Bellingham, WA Events and More

Here are the retail stores that opened or closed last month in Whatcom County

Looking for a new business, shop or studio to check out? In October, three new businesses opened in Whatcom County as only one closed. New Whatcom County shops Cosmic Games Cosmic Games opened Friday, Oct. 2, inside the Bellis Fair mall. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and is located at Bellis Fair’s previous DSW Shoes space at 8 Bellis Fair Parkway, next door to Buffalo Wild Wings. Cosmic Games was previously located at 3930 Meridian St. These are the Whatcom County restaurants that opened or closed in October Rather Bee Vintage Rather Bee Vintage , a collectibles and vintage treasures store, officially opened Oct. 6. The venture was launched by sisters Samantha and Marianne Brands. “We’ve always shared a love for antiques, vintage treasures, and the joy of finding something truly special. There’s nothing quite like discovering a hidden gem, imagining its story, and giving it a new place to be loved. After years of collecting and selling online, we decided to turn our dream of opening a vintage shop into reality,” Marianne Brands told The Bellingham Herald in an Oct. 21 email. “Our hope

Whatcom County, WA · 1d

mybellinghamnow.com

Demolition begins on former Bellingham Public Schools District Office

BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Demolition has begun on a nearly 120-year-old building in Bellingham. Crews began demolition on the former Bellingham Public Schools District Office, located 1306 Dupont St., earlier this week. The building served as a schoolhouse from its construction in 1908, until it was converted to the...

Bellingham, WA · 23h

Bellingham Herald

These are the Whatcom County restaurants that opened or closed in October

Looking for a new restaurant to try out? Whatcom County gained three new eateries in October, and one closed permanently. Openings Café Hazeltree Emmaquatics Aquarium & Lounge partnered with Café Hazeltree to open a new “Late Nite Aquarium Café” on Oct. 3. Café Hazeltree and Emmaquatics are located in the same space but will have different operating hours, according to a Sept. 15 Facebook post . Café Hazeltree will be open from 2 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Sunday, and Emmaquatics will be open from 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 12:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday. “While the coffee bar will be closed on M/T, when Emma’s there the space is still open to guests as a lounge. Similarly, the aquariums will still be free and open for viewing even outside of Emmaquatics operating hours,” the Facebook post states. Café Hazeltree and Emmaquatics are at 1135 Railroad Ave. in downtown Bellingham, the previous location of Woods Coffee. Chewzy Cookies Chewzy Cookies , a Blaine-based cookie bakery, opened a location in Bellingham on Oct. 3. The bakery specializes in over 12 varieties of cookies, dirty sodas, coffee and Lotus beverages. “Our cookies are mixed in-house using 100% butter

Whatcom County, WA · 2d

mybellinghamnow.com

Construction of behavioral care center expected to begin in March 2028

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County’s plan for their new behavioral care center is coming into focus. The Whatcom County Council received an update on the facility at their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, as the project enters the design phase. The facility will contain two 16-bed...

Whatcom County, WA · 1d

KOMO News

partner publisher · 33.0K followers

Bellingham school board votes to close two elementary schools

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Bellingham Public Schools board voted Thursday to close Carl Cozier and Columbia elementary schools beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The board approved separate resolutions for the closures during its regular meeting. MORE | SCHOOL CLOSURES THROUGHOUT WESTERN WASHINGTON. The resolutions say the board considered...

Bellingham, WA · 3h

Tacoma News Tribune

When will Western Washington see its first frost this fall? What forecasters say

It’s getting colder in Washington state. As temperatures drop, you could start seeing small ice crystals forming on leaves, grass and roads. When can Western Washington residents expect to see frost covering the ground this fall? How long will frosty temperatures last, and how can you protect your plants and plumbing from the chill? Here’s what the experts say: When will we see the first frost in Washington state? When you can expect to see frost in 2026 depends on where you live in Washington state , according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac . The almanac looked at likely dates for the first and last frosts of the season , based on its long-range weather forecasts as well as historical frost averages. In much of Western Washington, frost timing should be “close to the historical average ,” the almanac said, while the last spring frost is expected roughly a week or two later than usual in Central and Eastern Washington. Even “modest” shifts in frost timing can “make a meaningful difference when you’re deciding when to sow early crops, set out seedlings or keep frost protection handy,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said. The almanac predicted Bellingham would see its first

