Visit Ragfinery on Saturday, May 30, during its Green Eileen Pop Up sale.
Ragfinery and Eileen Fisher are teaming up again to bring Bellingham Green Eileen’s only west coast “Pop Up” Sale on Saturday, May 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Their first collaboration in October was highly attended with lines out the door for much of the event.
All are welcome to attend this event at Ragfinery, located at 1421 N. Forest Street, Bellingham, where around 500 gently used designer garments will be on sale at a fraction of their original prices. Attendees can shop for sustainable clothing and explore Ragfinery’s warehouse of textile resources and upcycled goods.
“The average American throws away 68 pounds of clothes per year, almost 100% of which is recyclable,” said Duane Jager, Ragfinery Executive Director. “It’s great to team up with Eileen Fisher because we’re both committed to many of the same objectives, such as extending the life of fabrics, reducing the amount of textiles going into landfills, and raising awareness about the concept of reuse.”
Eileen Fisher is an upscale clothing brand with a focus on high quality materials and sustainable design. Its Green Eileen program is a recycled clothing initiative committed to reducing environmental impact and generating income to support programs that improve the lives of women and girls.
Ragfinery will have a delayed opening on May 30th (open at 11am) so they can prepare for this event. A percentage of the proceeds from sales will be donated to support Ragfinery’s job training program.
Ragfinery is a project of ReUse Works, a Bellingham nonprofit that provides job training and jobs by reusing and recycling waste and discarded materials. Ragfinery upcycles unwanted clothing and fabric by transforming them into fashionable new products.
Chuck Crooks offers his weekly classes and private lessons at Bell Tower Studios (1430 N. Garden Street in Bellingham)
By Sara Holodnick
Shall We Dance? owner Chuck Crooks has been teaching in Bellingham for four years.
Chuck Crooks began offering group dance classes as Shall We Dance? in 2011. He’d moved to Bellingham just a couple years before, and wanted to bring the skills he learned in Chicago as a Core Motion and Arthur Murray certified instructor to local students. Meeting weekly at Bell Tower Studios in the York neighborhood, Chuck’s group classes are a fun, relaxed way to learn social dances such as ballroom, Latin, and swing.
“The group classes are meant to give you small snippets of a dance that you can take out and do right away that evening if you want to,” he explains. “I want people to learn good quality dancing, not just moves.”
And good quality dancing feels easy to achieve when you’re in class with Chuck. He breaks styles down into small parts, building on them progressively until you’re dancing along to his mix of classic and modern pop music. This approach has built a loyal following of regular students.
“[Some of] the regulars I’ve had have been coming every single week,” he explains. “That’s what’s kept me doing this.” The class I attended included a married couple who have loved his classes so much, they’ve been coming regularly for years.
“I still remember when she dragged me in here,” jokes Norman Pendergraft, recalling that night three years ago when his wife, Rebecca, asked him to join her. “But it’s actually changed our whole lives. Now we can go out to weddings and we can actually dance instead of jumping up and down holding a beer.”
And Chuck says that’s the whole point of his classes – making dance fun and accessible. This supportive, easy-going environment welcomes anyone who wants to dance, regardless of experience. And because Chuck only offers a group class and private lessons by appointment, he doesn’t require his students to buy a package up front. This means that first-time dancers can test drive his classes without feeling pressured to purchase more than they’ll use.
Students Rebecca and Norman Pendergraft say dancing together has been good for their marriage.
“I want my students to be confident that they can lead or follow when stepping onto the dance floor, and feeling like they’re going to have a good time instead of being stressed out,” Chuck says. He acknowledges that some dance studios can be competitive, but he prides himself on a drama-free environment. “This is a no-pressure zone. I’ve never heard a single negative comment from one student to another.”
Singles and couples are welcome, and Crooks advertises his classes as LGBT-friendly. Anyone can join – from high school students (with parental permission for minors) to retirees, the only requirement is a pair of closed-toe, no-skid shoes and easy-moving clothing.
This positive, welcoming atmosphere means Chuck’s students have so much fun in class that they want to use what they learn when they’re out on the town.
