Best Of the North West
OCTOBER 2017
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OCTOBER 2017
CONTENTS
LIFESTYLE
Best Of the North West We have winners — gold, silver and bronze — in our wildly popular annual contest to pick the best the North Sound has to offer. This year, readers voted in record numbers to determine their favorites in Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties. Our most-ever 125 categories included everything from Best Boutique to Best Brewery to Best Italian Restaurant to, yes, Best Place to Meet Singles
19
Inn at Lynden
20
By The Numbers
21
Lasting Image
22
Calendar
25
Community Bellingham Voices
26
In the Know Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms Tour
29
Wonder Couple Ray and Keely Deck
30
In the Know Atwood Ales
31
Book Reviews
31
Who Knew?
32
Spotlight Joe Treat
33
In the Know Fairhaven Art Walk
34
Five Faves Fall Frights, Farms
SHOP 37
Halloween Thrift Stores
40
Necessities Halloween
41
Around the Sound Goorin Bros.
42
Savvy Shopper Bunnies By the Bay
WELLBEING 45
Nutrition Veggie-and-Bean Tortillas
47
Beauty Halloween Makeup
FEATURES
51
51
Best of the Northwest
98
Racism, Bigotry, and a Mother’s Love
Values matter. Your investments should reflect that.
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October 2017
5
Outstanding Customer Service
of the
2016
BEST
NORTH
WEST
ZE
BRON
“ My experience at Northwest Honda was a great one! They showed me cars in the price range, make and model I requested, no pressure at all to look at anything else. Wonderful sales people, everyone was very professional and super friendly. Why would I go anywhere else after my experience today!!� Mahalo plenty.. Sterling and Sam
Explore the Civic Family
Featuring a dramatically redesigned exterior and packed with new technology, the all-new 2017 Civic Coupe is
leading the charge for the next generation. Visit our showroom to see which Civic fits your life and your style.
2010 Iowa Street Bellingham, WA 360.676.2277 | northwesthonda.com
RACISM, BIGOTRY, AND A MOTHER’S LOVE HABITAT 105
Featured Home Birch Bay Mansion
112
Remodel Anacortes Garden
This summer, a Southern city erupted in a deadly riot over the removal of a Confederate statue. It was Charlottesville, Va., but it could have been just about anywhere. The deepening racial divide that came to a boil there has its roots in our nation’s history—and yes, even here in the North Sound. What did Charlottesville reveal about us, and where do we go from here?
DINE 115
The Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill
117
Dining Guide
120
Sip Structure Cellars
123
Review Third Street Cafe
124 Mixing Tin Bayou on Bay’s The Refresher 127
8 Great Tastes
AGENDA 129
Featured Event Evil Dead: The Musical
133
Out of Town
135 The Scene Summer of Love Fundraiser
NOTES 10
Editor’s Letter
12
Contributors
15
Letters to the Editor
16
Meet the Staffer Gabby Roppo
136
Final Word
98
October 2017
7
NOTES On the Web
Be sure to check us out at:
northsoundlife.com Submit your events on our calendar! Do you have an event that you would like our readers to know about? NorthSoundLife.com offers an events calendar where viewers can search by day, venue, event type, or city. Go to northsoundlife.com/events and submit your event today. Once your event has been approved by our editorial staff, it is live.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE You’re in downtown Seattle, but need a respite from the hustle and bustle of Pike Place Market and other tourist magnets. We have just the place, only a couple blocks away: The Bookstore Bar & CafÊ. Besides a topnotch bar that includes first-rate Scotch selections, it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including sourdough pancakes with apple-cider syrup, an openfaced charcuterie sandwich and the flavorful Bookstore Burger. Oh, and there are books, too.
Join us on
NSLife Fashion
8 NorthSoundLife.com
for:
NSLife Halloween
NSLife Furry Friends
Previous digital editions now available online.
pinterest.com/northsoundlife
NSLife DIY Fall Decor
Weekend VIBRATIONS
]
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NOTES Editor’s Letter
Y
ou, the readers, have spoken. The Best of the Northwest issue, referred to in our magazine office as BONW, is huge. You are holding in your hands a 136page issue that not only speaks to the places that you like and frequent, but your passion for all things local. Bellingham Alive covers the North Sound’s three-county area: Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties, and time and again one message rings loud and clear — you love this publication’s emphasis on local: people, businesses, and events. BONW underscores that message. Now in its eighth year, the contest has taken on a life of its own. It has become a monster. Consider the numbers: Last year, you readers cast a total of 114,647 votes. Certainly nothing to sneeze at. This year, the sneeze turned into a wind tunnel — votes more than quadrupled, to 522,217. Half a million votes. I half expected to see smoke curling from our computer server. Sure, we had more categories than in 2016 — 125 compared to 100. But that doesn’t begin to explain the difference in your participation. In the month of July, when the contest had begun in earnest, our website recorded more than 45,419 unique visitors, compared to 21,061 last year. Our publisher, Lisa Karlberg, has become accustomed to this every July. “Our website blows up the minute we launch our contest,” she says. She started BONW the year after founding the magazine, in the middle of the 2009 recession, “when everyone was struggling. (Now) the businesses get a huge push. They know that when they win they get a huge
influx of business on the back end of the contest.” Last year’s highest overall vote-getter, Village Books, more than doubled their total from 2016, receiving 5,282 votes in repeating as winner of the Best Bookstore category. But that wasn’t enough to win the honor of overall votegetter this year. That goes to 2020 Solutions. In winning the Best Cannabis category, it got the most votes of any BONW business in 2017 — 7,187. (We’re not reading anything into this, mind you, except perhaps some of you really enjoy a good book in an elevated state.) You also showed a sense of humor and some creativity in casting your votes. For Best IT Service Provider, someone put “My neighbor’s free Wi-Fi.” Best Photography? “The iPhone 7.” Best Gym: “The Great Outdoors.” Best Date Night: “Saturday.” Write-in votes for “Best Cannabis” revealed a difference of opinion: “No such thing” and “Any of them.” Best Women’s Clothing: “Thong.” Best Private School: “Public School.” And my favorite, Best Kids Birthday Party: “Anywhere but my house.” Then, in the Best Place to Meet Singles category, a plea: “When you figure it out, please share.” In any case, thanks for voting and sharing your opinions, passions, and suggestions for the businesses in this wonderful NW corner of the state where we live. BONW wouldn’t be much if not for all of you who participated. And a couple of reminders: 1. Check our website for the annual BONW party to celebrate winners on Oct. 6; and 2. Fewer than 10 months remain until voting begins for BONW 2018. — Meri-Jo Borzilleri
10 NorthSoundLife.com
NOTES Contributors
IMAGINE YOUR AD HERE!
Ken Karlberg Ken returned home to Bellingham with his wife, Lisa, in 2008. When Ken isn’t practicing law, fitness training, or making the staff laugh, he writes the Final Word, a column of humor and introspection, in every issue of the magazine. An accomplished trial attorney, Ken graduated cum laude with a double major from Occidental College, with honors in history and an Award of Distinction in economics, and from Vanderbilt School of Law. p. 98
Zacchoreli Frescobaldi-Grimaldi
Featured Homes
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It’s In The Details Lake Samish Garden
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. p. 115
Guide Style
to
in the North Sound
Inner Beauty
Ilona Orsborn
Ski to Sea
Mount Baker Theatre at 90
Based in Mount Vernon, Ilona is a self-taught freelance makeup artist specializing in full-glam makeup looks. For five years, she has been working from her home studio or travelling to her clients for events ranging from weddings to senior pictures to costume makeup. Ilona provides celebrity-quality makeup to make you look your absolute best at affordable prices. When she isn’t dolling up clients, Ilona is the mom to two little boys, and is also a student at SVC. She enjoys camping and spending time with those closest to her. Ilona’s work can be found at ilonaorsbornmua.com on Instagram @ ilonaorsbornmua. p. 47
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12 NorthSoundLife.com
A third-generation baker and professionally trained pastry chef from Los Angeles, Calif., 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 catering company, Twofiftyflora. p. 45
to where you live. British Columbia Wine Tour
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NEIGHBORHOODS
WE L
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VE
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PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Lisa Karlberg EDITOR IN CHIEF Meri-Jo Borzilleri ART DIRECTOR Dean Davidson STAFF WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Kate Galambos | Catherine Torres
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Babette Vickers | Dominic Ippolito Melissa Sturman | Kristy Gessner
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Mariah Currey
WRITERS Emily Bylin | Dan Radil
CONTRIBUTORS Zacchoreli Frescobaldi-Grimaldi Ken Karlberg | Arlené Mantha Laurie Mullarky | Ilona Orsborn
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Robert Dudzik | Ben Johnson | McKenna Kloes Mikayla Nicholson | Kaylin Stiefer
GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSISTANTS JennyMae Quesada-Nichols
OFFICE MANAGEMENT Jenn Bachtel
MARKETING ASSISTANT Gabby Roppo
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14 NorthSoundLife.com
Letters to the Editor
NOTES
Locker Story a QB Keeper
British Columbia Wine Tour
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Bellingham Alive welcomes comments and feedback for our Letters to the Editor section. We’d love to hear what you have to say and are open to story ideas about the people, places, and happenings in the North Sound (Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan counties). Let us know what you like, and what you’d like to see in the magazine! Contact editor Meri-Jo Borzilleri at meri_jo@northsoundlife.com.
We always love to receive our copy of Bellingham Alive. We read every bit of it and then place it in the parlor for our guests to enjoy. Many of our customers are either on the way to or from the greater Bellingham area while visiting our inn on Lopez Island in the San Juans. Please thank Ben Johnson for the great article on QB Jake Locker. With so many of our prime athletes reaching the pinnacle of success in their sport only to find a void that needs to be filled, and trying to fill it with ways that end up being destructive, it is so refreshing for us and encouraging for young people to hear a testimony of success. We love learning of places to eat, recipes to try at our own establishment, and insights into the lives of our “neighbors.” It’s amazing how much good you can get into one issue! Thanks again.
Seahawks, Baby! Go Seahawks! As a fan, I was delighted to see the latest issue highlighting local and pro sports. The Fan Etiquette and In Hostile Territory were right up my alley and the overall story was informative and fun. Jeff K., Mt. Vernon
B.C. Wineries I am a big fan of wine tasting and I never knew there were so many options right across the border. I live in Lynden and this is so great to know. Thank you for introducing me to these and keep up the great work with Bellingham Alive. I have been a subscriber for five years and love every issue. Kendra V., Lynden
Robin B., Lopez Island
of the
2017
BEST
NORTH
WEST
GOLD
BEST CORPORATE MEETING SPACE
October 2017
15
NOTES Meet the Staffer Every issue we introduce you to a staff member at Bellingham Alive.
What is your role at the magazine and how long have you been with K&L Media? I started as the marketing and PR intern in May and just began my role as the magazine’s marketing assistant this August. I help increase and spread our digital presence, assist with internal and external event promotion, and I write a little, too!
What is your background? My passion for both writing and helping others pushed me toward obtaining a degree in journalism. I recently graduated from Western Washington University having majored in public relations and minored in women’s studies.
Gabby Roppo
What is your favorite part of working for a regional lifestyle magazine? You have to be interested in what you’re producing, otherwise it’s going to be lifeless. I love innovative, entertaining, and diverse reads, and Bellingham Alive publishes exactly that. The content that we create makes my job so much easier because I’m eager to begin sharing it with our region!
What are some of your hobbies and interests? I love binge-watching competitive cooking shows, spending time with my closest people, and attempting to make somewhat edible meals. I’m hoping to pick up a new skill in the coming months; maybe something like piano or calligraphy.
16 NorthSoundLife.com
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LIFESTYLE In The Know · Calendar · Spotlight Artist · 5 Faves
Renewed History In Store For Lynden Inn at Lynden WRITTEN BY MERI-JO BORZILLERI
© Lee Eberhardt
D
owntown Lynden’s renaissance began with a fire. The 2008 blaze, sparked by two teenagers, gutted the historic Lynden Department Store building, the two-story, century-old centerpiece of Front Street, and the city itself. Nine years later, Lynden’s downtown, with the LDS building as anchor, appears reborn. On a day in late August, the newly christened Waples Mercentile Building, on the corner of Front and Fifth streets, is buzzing with guests in its new hotel, The Inn at Lynden. Outside, every patio table of the building’s ground-floor restaurant, Avenue Bread, is occupied. People are shopping at Drizzle, the olive oil and vinegar tasting room, and Village Books. Around the corner, craft beer house Overflow Taps is getting ready for afternoon customers, and the Bellingham Baby Company’s doors are open for business. … continued on page 24
LIFESTYLE By the Numbers
103
Age of the recently renovated Waples Mercantile Building in Lynden, p. 19
A year of a family tragedy that spurred the start of La Conner shop Bunnies By The Bay, p. 42
We choose to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our members and our community. Thank you for choosing us -for the last three years and for generations to come.
of the
2016
BEST
NORTH
WEST
30
Minutes to toss together a great veggie-and-beans tortilla dinner for four (plus dogs), p. 45
522,217 Total votes in this year’s Best of the Northwest contest, p. 51
2
nd
Place won by Bellingham’s Susan Harrison in an international landscape design competition, p. 112
GOLD
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1983
9
$ 99 Price for a full steak dinner, including sides, at The Bullpen in SedroWoolley, p. 115
LIFESTYLE
Lasting Image
“My friends, whoever has had experience of evils knows how whenever a flood of ills comes upon mortals, a man fears everything; but whenever a divine force cheers on our voyage, then we believe that the same fate will always blow fair.� AESCHYLUS
October 2017 21
LIFESTYLE Calendar
OCTOBER O C TO B E R
1
O C TO B E R
Friday the 13th Limelight Cinema, Bellingham pickfordfilmcenter.org
Orcas Island Farm Tour Orcas Island orcasfarmtour.eventbrite.com
O C TO B E R
O C TO B E R
October Fly Day — Air War Korea Heritage Flight Museum, Burlington goskagit.com
Friday Harbor Fall Farm Parade Friday Harbor visitsanjuans.com
21
© Anne Sheridan
7
13
O C TO B E R
O C TO B E R
7
Stigma Stomp 5k Run/Walk Bloedel Donovan Park, Bellingham namiwhatcom.org
Ferndale Pumpkin People Ferndale ferndale-chamber.com
23–30
O C TO B E R
8
Annual Whatcom County Buddy Walk Depot Market Square, Bellingham arcwhatcom.org
O C TO B E R
Trick-Or-Treat Downtown Bellingham downtownbellingham.com
22 NorthSoundLife.com
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Special Advertising
LIFESTYLE
These individual preferences are generally acquired while the resident is still a patient in the hospital, during a regular introductory visit by one of Shuksan’s staffers.
Ice cream sandwich, anyone? WRITTEN BY TINA L KIES
T
here’s this thing that happens at Shuksan Healthcare Center, a 52bed short-term rehabilitation center in Bellingham. It’s called an ice cream sandwich. Symbolic of Shuksan’s desire to treat the whole person, not just the ailment, an ice cream sandwich, per se, is provided to each one of its rehab residents upon admission. Each sandwich is an experience and is personalized to the resident; their hobbies, taste buds and immediate needs. And, just like each of Shuksan’s residents, each sandwich is unique. The back story on how this came into fruition is endearing… and some might even say sweet (yes, like the ice cream). It all started with Shuksan’s owner, Jim Roe, who also happens to own three sister facilities in Anacortes. His father had been hospitalized and required therapy prior to going home. His options were made easy since his son, Jim, owned the only two skilled nursing facilities in town; Fidalgo Rehabilitation Center and San Juan Rehabilitation Center. Jim was confident that his father would receive quality care, just as his residents always did, but he was feeling a little anxious. Knowing his father and knowing that the transition from hospital
to nursing home wouldn’t be the easiest to endure, physically or emotionally, he wanted to add something positive to the arrival experience; something of comfort. Jim’s father was a fan of the Seattle Mariners and, luckily, there just so happened to be a game on that afternoon. Prior to his father’s arrival, Jim made sure that the television in his father’s room was on, set to the Mariners game. This proved a successful move, as later told by his father, it made him feel a little more at home to have the familiarity of the game on in the background. Additionally, Jim knew that his father loved ice cream sandwiches. Once he was settled in his room, Jim presented him with the biggest ice cream sandwich he could find. The smile on his father’s face said it all, as did the empty wrapper! It was then that the ice cream sandwich experience, as we know it, began. Jim’s efforts proved that small gestures can make a big difference, especially when they are done genuinely and with love. “When you choose Shuksan,
we will choose you back.” ~Shannon Richardson
In preparation for every new resident’s arrival, rooms are adorned with individualized ice cream sandwich experiences. We’ve seen stuffed animals, fresh flowers, magazines, locally farmed produce, and yes, sometimes even a literal ice cream sandwich.
“Our entire staff has embraced the ice cream sandwich experience,” said Shannon Richardson, Administrator, Shuksan Healthcare Center. “Not only is it a genuine way to learn about our residents before they even enter our doors, it provides such a warm and personalized welcome during a vulnerable time for them. That is our hope, anyway.” There may come a time in your life when you or a loved one require healthcare assistance. When this time comes, you’ll be forced to take a hard look at your life, your financial means and your entrusted circle of loved ones who will quite possibly take on a new role, as caregiver. What does that picture look like for you? “Our standpoint is simple, when you choose Shuksan, you choose to be treated like an individual, not just a patient,” continued Richardson. “When you choose Shuksan, we will choose you back.” Compassion flows freely at Shuksan; a care philosophy that is not only emphasized by its owner, but demonstrated by all. The ice cream sandwich experiences are just one unique way of showing it.
Shuksan Healthcare Center www.shuksanhealthcare.com 360-733-9161
The remodel was finished in 2015. Inside, you can run your hands — and feet — over history. Salvaged original 2×6 fir floorboards, set on edge, comprise much of the retail and hotel flooring. Bygone-era columns and massive beams of oldgrowth Douglas fir provide the framework for the $6 million remodeling project. The ground floor’s open design links shops with the inn’s lobby. Customers can order a sandwich, roam through the bookstore, buy infused olive oil and check into the hotel without ever opening a door. The inn is warm, bright, and modern, with 35 rooms of distinct sizes and layouts. Nearly every room features century-old beams or a wall with original brick or concrete. Thoughtful touches are everywhere: hallway ice is available in bags rather than noisy buckets, furniture and bedding are locally sourced, a rotating exhibit of art from the city’s new Jansen Art Center adorns the walls. The lobby hosts a row of new cruiser bicycles you can borrow. Harder-core cyclists will find secure storage for their bikes. Locals treat the building as an area attraction, bringing their out-of-town guests to take a look. “They all know the history and the story,” said Deb. “It’s not, ‘Look what they’ve done.’ It’s ‘Look at what we’ve got.’ It just kind of makes you smile.” Corner of Front and Fifth streets, Lynden 360.746.8597 | innatlynden.com
24 NorthSoundLife.com
Top, Bottom © Jim Krause | Middle © Diane Padys
… “When this building burned, you could feel the whole town deflate,” said Gaye Davis, between helping customers at Village Books, one of several Bellingham businesses to expand to Lynden. Now, “it’s woken up. It’s alive. It’s so exciting to be here.” Residents are beaming because a piece of their personal history has new life. Former Bellingham department store clerk Billy Waples went on to become one of Lynden’s founding fathers and favorite figures. He started the Lynden Department Store, moving into the new building in 1914, where the business remained through Waples’ retirement in 1960. The store eventually closed, and while the building was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011, subsequent tenants never did as well. The department store was where people bought their groceries, clothes, school supplies, cattle feed, farm equipment and bridles for horses, among hundreds of other things. Waples made the famed department store the town’s social hub. Waples would also hold huge community suppers at the store to get folks together. Davis, a Lynden native, has a little-kid memory of a floor grate that blew hot air into the store. On cold days, she’d beg her mom to take her to stand on the grate to get warm. Grown women would visit for Marilyn-Monroe moments, then run away screaming and giggling. In more innocent (and less medically-informed) days, the shoe store had an X-ray machine imbedded in the floor, said inn co-owner Deb McClure, for the novelty of seeing a skeleton of your feet. “They just all get a glint in their eye when they talk about it,” said McClure of residents. “I felt like we got to know the building vicariously from them.” After the fire, in 2008, McClure and her developer husband, Jeff, of Bellingham’s RMC Architects, and others bought the building. The McClures currently co-own it with Ferndale’s Teri and Matt Treat. When touring the burned-out shell, Jeff McClure saw “this incredible structure, the healthy timber structure that was so prevalent in this building in its day, the early 1900s,” along with its heavyweight concrete walls, said Jeff. Plus, “we also knew how much this building meant to the history of Lynden…If we had torn the structure down, a lot of that history, at least the tangible (remains) of that history, would be lost.”
Community
LIFESTYLE
APPS WE L VE All Trails AllTrails, Inc.
© Dal Neitzel
Have access to dozens of trails to hike this fall at the touch of your fingertips. With the leaves changing colors and the rivers filling back up, the Pacific Northwest is perfect for exploring. Trails are clear of summer thrillseekers, so use the All Trails app to get you in the beautiful, crisp wilderness again.
Cable Show Highlights Community Doers Bellingham Voices WRITTEN BY KATE GALAMBOS
F
or the last 2 ½ years, Marie Marchand has done her part to raise up voices from the greater Bellingham community. As host and co-producer of BTV’s Bellingham Voices, a show aired on the city’s public-access station, Marchand’s mission is to grow her audience’s appreciation for Bellingham local government, nonprofits, and community leadership. While Marchand envisioned the show to spotlight city council members wanting to discuss their opinions, goals, and legislation, Bellingham Voices now encompasses all sorts of local leaders. One of Marchand’s favorite episodes featured local artist, Mira Kamada, whose paintings were on display in city hall, where Marchand works. Ideas for guests often come to Marchand this way, naturally, she said. Marchand, whose co-producers include Dal Neitzel and D.J. Brown, has free rein on interview questions and topics.
“I never have a shortage of people to interview. As an ordinary citizen, I must have the same questions as a lot of our community,” said Marchand, a legislative assistant for Bellingham’s city council. The show is a venue to build further understanding for issues people may not know about or want to discuss, she said. Marchand’s September episode centered on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and discussion on mental health stigmas and stereotypes. “We are putting faces to issues that receive less attention than they should,” she said. Marchand said she encourages people to reach out to her with suggestions for future guests. Bellingham Voices is all about acting as a platform for social justice and social issues, Marchand said. The power of the camera is vital to finding solutions to today’s problems and refusing to ignore the trauma of those of the past. October’s episode will host Dr. Sandra Alfers, founder of The Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity at Western Washington University. Viewers can watch the monthly episodes of Bellingham Voices on BTV (Comcast Channel 10 in standard definition, Channel 321 in high definition) or online on the City of Bellingham’s official YouTube channel. 625 Halleck St., Bellingham 360.778.8202 | cob.org
Starbucks Starbucks Coffee Company Before you head out on your hiking trip, use the Starbucks app to order your pumpkin spice latte to go. Simply log in, choose your pick-up location, order your drink and prepay. Skip the line so you can get on the trails even faster this fall.
Airbnb Airbnb, Inc. If you prefer to take in fall’s beautiful scenery inside but you’re looking for a change of scenery yourself, consider booking a weekend trip with Airbnb. The app works similar to hotel websites, but you get to stay in unique homes in whatever city you choose! See flaming leaves from your bedroom window rather than a hotel room.
Tasty BuzzFeed Use Tasty to get some fall baking or cooking done whether it be in the comfort of your own home, or on your vacation with Airbnb. You’ll have access to dozens of great recipes all about pumpkin spice, to hearty soups and casseroles. Fall is the perfect time to heat the oven back up after steering clear of it this summer.
October 2017 25
LIFESTYLE In the Know
Farms Tour: Cows. Alpacas. Sea Urchins? Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms WRITTEN BY MERI-JO BORZILLERI PHOTOS COURTESY OF SKAGIT VALLEY FESTIVAL OF FAMILY FARMS
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f you’ve ever wondered just how does that food get from farm to table, or if you simply want to channel your inner Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Oct. 7 and 8 Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms can help. It’s held during harvest season, but there’s more than gathering going on. Activities range from educational exhibits to markets to gardening demonstrations to the chance for kids to pet farm animals and run through a corn maze. (And we haven’t even gotten to the free samples.) But the star of the show are the farms themselves: living, breathing examples of civilization’s first family-run businesses. The festival, now run as a non-profit in its 19th year, is actually a celebratory tour of a select number of farms, where the public can get a taste (sometimes literally) of the farm experience. The festival’s mission is to promote not only the agriculture of the Skagit Valley, located in the sweet spot between hip metropolises — one hour north of Seattle and south of Vancouver, B.C. — but also to strengthen the link between farmers and the communities surrounding them. That these are family farms only adds to the interest — the next time your child bristles at taking out the garbage, you can point out that chore would be considered a picnic to a farm kid who has to, say, milk cows or muck out the horses’ stalls before school. 26 NorthSoundLife.com
That said, many of these farms aren’t conventional ones. There’s a winery and orchard, a creamery and cattle (beef) ranch. Highlighted activities include waterfront farm Taylor Shellfish’s touch tank, with sea urchins and sea cucumbers, and the chance to see how oysters grow. You can watch South Fork Farms’ pettable alpacas get halter-trained, and the chance to work fiber into yarn; or check out Hedlin Family Farm’s tomato greenhouse tour. All fun, but an education, too. “You can see the evolution of small farming in a community,” said Tricia Plymale, festival executive director, who grew up on a farm herself, “and what needs to happen for that business to keep on growing and expanding.”
IF YOU GO What: 19th annual Festival of Family Farms When: Oct. 7–8 Host farms:
Bow — Taylor Shellfish, 2182 Chuckanut Dr.; Golden Glen Creamery, 15098 Field Rd.; Bow Hill Blueberries, 15628 Bow Hill Rd.
Concrete — Double O Ranch, 46276 Concrete Sauk Valley Rd.
La Conner — Hedlin Family Farm, 12052 Chillberg Rd.
Mount Vernon — Gordon Skagit Farms, 15598 McLean Rd.; Schuh Farms, 15565 St. Rte. 536; RoozenGaarde, 15867 Beaver Marsh Rd.; South Fork Farms, 19115 Dike Rd.
Rockport — Cascadian Farm, 55931 St. Rte. 20
Sedro-Woolley — Hemlock Highlands, 8110 Sims Rd.; Eagle Haven Winery/Perkins Apple Orchard, 8243 Sims Rd.
