DUBIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS Alan Rhodes' Year in Review, P.06

Fuzz Buzz, p.09 + FILM SHORTS, p.21 + HANGOVER HELPER, p.26

cascadia

REPORTING FROM THE HEART OF CASCADIA WHATCOM SKAGIT ISLAND COUNTIES 12-28-2016* • ISSUE:*52 • V.11

DUBIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS Alan Rhodes' year in review, P.06

RESOLUTION RESET SONIC SENDOFF Out and about in 2017, P.12 Your New Year's Eve gig guide, P.16

26 cascadia New Year’s Eve Soiree: 6:30pm-12:30am, FOOD FOOD ThisWeek Semiahmoo Ballroom, Blaine A glance at this week’s GET OUT

22 Last Chance Marathon: 9am, Fairhaven Park happenings Skagit Eagle Festival: 10am-4pm, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport

B-BOARD B-BOARD Ring of Fire and Hope: 7pm, Birch Bay State Park

FOOD

20 20 Incognito New Year’s Eve: 7pm, Ciao Thyme NYE Dessert and Dancing: 10pm, Ciao Thyme

FILM Commons

16 SUNDAY [01.01.17] FILM MUSIC No Man’s Land: 2pm, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon

14 COMMUNITY Ceremonial Celebration: 2pm, Bellingham Unitar- ART ian Fellowship

13 GET OUT Performances and open dancing will First Day Hikes: 32 beaches throughout Washington State STAGE be part of Rumba Northwest’s New New Year’s Day Ride: 10am, Fairhaven Park New Year’s Day Beach Cleanup: 10am-1:30pm,

12 Year’s Eve Salsa Dance Sat., Dec. Locust Beach Skagit Eagle Festival: 10am-4pm, Howard Miller 31 at BAAY Theatre Steelhead Park, Rockport

GET OUT Resolution Run and Polar Dip: 11am, Lake Padden Polar Bear Plunge: 12pm, Birch Cay

10 FOOD WEDNESDAY [12.28.16] New Year’s Day Brunch: 7am-1pm, Semiahmoo Resort, Blaine WORDS ONSTAGE Community Breakfast: 8am-12pm, Rome Grange Panty Hoes: 9pm, Rumors Cabaret If you’re looking for a 8 MONDAY [01.02.17] MUSIC immersive New Year’s Thomas Marriott Quartet: 7pm, Whatcom Jazz Day experience, take part in ONSTAGE

CURRENTS CURRENTS Music Arts Center East of the Sun Auditions: 5:30-7:30pm, Belling- the Resolution Run and ham Arts Academy for Youth

6 WORDS Guffawingham: 9:30pm, Green Frog Note of Thanks: 10:30am-12pm, Bellingham Public Polar Dip at Lake Padden or

VIEWS Library Blaine’s annual Polar Bear COMMUNITY Trivia Night: 7-9pm, Kulshan Brewery

4 GET OUT Plunge on Sun., Jan. 1 Skagit Eagle Festival: 10am-4pm, Howard Miller TUESDAY [01.03.17] MAIL MAIL Steelhead Park, Rockport The Lights of Christmas: 5-10pm, Warm Beach ONSTAGE

2 Camp, Stanwood East of the Sun Auditions: 5:30-7:30pm, Belling- Group Run: 6pm, Skagit Running Company ham Arts Academy for Youth DO IT IT DO DO IT IT DO

VISUAL FRIDAY [12.30.16] Upfront Theatre DANCE Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, Whatcom Museum Skagit Folk Dancers: 7-9:30pm, Bayview Civic Hall ONSTAGE DANCE My Three Ghosts: 8pm, Upfront Theatre New Year’s Eve Dance: 7-10pm, Bellingham Senior 12.28.16 THURSDAY [12.29.16] WORDS Holiday Games Galore: 10pm, Upfront Theatre Activity Center Stories with Claire: 10:30am, Village Books ONSTAGE New Year’s Eve Dance Party: 8pm, Aslan Brewing Co. Teen Book Talk: 5:30pm, Blaine Library .11 Good, Bad, Ugly: 8pm, Upfront Theatre DANCE New Year’s Eve Salsa Dance: 8pm-1am, BAAY 52 # The Project: 10pm, Upfront Theatre An Afternoon of Elegance: 4-7pm, Lynden Com- Theatre COMMUNITY munity Center New Year’s Eve Contra Dance: 8pm-1am, Intro to Ancestry: 10-11:30am, Lynden Library DANCE Eagles Hall Folk Dance: 7pm, Fairhaven Library GET OUT GET OUT Wild Things: 9:30-11am, Connelly Creek Nature Area MUSIC All-Paces Run: 6pm, Fairhaven Runners COMMUNITY Skagit Eagle Festival: 10am-4pm, Howard Miller Little Big Band: 9pm, Nicki’s Bella Marina Blood Drive: 12:45-3:30pm, Firehouse Performing Steelhead Park, Rockport WEDNESDAY [01.04.17] A4ts Center WORDS CASCADIA WEEKLY VISUAL Saturday Story Time: 10:30am, Village Books WORDS Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, Whatcom Museum Afternoon Books and Tea: 2-3:30pm, Lynden Library 2 GET OUT Skagit Eagle Festival: 10am-4pm, Howard Miller COMMUNITY Steelhead Park, Rockport SATURDAY [12.31.16] New Year’s at Noon: 11:30am-12:30pm, Lynden COMMUNITY Library Green Drinks: 5-7pm, Culture Cafe VISUAL ONSTAGE Manhattan NYE Bash: 5:30-9:30pm, Jansen Art Community Memory Talk: 7pm, Sumas Com- Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, Whatcom Museum New Year’s Eve Shows: 7pm, 9pm and 11pm, Center, Lynden munity Center

26 FOOD FOOD 22 B-BOARD B-BOARD 20 20 FILM 16 MUSIC 14 STARTING AT 6AM THE FIRST 300 GUESTS ART

to bring in this coupon will receive 13 STAGE HOT SEAT9AM DRAWINGS - 2PM A SPECIAL PRIZE $ WORTH UP TO 500! 12 GET OUT 10 WORDS 8 CURRENTS CURRENTS 6 VIEWS 4 MAIL MAIL

2 DO IT IT DO

12.28.16 .11 52 # CASCADIA WEEKLY

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1.888.288.8883 | swinomishcasinoandlodge.com MustMust be be a aPlayer’s Player’s Club Club member member to to participate participate in in promotions. promotions. Management Management reserves all all rights. rights. Contact THISWEEK Cascadia Weekly: 360.647.8200

26 Editorial Editor & Publisher:

FOOD FOOD Tim Johnson ext 260 { editor@

22 mail cascadiaweekly.com TOC LETTERS STAFF Arts & Entertainment Editor: Amy Kepferle B-BOARD B-BOARD ext 204 {calendar@ cascadiaweekly.com 20 20 Proving that 2016 was an asshole who wasn’t about to Music & Film Editor: give up his reign of terror—especially when it came to FILM Carey Ross felling iconic performers (RIP Prince, David Bowie, Alan ext 203 Rickman, Gene Wilder, Florence Henderson, Zsa Zsa Gabor, {music@

16 etc.)—famed pop star George Michael and actress, author cascadiaweekly.com and all-around badass Carrie Fisher died this week, just days before the new year. If you’re reading this before MUSIC 2017, keep your fingers crossed that Madonna is still Production around when the ball drops. Art Director:

14 Jesse Kinsman {jesse@ ART kinsmancreative.com Views & News Design: 13 04: Mailbag Bill Kamphausen Advertising Design:

STAGE 06: Gristle & Rhodes Roman Komarov 08: Last week’s news {roman@ cascadiaweekly.com 12 09: Police blotter Send all advertising materials to [email protected]

GET OUT Arts & Life Advertising 10: Swan song Account Executive:

10 12: Resolution reset Scott Pelton 360-647-8200 x 202 13: Dance, learn, repeat { spelton@ WORDS 14: Storefront spotlight cascadiaweekly.com 16: Your NYE Guide 8 Distribution 18: Clubs Distribution Manager: Scott Pelton 20: Star-crossed stars 360-647-8200 x 202 CURRENTS CURRENTS 21: Film Shorts { spelton@

6 cascadiaweekly.com Whatcom: Erik Burge, Rear End Stephanie Simms ACID BALL SELECTION cal sundial—the spherical sundial got, by a huge VIEWS 22: Bulletin Board, Free Will Skagit: Linda Brown, SHOULD NOT BE CORROSIVE number, the most favorable written comments, 4

4 The City of Bellingham is currently in a selec- mine included. At the last Bellingham Arts Com- 23: Wellness Barb Murdoch tion process for turning the big spherical steel mission meeting, the BAC said they had not re- MAIL MAIL MAIL MAIL 24: Crossword Letters acid tank left over from the Georgia-Pacific pa- ally been soliciting comments, but still kindly let SEND LETTERS TO LETTERS@

25: Comix, Sudoku per-processing days into an artwork for the new people make oral comments. Twenty-two people 2 CASCADIAWEEKLY.COM 30: Hangover helper waterfront development. That tank has piqued spoke in favor of the globe sundial. DO IT IT DO my curiosity since I first moved here a dozen Included in the discussion, objective criteria years ago. such as feasibility of actual construction and I am also curious as to the process that the maintenance of the works were mentioned. The COB is using to select the best artistic design. sundial again looked best regarding maintenance 12.28.16 I relate it to the process used to select the Fre- and longevity. mont Troll in Seattle. The Seattle Arts Council Is the BAC going to listen to all the written .11

52 ©2016 CASCADIA WEEKLY (ISSN 1931-3292) is published each Wednesday by did not want the Troll design, but a vote at a and oral public comment? # Cascadia Newspaper Company LLC. Direct all correspondence to: Cascadia Weekly PO Box 2833 Bellingham WA 98227-2833 | Phone/Fax: 360.647.8200 Fremont Fair showed the people attending the The selection process has gone dark. It is not [email protected] COVER: Illustration by fair overwhelmingly chose it. Seattle Arts Coun- at all clear how the arts commission is rating the Though Cascadia Weekly is distributed free, please take just one copy. Cascadia Dario Castillejos Weekly may be distributed only by authorized distributors. Any person removing cil reconsidered and now the Troll is built and proposals. papers in bulk from our distribution points risks prosecution SUBMISSIONS: Cascadia Weekly welcomes freelance submissions. Send material has become a favorite Seattle icon, second only This is an important process and if done to either the News Editor or A&E Editor. Manuscripts will be returned if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. To be considered for calendar list- to the Space Needle. right, Bellingham will get its famous waterfront ings, notice of events must be received in writing no later than noon Wednesday Art selection processes can get very hazy, and “icon.” It is also Bellingham’s first “one percent the week prior to publication. Photographs should be clearly labeled and will be CASCADIA WEEKLYreturned if accompanied by stamped, self-addressed envelope. this one has. The Bellingham Herald reported on for the arts” program, so this selection will set LETTERS POLICY: Cascadia Weekly reserves the right to edit letters for length and content. When apprised of them, we correct errors of fact promptly and courteously. the selection progress and said that some select a precedent. 4 In the interests of fostering dialog and a community forum, Cascadia Weekly does not publish letters that personally disparage other letter writers. Please keep your jury had forwarded three finalists out of two doz- My experience has shown that doing it right re- letters to fewer than 300 words. en entries to the Bellingham Arts Commission, quires listening to public comment in a transparent and that the BAC was soliciting public comments process. The transparency here seems to be fading regarding the proposals. Of the three finalists—a and I am not sure if the public is being heard. brightly painted ball, a lit-up ball and a spheri- —Chuck Nafziger, Alger NEWSPAPER ADVISORY GROUP: Robert Hall, Seth Murphy, Michael Petryni, David Syre

26 FOOD FOOD 22 B-BOARD B-BOARD 20 20 FILM 16 MUSIC 14 ART 13 STAGE 12 GET OUT 10 WORDS 8 CURRENTS CURRENTS

Modern 6 Locally Sourced VIEWS 4 4 MAIL MAIL Northwest Inspired MAIL

2 DO IT IT DO in Downtown Bellingham

Bellingham’s Newest Restaurant featuring a modern, northwest inspired menu. 12.28.16 .11

Join us for dinner or drop by after 10pm for cocktails and late night plates. 52 # Don’t miss Fried Chicken Wednesday’s or Weekend Brunch. (Brunch menu begins early 2017)

OPEN 5PM-LATE HUNDRED NORTH DINNER SERVICE UNTIL 10PM CASCADIA WEEKLY

RESERVATIONS ARE OPTIONAL 5 Visit www.HundredNorth.com or call (360) 594-6000 100 North Commercial Street • Next to Mt. Baker Theatre • HundredNorth.com THE GRISTLE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE: A New Year invites reﬂection

and prediction—and reposition, as the past and fu- 26 ture are studied and aligned. In November, the Gristle FOOD FOOD predicted 2017 and out-years might begin to see a new chapter of Federalism—an old story where national di- views YOUR VIEWS THE GRISTLE rectives chafe up against states’ rights and regional 22 values that resist those directives, and through time and experimentation the two (hopefully) become a B-BOARD B-BOARD harmonious whole. This old story has been written for more than a century in the Southern portion of our nation; and perhaps it’s time for the West to begin 20 20 its own chapter, for clearly the West is having its own BY ALAN RHODES

FILM FILM conversations about social and environmental justice, about the roles of science and technology in public af-

16 fairs, and indeed even the health and future of politi- Dubious Achievements 2016 cal parties and political directions that are markedly

MUSIC different from those in other parts of the country. CELEBRATING SILLINESS AND REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR This is most obviously reﬂected in recent elec-

14 tion outcomes, where the western states preferred AT A national level this was cer- old rattletraps. In 2015 alone, Alle-

ART the Democrat over the Republican by 10-point mar- tainly a year for barmy behavior as giant had to make at least 77 un- gins (translating in California to more than 4.2 mil- the country elected Donald Trump scheduled landings, over half due to lion votes) and retained and strengthened their state as its groper-in-chief. While noth- mechanical failures, and 2016 start- 13 Democratic legislative and executive branches. ing on the local scene compares ed off the same way. The response

STAGE Mostly “it’s the economy, stupid,” which while im- to this consummate act of collec- of Allegiant’s CEO? “I don’t think perfect in distribution is roaring on the Left coast; but tive self-destruction, we will press there’s a safety problem.” Maybe Al- there are other factors—the kinds of conversations we’re ahead, nevertheless, with the 2016 legiant’s CEO only flies Alaska. 12 having about race, about religion, about the rights of Whatcom County awards for the A Nation of Laws, when Conve- the indigenous and the disadvantaged, about interna- hapless, the sinister and the sappy. moving here. nient. Toward year’s end local re- GET OUT tional trade and relations across the Pacific Rim, about Really Bad Neighbors. Last May The Hair of the Dog. While we’re altors and developers packed the the regulatory authority and technocratic role of gov- Albertson’s closed its Birchwood on the subject of impressive lists, County Council to denounce a mora- ernment in everyday life are different as well. We’re an- store, leaving the neighborhood using consumer data businessinsider. torium on residential development in 10 gry, sure; but we’re angry about other things than what without a local grocery. While this com ascertained that Bellingham is areas that might not have sufficient water. The developers had a helpful WORDS appears to trigger outrage in other parts of the country. in itself made life especially diffi- the 15th most hungover city in the Every successful revolution is predicated not just cult for the numerous low-income United States. Dedicated drinkers solution: Let’s just brush off the Su- on organized resistance, but alternative—a different residents of the area, many of complained that if legal marijuana preme Court and do what we want. 8 plan and vision moving forward. whom lack transportation, it was had not been pulling consumers away One can see the desirability of such And we’ve been gratified to see Governor Jay In- only the first punch of a one-two from microbrews in favor of pot, we an approach. I’m already calculating

