BEST OF SKAGIT - Cascadia Weekly
Transcription
BEST OF SKAGIT - Cascadia Weekly
Welcome to Bucolia, p.12 * Appassionata, p.16 * Artifacts, p.34 c a s c a d i a REPORTING FROM THE HEART OF CASCADIA WHATCOM *SKAGIT*ISLAND COUNTIES 03-02-2016 • ISSUE:09 • V.11 * RAW DEAL Sewer spill in Padden Creek, P.06 Repertory Roundup Revised, refurbished and recent, P.16 + BACK IN TIME Lumber and Lace Ball, P.20 BEST OF SKAGIT Your vote goes here! P.35 FOOD 34 c a s c a d i ThisWeek a B-BOARD 28 A glance at this week’s happenings DANCE FILM 24 Bellingham Rep Open Rehearsal: 12pm, Firehouse Performing Arts Center Revived, Refurbished and Recent: 2pm and 7:30pm, Firehouse PAC Salsa Night: 9pm, Cafe Rumba MUSIC 20 MUSIC Clamdigger Jazz Band: 2-5pm, VFW Hall ART 18 WORDS CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 Methuselah’s Children will be one of the 16 short plays showing as part of the Bellinghamster One-Act Theatre Festival (BOAT) taking place nightly through March 12 at the Bellingham Theatre Guild WEDNESDAY [03.02.16] VIEWS 6 MAIL 4 DO DO IT IT 22 03.02.16 #09.11 GET OUT Tread Lightly Run: 9am, Fairhaven Runners Thank You Run: 9am, Sedro-Woolley High School Home & Garden Show: 10am-9pm, NW Washington Fairgrounds FOOD Pancake Breakfast: 8-11am, United Church of Ferndale Distillery Tour: 11am, Chuckanut Bay Distillery VISUAL ARTS SUNDAY [03.06.16] ONSTAGE Ruth Ozeki, the bestselling author of A Tale for the Time Being, will make six appearances at Whatcom County locales March 3-5 as part of Whatcom READS!, the free community-wide book club MUSIC Paul Roberts: 8pm, Performing Arts Center, WWU THURSDAY [03.03.16] ONSTAGE BOAT Festival: 7pm, Bellingham Theatre Guild How I Learned to Drive: 7:30pm, DUG Theater, WWU Rubble: 7:30pm, iDiOM Theater The Odd Couple: 7:30pm, Claire vg Thomas Theatre, Lynden Good, Bad, Ugly: 8pm, Upfront Theatre The Project: 10pm, Upfront Theatre WORDS CASCADIA WEEKLY Spring Book Sale: 10am-2pm, Bellingham Public Library Barbara Jean Hicks: 1-3pm, Concrete Theatre Matthew Thuney: 3pm, Deming Library Ruth Ozeki: 7pm, Jansen Art Center, Lynden Clay Extravaganza: 11am-6pm, Depot Market Square Surroundings Reception: 5-8pm, Smith & Vallee Gallery, Edison BOAT Festival: 7pm, Bellingham Theatre Guild 2 The Suicide Heart: 3pm and 7:30pm, Old Main Theatre, WWU BOAT Festival: 7pm, Bellingham Theatre Guild The Little Mermaid: 7pm, Lynden Middle School Rubble: 7:30pm, iDiOM Theater But Is it Art?: 7:30pm, Whatcom Community College The Odd Couple: 7:30pm, Claire vg Thomas Theatre, Lynden Komodo Comedy: 7:30pm, Conway Muse The Heroes: 8pm and 10pm, Upfront Theatre atre, Lynden The Heroes: 8pm and 10pm, Upfront Theatre FRIDAY [03.04.16] DANCE Mystery Dinner Night: 5-10pm, Leopold Crystal Ballroom BOAT Festival: 7pm, Bellingham Theatre Guild The Little Mermaid: 7pm, Lynden Middle School How I Learned to Drive: 7:30pm, DUG Theater, WWU Rubble: 7:30pm, iDiOM Theater But Is it Art?: 7:30pm, Whatcom Community College The Suicide Heart: 7:30pm, Old Main Theatre, WWU The Odd Couple: 7:30pm, Claire vg Thomas The- The Odd Couple: 2pm, Claire vg Thomas Theatre, Lynden The Suicide Heart: 3pm, Old Main Theatre, WWU BOAT Festival: 7pm, Bellingham Theatre Guild MUSIC Whatcom Symphony: 3pm, Mount Baker Theatre GET OUT Padden Mudfest: 10am, Lake Padden Park Home & Garden Show: 11am-5pm, NW Washington Fairgrounds FOOD Community Breakfast: 8am-1pm, Rome Grange MONDAY [03.07.16] Spring Book Sale: 10am-6pm, Bellingham Public Library Ruth Ozeki: 11am at Ferndale Library, 6:30pm at Pickford Film Center ONSTAGE ONSTAGE ONSTAGE Revived, Refurbished and Recent: 7:30pm, Firehouse Performing Arts Center Ramon Ledesma: 7pm, Village Books BOAT Festival: 7pm, Bellingham Theatre Guild GET OUT WORDS Home & Garden Show: 11am-9pm, NW Washington Fairgrounds, Lynden Poetrynight: 8pm, Bellingham Public Library VISUAL ARTS MUSIC TUESDAY [03.08.16] Gallery Walk: 6-9pm, downtown Anacortes Art Walk: 6-10pm, downtown Bellingham ONSTAGE Lunasa: 7:30pm, McIntyre Hall, Mount Vernon WORDS SATURDAY [03.05.16] MUSIC Spring Book Sale: 10am-6pm, Bellingham Public Library Ruth Ozeki: 1:30pm at YWCA Ballroom, 7pm at Mount Baker Theatre BOAT Festival: 7pm, Bellingham Theatre Guild Festival Concert: 7pm, McIntyre Hall ONSTAGE How I Learned to Drive: 2pm and 7:30pm, DUG Theater, WWU FOOD Dessert Auction: 7-9pm, Squalicum High School 3 CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 VIEWS 6 CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 B-BOARD 28 FOOD 34 THISWEEK FOOD 34 B-BOARD 28 Editor & Publisher: Tim Johnson ext 260 { editor@ cascadiaweekly.com #09.11 LETTERS STAFF Although CNN described him as a “beefy character actor,” George Kennedy was much more than that. When the 91-year-old thespian died last weekend, he left behind a long list of artistic accomplishments—including a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Cool Hand Luke, comedic treasures in the Airport and Naked Gun films, and much more. RIP, big guy. VIEWS & NEWS 4: Mailbag 6: Gristle & Views 10: Last week’s news 11: Police blotter, Index ARTS & LIFE 12: Welcome to Bucolia 14: Making tracks 16: Modern movement 18: Appassionata abstraction 20: Have a ball 22: Clubs 24: Animal planet 26: Film Shorts REAR END 27: Bulletin Board 28: Wellness 29: Crossword 30: Advice Goddess Music & Film Editor: Carey Ross ext 203 {music@ cascadiaweekly.com Production Art Director: Jesse Kinsman {jesse@ kinsmancreative.com Graphic Artist: Roman Komarov {roman@ cascadiaweekly.com Send all advertising materials to [email protected] Advertising Account Executive: Scott Pelton 360-647-8200 x 202 { spelton@ cascadiaweekly.com Stephanie Young 360-647-8200 x 205 { stephanie@ cascadiaweekly.com Distribution Distribution Manager: Scott Pelton 360-647-8200 x 202 { spelton@ cascadiaweekly.com Whatcom: Erik Burge, Stephanie Simms Skagit: Linda Brown, Barb Murdoch Letters SEND LETTERS TO LETTERS@ CASCADIAWEEKLY.COM 31: Free Will Astrology 32: Comix 33: Slowpoke, Sudoko 34: Artifacts CASCADIA WEEKLY TOC Arts & Entertainment Editor: Amy Kepferle ext 204 {calendar@ cascadiaweekly.com FILM 24 MUSIC 20 ART 18 STAGE 16 GET OUT 14 WORDS 12 CURRENTS 8 VIEWS 6 MAIL 4 DO IT 2 03.02.16 Cascadia Weekly: 360.647.8200 Editorial 8: Up a creek 4 mail Contact ©2016 CASCADIA WEEKLY (ISSN 1931-3292) is published each Wednesday by Cascadia Newspaper Company LLC. Direct all correspondence to: Cascadia Weekly PO Box 2833 Bellingham WA 98227-2833 | Phone/Fax: 360.647.8200 [email protected] Though Cascadia Weekly is distributed free, please take just one copy. Cascadia Weekly may be distributed only by authorized distributors. Any person removing papers in bulk from our distribution points risks prosecution SUBMISSIONS: Cascadia Weekly welcomes freelance submissions. Send material 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 listings, notice of events must be received in writing no later than noon Wednesday the week prior to publication. Photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned if accompanied by stamped, self-addressed envelope. 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. 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 letters to fewer than 300 words. NEWSPAPER ADVISORY GROUP: Robert Hall, Seth Murphy, Michael Petryni, David Syre COMCAST FEES Thank you for the article about Comcast franchise fees. As a subscriber who lives just outside the Bellingham city limits, I wanted to know if I was being correctly charged, since the B’ham fee is 5 percent of services provided while the county fee is 4 percent. The franchise fee on my latest bill is $5.34. With Xfinity services listed at $107.94, the percentage is 4.95 percent. If I add the “other charges” of $4.25, then the percentage drops to 4.76 percent. Neither is 4 or 5 percent. Upon calling Xfinity or Comcast (change the name to protect the guilty?) to inquire about the franchise fee for my address, I was put on hold at least three times by the agent. He finally read from a document that said that as of Jan. 1, 2016, the franchise fee for Washington State was 5 percent. That certainly doesn’t fit the model of local franchise fees. —Ray Baribeau, Just Outside Bellingham COVER: Photo of Kuntz and Company’s “Headwaters” by Jen DeLong FREE CHICKEN FOR EVERYONE If Colonel Sanders is elected President in November, what will he do to address the problem of the $20 trillion national debt? —Rick Hannam, Bellingham KRYPTONITE TO DEMOCRACY George Orwell wrote in Animal Farm, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” The Democratic Party big shots are in agreement with Orwell—they are more equal than the rest of us lowly citizens. Superdelegates are appointed by the Democratic National Committee and typically are party big shots—former officials, donors and seasoned political operatives. There will be approximately 4,051 Democratic delegates in the 2016 election, and a candidate must win 2,382 of them to be the Democratic nominee for President. Within that number there are about 712 delegates (14.9 percent) that are “unpledged” or “superdelegates.” State delegations must be equally divided between men and women, pledge specific goals for the number of African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders. The number of pledged delegates allotted to each state is based on the presidential vote in 2004, 2008, and 2012, and the electoral vote is based on the 2010 census. Delegates are a big deal. In the recent New Hampshire primary, a total of approximately 250,974 Democrats voted. This means each of the 32 delegates in New Hampshire represents about 7,842 voters. Twenty-four of the 32 total delegates are called “pledged” delegates. This means they are divided proportionally based on the number of votes a candidate receives. In the ’16 primary, 15 of those pledged delegates went to Bernie Sanders and nine went to Hillary Clinton. New Hampshire has eight “unpledged” or “superdelegates.” Six of these “superdelegates” have publically pledged —S. Hansberry, Bellingham Send us your letters FOOD 34 B-BOARD 28 FILM 24 MUSIC 20 ART 18 20%-50% OFF WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 WINTER SKI SALE CURRENTS 8 Are the qualities exhibited to us by our politicians—ones that parents, teachers and society hope to instill in today’s young people—respect, listening, integrity, courtesy? How are these qualities shown to us in the media? Where do I see respect? Where do I see listening? Where do I see self-control? Where do I see behavior to be emulated? Where are these qualities? Do the actions I hear and see today show how a possible future candidate would interact with foreign heads of state? Would they represent our country in the best possible light? Would our future leader listen to another way of thinking? How are we managing our own government? To begin, where is common courtesy? I am still looking for answers. VIEWS 6 JasmineTalsma.com QUALITIES —John C. Ruth, Bellingham 5 SEEK THE COMMON GOOD In 2016 short-bite journalism, it’s hard to be effective without details—maybe that’s why we seem so fact-ignorant: Jasmine Talsma SRES MAIL 4 —Joe Coons, Bellingham I am the Real Estate Broker to assist you! DO IT 2 As a charter member of our Crisis Clinic Board of Directors in 1970, I find our current, sadly predictable and easily preventable mental health “crisis” to be—comical? As a first-wave environmental planning student at Huxley, I discovered the 1964 Comprehensive Community Mental Health Plan that included a Crisis Clinic and transitional halfway housing. But then Congress had to fund a war on Asia instead. By 1974, as I was nearing graduation, I suggested legalizing pot would generate enough money to fund the plan, at a board meeting. But then Congress had to fund a war on drugs instead. Looking back, I wonder how did all those efforts to create humane planning based on public science and pure research go nowhere? When did opposing a plan become an alternative plan? When did planning not to plan (for the public good) become the only plan? When did a bunch of Nobel Prize-winning scientists become stupid and pure research become useless? Long before a billionaire running for President called our leaders “morons.” Long before Senator John McCain said, “If it wasn’t for staffers and relatives, Congress would have a 0 percent approval rating.” Apparently, I’m not the only one to find this free market “government”—by criminals, for criminals, that is criminal—to be comical. F From listing your home, first time home buying, to looking for that final destination... buy 03.02.16 A PROBLEM LONG IN THE MAKING REAL ESTATE BROKER, SRES® #09.11 —Bob Hayes, Bellingham short media seldom plainly states clear facts. Stories start with controversy or graphic tales (if it bleeds, it leads). Is a candidate lying? Local papers no longer have serious local editorials, editors show little deep local history knowledge. Now, human-interest stories are page one. No more Ed Murrows or Walter Cronkites. In my lifetime we have never had top candidates who are as un-presidential as now. Whether your past preference was Reagan or Kennedy, Bush or Obama, does any present candidate measure up? How many have the morals and honesty of Jimmy Carter, even ignoring ability? Locally, would Jefferson or Washington have agreed with the conclusions of our recent County Charter Commission, or the tone and process of county versus city jail negotiations, or the way our state is handling school financing? We must not focus upon your good, or my good. We need the Common Good. In various jobs over my 81-year life, bringing people together to set goals and achieve them, a key question always was, “What do we need to do together to get this done?” Notice the “we.” That means “all of us.” We need leaders governing us who are fact-based, honest, empathetic, moral and sensible, keeping this great democracy together, moving forward into the future. CASCADIA WEEKLY their votes to Clinton and two superdelegates remain uncommitted. So the New Hampshire delegate count is Clinton 15 and Sanders 15 delegates, with two superdelegates uncommitted. How is this the will of the people? In Washington, we haven’t had our caucus yet but state DNC superdelegates have unanimously stated their neutrality until voters have spoken. How can elected officials claim to represent us when they have already stated who they will support for the presidential nominee before any election has taken place? In a true democracy delegates are apportioned by the votes they receive, not because of preference for one candidate over another by an appointed “elite” class of DNC officials. At minimum, all “unpledged/superdelegates” should have to run a campaign and be elected. Even better would be a return to a true democracy that existed prior to the 1972 election that created the abomination of the “superdelegate/unpledged” delegate, where all delegates were pledged. But keep ‘em short (300 words or less). Send to [email protected] or mail to P.O. Box 2833, Bellingham, WA 98229 views CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 VIEWS 66 VIEWS CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 B-BOARD 28 FOOD 34 THE GRISTLE 6 THE MAP DESCRIBES THE TERRITORY: Those who control the map control the territory; and it has long been a dream of the central farming community to have permanent representation on Whatcom County Council in the hope to exert control over rural issues. It’s an odd sort of hope—county government by design and inclination does not muck around in the business of its cities, and already focuses almost exclusively on rural issues; and it has been a forlorn sort of dream—the cities and their populations exert a powerful influence on candidates and election results. Voters were generous in November. They passed one initiative that may indeed provide Lynden and its surrounding community a permanent representative on County Council. And they passed another initiative that restricts votes for a Council representative to the district in which the candidate resides. County Council in January appointed two teams to assist with the redistricting, a process that involves drawing a map that apportions the county population to five voting districts that are geographically compact and protect communities of similar interests. The teams are two volunteers representing each of the two major political parties—two Democrats and two Republicans—who then appoint a fifth member to chair their meetings. The redistricting committee decided in their first meeting, before the fifth member had been selected, that the chair would be a non-voting member of the committee. Their decision means County Council may be required to resolve deadlocks and potentially decide between maps submitted by the committee—an advantage that would seem to favor the map proposed by progressives who petitioned Council last summer to place Proposition 9, the Five Fair and Equal Districts redistricting initiative, on the November ballot. Progressives are also served by the terms of Prop. 9 approved by voters. The proposition defined the approximate geographical areas of each district—one for residents in the northwest section of the county; another representing the central farming community; another for the Foothills and communities east; and two in Bellingham, which comprises about 40 percent (two-fifths) of the county population. Reactionary conservatives, armed with large campaign contributions from Big Coal, sought to keep Prop. 9, the five-district proposal, off the ballot and—failing that—attempted to defeat the idea at the polls. Having spent so much money and resource to kill the proposal, it seems unlikely they would simply surrender the issue to the commission. And indeed, the Republican members of the commission—conservative luminaries Brett Bonner and Mark Nelson—submitted a map this week that made a mockery of the district boundaries as they were described to voters in their ballot materials, carving up Bellingham and partitioning its portions. Their strategy appears to be twofold: Either aggressively ignore the will of voters in what voters believed they approved in November. Or, tip over the entire redistricting effort on procedural grounds and fight it out in court, a strategy of nullification. Since the county’s legislative authority will aggressively veto an attempt to materially defraud voters, that appears to leave only nullification. The Democrats—Mike Estes and Lisa McShane— are coaxed to bend the rules and be flexible in a YOUR VIEWS THE GRISTLE BY ROBERT REICH Rebel Alliance THE END OF THE ESTABLISHMENT? STEP BACK from the campaign fray for just a moment and consider the enormity of what’s already occurred. A 74-year-old Jew from Vermont who describes himself as a democratic socialist, who wasn’t even a Democrat until recently, has come within a whisker of beating Hillary Clinton in the Iowa caucus, routed her in the New Hampshire primary, and garnered more than 47 percent of the caucusgoers in Nevada, of all places. And a 69-year-old billionaire who has never held elective office or had anything to do with the Republican Party has taken a commanding lead in the Republican primaries. Something very big has happened, and it’s not due to Bernie Sanders’ magnetism or Donald Trump’s likeability. It’s a rebellion against the establishment. The