Cost: Admission and parking are free, but donations are encouraged. The festival is dependent on support and donations. More info: festivaloffamilyfarms.com
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Wonder Couple
Helping Kids in Need Ray and Keely Deck, Skookum House WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY MCKENNA KLOES
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pstairs are rooms bathed in natural light from the windows, complete with colorfully quilted beds and bins of every sort of toy from soft dolls to plastic trucks. Downstairs is a welcoming kitchen table, wood worn from many little hands, clumsily participating in meals and craft times. There at the doorway to welcome visitors, volunteers, social workers, and most importantly, children, are Ray and Keely Deck. The Decks are dedicated foster parents and social entrepreneurs who are passionate about repairing the foster care system. Ray founded Skookum Kids in 2015 as a non-profit organization that equips those already involved in foster care and educates those who are not. The Skookum House is one major aspect of the organization. The warmly welcoming facility cares for children entering or transitioning in the foster care system. Ray and Keely, along with their staff and over 100 volunteers, are sure to have games, toys, and gifts for each child that walks through the door as their case managers work on finding a more permanent placement. According to Ray Deck, before Skookum came along, the two main ways of participating in the foster care system were to donate pajamas to the mattress company, or become a foster parent, a commitment the Deck’s have found can be
LIFESTYLE
extremely frightening for people because of its misunderstood nature and undefined commitment length. “You go from zero or sixty with nothing in between. Skookum Kids is all the steps in between. You can come volunteer, which is not an insignificant commitment, but it’s not so immersive as foster care. It’s kind of an intermediate step. Folks can have a meaningful impact in a way that’s safe and contained,” Ray said. Ray acts as the founding director of Skookum, while Keely spends the days raising their own son, Lincoln, fostering other children in their home, and lending significant support to the Deck’s second endeavor, Perch and Play. Perch and Play was an already existing business that Skookum purchased in January to use as a hub for parents to relax and chat with one another in the café while their children are entertained by the indoor playground. “The business needed some attention and love, and I have some of the skills that are required, but there were all kinds of things it needed that Keely was much better at than me,” Ray said. The menu, in particular, has been a big project for Keely. In August, the café released a brand new menu, complete with salads, sweet treats, and an apparently much improved pizza crust recipe that Keely worked on for weeks. “It’s a fun way to help Skookum that I’m able to do even with a baby on my back,” she said. As effective as they are in their individual roles, this power couple truly embodies what it means to work as a team. “Keely never fails to demonstrate the appropriate amount of appreciation, concern, and thought. It doesn’t matter if she’s working on a new pizza recipe or changing a diaper, she’s applying the same degree of care. If I’m away for a few days, and then come back, it’s often striking how thoughtfully and carefully things are done in her orbit and I think, ‘Oh right, that’s what I want to be like,’” Ray said. Likewise, Keely admires Ray’s determined spirit and encouraging attitude toward herself, and the rest of their team. “One of the things that makes Ray a great leader is that he’s extremely skilled in empowering people and noticing what they’re good at. That plays out in Skookum, in our marriage and in fostering,” Keely said. The Decks highly encourage the community to get involved in whatever way they are able, whether that’s taking a volunteer shift at the Skookum House, or taking the dive to become a foster parent. “A lot of people think foster parents have some special ability or super human patience or something like that. All it takes is a willingness to try and stick in it,” Ray said. Channeling the steadfast passion and dedication this power couple displays certainly doesn’t hurt, either. To learn more about Skookum Kids and to find out ways to volunteer or donate, visit their website. 360.353.4781 | skookumkids.org
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LIFESTYLE In the Know
Small Brewery, Large Taste Atwood Ales WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY ROBERT DUDZIK
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ith a yank, the doors of the old barn are pulled open, revealing a network of interconnected piping, flashing lights and chromed steel woven between ancient boards. With only two barrels of small-batch brew coming from the century-old barn turned brew-station, Atwood Ales’ beer is too compelling to overlook, even in the North Sound’s suds-saturated craft beer market. Trading quantity for quality and larger depths in flavor, Atwood Ales places small batch Saison- and Bier De Gardestyle beer in front of their customers. These beer styles originate from southern Belgium’s Wallonia region, where farmhouse brewing flourished out of necessity. After falling in love with beer and the science behind it in college, and while home-brewing and working odd jobs to get by, head brewer Josh Smith returned to his family farm in Blaine with the idea of creating a farmhouse brewery with his father. Smith wanted to bring value back into the farm and revitalize it, making sure the farm would stay in the family for years to come. Little did he know that he and his wife’s extended family would quickly become valuable members of his brewing team. “After I went to college, my parents didn’t have anyone to do jobs around the farm anymore,” Smith said. “So, when I came back to the farm, I was thinking about our family and knowing my dad, in particular, really loves this place, so how can I carry on the legacy my parents have built on this property?” The answer: Atwood Ales, with Smith brewing his first two kegs of beer in March of 2016 and quickly becoming a finalist in Seattle Magazine’s “Best Saison in Washington State” in July of 2017. With small-batch beer coming out of Atwood Ales and only two barrels to work with, Smith is able to “play” and experiment with his brewing and the ingredients he uses, including berries, herbs, and hops grown only a hundred feet from the back of the barn, resulting in singular flavors and freshness. As Atwood Ales continues to grow, the extended families of both Josh Smith and his wife, Monica Smith, have taken on leading roles within the business. With both families chipping in to make sure the beer is bottled, labeled, packaged and prepared for your taste buds, it helps to make the overwhelming days a bit more manageable. 30 NorthSoundLife.com
“Having people that want to go on this crazy ride is really important,” Smith said. “I’m lucky to have (two) families that want to be a part of it, contribute, and see it through to its future awesomeness.” Atwood Ales can be sampled and bought at the weekly Saturday Farmers Market in downtown Bellingham and can be found at most food co-ops in Bellingham. Atwood Ales, Blaine 360.399.6239 | atwoodales.com
Book Reviews
WRITTEN BY LAURIE MULLARKY LAURIESLITPICKS.BLOGSPOT.COM
Lightning Men by Thomas Mullen 384 pages Atria Publishing
Take a historical fiction setting, mix in a few young cops, and then sprinkle some social injustice over everything, and a humdinger of a story is born. It is 1950 in Atlanta, Georgia and the small unit of black policemen have been patrolling Darktown for two years now. Lucias Boggs and Tommy Smith, WWII war veterans and partners, are dragged into a complex organization of illegal moonshine and drugs, leading to crime, death, and a systematic manner of housing segregation. Author Thomas Mullen is a brilliant writer, who creates rich and complex characters, as these two young cops battle their inner demons as well as society’s expectations, sometimes act heroically and sometimes not, making them all the more human. Certain books have the ability to crawl deep inside a reader, to force one to live in that place amongst the author’s vibrant characters, and occasionally to even inhabit one’s dreams. Lightning Men is one of those novels.
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz 477 pages Harper Publishing House
Agatha Christie meets Arthur Conan Doyle. Shades of Hamlet exist as well, as we have a book within a book. Or perhaps it is just the biggest nerd book ever, as scores of anagrams, puzzles, and codes inhabit these pages as well. In other words, this is a very clever, delicious, well-written mystery. The book begins with Susan, a literary agent who receives the latest manuscript of famed whodunit writer Alan Conway, a nasty, bitter man who makes her small publishing company quite a bit of money, but is generally a pain of a human being. As we get caught up in Conway’s latest book, we almost forget that it is a ‘book within a book.’ Thus, when Conway unexpectedly dies, mysteries abound both in real life as well as the manuscript. This is a wellconstructed puzzle with so many red herrings, you’ll be chasing them for days.
In the Know
LIFESTYLE
October 5, 6:30 p.m. Chuckanut Radio Hour featuring author Nathalia Holt Whatcom Community College’s Heiner Theater 237 W. Kellogg Rd., Bellingham 360.383.3000 whatcom.edu|villagebooks.com Holt, author of “Rise of the Rocket Girls,” about the women who broke barriers working in NASA’s jet propulsion lab in the 1940s and 50s, will participate. If you liked the movie “Hidden Figures,” this book will give you even more.
October 15, 4 p.m. Hiking Naked: A Quaker Woman’s Search for Balance Village Books 1200 11th St., Bellingham 360.671.2626 | villagebooks.com Iris Graville quit her job as a nurse and talked her family — a husband and two teenage girls — into moving to remote Stehekin in the North Cascades. Hear Graville, who lives on Lopez Island, talk about how she coped and what she learned.
WHO KNEW? More Irish than St. Patrick’s Day Halloween’s origins date to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1st. This day marked the end of summer and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. Celts believed the boundary between the worlds of the living and dead became blurred on the night of October 31st.
We should be carving turnips The original jack-o’-lanterns were carved from turnips, potatoes or beets because of the Irish myth of “Stingy Jack.” Jack tricked the Devil many times and ended up roaming the Earth forever with a burning coal in a carved-out turnip. The Irish referred to his ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern,” and then “Jack O’Lantern.” Soon, carvings of scary faces in turnips were placed by windows or doors to frighten away Stingy Jack.
Trick-or-treating for “soul cakes?” Poor citizens would go around neighborhoods and families would give them pastries called “soul cakes” in return for their promise to pray for the family’s dead relatives. The practice, which was referred to as “going a-souling,” was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale (!), food, and money.
Halloween Houdini Harry Houdini, one of the most famous and mysterious magicians ever, strangely enough died on Halloween night in 1926 from appendicitis because of punches to the stomach. He refused to get medical attention even though he was in tremendous pain because he wanted to finish his shows.
October 2017 31
Community the Spotlight LIFESTYLE In
Whimsical Driftwood Sculptures Joe Treat WRITTEN BY CATHERINE TORRES | PHOTOGRAPHED BY ROBERT DUDZIK
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f you drive down Worline Road in Bow you’ll pass a house guarded by life-sized driftwood statues. A massive rhino stares down all who enter the driveway with reflective black eyes. The porch is bookended with two owls and a rather terrifying zombie-like creature. What can be best described as the Loch Ness monster towers over the property surveying a collection of dinosaurs and a single friendly-looking mother kangaroo and her Joey. These are the creations of driftwood artist Joe Treat. You’ve seen his work in the form of giraffes at the Anacortes Depot Arts Center, and the Chuckanut Bay Gallery and Sculpture Garden houses his alligator and until recently, Treat’s German Shepard (a private buyer purchased the canine). It all began a few years ago with a trip to Thailand. He visited a town of woodworkers that made sculptures out of a locally found root that resembles driftwood. Treat, having a need to create, found an outlet. He had originally tried carpentry, but wasn’t a fan of the exacting measurements and finishes. “I wasn’t a perfectionist” he said while turning over a twisted piece of driftwood. During a tour of his boneyard, the area outside his work shed piled high with driftwood that may one day be part of his creations, Treat explained his process. He never will reveal the beaches he visits to scavenge for material, but he did say sometimes he’ll use Google Maps to quickly comb the coastline for larger pieces. Treat says searching for driftwood makes him “Feel like an archeologist. Sometimes I’m looking for body parts and sometimes I’m looking for something to be inspired with.” In the boneyard there are large twisting spindles designated for a life-sized elephant Treat wants to build, a shelf of flat twisted pieces that make excellent wings, and standing alone on the side of the shed is an immense curved piece that Treat admits he’s not quite sure what he’ll use for yet. The artist knows his craft. He seeks out curvier pieces of wood versus angular straight driftwood because animals are made of curves. Weight distribution is important especially for taller sculptures, and Treat knows where on the beach to look for driftwood based on weight. He switches out the saw blade often since salt water and sand are harsh on metal. Each sculpture begins with a threaded rod for its core. Then appendages and special characteristics are screwed on. As a finishing touch Treat takes a considerable amount of time to figure out the eyes. He’s used drawer pulls, golf balls, light bulbs, dog toys, and even the rubber bottoms from 32 NorthSoundLife.com
walking canes. The sculptor said “If the eyes don’t look right it’s not believable.” Treat admitted that it can be a struggle for him to know when a sculpture is really complete and he can stop. In a way they are never really finished. The pieces are meant to be displayed outside where sun, rain, and wind can further weather the wood. The sun-bleaching ages the “skin” making it look more realistic. Treat’s next artistic venture will be sculpting with roots. He plans to spend more time in Thailand where there’s no driftwood, so the roots he watched local woodworkers sculpt will become his new medium. After years of driftwood sculpting the mostly retired insurance agent finally considers himself an artist. He added with a wide grin, “I’m having the time of my life.” Treat creates for the sake of artistic expression. He enjoys puzzling together driftwood to build something resembling a monkey or a horse. The fact that people are willing to purchase his art is icing on the cake. He explained, “I’m not really doing it to sell. My greatest joy is watching people drive by, and screech on their brakes and back up. It’s almost impossible to drive by without smiling.”
More Local Art? Step Right Up
In the Know
LIFESTYLE
Fairhaven Fourth Friday Art Walk WRITTEN BY MIKAYLA NICHOLSON | PHOTOGRAPHED BY ROBERT DUDZIK
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airhaven is Washington’s best-kept secret, according to artist and shop owner Scott Ward, who moved north from Seattle a year ago. The exposed brick buildings, the boardwalk, the historic architecture, and the cozy shops combine to create a storybook-like experience, perfect for afternoon strolls and romantic evening walks. To Ward, the Fairhaven Fourth Friday Art Walk felt like the perfect event to showcase both what the town has to offer, and the work of local artists. With the addition of Fairhaven Fourth Friday, lovers of art now have four opportunities to stroll and soak up the creativity of Bellingham’s artists: Downtown Art Walk, Summer Solstice Art Walk, and Holiday Art Walk are the others. “There are so many artists around here,” Ward said. “There was enough room for all the art walks.” To avoid competing with the others, the new event will take place on the fourth Friday of the month rather than the first, occupied by Downtown’s Art Walk. Fairhaven Fourth Friday will also take December off to avoid overlapping with Fairhaven’s Holiday Art Walk. Ward is new to organizing these types of events, but said he has thoroughly enjoyed the process, and said he wants to work together with the other art walks in town. Ward had previously helped organize Magnolia Summerfest and Winterfest in Seattle. “There’s a much more relaxed sense of living here. It’s gracious and warm,” he said. Ward says he hopes his monthly art walk brings even more people to Fairhaven, and to Fairhaven businesses. In the future, he wants to try theme months like Teen Month, featuring art done by young people and high school students, or Senior Month, showcasing work done by senior citizens. With support from the Historical Fairhaven Association and local businesses, Ward said the community came together relatively easily to support the new art walk. The businesses taking part are responsible for finding the artists, Ward said. In July, 18 downtown Fairhaven businesses such as Mambo Italiano, Lovitt, Stones Throw Brewery, Village Books, and Mount Bakery Cafe participated in the walk, as well as Ward’s own store, Current and Furbish. Fairhaven is a livable, quaint village, with a dramatic history,” Ward said. “I love looking out on the cobblestone bricks and people walking by.” Ward, an artist himself, paints surrealist oil pieces of animals and landscapes, and also illustrated the children’s book, “How Dachshunds Came To Be: A Tall Tale About a Short Long Dog.”
“My favorite part of this whole experience has been meeting the artists. Artists are fascinating people. It feels like we are creating something exciting and new,” Ward said. “The art scene is bigger than I thought it would be.” Ward said he received overwhelming support from the community, and said he was feeling excited, and not nervous at all, because all the pieces were coming together for another way to showcase the art Bellingham has to offer. Fairhaven Fourth Friday Art Walk Downtown Fairhaven 206.696.2671 | fairhaven.com
October 2017 33
LIFESTYLE Five Faves
Amateur ghost hunters and history buffs alike will enjoy the Good Time Girls Gore & Lore Tours of Downtown and Fairhaven. The knowledgeable staff bring local gory history and ghost stories alive. They have other great tour options, but the special ghost tour is only available in October. Downtown Bellingham, Fairhaven 360.389.3595 | goodtimegirlstours.com
FALL FIVE FRIGHTS, FAVES FARMS
© Campfire Photography
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GORE & LORE TOURS
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GORDON SKAGIT FARMS Pick pumpkins, get lost in a corn maze, sip fresh cider, and bring home wreaths of dried flowers from Gordon Skagit Farms. The family-run farm hosts its annual month of autumn festivities every day in October from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. The farm is in Mount Vernon, just off I-5 on McLean Road. 15598 McLean Rd., Mount Vernon 360.424.7262 | gordonskagitfarms.com
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SCREAM FAIR HALLOWEEN HAUNT A must-visit for older children and adults who love adrenaline-pumping frights, the haunt is located at NW Fairgrounds. See chainsawwielding evil clowns and fleshhungry zombies. They’ll be haunting on Fridays and Saturdays in October beginning on Friday the 13th and including October 31st. 1775 Front St., Lynden screamfairhaunt.com
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Lodging
THRILLINGHAM Calling all Michael Jackson fans and dancers: The event that revives Jackson’s zombie “Thriller” music video is set for Halloween at Maritime Heritage Park from 8–10 p.m. Local talent will perform in addition to the Thrillingham zombie performance. This year’s donations go to the Brigadoon Service Dogs.
Spa & Mani-Pedi
804 10th St Bellingham WA
Happy Hour
thechrysalisinn.com
360.756.1005
CASCADE FACIAL SURGERY Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Jonathan R. Grant, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Injection Specialist Chris Galbraith, R.N. Master Esthetician Marcy Ludeman
500 W. Holly St., Bellingham facebook.com/Thrillingham
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OKTOBERFESTS Just because you’re not in Munich doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate! You have your pick of several in the North Sound: Anacortes hosts Bier on the Pier, featuring more than 30 breweries October 6–7; Leavenworth has their version October 6–7 and 13–14. 100 Commercial Ave., Anacortes 360.293.7911 anacortes.org/bier-on-the-pier
Feel Good About You Mount Vernon Clinic
1600 Continental Place, Suite 103 CascadeFace.com | 360.336.1947
Bellingham consultation appointments now available 2075 Barkley Blvd, Suite 230
October 2017 35
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Best Jewelry Store 1730 Labounty Dr Ste 5, Ferndale 360.384.2803 borthwickdiamondjewelry.com Hours: Mon – Fri 10am-6pm Sat 11am-4pm Closed Sunday
SHOP Savvy Shopper · Necessities · Around the Sound
Cheap Thrills, Halloween-Style Inexpensive Costume Options at Buffalo Exchange, Wise Buys WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY KATE GALAMBOS
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inding a clever Halloween costume can be a challenge, especially in a hip, creative community like Bellingham. More than just a day to indulge in your sweet tooth, Halloween has become an opportunity to show off your ingenuity. That said, it can feel like the pressure to perform is on. This year, avoid all that. Get a little thrifty instead. Checking out a couple thrift stores, rather than buying an expensive polyester-packaged costume, allows for maximum creativity with minimum expense. (Plus, recycling and reusing fits right in with the Bellingham ethos.) … continued on page 39
… The Buffalo Exchange is a good place to start your search. The store hunts for Halloween-like pieces throughout the year, but starts to bring them to the sales floor October 1, said store manager Alexa Johnson. Eighty-five percent of the Halloween merchandise is recycled clothing, while the rest gets delivered to the store as new items. Shoppers can expect slightly lower prices for Halloween items than the rest of the clothing in the store. For example, while a 1980s prom dress may work well for a creative costume, its unique style won’t sell during the rest of the year. Mix a little creativity with a couple bucks and you have a costume right out of a John Hughes movie. Popular items in the past few years at the Buffalo Exchange have been animal accessories like horns and ears, character clothing for the Netflix original series “Stranger Things,” “Game of Thrones”-like garb, and general popular culture, Johnson said. “We try to cater to DIY costumes. The packaged costumes can be insensitive and expensive,” Johnson said. Johnson suggests shopping around at a few different thrift stores and being open to new ideas in order to develop the best costume. Wise Buys Thrift Store is a good next stop on your Halloween hunt. Costume merchandise will be out by the second week of October, said store manager Nancy Long. Beyond just clothing, shoppers can find Halloween decor to give their home a spooky vibe. Long said they often get graduation gowns donated that make good starting points for a costume. Vintage jewelry, wedding dresses, and 1970s formal wear are also popular. And since the clothing is used, customers don’t have to feel guilty making their own alterations or additions to the pieces. “Your costume will be completely unique. You won’t have to worry about anyone else having it,” Long said. And, if you rather not alter pieces, thrifted costumes are easy to wear beyond the Halloween season as an addition to your everyday wardrobe. Don’t let Halloween be too hard. It is supposed to be fun, after all. A few trips to the thrift stores and maybe a Google search or two is the best route to inspiration at the lowest price.
Buffalo Exchange 1209 N. State St., Bellingham 360.676.1375 | buffaloexchange.com Wise Buys Thrift Store 1224 N. State St., Bellingham 360.734.0202 | wisebuys.org
October 2017 39
SHOP Necessities
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Raven’s Brew Coffee — Wicked Wolf Blend Haggen, $12.25
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Frankenstein Barnes & Noble, $23
Dark Tails Mug — 12 oz. Greenhouse, $9.95
Spook-tacular Season Goodies No need to be totally freaked this Halloween when it comes to fun favors and home decor. These fun home accessories are quirky rather than wildly kooky. They will fit into even the most Halloween averse home. Don’t forget to keep the adult treats, like coffee and chocolate, well stocked.
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Betrayal at House on the Hill Board Game Target, $22.49
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Frog Family Chocolate Necessities, $8.25
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Red Mushroom Ink Pen Earthbound Trading Co., $4.95
Around the Sound
SHOP
Goorin Bros. A Unique Hatting Experience WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY EMILY BYLIN
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ittle warms hearts like a family business, and nothing warms heads like a good hat. Goorin Bros. is a fourth-generation family hat shop with more than 30 locations nationwide, including downtown Seattle and Vancouver B.C. Goorin Bros. founder, Cassel Goorin, hit the streets of Pittsburgh in 1895 with a horse-drawn cart full of his creations and a passion for his craft. Quality and artistry were of utmost importance, and he went out of his way to ensure his customers were happy. Goorin’s sons, Alfred and Ted, took over the family business in 1921. They changed the name to Goorin Brothers and relocated to San Francisco in 1949, where they opened their first storefront. Flash forward to today. Company
leader Ben Goorin’s great-grandfather Cassel would be proud. Timeless, quality goods and gathering spaces are tough to come by in a world of fast fashion and online retail, but Goorin Bros. pulls it off. “We are bold hatters, we are style-makers. We are real people providing a tailored one-of-a-kind culture focused on creating warm and memorable experiences that defy expectations,” says Seattle shopkeeper Alba Juliao. “We are passionate storytellers and careful listeners. We emphasize style over fashion and always encourage uniqueness to provide an unforgettable experience.” Goorin Bros. hats and storefronts are as timeless as they are contemporary. The Seattle shop was alive with curious customers and old-timey
aesthetics on a sunny Friday morning, and there was no shortage of compliments and welcome small talk with the shopkeepers. They host live music every month for Hat Happy Hour where you can enjoy a whiskey cocktail and 15 percent off your purchase. From fedoras to flat caps, floppies to cloches, bowlers to top hats, baseball caps to knits, Goorin Bros. is sure to have something for everyone. They’ll even help you snazz it up a bit with their custom feather bar. Whether you’re in the market for a new topper or you’re just in the neighborhood, Goorin Bros. is worth stopping in for a singular hatting experience. 1610 1st Ave., Seattle 206.443.8082 | goorin.com October 2017 41
SHOP Savvy Shopper
Give Glad Dreams Bunnies By The Bay WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY CATHERINE TORRES
719 1st St., La Conner 360.420.9018 | bunniesbythebay.com 42 NorthSoundLife.com
THE SHOP At the end of La Conner’s 1st Street, a narrow storefront beckons family members, and expectant mothers in search of baby toys meant to be cherished. Inside Bunnies By The Bay, soft mobiles of sweet peas and friendly looking beets hang from the ceiling. Plush toys line the shelves and whimsical paintings decorate the walls. Walking in, you can’t help but smile.
THE ATMOSPHERE Surrounded by personified plush toys, rubber teething toys, and the sweetest baby clothing, Bunnies By The Bay exudes an innocence and whimsical acceptance that of course animals talk, have personalities, and are friends. Here, Freddy the Fox, Pelly the Pelican, and Bao Bao Bear sit down to have tea together, because why not?
KEY PEOPLE In 1983, a tragedy at sea left Krystal Kirkpatrick and Suzanne Knutson mourning 14 loved ones, including their father, uncle, and cousins. They poured their energies into sewing, a therapy their grandmother had taught them. Choosing to sew plush bunnies because of the real animal’s distaste of both water and fish, the sisters ended up with a stockpile of bunnies that sold out in two hours at a local craft fair. Soon after, Jeanne-ming Hayes joined the team as the CEO, helping turn Bunnies By The Bay into a company with a reputation for beloved baby gifts. Today, the sisters are still the creation team. Bunnies By The Bay also includes team members like Karen Brayden, the territory
sales manager for the Bunnies’ wholesale division, and Nicole Turner, who manages online sales, the retail store, and customer service, lovingly named Bunny 911s. Turner has helped many a parent and grandparent replace their child’s favorite toys, especially older designs from a decade or two ago.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND Bunnies By The Bay specializes in toys for infants younger than one year old, especially loveys. Loveys are special items children become attached to, like security blankets, that become cherished parts of childhood. Customers have their pick of plush characters: Piper the bird, Crab Cake the crab, Skipit the dog, and Bao Bao Bear, to name a few. There are charming watercolored cards and photos by Krys Kirkpatrick Design. Girls will love the tea set with a bird sugar bowl and snail cream pitcher. Practical clothes hang alongside not-so-practical clothes like tulle tutus. Swaddle and hooded blankets make bedtime cozier, and rubber animal teethers have been many a parent’s saving grace.
FAVORITE ITEMS Bunnies By The Bay is known for their iconic Buddy Blankets. These soft, silky blankets have a character head, instantly becoming many children’s best friends. Brayden loves Skipit the dog, who was her oldest son’s lovey. Shopping at a store whose motto is “Bunnies are our best friends indeed, they do delight and give glad dreams,” means everything you purchase will be loved and cherished for years to come.
October 2017 43
2016
BEST of the
PERSONAL CARE SPA
1327 - 11th St.
2017
BEST WEST of the NORTH NORTH
WEST
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OF THE
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NORTH
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Attractive Private Apartments Complete with Kitchens Transportation ◆ Travel ◆ Classes Fitness ◆ Wooded Views Nature Trails ◆ Monthly Rental
Thank you for voting us!
All natural products – Vegan & Ozonated Water Systems
Now serving beer, wine and champagne
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For a personal tour or more information,
Monday & Tuesday Only. Not Valid With Any Other Offer.
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($60 Value)
Call (360) 671-7077
Exp. 11/30/2017
360.933.4268 • JimmysPersonalCare.com
www.thewillowsbellingham.com
OF THE
SILVER
of the
2015
BEST
NORTH
WEST
GOLD
ARE YOU IN PAIN? of the
2017
BEST
NORTH
WEST
GOLD
we can help, the Natural Way
• Body aches & Pain • Motor vehicle accidents • Old injuries • Work, sport and play • Headaches injuries
Thank you to all our loyal clients for their continued support over the years, we are thrilled to be recognized year after year and could not do it without you!
Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Mt Vernon, Anacortes and Everett
360.671.1710 | Naturalwaychiro.org
WELLBEING Nutrition · Take a Hike · Fitness · Beauty
Road Trip Yields Dinnertime Discovery WRITTEN BY ARLENÉ MANTHA PHOTOGRAPHED BY LUCY MANTHA
A
couple of things are true about me: 1. Being a mother and a partner has been one of the greatest privileges of my life; 2. I am definitely a homebody. I love the pictures and the beauty that I see on social media of all the amazing places this world has to offer and yet each summer I propose a staycation rather than the hassle of packing, leaving my kitchen, and great produce along with all the other comforts that I enjoy while living in Bellingham. I am a nester but my teenagers and husband are not. … continued on next page
This year we kept it cozy all the while exploring magical places. We kitted out my old Land Rover Discovery and camped: beaches, woods, lakes and city. It was phenomenal. We created a kitchen attached to the vehicle. We packed our kids, dogs, camp stove, ice chest and pour-over kettle and we hit the road! We took a road trip along the Oregon Coast to Los Angeles and back. My favorite meal and moment (not a coincidence) of the trip was created out of mere necessity — we were hungry and nowhere close to our destination. We pulled over along the side of the 101 to the waves crashing and the sun setting and summer grasses blowing in the wind. Typically, not my first choice. But wow. I would do it a million times over. The kids and dogs ran into the ocean, the dogs ate and we ate along the Oregon coast. The stop, in its entirety, was no more than 30 minutes. The vegetables were just what we needed.
…
Braised Vegetables With Fresh Corn Tortillas & Refried Beans SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 1 diced yellow onion 1 sliced red pepper 1 sliced yellow pepper 2–4 julienne zucchini (depending on size) 14 oz. refried beans All the chipotle-lime marinade 8 heated corn or flour tortillas Toppings: cilantro, Crema, avocado
DIRECTIONS • Sauté onions in chipotle lime marinade (see recipe No. 2) until caramelized over med-high heat
46 NorthSoundLife.com
about 6–8 minutes. Add to heat: sliced red and yellow peppers and cook for 2 minutes. • Turn down temp to low and add julienne zucchini to heat. Cook for 4 minutes covered. • Meanwhile, heat the beans in a saucepan. I like to add a little butter to the pan first. It gives the beans a glossy aesthetic and is so flavorful. You can make your own beans and tortillas or purchase from a local carniceria or Mexican restaurant. I chose the latter. I heat the tortilla directly on the flame but you have to be fast because can burn quickly.
