Dubious Achievements Mr

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Fuzz Buzz, P.10 * Film Shorts, P.23 * Free Will Astrology, P.28 cascadia

REPORTING FROM THE HEART OF CASCADIA WHATCOM*SKAGIT*ISLAND*LOWER B.C. {01.01.14}{#01}{V.09}{FREE} DUBIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS MR. CRANKY'S YEAR IN REVIEW, P.8

NIGHT LIGHTS: The beauty of darkness, P.16

INDIGO GIRLS: Music with a message, P.18 If you’re looking for big

ideas for your big day, 30 attend the 21st annual

FOOD FOOD cascadia Bridal Inspirations

24 Wedding Expo Sun., Jan. 5 at the Lakeway Inn B-BOARD B-BOARD Conference Center A glance at what’s happening this week 22 22

FILM DANCE Tropical Escape Dance: 7-10pm, Presence Studio 18 MUSIC Halleck Street Ramblers: 2-5pm, VFW Hall MUSIC BUG Jam: 3-5pm, St. James Presbyterian Church Festival of Music Welcome Home Concert: 16 7:30pm, Christ the Servant Lutheran Church ART COMMUNITY Resolutions Mini-Workshops: 11am-4pm, Village 15 Books

STAGE GET OUT Skagit Eagle Festival: Throughout the day,

14 throughout eastern Skagit County Hatchery Tours: 10am-3pm, Marblemount Fish Hatchery

GET OUT Sea Float Scramble: 11am, Seawall Park, Langley

12 SUNDAY [01.05.14]

WORDS ONSTAGE Charlotte’s Web: 2pm, Bellingham Theatre Guild Dynamo: 8pm, Upfront Theatre 8 FOOD Explore the world of a grumpy hot air balloon at THURSDAY [01.02.14] Community Breakfast: 8am-1pm, Rome Grange CURRENTS CURRENTS an opening reception for Mat Hudson’s “Pop, the ONSTAGE WORDS 6 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: 8pm, Upfront Writer’s Resolutions Mini Workshops: 12-5pm, Balloon” exhibit during the downtown Bellingham Theatre Village Books

VIEWS The Project: 10pm, Upfront Theatre Art Walk Jan. 3 at Make.Shift Art Space COMMUNITY 4 Bridal Inspirations Wedding Expo: 12-5pm, Lakeway Inn Conference Center

MAIL MAIL FRIDAY [01.03.14] COMMUNITY TUESDAY [12.31.13] ONSTAGE

2 GET OUT Skate Party: 1-4pm, Lynden Skateway Harold: 8pm, Upfront Theatre Skagit Eagle Festival: Throughout the day, ONSTAGE New Year’s Eve Celebration: 4pm-1am, Hotel 48 Hour Theater Festival: 8pm and 10pm, iDiOM

DO IT IT DO throughout eastern Skagit County New Year’s Eve Shows: 7pm, 9pm, and 11pm, Bellwether Theater Lake Samish Runs: 10am, Samish Park Upfront Theatre Crush the Ball: 6pm, Ferndale Events Center Games Galore: 10pm, Upfront Theatre Hatchery Tours: 10am-3pm, Marblemount Fish DANCE GET OUT WORDS Hatchery

01.01.14 Midnight in Paris Dance: 8pm-1am, Bellingham Ring of Fire: 7pm, Birch Bay Beach Missing Piece Author Talks: 6pm, Chihuahuas, Dance Company Ferndale Gala Contra Dance: 8pm-1am, Norway Hall FOOD [01. .14] .09 MONDAY 06

01 NYE Salsa Dance: 8pm-1am, BAAY Incognito Dinner: 8pm, Ciao Thyme VISUAL ARTS # Gallery Walk: 6-9pm, throughout downtown ONSTAGE MUSIC Anacortes Guffawingham: 8pm, Green Frog Silver City Band: 2-5pm, Jansen Art Center, WEDNESDAY [01.01.14] Art Walk: 6-10pm, throughout downtown Bell- Lynden ingham WORDS Yogoman Burning Band: 6pm and 9:30pm, The GET OUT Poetrynight: 8pm, Bellingham Public Library Green Frog Resolution Run & Polar Dip: 11am, Lake Padden New Year’s Eve Gala: 7:30pm-1am, Skagit Valley Park SATURDAY [01.04.14] CASCADIA WEEKLY Casino Resort Polar Bear Plunge: 12pm, Birch Bay Beach TUESDAY [01.07.14] Polecat: 8pm, Wild Buffalo ONSTAGE 2 The Atlantics: 9pm, Semiahmoo Resort Charlotte’s Web: 7pm, Bellingham Theatre Guild COMMUNITY Harold: 8pm, Upfront Theatre TED Talk Tuesday: 7pm, Explorations Academy WORDS 48 Hour Theater Festival: 8pm and 10pm, iDiOM Note of Thanks: 10:30am-12pm, Bellingham Public SEND YOUR LISTINGS TO Theater GET OUT Library [email protected] Games Galore: 10pm, Upfront Theatre Cross-Country Skiing Basics: 6pm, REI

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30 Editorial

FOOD FOOD Editor & Publisher: Tim Johnson ext 260 24 { editor@ mail cascadiaweekly.com TOC LETTERS STAFF Arts & Entertainment B-BOARD B-BOARD Editor: Amy Kepferle ext 204 {calendar@ 22 22 cascadiaweekly.com

FILM FILM Music & Film Editor: Happy New Year, Colorado! Starting Jan. 1, the state will Carey Ross be the ﬁrst in the nation to open recreational pot stores. ext 203 18 Washington state—which also legalized the plant in late {music@ 2012—should pay attention to how they regulate the drug cascadiaweekly.com MUSIC from seed to sale, as we’re not far behind the (high) times. Production

16 Art Director:

ART Jesse Kinsman VIEWS & NEWS {jesse@ 4: Mailbag kinsmancreative.com 15 Graphic Artists: 6: Gristle & Views Stefan Hansen STAGE 8: Dubious achievements {stefan@ cascadiaweekly.com 10: Police blotter, Index Send all advertising materials to

14 [email protected] 11: Last week’s news Advertising GET OUT ARTS & LIFE Account Executive: 12: Loving your libraries Scott Pelton 360-647-8200 x 202 12 14: Resolution resolve { spelton@ cascadiaweekly.com

WORDS 15: Setting the stage Stephanie Young 16: Go toward the light 360-647-8200 x 205 { stephanie@ 8 18: Dynamic duo cascadiaweekly.com DUST IN THE WIND the notion that a capping surfactant will solve 20: Clubs Distribution Floyd McKay’s article on coal dust remediation the problem.

CURRENTS CURRENTS 22: Coen bros strike again efforts may be too optimistic. The article seemed —Abe Jacobson, Bellingham Distribution Manager: to accept the premise that a surface coating

6 23: Film Shorts Scott Pelton 360-647-8200 x 202 above the coal in a coal-train wagon will reliably SHOUT IT FROM ROOFTOPS { spelton@ prevent fugitive coal dust. It’s certainly a sign of the times when your pa- VIEWS REAR END cascadiaweekly.com Unfortunately, this coating is not likely to per can have two mentions of the huge division 24: Bulletin Board Whatcom: Erik Burge, 4 work reliably. The coal trains all travel westward between wealthy and the rest of us in this coun- 4 Stephanie Simms, 25: Wellness Robin Corsberg with full coal loads through the Columbia Gorge. try in two such entirely different styles. MAIL MAIL MAIL MAIL This canyon has a predictable wind, 50-60 mph, One is the calm, moderate column by Robert 26: Crossword Skagit: Linda Brown,

ﬂowing eastward during the warmer six months Reich, who once again tells of the recent and 2 27: Sudoku, Comix Barb Murdoch Canada: Kristi Alvaran of the year. (It is this predictable wind that ever -widening gulf between über-rich and the DO IT 28: Free Will Astrology makes the Columbia Gorge North America’s pre- rest of us that has slowly turned our great nation 29: Advice Goddess Letters mier wind-surﬁng mecca.) into a banana republic without the bananas. Send letters to letters@ The westbound coal train, opposed by the The second is the strident, tempestuous, soul- 30: Meatless Mondays (or not) cascadiaweekly.com. eastbound wind, creates a relative air speed of baring letter by Richard Morgan on the ethical 01.01.14 ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Fuzz Buzz, P.10 * Film Shorts, P.23 * Free Will Astrology, P.28 cascadia at least 100 mph over the coal surface at the collapse of the Democratic Party. I used to dis- REPORTING FROM THE HEART OF CASCADIA WHATCOM*SKAGIT*ISLAND*LOWER B.C. {01.01.14}{#01}{V.09}{FREE} top of each coal wagon. This has been observed count such letters as the ramblings of the imbal- DUBIOUS .09 ACHIEVEMENTS 01 ©2013 CASCADIA WEEKLY (ISSN 1931-3292) is published each Wednesday by MR. CRANKY'SKYS YEYEARAR by eyewitnesses to peel off the surface coating, anced, but, here again a sign of the times, I’m IN REVIEW, P.8 # Cascadia Newspaper Company LLC. Direct all correspondence to: Cascadia Weekly PO Box 2833 Bellingham WA 98227-2833 | Phone/Fax: 360.647.8200 resulting in clouds of coal dust blowing off the inclined to agree with Morgan and fervently hope

[email protected] NIGHT LIGHTS: The beauty of train. Less visually dramatic but no less signiﬁ- Reich’s contentions gain some foothold in the Though Cascadia Weekly is distributed free, please take just one copy. Cascadia darkness, P.16 INDIGO Weekly may be distributed only by authorized distributors. Any person removing GIRLS: Music with a cant for public health, the destroyed coating is national psyche. He has been on the talk shows papers in bulk from our distribution points risks prosecution message, P.18 SUBMISSIONS: Cascadia Weekly welcomes freelance submissions. Send material then incapable of suppressing fugitive dust for and written marvelous op-ed pieces, but seems to either the News Editor or A&E Editor. Manuscripts will be returned if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. To be considered for calendar list- COVER: Illustration by Dario all the rest of the train’s journey through popu- to be ignored by the public in general. ings, notice of events must be received in writing no later than noon Wednesday Castillejos lous Western Washington. I’m afraid more of us are going to have to emu- the week prior to publication. Photographs should be clearly labeled and will be CASCADIA WEEKLYCASCADIA returned if accompanied by stamped, self-addressed envelope. See the work of Professor Daniel Jaffe, UW/ late Morgan and go rushing to the windows and 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. Bothell. He has posted a summary of his work shout, “We’re fed up and we’re not going to take 4 In the interests of fostering dialog and a community forum, Cascadia Weekly does not publish letters that personally disparage other letter writers. Please keep your at www.atmos.washington.edu/jaffegroup/mod- it any more.” Kudos to Cascadia for continuing to letters to fewer than 300 words. ules/APOLLO/ print such letters and such op-ed pieces. Let’s The work on fugitive coal dust needs more sup- hope more of the mainstream media begin to port and resources to be done completely, but take up the cry. the preliminary results certainly do not support —K.C. Sulkin, Sudden Valley NEWSPAPER ADVISORY GROUP: Robert Hall, Seth Murphy, Michael Petryni, David Syre CONTENT AND CONTEXT Pilsner Bottles Ready, Come & Get It Since the political game is to exploit fears of people, pandering to their preju- Jan 11 Brewery Tour at Noon dices and pulling emotional triggers, ra-

Open New Year’s Eve & Day Reg Hours! tional discussion of prioritizing problems 30 is discouraged as not being loud or ﬂashy Friday Harbor House Beer Dinner Jan 18 enough. Politicians refuse to address the FOOD quieter, more signiﬁcant issue of cumu- lative climate change because they know 24 they can get away with avoiding any real level of actual commitment on the subject.

Yet every emerging local news story car- B-BOARD ries this one overarching global context, with its greater immediate implications 22 22 that reach beyond petty ploys and branded themes of a perpetual campaign cycle. Ig- FILM noring the most pressing challenge facing

us rather than taking up the consistent ac- 18 tion it demands is all too easy when you

are only pushing trendy hot buttons of MUSIC emotive reaction for quick electoral gains.

—Eric Lovald, Blaine 16 ART SMOKESTACKS LOOK LIKE GUN BARRELS 15 Imagine it’s four in the morning, and

you’re ﬁve minutes late to start a 10-hour STAGE shift at a foreign-owned factory. The boss’s bottom line reads: Proﬁt Before People.

www.communityfood.coop 14 You’re fired, and forced to find a way back to your shack knowing the first rule of the road in Juarez: Never Be the Last Girl On GET OUT the Bus. But people are easy to replace at the end of the Third World where NAFTA 12 has been spreading poverty while enrich- ing a select but small few. WORDS You can almost taste factories in this deadly city—the smokestack soot, seedy 8 undercurrents and exploitation of human labor. Corn was exported from Mexico before New Clone Connection

NAFTA, but after this trade deal went down, Largest selection CURRENTS maize became imported and displaced indig-

of clones in 6 enous farmers. Cost of said “free” trade: a mass migration of thirsty refugees, trudging Bellingham VIEWS beyond the border, and others, stuck at the

borderline, struggling to sustain an existence 4 4 on a slave’s wage. And like the punchline to MAIL MAIL some bad joke, their jobs became available MAIL

because American blue-collar workers had 2 been displaced by NAFTA as well. DO IT To understand how TPP got dubbed “NAF- TA on steroids,” look to Juarez. The scope of this bigger deal appears to extend beyond issues of trade. Negotiated by and for corporations, with no journalists, it could 01.01.14 set a standard for global corporate domi- .09

nance and trump individual sovereignty. 01

First Time Patients # Our duplicitous president, the former recieve free Edible professor of law, taught the dictates of Article One, Section Eight of the Constitu- and tion. Eager to seize “fast-track” authority, Refer a patient for he hopes to silence debate and diminish a free pre-roll. congressional oversight. But the joke is on us! Who sold people into bondage and be- WEEKLYCASCADIA came the voice of the one percent? Pause for the dramatic effect, then answer: Our Open 10am-7pm Mon-Sun 5 ﬁrst president of color. 360-733-3838 What would Dr. King say, if he were here 1326 E. Laurel St. now? Bellingham, WA 98225 —Carol Hunter, Bellingham samishwayholistic.com THE GRISTLE

FIVE OF A KIND: Familiar faces leave public ofﬁce at

the end of 2013, perhaps to return again renewed. 30 Others arrive. And in their passing through the Gristle FOOD FOOD might comment on policy triumphs of the year. In their ﬁnal meeting of the year in December, views Whatcom County Council offered high praise to their 24 OPINIONS THE GRISTLE departing president, Kathy Kershner, defeated in her bid for re-election in November. In her role as coun- B-BOARD B-BOARD cil chair, Kershner led members through one of their most contentious calendars as the county continued its struggle to come into compliance with state goals 22 22 for growth management and resource protection. Call- BY ROBERT REICH FILM FILM ing her service “one of the most satisfying things I’ve done in my life,” Kershner remained polite yet ﬁrm

18 with both a quarrelsome council and a frequently an- gry and boisterous public. She kept her powder dry on

MUSIC Defeat Raging Defeatism most policy matters and her opinions to herself until the ﬁnal vote was at hand, often as a result ﬁnding RESPONDING TO THE NATTERING NABOBS OF NATIONAL NEGATIVITY

16 herself the inﬂuential swing vote in the discussion.

ART She appeared genuinely open to new evidence and hatever happened to than 8 million Americans are covered. new information, but she was not mercurial. American can-do opti- If mistakes are made implement- The Gristle has long been fascinated by those who mism? Even before the ing the Affordable Care Act, the ap- 15 W are redeemed through public service—candidates ac- Affordable Care Act covers its ﬁrst propriate response is to ﬁx them.

