Tips & Tricks for Perfect Homemade Pretzels
Homemade pretzels entered my life when my in-laws gifted me a class at the King Arthur Baking School, at the Bread Lab in Skagit Valley. When it was time…
Confection Perfection
This issue’s feature is “Confection Perfection,” a delectable look at some of the tasty creations from local bakeries and restaurants. Find your favorite and make it at home!
SAUK FARM BUCKWHEAT APPLE PANCAKES
Hands down, these are the best gluten-free pancakes around.
Let’s Get Literary
Western’s Jeopardy Magazine Publishes 56th Issue
Bow Wow & Woofs Launches Pet Pantry for Pets in Need
Bow Wow & Woofs offers a pet pantry for owners struggling to feed their pets during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Valley Made Market Goes Virtual
Valley Made Market’s digital platform allows you to continue supporting local, with the same handmade products you know and love.
Why I have a love-hate relationship with HGTV
In an era of ease, the network HGTV is reminding generations of homeowners that housework is possible. Renovation shows are inspiring countless trends and reminding us that, “the first step in bringing an idea to life is putting pen to paper.” We love these messages! But as much as we love HGTV… we also sort of hate it. Hear us out: What is their problem with ignoring the idea of recycling or reuse? We’ve…
Electric Vehicles for Everyman
Thinking of switching to an electric vehicle? Here’s some words of wisdom from a dealer-trade driver.
Despite Closings, Area Schools Deliver Lunches
With the continuing spread of COVID-19, we’re living in uncertain times. Restaurants and bars are closed, people are working from home, and notably, schools are closed. Not only does this mean K-12 students in Whatcom County are missing out on classes, but it also means many are missing out on meals. Of the 29.8 million students who receive school lunches each day in the U.S., more than 67 percent, or 20.2 million students, receive lunch for free.
Here’s what local schools are doing to make sure no students go hungry:
Embracing the Chaos
Editorial/Marketing Coordinator Anelyse Morris shares her experience growing up as a military child, and how it led her to journalism.
Red roses are a classic Valentine’s Day gift, but they come at a cost.
Roses are red, violets are blue. But as a Valentine, you may want to try something new.
Four-Legged Fitness Hero
Meet the Bellingham cat that has taken the internet by storm, one paw at a time.
Eat, Drink, Read, Repeat with Life Between the Pages
Life Between the Pages—A collaborative book club between Evolve, Village Books, and local bars creates an immersive literary experience.
Big Rock Garden Park
This month’s online exclusive is all about Big Rock Garden Park, an easy, local outing that offers accessible trails and plenty to see.
Private School Breakdown
With schools back in session, we took a closer look at private school options in Whatcom, San Juan, and Skagit counties—from Christian and Catholic schools to non-denominational academies.
Something Delicious
This month’s online exclusive covers one more traveling eatery—not a food truck, but a mobile food tent serving up some cheesy goodness.
Patriotic Parties
Still wondering where to go for the Fourth? In this month’s online exclusive, we highlight the best places around the Sound to watch the fireworks boom.
Lime Time
This month’s online exclusive is a sneak peek at our summer barbecue feature — a grilled margarita shrimp recipe that is sure to wow your guests.
Travel Destinations
April’s Online Exclusive spotlights two additional Travel Destinations: Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, and Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.
Wholesale Seafood in the North Sound
Our online exclusive this month showcases companies that provide local, fresh wholesale seafood from Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan counties, and Alaska.
‘Thrill of the Hunt,’ But Also Danger
Kara Nelson describes what it’s like to be married to a commercial fisherman. Her husband, Laeth, is gone for extended periods of time for much of the year.
Beyond Clearing the Clutter
Monika Kristofferson shares tools for change to help you clear away the clutter. Learn how to make decisions to organize your home and feel more empowered.
Oh, Christmas Tree
As you are preparing for the holidays, here is a list of local, U-cut Christmas tree farms around Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Wellness Centers
Continuing with our series of wellness centers, we bring you a unique type of therapy: hypnosis. Kelley Woods of the Woods Hypnosis Center shares her view.
