dubious achievements - cascadia weekly · 2016-12-28 · felling iconic performers (rip prince,...
TRANSCRIPT
Fuzz Buzz, p.09 + FILM SHORTS, p.21 + HANGOVER HELPER, p.26
12-28-2016 • ISSUE:52 • V.11
REPORTING FROM THE HEART OF CASCADIAWHATCOM*SKAGIT*ISLAND COUNTIES
RESOLUTION RESETOut and about in 2017, P.12
SONIC SENDOFFYour New Year's Eve gig guide, P.16
DUBIOUSACHIEVEMENTSAlan Rhodes' year in review, P.06
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ThisWeek A glance at this week’s happenings
WEDNESDAY [12.28.16]
ONSTAGE Panty Hoes: 9pm, Rumors Cabaret
MUSIC Thomas Marriott Quartet: 7pm, Whatcom Jazz Music Arts Center
WORDSNote of Thanks: 10:30am-12pm, Bellingham Public Library
GET OUTSkagit Eagle Festival: 10am-4pm, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport The Lights of Christmas: 5-10pm, Warm Beach Camp, Stanwood Group Run: 6pm, Skagit Running Company
VISUAL Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, Whatcom Museum
THURSDAY [12.29.16]ONSTAGE Good, Bad, Ugly: 8pm, Upfront TheatreThe Project: 10pm, Upfront Theatre
DANCEFolk Dance: 7pm, Fairhaven Library
COMMUNITY Blood Drive: 12:45-3:30pm, Firehouse Performing A4ts Center
GET OUTSkagit Eagle Festival: 10am-4pm, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport
VISUAL Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, Whatcom Museum
New Year’s Eve Soiree: 6:30pm-12:30am, Semiahmoo Ballroom, Blaine
GET OUT Last Chance Marathon: 9am, Fairhaven Park Skagit Eagle Festival: 10am-4pm, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport Ring of Fire and Hope: 7pm, Birch Bay State Park
FOOD Incognito New Year’s Eve: 7pm, Ciao Thyme NYE Dessert and Dancing: 10pm, Ciao Thyme Commons
SUNDAY [01.01.17] FILMNo Man’s Land: 2pm, Lincoln Theatre, Mount Vernon
COMMUNITYCeremonial Celebration: 2pm, Bellingham Unitar-ian Fellowship
GET OUTFirst Day Hikes: 32 beaches throughout Washington StateNew Year’s Day Ride: 10am, Fairhaven Park New Year’s Day Beach Cleanup: 10am-1:30pm, Locust Beach Skagit Eagle Festival: 10am-4pm, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport Resolution Run and Polar Dip: 11am, Lake Padden Polar Bear Plunge: 12pm, Birch Cay
FOODNew Year’s Day Brunch: 7am-1pm, Semiahmoo Resort, BlaineCommunity Breakfast: 8am-12pm, Rome Grange
MONDAY [01.02.17] ONSTAGE East of the Sun Auditions: 5:30-7:30pm, Belling-ham Arts Academy for Youth Guffawingham: 9:30pm, Green Frog
COMMUNITYTrivia Night: 7-9pm, Kulshan Brewery
TUESDAY [01.03.17]ONSTAGEEast of the Sun Auditions: 5:30-7:30pm, Belling-ham Arts Academy for Youth
DANCE Skagit Folk Dancers: 7-9:30pm, Bayview Civic Hall
WORDSStories with Claire: 10:30am, Village Books Teen Book Talk: 5:30pm, Blaine Library
COMMUNITYIntro to Ancestry: 10-11:30am, Lynden Library
GET OUTAll-Paces Run: 6pm, Fairhaven Runners
WEDNESDAY [01.04.17]WORDSAfternoon Books and Tea: 2-3:30pm, Lynden Library
COMMUNITYGreen Drinks: 5-7pm, Culture CafeCommunity Memory Talk: 7pm, Sumas Com-munity Center
If you’re looking for a immersive New Year’s
Day experience, take part in the Resolution Run and Polar Dip at Lake Padden or Blaine’s annual Polar Bear Plunge on Sun., Jan. 1
Performances and open dancing will
be part of Rumba Northwest’s New Year’s Eve Salsa Dance Sat., Dec.
31 at BAAY Theatre
FRIDAY [12.30.16]ONSTAGE My Three Ghosts: 8pm, Upfront Theatre Holiday Games Galore: 10pm, Upfront Theatre
DANCE An Afternoon of Elegance: 4-7pm, Lynden Com-munity Center
GET OUT Wild Things: 9:30-11am, Connelly Creek Nature Area Skagit Eagle Festival: 10am-4pm, Howard Miller Steelhead Park, Rockport
VISUAL Deck the Old City Hall: 12-5pm, Whatcom Museum
SATURDAY [12.31.16]ONSTAGENew Year’s Eve Shows: 7pm, 9pm and 11pm,
Upfront Theatre
DANCE New Year’s Eve Dance: 7-10pm, Bellingham Senior Activity CenterNew Year’s Eve Dance Party: 8pm, Aslan Brewing Co. New Year’s Eve Salsa Dance: 8pm-1am, BAAY Theatre New Year’s Eve Contra Dance: 8pm-1am, Eagles Hall
MUSICLittle Big Band: 9pm, Nicki’s Bella Marina
WORDS Saturday Story Time: 10:30am, Village Books
COMMUNITY New Year’s at Noon: 11:30am-12:30pm, Lynden Library Manhattan NYE Bash: 5:30-9:30pm, Jansen Art Center, Lynden
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Views & News04: Mailbag
06: Gristle & Rhodes
08: Last week’s news
09: Police blotter
Arts & Life10: Swan song
12: Resolution reset
13: Dance, learn, repeat
14: Storefront spotlight
16: Your NYE Guide
18: Clubs
20: Star-crossed stars
21: Film Shorts
Rear End22: Bulletin Board, Free Will
23: Wellness
24: Crossword
25: Comix, Sudoku
30: Hangover helper
©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] Cascadia Weekly is distributed free, please take just one copy. Cascadia
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TOC LETTERS STAFF
ACID BALL SELECTION SHOULD NOT BE CORROSIVE
The City of Bellingham is currently in a selec-tion process for turning the big spherical steel acid tank left over from the Georgia-Pacific pa-per-processing days into an artwork for the new waterfront development. That tank has piqued my curiosity since I first moved here a dozen years ago.
I am also curious as to the process that the COB is using to select the best artistic design. I relate it to the process used to select the Fre-mont Troll in Seattle. The Seattle Arts Council did not want the Troll design, but a vote at a Fremont Fair showed the people attending the fair overwhelmingly chose it. Seattle Arts Coun-cil reconsidered and now the Troll is built and has become a favorite Seattle icon, second only to the Space Needle.
Art selection processes can get very hazy, and this one has. The Bellingham Herald reported on the selection progress and said that some select jury had forwarded three finalists out of two doz-en entries to the Bellingham Arts Commission, and that the BAC was soliciting public comments regarding the proposals. Of the three finalists—a brightly painted ball, a lit-up ball and a spheri-
cal sundial—the spherical sundial got, by a huge number, the most favorable written comments, mine included. At the last Bellingham Arts Com-mission meeting, the BAC said they had not re-ally been soliciting comments, but still kindly let people make oral comments. Twenty-two people spoke in favor of the globe sundial.
Included in the discussion, objective criteria such as feasibility of actual construction and maintenance of the works were mentioned. The sundial again looked best regarding maintenance and longevity.
Is the BAC going to listen to all the written and oral public comment?
The selection process has gone dark. It is not at all clear how the arts commission is rating the proposals.
This is an important process and if done right, Bellingham will get its famous waterfront “icon.” It is also Bellingham’s first “one percent for the arts” program, so this selection will set a precedent.
My experience has shown that doing it right re-quires listening to public comment in a transparent process. The transparency here seems to be fading and I am not sure if the public is being heard.
—Chuck Nafziger, Alger
THISWEEK
Proving that 2016 was an asshole who wasn’t about to give up his reign of terror—especially when it came to felling iconic performers (RIP Prince, David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Gene Wilder, Florence Henderson, Zsa Zsa Gabor, etc.)—famed pop star George Michael and actress, author and all-around badass Carrie Fisher died this week, just days before the new year. If you’re reading this before 2017, keep your fingers crossed that Madonna is still around when the ball drops.
COVER: Illustration by Dario Castillejos
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6THE GRISTLE
VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF CASCADIA WEEKLY
viewsYOUR VIEWS THE GRISTLE
AT A national level this was cer-tainly a year for barmy behavior as the country elected Donald Trump as its groper-in-chief. While noth-ing on the local scene compares to this consummate act of collec-tive self-destruction, we will press ahead, nevertheless, with the 2016 Whatcom County awards for the hapless, the sinister and the sappy.
Really Bad Neighbors. Last May Albertson’s closed its Birchwood store, leaving the neighborhood without a local grocery. While this in itself made life especially diffi-cult for the numerous low-income residents of the area, many of whom lack transportation, it was only the first punch of a one-two combo. Albertson’s owns the build-ing and has a non-compete clause stating that no other grocery store can open in that spot until 2042. Suck it up, Birchwood residents; there’s a 7-Eleven across the street you can use for the next 25 years.
Good News/Bad News, First Place. The bad news for the city of Blaine: a recent study reports that if global warming continues at its current rate, by the end of this cen-tury Blaine will be underwater. The good news for Blaine: as you are be-ing submerged, be comforted know-ing that Victoria, BC has agreed to stop discharging raw sewage into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Good News/Bad News, Runner-up. The bad news for Bellingham: this year the financial website 24/7 Wall St. put Bellingham on its list of America’s 50 worst places to live. The good news for Bellingham: thank god, after all the top 10 lists we’ve been on over the past several years we finally made a list that could discourage more people from
moving here.The Hair of the Dog. While we’re
on the subject of impressive lists, using consumer data businessinsider.com ascertained that Bellingham is the 15th most hungover city in the United States. Dedicated drinkers complained that if legal marijuana had not been pulling consumers away from microbrews in favor of pot, we might have scored an even higher spot on this prestigious roster.
I Get No Respect. Before leaving the significant lists category, we should point out that Roadsnacks.net rated Lynden the 8th most bor-ing city in the state of Washington. Angry Lynden residents, tired of being slighted, insisted that they at least belonged in the top three.
A Good Head for Business. And before departing Lynden, it should be noted that this year, in keeping with its staid image, the city passed a permanent ban on marijuana stores. This, of course, has put an end to all pot smoking in Lynden, now and forever, because no one has figured out that they can drive a short distance out of town for their weed, feeding the economies of just about every place in Whatcom Coun-ty except, well, Lynden.
In the Extremely Likely Case of an Emergency. There’s a reason Al-legiant Airlines can offer cut-rate flights out of Bellingham Airport: they are flying you around in clunky
old rattletraps. In 2015 alone, Alle-giant had to make at least 77 un-scheduled landings, over half due to mechanical failures, and 2016 start-ed off the same way. The response of Allegiant’s CEO? “I don’t think there’s a safety problem.” Maybe Al-legiant’s CEO only flies Alaska.
A Nation of Laws, when Conve-nient. Toward year’s end local re-altors and developers packed the County Council to denounce a mora-torium on residential development in areas that might not have sufficient water. The developers had a helpful solution: Let’s just brush off the Su-preme Court and do what we want. One can see the desirability of such an approach. I’m already calculating how much more I can get done in a day once I start ignoring those pesky red lights at intersections.
Weighty Publications. The Bell-ingham Herald’s Thanksgiving Day issue featured a note informing readers that in order to ensure on-time delivery of the year’s “biggest paper,” there wasn’t time to include the weather and stock market re-sults. What did you get in place of a complete newspaper? Two pounds of advertising sections. Really, two pounds, for real. A helpful hint for the Herald: you could have got-ten the weather and stock market report on your smart phone in the early afternoon of the previous day.
The Annual Doug Ericksen Award. State Senator Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale) does so many stupid and/or evil things during the course of every year, that long ago we es-tablished the Annual Doug Ericksen Award to be presented annually to Doug Ericksen for the worst of his many actions over the 12 months.
BY ALAN RHODES
Dubious Achievements 2016CELEBRATING SILLINESS AND REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR
RHODES, CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE: A New Year invites reflection and prediction—and reposition, as the past and fu-ture are studied and aligned. In November, the Gristle predicted 2017 and out-years might begin to see a new chapter of Federalism—an old story where national di-rectives chafe up against states’ rights and regional values that resist those directives, and through time and experimentation the two (hopefully) become a harmonious whole. This old story has been written for more than a century in the Southern portion of our nation; and perhaps it’s time for the West to begin its own chapter, for clearly the West is having its own conversations about social and environmental justice, about the roles of science and technology in public af-fairs, and indeed even the health and future of politi-cal parties and political directions that are markedly different from those in other parts of the country.
This is most obviously reflected in recent elec-tion outcomes, where the western states preferred the Democrat over the Republican by 10-point mar-gins (translating in California to more than 4.2 mil-lion votes) and retained and strengthened their state Democratic legislative and executive branches.