question is why the establishment has been so slow to see this. A year ago—which now seems like an eternity—it proclaimed Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush shoe-ins. Both had all the advantages—deep bases of funders, well-established networks of political insiders, experienced political advisors, all the name recognition you could want. But even now that Bush is out and Hillary is still leading but vulnerable, the establishment still doesn’t see what’s occurred. They explain everything by pointing to weaknesses: Bush, they now say, “never connected” and Hillary “has a trust problem.” Economic indicators may be up but they don’t reflect the economic insecurity most Americans still feel, nor the seeming arbitrariness and unfairness they experience. Nor do the major indicators show the linkages Americans see between wealth and power, crony capitalism, declining real wages, soaring CEO pay, and a billionaire class that’s turning our democracy into an oligarchy. Median family income is lower now than it was 16 years ago, adjusted for inflation. Most economic gains, meanwhile, have gone to top. These gains have translated into political power to rig the system with bank bailouts, corporate subsidies, special tax loopholes, trade deals, and increasing market power—all of which have further pushed down wages and pulled up profits. Those at the very top of the top have rigged the system even more thoroughly. Since 1995, the average income tax rate for the 400 topearning Americans has plummeted from 30 percent to 18 percent. Wealth, power and crony capitalism fit together. So far in the 2016 election, the richest 400 Americans have accounted for over a third of all campaign contributions. Americans know a takeover has occurred and they blame the establishment for it. There’s no official definition of the “establishment” but it presumably includes all of the people and institutions that have wielded significant power over the American political economy, and are therefore deemed complicit. At its core are the major corporations, their top executives, and VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF CASCADIA WEEKLY Washington lobbyists and trade associations; the biggest Wall Street banks, their top officers, traders, hedge-fund and private-equity managers, and their lackeys in Washington; the billionaires who invest directly in politics; and the political leaders of both parties, their political operatives and fundraisers. Arrayed around this core are the deniers and apologists—those who attribute what’s happened to “neutral market forces,” or say the system can’t be changed, or who urge that any reform be small and incremental. Some Americans are rebelling against all this by supporting an authoritarian demagogue who wants to fortify America against foreigners as well as foreign-made goods. Others are rebelling by joining a socalled “political revolution.” The establishment doesn’t get that most Americans couldn’t care less about economic growth because for years they’ve got few of its benefits, while suffering most of its burdens in the forms of lost jobs and lower wages. Most people are more concerned about economic security and a fair chance to make it. The establishment doesn’t see what’s happening because it has cut itself off from the lives of most Americans. It also doesn’t wish to understand, because that would mean acknowledging its role in bringing all this on. Yet regardless of the political fates of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, the rebellion against the establishment will continue. Eventually, those with significant economic and political power in America will have to either commit to fundamental reform, or relinquish their power. GRISTLE, CONTINUED ON PAGE 27 Breakfast Monday-Saturday 99¢ MODERN COMFORTS AND OLD FASHIONED HOSPITALITY 877.777.9847 9750 Northwood Road • Lynden WA www.northwoodcasino.com Get 2 eggs, 2 bacon or sausage, toast RU HQJOLVK PXI¿Q KDVKEURZQV DQG coffee or juice for less than a dollar! Served from 9am to 10am in Chef’s, Monday through Saturday. JUST TWO TURNS OFF THE GUIDE MERIDIAN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA N GUIDE MERIDIAN RD E BADGER RD LYNDEN NORTHWOOD RD FOOD 34 STAGE 16 GET OUT 14 WORDS 12 CURRENTS 8 VIEWS 6 MAIL 4 99¢ DO IT 2 Also on Fridays, enjoy the area’s best deal on our Seafood and Prime Rib buffet for only $19.95. 03.02.16 The name of this game is CASH! Drawings every 30 minutes 6pm to 10pm, and each drawing winner gets a guaranteed $500! Winners Club Members get a free entry each Friday from February 19 to March 25. And, Winners Club Members get 5X Reward Points on all their play 6pm to closing! Just use your Winners Club Card when you play! #09.11 $4500 & 5x points every friday night! ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 FUN CASCADIA WEEKLY spirit of “goodwill” to resolve disputes; and the Ds understand that all the flexible rules bending will be employed afterward to argue the law was not strictly followed and the redistricting is therefore invalid. On that front, Bonner spent a good portion of the committee’s second meeting in a tedious attempt to relitigate the issues rejected in Skagit County Superior Court last summer when conservatives’ attempted to have the referendum struck from the ballot. Karen Frakes, the county prosecutor who successfully defended the county against the Prop. 9 challenge in Skagit court, patiently explained that the district descriptions provided to voters should serve to guide the committee’s redistricting efforts unless those descriptions defied state law. Better to cooperate than agitate, she advised, because a broken process would throw the county into legally uncertain and uncharted territory. The issues, fundamentally, are: Can a county population of 201,140 (according to 2010 Census data) be divided by five? Yes, of course it can. Can those divisions of 40,228 people be distributed within a .5 percent margin of error in districts similar to those described to voters in the text of Prop. 9? Yes, of course. And finally, do those divisions materially conflict with state law that gives local jurisdictions quite a bit of latitude on the criteria by which they draw their districts? No, of course not. So why color outside those lines? Based on the text of Five Fair and Equal Districts voters approved, Lynden believed their city would be in the center of a large, central farming community. Bellingham believed their city and political interests would be partitioned among fewer districts. Instead, the map produced by conservatives this week carves and partitions Bellingham across four of five districts. The central farming community is split in half. The map dilutes the political interests of a city of 82,600 in preference to delivering two seats on County Council for a city of 13,000. The only district that strictly includes Bellingham and no other community of interest is a narrow, convoluted serpentine strip slithering through the north of Bellingham out to Sudden Valley, precisely of the type of gerrymandering along arbitrary or highly irregular lines Washington’s districting guidelines actively discourage. Moreover, on first glance, it appears doubtful conservatives even achieved the basic goal of making each of the Unfair, Unequal Districts. B-BOARD 28 GO NORTHWOOD FOR CASINO ! THE GRISTLE 7 FOOD 34 currents POLITICS FUZZ BUZZ INDEX PHOTO BY JESSE KINSMAN CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 B-BOARD 28 NEWS CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 VIEWS 6 BY LEE FIRST AND ELEANOR HINES 8 Fecal Matters PADDEN CREEK CLOSED DUE TO SEWER SPILL MORE THAN a quarter of a million gallons of raw sewage spilled into Padden Creek over 48 hours, prompting Bellingham officials to warn people to stay out of a stretch of the creek as well as south Boulevard Park beaches. The spill began Tuesday, Feb. 23, during work to replace sewer pipes in the Happy Valley Neighborhood. The discharge was stopped Thursday afternoon and beaches were closed out of concerns for unsafe levels of fecal coliform bacteria. The city had just completed a $2.8 million dollar project to restore the creek. Like many of you, we at RE Sources were disappointed to learn that an estimated 300,000 gallons of raw sewage accidentally entered Padden Creek last week— enough to fill about half of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. We were equally stunned that an accident of this magnitude went undetected for two days. This incredibly unfortunate incident should not be minimized and those who are responsible should be held accountable. We know the Washington State Department of Ecology and the City of Bellingham are investigating this issue and we look forward to hearing their plan to right this wrong. In the meantime, as the investigation plays out we’d like to remind the citizens of Whatcom County that all of our water bodies are impacted by pollution every day. In fact some of our other salmon-bearing streams are under constant pressures from pollution flowing from streets, rooftops, yards, farms and septic systems. Fecal pollution, one of the bacteria found in all human and animal waste, is indeed one of the worst. The raw sewage that flowed into Padden Creek was polluted enough to close beaches and stream-banks for days or weeks, but this isolated incident is not the only source of raw, untreated human and animal waste that enters our bay. In fact, almost 500 acres of the Lummi Nation’s shellfish beds are currently “conditionally closed” due to fecal bacteria loading from the Nooksack River, which is polluted by nearby farms and homes. Unfortunately, due to worsening trends, additional acres will likely be closed soon. Likewise, there are 28,104 on-site septic systems in Whatcom County, but only 5,772 are currently in compliance with inspection rules. Without current inspection records, county staff have no idea if the human waste is being treated properly and/or whether it’s flowing directly into nearby waterways. As if human and farm waste weren’t enough, our waterways are impacted by the 37,000 dogs in Whatcom County that produce 27,750 pounds of waste daily. While many owners are responsible about picking up the waste, many are not. Each pile of pet waste that is left in a yard or on a trail eventually gets washed into the nearest creek or stream and eventually into the bay. All of this pollution has a profound impact on our fresh and salt water—the very ecosystems we depend on. At the end of 2015, 80 percent of the 90 fixed-location sampling sites routinely monitored by Whatcom County Public works failed to meet standards for fecal bacteria. As the home of the North Sound Baykeeper program, RE Sources is the lead environmental organization working on North Puget Sound recovery. Over the years, we have grown and changed with the times—focusing on holding polluters accountable, engaging our community in crucial comment periods for toxic cleanups, and educating the public about the value of and threats to our corner of the Salish Sea. Our Clean Water team engages a broad audience in cleanup and restoration projects, igniting citizen groups to address fecal coliform pollution in local watersheds, activating urban neighborhoods to take ownership of improving polluted runoff. We organize educational events and engage volunteers in being proactive about addressing pollution. So while we agree the accident at Padden Creek was a terrible mistake, we are equally outraged by the daily pollution we as a community allow to flow into all of our neighborhood creeks. This is another reminder that we must work harder to address the issue of water pollution from a variety of sources. Lee First, North Sound Baykeeper, and Eleanor Hines, Lead Scientist, Clean Water Program, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities. RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, founded in 1982, promotes sustainable communities and protects the health of northwest Washington’s people and ecosystems through application of science, education, advocacy and action. RE Sources’ North Sound Baykeeper program is one of more than 220 Waterkeeper organizations around the world focusing on issues from pollution to climate change that affect our waterways. (sign up required) Learn about the excellent job outlook in the oil and gas industry and how to prepare for employment. Network with industry representatives from Shell and BTC Alumni working in the field. Experience BTC programs leading to high-paying energy careers. STAGE 16 Updates at www.facebook.com/bellinghamtech GET OUT 14 Free | Snacks | Giveaways ART 18 Sign up: www.btc.edu/EnergyNight MUSIC 20 FILM 24 Thursday, March 10th, 6 – 8 pm Settlemyer Hall, BTC Campus FOOD 34 Presented by Bellingham Technical College & Shell B-BOARD 28 Energy Industry Careers Night #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 VIEWS 6 CURRENTS 8 Bellingham Technical College is an equal opportunity institution. WORDS 12 3028 Lindbergh Ave. Bellingham, WA 98225 CASCADIA WEEKLY Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! 9 SEASON SPONSOR: The W FILM 24 t k h e e LAST WEEK’S NEWS FEB23-26 BY TIM JOHNSON The youngest orca among the Southern Residents was missing when J pod returned to Puget Sound this week, leading researchers to conclude the calf has died. J55 was first documented by NOAA Fisheries killer whale researchers on January 18. CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 VIEWS 6 CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 last week’s news Wa at s B-BOARD 28 FOOD 34 currents 10 to cap carbon emissions. The agency withdraws the proposed Clean Air Rule, with officials saying they’ll rewrite it in coming months to address criticisms and feedback from businesses and environmentalists. The carbon regulation would have required the state’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases—from power plants to refineries and manufacturers—to gradually cut emissions over the coming decades. 02.23.16 TUESDAY Leaders in Washington’s House of Representatives say they don’t plan to impeach state Auditor Troy Kelley, who is fighting federal charges of tax evasion, money laundering and perjury. Majority and minority leaders say the impeachment process could be used to delay Kelley’s trial. They urged Kelley to resign. 02.25.16 THURSDAY Gov. Jay Inslee releases an investigative report regarding sentencing miscalculations at the state Department of Corrections. Inslee hired two former federal prosecutors in December to conduct an independent investigation into why there were repeated delays in fixing the sentencing miscalculations when they were discovered in 2012 and to ensure accountability for the errors. The errors date back to 2002. The investigators detailed several recommendations, all of which are already underway or will be implemented by the Department of Corrections. The state Senate contimues its own independent investigation into the early release of prisoners, authorizing $100,000 for a study to run concurrently with the governor’s investigation. The House passes the Democrat’s version of a proposed supplemental operating budget, HB 2376, on a narrow party line vote. Democrats control the House 50-48, but with one House Democrat absent for health reasons, the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee changed his vote from “no” to “yes,” fol- Chiara D’Angelo held her own at a Coast Guard hearing in the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle this week. “I had to make the moral choice,” D’Angelo said of her decision to climb the anchor chain of the Arctic Challenger as it prepared to make way from Bellingham to a drilling operation in the Chukchi Sea. The WWU student held a 63-hour vigil to protest oil extraction. The federal marine agency fined her $20,000 for violating a 100-yard safety perimeter around the vessel. She appealed the fine. The agency will respond to her appeal by March. lowing a long-standing House tradition to move budget bills forward atdeadline. The final vote on the bill was 50-47. 02.26.16 FRIDAY A Bellingham couple accused of “prolonged period of parental inattention” plead not guilty to charges that nelgect led to the death of their 3-month-old baby for malnourishment. Prosecutors allege the father, 23, stayed up all night playing video games in his living room in the hours before his son died in his crib on Dec. 8, 2015. The couple face charges of manslaughter. The state Dept. of Ecology reconsiders its rules PEP PER SISTERS COOKING OUTSIDE THE BOX Open Nightly Except Monday 1055 N State St SINCE 1988 B’ham 671-3414 Washington could become the first state in the nation to impose a direct tax on carbon emissions from fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline and natural gas. A ballot measure before the Legislature would create a carbon tax of $25 per metric ton of fossil fuel emissions burned in Washington, while reducing taxes. Lawmakers have until the end of the session, March 10, to enact Initiative 732, offer an alternative proposal or automatically pass the carbon-tax measure to voters in November as written. It’s not clear whether lawmakers will approve an alternative by the end of the session. Meanwhile, supporters of an initiative to create a carbon tax in Washington are facing backlash over estimates the measure—described as “revenue neutral”—would actually cut state tax collections by $900 million over four years, according to financial analysts. While Initiative 732 supporters strongly dispute that figure, some suggest the Legislature could cure any perceived flaws by sending a tweaked alternative version to the ballot this fall. Follow us on Beermenus.com C e l la r e d S H U C KSA N a n d WA N D E R Ba r r e l e d Ag e d B r e w s ! ! ! 03.06 Cribbage! 03.07 Ballast Point Brewer’s Night!! 03.11 Pike Brewer’s Night!!! www.GreenesCorner.com • 360.306.8137 UNCLEAR ON THE INSTRUCTION On Feb. 28, Bellingham Police spoke to a On Feb. 18, shortly before midnight, Blaine Police responded to a report of someone screaming near the Peace Portal. “Officers arrived within one minute and found that the yelling had stopped,” police reported. “They were not able to locate whoever had raised the ruckus, and the only disorderly thing in sight was a newspaper vending machine that had been knocked over onto the sidewalk. The officers re-righted the box but it refused to divulge any information.” FOOD 34 B-BOARD 28 MUSIC 20 94 Percent chance Donald Trump leads his field in Massachusetts, according to polling forecasts. The New England state is among the most populous states participating in Super Tuesday. Percent chance Hillary Clinton leads Bernie Sanders in Massachusetts, according to polling forecasts. Forecasts don’t produce a single expected vote share for each candidate, but rather generate a range of possible outcomes. 48.7 51.7 Actual support for Donald Trump in Massachusetts on Tuesday. Ted Cruz trailed by 30 points. In most states, Republicans award delegates on a winner-take-all basis. Actual support for Hillary Clinton in Massachusetts on Tuesday. Democratic primary and caucus states all award delegates in proportion to the candidate’s share of votes. 