CURRENTS CURRENTS slee and his agencies step up and present a plan combo. Albertson’s owns the build- might have scored an even higher how much more I can get done in a that both resists and helps reshape federal direc- ing and has a non-compete clause spot on this prestigious roster. day once I start ignoring those pesky 6 6 tives moving forward. stating that no other grocery store I Get No Respect. Before leaving red lights at intersections. Shortly after the election, the governor came forward can open in that spot until 2042. the signiﬁcant lists category, we Weighty Publications. The Bell- VIEWS VIEWS VIEWS with his counterparts in Oregon, California, and provin- Suck it up, Birchwood residents; should point out that Roadsnacks. ingham Herald’s Thanksgiving Day

4 cial British Columbia to renew their united resolve and there’s a 7-Eleven across the street net rated Lynden the 8th most bor- issue featured a note informing commitment to action to address climate change—it’s you can use for the next 25 years. ing city in the state of Washington. readers that in order to ensure on- MAIL MAIL not a “myth” in this part of the country, at least. Good News/Bad News, First Angry Lynden residents, tired of time delivery of the year’s “biggest

Inslee quickly followed that with a bold budget that Place. The bad news for the city of being slighted, insisted that they paper,” there wasn’t time to include 2 fully funds K-12 education and launches an overhaul of Blaine: a recent study reports that at least belonged in the top three. the weather and stock market re- DO IT IT DO the state’s mental health system, both in response to if global warming continues at its A Good Head for Business. And sults. What did you get in place of court directives that the state was not doing enough current rate, by the end of this cen- before departing Lynden, it should a complete newspaper? Two pounds in either area. It strengthens law enforcement and so- tury Blaine will be underwater. The be noted that this year, in keeping of advertising sections. Really, two cial service options to deal with individuals suffering good news for Blaine: as you are be- with its staid image, the city passed pounds, for real. A helpful hint for 12.28.16 a behavioral health crisis. ing submerged, be comforted know- a permanent ban on marijuana the Herald: you could have got- Inslee’s comprehensive program also addresses eco- ing that Victoria, BC has agreed to stores. This, of course, has put an ten the weather and stock market .11

52 nomic security in which all Washingtonians can meet stop discharging raw sewage into end to all pot smoking in Lynden, report on your smart phone in the # their basic needs and creates opportunities for sta- the Strait of Juan de Fuca. now and forever, because no one early afternoon of the previous day. bility during a personal financial crisis or economic Good News/Bad News, Runner- has figured out that they can drive a The Annual Doug Ericksen downturn, and improves child-care access for working up. The bad news for Bellingham: short distance out of town for their Award. State Senator Doug Ericksen parents. It freezes tuition costs and improves student this year the financial website 24/7 weed, feeding the economies of just (R-Ferndale) does so many stupid access to financial aid. His plan also includes a com- Wall St. put Bellingham on its list about every place in Whatcom Coun- and/or evil things during the course munity development component to improve public in- of America’s 50 worst places to ty except, well, Lynden. of every year, that long ago we es- CASCADIA WEEKLYCASCADIA frastructure and public places. live. The good news for Bellingham: In the Extremely Likely Case of tablished the Annual Doug Ericksen The governor proposes to pay for these much-needed thank god, after all the top 10 lists an Emergency. There’s a reason Al- Award to be presented annually to 6 investments in schools and communities across Washing- we’ve been on over the past several legiant Airlines can offer cut-rate Doug Ericksen for the worst of his ton state with forward-thinking, equitable changes to years we finally made a list that flights out of Bellingham Airport: many actions over the 12 months. the state’s tax code, like a state capital gains tax and a could discourage more people from they are flying you around in clunky RHODES, CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 carbon pricing initiative, reducing reliance on consump- tion and property taxes. Ultimately, the revenue plan VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF CASCADIA WEEKLY THE GRISTLE would generate $4.4 billion in new revenue in the coming two-year budget cycle. GO 26 Undoubtedly the governor’s efforts Special EventNORTHWOOD will be supported by state Senator Kevin FOOD Ranker, who steps in as the lead Demo- Sundays! crat in the Senate responsible for Wash- FOR CASINO ! 22 ington state’s $42 billion operating budget. And the governor’s efforts will be

FUN B-BOARD challenged by a Legislature in the balance, with hairsbreadth control in each house and neither party ascendant. 20 20 The state Attorney General’s Ofﬁce has also moved quickly to launch ini- FILM tiatives that might stall in a new ad-

ministration intent on changing the 16 direction of courts—with lawsuits ﬁled against corporate giants like Monsanto MUSIC and Comcast for the protection of the

rights of citizens. 14

Agencies, too, have stepped up, ART pushing back against congressional initiatives to weaken health care through 13 the repeal or roll back of the Afford-

able Care Act; and others’ve begun to STAGE bulwark against threatened changes to environmental policy and the regulatory framework, writing new rules to 12 reinforce initiatives already underway. Ring In The New Year Moving quickly under threat of new GET OUT federal directions, a draft of an action plan to protect and restore Puget

At Northwood Casino! 10 Sound is scheduled for completion be- Saturday, December 31, beginning at 4pm fore Donald Trump takes ofﬁce on Jan. • (QMR\RXU%HVWRI%XIIHWSPWRDPIRURQO\ WORDS 20, according to ofﬁcials involved in • )UHHOLYHHQWHUWDLQPHQWDOOHYHQLQJ developing the plan. • *XDUDQWHHGGUDZLQJVHYHU\KRXUSPWRDP 8 The plan will align Washington state with nine federal agencies in their ef-

forts to recover one of the nation’s CURRENTS most important waterways. The Puget 6 Sound Task Force was created by Presi- 6 dent Obama, who elevated Puget Sound VIEWS VIEWS VIEWS to a high-priority ecosystem. The pack- Champagne Sunday Brunch

age will provide a powerful model mov- 4 ing forward—so that while new people

New Years Day! MAIL will move into Washington, D.C., of- Only $9.99 gets you all your favorite brunch items, ﬁces next year, most of the folks in the LQFOXGLQJDQRPHOHWEDUDQGDZDIÀHEDUSOXVDJODVVRI 2 regional ofﬁces will remain.

FKDPSDJQHServed New Years Day 10am to 2pm. IT DO The nonprofits, too, have stepped up their organization and coordination, 3x points on New Years Day from 9am to 2pm. finding strength united in principle, firing off letters to federal depart- ments in transition, reminding them of 12.28.16 their duty to the state and its citizens. .11

In short, a revolution is already un- 52 # derway in Washington, and it features a great deal of the sentiments expressed by progressives throughout the 2016 election cycle. They were listened to— MODERN COMFORTS AND JUST TWO TURNS OFF THE here, at least; and we’re thankful for that in the New Year. OLD FASHIONED HOSPITALITY GUIDE MERIDIAN The history of the West was written WEEKLYCASCADIA by wanderers and iconoclasts striking BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA 7 out for new territories, and through the absence of “rootedness” respecting 1RUWKZRRG5RDG/\QGHQ:$ N and adapting to what they discovered E BADGER RD NORTHWOOD RD and what was here before them. The ZZZQRUWKZRRGFDVLQRFRP journey continues. GUIDE MERIDIAN RD LYNDEN

26 ek th FOOD FOOD a e t 22 W

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FILM T NEWS DEC20-27 s

16 BY TIM JOHNSON MUSIC PHOTO COURTESY OF WSDOT COURTESY PHOTO

14 The rocks on the roadway are gone, but the right lane of Northbound I-5 at Lake Samish remains impaired. Highway crews

ART worked feverishly through the holiday weekend to remove unstable rocks and debris that had tumbled from the hillside.

complete its environmental review of The state’s action against Comcast may 13 12.20.16 a proposed dock expansion at Cherry proceed, a state judge rules. The $100 mil-

STAGE TUESDAY Point. The groups express concerns about lion lawsuit alleges the cable television and increasing oil tanker traffic in the Salish internet giant defrauded more than 500,000 A necroscopy on a dead killer whale found floating off the coast of British Colum- Sea and say the decision about a dock ex- Washington consumers in subscription fees 12 bia shows the animal had blunt-force trauma to its head and neck, officials say. pansion at the BP refinery is long overdue. for service calls related to its own equip- The damage may have been caused by a vessel strike or other heavy contact. The BP added a second dock to its refinery ment or network problems. [AGO, Geek Wire]

GET OUT 18-year-old orca, known as J34, was part of the endangered southern resident killer at Cherry Point, near Ferndale, in 2001. whale population, which live in the waters off southern British Columbia and Wash- Known as the North Wing, it was origi- 12.27.16

10 ington state. At least three other animals in the group have died this year. [CBC] nally built without formal environmental analysis, though it doubled the facility’s TUESDAY In related news, researchers warn the southern resident orca population could capacity for receiving oil tankers. [Puget Whatcom County Prosecutor David WORDS crash further. The Center for Whale Research said in a news release it has been Soundkeeper Alliance] McEachran asks the governor for a special

8 voicing concerns for more than a decade that the endangered whales are not get- exemption to the state’s moratorium on the ting enough salmon for their survival. [Associated Press] 12.23.16 death penalty. Clark Richard Elmore of Bell- FRIDAY ingham faces an execution date in less than CURRENTS CURRENTS CURRENTS 8 Conservation groups file a new court challenge to the Canadian govern- one month for the rape and murder of a child ment's approval of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline. The request for judicial The nation’s largest freight railroad in 1995. But the governor pledged to halt ex- 6 review filed with the Federal Court of Appeal in Calgary is at least the eighth legal has agreed to more thorough inspec- ecutions while he’s in office. McEachran says test of the controversial project, which will almost triple the capacity of an exist- tions and maintenance improvements af- the jury carefully considered the evidence in VIEWS ing pipeline from near Edmonton to Burnaby. [CBC] ter a fiery oil train derailment in Oregon their verdict. [KGMI]

4 and the discovery of more than 800 poten- The state Dept. of Ecology recommends more aggressive efforts to reduce tial safety violations across its sprawling A Whatcom County berry grower is fined MAIL MAIL greenhouse gas emissions and submits new targets to the Legislature. A law network. Sixteen tank cars from a Union for illegal use of water, negatively impacting

passed in 2008 set an initial goal of reducing Washington’s carbon emissions to Pacific train hauling North Dakota crude legal water users and flows in the Nooksack 2 half of what they were in 1990 by the year 2050. Now, the department says we through the Columbia River Gorge derailed River basin. The Washington Department of DO IT IT DO need to get to an 80 percent reduction by that time. They also recommend getting in early June along a curve in the tracks Ecology fines the grower for separate viola- to 40 percent of 1990 levels by 2035. [Ecology, NPR] near Mosier, Oregon. The accident sparked tions on two farms he operates in Whatcom a massive fire that burned for 14 hours and County. The first penalty is $90,000 for il- 12.21.16 prompted the evacuation of nearby areas. legally irrigating a 220-acre raspberry farm. 12.28.16 Federal officials said the railroad wasn’t The second is a $12,000 penalty for not WEDNESDAY following its own inspection rules to en- submitting water use records for a 120-acre .11

52 Sixteen environmental groups urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to sure the track was safe. [Associated Press] blueberry farm. [Ecology] # PEP

CASCADIA WEEKLY PER 8 SISTERS COOKING OUTSIDE THE BOX SINCE 1988

Open Nightly Except Monday 1055 N State St B’ham 671-3414 On Dec. 19, someone burglarized a shed On Dec. 24, Bellingham Police took a CHUCKANUT BREWERY FUZZ at Roosevelt Elementary School. man to the hospital after he reported feeling suicidal. & KITCHEN

EIGHT PARKING PROBLEMS 26 BUZZ On Dec. 22, a Bellingham Police patrol On Dec. 22, police took a homeless TWELVE DAYS OF car was accidentally damaged when an person who is “new to Bellingham” into FOOD CHRISTMAS overhead door came down on it at the protective custody for a mental health Over 12 days of Christmas, Bellingham Whatcom County Jail. evaluation after that person threatened 22 Police logged 459 incident reports, in- people at businesses on Sunset Drive. cluding: On Dec. 21, Bellingham Police checked Another person with thoughts of sui-

on the report of a collision in the Winco cide was transported later that day. North & B-BOARD Taking South Nut ELEVEN PARTIES BUSTED, parking lot. Reservations for Vienna Lager On Dec. 21, Bellingham Police responded Holiday on Tap TEN DRUNKS A’DRINKING Celebrations 20 On Dec. 10, Bellingham Police broke up On Dec. 20, an unoccupied car rolled to a potential suicides in Happy Valley a large, loud party at the Viking Gardens into the intersection near the Whatcom and Sunnyland neighborhoods. FILM apartments near Western Washington County Courthouse. Family Friendly HoPPY Hour University campus. FIVE NICE TOOTHBRUSHES 16 On Dec. 16, a car was towed for multi- On Dec. 23, Bellingham Police arrested Sunday-Thursday 4-6pm

NINE B&ES ple parking violations. Three other cars a man for stealing ﬁve Sonicare tooth- 601 West Holly St. • Bellingham, WA MUSIC On Dec. 25, Goodwill reported the door were cited or impounded downtown. brushes from Bellis Fair Mall. 360-75-BEERS (752-3377)

of their store at Sunset Square had been ChuckanutBreweryAndKitchen.com 14

smashed in and items had been taken. On Dec. 15, a car smashed into another FOUR FIFTHS OF WHISKEY ART car after following too close in snowy On Dec. 21, Bellingham Police arrested a On Dec. 22, Bellingham Police investi- conditions near the UPS delivery sta- man for stealing four bottles of R&R whis- 13 gated an attempted burglary and theft tion. The driver was cited for driving key from the Haggen at Barkley Village.

