Image courtesy WSDOT Mountain News: March 2015 Mother Nature sent Mt. Baker Ski Area operators and passholders on an emotional roller coaster this week, dumping just enough snow to get everyone's …

Backcountry Chili By Lynn Beck A lighter, fresh-tasting version of a winter staple, this white chicken chili recipe will allow you to improvise. We’ve tried it with great results using chicken …

By Lynn Beck An active person’s diet definitely has a place for energy-packed treats. Loaded with complex carbs, protein and just the right amount of delicious (and good for you) dark chocolate, …

  Celebrate Bellingham Beer Week By Aubrey Laurence There’s nothing like ending a long hike on a crisp fall day with a good beer. For 10 days in September, you can raise pints of the tastiest …

North country wines By Sue Madsen Fine wines from east of the Cascades in Oregon and Washington have put the Northwest on the map as a favored grape growing region. The high desert conditions of the …

Tasting notes Bellingham's new breweries By Aubrey Laurence It’s a great time to be a craft beer lover in Bellingham, as this city continues to spawn new breweries. If you haven’t had a chance to …

The Natural Connection Food/people/ecosystem in North Cascades Institute's Foodshed Initiative By Ian Ferguson Just as Buddhists seek enlightenment at ancient monasteries high in the Himalayas, …

A cup of joe, and gelato to go Tasty new treats at Il Caffé Rifugio Story and photo by Brandy Shreve At Il Caffe Rifugio the walls are tumbling down, and owner Richard Balogh is finally seeing his …

Remaking a winter classic Favorite hot chocolate recipes By Kristin Smith Winter is the season of snow, ice, crisp days and frozen fingers - the season when a hot drink suddenly becomes a life saver. …

Mountain Acres Bakers By Brandy Kiger Shreve Being in a small community with a small economy can make it hard to launch your entrepreneurial endeavors, but Colin and Danielle Duffy know that the way …

By Aubrey Laurence The second annual Bellingham Beer Week (BBW) is a time to salute the many great breweries, beer bars and beer stores that serve the Bellingham area, and it’s an opportunity for …

FARMERS MARKETS Fresh produce grown locally. WASHINGTON STATE MARKETS Anacortes Farmers Market Wednesday, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. anacortesfarmersmarket.org Bellingham Farmers Market …

MAPLE FALLS CAFE Gourmet eats in Maple Falls. Seattle chef and restaurateur Sam Hassan is bringing his unique take on good food to Maple Falls with the opening of the Maple Falls Cafe on the Mt. …

GOOD BREWS Story and photos by Aubrey Laurence New breweries popping up. According to the Brewers Association, which represents craft breweries in the United States, 2012 saw a 15 percent rise in …

Annie's Pizza Station Story and photos by Sue Madsen Concrete, Washington, is famous for its speed trap, its role as the setting for Tobias Wolff’s “This Boy’s Life” and for Annie’s Pizza …

FUEL THE RIDE Providing healthy food for kids Since 2007, Erin Baker’s Wholesome Baked Goods, based in Bellingham, has been helping kids get fueled up and geared up for skiing or snowboarding at …

By Sue Madsen Concrete, Washington, is famous for its speed trap, its role as the setting for Tobias Wolff’s “This Boy’s Life,” and for Annie’s Pizza Station. Annie’s was started by Chuck …

Where to Stay BELLINGHAM Best Western Plus Lakeway Inn 714 Lakeway Drive 360/671-1011 thelakewayinn.com Bellingham’s premier full-service hotel with 132 spacious guest rooms and suites, two …

The Blue T Lodge, the new lodge behind Chair 9 Woodstone Pizza and Bar, is open, just in time for the 2012-13 ski season.The lodge is the latest endeavor for the Cook family, who also own Chair 9. …

Farmers Markets Anacortes Farmers Market Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. anacortesfarmersmarket.org Bellingham Farmers Market Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. bellinghamfarmers.org Birch Bay Public Market …