“It’s increased our social life,” explains student Norman. “Through Chuck we’ve met all of the people here, we go out to dance and we meet other dancers… If we travel, we’ll go out and listen to a band and dance until the early morning. The sun comes up, and we’re still out there dancing.”
His favorite dance?
“For me, swing is the most universal. You can use that anywhere– a country bar, a rock ‘n roll bar, weddings. As long as you can swing you can dance to anything.”
It’s been good for his marriage, too. “We teach martial arts, and we beat each other up,” he laughs. “After 25 years of hitting each other, we can actually move together.”
Chuck Crooks prides himself on a fun, inclusive atmosphere in his weekly group dance classes.
Manager of Operational Training at Puget Sound Energy, Troy Nutter, brings his background in educational delivery and occupational competency development to United Way of Whatcom County.
In a unanimous vote from the United Way of Whatcom County Board of Directors at a recent meeting, Troy Nutter and Stacey Zierath will be the newest members joining the Board.
Troy Nutter is the Manager of Operational Training at Puget Sound Energy and brings his background in educational delivery and occupational competency development. Troy is based in Bellingham, but manages the training programs for the entire region. He has served on numerous boards and commissions, particularly in the areas of workforce development. A long time United Way supporter, Troy is looking forward to supporting the organization at a governance and strategic level.
Stacey Zierath is the VP Operations NW Network for PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Group and is new to Whatcom County after relocating from Pierce County. Stacey is responsible for operations in all non-hospital clinics and practices in the NW portion of the multi-state healthcare system. She is a long term United Way supporter, and this will be her first Board experience in Whatcom County. Stacey is most interested in United Way’s grant making processes and community projects. Her particular areas of interest are in issues of substance abuse, behavioral health, homeless support, and efforts to reduce incarceration and recidivism.
“We are so excited to welcome Troy and Stacey to our group. United Way of Whatcom County has changed a lot over the years, narrowing in our focus, and moving the needle on crucial community issues. Troy and Stacey will be able to add their valuable expertise to help us continue our work to achieve our goals in Education, Income, and Health,” said Peggy Onustack, Board Chair of the United Way of Whatcom County Board of Directors and VP/District Manager at US Bank.
On May 24 Ingela will celebrate her 65 birthday by participating in her 25th Ski to Sea race with yogic power.
Ingela Abbott, owner of Yoga Northwest in Bellingham celebrated 35 years of teaching yoga around Bellingham this week.
Before Abbott opened her first studio in the Fairhaven neighborhood, she offered 12 classes weekly at locations ranging from WWU and NW Physical Therapy to Lairmont Manor and the county jail. The original Yoga Northwest, opened in 1987 at the intersection of Harris and 10th Street, was originally a Yugoslavian dance hall and drew around 75 yoga students a week in the early days. The current Yoga Northwest studio, opened in 2008 in the McKenzie Square Building overlooking the Padden Creek greenbelt, attracts about 400 students a week.
Abbott says, “Since I started teaching yoga in 1980, close to 10,000 people have learned to do the dog pose, stand up straight, and breathe deeply. Every class is a fun adventure, seeing how I can take my students on a journey of discovery into their own hidden abilities and full potential. I love helping them be the best they can be and open up to life mindfully, joyfully and soulfully.
Yoga Northwest attracts about 400 students each week.
A native of Sweden, Abbott found her way to Bellingham after traveling extensively, including a trip through the Sahara desert, a train ride across Russia on the Trans Siberian Railway, and several years in Japan, where she taught English and studied Japanese pottery. Abbott also went to Pune, India, to study with B.K.S. Iyengar, whose style of yoga she and the 10 other instructors at Yoga Northwest teach.
Of that first trip to India, Abbott recalls, “I studied at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune for two months, taking classes and practicing privately together with Mr. Iyengar for six hours a day. I feel very grateful that I had the opportunity to study with a master back in the ‘70s, when the classes were small and intimate and before he was world famous. It was a transforming experience and sparked in me a desire to embrace the practice of yoga for life and to share the gift of yoga with others.” Since that initial visit, Abbott has been back to India six times. In 2005 she passed the 6th level of Iyengar Yoga certification, a teaching credential held by only two teachers in the Northwest.
