The WhatcomTalk Events Calendar shares things to do around Whatcom County including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine and beyond. Find fun activities and adventures throughout the region on our comprehensive events calendar. Have an event that isn’t listed? Click the green “Post your Event” button and our editors will review and approve within two business days.
Join us for an information session on the upcoming course Web Development Bootcamp (https://pce.wwu.edu/web-development-bootcamp-program). Get details on the curriculum, format, time commitment and more. The course instructors will be on hand to answer your questions.
Amidst shifting state legislation and pressing housing challenges, the Bellingham City Club presents “Balancing Policy, Population, and Preservation.” This vital program tackles the delicate balance between housing demands, community preservation, and regulatory compliance. With unprecedented mandates altering the city’s landscape, crucial questions arise about housing location, comprehensive planning, and neighborhood character preservation. Featuring distinguished speakers Blake Lyons, Garrett O’Brien, and Chris Behee, experts in urban planning, community development, and GIS, the event promises invaluable insights and actionable strategies. By fostering dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders, the program underscores the City Club’s commitment to civic engagement. Join us on April 24, 2024, at the Bellingham Yacht Club, for lunch and an unmissable discussion on shaping Bellingham’s future. For event details and registration, visit www.bellinghamcityclub.org or contact info@bellinghamcityclub.org.
The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is thrilled to announce its seventh annual event, celebrating exceptional films directed by women from around the world. The festival will take place in Bellingham, WA, from April 25-28, 2024, with an online festival following from May 2-11, 2024.
Since its inception in 2017, CASCADIA has presented the films of over 220 women directors, one of the few festivals in the U.S. dedicated to the goal of championing female filmmakers through community building and a shared love of the art. The festival spans all film genres, including narrative, live action, animation, documentary, and experimental films of all lengths.
The 2024 festival will feature films, including the U.S. premiere of “WaaPake” directed by Jules Koostachin, the Shirley Jo Finney Featured Filmmaker of the year, with the director in attendance. Other premiere screenings include “Last Dance,” directed by Delphine Lehericey, and “Preconceived,” directed by Sabrine Keane and Kate Dumke.
In addition to films from Iran, Brazil, Palestine, and many other countries, the lineup includes local representation. “Call of the Orcas” is the latest film from Olympic Peninsula-based director Jessica Plumb (“The Return of the River”). The short documentary explores the urgent effort to recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest, through the eyes of one of their human champions, researcher Ken Balcomb.
The festival will also host a Script Studio on Sunday, April 28, where four short film scripts by women writers will be read by actors and critiqued by a panel of film professionals. This workshop is free of charge and open to the public.
CASCADIA is committed to changing the landscape of the film industry by offering a venue and a support system for women to tell their stories through the medium of film. By showcasing quality work by women directors, CASCADIA provides an important forum for the work of women directors to be seen and their voices heard.
Summer Session staff is hosting a series of drop-in Q&A sessions via Zoom to answer your questions about course offerings, the registration process and other applicable updates.
Please RSVP for this free session at: https://wwu-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zTOz3xC-RVi6DfLhfSVd5A#/registration
Not currently a Western student? Not a problem. Summer Session is Western’s only open quarter, meaning admission to Western isn’t required. It’s the perfect time to explore some of the great programs that Western has to offer. Earn credit without applying for a degree or major. summer.wwu.edu
The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is thrilled to announce its seventh annual event, celebrating exceptional films directed by women from around the world. The festival will take place in Bellingham, WA, from April 25-28, 2024, with an online festival following from May 2-11, 2024.
Since its inception in 2017, CASCADIA has presented the films of over 220 women directors, one of the few festivals in the U.S. dedicated to the goal of championing female filmmakers through community building and a shared love of the art. The festival spans all film genres, including narrative, live action, animation, documentary, and experimental films of all lengths.
The 2024 festival will feature films, including the U.S. premiere of “WaaPake” directed by Jules Koostachin, the Shirley Jo Finney Featured Filmmaker of the year, with the director in attendance. Other premiere screenings include “Last Dance,” directed by Delphine Lehericey, and “Preconceived,” directed by Sabrine Keane and Kate Dumke.
In addition to films from Iran, Brazil, Palestine, and many other countries, the lineup includes local representation. “Call of the Orcas” is the latest film from Olympic Peninsula-based director Jessica Plumb (“The Return of the River”). The short documentary explores the urgent effort to recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest, through the eyes of one of their human champions, researcher Ken Balcomb.