Add vegetables, beans, avocado, cilantro and Crema to top.
Chipotle-Lime Marinade INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp. chipotle in adobo sauce Juice from 3 limes 1 tbsp. honey 3 minced garlic cloves 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 tbsp. cumin 1 tbsp. chili powder 2 pinches sea salt 1 pinch pepper
Halloween Makeup, DIY-Style
Beauty
WELLBEING
Doe, Queen of Hearts Make for Sweet or Sinister Look WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY ILONA ORSBORN
I
f you’re looking for quick and cute costume makeup ideas to apply on yourself, your friends or your kids, I’ve chosen two of my favorite and most popular looks to teach you! The doe is super-cute, innocent, easy and perfect for all ages. All you need is a blending brush, deep bronzer or matte brown eyeshadow, black liquid eyeliner, white face paint and another brush — that’s it!
1 SWEET FOREST DOE Start with a base of regular makeup, or none if you prefer. First, take deep bronzer or matte brown eyeshadow and apply and blend it with a brush along your hairline, down your cheekbones and along the sides of your nose.
1 QUEEN OF HEARTS Start by making your entire face pale. I like to apply either white paint or the lightest shade of cheap foundation I can find, then set it all with white powder. A good tip: Use a damp, expanded beauty blender to make sure everything will be smooth.
If you want to try something a bit more challenging, sinister and impressive — how about my version of the Queen of Hearts? With just six or seven products, you can easily rock this very same look that won me a feature in Elite Daily. So, grab your tools and have some fun with your Halloween costume this year!
2
3
Take a black liquid eyeliner and draw a false lower lash line along with lashes. Fill in the tip of your nose as shown in the photo. (You can add some fun lashes or wispy brows for this look.)
2
Finally, take some white face paint (I used Graftobian brand here, but use any you’d like) along with a small, dense circular brush or the tip of a blending sponge and apply various-sized white dots along the forehead and cheeks. Add some antlers and you’re all set!
3
Apply turquoise eyeshadow all over the top lid. Tip: Apply a white or lightcolored eyeliner all over the lid and blend first in order for the shadow to be more pigmented. Fill in your brows with a high arch and apply long lashes to both the top and bottom lash lines, OR create a false lash line and draw bottom lashes all with a liquid black liner as shown.
Use a red lipstick to outline a heart on your face like shown in the photo. With a brush, keep applying and blending the lipstick until it looks done. Next, take a red eyeshadow and set the lipstick to prevent smudging. Lastly, apply red lipstick to your lips and add a black beauty mark under one eye with eyeliner. You are ready to go out and be your evil self. October 2017
47
WELLBEING Special Advertising
Should you be screened for cancer? Your Primary Care Provider Can Help You Decide
C
ancer screening tests can often save lives by finding cancer early, providing a vital heads-up before you might notice a lump or other worrisome symptoms. But it’s not always easy to know which screenings you need or when to get them — particularly since screening guidelines change. “Cancer screenings don’t have one-size-fits-all guidelines,” says Francine Martis, MD, a family medicine physician at PeaceHealth Medical Group. “They typically have differentrecommendations based on factors such as age, family history or even personal preferences.” One person who can help you sort through the maze of cancer guidelines is your primary care provider. “We can answer your questions, explain the various tests, and help determine a screening approach — for cancer and other diseases — that is right for you,” Dr. Martis says.
Cancer screenings don’t have one-size-fits-all guidelines. 48 NorthSoundLife.com
RECOMMENDED CANCER SCREENINGS FOR WOMEN Breast cancer. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as well as the American College of Radiologists recommend breast cancer screening start at age 40. Determining the age to start having mammograms and their frequency should involve shared decision making based on an individualized risk assessment. Cervical cancer is the easiest gynecologic cancer to prevent, with regular screening tests and follow-up. The Pap test looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that may become cervical cancer if not treated appropriately and the HPV test looks for the virus that can cause those cell changes. Women aged 30–65 should have a Pap plus an HPV test every 5 years. It is also acceptable to have a Pap test alone every 3 years. Colon cancer. Testing options (starting at age 50) include colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. Both are invasive and require prep work most people dislike. But they can find cancer — or the polyps (abnormal growths) that may become cancer — early, when treatment is often most successful. Noninvasive stool tests are another option, but they can’t detect polyps. And a positive result will probably require more tests, including a colonoscopy.
DON’T GO IT ALONE Your primary care provider knows your personal risk factors for cancer, such as your medical and family history, and those can influence when and how often you’re screened. “With your provider’s help, you can make an informed decision about testing that’s right for you,” Dr. Martis says.
We double-dog dare you to schedule your
mammogram.
#DoubleDogDare
peacehealth.org/mammo
of the
2017
BEST
NORTH
WEST
Find out why we’re the Northwest’s Best Place to Work! careers.wwu.edu
GOLD
THANK YOU FOR VOTING
BRIAN J. WEEDA
BEST PHYSICAL THERAPIST! 1616 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham | 360.714.0870
Brian has been a coach in our community for the last 20 years. He is currently coaching the B02 Ranger’s Gold Soccer Team and is the Boys Head Golf Coach at SQHS. Brian has served on many community boards and financially supports several youth athletic programs. Performance PT is the Sports Therapy and Athletic Training Provider for all of the BHS student athletes. “We are a Premier Sports PT Clinic and work closely with the High Schools and Youth Sport Clubs”
Active Minds Changing Lives WWU is an equal opportunity institution.
d i a n e p a d y s p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m
Performance PT providers are athletes: “We are athletes treating athletes and we ‘GET IT’”. The Clinic is a TEAM: “Every member of our TEAM at Performance is CRITICAL to our atmosphere and our success”.
[visual exposure] Cassoulet Restaurant
Best Of the North West WRITTEN BY MERI-JO BORZILLERI KATE GALAMBOS CATHERINE TORRES KAYLIN STIEFER BEN JOHNSON MIKAYLA NICHOLSON
You voted in record-breaking numbers, and the results are in! Our largest, most-anticipated issue of the year spells out your favorite businesses, shops, restaurants and services in the North Sound, from Blaine to Anacortes. Top vote-getters in Best Seafood, Best Barber, Best Spa, Best Auto Detailing, Best Pet Store—even Best Date Night—it’s all here, and more.
Arts & Entertainment
© Connor Jalbert
BONW
Best Casino
Best Live Music Venue
Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa
Wild Buffalo House of Music
4876 Haxton Way, Ferndale 866.383.0777 | silverreefcasino.com
208 W. Holly St., Bellingham 360.746.8733 | wildbuffalo.net
With gaming, fine dining, casual eats, great drinks, luxury hotel rooms, relaxing spa treatments, and fantastic shows, Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa offers the perfect package for a nice weekend, or just a night out! The Pacific Northwest Lodge-inspired casino is located right off the highway in Ferndale and offers beautiful views of Mount Baker.
This funky, brick-walled club is the perfect Bellingham venue for rock, blues, reggae, and more. From famous artists like Snoop Dogg and Macklemore to local artists from right out of our community, Wild Buffalo presents the best. Grab a drink, get out on the dance floor, and check out their 90s night every Wednesday for a throwback evening out.
Silver Swinomish Casino and Lodge Anacortes | 888.288.8883 Bronze Skagit Valley Casino Resort Bow | 877.275.2448
Silver Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro Bellingham | 360.647.5593 Bronze The Green Frog Bellingham | 360.306.8273
Best Live Theatre
Best Local Band / Performer
Mount Baker Theatre
The Replayzmentz
104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.6080 | mountbakertheatre.com
Birch Bay 360.371.5436 | replayzmentz.blogspot.com
Bellingham’s beloved national historic landmark, with its trademark red-tipped white tower, offers professional productions as well as community events. Its offerings run the gamut — classic tales like Cinderella and new shows that will have you laughing, crying, and experiencing all kinds of emotions. As the largest performing arts facility of its kind north of Seattle, they always have great shows for people of all ages and interests.
The classic rock band from Birch Bay, The Replayzments, are a versatile band that can play for everyone from their 20s to their 90s. They’re a great group that describes themselves as “a band that has a lot of fun and is capable, at times, of playing in tune.” Not only do they have talent, they have a sense of humor — and humility.
Silver Bellingham Theatre Guild Bellingham | 360.733.1811 Bronze Neighborhood Playhouse Bellingham | 360.961.2213 52 NorthSoundLife.com
Silver Baby Cakes Bellingham | 206.818.0588 Bronze SpaceBand Bellingham | 360.961.7123
Arts & Entertainment BONW
Best Art Gallery Courtyard Gallery 701 1st St., La Conner 360.466.1200 | aclassactgallery.com
Located in the waterfront town of La Conner, Courtyard Gallery offers products from many local and national artists. From chandeliers and fountains to glass art and metal wall sculptures, there’s a wide range of beautiful art for anyone to enjoy. You’ll be inspired by their art as well as the surrounding beauty of La Conner and its many gift shops, galleries, and restaurants. Silver Make.Shift Bellingham | 360.933.1849 Bronze Cooper Lanza Gallery Bellingham | 360.223.5352
Best Golf Course North Bellingham Golf Course 205 W. Smith Rd., Bellingham 360.398.8300 | northbellinghamgolf.com
Beautiful North Bellingham provides more than just golf. It gives you a full experience. The online tee time feature makes it easy to plan your game ahead of time without hassle. Don’t forget to visit 9 Restaurant before your game is over. You’ll need the energy boost after playing 18. © Bethany Dailey
Silver Shuksan Golf Club Bellingham | 360.398.8888 Bronze Bellingham Golf & Country Club Bellingham | 360.733.3450
Best Local Artist
Best Museum
Best Festival
Katie Walton
Whatcom Museum
Ski to Sea
7929 Thomas Rd., Bow 360.319.5139 redbarnartstudio.wixsite.com/artstudio
121 Prospect St., Bellingham 360.778.8930 | whatcommuseum.org
2227 Queen St. #6, Bellingham 360.746.8861 | skitosea.com
It’s no wonder our readers voted Whatcom Museum as best museum. Housed in Bellingham’s distinctive Old City Hall, the museum’s collection contains more than 200,000 artifacts and artworks of local and regional importance. Art classes, workshops, interactive galleries and activities, along with beautiful exhibitions happen yearround, highlighting the art, nature, and history of Bellingham.
After 44 years, “America’s original team relay race” is still racing through Whatcom County. Eight competitors per team join forces to complete a race involving cross-country skiing, downhill ski/snowboarding, running, road biking, canoeing, cyclocross biking, and sea kayaking that starts at the Mt. Baker Ski Area and ends in Bellingham Bay. Don’t leave right after, though! Enjoy a celebratory beer at the post-race, family-friendly party.
After touring Spain, Europe, and Central America and pursuing a visual arts degree, Katie Walton opened Red Barn Art Studio for the purpose of teaching art to her children, their friends, and the children of her community. Art has been her haven from an early age through piano, dance, theater, drawing, painting, and ceramics. Her own art expresses the cultural diversity she came across in her travels. Silver Ben Mann Bellingham | 360.920.4022 Bronze Morgan Paris Lanza Bellingham | bgrc.org
Silver SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention Bellingham | 360.738.3886 Bronze Mindport Exhibits Bellingham | 360.647.5614
Silver Bellingham Greekfest Bellingham | 360.734.8745 Bronze Northwest Raspberry Festival Lynden | 360.354.5995
October 2017 53
Fashion & Retail
© Becky Linton
BONW
Best Makeup Shop
Best Boutique
Sephora
Betty Be Good Boutique
10 Bellis Fair Pkwy., Bellingham 360.734.7412 | sephora.com
8125 Birch Bay Square St., Blaine 360.441.7691 | shopbettybegood.com
Stop in Sephora and find the exact shade you’re looking for with the help of makeup experts and testers. Sephora carries high-end brands like Urban Decay and Benefit cosmetics, as well as their own line of equally impressive and affordable products. If you’re feeling fancy, you can get a makeover from one of Sephora’s trained makeup artists, the perfect excuse to get all done up and find a new go-to look.
Betty Be Good Boutique will help make your style look effortless. The shop features breezy, flowing, and feminine styles as well as a wide selection of beautiful jewelry to polish off any look. Best of all, every item of clothing is priced below $60, so you can get a great look from head to toe without going broke.
Silver Ulta Beauty Bellingham | 360.671.6004 Bronze Lisa Crosier Skincare and Beauty Boutique Bellingham | 360.738.4600
Silver Pretty Simple Boutique Burlington | 360.899.4324 Bronze Fringe Bellingham | 360.312.4067
Best Consignment Shop
Best Jewelry Shop
Labels Women’s Consignment
Borthwick Jewelry, Inc.
2332 James St., Bellingham, various locations 360.738.0333 | labelsconsignment.com
1730 Labounty Dr., Ferndale 360.384.2803 | borthwickdiamondjewelry.com
Earning gold again this year, Labels is known for its great selection of consignment items in excellent condition and availability of sizes. Labels doesn’t just carry clothing, it also sells a collection of housewares and home decor. The next time you’re looking for a show-stopping blouse or fun piece of jewelry, Labels is just the place.
Borthwick Jewelry in Ferndale features a glittering selection of high-quality jewelry in all sorts of cuts and colors. Our readers chose Borthwick for their fine gem, gold, silver, and diamond needs. From engagement rings to family gifts, Borthwick can procure the perfect bling for any occasion. The staff at Borthwick will work with their customers to ensure satisfaction. Borthwick also does jewelry repair and restoration.
Silver Serendipity Bellingham | 360.746.8055 Bronze Buffalo Exchange Bellingham | 360.676.1375
54 NorthSoundLife.com
Silver Bayside Jewelers Bellingham | 360.671.7131 Bronze Whimsey Bellingham | 360.733.5568
shopbettybegood.com
Bellingham | Birch Bay 510 S. 1st St., Mount Vernon 360.419.9672 • houseofstylemv.com
B Biu
Best Prices | Widest Selection | Friendliest Staff
Born in the Great PNW | 6am - 8pm Everyday
of the
2017
BEST
NORTH
WEST
SILVER
THE KEY TO BELLINGHAM’S
BEST CANNABIS
FEATURING DAILY DEALS & EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP
Medical + Recreational
OPEN 8AM–11:45PM
E V E R YDAY
218 N. Samish Way, Bellingham | 360.393.3459 TroveCannabis.com This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children.
Relaxing, Welcoming Environment with Exceptional Coffee | Sustainable & Locally Sourced Beer, Wine & Food | Outstanding Customer Service 228 N. Samish Way, Bellingham | 360.393.4953 TroveCoffee.com
BONW Fashion & Retail
Best Men’s Clothing
Best Craft Store
Macy’s
Michaels
50 Bellis Fair Pkwy., Bellingham 360.715.6000 | macys.com
4383 Meridian St., Bellingham 360.738.7932 | michaels.com
Macy’s offers quality clothes, an approachable sales team, and an overall pleasant shopping experience, which can be useful when navigating the murky waters of men’s clothing. Macy’s carries a wide array of well-known brands, and keeps up on the latest trends without sacrificing quality. Big & tall sizes, casual, workout, and loungewear, as well as suits, ties, blazers, and accessories are offered for every possible occasion.
Michaels remains our readers’ one-stop shop for all their crafting needs. The wide selection of craft supplies makes Michaels a reliable place to grab any last-minute tool you may have missed, or a niche piece to complete your weekend project.
© Kaylin Stiefer
Silver Men’s Wearhouse Bellingham | 360.734.8008 Bronze Whistle Workwear Bellingham | 360.676.7182
Silver Dakota Art Store Bellingham | 360.676.8918 Bronze JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts Bellingham | 360.734.8922
Best Antique Store
Best Women’s Clothing
Penny Lane
Christopher & Banks
427 W. Holly St., Bellingham 360.671.3301 | pennylaneantiquemall.com
1 Bellis Fair Pkwy., Bellingham 360.647.6080 | christopherandbanks.com
Stepping inside Penny Lane is like walking into a museum full of trinkets and artifacts from a time gone by. It’s the best place in town to explore every nook and cranny. Even the walls are filled with color and fun. Perfect for collectors, tourists, and locals alike, with rooms overflowing with antiques, toys, and specialty items.
Finding the right size can be tricky at best and frustrating at worst. Christopher & Banks is here to help find the right size for you, along with carrying the newest trends. Search through the large collection of clothes for staple pieces or find a hidden gem to add to your wardrobe.
Silver Etta’s Attic Ferndale | 360.734.1900 Bronze Irongate Estate Bellingham | 360.392.8524
56 NorthSoundLife.com
Silver Macy’s Bellingham | 360.715.6000 Bronze Sojourn Bellingham | 360.671.5704
Fashion & Retail BONW
Best Bookstore
Best Grocery Store
Village Books
Haggen
1200 11th St., Bellingham, various locations 360.671.2626 | villagebooks.com
2900 Woburn St., Bellingham, various locations 360.676.5300 | haggen.com
Little has changed after founding owners Chuck and Dee Robinson sold the store to three long-time employees last year. Village Books remains an impressive labyrinth of literature for Bellingham. You could spend all day traversing its three stories of stories: nonfiction, best sellers, children’s books, graphic novels, and more. After browsing, stop by the Book Cafe for a small bite, and look out over the Village Green armed with a good book and a hot cup of coffee.
Our readers chose the reliable and accessible Haggen, a chain of Northwest stores founded and based right here in Bellingham. Many Haggen locations are open 24 hours, perfect for a late-night snack run. Haggen also carries produce from local growers, has gluten-free and vegan options, as well as an impressive selection of wine.
© Peter Ingman
Silver Barnes & Noble Bellingham | 360.647.7018 Bronze Eclipse Bookstore Bellingham | 360.647.8165
Best Local Artisan Kristen Ingman Bellingham kristeningmanart.com
Kristin Ingman is an artist and a teacher whose art reflects her experiences in nature. Ingman studied studio art at Whitman College, and now works from a studio in the Waterfront Artist Studio Collective in Bellingham. Her art evokes the trails she has run and walked in the Northwest. Her oil paintings capture the peace, light, and shadows present in the breathtaking landscapes in Washington and beyond. Silver Baker Creek Studio Bellingham | 360.393.5458 Bronze Whimsy Glass Art Studio Custer | 360.510.3256
Silver Community Food Co-op Bellingham | 360.734.8158 Bronze Whole Foods Market Bellingham | 360.714.6820
BONW Fashion & Retail
Best Sporting Good Store Yeager’s Sporting Goods 3101 Northwest Ave., Bellingham 360.733.1080 | yeagersportinggoods.com
Yeager’s continues to leave a positive impression on shoppers, from the sportsminded to the household-minded, and our readers recognized its superior selection and community-supporting atmosphere again this year. They sell gear for almost any imaginable outdoor activity, from an afternoon barbecue to a week-long expedition. Savvy shoppers keep their eye on the August anniversary sale to score great deals on all their outdoor equipment needs. Silver Dave’s Sports Shop Lynden | 360.354.5591 Bronze REI Bellingham | 360.647.8955
Best Produce
Best Shoe Store
Joe’s Gardens
Hilton’s Shoes
3110 Taylor Ave., Bellingham 360.671.7639 | joesgarden.com
113 W. Magnolia St., Bellingham 360.734.3090 | hiltonsshoes.com
Joe’s Gardens is our readers’ top pick for fresh-grown produce in Bellingham. Growing delicious fruits and vegetables since 1933, Joe’s is a Bellingham mainstay with helpful, knowledgeable staff. The selection varies from season to season, and everything is picked at the peak of ripeness. During the fall, check out the garlic, grown from seeds owner Joe Bertero brought back from his family in Italy. Joe’s also sells local jams, honey, spices, and oils.
Hilton’s Shoes has been a Bellingham institution for more than 90 years. Hilton’s is determined to help you find the perfect fit. Carrying both popular brands and classic staples, Hilton’s will help you find the shoe you’re searching for. The next time you need new shoes, support a family-owned business and find the perfect pair for any occasion, from Birkenstocks to New Balance.
Silver Youngstock’s Nursery & Produce Bellingham | 360.366.8173 Bronze Trader Joe’s Bellingham | 360.734.5166
Silver 12th Street Shoes Bellingham | 360.733.2066 Bronze Fairhaven Runners Bellingham | 360.676.4955
Stats & Numbers Single Highest (No Pun Intended) Vote-Getter
Total Number of Votes
2020 Solutions
522,217
(7,187 votes) 58 NorthSoundLife.com
DYNASTY CELLARS Thank you for voting us
BEST WINERY! of the
2017
BEST
NORTH
WEST
GOLD
2169 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham 360.758.2958 | dynastycellars.com
BONW
Health & Beauty
Best Cannabis Shop 2020 Solutions 2018 Iron St., Bellingham, various locations 360.734.2020 | 2020-solutions.com
2020 Solutions’ knowledgeable and friendly staff can provide exactly what you want for your cannabis needs, offering award-winning edibles, beverages, concentrates, and a variety of flower strains and prices. They strive to provide a discreet and comfortable environment for their diverse group of clients. Three locations make them a convenient option.
© Colby Mesick
Silver Trove Cannabis Bellingham | 360.393.3459 Bronze Satori Bellingham | 360.746.8478
Best Mani / Pedi Jimmy’s Personal Care 1327 11th St., Bellingham 360.933.4268 | jimmyspersonalcare.com
Whether you’re looking for a girls’ day out or just treating yourself to some pampering, Jimmy’s Personal Care has everything you need and all while using eco-friendly services and products. Come by the salon in the heart of the Fairhaven Historic District for an Asian-style hot stone foot massage, manicure or pedicure, served with a complimentary beverage and plate of fresh fruit. Even better, they are now serving wine, beer, and champagne for your relaxing session! Silver Happy Nails Bellingham | 360.671.7836 Bronze The Chrysalis Inn & Spa Bellingham | 360.756.1005
60 NorthSoundLife.com
Health & Beauty BONW
Best Yoga, Pilates Studio Joy of Pilates 2130 Grant St., Bellingham 360.224.1433 | joyofpilates.net
Joy of Pilates does more than just give you a workout. They provide you with a warm and caring environment to meet your health and fitness goals so you can stay in shape and maybe find some friends along the way. Small group classes will ease you in if you’re new. They also offer physical and massage therapy.
© Dana Darchell
Silver 3 Oms Yoga Bellingham | 360.671.3510 Bronze Yoga Northwest Bellingham | 360.647.0712
Best Health Food Shop
Best Spa
Best Fitness Center
Community Food Co-op
The Chrysalis Inn & Spa
Bellingham Fitness
1220 N. Forest St., Bellingham, various locations 360.734.8158 | communityfood.coop
804 10th St., Bellingham 360.756.1005 | thechrysalisinn.com
1730 N. State St., Bellingham 360.733.1600 | bellinghamfitness.com
Most people know the beautiful hotel on the Bellingham waterfront, but do you know they have an amazing spa too? The Chrysalis Inn & Spa offers a soothing experience to everyone through massages, manicures and pedicures, facials, waxing, and even makeup. Create your own personalized spa treatment and enjoy the steam room and superb relaxation room looking over outdoor waterfalls and ponds.
Their motto is “Constant and NeverEnding Improvement.” That’s exactly what you can expect to get from the award-winning Bellingham Fitness and their standout equipment, programs, and trainers. Their staff focuses on creating a friendly environment and helping people improve their lives. They’ve been voted Best in the Northwest since 2010, so clearly they’re doing something right.
Silver Bella Body & Sol Bellingham | 360.383.7070 Bronze Zazen Salon Spa Bellingham | 360.715.1050
Silver Fitness Evolution Bellingham | 360.671.4653 Bronze Anytime Fitness Bellingham | 360.306.5858
They’ve been voted the best for multiple years for good reason. No matter their location, the Community Food Co-op has healthy, local, and quality food and produce for your lunch run or weekly grocery shopping trip. Along with serving their customers the best products and options, they value educating their community on the issues of healthy lifestyles, the environment, and a sustainable economy. Silver Terra Organic & Natural Foods Bellingham | 360.715.8020 Bronze Whole Foods Market Bellingham | 360.714.6820
October 2017 61
BONW Health & Beauty
Best Pharmacy
Best Eye Care
Hoagland Pharmacy
Northwest Eye Clinic
2330 Yew St., Bellingham 360.734.5413 | hoaglandpharmacy.com
3015 Squalicum Pkwy., Bellingham 360.733.4800 | northwesteyeclinic.com
For more than 35 years, the locally owned and operated Hoagland Pharmacy has been providing the Bellingham community with helpful customer service and products. Their CPAP machine services are top-notch for sleep-apnea sufferers. With a well-stocked retail pharmacy, compound prescriptions, medical equipment, over-the-counter medications, and knowledgeable staff, you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
Since 1952, the families and doctors of the North Sound have trusted Northwest Eye Clinic with their medical care. They offer a full range of services for glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, dry eyes, cataracts, laser eye surgery, and more. They have an on-site optical shop for when you’re ready for a style change.
Silver Haggen Pharmacy Bellingham | 800.995.1902 Bronze Fred Meyer Bellingham | 360.738.4243
Silver ClearView Eyecare Bellingham | 360.392.8306 Bronze Binyon Vision Center Bellingham | 360.647.2020
Best Salon Shearer’s Hair Design 2420 Yew St., Bellingham 360.733.3040 | shearershairdesign.com
© Kaylin Stiefer
This full-service salon offers cuts, colors, facials, eyebrow tinting, and even airbrush tanning. Shearer’s Hair Design is a favorite among our readers for their friendly, professional customer service and quality care. Their services are well worth every penny and every minute. They will have you wondering why you ever used a box dye. Silver Honey Salon Bellingham | 360.778.3858 Bronze Salon Bellissima Bellingham | 360.715.1052
Best Men’s Haircut
Best Personal Trainer
Wally’s Barber Shop
Lenny Olson, Bellingham Fitness
314 E. Holly St. #100, Bellingham 360.647.0807 Located in the heart of downtown Bellingham, Wally’s motto is “We Care How You Look.” Wally’s is a real-old school barber shop that specializes in flat tops, high and tights, military cuts, fades, straight-razor shaves, and friendly service. You don’t have to be a guy, either — he caters to women and children, too. Just goes to show — when you’re in Wally’s chair, you’re in good hands. Silver V’s Barbershop Bellingham | 360.656.6911 Bronze Ye Old Barber Shop Ferndale | 360.389.6195
1730 N State St., Bellingham 360.733.1600 | bellinghamfitness.com
62 NorthSoundLife.com
As a professional wrestler and the head trainer at Bellingham Fitness, Lenny Olson, also known as “Dr. Luther,” knows just how to get you to your fitness and health goals. A popular instructor for the club’s bootcamp classes, Olson is a multiple Best of the Northwest winner. Silver ProFitness Northwest Bellingham | 360.224.4373 Bronze Shasonta Delmage, LiveFit Northwest Bellingham | 360.927.6942
© Erin Cox Photography
Health & Beauty BONW
Best Cosmetic Artist
Best Naturopath
Best Medi-Spa
Keely Clevenger, Limitless Beauty
Summer Beattie, RejuvenationMD
RejuvenationMD
5452 Northwest Dr., Bellingham 360.599.4049 limitlessbeautypermanentmakeup.com
3410 Woburn St., Bellingham 425.891.6077 | rejuvenationmdmedspa.com
Limitless Beauty is a permanent makeup salon offering microblading, tattoo removal and correction, micro skin-needling, and 3D areola reconstruction. Keely Clevenger is an artist first and foremost and loves to design the perfect permanent makeup for each customer. Keely will give you the best in an intimate, comfortable, and one-on-one environment in her private location on Northwest Drive. Silver Sarah Rorvig, Vivaluxx Bellingham | 866.757.5899 Bronze Love Beauty Bellingham Bellingham | 360.255.9692
As the leader of the Wellness Center at RejuvenationMD and serving on the board for Whatcom Women in Business, Dr. Summer Beattie is a favorite for the community of Bellingham for her naturopathy work. She is excited about offering her passions for people to look and feel well. She has found that Whatcom County is the perfect place for her and her family’s active lifestyles. Silver Sarah Garrett, Fairhaven Integrative Health Bellingham | 360.676.1285 Bronze Whitney Knickrehm, Bellingham Natural Family Medicine Bellingham | 360.738.7654
2219 Rimland Dr. #105, Bellingham 360.685.8408 | rejuvenationmdmedspa.com
RejuvenationMD, along with their highly trained and welcoming staff, strives to provide the finest aesthetic skin treatment and wellness options in the Pacific Northwest. They offer stateof-the-art laser and light technology, injectables, body contouring, professional skin care products, and exclusive sexual health and wellness programs. Located in the Barkley Village area of Bellingham and also in Burlington. Silver Kucumber Skin Lounge Bellingham | 360.738.7197 Bronze LIFE Aesthetic Center Bellingham | 360.738.3223
October 2017 63
BONW Health & Beauty
Best Orthodontist
Dr. Diane Arvin, PeaceHealth
Dr. David Cummins, Cummins Orthodontics
1202 Washington St., Bellingham 360.676.8212 | peacehealth.org
2550 James St., Bellingham 360.676.1900 | cumminsortho.com
Compassion and a gentle approach are vital in Dr. Diane Arvin’s line of work. Arvin is a favorite among our readers, who have been coming to her for her friendly and professional gynecology services for nearly four decades. Arvin’s office is conveniently located at St. Joseph PeaceHealth Medical Center.
