Valentine's Day in the Pacific NW

LIVE BELLINGHAM NOW

VALENTINE'S DAY IN THE PACIFIC NW

inexpensive artisanal handmade expert wine
date ideas sweets & local gifts pairings
treats



EVOLVE CHOCOLATE in this issue

STORIA CUCINA INEXPENSIVE DATE IDEAS

WELCOME Local activity boxes,
leisurely strolls and more
to a celebration of life in the PNW
CRAFTING
We love where we live, and we believe Bellingham
is special. Fail-proof kits for creating
Small businesses - founded here, grown here - are your own Valentine's cards
such a crucial part of what makes our community
the wonderful & unique place it is. Over the last WINE PAIRINGS
year, they've shown incredible resilience, creativity
and moxie in the face of challenge. Expert wine pairings for a
So as you're celebrating the love you have for your charcuterie board date at
special someone, consider supporting the artisans, home
bakers, cooks, and jewelers of our very own PNW
community. HANDMADE BEAUTY

Locally-made jewelry

THIS-OR-THAT

Can you get your
partner's answers right?

....AND MORE!

ABOUT THE COHEN GROUP NW

A local real estate team
focused on community
(360) 389-3894
www.livebellinghamnow.com

DINING

OPEN AIR
INDOORS

black cat

Enjoy open-air dining
indoors in historic Fairhaven!
Located in the Sycamore
Square building, this classic
Bellingham eatery features
views over Fairhaven and out
to Bellingham Bay.

details

Friday hours: 3-9pm
Saturday hours: 12pm-9pm
Sunday hours: 10am-9pm

connect

BLACKCATBHAM
BLACKCATBELLINGHAM.COM

local pickup line

"Are you Chuckanut Drive?
Because you're beautiful,
curvy, and dangerous for
distracted eyes."

- from Rinya4 via Reddit

live bellingham now | pg 2

LIGHTING
MAGIC

storia cucina

This downtown hotspot will be
open for regular service, plus
wine and pasta kits to-go!

to-go pasta kit

The pasta kit comes with 1lb.
fresh pasta, tomato sauce,
basil, parmigiano and a recipe
card! $20 feeds 2-3.

connect

STORIACUCINA
STORIACUCINA.COM

live bellingham now | pg 3

HAWAIIAN FRESH

fairhaven poke

Authentic, Hawaiian-style poke, made with Ahi (yellowfin tuna) flown directly
from Oahu! Every poke bowl is custom-made, and add-ons include squid,
octopus, and grilled eel.

details

Open 11am-7pm Sunday the 14th.

connect

FAIRHAVEN.POKE
FAIRHAVENPOKE.COM
1102 HARRIS AVE

live bellingham now | pg 4

THIS OR THAT (BHAM EDITION)

While you're waiting for takeout to arrive or dinner to cook, take turns guessing for your
significant other! Who knows, you just might learn something about them!

BELLINGHAM BAY - or - MOUNT BAKER

DOWNTOWN SOUNDS - or - DOWNTOWN CLUBS

BRUNCH AT - or - DRINKS AT
THE BIRCH DOOR TWIN SISTERS
FERRY OUT TO AN
WALK THE BOARDWALK - or -
ISLAND
WAYPOINT PARK - or - WHATCOM FALLS

VILLAGE GREEN - or - DEPOT MARKET SQUARE

LATE-NIGHT BOOMER'S - or - LATE-NIGHT PEL'MENI

COFFEE AT - or - GELATO AT SIRENA
MAKEWORTH MARKET

SKI TO SEA - or - SKI TO SEA
STARTING LINE FINISH LINE

Share your choices on Instagram Stories and tag @cohengroupnw!

live bellingham now | pg 5

CHARCUTERIE

sweetheart plate

Served on a heart-shaped plate* (for
keeps!), the heart plate comes with
artisan cheese, premium charcuterie,
filled with all the seasonal sweet &
savory accompaniments, including
chocolate covered strawberries.
Crackers on the side. Perfect for sharing
with your Valentine! $48/feeds 2-4
*limited inventory; confirm availability

brie mine

Filled with artisan cheese, premium
charcuterie, seasonal sweet & savory
accompaniments, including chocolate
covered strawberries. Prices vary.

details

Sizes feed 2-4 or 4-6. Contact Mollie via
email for details on pricing and pickup!

