Cascadia Weekly

Cover

Wanderlust Whistler

If downward dog, “activating the heart chakra” and Surya Namaskar are common phrases in your lexicon, you’re not alone.

According to a recent study by the Yoga Journal, 20.4 million Americans practice some form of yoga, a surge of interest that has given rise to a $27 billion industry, including an 87 percent increase in spending on classes, clothing, videos and retreats over the past five years.

Here in the Fourth Corner, the yoga scene is likewise thriving, with more than a dozen

This Week

The Gristle

Dickering Docks

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

DICKERING DOCKS: As Cherry Point races to become the energy export mecca of the Pacific Northwest, efforts are simultaneously underway that could cripple Whatcom’s ability to economically benefit from that activity.

Scores endured a warm day in the Shuksan Middle School gymnasium last week to shine light through the holes in a plan to complete a second dock at BP’s Cherry Point Marine Terminal. Completion of a North Wing addition to the refinery’s existing dock would expand capacity at

News

A Smaller Box

Coal terminal scope narrows, Bellingham wants it to widen

By Tim Johnson · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

A revised design may provide better natural buffers and drainage to a proposed coal pier at Cherry Point, but other impacts remain.

SSA Marine announced last week that they had submitted an alternative approach and site configuration designed to provide greater environmental safeguards, including a reduction in wetlands acreage disturbed by the project. The new footprint is 14 percent smaller and would require removal of only half of the wetlands that would have been disturbed in the original

Outdoors

Wanderlust Whistler

Local yogis head north for adventure

By Christian Martin · Monday, July 21, 2014

If downward dog, “activating the heart chakra” and Surya Namaskar are common phrases in your lexicon, you’re not alone.

Here in the Fourth Corner, the yoga scene is likewise thriving, with more than a dozen

Visual

Summer Moments

Seasonal sights at Matzke Gallery

By Stephen Hunter · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Once again, it’s time to take the drive to the magical Matzke Gallery on Camano Island for a cornucopia of wonderful art.

Traveling is the hallmark of Hiroshi Yamano, a Japan-born glass artist who trained in Tokyo, in California, and at the Pilchuck School. He says, “I am a fish who is always looking for something…maybe I will swim forever, like the universe.” It’s been suggested that his ever-present symbol of the fish represents Japanese ambivalence between being open to novelty

Food

Aslan Brewing Co.

Making a splash in Bellingham’s beer scene

Story and photo by Jessamyn Tuttle · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Bison_burger_and_waffle_fries_at_Aslan_by_Jessamyn_Tuttle-o.jpg

Aslan Brewing Company began making a splash in the local beer drinking community even before their Forest Street brewpub opened to the public.

I had tried several of their beers at the Local, including the extremely fragrant Ginger Rye, and when their IPA appeared on tap at my neighborhood pub it was highly popular. They were obviously off to a good start. They finally opened their doors in May, and seem to be settling into the downtown Bellingham food-and-drink scene very comfortably.

The

On Stage

Becky's New Car

Forks in the road, with laughs

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

The first thing I noticed as I settled into my seat at the Mount Baker Theatre’s intimate Walton Theatre to view Becky’s New Car—one of the three Summer Repertory Theatre plays showing through Aug. 10—was an oversized yellow traffic sign depicting a vehicle that was in danger of being crushed by a cascade of falling rocks.

Among the other highway ornamentations that captured my attention were shout-outs for Interstate 5, a “Speed Limit 65” reminder and a sizable fork-in-the-road sign.

Words

Summer Reads

Books for the beach

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

A few years ago, the big thinkers at National Public Radio (NPR) asked their book-loving listeners to take part in a “Best Beach Books Ever” poll. More than 16,000 people responded, casting approximately 136,000 votes for the 100 titles that were chosen. The following trio of tomes were included on the lengthy list, and deserve a second—or first, or third—read. Do you have to devour the words on a hot day while reclining on a towel near a refreshing body of water? Of course not, but it’s

Music

Mission Folk Music Festival

A good time, squared

By Carey Ross · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Odds are, if you are a music fan, you can find a festival out there to suit your fancy. Whether your tastes are specific—you’re a bluegrass or EDM lover, say—or you’re into an experience that embraces a wide swath of styles and genres—in which case events like Sasquatch and Coachella probably flip your entertainment pancakes—there’s a music festival out there for you. Big or small, grassroots or corporate, rural or urban, family-friendly or adults-only—the options are many and growing

Film

Life Itself

Two thumbs way up

Reviewed by Rene Rodriguez · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

There are scholars who blame Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel for dumbing down film criticism with their thumbs-up, thumbs-down approach, the same way they blame Steven Spielberg and George Lucas for ruining movies with the success of Jaws and Star Wars. But Siskel and Ebert accomplished just the opposite: They popularized criticism and introduced it to the masses via their PBS show in which they spent a lot of time debating (and fighting) over movies before delivering their final, yes-or-no