Yoga Northwest has been voted Best Yoga in Bellingham for eight years in a row.
One of Abbott’s first students in Bellingham, Constance Drake, is now a teacher at Yoga Northwest. Drake, other teachers, and long-time students will be present to celebrate Abbott’s successful milestone.
On May 24 Ingela will celebrate her 65 birthday by participating in her 25th Ski to Sea race with yogic power. This year due to no snow she will do the alpine run instead of cross country skiing.
Yoga Northwest has been voted Best Yoga in Bellingham for eight years in a row. As the popularity of yoga has increased and new yoga centers have opened in town, Yoga Northwest continues to draw enthusiastic students with its quality instruction and the most highly trained and certified yoga teachers in the state.
Pickford Film Center is proud to announce new accommodations that will bring a richer cinematic experience to those of the deaf community, the hard of hearing and the visually impaired.
Pickford Film Center is proud to announce new accommodations that will bring a richer cinematic experience to those of the deaf community, the hard of hearing and the visually impaired. These upgrades were made possible, in part, from the support from the Bellingham Central Lions Club, Harborview Lions Club and Fairhaven Lions Club.
For those who are Deaf, there are now two different captioning options at your disposal. The first are Closed Captioned Receivers, which are gooseneck boxes that can be placed in a seat’s cupholder and are adjustable for viewing purposes. The second option are Closed Caption Headset Receivers, which operate as glasses that project a caption box superimposed into the view of the wearer of the apparatus.
These headphones are unique in how they offer a better isolated soundtrack, and also offer a loop option for people that have telecoils in their hearing aids or cochlear implants. In addition, they offer the option of a visual narrative of films for those who are visually impaired. However, it should be kept in mind that even though we have updated our projectors so that they are compatible with our new additions, the usage of captioning devices and visual narrative devices are limited to the films that allow for these accommodations to be utilized. It is up to the studios or filmmakers’ to embed the films with closed captioning and descriptive audio functions, and not all titles are guaranteed to have those enhancements included.
Even so, we are very proud and excited about these new ways in which everyone can have a satisfying experience at the Pickford. Cassie Revell ,Assistant Operations Manager, expands on this when she says “I am very excited that the Pickford is able to bring this cutting-edge captioning technology to Bellingham! We hope that folks affected by hearing or vision loss will find themselves not only able, but also excited, to go to movies in the theatre again. We at the Pickford take great pride in being able to provide the best viewing experience for ALL of our patrons. A passion for film is now the only requirement for admission.”
The Hive is a member-based community business that offers woodworking tools, sewing machines and space to work on a wide array of crafts, repairs and do-it-yourself projects.
The Hive, Bellingham’s newest maker space, will celebrate its opening with an alley party on Sunday May 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. featuring music from The Loofahs, Karma Taxi and Dana Hubanks, food from Kurly’s Fries, on-site t-shirt printing courtesy of Red Boots Design, a membership raffle and other festivities throughout the afternoon.
The Hive is a member-based community business that offers woodworking tools, sewing machines and space to work on a wide array of crafts, repairs and do-it-yourself projects. Its doors officially opened to the public earlier this spring after a year of building grassroots support for the project through outreach at summer festivals and two crowd-funding campaigns as well as connecting with members of the maker and DIY community in Bellingham.
Upon successful completion of the Tilt funding campaign in November, which raised almost $20,000, Hive founder Kendall Dodd turned her attention to establishing the makerspace in a cozy warehouse downtown in the alley behind the Upfront Theater and 3 Oms Yoga.
In keeping with the bootstrapping ethos of The Hive, the space was set up with hours of generous help from friends and family and furnished with work surfaces from the ReStore and University of Washington surplus as well as tools donated from near and far.
“I love that every part of The Hive has a story and a connection to our community,” says Dodd. “Makerspaces are a part of the newly emerging shared economy, and I believe they should represent that by taking advantage of the resources already present here in our area.”
Celebrates The Hive’s opening on May 17 from 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Once people become members, the tools and space at The Hive are accessible in one of two ways—using a punch card to pay by the visit (like most yoga studios) or with a flat monthly fee (like most gyms).
