Ice cream social, bird watch & sketch, vegan community potluck, and more. 
Happy Friday, 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 weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Bellinghams favorite taco joint tops votes, hatchery Chinook returns break records in Whatcom Creek, and library cards unlock free state park passes — catch up here.
State-level stories: Washington drivers must halt for buses on two lane roads, a farmers almanac predicts a snowy winter, and aging ferries with PCBs need scrapping — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: South Korea’s court dismissed a Baby Shark copyright claim, a judge blocked fishing around Pacific atolls, and retirees eye a bigger Social Security increase — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Join Saturday walking group at Everson Library
- Paddle to clean beaches and barbecue
- Join topic discussions at Appleseed Open Forum
- Schedule personalized tech help every Tuesday
- Learn homebuying insights at Goods Local Brews
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Outdoors: No need to go far for epic views… forested hills, sparkling lakes, and shoreline strolls await in Bellingham. Explore these hiking trails for fresh-air therapy with zero passport required.
Animals: Skip the Discovery Channel. Rainforests and Salish waters deliver elk, whales, and more in real life. These viewing spots are where the magic happens.
Money: Teaching your teen about credit cards can feel like decoding ancient hieroglyphics. These easy credit lessons turn confusing plastic power into real-world know-how.
Cocktail: Whether you’re craving a smoky mezcal riff, a floral gin fantasia, or a boozy twist on the classics, Galloway’s Cocktail Bar mixes rare spirits, house-made syrups, and a dash of theater into cocktails that turn your evening into a liquid performance you won’t forget.
Money: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool can save you hundreds.
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🍦 Ice Cream Social @ South Whatcom Library | Friday (8/15) at 1:00pm – Hot afternoons were made for brain freezes and dusty paperback scavenges, so the South Whatcom Library crew is scooping free ice cream, yes, dairy-free too. Swing by with family, get your tongue colors mixed, and thank the Friends for keeping our library scene cool.
🎭 One Life to Yes-And: A 24 HR Improvised Soap Opera @ The Upfront Theatre | Friday (8/15) at 7:30pm – Ready for the ultimate stay-up-all-night adventure? One Life to Yes-And throws down a nonstop 24-hour improvised soap opera to close out the season, and you’re invited to cheer on the rotating cast (or dive in and unleash your inner diva). Expect dramatic twists, endless plotlines, and the occasional existential crisis — all fueled by pure audience whimsy.
This weekend
🎻 Jill Newman Duo @ Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery | Saturday (8/16) at 6:00pm – Think your weekend needs a soundtrack richer than carpool radio? Jill Newman’s slide guitar magic and soul-deep storytelling pair perfectly with a pint at Stones Throw Brewery, and it’s free, family-friendly, and so good you’ll actually unmute the group chat.
🎬 Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema: Wicked @ Fairhaven Village Green | Saturday (8/16) at 7:00pm – Think you can Defy Gravity better than Elphaba? Don your brightest green or pink for a sing-along screening of Wicked under the stars, complete with a costume contest and live tunes from Brie Mueller. Grab a blanket or low chair, and let’s get wickedly nostalgic.
🦉 Bird Watch & Sketch with Rachel Rothberg@ The Lightcatcher Studio | Sunday (8/17) at 1:00pm – Stroll through Maritime Heritage Park—binoculars optional, coffee highly recommended. Then migrate to the museum for a no-judgment sketch session with local artist Rachel Rothberg, who’ll show you how to draw taxidermy birds with real empathy, no prior skills required.
🥗 Vegan Community Potluck @ Squalicum Creek Park | Sunday (8/17) at 1:00pm – Imagine a potluck where your tofu sliders take center stage and you’re not judged for refusing the potato salad. Bring your own plate, cup, and utensils, then mingle with VegFest, Elf Sanctuary, and fellow locals in the Connection Corner or casual music circle.
👞 Dirty Dan Harris History Hike | Sunday (8/17) at 2:00pm – Think you know Fairhaven? Join a guided stroll through Bellingham’s historic Fairhaven neighborhood, tracing the muddy footsteps of Dirty Dan himself. Expect tongue-in-cheek tales, mild mature content, and a leisurely mile of sidewalk, hills, and trails that’ll leave you itching for more local legends.
Next week
🎨 DIY Leather Earring Workshop @ Kara’s Beauty Barn | Monday (8/18) at 6:00pm – Ready to channel your inner jewelry designer? Moss Bags and Kara’s Beauty Barn have you covered—literally—with all materials, brass & silver hardware, and pro instruction to make five pairs of custom leather earrings. Bring a friend (or fly solo) and mix ‘n’ match pre-cut leathers in every color and shape under the sun, then deck out extra designs for just $5 a pair. No experience necessary—just your imagination and a dash of flair!
🔧 Drop-in Home Item Repair @ Central Library | Tuesday (8/19) at 3:30pm – Bring that half-dead toaster and swing by the Central Library’s SkillShare Space for a hands-on fix-up with NW Free Repairs volunteers, who won’t judge your garage treasure trove. Learn real repair tricks, swap neighborhood tales, and rescue your gadgets from landfill doom.
🏡 First Time Homebuyer Class @ Goods Local Brews | Tuesday (8/19) at 6:00pm – If you’ve ever felt like your landlord is holding you hostage, come by Goods Local Brews for a no-frills chat about mortgages, down-payment hacks, and the homebuying maze. Expert tips, zero jargon, and maybe a celebratory pint awaits.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/15 Bill McDonough @ Hotel Bellwether – 6 pm
- 8/15 Cabaret @ New Prospect Theatre – 7 pm
- 8/15 One Life To Yes-And @ Upfront Theatre – 7:30 pm
- 8/15 Southside Comedy Hour @ Corner Taphouse – 8 pm
- 8/15 Sweet Illusion @ Aslan Depot – 8 pm
- 8/15 Mostafa and more @ Blue Room – 10 pm
- 8/16 Jazz Concert @ Samson Estates Winery – 4 pm
- 8/17 Ron Bailey & The Tangents @ The Old Edison – 5:30 pm
- 8/18 World’s Best Trivia @ Ono Kitchen & Bar – 7 pm
🏠️ Price is right – Bellingham edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Joshua W Shiflett (Windermere Real Estate Whatcom)
Perched atop a bluff in Pleasant Cove, this custom three-level home serves up sweeping views of Chuckanut Bay and the San Juan Islands from nearly every window. Vaulted ceilings and exquisite woodwork add a touch of drama, while the open floorplan and oversized kitchen make it easy to host a crowd or just stretch out. The backyard deck, greenhouse, and courtyard keep things interesting outside.
The multi-room primary suite is basically its own wing, with built-in cabinetry and plenty of space to unwind. Gated privacy meets easy access to the Interurban Trail, Larrabee State Park, and all the charm of historic Fairhaven.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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