Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Community decision approaches: Ballots are due tomorrow, April 28, for Lynden’s school capital levy that would raise $25.5 million over four years. As of April 20, nearly 3,000 ballots were in -- get all the details.

Hotel looks back and ahead: Fairhaven’s Chrysalis Inn & Spa marks 25 years with local history highlights, spa and gift card specials, and an invite-only open house today honoring partners and supporters -- learn about deals and history.

Neighborhood speeds set to shift: Bellingham’s Transportation Commission unanimously endorsed a Speed Limit Ordinance to lower non-arterial streets to 20 mph, with sign changes planned for this summer and Public Works workshops and education -- get all the details.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you've been on the same plan for years, you're probably paying way more than you need to. It's an easy bill to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,000 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium to ~$60 a month - see how much you could save.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Puzzle night upgrade: Rally your crew for Cryptid Escapes in Fairhaven, where homegrown rooms like Robotic Resurgence, Cryptid Cabin, and Murder Mystery mix clever puzzles with just enough chaos to make you feel brilliant. Perfect for date night, friend therapy, or proving your sibling still can't read clues.

Weekend tee time? Sneak in nine, or go all 18, amid classic tree-lined fairways that wind through the park at Lake Padden Golf Course. Warm up properly with grass tees, a roomy putting green, a practice bunker, and covered stalls for soggy days.

Your new cocktail hideout: When you need something a little special after a long rainy day, The Admiralty Lounge brings plush seating, moody lighting, and a nautical-minded menu with cocktails that actually surprise you. Bonus, the zero-proof list is legit, so your sober buddy won’t feel like a tag‑along.

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

🪢 Macramé Monday: Plant Hanger @ Northwest Yarns & Mercantile | Monday (4/27) at 4:00 PM – Your philodendron has been side-eyeing that plastic pot, so come make your own macramé plant hanger at Macramé Monday, and pick up a relaxing new skill while you are at it. Friendly, proven class, supplies provided, $15 class fee, $15 materials due at class.

🌱 WIHS Plant Exchange @ Whatcom Intergenerational High School | Thursday (4/30) at 4:00 PM – If your basil multiplied like rabbits or your houseplants staged a quiet exit, bring the extras to WIHS’s first annual plant swap, free and friendly. Come to trade or just browse, sip tea, snag snacks, and show curious future students around the open house.

🎬 10th Annual Cascadia International Women's Film Festival @ Pickford Film Center | Thursday (4/30) at 6:00 PM – CASCADIA is celebrating 10 years by taking over the Pickford with films actually directed by women, from emerging voices to Indigenous storytellers, and women of color. It is the PNW's only festival dedicated to that. Smart films, real conversations, zero fluff.

🌱 MHS FFA Plant Sale 2026 @ Meridian High School | Friday (5/1) at 3:00 PM – Whether your yard is flourishing or your succulents are plotting revenge, the MHS FFA plant sale has you covered. Stock up on hardy veggies, cheerful blooms, and student-grown starters, support the kids, and feel smug about beautifying the neighborhood for once. Quick, local, satisfying.

🎨 26th Annual Children’s Art Walk @ Downtown Bellingham Partnership | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Stroll downtown Bellingham for the 26th annual Children’s Art Walk, where Whatcom County students turn shop windows into mini galleries. It’s wholesome, quirky, and surprisingly impressive, like a First Friday with fewer beards and more finger paint. Grab a coffee, wander, admire, repeat.

🛍 Creative Corner Saturday Market @ Just Poké Bellingham Downtown | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Creative Corner is setting up shop at E. Chestnut St and Railroad Ave with a Saturday market of local artisans, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Stroll, chat, pretend you came for one candle, leave with three, and feel smug about keeping it local.

🐾 Procession of the Species @ Downtown Bellingham | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Downtown goes full wild kingdom as the Procession of the Species parades to Maritime Heritage Park for a festival, part art class, part block party, all Bellingham. Wear your best papier-mâché salmon, bring the kids, or just cheer and score costume perks from local shops.

This point-positioned Lake Whatcom estate spans multiple levels with 6 bedrooms and 8 baths, channeling the romance of a turn-of-the-century resort. Solid cherry trim, doors, and cabinetry pair with warm maple floors. A custom entertainer's kitchen anchors the home. A two-story grand entry and living room soar with oversized windows, capturing shimmering water light.