from a marijuana dispensary. Two young without insurance. STAGE men were arrested. THREE LONG GUNS SEVEN PETTY MISCHIEFS On Dec. 21, three long guns were im- On Dec. 25, Bellingham Police arrest- On Dec. 25, a woman in Birchwood re- pounded for destruction. 12 ed the same two young men after they ported someone who was not Santa was had pried the doors open to the same trying to smash down her door. TWO AUTO THEFTS GET OUT marijuana dispensary and stole the mer- On Dec. 23, a man stole a car as it Notary Public Service chandise inside. They were caught after On Dec. 24, a 54-year-old man who was was idling in a parking lot near Sunset Beer, Wine, Art & Books 10 attempting to flee the scene on foot. not Santa was arrested after he was Square. “He fled the scene driving in a rude and disorderly at a business near reckless manner,” Bellingham Police re- Coffee, Sandwiches, Fruit WORDS On Dec. 22, Bellingham Police took a re- Sunset Square. ported. “Officers located the stolen car Cheeses, Sausage, Veggies

port of a robbery by knifepoint near Civic traveling south on Woburn and attempt- 8 8 Field. They located and arrested the rob- On Dec. 19-22, an abandoned theater ed to stop the car. He accelerated and Vitamins & Wellness Aids ber the following day. Bellingham Police was vandalized near Sehome Village. fled the area west on Iowa. The attempt Clothing & Kitchenwares CURRENTS CURRENTS also arrested a woman who had burglar- Someone smashed some glass at an to stop was discontinued in the interest Propane, Candy, Tobacco CURRENTS ized a business near Bellis Fair Mall. abandoned business on Guide Meridian. of public safety,” police noted. Someone else smashed a glass door at 6 On Dec. 26, two people were reported a business near Whatcom Falls Park. On Dec. 12, a son took his mother’s ve- Have A Happy New Year VIEWS inside the fenced area of a boatyard hicle without permission and crashed 360-592-2297 www.everybodys.com along Whatcom Waterway. They fled. On Dec. 23, someone threw a rock into a telephone pole. The driver fled 4 Highway 9 – Van Zandt through the window of a home near the scene, but was stopped by police. On Dec. 25, a cash drawer and parts of Whatcom Middle School. A woman re- He was arrested for DUI, hit-and-run, MAIL

a register were found near a curb along ported her car had been vandalized and driving without a valid license. 2 Cordata Parkway. “The pieces were later north of Bellingham. DO IT found to be from a burglary,” Belling- ...AND A PARKA FROM A ham Police reported. SIX IDEATIONS CLOTHES TREE On Dec. 19, police took a report from On Dec. 22, a homeless man stole a jacket On Dec. 21, someone broke into a base- a person who reported having suicidal from Goodwill “as the zipper on his jacket ment storage unit in Sehome neighbor- thoughts while shopping dowtown. had failed and he was in need of another 12.28.16 hood and stole two bikes. jacket,” Bellingham Police explained. .11 52 #

blocking an intersection during a protest surprises no doubt await as we ﬂail into RHODES, FROM PAGE 6 march an act of “economic terrorism,” and the new year under the bipolar leader- a felony offense. In an interview the ter- ship of President Skitzy Von Combover. This year Doug could have received his minally clueless Doug made no attempt to I suppose all we can do is try to stay award for so many misdeeds (e.g., his disguise the fact that he was speciﬁcally optimistic. As the great futuristic writ- WEEKLYCASCADIA bill to keep transgendered folks out of going after environmentalists and Native er Arthur C. Clarke observed, “I am an public bathrooms matching their gender Americans. Note to future marchers: Make optimist. Anyone interested in the fu- 9 identity), but it was decided that a late sure you’re out of the intersection before ture has to be otherwise he would simply entry was heinous enough to top the the light changes. shoot himself.” Hmm, I’m not sure that list of Doug’s offenses. Just last month Well, that’s a wrap for this year. We’re made me feel better. Oh well, Happy New Doug announced his bill that would make just days away from 2017, where many Year anyway, I guess. doit WORDS WED., DEC. 28 26 NOTE OF THANKS: All are welcome at the 26th

FOOD FOOD annual “Note of Thanks” gathering from 10:30am- 12pm at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. The free event focuses on helping kids of all ages make fun and creative thank-you 22 words COMMUNITY LECTURES BOOKS notes. Per usual, materials will be provided. WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM B-BOARD B-BOARD SUBMISSIONS SOUGHT: Poetry submissions are In his Swans, Truman saw not just their being sought for the upcoming Women’s March on

20 20 money—loads and loads of money—but also Bellingham taking place Jan. 21. Three poems will taste and élan. Benjamin credits Truman with be chosen to be read aloud, so use your angst,

FILM a deep love for his Swans, particularly for Slim hopes and courage to pen a submission that will and dear friend Babe, even if he eventually move a crowd. Send poems in an attached PDF to the email address listed below. The deadline is

16 betrayed their trust by publishing a scathing Mon., Jan. 2. (More information on the march can tell-all that immediately ostracized him and be found on Facebook.)

MUSIC ended his career. [email protected] Benjamin spends most of her novel exam- SAT., DEC. 31 14 ining the relationship between Truman and SATURDAY STORY TIME: Youngsters can bring

ART Babe, fast friends and their parents along to listen to their favorite deep confidants. Truman books at a Story Time event at 10:30am at the was the only one Babe let kids’ section at Village Books, 1200 11th St. 13 see her without makeup; Saturday Story Time will also take place at 11am at Village Books Lynden, 430 Front St. Authors

STAGE Truman was the one who do not attend. intuited her deep loneli- WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM ness and well-hidden in- 12 securities. He was the one MON., JAN. 2 GET IT who understood her love- TEEN POETRY CONTEST: Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to enter original poems for inclusion GET OUT HOW: Visit www. less marriage, and despite in the teen poetry anthology, A Forest of Words, wcls.org (or www. his deep affection for bellinghampublic starting today and continuing through Feb. 4.

10 Babe he also developed a 10 library.org if Along with having their poems published in the you live within rapport with her husband tome—which is distributed to each Whatcom Bellingham city Bill, until Bill entreated County library and area schools—all selected WORDS WORDS limits) to find this Truman to help him con- poets will receive their own copy of the book. book at a library Submit poems online at your local library.

8 duct one of many affairs. MELANIE BENJAMIN near you. WWW.WCLS.ORG/TEENS By the time Truman hatched his plan for the social event of the GENERAL LIT BOOK GROUP: Discuss Kent Haruf’s Our Souls at Night at a General Literature CURRENTS CURRENTS century, a “Black and White Dance” in 1966 REVIEWED BY CHRISTINE PERKINS to honor Katharine Graham, his fame and Book Group meeting at 7pm at Village Books,

6 1200 11th St. The group meets on the first Mon- fortune were at its peak. But several years day of each month to discuss books from a variety without another breakout book took its toll, of genres, and all are welcome. VIEWS including significant alcohol abuse. WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM

4 Social Studies Eventually, Truman turned on his beloved Swans, exploiting them and their stories with- POETRYNIGHT: Those looking to share their

MAIL MAIL THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE creative verse as part of Poetrynight can sign out fully anticipating their reactions. This part up most Mondays at 7:45pm at the Bellingham

Kardashians, before The Real Housewives of New York, there of the novel is as fascinating as the beginning, 2 BEFORE THE Public Library, 210 Central Ave. Readings start at were the Swans—ultra-rich, beautiful women who ruled the New York social as it explores how the Swans perceive how oth- 8pm. Entry is by donation. (Stay home tonight;

DO IT IT DO Poetrynight resumes Mon., Jan. 9.) scene from the 1950s through the 1960s. ers see them, particularly now that time has There was Slim Keith, a model perennially on the best-dressed list, linked decreased their relevance. WWW.POETRYNIGHT.ORG to a succession of wealthy and powerful men, includ- If you’re interested in New York society, the TUES., JAN. 3 ing Clark Gable and Ernest Hemingway. Next, Pamela American fashion scene, celebrities, or Truman STORIES WITH CLAIRE: Stories, songs and 12.28.16 Churchill, a British socialite once-married to Winston Capote, The Swans of Fifth Avenue is a well-re- movement will be part of a “Tuesday Story Time Churchill’s son, referred to as the “20th century’s searched and compulsively readable novel. with Claire” gathering at 10:30am at the kids’ .11 section at Village Books, 1200 11th St.

52 greatest courtesan.” Gloria Guinness, married five You can round out your appreciation of # WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM times, was a contributing writer for Harper’s Bazaar Capote’s writing by reading one or more of his and rumored to be a spy. C.Z. Guest and Lee Radziwill works, particularly In Cold Blood, Breakfast at TEEN BOOK TALK: Middle and high school stu- (sister to Jackie Kennedy) also made the list. Tiffany’s, and Other Voices, Other Rooms. His dents are invited to take part in “Teen Tuesdays: Queen of them all was Babe Paley, the flawless holiday tale, A Christmas Memory, is a sweet Book Talk” from 5:30-6:30pm at the Blaine Library, wife of CBS President Bill Paley. Babe was a con- seasonal favorite quite unlike the catty ex- 610 3rd St. The reading and talking group selects a new book on the first Tuesday of every month. summate hostess and style icon. Author Truman posé that ruined his friendships and led to his (360) 305-3637 CASCADIA WEEKLY Capote loved them all, but none more than Babe. ultimate downfall—“La Cote Basque, 1965.” It As Melanie Benjamin tells it in The Swans of Fifth Avenue—her fictional is the basis of his unfinished novel Answered WED., JAN. 4 10 yet historically accurate account of this elite group of women—Truman Prayers. These varied titles highlight Capote’s BOOKS AND TEA: Adults are invited to an “Af- wormed his way into the Swans’ inner circle. The literary wunderkind flat- talent and range as well as the contradictions ternoon Books and Tea” gathering from 2-3:30pm at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. This month tered them and delighted them with his sharp wit. of his personality. attendees will be reading Cookie mysteries. Bring Funny and charming when he wanted to be, Truman thrilled them with Christine Perkins is the Executive Director of your favorite teacup and sign up to bring one of bitchy gossip and made them feel intellectual by association. the Whatcom County Library System. doit

26 FOOD FOOD 22 B-BOARD B-BOARD 20 20 FILM 16 Party like it’s 2017 at New Year’s Eve celebrations taking place at Semiahmoo Resort, Lynden’s Jansen

Art Center, Nicki’s Bella Marina, and more. MUSIC the recipes in the book (optional). Loop Dr. Dining, dancing, prizes and all-night drink 14 (360) 354-4883 specials will be part of the festivities. Entry is free.

WWW.NICKISBELLAMARINA.COM ART THURS., JAN. 5 www LIBRARY DIRECTOR CELEBRATION: Come wish SUN., JAN. 1 13 Library Directory Pam Kiesner a fond farewell as she CEREMONIAL CELEBRATION: Hear Standing Rock retires after 40 years in library administration at a camp stories from veterans and water protectors at Retirement Celebration taking place from 4-6pm at a New Year’s Day Ceremonial Celebration honoring YOGA STAGE the Lecture Room at the Bellingham Public Library, all who “protect and defend the sacred” at 2pm at NORTHWEST 210 Central Ave. Live music, stories, refreshments Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth TheThe b.k.s Iyengar yoga center of bellingham 12 and more will be part of the free event. St. The event will also include “Songs from the Come Try Our WWW.BELLINGHAMPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG Heart” with Peter Ali, Tracy Spring,and JP Falcon, and include prayers and thoughts for a hopeful new FREEclasses YOGA 34 GET OUT year. Entry is by donation. Jan 2 - 8 classes COMMUNITY WWW.BUF.ORG weekly 10 10 THURS., DEC. 29 MON., JAN. 2 Welcome to our All Levels! BLOOD DRIVE: Celebrate the season of giving by TRIVIA NIGHT: Attend a weekly Trivia Night at 12-Week From Total Beginners WORDS sharing your life force at a Blood Drive put on by 7pm at Kulshan Brewery, 2238 James St. Entry is $2 Winter Session to Advanced WORDS Bloodworks Northwest happening from 12:45-3:30pm per person, and teams can have a maximum number Jan 9 - April 2 in front of the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 of six players. At 7pm Wednesdays, the event takes 8 new student Harris Ave. Please bring your photo ID or BWNW donor place at K2, 1538 Kentucky St. Check our discount card. Participants can schedule an appointment; WWW.KULSHANBREWERY.COM Super Flexible $20 walk-ins are also welcome. Make-up Policy! off! CURRENTS CURRENTS 1-800-398-7888, EXT. 2 TUES., JAN. 3 & our Payment Plan!

INTRO TO ANCESTRY: Learn how to research your 6 SAT., DEC. 31 family tree using the free library version of Ancestry. NYE AT NOON: Crafts, refreshments, music and a com at an introduction to the program from 10- Check our website for our Winter class schedules Voted VIEWS glorious balloon drop at high noon will be part of an 11:30am at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. The course yoganorthwest.com Best Yoga all-ages “New Year’s at Noon” event taking place from will include ways to add photos and cemetery info. 10 Years in a Row!

360.647.0712 1440 10th Street Historic Fairhaven Bellingham 4 11:30am-12:30pm at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. Some foreign countries are covered as well. Entry is free. (360) 354-4883 MAIL MAIL (360) 354-4883

WED., JAN. 4 20 WINES "ON SPOUT" 2 MANHATTAN NYE: Appetizers, a multi-course GREEN DRINKS: Network with likeminded envi-

meal, live music and live and silent auctions will be ronmentally aware citizens at the monthly Green IT DO part of the annual Manhattan New Year’s Eve Bash Drinks taking place from 5-7pm at Kombucha Town’s BEER & FOOD • BEST POPCORN IN TOWN from 5:30-9:30pm at Lynden’s Jansen Art Center, 321 Culture Cafe, 210 E. Chestnut St. (in the ground "HOURS OF HAPPINESS" DAILY 3 - 7 Front St. At 8:30pm, join the crowds in New York’s floor of the Herald Building). Entry is free. Time Square for the famous Ball Drop. Hats, horns WWW.RE-SOURCES.ORG and hoopla will be provided. Tickets are $85. Please 12.28.16 reserve a spot in advance, as entry is limited. COMMUNITY MEMORY: Mayor Bob Bromley shares

WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG stories of his family’s involvement in the Sumas .11 52

community at a Sumas Community Memory Talk at # SEMIAHMOO NYE: Dance along to the Atlantics at 7pm at the Sumas Community/Senior Center, 451 a New Year’s Eve soiree taking place from 6:30pm- 2nd St. Entry is free. 12:30am at the Semiahmoo Ballroom at Blaine’s (360) 988-2501 Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy. Entry is $135 and includes a reception, dinner, drinks and THURS., JAN. 5 more. At 7:30pm, there will also be an event starting UNION TALK: Learn about current radical union at the venue’s Packers Oyster Bar. Tickets to that are organizing campaigns of the Industrial Workers of

$25 and include music by the Replayzments, party the World, and the IWW’s tactics and strategy for CASCADIA WEEKLY favors and a midnight toast. greater worker control on the job, in every industry WWW.SEMIAHMOO.COM from 7-8:30pm at the meeting room at the Public 11 MONDAYS TUES-SAT SUNDAYS 120 WEST HOLY ST. Market, 1530 Cornwall Ave. The presentation and OPEN 3-9 OPEN AT 3 CLOSED • NYE PARTY: Live music by the Little Big Band will question and answer period will be led by members be part of a New Year’s Eve Party taking place from of the Whatcom-Skagit IWW. Open New Year's Eve, 1 to ? 9pm-1am at Nicki’s Bella Marina, 2615 S. Harbor WWW.BELLINGHAMIWW.COM Bubble Fight & Potato Chips served all day. doit

WED., DEC. 28 Bicycle Cub for a New Year’s YOGA FOR OUTDOOR FIT- Day Ride starting at 10am at

NESS: Anna Waham leads a Fairhaven Park, 107 Chuckanut

26 “Yoga for Outdoor Fitness” Drive North. Participants in the presentation at 6pm at REI, 400 first ride of 2017 will ride 13

FOOD FOOD 36th S. Register in advance; miles down Chuckanut to the entry is free. Oyster Inn in Edison for lunch, outside 647-8955 OR WWW.REI.COM and ride back the same way, or HIKING RUNNING GARDENING

22 via a hillier route. DEC. 28-JAN. 1 WWW.MTBAKERBIKECLUB.ORG SKAGIT EAGLE FESTIVAL:

B-BOARD B-BOARD Guided nature walks, presenta- RUN & DIP: The City of Belling- tions by guest speakers, sales by ham’s annual “Resolution Run/ artisans and much more will be Walk” begins at 11am at Lake

