62

Summer Fun Guide

20

By the Numbers

72

San Juan Island Getaways

21

Lasting Image

80

Farm-to-Table

23

Calendar June & July

25

In the Know Island Airlines Merger

26

In the Know Woods Coffee Roasts Their Own

27

In the Know Book Reviews

95

Honeymoon

27

In the Know Who Knew

96

Meet the Chef Perry Mascitti of Tulalip Resort Casino

28

Real Heroes Rhonda Lasley

99

Dining Guide

29

In the Know Squalicum Quartet Performs in Tribute

102 Drink of the Month Pomegranate Lemon Drop

29

In the Know Apps We Love

103 Sip San Juan Vineyards

32

5 Faves Happy Hours

104 Review Il Granaio

34

Quick Trip Granville Island with Kids

105 Seven Good Things

DINE

SHOP

ON THE TOWN

37

Modern Classics

107 Events Around Town

40

Necessities Hello Sunshine

110 Crops-to-Cuisine Dinner at Bellewood Acres

42

Savvy Shopper BikeSport

112 Events Out of Town 113 The Scene Assumption Catholic School Fundraiser

WELL BEING

45

Menu Constructing a Cheeseboard

48

Spa Review Silhouettes Salon & Day Spa

49

Calendar Races & Runs

52

Beauty Warm Weather Glow

NOTES

10

Editor’s Letter

12

Contributors

15

Letters to the Editor

16

Meet a Staffer Art Director Kelly Slater

114 Final Word Habitat

57

Make-Over Farming-Inspire Design

60

Featured Home Samish Island Cabin

Congratulations to Blaine Wetzel, chef at the Willows Inn, for winning the 2014 James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year Award.

June | July 2014 7

CON T ENTS On t he We b

Check us out online at:

Northsoundlife .com SHOP. DINE. LIVE. in the North Sound

Intern at Bellingham Alive! and North Sound Life

Online Exclusive

Get yourself a head start by interning with K & L Media. If you are a writer, photographer or a designer, an internship provides valuable experience and adds creditability to your CV and portfolio.

More information is available online at northsoundlife.com/jobsand-internships or email editor@ klmediacorp.com.

Top Ten Bike Riding Tips Our new contributor Robin Robertson gives her favorite reasons to get out and ride.

Go green with a digital subscription.

Even more at northsoundlife.com: Eat & Drink | Lifestyle | Home & Remodel | On the Town | Travel

Join us on

Recipes

for:

Summer Fun

Fashion

Follow us:

8 NorthSoundLife.com

pinterest.com/northsoundlife

Entertaining

Sign up for our free e-newsletter to get the latest on upcoming events and more! northsoundlife.com

EdgEwatEr CasinO

true north. strong & free.

Make your money go farther, at Edgewater Casino.Right in the heart of downtown, we’re Vancouver British Columbia’s only casino. A strong dollar and tax-free winnings are all you need to enjoy your next trip over the border. Come up and see us for yourself.

Enjoy our smoke-free casino and all the excitement that our city has to offer.

Celebrate Canada day at Edgewater Casino. sign up for an Encore rewards card, and enjoy

$20 Free Play and a comPlimentary hot dog !*

* redeem at guest services. Free Play valid until July 30, 2014. Hot dog available on July 1, 2014 only. Code: 06BEH -15 Must be new Encore rewards member. One redemption per washington resident only.

Across from BC Place • 750 Pacific Boulevard S., Vancouver • edgewatercasino.ca

Edgewater Casino, Vancouver

@CasinoEdgewater

N otes E di t or ' s L e t t e r

...and the livin’ is easy...

The rain has slacked off, and the sun is high, bright and endless. Henry James said that “summer afternoon” were the two most beautiful words in the English language. And though it’s traditionally a time of lassitude and tranquility, our Bellingham Alive family has been in the midst of big happenings — our first ever Women’s Expo, the celebration of our nomination for two Maggie Awards in Los Angeles, a new member on the design team (welcome, Kelsey!) and Christine’s breathtakingly beautiful sunset wedding at Zuanich Point. In short, we’re exhausted, but happy.

As I write this, I can hear my neighbor out in her garden with her twins, planting veggies. Though it’s so fun gardening with little ones, it’s also hard work, bending and digging, tamping, weeding, watering and harvesting. I think about how arduous gardening is, I am reminded of what’s truly arduous: farming. The sweat and toil of coaxing row upon row of seeds into thriving plants — especially without pesticides or chemical fertilizer — is back-breaking. But I am so grateful to our local farmers who do this hard work to feed us. We celebrate them and their bounty in our feature, Farm-to-Table. From farm stands to CSAs, restaurants and u-picks, we cover all the bases of how to find excellent locally grown produce.

Did I mention it’s summer? Parents and grandparents who are seeking some fun activities for busy little youngsters will appreciate our Summer Fun Guide. Camps, classes, activities and more, the Summer Fun Guide will keep your kiddos going all summer long. Our Quick Trip is also for those who may want to take a little day trip or overnight with the kids.

Granville Island is one of my family’s favorite family destinations, and I’m so happy to share it with you.

Speaking of destinations, we have a quick guide to the four ferryserved San Juan Islands: San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw. With places to stay, shop and dine, the islands are a great place to slip away for a weekend. In Sip, we recommend a visit to San Juan Vineyards for tasty libations. We also bring you the news that San Juan Airlines and Northwest Sky Ferry have merged, making getting to the islands that much easier.

As Shakespeare wrote, “Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” So soak up the sun, enjoy fresh local food, explore the islands, enjoy some time with the kids and, most of all, savor the summer.

Here’s to sunshine,

Frances

10 NorthSoundLife.com

Receive up to a

valued at up to $3,898 when you purchase select appliances* valued at up to $3,898 when you purchase select appliances* MasterCard® Or Buy

Buy

A Select Pro-Style® Range

TO receive

& A Select Wall Oven

Or Buy

Buy

A Select Cooktop

upgrade availaBle!*

A Select A Select DishwasherWall Oven

$

A Select Built-In Refrigerator

$

A Select Dishwasher

$

Receive a

FREE

*

Rebate on a Select Dishwasher

MulTiple OpTiOns!* add On

Receive up to a

50 250 300 Receive a

A Select Cooktop

FREE*

and receive

upgrade availaBle!*

TO receive

&

A Select Pro-Style® Range

add On

Prepaid Card by mail with qualified purchase*

and receive

MulTiple OpTiOns!*

Rebate on select Cooking appliances

Rebate on a Select Refrigerator

Customize your kitchen by choosing a

FREE*

A Select product in an exclusive Built-In collection from Refrigerator Jenn-Air®. See Sales Associate for details.

Fire & Ice

Customize your kitchen by choosing a

FREE*

product in an exclusive collection from Jenn-Air®. See Sales Associate for details.

YOUR PURCHASE YOUR RE WARD Offer Valid January 1–June 30, 2014

YOUR PURCHASE Offer Valid Until December 31, 2014 YOUR RE WARD

Offer Valid January 1–June 30, 2014

Offer Valid January 1–June 30, 2014 SALES S ASLAELSES • • SERV •SERV SER I CE ICE VICE • • PARTS •PARTS PARTS • • DELIVERY •D ELIVERY D ELIVERY • • INSTALLATION •INSTALLATION INSTALLATION • • WE •WE WE DO DO DO ITITALL! IT ALL! ALL! *See Sales Associate for Rebate Form for complete details and qualified models. Only valid at *see sales associate for complete details and qualified models. Only valid at participating Jenn-air brand retailers participating Jenn-Air brand retailers. Offer not valid for Your Purchase, Your Reward free appliances. in the u.s.a. no substitutions allowed. customer will receive an instant credit at the register for the retail price Rebate in the form of a Jenn-Air brand MasterCard ® Prepaid Card by mail. Cards are issued by Citibank, of the free appliance model(s) with qualified purchases. Free appliances do not qualify for Fire & ice promotion. *see sales associate forprice complete details and qualifiedN.A. models.

Only valid participating brand retailers upgrade available on select models; consumer pays the difference between the retail of the free appliance pursuant to at a license fromJenn-air MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered the u.s.a. no substitutions allowed. $1,378. customer an instant credit at the register for the retail price and upgraded appliance. all products must be purchased on in a single receipt. arv of dishwashers, arvwill receive trademark of MasterCard International free appliance purchases.

Free appliances do not qualify for Fire & Incorporated. ice promotion. Cards will not have cash access and can be used of Trash compactors, $1,149. arv of Microwaves, $760. arvofofthe Warming drawers,model(s) $1,399. with arv qualified of ventilation, everywhere MasterCard debit cards arefree accepted. ®/™ ©2014 Jenn-Air. All rights reserved. To learn upgrade available on select models; consumer pays the difference between the retail price of the appliance $1,802. arv of Built-in refrigerator panels, $1,299. arv of undercounter refrigeration, $1,866. pro Handles are moreonabout the receipt. entire Jenn-Air brand line, please upgraded all products must be purchased a single arv of dishwashers, $1,378.visit arvjennair.com. NCP-15816. Printed in the U.S.A. 11/13. not included and may be purchased separately. retailer alone and determines theappliance. actual resale and advertised price.

Form No.ofJM14010237SNCP of entire TrashJenn-Air compactors, arv visit of Microwaves, arv Warming drawers, $1,399. arv of ventilation, ®/™ ©2014 Jenn-Air. All rights reserved. To learn more about the brand $1,149. line, please jennair.com. $760.

NCP-15816. Printed in the U.S.A. 11/13. Form No. JM14010237S1NCP$1,802. arv of Built-in refrigerator panels, $1,299. arv of undercounter refrigeration, $1,866. pro Handles are not included and may be purchased separately. retailer alone determines the actual resale and advertised price. ®/™ ©2014 Jenn-Air. All rights reserved. To learn more about the entire Jenn-Air brand line, please visit jennair.com.

NCP-15816. Printed in the U.S.A. 11/13. Form No. JM14010237S1NCP

949198

juddblack.com juddblack.com juddblack.com

949198

Your Your Your Hometown Hometown Hometown Appliance Appliance Appliance Store!

Store!

Store!

j

949198

judd judd judd& & &black black black

BELLINGHAM 360-733-7722 BELLINGHAM BELLINGHAM BELLINGHAM | 360-733-7722 | 360-733-7722 | |360-733-7722 MOUNT MOUNT MOUNT VERNON VERNON VERNON | 360-336-6515 | 360-336-6515 | 360-336-6515 MARYSVILLE MARYSVILLE MARYSVILLE | 360-659-0822 | 360-659-0822 | 360-659-0822 EVERETT EVERETT EVERETT | 425-258-2591 | 425-258-2591 | 425-258-2591 LYNNWOOD LYNNWOOD LYNNWOOD | 425-742-2233 | 425-742-2233 | 425-742-2233 LIQUIDATION LIQUIDATION LIQUIDATION CENTER CENTER CENTER - Everett - Everett - Everett | 425-258-4557 | 425-258-4557 | 425-258-4557 *OAC.*OAC. Must *OAC. Must be Must be be paidpaid in full in paid within fullinwithin full within SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE CENTER CENTER CENTER | 425-258-4557 | 425-258-4557 | 425-258-4557 12 months.

12 months.

12Min months.

Min Min Purchase Purchase Purchase $499. $499.

See$499.

See See Mon-Fri Mon-Fri Mon-Fri 9-5:30 9-5:30 9-5:30 | Sat-Sun | Sat-Sun | Sat-Sun 9-59-59-5 storestore for details. store for details. for details. ** By**aBy leading ** a leading By a leading Service Service Service & Liquidation & Liquidation & Liquidation Centers Centers Centers areare Closed are Closed Closed Sundays.

Sundays.

Sundays.consumer consumer consumer magazine. magazine. magazine.

N otes Co nt r i b u t o r s

Tanna Barnecut As the owner of TANNA BY DESIGN, Tanna ­specializes in residential and commercial remodels and new construction design. She has always had an affinity for elements of structural design and aesthetics. Tanna’s work was recently awarded the Interior Design Society Award in the kitchens category. ­tannabydesign.com  Read about her farm-inspired design on p. 57

Whatcom County Association of Realtors 2014 Vice President

Cerise Noah

Realtor | Windermere-Whatcom 360.393.5826 cerisenoah@windermere.com

Sarah Rorvig Sarah is a Bellingham makeup artist who specializes in weddings, natural cosmetics and teaching private makeup lessons. She spends part of the year traveling in Costa Rica doing makeup for destination weddings. When she is in town, she races competitively in the Chuckanut Sports Car Club, and is a lover of flowers and a good tequila. ­sarahrorvig.­com  To keep your summer fresh, see p. 52

Arlené Mantha

Compassionate · Professional · Local

At Cascade Hypnosis Center we help people every day do amazing things that have lasting results — like lose weight, remove unwanted habits and behaviors, and feel better.

Hypnotherapist Erika Flint, CHT

360.392.8723

CascadeHypnosisCenter.com 103 E. Holly St., Suite 403 • Bellingham

12 NorthSoundLife.com

Third generation baker, and professionally trained pastry chef from Los Angeles, CA. Arlené has taught classes for Bellingham Alive’s ‘Meet The Chef’ series as well as the Bellingham Gluten Information Group. Her passion for comfort food and modern aesthetic has manifested itself in her restaurant Twofiftyflora located in Whatcom Museum's Lightcatcher.  Read great tips and recipes on p. 45

Zacchoreli Frescobadli-Grimaldi Zacchoreli grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and has lived in Bellingham with his partner of 17 years and their two zany dogs. He is a Cordon Bleu Chef, has a master’s degree in English Studies from Western Washington University, and is a grant writer for a non-profit organization. He and his partner enjoy wine, traveling and anything that has to do with the culinary arts.  For a peek into a great winery, read p. 103

Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.

-John Adams Publications Bellingham Alive North Sound Life North End Metro President/Publisher Lisa Karlberg Editor Frances Badgett Associate Editor Megan Munroe Art Director Kelly Slater Account Executives Christine Biernacki Lisa Knight | Kaelen Morris Design Assistant Kelsey Wilmore

Helping you understand your DUI rights is our business, fighting for them is our passion.

Editorial Assistants Alexis Aibinder | Haley Cross Dakota Mackey Writer Kyla Rohde Photography Rachel Brown Contributors Arlené Mantha | Sarah Rorvig Tanna Barnecut Zacchoreli Frescobadli-Grimaldi ProofReader Pat Karlberg Website & IT Alex Bowen Office Management Kelli Reynolds

2013 Clients Choice Awards Avvo.com/JonathanRands

Corporate Office K & L Media, Inc. 909 Squalicum Way, Ste. 110 Bellingham, WA 98225 klmediacorp.com Snohomish County Office 6100 219th St. S.W., Ste. 480 Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

Focused On Your DUI & BUI Defense

1514 12th Street, Suite 100 • Bellingham

Inquiries & Subscriptions Info@klmediacorp.com northsoundlife.com 360.483.4576 x4

jrandslaw.com • 360.306.8136

Cover Photography © Cynthia St. Clair

14 NorthSoundLife.com

L e t t er s t o t he E d it o r

N OTES

Spa

MORE FOR LESS!

Spotlight: Tyree Callahan

The Chrysalis

Container Gardens for Early Spring

APRIL | MAY 2014 DISPLAY UNTIL MAY 31 $3.99 US • $4.99 CAN

Staying Engaged: Senior Living 1404_BA-NSL Cover.indd 1

@

3/19/14 1:18 PM

EEK! Those Toes!

I am a long-time, staunch supporter, yes, call me a fan, of Bellingham Alive.

Its arrival is cause for celebration in my world. I really do believe it’s one of the most informative and beautiful magazines around. Believe it or not, I even think the advertising is attractive.

That being said, it’s jarring to be thumbing through beautiful Bellingham Alive, enjoying the flowers, the smiling faces, the strawberry cake (p. 107) among so many other delightful visual images, and come across those toenails. I’d rip the page out immediately upon arrival, but something important would probably go along with it so I don’t want to do that. I’m sure you could suggest a better photo for that ad — Please!

Come in for our brand NEW Rejuvenate Oxygen Facial, featuring the much talked about Intraceuticals oxygen product line! Using Hyaluronic layering, this skin quenching treatment provides the ultimate in intense hydration. Perfect for all skin types! Purchase our 6 treatment series and receive full line of product for FREE! 804 10th St Bellingham WA

thechrysalisinn.com

(360) 392-5515

Sincerely, Carol O.

Loves the Magazine Thanks so much for sending a copy of Bellingham Alive. We enjoyed reading the article and the other articles in the magazine. We had gone to the Skagit County Home Show the week before and picked up a complimentary copy of your magazine and enjoyed it very much. You are all to be complimented on a great publication. Keep up the good work.

Sincerely, Bob and Dova Thirsk

June | July 2014 15

N otes Me e t a S t a f f e r Every issue we highlight an ­­employee of K & L Media.

Kelly Slater Art Director, dachshund mother, font nerd, boot collector, camping enthusiast.

What is your role at the ­magazine and how long have you been with K & L Media?

I am currently the Art Director and have been with the company since December 6, 2013. In this position, I coordinate the look and feel of all of our publications with the Editor and Publisher. Once the theme is established, I brainstorm, research and sketch ideas for overall creative direction of the main features. I then decide how they will influence the rest of the magazine. Once a creative direction has been established, I coordinate with the design team and photographers to make my idea a reality. Poof! A magazine is born.

What is your background?

I grew up on the Eastside of Seattle, and have spent the bulk of my adult years moving up and down the west coast.

Having gone to college in California, (eventually graduating with a B.A. in Visual Communications,) doing an internship in Hollywood and getting my first “real” job designing for a shoe company in LA, I’ve found myself back home in Washington. Over the past ten years, I’ve worked for many different design companies, I’ve taught art to kids with autism and I most recently left my job in advertising in Seattle to move to Bellingham with my husband and our long-haired dachshund, Wizard.

16 NorthSoundLife.com

What is your favorite part of working for a regional lifestyle magazine?

Being new to the area, I could not have designed (see what I did there?) a job that not only fit my skill set so well, but that would allow such immersion in the culture of Bellingham and the surrounding area. I also get to work with an amazing team of people who encourage and inspire me daily.

What are some of your hobbies and interests?

My hobbies and interests all tie to my love of being outside, and the creative inspiration I find in everything from the beach to my family’s mountain home in the Methow Valley. I love camping as much as I love fashion blogs and British reality TV shows. After putting my collegiate competitive swimming days behind me, I’ve picked up running and am enjoying exploring Bellingham by foot. (That being said, I also love pizza.

And wine. And beer. Did I mention pizza?) You’ll most often find me cracking jokes with my husband in our imported camper van, with Wizard not far from our sides. 

ANYTIME.

BECAUSE OUR FOREFATHERS NEVER SAID LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF SPREADSHEETS.

More for Less!

Just 30 minutes north of Seattle, there’s a treasure trove of adventure waiting for you to discover.

Spotlight: Tyree Callahan Container Gardens for Early Spring

April | MAy 2014 DisplAy until MAy 31 $3.99 US • $4.99 CAN

Staying Engaged: Senior Living

ORDER REE O Y UR F ID GU E!

More for Less!

Spotlight: Tyree Callahan April | MAy 2014 DisplAy until MAy 31 $3.99 US • $4.99 CAN

Container Gardens for Early Spring Staying Engaged: Senior Living

ANYWHERE.

Snohomish County Tourism Bureau 360 North Sound Living 1/3 Page Horizontal - 4.75” x 4.813” - Full Color 5/2014

Lifestyle In The Know · Calendar · Spotlight-Artist · 5 Faves

Cirque de Bellingham

by Alexis Aibinder

I

t’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.

The Guild performs a special show called Vaudevillingham on the 15th every month at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. This monthlyuncensored variety show is their fundraiser. Performers will be able to try out their new material, inspire creativity, and encourage new performers, as they never perform the same show twice. Here you will find a variety of aerial, dance, music, magic, theater, juggling, burlesque, comedy and more.

Vaudevillingham is an all-volunteer show, meaning all of the money raised during the event will support the circus arts in continued on page 24 …

Whatcom County.

L IFE S T YL E By t he N u m b e r s

The Bellingham Circus Guild performs Vaudevillingham on the

15

FAMILY A C TIVITY D AY

CELEBRATE SUMMER! JUNE 28, 10 AM - 4 PM Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher 250 Flora Street magic show, crafts, fun +

Furniture, Gifts & Household Accessories • Custom Work Available 1000 Harris Ave. Historic Fairhaven, Bellingham, WA • Open 7 Days

of every month

Sharon Kingston, owner of Modern Classics, moved to Bellingham in

p. 25

1997

p. 37

59

Arlené Mantha recommends an optimal temperature of

degrees for serving hard cheese. p. 44

Sponsored by

www.whatcommuseum.org

th

Young musicians travel to Bellingham from more than

30 states to participate in Marrowstone. p. 66

(360) 647-1628

1975 1500

Duck Soup Inn has been operating since

p. 91

A company that has

Cherry Rocker

by Jim Hume

artwood@qwestoffice.net • artwoodgallery.com

20 NorthSoundLife.com

hives supplies Honeymoon with the honey for their mead. p. 100

La st i ng I ma ge

LI F E S T Y LE

For featured photograph consideration, please submit to editor@klmediacorp.com.

© Rachel Brown

"You’ll ache. And you’re going to love it. It will crush you. And you’re still going to love all of it. Doesn't it sound lovely beyond belief?”