The festival will also host a Script Studio on Sunday, April 28, where four short film scripts by women writers will be read by actors and critiqued by a panel of film professionals. This workshop is free of charge and open to the public.
CASCADIA is committed to changing the landscape of the film industry by offering a venue and a support system for women to tell their stories through the medium of film. By showcasing quality work by women directors, CASCADIA provides an important forum for the work of women directors to be seen and their voices heard.
The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is thrilled to announce its seventh annual event, celebrating exceptional films directed by women from around the world. The festival will take place in Bellingham, WA, from April 25-28, 2024, with an online festival following from May 2-11, 2024.
Since its inception in 2017, CASCADIA has presented the films of over 220 women directors, one of the few festivals in the U.S. dedicated to the goal of championing female filmmakers through community building and a shared love of the art. The festival spans all film genres, including narrative, live action, animation, documentary, and experimental films of all lengths.
The 2024 festival will feature films, including the U.S. premiere of “WaaPake” directed by Jules Koostachin, the Shirley Jo Finney Featured Filmmaker of the year, with the director in attendance. Other premiere screenings include “Last Dance,” directed by Delphine Lehericey, and “Preconceived,” directed by Sabrine Keane and Kate Dumke.
In addition to films from Iran, Brazil, Palestine, and many other countries, the lineup includes local representation. “Call of the Orcas” is the latest film from Olympic Peninsula-based director Jessica Plumb (“The Return of the River”). The short documentary explores the urgent effort to recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest, through the eyes of one of their human champions, researcher Ken Balcomb.
The festival will also host a Script Studio on Sunday, April 28, where four short film scripts by women writers will be read by actors and critiqued by a panel of film professionals. This workshop is free of charge and open to the public.
CASCADIA is committed to changing the landscape of the film industry by offering a venue and a support system for women to tell their stories through the medium of film. By showcasing quality work by women directors, CASCADIA provides an important forum for the work of women directors to be seen and their voices heard.
The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is thrilled to announce its seventh annual event, celebrating exceptional films directed by women from around the world. The festival will take place in Bellingham, WA, from April 25-28, 2024, with an online festival following from May 2-11, 2024.
Since its inception in 2017, CASCADIA has presented the films of over 220 women directors, one of the few festivals in the U.S. dedicated to the goal of championing female filmmakers through community building and a shared love of the art. The festival spans all film genres, including narrative, live action, animation, documentary, and experimental films of all lengths.
The 2024 festival will feature films, including the U.S. premiere of “WaaPake” directed by Jules Koostachin, the Shirley Jo Finney Featured Filmmaker of the year, with the director in attendance. Other premiere screenings include “Last Dance,” directed by Delphine Lehericey, and “Preconceived,” directed by Sabrine Keane and Kate Dumke.
In addition to films from Iran, Brazil, Palestine, and many other countries, the lineup includes local representation. “Call of the Orcas” is the latest film from Olympic Peninsula-based director Jessica Plumb (“The Return of the River”). The short documentary explores the urgent effort to recover endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales of the Pacific Northwest, through the eyes of one of their human champions, researcher Ken Balcomb.
The festival will also host a Script Studio on Sunday, April 28, where four short film scripts by women writers will be read by actors and critiqued by a panel of film professionals. This workshop is free of charge and open to the public.
CASCADIA is committed to changing the landscape of the film industry by offering a venue and a support system for women to tell their stories through the medium of film. By showcasing quality work by women directors, CASCADIA provides an important forum for the work of women directors to be seen and their voices heard.
Summer Session staff is hosting a series of drop-in Q&A sessions via Zoom to answer your questions about course offerings, the registration process and other applicable updates.
Please RSVP for this free session at: https://wwu-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aey8Qo9iRHWuk_-6ugKgNw#/registration
Not currently a Western student? Not a problem. Summer Session is Western’s only open quarter, meaning admission to Western isn’t required. It’s the perfect time to explore some of the great programs that Western has to offer. Earn credit without applying for a degree or major. summer.wwu.edu
Summer Session staff is hosting a series of drop-in Q&A sessions via Zoom to answer your questions about course offerings, the registration process and other applicable updates.
