Cascadia Weekly

Cover

Welding Rodeo

If you set your alarm early enough this coming Friday or Saturday morning, you can make it to the Bellingham Technical College campus in time to see a spectacle that comes but twice a year.

At approximately 8am each morning, a loud horn will sound, and teams who have gathered to compete in the 12th annual Welding Rodeo will scurry forth to paw through mounds upon mounds of scrap metal. When they’ve found what they think they’ll need among the various hunks of discarded steel, the teams of

This Week

The Gristle

Bottled Up

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

BOTTLED UP: In ways both mirroring and anticipating Whatcom’s debate on coal exports, Skagit County and the City of Anacortes held a series of recent public meetings in response to a proposal to build the largest bottling plant in North America on 38 acres bordering a sensitive salmon estuary near Turner Bay as it empties into Similk Bay on Fidalgo Island south of the city. The proposal would require the annexation and consolidation of 11.15 acres of county land adjacent to Anacortes’ urban

Music

Back 2 Bellingham

Something 4 everyone

By Carey Ross · Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I live near enough to Western Washington University that I can exit my front door, meander a block or two down the street and view the institution of higher learning in all its storied glory. In fact, any journey that takes me to downtown Bellingham for any reason involves walking or driving by the college, and many of my errands are made that much quicker by cutting right through campus.

Despite all that, I tend to take Western’s presence as a given, expending little or no energy on

Food

Know Thy Onions

Tricky tips for the kitchen and garden

By Ari LeVaux · Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Onions can be tricky to grow, which is why a farmer’s onions have long been considered a litmus test for agricultural skill. Hence the expression, “He knows his onions,” which is like saying, “He knows the ropes.” Knowing one’s onions in a literal sense is a great thing to aspire to, and this applies as much in the kitchen as it does in the garden.

Onions are absolutely fundamental to cooking. I may love garlic more, but I need onions. When I’m in the kitchen, I know my onions like Adam knew

Visual

Welding Rodeo

From scrap to sculpture

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, May 15, 2013

If you set your alarm early enough this coming Friday or Saturday morning, you can make it to the Bellingham Technical College campus in time to see a spectacle that comes but twice a year.

Film

To the Wonder

Malick goes all in

Reviewed by Stephen Whitty · Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Some audiences have trouble with experimental films. I have trouble with experimental films that aren’t experimental enough.

Truthfully, I prefer straight-up, linear narratives. Character, conflict, catharsis—you know, all those things Aristotle used to yammer on about. Those still work for me, time after time. But if you’re going to gamble, go big. And Terrence Malick’s To the Wonder is a true, all-in bet.

The poetry of movies—visuals, sounds, movements and how they can be joined or

On Stage

Soapbox

Get up on it

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The college kids who crammed the bus to capacity on the ride from downtown Bellingham to Western Washington University’s Viking Union Friday night were busy making plans for the weekend.

I know this because I could hear them bellowing at each other about where the parties were going to be later and chatting loudly on their cell phones so as to be heard above the throng of commuters. I’m assuming the frenzy of texting was also focused on who was doing what, and where, but I didn’t have

Outdoors

Hammer Time

United in soccer

Story and photo by Trail Rat · Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The European Soccer Pyramid is full of “hams.” In England, they have football clubs based in Fulham, West Ham, Tottenham, Oldham, Rotherham, Nottingham, Gillingham, and Birmingham.

Meanwhile, here in the North American Pyramid—where towns attached to that particular suffix lay scattered few and far between across the land—the “ham” is conspicuously lacking.

In fact, only one American soccer team that I know of can lay claim to any sort of ham-affiliated home ground at the

Words

Seeing Purple

On the town for Ladies Night Out

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The first rule of Ladies Night Out is: You do talk about Ladies Night Out. The second rule is that sometime during the course of the evening, you share an amusing story about your significant other (or lack thereof).

A third rule has just surfaced, thanks to Downtown Bellingham’s 5th annual Ladies Night Out, which happens from 5-8pm Thurs., May 16 throughout the urban core. While this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule—merely a suggestion—the powers that be are asking that if you’re getting

Film

Star Trek Into Darkness

The bromance continues

Reviewed by Andrew Pulver · Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Director JJ Abrams has followed up his sensational 2009 Star Trek reboot with a sparkling 3D sequel.

