Copy
View this email in your browser
Thursday, April 08, 2021

Hi local partners, 
 

“Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.” – Ernestine Ulmer


I have been meaning to check out Carnal for myself for a while now but have only managed to salivate over their scrumptious food photos on social media. A member of our team recently enjoyed her visit saying, “We made reservations for last Friday and it was AMAZING! Great cocktails and better food! ” Check out Carnal below in our "Go Visit a New Member" section. And we have lots of members who offer dessert first!

Need a mask before you go (or many, many masks for your business)? We are stocked up thanks to the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce with free masks for local business owners. They can be picked up at our Potter Street Visitor Center Friday-Sunday, 10a-3pm, or I will gladly deliver and say “hi” in the next couple of weeks.

Cheers,
Eric
Sales & Special Projects Manager
PS. Not a member? You're my new "special project!"
We're here to help. Visit us at Bellingham.org.
FORWARD EMAIL TO A FRIEND
Go Visit a New Member

Carnal

Carnal refers to passions and appetites. Our food doesn’t discriminate nor intimidate. It is conceptual yet comforting. Elegant yet economical. It listens closely to the seasons and the earth.

Carnal is a wood-fired restaurant and jerky brand in downtown Bellingham, helmed by three young chefs trained at NYC Michelin Starred restaurants Eleven Madison Park and Nomad.

We just opened a lunch-time smash-burger and fried chicken sandwich pop-up next door from our same kitchen called Comrade.

Press Releases & Your News to Share

The Whatcom Museum’s Family Interactive Gallery Reopening

The Whatcom Museum is excited to announce that after a year of closure, the Family Interactive Gallery (FIG), inside the Lightcatcher building, is ready to welcome visitors back. Starting April 1, 2021, the FIG will reopen to the public at 25% capacity with reduced hours and limited visitor capacity. All visitors, including members, must make a reservation in advance to visit the FIG. 

Fluid Formations Glass Art Exhibition at the Whatcom Museum Presents Some of the Northwest’s Most Influential Artists

Celebrating a rich art community and traditions unique to the region, Fluid Formations: The Legacy of Glass in the Pacific Northwest opens April 10, 2021, at the Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher building. The exhibition features the art of fifty-seven contemporary artists working in glass. Organized by Amy Chaloupka, the Museum’s Curator of Art, and working in close partnership with the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.

Adventures Northwest Magazine Celebrates 15 Years

Adventures Northwest Publishing marks its 15th Anniversary with a special summer edition to be published May 24, 2021. The Bellingham-based quarterly, which has featured contributions from such internationally respected writers as Robert Michael Pyle, Tom Robbins, David Guterson and Lawrence Millman is dedicated to the joys of outdoor recreation and the transformative beauty of Cascadia.

Bellair Airporter Shuttle Adding a 6th Daily Round-Trip Shuttle Between Bellingham And Sea-Tac Airport

As the demand for travel continues to increase, Bellair Airporter Shuttle is turning the key and firing up a sixth daily round-trip shuttle trip between Bellingham and Sea-Tac Airport beginning Monday, April 5, 2021. In response to this positive upturn in air travel, the new daily trip will depart from Bellingham at 3:00 p.m. The northbound addition will depart Sea-Tac Airport at 7:00 p.m. 

Increase in Vaccinations Leading to Growing Demand at Event Venues

The rapidly increasing number of people being vaccinated for COVID-19 is unleashing a backlog of demand for weddings, conferences, and family celebrations, according to one of Whatcom County’s largest indoor venues.

“Since state government began allowing venues up to 50% of capacity, we’re seeing more reservations and inquiries about dates,” said Dana Weber, General Manager of the Best Western Plus Bellingham hotel and the adjacent Fox Hall Events Center.

Inn at Lynden Fun For All Hotel Special

The Inn at Lynden, a 35-room boutique hotel is encouraging folks to escape the doldrums of many months of isolation, get out of the house and have some fair weather fun with its Fun For All special.

This promotion, which runs from April 1 through September 30, 2021, offers 20% off seasonal rates for any night stays. The Inn is also offering to coordinate guests’ visits to some of the many entertaining activities in the region that can be enjoyed while still maintaining a measure of safety and social distance. Those activities include golf, gaming, high-speed karting, wine and cheese tasting, roller skating, biking and shopping, equestrian events, among others. 

Chuckanut Brewery Taps Skagit Tulip Ale


This year Skagit Valley is celebrating tulips and its breweries once again with the Skagit Farm to Pint Fest. Funds raised from the fest are donated to Viva Farms, a nonprofit that teaches farming in the area. This year’s Chuckanut Skagit Tulip Ale uses triticale grains that were grown and malted in Skagit Valley and made available on tap and in the bottle at both Chuckanut locations, including Bellingham!

Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen Has New Spring Hours

Spring has sprung and Chuckanut Brewery in Bellingham and Burlington is taking notice. With all the sunshine we’re getting this spring, Chuckanut is opening seven days a week at both locations starting April 1! There will be a lot more time to enjoy your beers with friends and family. Or if you want to stop and pick some beer up to go, you’ll be able to take your time getting it!