Midterm Elections are Coming Nov. 6
It’s midterm elections again, and Bellingham Alive is here to help with tools for registering, ballot drop-offs, and helpful websites. Vote by Nov. 6!
Deception Distilling
In this web exclusive, you can take an inside look into the family-run business in Anacortes, Deception Distilling and get the recipe for Lavender and Lace.
Therapy: Float Tanks, or Sensory Deprivation Tanks
Epsom salt float tanks help relax muscles, pressure on joints, and alleviate stress.
On The Street
Local residents share their thoughts, views, and concerns about Bellingham’s waterfront development project at Waypoint Park.
Working its way into the mainstream
Acupuncture This wellness therapy has become so widespread that people are even taking their dogs in for treatment. But for people, this therapy has been around for eons. Good for helping with: chronic pain, anxiety/depression, high blood pressure, stress management, infertility, sexual dysfunction, asthma, insomnia, menopause, and a variety of other ailments. Theory behind the therapy: Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that is based on treating the entire body, rather than just the illness. The practice is designed…
Bad Boys in the Garden
Pesky Plants to Avoid We gave you the best and easiest plants to grow in your Pacific Northwest garden, but it’s also invaluable to know what not to plant. See our list of what plants experts say are the among the worst – invasive, disease-ridden, or just outright annoying – to allow into your garden. How many times have you been…
Wellness Centers
In recent years, health and wellness centers are catering to clients who want far more than feel-good country spas and or challenging exercise adventures. Centers today offer approaches once considered unconventional, but now…
Bellingham Olympian Angeli VanLaanen
Angeli VanLaanen is Bellingham’s lone, home-grown winter Olympian, and after years of traveling and competing on the high-flying, high-pressure world of international freestyle skiing, she is putting down roots where she started. She sounds content, relieved almost, to…
One-on-one Interview with Paula Poundstone
For a standup comedian, Paula Poundstone asks a lot of questions. She is quirky, inquisitive, and brilliant, all traits evident during her September show at Bellingham’s Mount Baker Theatre. She keeps a punishing touring schedule – she is booked for 35 shows in the first half of 2018 alone – and her routine…
Let Phoenix Desert and Sun Heat Up Your Winter
Escape the gray and head to sunny Arizona. Nestled in the urban core of the Grand Canyon state discover the bustling city of Greater Phoenix boasting more than 300 days of sunshine annually. And there’s no better time than now to come play in this Sonoran playground. Take a day to soak in the sun and explore the desert landscape. Exhilarate yourself and soar up, up and away…
Hometown Pot Shop
Big cities in Washington have seen a boom of new marijuana stores in the last few years. New shops can be found all over Seattle and even Bellingham. But not every store’s goal is to make it big in the big city. Smuggler Brothers in Sedro-Woolley is maintaining a small-town…
More Than You Can Chew
Did you have breakfast today? How about lunch? Maybe a little snack before dinner? For as long as I can remember, the expectation has always been that you have to eat a “hearty breakfast” to start your day, followed by a light lunch and then dinner. Some have even gone so far as to suggest we should eat five to six small…
No Dairy? No Problem
One of the greatest tragedies of being lactose intolerant is the inability to enjoy one of the best go-to foods there are—pizza. You can, of course, make your own recipes at home, but there’s nothing that quite compares with going out with friends, ordering a pitcher of beer…
The Ins and Outs of the Top Knot
One of the biggest-trending hair styles I see these days is the “high bun,” popularly known known as the “top knot.” This hairstyle is so quick and simple, you can apply it before you cook breakfast, and it’ll translate…
Hosting a Houseguest with Style
It’s natural that, because we live in such a stunning place, friends from far and wide would want to visit. But you are past…
Overcoming Hearing Loss
Student finds community at Western Johanna Urbach isn’t sure when she lost the ability to hear in her right ear. One possible explanation is when she was 15 months old and received shots,…