Mostly “it’s the economy, stupid,” which while im-perfect in distribution is roaring on the Left coast; but there are other factors—the kinds of conversations we’re having about race, about religion, about the rights of the indigenous and the disadvantaged, about interna-tional trade and relations across the Pacific Rim, about the regulatory authority and technocratic role of gov-ernment in everyday life are different as well. We’re an-gry, sure; but we’re angry about other things than what appears to trigger outrage in other parts of the country.
Every successful revolution is predicated not just on organized resistance, but alternative—a different plan and vision moving forward.
And we’ve been gratified to see Governor Jay In-slee and his agencies step up and present a plan that both resists and helps reshape federal direc-tives moving forward.
Shortly after the election, the governor came forward with his counterparts in Oregon, California, and provin-cial British Columbia to renew their united resolve and commitment to action to address climate change—it’s not a “myth” in this part of the country, at least.
Inslee quickly followed that with a bold budget that fully funds K-12 education and launches an overhaul of the state’s mental health system, both in response to court directives that the state was not doing enough in either area. It strengthens law enforcement and so-cial service options to deal with individuals suffering a behavioral health crisis.
Inslee’s comprehensive program also addresses eco-nomic security in which all Washingtonians can meet their basic needs and creates opportunities for sta-bility during a personal financial crisis or economic downturn, and improves child-care access for working parents. It freezes tuition costs and improves student access to financial aid. His plan also includes a com-munity development component to improve public in-frastructure and public places.
The governor proposes to pay for these much-needed investments in schools and communities across Washing-ton state with forward-thinking, equitable changes to the state’s tax code, like a state capital gains tax and a carbon pricing initiative, reducing reliance on consump-tion and property taxes. Ultimately, the revenue plan
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THE GRISTLEwould generate $4.4 billion in new reve-nue in the coming two-year budget cycle.
Undoubtedly the governor’s efforts will be supported by state Senator Kevin Ranker, who steps in as the lead Demo-crat in the Senate responsible for Wash-ington state’s $42 billion operating bud-get. And the governor’s efforts will be challenged by a Legislature in the bal-ance, with hairsbreadth control in each house and neither party ascendant.
The state Attorney General’s Office has also moved quickly to launch ini-tiatives that might stall in a new ad-ministration intent on changing the direction of courts—with lawsuits filed against corporate giants like Monsanto and Comcast for the protection of the rights of citizens.
Agencies, too, have stepped up, pushing back against congressional ini-tiatives to weaken health care through the repeal or roll back of the Afford-able Care Act; and others’ve begun to bulwark against threatened changes to environmental policy and the regula-tory framework, writing new rules to reinforce initiatives already underway.
Moving quickly under threat of new federal directions, a draft of an ac-tion plan to protect and restore Puget Sound is scheduled for completion be-fore Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, according to officials involved in developing the plan.
The plan will align Washington state with nine federal agencies in their ef-forts to recover one of the nation’s most important waterways. The Puget Sound Task Force was created by Presi-dent Obama, who elevated Puget Sound to a high-priority ecosystem. The pack-age will provide a powerful model mov-ing forward—so that while new people will move into Washington, D.C., of-fices next year, most of the folks in the regional offices will remain.
The nonprofits, too, have stepped up their organization and coordination, finding strength united in principle, firing off letters to federal depart-ments in transition, reminding them of their duty to the state and its citizens.
In short, a revolution is already un-derway in Washington, and it features a great deal of the sentiments expressed by progressives throughout the 2016 election cycle. They were listened to—here, at least; and we’re thankful for that in the New Year.
The history of the West was written by wanderers and iconoclasts striking out for new territories, and through the absence of “rootedness” respecting and adapting to what they discovered and what was here before them. The journey continues.
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12.20.16
TUESDAYA necroscopy on a dead killer whale found floating off the coast of British Colum-
bia shows the animal had blunt-force trauma to its head and neck, officials say. The damage may have been caused by a vessel strike or other heavy contact. The 18-year-old orca, known as J34, was part of the endangered southern resident killer whale population, which live in the waters off southern British Columbia and Wash-ington state. At least three other animals in the group have died this year. [CBC]
In related news, researchers warn the southern resident orca population could crash further. The Center for Whale Research said in a news release it has been voicing concerns for more than a decade that the endangered whales are not get-ting enough salmon for their survival. [Associated Press]
Conservation groups file a new court challenge to the Canadian govern-ment's approval of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline. The request for judicial review filed with the Federal Court of Appeal in Calgary is at least the eighth legal test of the controversial project, which will almost triple the capacity of an exist-ing pipeline from near Edmonton to Burnaby. [CBC]
The state Dept. of Ecology recommends more aggressive efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and submits new targets to the Legislature. A law passed in 2008 set an initial goal of reducing Washington’s carbon emissions to half of what they were in 1990 by the year 2050. Now, the department says we need to get to an 80 percent reduction by that time. They also recommend getting to 40 percent of 1990 levels by 2035. [Ecology, NPR]
12.21.16
WEDNESDAYSixteen environmental groups urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to
The
Week that WasBY TIM JOHNSON
LAST WEEK’S
NEWSDEC20-27
complete its environmental review of a proposed dock expansion at Cherry Point. The groups express concerns about increasing oil tanker traffic in the Salish Sea and say the decision about a dock ex-pansion at the BP refinery is long overdue. BP added a second dock to its refinery at Cherry Point, near Ferndale, in 2001. Known as the North Wing, it was origi-nally built without formal environmental analysis, though it doubled the facility’s capacity for receiving oil tankers. [Puget Soundkeeper Alliance]
12.23.16
FRIDAYThe nation’s largest freight railroad
has agreed to more thorough inspec-tions and maintenance improvements af-ter a fiery oil train derailment in Oregon and the discovery of more than 800 poten-tial safety violations across its sprawling network. Sixteen tank cars from a Union Pacific train hauling North Dakota crude through the Columbia River Gorge derailed in early June along a curve in the tracks near Mosier, Oregon. The accident sparked a massive fire that burned for 14 hours and prompted the evacuation of nearby areas. Federal officials said the railroad wasn’t following its own inspection rules to en-sure the track was safe. [Associated Press]
The state’s action against Comcast may proceed, a state judge rules. The $100 mil-lion lawsuit alleges the cable television and internet giant defrauded more than 500,000 Washington consumers in subscription fees for service calls related to its own equip-ment or network problems. [AGO, Geek Wire]
12.27.16
TUESDAYWhatcom County Prosecutor David
McEachran asks the governor for a special exemption to the state’s moratorium on the death penalty. Clark Richard Elmore of Bell-ingham faces an execution date in less than one month for the rape and murder of a child in 1995. But the governor pledged to halt ex-ecutions while he’s in office. McEachran says the jury carefully considered the evidence in their verdict. [KGMI]
A Whatcom County berry grower is fined for illegal use of water, negatively impacting legal water users and flows in the Nooksack River basin. The Washington Department of Ecology fines the grower for separate viola-tions on two farms he operates in Whatcom County. The first penalty is $90,000 for il-legally irrigating a 220-acre raspberry farm. The second is a $12,000 penalty for not submitting water use records for a 120-acre blueberry farm. [Ecology]
The rocks on the roadway are gone, but the right lane of Northbound I-5 at Lake Samish remains impaired. Highway crews worked feverishly through the holiday weekend to remove unstable rocks and debris that had tumbled from the hillside.
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TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMASOver 12 days of Christmas, Bellingham Police logged 459 incident reports, in-cluding:
ELEVEN PARTIES BUSTED,TEN DRUNKS A’DRINKINGOn Dec. 10, Bellingham Police broke up a large, loud party at the Viking Gardens apartments near Western Washington University campus.
NINE B&ESOn Dec. 25, Goodwill reported the door of their store at Sunset Square had been smashed in and items had been taken.
On Dec. 22, Bellingham Police investi-gated an attempted burglary and theft from a marijuana dispensary. Two young men were arrested.
On Dec. 25, Bellingham Police arrest-ed the same two young men after they had pried the doors open to the same marijuana dispensary and stole the mer-chandise inside. They were caught after attempting to flee the scene on foot.
On Dec. 22, Bellingham Police took a re-port of a robbery by knifepoint near Civic Field. They located and arrested the rob-ber the following day. Bellingham Police also arrested a woman who had burglar-ized a business near Bellis Fair Mall.
On Dec. 26, two people were reported inside the fenced area of a boatyard along Whatcom Waterway. They fled.
On Dec. 25, a cash drawer and parts of a register were found near a curb along Cordata Parkway. “The pieces were later found to be from a burglary,” Belling-ham Police reported.
On Dec. 21, someone broke into a base-ment storage unit in Sehome neighbor-hood and stole two bikes.
On Dec. 19, someone burglarized a shed at Roosevelt Elementary School.
EIGHT PARKING PROBLEMSOn Dec. 22, a Bellingham Police patrol car was accidentally damaged when an overhead door came down on it at the Whatcom County Jail.
On Dec. 21, Bellingham Police checked on the report of a collision in the Winco parking lot.
On Dec. 20, an unoccupied car rolled into the intersection near the Whatcom County Courthouse.
On Dec. 16, a car was towed for multi-ple parking violations. Three other cars were cited or impounded downtown.
On Dec. 15, a car smashed into another car after following too close in snowy conditions near the UPS delivery sta-tion. The driver was cited for driving without insurance.
SEVEN PETTY MISCHIEFSOn Dec. 25, a woman in Birchwood re-ported someone who was not Santa was trying to smash down her door.
On Dec. 24, a 54-year-old man who was not Santa was arrested after he was rude and disorderly at a business near Sunset Square.
On Dec. 19-22, an abandoned theater was vandalized near Sehome Village.Someone smashed some glass at an abandoned business on Guide Meridian.Someone else smashed a glass door at a business near Whatcom Falls Park.
On Dec. 23, someone threw a rock through the window of a home near Whatcom Middle School. A woman re-ported her car had been vandalized north of Bellingham.
SIX IDEATIONSOn Dec. 19, police took a report from a person who reported having suicidal thoughts while shopping dowtown.
On Dec. 24, Bellingham Police took a man to the hospital after he reported feeling suicidal.
On Dec. 22, police took a homeless person who is “new to Bellingham” into protective custody for a mental health evaluation after that person threatened people at businesses on Sunset Drive. Another person with thoughts of sui-cide was transported later that day.
On Dec. 21, Bellingham Police responded to a potential suicides in Happy Valley and Sunnyland neighborhoods.
FIVE NICE TOOTHBRUSHESOn Dec. 23, Bellingham Police arrested a man for stealing five Sonicare tooth-brushes from Bellis Fair Mall.
FOUR FIFTHS OF WHISKEYOn Dec. 21, Bellingham Police arrested a man for stealing four bottles of R&R whis-key from the Haggen at Barkley Village.
THREE LONG GUNSOn Dec. 21, three long guns were im-pounded for destruction.
TWO AUTO THEFTSOn Dec. 23, a man stole a car as it was idling in a parking lot near Sunset Square. “He fled the scene driving in a reckless manner,” Bellingham Police re-ported. “Officers located the stolen car traveling south on Woburn and attempt-ed to stop the car. He accelerated and fled the area west on Iowa. The attempt to stop was discontinued in the interest of public safety,” police noted.
On Dec. 12, a son took his mother’s ve-hicle without permission and crashed into a telephone pole. The driver fled the scene, but was stopped by police. He was arrested for DUI, hit-and-run, and driving without a valid license.
...AND A PARKA FROM A CLOTHES TREEOn Dec. 22, a homeless man stole a jacket from Goodwill “as the zipper on his jacket had failed and he was in need of another jacket,” Bellingham Police explained.
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This year Doug could have received his award for so many misdeeds (e.g., his bill to keep transgendered folks out of public bathrooms matching their gender identity), but it was decided that a late entry was heinous enough to top the list of Doug’s offenses. Just last month Doug announced his bill that would make
blocking an intersection during a protest march an act of “economic terrorism,” and a felony offense. In an interview the ter-minally clueless Doug made no attempt to disguise the fact that he was specifically going after environmentalists and Native Americans. Note to future marchers: Make sure you’re out of the intersection before the light changes.
Well, that’s a wrap for this year. We’re just days away from 2017, where many
surprises no doubt await as we flail into the new year under the bipolar leader-ship of President Skitzy Von Combover. I suppose all we can do is try to stay optimistic. As the great futuristic writ-er Arthur C. Clarke observed, “I am an optimist. Anyone interested in the fu-ture has to be otherwise he would simply shoot himself.” Hmm, I’m not sure that made me feel better. Oh well, Happy New Year anyway, I guess.
RHODES, FROM PAGE 6
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REVIEWED BY CHRISTINE PERKINS
Social Studies THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUEBEFORE THE Kardashians, before The Real Housewives of New York, there were the Swans—ultra-rich, beautiful women who ruled the New York social scene from the 1950s through the 1960s.
