The Gristle
THE REAL SOCIAL NETWORK: This week’s meeting of Bellingham City Council was a masters’ course in current social justice and social equity issues.
Council appears inclined to continue their ban on the conversion of the city’s dwindling supply of manufactured home parks, one of the…
Alan Rhodes
Recently, I was looking over the slate of candidates in next month’s local primary election. There are some really excellent people running, but the appearance of three names on the list left an unpleasant feeling in the pit of my stomach.
While he was on Whatcom County Council, Tony…
Rumor Has It
My dad is the kind of guy who will stop and give five minutes of his time to just about anyone. Because of this, I have learned that it is entirely possible to form lasting, meaningful bonds with people five minutes at a time.
If ever there was anyone made for friendships formed in…
Letters
At a recent meeting of the City Council Planning and Development committee, Council member Michael Lilliquist discussed the affordable housing issue facing Bellingham and the entire Puget…
Our best-intended leaders talk about improving housing, but “affordable housing” keeps slipping further out of reach.
Zoning in unincorporated Whatcom County that allows more affordable…
Thank you for your balanced approach to the reporting of the smoke evacuation issue in the existing jail in last week’s Gristle.
I do have one item that has a material impact related to…
Today's Events
Boating Center Open
10:00am
Bellingham’s Community Boating Center will be open through the summer from 10am until sunset daily at their headquarters at 555 Harris Ave. Rentals include kayaks, sailboats, rowboats and…
Skagit Guided Adventures
10:00am
This summer, join Skagit Guided Adventures for “Explore n’ Cruise” outings to Vendovi Island Thursdays through Mondays. “Hike n’ Cruise to Cypress Island” outings happen July 17, 27, 26 and…
Summer Reading Bingo Challenge
10:00am
As part of a Summer Reading challenge, children, teens and adults can pick up a BINGO card at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. Prizes will be available for all age levels.…
Tall Ship Tours and Sails
10:00am
History will come alive when the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain make their return to the area from Friday and Saturday at Squalicum Harbor Marina, 722 Coho Way. Educational…
Bard on the Beach
2:00pm
A Wild West-inspired version of The Taming of the Shrew will be part of the 30th Bard on the Beach season at Vanier Park in Vancouver, BC. Through Sept. 21, the Shakespearean favorite will…
The Birds
7:30pm
iDiOM Theater’s Summer Rep continues with a production of The Birds at 7:30pm Thursday through Saturday at Maritime Heritage Park, 500 W. Holly St. The comedy by Ancient Greek playwright…
Fairhaven Summer Repertory Theatre
8:00pm
As part of Bellingham TheatreWorks’ inaugural Fairhaven Summer Repertory Theatre, Tennessee Williams’ family drama, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, plays in repertory with Sarah Ruhl’s comedic The…
Skagit Tours
10:53pm
As part of the annual Skagit Tours, Seattle City Light, the North Cascades Institute, and the National Park Service offer Diablo Lake boat tours, Gorge powerhouse tours, and Ladder Creek…
NW Raspberry Festival
10:00am
Celebrate the largest harvest of raspberries in North America at the annual Northwest Raspberry Festival taking place from 10am-8pm Friday, and 8am-5pm Saturday throughout Lynden. In addition…
Plover Ferry Rides
12:00pm
The Plover ferry runs weekends through Sept. 2 from 12-8pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 10am-6pm Sundays departing on the hour from the Blaine Visitor’s Dock, Gate II at Blaine Harbor.…
Seaside BBQ
5:30pm
Enjoy the ultimate beach barbecue experience at a “Seaside BBQ” event from 5:30-8:30pm Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 31 at Blaine’s Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy. The “party on…
Sin & Gin Tours
7:00pm
Through September 21, costumed guides will regale audiences with tales of fascinating characters at the margins of history at Good Time Girls’ “Sin & Gin” tours at 7pm Fridays at Saturdays in…
Shakespeare Northwest
7:00pm
Head to William Shakespeare’s mystical woods when A Midsummer Night’s Dream kicks off Shakespeare Northwest’s summer season with a performance at 7pm Friday at Mount Vernon’s…
Skagit Tours
10:53pm
As part of the annual Skagit Tours, Seattle City Light, the North Cascades Institute, and the National Park Service offer Diablo Lake boat tours, Gorge powerhouse tours, and Ladder Creek…
Tour de Whatcom
7:30am
Choose from scenic 22-, 44-, 62- or 100-mile bicycle rides as part of the 15th annual “Tour de Whatcom” starting at 7:30am in front of the Farmers Market at Boundary Bay Brewery, 1107…
Four routes, endless views
7:30am
Shipwreck Day
8:00am
More than 200 vendors will show and sell their wares at the massive community garage sale known as Shipwreck Day from 8am-5pm along Commercial Avenue in downtown Anacortes from 10th to 4th…
Pancake Breakfast
8:00am
Choose from hotcakes, French toast or biscuits and gravy at a Pancake Breakfast happening from 8am-11am at the Ferndale Senior Center, 1999 Cherry St. Entry is $2.50 for kids and $6 for…
Concrete Saturday Market
9:00am
Fresh food, arts and crafts, and live music are part of the Concrete Saturday Market happening from 9am-3pm weekly through Labor Day weekend at the Concrete Community Center, 45821 Railroad St.