87 99 Percent chance Texas Senator Ted Cruz leads his field in the Texas primary, according to polling forecasts. Forecasts don’t produce a single expected vote share for each candidate, but rather generate a range of possible outcomes. Percent chance Hillary Clinton leads Bernie Sanders in the Texas primary, according to polling forecasts. Texas is the most populous state participating in Super Tuesday. 40.4 67.6 Actual support for Ted Cruz in Texas on Tuesday. Donald Trump received 28 percent of the vote. Actual support for Hillary Clinton in Texas on Tuesday. Bernie Sanders received 30.5 percent of the vote. SOURCES: Real Clear Politics polling averages; FiveThirtyEight; Associated Press STAGE 16 ART 18 99 GET OUT 14 49.6 Percent of Democrats who said they favored Hillary Clinton as President of the United States, according to aggregate polling on March 1. A spread of 9.6 points separates her from challenger Bernie Sanders, who marshaled 40 percent of the Democrats, according to polls. WORDS 12 35.6 Percent of Republicans who said they favored Donald Trump as President of the United States, according to aggregate polling on March 1. A spread of 15.8 points separates him from the field of remaining candidates, according to polls CURRENTS 8 Number of states and one U.S. territory that held Presidential primaries or caucuses on March 1, Super Tuesday. Going into Super Tuesday, Hillary Clinton held 544 pledged delegates to Bernie Sanders’ 85 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July. VIEWS 6 On Feb. 18, administrative staff at the Blaine Police Department advised officers that a person in the police station lobby would not stop yelling and would not leave. “The disruption was making it impossible for them to take or make telephone calls, as well as preventing the dispatchers from hearing and talking with officers by radio,” police reported. “An officer contacted the woman in the lobby, confirmed that she did not need emergency assistance and her needs had already been appropriately met. He explained to her that her actions were disrupting the emergency response system and she would be subject to arrest if her behavior continued or occurred again. She left the building and the staff was able to return to their duties,” police noted. 13 MAIL 4 On Feb. 19, Blaine Police were called to a restaurant for assistance with a troublesome guest. “They arrived and met a manager who pointed out a teenager and described the problems he had caused the business,” police reported. “The officers interviewed the young man and at the request of the business informed him that his energetic actions had earned him a lifetime banishment from the store’s property. The juvenile left the area on foot and the business returned to serving its customers,” police noted. FILM 24 On Feb. 17, a Blaine business reported problems with a customer who had yelled at several employees, and asked police to escort the person from the premises. “An officer responded and informed the patron they were not welcome back,” police reported. “For their part, the person maintained that she had not yelled or cursed at the staff members, but was upset by the quality of service and asking to see a manager.” Police noted, “Her plan to not do business there again meshed nicely with the store’s expectations.” DO IT 2 On Feb. 26, Bellingham Police stopped a Whatcom County man downtown after he struck a curb. The driver—who appeared intoxicated—opened his window just enough to speak to the officer but refused to turn off his car and exit the vehicle, as instructed. The officer made it clear the 25-year-old was not free to leave, but the driver kept insisting he intended to drive away from the scene. Police laid down a tire deflation Stop Strip to prevent that, but the driver left, flattening a rear tire. He was pursued along Marine Drive, never exceeding the speed limit, until he was intercepted by another patrol car. “After being spun to a stop the driver immediately turned on an iPad and appeared to be recording the multiple officers on scene,” police reported. “He was ordered to keep both hands in view yet he continually kept his right hand out of sight and appeared to be reaching for something in the passenger compartment of the Camry. Based on his erratic behavior, and concerns for officer safety, a decision was made to deploy drag-stabilized flexible batons (less lethal 12-gauge impact munitions) to break the window glass on the passenger side of the Camry,” police reported. “This allowed officers an improved view of the driver. When this was successfully done the driver still refused to exit the vehicle and would not keep both hands visible. Additional drag-stabilized rounds were utilized to strike the driver’s right arm and torso and he quickly exited the car and was taken into custody.” The intoxicated driver was taken to the hospital where, police reported, “He was standing in the room talking to the officers and without warning passed out. He fell against a baseboard heater and sustained a minor injury to his forehead.” No other injuries were sustained. CUSTOMER SERVICE 03.02.16 On Feb. 26, a Bellingham man was sentenced to six months in jail for attempting to drive his car into a man who was taking things out of a trash bin. According to charging papers, the man was tossing items from the trash bin outside the Maplewood Animal Hospital onto the ground. That angered the 41-year-old driver, who yelled at the man to pick up the trash. The man at the dumpster cursed at the driver, who then drove over the sidewalk toward the man. The driver circled the dumpster diver while he threw rocks and debris at the car, claiming self-defense. The driver was charged with vehicular assault. On Feb. 28, Bellingham Police returned to cite the 60-year-old woman they’d previously trespassed after she returned to drink liquor in Maritime Heritage Park. Bellingham Police added an extra patrol to the park. #09.11 DRIVER V. DIVER index 60-year-old woman who was drinking liquor in Maritime Heritage Park and asked her to leave. CASCADIA WEEKLY FUZZ BUZZ 11 B-BOARD 28 FOOD 34 words COMMUNITY LECTURES FILM 24 MUSIC 20 ART 18 STAGE 16 GET OUT 14 WORDS 12 CURRENTS 8 VIEWS 6 MAIL 4 DO IT 2 03.02.16 #09.11 CASCADIA WEEKLY WOR DS WED., MARCH 2 A WOMAN’S JOURNE Y: Writer and filmmaker Kathryn Ferguson reads from The Haunting of the Mexican Border: A Woman’s Journey at 7pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. Drawing on her own experiences, the book explores how United States immigration policies erode the lives of ordinary citizens on both sides of the border. WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM BY AMY KEPFERLE 12 BOOKS doit County Living FROM BELLINGHAM TO BUCOLIA “IN BUCOLIA, folks tend to communicate more over their fence posts and on their front porches than they do by pressing buttons on a piece of hightech plastic,” writes Matthew Thuney in the opening pages of Bucolia: Hijinx in the Hinterlands. “It’s an old method of communication called ‘talking’ or ‘conversing,’ and it seems to work pretty well when it comes to catching up on news or, especially, gossip.” Sometimes the tittle-tattling is done at one of the many potlucks that take place during “soiree season” near he and his wife Donna’s South Fork Valley home in rural Whatcom County, but Thuney also writes about being compelled to converse with neighbors by the side of the road as he tries to get from point A to point B. Either way, it’s clear from the tone of the autobiographical tome that the author is thrilled they made the move from the big city of Bellingham to “Bucolia,” which seems to be a state of mind as much as it is a geographical description. “Whether you’re a denizen of Bucolia or just passing through, it’s a good idea to keep your eyes peeled and allow a little extra time to get from here to there,” he writes. ”You’re on country time now. Clocks tick a little more slowly around here.” Those who read Bucolia will also discover that time isn’t the only thing that behaves differently when it comes to living outside of city limits. After Matthew and Donna moved to the county in 2008—preceded by a hilarious recounting of the months-long challenge of getting a manufactured home to their remote locale—they soon realized that the humans were a little out of the ordinary, as well. For example, despite being a longtime UFO aficionado, Thuney balks when his wife suggests consulting a “water witch” to find out where to drill for a well. But the dowsing works, and the diviner won’t accept a penny, instead asking him to “pay it forward.” “Out here in Bucolia, between the old ways and modern technology, we sit pretty comfortably in the here and now,” he notes. Or take their friend Anna, who arrives to bless the property and tells the ATTEND couple it’s good they didn’t set the house where they WHAT: Matthew Thuney reads were going to, because it’s from Bucolia: a prime locale for the SasHijinx in the quatch People (also a fasHinterlands cination of Thuney’s, and a WHEN: 3pm topic he’ll discuss at an upSat., March 5 WHERE: Deming coming Whatcom CommuLibrary, 5044 nity College presentation). Mt. Baker Hwy Along with clever ilCOST: Entry is lustrations by local artist free Ellen Clark, subsequent INFO: www.wcls.org chapters in Bucolia deal -------------with everything from WHAT: “Search Thuney’s latent gardenfor Sasquatch” ing addiction to ongoing with Matthew battles with cows, mysteriThuney WHEN: 10amous lights in the night, the 1pm Sat., March sighting of many creatures 12 from the animal kingdom, WHERE: the weirdness of being cat Whatcom people among a community Community College of many farmers and, finalCOST: $39 ly, becoming “Your Voice of INFO: www. the Valley” on KAVZ. whatcom While Thuney acknowlcommunityed. edges that not every mocom ment spent in Bucolia is bucolic, the love he feels for the place— and the people—will resonate with anybody who’s made similar journeys. “The truth of the matter is that Bucolia is my pillar, not the other way around,” Thuney writes. “This tiny community tucked far away from the hustle and bustle, the confusing discord of life lived in convenient but close confines, has supported me in ways too numerous to mention and too deep to divine.” MARCH 2-31 BOYNTON POE TRY CONTEST: The annual Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest is accepting submissions through March 31. Winning entries are displayed for a year on placards in front of the Bellingham Public Library, and inside Whatcom Transportation Authority buses that serve routes throughout Whatcom County. See submission guidelines online. WWW.THEPOETRYDEPARTMENT.WORDPRESS.COM MARCH 3-5 SPRING BOOK SALE: Attend a Spring Book and Media Sale from 10am-6 Thursday and Friday, and 10am-2pm Saturday at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. Most books will be $1, and, on the final day, they can be purchased for $4 per bag. WWW.BELLINGHAMPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG WHATCOM READS EVENTS: Ruth Ozeki, the bestselling author of A Tale for the Time Being, will visit Whatcom County March 3-5 at events celebrating the culmination of the annual community-wide book club, Whatcom READS! The lineup includes readings, discussions, documentary screenings and book signings Thursday at Ferndale Library (11am) and Pickford Film Center (6:30pm); Friday at the YWCA Ballroom (1:30pm) and the Mount Baker Theatre (7pm); and Saturday at Western Library (1pm) and Lynden’s Jansen Art Center (7pm). Entry to all events is free and open to the public. WWW.WHATCOMREADS.ORG FRI., MARCH 4 MIGRANT EARTH: Hear about the travels and travails of a family of Mexican migrant workers as they wander the Western United States in the 1940-50s when Sedro-Woolley-based author Ramon Ledesma reads from his autobiographical novel Migrant Earth at 7pm at Village Books, 1200 11t St. WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM SAT., MARCH 5 ENC YLOPAEDISTS AUTHORS: Co-authors Christopher Robinson and Gavin Kovite read from and sign copies of their book War of the Encylopaedists from 12-2pm in La Conner at the Faded Cover, 105 S. First St. (360) 399-1673 OR WWW.LOVELACONNER.COM FROZEN IN CONCRE TE: Barbara Jean Hicks, the author of the beloved companion books to Frozen, will read from her books and autograph copies from 1-3pm at the Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St. Attendees can also sing and dance with Anna and Elsa, dress up as their favorite character and more. Tickets are $20; proceeds benefit a new library building. WWW.FROZENINCONCRETE.COM SUN., MARCH 6 GROUP POE TRY READING: Northwest poets Judith Skillman, Christianne Balk, Carol White Kelly, and Jeffrey Morgan will read from their doit FOOD 34 and images from his new book, The Grand Lady of Mount Baker: A History of the Mount Baker Lodge from 1927-1931, at 12pm at Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St. The Museum Advocates program is free and open to the public. B-BOARD 28 WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG FILM 24 SK AGIT WRITERS: “Using Research Tools to Enhance Fiction” will be the focus of a Skagit Valley Writers League presentation by Coins in the Fountain author Judith Works from 1-3pm at the Mount Vernon Community Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave. Register in advance for the free event. WWW.SKAGITWRITERS.ORG MUSIC 20 OVER BELLINGHAM: Nick Kelly and Ray Deck III will lead a slideshow and talk based on their coffee table book Over Bellingham at 7pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. The image-heavy book is full of photos taken from the skies over Bellingham. ART 18 WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM COM M U N I T Y BOOK GROUP: Timothy Egan’s The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America will be the focus of a General Literature Book Group discussion at 7pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. All are welcome; authors do not attend. 671-2626 STAGE 16 GET OUT 14 MARCH 4-7 SOLD: Show up for a multi-sensory experience that will educate you on the shocking reality of human trafficking, both locally and globally, at the “SOLD Experience” from 8am-8pm Friday through Monday at Bellingham Covenant Church, 1530 E. Bakerview Rd. Participants will be immersed into the lives of victims in nine different parts of the world. Reserve your start time and find out more about the event at the website listed here. Entry is free. WORDS 12 MON., MARCH 7 WWW.RE-SOURCES.ORG CURRENTS 8 WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM GREEN DRINK S: Network with likeminded environmentally aware citizens at the monthly Green Drinks from 5-7pm at the Shakedown, 1212 N. State St. Entry is free; drinks are not. WWW.SOLDEXP.ORG FERNDALE BOOK GROUP: Whatcom READS! author Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being will be the focus of a Book Group meeting from 2:30-4:30pm at the Ferndale Library, 2125 Main St. Participants can also share their thoughts on the events that were related to the annual book-reading event. WWW.WCLS.ORG CROOKED HEART: Acclaimed Canadian novelist Billie Livingston reads from her new book of fiction, The Crooked Heart of Mercy, at 7pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. The tome is described as “an unforgettable story of ordinary lives rocked by hardship and scandal.” WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM WWW.BELLINGHAMPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/LUMBERANDLACEBALL THURS., MARCH 10 PUBLISHING SECRE TS: “Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Publishing” will be the focus of a Whatcom Writers and Publishing presentation by Kiffer Brown from 6-8:30pm at Nicky’s Bella Marina, 2615 S. Harbor Loop Dr. Entry is free; please RSVP. ENERGY CAREERS NIGHT: Interested in a career in the energy industry? Hear from representatives from the oil and gas industry, network with BTC alumni working in the field and learn about BTC programs to prepare you for your career at an “Energy Industry Careers Night” taking place from 6-8pm at Settlemyer Hall at Bellingham Technical College, 3028 Lindbergh Ave. Entry is free, but registration is required. THURS., MARCH 10 BAKER BOOK: Micheal Impero shares stories VIEWS 6 LUMBER AND LACE BALL: Live music by Hot Damn Scandal, professional dance instruction, adult beverages, appetizers, old-fashioned photos, professional old-time hairdos, a raffle and a silent auction will be part of the 1940s logging- and fishing-era-themed “Lumber and Lace Ball” starting at 6:30pm at the Majestic, 1026 N. Forest St. Entry to the 21-and-over event is $25; proceeds benefit Whatcom Hospice Foundation. WED., MARCH 9 WWW.WHATCOMWRITERSANDPUBLISHERS.ORG BRUNCH t COCKTAILS t TACOS t OYSTERS t PATIO t DAILY HAPPY HOUR DO IT 2 TUES., MARCH 8 TA X HELP: AARP Tax-Aide offers free tax preparation service from 1-4:30pm at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. IRS-certified volunteers will assist people on a first-come, first-served basis. The service will also be available from 4-7pm Monday through Thursday through April 15. The Ferndale and Blaine senior centers and the Lynden and Ferndale libraries will also offer tax help by appointment. 