THE GRISTLE, P.06 + FUZZ BUZZ, P.09 + FUN WITH FIREBALL, P.14 c a s c a d i a

REPORTING FROM THE HEART OF CASCADIA WHATCOM SKAGIT ISLAND COUNTIES 12-26-2017* • ISSUE:*52 • V.12

DUBIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS Alan Rhodes' year in review, P.08

RESOLUTION RESET The nature of things, P.12 CHILLING OUT DANCEFLOOR Snow cones A New Year's Eve roundup, P.16 for everyone! P.26 WORDS

Saturday Story Time: 10:30am, Village Books,

26  A brief overview of this Bellingham Saturday Story Time: 2pm, Village Books, Lynden

FOOD  week’s happenings THISWEEK COMMUNITY Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, ’s

21 Old City Hall

GET OUT

B-BOARD  Christmas Bird Count: 8:30am-2:30p, Lake Padden Nooksack Ski Ambassadors: 10am-2pm, SnoPark at Salmon Ridge

20 The Lights of Christmas: 5-10pm, Warm Beach Camp, Stanwood

FILM  Brace yourself FOOD for 2018 by Fiesta Bowl Viewing Party: 12:30pm, Boundary 16 Bay Brewery taking part in MUSIC  VISUAL Bill Ball Reception: 5-7:30pm, Lincoln Theatre, the New Year’s Mount Vernon 14

ART  Day Lake SUNDAY [12.31.17]

13 Padden Polar ONSTAGE Sylvia Center NYE Soiree: 7pm, Leopold Crystal Ballroom STAGE  or the Dip New Year’s Eve Improv Shows: 7pm, 9pm and Polar Bear 11pm, Upfront Theatre 12 DANCE Plunge in NYE Dance Bash: 1pm-1am, Lookout Arts Quarry

GET OUT  Salsa New Year’s Eve: 8pm-1am, BAAY Theatre Birch Bay NYE Contra Dance: 8pm-1am, Sacred Heart Social Hall NYE Dance Bash: 9pm-1am, Boundary Bay Brewery 10 MUSIC High Jazz NYE: 9:30pm-12:30am, Lovitt Restaurant WORDS  Trabin: 9:30pm, Grahams Restaurant, Glacier

 8 COMMUNITY New Year’s at Noon: 11:30am-12:30pm, Lynden WEDNESDAY [12.27.17] Library Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, Whatcom Museum’s CURRENTS MUSIC Old City Hall Van Bebber Quartet: 7pm, Sylvia Center for the Arts 6 Manhattan NYE: 5:30-9:30m, Jansen Art Center, Make like you’re Lynden WORDS Mario Kart New Year’s Party: 8pm-1am, Best Buds VIEWS  Note of Thanks: 10:30am, Bellingham Public Library in the big city at a Gaming Lounge

4  Manhattan New Year’s COMMUNITY GET OUT Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, Whatcom Museum’s Eve celebration Sun., MAIL  Last Chance Marathon: 9am, Fairhaven Park Old City Hall Dec. 31 at Lynden’s Ring of Fire and Hope: 7pm, Birch Point to Point

2  Whitehorn 2  GET OUT Jansen Art Center The Lights of Christmas: 5-10pm, Warm Beach Camp, DO IT  DO IT  FOOD Stanwood New Year’s Eve Oyster Party: 11am-4pm, Slough Group Run: 6pm, Skagit Running Company, Mount Food, Edison Vernon FOOD GET OUT New Year’s Eve Open House: 5pm-1am, Miller’s Back Door

12.27.17 Anniversary Celebration: 7am-7pm, Cafe Velo Wild Things: 9:30-11am, Connelly Creek Nature THURSDAY [12.28.17] Ten for Ten: 5:30-7pm, Old World Deli Area NYE Eve Dinner and Dance: 6:30pm-1am, Semiah- The Lights of Christmas: 5-10pm, Warm Beach moo Resort, Blaine

.12 ONSTAGE Camp, Stanwood Space Band and Pizza: 9pm-1am, Ciao Thyme 52 Good, Bad, Ugly: 8pm, Upfront Theatre FRIDAY [12.29.17]

# Commons Holiday Mashup: 10pm, Upfront Theatre ONSTAGE FOOD Great Gatsby NYE : 10pm, Galloway’s Cocktail Bar DANCE My 3 Ghosts: 8pm, Upfront Theatre Coffee Tasting: 3pm, Camber Cafe Backyard Brawl: 10pm, Upfront Theatre Food Not Bombs: 4-6pm, downtown Bellingham Balkan Folk Dance: 7-9:30pm, Fairhaven Library MONDAY [01.01.18] GET OUT MUSIC DANCE SATURDAY [12.30.17] Youth Intensive Performance: 4pm, Firehouse New Year’s Ride: 10am, Fairhaven Park Brian Setzer Orchestra: 7:30pm, Performing Arts Center ONSTAGE Resolution Run: 10am, Lake Padden CASCADIA WEEKLY Padden Polar Dip: 11am, Lake Padden COMMUNITY My 3 Ghosts: 8pm, Upfront Theatre Backyard Brawl: 10pm, Upfront Theatre Polar Bear Plunge: 12pm, Birch Bay beachfront 2 Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, Whatcom Museum’s MUSIC Cole Anderson: 7:30pm, Lairmont Manor Old City Hall MUSIC TUESDAY [01.02.18] GET OUT COMMUNITY Siyuan Li and Cole Anderson: 7:30pm, Lairmont Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, Whatcom Mu- Manor ONSTAGE The Lights of Christmas: 5-10pm, Warm Beach Camp, seum’s Old City Hall Comedy Open Mic: 7:30pm, the Shakedown Stanwood

THISWEEK

26 

FOOD  Contact Cascadia Weekly:  360.647.8200

21 mail TOC LETTERS STAFF Editorial

B-BOARD  Editor & Publisher: Tim Johnson  ext 260

20  editor@ While 2017 sucked in many ways in America, it wasn’t all cascadiaweekly.com

FILM  bad. Alabama Senate hopeful (and alleged pedophile) Roy Arts & Entertainment Moore was bested by democrat Doug Jones, the Affordable Editor: Amy Kepferle Care Act survived numerous assassination attempts, the  ext 204 16 teen pregnancy rate continued to fall, women who had  calendar@ been harassed and assaulted in the workplace (and beyond) cascadiaweekly.com MUSIC  spoke up (and were believed), and courts throughout the Music & Film Editor: land stood up to the Trump administration when it issued Carey Ross

14 questionable orders on everything from the travel ban to  ext 203 defunding sanctuary cities and prohibiting transgender

ART   music@ people from serving in the military. Let’s hope 2018 brings cascadiaweekly.com more victories, and less hate.

13 Production Art Director: STAGE  Jesse Kinsman Views & News  jesse@

12 04: Mailbag kinsmancreative.com 06: Gristle & Rhodes Design: Bill Kamphausen GET OUT  08: Last week’s news Advertising Design: 09: Police blotter, Index Roman Komarov  roman@ 10 cascadiaweekly.com Arts & Life Send all advertising materials to [email protected] WORDS  10: A familial ascent LET THEM EAT CAKE name. But if you aren’t part of the 1 percent, do 12: Resolution reset Advertising  8 Why call it the “Corker kickback?” Yes, it seems check what will happen to your taxes. Sales Manager: passably strange that Sen. Bob Corker changed his Remember this in the 2018 midterms. 13: Setting the stage Stephanie Young tax cut vote to ”yes” after we all learned about the —Jayne Freudenberger, Bellingham 14: Fun with Fireball  360-647-8200

CURRENTS  advertising@ late addition of a huge real estate provision that 16: Out with the old cascadiaweekly.com will benefit him (and, don’t forget, the Trumps). THREE DS EQUAL AN F 6 18: Clubs Distribution And yes, it doesn’t matter if he actually scripted Four words best describe the failed Republican this himself, because, darn it, it is hard to doubt leadership in the other Washington: dishonest, VIEWS  20: Film Shorts Distribution Manager: Erik Burge it made a difference in changing his mind from ”I disingenuous, disloyal and immoral. 4  4  Rear End  360-647-8200 will not vote for this bill if it adds even one penny Dishonest, because their tax plan is upside  distribution@ to the deficit“ and then did. down—lower- and middle-income taxpayers will MAIL  MAIL  cascadiaweekly.com 21: Bulletin Board, Free Will But, hey, it is not just the Corker kickback. Who benefit little while the wealthy and corporations Whatcom: Erik Burge, 22: Wellness

2  among the 1 percent does not benefit from “kick- cash in big time. Stephanie Simms Crossword backs” on this bill? Let’s call it what it is—“I am Disingenuous, because despite the populist Re- 23: Skagit: Linda Brown, DO IT  a rich Republican congressperson and I can get publican rhetoric, our nation is creeping closer and 24: Comix Barb Murdoch away with championing a bill that makes me rich- closer to becoming an oligopoly—embracing poli- 25: Slowpoke, Sudoku Letters er.” Or, for short, ”the Let Them Eat Cake Kickback” cies that further concentration of corporate power. Chilling out for NYE SEND LETTERS TO LETTERS@ because these guys will be dead anyway when our Disloyal, because Russia is welcomed at every 26: CASCADIAWEEKLY.COM 12.27.17 kids and grandkids have to pay for this. turn and their leaders continue to stroke the gi-

THE GRISTLE, P.06 + FUZZ BUZZ, P.09 + FUN WITH FIREBALL, P.14

REPORTING FROM THE HEART OF CASCADIA This bill takes millions from Medicare over the gantic ego of the despicable individual currently WHATCOM SKAGIT ISLAND COUNTIES

.12 12-26-2017* • ISSUE:*52 • V.12

52 ©2017 CASCADIA WEEKLY (ISSN 1931-3292) is published each Wednesday by DUBIOUS years, makes health care more expensive, opens occupying the White House.

# Cascadia Newspaper Company LLC. Direct all correspondence to: Cascadia Weekly ACHIEVEMENTS Alan Rhodes' year in review, PO Box 2833 Bellingham WA 98227-2833 | Phone/Fax: 360.647.8200 P.08 ANWR to oil and gas development, punishes blue Finally, Republican leadership is simply immor- [email protected] Though Cascadia Weekly is distributed free, please take just one copy. Cascadia states for proving that, yes, helping the poor and al. American is not a country that turns its back Weekly may be distributed only by authorized distributors. Any person removing middle class is good for the GDP of their states and on hard-working Americans struggling to make RESOLUTION papers in bulk from our distribution points risks prosecution RESET The nature of things, SUBMISSIONS: Cascadia Weekly welcomes freelance submissions. Send material P.12 still does not bring back CHIP, the children’s health ends meet. As FDR said in 1932, “Never before CHILLING OUT to either the News Editor or A&E Editor. Manuscripts will be returned if you DANCEFLOOR Snow cones A New Year's Eve roundup, P.16 for everyone! include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. To be considered for calendar list- P.26 program that has long enjoyed bipartisan support in modern history have the essential differences ings, notice of events must be received in writing no later than noon Wednesday for nine million children who will now go without. between the two major American parties stood the week prior to publication. Photographs should be clearly labeled and will be COVER: MarchFourth CASCADIA WEEKLY returned if accompanied by stamped, self-addressed envelope. Marching Band plays It has destroyed the reputations of three Sena- out in such striking contrast as they do today. 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. Sun., Dec. 31 at the tors who enjoyed a brief moment of courage when Republican leaders not only have failed in mate- 4 In the interests of fostering dialog and a community forum, Cascadia Weekly does Wild Buffalo. Photo by not publish letters that personally disparage other letter writers. Please keep your they voted against repeal of the ACA (Whoops, for- rial things, they have failed in national vision… letters to fewer than 300 words. Andrew Wyatt got that term has been banned). The rest of the- they have pointed out no path for the people Senate and House had already destroyed theirs. below to climb back to places of security and of No need to check the tax cut vote—all “yes” safety in our American life.” votes on this bill will have an “R” after his or her —Brian Estes, Bellingham NEWSPAPER ADVISORY GROUP: Robert Hall, Seth Murphy, Michael Petryni, David Syre Have a sweetheart of a new year!

26  FOOD  21 B-BOARD  20 FILM  16 MUSIC  14 ART  13 STAGE  12 GET OUT  10 WORDS  1801 ROEDER AVENUE, BELLINGHAM WA  8 360-306-5668 | WWW.THELOFTBELLINGHAM.COM UNSET LOCATION COMING SOON

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SCENIC DINING AT ITS BEST www.facebook.com/theloftbellingham THE GRISTLE PARSING THE PUZZLE: Applications to fill a vacant

26  seat on Whatcom County Council began with a trickle. They ended in a flood—a whopping 29 applications FOOD  from a gratifyingly large and broad representation of the local community. Applications were received from views YOUR VIEWS THE GRISTLE farmers, from academics, from environmental and 21 social justice activists, from the business, business support, and tribal communities. The list includes fa- B-BOARD  miliar faces in politics, some recent and some long absent from the scene. Some seek the position as a

20 long-term assignment; others made it clear they in- tend only to hold the office until a special election BY ALAN RHODES

FILM  fills the position next November. It’s a tremendous list for Whatcom County Council to

16 consider as they seek to fill a vacancy on its seven-mem- ber body in their first meeting of 2018. The seat is being Whatcom Dubious Achievements 2017

MUSIC  vacated by Todd Donovan as he—as a consequence of CELEBRATING SILLINESS AND REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR redistricting—shifts over to a position as representa-

14 tive of Bellingham’s District 2 on Council. WHILE WHATCOM County spicable. The party officially en-

ART  Last time Council had to fill a vacancy, they received couldn’t begin to compete with dorsed and helped fund the Bell- only a handful of applicants. Members selected Satpal the heights of absurdity achieved ingham City Council campaign of

13 Sidhu to replace Sam Crawford on County Council; and at the national level this year, we the hate-spewing sidewalk preach- ironically Satpal may ultimately find himself running still had a number of foibles, mis- er Eric Bostrom, locally infamous

STAGE  against this  replacement in the fall as seated incum- steps and iniquities that deserve for his rants against gays and Mus- bents continue to shift to new positions as the county recognition, so let’s get right to lims. In defense of this endorse- adjusts from three districts to five. this year’s winners. trict state representatives. They ment, GOP vice-chair Karl Uppiano 12 Council will need some organizational tools to ad- Fishy Business. This first award joined with other Republicans in explained that the party wanted to equately parse a list this large. They’ll need some boxes goes to Cooke Aquaculture. Last the legislature to block passage of encourage “tolerance for diverse

GET OUT  to sort these applications. summer a nightmare came true for a construction budget because they opinions.” How noble, Karl, and if Membership is changing on Whatcom County Council those worried about the wisdom of couldn’t get an immediate fix on you check out the Aryan Nations

10 as veterans Carl Weimer and Ken Mann end their terms farming Atlantic salmon in Pacific the unrelated Hirst water rights de- and the Ku Klux Klan you’ll find in 2017; yet Council still has a great deal of work left waters. One of Cooke’s shaky fish cision. This failure to act followed plenty of diverse opinions over unfinished on their legislative plate, work with a long farms collapsed, sending more than multiple overtime sessions that there as well. WORDS  and complex history. This work includes a water action 100,000 non-native fish into local cost taxpayers $445,000. Besides Brother, Can you Spare a Dime?