STAGE tivated and recruited for one purpose who arrive in beneficiary, the nattering nabobs of When George W. Bush’s Medicare Part office to find the issues are more complex and nu- negativism are out in full force. D drug benefit was launched, large anced than they originally perceived, the history and “Tens of millions more Americans numbers of low-income seniors had 14 process more robust than they intially understood. will lose their coverage and find that to be switched from Medicaid. Many Kershner was recruited as a Gang of Four with an new Obamacare plans have higher pre- “if it’s so much more expensive than needed their prescriptions filled be- GET OUT agenda to roll back the county’s progress on coming miums, larger deductibles, and fewer what we anticipated and if the cover- fore the switch had been completed, into compliance with state growth goals. She was doctors,” predicts Republican opera- age is not as good as what we had, causing loud complaints. The web- elected largely through the windfall of a single spe- tive Karl Rove. “Enrollment numbers you’ve got a complete meltdown.” site for the plan initially malfunc- 12 cial-interest donor. In office she quickly learned the will be smaller than projected and Get a grip. tioned. Pharmacies got the wrong information. Other complications WORDS county’s business and the public interests she rep- budget outlays will be higher.” If the past is any guide, some resented are so much more robust than merely that. Rove is joined by a chorus of con- fixes will probably be necessary— led even Republican Representative It is ironic Kathy will be remembered longest and servative Cassandra’s, from Fox News but so what? Our current healthcare John Boehner to call it “horrendous.” 8 most fondly for the vote she was not elected or to the editorial pages of the Wall system is the real disaster—the But the transition was managed, and expected to make, her vote in support of the Lake Street Journal, all warning that the most expensive and least effective Medicare Part D is now a firm fixture

CURRENTS CURRENTS Whatcom Reconveyance, ensuring that nearly 9,000 new law will be a disaster. among all developed countries, ac- in the Medicare ﬁrmament. watershed acres will forever retain a forested canopy Professor John Cochrane of the cording Bto loomberg’s recent rank- Why be defeatist before we begin? 6 6 and therefore capacity to ﬁlter and purify a water University of Chicago predicts the ing. We’d be collectively insane if Even Social Security—the most popu- resource for many thousands of people. Council re- individual mandate will “unravel” we didn’t try to overhaul it. lar of all government programs— had VIEWS VIEWS VIEWS quested the transfer of forested trust lands from the when “we see how sick the people But we won’t get it perfect im- problems when it was launched in

4 state in March; the state Board of Natural Resources are who signed up on exchanges, mediately. What needs ﬁxing can be 1935. A full year later, Alf Landon, the approved the transfer in July. As we mentioned at the and if our government really is go- ﬁxed. And over time we can learn Republican presidential candidate, MAIL MAIL time, council’s vote was the county’s single most af- ing to penalize voters for not buy- how to do it better. called it “a fraud on the workingman.”

ﬁrmative act to support Lake Whatcom in more than ing health insurance.” If enrollments are lower than antic- Former President Herbert Hoover said 2 30 years of policymaking. Even more important than The round-the-clock naysaying is ipated, the proper response is to keep it would imprison the elderly in the DO IT her support in March was Kathy’s vote in 2012 that having an effect. Support for the at it until larger numbers are enrolled. equivalent of “a national zoo.” Ameri- allowed work related to the transfer to continue, a law has plummeted to 35 percent CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance cans were slow to sign up. Not until terrible moment where the entire Reconveyance ef- of those questioned in a recent CNN Program, got off to a slow start in the 1970s did Social Security cover fort teetered on the brink of extinction. poll, a 5-point drop in less than a 1998. The Congressional Research most working-age Americans. 01.01.14 Importantly, her vote was never about water qual- month. Sixty-two percent now say Service reported “general disappoint- As Alexis de Tocqueville recog- ity. It was about the integrity of the process. In 2012, they oppose the law, up four points ment… with low enrollment rates ear- nized as early as the 1830s, what .09

01 she did not support the county stiffing the state on from November. ly in the program.” CHIP didn’t reach distinguishes America is our pragma- # many thousands of dollars the state had already spent Even liberal-leaning commenta- its target level of enrollment for five tism, resilience, and optimism. We auditing trust lands to determine their transfer val- tors are openly worrying. On ABC’s years. Now it enrolls nearly 90 percent invent, experiment, and fix what has ue. In 2013, she made good on her position that, if “This Week,” Cokie Roberts respond- of all eligible children. to be fixed. she could be assured the Mt. Baker School District ed to my view that the law eventu- Richard Nixon’s Supplemental Se- Of course there will be problems could be made financially whole in this transfer of ally would prove popular by warning curity Income program of 1974—de- implementing the Affordable Care trust lands, she would support the effort. When that of “a whole other wave of reaction signed to standardize welfare benefits Act. But if we’re determined to create CASCADIA WEEKLYCASCADIA obstacle was resolved, she was good to her word. Un- against it” if employers start drop- to the poor—was widely scorned at a system that’s cheaper and more ef- doubtedly, she took a hit for this within her original ping their insurance. the time, and many states were reluc- fective at keeping Americans healthy 6 base of supporters. Some congressional Democrats are tant to sign up. Even two years after than the one we have now—and, in On Lake Whatcom, no elected official has ever regis- getting cold feet. West Virginia Sena- its launch, only about half of eligible truth, we have no choice—we have tered more compassionate support for policy success, tor Joe Manchin recently fretted that recipients had enrolled. Today, more every chance of succeeding. more scathing criticism of policy failure than Stan Snapp, similarly honored by Bellingham City Council VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF CASCADIA WEEKLY THE GRISTLE in their final meeting in December.

Interestingly, Snapp entered ofﬁce RAGE AT THE REEF VI 30 knowing almost nothing about the lake LIVE MIXED MARTIAL ARTS IN A STEEL CAGE and its issues. He quickly became a vir- TITO ORTIZ MEET & GREET WITH TICKETS $75+ FOOD tuoso through tireless service on the TH council’s reservoir and natural resources SAT FEB 8 24 committees and his voice on the Lake $ .50 Whatcom Management Program team. % &!.-.,.%)#. 39

Snapp leveraged his knowledge in part- B-BOARD nership with County Council member Carl Weimer to form the Lake Whatcom 22 22 Policy Group, the most important union of joint city and council legislative ac- A VALENTINE’S DATE FILM tion, culminating in a strategic plan for

the restoration of the lake approved WITH DEATH 18 this year. MYSTERY COMEDY DINNER THEATRE Snapp was similarly tireless in his par- MUSIC ticipation on the Whatcom Transporta- FRI FEB 14TH

tion Authority board (where he helped 16 $49.50 claw back much of the transit service % &!.-)'2 ART lost to Bellingham in the 2008 ﬁnan- cial collapse) and the parks and Gre- ,% !) '/ !-0%-$ */,-!%))!, 15 enways boards (where he helped ease A Valentine’s Date

the Chuckanut Ridge acquisition to its STAGE satisfactory conclusion this year). The at-times ﬁery former ﬁre chief was also

WITH DEATH 14 a key voice in the effort to preserve COLLIN RAYE uniﬁed emergency medical services, an agreement council approved in the ﬁnal 16 #1 COUNTRY HITS GET OUT hours of 2013. “LOVE, ME,” “ONE BOY, ONE GIRL,” City Council also gave a fond farewell

“LITTLE ROCK,” “THE GIFT” AND MORE! 12 to Seth Fleetwood, another inﬂuential TH voice on council’s reservoir and natu- SAT MAR 15 WORDS ral resources committees, and on the $29.50 parks and Greenways boards, where he % &!.-.,.%)#. 8 brought his long service in support of the city’s parkland and watershed ac-

quisitions programs, including a pro- CURRENTS found interest in successfully resolving 6 Chuckanut Ridge in an activism that UPCOMING EVENT 6 predates many. VIEWS The city’s contribution to Lake What- $%++!) '!-3 & 5 VIEWS

com in 2013 was the continued imple- 4 mentation of an ordinance banning plastic bags, which Seth championed. MAIL

While perhaps not as stunning in scope 2 as Reconveyance, the bag ban demon- DO IT strates it is possible to take decisive, progressive action without risk of collapse: At the same time the city im- posed this modest duty on shoppers, retail sales revenues in Bellingham 01.01.14 roared to volumes not seen since 2007. .09

Seth also brought something unique BUY TICKETS 01 # to Bellingham City Council, an innate SilverReefCasino.com understanding through his service on County Council of how the county ap- proaches its business. While that is lost with his departure, it is found again in the election of Barry Buchanan, bring- EXPERIENCEEVERYTHING ing a similar understanding to County WEEKLYCASCADIA Council from his years on Bellingham 24/7 ACTION 7 City Council, a transfer of knowledge %'0!,!!"-%)* *(3 and congeniality that can serve these bodies in 2014. 1%. 3 %)!-.31.*)2.'.!,* Truly, four kings and a queen. Events subject to change without notice. Must be 21 or over to play. Management reserves all rights. ©2014 Silver Reef Casino paper’s opinion page. Not surprisingly, all the candidates were the best person for the job. The Sisyphus Citation. The reactionary

30 majority on the Whatcom County Council devoted much of 2013 to its ongoing Sisy- FOOD FOOD currents phean act of witless futility: fighting the state Growth Management Act. First-term NEWS POLITICS FUZZ BUZZ INDEX council members Kathy Kershner and Bill 24 Knutzen got right into the spirit of this feisty jihad, spending truckloads of tax-

B-BOARD B-BOARD payer dollars on pointless challenges and unwinnable lawsuits. In November, the

22 22 voters, having had their pockets picked and time wasted, redesigned the council

FILM and told Kershner and Knutzen to go roll their boulder up some other mountain.

18 The Inspired Improvisation Medal. When apprehended by police last summer

MUSIC for shooting an arrow toward an open-air exercise area of the Whatcom County Jail,

16 WHATCOM David Jordan popped out a quick cover

ART story: he was squirrel hunting. A first-rate ad-lib to be sure but, unfortunately, Da- vid’s follow-up wasn’t quite as clever, as 15 he failed to adequately explain what the

STAGE squirrel would do with the baggie of mari- juana attached to the arrow. The Unfriendly Skies Star. On Dec. 9, 14 DUBIOUS Allegiant—the no frills, no extras airline— added a new negative to its list: no board-

GET OUT ing. Honolulu-bound passengers arriving for their flight could not board because

12 TSA officials were not there for mandatory ACHIEVEMENTS 2013 security procedures. Allegiant, according to TSA, had failed to “send proper notifi- WORDS cations required to keep the checkpoint

8 CELEBRATING SILLINESS AND REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR open.” One wonders if this is what Alle- giant spokesperson Jessica Wheeler meant BY ALAN RHODES when she described Allegiant as “defining CURRENTS CURRENTS CURRENTS 8 customer service differently.” The Bait-and-Switch Prize. After years 6 t’s Mr. Cranky’s favorite season: time once again to hand out the awards to of deviousness and duplicity, the Port of individuals and organizations that distinguished themselves this past year Bellingham produced a waterfront rede- VIEWS I for all the wrong reasons. Drum roll, please. velopment plan that can best be described 4 The Big Bang Badge of Honor. In addition to being a garish eyesore that as extending a middle finger to the com- has driven neighborhood theaters out of business, there’s yet another reason munity. Past promises were scrapped and MAIL MAIL to dislike the 16-screen Regal Cinema in Barkley Village. The audio is cranked citizen concerns were ignored as the port

up so high that the sounds of crashes and explosions blast through the walls went to work on its cut-and-paste job. The 2 and out into the neighborhood. The excitement of these cinematic fusillades is marina that nobody but the port wanted is DO IT IT DO not entirely appreciated by neighbors, who wake nightly to rattling windows, in the final product, while things people traumatized dogs and Dolby-induced shockwaves shaking their beds. icksen (R-Ferndale) in just the first four did want are either gone, diluted or am- The Confederacy of Dunces Decoration. Setting the bar high for mindless, months of the year gobbled up more than biguous: parks and open spaces, histor- knee-jerk reactions in the year gone by were the carping clodpates who, unhap- $2,000 in free food and drinks from various ic preservation, pedestrian friendliness, 01.01.14 py about circling the Costco parking lot, went out of their way to insult shop- lobbyists. At the same time, Doug was still adequate environmental safeguards and pers from Canada. This splenetic venting occurred in person, in mean-spirited billing taxpayers $90 a day to cover such living-wage jobs. Adding insult to injury, .09

01 letters to the editor and in petulant “Americans Only” Facebook exchanges. things as, well, food and drinks. One hears for generations to come Bellingham tax- # What these caustic consumers apparently failed to understand is that Canadian that when Doug was asked to comment on payers will be footing the bills to the tune shoppers are filling the coffers of local merchants at record levels, thereby this, he simply smiled, belched, said that of many millions while private developers keeping more people employed and raising Bellingham’s sales tax receipts to there was too much garlic in the Kung Pao are hauling away the profits. City Council more than double the state average. An appropriate response might be a grate- chicken, and returned to the buffet table. members, after lining up to express their ful, “Thank you,” rather than, “Beat it, Cheesehead; I want that parking space.” The Peabrain Journalism Award. [Not to disappointment in this farcical document, The Rebels without a Brain Ribbon. Speaking of bottom quartile dullards, be confused with the prestigious Peabody dutifully passed it, six to one.

CASCADIA WEEKLY we must acknowledge the mob of drunken student louts who staged a riot Award.] The Bellingham Herald, following its That does it for 2013. In his novel Red on Laurel Street last October. In a short period of time, this relatively small tradition of torpid inertia, eschewed any in- Sorghum, Nobel Laureate Mo Yan features 8 number of beer-addled yobs managed to wreak considerable property damage, depth analysis of candidates in November’s a character who observes that “Surround- attack police, stain the reputation of Western Washington University and cause local election. With a host of significant ed by progress, I feel a nagging sense of considerable embarrassment to the great majority of Western students who issues facing Whatcom County, the Herald our species’ regression.” That makes two aren’t infantile idiots. simply let political candidates write their of us, Mo, but cheer up. It gives us stuff The Piggy at the Trough Trophy. State Senator Doug “Double-Dipper” Er- own self-aggrandizing puff pieces for the to write about. Take the next step!

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Federally insured by www.wecu.com NCUA. B-BOARD 22 22 FILM 18 MUSIC 16 ART 15 STAGE 14 EXPLORE the regions

premiere dining experience GET OUT 12 WORDS 8 CURRENTS CURRENTS 6 VIEWS 4 MAIL MAIL

2 DO IT IT DO YOGA NORTHWESTsince 1979 THE B.K.S. IYENGAR YOGA CENTER OF BELLINGHAM new student discount LIVE MUSIC 01.01.14 Welcome to our january 3rd - 4th · 4pm - 11pm FREE $20 .09 27 classes 01 off! Book Your Reservation Today # jan 6 - 12 (855) 794.6563 12-week 35 winter classes session weekly 1/13 - 4/6 total beginners to advanced CASCADIA WEEKLY Payment plan welcome available Flexible Makeups! 9 EXPLORE our Rewards! Check our website for our free and Winter class schedules Voted SwinomishCasinoandLodge.com 1.888.288.8883 yoganorthwest.com Best Yoga Management reserves all rights. 7 Years in a Row! 360.647.0712 1440 10th Street Historic Fairhaven Bellingham trying to get inside the house, prompt- index FUZZ ing a woman inside to call her daughter, who called police. The family decided that

30 BUZZ they did not want to press charges against the man on Christmas, who was a friend of

FOOD FOOD the family and extremely intoxicated. At SANTA’S EARLY the family’s request, the drunk was driven On Dec. 22, a theft was reported in Birch- away from their home by police. 24 wood neighborhood. Cookies were stolen. On Dec. 23, Bellingham Police checked B-BOARD B-BOARD PO-PO P*WNED on the welfare of a child after someone On Dec. 25, a Skagit County Sheriff dep- reported the child’s father was too drunk

22 22 uty responded to a report of a man acting to care for him. strangely near Bow. The deputy placed the

FILM man in the backseat of his police SUV and SEASON’S GREETINGS began interviewing neighbors about the On Dec. 27, two men armed with 9 mm

18 man’s behavior. While he was away, the man and .38-caliber pistols threatened a wom- clambered into the front of the vehicle and an in Birchwood neighborhood.

MUSIC sped away. A Washington State Patrol trooper spotted the vehicle a few minutes later On Dec. 23, a man reported someone had 16,422.11

16 and attempted to pull it over. The driver led slipped something into his drink at a bar THE Dow Jones Industrial Average is on track to end the year with its biggest

ART the trooper on a brief chase before crashing in downtown Bellingham. “He now has percentage gain since 1996 and is almost certain to have its best year in a decade. the brand-new vehicle through a fence and memory gaps in what happened thereaf- into a tree. The man was not seriously inter,” police reported. 15 jured, but was taken to a local hospital for 587

STAGE a mental health evaluation. On Dec. 16, Bellingham Police tapped a man on his shoulder for shoplifting at THE Dow made its fifth straight annual THE index is up 87 percent since it On Dec. 27, Ferndale Police arrested a Walmart. They hauled him off to jail for gain, its longest winning streak since closed at 8,776.39 on Dec. 31, 2008. 14 22-year-old man who broke down the theft and an arrest warrant outstanding nine consecutive gains ending in 1999. front door of their police station earlier on another matter.