Whatcom County Council Passes Ferry Fare Surcharge Ordinance

On Tuesday, March 23, the Whatcom County Council unanimously passed, with the support of the Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee, a $1 surcharge on most ferry fares. The surcharge will begin later in 2021. 

Needs-based senior/disabled fares and student fares are exempt from the dollar surcharge. The surcharge will be added to the total purchase price of any new punch cards bought after the surcharge takes effect. Single ride fares will increase by a dollar. Existing punch cards purchased before the start of the surcharge will still be honored and grandfathered in. 

Whatcom Community College named “Voter Friendly Campus” by National Non-partisan Organization

Whatcom Community College has been designated a “Voter Friendly Campus” by national, non-partisan organizations Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education). WCC is one of only two colleges in Washington State to earn the designation for 2021-22 and joins a network of more than 235 campuses nationwide that met the necessary criteria for planning and implementing practices that encourage students to register and vote in 2020 elections and in the coming years.

A Celebration of Volunteerism in Whatcom County

Everyone is invited to celebrate the impact of local volunteers in a virtual celebration hosted by the Volunteer Center of Whatcom County on Thursday, April 22 as a part of National Volunteer Week. Volunteerism in Whatcom County is alive and well, despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of several volunteer programs. New programs have sprouted up, and local residents continue to find ways to give back.

Important: Maximize Your Membership!

1. Keep us stoked! Oh, I meant stocked:


Our Visitor's Center at 904 Potter St. is open Friday - Sunday 10a.m. - 3 p.m. currently—we welcome your flyers. The Cruise Terminal and Airport kiosks are also currently in use. Ask Eric@bellingham.org for info (or come say hi to Cheryl)!

2. Give us the scoop so we can dish:


Upcoming campaigns. It's finally spring—and summer isn't far behind! Keep us updated on any activities you have planned for Mother's Day or this summer. As your plans solidify send us your press releases and add your events to our county-wide event calendar to help keep us in the loop! 

Changed things for Phase 3? Ready to hit go? Be sure to post events on the calendar so we can help you promote! And check out our blog page too to help us stay current.

Please write to media@bellingham.org with your updates including hours, COVID-19 policies, and curbside versus in-person options so we can support you and stay current. 

3. Tag we're it!


Please let us help you share your social media campaigns by using #BellinghamExperience & tagging @BellinghamExperience when you post.

You can also follow Bellingham Experience on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for our content to share, too! Questions? media@bellingham.org

Visit Bellingham Whatcom County Photo Contest

We have our winners for the annual Bellingham Whatcom County photo contest! Thanks to everyone who submitted their photos, we love seeing and sharing all the incredible experiences that happen in Whatcom  Our three winners are:

🥇1st Place is Wesley Segar 
🥈2nd Place is Winnie Miyake 
🥉3rd Place is Thi Nguyen 

You can now submit your photos of Bellingham and Whatcom County and enter for a chance to win some local treats from Camber and Edaleen Dairy and be featured on our page! The photo contest is a community-supported contest that gives locals and visitors the opportunity to share their Bellingham Experience and win a truly unique local experience for their next visit to Whatcom County. 

See a shot you want to share? Here’s some text to help you reshare your favorites: “We love seeing shots from locals and travelers exploring Whatcom County. Thanks for showing off your unique #BellinghamExperience and big congrats to our latest winners! 📸"

Attend Awesome Things!

April 8- May 22, 2021    

Origins and Evolutions exhibition at Gallery Syre

11am-4pm, Tues, Wed & Thurs
Hosted by Gallery Syre

April 8 - May 25, 2021    

Beer with the Brewers!

Noon-9pm, Tues & Thurs
Hosted by Stones Throw Brewery

April 8 - August 4, 2021    

Intro to PNW Native Flora & Sustainable Foraging

10am-Noon & 6pm-8pm | Tues & Wed
Larrabee State Park
Hosted by Earth Elements

April 2021  

Moonstruck (April 9)
The Shining (April 15)
Raiders of the Ark (April 17)
Bend it Like Beckham (April 23)
Field of Dreams (April 30)

Times Vary
Hosted by Mount Baker Theatre

April 10 & 24, 2021 

Bellingham Dockside Market

10am-2pm
Squalicum Harbor 
Hosted by Bellingham SeaFeast, Port of Bellingham & Working Waterfront Coalition

April 10 - October 30, 2021    

Blaine's Market by the Sea

10am - 3pm, Saturdays
G Street Plaza, Downtown Blaine
Hosted by Blaine Chamber

April 10 - December 18, 2021 

The Bellingham Farmers Market

10am - 2pm, Saturdays
Depot Market Square
Hosted by Bellingham Farmers Market

April 17, 2021    

Bike Northwest - Bike to Brew

9am-6pm
Kulshan Brewing Company
Hosted by Bike Northwest

April 24-25, 2021    

Dirty Dan Mystery Weekend

Sat: 10am - 5pm & Sun: 10am - 2 pm
Fairhaven Village
Hosted by Fairhaven Association

Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Twitter
Pinterest
Copyright © 2021 Visit Bellingham | Whatcom County, All rights reserved.


Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe Here

We have a few different mailing lists, and we want to make sure you don't miss something you need!
We would love it if you would  
update your preferences rather than doing this: unsubscribe from this list.