 8 plan in response to the 2016 Hirst  decision that found waters. After creating this mess, the Aloha development, a few other If your paycheck isn’t going very the county was not coordinating growth with adequate Cooke tried to pay off the Lummi projects are on hold, including such far these days, here are a couple water supply; development of a fee structure for a new- Nation, provided the tribe would frills as school construction, new of possible reasons. U.S. Census

CURRENTS ly created utility service district for Lake Whatcom; a not lobby for a ban on net pens mental health facilities, highway Bureau data released last fall in- policy response to criminal justice and jail planning (which are already illegal in Oregon repair, water treatment plants and dicated that Bellingham has the 6 6 that is respectful to the cratering of a jail tax initiative and California). Cooke was in for flood control. worst affordability rating in the at the polls last fall; and consideration of an array of a disappointment when it learned Circling the Drain. For years now state. Our median annual income VIEWS  VIEWS  policy in response to proposed fossil fuel export proj- there are still people around who has been re- is $9,000 below the national aver-

4  ects at Cherry Point. A consultant’s report on the last can’t be bought off. lentlessly seeking ways to make it- age, while the median home price is item is due in front of Council early next year. Creeping Trumpism. Former self irrelevant. They scored another $405,000. How about renting? It’s MAIL  In their final actions of 2017, Council also formed Whatcom County Council member victory in 2017 with the eviscera- estimated that a minimum-wage

2  an advisory committee to study policy response to Kathy Kershner apparently holds a tion of one of the last things peo- worker in Bellingham—of which climate change and renewable energy, and it seems grudge. Defeated by Satpal Sidhu in ple were still reading: the Thursday there are many—would have to

DO IT  unlikely they will seek members with thoughts hostile a 2015 council race, Ms. Kershner Take Five entertainment section. work 52 hours a week to afford a to those efforts. hopped on the low road this past They eliminated the job of Enter- one-bedroom apartment. Keep clip- The Gristle reckons Council members will favor appli- year, publicly questioning whether tainment News Coordinator held by ping those coupons, folks. cants familiar with these actions and issues. And given Sidhu is really a U.S. citizen. A the talented Margaret Bikman. You Regression to the Really Mean. 12.27.17 they need to move forward on these actions without modicum of research would have might have noticed that Take Five Naming a park after deceased state knowing who voters will decide to place in this posi- revealed that Sidhu has been a citi- has shrunk and the lively articles senator Harriet Spanel of Belling- .12

52 tion next fall, we reckon they’ll also favor applicants zen for two decades. Reports have on local arts and entertainment ham—respected on both sides of # who largely agree with them on these issues or who not been confirmed that Kershner have mostly vanished, replaced by the aisle during her 22 years of offer unique and important perspectives that are oth- is currently spreading rumors that syndicated movie and book reviews service—seemed like such a nice erwise difficult to obtain. They’ll want Carl and Ken Mayor Kelli Linville is a citizen of that you can find anywhere. At this thing to do that 92 of the 98 mem- back—or their approximates. Afghanistan and County Council- point, the only things left that peo- bers of the house voted yes. Well, We also suspect, as a secondary consideration, they’ll man Rud Browne harbors an ISIS ple are still reading in the Herald sure, who would oppose such a favor applicants with experience on a legislative coun- cell in his man cave. are Dilbert and the obituaries. kind gesture? As it turns out two

CASCADIA WEEKLY cil. And they may favor those applicants who’ve declared Unfinished Business. If you’ve Basket of Deplorables. The of the naysayers were representa- they seek only a caretaker’s role until the special elec- been wondering what’s holding up leadership of the Whatcom Repub- tives from Lynden, Vincent Buys 6 tion in November over other applicants who would use development of affordable housing lican Party has been bonkers for a and Luanne Van Werven. Rumor has the seat to leverage their own political aspirations and at the old Aloha Motel site (a.k.a. long time, but this year they went it that Buys and Van Werven would incumbency. It’s a tertiary consideration, but Council Needle Park), thank your 42nd Dis- over the edge, from wacky to de- RHODES, CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 may not want to unduly prejudice the election next fall. Given those parameters, we might predict that VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF CASCADIA WEEKLY THE GRISTLE applicants diametrically opposed to A BETTER WAY TO

Council direction on their legislative 26  agenda, and who also have political aspirations for a seat on Council, may PLAY FOOD  be among the first names culled from EVERY their deliberations. 21 Among applicants from the politi- DAY ATNORTHWOOD! cal sector, this would exclude foes like Cliff Langley and Eric Bostrom, con- B-BOARD  servatives without Council experience

who failed in their efforts to gain elec- 20 tion last year. And it likely would ex- clude applicants like Carolyn Anderson, FILM  a top official in the Whatcom County

Republican Party that has been criti- 16 cal, in particular, of Council action on

Hirst and Cherry Point. MUSIC  Also likely culled would be those ap- plicants with otherwise excellent ré- 14

sumés from university, public sector, ART  law enforcement and business settings

but who have limited experience on a 13 legislative council or with the political

icebergs Council must navigate. These STAGE  made up the lion’s share of a list of well-qualified applicants. 12 Former Council members with experi- ence on these issues include Seth Fleet- wood, Emily Weaver, and Kathy Kersh- GET OUT  ner. Fleetwood and Weaver have made

it clear they seek only a caretaker role. 10 Stan Snapp, who brings experience on these issues from Bellingham City Coun- WORDS  cil, also seeks only a caretaker role.

Whatcom County Planning Commis-  8 sioner Natalie McClendon, a leader among Democrats, may run for the po- Northwood’s New Year’s Eve Countdown!

sition in the fall. CURRENTS The giant on this list of applicants We’re warming up for New Year’s Eve on 6 appears to be Tim Ballew II, the excel- Friday and Saturday, December 29 6 lent and capable former chairman of the VIEWS  and 30, with 5X Points from 6pm to VIEWS  Lummi Indian Business Council. Ballew closing on both nights! has extensive knowledge and expe- 4  rience with issues concerning water

Then, ring in the new year with us on December 31: MAIL  rights and Cherry Point exports, lead- ing tribal efforts on both those fronts; • Live Music all evening! 2  and he comes at the issues from a tan- • $1000 Drawings every hour from 9pm to 1am! gent different from the Council but not DO IT  opposed to Council on these issues. • Hot Seat Drawings for cash & prizes all night! More than any other LIBC chairman in • The Best of 2017 Buffet from 4pm to midnight for $25.95 memory, Ballew has reached out to the • Balloon drop at midnight! community and took a proactive role on 12.27.17 the Whatcom Council of Governments. Come celebrate on this, our 10th New Year’s Eve Party! .12

Ballew excels in every quadrant Coun- 52 cil may consider in attempting to nar- # row their list; but, again, the Gristle of- fers just one model of how Council may parse their applicants. MODERN COMFORTS AND JUST TWO TURNS OFF THE The list of 29 is an amazing cross- section of the eager talent in Whatcom OLD FASHIONED HOSPITALITY GUIDE MERIDIAN County, and we must ask ourselves as a ALDERGROVE CASCADIA WEEKLY 99 15 society why individuals of this caliber 8 AVE BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA 7 seek appointment but do not run for 877.777.9847 political office. Many positions went 9750 Northwood Road • LyndenBLAINE WA N unopposed last November. DRAYTON E BADGER RD NORTHWOOD RD HARBOR We hope we’ll see these names again www.northwoodcasino.com in local politics. GUIDE MERIDIAN RD LYNDEN

BIRCH BAY 5

BELLINGHAM

26  ek th FOOD  a e t 21 W W

LAST WEEK’S

B-BOARD  e 20 h a

FILM  T NEWS DEC19-21 s

16 BY TIM JOHNSON MUSIC  14 ART  13 12.19.17

STAGE  The effort to restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem is stopped by the Trump administration’s Interior Secretary TUESDAY Ryan Zinke. The North Cascades National Park, which reaches to the Canadian border, has been preparing an environmental impact Dealing a setback to Gov. Jay Inslee’s climate agenda, a judge invalidates ma- statement on recovery for an area stretching beyond the park’s boundaries. More than 127,000 public comments were received. 12 jor portions of a state rule requiring greenhouse-gas cuts by refineries, fuel Almost simultaneously, the British Columbia government announced a total ban on hunting grizzlies in the province, to take effect distributors and dozens of other major industrial emitters. In an oral ruling, a immediately. Grizzly hunting is “no longer socially acceptable” to the province’s population, said B.C.’s forests minister.

GET OUT  Thurston County Superior Court Judge sides with employer groups who sued last year, contending the state Department of Ecology lacked authority to impose The state has lost every appeal in the case conduct than previously alleged. The

10 the Clean Air Rule without legislative approval. [Seattle Times] and needs to fully respond to the court or- AG filed a more than $100 million law- der, Kelly said. [Nooksack Tribe] suit against the cable television and inter- Puget Sound Energy announces a plan to reduce its carbon emissions in net giant in King County Superior Court in WORDS  half by 2040. The Bellevue-based utility company, which serves energy to more 12.21.17 August of 2016. The suit asserts Comcast

 8 than 1.5 million homes and businesses in the Puget Sound area, said they will misrepresented the scope of its Service accomplish this through a variety of different initiatives. Environmental groups THURSDAY Protection Plan (SPP) as part of more than say the pledge is virtually without meaning, since the goals are achieved by the Amtrak agrees to pay the costs of the 1.8 million violations of Washington’s CURRENTS CURRENTS 8 shuttering of coal-fired power plants that are already scheduled. [NPR] DuPont derailment and ensure safety mea- Consumer Protection Act (CPA). More than sures are in place. Gov. Jay Inslee says that half a million Washingtonians subscribed 6 It’s now up to Gov. Jay Inslee to decide if Vancouver will become an oil Amtrak officials told him the rail company to the SPP since 2011, paying at least $73 town. The Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council finalized will pay the costs associated with the deadly million to Comcast for the service plan VIEWS  its recommendation to deny permits for the proposed Vancouver Energy oil train derailment, as well as the medical and from 2011 through the end of 2015. [AGO]

4  terminal and voted to send its report to the governor. The decision solidified other expenses of the victims. The company the council’s Nov. 28 unanimous vote to recommend to Inslee that he should will also ensure a technology that can au- Former Washington state Auditor Troy MAIL  deny the project. [Columbian] tomatically slow or stop a speeding train— Kelley is found guilty of several charges

2  known as positive train control—will be in related to when he ran a real-estate escrow 12.20.17 place statewide before a Dec. 31, 2018 fed- services business during the height of last

DO IT  eral deadline. That technology was not in use decade’s housing boom. Kelley was convict- WEDNESDAY on the stretch of track involved in Monday’s ed of possession of stolen property, two Northwest tribes will not agree to a recent settlement offer from the crash. [Associated Press] counts of making false declarations in a state Attorney General in the culvert case, Nooksack Tribal Chairman Bob court preceding and six counts of tax fraud. 12.27.17 Kelly said. The state is under a court order to remove hundreds of fish-block- Attorney General Bob Ferguson amends He was found not guilty on five counts of ing culverts. Earlier this month, the AG filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme his lawsuit against Comcast to include new money laundering. Sentencing is scheduled .12

52 Court to review a circuit court’s ruling that the culverts violate treaty rights. evidence revealing even more deceptive for March 30, 2018. [Associated Press] #

601 WEST HOLLY ST 11937 HIGGINS AIRPORT WY BELLINGHAM /   / BURLINGTON

CASCADIA WEEKLY     8      On Dec. 17, a teen stole another teen’s index FUZZ backpack at a high school dance and RHODES, FROM PAGE 6 made threats to stab him.

also like to abolish Arbor Day, defund 26  BUZZ JUST SAYING HI food banks and take back Malala’s On Dec. 17, a woman was told she was Nobel Prize. 29 FOOD  LESSONS IN LOVE not allowed to be in a particular apart- Reefer Madness. This next award Number of applicants to fill the current position On Dec. 15, a Mount Vernon woman was ment in Bellingham’s Sehome neighbor- goes to a fellow who lives a little east of Todd Donovan on Whatcom County Council. 21 charged in Snohomish County Superior hood. Later, the woman returned to the of Whatcom County, but whose delu- Donovan shifts to District 2. Court on charges of felony assault and apartment and threw a concrete mason- sions could affect us. U.S. Attorney • Carolyn Anderson, a Whatcom County robbery. While working as an escort, ry block through the front window. The General Jeff Sessions devoted time Republican party official who has a background B-BOARD  the woman shot a regular client in the 45-year-old was arrested for malicious during his first year to warning us in real estate, finance and administration. • Michael Ashby, police chief for Nooksack head because he was performing a sex mischief and criminal trespass. about the escalating violence relat- 20 act wrong. Prosecutors say she shot the ed to increased marijuana use, even Tribal Police.

36-year-old Everett man on Oct. 21 and MANUAL NOT INCLUDED though there is no statistical evi- • Timothy Ballew II, former chairman of the FILM  took his wallet, spending $12,000 using On Dec. 16, Blaine patrol officers were dence to support this. Violent crime Lummi Indian Business Council, the governing body for Lummi Nation. his credit cards in Skagit County in the dispatched to help a woman who was in Washington state has, in fact, de- 16 days after the shooting. She left the Ev- trapped in her car for more than an hour. creased steadily since pot was legal- • Ellen Barnes, a student at WWU majoring in environmental policy. erett man with two bullets lodged in his Officers used the woman’s keys to open ized in 2012. Bellingham officials are MUSIC  brain, an attack that went undiscovered the car door, which allowed the woman worried Sessions might take action on • Richard Berglund, a Bellingham resident and retired auctioneer and business owner. for three days. to exit her vehicle. his fantasy, thus depriving the city of 14 this lucrative source of tax revenue, in • Rhayma Blake, office administrator for Lummi ART  BLACK HELICOPTERS BLACK-&-WHITE TAXI which case we would have to fall back Island Congregational Church and member of On Dec. 14, a homeless individual came On Dec. 8, a transient arrived at the on our other major taxable resources, the Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee. 13 into the Blaine Police department to re- Blaine Police Department and requested multi-ingredient espresso drinks and • Eric Bostrom, a pastor who lost his bid for the Bellingham City Council in November. port he had been shot at from a helicop- a ride to Bellingham. “Officers contact- overpriced designer chocolate. STAGE  ter in Canada years ago. He also indicat- ed the individual and gave him a cour- The Annual Doug Ericksen Award. • Bob Burr, a retired executive and a candidate ed that someone had stolen $50 billion tesy ride to the Light House Mission in Given State Senator Doug Ericksen’s for Whatcom County Public Utility District No. 1. 12 from him, police reported. Bellingham,” police reported. unswerving fealty to misdeeds, years • Eileen Coughlin, retired senior vice president ago we established the Annual Doug at WWU.