GET OUT in the week and smashed windows and desks, causing more than $60,000 in dam- GOING ALL GALT 40 $75

12 age. Police say security footage showed On Dec. 24, police spoke to a man creat- the man throw a beer can at the building a disturbance in downtown Bellingham. THE Nasdaq index was up 40 percent at BILLIONS of dollars in bonds the ing, unzip his pants and urinate on the “The man explained that he is upset with the close of 2013. Federal Reserve bank will buy each WORDS month, down from the $85 billion it doors. He returned with a small light post society as he is homeless and no one will had been buying since September 2012

8 he’d broken off from the sidewalk in front help him get housing,” police reported. in order to stimulate the economy. of the station and used it like a club to smash everything in the lobby. An alarm SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR CURRENTS CURRENTS CURRENTS 8 system was not tripped. Detectives locat- On Dec. 23, Bellingham Police spoke to a ed the suspect by means of the securi- man who was reported wandering around 6 ty footage and said he admitted to the south of the university campus dressed 68 crime but would not say why. The Belling- only in his shorts. VIEWS ham Herald noted the new $6.3 million PERCENT of Americans who think the economy is lousy and hasn’t benefited them.

4 headquarters—called the “Rolls Royce” of On Dec. 23, Bellingham Police caught up police stations by one city council mem- with a young man wearing only shorts MAIL MAIL ber—opened in September 2012. on a cold winter night. Police learned 1.3 40

he ran away after a fight with his older 2 MILLIONS of Americans who lost their ROUGHLY 40 percent of Americans LATE SHOPPER brother and had left both his coat and unemployment benefits at the end of who’ve received long-term

DO IT IT DO 2013. unemployment benefits since 2008 On Dec. 25, Bellingham Police spoke to shoes at home. Police returned the lad someone peering in store windows at Sun- to his mother. had previously earned between $30,000 and $75,000. set Square at 11pm. MUNCHIES MAN 01.01.14 ANTI-CLAUS COMING On Dec. 29, a 34-year-old man was cit- On Dec. 26, Bellingham Police learned ed for stealing food from the Community .09 $34.4

01 three cars in Edgemoor had their win- Food Co-op in downtown Bellingham. # dows shattered. Christmas presents in- WEALTH lost, in trillions of dollars, in economic stagnation since the global side were stolen. On Dec. 29, the same 34-year-old was cit- meltdown of 2008, or more than that year’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) in ed for stealing several candy bars from the the United States, the European Union and Japan combined. On Dec. 26, Bellingham Police learned a car Bellingham Grocery Outlet. in Sehome neighborhood had two windows shattered. A pair of boots were stolen. DEVIL’S IN THE +5 -10

CASCADIA WEEKLY DETAILING AT an optimistic compounded annual GDP is more than 10 per cent below BAD SANTA On Dec. 28, a woman wanted Bellingham growth rate of 5 percent, it would take what was predicted before the 10 On Dec. 24, near midnight, police re- Police to know someone was burning the more than 10 years to replenish the lost financial crisis of 2008. ceived a report a man had broken down paint off her car in the Lettered Streets wealth in the U.S. economy. the front door of a home in Anacortes. neighborhood. “The paint was flaking off SOURCE: DJIA; Wall Street Journal; CNN/ORC poll; Federal Reserve; New York Police learned a 39-year-old Anacortes due to old age and/or poor craftsman- Times; White House Council of Economic Advisers; Congressional Budget man had smashed in the front door while ship,” police commented. Office; Henry C.K. Liu, Roosevelt Institute currents ›› last week’s news

30 FOOD FOOD

ek tha 24 e t B-BOARD

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LAST WEEK’S

e FILM

h a

NEWS 18 T MUSIC DEC26-30 s BY TIM JOHNSON 16 ART 15

NORTHWEST STAGE PASSAGES

12.26.13 14 THURSDAY

The All American Marine shipyard in Bellingham wins a $12 mil- GET OUT lion contract from King County to build two new water taxis. The Bellingham Herald reports the 250-passenger catamarans will replace 12 two smaller leased vessels on routes between downtown Seattle and West Seattle and Vashon Island. The first ferry should be completed in WORDS early 2015 and the second later that year. 8 8 A family receives a small Christmas gift after a tribal judge rules their rights were violated by the Nookack Indian Tribe. The 306 people Former Western Washington CURRENTS CURRENTS are fighting to remain with the tribe while tribal authorities seek to University president Charles CURRENTS disenroll them through legal means, asserting they are not citizens of TOP: The brave and bold line up to start 2014 with the annual Polar Bear Dip at Lake Padden. “Jerry” Flora was a passionate the nation. But until that is resolved, Tribal Court Chief Judge Raquel BOTTOM: Quarterback Russell Wilson pushed hard for his 1st NFC West title Sunday. The teacher, a lover of science, and 6 Montoya-Lewis warned, the tribal council must treat them the same as Seattle Seahawks secured home field advantage through the NFC playoffs with a 27–9 win a man of integrity. Flora started

over the St. Louis Rams. teaching at WWU in 1957 and was VIEWS the other 2,000 enrolled members. Tribal council leaders had denied president from 1967 to 1975. He the extended family their year-end compensation checks. While issu- is photographed here in 1970, at 4 ing her ruling, Montoya-Lewis admitted she lacks authority to compel 12.30.13 the height of his powers. Flora the council to issue the checks. co-founded Huxley College of the MAIL MONDAY Environment and helped create

what is now the Shannon Point 2 12.27.13 More than 1.1 million people enroll for private health insur- Marine Center in Anacortes. He DO IT IT DO ance through HealthCare.gov, the Obama administration reports. In also helped found what is now the FRIDAY a strong surge, more than 975,000 of them signed up this month, Institute for Watershed Studies. Thousands of people in Washington State are set to lose their ex- prior to the Dec. 24 deadline. Washington State enrolled more than Flora died on Sun., Dec. 22, at his tended federal unemployment benefits this weekend. The U.S. budget 150,000 residents through the same period. State officials say that home in Everson from complica-

tions following a car accident. He 01.01.14 passed earlier this month did not include another extension for those about 65,000 had paid their premiums as of Dec. 24, against about was 85. benefits. More than 25,000 people in Washington use those unem- 69,000 that have selected a plan but not yet paid. Open enrollment .09

ployment benefits. closes March 31. 01 #

WATCH THE GAMESAM ON THE BIG SCREEN! Winners FOOTBALLOOTBALL ENTERTAINMENTNTERTAINMENT LOUNGE SATURDAY & FRIDAY 1/3 SUNDAY 1/4, 1/5 2 Buck Chuck CASCADIA WEEKLY Acoustic Classic Rock & Pop NFL Playoffs: Wildcard Weekend 9 pm – 1 am 11 SATURDAY 1/4 GAME TIME SPECIALS Owned by Upper Skagit Indian Tribe Buckaroo Blues Band *&YJUtUIFTLBHJUDPNt 'PPEBOEESJOLTQFDJBMTBWBJMBCMFJOUIFMPVOHFBOEBU Contemporary, Classic & Country Rock UIFCBSUPQGSPN,JDLPõAUJMFOEPGUIF(BNF CW Must be 21 or older with valid photo ID. 9 pm – 1 am doit

WORDS a program with Tree Army: The Civilian Conservation Corps in

TUES., DEC. 31 Washington State, 1933-1941 30 NOTE OF THANKS: Kids can author Janet Oakley at 7:30pm at show up for the 23rd annual the Whatcom Museum’s Rotunda FOOD FOOD “Note of Thanks” from 10:30am- Room, 121 Prospect St. Entry words 12pm at the Bellingham Public is free. COMMUNITY LECTURES BOOKS Library, 210 Central Ave. Materi- WWW.WHATCOMHISTORY.NET 24 als will be provided, and entry is free. 778-7200 OR WWW.COB.ORG B-BOARD B-BOARD COMMUNITY FRI., JAN. 3 MISSING PIECE: Four local SAT., JAN. 4 22 22 authors who shared their “very RESOLUTIONS WORKSHOPS: If personal accounts of true hard- you need a boost in 2014, attend FILM ship followed by a silver lining” the annual “Resolutions: Mini in the internationally bestselling Workshops to Jumpstart Your New

18 book The Missing Piece: A Trans- Year” from 11am-4pm at Village formational Journey will be on Books, 1200 11th St. Workshops hand to share stories at 6pm at feature local experts, including MUSIC the Ferndale Chihuahuas, 5694 Carolyn Koehline on “Clearing 3rd Ave. Entry is free. Clutter for the New Year” (11am), 16 510-8590 “How to Succeed With Your Fit-

ART ness Resolution” with Robin Rob- SUN., JAN. 5 ertson (12pm), Renata Kowalczyk WRITER’S RESOLUTIONS: on “How to Invest in Whatcom 15 Local writing experts will share County Businesses and Prosper” their literary savvy at a “Writer’s (1pm), “Yoga, Anyplace, Anyhow,

STAGE Resolutions: Mini Workshops to Anyway” with Ingela Abbott Jumpstart Your Writing Life” (2pm), and Julianne Dickelman on event from 12-5pm at Village “Planning Ahead: Why Everyone 14 Books, 1200 11th St. The day Needs an Advance Directive.” of inspiration will be devoted Entry is free, and no registration to generating story ideas, to is required. GET OUT feeding your inner writer, and to 671-2626 OR WWW. a preview of Village Books’ pub- VILLAGEBOOKS.COM contributed significantly to the furnish- lishing services. Come for one 12 BY AMY KEPFERLE 12 ing of that building. Thanks to a recent workshop or several, and bring SUN., JAN. 5 million-dollar donation, Ferndale will like- questions, ideas and snacks. BRIDAL INSPIRATIONS: Ap- WORDS WORDS No tickets or reservations are proximately 50 businesses that ly have a shiny new library by the end of needed. offer services for weddings and Read It 2014. Friends of the Deming Library helped

8 671-2626 OR WWW. other special events will share TURNING PAGES ON A NEW YEAR to build and twice expand their library, VILLAGEBOOKS.COM their services at the 21st annual which now has one of those aforemen- Bridal Inspirations Wedding Expo MON., JAN. 6 from 12-5pm at the Lakeway

CURRENTS CURRENTS tioned meeting rooms. So does the recently POETRYNIGHT: Those looking Inn & Conference Center, 714 ike many others Whatcom County Library System employ- renovated library on Lummi Island, which to share their verse as part Lakeway Dr. At 4pm, a wedding 6 ees, Community Relations Coordinator Lizz Roberts has relied on plenty of volunteer labor to get of Poetrynight can sign up at fashion show featuring more an “I Love Libraries” bumper sticker proudly pasted to the job done. Sudden Valley is in the finish- 7:30pm at the Bellingham Public than 100 dresses and tuxedos

VIEWS L the back of her vehicle. ing stages of transforming a 6,000-square- Library, 210 Central Ave. Read- will highlight the goods. Entry ings start at 8pm. Entry is free. is $10-$15.

4 “I really do love libraries,” Roberts says with a laugh. “We all foot barn into Whatcom County’s newest have stickers on our cars that say it.” library. And the list goes on. 778-7230 OR WWW.POETRYNIGHT. WWW.BRIDALINSPIRATIONSEXPO. ORG COM MAIL MAIL And because the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) The connections between the libraries

encompasses a variety of book-focused venues—including themselves are important too, Roberts says. JAN. 6-FEB. 14 TUES., JAN. 7 2 branches in Sumas, Maple Falls, Lynden, Ferndale, Point Rob- This becomes apparent during the annual TEEN POETRY CONTEST: Kids TED TALK TUESDAY: “Diversi- in grades 6-12 can write original ty” will be the focus of the first DO IT IT DO

erts, Lummi Island, Blaine, Everson, Deming, and, within the Whatcom Reads event, when all the area li- poems and submit them to “A TED Talk Tuesday event starting next two or three months, Sudden Valley—Roberts has a lot braries—including the Bellingham Central Forest of Words” Teen Poetry at 7pm at the lower-level theater of different libraries upon which she can spread her affection. Library, which operates separately from the Contest from Jan. 6-Feb. 14. at Explorations Academy, 1701 Roberts has been involved with the WCLS since 1997; she WCLS system—work together to put on a Winning poets will be published Ellis St. The gatherings will 01.01.14 managed the Lynden Library until taking her current position in “one book, one community” program that in an anthology. feature a free screening of one 2006. Through the years, she’s seen the various communities in also serves as a means for the libraries to or two TED talks addressing a

.09 WWW.WCLS.ORG/TEENS specific topic, followed by open Whatcom County step up to help ensure they have libraries that, learn how to develop partnerships. 01 discussions on the impact of that # in many cases, also serve as gathering places for the masses. This year’s tome, Cheryl Strayed’s au- WED., JAN. 8 topic on our local community. “A patron once pointed out that we’re ‘the community’s living tobiographical bestseller, Wild: From Lost LITERACY COUNCIL RECRUIT- Admission is free. room,’ and I really feel that’s true,” Roberts says. “Our primary to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, will be MENT: Learn how you can WWW.EXPLORATIONSACADEMY. job is books and reading, but in the end we’re actually about the focus of many gatherings in Whatcom become a tutor for the Whatcom ORG Literacy Council at a recruitment service, and we do so much more in addition to books. All kinds County libraries in coming weeks. session from 5:15-6pm at the WED., JAN. 8 of things happen in our meeting rooms, which is why they’re so I’ll talk more about that—and about Lecture Room at the Bellingham AFGHANISTAN TALK: Richard

CASCADIA WEEKLY important to libraries.” other big WCLS news—in next week’s issue. Public Library, 210 Central Ave. Abbott leads a presentation As proof of the importance of making sure Whatcom County For now, rest assured that if you want to be 752-8678 OR WWW. focused on “Afghanistan 1972- 12 libraries provide more than just places to check out reading and part of the Whatcom County Library System WHATCOMLITERACY.ORG 1973: The Country That Was” at 1pm at the Bellingham Senior listening materials, Roberts points to the fact that many of the in 2014, Roberts, and all the other people THURS., JAN. 9 Activity Center, 315 Halleck St. venues have been renovated or rebuilt thanks to the generosity of who love libraries, have your back. TREE ARMY: Join the Whatcom Entry is free. patrons and library “friends” who donated both time and money. For a sneak peek at Whatcom Reads events, County Historical Society for 733-4030 Examples abound, she says. The Friends of the Lynden Library go to www.whatcomreads.com

30 FOOD FOOD

Great Gifts for 24 the Holiday, & B-BOARD Toast to the New Year! 22 FILM

FAMILY ACTIVITYTIVIT DAY 18 CREATURESS ON ICE • Celebrate MUSIC with Bellewood 16

January 11 Family Activity Day: Creatures on Ice ART 10 AM - 4 PM at the Lightcatcher; $3 admission Distilling

Narwhal games, polar bear tales, Vanishing Ice tours for 15 the whole family, and more! - Vodka, Gin

STAGE Saturdays on Ice: Creature (Dis)comforts & Brandy 11 AM & 2 PM speakers at Old City Hall; Free 14 A day exploring new perspectives on climate. • New Mini Bottles! Great Stocking Stuffers & Vanishing Ice Speaker Series is presented by North Cascade Institute

and made possible in part by a grant from Humanities WA. Hostess Gift, Available in 750mL and 375mL GET OUT

www.whatcommuseum.org

6140 Guide Meridian, Lynden WA • 360-318-7720 12 12 WORDS WORDS 8 CURRENTS CURRENTS 6 VIEWS 4 MAIL MAIL

2 DO IT IT DO

01.01.14 .09 01 # CASCADIA WEEKLY

13 doit

WED., JAN. 1 hatchery tours, raptor pre- RESOLUTION RUN, POLAR sentations, river float trips,

DIP: Warm up, and then cool Native American storytell- 30 down, at the annual Resolu- ing, photography workshops, tion Run/Walk and Polar Dip hayrides, bonfires and much FOOD FOOD outside starting at 11am at Lake more will be part of the Skagit HIKING RUNNING CYCLING Padden Park, 4882 Samish Eagle Festival happening Way. At the finish line for every Saturday and Sunday 24 the run, there’s be snacks, through Jan. 26 in eastern toasty patio heaters and lots Skagit County (Rockport, of camaraderie before the dip. Concrete, Marblemount, etc.). B-BOARD B-BOARD Heated showers and goodies Many events are free. for everyone exiting the water WWW.SKAGITEAGLEFESTIVAL. after the “dip” will also be COM 22 22 available. Entry is free and no registration is necessary. SUN., JAN. 5 FILM WWW.COB.ORG LAKE SAMISH RUNS: Join the Greater Bellingham Run-

