Northfork Brewery
 

Current Position Available: Visitor Services Aid

Visit Bellingham | Whatcom County is hiring! Under general direction of the Visitor Services Manager, the Visitor Services Aid staffs the daily operations of visitor information desks (a variety of locations), performs various clerical, maintenance, and fulfilment duties, and provides excellent customer service to the public. This is a part-time position working between 12 – 20 hours per week, Weekends required. 

View full job description & requirements.

To Apply: Contact Sandy Ward, sandy@bellingham.org.

Downtown Bellingham Partnership
Announces the Return of Downtown Sounds

The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is excited to announce that Downtown Sounds will return to Bay and Prospect Streets this August for live musical performances. Now in its 17th year, the 2021 series includes several acts making their Downtown Sounds debut as well as some familiar local performers.

2021 Lineup:

• August 18: High Step Society w/ Stephanie Anne Johnson & The Hidogs (Jazz/Bass + Rock/Soul)  
• August 25: The Dusty 45s w/ Nuages (Rockabilly/Americana + Manouche Jazz)

Emergency Ferry Service to Point Roberts to
Stop with Reopening of US/Canada Border

With the announcement from the Canadian Government regarding the reopening of the US/Canada border to non-essential travel, Thursday, August 12th will be the final day of the Port’s emergency ferry service to Point Roberts.

The Port provided emergency ferry service to Point Roberts free-of-charge on San Juan Cruises 100-foot vessel the Salish Express for nearly a year and Whatcom Transportation Authority supported passengers with transit connections throughout Whatcom County.

See Bellingham Through a New Lens: Local Non-profit Makes it their Mission to Help the Public Learn About Local Trails

Recreation Northwest is now offering Outdoor Recreation & Nature Education programs for the public. The organization operates on the principle of helping people have fun, while they learn to recreate outside safely and respectfully. Their programs are for people of all ages and tours are guided on foot or bike, giving locals, newcomers, and visitors the inside scoop on Bellingham.

Executive Director Todd Elsworth states: “We have witnessed resounding recognition for the value that the outdoors holds and the healing powers nature provides. As more people venture out into the 'Frontcountry'' as well as deeper into the 'Backcountry' we’re here to teach people the essentials— offering beginning and intermediate outdoor recreation skills for people and families to learn and enjoy adventures together.”

New Outdoor Recreation Guidelines Emphasize Importance of Preparation, Inclusivity and Shared Stewardship

The Recreate Responsibly Coalition has released updated guidelines encouraging people to embrace best practices that focus on taking care of oneself, each other, and the outdoors.

Recreating responsibly means:

• Know before you go. Check the status of the place you want to visit for closures, fire restrictions, and weather.
• Plan and prepare. Reservations and permits may be required. Make sure you have the gear you need and a back-up plan.
• Build an inclusive outdoors. Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.
• Respect others. There is space for everyone outdoors. Be kind to all who use the outdoors and nature differently.
• Leave no trace. Respect the land, water, wildlife, and Native communities. Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles.
• Make it better. We all have a responsibility to sustain the places we love. Volunteer, donate, and advocate for the outdoors.

2nd Annual Bellingham Vegan Restaurant Week

Bellingham Vegan Restaurant Week is a weeklong celebration from September 20-26 featuring vegan dining in our fabulous city! Plant-based eating is more widespread than ever in our community. People are looking for delicious plant-based dining options for their health, the climate, and animal welfare.

We envision this week as an exploration of the creativity and diversity of vegan dining. We ask participating restaurants to offer at least one vegan menu option during the week. Some of the mouthwatering options from last year included Falafel Fried Eggplant Piccada from Kebab Casual, Crispy Curry Poutine from Simmering Tava, and Crispy Potato Flautas from New Mexico Tamale. Restaurant registration is still open! 

Whatcom County Library System Wins
Prestigious Library Marketing Award

The Whatcom County Library System is one of eight winners of the 2021 John Cotton Dana Award, which honors outstanding library public relations campaigns. Managed by the American Library Association, the prestigious professional honor includes a $10,000 grant from the H.W. Wilson Foundation. WCLS won for its 2020 Library Card Sign-Up Month campaign, a strategic, whimsical outreach effort that featured Sasquatch and friends exploring legendary library services. 