WHO WATCHES THE AN AMERICAN METAPHOR Ericksen Award to be presented annu- • Patricia Dunn, a Lummi Island resident and GET OUT  WATCHMEN? On Dec. 16, Blaine Police checked on a ally to Doug Ericksen. We can’t cov- senior financial executive with government experience. On Dec. 14, a regular customer of a Blaine report of two bald eagles that appeared er all of Doug’s capers for the year, 10 restaurant called police because, after she to be injured near Semiahmoo. “The so let’s focus on his double-dipping • George Porter Edwards III, a retired chef. left and the restaurant had closed, she reporting party assumed that hunt- when he accepted a job with the • Jasmine Fast, member of the Bellingham WORDS  saw someone walking around the business ers nearby had shot the birds,” police Trump administration in Washington, Greenways Advisory Committee.

checking the doors. An officer checked reported. “Officers spoke to Fish and D.C. while still holding his state sen- • Seth Fleetwood, former member of 8  8 the business and found it secure. He also Wildlife experts that concluded the two ate seat. Doug maintained that he Bellingham City Council and of County Council. ran into an employee who was locking up eagles had been fighting each other, could do two jobs at once, despite his • Carol Frazey, an executive specializing in education. CURRENTS  CURRENTS and had just done the same thing—mak- which was completely normal behavior absenteeism on senate workdays and CURRENTS ing sure the doors were locked and secure. given the time of year. The eagles flew at numerous committee meetings. Re- • Victor Gotelaere, advertising sales away shortly thereafter.” porters were eager to question Doug representative and special event promoter. 6 HASSLING THE HUSTLERS about this at a press conference he • Keegan Kenfield, a former bank executive. VIEWS  On Dec. 14, Bellingham Police learned a AMBIVALENT scheduled to discuss the very mat- • Kathy Kershner, former County Council man was harassing real estate agents on ON THE ADVENT ter, but Doug wasn’t there. He was in member. 4  the city’s Southside. On Dec. 5, Blaine Police spoke to a man Washington, D.C. • John Kole, business owner and candidate for MAIL  who said he was feeling suicidal but The Blockhead Blockade. Oppos- Bellingham City Council.

did not want to harm himself. He said ing the Dakota Access Pipeline is a FIDO PHARMACY • Cliff Langley, retired Whatcom County 2  On Dec. 15, a pet owner called Belling- he wanted to go to the hospital to talk worthwhile activity and there are nu- Sheriff’s deputy and former Charter Review

ham Police to report some of her dog’s to someone. Police gave him a courtesy merous intelligent ways to do it, but Commissioner. DO IT  medication had been stolen when a group ride to the hospital so he could sort out a group of local activists managed to • Mason Luvera, communications director for of her roommates friend’s had visited. his feelings. pick the stupidest. In February they the Downtown Bellingham Partnership. blocked the I-5 freeway on a busy • Robert Lynch, a retired publishing executive. On Dec. 20, a Bellingham woman told po- Saturday afternoon. This misguided 12.27.17 MR. NATURAL • Natalie McClendon, Whatcom County On Dec. 15, Bellingham Police sent an lice she was having thoughts of self-harm. mischief accomplished three things: Planning Commission. .12

extra patrol to a homeless camp at City Officers helped get her a ride to the hos- (1) it annoyed people, (2) it discred- 52 • Jim Moren, a family physician with Unity # Hall after receiving a call from some- pital emergency room so she could speak ited the protester’s cause, and (3) it Care NW. one who thought marijuana was being with a mental health professional. resulted in a five-car accident that • Nicholas Moss, executive chef for Restaurant smoked there. sent one person to the hospital. As 9 at North Bellingham Golf Course. On Dec. 19, Bellingham Police checked if all this weren’t enough, some sup- • Alicia Rule, Blaine City Council. On Dec. 15, Bellingham Police spoke to on the welfare of a woman who had porters of the action then placed a homeless person who wanted to claim sent worrisome text messages to a the blame for the accident on its • Stan Snapp, former Bellingham City Council member. responsibility for mischief conducted at concerned friend that implied thoughts victims, thereby adding insult to, in CASCADIA WEEKLY City Hall. of suicide. this case, literal injury. • Aaron Thomas, former candidate for Lummi Indian Business Council. Those are a few highlights for 2017. 9 BROMANCE On Dec. 15, Bellingham Police took I’m sure that 2018 will have its own • Jared Jones Valentine, business owner and former case manager for Seattle Housing two friends got into a another person to the hospital after offerings. As the French philosopher On Dec. 17, Authority. fist­fight after a night of drinking in that person had expressed throughts Albert Camus sagely noted, “Stupidity • Emily Weaver, former County Council member. Bellingham. of suicide. has a knack of getting its way.” doit WORDS

26  WED., DEC. 27 NOTE OF THANKS: All are welcome at the

FOOD  27th annual “Note of Thanks” gathering from 10:30am-12pm at the Bellingham Public Li- words brary, 210 Central Ave. The free event focuses COMMUNITY LECTURES BOOKS 21 on helping kids of all ages make fun and creative thank-you notes. Per usual, materials will be provided.

B-BOARD  WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM

PIZZA AND PAGES: Teens in grades 6-12 can

20 Leif’s account of the journey clearly join a monthly “Pizza and Pages” book club expresses the anticipation and trepida- meeting to talk about what they’re reading

FILM  tion of attempting to go where few oth- from 4-5pm at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. ers have dared—and his dad was one of Attendees at the free event can learn about new books, get book recommendations, and

16 them. It also gives insight about some of enjoy delicious pizza. the challenges along the way. These in-

MUSIC  clude a terrible stomach ailment that has PR BOOK CLUB: Join the monthly Point normally hearty octogenarian Big Jim Roberts Book Club from 7-9pm at the Point Roberts Library, 1437 Gulf Rd. Contact the 14 lunging for the bushes on the long hike library for the book title list.

ART  in high altitude, and has Leif groaning in (360) 945-6545 empathy in his tent a few days later.

13 Leif recounts the epic 1963 Ameri- THURS., DEC. 28 can Mt. Everest Expedition as his own FICTION WRITING GROUP: Come meet oth- er writers who can help you get organized,

STAGE  attempt to summit Everest unfolds. He give feedback and assist you with your writ- contemplates what ing goals at a Fiction Writing Group meeting it was like for Big

12 from 6-8pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. Jim, Sherpa Nawang This group is open to newcomers and drop-ins Gombu, and the rest and meets the second and fourth Thursday of

GET OUT  of the historic team, each month. WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM comparing the gear, 10 10 the conditions, and FRI., DEC. 29 the mindset that VALLEY WRITERS: Bring pen and paper or a GET IT compelled his father digital device to the bimonthly “Valley Writ- WORDS  WORDS  HOW: To place a forward to the top. ers” meeting from 1-3pm at Sudden Valley’s hold on a copy of South Whatcom Library, 10 Barn View Court.

 8 Leif is appropriately My Old Man and Participants write from prompts, and the the Mountain, visit humble and deter- event is facilitated by CJ Prince. All adults LEIF WHITTAKER www.wcls.org (or mined to summit are welcome. www.bellingham (360) 305-3632 CURRENTS himself. Failure is publiclibrary.org not an option—not 6 if you live within SAT., DEC. 30 the city limits of for a Whittaker. REVIEWED BY CHRISTINE PERKINS SATURDAY STORY TIME: Kids can attend Bellingham). While Leif’s book was a Saturday Story Time at 10:30am at Village VIEWS  you wait, read Jon finalist for the 2017 Books, 1200 11th St. At 2pm, a similar event Krakauer’s exposé 4  Washington State will take place at Lynden’s Village Books in Into Thin Air: a the Waples Mercantile Building, 430 Front St. Personal Account Book Award, and MAIL  My Old Man WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM of the Mount rightfully honored.

Everest Disaster, 2  A FAMILIAL ASCENT Leif is at turns lyri- MON., JAN. 1 Ed Viesturs’ My cal, reflective, ir- FOREST OF WORDS: Teens in grades 6-12 are Time on Everest, DO IT  TALES OF climbing Mt. Everest are filled with legendary fig- reverent, honest and invited to enter original poems for inclusion or The Conquest of ures: George Mallory, Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, Rein- descriptive. Though in an annual teen poetry anthology, A Forest Everest: Original of Words, through March 1. Along with having hold Messner, Scott Fischer, and Ed Viesturs, to name a few. there have been Photographs from their poems published in the tome—which is Right in there is famed mountaineer Jim Whittaker, the first the Legendary First dozens of excellent distributed to each Whatcom County library 12.27.17 American to summit the world’s highest peak. His book, A Life on the Ascent, by George books about Mt. and area schools—all selected poets will Edge: Memoirs of Everest and Beyond, references his life philosophy: Lowe and Huw Everest and the peo- receive their own copy of the book. Poems can .12 Lewis-Jones. be submitted online or at local libraries.

52 “If you aren’t living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.” ple who dare to climb

# WWW.WCLS.ORG In it, “Big Jim” talks about his larger-than-life climbing adven- it, Leif’s holds its own. The father/son tures, his experiences as first paid employee of Recreational Equip- relationship adds another dimension—of TUES., JAN. 2 ment Inc. (he became its CEO in the 1960s), his heartbreaks and testosterone, ambition, legacy and love. OFF THE SHELF: Discuss Brian Doyle’s Martin failures. Imagine growing up as his son, constantly reminded not to Leif’s website (www.leifwhittaker.com) Marten at an Off the Shelf Book Club gather- take up too much space. says his home base is Bellingham, so ing from 1-2pm at Sudden Valley’s South Whatcom Library, 10 Barn View Court, Gate My Old Man and the Mountain is Leif Whittaker’s homage to his father, a coming-of- keep an eye out on local trails (or per- 2. All are welcome. CASCADIA WEEKLY age tale of emerging from his father’s shadow, plus a high-altitude adventure story haps one of our many brewpubs) for this (360) 305-3632 rolled into one. accomplished climber and author. 10 Leif was a 2007 Western Washington University grad, living back at home in Port WED., JAN. 3 Townsend, nursing a freak back injury and wondering what to do with his life when he Christine Perkins is the Executive Director BOOKS AND TEA: Falconer Brad Felger will bring his falcon to an Afternoon Books and was handed an amazing opportunity. Eddie Bauer (the company, not the man) hatched a of the Whatcom County Library System. She Tea discussion from 2-3:30pm at the Lynden plan to send him to Everest. Leif’s mom and Big Jim would make the trek to base camp has no intention of ever climbing Mt. Ever- Library, 216 4th St. Join other readers for with him to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Big Jim’s historic ascent. est, but loves to read about it. doit

26  FOOD  21

Enjoy highlights and clips B-BOARD  from some of the best live tapings with guests and authors at an 11th anniversary Chuckanut Radio 20 Hour Celebration Thurs., Jan. 4 at Whatcom Community College’s FILM  Heiner Theater 16 MUSIC  14 ART  13

HUNDRED NORTH STAGE 

GENUINE SEASONAL CUISINE 12 GET OUT  Menu featuring 10 ALL ORGANIC PRODUCE 10 from small local farms WORDS  Extensive wine list WORDS  A balloon drop, crafts, music, a dance party and more will be part of a family-friendly “New Year’s at Craft cocktails

Noon” event Sun., Dec. 31 at the Lynden Library Wild sustainable fish  8 Weekend brunch a cup of tea and a discussion on falcons, the noon will be part of an all-ages “New Year’s at subject of the month. Read a book of your choice Noon” event taking place from 11:30am-12:30pm CURRENTS on the subject, if possible. at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. Entry to the Tuesday Wednesday

(360) 354-4883 third annual event is free. 6 (360) 354-4883 20% INDUSTRY DISCOUNT $20 POT ROAST & PINT EVERSON BOOK CLUB: Discuss Eric Weiner’s The VIEWS  Geography of Bliss at an Everson Book Club meet- MANHATTAN NYE: Appetizers, a multi-course (360) 594-6000 | 100 N. Commercial Street ing from 3-4:30pm at the Everson Library, 104 meal, live music and live and silent auctions Reservations available @ HundredNorth.com 4  Kirsch Dr. Join the group for friendly discussions will be part of the annual Manhattan New Year’s

and Cynthia Rogers’ captivating books talks, even Eve celebration from 5:30-9:30pm at Lynden’s MAIL  if you have not finished the book. Sign out a copy Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St. At 8:30pm, join

of the monthly selection, or bring a favorite book the crowds in New York’s Time Square for the 2  of your own. famous Ball Drop. Hats, horns and hoopla will be (360) 966-5100 provided. Tickets are $99. Please reserve a spot in DO IT  advance, as entry is limited. THURS., JAN. 4 WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG CHUCKANUT RADIO HOUR: Attend an 11th Law Offices of anniversary Chuckanut Radio Hour Celebration at MARIO KART NYE: Play Mario Kart to ring in 12.27.17 6:30pm at Whatcom Community College’s Heiner 2018 at a Mario Kart New Year’s Party taking place Theater, 237 W. Kellogg Rd. The perennially from 8pm-1am at Best Buds Gaming Lounge, 1121 Alexander F. Ransom popular annual event will feature highlights and Mackenzie Ave. Entry to the 21-and over event is .12 52

clips from some of the best live tapings with $10 ($5 for members) and will include games and # guests and authors who have included everyone a champagne toast. from Alexander McCall Smith to Elizabeth WWW.BESTBUDSLOUNGE.COM George, Cheryl Strayed, Sherman Alexie, and Tom Experienced, Offices in Robbins—among many others. Entry is $5. Each WED., JAN. 3 ticket serves as a $5 voucher to spend on featured MEET AND GREET: Attend “Get to Know Us: Effective & Skagit & titles at the show. Sumas Historical Society and Museum” at a 7pm WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM presentation at the Sumas Library, 461 2nd St. The Whatcom museum’s official grand opening was in August, Compassionate CASCADIA WEEKLY following months of hard work gathering historical COMMUNITY items and refurbishing the building. Find out more Criminal Defense 11 about this organization while learning about Sumas SUN., DEC. 31 history through the various artifacts presented by NEW YEAR’S AT NOON: Crafts, refreshments, Sumas Historical Society members. Entry is free. www.ransom-lawfirm.com · (360) 746-2642 music, a dance party and a balloon drop at high (360) 988-2501 doit

WED., DEC. 27 Birch Bay Dr. BIRD COUNT DEADLINE: Today is WWW.BIRCHBAYCHAMBER.COM

the deadline to sign up to join Wild 26  Whatcom for a Holiday Family Bird MON., JAN. 1 Count taking place from 8:30am- NEW YEAR’S RIDE: Join members FOOD  2:30pm Sat., Dec. 30 at Lake Pad- of the Mount Baker Bicycle Cub outside den. Each year birders around the for a New Year’s Day Ride starting HIKING RUNNING GARDENING world do a Christmas Bird Count as at 10am at Fairhaven Park, 107 21 part of global data collection used Chuckanut Drive North. Participants for conservation. The tradition is in the first outing of 2018 will ride ecologically important and has been 13 miles down Chuckanut to the Old B-BOARD  going on for 50 years in Whatcom Edison Inn for lunch, and ride back County. Entry is $15 per family. the same way, or via a hillier route. WWW.WILDWHATCOM.ORG Entry is free. 20 WWW.MTBAKERBIKECLUB.ORG

FILM  DEC. 27-30 LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS: View fes- RUN AND DIP: The City of Belling- tive holiday displays both outdoors ham’s annual “Resolution Run/Walk”

16 and indoors at the annual “The begins at 11am at Lake Padden, Lights of Christmas” concluding 4882 Samish Way. At the finish,

MUSIC  this week from 5-10pm Wednesday there’ll be snacks, patio heaters through Saturday in Stanwood at and camaraderie before the “Padden the 15-acre Warm Beach Camp, Polar Dip” commences at high noon. 14 20800 Marine Dr. In addition to the Heated showers and goodies will be

ART  more than one million lights that available for those exiting the frigid will be lit up, there will be activi- waters. Both events are free, and no ties for kids, live entertainment, registration is required. 13 music, dinner theater, holiday shop- WWW.COB.ORG ping and more. Entry is $11-$16.

