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.
Have you ever questioned some of the nonprofit practices that we have all been doing for years? What if we could think about the nonprofit sector and our work in a wonderfully different way? Reconsider the donor centric model, value collaboration over competition for dollars, focus on equity and inclusion in fundraising, change our views and approach on “overhead,” and spend more time being brave and appreciating the important work that we do every day in the nonprofit sector. You won’t want to miss this edgy, informative, and fun session with the acclaimed Vu Le.
2017 Northwest Igniting Philanthropy Series presents: Winter is Here, We Must Stop the Nonprofit Hunger Games with Vu Le
$40 – AFP Members
$50 – Non-members
$60 – On-Site day of
Learning objectives:
• Leave with a stronger understanding of the archaic and ineffective philosophies and practices that nonprofits face on a daily basis
• Gain a better understanding of equity and how it plays out in the nonprofit field
• Gain several tangible action steps to bring back to your organization to change outdated practices
• Feel appreciated and re-energized to improve your work
Vu Le is the writer behind the humor blog nonprofitwithballs.com. He is the Executive Director of an organization in Seattle, Rainier Valley Corps, which aims to bring more leaders of color into the nonprofit sector. He was recently recognized by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as a “Writer with Attitude” and was celebrated on their list for 40 under 40: A Force for Good.
Demystifying Cancer is a forum designed to facilitate discussion among cancer patients, their family members, caregivers, healthcare professionals and other experts who specialize in managing cancer-related medical and non-medical issues that are of concern for cancer patients and their families to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. The goal of the northwest cancer summit is to help improve the quality of life of cancer patients through education, advocacy, and empowerment.
Nothing beats Pixie Theatre for young people! Lisa Markowitz loves to teach these zany classes, and this Spring, she’s teaming up with our very own guest director Sarah Bach. Singing, dancing and acting for everyone! It’s the top, and this time, it’s kittens. Performances April 21-22 & 28-29 at the BAAY Theatre (1059 N State St). Admission by donation at the door!
Come Walk for Water with Girl Scout Troop 44278.
The Brownies have decided to Take Action! They want to raise enough money to help build a well. On April 23 they will be holding a Walk for Water awareness event at Lake Padden from 1-3 pm starting at the playground.
You may bring a plastic jug to fill with water from the lake and carry on the walk to symbolize the struggle women and children in other parts of the world must go through for the basic necessity of water.
There is a suggested donation of $10 per person or $35 per family
You may donate online by 4/18 to be automatically registered OR register the day of.
Registration includes walk and bracelet!
Go to: www.mycause.worldvision.org/team/5769 to register online and find out more!
Looking for some fun this spring? Form a team of friends, family or co-workers for the first annual Pioneer Meadows Spring Swing Golf Scramble! Teams of four will compete for prizes. Price includes golf cart and awards dinner. There will also be a Color Ball Challenge, player goodie bags, and Mulligans for sale! See the link to purchase your tickets.
The Evergreen Premier League WA is finally here! The defending champions are traveling to our home turf! At the Civic Center Stadium. Bellingham United was the league runner-up last year and they are determined to claim the title this year. The Hammers have momentum and are building off success from last year’s season and their most recent indoor season. Last time Vancouver played at Civic they walked away with a tie. United had numerous chances and buried one late in the game. This is going to be an intense start to the season and we need your support to defend our home!
A handful of this year’s indoor players have joined the outdoor squad and will make an immediate impact as the season starts. They have already made their presence felt in the EPLWA playing for Spokane and Wenatchee in previous seasons. We are lucky to call them Hammers and look forward to seeing returning & new fans, families, and players all out on next weekend! Sunday April 30th with kick off at 3:00 pm. Regular ticketing starts: tickets can be purchased online in the ticket URL section or at the gate: Adult $8, Youth $5. Support Local Soccer.
Enjoy some food and drinks while giving back to your community!
The Pad Party is a charity event to collect feminine hygiene products. All the items collected will be donated to DVSAS and Lighthouse Mission.