Today

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Jul 27

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Whatcom Old Settlers Picnic: The 119th annual Whatcom Old Settlers' Picnic takes place from 12-9pm Thursday, 12pm-11pm Friday, 9am-10pm Saturday, and 12-4pm Sunday at Ferndale's Pioneer Park, 2004 Cherry St. Celebrating the rich history of the area and the people who call it home, the weekend-long event features live music, a fun run/walk, parades, a classic car show, local food and craft vendors, a barn dance, open tours of the historic park, a beer garden and more. more »

Boating Center Open: All are welcome to check out the Community Boating Center, which has opened back up for the summer season at its headquarters at 555 Harris Ave. (near the Amtrak Station). Upcoming classes and excursions include bioluminescence paddles, introductions to sea kayaking, sunset paddles, dinghy sailing 101, full moon paddles, paddleboarding 101, and more. Boat rentals and storage and moorage are also available. Check the website for times and prices. more »

Bard on the Beach: William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream will play in repertory with the Bard's The Tempest and Cymbeline, and Bill Cain's Equivocation, during the 25th annual "Bard on the Beach" season through Sept. 20 at Vancouver, B.C.'s Vanier Park. Tickets are $33-$47 (Canadian). more »

MBT’s Summer Repertory Theatre: The Mount Baker Theatre's Summer Repertory Theatre continues this week with showings of Lanford Wilson's comedy/drama Talley's Folly, Neil Simon's comedic Last of the Red Hot Lovers, and Becky's New Car, by Steven Dietz, at the MBT's Walton Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. The three plays show in repertory at 7:30pm on weekdays and 3pm Sundays through Aug. 10. Tickets are $12.50-$25. more »

Big Book Sale: In advance of moving to a bigger location, attend a "BIG Book Sale" from 10am-6pm Friday and Saturday and 1-5pm Sunday at the Ferndale Public Library at the Pioneer Pavilion, 2007 Cherry St. Books for all ages and interests will be available. more »

Chuckanut Mountain Marathon: As part of the Bellingham Trail Running Series, sign up for the Chuckanut Mountain Marathon and Half-Marathon, which begins at 7am at the Lost Lake parking area (on Chuckanut Drive). Entry is $59-$99. A post-race party happens at Larrabee State Park. 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 »

Fundraising Sale: Bellingham Repertory Dance will host its annual yard sale to raise funs for the season's coming performances from 8am-1pm at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave. 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 »

Running & Archery: Novice and competitive categories will be part of the new Northwest Run-Archery Classic taking place today at 9am the Custer Sportsmen's Club west of Ferndale. Cost is $35-$45. The event will raise money for Girls on the Run and the national Archery in the Schools Program. more »

Paws and Claws Expo: The Alternative Humane Society will host its 6th annual "Paws and Claws" Expo from 10am-4pm at Bloedel Donovan Park, 2214 Electric Ave. Games, demos, pet portraits, entertainment and booths by a variety of vendors will be part of the fun. Attendees can also visit with dogs that are up for adoption and learn about the process. Entry is free. Leashed pets are welcome. more »

Summer Ride: As part of Everybody Bike's Summer Rides series, attend at "Lights! Camera! Bicycles!" excursion from 1-3pm starting at Whatcom Museum's Lightcatcher Building, 205 Flora St. Dress as your favorite movie character for a ride along historic trolley routes in downtown Bellingham, and end the fun with a special viewing of "The Art of Genre: Posters from Hollywood's Golden Age" exhibit. Entry is $3; no registration is required. more »

Fiddlin’ Fox Concert Series: The final "Fiddlin' Fox" concert of the season features the Latin beat tunes of Alma Villegas from 2-5pm at the Fairhaven Village Green, 1207 10th St. The free, family-friendly concert includes dance instruction. more »

Brewers by the Bay: Bellingham Bay Rotary will host the eighth annual "Brewers by the Bay" from 2-5pm at the Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. Tickets are $25-$30 and include five tastes from 80 different microbrews, a commemorative glass, burgers and hot dogs and live music. more »

Fun With Tie-Dye: Sign up for a "Fun with Tie Dye and Shibori" course happening today from 3-5pm at the Community Enrichment Center at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2117 Walnut St. Bring natural materials to day, and your creativity. Entry is $25. more »

Biking Uphill: Seattle-based author Arleen Williams reads from Biking Uphill at 4pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. The tome is the second in Williams' Alki Trilogy. more »

Cheryl Bentyne: Grammy-winning singer and longtime Manhattan Transfer member Cheryl Bentyne returns to her hometown for a concert at 5:30pm at Mount Vernon's Lincoln Theatre, 701 S. First St. A VIP reception begins at 3:30pm. Tickets are $20 for the concert only, and $50 for VIP entry. more »

Cascadia Weekly