If you are looking for a community of Bellingham locals to hang out, drink a cider and do some yoga with, Bellingham Treehouse Yoga has just the event for you. Lacy Kemp, founder and instructor of Bellingham Treehouse Yoga, hosts free pop-up yoga classes throughout the winter at Bellingham’s own Lost Giants Cider Co.
Western Washington University used to offer the HBO Max streaming service for students living on campus but not anymore. Western decided not to renew its contract with Comcast, leaving students looking to other streaming services for something new to binge-watch.
A new show has arrived at the Viking Union's student-curated art gallery. This solo show, titled “LUSH,” showcases works by Filipinx-American artist Heidi Grace Acuña. Until Nov. 29, Acuña’s multidisciplinary works, including photography, ceramics and textiles, will be available for Western Washington University students to enjoy.
Welcomed by a packed Underground Coffee House, Western Washington University’s Royal Gambit Drag Club kicked off their first-ever drag show with The Monster Mash: A Devilish Night of Drag. The night of Oct. 29 consisted of nine performers taking turns lip-syncing to songs while performing pre-planned pantomimes and dancing. The queens, kings and monarchs were all met with an exuberant crowd that they said surpassed all expectations.
The historic armory building at 525 N. State Street, Bellingham, is now home to Armory Pickleball, which will open for member use within the next couple of weeks. The armory was built in 1911 and served as a hub for military logistics and defense during the First and Second World Wars. In 1953, a portion of the armory was converted into a roller rink. The building became a popular event location and a meeting place for Boy and Girl Scouts. In 1972, the National Guard sold the building to Western Washington University, that sold it again in 2018 after little use.
“This is a good drag show because it’s running late, so you know it’s going to be the real experience,” Chan joked as they prepped for their set. The audience cheered as Wo Chan, The Illustrious Pearl in drag, strutted into the Multicultural Center on Western Washington University’s campus sporting a bright red lip, a black studded wig cap and carrying a basket full of mysterious props.
Comic-Con is back! The popular comic book and fantasy event occurred in Bellingham on Saturday, Oct. 15, bringing renowned comic book artists, writers and professionals to share their expertise with the public.
If the primaries in Whatcom County are any indication, the 42nd District Senate seat will be a neck-in-neck race. The candidates, Rep. Sharon Shewmake and incumbent Sen. Simon Sefzik, are long-time Whatcom County residents who never saw themselves becoming politicians.
Students walking past the Western Gallery in the middle of Western Washington University’s campus this fall have been hearing a variety of noises from the front of the building. Students may have heard bird noises, rock ‘n’ roll or even audio essays coming from the exhibits. These noises are from an exhibition called "Sound Out Radio," an internet radio station being played out for the student body to hear.
First-year Western Washington University student Hilary Greenwood hiked the entire Pacific Crest Trail in five months. Now, she can’t sleep in a bed because she said they’re too comfortable. “I think it’s hard for me because I slept on the ground for so much of [the trail] that I’m used to it,” Greenwood said.
A dark gray building with bright teal trim nestled between restaurants in downtown Bellingham is home to one of the town’s lesser-known artistic gems. This is Make.Shift Art Space.
Two Whatcom County initiatives on the upcoming midterm ballot propose a tax increase, or levy, on property value – Proposition 2022-5 to help fund child care and early-learning services and Proposition 2022-6 to help fund emergency medical services in Whatcom County.
The tunnel in Sehome Hill Arboretum reopened after undergoing repairs to damage caused by falling rocks, which made the location unsafe for pedestrians in July 2020. The tunnel is located in the northern part of the Arboretum and can be accessed from the Tunnel Ridge Trailhead on Myrtle Street.
After nearly four years at their original location on Commercial Street in downtown Bellingham, Banter Hospitality will be closing the location in mid-November. Their Prospect Street location, called Banter After Hours, will become the new headquarters for owner Emile Diffley’s operation.
Stories of unexplained occurrences at the Hotel Leo, Horseshoe Cafe, Sycamore Square and North Garden Street are common to hear around this time of year. Some locals will shrug off these strange incidents while others blame the various spirits that haunt the streets of Bellingham. Paranormal activity seems to thrive in the Fairhaven neighborhood – particularly at the Sycamore Square building. Tales of the “Lady in Green” haunting dishwashers at the Black Cat are so common that a sign about these sightings is posted next to the elevator on the first floor.
Poet, drag queen and now author, Wo Chan, is visiting Western Washington University on Monday, Oct. 31, in the Multicultural Center to talk about their first book, “Togetherness.”
Every Tuesday, the NEKO Cat Cafe welcomes college students to take a break, pet some cats and enjoy some drink specials.
The Outback Farm has taken on the fight against food insecurity among Western Washington University students as it helps stock up free food pantries around campus – with the help of locally grown produce from Western’s own backyard.
The Bleedingham Film Festival will be hosting its 11th year of short horror films at the end of Halloweek, Oct. 28-30. With 101 films and no COVID-19 mandates, Langley West, co-director for Bleedingham, is “looking forward to a Bleedingham that feels like Bleedingham.” In 2020, the festival went online and came back socially distanced in 2021. This year will be the first time since the pandemic that Bleedingham is back to ‘normal.’
Ana Swetish, a third-year student at Western Washington University, is the best surfski competitor in the world under 23 years old. Her journey began when she was 11 years old. “In 2013, a kid’s kayak team started in Bellingham on Lake Padden, and my dad signed my sister and I up,” Swetish said. “I fell in love with it.”
Solutions by The State News