These products can be very expensive and are seldom donated compared to food products or clothing. So, let’s help our local shelters out by stocking up on pads, tampons and other feminine hygiene products!
This past Sunday Bellingham United FC traveled to play against Oly Town Artesians down in Olympia. The squad came out successful to earn them their first points in the EPLWA season (3-1 W)! The two teams face off once again this Sunday (Mother’ s Day) here in beautiful Bellingham.
Attention Whatcom County Youth Soccer Players: Wear your team/club jersey and receive free admission to the game! United in soccer, United in community.
We look forward to seeing you this Sunday! Ticket information is in the URL section or you can purchase tickets at the entrance of the stadium. Support local soccer & wear your hometown colors!
The Birch Bay Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization raising money for our local no-kill animal rescues. This is our 7th year putting on this FREE 3 day event. Festivities include live music by 20+ bands, a beer and wine garden, event T-Shirts, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and a raffle of the hand crafted D’Haitre guitar by Andy Beech with Seahawk inspired artwork by Frank Dooley. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit local non profit dog and cat rescues Happy Tails Happy Homes and Rescued Hearts Northwest. BBMF is a 100% volunteer run organization including the generous bands that donate their talents and time to support our cause. Your fur friends are welcome to attend (on leash for safety). August 4, 5, 6 2017. Friday 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Birch Bay Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization raising money for our local no-kill animal rescues. This is our 7th year putting on this FREE 3 day event. Festivities include live music by 20+ bands, a beer and wine garden, event T-Shirts, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and a raffle of the hand crafted D’Haitre guitar by Andy Beech with Seahawk inspired artwork by Frank Dooley. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit local non profit dog and cat rescues Happy Tails Happy Homes and Rescued Hearts Northwest. BBMF is a 100% volunteer run organization including the generous bands that donate their talents and time to support our cause. Your fur friends are welcome to attend (on leash for safety). August 4, 5, 6 2017. Friday 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Birch Bay Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization raising money for our local no-kill animal rescues. This is our 7th year putting on this FREE 3 day event. Festivities include live music by 20+ bands, a beer and wine garden, event T-Shirts, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and a raffle of the hand crafted D’Haitre guitar by Andy Beech with Seahawk inspired artwork by Frank Dooley. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit local non profit dog and cat rescues Happy Tails Happy Homes and Rescued Hearts Northwest. BBMF is a 100% volunteer run organization including the generous bands that donate their talents and time to support our cause. Your fur friends are welcome to attend (on leash for safety). August 4, 5, 6 2017. Friday 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Work Opportunities is proud to present Groovin’ and Grubbin’ for Good – Please join us August 25 and August 26 for a two-part fundraising extravaganza!
Work Opportunities is a non-profit organization operating in King, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties. It is our mission to promote self-determination, self-respect and valued participation in the community for persons with disabilities through work. We have proudly been providing vocational exploration, job search and job coaching services to individuals with disabilities for over 50 years. We believe a strong community is one which embraces a diverse workforce. Please join us in celebrating employment for all!
Groovin’ for Good will take place on Friday, August 25 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at BAAY! Theater (1059 N. State St., Bellingham, WA, 98225). This fabulous night of salsa dancing will include Latin music with live DJ Antonio Diaz, dance instructions provided by Rumba Northwest and the opportunity to enter a drawing to win tons of local swag. Put on your dancing shoes and come boogie with us – all ages are welcome, and no experience is necessary! Tickets are $12 at the door for general admission and $10 for Work Opportunities clients.
Grubbin’ for Good will take place on Saturday, August 26 at Café Rumba (1140 N State St., Bellingham, WA, 98225). Come grab some grub and prize drawing tickets. Thirty percent of all restaurant sales will go to support our mission. The prize drawing will be held at 6:00 p.m. (need not be present to win).
We looking forward to seeing you there! Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WorkOppWhatcom to learn more about what we do.
Work Opportunities is proud to present Groovin’ and Grubbin’ for Good – Please join us August 25 and August 26 for a two-part fundraising extravaganza!
