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Hey Bellingham, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Boundary Bay Brewing’s microbrewery return, an official World Cup fan zone, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Bellingham protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

New sips and bites planned: Boundary Bay Brewing will return to N State Street, set to take former Time and Materials building as Boundary on State with a microbrewery. No opening date has been announced — get all the details.

Changes coming chapter by chapter: Whatcom County Council is in final review of the Comprehensive Plan shaping growth in unincorporated areas. A public meeting happened March 3, and final approval is expected by mid-May — get all the details.

Washington watch-party sites unveiled: Bellingham is among nine official fan zones for this summer’s World Cup, confirmed by the Seattle host committee. Spokane also made the list, expanding regional options for local soccer celebrations — see the full list.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Join ongoing all-levels belly dance classes
• Learn sashiko embroidery with Heather
• Sell crafts to support local veterans

🫶 We got your back

Serious sandwich cravings, solved: Downtown’s Old World Deli stacks house-roasted meats, sharp cheeses, and tangy spreads into sandwiches that taste like lunch was the plan. Plus comforting soups, crisp salads, and an irresistible deli case of extras that make midday feel easy.

Quick waterfall fix: Whether you’ve got a lunch break or a lazy Saturday, Whatcom Falls Park delivers mossy trails, a photogenic stone bridge, and the constant rush of water right in town. Stroll the easy loops, let kids or dogs roam, and come back slightly kinder to your inbox.

Rainy-day lifesaver alert: Cabin fever creeping in? Fairhaven Toy Garden has puzzles, plush, crafty kits, and open-ended toys that get played with long after unboxing. A fast mood lift for kids and for adults who swear they’re only browsing… until a cozy game or squishy friend follows them home.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

♟ Chess Night @ Aegis Games & Taphouse | Tuesday (3/10) at 4:00 PM – Take a midweek brain break at Aegis Taphouse and Tam Tam for Chess Night, where the toughest decision is Sicilian or pepperoni. All levels welcome, boards provided or BYO, and the cover charge is zero, which pairs with cider, beer, or a root beer float.

🎸 March Open Jam @ The Blue Room | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats a midweek jam to remind you Bellingham still grooves. Blue Room’s monthly open jam is free, friendly, and fully backlined courtesy of BHAM, so you can just show up, sign up, and improvise with locals of every skill level, listeners welcome.

🏃 Runners Injury Prevention & Treatment Clinic @ Beyond Limits Physical Therapy | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Runners and walkers with shins barking after the South Bay Trail? Swing by Beyond Limits Physical Therapy in Fairhaven for a free clinic with Ralph Havens, featuring quick PT assessments, pre-run drills, and fixes. It’s cheaper than new shoes, and your knees will thank you.

🏛 Dirty Dan Harris: Scandalous Father of Fairhaven @ Roeder Home | Thursday (3/12) at 7:30 PM – Brush up on Bellingham lore at the Roeder Home as author H. Leon Greene unpacks Dirty Dan, Fairhaven’s unbathed founder, smuggler, and occasional menace. It’s free, local, and there are only 50 seats, so show up early, then argue about the man over pie.

📚 An Evening with Javier Zamora and Friends @ Mount Baker Theatre | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – If your book club is 80 percent Merlot, consider this your tune-up. At Mount Baker, Whatcom READS hosts Javier Zamora, author of Solito, for its marquee event. Bushwick Book Club Northwest opens with book-inspired tunes, then come stories, candor, and the good kind of goosebumps.

☘ St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Cornwall Avenue | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – Whether you march or spectate with a coffee, the St. Patrick’s parade returns to its original Cornwall Avenue route, Ohio to Chestnut, with green balloons and a salute to our public safety folks. Want in the lineup? It’s free for local groups, bands, and businesses.

🌱 Tree-Planting Work Parties @ Whatcom Humane Society | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – Out at the WHS dog-walking field, we’re planting native trees so the pups get shade, volunteers get shade, and the nearby wetland gets cleaner air. Think community sweat, not CrossFit, with calmer dogs and fewer road noises. Registration required, sign up at https://whatcommilliontrees.org/work-party-volunteering/.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Bellingham report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 45°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 98%

Rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. South wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 37. South wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 48°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 100%

Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 48. South wind 6 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Washington but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This one-owner 4,521 sq ft traditional sits on 5+ private acres with sweeping Mt. Baker views and quiet, mid-county vibe. A kitchen with breakfast nook, formal living and dining, and a family room with fireplace open to the patio. Five bedrooms up include a primary suite. A lower level and a 2,352 sq ft barn/shop with covered area add versatility.

Take a peek inside →