Washington · 2d

Bellingham Herald

Atmospheric river likely to bring wind, rain, coastal flooding to Whatcom County

A trio of storms is chugging toward Western Washington to batter the region with wind and rain in a phenomenon called an atmospheric river. Weather systems set to hit one after the other Friday, Saturday and Sunday will pack strong wind and steady rain, but it won’t be enough to cause flooding on the Nooksack River, the National Weather Service said Monday in a phone call. “It’ll be wet, but not enough to produce any (river) flooding. It will be steady (rain), but not really heavy,” meteorologist Jeff Michalski told The Bellingham Herald. That term “atmospheric river” can cause concern among those who live near the Nooksack River, where such storms brought catastrophic flooding in February 2020, November 2021 and December 2025. This weekend’s storms, however, could bring coastal flooding Friday and Saturday mornings in places like Cherry Point because of seasonal high tides coinciding with low pressure, wind and storm surge. About an inch of rain could fall through Sunday in the Whatcom County lowlands, Michalski said. Data from the Northwest River Forecast Center shows the Nooksack cresting far below flood stage in Ferndale, Nugents Corner and Deming. “The Nooksack, it’s barely doing anything. The risk of flooding seems

Whatcom County, WA · 1d

everafterinthewoods.com

Silent Films Still Flicker Inside This Restored 1927 Washington Movie Palace, And Tickets Won’t Break The Bank

Silent movies still flicker across a screen here, inside a nearly century-old palace built for exactly that job. The same room has hosted Rocky Horror nights, ski films, and touring Broadway shows. That is quite a range for one stage. The building has been lovingly restored, and the decor still...

Bellingham, WA · 20h

Bellingham Herald

Port of Bellingham considering purchase of three waterfront buildings

In an effort to preserve a working waterfront, Port of Bellingham Commissioners next week will consider a $5.9 million deal to buy the Bornstein Seafoods buildings on Bellingham Bay, Port officials said in a statement Tuesday. Bornstein owns three buildings totalling about 35,100 square feet at 1001 Hilton Ave. on the I&J Waterway, an inlet on Bellingham Bay across from the Hotel Bellwether. Bornstein put the buildings up for sale in August 2024 after closing the plant and consolidating its businesses in Astoria, Ore., according to the Port and previous Bellingham Herald reporting. Bellingham seafood processing company announces closure, putting dozens of locals out of work “Keeping working waterfront jobs in Bellingham is one of the Port’s top priorities, and this site has been part of our fishing industry for generations,” the Port’s Executive Director Tiffany DeSimone said. “It protects moorage and dockage on the I & J Waterway and maintains our commitment to the marine trades area.” Port commissioners meet at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Port of Bellingham Harbor Center, 1801 Roeder Ave., Suite 146. The proposed sale includes the buildings and any other rights that the Bornsteins hold, according to Tuesday’s statement. Included in that deal is

everafterinthewoods.com

Locals Keep Driving Across Town For The Thick Burgers At This Old-School Washington Drive-In

Flip on your headlights here, and a carhop heads straight for your window to take your order. That one little signal tells you everything about this place. It runs on a 1950s rhythm, and it seems perfectly happy staying that way. The burgers come stacked thick, including one built with...

KING-5

He helped end a war. Now he’s using music to unite neighbors

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Jeff Hovenier has lived his life as a peacemaker. Now, he is working to bring harmony to his community. “I think all diplomats hope to be peacemakers, and at times we’re certainly given an opportunity to do that,” Hovenier said. Hovenier worked for 34...

Bellingham, WA · 1d

mybellinghamnow.com

Coastal flood advisory issued for Whatcom County

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The ongoing storm systems impacting the Puget Sound region are escalating. The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory for San Juan County and the lowlands of western Whatcom County effective from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. This coincides with...

