Cascadia Weekly

Cover

It All Ends Here

In some parts of the nation—in fact, across pretty much all of the United States—the weekend culminating in the last Monday in May is known as “Memorial weekend” or “Memorial Day.” It is a federal holiday that exists to remember those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and it also enables us to celebrate those veterans who are still with us.

Make no mistake: In these parts, we have a deep respect for and an equivalent amount of gratitude for those who have served at the

This Week

The Gristle

Fugue State

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

FUGUE STATE: “Success,” President Barack Obama once observed, “is determined by an intersection in policy and politics.” Each shapes and is shaped by the other, and indeed one can’t get to the policy without the driving politics.

Despite that wisdom, with some of the most momentous policy decisions that have ever faced the Fourth Corner visible on the horizon, a curious sort of torpor has descended on the politics that shape the policy. Coal ports; waterfront redevelopment; watershed

Words

Grace Notes

Remembering Jack McCarthy

By Ryler Dustin · Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The first time I saw Jack McCarthy, I was in line at Stuart’s Coffee House, then a haven for local artists, Bellingham bohemians, students, loners and poets.

At the time, I didn’t know what the word “poet” meant. I didn’t know much of anything. I knew I needed to write for some reason beyond my control, but I didn’t know what to write, or why, or even how to begin.
All I knew with certainty was that I needed a cup of coffee.

That’s when Jack took the stage. I had stumbled into

Outdoors

A Harbinger of Summer

Climbing Sauk Mountain

Story and photo by John D'Onofrio · Wednesday, May 22, 2013

At last, after several years in a row of late-lingering snowpack in the North Cascades, it looks like we might just catch a break.

An average snow year, followed by a so far unusually warm and dry spring, are the ingredients that make for an early—and long—hiking season. Keep your fingers crossed, but this could be a banner year for wandering among the peaks.

A good place to start is Sauk Mountain. This strategically placed minor summit rears up above the Skagit River and has what it

Music

It All Ends Here

Of festivals and block parties

By Carey Ross · Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Make no mistake: In these parts, we have a deep respect for and an equivalent amount of gratitude for those who have served at the

Visual

Island Exploration

Seeking out artistic getaways

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, May 22, 2013

This coming Memorial Day weekend, Bellingham will be abuzz with celebrations of many sorts—most of them having to do with the inherent insanity that ensues during the annual Ski to Sea race.

Some residents will embrace the busyness of the seven-leg competition and its accompanying parades and parties, while others will long for an escape from the hullabaloo.

For those looking for an alternate way to celebrate the weekend that unofficially kick-starts the summer season, all that’s needed

Food

He Said, She Said

Taking turns at Streat Food

By Amy Kepferle and the Rat · Wednesday, May 22, 2013

He Said: My work shift that day had been an exceedingly long, hot and sweaty one, so when I finally landed back at the ranch that evening, pretty much all I could think to do was open a frosty brew and lump my grimy, bedraggled carcass down on the couch.

But, fortunately, the lady of the house had other plans for me.

I had just cracked a cold one and was doggedly en route to the bedroom—just a few steps away from starting to get my work uniform peeled off—when she emerged from the

On Stage

Setting the Stage

What’s up with the Commercial Street Theatre Project?

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, May 22, 2013

In the first 24 hours of its official fundraising campaign, the folks behind the Commercial Street Theatre Project raised more than $11,000—and the numbers are quickly rising.

This is good news to local dancer and choreographer Pam Kuntz who, along with her husband Mark and a handful of other area movers and shakers, are attempting to raise a total of $638,000 by March of 2014 in order to transform an empty trio of office spaces on Bellingham’s Commercial Street into a 200-seat, multi-use

Film

Fast & Furious 6

Start your engines

Reviewed by Alan Scherstuhl · Wednesday, May 22, 2013

There’s one key truth that separates the tank-topped gearheads of the Fast and Furious movies from the rest of us. Every problem these lugnuts face can be solved by doing the one thing these lugnuts love most: driving really fast. It’s like if you could deal with your taxes by hunkering down with a season of Justified.

Over the course of six films, now, these heroic outlaws have raced their Hot Wheels for justice, for wealth, for respect, to clear their names, to save the world from

Today

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May 25

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Ski to Sea Book Sale: The annual Ski to Sea Book Sale happens from 10am-6pm Wednesday through Friday, and 10am-3pm Saturday at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. more »

Abilene: Follow Captain Gideon Harris and his struggles to bring the first cattle drive to the town of Abilene, Kansas, when the fourth 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 »

Group Showcases, Hodgepodge: Ensembles that have been created to present special high-caliber improv performances can be seen at “Group Showcases” gigs at 8pm Friday and Saturday at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. At 10pm, stick around for "Hodgepodge" shows. Tickets are $8-$10, and additional showings happen May 31 and June 1. more »

Northwest Folklife Festival: Hundreds of musicians and artists from the region and around the globe will converge as part of the 42nd annual Northwest Folklife Festival from 11am-10pm Friday through Sunday, and 11am-9pm Monday, at the Seattle Center. Entry to the music and art extravaganza is free, but donations are welcomed. more »

Lummi Island Artists’ Studio Tour: The semiannual Lummi Island Artists’ Studio Tour takes place from 10am-6pm Saturday and Sunday throughout the island. More than 22 island artists will share their wares at the 16 open studios at the self-guided tour. Entry is free, and maps can be picked up at participating locales. more »