Cummins Orthodontics enjoys making people smile! You’ll be in good hands with Cummings, a Navy Achievement Medal winner for his dental work. He aims to give all his patients the smile they want and to make a difference in people’s lives. In his spare time, Dr. Cummins enjoys camping and hiking in the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest.
Silver Bellingham OBGYN Bellingham | 360.671.4944 Bronze Julianne Snell, Barkley Women’s Healthcare Bellingham | 360.671.5700
Silver Paul Halgren, Halgren Orthodontics Mount Vernon | 360.336.3436 Bronze Michael C. Shoff, Bellingham Braces Bellingham | 360.676.1401
Best Dentist
Best Massage
Bellingham Bay Dental
Massage Envy
1118 Finnegan Way, Bellingham 360.676.0760 | bellinghambaydental.com
330 36th St., Bellingham 360.756.1100 | massageenvy.com
At Bellingham Bay Dental, you’re not just another set of teeth. Our readers say they’re the best because they make the effort to establish good relationships with their patients. Dr. Catherine Smith’s personable approach is an appreciated extra to go along with her advanced training and experience in conscious sedation, cosmetic dentistry, and dental sleep medication. She and those at Bellingham Bay Dental aim to deliver the highest standard of care.
Massage Envy knows exactly what you need to relax. They offer trigger-point therapy, Swedish massage, deeptissue massage, and sports massage with enhancements like aromatherapy, exfoliating foot treatment, enhanced muscle therapy, and facials. They’ll have you melting into a puddle of relaxation and tranquility on their massage table and walking out feeling refreshed and renewed.
© Silas Reynolds
Best OB / GYN
Silver Sweet Tooth Dental Bellingham | 360.752.1600 Bronze Dr. Faith Bult Bellingham | 360.715.3333 64 NorthSoundLife.com
Silver Bella Body & Sol Bellingham | 360.383.7070 Bronze Natural Way and Massage Chiropractic of Bellingham Bellingham | 360.671.1710
Health & Beauty BONW
Best Physical Therapist
Best Health & Rehabilitation Center
Brian Weeda, Performance Physical Therapy
North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation Center
1616 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham 360.714.0870 | performancephysicaltherapy.com
4680 Cordata Pkwy., Bellingham 360.398.1966 | ncascadeshealthandrehab.com
Brian Weeda and Co. return their patients to the active lifestyles they need to be happy and healthy. Brian has extensive knowledge in the areas of shoulder, spine, ankle, and feet, and has developed an injury prevention program with his peers involving hundreds of Whatcom County youth athletes.
The employee-owned North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation Center offers a continuum of care for a smooth transition from hospital to home. Their team of skilled nurses, caregivers, therapists, dietitians, and social workers partner with you and your family to create the perfect tailored plan for recovery. They take their time to get to know their residents and treat them as valued friends.
Silver FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers Bellingham | 360.733.4008 Bronze Capstone Physical Therapy Bellingham | 360.354.1115
Silver Shuksan Healthcare Center Bellingham | 360.733.9161 Bronze Alderwood Park Health and Rehabilitation Bellingham | 360.733.2322
Best Chiropractor
Best Family Practitioner
Dr. Eddie Hansen, Natural Way Chiropractic and Massage of Bellingham
Dr. Karen O’Keefe, Bellingham Bay Family Medicine
2000 N State St., Bellingham, various locations 360.671.1710 | naturalwaychiro.org
722 N. State St., Bellingham 360.752.2865 | familycarenetwork.com
Achy back? Strained neck? Natural Way and Massage Chiropractic will dedicate their time to getting you back in tip-top shape by not only relieving the pain, but helping you reach your fullest health potential. Dr. Eddie Hansen is driven to raise the standard of chiropractic and massage care, as well as getting to know his patients.
At Bellingham Bay Family Medicine, building strong relationships and creating a rewarding and positive healthcare experience is the goal. Dr. Karen O’Keefe doesn’t just enjoy treating one person, but their entire family. As well as being a family physician, she specializes in sports medicine. In her spare time, she can be found exercising and training for the Ski to Sea event.
Silver New Life Chiropractic & Wellness Bellingham | 360.752.0061 Bronze Brad and Dana Chiropractic Bellingham | 360.733.4222
Silver Harry Herdman, Squalicum Family Medicine Bellingham | 360.676.9336 Bronze Dr. John Gunningham, Birch Bay Family Medicine Blaine | 360.371.5855
Best Retirement Facility The Willows 3115 Squalicum Pkwy., Bellingham 360.671.7077 | thewillowsbellingham.com
© Courtesy of The Willows
The Willows is more than just a retirement facility. With beautiful apartments, a salon, concierge services, event rooms, 24-hour staffing and an emergency response system, along with trips, classes, activities and fitness options, The Willows is a positive and engaging place to live. Oh, and don’t forget to take a walk among the Douglas firs towering above the property. Silver Silverado Senior Living Bellingham | 360.312.7343 Bronze The Leopold Retirement Residence Bellingham | 360.733-3500
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Cerise Noah
Realtor® | Windermere-Whatcom 360.393.5826 cerisenoah@windermere.com
Your Relocation Sp ecialist Realtor of the Year 2016 Whatcom County Association of Realtors – 2015 President
1904 Main St. Ferndale, WA 98248 | 360.384.3388 www.samuelsfurniture.com
BEST of the
2017
As the largest furniture store in Northwest Washington, we offer the best brands at the best prices. Ready to add some flare to your home? Ask about our in-home design service, free with qualifying purchase.
NORTH
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GOLD
Thank you for voting us Best Furniture Store!
Home & Garden
BONW
Best Appliance Store DeWaard & Bode 3944 Meridian St., Bellingham 360.733.5900 | dewaardandbode.com
The staff at DeWaard & Bode, a fixture in Whatcom County for more than 70 years, helps every step of the way from selection to installation. The store features a wide range of appliances, furniture and mattresses, and smooth follow-up service. In 2016, DeWaard & Bode expanded to Skagit County with a new store in Burlington. Silver Judd & Black Bellingham, various locations | 360.733.7722 Bronze Best Buy Bellingham | 360.715.0008
Best Architect Carletti Architects 116 E. Fir St., Mount Vernon 360.424.0394 | carlettiarchitects.com
© Becky Linton
Carletti Architects practice conscientious design, so their buildings enrich the neighborhoods they are placed in as well as add economic value for their clients. The design team works closely with clients to balance cost, function, and environmental issues. Because of this attention to detail, Carletti creates satisfied and dedicated clients. Silver RMC Architects Bellingham | 360.676.7733 Bronze Zervas Group Bellingham | 360.734.4744
Best Garden / Nursery
Best Interior Design
Garden Spot
Jennifer Ryan Design
900 Alabama St., Bellingham 360.676.5480 | garden-spot.com
2100 G St., Bellingham 360.733.9519 | jenniferryandesign.com
Garden Spot Nursery has been voted the number one spot from our readers’ another year, and continues to be the one-stop shop for your gardening needs. In addition to retail, Garden Spot offers a variety of classes each month so anyone can learn how to create and care for their own beautiful garden. Owner Marcy Plattner gives back to the community, encouraging customers to recycle their old garden pots at Garden Spot.
Jennifer Ryan is known for her beautiful, functional design work in Whatcom County and beyond. Her work has been featured on HGTV and in multiple publications. She has a passion for creating stylish spaces that serve a purpose and fit her clients’ needs. With a keen eye for both detail and big picture, Ryan sees new possibilities in each room. For the second-straight year, her expertise and impeccable taste earned her the number one spot from our readers.
Silver Joe’s Gardens Bellingham | 360.671.7639 Bronze Kent’s Garden & Nursery Bellingham | 360.384.4433
Silver Spiral Studios Bellingham | 360.202.0635 Bronze Tanna By Design Bellingham | 509.225.9215 October 2017 67
BONW Home & Garden
Best Landscaper Borrowed Ground P.O. Box 4065, Bellingham 360.927.4469 | borrowedground.com
Our readers continue to recognize Borrowed Ground as the best landscaper in the North Sound, and the proof is in the patios. Russ Beardsley and Co. can create ornate stone pathways and walls, sculptural landscape focal points, patios, stairways and more. Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, and Snohomish Counties have a skilled landscaper on hand to help with any project. Silver Whatcom Landscapes Lynden | 360.398.9461 Bronze Corion Landscape Ferndale | 360.312.8052
Best Place to Buy Furniture Samuel’s Furniture 1904 Main St., Ferndale 360.384.3388 | samuelsfurniture.com
Samuel’s Furniture has been a part of Ferndale since 1991, and offers a host of attractive features, including free in-home design service with a qualifying purchase. Family-owned and stocked with a large selection of quality goods — check out their 50,000-square-foot furniture showroom — Samuel’s Furniture prides itself on offering sustainably manufactured products and supporting local businesses and nonprofits.
© Robert Dudzik
Silver Wilson’s Furniture Ferndale | 360.384.8900 Bronze Griffith Furniture Bellingham | 360.734.3730
Best Home Decor
Best Builder
Greenhouse
Credo Construction
1235 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham 360.676.1161 | greenhousehome.com
4174 Pacific Hwy., Bellingham 360.676.1904 | credoconstruction.com
A part of Bellingham since 1972, Greenhouse is a brick-andmortar store selling housewares, home furnishings, kitchen gadgets, and more. If you have a room in your house, Greenhouse has the perfect accessory for it. Greenhouse features a collection of carefully selected items in their inventory, and stands by its mission to provide “a spirited collection for the home.” Greenhouse offers an enjoyable shopping experience for out-of-towners and loyal customers alike.
With a resume that includes the new B-Town Kitchen and Raw Bar, Four Points by Sheraton, Industrial Parks, and more, Credo Construction is the go-to general contractor to serve your architectural needs, from concept to creation. Credo places an emphasis on staff-client relationships, and gives clients direct access project managers. Credo can realize your vision from the ground up, or spruce up an old space with a contemporary remodel.
Silver Grandiflora Home & Garden Lynden | 360.318.8854 Bronze ReFeather Your Nest Mount Vernon | 360.755.3126
Silver Moceri Construction Bellingham | 360.671.3381 Bronze Chuckanut Builders Bellingham | 360.734.3201
68 NorthSoundLife.com
Home & Garden BONW
Best Flooring Company
Best Roofing Company
Fairhaven Floors
Topside Roofing
P.O. Box 31881, Bellingham 360.820.1678 | fairhavenfloors.com
161 E. Horton Rd., Bellingham 360.752.2220 | topsideroofing.com
Fairhaven Floors has been family-owned for more than 30 years and will ensure your new wood floors are up to the best quality, installed to last, and are just the way you want them. Their friendly and professional staff are experts in installation, refinishing, and repair. They can do tiling, trim and decks, and are skilled in working with materials from hardwood to laminate.
Topside Roofing has been providing quality products and service in the Northwest for more than 25 years. Our readers noticed the commitment to quality and dependability Topside provides. Covering Whatcom, Skagit, and Island County, Topside includes an impressive range of services including residential and commercial roofing, along with doors, decks, and windows.
Silver The Color Pot Bellingham | 360.734.4020 Bronze Great Floors Bellingham | 360.738.3599
Silver Mount Baker Roofing Bellingham | 360.733.0191 Bronze Joosten’s Roofing Bellingham | 360.815.7663
© Kaylin Stiefer
© Kaylin Stiefer
Best Electronics Store
Best Real Estate Agent
Reference Media Inc.
Andrew Fouse
1200 Old Fairhaven Pkwy., Bellingham 360.714.8860 | reference-media.net
913 Lakeway Dr., Bellingham 360.630.9747 | nwhomes.net
Specializing in hi-fi, home theater, home automation, and lighting services, staffers at Reference Media Bellingham work closely with customers to provide knowledgeable and understandable service. Employees are known for their honesty and commitment to helping customers get exactly what they need, without upselling or sugar-coating. The friendly customer service and quality products at Reference Media made the choice clear for our voters.
Home buying is serious business, but Andrew Fouse is here to help make the experience efficient and stress-free. After working in construction, Andrew shifted focus to help people make important decisions, and land the place that’s just right for them. Clients noted Andrew’s negotiation skills and home-buying expertise. They also praised Andrew’s clear and consistent communication with his clients.
Silver Best Buy Bellingham | 360.715.0008 Bronze Audio Video Excellence Bellingham | 360.398.8447
Silver Brandon Nelson Partners Bellingham | 360.319.0696 Bronze Kathy Stauffer Birch Bay-Blaine | 360.815.4718
October 2017 69
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MASSAGE or FACIAL Intro 60-min. session*
of the
2017
BEST
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MassageEnvy.com
GOLD
MASSAGEBellingham or FACIAL 330 36th Street Bellingham, WAsession* 98225 Intro 60 min. 360-756-1100
Thank You for Voting!
M–F 8a - 10p| S 8a - 6p | Su 10a - 5p
360.756.1100
330 36th Street, Bellingham,WA 98225 DISCLAIMER: *Offer good for first-time guests only. Intro massage or intro facial session is a 60-minute session consisting of 50 minutes of hands-on services and a total of 10 minutes for consultation and dressing, which occurs both pre and post service. Prices subject to change. Rates and services may vary by franchised location and session. Not all Massage Envy franchised locations offer facial and other services. For a specific list of services, check with specific franchised location or see MassageEnvy.com. Additional local taxes and fees may apply. Each location is independently owned and operated. ©2017 Massage Envy Franchising, LLC ME-DNLD-1716-00-001-04X6
The Color Pot, Inc 1210 N State St Bellingham, WA 98225 360.734.4020 thecolorpot.com
BEST of the
2017
M – F 8am - 10pm S 8am - 6pm Su 10am - 6pm
DISCLAIMER: *Offer good for first-time guests only. Intro massage or intro facial session is a 60-minute session consisting of 50 minutes of hands-on services and a total of 10 minutes for consultation and dressing, which occurs both pre and post service. Prices subject to change. Rates and services may vary by franchised location and session. Not all Massage Envy franchised locations offer facial and other services. For a specific list of services, check with specific franchised location or see MassageEnvy.com. Additional local taxes and fees may apply. Each location is independently ME-DNLD-1716-00-001-04X6 owned and operated. ©2017 Massage Envy Franchising, LLC.
MassageEnvy.com
NORTH
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SILVER
Best Flooring Company
Carpet | Resillient | Hardwood | Tile & Stone | Laminate | shawfloors.com
North Cascades Health
and Rehabilitation Center
24 Hour Sub-Acute Nursing Care
short term rehab & long term care services • Providing 24 hour Nuring, Rehab, Respite & Hospice Care • 7-Day a Week Therapies (Physical, Occupational & Speech) • Large Private Rooms with TV, Wi-Fi & Phones • Bellingham’s Premier Skilled Nursing Facility • Highly Dedicated and Caring Staff of the
2017
BEST
NORTH
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SILVER
Thank you for voting for us!
4680 Cordata Parkway, Bellingham • (360) 398-1966 ncascadeshealthandrehab.com • Tour with us Today!
Home & Garden BONW
Best Landscape Design Erin Landscaping & Masonry 1822 34th St., Bellingham 360.312.4509 | erinlandscpaing.com
Whether you’re creating a two-tier waterfall escape or just want to spruce up the garden in the front lawn, Erin Landscaping will help you make it happen. The company offers great service and value, which did not go unnoticed by our voters. Erin’s will work with clients to create a custom design or start off with an existing template to help create the backyard of your dreams. Silver Private Gardens Design Bellingham | 360.752.1333 Bronze Kent’s Garden & Nursery Bellingham | 360.384.4433
Best Hardware Store Hardware Sales
Courtesy of Erin Landscaping & Masonry
2034 James St., Bellingham 360.734.6140 | hardwaresales.net
A family-owned business and a Bellingham staple for more than 50 years, Hardware Sales boasts a friendly and knowledgable staff, as well as the kind of inventory and personal service to help you launch your next project. Hardware Sales carries everything from power tools, paints and office furniture, to lawn and garden tools. Whatever you need, including rentals, Hardware Sales will help find it for you. Silver ACE Hardware Bellingham | 360.933.4686 Bronze Builders Alliance Bellingham | 360.738.9000
Best Kitchen & Bath Designer DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen 3311 Northwest Ave., Bellingham 360.558.3171 | dreammaker-remodel.com
© Amanda Colbert
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen features affordable renovations, first-class customer service, and fast results. Our readers took note of DreamMaker’s quality service and voted them number one again this year, as DreamMaker continues to offer the best path to a new and improved living space. DreamMaker works closely with clients to create a new kitchen or bath fast and efficiently, under-budget, and picture-perfect. Silver Spiral Studios Bellingham | 360.202.0635 Bronze Domistyle Design Bellingham | 360.756.0296 October 2017 71
Food & Drink
© Lisa Karlberg
BONW
Best New Restaurant
Best Bakery / Dessert Shop
B-Town Kitchen and Raw Bar
Pure Bliss Desserts
714 Lakeway Dr., Bellingham 360.392.6520 | btownkitchen.com
1424 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham 360.739.1612 | pureblissdesserts.com
B-Town Kitchen and Raw Bar serves a delicious blend of Pacific Northwest, Asian and Mediterranean food from their restaurant in Bellingham’s Four Points by Sheraton. Seafood lovers will be pleased to hear the menu includes fresh shellfish and fish from off the coast — best enjoyed on the outdoor patio by the firepits. B-Town also offers local craft beer and wines to pair with your meal.
Pure Bliss creates a variety of sweet treats that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. The bakery uses allnatural, locally sourced ingredients to create cakes, cookies, cheesecakes and more. The chocolate peanut butter bar is famous, their cupcakes are dreamy — imagine rich flavors like red velvet and salted caramel beneath heaps of thick and creamy frosting from scratch. Leave room for dessert!
Silver Brotha Dudes Bellingham | 360.933.1927 Bronze Melvin Brewing Bellingham | 360.306.3285
Silver Mount Bakery Bellingham, various locations | 360.715.2195 Bronze Dutch Mother’s Family Restaurant Lynden | 360.354.2174
72 NorthSoundLife.com
Food & Drink BONW
Best Steak / Fine Dining Silver Reef Steakhouse 4876 Haxton Way, Ferndale 360.383.0777 | silverreefcasino.com
At The Steak House at Silver Reef Casino, creating a perfect steak has been turned to a science. Naturally aged prime steaks are moistened with steak butter after a short broil in an 1800 degree oven to create a fantastically flavorful and tender meal. Pair it with a red from the Steak House’s extensive wine list, and you’ve got yourself a meal sublime enough to write home about. Silver The Oyster Bar Bellingham | 360.766.6185 Bronze 13moons Restaurant Anacortes | 360.588.3800
Best Take-Out VikingFood Bellingham 360.922.0819 | ordervikingfood.com
Silver On Rice Thai Cuisine Bellingham, various locations | 360.714.9995 Bronze Boomer’s Drive in Bellingham | 360.647.2666
© Robert Dudzik
There comes a time when you crave a meal from your favorite establishment, but you don’t have the time — or the energy — to head to the restaurant yourself to pick it up. That’s where VikingFood comes in. VikingFood is a service that delivers meals from many Bellingham restaurants for a small fee, making your meal much easier. Check out their website to find a partnered restaurant you love.
Best Burger
Best International Cuisine
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Mykonos Greek Restaurant
1301 W. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham 360.715.1839 | fiveguys.com
1650 W. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham 360.715.3071 | mykonosrestaurantbellingham.com
Who doesn’t love a good burger? Our readers found their favorite at Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Bellingham. At Five Guys, burgers are made-to-order with fresh ingredients and served with a heaping pile of fresh-cut fries. The shop also serves hot dogs, sandwiches and milkshakes in true American style, and guests can snack on peanuts while they wait.
For delectable Greek meals, look no further than Mykonos in Bellingham. Myknonos offers housemade traditional Greek eats like gyros and dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) alongside American favorites. Try a daily dinner special in the restaurant, or order for take-out if you wish. The Kota Psiti is a must-have: tender chicken roasted with lemon and a blend of spices.
Silver Fiamma Burger Bellingham | 360.733.7374 Bronze The Filling Station Bellingham | 360.297.7732
Silver Asian 1 Bellingham | 360.752.2422 Bronze Dragon River Bellingham | 360.734.3462 October 2017 73
BONW Food & Drink
Best Fish & Chips Nicki’s Bella Marina 2615 S. Harbor Loop Dr., Bellingham 360.332.2505 | nickisbellamarina.com
Nicki’s Bella Marina has stuck to their original fish-and-chips recipe for more than 20 years, and it’s proven to be a favorite. Two huge pieces of fish are dipped in homemade tempura with handcrafted tartar sauce and all-youcan-eat steak fries. It’s the perfect meal for a day on Bellingham Harbor. The menu comes with a warning: “No, it doesn’t come with coleslaw and it never will.”
© Robert Dudzik
Silver Fairhaven Fish & Chips Bellingham | 360.733.5021 Bronze JoFish Seafood and Grill Lynden | 360.922.0187
Best Coffee Shop
Best Cocktail
Best Seafood
Woods Coffee
Redlight Bar
Anthony’s
8874 Bender Rd., Lynden, various locations 360.354.0900 | woodscoffee.com
1017 N. State St., Bellingham redlightbellingham.com
Although it hasn’t been around long, it has become hard to imagine the Northwest without Woods Coffee and with our reputation for coffee snobbery, that’s saying something. The local brand has 19 shops in the Northwest, and continues to garner fans with robust coffee and freshbaked goods. Woods is headquartered in Lynden, and uses local ingredients to create tasty drinks and meals with Northwest flair.
The Redlight Bar in Bellingham serves truly creative cocktails for the curious, the adventuresome, and the bored. And they’re a hit. Take the Blue Raja — a blueberry-infused bourbon with housemade mint syrup and orange Angostura bitters, mixed with soda water on ice. Where else can you find something like that? The Red Light does things the old-fashioned way, making cocktails using fresh-squeezed juices and housemade syrups.
25 Bellwether Way, Bellingham, various locations 360.647.5588 | anthonys.com
Silver Black Drop Coffee Bellingham | 360.738.3767 Bronze Primer Coffee Bellingham | 360.603.4248
Silver The Temple Bar Bellingham | 360.676.8660 Bronze The Real McCoy Bellingham | 360.392.8051
74 NorthSoundLife.com
Anthony’s is a Pacific Northwest favorite, known for spectacular seafood and American fare. The restaurant serves fresh Northwest seafood from its own seafood company, creating plates of oyster, Dungeness crab, wild salmon and more along with great drinks from the bar. At Anthony’s at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham, dinner and drinks often come with a stunning sunset view of the harbor. Silver 13moons Restaurant Anacortes | 360.588.3800 Bronze Rock and Rye Oyster House Bellingham | 360.746.6130
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GOLD
VOTED BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP
GOLD
BEST of the
2016
BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP
of the
2017
BEST
NORTH
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TWO LOCATIONS 360.676.1210
Thank you Whatcom County! We love our Customers, Consignors and Community! Thank you for your support. ♥
3927 Northwest Ave.
and
360.738.0333 2332 James St.
76 NorthSoundLife.com
LOCALLY OWNED AND LOCALLY GROWN SINCE 2004
Best Sandwich Avenue Bread 1313 Railroad Ave., Bellingham, various locations 360.715.3354 | avenuebread.com
One of Bellingham’s most reputable local businesses is Avenue Bread, and it’s easy to see why. It’s more than a sandwich shop and bakery with three locations in town. These are no regular sandwiches — each one starts with hand-formed loaves of artisan bread, and is piled high with veggies and your choice of meat. Try the Gourmet Turkey, covered in sprouts, red onion, lettuce, red pepper, and pesto panini spread on French bread. Silver Old World Deli Bellingham | 360.738.2090 Bronze Sandwich Odyssey Bellingham | 360.738.6919
Food & Drink BONW
Best Distillery / Spirits
Best Happy Hour
Best Italian
BelleWood Distilling
Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill
6140 WA-539, Lynden 360.318.7720 | bellewoodfarms.com
7 Bellwether Way, Bellingham 360.527.3473 | anthonys.com
Giuseppe’s Al Porto Ristorante Italiano
BelleWood Acres creates fine spirits in farm-to-glass style, using locally grown fruit — including produce grown right there in Lynden. Smallbatch spirits are the specialty at BelleWood, where distillers create delightful concoctions like Honeycrisp Vodka and Pumpkin Spice Liqueur. The distillery also creates gin, traditional vodka, and brandy, using fruits and wheat all grown in Washington.
The frugal have spoken. Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill in Bellingham has the best, and best value, happy hour around. The Hearthfire Grill serves truly tasty meals during happy hour, including Wild Salmon Swimmers and Beef Tenderloin Strips. If you manage to stop gazing at the gorgeous marina and water views, try one of their delicious cocktails, like the Spiked Lemonade, at the ice bar.
Silver Chuckanut Bay Distillery Bellingham | 360.738.7179 Bronze Mount Baker Distillery Bellingham | 360.734.3301
Silver Keenan’s at the Pier Bellingham | 360.392.5510 Bronze Bellingham Bar and Grill Bellingham | 360.733.2579
21 Bellwether Way, Bellingham 360.714.8412 | giuseppesitalian.com
Our readers chose Giuseppe’s Al Porto Ristorante Italiano as the Northwest’s top spot for delicious Italian, and for good reason. Giuseppe’s serves an array of authentic Italian meals, from fresh pasta dishes like Lobster Ravioli to Pollo alla Parmigiana, alongside a long list of wines and cocktails. The restaurant’s proprietor, Giuseppe, often greets guests to make sure each meal goes spectacularly. Silver D’Anna’s Cafe Italiano Bellingham | 360.714.0188 Bronze Mambo Italiano Bellingham | 360.734.7677
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BONW Food & Drink
Best Sushi
Best Pizza
Kuru Kuru Sushi
La Fiamma Woodfire Pizza
11 Bellwether Way, Bellingham 360.392.8224 | kurukurubellingham.com
200 E. Chestnut St., Bellingham 360.647.0060 | lafiamma.com
Kuru Kuru offers a wide array of conveyor-belt sushi, continually prepared behind the bar. Patrons tally their plates at the end of the meal and pay for whatever delectable items they grabbed during their stay. Kuru’s approach to sushi is quick, delicious, and popular — and our readers love it.