Work Opportunities is a non-profit organization operating in King, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties. It is our mission to promote self-determination, self-respect and valued participation in the community for persons with disabilities through work. We have proudly been providing vocational exploration, job search and job coaching services to individuals with disabilities for over 50 years. We believe a strong community is one which embraces a diverse workforce. Please join us in celebrating employment for all!
Grubbin’ for Good will take place on Saturday, August 26 at Café Rumba (1140 N State St., Bellingham, WA, 98225). Come grab some grub and prize drawing tickets. Thirty percent of all restaurant sales will go to support our mission. The prize drawing will be held at 6:00 p.m. (need not be present to win).
We looking forward to seeing you there! Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WorkOppWhatcom to learn more about what we do.
The dancers of Bellingham Repertory Dance (BRD) invite community members to the annual BRD Yard Sale on Sunday, August 27 from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. across from the Firehouse Café at 1314 Harris Street. Explore gently used treasures and take home the perfect finds, all while supporting the arts in our community. Contributions directly fund BRD performances, master classes and youth workshops for area dancers.
Bellingham Repertory Dance is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are fortunate to have dancers who eagerly volunteer their artistic and organizational efforts to bring high quality, vibrant, contemporary dance to Bellingham. To meet the dancers and to find great deals, join us on August 27!
To learn more about Bellingham Repertory Dance, visit our website at www.bhamrep.org.
The Whatcom Literacy Council will host the annual Literacy Breakfast with Nancy Pearl Thursday, November 2 from 7:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. at Bellingham Technical College’s Settlemyer Hall. An $11 registration (available via the website www.whatcomliteracy.org) will be required to reserve a seat. This event typically sells out over a month in advance, so early registration is advised.
Since 1983, the Whatcom Literacy Council has helped hundreds of adults in Whatcom County transform their lives by strengthening their literacy skills with free tutoring and small group classes. Proceeds from the event go directly to programs that help our neighbors here in Whatcom County build skills that help them get jobs and take care of their families. This year the witty and wonderful Nancy Pearl, NPR commentator and author of Book Lust, More Book Lust, Book Crush, Book Lust To Go and, most recently, a novel called George and Lizzie, will return to share her thoughts on some of the best reads available. Village Books will be on hand to sell Nancy’s recommendations.
This is a fundraiser for the adult literacy programs offered by the Whatcom Literacy Council. It is expected that guests will make a donation at the event.
Cascade Connections has partnered with Haggen Food & Pharmacy and KISM Radio to bring you The Third Annual Hamster Ball! The event will be held at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal on Friday, November 17, 2017 starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Hamster Ball is a fabulous wine, beer, chocolate and culinary experience that will feature area wineries, breweries and culinary specialties from local vendors and Haggen Market Street Catering. Come join your community to kick off the holiday season and support a great cause.
Proceeds of the event benefit Cascade Connections – a non-profit organization that has been providing quality services to people with disabilities in Whatcom county for over 35 years.
Admission to the Hamster Ball is $50/person and entitles you to all of the food, three drink tickets, evening festivities and a chance to win the raffle prizes. The ticket price will increase to $55/person after November 1, 2017.
For more information and updates on Hamster Ball, visit events.cascadeconnections.org and www.facebook.com/hamsterevents.
The sounds of trio Ensemble Electra will fill the Chamber Hall on Saturday, January 20, in the third presentation of the J’s Firefly Concert Series. The musicians are Vicki Boeckman, recorder; Tekla Cunningham, violin; and Jillon Stoppels Dupree, harpsichord.
The Seattle-based trio performs with energy and passion the rich, varied repertoire for recorder, violin and harpsichord, specializing in music of the 17th and 18th centuries. The trio draws on its many years of solo and ensemble experience, as well as highly-acclaimed individual reputations, to create innovative and dynamic performances. The ensemble’s unique programming often combines musical genres from seemingly disparate styles, woven together with intelligence and historic sensitivity. Ensemble Electra’s spontaneous, charismatic energy makes for playful and engaging concerts which appeal to audiences of all ages. Recent performances have received rave reviews in Seattle and throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Their performances have been described as “brilliant and engaging,” “exuberant with an authoritative flair,” and “fostering a personal approach to the listener.”