The Hive also offers an activity schedule with everything from casual meet-ups to project-based maker events to formal classes for members who want to learn new skills or just want a little bit of guidance about where to start.
In addition to celebrating its opening with the party on the 17th, The Hive is offering free annual membership to everyone who makes their first visit to The Hive in May. Whether that means attending a class or activity, or just coming in to work on a project, if someone sets foot into the space for the first time before the end of the month, her or his membership fee will be waived. “It’s all a part of The Hive’s mission to make it as easy as possible for people to get to work on whatever project or idea is at the top of their list.”
Whatcom County Library System Welcomes New Deputy Director, Michael Cox.
The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) welcomes our new Deputy Director, Michael Cox, who recently relocated to Whatcom County from Pueblo, Colorado.
As the former Director of Public Services for the Pueblo City-County Library District, Mr. Cox lead a team of ten library managers, helped plan 3 new libraries, defined a new customer service model for the system, and opened an “Idea Factory Learning Lab” that showcased new technologies for all ages.
Before his stint as Director of Public Services, Mr. Cox was the Manager of Youth Services and the Library @ the Y in Pueblo, where he instituted year-round programming and increased summer reading participation by 40%. He began his library career as Teen Services Librarian in Pueblo, creating the library’s first Teen Center with multiple community partners and creating nationally recognized teen programing. Mr. Cox received his Masters of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
The hiring process for WCLS Deputy Director included a series of phone and in-person interviews with different panels of library staff members, culminating in a full-day of library tours, a one-on-one meeting with the Executive Director and an evening presentation attended by staff, library trustees, and Friends of the Library officers.
“Here’s the remarkable thing,” said Executive Director Christine Perkins. “Throughout the ordeal, Michael stayed upbeat and positive, and every single piece of feedback we received about him was overwhelmingly positive as well. That’s quite an accomplishment! To say we’re all thrilled that he accepted our offer is not an exaggeration.”
As Deputy Director for the Whatcom County Library System, Mr. Cox is responsible for staffing and services to the public through our ten community libraries and mobile services, enhancing the patron experience in the library, developing and monitoring the public services budget, strategic planning for current and emerging library service needs, and acting as Executive Director in the Executive Director’s absence.
In the coming weeks, Mr. Cox will be visiting each of our ten library locations and doing a ride-along on the Bookmobile. He will meet with staff, Friends, Trustees, our Foundation, and the public. He will be diving in to strategic planning with both feet as WCLS develops a new multi-year plan and will bring a fresh perspective to the work of connecting information, ideas, and community through library services in Whatcom County.
Gary Giles plays piano man Ivory Jack alongside Katherine Strohmaier’s Marina in ‘Marina,’ opening at the Mount Baker Theatre on May 21st. Photo credit: Damian Vines.
By Stacee Sledge
Semiahmoo playwright Sandy Wolf worked for 15 years to create ‘Marina.’ Photo credit: Angela Kiser.
Semiahmoo playwright Sandy Wolf is set to bring her play Marina to the Mount Baker Theatre—and it’s been a long, creative climb to get it there.
The play, set in Blaine in 1908, revolves around a heartbroken mother, a love story, rowdy fishermen, fierce union activists, noisy temperance fanatics, and anti-Asian bigotry. It’s a musical drama with serious themes.
Bellingham TheatreWorks will present the world premier, with music composed by Justin Melland, a live orchestra conducted by Ryan Dudenbostel, and choreography by Pam Kuntz.
Seattle actress Katherine Strohmaier plays Marina, who is supported by her long-time friend and piano man Ivory Jack, played by Gary Giles, who travels from Philadelphia to star in the production.
“It’s a typical musical in that it’s primarily a love story,” says Wolf. “But just like South Pacific, the world of the play is what makes it unusual.”
Wolf, age 71, grew up in Bellingham. Watching a performance of Showboat at Bellingham High School when she was in junior high became an important turning point in her life.
“I was forever changed by it,” she says. “I saw that and thought, ‘Oh, someday! Someday I want to do that.’”