There was Slim Keith, a model perennially on the best-dressed list, linked to a succession of wealthy and powerful men, includ-ing Clark Gable and Ernest Hemingway. Next, Pamela Churchill, a British socialite once-married to Winston Churchill’s son, referred to as the “20th century’s greatest courtesan.” Gloria Guinness, married five times, was a contributing writer for Harper’s Bazaar and rumored to be a spy. C.Z. Guest and Lee Radziwill (sister to Jackie Kennedy) also made the list.
Queen of them all was Babe Paley, the flawless wife of CBS President Bill Paley. Babe was a con-summate hostess and style icon. Author Truman Capote loved them all, but none more than Babe.
As Melanie Benjamin tells it in The Swans of Fifth Avenue—her fictional yet historically accurate account of this elite group of women—Truman wormed his way into the Swans’ inner circle. The literary wunderkind flat-tered them and delighted them with his sharp wit.
Funny and charming when he wanted to be, Truman thrilled them with bitchy gossip and made them feel intellectual by association.
WORDSWED., DEC. 28NOTE OF THANKS: All are welcome at the 26th annual “Note of Thanks” gathering from 10:30am-12pm at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. The free event focuses on helping kids of all ages make fun and creative thank-you notes. Per usual, materials will be provided.
WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM
SUBMISSIONS SOUGHT: Poetry submissions are being sought for the upcoming Women’s March on Bellingham taking place Jan. 21. Three poems will be chosen to be read aloud, so use your angst, hopes and courage to pen a submission that will move a crowd. Send poems in an attached PDF to the email address listed below. The deadline is Mon., Jan. 2. (More information on the march can be found on Facebook.)
SAT., DEC. 31SATURDAY STORY TIME: Youngsters can bring their parents along to listen to their favorite books at a Story Time event at 10:30am at the kids’ section at Village Books, 1200 11th St. Saturday Story Time will also take place at 11am at Village Books Lynden, 430 Front St. Authors do not attend.
WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM
MON., JAN. 2TEEN POETRY CONTEST: Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to enter original poems for inclusion in the teen poetry anthology, A Forest of Words, starting today and continuing through Feb. 4. Along with having their poems published in the tome—which is distributed to each Whatcom County library and area schools—all selected poets will receive their own copy of the book. Submit poems online at your local library.
WWW.WCLS.ORG/TEENS
GENERAL LIT BOOK GROUP: Discuss Kent Haruf’s Our Souls at Night at a General Literature Book Group meeting at 7pm at Village Books, 1200 11th St. The group meets on the first Mon-day of each month to discuss books from a variety of genres, and all are welcome.
WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM
POETRYNIGHT: Those looking to share their creative verse as part of Poetrynight can sign up most Mondays at 7:45pm at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. Readings start at 8pm. Entry is by donation. (Stay home tonight; Poetrynight resumes Mon., Jan. 9.)
WWW.POETRYNIGHT.ORG
TUES., JAN. 3 STORIES WITH CLAIRE: Stories, songs and movement will be part of a “Tuesday Story Time with Claire” gathering at 10:30am at the kids’ section at Village Books, 1200 11th St.
WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM
TEEN BOOK TALK: Middle and high school stu-dents are invited to take part in “Teen Tuesdays: Book Talk” from 5:30-6:30pm at the Blaine Library, 610 3rd St. The reading and talking group selects a new book on the first Tuesday of every month.
(360) 305-3637
WED., JAN. 4BOOKS AND TEA: Adults are invited to an “Af-ternoon Books and Tea” gathering from 2-3:30pm at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. This month attendees will be reading Cookie mysteries. Bring your favorite teacup and sign up to bring one of
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wordsCOMMUNITY LECTURES BOOKS
In his Swans, Truman saw not just their money—loads and loads of money—but also taste and élan. Benjamin credits Truman with a deep love for his Swans, particularly for Slim and dear friend Babe, even if he eventually betrayed their trust by publishing a scathing tell-all that immediately ostracized him and ended his career.
Benjamin spends most of her novel exam-ining the relationship between Truman and
Babe, fast friends and deep confidants. Truman was the only one Babe let see her without makeup; Truman was the one who intuited her deep loneli-ness and well-hidden in-securities. He was the one who understood her love-less marriage, and despite his deep affection for Babe he also developed a rapport with her husband Bill, until Bill entreated Truman to help him con-duct one of many affairs.
By the time Truman hatched his plan for the social event of the century, a “Black and White Dance” in 1966 to honor Katharine Graham, his fame and fortune were at its peak. But several years without another breakout book took its toll, including significant alcohol abuse.
Eventually, Truman turned on his beloved Swans, exploiting them and their stories with-out fully anticipating their reactions. This part of the novel is as fascinating as the beginning, as it explores how the Swans perceive how oth-ers see them, particularly now that time has decreased their relevance.
If you’re interested in New York society, the American fashion scene, celebrities, or Truman Capote, The Swans of Fifth Avenue is a well-re-searched and compulsively readable novel.
You can round out your appreciation of Capote’s writing by reading one or more of his works, particularly In Cold Blood, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Other Voices, Other Rooms. His holiday tale, A Christmas Memory, is a sweet seasonal favorite quite unlike the catty ex-posé that ruined his friendships and led to his ultimate downfall—“La Cote Basque, 1965.” It is the basis of his unfinished novel Answered Prayers. These varied titles highlight Capote’s talent and range as well as the contradictions of his personality.
Christine Perkins is the Executive Director of the Whatcom County Library System.
GET ITHOW: Visit www.wcls.org (or www.bellinghampublic library.org if you live within Bellingham city limits) to find this book at a library near you. MELANIE BENJAMIN
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the recipes in the book (optional). (360) 354-4883
THURS., JAN. 5LIBRARY DIRECTOR CELEBRATION: Come wish Library Directory Pam Kiesner a fond farewell as she retires after 40 years in library administration at a Retirement Celebration taking place from 4-6pm at the Lecture Room at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. Live music, stories, refreshments and more will be part of the free event.
WWW.BELLINGHAMPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG
COMMUNITYTHURS., DEC. 29BLOOD DRIVE: Celebrate the season of giving by sharing your life force at a Blood Drive put on by Bloodworks Northwest happening from 12:45-3:30pm in front of the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave. Please bring your photo ID or BWNW donor card. Participants can schedule an appointment; walk-ins are also welcome.
1-800-398-7888, EXT. 2
SAT., DEC. 31 NYE AT NOON: Crafts, refreshments, music and a glorious balloon drop at high noon will be part of an all-ages “New Year’s at Noon” event taking place from 11:30am-12:30pm at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. Entry is free.
(360) 354-4883
MANHATTAN NYE: Appetizers, a multi-course meal, live music and live and silent auctions will be part of the annual Manhattan New Year’s Eve Bash from 5:30-9:30pm at Lynden’s Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St. At 8:30pm, join the crowds in New York’s Time Square for the famous Ball Drop. Hats, horns and hoopla will be provided. Tickets are $85. Please reserve a spot in advance, as entry is limited.
WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG
SEMIAHMOO NYE: Dance along to the Atlantics at a New Year’s Eve soiree taking place from 6:30pm-12:30am at the Semiahmoo Ballroom at Blaine’s Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy. Entry is $135 and includes a reception, dinner, drinks and more. At 7:30pm, there will also be an event starting at the venue’s Packers Oyster Bar. Tickets to that are $25 and include music by the Replayzments, party favors and a midnight toast.
WWW.SEMIAHMOO.COM
NYE PARTY: Live music by the Little Big Band will be part of a New Year’s Eve Party taking place from 9pm-1am at Nicki’s Bella Marina, 2615 S. Harbor
Loop Dr. Dining, dancing, prizes and all-night drink specials will be part of the festivities. Entry is free.
WWW.NICKISBELLAMARINA.COM
SUN., JAN. 1CEREMONIAL CELEBRATION: Hear Standing Rock camp stories from veterans and water protectors at a New Year’s Day Ceremonial Celebration honoring all who “protect and defend the sacred” at 2pm at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St. The event will also include “Songs from the Heart” with Peter Ali, Tracy Spring,and JP Falcon, and include prayers and thoughts for a hopeful new year. Entry is by donation.
WWW.BUF.ORG
MON., JAN. 2TRIVIA NIGHT: Attend a weekly Trivia Night at 7pm at Kulshan Brewery, 2238 James St. Entry is $2 per person, and teams can have a maximum number of six players. At 7pm Wednesdays, the event takes place at K2, 1538 Kentucky St.
WWW.KULSHANBREWERY.COM
TUES., JAN. 3INTRO TO ANCESTRY: Learn how to research your family tree using the free library version of Ancestry.com at an introduction to the program from 10-11:30am at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. The course will include ways to add photos and cemetery info. Some foreign countries are covered as well.
(360) 354-4883
WED., JAN. 4GREEN DRINKS: Network with likeminded envi-ronmentally aware citizens at the monthly Green Drinks taking place from 5-7pm at Kombucha Town’s Culture Cafe, 210 E. Chestnut St. (in the ground floor of the Herald Building). Entry is free.
WWW.RE-SOURCES.ORG
COMMUNITY MEMORY: Mayor Bob Bromley shares stories of his family’s involvement in the Sumas community at a Sumas Community Memory Talk at 7pm at the Sumas Community/Senior Center, 451 2nd St. Entry is free.
(360) 988-2501
THURS., JAN. 5UNION TALK: Learn about current radical union organizing campaigns of the Industrial Workers of the World, and the IWW’s tactics and strategy for greater worker control on the job, in every industry from 7-8:30pm at the meeting room at the Public Market, 1530 Cornwall Ave. The presentation and question and answer period will be led by members of the Whatcom-Skagit IWW.
WWW.BELLINGHAMIWW.COM
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HIKING RUNNING GARDENING
outside
BY AMY KEPFERLE
Resolution ResetA HEAD START ON A NEW YEARIF ONE of your New Year’s resolutions is to get outside more, a couple events happening on the first day of 2017 are custom-made for this particular vow.
The first—an all-ages New Year’s Day Beach Cleanup taking place at Locust Beach—will also have the added benefit of being benefi-cial for the environment.
“Recent winter storms have deposited large debris on the beach, including derelict fishing nets,” says Lee First, North Sound Bay-keeper at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities. “Because of its location and the direction of prevailing winds, Locust Beach receives debris from all directions, including lots of small plastic from the city’s stormwater discharges.”
To counteract the detrimental effects of the flotsam and jetsam that wash ashore on a regular basis at the waterway located at the end of Locust Avenue off Marine Drive, RE Sources is teaming up for the event with Western Washington University’s Students for the Salish Sea, a club that supports the restoration of the eponymous bioregional watershed.
“Marine debris is a major concern because it constantly accumulates
in our ocean,” student coordinator Sarah Sasek says. “Beach cleanups are a way we can all pitch in to help reduce our impacts on the ocean. Not only does this help to decrease pollution, but also increases the aesthetic value of our local beaches.”
If you find you’re more in a trail mood, when the new year dawns, “First Day Hikes” will see dozens of Washington state parks hosting a variety of special events.
“First Day Hikes are a great way for families and friends to reconnect with one another and with nature,” says Don Hoch, Washington State Parks director. “More than 30 Washington state parks will be offering guided hikes, snowshoe treks and fat tire bike rides to ring in the New Year. There’ll be something for every fitness level and interest.”
A full listing of all of the participating parks and associated happenings can be found online (www.naspd.org), but a sam-pling includes What-com County’s Larrabee State Park—where staff will lead a four-mile round trip inter-pretive hike on the Two Dollar Trail to Fra-grance Lake—hikes at Camano Island State Park and Cama Beach Historical Park, and events at Deception Pass State Park, Fort Casey Historical State Park and Fort Ebey
State Park in Coupeville, Friday Harbor’s Lime Kiln Point State Park, Moran State Park on Orcas Island, and Rockport State Park in Skagit County.
Additionally, as the first of 12 Wash-ington State Parks “free days” that will take place in 2017, vistors to the vari-ous parks will not need to display a Dis-cover Pass to have access to our state’s beautiful beaches, lowland forests, his-toric military batteries and geographical points of interest.
In fact, all that’s needed to get a head start on your 2017 resolutions is sturdy footwear, appropriate winter-weather gear and the gumption to get out of the house and explore the first day of the rest of your life.
WED., DEC. 28 YOGA FOR OUTDOOR FIT-NESS: Anna Waham leads a “Yoga for Outdoor Fitness” presentation at 6pm at REI, 400 36th S. Register in advance; entry is free.
647-8955 OR WWW.REI.COM
DEC. 28-JAN. 1SKAGIT EAGLE FESTIVAL: Guided nature walks, presenta-tions by guest speakers, sales by artisans and much more will be part of the 20th annual Skagit Eagle Festival taking place from 10am-4pm Wednesday through Sunday—and every Saturday and Sunday through January—at Rockport’s Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center at Howard Miller Steelhead Park, 52809 Rockport Park Rd. The center offers opportunities to better understand the wildlife of the Skagit River watershed with an emphasis on the winter migra-tion of bald eagles, salmon and the vital role each play in our ecosystem. Entry is by donation.
