Bellingham Alive | April | Lighthouses by K & L Media

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APRIL 2018

CONTENTS

LIFESTYLE 17

North Sound Mayors

By the Numbers

Lasting Image

Game Changer Lynne Masland

In the Know Best Plants for NW Gardens

Community Friends of the Forest

In the Know Hard-to-Kill Plants

Book Reviews

Who Knew?

In the Spotlight Trish Harding

In the Know Cascadia Women’s Film Fest

Five Faves Docks & Piers

SHOP 31

Twin Sisters Creamery

Necessities Pacific Northwest Coast Indoor Decor

Around the Sound Lather & Salt

Savvy Shopper Lil’ Tugs Children’s Boutique

WELLBEING

West Coast Harbor Towns

Nutrition April Showers Bring May Flowers

Skin Health Medical Aesthetics, Explained

Take a Hike Lake Whatcom Trail

FEATURES

From Washington to California, we take you on a trip down the coastline to picturesque towns good for exploring, playing, and shopping. (We throw in a little history too.) If you’ve never been to Gig Harbor; Oregon’s Astoria and Cannon Beach; and California’s Eureka/Arcata and Mendocino, it might be time for a spring road trip, before summer crowds clog the roadways and shorelines. For now, let us do the driving.

West Coast Harbor Towns

Lighthouses

58 HABITAT 67

Home Feature So, You Want a Pond?

Remodel Updating with Charm and Style

DINE 73

Oyster & Thistle Restaurant and Pub

Dining Guide

Meet the Chef Hundred North’s Todd Alan Martin

Mixing Tin Blue Abode

Restaurant Review Fat Shack

Sip Vinostrology Wine Lounge and Merchant

8 Great Tastes

Lighthouses They are engineering marvels, maritime guardians, solitary and stoic, romanticized in poems and movies. Lighthouses are symbols of a past era, their main duties all but replaced by modern-day technology, yet they still remain an irresistible draw for tourists, historians and scientists. We take a look at the best ones to visit (even for sleepovers!), fun facts, and a history that includes a heroic lightkeeper who happens to be female.

AGENDA 87

Featured Event Imogen Cunningham Documentary

Top Picks

Out of Town

The Scene Whatcom Boys and Girls Club Bourbon St. Bingeaux

NOTES 8

Editor’s Letter

Contributors

Letters to the Editor

Meet A Staffer Kenji Guttorp

Final Word

Heceta Head Lighthouse, Florence, Oregon

April 2018 5

NOTES On the Web

Be sure to check us out at:

BellinghamAlive.com Submit your events on our calendar! Do you have an event that you would like our readers to know about? BellinghamAlive.com offers an events calendar where viewers can search by day, venue, event type, or city. Go to bellinghamalive.com/events and submit your event today. Once your event has been approved by our editorial staff, it is live.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE 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. Go to BellinghamAlive.com

Join us on

Baking

BellinghamAlive.com

for:

Seafood Recipes

NSLife Explore

Previous digital editions now available online.

pinterest.com/northsoundlife

Holiday Recipes

Weekend VIBRATIONS

]

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NOTES Editor’s Letter

hat is it about lighthouses that continues to capture our imagination? It’s a question I pondered while researching our lighthouse feature (p. 58). Maybe it’s because so many of them are still standing despite years of pummeling by wind and water. Maybe it’s because it’s hard to believe how they got built in the first place, more than 200 years ago, perched on desolate rock outcroppings or above rugged shorelines, exposed and isolated. They are romanticized buildings, the stuff of books, poems, movies, and even license plates — the Washington Lighthouse license plate program, started in 2005, just topped the $1 million mark in fundraising. Some of those funds are used to help preserve the state’s lighthouses — one of them, Admiralty Head, is featured on the Washington plate. Lighthouses are engineering marvels too — not only for their structure but for their lifesaving, ship-saving light — once powered by a jewel-like lens invented by a French genius, Augustin Fresnel. The Fresnel lens’ refractive and reflective properties enabled it to throw a light beam tremendous distances, changing the course of maritime history. The Fresnel (pronounced Fray-nel) is famous. But what’s intriguing about lighthouses isn’t always what’s visible from outside. Inside, they also have a fascinating history. Lighthouses were ahead of their time in at least one way — the role of women lightkeepers. Well before the Civil War, a time when women were considered the property of their husbands and a century before earning the right to vote, women were carrying out the arduous and dangerous duties of lighthouse keeping. Some of them were assisting their lightkeeper husbands. Others took over duties after their husbands died or got sick, bearing the double burden of raising families and keeping the big lamp lit for sailors who depended on it for their lives. (No pressure.)

For this, they received federal appointments and paychecks, remarkable for the time. An estimated 400 women worked as lightkeepers with the U.S. Lighthouse Service and Coast Guard, says the official blog of the U.S. Coast Guard. Ida Lewis is the most famous for saving multiple people from drowning (p. 60). California Point Pinos keeper Emily Fish, the “Socialite Keeper” was exacting and personable. Harriett Colfax, keeper of Michigan City Light for 43 years, carried a bucket of lamp-lighting oil to the end of a 1,500-foot-long pier jutting out to the water, to keep a secondary light lit. Sometimes wind and waves nearly swept her away. Lighthouse keepers haven’t really plied their craft in decades, but people want to know what it was like. That partly explains why lighthouse stays are so popular, selling out months in advance. You can rent space, and, in some cases, perform light keeper duties (p. 64). Staying at a lighthouse has a simple appeal, says Kraig Anderson, founder of lighthousefriends.com. “Most people I know of enjoy going to the coast,” he said. “There’s something refreshing about ...standing on the edge of a body of water and gazing out.” Just like lightkeepers used to do, way back when. Submit Your Photos Have a striking photo you’d like to see published? We’re looking for contributions to our Lasting Image page, capturing a local scene in Whatcom, Skagit, or San Juan counties. You’ll get photo credit and a chance to write a sentence or two about the photo — how you got it, or what it means to you. Images should be high-resolution (300 dpi) for consideration. Send to dean@bellinghamalive.com.

MERI-JO BORZILLERI Editor In Chief

BellinghamAlive.com

Who are we? Who are we? We are the scientists, engineers, We are the mathematicians scientists, and technologists that help engineers, mathematicians make products and energy and technologists that help that improve lives. We’re make products and energy alsoimprove dedicated members that lives. We’re of this community. also dedicated members of

this community. Gabe Westergreen has worked for the Phillips Gabe Westergreen has66 Ferndale for nearly worked forRefinery the Phillips 66 a decade.Refinery As a console Ferndale for nearly aoperator decade.on Asour a console environmental operator on ourcompliance units, it’s his team’s environmental compliance responsibility to help units, it’s his team’s preserve andto protect responsibility help the beauty ofand the protect Pacific the North preserve West. Gabe, wifeNorth Jenna beauty Pacific of the his and their three are West. Gabe, hischildren wife Jenna lifetime County and theirWhatcom three children are residents. lifetime Whatcom County residents.

NOTES Contributors

HOME & REMODEL

Mary Vermilion

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Mary Vermillion and her husband, Kevin, own Mud Pond Koi, located along Samish Way on the way to Lake Padden. Celebrating their 12th year as Bellingham’s pond equipment and idea store, the Vermillions help pond owners build and maintain water features. When she’s not pondside, Mary is helping to build community one book at a time as marketing director at Village Books and Paper Dreams, volunteering at the Bellingham Farmers Market, or writing about food and travel.  p. 67

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Kurt F. Anders Kurt F. Anders is a nationally-published author and photographer from Southwest Washington, who enjoys sharing his many travels with others, so they can enjoy them, too. Kurt has spent a great deal of time in our state parks and spent the summer of 1986 working for Washington State Parks to complete display projects that are still being enjoyed by park visitors to this day.  p. 64

Best Breakfasts Tianna Tsitsis

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Dr. Tianna Tsitsis is a triple board-certified physician with a special interest in skin aesthetics. She opened RejuvenationMD in 2014 and has won Bellingham Alive’s Best of the Northwest three straight years. A practicing physician in the area for nearly 20 years, when she is not working, Dr. Tsitsis enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. An avid exercise enthusiast, her hobbies include skiing, running, swimming, and biking.  p. 41

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Jennifer is a multi-talented authority on all things beautiful, fashionable, and functional. This whirlwind of a woman has a passion for bringing style and personality to life’s most important spaces. Jennifer Ryan Design offers it all — design, planning, production, and contractor services. From start to finish, Jennifer can help you create the surroundings you’ll enjoy for a lifetime. She was twice voted Best of the Northwest winner, taking gold in 2016 and 2017. jenniferryandesign.com  p. 70

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Heceta Head Lighthouse Florence, Oregon

Immigration Story Clarifies Complex Topic Just finished your article on immigration in the latest issue of Bellingham Alive. Bravo! Excellent read, and you captured the complexity of the issue in such a concise and balanced way.

HOME & REMODEL

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Bellingham Alive welcomes comments and feedback for our Letters to the Editor section. We’d love to hear what you have to say and are open to story ideas about the people, places, and happenings in the North Sound (Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan counties). Let us know what you like, and what you’d like to see in the magazine! Contact editor Meri-Jo Borzilleri at editor@bellinghamalive.com.

Dine Guide Leaves a Pleasant Taste I really like the dining guide. I can pick up your guide and get an indication of what’s out there. Troy G., Birch Bay The quality of the magazine, to me, is just top notch. I like all the features, and the little brief section describing the restaurants. There’s just enough about them to entice you to go.

Letters to the Editor

NOTES

Moved by March Issue, Now Moving to Bellingham As a photographer and retiree preparing to relocate in Bellingham, I was blown away by the stunning images of area homes in your recent Home & Remodel issue. They’re so stunning that I was hesitant to share the issue with my wife, an HGTV addict with a wish list of home ideas far bigger than our budget. That said, I relented — and the magazine will soon be filled with “I want this” Post-it notes. Wish me luck! Don D., Redlands, Calif.

Kim H., Mount Vernon Correction: A story in the March issue mischaracterized Colleen Haggerty’s work as executive director with Bellingham’s Our Treehouse, a non-profit providing grieving children with support and a place to heal. In Haggerty’s personal business as a life coach, she is a “Forgiveness Mentor,” helping people move on to find their potential.

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April 2018 13

NOTES Meet the Staffer Every issue we introduce you to a staff member at Bellingham Alive.

What is your role at the magazine and how long have you been with K & L Media? I am one of two marketing assistants (soon to be three). With that comes the responsibility of helping manage the daily content on our website and social media pages. I first started interning as an editorial assistant last fall. I just kind of stuck around the office and they decided not to get rid of me, I guess.

What is your background?

Kenji Guttorp

I am Swedish. Can’t you tell? I am the son of a Swedish immigrant father and a Japanese American mother. My parents are statisticians at heart, which can tell you a lot about my upbringing. I am a political science major and journalism minor from Western Washington University. I like to think of myself as a “juicy contradiction,” like the old Starburst commercial. Just think Ikea and sushi.

What is your favorite part of working for a regional lifestyle magazine? It has given me the opportunity to reach out and talk with people that I probably wouldn’t have imagined myself talking to. It has introduced me to quirky new things, unique macro cultures, and most importantly some excellent food. I enjoy working for a small business, where you don’t feel like just another face.

What are some of your hobbies and interests? I am as amateur of a mountain climber as it gets. I was dragged along to hike Mount St. Helens and found myself the first at the summit. The last two years has been me scrounging up enough gear to make sure I don’t get stranded in a place I wouldn’t like to be. Living in proximity to an abundance of natural resources gives me way too many hobbies to sink money into. 

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LIFESTYLE In The Know · Spotlight Artist · Community · 5 Faves

Platform of Change North Sound Mayors Part of Women’s Movement into Politics WRITTEN BY CATHERINE TORRES PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAYORS’ OFFICES

elli Linville chuckles as she recalls how people occasionally mistake her husband for the mayor of Bellingham — a job she’s held since 2012. White men still predominate in the halls of government from Washington D.C. to Whatcom County, but increasingly women are carving out an important role — especially here. … continued on page 20

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LIFESTYLE

Lasting Image

“This photo of a young bald eagle was taken near the Nooksack River. Hundreds of eagles come to feed on these inland waters every winter, coinciding with the annual chum salmon run. Surrounded by dozens of competing gulls and eagles, this eagle’s decision to eat in place or drag the carcass out to feed had come. Ultimately, the eagle decided to fly back up into the trees after a brief meal.” CAROLYN WATSON

April 2018 19

… Just check out, for instance, today’s city halls in the North Sound. Three of the biggest cities all have elected women mayors: Bellingham, Mount Vernon, and Anacortes, and they are among 38 women mayors in Washington state this year, up from 11. Women have held elected offices in Washington for about a century. Recent mayoral elections have drawn attention. Last year, Seattle elected its first woman mayor since 1928, Everett elected its first in November, and nearby cities of Tacoma, Kent, Issaquah, and Auburn all have women mayors. They join dozens of other elected women now in city government, Olympia and Washington, D.C. In the North Sound, we spoke to the three mayors about their thoughts regarding women leaders, politics, and serving the public. (Spoiler alert: they all love their jobs!)

BELLINGHAM A Bellingham native, Mayor Kelli Linville was elected the city’s first woman mayor after 17 years in the Washington State House. She was re-elected for 2016.

ANACORTES Mayor Laurie Gere was re-elected to a second four-year term in November after years as a community activist and businesswoman.

MOUNT VERNON Mayor Jill Boudreau is also in her second term — re-elected for 2016, she had had a career in public service, hospice care and the police department. Boudreau wasn’t happy with her previous representation and decided, “If he can do it, I can do it better.” She’s currently serving her second term as mayor. With a background of working in police department administration and ending her service as the Community Service Officer, the no-nonsense leader expects government representatives to put aside partisan differences and work together to solve problems. Boudreau, 51, explained that the bottom line of government is to solve problems on behalf of the people, not take sides. “Let’s talk about real issues.” 20

BellinghamAlive.com

Jill Boudreau, Mayor of Mount Vernon

Laurie Gere, Mayor of Anacortes

The mayor takes her job seriously, believing she can’t help Mount Vernon’s citizens without knowing their concerns, so she hosts weekly coffee meetings. Citizens can meet with Boudreau in an informal setting to exchange their complaints, questions, and concerns. She believes, as a government representative, being available is a necessity and that a “high level of engagement creates transparency and trust.” Linville, 69, began her career alongside long-term legislators like state senator Mary Margaret Haugen and state representative Karen Schmidt, so for her, women in politics isn’t a novelty. Although she’s thrilled about women serving in government, Linville wants qualified, competent people serving in our government. She has found, on the whole, women tend to be more solution-based when it comes to passing legislation. She believes candidates should “be straight with people” by expressing and sticking to their principles from the start, instead of trying to please everyone. It’s also important, with the onslaught of partisan campaigning fueled by excess funding, that candidates remember the “job is to do the best thing for the public, not groups, parties, or yourself.” The first female president is coming, and she’ll get into office by “making sure she can relate to the needs of average people in an authentic way,” says Linville. If she’s

honest, competent, and can take the heat, she’ll enjoy the view from the Oval Office. In Anacortes, Gere, began her public service career about 35 years ago when she opened up a small business. Main street business owners often gravitate to community involvement, and Gere was no exception. She started out serving on the Chamber of Commerce, then one opportunity led to another until she found herself with all the tools, abilities, and motivation to serve as mayor. Reflecting on her experience, she thought, “I can bring something to the table.” Gere, 65, is happy to serve a nonpartisan role and believes local government is still reflective of a true democracy where there’s more collaboration and people’s opinions are voiced but not tethered to party lines. “We need to get back to a place where the different parties respect each other,” she says. Solutions and progress stall when legislators refuse to collaborate. When it’s your job to find solutions on behalf of the public and partisanship prevents that, it means you’re not doing your job. Gere is happy to have more female representation in government, but cares more about the bottom line: “As long as you have a servant’s heart and you’re willing to serve, I don’t care who’s next to me as long as you’re doing it for the right reasons.” 

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LIFESTYLE

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A Guiding Force for Education Lynne Masland WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY KATE GALAMBOS

fter 22 years as Western Washington University’s director of communications, Lynne Masland has now committed herself to becoming a connector of the community. As she describes it, she is an elder of Whatcom County, responsible for building a web of support in the community. Since she retired, Masland has been constructing her web as an author, board member of the Whatcom Community College Foundation, leader in the Bellingham Sunrise Rotary Club, and aspiring painter. She has also turned to personal philanthropy, creating the Lynne Masland Family scholarship through the Whatcom Community College Foundation. The $1,000 annual scholarship is offered to students who are single mothers. Beyond the financial support, she believes that providing the scholarships shows women that there are people rooting for them. Masland, 75, says she was drawn to philanthropy by a longtime friend, Jean

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Rahn, who worked as the executive director of the Western Washington University Foundation before passing in 2015. Rahn taught Masland that is doesn’t take a mountainous fortune to make a difference in the lives of those in need. “It was hard to see, as a person of moderate means, how I could make a difference,” she said. As a single mother once herself, Masland described how a supportive mentor at the University of British Columbia made her dream of earning a doctorate degree possible. School seemed like an impossible task at the time; Masland was working and raising her children. Her mentor laid out every step that would allow Masland to reach the degree she had been working toward for more than 30 years. With much thanks owed to her support system at the University of British Columbia, she earned her doctorate in comparative literature. “I’ve been trying to pay it back ever since,” she said. In her free time, she can be found writing and painting, passions she has pursued throughout her life. She and her husband, artist Steve Mayo, enjoy all Bellingham has to offer. As an East Coast transplant, Masland’s love for Bellingham and Whatcom County has been an ever-changing affair since she settled here in 1975.“I’ve spread my wings,” she says. “My wings take me where they take me.” 

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April 2018 21

Community the Know LIFESTYLE In

Good to Grow

YAK RHODODENDRON Known as a native adapter, it’s originally from Yakushima Island in Japan but grows like a native plant here. With glossy and green leaves, its flowers blossom in clusters, starting out as bright pink buds that open to reveal white, bell-shaped petals. A favorite of Bellingham landscape architect Molly Maguire, this rhodie generally grows up to four feet in height and requires partial to full shade.

The Best Plants for the Northwest Garden WRITTEN BY MELISSA MCCARTHY PHOTOGRAPHED BY MOLLY MAGUIRE

our shovel and spade have been collecting dust in the shed all winter. They’ve been itching to hit the soil for months now, and spring is finally here. Some novice (and not-so-novice) gardeners may be wondering what to plant in their often damp, rarely sunny Pacific Northwest gardens. We’re here to help. In general, go with what’s native to the Northwest. Being the easiest to grow, most resistant to local bugs and diseases, and requiring minimal maintenance, these native plants are the best choice for your local gardens:

EVERGREEN HUCKLEBERRY Native to western Washington, this fruit-bearing bush is easy on the eyes and can help stock the kitchen cupboards. This dense, leafy shrubbery is an essential for the Northwesterner’s

SWORD FERN

Yak Rhododendron and ornamental oregano

hedgerow. Its full figure will fill empty space, and its flowers will attract butterflies to the garden all summer. Later in the year, around October or so, the Evergreen Huckleberry will begin to bear fruit, good for jam, and the leaves are good for tea.

PACIFIC BLEEDING HEART This pink, perfect perennial’s heartshaped flower clusters are loveable, attracting hummingbirds and deterring hungry deer. This West Coast native blooms all summer under proper care. It requires cool, shady surroundings and damp, well-drained soil. Under these conditions, the Pacific Bleeding Heart can reach up to 18 inches in height, and sprout numerous flowery stalks out of its feathery green foliage.

BROADLEAF STONECROP

Monarda Purple, Echinacea ‘Pow Wow Berry,’ and Yak Rhododendron

BellinghamAlive.com

This local fern, often seen on wooded hikes, can give your garden a touch of wilderness without sacrificing manageability. It is especially helpful for hilly gardens, as its roots can help prevent erosion of steep areas. It plays well with other perennials, such as the Pacific Bleeding Heart, and offers a beautiful shade of evergreen as a backdrop for groundcover. The fern is extremely easy to plant and care for.

This is a trendy little succulent that offers gorgeous groundcover. For the majority of the year, the stonecrop boasts waxy spirals of blue-green leaves. During the summer, it yields star-shaped, bright yellow flowers beloved by butterflies. Put this plant in the problem spot in your garden, the spot that has the driest soil and never gets any shade. The stonecrop will grow happily.

Hemerocallis ‘Pardon Me’

COASTAL STRAWBERRY The natural, native strawberry is incomparable to the fruit available at the supermarket. Not only does it produce delicious berries, but its webs of roots help with soil stabilization and it requires minimal maintenance. It prefers more sun and sandy soil. Butterflies are drawn to their small, white flowers that blossom in early summer. 