STAGE  WWW.THELIGHTSOFCHRISTMAS.COM POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: Come join hundreds of people from all over FRI., DEC. 29 the Pacific Northwest to be part of 12 12 WILD THINGS: Kids, adults and the 35th annual “Polar Bear Plunge” adventurers can join Holly Roger of starting at noon at the waterfront Wild Whatcom for a “Wild Things” by the Birch Bay Chamber Visitor In- GET OUT  GET OUT  Community Program from 9:30-11am formation Center, 7900 Birch Bay Dr. at the Connelly Creek Nature Area. The event has been happening since Suggested donation is $5 per person. 1982, and features costume contests 10 WWW.WILDWHATCOM.ORG and prizes. Entry is free, but those who register in advance—onsite

WORDS  SAT., DEC. 30 registration starts at 9am—will re- SKI AMBASSADORS: Nordic Ski ceive an official “I Took the Plunge”

 8 Ambassadors from the Nooksack certificate and hot beverages. STORY AND PHOTO BY JOHN D’ONOFRIO song and wind in the trees—plays a ma- Nordic Ski Club will be on hand WWW.BIRCHBAYCHAMBER.COM jor role. It can be hard to find your own to share their knowledge from 10am-2pm at the SnoPark at Salmon MOON WALK: Area women can join

CURRENTS song when constantly surrounded by the Ridge (mile 46.9 of the Mount Baker Wild Whatcom for a “Ladies Night clamor of machines. Highway). Demos, tips, maps of the Out: Moon of the Crackling Branch- 6 Resolution So here’s a New Year resolution for you: trails, short tours, the selling of es” excursion from 3:30-5:30pm in Unplug yourself as often as you can. Go SnoPark passes, hot chocolate and Whatcom County (the location will VIEWS  for a walk and leave the damn phone at more will be part of the winter fun. be revealed upon registration). The Additional events happen Saturdays event will feature a campfire by 4  home. Sit under a tree in the rain. Reset through Jan. 27. Entry is free. the beach to welcome the first full Work up a sweat. Get your feet wet. WWW.NOOKSACKNORDICSKICLUB.ORG moon of the calendar year. Bring MAIL  NATURE FOR THE NEW YEAR Watch the clouds for an hour. your intentions, promises of renewal

SUN., DEC. 31 and best story of resolutions gone 2  Long ago I was given some very valu- IT’S TIME, once again, to turn the page. able advice: If you find yourself with a LAST CHANCE MARATHON: Sign awry. Suggested donation is $12. up for the “Last Chance Half-Mara- WWW.WILDWHATCOM.ORG DO IT  The New Year is a symbolic thing. It’s an ancient idea; a ritual- problem that is 90 percent out of your thon and Marathon” starting at 9am ized way to hit the reset button, to refresh the screen. I suggest control, focus on the 10 percent that at Fairhaven Park, 107 Chuckanut TUES., JAN. 2 a walk in the woods. isn’t. You may not be able to change the Drive North. The course will take ALL-PACES RUN: Staff and volun- I have a path I follow on Stewart Mountain, a winding route world, but you can actually change your- runners from the park along the teers are always on hand to guide 12.27.17 that goes nowhere in particular. I seek its counsel often—but, self, at least a little. Maybe find yourself Interurban Trail to Clayton Beach the way at the weekly All-Paces Run truth be told, not often enough. It’s not very long and it offers to be part of something bigger than your and back (twice if you’re doing the starting at 6pm every Tuesday at .12 full marathon). Entry is $45. Fairhaven Runners, 1209 11th St.

52 no stupendous views or unusual flora or fauna (although once I day-to-day gyrations. WWW.NWENDURANCEEVENTS.COM WWW.FAIRHAVENRUNNERS.COM # saw a family of mountain lions there). For the most part, it’s a And, sure, we all have a responsibility nondescript dirt track through third-growth woods. to contribute, to be a part of the solution. RING OF FIRE: The Birch Bay WED., JAN. 3 But it almost always quiets the jangling in my head, turning Unplugging will make you a better citizen: Chamber of Commerce hosts its an- GARDEN CLUB MEETING: Find down the volume on the roiling pastiche of deadlines, obliga- more compassionate, more attentive, more nual “Ring of Fire and Hope” at 7pm out more about growing various on the shoreline from Birch Point species of lavender when a rep tions and current events. The constant search for solutions. A fun. More aware, more in the moment. to Point Whitehorn. This annual from Ferndale’s Red Barn Lavender gnawing anxiety is slowly replaced by a sense of contentment I’ve heard it said that it’s impossible to event focuses on ringing in hope speaks at a Birchwood Garden Club

CASCADIA WEEKLY and gratitude. It amazes me how easily and quickly this shift make oneself happy. Perhaps the way it for the coming new year and draws meeting taking place from 7-9pm occurs sometimes. works is that we make other people happy hundreds of participants who gather at Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall, 12 Perhaps it’s the solitude. The ego is constrained by a lack of and they in turn make us happy. Call it along the shores with lighted flares. 121 Prospect St. All are welcome at A limited amount of flares will be the free event; membership to the competition. Perhaps it’s the familiarity. In a world where the cosmic reciprocity. The implications of this available on a first-come, first- club is open to anyone in Whatcom sheer velocity of change can be overwhelming, the reliability of are obvious and suggest a laying down of served basis starting at 5:30pm at or Skagit counties. fir and fern, rippling creek and mossy rock can be reassuring. the burden of self-aggrandizement. the Birch Bay Visitor’s Center, 7900 WWW.BIRCHWOODGARDENCLUB.ORG Surely the silence—or rather the subtle soundtrack of bird- It’s good to travel light. doit STAGE DANCE

THURS., DEC. 28 FRI., DEC. 29 GOOD, BAD, UGLY: Watch “The INTENSIVE INSIGHTS: Dancers 26  Good, the Bad and the Ugly” at ages 13-18 who joined Bellingham stage 8pm every Thursday at the Upfront Repertory Dance for its annual Win- FOOD  Theatre, 1208 Bay St. At 10pm, ter Contemporary Youth Intensive THEATER DANCE PROFILES stick around for “The Project,” will share what they’ve learned in which tonight will feature a Holi- an informal performance open to 21 day Mashup featuring performers the public at 4pm at the Firehouse from the mainstage ensemble, the Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris satellite ensemble, students and Ave. During the workshops, dancers B-BOARD  alumni. Entry is $8 to the early study contemporary and ballet show, $5 for the late one. techniques and learn choreography 20 733-8855 OR WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM from BRD’s repertoire. WWW.BHAMREP.ORG DEC. 29-30 FILM  GHOSTS & BRAWLING: Imagine SUN., DEC. 31

the ghosts of Christmas Past, Pres- NYE DANCE BASH: Sign up for a 16 ent and Future and help move the New Year’s Eve Dance Bash starting story forward when “My 3 Ghosts” at 1pm and continuing until late into MUSIC  concludes this weekend with 8pm the night at the Lookout Arts Quarry, shows Friday and Saturday at the 246 Old Hwy 9. The one-day contact

Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. At improvisation and movement work- 14 10pm, show up for the competitive shop will also include an evening ART  (and improvised) “Backyard Brawl.” jam of dance and music, as well as a Tickets are $10-$12. soup supper. Entry is $40-$60 for the 13 WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM entire event, $15-$25 for dinner and 13 the jam, or $5-$10 for “just the jam.” STAGE  SUN., DEC. 31 WWW.LOOKOUTARTS.COM STAGE  NYE IMPROV SHOWS: The mainstage ensemble will bring back SALSA NYE: Join Rumba Northwest some of their most popular formats for its sixth annual Salsa New Year’s 12 for one night at New Year’s Eve Eve from 8pm-1am at BAAY Theatre, Shows taking place at 7pm, 9pm 1059 N. State St. Lessons, salsa and 11pm at the Upfront Theatre, music by Seattle’s DJ Andre and GET OUT  1208 Bay St. Each show will have a others, performances by members compressed versions of a handful of of RNW and more will be part of the formats, meaning audiences could evening’s events. Entry to the all- 10 see an improvised musical, dating ages fun is $10 in advance and $15 at

game, super hero adventure, and the door. Beer, wine and champagne WORDS  even murder mystery—all in one will be available to purchase. show. At the brink of midnight, WWW.RUMBANORTHWEST.COM  8 share a toast to another hilarious clear the living room for the dance party, and fun improv year with the com- NYE CONTRA DANCE: The BY AMY KEPFERLE munity. Tickets are $15 for the first Syncopaths will perform at the

make sure the bathroom is presentable and show, $20 for the second, and $25 Bellingham Country Dance Society’s CURRENTS prepare appetizers in a timely fashion. for the third (must be 21 or older). New Year’s Eve Contra Dance taking 6 Furthering the theatrical theme, be 733-8855 OR WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM place from 8pm-1am at Sacred Heart Party Planner aware that lighting and sound are also vital Social Hall, 1110 14th St. Festive line items to consider. If it’s New Year’s Eve, NYE SOIREE: Join the movers and attire is encouraged, and guests VIEWS  SETTING THE STAGE FOR A GOOD TIME shakers behind iDiOM Theater and should bring finger food to share. your guests will likely be dressed up, and the Sylvia Center for the Arts for Entry to the booze-free event is 4  I’VE LOST track of the amount of events I’ve hosted since I low lighting—combined with the glow of a New Year’s Eve Soiree starting at $10-$15 and includes sparkling moved into my York neighborhood Victorian on New Year’s Day Christmas tree and candle lights—will make 7pm at the Leopold Crystal Ballroom, cider, punch and noisemakers. MAIL  WWW.BELLINGHAMCOUNTRY almost 17 years ago, but if I had to venture a guess, it’s prob- them shine. When it comes to music, make 1224 Cornwall Ave. The evening will 2  ably somewhere near 200. sure to assign a DJ or have easily accessible feature dinner by local chefs Cassidy DANCE.ORG Bloom and Greg Schasse, desserts In addition to birthday parties for myself and countless oth- tunes at hand. Whether it’s Tony Bennett’s by local artisans, and auctions to WESTERN NYE: Members of the DO IT  ers, scores of brunches, going-away gatherings, bachelorette “The Best Is Yet to Come” or David Bowie’s benefit the further construction of Lynden Line Dancers will be on hand blowouts, theater fundraisers, wedding showers, Halloween “Golden Years,” you’ll also want to find a the new arts center in downtown to show partygoers the right steps shindigs, meatloaf cook-offs, white elephant gift exchanges perfect tune to ring in the New Year. Bellingham. Guests will enjoy at a western-themed New Year’s Eve and solstice suppers, I’ve also presided over a fair number of Additionally, don’t sweat missed social champagne, a no-host bar, swinging Bash taking place from 9pm-1am 12.27.17 tunes by Hot House Jazz Band and at Boundary Bay Brewery, 1107 New Year’s Eve soirees. cues (unless it’s the midnight countdown)

the Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center, Railroad Ave. Tickets are $35 per .12

Over the years, I’ve found that throwing a successful social and be prepared for anything—whether it’s performances by bellydancer Anyelle person or $60 per couple. 52 # function is similar to producing a limited-run play. And when it surprise guests, someone spilling an entire Raquesa and local cabaret star Sugar, WWW.BBAYBREWERY.COM comes to hosting the final party of the year—whether’s it’s a glass of red wine on the carpet, a passed- as well as community awards and cocktail hour in advance of one of the many events happening out partygoer found snoozing under a pile of presentations about the positive NYE DANCE PARTY: Join the impact of a new local performing Bellingham Dance Company for a out on the town, a dress-up dinner or a dance party free-for- coats, or a guest who wants to ring in 2018 arts facility. Tickets are $125. New Year’s Eve Dance Party from all—critics can be appeased by following a few simple rules. by hijacking your carefully selected sonic WWW.SYLVIACENTER 9pm-1am at the Majestic, 1027 N. Much like the rehearsal process, setting the stage for a good soundtrack with a set by the Grateful Dead. FORTHEARTS.ORG Forest St. Entry is $10 and includes time requires some forethought. Shopping for food, drink and After the countdown, but before go- music, light snacks, glasses for the CASCADIA WEEKLY other associated props such as party favors, a tub of sparklers ing to bed, make sure the set has been at TUES., JAN. 2 midnight toast, noisemakers and COMEDY OPEN MIC: The weekly decor. Attendees are encouraged to 13 or related decorations should always be done at least a day in least partially cleared by putting away any Shakedown Punch Up Comedy Open bring additional snacks and toast- advance, if not longer. That way, if you find yourself minus a perishable food, starting a load of dishes Mic begins at 7:30pm at the Shake- ing liquids. needed ingredient or two on the day of the big event, you’ll and making sure any flammables are extin- down, 1212 N. State St. Entry is free. WWW.BELLINGHAMDANCE spend a whole lot less time at the store than you would if you guished. After all, the last thing you want WWW.SHAKEDOWNBELLINGHAM.COM COMPANY.COM were starting from scratch. This means you’ll have more time to to start a New Year with is a house fire. doit UPCOMING EVENTS

FRI., DEC. 29

26  POP-UP ALERT: New York City-based cloth- ing designer Mackswell Sherman will be on

FOOD  hand for a “Brooklyn in Anacortes” Pop-Up event from 5-10pm at ACME Creative, 705 Commercial Ave. In addition to the 20-60 per-

21 visual cent discounts on his clothes, there’s will be GALLERIES OPENINGS PROFILES live music by Karl Blau, a short performance by Los Angeles-based producer and composer

B-BOARD  Zach Scott, and more. Sherman is originally from Anacortes, so come out to give him a hometown welcome.

20 more about what inspires him, peruse WWW.ACMECREATIVE.COM an exhibit of his contemporary works

FILM  showing at the storied Lincoln Theatre WED., JAN. 3 through the end of the month, or make OPEN STUDIO PAINTING: Learn to paint or paint better when Trish Harding leads an

16 plans to attend a closing reception with Open Studio Painting Class starting today the artist from 5-7:30pm Sat., Dec. 30 from 10am-3pm at Studio UFO, 301 W. Holly

MUSIC  at the downtown Mount Vernon enter- St. All skill levels will benefit as the instruc- tainment hub. tion is easel-to-easel using your media and personal projects. UFO members will also 14 14 The event is cleverly timed to coincide offer professional instruction and spirited ART 

ART  with a post-party showing of Loving Vin- presentations and lively critiques. Additional cent, a new animated film that tells the events happen Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31. Entry is $62 per class or $250 for all. 13 tale of another eclectic artist, Vincent Van Gogh. Touted as the world’s first fully WWW.STUDIO-UFO.NET

STAGE  painted animated fea- ture film, each of the film’s frames is an oil ONGOING EXHIBITS 12 painting on canvas ACME: Indie-inspired, handmade products can created by a team of be perused and purchased at a Luminous Holi-

GET OUT  125 classically trained day Pop-Up Shop through Jan. 21 in Anacortes at ACME Creative, 705 Commercial St. painters using the WWW.ACMECREATIVE.COM

10 same technique as the world-famous Post- THE ALLERY: View the works of painter ATTEND Impressionist known Kathryn Hackney through December at the WORDS  WHAT: Closing for his landscapes, Allery, 1319 Cornwall Ave., #104 (in the alley). reception with Bill Pieces by Mary Jo Maute, Renee Hartig, Kat

 8 still lifes, portraits Ball “Fireball” Houseman are also on display and for sale, WHEN: 5-7pm and self-portraits. The plus jewelry and gifts for the holiday season. Sat., Dec. 30 movie explores the life WWW.THEALLERYFINEART.COM COST: Free

CURRENTS and unusual death of ------ARTWOOD: Woodworks by members and con- Showings Vincent via depictions 6 WHAT: signment artists can be seen and purchased of his artwork, and, ac- of Loving Vincent for the holidays through December at Artwood WHEN: 7:30pm cording to at least one Gallery, 1000 Harris Ave. VIEWS  Dec. 29, 30 and BY BILL BALL BY reviewer, is said to be WWW.ARTWOODGALLERY.COM Jan. 1; 5:30pm 4  “almost too beautiful Sun., Dec. 31 CHUCKANUT BREWERY: Works by painter WHERE: Lincoln for its own good.” MAIL  Evan Whitehead of Evergreen Art are currently “Fireball” will more BY AMY KEPFERLE Theatre, 712 S. on display at Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen,

First St., Mount 2  than likely be in at- 601 W. Holly St. Vernon tendance to see the WWW.CHUCKANUTBREWERYANDKITCHEN.COM COST: $7.50- DO IT  animated drama un- $10.50 Having a Ball fold on the big screen, COOPER LANZA GALLERY: Group classes, INFO: www. private lessons, life drawing, long-pose ses- as he’s long been an AN EVENING OF ART lincolntheatre.org sions, exhibits and more happen on a regular admirer of the trou- basis at Cooper Lanza Gallery and School 12.27.17 WHEN CONSIDERING the art of Bill Ball “Fireball,” it’s helpful to know that the bled talent, who committed suicide at the of Fine Art, 1415 13th St. A “WAST Artist local artist painted his first mural four years ago while spending time in the alternate age of 37 but left behind a body of work Showcase” can be seen Saturdays and Sundays .12 through Jan. 7.