Whatcom County, WA · 2d

mybellinghamnow.com

Holiday Bazaar, CCR, Warren Miller, standup comedy and more | Lifestyle Lookout

BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Wet, windy weather got you down? Fear not. There’s a bunch of fun stuff to do this weekend in Bellingham to brighten your spirits. It’s time for the 44th annual Holiday Bazaar at Bellingham Covenant Church (1530 E. Bakerview Rd.) The event is on Saturday, Nov. 14 and will feature over 50 vendors offering handmade items, crafts, jewelry, artwork, clothing and more.

Bellingham, WA · 1d

fox13seattle.com

WA ferry crisis: Cracking terminal cuts off Orcas Island

San Juan County declared a State of Emergency after cracks discovered in two steel support beams on the Orcas Island ferry terminal's transfer span prompted immediate bans on vehicles longer than 22 feet. The restrictions have severed standard ferry access for heavy trucks delivering food, medical supplies, fuel, and sanitation...

San Juan County, WA · 1d

takemetotn.com

Small Town Charm Meets Some of Washington’s Lowest Living Costs in One Place

A ferry bound for Alaska is a pretty compelling thing to find close to home. In this coastal city, that journey begins at the waterfront, giving an ordinary day beside the water a tempting sense of possibility. The mountains offer their own reason to pay attention. A nearby ski area...

everafterinthewoods.com

This Washington Family Butcher Has Been Hand-Cutting Steaks And Smoking Bacon Since 1972, And Locals Skip The Supermarket For It

Raspberry jalapeño bacon burgers. Korean BBQ pepperoni sticks. Alligator meat. All of it comes from one family butcher counter in a quiet corner of Washington farm country. The shop has been cutting meat since 1972. It still wraps custom orders in plastic and butcher paper, the same way it always has.

Stanwood, WA · 1d

mybellinghamnow.com

Whatcom Fire District 1 levy lid lift unlikely to pass: see data

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – With a little over a dozen total votes left to count, most Whatcom County election measures have been decided. It’s unlikely that any of those ballots will have any sway over a tightly contested levy measure. The Whatcom County Auditor reports a levy...

Whatcom County, WA · 2d

Bellingham Herald

partner publisher · 33.0K followers

Whatcom Roundup: New downtown boutique; gift shop closes; Barkley Vietnamese

Here’s our weekly roundup of the latest retail and restaurant activity around Whatcom County: New downtown shop open Lost Gentlemen’s Club , a boutique with masculine goods, cigars, barware and more, has officially opened in downtown Bellingham. The new shop — launched by Jen Mason, owner of Wink Wink Boutique — opened Wednesday, Nov. 11, according to an Instagram post. “Come check out our quality supply of barware, leather journals, books, grooming goods, games, and more. We look forward to making your acquaintance,” the Nov. 11 Instagram post states.

Whatcom County, WA · 10h

Tacoma News Tribune

22 nights of I-5 lane closures are planned in northwest Washington in 2027

Expect work on Interstate 5 through Bellingham, Washington, over several nights next year, as the State Department of Transportation replaces entire concrete panels on the roadway. Working at night is safer for crews and creates fewer traffic problems, especially for a project of this scope, WSDOT officials said. Bellingham City Council members unanimously approved a waiver of overnight noise limits on Monday for the project, which is planned for 22 non-consecutive nights between March and December 2027. Work is planned at 10 locations on a two-mile stretch of freeway between Lakeway and Sunset drives. Mike Wilson, assistant director of the Public Works Department and head of its Engineering Division, told a City Council committee that the work is part of a program that stretches from Bellevue to the U.S.-Canada border. “There may be some closures on the interstate that could cause impacts to (city streets). We’ll know more about that as the project gets closer, but that is likely to be a part of the traffic-control plans,” Wilson said. Work locations include both sides of the freeway at Lakeway Drive, Meador Avenue, Alabama Street and East Sunset Drive. WSDOT air quality and acoustics specialist Ben Bloom told Bellingham officials that