Whatcom

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City & County

Neko Cat Café’s social media accounts stir up cat-loving fanbase of thousands

By Jase Picanso | February 1

In recent years, Neko Cat Café has gained a large following on both TikTok and Instagram for their creative and fun videos showcasing the cats’ personalities. The social media accounts share content of cats from both the Seattle and Bellingham locations. The café’s Instagram page has over 103K followers and their TikTok account has gained a following of over 345.5K adoring cat fanatics.

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City & County

A green comet set to swing by Earth

By Mathew Callaghan | January 31

An out-of-this-world, brilliantly bright green comet is set to be visible from Earth this week for the first time in 50,000 years.

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City & County

When the levee breaks

By Riley Weeks | January 30

Late at night on Dec. 24, 2022, chunks of ice slammed into and overtop a section of levee on the Nooksack River, breaching a 200-foot section of the human-constructed river bank meant to reduce the impacts of flooding. 

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City & County

In the clouds in the city of subdued excitement

By Sophie Bechkowiak | January 30

“Chance of rain,” a commonly used phrase in Bellingham, is now the name of the newest recurring event at The Blue Room, an all ages event venue located downtown.

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City & County

Why your eggs cost more than usual

By Sophie Bechkowiak | January 30

In recent years, food prices have been creeping upward, and Bellingham residents are noticing this change. Local and chain grocers are growing accustomed to seeing a limited supply of stock.

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City & County

MLK Day: Celebration in action

By Riley Weeks | January 26

The Viking Commons brimmed with energy and noise as community members from across Whatcom County and beyond gathered together around a free breakfast to celebrate the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. 

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City & County

Hunting pink snow

By Anyssa Mahmoud | January 26

You’ve heard of white snow, you’ve heard of yellow snow ... but have you heard of pink snow?  Outdoor enthusiasts are likely to come across this pink snow on Mount Baker during a late spring run down the mountain.

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City & County

Younger renters struggle to make ends meet

By Tristyn MacDonald | January 26

If you’re struggling to find affordable housing, you’re not alone. As Bellingham’s population continues to grow, young renters face a housing crisis stemming from building limitations and a lack of rental properties. 

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City & County

Bellingham Folk Festival returns

By Mathew Callaghan | January 26

Singing, square-dancing, laughing and toe-tapping melodies filled downtown Bellingham during the ninth annual Bellingham Folk Festival last weekend, Jan. 19 to 22.

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City & County

It’s time to get to know Bellingham’s local musician, Harbor Day

By Katie McNabb | January 26

You may have heard of Bellingham’s local musician Harbor Day, but even if you follow the artist on Instagram or have seen them perform live, the musician remains a bit of a mystery. Most people don’t even know their real name is Austin Colwell. It’s time to get to know the person behind the pseudonym. 

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City & County

Your body is not an anomaly

By Tristyn MacDonald | January 26

Blaire Sebren, a local self-taught artist, currently has a collection called “These Temporary Homes” being shown at the Make.Shift Art Space gallery that will remain until Saturday, Jan. 28. 

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City & County

The Banff Film Festival’s return to Bellingham

By Ben Stainbrook | January 24

The Banff Centre’s Mountain Film Festival returned to Bellingham last Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Mount Baker Theatre during its 2023 world tour. Human triumph, commitment, environmental preservation, cultural heritage and a grand love for the natural world were all themes presented during the sold-out, two-and-a-half-hour show hosted by the AS Productions team at Western Washington University.

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City & County

Vintage clothing market comes to Bellingham

By Hayden Hester | January 23

Rather than buying mass-produced, trend-based clothes, thrifting can provide alternatives to modern consumerism. Community-run events such as the most recent vintage clothing market seek to grow Bellingham’s thrifting culture.

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City & County

Letter from the editor: learning to do better

By Olivia Palmer | December 19

This quarter, The Front had a big wake-up call.  As fall editor-in-chief, I care a lot about both our publication and the community. That’s why in October, after The Front published a controversial guest opinion column about sexual assault, I knew we had to make a change. 

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City & County

Is Bellingham still affordable for WWU alumni?

By Jack Warren | December 15

With Bellingham becoming increasingly desirable and the current economic struggles of the country, students and experts agree that prices haven’t adjusted.  

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City & County

Community members call for WWU to help solve Bellingham’s housing crisis

By Nina Walsh | December 11

Bellingham City Council invited community feedback to address affordable housing during a town hall meeting on Nov. 14. Community members had the opportunity to voice their concerns and propose potential solutions to the city’s lack of housing affordability and availability. 

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City & County

Madison Joy LeFever: Art as Healing and Empowerment

By Miranda Grogger | December 7

Sweaty bodies pack a room filled with dizzying, strobing lights and bone-rattling bass. Amidst this chaos, Madison Joy LeFever captures images — fleeting moments between lighting cues and blackouts that somehow encapsulate entire evenings in one still frame.  LeFever is a 21-year-old Bellingham-based creative. Her many titles include playwright, director, photographer, composer, singer and songwriter.

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City & County

Sunnyland gets new brewery, tamale restaurant on neighborhood lineup

By Liz McLane | December 4

The Sunnyland neighborhood of Bellingham will soon have one more option for beer and eats with the addition of two new businesses under the same roof — El Sueñito Brewing Company and Frelard Tamales. 

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City & County

BRIEF: Whatcom County Health Department opens severe weather shelters over weekend

By Troy Schulz | December 3

The Whatcom County Health Department is opening overnight shelters in Bellingham and Ferndale in response to severe cold weather warnings.

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City & County

‘It’s just such a preventable way to die:’ Bellingham music venue makes harm reduction more accessible

By Nina Walsh | December 2

Content warning: This story includes references to drug use and deaths by overdose