Ernest Hemingway

June | July 2014 21

Take Your Familyout to the

game!

2014 Bellingham Bells Baseball Schedule June 2014 SUN

MON

1

2

5:05

7:05

WW

KF

8

1:05

15 KIT

3:05

22 BEN 3:05

29 KEL

9

7:05

16 VIC

23

TUES

3

WED

4

5

7:05

7:05

11

10

KF

KF

7:05

7:05

17

18

7:05

7:05

VIC

VIC

25

24

EVE

EVE

July 2014 THU

FRI

SAT AT

7:05

WW

6

6:35

12

13

19

20

26

27

KIT

7:05

BEN 7:05

KEL KEL

TUES

WED

THU

FRI

SAT AT

7:05

7:05

7:05

7:05

1:05

7:05

WW

WEN

WEN

COW

COW

COW

7:05

7:05

7:05

KIT

KIT

KIT

SUN

MON

7

6:35

14 KIT

7:05

21 BEN 7:05

28

KEL KEL

7:05

1

6 13 20 3:05

30

27

WEN

COW

7

7:05

14 VIC

ALL-STAR

21

GAME

7:05

28

MED

8

7:05

15 VIC

7:05

22 YAK 7:05

29

MED

2

9

7:05

16 VIC

7:05

23 YAK 7:05

30

MED

3

6:35

10 KEL 7:05

17

COR 7:05

24 YAK

4

6:35

11 KEL 7:05

18

COR 7:05

25

COW KEL

5

6:35

12 KEL 7:05

19

COR 7:05

26

COW KEL

31

Legend Home

Away

All Star Game Klamath Falls

Sundays are Family Fun Days JUNE 22 JUNE 29 July 27

• Bouncy House • Face Painting • Fun For Everyone!

presented by

First Pitch 3:05 PM

For Tickets, Please Call 360-527-1035 or visit bellinghambells.com

Ca l e nd a r

LI F E S T Y LE

J u n e & J u ly JUNE

4

JUNE

7 JUNE

15

Skagit Audubon Society: Hiking Orcas Island March Point Road, Eastsound June 4, 6:30 a.m. skagitaudubon.org

Roller Betties Season 7 Championships Whatcom Community College Pavilion, Bellingham June 7, 4 p.m. bellinghamrollerbetties.com

International Art Festival at Peace Arch Park Peace Arch State Park, Blaine June 20–22 peacearchart.org

Chuckanut Writers' Conference Whatcom Community College, Bellingham June 27, 9–7:30 June 28, 9–8:30 chuckanutwritersconference.com

j u ne

20

j u ne

27

Papa’s Pig Out: A destination Dad’s Day on the Farm Bellewood Acres, Bellingham June 15, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. bellewoodfarms.com

JULY

Sunnyland Stomp Sunnyland Neighborhood, Bellingham July 12 sunnylandstomp.com

JUNE

19

Summer Solstice Celebration Skagit Riverwalk, Mount Vernon June 19, 6 p.m. monamuseum.org

Historic Bellingham Photo Walk Whatcom Museum Old City Hall, Bellingham July 31, 6–9 p.m. whatcomcommunityed.com

12 JULY

31 June | July 2014 23

L IF E S T YLE I n t he K n ow

…

continued from page 19

Another event that is being offered this year is a fantastic fire show, sure to be a big hit. The Inflammable Circus will be performed May 24 at 7 p.m. and May 25 at 12 p.m. The beer garden opens for the first hour and then the show follows.

This is their second annual fire-show-circus-fundraiser with a variety of performances the circus has created for Whatcom County. A few weeks after this heat-filled event, there is a benefit for the Jewel of Magic, Crystal Sinclair. Escaping Death: A Circus Variety Show for all ages on June 7th at 6:30 p.m.

Performance is not all that’s available at the Bellingham Circus Guild, they also offer a variety of classes for all ages.

Circus Arts Playshop is an accessible afterschool program for children between the ages of 8 and 12 to practice the arts that were developed by circus and vaudevillian artists. Held on Mondays, it’s a great way for kiddos to learn something new. These workshops include slackrope, tightrope, trapeze, acro-balance, juggling, tumbling, clowning and unicycling.

The Guild also offers private lessons on Aerial Fabric, solo or group Aerial Instruction, and a Circus Arts Kids' Camp. For more information on any of these classes visit their website online at bellinghamcircusguild.com.

24 NorthSoundLife.com

Juggle Club is also available to jugglers of all ages. The club meets weekly to make friends, create a community, and of course, juggle. It is every Monday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Cirque Lab or Boulevard Park depending on the weather. If you want to become a part of the circus, there are many volunteer opportunities available at the Bellingham Circus Guild that place you directly in the middle of all the action. See these opportunities on their website.

If performing and teaching aren't enough, you can have the circus come to you. Through the Guild website, Whatcom locals can connect to the individualperformers in each show about private appearances. After sending your information into the Guild, the professional you'd like to hire will respond with information, availability and fees.

After you watch one of the Guild's amazing shows, you may be inspired to take a class and learn a new skill. Make time in the next two months to see a show.  The Cirque Lab 1401 6th Street, Suite 102, Bellingham bellinghamcircusguild.com

Island Airlines Merge

By Frances Badgett

N

orthwest Sky Ferry and San Juan Airlines have merged into one carrier, San Juan Airlines. Skip and Katie Jansen took over Northwest Sky Ferry in 2009, and are the owners of the new San Juan Airlines. The merger will allow the new airline to offer expanded service. Skip Jansen said, “This acquisition will keenly position us to expand our flight schedule, serve larger groups, and offer more destinations to better serve our customers’ needs.”

With more flights, more pilots and more planes, Bellingham’s connection to the Islands just got a lot cozier.

San Juan Airlines operated chiefly out of Anacortes and Bellingham, and Northwest Sky Ferry operated out of Bellingham. By combining strengths, the two airlines will maintain their personal level of customer service, but serve more of the area.

Not only does San Juan Airlines offer direct flights, they also give aerial tours of Mount Baker, the San Juans and Puget Sound. The new airline will serve out of the old Northwest Sky Ferry terminal at 4647 Mitchell Way in Bellingham, out of the old San Juan Airlines terminals in Friday Harbor and Eastsound. In the words of the proud new owners, “We remain committed to providing each of our guests with safe, simple and exceptional air service.” 

Daily scheduled flights Scenic Flights, Day Trips, Commuter Flights, Air Freight, and Charter Flights starting at $49!

You’re There

SANJUANAIRLINES.COM

1.800.874.4434

4167 MITCHELL WAY, BELLINGHAM

Bellingham ● San Juan Islands ● Point Roberts ● Anacortes ● Seattle ● Canada... And beyond!

Looking for a home loan expert?

Look no further Many lending options available and we’ll explore them with you.

Smart Start (Unique Properties) • All in 1 Construction VA (0% Down) • USDA • Jumbo • Manufactured • Traditional

Local Lenders • Local Decisions • Local Focus

Learn more > Apply Online >ourfirstfed.com 800.800.1577

Member FDIC

June | July 2014 25

L IF E S T YLE I n t he K n ow

They’re Doing It All

By Alexis Aibinder

W

e 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, originally roasted in Seattle by a few different companies, is now going to be roasted right here in Whatcom County.

Twelve years ago, The Woods Coffee was born. Shortly thereafter, the company had to make a tough decision on whether to build a roasting house or bakery. Knowing that they would eventually have both, they decided on a bakery, which currently services all of their stores, providing the delicious fresh treats. Now, with fourteen local stores, a bakery that sources many local products, and a company invested in the community, it became time to integrate roasting into the business.

Just like The Woods Coffee, the people of Whatcom County are extremely passionate about their coffee. When Woods initially began their own roasting process, they didn’t inform any of their customers. They jumped in by secretly supplying their stores with the new roasts, and waiting for the reaction of the public. Feedback began rolling in immediately, all positive. One of the responses shared with The Woods Coffee includes, “I have a problem with your coffee...I like it so much, I want more!” Now that they 26 NorthSoundLife.com

control this aspect of their business, they can deliver not only high quality beans, but also delicious blends that are roasted fresh daily. Once coffee is roasted, it’s best served fresh, and that is exactly what The Woods Coffee wanted to do for their customers. The two customer favorites include Brown Bear, a blend of beans that is a dark roast, rich, and full bodied with hints of chocolate, vanilla and spice, and the Woods Blend, which is a smooth, balanced acidity with hints of almonds and chocolate.

Is this the last step for The Woods Coffee? Absolutely not. Now that they are roasting their own beans they are planning to introduce new coffees from around the world.

The demand for their homegrown local original coffee blends only found in Whatcom County are increasing everyday. The Woods Coffee is excited to start expanding their borders to serve their ever-increasing fan base. Woods roasted coffee is now available for purchase in stores and online at www.thewoodscoffee.com where they are selling Woods Espresso, Woods Drip, Brown Bear, Swiss Water Decaf, and Viking Blend.

Viking Blend (Fair Trade) is a coffee that benefits WWU Scholarships. One dollar of every bag sold goes to a WWU Scholarship. 

Book Reviews

I n t he K now

LI F E S T Y LE

by frances badgett

Refresh your summer reading list with these books that reflect the unique character and history of the San Juan Islands.

Alphabetical Vocabularies of the Clallum and Lummi

by George Gibbs CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, April 2012

The Barefoot Bandit: The True Tale of Colton Harris-Moore

by Bob Friel 432 pages Hyperion, March 2012 The entire Pacific Northwest was transfixed by a story of a young criminal who stole planes, boats and cars without leaving much other than the outline of his bare footprint. Hailed as either a cult hero or a snotty brat, Colton Harris-Moore eluded the police and robbed the San Juans and surroundings for years before finally getting caught.

This story delves into his life story, his upbringing and answers some important questions as to how such a character is formed. Written by Orcas Islander Bob Friel.

They say that in order to truly understand a person, you must speak the same language. By cataloguing the language of the Clallum and Lummi, Gibbs broadens our understanding of these segments of Salish culture and brings us new insights into the lives of the people who lived in the San Juan Islands and environs before the nonindigenous settlers arrived. Salmon, berries, water and sky, the dictionary shows us what it means not only to deepen cultural understanding, but to preserve culture through language.

Literary Events June 14, 4 p.m.

Jack Hart Village Books Reading Room, Bellingham Author Jack Hart will read from his novel, A Skookum Summer: A Novel of the Pacific Northwest, published by the University of Washington Press. A Skookum Summer weaves the mystery of a logger’s murder and the story of environmental degradation into a compelling narrative.

June 27–28 Chuckanut Writers' Conference 1–5 Thursday, 9–5 Friday Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Spend a weekend with esteemed faculty practicing and honing your craft.

Make important connections in the writing community, and learn techniques that will help you get — or stay — inspired.

Who Knew? Backyard Barbecue Grilled Corn Fresh grilled corn is deliciously smoky and tender. Before grilling, peel off all but the innermost layer of husk from the corn, and trim the excess silks.

Place on the grill and as soon as husk darkens enough that the kernels are visible through it, remove it from the grill.

Deviled Egg Tricks To keep deviled eggs from wobbling in the platter, cut a very thin slice off each end of the egg before you cut it in half. The eggs should have nice flat bases to keep them on the tray without slipping around.

Flavor Your Charcoal To add flavor to your grilled favorites, add dried herbs to the hot coals. Rosemary, sage and basil are favorites, but feel free to experiment.

You can also try storing your charcoal with dried herbs, but just make sure the herbs are completely dry--moisture in charcoal can make it harder to light.

Cleaning Your Grill It's important to remove the ashes from your grill every time you use it, because the ashes can retain moisture and cause rusting and rot.

Before taking them out, sprinkle coffee grounds in with the ashes. The grounds will keep the ash from blowing into your face and getting all over your clothes.

June | July 2014 27

L IF E S T YLE I n t he K n ow

The Frigid Water Rescue Rhonda Lasley

by Alexis Aibinder

O

fficer 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 Man’s Island. Prior to this, Rhonda had been employed for fourteen years by Skagit County Sheriff's Office as a commissioned deputy where she received boating training that included water rescue, so she was the right person for the job.

Nicole met Rhonda in 2010, and voiced her interest in law enforcement. After leaving the University of Washington, Nicole volunteered for Sedro Woolley Police Department. At 1:45 p.m. on January 3, 2013, Rhonda realized that the overturned boat was only a couple of miles east of SedroWoolley and near Nicole's residence.

Rhonda instructed Nicole to call her dad and ask him to put a boat in the 28 NorthSoundLife.com

water. This would take an estimated thirty minutes, and Rhonda knew hypothermia would have this man in fifteen.

A private fishing club boat launch, Steelhead Park, was near. The caretaker informed Rhonda and Nicole that a club member had just come off the river. Rhonda requested the member return to the water, and a short time later, Bruce Engle arrived at the launch.

At approximately 2:08 Rhonda advised dispatch that that they had located the man in the water approximately a half mile east of Steelhead Park. Bruce got close to the man, Don Childs, who was clinging to a log jam and was sitting on a snag, allowing the upper portion of his body to be out of the water.

After realizing that his gear was water-logged, and that both Rhonda and Nicole didn’t possess the strength to lift Don out of the water, Bruce instructed Nicole to take the wheel of the boat and hold steady. Between 2:09 and 2:10 p.m., Rhonda and Bruce managed to hoist Don out of the water

and get him to an aid car waiting at Steelhead Park. He was taken to United Hospital with very little time to spare.

After getting off work at 4 p.m., Rhonda went to check on Don and his family. When talking about the day Rhonda said, "Nicole and I had never met Bruce Engle before this day. Bruce had no idea if either of us had any boating experience. I knew Nicole's history, so I knew she was familiar with the river and the outdoors, but I did not know until Bruce directed her to operate the boat that she had that knowledge." Bruce, Nicole and Rhonda were aligned on that day, so they could make a difference.

They were honored with a Medal of Valor by the City of Sedro Woolley, and later presented with a Red Cross Real Heroes Award in December 2013. Rhonda said, "I do not think of myself as a 'hero'. I am a dedicated law enforcement officer that was blessed with being at the right place, at the right time, with the right people and the necessary training."

[ Apps We LOve

Kitestring Free

In My Life Squalicum High String Quartet Performs in Tribute

by Frances Badgett

I

n My Life: A Musical Tribute to the Beatles is a touring show coming to the Mount Baker Theatre on June 5th. Everywhere the show tours, the producers pick up a local string quartet to perform with the cast.

For Bellingham, they approached Squalicum High School Orchestra Director Chip Bergeron. Squalicum High School students Nicole Chen, Cynthia Singelton, Lucy Cornwell and Athena Harris will perform Eleanor Rigby, Yesterday, A Day in the Life, Hello Goodbye. The story is told from the point of view of Brian Epstein (played by Alxander Jon), who was the legendary manager who discovered the Beatles in 1961 and managed them until his death in 1967. In My Life chronicles the band’s rise to fame, starting with the 1964 appearance on the Ed Sullivan show.

What is notable about the presence of the Squalicum High Quartet is also what was notable about the Beatles’ use of a string quartet in Yesterday and other songs. Strings had been used in popular music in the 1950s and 1960s, and Paul McCartney (played by Chris

Paul Overall) was reluctant to include strings in their compositions. Producer George Martin convinced Paul. When the use of a quartet worked on Yesterday, McCartney and Martin agreed that strings deepened and broadened the Beatles’ sound. (Source: The Strad, The Beatles and strings, Oct. 9, 2013.)

The Squalicum High String Quartet has Beatles’ enthusiasts among its ranks as well.

Cornwell grew up listening to the Beatles. “I love the early Beatles music." Singleton’s mother played Beatles on vinyl on her old record player as a child. She said, “Listening to Beatles music makes me happy.”

And now Bellingham has a chance to get in on the happiness. In My Life debuts in Bellingham at the Mount Baker Theatre on Thursday, June 5 at 7:30. The show is appropriate for all ages. 

There are testimonials all over social media about how Kitestring, an app out of the University of Kansas, is an excellent safety tool. It works like this: you tell Kitestring when you’re supposed to arrive at your destination, and if you aren’t there in time, it’ll alert your emergency contacts with a text.

Tapestry Free

Interactive storytelling for those who are confined by Twitter or bored by Facebook. Create visual poems, flash fiction and miniessays, complete with backgrounds, photos and gifs.

Weber’s On the Grill $4.99

Tips, techniques and recipes for great grilling right at your fingertips. A built-in grilling timer helps you fire up the perfect steak.

Oyster $9.95/month

The “Netflix for Books,” Oyster is a book site where you download books for a subscription fee. Queue up your favorites or search from recommendations.

Sponsored Page

PeaceHealth Foundation Hosts Circle of Care Gala

By Frances Badgett

O

n 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. Together they contribute resources to enhance care and support the best in medical technology.

At the request of local physicians, two members of the fledgling order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace traveled west from their home in Atlantic City, NJ in 1890 to establish a hospital in the fishing and lumber town of Fairhaven. Once there, the dedicated (and entrepreneurial) nuns, Sisters Teresa Moran and Stanislaus Tighe, began raising construction funds by selling annual hospital "tickets" for $10 each.

30 NorthSoundLife.com

This pride in local health care — care that has developed to be among the region’s best — has not waned. Just as people in those early days purchased tickets to build the first hospital here, the community continues to recognize the value of investing in facilities, equipment, and educational and wellness programs.

Now it’s PeaceHealth Foundation’s turn to recognize and celebrate the community with its gala. The gala celebrates the theme of “care, share, inspire.” Three representatives will receive awards representing the event’s themes of care, share and inspire. Roland Trenouth, MD will receive the Ralph H. Rinne, MD Physician Philanthropy Leader of the Year Award.

This award recognizes a physician who demonstrates philanthropy through the donation of time and talent in support of PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. Marion “Robin” Foote will receive the Philanthropist of the Year Award for making a significant contribution in support of PeaceHealth, and Lynnette Jensen will receive the Inspirational Leader of the Year Award for her inspiring leadership on the Foundation board and Healing Through Art Program.

Generosity, spirit and community leadership are three broadly held values that St. Joe’s embraces and celebrates. The spirit of philanthropy that built our first hospital continues to thrive in our community today.

PeaceHealth’s role in the community is clear: to serve anyone, regardless of ability to pay; to respond to the community’s needs through innovation and education; to work collaboratively with community physicians in the provision of services; and to maintain the highest level of care. We are

Sponsored Page

fortunate to have an excellent quality of life in Bellingham, which draws excellent clinicians. This allows PeaceHealth to maintain sophisticated and comprehensive services for patients, leading to better patient outcomes.

Health care is changing. The demand for services has never been greater, yet the payments are dwindling. In the past seven years alone, more than 30 percent of all capital expenditures have come from charitable contributions to the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation. In the most recent focused campaign for PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Cancer Center, the community donated $13 million to the Foundation. In 2012, at the last gala, the Foundation raised $315,000. The goal for this year is to exceed that amount.

The gala is a tented affair on the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center property. In a demonstration of their commitment to community values, the dinner will be a farm-to-table menu of locally sourced ingredients and dishes, including Washington wine and spirits. Several dignitaries and elected officials will be in attendance. But the most important aspect of the gala is the notion that philanthropy is more than just writing a check, it’s about supporting PeaceHealth in a meaningful way.

This full circle is what care, share and inspire is all about. As PeaceHealth grows, so, too, does its connection to our community. And so, too, does our connection with PeaceHealth. In the spirit of collaboration, we all work together to affirm our commitment in providing access to excellent health care today, and long into the future.  © Photography by Edye Colello-Morton

Lynnette Jensen

Marion "Robin" Foote

Roland Trenouth, MD

L IF E S T YLE F i ve Fa ve s

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.

EntrĂŠe-sized portions for $5? Heck yeah! Generous pours of wine or beer for $3.

5

Faves

Happy Hour

Your Financial Future: Will You Be Ready?

Bellingham

With a wide selection of small plates and a variety of drink specials, Hearthfire remains everyone’s favorite happy hour for a reason. Wells, wine and beer are $5-7 with snack specials starting at $5. Tacos, sliders and more, all with a great view of the water thrown in. anthonys.com

© 2014 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

MECH

JOB INFORMATION 7790428/602858172

PROJ. NO.:

JOB NAME:

The Table is best known for lunch and dinner, but recently they’ve added a happy hour. They offer a small plates menu and a selection of drink specials from 3–5:30 p.m. daily, 9–10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 5–9 p.m. on Sundays. The fried ravioli makes a lovely little late afternoon snack. bellinghampasta.com

Temple Bar

FINISHED SIZE: BLEED:

INK:

DESCRIPTION:

SPECIFICATIONS 4.75" × 2.25"

NOTES

4.75" × 2.25" N/A CMYK APPROVALS

PANTONE #:

SAMISH WAY CREATIVE DIR.:

CLIENT NAME:

PROJECT MGR.: COST CENTER:

Bellingham

TRIM SIZE:

Retail Byrnes Susan Rice Ad

BINDERY:

CREATIVE STUDIO 1585 Broadway 23rd Floor New York, NY 10036

180 Varick Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10014

The Table

NY CS 7790428 BC006 01/14 GP10-01505P-N06/10

Susan Rice Financial Planning Specialist Financial Advisor 2200 Rimland Drive, Suite 105 Bellingham, WA 98226 360-788-7005 • 800-247-2884 susan.e.rice@morganstanley.com

Hearthfire Grill

m1

DUE DATE:

MODIFIED BY

Byrnes, Lesley Mitzner, Julie F013

PROJECT MGR.:

CH AN 01-15-2014, CH AN 01-15-2014

PROOFREADER:

16/02/2014

CLIENT:

FILENAME: 7790428 Susan Rice_b m1

LAST MODIFIED: January 15, 2014 1:13 PM

HOLISTIC CENTER

FROM A KNOWLEDGEABLE SOURCE. We offer the finest Medicine in the Northwest. We provide an array of outstanding Medicine specially designed to relieve the ailments that plague our patients. We are 100% devoted to our patients and increasing the quality of their lives with the power of our beloved plant.