52 reality known as Burning Man—the makeshift assemblage focusing on creativity and that contributed greatly to the founda-

# WWW.COOPERLANZAGALLERY.COM self-expression that rises up and then disappears with nary a trace at the tail end of tions of modern art. every summer in the Nevada desert. “Van Gogh was a household name DEMING LIBRARY: View ink paintings by Black Rock City and its ethos of community, art and the selfless giving of one’s tal- growing up as a kid” Ball says. “I became Kathleen Whitlock through Jan. 31 at the ents may have spurred Ball to focus on painting as a way of life, but a quick look at his a Van Gogh art fan at an early age. I have Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Hwy. background hints he hasn’t followed a traditional career path on the way to creating been fascinated not only with his art, but 360) 592-2422. and exhibiting his vibrantly colorful and often-psychedelic assemblages at venues and also with his story.” FISHBOY GALLERY: Peruse the contempo- CASCADIA WEEKLY galleries throughout the Pacific Northwest. If the idea of seeing two memorable rary folk art of RR Clark from 1:30-5pm Fridays Working as a journeyman electrician helps pay the bills, but Ball, 50, is also known artists in one evening intrigues you, or by appointment at the FishBoy Gallery, 617 14 for his prowess as a kombucha brewer and for his talents as a former dancer and fire get yourself to Mount Vernon and end Virginia St. breather in the Seattle club scene, where the stage name “Fireball” first came into play. the year with “Fireball” and Vincent. 319-2913 OR WWW.FISHBOYGALLERY.COM The renaissance man has also run 100-mile marathons, swum the length of Lake Wash- One man will be around to answer ques- FOURTH CORNER: “Frank G. Craig: The Man ington, and tended chickens, goats and various crops on 25 acres in the Skagit Valley. tions, while the other leaves behind a and His Work” shows through Jan. 20 at Fourth If hearing more about Ball’s route to a life of painting makes you want to find out masterful mystery. doit

Corner Frames & Gallery, 311 W. Holly St. Craig’s art career began in the 1930s during the Great Depres- sion and continued until his death in 1997. The - COLLEGE FOOTBALL - show will feature his paintings as well as examples 26  of his ceramic and photographic works.

WWW.FOURTHCORNERFRAMES.COM FOOD 

GOOD EARTH: Sean Roberts’ “Colored Porcelain Designs” will be highlighted through December at 21 Good Earth Pottery, 1000 Harris Ave. LET US BRING THE LIFE TO YOUR PARTY WWW.GOODEARTHPOTS.COM B-BOARD  GALLERY PEGASUS: View “Essence: Abstract In- LOCATED JUST FOUR MILES EAST OF BELLINGHAM IN BEAUTIFUL WHATCOM COUNTY terpretations” through Dec. 31 at Gallery Pegasus,

301 W. Holly St. View Kevin Jones’ photographs of WHERE VOLVOS GO! 20 WWW.GALLERYPEGASUS.COM Olympic National Park through January at

Mindport Exhibits AND KEEP GOING! FILM  HONEY SALON: Jess Bonin’s “There’s a Fruitfly in My Cabernet” is currently on display at Honey Carlson Gallery, 508 S. First St. • Diagnosis • Repairs Salon & Gallery, 310 W. Holly St. WWW.PERRYANDCARLSON.COM • Parts in Stock • Pre-Purchase Inspections 16 WWW.HONEYBELLINGHAM.COM • Late Model and Vintage Pre-Owned Volvos

QUILT MUSEUM: “Exploring the Pacific Rim: • Internet cafe and barista on site! MUSIC  I.E. GALLERY: New works by painter Julie Pasch- Pieces from the Collection,” “A Victorian Winter RainbowAutoService.com kis and mixed-media artist Warren Dykeman, and Holiday,” and “Creative Passion &* Stitch” can 360-734-6117 • 2729 Jensen Rd. Locally owned and environmentally conscious. 14 14 clay pieces by Joe Max Emminger can be viewed currently be viewed at the Pacific Northwest MON-THUR 8am-6pm Taking care of you and your Volvo since 1986. ART  through Dec. 24 at Edison’s i.e. gallery, 5800 Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum in La Conner at 703 S. ART  Cains Court. Second St. WWW.IEEDISON.COM WWW.QFAMUSEUM.ORG 13

INN AT LYNDEN: Bellingham artist Susan SMITH & VALLEE: “Objectification 10” features

First massage is STAGE  Bennerstrom’s paintings will be on display works by more than 80 Pacific Northwest artists through Jan. 31 at the Inn at Lynden, 100 5th through Dec. 31 at Edison’s Smith & Vallee Gallery, St. Bennerstrom’s works in oils and pastels have 5742 Gilkey Ave. If you buy a piece of art this Specializing in Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Massage, 12 been exhibited in solo shows both regionally and month, take it home with you the same day. Lily Elkjaer Giesecke Trigger Point Therapy & Ashiatsu Deep Feet Therapy internationally. WWW.SMITHANDVALLEE.COM LMP | License #60450100 (360) 746-8597 OR WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG Half price specials all month long! 215 W. Holly St, Suite G-2 GET OUT  RAGFINERY: A variety of textile-related work- Bellingham, WA 98225 evergreenbellingham.com | [email protected] JANSEN ART CENTER: View Winter Exhibits shops happen on a regular basis at Ragfinery, 360.389.2265 through Feb. 28 at Lynden’s Jansen Art Center, 1421 N. Forest St. See more details and register 10 321 Front St. Exhibits include juried exhibit, online. Honghong Wang’s “Life Studies,” “Unseen: The WWW.RAGFINERY.COM Art of Nanci Price Scoular,” and “Johannes Kunst: WORDS  Imaginary Friendship in Retrospect.” SCOTT MILO: Colorful acrylics by Jennifer Bow- WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG man will be featured through Jan. 30 in Anacortes PEP  8 at the Scott Milo Gallery, 420 Commercial Ave. PER LUMMI GALLERY: Peruse seasonal exhibits at WWW.SCOTTMILO.COM the Lummi Island Gallery at the Village Point CURRENTS Marina, 4232 Legoe Bay Rd. SKAGIT MUSEUM: “In the Valley of Mystic Light”

WWW.LUMMIISLANDGALLERY.COM shows through Feb. 4 in La Conner at the Skagit SISTERS 6 County Historical Museum, 501 S. 4th St. “Skagit MATZKE FINE ART: “Honey, I Shrunk the Art” Christmas” shows through Dec. 31. COOKING OUTSIDE THE BOX SINCE 1988 VIEWS  shows weekends through Jan. 14 at Camano WWW.SKAGITCOUNTY.NET/MUSEUM Island’s Matzke Fine Art Gallery & Sculpture Park, Open Nightly Except Monday 1055 N State St B’ham 671-3414 4  2345 Blanche Way. The small works by 40 artists SOCIAL FABRIC: Sign up for a variety of sewing

showing in a variety of mediums offer “great art and art workshops through December at Social MAIL  at a shrunken price.” Fabric, 1302 Commercial St. ND

THE FASHION INDUSTRY IS THE 2 LARGEST INDUSTRIAL POLLUTER IN THE WORLD

WWW.MATZKEFINEART.COM WWW.SOCIALFABRICART.COM 2 

MINDPORT: Photographs of Olympic National ST. JOE’S HOSPITAL: As part of the “Healing DO IT  Park by Kevin G. Jones will be displayed through Through Art” series, view La Conner-based painter YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE January at Mindport Exhibits, 210 W. Holly St. Janet Lauren’s large-scale, nature-based works WWW.MINDPORT.ORG featuring unusual creatures through Jan. 6 at the east tower lobby at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medi- WEAR 12.27.17 MODERN CLASSICS: “Mining the Stillness of cal Center, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy. Stone” shows through December at Modern Clas- (360) 383-7166 sics Furniture + Art Studio, 203 Prospect St. The .12 30 52 exhibit features stone sculptures by Whidbey WHATCOM ART MARKET: Works by more than # Island’s Sue Taves paired with Sharon Kingston’s 45 Whatcom Art Guild members can be perused atmospheric oil paintings. and purchased from 10am-6pm Wed.-Sun. at the Buy Thrift Be Selective Upcycle (360) 733-6400 Whatcom Art Market, 1103 11th St. Extend the life of existing Apply the Wear 30 Rule: Learn to sew, mend, and WWW.WHATCOMARTMARKET.ORG garments & reduce demand only buy garments you know creatively reinvent your MONA: “Choices,” featuring works by Portland- for new consumer goods you’ll wear at least 30 times wardrobe based sculptor “and painter Mel Katz; glass WHATCOM MUSEUM: “Art of the American West: sculptor Raven Skyriver’s “Submerge;” and “Hidden Highlights of the Haub Family Collection from This ad was funded through a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. While these materials were reviewed for grant consistency, this does not necessarily constitute endorsement by Ecology. Narratives”—a display of permanent collection the Tacoma Art Museum,” “People of the Sea and CASCADIA WEEKLY paintings—can be viewed through Jan. 7 at La Con- Cedar: A Journey Through the Tribal Cultures and ner’s Museum of Northwest Art, 121 N. First St. History of the Northwest Coast,” “Back at the 15 WWW.MONAMUSEUM.ORG Park: Vintage Views from the Photo Archives,” and (360) 738-6977 “John M. Edson Hall of Birds” can currently be PERRY AND CARLSON: “Dialogue” shows viewed on the Whatcom Museum campus. 1421 N Forest St. through December at Mount Vernon’s Perry and WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG ragfinery.com rumor has it

26  BEFORE I GET down to trying to make some sense of 2017—if such a thing is even possi- FOOD  ble—I must first dispense with some imme- diate business. Depending on when you’re reading this, the Green Frog has mere days 21 music SHOW PREVIEWS RUMOR HAS IT left among us, which means your opportu- nities to see a show there before the bar B-BOARD  closes forever are few. As he has since he first cracked the doors of the Frog open a

20 dozen years ago, owner James Hardesty has packed the calendar with excellent enter-

FILM  tainment—and I would not be surprised if another show or two manifests between now

16 16 and Dec. 31. As it stands now, MUSIC  MUSIC  Seattle’s Grace Love (if you’ve never seen

14 her, and are torn as

ART  to which final Green Frog show to attend,

13 this promises to be a barnburner) will

STAGE  play her final show at the venue on Weds., Dec. 27, and BY CAREY ROSS 12 she’ll be followed Thurs., Dec. 28 by Marcel’s Farewell Party Bluegrass Night, and Groove-

GET OUT  Bot will take the stage Fri., Dec. 29. Follow- ing that, it’ll be one last Sunday Slow Jam

10 before Baby Cakes shuts it all down with back-to-back New Year’s Eve shows (for more info, look to your left). And then we wake WORDS  up the next day in a post-Green Frog world,

 8 a place I’m having a tough time imagining at the moment. When it comes to 2017 itself, perhaps yours

CURRENTS was a year of personal growth and increased prosperity and satisfaction in all areas of 6 MARCHFOURTH MARCHING BAND your life, but on the whole, I would say the

PHOTO BY ANDREW WYATT BY PHOTO year was a hard one for our music community. VIEWS  The year cost us things we did not want to

4  the Green Frog. For more than a dozen years, have to afford and many of us continue to BY CAREY ROSS Green Frog owner James Hardesty has been feel those losses keenly. Some of us learned MAIL  packing his tiny venue with an extraordinary lessons about people among us I’m not cer-

2  amount of truly superior music—with shows tain we wanted or needed to learn. often happening there seven days a week— But if 2017 was hallmarked by challenges,

DO IT  New Year’s Eve but after the last notes of Baby Cakes’ final it was equally distinguished by those who song on New Year’s Eve (which will have be- rose to those challenges, not just time and OUT WITH THE OLD come New Year’s Day by then) fade into the again, but every single time. I saw people go I DON’T know what phrases you plan to employ when it comes time to sum night, the Frog will fall silent forever. Hard- to extraordinary, impossible lengths to sup- 12.27.17 up 2017, but for many of us, words like “dumpster fire” and “unholy hellscape,” esty made the tough decision to pull the plug port those they love. I watched as friends, and “good god, what was that?” are the ones that come readily to mind. on his labor of love only recently, and the loss when called upon to do the right thing, did .12

52 Suffice it so say, it’s been a rough one. of the Green Frog will resonate not just within so without hesitating, without calculating # Maybe that has you wanting to burrow under a pile of blankets, be very our music scene, but also far beyond it, as the personal cost, without seeking acknowledg- still, hide out and hope that what remains of this year can’t find you, but I’d traveling musicians who have come to regard ment or praise. Over and over, I witnessed like to encourage you to try out a different strategy. the bar as their Bellingham home will have people show up for complete strangers, I think we should all don our party duds, dig out our noisemakers and do a to find another venue in which to play—or to give them whatever they needed, to be little celebrating. After all, we made it to the bitter end of the bitterest of might just pass our town by altogether. But there in whatever capacity they could, sim- years and if we’re going to face whatever 2018 has in store, a last gasp of a before that happens, Baby Cakes will kiss both ply out of the belief that we all have to be

CASCADIA WEEKLY good time is not the worst way to end something old and begin anew. Think 2017 and the Green Frog goodbye as only they in this together, otherwise we are well and of New Year’s Eve as being some sort of existential palate cleanser, and can with back-to-back New Year’s Eve shows. truly screwed. 16 give it the sendoff it probably doesn’t deserve before hunkering down and The first begins at 7pm and is all-ages—and While my faith in the world is shaky these making good on those resolutions. It never hurts to be a little bad before kids 10 and younger get in for free—so par- days, my faith in those who inhabit my becoming virtuous, and what follows are some suggestions for making the ents who have not yet lined up babysitters world has never been more rock solid. So, most of the final party of this cursed year. can still get in on the action. Following that what say you about taking on 2018? I’ll do One sad casualty of 2017 is a beloved Bellingham musical institution, will be an adults-only show, and along with it if you will. doit WED., DEC. 27 UKULELE FOR ALL: Join the Bellingham Ukulele Group for a “Ukulele for Everyone”

gathering at 4:15pm at the Everson Library, 26  104 Kirsch Dr. Ukuleles will be available for use, and members will host a demo, beginning FOOD  lessons and a song circle. Entry to the all-ages event is free. (360) 966-5100 21

VAN BEBBER QUARTET: Seattle trumpeter and educator Michael Van Bebber returns B-BOARD  to close out the Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center’s year with a 7pm concert at the Sylvia

Center for the Arts, 205 Prospect St. He’ll be 20 joined by the house trio. Admission is $5-$10.