20 20 in our ocean,” student coordinator Sarah part of the 20th annual Skagit Padden, 4882 Samish Way. At the Sasek says. “Beach cleanups are a way we Eagle Festival taking place from finish, there’ll be snacks, patio

FILM can all pitch in to help reduce our impacts 10am-4pm Wednesday through heaters and camaraderie before on the ocean. Not only does this help to Sunday—and every Saturday and the “Padden Polar Dip” com- Sunday through January—at mences at high noon (FYI: Last

16 decrease pollution, but also increases the Rockport’s Skagit River Bald year’s water temps were a chilly aesthetic value of our local beaches.” Eagle Interpretive Center at 38 degrees). Heated showers

MUSIC If you find you’re more in a trail mood, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, and goodies will be available for when the new year dawns, “First Day Hikes” 52809 Rockport Park Rd. The those exiting the frigid waters. center offers opportunities to Both events are free. 14 will see dozens of Washington state parks better understand the wildlife of WWW.COB.ORG

ART hosting a variety of special events. the Skagit River watershed with “First Day Hikes are a great way for an emphasis on the winter migra- POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: Come families and friends to reconnect with tion of bald eagles, salmon and join hundreds of people from all 13 one another and with nature,” says Don the vital role each play in our over the Pacific Northwest to be ecosystem. Entry is by donation. part of the 34th annual “Polar

STAGE Hoch, Washington State Parks director. WWW.SKAGITEAGLE.ORG Bear Plunge” starting at noon at “More than 30 Washington state parks the waterfront by the Birch Bay will be offering guided hikes, snowshoe Chamber Visitor Information 12 12 FRI., DEC. 30 treks and fat tire bike rides to ring in the WILD THINGS: Kids, adults and Center, 7900 Birch Bay Dr. The New Year. There’ll be something for every adventurers can join Holly Roger event has been happening since GET OUT GET OUT fitness level and interest.” of Wild Whatcom for a “Wild 1982, and features costume Things” Community Program from contests and prizes. Entry is A full listing of all of the participating 9:30-11am at the Connelly Creek free, but those who register in

10 parks and associated Nature Area—a frequently trav- advance will receive an official happenings can be eled corridor for wildlife of all “I Took the Plunge” certificate found online (www. kinds. Suggested donation is $5. and hot beverages. T-shirts will WORDS naspd.org), but a sam- WWW.WILDWHATCOM.ORG be available to purchase. LOCUST BEACH WWW.BIRCHBAYCHAMBER.COM

8 pling includes What- SAT., DEC. 31 com County’s Larrabee LAST CHANCE MARATHON: TUES., JAN. 3 State Park—where Sign up for the “Last Chance ALL-PACES RUN: Staff and Half-Marathon and Marathon” volunteers are always on hand CURRENTS CURRENTS staff will lead a four- BY AMY KEPFERLE mile round trip inter- starting at 9am at Fairhaven to guide the way at the weekly

6 ATTEND Park, 107 Chuckanut Drive All-Paces Run starting at 6pm pretive hike on the WHAT: New Year’s North. The course will take every Tuesday at Fairhaven Day Beach Cleanup Two Dollar Trail to Fra- runners from the park along Runners, 1209 11th St. Entry VIEWS WHEN: 10am grance Lake—hikes at the Interurban Trail to Clayton is free. Resolution Sun., Jan. 1 4 Camano Island State Beach and back (twice if you’re WWW.FAIRHAVENRUNNERS.COM WHERE: Locust doing the full marathon). Note: Beach Park and Cama Beach MAIL MAIL The event has been known to WED., JAN. 4 Historical Park, and COST: Free; no have snow this time or year, so GARDEN CLUB MEETING: Lau-

Reset registration is events at Deception 2 dress accordingly. You should rel Baldwin, Whatcom County’s necessary Pass State Park, Fort plan on being self-sufficient Weed Control Coordinator, will A HEAD START ON A NEW YEAR INFO: www.re- DO IT IT DO Casey Historical State and carrying your own water present the updated list of sources.org IF ONE of your New Year’s resolutions is to get outside more, a Park and Fort Ebey and aid. Entry is $45. noxious and invasive weeds and WWW.DATABAREVENTS.COM plants at the Birchwood Garden couple events happening on the first day of 2017 are custom-made State Park in Coupeville, Friday Harbor’s Club’s monthly meeting from for this particular vow. Lime Kiln Point State Park, Moran State RING OF FIRE: The Birch Bay 7-9pm at Whatcom Museum’s Old 12.28.16 The first—an all-ages New Year’s Day Beach Cleanup taking place Park on Orcas Island, and Rockport State Chamber of Commerce hosts the City Hall, 121 Prospect St. All at Locust Beach—will also have the added benefit of being benefi- Park in Skagit County. annual “Ring of Fire and Hope” at are welcome at the free event. .11 7pm on the shoreline from Birch WWW.BIRCHWOOD

52 cial for the environment. Additionally, as the first of 12 Wash- # Bay State Park to Birch Bay Vil- GARDENCLUB.ORG “Recent winter storms have deposited large debris on the beach, ington State Parks “free days” that will lage. This annual event focuses including derelict fishing nets,” says Lee First, North Sound Bay- take place in 2017, vistors to the vari- on ringing in hope for the com- THURS., JAN. 5 keeper at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities. “Because of its ous parks will not need to display a Dis- ing new year and draws hundreds RAPTORS IN OUR LIVES: location and the direction of prevailing winds, Locust Beach receives cover Pass to have access to our state’s of participants who gather along Whatcom Land Trust’s “Raptors debris from all directions, including lots of small plastic from the beautiful beaches, lowland forests, his- the shores with lighted flares. A in Our Lives and How to Find limited amount of flares will be Them” begins tonight from city’s stormwater discharges.” toric military batteries and geographical available on a first-come, first- 7-9pm at the Bellingham Public CASCADIA WEEKLY To counteract the detrimental effects of the flotsam and jetsam points of interest. served basis starting at 5:30pm Library, 210 Central Ave. Bud that wash ashore on a regular basis at the waterway located at the In fact, all that’s needed to get a head at the Birch Bay Visitor’s Center. Anderson will lead the five- 12 end of Locust Avenue off Marine Drive, RE Sources is teaming up start on your 2017 resolutions is sturdy WWW.BIRCHBAYCHAMBER.COM session class and a daylong for the event with Western Washington University’s Students for the footwear, appropriate winter-weather field trip. Fees are $175, and are SUN., JAN. 1 due in advance. Salish Sea, a club that supports the restoration of the eponymous gear and the gumption to get out of the NEW YEAR’S RIDE: Join (360) 757-1911 OR bioregional watershed. house and explore the first day of the rest members of the Mount Baker WWW.FRG.ORG “Marine debris is a major concern because it constantly accumulates of your life. doit

STAGE who each do a four-minute set. WWW.ACOUSTICTAVERN.COM WED., DEC. 28 26 PANTY HOES: Aruba Sterling and Mahogony Night host a FOOD FOOD weekly drag queen production, DANCE stage “Panty Hoes,” at 9pm at Rumors THEATER DANCE PROFILES Cabaret, 1119 Railroad Ave. Sug- FRI., DEC. 30 22 gested donation is $3; proceeds AFTERNOON OF ELEGANCE: raised go to various LGBTQ- Attend an all-ages pre-New supported organizations. Year’s Eve dance dubbed “An B-BOARD B-BOARD WWW.RUMORSCABARET.COM Afternoon of Elegance” from 4-7pm at the Lynden Community

THURS., DEC. 29 Center, 401 Grover St. Refresh- 20 GOOD, BAD, UGLY: Watch “The ments, music and dancing to big

Good, the Bad and the Ugly” band sounds played by DJ David FILM at 8pm every Thursday at the Black will be part of the festivi- Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. ties. Entry is $10.

At 10pm, stick around for “The WWW.LYNDENCOMMUNITY 16 Project.” Entry is $8 for the early CENTER.ORG

show, $5 for the late one. MUSIC 733-8855 OR SAT., DEC. 31 WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM NEW YEAR’S DANCE: Live music from the Good Vibrations, 14

FRI., DEC. 30 a special Cha-Cha performance, ART GHOSTS AND GAMES: Expect hors d’oeuvres and champagne seasonal hilarity at improvised will be part of a New Year’s Eve 13 13 versions of The Christmas Carol Dance happening from 7-10pm at when “My Three Ghosts” shows the Bellingham Senior Activity STAGE at 8pm Friday at the Upfront Center, 315 Halleck St. Tickets to STAGE Theatre, 1208 Bay St. At 10pm, the 21-and-over event are $20. stick around for “Holiday Games 733-4030 OR WWW.WCCOA.ORG 12 Galore”—a variety of short form improv games with a thematic NYE SALSA DANCE: Join Rumba twist. Tickets are $10-$12. Northwest for a New Year’s Eve GET OUT 733-8855 OR Salsa Dance starting at 8pm and WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM continuing until 1am at the Bell- ingham Arts Academy for Youth, 10 ABCDANCE SAT., DEC. 31 1059 N. State St. The fun will

PHOTO BY JIM WORKS BY PHOTO NYE SHOWS: The mainstage kick off with a salsa lesson at

ensemble will bring back some 8:30pm and continue with per- WORDS perennially popular formats for formances by Rumba Northwest BY AMY KEPFERLE lesson, but those in attendance will also New Year’s Eve Shows at 7pm, dancers and dancing until 1am. 8 get a peek at what’s possible with practice 9pm and 11pm at the Upfront Entry is $7-$15 (free for kids when dancers from the company share their Theatre, 1208 Bay St. Each per- 10 and under). Beer, wine and formance will have compressed champagne will be available to

talents. Beginners can also learn more at CURRENTS Revolutions Cuban Salsa classes happening every Mon- versions of a handful of formats, purchase for those 21 and over.

meaning audiences could see A portion of the proceeds will go 6 day at Bell Tower Studios, or on the first DANCE, LEARN, REPEAT an improvised musical, dating to scholarships at BAAY. and third Saturday of the month at “Salsa game, superhero adventure, WWW.RUMBANORTHWEST.COM VIEWS LOSING WEIGHT, staying fit and healthy, and learning some- Night” at Cafe Rumba. and even a murder mystery or two. Tickets are $15 for the first CONTRA NYE: Join the Belling-

thing new are among the top New Year’s resolutions adopted by hu- Similarly, a New Year’s Eve Contra Dance 4 mans hopeful of bettering themselves. being held by the Bellingham Country show, $20 for the second, and ham Country Dance Society for a $25 for the late show (includes a New Year’s Eve Contra Dance tak- MAIL MAIL Meanwhile, many Bellingham-based dance studios are prepar- Dance Society at the Eagles Hall will give champagne toast at midnight). ing place from 8pm-1am at Eagles

ing to start 2017 with classes designed to help beginners learn the curious a chance to get in on the ac- 733-8855 OR Hall, 1125 N. Forest St. Live music 2 their craft. (Serendipitously, they also address these declarations tion. Per usual, the music will be live, WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM by the Rodney Miller Band, calling

by Marlin Prowell, sparkling cider, IT DO

of betterment.) everything from New England contras to At ABCDance (www.abcdancebellingham.com), owner Tabetha Clark square dancing and circles will be taught, SUN., JAN. 1 punch and noisemakers will be NO MAN’S LAND: Following part of the fun. Please bring fin- and crew are gearing up to teach everyone from absolute beginners and no partner or experience is necessary. their hit run on Broadway, Ian ger food to share at the alcohol- to intermediate dancers the art of tap dancing, jazz and swing. Be- If you miss the festive get-together, the McKellen and Patrick Stewart free event. Entry is $10-$15 (free ginning Jan. 3, affordable classes for adults begin at their recently group holds dances on the second, fourth return to the West End stage in for youth 12 and under). 12.28.16 completed studio at 1844 State St., which features custom-made and fifth Saturdays of most months at the Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land for WWW.

a National Theatre Live broad- BELLINGHAMCOUNTRYDANCE.ORG .11

sprung maple wood floors perfect for all forms of dance. Fairhaven Library. 52

cast at 2pm at Mount Vernon’s # When Clark founded ABCDance in 2014, it was with the goal of of- Northwest Ballet School, the Dance Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St. NYE DANCE PARTY: Friends, fering a positive environment for both kids and grownups to learn. Studio, Opus Performing Arts, Harper & I, The broadcast will be followed by beer and plenty of booty-shaking In addition to governing and growing her studio, she also performs Ballet Bellingham, Bellingham Dance Com- a Q&A with the cast and director. will be part of a New Year’s Eve with Bellingham Repertory Dance, has choreographed for local enter- pany, Dancing for Joy, and Presence Stu- Tickets are $14-$18. Dance Party starting at 8pm at tainment entities such as the Mount Baker Theatre, and is currently dio are other locales in town that focus on WWW.LINCOLNTHEATRE.ORG Aslan Brewing Co., 1330 N. For- est St. Bellingham-based inter- in the certification program for the American Tap Dance Foundation movement as a way to learn new things, MON., JAN. 2 active art company Sensebellum

in New York City. keep healthy and, yep, even lose weight. GUFFAWINGHAM: A weekly will transform the brewpub into CASCADIA WEEKLY “Teaching dance is my life’s passion,” Clark says. “My promise to But now that I’m thinking about the na- open mic for comedians, “Guffaw- a glowing dance venue. Beer will the Bellingham community, and dance community as a whole, is to ture of dance—and how bettering oneself ingham!,” takes place at 9:30pm be flowing all night, ending in 13 never stop growing as an educator for the arts.” through motion is in itself a circular pur- every Monday at the Green Frog, a midnight champagne toast. A 1015 N. State St. Entry is free. $10 cover at the door includes If you’ve been thinking 2017 might be the year you learn how to suit—I posit calling the related changes Each week, the event features ap- entry and a glass of champagne. salsa dance, get a hint of what it takes at Rumba Northwest’s New Year’s of the new year “revolutions” rather than proximately 20 standup comedians WWW.ASLANBREWING.COM Eve Salsa Dance at the BAAY Theatre). The night will start with a salsa “resolutions.” Are you with me? doit UPCOMING EVENTS

DEC. 28-30

26 WINTER ART CAMP: As part of a Winter Art Camp, Rachel Simpson will lead students ages

FOOD FOOD 10-16 in a “Mixed-Media Masks” class from 3-5pm Wednesday through Friday at Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth, 1059 N. State St. In

22 visual addition to making their own Tiki masks, stu- GALLERIES OPENINGS PROFILES dents will learn about French post-impression- ist artist Paul Gauguin, the location of Tahiti,

B-BOARD B-BOARD and a brief history of Tikis. Entry is $50. WWW.BAAY.ORG with white lights adorned a burnished

20 20 wood coffee table, while mischievous DEC. 28-31 elves cavorted on the couch. I was drawn DECK THE HALL: The annual “Deck the Old

FILM inside, where I picked up a Moscow mule City Hall” continues from 12-5pm Wednes- mug and canning kit for my sweetheart. day through Sunday at Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St. Visitors can

16 Across the street at the Leopold a view more than 20 decorated trees, peruse number of windows had been given both goods at a pop-up shop and more. Entry is

MUSIC Christmas and Hanukah treatments. by donation. With a theme of “Holidays Around the WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG 14 14 World,” they showcased everything WED., JAN. 4

ART from reindeer to snowmen to Santas ART QUILT RECEPTION: An opening reception and menorahs. for Gwen Marston’s “Abstract Quilts in Solids,” At Holly Street’s Bureau of Histori- and High Fiber Diet’s “It’s Not Easy Being 13 cal Investigation, the mood was more Green” takes place from 2-5pm at the La Con- ner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St.