Special Valentine's Day menu available
Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February
14

flowers + charcuterie

Dinner & flowers are covered when you
purchase the Valentine's package! Enjoy a
fresh bouquet of flowers from Pozie by
Natalie and a Brie Mine charcuterie box!
This $80 special is available for pickup or
delivery on 2/13 and 2/14!

cheesebellyco

CHEESEBELLYCO

[email protected]

live bellingham now | pg 6

WINE PAIRINGS

We asked the experts at Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants
for their top recommendations to pair with your
charcuterie board order.

lini 910 lambrusco

Nothing says LOVE more than a glass of Lambrusco. All
the rage in the 1950’s with Riunite, this sparkling red was
the romantic beverage of the day. Fast forward some 70
years and the romance has rekindled.

This Lambrusco blends 90% Lambrusco Salamino grapes
and 10% Ancelotta. You’ll find pleasantly brisk bubbles and
a fresh, ripe berry flavor. Made in a dry style, this would
pair beautifully with a charcuterie board.

anne sophie dubois cocottes
fleurie 2019

The French word “Cocotte” translates to “sweetie” or
“darling”. Les Cocottes is a 100% Gamay hailing from
Fleurie, a renowned Cru Beaujolais. This refreshing bottle
is best imbibed slightly chilled. It expresses notes of fresh,
tart cherries, pomegranate juice, and white pepper, and
drinks oh-so easily with a cheese board and your very own
sweetie, darling, or valentine.

swick bring it 2019

Bring It this Valentine’s Day. Swick’s seductive red blend
brings you earthy, tart, and refreshing notes with that
classic burst of cherry aromatics from Oregon Pinot. Enjoy
the spontaneous fermentation and let this natural wine
unfold. This is a wine for sipping and sharing.

seifert & jones wine merchants

19 PROSPECT ST

SJWINEMERCHANTS.COM
SEIFERTJONESWINEMERCHANTS

live bellingham now | pg 7

MEAD SELECTIONS

Award-winning mead maker Carlos Bassetti of
Artivem Mead Co. sent us some of his favorite
recommendations for a tasty drink at home or
on their outdoor patio while you're visiting
Waypoint Park!

northern goshawk

This is the berry mead you’ve been waiting
for...probably. Strawberry, raspberry, and
blueberry team up to create a tart and lively
fruit-trio that will knock your socks off!
Brighten a gloomy day with a glass of
Northern Goshawk.

red-billed firefinch

Say hello to cherry pie in a bottle. This tart,
spiced mead is made with organic Marmeleiro
Blossom honey then aged on whole
Madagascar vanilla beans, cinnamon, nutmeg,
allspice, and clove. Enjoy on an Autumn
afternoon while watching the leaves fall.

pale eyed bluebird

Pale-Eyed Blackbird is a black currant mead
with Madagascar vanilla beans which provides
a mouth-watering experience that will inspire
you to find a friend to share with. It is tart with
a lightly sweet backbone and vanilla
throughout. Enjoy this mead with people you
love.

artivem mead co.

1211 GRANARY AVE #127

ARTIVEM.COM

ARTIVEMMEAD

live bellingham now | pg 8

DAY DATE: FAIRHAVEN

Become a tourist for an afternoon (yes, IN CASE YOU...
cameras and all!). It's all about choosing to ...want to do a little consignment
look for adventure and see newness in shopping: just across from Paper
things and places that might be familiar. Dreams, pop into Serendipity, a
beautifully organized array of chic &
Before heading into the business center, eclectic pieces. Megan is a delight to
find one or two of the historic homes chat with while you're browsing!
covered in the Cohen Group's
Bellingham Then & Now series and see SERENDIPITYFAIRHAVEN
them for yourself!
...need something for dinner: stop by
Take photos with the iconic features of Magdalena's Creperie & Bistro for
Fairhaven - the red phone booth, the delicious eats, from hand-crafted
pathway behind Skylarks, and Dirty Dan pierogies to Polish soups and Brittany-
himself, or become the tour guide and style crepes.
make a mini travel vlog of the
experience! MAGDALENASCREPERIE.COM

Do you know any secret spots that your MAGDALENASCREPERIE
partner, date or pod squad doesn't?
Time to find out who's got the inside
scoop!