WWW.WJMAC.ORG FILM  THURS., DEC. 28 16 BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA: The Grammy  16 Award-winning Brian Setzer Orchestra makes a MUSIC

stop on its “Christmas Rocks!” Tour at 7:30pm MUSIC  at the Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Com- mercial St. The iconic guitarist, songwriter and vocalist will be joined by his 19-piece 14

orchestra to play songs from their latest ART 

JULIAN MACDONOUGH Christmas album, Rockin’ Rudolph, as well as other holiday favorites and original hits. 13 Tickets are $45-$100. 734-6080 OR WWW.MOUNTBAKERTHEATRE.COM NEW YEAR’S, FROM PAGE 16 ing a varied roster of talented local and VILLAGE STAGE  regional musicians. Their New Year’s Eve FRI., DEC. 29 party will come a top-notch soundtrack of COLE ANDERSON: Savor glorious music by & 12 all of the farewells that will be said, the jazz, courtesy of the Julian MacDonough Mozart, Clementi, and Rachmaninoff as well as BOOKS show will also act as Baby Cakes’ second Trio, who will get things started at 8:30pm Earl Wild’s virtuoso arrangements of Gershwin at songs when pianist Cole Anderson returns anniversary, which is definitely some- and play through clear until next year. PAPER GET OUT  to Bellingham for a 7:30pm concert at the thing worth celebrating. And Lovitt isn’t limiting their audience to Lairmont Manor, 405 Fieldston Rd. Tickets are WHERE: 1015 N. State St. Cost: Free-$20 adult music fans—their event is all-ages $5 for students, $15 general. DREAMS 10 INFO: www.acoustictavern.com and family-friendly, and their regular and WWW.BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM The Times Square ball drop might be late-night menus of locally sourced food- ’ New Year s WORDS  one of the more well-known New Year’s stuffs will also be available for those who SAT., DEC. 30 SIYUAN LI: Pianist Siyuan Li will play exqui- Eve traditions the world over, but for my are feeling peckish. Make reservations and site music by Chopin, Schubert, and Schumann  8 money, that glowing orb’s got nothing on make a night of it. at a 7:30pm concert at the Lairmont Manor, the lighted keg that Boundary Bay Brew- WHERE: 1114 Harris Ave. Cost: $10  406 Fieldston Rd. She’ll be joined by fellow pianist Cole Anderson for “Four Handed ery lowers at the stroke of midnight ev- INFO: www.lovittrestaurant.com CURRENTS Phantasmagoria,” a piece written for them by SALE ery year. Sure, you could stay home and The Wild Buffalo is never a place that

composer Devin Anderson. Tickets are $5-$15. 6 have Boundary deliver their award-win- does things halfway, and New Year’s Eve WWW.BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM ning beers right to your front door—cer- is no exception. An argument could be 20% OFF VIEWS  tainly a tempting notion—but nothing made that the Buff should let 2017 go SUN., DEC. 31 HIGH JAZZ NYE: The Julian MacDonough beats the kind of community camaraderie quietly into the night so that we can 4  that comes part and parcel with any cel- get down to the very important business Trio and Whatcom Jazz Music Art Center pres- STOREWIDE! ent “A High Jazz New Year’s Eve” from 9:30pm- In both Fairhaven AND Lynden MAIL  ebration that takes place at Bellingham’s of erasing the year from our memories, 12:30am at Lovitt Restaurant, 1114 Harris unofficial holiday hub. This year, they’re but that’s not their style. Instead, the Ave. MacDonough will be joined by pianist New Year’s Eve 2  taking the party in a new direction, with party is bigger than ever this year, with Blake Angelos and Seattle-based bassist Nate Parker. Entry will be $10 at the door. Sunday, December 31 a cowboy-themed New Year’s Eve Bash. Portland’s perennially popular March- st, DO IT  Representatives from Lynden Line Danc- Fourth Marching Band showing up with WWW.WJMAC.ORG & New Year’s Day ers will be on hand to teach you some their antics and acrobatics to give 2017 Head to Glacier to listen to Monday, January 1 GLACIER NYE: st, fancy footwork, and the bar and taproom a solid kick in the teeth before showing the band Trabin at a New Year’s Eve celebra- Can’t make it in? will be transformed into a line-dancing it the door. The first time I saw March- tion taking starting at 9:30pm and continuing Call and pay over the phone or order online at 12.27.17 hall where you can stomp out 2017 in sat- Fourth play, they were actually march- into the New Year at Grahams Restaurant, VILLAGEBOOKS.COM 9989 Mt. Baker Hwy. during the sale and receive the discounted price! .12 isfying rhythmic fashion. Hungry? Take a ing through the streets (they really are a 52 (360) 599-9883 break and feast on a barbecue-themed marching band, after all), and I was en- Watch for HUGE DISCOUNTS # meal. And if you find yourself working up tranced immediately. I have remained so WED., JAN. 3 on HOLIDAY ITEMS! a thirst, Boundary’s friendly and knowl- ever since. I can think of no better way TONY GLAUSI QUARTET: International Then join us for The edgeable beertenders will be behind the to put 2017 in its place while giving 2018 award-winning trumpeter, keyboardist, com- bar, pulling pints and slinging suds. a proper welcome than with the talented poser and arranger Tony Glausi will be joined Chuckanut Radio Hour by saxophonist Mark Taylor, drummer Julian WHERE: 1107 Railroad Ave. Cost: $35-$60 and irreverent scamps of MarchFourth. MacDonough, and bassist Michael Glynn for a 11th Anniversary Show

INFO: www.bbaybrewery.com Somehow, this show has not yet sold out, Whatcom Jazz Music Art Center concert from Thursday, January 4, 6:30pm CASCADIA WEEKLY For people who like to ring in the New but I do not expect that to remain the 7-9pm at the Sylvia Center for the Arts, 205 in the Heiner Theatre, WCC Year on the Southside, a good party can be case for too much longer. Treat yourself Prospect St. Tickets are $5-$15. with live music by the WALRUS ACOUSTIC TRIO 17 Tickets $5 at Village Books & brownpapertickets.com hard to find. Not so much this year, thanks to a ticket. After all you’ve been through WWW.WJMAC.ORG VILLAGE BOOKS to Lovitt Restaurant. Newcomers to the this year, you more than deserve it. 1200 11th1200 St., 11th Bellingham St., SEND EVENT INFORMATION TO: Historic Fairhaven, Bellingham live music game, Lovitt is putting their WHERE: 208 W. Holly St. Cost: $25  [email protected] Now with a Second Store expansive space to good use, welcom- INFO: www.wildbuffalo.net and 430Open Front in Lynden! St., Lynden musicvenues 26 

See below for venue FOOD  addresses and phone 12.27.17 12.28.17 12.29.17 12.30.17 12.31.17 01.01.18 01.02.18 numbers WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY

21 Anelia's Kitchen & Uncle Half-Step Brett Benton Stage B-BOARD  Beach Store Cafe Sher Vadinska

20 New Year's Eve Boundary Bay Aaron Guest Piano Night Paul Klein Brewery Bash FILM 

Acoustic Night w/John New Year's Eve w/Ebb, Slack Brown Lantern Ale House Open Mic

Bisagna and Flood 16 16

Slow Jam GRACE LOVE/Dec. 27/Green Frog MUSIC  Commodore Ballroom MUSIC 

Market Street Dixieland Jass New Year's Eve Bash w/Nick 14 Conway Muse Cascadia Groove Brian Lee and the Orbiters Band Vigarino ART 

Corner Pub Knut Bell and the 360s 13

Culture Cafe at Kombucha Aireeoke Open Mic STAGE  Town

12 Eat Restaurant and Bar Thomas Harris Duo Orb Trio

New Years Eve w/The Juke

GET OUT  Edison Inn The Walrus House Hounds

Marcel's Farewell Party Blue- Slow Jam (early), Baby

10 Green Frog Grace Love GrooveBot grass Night Cakes New Year's Eve (late) WORDS 

 8 Celebrate with Star Power! CURRENTS TOMORROW! 6 VIEWS  4  MAIL 

2  DO IT  12.27.17 .12 52 #

SPONSOR “One of the best shows” WITH SPONSOR Madison Square Garden CASCADIA WEEKLY

18 Thursday, December 28 7:30pm · $45.50-$99.00* Saturday, January 13 7:30pm · $20.50-$39.50*

SEASON SPONSOR Mount Baker Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the performing arts. Book Now and Remain Merry! MountBakerTheatre.com · 360.734.6080 *Plus applicable fees musicvenues 26  See below for venue addresses and phone 12.27.17 12.28.17 12.29.17 12.30.17 12.31.17 01.01.18 01.02.18 FOOD  numbers WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY

Acoustic Wednesday w/ Songwriter Corner w/ 21 Greene's Corner JP Falcon Myron Brown B-BOARD 

H2O DJ Clint Westwood Night Kicks New Year's Eve w/DJ Z 20

Honey Moon Open Mic w/Pace Rubadeau WJMAC Jazz Jam Steve Itterly Kevin & Katie Irish & Folk Monday FILM  16 Hotel Bellwether Sara Vega Steve Rudy Steve Rudy Thomas Harris Quartet  16 MUSIC MUSIC 

Kulshan Brewing Co. Danny Vogel The Devilly Brothers 14

New Year's Eve w/The Julian ART  Lovitt Restaurant Findlay & Tate Findlay & Tate MacDonough Trio 13

Main St. Bar and Grill JP Falcon Acoustic Showcase Special Delivery Twisted Fister The Takers STAGE 

Meghan Yates & The Reverie Old World Deli 12 Machine

Rockfish Grill Fidalgo Swing Randy Norris and Jeff Nicely THE WALRUS/Dec. 30/Edison Inn GET OUT  10 Royal Dance Party Karaoke DJ Jester DJ Jester Karaoke WORDS  Talent Show w/Vivi- Take Me to Church w/Betty Karaoke w/Seamus Rumors Cabaret enne Duchanne and DJ Total Request Live Flashback Friday Partylicious Saturday Trashy Tuesday Desire O'Carey Shortstack  8

Punch-Up Comedy Open The Shakedown Mic CURRENTS

Silver Reef Hotel Casino 6 Harmonious Funk Harmonious Funk Spa VIEWS 

Skagit Casino Resort Soul Siren Soul Siren 4  MAIL  New Year's Eve Party w/Bill Chad Petersen Anissa The Spencetet Skylark's

MacDonough Trio 2 

James Higgins and the Draft New Year's Eve Party w/ DO IT  Stones Throw Brewery Chuck Dingee The D'vas Rascals Psychedelic Cowboys

DJ B-Mello DJ B-Mello

The Underground 12.27.17

NEW YEAR’S EVE/Dec. 31/Everywhere until .12 The Village Inn Jam Night Karaoke 52

midnight #

MarchFourth Marching Wild Buffalo ’90s Night w/Boombox Kid Band, Willdabeast, Cobra- WolfShark

Alternative Library 519 E. Maple St | Anelias Kitchen & Stage 513 S. 1st St., La Conner • (360) 466-4778 | Bellewood Acres 6140 Guide Meridian, Lynden • (360) 318-7720 | 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 | Culture Cafe at Kombucha Town 2010 E. Chestnut St. • www.kombuchatown.com | Eat Restaurant & Bar 1200 Cornwall CASCADIA WEEKLY

Ave • www.4u2eat.com | The Green Frog 1015 N. State St. • www.acoustictavern.com | Edison Inn 5829 Cains Ct., Edison • (360) 766-6266 | H20, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 755-3956 | Honey Moon 1053 N. State St. • 734-0728 | Kulshan Brewery 2238 James St. • 389-5348 | Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood • www.locobillys.com | Make.Shift Art Space 306 Flora St. • www.makeshiftproject.com | Main Street Bar & Grill 2004 Main St., 19 Ferndale • (360) 384-2982 | McKay’s Taphouse 1118 E. Maple St. • (360) 647-3600 | The Redlight 1017 N. State St. • www.redlightwineandcoffee.com | Rockfish Grill 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 588-1720 | The Royal 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 | 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. film ›› showing this week

26 

FOOD  EBT

21 Sheep & Goat Cheeses Hot & Spicy Sausages

B-BOARD  Northwest Berry Jams

Organic Fruit & Veggies 20 20  High Spirit Cedar Flutes FILM  FILM  Wool Mittens & Jackets

16 Local Lamb & Chicken

MUSIC  To Your Health! 360-592-2297

14 www.everybodys.com Highway 9 – Van Zandt ART  13 STAGE  12 GET OUT  WONDERSTRUCK 10 BY CAREY ROSS Father Figures: Into this season of excellent films Writer/director Rian Johnson totally didn’t blow it! and Oscar contenders falls this movie. And that’s all I Star Wars still rules, everyone else continues to drool. WORDS  have to say about that. H (R • 1 hr. 53 min.) HHHHH (PG-13)

 8 FILM SHORTS Ferdinand: I guess this is the movie you take your Wonder: It’s been a minute since Julia Roberts has kids to if they’re not old enough for Star Wars. HHH made a movie that reminds us of her status as All the Money in the World: This will forever be (PG • 1 hr. 48 min.) America’s Sweetheart, but she’s back with the known as the movie Kevin Spacey was edited out of heartwarming story of Auggie (in another remarkable CURRENTS during post-production (long live Christopher The Greatest Showman: I can think of few people turn by Room’s Jacob Tremblay) a boy with congenital

6 Plummer!), but it’s really a lively, taut recounting of more equipped to portray P.T. Barnum, i.e. the facial deformities who is learning to find his way in that time one of the Getty grandkids was kidnapped and “showman” in question, than Hugh Jackman, who is a the world. HHHH (PG • 1 hr. 53 min.) billionaire J. Paul Getty famously refused to pay the bit like a charismatic human circus himself. HH (PG • VIEWS  ransom to get him back. HHHH (R • 2 hrs. 12 min.) 1 hr. 45 min.) Wonderstruck: Director Todd Haynes does yet another masterful job immaculately rendering other 4  Coco: As a creative filmmaking force, Pixar is Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle: How can eras and worlds, this time telling parallel stories of

MAIL  unmatched. The unstoppable animation juggernaut anyone ever replace the inimitable Robin Williams in two children in search of something they feel will rolls out another instant classic, this time centering this now-franchise about a mystical board game that make them whole, who are connected across time and

2  its story on budding musician Miguel, who takes a comes to life? The answer: One person cannot. destiny. HHHH (PG • 1 hr. 46 min.) stunning journey of sight and sound in the Land of However, four people—Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, the Dead in order to unlock the secrets of his family Jack Black, and Karen Gillan—can make a decent go DO IT  history. Bring a hanky—this one packs an emotional of it. HHHH (PG-13 • 1 hr. 52 min.) punch. HHHHH (PG • 1 hr. 45 min.) Lady Bird: Some 160-plus critics have reviewed Darkest Hour: Marvel as Gary Oldman transforms this mother-daughter story written and directed by 12.27.17 into Winston Churchill, singlehandedly keeps Britain Greta Gerwig and literally every one of them loved from surrendering to Nazis with great speechifying it. Hundreds of people have seen it at the Pickford

.12 and is nominated for a Best Actor Oscar right before with the same result. This movie is why we go to the 52

# your very eyes. HHHHH (PG-13 • 2 hrs. 5 min.) movies. HHHHH (R • 1 hr. 33 min.)

The Disaster Artist: I can think of no one in Pitch Perfect 3: It was cute the first time, it was Hollywood more strangely and perfectly suited to less so the second. In this case, the third time is most directing and starring in a movie about The Room definitely not the charm. This had indeed better be (simultaneously considered the worst, most the “last call, Pitches.” H (PG-13 • 1 hr. 33 min.) unwatchable film ever made and a cult classic) than James Franco. Sometimes stars really do align. The Shape of Water: Guillermo del Toro’s gloriously CASCADIA WEEKLY HHHHH (R • 1 hr. 43 min.) beautiful, deeply visionary 1960s-era Cold War fairy Showtimes tale/love story (starring the always award-worthy 20 Downsizing: Alexander Payne returns to the big Sally Hawkins) is one of the best movies of a year Regal and AMC theaters, please see screen with his first film since 2013’s excellent hallmarked by truly excellent filmmaking. See it on www.fandango.com. Nebraska, this time with a more whimsical (at least on the big screen, as God and Guillermo intended. the surface) story of a couple (Matt Damon and HHHHH (R • 1 hr. 59 min.) Pickford Film Center and Kristen Wiig) who decides to become small in order to PFC’s Limelight Cinema, please see live large. HH (R • 2 hrs. 15 min.) Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Don’t worry everyone: www.pickfordfilmcenter.com BY ROB BREZSNY come from using things as they're not "supposed" to bulletinboard be used. You could further your goals by mixing and

matching resources in unique ways.