She went on to participate in chorus and the drama department at Bellingham High School, her love for musical theatre firmly implanted.
Her father was a doctor and her mother a nurse; Wolf went to the University of Washington and entered a career in medicine. But she never lost her drive for drama.
Her husband’s career took them to Alaska, where they lived for 30 years. Wolf was very active in the Fairbanks theater community and eventually went back to school and got a degree in theatre and a master’s in playwriting.
“I had a wonderful job running the theatre division of a fine arts camp and directing musicals,” she says, smiling at the memories. “I also worked in the theatre department at the University of Alaska.”
She always felt that one day she would write a play of her own. “So I could leave behind one thing that showed all I had learned during my study of the theatre,” she says. “But I didn’t have any idea what to write!”
Gary Giles plays piano man Ivory Jack alongside Katherine Strohmaier’s Marina in ‘Marina,’ opening at the Mount Baker Theatre on May 21st. Photo credit: Damian Vines.
After Wolf and her husband moved back to Whatcom County, she was inspired to create something to help attract tourists to Blaine.
She originally thought it would be a story about the cannery workers, but soon a far richer history unfolded.
“I found out about the Star of Bengal and all the Chinese conflict, and realized there was the basis for a really good musical here,” she says. “The parallels to today are so interesting—the same fights over immigration, pay for union people, rights for women.”
Wolf began writing 15 years ago. Over the years, she worked with several industry talents to help bring the play from the page to the stage.
Former Bellingham local Justin Melland is now a multiple award winning film composer and songwriter. He and Wolf met, discussed her project, and soon began working together. Melland wrote all the songs for Marina.
“The first song he wrote is the opening of the show and is about people working in the cannery,” Wolf explains. “I was just thrilled with it and asked him how in the world he nailed it so completely. He said, ‘Well, I worked in a fish cannery in Alaska!’”
The duo worked remotely over the Internet and when most of the music was composed, Wolf took the project to a Los Angeles theatre production company for feedback. She reworked the play a bit, and then brought it to London to British theatre director, producer, and writer Julian Woolford for more carefully reading and evaluation.
“There are some big ideas in the show that are from Julian,” Wolf says.
Two years ago, Wolf entered the play into the New York Musical Theatre Festival, where it was accepted. “So we went to New York and invited audiences to give us feedback on stage readings. We did a lot of rewriting in New York,” she says. “Those three professional connections had so much to do with the development of the script.”
About six months ago, Wolf read about Bellingham TheatreWorks and its mission to do works of local significance. She emailed artistic director Mark Kuntz, who agreed to produce.
Inspired by real events, ‘Marina’ looks at the woes and wonders of life in Blaine, Washington circa 1908.
“I knew of his reputation and knew he was really good,” Wolf says. “He’s a superbly experienced stage director and really thinks about the story. It’s been so valuable to have someone with his background see it with a new set of eyes.”
After so many years of preparation, Wolf is excited to see the culmination of her hard work—but the loss of her husband last fall also brings some sadness to the otherwise happy occasion.
“My husband was killed last September in an accident,” she says. “He was my greatest fan and of course I’m wishing he could see this.”
“But,” she continues, “I’m absolutely delighted that it’s going onstage and I think the Mount Baker Theatre is a wonderful venue. It’s a big, fully orchestrated show and needs to be in a big theatre.”
With her talented, experienced cast and crew in place, Wolf feels confident about opening night. “The key people are all excellent. My job is to sit there and be scared to death,” she says with a laugh.
“You feel like you’re stark naked when you write something,” Wolf says. “You’re really letting people look into your soul.”
Marina debuts at the historic Mount Baker Theatre for three nights only, May 21, 22, and 23, with shows at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10-$24 and are available online or by calling 360-734-6080.
Portland, OR junkbox blues duo, Hillstomp, toured through the Wild Buffalo in April. Photo by Kenneth Kearney Photography.
By Lorraine Wilde
If you love rock, hip hop, jazz, blues, soul, folk, or classical, Whatcom County has it covered any night of the week with a variety of live music venues. Whether you want to dance, bang your head, or just sit and enjoy a savory snack and a drink, this list is a great starting point for any music-lover’s quest to see the best of what Bellingham has to offer.