Grab a treat at Iron Rooster Bakery or
coffee at Harris Ave Coffee.

Take a walk to watch the (early) sunset
from Taylor Dock.

Time for takeout! Ovn Wood Fired Pizza,
Skylarks, The Filling Station, Dirty Dan
Steakhouse - there are plenty of options
right here in the heart of old Fairhaven!

VISIT ENJOYFAIRHAVEN.COM FOR
MORE ABOUT THIS GORGEOUS
PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

live bellingham now | pg 9

LET'S GO FOR A WALK

LAKE PADDEN (FALL) Grab a coffee and a snack and take a
leisurely walk somewhere you've never
been.

If it's a clear day, you'll be rewarded with
glorious views of our beautiful Pacific
Northwest.

Semiahmoo Spit - views of White Rock
and the Canadian Coastal range.

Hertz Trail (North Lake Whatcom) - Up
to 6.2 miles if you go the whole
distance! Enjoy streams and views of
Lake Whatcom on a fairly level stroll, or
level up to Chanterelle Trail for 4.8
miles with 1000 feet of elevation gain,
rewarded by views of Lake Whatcom
and out to the Bay and islands. (at the
time of publishing, Hertz Trail was
closed due to a landslide. Check with a
trail resource before proceeding.)

Lake Padden - 2.5 mile loop, plus
additional less-populated trails. Just a
couple minutes away from breakfast or
coffee in Fairhaven!

Stimpson Family Nature Reserve - over
4 miles of hiking trails and includes
Douglas Fir trees that are over 400
years old. Located in Sudden Valley.

Sehome Arboretum - 175 acres next to
WWU. Climb the observation tower for
sweeping views of Bellingham Bay.

WHATCOM FALLS (EARLY FALL)

live bellingham now | pg 10

if you're new to town:

Taylor Dock - arguably the individual
most popular walk in Bellingham, this
elevated boardwalk connects Fairhaven
with Boulevard Park.

Whatcom Falls Park - one of
Bellingham's largest city parks that
offers multiple winding trails.

BIG ROCK GARDEN PARK (SPRING) TAYLOR DOCK - BOULEVARD PARK

date idea:

For 'there & back' loop trails, commit to
relationship topics. On the way out,
process your past. Reflections on growth,
change, conflicts, outside stressors and
all the memories.

Then after you turn around, talk about
the present and future - what you love
about each other, where you're at right
now, and your vision for your lives.

what's your favorite walk?

Share it in your
Stories and tag
@cohengroupnw
to show us!

TAYLOR DOCK

live bellingham now | pg 11

ACTIVITIES & GIFTS

sweet bellingham

Enjoy decorating cookies - no
baking required! Sweet Bellingham
in Fairhaven is offering all the
supplies you'll need for an evening
of sugary-sweet fun.

details

$30 per cookie decorating kit.

connect

SWEET_BELLINGHAM
SWEETBELLINGHAM.COM

vitality bowls

Offer a healthy alternative in your kids' classrooms
by giving out coupons for free Kids Sunsation
Smoothies! (and while you're there - try our
personal favorite: the turkey panini with sundried
tomatoes!)

details

Drop by Vitality Bowls in Barkley after February 1 to
pick up your coupons. Contact the store for
questions.

connect

VITALITYBOWLSBELLINGHAM
3011 CINEMA PL #101

live bellingham now | pg 12

SCAVENGER HUNT connect

bellingham parks department BELLINGHAM PARKS &
RECREATION
Help the Tin Man find a heart by taking an afternoon to solve
clues and take selfies with the bright red heart signs planted BELLINGHAMPARKS
in Bellingham parks, trails and local landmarks!

details

Runs Feb 1-16, with completed entries entered into a raffle
(drawing Feb 19) for Think Local First gift cards.

