The Gristle
A LAST DITCH EFFORT: Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Noah Purcell of the state’s Solicitor General’s Office this week argue the state’s case in front of the United States Supreme Court. The high court agreed to hear State of Washington v. United States, the culmination of…
Views
Politicians, pundits and activists who’ve routinely denounced President Trump as a tool of Vladimir Putin can now mull over a major indicator of their cumulative impacts. The U.S.-led missile attack on Syria is the latest benchmark for gauging the effects of continually baiting Trump as a…
Letters
There is incredible community activism helping to house the homeless in Whatcom County. It is led by an undaunted group of people who have staged protests like the tent city set up at the…
Many Americans confuse free-market capitalism with freedom. How can we continue to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness if we lack adequate health care? The changes brought about…
Since the start of the refugee program called Temporary Protective Status (TPS) approximately 20 years ago, each TPS refuge has been required to report and pay $800 every 18 months for the…
Today's Events
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
10:00am
The flower-focused Skagit Valley Tulip Festival takes place throughout April at a variety of venues from Mount Vernon to Edison to La Conner, Anacortes, and beyond. In addition to being able…
Free Appliance Pick-up
10:00am
In honor of Earth Day, Appliance Depot is offering free pick-up of your appliances—whether they’re working or non-working—from April 7-May 5 in Whatcom County (typical fees are $10-$60).…
Hir
7:30pm
Attend performances of Taylor Mac’s subversive comedy Hir at 7:30pm Wednesday through Friday, and 2pm and 7:30pm Saturday at Western Washington University’s DUG Theater (in the Performing…
9 to 5, the Musical
7:30pm
Friendship and revenge take center stage when 9 to 5, the Musical continues this week with performances at 7:30pm Thursday through Saturday, and 2pm Sunday at the Anacortes Community Theatre,…
Opera Studio Performances
7:30pm
Join Western Washington University’s Opera Studio for performances of contemporary one-act operas at 7:30pm Thursday through Saturday, and 2pm Sunday at the school’s Performing Arts Center…
Lynden Book Sale
10:00am
Find some fantastic spring reads and DVDs at bargain prices at a Book Sale happening from 10am-5pm Friday, 10am-4:30pm Saturday, and 1-4:30pm Sunday at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St.…
Bellingham Beer Week
10:00am
Beer Olympics, beer dinners, an Earth Day cleanup party, a cornhole championship, book signings, multiple release parties, hops planting, a mountain bike festival, brew-focused presentations,…
Chanticleer Authors Conference
12:00pm
Come and enjoy three days of instruction on how to improve your marketing skills and sell more books at the annual Chanticleer Authors Conference taking place Friday through Sunday at Hotel…
Always...Patsy Cline
7:00pm
Witness a musical tribute to a beloved country western star when Always…Patsy Cline begins this weekend with 7pm performances Friday and Saturday at the Conway Muse, 1844 Spruce St. Ria Peth…
North Cascades Concert Band
7:30pm
The North Cascades Concert Band presents its spring concert, “Sousa’s America,” at performances a 7:30pm Friday at Whatcom Community College’s Syre Auditorium, 7:30pm Saturday at Arlington…
Legends and Brawls
8:00pm
Any genre will be up for grabs when “Genre Legends” returns to the stage at 8pm Fridays and Saturdays through April at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. At 10pm, stick around for “Backyard…
Pancake Breakfast
8:00am
Choose from pancakes, French toast and biscuits and gravy at a Pancake Breakfast taking place from 8-11am at the Ferndale Senior Center, 1999 Cherry St. Entry is $2.50 for kids and $6 for…
VFW Breakfast
8:00am
Enjoy a breakfast of pancakes, French toast, eggs sausage and more from 8-11am at Lynden’s VFW Hall, 7011 Hannegan Rd. Entry is $6 (free for kids 5 and under).