STAGE political. One window held a Christmas Entry is free and open to the public. tree and a sign reminding shoppers that WWW.LACONNERQUILTS.COM the shop helmed by historians will be 12 closing at the end of the month (boo). WESTERN GALLERY OPENING: Simultane- The facing window featured a gold type- ous exhibitions that raise challenging issues

GET OUT writer on a red chair and a “black lives around privacy in our age of digital media and surveillance can be seen when “In the matter” sign (yay!). Open” and Arne Svenson’s “The Neighbors”

10 It can be easy to miss, but Bay Street open today at 10am on the campus of Western Village’s Ormolulu is worth a look-see. Washington University at Western Gallery. The Among a looming Santa Claus and chan- exhibits show through March 10. Entry is free WORDS deliers that look like they were meant for and open to the public. WWW.WESTERNGALLERY.WWU.EDU

8 a ballroom were giant stars, antique gifts and memories of a bygone era. After purchasing ski socks, I left the ONGOING EXHIBITS

CURRENTS CURRENTS charming winter wonderland at Back- country Essentials and came across ALLERY FINE ART: Rotating works by a vari-

6 ety of local and regional artists can be viewed a scene that wasn’t on my scheduled at Allery Fine Art, 1319 Cornwall Ae., suite stops. At Mindport Exhibits, artist Fran- 104 (in the alley behind Kids Northwest). VIEWS STORY AND PHOTO BY AMY KEPFERLE cie Allen was busy crafting a drawing WWW.THEALLERYFINEART.COM

4 from a sculpture she’d also made. “Over the winter solstice I am doing ARTWOOD: Terry Nelson’s “Gathered Wood”

MAIL MAIL charcoal and graphite drawings will be featured a large drawing of a wire dancer and a through December at Artwood Gallery, 1000

steel cube,” proclaimed a missive to the 2 Storefront Spotlight Harris Ave. MORE THAN WINDOW DRESSING left of her project. “I make the drawing WWW.ARTWOODGALLERY.COM DO IT IT DO by shining a light through the dancer. It WHEN I left the Weekly offices in the Herald Building on the Friday before Christ- casts a shadow on the sheet of drawing BLACK DROP: Charles B. Jones’ “Currency Détournements” will be on display through mas, it was with a couple of goals. paper behind.” December at Black Drop Coffee House, 300 W. First of all, I needed to finish my gift shopping, but had absolutely no desire to After that unexpected detour, I contin- Champion St. 12.28.16 drive anywhere. It was snowing and cold and wintery, and I vowed to get what I ued on to the Atomic Kitten (understated WWWBLACKDROPCOFFEEHOUSE.COM needed simply by strolling through the streets of downtown Bellingham. Additionally, and elegant) and to Heroine (where I found .11 CHUCKANUT BREWERY: Paintings by Evan

52 I wanted to suss out the sparkly storefronts of businesses who were taking part in the perfect use for antlers), Social Fabric # Whitehead are currently on display Chuckanut Sustainable Connections’ Holiday Window Decorating Contest. I was curious to see (featuring a dress made almost entirely of Brewery and Kitchen, 601 W. Holly St. how creative minds handled the festive challenge, but it was also a good excuse to candy canes), and then to Modsock. WWW.CHUCKANUTBREWERYANDKITCHEN.COM wander through the urban core. Anyone who’s ever watched The Christ- My first stop was on the ground floor of the Herald Building, where Fringe’s store- mas Story will likely LOL when they come FISHBOY GALLERY: Peruse the contempo- front featured long strings of threaded ornaments, a giant pale-blue stocking stuffed to the display. I’ve never seen so many rary folk art of RR Clark from 1:30-5pm Fridays or by appointment at the FishBoy Gallery, 617 to the brim with goodies, and plenty of gold-plated finery. In decorator’s terms, I’d leg lamps in one place, and the liberal Virginia St. CASCADIA WEEKLY call it “classy Christmas.” use of the world “Fragile” on a number of 319-2913 OR WWW.FISHBOYGALLERY.COM From there, I crossed the street to Wise Buys, where one window was stacked a mile boxes had me grinning. 14 high with boxes of presents in various hues of red, and the other held a lady man- My mission almost over, I went inside GOOD EARTH: Chris Moench’s “Gratitude nequin festooned with a ballgown made of alternating layers of round ornaments and to purchase stocking stuffers. I was in the Revolution” exhibit of prayer wheels will be on display through December at Good Earth Pot- swaths of gold material. The beauty beckoned me to enter the thrift store, where I perfect place for them, after all. tery, 1000 Harris Ave. picked up a like-new vegetable chopper and travel pillow for my dad. Vote for your favorite window by Dec. 31. WWW.GOODEARTHPOTS.COM At the Greenhouse, simplicity was the name of the game. In one window, small trees More info: www.sconnect.org doit

HONEY SALON: “The Flood” is on display until Feb. 28 at Honey Salon, 310 W. Holly

St. The collaborative exhibit features new WANTED works from Michelle Schutte and Jess Flegel 26 on reflections and predictions of disaster

and home. FOOD WWW.HONEYBELLINGHAM.COM

IE GALLERY: “Are You Listening” shows 22 through Dec. 30 in Edison at i.e. gallery, 5800 Cains Court.

WWW.IEEDISON.COM B-BOARD

JANSEN ART CENTER: See “The Paintings WASHERS DRYERS RANGES

of James R. Williamson: Maritime, Landscape, 20 Wildlife,” a “Winter Juried Exhibit,” and a ...to support our job training program, help protect the

Skagit Valley Camera Club exhibit at Lynden’s FILM Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St. environment, and strengthen the local economy. WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG CALL FOR FREE PICKUPS IN BELLINGHAM AND FERNDALE: 527-2646 16 MATZKE GALLERY: Peruse 200-plus small

artworks by 40 artists at the annual “Honey, MUSIC I Shrunk the Art” exhibit through Jan. 25 at 802 MARINE DRIVE Camano Island’s Matzke Fine Art Gallery, 2345 BELLINGHAM, WA 98225 14 14 Blanche Way. APPLIANCEDEPOTBHAM.COM ART WWW.MATZKEFINEART.COM ART

MODE: Sculptures by Don Anderson, Brett 13 Cleveland, Shirley Erickson, Lauren Osmolski, Ries Niemi, and more can be viewed at the new Mode. Art Gallery, 2110 James St. . VILLAGE STAGE WWW.MODE-ARTGALLERY.COM & BOOKS 12 MONA: View art made by 28 sets of sweet- at hearts who have shared creative lives at “Matched Makers: Northwest Artist Couples” PAPER GET OUT through Jan. 1 at La Conner’s Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St. DREAMS

WWW.MONAMUSEUM.ORG 10 Don’t Miss our OLD WORLD DELI: An exhibit of historical

Annual WORDS watercolors from the Age of Exploration by noted Pacific Northwest maritime artist Steve

New Year’s 8 Mayo is on display during December at the Old World Deli,1228 N. State St. WWW.OLDWORLDDELI1.COM CURRENTS CURRENTS PERRY AND CARLSON: “The Reconsidered

Landscape” is on display through December in 6 Mount Vernon at Perry and Carlson Gallery, 508 SALE S. First St. VIEWS WWW.PERRYANDCARLSON.COM 4 SKAGIT MUSEUM: “Mas Voces del Valle: More 20% OFF

Voices of the Valley” and “Skagit Christmas” MAIL show through Dec. 31 at La Conner’s Skagit

County Historical Museum, 501 S. 4th St. STOREWIDE! 2 WWW.SKAGITCOUNTY.NET/MUSEUM In both Fairhaven AND Lynden DO IT IT DO

SMITH & VALLEE: Functional and three- New Year’s Eve dimensional artwork from more than 40 Saturday, December 31 regional artists can be perused and purchased st, at “Objectification 9” through Dec. 31 at Edi- 9am - 6pm son’s Smith & Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave. 12.28.16 WWW.SMITHANDVALLEE.COM & New Year’s Day

Sunday, January 1 .11 52

st, # WHATCOM ART MARKET: Works by more Fairhaven: 10am - 7pm than 45 Whatcom Art Guild members can be perused and purchased from 10am-6pm Lynden:11am - 5pm Wed.-Sun. at the new Whatcom Art Market, 1103 11th St. Can’t make it in? Call and pay over the phone during the sale and WWW.WHATCOMARTMARKET.ORG receive the discounted price!

WHATCOM MUSEUM: “Spineless: Portraits of Watch for GREAT DISCOUNTS Marine Invertebrates,” “National Geographic’s on HOLIDAY ITEMS! CASCADIA WEEKLY 50 Greatest Photos,” “Nostalgic Saturation: 15 Mid-Century Bellingham in Historic Color,” 1200 11th St., and “Back at the Park: Vintage Views from the VILLAGEHistoric Fairhaven, BOOKS Bellingham Photo Archives” can currently be viewed on the Whatcom Museum campus. 1200430 11th Front St., St., Bellingham Lynden WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG Now with a Second Store villagebooks.comOpen in Lynden! rumor has it

26 IS IT THE end of the year or the End Times? Whether I was in denial or just feeling

FOOD FOOD optimistic, for most of the year, I managed to make myself believe that 2016 wasn’t really all that bad. 22 music SHOW PREVIEWS RUMOR HAS IT Yes, we lost a stunning amount of enter- tainers, in particular musical icons, in fur-

B-BOARD B-BOARD ther particular, those very icons that had been more than just musicians; had contrib-

20 20 uted more than just the amalgamation of eat your 2016-related feelings, I suggest the their considerable discographies; had been

FILM burger that comes with kielbasa, sauerkraut part, not just of our culture, but of our very and a homemade pierogi on top. identity; didn’t just

16 16 WHERE: 513 1st St., La Conner stand onstage, but

INFO: www.aneliaskitchenandstage.com stood for something MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC both universally im- Boundary Bay Brewery: Who needs to watch pactful and personally

14 the ball drop when at Boundary Bay you can meaningful.

ART watch the annual lowering of the lighted That’s a lot to con- keg? No one in town loves to throw a party tend with, and an BY CAREY ROSS as much as Boundary’s Janet Lightner, and even harder thing to 13 spending any holiday at her perennially popu- come to terms with.

STAGE lar brewpub is a good idea. Come New Year’s But there exist many degrees of separa- Eve, Ebb, Slack and Flood and Jasmine Greene tion between myself and David Bowie or will provide the all-important musical com- Prince or Leonard Cohen or George Michael, 12 ponent, the pints of potent Boundary beer and so I am able to celebrate the bodies will flow and, at midnight, the glowing keg of work they left behind without becoming

GET OUT will lower the boom on 2016. As it should be. bogged down in grief at their passing. WHERE: 1107 Railroad Ave. Even the presidential election—in all INFO:www.bbaybrewery.com 10 its prolonged, painful, punishing display of democracy—failed to make me share Brown Lantern Ale House: I’ve never cel- the popular viewpoint that 2016 should be WORDS ebrated New Year’s Eve at the Brown Lantern erased from the calendar and never spoken

8 in Anacortes, but I’ve celebrated a couple of of again. While I will not say that I accepted no-occasion weeknights there and I can heart- the outcome with equanimity, I never de- BEAT CONNECTION ily recommend making your way to the town scended into full-blown violent tantrum

CURRENTS CURRENTS on Fidalgo Bay and the bar that’s been around territory (not yet, anyway). Instead, I made for more than 80 years. The vibe is casual, the donations to those organizations that fight 6 BY CAREY ROSS burgers are some of the best I’ve ever had and for my rights, began to gather information DJ Ontic—a well-known quantity at the Brown about how to best protect myself and those VIEWS Lantern—will play the music that will help I hold dear, and pledged to be a better, more 4 New Year’s Eve you ring out this year and ring in the new one. engaged participant in this democracy. WHERE: 412 Commercial Ave. So far, not necessarily so good, but not so MAIL MAIL SUCK IT, 2016 INFO:www.brownlantern.com bad as long as I squinted real hard and didn’t

focus on anything around me too intently. 2 WELL, IT’S definitely been a year. Conway Muse: Conway is a tiny town with a big Maybe going through life in a self-in- DO IT IT DO Perhaps the slow-moving, scorched-earth disaster that was 2016 spared personality. A significant part of that personal- duced existential haze isn’t totally healthy, you, and instead of stress and strife, you enjoyed peace and prosperity. ity comes from the Conway Muse. On New Year’s but sometimes making your way in the Maybe you remained unscathed by events both personal and political, and Eve, they’ll throw a dinner party with dishes world today takes everything you’ve got. this was a year in which you asked for a pony for your birthday, got a uni- such as seafood casserole and honey-glazed Unrelated to any single event, I fear I too 12.28.16 corn instead and rode it right to a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. ham, and then throw a proper party with blues have joined the ranks of those who believe For the rest of us, the year was a little more… complicated. I don’t need legend Star Drums and Lady Keys on the musi- this year to be a malevolent force or karmic .11

52 to rehash the myriad ways in which 2016 messed with many of us, but suf- cal menu in the Bard Room, while the Prozac reckoning of some kind. # fice it to say, with time still on the clock of this most unusual year, I am in- Mountain Boys will hold it down in the parlor. Even so, my takeaway from this most un- clined to wrap myself in warm blankets and cold vodka and hide somewhere WHERE: 18444 Spruce St., Conway fortunate year is not that we’re all cosmically dark until it is safe to come out again. INFO: www.conwaymuse.com fucked, but that if we do the work of active- Tempting as that idea is, instead of hiding out, I propose we give this ly and diligently taking care of and looking devil year the sendoff it so richly deserves. If 2016 is the year in which no Edison Inn: One day, when I am lucky enough out for those we love and our community, one gets out clean, might as well get down and dirty one last time. Luckily, to live in Bow-Edison, I will become a regular we might just get through whatever comes

CASCADIA WEEKLY New Year’s Eve will offer plenty of opportunities to do just that. at the Edison Inn. As a possible future resi- next, if not intact, than at least together. dent of the Skagit Flats, it is my duty to en- As for 2017, I will not say that I have 16 Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage: The perfect little Polish palace in La Conner is clos- courage everyone to converge on the Edison high hopes, but I am cautiously optimis- ing out 2016 with a lineup of stellar music. The party starts early, on Thurs., for a Naughty New Year’s Eve with the Naughty tic. It’s possible my optimism isn’t based in Dec. 29 with Anelia’s favorite Lucas Hicks, who will no doubt pack the place Blokes. I don’t know that I’ve attended an reality, and is just more of that existential out. The Sky Colony will pick up where he leaves off on Fri., Dec. 30, and Ben event that announced its desire to be doubly haze, but hell, at this point, I’ll take what and Mia Starner will make an appearance on New Year’s Eve. And if you must naughty from the get-go, but if ever a year de- I can get. mands such a thing, it is this one. complete with live music by Midlife Crisis WHERE: 5829 Cains Ct., Bow and champagne at midnight, all for a cover INFO: www.theoldedison.com charge of zero dollars and zero cents. If

that doesn’t flip your proverbial pancakes, 26 Glow Nightclub: By now, my soft spot for the Mix will be cranking out hits in the

Glow is well-established. This affection lounge. Make reservations for an excellent FOOD only grows every time I ascend the stairs dinner at the Steak House, book a room to to the glass box perched atop Bob’s Burg- crash in after the party and close out 2016 22 ers in downtown Bellingham. Everything with a bang, not a whimper. there is sure to be in fine form on New WHERE: Haxton Way at Slater Road