Register with the Parks Dept (link on their Facebook page or
by Googling "Bellingham Parks If Only I Had a Heart"). Clues
will be provided on your registration receipt!

$5 to participate.

live bellingham now | pg 13

CELEBRATE

THE

ORDINARY

lifestyle shoot

Sometimes it's the small
things, the comfort of your
own home. This
photojournalistic style focuses
on the tiny moments, the little
interactions, the wink over
coffee and flicking each other
with a towel while washing
dishes.

the details

Engagement & Couples Minis:
$300/half-hour session
(Pricing runs Jan-end of March 2021)

connect

MERAKIPHOTOGRAPHYNW
MERAKIPHOTOGRAPHYNW.COM

[email protected]

live bellingham now | pg 14

CELEBRATE
YOU

boudoir shoot

See yourself as you might
never have before.
A professional boudoir
photographer preserves
your beauty and
sensuality in a private
gallery and album - for
your eyes only (you can
show your partner if you
want ;) )

the details

$350 per session.

connect

KIANALINDSEYPHOTO
KIANDLINDSEY.COM

[email protected]

live bellingham now | pg 15

GREETING
CARDS

art & happiness

How fun would this be as a project
for the whole family?! Perhaps
there's a friend or teacher who
could use a sweet greeting this
winter.

the details

Stop by Art and Happiness to
purchase the kit for $10, then go
home and watch the step-by-step
online video tutorial to see how to
put the cards together!

connect

ARTANDHAPPINESSBELLINGHAM
ARTANDHAPPINESS.NET
509.860.2919
2004 JAMES ST

live bellingham now | pg 16

CERAMICS

creativitea

Pick up pottery and supplies
for a unique Valentine's gift or
creative date night! Select any
piece from their shelves - each
comes with your choice of
colors, brushes, palette, and
instructions - or choose one of
the pre-packaged Art from
the Heart kits!

the details

Return painted pieces to be
glazed and fired. Finished
pieces will be ready to pick up
within a week.
Open 12-6 Sunday the 14th! For
additional hours please call or
visit website.

connect

CREATIVITEAPOTTERYSTUDIO
CREATIVITEA.COM
360.752.1724
1312 11TH STREET

live bellingham now | pg 17

VIRTUAL VALENTINE'S EVENT

good time girls

The sassy storytellers of Bellingham's weird and wonderful
history are back! This holiday, they're serving up the tales of
the odd tarts and star-crossed lovers that lived right here so
long ago. Rumor has it there's even details about a 1919
production called "A Romance of Bellingham."
Pour yourself a drink and get ready for a delightful evening!

details

Sunday, February 14 at 7pm via Zoom.
$10 per computer login.

connect

BELLINGHISTORY.COM
GOODTIMEGIRLSTOURS

live bellingham now | pg 18

CUSTOM
MOMENTS

six sisters designs

From stacking rings to leather
bracelets, keychains to guitar
picks, Six Sisters Designs can do it
all.

Stamp your accessory with names,
important dates or go practical
and label keychains with vehicle
makes & models!

connect

SIXSISTERSDESIGNS

SIXSISTERSDESIGNS.COM

CHARMING
ACCENTS

grace unfaded

Look no further than Lynden for chic
handmade jewelry! Christa's collections
include leather, clay and brass earrings.
Word has it that they even work for
people with sensitive ears, so check with
the creator and see if her earrings might
be a fit!

connect

GRACEUNFADED

GRACEUNFADED.COM

live bellingham now | pg 19

GOODIES

antler baking co.

Give beauty and feel good about
supporting sustainability, local
farms & businesses this
Valentine's day! Noctua Florals
will be offering hand-tied +
paper wrapped bouquets, along
with her custom garden-inspired
vase arrangements available for
add on or with a Specialty
Valentine designed Cake
packages created with love for
your special someone.