03.02.16 WWW.POETRYNIGHT.ORG SAT., MARCH 5 #09.11 POE TRYNIGHT: Those looking to share their creative verse as part of Poetrynight can sign up at 7:45pm at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. Readings start at 8pm. Entry is by donation. WWW.BTC.EDU/ENERGYNIGHT MAIL 4 respective collections at 4pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. WED., MARCH 2 BELLINGHAM’S PREMIER SEAFOOD RESTAURANT CASCADIA WEEKLY Sedro-Woolley-based author Ramon Ledesma shares stories about the travels and travails of a family of Mexican migrant workers when he reads from his autobiographical book Migrant Earth Fri., March 4 at Village Books 13 1145 NORTH STATE STREET IN THE HISTORIC HERALD BUILDING 360.746.6130 DINNER Tuesday - Sunday 3 - 11 BRUNCH Saturday - Sunday 10 - 2 FOOD 34 outside RUNNING CYCLING CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 VIEWS 6 CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 B-BOARD 28 HIKING 14 STORY AND IMAGE BY TRAIL RAT On the Right Track CRUISING WHITE SALMON ROAD ON A recent winter morning, I spent two muddy hours trying to build a stone pathway through our vegetable garden before the cold, angry rain finally drove me to my senses. “If you’re going to be this wet and miserable,” I thought to myself, “you might as well be skiing.” So I abandoned the job site with enthusiasm and commenced my new adventure post haste. I took Highway 542 to White Salmon Road and hit the groomed track on my skinny skis. Fortunately, the weather and ambiance proved to be far more cooperative on the mountain. The snow was pretty decent, too. A little on the sloppy chunder side, perhaps. But what’s a good time in the North Cascades without a little dose of slope-side adversity to help keep a fellow on the straight and narrow? I might be a fancy lad, but when it comes to grinding some glomp through the forest I hardly qualify as a prima donna. Snowshoe hares. Now there’s a furry critter with the chops to negotiate GARDENING the inherent rigors of the darkest season with voracious aplomb and the propensity to embark on epic midwinter romps. Instead of hibernating, these elusive rodents travel primarily at night, subsisting on twigs, bark, clumps of moss and the occasional piece of rancid meat (if available). As I barreled along the initial part of the trail, I kept noticing their well-padded paw prints crisscrossing the corduroy; their unseen presence fueled me with admiration. Progressing down the trail, however, I soon found my attention drawn raptly skyward as the lower flanks of Mt. Shuksan emerged imposingly through the trees. Although a boiling cloud blanket obscured her pyramidal summit, she still superposed the tangible horizon. Emboldened by my natural surroundings, I poled myself at double-speed through the first switchback, finding my descent into the creek valley quickened markedly by the sharpening steepness. Squatting low on my boards to help expand the control zone with my center of gravity, I crouched my torso into attack position and sailed downhill as fast as the gradient would carry me. Like a missile I shot forward, rippling buoyantly through the breeze. As the cool mountain air bristled through my beard, I saw the mossy forest reel past me in a delirious blur and for a few precious, hard-earned minutes, the subalpine world suffused me with an immeasurable riotous thrill. Once I finally slowed to a standstill at the bottom of that epic run, I felt so elated I almost didn’t know where I was anymore. But as I waited there recuperating, I saw the track that lay before me climbed abruptly upward into heavy timber. The ascent went slowly. The fish scales on my ski bottoms had trouble gaining ample purchase on the deeply rutted snow and I herringboned at a snail’s pace. When I finally reached the ridge-top, I promptly took my skis off and laid down for a nap. Chirping birds and flapping wings woke me with a vague sense of unease. I was beset upon by a gregarious gang of camp robbers who wouldn’t take no for an answer. They perched and preened and peered quizzically into my eyes. They seemed to know precisely where I’d come from, and why. To learn more about ski and snowshoe routes in Salmon Ridge Sno-Park go to www. nooksacknordicskiclub.org doit WED., MARCH 2 GROUP RUN: All levels of experience are welcome at a weekly Group Run beginning at 6pm in Mount Vernon at the Skagit Running Company, 702 First St. The 3- to 6-mile run is great for beginners or for others wanting an easy recovery. Entry is free and no registration is required. WWW.SKAGITRUNNERS.ORG GARDEN CLUB MEE T ING: Tom Burton of Tom’s Bamboo will discuss bamboo varieties that do best in our area and the care and maintenance of the plant at the Birchwood Garden Club’s monthly meeting at 7pm at Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St. Both members and the general public are welcome. WWW.BIRCHWOODGARDENCLUB.ORG GARDEN PLOT SIGN-UP: All Bellingham residents are welcome to sign up for plots at the Cordata Community Garden at 7pm at the El Dorado Condo Clubhouse, #4571 on El Dorado Way. Cost for a 4’ x 16’ plot is $40; garden committee members will be onsite to help with the particulars. Forty-five slots are available. (360) 738-8466 THURS., MARCH 3 ERUPT IVE HISTORY: “Mount Baker Eruptive History and Hazards” will be the focus of a talk by geologist and author Dave Tucker at 6:30pm at Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington St. The likely volcanic future and the potential for impacts on Whatcom and Skagit communities will close out the presentation. Entry is free. WWW.BURLINGTONWA.GOV/LIBRARY TRAVELOGUE: Jasmine Goodnow leads a “Costa Rica Eco-Adventure” talk and slideshow as part of a Travelogue Series from 7-9pm at Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St. Suggested donation is $3. WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG FRI., MARCH 4 WILD THINGS: Kids, adults and adventurers can join Holly Roger of Wild Whatcom for a “Wild Things” Community Program from 9:30-11am every Friday in March at Whatcom Falls Park. Suggested donation is $5. WWW.WILDWHATCOM.ORG MARCH 4-6 HOME & GARDEN SHOW: Attend the Building Industry Association’s 36th annual Whatcom County Home and Garden Show from 11am-9pm Friday, 10am-9pm Saturday, and 11am-5pm Sunday at Lynden’s Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, 1775 Front St. In addition to more than 200 booths showcasing garden and home products, there’ll be seminars, wine and beer tastings, an improv performance, cooking demos, live music and more. Entry is $7-$8 (free for kids under 16). WWW.BIAWC.COM SAT., MARCH 5 TREAD LIGHTLY RUN: A “Tread Lightly on the Trail” Run begins at 9am at Fairhaven Runners, 1209 11th St. At the free event, Saucony reps will be on hand with giveaways and raffle prizes, and participants can try out demo shoes and partake of post-run treats. WWW.FAIRHAVENRUNNERS.COM THANK YOU RUN: Sign up for a “Thank You” 5K, 10K, and Kids Fun Run starting at 9am at SedroWoolley High School, 1235 3rd St. Feel free to wear your current school’s colors or your alumni colors to the “school spirit run.” Entry fees vary; proceeds benefit the high school. WWW.ICSKAGITVALLEY.ORG doit FOOD 34 PRUNING 101: Attend a free “Pruning 101” workshop presented by Blaine Community Orchards for Resources and Education (CORE) from 10am-12pm at the Blaine Library, 610 3rd St. (360) 305-3637 B-BOARD 28 ALL ABOUT SOIL: Learn about soil testing and the importance of tilth, texture, and temperature at a “Soils: Dos and Don’ts for the Home Gardener” presentation by WSU Extension Master Gardeners at 1pm at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. Entry to the all-ages event is free. FILM 24 WWW.WCLS.ORG SUN., MARCH 6 WWW.GBRC.NET Lester & Hyldahl MON., MARCH 7 BIKE BASICS: Learn how to lube a chain, fix a flat tire in record time and make other minor adjustments to your ride at a “Bike Maintenance Basics” class at 6pm at REI, 400 36th St. Doug Hyldahl Personal Injury Attorneys at Law Bankruptcy WWW.BOATINGCENTER.ORG TUES., MARCH 8 ALL-PACES RUN: Staffers and volunteers are always on hand to guide the way at the weekly All-Paces Run starting at 6pm every Tuesday at Fairhaven Runners, 1209 11th St. Entry is free. 360.733.5774 WWW.FAIRHAVENRUNNERS.COM WED., MARCH 9 [email protected] 119 N. Commercial Street, Suite 175 RAIN GARDENS: Blaine Community Orchards for Resources and Education (CORE) leads a “Rain Gardens” presentation from 4-6pm at the Blaine Library, 610 3rd St. Entry is free. CURRENTS 8 DUI/Criminal VIEWS 6 Tom Lester MAIL 4 NAVIGAT ION BASICS: A two-part “Introduction to Navigation” workshop takes place from 6:30-8:30pm tonight and Thursday night at the Community Boating Center, 555 Harris Ave. In this course, you will learn how to read a marine chart, plot a course, measure distance, estimate time of travel, and more. Entry is $55. WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 647-8955 OR WWW.REI.COM STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 PADDEN MUDFEST: Join the Greater Bellingham Running Club (GBRC) for 14th annual Padden Mudfest starting at 10am at Lake Padden Park, 4882 Samish Way. The six-mile trail race takes place on wooded single-track trails, offering some of the muddy conditions and challenging hill climbs typically found only in ultra runs. Entry is $10-$15. RUNNING AN ULTRA: Ultramarathon runner and author Krissy Moehl shares ideas from Running Your First Ultra: Customizable Training Plans for Your First 50K to 100-Mile Race at 7pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. 03.02.16 2 0 1 5 - 1 6 SEASON WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM WWW.WHATCOM.WSU.EDU ASTRONOMY MEE T ING: The Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers will meet from 7-9pm at Ferndale’s Whatcom Educational Credit Union, 5659 Barrett Rd. Use I-5 exit 262. The event will include discussion of local astronomy events, outreach projects, a video presentation and more. Entry is free and open to the public. RRequiem i & AAve VVerum CCorpus ARTISTIC DIRECTOR RYAN SMIT March M h 12 @ 7:30 pm Firrst Con Congre gregat gation ional al Chu Church rch - Bel Be lin lingha gham m March 13 @ 3:00 pm Salem Sal em Lut Luther heran an Chu Church rch - Mou Mount nt Ver Vernon non TICKET TIC KETS: KET S: 5 - $20 2 $ www ww.bc bccs c in cs i gss.or org g 206 0 .43 .438.3 8.3 3 927 CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 BEE TALK: Join Whatcom County’s Master Gardner Foundation for a monthly meeting and “Mason Bees” presentation with guest speaker Missy Anderson at 7pm at the WSU Extension offices at 1000 N. Forest St. Entry is free and open to the public. WWW.WHATCOMASTRONOMY.ORG DO IT 2 WWW.WCLS.ORG 15 FOOD 34 stage DANCE PROFILES CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 16 PHOTO BY NOLAN ALAN MCNALLY, WWW.NAMFILMS.COM VIEWS 6 CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 B-BOARD 28 THEATER DANCE GALLERY BY AMY KEPFERLE Modern Movement THE POWER OF THREE A TRIO of press releases came across my desk last week that drew attention to the state of contemporary dance in Bellingham (hint: it’s mostly alive and well). And, while each company who shared their news with me will also be showcasing their talents at public performances in the near future, what’s happening with all three is worth expounding upon. Kuntz and Company, long known for using dance and theater to draw attention to heady issues affecting the community—such as caring for children, death and dying, connections between the young and old, people living with disabilities, body image, AIDS and much more—will be bringing something entirely different to the stage March 4-5 in the form of “revived, refurbished, and recent.” The repertory concert at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center won’t focus on a specific theme, but rather will consist of new works and pieces from the past. “Having never presented an evening of work addressing multiple topics, or just dance for dance sake, this concert offers a range or works that cover the serious, the comical and some in between,” artistic director Pam Kuntz says. In addition to viewing reprisals from 2012’s “The Family Project” and 2014’s “Hide and Seek,” audiences can also see performers explore the challenge of getting to the television remote control, watch a mother/daughter relationship morph over the course of decades, witness a dance inside of a bike crash and be part of a launching point for the investigation of religion. True to form with Kuntz and Co., it’s all part of the bigger concept of living the human experience. When: 7:30pm Fri., March 4 and 2pm and 7:30pm Sat., March 5 Where: Firehouse PAC, 1314 Harris Ave. Cost: $15 Info: www.kuntzandco.org Meanwhile, the movers and shakers at Bellingham Repertory Dance are revving up for their 10th anniversary celebration, “Decade,” which takes place April 9 at the Mount Baker Theatre. However, you won’t have to wait until then to see what’s brewing with the professional dance company. First off, as part of the Fri., March 4 Art Walk, soloist Tatyana Stahler will highlight a piece by Seattle-based choreographer Eva Stone at free pop-up performances at Kombucha Town (7pm), Hatch (7:30pm), and Cafe Bouzingo (8pm). At 12pm Sat., March 5, those who want a further sneak peek are welcome to show up to an open rehearsal at the Firehouse PAC (where, if you stick around long enough, you’ll be on hand to view the Kuntz and Company matinee). At the free rehearsal, eight of the company’s dancers and choreographer Marlo Martin will be workshopping “Look At Me With Your Eyes Wide Shut,” a dance that explores the tension between the desire to be seen and the fear of the gazes of others. The piece is one of six that will be highlighted at the big event in April, and is sure to whet your appetite for what’s to come. When: 7:30pm Sat., April 9 Where: Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. Cost: $20 Info: www.mountbakertheatre. com or bhamrep.org Finally, the news from Dance Gallery is one that is both welcoming and also bittersweet. When the longtime collaborators present their 25th annual Spring Concert in early April at the Firehouse PAC, it’ll be their last. Since 1991, the modern dance enthusiasts have been welcoming students and performers in a wide range of talents and styles, and finding original choreography that best represents that unique diversity. While the group will still offer dance classes and may make guest appearances in the future, this might be your last chance to see them as a cohesive unit. Don’t miss it. When: April 1-3 Where: Firehouse PAC Cost: $12 Info: www.dancegallery.org doit STAGE MARCH 2-12 BOAT FEST IVAL: View an eclectic mix of dramas, comedies, established plays and new works, storytelling and poetic works at the Bellinghamster One-Act Theatre (BOAT) Festival 6 through Sat., March 12 at the Bellingham Theatre Guild, 1600 H St. Passes to see the 16 short plays—none of which are more than 30 minutes long—are $10 for the entire festival, or $4 for individual shows. Performances start at 7pm, with subsequent curtain times at 7:40pm, 8:20pm, and 9pm. See the full schedule online. WWW.BELLINGHAMTHEATREGUILD.COM/ BOAT.HTML THURS., MARCH 3 GOOD, BAD, UGLY: Watch “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” at 8pm every Thursday at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. At 10pm, stick around for “The Project.” Entry is $8 for the early show, $5 for the late one. 733-8855 OR WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM MARCH 3-5 LEARNING TO DRIVE: Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, How I Learned to Drive, opens this week with shows at 7:30pm Thursday and Friday, and 2pm and 7:30pm Saturday at Western Washington University’s DUG Theater in the Performing Arts Center. The play—which contains adult content and themes—focuses on an affair between a young girl and her uncle, and leads audiences on a journey over several years. WWU’s sexual assault resource service, CASAS, will moderate conversations after select performances. Tickets are $7-$12; additional performances take place March 9-12. 650-6146 OR WWW.TICKETS.WWU.EDU RUBBLE: Show up for the West Coast premiere of Eugenie Carabatsos’ Rubble at 7:30pm performances Thursday through Saturday at the iDiOM Theater, 1418 Cornwall Ave. The play focuses on four people surviving in the shadows at the foot of a burnt-out apartment building, each of whom is inhabiting their own world of dreams and delusions. Tickets are $10-$12. WWW.IDIOMTHEATER.COM MARCH 3-6 THE ODD COUPLE: Neil Simon’s contemporary comic classic The Odd Couple gets a reboot when the female version of the play starring Unger and Madison—Florence Unger and Olive Madison, that is—concludes this week with performances at 7:30pm Thursday through Saturday, and 2pm Sunday at Lynden’s Claire vg Thomas Theatre, 655 Front St. Tickets are $8-$12. WWW.CLAIREVGTHEATRE.COM FRI., MARCH 4 MYSTERY DINNER NIGHT: Western Washington University’s Viking Radio Theatre, Foul Play, and Swing Kids present a “Mystery Dinner Night” from 5-10pm at the Leopold Crystal Ballroom, 1224 Cornwall Ave. The 1940s-themed event includes a live radio drama performance, a murder mystery, swing dancing lessons, a catered dinner and more. Tickets are $20-$25. WWW.TINY.CC/MYSTERYDINNER MARCH 4-5 THE LIT TLE MERMAID: View Broadway’s fulllength version of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at 7pm Friday and Saturday at Judson Auditorium at Lynden Middle School, 516 Main St. Tickets are $7-$9. (360) 354-4401 B-BOARD 28 FILM 24 MUSIC 20 1919 Humboldt St, Bellingham, WA 98225 -CALL- 7XHVGD\0DUFKSP A FREE EVENT at Village Books in Fairhaven %LOOLH/LYLQJVWRQ The CROOKED HEART of MERCY WWW.CONWAYMUSE.COM This is a brave, funny and heartbreaking novel about faith and family, love and forgiveness, and how people survive unimaginable loss. THURS., MARCH 10 756-0756 OR WWW.IMPROVPLAYWORKS.COM MARCH 10-13 THE SK YLARK: A cast of 21 performers aged 10-16 will share their talents at performances of The Skylark at 7pm Thursday through Saturday, and 2pm Sunday at the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth Theatre, 1059 N. State St. The original musical by director Steve Barnes tells the story of a civilization that has supposedly achieved peace; meanwhile, rumors of ghosts are frequent. Tickets are $10 at the door. Additional performances happen March 17-20. WWW.BAAY.ORG DA NCE FRI., MARCH 4 PARK INSON’S DANCE CLASS: Kuntz and Company’s Pam Kuntz leads a dance class for people with Parkinson’s disease and other movement or neurological disorders at 10am at Ballet Bellingham, 1405 Fraser St., suite #103. Entry is free. No registration is necessary. WWW.KUNTZANDCO.ORG SAT., MARCH 5 SALSA NIGHT: Join DJ Antonio Diaz as he mixes a fabulous combination of the best Latin rhythms at Rumba Northwest’s bimonthly “Salsa Night” taking place from 9pm-12am on the first and third Saturdays of the month at Cafe Rumba, 1140 N. State St. Entry is $4. WWW.RUMBANORTHWEST.COM :HGQHVGD\0DUFKSP A FREE EVENT at Village Books in Fairhaven .ULVV\0RHKO Whether you’ve found the perfect new place, or you’ve got big plans for your current home, a Real Estate loan from WECU® can help make your dream home a reality. Advice & encouragement from a top female ultramarathon runner, respected by her peers and an inspiration to runners everywhere. RUNNING VIEWS 6 INTRO TO IMPROV: Sheila Goldsmith helms a “Learn to Think on Your Feet” introductory improv class from 7-9pm at Improv Playworks, 1011 Girard St. Please register in advance for the free workshop. Move or improve! Your First ULTRA Customizable Training Plans for Your First 50K to 100-Mile Race 3GD MAIL 4 KOMODO COMEDY: Davey Wester, Chris Rodriquez, and Simon Kaufman (“The Big Funny”) will perform at a “Komodo Comedy” show at 7:30pm at the Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce St. Tickets to see the funny fellas—all of whom have different comedic talents up their sleeves—are $10. Join Us! DO IT 2 SAT., MARCH 5 Join us for the LIVE TAPING of Chuckanut Radio Hour featuring local author and historian BRIAN GRIFFIN Sunday, March 13 doors at 1:30pm at the Bellingham Theatre Guild With LIVE MUSIC by Stephen Ray Leslie Tickets $5 available at Village Books & brownpapertickets.com Read more at villagebooks.com VILLAGE BOOKS 1200 11th St, Bellingham & 430 Front St, Lynden Open Daily • 360.671.2626 STAGE 16 ART 18 (360) 527-8774 WWW.TICKETS.WWU.EDU GET OUT 14 THE SUICIDE HEART: Western Washington University’s Student Theatre Productions presents Kenall Uyeji’s The Suicide Heart at performances at 7:30pm Friday, 3pm and 7:30pm Saturday, and 3pm Sunday at the school’s Old Main Theatre. The drama deals with topics of suicide, drug abuse, mental health problems and our dwindling ability to properly communicate. Tickets are $5. WORDS 12 MARCH 4-6 CURRENTS 8 WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM Greener Solutions Clear Advantage Glass Experience the Difference Law Offices of Alexander F. Ransom m Experienced Litigator. Effective Negotiator. Exceptional Advocate. Compassionate Criminal Defense Fighting For Your Rights. 