Community

LIFESTYLE

Denise Crowe

Friends of the Forest Anacortes Group Protects, Promotes WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY CATHERINE TORRES

any residents in Anacortes are lucky enough to live within walking distance to some of the city’s 2,800 acres of forests. With rapid real estate development engulfing much of the city, we have Friends of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands, more commonly known as Friends of the Forest, to thank for preserving and educating the community about the natural woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. Founded in 1987 by four hikers, the non-profit group advocates on behalf of the forest ecosystem. At the center of its mission: The Forest Education Program. In the beginning, the group served more as a social group. Within a few months of its formation, they shifted gears to serve as an advocacy group speaking against the city’s revenue logging. They succeeded. “There was a lot of wariness to locking up the land

forever…but the community support became very potent,” explained Denise Crowe, the current education and outreach director. Today most of the cityowned forest land is protected indefinitely either under the Conservation Easement Program or other restrictive deed language. Today the non-profit group consists of seven to nine board members and two staff members. Crowe, a graduate of the Evergreen State College, enjoys spending time in the woods teaching groups about Anacortes’s diverse ecosystems and habitats. Educational programs include all-ages hikes, high school projects, elementary school class trips, and summer day camps for kids, aged 7–12, who learn valuable life lessons through “old-fashioned play and nature discovery.” In this age of screens and information overload, everyone can benefit from a few hours in the woods. 

April 2018 23

LIFESTYLE In the Know

Hard-to-Kill Plants Good for Environment and You, Too WRITTEN BY NICK JENNER

o, you’ve never muddied your hands with garden soil. You can never remember what a perennial is. You’ve drowned or deprived all your past plants. Do not despair. Below is a list of some of the hardiest, low-maintenance plants you can put in the ground. These, according to the experts, are harder to kill than cultivate. Once rooted, these toughies are here to stay. Of course, as with all plants you’re thinking of adding, be sure they’re not invasive. (For a list of some of those, see our Web Exclusive at BellinghamAlive.com)

DAFFODILS

HYDRANGEA

Whether it’s one daffodil or a hundred, little work is needed to appease these low-maintenance beauties. Plant them in autumn and they’ll bloom by early spring. Leave them as a sea of color in your garden or trim them to decorate your home.

Their wide, moth-shaped flowers grow clustered and in a variety of colors, sometimes many in unison. Indifferent to the soil used, Hydrangeas bloom mid-summer to fall, when many other plants don’t.

MAHONIA CHARITY COSMOS Neglect your plants? Never water them? Cosmos are the way to go. With a lackadaisical sprinkling of seeds, these pretty little flowers will sprout every year, attracting birds, bees and hummingbirds.

MINT Mints don’t need much. These aromatic, cocktail fresheners will do just fine in moist, well drained mulch and moderate sunlight. Fast growing and bushy, by summertime you’ll have ample mint for mojitos.

SUNFLOWER Sunflowers love sunshine, stretching their bright, happy faces up to 15 feet above the soil. Adaptable to various soils, sunflowers require heavy, infrequent watering, enjoying constant, direct sunlight. Keep the soil drained and your sunflower will flourish.

BEGONIAS Begonias are made in the shade. With only the slightest bit of sunlight, this flower will brighten the darker regions of your garden. The hotter the area, the shadier begonias like it, enjoying an occasional misting of water. 24

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MORNING GLORIES With a name that covers thousands of flowering species, morning glories untwist their leaves like a phonograph, spreading up and down gardens in silent symphony. Only needing water in dry periods, these garden explorers are good to go.

RHODODENDRON As Washington state’s flower, the rhododendron takes many forms and colors. Plant them in acidic soil, where they’ll get direct sunlight for part of the day. Once they’re planted the right way, rhododendrons are relatively lowmaintenance, showing their gratitude in thick, green leaves and vivid blooms.

LILAC Plant this aromatic shrub somewhere in full sunlight with space to grow round and tall. Nature will do the rest.

A strong and vivacious winter plant, this mahonia hybrid will show its bright colors in rich plumes. Once planted it will hold its own, regardless of soil, sunlight or water conditions.

DAYLILY Daylily petals look as if they were painted by an artist, with vivid colors. They blend and complement. And when they tuck their heads after first bloom, fret not. Daylilies bloom twice, no matter the conditions.

IMPATIENS Water and the occasional fertilizer is all you’ll need to make Impatiens thrive in your garden. Their heart shaped petals grow taller when planted together and numerous if their seed pouch is popped. The roots are in. And while you don’t need to helicopter-parent your plants to maturity, be sure to check in with them from time to time. Show them some love. Enjoy the aromas, the bees and the birds, and sprinkle in some water here and there. Your plants will do just fine. And congratulations. You’re a gardener. 

Book Reviews Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover 352 pages Random House

Raised in a strict Mormon family in the mountains of Idaho, Tara and most of her siblings were kept out of school, not to be educated at home, but to work in their father’s scrap yard and their mother’s homeopathic and unlicensed midwifery business. However, Tara kept untold number of journals that detail her life: the abuse by her brother, the reliance on naturopathic curatives by her mother, and the impact of her father’s mental illness. Her memoir is a profound look at what happens when one doesn’t educate a child on things we think are basic. What if a child has never heard of the Holocaust, the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King? How does this skew their view of the world? Can a lack of education, or conversely a formal education, fundamentally change society? This is a powerful book that will completely engross you, fascinate you, and in the end, educate you.

WHO KNEW? Earth Day — The Beginning By 1969, the Vietnam War had sharply divided the nation, with frequent student protests highlighting the angst. Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator, realized he could tap into the public’s anti-war protest energy and bring environmental issues onto the national political agenda. With bipartisan support, Nelson founded Earth Day, which first occurred on April 22, 1970.

WRITTEN BY LAURIE MULLARKY LAURIESLITPICKS.BLOGSPOT.COM

In the Know

LIFESTYLE

April 6, 7 p.m.

Force of Nature by Jane Harper 326 pages Flat Iron Books

Poetry Read with Matthew Nienow Deming Library 5044 Mt. Baker Hwy., Deming 360.592.2422 | wcls.org

This looks to be another winner by the Australian writer author of last year’s break out hit The Dry. This is a solid police mystery, returning her main character, Aaron Falk, who she fleshes out even more in his attempt to discover a missing executive off on a corporate team-building adventure in the Australian mountains. Harper slowly builds the tension, as Falk and his female partner interview each woman who hiked with Alice: the sister of the company president, the co-worker who knew Alice as teenagers, and the twins, one with a dark past and the other with a self-protective need to separate herself from her twin. Falk must find Alice; she is his main witness to the financial crime hidden within her company. In any one else’s hands, this would be a basic detective story. Yet in Harper’s hands, it is extraordinarily well-written, with an ability to fully develop not only a creative plot line, but the characters as well.

Along with parent, boat builder, and musician, Matthew Nienow can also add award-winning poet to the list. Living in Port Townsend, Nienow’s poetry embraces the truth found in every life. Enjoy refreshments while listening to Nienow share his work in honor of poetry month.

April 28, 4 p.m. Meet an Adventurous Author: Lou McKee Lynden Village Books 430 Front St., Lynden 360.526.2133 | villagebooks.com What originated as a onetime kayaking trip near Vancouver Island with family and friends morphed into a yearly tradition for Bellingham resident Lou McKee, forming the inspiration behind Klee Wyck Journal: The Making of a Wilderness Retreat. McKee’s journal includes her colored ink and pencil drawings.

WRITTEN BY JADE THURSTON

Student Sufficiency Nelson recruited Harvard graduate student Denis Hayes, who then brought on 85 other young environmental advocates. To replicate the persistence of anti-war protestors, Nelson’s team knew the participation of college students would be crucial to Earth Day’s success. Thus, April 22 was chosen because it typically falls between spring break and final exams.

Beyond the U.S. Earth Day Network (EDN), based in Washington D.C., is the world’s largest recruiter for the present-day international holiday. The nonprofit organization collaborates with more than 50,000 partners in 196 countries. Currently, Earth Day is celebrated by more than a billion people each year, the largest secular observance on the planet.

Down by the Sycamore Moon Tree? Stuart Roosa, a NASA astronaut, took tree seeds with him as he repeatedly orbited the moon during the 1971 Apollo 14 mission. The U.S. Forest Service later germinated the seeds, creating “moon trees.” In honor of Earth Day 2009, NASA planted a Moon Sycamore in Washington, D.C., demonstrating that space exploration and life on Earth are “inextricably tied.”

April 2018 25

Community the Spotlight LIFESTYLE In

Out of This World Art, UFOs, Tulips — Trish Harding Embraces it All WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY JADE THURSTON

nidentified flying objects are personal for Bellingham artist Trish Harding. A Lummi Island native and Bellingham resident, she says she has seen UFOs twice in her lifetime, once on Lummi as a child and also as a young adult off the island. With that partly in mind, she named her downtown workplace Studio UFO. From that studio last year, she won a region-wide competition to be selected as the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival poster artist. The 35th anniversary of the festival runs throughout April this year and attracts thousands of visitors to the vast tulip fields around Mount Vernon and surrounding towns. The full name of her studio, The Trish Harding School of Art at Studio UFO, is where she teaches and works as a professional artist. Harding said she created that name for two reasons: to express that her studio was a place for learning, and because the term “UFO” is both personal for her and hard to forget for others. In each sighting, Harding said she experienced awe and incredible sensations of speed. Harding has always been interested in outer space, so her studio name came naturally. Harding now uses Studio UFO for all artistic endeavors. Though her journey as an artist has encompassed several walks of life — San Francisco Academy of Art University student, 26

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commission artist, trade show participant, art teacher — the Tulip Festival poster was an unusual bit for Harding. Typically, she doesn’t reproduce her work, which is exactly what happens to the official tulip poster. Rather, if she does a painting, she believes that image belongs to that painting. She usually paints in series, as well. Still, Harding is one to embrace and customize a challenge. She’s extremely goal-oriented. Though the Tulip Festival poster was a different kind of goal, she painted the poster by connecting with the process. “All of the work in a painting is pretty much done by the time you start painting — at least the way that I work,” Harding said. Before painting something new, Harding gathers information, looks at images, practices images, paints outside, and often learns how subjects are made and built. By the time she sketches a miniature, black and white version of her idea — a thumbnail — she knows a great deal about what she’s planning to paint. From her self-designed pallet to production, the process is fairly quick. Though Harding’s artwork is backed by research, she says she usually references a personal significance or experience. With the tulip poster and the classic rows of mesmerizing tulips, Harding also included a full view of Mount Baker

In the Know

LIFESTYLE

Cascadia Women’s Film Fest Returns WRITTEN BY MELISSA MCCARTHY

L (a clear view of the volcano simply “knocks her out”), a bicycle (her go-to form of transportation), and a flying gaggle of snow geese (she says she’s a huge fan). Technically, Baker’s full face can’t be viewed the way it’s portrayed in the poster — Harding said she took a few liberties while painting. Harding doesn’t usually share the experiences behind her paintings because she prefers the viewer to connect their own. She believes that everyone can identify with a painting if it has both personal and universal qualities. Additionally, Harding’s art refrains from preconceived ideas. This especially works with colors. For example, one of Harding’s current paintings — an old, abandoned house on Lummi Island she and a gal would break into for sleepover parties — has light pink in the background of trees and purple in the nearby roots of grass. Yes, these are atypical colors to the scene, but they work for the painting because they’re colors a viewer can imagine if in the right light and setting. “I like to be open to the universe for peak experiences that will take me to the final product. Though a painting will begin like how I imagined it, I’ll come to a fork in the road and take a new path. That allows the colors to change — to harmonize in a different way. To become.” Harding shares her style and encourages individuality with her students. She says artists of different levels have a lot to learn from each other. “The whole motivation for teaching is to be around the energy, the creative spark,” Harding said. “You can’t be a painter all by yourself.”  Trish Harding School of Art at Studio UFO 301 W. Holly St. M-4, Bellingham 360.319.6115 | studio-ufo.net

ast month was Women’s History Month, but we don’t have to stop celebrating just because it’s April. The secondannual Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival is April 12–15 at Pickford Film Center in downtown Bellingham. This festival screens films directed exclusively by women, honoring their strides in a predominately maledominated field. Cascadia will spotlight a variety of feature films, documentaries, and animated pieces, directed by women around the globe. Among them will be Seattle-based director Lynn Shelton’s newest feature, “Outside In,” filmed in Snohomish. You can see it on the first day of the festival. The festival will also be premiering multiple foreign films, such as the West Coast premiere of “Women of Silk Road,” directed by IranianAmerican Yassamin Maleknasr. “We are not just a Bellingham film festival, we are an international festival based in Bellingham,” said festival executive director Cheryl Crooks, emphasizing the importance of screening films from diverse backgrounds. This year’s honored guest is Cheryl Boone Isaacs, former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The third female president and the first AfricanAmerican president of the Academy, she will be participating in the festival throughout the weekend, as well as hosting a talk on Friday. “The impact of film empowers women, supports local and global ideas and creates opportunities for community members, as well as filmmakers, to participate in the collaboration that is film,” Crooks said. “Cascadia is part of a larger movement to allow women’s voices to be heard.”  CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival 360.543.0149 | cascadiafilmfest.org April 2018 27

LIFESTYLE

Five Faves

THE PIERS AT LA CONNER MARINA The piers at La Conner Marina see all different kinds of boaters from commercial, recreational and marine connected businesses. With bustling downtown La Conner a few steps away — amble over to the Museum of Northwest Art if you have the chance — this pier offers has a little something for everyone. It’s the perfect launch for a boater’s day trip, and features a rest stop with bathrooms, laundry and WiFi offered. In addition, there’s the Boaters Discount Center nearby that has all of your boating and personal needs. 613 N. 2nd St., La Conner 360.466.3118 | portofskagit.com

FIVE DOCKS FAVES & PIERS WRITTEN BY KIRSTYN NYSWONGER

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TAYLOR DOCK At Taylor Dock, a favorite in the Bellingham community, you will find energetic runners, calming dog walkers and daytime strollers. Located in Fairhaven, the overwater boardwalk boasts views of iconic Bellingham sunsets and the shining city lights of Bellingham in the distance. 470 Bayview Dr., Bellingham 360.778.7000 | cob.org

THE PIER AT DEER HARBOR MARINA Orcas Island’s Pier at Deer Harbor is a must-see. With the Marina Market and Dock store on the pier, hotels, and other shops nearby, you will discover a lot to see and do. Some other activities include whale watching from the pier, and boat rentals. 5164 Deer Harbor Rd., Deer Harbor 360.376.3037 | deerharbormarina.com

THE PIER AT ROCHE HARBOR MARINA With a community built over five decades, the Roche Harbor Marina offers a nearby historical hotel as well as many shops and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to grab a delicious ice cream cone and view yachts as big as a house! 248 Reuben Memorial Dr., Roche Harbor, San Juan Island 800.586.3590 | rocheharbor.com

THE DOCK AT LAKE PADDEN Although this dock is the smallest of the five mentioned, it’s a peaceful treasure on Lake Padden. With only non-motorized boats allowed, this calming spot on the lake’s west end will leave you feeling serene. When the waters are calm, bring your camera: The dock is the perfect photo spot. 4882 Samish Way, Bellingham 360.778.7000 | cob.org

April 2018 29

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Savvy Shopper · Necessities · Around the Sound

A Full Flavor Experience from Start to Shop Twin Sisters Creamery WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY KATE GALAMBOS

he Twin Sisters Creamery and cheese shop is big, bright, and airy, not exactly what you’d expect of a store of its kind, but certainly what you want. Lindsay and Jeff Slevin opened the Ferndale retail shop in August of 2015. Customers will find a variety of cheese, jams and chutney, crackers and assorted kitchen accessories. Within just two refrigerated cases lay about 80 varieties of cheese. Each is picked based on season, customer demand and suggestions, and Slevin personal favorites. “Our customers determine what we are not allowed to run out of,” Lindsay said. Among those many types of cheese, customers will find the three varieties of Twin Sisters … continued on next page

… Creamery cheeses, which also happen to be made right on site. The manufacturing end of the operation opened in November of 2015 and began with the production of Twin Sisters flagship cheese, the Whatcom Blue, an approachable and friendly blue cheese, as Lindsay called it. The flavor is still true to blue, but doesn’t pack an overly musty punch that can turn some people off. Instead, it is creamy and mild, without being boring. It wasn’t until the summer of 2017 that the Slevins started producing other types of cheese. “We want to do just a few things well,” Lindsay said. Now the creamery produces two more cheeses in addition to the Blue: Whatcom White with Whole Peppercorns and the Whatcom Farmhouse White. Both are made with the same base and go well in soups and stacked high on grilled cheese sandwiches. As for the Blue, Lindsay recommends topping burgers, steaks, and pizzas with a plentiful helping. Jeff and Lindsay Slevin’s two twin girls’ silhouettes anchor the logo of their Twin Sisters Creamery logo. Lexi and Maddy were the inspiration for the couple to begin the process of opening their own creamery and cheese shop in 2012. “We did it for our girls. We wanted to show them to be brave and go after their passion, if they are lucky enough to find one,” Lindsay said. The couple wanted to open a family business that their girls could learn from and be a part of. Sure enough, when the girls are lucky enough to visit the shop they toss on their hairnets and jump into the creamery to help mom and dad. The twins even ride with dad on early mornings to pick up the milk from Twin Brook Creamery just up the road in Lynden, she said. Jeff worked in the information technology and manufacturing world before becoming a cheese maker. Lindsay has been in the business for 18 years, both on the retail and distribution side. The couple invites visitors into the shop with open arms — and not just to swing by for a cheese to go with dinner, or to peep through the viewing window into the creamery, but to talk cheese. Cheese shops can be overwhelming due to the amount of choices; however, Twin Sisters does their best to help eliminate too many options and keep it simple for customers. While 80 cheeses sound like quite the pile, each is thoughtfully chosen and ready to be tasted by curious customers. For those looking for even more cheese education, the shop hosts tasting classes to inspire customers and teach about wine and food pairings. Stop into the shop from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday to have a taste or just watch the curds and whey.  6202 Portal Way, Ferndale 360.656.5240 | twinsisterscreamery.com 32

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What do seashells, paintings of bright umbrellas stuck into sandy beaches, and yellow polka dot bikinis have in common? They are reminiscent of sun-filled beaches somewhere south of here. Pacific Northwest beaches are special stretches of land where we look for smooth rocks and twisted pieces of driftwood. Up here, umbrellas are for rainy days and cozy sweaters are more popular than bikinis, even in summer. Celebrate our kind of beach with PNW style coastal decor. — Catherine Torres

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Around the Sound

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A Bubbly Business For Downtown Snohomish Lather & Salt WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANNON BLACK

ucked — almost squeezed — neatly between Antique Warehouse and Roger’s River View Bistro on Snohomish’s main drag is a delicious bath and body shop. Though it only occupies about 75 square feet of space on downtown First Street, Lather & Salt smartly fills every nook with odoriferous goodness. Chemical-free soap and personal care product lovers will rejoice at the decadent bath bars, bath salts and skin balms only an arm’s reach away, no matter which way you turn. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walking into Lather & Salt is like walking into a chic, mod apothecary for your senses. Even on a cloudy day, light from the First Street entrance’s wall of windows floods through for a cheerful brightness. French music lightly dances off exposed brick while sweet and spicy ambrosial fragrances tantalize the olfactory senses. Wife-and-husband team Hannah and Brian Long lovingly hand-make everything in the shop, which opened in May 2015. They operated as Washington Soap Works for three years prior and sold at craft shows. But with growing demand, they needed a place their line could call home. From a young age, Hannah created balms and perfumes for friends and family. As she got older, her frustrations mounted as she tried to find quality skin care products without detergents, harmful chemicals, and artificial ingredients, so she set out to make her own. Through

many hours of research, experimentation, and working with a cosmetic chemist, her passion turned into a bubbly business. More than 80 all-natural varieties of meticulously crafted olive oil, glycerine, and goat milk based soaps festoon the shelves alongside scrumptious soaking salts, body butters, shaving bars, bath bombs, candles, solid perfumes, and loofahs. Lather & Salt sources their ingredients locally as much as possible. They procure items like lavender, goat milk, and honey from farmers and bee keepers in the area. Scent profiles appeal to a wide range of customers, from the simple oats and honey fragrance to the more unique combinations, like smoked lavender and peppermint rose. Names like Dirty Girl, Mr. Wonderful, and Mountain Man also beg to be sniffed and tried. Activated charcoal can also be found in some of their lines to help relieve stubborn breakouts and blemishes. Hannah says good natural soaps like the ones you’ll find at Lather & Salt will keep your skin feeling clean and soft without drying it out. But if she had to choose just one, she’d pick the soap that started it all: Take Me Back, a calendulainfused olive oil soap with cocoa and strawberry. If you can’t make it in on the weekends to pick one up, Hannah gladly accepts phone and online orders. Happy lathering!  1015 First St., Snohomish 360.722.9090 | latherandsalt.com April 2018 35

SHOP Savvy Shopper

Tugging at the Heart Lil’ Tugs Children’s Boutique WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY CATHERINE TORRES

713 Commercial Ave., Anacortes 360.299.2350 | liltugskids.com 36

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THE SHOP

WHAT YOU’LL FIND

Since its opening in July 2016, Lil’ Tugs Children’s Boutique has become a community favorite. The darling shop carries toys and clothing for newborns through eight years old. Inspired by the Anacortes tugboat town culture, the store features a child-sized tugboat perfect for keeping kids busy while grownups browse the shop’s fun inventory.