Year’s Eve when the nightclub will offer INFO: www.silverreefcasino.com B-BOARD champagne specials (and a complimenta- ry midnight toast), music by DJs Note and Skagit Casino Resort: I’ve been to the 20 20 Will, and hands down the best people- Skagit for a few parties, so I know it’s an watching in town, inside and out. ideal locale for a special occasion of any FILM WHERE: 202 E. Holly St. ilk. New Year’s Eve promises to be no dif- 16 INFO: www.glowbellingham.com ferent. If you’ve never experienced the 16

luxury of eating, drinking and making MUSIC

Green Frog: The Green Frog is a small merry, only to retire to your well-appoint- MUSIC space with a small stage. Baby Cakes is a ed room for a disco nap before continuing

big band with big energy and a big local the festivities, I suggest booking a room 14 following. This means when Baby Cakes at the Skagit Casino Resort and starting ART plays the Green Frog on New Year’s Eve, 2017 off right. You might regret a thing or the place is going to be bursting at the two during the coming year, but I promise Skagit Valley College Presents Streaming 13 seams with good funk music and good, this will not be one of them. Online! mostly clean fun. This is one of a few WHERE: 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow KSVR.ORG STAGE shows in Bellingham that are guaranteed INFO: www.theskagit.com Fourth to sell out, so get your tickets early or you won’t be there to see Baby Cakes welcome Skylark’s: The Southside isn’t exactly Corner 12 the New Year with new material. known for being a prime party spot, but WHERE: 1015 N. State St. if you happen to find yourself in Fairhaven Jazz GET OUT INFO: www.acoustictavern.com on New Year’s Eve, you should also find yourself at Skylark’s. The longtime local Recorded Live Jazz Performances 10 Kulshan Brewing Co.: Bellingham loves eatery will feed you, entertain you with on the shores of the Salish Sea a lot of things—high-quality coffee, pot jazz by Telefonic and hand out complimen- WORDS shops, wearing pajamas in public—but tary champagne and party hats at mid- locally brewed beer and karaoke are high night. Who says the Southside can’t party? 8 on the list. Kulshan Brewery is combin- WHERE: 1308 11th St. Sundays ing the two at its State Street location, INFO: www.skylarkshiddencafe.com

hosting a New Year’s Eve karaoke party. CURRENTS The theme is the ’70s, noted local kara- Swinomish Casino and Lodge: Babies, old oke practitioner Zach Zinn will be your men and balls dropping are generally the 6 PM 6 host and liquid courage will be available themes of most New Year’s Eve celebra- FindF us on VIEWS in the form of pints of Bastard Kat and tions, but the Swinomish Casino likes to STUDIOS FFacebook

Kitten Mittens. Sing in the New Year. combine the holiday with an occasion that 4 WHERE: 2238 James St. was born on the bayou. Their New Year’s INFO: www.kulshanbrewery.com Eve bash is inspired by Mardi Gras, and I MAIL

think we can all agree this is an excellent 2 Shakedown: Because I will go any- idea. The menu will be Cajun-influenced, DO IT IT DO where that promises me Jell-O shots, I the music will be by Louisiana native Rich- have rung in a New Year or two at the ard Allen and the whole thing will turn Shakedown. I don’t know if the watch-it- New Year’s Eve into the new Fat Tuesday. wiggle, see-it-jiggle cocktail concoction WHERE: 12885 Casino Dr., Anacortes will be a drink special this year, but with INFO: www.swinomishcasinoandlodge.com 12.28.16 a musical lineup comprised of No Guts .11

(formerly Girl Guts), Cousin Marvin (a Wild Buffalo: I can’t remember the last 52 band that includes both Jake McMurray time the Wild Buffalo didn’t pack the # and Gabe Taylor, making it a must-see), house for New Year’s Eve and this year and Meece (featuring members of Capar- will not deviate from that norm. Seattle’s za), I may not even need the promise of Beat Connection is a big draw in their own Jell-O to get me to show up. right, but for my money, hometown boy WHERE: 1212 N. State St. Manatee Commune is more than worth the

INFO: www.shakedownbellingham.com price of admission. Whoever you throw CASCADIA WEEKLY your dollars down for, do it soon. If you Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa: If you’ve wait to buy your way in at the door, get- 17 been looking for an excuse to head to the ting turned away might be the final trick Silver Reef and check out its newish Events 2016 plays on you. Center, look no further. They’ll open up the WHERE: 208 W. Holly St. expansive space for a New Year’s Eve bash, INFO: www.wildbuffalo.net musicvenues 26 See below for venue FOOD FOOD addresses and phone 12.28.16 12.29.16 12.30.16 12.31.16 01.01.17 01.02.17 01.03.17 numbers WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY

22 Anelia's Kitchen & Lucas Hicks The Sky Colony Ben and Mia Starner Stage

B-BOARD B-BOARD New Year's Eve Party w/Ebb, Slack Boundary Bay Aaron Guest Piano Night Paul Klein Brewery and Flood; Jasmine 20 20 Greene FILM Brown Lantern Ale House Acoustic Night Open Mic New Year's Eve w/DJ Ontic

16 16 Commodore Ballroom New Year's Eve Party MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC MuseBird Cafe w/Rick Fogel, WB New Year's Bash w/Stardrums & Conway Muse Queen's Bluegrass Reid, Jo Jeffrey Lady Keys, more 14

ART Corner Pub Knut Bell and the 360s

Alexander Sturm & Maddie

13 Culture Cafe at Kombucha Aireooke Winter Warm-Up Open Mic w/Chuck D Town Pritchard STAGE Eat Orb Trio w/Josh Cook Spencer Redmond Duo New Year's Eve w/Orb Trio AARON CRAWFORD/Dec. 31/Loco Billy’s

12 Naughty New Years Eve w/The Edison Inn Alex Ashley Country Dave Naughty Blokes

GET OUT Anelias Kitchen & Stage 511 Morris St., La Conner • (360) 466-4778 | Bellewood Acres 6140 Guide Meridian, Lynden • (360) 318-7720 | Bobby Lee’s Pub & Eatery 108 W. Main St., Everson • 966-8838 | Boundary Bay Brewery 1107 Railroad Ave • 647-5593 | Brown Lantern Ale House 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 293-2544 | The Business 216 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 293-9788 | Chuckanut Brewery 601 W. Holly St. • 752-3377 | Commodore Ballroom 868 Granville St., Vancouver • (604) 739-4550 | Conway Muse 18444 Spruce/Main St., Conway (360) 445-3000 | Corner Pub 14565 Allen West Road, Burlington | Eat Restaurant & Bar

10 1200 Cornwall Ave • www.4u2eat.com | Culture Cafe at Kombucha Town 2010 E. Chestnut St. • www.kombuchatown.com Allen West Road, Burlington | Eat Restaurant & Bar 1200 Cornwall Ave • www.4u2eat.com WORDS 8 CURRENTS CURRENTS 6 VIEWS 4 MAIL MAIL

JAN JAN FEB 2 15 18 18 DO IT IT DO

12.28.16

.11 An Evening of Storytelling with 52 #

MAR MAR APR 18 28 9 CASCADIA WEEKLY

Gift Certifi cates Available!

musicvenues 26 See below for venue addresses and phone 12.28.16 12.29.16 12.30.16 12.31.16 01.01.17 01.02.17 01.03.17 FOOD numbers WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY

Tanya Hladik, Karen Kunkle, Open Mic (early), Guf- Soul Explosion w/DJ 22 Green Frog The Lost Highway Band New Year's Eve w/Baby Cakes Slow Jam (early) Stephanie Walbon fawingham (late) Willdabeast B-BOARD B-BOARD H2O DJ Clint Westwood New Year's Eve w/DJ Z Karaoke

New Year's Eve w/The Fabu- Extended Community 20 Honey Moon Open Mic w/Scot Casey Morgan and Maren Sarah Goodin First Tuesday: Story Slam lous Penny Stinkers Irish Session FILM

Kulshan Brewing Co. Doc and Nak New Year's Eve Party The Devilly Brothers 16 16

Loco Billy's Wild Moon New Year's Eve Bash w/Aaron

Jam Night/Open Mic Cowgirls Gone Wild MUSIC Saloon Crawford MUSIC

Main St. Bar and Grill JP Falcon Acoustic Showcase Shannanagins Spaceband 14 ART

Poppe's 360 New Year's Eve w/DJ Ryan I 13

Redlight Falling Upstairs, Fumes, STAGE

Rockfish Grill Fidalgo Swing Blues Union 12

Royal Karaoke Karaoke Country Night DJ Jester LUCAS HICKS/Dec. 29/Anelia’s Kitchen GET OUT 10 Rumors Cabaret Panty Hoes Drag Show Total Request Live DJ Graymatter DJ Robby Clark Aireeoke DJ Graymatter, more

Rock 'n' Roll New Year's Eve WORDS Deadly D, Sir Kn8, Hila the Sweet Invicta, The Naims, The The Shakedown w/No Guts, Cousin Marvin, Aireeoke Killa Ellis Deviants Meece 8 New Year's Eve Celebration Silver Reef Hotel Casino (Event Center), The Mix Resort (Lounge) CURRENTS CURRENTS Skagit Casino Resort The Royal We The Royal We 6

New Year's Eve w/ VIEWS Marvin J Soul Shadows Skylark's Telefonic 4

New Year's Eve w/Eagle Swillery Whiskey Bar Karaoke Free Live Music The Song Project Teeth, more MAIL

Mardi Gras New 2 Swinomish Casino Dana Osborn Band Year's Eve w/Rich-

and Lodge IT DO ard Allen

The Underground DJ B-Mello DJ B-Mello 12.28.16

Via Cafe and Bistro Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke .11 52 # The Village Inn Jam Night Karaoke BACK TO THE FUTURE PARTY/Dec. 30/Wild Buffalo

‘90s Night w/DJ Boombox 100 w/DJ Graymatter, DJ New Year's Eve w/Beat Con- Wild Buffalo Back to the Future Party Lip Sync Battle Kid Boombox Kid, Trolly Popz nection, Manatee Commune

The Green Frog 1015 N. State St. • www.acoustictavern.com | Edison Inn 5829 Cains Ct., Edison • (360) 766-6266 | Glow 202 E. Holly St. • 734-3305 | H20, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 755-3956 | Honey Moon

1053 N. State St. • 734-0728 | KC’s Bar and Grill 108 W. Main St., Everson • (360) 966-8838 | Kulshan Brewery 2238 James St. • 389-5348 | Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood • www.locobillys. CASCADIA WEEKLY com | Make.Shift Art Space 306 Flora St. • www.makeshiftproject.com | Main Street Bar & Grill 2004 Main St., Ferndale • (360) 384-2982 | McKay’s Taphouse 1118 E. Maple St. • (360) 647-3600 | Poppe’s 714 Lakeway Dr. • 671-1011 | Paso Del Norte 758 Peace Portal Dr. Blaine • (360) 332-4045 | The Redlight 1017 N. State St. • www.redlightwineandcoffee.com | Rockfish Grill 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 588-1720 | The Royal 19 208 E. Holly St. • 738-3701 | Rumors Cabaret 1119 Railroad Ave. • 671-1849 | The Shakedown 1212 N. State St. • www.shakedownbellingham.com | Silver Reef Casino 4876 Haxton Way, Ferndale • (360) 383-0777 | Skagit Valley Casino Resort 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow • (360) 724-7777 | Skylark’s Hidden Cafe 1300 11th St. • 715-3642 | Swillery Whiskey Bar 118 W. Holly St. | Stones Throw Brewery 1009 Larrabee Ave. | Swinomish Casino 12885 Casino Dr., Anacortes • (888) 288-8883 | Temple Bar 306 W. Champion St. • 676-8660 | The Underground 211 E. Chestnut St. • 738-3701 | Underground Coffeehouse Viking Union 3rd Floor, WWU | Via Cafe 7829 Birch Bay Dr., Blaine • (360) 778-2570 | Village Inn Pub 3020 Northwest Ave. • 734-2490 | Vinostrology 120 W. Holly St. • 656-6817 | The Waterfront 521 W. Holly St. • www.waterfrontseafoodandbar.com | Wild Buffalo 208 W. Holly St. • www.wildbuffalo.net | To get your live music listings included, send info to [email protected]. Deadlines are always at 5pm Friday. an original composition that changes their lives. It prompts his boss (hilari- ously grumpy J.K. Simmons) to fire him. It sways Mia to stare at him with starry eyes

26 open as wide as hubcaps. Not until the pair intersect months

FOOD FOOD later at an ’80s house party where he’s film hired to play tedious one-hit wonders from A-ha and A Flock of Seagulls 22 MOVIE REVIEWS FILM SHORTS do they begin to bond. The playlist is laughable, but reminds them both that

B-BOARD B-BOARD there’s more to life than rocketing up the charts and back down again. And

20 20 20 then they’re off on a love story with a sense of grand adventure, each view- FILM FILM ing the other as a dream that just might possibly come true.

16 It’s a three-way romance, Mia and Seb giving each other some of the passion,

MUSIC sacrifice and focus needed to make a career as an artist. And how could they

14 not as they kiss and dance the night

ART away at the Griffith Observatory, so soaring in happiness that their bodies magically float in zero gravity among 13 the planetarium’s projected stars. Even

STAGE though she confesses “I hate jazz,” which she understands in terms of Kenny G elevator music, and he’s lured 12 into joining an endlessly touring rock band led by Keith (co-producer John

GET OUT Legend), who values marketing success over artistic integrity.

