📰 In the news

Election season officially kicks off: Whatcom County’s August 5 primary election ballot is now set, with 149 candidates filing for 100 open seats, including local races for park, water, fire, and hospital district positions in Point Roberts. See who’s running and what’s next.

Contract talks stall as PeaceHealth strike nears end: About 1,000 PeaceHealth workers, including CNAs, phlebotomists, and advanced care providers, continue their five-day strike in Bellingham with no deal reached, demanding livable wages as costs rise. Read more about the stalled negotiations and worker demands.

Wild weather and seismic activity in Washington: From landslides blocking I-5 to a string of earthquakes near Orcas Island, Washington has faced a barrage of extreme weather and seismic events in recent months. Explore the full roundup of impacts and expert tips on how to stay prepared in this special report.

Other highlights this week:

• Boxx Berry Farm to shut down
• Grow money smarts at financial inclusion summit
• Network hard at Handshakes and Happy Hour
• Find deals at the Ski to Sea
• Grab your canoe for Paddle to Bellingham
• Shop vegan treats at this plant sale

✨ We got your back

Hole lotta love: When your carb cravings hit a 10, Otherside Bagel Co. comes through with the kind of chewy, golden perfection that demands a schmear (or six). Sweet, savory, stacked sky-high—we don’t judge. We just hope you get there before the everything bagels are gone.

Sip happens: Craving something cold, chewy, and dangerously addictive? The drinks at Ochalicious are equal parts caffeine, fruit, and snack—all in one cup. Customize your order like a boba sommelier or stick with the house fave, but fair warning: that first slurp might become a full-blown personality trait.

Plot twist! You walked in just to browse… and somehow left Village Books and Paper Dreams with a towering TBR pile, a tote bag, and deep emotional attachment to a story you haven’t even read yet. Cozy, chaotic, or cat-adjacent—whatever your genre, the shelves here never disappoint.

Green thumbs up: Whether you’re a seasoned plant whisperer or the kind of person who needs a succulent with a survival guide, Garden Spot Nursery has what you need to make your home 47% leafier. Warning: side effects may include impulse-buying a fiddle-leaf fig and naming it.

👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?

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🔔Coming soon

Whatcom Youth Pride Parade & Festival | May 31st

The loudest cheers in town might just be for the kids. Whatcom Youth Pride is back, giving LGBTQIA+ youth and allies their moment to shine with a joyful parade through Bellingham, complete with community love lining the streets.

After the final strut, head to the high school for food trucks, music, performances, and a resource-packed festival. You bring the pride, they’ll bring the party. Get the full scoop here.

Bellingham Bells Opening Day | June 3rd

Baseball’s back in Bellingham! Catch the Bellingham Bells as they kick off their season against the Kamloops Northpaws at Joe Martin Field—first pitch is at 6:35 PM.

The first 300 fans score a limited-edition Opening Day pin, and the first 900 grab a free magnet schedule. And if it’s Tuesday, you’re in luck: half-off tickets with code TUESDAY, $3 draft beers, and $2 off entrées. Snag your seats right here.

📆 Around town

All events are subject to change without notice. Please check event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Know of an event we should include? Submit it here for free.

This week

🍷 Italian Wine Night With Antonio Sanguineti @ Elizabeth Station | Tuesday (5/20) at 4 pm – Meet the maestro himself, Italian winemaker Antonio Sanguineti, and sip your way through six handpicked wines from his personal collection. Add in bottle discounts and fresh blooms from Auntie M’s, and you’ve got yourself a very Bellingham-style Italian getaway. Saluti!

🤝 Handshakes and Happy Hour with Lombardi’s @ Lombardi’s | Wednesday (5/21) at 4 pm – Chamber members, this one’s for you. Show up, schmooze, and snack on apps courtesy of Lombardi’s, with drinks ready to be grabbed. Bring those biz cards and a firm handshake.

🔥 Steeplechase – Happy Hour BBQ @ Boundary Bay Brewery | Thursday (5/22) at 4 pm – BBQ, beer, and bagpipes? Count us in. Steeplechase is bringing Celtic flair to this week’s Beer Garden bash, with live music, trivia, and enough smoky eats to satisfy your Thursday cravings. Free, all-ages, and full of good vibes.