WWW.SKAGITEAGLE.ORG
FRI., DEC. 30WILD THINGS: Kids, adults and adventurers can join Holly Roger of Wild Whatcom for a “Wild Things” Community Program from 9:30-11am at the Connelly Creek Nature Area—a frequently trav-eled corridor for wildlife of all kinds. Suggested donation is $5.
WWW.WILDWHATCOM.ORG
SAT., DEC. 31LAST CHANCE MARATHON: Sign up for the “Last Chance Half-Marathon and Marathon” starting at 9am at Fairhaven Park, 107 Chuckanut Drive North. The course will take runners from the park along the Interurban Trail to Clayton Beach and back (twice if you’re doing the full marathon). Note: The event has been known to have snow this time or year, so dress accordingly. You should plan on being self-sufficient and carrying your own water and aid. Entry is $45.
WWW.DATABAREVENTS.COM
RING OF FIRE: The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual “Ring of Fire and Hope” at 7pm on the shoreline from Birch Bay State Park to Birch Bay Vil-lage. This annual event focuses on ringing in hope for the com-ing new year and draws hundreds of participants who gather along the shores with lighted flares. A limited amount of flares will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5:30pm at the Birch Bay Visitor’s Center.
WWW.BIRCHBAYCHAMBER.COM
SUN., JAN. 1NEW YEAR’S RIDE: Join members of the Mount Baker
Bicycle Cub for a New Year’s Day Ride starting at 10am at Fairhaven Park, 107 Chuckanut Drive North. Participants in the first ride of 2017 will ride 13 miles down Chuckanut to the Oyster Inn in Edison for lunch, and ride back the same way, or via a hillier route.
WWW.MTBAKERBIKECLUB.ORG
RUN & DIP: The City of Belling-ham’s annual “Resolution Run/Walk” begins at 11am at Lake Padden, 4882 Samish Way. At the finish, there’ll be snacks, patio heaters and camaraderie before the “Padden Polar Dip” com-mences at high noon (FYI: Last year’s water temps were a chilly 38 degrees). Heated showers and goodies will be available for those exiting the frigid waters. Both events are free.
WWW.COB.ORG
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: Come join hundreds of people from all over the Pacific Northwest to be part of the 34th annual “Polar Bear Plunge” starting at noon at the waterfront by the Birch Bay Chamber Visitor Information Center, 7900 Birch Bay Dr. The event has been happening since 1982, and features costume contests and prizes. Entry is free, but those who register in advance will receive an official “I Took the Plunge” certificate and hot beverages. T-shirts will be available to purchase.
WWW.BIRCHBAYCHAMBER.COM
TUES., JAN. 3 ALL-PACES RUN: Staff 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.
WWW.FAIRHAVENRUNNERS.COM
WED., JAN. 4GARDEN CLUB MEETING: Lau-rel Baldwin, Whatcom County’s Weed Control Coordinator, will present the updated list of noxious and invasive weeds and plants at the Birchwood Garden Club’s monthly meeting from 7-9pm at Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St. All are welcome at the free event.
WWW.BIRCHWOOD
GARDENCLUB.ORG
THURS., JAN. 5 RAPTORS IN OUR LIVES: Whatcom Land Trust’s “Raptors in Our Lives and How to Find Them” begins tonight from 7-9pm at the Bellingham Public Library, 210 Central Ave. Bud Anderson will lead the five-session class and a daylong field trip. Fees are $175, and are due in advance.
(360) 757-1911 OR
WWW.FRG.ORG
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ATTENDWHAT: New Year’s Day Beach Cleanup WHEN: 10am Sun., Jan. 1WHERE: Locust BeachCOST: Free; no registration is necessary INFO: www.re-sources.org
LOCUST BEACH
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THEATER DANCE PROFILES
stage
BY AMY KEPFERLE
Revolutions DANCE, LEARN, REPEATLOSING WEIGHT, staying fit and healthy, and learning some-thing new are among the top New Year’s resolutions adopted by hu-mans hopeful of bettering themselves.
Meanwhile, many Bellingham-based dance studios are prepar-ing to start 2017 with classes designed to help beginners learn their craft. (Serendipitously, they also address these declarations of betterment.)
At ABCDance (www.abcdancebellingham.com), owner Tabetha Clark and crew are gearing up to teach everyone from absolute beginners to intermediate dancers the art of tap dancing, jazz and swing. Be-ginning Jan. 3, affordable classes for adults begin at their recently completed studio at 1844 State St., which features custom-made sprung maple wood floors perfect for all forms of dance.
When Clark founded ABCDance in 2014, it was with the goal of of-fering a positive environment for both kids and grownups to learn. In addition to governing and growing her studio, she also performs with Bellingham Repertory Dance, has choreographed for local enter-tainment entities such as the Mount Baker Theatre, and is currently in the certification program for the American Tap Dance Foundation in New York City.
“Teaching dance is my life’s passion,” Clark says. “My promise to the Bellingham community, and dance community as a whole, is to never stop growing as an educator for the arts.”
If you’ve been thinking 2017 might be the year you learn how to salsa dance, get a hint of what it takes at Rumba Northwest’s New Year’s Eve Salsa Dance at the BAAY Theatre). The night will start with a salsa
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O BY
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STAGEWED., DEC. 28PANTY HOES: Aruba Sterling and Mahogony Night host a weekly drag queen production, “Panty Hoes,” at 9pm at Rumors Cabaret, 1119 Railroad Ave. Sug-gested donation is $3; proceeds raised go to various LGBTQ-supported organizations.
WWW.RUMORSCABARET.COM
THURS., DEC. 29GOOD, 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
FRI., DEC. 30GHOSTS AND GAMES: Expect seasonal hilarity at improvised versions of The Christmas Carol when “My Three Ghosts” shows at 8pm Friday at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. At 10pm, stick around for “Holiday Games Galore”—a variety of short form improv games with a thematic twist. Tickets are $10-$12.
733-8855 OR
WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM
SAT., DEC. 31NYE SHOWS: The mainstage ensemble will bring back some perennially popular formats for New Year’s Eve Shows at 7pm, 9pm and 11pm at the Upfront Theatre, 1208 Bay St. Each per-formance will have compressed versions of a handful of formats, meaning audiences could see an improvised musical, dating game, superhero adventure, and even a murder mystery or two. Tickets are $15 for the first show, $20 for the second, and $25 for the late show (includes a champagne toast at midnight).
733-8855 OR
WWW.THEUPFRONT.COM
SUN., JAN. 1NO MAN’S LAND: Following their hit run on Broadway, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to the West End stage in Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land for a National Theatre Live broad-cast at 2pm at Mount Vernon’s Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. First St. The broadcast will be followed by a Q&A with the cast and director. Tickets are $14-$18.
WWW.LINCOLNTHEATRE.ORG
MON., JAN. 2 GUFFAWINGHAM: A weekly open mic for comedians, “Guffaw-ingham!,” takes place at 9:30pm every Monday at the Green Frog, 1015 N. State St. Entry is free. Each week, the event features ap-proximately 20 standup comedians
who each do a four-minute set. WWW.ACOUSTICTAVERN.COM
DANCE
FRI., DEC. 30AFTERNOON OF ELEGANCE: Attend an all-ages pre-New Year’s Eve dance dubbed “An Afternoon of Elegance” from 4-7pm at the Lynden Community Center, 401 Grover St. Refresh-ments, music and dancing to big band sounds played by DJ David Black will be part of the festivi-ties. Entry is $10.
WWW.LYNDENCOMMUNITY
CENTER.ORG
SAT., DEC. 31NEW YEAR’S DANCE: Live music from the Good Vibrations, a special Cha-Cha performance, hors d’oeuvres and champagne will be part of a New Year’s Eve Dance happening from 7-10pm at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center, 315 Halleck St. Tickets to the 21-and-over event are $20.
733-4030 OR WWW.WCCOA.ORG
NYE SALSA DANCE: Join Rumba Northwest for a New Year’s Eve Salsa Dance starting at 8pm and continuing until 1am at the Bell-ingham Arts Academy for Youth, 1059 N. State St. The fun will kick off with a salsa lesson at 8:30pm and continue with per-formances by Rumba Northwest dancers and dancing until 1am. Entry is $7-$15 (free for kids 10 and under). Beer, wine and champagne will be available to purchase for those 21 and over. A portion of the proceeds will go to scholarships at BAAY.
WWW.RUMBANORTHWEST.COM
CONTRA NYE: Join the Belling-ham Country Dance Society for a New Year’s Eve Contra Dance tak-ing place from 8pm-1am at Eagles Hall, 1125 N. Forest St. Live music by the Rodney Miller Band, calling by Marlin Prowell, sparkling cider, punch and noisemakers will be part of the fun. Please bring fin-ger food to share at the alcohol-free event. Entry is $10-$15 (free for youth 12 and under).
WWW.
BELLINGHAMCOUNTRYDANCE.ORG
NYE DANCE PARTY: Friends, beer and plenty of booty-shaking will be part of a New Year’s Eve Dance Party starting at 8pm at Aslan Brewing Co., 1330 N. For-est St. Bellingham-based inter-active art company Sensebellum will transform the brewpub into a glowing dance venue. Beer will be flowing all night, ending in a midnight champagne toast. A $10 cover at the door includes entry and a glass of champagne.
WWW.ASLANBREWING.COM
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lesson, but those in attendance will also get a peek at what’s possible with practice when dancers from the company share their talents. Beginners can also learn more at Cuban Salsa classes happening every Mon-day at Bell Tower Studios, or on the first and third Saturday of the month at “Salsa Night” at Cafe Rumba.
Similarly, a New Year’s Eve Contra Dance being held by the Bellingham Country Dance Society at the Eagles Hall will give the curious a chance to get in on the ac-tion. Per usual, the music will be live, everything from New England contras to square dancing and circles will be taught, and no partner or experience is necessary. If you miss the festive get-together, the group holds dances on the second, fourth and fifth Saturdays of most months at the Fairhaven Library.
Northwest Ballet School, the Dance Studio, Opus Performing Arts, Harper & I, Ballet Bellingham, Bellingham Dance Com-pany, Dancing for Joy, and Presence Stu-dio are other locales in town that focus on movement as a way to learn new things, keep healthy and, yep, even lose weight.
But now that I’m thinking about the na-ture of dance—and how bettering oneself through motion is in itself a circular pur-suit—I posit calling the related changes of the new year “revolutions” rather than “resolutions.” Are you with me?
ABCDANCE
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visualGALLERIES OPENINGS PROFILES
STORY AND PHOTO BY AMY KEPFERLE
Storefront Spotlight MORE THAN WINDOW DRESSINGWHEN I left the Weekly offices in the Herald Building on the Friday before Christ-mas, it was with a couple of goals.
First of all, I needed to finish my gift shopping, but had absolutely no desire to drive anywhere. It was snowing and cold and wintery, and I vowed to get what I needed simply by strolling through the streets of downtown Bellingham. Additionally, I wanted to suss out the sparkly storefronts of businesses who were taking part in Sustainable Connections’ Holiday Window Decorating Contest. I was curious to see how creative minds handled the festive challenge, but it was also a good excuse to wander through the urban core.
My first stop was on the ground floor of the Herald Building, where Fringe’s store-front featured long strings of threaded ornaments, a giant pale-blue stocking stuffed to the brim with goodies, and plenty of gold-plated finery. In decorator’s terms, I’d call it “classy Christmas.”
From there, I crossed the street to Wise Buys, where one window was stacked a mile high with boxes of presents in various hues of red, and the other held a lady man-nequin festooned with a ballgown made of alternating layers of round ornaments and swaths of gold material. The beauty beckoned me to enter the thrift store, where I picked up a like-new vegetable chopper and travel pillow for my dad.
At the Greenhouse, simplicity was the name of the game. In one window, small trees
with white lights adorned a burnished wood coffee table, while mischievous elves cavorted on the couch. I was drawn inside, where I picked up a Moscow mule mug and canning kit for my sweetheart.
Across the street at the Leopold a number of windows had been given both Christmas and Hanukah treatments. With a theme of “Holidays Around the World,” they showcased everything from reindeer to snowmen to Santas and menorahs.
At Holly Street’s Bureau of Histori-cal Investigation, the mood was more political. One window held a Christmas tree and a sign reminding shoppers that the shop helmed by historians will be closing at the end of the month (boo). The facing window featured a gold type-writer on a red chair and a “black lives matter” sign (yay!).
It can be easy to miss, but Bay Street Village’s Ormolulu is worth a look-see. Among a looming Santa Claus and chan-deliers that look like they were meant for a ballroom were giant stars, antique gifts and memories of a bygone era.
After purchasing ski socks, I left the charming winter wonderland at Back-country Essentials and came across a scene that wasn’t on my scheduled stops. At Mindport Exhibits, artist Fran-cie Allen was busy crafting a drawing from a sculpture she’d also made.