Bellingham

Temple Bar is the perfect place to spend a late afternoon watching Bellingham’s busy downtown wrap up its day and settle in for the evening. For $15 you and a friend can split a bottle of red, white or sparkling wine and a cheese, a landjager plate (sausage and little pickles) or a vegan plate. Delectable. templebarbellingham Kush Creams is the premier source in quality topical cannabis. It helps to alleviate a variety of ailments and conditions from deep muscle pains to acne.

La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib la conner

Right on the channel in La Conner, this is a great place to have a late afternoon summer date. Soak up the main street charm of lovely little La Conner while getting some great eats. Great deal on entrees. Fish-n-chips and other entrees are $5, beers are $3.50. laconnerseafood.com

SAMISH WAY HOLISTIC CENTER 1326 E. Laurel St. | Bellingham | 360.733.3838 | samishwayholistic.com

June | July 2014 33

L IF E S T YLE Qu i c k Tr ip

Kid-Friendly Weekend Granville Island

34 NorthSoundLife.com

© Dominic Schaefer

© Dominic Schaefer

© Dominic Schaefer

By Frances Badgett

S

tarting out as an unpromising little sandbar, Granville Island now shines as an example of what a community with chutzpah and vision can achieve in a couple of decades. Vancouver, B.C.’s original name was Granville, so it is fitting that this little island (technically peninsula) has the original name, as it seems to distill all the best things about Vancouver into one place. Granville was once a marginal area, home to hobos in the 1920s and heavy industry from the 1940s to the 1960s. Today, Granville is host to the Emily Carr School of Art and Design, The Granville Island Hotel — a boutique hotel right on the water — and the beautiful Public Market, which teems and bustles with beautiful produce, fish, meats and crafts. There are several theatres, artist studios, eclectic gift shops and excellent restaurants. Even on busy days, free parking is readily available.

Granville is a particularly great destination with children of any age. A first stop for families with little ones is Granville Island Kids’ Market, a collection of toy stores around a multistory play area called Adventure Zone and kid-friendly eatery called The Beanstalk Bistro. Every major brand of toy is available in store-upon-store of toy glory. The Kids’ Market also has space for birthday parties, and The Hairloft is a great place to get little ones a new ‘do — individual TV screens and salon chairs in the shape of cars keep squirmy ones occupied while the experienced staff go to work de-tangling and trimming those messy tresses. The Carousel Theatre for Young People near the Kids’ Market on Cartwright Street often has regular family-friendly shows like Seussical, based on the books of Dr. Seuss, and Busytown, which is inspired by the popular Richard Scarry books. The Kids’ Market also rents strollers for carting around tired little tots.

A visit with the kids doesn’t have to be just Granville.

Another great kid-friendly adventure is to take one of the Aquabus jitneys from the boardwalk behind the market down False Creek to Science World at Telus World of Science.

A word about big, municipal science museums: they are not all great. Some have a lot of broken exhibits, some are worn down, some have maybe one great feature and a lot of mediocre displays. This is not true at Telus. Interactive displays, hands-on science experiments and beautiful outdoor art spaces for sculpture and imaginative installations are just some of its features. It’s also surrounded by water and a nice place to wander around, picnic, take in the breezes. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer, the museum also offers summer camps and science clubs. There is also an Imax theatre for those who like big-screen adventure. Telus Science World is

Qu i c k Tr i p

LI F E S T Y LE

a gem on False Creek, and the journey by Aquabus makes it that much more fun.

For less kid-oriented fun and shopping, the Net Loft has eclectic stores with beautiful handcrafted jewelry, crafted wooden pieces and one of the finest stationery stores in Vancouver, Paper-Ya. Granville stores make the most of their proximity to the Emily Carr School of Art and Design, so it’s not uncommon to find inexpensive but finely crafted gifts and jewels in many of the local shops. There are so many alleys and shopping streets to explore, it’s impossible to list every great find here. But do check out Tribal Rugs and Art, which also outfits local movies and television shows shooting in Vancouver, and Gigi B., which has great home décor. If nautical is your thing, there’s an entire Maritime Market, chock full of seashore-inspired art and culture.

Vancouver is a good biking city, and Granville Island is a great jumping-off place for adventuring with the kids.

The traffic heavy but orderly, and there are bike stores that rent bikes all over the city. For proximity to Granville, Reckless Bike Store is just at the top of the hill above Granville on Fir Street.

There is so much to do on Granville, staying overnight is a good idea. The Granville Island Hotel offers luxury accommodations at reasonable prices. The rooms are lovely, with exposed beams and beautiful views of False Creek, the Vancouver skyline, and Telus Science World’s sparkly dome.

The dining choices on Granville can be dizzying. Quite apart from the Public Market, which offers fresh food galore, there are several restaurants, bistros and cafes to match any budget or appetite. Two favorite regular haunts are Bridges, which has a lovely view of the marina at False Creek, and The Sandbar, which sits along False Creek with views of the skyline across the water. Both are of good reliable quality, kid-friendly and have big menus that start with very reasonable prices.

While Vancouver is a big and bustling city, Granville is a concentrated area of the arts, culture and exquisite culinary tradition of Vancouver, but on a smaller scale. Worthy of a few days in a row or repeated visits, Granville Island rewards your visit year-round, with activities, concerts, events and more.

Getting There: From Bellingham and points south, take I-5 through the Peace Arch crossing (don’t forget your passport, children need a birth certificate) and drive until I-5 becomes Highway 99. Highway 99 becomes Oak Street. Either take a left onto Park and merge onto Granville Rd., or take Oak St. straight and take a left onto W. 6th Ave. From personal experience, the latter is a little more direct. 

June | July 2014 35

Photo by John Meloy

Offering 50 years of food & wine experience Tues-Sat 10-6 pm 19 Prospect St. Downtown Bellingham www.sjwinemerchants.com

Shop

Savvy Shopper · Necessities · Around the Sound

Bringing Two Arts Together

By Alexis Aibinder

I

t could be the open environment, the gorgeous furniture, or the large oil paintings hanging on exposed brick walls — whatever it is, owner and showroom manager Sharon Kingston has finally found her place in Bellingham at Modern Classics. Originally a virtual company started by her husband Curt, Modern Classics is now, as of April 4th, a store in the Chicago Fine Arts Building on N. State Street in Bellingham. Curt may have founded Modern Classics, but the Bellingham store is something he happily shares with his wife Sharon. Curt needed a showroom for his furniture, while Sharon needed the walls to showcase her illuminating atmospheric and abstract oil paintings. Sharon said, about the process of staging, “The layout is very organic. Curt had in mind what he wanted to show, and how to show it, and I naturally had the paintings that fit with everything. It was the easiest hanging I have ever done.”

Sharon, originally raised in Minnesota with an MBA in Marketing from Santa Clara University,

continued on page 39

…

June 15th 2014 FATHER’S DAY

LIVE MUSIC & LOCAL BREWERIES

Memory loss... shouldn’t take away purpose and passion in life

CAR SHOW FOOD AR��S�S

and KIDZ FUN

The Walrus * Sweet Dominiques * The Atlantics * MicroScopic Giant

10 AM- 6 PM 1100 Iowa Steet

Lic. #1972

Silverado communities enrich the lives of individuals and families affected by memory loss through exceptional care, highly-skilled staff and unmatched service.

(360) 715-1338

bellingham

848 West Orchard Drive Bellingham, WA 98225

(FET)

silveradocare.com/nslba

memory care | community

Timeless Quality, Reliable Installation and Upright Service.

facebook.com/bellinghamfeteandcarshow

A C����ra�i�� �i�� ��� Loc�� B������e� �� S��p�� � Whatc�� Ho��i��

“HOPS FOR HOSPICE” Boundary Bay * Kulshan Chuckanut Brewery * Aslan Brewing Co. Wander Brewing * Lazy Boy Diamond Knot

360.656.6579 or 360.961.4918 | 873 Hinotes Court A2 | Lynden, WA 98264

RussellsWindowCoverings.com

…

continued from page 37

moved to Bellingham in 1997 to create a light manufacturing business with Curt. Seeking some creativity in her life, Sharon returned to Western Washington University to study art for two years. This became not only a passion, but also a career that would satisfy her need for expression. “Good art will make you pause, and maybe try to figure something out about it, which will take you to a place which is not certain for you. Art should never give you answers. It should be posing questions.”

Before Modern Classics, Kingston weathered a few studios, a collapsed economy, and confined studio spaces making her vapor-weary. She was relieved to finally find a place where she could not only create her work, but also display it in a welcoming environment. When the store isn’t open, Sharon is in the back, hard at work in her studio.

The pieces she displays in her store are usually inspired by poetry — a form of expression artists call ekphrasis, which is the act of creating art inspired by another form of art (i.e. a poem from a painting, or a painting from a poem). She tries to work the words into the experience of the painting.

When looking for a space, both Sharon and Curt searched avidly until their ideal N. State Street location was discovered.

“It has a flavor to it, in its rawness. I think it’s really right for the furniture and the art.” During the Downtown Art Walk, and opening day for Modern Classics, patrons in their

twenties and thirties were so impressed with the space, they asked if they could move in.

Sharon is responsible for all of the beautiful art hanging on the walls, but she also expresses passion for the furniture.

“I think it used to be thought that these pieces only fit in a modern interior, but people are taking a piece here and there, and melding it with what they already have and finding their own design sense. I think that’s what this space is about. Have original art in your home, and have this great, beautiful, well designed piece of furniture too.” Though some see art and retail as being philosophically at odds, Sharon has managed to combine the two seamlessly.

Modern Classics, which has a very welcoming atmosphere, showcases some interesting modern mid-century furniture, including benches, loveseats and tables. These furniture pieces, accompanied with Sharon’s contemporary art, make this store an experience as well as a place to purchase fine furniture. And in our art-loving design-conscious town, this is a welcome thing.  Modern Classics 1418 N. State St., Bellingham 360.393.3826 Wed.–Sat. 12 p.m.–5 p.m.

June | July 2014 39

S HOP N eces s i t ie s

1

“It’s All About the Dress”

2

Stella Carakasi in Sunset, $138, Arabella Boutique, Bellingham

Sunday Afternoons Beach Hat Collapsible for easy travel and made of UPF 50+ material, $30, REI, Bellingham

Hello Sunshine Cayenne and Hemlock are two of the hottest color trends to watch for this season. Combine spicy redpink with soothing ornamental green for a look that is as fresh in the fashion world as it is fun to wear.

3

Dangle Earings Color by Amber dangle earings in Pink, $19.95, colorbyamber.com

4

Moss Bags Birch Bow Clutch Made in Bellingham – each bag can be completely customized with your choice of stitching, zipper and colored leather. $50, mossbags.com

7

Gladiator Sandal Madden Girl in Green Tahnne, $40, Famous Footwear, Bellis Fair Mall, Bellingham

40 NorthSoundLife.com

6

5 Pink Cuff Coach “Aria” Sunglasses $138, Available for order at Sunglass Hut, Bellis Fair Mall, Bellingham

Color By Amber 1in. Cuff in Pink, $16.95, colorbyamber.com

Join us on

for even more good ideas!

I believe...

IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE, YOU WOULD LIVE HERE...

Walking the Semiahmoo sand-spit adds life to your years.

You can live in a community without big box stores and still have everything you need.

You shouldn’t choose your home on whether it’s close to your job but rather you should choose your home for the other 128 hours in the week.

Eating fresh means... you pulled your own crab pot.

Traffic is a lifestyle choice and not a very good one.

There are shortcuts to happiness and dancing with your dog is one of them.

Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo,

Seeing is believing.

Kathy Stauffer

Managing Broker 360.815.4718 | kathystauffer.com

Whatcom County... even when it rains, I shine!

S HOP S a v v y S h o p p e r

BikeSport

By Alexis Aibinder

2416 Meridian Street, Bellingham Mon.–Thurs. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Fri. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

360.778.2483 | bikesportNW.com

The Shop Located on Guide Meridian and full of equipment that bikers can only dream about, BikeSport offers a variety of bikes, unicycles, and helmets, as well as clothing. This shop is new to the Bellingham area as it opened in March this year, but has been successfully running in Ballard since the beginning of 1995.

Atmosphere Open, encouraging and knowledgeable in all things bike.

Key People BikeSport is owned by two couples, Tassie and Scott Kowal, and Stacy and Andy Walker. “Four years ago Scott and I decided to take our love for cycling and combine that with our business experience,” Tassie said. The Kowals opened their Ballard shop, where Scott commuted for four years from his Bellingham home. Andy had his own construction business, and later proposed to Scott and Tassie that they become business partners. When Andy and his wife, Stacy purchased the Fountain Drug Building, they shared the vision for what is now the Bellingham location of BikeSport.

What You’ll Find This store offers a wide variety of bikes including mountain, road, commuting and recreational bikes from Cannondale,

Santa Cruz, Jamis, GT and Nirve. They also have special balance bikes for children, including GT and Strider.

The apparel offered includes Fox, Cannondale and Endura.

They also offer helmet lines from Bell, Nutcase, Giro, Fox and Cannondale.

This store has a large supply of equipment, but with a short walk downstairs, they utilize the space as a full-service repair shop, working on and maintaining all types of bikes.

The aptly named Mo Trainor has been brought into the business, and is valued for her long history working with cyclists and multi-sport athletes. Mo teaches Spin Classes Wednesday and Friday evenings, as well as, manages their Triathlon department. Mo has received pro BikeFit certification.

Owners Favorite Tassie said, “My favorite parts of BikeSport are the connections we’re creating with our customers.” This isn’t just a place where you can purchase a bike, the owners created this shop as a space where locals can swap stories and create a community, a place they can discuss their race next weekend, or how the local trails were as a family trip.

For Tassie, Scott, Andy and Stacy this shop is established entirely for their customers. They want everyone to feel welcome and included no matter what level or style of cyclist they are. 

June | July 2014 43

HOGAN’S HEROES

ROCKFORD FILES

THE LOVE BOAT

GET SMART

WELCOME BACK, KOTTER

Have you heard...

STAR TREK

KOJAK

Classic hits and new favorites...

Check your local listings or go to WWW.KVOS.COM for more information.

We Speak

to where you live. follow us

BEST

of the

NORTHWEST

84

WInners

MORE FOR LESS!

Special Edition

HOME remodel &

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2014 DISPLAY UNTIL MARCH 31 $3.99 US • $4.99 CAN

1402_BA-NSL Cover.indd 2

ON RicE OctOber | NOvember 2013

Wonder Woman: Mimi Osterdahl

Premier Homes: Real Estate Guide 1305_BA-NSL Cover.indd 1

DISPLAY UNTIL MAY 31 $3.99 US • $4.99 CAN

DISPLAY UNTIL JULY 31 $3.99 US • $4.99 CAN

Fall Arts Preview 2013 1/29/14 5:26 PM

APRIL | MAY 2014

JUNE | JULY 2013

Display uNtil NOvember 30 $3.99 US • $4.99 CAN

Made in the North Sound

Spotlight: Tyree Callahan

Best InternatIonal CuIsIne

Hawaii Publisher’s Choice

Historical Homes of Whatcom County

Lummi Carver Jewell James 9/25/13 5:42 PM

1303_BA-NSL Cover.indd 2

Washington State Parks Turn 100!

Pampered Pooches: They’re just like us!

5/22/13 5:15 PM

Container Gardens for Early Spring Staying Engaged: Senior Living

1404_BA-NSL Cover.indd 1

3/19/14 1:18 PM

Only $15 for a 1 Year Subscription or $12 for a 2 Year Digital Subscription.

Subscribe by calling 360.483.4576 x 4 or online at northsoundlife.com

© Danae Theurer

well being Menu · Spa Review · Races & Runs · Beauty

Constructing a Cheeseboard

by Arlené Mantha

T

he beloved and always appropriate cheeseboard. Most likely, you will encounter the time and place where you will have the desire or necessity to construct one. I certainly have, and never — not once — have two boards been the same. It is versatile and adaptable, self-sustaining and a good choice for an evening of savoring alone or for a potluck. Let’s classy it up!

Before we begin this sweet and savory journey, which ends in a gorgeous and delicious cheeseboard, please find the definition below and apply.

Architecture: Art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. The practice of architecture emphasizes spatial relationships, orientation, the support of activities to be carried out within a designed environment, and the arrangement and visual rhythm of structural elements, as opposed to the design of structural systems themselves. Appropriateness, uniqueness, a sensitive and innovative response to functional requirements, and a sense of place within its surrounding physical and social context distinguish a built environment as representative of a culture’s architecture. continued on next page

…

Well Being Menu

…

Architecture, you ask? Why yes, Frank Lloyd Wright himself has nothing on you when it comes to The Cheese. We will build the archetype for creating a structurally sound cheeseboard. It begins with engineering (from the Latin ingenium, meaning “cleverness” and ingeniare, meaning “to contrive, devise”). Ingenuity and an open mind are everything. I ask each of you to access the mathematical and scientific side of your brain while allowing your designer and food creative out to play. Few offerings tell so much about a person’s style and personality than cheese. I really appreciate that this does not have to cost a lot to add a quality that is unique. With a little thoughtfulness and a lot of beauty, you can turn an appetizer into a work of American artistry.

Get the when and where — ask yourself the time of day.

Indoor or out? What season is it? Then make your decisions accordingly. For instance, a happy “hard” cheese is kept at an ideal temperature of about 59 degrees, otherwise the cheese may dry out and the corners may bend, losing moisture and flavor and leaving the texture undeniably not sensuous.

Cheese is sexy and should remain so from beginning to end.

If it’s an outdoor function and a hot summer day, perhaps a selection of soft and semi soft cheeses, like Taleggio and Muenster, is a better choice.

46 NorthSoundLife.com

Get a head count — how many people are you entertaining? Mind you, The Cheeseboard serves as entertainment, too. It is my go-to best choice for social lubricant, next to booze.

Quantity — I use a ratio of four ounces per person. For example, if there are ten people I am sure to bring forty ounces of cheese. With accompaniments, this should be more than enough.

Select the board — a “dais” or platform is a term used in architecture. Because this is the foundation of your structure, this needs to be sturdy and roomy enough to not crowd cheeses and their vital accompaniments. I like to use a mix of natural and unnatural elements. If feng shui was ever a consideration, now it is. I like a wooden board, either a live edge stump (just cut it off of a neighbor’s tree) or a fine piece of teak wood that has been sanded many times and sealed.

Laying the groundwork — you will want a variety of cheeses. Some hard cheeses with a low moisture count. Soft melty, overly ripened cheeses. Choose a diversity of cheeses based on the type of milk used to prepare the cheese, e.g., sheep, goat, buffalo, camel, yak and even reindeer milk, which is common in Scandinavia and has a very high (22%!) fat content. Not to mention vegan cheese — some made of coconut milk have come a long way. And local artisan cheeses are a fantastic conversation piece. Choose by textures and tastes.

Three things to remember while selecting cheese: First, explore all the possibilities. Second, acknowledge all of your senses. Third, take a chance on an unfamiliar.

Something crunchy — radishes, fried leeks, root chips, crackers, hearts of palm, nuts (candied or spiced) ■■ Something fresh — figs, apples, berries, herbs ■■ Something salty — anchovies, salted dark chocolate ■■ Something Charcuterie — Soprosatta, Salami, chorizo, prosciutto, ham, bacon ■■ Something unexpected....?

■■

Break ground and build it — Please allow cheeses to come to temperature one hour before eating. It will taste better. But work with them cold.

They are easier to work with and will not become misshapen.

Create an arris, a sharp edge where two objects meet. This can be a triangle of cheese where the cheese and board line up.

Create a buttress. Though in architecture, this is usually made of stone or brick, here use an interesting shaped edible (I used a cracker) and build a supportive structure for something else to lean against.

Create articulation, the manner or method of jointing parts such that each part is clear and distinct in relation to the others, even though joined.

Color is good. Have you ever been to a party where the host serves that plastic plate covered in white cheese and white crackers? Not enticing at all. Rather, choose the board and its elements and let the natural beauty be seen, by not smothering it entirely with a one-dimensional item. Allow some space between the accompaniments, a minimalist view. Innovate. 

Cheeses

A few I use: ■■ A true Italian gorgonzola — soft, creamy (cow) ■■ Beecher’s Flagship — a mild hard cheese, nutty, grainy (cow) ■■ Smoked aged Gouda — a semi-hard cheese (cow, sheep, goat) Accompaniments

Something sweet — honey, maple, lemon curd, Nutella, preserves ■■ Something pickled — cornichons, olives, pickled onions, beets, kimchee ■■ Something peppered — add red pepper berries over Chevre (goat cheese), peppery crackers, spicy greens like arugula ■■

June | July 2014 47

Well Being S pa Rev iew

Silhouettes Salon & Day Spa

By Alexis Aibinder

T

ucked away on the Guide Meridian, just a short drive down Telegraph Road, is one of the most relaxing, fun and professional day spas around. With an added salon, it has everything a customer could want.

