The small town of Edison in Skagit County is a miniature food mecca, with multiple restaurants, pubs, a great deli and a world-class bakery. Until recently, however, it has not had a brewery or a pizzeria. That has now been corrected, since Terramar Brewing opened its doors a few months ago.

Tucked down Gilkey Avenue behind the Smith & Vallee art gallery, the new brewpub has already made a big splash with locals and tourists alike.

Owners Jen and Chris Barker bring combined…

The sun broke through the clouds as we pulled away from the slip in Squalicum Harbor, Jeffrey snaking the M/V David B between weather-worn fishing boats into the open waters of Bellingham Bay.

We were headed out for a four-day photography trip in the magical San Juan Islands and anticipation was running high. I’d been co-leading photography workshops with Alan Sanders aboard the David B in Alaska for years—nice work if you can get it—but this was our first workshop on the boat in…

Standing between six and 10 feet tall, long-armed, stooped posture, giving off a strong bad odor, primarily nocturnal and shy, possibly displaying aggressive, territorial behavior. These are descriptions that Sasquatch experts and enthusiasts mostly agree on.

But are they animal? Supernatural? Extraterrestrial? All three theories have their adherents; differences of opinion abound and bona fide data is sorely absent.

With these questions in mind, journalist John Zada left his home in…

A couple of issues back, I offered up a “Local Love” guide pointing to art-related events designed with holiday shoppers in mind. Turns out I could’ve published a much longer screed on the topic, as creative Christmas collaborations show no sign of slowing down in coming days. This time around, I’m sticking to highlighting happenings taking place Sat., Dec. 7 in or near downtown Bellingham. Take notes, find unique gifts, and support the artists in your community.

To start your search,…

Charlie Fun-Facts doesn’t resemble a typical Santa Claus.

For one thing, the founder of Frisky Fandoms Burlesque isn’t a rotund fella with a long white beard. Additionally, she’s never traveled to the North Pole, doesn’t keep a flock of reindeer at the ready in her backyard, and shows a bit more skin than most Kris Kringles do during this frosty time of year.

Nevertheless, during performances of “The Naughty List: A Holiday Cabaret” Dec. 12-13 at Bellingham’s Broadway Hall, Charlie…

On the surface, the Salish Sea looks beautiful, but it is in grave trouble. Southern Resident orcas, Chinook salmon, steelhead, and many other species are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals continue to pollute our waterways. Shellfish beds are routinely closed to commercial and recreational harvest due to fecal contamination. More indicators point in the direction of continued decay than in the direction of recovery, but the picture is not…

Even though I live a life dictated by deadlines, I am not as proficient as I should be when it comes to planning ahead.

That said, I’ve known for months what story I’d be writing for this issue of the Cascadia Weekly. Since the day it was announced that Wayne Newton would be coming to the area Dec. 6-7 to play a pair of shows at the Skagit Casino Resort, I penciled him into my editorial schedule.

I’m not sure what drew me so instantly to the legendary Las Vegas performer when…