18 BY AMY KEPFERLE POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: Reg- ning Club for its 37th annual istration for the 31st annual Lake Samish Runs starting Birch Bay Polar Bear Plunge at 10am at Samish Park (I-5 MUSIC begins at 9am at Birch Bay exit #246). Participants can Beach, 7900 Birch Bay Dr. (the choose from a 6.5-mile run

16 A New Year’s You? event starts at noon). Com- or a 13.1-mile run. Entry is

ART RESOLVING TO MAKE RESOLUTIONS petitions include Most Years $10-$15. Plunging, Oldest Participant, WWW.GBRC.NET words and stick the magazine directly in the Best Individual Costume, Best 15 recycling bin. Among the helpful hints were Group Costume, and Farthest TUES., JAN. 7 Traveled Participant. There is CROSS-COUNTRY BASICS:

STAGE sections focusing on being specific, making no cost to take the plunge. Glean tips and information your goals public, substituting good behav- WWW.BIRCHBAYCHAMBER.COM for getting into a new winter iors for bad and, finally, sport at a “Cross-Country 14 14 tracking your progress. SAT., JAN. 4 Skiing Basics” class starting So, here goes. When MOON PHASE GARDENING: at 6pm at REI, 400 36th St. Learn more about how choos- Register in advance for the GET OUT GET OUT I’m on vacation, I’d spe- ing your chores by the phases free course. cifically like to be fit of the moon can increase your 647-8955 OR WWW.REI.COM enough to speedily swim efficiency and the health of 12 to shore if I find myself your gardens at a “Moon-Phase WED., JAN. 8 being chased by sharks. Gardening” class at 9am at GARDEN CLUB MEETING: WORDS I’d like to increase my the Garden Spot Nursery, 900 Debra Olberg of Secret Alabama St. Call in advance to Garden Designs will focus on ATTEND lung capacity so I can 8 register for the free workshop. “Winter Garden Shrubs” at a WHAT: “How to loudly sing songs from 676-5480 presentation at the Birch- Succeed with The Little Mermaid in a wood Garden Club’s monthly Your Fitness SALMON RUN: A “Salmon meeting at 7pm at Whatcom

CURRENTS CURRENTS Resolutions” hot pond in the jungle. I’d also like to be able to Run & Nature Walk” begins at Museum’s Old City Hall, 121 with Robin 10am in Concrete at Ovenelle’s Prospect St. 6 Robertson run from the tip of the Ranch, 46276 Concrete-Sauk WWW. WHEN: 12pm volcano to the rental Valley Rd. The unique 5K run BIRCHWOODGARDENCLUB.ORG VIEWS Sat., Jan. 4 car in a timely manner will take participants through WHERE: Village a beautiful ranch and along the THURS., JAN. 9

4 came across an article in Real Simple recently asserting that if my perennial vaca- Books, 1200 11th NORDIC SKI CLUB MEET- approximately 45 percent of American adults say hello to a tion buddy is overtaken Skagit River. Entry is $20 and St. includes a knit hat, healthy ING: If you’re interested in MAIL MAIL I new year by making a resolution of some sort. COST: Free—no by fumes and needs her snacks, a bonfire and cocoa. joining the Nooksack Nordic registration According to the essay, nearly half of those who vowed to stick “nerd puffer.” If you’re not a runner, join in Ski Club, show up for a pro- 2 to their guns when it came to making life-altering changes—it required I know 30 days isn’t a free family-friendly nature spective member orientation INFO: 671- walk to look for eagles, osprey, at 6:30pm at the Community DO IT IT DO didn’t specify whether they were focused on losing weight, be- 2626 or www. enough time enough to coming a disciple of Pilates, stopping smoking cigarettes, quit- completely change my deer, elk and beaver. Kiosks will Room at the RE Store, 2309 villagebooks.com feature wildlife information, Meridian St. The general ting being jerks to their fellow humans, or saving money instead life or significantly de- winter safety tips and activi- meeting takes place from of blowing it at the mall or the casino—gave up on their lofty crease my waistline, but ties for kids. 7-9pm. 01.01.14 goals within six months. I’m going public as saying this is the year (360) 856-7245 OR WWW. WWW. Because I’ve been aware of these dismal odds in the past, it’s I’m going to use the rest of 2014 to stick to UNITEDGENERAL.ORG NOOKSACKNORDICSKICLUB.ORG .09 been a while since I’ve made a New Year’s resolution. But, being a fitness plan. I’m not trying to get stick- 01 SEA FLOAT SCRAMBLE: HAWK WATCH: A “Hawk # that the article I perused also pointed out that “research says figure thin—I’ve tried that, and it came Search for hand-blown glass Watching in Western Wash- you’re 10 times more likely to successfully alter a behavior than with its own set of challenges—I’m just sea floats made by Callahan’s ington” class begins tonight you would if you didn’t make a start-of-the-year vow,” I thought hoping to be healthier. Firehouse as part of the from 7-9pm at the Bellingham I’d give it another try. Substituting behaviors isn’t easy, but I’m annual “Sea Float Scramble” Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 I can follow up on the specifics when Bellingham Tennis Club’s up for the challenge and feel confident I can starting at 11am at Langley’s Ellsworth St. The class— Seawall Park. The family- which is taught by falcon Robin Robertson leads a “How to Succeed With Your Fitness insert long walks into my schedule through friendly event is free. expert Bud Anderson—con-

CASCADIA WEEKLY Resolutions” presentation as part of a day of free “Resolutions” January just at the time I’m feeling most WWW. tinues for five weeks, and mini-workshops Sat., Jan. 4 at Village Books, but until then I’ll like mindlessly snacking. MAINSTREETLANGLEY. includes a full-day field trip. 14 begin my annual atonement by following Real Simple’s rules and As for the “tracking your progress” sug- ORG Cost is $175. The class will asserting that I’m leaving for Hawaii in 30 days, and I’d like to gestion, I intend to post plenty of Facebook also be offered starting Jan. JAN. 4-5 7 at the Padilla Bay Center. get in a little better shape before I go. updates on how I’m sticking to my plan SKAGIT EAGLE FESTIVAL: (360) 757-1911 OR WWW. It’s worth mentioning the article went on to provide a hand- when I’m on my tropical vacation. That’s Guided walks and talks, FRG.ORG ful of tips that ensured those reading it wouldn’t just scan the what they meant, right? doit

STAGE SUN., JAN. 5

DYNAMO: Liven up your Sun- day nights at “Dynamo” shows

TUES., DEC. 31 30 NEW YEAR’S SHOWS: Attend at 8pm at the Upfront Theatre,

G special “New Year’s Eve Shows” 1208 Bay St. Entry is $5. FOOD sta e at 7pm, 9pm and 11pm at the WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. THEATER DANCE PROFILES Tickets are $15-$20. JAN. 9-11 24 733-8855 OR WWW. ALADDIN JR.: Blaine High THEUPFRONT.COM School and Middle School

presents showings of Disney’s B-BOARD JAN. 1-9 Aladdin Jr. at 7pm Thursday 12 MINUTES MAX DEAD- through Saturday at the

LINE: If you’re interested Blaine Performing Arts Cen- 22 in taking part in the second ter, 975 H St.

annual “12 Minutes Max” WWW.BLAINE.WEDNET.EDU FILM performing arts showcase, applications are due by Jan. THE ILLUSION: Tony Kush-

6, and auditions will be held ner’s The Illusion opens this 18 from 5-10pm Thurs., Jan. 9. weekend with 8pm showings

Performing artists of any Thursday through Saturday MUSIC discipline are invited to at the iDiOM Theater, 1418 apply—the only rule is that Cornwall Ave. The play is 16 pieces must be 12 minutes or Kushner’s adaptation of

less in duration. Pierre Corneille’s 1636 work ART WWW.FACEBOOK. about a father who seeks COM/12MINUTESMAXBELLINGHAM the help of a sorcerer while 15 searching for his son. Tickets THURS., JAN. 2 are $10. Opening night is $25 GOOD, BAD, UGLY: Watch and includes food, libations STAGE “The Good, the Bad and the and music after the show. Ugly” at 8pm every Thursday at WWW.IDIOMTHEATER.COM 14 14 the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. At 10pm, stick around for GET OUT

the “Project.” Entry is $4-$7. GET OUT 733-8855 OR WWW. DANCE THEUPFRONT.COM things will happen. BY AMY KEPFERLE TUES., DEC. 31 12 “Also, in the wake of the Commercial JAN 3-4 MINDNIGHT IN PARIS: Ring Street Theatre Project rallying up a lot of 48 HOUR THEATER FESTI- in 2014 with the Bellingham interest and support for a larger perfor- VAL: The 38th iteration of the Dance Company at a “Midnight WORDS mance venue in town, and Mount Baker 48 Hour Theater Festival can be in Paris” New Year’s Eve Dance Filling Seats seen at 8pm and 10pm at the from 8pm-1am at 1705 N. 8 Theatre’s plans to oversee a new theater, iDiOM Theater, 1418 Cornwall State St. Tickets are $20-$25. ARTS FORUM SETS THE STAGE it is a good time for Ave. The theatrical extrava- WWW. ganzas see teams of writers, BELLINGHAMDANCECOMPANY.COM

the community of CURRENTS s an actor in Bellingham, I’ve played to both full and theater producers actors and directors create empty houses. Both present their own challenges, but and directors to en- brand-spanking-new plays GALA CONTRA DANCE: 6 in 24 hours—twice. At press Northern Contraband and in the long run it’s much better to have every seat filled ter that discussion.” time, most of the funding has the Toad Mountain Ramblers A VIEWS when the lights come up onstage. Hergenhahn says been covered for tickets for the will provide live music and shows. Otherwise, entry is $10. Maureen Collier and Marlin As an audience member in Bellingham—one who also writes he hopes the event 4 about the area arts scene on a weekly basis—I’ve attended a will serve as a sound- 220-5446 OR WWW. Prowell will do the calling at dizzying array of theater, dance and circus performances in the ATTEND ing board for whatev- IDIOMTHEATER.COM the Bellingham Country Dance MAIL WHAT: Bellingham Society’s annual New Year’s

15 years I’ve been living in this city and helping the public deer sentiments are out Theater & UPFRONT MIXED BAG: Eve Gala Contra Dance from 2 cide how they should spend their weekend nights (not to men- Performing Arts there—whether they Long-form improv will be 8pm-1am at Norway Hall, 1419

highlighted at “Harold” shows N. Forest St. Entry is $10-$15. IT DO tion their hard-earned dollars). Forum concern the Mount Although I don’t perform much anymore, my job ensures that WHEN: 1-4pm Sat., Baker Theatre’s track at 8pm every Friday and WWW. I’m still deeply invested in those who do. That’s why I was glad Jan. 11 record for serving Saturday through January at BELLINGHAMCOUNTRYDANCE.ORG WHERE: iDiOM the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay to hear iDiOM Theater founder Glenn Hergenhahn will be hosting the community, how Theater, 1418 St. At 10pm, “Games Galore” SALSA DANCE: Join Rumba 01.01.14 a Bellingham Theater & Performing Arts Forum (BTPAF) Sat., Jan. Cornwall Ave. to better fill seats in shows will take the stage. Northwest for a New Year’s Eve 11 at the creative hub on Cornwall Avenue. COST: Free 2014, models of how Tickets are $10-$12, Salsa Dance from 8pm-1am at Experts and working arts professionals will be on hand to lend in- INFO: www. theaters can work WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM the Bellingham Arts Academy .09 01 sight to the conversation, which will be open to anyone interested idiomtheater.com together to share re- for Youth, 1059 N. State St. # JAN. 4-5 Tickets are $7-$15 in the topics at hand—which will include challenges facing Belling- sources and visions, or how to better pro- CHARLOTTE’S WEB: The 595-7369 ham’s performing arts community, opportunities for collaboration mote their collective work. Neighborhood Playhouse and resource sharing, a future local arts lobby and, among other “Basically, we all face many of the same presents showings of E.B. SAT., JAN. 4 things, the Mount Baker Theatre’s current plan for a new venue. challenges, and there may be ways we can White’s Charlotte’s Web at 7pm TROPICAL ESPCAPE: Join Hergenhahn will be stepping back into the role of Artistic Di- help each other, and encourage the city Saturday and 2pm Sunday at Bellingham USA Dance for a the Bellingham Theatre Guild, “Tropical Escape” dance from rector at the iDiOM at the end of January, when current director and the community to support a collective 1600 H St. Tickets to see the 7-10pm at Presence Studio, 1412 CASCADIA WEEKLY Sol Olmstead makes a move to the Big Apple, so he has even more vision,” Hergenhahn says. “The first step musical adaptation of the clas- Cornwall Ave. Entry is $7-$10. 15 reasons to be concerned about the state of the area’s stages. is to talk and see if there is an interest in sic tale are $8-$12. Additional WWW.BELLINGHAMUSADANCE. “There is not much communication and coordination between the that and if [it is a] vision we can articu- showings happen Jan. 10-12. COM various theaters and arts organizations in Bellingham,” Hergen- late and rally behind.” WWW. THENEIGHBORHOODPLAYHOUSE. SEND LISTINGS TO CALENDAR@ hahn says, “but there seems to be a near universal desire to change Read more about this topic—and what to NET CASCADIAWEEKLY.COM that. Our hope is that by opening a conversation some positive look forward to in 2014—next week. doit UPCOMING EVENTS

THURS., JAN. 2 30 PACIFIC CREST DISPLAY: Whatcom Museum’s Jeff Jewell and staff at Bellingham Public Library FOOD FOOD will show a “Pacific Crest Trail” tabletop display Jan. 2-15 at the Deming Public Library, 5044 visual Mt. Baker Hwy. The exhibit focuses on the trail’s 24 GALLERIES OPENINGS PROFILES founder, Bellingham’s Catherine Montogmery. WWW.WCLS.ORG

B-BOARD B-BOARD FRI., JAN. 3 GALLERY WALK: A variety of galleries and The oil paintings in the show will look businesses will stay open later than usual for the 22 22 familiar to anyone who’s wandered the monthly Gallery Walk from 6-9pm throughout downtown Anacortes. Participants include the FILM streets of Bellingham after the sun has Anne Martin McCool Gallery, Scott Milo Gallery, set. On fall and winter nights, when the the Depot Arts Center, and more. Entry is free. rain has settled in for a significant visit 18 WWW.ANACORTESART.COM and sunrise seems far, far away, lights in LABOR OF LOVE: An opening reception for MUSIC the night are welcome sights, and John- son captured a good number of them. Seiko A. Purdue’s “Casting: Labor of Love” happens from 6-9pm in Anacortes at Anchor 16 16 Although viewers can barely see the Art Space, 216 Commercial Ave. The multi- year “1892” affixed to Whatcom Museum’s media exhibit features large-scale hanging ART ART stately Old City Hall façade in one paint- installations, delicate paper casts and more. ing, the deep-red hue of the turreted tow- See it through Feb. 2. 15 er shines through thanks to illuminated WW.ANCHORARTSPACE.ORG

STAGE streetlights. In another work, the Herald ART WALK: Downtown galleries and busi- building’s oversized red letters perch like nesses will take part in the monthly Art Walk friendly beacons atop the stately stalwart. from 6-10pm throughout downtown Bellingham. 14 There’s also an eye-catching piece with Check out the listings below, or pick up a map a welcoming Horseshoe Café sign, and a of all the venues at participating locations. WWW.DOWNTOWNBELLINGHAM.COM GET OUT painting whose focal point from behind ALLIED ARTS: View “The Art of Light and Johnson’s helmet vi- Technology” at an opening reception from 12 sor promises hints 6-9pm at Allied Arts, 1418 Cornwall Ave. The of illuminated roads, light-themed multimedia show includes works WORDS by three artists and a technology display by and possibly more. SPIE. The exhibit shows through Jan. 31. “That was the WWW.ALLIEDARTS.ORG

8 SEE IT first painting of this WHAT: Andrew series—the view MAKE.SHIFT: Explore the world of a curmud- Johnson’s “Through geonly hot air balloon at an opening reception

CURRENTS CURRENTS through my motor- the Darkness Comes for Mat Hudson’s “Pop, The Balloon” from the Light” cycle helmet with the 6-10pm at Make.Shift Art Space, 306 Flora St. 6 WHEN: 8am-5pm rain pelting on it,” The exhibit showcases four years of work by every Mon.-Fri. Johnson says of the Hudson, with new pieces exploring the misad- VIEWS through March, piece, aptly titled ventures of the aforementioned balloon. See it 2014 through Jan. 26.