Lil’ Tugs sells the very best for baby that you won’t readily find at big-box stores. Among the velvety-soft organic cotton clothing, colorful rain boots, and wooden teething toys, you’ll find locally made and popular, high-end merchandise. Walls are lined with products from local companies like Bunnies by the Bay and CAVU Creations, which makes the sweetest organic cotton PNW-inspired baby clothing. You’ll find Indestructibles, the books for budding readers that will handle anything your baby does to them. Practical items like Squid Socks promise to stay on your child’s feet while Books to Bed, the storybooks with matching pajamas, make bedtime more fun. Clothes from Kissy Kissy and Moulin Roty also are in stock, as are Squigz, the award-winning soft plastic colorful building segments created by an Anacortes artist.

THE ATMOSPHERE A sidewalk chalkboard sign beckons customers into Lil’ Tugs, but the dizzying array of clothing and baby gear keeps visitors’ attention. You’ll see an adorable hand-knit hat, a newborn onesie perfect for your pregnant friend who loves anything with mountains, and over here are socks with rattles on the toes. All this before you notice the table of colorful baby teething toys.

KEY PEOPLE Michele DeCarlo, who retired from a dental management career, owns Lil’ Tugs along with her husband, Robert Shaw. She strives to give the community what it wants: high-quality, unique baby and children’s items. That means lots of research, and visiting baby shows regularly. Her hard work has paid off: Lil’ Tugs Children’s Boutique is a must-stop for infant and children’s clothing, toys, and gear.

FAVORITE ITEMS DeCarlo loves their infant clothing lines, she explained, “There’s a special excitement about becoming a grandparent for the first time.” It’s not really about the items themselves, but the anticipation for a new baby. Then it becomes about the stories her customers share: the first tooth, first solid food, first steps, another grandchild. The toys and clothing simply work as a backdrop for lives filled with love. 

April 2018 37

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WELLBEING Nutrition · Take a Hike · Spa Review · Beauty

April Showers Bring May Flowers WRITTEN BY ARLENE MANTHA

YDRATION

‘Tis that glorious time of year here in the Pacific Northwest in western Washington, where the rain is constant and everything is oh-so-sopping wet. This is the point of the year where I start to lose it. I comfort myself with the thought that I am in this glorious part of the earth and its ecosystem is that almost of a rainforest. … continued on next page

… I imagine birds, vibrant colors, animals, exotic plants, and humidity (not too far off from reality, really). Then I take pride in the fact. I throw on my Patagonia and head out into it and embrace all of its wet parts by keeping on, keeping on. Nature is awakening all around, including myself, as though I have been in a long deep sleep awaiting the sunlight to perk up my senses. Although there is so much water around us, it has occurred to me more than once that it doesn’t also mean that there is enough water inside of us. I’m talking about hydration — that magical life force that is so easy to take for granted.

FULL BLOOM In the deep of winter and all the way into spring, I start to notice that my skin is pretty dry. My hands start to crack because I am always in the kitchen and constantly washing them. (You’re welcome.) Then I remember; I have not drunk enough water, nor applied enough face cream to combat these elements. I begin the usual remedies to find out that they work if I do them. Though hydrating enough internally won’t mean that you don’t need to moisturize topically, I have found it does mean that I will feel better in general, and I will have a healthier glow about me both inside and out, and an over-all sunnier disposition.

SIP + SOAK A good day strategy that works for me, and a fail-proof turnaround of an already trying day, is a steamy warm bath of Epsom salts and a cozy mug of golden milk. Warm, foamy organic almond milk, Assam tea, turmeric and local wildflower honey. I love to drink my nutrition. So cozy up, draw a bath, slather up that moisturizer and enjoy a frothy hydrating mug of golden milk and embrace that Hygge life — remember that April showers always bring May flowers. And if making your own is too much, just buy one at a sweet little local shop in Bellingham named SAKU tea.  Arlene Mantha’s catering company is TwoFiftyFlora.

GOLDEN MILK RECIPE

DIRECTIONS

2 cups of almond milk

• Simmer and whisk until bubbly.

1 tsp. dried or fresh turmeric 1 tsp. dried or fresh ginger 1 small pinch of pepper 1 tsp. honey

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• Turn off heat, cover and allow to sit for 10 minutes (this stage is important — it allows the bitter taste to disappear). • If you have this nifty little machine it’s even easier: Breville Cafe Milk Frother.

Beauty

Medical Aesthetics, Explained

WELLBEING

Doctor Answers Questions About Growing Industry WRITTEN BY TIANNA TSITSIS

ncreasingly, older Americans are looking in the mirror and unhappy with what they see: Scars, skin laxity, wrinkles, moles, liver spots, excess fat, cellulite, unwanted hair, skin discoloration, and spider veins top the list of complaints. As skin worries grow, so have new ways to treat them (think Botox) and new places to seek help. Once mainly the purview of dermatologists and plastic surgeons, only a few hours of television will bombard you with ads for clinics, fat farms, body contouring and even vaginal rejuvenation. There is a parade of new skin care products, new businesses such as medispas and doctors changing their specialties. Nowadays, these medical procedures — surgical and less invasive — are lumped under the term “medical aesthetics,” and an estimated 20 million procedures were performed worldwide in 2014–15. As a physician who has now shifted her attention to skin and medical aesthetics in recent years, Bellingham’s Dr. Tianna Tsitsis has had a close-up look at this trend and what it means for aging Americans. In her introductory column for the magazine, Dr. Tsitsis answers some fundamental questions about this emerging field:

WHAT IS MEDICAL AESTHETICS? Medical aesthetics is a term for specialties that focus on improving the appearance of aging skin through the treatment of conditions such as scars, skin laxity, wrinkles, moles, liver spots, excess fat, cellulite, unwanted hair, skin discoloration, and spider veins. Recently, body contouring, platelet-rich plasma treatments and vaginal rejuvenation have been added to the plethora of procedures included under this heading.

HISTORY OF MEDICAL AESTHETICS Medical spas, also known as medispas, started in the early 2000s and have increased dramatically in the past 10 years. The industry’s popularity has been driven by numerous factors: an aging population’s demand for appearance-enhancing procedures, an increasing number of physicians performing them, increased use of antiaging skin care products by younger generations, and the failure of over-the-counter cosmetic products producing results. Instead of surgical facelifts, less-invasive procedures to smooth wrinkles and tighten skin have come from technological improvements in laser and light procedures. Older people in the workforce want to look younger, but don’t want to take time off from their jobs.

WHO IS DOING THIS? For some, having work done lost its shame years ago. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, in 2014 more than 52 percent of people surveyed were considering some kind of aesthetic procedure, up 30 percent from just two years prior. In the U.S. alone, more than 15.5 million cosmetic, minimally invasive procedures were done in 2016, a 3 percent increase from the year before, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons survey. Not limited to women, there was a 25 percent increase in male aesthetic procedures performed between 2014–15, according to the ASPS. The ASPS estimates that $13.5 billion was spent on cosmetic procedures in the U.S. alone in 2015. With numerous websites like RealSelf.com, magazines like New Beauty and TV shows (Botched and Extreme Makeover), the industry has become part of the media culture. Not long ago, only plastic surgeons and dermatologists were trained appropriately. Now, doctors in other specialties such as internal medicine and family practice have been getting certified.

WHAT ARE THE POPULAR PROCEDURES BEING DONE TODAY? Per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 2016, the most popular surgical procedures remain breast augmentation, liposuction, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, and facelifts. Among non-surgical (hence noninvasive) procedures, Botox is the number one aesthetic procedure done in the world. This is followed closely by fillers, laser hair removal, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, photo facials and skin resurfacing. As stated above, platelet rich plasma treatments are becoming popular, especially since Kim Kardashian had a video done while she was having a facial using her own platelets. Laser vaginal rejuvenation is one of the fastest growing procedures now available because it offers a non-invasive option to those many women who are unhappy with their sexual function. In future articles, we will examine details regarding these and other popular treatments. Stay tuned.  Dr. Tianna Tsitsis is a triple-board-certified physician with a special interest in skin aesthetics. She opened RejuvenationMD in 2014. April 2018 41

WELLBEING Take a Hike

Take a Hike Lake Whatcom Trail WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY MELISSA MCCARTHY

ast of downtown Bellingham just over the Alabama Street hill unfolds sprawling Lake Whatcom — the city’s vast drinking water reservoir ringed by lakefront homes, parkland and an inviting 6.2 miles easy trek into the wilderness. As you arrive at the trailhead at the far side of the lake, urban Bellingham fades away, and Lake Whatcom Park beckons. On your left, a forested cliffside cascades upwards. Overhanging tree branches and endless ferns surround you in a sea of green. Every few hundred feet, a gurgling stream or waterfall cuts through the dense brush. To your right, the calm waters of Lake Whatcom stretch into the distance. The shoreline begins only steps from the trail and the routine lapping of water against the rocky shore creates a peaceful soundtrack as you venture deeper into Lake Whatcom Trail, also called Hertz Trail. It winds along against the shoreline for duration of the hike. The wide path and lack of elevation gain makes it great for a shortlegged companion, whether that be toddler or dachshund. On an overcast April day, you may have to dodge the occasional puddle but you may also have the trail to yourself. It tends to get quite busy during the summer months as it is popular for both families and mountain bikers. My favorite spot is about a mile in. A large waterfall runs alongside the trail, creating a stream that feeds into the lake. A wooden bridge crosses the stream and leads you further down the trail. Instead, I suggest continuing past the bridge. This will lead you to the water’s edge and a small beach lookout with expansive views and a bench to enjoy them. It’s a gorgeous little escape. After a stop here for a picnic or some rock skipping, you can return to the trail and meander along the water until just past the three-mile marker. At this point, the trail ends and you will head back the way you came. The trailhead is just outside of Bellingham, about 30 minutes from downtown. From the top of Alabama hill, take a left on North Shore Road and follow it along the coast of Lake Whatcom until the residential areas disappear behind you and you reach signs for Lake Whatcom Park.  Lake Whatcom Park 360.778.5850 | co.whatcom.wa.us

Quick Stats Length: 6.2 miles roundtrip Pass/fee: None

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Now What? Wherever you are in your nine-month miracle PeaceHealth can help you answer the question, now what. From pregnancy planning to obstetrics to childbirth, PeaceHealth wants to share in your excitement and keep you healthy for whatever comes next. PeaceHealth Medical Group-Whatcom 4465 Cordata Parkway, Suite C, Bellingham 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday n 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday

peacehealth.org/mother-and-baby

West Coast Harbor Towns

or those of us who spent time or grew up in the East, a West Coast road trip has this one, can’t-beat-it novelty: seeing the sun set over the ocean. The following five places — Gig Harbor; Oregon’s Astoria and Cannon Beach; California’s Arcata/ Eureka and Mendocino — are notable destinations for that reason and more. But getting there should be at least half the fun. Successful planning for a spring road trip has a few common elements. Consider them as you ponder the possibilities in a trip that includes any or all of these picturesque coastal towns from Washington to California:

2 3

The promise of warmer weather. Come on — you’ve earned it after one of the wettest Januarys on record. A visit to a place you’ve never been before.

Some history. Knowing that Gig Harbor was named for the small boat, or captain’s gig, that allowed explorers through the small entrance into the harbor’s wide basin in 1841 is just cool. Same goes for Eureka, from a Greek word meaning “vacuum.” Kidding. Actual meaning: “I have found it!” — from California’s gold rush era.

4 5

WRITTEN BY MERI-JO BORZILLERI AND KATE GALAMBOS

Knowing when to get off the interstate and follow the coastline.

A sense of freedom. A friend of mine once described this as the feeling you get when you’ve rested an elbow on the rolled-down window and felt the breeze puff up your shirtsleeve. That’s when he knew he was on a road trip.

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We picked these five places not only for the scenery, but for offerings in food, family fun, exploring, and shops. Put winter and some miles behind you. It’s a chance to see new things and think deep thoughts. A good road trip should provide opportunity for both.

t ground level, Astoria has its old-world-meets-newworld charms — remnants of its cannery history are embedded in brew pubs and sidewalk trash bins; its twice-rebuilt downtown is thriving after historically devastating fires, the old county jail has become an internationally visited film museum.

But to really see Astoria’s illustrious place in West Coast history, you have to get above it all, which we did when we climbed the 164-step spiral staircase inside the Astoria Column, a 125-foot-high steel and concrete tower built in 1926 that’s perched on a hill overlooking downtown. Far below the tower’s narrow observation deck, we took it all in: the massive, 4.1-mile-long Astoria-Megler Bridge connecting Washington with Oregon, and just beyond, the mouth of the Columbia River, finishing its 1,200-mile journey from British Columbia to the Pacific. That sweeping panorama on an oddly sunny October afternoon (Astoria is typically rainy in fall), encapsulated Astoria’s past and present. Founded in 1811 via an expedition funded by investor and fur trader John Jacob Astor, Astoria is the oldest European American settlement west of the Rockies, making it the granddaddy of all West Coast harbor towns. On a clear day from the

Astoria The Goonies Take Over the Town One of Astoria’s biggest tourist attractions — and most surprising, even to city officials — has nothing to do with maritime history. The old Clatsop County Jail, site of the opening scene in the movie “The Goonies,” has become a year-round shrine to fans of the movie. Now the jail is home to the Oregon Film Museum, celebrating more than 400 films shot in the state.

But “The Goonies,” a kids adventure movie involving preteens, some bad folks and a pirate’s treasure, is the star here. The museum and a house used in the movie drew 15,000 people from around the world for the flick’s 30th anniversary in 2015, and nearly as many for its 20th. Executive-produced by a young Steven Spielberg, the movie is a cultural touchstone for adults who

— MERI-JO BORZILLERI grew up in the 1980s. People have come to celebrate birthdays and honeymoons, said county historian Mac Burns, but also mark events more searing and personal — cancer remission, and lost siblings who were Goonies groupies. Visits have grown 20 percent each year, and “we don’t know if it’ll ever stop,” said Burns. “For (some), it’s a religious experience.” April 2018

column — wrapped in stunningly intricate artwork depicting the area’s founding history — you can look southwest to Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark ended their famed expedition. North of us and dominating the view, however, is the mighty Columbia, home to the notorious Columbia River Bar and “the Graveyard of the Pacific,” where, since 1800, an estimated 2,000 ships and 1,000 people have met their doom. Back on ground level, Astoria’s maritime history is everywhere you turn. We spent a few absorbing hours touring Flavel House Museum, the restored 19th century Queen Anne mansion of Captain George Flavel. Flavel, Astoria’s first millionaire, cornered the market on bar piloting, providing visiting ships with local know-how to navigate the treacherous, ever-shifting sandbar as they entered the Columbia River. Boats are everywhere, not just sliding past on the river. Walking along Marine Way, we saw a ship that doubled as a lighthouse, a

The Shopper CHARIOT SPIRIT + HOME

1421 Commercial St., Astoria In a city where local art and restoring old Victorian homes is a thing, this store is a great blend of houseware retailer and interior design studio. Go there to browse their inventory, but also to gather ideas for your next project. 46

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full-size pilot boat perched on blocks, a smaller boat with a window to order takeout fish-andchips, yet another filling the floorto-ceiling window at the world-class Columbia River Maritime Museum (a must-see), in an exhibit portraying a daring Coast Guard rescue. Stroll along Astoria’s six-mile paved riverwalk (take the trolley if it’s running) and see old buildings from the era when canneries, fisheries, and the lumber trade ruled. These days, they are transformed to shops, restaurants and brew pubs, but a workmanlike sensibility remains. “We’re gritty, not pretty,” is what locals like to say to show that Astoria (pop. 9,802) isn’t like other places that have abandoned their founding heritage to become gentrified tourist towns. Veer a few blocks south from the riverwalk to Astoria’s downtown, where the historic Hotel Elliott and restored Liberty Theater are worth a stop, along with eateries like the T. Paul’s Supper Club, boutiques and bookstores.

Past-era buildings dominate downtown, like the home of the Labor Temple Diner & Bar, many built no earlier than 1924. Downtown Astoria suffered two fires, catastrophic because it was built on wooden pilings over marshy ground. One, in 1883, destroyed nearly all of downtown, and another in 1922, wiped out 32 city blocks — Astoria’s entire business district. Mac Burns of the Clatsop County Historical Society points out Astoria is “really a river town, not a coastal town,” and he’s right. But tell that to the hundreds of sea lions that have overtaken the docks off one Port of Astoria pier. Our hotel nearby offered guests earplugs to muffle the sea lions’ “singing,” actually more like a cross between a guttural bark and a creaking door. The sound was a near-constant backdrop that followed us, even to the top of Astoria Column, where you could see history laid out before you.

— MERI-JO BORZILLERI

LUCY’S BOOKS

FINN WARE

Located downtown in the historic Liberty Theater building, Lucy’s has been around since 1998 and is a local favorite. Cozy and quaint, the bookstore also has helpful staff happy to help. Winner of the 2017 Coast Weekend Readers’ Choice award.

Also downtown, Finn Ware is a local institution and emblematic of Astoria’s large Finnish and Scandinavian population (check out the annual Midsummer Scandinavian Festival). Features are Scandinavian gifts, home décor, and Christmas all year-round.

348 12th St., Astoria

1116 Commercial St., Astoria

The Explorer

The Family

FLAVEL HOUSE MUSEUM

OREGON FILM MUSEUM

Built in 1885 for Captain George Flavel, the city’s first bar pilot and later, millionaire. Restored and furnished in late Victorian style, it is an interesting time capsule of when Astoria was booming. Has been a museum since 1951.

Homage to hundreds of films shot in Oregon. Enter the old cells in the former county jail building, where “The Goonies” opening jail break was filmed. Also try your director’s hand on replica movie sets of famous film scenes.

CATHEDRAL TREE TRAIL

COLUMBIA RIVER MARITIME MUSEUM

441 8th St., Astoria

732 Duane St., Astoria

28th and Irving, Astoria

1792 Marine Dr., Astoria

Near the Astoria Column, this hike is notable for its 300-year-old Sitka Spruce, and “Octopus Tree” that youngsters will enjoy. Hike is just a mile long, but visitors say the “up” back to the column, if you parked there, can be tougher than expected.

A must-see, with one of the West Coast’s most extensive maritime collections. Video and hands-on exhibits bring boating history to life, and includes a striking 44-foot Coast Guard rescue boat. Admission gets you onto the Columbia, the West Coast’s last lightship station, parked outside.

ASTORIA COLUMN

1 Coxcomb Dr., Astoria

The Foodie BRIDGEWATER BISTRO 20 Basin St., Astoria

Located in a renovated, 100-yearold cannery building on the water’s edge, it’s good for casual fare or fine dining with fresh, regional food. Their small plates are generous. If available, order the crab mac-ncheese and the pear cider.

LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK 92343 Fort Clatsop Rd., Astoria

Spanning two states — Washington and Oregon — the park commemorates the turnaround point of the nation’s most famous exploring duo. A replica of Fort Clatsop is popular. That’s where the Corps of Discovery spent a reputed miserable few months (it rained 94 of 106 days) in the winter of 1805-06 at the end of its journey. Check out the visitors and interpretive center.

It’s adorned with a stunning hand-painted spiral frieze depicting scenes from Astoria’s founding, with a view worth the 164-step climb of the (thankfully) indoor spiral staircase. Stunning panorama of ocean, city, mountains, and downtown Astoria. Get a (biodegradable) cardboard plane from the gift shop and launch it from above.

FORT GEORGE BREWERY AND PUBLIC HOUSE

BUOY BEER COMPANY 1 8th St., Astoria

1483 Duane St., Astoria

Named for their George (King George III), not ours, this downtown pub is built on the original settlement site of Fort Astoria. Best chop salad I’ve ever had — roasted corn; crispy bacon; and avocado chunks, not slices.