Featuring foliage & blooming
branches from Whatcom &
Skagit County, as well as Oregon-
grown flowers & textures.

the details

Specialty Cake + Paper Bouquet $65

Specialty Cake + Garden Vase
Arrangement $95

Preorder online til February 7!

connect

NOCTUAFLORALS
ANTLERBAKINGCOMPANY
ANTLERBAKINGCOMPANY.COM

10 PROSPECT ST

live bellingham now | pg 20

SUGARY
DELIGHTS

antler baking co.

Veronica's Valentine's menu
includes specialty cakes hot
cocoa bombs, love bark, sugar
cookie decorating, and dessert
bar toppings!

the details

Pre-order on website til Feb 7.
All items are available for pickup
at Antler counter, Feb 13 & 14
from 12-2pm.

connect

ANTLERBAKINGCOMPANY
ANTLERBAKINGCOMPANY.COM
10 PROSPECT ST

live bellingham now | pg 21

CONFECTIONS

evolve chocolate

This month's truffle flavors include
peanut butter milk chocolate, mint
& miso, cajeta (goat's milk caramel),
plus classic flavors amped up with
sea salt.

details

Truffle are available in gift boxes of
3, 6 or 12 truffles ($9, $18 and $30
respectively).

evolve cafe

Keep an eye out for their Valentine's
menu!

connect

EVOLVEFAIRHAVEN
EVOLVEPROVISIONS
EVOLVECHOCOLATECAFE.COM

live bellingham now | pg 22

SWEET
TREATS

pure bliss

The special Valentine's lineup
includes a petite Belgian
chocolate torte, a petite white
chocolate raspberry cheesecake,
heart shaped shortbread boxes,
a petite cupcake box, and
champagne cake!
Exact lineup is subject to
change; confirm directly with
the store.

the details

OPEN Sunday, February 14!
Be sure to pre-order; this is one
of the bakery's busiest days of
the year!

connect

PUREBLISSDESSERTS
PUREBLISSDESSERTS.COM
360.739.1612
1424 CORNWALL AVE

live bellingham now | pg 23

DRIZZLED
GOODNESS

banana ohh na na

If you haven't heard of Ramona's
famous banana pudding, now you
have! This Valentine's Day, she's
pulling out the stops with a menu of:
Hot Chocolate Bombs
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
Cheesecake Waffle Cones
Donuts
Banana Pudding
Pies
There's even a Smash Heart...with a
wooden hammer to break it!

details

FREE local delivery on orders over
$30! (confirm Valentine's availability
as it's a busy weekend)

connect

BANANAOHHNANA19
BANANA.OHH.NA
[email protected]

live bellingham now | pg 24

FLORAL
DELIVERY

olio~flowers &
plants

Tatum offers local delivery
with the purchase of a custom
bouquet! Tell her your budget
and any preferences on
style/color and see what
delightful arrangement arrives
on your doorstep.

connect

OLIOFLOWERSANDPLANTS
OLIOFLOWERS.COM

live bellingham now | pg 25

THANK YOU FOR READING

LiveBellinghamNow was created to highlight the activities, attractions and neat
small businesses that make our PNW community the wonderful place it is. When
you support local businesses, you build the unique identity of a community. You
help create jobs right here in our county. You vote for the quality and customer
service that small shops provide - places where you’re on a first-name basis with
the owner.

Your purchasing dollars go to individuals and families who live in your area, and
you support diverse, one-of-a-kind products - products made with heart and
services provided with care.

Thank you for supporting local businesses.

a publication of the Cohen Group NW

WWW.LIVEBELLINGHAMNOW.COM BUILDING BELLINGHAM
COHENGROUPNW BUILDINGBELLINGHAM

segar photography photo credits

Thanks to Wesley Segar for providing All photos are used with permission,
this edition's cover photo! Wes & Shelby and are the property of their respective
are a husband-and-wife team based out owners. Photos were either provided by
of North Bellingham. They photograph their respective owners or taken by a
weddings, seniors, families and more! member of the CGNW crew.

_SEGARPHOTOGRAPHY_

SEGARPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

live bellingham now | pg 26



(360) 398-3894 | 510 Lakeway Drive | www.livebellinghamnow.com