200 200 200 200 FREE WILL 26  MIND & BODY MIND & BODY MIND & BODY MIND & BODY LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I wish I could make it

nice and easy for you. I wish I could proclaim that the FOOD  An in-person trained health Excellence Northwest and flowing choreographed breastfeeding mothers in a ASTROLOGY forces of darkness are lined up against the forces of insurance assister from Sea will host a "ReFocus" work- movements of standing Tai warm, inviting and respectful light. I'd like to be able to advise you that the open- Mar Community Health Cen- shop from 9am-1pm Sat., Jan. Chi except it is performed in a environment at a Breastfeed-

ARIES (March 21-April 19): "I need more smart ing months of 2018 will bring you a showdown be- 21 ter will be available to help 6 at the Mount Baker Theatre, seated position. Entry is free. ing Cafe from 9am-12pm ev- 21 people apply for health insur- 104 N. Commercial St. Attend- More info: (360) 778-7217 ery Tuesday at the Bellingham allies, compassionate supporters, ethical role models, tween wrong and right, between ugliness and beauty. ance coverage and assist with ees will create a vision for Center for Healthy Mother- and loyal friends, and I need them right now!" writes But it just ain't that simple. It's more like the forces of any health-insurance related 2018, develop an action plan, Attend Gam-Anon meet- hood, 1012 Dupont Street. Joanna K., an Aries reader from Albuquerque, New plaid will be arrayed against the forces of paisley. The B-BOARD  needs at a free Health Insur- learn how to stay on track and ings (for family and friends of Entry is free. More info: www. B-BOARD  ance Assistance session from find ways to overcome ob- individuals with a gambling centerforhealthymother- Mexico. On the other hand, there's Jacques T., an Aries showdown will feature two equally flawed and equally 10am-1:30pm Thurs., Dec. 28 stacles. Entry is free; please disorder) from 7-8:30pm Fri- hood.com reader from Montreal. "To my amazement, I actually appealing sources of intrigue. And so you may inquire, at the SkillShare Space at the RSVP to save a seat. More days in Mount Vernon at the have much of the support and assistance I need," he Libra, what is the most honorable role you can play in Bellingham Public Library, 210 info: www.excellencenw.org First Lutheran Church, 2015 20 Central Ave. More info: (360) Blackburn Rd. Entry is free. declares. "What I seem to need more of are construc- these matters? Should you lend your support to one 778-7217 or www.bellingham- "Hormonal Health" will be More info: www.gam-anon.org tive critics, fair-minded competitors with integrity, side or the other? I advise you to create a third side. publiclibrary.org the focus of a workshop with colleagues and loved ones who don't assume that FILM  certified nutritionist Jim Ehm- Co-Dependents Anony- every little thing I do is perfect, and adversaries who SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In 2018, your tribe Attend Free Yoga Classes ke from 6:30-8:30pm Tues., mous meets from 7-8:30pm galvanize me to get better." I'm happy to announce, will be extra skilled at opening things that have been and clinics from Jan. 1-7 at Jan. 9 at the Cordata Commu- most Mondays at PeaceHealth 16 Yoga Northwest, 1440 10th nity Food Co-op, 315 Westerly St. Joseph's Community Health dear Aries, that in 2018 you will benefit more than shut or sealed for a long time: heavy doors, treasure St. Classes will be limited to Rd. He’ll discuss all the major Education Center, 3333 Squali- usual from the influences that both Joanna and boxes, rich possibilities, buried secrets, shy eyes, the first 25 students, so come glands of the endocrine system cum Pkwy, conference room B. Jacques seek. mum mouths, guarded hearts and insular minds. You'll MUSIC  early in order to secure a spot. and how hormones interact, as Entry is by donation. More info: The offer is intended for those well as hormonal therapies, (360) 676-8588 have a knack for initiating new markets and clearing new to the studio; current stu- fertility options, and PMS. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the Scots blocked passageways and staging grand openings. 14 dents are welcome when they Entry is $5. More info: www. Abby Staten leads "Yoga Wondering language spoken in Lowland Scotland, a watergaw is You'll be more inclined to speak candidly and freely bring a friend, or want to try communityfood.coop for Multiple Sclerosis" classes about the nuts a fragmented rainbow that appears between clouds. than any other generation of Scorpios in a long time. ART  the next level up. More info: from 10-11am Tuesdays and www.yoganorthwest.com Attend a Healing Hour from 11am-12pm Fridays at Christ and bolts of A skafer is a faint rainbow that arises behind a mist, Getting stuck things unstuck will come naturally. Mak- 5:30-6:30pm every Wednes- the Servant Lutheran Church, the homebuying presaging the imminent dissipation of the mist. A ing yourself available for bighearted fun and games 13 Michelle Mahler leads an day at Simply Spirit Reading & 2600 Lakeway Dr. The weekly "silk napkin" is a splintered rainbow that heralds the will be your specialty. Given these wonders, maybe "Essential Remedies: Skin & Healing Center, 1304 Meador events are free for people process? arrival of brisk wind and rain. In accordance with the you should adopt a new nickname, like Apertura (the Bodycare" workshop from Ave. Drop in anytime during with MS, and no registration is Check out our STAGE  6:30-8:30pm Thurs., Jan. 4 at the hour to receive an aura/ required. Please bring a blan- FREE Homebuyer astrological omens, I propose we use these mysterious Italian word for "opening"), Ouverture (the French Mount Vernon's Skagit Valley chakra healing. Entry is $5. ket or yoga mat. More info: Education phenomena as symbols of power for you in 2018. The word for "opening"), Šiši (Yoruban), Otevírací (Czech), Food Co-op, 202 S. First St. More info: www.simplyspir- [email protected] or www. good fortune that comes your way will sometimes Öffnung (German), or Kufungua (Swahili).

Demos on how to make facial itcenter.com yogabellingham.com classes. Held 12 be partially veiled and seemingly incomplete. Don't scrubs and eye treatments, monthly & open body butters and scrubs and Chair Tai Chi" takes place Sex Addicts Anonymous compare it to some "perfect" ideal. It'll be more inter- SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I predict that more will be part of the night's at 3pm Thursdays through (SAA) meets at 7pm Tuesdays to the public. esting and inspiring than any perfect ideal. the coming months won't bring you the kinds of activities. The class is free; December at the SkillShare and Thursdays and 9am Satur- Register at opportunities you were imagining and expecting, but GET OUT  there will be an optional sup- Space at the Bellingham Public days at the Bellingham Unitar- ply fee of $10-$20. More info: Library, 210 Central Ave. Chair ian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth http://www.kulshan- GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In 2018, half-buried will bring you opportunities you haven't imagined www.skagitfoodcoop.com Tai Chi uses all of the concepts St. More info: (360) 420-8311 clt.org/homebuyer-ed- residues from the past will be resurfacing as influences and didn't expect. Will you be alert and receptive to or www.pugetsoundsaa.org ucation/ in your life. Old dreams that you abandoned prema- these sly divergences from your master plan? If so, 10 turely are ripe to be reevaluated in light of what has by September of 2018 you will have become as smart LOOKING FOR A PLACE A Grief Support Group meets at 7pm every Tuesday happened since you last took them seriously. Are these a gambler as maybe you have ever been. You will be 360-671-5600, x2 WORDS  TO CALL HOME? at the St. Luke's Community [email protected] good or bad developments? It will probably depend on more flexible and adaptable, too, which means you'll Health Education Center, 3333 your ability to be charitable and expansive as you deal be better able to get what you want without breaking Squalicum Pkwy. The free, www.KulshanCLT.org  8 drop-in support group is for with them. One thing is certain: To move forward into stuff and wreaking whirlwinds. Congratulations in those experiencing the recent the future, you will have to update your relationships advance, my daring darling. May your experiments be death of a friend or loved one. with these residues and dreams. both visionary and practical. May your fiery intentions More info: 733-5877 be both steady and fluidic. CURRENTS Come relax and meet other CANCER (June 21-July 22): Poet Diane Ackerman tells us that human tongues, lips and genitals possess Hungarian CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): 6 neural receptors that are ultra-responsive. Anatomists psychiatrist Thomas Szasz dismissed the idea that a have given unsexy names to these bliss-generating person should be on a quest to "find himself" or "find   parts of our bodies: Krause end bulbs, also known as herself." "The self is not something that one finds," VIEWS  bulboid corpuscles. (Couldn't they have called them he said. Rather, "it is something one creates." I think

  4  "glimmering rapture hubs" or "magic buttons"?) In that's great advice for you in 2018, Capricorn. There'll WE CAN HELP REACH any case, these sweet spots enable us to experience be little value in wandering around in search of fantas- YOUR REAL ESTATE GOALS! surpassing pleasure. According to my understanding tic clues about who you were born to be. Instead MAIL  of the astrological omens for 2018, Cancerian, your you should simply be gung-ho as you shape and craft

personal complement of bulboid corpuscles will be yourself into the person you want to be. 2  Free Home Inspection even more sensitive than usual. Here's further good

with Consultation news: Your soul will also have a heightened capacity AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Is there anything DO IT  to receive and register delight. about your attitude or your approach that is a bit Call Jerry Swann For Details! immature or unripe? Have you in some way remained LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Mise en place is a French an amateur or apprentice when you should or could term whose literal translation is "putting in place." have become fully professional by now? Are you still 360.319.7776 12.27.17 Best When used by professional chefs in a restaurant a dabbler in a field where you could be a connoisseur kitchen, it refers to the task of gathering and orga- or master? If your answer to any of these questions is Broker# 100688 ChoiceREALTY January 27 nizing all the ingredients and tools before beginning yes, the coming months will be an excellent time to .12 to cook. I think this is an excellent metaphor for you grow up, climb higher, and try harder. I invite you to 52 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. $70 # to emphasize throughout 2018. In every area of your regard 2018 as the Year of Kicking Your Own Ass. life, thorough preparation will be the key to your suc- Samantha Parrott Bloedel will cess and fulfillment. Make sure you have everything PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In 2018, one of present her new workshop you need before launching any new enterprise or your themes will be "secret freedom." What does that that was designed to help creative effort. mean? The muse who whispered this clue in my ear did not elaborate further. But based on the astrological Individuals to understand the VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Experimental com- aspects, here are several possible interpretations. 1. true energy of their Aura. This poser Harry Partch played one-of-a-kind musical in- You may have to dig deep and be strategic to access CASCADIA WEEKLY hands-on workshop will focus struments that he made from objects like car hubcaps, resources that have the power to emancipate you. 2. on knowing the information gourds, aluminum ketchup bottles, and nose cones You may be able to discover a rewarding escape and 21 contained in your Aura. from airplanes. Collage artist Jason Mecier fashions provocative deliverance that have been hidden from portraits of celebrities using materials like noodles, you up until now. 3. You shouldn't brag about the pills, licorice candy, bacon and lipstick tubes. Given liberations you intend to accomplish until you have Register at: www.soulsupper.com the astrological configurations for 2018, you could accomplished them. 4. The exact nature of the freedom 206–403-0283 flourish by adopting a similar strategy in your own that will be valuable to you might be useless or irrel- chosen field. Your most interesting successes could evant or incomprehensible to other people.

26 

FOOD  healthwellness TO PLACE YOUR AD | 360-647-8200 OR [email protected] 21 21

Stacey Sova, Master& Esthetician Energenesis Institute B-BOARD  B-BOARD  Certified in PCA Skin chemical peels. John W. Davis Downtown Location PRESENTS 200 HOUR 20 Breath, Body, and Energy Workshops • 10% off 1 gift certificate VINYASA YOGA • 20% off 2 or more gift certificates FILM  BREATH AS A PATH TO FREEDOM - Sat. Sept. 23rd • 60 min. facial for $55 ($85 value) TEACHER TRAINING • Lash lift $40 ($70 value) BODY FREEDOM AS A PATH TO CONSCIOUSNESS - Sat. Oct. 21st

16 nd Locally owned, private treatment room, passionate about SUBTLE ENERGY AND THE BODY ELECTRIC - Sat. Dec. 2 JANUARY 12 - APRIL 29, 2018 skincare and helping people achieve their skincare goals.

MUSIC  To RSVP, for more info, and private sessions: For more information visit www.3omsyoga.com or call 360-671-3510 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301 #366 360-529-4280 • www.sovaskinsolutions.com energenesis.net or 509-435-7920 14

ART  C Chinese Service, Open 7 days, 9am - 10pm

13 1530A Birchwood Ave (Park Manor Shopping Center) 360-389-5681 STAGE 

12

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st  8 $10 off 1 60 minute massage! Free Massage! Results Based CURRENTS Buy 3, get 1 FREE! Acupuncture 6 1155 North State St. Suite 318 360-707-1839 Bellingham, WA 98225 ONLINE SCHEDULING JESSICA PERRY, MS, LAC (360) 739-2648 VIEWS  Easy online scheduling BELLINGHAMORTHOPUNCTURE. COM SwanBenderLMT.com 1111 W EST H OLLY S T, S UITE G1 B ELLINGHAM 4 

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ditched after smok- 10 Ad image the planet Pandora 26  ing bans 11 Genesis locale 49 Part of DKNY FOOD  47 Robert Indiana 12 Ballet star Nureyev 50 Guy who was all stamp insignia 13 Theater with a log thumbs? 21 48 Did some dirty rubbed for good 52 Shield bearing Me- 21 dancing luck dusa's head: var. B-BOARD  51 Wipes clean 14 Odist with a type 53 Apple tech sup- B-BOARD  54 "Does that ring of ode named for port?

___?" him 55 Attachment on 20 57 Like a new coat, at 21 "Sons of Anarchy" property first? star Charlie 56 Fords produced FILM  58 Acknowledges, 23 Noises from chop- until 1991

with "to" per blades 59 ___ populi 16 63 ___ heartbeat 24 Old-school come- 60 Sinus specialist, MUSIC  64 Lacking feeling dian Buddy for short 65 Roofing sealant 25 Bouncers ask for 61 "___ Drives Me 14 66 1955 hit about them Crazy" (1989 #1 hit) ART  coal mining 26 Tourist activity of 62 Bee chaser? declining popular- 13 Down ity?

