The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival begins April 1st, but the flowers are evidently anxious to get on with the show! With our mild Pacific Northwest winter, it’s no real surprise that the daffodils, tulips and irises in Mount Vernon are blooming a little earlier this year. Festival organizers always say, “Bloom dates according to Mother Nature,” and it’s true!

Daffodils are already in adorning most fields in bright yellow, and the main attraction — tulips — are already beginning their debut near the Roozengarde Display Garden. In just a few short weeks, most of the fields are expected to be in full bloom, turning the Mount Vernon area into a true Pacific Northwest attraction as people travel large distances to see the gorgeous floral display.

The Tulip Festival is just one reason why life in Skagit County is Pacific Northwest living at its finest.  To learn about exciting deals on homes in Skagit County or Mount Vernon homes, please Contact Me or visit my free, no-hassle Northwest MLS search. To see photos of the tulips, be sure to check out my Pacific Northwest photoblog during the month of April!

Helpful Tulip Festival Links:

Bloom Map

Official Festival Website

It’s almost St. Patty’s Day, and Whatcom County likes to celebrate each year with the Runnin’ O’ the Green sponsored by Bellingham Parks & Recreation— a chance to get out and get some great exercise in The Pacific Northwest, and, of course, celebrate the wee bit of Irish spirit in each of us.

Two races will take place on Saturday, March 13th at 10:00 a.m.— a 2-mile fun-run/walk and a 5-mile race, both of which begin and end at Bloedel Donovan Park at Lake Whatcom (the courses wind through Whatcom Falls Park and local greenways). Awards will be given to the top 3 males and females overall and there will be many drawn prizes.Refreshments and snacks will be provided for race participants, and there will even be live music and dancing!

Registration is $20 and includes a t-shirt. To register, visit the City of Bellingham’s website or get more information at local running shoe stores. Don’t miss this fun opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends (and of course, remember to come decked out in green)!

Photo credit: Sherlock77

Looking for the best new products for your Pacific Northwest home and garden? Then be sure not to miss The 31st Annual Whatcom County Home and Garden Show — beginning this Friday and lasting through the weekend!

Put on by the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, the show will take place at the Northwest Washington Fair and Events Center in Lynden, WA. Here are some of the main attractions:

FRIDAY, MARCH 5th, at 6 pm: Andy Wappler, speaking about green Northwest homes and lower energy use;

SATURDAY, MARCH 6th: Duel of the Design Stars — Matt Locke and Dan Vickery;

SUNDAY, MARCH 7th, at 1pm: Ciscoe Morris, star of “Gardening with Ciscoe” on KING5 news.

Hours for the Whatcom County Home and Garden Show will be Friday 10am to 9pm; Saturday 10am to 8pm, and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Admission is $7 for adults and $6 for seniors. Children under 16 are free.

Come and see what local Northwest home and garden vendors have to offer you and your family!

Photo courtesy: WCHGS website

If you’ve recently bought a Whatcom County home, or are planning a move to Whatcom County, you may be wondering how to get settled in the community and make new friends.  Good news!  You’re not the only one, and there’s a group that’s ready and waiting to help you meet new people and learn about our beautiful Pacific Northwest community.

Started in 1997, the Newcomer’s Club of Whatcom County has simple goals: they exist to encourage social gatherings for members and guests of Whatcom County, to distribute a newsletter with a calendar of activities, and to offer community information that assists people in becoming integrated into our community.

With fun activities ranging from hiking and golf to bridge, bunco, dominoes, and book clubs, the Newcomer’s Club is open to all adults who are interested in building new friendships.

Their monthly luncheon is January 20th at noon.  For more information, check out their website: www.whatcomnewcomers.org.

Photo credit: AD

If you’ve ever had perfect crepes, you know they’re something VERY special — and something special has come to Whatcom County! Magdalena’s Creperie is treating its customers to daily delights in its beautiful, cozy space on Tenth Street in Fairhaven.

Magdalena’s is a perfect place to enjoy breakfast or lunch on a slow-going Pacific Northwest Saturday morning. Their staff is friendly and aim to please — from fresh french-pressed local coffee to the heavenly butter cookie placed along side your mug, there are all sorts of small extra touches that make for a memorable dining experience. And the crepes themselves — it’s hard to decide between sweet crepes and savory, everything sounds so appetizing.

Chocolate lovers, beware: the chocolate crepes are pretty much to die for.

Then there’s Magdalena herself — hard at work in the open kitchen, greeting customers with a quick smile, encouraging folks to sample an authentic Polish soup or pirogi. She’s a walking reminder of how extraordinarily warm and personal locally-owned restaurants can be.

Next time you’re in Fairhaven, drop on in and enjoy this gem for yourself! For hours and more information, please visit www.magdalenascreperie.com.

(Photo courtesy Magdalena Theisen)

(L-R Bellingham Athletic Club owner Kathy Buckley, water aerobics instructor Jill Robertson, and Pacific Northwest Real Estate Agent Susan Stecher, decked out in their Jingle Bell finest!)

While many of you have probably heard about Whatcom County‘s annual Jingle Bell Run in Downtown Bellingham, what you may not know is that there was also a Jingle Bell Swim at the Bellingham Athletic Club raising funds for the Bellingham Arthritis Foundation!

