Bellingham Alive

Bellingham Alive Local magazine celebrating our community, our people, and our lifestyle in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan!

Local magazine celebrating our community, our people, and our lifestyle in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan Counties.

💡 Intern Spotlight 💡Kota Sato is a reporter and writer looking to pursue a degree in news/editorial journalism at Wester...
01/24/2025

💡 Intern Spotlight 💡

Kota Sato is a reporter and writer looking to pursue a degree in news/editorial journalism at Western Washington University. Kota knows his way around the Pacific Northwest, having been born in Vancouver, Canada, and then moving to the Rainy City early in his childhood. He enjoys building his photography skills, and his favorite stories to write are on sports, cocktails, and food. Check out his work in our January issue!

Learn more about Bellingham Alive Magazine internship opportunities at https://bellinghamalive.com/jobsinternship/

For many Whatcom residents and visitors, the restaurants at Semiahmoo Resort have been longtime favorites. Now the resor...
01/23/2025

For many Whatcom residents and visitors, the restaurants at Semiahmoo Resort have been longtime favorites. Now the resort is building on that strong foundation with the addition of three new team members. 🧑‍🍳

On a recent visit to Packer’s Kitchen & Bar, we sat down with Executive Chef Debbie Vance, General Manager Andrew Tenis, and Food and Beverage Director John Reagan. All three of them joined the property in the last nine months.

Read more about the new leadership at the Semiahmoo Resort restaurants here: https://bellinghamalive.com/dine/new-leadership-at-semiahmoo-resort/

Written by Anne Godenham
Photographed by Kristen Boehm

💡 Intern Spotlight 💡Sofia Bouma is a writer based in the Pacific Northwest and a 2023 graduate of Dordt University in E...
01/22/2025

💡 Intern Spotlight 💡

Sofia Bouma is a writer based in the Pacific Northwest and a 2023 graduate of Dordt University in English Literature. Her favorite part of storytelling is getting the opportunity to meet new people and learn about their stories. In her free time, Sofia enjoys reading, theatre (both taking part and observing), and knitting. She is enjoying her time at Bellingham Alive, and looking forward to whatever comes next! Check out her work in our Winter 2024, January 2025, and February 2025 issues!

Learn more about Bellingham Alive Magazine internship opportunities at https://bellinghamalive.com/jobsinternship/

Did you know that macronutrients make up over 90% of the dry weight (your normal weight without any extra fluid in your ...
01/21/2025

Did you know that macronutrients make up over 90% of the dry weight (your normal weight without any extra fluid in your body) of your diet and provide the energy your body needs to not only survive but thrive?

When we talk about health and fitness, the term “macronutrients” often comes up. These essential nutrients are the cornerstone of every diet and have a huge impact on your overall well-being. Understanding what they are, why they matter, and how to manage them can transform your approach to nutrition, whether you're aiming for weight loss, muscle gain, or simply better health.

Learn more about macronutrients—the maestro of your metabolism—in our January feature here: https://bellinghamalive.com/lifestyle/january-feature-macronutrients/

Written by Cassie Elliott

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day ♥️
01/20/2025

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day ♥️

The best beauty advice isn’t limited to just women—it’s for all of us! These five timeless tips are worth pursuing to en...
01/18/2025

The best beauty advice isn’t limited to just women—it’s for all of us! These five timeless tips are worth pursuing to ensure you always look your best! ✨

1. Beauty Rest: Tried & True — While we rest, our body is repairing itself and purging stress. Shop from Bellingham-based Sandmaiden Sleepwear to look and feel amazing while you’re at it.
2. Take Care of Your Skin — Anyone who wants to improve their looks would do well to find at least a cleanser and moisturizer that fit their skin. Better yet, book a service at Greenhaven Spa and experience what customized skincare can do for you.
3. Scrub Up — Consider yourself never fully dressed without a final grooming check. It pays off to carry a compact mirror, like the Mandala-decorated ones at Third Planet Boutique.
4. Style Your Outfits — Take the time to style your outfit! Try rolling up sleeve and pant cuffs, layering, or adding a watch or necklace from Strauss Jewelers in Mount Vernon.
5. A Scent is Worth 1000 Words — For anybody, the right scent will add an intoxicating layer to your presentation. Shop unisex scents at Brazen Shop + Studio in Bellingham.

Read more here: https://bellinghamalive.com/lifestyle/beauty-tips-for-everyone/

Written by Kristen Boehm

The Classic Manhattan 🍸The Manhattan dates back to the latter half of the 1800’s, first making an appearance at the Manh...
01/17/2025

The Classic Manhattan 🍸

The Manhattan dates back to the latter half of the 1800’s, first making an appearance at the Manhattan Club in New York City, although many have claimed that this recipe has been around much longer. The original Manhattan was simple yet elegant, and only consisted of five main ingredients: whisky, vermouth, simple syrup, and bitters, along with a cherry or an orange twist as a garnish.