Silhouettes Salon & Day Spa, owned

by Nova Scotia-raised Darlene Van Larkin, offers massages, hair services, make-up application, skin treatments and jewelry sales. Larkin attended Blanche MacDonald Centre, School of Esthetics in Vancouver, B.C and went further to complete an advanced medical esthetic training at the National Laser Institute in Scottsdale Arizona.

She not only owns this business, she also provides skin treatment and makeup application, giving her spa just the right personal touch.

When walking into this soothing environment, you will be greeted by one of their three receptionists, offered tea, coffee or water, and encouraged to look at their gorgeous local jewelry 48 NorthSoundLife.com

designs. Right now, their designers include Bellingham jeweler Jo Bird, Whitney J’s Handcrafted Jewelry and Annie Kenoyer Designs.

While Larkin may be new to the business as of February 2014, this Bellingham store has been tending to customers’ needs for more than 30 years. Larkin gushes about the employees who work at Silhouettes. “I sincerely believe we have the most talented people in the business working here.

They have made this the most welcoming environment for me to come into, and their clients absolutely love them and the services they provide.”

All the employees are independently contracted and work together under one roof to build relationships that are both personal and invaluable with their clientele. Most of their customers are regulars, but the spa is more than welcoming to new customers that want to join the Silhouettes Salon & Day Spa experience.

While this institution is known for its longevity, the employees are kept upto-date when it comes to their services.

The employees of Silhouettes keep up with the latest trends, offering modern looks their clients with trendy, modern looks that are distinctive in Bellingham.

Clients typically come in to visit one of their thirteen hair stylists, but they are also well known for their relaxing massages and spa packages. One of their masseuses treats those in need of therapeutic pain relief, while the other focuses on deep tissue treatments of all varieties. Hot stone massages are also available.

Some of the local merchandise that is available includes the organic, Monroe-based hair product, Loma, and the Wenatchee-based scrubs and lotions, Twisted Tomboy. This company works with many local organizations and seeks the best products for healthy skin and bodies. Owner Larkin also expresses that they recently acquired

G

ked! o o et H

Northwest

Traverse Multi-Sport Series

Chinook (solo) Coho (tandem) Chum (relay teams)

Northwest Traverse.com

Winthrop Traverse

Saturday, June 14th

Bellingham

Olympia

Sunday, June 29th

Saturday, July 26th

Kids Traverse

Traverse

North Bend

Bellingham

Saturday, Sept. 6th

Saturday, Sept. 20th

Traverse

Traverse

get your daily business news on the web www.BBJTODAY.com

the vegan make-up line, Christopher Drummond Beauty, to apply to those who want their make-up done for any event they could think of. Whether it is prom, a bridal or baby shower, or wedding, Silhouettes will do it all.

Spend a day having your haircut and styled, skin treated, make-up done and nails polished and painted. If that isn’t enough, let your mind and body relax during one of their famous massages, or go for an acupuncture treatment.

Silhouettes Salon & Day Spa exists to serve the Bellingham locals, and hopes to connect with their community instore as well as through social media and marketing.  321 Telegraph Road, Bellingham 360.734.0246 silhouettessalonspa.com Open Monday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Evenings by appointment

COMPETITIVE PRICING ON WEB ADVERTISEMENT 19,000 Views Per Month • 70,000 Page Views Per Month

June | July 2014 49

Well Being C al enda r

june

R a c e s & R UNS

14

Race Beneath the Sun

21

Feed The Need 5K

28

Padden Triathlon

5-mile race & .5-mile kid’s fun run 10 a.m.  Fairhaven Park, Bellingham gbrc.net

5K run/walk 8:30am  Hovander Homestead Park, Ferndale webscorer.com

Swim, bike & run - distances vary 8:30a.m. & 1 p.m.  Lake Padden, Bellingham cob.org

july

12

Chuckanut Foot Race 7-mile trail race 9 a.m.  Marine Park, Bellingham gbrc.net

19

Wildhorse Half Marathon Half marathon 8:30 a.m.  Fairhaven Park, Bellingham wildhorserun.com

26

Old Settlers 5K Run 5K race & 2-mile fun run/walk 9 a.m.  Pioneer Park, Ferndale whatcomoldsettlers.com

a u g u st

3

Bellingham Youth Triathlon Swim, bike & run - distances vary 9 a.m.  Civic Athletic Complex, Bellingham cob.org

9

Miles for Memories 5K Run/Walk 5K run/walk 9 a.m.  Fairhaven Green, Bellingham gbrc.net

16

Muds to Suds 2.5-mile course with obstacles 9 a.m.  Hovander Homestead Park, Ferndale mudstosuds.com

Be a u t y

Well Being

Warm Weather Glow Staying Beautiful in the Summer Months

by SaraH Rorvig

Cleaning Your Makeup Bag

Toss anything expired! Do this now. Start with mascaras and toss out anything that is more than 8 weeks old. Old makeup is the most likely thing to cause problems ranging anywhere from skin irritations, pink eye and, in the most severe cases, blindness. Try Covergirl’s professional mascara line — they are all water-resistant. They even have a formula for sensitive eyes, and a great washable waterproof. These mascaras can be found in most drug stores and are around $6, so there’s no excuse to have an old one around causing problems!

The shelf life of cosmetics depends on formulation and packaging. Anything that you dip your fingers into is something to be extra careful about, since the bacteria from your fingers remain in the product once you close the lid. Always make sure you have clean hands or a spatula to remove the product from the jar. Pressed powders typically do not contain water in their formulations and therefore have a longer shelf life (one year). On most packaging, you can find a symbol of an open jar with a number followed by the letter “M” which represents “Month.” The number represents the number of months the product is good for once it is opened. Throw away anything that has been sitting in your makeup bag for too long! It’s time to invest in some great brushes and high quality makeup if this is something that you are using on a daily basis. Brushes are another important tool in every makeup bag. Start with getting a

nice dual-fibered foundation brush, which applies foundation quickly. You can adjust the coverage by using more or less pressure, so it saves time, and the application is flawless. It’s a must-have.

From there, you can build up your brushes based on what you already have. Keep your brushes nice by gently washing them weekly with a gentle, unscented shampoo and conditioner and lay them flat to dry. This keeps them clean and prevents buildup in the bristles.

Anything that has changed color or smell should be tossed immediately. Always remember to store your makeup away from heat (including direct sunlight) and never share lip products or mascaras.

Need help? Honey Salon located in downtown Bellingham is now carrying Smashbox Cosmetics and offers makeup applications as well as lessons and bridal services. This is a great opportunity to learn some new tricks and refresh your makeup bag.

…

June | July 2014 53

Well Being Beaut y

Reader Q & A

Beach Worthy Makeup …

Lighten up! A lightweight tinted moisturizer or a BB cream — rather than a heavy foundation — will give you an even skin tone that is hydrated and protected with SPF. Sometimes a quality mineral foundation is a good choice since it is very breathable and the coverage is buildable. Then spot treat any imperfections or dark circles with a concealer. *Pro Tip—when choosing a concealer to correct under-eye circles, look in a mirror and determine if the dark circles have more of a purple or green tint. If you are correcting purplish under eye circles, then you should opt for a yellow tinted concealer, and if you are correcting green under eye circles, you should choose a slightly pink concealer.

Brighten up! Bronzer and cheek color will give your skin that summer glow that we here in the Northwest have been missing since last October.

Invest in a bronzer that is the correct shade for your skin (not orange!) and learn how to apply this correctly. A little bronzer can go a long way!

Lip stains are also a great alternative to lipsticks, and won’t budge for hours without feeling heavy.

Most lip stains work well when dually used as a cheek stain.

Mattify! Take away any shine with a sweep of blot powder. On hot and humid days this is essential. Apply a thin layer in the morning to set your foundation and reapply throughout the day as necessary. If you are heading straight from the beach to a barbecue then this simple touch up can make you look more polished and put together.

Waterproof it! Switch your mascara and eyeliner to a water resistant or waterproof formula.

This will prevent any unwanted raccoon eyes, and help your makeup stay in place through hot days, swimming and, of course, our lovely Washington rain. If you want a complete look there are plenty of waterproof cream shadows, brow products, and lip and cheek stains.  54 NorthSoundLife.com

With the wedding planning, a new job, and now buying a house, I have been pretty stressed and my skin is freaking out even more than normal. I’ve been struggling with acne pretty bad over the last couple of years and now it’s just out of control. I have very combination skin that seems like it’s always either too oily or so dry it flakes. I feel like I’ve tried just about every face wash, moisturizer, etc out there. I wear very little make up- usually just mascara and maybe a little bit of blush or bronzer but no foundation or anything, in hopes that it will help keep my skin clearer. I don’t know what else to do, so any advice would be so helpful!” -Laura K

Unfortunately this is an all too common problem among young women! Stress can cause many problems and acne is one of them. My first suggestion is to try OCM if you haven’t yet. This stands for Oil Cleansing Method and is essentially using an oil to “wash” your face in the morning and at night. It is an excellent makeup remover and it’s inexpensive, too. You can use different oils until you find your perfect combination, and it’s natural! Your skin will probably like being free of chemicals (especially if you’ve tried Proactive or other strong face washes) and is very gentle. Your skin may take about two weeks to get used to it, but after that two weeks you should notice that your skin is regulating oil better. This means the areas that were dry are now hydrated, and the areas the over producing oil are now producing less. I would start with Jojoba Oil, sunflower oil, or hazelnut oil (or a blend of all 3!), and add 2-3 drops per use of Tea Tree Oil to help with acne (you can get pure Jojoba and Tea Tree Oil at Trader Joe’s). Also adding 1 tsp. of Tamanu Oil to

your mix will help immensely with acne and scarring. It’s not cheap though. Rub this mixture into your face for up to 10 minutes (by then you can feel your pores clearing, it feels gritty on your fingers) and then wipe off the excess oil with a warm washcloth or with cotton balls. Repeat if desired. You won’t need to rinse and your skin is already hydrated for the rest of the day.

Always make sure that your brushes and sponges are clean when you apply moisturizer, makeup or touch your face. Most people don’t realize that they are using a dirty makeup brush when applying makeup and this could be the sole factor causing acne. When choosing a brush cleaner make sure it isn’t loaded with fragrance and other unnecessary chemicals.

Be sure that you are getting enough “Laura time” and try not to stress! Meditation, yoga, long walks, or whatever it is that relaxes you should be an integral part of your routine. Nourish your mind, body, and soul and you should see positive changes.

Coming This June!

360.543.3589 | masterofvapours.com Ask about our Crystal Design Service from the Mistress of Vapours!

Commited to providing a better smoking alternative, with brand name products, and the most affordable prices ANYWHERE

The longer you stay, the more we pamper you...

Modern Convenience & Traditional Service appleyarns.com 1780 Iowa St. Bellingham, WA (360) 756-9992

Condé Nast Traveler | “Gold List”, 2014 TripAdvisor | “Traveller’s Choice - Luxury Category”, 2014 TripAdvisor for Business | “Certificate of Excellence”, 2014 Travel + Leisure Magazine | “World’s Best Awards”, 2013

reservations@wedgewoodhotel.com | 604.608.5314 or 1.800.663.0666 wedgewoodhotel.com

Habitat

Home Remodel Tips and Tricks · Featured Home

Farming Inspired Design

By Tanna Barencut

H

e’s a little bit country and she is a little bit rock ‘n roll, and the combination is something I call “organic modernism.” We combined the homeowners’ mementos, industrial pieces and warm textures to create a collection of oddities that satisfies their rustic-inspired living, giving them the luxurious lodge look they desired.

The family I worked with had a large, multi-purpose space that had no purpose at all. An [off] white sofa — which they rescued during college — a TV and a half-kitchen are all that occupied their basement. Their dream was to create a space the whole family could enjoy — a pleasant office to work from, a media center with storage, substantial furniture, a space to work out and a game room and bar area for entertaining guests.

My challenge was to suit each of their styles. She pictured a rich chalet with beautiful weathered wood and linen upholstery, while he wished to incorporate his gaming treasures and would have been happy with horns hanging in every corner.

Combining basic elements, like wood and metals, we added natural fiber rugs and unique textured wall coverings … continued on the next page

H AB I TAT

M ake-O ve r

…

to create a cozy cabin-like influence. With inviting furnishings, we added decorative elements, which are current and modern, to complete the space and give harmony. The space now evokes an intimate feeling as if you are escaping in the silence of the mountains far, far away from the crowded city.

How did we start?

Together with the client, we crafted a list of must-haves: ■■ Performance leather, suede upholstery ■■ Pewter and metals accents with patina and nailhead ■■ Reclaimed wood, wooden furniture, branches, bark or twigs ■■ Wrought iron, copper, rusted metals ■■ Natural fabrics - cotton, hemp, linen, wool ■■ Stone, rocks, concrete ■■ Organic, natural, outdoor elements

How did we do it?

Richly textured and subtly patterned wall coverings give the rooms a snug charm with a rustic 58 NorthSoundLife.com

look. We located an old barn that was to be torn down, and my client purchased the reclaimed wood, which became our accent in the entertainment room. A local artisan creatively sanded each piece of the wood while keeping the integrity of its weathered history. I wrapped the window wall in a rich, deep mahogany paint and then stepped into the office and den where I wanted to create a refined definition. This work space needed a modern spirit within its rural setting. With an urban aesthetic, the nature-inspired shade of grass-cloth wallpaper I selected offered a new level of lavishness to form a sophisticated getaway.

Next, came designing the media center storage cabinetry and a new office desk. By removing a door from the previously installed cabinets in the kitchenette area, we matched the species and stain perfectly and extended a custom built-in unit the length of the basement wall. The stereo system is now neatly tucked behind the speaker fabric doors and all games, videos and toys are organized effortlessly in baskets on each shelf.

The office and den area — which is the first room you see as you enter — deserved a signature piece. We hand-picked a cedar slab and had our local artisan make a custom live-edge desk with a

finished file cabinet and raw steel crossbar leg. To continue this color-way on the wall, we used the same cedar slab to create box shelves that are functional and complement the gorgeous, charcoal grass-cloth.

In addition to watching movies and playing games, the family also exercises together. We purchased sturdy furnishings with performance leather for heavy use to handle each activity, which are also easy to slide to the side when they are moving to pre-recorded training programs. Typically, I like to layer rugs for depth and impact — in this case, I wanted to add a pop of interest and also provide a carpet that is small enough to shift out of the way when necessary. In the den, the custom upholstered side chair and ottoman have a luxurious, velvety texture, perfect for curling up with a book or checking homework. And the ergonomically correct desk chair, with dish-cut seating, is ideal for steady computer work or Facebooking.

But exercising is not the only way the family sweats together. A custom shuffleboard table was built to fit the space with a one-time licensing fee contract to use the logo from their college alma mater. An irreplaceable piece that is absolutely stunning.

We finished the space with a hammered copper and metal pub table and chairs, comfy throws, custom upholstered pillows, one-of-a-kind tree stump side tables and most important … custom printed and framed art that was personally designed and illustrated by the homeowner.

This space is now adult, kid and pet friendly with unique elements and loads of character. We brought the outdoors in for an organic allure and while keeping the space current with fresh accents. This transformation has changed the way this family spends their time together. I love being a lifestyle designer. 

June | July 2014 59

H AB I TAT Feat ured Ho m e

Samish Island Cabin Photography By Mike Seidl Story By Frances Badgett

Builder: Cascade Joinery, Architect: Greg Robinson

T

his lovely house is located on the tip of Samish Island, just above high tide. It is owned by an oyster farmer who farms the surrounding waters of Samish Bay. Built to withstand harsh conditions — the salt, sand and constant breeze of the island elements — it’s solidly built and yet graceful. Amenities include heated concrete floors without a crawlspace, which is ideal for minimum maintenance. The solid timber frame construction and Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) keep the interior quiet and comfortable, even when the wind whips and howls during our famous winter storms. But its greatest amenities are its proximity to the tranquil water and views of Samish Bay, Lummi Island, Chuckanut Mountains and Mount Baker. 



The open living space with high ceilings gives the room a light, airy feeling, balancing nicely the heft of the timbers. And wooden tones create warmth and intimacy in the bedroom, while the high ceilings and big windows let in lots of natural light and sun.

 The graceful stairway sweeps down to the first floor. It is nicely inlaid with contrasting wood tones.



The dining area has windows that draw light into the room and showcase the beautiful surrounding views.

June | July 2014 61

summer

fun

Guide

By Frances Badgett

Olaf — the lovable snowman in Disney’s Frozen — sings about his affection for summer “Bees will buzz, and kids will blow dandelion fuzz…in summer!” But parents and grandparents aren’t always as thrilled with the extra hours of bored little ones tugging at them for something to do. Those who work during the summer months have it even harder, having to come up with weeks of activities to keep little legs moving. We’re offering some ideas on entertainment options, summer camps, activities and more. So next time you hear, “I’m booooored,” you can sing along with Olaf and entertain even the most restless of troops.

June | July 2014 63

summer fun

The YMCA

Getting Active

In addition to their year-round programs in swimming and climbing, the Whatcom YMCA also offers a staggering variety of summer programs for kids entering K-6th grades, from summer exploratory courses to overnight camps. The Y offers Girls on the Run, Y’s Kids Spring Enrichment and Adventure Spring Camp, Progressive Swim Lessons, Rookies Teeball and Baseball League and Rookies Spring Soccer League.

For parents and kids looking for overnight summer camps, the Y has a program for kids entering grades 3-6 in Stanwood from August 4-8. The Skagit YMCA invites kids entering 1st through 8th grade to join them at Camp Anderson, a day camp that has optional extended hours and tons of activities, field trips to the Birch Bay waterslides and more. Camp Anderson, which runs from June to August, is a great option for working parents.

Whatcom: 1256 N. State St., Bellingham, whatcomymca.org Skagit: 215 E. Fulton St., Mount Vernon, skagitymca.org

Gymnastics North Coast Gymnastics Academy in Bellingham has programs for pure recreation as well as for the serious gymnast. During the summer, they offer several camps for kids ages 5-12, including Olympic Gymnastics Camp, Princess Training Camp, Ninja Training Camp and Jedi Training Camp. The camps begin on July 7th with Olympic Gymnastics Camp and end in late August.

1710 Express Dr., Bellingham, northcoastgym.com

64 NorthSoundLife.com

Hockey Unlike those tennis parents, you’ll be able to cool off this summer watching your kiddos take to the ice. The Whatcom County Amateur Hockey Association has Try Hockey for Free days. Those who like the feel of it can join their summer camp Mites Play Hockey, which starts June 16th. Equipment is included in the price. The next Try Hockey for Free Day is at the Bellingham Sportsplex on June 15th.

1225 Civic Field Way, Bellingham, whatcomhockey.com

Whatcom Soccer Academy Soccer is to this area what hockey is to Canada. The programs of the WSA are for kids ages 5-12. Camp dates start June 20th and run until August 7th. Tuition includes a soccer ball, a t-shirt and 12 hours of instruction. All classes are held at the Northwest Soccer Park. The WSA is also offering an advanced soccer camp for ages 9-12 years, which is designed for kids who are serious about soccer.

5238 Northwest Dr., Bellingham, whatcomsoccer.com

Lang’s Horse and Pony Farm Camp What is summer without a horse day camp? Young riders learn responsibility, respect, empathy and discipline. While they serve riders of all ages, Lang’s offers a 2-week overnight camp for girls ages 9-16. Girls are housed in huge covered wagons. No riding experience is required, but the camp involves a lot of time on a horse, so Lang’s recommends that girls take a few rides before the camp to get the basics. Meals and showers provided. Lang’s also has morning and all-day camps, sibling camps and many other classes and options.

Want to pack up yourself? They also have a Ladies’ Weekend Retreat just for women.

21463 Little Mountain Rd., Mount Vernon, comeride.com

Cornwall Park Summer Tennis Program The United States Tennis Association (Pacific Northwest Division) and the Bellingham Parks Department are hosting a new program of noncompetitive tennis instruction in Cornwall Park. The program runs from June-August and is for all levels of ability and ages. No experience is necessary for kids 10 and under, and age-appropriate rackets are available for use.

3424 Meridian, Bellingham, pnw.usta.com/bellingham/

Wild Whatcom Every Friday morning, Holly Roger leads a nature tour of the Stimson Reserve for parents with children under 6. Wild Whatcom also offers camps, outdoor adventures and outdoor engagement for all age and ability levels. A great way to introduce the natural world to your little budding ecologists, the Wild Whatcom is a great, affordable way to get outside this summer. Make reservations and dress for jumping in mud puddles and sniffing flowers.

1114 Franklin St., Bellingham, wildwhatcom.org

summer fun

Creative Expression Drama, art, music—whichever muse your little ones choose, we have a great place for them to try it out. We’re lucky that our local dramatic and musical professionals are engaged with teaching children, because the fire of performance and expression is sparked at a young age. With infusions from Western Washington University, the Mount Baker Theatre, the Bellingham Theater Guild and more, we have so many great teachers out there to teach our children with passion and dedication.

Marrowstone A competitive camp for the budding Yo Yo Ma in your family, Marrowstone is the premier orchestral training camp in the Pacific Northwest. Students ages 13-25 travel from more than 30 states to attend the two-week program, which is hosted by Western Washington University. The days are packed with master classes, sectional rehearsals, full orchestra rehearsals and chamber music. The Marrowstone students will give a concert at Mount Baker Theatre this year, for the first time in their 71-year history.