For nearly 20 years, La Fiamma has been Bellingham’s top spot for stellar pizza. The pies at La Fiamma are made with their trademark flavorful toppings such as pesto, shrimp and artichoke (the Finn pizza) among others. The restaurant also has a late-night walk-up window, appropriately named the Pie Hole, which serves as a respite for barhoppers and college students craving a midnight slice.
Silver Blue Fin Sushi Bellingham | 360.752.2583 Bronze Zen Sushi Bellingham | 360.734.7888
Silver Pizzazza Bellingham, various locations | 360.218.7012 Bronze FatPie Pizza Bellingham | 360.366.8090
Best Food Truck
Best Wine Shop
StrEAT Food
Seifert & Jones
Bellingham, various locations 360.927.0011 | streatfood.me
19 Prospect St., Bellingham 360.393.3271 | sjwinemerchants.com
With all the high-quality food trucks Bellingham has to offer, StrEAT Food has to be pretty special to be voted the people’s favorite. The truck can commonly be found outside of some of Bellingham’s finest breweries, and serves mouthwatering burgers and Mediterranean specialties. The Gyro Pita is a savory meal, served with spit-roasted lamb, tzatziki onion and feta on a warm and fluffy pita.
Seifert & Jones features a huge variety of vino from all over the Northwest and Europe, giving Bellingham residents a chance to taste the world’s wines. Each product in the shop is handselected by the owners, who work to offer excellent wines at great prices. If you’re a wine-lover and you’ve never been in before, expect that “kid in a candy shop” feeling from long ago.
Silver Bare Bones Bar B Q Bellingham | 360.318.6176 Bronze Hot Mess Food Truck Bellingham | 360.599.8852 78 NorthSoundLife.com
Silver Artifacts Wine Bar Bellingham | 360.778.2101 Bronze Vinostrology Wine Lounge & Merchant Bellingham | 360.656.6817
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Best Chef Justin Hawkinson, Crave
1601917
State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas Dallas, TX
Bellingham 360.223.4900 | cravecatering.net
Crave Catering uses prime Northwest ingredients and chef-inspired recipes to bring delicious treats to events across Whatcom County. Chef Justin Hawkinson has cooked for 25 years in Whatcom County kitchens, and considers creating soups and stocks his specialty, and his passion. Hawkinson and Crave serve everything from appetizers to desserts to make each event (big or small) something memorable. Silver Cinnamon Berg, Cosmos Bistro Bellingham | 360.255.0244 Bronze Corey O’Neil, Swinomish Casino & Lodge Bellingham | 888.288.8883 October 2017 79
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Food & Drink BONW
BONW Food & Drink
Best Brewery Kulshan Brewery 2238 James St., Bellingham, various locations 360.389.5348 | kulshanbrewery.com
In the highly-competitive community of craft breweries, Kulshan has always stood out for its excellence. The brewery now has two Bellingham locations and serves some truly outstanding beers. Kulshan is home to musical performances and delicious food trucks, and has become a gathering spot in Bellingham. Try the Bastard Kat IPA for that full hoppy flavor, or the Red Cap Irish style red ale for a balanced, full-bodied beer. Silver Aslan Brewing Company Bellingham | 360.778.2088 Bronze Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen Bellingham | 360.752.3377
Best Tea / Herb Shop
Best Bar & Lounge
The Spice Hut
13moons Restaurant
131 W. Kellogg Rd., Bellingham 360.671.2800 | thespicehut.com
12885 Casino Dr., Anacortes 360.588.3800 | swinomishcasinoandlodge.com
The Spice Hut is a one-stop shop for herbs, teas and spices, and offers an unrivaled collection of tea medleys at a great value. The Bellingham shop stocks over 175 loose-leaf teas and more than 100 spices from all over the world, meaning there’s a whole lot of flavor to explore. Teas are mixed and infused with natural flavorings, and spices are ground to order.
Anacortes’ own 13moons serves authentic Pacific Northwest selections from the Salish Sea and land, sure to make any mouth water. Located at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge, 13moons offers a delectable variety of seafood, steaks and more, all in a comforting lodge setting. Their most popular dish is the alder wood grilled salmon, served with Skagit Valley-sourced veggies — try it with a craft beer or wine.
Silver Wonderland Teas and Spices Bellingham | 360.733.0517 Bronze Saku Tea Bar Bellingham | 360.820.3171
Silver The Temple Bar Bellingham | 360.676.8660 Bronze Galloway’s Cocktail Bar Bellingham | 360.756.2795
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Food & Drink BONW
Best Winery Dynasty Cellars 2169 E. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham 360.758.2958 | dynastycellars.com
Robust reds, aromatic whites — Dynasty Cellars produces its top-class wines with in-state grapes and an old-fashioned approach. In winter, cozy up to the fireplace in the winery’s tasting room. In summer, enjoy the warm air on its outdoor patio. The familyowned winery has spanned two generations, originating in central Europe, and sources grapes from various Walla Walla vineyards, most notably Les Collines, to produce flavors that our readers love. Silver Vartanyan Estate Winery Bellingham | 360.756.6770 Bronze Coach House Cellars Bellingham | 360.306.8794
The Pacific Northwest’s premier event venue
360-647-1444
info@lairmontmanor.com lairmontmanor.com - facebook - instagram
Best Mexican Restaurant Mi Mexico 241 Telegraph Rd., Bellingham 360.647.0073 mimexicobellingham.com
Mi Mexico serves ample plates of authentic Mexican food right in Bellingham. The chicken deluxe burrito is particularly tasty, and comes loaded with cheese, tender chicken, guacamole and more, all smothered in zesty burrito sauce. Show up hungry — each plate is a lot of food. For those who need to eat on the go, Mi Mexico also offers take-out option. Silver Jalapeños Bellingham, various locations 360.671.3099 Bronze El Agave Bellingham, various locations 360.676.0340
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
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BONW
Kids Best Place for a Kid’s Birthday Party Trampoline Zone 4201 Meridian St. #107, Bellingham 360.255.0722 | trampolinezone.net
If you’re looking for the ultimate fun birthday party for your kid, Trampoline Zone is where it’s at. Reserve your party and get the party package for the ultimate Trampoline Zone experience. Along with your birthday cake, they have Westside Pizza, ice cream, and drinks available to purchase for the party. A word from the wise: jump first, eat later. Silver Whatcom Family YMCA Bellingham | 360.733.8630 Bronze Perch and Play Bellingham | 360.393.4925
Best Summer / Outdoor Camp Camp Firwood 1740 Lake Whatcom Blvd., Bellingham 360.733.6840 | campfirwood.org
© Lee Eberhardt
Wander into the heart of Firwood with the great staff and campers of Camp Firwood, where kids have the chance to make new friends, become closer with God, and participate in fun activities like sailing, paintball, and running the challenge course. Parents and kids alike say Firwood is the best camp there is and they’ll definitely be returning for more! Silver Sportsplex Bellingham | 360.676.1919 Bronze Wild Whatcom Bellingham | 360.389.3414
Best Private School
Best Store for Baby
Assumption Catholic School
Along Comes A Baby
2116 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham 360.733.6133 | school.assumption.org
436 W. Bakerview Rd., #104, Bellingham 360.671.5523 | alongcomesababy.com
Our readers voted Assumption Catholic School as the best private school. A local fixture since 1913, Assumption Catholic School emphasizes the mind, body, and spirit of its students in Whatcom County. Their rigorous, yet welcoming curriculum and atmosphere offer a place to help children reach their highest potential.
With a knowledgeable and friendly staff, Along Comes A Baby strives to get parents what they want for their wee one. They offer quality baby products from strollers and car seats to cribs and diapers, but also provide information on how to wrap a baby and lactation consulting. The independent, locally owned store offers the best of the Northwest for your baby.
Silver Whatcom Hills Waldorf School Bellingham | 360.733.3164 Bronze St. Paul’s Academy Bellingham | 360.733.1750
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Silver Wee Ones Reruns Inc. Bellingham | 360.733.6794 Bronze Bellingham Baby Company Bellingham | 360.778.3249
Kids BONW
Best Pre-School Generations Early Learning & Family Center 2901 Connelly Ave. B101, Bellingham 360.752.6336 | intergenchildcare.com
This school is a winner among readers because carefully considered classes divide kids into groups depending on each child’s age and development. Classes have 19 or 20 children at a time, but staff is added so the student-to-teacher ratio is no more than 10:1, which helps children get the attention they deserve. Lesson plans are devised weekly. Silver Gabriel’s Art Kids Bellingham | 360.739.9365 Bronze A Loving Space School Bellingham | 360.676.1355
Best Childcare / After-School Program Generations Early Learning & Family Center 2901 Connelly Ave. B101, Bellingham 360.752.6336 | intergenchildcare.com
Silver Bellingham Childcare & Learning Center Bellingham | 360.676.0950 Bronze Fircreek Day Camp Bellingham | 360.733.6840
© Hayley Horne
Generations Early Learning & Family Center combines two types of institutional learning models to create a multigenerational living-learning environment for children and senior citizens in our community. The resources and opportunities provided allow children to develop and grow in their first six years while also providing residents of Mt. Baker Care Center and Summit Place Assisted Living with social interaction, emotional support, and stimulated learning.
Best Family-Friendly Activity
Best Toy Store
Trampoline Zone
Fairhaven Toy Garden
4201 Meridian St., #107, Bellingham 360.255.0722 | trampolinezone.net
909 Harris Ave., Bellingham 360.714.8552 | fairhaventoygarden.com
Trampoline Zone’s 18,000 square-foot facility includes two foam pits, a ninja course, slack line, kids zone, and designated areas for all your dunking, dodgeball, and jumping fun. It’s a great place for all ages from kids to college students. Whether you’re going with your family or a group of friends, you’ll have a fun time and maybe get a good workout in!
You’ll have almost as much playing in the store as you will playing at home. With interactive displays and a fun space, the Fairhaven Toy Garden offers unique and affordable toys for newborns to preteens. With play being such an important part of a child’s physical, social, and emotional development, Fairhaven Toy Garden is determined to provide the best toys for your tots.
Silver Uptown Art Bellingham | 360.733.1471 Bronze Perch and Play Bellingham | 360.393.4925
Silver Yeager’s Sporting Goods Bellingham | 360.733.1080 Bronze Launching Success Learning Store Bellingham | 360.527.2641 October 2017 83
BONW
Pets Best Dog Trainer Cedarwoods Canine School 6497 Woodlyn Rd., Ferndale 360.384.6955 | cedarwoods-k9.com
Cedarwoods Canine School has 22 years of family-run experience under the owners’ belts, making them an obvious choice for training. The school offers a variety of classes from basic obedience training to tune-ups and private lessons. Conveniently set up a free consultation online to get your dog on the right track toward obedience. Silver Hyline Hotel for Dogs Everson | 360.398.0174 Bronze Michael Nicols: The Dog Guy Bellingham | 360.255.9832
Best Boarding Kennel
Best Pet Store
Hyline Hotel for Dogs
Mud Bay
1014 E. Hemmi Rd., Everson 360.398.0174 | hylinehotel.com
1022 Lakeway Dr., Bellingham 360.922.3900 | mudbay.com
It is never easy to leave your pup behind when you’re jetting off, but the staff at Hyline Hotel make the process as painless as possible. The 12-acre farm is located between Bellingham, Lynden, and Everson, making it a great option for Whatcom County dog owners. Plus, all 12 of those acres are divided into 25 exercise areas your pup can visit at least five times a day.
You treat your body right with a healthy, fresh diet, right? Why not do the same for your four-legged friend? Mud Bay, conveniently located next to Whole Foods in the Lakeway Shopping Center, is dedicated to providing nutritious food for cats and dogs and to educating owners on the benefits of such products. If you are new to the endless options for your pet, just ask the staff for a bit of guidance. They’ll be happy to help.
Silver 3 Schips and a Girl Bellingham | 360.927.6033 Bronze Rover Stay Over Lynden | 360.306.5931
Silver PetStop Bellingham | 360.738.3663 Bronze Clark Feed & Seed Bellingham | 360.733.8330
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Pets BONW
Best Veterinarian
Best Groomer
Fountain Veterinary Hospital
City Dogs Grooming
2430 Meridian St., #2, Bellingham 360.733.2660
711 E. Holly St., Bellingham 360.756.9515 | citydogsgrooming.com
Fountain Veterinary Hospital comes highly recommended from pet owners across the region. Trips to the vet can be traumatic for pet and owner but the staff at Fountain Veterinary Hospital make the sometimes painful process as smooth as possible.
This isn’t the first time City Dogs Grooming has been named Best of the Northwest, and no wonder. Lee Ann Kelly has more than 25 years of experience in making dogs look neat and clean while making it a not-so-scary visit. Beyond their impressive grooming services, City Dogs donates to local nonprofits and animal rescue groups.
Silver Northshore Veterinary Hospital Bellingham | 360.738.6916 Bronze Fairhaven Veterinary Hospital Bellingham | 360.671.3903
Silver Shake & Shine Bellingham | 360.296.5226 Bronze Clean & Clip Grooming Anacortes | 360.293.8288
Best Doggie Daycare Tails-a-Wagging 3959 Hammer Dr., Bellingham 360.733.7387 | tails-a-wagging.com
Tails-a-Wagging provides daycare and training in a stateof-the-art facility. The location features three different play rooms, two outdoor play yards, and a 2500-square-foot training room. And, best of all, the staff has web accessible cameras for owners who might miss their pooch a little too much throughout the day. Dogs of any size can prance around in the 10,000 square-foot dog house and outdoor area, or take some classes to become a real good boy (or girl).
Courtesy of Tails-a-Wagging
Silver Northwest Kennels Bellingham | 360.384.6578 Bronze 3 Schips and a Girl Bellingham | 360.927.6033
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Romance
© Jolene Hanson
BONW
Best Date Night
Best Wedding Venue
Best Place To Meet Singles
The Upfront Theatre
Lairmont Manor
Bellingham Bar and Grill
1208 Bay St., Bellingham 360.733.8855 | theupfront.com
405 Fieldston Rd., Bellingham 360.647.1444 | lairmontmanor.com
1408 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham 360.733.2579 | bellinghambarandgrill.com
What is better than dinner and a movie? How about dinner and kneejerking laughter? Try something a little different this date night with a night of improvised comedy at The Upfront Theatre. The theater hosts acts every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Best of all, many of the tickets are even less than you’d spend at the movies.
Historic, elegant, and romantic, the Lairmont Manor hits the nail on the head for your most special day. The century-old Italian Renaissance-style home features a grand hall that houses a Steinway & Sons baby grand piano, beautiful gardens encompassing the estate, and all the resources you’ll need to make your day run smoothly.
Silver The Temple Bar Bellingham | 360.676.8660 Bronze The Mill Lynden | 360.778.2760
Silver Evergreen Gardens Ferndale | 360.384.0739 Bronze Woodstock Farm Bellingham | 360.778.7000
Bellingham Bar and Grill seems to never calm down, making it a great spot to meet your match. The bar mixes it up with fun drink specials throughout the week, providing variety each day. Make it a game night on one of the bar’s numerous pool tables. Probably the most famous night, Wednesday, features progressive well drinks to keep your bar tab low.
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Silver Rumors Cabaret Bellingham | 360.671.1849 Bronze Uisce Irish Pub Bellingham | 360.738.7939
NORTH
WEST
BEST of the
2017
of the
2017
BEST
VOTED BEST GYM & PERSONAL TRAINERS 8 YEARS RUNNING!
NORTH
WEST
GOLD
CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL OU R
WINNERS!
1730 N. State St. Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 733-1600 BellinghamFitness.com
1 WEEK FREE NO OBLIGATION TRIAL MEMBERSHIP
ALL CLASSES INCLUDED! ZUMBA, YOGA, ETC. Expires 11/1/18. With this coupon only. Must be 18 years old, a ямБrst time visitor, and live or work in Whatcom county.
BONW Romance
Best Hike Oyster Dome Chuckanut Rd.
Don’t be intimidated by the quick elevation of 1,050 feet in just about 2½ miles. The sweat will be well worth it. You will initially be greeted by switchbacks, then a more-strenuous straight incline for the final push. However, once you take those last steps toward the spectacular view of the San Juan Islands, you’ll lose your breath for a new reason. Silver Fragrance Lake Bellingham Bronze Heliotrope Ridge Deming | 360.856.5700
Best Tourist Attraction Whale Watching orcanetwork.org
Few sights are more majestic than a pod of wild orcas migrating through the Puget Sound. Luckily, the Salish Sea is well known for great viewing locations. The west side of San Juan Island has been noted as one of the easiest places to spot a pod. Silver Deception Pass Oak Harbor | 360.675.3767 Bronze Chuckanut Drive Bellingham
Favorite Northwest Destination Mount Baker Mount Baker Hwy. 360.734.6771 | mtbaker.us
Mount Baker is a year-round destination. In winter, the slopes provide world-class skiing and snowboarding. The summer brings endless trails for hiking and backpacking. Even if you aren’t the typical Pacific Northwest outdoor junkie, a simple drive up to Artist Point will be an experience within itself. The best part about Mount Baker? It is practically in our back yard. Silver Yellow Aster Butte Bellingham | 425.783.6000 Bronze Deception Pass Oak Harbor | 360.675.3767 88 NorthSoundLife.com
Services
BONW
Best Bank
Best Florist
Whatcom Educational Credit Union (WECU)
Pozie by Natalie
600 E. Holly St., Bellingham, various locations 360.676.1168 | wecu.com
Bellingham 360.927.1286 | poziebynatalie.com
This year’s choice for best bank, Whatcom Educational Credit Union, doesn’t operate like a normal bank because it’s not a bank. It’s a not-for-profit financial cooperative. Perks of being a member include financial counseling, no fees at ATMs, and special financial education seminars. In addition to a long list of banking services, WECU branches and ATMs all over Whatcom County make banking accessible.
Floral designer Natalie, of Pozie by Natalie, has loved flowers since she was a child. When she was young, her father taught her how to arrange flowers and she has perfected the art of combining color, bloom size, and texture to create eye-catching arrangements. Natalie specializes in choosing seasonal blooms so her arrangements are always as fresh and longlasting as possible.
Silver Skagit Bank Bellingham, various locations | 800.246.4402 Bronze Peoples Bank Bellingham, various locations | 360.734.9811
Silver Rebecca’s Flower Shoppe Bellingham | 360.715.3066 Bronze Belle Flora Bellingham | 360.734.8454
Best Nonprofit Organization
Best Photographer
Lydia Place
Katheryn Moran Photography
1911 C St., Bellingham 360.671.7663 | lydiaplace.org
Bellingham 425.766.3755 | katherynmoranphotography.com
Striving to end homelessness in Whatcom County, Lydia Place is a non-profit community-based agency serving homeless families since 1989. They offer emergency and transitional housing, parenting support, life-skills classes, behavioral health counseling, and advocacy programs geared towards educating the public about the causes of homelessness. Supporting non-profits like Lydia Place helps make our community a better place for everyone.
Katheryn Moran is a photographer of all trades. She’s taken pictures of brides, babies, couples, events, and food. Her well-styled, beautiful pictures are an ideal way to capture the special moments in life and make the ordinary memorable. You can even find her work on some of your favorite local business websites. Check out her website and find a reason to have pictures taken. You won’t be disappointed.
Silver Whatcom Humane Society Bellingham | 360.733.2080 Bronze Planned Parenthood Bellingham | 360.734.9095
Silver Diane Padys Photography Bellingham | 360.201.4370 Bronze Erin Cox Photography Burlington | 360.708.2850
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BONW Services
Best Auto Dealer
Squalicum Boathouse
Roger Jobs Motors Inc.
2600 N. Harbor Loop Dr., Bellingham 360.676.2500 | portofbellingham.com
2200 Iowa St., Bellingham 888.251.5340 | rogerjobs.com
If you’re hosting an event, consider the open space of Squalicum Boathouse. It’s located in Zuanich Point Park and features sweeping views of Bellingham Bay and Lummi Island. Basic meeting components like WiFi, a podium, and display screen are included at no cost. Plus, a large fireplace and full kitchen help make any work meeting less of a drag and more of an event.
Lauded by customers for their friendly and helpful customer service, Roger Jobs Motors Inc. wins Gold for this year’s Best Auto Dealer. They have an extensive inventory of new and pre-owned cars, which you can browse through online or in person. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Fill out their special Car Finder form and a representative will keep an eye on new arrivals that match your wishes.
Silver Gateway Centre Executive Suites Bellingham | 360.685.4200 Bronze Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Bellingham | 360.746.6844
Silver Dewey Griffin Subaru Bellingham | 360.734.8700 Bronze The Autohaus Bellingham | 360.715.9797
Best Tailor / Seamstress
Best Mechanic
Sew & Sew
Harmony Motorworks
1324 Commercial St., Bellingham 360.733.5913 | sewandsewbellingham.com
1922 Grant St., Bellingham 360.671.2420 | harmonymotorworks.com
Staffers at Sew & Sew have more than 130 years of combined experience. That’s probably why they can repair and alter any piece of clothing you bring. Their goal is to make sure customers are confident in their clothing. If attention to detail and timely service aren’t enough, Sew & Sew’s prices are reasonable and affordable.
Harmony Motorworks has been in business for more than 30 years. They’re familiar with European and Japanese cars and all the technical quirks that go along with maintaining those models, but clients appreciate the staff’s ability to speak in laymen’s terms. A large service center means they can work on many cars at once, so scheduling an appointment that fits your busy life isn’t difficult.
© Joe Meche
Best Corporate Meeting Space
Silver Amy’s Alterations Bellingham | 360.756.6515 Bronze Tommy the Tailor Bellingham | 360.650.9168
90 NorthSoundLife.com
Silver Bellingham Automotive Bellingham | 360.676.5200 Bronze Sterling Automotive Bellingham | 360.933.4503
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BELLINGHAM’S BEST MEDICAL DISCOUNT EVERYTHING IN BEAUTY SUPPLIES
FOR MEDICAL CLIENTS
Our licensed cosmotologists can assist you with everything from hair care products and appliances to hairpieces and extensions. We carry the largest selection of wigs in Northwest Washington!
BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN LOCATION WITH FREE PARKING MEDICAL & RECREATIONAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY
SATORIBELLINGHAM.COM | (360) 746-8478 | 100 E. MAPLE BELLINGHAM |
SATORI.BELLINGHAM SATORIBELLINGHAM
THIS PRODUCT HAS INTOXICATING EFFECTS AND MAY BE HABIT FORMING. MARIJUANA CAN IMPAIR CONCENTRATION, COORDINATION, AND DO NOT OPERATE A VEHICLE OR MACHINERY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THIS DRUG."THERE MAY BE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSUMPTION OF THIS PRODUCT. FOR USE ONLY BY ADULTS TWENTY-ONE AND OLDER. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
Open to the Public! 1225 East Sunset Drive, Suite 150 Bellingham, WA 98226 360.738.0359 sunsetbeautysupply.com
© Meredith Boxx
BONW Services
Best Agricultural Company
Best Creative Company
Best Lodging
Boxx Berry Farm
FizzPOP Media
Inn at Lynden
6211 Northwest Dr., Ferndale 360.380.2699 | boxxberryfarm.com
4071 Hannegan Rd. Ste. R, Bellingham 888.529.9790 | fizzpopmedia.com
100 5th St., Lynden 360.746.8597 | innatlynden.com
From onions to cucumbers to beets, and of course berries, Boxx Berry Farm is a one-stop produce farm. They celebrate their farm’s bounty with U-pick and discounts on bulk produce at the end of each season. In the farm store, you’ll find homemade jams, preserves and syrups, along with honey, mustard, salad dressing and an ice-cream counter. Boxx Berry Farm even sells flowers for weddings and rents tented event space under a grove of pine trees.
For the second year in a row, FizzPOP Media takes home the Gold for Best Creative Company. The website developer has a proven track record for boosting their clients’ market outreach through better search engine rankings. They offer a variety of services at prices and packages that are suitable for both start-ups and veteran businesses. A free consultation means you have nothing to lose and only customers to gain.
Housed in the historic Waples Mercantile Building, the Inn at Lynden is a perfect lodging choice for out-oftown guests or a staycation yourself. Spacious rooms with luxurious amenities make for a comfortable stay. For guests with special plans, the Inn also offers a grand Celebration Suite and Extended Stay Suites. They even lend complimentary bicycles to help guests explore Lynden.
Silver ClickMonster Bellingham | 360.389.3093 Bronze Big Fresh Bellingham | 360.752.3304
Silver Chrysalis Inn and Spa Bellingham | 360.756.1005 Bronze Heliotrope Hotel Bellingham | 360.201.2914
Silver Cloud Mountain Farm Center Everson | 360.966.5859 Bronze Curt Maberry Farm Lynden | 360.354.4504 92 NorthSoundLife.com
Services BONW
VOTED
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Best Place To Work
BEST
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for the last 6 years!
Western Washington University 516 High St., Bellingham 360.650.3000 | wwu.edu
Silver BP Cherry Point Blaine | 360.371.1500 Bronze PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Bellingham | 360.734.5400
BEST of the
2017
In addition to being part of a diverse group that’s shaping tomorrow’s leaders, working at Western Washington University means an extensive list of perks. WWU employees enjoy access to recreation at Lakewood on Lake Whatcom and the Wade King Recreation Center, and receive discounts on personal cell phone plans. Beyond the perks, employees rave about the great mentoring programs and supportive network of colleagues.
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Wally’s Barber Shop
314 E Holly St #100, Bellingham 360-647-0807
Best Insurance Agent Cassie Robles, Rice Insurance 1400 E. Broadway, Bellingham 360.603.4315 | riceinsurance.com
Rice Insurance offers insurance for every need: personal, business, specialty, and life and health. It has been in business since 1946, and today, out of its 85 employees, Cassie Robles has earned your choice for the Gold Award for this year’s Best Insurance Agent. Satisfied customers praise Robles for her personable approach and attention to individual needs when choosing insurance plans. Silver Nancy Leavitt, American Family Insurance Bellingham | 360.733.3626 Bronze Wallace & Associates Insurance Burlington | 360.755.0631 October 2017 93
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Compassionate · Professional · Local
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN | BEST KITCHEN & BATH DESIGNER
spiraldesignstudios.com 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.
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CascadeHypnosisCenter.com 103 E. Holly St., Suite 403 • Bellingham
COME DISCOVER WHAT MAKES US THE BEST!
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Best Cannabis Shop in the Northwest
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First Timers Welcome :: Questions Encouraged
SEE MENU & ORDER ONLINE AT 2020-SOLUTIONS.COM BELLINGHAM
Hypnotherapist Erika Flint, BCH, A+CPHI
GOLD
2018 IRON STREET 5655 GUIDE MERIDIAN 4770 PACIFIC HIGHWAY
| OPEN 7 DAYS | FREE PARKING | | NO MEDICAL CARD NEEDED | 21+ | NEW!
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Warning: : Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 years of age or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product and should not be used by women that are pregnant or breastfeeding. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.