4 “Pushing Through.” WHERE: WWW.MAKESHIFTPROJECT.COM Bellingham City “The light in Wash- MAIL MAIL Hall, 210 Lottie St. ington in the fall FISHBOY: Head out of downtown proper and

INFO: www. and winter is like check out the work of folk artist R.R. Clark 2 mojostheory.com candy to me—lights from 6-10pm at FishBoy Gallery, 617 Virginia St. (near Trader Joe’s). Entry is free. DO IT IT DO

through fog and rain, WWW.FISHBOYGALLERY.COM then add on the view from my helmet.” BY AMY KEPFERLE Johnson admits the long nights of go- TUES., JAN. 7 ing to work in the dark and sleeping when BLACK MAPS OPENING: “David Maisel/Black 01.01.14 everyone else was busy enjoying the limit- Maps: American Landscape and the Apocalyptic ed daylight hours got to him—he says the Sublime” opens today at Western Washington

.09 Night Lights University’s WWU Gallery, 516 High St. The first five or six pieces in the series were 01 show—which is presented in conjunction with # BELLINGHAM BEACONS ILLUMINATE WINTER focused on working through the feelings Whatcom Museum’s “Vanishing Ice” exhibit— being alone and in the dark brought out— leads the viewer on a hallucinatory journey hen painter Andrew Johnson first moved to Whatcom County but says things are much better now. He through terrains that have been radically al- from Wisconsin three autumns ago, the first job he had was at and Hollie, who’s now his wife, currently tered by environmental issues and transformed by human agency. a food-processing plant. He worked a grueling graveyard shift, live in the Birchwood neighborhood with W WWW.WESTERNGALLERY.WWU.EDU and would have to wend his way to Bellingham on a moped from the home their dog, Larrabee, and he’s working at

CASCADIA WEEKLY he shared with his then-girlfriend Hollie seven miles east of town off the Dakota Art Store and for a local bamboo THURS., JAN. 9 Mt. Baker Highway. landscaper. And, although he’s still fond AFTER HOURS ART: Join Curator of Art Barba- 16 Despite his discomfort—both on the moped, and working at a job he didn’t of his moped, it’s currently on hiatus. ra Matilsky for an After Hours Art tour at 6:30pm at Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher Building, 250 much like—the dark nights eventually found him seeking, and finding, the “We have another car now, so my moped Flora St. “Science and the Sublime” will be the beauty in the darkness. The result is “Through the Darkness Comes the Light,” is parked for the winter,” Johnson says. “I focus of the foray. Thursday admission is $5. an exhibit highlighting Bellingham’s “nightlife” currently on display at Bell- do still look at it longingly, though. I love WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG ingham City Hall. my moped!” doit ONGOING EXHIBITS CHUCKANUT BREWERY: Local artist Evan

Whitehead will show his landscape paintings through Jan. 4 at the Chuckanut Brewery, 30 601 W. Holly St.

WWW.CHUCKANUTBREWERYANDKITCHEN.COM FOOD

CORDATA CO-OP: View works by abstract Espresso Treats & Sandwiches artist Yvette Neumann through Jan. 15 at 24 the Cordata Community Food Co-op, 315 Six Delectable Blue Cheeses Westerly Rd. Whatcom Beef, Eggs, Lamb,

WWW.COMMUNITYFOOD.COOP B-BOARD NOW Vitamins & Essential Oils FISHBOY GALLERY: Check out the contem-

porary folk art of RR Clark from 1:30-5pm Greeting Cards, Books & Mugs 22 every Mon.-Fri. at the FishBoy Gallery, 617

Virginia St. Boundary Brews, Baker Wines FILM 714-0815 OR WWW.FISHBOYGALLERY.COM Jackson Smoke & Pickled Fish FROM WORKOUTS GOOD EARTH: A “Bowls and Lamps Ben- 18 efit” shows through January at Good Earth Keeping Family Dining Fun

Pottery, 1000 Harris Ave. A percentage MUSIC of the proceeds will be donated to the 360-592-2297 TO WORKS OF ART Bellingham Food Bank. www.everybodys.com 16 16 WWW.GOODEARTHPOTS.COM Hiway 9 – Van Zandt ART Only at the Y. ART HONEY SALON: “Creatures of Comfort,” featuring works by “arts and crafts darlings” Good things come together at the Whatcom Family Y. 15 Karie Jane Von Allmen and Liliana France, It’s the place to nurture your own well-being and can be perused through Feb. 5 at Honey Salon, 310 W. Holly St. let your Nids’ creatiYity ¿ourish. 7here’s a little STAGE WWW.HONEYBELLINGHAM.COM something for everyone, and a lot for your community. 14 LUCIA DOUGLAS: View a”Winter Group Stop in and let us surprise you. Show” through Jan. 5 at the Lucia Douglas

Gallery, 1415 13th St. Why’s a clothing store BELLINGHAM, FERNDALE & LYNDEN GET OUT WWW.LUCIADOUGLAS.COM carrying fine furniture? WHATCOM FAMILY YMCA 360 733 8630 www.whatcomymca.org

OLD TOWN CAFE: Bellingham artists 12 Steeb Russell and Erin Clancy are exhibit- ing their group show, “Comrades,” through Come Find Out! January at the Old Town Cafe, 316 W. Holly WORDS St. Pieces will be added through the dura- C IGARETTES & SMOKELESS TOBACCO

tion of the exhibit. 8 671-4431 U.S.I.T.

MONA: Spokane artist Ric Gendron’s CURRENTS CURRENTS “Rattlebone” exhibit can be seen through

Jan. 5 at La Conner’s Museum of Northwest 6 Art, 121 S. First St. “Geology from the Permanent Collection” is also on display. VIEWS WWW.MUSEUMOFNWART.ORG SHOP

LOWEST 4 SKAGIT MUSEUM: Trees, toys, fashion Now Featuring Greenington

and fun will be part of a “Skagit Christ- at PRICES MAIL mas” display through Dec. 31 at La Con- Sustainable Bamboo Furniture, IN

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ST. JOSEPH’S: “Contemporary Aborigi- Bath Towels and Sheets, and All Major Brands & Generics nal Art: Australian Dreamings” shows * through Jan. 26 at PeaceHealth St. Our Expanding Selection Joseph’s Medical Center, INCLUDES TAX! 01.01.14 $ 00 $ 50 PER CARTON WWW.LUCIADOUGLAS.COM of Natural Clothing! 49 - 77 .09 01 WHATCOM ART MARKET: From 10am-6pm EXPRESS DRIVE-THRU # every Thursday through Monday through Christmas, stop by the Whatcom Art Guild’s 7 am – 9 pm, Art Market at Fairhaven’s Waldron Building, 1314 12th St. 7 days a week WWW.WHATCOMARTGUILD.ORG

WHATCOM MUSEUM: “Vanishing Ice,” “Treasures from the Trunk: The Story of Post Holiday Sale CASCADIA WEEKLY J.J. Donovan” and “Romantically Modern: CW Pacific Northwest Landscapes” can cur- through Jan 10 t0O*BU&YJU 17 rently be viewed at the Whatcom Museum +VTU.JOVUFT4PVUIPG#FMMJOHIBNt4LBHJU7BMMFZ$BTJOP3FTPSU campus. 126 W Holly St, Downtown Bellingham WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG *Price at time of printing. U.S.I.T. Tobacco Shop owned and operated by Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. Limit ﬁve cartons/rolls per customer per day. Mon-Thu 10-6, Fri-Sat 10-7, Sun 11-4 Must have valid ID. Cigarettes are not legal for resale. Prices subject to change. No Returns. Skagit Valley Casino Resort is owned by Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. nakedclothing.com 360-746-9916 SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health. Rumor Has It

MUSICALLY SPEAKING, 2013 was a pretty good year

30 for me. It was the year in which I had dinner with the Screaming Eagle of Soul (thanks again, Craig and FOOD FOOD Roger—and, of course, Charles Bradley). In exchange music for a few minutes of hauling gear, I nabbed a ticket 24 SHOW PREVIEWS ›› RUMOR HAS IT to the Capitol Hill Block Party where I gorged myself on music and people-watching (nice to know folks still aren’t afraid to barf and make out in public— B-BOARD B-BOARD hopefully not in that order). Locally, Brent Cole and I teamed up to throw our first What’s Up! Magazine

22 22 and Cascadia Weekly local showcase, which we hope to turn from a one-off into a series of semi-regular FILM shows in 2014. As well, I went to show after show, and was impressed, over and over again, by the en- 18 18 18 ergy and enthusiasm of up-and-coming bands, and the continued drive and ingenuity of those who MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC have been at this for a minute or two. If 2013 was an embarrassment of riches for me—

16 and judging by how

ART many of you I saw at venues all over town,

15 it was for you as well—2014 is shaping

STAGE up to follow suit. The first sign of this comes in the form of 14 BY CAREY ROSS a show announcement from Make.Shift. On Fri., Jan. 17 the nonprofit will GET OUT play host to Kithkin, the Palisades, Candysound, and Vacationeer—in their very own basement.

12 That’s right: All the money you gave and the time they spent and the sweat and the worry that have

WORDS been part of the past several months have paid off in some fancy new exits and a basement that now

8 meets the demands of the fire code. Which means we now have ourselves a fully legitimate, sustainable all-ages music venue in Bellingham. And the

CURRENTS CURRENTS clouds parted and the sun shone down and I’d like to say we rested, but there’s no rest for the wicked 6 PHOTO GIPAYA JONATHAN BY or the well-intentioned—and most of us fit into one or the other of those groups. Feel free to weep VIEWS with joy at this news, especially if you’ve lived

4 The year was 1999, and it was Labor Day around here long enough to know of Bellingham’s BY CAREY ROSS weekend, a holiday that typically saw me proud tradition of scrappy all-ages venues and or- MAIL MAIL sitting in front of a campfire in Eastern ganizations that, while vital to the music commu-

Washington, but, for whatever reason,

2 nity, operated outside the confines of legitimacy. Indigo Girls that year I was at my folks’ house in Ev- And let’s take a minute to be thankful for those who DO IT IT DO erett and at loose ends. Then came a call built and were stewards of the Make.Shift basement WHY NOT IS THE REASON WHY from a close friend with the suggestion we before the nonprofit took over the space. spend our day at Bumbershoot taking in Indeed, anyone who has given of their time, s I’ve said many times, I’m no music expert. What I am, how- the sounds and sights. energy, resources, vision, money or some combi- 01.01.14 ever, is musically curious, a trait I’ve had for most of my life My answer was, as you can probably nation thereof to the effort to make the music and one that guides me in my continued and varied musical guess, “Why not?” happen at Make.Shift owns a little piece of the .09 A wanderings. When it comes to live music, instead of needing a reason Fast-forward several sun- and music- 01 place. And I’ve spent enough time working for an- # to see a particular band or musician, I seem to hew more closely to a soaked hours later and I found myself, other successful nonprofit in town, the Pickford philosophy I’d like to call “Why not?” overstimulated and slightly bewildered, in Film Center (where I’m a part-time projectionist), Why not call in to a radio station to win tickets to see a band I’ve an audience of fans in front of Bumber- to know just how powerful community ownership never heard of? Why not wander into whatever venue I happen to be shoot’s Mainstage who were all eagerly can be when it is entrusted to and harnessed by walking by to see what’s onstage? Why not drive several hundred miles awaiting the arrival of Amy Ray and Emily people with passion and ability. With the grand and across a couple of states on a whim to see a band from Tacoma? Saliers, the artists otherwise known as the reopening of Make.Shift’s music venue, it is my CASCADIA WEEKLY Why not, indeed? Indigo Girls. hope that the multipurpose, multiuse space will While my “Why not?” ethos has led me down some regrettable musi- When they stepped onstage, the Indigo become not just a piece of the greater arts com- 18 cal paths (it took three Dave Matthews concerts for me to understand Girls seemed slightly bewildered them- munity, but also one of that community’s anchors. “free ticket” combined with “why not?” can be a recipe for entertain- selves, joking that they’d had no idea the Time, as it always does, will tell. ment disaster), for the most part it has served me well. And it’s how oddly named show they’d booked in Seattle One step at a time, the first being the Jan. 17 I found myself in the audience of a Indigo Girls performance several would be such a big one (in 1999, when show. The lineup rips, the show is free and you can years ago. Bumbershoot was a much smaller affair, bring every last one of your kids. INDIGO GIRLS, FROM PREVIOUS PAGE musicevents such a thing was actually possible), and TUES., DEC. 31 playing sans backing band or any other SILVER CITY NEW YEAR: Spend New accompaniment other than a couple of Year’s Eve afternoon with the Silver WWU STUDENTS 30 City Band at a concert from 2-5pm at acoustic guitars. Lynden’s Jansen Art Center, 321 Front PACIFIC BACKPACKS FOOD I was no hardcore Indigo Girls fan, but St. The band will send the old year out I also wasn’t exactly flying blind on this in style with their repertoire of rock & $29.95 W/SCHOOL ID particular musical odyssey. I knew Ray roll, country, contemporary hits and 24 and Saliers were lifelong friends—they classics. Entry is free. Brenthaven Premium Cases for Mobile Technology WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG met in elementary school in Georgia and 909 Harris Ave B-BOARD B-BOARD began performing together as teenag- THE ATLANTICS: Countdown to ers—as well as Grammy-winning musi- midnight with the Atlantics at a New cians. I knew they were among a small Year’s Eve celebration starting with 22 group of artists who identified as lesbi- an appetizer reception at 6:30pm

at Blaine’s Semiahmoo Resort, FILM ans, and did so during a time when such 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy. At 7:30pm, things were not common or accepted as there’ll be a buffet, and the music 18 they are today. I knew they were politi- will happen from 9pm-1am. Entry is 18 cally active, using their voice and status $85 if you’re partaking of the food,

MON - SAT, 5 - 11 P.M. MUSIC as platinum-selling artists to advocate or you can pay $25 at the door from MUSIC 10pm-1am. Overnight packages are on behalf of Native also available. 16 Americans, the envi- 318-2092 OR WWW.SEMIAHMOO.COM ronment, gay rights CIDERHEAD! ART and the abolition of SAT., JAN. 4 TRADITIONAL JAZZ: The Halleck the death penalty, 15 Street Ramblers will perform at the regardless of how NOW IN BOTTLES. Bellingham Traditional Jazz Society’s STAGE their beliefs might monthly concert and dance from 2-5pm ATTEND conflict with their at the VFW Hall, 624 N. State St. Entry WHO: Indigo Girls, LIVE MUSIC commercial appeal. is $6 for students, $10 for members, 14 Lucy Wainwright But mostly, I knew and $12 for non-members. Roche 734-2973 OR WWW.BTJS.WEBS.COM EVERY NIGHT WHEN: 7:30pm their songs. GET OUT Thurs., Jan 9 While not deeply BUG JAM: Join the Bellingham Uku- WHERE: Mount versed in their back lele Group for a BUG Jam from 3-5pm Baker Theatre, 104 catalogue, it was at St. James Presbyterian Church, 12 N. Commercial St. pretty tough to not 910 14th St. Show up promptly at COST: $35-$55 2pm for a beginners workshop; know at least some WORDS MORE INFO: www. loaner ukes will be provided. Sug- mountbakertheatre. of the words to songs gested donation is $5. com like “Closer to Fine,” WWW.BELLINGHAMUKULELEGROUP.COM 8 “Hammer and a Nail,” and their catchy rebuke of immigration WELCOME HOME CONCERT: The Bellingham Festival of Music SAVESAVE CURRENTS policy (which doesn’t sound particularly presents its 4th annual “Welcome enticing, but somehow Ray and Saliers Home Concert” at 7:30pm at Christ 6 make it work), “Shame on You.” The rest the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway Dr. The show will highlight of the performance was, for me, a clinic MONEYMONEY VIEWS on the Indigo Girls formidable songwrit- Bellingham High School graduate

Roman Yearian on the violin. Sug- 4 ing skills, in which they mix introspection gested donation is $15.

with political awareness and wrap it all WWW.BELLINGHAMFESTIVAL.ORG MAIL in some enviably nimble wordplay and ar- NOW!NOW! rangements (made all the more impressive WED., JAN. 8 2 when you know that Ray and Saliers write MIKE ALLEN QUARET: Western Wash- DO IT

ington University faculty members songs individually, rather than as a team), Mike Allen, Miles Black, Adam Thomas, Save on the items you need as well as their ability to hold thousands and Julian MacDonough will perform of people rapt with nothing more than a as the Mike Allen Quartet at 7:30pm and want from Locals. at the Bellingham Arts Academy for

couple of acoustic guitars and the kind of 01.01.14 skill only constant touring can provide. Youth, 1059 N. State St. This month’s It’s HERE! Do you have a copy of concert will also feature BAAY direc- the new 2014 Where the Locals