11065 Fifth Ave. NE, Suite A. Seattle, marrowstone.syso.org

The Neighborhood Playhouse Summer Drama Camp Run by two exceptionally gifted Bellingham residents, Lizanne Schrader and Jerry McGarity, the Neighborhood Playhouse takes your little ones from the earliest stages of acting exploration to the more advanced role of producing a show. Their annual summer camp is for kids from Kindergarten to 12th grade. The Kindergarten program, Theatre on the Range, gets little ones

to combine movement, imagination and storytelling. The Page to Stage program puts your children entering 3rd to 5th grades in the director’s chair, as they take a play from book to stage, including costumes and scenery. The Production Camp is for advanced actors and budding directors entering 6th to 12th grades, and Camp Comedy teaches young ones the art of timing and humor.

2524 Victor St., Bellingham, theneighborhoodplayhouse.net

Summer Theatre Camps at Mount Baker Theatre The Missoula Children’s Theatre comes to town with props, costumes, scenery and makeup, and our local kiddies make up the cast. 60 local campers in grades 1 and 2 rehearse, perform and dazzle on the theater’s historic Main Stage. This year’s plays are Rapunzel, Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio. Camps run from mid-July until early August. Rehearsals are from 10-2:30 M-F and performances are Saturdays at 3 and 7 p.m.

her own gallery. With morning and afternoon sessions, Gabriel’s serves up art and dance, music and theater for kids in ages ranging from preschool to 5th grade. Gabriel offers fun themes like Jungle Mania and Circus Circus, which are sure to keep your little one enriched and entertained. Preschool programs are only half-day, but K-5 have the option of all-day care. Gabriel’s is conveniently located near downtown Bellingham.

1415 Dupont St., Bellingham, gabrielsartkids.com/summer-camp.html

Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) BAAY offers year-round dramatic arts education for kids from ages 5-15 (individual shows have specific age ranges). Their family-friendly programming has included Seussical, Annie, Fiddler on the Roof among many other favorites. Under the direction of David Post, the BAAY staff is exceptionally credentialed in both professional theater and in working with kids.

104 N. Commercial Ave., Bellingham, mountbakertheatre.com

1059 N. State St., Bellingham, baay.org

Gabriel’s Art Kids Arts Summer Camp

Sponsored by the Bellingham Circus Guild and hosted in the Cirque Lab in Fairhaven, the Circus Arts Kids’ Camp is a newcomer to the summer day camp scene. For kids ages 8-14, the camp teaches trapeze, unicycle, stilt-walking, acrobatics and more! The camp runs from August 12-16, culminating in a performance for family and friends.

Gabriel Miles, the warm-hearted owner of Gabriel’s Art Kids, states on her website, “I plan to challenge and nurture the creative energy of students while fostering enthusiasm on their part for personal discovery.” Miles holds a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York and an MS in Art Education. She is an artist herself, having run

Circus Arts Kids’ Camp

bellinghamcircusguild.com

June | July 2014 67

summer fun

Delightful Days out of the Rain The FIG The FIG (Family Interactive Gallery) is a beautiful indoor play space inside the Lightcatcher with plenty of mind-tickling toys and nature-inspired interactive displays. Some of the most interesting areas of the FIG are the little campground, a small house with a kitchen, a big foam construction area and a lovely magnetic board by local artist Fishboy. There are also places to create paintings and craft projects and a theater, complete with costumes. The FIG is a great place to settle in on a rainy day, and has kid-friendly 250 Flora Café right next door. Open Wed-Sat, 10-5 and Sun. 12-5.

250 Flora St., Bellingham, whatcommuseumofart.org/fig

Arne Hanna H2O Child Care Few parents and grandparents may be aware that having little ones around doesn’t mean sacrificing laps or water aerobics. The Arne Hana Aquatic Center in Bellingham offers inpool childcare with a certified life guard in the kiddie area.

The program is for children 3 years and older, and is a lifesaver for those who want to get some exercise.

1114 Potter St., Bellingham, cob.org

Perch & Play Bellingham’s favorite indoor playground, Perch & Play is airy and light and beautifully designed for kids of all ages.

Multiple levels offer the space a lot of climbing, sliding and playing options, including a playhouse perched at the top of a big tree. Room monitors keep kids from bonking each other with toys and throwing each other off of equipment, and safety measure prevent parents from losing track of wandering 68 NorthSoundLife.com

tots. P & P also offers food and beverages for all ages, including adult malted and vinted beverages for stressed out parents. Adding to their services, P & P began offering a childcare option last year, called Playschool. Geared for kids ages 3-5, the Playschool is an enrichment program for developing little minds.

1707 N. State St., Bellingham, perchandplay.com

Skagit Children’s Museum Located in the Cascade Mall in Burlington, the Skagit Children’s Museum is a local favorite. Its biggest attractions are the giant working crane and life-sized boat, but there are tons of little nooks and corners for busy kiddos. The museum also sponsors story times and craft days.

550 Cascade Mall, Burlington, skagitchildrensmuseum.net

Jump Around Fun Zone Want a little bouncy castle in your day? The Jump Around Fun Zone in Bellingham has tons of slides and castles and other bouncy things. They also have a snack bar and plenty of tables for those who just want to supervise. They will help you coordinate a birthday party, and they have loads of specials and offers.

4600 Guide Meridian, Bellingham, jumparoundfunzone.com

Jungle Playland Attached to the First Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, local favorite Jungle Playland is a play place for the whole family. There’s a snack bar, ball pit, arcade, climbing wall and …

At Lang’s “We make Riding Fun!”

August 1-3 *Guided Trail Rides by Reservation *Birthday parties for all ages *Party Ponies that will come to you *Summer Day and Overnight Horse Camps *One Day Horse Camps for children and adults *Open Year-round *Just 30 minutes from Bellingham All riding is by reservation

www.comeride.com 360.424.7630

21463 Little Mountain Rd. Mt Vernon, WA 98274 Visit our website for trail ride rates, camp schedules and our monthly coupon specials

summer fun …

more. There are spaces for toddlers and older kids to climb and slide, accommodating all ages well. It is very reasonably priced for both individuals and for birthdays.

2901 Martin Rd., Mount Vernon, jungleplayland.com

Toy Stores

Special Needs Kids with disabilities have a particularly difficult time socializing and finding activities that are safe and fun. These two camps offer specialized care for kids who just want to have a normal day at camp.

Local retailers may love me or hate me for putting this in print, but Yaeger’s, Tiger Toys, the Fairhaven Toy Garden and Wild Blueberries all have entertaining areas for small children to play while you browse. Just don’t expect to leave without a little something for the kids.

Marine Life Center Tucked between the Port of Bellingham offices and The Loft is the Marine Life Center, a bubbling burbling series of exhibits on the aquatic creatures that live around us. From octopi to salmon, the Center has an extensive touch tank, a large saltwater open aquarium and more. The Center is a great place for little ones to get an interactive experience with the stickiness of anemones and the bumps of seastars.

1801 Roeder Ave., Bellingham, marinelifecenter.org

F.A.C.E.S. Northwest Created by parents who have children with autism, F.A.C.E.S. (Families for Autistic Children’s Education and Support) gives kids with autism overnight camping experiences that are tailored to their needs, and yet similar to regular camp experiences. F.A.C.E.S. is far more than just a camp experience, it’s a support network for parents and families of kids with autism. facesnorthwest.com

Camp Phoenix Founder Michael Mathis of the Burned Children Recovery Foundation was a normal kids having fun when he was severely burned. One of his friends threw a gas can into a bonfire, and Michael suffered burns over 60 percent of his body. He founded the BCRF to help kids who have also suffered from serious burns. The BCRF also operates Camp Phoenix, which gives these normally isolated kids a shot at friendship, support and just plain fun. The BCRF also operates Phoenix House, a transitional home that helps ease kids into society, offers counseling and support for families and provides resources to communities about the dangers of fire. burnedchildrenrecovery.org

Out of Town Had one too many afternoons of the same places in the area? These fun day trips are worthy of your time and gas money. Just remember that children crossing the border into Canada need a birth certificate, and if traveling with one parent or with grandparents, you need send with them a letter of permission.

Remlinger Farms

MAKING MEMORIES YMCA SUMMER CAMPS For kids entering grades K-9 in Fall 2014. Sign up today to reserve your spot.

WHATCOM FAMILY YMCA

360 733 8630

Welcome Kelly J. Casperson , M.D.

This interesting compound just outside Redmond is, indeed, a working farm.

But it’s easy to forget that once you’re through the market area and among the rides. Yes, rides. Mostly geared for the 3-7 year-old set, there are great rides and play structures (including a fullsized bus and fire engine) galore. There are Ferris wheels, self-driving cars, barrel rides and a roller coaster. There’s a very good on-site restaurant that keeps you fueled during your visit. For the animal-lovers, there are pony rides and a petting zoo with farm animals.

Female Urologist experienced in new techniques to insure you have the most current options available to you and your family.

The Outback Kangaroo Farm Set along 530 in Arlington, the Outback Kangaroo Farm features kangaroos, but also has many beloved animals of all species, including goats, wallabies, flying squirrels, alpacas, lemurs, emus and many more. The tours are 40 minutes long and very reasonable: $8 for kids 2-12 and $9 for adults. Bear in mind, they only accept cash or checks, and they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Call Us Today For Details!

We are currently accepting new patients.

Greater Vancouver Zoo Just over the border at the Aldergrove crossing, the Greater Vancouver Zoo has a huge selection of animals, a train, bikes for rent and snack bars for hungry visitors. A large but accessible zoo, their big draw is the hippo exhibit. The hippos are on close display while dining at lunch and snack at noon and 3 p.m. daily. 

www.whatcomymca.org

340 Birchwood Avenue Bellingham, WA 98225-1787 (360) 671-9197

PLLC

bellinghamurologyspecialists.com WE ACCEPT MOST INSURANCE PLANS INCLUDING:

Regence, Premera, Group Health, First Choice and Medicare

June | July 2014 71

Island

Getaways

By Frances Badgett

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 hill from the ferry landing, shops, restaurants and galleries, Friday Harbor awaits the eager visitor. With 8000 residents, it is the only incorporated town in the San Juans. An artists’ paradise, you’ll often see easels out and paints dripping from brushes on a sunny day. San Juan is also a great place to start a whale-watching adventure, with tours departing regularly. The Whale Museum is a great place to learn about the Orcas who have taken up residence in Puget Sound.

Visitors can “adopt an Orca” to help aid in preservation and research for our local whales.

Eat

Dining on San Juan is a great pleasure. Unlike other island economies, there is fertile farmland on San Juan Island, and plenty of local produce. All of the islands have the advantage of fresh local seafood, and chefs have taken notice. The nationally recognized Duck Soup Inn on 50 Duck Soup Lane is a must. Locally sourced and foraged ingredients make up some of the finest dishes you may ever eat. The Cask and Schooner is perfect for those seeking fresh local seafood. For Italian, Vinny’s Ristorante fits the bill.

Sleep

San Juan is a great hub for exploring other islands. With more than 22 bed-and-breakfast inns in Friday Harbor alone, finding accommodations is not a struggle. The Earthbox Inn and Spa is a centrally located 2-story motel with an indoor pool and airport shuttle. If you’re looking for something with a

little more intimacy, the dog-friendly Tucker House Inn is within walking distance of the ferry landing. With six guest rooms, eight suites and three cottages, you’ll want to book this Friday Harbor favorite well ahead. There’s also the chic and comfy Island Inn at 123 West, a nice, modern accommodation with loads of features. Close to the ferry, the Bird Rock Hotel is a boutique hotel with amenities that include guest bicycles and a pool.

Explore If culture is what you’re after, Friday Harbor is home to the Palace Theater (a single-screen movie palace) and the San Juan Community Theatre, which has regular plays. The San Juan Arts Council is as lively as the local arts’ scene, hosting classes and events, gallery walks and art markets (sjcartscouncil.org). Their website is a great place to check out what art events are going on during your visit.

Roche Harbor, on the other side of San Juan, is a resort destination worth your time. The historic Hotel de Haro is the resort’s centerpiece. Built in 1886, the Haro is a cozy, romantic destination for weddings and honeymoons. Another worthwhile stop in Roche Harbor is the San Juan Sculpture Park and Nature Reserve. With 125 sculptures in a 20-acre site, the sculpture park is a great place to picnic and spend an afternoon. Several gifted sculptors like Mary Cross and Jennifer Johnson have works in the park. As a bonus, nearby Westcott Bay is the source for some of the most sought-out oysters in Puget Sound. The nearby San Juan Island Distillery has some excellent spirits to accompany those oysters.

June | July 2014 73

74 NorthSoundLife.com

Orcas Island is characterized by rolling hills, gentle peaks and great views.

A horseshoe-shaped island, it is the largest of the San Juans.

Eastsound is the population hub, and is home to many galleries and restaurants. The Saturday Farmers Market is a favorite among locals and visitors, spread out along Eastsound’s village green. The Orcas Island Historical Museum in the center of Eastsound is a great place to get a sense of island history and context. For the little visitors, the Funhouse Commons has hands-on exhibits, an art studio, a pitching cage and more.

Eat The Inn at Ship Bay in Eastsound offers excellent dining with sumptuous views. Built around the 1869 Adams Farmhouse, the Inn also has 11 rooms for overnight guests. The menu offers fine salads, seafood and meat entrees, reservations are recommended. For a hearty, cheap breakfast or lunch, Island Skillet in Eastsound has hearty servings and lots to offer.

The classic historic Rosario Resort is home to the Mansion Restaurant, a must for fine diners. The earthier Doe Bay Café specializes in vegetarian cooking and fresh seafood.

Sleep There is no shortage of cabins and inns on Orcas, so ask around about where people like to stay. A few of our favorites include the crunchy and cute Doe Bay Resort, a cabin-yurt-orcamping destination with soaking tubs that may or may not require garments. A lovely, peaceful spot on Orcas, it’s a good place to get away from it all. Once in a Blue Moon Farm offers agritourism in a bed-and-breakfast setting. For glampers,

Wanderlust Hospitality offers luxury camping to cater to your every whim, and enhance your outdoor adventures. The Outlook Inn in Eastsound offers different levels of accommodation to match every budget. Vintage Island Vacations lets you live out your dream of a weekend in a vintage Airstream camper. Whatever you choose, Orcas is a great place to get a good night’s sleep.

Explore Moran State Park may just be the loveliest state park we have. With more than 38 miles of hiking trails and 5000 acres of land to explore, it’s a full weekend of fun. Mount Constitution is the island’s highest point, and has beautiful views of the Sound and Mount Baker.

South of Moran, the village of Olga invites gallery-hopping and strolling. The famous Artworks Cooperative Gallery and Olga Cafe were wracked by suspicious fires in 2013. Café Olga is temporarily in Eastsound until they raise the funds to move back to Olga. A wonderful stop on the road between Eastsound and Doe Bay, Olga is a sweet village worthy of a little exploration. The number of artists on Orcas is pretty stunning, as is the quality of the arts and crafts they produce.

From fine jewelry to beautiful pottery, Orcas is an art-lover’s paradise.

Deer Harbor on the far west portion of Orcas is a great place to put in a kayak or pop up a tent. Wildlife and water tours abound, as do hikes and mountain biking. The Deer Harbor Marina is also home to the Marina Barge Gift Shop and several artist studios.

June | July 2014 75

Shaw Island The most remote of the four major San Juans, Shaw is a pastoral, quiet visitor-friendly place. Famous for being the “nuns’ island,” Shaw is home to a branch of the Benedictines, who run a farm called Our Lady of the Rock, and a small order of the Sisters of Mercy.

There was a time when nuns ran the general store and the ferry operation, but those nuns have left the island. The only accommodation for rent on the island is the 110-year-old waterfront cottage near the ferry dock. Otherwise, the only way to spend a night on Shaw is to camp, and with only 11 spots, a reservation is a must. Places worth visiting and exploring are the library, Our Lady of the Rock Farm and the Cedar Rock Biological Preserve. The only commercial venture on the island, the General Store is also the hub for all of island life. Otherwise? How you enjoy the quiet, natural pace of Shaw is up to you.

Eat

While Shaw Island doesn’t have any restaurants per se, the Shaw General Store has many picnic-ready items as well as a deli. In the great tradition of general stores, the Shaw General sells everything from nails to bottles of wine. Espresso, ice cream and tons of locally made groceries make this an essential stop for an overnight stay. Be aware that the Shaw General Store is closed from September to May every year, so you may need to haul supplies with you.

76 NorthSoundLife.com

Sleep

The owners of the Shaw General Store also operate a 1900s vintage cottage, which sleeps 4-6. With stunning views and perfect grounds for picnicking and strolling, it’s a great place to spend a few nights. If you’re interested in camping, the 60-acre Shaw County Park is a great place to pitch a tent or two and enjoy the water. It’s only two miles from the ferry, so perfect for a hikein weekend. Amenities at the campground (reservations in high season recommended) include drinking water, vault toilets and a boat launch. The Shaw General Store is within walking distance as well, making those grocery store trips easier. Another option for those wanting peace, quiet and contemplation, is to stay with the nuns at Our Lady of the Rock Benedictine Monastery. Guests of all faiths are invited to stay with the Sisters in their guest house, and are encouraged to participate in meals, worship and help with the farm. Accommodations are by donation only. shawgeneralstore.com, olrmonastery.org

Explore

Hiking, kayaking, boating, whalewatching and birding are just a few of the many outdoor activities Shaw offers. The island is only 7.7 square miles, so biking and hiking are great ways to get around. There is also a museum and a library for visitors to check out.

Walk-on and bike-on ferry passengers ride free.

June | July 2014 77

Lopez Island Dubbed “The Friendly Isle,” Lopez is 15 miles long with 63 miles of shoreline. A cycling destination, Lopez has several places for exploring by pedal, and bike rental shops as well.

Lopez offers a broad range of lodging options. Wildlife is the big draw, and Lopez boasts many beaches, county and state parks and wildlife viewing spots. Agate Beach, Odlin County Park, Spencer Spit and Otis Perkins County Park are just a few of them. There’s also a historical museum and a library, as well as a restored schoolhouse.

Eat

Ask for recommendations for dining on Lopez, and everyone will universally name The Bay Café. Excellent food prepared carefully with fresh ingredients, the Bay is a favorite of Lopez Islanders and visitors alike. The views are stunning. Another great spot is Vita’s, which bills itself correctly as “wildly delicious.” Old-timer Holly B’s Bakery has been delighting Lopez with delicious treats since 1976. Owner Holly B’s whole family, including her sons, get in on the baking. That kind of personal touch is what makes places like Lopez so special.

78 NorthSoundLife.com

Sleep

The Edenwild Inn has been in operation for more than 20 years. Private baths, luxurious beds and memorable views are all a part of the Edenwild experience. Golf, tennis, free bikes for guests, wireless internet, and other amenities make your stay worthwhile. They don’t allow children under 12, so keep that in mind when booking. Another cozy spot on sweet Lopez is the MacKaye Harbor Inn. Originally built in 1904, the MacKaye was the first building on Lopez to have working electric lights. A wonderful spot right on the water, it’s a kayaking, hiking and relaxation destination.

Explore

The easiest cycling of the major San Juan Islands, Lopez is a great place to tour around by pedal. Lopez has more parks and hiking trails than you can easily explore in one weekend, so you’ll want to return again-and-again to find new quiet spots and secret coves. There are many shops and artists’ studios to explore, including the work of Stephen Hill, the pottery of Lydia Lukahnovich and many more. 

Farm to

Table

By Dakota Mackey

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, grocery stores, CSAs and restaurants.

So next time you pass a farm stand, grab a few extra carrots to support our local agrarians.

U-PICK

errplink, k other ke m nd r a e h rs and f bea Sal, Sal ouple o r c fo a s g th ie n eti ave e berr Hill, me e can h y ssic Blue w rr la , e s c b u e ’s r n ly eyey fo r Blu ildre r hungri ter. Luck way ove a in In the ch e ir b w e r r th e fo k number moth can erplun nger of mazing erries to a a b d plank, k n e e a lu th e b t av ou enough — we h but with picking produce rience, , e s p le x e p p k ic ! erries, a same u-p b a pail rs. Blueb le d d us. Gra to r g in d n u ing ou rro farms su of u-pick

Barbie’s Berries Pick an array of vibrant berries at Barbie’s Berries, a u-pick and we-pick farm in Ferndale. Kick off the season with fresh strawberries. The little red juicy berries pop up around June and end in mid July. Following come raspberries, blueberries and blackberries for picking. Now experts in the field, Barbie’s Berries have been growing fresh fruit since 1996.

7655 Melody Lane, Ferndale, barbiesberries.com

Blue Heron Farm

Boxx Berry Farm A community staple, Boxx supplies most of the major grocery stores with berries. They have a great u-pick as well — pick 20 pounds of berries and you get a free scoop of ice cream! Harvests start in early June and run through until early August. Boxx is also a family-friendly stop on the Whatcom Farm Tour in September.

6211 NW Rd., Ferndale, boxxberryfarm.com

Bellewood Acres

This certified organic farm is located in Rockport and offers both u-pick and already picked blueberries, raspberries and green beans. Cross Skagit River to visit the farm in July and August for peak blueberries and raspberries, or visit in August for prime-time green bean season. Simply call two days prior to your arrival and you will be directed to a perfect patch of fresh produce for picking.

