Beaches glow with bioluminescent plankton, Sweet N’ Juicy outdoor concert, screening of Star Wars, and more. 
Happy Tuesday, Bellingham. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Bellingham Brief serve up everything you need to know for the week ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: County home values dip even as Bellingham listings spike, a new island eatery and downtown cinema open, and beaches glow with bioluminescent plankton — catch up here.
State-level stories: Owl ambassadors flapping into rehab fame, over 50 wineries earning Sustainable WA labels, and Olympic Peninsula road loop crowned a top 2025 drive — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Safety alerts for hundreds of thousands of Kia and Ford vehicles as an early Atlantic storm takes shape, and Mediterranean diet tips ease inflammation — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Toddler-focused fun at Little Storytime
- Join free monthly home emergency classes
- Join Greenways Advisory Committee this Thursday
- Discover online degrees and scholarship opportunities
- Endurance’s auto protection plan is $300 off
🫶 We got your back
Pets: Spoiling your four-legged, feathered, or finned BFF just got easier. Dive into these local pet havens packed with gourmet treats, stylish collars, and quirky toys you didn’t know you needed.
Golf: During a work trip to Seattle, I googled “golf courses near me” and somehow ended up playing 36 holes in two days while barely scratching the surface. These must-play courses prove Washington is America’s most underrated golf destination.
Travel: Hitting 50 doesn’t mean solo travel has to feel scary. Use these safety hacks to pack your bag with confidence.
Playhouse: Whether you’re craving toe-tapping show tunes, spine-tingling drama, or the offbeat charm of experimental one-acts, Bellingham Theatre Guild brings center-stage magic (and just enough backstage buzz) to town.
Wealth: $4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. And since gold thrives in unstable markets, its rally appears far from over. Check out gold IRAs, which let you own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirey outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🔔 Bells Giveaway & Tuesday’s Are For The People @ Joe Martin Field | Tuesday (8/5) at 6:35pm – Skip the usual Tuesday reruns and head to the ballpark for a low-stakes showdown between the Nanaimo NightOwls and the Bellingham Bells. First 900 fans snag a free baseball card and autograph sesh, then treat yourself to half-price tickets, $3 drafts, and $2 off entrees.
🎆 Bellingham Bells Post-Game Fireworks @ Joe Martin Field | Wednesday (8/6) at 6:35pm – Patio season has nothing on lawn seats so swing by Community Wednesday’s final Nanaimo NightOwls vs Bellingham Bells game. Expect decent baseball, ballpark nachos, and post-game fireworks bright enough to mask the umpire’s calls, plus small-town vibes that even the outfield can’t dampen.
🍇 Sweet N’ Juicy@ Elizabeth Park | Thursday (8/7) at 6:00pm – Ready to rediscover outdoor concerts without a cover charge or a twenty-something crowd hogging the lawn? Sweet N’ Juicy rolls into Elizabeth Park with two hours of soul, funk, and rock, just bring your lawn chair, appetite for vendor fare, and a leash for Fido.
🧪 Jay Si Proof @ Boundary Bay Brewery | Friday (8/8) at 6:00pm – This fish fry in the beer garden swaps your backyard woes for crispy fillets, craft beer, and an unhinged funk explosion courtesy of Jay Si Proof. No stuffy stage between you and the band, just disco bangers, sentimental grooves, and good company.
🎂 Upfront 21st Birthday @ The Upfront Theatre | Friday (8/8) at 7:30pm – Chronicling your blunders from that legendary 21st, this off-the-rails improv show squeezes laughter from first-drink awkwardness, regret-fueled decisions, and hazy party glory. Expect bar games, birthday surprises, and enough nostalgic charm to make your past self proud. Strictly 21+, ID required.
This weekend
🧘 Naked in the Now Workshop @ Village Books and Paper Dreams | Saturday (8/9) at 2:00pm – Kick your blinking cursor aside and slide into a naked-writing workshop with local author Marijke McCandless at Readings Gallery, no clothing removal required. Bring stubborn ideas, a dry wit, and a willingness to get real. She’ll strip your words to gold.
📻 Radio Forever Festival @ Make.Shift Art Space | Saturday (8/9) at 4:00pm – If you’ve been itching for a blend of sonic shenanigans and hands-on art, pop into downtown Make.Shift for a free community radio jamboree. Negativland finally lands in Bellingham, backed by local DJs, garage punks, interactive galleries, and a shrine to vintage radios.
🎶 North Sound Soul @ Skylark’s Hidden Cafe | Saturday (8/9) at 6:00pm – A nine-piece Bellingham soul/funk crew is taking over the dance floor with cheeky horn riffs on everything from Otis Redding to Tower of Power, so leave your wallflower shoes at home. Seriously, you’re going to need more than two left feet.
🎬 Outdoor Cinema: Star Wars: The Force Awakens @ Fairhaven Village Green | Saturday (8/9) at 7:15pm – Think your backyard BBQ game is strong? Head to the park with a lightsaber and settle in for live tunes from The Chill de Ville Band before Star Wars: The Force Awakens flickers up at dusk. Little padawans under five come free.
🧂 Dining on Salt: Four Seasons of Septets @ Village Books and Paper Dreams | Sunday (8/10) at 4:00pm – Get ready for a cozy night at Readings Gallery as Fischer Prize-winning poet Wayne Lee unveils Dining on Salt: Four Seasons of Septets. Think seasonal musings, lyrical bites, and a dash of dry humor. Bring a friend, or don’t, no one’s judging.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/6 Senior Day at the Park @ Hovander Park – 11:30 am
- 8/6 Community Keys w/ Paul Klein @ Boundary Bay Brewery – 5:30 pm
- 8/7 The Subdued Stringband Jamboree 2025 @ The Deming Logging Show Fairgrounds – 7 pm
- 8/7 The GBU: Summer Student Showcase @ The Upfront Theatre – 7:30 pm
- 8/8 Adrian Clarke @ Hotel Bellwether – 6 pm
- 8/8 Salsa & Bachata @ Tom Glenn Commons – 6:30 pm
- 8/9 Radio Forever Festival @ Make.Shift – 4 pm
- 8/9 Winners of Seattle International Comedy Competition @ Skagit Valley Casino – 8 pm
🏠️ This house is wild
*This 👇 could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Listed by: Chet E. Kenoyer (Windermere Real Estate Whatcom)
Sunsets, city lights, and salty bay breezes set the scene in this two-level stunner perched above Taylor Dock. Walls of glass frame views of islands and water, while a dramatic entry and a chef’s kitchen with butler’s pantry keep things interesting indoors. The oversized sundeck and patio are primed for clinking glasses or simply watching the world float by.
Three bedrooms, an office, and 2.5 baths mean there is space to spread out, and the private two-car garage keeps things easy. Fairhaven’s shops, parks, and restaurants are just around the corner, making every day feel like a getaway.
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