“Over the winter solstice I am doing a large drawing of a wire dancer and a steel cube,” proclaimed a missive to the left of her project. “I make the drawing by shining a light through the dancer. It casts a shadow on the sheet of drawing paper behind.”
After that unexpected detour, I contin-ued on to the Atomic Kitten (understated and elegant) and to Heroine (where I found the perfect use for antlers), Social Fabric (featuring a dress made almost entirely of candy canes), and then to Modsock.
Anyone who’s ever watched The Christ-mas Story will likely LOL when they come to the display. I’ve never seen so many leg lamps in one place, and the liberal use of the world “Fragile” on a number of boxes had me grinning.
My mission almost over, I went inside to purchase stocking stuffers. I was in the perfect place for them, after all.
Vote for your favorite window by Dec. 31. More info: www.sconnect.org
UPCOMING EVENTS DEC. 28-30WINTER ART CAMP: As part of a Winter Art Camp, Rachel Simpson will lead students ages 10-16 in a “Mixed-Media Masks” class from 3-5pm Wednesday through Friday at Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth, 1059 N. State St. In addition to making their own Tiki masks, stu-dents will learn about French post-impression-ist artist Paul Gauguin, the location of Tahiti, and a brief history of Tikis. Entry is $50.
WWW.BAAY.ORG
DEC. 28-31DECK THE HALL: The annual “Deck the Old City Hall” continues from 12-5pm Wednes-day through Sunday at Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall, 121 Prospect St. Visitors can view more than 20 decorated trees, peruse goods at a pop-up shop and more. Entry is by donation.
WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG
WED., JAN. 4QUILT RECEPTION: An opening reception for Gwen Marston’s “Abstract Quilts in Solids,” and High Fiber Diet’s “It’s Not Easy Being Green” takes place from 2-5pm at the La Con-ner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St. Entry is free and open to the public.
WWW.LACONNERQUILTS.COM
WESTERN GALLERY OPENING: Simultane-ous exhibitions that raise challenging issues around privacy in our age of digital media and surveillance can be seen when “In the Open” and Arne Svenson’s “The Neighbors” open today at 10am on the campus of Western Washington University at Western Gallery. The exhibits show through March 10. Entry is free and open to the public.
WWW.WESTERNGALLERY.WWU.EDU
ONGOING EXHIBITS ALLERY FINE ART: Rotating works by a vari-ety of local and regional artists can be viewed at Allery Fine Art, 1319 Cornwall Ae., suite 104 (in the alley behind Kids Northwest).
WWW.THEALLERYFINEART.COM
ARTWOOD: Terry Nelson’s “Gathered Wood” charcoal and graphite drawings will be featured through December at Artwood Gallery, 1000 Harris Ave.
WWW.ARTWOODGALLERY.COM
BLACK DROP: Charles B. Jones’ “Currency Détournements” will be on display through December at Black Drop Coffee House, 300 W. Champion St.
WWWBLACKDROPCOFFEEHOUSE.COM
CHUCKANUT BREWERY: Paintings by Evan Whitehead are currently on display Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen, 601 W. Holly St.
WWW.CHUCKANUTBREWERYANDKITCHEN.COM
FISHBOY GALLERY: Peruse the contempo-rary 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
GOOD EARTH: Chris Moench’s “Gratitude Revolution” exhibit of prayer wheels will be on display through December at Good Earth Pot-tery, 1000 Harris Ave.
WWW.GOODEARTHPOTS.COM
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HONEY SALON: “The Flood” is on display until Feb. 28 at Honey Salon, 310 W. Holly St. The collaborative exhibit features new works from Michelle Schutte and Jess Flegel on reflections and predictions of disaster and home.
WWW.HONEYBELLINGHAM.COM
IE GALLERY: “Are You Listening” shows through Dec. 30 in Edison at i.e. gallery, 5800 Cains Court.
WWW.IEEDISON.COM
JANSEN ART CENTER: See “The Paintings of James R. Williamson: Maritime, Landscape, Wildlife,” a “Winter Juried Exhibit,” and a Skagit Valley Camera Club exhibit at Lynden’s Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St.
WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG
MATZKE GALLERY: Peruse 200-plus small artworks by 40 artists at the annual “Honey, I Shrunk the Art” exhibit through Jan. 25 at Camano Island’s Matzke Fine Art Gallery, 2345 Blanche Way.
WWW.MATZKEFINEART.COM
MODE: Sculptures by Don Anderson, Brett Cleveland, Shirley Erickson, Lauren Osmolski, Ries Niemi, and more can be viewed at the new Mode. Art Gallery, 2110 James St. .
WWW.MODE-ARTGALLERY.COM
MONA: View art made by 28 sets of sweet-hearts who have shared creative lives at “Matched Makers: Northwest Artist Couples” through Jan. 1 at La Conner’s Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. First St.
WWW.MONAMUSEUM.ORG
OLD WORLD DELI: An exhibit of historical watercolors from the Age of Exploration by noted Pacific Northwest maritime artist Steve Mayo is on display during December at the Old World Deli,1228 N. State St.
WWW.OLDWORLDDELI1.COM
PERRY AND CARLSON: “The Reconsidered Landscape” is on display through December in Mount Vernon at Perry and Carlson Gallery, 508 S. First St.
WWW.PERRYANDCARLSON.COM
SKAGIT MUSEUM: “Mas Voces del Valle: More Voices of the Valley” and “Skagit Christmas” show through Dec. 31 at La Conner’s Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. 4th St.
WWW.SKAGITCOUNTY.NET/MUSEUM
SMITH & VALLEE: Functional and three-dimensional artwork from more than 40 regional artists can be perused and purchased at “Objectification 9” through Dec. 31 at Edi-son’s Smith & Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave.
WWW.SMITHANDVALLEE.COM
WHATCOM ART MARKET: Works by more than 45 Whatcom Art Guild members can be perused and purchased from 10am-6pm Wed.-Sun. at the new Whatcom Art Market, 1103 11th St.
WWW.WHATCOMARTMARKET.ORG
WHATCOM MUSEUM: “Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates,” “National Geographic’s 50 Greatest Photos,” “Nostalgic Saturation: Mid-Century Bellingham in Historic Color,” and “Back at the Park: Vintage Views from the Photo Archives” can currently be viewed on the Whatcom Museum campus.
WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG
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musicSHOW PREVIEWS RUMOR HAS IT
IS IT THE end of the year or the End Times? Whether I was in denial or just feeling
optimistic, for most of the year, I managed to make myself believe that 2016 wasn’t re-ally all that bad.
Yes, we lost a stunning amount of enter-tainers, in particular musical icons, in fur-ther particular, those very icons that had been more than just musicians; had contrib-uted more than just the amalgamation of their considerable discographies; had been part, not just of our culture, but of our very identity; didn’t just stand onstage, but stood for something both universally im-pactful and personally meaningful.
That’s a lot to con-tend with, and an even harder thing to come to terms with.
But there exist many degrees of separa-tion between myself and David Bowie or Prince or Leonard Cohen or George Michael, and so I am able to celebrate the bodies of work they left behind without becoming bogged down in grief at their passing.
Even the presidential election—in all its prolonged, painful, punishing display of democracy—failed to make me share the popular viewpoint that 2016 should be erased from the calendar and never spoken of again. While I will not say that I accepted the outcome with equanimity, I never de-scended into full-blown violent tantrum territory (not yet, anyway). Instead, I made donations to those organizations that fight for my rights, began to gather information about how to best protect myself and those I hold dear, and pledged to be a better, more engaged participant in this democracy.
So far, not necessarily so good, but not so bad as long as I squinted real hard and didn’t focus on anything around me too intently.
Maybe going through life in a self-in-duced existential haze isn’t totally healthy, but sometimes making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Unrelated to any single event, I fear I too have joined the ranks of those who believe this year to be a malevolent force or karmic reckoning of some kind.
Even so, my takeaway from this most un-fortunate year is not that we’re all cosmically fucked, but that if we do the work of active-ly and diligently taking care of and looking out for those we love and our community, we might just get through whatever comes next, if not intact, than at least together.
As for 2017, I will not say that I have high hopes, but I am cautiously optimis-tic. It’s possible my optimism isn’t based in reality, and is just more of that existential haze, but hell, at this point, I’ll take what I can get.
BY CAREY ROSS
eat your 2016-related feelings, I suggest the burger that comes with kielbasa, sauerkraut and a homemade pierogi on top.WHERE: 513 1st St., La Conner
INFO: www.aneliaskitchenandstage.com
Boundary Bay Brewery: Who needs to watch the ball drop when at Boundary Bay you can watch the annual lowering of the lighted keg? No one in town loves to throw a party as much as Boundary’s Janet Lightner, and spending any holiday at her perennially popu-lar brewpub is a good idea. Come New Year’s Eve, Ebb, Slack and Flood and Jasmine Greene will provide the all-important musical com-ponent, the pints of potent Boundary beer will flow and, at midnight, the glowing keg will lower the boom on 2016. As it should be.WHERE: 1107 Railroad Ave.
INFO:www.bbaybrewery.com
Brown Lantern Ale House: I’ve never cel-ebrated New Year’s Eve at the Brown Lantern in Anacortes, but I’ve celebrated a couple of no-occasion weeknights there and I can heart-ily recommend making your way to the town on Fidalgo Bay and the bar that’s been around for more than 80 years. The vibe is casual, the burgers are some of the best I’ve ever had and DJ Ontic—a well-known quantity at the Brown Lantern—will play the music that will help you ring out this year and ring in the new one. WHERE: 412 Commercial Ave.
INFO:www.brownlantern.com
Conway Muse: Conway is a tiny town with a big personality. A significant part of that personal-ity comes from the Conway Muse. On New Year’s Eve, they’ll throw a dinner party with dishes such as seafood casserole and honey-glazed ham, and then throw a proper party with blues legend Star Drums and Lady Keys on the musi-cal menu in the Bard Room, while the Prozac Mountain Boys will hold it down in the parlor. WHERE: 18444 Spruce St., Conway
INFO: www.conwaymuse.com
Edison Inn: One day, when I am lucky enough to live in Bow-Edison, I will become a regular at the Edison Inn. As a possible future resi-dent of the Skagit Flats, it is my duty to en-courage everyone to converge on the Edison for a Naughty New Year’s Eve with the Naughty Blokes. I don’t know that I’ve attended an event that announced its desire to be doubly naughty from the get-go, but if ever a year de-
rumor has it
BY CAREY ROSS
New Year’s EveSUCK IT, 2016WELL, IT’S definitely been a year.
Perhaps the slow-moving, scorched-earth disaster that was 2016 spared you, and instead of stress and strife, you enjoyed peace and prosperity. Maybe you remained unscathed by events both personal and political, and this was a year in which you asked for a pony for your birthday, got a uni-corn instead and rode it right to a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
For the rest of us, the year was a little more… complicated. I don’t need to rehash the myriad ways in which 2016 messed with many of us, but suf-fice it to say, with time still on the clock of this most unusual year, I am in-clined to wrap myself in warm blankets and cold vodka and hide somewhere dark until it is safe to come out again.
Tempting as that idea is, instead of hiding out, I propose we give this devil year the sendoff it so richly deserves. If 2016 is the year in which no one gets out clean, might as well get down and dirty one last time. Luckily, New Year’s Eve will offer plenty of opportunities to do just that.
Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage: The perfect little Polish palace in La Conner is clos-ing out 2016 with a lineup of stellar music. The party starts early, on Thurs., Dec. 29 with Anelia’s favorite Lucas Hicks, who will no doubt pack the place out. The Sky Colony will pick up where he leaves off on Fri., Dec. 30, and Ben and Mia Starner will make an appearance on New Year’s Eve. And if you must
BEAT CONNECTION
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mands such a thing, it is this one.WHERE: 5829 Cains Ct., Bow INFO: www.theoldedison.com
Glow Nightclub: By now, my soft spot for Glow is well-established. This affection only grows every time I ascend the stairs to the glass box perched atop Bob’s Burg-ers in downtown Bellingham. Everything there is sure to be in fine form on New Year’s Eve when the nightclub will offer champagne specials (and a complimenta-ry midnight toast), music by DJs Note and Will, and hands down the best people-watching in town, inside and out. WHERE: 202 E. Holly St.
INFO: www.glowbellingham.com
Green Frog: The Green Frog is a small space with a small stage. Baby Cakes is a big band with big energy and a big local following. This means when Baby Cakes plays the Green Frog on New Year’s Eve, the place is going to be bursting at the seams with good funk music and good, mostly clean fun. This is one of a few shows in Bellingham that are guaranteed to sell out, so get your tickets early or you won’t be there to see Baby Cakes welcome the New Year with new material.WHERE: 1015 N. State St.