Fairhaven Walking Club: Whether you’re looking to improve or compete, all are welcome at the weekly Fairhaven Walking Club led by Cindy Paffumi starting at 8am at various locations in Fairhaven. Walk routes and meeting places change from week to week. All paces are welcome. more »

Pancake Breakfast: A monthly Pancake Breakfast takes place from 8-11am at Ferndale’s American Legion Post 154, 5537 2nd Ave. Entry is $2.50-$5.50. more »

Blossom Time Pancake Breakfast: Get fed before watching the Ski to Sea Grand Parade at the annual Blossom Time Pancake Breakfast from 8am-12pm at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center, 315 Halleck St. Entry is $3.50 for kids and $6 for adults. more »

Mount Vernon Farmers Market: The Mount Vernon Farmers Market opens up for the season from 9am-1pm at its temporary location in the parking lot at Skagit State Bank, 901 Cleveland Ave. The market continues through Oct. 19, and a Wednesday Market begins June 5. more »

NW Robotics Festival: Demos from various robotics clubs and organizations, racing competitions, robot-building for kids and much more will be part of the 8th annual Northwest Robotics Festival from 9am-2pm at the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention, 1312 Bay St. Entry is free. more »

Anacortes Farmers Market: Visit the Anacortes Farmers Market from 9am-2pm every Saturday through Oct. 26 at the Depot Arts Center, 611 R Ave. more »

Book Sale: Help raise funds for postage to send books into prisons when Bellingham Books to Prisoners holds a Book Sale from 9am-3pm outside Bellingham Music, 232 E. Champion St. Hardbacks of all kinds will be available for $1 each. more »

Blueberry Magic: Learn how to grow your own at a “Blueberry Magic” workshop at 10am at Bakerview Nursery, 945 E. Bakerview Rd. Register in advance for the free course. more »

Book Club: Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe will be the focus of the Deming Book Club’s monthly meeting from 10am-12pm at the Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Hwy. All adults are welcome. more »

Community Meal: Shepherd’s pie, mashed potatoes, green salad and brownies will be on the menu at the bimonthly Community Meal from 10am-2pm at the United Church of Ferndale, 2034 Washington St. Entry is free and open to all. more »

Ferndale Farmers Market: Fresh produce and handcrafted products will be available for perusal and purchase at the Ferndale Public Market from 10am-3pm at the town’s Centennial Riverwalk Park. The weekly market runs through Oct. 12. more »

Bellingham Farmers Market: The Bellingham Farmers Market can be visited from 10am-3pm every Saturday through Dec. 21at the Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. Fresh produce, crafts and a variety of ready-to-eat good are available. more »

Pregnancy and Baby Kids Expo: A “Pregnancy and Baby Kids Expo” takes place from 10am-4pm at the Ferndale Events Center, 5715 Barrett Rd. In addition to commercial vendors, there’ll be crafts, art, food, music, door prizes and more. Entry is $2. more »

Blossom Time Grand Parade: The Ski to Sea Blossom Time Grand Parade begins at noon in downtown Bellingham at the intersection of Cornwall Avenue and Alabama Street and ends at York and State streets. “Whatcom County: Watch Us Grow” will be the theme of this year’s parade. more »

Hidden Treasures: Learn more about why space restrictions allow most museums to display only about 10 percent of their holdings at a “Hidden Museum Treasures” presentation at 1pm at the Lynden Pioneer Museum, 217 Front St. Journalist Harriet Baskas will present a fast-paced, photo-filled and, at times, somewhat offbeat tour of Washington history through the stories of museum artifacts that are rarely—or never—shown to the public. more »

Caricature Workshop: Longtime illustrator John McColloch will lead a “Caricature Workshop” from 1-4pm at Bellingham’s Egress Studio. Participants will learn what types of tools to use, how to engage the person and what to do when something inevitably goes wrong. Entry is $50. more »

Art and Wine: Attend an “Art and Wine” event from 3-5pm at Vartanyan Estate Winery, 1628 Huntley Rd. Artist Patricia Brown’s work will be available for perusal. Entry is $5 for a tasting fee, which is refundable if you purchase wine. more »

Line Dancing Classes: Western Line Dancing classes are offered at 6pm (beginners) and 7pm (intermediates) every Friday night at Lynden’s Ten Mile Grange, 6958 Hannegan Rd. No experience or partner is needed. Cost is $5 per class. more »

ViaVoice: The a cappella quartet known as ViaVoice performs jazz from the first half of the 20th century, and rock from the later half, at a 7pm performance at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave. Entry is $15 at the door or online. more »

Vancouver Island Kayaking: Leaf Schumann and Louise Granger will share slides and stories focusing on “An Amateur’s Guide to Kayaking Vancouver Island’s Broken Island Group” from 7-8:30pm at the Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Hwy. All ages are welcome. more »

Circus Inflammable: Raise funds to help pay for recent improvements made to the Bellingham Circus Guild’s headquarters at “Circus Inflammable” shows this weekend at the Cirque Lab, 1401 6th St., suite #102. At 8:30pm Saturday, there’ll be a “Fire Show” fundraiser (beer garden opens at 7pm). On Sunday, there’ll be 30-minute vaudeville shows starting at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm. Entry is $15 to the Saturday show, and suggested donation for the Sunday shows is $10-$15. more »

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