Throughout December, I aim to shine a light on artists who are offering creative ways for people to shop locally for the holidays. But for now, a roundup of outdoor murals and installations that have recently been completed seems like a good way to celebrate a holiday season in which people are being urged to stay at least six feet away from each other.

The introductory line item comes courtesy of the Ferndale Arts Commission (http://www.cityofferndale.org), who in recent weeks have…

Fairhaven Winterfest is going to have a different vibe this year, but from Nov. 27-Dec. 20 the annual holiday celebration in the historic district will go on—albeit with less events apt to draw a crowd, pandemic-related safety protocols in place, and shorter, socially distanced visits with Father Christmas.

One thing there will be more of are the spirits of the season. On opening weekend, Holiday Cocktail Kits can be preordered from select Fairhaven bars and restaurants for pickup…

They thought it was over.

Late last summer, when Kiewit Infrastructure withdrew its application for an extensive surface-mining permit at a rock face on Big Bear Mountain, just outside of the village of Marblemount, members of the Skagit River Alliance breathed a sigh of relief. Members had formed the nonprofit due to the scope of the proposed project and the dangers they saw in it when it was up for approval before the Skagit County Planning and Development department.

“I guess I…

If Samuel Beckett’s Endgame had been set in 2020, the four characters shut inside their house for the duration of the one-act play would likely be part of a “quarantine bubble” designed to keep infection at bay during a global pandemic.

But iDiOM Theater didn’t tinker with the original 1950s-era script when it came time to resurrect one of the Irish playwright’s masterworks—meaning Beckett’s existential exploration of the futility of life and the repetitive nature of human beings is…

As per last week, I’m still eyeballs deep in watching made-for-TV Christmas movies. I’m currently on A Nashville Christmas Carol (featuring special guest star Wynonna Judd) and will shortly be transitioning to Christmas Next Door. However, on Thanksgiving, I’ll be taking a break from hauling out the holly jolly movies in favor of revisiting some turkey day classics.

It’s not so easy to find these days, but the classic of all classics is, of course, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.…

Everyone has adapted to our curtailed COVID existence in different ways. Some of us stockpiled food, fed sourdough starters and embraced our inner Betty Crocker. Some of us cleaned out our closets, started a workout regimen and dedicated ourselves to healthy self-improvement. Others of us became one with our pajamas, rediscovered that frozen cookie dough can be a complete meal and rewatched Gilmore Girls from the beginning (me, I’m talking about me).

Robert Sarazin Blake, on the…