Mindport Exhibits in Downtown Bellingham is Open

Mindport is open for visitors with new hours: Tues-Sat; with one-hour reservation slots between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., for household groups or pods of up to 10 people. Admission is now sliding scale, $0-$10 per person. While closed, Mindport turned 25, engaged in numerous community projects, modified some classic Mindport exhibits, and added many new ones! 

Four Western Washington University Men's Basketball Players Earn Academic Awards from National Association of Basketball Coaches

Four Western Washington University Men’s Basketball student-athletes have been recognized for their academic excellence as members of the 2020-21 National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court. WWU student-athletes RJ Secrest (Silverdale, WA/Central Kitsap), Ivan Bullock (Orcas Island, WA), Daniel Hornbuckle (Fairbanks, AK/Portland CC) and Lucas Holden (Anaheim Hills, CA/Santiago Canyon College) were all recognized for their excellence in the classroom.

Chuckanut Brewery Taps New Kaffee Dunkel Lager

Chuckanut Brewery has brewed its Kaffee Dunkel Lager multiple times. Each time a new and different coffee bean from different roasters is used. This rendition of Kaffee Dunkel Lager uses Guatemalan beans from Huehuetenango roasted by Bellingham’s Steed Coffee Roasters. At the base is Chuckanut Dunkel, a classic malty, deep mahogany, dark Munchener lager with balanced, smooth toffee & chocolate notes from the use of Munich malts.

Picnic With a Purpose: A Week of Drive-through Cookouts and Resource Bag Distributions for Whatcom County Seniors

Older adults throughout Whatcom County are invited to join the Whatcom Council on Aging and local senior centers for Picnic with a Purpose. The event, which replaces their annual Senior Day in the Park picnic, will include a week of drive-through cookouts at five senior centers throughout the County during the week of August 23rd-27th. 

Brigadoon Service Dogs 2021 Annual Auction

Brigadoon Service Dogs presents our 2021 Annual Auction, which includes both a six-day Virtual Online Auction and a one-night In-Person Dinner Auction. Our online auction begins Monday morning, September 6, and ends Saturday evening, September 11, 2021. Our In-Person Auction is on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at the Hotel Bellwether Ballroom in Bellingham

Whatcom Community College Receives
Career Launch Endorsement for New Software Development Degree

Whatcom Community College’s new software development associate in applied science degree has been endorsed by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges as a “Career Launch” program. This endorsement recognizes WCC’s curriculum as meeting the highest standards of rigor and aligned with local industry needs. This endorsement also recognizes paid internships as a core element. Students in the program can earn money and college-level credit, while preparing for their career.

Tony’s Coffee Introduces Compostable Coffee Brew Bags

Tony’ s Coffee – named 2021 Roaster of the Year by Roast Magazine, just made it easier to enjoy a single cup of delicious coffee. Introducing Tony’s Coffee Brew Bags – single-serve, nitrogen-flushed, ready to brew certified organic and fair coffee. Simply add hot water and steep for 4-6 minutes.

Blending the Rules: Primus’ Tim “Herb” Alexander’s Latest Cider Offers Pineapple & Tequila Lovers a Craft Beverage Alternative

Herb’s Cider has just announced the release of their SAMBA Pineapple Margarita cider in 6-pack cans. The SAMBA Pineapple Margarita is a golden white, semi-sweet modern cider crafted from a blend of dessert apples, pineapples, blue agave, limes and aged in Tequila barrels. The new packaging offers a convenient, affordable way for everyone to enjoy this tropical delight on the go.

Visit Bellingham Whatcom County Photo Contest

SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!! Voting for the Visit Bellingham | Whatcom County Photo Contest will start September 1st, so make sure your followers submit their vacation photos for a chance to win local prizes!  

The photo contest is our way of sharing visitor's genuine experiences in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Next time you post on social media, make sure to let your followers know they can share their photos of visiting your business by tagging #BellinghamExperience or through the photo contest! 

Have a shot to share? Here’s some text to help you share: "Snap your way through Bellingham and Whatcom County for a chance to win local prizes like a gift card for homemade cheese from Appel Farms, a sweet treat from Woods Coffee, or tickets to the Spark Museum in Downtown Bellingham. That's right! The Visit Bellingham Whatcom County photo contest is open! 📸"