10 As the star-crossed aspiring stars try to balance the outs-and-ins of modern romance, one’s success triggers another’s WORDS insecurity. We’re reminded of our entry

8 point scene with a million cars stalled on the highway. Beyond its charming, heart- felt romance, La La Land is a movie about

CURRENTS CURRENTS characters getting in each other’s way. Their pursuit of big dreams they haven’t 6 been able to realize leads to a bittersweet final sequence, touring paths not taken. VIEWS This is a joy to watch, with a rhapsody

4 of love and lightness in the performances. Stone and Gosling have done sassy romance MAIL MAIL before in Crazy, Stupid Love and “Gangster

Squad.” They repeat their movie magic here 2 as the kinds of partners that are hard to DO IT IT DO find and sometimes even tougher to keep. Whether they are dancing side by side or REVIEWED BY COLIN COVERT barista at a studio-lot coffee shop, and bickering like a conversational badminton Ryan Gosling as Sebastian, a bohemian match, you think it’s gotta be love. 12.28.16 pianist hoping to run his own jazz club. Like Chazelle’s brutally sharp noir musi- Under endless West Coast skies they cross cal Whiplash, this hits inventive perfect .11

52 La La Land paths at the opening, stuck in a titanic pitch with clarity and snap. Yet it’s the # BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY freeway ramp traffic jam that generates a polar opposite in tone, generating the surreal song and dance chorus with a cast popping, playful excitement we haven’t LA LA Land is a lollapalooza, a splashy, old-fashioned Hollywood extravaganza. of hundreds. It’s not a classic meet cute experienced since Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Writing/directing wunderkind Damien Chazelle fills it with enchanting star magne- between the frustrated pair. He irritably Rouge or Rob Marshall’s Chicago. He knows tism, synchronized choreography, a melodic original score and jewel-colored Cinema- honks his horn to push past her, and she when to play a scene real and when man- Scope sparkle (which is actually how it was shot). replies by flipping him the bird. nered fakery should create a cheerfully

CASCADIA WEEKLY In distinct timelines, it’s both a valentine to a more glorious studio era of the past They chase their own breaking-into- phony Hollywood back-lot feel. It makes and a touchingly wised-up modern critique of bygone glory days, nostalgic romance business desires separately in big-city efforts like Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys 20 and modern realism sharing a lovely dance. That’s a big array of ingredients to com- solitude—she at dead-end auditions, he and the Pitch Perfect series look like crude bine. Rather than turning hopelessly convoluted through the orchestration of many performing for pocket money. Eventually cave drawings by comparison. moving parts, this fantasia intertwines them in exquisite harmony. they connect at a restaurant where he’s If there is not an audience that craves The setting is Los Angeles, the legendary wonderland where dreams are born and reduced to performing ho-hum Christmas this, 2016 has officially killed the movie buried day after day. It stars Emma Stone as Mia, a striving would-be actress and tunes. Against the house rules, he plays industry. film ›› showing this week

BY CAREY ROSS Law Offices of 26 FOOD FOOD FILM SHORTS Alexander F. Ransomm 22 Arrival: Denis Villeneuve, director of the upcoming Blade Runner movie, helms this near-future, sci-fi, alien-invasion story featuring what is sure to be an Experienced. B-BOARD Oscar-nominated performance by Amy Adams for her turn as a linguist attempting to communicate with our 20 20 alien overlords. +++++ (PG-13 • 1 hr. 56 min.) Effective. 20 FILM Assassin’s Creed: This movie stars Michael Fass- Exceptional. FILM bender, Marion Cotillard, Charlotte Rampling, Brendan Compassionate Criminal Defense Attorney Gleeson, and Jeremy Irons—and despite that is 16 somehow the worst movie you have ever seen. I guess Fighting for Your Rights videogame movies really are cursed. + (PG-13 • 1 hr.

56 min.) 119 NORTH COMMERCIAL ST. SUITE #1420 • OFFICE: (360) 746-2642 MUSIC

Collateral Beauty: This is one of those movies that 14 arrives in theaters with little fanfare despite having www.ransom-lawfirm.com a star-studded cast (Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Kate ART Winslet, Keira Knightley, Edward Norton, more) that

will teach us all how to find beauty in our lives or NOW PLAYING 13 something. I don’t really know. + (PG-13 • 1 hr. 37 min.) Fri, December 30 STAGE FENCES - Thu, January 5 The Eagle Huntress: This visually stunning

documentary will introduce you to Aisholpan. a out how Chris Pratt became a genuine movie star. I 12 13-year-old nomadic Mongolian girl who is training fear this truly dismal sci-fi effort will only deepen JACKIE (R) 100m - - Golden Globe Best Actress Nominee to be the first female eagle hunter in her family in 12 that mystery for him. + (PG-13 • 1 hr. 56 min.) "To watch Natalie Portman's every move is to not only watch generations. Take that, glass ceiling. +++++ (G • 1 history being recreated, but to also witness history being made." GET OUT hr. 26 min.) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: When Episode One Fri: (1:15), (3:45), 6:30, 9:15; Sat: (10:30AM), 4:15, 7:35 came out, I gave it one million stars, a first for my Sun: Mon & Tue:

(2:00), 4:15, 7:35; (1:15), (3:45), 6:30, 9:15 10 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: highly advanced internal rating algorithm. Accord- Wed: Thu: J.K. Rowling returns to the big screen with a truly ing to that same algorithm, this film also achieves (3:45), 6:30, 9:15; (12:30), (3:45), 6:30, 9:05 excellent Harry Potter spinoff, a rich dose of fantasy a coveted one-million-star rating, mostly for not MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (R) 135m - WORDS that has arrived at that exact moment when many of screwing up the Star Wars franchise and ruining my Golden Globe Nominations Galore: Best Actor / Director / Supporting Actress us would like to escape from reality for a bit. ++++ childhood like those prequels we do not speak of. (PG-13 • 2 hrs. 12 min.) Oh yeah, and suck it, haterzzzz. +++++ (PG-13 • "A film of surpassing beauty and heart. Even at its most melancholy 8 2 hrs. 13 min.) depths, it brims with candid, earnest, indefatigable life." WA Post Fences: Denzel Washington directs and stars in Fri: (12:45), 6:15, 9:05; Sat & Sun: (1:15), 4:40, 6:55 this adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer- and Sing: A group of plucky animated animals band Mon & Tue: (12:45), 6:15, 9:05; Wed: (12:45), (3:00), 9:05 CURRENTS Tony-winning play of the same name. Powerhouse per- together to help save an ailing theater by stag- Thu: (12:45), (3:15), 6:15 formances by Washington and the truly, madly, deeply ing a singing contest. Nothing about this movie is 6 amazing Viola Davis will no doubt catch the eye of particularly inspired, but it is as entertaining as it is LONG WAY NORTH (Tout en haut du monde) (PG) 81m

Oscar and his esteemed Academy. +++++ (PG-13 • 2 engaging—and does nothing to dispel my feeling that A stunning animated film about one girl’s epic quest to reach VIEWS hrs. 13 min.) animation houses are kicking the pants off their live- the North Pole, from the creative minds that brought us Ernest &

action counterparts when it comes to consistently 4 Celestine, Song Of The Sea and The Secret Of Kells. Jackie: Few performances have received as much solid moviemaking. ++++ (PG • 1 hr. 48 min.) DUBBED VERSION: Fri: Sat: Sun: buzz this year as Natalie Portman’s portrayal of (4:00); (2:30); (11:00AM) MAIL Jacqueline Kennedy during the lead-up to and in the Why Him?: All of the considerable talent—Bryan Mon & Tue: (4:00); Wed: (12:50) aftermath of the assassination of President Kennedy. Cranston, Megan Mullally (especially her), Keegan- SUBTITLED VERSION: Thu: 9:15 2 If you thought she went full method in Black Swan, Michael Key—is wasted in this lackluster comedy, but THE GOLDEN AGE (NR) Bolshoi Ballet 140m - IT DO you ain’t seen nothing yet. +++++ (R • 1 hr. 40 James Franco’s ability to poke fun at himself remains min.) intact, if ill-used here. + (R • 1 hr. 51 min.) This exclusive Bolshoi show has has everything to it: mad rhythms, vigorous chase scenes, and decadent cabaret numbers. La La Land: See review previous page. +++++ (PG- Sun: 11:00AM; Wed: 6:00 - Tix: $16 Members / $20 GA / $10 Students 13 • 2 hrs. 7 min.) THE DEEP BLUE SEA (NR) 165m - National Theatre 12.28.16 Manchester By the Sea: Director Kenneth Loner- Helen McCrory returns in Terence Rattigan’s devastating masterpiece, .11 gan’s grippingly sad and surprisingly funny (note: this playing one of the greatest female roles in contemporary drama. 52 # is not a comedy) story of grief and familial dysfunc- Sat: 11:00AM - Tix: $16 Members / $20 GA / $10 Students tion in a Massachusetts coastal town. Come see the movie and watch Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams PICKFORD FILM CENTER | 1318 Bay St. | 360.738.0735 | www.pickfordfilmcenter.org Enjoy a drink while you watch! Mary's Happy Hour: M-F, 4-6pm $1 off Beer + Wine earn Oscar nominations right before your very eyes. +++++ (R • 2 hrs. 15 min.) THE EAGLE HUNTRESS (G) 87m - Moana: Disney continues its way welcome deviation "A remarkable documentary, one that combines superb National from the perfect princesses of yore, diving straight into Geographic-style photography with a storyline that plays out like CASCADIA WEEKLY a sea of girl power with this jaw-droppingly animated Showtimes a real-life folktale with a feminist undertow." (I mean, it is Disney) story of a Pacific Islander—the Fri: (1:45), (4:00), 6:15, 8:30 21 titular Moana—who takes to the high seas in order to Regal and AMC theaters, please see Sat: (11:30AM), (1:45), 4:00, 6:15 save her people. +++++ (PG • 1 hr. 43 min.) www.fandango.com. Sun: (11:30AM), (1:45), 4:00, 6:15, 8:30 Passengers: I live with someone who is able to parse Pickford Film Center and Mon - Thu: (1:45), (4:00), 6:15, 8:30 the finer nuances of how Donald Trump became presi- PFC’s Limelight Cinema, please see dent, but is at a total loss when it comes to figuring www.pickfordfilmcenter.com PFC’S LIMELIGHT CINEMA: 1416 Cornwall Ave. | Parentheses ( ) denote bargain pricing BY ROB BREZSNY collector, either. Its new owner was Pablo Picasso, an bulletinboard artist whom Matisse revered. I think it's quite possible you will have comparable experiences in 2017, Virgo.

200 200 200 200 Therefore: Don't give up on yourself! 26 MIND & BODY MIND & BODY MIND & BODY MIND & BODY FREE WILL LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): "The self in exile FOOD FOOD remains the self, as a bell unstruck for years is still a Drop by "Holiday Yoga" 11am-12pm Fridays at Christ or www.pugetsoundsaa.org for the free class and bring ASTROLOGY bell," writes poet Jane Hirshfield. I suspect that these sessions at various times Dec. the Servant Lutheran Church, a water bottle, comfortable words are important for you to hear as you prepare for

22 28-29 at Yoga Northwest, 1440 2600 Lakeway Dr. The weekly A Grief Support Group clothing and shoes. More info: 22 10th St. The classes will focus events are free for people meets at 7pm every Tuesday (360) 354-4883 ARIES (March 21-April 19): Donatello was a 2017. My sense is that in the past few months, your on stretching, breathing and with MS, and no registration at the St. Luke's Community renowned Italian sculptor. His favorite piece was "Lo true self has been making its way back to the heart relaxing during this busy holi- is required. Please bring a Health Education Center, 3333 Join Lynne to prevent 25 Zuccone," a marble statue of the Biblical prophet of life after a time of wandering on the outskirts. Any B-BOARD B-BOARD B-BOARD day season. All are welcome; blanket or yoga mat. More Squalicum Pkwy. The free, pounds of greenhouse gas at Habakkuk. As Donatello carved his work-in-progress, day now, a long-silent bell will start ringing to herald costs vary. Additionally, from info: [email protected] drop-in support group is for lunch. Info: (360) 733-3305 he addressed it. "Speak, damn you! Talk to me," your full return. Welcome home! Jan. 2-8, 25 free classes will those experiencing the recent he was heard to say on more than a few occasions. be offered. See guidelines Sex Addicts Anonymous death of a friend or loved one. Meet other mothers at 20 20 online. More info: www.yo- (SAA) meets at 7pm Tuesdays More info: 733-5877 a Breastfeeding Cafe from Did the stone respond? Judging from the beauty of SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In accordance with ganorthwest.com and Thursdays and 9am Satur- 9am-12pm every Tuesday the final product, I'd have to say yes. One art critic your astrological omens for 2017, I've taken a poem

FILM days at the Bellingham Unitar- Attend Zumba classes at the Bellingham Center testified that "Lo Zuccone" is a "sublimely harrowing" that Shel Silverstein wrote for kids and made it into Celebrate World Hypno- ian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth from 5:30-6:30pm Tuesdays at for Healthy Motherhood, tour de force, a triumph of "forceful expression," and your horoscope. It'll serve as a light-hearted emblem tism Day by attending an "Intro St. More info: (360) 420-8311 the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. 1012 Dupont Street. Entry is "one of the most important marble sculptures of the of a challenging but fun task you should attend to to Self-Hypnosis" with Erika No experience is necessary; free. More info: www.center 16 Flint from 6:30-8pm Wed., Jan. Spiritual Wisdom on join instructor David Renteria forhealthymotherhood.com 15th century." I suspect you will have Donatello-like in the coming months. Here it is: "I've never washed 4 at the Cordata Community Health and Healing powers of conversation in 2017, Aries. If anyone can my shadow out in all the time I've had it. It was Food Co-op, 315 Westerly Rd. communicate creatively with stones—and rivers and absolutely filthy I supposed, so I peeled it off the wall MUSIC Tap into your Inner The 90-minute hands-on work- trees and animals and spirits and complicated humans, where it was leaning and stuck it in the washtub with Wisdom to access the shop will focus on the top five for that matter—it'll be you. the clothes. I put in soap and bleach and stuff. I let self-hypnosis techniques for 14 direction and solutions for it soak for hours. I wrung it out and hung it out to keeping you motivated and on your health and healing. track for your wellness goals. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): According to dry. And whoever would have thunk that it would have ART Entry is free; please register. Wednesday Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, "A certain type gone and shrunk, for now it’s so much littler than I." More info: www.community Evenings in January of perfection can only be realized through a limitless food.coop January 4, 11, 18, 25 13 accumulation of the imperfect." Let's amend that SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Walk your 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM thought so it's exactly suitable for your use in 2017. wisdom walk in 2017, Sagittarius. Excite us with your Attend a Healing Hour from Fairhaven Public Here's the new, Taurus-specific version: "A messy, wisdom songs and gaze out at our broken reality STAGE 5:30-6:30pm every Wednes- Library, Fireplace or practical, beautiful type of perfection can be realized with your wisdom eyes. Play your wisdom tricks and day at Simply Spirit Reading & NW Room Healing Center, 1304 Meador through a patient, faithful, dogged accumulation crack your wisdom jokes and erupt with your wisdom Ave. Drop in anytime during ECK-WA.org for more details

12 of the imperfect." To live up to the promise of this cures. The world needs you to be a radiant swarm of the hour to receive an aura/ motto, make damn good use of every partial success. lovable, unpredictable wisdom! Your future needs you chakra healing. Entry is $5. More info: www.simplyspir- to conjure up a steady stream of wisdom dreams and Gemini gymnast wisdom exploits! And please note: You don't have to GET OUT itcenter.com GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Marisa Dick has created a signature move that has wait until the wisdom is perfect. You shouldn't worry "Yoga for Limited Mobil- never been used by any other gymnast. To start her about whether it's supremely practical. Your job is to ity" is the focus of a weekly routine, she leaps up off a springboard and lands on trust your wisdom gut, to unleash your wisdom cry, to 10 yoga session happening from 10-11:30am Thursdays at the the balance beam doing a full split. The technical revel in your wisdom magic. Lummi Island Library, 2144 S. term for this bold maneuver is "a change-leg leap to

WORDS Nugent Rd. All adults are wel- free-cross split sit," although its informal name is "The CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): As I was rumi- come at the free event. More Dick Move." The International Federation of Gymnastics nating on your astrological omens for 2017, I came info: (360) 758-7145 has certified it in its Code of Points, so it's official. across a wildly relevant passage written by Rabbi Tzvi 8 Wondering During the coming months, I expect that you will also Freeman. It conveys a message I encourage you to Attend a "Pain Relief Yoga about the nuts in the Svaroopa Style" class produce one-of-a-kind innovations in your own sphere. memorize and repeat at least once a day for the next taking place from 5:30-7pm and bolts of 365 days. Here it is: "Nothing can hold you back—not

CURRENTS CURRENTS Fridays at Inspire Studio, 1411 the homebuying CANCER (June 21-July 22): I hope you will be your childhood, not the history of a lifetime, not even Cornwall Ave. Entry is $7. process? as well-grounded in 2017 as you have ever been— the very last moment before now. In a moment you