Although we couldn’t include them all, these venues provide opportunities for both local and touring artists to bear their soul and their craft for your entertainment.
Bellingham Folk-Stomp Americana band, Wild Rabbit, at The Frog. Photo by Kenneth Kearney Photography.
This Bellingham staple has an industrial vibe, a medium-sized dance floor, and quality sound. The Frog has a history of visits from some music legends as well as a dedication to locals. In fact, most or all of the variable cover charge goes directly to the performers, which often include folk, string band, and blues artists. The substantial deck out back with a view of Bellingham Bay and the house-smoked BBQ are a bonus. Patrons can play stringed instruments hung throughout the venue and enjoy great local beers, a wide variety of whiskey, or their famous grilled cheese sandwiches. My favorite is the Elvis: peanut butter, bacon, and banana grilled on thick bread to perfection.
Also known as The Buffalo, this venue offers perhaps the widest variety of music in town including reggae, hip hop, funk, soul, and electronic to name a few. The cover ranges from free for open mic and monthly Free Funk Friday up to $20 for some nationally-recognized touring artists. The sound system is good and loud and there is ample space on the dance floor. “Balcony” seats offer the best view and make you feel like you’re sittin’ in with the band.
Across from the Farmers Market, this kid-friendly bistro offers beer brewed on-site, an outdoor deck, and beer garden. Concerts are outdoor in the summer and in the bar when the weather doesn’t cooperate. They are partial to Americana, folk, and blue grass but also blues-rock and other genres, with both local and touring bands. The food hasn’t changed much over the years, but that’s because it’s great. My favorites since 1995 are the Yam AleChiladas and The Great Northwest Pizza.
The 1980’s hardcore punk band, Reagan Youth, tour their comeback album at the Shakedown. Photo by Sue Mattson.
The Shakedown is just finishing a recent remodel upstairs that will add the quieter Racket Bar and Pinball Lounge with 18 pinball tables. The sound on the main floor is good and loud. Affordable drink prices and a cover from free to $15 makes this place a favorite with local rock bands and patrons alike.
Local musicians are part of the core of this all-ages DIY non-profit art and music venue. The music variety is as wide as the interests of Bellingham’s musicians and every dollar raised supports local artists. The Make.Shift is also home to a documentary film center, Bellingham’s Local Music Library, and the new community radio station.
Built in a historic warehouse on the alley behind Pepper Sisters restaurant, the Honey Moon is an all-ages venue for local singer/songwriters as well as a variety of bands including Latin fusion, Irish fiddle and cello, country, and Appalachian tunes. Their additional outdoor seating is great in good weather. Mead isn’t my thing, but I always enjoy the cider.
Portland, OR junkbox blues duo, Hillstomp, toured through the Wild Buffalo in April. Photo by Kenneth Kearney Photography.
Kulshan is kid-friendly in their outdoor seating area and offers plenty of locally-brewed beer and live music, especially Americana, Irish, and folk. Some of the area’s best food trucks park right out front or you can bring your own food from off-site. I ride my bicycle to this venue to play darts and appreciate the relaxed atmosphere.
The Swillery is also a favorite with local rock bands because there is no stage. Performers play among the audience making the concert atmosphere electric.
Bellingham Murder Jazz band, Falling Up Stairs, at the Shakedown. Photo by Aaron Brick Artography
An intimate venue, the Star Club calls itself a speakeasy. Its comfortable atmosphere is perfect for the Americana, singer/song writer, Irish, and folk rock they offer. I like their new twists on old-fashioned cocktails.
The Mount Baker Theatre is a sumptuous 1500-seat venue. Open since 1927 and listed on the register of National Historic Places since 1978, it is home to the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra and at least one young female ghost named Judy. It provides a grand stage for cultural music performances as well as international favorites like the upcoming Bruce Hornsby, Michael McDonald, and UB40. Ticket prices are generally higher than the other venues.