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Services BONW
Best Plumber Spectrum Plumbing and Heating Inc. 753 E. Smith Rd., Bellingham 360.739.9207 | spectrumpandh.com
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Spectrum Plumbing & Heating, LLC is always there to help fix your plumbing and hydronic heating problems. The family business grows their own by training employees to move through the ranks of apprentice and journeyman. No job is too big, no challenge too difficult for this team of expert craftsmen and technicians. Silver Gary’s Plumbing & Heating Bellingham | 360.734.9700 Bronze Favinger Plumbing Bellingham | 360.676.1774
Best Financial Advisor Nicole Burdick, Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Nicole Burdick serves a wide range of financial clients: from those starting out and making sense of budgets to retirees wanting to live the good life. Burdick is based in Bellingham, but sees clients all over Whatcom County, including Ferndale and Lynden. Satisfied clients say Burdick takes a personal approach to financial advice, taking into consideration individual goals to tailor strategies. Silver J D Phillips & Associates Bellingham | 360.398.9224 Bronze Gene Bell & Associates Bellingham | 360.671.1845
© Dawn Matthes Photography
2122 Barkley Blvd., Ste. 200, Bellingham 360.734.4728 ext. 132 | nicoleburdick.wrfa.com
Best I.T. Service Provider
Best Attorney
Plain English Technology Services
Craig Cammock, Skagit Law Group, PLLC
4071 Hannegan Rd., Ste. R, Bellingham 360.545.4033 | plainenglishtechnology.com
227 Freeway Dr., Ste. B, Mount Vernon 360.336.1000 | skagitlawgroup.com
With more and more business being conducted online, an I.T. service provider can make or break a business. Plain English Technology Services wins this year’s Gold Award for setting the standard in I.T. service. They offer a comprehensive list of services to keep your technologies running smoothly and safely. Customers rave about Plain English’s versatility and platform knowledge as well as their straightforward approach to providing solutions.
Craig Cammock, a principal with the Skagit Law Group, PLLC, is a member of the Corporate, Litigation and Real Property, Probate, and Trust sections of the Washington State Bar Association. He has lived most of his life in the Skagit Valley, currently calling Bow home. Cammock specializes in the areas of real property, construction, commercial, corporate, and business law.
Silver Grizz Innovations Bellingham | 360.927.2594 Bronze Tech Help Bellingham | 360.756.6035
Silver Emily Rose Mowrey, Limitless Law Bellingham | 360.685.0145 Bronze Brian Clark, Skagit Law Group, PLLC Mount Vernon | 360.336.1000
October 2017 95
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BEST AUTO DETAILER! 1204 East Sunset Dr, Bellingham WA tintladyusa.com 360.778.2348
Bham Alive Mag-1-3_cs4.indd 4
9/7/2017 2:03:28 PM
Services BONW
Best Auto Detail Shop
Best Tattoo Shop
The Tint Lady
Industry Tattoo
1204 E. Sunset Dr., Bellingham 360.778.2348 | tintladyusa.com
4120 Meridian St. #160, Bellingham 360.752.0132 | tattoo.com/industry-tattoo
In business for more than 29 years, the family-owned Tint Lady is the only shop in Bellingham that focuses on tinting. They offer an incredible selection of professional-grade window films and back their work with a confident lifetime warranty. Visit Tint Lady for all your tinting and car-detailing service needs if you want long-lasting work done correctly.
Happy tattooed customers love Industry Tattoo’s laidback, yet professional atmosphere, which is why they voted Industry Tattoo this year’s Best Tattoo Shop. The store and instruments are clean and organized. The talented artists are friendly, approachable, and take the time to learn exactly what customers are looking for. It’s the kind of place where customers keep coming back for all their tattoos, and bring along family and friends.
Silver Final Touch Auto Spa Bellingham | 360.392.8676 Bronze Master Auto Detail Bellingham | 360.312.6036
Silver Old School Tattoo and Piercing Bellingham | 360.715.8261 Bronze Ink Drop Tattoo Shop Bellingham | 360.393.3897
The Best of Your Answers
Oh, you readers have quite the sense of humor. Or at least we think you were kidding. Some of our favorites:
Best Date Night
Best Kids’ Birthday Party
Best Builder
Saturday
Anywhere but My House
Bob the Builder (16 votes. Up 11 from 2016)
Best Women’s Clothing
Best Place to Work
Thong
From Home (38 votes)
Best Place to Meet Singles 2020 Solutions (23 votes)
Best Chef
Best IT Service Provider
Your Mom
My neighbor’s free WiFi
Silver “When you figure it out, please share.”
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RACISM, BIGOTRY, AND A MOTHER’S LOVE BY KEN KARLBERG
T
he human rights battle and capitalistic ideologies that led to the Civil War are not over. The weaponry is different now and the majority of the combatants don’t wear uniforms, but visible and not-so-visible battles occur every day, even here in our local counties. As a pundit wisely stated recently: “We can still lose the Civil War.”
Few would dispute that the national discussion in the aftermath of the violence in Charlottesville is long overdue. However, if we are brutally honest with ourselves, racism, bigotry, and their close relative, sexism, will always exist. No matter the issue in life, extremist viewpoints thrive, even if the holders of the viewpoints live isolated from the world in Hayden Lake, Idaho or the caves of Afghanistan. Extremist opinions are inevitable, a statistical verity at the outer edge of the bell-shaped curve of social issues. Society may marginalize extremists like the KKK, the neoNazis, and white supremacists, but the majority can neither shun nor shame their ideas into extinction. Charlottesville calls us to try, however, and not just the few, like Heather Heyer, and those who have the uncommon courage of freedom fighters from the ‘60s. Charlottesville calls all of us. This is our “look in the mirror” moment. Today, despite their relatively small numbers, these statistical outliers, these social deviants, are the unwanted public face of America to many in the world, friends and foes alike. Social media and the internet allow them to network, recruit and spew hatred in anonymity, while they organize in plain sight behind their keyboards with the First Amendment posted to their bedroom walls in Anytown, U.S.A. Sadly, Charlottesville is proof that these miscreants do so freely with near impunity. We may say the right things in the aftermath of every hatebased tragedy. As the adage goes, however, “We are what we do, not what we say.” Can we truly affect change, or even say we want change, with a straight face, unless we are prepared to fight for justice and equality for all on a sustained basis? Which begs the question: Is there any DNA remaining in us from our founding fathers, Abraham Lincoln, or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? If Charlottesville teaches us anything, it is that in the battle for the hearts and minds of our society, muted cries of outrage in the short term never prevail. Eventually, we must collectively come to a “put up or shut up” moment. If not now, when? Seldom do mere words change the course of history without more. So let the much-needed national discussion begin. The elephant in the room can’t be ignored forever. When the discussion is over, however, the question still remains — do we have the resolve to prove to the world, and to ourselves, that our country’s core aspirational values and morals are not just words?
This is one of the most important open moral questions of our time. And shamefully, should we fail to answer the question soon in the affirmative, the question will eventually answer itself.
WHO ARE THEY? No enduring answer is possible unless we first understand what motivates them. Theories abound. Psychologists may disagree, but most of these haters have one or more characteristics — the most prominent, perhaps, are ignorance and the primal fear to survive. They are threatened, and increasingly so. Their fear is driven by the recent recession, scarce resources and jobs, and the rise in political and economic power of minorities and women. For most of us, the American dream is largely based on the belief that if someone has talent and works hard to compete, he or she can and will succeed. Many disagree, of course, saying that merit is no guarantee of success, especially if you are a minority or female. But to the haters, this debate is moot. Haters don’t want to compete on merit, nor do many have the talent and skills to compete. If they did, they would — just like the majority of us in society. So rather than compete and lose, for example, to those blacks, Jews, women or gays who may be more talented, they espouse superiority and seek to institutionalize superiority to protect against their own weaknesses and insecurities. Their logic is simple: Fundamentally, if you are Caucasian, you are superior — either because your parents indoctrinated you with this belief or your God says so. Whatever the source of your belief, you are superior — and you don’t have to compete. Your children, your grandchildren and future generations are entitled to subjugate all other “inferior” human beings in perpetuity by right. From their perspective, society is wrong, they are right, and we just don’t get it.
If we are brutally honest with ourselves, racism, bigotry, and their close relative, sexism, will always exist.
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Is there any DNA remaining in us from our founding fathers, Abraham Lincoln, or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Unable to convince society, they are often driven to seek validation from others, or they risk having to confront the obvious — namely, that they are wrong. Their solution to society’s excommunication is to join the KKK and neo-Nazi and white supremacist organizations, where the echo chambers of like-minded haters gives them a heightened sense of self-worth and courage to spew hatred. There, they are family, brothers and sisters poisoned by the same delusions. Their leaders are typically those who hate the loudest. Like gangs in the inner city, they cling to each other for self-importance and for a warped sense of love. For these haters, hatred is often their identity, their reason for being. We may like to believe that no one hates at birth — that it is a learned behavior. But clearly hatred can give purpose and meaning to life for some, and hatred is difficult to unlearn, especially for the unwilling. As we search for answers, therefore, the stark reality is that hate, racism and bigotry have always existed. This is our challenge.
WHO WERE WE? Our country’s painful past must be acknowledged in any honest discussion. Twelve presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were slave owners at some point in time, some even while in the Oval Office. The founding fathers were flawed men, creatures of their time — sexist, racist, and bigoted. When Jefferson wrote “all men are created equal,” neither he nor the other signers meant blacks, Native Americans, and women. The regulation and taxation of slavery was discussed at the Constitutional Convention, but abolishment was not. They were, in a word, hypocrites. But we nonetheless rightly honor these men, despite their deep flaws, for their courage and wisdom. Why? Because flaws and all, America, the mother of all of us, exists today. These flawed men fought with their blood, putting their reputations and fortunes at risk, for a set of aspirational principles and ideals that are the very foundation for our national pride, our moral DNA — the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Admittedly, their words “all men are created equal” may have had unintended and unimaginable consequences in later years, for minorities, women, and the LGBT community. The founding fathers, however, were not so arrogant as to believe “their” America was a perfect union. They fully understood the imperfection of the moment. In the words of the preamble to the Constitution, they sought to “form a more perfect union,” not a perfect union — an acknowledgment that the search for a perfect union is a perpetual work in progress. The arc of the moral universe may bend toward justice, but progress has been painfully slow. The shameful national scars are many. Those of us in the center of society’s bell-shaped curve with the power to initiate change stood largely silent during Reconstruction and the Dred Scott, Plessy v. Ferguson and Jim Crow eras. Dr. King marched and gave his life to fulfill the dream, the original promise, because few would. Women had to
battle for decades just for the simple right to vote — and equality, particularly in pay, still eludes them. Japanese-Americans were interned and their property taken during WWII based solely on their ethnicity, without any evidence of treasonous behavior. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are not immune to these moral dilemmas. Native Americans suffered the loss of their lands and their way of life. And why? Because our ancestors could. Might makes right. The rule of law protecting property rights was enforced only after their land was taken. In the mid1920s, the KKK held marches in the center of Bellingham, including a parade and KKK float. Catholics, Sikhs, Chinese and other minority groups without a voice to protect themselves were second-class citizens. And yet without them, Bellingham and Whatcom County would not be the same today. This is our history, our glacial-like progress toward a more perfect union. Uncomfortable as it may be to acknowledge, honesty requires it. Our children need to know. Today, many of our youth only have a vague understanding of why certain groups are protected from discrimination or receive certain legal advantages and benefits. Nor do many particularly care. All they know is they are not to blame for the past. Some feel that they are unfairly being penalized for past moral failures by being placed two steps behind minorities at the starting line of life. This is why history matters, why who we were matters. To navigate forward fairly and safely, we need to clearly see the challenges ahead through the big windshield of life — challenges like haters and extremists, the proposed travel ban on refugees, walls on our southern border, and those individuals among our nation’s ranks of law enforcement who see color when they should be seeing people. But we need a rearview mirror, too, to see where we have been. History only repeats itself when we fail to check our mirrors at critical moments.
A MOTHER’S LOVE Our search for a more perfect union is akin to a mother’s love for her children — loving and loyal to a fault, but able to acknowledge her children’s failings and then helping them mature into a better version of themselves. The same holds true for America, our motherland. We can be proud of the best of our country’s aspirational values and heritage, and yet acknowledge our failures and work to heal scars from the past. The two are not inconsistent. Ask any mother. There is no such thing as a binary “America, love it or leave it,” choice, at least not for true patriots who proudly want their country to practice what it preaches. But as a society, we simply can’t fix what we don’t acknowledge. As a country, we were slow to change — stuck in neutral at the denial stage of the 12-step self-improvement process for decades, and in some instances, centuries. Gradually,
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History only repeats itself when we fail to check our mirrors at critical moments. we have righted, and are righting, many of these wrongs of the past through legislation codifying basic civil rights, women’s rights, and a myriad of other rights. However, most of us would agree, change has not come quickly enough for those who continue to suffer injustices. Nor quickly enough for our future — the reluctance of some to fully and honestly embrace the opportunity to better ourselves as a nation jeopardizes our ability to address new challenges that seem to accumulate daily. For example, there was no moral equivalency analogy to draw at Charlottesville, but there certainly is an equivalency to be drawn between the Confederate states, who defended slavery as being just and justified, and climate change deniers or organizations that subjugate women to second-class status. In each circumstance, the motivations for their respective justifications are the preservation of their power, privilege and wealth, not the merit of any argument. History teaches that change and progress seldom originate from those who benefit from the status quo. So, where to begin? We begin by acknowledging that progress takes time, but healing takes even longer. Scars don’t heal easily. Healing is a two-way street that requires patience, understanding, and trust by those on the receiving end of life’s injustices, and even by those who just don’t understand the nature and depth of the scars for whatever reason. The current discussion about monuments to southern Civil War leaders, for instance, is not about erasing history and culture. To the contrary, statues of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and others from the Civil War era need to be preserved and displayed where society can see them in our rearview mirrors and learn from them. Their preservation and relocation is critical. Historical honesty requires it. However, these monuments are historical scars and painful reminders when displayed in a manner and place where the obvious intent is to glorify the men — men who may have fought bravely in the face of death, but who fought for the perpetuation of slavery even if the war meant the destruction of America and its aspirational ideals. Simply put, Lee and Jackson were imperfect creatures of their time in critical ways that Washington and Jefferson were not. In fact, the issues raised by our national “monuments” dialogue are not even new or novel. One doesn’t have to look far into Germany’s rearview mirror to find historical parallels to our Civil War and the civil rights movement. The world preserves concentration camps from WWII for good reason — to remember, not to glorify. Perhaps equally important, Adolf Hitler is persona non-grata except in museums. Locally, our historical monuments may be few, but we nonetheless continue to confront and address our area’s unique moral equivalency issues. Most recently, Indian Street 102 NorthSoundLife.com
in Bellingham was renamed Billy Frank Jr. Street to honor Native American rights activist, Billy Frank, Jr., and our regional waters were named the “Salish Sea” to celebrate our local Native American heritage. These modest, but genuine gestures matter, as we gradually remove our equivalent of statues of Lee and Jackson and find new ways to promote healing like the recent ground-breaking for the Arc of Healing and Reconciliation in Bellingham. The symbolic arc will honor all immigrants, but especially those from China, India, and Japan whose sacrifices for our local communities laid the foundation for all of us here.
THE STATE OF OUR IMPERFECT UNION Change will slowly happen on its own, of course, if only because the purity of the human spirit keeps turning the nation’s steering wheel toward justice. That, and each successive generation increasingly embraces our collective racial, ethnic and religious diversity as a strength — and above all, becomes part of their normal everyday lives. Race, ethnicity and religious beliefs simply do not threaten them, leaving the wedge of hate with fewer cracks to exploit. But the two-way street of healing is just that — two ways. Everyone must step into each other’s shoes and come together. If those whose ancestors suffered wrongs, or who suffer continuing wrongs today, don’t let go of the past to some extent, or at least find a constructive, emotionally healthy place for their anger, the challenge of healing is all the harder. We can’t heal individually, or as a nation, if we cling to the wrongs of the past the same way that haters cling to their hatred as their reason for being. Can we profess to be better than the haters if we share this common quality with them? Something has to give — on all sides. Clearly, justice, equality and mutual respect don’t just happen. If haters are to be marginalized into near extinction, there is hard work ahead if we, as a society, have the courage, discipline and love to bend the moral arc by sheer willpower. Where to begin is really the wrong question. We are not at the beginning. America has a proud history of continually trying to do “the right thing,” even as the worst of our human nature caused unimaginable suffering to society’s disenfranchised. The search for a more perfect union started more than 240 years ago, and we have been in a relay race to preserve our country’s morals with our country’s most revered teammates ever since. Washington, Jefferson and other founding fathers handed the baton to generations of freedom fighters like Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Dr. King, Susan B. Anthony and many, many others — and now it is our turn. Do we reach back and take it, as our ancestors did with their ancestors, or do we just let the baton drop? This is the next generation’s and each generation’s challenge. Who are we, today? Collectively, we need to decide as a nation — if we don’t allow our flag to touch the ground, why would we allow our moral baton to touch the ground? They are one and the same. Aren’t they?
DISCOURAGE LITIGATION. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever they can. -Abraham Lincoln
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PREMIUM COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL ROOFING SERVICE IN WASHINGTON STATE Esary Roofing & Siding has been helping homeowners and contractors with their roofing and siding investments for over 50 years. esary.com • 360.318.0604 License # ESARYRS175KE Whatcom • San Juan Skagit • King County
HABITAT Home Remodel Tips and Tricks · Featured Home
Birch Bay Mansion WRITTEN BY MERI-JO BORZILLERI
T
his spectacular Birch Bay estate is what dreams are made of: This private 66-acre property consists of a 12,000-square-foot mansion with 1,575 feet of pristine, south-facing and jaw-dropping Georgia Strait shoreline. And that’s just the beginning. If you prefer to arrive by air rather than land or boat, the property has its own helipad and airstrip. A large gated entrance and arrival court features a striking, imported Italian fountain. Listed by Michael Doyle Properties, the five-bedroom, 7.25bath house was built in 2003 and nominated by HGTV for their Ultimate House Hunt (Great Escapes category). It has a large master wing on the sleeping level, and formal and informal living and dining rooms on the main level. Six fireplaces add comfort, as do a home theater, wine cellar, wet bar, sauna and spa. If grand outdoor events are on the calendar, like weddings or philanthropic fundraisers, first-class covered spaces allow for year-round comfort from the elements. Price tag: $17.8 million. (RV parking included.) Designer | JWR Design, Inc., Lynden Builder | Welcome Construction, Deming Photography | Greg White, Seattle Home Photography … continued on next page
HABITAT Featured Home
Exceptionally durable bluestone was selected for the home’s multi-gabled exterior. Visitors to the arrival court are greeted by a striking fountain imported from Italy.
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Many furnishings and materials were curated from owners’ extensive travels in Italy and elsewhere, including the Carrara marble fireplace in the second master bedroom.
Wood flooring is Brazilian Cherry throughout, at times arranged in a wenge pattern to highlight spaces
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The main level features a formal dining room and lovely winding staircase, but also allows for everyday use, including informal, in-kitchen dining and two offices.
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European dĂŠcor, including large doors that open to a picturesque arched entryway, highlight the mansion from the minute you arrive via the peaceful, paved road winding through the grounds.
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One of the Pacific Northwest’s premier hardware suppliers has remained independently owned and operated since 1962. Providing excellent customer service is not what we do, it’s who we are. www.hardwaresales.net Main Store: 360.734.6140 2034 James St. 98225 Exit 254 Equipment Rentals 360.734.6141
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When it comes to servicing and repairing your garage doors and openers, no one does it better than Overhead Door. No matter what brand or model... from simple tune-ups and repairs to full replacement and upgrades...trust the experts at Overhead Door to get the job done right – right away. 202 Ohio St., Bellingham, WA | (360) 734-5960 | ohdbellingham.com
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Whatcom County’s only factory-certified GAF Master Elite roofing contractor!
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360.752.2220 161 E. Horton Road Bellingham, WA topsideroofing.com
Award-winning Residential Design Jan Hayes, CMKBD • Thea Stephens, CAPS, CGP
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BEST PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET This month: Condo living—low maintenance with walk-away convenience With Homes like these you are on vacation every day. Living a resort life-style is easy when your back yard is a Northwest paradise. Walking, running, biking, swimming, golfing, tennis, fishing, kayaking, crabbing, beaching, playing in your own back yard...it's a wonderful life! 1. SEMIAHMOO Move-in ready, single story, end unit condo. Can it get any better? This 2 bed, 2 bath unit also has a large office with French doors. Covered patio with room to grill. Extremely well maintained with high end finishes. Crown molding, granite counters, stainless appliances. Located in Semiahmoo--enjoy a bite at the Great Blue Heron Bar & Grill and hit a quick bucket of balls on the driving range. All within 2 minutes of your doorstep. Best location in the whole neighborhood--quiet and private! $285,000, 5410 Snow Goose Lane #505, Semiahmoo, 2 Bed / 2 Bath, 1,232 Sq. Ft., MLS 1191161
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2. SEMIAHMOO Single story townhome in Resort Semiahmoo’s lush Gleneagle Villas complex. Last on the block is a very good thing when the large lawn next to you faces south! Great light, so more privacy than most! Highly efficient kitchen w/ real wood cabinets and granite counters. Vaulted great room with gas fireplace. Spacious master suite w/ huge bath. Recently updated w/ all new wood floors. Well run association. $444,000, 9009 Gleneagle Dr. #13, Semiahmoo, 2 Bed / 2 Bath, 1,750 Sq. Ft., MLS 1165211
3. SEMIAHMOO Single story cottage nestled quietly on the 14th fairway-guaranteed open view. Enjoy lots of natural light in this very spacious and well taken care of two bedroom/den condo. Seattle based Mithun designed floor plan has all the right features. Large open space for entertaining and lovely french doors that open into a large wrap-around patio. High ceilings-large windows-and clean as can be. Lovely garden grounds for a great easy-care place to call home. $379,000, 5691 Sanderling Way #7C, Semiahmoo, 2 Bed / 2.25 Bath, 1,826 Sq. Ft., MLS 1134116
KATHY STAUFFER
Whatcom County...Even when it rains, I shine! Managing Broker 360-815-4718 kathystauffer.com
HABITAT Remodel
A Picture-Perfect Refuge Private Gardens Design WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY CATHERINE TORRES
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usan Harrison, owner of Private Gardens Design, is no stranger to awards. She won our own Best of the Northwest for Best Landscape Designer in 2015 and took home the silver from this year’s Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) International Design Competition. The silver-winning design is located on a one-acre lot in Anacortes that overlooks Similk Bay and Skagit Island to the southwest. Harrison’s clients tasked her with creating a contemporary garden with
spaces for entertaining. The designer delivered. Inspired by her clients’ “openminded desire to explore possibilities,” Harrison got to work creating separate, yet cohesive spaces. An entrance framed by a Ceanothus hedge welcomes guests while providing privacy in the secluded fireplace seating area. Underfoot, tiles of Pennsylvania blue stone add a simple elegance to the space. Ample seating around the fireplace balances an adjacent, more intimate seating area alongside a reflective pool. There is a balance of straight and rounded edges in the garden: the curved metal fireplace alongside angular seating, a pair of rounded seats next to the straight-edged reflective pool, and squared-off concrete stairs with toe kicks curve gently down from the terrace to an infinity lawn and finally a natural meadow. The stairs tie all the separate spaces together. Harrison’s biggest challenge was keeping the flow of the design intact throughout the various spaces and elevation changes. By installing the sweeping staircases,
she was able to help create flow and “an invitation to explore the various garden levels.” Vegetation adds a softness to the design and Harrison carefully chose plants in the coastal plains family that would work double duty. Cotoneaster and oakleaf hydrangea spill onto the concrete stairs, softening the stone’s edges. Taking special consideration for the space’s Similk Bay view, Harrison framed the water view with plants that are “designed to create a succession of color through the seasons.” In
Wrap Up Your Holiday Decor Now and Save 873 Hinotes Court A2 Lynden 360.656.6579 or 360.961.4918 or email RussellsWindow Coverings@gmail.com
RussellsWindow Coverings.com $100 REBATE on select purchases of Hunter Douglas window fashions 9/16 – 12/11/17* * Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 9/16/17—12/11/17 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. A qualifying purchase is defined as a purchase of any of the product models set forth above in the quantities set forth above. If you purchase less than the specified quantity, you will not be entitled to a rebate. Offer excludes HDOrigins™ and Nantucket™ Window Shadings, a collection of Silhouette® Window Shadings. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 6 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 6 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations may apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. ©2017 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners. 17Q4MULTI
summertime, gardenias add color and intoxicating fragrance, then give way to achilleas, irises, and lavandulas in late summer and fall. Finally, in winter, Hamamelis will add subtle color. The view, best from inside the house, can be enjoyed year-round with an everchanging palate of colors. Harrison also wanted to create a sense of privacy in the fireplace seating area which has access from the house and driveway. In addition to the Ceanothus hedge, she used big, bold plants like Fatsia japonica, rodgersia,
and acanthus to create a sort of living wall around the space. Harrison’s careful choice and placement of stone and plants created a garden that is multifunctional with various nooks that can stand on their own, but still work cohesively in an overall design. Multi-season framing the natural views adds another level of attention to detail. This garden is truly a year-round refuge. 1609 12th St., Ste. 101, Bellingham 360.752.1333 | privategardensdesign.com
Creating Beautiful Spaces For Every Room In Your Home. Jacqueline Scott, AKBD 360.927.4436
LegacyKitchen-Bath.com
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lovitt restaurant Slow Food • Good Food •Real Food
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1114 Harris Ave., Fairhaven 360.671.7143| lovittrestaurant.com
Locations in Bellingham, Lynden, & Everson!
4260 Cordata Parkway #107 Bellingham | 360.756.5055 Friday & Saturday 11am - 12pm | Sunday - Thursday 11am - 10pm
NOW OPEN! A modern, sophisticated interpretation of ancient mead. Enjoy a unique combination of environmentally friendly honey and history in our playful and subtle wines crafted artisanally in small batches. Come see what the “buzz” is about!