The core of the earlier film is present and correct: Chris Pine as the unfeasibly handsome junior Kirk; Zachary Quinto as the fringed logician Spock; Zoe Saldana—her status subtly enhanced after her leading role in James Cameron’s Avatar—as the lissome Uhuru; Karl Urban as grandstanding medical officer Bones; and Britain’s Simon Pegg as engine-room supremo Scotty, gamely approximating a

Today

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May 17

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Children’s Book Week: Celebrate youth literacy as part of Children’s Book Week from May 13-19 at Village Books, 1200 11th St. Storytimes, author events and more will happen through the week. more »

Soapbox: Original song and dance, characters both realistic and theatrical, moments both comic and dramatic and personal revelations will be part of Soapbox performances at 7:30pm Wednesday-Friday, and 7:30pm and 10:30pm Saturday, at WWU’s Performing Arts Center. FYI: The show contains adult content, so it’s best to leave the kids at home. Tickets are $8-$12. more »

Little Shop of Horrors: The Lynden Performing Arts Guild presents Little Shop of Horrors for the final weekend at 7:30pm Thursday through Saturday, and 2pm Sunday, at the Claire vg Thomas Theatre, 655 Front St. Tickets are $8-$12. more »

Baja Design Competition: The Western Washington University chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers will host the Baja 2013 International Design Competition from 8am-5pm Thursday and Friday at Lynden’s NW Washington Fairgrounds and 8am-3pm Saturday and Sunday at Hannegan Speedway. The event—which calls for students to develop a vehicle—is free and open to the public. more »

Mixed Bag: View classic and evolving improv formats at “Games Galore!” shows at 8pm at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. At 10pm, viewers can show up for “Director’s Cut” performances. Tickets are $8-$10. more »

Evermore: Go 1,000 years into the future when showings of the science-fiction rock musical Evermore take to the stage at 8pm Friday and Saturday at Whatcom Community College’s Syre Theatre, 237 W. Kellogg Rd. Tickets are $15. more »

Abilene: Follow Captain Gideon Harris and his struggles to bring the first cattle drive to the town of Abilene, Kansas, when the third episode of Ben Eisner’s five-part serial play, Abilene shows at 8pm and 10pm shows Friday and Saturday at the iDiOM Theater, 1418 Cornwall Ave. Tune in for a new episode each weekend through June 1. Tickets are $10. more »

Welding Rodeo: Join in the "fun, flare and sparks" at the annual Welding Rodeo happening from 8am-5pm Friday and Saturday at Bellingham Technical College, 3028 Lindbergh Ave. In addition to the real-time welded sculpture and skills competition comprised of professional teams from throughout Washington State, there'll be a Welding Skills Challenge open to all, a hands-on welding booth, a vendor trade show, industry reps, raffles, food, blacksmithing demos and much more. Entry is free. more »

Spring Book Sale: Friends of Deming Library will host a Spring Book and Plant Sale from 10am-5pm Friday and Saturday at the Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Hwy. more »

Into the Woods: Young performers ages 12-15 present showings of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Into the Woods at 7pm Friday, 1:30pm and 7pm Saturday, and 2pm Sunday at the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth, 1059 N. State St. Tickets are $10 at the door or online. more »

Driving Miss Daisy: The Alger Lookout Thespian Association continues its production of Driving Miss Daisy with shows at 7pm Friday and Saturday and 2:30pm Sunday at Alger Community Church, 1475 Silver Run Lane. Tickets are $12-$14; matinee tickets are $10. more »

Crenshaw Family Reunion: Watch familial shenanigans ensue at showings of Crenshaw Family Reunion at 7pm Friday and Saturday, and 2pm Sunday, at Everson’s Nooksack Valley High School, 3326 E. Badger Rd. Tickets are $8. more »

Art by the Airport: The Whatcom Art Guild presents its annual Ski to Sea exhibit and sale, “Art by the Airport,” from 6-8pm Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday at Hampton Inn’s Fox Hall, 3985 Bennett Dr. Approximately 50 members will display artwork in a variety of genres, and there’ll be art demos, a garden plant sale and food by Bare Bones Barbecue. Entry is free. more »

Back 2 Bellingham: Art exhibits, planetarium shows, live music, paddling and bike excursions, theater, a carnival, campus tours, dinners, birding walks, presentations, open houses and much, much more will be part of the 100-plus activities happening during Western Washington University’s “Back2Bellingham” celebration happening on campus and throughout Bellingham Friday through Sunday. Many events are free. more »

Bike to Work and School Day: Celebrate the 16th annual Bike to Work and School Day from 6:30-9:30am at a plethora of “celebration stations” throughout Whatcom County (see the website listed here to find the one closest to you). Once you check in, you’ll be gifted with a variety of foodstuffs and swag. Later in the day, there’ll be a Tricycle Relay Race and Slow Bike Race at noon at City Hall, and, at 5pm, an after-work party at Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen. more »

