Neighborhood Notes

Neighborhood Notes is a monthly series that focuses on a specific neighborhood in Whatcom County. We may talk about an influential person, a corner market, special place within the community, or meaningful event.

If you have a suggestion for an article, please send us a note at submit@whatcomtalk.com.

Foam Swordplay for Fun and Community

Bellinghamsters will do just about anything to make their exercise fun. On a recent Saturday, I met a group that does foam swordplay,...

Big Rock Garden Park Unifies Bellingham’s Natural and Artistic Beauty

In Bellingham’s Silver Beach neighborhood, above Lake Whatcom, a hidden sculpture garden awaits. Its paths branch off every which way, revealing...

Summer Repertory Theatre Finds a Haven in Fairhaven

The exciting moments leading up to a theatre performance can be captured in bits and pieces. The lobby is often filled with eager...

Meet Art and Margaret Rojsza, the Masterminds Behind the Ferndale Clock Tower

If you’ve driven down Ferndale's Main Street, you’ve probably seen the kooky clock tower located just outside the downtown area. The...

Get ‘Wild’ at the Procession of the Species

From schools of jellyfish to packs of wolves, slugs to giant spiders, the Procession of the Species can get a little wild.

From Punjab to Ferndale, the Curry House Brings Old Family Recipes to the Pacific...

The Kang family has owned the Curry House on Main Street in Ferndale for over 12 years.

Bellingham Cruise and Ferry Terminal: The Anchor of Fairhaven

For thousands of years, picturesque Bellingham Bay has been a source of livelihood for those living along its coastline: from the...

Neighborhood Notes: Mindport Teleports Guests Into the Unconventional Minds of Its Creators

Tucked away in plain sight on Holly Street is an unusual Bellingham treasure. Mindport is a museum so unique that even...

Neighborhood Notes: Yuki Yama Serves Up Homemade Japanese Dishes in Maple Falls

Three years ago, Rob Hopson met Akane Matsumara while on a skiing and snowboarding trip in Japan. A year later, Matsumara moved to Glacier...

Neighborhood Notes: Griffintown’s Cozy Corner Books Is a Snug Little Gem in Ferndale

If you love browsing the stacks on a cold winter day or finding the perfect novel to take with you on...

Neighborhood Notes: The Force Is Strong With the Bellingham Saber Guild

Stephen Fischer always wanted to have a massive lightsaber battle. So last spring, when the Western Washington University senior and Navy veteran had some money...

Neighborhood Notes: The History of Bellingham’s Tallest Building

We’ve all seen it: the tall beige building at 119 North Commercial Street, looming large over its downtown surroundings. At 157 feet high, the...

Lighthouse Mission: Bringing New Hope to the Hopeless

It didn’t seem like things could get much worse. After all, the woman was already raising her infant daughter while living in an abusive...

Neighborhood Notes: Honoring Lynden’s WWI Veterans and the Heroes of Today

Bellingham was founded in 1854, then Lynden was established in 1874 by Holden and Phoebe Judson. Ferndale was incorporated in 1907. History is all...

Neighborhood Notes: “Check Out” Fairhaven’s Historic Public Library

The year is 1883. Daniel J Harris files the first plans for a town in the northwest corner of Washington State that he calls...

Neighborhood Notes: Ferndale Heritage Society Keeps History Alive

Sue Brand is a five-year volunteer at the Ferndale Heritage Society. “Every Saturday was bath day,” she says. “The father got into the tub...

Neighborhood Notes: Peter James Opens Nature Photography Gallery

Photographer Peter James opened his original gallery and studio on Holly Street in 2003 after a visit to Bellingham turned into a permanent stay....

Neighborhood Notes: Seaside Gems in Blaine

Blaine, Washington is a quaint seaside city within walking distance of the Canadian border. Don’t let the quiet fool you, however. As home of...

Neighborhood Notes: Meet Dave and James of the Lighthouse Mission

I travel by the Lighthouse Mission Drop In Center on Holly Street all the time. In the past three years it has transformed from...

Neighborhood Notes: Barkley Village’s Past, Present and Future

Bellingham’s Barkley Village is home to many great community assets, from a 16-screen movie theater to numerous shops, restaurants and offices. But as the...

Neighborhood Notes: A Look At Luna’s Bistro

Nestled in between the Regal Cinemas Movie Theater and the bustling Barkley Village Woods Coffee is a hidden gem of a restaurant, where you...

Empowering Youth at Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County

For over 70 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County have been opening doors of opportunity and preparing young people for a great...

Neighborhood Notes—Skate Year Round at Lynden’s Skate Church

Skateboarding is a staple of childhood for many. For some it is a leisure activity fostered in youth then continually practiced later in life....

Neighborhood Notes: A Spray-Painted Whatcom County

Ever stopped by McKay’s Taphouse and admired the mural coating the outside walls? Maybe you’ve seen that older Volvo riding around town with its...

Neighborhood Notes: Ferndale’s Our Place Café – Opposites Attract Creating Fusion Fare

Editor's Note: Our Place Café closed its doors in September of 2017, but they are now up and running as a food truck---Our Place Cafe...

Neighborhood Notes: The Lynden Toy Store That’s the Bee’s Knees

When Rick and Jenny Meyer took over ownership of the Lynden toy store Bumblebees Kids in 2012, they were excited to own a store that...

Neighborhood Notes—The Best Bartender in Bellingham

I’ve been going to the Waterfront for years. Nearly every time I’m there I see Lori. She greets me cordially and is quick to...

Neighborhood Notes—Building Community with Artquake

There was an article written in The New Yorker a couple years ago about the Cascadia subduction zone, a fault off the coast of...

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