21113 16th Avenue, Langley BC Canada V2Z 1K3
Fantastic Wine Selection Outdoor Seating Live Music Delicious Food
604.510.2336 | festinalente.ca
The Vault Wine Bar and Event Space
Hours: 11–6 Daily, May–Oct. Open Friday–Sunday, Nov.–April
277 G Street, Blaine | 360.392.0955 www.thevaultwine.com
DINE 8 Great Tastes · Dining Guide · Mixing Tin · Sip
Sedro-Woolley Eatery’s Hefty Sandwiches a Meal The Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill WRITTEN BY ZACCHORELI FRESCOBALDI-GRIMALDI PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAYLIN STIEFER
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edro-Woolley, located just 74 miles north of Seattle, has become a bedroom-community of commuters who travel the I-5 corridor to careers in larger cities. SedroWoolley’s rather isolated rural setting and evolving demographics have kept home prices affordable while, around the region, they increased. On downtown’s Metcalf Street, new restaurants such as Coconut Kenny’s pizzeria or revitalized and much-improved restaurants like The Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill are solid indicators of the city’s economic potential. From the sidewalk, The Bullpen, an exceptional family restaurant in downtown Sedro Woolley, appears small. But once inside, customers discover … continued on next page
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a vast dining room and extensive bar. Sports is the entertainment focus here. With 13 high-definition flatscreen televisions, customers may simultaneously watch rugby, soccer, baseball, basketball, golf, or football while enjoying lunch or dinner with the family. In case the kids are not sports enthusiasts, there are numerous arcade games and a couple of pool tables. The Bullpen’s full-service bar also offers many specialty cocktails, including The Purple Kick, a colorful combination of raspberry vodka, blueberry Red Bull and muddled lemon and lime that is sure to put a skip in your step. There are other craft cocktails, creative liquor shots, high-end scotch and whiskey options, wine, and a wide variety of beers. Ten taps rotate through a library of notable microbrews to satisfy Bullpen customers’ desire for the next new brew. Restauranteur Tony Carter, a butcher by training, hand-selects quality meats and personally trims and portions each steak, roast, or chop. Carter’s meatcutting career is a benefit to customers: Most restaurants order pre-trimmed, 116 NorthSoundLife.com
portioned and packaged meats. Tony’s expertise assures customers that they can, for example, rely on an exceptional New York steak or ribeye. Wednesday is beef-lover’s steak bonanza. From open to close a full steak dinner cooked to order, including any cut of houseprepped steak, potatoes and fresh vegetable, is a bargain at $9.99. This casual, full-service restaurant also sports a menu of upscale and culturally diverse comfort food. Sushi chef Damien Chin is the Thursday night guest chef. Carter and executive chef Robert Ellis also collaborate to produce 15 different sandwiches ranging from $9.85 to $13.85. Scratch restaurants such as The Bullpen have greater control over food cost, which means they can provide customers with a better product at lower prices. The Monday special is a $5 Burger Basket, a hefty sandwich for the price. The hand-shaped, house-seasoned burger is cooked either on the grill or under a char broiler — customer’s choice. Either way it’s stacked with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and mustard/ mayo and served with a hearty portion
of fries. The burger special is paired with a microbrew special of $4 a pint, so a guest can have a full meal for $10. The Friday sandwich special takes days to prepare and is so popular regular customers place their orders in advance. The Bullpen’s Reuben sandwich, at $12, is the best you may ever encounter. Carter selects lean corned beef and marinades it in hard apple cider before slow-cooking it for 10 to 12 hours in more, even harder apple cider. The result is an amazingly tender, multi-flavored meat candy. The sandwich is statuesque — a foundation of thick-sliced marble rye with 16 ounces of the remarkable corned beef piled high and topped with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, a special house dressing, and served with shoestring fries. This behemoth sandwich is — quite easily — large enough to feed two adults, and may result in an adult-time nap after consumption. On any given Friday, grab a companion head to The Bullpen and split this remarkable Reuben. Think about it: a flavorful, nearly two-pound sandwich that feeds two people for $6 each. You’ll have that much more to spend on beer and cocktails while taking in the game. Seriously, what’s not to like? Carter’s objective with The Bullpen is to create a contemporary, restaurant with an exceptional menu and a top-rate bar program. The environment is meant to help guests relax and spend time with their family and friends while enjoying exceptional food at affordable prices. The Bullpen Sports Bar and Grill’s impact on the downtown business core in Sedro-Woolley has increased afternoon and evening customer traffic — and that’s a good thing. The health of the hospitality industry, restaurants included, has long been an indicator of economic stability. Progressive restaurants such as The Bullpen offer longestablished residents and their new neighbors a greater variety of dining options worth seeking out. The Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill 701 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley 360.588.4508
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 FRIDAY HARBOR HOUSE Regional NW 130 West St., Friday Harbor 360.378.8455, fridayharborhouse.com It’s hard to beat the view of the ferry landing, marina and San Juan Channel from Friday Harbor House, the hotel and restaurant elevated over the water to provide a sweeping panorama of water and sky. The restaurant’s new “Brunch on the Bluff” allows you to linger over the view while experiencing island dining at a high level. If you like, you can also have a drink — San Juan Island’s Friday Harbor House is one of the few island restaurants to offer a full bar at brunch every day of the week. Executive chef Jason Aldous, known for his use of Pacific Northwest ingredients and seasonal dishes, developed new menu offerings that include eggs benedict and Belgian waffles, along with pork belly egg fried rice. Tried-andtrue favorites include Smashed Avocado Toast and Benton’s Benedict. TOBY’S TAVERN Seafood 8 Front St., 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 flaky, 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. VINNY’S Seafood
DINE
mouthwatering option. Try the Carne Asada, Posole, or Tortas to name just a few menu options. The Spicy Mango Margarita, made with fresh mango and jalapeño, is fast becoming a customer favorite. With 60+ tequilas and mescals to sample, there’s always another reason to visit again.
165 W. St., Friday Harbor 360.378.1934 vinnysfridayharbor.com
Ciao! Vinny’s welcomes diners to their Friday Harbor Ristorante, mirroring the feel of this warm Italian restaurant. Dishes change monthly and reflect the desire to serve simple, gourmet Pacific Northwest seafood, and modern comfort Italian. Appetizers of Fior de Latte — a caprese salad — and mushroom medley (mushrooms with a Marsala demi-glace and cambozola cheese) are perfect for sharing and leave space for a summery Capellini Mediterranea (prawns and clams in a light white wine and olive oil sauce). As well as a good selection of pastas, Vinny’s has seafood and meat entrées, many of them traditional favorites like Veal Marsala and Chicken Picatta. The cocktail list includes old favorites and some fun offerings like the Crantini and a rhubarb margarita. Top off a meal with crème brûlée — a light, room-temperature custard topped with a layer of burnt sugar.
COA MEXICAN EATERY Mexican 102 S. 10th St., Mount Vernon, 360.840.1938 214 Maple Ave., La Conner, 360.466.0267 coaeatery.com One way to reel customers in is to offer dollar tacos on Tuesdays and $5 margaritas on Fridays. That’s just the start. One bite of a taco or one sip of a margarita and you’re hooked. Even on a different night, with the choice of fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, or flan, you won’t be disappointed. Fan favorites include the fish tacos with local grilled fish and spicy mango Pico de Gallo, carne asada burrito seasoned to perfection, and tres enchiladas with an addictive green crema sauce. COA Mexican Eatery also offers the last Monday of every month as customer appreciation day, where customers get 50 percent off food. Deals and good food — what more could you want?
SKAGIT
FORTUNE MANDARIN Chinese/Mandarin 1617 Freeway Dr., Mount Vernon 360.428.1819, fortunemandarin.com
A’TOWN BISTRO Regional NW 418 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, 360.899.4001, atownbistro.com Colorful photographs of farm scenes dot the walls of A’Town Bistro, summing up all this restaurant stands for: fresh, local, seasonal food. Even the inside of this Anacortes restaurant feels farm-like, with simple wooden tables and flooring and no unnecessary flourishes. The kitchen is open, and sends out entrees such as Smoked Salmon Cakes (which contain nothing but king salmon and breadcrumbs and come with a tomato-caper coulis and garlic aioli), Pork New York (pan seared with an apple cider gastrique), a Wild Boar Burger, and Ancho Chili & Chicken Stew. Appetizers include the restaurant’s signature fries, which are twice fried and tossed in truffle-parmesan salt. Both beer and wine are on tap here. Both taps and bottles offer some great representatives from local and international producers. Settle in, and enjoy food, drink, and a fire that roars away between the entrance and the dining room, keeping diners warm in both body and spirit. –
Dining Guide
CALLE Mexican 517 S. 1st St., Mount Vernon 360.336.5566 Calle has generated quite the attention with a write up in Sunset magazine. Known for their take on Street Tacos — with six meat fillings to choose from and handmade corn tortillas — but that’s certainly not the only
Tea warmed over a candle, delicious drinks with a slight exotic twist, tender and flavorful almond chicken, and warm and mildly spicy Mandarin shrimp with broccoli are expected at this peaceful bar and restaurant with Chinese decor. Try the to-die-for meals such as the Szechwan chicken with varying vegetables cooked to perfection, the orange chicken with real orange pieces accentuating the dish, and the egg rolls with the right amount of crunch. The owner and staff remember regular patrons, creating a sense of community with their hospitality and mouthwatering food. IL GRANAIO Italian 100 W. Montgomery St., Ste. 110, Mount Vernon 360.419.0674, granaio.com Owner and Head Chef Alberto Candivi arrives at Il Granaio in downtown every morning to make the day’s pastas by hand, sculpting basic ingredients into the building blocks for lavish, rich Italian dishes served throughout the day. When the ingredients call for a lighter hand, his restaurant also turns out reserved, delicate dishes. Il Granaio is a practice in the intricacies of cuisine, displaying the best flavors Italian food has to offer. With more than 30 items on the entrée menu, the list can be quite daunting. Il Granaio’s dessert menu is just as lush as the entrée menu. The wine menu is expansive, and the beer menu features several local craft brews. Their grappa selection does the Italian cordial the justice it deserves.
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New to Bellingham!
NELL THORN Seafood
Waterfront Waterfrontdestination destinationrestaurant! restaurant!
Great Great food food indoors indoors & & outdoors! outdoors!
FREE!
USE PROMO CODE: 4793k 360.671.7272 papajohns.com
Offer expires 12/31/17
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Buy any large pizza at regular menu price and get one of equal or lesser value
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Open7 7days daysa week Open a week at 11:30a.m. a. m. Lunch at 11:30 Happy Hour Daily and Dinner Daily at 5 p.m. Early Dinner Specials Happy Hour Daily and 3 to 6Dinner p. m. Specials 3 to 6 p.m. Early
116 First 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 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 olives and roasted garlic tomato sauce — you won’t be disappointed. SAKURA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE Japanese 1830 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington 360.588.4281, sakuraburlington.com Professional Teppan Yaki chefs take you on a journey of delicious and interactive dining at Burlington’s Sakura Japanese Steakhouse. Using the freshest ingredients and perfect seasonings, they stir-fry your meal right before your eyes, creating a fabulous feast. Choose from steak and chicken to salmon and shrimp; each meal is served with soup, salad, rice, and vegetables. If it’s sushi you crave, they also offer a full sushi bar for even the most discriminating taste buds.
Catering • Events • Private Rooms • Business Meetings••Weddings Weddings•Rehearsal Meetings RehearsalDinners Dinners Bellingham Marina, 21 Bellwether Way 360.714 360.714 8412, 8412, Info@GiuseppesItalian.com GiuseppesItalian.com
SKAGIT VALLEY’S FARMHOUSE American 13724 Laconner Whitney Rd., Mount Vernon 360.466.4411, thefarmhouserestaurant.net Craving home-cooked food but don’t want to make it yourself? Skagit Valley’s Farmhouse may be what you’re looking for. When first entering the building, you walk past a pie showcase with mouthwatering lemon meringue pies (that are pretty big!) and go through a gift shop that has the perfect items for Ma and Pa. The decor is reminiscent of country living. With raved-about dishes such as the Corned Beef Hash and the seafood omelet with bay shrimp and Dungeness crab, the farmhouse is a must. Even though their breakfasts are famous, try their lunch and dinner menus as well — their old-fashioned turkey dinner tastes like Thanksgiving. When you eat here, you’re home. TAQUERIA LA BAMBA Mexican 2222 Riverside Dr., Ste. 850, Mount Vernon 360.424.0824 Off the road and inside a small plaza sits a little gem — a family-run low-key Mexican restaurant. Taqueria La Bamba offers authentic taco truck food in a sit-down restaurant. The salsas are spicy, full of flavor and made inhouse. They serve four salsas and the one you presume to be the mildest, the Pico de Gallo, is the hottest, but one of the best tastes to add to your dish. Try the tostada with your meat of choice and enjoy the sides of roasted jalapeno (more spiciness!) and grilled onions. It’s delicious, satisfying, and costs less than $4. If
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you’re looking for authentic Mexican food at a low price, eat here and you won’t be disappointed. THIRD STREET CAFE Seasonal Northwest Cuisine 309 S. 3rd St., Mount Vernon 360.542.5022, csquare.coop Third Street Cafe’s menu combines the flavors and techniques of South African chef Maryna Frederiksen’s widespread culinary experience. The cafe stands out from the many other restaurants serving locally procured, organic dishes. It has familiar dishes in different jackets. Frederiksen experiments with different flavor profiles and textures for distinct flavors and mouth feels. The menu offers a range of dishes from simple to fancier options. Burgers and fried oysters are listed alongside pork belly lollipops and roasted beet salad. For lunch, try the ham and brie sandwich. Anyone who has ever eaten melted brie with a sweet jam knows the creamy, tangy bite can’t be beat. Salty ham complements the brie and blackberry-fig jam, while a thick layer of arugula tethers your taste buds back to reality. On the side, creamy bites of potato in dill-mayonnaise dressing accompanies the sandwich without demanding attention. TRUMPETER PUBLIC HOUSE Gastropub 416 Myrtle St., Mount Vernon 360.588.4515, trumpeterpublichouse.com The Trumpeter is an ideal combination of high-end, fine dining, and English pub fare. Try traditional pub selections like shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, or more unique choices like pork tenderloin complimented with an apricot-honey glaze or crab mac & cheese with a creamy Gruyere sauce and wild-caught crab. Additionally, the Trumpeter looks to accommodate all tastes with our gluten free dishes, and option to make any dish gluten free. Of course, a gastro pub 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 other drink choices. WILLOWS ARTISAN CAFE American 18923 Johnson Rd., Mount Vernon 360.848.9189, willowsartisancafe.com Inside the Skagit Valley’s greenhouse is a quaint cafe with wooden chairs, faux windows, outdoor fences, fairy lights, hanging greenery, and natural light streaming in. Order the BLTO (bacon, lettuce, tomato, and onion) — a slightly different classic with a twist that will change all BLT sandwiches for you. Or maybe your taste buds crave a little spiciness — then try the Reuben. If it’s a cold, cloudy day, go for a warm, soothing soup that is always served with a side of soft-baked bread. To end the meal, try the key lime pie that perfectly matches its creamy sweet filling with the smooth graham cracker crust. The Willows Artisan Cafe counts on its fresh ingredients and proves its worth with taste.
WHATCOM
Anacortes Bier On The Pier Festival October 6–7, 5 p.m. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Guemes Channel and Mount Baker while touring the best that 30 breweries and 10 cideries have to offer. A commemorative glass and your first six taste tokens come with your ticket. Take a break and peruse the food on the pier while chatting with other aficionados and regular people. Historic Port of Anacortes Warehouse 100 Commercial Ave., Anacortes anacortes.org
Make Sauerkraut With Fall Cabbage October 7, 9 a.m. For just $5, master food preserver Susy Hymas will teach you how to make homemade sauerkraut. Come out to learn the practice of fermenting cabbage. Take it home and use it on a condiment for your salad or sandwich. The Garden Spot Nursery 900 Alabama St., Bellingham garden-spot.com
Truffle-Making Class October 16, 6 p.m. Master chocolatier Karen Neugebauer will be teaching how to make chocolate truffles at Forte Chocolates’ kitchen location in Mount Vernon. From rolled to molded to dipped, you’ll be able to bring home a box full of your own truffle handiwork! If you can’t make this one, don’t worry. Classes will be going on through fall. Forte Chocolates 700 S. 1st St., Mount Vernon fortechocolates.com
Semiahmoo Cooking Demonstration 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.
October 25, 5:30 p.m. Duck, Duck, Duck! Allow the Semiahmoo Culinary Team to teach you how to prepare a duck-leg confit, duck breast, and braised-duck tongue using Liberty Duck from Sonoma County. All while you sip away at a glass of wine. Perfect. Semiahmoo Resort, Golf, and Spa 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy., Blaine semiahmoo.com
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DINE Sip
Husband and Wife Team Up At Winery Structure Cellars WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAN RADIL
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wning and operating your own winery might seem like a pretty cool occupation, but behind-the-scenes challenges requiring time, money, and sweat equity can make getting there a daunting task. The husband-and-wife team of Brian Grasso and Brandee Slosar know that firsthand. They’ve poured countless hours into building Structure Cellars, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. It started with a boutique winery that originated in their Ballard home and has since evolved into today’s slick, contemporary barrel and tasting rooms in South Seattle. WINERY BEGINNINGS Like many of Washington’s smaller winery owners, the couple has worked, and still works, in other occupations. Brandee has moved from a background in architecture where she says she “knew just enough to be dangerous” to her current day-job position in hair, make-up and styling; Brian spent years in the food service industry before making the jump to full-time winemaker in April of this year. Prior to the winery’s inception, Brian earned valuable experience working at a trio of Woodinville wineries: Darby Winery, Baer Winery, and Sparkman Cellars. He and Brandee officially licensed Structure Cellars in 2011 at their 1926-built Ballard craftsman home, and even with its space restrictions, they worked production up to a staggering 750 cases-per-year level. “We made wine in the basement… and it was absurd,” recalls Brandee. 120 NorthSoundLife.com
“We had to siphon juice from the (driveway) crush pad, down the stairs, and into the empty barrels. The barrels were floor-to-ceiling and it was just a regular, tiny house.” After three years of cramped quarters, they moved in October of 2014 to their current site at the Sodo Urbanworks Building, located about 1 ½ miles south of Safeco Field in Seattle’s up-and-coming Sodo District. CURRENT ROLES, ONGOING CHALLENGES When asked about what titles they carry at the winery, Brandee is quick to respond, “I’m the guy behind the guy,” referring to her husband’s work as winemaker. “I do a lot of the wine club organization (which currently stands at over 500 members), customer interface, and label design. Brian does all the ‘heavy lifting,’” she says with a smile. While the two work extremely well together, the proximity of spouses within the same industry definitely has its challenges. “It’s not as easy to complain about your business partner,” Brandee notes. “It’s hard, but in some ways it makes us better.” “Working with each other is like our married life; we’re finding our way through it. And what we’re finding it that we need to find times where we don’t talk about the business,” says Brian. “We’re at our best when we let Brandee do what she’s amazing at, which is visual and organizing, and we’re at our worst when all we do is (work at) the winery.”
WINEMAKING PHILOSPHIES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE Brian’s says his goal is to “make soft, approachable, food-friendly wines that are balanced and have good structure. The way that we go about doing that is whole-berry fermentation. We don’t do extended maceration, we don’t do aggressive tannins. We do lower oak influence to showcase the fruit. The other side of our philosophy is that it’s not just about making wine, it’s about delivering quality wine at a reasonable price.” “I don’t know how other wineries do it, but I don’t think we do it the easy way,” says Brandee. “For our release party, it would be super-easy to call a food truck, but we don’t. We pair nine wines with nine different foods, we have music…it’s a big deal and all of our wine members come…for two days! People look at us and say, ‘That’s not normal.’” Brian agrees and notes that when guests visit the winery they can stand at the tasting bar to taste but also have the option to be seated and “we come serve you. It may be the hard way, but sometimes that translates into a different experience than what you’d get at another tasting room.” The couple’s formula of good wines and stellar customer service has proven so successful that Structure Cellars recently opened a second space in the Sodo Urbanworks Building. The original tasting room will maintain a more laid-back vibe, featuring hip-hop music;
Your Financial Future: Will You Be Ready?
2015 “Oculus” Viognier (about $25) Peach, white plum and tropical fruit flavors, spicy nut-bread accents and a big, voluptuous mouthfeel highlight this beautifully balanced, full-bodied white wine.
© 2014 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
MECH
JOB INFORMATION 7790428/602858172
PROJ. NO.: JOB NAME:
TRIM SIZE:
Retail Byrnes Susan Rice Ad
FINISHED SIZE: BLEED:
SPECIFICATIONS 4.75" × 2.25"
NOTES
4.75" × 2.25" N/A
BINDERY:
CREATIVE STUDIO 1585 Broadway 23rd Floor New York, NY 10036
INK:
DESCRIPTION:
CMYK APPROVALS
PANTONE #: CREATIVE DIR.:
180 Varick Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10014
CLIENT NAME: PROJECT MGR.: COST CENTER:
m1
DUE DATE:
MODIFIED BY
Byrnes, Lesley Mitzner, Julie F013
CH AN 01-15-2014, CH AN 01-15-2014
PROJECT MGR.:
Fresh, Local, Traditionally Cooked, Wood BEST NORTH Fire Meats PROOFREADER:
16/02/2014
CLIENT:
FILENAME: 7790428 Susan Rice_b m1
LAST MODIFIED: January 15, 2014 1:13 PM
of the
WEST
Bare Bones BBQ
SILVER
360.318.6176 | barebonesbarbq.com Chevron Station, 900 Iowa St. B.ham Wed - Sat, 10am - 6pm
BESTH e of th
2017
2015 “Bartizan” Bordeaux Blend Red Wine (about $24) Fascinatingly complex aromas of berries, beeswax, eucalyptus, and sage; the palate shows bright, brambly raspberry to start and then black olive and cherry on a slightly chewy finish.
NY CS 7790428 BC006 01/14 GP10-01505P-N06/10
WINE NOTES:
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
2017
the new space will feature eclectic décor and include the winery’s “Foundation” label: 100 percent varietals made from vineyard grapes from Brian’s favorite barrels. If all of this sounds like a lot of work, it is. “Brian is relentless in terms of pushing forward,” Brandee says. “He hardly ever runs out of energy and he’s not someone who takes ‘OK’ as good enough.” It’s that kind of drive and determination that has produced great results for this relatively new winery. And for Washington wineophiles? It’s a tasting room experience they won’t soon forget. Structure Cellars is located at 3849 1st Ave. South in Seattle and open noon to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. More information: structurewines.com.
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2016 “Olsen Terroir” Roussanne (about $25) Hints of orange zest on the nose lead off, with a nice juxtaposition of leaner citrus and slightly creamy layers capped by understated toasted hazelnut and caramel flavors. 2015 “Piloti” Cabernet Franc (about $27) Subtle graham cracker and herbal aromatics, a base of blueberry fruit, plus fig, black olive, and earthy, mineral notes on a soft, lengthy finish add up to one incredible wine. Gold medal winner at this year’s Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival. 2015 “Foundation” Syrah (about $32) Sultry, dark inky fruits are surrounded by nuances of sweet cedar and a whisper of smoke and glide effortlessly into a velvety finish with a touch of warm vanilla bean. Elegant and delicious.
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BLACK PEARL ASIAN FUSION Vietnamese 1317 W. Bakerview Rd. 360.746.2030 Bellingham has an abundance of Vietnamese restaurants; the trick is to find one that stands out — like the Black Pearl. With all the available extras, it is almost impossible to get the same flavor twice. The pho is clean and refreshing with a variety of sauces to add as extra seasoning. It comes with a variety of types of meat, including round-eye, brisket and chicken, but vegetarians don’t despair, there’s an option for you, too. One nice feature of the Black Pearl’s menu is that it doesn’t only serve pho. Try the chicken or beef teriyaki, or a noodle bowl. The Black Pearl’s selection of crepes is second to none — everything from classic butter and cinnamon to New York style cheesecake with strawberry or raspberry jam. BLUE FIN SUSHI Japanese
Happiness, Hospitality, Home, Holiday Inn Fly in to Bellingham International Airport and walk to your suite! Holiday Inn & Suites - Bellingham 4260 Mitchell Way, Exit 258, Follow the airport signs www.holidayinn.com/bellinghamwa • 360.746.6844
102 S. Samish Way, Bellingham 360.752.2583, bluefinbellingham.com
360.398.6191 • northh2o.com Open daily 6:30am to 11pm Locally sourced and sustainable fare highlighting the best of the Pacific Northwest
At Blue Fin Sushi, fresh sushi is used to create a variety of tasty options like the Tekka roll, which is seaweed, rice, and tuna. The waitstaff is friendly and it’s always entertaining to watch the chefs at work. Blue Fin also offers a full menu of non-sushi food items. Its version of fish and chips, for example, is a must-try: tempura fried salmon pieces served with sweet potato fries with a creamy wasabi sauce for dipping. Blue Fin Sushi also serves a variety of teriyaki, orange chicken, and bento boxes. 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 360.733.1267, 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.
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A Scratch Kitchen Playing With Flavors
Restaurant Review
DINE
Third Street Cafe WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY CATHERINE TORRES
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arlier this summer, chef Maryna Frederiksen took over the kitchen at Mount Vernon's Third Street Cafe. The Skagit Co-op off-shoot eatery has flourished under Frederiksen's leadership and it doesn't take more than a few bites of any dish to understand why. The locally procured, seasonal menu requires a bit of inspiration and imagination to keep fresh. Frederiksen feeds this inspiration with weekly trips to the farmers market and relies heavily on her training and experience to know flavors and what works well together. Originally from South Africa, Frederiksen has cooked all over the world, including South Africa, Florida, and Seattle. Third Street Cafe’s menu combines the flavors and techniques of Frederiksen’s experience. Her goal is to "create a memorable menu" which is accomplished by relying on her widespread culinary background. In this way, the cafe stands out from the many other restaurants serving locally procured, organic dishes. It has familiar dishes in different jackets. Frederiksen experiments with different flavor profiles and textures for distinct flavors and mouth feels. The menu offers a range of dishes from simple to fancier options. Burgers and fried oysters are listed alongside pork belly lollipops and roasted beet salad. Whatever a diner's choice, it's sure to be satisfying. Take, for example, the fried green tomatoes, which have a crunchy cornmeal exterior and are
served with dollops of chèvre that balance a sweet tomato jam. For lunch, try the ham and brie sandwich. Anyone who has ever eaten melted brie with a sweet jam knows the creamy, tangy bite can't be beat. Fredericksen encapsulated the flavor in the ham and brie sandwich, where salty ham complements the brie and blackberry-fig jam, while a thick layer of arugula tethers your taste buds back to reality. On the side, creamy bites of potato in dill-mayonnaise dressing accompanies the sandwich without demanding attention. Third Street Cafe tries to remain as local as possible, but there are some ingredients that go beyond the confines of Washington and even the Pacific Northwest. However, you can be sure every component of your dish was made from scratch: From the sauces to the biscuits, it's a scratch kitchen. Frederiksen’s mantra is "cooking with consciousness." She doesn't allow her cooks to fall into complacency, which can ripple into subpar work, leaving guests disappointed. Something as simple as tasting each dish is paramount for quality control. Frederiksen emphasizes her promise to "Never compromise food." The food is the experience of any restaurant and her job is providing the best possible experience for guests. Is she a perfectionist? No — just someone who truly believes in a job well done and a dish well made. 309 S. 3rd St., Mount Vernon 360.542.5022 | csquare.coop
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COSMOS BISTRO American Bistro, Comfort Food 1151 N. State St., Bellingham 360.255.0244, bellinghamcosmosbistro.com
Bayou on Bay The Refresher INGREDIENTS Choice of housemade infusion, muddled citrus, Sierra Mist and club soda, $9
Bellingham’s best local and seasonal comfort food is always made in-house from scratch at their historic Herald Building location. From pork adobo, Mama’s meatloaf, and awardwinning burgers, to the many vegetarian and gluten free options, Cosmos Bistro offers something for everyone. EAT French 1200 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham 360.306.3917, 4u2eat.com The combination of fresh, local produce, fish, meat, and spirits combine beautifully with classic French cooking at this chic and tasty restaurant. The atmosphere is urban charm, and the service is unparalleled.
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1300 Bay St., Bellingham 360.752.2968 | bayouonbay.com
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FAIRHAVEN POKE Hawaiian 1102 Harris Ave., Fairhaven 360.922.7494 Take a personal trip to the islands when you bite into Fairhaven Poke’s concoction called a poke bowl. The iconic raw fish, doused in a unique blend of sauces, is piled onto a bed of homemade sushi rice. Despite the simplicity of the entrée, customers can garnish their bowls with additional condiments such as furikake, a Japanese nori seasoning. Stop by for a taste of aloha. FIAMMA BURGER All-natural Burgers 1309 Railroad Ave., Bellingham 360.733.7374, fiammaburger.com One word speaks volumes about Fiamma Burger: variety. With six different patty types (including homemade veggie, bison, and salmon) and more than 17 menu options, there are endless possibilities for a burger masterpiece. You can even get a “burger in a bowl,” served without the bread. And with extra things to add on like fire-roasted green chiles or a scoop of chili, it could take a long time to find your perfect creation. All burgers are served on a fresh-baked egg bun, with crisp lettuce, and all the usual fixings. Spice it up with chipotle ketchup, spicy mustard, or curry mayo, then cool it down with a beer or milkshake. GOAT MOUNTAIN PIZZA Italian 211 W. Holly St., Bellingham 360.510.6336 © Kaylin Stiefer
he bar at Bayou on Bay has the comforting feel of a neighborhood tavern, but one located in a bustling intersection of downtown Bellingham. Step inside and settle in. Twinkling lights hang inside and romantic art scatters the walls. This makes the perfect place to sit with friends for drinks while watching the world whirl by from the big, open windows out front. The Refresher is a lively drink that brings a slice of summer to your October. The first taste of citrus, muddled and sharpened by the soda, can (temporarily) banish thoughts of impending winter gloom. Sit in the front window of the bar on a sunny fall day and this drink will quench your thirst in a hot minute. If you must, The Refresher can be personalized. An array of vodka flavors can be chosen to mix this drink up. Choose from a jalapeño, ginger, black pepper, or citrus vodka to customize as you wish.