Apples, apples, apples! And, in the fall, pumpkins.

But mostly, the Belisle family is all about crisp, delicious apples. You have a choice of you-pick, or already picked apples in the farm store. There’s also an on-site distillery and an excellent farm-totable bistro. Family-friendly, accessible and welcoming, Bellewood is a great stop on your hunt for great local produce.

12179 State Route 530, Rockport, pickyourown.org

6140 Meridian Dr., Lynden, bellewoodfarms.com

82 NorthSoundLife.com

© Cynthia St. Clair

Bow Hill Blueberries This blueberry farm has been in business since 1947, making it the oldest family-run blueberry farm in Skagit County. The farm has 4500 high bush blueberries of different varieties. The owners are passionate about being part of the surrounding community and enjoy offering a place where kids and adults alike can have access to both upick and we-pick blueberries. The farm is currently in transition to organic and only spread organic composts. They refrain from spraying conventional herbicides and pesticides. The season is from mid-July to September, so grab a bucket and pick a row. Don’t be afraid to eat a few right from the bush.

15628 Bow Hill Road, Bow, bowhillblueberries.com

Bjornstad Farms Owned by Jim Bjornstad, this farm prides itself on the size and sweetness of its berries. The farm has u-pick buckets, but they recommend bringing containers for taking your fruit home (i.e. those buckets stay on the farm). If you aren’t up for picking, Bjornstad also operates farm stands all over the county.

RiverScent Farm and Ka-Boom Nursery Located in beautiful Deming, RiverScent is dedicated to a chemical-free growing environment, GMO-free heirloom seeds sources and the highest standards of sustainability. They specialize in lavender, tomatoes, herbs, garden vegetables and flowering perennials. Lavender is available in fresh or dried bundles.

6244 Rutsatz Rd., Deming

© Cynthia St. Clair

6799 Old Guide Rd., Lynden, bjornstadfarms.net

Buy

The freshest produce for purchase is likely to be at farm stands and green grocers, places where vegetables are picked (or shipped quickly) on a daily basis . We also are lucky to have a plethora of gre at farmers markets and co-ops. Our local mains tream grocer y stores like Haggen also carry fresh local produce.

Here are a few of our favorite sources.

Crossroads Grocery, Inc. Offering produce, movie rentals, beer and wine, gluten-free foods and more, Crossroads is a truly local grocery store. Located near Silver Lake in Maple Falls, they’re a great picnic supply shop.

They feature local crafts as well.

7802 Silver Lake Rd., Maple Falls, crossroadsgrocery.com

Fairhaven Farmers Market Every week this summer, the Fairhaven Village Green will host 24 vendors for a Wednesday farmers’ market from noon to 5 p.m. Peruse the choices of local produce and crafts. Or find a meal of your choice from a vendor and take a spot on the lawn for lunch. From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. live music will play from the stage for everyone to enjoy.

Fairhaven Village Green, Bellingham, bellinghamfarmers.org

Terra Organica and Bargainica

Bellingham Farmers Market

Owner Stephen Trinkaus is a well known Bellinghamster, and his store is popular with foodies. Specializing in organic produce, Trinkaus is also dedicated to heirloom seed-grown produce.

Bargainica is the bargain aisle in Terra Organica, offering organic produce and products at bargain prices. Both stores offer local produce and goods whenever possible.

Treat your taste buds at Bellingham’s Saturday farmers market. With ample seasonal food from a variety of vendors, all of your shopping can be done here. Choose from local meats, vegetables, fruit, cheese, coffee, tea and bread. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. walk around for samples, stop for lunch and bring a bag to fill with groceries. Be part of the hustle and bustle of Bellingham-sters looking for good food this summer.

1530 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, terra-organica.com

1100 Railroad Avenue, Bellingham. bellinghamfarmers.org

84 NorthSoundLife.com

© Cynthia St. Clair

Anacortes Farmers MArket

Anacortes Farmers Market More than just a collection of vendors, the Anacortes Farmers Market is a locavore paradise with loads of local produce, flowers and products. Their annual The Art of Gardening event every April is a fun way to learn about gardening, gather inspiration, teach children about gardening and enjoy the early spring weather. Their blog is loaded with gardening tips and articles of interest about organic produce and other topics.

611 R Ave., Anacortes, anacortesfarmersmarket.org

bellingham Farmers MArket

© Cynthia St. Clair

© Cynthia St. Clair

Terra Organica and Bargainica

FE AT U RES Far m t o Ta b le

Facts about our area Skagit County

Skagit has 7 wineries producing 25,000 cases of wine on approximately 100 acres valued over $1 million.

Whatcom County

Top 3 agricultural products in Whatcom: 1. Dairy, 2. Berries, 3. Cattle

60-80 percent of the broccoli and cauliflower grown in Skagit is consumed in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.

Whatcom County has

102,584 acres

of agricultural land

1100 acres of tulips, daffodils and iris are grown in Skagit County. 20 million bulbs are harvested each year.

Skagit County

is a major world producer in the production of cabbage, spinach and beet seed.

1

Agriculture is the number industry in Skagit county.

86 NorthSoundLife.com

Agricultural production in Whatcom has a market value of more than

$326 million

Whatcom ranks 1st out of 17 counties in Western Washington for agricultural production, 6th statewide

More than 7% of the states red raspberries are grown in Whatcom, and Whatcom produces more than 48% of the state’s blueberries

Sources: WSU extension and Farm Friends of Whatcom

Joe’s Gardens Since 1933, Joe’s Gardens has offered locals fresh produce and cut flowers straight from where they were planted. This summer, fill your bags and baskets with sweet blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, crisp vegetables, beautifully colorful beets, and other produce. Don’t miss their famous sugar snap peas.

Once summer ends, continue to visit the garden for the beautiful braids of garlic. The garlic is still grown with the original seed that founder Joe brought from his family in Genoa, Italy. Joe’s Garden has Breadfarm bread delivered fresh daily so people in Bellingham have access to the local bread.

3110 Taylor Avenue, Bellingham, joesgardens.com

Joe’s Gardens

Goods Nursery and Produce Joe’s Gardens

Bellingham Food Co-op Bellingham is lucky enough to be home to two great food cooperatives, one on Westerly Rd., one on Forest St. Customers have access to local produce and specialty items as well as prepared meals from the deli. The co-op membership is as low as $3 a month, with which members receive special discounts and programs.

1220 N. Forest Street, Bellingham and 315 Westerly Road, Bellingham communityfood.coop

Amazingly fresh produce, most of it right out of the orchard or garden, Goods was a new upstart in the produce world of Bellingham in 2011. This year, it’s going strong, and their produce is among the most flavorful of the green grocers in town. While some of their produce is local, some of it is also trucked in from Yakima. But don’t let that stop you… the truck runs almost daily. And though Goods sources from some of the same places as local grocers, their handling and storage techniques are fine-tuned to ensure the utmost in flavor and freshness. As a bonus, they have a children’s garden for cultivating the budding agrarian in your family.

2620 Northwest Ave., Bellingham, Goodsproduce.com

Everybody’s Store

Skagit Valley Food Co-op Buy local produce and goods at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op.

They have everything from grass-fed meats to artisan cheeses. Get lunch at the deli or meet a friend for coffee made with beans the co-op staff roast themselves.

Van Zandt staple Everybody’s Store is Whatcom County’s oldest natural food market. With an extensive deli, excellent wine and beer selection and well curated gifts, Everybody’s Store keeps customers coming back for more. They specialize in local cheese and sausage as well as produce.

202 S. 1st Street, Mount Vernon, skagitfoodcoop.com

5465 Potter Rd., Van Zandt, everybodys.com

88 NorthSoundLife.com

Eat © Cynthia St. Clair

fun n fresh veggies is Growing your ow t if dining is more and satisfying, bu do local restaurants your style, these r g ng and pickin fo the fishing, foragi ! to do is show up you. All you have

Brandywine Kitchen “From seed to plate” has been co-owners Azizi Tookas and Chris Sunde’s motto since the beginning. What began as an heirloom tomato farm is now a full restaurant, booming with service and local ingredients. “From seed to plate” means just that: the owners believe knowing and supporting the local food systems makes for a quality plate of food.

And quality it is. There is a sandwich for everyone, including the Rocket B.L.T., slabs of thick bacon layered with avocado, maple-tomato relish, garlic aioli and arugula between a soft, hearty baguette. For veggie lovers, try the Mediterranean with basil aioli, tomato, fried eggplant, creamy buffalo mozzarella and sweet balsamic reduction. Don’t’ like sandwiches?

No problem. The salmon-quinoa cakes are unstoppable.

The Table Slurp spaghetti “Lady and the Tramp-style” at one of Bellingham’s beloved Italian restaurants. Situated on the corner of W. Champion and N. Commercial streets sits The Table, a place committed to serving great food made with local ingredients. The menu is constantly changing to involve the best and brightest seasonal ingredients.

Try a dish made with their fresh pasta like the penne with pink vodka sauce.

100 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham, bellinghampasta.com

1317 Commercial Street, Bellingham, brandywinekitchen.com

Tweets Located not far from some of our other favorites, Bow Hill Blueberries and Breadfarm Bakery is Tweets, a humble restaurant with killer food and sweet ambiance. The menu changes weekly to encompass what’s fresh, local and tasty. Pair your meal with great coffee, pastries and company.

5800 Cains Court, Edison, tweetscafe.com

Chuckanut Brewery

Brandywine Kitchen

Their German-style beers are echt, but that isn’t what makes Chuckanut a locavore’s haven — they offer an entire locavore menu in addition to their regular specialties. Local seafood, Avenue Bread, Darigold cream and others are well represented on this tasty list.

601 W. Holly, Bellingham, chuckanutbreweryandkitchen.com

…

June | July 2014 89

Farm Stands …

Avenue Bread

Avenue Bread

Field of Greens Corner of Kale & Everson Road www.fieldofgreens.biz

Mama’s Garden On Highway 9 between mile markers 73 & 74 Open May–Oct, Harvest festival Oct. 12 & 13

Inspiration Farm 619 E. Laurel Rd. www.inspirationfarm.com

Kamm Creek Farm

A team from Avenue Bread is heading out to Spring Frog Farm this year to pick strawberries, from which they’re going to make shortcakes for the store. They are also going to be gathering blueberries and raspberries from Hopewell Farm to use in their scones and pancake specials. Avenue sources their ingredients from Happy Valley, Edaleen Dairy, Hempler’s and Wilcox farms. If that weren’t enough, they are donating 25 cents per artisan loaf of bread to Common Threads Farm, which is a community education farm that runs a summer camp to teach kids about organic farming. Bellingham, James St., Downtown and Fairhaven, Avenuebread.com

850 Hampton Rd, Lynden

Cascade Blueberry Farm 2667 Willeys Lake Rd, Custer Open 10–6, seven days a week Blueberries available Aug. 1

McIntyre Family Farm North Cascades Highway Grass-fed beef and lamb, produce Mcintyrefamilyfarm.com

Market Chef The next time you’re in Friday Harbor, visit Market Chef — a place for fine food made from scratch. Peer into the deli case before snagging a satisfying sandwich or soup. The menu changes, offering seasonal specials, but a recent one included a hot meatloaf sandwich made from island grass-fed beef. If that isn’t tempting, plunge your spoon into their creamy and rich house-smoked Steelhead chowder. They specialize in island-grown produce and meats.

225 A Street, Friday Harbor

Avenue Bread

Ciao Thyme Jessica and Mataio Gillis make it their mission to create beautifully crafted dishes from fresh, local ingredients with a dose of community spirit. With long community tables, cooking classes and nonprofit sponsorships, Ciao Thyme is more than just a great place to eat — it’s a community staple.

207 Unity St., Bellingham, ciaothyme.com

Copper Hog The Copper Hog’s delicious eats are sourced from Alm Hill Gardens, Painted Hills Ranch, Anderson Valley Farms, Carlton Farms and Desire Fish Company. Pair those fresh offerings with a pour from their amazing beer selection, and you’ve got one good meal.

1327 N. State St., Bellingham, thecopperhog.com

Duck Soup Inn A small cabin in the woods, Duck Soup Inn is on many lists as a destination dinner. Locally sourced but unpretentious, Duck Soup Inn has been serving inventive and delicious meals since 1975. They are dedicated locavores, with fresh local meat and seafood on the menu along with foraged ingredients.

50 Duck Soup Lane, Friday Harbor, ducksoupinn.com

Seeds Bistro Located in sweet La Conner, Seeds is home to Chef Daniel Geer, whose long career in the restaurant business began in Anacortes. Lucky for us, Geer hasn’t strayed far, and his years of experience in the kitchen show with every delicious bite of Seeds’ fare. Seeds offers a Fresh Sheet of locavore specials all sourced from nearby farms and waters. It’s also a kid-friendly bistro, with great children’s menu options.

Handmade Sausage & Ice Cream Espresso Roasted In-House Award-Winning Deli Organic Smoothies & Juice Bar Natural Groceries Local & Organic Produce

623 Morris St., La Conner, seedsbistro.com

The Willows Inn When describing a dinner at The Willows, one runs out of superlatives. Everything on the menu is caught, grown or foraged on Lummi Island and prepared

by James Beard Award Winner Blaine Wetzel, so not only is everything absolutely fresh, it’s all beautifully prepared. From a single mussel served in its own steamer box to birch bark tea, every menu item is carefully considered. The Willows also hosts several author events. Put it on your bucket list.

2579 West Shore Dr., Lummi Island, willows-inn.com/dining

Free

www.skagitfoodcoop.com (360) 336-9777 Open Daily in Downtown Mount Vernon

June | July 2014 91

FE AT U RES Far m t o Ta b le

Community Supported Agriculture

W

hat the hell do you do with a rutabaga? CSAs are a great way to get fresh produce into your home without having to get your hands dirty. Customers buy shares directly from individual farmers. The produce is then divvied up and packed at the farm for either door-step delivery or centralized pick-up. Most shares offer recipes and cooking tips, making the mysterious vegetables that come over the transom easier to handle. Because the shares can be pricey (typically around $400), families often split shares as well, or buy smaller shares to complement their grocery lists.

Some CSAs offer discounts and payment plans, a trend that we hope catches on. Some boxes have a few pre-made ingredients, like pasta, eggs or sausage along with the produce.

Having a relationship with the farms and farmers who supply our food gives us a better sense of the hard work and value of local farming.

Alm Hill Gardens Beautiful Everson is home to Alm Hill, a family-owned fruit and flower farm. Operating year-round, Alm Hill supplies farmers’ markets from Seattle to Bellingham, and area universities and schools. Dedicated to fresh, healthy produce, Alm Hill has a huge variety of greens, root vegetables, legumes and berries. They also have lots of lovely flowers, including edible ones. They accept internet orders. growingwashington.org Rabbit Fields Farm Another Everson gem, Rabbit Fields Farm offers up certified organic produce grown in the fertile soil of the Nooksack River valley. Owned by Roslyn McNicholl, Rabbit Fields is currently in its seventh growing season. The farm also offers Bunny Bucks, which is a credit system. You can spend Bunny Bucks at the farm store, or at any of their stands at farmers’ markets. rabbitfieldsfarm.com Sumas River Farm Lynden blue grapes. Golden raspberries. Nettles. Purple carrots. Sumas River Farm includes all the usual CSA offerings, but strives to add a little something extra in your box every Wednesday with doorstep delivery from May to October.

With shares starting under $200 for one person, they are also 92 NorthSoundLife.com

one of the more reasonable CSAs in the area. Farmer Helen Solem also invites guests to come visit any time, as long you call ahead. Helenssumasriverfarm.com Osprey Hill Farm Located in the Acme Valley, Osprey Hill raises heritage turkeys and chickens in addition to produce. Their produce, poultry and eggs can be found in natural food stores, co-ops and restaurants in the area. There are three share types: produce, chicken or farm-fresh eggs. The best part? They offer discounts, payment plans and they accept EBT, so those who may have trouble covering an entire share have some payment options and breaks to make their CSA more accessible. ospreyhillfarm.com Acme Farms + Kitchen It’s hard to call Acme a CSA per se. Acme is an online retailer for local food and specialty items. Customers can either create their own basket or choose one of the pre-selected baskets. Acme offers doorstep delivery (for a fee) or pick-up. The Locavore Box includes ingredients for 5 meals for $79. Acme also has meal kits, baked goods, pantry items, meats, gift baskets and more. acmefarmsandkitchen.com Dandelion Organic Delivery Maria Stavrakas and Jonny Lane, proprietors of Dandelion Farms, are all about convenience for the customer. They offer home or workplace delivery for around $30. They offer two bin sizes and either weekly or every-other-weekly delivery. We also know that their boxes are ample, and the variety of fresh produce is excellent. dandelionorganic.com Growing Whatcom Specializing in neighborhood and workplace deliveries, Growing Whatcom offers more than 100 varieties of vegetables, fruit, herbs, nuts and greens. A collaboration of several farms and small businesses, they ensure that the produce they sell is chemical-free and grown on small farms. They also offer an online farm stand, where you can select produce for pickup at their location on Railroad Ave. in Bellingham. growingwashington.org. 

Sustainable Connections, Farm Friends of Whatcom and Community to Community were excellent sources for this article.

Thank you to the great people who work on agricultural issues in our area. 

CAST YOUR VOTE 5th Annual Best of the Northwest

Vote Now!

July 15 - August 30 is your chance to tell us who is your favorite in the Northwest. * Businesses from Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan Counties are eligible. **Winners announced in our October/ November issue and listen to Kafe 104.1 starting October 1.

T S BE

4

H T R O N ST WE

Vi s i t o u r w e b s i t e s t o v o t e

www.NorthSoundLife.com or www.kafe.com

Dine

7 Good Things · Dining Guide · Drink of the Month

Honeymoon Dakota Mackey

M

ead, also known as honey wine, is said to have been the first alcoholic beverage, coming before both wine and beer. Originating in Northern China and Dating back to 7000 BC, this beverage has been part of cultures all over the world.

Many say mead was the nectar of the gods on Mount Olympus. Though we probably wish we could all be Athena, goddess of wisdom, sipping on mead and watching shirtless Zeus walk about, the next best thing is absolutely Bellingham’s own, Honeymoon.

Honeymoon Mead & Cider started ten years ago in Anna and Murphy Evans’ basement. Anna said Murphy has always loved to make things and began experimenting with mead. In 2003, the couple partnered with Robert Arzoo and rented the space at 1053 N. State Street Alley. After renovating the old glass warehouse, Honeymoon’s doors opened in 2005.

“We’re our own sweet thing,” Anna said. And she’s right.

Honeymoon specializes in mead, a wine made from honey, which has been dissolved in water and fermented. Now the sole owners of the winery, the Evans pride themselves in using continued on page 100 … the finest local ingredients.

Meet

the

Chef

Chef Perry Mascitti from Tulalip Resort Casino Wine Pairing: Samson Estates Winery Presented in association with: Judd & Black Appliance, Mount Vernon

96 NorthSoundLife.com

O

n May 15th, Bellingham Alive and Judd & Black Appliance hosted Chef Perry Mascitti, who created a beautiful threecourse meal that drew on the seafood, meat and produce of our area. Perry is the Executive Chef at Tulalip Resort Casino. After his education at the Culinary Art Institute, he spent many years in resort and hotel kitchens before taking the helm at Tulalip. Perry began the evening with a lamb tenderloin carpaccio caprese with saffron-infused mozzarella. Gabe, a member of the dining audience, volunteered to help work the saffron into the mozzarella and rub in the saffron. Samson Estates created wine pairings for the evening, and Barb from Samson presented the first course with a dry Syrah.

For the second course, Perry married the tender flakiness of halibut with bits of pork rillon and a shaved fennel bulb salad with watercress.

Samson paired the tender halibut with an unoaked Chardonnay. Next came a lively intermezzo of Lemon-Medjool Date Granita, which called for the kir royale Samson poured using their brilliant

cassis. Chef Perry recommends using Medjool dates in recipes that call for sugar — salad dressings, desserts and even barbecue sauce.

The third course, the entrée, was a wagyu beef tenderloin with a smoked pear and bear’s tooth mushroom demiglace. The bear’s tooth is a brilliant white, spongy mushroom that grows on the sides of trees. It has a delicate but distinctive flavor, and substitutes nicely for black truffle.

Waygu tenderloin is the most tender cut of beef available, with fine marbling and a slightly springy texture. Perry pan-seared the steak and finished in a 350-degree oven. The steak was also served with delicious cippolinis (small spring onions) stuffed with pork chorizo, brie and hazelnuts.

The dessert came from a friend of Chef Perry’s, a pastry chef. See the website for the recipe. It was a layered cream and fruit dessert served in mason jars. A lovely presentation, and delicious! Samson paired the dessert with a rich blueberry port and their hazelnut wine.

June | July 2014 97

Make it at home Shopping List First Course Warm and Cold Lamb Carpaccio Caprese Lamb Tenderloin

• 3 Tbsp olive oil • 1 lb heirloom tomatoes

This appetizer combines the delicacy of shaved lamb with the fresh flavors of a traditional caprese. Heirloom tomatoes add flavor and texture, as does hand-made mozzarella. The saffron is a quiet undertone. This dish is perfect for a summer patio dinner.