🧠 Unsticking the Lies We Believe Class @ The Collide Office | Thursday (5/22) at 6:30 pm – Ever feel stuck in a loop of doubt, fear, or shame? This class from Collide’s Willow Weston and Jaelyn Libolt offers a deep dive into the lies we tell ourselves and how to rewrite that inner script. Come for the hard truths, stay for the healing.

This weekend

🎸 Ski to Sea Block Party & Hunger vs Hunger Fundraiser w/ The Legendary Chucklenuts @ Boundary Bay Brewery | Friday (5/23) at 6 pm – Boundary Bay Brewery is throwing down with a fish fry, craft brews, and live music from The Legendary Chucklenuts. It’s a family-friendly bash with a purpose: raising big bucks for the Bellingham Food Bank through the Hunger vs Hunger campaign. Bonus points if you score something sweet at the silent auction.

🛶 Coast Salish Pride Day @ Maritime Heritage Park | Saturday (5/24) at 10 am – Celebrate heritage, resilience, and pride at this vibrant gathering closing out the 5th Annual Gathering of the Eagles. Expect canoe landings, a Native arts market, music, speakers, and community spirit in full force. It’s a day to witness and honor Coast Salish culture on the water and in the park.

🌱 Vegan Baked Goods & Plant Sale @ Evil Bikes | Saturday (5/24) at 12 pm – Whether you’ve got a green thumb, a sweet tooth, or a soft spot for rescued animals, this fundraiser for Elf Sanctuary has you covered. Come shop plants and vegan goodies, grab a bite from New Public Food Truck, and sip something tasty from The Landing. All proceeds go to critters in need—win-win-win.

🌿 Plant Medicine Study Group @ The Majestic Art Café | Sunday (5/25) at 11 am – Ready to nerd out over nettles? Each week zooms in on one seasonal plant—how to spot it, what it can do, and how to turn it into tinctures, teas, and other earthy delights. BYO notebook, trade your $10, and settle in with a crew of curious herbalists.

🧶 Wet Felted Hat @ Northwest Yarns & Mercantile | Sunday (5/25) at 12 pm – Channel your inner milliner and craft a dreamy cloche-style felt hat from scratch. This hands-on workshop teaches the magic of layering wisps of wool and wet felting into wearable art. Just bring your own merino and prepare to get a little sudsy.

🎶 Live music & comedy

• 5/20 Jazz Night with The Other Thing @ Fountain Brewing – 6 pm
• 5/21 The Devillies @ Menace Brewing – 6 pm
• 5/21 Trivia Night @ Schweinhaus Biergarten – 7 pm
• 5/21 Tropa Magica and more @ The Shakedown – 7:30 pm
• 5/22 City Sounds: Moth Garden and more @ The Blue Room – 8 pm
• 5/22 The Groove Doctors @ Zeeks Pizza – 7 pm
• 5/22 Open Mic @ Schweinhaus Biergarten – 7 pm
• 5/22 Dark Disco Night @ Aslan Depot – 8 pm
• 5/23 Honey Ruckus and more @ Corner Taphouse – 4 pm
• 5/23 The Legendary Chucklenuts @ Boundary Bay Brewery – 6 pm
• 5/23 Mark Nichols @ Hotel Leo – 7 pm
• 5/23 Sun Crow and more @ The Shakedown – 9 pm
• 5/24 Baby Cakes @ Boundary Bay Brewery – 6 pm
• 5/24 Silent Disco Club and more @ Blue Room – 9 pm
• 5/25 Jazz Brunch @ Hotel Leo – 8 am
• 5/25 Let the Good Times Roll @ Apple Yarns – 11 am
• 5/25 County Rose @ Paws For A Beer – 3 pm

🏠 This house is wild

*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.

Listed by: Chet E. Kenoyer & Gina L. Harris (Windermere Real Estate Whatcom)

Escape to your own slice of country paradise! This 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home spans 2,398 square feet on 4.27 acres of peaceful seclusion, just minutes from town. Built in 1994, it’s perfect for your hobby farm or horse haven, with fenced pastures, a 24’x24′ barn/shop, and a chicken coop.

Enjoy a flowing floor plan with two living spaces, a formal dining area, and skylights flooding the home with natural light. Plus, there’s a 3-car garage and covered porch for those cozy evenings. No HOA, just privacy and tranquility!

Window shopping is free — take a peek inside →