Sipping Chocolate Fits to a Tea
Evolve’s Chaicolate good for Easter, Mother’s Day The first rule of comparing sipping chocolate to hot chocolate is…don’t. “It’s incomparable to hot chocolate,” says chocolatier Shannon Fox, co-owner and co-founder of Evolve Chocolate in Bellingham. “It’s an actual preparation of a food product.” The biggest question we have of sipping chocolate, a fixture at European cafes but only a recent trend here, is “What took you so long?” We grew up on powdered…
Ten Good Places to Watch March Madness
Sure, you could watch the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments from the comfort of your own sofa, but what’s the fun in screaming your fool head off in a quiet house? Go find your tribe – or at least some good pub fare – as you cheer on (or against) teams in the best college sporting event around. The men go from March 14-April…
Ways to Spend Time With Your Love This February
February is chock-full of events in our neck of the woods. They serve as a great opportunity for both familiar and new experiences. Take advantage of the fun and spend some extra time with your love…or best friends. 1. Chuckanut Bay Distillery hosts tours and complimentary tastings every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Guests will meet the distiller, take a tour of the facility, and can sample a wide selection…
Detox 101
Detoxification, detox, cleanse…all hot words in the holistic health industry. Who hasn’t done one (or at least thought about doing one) sometime in their life? As a naturopathic health care provider, I’ve come to respect the power of a good detox for…
Piedmontese Flat Iron Steak – Lombardi’s
Enjoy with Castello Banfi’s Belnero, Rosso, IGT Ingredients 1 each Flat Iron Loin or 4 each 8oz Piedmontese Flat Iron (can be purchased at piedmontese.com) 4 each Kumato Tomatoes 4 springs Fresh Oregano 4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 tbsp Gray Salt Salt and pepper to coat the steak Process Season the outside of the entire flat iron or each…
Honey Mascarpone Semi Freddo – Lombardi’s
Ingredients 4 cups cream 1 cup mascarpone 1 cups sugar 1 cup honey 12 egg yolks 1 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract Process In a mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the cream and mascarpone into medium peaks Add the honey…
Roasted Yellow Pepper Carbonara – Lombardi’s
Enjoy with Banfi’s Chianti Classico, DOCG Ingredients 1 lb Fettuccine 4 ea Yellow Bell Peppers 1 qt Heavy Cream 4 oz Pancetta Salt and pepper to taste Canola Oil or Pomace Olive Oil for coating the pepper Process Pre-heat the oven to 400 Lightly coat each pepper in oil, place on a sheet pan and place in the pre-heated oven Cook the pepper until dark brown on each side, turning frequently…
Seared Ahi Carpaccio – Lombardi’s
Enjoy with Banfi’s Pinot Grigio, San Angelo Ingredients lb Ahi Tuna 1 tbsp Kosher Salt 1 tsp Black Pepper 2 oz Arugula Zest from 1 lemon 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 tsp Gray Salt Canola Oil or Pomace Olive Oil for Searing Process Lay the Tuna on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel Mix the salt and pepper together…
Italian Eclairs – Lombardi’s
Enjoy with Banfi’s Florus, Moscadello di Montalcino DOC Ingredients 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted 1/8 tsp salt 1 Tbsp sugar, if used for a dessert 4 eggs at room temperature – very important 1 cup water or milk or ½ and ½ 1/2 cup butter cut into cubes Process Preheat oven to 400 Sift dry ingredients and whisk to blend well In a heavy sauce pan, heat water/milk and butter until all the butter has melted. Bring this mixture to…
The Accidental Bucketlist
Without guys like Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and the guys along the defensive line, there would be no Legion of Boom, because it…
Pacific Fly Fishers
The Shop Does a peaceful yet adventurous day on the river or lake this summer sound appealing to you? Want to try something new with the family? Or, do you live to cast a fly rod? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, try visiting Pacific Fly Fishers located in the ever-growing city of Mill Creek, with easy access to both I-5 and I-405. Pacific Fly Fishers specializes in all things fly fishing and…
Oops! Landscaping Mistakes
Oh it’s that time of year, time to plant and sow, to weed and cultivate. The sun is getting closer and brighter, the soil is warming up—it’s time to make the most of your landscape. There are a lot of ways it…