Please RSVP for this free session at: https://wwu-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ol-hGH4hS8u6WsoUlc6EBg#/registration
Not currently a Western student? Not a problem. Summer Session is Western’s only open quarter, meaning admission to Western isn’t required. It’s the perfect time to explore some of the great programs that Western has to offer. Earn credit without applying for a degree or major. summer.wwu.edu
Join Naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a day of foraging out in the woods. This course will take place on private and public property approximately 2 miles from of Maple Falls. Location is subject to change based on seasonal anomalies such as delayed sprouting.
This is a great event to be out in nature on Mothers Day!
We will be foraging nettles and other edible or medicinal plants, in addition to any edible mushrooms we may find. For each species, expect short discourse on it’s edibility or medicinal properties, how to prepare it for medicine or food, and information on its ecology.
Expect moderate walking/hiking with frequent stops, self-led exploration, and a lesson in ethical foraging on public lands.
The last half of the class, we will build a fire and cook together using nettles. I will show you 2 recipes and make suggestions for several others.
This will be a fun outing!
Please register via the website.
Join Jazmen Yoder (Northwest Natura) & Madelaine Katz for an ecology crash course complete with captivating storytelling and bounteous wisdom-sharing on Southern Resident and Transient Killer Whales, and the Salish Sea Bioregion.
In this course you will learn:
Salish Sea natural history, including human history and the interconnectedness of species on land and sea.
Orca symbolism and lore within the Coast Salish region
Morphological traits, behaviors, and social structures of Orcas
Salmon species basic life history and phenology
Ecological roles, impacts, and new facts about Southern Resident and Transient Killer Whales
To hear and discern different Orca vocalizations
How to ID individual orcas by their unique features
How to support Orca conservation efforts
Tips for whale watching (where to go, what to look for, how to ID individuals, and more).
This course will be co-led by Madelaine Katz, a nature educator and student of the Salish Sea, and Jazmen Yoder, outdoor educator, naturalist, and founder of Northwest Natura.
The entire class will take place indoors at the Chuckanut Center near Fairhaven in Whatcom County, WA. The Chuckanut Center is heated and has access to facilities including a bathroom, full kitchen, and drinking water.
***** Please register via the website.
The Bellingham Bells take on the Edmonton Riverhawks at 6:35 PM in the open game of the season and first of the series at Joe Martin Field.
The Bellingham Bells take on the Edmonton Riverhawks at 6:35 PM in the second game of the opening series at Joe Martin Field.
This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in learning more about trees and wildcrafting skills.
Each class will incorporate guided note-taking and hands-on experience that will familiarize you with various trees of the Pacific Northwest.
Overall, we will be moving at a slow pace during each outing as we focus on our surroundings and have mini lectures, and the second half of class will generally be stationary to engage in crafts and activities.
Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.
Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!
Day 1: An Evening at the Lake: Birch Bark Candles
Saturday June 1st, 2024
(Details on location will be sent to registered participants only).
This is an introductory class to common tree species and a wildcrafting course using several species of trees including Douglas-Fir, Paper Birch and Western Redcedar.
What to expect:
First Half: We will begin the series with an introduction to common trees and general concepts about tree adaptations to better appreciate the materials we’ll be working with in the second half of class.
Second Half: Each person will craft their own primitive candle using bark, resin, roots, and wood.
Please register via the website.
The Bellingham Bells take on the Edmonton Riverhawks at 6:35 PM in the final game of the series at Joe Martin Field.
The Bellingham Bells take on the Ridgefield Raptors at 6:35 PM in the first game of the series at Joe Martin Field
The Bellingham Bells take on the Ridgefield Raptors at 6:35 PM in the second game of the series at Joe Martin Field.
The Bellingham Bells take on the Ridgefield Raptors at 6:35 PM in the final game of the series at Joe Martin Field.
BELLINGHAM, WA – Shifting Gears, a local non-profit in Bellingham, is hosting the annual Bellingham Bike Swap on Sunday, June 9th, 2024, in the Boundary Bay Brewery Alley and Beer Garden in Downtown Bellingham.
The Bellingham Bike Swap allows the Bellingham Community to purchase pre-owned bikes or gear at a lower cost, enabling them to experience the joys and benefits of biking. The Bellingham Bike Swap is a space for community members to sell, shop, and simply share in the greatness of the Bellingham outdoor community. Twenty-five percent of each sale will assist with the funding of Shifting Gears biking and hiking programs that help break barriers preventing all women from experiencing the outdoors and creating a more inclusive outdoor world.
