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 19

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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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Camano Island Studio Tour: Forty-eight artists, 31 studios and three galleries will be part of the 15th annual Camano Island Studio Tour from 10am-5pm Friday through Sunday throughout the island. The self-guided tour is free. more »

Book and Plant Sale: Used books, DVD and plants can be purchased at a Used Book and Plant Sale from 10am-4:30pm Saturday and Sunday in Maple Falls at the North Fork Library, 7506 Kendall Rd. more »

Multicultural Festival: Attend a free Multicultural Family Festival from 12:30-5pm at Mount Vernon’s McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way. Live global entertainment, interactive cultural activities, delicious international cuisine, local vendors, arts, crafts and children’s village will be part of the festivities. more »

FAIRHAVEN RIDE: Meet up with folks from Fairhaven Bike & Ski for a weekly race-pace ride at 8am at the Fairhaven Village Green. more »

Rabbit Ride: Join members of the Mt. Baker Bike Club for the weekly “Rabbit Ride” starting at 8:30am at Fairhaven Bike & Ski, 1108 11th St. The 32-mile route sees riders heading down Chuckanut and back via Lake Samish. more »

Haulin’ Axe Run/Walk: The “Haulin’ Axe” Run/Walk begins at 9:30am at the Barkley Haggen, 4210 Springland Lane. Entry to the 5K run and two-mile walk is $15-$35; proceeds benefit the Support Office Community Care and Firefighters for Fun. more »

Ridin’ Low in the 3-6-0: The 13th annual “Ridin’ Low in the 3-6-0” takes place from 11am-5pm at Western Washington University’s Red Square as part of Back2Bellingham. The event—which celebrates Latino culture—includes a car show, music, food, family-friendly contests, dancing and informational booths. more »

Summer Rides: As part of Everybody Bike’s Summer Rides series, hook up for an “Urban Farmers” ride at 1pm starting at the gazebo at Elizabeth Park. You’ll be visiting chicken coops, beekeepers and friendly goats on the household farm tour. No registration is required. more »

Bug Sing-Along: Join the Bellingham Ukulele Group (BUG) for a short performance and community sing-along from 1:30-3:30pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. All ages are welcome. Bring your “uke” and prepare to have a good time. more »

Garden Workshop: Master gardeners will focus on “Transplanting and Planting Properly” as part of a free spring and summer workshop series at 2pm at Ferndale’s Hovander Homestead Park. No registration is necessary. more »

Rural Delivery: The contemporary bluegrass sounds of Seattle’s Rural Delivery can be heard at a 2pm concert at Nancy’s Farm, 2030 E. Smith Rd. Suggested donation is $15. more »

Sprout Walk: Join members of the Washington Native Plant Society for a family-friendly “Sprout Walk” from 2-3:30pm at Ferndale’s Tennant Lake Interpretive Center. The walk is designed for children ages 4-6 with adult guardians. Please register in advance. more »

Spring Choral Concert: Combined WWU choirs will perform at a free “Spring Choral Concert” at 3pm at the school’s Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. The public is welcome to attend. more »

Mind-Bending Mentalist: Principles of psychology, magical illusion, intuition and perceptual manipulation will be used when “mind-bending mentalist” Brian Ledbetter performs at 3pm and 7pm at Mount Vernon’s Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St. Tickets will be $10 at the door, and proceeds will benefit the theater’s Digital Futures Initiative. more »

Shoe Print Art: As part of Children’s Book Week, children’s author and crafter Karen Roberts leads a “Shoe Print Art: Step Into Drawing” workshop for kids ages 4 to 10 at 4pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. Entry is free. more »

Sound Healing: A “Sound Healing” Kirtan concert with Amitabhan and Kristen Rubis begins at 6:30pm at 8 Petals Yoga Studio, 1317 Commercial St. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Funds raised will benefit the Brigid Collins Family Support Center. more »

Dynamo: Discover a new way to spend your Sunday nights when “Dynamo” shows at 8pm at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. The performances feature 12 improvisers vying for the “Dynamo” title through a series of games and elimination rounds. Entry is $2. more »

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