119 NORTH COMMERCIAL ST. SUITE #1420 • OFFICE: (360) 746-2642 www.ransom-lawfirm.com 03.02.16 THE HEROES: Follow a team of superheroes as they take on villains and try to save the world when “The Heroes” opens this weekend at 8pm and 10pm Friday and Saturday at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. Tickets are $10-$12. See the format through March. SERVING WHATCOM COUNTY & BELLINGHAM #09.11 383-3532 OR WWW.WHATCOM.CTC.EDU CASCADIA WEEKLY IS IT ART?: New performances in theater, dance and music will be part of But Is It Art?: The Sequel shows at 7:30pm Friday and Saturday at Whatcom Community College, 237 W. Kellogg Rd. Tickets will be $5 at the door. FOOD 34 doit 17 B-BOARD 28 FOOD 34 visual GALLERIES OPENINGS FILM 24 MUSIC 20 ART 18 “OUT IN THE OCEAN, 2015,” BY JACQUELINE BARNETT STAGE 16 GET OUT 14 WORDS 12 CURRENTS 8 VIEWS 6 MAIL 4 DO IT 2 03.02.16 #09.11 CASCADIA WEEKLY U P COM I NG E V EN TS FRI., MARCH 4 GALLERY WALK: Scott Milo Gallery, the Good Stuff, A.C.M.E. Creative Spaces, Anacortes Oil & Vinegar Bar, Burton Jewelers, THink Tiny Gallery, the Majestic Inn and Spa, and more will open their doors for public perusal at the First Friday Art Walk from 6-9pm in downtown Anacortes. Entry is free. WWW.ANACORTESART.COM BY STEPHEN HUNTER 18 PROFILES doit Appassionata JACQUELINE BARNETT’S ABSTRACT VISIONS THE TERM “abstract art,” much bandied about these days, remains poorly understood. The abstract work of many Northwest artists, such as Sharon Kingston and Don de Llamas, evokes water, mountains and clouds. There’s playful abstraction like that of Anne Schreivogl and Jacqui Beck, mystical abstraction (Ann Martin McCool), surrealism (Larry Heald), geometric abstraction (Barbara Silverman Summers), and the colorful field paintings of Max Benjamin. Beyond all of these styles lies “action painting,” pioneered by Jackson Pollock. The artist pours paint and sweeps it around with brush, hand or palette knife into lines and layers of many colors. Some artists give the painting a name to suggest a meaning, but the ultimate meaning, if any, rests in the eye of the beholder. While the main floor exhibit at La Conner’s Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) is a tribute to iconic Northwest “mystic” painter Morris Graves, the second floor is given over to “Appassionata: the Art of Jacqueline Barnett.” The paintings— which were created from 1990-2015—have been inspired or enabled partly by Pollock, in whose work Barnett felt “power and joy.” Barnett’s style is vigorous and sweeping, with lines and layers of paint of many colors. Her canvases are big, to allow a full and wide sweep of her arms and to mirror the size of a human body. Barnett’s paintings are not quite like anything else you’ve seen. At first glance, the viewer may register disturbed shapes and clashing, dissonant color relationships. Barnett grew up in Manhattan surrounded by artists, famous people and great modern art. As a child, she marveled at the paintings of Kandinsky, Van Gogh, and Arshile Gorky. Her father, toy manufacturer Louis Marx—he gave America the yo-yo—encouraged her desire to create, and by 1960 she had exhibited her own work. Subsequently, married to a professor at Stanford University, Barnett audited classes in the art department for 10 years before, encouraged by the feminist movement, she opened her own studio. Barnett believes in the authenticity of her random gestures. She SEE IT follows her own imWHAT: “Appaspulses, “squeezing paint sionata, the Art onto the canvas, swishof Jacqueline ing it around, dragBarnett, ging brush, rag, hand, 1990–2015” WHEN: 12-5pm palette knife through Sun.-Mon; 10amthe paint… bringing 5pm Tues.-Sat. something beautiful and WHERE: Museum powerful out of a void. ” of Northwest Art, Her titles suggest 121 S. First St., La Conner meaning: “Come ToCOST: Entry is gether,” “The Family,” free “Safe Harbor,” and a INFO: www. famous one (not in the monamuseum.org exhibit): “Eating the Mother.” The vigorous process of “action” painting assumes that the images express subjective feelings of the artist. Were the titles actually in mind during the painting process or were they given after completion? “Color bursts from her canvases,” art critic John Boylan said at a recent seminar at MoNA. “Complex layering gives the picture depth and mystery; you think you’re seeing a story, but one not readily apparent, which gives the work power.” Barnett’s biographer, Priscilla Long, called her art emotional rather than conceptual and very feminist, as it contains many sheltering spaces, “which women need.” Matthew Kangas, a controversial art critic based in Seattle, has recently published a book on Barnett’s art. He hopes its publication will bring her work to the attention of the world art market. It has already triggered two solo exhibits, including the one at MoNA, which is our best chance to appreciate her work. ART WALK: Allied Arts, Dakota Gallery, Whatcom Museum, Sculpture Northwest, Waterfront Artist Studios, Fourth Corner Frames & Gallery, Make.Shift Art Space, Honey Salon, and the Community Food Co-op will be among those taking part in the monthly Art Walk from 6-10pm throughout downtown Bellingham. Entry is free. WWW.DOWNTOWNBELLINGHAM.COM ALLIED ARTS: View the “Whatcom READS! Art Challenge” exhibit at an opening reception from 6-9pm at Allied Arts, 1418 Cornwall Ave. The works on display were inspired by Ruth Ozeki’s book, A Tale for the Time Being. See the exhibit through March 26. WWW.ALLIEDARTS.ORG DAKOTA GALLERY: View a recently remodeled gallery and the thought-provoking work of photographer Zachary Kolden at an opening reception for the “Elementary Reactions” exhibit and a grand reopening of the space from 6-10pm at Dakota Gallery, 1324 Cornwall Ave. See the show through March 27. WWW.DAKOTAARTGALLERY.COM WHATCOM MUSEUM: Peruse “Returning Home: Six Decades of Art by Ira Yeager” and “Faith in a Seed: Philip McCracken’s Sculpture and Mixed-Media Painting” as part of the Art Walk from 6-10pm at Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher Building, 250 Flora St. Entry is free. WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG SCULPTURE NORTHWEST: An opening reception for “The Contemporary Figure” takes place from 6-10pm at Sculpture Northwest Gallery, 203 Prospect St. The show features regional artists—Francie Allen, Viven Chiu, Mary Coss, Ellen Kennelly, Crista Matteson, and John Lucas—with a shared creative vision and exemplary technical skills in rendering the human figure in new and often unexpected ways. See it through May 20. WWW.SCULPTURENORTHWEST.ORG WATERFRONT ART ISTS: A variety of artists will show their work and share their creative spaces from 6-10pm at the Waterfront Artists’ Studios, 1220 Central Ave. (across the street from Jalapenos). Enter, and find out how creativity has taken root and sprouted during the long, dark winter. WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/WATERFRONT-ARTISTSTUDIO-COLLECTIVE FOURTH CORNER: View colorfully painted and carved gourds by Lummi Island-based artist Lynn Young at an opening reception for “Matisse & I” from 6-9pm at Fourth Corner Frames & gallery, 311 W. Holly St. See the pieces through March 29. WWW.FOURTHCORNERFRAMES.COM MAKE.SHIF T: View “Blue”—an exhibit of sculptural installation by Bellingham artist Mariah Tate Klemens, and paintings by Portland’s Jackson Hunt—at an opening reception from 6-10pm at Make.Shift Art Space, 306 Flora St. doit McIntyre Hall Presents Friday, March 11 B-BOARD 28 WWW.SMITHANDVALLEE.COM ONGOI NG E X H I BI TS COMMUNIT Y CO-OP: A new monthly “Feed Your Head” event will take place from 5:30-7:30pm in the upstairs mezzanine at the Community Food Co-op, 1220 N. Forest St. The fun takes place during Art Walk, and will feature paintings by Joanne Plucy, music by Melosonica (with Erin Corday and Triptych), and cheese, cupcake and food samples. Entry is free. WWW.COMMUNIT YFOOD.COOP THE FOUNDRY: Local artist Scot Casey, poet Marissa Dimick, and musician Tad Kroening present a collaborative Skeleton Shadow Theatre showcasing shadow puppetry from 7-9pm at the Foundry, 1515 N. Forest St. Each performance of “The Old Bone Dance” will last for 15 minutes; showing at each half-hour. Skagit Regional Public Facilities District 8IJECFZ 8FFLMZ WWW.CHUCKANUTBREWERYANDKITCHEN.COM FISHBOY GALLERY: Check out the contemporary folk art of RR Clark from 1:30-5pm Fridays or by appointment at the FishBoy Gallery, 617 Virginia St. 319-2913 OR WWW.FISHBOYGALLERY.COM GALLERY C YGNUS: “From the Forest” shows until March 19 in La Conner at Gallery Cygnus, 109 Commercial St. 20 16 WWW.GALLERYCYGNUS.COM GOOD EARTH: “Salutations, Spring” features handmade planters, birdhouses and garden art through March Good Earth Pottery, 1000 Harris Ave. WWW.GOODEARTHPOTS.COM JANSEN ART CENTER: “The Paintings of Eric Michaels,” a “Winter Into Spring Juried Exhibit” and a “Student Show” are currently on display at Lynden’s Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St. WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG WWW.BELLINGHAMFOUNDRY.COM WWW.FISHBOYGALLERY.COM QUILT MUSEUM: Peruse “Traditional Quilts: Hand Quilting & Trapunto,” “Beyond the Surface: Whidbey Island Surface Design,” “A Stitch here, a Stitch There” and “Crazy Quilts: Janita Clairmont” through March 27 at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St. MAIL 4 FISHBOY: Venture out of downtown proper to view the works of folk artist RR Clark (FishBoy) from 6-10pm at FishBoy Gallery, 617 Virginia St. (near Trader Joe’s). Entry is free. MUSIC 20 FILM 24 MCINTYREHALL.ORG 360.416.7727 WORDS 12 WWW.MAKESHIFTPROJECT.COM CHUCK ANUT BREWERY: Paintings by Jared Wartman are on display through March 5 at Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen, 601 W. Holly St. CURRENTS 8 Resident artists will also open up their studios to share, sell and discuss their current and future projects, and there’l be videos, music and concessions downstairs. WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/SEEINGBELLINGHAM KIM Yong Chul SEOP Dance Company of South Korea A performance of traditional and contemporary Korean dance that explores the powerful idea of a sinner’s judgment day. It’s a modern, ritualistic expression of the Korean Buddhist/Christian belief system you won’t want to miss. Performance followed by Q&A. VIEWS 6 Check out Zachary Kolden’s thoughtprovoking photography at an opening reception for “Elementary Reactions” at the newly remodeled Dakota Gallery during the Fri., March 4 Art Walk in downtown Bellingham ART 18 WWW.ARTWOODGALLERY.COM STAGE 16 “REACTION #20” ART WOOD: Woodworker and painter Gary Giovane will be the featured artist through March at Artwood Gallery, 1000 Harris Ave. CASA QUE PASA: More than 50 photographs from the “Seeing Bellingham” Facebook group are currently on display at a group show at Casa Que Pasa, 1415 Railroad Ave. FOOD 34 A MAN’S REQUIEM GET OUT 14 at Edison’s Smith & Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave. The multi-artist exhibit brings together a diverse group of Northwest artists in a painterly interpretation of the area in our midst—our surroundings. See it, and Dederick Ward’s canvas series, “Reaching for Silence,” through April 3. WWW.LACONNERQUILTS.ORG CLAY FEST IVAL: More than 25 members of Whatcom Artists of Clay & Kiln (WACK) will show and sell their work at a “Clay Extravaganza” from 11am-6pm Saturday at the Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. The clay-specific arts festival will also feature artist demonstrations (and competitions!), opportunities for the public to try their hands at clay, and live music by One Lane Bridge. Entry is free. WWW.WHATCOMARTISTSOFCLAYANDKILN.ORG SURROUNDINGS OPENING: An opening reception for “Surroundings” takes place from 5-8pm SK AGIT MUSEUM: “Secrets of the Mount Vernon Culture” shows through May 15 at La Conner’s Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. Fourth St. WWW.SKAGITCOUNT Y.NET WESTERN GALLERY: “How Space Turns” shows through May 12 at Western Washington University’s Western Gallery. WWW.WESTERNGALLERY.WWU.EDU WHATCOM MUSEUM: “Returning Home: Six Decades of Art by Ira Yeager,” “Faith in a Seed: Philip McCracken’s Sculpture and Mixed-Media Painting,” “Romantically Modern,” and “Back at the Park” can currently be viewed on the Whatcom Museum campus. Entry is $4.50-$10 ($5 on Thursdays). WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG JOIN US AS WE PARADE DOWN CORNWALL AVE. TO HONOR ALL LOCAL PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL 03.02.16 WWW.RAGFINERY.COM #09.11 WWW.SCULPTUREWOODS.COM RAGFINERY: A variety of textile-related workshops happen on a regular basis at Ragfinery, 1421 N. Forest St. See more details and register online. CASCADIA WEEKLY SCULPTURE WOODS: If you’re interested in art with a view, head to Lummi Island to peruse 16 outdoor sculptures by Ann Morris from 10am5pm at the monthly “Sculpture Woods” tour at 3851 Legoe Bay Rd. The working studio will not be open. Entry is free. Park diagonally in the designated parking area, take a map for the selfguided tour and enjoy (no photos, please). DO IT 2 SAT., MARCH 5 19 B-BOARD 28 FOOD 34 music RUMOR HAS IT CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 SHOW PREVIEWS rumor has it VIEWS 6 HOT DAMN SCANDAL CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 BY CAREY ROSS 20 Lumber and Lace Ball ANY EXCUSE WILL DO HALLOWEEN GETS a lot of press around here for being the occasion that causes Bellingham to costume itself en masse, but the truth of the matter is those who live in this town need little reason and even less encouragement to dress up and show out. Any theme, occasion or excuse will do—and it’s not uncommon to see groups of people out in public in costumes or some form of finery and not know why or what they’re celebrating. This is part of the method to the madness behind the Bellingham Lumber and Lace Ball, which is happening Sat., March 5 at the Majestic Ballroom The theme is early 1900s Bellingham—and if you don’t have a periodappropriate ball gown, anything having to do with logging, maritime or fishing industries will also work—and for event coordinator Lindsie Fratus, seeing how people interpret that loose guideline is part of the fun. “Bellingham never ceases to amaze when it comes to breaking out the costume box and dressing up,” Fratus says. “I am always so entertained by the outfits our guests come up with! From ladies dressing up as lumberjacks to men in their work clothes dancing to a waltz to the straight-up fancy, high-collared Victorian dresses, there’s a little bit of everything at the L&L Ball.” But the dress code is but just one part of an event that offers enough bits and pieces to entertain one and all. Any proper ball—and that’s what Lumber and Lace aims to be—has to have music, and that music must make people want to dance, and organizers have found that in the form of self-described “tipsy American gypsy blues” band Hot Damn Scandal. In a town rife with old-timey/Americana/ragtime/ bluegrass/stomp bands, Hot Damn Scandal seems uniquely suited for a night devoted to mining this city’s rough-and-ready past. “We absolutely love Hot Damn Scandal and Stinky Pete,” Fratus says. “Pete is one of those performers you just never get tired of hearing because it seems like every show Hot Damn Scandal plays is unique and they I’M FAIRLY CERTAIN Fri., March. 4 isn’t a holiday of any kind—at least not one that’s observed in this country, anyway—so I’m going to suggest you call in sick or take a personal day or schedule some of your vacation time for that day. Why would you go and do that? Because much music is to be had on Thursday and life choices must be made and I apologize in advance to all your bosses. If you, like me, spend your time lurking (not in a creepy way, I swear) Manatee Commune, aka Bellingham musician Grant Eadie, you probably already know he very recently released a new EP, Thistle. The album came to us via Spin magazine, who praised its “orchestral strings and cascading synthpads” and said, “With downtempo beats sluicing through bright melodies, Manatee Commune’s burbling Thistle is a fitting re-introduction to his lovely style.” It is the first of what I imagine will be many accolades for Eadie and an EP that has already been heard streaming out of a couple of offices at the Cascadia Weekly. BY CAREY ROSS But we’re not the only ones listening. Since its release last Friday, Thistle has been making its way up the iTunes electronic chart, and now sits in the top 10 as of press time. It’s not a platinum album (provided those were still a thing) or anything, but it’s certainly a job well done for Eadie. It’s also cause for celebration. Manatee Commune is throwing himself an oldfashioned EP release party Thurs., March 3 at the Wild Buffalo with Phantoms, Cuff Lynx, and Boom Box Kid. Even for curmudgeons like me who rarely dance and like to watch bands play instruments, Manatee Commune is a good live show. With his mix of electronic music and live instrumentation, Eadie is an engaging performer, and I’m sure he’ll pull out all the stops at his release show. Last week, I randomly watched So Adult’s “Citizen Arrest” video—which was filmed at Bellingham’s 20th Century Bowl—and then I randomly ran into So Adult… in front of 20th Century Bowl. It was like 2010 all over again, except these days my hair is longer than that of So Adult singer Joe Olmstead and I’m sure we’re all much wiser now than we were then. At any rate, the band was doing more than just bowling a few frames, they were rehearsing their catchy power pop for an upcoming show at Make.Shift that takes place on— you guessed it—Thurs., March 3. The show is an album release celebration as well, this time for Xavier’s School’s Stay Bold or Get Old, a mantra painted on the stairs leading out of Make.Shift’s basement that I try to take to heart every time I climb that staircase. Joining So Adult and Xavier’s School will be the NES cover band that was birthed by this year’s Band Lottery, and Fallopia and Scruffager will play as well. It might be time to declare this Fri., March. 4 your own personal holiday. * Free Admission! www.whatcomartistsofclayandkiln.org ART 18 MUSIC 20 MUSIC 20 SPONSORED BY: star Irish quintet are $30-$40. MUSIC CLUB CONCERT: Winners of the Bellingham Music Club’s instrumental and string awards for high school students will perform at 10:30am at Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 Texas St. Winners were selected by professional adjudicators at auditions held this winter. Entry is by donation. WWW.MCINT YREHALL.ORG WWW.MCINT YREHALL.ORG COMPOSERS OF WESTERN: Hear all-new music being played for the first time at a “Composers of Western” concert at 8pm at Western Washington University’s Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. Entry is free. WWW.WWU.EDU VIEWS 6 MAIL 4 WWW.CFPA.WWU.EDU Lunasa, called “the hottest Irish acoustic group on the planet” by the New York Times, will play a Fri., March 4 concert at Mount Vernon’s McIntyre Hall FRI., MARCH 4 LUNASA: Celtic music masters Lunasa bring their singular sounds to the area at a 7:30pm concert at Mount Vernon’s McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way. Tickets to the see all- WHATCOM SYMPHONY: “Harmony from Discord” will be the focus of a Whatcom Symphony Orchestra concert at 3pm at the Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. The program—part of a multi-year initiative exploring uplifting works composed by artists in the face of severe oppression—showcases Laszlo Weiner’s “Triple Concerto” and Shostakovich’s epic “Fifth Symphony.” Tickets are $14-$39. 