Housed in the former Bornstein Seafood cannery, this independent microbrewery has become the place to be. Good food and beer are a draw, as are big ships gliding past large windows. Oh, and you can see snoozing sea lions through a section of glass flooring.

April 2018

Gig Harbor K

The Shopper TICKLED PINK

3026 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor Pink doors welcome visitors to this well-loved gift shop in downtown Gig Harbor. The store specializes in jewelry, scarves, and handbags at affordable price points.

The Family HARBOR WILDWATCH PRIVATE BEACH TOUR 3207 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor

Join professional marine naturalists for a day spent exploring and learning about the unique ecosystems of the harbor. Tours are available June through August for $150 an hour. 48

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UPTOWN SHOPPING CENTER 4701 Point Fosdick Dr. NW, Gig Harbor

Just a few minutes from downtown, shoppers will find restaurants, the movie theater, and national local retailers. Popular shops include Chico’s, J. Jill, and Home Goods.

POINT DEFIANCE ZOO AND AQUARIUM 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma

Located just a quick 20 minutes east of Gig Harbor, the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium will awaken wonder in guests of all ages. Visit the Marine Discovery Center to touch a sea star or urchin, or if you’re brave enough, a stingray in the Stingray Cove.

Courtesy of the City of Gig Harbor

nown as one of the gateways to the Olympic Peninsula, Gig Harbor acts as a quaint jumping-off point for an explorer ready to dive into the Olympic National Park, or someone looking for a quiet getaway with a view. Unlike its peninsula neighbors, Port Townsend, and Port Angeles, Gig Harbor is easily accessible over the famous Tacoma Narrows Bridge, an attraction in itself. With light traffic, Seattle natives can reach the town in under an hour. For those further north, the drive is nearly a straight shot down Interstate 5. After arriving, guests will leave the hustle and bustle on the other end of the bridge. That is, if they make it across (see next page).

CHALET IN THE WOODS

9406 74th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor Situated on 12 acres of gardens and wooded grounds, the Chalet in the Woods is more than a quaint store, it is a destination. Visitors will find European clothing, accessories and small home goods along with the flock of Oxford sheep and lamb that roam the grounds.

GIG HARBOR GONDOLA

3117 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor Enjoy a ride on the only authentic Venetian gondola in the Pacific Northwest. This unique tour allows visitors to experience Gig Harbor from the water without getting even their toes wet under the shadow of Mount Rainier. Reservation can be made online, pricing depends on the number of riders.

THE TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE Tacoma/Gig Harbor

Tacoma Narrows Bridge: When the first bridge was opened in 1940, it was celebrated as an engineering feat — the third-longest suspension bridge in the world. Unfortunately, that title was soon changed to one of the greatest engineering failures in the world. The bridge, buffeted by high winds, famously collapsed into Puget Sound, with a movie camera capturing “Galloping Gertie” for posterity. Today, rebuilt and re-engineered, the bridge’s rich history and impressive structure make it a sight worth seeing.

The Explorer KAYAK OR STAND-UP PADDLE BOARD THE HARBOR Grab a paddle and prepare to get a little sea spray. Locals say the best way to experience Gig Harbor is from the water itself. Downtown Gig Harbor has numerous gear rental retailers where visitors can rent kayaks, paddle boards, or canoes.

The Foodie THAI HUT

4116 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor Looking for a different way to enjoy all the seafood? Thai Hut in downtown Gig Harbor has a reputation for authenticity and quality. Enjoy Thai-inspired dishes like garlic or ginger salmon, and prawns karee.

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

HARBOR HISTORY MUSEUM

Start one of your days early and trade the seashore for the rainforest. The east end of Olympic National Park can be reached in a little less than two hours from Gig Harbor and is more than worth the drive. Popular east-side hikes include Copper Creek, Mount Washington, and Hoodsport Trail. Be sure to pack your rain jacket.

Opened in 1964 by the Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society, the museum’s mission is to educate visitors on the rich history of the harbor and the surrounding region. The museum includes an 1893 fully restored one-room school house, a 65-foot-fishing vessel under restoration, and 7,000 square feet of exhibition space.

TIDES TAVERN

DEVOTED KISS CAFE

This 21-and-over restaurant and bar has an appealing menu full of seafood classics and an even more appealing location. Constructed in 1910, the building that now houses the restaurant was once the area general store located next to the only public ferry landing referred to as the “People’s Dock.”

To grab breakfast or lunch without missing a minute of ocean views, visit the Devoted Kiss Cafe. Breakfast is served until 3 p.m. and offers a variety of options from pastries, to quiche, to eggs Benedict served with housemade hollandaise sauce.

Hoodsport, Washington

4121 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor

2925 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor

8809 North Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor

April 2018

cannon beach T

he wide, sandy beaches draw Pacific Northwest residents down to Cannon Beach, Oregon and away from the rocky shores of the Puget Sound. Iconic Haystack Rock towers 235 feet above the sea and is unlike any geological formation in the region. The beach landscape draws people in initially, but the laid-back atmosphere of the town keeps tourists coming back season after season. The most notable “tourist” was William Clark, of Lewis & Clark fame, who explored the area in the early 1800s as part of the historic expedition. The group apparently camped about 20 miles north of the beach and Clark explored the Cannon Beach region, later named Clark’s View Point, now part of Ecola State Park.

The Shopper CLEANLINE SURF

171 Sunset Blvd., Cannon Beach Cleanline Surf should be a destination for visitors looking to rent or purchase water sport equipment. Customers will find gear for surfing, kayaking, stand-up-paddle boarding, and kite boarding.

The Family COASTER THEATER PLAYHOUSE 108 N. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach This nonprofit theater has been entertaining residents and visitors of Cannon Beach since 1972. Each year, Coaster Theatre Playhouse produces five plays and two musicals.

BellinghamAlive.com | West Coast Harbors

CANNON BEACH BOOK CO.

DENA’S SHOP ON THE CORNER

The quaint bookstore has historic and current literature, a large selection of mystery, and stories to spark the imagination of any child. Along with books, customers can also find greeting cards and art supplies.

This contemporary women’s clothing store specializes in European as well as locally made apparel. Shoppers will find casual items perfect for the beach along with timeless styles that can transition away from the seashore.

WHALE WATCHING

EXPLORING TIDEPOOLS

130 N. Hemlock, Cannon Beach

Catch a glimpse of the massive gray whales as they migrate through the Oregon coast waters twice a year on their way to and from breeding grounds further south. While guided tours are available, any walk along the beach can turn into a successful scouting mission with a little patience.

123 S. Hemlock, Cannon Beach

Pacific City

The Oregon coast has some of the best beaches for tidepools. Haystack Rock is noted as the number one destination at low tide to seek out these miniature marine worlds. An hour-and-ahalf south of Cannon Beach, Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is another tidepool destination.

DRIFTWOOD RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE 179 N. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach

A local favorite for more than 70 years, the Driftwood has a warm and cozy feel with no-fluff food. The more upscale menu includes entrees like filet mignon, Dungeness crab casserole, and halibut.

The Foodie NEWMANS AT 988

988 S. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach The French Italian cuisine is tasteful and light. The finedining atmosphere elevates the experience. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during tourist season.

The Explorer HAYSTACK ROCK One of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Oregon, Haystack Rock rises 235 feet above the sea. The scenic beaches home to Haystack Rock are easily accessed from town and offer four miles of sandy beach to explore.

TOM’S FISH AND CHIPS

LAZY SUSAN CAFE

This back-to-basics fish and chips restaurant keeps true to its name. While the menu may seem limited, each basket, burger, and salad is well crafted and reasonably priced. Choose from prawns, salmon, halibut, or chicken tenders to accompany your chips.

For the first meal of the day, try the family-owned Lazy Susan Cafe. The cafe includes classic dishes with a touch of the seashore. Items like the shrimp scatter omelet and the tuna apple hazelnut salad or the Mediterranean seafood stew.

ECOLA STATE PARK

TILLAMOOK CHEESE FACTORY

Offering nine miles of coastline connecting Seaside with Cannon Beach, a visit to Ecola State Park is a must. Clatsop Interpretive Loop Trail is just a brief 2.5-mile journey that follows a part of the historic path of Lewis and Clark.

Just an hour south of Cannon Beach lies the town of Tillamook, home to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. The factory has a popular visitors’ center with all you need to know about dairy along with a shop to pick up fresh cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and butter.

240 N. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach

84318 Ecola Park Rd., Cannon Beach

126 N. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach

4175 Highway 101, Tillamook

April 2018

BellinghamAlive.com | West Coast Harbors

ECOLA STATE PARK

HAYSTACK ROCK

the paciFic ocean 8

SALEM

Oregon

CANNON PORTLAND BEACH

SADDLE MT.

MT. RAINIER

TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE

SEATTLE

Washington

I-5

NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK

GIG HARBOR

ASTORIA

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

BELLINGHAM

April 2018

12 Alcatraz Island, San Francisco 13 Point Cabrillo, Mendocino 14 Point Arena, Mendocino County 15 Point Bonita, San Francisco 16 Cape Mendocino, Ferndale 17 Humboldt Harbor, Eureka

CALIFORNIA

9 Heceta Head, Florence 10 Tillamook Rock, Cannon Beach 11 Cleft of the Rock, Yachats

OREGON

1 Point No Point, Kitsap Peninsula 2 Admiralty Head, Coupeville 3 Lime Kiln, Friday Harbor 4 Burrows Island, Anacortes 5 New Dungeness, Sequim 6 Grays Harbor, Westport 7 North Head, Ilwaco 8 Cape Disapppointment, Ilwaco

WASHINGTON

Lighthouse key 16

I-5

SAN JOSE

CaliFornia

MENDOCINO

LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK

MT. SHASTA

JUG HANDLE STATE NATURAL RESERVE

GLASS BEACH

THE GIANT TREE

EUREKA & ARCATA

REDWOOD NATIONAL & STATE PARKS

GREATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

eureka & Arcata E

ureka sits in the land of giants. In three directions, visitors can find well-conserved old growth redwoods. To the south, check out Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Head east for Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and north for Redwood National and State Parks. Visitors can’t go wrong. Not that enthusiastic about trees? Eureka is also a destination for water sports like surfing, kayaking, and standup paddle boarding. Its old town area features Victorian homes.

The Family VISIT THE “GIANT TREE”

Humboldt Redwoods State Park This tree, located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, has been deemed the “best in show” when it comes to enormous trees in northern California. While not technically the tallest, it is potentially the world’s largest tree in terms of overall mass.

MAD RIVER COUNTY PARK 1 Mad River Rd., Arcata

While the Pacific coast is a bit more intimidating this far north in California, it still is a perfect place for a picnic. Mad River County Park is just a few minutes from Arcata and offers gorgeous views, impressive dunes, and boat access. 54

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The Foodie CATCH A HUMBOLDT CRABS GAME Arcata Ball Park

If you’re lucky enough to visit the coast in the summer, add a Humboldt Crabs collegiate summer baseball game to the itinerary. The season runs June through August.

ARCATA COMMUNITY POOL 1150 16th St., Arcata

This public pool is open yearround and offers options for youth visitors as well as their parental partners. Guests will find 25-yard lap lanes, shallow area ranging from 2.5-4 feet, Arcata’s only water slide, and a patio hot tub.

BAYFRONT ONE RESTAURANT 1 F St., Eureka

The bayside restaurant specializes in Italian and Japanese cuisine. Skeptical visitors will be pleasantly surprised by high-quality dishes in both styles.

LOST COAST BREWERY AND CAFE 617 4th St., Eureka

Eureka isn’t short on brew pubs, however, Lost Coast is a visitor favorite. Grab a refreshing brew and pick from the restaurant’s long list of pub burgers and sandwiches.

The Explorer BIG BLUE CAFE

HIKE IN THE REDWOOD NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS

Located in neighboring Arcata, this cafe specializes in organic, fresh plates with plenty of vegetarian options. Open for breakfast and lunch.

A trip to Eureka or Arcata cannot be complete without a least a hike or two in the national park that made the county famous. Trail difficulty varies from wheelchair accessible to very strenuous.

846 G St., Arcata

RESTAURANT 301 301 L St., Eureka

The chefs are committed to a garden-to-table philosophy and work hard to incorporate the best ingredients of Humboldt County in their menu.

TAKE A SCENIC DRIVING TOUR Highway 299, Arcata

The coast is far from the only good view in the Humboldt County region, so be sure to set aside an afternoon to explore with the help of four wheels. Take the Trinity River National Scenic Byway east just outside of Arcata.

MORRIS GRAVES MUSEUM OF ART 636 F St., Eureka

This museum is housed in one of Eureka’s most famous historic buildings, the old Carnegie Library, built in 1901. Since the Humboldt Arts Council began restoration in the 1990s, the building has been transformed into a space that supports and shows off local artist talent.

KAYAK THE BIG LAGOON Apart from the ocean, Humboldt County is home to numerous bodies of water just waiting to be explored. Tour the Big Lagoon with Pacific Outfitters Adventures or just rent the gear and go. April 2018

mendocino M

endocino is the upscale sister of quirky Eureka. Located nearly 150 miles south of Eureka, Mendocino offers guests a gateway to wine country, in addition to the endless ocean activities of the northern California coast. The small town is known for its impressive rugged coastline that is filled with trails just waiting to be explored. With a mild climate, low 60s in the summer and rarely frost in the winter, visitors can have a successful trip nearly year-round. However, the water is more appealing with a bit of sun for company.

The Shopper BIG RIVER TRADING COMPANY 45040 Main St., Mendocino

This charming shop offers eclectic gift items, like cards, jewelry, and small clothing items.

The Family FARM STAY

Mendocino County Mendocino County is home to a number of organic farms that offer guest spaces like Campovida, Emandal, and Howard Creek Ranch and Inn. Each offers a serene atmosphere for a relaxing stay in a beautiful location. 56

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GLASS FIRE GALLERY

18320 N. Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg Visitors can do more than shop — they can watch beautiful pieces of art being created in the on-site studio. The glass studio specializes in unique lighting fixtures that easily become focal points in any home.

JUG HANDLE STATE NATURAL RESERVE Hwy. 1, Caspar

Known as the “locals’” beach, it is located at the foot of Ecological Staircase Trail, taking visitors back in time. On the beach, visitors are in present day. Climb to the bluff top and one has traveled back in time 100,000 years. Each terrace is about 100,000 years older.

MENDOCINO JAMS AND PRESERVES 440 Main St., Mendocino

Mendocino Jams and Preserves is a local favorite and offers visitors easy take-home gifts. The shop also has a variety of dessert sauces, chutneys, and nut butters.

B. BRYAN PRESERVE

130 Riverside Dr., Point Arena Take a trip to the African plains just a few miles from Mendocino at the B. Bryan Preserve. The preserve has been specializing in breeding hoofed African animals for more than a decade. Families can take an hour-long tour of the preserve for $35 per adult and $20 per child under the age of 10.

VISIT GLASS BEACH

Elm St./Old Haul Rd., Fort Bragg Located in nearby Fort Bragg, Glass Beach has become a major tourist attraction in recent years. What once was the town dump has become a stretch of three beaches covered in tiny, weathered glass pieces.

The Explorer BIKE THE COASTLINE Elm St., Fort Bragg

Rent a set of wheels in Mendocino or Fort Bragg and see the newly opened Noyo Headlands Park Fort Bragg Coastal Trail on the back of your bike. The trail hugs the rugged coastline for 4.5 miles.

The Foodie GOODLIFE BAKERY AND CAFE 10483 Lansing St., Mendocino

For a morning jolt, stop into the Good Life Bakery and Cafe. The small cafe is located right in town, making it an easy walk from your hotel or guest house.

KAYAK THE CAVES

THE GUEST HOUSE MUSEUM

Join the harbor seals from the seat of your ocean kayak during a 1½-hour-long sea cave tour with Kayak Mendocino tour group. The group also offers stand-up paddle board tours to explore the sea with twice the workout.

This museum is cared for and owned by the Fort BraggMendocino Coast Historical Society and tells the varied history of the region. Located in what was once the Fort Bragg Redwood Co.’s owner’s residence, the home was built in fine, old-growth redwood.

Van Damme Beach State Park Hwy. 1, Little River

343 N. Main St., Fort Bragg

CAFE BEAUJOLAIS

offers high end French inspired plates with uninterrupted views of the ocean.

961 Ukiah St., Mendocino This quaint cafe delivers on flavor and charm. The cafe is in an 1893 Victorian farmhouse surrounded by a large, beautiful garden.

CULTURED AFFAIR CAFE 45104 Main St., Mendocino

The Cultured Affair Cafe is a good stop for lunch or a sweet snack. The restaurant serves soups, sandwiches, and soft-serve yogurt.

5200 RESTAURANT

5200 N. Hwy 1, Little River Housed in The Heritage House Resort and Spa, 5200 Restaurant

April 2018

LIGHTH Written by Meri-Jo Borzilleri, Kurt F. Anders, Melissa McCarthy, and Nick Jenner

f not for the California gold rush, the construction of the first lighthouses on the West Coast would have been far less urgent. The “original eight” — seven on the California coast, one at the mouth of the Columbia River, began sentry duty in the mid-1800s, not long after gold was discovered in 1849 at Sutter’s Mill, an event that triggered a huge influx of fortune-seekers flocking to the coast by land and boat. Those coming by boat had to navigate fog, rugged coastlines and treacherous tides of northern California and farther up the coast. The need was pressing. In the 300 years preceding the gold rush, 44 ships sank along the West Coast. In the 10 years from 1850 to 1860, 133 ships sank between San Diego and Washington’s Cape Flattery, killing dozens of passengers and losing tons of supplies and millions in gold, according to the book “Lighthouses of the Pacific Coast.” Alcatraz Island’s was the first of the eight lit, in 1854, and Washington’s Cape Disappointment the last, in 1856, more than three decades before Washington became a state. In fact, lighthouses have been around longer than even these United States. The first, Boston Light, was built in 1716 on a

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small rock outcropping at the entrance of Boston Harbor, where it overlooked a historic tea party, and initially had a signal powered by candles. Rebuilt after being blown up in the Revolutionary War, Boston Light celebrated its 300th birthday two years ago. On the opposite coast, the early going was rough for West’s original eight, built by the federal government and advised by a newly established Lighthouse Board. Two California lighthouses had to be rebuilt because the lenses, upon arrival, wound up too big to fit inside. Cape Disappointment’s construction was delayed by years when the ship carrying construction materials sank within miles of its destination. All eight were built on the East Coast’s Cape Cod cottage model. But some of their signals, like southern California’s Point Loma light, were swallowed up by notorious West Coast fog, prompting the light to be moved to lower ground. In Washington today, 26 lighthouses dot the coast and inland waterways. Most are still active, with a light that shines, but automation has changed the lightkeeper’s role to one mostly of weather reporting for boats and planes and assisting any troubled craft. »

Heceta Head Lighthouse, Florence, Oregon

HOUSES

April 2018 59

» Throughout history, lighthouses — and their

keepers — have played roles beyond navigation. Some lighthouse keepers, for instance, have saved lives with heroic rescues at sea. In Washington in 1911, John M. Cowan, longtime keeper at Cape Flattery, saw a boat in trouble during a storm and set out with his 21-year-old son, Forest, to assist. Cowan was able to rescue two Navy radio men, but three others were lost, including his son. No one can top Rhode Island lightkeeper Ida Wilson Lewis, who saved at least 13 lives, starting as a 12-yearold in 1854 when she rescued four men who had overturned a small sailboat, according to a National Archives story. Fifteen years later, she became a national heroine when she kept two military men from a nearby fort from drowning in a squall. She was nicknamed “the Bravest Woman in America,” and made the cover of Harper’s Weekly magazine for her multiple exploits. Throughout her life, Lewis continued to pluck people from the sea and was awarded a congressional medal, among other citations. Her last recorded rescue came at age 63, when she rowed out to save a friend who was visiting and had toppled from her boat. After her death in 1911 at age 69, Newport, R.I.’s Lime Rock Lighthouse, where Lewis spent most of her life, was renamed in her honor, later becoming the clubhouse for the Ida Lewis Yacht Club. In wartime, Washington lighthouses played a role. Lighthouses at Admiralty Head, Point Wilson, and Marrowstone Point were aligned with the “Triangle of Fire” forts near them Fort Casey, Fort Warden, and Fort Flagler, respectively — as the forts defended against enemy vessels entering Puget Sound. During World War II, a deactivated Admiralty Head Lighthouse, at Fort Casey on Whidbey Island, was reactivated, painted drab olive, and used as barracks for the Army’s K9 corps. The corps patrolled the fort and beaches at night, according to lighthousefriends.com. The Cape Disappointment lighthouse, at the entrance to the Columbia River, found itself uncomfortably close to the action during the Civil War, when the noise from Fort Canby’s large artillery broke windows. In World War II, Fort Canby drew shellfire from Japanese submarines that had surfaced nearby. Things are much quieter these days. Many have been restored or maintained through public and private foundations, transformed into museums, historical sites, and even lodging for tourists (see p. 64). Advances in technology meant lighthouses have outlived their original purpose, but not their current one. They continue to occupy a unique place in our history, capturing the imagination of history buffs, tourists and engineers, who marvel at the centuriespast challenges met in building a remote structure that can withstand some of nature’s fiercest storms. Decade after decade, they light, and live on. ▪ — Meri-Jo Borzilleri

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Admiralty Head COUPEVILLE

Lime Kiln FRIDAY HARBOR

hen you’re looking at compiling a list of top lighthouses, why not ask the guy who has visited more than 1,500 of them? Kraig Anderson, a San Diego engineer and founder for the website lighthousefriends.com, has traveled to the more than 800 lighthouses in the U.S., and most of those in Canada, since he was first bitten by the bug in 1996, when, during a business trip, he saw a lighthouse near Kitty Hawk, N.C. He is currently at work compiling a list of American lightkeepers.

