Cascadia Weekly

Cover

Wanderlust Whistler

If downward dog, “activating the heart chakra” and Surya Namaskar are common phrases in your lexicon, you’re not alone.

According to a recent study by the Yoga Journal, 20.4 million Americans practice some form of yoga, a surge of interest that has given rise to a $27 billion industry, including an 87 percent increase in spending on classes, clothing, videos and retreats over the past five years.

Here in the Fourth Corner, the yoga scene is likewise thriving, with more than a dozen

This Week

The Gristle

Dickering Docks

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

DICKERING DOCKS: As Cherry Point races to become the energy export mecca of the Pacific Northwest, efforts are simultaneously underway that could cripple Whatcom’s ability to economically benefit from that activity.

Scores endured a warm day in the Shuksan Middle School gymnasium last week to shine light through the holes in a plan to complete a second dock at BP’s Cherry Point Marine Terminal. Completion of a North Wing addition to the refinery’s existing dock would expand capacity at

News

A Smaller Box

Coal terminal scope narrows, Bellingham wants it to widen

By Tim Johnson · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

A revised design may provide better natural buffers and drainage to a proposed coal pier at Cherry Point, but other impacts remain.

SSA Marine announced last week that they had submitted an alternative approach and site configuration designed to provide greater environmental safeguards, including a reduction in wetlands acreage disturbed by the project. The new footprint is 14 percent smaller and would require removal of only half of the wetlands that would have been disturbed in the original

Outdoors

Wanderlust Whistler

Local yogis head north for adventure

By Christian Martin · Monday, July 21, 2014

If downward dog, “activating the heart chakra” and Surya Namaskar are common phrases in your lexicon, you’re not alone.

Here in the Fourth Corner, the yoga scene is likewise thriving, with more than a dozen

Visual

Summer Moments

Seasonal sights at Matzke Gallery

By Stephen Hunter · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Once again, it’s time to take the drive to the magical Matzke Gallery on Camano Island for a cornucopia of wonderful art.

Traveling is the hallmark of Hiroshi Yamano, a Japan-born glass artist who trained in Tokyo, in California, and at the Pilchuck School. He says, “I am a fish who is always looking for something…maybe I will swim forever, like the universe.” It’s been suggested that his ever-present symbol of the fish represents Japanese ambivalence between being open to novelty

Food

Aslan Brewing Co.

Making a splash in Bellingham’s beer scene

Story and photo by Jessamyn Tuttle · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Bison_burger_and_waffle_fries_at_Aslan_by_Jessamyn_Tuttle-o.jpg

Aslan Brewing Company began making a splash in the local beer drinking community even before their Forest Street brewpub opened to the public.

I had tried several of their beers at the Local, including the extremely fragrant Ginger Rye, and when their IPA appeared on tap at my neighborhood pub it was highly popular. They were obviously off to a good start. They finally opened their doors in May, and seem to be settling into the downtown Bellingham food-and-drink scene very comfortably.

The

On Stage

Becky's New Car

Forks in the road, with laughs

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

The first thing I noticed as I settled into my seat at the Mount Baker Theatre’s intimate Walton Theatre to view Becky’s New Car—one of the three Summer Repertory Theatre plays showing through Aug. 10—was an oversized yellow traffic sign depicting a vehicle that was in danger of being crushed by a cascade of falling rocks.

Among the other highway ornamentations that captured my attention were shout-outs for Interstate 5, a “Speed Limit 65” reminder and a sizable fork-in-the-road sign.

Words

Summer Reads

Books for the beach

By Amy Kepferle · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

A few years ago, the big thinkers at National Public Radio (NPR) asked their book-loving listeners to take part in a “Best Beach Books Ever” poll. More than 16,000 people responded, casting approximately 136,000 votes for the 100 titles that were chosen. The following trio of tomes were included on the lengthy list, and deserve a second—or first, or third—read. Do you have to devour the words on a hot day while reclining on a towel near a refreshing body of water? Of course not, but it’s

Music

Mission Folk Music Festival

A good time, squared

By Carey Ross · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Odds are, if you are a music fan, you can find a festival out there to suit your fancy. Whether your tastes are specific—you’re a bluegrass or EDM lover, say—or you’re into an experience that embraces a wide swath of styles and genres—in which case events like Sasquatch and Coachella probably flip your entertainment pancakes—there’s a music festival out there for you. Big or small, grassroots or corporate, rural or urban, family-friendly or adults-only—the options are many and growing

Film

Life Itself

Two thumbs way up

Reviewed by Rene Rodriguez · Wednesday, July 23, 2014

There are scholars who blame Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel for dumbing down film criticism with their thumbs-up, thumbs-down approach, the same way they blame Steven Spielberg and George Lucas for ruining movies with the success of Jaws and Star Wars. But Siskel and Ebert accomplished just the opposite: They popularized criticism and introduced it to the masses via their PBS show in which they spent a lot of time debating (and fighting) over movies before delivering their final, yes-or-no

Today

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Jul 25

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Shakespeare Northwest: The summer season of Shakespeare Northwest continues this weekend with showings of Much Ado About Nothing at 7pm Thursday, and Macbeth at 7pm Friday at the Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheater at Mount Vernon's Rexville Grange, 19299 Rexville Grange Rd. On Saturday, attend the annual "Iron Man," which features Much Ado About Nothing at 1pm, To Be or Not TV2 at 4pm, and Macbeth at 7pm. Tickets are $10-$12 for the single shows, and $30 for Iron Man (includes a T-shirt). Additional showings happen more »

One-Act Wonders: View two new one-act plays written by young artists from the collegiate community when Brian Toews' The ART (The Awful Real Thing) and Rene Vohze's The Velociraptor show at 8pm Thursday through Saturday at the iDiOM Theater, 1418 Cornwall Ave. The "satirical fringe spectacle" contains nudity, violence and adult language, and is intended for mature audiences only. Tickets are $8. more »