“The Bellingham Bike Swap serves as a marketplace for individuals to sell their pre-loved gear, providing our community access to affordable equipment while celebrating Bellingham’s vibrant cycling scene. Additionally, it reinforces Shifting Gears’ mission to welcome more women into outdoor recreation.”
– Krysy Keller, Executive Director of Shifting Gears.
Everything happens on Sunday, June 9th, at the Boundary Bay Beer Garden. Those looking to sell gear can drop off items between 7am and 10am before everyone is welcome to ‘Shop the Swap’ from 1pm to 5pm. Unsold gear and checks can be picked up by ‘sellers’ between 6pm and 8pm at the end of the day.
The Bellingham Bike Swap started in 2018 and has been hosted at Boundary Bay Brewery every year since. Shifting Gears is blown away at the increasing level of community, volunteer, and partner support. The Bellingham Bike Swap has become a key fundraiser for Shifting Gears’ programming and an annual event for the Bellingham community.
Shifting Gears is a women-led, women-directed non-profit in Bellingham, WA, whose mission is to empower all women through outdoor recreation and education opportunities to remove barriers and foster belonging. By participating in Shifting Gears, community members will walk away with the tools they need to attain their recreational goals and feel empowered to reach other personal goals. For more information about the Bellingham Bike Swap, visit https://letsshiftgears.org/bikeswap.
This course will take place on Northwest Natura’s private forest land in Whatcom County off Highway 542 near Maple Falls, WA. Driving directions and details on what to bring with you will be provided in an email as the event date approaches.
Bushcraft is a term used to describe the practice of skills which aid in living outdoors. Here are the skills we will cover in this crash course:
Survival Basics focused on Shelter
Shelter – survival shelter construction
Fire making without a lighter
Knot-tying and lashing basics.
Tools of the trade and practice using them.
Knife and ax skills
We will practice all of these skills together in this full-day course. Knives and ferro rods provided for the day.
You are encouraged to bring your own outdoor tools such as a knife, ax, fire starter, tarp, containers (pots, water bottles), paracord, first aid kit, etc. so you can practice with your kit. I can answer any questions about your gear and help you troubleshoot issues you may have with them.
Space is limited to 10.
Please register via the website.
This is day 2 of the series.
This series is designed for individuals at any skill level who are interested in learning more about trees and wildcrafting skills.
Each class will incorporate guided note-taking and hands-on experience that will familiarize you with various trees of the Pacific Northwest.
Overall, we will be moving at a slow pace during each outing as we focus on our surroundings and have mini lectures, and the second half of class will generally be stationary to engage in crafts and activities.
Expect some gentle to moderate hiking, and some kneeling or squatting.
Each class will build on the previous one. For more details, keep reading!
This is a deep dive into more mixed forest species and a wildcrafting course using Pacific Willow or Vine Maple, and Western Redcedar.
What to expect:
First Half: We will wander along a forest road and onto random footpaths along the Nooksack River, observing tree species and searching for the perfect materials to use in the second half of class. This class will be accessible while incorporating wandering and choosing paths at random based on resources and curiosity.
Second Half: Using Western Redcedar from the forest, learn how to make traditional cordage. Using willow stems from the riverbank, enjoy the view while you craft a decorative ring to be hung up in your garden, your front door, or elsewhere to be admired. Extra decorating materials will be provided. An email with ideas of what you may want to bring for decorations will be sent to you a few days prior to the event.
***Please register via the website.
The Bellingham Bells take on the Kamloops Northpaws at 6:35 PM in the first game of the series at Joe Martin Field.
The Bellingham Bells take on the Kamloops Northpaws at 6:35 PM in the second game of the series at Joe Martin Field.
The Bellingham Bells take on the Kamloops Northpaws at 6:35 PM in the final game of the series at Joe Martin Field.
Join botanist and naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a walk at one of the most beautiful coastal parks in the Pacific Northwest. There will be an emphasis on learning about creatures in the tidepools, lichens and ferns, but you will learn a lot about other plants, fungi, edible seaweeds, and coast ecology through exploration of tidepools at low tide. Bring your camera, come for the knowledge, and stay for the views! This is a unique field trip offering you’ll remember forever.
Space is limited. Please register via the website.