And, at the end of the night, when the .09 tor and vocalist David Post. Monthly Go! Coupon Book? Available at: 01 Indigo Girls launched into one of their big- concerts continue through June. # gest hits, “Galileo,” and I listened to the Tickets are $8-$10. Boundary Bay Brewery, Community Food Co-op, thousands of voices around me sing “How 650-1066 OR WWW.JAZZPROJECT.ORG Custom Rx Shoppe, DragonFrog Gallery & Gifts, long ’til my soul gets it right/Can any hu- Fairhaven Runners & Walkers, Film is Truth, THURS., JAN. 9 man being ever reach the highest light,” Garden Spot, Greenhouse, Griggs Office Supplies, INDIGO GIRLS: The Grammy-winning I knew that I was witnessing the kind of Joy of Pilates, Naked Clothing, NW Handspun folk-rock duo known as the Indigo Girls Yarns, Pure Bliss, RE Store, The Table and moment that makes my “Why not?” way of will grace Bellingham with their tal- Village Books CASCADIA WEEKLY life so worth it. ents at a 7:30pm concert at the Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial So, if you ask me whether you should see www.SustainbleConnections.org 19 St. Tickets to see the musicians and the Indigo Girls when they make their way activists are $35-$55. Lucy Wainwright to the Mount Baker Theatre on Thurs., Jan. Roche will open the show. 9, do not be surprised if my answer is ac- 734-6080 OR WWW. tually comprised of a two-word question: MOUNTBAKERTHEATRE.COM “Why not?” Choose local businesses taking action for a healthy community. musicvenues 30 See below for venue addresses and phone 01.01.14 01.02.14 01.03.14 01.04.14 01.05.14 01.06.14 01.07.14 FOOD FOOD numbers WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY

24 Bobby Lee's Pub & Karaoke w/Kristina Karaoke w/Kristina Karaoke w/Kristina Eatery B-BOARD B-BOARD Boundary Bay Aaron Guest (Taproom) Paul Klein, Jazz Night Brewery 22 22

Brown Lantern Ale THE BAD TENANTS/

FILM Sky Colony House Jan. 03/ Wild Buffalo

The ILL-Legitamants, Levons 18 18 18 Glow God, Noise Toys, Special Cabin Tavern Ghost L.A., Green Thumb Guests

MUSIC MUSIC Project MUSIC

Amy Hindman & Morty Conway Muse Prozac Mtn Boys Randy Norris & Jeff Nicely 16 Webb ART

Country Dave Har- Edison Inn Piano Night Nick Vigarino monson 15 STAGE Glow Nightclub In Night Out DJ Boombox Girl Meets Boy DJ Boombox

14 Hambone Wilson Hank Williams & Townes Country Dave and the Pickin' Sir Coyler & His Asthmatic Slow Jam (early), Open DJ Yogoman's Terrible Green Frog Robbie Walden Band (early), Guffawingham! Van Zandt Memorial Jam Crew Band, The DT's, Alyse Black Mic (late) Tuesday Soul Explosion (late) GET OUT

Bellewood Acres 6140 Guide Meridian, Lynden • (360) 318-7720 | Blue Horse Gallery 301 W. Holly St. • 671-2305 | Bobby Lee’s Pub & Eatery 108 W Main St, Everson • 966-8838 | Boundary Bay Brewing Co. 1107 Railroad Ave • 647-5593 | Brown Lantern Ale House 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 293-2544 | The Business 402 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 293-9788 | Cabin Tavern 307 W. Holly St. • 733-9685 | 12 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 WORDS

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01 • All Winners Club Members get $10 in Free Slot Play when you check in # every Saturday in January! Buy in $20 US get a $30 US Slot Ticket, any time on Sat- Special Deals Moving To Tuesdays & Wednesdays! urdays! Starting January 1, our Prime Time Passes will now be available to our guests age 50 • See Winners Club for details and over on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Same great deals — just on different days! and restrictions. Pick up your Passes at the Winners Club to enjoy a $3 Dining Coupon, $5 Free Play, CASCADIA WEEKLY and 20% off at the Gift Store. See Winners Club for details and restrictions. 20 PPP'GHHDL:GP: Where the fun and food never ends! 100'000'21-0 musicvenues 30

See below for venue FOOD addresses and phone 01.01.14 01.02.14 01.03.14 01.04.14 01.05.14 01.06.14 01.07.14 numbers WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY 24

Alan Hatley (early), DJ EmJay H2O DJ Ryan I DJ Triple Crown (late) B-BOARD B-BOARD

Honey Moon Open Mic w/Tad Kroening Whitney Monge Windsong PennyStinkers Pretty Little Feet The Shadies 22 FILM

Kulshan Brewery Sky Colony Quickdraw Stringband The Devilly Brothers 18 18

SURFER BLOOD/ MUSIC Main St. Bar and Grill Country Karaoke JP Falcon Grady Live Music Live Music Boogie Sundays MUSIC Jan. 03 / Shakedown 16

Randy Norris Live Music Epiphany Nooksack River Casino ART 15 Old World Deli Live Music STAGE

Royal Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke, DJ Karaoke, DJ Partyrock 14 GET OUT Rumors Leveled Throwback Thursdays DJ Postal, DJ Shortwave DJ Mike Tolleson Karaoke w/Zach 12

Showdown at the Shake- Surfer Blood, The Wild Ones, The Shakedown Karaoke w/Zach Zinn Tom Waits Night Aireeoke WORDS down Livingston Seagull 8

Silver Reef Hotel ROBBIE WALDEN/ Live Music Live Music Casino & Spa Jan. 02/Green Frog CURRENTS CURRENTS 6

Skagit Valley Casino 2 Buck Chuck Buckaroo Blues Band VIEWS 4

Skylark's Tocato Tango Steve Faucher Stirred Not Shaken MAIL

2 DO IT The Underground EDM Night All-Request Night Dance DJ Top 40 DJ

Via Cafe and Bistro Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke Dave Sterling J.P. Falcon, more 01.01.14 .09 01 # The Village Inn Karaoke Open Mic

David's Drinking Band, Wild Out Wednesday w/ My Dad Bruce, The Bad Ten- Wild Buffalo The Walrus (early) Chivalry Timbers, Blessed Coast ants, Mostafa Juniper Stills

The Green Frog 1015 N. State St. • www.acoustictavern.com | Edison Inn 5829 Cains Ct., Edison • (360) 766-6266 | Glow 202 E. Holly St. • 734-3305 | Graham’s Restaurant 9989 Mount Baker Hwy., Glacier • (360) CASCADIA WEEKLY

599-3663 | H20, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 755-3956 | Honey Moon 1053 N State St. • 734-0728 | Kulshan Brewery 2238 James St. • 389-5348 | Make.Shift Art Space 306 Flora St. • 389-3569 | Lighthouse Bar & Grill One Bellwether Way • ( 360) 392-3200 | Main Street Bar & Grill 2004 Main St., Ferndale • ( 360) 384-2982 | McKay’s Taphouse 1118 E. Maple St. • (360) 647-3600 | Nooksack River Casino 5048 Mt. Baker 21 Hwy., Deming • (360) 354-7428 | Poppe’s 714 Lakeway Dr. • 671-1011 | Paso Del Norte 758 Peace Portal Dr. Blaine • (360) 332-4045 | The Redlight 1017 N State St. • www.redlightwineandcoffee.com | Rockfish Grill 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 588-1720 | The Royal 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 | 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 | Washington Sips 608 1st. St., La Conner • (360)399-1037 | Wild Buffalo 208 W. Holly St. • www.wildbuffalo.net | To get your live music listings included in this esteemed newsprint, send info to [email protected]. Deadlines are always at 5pm Friday. married signing duo Jean (Carey Mulligan) and Jim (Justin Timberlake). Jim helps him land a solid gig; recording the infectious tune “Please Mr. Kennedy,” the film’s most

high-spirited ditty with Timberlake, Isaac 30 and Adam Driver of Girls in a hilarious,

FOOD FOOD show-stopping number. The bubbly tune is Film just one from a wide-ranging, first-class MOVIE REVIEWS ›› SHOWTIMES soundtrack from executive music producer 24 T. Bone Burnett. By signing on Burnett to fine-tune the

B-BOARD B-BOARD score, the Coens show their commitment to the quality of the music. The haunting and

mournful opening and closing song, “Hang 22 22 22 Me, Oh Hang Me” perfectly conveys the en- FILM FILM tire tone of the film. That attention to detail extends to the characters they create, with the screen- 18 play digging deep into the psyches of all

MUSIC involved, from the leads to the secondary characters.

16 John Goodman is scene-stealingly bizarre as the manipulative and not always lucid ART Roland Turner, who along with his macho driver Johnny Five (Garrett Hedlund, chan- 15 neling the Beat Generation better than

STAGE ever), give Llewyn a ride he’ll never for- 14

GET OUT , There’s not much of a 12 plot to speak of, just a

WORDS piercing, evocative sense

8 of a time and place and the characters contained

CURRENTS CURRENTS within it 6

VIEWS get. But the best performance comes from

4 Isaac, who never allows Llewyn to lose REVIEWED BY RANDY MYERS his bitterness but manages to convey just

MAIL MAIL enough humanity for us to care about him.

In supporting roles, Timberlake is ideal 2 Inside Llewyn Davis as the earnest singer with appealing looks. DO IT IT DO

Mulligan satisfyingly abandons that waifish THE COEN BROTHERS STRIKE AGAIN onscreen persona we associate with her to play the foul-mouthed Jean—and she’s all lewyn Davis, the rumpled anti-hero at the center of the Coen Brothers lat- ters both mythical and near-mythic. But the better for it. 01.01.14 est bravura release, is his own worst enemy. It’s 1961, and the luckless folk the tone couldn’t be more different. Da- Inside Llewyn Davis is just as unexpect- singer is camping out on other musicians’ sofas, seemingly incapable of even vis is a more somber character study of a ed as Mulligan’s furious rant of a perfor-

.09 L taking care of a wayward cat. He’s barely eking out a living in Greenwich Village and musician’s life. mance. And that’s part of what makes the 01 # offends almost anyone who gives a damn about him. There are songs and iconic characters Coen brothers’ movies so enjoyable. You As created by writer-director team of Joel and Ethan Coen and acted with guile aplenty sprinkled in, with actual loca- never know where these daredevils are and candor by newcomer Oscar Isaac, Davis, the self-destructive singer with a soul- tions such as the Gaslight Cafe—a real- heading—they’re originals through and ful voice and talent, is one of the year’s unique and uncompromising protagonists. life hub for the folk singing scene back through. That’s because he’s a jerk. The Coens don’t let him off the hook, either, even then—figuring prominently. Who else would have the moxie to when they reveal what has contributed to his bad behavior. Llewyn is fascinating The Coens set their story before the ad- make a movie that not only deploys an

CASCADIA WEEKLY company to keep—so long as it’s at a distance. vent of Dylan and the folk music explo- elusive cat as a metaphor, but also sea- Inside Llewyn Davis is one of those Coen brothers’ movies like A Serious Man, sion, depositing Llewyn in an era when sons it with Ulysses for some literary al- 22 where there’s not much of a plot to speak of, just a piercing, evocative sense record labels sought acts with musical lusion, then makes its prickly protagonist of a time and place and the characters contained within it. hooks and matinee idol looks. an irascible singer? With its abiding appreciation for music, Davis will likely be seen as a cousin to The unkempt Llewyn knows how to sing Hang me, oh hang me, if these two the duo’s peppy George Clooney romp O Brother, Where Art Thou? from 2000. Both, but lacks star quality or charisma. So he don’t continue to make such inspired after all, are “journey” stories with the protagonists brushing up next to charac- seeks handouts, and then some, from cute films. film ›› showing this week

BY CAREY ROSS ever seen. Their ultimate destination will no doubt 30 be Oscar nods for the both of them. +++++ (R • 1 FOOD FOOD hr. 55 min.) FILM SHORTS Pickford Film Center: See www.pickfordfilmcenter. com for showtimes. 24 47 Ronin: As long as I live, I will never comprehend quantum physics, the subtle nuances of the conflict Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones: Because in the Middle East or how Keanu Reeves continues to we can’t kick off a new year without a tepid install- B-BOARD B-BOARD land movie roles. I have hopes of understanding the ment of a once-promising horror franchise. Here’s

first two before I die. ++ (PG-13 • 2 hrs. 7 min.) to a year in which Hollywood eschews sequels and Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- superhero movies for original entertainment, and a 22 22 22 times. unicorn and a leprechaun for everyone who wants one. + (R • 1 hr. 24 min.) FILM FILM American Hustle: After a rocky start in Hollywood Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- marked by public feuding with his actors, director times.

David O. Russell has hit his stride with films like The 18 Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook. This freewheeling, Philomena: I would watch Judi Dench read a grocery highly comic story of political scandal, which sees list—and I’m sure she’d find a way to make it the MUSIC the director team up again with Jennifer Lawrence, most interesting story ever told. In this fierce and looks to be his strongest effort yet. +++++ (R • 2 funny story of adoption, Irish-Catholic oppression hrs. 9 min.) and the search for family, Dame Dench is well- 16

Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- matched by costar Steve Coogan and director Stephen ART times. Frears. ++++ (PG-13 • 1 hr. 38 min.) Pickford Film Center: See www.pickfordfilmcenter. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues: I’m pretty com for showtimes. 15 sure it doesn’t matter one whit whether this movie ISTHEMANWHOISTALLHAPPY? is worth watching or not because we’re all going to Saving Mr. Banks: 2013 saw Tom Hanks proving STAGE see it anyway. I’m also fairly certain nothing in this his status as one of Hollywood’s most adept, beloved movie is as clever as all the pre-release Ron Burgundy and bankable actors with what is almost sure to be antics Will Ferrell has unleashed on the world, mak- Free Birds: Time-traveling turkeys is a weird enough Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- an Oscar-nominated role in Captain Phillips and here, 14 ing this movie a success before it even hits the big plot conceit for an animated adventure, but these times. as Walt Disney trying to charm, cajole and woo Mary screen. ++++ (PG-13 • 1 hr. 59 min.) gabby gobblers prove themselves unworthy of a Poppins into cinematic life. ++++ (PG-13 • 2 hrs.) GET OUT Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- Thanksgiving Day pardon. ++ (PG • 1 hr. 30 min.) Insidious: Chapter 2: More insidiouser than ever. Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for showtimes. Bellis Fair: See www.fandango.com for showtimes. ++ (PG-13 • 1 hr. 45 min.) times. Bellis Fair: See www.fandango.com for showtimes. 12 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2: I was Frozen: Disney unleashes a brand-new princess on The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: I had high pretty surprised when this children’s book was adapt- the world, just in time for a holiday merchandising Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy?: A visionary hopes for this big-screen adaptation of James ed for the big screen. I am no less surprised that it push. However, this is no passive princess, but a filmmaker—Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Thurber’s short story. Ben Stiller’s interpretation (he WORDS somehow merits a sequel. ++ (PG • 1 hr. 35 min.) git-’er-done, girl-power heroine who is not to be Spotless Mind)—sits down to have a conversation directs and stars) is visually whimsical but otherwise

Bellis Fair: See www.fandango.com for showtimes. messed with. Has the House of Mouse finally gotten with the smartest man alive—Noam Chomsky—and blah. Methinks Walter Mitty’s secret life should’ve 8 the memo that women don’t want to be damsels in illustrates the whole thing with hand-drawn anima- stayed that way. ++ (PG • 1 hr. 54 min.) Dallas Buyers Club: Here’s a sentence I never distress? One can only hope. ++++ (PG • 1 hr. 45 tion. It’s as weird as it sounds, and the results are Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- thought I’d write: This is the year Matthew Mc- min.) surprisingly insightful and entertaining. ++++ times. Conaughey nabs an Oscar nomination, and this is the Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- (Unrated • 1 hr. 28 min.) CURRENTS movie that’s going to earn him the honor. +++++ times. PFC’s Limelight: See www.pickfordfilmcenter.com for Walking with Dinosaurs: This movie features 6 (R • 1 hr. 57 min.) showtimes. Patchi, an “underdog dinosaur,” and will probably PFC’s Limelight: See www.pickfordfilmcenter.com for Grudge Match: Sylvester Stallone steps back into misinform you and your children about many matters showtimes. the boxing ring and the whole world cringes a little. Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa: Jackass does relating to dinosaurs, their status as underdogs and VIEWS + (PG-13 • 1 hr. 54 min.) what Jackass does best in the only way Jackass knows their ability not only to speak, but also to tell jokes. 4 Despicable Me 2: The inaugural installment of this Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- how. +++ (R • 1 hr. 32 min.) ++ (PG • 1 hr. 20 min.) animated franchise benefited from telling its tale times. Bellis Fair: See www.fandango.com for showtimes. Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- MAIL MAIL from the point of view of the villain (voiced by Steve times.