Mount Vernon Farmers Market2333
9:00am
Attend the Mount Vernon Farmers Market from 9am-2pm Saturdays through Oct. 12 at the city’s Riverwalk Park, 509 S. Main St. The market supports local farmers and growers in a family-friendly…
Ayurveda, Eat Right for Your Type
9:00am
Bharti Nagal helms “Ayurveda: Eat Right for Your Type” from 9am-2pm at the Community Food Co-op, 1220 N. Forest St. This is the first in a series of classes combining yoga practice and…
Ferndale Renaissance Faire
9:00am
Attend the inaugural Ferndale Renaissance Faire from 9am-6pm Saturday, and 9am-4pm Sunday at the Pioneer Park Soccer Fields, 2241 2nd St. Attendees can enjoy the royal Scottish court,…
Anacortes Farmers Market
9:00am
Find fresh produce and much more at the 30th season of the Anacortes Farmers Market happening from 9am-2pm Saturdays through Oct. 26 at the Depot Arts Center, 611 R Ave.
Twin Sisters Farmers Markets
9:00am
Affordable, Whatcom County-grown produce can be procured at the Twin Sisters Farmers Market from 9am-3pm at the IGA parking lot on Nugent’s Corner, and 10am-2pm in Maple Falls at the North…
Bellingham Farmers Market
10:00am
The 27th season of the Bellingham Farmers Market continues from 10am-3pm Saturdays through Dec. 21 at the Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. In addition to perusing and purchasing…
Lummi Island Saturday Market
10:00am
Vendors will offer fresh produce, local honey, gorgeous flowers, arts and crafts and more at the Lummi Island Saturday Market happening from 10am-1pm Saturdays through the summer in the field…
Summer Book Sale
10:00am
Purchase gently used books and DVDS when the Friends of the Birch Bay Library host a Summer Book Sale from 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday at their booth at the annual Sand Sculpture Competition…
Summer Seersucker Bicycle Ride
10:00am
Dress in vintage wear from the 1920s and ’30s (think seersucker suits, leather lace-up shoes and flat caps) and take part in the Summer Seersucker Social Bicycle Ride starting at 10am at La…
NW Art Beat Studio Tour
10:00am
Twenty-two artists will show and sell their work at 15 creative spaces during Skagit Artists’ 16th annual “NW Art Beat” from 10am-6pm Saturday and Sunday throughout the Skagit Valley. The…
Blaine Gardeners Market
10:00am
Homegrown and handmade farm products, baked goods, arts and crafts and more can be found at the Blaine Gardeners Market from 10am-2pm Saturdays through October at the city’s H Street Plaza.