Mount Baker Theatre
104 North Commercial Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-734-6080
This is just a splash of the great live music available in Whatcom County. For practical reasons, music venues tend to cluster near the business districts along the I-5 corridor, so if we’ve missed some gems off the beaten track, please let us know via email and we’ll be sure to check them out.
Many of us patiently (or not-so-patiently) wait out the gray fall/winter days in hopes of exactly what eventually comes around: sun, sun and more sun! Warmer temperatures, a few fluffy clouds floating among all that vibrant blue sky, and longer days that start early and end late.
And here in Whatcom County, the wait is certainly worth it. Our area is bursting with outdoor recreation options, from down by the water on up to the mountains—and everywhere in between.
Check out our list of things to do in the great outdoors—and please email us with any of your favorites that we might not have mentioned.
Surf and Shore
Even if you don’t have your own boat, there are many ways to get out and enjoy time on the water in Whatcom County.
So many favorite Whatcom County activities revolve around water. Stroll the beaches along our coastline, from Larrabee State Park south of Bellingham stretching all the way up to Birch Bay State Park in Blaine—pick a beach, any beach, and then comb it.
If you’d rather be on the water rather than right next to it, Salish Sea Kayak School offers classes to prep beginner or intermediate paddlers for any kayaking adventure.
The Community Boating Center also offers classes, from sailing to rowing, as well as youth camps for sailing, kayaking, stand-up-paddleboarding, and more.
You don’t need to own your own boat to get out on the Salish Sea. Let Schooner Zodiac take you out on one of their many cruise offerings. Gato Verde also offers customized boat tours on its catamaran for groups of 12, for day tours, and nine for overnight trips.
You probably already know that San Juan Cruises can take you on a spectacular whale-watching trip. But what about bird watching? July 4th fireworks? Beer- and wine-themed cruises? They offer these and more.
If your idea of a fabulous time is a day hike up on the mountain, head east on the Mount Baker Highway (SR 542) and take in the gorgeous scenery on your way to the trailhead. Which trailhead? Well, there are so many to choose from. This detailed list from the Washington Trails Association will get you started.
And who doesn’t love camping? Especially when some of the best in the region is right in our own back yard. Camping options are plentiful in Whatcom County, from Washington State Parks to County Parks, as well as National Forest land.
The aforementioned Silver Lake Park lets you pitch your tent in the Mount Baker foothills. A long list of campgrounds available in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest can be found at this Forest Service website page, and include several campgrounds near Baker Lake (Horseshoe Cove, Panorama Point, Shannon Creek, Park Creek and Boulder Creek, and Swift Creek Campgrounds).
Maybe a day of golf in the great outdoors is really what gets you going. Bellingham and Whatcom County offer many golf options, including:
U-pick farms around Whatcom County offer both a fun family activity and delicious local eats!
Outdoor recreation doesn’t always have to include specialized gear and major exertion. It can also simply mean connecting to nature and our agricultural history.
U-pick farms are a great opportunity to head out with the family and gather some of the most delicious produce our area provides. For a full list of Whatcom u-pick places—think berries and apples, but also beans and lavender—visit www.pickyourown.org. Always call to confirm u-pick availability before visiting any of our area u-pick farms, as crops can change rapidly.
A stop at Hovander Homestead Park promises a trip back in time to our pioneer farming roots and also offers recreational fun for everyone, including historical tours, barnyard and farm animals, outdoor exploration, a playground area and more.
Visit Moonshadow Alpaca Ranch to learn more about these mild-tempered, gregarious animals. If you like the alpacas—a member of the camel family—you might also enjoy seeing and riding the camels at Camel Safari.
And last but certainly not least is the incredibly popular Bellingham Farmers Market, which brings together our amazing abundance of area farmers and their delicious, nutritious bounties. Shop for produce and flowers, eat at one of the fantastic food stands, and peruse amazing, imaginative hand-made crafts and wares.
Whatcom County offers a plethora of ideas for anyone seeking to reconnect with our great outdoors—from out amongst the lapping waves to deep in a woodland hike, or even a little closer to civilization.
After five decades of operation, Barron Heating, AC, Electrical & Plumbing continues to be a local leader in meeting the heating needs of residents....