Water aerobic classes and lap swim sessions are available at the Cordata Bellingham Athletic Club throughout the week, day and evenings, and the intensity levels vary. Kathy Buckley, owner of the BAC, is a swim expert who’s passionate about making sure our diverse Whatcom County community is served. Water aerobic classes are specifically designed so that folks of all ages and fitness levels can participate — the oldest participant is in her 90′s!

Jill Robertson has been coaching people to better health for over 29 years, and she regularly teaches classes each week at the BAC. She says it gives her “great joy” to watch her class participants achieve greater health. People who attend her classes are constantly grateful for her encouragement, her energy, and her enthusiasm!

Water aerobic classes are designed to make sure everyone feels comfortable participating — if you feel shy jumping into the pool in your swimsuit, clean t-shirts and shorts are also allowed. Some of the classes are specifically designed for arthritic exercise, and the Bellingham Arthritis Foundation has stepped in to help train the instructors at no cost. Everyone is welcome!

Classes begin with a brief warm up, followed by 30 minutes of workout, ending with a few minutes of stretching and water yoga. Hot tubs and saunas are also available to warm you up after your swim.

While the water aerobics classes are wonderful for your health, they are also GREAT for your mood! The music is fun and upbeat, ranging from the 70′s to the 90′s, and participants are known to don a costume or two during special holidays. Also, the Back-of-the-Pool Gang (see pictures below) is known to get a little rambunctious from time to time with a water fight or two, which always keeps things exciting!

If you want to make 2010 a healthier, happier year, water aerobics might just be exactly what you need to get on the path to fitness and health. If you’d like a free guest pass to the Bellingham Athletic Club, please call me (Susie) at (360) 319-4939 and I’ll get you set up! Please check the Bellingham Athletic Club for more details, or check their Pool Schedule for more information about classes.

And now, introducing the infamous Back-of-the-Pool Gang… are any of you very surprised that it includes yours truly?

(L-R, Donna, me, and Smitty)

During the holidays, and all throughout the year, Whatcom County volunteers are out in our community, giving their time and talent to ensure a better way of life for everyone who lives here in our part of The Pacific Northwest.

In our area, we’re fortunate to have the Whatcom Volunteer Center. Each year, this organization connects more than 4,000 volunteers to 400 opportunities to serve in Bellingham, Fairhaven, Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine and beyond.

The Whatcom Volunteer Center also provides a portal for community agencies to access a wide variety of talented volunteers without increasing their expenses. WVC works with over 350 Whatcom County nonprofits, schools, government, and healthcare organizations.

From their Volunteer Chore Program, which takes care of senior Whatcom residents by providing yardwork, housework, and errands, to the House 2 Home Network, which helps connect household furniture donations to formerly homeless people who are transitioning into a home, the Whatcom Volunteer Center is a powerful force for good here in Whatcom County — both for those in need, and for those who need to give.

One way you can help: if you’re looking for a fun, fancy night out in Bellingham to celebrate New Year’s Eve, purchase your tickets now for First Night Bellingham: A Formal Affair. With live music, dancing, food & drink, and a midnight champagne toast at the Lakeway Inn, this event is a great way to ring in the New Year AND support our community.  Tickets are $49/single, $79/couple with an RSVP, or $59 per ticket at the door, and 100% of the proceeds go to the Whatcom Volunteer Center.

For more information on the fundraiser, visit: http://www.firstnightbellingham.com/, or to find great opportunities to give, visit http://www.whatcomvolunteer.org/.

Bellingham residents, your secret is out! Bellingham is consistently high-up on lists of “Best Places to Live,” and Sunset Magazine is also joining in the praise. In their August 2009 issue, Sunset dedicated an entire article to reasons why life in Bellingham is so fun-filled:

1.  Whale watching in Bellingham

Several local companies offer whale-watching cruises sailing out of Bellingham Bay.  With opportunities to see orcas and humpback whales at play, as well as stunning views of the San Juan Islands and Mount Baker, this is an unforgettable experience not to be missed!

2.  Shopping in Fairhaven

Historic Fairhaven, with its old-fashioned brick charm, is a fantastic place to shop and relax.  Unique boutiques and plenty of quality local eateries abound in Fairhaven, making it a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike.

3.  Fresh, local Bellingham coffee

Though there are several Woods Coffee locations throughout Bellingham, there can be no doubt that their most popular location is right on the water at sprawling Boulevard Park.  You won’t find a better place to sit and enjoy a caffeinated beverage while watching the sunset out over Bellingham Bay.

4. Beautiful hikes in Whatcom County

Fragrance Lake is one of many hikes available to outdoor-lovers in Bellingham.  Two-and-a-half miles into the woods, trekkers are rewarded with deep breaths of cedar and pine — as well as a little peace and quiet around the still, secluded lake.  In all, there are more than 50 miles of Whatcom County parks and recreation trails, offering residents a chance to revel in their green home.

5.  Fresh, local Bellingham food… with flair!

Sunset featured two very popular Downtown Bellingham establishments in their article — Little Cheerful Cafe, on Holly Street (look for Charlie Chaplin on the window), and Mallard Ice Cream, on Railroad Street next to the Bagelry.  Where else can you find crab-cake eggs Benedict, or Pinot Noir ice cream?  With plenty of restaurants to explore here in Bellingham, dining is never dull.

To find a home that allows you to enjoy all that Bellingham has to offer, check out our free Bellingham MLS home search.