Join expert Mycologists, Jack Johnson and Lauren Ré, for a foray of fungi at Arroyo Park!
The course is designed to familiarize you with fungi identification in the field, help you develop skills in finding mushrooms on your own and use iNaturalist, a helpful resource for fungi identification.
We will focus on:
Mushroom identification
Summertime fungi biodiversity
Toxicity vs Edibility of various species
Ethics of Foraging
How to read a landscape to find species of interest
Using iNaturalist as a tool for identifying mushrooms and plants
Jack and Lauren will share their passion and expertise on this 4-hour walk!
Come learn with us!
On October 22nd, 2023, after a four-year hiatus, the Northwest Mushroomers Association is hosting their 31st Annual Wild Mushroom Show at the Viking Union at WWU from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, $5 for NMA members, and free for children under 12!
Over 300 varieties of mushrooms grow in our area and many will be on display, identified to genus and species, with edibility recommendations. The displays will be fresh, colorful, and amazing. Along with mushroom-related book sales, a children’s table, a table with information about dyeing fibers with mushrooms, local vendors, and three different presentations by professional mycologists in an adjacent meeting space, (and so much more!), you can also bring in a mushroom or two for our IDers to identify for you and answer questions you might have. Mushroom club membership, should you choose to join us, will allow you to register for mushroom ID classes and attend forays and meetings in the coming year.
Knowing which mushroom one is searching for, and differentiating fungi can be confusing. Yet there is a path through this complex world of fungi. Come by to observe and learn about the incredible diversity of PNW mushrooms that might even be growing right in your backyard. We look forward to meeting you! Check our instagram to contact us or see any updates: @northwestmushroomers
Please join Naturalists Jazmen Yoder (Northwest Natura) & Ryan Johnson (Firecraft NW) at the Chuckanut Center for this interactive and beginner friendly Fungi and Mushrooms crash course.
Learn the different structures of fungi and mushrooms, fungi propagation, life cycle, and how to categorize them.
Participants will review examples of edible mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest, what conditions they grow in, and how to use keys to identify them, followed by a demonstration on creating a spore print.
The class will conclude with a brief discussion and demonstration on using fungi to create fire, as well as books and resources to further pursue the study of mycology and fungi!
Trees dripping in mosses and fern covered understories evoke some of the most iconic imagery of Pacific Northwest forests. Despite their dazzling familiarity, their diversity is often underestimated and unexplored. Upon a closer look one can observe dozens of species living intertwined.
Together we’ll explore the many shades of green adorning some local trailsides and cover a handful of the most common species of mosses and ferns in our area. As we comb through the myriad of mosses, you’ll be guided in the practice of tuning into the world of tiny organisms and the structures that help differentiate them.
At the end of the walk, there will be an optional Q&A period where we can review what we’ve learned and browse some helpful resources.
Please join Naturalists Jazmen Yoder (Northwest Natura) & Ryan Johnson (Firecraft NW) at the Chuckanut Center for this interactive and beginner friendly Fungi and Mushrooms crash course.
Learn the different structures of fungi and mushrooms, fungi propagation, life cycle, and how to categorize them.
Participants will review examples of edible mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest, what conditions they grow in, and how to use keys to identify them, followed by a demonstration on creating a spore print.
The class will conclude with a brief discussion and demonstration on using fungi to create fire, as well as books and resources to further pursue the study of mycology and fungi!
Join Naturalist, Jazmen Yoder on a fun adventure through a beautiful coastal forest to learn about edible and medicinal plants and fungi, and traditional ethnobotanical uses of native plants. We will slowly make our way to the shoreline just in time for low tide when we’ll carefully explore tidepools before saying farewell at 4pm.
For more information about this trip, please follow the link to the publisher’s website.