Mind, Body, Spirit Fair
10:00am
Discover the “power of you” at a Mind, Body, Spirit Fair taking place from 10am-4pm at the Center for Spiritual Living, 2224 Yew Street Rd. Create your healing network, listen to inspiring…
Sand Sculpture Competition and Rollback Weekend
10:00am
The annual Birch Bay Sand Sculpture Competition will be combined with the Rollback Weekend Car Show from 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday throughout the Birch Bay waterfront. The two-day event…
Lynden Farmers Market
10:00am
Local farmers and artisans will sell their edible and creative wares at the Lynden Farmers Market from 10am-2pm every Saturday through Sept. 28 at Centennial Park, 319 Grover St.
Correspondence Club
10:30am
Anyone over 8 years old can show up for the monthly Correspondence Club gathering from 10:30am-12:30pm at Mindport Exhibits, 210 W. Holly St. Supplies, materials and instructional guidance…
Your Fall Gardening Starts Now
11:00am
Whatcom Master Gardeners will discuss cool-weather crops, perennial vegetables, protective covers and how to prepare your garden for winter at a “Your Fall Gardening Starts Now” presentation…
Camping at the Library
11:00am
Kids in grades K-5 can sit around the “campfire” and listen to scary stories, sing camp songs and eat s’more in a cup at a “Camping at the Library ” event at 11am at the Deming Library, 5044…
Cemetery Tours
11:00am
The Lynden Pioneer Museum presents “A Walk Back in Time” tour from 11am-12pm at the Lynden Cemetery, 1975 Front St. Tour guides will explore the history of the city, burial practices and…
Plover Ferry Rides
12:00pm
The Plover ferry runs weekends through Sept. 2 from 12-8pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 10am-6pm Sundays departing on the hour from the Blaine Visitor’s Dock, Gate II at Blaine Harbor.…
Ask a Quilter
2:30pm
As part of the “Modern Quilts” exhibit, attend “Ask a Quilter” events from 2:30pm-4:30pm Saturdays through Aug. 24 at Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher Building, 250 Flora St. Members of the…
Nooksack River Walk
3:00pm
Learn about local salmon species, discover native plants and find aquatic insects at the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association’s Nooksack River Walk starting at 3pm in Glacier at the…
SpeakEasy 25
4:00pm
“Pig Tales: A Passel of Poetry” will be the theme of SpeakEasy 25 at 4pm in Everson at Alluvial Farms, 6825 Goodwin Rd. Paul Hunter will open the special reading, and nationally recognized…
Artist Talk with Judy Talley and Elizabeth Sandvig
4:00pm
Attend an Artist Talk with Judy Talley and Elizabeth Sandvig at 4pm in Edison at i.e. gallery, 5800 Cains Court. Before or after, check out Talley’s prints of barns that evoke the Skagit…
Seaside BBQ
5:30pm
Enjoy the ultimate beach barbecue experience at a “Seaside BBQ” event from 5:30-8:30pm Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 31 at Blaine’s Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy. The “party on…
Feast and Frolic in the Field
5:30pm
Join Viva Farms to celebrate its farmers and the preservation of sustainable family farming at its third annual “Long Live Farms: Feast & Frolic in the Field” starting at 5:30pm in Mount…
Heart of Anacortes Summer Concert Series
6:00pm
Hear funk, Latin, jazz, R&B and more when Cascadia Groove continues the City of Anacortes’ free Summer Concert Series from 6pm-8pm at the Heart of Anacortes, 1014 Fourth St. The all-ages…
Andrew Rivers
7:00pm
Standup comedian Andrew Rivers bring personal and hilarious storytelling to the stage for a 7pm show at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay. Aside from his television appearances on NBC and FOX,…
Sin & Gin Tours
7:00pm
Through September 21, costumed guides will regale audiences with tales of fascinating characters at the margins of history at Good Time Girls’ “Sin & Gin” tours at 7pm Fridays at Saturdays in…
Salsa Night
9:00pm
Join DJ Antonio Diaz as he mixes a fabulous combination of the best Latin rhythms at Rumba Northwest’s bimonthly “Saturday Salsa Night” taking place from 9pm-12am at Cafe Rumba, 1140 N. State…
Skagit Tours
10:53pm
As part of the annual Skagit Tours, Seattle City Light, the North Cascades Institute, and the National Park Service offer Diablo Lake boat tours, Gorge powerhouse tours, and Ladder Creek…
CascadiaWeekly