INFO: www.acoustictavern.com
Kulshan Brewing Co.: Bellingham loves a lot of things—high-quality coffee, pot shops, wearing pajamas in public—but locally brewed beer and karaoke are high on the list. Kulshan Brewery is combin-ing the two at its State Street location, hosting a New Year’s Eve karaoke party. The theme is the ’70s, noted local kara-oke practitioner Zach Zinn will be your host and liquid courage will be available in the form of pints of Bastard Kat and Kitten Mittens. Sing in the New Year. WHERE: 2238 James St. INFO: www.kulshanbrewery.com
Shakedown: Because I will go any-where that promises me Jell-O shots, I have rung in a New Year or two at the Shakedown. I don’t know if the watch-it-wiggle, see-it-jiggle cocktail concoction will be a drink special this year, but with a musical lineup comprised of No Guts (formerly Girl Guts), Cousin Marvin (a band that includes both Jake McMurray and Gabe Taylor, making it a must-see), and Meece (featuring members of Capar-za), I may not even need the promise of Jell-O to get me to show up.WHERE: 1212 N. State St. INFO: www.shakedownbellingham.com
Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa: If you’ve been looking for an excuse to head to the Silver Reef and check out its newish Events Center, look no further. They’ll open up the expansive space for a New Year’s Eve bash,
complete with live music by Midlife Crisis and champagne at midnight, all for a cover charge of zero dollars and zero cents. If that doesn’t flip your proverbial pancakes, the Mix will be cranking out hits in the lounge. Make reservations for an excellent dinner at the Steak House, book a room to crash in after the party and close out 2016 with a bang, not a whimper.WHERE: Haxton Way at Slater Road INFO: www.silverreefcasino.com
Skagit Casino Resort: I’ve been to the Skagit for a few parties, so I know it’s an ideal locale for a special occasion of any ilk. New Year’s Eve promises to be no dif-ferent. If you’ve never experienced the luxury of eating, drinking and making merry, only to retire to your well-appoint-ed room for a disco nap before continuing the festivities, I suggest booking a room at the Skagit Casino Resort and starting 2017 off right. You might regret a thing or two during the coming year, but I promise this will not be one of them.WHERE: 5984 Darrk Lane, Bow
INFO: www.theskagit.com
Skylark’s: The Southside isn’t exactly known for being a prime party spot, but if you happen to find yourself in Fairhaven on New Year’s Eve, you should also find yourself at Skylark’s. The longtime local eatery will feed you, entertain you with jazz by Telefonic and hand out complimen-tary champagne and party hats at mid-night. Who says the Southside can’t party?WHERE: 1308 11th St.
INFO: www.skylarkshiddencafe.com
Swinomish Casino and Lodge: Babies, old men and balls dropping are generally the themes of most New Year’s Eve celebra-tions, but the Swinomish Casino likes to combine the holiday with an occasion that was born on the bayou. Their New Year’s Eve bash is inspired by Mardi Gras, and I think we can all agree this is an excellent idea. The menu will be Cajun-influenced, the music will be by Louisiana native Rich-ard Allen and the whole thing will turn New Year’s Eve into the new Fat Tuesday. WHERE: 12885 Casino Dr., Anacortes
INFO: www.swinomishcasinoandlodge.com
Wild Buffalo: I can’t remember the last time the Wild Buffalo didn’t pack the house for New Year’s Eve and this year will not deviate from that norm. Seattle’s Beat Connection is a big draw in their own right, but for my money, hometown boy Manatee Commune is more than worth the price of admission. Whoever you throw your dollars down for, do it soon. If you wait to buy your way in at the door, get-ting turned away might be the final trick 2016 plays on you.WHERE: 208 W. Holly St.
INFO: www.wildbuffalo.net
Skagit Valley College Presents
Fourth Corner Jazz
Recorded Live Jazz Performances on the shores of the Salish Sea
Sundays6 PM
Streaming Online!
KSVR.ORG
Find us on FacebookFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFSTUDIOS
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Anelia's Kitchen & Stage
Lucas Hicks The Sky Colony Ben and Mia Starner
Boundary Bay Brewery Aaron Guest
New Year's Eve Party w/Ebb, Slack and Flood; Jasmine
Greene
Piano Night Paul Klein
Brown Lantern Ale House Acoustic Night Open Mic New Year's Eve w/DJ Ontic
Commodore Ballroom New Year's Eve Party
Conway MuseMuseBird Cafe w/Rick Fogel, WB
Reid, Jo JeffreyQueen's Bluegrass
New Year's Bash w/Stardrums &
Lady Keys, more
Corner Pub Knut Bell and the 360s
Culture Cafe at Kombucha Town
AireookeAlexander Sturm & Maddie
PritchardWinter Warm-Up Open Mic w/Chuck D
Eat Orb Trio w/Josh Cook Spencer Redmond Duo New Year's Eve w/Orb Trio
Edison Inn Alex AshleyNaughty New Years Eve w/The
Naughty BlokesCountry Dave
musicvenues
Anelias Kitchen & Stage 511 Morris St., La Conner • (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 Brewery 1107 Railroad Ave • 647-5593 | Brown Lantern Ale House 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 293-2544 | The Business 216 Commercial Ave., Anacortes • (360) 293-9788 | 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 | Eat Restaurant & Bar 1200 Cornwall Ave • www.4u2eat.com | Culture Cafe at Kombucha Town 2010 E. Chestnut St. • www.kombuchatown.com Allen West Road, Burlington | Eat Restaurant & Bar 1200 Cornwall Ave • www.4u2eat.com
See below for venue addresses and phone numbers
12.28.16 12.29.16 12.30.16 12.31.16 01.01.17 01.02.17 01.03.17WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
AARON CRAWFORD/Dec. 31/Loco Billy’s
APR9
MAR28
JAN18
JAN15
FEB18
Gift Certifi catesAvailable!
MAR18
An Evening of Storytelling with
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musicvenues See below for venue addresses and phone numbers
12.28.16 12.29.16 12.30.16 12.31.16 01.01.17 01.02.17 01.03.17WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
Green FrogTanya Hladik, Karen Kunkle,
Stephanie WalbonThe Lost Highway Band New Year's Eve w/Baby Cakes Slow Jam (early)
Open Mic (early), Guf-
fawingham (late)
Soul Explosion w/DJ
Willdabeast
H2O DJ Clint Westwood New Year's Eve w/DJ Z Karaoke
Honey Moon Open Mic w/Scot Casey Morgan and Maren Sarah GoodinNew Year's Eve w/The Fabu-
lous Penny Stinkers
Extended Community
Irish SessionFirst Tuesday: Story Slam
Kulshan Brewing Co. Doc and Nak New Year's Eve Party The Devilly Brothers
Loco Billy's Wild Moon Saloon
Jam Night/Open Mic Cowgirls Gone WildNew Year's Eve Bash w/Aaron
Crawford
Main St. Bar and Grill JP Falcon Acoustic Showcase Shannanagins Spaceband
Poppe's 360 New Year's Eve w/DJ Ryan I
Redlight Falling Upstairs, Fumes, <O>
Rockfish Grill Fidalgo Swing Blues Union
Royal Karaoke Karaoke Country Night DJ Jester
Rumors Cabaret Panty Hoes Drag Show Total Request Live DJ Graymatter DJ Robby Clark Aireeoke DJ Graymatter, more
The ShakedownDeadly D, Sir Kn8, Hila the
Killa
Sweet Invicta, The Naims, The
Ellis Deviants
Rock 'n' Roll New Year's Eve
w/No Guts, Cousin Marvin,
Meece
Aireeoke
Silver Reef Hotel Casino Resort
New Year's Eve Celebration
(Event Center), The Mix
(Lounge)
Skagit Casino Resort The Royal We The Royal We
Skylark's Marvin J Soul Shadows New Year's Eve w/Telefonic
Swillery Whiskey Bar Karaoke Free Live MusicNew Year's Eve w/Eagle
Teeth, moreThe Song Project
Swinomish Casino and Lodge Dana Osborn Band
Mardi Gras New Year's Eve w/Rich-
ard Allen
The Underground DJ B-Mello DJ B-Mello
Via Cafe and Bistro Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke Karaoke
The Village Inn Jam Night Karaoke
Wild Buffalo‘90s Night w/DJ Boombox
Kid
100 w/DJ Graymatter, DJ
Boombox Kid, Trolly PopzBack to the Future Party
New Year's Eve w/Beat Con-
nection, Manatee CommuneLip Sync Battle
The Green Frog 1015 N. State St. • www.acoustictavern.com | Edison Inn 5829 Cains Ct., Edison • (360) 766-6266 | Glow 202 E. Holly St. • 734-3305 | 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 | Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon 27021 102nd Ave. NW, Stanwood • www.locobillys.com | Make.Shift Art Space 306 Flora St. • www.makeshiftproject.com | Main Street Bar & Grill 2004 Main St., Ferndale • (360) 384-2982 | McKay’s Taphouse 1118 E. Maple St. • (360) 647-3600 | 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 | Swillery Whiskey Bar 118 W. Holly St. | Stones Throw Brewery 1009 Larrabee Ave. | 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 | The Waterfront 521 W. Holly St. • www.waterfrontseafoodandbar.com | 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.
BACK TO THE FUTURE PARTY/Dec. 30/Wild Buffalo
LUCAS HICKS/Dec. 29/Anelia’s Kitchen
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filmMOVIE REVIEWS FILM SHORTS
barista at a studio-lot coffee shop, and Ryan Gosling as Sebastian, a bohemian pianist hoping to run his own jazz club. Under endless West Coast skies they cross paths at the opening, stuck in a titanic freeway ramp traffic jam that generates a surreal song and dance chorus with a cast of hundreds. It’s not a classic meet cute between the frustrated pair. He irritably honks his horn to push past her, and she replies by flipping him the bird.
They chase their own breaking-into-business desires separately in big-city solitude—she at dead-end auditions, he performing for pocket money. Eventually they connect at a restaurant where he’s reduced to performing ho-hum Christmas tunes. Against the house rules, he plays
an original composition that changes their lives. It prompts his boss (hilari-ously grumpy J.K. Simmons) to fire him. It sways Mia to stare at him with starry eyes open as wide as hubcaps.
Not until the pair intersect months later at an ’80s house party where he’s hired to play tedious one-hit won-ders from A-ha and A Flock of Seagulls do they begin to bond. The playlist is laughable, but reminds them both that there’s more to life than rocketing up the charts and back down again. And then they’re off on a love story with a sense of grand adventure, each view-ing the other as a dream that just might possibly come true.
It ’s a three-way romance, Mia and Seb giving each other some of the passion, sacrifice and focus needed to make a career as an artist. And how could they not as they kiss and dance the night away at the Griffith Observatory, so soaring in happiness that their bodies magically float in zero gravity among the planetarium’s projected stars. Even though she confesses “I hate jazz,” which she understands in terms of Kenny G elevator music, and he’s lured into joining an endlessly touring rock band led by Keith (co-producer John Legend), who values marketing success over artistic integrity.
As the star-crossed aspiring stars try to balance the outs-and-ins of modern romance, one’s success triggers another’s insecurity. We’re reminded of our entry point scene with a million cars stalled on the highway. Beyond its charming, heart-felt romance, La La Land is a movie about characters getting in each other’s way. Their pursuit of big dreams they haven’t been able to realize leads to a bittersweet final sequence, touring paths not taken.
This is a joy to watch, with a rhapsody of love and lightness in the performances. Stone and Gosling have done sassy romance before in Crazy, Stupid Love and “Gangster Squad.” They repeat their movie magic here as the kinds of partners that are hard to find and sometimes even tougher to keep. Whether they are dancing side by side or bickering like a conversational badminton match, you think it’s gotta be love.
Like Chazelle’s brutally sharp noir musi-cal Whiplash, this hits inventive perfect pitch with clarity and snap. Yet it’s the polar opposite in tone, generating the popping, playful excitement we haven’t experienced since Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge or Rob Marshall’s Chicago. He knows when to play a scene real and when man-nered fakery should create a cheerfully phony Hollywood back-lot feel. It makes efforts like Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys and the Pitch Perfect series look like crude cave drawings by comparison.
If there is not an audience that craves this, 2016 has officially killed the movie industry.
REVIEWED BY COLIN COVERT
La La LandBRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITYLA LA Land is a lollapalooza, a splashy, old-fashioned Hollywood extravaganza. Writing/directing wunderkind Damien Chazelle fills it with enchanting star magne-tism, synchronized choreography, a melodic original score and jewel-colored Cinema-Scope sparkle (which is actually how it was shot).
In distinct timelines, it’s both a valentine to a more glorious studio era of the past and a touchingly wised-up modern critique of bygone glory days, nostalgic romance and modern realism sharing a lovely dance. That’s a big array of ingredients to com-bine. Rather than turning hopelessly convoluted through the orchestration of many moving parts, this fantasia intertwines them in exquisite harmony.
The setting is Los Angeles, the legendary wonderland where dreams are born and buried day after day. It stars Emma Stone as Mia, a striving would-be actress and
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Arrival: Denis Villeneuve, director of the upcoming Blade Runner movie, helms this near-future, sci-fi, alien-invasion story featuring what is sure to be an Oscar-nominated performance by Amy Adams for her turn as a linguist attempting to communicate with our alien overlords. (PG-13 • 1 hr. 56 min.)