734-6080 OR WWW.MOUNTBAKERTHEATRE.COM TUES., MARCH 8 FEST IVAL CONCERT: After performing in festivals throughout Washington state, the Mount Vernon High School Bands and Orchestra present a superior performance of music from the core repertoire at a “Festival Concert” at WED., MARCH 9 COLLIGAN CONERT: New York-based pianist, organist, drummer, trumpeter, teacher and bandleader George Colligan will share his talents at a Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center concert at 7pm at the Majestic, 1027 N. Forest St. The lauded musician will be joined by bassist Phil Sparks and drummer Matt Jorgensen. Entry is $5-$10. WWW.WJMAC.ORG WORLD MUSIC: Skagit Valley College Music Department presents “Music Makes the World Go Round” at 7:30pm at Mount Vernon’s McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way. The event will feature the SVC Showcase singers, Concert Choir, and Jazz Ensemble with special performances by visiting international students. Tickets are $5-$10. WWW.MCINT YREHALL.ORG 03.02.16 SUN., MARCH 6 WWW.WJMAC.ORG THURS., MARCH 3 DO IT 2 371-7030 OR WWW.BTJS.WEBS.COM CHAMBER CONCERTS: Three separate Western Washington University ensembles—wind, brass and percussion— will play together at a “Chamber I” concert at 7:30pm at WWU’s Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. A “Chamber II” show takes place at 7:30pm Thurs., March 10. Entry to both concerts is free and open to the public. Custom Cut Cheese & Salami Organic Coffee & Espresso Hicks' Local Raspberry Honey Tasty Bruschetta & Tapenade “Theo” 70% Dark Chocolates Thermal Gardening Gloves “NOW” Crystallized Ginger Shop Til You Drop 360-592-2297 www.everybodys.com Hiway 9 – Van Zandt #09.11 TRADIT IONAL JAZZ: The Clamdigger Jazz Band will perform New Orleans/ Dixieland music at the Bellingham Traditional Jazz Society’s monthly concert and dance from 2-5pm at the VFW Hall, 625 N State St. Entry is $6 for students, $10 for members, and $12 for non-members. THOMAS AND RANNE Y: Sax players Jay Thomas and Travis Ranney will be joined by pianist Miles Black, bassists Michael Glynn, and drummer Julian MacDonough for a Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center concert at 7pm at the Majestic, 1027 N. Forest St. Entry is $5-$10. 650-6146 OR WWW.TICKETS.WWU.EDU 7pm at McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way. Tickets are $4-$10. SAT., MARCH 5 WWW.BELLINGHAMMUSICCLUB.ORG PAUL ROBERTS: Music by Beethoven, Albeniz, Falla, Debussy, and Ravel will be on the lineup with pianist, writer, lecturer and teacher Paul Roberts performs at 8pm at Western Washington University’s Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. Tickets are $11-$22. CURRENTS 8 doit WED., MARCH 2 B-BOARD 28 FOOD 34 * Live Music FILM 24 Over 25 local pottery vendors! * Artist Demonstrations (and competitions!) * Public Hands-On Clay Center STAGE 16 folks are laughing and dancing all around you. Whether they had a grandma, aunt, uncle, sister or husband who was put into the compassionate hands of a hospice nurse, they all have nothing but wonderful words to say about the experience. It’s weird, because for such a potentially dark and sad topic, hospice stories sure know how to bring out the lightheartedness in folks—it’s one of those cry-while-youlaugh type of moments.” If, with all its many distractions, diversions and means of entertaining attendees, the Lumber and Lace Ball sounds like a labor-intensive undertaking for its crew of organizers, you’d be right—and it’s a labor of love for those who work behind the scenes. “This event is completely organized and run by a very small group of friends who believe in hospice and creating a fun and unique community event that we hope Bellinghamsters will look forward to each year,” Fratus says. “The Lumber and Lace Ball is not an official Whatcom Hospice event; we are a completely volunteer-run planning committee, kind of scrambling to throw things together with the resources we have. We essentially work off zero budget, and I have to admit, I am shocked at what we are able to pull off each year. It leaves me full of amazement and love for what the true essence of a community can pull off together.” GET OUT 14 definitely know how to get people moving on the dance floor. Plus, we have a professional dance instructor to help some non-dancing folks out.” The Lumber and Lace Ball also offers plenty to keep attendees occupied during dance breaks. Treat your tired locks to a professional hairdo, courtesy of the Beauty Institute. Have a sepia-toned, old-fashioned photograph taken by Jason Byal Photography to commemorate your period dress and professional coif. Visit the people from the Poem Store, who will craft you some stanzas, a short verse, a sonnet or possibly a limerick, on the spot. Peruse silent auction items and ponder a bid. Suss out a selection of historical photos borrowed from the Whatcom Museum. Enjoy some appetizers. Quench your thirst by quaffing pints of Lumber and Lace Lager, brewed just for the occasion by Kulshan Brewery (it’s also available on tap for a short time around town if you’re hankering for a post-ball pint). Not to be outdone, Schilling Cider will be pouring their Lumber Jack Cider, and both Kombucha Town and Fidalgo Bay Coffee will also be on hand to slake your thirst. But the Lumber and Lace Ball is not just about dancing in old-timey outfits to gypsy jazz, it actually functions as a fun- draiser with proceeds going to Whatcom Hospice Foundation. Key to the evening is an education component regarding the role of hospice, how it functions and why it’s important. “We have strived to educate our audience about Whatcom Hospice’s fantastic service to this community,” Fratus says, “and for this year’s ball we are attempting to expand that educaand incorporate ATTEND tion some more interactive WHAT: The ways to thank WhatBellingham Lumber and Lace com Hospice.” Ball Hospice might seem WHEN: 6:30pm a strange impetus for Sat., March 5 such a celebratory WHERE: The event, but to Fratus, Majestic, 1027 N. Forest St. combining end-of-life COST: $25 discussion with a fanINFO: www. cy dress ball has provfacebook.com/ en to be a surprisingly lumberandlaceball natural fit. “My favorite part of the ball is something I didn’t really expect until it happened at our first event, which are the stories people tell me about their personal hospice experience,” Fratus says. “There is something odd but comforting about listening to someone tell you their hospice experience while gypsy tunes blare and WORDS 12 PAGE 20 CASCADIA WEEKLY BALL, FROM 21 FOOD 34 B-BOARD 28 musicvenues See below for venue addresses and phone numbers Anelia's Kitchen & Stage GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 Boundary Bay Brewery Brown Lantern Ale House 03.03.16 03.04.16 03.05.16 Bootleg Sunshine Brenda Xu The Alkis THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 03.06.16 SUNDAY 03.08.16 Piano Night Paul Klein MONDAY Aaron Guest Acoustic Night w/Blayne Washington Open Mic Night The Sky Colony Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Northcote, Mo Kenney Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, more Dehli 2 Dublin, SugarBeats Rebelution, The Red, Gold and Green Machine Conway Muse Square Dance w/Conway West MuseBird Cafe w/Carolyn Cruso, more Komodo Comedy FRANK TURNER/March 3/ Commodore Ballroom Corner Pub Knut Bell and the 360s Spencer Redmond Duo Spencer Redmond Duo The Skeptix Joe Cook Blues Band DJ J-Will DJ Boombox Kid Commodore Ballroom Eat Edison Inn Glow Nightclub 03.07.16 Gray Matter DJ J-Will Anelias Kitchen & Stage 511 Morris St, La Conner, WA • (360) 466-4778 | Bellewood Acres 6140 Guide Meridian, Lynden • (360) 318-7720 | Bobby Lee’s Pub & Eatery 108 W Main St, Everson • 966-8838 | Boundary Bay 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 | Chuckanut Brewery 601 W Holly St. • 752-3377 | Commodore Ballroom 868 Granville St., Vancouver • (604) 739-4550 | Conway Muse 18444 Spruce/Main St., Conway (360) 445-3000 | Corner Pub 14565 Allen West Road, Burlington VIEWS 6 MAIL 4 DO IT 2 03.02.16 #09.11 CASCADIA WEEKLY TUESDAY Bow Diddlers CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 03.02.16 WEDNESDAY IS GETTING ANNUAL EXAMS AND FREE PREGNANCY TESTS make Planned Parenthood your health care provider 22 1.800.230.PLAN mbpp.org Bellingham · Mount Vernon Friday Harbor 03.04.16 03.05.16 03.06.16 03.07.16 03.08.16 Hambone Wilson, Quinton Rundell Wages of Sin, Sweet Lou's Sour Mash Medici, Moonhat Slow Jam (early) Open Mic (early), Guffawingham (late) Terrible Tuesday Soul Explosion DJ Ryan I Brian Lee and the Orbiters Karaoke Woolly Breeches Quickdraw Stringband Karaoke Karaoke KC's Bar and Grill Broken Bow Stringband One Lane Bridge Main St. Bar and Grill Second Sting, 80HD So Adult, Xavier's School, more Make.Shift Art Space Mr. Bones, Two Moons, more Damon Jones Time3Jazz Live Music Live Music Country Night DJ Jester Panty Hoes Drag Show Throwback Thursday DJ Postal, DJ Shortwave DJ Robby Clark Showdown at the Shakedown The Good Wives, Without Arms, The Masses Bongzilla, Black Cobra, more Marvin J Telefonic Stirred Not Shaken Singer/Songwriter Night Garrett and the Sherrifs, Katie Gray, Rivers to Roads MP, TajEye, more Swinomish Casino and Lodge Live Music Live Music The Underground DJ B-Mello DJ B-Mello Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke Jam Night Karaoke Skylark's Swillery Whiskey Bar Via Cafe and Bistro Karaoke Karaoke The Village Inn THE GOOD WIVES/ March 4/Shakedown Aireeoke Karaoke Baltic Cousins, The Muscle Relaxers, Sosa The Waterfront Wild Buffalo ’90s Night w/DJ Boombox Kid B-BOARD 28 Karaoke w/Zach #09.11 Karaoke The Shakedown Open Mic w/Chuck D Budapest West Karaoke Rumors Cabaret JP Falcon WORDS 12 Rockfish Grill Live Music VIEWS 6 Sam Chue MAIL 4 Poppe's 360 Royal MANATEE COMMUNE/ March 3/Wild Buffalo Little Big Band Art Walk w/Christmas Cactus Old World Deli Irish & Folk Night w/ Lindsay Street DO IT 2 Kulshan Brewing Co. TUESDAY FILM 24 Giant's Causeway MONDAY MUSIC 20 MUSIC 20 Open Mic SUNDAY 03.02.16 Honey Moon SATURDAY ART 18 H2O FRIDAY STAGE 16 THURSDAY GET OUT 14 Green Frog 03.03.16 Manatee Commune, Phantoms, more Ryan Caraveo, Grynch, Invictus CURRENTS 8 03.02.16 WEDNESDAY Lifted w/FXL, Haakeye, more Lip Sync Battle The Green Frog 1015 N. State St. • www.acoustictavern.com | Edison Inn 5829 Cains Ct., Edison • (360) 766-6266 | The Fairhaven 1114 Harris Ave • 778-3400 | Glow 202 E. Holly St. • 734-3305 | Graham’s Restaurant 9989 Mount Baker Hwy., Glacier • (360) 599-3663 | H20, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 755-3956 | Honey Moon 1053 N State St. • 734-0728 | KC’s Bar and Grill 108 W. Main St., Everson • (360) 966-8838 | Kulshan Brewery 2238 James St. • 389-5348 | Make.Shift Art Space 306 Flora St. • 389-3569 | 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 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 | Star Club 311 E Holly St. • www.starclubbellingham.com | Swillery Whiskey Bar 118 W. Holly St. | Swinomish Casino 12885 Casino Dr., Anacortes • (888) 288-8883 |Temple Bar 306 W. Champion St. • 676-8660 | The Underground 211 E. Chestnut St. • 738-3701 | Underground Coffeehouse Viking Union 3rd Floor, WWU | Via Cafe 7829 Birch Bay Dr., Blaine • (360) 778-2570 | Village Inn Pub 3020 Northwest Ave. • 734-2490 | Vinostrology 120 W. Holly St. • 656-6817 | Wild Buffalo 208 W. Holly St. • www.wildbuffalo.net | To get your live music listings included, send info to [email protected]. Deadlines are always at 5pm Friday. CASCADIA WEEKLY See below for venue addresses and phone numbers FOOD 34 musicvenues 23 FOOD 34 film FILM SHORTS CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 VIEWS 6 CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 B-BOARD 28 MOVIE REVIEWS 24 REVIEWED BY PETER DEBRUGE Zootopia IT’S A SMALL WORLD, AFTER ALL FROM THE company that brought you the utopian simplicity of It’s a Small World comes a place where mammals of all shapes, sizes and dietary preferences not only live in harmony, but also are encouraged to be whatever they want—a revisionist animal kingdom in which lions and lambs lay down the mayoral law together, and a cuddly-wuddly bunny can grow up to become the city’s top cop. Welcome to Zootopia, where differences of race and species serve no obstacle to either acceptance or achievement. It is, in short, a city only the House of Mouse could imagine, and one that lends itself surprisingly well to a classic L.A.-style detective story, a la The Big Lebowski or Inherent Vice, yielding an adult-friendly whodunit with a chipper “you can do it!” message for the cubs. While her 225 bunny brothers and sisters are content to stay on the farm, aspirational rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) shows an early aptitude for conflict management, stepping in when a schoolyard bully hassles her classmates. Not so surprisingly, the offender happens to be a fox, though Judy doesn’t give into such species typing, insisting that jerks come in all shapes and sizes. So, too, do heroes, and despite the limitations of her tiny scale, Judy enlists in the Zootopia police academy, struggling at first before outwitting her larger rivals. Graduating at the top of her class, Judy packs her bags for a job in the big city—which is like a cross between one of those shiny 21st-century Dubai complexes featuring indoor skiing and surfing, and a new Disney theme-park adjunct, complete with climate-specific subdivisions like Tundratown and Sahara Square. Doing justice to an elaborate new environment poses a familiar problem, slightly improved from last year’s Tomorrowland, in the sense that Judy (who probably should have grown up in town, like everyone else in Zootopia) takes a long train ride into the city, ogling the various districts as she passes. It’s a sequence worth studying a dozen times down the road just to catch all the tiny details, from the hippo-drying stations to the plastic hamster tubes. In theory, Zootopia’s residents have evolved past distinctions of predator and prey, which might explain the small matter of cartoon biology: Whether tiny mice or hulking rhinoceroses, all animals have front-facing eyes, upright postures and opposable thumbs—a throwback to the delightful character design featured in Disney’s Robin Hood (1973), which re-imagined a human world populated entirely by animals, integrating characteristics of each species into the ways different creatures move. In progressive Zootopia, a moose can co-anchor the evening news with a snow leopard without it turning into an episode of When Animals Attack! That said, even the most basic social interactions remain tense, as the city’s caste system matches animals to the roles that suit them best (the DMV is all-too-accurately staffed by slow-moving sloths, for example), while still adhering closely to the hierarchy of the food chain. As far as cops are concerned, it’s the big fellas—rhinos, tigers and Cape buf- falo like Capt. Bogo (Idris Elba)—who are responsible for maintaining law and order. Judy may be the first to benefit from the new mammal-inclusion initiative devised by Mayor Lionheart (J.K. Simmons), but Bogo isn’t ready to trust her with a real investigation, placing the rookie on parking-meter duty while he assigns everyone else key roles in a major missing-persons case. If Bogo’s behavior smacks of species-ism, that’s no accident: The Zootopia screenplay actually turns real-world racial and gender sensitivity issues into something of a talking point. Judy is treated differently because she’s a woman, bonding most easily with Bellwether (comedienne Jenny Slate), the woolly assistant mayor who serves as Lionheart’s glorified secretary, and Clawhauser (Nate Torrence), the police force’s effeminate cheetah receptionist. What, then, do we make of the tenuous alliance between Judy and trickster fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), which—despite the obvious design similarities—features none of the Zootopia actually turns real-world racial and gender sensitivity issues into something of a talking point. bloodthirsty tension shown between Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox in Disney’s half-forgotten/suppressed Song of the South? Zootopia’s relatively politically correct sensibility serves as a partial corrective to that shameful 1946 cartoon, offering a classic screwball-comedy relationship in which the natural rivals match wits, while she carries the added protection of a spray-based fox repellent. Getting no support from her police comrades, Judy enlists Nick in an investigation that leads her down the metaphorical rabbit hole and into the seedier side of Zootopia, from the Mystic Spring Oasis (a clothing-optional resort where animals frolic au naturale) to an ominous research facility housing predators that have “gone savage.” While it doesn’t have quite the same breakout potential as the House of Mouse’s past few hits, Zootopia has shrewdly established both an environment that could be further explored from countless other angles and an oddcouple chemistry between Nick and Judy that carries on all the way through the grand finale. ALL DAY, EVERY DAY! ADMISSION $3 FREE FOR MEMBERS 2020-solutions.com 5655 Guide Meridian Open 9AM-10PM Daily We Accept Canadian Bills! 360.734.2020 Warning: This product has intoxicat intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Smoke is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be uused by women that are pregnant or breast feeding. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impai impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. ART 18 MUSIC 20 North Bellingham STAGE 16 Ages 21+ No Med Card Needed GET OUT 14 lightcatcher building ÓxäyÀ>ÃÌÀiiÌ ÜÜÜ°Ü >ÌVÕÃiÕ°À} Two Locations! WORDS 12 C L A N H E AT H E R D A N C E R S 2 - 3 PM Iron Street 2018 Iron Street Open Mon-Sat 8AM-11:45PM & Sunday 9AM-10PM CURRENTS 8 S AT. M A R C H 1 2 10 AM - 4 PM VIEWS 6 Your Best Cannabis Experiences Begin Here. Y MAIL 4 Best of Bellingham 2015 Winner! DO IT 2 >ÀÌÃNVÀ>vÌÃNv>Vi«>Ì}NvÕ 03.02.16 LUCK O F THE L E P R ECH A U N S FILM 24 2015 #09.11 AC TI VI T Y DAY B-BOARD 28 N CASCADIA WEEKLY FAM ILY FOOD 34 $7 GRAMS, $7 PRE-ROLL, $7 EDIBLE W H AT C O M M U S E U M PRESENTS 25 CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 VIEWS 6 CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 B-BOARD 28 FOOD 34 film ›› showing this week FILM SHORTS The Big Shor t: It didn’t manage to nab that Best Picture Oscar (kudos to Spotlight), but this fast-paced, comedic recounting of the 2008 financial crisis and the motley crew of savvy misfits who got rich betting against the housing market still boasts a killer ensemble cast (Christian Bale and Ryan Gosling, especially), a whip-smart script and entertainment value for miles. +++++ (R • 2 hrs. 10 min.) Where to Invade Next: Michael Moore is back, and this time, he’s taking his show on the road, globetrotting hither and yon to seek out those social programs that are alive and well in other countries—paid family leave, free college educations, legalized drugs—that our politicians try and convince us would never work here. ++++ (R • 1 hr. 59 min.) Whiskey Tango Foxtrot: I want this to be the movie that sees Tina Fey capitalize on the big-screen brilliance she showed—both in front of the camera and behind it—with 2004’s Mean Girls, but it shall not be so. +++ (R • 1 hr. 51 min.) Deadpool: I’ve been skeptical of this Marvel superhero soon-to-be franchise for reasons that begin with Ryan and end with Reynolds, but an R rating (don’t bring your kiddos to this one) an all-out performance by its star and widespread critical acclaim have turned me from skeptic to believer. The wisecracking, foul-mouthed Deadpool may not be the hero we need, but he most certainly is the one we deserve. ++++ (R • 1 hr. 40 min.) The Witch: I love an arty, atmospheric horror movie and this one, about a Puritan family living at the edge of civilization in 1630s New England, is exactly that. Things go bump in the night, the family slowly unravels, demonic forces are possibly at play—making it even creepier is the fact that it’s based on the actual accounts of people living at the time. ++++ (R • 1 hr. 32 min.) Eddie the Eagle: The kinda true story of British ski jumper Michael “Eddie” Edwards, who is aided in his quest for Olympic glory by Hugh Jackman. Cowboy boots, training montages and feel-good attitude figure prominently. +++ (PG-13 • 1 hr. 45 min.) Zoolander 2: This movie will interest two types of people: those who are fans of the first Zoolander and those who want to just want to see Justin Bieber’s death scene. + (PG-13 • 1 hr. 42 min.) Gods of Egypt: Swords, sandals, Gerard Butler, a quest for true love, loose ties to Egyptian mythology, a lot of CGI—what fresh hell does this year’s postOscar cinematic slump have in store for us? + (PG-13 • 1 hr. 40 min.) How to Be Single: This movie boasts a wealth of comedic talent (Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, Alison Brie) and Dakota Johnson, whose last turn as a funnywoman came via Fifty Shades of Grey. (Oh, that wasn’t a comedy? MY BAD), but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s funny. +++ (R • 1 hr. 50 min.) Kung Fu Panda 3: I want so badly to mock the Kung Fu Panda franchise, but I can’t because this bear keeps right on killing it like this is the Revenant and he’s got Leonardo DiCaprio in his sights. This time, Po tackles the weighty topic of family identity while marshaling an entire army of kung fu pandas. ++++ (PG • 1 hr. 40 min.) The Lady in the Van: Maggie Smith is a marvel, whether she’s dropping acidic one-liners on Downton Abbey or playing a real-life eccentric who takes up residence in her van in the driveway of an author and actor without his permission and much to his chagrin. +++++ (PG-13 • 1 hr. 44 min.) London Has Fallen: Rejoice! The Olympus Has Fallen sequel you didn’t ask for is here! ++ (R • 1 hr. 39 min.) WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT Zootopia: See review previous page. +++++ (PG • 1 hr. 48 min.) Mustang: Five sisters living in northern Turkey innocently cause a scandal when their childish play with some male classmates is misinterpreted by a passerby. In the face of arranged marriages and restricted lives, they fight for those freedoms denied to them simply for being born female. +++++ (PG-13 • 1 hr. 37 min.) Race: In 1936, Jesse Owens proved he was indeed the “fastest man in the world” when he won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympic Games—and did so in the heart of Nazi Germany at the height of Hitler’s power and in the face of crushing racism both there and at home. I’m pretty sure no movie could ever adequately capture this complex man or his incredible feats, but this one will certainly try. +++ (PG-13 • 2 hrs. 14 min.) The Revenant: Leo got his Oscar and now our long national nightmare is over. ++++ (R • 2 hrs. 36 min.) Risen: One of the producers of this faith-based story about Jesus’ resurrection recently described this movie as a “collision between The Passion of the Christ with CSI,” and now Hollywood can close up shop Bellingham’s Third Annual early 1900s themed costume ball Lu m ber & Lace Ba ll to benefit the Whatcom Hospice Foundation Saturday March 5 The Majestic 1027 N.Forest featuring music, food, and more, including HOT DAMN SCANDAL LLL L LL 26 With a cast that includes the always excellent Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Winslet, and more, and relentless action sequences and plot twists, this movie might not be great, but it won’t be boring. ++ (R • 1 hr. 55 min.) BY CAREY ROSS ADVANCE TICKETS $25 at BrownPaperTickets.com or at Kulshan Brewery and the Community Food Co-op facebook.com/lumberandlaceball STRICTLY 21+ because we have officially seen and heard it all. ++ (PG-13 • 1 hr. 47 min.) Son of Saul: In this searing drama, a concentration camp inmate tasked with burning the dead discovers the body of his young son, and must choose between participating in the clandestine uprising being planned among the prisoners, or securing a proper Jewish burial for his child. +++++ (R • 1 hr. 47 min.) Southbound: An anthology of horror shorts, all loosely tied around the theme of the open road in the American West—and not a dud in the bunch. ++ +++ (Unrated • 1 hr. 29 min.) Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens: One million stars. Give it all of the Oscars and throw in some Grammys, a Nobel Peace Prize and a knighthood, while you’re at it. I’m not picky. Suck it, haterzzzz, this movie rules. +++++ (PG-13 • 2 hrs. 16 min.) Tr iple 9: Director John Hillcoat (The Road, The Proposition) is not afraid of dark subject matter, and dirty cops are the focus of his lens this time around. Showtimes Regal and AMC theaters, please see www.fandango.com. Pickford Film Center and PFC’s Limelight Cinema, please see www.pickfordfilmcenter.com 16 SHOWS 12 NIGHTS 10 DOLLARS FEB —MAR 12, 2016 BTG Playhouse 1600 H Street Schedule and show details bellinghamtheatreguild.com REALTOR ® Professional, knowledgeable, fun & friendly to work with. Windermere Real Estate Whatcom, Inc. (360) 393-5826 [email protected] GRISTLE, FROM PAGE 7 Theirs is a political map that grants political advantage to one group by disadvantaging other groups. The Washington code governing county redistricting (RCW 29A.76.010) forbids the use of population data for the purposes of favoring or disfavoring groups by political leanings, which is exactly what this proposed map does. The state requires districts to be compact, contiguous and preserve communities of interest. The real complication for conservatives is this: No matter how you slice and dice five districts, only one will be a deep red, rural conservative. Two will be blue, social liberal. The intensity of purple in the remaining two will be determined by what population centers get split up and cast into other districts. One red, two blue, two purple is, very simply, the map of a populous county that has spent 40 years pursuing pro-growth strategies that favor the conversion of rural lands to urban environments. It is the map of a pursuit favored by Whatcom “conservatives,” drawn by their own hand. B-BOARD 28 FILM 24 MUSIC 20 Co-Dependents Anonymous meets from 7-8:30pm most Mondays at PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Community Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Pkwy, conference room B. Entry is by donation. More info: (360) 676-8588 More than 100 families just like yours have purchased affordable, high-quality homes in our community! It’s easier than you think. Let us show you how. 360-671-5600, x2 [email protected] www.KulshanCLT.org A “Yoga for Daily Living” class takes place from 6:307:45pm Wednesdays at Lynden’s Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St. The class consists of breathing practices, physical exercises, and mental focus. No experience is necessary. Entry to the ongoing event is $60 for six classes. More info: www.jansenartcenter.com Abby Staten leads “Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis” classes from 10-11am Tuesdays and 11am-12pm Fridays at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway Dr. The weekly events are free for people with MS, and no registration is required. Please bring a blanket or yoga mat. More info: [email protected] Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) meets at 7pm Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9am Saturdays at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St. More info: (360) 420-8311 or www.pugetsoundsaa.org March 4 - 10 WHERE TO INVADE NEXT (R) 119m - "One of Michael Moore's best — an endearing set of suggestions for a better tomorrow." Fri: (3:15), 6:00, 9:00; Sat: (12:30), (3:15), 6:00, 9:00 Sun: (11:30AM), (2:15), 8:00; Mon: (3:15), 6:00, 9:00 Tue: (3:15), 9:15; Wed: (3:15), 9:00; Thu: (3:45), 8:30 THE LADY IN THE VAN (PG-13) 104m - "An honest, peppery examination of one of life's strangest & most enduring relationships." Fri: (4:00), 6:30, 8:45; Sat: (1:30), 4:00, 6:30, 8:45 Sun: (12:30), (3:00), 5:30, 8:15; Mon: (4:00), 6:30, 8:45 Tue: (4:00), 6:00, 8:45; Wed: (4:00), 6:30; Thu: (3:30), 6:00, 9:15 CAPOTE (NR) 117m - An immersive evening of film and literature in the style of the mysterious, murderous, mid-century America. Sun: 5:00 - PRESENTED BY THE CHUCKANUT WRITER'S CONFERENCE SNEAK PREVIEW: EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT (NR) 123m At once blistering and poetic, the ravages of colonialism cast a dark shadow over the South American landscape. Tue: 6:30 - Presented by Adventures NW WELCOME TO THIS HOUSE (NR) 90m THE QUEENS' VERNACULAR - A new experimental Queer/Trans film series featuring new work from independent filmmakers. Wed: 6:00 - Free admission! Tickets available at the box office. THE BEST OF THE 42ND NW FILMMAKERS FESTIVAL (NR) 120m Thu: 6:30 - Includes 9 Animated, Narrative, Doc + Experimental shorts STAGE 16 BUY YOUR OWN HOME! ART 18 Attend a Healing Hour from 5:30-6:30pm every Wednesday at Simply Spirit Reading & Healing Center, 1304 Meador Ave. Drop in anytime during the hour to receive an aura/ chakra healing. Entry is $5. More info: www.simplyspiritcenter.com GET OUT 14 Cerise Noah Certified homeopath Monique Arsenault leads a “Healing with Homeopathy” workshop at 11am Thurs., March 10 at the SkillShare Space at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. Expect to explore common complaints as well as possible homeopathic solutions which may be appropriate to the situation. Entry is free. More info: 778-7217 or www. bellinghampubliclibrary.org WORDS 12 “Life Purpose and Hand Analysis” will be the focus of a workshop with Robin Meyer— an Advanced Hand Analyst with Bellingham Hand Analysis—from 6:30-8pm Mon., March 7 at the Community Food Co-op, 1220 N. Forest St. At the free talk, attendees will explore how the information contained in your fingerprints can offer perspective on current circumstances, and relationships to the bigger picture of where your life is heading. More info: www. communityfood.coop A monthly “Nourishing Herbs” discussion with Kelly Atterberry begins at 6pm Thurs., March 10 in Mount Vernon at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op, 202 S. First St. Herb identification, the tasting and smelling of tinctures or salves made with the plants, guest speakers and more are part of the regular gathering. Entry is free; please register in advance. More info: www. skagitfoodcoop.com CURRENTS 8 Discover and explore new paths to holistic well-being through a variety of hands-on workshops and tutorials at the night annual “Wellness Fair” taking place from 11am-3pm Sat., March 5 in Mount Vernon at the Skagit Valley Food Coop, 202 S. First St. Plus, visit with local experts in nutrition, holistic medicine, physical well-being, skill sharing and more. More info: www.skagitfoodcoop.com Walk through a giant colon and experience the message of cancer prevention and early detection when the Colon Stars’ “Super Inflatable Colon” will be on hand from 11am-3pm Mon., March 7 at Unity Care NW at the Ferndale Health Center, 5616 3rd Ave. Entry is free. More info: www.citrinehealth.org or www.unitycarenw.org VIEWS 6 Certified nutritionist Jim Ehmke leads a “Take Control of Your Immune System Health” class from 6:308:30pm Wed., March 2 at the Cordata Community Food Co-op, 315 Westerly Rd. He’ll talk about different strains of flu, viruses, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, dental infections, and more—and strategies for dealing with them. Entry is $5. More info: www. communityfood.coop MAIL 4 MIND & BODY DO IT 2 200 MIND & BODY 03.02.16 200 MIND & BODY PICKFORD FILM CENTER | 1318 Bay St. | 360.738.0735 | www.pickfordfilmcenter.org Enjoy a drink while you watch! Mary's Happy Hour: M-F, 4-6pm $3.50 Beer/$4.50 Wine THE BIG SHORT (R) 130m - Oscar Winner! Best Adapted Screenplay "A true crime story and a madcap comedy, a heist movie and a scalding polemic, The Big Short will affirm your deepest cynicism about Wall Street while simultaneously restoring your faith in Hollywood." Fri - Tue: (3:00), 8:30; Wed: (12:30); Thu: (3:00), 8:30 MUSTANG (PG-13) 97m - Oscar Nominee! The issues at play are gravely serious but the tone and rhythm is brisk, headlong and intelligently lively, like the women at the center. Fri & Sat: (12:30), 6:00; Sun: 6:00; Mon: (12:30), 6:00 Tue: 6:00; Wed: (3:30); Thu: 6:00 LA TRAVIATA (NR) 190m - ROYAL OPERA HOUSE - Presented by Mount Bakery. Complimentary delicious treats served at the Sunday Matinee. Sun: 11:00AM; Wed: 6:00 PFC’S LIMELIGHT CINEMA: 1416 Cornwall Ave. | Parentheses ( ) denote bargain pricing #09.11 200 MIND & BODY CASCADIA WEEKLY 200 FOOD 34 bulletinboard 27 FOOD 34 & healthwellness hw PLAC E YOU R AD B-BOARD 28 TO | 360-647-8200 360 647 8 OR ADS@CASCADIAWE E KLY.COM got pain? Intuitive Deep Tissue ue Massage FILM 24 Bill L. Lampman, LMP Licensed Massage Practitioner MUSIC 20 SPECIALIZING IN DEEP TISSUE THERAPY By appointment (360) 223-0211 • Insurance not accepted • Results unmatched • IntuitiveDeepTissue.com CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 VIEWS 6 CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 GET RELIEF! Results Based Acupuncture B ELLINGHAM O RTHOPEDIC A CUPUNCTURE 360-820-0637 O NLINE S CHEDULING C ATHERINE D AYHOFF , MS LAC BELLINGHAMORTHOPUNCTURE . COM 1111 W EST H OLLY S T , S UITE G1 B ELLINGHAM Inner Rivers Acupuncture Karen Powers Acupuncture Making a difference with affordable treatments. 360-296-6633 2221 James Street Bellingham innerrivers.com Best Asian foot Spa Chinese Service, Open 7 days, 9am - 10pm 4120 Meridian St. Ste #230 (behind Gas Station & Car Wash) 360-389-5681 28 • Foot Massage: $20/30min ~ $30/60min • Combo Massage: (30min body + 40min foot) $50/70min • Full Body Massage: $50/60min ~ $80/90min WWW.INSIDEOUTBELLINGHAM.COM Move in circles, spirals and waves Soothe nerves and aching joints Restore balance and harmony Explore the Gyrotonic® method INSIDE OUT STUDIO • 360-305-7588 Down 1 Falafel accompanier 2 Home buyer’s FOOD 34 B-BOARD 28 FILM 24 MUSIC 20 GET OUT 14 Last Week’s Puzzle ART 18 58 Mr. Hoggett’s wife, in “Babe” 59 Each, informally 61 1920s leading lady ___ Naldi 62 Abbr. in the footnotes 63 “___ quam videri” (North Carolina motto) 66 Late actor Vigoda (for real) 67 Grain in some whiskey STAGE 16 33 From Limerick 34 Mango side, maybe 35 “Good to go!” 40 “Hmm ...” 42 Word of affirmation 45 Former MTV personality Daisy 47 Buying binge 50 Blast creator 54 Katniss Everdeen’s projectile 55 “Dirty Dancing” actress Jennifer 56 Actress Byrne 57 “... ‘cause I ___ me spinach, I’m Popeye ...” WORDS 12 36 Box score stat 37 Having no experience in 38 “Beat it!” 39 English aristocrat 41 Resulted in 43 Feels under the weather 44 Roman ___ (novel genre) 46 Trees that yield hard wood 48 Dir. from Reno to L.A. need, usually 3 Mail deliverers at Hogwarts 4 Behind the times 5 Write hastily, with “down” 6 Grain in granola 7 Prince William’s alma mater 8 Yeezy Boost 350, for one 9 Leaf and Pathfinder, for two 10 Where Chad is 11 Coastal Alaskan city 12 Agree (with) 13 “Only ___” (Oingo Boingo song) 18 Even out 22 Got the most votes 24 Jessica of “7th Heaven” 25 Site of a 1976 anti-Apartheid uprising 27 Sandwich need 28 Calculators with sliding beads 29 Lena Dunham show 31 Dark Lord of the Sith 32 Onslaught ©2016 Jonesin’ Crosswords MAIL 4 1 Move slowly 5 “Smokey ___ Cafe” 9 “American ___ Warrior” 14 First state to weigh in on presidential candidates 15 Inauguration Day recitation 16 How anchovies are preserved 17 Ink for a fan of ‘60s chess cham- pion Mikhail? 19 Bossa nova relative 20 Photographer Adams 21 Facebook display 23 “I call it!” 26 Crew team need 27 Do a grocery store task 30 Introduction from an Italian guy who doesn’t speak much English? 49 Insult your private instructor’s headwear? 51 Monopoly token choice 52 Restroom door word 53 Actress Sedgwick of “The Closer” 55 It’s often served sweetened 60 Buddy who bugs Bert 64 Friar’s Club event 65 Barbecue offering, or what the other three theme answers do? 68 First name in fragrances 69 Musician who feuded with Eminem 70 1960s bluesman Redding 71 Consenting responses 72 Blunt-edged sword 73 Get one’s feet wet CURRENTS 8 Across “Barbe-clues”—this cookout’s missing something VIEWS 6 rearEnd March 2016 “Salutations, Spring!” CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 Representing Local Artists Since 1969 29 1000 Harris Avenue • Bellingham, WA Mon. & Wed.