Carell). Now that villain has become anti-villain—and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Not as Justin Bieber’s Believe: Here’s some things I 2 a father—will this sequel be able to conjure the same boring as the first installment, still not as good as “believe” when it comes to Justin Bieber. I believe The Wolf of Wall Street: Martin Scorsese is a mas- sort of magic? Signs point to yes. +++ (PG • 1 hr. The Lord of the Rings franchise. ++++ (PG-13 • 2 him to be a spoiled brat. I believe his 15 minutes of ter director somehow still at the height of his craft. DO IT

38 min.) hrs. 40 min.) fame should be just about up. And I believe that, as Never does he seem to be having more fun than when Bellis Fair: See www.fandango.com for showtimes. Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- role models go, he blows the big one. Believe that, he gets to tell free-wheeling stories of the massive times. Beliebers. + (PG • 1 hr. 31 min.) spoils of criminal enterprise, and this story of Wall Ender’s Game: This is a movie in which the fate of Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- Street chicanery is right in that wheelhouse. Add civilization is put into the hands of a teenage boy. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: I would like times. his cinematic muse, Leonardo DiCaprio, to the mix 01.01.14 And that’s just the first thing about the premise of to thank this box-office-smashing cinematic saga for and you have one of the year’s most watchable films.

this beloved book-turned-movie that I find to be a gifting the world with the crazy magic that is Jen- Nebraska: Director Alexandar Payne (Sideways, ++++ (R • 2 hrs. 59 min.) .09 little suspect. +++ (PG-13 • 1 hr. 54 min.) nifer Lawrence. I hear the movie she stars in is pretty About Schmidt) and a decidedly irascible Bruce Dern 01 Barkley Village: See www.fandango.com for show- # Bellis Fair: See www.fandango.com for showtimes. decent too. ++++ (PG-13 • 2 hrs. 26 min.) team up to make a road-trip movie unlike any you’ve times. PEP PER CASCADIA WEEKLY SISTERS 23 COOKING OUTSIDE THE BOX SINCE 1988

Open Nightly Except Monday 1055 N State St B’ham 671-3414 NOW SHOWING Jan 3 - 9

30 bulletinboard 200 200 200 200 FOOD FOOD MIND & BODY MIND & BODY MIND & BODY MIND & BODY PFC OSCAR WATCH - We predict this week’s films will be Attend a Reiki Share at The Bellingham Babywearers body’s innate healing system detoxification week from Jan. 24

24 nominated: Philomena, Nebraska, and Dallas Buyers Club 6:30pm Friday, January 3 at meet from 10am-12pm Fri- when balance is offered to the 20-24. The cleanse includes Mount Vernon’s Skagit Valley day, January 3 at the Dodson structures in the brain and oil treatments, herbal formu- Food Co-op. The treatments Room at the Bellingham Pub- nervous system. Please reg- las to support digestion, diet PHILOMENA (R) 98m are a time of sharing, learning lic Library, 210 Central Ave. ister in advance. More info: modifications and personal- B-BOARD B-BOARD B-BOARD “Ms. (Judi) Dench gives a wrenching and deeply and healing that is brought to Attendees can learn proper www.skagitfoodcoop.com ized support. Cost is 4149 the table by each person re- baby-wearing techniques for includes the workshop, lunch, touching performance in the title role of Philomena gardless of the individual ex- infants and toddlers with a va- An End of Life Health Care follow-up meetings and a Lee, a spirited woman who spent 50 years

22 22 perience. The event is offered riety of slings, wraps and car- Workshop happens from starter supply kit. More info: free of charge. More info: riers. Families are welcome. 11am-12:30pm Thursday, Jan. 734-2396 or www.ayurvedi- searching for the son she was forced to give up for www.skagitfoodcoop.com More info: www.bellingham- 9 in Maple Falls at the North chealthcenter.com adoption without consent. It’s profoundly moving FILM publiclibrary.org Fork Community Library, 7506 Kendall Rd. At the free work- A Grief Support Group meets and thoroughly mind provoking. I’ve seen it twice Clinical hypnotherapist Erika shop hosted by the Whatcom at 7pm every Tuesday at the and felt exhilarated, informed, enriched, absorbed 18 Flint leads an “Introduction Alliance for Health Advance- St. Luke’s Community Health and optimistic both times.” NY Observer to Self-Hypnosis” from 10- ment participants will learn Education Center. The free, 11:30am Saturday, January why advance care planning is drop-in support group is for Fri: (1:35), (4:00), 6:20, 8:45 MUSIC 4 at the Community Food important for all adults. More those experiencing the recent Sat: (11:10AM), (1:35), 4:00, 6:20, 8:45 Co-op, 1220 N. Forest St. info: (360) 788-6526 or www. death of a friend or loved one. Participants will learn the top wcls.org More info: 733-5877 Sun: (1:35), 4:00, 6:20 16 five self-hypnosis techniques Mon - Thu: (4:00), 6:20, 8:45 to support them in their New Licensed mental health coun- Learn about Emotional Free- ART Year wellness resolutions. selor Marianne Shapiro fo- dom Techniques (EFT) at a The hands-on workshop is cuses on “How Healing Hap- variety of workshops in Bell- NEBRASKA (R) 115m “What’s extraordinary is free; please register in ad- pens” from 10am-12:30pm ingham. The ongoing series

15 BUY YOUR what happens at the intersection of Mr. Payne’s vance. More info: 734-8158 Saturday, Jan. 11 at the Skagit meets on the second Sunday OWN HOME! or www.communityfood.coop Valley Food Co-op in Mount of the month at the Mount impeccable direction and Mr. Nelson’s brilliant Vernon. “We will warm up to Vernon Center for Spiritual STAGE script. Ineffably tender, entirely unexpected and More than 100 Learn more about natural flu one another and as a com- Living and from 1-5pm on the families just like prevention when nutrition- munity feel into the nature of fourth Sunday at the Belling- quietly thrilling.” Wall Street Journal yours have ist Karl Mincin leads a “Feed healing, from our own experi- ham Center for Spiritual Liv- Fri: (1:15), (3:50), 6:30, 9:05 14 Your Immune System Well” ences; our thoughts, actions, ing, 2224 Yew Street Rd. More purchased workshop at 6:30pm Tuesday, relationships, emotions and info: www.eftsettings.com Sat & Sun: (1:15), 3:50, 6:30, 9:05 affordable, January 7 in Mount Vernon or desires,” Shapiro says. Mon: (3:50), 9:05 at the Skagit Valley Food Register in advance; entry is Co-Dependents Anonymous GET OUT high-quality Tue & Wed: (3:50), 6:30, 9:05 homes in our Co-op. Learn which foods free. More info: www.skagit- meets from 7-8:30pm every are pro-immunity and which foodcoop.com Monday at PeaceHealth St. Thu: (3:00), 8:30 community! are anti-immunity, and bring Joseph’s South Campus, 809

12 home practical suggestions Bellingham’s Ayurvedic E. Chestnut St. Entry is by It’s easier than that can be put to use immedi- Health Center will offer an donation. More info: 676-8588 ZATOICHI’S FLASHING SWORD 82m you think. Let us ately to boost your nutritional ayurvedic health-cleanse Sat: 11:00AM - Series Pass now $75!

WORDS show you how. defense. Register in advance; workshop from 12:30-5pm entry is free. More info: www. Sunday, Jan. 12 at Inspire SUMMER IN FEBRUARY (NR) 100m 360-671-5600, x2 skagitfoodcoop.com Studio, 14100 Cornwall Ave., calendar@ 8 Suite 201. After the workshop, cascadiaweekly.com Starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) [email protected] Jean Christensen, LMP, participants will be guided Mon: 6:30 www.KulshanCLT.org will focus on “Craniosacral through a gentle but powerful Therapy: What Is It & How It Works” at a free workshop at THE BURMESE HARP (1956) 78m CURRENTS CURRENTS 6:30pm Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Brad Davis Guitarist & Mobile Thu: 5:45 - Masters of Japanese Cinema the Skagit Valley Food Co-op

6 Guitar Instructor in Mount Vernon. Learn about how you can access your PICKFORD FILM CENTER: 1318 Bay St. | 360.738.0735 | www.pickfordfilmcenter.org For Lessons or Booking VIEWS Phone:360-922-7992 [email protected] Box Office is Open 30 Minutes Prior to First Showtime

4 Cerise Noah www.mynotefinders.com REALTOR® www.labahza.com (for more sound bites) Bellingham, WA Join us for a drink before your movie! Mary’s Happy Hour: 4-6pm, M-F $2 Beer/$3 Wine MAIL MAIL Professional,

® 2 knowledgeable, NEED A DEDICATED REALTOR TO HELP WITH YOUR HOME SEARCH? NOW SHOWING Jan 3 - 9

DO IT IT DO fun & friendly at PFC’s Limelight Cinema CallCall JERRY SWANN at to work with. 1416 Cornwall Avenue ZipRealty Parentheses ( ) Denote Bargain Pricing Age 21+ Only

01.01.14 Windermere Real Estate Whatcom, Inc. Bellingham 360.319.7776 IS THE MAN WHO IS TALL HAPPY?: AN .09 (360) 393-5826 Find over 30 client reviews at: ANIMATED CONVERSATION WITH NOAM 01 # [email protected] SearchWhatcomSkagitHomes.comS CHOMSKY (NR) 88m New from Director Michel Gondry “This is a film to see and then see again, to soak in and marvel at and - like its director - try to keep up with.” Village Voice Fri - Sun: (1:15), 9:00; Mon - Thu: 9:00

CASCADIA WEEKLY DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (R) 117m “Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto give 24 bold, true performances in this fact-based drama about disease and redemption.” Time Fri: (3:30), 6:15; Sat & Sun: 3:30, 6:15 Mon - Thu: (3:30), 6:15

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30 ana Jones’s quest wurst: abbr. boat 47 Hole-poking tool FOOD FOOD 45 Big guy in Molokai 74 Part of PBS 29 Foot curve 50 Singles, RBI and 48 First Nations 31 Beyonce’s “Irre- triple-doubles 24 24 tribe Down placeable” and Hall 52 Bruce who keeps 49 Seven Sisters 1 Bacterial infec- & Oates’s “She’s up with the Kar- B-BOARD B-BOARD B-BOARD college tion, for short Gone,” for two dashians 51 Major stress fac- 2 “Rocky” actress 32 “Allure” shelf- 54 Keep away from tor, it’s said Shire mate 56 Piece of Bacon? 22 22 53 Send a short 3 Game that’s sort 33 Eye problem 57 Navy commandos

FILM message of an ancestor of 34 Royal Norwegian 58 States of anger 55 Opticians’ prod- Jenga name 59 Did well at

18 ucts 4 Court order 35 ___ mater (brain Battleship 58 “I, Robot” au- 5 Sinatra ex Gardner covering) 60 Massive landmass MUSIC thor Asimov 6 GOP’s opposition 37 Rice from Loui- 62 “PED ___” 61 Confound 7 Like tabloid head- siana (street sign) 16 63 Wild West “jus- lines 40 Reality check 65 Charge card ART tice” 8 Needle ___ hay- 43 ___ Lodge charge

15 64 Person who stack 46 “___ you for 66 “All in favor” believes Haile 9 What to try if real?” word

STAGE Selassie was the things aren’t Messiah working Last Week’s Puzzle 14 67 Org. where 10 Halloween van- Across boxer 28 Aries, astrologi- Edward Snowden dal’s projectiles

GET OUT 1 NASDAQ purchase 18 Cinematogra- cally once did contract- 11 Change of ad- 4 Thanksgiving tur- pher’s concern 30 Unreliable people ing dress, to a realtor

12 key carver, maybe 20 “The Twelve Days 34 Garfield’s foil 68 Stranded, in a 12 Forbidden fruit 7 ___-M-Aid (candy of Christmas” 36 College town way locale

WORDS renamed Fun Dip) musician north of San 69 “Bill ___, the 16 “Sweet Love” 10 Before 22 Enjoy Mt. Hood, Francisco Science Guy” singer Baker 8 13 “Tic ___ Dough” say 38 Computer key 70 Chick 19 Place to buy a (game show) 23 Animal on Wyo- 39 “Filthy” dough 71 Jamaican music few compacts

CURRENTS CURRENTS 14 Last-minute ming’s flag 41 Jailbird 72 Spider-Man cre- 21 Old knockout shopper’s day 24 Get a move on 42 Hockey great ator Stan fumes 6 15 Let loose 26 Roll with the Cam 73 Home of Kraft- 25 Carrier’s org.

VIEWS 17 “The greatest” punches 44 Subject of Indi- werk and brat- 27 To the back of a 4 MAIL MAIL

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30 Sudoku FOOD 24 HOW TO SUDOKU: Arrange the digits 1-9 in such a way that 24 each digit occurs only once in each row, only once in each B-BOARD column, and only once in each box. Try it! B-BOARD

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30 Try our New Full Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Menus! FREE WILL LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The citizens of Ice-

FOOD FOOD land love literature, but many are not content to simply read. One out of every 10 Icelanders writes and Four Course Sunset Specials ASTROLOGY publishes a book at sometime in his or her life. I know

24 NOW AVAILABLE DURING LUNCH! Ê££>È«ÊUÊ->ÌÊEÊ-ÕÊÎ«È« it’s unrealistic, but I would love to see at least one 24 $ 95* Deep bronzes and in ten of all my Libra readers do the same in 2014. I 15 15 Entrees to choose from ARIES (March 21-April 19): smoky cinnamons and dark chocolates will be your think you’re ready to make a big statement—to ex- ««iÌâiÀ]Ê-Õ«ÊÀÊ->>`]Ê iÃÃiÀÌ lucky colors in 2014. Mellow mahoganies and reso- press yourself in a more complete and dramatic way B-BOARD B-BOARD B-BOARD nant russets will work well for you, too. They will all than ever before. If you’re not ready to write a book, I be part of life’s conspiracy to get you to slow down, hope you will attempt an equivalent accomplishment. Now Offering Ravioli, Gnocchi & Veal deepen your perspective, and slip into the sweetest 22 22 /FX%FTTFSU0QUJPOTtCréme Brulee made In-House groove ever. In this spirit, I urge you to nestle and SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I’m hoping you cuddle and caress more than usual in the coming will find a new teacher or two in 2014, maybe even FILM months. If you aren’t totally clear on where home a mentor. Not a guru who tells you what to do. Not *Offer valid 7 days a week (holidays excluded) For additional offers visit www.granaio.com is, either in the external world or inside your heart, an exploitative “expert” who claims to know what’s devote yourself to finding it. Hone your emotional right for you or a charismatic narcissist who collects

18 CALL FOR RESERVATIONS intelligence. Explore your roots. On a regular basis, adoration. What I wish for you, Scorpio, is that you Lunch hours 360.419.0674 remember your reasons for loving life. Stay in close will connect with wise and humble sources of inspi-

MUSIC touch with the sources that feed your wild soul. ration...with lifelong learners who listen well and 11am–3pm WWW.GRANAIO.COM Dinner hours stimulate you to ask good questions...with curious [email protected] TAURUS (April 20-May 20): For years, French guides who open your eyes to resources you don’t

16 3pm–10pm £ääÊ Ê Ì}iÀÞ]Ê-ÕÌiÊ££ä]Ê ÕÌÊ6iÀ painter Édouard Manet and French poet Stéphane realize you need. In the coming months, you are

ART Mallarmé hung out with each other every day. Mal- primed to launch a quest that will keep you busy larmé referred to their relationship as “the most com- and excited for years; I’d love to see you get excel- plete friendship.” They influenced each other to be- lent help in framing that quest. 15 come better artists and human beings. I’m guessing that in the coming months, Taurus, you’ll thrive on SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In 2014, it’s

STAGE that kind of stimulating companionship. Having such possible you will be given a cabbage farm or a petting regular contact with a like-minded ally might even be zoo or some bequest that’s not exactly in close align- an important factor in ripening your intelligence. At ment with your life’s purpose. But it’s more likely that

14 the very least, I predict that soulful friendship will the legacies and dispensations you receive will be be a crucial theme in 2014. You will attract bless- quite useful. The general trend is that allies will make ings and generate luck for yourself by deepening your available to you a steady flow of useful things. Your

GET OUT ability to cultivate synergistic bonds. ability to attract what you need will be high. In the coming months, I may even have good reason to name GEMINI (May 21-June 20): St. Peter’s Basilica you an honorary Scorpio. You might match those Great

12 is a very old church in Vatican City. It contains a Manipulators’ proficiency at extracting the essence of life-size bronze statue of St. Peter that is at least what you want from every situation. 700 years old. Over the centuries, countless visitors WORDS have paid their respects by kissing and touching CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Would you be the feet of the idol. The metal composing the right interested in a motto that will help set the tone for

8 foot has been so thoroughly worn down by these you in 2014? I’ve got a suggestion that’s in align- gestures that the individual toes have disappeared, ment with the astrological omens. It’s from a poem leaving a smooth surface. You will have a similar by Margaret Atwood. Try saying this and see if it kind of power in 2014, Gemini. Little by little, with works for you: “Last year I abstained / this year I CURRENTS CURRENTS your steady affection and relentless devotion, you devour / without guilt / which is also an art.” If you can transform what’s rigid and hard. choose to make this affirmation your own, be sure 6 you don’t forget about the fact that devouring with- CANCER (June 21-July 22): Big rivers don’t out guilt is an art—a skill that requires craft and

VIEWS travel in straight lines. Their paths are curvy and sensitivity. You can’t afford to get blindly instinc- complicated, with periodic turns and bends. In some tual and greedy in 2014; you shouldn’t compulsively

4 places they flow faster and in others they’re slower. overcompensate for 2013’s deprivations. Be cagey Their depth and width may vary along the way, too. and discerning as you satisfy your voracious hunger.