6 More info: (623) 418-5203 Check out our maybe even since your past life as a farmer. I trust can abandon your past. And once abandoned, you Attend Gam-Anon meet- FREE Homebuyer you will go a long way toward mastering the arts can redefine it. If the past was a ring of futility, let it VIEWS ings (for family and friends Education Cerise Noah of being earthy, practical, and stable. To do this become a wheel of yearning that drives you forward. of individuals with a gambling classes. Held right, however, you should also work on a seemingly If the past was a brick wall, let it become a dam to disorder) from 7-8:30pm Fri- ® 4 REALTOR monthly & open paradoxical task: cultivating a vigorous and daring unleash your power." days in Mount Vernon at the imagination—as perhaps you did in one of your other First Lutheran Church, 2015 to the public. MAIL MAIL Professional, past lives as an artist. In other words, your ability to AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Naturalist John Blackburn Rd. Entry is free. Register at More info: www.gam-anon. knowledgeable, succeed in the material world will thrive as you nur- Muir regarded nature as his church. For weeks at a http://www.kulshan- 2 org ture your relationship with fantasy realms—and vice time he lived outdoors, communing with the wilder- clt.org/homebuyer-ed- fun & friendly versa. If you want to be the boss of reality, dream ness. Of course he noticed that not many others Co-Dependents Anony-

DO IT IT DO ucation/ big and wild—and vice versa. shared his passion. "Most people are on the world, mous meets from 7-8:30pm to work with. not in it," he wrote, "having no conscious sympathy most Mondays at PeaceHealth St. Joseph's Community 360-671-5600, x2 LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Even if you don't think or relationship to anything about them—undiffused, Health Education Center, 3333 [email protected] of yourself as an artist, you are always working on a separate, and rigidly alone like marbles of polished Squalicum Pkwy, conference www.KulshanCLT.org Windermere Real Estate Whatcom, Inc. major art project: yourself. You may underestimate the stone, touching but separate." Is there anything about 12.28.16 room B. Entry is by donation. creativity you call on as you shape the raw material you that even partially fits that description, Aquarius? More info: (360) 676-8588 (360) 393-5826 of your experience into an epic story. Luckily, I'm here If so, I'm pleased to inform you that 2017 will be an .11 Abby Staten leads "Yoga to impress upon you the power and the glory of this excellent year to address the problem. You will have

52 for Multiple Sclerosis" classes heroic effort. Is there anything more important? Not immense potential to become more intimate and # [email protected] from 10-11am Tuesdays and for you Leos. And I trust that in 2017 you will take tender with all of the component parts of the Great your craftsmanship to the highest level ever. Keep this Mystery. What's the opposite of loneliness? advice from author Nathan W. Morris in mind: "Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It's your master- PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Seven Chilean piece, after all." poets were frustrated by their fellow citizens' apathy toward the art of poetry. They sarcastically dramatized VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): French painter Henri their chagrin by doing a performance for baboons. Matisse (1869-1954) turned out to be one of the Authorities at the Santiago Zoo arranged for the poets' CASCADIA WEEKLY supremely influential artists of the 20th century. But safety, enclosing them in a protective cage within the he was still struggling to make a living well into his baboons' habitat. The audience seemed to be enter- 22 thirties. The public's apathy toward his work demoral- tained, at times listening in rapt silence and at other ized him. At one point, he visited his dealer to reclaim times shrieking raucously. I'm sure you can empathize one of his unsold paintings. It was time to give up with the poets' drastic action, Pisces. How many times on it, he felt, to take it off the market. But when he have you felt you don't get the appreciation you arrived at the gallery, his dealer informed him that deserve? But I bet that will change in 2017. You won't it had finally been bought—and not by just any art have to resort to performing for baboons.

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23 rearEnd "Keep Dividing"—the pieces get smaller and smaller

26 53 Jacques or Jeanne, star Kilmer 56 Affirmative votes par exemple 10 Cultural periods 57 Crawling with FOOD FOOD 55 Scuba spot 11 Gain altitude creepers 56 The "Y" in YSL 12 Withstand 58 Frittata needs 22 22 60 Sweater, say 13 Pillow cover 59 Chance 62 Deck that all 18 "Dogs" 61 Destroys, as bubble B-BOARD B-BOARD B-BOARD episodes of Hulu's 19 Drops in the grass wrap "Shut Eye" are 24 Mature 63 MLB stat, incor- named after 25 Angry bull's sound rectly but commonly 20 20 66 12.5% of a push- 27 Pedestrian path 64 "... ___ I'm told"

FILM up undergarment? 28 Excite, as curiosity 65 Bagpipers' caps 70 Cat or goat type 29 Dern of "Jurassic 67 One less than

16 71 Poker couple Park" quattro 72 Capital attach- 30 Lighted sign at a 68 "Yeah" opposite MUSIC ment? radio station 69 D20 or D8, in D&D 73 What many gam- 31 Be rude in a crowd games 14 blers claim to have 33 Howl at the moon ART 74 "___ Like the 34 Cremona violin- Wind" (Patrick making family name 13 Swayze song) 35 It'll make you pull 75 "Help wanted" over STAGE sign? 36 "I ___ thought Last Week’s Puzzle 20 "The Zoo Story" 40 Mythical monster about it" 12 Across dramatist that's part woman, Down 39 Late "60 Minutes" 1 "Better Call Saul" 21 As of this time part serpent 1 ___ Men ("Who reporter Morley GET OUT star Odenkirk 22 Look to be 41 25% of property to Let the Dogs Out" 42 Bitterly cold 4 BLT spread 23 Spock's dominant play in? group) 43 Watered-down

10 8 Keeps from hap- feature 45 "David Copperfield" 2 Flashy gem 44 Like a litter of pening 26 Blow the socks off villain Heep 3 Flower bed planting puppies

WORDS 14 "The Simpsons" 28 One of many on a 46 Stir-fry ingredient 4 Titular TV attorney 49 City where the Bat- character with an serialized TV show 47 Number that looks of the '90s-'00s mobile is driven 8 18-letter last name 32 Indiana-Illinois like itself repeated, 5 "Now I understand!" 51 "The Jerk" actress 15 Common freshwa- border river when expressed in 6 Big guffaw Bernadette

CURRENTS CURRENTS ter bait fish 37 James Bond novel- binary 7 Just say yes 52 "Bearing gifts, we 16 Outcast ist Fleming 48 Insect with two 8 "Bridesmaids" pro- traverse ___" 6 17 50% of an ice 38 Capitol Hill figures, pairs of wings ducer Judd 54 Use blades on

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24 rearEnd comix

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12.28.16 .11 52 # CASCADIA WEEKLY

25 you’ll be attending or hosting is key to avoiding a New Year’s Day headache. Other tips include getting in some pre- party exercise; eating daytime meals and

26 snacks with plenty of protein and fiber 26 to fuel your body; avoiding high-fat or FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD fried appetizers once you’ve arrived at the final event of the year; sticking with clear alcoholic beverages with fewer con- 22 chow RECIPES REVIEWS PROFILES geners (vodka, white wine, light beers); and eating an easily digestible carbohy-

B-BOARD B-BOARD drate such as toast before retiring for the night (high-fat snacks like nachos

20 20 taste great at the time, but can slow di- gestion). Finally, drink some more water FILM

16 recipe MUSIC 14 ART 13 STAGE CHEATER

12 VIETNAMESE PHO —From Cooking for Keeps

GET OUT INGREDIENTS 3 beef bone marrow bones 50 ounces beef stock (unsalted) 10 16 ounces water 1 medium onion, cut in half WORDS 4 garlic cloves, smashed 1 3-inch piece of ginger, smashed 8 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, plus more for garnish

CURRENTS CURRENTS 3 star anise 1 teaspoon whole cloves 6 1 cinnamon stick 1 teaspoon salt VIEWS 1 package thin rice noodles

4 16 ounces beef sirloin, cut into very thin pieces MAIL MAIL Plenty of cilantro, lime, jalapenos and

bean sprouts for garnish 2 DO IT IT DO DIRECTIONS: Place beef bones in a medium saucepan, cover with water, and bring BY AMY KEPFERLE binge-drinking episode within a month to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes until all of the survey. the impurities have risen to the top of the 12.28.16 With New Year’s Eve around the corner, water. Transfer bones to a large stockpot this insightful information comes just in and discard the water. .11

52 Hangover Helper time to plan a strategy to deal with the # SURVIVING NEW YEAR’S EVE citywide hangovers that are sure to result To the bones, add the beef stock, water, from our award-winning excesses. With onion, garlic, ginger, hoisin, spices, and Raise your hand if you’ve been hungover in Bellingham. the celebration occurring on a Saturday— salt. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to If your limb is lifted in soused solidarity, you’re not alone. The biggest township meaning you won’t have to go directly a simmer. Cover and cook for one hour. in Whatcom County was recently dubbed one of the country’s most hungover cities, from the office to a booze-filled soiree— Strain broth, discard cooked ingredients. according to a new report by Trulia, an online residential real estate site. you’ll have plenty of time to plan ahead.

CASCADIA WEEKLY Coming in behind San Francisco (number one), San Diego, and Austin, Bellingham’s First off, if you know you’ll be imbib- Bring the broth back to a boil and add rice number-four spot is hard-earned. Although we don’t have the population of most of ing and dancing your way into 2017, be noodles, cook until soft. Place beef in the 26 the other top 10 “winners”—which include Charleston, Boston, Honolulu, New Or- sure and consume as much water as you bottom of a soup bowl, and cover with leans, El Paso, and San Antonio—we still made the grade. possibly can throughout the course of the boiling broth. The heat from the broth Apparently, our number of drinking establishments, places to buy fireworks and afternoon. Dehydration is one of the main should cook the beef. Garnish with lime, party supply stores put us in the running, as well as the share of adult residents causes of a hangover, so drinking water cilantro, jalapenos and hoisin sauce aged 18-34, and a variety of other grownups who reported they’d had at least one before, during and after the party/parties before shucking off your festive finery you rouse yourself from slumber, it can and collapsing into bed. fill in for any meal. If you’ve followed all of the aforemen- If you can’t manage to leave the house tioned guidelines and still wake up Jan. 1, to seek out pho at an area restaurant—

2017 feeling like someone used your mouth many of which will be closed on New 26 26 as an ashtray and stomped on your brain Year’s Day, anyway—procure the ingredi- FOOD FOOD stem, start slow when it comes to meal- ents ahead of time and either make it the FOOD time. For example, fruit and a plain bagel, day before, or spend a lazy Sunday bring- English muffin or toast will serve you bet- ing it to fruition. 22 ter than a greasy piece of leftover pizza. Many pho recipes require 24 hours to Personally, I’ve always found that a complete, but I found one that speeds big bowl of pho does wonders for hang- up the process, meaning it can help you B-BOARD overs. In Vietnam, the noodle soup is of- with your hangover in record time. You ten eaten at breakfast as a hearty start may look at it as cheating, but I believe 20 20 to the day, but depending on what time it’s a a key to survival. FILM

doit 16 MUSIC 14 ART

No Date on 13

Saturday Nights? STAGE

Our Mission is to help grown-ups learn to play again, 12 To return to their childhood joy. www.fingerpaintingforgrownups.com to see our events schedule. GET OUT

CALL 360-599-7731 TO BOOK YOUR SEATS 10 WORDS Sample wines perfect for serving at New Year's Eve and New Year's Day events Dec. 30-31 at Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants 8 WED., DEC. 28 ing” event starting at 10pm upstairs at the Ciao Holiday Shopping Guides COMMUNITY COFFEE: All community members are Thyme Commons. If you’re just interested in the

invited to a free “Community Coffee & Tea” event late-night festivities—which includes desserts, Find the perfect gift, learn about the holiday window CURRENTS from 9-10:30am in Maple Falls at the East Whatcom live music and dancing to Yogoman, a glass of decorating contest and more! Available at local businesses Regional Resource Center, 8251 Kendall Rd. The sparkling wine for the midnight toast and a live and pop up stands throughout the season. 6 free weekly event features snacks from the Co-op streaming of the NYC ball drop in Times Square— VIEWS Bakery, hot beverages and the company of your tickets are $50. Reservations are recommended, 2016/2017

friends and neighbors. All ages are welcome. as space is limited. COUPON BOOK 4 (360) 499-3944 OR WWW.OPPCO.ORG WWW.CIAOTHYME.COM $10

DEC. 30-31 SUN., JAN. 1 MAIL WINES FOR NYE: If you’re looking for help when NEW YEAR’S BRUNCH: Enjoy the first day of

it comes to wine to serve for the festive weekend, 2017 at a New Year’s Day Brunch taking place from 2 there will be a “Wines for New Year’s Eve and Day” 7am-1pm at Blaine’s Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Coupon Books DO IT IT DO tasting taking place from 10am-6pm Friday and Semiahmoo Pkwy. The meal will be served both in Purchase a book for the local lover in your life or choose from over Saturday at Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants, 19 Packers Oyster Bar and the Pierside Kitchen. Entry 200 coupons to help you save on local gifts! Available for $10 at Prospect St. From the midnight countdown bubbles is $17 for children ages 6-12, $35 for adults, and local businesses or online at Village Books. to the “big reds” to go with New Year’s Day football free for children 5 and under.

ChooseChoos lo cal businesses takitaking action games, employees will help you find what you need WWW.SEMIAHMOO.COM esses taking action 12.28.16 forfor a healthy commcommunity. hy communit for a celebratory weekend. unityy. WWW.SJWINEMERCHANTS.COM COMMUNITY BREAKFAST: Meet and greet local .11

politicians as they serve you coffee and breakfast 52 # SAT., DEC. 31 at the monthly Community Breakfast from NYE DINNER: Welcome 2017 with a prix fixe meal 8am-12pm at the Rome Grange, 2821 Mt. Baker from Chef Bruno Feldeisen at a New Year’s Eve Hwy. Pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausages and Local Business Signs dinner with seatings taking place at 5pm, 7pm and beverages will be on the menu. Entry is $2 for Look for these window signs and shop with local independent 9pm at the Pierside Kitchen at Blaine’s Semiahmoo kids, $6 for adults. retailers - they’re able to invest three times more money back into Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy. Entry is $39 for (360) 739-9605 Local the community than chain competitors. kids and $79 for adults (includes one glass of spar-

kling wine upon arrival). Call in advance to book. WED., JAN. 4 CASCADIA WEEKLY (360) 318-2090 OR WWW.SEMIAHMOO.COM TEA AND BOOKS: Adults are invited to an “Af- ternoon Books and Tea” gathering from 2-3:30pm 27 DINNER AND DANCING: Put on your party finery at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. This month and enjoy a locally sourced six-course menu at attendees will be reading Cookie mysteries. Bring an “Incognito: New Year’s Eve” dinner starting at your favorite teacup and sign up to bring one of 7pm at Ciao Thyme, 207 Unity St. Tickets are $150 the recipes in the book (optional). SustainableConnections.org and include entry to a “NYE Dessert and Danc- (360) 354-4883 Choose local businesses taking action for a healthy community. New Members Receive: Free-Play! $5 y Toda Up ign S THE PACIFIC SHOWROOM BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS FEB. 17 & 18 Tickets From: $55 Service Charge Free at Casino Box Oﬃce

CASINO• RESORT Owned by Upper Skagit Indian Tribe theskagit.com • On I-5 at Exit 236 • 877-275-2448 Must be 21 or older with valid ID. Details at Rewards Club. Management reserves all rights. CW