Red brick walls, local art, and unusual pizzas sold by the pound are all offered in Goat Mountain Pizza’s space in downtown Bellingham. Served on parchment paper on a wooden board, the restaurant’s original pizzas, like potato bacon, the spicy fennel sausage, and the gluten-free caramelized onion/ walnut are among the customer favorites and
are worth a taste. Even though the slices are reheated for serving, the pizza still maintains tenderness — especially in the crust, which contains many flavors and a mix of a soft inside with slightly crisp edges. Pizza isn’t the only entree available, as Goat Mountain also offers options such as a potato leek soup (which is mouth-watering and itself worth a trip to the restaurant!) and the Goat Mountain salad with quinoa, greens, carrots, candied walnuts, orange pieces, red onions, and a sweet maple basil vinaigrette. Topped off with some local beer and cider, the Goat Mountain pizza experience is complete. Also — Goat Mountain Pizza brings a food truck to events! Keep an eye on their social media to have more opportunities to enjoy a slice! MAGDALENAS Crêperie, European 1200 10th St., Ste. 103, Bellingham 360.483.8569, magdalenascreperie.com Paris, London, New York, Vancouver, and Bellingham have them. Little shops where the aromas of sweet and savory crêpes, custom sandwiches, and hot soup du jour fill the air. With a formidable selection of crêpes, it’ll take more than one trip to decide which is better, sweet or savory. But at this eatery, it is criminal to pass up the sweet little numbers filled with velvety smooth vanilla-flavored cream cheese, white chocolate, and your choice of fresh fruit. A crêpe option for every crêpe crave.
Artisan Mexican Eatery & Cocktails Mon – Sat: 11 am – 9:30 pm 102 S. 10th St. Mt. Vernon 360.840.1938
Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm 214 Maple Ave La Conner 360.466.0267
coaeatery.com
MI MEXICO Mexican 241 Telegraph Rd., Bellingham 360.647.0073 Mi Mexico’s reputation as one of the local favorites among Mexican food lovers is well deserved. The experience starts with a warm, friendly, professional waitstaff in an enjoyable, upbeat atmosphere. And from there, Mi Mexico separates itself from the competition with a choice of traditional and non-traditional Mexican dishes that few Mexican restaurants in the Pacific Northwest offer, all made with the freshest of ingredients available. From your first bite of Mi Mexico’s homemade salsa to the last bite of your main entree or dessert, you will already be planning your next visit. MYKONOS Greek
Pita bread is pita bread, right? Not at Mykonos. If you order a starter of hummus, prepare your tastebuds for slices of pita bread heaven. If you consider yourself to be a connoisseur of Greek cuisine, try the traditional Greek salad as a litmus test. You won’t be disappointed. It is delightfully fresh and light and a meal by itself, with perhaps the best feta dressing west of Athens. Should you still be hungry, your main course options include the traditional Greek spin on veggie, lamb, chicken, steak, and seafood prepared with rice
Delivering fresh, local, and unique food from over 60 restaurants to the hungry people of Bellingham! Visit us at OrderVikingFood.com
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1650 W. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham 360.715.3071 mykonosrestaurantbellingham.com
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or pasta. Mykonos offers excellent value for the price. Pheidippides would be proud. NORTHWATER Regional NW 4260 Mitchell Way, Bellingham 360.398.6191, northh2o.com
NORTH
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SILVER
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2017
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2016
BEST
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VOTED BEST FISH & CHIPS
From breakfast to late night dinner, Northwater’s 185-seat restaurant features Pacific Northwest dishes made from locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. We found the restaurant’s wait staff to be personable and enthusiastic, and eager to answer our queries about ingredient sources and what desserts they’d recommend. Executive Chef Christy Fox has created a diverse menu of classic dishes with a twist, like the Seafood Sausage Corn Dogs with blueberry mustard ($9) — sweetfrom-the-citrus cornbread and spicy from the mustard. Try the Fried Chicken and Waffle ($5), featuring savory flavors of garlic and herbs drizzled with a pepper syrup. Fox’s 25 years’ experience as a chef have been rich. She has a thorough knowledge of regional cuisine and is co-owner of gourmet local chocolatier Evolve Truffles, famed for its a pop-up chocolate lounge ÖVN WOOD-FIRED PIZZA Pizza 1148 10th St., Fairhaven 360.393.4327, ovnwoodfiredpizza.com The clean lines and urban upscale atmosphere of this pizza restaurant promises some very good food — and they deliver on that promise. They also serve crispy salads and excellent cocktails. Dining here is a perfect way to spend an elegant lunch or intimate dinner. PEL’ MENI Russian 1211 N. State St., Bellingham 360.715.8324
Nickis Bar and Grill on the waterfront in Bellingham serving award winning, hand dipped, tempura style fish & chips. Build your own burger featuring our handcrafted USDA chuck patties and fresh baked buns.
Step off busy State Street after your late night festivities for an inexpensive and satisfying fill of plump dumplings. Stuffed with either meat or potatoes, these dumplings are piping hot and sprinkled with cumin, paprika, and cilantro. Because they pair so well with tasty libations, Pel’ Meni manages to consistently have a line out the door as soon as the sun goes down. For $7, you’ll get a plastic, clam-shell container full of savory dumplings. Smother them with vinegar, sour cream, and hot sauce for the full effect. PEPPER SISTERS Southwest 1055 N. State St., Bellingham 360.671.3414, peppersisters.com
2615 South Harbor Loop Drive, Bellingham 360.332.2505 | nickisbellamarina.com
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Customers have been diving into their plentiful plates of comforting burritos, quesadillas, and other specialties since 1988. The spunky atmosphere only elevates the already upbeat
Dining Guide
DINE
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mood of the place. With bright booths, samplings of art, and lively music, it’s nearly impossible to feel sour. Regular patrons groove to Stevie Wonder as they plunge their forks into massive burritos filled with red chili pesto, sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions, potatoes, green chilies, and cheese. To mellow the burn, they would, naturally, wash it down with bites of crisp cabbage salad dolloped with a cool, creamy dressing. The finale of every meal at Pepper Sisters is the basket of sopaipilla, served with a dish of honey butter. Some might not want to bring a date on this culinary excursion — no one wants to have to share that delicious honey butter.
GREAT TASTES
The following selections have made it past our taste bud test and into our top eight this issue. Step out and give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.
SKYLARK’S HIDDEN CAFÉ Eclectic 1308 11th St., Fairhaven 360.715.3642, skylarkshiddencafe.com Syklark’s Hidden Café in Fairhaven is worth seeking out. From decadent breakfast items such as eggs benedict and house specialty, banana bread French toast with maple walnut topping to hearty dinner entrees such as Halibut and Lobster Thermidor and New York Steak with Jack Daniels Herb Butter, the menu at Skylark’s is varied and every bite delicious. Come for the food and stay for the jazz on select evenings.
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SUPER MARIO’S Salvadorian 3008 Northwest Ave., Bellingham 360.393.4637 Serving fresh, healthy meals with the customer in mind is what Super Mario’s is all about, and it’s the consistent flavor and quality of the food that keeps bringing people back. The veggies are chopped fresh daily, nothing is frozen, and nothing is cooked until it’s ordered. In addition, nothing is deep fried. TASTE OF INDIA Indian 3930 Meridian St., Ste. 107, Bellingham 360.778.1262 At Taste of India all the dishes are rich, delicious, and truly feel authentic. Dishes come with your choice of pulao rice or the classic Indian bread naan. Taste of India offers a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, all with exquisite and well-developed flavors. There’s also a variety of flavors of naan, including garlic or spinach. For those unsure of what to order, or those who want to try multiple dishes at once, try the lunch buffet.
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It may have been Old World Deli’s charming atmosphere that drew you in, but the horseradish roast beef sandwich will keep you coming back. Roast beef, lettuce, and Swiss cheese are topped with a house-made horseradish sour cream. The Colophon Cafe’s Alaskan salmon burger is a lighter option to its beef brother and the pesto cream cheese topping will have you asking for the recipe. If you can survive the wait at Homeskillet, reward yourself with the pulled pork tater tot hash and eggs. The portion is plenty for a small family, but you’ll be glad for the leftovers after tasting just one bite. For something a little different try the Dude Bowl at Brotha Dudes. While the name is laughable, the flavor filled rice bowl is seriously tasty.
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Looking for something a little more upscale? Keenan’s at the Pier has atmosphere and flavor. For an entree, try the fresh, light sea scallops. You won’t be disappointed. Fairhaven Pizza’s prosciutto pizza is a taste of Italy with a twist. Layered with plenty of prosciutto is spinach, mozzarella, and garlic. Pepper Sisters has a plethora of unique Southwest inspired dishes. It is truly a difficult choice each visit. A good staple is Blue Moon Enchilada. Black beans, hominy, kernel corn, and cheddar cheese are topped with ranchero sauce and sour cream. Tandoori Bites is truly a hidden gem when it comes to Indian food in Bellingham, but once the town has tried the lamb curry, it won’t stay hidden long. Creamed spinach and curry sauce cascade over tender lamb for an excellent blend of sweet and spicy.
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10
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New Club Members Receive:
FREE-PLAY
y! a d o T p U n g i S
The BETTOR
Place CASINO • R ESO R T Owned by Upper Skagit Indian Tribe
theskagit.com • On I-5 at Exit 236 • 877-275-2448
AGENDA
Featured Events · Listings · The Scene · Final Word
Evil Dead: The Musical OCTOBER 7, 8 PM
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f blood, axes, and severed body parts are your thing, “Evil Dead: The Musical” has it all! Five college students unleash an evil force from an abandoned cabin in the woods, so Ash and his trusty chainsaw must save the day from demons. The Toronto musical has been performed around the world and is now coming to Mount Baker Theatre. This comedy sensation combines the cultclassic horror trilogy of Evil Dead, Evil Dead II, and Army of Darkness into one demented delight. The blood-splattering of the audience and the score of rock ‘n’ roll and get-up-and-boogie music will guarantee a good night!
Mount Baker Theatre 104 North Commercial St., Bellingham mountbakertheatre.com | 360.734.6080
AGENDA Events
Fruit Festival 2017
VISUAL ARTS
water drops and blades of grass are bigger than you can imagine.
DOCTOBER
Pickford Film Center 1318 Bay St., Bellingham pickfordfilmcenter.org | 360.738.0735
OCTOBER 1–31, VARYING TIMES
Now in its 11th year, the “Doctober” documentary series will present a diverse and varied mix of documentaries that bring filmmakers together, presents important issues in the community, and draws audiences. More than 50 films are shown, bringing in something for everyone to enjoy. Pickford Film Center 1318 Bay St., Bellingham pickfordfilmcenter.org | 360.738.0735
MAKING FACES — MASKS AND MASQUERADING AROUND THE WORLD OCTOBER 28, NOON
Cultures around the world have been making masks for performance, protection, and disguise purposes for thousands of years. Create your own unique mask and explore the masks of the world and the stories behind them.
OCTOBER 6–9, VARYING TIMES
Lightcatcher Building 250 Flora St., Bellingham whatcommuseum.org | 360.778.8930
Over four days, 30 films will be shown and filmmakers and film lovers will have the chance to connect over the variety of films shown from festivals all over the world.
CASINOS
ORCAS ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL
Sea View Theatre 234 A St., Eastsound orcasfilmfest.com | 360.378.7527 MICROCOSMOS OCTOBER 21, NOON
This documentary dives into the small, but mighty world of a simple French meadow, where extreme closeups show the earth from a bug’s eye view, where
EMMYLOU HARRIS OCTOBER 13–14, 8 PM
American singer-songwriter and Grammy winner Emmylou Harris is coming to the Skagit Casino to sing her heart out for her country fans of Washington. The Skagit Casino 5984 Darrk Ln., Bow theskagit.com | 877.275.2448 TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS OCTOBER 14, 8 PM
If you’re looking for a night of fun, go old-school. Come over to the Tulalip for 130 NorthSoundLife.com
dinner, casino, and a fantastic show from Tommy James & the Shondells and their hits “Hanky Panky” and “Crimson and Clover.” Tulalip Resort Casino 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip tulalipresortcasino.com | 888.272.1111
CONCERTS ¡MAYDAY!, THE LATE ONES, AND INNER FAMILY LEGACY OCTOBER 1, 7 PM
¡MAYDAY! has worked with Lil Wayne and Cee Lo Green with their energetic raps while The Late Ones have reggae roots with hip-hop influence. Inner Family Legacy rocks out to their metal/ hip-hop. The Shakedown 1212 N. State St., Bellingham shakedownbellingham.com 360.778.1067 AN EVENING WITH THE PIANO GUYS OCTOBER 5, 7:30 PM
The Piano Guys have set off on a live concert tour to bring their talented music act to the masses. See them performing their own rendition of popular songs, classical compositions, movie soundtracks, and more. Mount Baker Theatre 104 North Commercial St., Bellingham mountbakertheatre.com | 360.734.6080
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
SPECIAL EVENTS
LAKE PADDEN TRAIL HALF MARATHON
NW TRUCK AND TRACTOR PULL
OCTOBER 14, 10 AM
OCTOBER 1, 2 PM
You might want to consider wearing higher socks to keep out the dirt and pebbles during this 13.1-mile trail half-marathon. Fast becoming one of Bellingham’s signature trail competitions, the race course runs through Padden’s thick forest and around the lake and is challenging, designed for intermediate to advanced runners. For those not so inclined, try the same-day Al Coyle 5K, where costumes are encouraged. Proceeds go to a local charity.
For the first time ever, Skagit Speedway will host the NW Truck and Tractor Pull. Trucks and tractors of all sizes pull the sled down the front stretch.
Lake Padden Park 4882 Samish Way, Bellingham cob.org RUN WILD BELLINGHAM OCTOBER 29, 10 AM
This is no ordinary race. It’s part-race, part-scavenger hunt, part-route finding, part-Halloween celebration. You must collect tokens in Whatcom Falls Park while choosing your own routes. All proceeds go towards the youth outdoor education program, Wild Whatcom. Whatcom Falls Park 1401 Electric Ave., Bellingham 360.778.7000 | runwildbellingham.com
AT MOUNT BAKER THEATRE
Skagit Speedway 4796 Old Highway 99 North, Alger skagitspeedway.com | 360.724.3567 FRUIT FESTIVAL 2017 OCTOBER 7–8, VARYING TIMES SPONSOR
Experience the farm firsthand with family and friends while tasting over 200 varieties of fruits! Live music, U-pick pumpkin patch, kids activities, and local food vendors join the event for more fun!
Sat, Oct 21 Songs & Stories
Cloud Mountain Farm Center 6906 Goodwin Rd., Everson cloudmountainfarmcenter.org 360.966.5859 SPONSOR
SHOOT THE TRAILS AWARDS
BOB & LOIS NICHOLL
Sun, Oct 29
OCTOBER 14, 6 PM
Calling all photographers and videographers! Submit your awesome photos and videos of Whatcom mountain biking by October 8 to be viewed and judged in the 7th Annual Shoot The Trails event. Along with prizes, there will be a raffle, food, and beer. Bellingham Technical College 3028 Lindbergh Ave., Bellingham wmbcmtb.org
COPELAND ANDERSEN Blues Belters
SPONSOR
GARY & NANCY GOLDFOGEL
Fri, Nov 3
New Orleans Boogie SPONSOR
Sat, Nov 18 SEASON SPONSOR
360.734.6080 MountBakerTheatre.com Halloween Trick-or-Treating & Photos
Mount Baker Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the performing arts.
October 2017 131
WAY NORTH COMEDY SHOWCASE OCTOBER 15, 7 PM
Way North showcases stand-up comedians from throughout western Washington, followed by an open mic section where all ranges of comics are welcome. Leave the kids at home for some uncensored comedy. Farmstrong Brewing 110 Stewart Rd., Mt. Vernon goskagit.com | 360.873.8852
photos being taken of costumed children — whether they like it or not. Fairhaven Historic District fairhaven.com KIDZ KARNIVAL OCTOBER 31, 6 PM
Free and family-friendly with games, candy, crafts and more! What could be more fun? Mount Vernon Church of the Nazarene 2710 E Fir St., Mount Vernon goskagit.com | 360.428.7974
TALES OF HOFFMANN OCTOBER 27 & 29, 7:30 PM & 3 PM
The Pacific Northwest Opera presents the romantic and imaginative world of storyteller E.T.A. Hoffmann in a dramatic and witty opera. McIntyre Hall 2501 East College Way, Mount Vernon mcintyrehall.org | 360.416.7727
THEATER
GORE & LORE TOUR
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
VARYING DATES AND TIMES IN OCTOBER
OCTOBER 1–21, VARYING TIMES
On the Gore & Lore Tours of downtown & Fairhaven, legends of gruesome murders and haunts are shared along with the story of Spider Biles and the ghost at Old Town Cafe.
Mel Brooks’ classic tale of Young Frankenstein and his monster is presented with recreated direction and choreography by Mike Jenkins and Rebecca Launius-Brown.
Downtown Bellingham & Fairhaven goodtimegirlstours.com | 360.389.3595
Anacortes Community Theatre 918 M Ave., Anacortes acttheatre.com | 360.293.6829
Pioneer Park 2000 Cherry St., Ferndale ferndale-chamber.com | 360.384.3042
CLASSICAL
BELLINGHAM BURLESQUE OF 1927
HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREATING & PHOTOS
OCTOBER 7, 7:30 PM
HAUNT THE PARK OCTOBER 28, 5 PM
Be ready to be spooked at Haunt the Park! With kids’ games, decorated houses and tours of the haunted jail, everybody can join in on the scary fun. Head over right after Downtown Trick or Treating concludes.
OCTOBER 31, 3 PM
Shops in Fairhaven will be decorated for Halloween for a huge community trickor-treating event! Photos will be taken by Oh! Snap in Finnegan’s Alley Atrium, continuing the timeworn tradition of
Undersea Bubble Fantasia
132 NorthSoundLife.com
TRIO DA KALI Trio Da Kali brings together three outstanding musicians from the Mande culture of southern Mali, who come from a long line of distinguished griots to form a contemporary twist on ancient repertoires.
OCTOBER 5–7, 7:30 PM
Songs, dances, and vintage slapstick reveal the traveling Burlesque troupe of Prohibition-era Bellingham in this cabaret-style musical. Firehouse Performing Arts Center 1314 Harris Ave., Bellingham bellinghammusicclub.org | 360.734.2776
McIntyre Hall 2501 East College Way, Mount Vernon mcintyrehall.org | 360.416.7727 Courtesy of Mount Baker Theatre
AGENDA Events
MRS. BAVE PRESENTS THE PIG WAR OCTOBER 7, 7:30 PM
This play tells the story of Mrs. Bave, who put on a play about the Pig War of 1859, but couldn’t find any local actors to perform it, so she used mannequins. In Steve Lyon’s comedy, Mrs. Bave’s mannequins come to life and she must whip them into shape before opening night. San Juan Community Theatre 100 2nd St., Friday Harbor sjctheatre.org | 360.378.3210 A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN OCTOBER 14, 7:30 PM
This Broadway musical tells the story of the powerful songstress, Janis Joplin, when she broke into the music scene in the 60s. Mount Baker Theatre 104 North Commercial St., Bellingham mountbakertheatre.com | 360.734.6080 UNDERSEA BUBBLE FANTASIA
W H A T C O M ARTIST STUDIO TOUR
First 2 weekends in October ✽ Oct. 7,8 & 14,15 A FREE Self-guided Art Tour
Guidebooks available in businesses and restaurants throughout the county. Many studios are open all year long. Call individual artists to schedule a visit. Opening the studio doors of Whatcom County artists for twenty-three years.
OCT 7,8 & 14,15
COME SEE WHERE CREATIVITY BEGINS!
OCTOBER 21, 2:30 PM & 6 PM
Seahorses, mermaids, clownfish, dragon fish and others explore the fantastical daydream world of Bubblelandia with interactive illusions, sand art, juggling, contortionism, and magic. This show involves so many wondrous things, all ages will enjoy!
For more info: studiotour.net facebook.com/WhatcomArtistStudioTour
Mount Baker Theatre 104 North Commercial St., Bellingham mountbakertheatre.com | 360.734.6080 THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY OCTOBER 29, 3 PM
This theatrical concert honors one of the world’s most successful folk-rock duos, Simon & Garfunkel, with their incredible harmonies and songs. Mount Baker Theatre 104 North Commercial St., Bellingham mountbakertheatre.com | 360.734.6080
Out of Town SEATTLE SEATTLE CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL OCTOBER 8, ALL DAY
From cultural dances and performances to arts and crafts and workshops, Northwest Folklife’s Seattle Children’s
October 2017 133
AGENDA Events
Festival brings together communities for multicultural and intergenerational fun. Seattle Center 305 Harrison St., Seattle nwfolklife.org | 206.684.7300
WANT YOUR EVENT POSTED? Events are posted on a first-come first-serve basis. Submissions must be received four weeks prior to the event with all the necessary information. Please submit event name, dates, times, short 40-word description, cover charge or ticket price, event venue including street address, a phone number, and a website. Any event from Seattle to Vancouver will be considered with priority placed on listings from Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties. Bellingham Alive is not responsible for errors in submissions. Please email all submissions to events@northsoundlife.com
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
HUMANS OF NEW YORK BLOGGER: BRANDON STANTON OCTOBER 22, 7:30 PM
Brandon Stanton, creator and author of “Humans of New York,” shares his personal story and the perspective he has gained while telling the stories of others. Benaroya Hall 200 University St., Seattle seattlesymphony.org | 206.215.4800 STEAMPOSIUM OCTOBER 27–29, ALL DAY
Steamposium is bringing back favorites like the Tea & Fashion Show, Murder Mystery and the all-star burlesque show Shake that Brass! Abney Park and Unwoman are bringing their music for entertainment along with panels, merchants, artists, and workshops.
OCT 27 – NOV 19, 2017
An Epic & Enchanting Fairytale Collision
SUBSCRIBE and SEE ALL 5 Shows for the Price of 4!
Bell Harbor International Conference Center 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle seattle-steamposium.com | 206.441.6666
VANCOUVER JAN 5 – 28, 2018
MAR 2 – 25, 2018
APR 27 – MAY 20, 2018
JULY 6 – 29, 2018
FRIGHT NIGHTS AT PLAYLAND OCTOBER 6–31, VARYING TIMES
Western Canada’s scariest haunt, Fright Nights, returns with haunted houses and fear-inducing rides, including Canada’s most extreme pendulum ride, The Beast. Beloved haunted houses, like Darkness and Keeper’s Doll Factory, will haunt your nightmares. Playland — PNE 2901 E Hastings St., Vancouver frightnights.ca | 604.253.2311 HALLOWEEN FIREWORKS FESTIVAL OCTOBER 31, 6:30 PM
Music, dance demonstrations, clowns and entertainers, children’s activities, an inflatable corn maze, trick-or-treating, fire juggling, and a spectacular fireworks finale…can’t imagine a better Halloween!
VILLAGETHEATRE.ORG I (425) 257-8600 I EVERETT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 134 NorthSoundLife.com
SPONSORED IN PART BY:
Minoru Park 7191 Granville Ave., Richmond richmond.ca | 604.244.1208
The Scene
AGENDA
Rick Epting Foundation for the Arts — Summer of Love Fundraiser People danced, donated and donned 1960s hipster or flower-child garb at The Rick Epting Foundation’s annual fundraiser celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love in Anacortes on Aug. 19th. Admission was free, and the event drew more than 125 people who danced to well-known Bellingham rock band The Walrus and donated more than $4,000 through the event’s silent auction, raffle and 50/50 game. This year alone, money raised by the foundation has helped fund arts education and after-school programs, Riverwalk Park’s free concert series in Mount Vernon, the Skagit community band, a county youth and Syrian refugee youth film project, a theater summer camp and the Skagit Migrant Leaders Club youth recognition event. Plus, the costume winner went home with a groovy lava lamp. For more information, see rickeptingfoundation.org. Photographs © Linda Lipke & Michael Vitale
October 2017 135
NOTES Final Word
Roundabout is Fair Play Ken takes a Sunday drive back to his future WRITTEN BY KEN KARLBERG
O
nce upon a time—back when the wheel had just been invented but not yet patented—I used to worry only about the rare road rage incident with a local farmer and his John Deere tractor when I drove in our local counties. Life was simpler then. We had fewer people, fewer cars on the road, and more cows, as it still should be if I had my way. To this day, I scratch my head and wonder when cows and their bovine union lost control over farmers and their milk parlors. Ferdinand the Bull, you loser. But I digress. Squirrel! Everything was simpler and low tech in the 70s. My first car was a 1964 Dodge Polara, with a push button transmission, AM/FM radio, and a “high beam” button in the wheel well. Simple, user-friendly, built for males by those who understood males and our limitations, like a five-button maximum on the radio. Even the trip to Seattle and back then was maybe three hours. And enjoyable! Drivers even waved to each other. I know. Shut the front door, right? Today, well, times have changed. When I am rudely cut off in city traffic, I resort to humor to protect myself from doing something stupid. First, I quickly conduct a risk assessment before I react, a kind of commonsense, but no doubt highly inappropriate profiling. Is the driver male and low in testosterone, i.e., is he over 50 years old? Is he unshaved and does he look like he hasn’t bathed recently, i.e., is he retired? Is he wearing an untucked Robert Graham shirt? What music is playing and how loudly? Mozart is good. Rap of any kind is iffy and suggests that he is in a mid-life crisis. Are windows missing or covered by a tarp or piece of plywood, suggesting that his wife would prefer that he hadn’t retired? And what do the bumper stickers say that are holding on his bumper? Words to the wise. Don’t dare make eye contact if the sticker says: “U.S. Air Force: When It Absolutely, Positively, Must Be Destroyed Overnight.” And lastly, are any of the bumper stickers homemade, aka self-directed bumper sticker therapy? I recently saw one written on yellow legal pad paper and taped to the tailgate 136 NorthSoundLife.com
that said: “Unless you are willing to pay my car insurance premiums and traffic tickets, get off my bumper. I am going the speed limit.” She scared me. If the answers to any of these questions don’t make me laugh, I smile a “fake smile” and go back to picking flowers in the middle of the field, like Ferdinand. That, and I reach for my wife’s hand before she salutes him with the equivalent of the universal marital gesture for “it’s my birthday, not our wedding anniversary.” Seriously, her signing ability is so limited. What is the sign to unsign THAT sign? And as if road rage isn’t enough of a risk, today’s traffic engineering and car technology is going to drive me to a third Cosmopolitan. I do admit roundabouts are a wonderful traffic flow invention, but they were a challenge to master. I hope that I am not alone here. I ran out of gas twice before I learned how to exit. Anyone with me on this? Thanks to advice from a wonderful 12-year old girl, however, who happened to be watching (and laughing) on the street corner, I am home safely now and I only missed one meal. Middle-schoolers are so smart these days! I was so embarrassed, however, that I didn’t have the courage to ask her to explain the advanced technology in my car. What the heck is a liter? What happened to cubic inches? I understand cubic inches. And a brake warning light comes on way, way before I can read the bumper sticker of the car in front of me. What good is that? While I am asking rhetorical questions, who can stay between the road lines without setting off the lane departure warning system? I want to meet that person and buy him or her a drink. Several drinks, actually, and then we will go for another drive! The only new gizmos that I somewhat enjoy are the GPS navigation systems. They really, really help on roundabouts. But the woman’s voice and directions are so boring that I am tempted to make my own GPS directional recordings. Would you pay a little extra for a navigation system with a sense of humor, like “No, your other left, dear,” or “Clean out your ears — I said ‘Right!’?” Me, too. I would feel at home when my wife is not in the car.
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