Cape Disappointment ILWACO

BEST WASHINGTON LIGHTHOUSES TO VISIT

Admiralty Head, Coupeville

Built in Spanish style, with stucco over brick, there’s no lighthouse like it in the U.S., says Anderson. The setting is spectacular, on the grounds of Fort Casey and looking over Admiralty Inlet.

Grays Harbor, Westport

Tallest lighthouse in the state, and you can climb the stairs inside. Classic architecture, and a Fresnel lens — the spectacular, multi-faceted lenses formerly used by lighthouses to throw light great distances — can be seen there.

Cape Flattery, Neah Bay

On the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, it’s one of the most remote lighthouses in the state. But you can hike nearby and see it from the shore. Or charter a plane, like Anderson did, and take photos from above.

New Dungeness, Sequim

At the end of a six-mile-long sand spit in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, it’s a long hike to get there — but you’ll be walking in the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge, which the lighthouse is now part of. Anderson kayaked to the lighthouse, dealing with some tricky tides. “Getting to a lighthouse is part of the appeal,” he says.

Lime Kiln, Friday Harbor

This picturesque lighthouse perched on solid rock overlooking the entrance to Haro Strait, a great spot for whale-watching and studying — scientists based there record the travel and behavior of orca whales.

Burrows Island, Anacortes

It’s the oldest, mostly intact wooden lighthouse in the state. Rocks and rugged territory — plus the fact it’s an island, located in the San Juans — make this a tough one to visit. Anderson kayaked out, and said you can make the difficult hike up to the lighthouse. Or, take the easy route and just get a distant view of it from the ferry. A fundraising effort is underway to renovate the lighthouse. ▪ — Meri-Jo Borzilleri April 2018 61

LIGHTHOUSE

WEDDING DESTINATIONS

Lime Kiln, Friday Harbor

Boasting gorgeous views of the surrounding San Juan Islands, this lighthouse sits mere paces from the coast of Friday Harbor. As one of the most popular whale watching spots in the Puget Sound, you might even have a few marine guests attend your nuptials.

Alki Point, Seattle

Legend has it that the first “lighthouse” on Alki Point was a kerosene lantern hung from the side of a farmer’s barn. More than a century later, a light still burns atop its octagonal tower. With panoramic views of the sound, the Space Needle and Mount Rainier, few lighthouses illuminate so much of the Northwest at once.

Heceta Head, Florence, OR

Nestled into a cliffside of the Oregon coast, it is said to be the most photographed lighthouse in the United States. Its white walls and red roofs, along with the caretaker’s quarters next door, are surrounded by nothing but forest. This secluded space is perfect for the couple looking for a venue off the beaten path.

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Point Bonita, Sausalito, CA

Accessible only by a thin, white suspension bridge, Point Bonita Lighthouse sits upon a peninsula of stone. More like a giant light bulb than a house, Point Bonita looks out over flanking, sunlit coastlines and a seemingly endless expanse of ocean. No solitary point is better for forming a union.

Pigeon Point, Pescadero, CA

A tall white pillar punctuates a line of white houses and matching picket fence. Pigeon Point Lighthouse is surrounded by scattered cliffs, fresh blankets of grass, tropical beaches and rustic docks stretching to the sea. If it weren’t for the sunsets, you’d wish your day there would never end. ▪ — Melissa McCarthy & Nick Jenner

Lighthouse-keeping was at the ground floor of gender equality. Working in a lighthouse was one of the first jobs available to women, although they typically only made half the wages that men did.

The tallest lighthouse in America staggers overhead at a whopping 193 feet above ground. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is located in Buxton, North Carolina, and was built in 1871.

Before electricity, candles or lanterns were used to light a lighthouse. Oftentimes, whale oil was used as fuel for the lanterns.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton, North Carolina

The newest lighthouse built by the federal government has all the amenities of modern living. South Carolina's Charleston Lighthouse, activated in 1962, features both an elevator and air-conditioning.

In the late 1800s, lighthouse keepers implemented a dress code. They had a uniform of a navy-blue, double-breasted jacket, matching trousers, and a snappy marine-style cap.

Today, lighthouse keepers are not required as they once were. All but one lighthouse in the United States is automated. The Boston Light is the only lighthouse with an official keeper, largely honorific. (Many lighthouses still have unofficial keepers that act as caretakers or tour guides for the grounds.).

There are approximately 18,600 lighthouses across the globe. Fewer than 1,000 of those are within the United States.

The first lighthouse known to man was in Egypt. The Pharos of Alexandria was built in 300 BC and is considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. ▪ — Melissa McCarthy

FUN FACTS

You might think a coastal state would have the most lighthouses in the U.S. Think again: the central state of Michigan takes the title. Its shoreline, spanning 3,000 miles along the Great Lakes, is home to 124 different lighthouses.

LIGHTHOUSE

April 2018 63

LIVING THE LIGHTHOUSE WAY Washington state offers a variety of unusual lodging opportunities, from railroad cabooses to tree houses. But how about something that has been shining brightly for more than 120 years?

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world go by, there was more than enough to keep my attention — from the beautiful Cascade mountains to the busy maritime traffic just off the nearby point. All in all, I found my first lighthouse stay to be quite enjoyable and I look forward to planning more of them in the near-future, especially at Point No Point, where the light has been shining brightly for more than 135 years. Reservations for Point No Point can be made by calling 415.362.7255 or email lighthouse@uslhs. org. Generally, you will need to make arrangements several months or more in advance because nights fill up quickly. Flexibilit y is the key here and I highly recommend choosing an off-season stay to beat the summer rush. The U.S. Lighthouse Society operates the lighthouse keeper’s residence at Point No Point and their national headquarters are right next door. You will find them to be an invaluable resource when it comes to locating the right lighthouse stay for you and your family whether it is in Washington state or around the country. See uslhs.org. Here’s wishing you all the best in living the lighthouse way. ▪ — KURT F. ANDERS

Point No Point Lighthouse, Kitsap Peninsula

number of Washington’s most historic and strategic lighthouses from Puget Sound to the Pacific Coast offer lodging in former lighthouse keeper residences that are jam-packed with the memories of their past occupants as far back as the mid-1800s. When I was deciding on my first lighthouse stay, I wanted a location that featured a nice beach, great scenic views and plenty of maritime traffic to satisfy my curiosity. Without too much searching, I found an ideal point of land that offered exactly what I was looking for: The Point No Point Lighthouse on the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula near Hansville. I didn’t know quite what to expect as far as the lighthouse keeper’s residence was concerned. But I was pleasantly surprised when I walked through the door and discovered a welcoming space that had stood the test of time for more than a century. After spending a long day exploring the lighthouse grounds I appreciated the overall peace and quiet of this remote location that was just the ticket for a perfect night’s sleep. The first floor of this historic residence consists of a living room, formal dining room, complete kitchen and breakfast nook, while the second-floor features two bedrooms, a bathroom and small library. Each window in the home presents its own perspective on the world outside, especially the lighthouse to the east that can be seen from every room on the first floor. Besides the first-class accommodations, I also appreciated the fact that everything I wanted to see and do was only a few steps away from my front door. And if I just wanted to sit on the porch and let the

WEST COAST LIGHTHOUSE STAYS WASHINGTON

OREGON

Browns Point, Tacoma

Heceta Head, Florence

North Head, Ilwaco

CALIFORNIA

Breathtaking views of Mount Rainier as well as downtown Tacoma and Commencement Bay can be had as you give tours of the surrounding lighthouse grounds.

Enjoy commanding views of the Pacific Ocean from one of the highest points on the Long Beach Peninsula.

New Dungeness, Sequim

Stay and be a lighthouse keeper for the week on one of Washington’s longest spits.

Point Robinson, Vashon

Have a great day at the beach while ocean-going ships and orca whales pass by on South Puget Sound.

Perched on a cliff over the Pacific Ocean west of Eugene, this spacious six-room bed-and-breakfast is known for its spectacular seven-course breakfasts.

East Brother Island, Richmond

A wonderful bed and breakfast on a tiny island just 30 minutes from San Francisco that includes not only a great stay and breakfast, but a gourmet dinner, too.

Point Arena, Mendocino County Offers the best variety of lighthouse lodgings on the West Coast.

Point Cabrillo, Mendocino

One of the nicest lighthouse grounds in northern California, with great ocean views in every direction. ▪

Point Arena Lighthouse, Mendocino County

— KURT F. ANDERS

April 2018 65

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HABITAT Home Remodel Tips and Tricks · Featured Home

So, You Want a Pond? WRITTEN BY MARY VERMILLION PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEN SALZMAN

o, you’ve decided you want to build a water feature in your back yard? That’s a wonderful idea. A pond draws hummingbirds, songbirds, and butterflies. The trickling sound of a stream is soothing as is watching colorful goldfish or koi swim lazy laps. Water lilies in full summertime bloom are stunning. You’re already imagining perfect pond-side summer garden parties. That vision is possible, if you avoid mistakes commonly made when gardeners swap sod for water. … continued on next page

… WHY DO YOU WANT A POND? This is the most important question of all: Why? Are you interested in having fish? How about plants? Do you dream of hearing water and a treefrog chorus through your open bedroom window? The answers will define your pond, help design it, and determine placement. For instance, if you want goldfish or koi, you’ll need a deeper hole. A waterfall or stream — commonly called pondless water features — may be a better choice if you crave the sound of water without the responsibility of owning fish. Choose a location that gets at least a few hours of sunlight a day. One tip: Avoid spots directly under trees or you’ll be scooping leaves or needles on a regular basis.

DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME Determine your budget, then buy quality material. Plan and then dig a hole and line it with durable pond liner, which stands up to UV rays. Using pond liner vs. a pre-formed plastic pond allows more flexibility. Liner also lasts longer. Resist the urge to turn that old hot tub into an in-ground koi pond. Don’t cut corners. It only leads to future headaches.

also help to control algae growth by providing shade and removing nutrients algae need to thrive. There are two types of algae — string and microscopic. String algae mats on pond edges like a fraying neon green sweater. Check your pump to clear it of string algae. Microscopic algae is invisible to the eye but obvious when your crystal-clear pond suddenly looks like pea soup. Both are unsightly, but they don’t cause damage to plants or fish. You can control algae with various products. Or learn to accept it. Aquatic plants are loosely grouped into three categories — submerged, floating, and marginal (ones that grow on the edge of ponds in moist soil.) Water lilies and water hawthorn are two popular examples of submerged plants. Floating plants such as water lettuce and water hyacinth work well. Marginals include grasses and iris. Start with a few plants, mixing by placement, height, and seasonal bloom. Consider sunlight and water movement when choosing plants. Water lilies, for instance, need at least six hours of direct sun to prosper and prefer calm water.

HELLO, HERON ADD FISH AND PLANTS FOR INTEREST Start with goldfish rather than koi. They are less expensive — which helps to ease the blow of hungry heron (see below) — yet varieties such as shubunkin goldfish can be just as showy as their more glamourous cousin, koi. To keep fish and plants healthy, watch your water quality, checking for pH, phosphates, nitrites and ammonia. Plants soften and naturalize constructed water features and play a vital role in establishing a balanced ecosystem. Fish and water plants are perfect partners. Water plants consume fish waste, pulling nitrogen and ammonia out of the water. In return, they provide shelter for the fish. Water plants 68

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Your new pond is likely to attract critters that aren’t as welcome as goldfinches and treefrogs. Depending on where you live, expect to see heron, kingfisher, raccoons, or otter. They’re capable of hauling out small and large fish and wreaking havoc on water plants. Tips: Net your pond in the fall and winter. Install a motion-activated water spray system for other times of year. Develop patience. Ponds add tranquility to a garden. Successful pond owners learn to transfer that Zen-like state of mind to water gardening itself.  Mary Vermillion is co-owner of Mud Pond Koi

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Updating with Charm and Style Room by Room WRITTEN BY JENNIFER RYAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY DEBBIE SCHWAB PHOTOGRAPHY

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hen you find the perfect house — it’s got a beautiful view, a great lot, lots of space for three growing girls, and in the desired location — but it’s lacking charm and style, what do you do? This is what my some of my interiordecorator clients purchased last year. Right away they knew they wanted to make some changes. But they were unsure of what to do and how to pull it all together in a cohesive way. This is where I came in. At first glance, the biggest issue was era. Many houses built around the year 2000 have a few common denominators, mainly oak trim, oak cabinets, laminate, and lots of beige carpet. A couple of other obvious items to be addressed were wall colors, the fireplace, and the den/dining room area. The nice thing about a project like this is that fixes are mostly cosmetic. The new dining room, which had been used as an office, was the first change. We were able to replace and trim out the wall so that the new dining space now has a more open feel, and we gained a view. A closet in this room was sized down and a custom dining hutch built to fit the space. Homeowners tackled the floors, demolishing the old carpet and kitchen tile. We replaced the entire main living spaces (with the exception of the bedrooms and hall bath) with engineered hardwood that would hold up much better than carpet with children, a dog and two cats. This also

Remodel

HABITAT

gave the living/dining/kitchen a bigger feel, with the ﬂooring one solid plane. The living room is open to the kitchen so we decided to paint everything a soft gray. Next was the decision about trim. Simple shaker style was the winner, but natural? Or white? Homeowners chose white to brighten the space. The ﬁreplace hearth was removed and resurfaced with a large metallic gray tile. The old laundry room off the garage was moved downstairs and cubbies and cabinets were built to create a workable mudroom. The kitchen had the most visible changes. The raised eating bar was removed from the island and a recycled glass solid surface counter was installed throughout, with undermount sinks and new faucets. The homeowners purchased black stainless appliances that included a new hood vent, which replaced the old vented under-cabinet microwave. A modern glass subway tile replaced the old laminate backsplash. We kept the cabinet boxes and painted them dark gray while my cabinet maker installed a new bank of upper cabinets above the existing to reach to the ceiling, as well as new soft-close doors and drawers. We also removed the curved corner shelves. The result? This house went from an outdated home with good bones to a much more contemporary space that will stand the test of time.  Regular contributor Jennifer Ryan is the owner of Jennifer Ryan Design in Bellingham (jenniferryandesign.com)

April 2018 71

DINE

8 Great Tastes · Dining Guide · Mixing Tin · Sip

French Fundamentals in an English-Style Pub The Oyster & Thistle Restaurant & Pub WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY CATHERINE TORRES

ff La Conner’s main drag and up a hill sits The Oyster & Thistle Restaurant & Pub. Originally a hotel and restaurant (and for a year a barbershop), it was designed in 1976 by architect Glen Bartlett in an English country theme. Going for authenticity, Bartlett salvaged stained glass from a London building that was about to be demolished and installed it in the restaurant windows. Thomas and Danielle Palmer bought the restaurant in 1991 after both worked in the food industry, including a stint at the now closed Oyster Creek Inn near Taylor Shellfish Farms. Having owned four … continued on next page

…

… restaurants at the time without the intention of leaving Seattle, they sold Oyster & Thistle in 2001, only to purchase it again four years ago. We’re glad the Palmers decided to return, bringing their talents and passion for good food and drink back to our neck of the woods. The restaurant is up a slight incline from downtown La Conner, but worth the short walk. It’s a two-floor layout with a white tableclothed restaurant upstairs and a cozy pub on the lower level. The restaurant seating area, with its fresh cut flowers and beautiful stained-glass windows, is comfortable for a leisurely lunch, but also sets the tone for a special night out. Seating in the pub is come-as-you-are, and intimate. A group of friends can easily spend a few hours in the grouping of leather chairs, or huddled around drinks in a corner booth. Vintage 74

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French posters and black-and-white photographs decorate the walls, while candles in glass votives add soft lighting and atmosphere. Customers eat well-executed, elevated dishes here. It’s not pretentious, it’s just excellent food prepared with care. Palmer explained their fresh-to-finish mentality with a focus on classical French cooking techniques using local ingredients: “When you respect food and prepare it with French fundamentals, you’re able to do so much.” Just take a look at their pub menu: Shepard’s Pie made with braised lamb and a fluffy potato topping. It’s the comfortable Shepard’s Pie we know and love, but each ingredient is braised, sautéed, and baked accordingly, which elevates the classic pub meal. Oyster & Thistle takes the time to prepare food with care. Their pastas

are handmade using semolina flour and an egg-rich dough. They are also hand-cranked. The zesty Caesar salad dressing is made with raw egg, the way it’s supposed to be. The crisp romaine salad is garnished with a single fresh anchovy and, if you like, a flurry of grated parmesan. Their paella also contains a surprising ingredient: escargot. It’s a “pure protein that takes on whatever seasonings are present in a dish,” explained the chef. His supplier is a Denver chef, the sole importer in America for wild Burgundy escargot. Danielle, a Parisian, used to pick and clean escargot back home. It’s a timely process, so the couple feels fortunate about finding a high-quality supplier here in America. What else is there to order? Start your meal with some of the house bread: crusty with a soft interior and made with fermented grains. The dough starter is 15 years old! For an appetizer you can’t go wrong with any of the fresh oysters served with a red wine granita mignonette. Off the dinner menu, try the seared sea scallops served on a bed of shiitake mushroom and saffron risotto. The medium-rare scallops are sweet, succulent, and perfectly caramelized. The risotto, creamy with a slight kick, pairs well with the fresh peppery arugula and blistered asparagus spears and cherry tomatoes. Overall the dish’s layers of flavors are pronounced when each component is singled out, but it’s an incredibly satisfying bite all together. Pair your meal with a glass of wine, pint of local beer, or one of the incredible cocktails. The pub follows classic cocktail fundamentals and its fresh-to-finish concept. Head bartender, David Kas, implemented practically a can-free pub, using fresh-squeezed oranges, lemons, and limes. The only cans you’ll find contain cranberry, tomato, and Clamato juice. Kas also recently took up making homemade bitters which taste fresher and purer than the best bitters on the market. The result is elevated cocktails that pair perfectly with their exceptional food menu.  205 E. Washington St., La Conner 360.766.6179 | theoysterandthistle.com

DINING KEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to $9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10–19 . . . . . . . . . . . . $20–29 . . . . . . . . $30 or greater . . . . . . . . . . . . Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dinner . . . . . . . . . Family-Friendly . . . . . . . . . . . . . Takeout . . . . . . . . Outdoor Seating . . . . . . . . . . Reservations . . . . . . . . . . Happy Hour . . . . . . . . . New Review Menu items and prices are subject to change, so check before you go. See all our restaurant reviews on our Eat and Drink tab at BellinghamAlive.com

WHATCOM ARTIFACTS WINE BAR Eclectic 202 Grand Ave., Bellingham 360.778.2101, artifactswinebar.com Artifacts’ goal is to create an experience with wine tastings and light nibbles. Inside, tall shelves of wine bottles overlook intimate tables. The covered outdoor patio allows for large groups to settle in, or a couple to snuggle in the corner. Space heaters keep the area comfortable even in the cooler months. Artifacts cares a great deal about the products they pour into every glass. Artifacts isn’t just about wine. They have an espresso machine and offer small breakfast options like scones, yogurt, and waffles.

THE BIRCH DOOR CAFE American 4192 Meridian St., Bellingham 360.306.8598, birchdoorcafe.com The Birch Door Cafe does not fall short on charm, variety, or serving size. Brunch enthusiasts will be delighted by the three pages of breakfast options. Dishes include traditional pancake breakfast platters, French-style baked omelets, egg scrambles and Benedicts, and plenty more. When it comes to Eggs Benedict, the Northwestern delivers. The sauce is creamy and full of complex flavor, never approaching bland. The most famous item on the menu is the apple pancake. The 3-inch-tall soufflé-style pancake is filled with fresh apples and piled with high with a cinnamon sugar glaze. Listen for the ringing of the kitchen bell every time one of these massive breakfasts is served.