• ½ cup fresh basil, cut into ribbons • ½ cup chives • 1 quart balsamic vinegar • ½ cup olive oil • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper • 1 lb mozzarella curd

• ½ cup Kosher salt

• ½ gallon water

• ½ cup medium course black pepper

• 1/3 cup salt

• ½ cup chili powder

• ½ oz saffron, finely chopped

• 3 green apples, cored and

• 2 Tbsp black pepper

Second Course Pan-Seared Halibut with Pork Rillon and Stoneground Fennel Toss Peppery without being too much so, this second course was both substantial enough to be an entrée, and yet delicate enough to be a small plate.

Fresh halibut makes a huge difference in quality. The fennel toss was tangy and complemented the flaky halibut nicely. Pork rillon gave the dish a subtle meaty texture.

• 1 lb pork belly, 1 piece

diced to 1/4” cubes (with

• ½ cup brown granulated

peel)

sugar • 10 whole garlic cloves, remove skin

• 3 lbs halibut files, about ¾” thick, cut into 6 pieces • 1 cup fennel bulb,

• 2 large yellow onion, diced

shaved thin • ¼ cup fennel leaves,

• butter • ½ cup Pasilla chilies, peeled and diced

no stems • ½ lb watercress, leaf only • 1 Tbsp stone ground mustard

• ½ quart red wine

• ¼ cup rice wine vinegar

• 2 Tbsp honey

• ½ quart water

• 2 Tbsp fish sauce

• ¼ olive oil

Entrée Waygu Beef Tenderloin with Smoked Pear and Truffle Demi-Glace Wagyu Beef tenderloin a Japanese-style of beef, and the most tender cut you can get. Slightly springy, delicately marbled, it is a rare find these days, but a worthy one.

• ½ gallon beef or veal stock/broth • ½ bottle red wine • ½ ounce shaved truffles, or other wild mushroom (Chef Perry brought a Bear’s Tooth mushroom, a

forage mushroom that grows on the sides of trees.)

• 2 Anjou pears, cored and unpeeled • 3 cups applewood chips • 1 cup white onion, finely diced • 2 Tbsp butter • 2 cups Arborio rice • 1 gallon chicken stock • 1 cup chanterelle mushrooms

For the full recipes see NorthSoundLife.com 98 NorthSoundLife.com

D i ni ng Gu i d e

DINE

Dining Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to $9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10–19 . . . . . . . . . . . . $20–29 . . . . . . . . $30 or greater . . . . . . . . . . . . Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dinner . . . . . . . . . Family-Friendly . . . . . . . . . . . . . Takeout . . . . . . . . Outdoor Seating . . . . . . . . . . Reservations . . . . . . . . . . Happy Hour . . . . . . . . . New Review See all our restaurant reviews on our Eat and Drink tab at northsoundlife.com

San juan Doe bay cafe 107 Doe Bay Road, Orcas Island 360.376.8059, doebay.com/cafe/cafe.html Whether you’re heading toward the San Juan Islands or don’t mind taking a trip for an unbelievable meal, be sure to make reservations at the ever-popular Doe Bay Cafe. The cafe is set in the Doe Bay garden, providing a beautiful view and the majority of the cafe’s organic ingredients. Owners Joe and Maureen Brotherton have stuck to their philosophy of taking good care of their visitors by providing world-class dishes made by Executive Chef Abigael Birrell. Choose from a selection of delicious dishes such as Huevos Rancheros with free range, organic over-easy eggs with black beans on griddled corn tortillas or the Pan Roasted Point King Salmon served with a carrot ginger sauce and smoky fried chickpeas and charmoula.

island The Freeland Cafe American/Hawaiian 1642 E. Main St., Freeland 360.331.9945 For more than 35 years, The Freeland Cafe’s been serving Whidbey Island locals a dawntill-dinner menu of American breakfast ­classics with a mix of Hawaiian flavors. A stack of three savory pancakes stuffed with delicious, sweet blueberries marks a signature favorite among the carb-craving regulars, while a hearty egg breakfast with crisp, sizzling bacon

charms away the hunger of nostalgic hometown diners; add Hawaiian-style rice with Spam and gravy for a more exotic breakfast alternative. Lined with ceiling-high windows and an eclectic mix of artwork, The Freeland Cafe offers a generous seating area situated adjacent to a popular bar of the same name. Sit back and enjoy the aroma of warm syrup and coffee, and the friendly chatter of neighborly patrons as you dine back to a simpler time.

boast well-prepared and locally sourced fresh seafood as well as an extensive wine and beer list. The charming and cozy pub atmosphere, homemade soups and generous portions make for a great special occasion or romantic evening. Try the polenta cakes with cured black olive and roasted garlic tomato sauce – you won’t be disappointed.

Seeds Bistro Regional NW 623 Morris St., La Conner 360.466.3280, seedsbistro.com

Toby’s Tavern Seafood 8 Front Street, Coupeville 360.678.4222, tobysuds.com Overlooking the scenic Penn Cove in the center of old Coupeville, Toby’s Tavern offers diners a dive bar ambience with a delicious menu of seafood favorites. Their famous bowls of Penn Cove mussels – served by the pound! – come fresh from the adjacent cove, and keep shellfish connoisseurs clamoring for a regular fix.

Steamed and soaked in a scrumptious mix of simple seasonings, wine and juices, Toby’s robust offering of mussels makes for a memorable visit. Fish and chips arrive hot, deliciously flakey, and generous in size, with sides of sweet coleslaw and fries deserving mention for their merit. For those waiting among the weekend crowd of regulars, a giant chocolaty brownie will drive your mind insane, and keep your appetite satisfied before the main course earns its way into the dining room. Toby’s is a must when visiting this Whidbey Island destination.

Skagit CONWAY PUB & EATERY American 8611 Main St., Conway 360.445.4733 Don’t let tiny Conway fool you – this pub packs big flavor. Though the town is unincorporated, business is never slow in this watering hole. Farmers often come here after a hard day’s work as well as bikers making a pit stop on a scenic weekend ride. Their food m ­ atches their patrons’ big appetites, such as the blue cheese burger topped with crisply fried shoestring onions or the mouthwatering oyster burger. Packed with flavor and Americana ­spirit, Conway Pub & Eatery is a Skagit Valley icon.

Nell Thorn Seafood 205 Washington St., La Conner 360.466.4261, nellthorn.com This small-town gem located in the heart of La Conner brings in tourists and locals alike. They

Seeds Bistro in La Conner is a celebration of the fresh bounty of food offered in Skagit County. It offers simple dishes that highlight the fresh, exciting ingredients found throughout the Pacific Northwest. The menu features local selections rotated with the seasons. The macaroni and cheese features Northwest-favorite Cougar Gold cheese with a butter-crumb crust.

Burgers are juicy, cooked perfectly, and served on homemade potato buns with the smallest bit of crunch and a fluffy interior. The whole family can enjoy Seeds’ offerings – comfort foods satisfy children’s desires while more intricate food items appease fastidious palates.

TRUMPETER PUBLIC HOUSE Gastropub 416 Myrtle Street, Mt. Vernon 360.588.4515, trumpeterpublichouse.com The Trumpeter is an ideal combination of highend, fine dining and English pub variety. Try traditional pub selections like shephard’s pie, fish and chips, or more unique choices like pork tenderloin complimented with an apricot-honey glaze or crab mac and cheese with a creamy Gruyere sauce and wild-caught crab.

Additionally, the Trumpeter looks to accommodate all tastes with gluten-free dishes, and the option to make any dish gluten free. Of course, a gastropub isn’t complete without beer and Trumpeter completes the dining experience with 18 taps of local and European brews. There’s also a fine selection of wines and drink choices.

Whatcom Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill Beef/Seafood 7 Bellwether Way, Bellingham 360.527.3473, anthonys.com Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill serves the same quality food we’ve come to expect and love from Anthony’s other restaurants. The Hearthfire menu speaks to the everyday eater, not just the special occasion treat of Anthony’s.

Seasonal items, like peaches or huckleberries in the summer, complement salads, entrees

June | July 2014 99

and drinks. Steaks, seafood and items on the Woodfire rotisserie round out the selections.

D I NE Di ni ng G u id e

Brandywine kitchen Regional NW 1317 Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.1071, brandywinekitchen.com Named for the decadent heirloom tomatoes grown on their farm, the owners source much of their ingredients locally and hold the “from seed to plate” philosophy. The menu offers vegetarian and gluten-free options (like ricePanko Fish and Chips), and includes beer from both Boundary Bay and Chuckanut breweries.

Try the Quinoa-Salmon Cakes with red pepper aioli or a BLT with Hempler’s bacon and maple-tomato relish. Don’t miss the Hibiscus Iced Tea for a refreshing sip or treat yourself to a Raspberry Champagne Cocktail.

Ciao Thyme on the Side Cafe Lunch 207 Unity St., Bellingham 360.927.4890, ciaothyme.com

…

For those who have experienced Ciao Thyme’s gourmet dinners and cooking classes, the new Ciao Thyme on the Side Café is a welcome addition to the delicious work of Jessica and Mataio Gillis, owners of Ciao Thyme catering. As with everything Ciao Thyme does, ­ingredients are fresh, local and in season.

Choose soups, salads and sandwiches a la carte, or create a plate with a selection of all three for a hearty and satisfying lunch.

continued from page 95

They source the honey from a company in the North Cascades with 1500 hives. Anna said it’s important for them to use light, delicately flavored honey, generally of the fireweed, blackberry or wildflower variety. The duo is particular about the type of yeast they use. Anna said that because the yeast is alive, no two batches of mead turn out exactly the same. The mead is left to sit from three to nine months.

“Making mead is an experiment and an art,” Anna said. “There is always something cooking back there, and it’s all a learning experience.” The outcome, Anna said, should be slightly sweet mead with floral notes. Not a fan of sweet wine? No problem. “My palate has expanded to like mead,” Anna said.

“I’m more of an IPA girl, but I’ve come to love it.”

Anna recommends putting wine preferences aside, sitting down with a sample of their Lover’s Mead and welcoming the possibility of enjoying mead as its own beverage. Anna was right: the Lover’s Mead is tauntingly sweet, yet delicate. The honey is prominent

100 NorthSoundLife.com

with intermittent floral notes.

Aside from the alluring flavor, who wouldn’t want to sip “Lover’s Mead” with a dear one? Paired with roasted garlic cloves swimming in melted Brie, this is a showstopper.

“I think it’s lovely, and it’s great with cheese,” Anna said.

Honeymoon has made its mark in Bellingham, whether it’s in stores or at the shabby-chic tasting room itself.

The exposed brick walls, earthy wood panels and sparkling twinkle lights set an ambiance that screams rustic romance.

“We’re grateful to have been here this long,” Anna said. “We just love where we live and have found a way to be part of what makes it so cool.”

After nine years of success, it’s clear  Bellingham loves Honeymoon, too.

Honey Moon 1052 North State Street Alley, Bellingham 360.734.0728 honeymoonmeads.com

Bayou On Bay Cajun/Creole 1300 Bay St., Bellingham 360.752.2968, bayouonbay.com Bayou On Bay serves a wide variety of classic Cajun/Creole dishes, such as gumbo, jambalaya, po’ boy sandwiches and hush puppies, to name a few. A house-made remoulade, which accompanies many of the dishes, is worth the trip alone. The bar offers an extensive list of drink options. Bayou on Bay is a must for foodies as well as people just looking for a satisfying meal.

Dashi Noodle Bar Japanese 1311 N. State St., Bellingham 360.305.1500, dashinoodlebar.com The name “Dashi” refers to the delicious savory Japanese broth in which the noodles are served. Pan Asian influences are combined with fresh local ingredients and serving large comforting bowls of steaming noodles. Everything is made from scratch. The broth is simmered with either beef or mushrooms with Asian spices to create a complex, rich broth. The menu allows diners to customize their “bowl” – the choices being three types of noodles, three types of dashi, tofu, vegetables and meats.

For a treat, try a steam bun, a soft pillowy bun folded around a savory filling, topped with Napa cabbage and a coconut curry or hoisin

& Event Space

Vodka • Gin • Apple Brandy Free Tastings Full Service Catering Authentic Farm to Glass Experience Fridays: Old Fashioned, Fish Fry & Farm Tunes 6pm Saturdays and Sundays: Farm to Glass Distillery Tour - Free Tastings at Noon & 2 pm

6140 Guide Meridian, Lynden, WA 98264 360-318-7720 | www.bellewooddistilling.com

Check us out online for more info!

FOOD.

Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.

Gourmet Burgers, Wings, Sandwiches and more!

BEER.

Wide selection of on tap and bottled beer. Full bar with daily Happy Hours.

FUN.

Billiards, Black Jack, Poker, Pull Tabs & More!

Experience Chef Derek Som’s Northwest Fresh Cuisine while sipping on one of our “ Best of the Northwest” cocktails.

Enjoy entertainment that ranges from Top DJs to Open Mic Night and exciting giveaways. Live entertainment on weekends that showcases local musicians. Home to Bellingham’s largest outdoor covered heated patio.

NoN-Smoking Casino

slopitchcasino.com 3720 Meridian St. Bellingham

BEST

NORTH WEST WINNER

Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn 714 Lakeway Dr. Bellingham, WA 360.746.6476 | Open Daily 4pm - close Bellinghamrestaurant.com

360.733.2255

Like Us Follow Us

Drink Month of the

sauce. The menu also includes seasonal chilled rice noodle bowls and appetizers.

Fireside Martini & Wine Bar Dinner/Bar 416 W. Bakerview Road, Bellingham 360.738.1000, firesidemartini.com Fireside is out to make a name for itself. By using fresh, local ingredients and a menu that changes on an almost daily basis (based on what’s fresh at the market that day), the Fireside has a lot to offer the casual diner and those more focused on detail. The Fireside claims to have the largest “by the glass” wine selection in Bellingham, none of which are served anywhere else in the area. Cocktails are based on in-house infusions of spirits and it’s a collection found only at Fireside. Beer options range from local to obscure to international.

The decor in Fireside is welcoming and intimate, with couches and armchairs throughout the lounge.

The Fork at Agate Bay Eclectic 2530 N. Shore Road, Bellingham 360.733.1126, theforkatagatebay.com

Pomegranate Lemon Drop

I

know what you’re thinking: what is that tutti-frutti gummy bear martini?

On the contrary, it’s actually a pomegranate lemon drop.

Tucked in the lettered streets sits The Fountain Bistro, a restaurant with a bar specializing in an array of lemon drop martinis. The expert bartenders use a house made citrus-infused vodka and combine it with the pomegranate juice and their own bitters. The magenta drink is shaken with ice and poured into a delicate glass rimmed with sugar and a slice of lemon.

The combination results in a cold, smooth libation offering a kick of moderate sweetness that seconds later will make you pucker.

102 NorthSoundLife.com

The great part about The Fountain this time of year is the outdoor patio fitted with high trellises covered in vines to keep out the hustle and bustle of Girard Street. The ambiance is gardenesque with twinkling lights strewn overhead, making it an ideal hideaway for a warmweather outing.

This summer, sit outside and sip on something original.  The Fountain Bistro 1910 Broadway St., Bellingham. thefountainbistro.com

As unassuming as they come, The Fork at Agate Bay is a quiet retreat of fine food and wine only a short drive down the east side of Lake Whatcom. Be careful not to be fooled by its quaint exterior; inside you’ll discover a surprisingly upscale atmosphere warmed by a welcoming and rustic charm. Opened in June 2009, it has gained recognition as one of Bellingham’s best restaurants, emerging as a favorite for food connoisseurs. From a simple yet elegant egg breakfast to wild-mushroomstuffed chicken, the menu is a delightful and modern take on the classics. With a full wine bar, an in-house baker and fresh, local ingredients, The Fork at Agate Bay provides a sophisticated twist on Northwest dining.

Il Caffe rifugio Italian 5415 Mount Baker Highway, Deming 360.592.2888, ilcafferifugio.com Richard Balogh has brought fine dining to the “wilderness.” Fifteen miles out on Mount Baker Highway, just past Deming, is a funky old café that has been transformed into an oasis for people who enjoy good food and coffee. Menu items befit their Italian name with panninis and frittatas for Saturday/ Sunday brunches; Cioppino is a summer dinner menu highlight. Dinner menu changes weekly, begging for a second trip. A small covered deck with colorful lanterns sits adjacent to the dining room for your al fresco pleasure. Just beyond, in a meadow, sits a red deck used as a stage, and is the centerpiece for special dinners under the stars.

Si p

DINE

San Juan Vineyards

by Zacchoreli Frescobaldi-Grimaldi

E

stablished in 1996, San Juan Vineyards is a Puget Sound American Viticultural Area winery destination for locals and tourists alike. The wine room, a renovated schoolhouse that was built in 1896, is an easy 10-minute drive from downtown Friday Harbor. The pastoral setting makes this winery a popular destination for oenophiles, tourists, weekend adventurers and party planners alike. San Juan Vineyards’ owner, Yvonne Swanberg, and winemaker Chris Primus also source warm climate grapes from several premier Central and Eastern Washington vineyards. Tucked within the rain shadow of the nearby Olympic Mountains, San Juan’s growing season of about 180 days is perfect for grapes common to Germany’s Rhine River Valley.

The 30-acre property includes a seven-acre vineyard of carefully cultivated and pampered Siegerrebe, a German varietal. Siegerrebe is a white grape developed in 1929 by viticulturist George Scheu. Rich creamy sauces will completely obliterate the delicate features of this exceptional low acid wine — so don’t even go there.

Riesling is a variety with an allure all its own. Few are blasé about

Riesling: one is either a fan or not. The 2013 Riesling will convince the blasé and convert the nonfan from their charlatan ways. Stone fruit and honey wash over the palate in a cascade of flavors one after the other: apricot, nectarine, raw honey and finally a lingering finish that loiters long after the first sip. At $14 the 2013 Riesling is an exceptional value.

The judicious use, or not, of oak is a difficult secret to hide. This is most apparent in the 2013 Chardonnay, which is well priced at $20 a bottle.

This wine is a lighter and brighter interpretation — due in large part to the complete absence of oak. Personally, I am a huge oaked Chardonnay fan, and yet, I find myself drawn to this fantastic wine like ants to a picnic basket. The convention is that oak is compulsory in production of a solid chardonnay; however, San Juan Vineyard is successfully challenging that notion.

On a sweltering summer day few libations are more satisfying than Rosé.

The 2013 Afterglow is a lovely dry wine that absolutely hits the mark.

And at $17 a bottle it is an exceptional value. Fermented in neutral oak barrels, this Rosé is a mélange of Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc,

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Afterglow is quite possibly the perfect sipping wine for those long hot summer afternoons.

Cabernet Franc is an indulgence one ought never to grow accustomed to. Of course there are those who may find it a tad too pretentious, but those folks are simply wine snobs. After 20 months in French Oak barrels,the 2010 Cabernet Franc is an exceptional treat.

And critics agree, awarding this wine a Double Gold Medal at the Seattle Wine Awards. Modestly priced at $25, the 297 cases won’t last long!

It doesn’t matter how you get to San Juan Island: fly, swim, sail boat, yacht or ferry. Once there, make sure that your excursions include a relaxing stop at San Juan Vineyards to sample a few wines, enjoy a glass of Afterglow on the deck, and buy a few bottles to remind you of your island holiday. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to observe how the carefully groomed vines thread along the horizontal trellis. Understanding the labor involved in creating exceptional wines often stimulates an appreciation for each luxurious sip. If you can’t make it to San Juan, you can always order your wines online by visiting sanjuanvineyards.com.  June | July 2014 103

A local favorite since 1973 found in historic Fairhaven district

Enjoy homecooked Mexican food and full service bar served in a relaxed atmosphere.

Join us for Happy Hour

7 days a week 3-6pm Appetizer Specials & Drinks

360-733-9900 1111 Harris Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225 HOURS: Sunday - Thursday: 11:30 am - 9:00 Friday & Saturday: 11:30 am - 9:30 pm Cantina - Open Late dospadres.net

Open for Breakfast and Lunch Outdoor Dining Patio with Views of the Marina.

Burgers, Fish and Chips and more!

At Squalicum Harbor

734 Coho Way, Bellingham

360.676.0512 104 NorthSoundLife.com

Il Granaio

By Dakota Mackey

A

nice helping of freshly made linguine twirls in a pool of light, sweet tomato broth.

Mussels, clams, scallops, sumptuous shrimp and calamari peak out from the heap. The bright sauce is packed with pure tomato flavor and flecked with herbs. The bread is best when dunked in the broth to bring out classic Italian flavors of garlic and olive oil.

Alberto Candivi has been serving this dish, linguini pescatore, since his restaurant first opened in 2001. Il Granaio, Mount Vernon’s treasured Italian eatery, booms with classic dishes Candivi grew up eating in his hometown, S. Colombano al Lambro outside Milan. After cooking in Italy and Scotland, he moved to California in 1984 to oversee the opening of Giorgio Armani’s first restaurant venture — yes, the Armani of the fashion world.

After realizing he would prefer to work for himself, Candivi was set on opening a restaurant of his own. He was attracted to Mount Vernon for its similarity to his hometown in Italy.

The high ceilings, beautiful dark wood flooring and dim lights will make you want to curl up with a glass of wine and perhaps a bowl of Coho salmon ravioli in a silky shrimp cream sauce.

Candivi’s wife, Jennifer Candivi, plays a huge role at the restaurant.