Plant Society Field Trip
8:30am
Join members of the Washington Native Plant Society for a field trip near Sumas to Veder Mountain from 8:30am-4pm, where they will be looking for the first spring flowers of the year. Entry…
Fun with the Fuzz
9:00am
Sign up for the ninth annual “Fun with the Fuzz 5K” starting at 9am at the Bellingham Police Department, 505 Grand Ave. The road race supports families of police officers who are killed in…
3 Cs Plant Sale
9:00am
Perennials, herbs, vegetable starts, trees, flowers, canning starts and more from 20-plus vendors can be found at 3 Cs Farms’ Plant and Craft Sale from 9am-3pm Saturday and Sunday at 6222 Mt.…
Planting Day
9:00am
Bring patio-sized containers from home or purchase one on site at “Planting Day” event starting at 9am at Garden Spot Nursery, 900 Alabama St. Expert designers will be on hand to help you…
Earth Day Planting
9:00am
Join the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association to celebrate Earth Day and World Fish Migration Day from 9am-12pm at NSEA’s native plant nursery. Park at Heritage Bank (2405 E. Bakerview…
Ferndale City Wide Cleanup
9:00am
Volunteers are needed for litter cleanup, weed control and other small projects at the Ferndale City Wide Cleanup taking place from 9am-1pm starting at parking lot at City Hall, 2095 Main St.…
Bellingham Bay Bocce Tournament
9:30am
Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center will host its 16th annual Bellingham Bay Bocce Tournament fundraiser from 9:30am-5pm at the Bellingham Sportsplex, 1225 Civic Field Way. All ages are invited…
FutureFest
9:30am
Transition Fidalgo & Friends presents “FutureFest: Building the World We Want” Saturday and Sunday in Anacortes at the Port Transit Shed Event Center. The event will celebration imagination,…
Community Art Museum Day
10:00am
“Thinking Outside the Basket: Community Art Museum Day” takes place from 10am-4pm at Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher Building (250 Flora St.), and Old City Hall (121 Prospect St.). Basketry…
Bellingham Farmers Market
10:00am
The 26th season of the Bellingham Farmers Market continues from 10am-3pm Saturdays through Dec. 22 at the Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. In addition to offering locally grown…
Earth Day Celebration
10:00am
Join Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group for an Earth Day Celebration from 10am-4pm at Mount Vernon’s Edgewater Park, 600 Behrens Millett Rd. Attendees can help improve a walking path that…
Voting, the Heart of Democracy
10:00am
“Voting, the Heart of Democracy” will be the focus of a League of Women Voters of Bellingham and Whatcom County panel discussion from 10am-12pm at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central…
Ponds and Water Features
10:00am
Blaine C.O.R.E. (Community Orchards for Resources and Education) hosts a free “Ponds and Water Features” presentation from 10am-12pm at the Blaine Library, 610 3rd St. Attendees will learn…
Arch of Healing Installation Ceremony
10:30am
Attend an installation ceremony for the Arch of Healing and Reconciliation from 10:30am-12pm at Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie St. Sabah Randhawa, president of Western Washington…
Healthy Kids Day
2:00pm
Get a jump start on summer by attending Healthy Kids Day from 2-5pm at the Bellingham YMCA, 1256 N. State St. The free event will feature fun activities from community groups and sponsors and…
Veggie Gardening 101
2:00pm
WSU Whatcom Master Gardeners can help you navigate the best options for direct seed versus using transplants or starts in your garden at a free “Veggie Gardening 101: Seeds vs. Starts”…
Poetry Circle
3:00pm
Read the poems that have mattered the most in your life at a Poetry Circle taking place from 3-4:30pm at the Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Hwy. Share a poem that stabs the heart, reveals…
Roller Betties Bout
5:00pm
Attend the Bellingham Roller Betties’ last regular bout of the season at 5pm at the pavilion on the campus of Whatcom Community College, 237 W. Kellogg St. The evening features a double…
Winterhouse
6:00pm
Ben Guterson reads from his first book of fiction, Winterhouse at 4pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. The enchanting urban fantasy middle-grade debut—the first book in a trilogy—is set in…
Rainbow Alliance Drag Show
7:00pm
The Skagit Valley College Rainbow Alliance will present its sixth annual Drag Show starting at 7pm at Mount Vernon’s Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St. Special guest and emcee Vivienne…
Blackthorn Band
7:00pm
The musical traditions of Scotland and Ireland will come alive when Blackthorn Band performs at 7pm at Mount Vernon’s Littlefield Celtic Center, 1124 Cleveland Ave. The quartet performs…
Who will wear the crown?
7:00pm
Speakeasy 21
7:00pm
Bruce Beasley, Ramona Elke, Jory Mickelson, Kevin Murphy, Nancy Pagh, Dayna Patterson, and Rena Priest will be the featured guess at “SpeakEasy 21: Poets Talk Poetry” from 7-9pm at the Encore…
Songs from the Universe
7:30pm
Cosmic throat singer Matthew Kocel presents “Songs From the Universe” at 7:30pm at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave. This is your opportunity to experience pure bliss in…
Nepal Trek Talk
7:30pm
See images and hear stories of a 32-day adventure through the mountains of Western Nepal with local travelers at a “Mustang-Saribung Pass Trek” presentation from 7:30-9pm at the Lummi Island…
Brigid Collins Benefit Concert
8:00pm
The duo of Sharon Mayson and Shauna Rae Samograd will present strong vocals and sweet harmonies covering Americana-style roots music and originals at an annual Benefit Concert for Brigid…