FAT SHACK American 414 W. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham 360.366.8752, fatshack.com Popular items are burgers, wings, and their specialty: densely packed sandwiches. The typical “fat” sandwich is some combination of grilled steak and fried chicken, along with cheese and a host of sides, all pressed inside a fresh hoagie roll. It is not for the meek, or for someone looking for a salad bar. But along with its unapologetic embrace of deep-fried food, the Fat Shack serves up some surprises. Its hamburger is hand-pressed, hand-seasoned Angus beef that’s never frozen, said co-owner Taylor Martin, and is served on a soft, rich Brioche bun. The Philly cheesesteak meat is ribeye from Spokane, flashfrozen. Taylor, his brother, Marcus, and dad and mom Mike and Lori own the place. Don’t call what they serve here fast food, says Lori. “We don’t have a bunch of prepped food,” she said. The Martins take time to cook things right, like allowing chicken fingers to fry for eight minutes to produce just the right crisp. Sunday’s 50-percent-off wings special has become wildly popular, says Mike.

FILLING STATION American 1138 Finnegan Way, Bellingham 360.715.1839, fillingstationnw.com The 1950s vibe resonates within the walls of this all-American burger joint. From the antique gas pump to the car memorabilia lining the restaurant, The Filling Station is Fairhaven’s newest go-to spot to satisfy your hunger. With names like The Chevy Pickup, The Mustang, and the Thunderbird, the menu provides different burger selections along with appetizers like Dip Sticks (deep-fried zucchini strips), Hot Rod (footlong hot dog), or the Junkyard (classic, onion, and tire fries).

FIRESIDE MARTINI & WINE BAR Eclectic/Bar 416 W. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham 360.738.1000, firesidemartini.com Fireside is out to make a name for itself. By using fresh, local ingredients, and a menu that changes on an almost daily basis (based on what’s fresh at the market that day), the Fireside has a lot to offer the casual diner and those more focused on detail. The Fireside claims to have the largest “by the glass” wine selection in Bellingham, none of which are served anywhere else in the area. Cocktails are based on in-house infusions of spirits and it’s a collection found only at Fireside. Beer options range from local to obscure to international. The decor in Fireside is welcoming and intimate, with couches and armchairs throughout the lounge.

Dining Guide

DINE

order of a Traditional Gyro. The tzatziki sauce is creamy and refreshing without being overpowering. The pita is crisp-grilled and holds up well to the moisture of the sauce. The chicken gyro sports very nicely grilled lean chicken. But perhaps the best dish is the crisp, fresh Greek salad with olives, feta, and a Greek dressing that is neither too garlicky nor bland.

HOMESKILLET American 521 Kentucky St., Bellingham 360.676.6218, homeskilletinsunnyland.com Owners Tina and Kirby named their restaurant after one of their favorite lines in the movie Juno, when the main character calls a store clerk “homeskillet.” The skillets on their menu came afterward, but are now one of the eatery’s most popular items. A small skillet is filled with perfectly-fried potatoes, eggs, and toppings you choose. Try Tina and Kirby’s personal favorite: the poutine, home fries smothered in traditional gravy, topped with fried eggs, and cheese. Homeskillet can’t be beat with its friendly service, colorful atmosphere and ultimate comfort food.

KURUKURU SUSHI Japanese/Sushi 11 Bellwether Way, Bellingham 360.392.8224, kurukurubellingham.com KuruKuru Sushi, which translates to “go around Sushi,” offers not only a good meal, but a good experience. Some of the offerings, like the Dynamite roll, are lightly tempura fried before being put on the conveyor belt to travel around the restaurant to hungry patrons. More traditional, classic sushi, like the raw salmon (which is buttery and delicious) also travels on the belt. A variety of non-fish related faire, like gyoza, egg rolls, and desserts are also offered. If you don’t see something you like, the chefs behind the counter will gladly make something for you.

MAGDALENAS Crêperie, European 1200 10th St., Ste. 103, Bellingham 360.483.8569, magdalenascreperie.com Paris, London, New York, Vancouver, and Bellingham have them. Little shops where the aromas of sweet and savory crêpes, custom sandwiches, and hot soup du jour fill the air. With a formidable selection of crêpes, it’ll take more than one trip to decide which is better, sweet or savory. But at this eatery, it is criminal to pass up the sweet little numbers filled with velvety smooth vanilla-flavored cream cheese, white chocolate, and your choice of fresh fruit. A crêpe option for every crêpe crave.

THE GRILL Greek 1155 E. Sunset Dr., Bellingham 360.306.8510, thegrillbellingham.com A peek into The Grill’s kitchen will reveal the lamb rotisserie, which awaits carving for your

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Hundred North Presented in association with: Judd & Black Appliance, Mount Vernon WRITTEN BY KATE GALAMBOS PHOTOGRAPHED BY PAT MCDONNELL AND KIRSTYN NYSWONGER

hef Todd Alan Martin of Hundred North hosted his German-inspired dinner on Thursday, February 22 at Judd & Black Appliance in Mount Vernon. The fourcourse meal was full of comfort foods from parsnip soup to chocolate cake, each with its own flair and elegance. Martin’s attitude was laid-back, straight-forward, and far from over the top. His philosophy for cooking stemmed from a love of bringing people together around something they all have to do: eat. “It’s the only thing we all need, that we all love,” Martin said as he welcomed his guests. And while he put his passion simply, the meal felt like nothing of necessity and entirely of indulgence. Martin came to Hundred North after being a musician for years and realizing that he was missing a certain daily drive. Suddenly, food gave him hard work every day, and he loved it. He transplanted to Bellingham in 2017 to lead the Hundred North team as the executive chef. Martin stresses simple, thoughtful cooking and demonstrated dishes he knew each of his guests could complete in their own home. The first dish of the night, parsnip soup, was a perfect example of Martin’s no-fluff philosophy. The creamy, rich soup is cooked — yes, cooked — in a blender. With plenty of heavy cream and topped with fat chunks of bacon, this dish is a hearty soup perfect for chilly days. Soup can be as easy as dropping ingredients into a blender, turning it on high, and walking away for five to 10 minutes, Martin explained. After a quick strain and some seasoning, the soup is ready. According to Martin, the friction of the blender heats the ingredients enough to actually cook the soup. Who knew? 76

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Next was a kohlrabi salad with a Caesar-inspired dressing. Martin chopped the kohlrabi into large chunks, essential for grabbing plenty of the flavorful dressing. To Martin, cubing, mincing, and dicing ingredients into perfect, symmetrical shapes is “unnecessary manicuring.” And to accompany the first two dishes, guests enjoyed a sparkling hopped apple shrub. A “shrub” was once enjoyed much like modern day soda-pop in the 1800s before people were able to preserve fruits for long periods of time. With the addition of vinegar, sweet syrup, and carbonated water, the apple juice can stay longer and has a tangy zest. The third course featured sauerbraten with crispy sauerkraut and a red wine sauce. The German pot roast spent nearly two weeks marinating before guests enjoyed it, and it was worth the wait. Each slice of roast barely needed a knife to enjoy. The carrots that accompanied it were sliced thick enough to avoid getting mushy. For guests interested in recreating the moist meat at home, Martin suggested that the roast be marinated for seven to 14 days before being cooked. The marinade preserves the roast with wine and vinegar, so there is no need to worry about food safety. And to finish the night, Martin created his own version of a crowd-pleasing chocolate cake. Rather than a traditional baked-flour cake, his black forest crepe cake was layers and layers of thin chocolate crepes, each topped with whipped cream. Martin chose to serve a cold-brew coffee, made with Bellingham Coffee Roasters beans, alongside the cake. The bitter coffee provided a flavorful dichotomy for the sweet chocolate cake and closed the night with a caffeinated kick.

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • •

1 ½ lbs parsnip peeled and diced to 1" pieces ½ small sweet onion 2 garlic cloves 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock 1 oz apple cider vinegar 2 oz heavy cream 1 bay leaf 1 thyme sprig 1 green onion sliced thin ½ lb slab bacon cut into ¼" cubes Pinch fresh grated nutmeg

DIRECTIONS ■■ Heat a wide bottomed sauce pan and gently cook the bacon to render fat and achieve some caramelization. Remove bacon from the pan leaving behind the fat and fond. Add the parsnip and onion and sweat on medium heat 5 minutes. Add the garlic for one minute stirring often. ■■ Add vinegar and cook 1 min. Add stock with the bay leaf and thyme and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. Remove thyme and bay leaf. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend on high speed for 3–5 minutes and strain through a fine mesh sieve. Season with salt and a bit of fresh grated nutmeg. Garnish with a spoonful of cooked bacon and sliced green onions.

Second Course

First Course

Parsnip Soup with Bacon and Scallions

Kohlrabi Salad with Anchovy, Caraway, Onions, and Camembert INGREDIENTS • 1 lb. or so peeled kohlrabi FRIED EGG DRESSING • 2 large eggs • ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper • 1 ½ tablespoon kosher salt • 3 garlic cloves • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus a little for sautéing ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS • 2 Tbl minced white or yellow onion rinsed under cold water • 6 anchovy filets minced (or to personal taste preference) • ¼ cup breadcrumbs • 1 tsp ground toasted caraway seeds • Approximately 2 oz frozen camembert (makes it easy to grate)

DIRECTIONS ■■ Cut the kohlrabi into ½ × 1 inch long pieces and set aside. ■■ In a non-stick skillet, fry the eggs in a little olive oil until fully cooked through. ■■ Place eggs in the refrigerator to cool completely. ■■ Once cool, place all ingredients in a blender and combine on high speed until emulsified. Set aside. Heat a large cast iron skillet just to smoke point and saute kohlrabi in olive oil. ■■ Season with a little kosher salt while cooking, and add the minced anchovies. Toss to distribute. ■■ To plate, spoon a healthy dose of the fried egg dressing on a large plate. Then spread the cooked kohlrabi evenly over the dressing. Generously coat with bread crumbs, grated camembert cheese, and a bit of lemon zest.

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Third Course

Sauerbraten With Carrots, Onions, & Crispy Sauerkraut* INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • • • •

3 lbs beef chuck roast or tri tip 4 small yellow onions 2 large carrots 1 qt dry red wine ¼ cup red wine vinegar 2 whole cloves 2 tsp whole allspice 2 tsp crushed juniper berries 2 tsp black peppercorns 4 bay leaves 2 Tbl unsalted butter 1 Tbl cooking oil 3 Tbl kosher salt

DIRECTIONS ■■ Peel and slice two of the onions and place in a blender with the red wine, vinegar, cloves, allspice, juniper berries, peppercorns, and bay leaves, blending on high speed for 3 min or so. ■■ Place beef in a large enough container to fit all of the marinade and cover tightly. Marinate the beef for 7–14 days. Remove the beef from the marinade, place in clean water for 2 min and pat dry with a clean towel. Strain the marinade and reserve. ■■ Cut the other two onions into quarters and the carrots into large 2 inch pieces.

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■■ In a Dutch oven, melt the butter and oil together and brown the beef on all sides. Add the vegetables and as much or all of the marinade to cover the beef in liquid. Add the salt and roast for 3 hours or so at 350 degrees until the meat is tender. Allow to cool a bit in the liquid before removing. Strain liquid one more time and blend in a blender to emulsify and use as gravy immediately. ■■ Spread drained sauerkraut on parchment or a silicone baking mat and cook at 160 degrees 6–8 hours (overnight works well) until completely dry. Can be stored in a glass jar for two weeks for use as desired.

Fourth Course

Black Forest Crepe Cake INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • •

1 ½ cups all purpose flour ½ cup cocoa powder 4 large eggs whisked together 2 cups whole milk 4 Tbl melted butter 3 Tbl sugar ½ tsp kosher salt 1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 Tbl powdered sugar 6 oz cherry jam or preserves

DIRECTIONS ■■ Sift together dry ingredients into large mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Add the eggs and milk all at once and stir together til just smooth. Do not over work the batter. Add the melted butter and stir to combine. Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. ■■ Heat a non stick pan over medium low heat and lightly coat with melted butter or neutral cooking oil and pour 2 oz of crepe batter into the pan, swirling off heat to ensure an even coating, returning to heat til just cooked. Gently and quickly flip the crepe, cook for 10 seconds and remove, setting aside on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Repeat until all the crepe batter is gone. Allow crepes to cool completely at room temperature.

CULINARY EVENTS Crepes Savory and Sweet April 12, 6:30–9 p.m. This Whatcom Community College class, taught by kitchen consultant Cindy McKinney, is all about variety. From chive-spiked crepes baked in a sour cream béchamel with smoked salmon filling to a stacked crepe cake with chocolate ganache and raspberry sauce, you’ll learn how to craft flavors all over the spectrum by making four different crepes. Downtown Co-op Connections Building 405 E. Holly St., Bellingham communityfood.coop

Wines of the Veneto April 16, 6:30–8:30 p.m. With 25 years in the wine industry and experience of Italy’s ancient wine region, join Laurent Martel on a tasting tour. You’ll touch on Venice, Verona, Soave, Valpolicella, Veneto, and, of course, the wines to match. Also a community college event.

■■ With a hand mixer or countertop mixer, whisk together the whipping cream and sugar until it reaches stiff peaks.

Cordata Co-op Local Roots Room 315 Westerly Rd., Bellingham communityfood.coop

■■ Layer crepe, a small amount of cherry preserves, and a small amount of whipped cream and so on until complete. Cake cuts best after 1–2 hours of refrigeration or enjoy immediately. 

Obelisco Wine Maker Dinner April 20, 5:30–9 p.m. A glass of bubbly and appetizers will be followed by a five-course dinner — each course thoughtfully paired with an Obelisco Estate wine. Experience the delectable combination of world class wines and world-class foods. Special rates regarding the resort’s rooms and wines are available for those who attend. Semiahmoo Resort 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy., Blaine semiahmoo.com

Family Night: Pizza to Go April 27, 5–7:30 p.m. Ever baked your own pizza? Can’t quite get the right shape or thickness of dough? You and three family members can finally learn how to make, shape and bake the best dough. Salad and dessert are also included. King Arthur Flour’s Baking School at Washington State’s Bread Lab 11768 Westar Ln., Burlington kingarthurflour.com

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r Waterfront Waterfrontdestination destinationrestaurant! restaurant!

MUTO RAMEN AND IZAKAYA Japanese 105 E. Chestnut St., Bellingham 360.647.3530 19505 44th Ave. W. Ste. K, Lynnwood 425.322.7599, mutoramen.com

Mon–Sat 10:30–6pm with lunch until 5pm

Sun 11–5pm

Great Great food food indoors indoors & & outdoors! outdoors!

with lunch until 4pm

Stop by for lunch and pick up your Skagit Valley Tulip Guide

BEST of the

2017

DINE Dining Guide

NORTH

WEST GOLD

Muto Ramen and Izakaya does not disappoint for those looking for both atmosphere and flavor at a reasonable price. From crowd pleasers like chicken teriyaki and katsu to udon noodles and yakitori (Japanese skewers) to long lists of different ramen, sushi rolls, sashimi, and nigiri. Guests can look forward to many visits to explore the wide selection of Japanese dishes.

NORTH FORK BREWERY Brewpub

18042 WA-20 Burlington, WA 360-707-2722 skagitﬁsh.com

OpenBrunch 7 days 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Easter a week at 11:30 a. m. Easter Dinner 5–8 p.m. Happy Hour Daily Open 7 days a week and Early at Dinner Specials Lunch 11:30 a.m. 3 to 6 p. m. Dinner Daily at 5 p.m. Catering • Events • Private Rooms • Business Meetings••Weddings Weddings•Rehearsal Meetings RehearsalDinners Dinners Bellingham Marina, 21 Bellwether Way 360.714 360.714 8412, 8412, Info@GiuseppesItalian.com GiuseppesItalian.com

6186 Mount Baker Hwy., Deming 360.599.2337, northforkbrewery.com Mount Baker Highway is home to a plethora of dining options, but at the North Fork Brewery you can get beer, pizza, tie the knot, and visit the beer shrine all under the same roof. The brewery produces relatively small batches of beer, 109 gallons, keeping the beer fresh and the options changing. Their staple is the India Pale Ale. The opening taste is a strong citrus flavor, but is quickly dissolved by the aggressive bitterness, making it a quite enjoyable beer to accompany a slice of their homemade pizza. The pizza crust is made fresh daily with a hint of beer. The sauce is well-balanced with tomatoes and spices. Made with fresh vegetables, meats, and cheeses, there is nothing not to like about this brewpub.

NORTHWATER Regional NW 4260 Mitchell Way, Bellingham 360.398.6191, northh2o.com From breakfast to late night dinner, Northwater’s 185-seat restaurant features Pacific Northwest dishes made from locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. We found the restaurant’s wait staff to be personable and enthusiastic, and eager to answer our queries about ingredient sources and what desserts they’d recommend. There’s a diverse menu of classic dishes with a twist, like the Seafood Sausage Corn Dogs with blueberry mustard — sweet-from-the-citrus cornbread and spicy from the mustard. Try the Fried Chicken and Waffle, featuring savory flavors of garlic and herbs drizzled with a pepper syrup.

ON RICE Thai

A waterfront jewel on Bellingham Bay

209 N. Samish Way, 360.714.9995, Bellingham 2200 Rimland Dr., 360.738.9995, Bellingham 1224 Harris Ave., 360.676.9995, Bellingham onricethai.com

Luxurious Guest Rooms | Fine Waterfront Dining Recently Voted #1 Luxury Hotel by Evening Magazine HotelBellwether.com | 360-392-3100

Ask any college student: On Rice is the place to go in Bellingham. With its affordable lunch specials and three locations around town, it’s

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easy to enjoy one of On Rice’s many flavorful Thai dishes. A classic Thai favorite, Pad Thai, is interpreted well here. It’s sweet, without being overpowering, and has just enough spice to balance the dish out. All dishes are available with chicken, pork, beef, seafood, or tofu and can be made as spicy as you want them to be, between one and four stars.

ROCKET DONUTS Bakery 306 W. Holly St., Bellingham, 360.671.6111 1021 Harris Ave, Bellingham, 360.366.8135 rocketdonuts.com With two locations, Rocket Donuts is an icon in Bellingham for its delectable donuts and sci-fi themed storefronts. The donuts are made fresh daily, giving them their fluffy, soft texture. Try the classic glazed or spice up your morning with maple-bacon bar. Rocket Donuts is unique by offering vegan or gluten-free options. Lift off your morning Rocket style.

SKYLARK’S HIDDEN CAFE Eclectic 1308 11th St., Bellingham 360.715.3642, skylarkshiddencafe.com Skylark’s Hidden Cafe in Fairhaven is worth seeking out. From decadent breakfast items such as eggs benedict and house specialty, banana bread French toast with maple walnut topping to hearty dinner entrees such as Seafood Thermidor and New York Steak with Jack Daniel’s herb butter, the menu at Skylark’s is varied and every bite delicious. Come for the food and stay for the jazz on select evenings.

TASTE OF INDIA Indian

the chocolate chili muffins: the perfect end to a charming experience.

TORRE CAFFE Italian 119 N. Commercial St., Ste. 130, Bellingham 360.734.0029 If you want an excellent early morning espresso or a taste of old Italy for lunch or just a mid-afternoon break, Torre Caffe is the place to go. It’s authentic, right down to their takehome lasagne. Traditional Italian lunch fare (soups, salads, paninis, and lunch-sized entrees) are made daily with the freshest ingredients. Go early, go often. Your tastebuds will thank you.

THE VAULT Bistro 277 G St., Blaine 360.392.0955, thevaultwine.com This is the type of exceptional restaurant that Julia Child would arrive for late lunch and stay through dinner, and then remain for a night cap. Incredibly fresh ingredients make this wine-centric restaurant, located in a former bank building, a treat for the senses. Teller cages and desks have been replaced with a sleek marble bar top and custom-made tables. Sinfully delicious is the Washington Mac & Cheese. Béchamel bourbon cheese sauce that includes local cheeses from Gothberg, Ferndale Farmstead and Twin Sisters, is topped with bourbon and truffle oil. The Seafood Chowder, made with bay shrimp and fresh Dungeness crab, is a sensually smooth and creamy rich soup that arouses one’s desire for more. A talented kitchen also produces flatbread style pizza that is served on thick, hand-crafted wooden trays, which helps keep the pie hot.

3930 Meridian St., Ste. 107, Bellingham 360.778.1262 At Taste of India all the dishes are rich, delicious, and truly feel authentic. Dishes come with your choice of pulao rice or the classic Indian bread naan. Taste of India offers a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, all with exquisite and well-developed flavors. There’s also a variety of flavors of naan, including garlic or spinach. For those unsure of what to order, or those who want to try multiple dishes at once, try the lunch buffet.