Assassin’s Creed: This movie stars Michael Fass-bender, Marion Cotillard, Charlotte Rampling, Brendan Gleeson, and Jeremy Irons—and despite that is somehow the worst movie you have ever seen. I guess videogame movies really are cursed. (PG-13 • 1 hr. 56 min.)
Collateral Beauty: This is one of those movies that arrives in theaters with little fanfare despite having a star-studded cast (Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley, Edward Norton, more) that will teach us all how to find beauty in our lives or something. I don’t really know. (PG-13 • 1 hr. 37 min.)
The Eagle Huntress: This visually stunning documentary will introduce you to Aisholpan. a 13-year-old nomadic Mongolian girl who is training to be the first female eagle hunter in her family in 12 generations. Take that, glass ceiling. (G • 1 hr. 26 min.)
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: J.K. Rowling returns to the big screen with a truly excellent Harry Potter spinoff, a rich dose of fantasy that has arrived at that exact moment when many of us would like to escape from reality for a bit. (PG-13 • 2 hrs. 12 min.)
Fences: Denzel Washington directs and stars in this adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play of the same name. Powerhouse per-formances by Washington and the truly, madly, deeply amazing Viola Davis will no doubt catch the eye of Oscar and his esteemed Academy. (PG-13 • 2 hrs. 13 min.)
Jackie: Few performances have received as much buzz this year as Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy during the lead-up to and in the aftermath of the assassination of President Kennedy. If you thought she went full method in Black Swan, you ain’t seen nothing yet. (R • 1 hr. 40 min.)
La La Land: See review previous page. (PG-13 • 2 hrs. 7 min.)
Manchester By the Sea: Director Kenneth Loner-gan’s grippingly sad and surprisingly funny (note: this is not a comedy) story of grief and familial dysfunc-tion in a Massachusetts coastal town. Come see the movie and watch Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams earn Oscar nominations right before your very eyes.
(R • 2 hrs. 15 min.)
Moana: Disney continues its way welcome deviation from the perfect princesses of yore, diving straight into a sea of girl power with this jaw-droppingly animated (I mean, it is Disney) story of a Pacific Islander—the titular Moana—who takes to the high seas in order to save her people. (PG • 1 hr. 43 min.)
Passengers: I live with someone who is able to parse the finer nuances of how Donald Trump became presi-dent, but is at a total loss when it comes to figuring
out how Chris Pratt became a genuine movie star. I fear this truly dismal sci-fi effort will only deepen that mystery for him. (PG-13 • 1 hr. 56 min.)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: When Episode One came out, I gave it one million stars, a first for my highly advanced internal rating algorithm. Accord-ing to that same algorithm, this film also achieves a coveted one-million-star rating, mostly for not screwing up the Star Wars franchise and ruining my childhood like those prequels we do not speak of. Oh yeah, and suck it, haterzzzz. (PG-13 • 2 hrs. 13 min.)
Sing: A group of plucky animated animals band together to help save an ailing theater by stag-ing a singing contest. Nothing about this movie is particularly inspired, but it is as entertaining as it is engaging—and does nothing to dispel my feeling that animation houses are kicking the pants off their live-action counterparts when it comes to consistently solid moviemaking. (PG • 1 hr. 48 min.)
Why Him?: All of the considerable talent—Bryan Cranston, Megan Mullally (especially her), Keegan-Michael Key—is wasted in this lackluster comedy, but James Franco’s ability to poke fun at himself remains intact, if ill-used here. (R • 1 hr. 51 min.)
BY CAREY ROSS
FILM SHORTS
film ›› showing this week
Showtimes Regal and AMC theaters, please see
www.fandango.com.
Pickford Film Center and PFC’s Limelight Cinema, please see
www.pickfordfilmcenter.com
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Compassionate Criminal Defense AttorneyFighting for Your Rights
JACKIE (R) 100m - - Golden Globe Best Actress Nominee"To watch Natalie Portman's every move is to not only watch
history being recreated, but to also witness history being made."
Fri: (1:15), (3:45), 6:30, 9:15; Sat: (10:30AM), 4:15, 7:35
Sun: (2:00), 4:15, 7:35; Mon & Tue: (1:15), (3:45), 6:30, 9:15
Wed: (3:45), 6:30, 9:15; Thu: (12:30), (3:45), 6:30, 9:05
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (R) 135m -
Golden Globe Nominations Galore: Best Actor / Director / Supporting Actress"A film of surpassing beauty and heart. Even at its most melancholy
depths, it brims with candid, earnest, indefatigable life." WA Post
Fri: (12:45), 6:15, 9:05; Sat & Sun: (1:15), 4:40, 6:55
Mon & Tue: (12:45), 6:15, 9:05; Wed: (12:45), (3:00), 9:05
Thu: (12:45), (3:15), 6:15
LONG WAY NORTH (Tout en haut du monde) (PG) 81m
A stunning animated film about one girl’s epic quest to reach
the North Pole, from the creative minds that brought us Ernest &
Celestine, Song Of The Sea and The Secret Of Kells.
DUBBED VERSION: Fri: (4:00); Sat: (2:30); Sun: (11:00AM)
Mon & Tue: (4:00); Wed: (12:50)
SUBTITLED VERSION: Thu: 9:15
THE GOLDEN AGE (NR) 140m - Bolshoi BalletThis exclusive Bolshoi show has has everything to it: mad
rhythms, vigorous chase scenes, and decadent cabaret numbers.
Sun: 11:00AM; Wed: 6:00 - Tix: $16 Members / $20 GA / $10 Students
THE DEEP BLUE SEA (NR) 165m - National TheatreHelen McCrory returns in Terence Rattigan’s devastating masterpiece,
playing one of the greatest female roles in contemporary drama.
Sat: 11:00AM - Tix: $16 Members / $20 GA / $10 Students
THE EAGLE HUNTRESS (G) 87m -
"A remarkable documentary, one that combines superb National
Geographic-style photography with a storyline that plays out like
a real-life folktale with a feminist undertow."
Fri: (1:45), (4:00), 6:15, 8:30
Sat: (11:30AM), (1:45), 4:00, 6:15
Sun: (11:30AM), (1:45), 4:00, 6:15, 8:30
Mon - Thu: (1:45), (4:00), 6:15, 8:30
NOW PLAYINGFri, December 30- Thu, January 5
PFC’S LIMELIGHT CINEMA: 1416 Cornwall Ave. | Parentheses ( ) denote bargain pricing
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 $1 off Beer + Wine
FENCES
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Drop by "Holiday Yoga"
sessions at various times Dec.
28-29 at Yoga Northwest, 1440
10th St. The classes will focus
on stretching, breathing and
relaxing during this busy holi-
day season. All are welcome;
costs vary. Additionally, from
Jan. 2-8, 25 free classes will
be offered. See guidelines
online. More info: www.yo-
ganorthwest.com
Celebrate World Hypno-
tism Day by attending an "Intro
to Self-Hypnosis" with Erika
Flint from 6:30-8pm Wed., Jan.
4 at the Cordata Community
Food Co-op, 315 Westerly Rd.
The 90-minute hands-on work-
shop will focus on the top five
self-hypnosis techniques for
keeping you motivated and on
track for your wellness goals.
Entry is free; please register.
More info: www.community
food.coop
Attend a Healing Hour from
5:30-6:30pm every Wednes-
day 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.simplyspir-
itcenter.com
"Yoga for Limited Mobil-
ity" is the focus of a weekly
yoga session happening from
10-11:30am Thursdays at the
Lummi Island Library, 2144 S.
Nugent Rd. All adults are wel-
come at the free event. More
info: (360) 758-7145
Attend a "Pain Relief Yoga
in the Svaroopa Style" class
taking place from 5:30-7pm
Fridays at Inspire Studio, 1411
Cornwall Ave. Entry is $7.
More info: (623) 418-5203
Attend Gam-Anon meet-
ings (for family and friends
of individuals with a gambling
disorder) from 7-8:30pm Fri-
days in Mount Vernon at the
First Lutheran Church, 2015
Blackburn Rd. Entry is free.
More info: www.gam-anon.
org
Co-Dependents Anony-mous 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
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 Satur-
days at the Bellingham Unitar-
ian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth
St. More info: (360) 420-8311
or www.pugetsoundsaa.org
A Grief Support Group
meets at 7pm every Tuesday
at the St. Luke's Community
Health Education Center, 3333
Squalicum Pkwy. The free,
drop-in support group is for
those experiencing the recent
death of a friend or loved one.
More info: 733-5877
Attend Zumba classes
from 5:30-6:30pm Tuesdays at
the Lynden Library, 216 4th St.
No experience is necessary;
join instructor David Renteria
for the free class and bring
a water bottle, comfortable
clothing and shoes. More info:
(360) 354-4883
Join Lynne to prevent 25
pounds of greenhouse gas at
lunch. Info: (360) 733-3305
Meet other mothers at
a Breastfeeding Cafe from
9am-12pm every Tuesday
at the Bellingham Center
for Healthy Motherhood,
1012 Dupont Street. Entry is
free. More info: www.center
forhealthymotherhood.com
200 MIND & BODY
200 MIND & BODY
200 MIND & BODY
200 MIND & BODY
bulletinboard
Wonderingabout the nuts
and bolts ofthe homebuying
process?Check out our
FREE Homebuyer Education
classes. Held monthly & open
to the public. Register at
http://www.kulshan-clt.org/homebuyer-ed-
ucation/
360-671-5600, [email protected]
Professional,knowledgeable,fun & friendlyto work with.
Windermere Real Estate Whatcom, Inc.
Cerise NoahREALTOR®
(360) [email protected]
BY ROB BREZSNY
FREE WILL ASTROLOGYARIES (March 21-April 19): Donatello was a renowned Italian sculptor. His favorite piece was "Lo Zuccone," a marble statue of the Biblical prophet Habakkuk. As Donatello carved his work-in-progress, he addressed it. "Speak, damn you! Talk to me," he was heard to say on more than a few occasions. Did the stone respond? Judging from the beauty of the final product, I'd have to say yes. One art critic testified that "Lo Zuccone" is a "sublimely harrowing" tour de force, a triumph of "forceful expression," and "one of the most important marble sculptures of the 15th century." I suspect you will have Donatello-like powers of conversation in 2017, Aries. If anyone can communicate creatively with stones—and rivers and trees and animals and spirits and complicated humans, for that matter—it'll be you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): According to Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, "A certain type of perfection can only be realized through a limitless accumulation of the imperfect." Let's amend that thought so it's exactly suitable for your use in 2017. Here's the new, Taurus-specific version: "A messy, practical, beautiful type of perfection can be realized through a patient, faithful, dogged accumulation of the imperfect." To live up to the promise of this motto, make damn good use of every partial success.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini gymnast Marisa Dick has created a signature move that has never been used by any other gymnast. To start her routine, she leaps up off a springboard and lands on the balance beam doing a full split. The technical term for this bold maneuver is "a change-leg leap to free-cross split sit," although its informal name is "The Dick Move." The International Federation of Gymnastics has certified it in its Code of Points, so it's official. During the coming months, I expect that you will also produce one-of-a-kind innovations in your own sphere.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): I hope you will be as well-grounded in 2017 as you have ever been—maybe even since your past life as a farmer. I trust you will go a long way toward mastering the arts of being earthy, practical, and stable. To do this right, however, you should also work on a seemingly paradoxical task: cultivating a vigorous and daring imagination—as perhaps you did in one of your other past lives as an artist. In other words, your ability to succeed in the material world will thrive as you nur-ture your relationship with fantasy realms—and vice versa. If you want to be the boss of reality, dream big and wild—and vice versa.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Even if you don't think of yourself as an artist, you are always working on a major art project: yourself. You may underestimate the creativity you call on as you shape the raw material of your experience into an epic story. Luckily, I'm here to impress upon you the power and the glory of this heroic effort. Is there anything more important? Not for you Leos. And I trust that in 2017 you will take your craftsmanship to the highest level ever. Keep this advice from author Nathan W. Morris in mind: "Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It's your master-piece, after all."
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): French painter Henri Matisse (1869-1954) turned out to be one of the supremely influential artists of the 20th century. But he was still struggling to make a living well into his thirties. The public's apathy toward his work demoral-ized him. At one point, he visited his dealer to reclaim one of his unsold paintings. It was time to give up on it, he felt, to take it off the market. But when he arrived at the gallery, his dealer informed him that it had finally been bought—and not by just any art
collector, either. Its new owner was Pablo Picasso, an artist whom Matisse revered. I think it's quite possible you will have comparable experiences in 2017, Virgo. Therefore: Don't give up on yourself!
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): "The self in exile remains the self, as a bell unstruck for years is still a bell," writes poet Jane Hirshfield. I suspect that these words are important for you to hear as you prepare for 2017. My sense is that in the past few months, your true self has been making its way back to the heart of life after a time of wandering on the outskirts. Any day now, a long-silent bell will start ringing to herald your full return. Welcome home!