MAIL MAIL Your own destiny is like one of those big rivers, Can- cerian. In some years, it meanders for long stretches, AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The coming

2 FREE DELIVERY slowing down as it wanders along a crooked course. months will be a good time to meditate on the con- It may even get shallower and narrower for a while. cepts of happy accidents and benevolent trouble. Go DO IT IT DO 650-0555 But I expect that in 2014, you will be moving more ahead and throw constructive mischief into the mix, rapidly than usual. You will be traveling a more direct too, and maybe even a dose of graceful chaos. Are route, and you will be both wide and deep. you game for playing around with so much paradox? 1 large Are you willing to entertain the possibility that fate LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “In games there are has generous plans for you that are too unexpected 01.01.14 2 topping rules,” writes science fiction author Kim Stanley to anticipate? There’s only one requirement that you Robinson, “but in life the rules keep changing.” This have to meet in order to receive your odd gifts in

.09 is always true, of course, but I think it will be an the spirit in which they’ll be offered: You’ve got to 01

# $9.99 especially poignant truth for you between now and be open-minded, eager to learn, and flexible. second pizza your next birthday. During the coming months, you $7 may sometimes feel as if every last law and formula PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I think we humans and corollary is mutating. In some cases, the new need some new emotions. It’s true that old standards Extra large rules coming into play will be so different from the like sadness, anger, jealousy and fear are as popular old rules you’ve been used to, they may at first be as ever. But I would personally love to be able to 2 topping hard to figure out. But now here’s the happy end- choose from a greater variety, especially if at least 51 ing: It may take a while, but you will eventually see percent of the new crop of emotions were positive or that these new rules have an unexpected logic and inspiring. Now it so happens that in 2014 you Pis- CASCADIA WEEKLY $12.99 beauty that will serve your future well. ceans will be primed to be pioneers. Your emotional 28 with FREE intelligence should be operating at peak levels. Your VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I predict that you imagination will be even more fertile than usual. So Breadsticks will commit no major acts of self-sabotage in 2014. how about it? Are you ready to generate revolution- Congrats! I also foresee that you will be exception- ary innovations in the art of feeling unique and inter- $7.50Lg or ally careful not to hurt or damage yourself. Hooray! esting feelings? To get started, consider these: 1. $9.99XL More good news: You won’t be as critical of yourself amused reverence; 2. poignant excitement; 3. tricky carry out as you have sometimes been in the past. The judg- sincerity; 4. boisterous empathy. BY AMY ALKON MAKING STALL TALK After three years of dating, I’m ready to

propose to my girlfriend. She’s in college

THE ADVICE across the country now, so I’m waiting 30 until late February when she’ll be home FOOD FOOD GODDESS to visit. My plan is to take her on our favorite hike and ask her there. The thing 24 KIN I SEE YOU NAKED? is, we’ve been arguing about when (and 24 I’m 22 and deeply in love with the wrong if) I’m going to propose. It’s starting to person—my uncle-in-law (my mom’s get awkward and maybe even hurting B-BOARD B-BOARD B-BOARD sister’s husband). We started confiding our relationship, but I’d hate to ruin the in each other, one thing led to another, surprise by telling her I’ll be proposing in and we’ve been sleeping together for more a few months and not to worry. Any ideas 22 than a year. I’m so drawn to him. He’s on how I can keep the peace while keeping FILM magnetic, charming, a great person, and my secret? a devoted dad. I know I need to end this, —The Gloom and before my family discovers it, but my 18 At a certain point, a woman starts lust for him seems insatiable. to believe the only way she’ll get rice MUSIC —Drowning thrown at her is to start a food fight

It’s sometimes good to confide at a Chinese restaurant. 16

things of a personal nature to one’s Of course you want to propose just ART uncle—like that your mother always right, out in nature, complete with

loved your brother more, not that you small woodland animals holding the 15 aren’t wearing any panties. “Will you marry me?” sign and break-

Lester & Hyldahl STAGE Don’t kid yourself that you’re into ing out in song. The reality is, you’ll the guy for all of his great qualities, probably do O.K. with just about any Helping Good People in Difficult Times proposal that includes a diamond ring like what a “devoted dad” he is—a 14 term not typically used to describe a and the words, “Will you marry me?” dad devoted to sneaking out to meet (Ever hear of a woman complaining, DUI/Criminal his niece for sex. Your “insatiability” “Yeah, all he did is get down on one GET OUT is textbook behavioral conditioning. knee, pull out the little velvet box Bankruptcy

Lab rats that only sporadically get a and tell me he wanted us to spend 12 pellet when they push the little bar the rest of our lives together”?) So Personal Injury maybe what’s better than the perfect become obsessed with pushing it. WORDS Rats that get a pellet every time will proposal is the perfect-enough pro-

stop pushing when they’re no longer posal—the one that comes before 8 hungry and go about their ratty busi- your girlfriend builds up so much re- Tom Lester & Doug Hyldahl sentment that she changes her voice- ness. Likewise, if this guy were totally Attorneys at Law available—if you could get sex pel- mail message to “Sorry, can’t come CURRENTS lets on demand—you’d stop seeing to the phone right now. I’m having 6 him through a junkie’s glazed eyes and revenge sex with the guy in the next dorm room.” 360.733.5774 notice who he actually is: a guy who [email protected] VIEWS You’re smart to want to take ad- doesn’t care enough about devastating 119 N. Commercial Street, Suite 175 his wife and kids to keep his willy in vantage of the romantic power of 4 its cage. surprise, but you can do that on any MAIL MAIL You aren’t going to stop lusting af- old Wednesday. My suggestion is that

ter Uncle Romeo; what you can stop you get on the phone with her one 2 is the behavior that follows: running morning (extremely soon) and make DO IT IT DO off to have a sex date with him. Tell like your boss has interrupted your him it’s over, and then come up with call. Tell her you’ll talk to her later, replacement behavior—maybe doing and do that—at her door on one an hour of killer cardio—to plug in knee. The unexpectedness and the 01.01.14 whenever the uncle lust bubbles up. extravagance of your flying there To help maintain your resolve, espe- will give her a romantic story to tell .09

in class the next day, and doing it 01

cially at first, consider the kind of # woman you want to be. Do the sorts of sooner rather than later will allow things this woman would do and avoid her to spend the next few months en- doing the sorts of things (and people) gaged instead of enraged. (Not to she wouldn’t. For example, it might worry—you’ll have a lifetime of op- Whole Desserts BRING be nice to find a guy who loves being portunities to make her so pissed off around your family, but not because that she refuses to have sex with you Pots of Soup ward CASCADIA WEEKLY he’s already married to somebody in ever again.)” winning it. And finally, when you’re thinking 29 of activities more in keeping with the ©2013, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Baguettes & Rolls A new you, consider the obvious—that Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Peanut Butter Pie if you’re meeting your sex partners at Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA Happy Holidays! to your next party! family gatherings, you really need to 90405, or e-mail [email protected] get out more. (advicegoddess.com). percorns in a black bean chili sauce. In China, the dish is so popular there are restaurants that serve nothing else. Tofu and pork are cooked together in

the cuisines of other Asian countries as 30 30 well, including Korea and Japan, each FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD of which has its own version of mapo chow tofu, as well as Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam.

24 RECIPES REVIEWS PROFILES In the United States, where tofu is still largely considered a meat substi-

B-BOARD B-BOARD tute, rather than having an identity of its own, the combination of pork and tofu is often considered an oxymoron. 22 22 BY ARI LEVAUX But I love everything about this coun-

FILM terintuitive pairing, from the flavor to the sentiment behind it. Nothing screams “tofu is not a meat substitute!” 18 Bacon Tofu Tuesday than mixing it with bacon.

MUSIC A RESOLUTION THAT’S EASY TO KEEP While a poor meat substitute, it’s a great meat extender. Adding a brick’s

16 worth of tofu slices allows you to use meat than you would have, without feel- ART ing less deprived. One of the easiest ways to experience 15 porky tofu is to fry it with bacon, in

STAGE oyster sauce. Firm tofu is best for this. Start by frying the tofu, in a little oil, and when it’s nearly done to your liking 14 add the bacon, chopped in inch-squares. Stir gently so as not to break the tofu

GET OUT chunks. When the bacon is nearly done, add minced garlic. Stir it around for a second, then add a few tablespoons of 12 oyster sauce, along with some white wine or water if the pan is dry. Serve WORDS with rice. Vegetables can be added to this dish as well, at different points, de- 8 pending on how long they take to cook. I like to keep it simple with just one veg-

CURRENTS CURRENTS etable, like broccoli, or kale. I’m not often mistaken as a Chinese 6 chef, but the results were impressive when I followed Marc Matsumoto’s VIEWS mapo tofu recipe I found on the PBS

4 Fresh Bites blog. Matsumoto also dis- cusses the meaning of the dish’s name,

MAIL MAIL which translates into something like

“Pockmark-Faced Lady’s Tofu.” Not the 2 most appetizing name, but boy does it DO IT IT DO

ince Meatless Monday first became a thing in 2003, it’s become a Alas, when those accompanying ingredi- hit the spot. My pork-averse wife ate popular New Year’s Resolution to skip meat for one day a week. ents are plant-based, as is the case with more than I did. S The amount of food—and the land required to grow it—that’s used to pro- vegetarian tofu dishes, it’s a laughable If you can get your hands on sprouted duce meat could feed vegetables to a lot more people, with less greenhouse gas meat substitute. But when the accompa- tofu, you should give it a try. Even raw, 01.01.14 production and other environmental fallout. As this idea has become ingrained in nying ingredients are pork-based, another it tastes considerably better than succu- the mainstream understanding of where meat comes from, many have concluded, side of tofu emerges. While Swiss chard- lent chalk, and has more nutrients than .09 sadly, that they should cut back on meat. flavored tofu might not satisfy a carnivo- un-sprouted tofu. 01 # While some carnivores aren’t ready to make this step, others are ready to take it rous hunger, bacon-greased bean curd is a Sprouted tofu is typically sold in firm a notch past a mere Meatless Monday. Both groups could do well to consider the proven winner. bricks, rather than the soft variety ancient Chinese secret of mixing their meat with tofu, which effectively cuts meat My local Chinese restaurant does spec- that’s best for mapo tofu. But with ba- consumption in half for a given meal. For some, Meatless Monday could flow into tacular things with pork and tofu. The con and oyster sauce, firm sprouted Bacon Tofu Tuesday, while those taking baby steps could try half-meat Monday. Jackie Chan special, for example, combines tofu works great. And there is some- Meat lovers often look down on tofu as a bland substitute for their protein of slices of pork belly with dried tofu and thing deeply satisfying, on a semantic

CASCADIA WEEKLY choice. Indeed, protein content notwithstanding, they are nothing alike. You can’t mustard greens, while the “Chinese-style” level, about eating sprouted tofu with just swap tofu for meat and expect no one to notice. twice-cooked pork is half tofu—and no- bacon. It’s like eating something that 30 That much was clear to me when, as a young vegetarian, my dad tried to make me body complains. The kitchen also cranks doesn’t make any sense and shouldn’t eat bean curd, as he called it, so I wouldn’t become malnourished. Bean curd’s cu- out a great version of the Szechuan com- exist, like braised perpetual motion. linary virtues, as he explained them, were based on its ability to absorb the flavors fort food mapo tofu, in which ground pork This, and the amazing flavor of pork and around it. While by itself tofu may taste like a more succulent version of chalk, if and chunks of tofu are cooked together tofu, can make cutting back on meat you cook it with yummy ingredients it will taste similarly yummy. with tongue-numbing Szechuan pink pep- feel more like a gift than a sacrifice. doit TUES., DEC. 31

NYE WINE AND CHEESE: Get a jump on the New Year by pairing special holiday 30 30 wines and cheeses at a “New Year’s Eve FOOD FOOD Wine & Cheese” gathering in Burlington FOOD from 3-5pm at the Skagit Valley Senior Village, 400 Gilkey Rd.

(360) 755-5550 OR WWW.SV-SV.COM 24 SUN., JAN. 5

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST: Meet and B-BOARD greet local politicians as they serve you coffee and made-from-scratch pancakes,

French toast, sausage, scrambled eggs 22 and juice at the monthly Community

Breakfast from 8am-1pm at the Rome FILM Grange, 2821 Mt. Baker Hwy. Entry is $2 for kids and $5 for adults. 739-9605 18

MON., JAN. 6 MUSIC SOUP KITCHEN: Every Monday, the Little Cheerful Soup kitchen is open to 16 those in need from 6-7pm at the Little

Cheerful Cafe, 113 E. Holly St. ART WWW.LITTLECHEERFUL.COM JAN. 7-9 15 MAPLE ALLEY INN: The Maple Alley Inn STAGE prepares and serves hot, home-cooked 9,//$*( meals to those in need from 9:30- 10:30am Tuesdays at St. Paul’s Episcopal 14 Old Parish Hall. Meals are also available %22.6 from 11:30am-1:30pm Wednesdays and at

Thursdays at Faith Lutheran Church, 2750 GET OUT McLeod Rd. Entry is free and open to all. 2#2'4&4'#/5 734-5121 12 THURS., JAN. 9 0GY;GCTĀU INCOGNITO DINNER: The unconven- tional dinner series known as Incognito WORDS continues at 6:30pm at Ciao Thyme, 207 20%

Unity St. Snacks, a glass of sparkling .695)0 .698)0 8 +DPLOWRQ .6-8)0 wine and a six-course menu featuring a 0RXQW9HUQRQ )ULGD\+DUERU variety of seasonal surprises will be part of the fine dining experience. Entry is S OFF CURRENTS $68; additional wine and beer is avail- 5614'9+&' able, or you may bring your own wine for $UWVDQG&XOWXUH 6 a $20 corkage fee. $16* WWW.CIAOTHYME.COM 5614'5 (QYLURQPHQW VIEWS

A #./156GXGT[VJKPI#UMHQTFGVCKNU 4 ,QWHUQDWLRQDO

Tuesday MAIL DEC. st (FRQRP\ 31 9am-6pm 2 L 3ROLWLFV DO IT Wednesday JAN. 1st +HDOWK 10am-8:30pm

E 01.01.14 Expect to see piles of pancakes—and French 2QHRIKHUJXHVWVLVDOZD\V\RX toast, sausage, eggs and more—delivered JXkli[Xp#AXelXip+ .09 to you by local politicians at the first Com- 01 munity Breakfast of the year Sun., Jan. 5 at 5HVROXWLRQV Weeknights - 7:00 p.m. # the Rome Grange Xe[ Jle[Xp# (YHU\ ZHHN PRUH WKDQ PLOOLRQ :ULWHU·VAXelXip, OLVWHQHUV DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ WXQH LQ WR 5HVROXWLRQV RQHRIWKHPRVW SRZHUIXO SXEOLF UDGLR SURJUDPV EDVHG RQ LWV DELOLW\ WR GUDZ

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