TEMPLE BAR Bistro

SKAGIT ANELIA’S KITCHEN Polish

DINE

the fish tacos with local grilled fish and spicy mango Pico de Gallo, carne asada burrito seasoned to perfection, and tres enchiladas with an addictive green crema sauce. COA Mexican Eatery also offers the last Monday of every month as customer appreciation day, where customers get 50 percent off food. Deals and good food — what more could you want?

CONWAY PUB & EATERY American 18611 Main St., Conway 360.445.4733 Don’t let tiny Conway fool you — this pub packs big flavor. Though the town is unincorporated, business is never slow in this watering hole. Farmers often come here after a hard day’s work, as well as bikers making a pit stop on a scenic weekend ride. Their food matches their patrons’ big appetites, such as the blue cheese burger topped with crisply, fried shoestring onions or the mouthwatering oyster burger. Packed with flavor and Americana spirit, Conway Pub & Eatery is a Skagit Valley icon.

NELL THORN Seafood 116 1st St., La Conner 360.466.4261, nellthorn.com Nell Thorn is seafood-heavy, so trying one of their seafood dishes is a must. Usually their daily specials take into account the freshest catches, but on the menu you’ll usually find some kind of seafood pasta, filet topped salad, and oysters. If you can’t settle on a starter, choose the crispy polenta cakes. The quiche is executed well with fluffy eggs and a flaky, light crust, while the no-fuss Nell Burger has simple toppings that don’t overburden the perfectly cooked, juicy meat patty.

OYSTER & THISTLE RESTAURANT AND PUB

513 South 1st St., La Conner 360.399.1805, aneliaskitchenandstage.com

Seafood/Steak

A welcoming atmosphere, local food prepared with care, and great music make Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage a must-visit. The more than 25 house-infused Polish vodkas and myriad of local beers on tap will make you wonder why you didn’t visit sooner. Na zdrowie!

306 W. Champion St.,Bellingham, 360.676.8660, templebarbellingham.com Continually recognized for their craft cocktails and small plates, Temple Bar aims to please. Begin with the classic Temple Bar cheese plate, a collection of three rotating cheeses varying in texture and flavor. They are often paired with fruit, honey, toasted nuts, and bread. Next, dive into a piping hot gratin, which varies based on what is in season. In between bites of a salad made with locally sourced ingredients, sip on a unique cocktail with house made infusions and bitters. Finally nibble on

Dining Guide

COA MEXICAN EATERY Mexican

205 E. Washington St., La Conner 360.766.6179, theoysterandthistle.com Oyster & Thistle Restaurant and Pub takes the time to prepare food with care. Their pastas are handmade and hand-cranked using semolina flour and an egg-rich dough. The zesty Caesar salad dressing is made with raw egg, the way it’s supposed to be. Their paella also contains a surprising ingredient, escargot. You’ll also find plenty of fresh, expertly shucked oysters, and perfectly seared sea scallops.

102 S. 10th St., Mount Vernon, 360.840.1938 214 Maple Ave., La Conner, 360.466.0267 coaeatery.com One way to reel customers in is to offer dollar tacos on Tuesdays and $5 margaritas on Fridays. That’s just the start. One bite of a taco or one sip of a margarita and you’re hooked. Even on a different night, with the choice of fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, or flan, you won’t be disappointed. Fan favorites include

SALT & VINE French 913 6th St., Anacortes 360.293.2222, saltnvine.com An international cheese, wine and charcuterie shop, Salt & Vine offers the best of both worlds. It’s a boutique artisan grocery where

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DINE Dining Guide

Blue Abode Brandied Cherry Collins Ingredients: Granny Strong’s Vodka, House-Made Brandied Cherry Liqueur, Lemon Juice, Brandied Organic Cherry, Splash Soda Water, $10

you can sit down and enjoy the offerings, and then, if anything tickles your fancy, you can take some home with you to enjoy later. Salt & Vine is a prime location for a midday snack, or a stop after an evening stroll on the docks. While some choose to grab-n-go, others choose to stay a while. Salt & Vine offers a cozy, intimate environment for enjoying a date night or a happy hour with friends.

TAQUERIA LA BAMBA Mexican 2222 Riverside Dr., Ste. 850, Mount Vernon 360.424.0824

hen you walk into The Blue Abode Bar in Barkley Village, it feels like you are home — even though it’s new to the neighborhood. A cozy spot for cocktails, it has a wood bar, tables are accented with blue paint, and chairs and blue lights line the walls. On each table, empty spirit bottles with twinkle lights on the inside provide a DIY home decor feel. The Brandied Cherry Collins is exciting to the eyes. Its light pink color made it reminiscent of springtime, and it leaves the taste buds yearning for cherry season. The light pink spritzer was as delightful in taste as it was in aesthetic. Bellingham Granny Strong’s vodka, house-made brandied cherries and liquor, and a lemon and soda water finish combine for a refreshing experience. The brandied cherry liquor was thick and sweet, leaving one imagining themselves sitting outside on a sunny spring day, next to a cherry blossom tree.  — Kirstyn Nyswonger

BellinghamAlive.com

2925 Newmarket St., Bellingham 360.656.5022 theblueabodebar.com

Off the road and inside a small plaza sits a little gem — a family-run, low-key Mexican restaurant. Taqueria La Bamba offers authentic taco truck food in a sit-down restaurant. The salsas are spicy, full of flavor and made in-house. They serve four salsas and the one you presume to be the mildest, the Pico de Gallo, is the hottest, but one of the best tastes to add to your dish. Try the tostada with your meat of choice and enjoy the sides of roasted jalapeno (more spiciness!) and grilled onions. It’s delicious, satisfying, and costs less than $4. If you’re looking for authentic Mexican food at a low price, eat here and you won’t be disappointed.

TRUMPETER PUBLIC HOUSE Gastropub 416 Myrtle St., Mount Vernon 360.588.4515, trumpeterpublichouse.com The Trumpeter is an ideal combination of high-end, fine dining, and English pub fare. Try traditional pub selections like shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, or more unique choices like pork tenderloin complimented with an apricot-honey glaze or crab mac & cheese with a creamy Gruyere sauce and wild-caught crab. Additionally, the Trumpeter looks to accommodate all tastes with our gluten free dishes, and option to make any dish gluten free. Of course, a gastro pub isn’t complete without beer and Trumpeter completes the dining experience with 18 taps of local and European brews. There’s also a fine selection of wines and other drink choices.

VAGABOND STATION Southern 2120 Commercial Ave., Anacortes 360.421.4227, vagabondtrailerfood.com Vagabond Station is known for its mostly Southern-style menu with a few curveballs. Dig into a pink and cold prime rib sandwich, a meat-lovers dream that is difficult to find in this day of well-done meat. Try a bowl of hearty chili, or a wiscuit — biscuit dough cooked in a waffle maker. Of course, there’s crispy fried chicken and waffles, and their signature sandwich, the Yard Bird: chicken, cheddar cheese, and gravy piled onto a fresh, fluffy biscuit.

Review

DINE

Fried and Unapologetic Fat Shack WRITTEN BY MERI-JO BORZILLERI PHOTOGRAPHED BY KIRSTYN NYSWONGER

etween the name and the marketing slogan: “Fat Shack — Late Night Done Right” there’s little question to whom this new restaurant, open as late as 3 a.m., is targeted. Popular items are burgers, wings, and their densely packed specialty sandwiches, some with names a party animal would chortle over (“Fat Doobie” and “Fat Hangover,” for example.) The typical “fat” sandwich is some combination of grilled steak and fried chicken, along with melted cheese and a host of sides, all pressed inside a fresh hoagie roll. It is not for the meek, or for someone looking for a salad bar. But along with its unapologetic embrace of deep-fried food, the Fat Shack serves up some surprises. Its hamburger ($5.99 single, $9.99 triple) is hand-pressed, hand-seasoned Angus beef that’s never frozen, said co-owner Taylor Martin, and is served on a soft, rich Brioche bun. The Philly cheesesteak meat is ribeye from Spokane, flash-frozen. Taylor owns the place along with his brother, Marcus, and dad, Mike, and mom, Lori. Don’t call what they serve here fast food, says Lori. “We don’t have a bunch of prepped food.” The Martins take time to cook things right, like allowing chicken fingers to fry for eight minutes for just the right crisp. Sunday’s 50 percent off wings special has become wildly popular, says Mike. Located in Bakerview Square off Bakerview Road in Bellingham, Fat Shack opened last November. It’s a gleeful repudiation of calorie-counting, fresh-vegetable, only-good-fat fare. Food-to-table? Try fryer-to-table. For some, Fat Shack is for hard-earned cheat days when you just want something fried, thank you, knowing Monday’s kale salad awaits. Bellingham is Fat Shack’s first foray into Washington for the Colorado-based franchise, which also has eight restaurants in Colorado and two in Texas so far. Well past the typical lunch hour, folks continue to enter the brightly

colored, clean, small space that fronts Bakerview Road’s never-ending trail of vehicles. The Martins wisely offer sandwiches in small, medium, and large. They include the Fat Jersey ($8.49 for the small). It’s a mélange of Philly cheesesteak, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, French fries and honey mustard pressed tightly in a hoagie roll, wrapped in paper and served plate-less. A recent sampling found that the chicken miraculously retained some crisp within, as did the fries. Be sure to have extra napkins handy for the generous saucing. Their dessert selection, reminiscent of a day at the fair, includes deep-fried Oreos (three for $3.69), Twinkies and Rice Krispies Treats. With the Oreo, a spongy donut exterior gives way to the cookie, rendered velvety by the intense heat, followed by that unmistakable Oreo aftertaste. Dusted with powdered sugar, it’s a fitting finish to a Fat Shack meal — if you can handle the guilt.  414 W. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham 360.366.8752 | fatshack.com April 2018 83

DINE Sip

Vinostrology Shines As Downtown Bellingham Wine Bar And Lounge Wine Bar Extraordinaire WRITTEN BY DAN RADIL

ellingham native Katie Bechkowiak had plenty of experience in the restaurant and wine industries when she began toying with the idea of opening up her own wine bar. Then, while wrapping up a visit to the city’s Bloedel Donovan Park, she hopped in her car and turned on the Oprah Station on XM-Satellite Radio. During the program, Oprah asked her listeners, “What’s holding you back?” Katie recalls. That was the trigger that set her dream in motion. “After hearing that I said, OK, I want to have a wine bar and I’m going to do it,” Katie says. “I had a vision of what I wanted…and what it would look like.” After procuring a space in downtown Bellingham and completing the buildout to fulfill that vision, Vinostrology Wine Lounge and Merchant opened in May of 2013. The name of the space was loosely based on a wine blog that Katie had written earlier where she equated wine descriptors with people. Her idea to expand the descriptions to include wines with each of the 12 astrological signs gave rise to the concept of “Vinostrology.” By her own admission, it’s a non-scientific, just-for-fun list, and none of her customers seem to mind if the wines don’t exactly mesh with their preferences. That’s probably because the atmosphere at Vinostrology is always hip, contemporary, and welcoming at this Bellingham wine bar and lounge…and that means there are plenty of wines to choose from. Twenty wines are always featured on tap behind a counter lined by a row of comfortable bar stools, with lots of additional seating space at individual booths. The wine selection runs at a mix of 12 reds and eight whites available in one-, three-, and five-ounce pours that are listed on the wine menu as a taste, half-glass, and full glass, respectively. “I like to have a good global representation,” Katie says, noting that a variety of prices (usually anywhere from $6 to $25 for a full glass) are also important. “I look for value but I don’t like to serve ‘grocery store’ wine,” referring to the more mass-produced, cheaper selections sometimes carried there that she prefers to avoid. The Vinostrology wine menu changes every day, offering wineophiles a fresh set of tasting options on a regular basis. And Katie’s “WineStations” dispensing units keep the tasting bar wines fresh as well, providing push-button selections at the proper serving temperature without wasting a drop. She also maintains a small inventory of wines for purchase by 84

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the bottle, including everything on tap, and customers can pop the cork and enjoy the wines on the premises for a very reasonable $8 corkage fee that’s reduced to only $5 during the 4–7 p.m. daily “hours of happiness.” Wine selections can also be paired with a small menu of snacks, bites, and sweets. Included are items such as meat and cheese plates, house-made soups, artichoke jalapeño dip with tortilla chips, and truffle-n-salt popcorn. If all these choices sound a bit overwhelming, Katie and her staff have the occasional, less-decisive customer covered as well. They’ll pour a four-wine, two-ounces-each flight of pre-selected wines from the daily reds or whites on tap. “I like to expose people beyond the ‘big five’ wines,” Katie says, referring to standard choices that might include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. She’s partial to wines such as Syrahs from France’s Southern Rhone region (“they provide a lot of bang for the buck”) as well as white wines from the Burgundy region. Chenin Blanc is also an underexposed, underrated favorite, and you’re likely to find at least one of them at the tasting bar on a given visit. For those who like to take their wine home, Vinostrology offers a “13th Sign” wine club, available in two tiers at either $60 or $120 a month. Club members enjoy handpicked, monthly selections from Katie, tastings at the wine bar, and a 10 percent discount on their first bottle purchase. They also never have to worry about an in-house corkage fee. Maintaining the business has not been without its challenges, but Katie feels her downtown location has received great support as of late. She encourages wine lovers to come in mid-week for her self-described “cool events” (always posted on Facebook) such as watching movies at the wine bar flat-screen television on Movie Mondays or having fun at Adult Coloring Night on every second Thursday of the month up until summer. She also notes Vinostrology’s special annual events that include a “Pour Rosé” tasting around late May and the wine bar’s anniversary in early June that coincides with downtown Bellingham’s naked bike ride. For adults considering a bit of escapism while enjoying a nosh, good conversation, and good wine, Katie might ask, “What’s holding you back?”  120 West Holly St., Bellingham 360.656.6817 | vinostrology.com

Dining Guide

DINE

SAN JUAN

GREAT

DOE BAY CAFÉ American 107 Doe Bay Rd., Orcas Island 360.376.2291, doebay.com

TASTES

Whether you’re heading toward the San Juan Islands or don’t mind taking a trip for an unbelievable meal, be sure to make reservations at the ever-popular Doe Bay Café. Owners Joe and Maureen Brotherton have stuck to their philosophy of taking good care of their visitors by providing world-class seafood and vegetarian dishes. Choose from breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections such as Huevos Rancheros with free range, organic over-easy eggs with black beans on griddled corn tortillas, Goat Cheese French Toast, or the Pan Roasted Troller Point King Salmon.

TOBY’S TAVERN Seafood 8 Front St., Coupeville 360.678.4222, tobysuds.com Overlooking the scenic Penn Cove in the center of old Coupeville, Toby’s Tavern offers diners a dive bar ambience with a delicious menu of seafood favorites. Their famous bowls of Penn Cove mussels — served by the pound! — come fresh from the adjacent cove, and keep shellfish connoisseurs clamoring for a regular fix. Steamed and soaked in a scrumptious mix of simple seasonings, wine, and juices, Toby’s robust offering of mussels makes for a memorable visit. Fish and chips arrive hot, deliciously flaky, and generous in size, with sides of sweet coleslaw and fries deserving mention for their merit. For those waiting among the weekend crowd of regulars, a giant chocolaty brownie will drive your mind insane, and keep your appetite satisfied before the main course earns its way into the dining room.

VINNY’S Seafood 165 W. St., Friday Harbor 360.378.1934 vinnysfridayharbor.com Ciao! Vinny’s welcomes diners to their Friday Harbor Ristorante, mirroring the feel of this warm Italian restaurant. Dishes change monthly and reflect the desire to serve simple, gourmet Pacific Northwest seafood, and modern comfort Italian. Appetizers of Fior de Latte — a caprese salad — and mushroom medley (mushrooms with a Marsala demi-glace and cambozola cheese) are perfect for sharing and leave space for a summery Capellini Mediterranea (prawns and clams in a light white wine and olive oil sauce). As well as a good selection of pastas, Vinny’s has seafood and meat entrées, many of them traditional favorites like Veal Marsala and Chicken Picatta. The cocktail list includes old favorites and some fun offerings like the Crantini and a rhubarb margarita. Top off a meal with crème brûlée — a light, room-temperature custard topped with a layer of burnt sugar.

The following selections have made it past our taste bud test and into our top eight this issue. Step out and give them a try. You won’t be disappointed.

1 2 3 4

Real talk: Tuesdays are better with tacos. At Black Sheep, innovative tacos are ready for you any day of the week. Try the sweet potato and cauliflower taco on their handmade tortilla for a satisfying veggie masterpiece. In the mood for savory mixed with sweet? Maybe something handmade? Big Trouble Food Truck’s delicious chicken and zucchini dumplings are crafted with house-ground chicken, zucchini, and ginger. Plus, as a food truck, you can indulge their menu items at breweries all over town. Breakfast is the first meal of the day, so don’t skimp on it. Treat your taste buds to chicken waffles paired with hefty, housesausage gravy at Marlin’s Café in Nelson’s Market. Add a fruit plate and you’re really set. Brandywine Kitchen’s motto “from seed to plate” is demonstrated through all their dishes, but the orchard salad is one item in particular that truly satisfies. With a generous toss of mixed greens, freerange chicken, baked apple, feta, balsamic beets, orangemarinated radish and sliced almonds, it’s a must-have.

5 6 7 8

If a burger can satisfy your sweet tooth, it’s a good day. Cosmos Bistro’s 3B Burger — local, grass-fed beef, blueberry-onion jam, bleu cheese, bacon, and arugula — is a taste so unique and delectable, you’ll just have to try it for yourself. The base starts at tortilla chips, beans, melted cheeses, and salsa, but it doesn’t end there. At Chair 9 Woodstone Pizza and Bar, nachos can be created with your choice of their pizza menu toppings. That’s some serious layering. Handmade ramen noodles, dashi broth, slow cooked pork shoulder, braised micro greens, scallions, sliced radish, handmade kimchi… are you drooling yet? These are the contents of Kraut Pleaser’s ramen bowl, which are all organic, locally sourced, and made fresh daily. If you think carrot cake resembles vegetables in any way, think again. Sweet and creamy, the carrot cake at Pure Bliss Desserts has the most remarkable cream cheese frosting and cinnamon dusting. Plus, it’s gluten-free and can even be ordered as vegan. — Jade Thurston

April 2018 85

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AGENDA

Featured Events · Listings · The Scene · Final Word

Portrait of Imogen APRIL 7, 3 P.M.

lecture and documentary film on the life and work of Imogen Cunningham will highlight an extended exhibition on the world-renowned Pacific Northwest artist and pioneering photographer that runs until May 7. The film was created by Meg Partridge, who is the Imogen Cunningham Trust director, a photographer, award-winning documentary filmmaker, San Juan County resident and Cunningham’s granddaughter. Part of the museum’s year-long “Female Gaze” series of events, the “Through My Lens” exhibition shows the multiplicity of men she captured during the 20th century. Cunningham has been an inspiration for female photographers not to be afraid to shoot what they love.  San Juan Islands Museum of Art 540 Spring St., Friday Harbor 360.370.5050, sjima.org

AGENDA Events

laughter that will make your face hurt the next day.

TURANDOT

CASINO

Tulalip Resort Casino 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip 360.716.6000, tulalipresortcasino.com

This opera, sung in Italian with English supertitles, is about a resentful princess named Turandot. She has decided to marry only a royal suitor that can answer her three riddles. Find out who wins as The Pacific Northwest Opera performs this Opera based on an ancient Chinese tale that includes love, power and revenge. It just might be you.

APRIL 6–7, 9 P.M.

If you need some laughter in your life, make your way to the Swinomish Casino for improvised comedy grounded on audience suggestion. “Whose Live Anyway” is Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Joel Murray, and Jeff B. Davis but audience participation is crucial in creating an amusing atmosphere for everyone. Wa Walton Event Center 12885 Casino Dr., Anacortes 855.794.6563 swinomishcasinoandlodge.com HERMAN’S HERMITS APRIL 7, 8 P.M.

With 14 singles and seven albums going gold, Herman’s Hermits comes to the Tulalip Casino to perform. Herman’s Hermits was titled, “Entertainer of the Year” by Cashbox. This legendary pop band will play classic hits such as, “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” “Silhouettes,” and more. Tulalip Resort Casino 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip 360.716.6000, tulalipresortcasino.com DENNIS DEYOUNG & MUSIC OF STYX APRIL 20–21, 8 P.M.

In 1977, Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx made history with their album, “The Grand Illusion.” They will celebrate with performing the album and eight other top hits such as, “Babe,” and “Mr. Roboto.” DeYoung is the lead singer and songwriter of seven of the eight top hits. There will be new band members who bring new energy and excitement to the band performing, so prepare to be flooded with memories of the classic hits. The Skagit Casino 5984 Darrk Ln., Bow 877.275.2448, theskagit.com OFF COLOR APRIL 21, 6 P.M.