1 Suffix after sand or 28 Bar code STAGE  Man 29 Pie ___ mode

2 Director Egoyan 31 Musician on the 12 Last Week’s Puzzle 3 Army surplus store road stuff 32 "Gas Food Lodg- GET OUT  Across Train" 28 Abu Dhabi's loc. 4 Kevin who played ing" actress Skye 1 Nutty person (and 19 People and 30 Secretly schemed Dave 34 Rack contents new OED entry of language in Clint against 5 1980s teammate of 35 Tetra's home 10 2014) Eastwood's "Gran 33 Ice cream shop Bird and McHale 38 Looked after 12 Talk freely Torino" item 6 Former UN Secretary 39 Particle suffix, in WORDS  15 Ziti and such 20 Waiting for a real 36 Lot for Londoners General ___ Ham- physics  8 16 AP competitor person, maybe 37 Nut marskjöld 40 Warehouse qty. 17 Genre for "The 22 "Imagine that!" 41 Away from the 7 "Kiss, Kiss, Kiss" 42 AAA job

Breakfast Club" or 27 ___ Popken workplace for good singer 43 Messed up big-time CURRENTS "A Catcher in the (plus-size clothing 43 Magician Harry, Sr. 8 Switch status 44 John Bobbitt's 6 Rye" retailer; hidden in or Harry, Jr. 9 1950 film noir ex-wife

18 Cornelius of "Soul PULLABLE) 46 Designation classic 45 2009 film set on ©2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords VIEWS  4  MAIL 

2  DO IT  12.27.17 .12 52 # CASCADIA WEEKLY

23 rearEnd comix Hadrian Stone Design

26  Studio & Gallery FOOD  21 21 Store Hours B-BOARD  B-BOARD  Open Wednesday - Sun. 1-5pmpm Closed Monday & Tuesday 20 Closed Monday & Tuesday

FILM  Free Parking 16 5717 Gilkey Ave, Bow, WA 98232 MUSIC  www.htroc3.com 14 ART 

13 NOW PLAYING Fri, December 29 - STAGE  Thu, January 4 12 THE SHAPE OF WATER (R) 120m - New from Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth)

GET OUT  "Magical, thrilling and romantic to the core, a sensual and fantastical fairy tale with moral overtones, it's a film that plays by all the rules and none of them, going its own way with fierce abandon." LA Times

10 Fri: (12:30), (3:30), 6:30, 9:15; Sat: (12:30), 3:30, 6:30, 9:15 Sun: (2:30), 5:15, 8:00; Mon & Tue: (12:30), (3:30), 6:30, 9:15 Wed: (12:30), (3:30), 9:15; Thu: (12:30), (3:30), 6:30, 9:15 WORDS 

DARKEST HOUR (PG-13) 123m -  8 "Gary Oldman brings a wicked wit and compassionate heart to the role, one for which he seems almost superhumanly suited for." Toronto Star "As a portrait of leadership at its most brilliant, thoughtful and morally

CURRENTS courageous, Darkest Hour is the movie we need right now." WA Post Fri & Sat: (12:45), (3:15), 6:10, 9:00; Sun: (11:45AM), 3:15, 6:10 6 Mon: (12:45), (3:15), 6:10, 9:00; Tue: (12:45), (3:15), 8:30 Wed: (12:45), (3:15), 6:20; Thu: (12:45), (3:15), 6:10, 9:00 VIEWS  FOLLIES (NR) 212m - National Theatre The National Theatre production,

4  captured live. In cinemas from New York, 1971. There’s a party on the stage of the Weismann Theatre. November 16 Tomorrow the iconic building will be demolished. Thirty years after their MAIL  final performance, the Follies girls gather to have a few drinks, sing a few songs and lie about themselves. Stephen Sondheim’s legendary

2  musical is staged for the first time at the National Theatre. Sun: 11:00AM; Wed: 6:00 - Tix: $16 PFC Members, $20 General, $10 Students DO IT  I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO (PG-13) 84m - Indie Lens Pop-Up An incendiary snapshot of James Baldwin's crucial observations on race relations in American, and a sobering reminder of how far we've yet to go.

12.27.17 Tue: (6:00) - Tickets are free, available at the box office only book by James Goldman music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim .12

52 PICKFORD FILM CENTER | 1318 Bay St. | 360.738.0735 | www.pickfordfilmcenter.orgntlive.com #

Draft Beer now on tap! Enjoy a drink while you watch. Mary's Happy Hour: M-F,NTGDS_HO_NTLive_Follies_1Sheet_040817.indd 4-6pm1 $1 off Beer + Wine 07/09/2017 13:09 PFC’S LIMELIGHT CINEMA: 1416 Cornwall Ave. | Parentheses ( ) denote bargain pricing

LADY BIRD (R) 93m - "The film is a dazzling collaboration between two of the most impressive art-house actresses of the past decade." Minneapolis Star "Saoirse Ronan plays Lady Bird as if she'd been following writer-

CASCADIA WEEKLY director Greta Gerwig around all her life - mannerisms and liberated worldview fully internalized." NPR 24 Fri: (1:50), (4:10), 6:30, 8:50 Sat: (1:50), 4:10, 6:30, 8:50 Sun: (1:00), (3:20), 5:40, 8:00 Mon - Thu: (1:50), (4:10), 6:30, 8:50 rearEnd comix

26 

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2  DO IT  12.27.17 .12 52 # CASCADIA WEEKLY

25 The trick with all of these recipes is to keep the snow as structurally intact as possible. To do so, start with chilled cups to help keep the snow as cold as

26  possible, and work quickly. Add the dry 26 ingredients first, stirring them in, and FOOD  FOOD  liquids last, a splash at a time. The snow should be as fresh, and as clean, as possible. 21 chow RECIPES REVIEWS PROFILES For yellow snow, sprinkle a teaspoon of sugar into a glass of loosely packed B-BOARD  snow. Carefully mix it with a spoon. All of the snow does not need to be thor-

20 oughly mixed top-to-bottom. As long as the sugar is evenly mixed in the top third

FILM  of the glass it will be OK. Then, squeeze a quarter of lemon or lime on top. Mix

16 gingerly some more with the spoon, and begin eating as you do so.

MUSIC  Eating a snow cup is an active activ- ity. You poke it and prod it, like stoking

14 a cold, bright fire. A lemonade snow cup

ART  is a completely dazzling way of experi- encing two basic flavors: acid and sugar.

13 The flavor is brighter than in your typical lemonade. The acid of the lime seems to

STAGE  be kept at arm’s length from the sugar by the snow, which insulates these op- posing flavors from one another like a 12 battery. They finally become connected through your tongue, which tingles with

GET OUT  flavored electricity. For chocolate or mocha snow, start by

10 mixing a teaspoon each of sugar and co- coa powder into a cup of snow. Add a drop of vanilla, and a tablespoon or more WORDS  of heavy cream. Gently mix in the cream.

 8 If chocolate snow is the goal, start eat- ing. For a mocha snow, add a splash of cold or room-temperature coffee. If you

CURRENTS end up adding too much coffee and the snow starts melting, add more snow and 6 stir it back to a snowy consistency. It isn’t quite rocket science. VIEWS  dren’s story where the hero cooks But before we get too focused on Val-

4  BY ARI LEVAUX a pot of water with a rock in it, and entine’s Day, there is still the matter of calls it Stone Soup. The villagers want New Year’s Eve to attend to. So I’ll leave MAIL  to partake in his soup, and the hero you with a recipe for gin and pomegran-

2  welcomes them, asking only that they ate snow. It can, of course, be made in a Sipping Snow bring something to add to the pot. kids’ version. Or vodka cranberry.

DO IT  Pretty soon, a delicious meal is ready Start by chilling some clean, dry HOW TO CHILL ON NEW YEAR’S EVE that feeds a whole village. glasses in the freezer. When frozen, WAY BACK before the holidays, when winter first began sliding its icy fingers Booze is in season too, by the way. pack them with snow and return to down our necks, we still had the holidays to look forward to. But now the condoned And a multitude of adult beverages are the freezer. When ready to serve, toss 12.27.17 period of gluttony has all but passed, yet winter has barely gotten started. When possible on snow. One could even do an a teaspoon of sugar into a glass and we’ve nothing to look forward to but snow is when the emotional work of winter re- adult version of the Stone Soup story, thoroughly mix it in with the snow in .12

52 ally begins. but with mixed booze snow cones. the upper reaches of the glass. Then # Enthusiasts of snow-based sports can pursue them, dressed in layers, while con- One could invite one’s friends to visit, begin working in squirts of lime and noisseurs of rich and hearty meals can continue in their ways, justifying the diet bringing their favorite juices and sweet- splashes of pomegranate juice and gin as seasonal. But it’s the aforementioned snow that is the real seasonal treat. If you eners and other flavorings, sweet and (or seasonal booze of your choice). Work know how to prepare it, your winter will get a lot more interesting. Then, whenever tangy flavors, and perhaps bitter and it around, adjusting as necessary with life gives you snow, you can make yellow snow to enjoy. creamy as well. sweet, sour, booze and snow, until it’s Lemonade snow, that is. Among other snowy treats, like brown snow. Or red snow. Like snow and vodka, lemons are in just right. Then get yourself into a com-

CASCADIA WEEKLY Sure, most people opt for a steaming cup of tea, or some other hot beverage, to season, as are limes, which I actually fortable or festive position. balance the chill of winter. But to eat snow in winter is to face reality head-on and prefer, as well as oranges, pomegranate, Stir. Sip. Prod. Add snow. Reflect. 26 consume it. You become part snow. grapefruit and more. Cheer, responsibly. Resolve, if you care When it snows, all one needs to do is walk outside and collect some. It’s like liv- And we can’t forget the next holiday to. If you need to take a break, pop it in ing on a farm, though perhaps insinuating snow to be food is a stretch, because it we have to look forward to. Indeed, choc- the freezer. contains zero calories. olate is in season as well. (Preferably Rinse and repeat until all of the snow What snow provides is a context for calories to happen, kind of like the chil- chocolate that was not grown by slaves.) is gone. doit WED., DEC. 27 CHEVRE CLASS: Learn how to make goat cheese at home and eat cheese while making cheese 26  with new friends at a “Let’s Make Chevre!” class 26 from 6-7:30pm at Ferndale’s Appel Farms, 6603 FOOD  Northwest Dr. Entry is $15; please reserve a spot FOOD  in advance, as space is limited. WWW.MARIESBEES.COM 21 THURS., DEC. 28 VELO CELEBRATION: Celebrate a venue’s first anniversary with $1 Americanos and $1 off all B-BOARD  beers from 7am-7pm at Cafe Velo, 120 Prospect St., #2. WWW.CAFE-VELO.CC 20

TEN FOR TEN: Attend the “10 for $10” Monthly FILM  Wine Tasting from 5:30-7pm at Old World Deli, 1228 N. State St. In addition to the wines being 16 highlighted, patrons can also enjoy a variety of oysters. WWW.OLDWORLDDELI1.COM MUSIC 

FRI., DEC. 29 14 COFFEE TASTING: Attend a weekly coffee tast- ing from 3-3:30pm at Camber Cafe, 221 W. Holly ART  An appetizer pizza buffet will be part of a “New St. Entry is free, and no RSVP is needed to come Year’s Eve with Space Band” celebration Sun., Dec. in and enjoy a small tasting flight of the venue’s 13 31 at the Ciao Thyme Commons single-origin coffees.

WWW.CAMBERCOFFEE.COM STAGE  MILLER'S NYE: Attend an open house-style par- FOOD NOT BOMBS: All are welcome to partake ty to celebrate a venue’s first New Year’s Eve from of nutritious and delicious vegan meals when 5pm-1am at Miller’s Back Door, 1119 Railroad Ave. 12 Food Not Bombs offers a community meal from (just to the left of Rumors Cabaret). The event 4-6pm every Friday on the corner of Magnolia will also honor the recently deceased Wayne

Street and Cornwall Avenue (alongside the peace Miller—Rumors cofounder and a patriarch of the GET OUT  vigil). The event—which is dedicated to spread- LGBTQ community. Entry is $20-$25 and includes ing food, love and nonviolence as an action appetizers and a midnight champagne toast. against war and poverty—is free. 10 WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BELLINGHAMFNB SEMIAHMOO NYE: A 6:30pm reception will kick off a New Year’s Eve Bash at Blaine’s Semiahmoo WORDS  DEC. 29-30 Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy. A buffet dinner NYE WINES: Attend a “Wines for New Year’s begins at 7:30pm, and starting at 9pm you can Eve and Day” tasting from 10am-6pm Friday and dance the night away to the sounds of the At- Less waste = better party.  8 Saturday at Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants, lantics. A balloon drop and midnight champagne 19 Prospect St. From the midnight countdown toast will be part of the fun. Tickets are $129 bubbles to the big reds to go with New Year’s Day for the entire event, or $45 after 9pm (doesn’t CURRENTS football games, you’ll be covered. Entry is free. include buffet). WWW.SJWINEMERCHANTS.COM WWW.SEMIAHMOO.COM 6

SAT., DEC. 30 MEDIEVAL CRIMES: Celebrate New Year’s Eve, VIEWS  FIESTA FUN: Food truck fare, beer and a good get fed and help solve a murder at a “Medieval time can be had at a Fiesta Bowl Viewing Party Crimes” event starting at 9pm at Rook & Rogue 4  starting at 12:30pm at the Mountain Room at Board Game Pub, 206 W. Magnolia St. In addition

Boundary Bay Brewery, 1107 Railroad Ave. Entry to helping figure out whodunit, enjoy a five- MAIL  is free, and is open to those 21 and older. course, medieval-themed meal and a champagne

WWW.BBAYBREWERY.COM or non-alcoholic toast. Entry is $60 (an alcoholic 2  beverage pairing can be added on at checkout);

COOKING WITH KIDS: Youth ages 10 to 13 tips are not included. DO IT  can learn to make ravioli from scratch at a WWW.EVENTBRITE.COM “Kids Cooking Class” happening from 3-4:30pm at Ferndale’s Appel Farms, 6603 Northwest Dr. PIZZA AND SPACE BAND: Bring your dancing

Kids will also set the table, eat together and shoes when you attend a “New Year’s Eve with 12.27.17 clean up together. Cost is $15 per child (and Space Band” celebration from 9pm-1am at the Ciao accompanying guardian). Space is limited, so Thyme Commons, 207 Unity St. Tickets are $55 and .12

register in advance. include an appetizer pizza buffet from the Wood- 52

WWW.MARIESBEES.COM stone oven, flavored water and a glass of bubbles # to sip for a midnight toast. A cash bar with wine SUN., DEC. 31 and bottled beers will also be available. OYSTER PARTY: Attend a New Year’s Eve Oyster WWW.CIAOTHYME.COM Party from 11am-4pm at Edison’s Slough Food, 5766 Cains Court. They’ll be serving fresh, local GATSBY NYE: Tasty bites, champagne, delicious Use our party planning checklist to shucked and grilled oysters on a heated patio, cocktails and prize drawing will be part of a along with clam chowder and scalloped oyster Great Gatsby-themed New Year’s Eve celebration reduce wasted food at your next party. CASCADIA WEEKLY gratin. The usual menu of the finest artisanal starting at 10pm at Galloway’s Cocktail Bar, cheese and charcuterie, sandwiches, salads 1200 10th St., #102. Tickets are $15 and include sustainableconnections.org 27 and more will be available, as well. At 3pm, entry into a raffle, a coupon, light snacks and a celebrate a “Euro Countdown” with wine, beer midnight glass of champagne. Space is limited, or champagne. so reserve in advance. WWW.SLOUGHFOOD.COM WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GALLOWAYSCOCKTAILBAR Choose local businesses taking action for a healthy community. New Club Members Receive: $ FREE-PLAY 10 ay! od p T December 30 n U ig $250/$500 S 3 Winners, Hourly 3 – 9 PM CASINO-WIDE $5K Grand Prize 10 PM

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