Read more and check out the recipes for two different takes on the Manhattan here: https://bellinghamalive.com/dine/the-mixing-tin-the-classic-manhattan/

Written by Kota Sato
Photographed by Noah Romero

After the success of its debut, Paper Whale's Fire & Story is returning for round two! From Jan. 23-25, this all-ages ev...
01/16/2025

After the success of its debut, Paper Whale's Fire & Story is returning for round two! From Jan. 23-25, this all-ages event will illuminate the darkest nights of the year with four artistic wood-burning fires and over 50 unique performers spread across the Bellingham Waterfront. 🔥

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience. Tickets are available at fireandstory.com, so mark your calendar and prepare for the next chapter of Fire & Story!

Read more about the event here: https://bellinghamalive.com/lifestyle/ignite-the-night-paper-whales-fire-story/

Written by Isabel Hyde
Photograph by Mataio Gillis

Whether you’re harvesting from your own garden or buying at the store, winter-time produce makes for delicious dishes! A...
01/15/2025

Whether you’re harvesting from your own garden or buying at the store, winter-time produce makes for delicious dishes! And there are more options than you might think. For instance, did you know that certain varieties of pears are a winter fruit in Washington? Or that chestnuts are harvested in late fall/early winter, and that we have two chestnut farms in Whatcom and Skagit Counties? 🥗

While writing this piece, I read the 20th anniversary edition of “Winter Harvest Cookbook” by Lane Morgan, a Whatcom-based writer and teacher. The book is peppered with references to the Bellingham Farmers Market, Cloud Mountain Farm Center, and other local businesses, as well as advice on growing and shopping for winter produce in our region. These recipes are inspired by the ones in “Winter Harvest Cookbook,” with a few alterations, and I can’t recommend the book enough!

Check out our three Winter Harvest Healthy Meal recipes and kitchen tips here: https://bellinghamalive.com/dine/winter-harvest-healthy-meals/

Written by Kristen Boehm

As wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles and severe winter storms grip communities across the U.S., Bloodworks Nor...
01/15/2025

As wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles and severe winter storms grip communities across the U.S., Bloodworks Northwest is calling on the local community to step up and help build a critical blood supply for both our region and those in need across the country.

Just this weekend, they shipped 65 units of blood to Carter BloodCare in Texas to support communities impacted by the storms, but they still need your help.

Here at Bellingham Alive, we'd like to encourage all our readers to donate. There is presently a critical need for donors of all blood types, Type O and Platelet donors in particular.

For more information, check out Blood Works NW at https://bloodworksnw.org/

Photograph courtesy of Bloodworks NW

Whether you received a new print for the holidays or you’ve had a beloved poster rolled up in the shipping tube for mont...
01/14/2025

Whether you received a new print for the holidays or you’ve had a beloved poster rolled up in the shipping tube for months, let this be the nudge you need to get it framed! 🖼️

I know, I know, custom framing can be expensive, especially if you (like me) love museum glass. But a beautiful frame like the ones made by Wilson Picture Framing in Mount Vernon is worth it.

Read more about the business and the family behind it here: https://bellinghamalive.com/habitat/the-family-that-frames-together-wilson-picture-framing/

Written by Anne Godenham
Photograph courtesy of Wilson Picture Framing

At the end of last year, a project that was two years and $56 million in the making came to a close: the new Mount Verno...
01/13/2025

At the end of last year, a project that was two years and $56 million in the making came to a close: the new Mount Vernon Library Commons is officially open to the public! 📖

In addition to a new public library with youth services and a great teen room, the mixed-use space includes a community kitchen, a publicly-accessible conference center, and a three-story parking garage that boasts 76 EV charging spaces and nine charging lockers for electric bicycles.

Read more about the new space and resources here: https://bellinghamalive.com/lifestyle/mount-vernon-library-commons/

Written and photographed by Anne Godenham

Our January 2025 8 Great Tastes just dropped! Check them out below and try them out for yourself. Let us know your favor...
01/11/2025

Our January 2025 8 Great Tastes just dropped! Check them out below and try them out for yourself. Let us know your favorites in the comments! 🥪🍜☕

1. The Soft Boiled Egg on Toast with a Cardamom Latte — Cafe Blue
2. Yucas — Cafe Rumba
3. Schnitzel Oskar — Black Forest Steakhouse
4. Laura’s Muffuletta Sandwich — Skagit Valley Larder
5. Smoked Brisket Sandwich — Extremes Sports Grill & Pizzeria
6. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Danish — Sugar Mama Cafe
7. Chicken Teriyaki & Mongolian Beef Lunch Combo — Chois Restaurant
8. Peppermint Hot Chocolate with a shot of Rumple Minze — Silver Reef Casino Resort

Read more about our top picks here: https://bellinghamalive.com/dine/8-great-tastes-january-2025/

Written and photographed by Anne Godenham

No matter who you are or what stage of life you’re in, we all want to look and feel our best. Sometimes it’s easy to get...
01/10/2025

No matter who you are or what stage of life you’re in, we all want to look and feel our best. Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a rut or feel boxed in by what you’re ‘supposed to’ wear or do, but style and wellness are for everyone! ✨

Our style guide highlights a number of local shops and business working hard to help you look and feel your best, including Faraways Boutique, Betty Be Good Boutique, Fjällräven, Wild Hare Beauty Co., Flow Motion, LLC, Ageless Fitness of Skagit County, Ageless Fitness Whatcom County, Pure Skin + Wellness, Astraea Bridal, and Clover Mini Spa.