-Sat. 11-6 Sun. 12-5, Closed Tues. (360) 671-3998 www.goodearthpots.com BY AMY ALKON FOOD 34 THE ADVICE GODDESS B-BOARD 28 SEE YA LATER, CALCULATOR VIEWS 6 CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 I’m in a new relationship with the sweetest, most generous girl, but I’m hesitant to let her do nice stuff for me. In my previous relationship, every single nice thing my ex did was held against me later. I can hear her now: “Remember that time I brought you food at work? All the way across town?” Eventually, I’d wince anytime she did anything for me. However, my new girlfriend seems so happy to make me food or run an errand for me. Still, I feel uneasy. I keep waiting for her to turn into my ex and present me with a list of what I owe her. —Bad History SKAGIT VALLEY CASINO U.S.I.T. SHOP CIGARETTES & SMOKELESS TOBACCO Discounted Cigarettes • All Major Brands & Generics $5200- $8050 * PER CARTON • INCLUDES TAX! LOWEST PRICES IN THE AREA! CASCADIA WEEKLY #09.11 03.02.16 DO IT 2 MAIL 4 on most brands 30 EXPRESS DRIVETHRU 7 am – 9 pm • 7 days a week 360-724-0262 • On I-5 at Exit 236 *Price at time of printing. Limit five cartons/rolls per customer per day. Must have valid ID. Cigarettes are not legal for resale. Prices subject to change. No Returns. Skagit Valley Casino Resort and U.S.I.T. Tobacco Shop owned by Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health. CW Aww, a relationship with an accounts receivable department. Your ex’s human abacus approach— running a relationship on the “Hey, what’s in it for me?” model—doesn’t bode well for happily ever after, and not just because it makes it hard to tell your girlfriend apart from one of those aggressive strangers who call at dinnertime, threatening to repo your car. Social psychologist Margaret S. Clark explains that partners are more loving and generous toward each other when a relationship runs on the “communal” model (which describes love or friendship) rather than the “exchange” model (the merchant-customer relationship). The main difference between these relationship types is in the motivations for giving and the expectations in the wake of it. You give to somebody you love—like by giving your honey a massage—to make her feel good; you don’t wipe the lotion off your hands and then hand her a bill for $80. Love relationships are often not entirely 50/50, and the payback from a romantic partner often comes in different ways and at a later date, and that’s O.K.. In an exchange relationship, however, people give to get. There’s careful accounting and speedy invoicing. When the mechanic fixes your bum tire, immediately after doing the work, he expects equivalent compensation—in cold, hard cash (or plastic). You can’t just kiss him on the cheek, chirp, “Thanks, cookie face!” and be on your way. Looking back at your relationship with your ex, ask yourself something: Why did she view popping over with a cooler at lunchtime—probably containing sandwiches and a Snapple—like she’d brought you her left kidney? Maybe she’s bean countery in all of her relationships. Or, maybe this reflects Clark’s finding that people in relationships switch to an “exchange norm” when they notice that their partner is all take and take. In your current relationship, remind yourself to credit your girlfriend for who she is—which you do by observing her actions and attitude—instead of fearing who she might be. You should also make sure you’re holding up your part of the giving. But give for the right reason: to make her happy— and not because you can’t bear to hear another woman yelling, “Owe, owe, owe!” during sex. HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE CALM I used to have a terrible temper. My girlfriend never experienced it, because I did major therapy before meeting her. Now, when I get upset, I step back, consider whether my beef is legit, and then think about how I can present it calmly. My girlfriend, who gets frustrated that I can’t always discuss things immediately, says I “bottle up” my feelings. —Formerly Volcanic Rarely do you hear someone say, “So, I ran the issue by my therapist, made a list of pros and cons, meditated on it, and then went out and put a bat through the guy’s windshield.” Admirably, instead of continuing to lose your temper, you got it a little red leather collar, and now you just walk it out of the room on a matching red leash. This doesn’t mean you “bottle up” your feelings. You’re simply giving reason first crack at your problems— which doesn’t exactly come naturally. Psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky explain that we have two thinking systems: a fast-responding emotional system and a slower rational system. Your rational system does come around eventually—typically, just in time to grab a broom and dustpan to sweep up the pieces of the job or relationship that your trigger-happy emotional system just exploded. Because relationships are happier when those in them feel understood and appreciated, it seems you need to give your girlfriend the details on where you were and how far you’ve come. (Whaddya know, you didn’t spend those court-mandated anger management sessions with headphones on listening to Metallica.) Explaining this to her should help her understand that when you’re mulling things over, she isn’t waiting; she’s benefiting. Maybe you’ll get speedier at the reasoning process in time, but rushing you out of your cool-out corner is a bit like saying, “Hey, let’s make conflict resolution more like drunk dialing!” CANCER (June 21-July 22): Jungian storyteller Clarissa Pinkola Estes says one of her main influences is the Curanderisma healing tradition from Mexico and Central America. “In this tradition a story is ‘holy,’ and it is used as medicine,” she told Radiance magazine. “The story is not told to lift you up, to make you feel better, or to entertain you, although all those things can be true. The story is meant to take the spirit into a descent to find something that is lost or missing and to bring it back to consciousness again.” You need stories like this, Cancerian, and you need them now. It’s high time to recover parts of your soul that you have neglected or misplaced or been separated from. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You’ve been pretty smart lately, but I think you could get even smarter. You have spied secrets in the dark, and teased out answers from unlikely sources, and untangled knots that no one else has had the patience to mess with—and yet I suspect there are even greater glories possible for you. For inspiration, Leo, memorize this haiku-like poem by Geraldine C. Little: “The white spider / whiter still / in the lightning’s flash.” VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I wouldn’t try to stop you, Virgo, if you wanted to go around singing the Stone Roses’ song “I Wanna Be Adored.” I wouldn’t be embarrassed for you if you turned your head up to the night sky and serenaded the stars with a chant of “I wanna be adored, I deserve to be adored, I demand to be adored.” And I might even be willing to predict that your wish will be fulfilled—on one condition, FOOD 34 B-BOARD 28 3RWWHU6W%HOOLQJKDP--322/ CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In his parody music video, “Sickest Buddhist,” comedian Arj Barker invokes a hip hop sensibility as he brags about his spiritual prowess. Noting how skilled he is when it comes to mastering his teacher’s instructions, he says, “The instructor just told us to do a 45-minute meditation / but I nailed it in 10.” I expect you will have a similar facility in the coming week, Capricorn: Tasks that might be challenging for others may seem like child’s play to you. I bet you’ll be able to sort quickly through complications that might normally take days to untangle. (See the NSFW video here: tinyurl.com/illBuddhist.) AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The sixth astronaut to walk on the moon was engineer Edgar Mitchell. He asserts that extraterrestrials have visited Earth and governments are covering up that fact. The second astronaut to do a moonwalk was engineer Buzz Aldrin. He says that there is unquestionably an artificial structure built on Phobos, a moon of Mars. Some scientists dispute the claims of these experts, insisting that aliens are myths. Who should we believe? Personally, I lean toward Mitchell and Aldrin. If you have to choose between competing authorities any time soon, I recommend you opt for the smart mavericks instead of the smart purveyors of conventional wisdom. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): If I were you, Pisces, I’d make interesting fun your meme of the week. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you will be fully justified in making that your modus operandi and your raison d’etre. For best results, you should put a priority on pursuing experiences that both amuse you and captivate your imagination. As you consider whether to accept any invitation or seize any opportunity, make sure it will teach you something you don’t already know and also transport you into a positive emotional state that gets your endorphins flowing. ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 0RQ 0RQ7KX 7KX SP SPSP SP )UL )UL SP SPSP SP 6DW 6DW SP SPSP SP 6XQ 6XQ SP SPSP SP STAGE 16 2SHQ6ZLP7LPHV 2SHQ6ZLP7LPHV GET OUT 14 1RWYDOLGZLWKDQ\RWKHURIIHU2QHFRXSRQSHUFXVWRPHU([SLUHV WORDS 12 heard the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, he only made it through the first few tunes. “Turn that shit off!” he said. “It’s too good!” He was afraid his own creative process might get intimidated, maybe even blocked, if he allowed himself to listen to the entire masterpiece. I suspect the exact opposite will be true for you in the coming weeks, Gemini. As you expose yourself to excellence in your chosen field, you’ll feel a growing motivation to express excellence yourself. The inspiration that will be unleashed in you by your competitors will trump any of the potentially deflating effects of your professional jealousy. identify an energetic point in the ear called the spirit gate. If it’s stuck closed, the spirit is locked in; if it’s stuck open, the spirit is always coming and going, restless and unsettled. What’s ideal, of course, is that the spirit gate is not stuck in any position. Then the spirit can come and go as it needs to, and also have the option of retreating and protecting itself. I’d like you to imagine that right now a skilled acupuncturist is inserting a needle in the top of your left ear, where it will remain for about 20 minutes. In the meantime, visualize your spirit gate being in that state of harmonious health I described. 3HRSOHIRUWKH3ULFHRIWR$Q\*UHDWHU3ULFH6LQJOH$GPLVVLRQ )DPLO\2SHQRU3UHVFKRRO6ZLP&DOOIRUGHWDLOV CURRENTS 8 GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When Bob Dylan first SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Acupuncturists )257+(35,&(2) )257+(35,&(2) VIEWS 6 gets into full swing this weekend and lasts through Mardi Gras next Tuesday night. Wherever you are, Taurus, I suggest you use this as an excuse to achieve new levels of mastery in the art of partying. Of all the signs of the zodiac, you’re the one that is most in need of and most deserving of getting immersed in rowdy festivities that lead to maximum release and relief. To get you in the right mood, read these thoughts from literary critic Mikhail Bakhtin. He said a celebration like this is a “temporary liberation from the prevailing truth and from the established order,” and encourages “the suspension of all hierarchical rank, privileges, norms, and prohibitions.” 1RWH<RXPXVWEHDWOHDVWIHHW 1RWH WDOOWRXVHWKHZDWHUVOLGHDQG \HDUVROGWRXVHWKHK\GUR WKHUDS\SRRO MAIL 4 TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The Carnival season SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Dear Rob: In your horoscopes you often write about how we Scorpios will encounter interesting opportunities, invitations to be powerful, and creative breakthroughs. But you rarely discuss the deceptions, selfish deeds, and ugliness of the human heart that might be coming our way—especially in regards to what we are capable of ourselves. Why do you do this? My main concern is not in dealing with what’s going right, but rather on persevering through difficulty. - Scorpio in the Shadows.” Dear Scorpio: You have more than enough influences in your life that encourage you to be fascinated with darkness. I may be the only one that’s committed to helping you cultivate the more undeveloped side of your soul: the part that thrives on beauty and goodness and joy. DO IT 2 mental form of human stupidity is forgetting what we were trying to do in the first place,” said Friedrich Nietzsche. So for instance, if you’re the United States government and you invade and occupy Afghanistan in order to wipe out al-Qaeda, it’s not too bright to continue fighting and dying and spending obscene amounts of money long after the al-Qaeda presence there has been eliminated. (There are now fewer than 100 al-Qaeda fighters in that country: tinyurl.com/ forgetwhy.) What’s the equivalent in your personal life, Aries? What noble aspiration propelled you down a winding path that led to entanglements having nothing to do with your original aspiration? It’s time to correct the mistake. 03.02.16 ARIES (March 21-April 19): “The most funda- LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “The difference between the right word and the almost right word,” said Mark Twain, “is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.” Because the difference between the right word and the almost right word will be so crucial for you in the coming days, Libra, I urge you to maintain extra vigilance towards the sounds that come out of your mouth. But don’t be tense and repressed about it. Loose, graceful vigilance will actually work better. By the way, the distinction between right and almost right will be equally important in other areas of your life as well. Be adroitly discerning. #09.11 FREE WILL ASTROLOGY which is that you also express your artful adoration for some worthy creature. INSPIRING GIRLS TO ACHIEVE Girls On The Run For girls grades 3-5. Begins the week of March 21st Register today to reserve your spot ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WHATCOM FAMILY YMCA www.whatcomymca.org CASCADIA WEEKLY BY ROB BREZSNY 31 S KAG I T VA L L E Y F O O D CO • O P ’ S 9 T H A N N UA L B-BOARD 28 FOOD 34 Sudoku INSTRUCTIONS: Arrange the digits 1-9 so that each digit occurs once in each row, once in each column, and once in each box. OWNED THOUSANDS • OPEN OWNED BYBY THOUSANDS • OPEN TO TO ALLALL | (360) 336-9777 || SKAGITFOODCOOP SKAGITFOODCOOP . COM | 360•336•9777 . COM DOWNTOWN MOUNT VERNON DOWNTOWN MOUNT VERNON Ronald Scott Colson CFP®, MBA, President (Direct) 303.986.9977 (Toll Free) 800.530.3884 4740 Austin Court Bellingham WA 98229-2659 VIEWS 6 Fee-Only Financial Planning | Fee-Based Investment Management MAIL 4 BellinghamFinancialPlanners.com COLSON FINANCIAL GROUP, INC., REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR DO IT 2 6 CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 99%+ FOSSIL FUEL-FREE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT 03.02.16 7 #09.11 1 MUSIC 20 FOR MORE INFO VISIT SKAGITFOODCOOP.COM 3 ART 18 FREE EVENT • OPEN TO THE PUBLIC STAGE 16 SATURDAY, MARCH 5TH • 11AM-3PM FILM 24 3RD FLOOR OF THE CO•OP 20 BOOTHS • 6 WORKSHOPS • DEMOS & SAMPLES 3 1 5 4 2 5 6 1 8 9 1 7 1 4 CASCADIA WEEKLY 3 9 5 8 4 4 6 8 33 B-BOARD 28 FOOD 34 34 FOOD chow RECIPES REVIEWS THURS., MARCH 3 INGOGNITO: An “Incognito” dinner starts at 6pm at Ciao Thyme, 207 Unity St. Entry is $68. WWW.CIAOTHYME.COM SAT., MARCH 5 PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Attend a Pancake Breakfast to benefit the Ferndale Food Bank from 8-11am at the United Church of Ferndale, 2034 Washington St. VIEWS 6 CURRENTS 8 WORDS 12 GET OUT 14 STAGE 16 ART 18 MUSIC 20 FILM 24 WWW.FERNDALEFOODBANK.ORG MAIL 4 DO IT 2 03.02.16 #09.11 CASCADIA WEEKLY 34 PROFILES doit STORY AND PHOTOS BY LAUREN KRAMER Artifacts MORE THAN A WINE BAR If you love good wine and sophisticated munchies, put Artifacts Cafe and Wine Bar on your calendar. The new restaurant in Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher Building has a cozy interior with 18 seats and a massive courtyard that will open for outdoor dining in the spring and summer. The space was recently transformed by new owners Jeff Wicklund—who previously owned Purple Smile wine shop in Fairhaven—and his partner, Jim McClure. They added a stainless steel bar, a wall of elegant silver-gray tiles, four wines on tap and a floor-to-ceiling cabinet packed with unique wines you won’t find in the local grocery store. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday, Artifacts’ menu is short and sweet, with most items made off-site at a commissary kitchen, since their own kitchen space is so small. We loved the stone-ground cornmeal waffles ($6), which come in four varia- tions: grilled cheese and pickles, macaroni and cheese, caprese, and berry basil. The waffles’ texture was fabulous and though the words “healthy” and “waffle” aren’t traditionally used in the same phrase, Artifacts’ definitely had a healthy vibe. If you’re in the mood for some post-artviewing snacks, the “Nibbles” section of the menu will appeal, offering brie with walnuts and fruit ($8), truffled liver mousse ($7), a nut mix and a selection of toast and crackers. Salads will be added as summer approaches; for now there are two soups daily and hearty sandwiches served on Bread Farm paninis. Our porchetta and provolone panini came with four house-made sauces served in little Mason jars: salsa verde, basil pesto, red chili sauce and green chili sauce. It was a neat way to customize the sandwiches according to our preferences. For dessert we tried the salted caramel brownie ($5), a rich confection EAT filled with chunks of WHAT: Artifacts chocolate and a drizzle Cafe and Wine of caramel on top. The Bar espresso cheesecake with WHEN: 10am8pm Tues.-Thurs; whiskey-infused whipped 10am-close cream ($5) was softer Fri.-Sat.; 12-5pm and creamier on the palSun. ate but no less decadent. WHERE: 250 Both arrived in Mason Flora St. INFO: www. jars—as did our cups of artifactswine Cuban pork chili soup and bar.com our water. The jars add a cute, playful touch to the restaurant, a reminder it’s not all serious sophistication when it comes to food and wine. Wicklund and McClure have big plans for Artifacts. Their wine club is up and running, with monthly tastings offering wine lovers a chance to explore new varietals. The two are considering wine education classes, downtown Bellingham “wine walks” in collaboration with other businesses, and pizza, pig roasts, concerts and outdoor movies in the adjoining courtyard during the warmer months. Artifacts has all the right ingredients for success and this little establishment is already humming with activity as locals and museum visitors explore its menu. Consider making a reservation, as this place is getting busier by the day. DIST ILLERY TOUR: See how locally grown agricultural products are turned into spirits at a tour starting at 11am at Chuckanut Bay Distillery, 1115 Railroad Ave. Entry is $10. WWW.CHUCKANUTBAYDISTILLERY.COM SEED EXCHANGE: Join Local Food Works for a free Seed Exchange and Potluck at 4pm at Deming’s Van Zandt Community Hall, 4106 State Route 9. WWW.LOCALFOODWORKS.WORDPRESS.COM SUN., MARCH 6 COMMUNIT Y BREAKFAST: Meet and greet politicians as they serve you at a Community Breakfast taking place from 8am-1pm at the Rome Grange, 2821 Mt. Baker Hwy. Entry is $2-$5. 961-9584 MON., MARCH 7 KNIFE SK ILLS: Mataio Gillis leads a “Knife Skills” course at 5:30pm at Ciao Thyme, 207 Unity St. Entry is $48. WWW.CIAOTHYME.COM BENEFIT DINNER: Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation hosts a “Have a Heart for Kids” dinner from 6-8:30pm at Il Granaio Italian Restaurant, 100 E. Montgomery St. Tickets are $100. WWW.SKAGITREGIONALHEALTH.ORG FRUIT STORIES: “Ripe for the Telling: Surprising Stories of Washington Fruit” will be the focus of a free presentation at 6:30pm at the Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington. WWW.BURLINGTONWA.GOV/LIBRARY TUES., MARCH 8 DESSERT AUC T ION: Attend a “Luck O’ the Irish Dessert Auction” from 6:30-8:30pm at Squalicum High School, 3773 E. McLeod Rd. WWW.SQUALICUM.BELLINGHAMSCHOOLS.ORG CHEF’S CHOICE: Robert Fong presents a “Chef’s Choice” course from 6:30-9pm at the Community Food Co-op, 1220 N. Forest St. Entry is $55. WWW.WHATCOMCOMMUNIT YED.COM THURS., MARCH 10 FRENCH BISTRO DINNER: Ashley Rodriquez leads a “French Bistro Dinner: Lyon” event at 6:30pm at Ciao Thyme, 207 Unity St. Entry is $68. WWW.CIAOTHYME.COM ELIMINAT ION DIE T: An “Elimination Diet 101” class begikns at 6:30pm at the Community Food Coop, 1220 N. Forest St. Entry is $39. WWW.WHATCOMCOMMUNIT YED.COM ITALIAN CLASSICS: Chef Jose Santana helms an “Italian Classics” feast from 6:30-8:30pm in Mount Vernon at Gretchen’s Kitchen, 509 S. First St. Entry is $45. WWW.GRETCHENSKITCHEN.COM WINE DINNER: Attend a Wine Pairing Dinner starting at 5pm at the Lighthouse Bar & Grill, One Bellwether Way. Entry is $85. WWW.HOTELBELLWETHER.COM 2016 E R N O N 8IJECFZ 8FFLMZ Join us on St. Patrick's Day for our Traditional Irish Soda Bread PEOPLE & PLACES, BEST... 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