DIY Gurus of Youtube
I remember watching This Old House on lazy weekends, idly plucking at a bowl of popcorn while Bob Vila tears apart the plaster wall of a Victorian with glee. These days, homeowners get most of their renovation knowhow in the great howto library of YouTube. But not all home remodel videos are created equal—some of them are too complicated, some skip important steps, and some are just downright silly. But the best of them are so helpful, they deserve a special mention. One of the superstars of YouTube DIY is Matt Risinger of Austin, Texas. Now, not all of the advice he dispenses works in our cooler, wetter climate, but he does some beautiful work and explains it all very well. Another favorite is Craig Heffernan. Craig specializes in deckbuilding for beginners. More enthusiast than teacher, Kirsten Dirksen takes you through ecohouses and tiny houses loaded with features and information. She’s a great person to turn to for inspiration and ideas, Dirksen’s passion shines through. Going with a contractor is usually a good idea for most large remodel and construction projects. But if you feel like rolling up your sleeves and framing your own tiny house, these folks can help you get started. Or at least get you into enough trouble to keep it interesting. Links: Matt Risinger Craig Heffernan Kirsten Dirksen
Roller Derby Workout
Considering that roller derby is like the world’s roughest crossfit mixed with gladiatoral combat, it follows that these women are in seriously good shape. You can be, too, if you follow their strength training tips and tricks. I’m not a derby girl, just a…
Barn Raising
Dreaming of a new outbuilding for your property? Find inspiration in the gorgeous equestrian barns constructed by DC Builders in Snohomish County and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Stephanie Meyer is an equine veterinarian at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital. DC Builders constructed this classic gable-style custom horse barn in Snohomish for Meyer and her husband, Derek. The Meyers’ 36-foot horse barn includes four horse stalls with steel-framed stall fronts from Noble Panels and Dutch door…
Household Know-How
We’ve rounded up our favorite how-to videos that demonstrate helpful tips and tricks for accomplishing household cleaning and organizing tasks.
Edmonds: The Heart of the Arts
The inspiring landscape, supportive community, and rich artistic history create a lure that draws artists and art enthusiasts to Edmonds. “There’s a power and a presence about being in Edmonds,” said Elizabeth Martin-Calder, interim executive director of Cascadia Art Museum. Since its beginning, the community has supported and encouraged the arts. “If you go way back things sort…
Roller Derby Workout
Considering that roller derby is like the world’s roughest crossfit mixed with gladiatoral combat, it follows that these women are in seriously good shape. You can be, too, if you follow their strength training tips and tricks.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe
Graham Cracker Crumble: 1.5 Cups graham cracker crumb 1/3 Cup of melted butter 1/4 Cup of white sugar In a metal bowl mix the graham and sugar together, slowly add the melted butter and mix…
Sips of the Season featuring Signature Cocktails by Keenan’s at the Pier
Keenan ’s at the Pier and The Chrysalis Inn hosted the inaugural Bellingham Alive Sips of the Season event on the restaurant’s open air patio. Gentle ocean breezes, fun people, and remarkable hors d’ oeuvres and fantastic cocktails made for an unforgettable afternoon. Keenan’s staff members presented appetizers paired with each hand -crafted cocktail. They also demonstrated how to make each cocktail, advising guests to, “Shake it like you mean it” and thoroughly blend cocktail ingredients before pouring the libation into a prepared glass. Bellewood Distilling sponsored the event. Lavender Collins…
The Whale Trail
It began in 2008 with a lost Orca named Springer. Separated from her pod, Springer was starving and swimming close to shore. A group, led by Donna Sandstrom, came together to reunite Springer with her pod, and that effort led to a discussion about whale watching boats and increased traffic on…
Gear Gone Wrong
Gear. It’s where a lot of great hikes and camping trips begin. Laying out the bags to fluff in the sun, trips to the camping store for more stove fuel, gathering up the sleeping pads…