Featuring Shawn Wayans, David Alan Grier and Tommy Davidson, the Off Color comedy show comes to the Tulalip Casino. As alumni from the popular show, “In Living Color,” the famous trio comes together to create an evening of

BellinghamAlive.com

CLASSICAL DAY OF PERCUSSION APRIL 14, 8:30 A.M.

The Washington Chapter Percussive Arts Society, the San Juan Music Educators Association and Western Washington University will present the 8th annual Western Washington Day of Percussion. The event includes Josh Gottry and drum line performances and percussion ensemble by multiple high schools in the surrounding area as well as Western Washington University. Performing Arts Center 516 High St., Bellingham 360.650.6146, wwu.edu MELODIOUS NOTES OVER THE HARBOR APRIL 14, 7:30 P.M.

Clarinetist Sue Collado, the creator of Melodious Notes Over the Harbor, will be joined by a host of talented island and Northwest chamber musicians for a night of classical music performances. New work includes a piece by island composer Alex Shapiro, a piano trio by Felix Mendelssohn, and a composition by the remarkable African-American composer William Grant Still. San Juan Community Theatre 100 Second St., Friday Harbor 360.378.3210, sjctheatre.org

McIntyre Hall Performing Arts & Conference Center 2501 E. College Way, Mt. Vernon 360.416.7727, mcintyrehall.org SUNDAY AT 3 APRIL 15, 3 P.M.

The Young Artist Concert Series at Jansen Art Center is produced by Jeri Mercer, a local music instructor. “Sunday at 3” allows younger semi-professional artists to perform and show their skills. Mercer states, “We hope to apply the talent slowly acquired alone, in the practice room, to the real world of the community, a live audience who will respond and encourage these young people.” Chamber Hall 321 Front St., Lynden 360.354.3600, jansenartcenter.org

CONCERTS MUSEBIRD CAFÉ APRIL 7, 7:30 P.M.

Carolyn Cruso’s music was influenced by folk, rock, jazz and Americana music and she is a multi-instrumentalist. Eric Apoe’s music is rooted in American folk jazz, and has blended blues and klezmer music

Kuinka

WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY?

APRIL 15, 3 P.M.

in his songs. Reggie Garrett’s music is a plethora of urban acoustic folk music, Gospel, Celtic, Latin rhythms, blues and more. The Conway Muse brings together these three musicians for a night of folk music and fun.

ANYTIME.

The Conway Muse 18444 Spruce St., Conway 360.445.3000, conwaymuse.com KUINKA APRIL 14, 9 P.M.

This Seattle band comes to the Wild Buffalo to play their indescribable music, using extensive instruments such as cello, banjo, ukulele, electronic percussion and synthesizers. NPR Music describes Kuinka as joyous folk pop. The band is sure to bring some contagious energy for a fun-filled evening. The Wild Buffalo 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham 360.746.8733, wildbuffalo.net

HOME & REMODEL

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TETRACHROMAT, DIE LIKE GENTLEMEN AND MARV

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APRIL 20, 9 P.M.

If you’re looking for a night to dive into some heavy metal and rock music, the bands Tetrachromat, Die Like Gentlemen and Marv will be performing at the shakedown. With all bands specializing in something different, the performance will be sure to rock your night! The Shakedown 1212 N. State St., Bellingham 360.778.1067 shakedownbellingham.com VINDATA & ELECTRIC MANTIS APRIL 20, 9:30 P.M.

Based in Los Angeles, Branden Ratcliff and Jared Poythress created Vindata, which includes music genres of R&B and indie-pop. Electric Mantis consists of Alaskan Native Wyatt Pearson, who is a music producer and DJ. Both artists join forces for their “You Can Stay” tour which comes to The Wild Buffalo for the night. The Wild Buffalo 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham 360.746.8733, wildbuffalo.net PINK MARTINI WITH CHINA FORBES APRIL 22, 7 P.M.

Pink Martini has been around for 23 years and will be playing some of their old-time favorites as well as music from their new release, “Je dis oui!” The band plays different genres including Latin music, jazz, cabaret and cinema, which

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ANYWHERE. BELLINGHAMALIVE.COM

WANT YOUR EVENT POSTED? Events are posted on a first-come first-serve basis. Submissions must be received four weeks prior to the event with all the necessary information. Please submit event name, dates, times, short 40-word description, cover charge or ticket price, event venue including street address, a phone number, and a website. Any event from Seattle to Vancouver will be considered with priority placed on listings from Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties. Bellingham Alive is not responsible for errors in submissions. Please email all submissions to events@bellinghamalive.com.

April 2018 89

AGENDA Events

longest running improv show. The show starts with The Upfront’s school of improv and then continues with the main cast. They will be taking a lot of suggestions for games, scenes and one-act plays. It will make you smile from ear to ear. The Upfront Theatre 1208 Bay St., Bellingham 360.733.8855, theupfront.com CABARET APRIL 8, 3 P.M.

This story is set in Berlin as the Nazis rise to power. The year is 1931 and the notorious Kit Kat Klub is performing for Berlin’s nightlife. How long will Berlin’s nightlife keep the spirits alive during this precarious time of pre-WWII? Come see John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff’s Tony Award-winning musical. Fun with the Fuzz

all come together for a harmonizing experience.

FUN WITH THE FUZZ

Mount Baker Theatre 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.6080, mountbakertheatre.com

Runners and walkers are welcome in this road race to help the Behind the Badge foundation, which honors the sacrifices of the officers who have suffered injury or death from work. There will be gifts, prizes, food and a raffle.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS TULIP RUN APRIL 7, 9:30 A.M.

Choose between a 5-mile or 2-mile run on a rural course that’s flat and quick in the Skagit Valley. The run is held annually by non-profit running club Skagit Runners, and tends to happen a clear and cool morning. So dress appropriately and be ready to run! Skagit Regional Airport 12035 Higgins Airport Way, Burlington 360.982.2934, skagitrunners.org “DO THE BLOOM” COLOR RUN APRIL 14, 10 A.M.

APRIL 21, 9 A.M.

Bellingham Police Department 505 Grand Ave., Bellingham 360.778.8800, funwiththefuzz5k.com EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AND WORLD FISH MIGRATION DAY WORK PARTY APRIL 21, 9 A.M.

To celebrate Earth Day and World Fish Migration Day, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association is hosting a work party to restock the native plant nursery by potting bare root plants. There will be food and music, as well as gardening tools supplied for everyone. The first 200 people receive a limited-edition T-shirt.

Getting immersed in colored powder at different locations on the course during this 5K will surely put you in the mood for springtime flower blooms. The route is flat and goes through Tommy Thompson Trail and Cap Sante Marina. All ages are welcome and groups are also encouraged.

Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association 3057 E. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham 360.715.0283, n-sea.org

Depot Arts Center 611 R Ave, Anacortes 360.293.6211, anacortesartsfestival.com

THE GBU

BellinghamAlive.com

THEATRE APRIL 5, 8 P.M.

The GBU, standing for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, has been Bellingham’s

Mount Baker Theatre 104 North Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.6080, mountbakertheatre.com MY HEART IN A SUITCASE APRIL 16, 10 A.M. AND 12:15 P.M.

This play is a memoir by Anne Lehmann. Lehmann and her family feel unsafe in their home in Berlin in 1938. To protect Lehmann, her parents send her off and have to say goodbye to her forever. The story is about how Lehmann must cope with the feelings of being safe and leaving her family forever. Mount Baker Theatre 104 North Commercial St., Bellingham 360.734.6080, mountbakertheatre.com PAULA POUNDSTONE APRIL 28, 8 P.M.

Paula Poundstone is comedian who travels across the country and will surely leave us heaving from laughter. She has been said to be “the bravest and best improv comic of our time,” by Garrison Keillor. With her recent book release, “The Totally Unscientific Study of The Search for Human Happiness,” Poundstone will be bringing tears of joy to the Lincoln Theatre. Lincoln Theatre 712 S. 1st St., Mt. Vernon 360.336.8955, lincolntheatre.org

SPECIAL EVENTS EASTER ON THE FARM APRIL 1, 10 A.M.

The main event is a giant Easter egg hunt, but there’s also a petting zoo, pony rides,

Easter bunny and family photos, a country brunch, bunny trail hunt, apple bin train ride and face paint. So get your egg on and join the fun. BelleWood Acres Distilling and Event Center 6140 Guide Meridian, Lynden 360.318.7720, bellewoodfarms.com

for you. Evaluators look at your items to decide their value. A reminder: This event is only for items small enough to carry. Proceeds go to the Whatcom Council on Aging, and its program Whatcom Senior Tours.

Enjoy an Exceptional Outing!

Bellingham Senior Activities Center 315 Halleck St., Bellingham 360.733.4030 ext. 1013, wccoa.org

SKAGIT VALLEY TULIP FESTIVAL APRIL 1–30

DIRTY DAN HARRIS FESTIVAL

It’s the annual Skagit Valley Tulip festival brought to you by hardworking gardeners and Mother Nature. With multiple gardens for viewing and photo opportunities, this event brings people from around the state, country and world. Over 34 years, the festival has grown to welcome people from all 50 states and 93 different countries. Bring shoes for possible mud, and don’t forget your camera.

APRIL 22, 10 A.M.

360.428.5959, tulipfestival.org

Fairhaven Village Green 1207 10th St., Bellingham fairhaven.com

SPRING WINE FESTIVAL

SPONSOR

In celebration of the man who founded Fairhaven, this festival invites people of all ages to come out and enjoy the community. With live music, food, the Dan Harris Challenge Rowing Race, uphill piano race, Dirty Dan Sidewalk Saloon, Chuckanut Chili Cook-Off, and more, this is something for everybody and lasts all day.

APRIL 7, NOON

Thirty wineries come to Fidalgo Island for wine tasting, food pairing and a wine shop. Explore different red, white and blush wines from all over Washington state. Make it a weekend trip and poke around scenic Anacortes and La Conner. For a bonus following the festival, there will be live music in downtown Anacortes. Port Warehouse Event Center 100 Commercial Ave., Anacortes 360.293.3134, anacortes.org ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES EVALUATION EVENT APRIL 14, 3 P.M.

If you have ever wondered what your antique trinkets are worth, this event is

Fri, May 4 AN EVENING WITH

DAVID SEDARIS

SPONSOR

GREAT ISLANDS CLEAN UP

Sat, May 19

APRIL 22, 10 A.M.

Join in on the annual spring cleaning of San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw islands. In the recent year, more than 400 people helped clean up 6,200 pounds of waste from the islands. Come together with friends and family to help keep the islands “litter-free by the sea.” visitsanjuans.com SPONSOR

VISUAL ARTS

Sat, June 9

HITLER VS. PICASSO APRIL 4, 6 P.M.

With five exhibitions showing masterworks from Botticelli, Klee, Matisse,

Cabaret

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April 2018 91

AGENDA Top Picks

APRIL APRIL

5–7

APRIL

Bellingham Music Film Festival Make.Shift Art Space, Bellingham bellinghammusicfilmfestival.com

Classical on Tap Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen, Bellingham chuckanutbreweryandkitchen.com

Courtesy of Bellingham Music Film Festival

APRIL

Tour de Lopez Bike Ride Lopez Island visitsanjuans.com

28 APRIL

April Brews Day Depot Market Square, Bellingham maxhigbee.org

APRIL

10–14

TED Conference Vancouver Convention Centre Vancouver, B.C. tourismvancouver.com

APRIL

Naked Giants Wild Buffalo, Bellingham wildbuffalo.net

APRIL

14 92

BellinghamAlive.com

APRIL

Classic Chaplin with Live Score! Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham mountbakertheatre.com

Run for the Bees BelleWood Acres Distilling and Event Center, Lynden bellewoodfarms.com

Events

AGENDA

Monet, Chagall, Renoir and Gauguin, this documentary brings to light the Nazis’ obsession with art. In 1937, the Nazi regime held two exhibitions — one to discredit the “degenerate art” of some of history’s masters, and the other to lionize works in Hitler’s curated collection. Hitler Vs. Picasso will let people view rare and once-condemned art that has been rediscovered. Pickford Film Center 1318 Bay St., Bellingham 360.738.0735, pickfordfilmcenter.org FLY FISHING FILM TOUR APRIL 5, 7 P.M.

Presented by the North Sound Chapter of Trout Unlimited, enjoy the newest fly-fishing adventure film as well as an assortment of other short films about flyfishing from around the world. Proceeds from the event, including a raffle, will go to the North Sound Chapter of Trout Unlimited. They will use the proceeds for wild steelhead recovery efforts. Lincoln Theatre 712 S. 1st St., Mt. Vernon 360.336.8955, lincolntheatre.org

Visit Fidalgo Island for a fun-filled spring time adventure!

First Friday Art Walk (Year Round) Farmer’s Market (May - October) Spring Wine Festival (April) Vintage Market (April) Spring Color Run (April) Boat & Yacht Show (May)

360.293.3832 | anacortes.org

DOWNTOWN ART WALK APRIL 6, 5 P.M.

Bellingham’s downtown Art Walk, taking place on the first Friday of each month, includes different studios, museums, galleries, shops and restaurants, all showing off local art work. Walk through downtown Bellingham and enjoy the community, art and food. Downtown Bellingham 1310 Commercial St., Bellingham 360.527.8710 downtownbellingham.com ARTRAGEOUS APRIL 8, 5 P.M.

This interactive performance might just get you out of your seat. Mixing art, music and dance, it will end in a collection of exclusive art pieces, donated to the event, which will be auctioned off to raise money for community art programs. Artrageous was formed in 1980 and continues today with more than 2,500 performances. San Juan Community Theatre 100 2nd St., Friday Harbor 360.378.3210, sjctheatre.org

April 2018 93

AGENDA Events

Out of Town VANCOUVER, B.C. VIDEO GAMES LIVE

Video Games Live

APRIL 3, 7:30 P.M.

Tommy Tallarico is the creator, producer and host of the renowned concert that features a live symphony orchestra playing theme music from the world’s most popular video games. The immersive event stars orchestras and choirs from around the globe performing familiar tunes. The presentation will include a coordinated video and lighting show with interactive segments, bringing this experience to a whole new level. Orpheum Theatre 601 Smithe St. Vancouver, B.C. 604.665.3035, vancouvercivictheatres.com CAPTURE PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL APRIL 5, 7 P.M.

The annual non-profit Capture Photography Festival brings the photography community together to cultivate talent, dialogue, and community around photography. Every year, multiple galleries and spaces within the Greater Vancouver area present photography as part of the festival’s selected and open exhibition programs. Contemporary Art Gallery 555 Nelson St., Vancouver capturephotofest.com

SEATTLE Laverne Cox

LAVERNE COX: AIN’T I A WOMAN? APRIL 12, 7:30 P.M.

As an Emmy-nominated actress, Emmy-winning producer and the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream television show (“Orange is the New Black”), Laverne Cox talks about her personal experience and life growing up. Cox will also talk about how the crossings of gender, race and class can affect trans women of color and their lives.

Courtesy of STG

The Moore Theatre 1932 Second Avenue, Seattle 1.800.982.2787, stgpresents.org SEATTLE CHERRY BLOSSOM & JAPANESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL APRIL 20–22

More than 40 years ago, on behalf of the Japanese government, former prime minister Takeo Miki gave Seattle 1,000 cherry blossom trees. This festival is the first ethnic festival that the Seattle Center held annually, and is the oldest in the Festál celebrations. Seattle Center 305 Harrison St., Seattle 206.723.2003, seattlecenter.com

BellinghamAlive.com

The Scene

AGENDA

BOURBON ST. BINGEAUX FOR THE WHATCOM COUNTY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB In a night reminiscent of Mardi Gras in the heart of New Orleans, the Whatcom County Boys & Girls Club raised $30,000 at the fourth annual Bourbon St. Bingeaux night, presented by First Federal bank. The fun took place on the evening of Feb. 24 with approximately 230 people in attendance. Participants ate, drank, and played bingo at the Bellingham Boys & Girls Clubhouse. Games began after a dinner buffet of Cajun dishes in true New Orleans spirit and drinks provided by Kulshan Brewing Company and Coach House Cellars. Participants competed in six rounds of bingo and for dozens of raffle items. All proceeds from this event will go directly to supporting club members. — Melissa McCarthy Photos Courtesy of The Whatcom County Boys & Girls Club

April 2018 95

NOTES Final Word

Don’t come home without a mammoth, dear! Ken (and Loretta) offer their postWinter Olympic Games thoughts to increase viewership WRITTEN BY KEN KARLBERG

very two years, we celebrate the world’s athletes, their incredible stories of sacrifice, and the spirit of Olympic competition. Once upon a time — back before cell phones and the internet — the whole world tuned in. Now, not so much. Why? Well, as all her readers know, my alter-ego, Loretta, is a marketing genius. Together, we were retained last week to answer just that question. Two Coconut Porters later, each, here are our top suggestions for an Olympic facelift. Let’s start with the obvious — Olympic programming needs help and marketing executives need a better sense of humor. Go younger with your target audience, folks, and tell a few Hope Hicks “white lies” for the sake of entertainment. Take the biathlon competition — what the hell? Without historical context, no one knows why it is an event. I mean, totally uff da, right? What do cross-country skiing and target shooting have in common? Ah, but there’s the disconnect for TV viewership that could easily be explained, tongue-in-cheek, by a simple video clip of two ancient ancestors of Sven and Ole, the mythical Norwegian jokesters. In the clip, their furclad cave wives hand them makeshift skis and crude spears, push them out of the cave, and then instruct them: “Don’t come home without a mammoth, dear.” That’s the historical marital roots of today’s biathlon. I know — there’s absolutely no need to explain further. Better yet, you only need to connect the dots once. You can’t un-connect that visual, ever. Now to sponsorships. Samsung, I am sorry. I love your smartphones, but you are not an appropriate title sponsor. The Winter Games need a title sponsor that actually fits the Winter Games, year-in and year-out. With all due respect to the Netherlands, Norway — the little David that slew Goliath-should be the Winter Games permanent title sponsor, no matter the snowy venue. They just killed it, again, at PyeongChang. No surprise there. After all, if you do your research, the Winter Games were invented by the Norwegians, for the Norwegians, to justify their ski fetish between shots of akvavit during the winter. From here forward, we should dub the biannual competition, “the Norwegian Winter Olympic Games.” Besides, Norway has oil money; they can afford to pay. The rest of us are just their guests for the most part anyway. And here’s another simple sponsorship suggestion — solicit sponsors for specific events. The halfpipe competitions, for

BellinghamAlive.com

instance, are scary displays of aerobatics that only under-30, pimple-faced fools smoking pot would attempt. Thus, the name of the venue — the halfpipe, otherwise known as false courage. Colorado, Oregon, California, and Washington, one of you need to hire Shaun White, the snowboarder, to promote your fledgling legal marijuana industries during the next Winter Games. Feel free to nod your heads in private. Samsung, don’t despair. If you team with Google, there’s a sponsorship-specific event for your smartphones and the Google Map app. The Austrian cross-country skier who lost a silver medal because she made the wrong turn in her race is a “ready-made” spokesperson. Amazon, you need to step up, too, and sponsor all luge, bobsleigh and skeleton events. Imagine a commercial with a luge competitor ordering from Amazon Prime at the top of the run, only to have the package delivered at the bottom only two minutes later. Now that’s fast — faster even than Jimmy John’s. Mr. Bezos, I don’t often have two “mammoth” ideas in one Final Word, but for 10 percent of the net profits, you are welcome to use the concept. Sign here, please. And listen up, AARP, enough with the life insurance and funeral service “offer” letters in my mailbox at home. The slalom, giant slalom and downhill events are metaphors for life. Sponsor them. After a life of dodging children at a frenetic pace, and then dodging professional obstacles at a slighter slower pace, retirement is even more frightening. Fill the humor void, AARP, the parallels are obvious. I may just buy something if you do. (Okay, not a chance.) Likewise, Paul Mitchell, Gene Juarez, and Aveda, get out of your marketing boxes and sponsor the curling competition. No one knows the competition isn’t about hair. Bottom line, the answer to declining viewership isn’t rocket science. Be creative, humor sells — and the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo are just around the corner. As the host for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, Japan recently proposed adding video games and “hacking” as new events. La-Z-Boy and Duluth Trading Company, you had better jump on the opportunity if the event is approved. Nothing says boxers or briefs, and recliners (and selfadministered catheters), like video games and hacking. Unfortunately, WikiLeaks, the “hacking” competition for 2020 is already closed. Russia and North Korea were awarded gold and silver in advance. So take your bronze medal and be happy, Julian, living in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. How’s your tan lines these days? 

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