Pancake Feed: As part of Bike to Work and School Day, attend a Pancake Feed from 6:30-11am at the Hub Community Bike Shop, 903 ½ N. State St. In addition to the pancakes, there’ll be coffee, adult beverages, live music, a photo booth and a dance party. more »

Wild Things: Kids, adults and adventurers can join Wild Whatcom Walks for “Wild Things” excursions from 9:30-11am every Friday in May at Cornwall Park. Entry is by donation. more »

Sherlock’s Staying Power: “Dr. Doyle and Mr. Holmes: The Cultural Staying Power of Sherlock Holmes” will be the focus of a Humanities Washington Speaker Series talk with journalist Tim Keogh at noon at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. Entry is free. more »

VIGIL FOR PEACE: Join the longest-running Peace Vigil in the country—48 years and counting—from 4-5pm every Friday afternoon at the corners of Cornwall Avenue and Magnolia Street. more »

Farm Fun Friday: Food, drinks, live music and lawn games will be part of “Farm Fun Fridays” until 9pm every Friday through July 5 at BelleWood Acres, 6140 Guide Meridian. The distillery tasting room will also be open late, with free tastings. From 4-6pm, happy hour specials will be available. more »

Aliens in Disguise: As part of Children’s Book Week, Bellingham author Clete Barrett Smith will read from Aliens in Disguise—the third book in his Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast series—at 5pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. more »

Lydia Place Gala: Help raise funds for Lydia Place’s transitional housing program at the nonprofit’s 12th annual Spring Gala & Auction from 5:30-8:30pm at the Best Western Lakeway Inn, 714 Lakeway Dr. Tickets are $60. more »

Junior Ski to Sea Parade: Support local kids and get an eyeful of community participation at the annual Junior Ski to Sea Parade beginning at 6pm at Cornwall Avenue and Alabama St. Judging will take place at 4:30pm. more »

Family Story Night: Members of the Bellingham Storyteller’s Guild will tell tales at Family Story Night at 7pm at the Fairhaven Library, 1117 12th St. Show up at 6pm for a fee hour of coaching and an intro to storytelling. more »

First Muslim: Former psychologist and Middle East journalist Lesley Hazleton shares stories and ideas from her book The First Muslim: The Story of Muhammad at 7pm at Whatcom Community College’s Heiner Theatre. Entry is free. more »

Coffee House Open Mic: Singers, musicians and readers of poetry and prose can take part in a Coffee House Open Mic at 7pm at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St. Participants can sign up to perform up to three songs or poems. more »

Bingo in the Barn: Help the South Whatcom Public Library at Sudden Valley at a fundraising “Bingo in the Barn” gathering from 7-9pm at the Sudden Valley Dance Barn. Proceeds from the all-ages event will benefit the building fund. more »

Prom Night Dance: Join USA Dance for a “Prom Night” public dance with live music by Napu from 7-10pm at the Fairhaven Library, 1117 12th St. Mary Evans will lead a west coast swing lesson at 7pm, and beginners and singles are welcome. Entry is $7-$10. more »

Sara Watkins: Singer, songwriter and fiddler Sara Watkins—who is best known for her work in the Grammy Award-wining band, Nickel Creek—performs at 7:30pm at Mount Vernon’s McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way. Kris Orlowski opens the show. Tickets are $20. more »

Kay Zavisla Piano Recital: Acclaimed pianist Kay Zavisla, current a visiting professor at WWU, will perform selected works by Johann Sebastian Bach at a free concert at 7:30pm at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave. more »

Purple Church Ecstatic Dance: Enjoy spontaneous, inner-guided dancing to a wave of world fusion music every Friday from 7:30-9pm at the Purple Church Ecstatic Dance, 311 E. Holly St. Suggested donation is $5-$10. more »

The Flying Karamazov Brothers: The vaudevillian comedy-and-juggling spectacle known as the Flying Karamazov Brothers bring their internationally renowned act back to Bellingham at 8pm at the Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. The show is suitable for all ages. Attendees are encouraged to bring objects to the theater for the “brothers” to keep airborne. Tickets are $20-$42. more »

Guitars of Western: The public is invited to a free “Guitars of Western” concert at 8pm at Western Washington University’s Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. more »

Zombie Prom: Join the Bellingham Roller Betties for their 7th annual Zombie Prom starting at 9pm at Rumors Cabaret, 1119 Railroad Ave. Entry is $5 with a costume, $6 without. A costume contest, face painting, a photo booth and more will be part of the freaky festivities. more »

Cascadia Weekly