Whatcom Old Settlers Picnic: The 119th annual Whatcom Old Settlers' Picnic takes place from 12-9pm Thursday, 12pm-11pm Friday, 9am-10pm Saturday, and 12-4pm Sunday at Ferndale's Pioneer Park, 2004 Cherry St. Celebrating the rich history of the area and the people who call it home, the weekend-long event features live music, a fun run/walk, parades, a classic car show, local food and craft vendors, a barn dance, open tours of the historic park, a beer garden and more. more »

Bard on the Beach: William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream will play in repertory with the Bard's The Tempest and Cymbeline, and Bill Cain's Equivocation, during the 25th annual "Bard on the Beach" season through Sept. 20 at Vancouver, B.C.'s Vanier Park. Tickets are $33-$47 (Canadian). more »

Boating Center Open: All are welcome to check out the Community Boating Center, which has opened back up for the summer season at its headquarters at 555 Harris Ave. (near the Amtrak Station). Upcoming classes and excursions include bioluminescence paddles, introductions to sea kayaking, sunset paddles, dinghy sailing 101, full moon paddles, paddleboarding 101, and more. Boat rentals and storage and moorage are also available. Check the website for times and prices. more »

MBT’s Summer Repertory Theatre: The Mount Baker Theatre's Summer Repertory Theatre continues this week with showings of Lanford Wilson's comedy/drama Talley's Folly, Neil Simon's comedic Last of the Red Hot Lovers, and Becky's New Car, by Steven Dietz, at the MBT's Walton Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St. The three plays show in repertory at 7:30pm on weekdays and 3pm Sundays through Aug. 10. Tickets are $12.50-$25. more »

Sin & Gin Tours: The Good Time Girls host a "Sin & Gin Tour" tonight at 7pm starting at the Bureau of Historical Investigation, 217 W. Holly St. The walking tours—which continue Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 28 in downtown Bellingham and historic Fairhaven—feature stories about Bellingham's history and sometimes salacious past. Entry is $15-$19. more »

Extraordinary Shows: Show up for "A League of Extraordinary Shows" at 9pm Friday and Saturday at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. Expect just about anything at the performances, including short form improv, long form, and more. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. more »

Lend Me a Tenor: The madcap, screwball comedy about a series of misadventures at an opera company, Lend Me A Tenor, opens this weekend with 7:30pm shows at the Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave. Tickets are $20 and additional performances happen through Aug. 16. more »

Sidewalk Sale: More than 20 businesses in Bellingham's downtown core will offer sales, samples and other benefits to shoppers at the annual Sidewalk Sale happening Friday and Saturday during regular business hours. Balloons and other signage to differentiate retailers and restaurants for attendees. more »

Big Book Sale: In advance of moving to a bigger location, attend a "BIG Book Sale" from 10am-6pm Friday and Saturday and 1-5pm Sunday at the Ferndale Public Library at the Pioneer Pavilion, 2007 Cherry St. Books for all ages and interests will be available. more »

Project Homeless Connect: The 6th annual "Project Homeless Connect" happens from 9am-4pm at Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave. People experiencing homelessness are invited to receive free and confidential services including medical exams, dental care, vision and hearing screenings, women's health care, information on veteran benefits, housing assistance, legal aid, and more. more »

Wild Things: Kids, adults and adventurers can join Wild Whatcom Walks for "Wild Things" excursions from 9:30-11am every Friday in July at North Lake Whatcom Park. Entry is $5. more »

Children’s Craft Fair: Enjoy a wide array of crafts and baked goods made by local youth 13 and under at the 46th annual Children's Craft Fair from 11am-1pm on the lawn of the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. more »

Cemetery Tour: "Bayview Abbey 100th Anniversary" will be the focus of a City of Bellingham tour at 1pm at Bayview Cemetery, 1420 Woburn St. Entry to tour the space and celebrate the history of the cemetery's mausoleum is free; please register in advance. more »

National Night Out: Games, family-friendly activities, local food vendors, discussions with Mayor Kelli Linville and other City personnel, live music and more will be be part of Downtown Bellingham Partnership and the City of Bellingham's "National Night Out" event from 4:30-7pm at Bellingham's Maritime Heritage Park. The nationwide program raises awareness about crime prevention activities in an effort to "take back" neighborhoods and bring communities together. The event will also serve to engage neighbors and more »

VIGIL FOR PEACE: Join the longest-running Peace Vigil in the country—48 years and counting—from 4-5pm every Friday afternoon at the corners of Cornwall Avenue and Magnolia Street. more »

Friday Ferry Flotilla: Discounted rental fees for sailing dinghies and human-powered watercraft (kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards) will be part of a monthly Friday Ferry Flotilla starting at 5pm at the Community Boating Center, 555 Harris Ave. Boats of all kinds are encouraged to join the gatherings, which bid adieu to Alaska ferry that departs Bellingham every Friday. Additional flotillas happen Aug. 22 and Sept. 26. more »

Best in Show: Whatcom Humane Society hosts a "Movie Under the Stars" viewing of Best in Show starting with a beer garden and food at 7:30pm at their digs at 2172 Division St. Bring your own blanket and chairs and, at dusk, watch the dog-based satire. Suggested donation is $5. (P.S. Please leave your dogs at home.) more »

Comedy Showcase: Lisa Curtis, G. Anthony Johnson, Claire Jones, Neil McLaughlin, Alex McKay, and Timmy Riney will perform at a Comedy Showcase at 8pm in Anacortes at the H20 Club, 314 Commercial Ave. Randall Ragsdale will host. Tickets to the Comedy Nite gig are $10. more »

Cascadia Weekly