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In accordance with your astrological omens for 2017, I've taken a poem that Shel Silverstein wrote for kids and made it into your horoscope. It'll serve as a light-hearted emblem of a challenging but fun task you should attend to in the coming months. Here it is: "I've never washed my shadow out in all the time I've had it. It was absolutely filthy I supposed, so I peeled it off the wall where it was leaning and stuck it in the washtub with the clothes. I put in soap and bleach and stuff. I let it soak for hours. I wrung it out and hung it out to dry. And whoever would have thunk that it would have gone and shrunk, for now it’s so much littler than I."
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Walk your wisdom walk in 2017, Sagittarius. Excite us with your wisdom songs and gaze out at our broken reality with your wisdom eyes. Play your wisdom tricks and crack your wisdom jokes and erupt with your wisdom cures. The world needs you to be a radiant swarm of lovable, unpredictable wisdom! Your future needs you to conjure up a steady stream of wisdom dreams and wisdom exploits! And please note: You don't have to wait until the wisdom is perfect. You shouldn't worry about whether it's supremely practical. Your job is to trust your wisdom gut, to unleash your wisdom cry, to revel in your wisdom magic.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): As I was rumi-nating on your astrological omens for 2017, I came across a wildly relevant passage written by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. It conveys a message I encourage you to memorize and repeat at least once a day for the next 365 days. Here it is: "Nothing can hold you back—not your childhood, not the history of a lifetime, not even the very last moment before now. In a moment you can abandon your past. And once abandoned, you can redefine it. If the past was a ring of futility, let it become a wheel of yearning that drives you forward. If the past was a brick wall, let it become a dam to unleash your power."
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Naturalist John Muir regarded nature as his church. For weeks at a time he lived outdoors, communing with the wilder-ness. Of course he noticed that not many others shared his passion. "Most people are on the world, not in it," he wrote, "having no conscious sympathy or relationship to anything about them—undiffused, separate, and rigidly alone like marbles of polished stone, touching but separate." Is there anything about you that even partially fits that description, Aquarius? If so, I'm pleased to inform you that 2017 will be an excellent year to address the problem. You will have immense potential to become more intimate and tender with all of the component parts of the Great Mystery. What's the opposite of loneliness?
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Seven Chilean poets were frustrated by their fellow citizens' apathy toward the art of poetry. They sarcastically dramatized their chagrin by doing a performance for baboons. Authorities at the Santiago Zoo arranged for the poets' safety, enclosing them in a protective cage within the baboons' habitat. The audience seemed to be enter-tained, at times listening in rapt silence and at other times shrieking raucously. I'm sure you can empathize with the poets' drastic action, Pisces. How many times have you felt you don't get the appreciation you deserve? But I bet that will change in 2017. You won't have to resort to performing for baboons.
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22rearEnd "Keep Dividing"—the pieces get smaller and smaller
Across1 "Better Call Saul"
star Odenkirk4 BLT spread8 Keeps from hap-
pening14 "The Simpsons"
character with an 18-letter last name
15 Common freshwa-ter bait fish
16 Outcast17 50% of an ice
cream dessert?
20 "The Zoo Story" dramatist
21 As of this time22 Look to be23 Spock's dominant
feature26 Blow the socks off28 One of many on a
serialized TV show32 Indiana-Illinois
border river37 James Bond novel-
ist Fleming38 Capitol Hill figures,
slangily
40 Mythical monster that's part woman, part serpent
41 25% of property to play in?
45 "David Copperfield" villain Heep
46 Stir-fry ingredient47 Number that looks
like itself repeated, when expressed in binary
48 Insect with two pairs of wings
50 Maintenance sign
53 Jacques or Jeanne, par exemple
55 Scuba spot56 The "Y" in YSL60 Sweater, say62 Deck that all
episodes of Hulu's "Shut Eye" are named after
66 12.5% of a push-up undergarment?
70 Cat or goat type71 Poker couple72 Capital attach-
ment?73 What many gam-
blers claim to have74 "___ Like the
Wind" (Patrick Swayze song)
75 "Help wanted" sign?
Down1 ___ Men ("Who
Let the Dogs Out" group)
2 Flashy gem3 Flower bed planting4 Titular TV attorney
of the '90s-'00s5 "Now I understand!"6 Big guffaw7 Just say yes8 "Bridesmaids" pro-
ducer Judd9 "Batman Forever"
star Kilmer10 Cultural periods11 Gain altitude12 Withstand13 Pillow cover18 "Dogs"19 Drops in the grass24 Mature25 Angry bull's sound27 Pedestrian path28 Excite, as curiosity29 Dern of "Jurassic
Park"30 Lighted sign at a
radio station31 Be rude in a crowd33 Howl at the moon34 Cremona violin-
making family name35 It'll make you pull
over36 "I ___ thought
about it"39 Late "60 Minutes"
reporter Morley42 Bitterly cold43 Watered-down44 Like a litter of
puppies49 City where the Bat-
mobile is driven51 "The Jerk" actress
Bernadette52 "Bearing gifts, we
traverse ___"54 Use blades on
blades
56 Affirmative votes57 Crawling with
creepers58 Frittata needs59 Chance61 Destroys, as bubble
wrap63 MLB stat, incor-
rectly but commonly64 "... ___ I'm told"65 Bagpipers' caps67 One less than
quattro68 "Yeah" opposite69 D20 or D8, in D&D
games
Last Week’s Puzzle
©2016 Jonesin’ Crosswords
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rearEnd comix
0 0 1 5 0 0 0 0 0
0 7 2 0 0 0 8 4 0
0 8 0 0 0 9 0 1 2
0 0 7 0 9 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 4 0 1 0 0 0
2 0 0 0 5 0 6 0 0
4 3 0 9 0 0 0 8 0
0 2 5 0 0 0 9 6 0
0 0 0 0 0 5 3 0 0
SudokuINSTRUCTIONS: Arrange the digits 1-9 so that each digit occurs once in each row, once in each column, and once in each box.
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binge-drinking episode within a month of the survey.
With New Year’s Eve around the corner, this insightful information comes just in time to plan a strategy to deal with the citywide hangovers that are sure to result from our award-winning excesses. With the celebration occurring on a Saturday—meaning you won’t have to go directly from the office to a booze-filled soiree—you’ll have plenty of time to plan ahead.
First off, if you know you’ll be imbib-ing and dancing your way into 2017, be sure and consume as much water as you possibly can throughout the course of the afternoon. Dehydration is one of the main causes of a hangover, so drinking water before, during and after the party/parties
chowRECIPES REVIEWS PROFILES
BY AMY KEPFERLE
Hangover Helper SURVIVING NEW YEAR’S EVERaise your hand if you’ve been hungover in Bellingham.
If your limb is lifted in soused solidarity, you’re not alone. The biggest township in Whatcom County was recently dubbed one of the country’s most hungover cities, according to a new report by Trulia, an online residential real estate site.
Coming in behind San Francisco (number one), San Diego, and Austin, Bellingham’s number-four spot is hard-earned. Although we don’t have the population of most of the other top 10 “winners”—which include Charleston, Boston, Honolulu, New Or-leans, El Paso, and San Antonio—we still made the grade.
Apparently, our number of drinking establishments, places to buy fireworks and party supply stores put us in the running, as well as the share of adult residents aged 18-34, and a variety of other grownups who reported they’d had at least one
you’ll be attending or hosting is key to avoiding a New Year’s Day headache.
Other tips include getting in some pre-party exercise; eating daytime meals and snacks with plenty of protein and fiber to fuel your body; avoiding high-fat or fried appetizers once you’ve arrived at the final event of the year; sticking with clear alcoholic beverages with fewer con-geners (vodka, white wine, light beers); and eating an easily digestible carbohy-drate such as toast before retiring for the night (high-fat snacks like nachos taste great at the time, but can slow di-gestion). Finally, drink some more water
CHEATER VIETNAMESE PHO
—From Cooking for Keeps
INGREDIENTS3 beef bone marrow bones
50 ounces beef stock (unsalted)
16 ounces water
1 medium onion, cut in half
4 garlic cloves, smashed
1 3-inch piece of ginger, smashed
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, plus more
for garnish
3 star anise
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon salt
1 package thin rice noodles
16 ounces beef sirloin, cut into very
thin pieces
Plenty of cilantro, lime, jalapenos and
bean sprouts for garnish
DIRECTIONS: Place beef bones in a medi-
um saucepan, cover with water, and bring
to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes until all
the impurities have risen to the top of the
water. Transfer bones to a large stockpot
and discard the water.
To the bones, add the beef stock, water,
onion, garlic, ginger, hoisin, spices, and
salt. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to
a simmer. Cover and cook for one hour.
Strain broth, discard cooked ingredients.
Bring the broth back to a boil and add rice
noodles, cook until soft. Place beef in the
bottom of a soup bowl, and cover with
boiling broth. The heat from the broth
should cook the beef. Garnish with lime,
cilantro, jalapenos and hoisin sauce
recipe
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WED., DEC. 28COMMUNITY COFFEE: All community members are invited to a free “Community Coffee & Tea” event from 9-10:30am in Maple Falls at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center, 8251 Kendall Rd. The free weekly event features snacks from the Co-op Bakery, hot beverages and the company of your friends and neighbors. All ages are welcome.
(360) 499-3944 OR WWW.OPPCO.ORG
DEC. 30-31WINES FOR NYE: If you’re looking for help when it comes to wine to serve for the festive weekend, there will be a “Wines for New Year’s Eve and Day” tasting taking place from 10am-6pm Friday and Saturday at Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants, 19 Prospect St. From the midnight countdown bubbles to the “big reds” to go with New Year’s Day football games, employees will help you find what you need for a celebratory weekend.
WWW.SJWINEMERCHANTS.COM
SAT., DEC. 31NYE DINNER: Welcome 2017 with a prix fixe meal from Chef Bruno Feldeisen at a New Year’s Eve dinner with seatings taking place at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm at the Pierside Kitchen at Blaine’s Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy. Entry is $39 for kids and $79 for adults (includes one glass of spar-kling wine upon arrival). Call in advance to book.
(360) 318-2090 OR WWW.SEMIAHMOO.COM
DINNER AND DANCING: Put on your party finery and enjoy a locally sourced six-course menu at an “Incognito: New Year’s Eve” dinner starting at 7pm at Ciao Thyme, 207 Unity St. Tickets are $150 and include entry to a “NYE Dessert and Danc-
ing” event starting at 10pm upstairs at the Ciao Thyme Commons. If you’re just interested in the late-night festivities—which includes desserts, live music and dancing to Yogoman, a glass of sparkling wine for the midnight toast and a live streaming of the NYC ball drop in Times Square—tickets are $50. Reservations are recommended, as space is limited.
WWW.CIAOTHYME.COM
SUN., JAN. 1NEW YEAR’S BRUNCH: Enjoy the first day of 2017 at a New Year’s Day Brunch taking place from 7am-1pm at Blaine’s Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy. The meal will be served both in Packers Oyster Bar and the Pierside Kitchen. Entry is $17 for children ages 6-12, $35 for adults, and free for children 5 and under.
WWW.SEMIAHMOO.COM
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST: Meet and greet local politicians as they serve you coffee and breakfast at the monthly Community Breakfast from 8am-12pm at the Rome Grange, 2821 Mt. Baker Hwy. Pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausages and beverages will be on the menu. Entry is $2 for kids, $6 for adults.
(360) 739-9605
WED., JAN. 4TEA AND BOOKS: Adults are invited to an “Af-ternoon Books and Tea” gathering from 2-3:30pm at the Lynden Library, 216 4th St. This month attendees will be reading Cookie mysteries. Bring your favorite teacup and sign up to bring one of the recipes in the book (optional).
(360) 354-4883
doit
Sample wines perfect for serving at New Year's Eve and New Year's Day events Dec. 30-31 at Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants
before shucking off your festive finery and collapsing into bed.
If you’ve followed all of the aforemen-tioned guidelines and still wake up Jan. 1, 2017 feeling like someone used your mouth as an ashtray and stomped on your brain stem, start slow when it comes to meal-time. For example, fruit and a plain bagel, English muffin or toast will serve you bet-ter than a greasy piece of leftover pizza.
Personally, I’ve always found that a big bowl of pho does wonders for hang-overs. In Vietnam, the noodle soup is of-ten eaten at breakfast as a hearty start to the day, but depending on what time
you rouse yourself from slumber, it can fill in for any meal.
If you can’t manage to leave the house to seek out pho at an area restaurant—many of which will be closed on New Year’s Day, anyway—procure the ingredi-ents ahead of time and either make it the day before, or spend a lazy Sunday bring-ing it to fruition.
Many pho recipes require 24 hours to complete, but I found one that speeds up the process, meaning it can help you with your hangover in record time. You may look at it as cheating, but I believe it’s a a key to survival.
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