Check out our style guide to looking and feeling your best at any age here: https://bellinghamalive.com/shop/looking-and-feeling-your-best-at-any-age/

Written by Anne Godenham and Kristen Boehm

🍷 Wine Pick of the Month 🍷SONDER X SAGE RAT CARBONIC NEBBIOLO Keep the winter celebrations going with this rose-colored ...
01/09/2025

🍷 Wine Pick of the Month 🍷

SONDER X SAGE RAT CARBONIC NEBBIOLO

Keep the winter celebrations going with this rose-colored stunner! Winemakers Sonder Wines and Sage Rat Wine made their Carbonic Nebbiolo in collaboration here in Washington State, from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown right here in Washington—which is somewhat rare because Nebbiolo is a temperamental grape that is especially sensitive to the weather.

Read more about January’s wine pick here: https://bellinghamalive.com/dine/wine-pick-of-the-month-sonder-x-sage-rat-carbonic-nebbiolo/
To learn more or purchase a bottle, visit helaprovisions.com

Written and photographed by Hela Provisions

This month marks two years and 20 instances of one of our favorite recurring Bellingham Alive columns: Since Time Immemo...
01/09/2025

This month marks two years and 20 instances of one of our favorite recurring Bellingham Alive columns: Since Time Immemorial.

The wonderful Julie Trimingham - Writer began interviewing indigenous community members for Bellingham Alive in late 2022, and those interviews, along with beautiful full-page portraits, have appeared in the magazine’s Life section since January 2023.

See all 20 profiles and catch up on any you might have missed here: https://bellinghamalive.com/lifestyle/two-years-of-since-time-immemorial/

If you live in or near Bellingham, you’ve probably been to the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center; since 1966, many i...
01/07/2025

If you live in or near Bellingham, you’ve probably been to the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center; since 1966, many in our community have relied on “St. Joe’s,” as it’s affectionately known, for lifelong care across a wide spectrum of needs. Now, that spectrum is expanding, thanks to a massive, multi-year community effort and more than $400 million in funding—including nearly $100 million in private donations. 🏥

I was lucky enough to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the medical center’s current facilities, with a sneak peek of the structural, logistical, and technological upgrades to come. Here’s a very brief overview of a lot of improvement and innovation on the horizon!

Read more about PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Stronger Together Campaign here: https://bellinghamalive.com/lifestyle/expanding-to-better-serve-our-community-peacehealth-st-josephs-stronger-together-campaign/

Written by Anne Godenham
Image courtesy of PeaceHealth

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December is here and it’s the perfect time to curl up with a soft blanket, a hot drink, and our Winter 2024 issue! ❄️ If you haven’t already, pick up a copy at your local newsstand! Read out online stories here: https://bellinghamalive.com/ Happy Holidays! ♥️✨

October is here! After over 1,000,000 votes, 77,000 voters, 120+ categories, and many hours of counting votes, Bellingham Alive Magazine is proud to present the 2024 Best of the Northwest edition. Inside this edition, you'll find the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners of our annual reader's choice awards. Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all who make this possible!

Boredom Buster Challenge!
Boredom Buster Challenge!

Check out this boredom buster by 11-year-old Max from Vancouver BC. Taking about three hours to complete, let's see your best attempt! Calling all parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, siblings and friends, tag your loved one to challenge them to compete. Comment with you or your loved one's best re-creation attempt below. The video with the most combined likes, comments, and shares by May 31, will win $100 in gift cards for local take-out. So get out your pots and pans, make some magic, have some fun and support our local restaurants!

Are you hungry yet?

Come see us at the Home and Garden Show in Lynden today! We’re handing out free magazines all weekend long!!

Had a wonderful evening experiencing the new Leader Block Wine Co. In Ferndale last night. The atmosphere is spot on, old world charm meets rustic style. The staff was attentive, menu offers a great variety and food was cooked to perfection. Congratulations a job well done @leaderblockwineco

August 2017 Sneak Peek
August 2017 Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of our August issue in stores now! Head to www.northsoundlife.com/products-page to subscribe ASAP!

Happy Fourth of July! Blaine fireworks were amazing.

Praise 106.5 April Radio Spot
Praise 106.5 April Radio Spot

Did you catch us on Praise 106.5 this month? Pick up a copy of our April issue at Woods Coffee or participating grocery stores and see what the buzz is about!

March Radio Ad
March Radio Ad

Did you catch our ad for our Home & Remodel issue on Praise 106.5? Listen below and make sure to stop by Woods Coffee or participating grocery stores to pick up your copy for March!

Northwater Restaurant is opening March 28th. Mark your calendars it was amazing!

Check out Behind The Scenes at this year's fashion shoot. #bellinghamalive

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