She hand-picks most of the wines and makes many of the desserts including the gelato and sorbet. Candivi said he

used to spend hundreds of dollars on store-bought gelato, but now his wife makes it in-house with a machine they bought from Italy.

“Gelato and pasta machines were my best investments,” he said.

Most of what is served is made completely from scratch including all of the pasta variations. Though Candivi admits owning a restaurant is a ton of work, he enjoys the independence of making his own decisions about his career.

“I’m here all the time,” he said.

“When you own a restaurant, you are married to it.”

Candivi reminisces about walking around in Italy with a pile of wild boar prosciutto in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.

“When people come to my restaurant, I want them to have a great experience, not just a great meal.”

Visit Il Granaio for a casual lunch or romantic dinner. You’ll see Candivi himself in the open kitchen cooking the pasta to a perfect al dente before swirling it in one of his many balanced, simple sauces. Between bites, you’ll swoon over the flavors lingering on your tongue and the words “Molto bene” will come to your lips — after all, this bite was very good.  Il Granaio 100 E. Montgomery St. Mount Vernon 360.419.0674

KEENAN’S AT THE PIER American/Seafood

Seven

804 10th St., Bellingham 360.392.5510, thechrysalisinn.com Keenan’s at the Pier is in Fairhaven’s Chrysalis Inn & Spa. With its stunning views, any seat in the restaurant is an excellent choice. Executive Chef Robert Holmes uses fresh ingredients that are regionally sourced, and the menu changes frequently. Happy hour runs from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees range from seafood to American favorites.

Try the garlic roasted chicken, halibut special or beer-battered fish and chips. The wine list offers a mix of imports and domestic wines that pair well with your meal. Reservations at this popular restaurant are not required, though highly recommended.

On Rice Thai 209 N. Samish Way, 2200 Rimland Drive, Bellingham, 1224 Harris Ave., Bellingham 360.714.9995 Ask any college student: On Rice is the place to go in Bellingham. With its affordable lunch specials and three locations around town, it’s easy to enjoy one of On Rice’s many flavorful Thai dishes. A classic Thai favorite, Pad Thai, is interpreted well here. It’s sweet, without being overpowering, and has just enough spice to balance the dish out. All dishes are available with chicken, pork, beef, seafood or tofu and can be made as spicy as you want them to be, between one and four stars.

GOOD Things

The following selections have made it past our taste bud test and into our top seven this issue. Step out and give them a try, you won’t be disappointed.

1

Walk to Mallard Ice Cream for their Rocky Road ice cream laced with almonds, brownie and mini marshmallows. mallardicecream.com

Scotty Browns North American Cuisine 3101 Newmarket St., Bellingham 360.306.8823, brownsrestaurantgroup.com/scottybrowns Scotty Browns offers an edgy, energetic ambiance, a varied menu of mainstream and upscale creations, and excellent drink options for all ages. Outdoor dining is a popular alternative during warmer weather. The selection of beer, wine and cocktails is broad enough to accommodate most any mood. If you are into martinis or cosmos, try the Mr. Pink. The name is a little unnerving to order if you are male, but worth the leap of faith. Some items on the menu, like appetizers, change seasonally, so you know you’ll never get bored. Casual to upscale dining options range from hamburgers, rice bowls and pastas to higher-end seafood and steaks.

The STEAK HOUSE AT SILVER REEF Steak/Seafood

2 3

Grab a slice from Gusto Wood Fired Pizza at the Saturday Bellingham Farmers Market to enjoy true Neapolitan pizza oozing with mozzarella. bellinghamfarmers.org

Not much else goes better with your morning drip than a flaky chocolate croissant from Mount Bakery. mountbakery.com

4876 Haxton Way, Ferndale 360.384.7070, silverreefcasino.com This award-winning restaurant offers elegant dining and an intimate atmosphere. Primegrade steaks are broiled at 1800-degree lock in the natural juices and finished with a special steak butter. This dining experiences rivals any of the big-town steak houses in quality and service without the big-city price tag.

4 5 6 7

The gelato from Chocolate Necessities is reminiscent of Italy, so try one of the many decadent flavors. chocolatenecessities.com

Taco Lobo is serving up huge platters of authentic Mexican food. Don’t miss out on their authentic tamales. tacolobowa.com

Brandywine Kitchen’s delicious and beautifully crafted Portobello mushroom sandwich is too good to pass up. brandywinekitchen.com

Temple Bar’s “everything plate” offers bites of fine charcuterie, cheese and tangy accompaniments alongside soft baguette. templebarbellingham.com

June | July 2014 105

Girls Night Out Fairhaven All proceeds benefit

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Friday June 27

Shop in Historic Fairhaven 12-7 pm Party at the Cruise Terminal 7-10 pm

Tickets $15 each or buy a VIP Table in advance!

Visit www.girlsnightoutfairhaven.com for more details

Around Town

E ve nt s

Family Friendly

Classical North Cascades Chamber Musicians: Piano Trios June 15, 2014, 3 p.m.

Page Smith, Artur Girsky, Kay Zavislak and Dan Sabo will perform a free concert in the lovely Rotunda Room in Old City Hall. Sponsored by The Amadeus Project.

Whatcom Museum 121 Prospect St., Bellingham 360.778.8939, whatcommuseum.org

of Me, which he performed at this year’s Grammys. Join in for a night of fun and amazing music, performed by the legend himself: John Legend.

Mount Baker Theatre 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.6080, mountbakertheatre.com

Steve Kindler June 28, 2014, 7:00 p.m.

Bellingham Festival of Music July 5-20, 2014

This is sure to be a great celebration of classical music. The Calidore String Quartet — Stefan Jack, Whitney Reader, Christina Smith and many more — will be performing pieces by Beethoven, Schubert and other favorites.

Western Washington University Performing Arts Center 516 High St., Bellingham 360.201.6621, bellinghamfestival.org

Concerts An Evening with John Legend: The “All of Me” Tour June 2, 2014, 8:00 p.m.

Nine-time Grammy winner John Legend has been gaining momentum since the beginning of his career, when R&B songstress Lauryn Hill first hired him to play piano on her debut album. In the last decade he has earned dozens of awards for hits like Ordinary People, Green Light, Tonight (Best You Ever Had), and his most recent smash hit All

T H E TOWN

The Mount Baker World Music festival presents violinist Steve Kindler. With jazz and classical roots, Kindler creates smooth improvisations that evoke world beats as well as familiar territory. A former member of John McLaughlin’s fusion band and the Honolulu Symphony, Kindler now resides in Hungary.

East Whatcom Regional Resource Center 8251 Kendall Rd., Maple Falls 360.599.1800, mountbakerworldmusicfestival.com

Joan Baez July 20, 2014, 8:00 p.m.

After nearly 60 years performing her custom blend of folk, rock, and gospel music, Joan Baez continues to deliver a captivating stage show. In 2007 she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, her influence on American culture and music deemed incalculable. Join in for a night of fun, music and magic!

Rapunzel: A Missoula Children’s Performance July 19, 2014, 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre comes to town every year with props, sets, costumes — everything you need to put on a play — except the cast. Children in grades 1-12 are taught acting and put on a production. This year, it’s Rapunzel. Be transported into a story that takes you on a frivolous frolic through the French countryside, where Rapunzel and all the rest of the characters tell a silly tale of personal triumph and friendship.

Mount Baker Theatre 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.6080, mountbakertheatre.com

Bellingham Railway Museum Speeder Rides May 31- August 30, 2014, 11:00 a.m. (every Saturday)

The Bellingham Railway Museum will be holding rides on our speeders (vintage track inspection vehicles). Ride along a 100 year-old span of track located at the intersection of Orchard Place and Orchard Drive (one block east of Meridian). The speeder vehicles are about the size of a small car and the trip is nearly a mile and a half round trip. Fun for the whole family!

Orchard Place W. Orchard Dr. and Orchard Pl., Bellingham 360.393.7540, bellinghamrailwaymuseum.org

Mount Baker Theatre 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.6080, mountbakertheatre.com

Have an event you’d like to see listed here?

Write us at info@klmediacorp.com

June | July 2014 107

Loggerodeo July 3-6th, 2014 Parade July 4th at 11 a.m.

Washington’s oldest 4th of July celebration, the Loggerodeo is a fun festival for all ages. Chainsaw carving, a beard contest, a rodeo, logging exhibitions, a footrace, a classic car show, a fireworks show, a carnival and live music are all part of the week-long logging festival.

Downtown Sedro-Woolley 360.770.8452, loggerodeo.com

Museum The Art of Genre: Posters From Hollywood’s Golden Age July 19, 2014

The Whatcom Museum is teaming up with the Pickford Film Center’s Michael Falter to showcase posters from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Get a blast from the past and learn about the history of Hollywood!

Whatcom Museum 121 Prospect St, Bellingham 360.778.8939, whatcommuseum.org 108 NorthSoundLife.com

RELOCATION: The Impact of World War II on the Skagit Valley April 17- June 29, 2014

Over 60 Japanese-American residents of Skagit County were removed from their homes and sent to ‘relocation’ camps during World War II. Re-live a small part of their experience in this compelling exhibit.

Skagit County Historical Museum 501 S. 4th St., La Conner 360.466.3365, skagitvalley.net

Dance Ballet: From Bach to Rock June 8, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

Ballet Bellingham is excited to offer a fun night of dance for audience members of all ages. Dancers from age 3 to adult perform original choreography created

by Artistic Director Jessica Crook and advanced students of the school. Pieces range from classical ballet variations to modern rock contemporary pieces and everything in between. This entertaining and energetic night of dance is sure to have you dancing in your seat. Fantastic

music, exciting choreography, and excellent dancing make this an evening not to be missed!

Mount Baker Theatre 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.6080, mountbakertheatre.com NW Ballet Theatre: Midsummer Night’s Dream June 5, 2014, 7:30 p.m.

The romantic antics of human and fairies play out on one magical midsummer night. With music by Felix Mendelssohn, Northwest Ballet Theater brings you a ballet that is witty, colorful, and hugely entertaining. Don’t miss this mischievous dance adaptation of Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece.

Mount Baker Theatre 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.6080, mountbakertheatre.com BFA Capstone Concert June 6-7, 2014, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Join as Western Washington University honors the work of their 2014 Bachelor of Fine Arts candidates in Dance. This special concert invites the community to share in the vision of our up-and-coming

graduating dance majors as they present their final projects before transitioning into the world of professional dance.

Western Washington University Performing Arts Center 516 High St. Bellingham 360.650.3876, wwu.edu/theatredance

Special Events Radical Repetition Print Party June 26, 2014, 5:30 pm

Design outside the box in this casual creative workshop. Learn to carve a simple relief image of a popular image or personal symbol, print a small edition on repurposed paper, and share your design with others in the workshop to create radical patterns. Open to adults - no prior experience needed.

Whatcom Museum 250 Flora St., Bellingham 360.778.8939, whatcommuseum.org

Samish Bay Bivalve Bash July 16, 2014, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

This annual event features games, contests, amazing fresh seafood, live music and more! Proceeds benefit the clean water efforts of the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance. Tickets are $5 per person and off-site parking is available.

Fun for the whole family!

Taylor Shellfish Farm 2182 Chuckanut Dr., Bow 206.612.2761, bivalvebash.com

June | July 2014 107

Skagit Valley Highland Games July 12th-13th 9:00 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

This festival attracts more than 10,000 people every year. Now in its 20th year, it’s a must-see for Celtic fans and friends.

Piping and drumming competitions, harp performances, Scottish Fiddle competitions, and, yes, lots of dancing. For grown-ups, there’s a beer garden and whiskey tent, and for kiddos a Celtic animal farm, games and more.

Edgewater Park, 600 Behrens Millet Road, Mount Vernon 888.416.4934, celticarts.org

Theater Opera Popolare: The Immortal Handel June 29, 2014, 3:00 p.m.

Opera Popolare and friends perform music by George Frederic Handel.

Soloists and ensembles will perform selections from Semele, Samson, and other Handel works directed by Rob Viens, music director for Opera Popolare.

Whatcom Museum 121 Prospect St, Bellingham 360.778.8939, whatcommuseum.org Funny Girl July 11, 2014, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Crops to cuisine Dinner Bellewood Acres has been running their fantastic Farm Bistro since they opened in their Meridian space a couple of years ago. They also have been hosting many year-round events, celebrating the beauty and importance of local agriculture. And now, they’re starting a new dinner series called Crops to Cuisine. The first dinner is on July 10th for what is sure to be a tasty event!

The story of Fanny Bricewho was one of the most celebrated entertainers of her time. Features favorite tunes like Don’t Rain on My Parade, People and You Are Woman, I Am Man. Whether you’ve known and loved her for years or are seeing her for the first time, this Funny Girl will steal your heart away.

Everett Performing Art Center 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett 425.257.8600, villagetheatre.org

Alice in Wonderland July 28, 2014, 10 a.m.

July 10, 6:30 p.m.

Bellewood Acres 6140 Guide Meridian between Bellingham and Lynden

Based on the classic by Lewis Carroll, join Alice as she slips down the rabbit hole and meets a cast of characters fit for a dream. A very strange dream.

Mount Baker Theatre 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.6080, mountbakertheatre.com

110 NorthSoundLife.com

The Pacific Showroom

TICKETS GOING FAST!

3-Time Grammy Winner/Country Singer-Songwriter

An Evening of Classic Country

Direct from Las Vegas

he MaC king Steve earle the John Conlee Show CtoMeDy MagiC Show

& the DukeS

Friday & Saturday, July 18 & 19 at 8 pm

Friday & Saturday, September 19 & 20 at 8 pm

Saturday, August 9 at 8 pm

Friday & Saturday, June 20 & 21 at 8 pm

Use Your Player-Bucks to buy Show Tickets!

Buy Show Tickets Service Charge Free at the Casino Box Office Get tickets at theskagit.com

WA: 800-745-3000

Get Your Daily Double!

Earn Player-Bucks and Cash-Back Points every time you play your favorite slots!

*

Owned by Upper Skagit Indian Tribe

*

Owned by Upper Skagit Indian Tribe

OVER

9 0 0 HOT SLO

TS!

Newly ReNovated!

On I-5 at Exit 236 • theskagit.com • 877-275-2448

Casino opens at 9 am daily. Must be 21 or older with valid ID to enter casino, buffet or attend shows. Management reserves all rights. *Must be a Rewards Club Member - Membership is Free! Sign up on your first visit. Skagit Player-Bucks are non transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.

BA

M I CH A EL PA L M ER, A RT I ST I C D I R EC TO R and THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS

2014 SEASON • �ULY 5 TH – 20 TH

Out of Town Seattle On the Run Tour: Beyoncé and JAY Z July 30, 2014, 8:00 p.m.

�ULY 5

Stefan Jackiw violin

�ULY 8 & 10 Calidore String Quartet

�ULY 12

Lisette Oropesa soprano

�ULY 16

Richard Goode piano

�ULY 18 & 20 Pablo Villegas guitar

Includes Major Works by Brahms, Elgar, Mozart, Prokofiev, and Schumann For tickets call (360) 650-6146 or go to bellinghamfestival.org/tickets

See the Queen B and JAY Z in concert together! Beyoncé will be performing songs from her latest album, titled Beyoncé as well as other songs alongside JAY Z. No word as to whether or not Solange will be opening.

Safeco Field 1250 1st Ave. S., Seattle beyonce.com

bellinghamfestival.org • facebook.com/bellingham.festival

Seattle Pride Parade June 29, 2014, 11 a.m.

Grab some rainbow flair and a tutu, it’s that time of year again. Pride will host its 40th Annual Pride Parade. Join in the parade or watch from the sidewalks, either way you’re in for a great time.

Remember: love is love.

4th Ave. and Union St., Seattle 206.322.9561, seattlepride.org

Vancouver Vancouver Craft Beer Week May 30-June 7, 2014

Are you a beer lover? Vancouver Craft Beer Week is a 9-day annual festival that showcases the best local and international craft-brewed beers, featuring events in 30 venues across the city.

Friends don’t let friends drink bad beer.

Alibi Room 157 Alexander St., Vancouver B.C 604.618.1963, vancouvercraftbeerweek.com 112 NorthSoundLife.com

The Sce ne

T H E TOWN

On March 1st, Assumption Catholic School hosted their “Growing Great Kids” auction and gala. Jeff Ziels was the auctioneer. The event was held at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club, and wine beer and appetizers were served.

© Photography by Jim Wright

N otes

F i nal Wo rd

Surviving Menopause

Ken puts his life at risk

By Ken karlberg

T

he 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 came the fireplace blazing 24/7 and extra comforters on the bed, all while the windows were wide open, and the loss of argument after argument on the marital front. The dots on the paper were starting to make sense. I am either off my game or I am going through menopause. Thanks to Google and womanshealth.gov, I now know the answer. I am officially emasculated for at least another year.

For you younger males out there, menopause is Greek for “stand well back,” and you may ask yourself when it is “your turn”: “What did I do to deserve this cruel fate?” The symptoms are apparently endless — migraines, mood swings, anxiety and depression, rapid heartbeat, memory loss, joint pain, breast tenderness or swelling, insomnia, and decreased libido to name but a few of the less irritating side effects. Believe me. Menopause is living hell, guys. Laundry and housework doesn’t get done. The sink is often full of dishes. Sometimes lunch and dinner is even late. Want a football snack at halftime? Forget about it. You will be forced to get up off the couch and fend for yourself. I know. I know. That wasn’t part of the “deal.”

And don’t expect any sympathy from other females. I tried every conceivable male ploy to no avail. If there was a crack in their ranks, I couldn’t find it. I may as well have been King Leonidas against Xerxes and the Persian Army at Thermopylae. I recognize a suicide mission when I see one.

If you want to experience sexual intimacy ever again — even after menopause — I strongly suggest you simply keep your mouth shut.

And why? What did we do?

Well, I did that sobering research, too, by stepping back and looking at life through the eyes of the women in my life.

The answer is “nothing.” I didn’t suffer through a lifetime of 114 NorthSoundLife.com

monthly cycles for the sake of procreation; I didn’t carry my children for nine months and then permanently alter my body to create life; I didn’t breastfeed in the middle of the night; and I didn’t sacrifice myself or my ambitions to the same extent to nurture the greatest gift of all — my family. Most everything in life that I hold dear, I owe to my wife and the mother of my daughters. Without them, I have nothing. I am nothing.

Some may say that menopause is an ironic reminder to be grateful. I suppose it is. But the reminder is needed and well deserved. Instead of grousing about a few extra pounds, graying hair, or worry wrinkles, I challenge myself to remember that those are wonderful badges of motherhood, not reason for criticism or tension in a relationship. I only have a family because the women in my life made sacrifices that I wonder if I could ever make if I was female. I shake my head in amazement. A mother’s capacity to love is a beautiful thing.

So as I run the gauntlet of menopause, I will pretend that I am at Disneyland on an E-ticket ride (yes, I am dating myself) and I promise to take my pound of flesh in humor. There will be a day of reckoning, dear. I may have to wait, but your time is coming. In my research, I learned that male menopause is real and I intend to milk the symptoms for all they are worth — like the urge to play golf to fight depression or the need to fly fish and smoke cigars to raise testosterone levels.

Two can play this game.

Until then, however, I take this moment to thank all of you ladies out there on behalf of the male gender. We may not always show our gratefulness, but we are — especially if you pop us on the nose as a reminder. There’s nothing wrong with a nose reminder from time to time. Frankly, we expect it.

A belated Happy Mother’s Day to all moms out there.

You rock. 

TAKE THE TUNNEL TO 1,000 CONVENIENT PARKING SPACES AT THE SOUTH ENTRANCE!

THE YARDBIRDS Performing Their Hits: “For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” “Shapes of Things” and More!

SAT JUNE 21 ST Tickets Starting At $24 .50

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR Featuring The Turtles, Chuck Negron (formerly of Three Dog Night), Mark Farner (formerly of Grand Funk Railroad), Gary Lewis & The Playboys, and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels.

BUY TICKETS TH

SilverReefCasino.com

WED JULY 9

Tickets Starting At $39 .50

THE BEACH BOYS Performing Their Hits: BUY TICKETS SilverReefCasino.com “I Get Around,” “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “California Girls” and More!

SUN AUG 31 ST Tickets Starting At $74 .50

BUY TICKETS UPCOMING

SilverReefCasino.com

EVENTS

8 TH Annual Car Show • AUG 31 ST

BUY TICKETS

SilverReefCasino.com

24/7 ACTION

EXPERIENCEEVERYTHING

S i l v e r R e e f C a s i n o. c o m • ( 8 6 6 ) 3 8 3 - 0 7 7 7 I-5 Exit 260 • 4 Min. West • Haxton Way at Slater Road Events subject to change without notice. Must be 21 or over to play. Management reserves all rights. ©2014 Silver Reef Casino

The oldest, largest, and BEST tours since 1962!

Spend a day aboard the “Island Caper” cruising the beautiful San Juan Islands. Learn from our onboard naturalists as they narrate San Juan Islands history, geology, weather, tides, botany, marine mammals bald eagles, seabirds and more!

Join us for our summer

ISLAND

MARINER WHALE WATCHING CRUISES

BEER AND BRATS

evening cruises on Bellingham Bay, featuring Kulshan Beer & Hempler Brats.

Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

July thru September Ask about our museum history trips!

Reserve your tickets NOW! 1-877-734-8866 | 360-734-8866 | orcawatch.com