Bellingham Scoop: November 19, 2025

Top events, airport survey, Nick Offerman news, and more

November 19, 2025

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Good morning, Bellingham. It is November 19, 2025! This week has a little bit of everything. Mrs. Doubtfire is hitting the Mount Baker Theatre, Krampus is warming up for his big night out, the airport wants your travel wishes, Nick Offerman is carving his way back into town, and Whatcom County campers are already setting alarms for reservation day. Let’s get into it.

Home insurance premiums are up by 9% this year

Home insurance costs continue to climb, with premiums rising over 9% this year and more than 60% in the past five years. However, coverage hasn’t kept pace, leaving many homeowners paying significantly more for less protection. With affordability becoming a growing concern, it’s more important than ever to compare options—check out Money’s handy home insurance tool to find the best fit for you.

This Week’s Must-Dos:

Let’s Take Flight Together: BLI Wants Your Input on Future Destinations ✈️

Raise your hand if you would love more places to fly from right here in Bellingham. If your hand is already in the air, the folks at Bellingham International Airport want to hear from you. They are gathering community feedback to help guide conversations with airlines, and your voice could truly help shape the future of travel in Whatcom County.

BLI is working to expand service, add new destinations, and make flying from home even easier. The airport team says the more survey responses they receive, the stronger their case becomes when they sit down with potential airline partners. So your five minutes of feedback can have a real impact.

What the survey asks

The Leisure Travel Survey covers simple questions about how you travel, including:

• How often you take leisure trips
• Which airports you use most often
• Which nonstop destinations you would like to see from BLI
• Whether you would choose BLI if the right nonstop options were available
• How much more you would be willing to pay to avoid the long drive to SEA, PAE, or YVR
• What factors make BLI appealing such as parking, convenience, or a smaller airport experience
• Where you live and how many people you typically travel with

Nothing tricky. Just straightforward questions that help the airport understand when, where, and how locals prefer to travel.

Why your voice matters

Your input helps highlight what our community actually wants. Airlines pay close attention to this kind of data when deciding where to add new routes. If Bellingham travelers show strong interest in places like San Diego, Denver, Phoenix, or Hawaii, that information carries real weight during planning and negotiations.

More responses lead to better chances of getting the destinations you want.

What it could mean for all of us

Imagine heading to your favorite sunny spot without the two hour trek to Seattle. Or flying to see family without dealing with giant airport crowds. More service from BLI means easier travel, more convenience, and less time spent in traffic on I-5. That sounds like a win for everyone.

Take the survey

The survey takes about five minutes [SURVEY HERE! :)], and it really does help shape future service at BLI. Consider raising your hand one more time by sharing your travel preferences.

Local Author Guest Post: Finding My Groove Again with My Fab 4 (by Marci Petersen) — Sponsored

Hey Neighbors! Life gets busy, routines fall apart, and somehow I managed to let every single one of my Bravenly products run out. I kept pretending there was more in the bag, giving it one last hopeful shake like it might magically refill itself.

Spoiler alert. It did not.

And let me tell you, those two weeks without my usual routine were rough. My stress felt a little higher, my mood was not as steady as usual, my sleep felt out of rhythm, and even the little day to day tension in my body seemed louder than normal. As a local teacher, it was a good reminder of why I started using these products in the first place and how much that daily consistency helps me feel grounded.

Now that I am back on track with my Fab 4 Gold, Ignite, Calm, and Drive and have been taking them consistently for about five days, I already feel so much more like myself again. Everyone has their own favorites depending on what they are working on, but this combo is my go to. My days feel smoother, my energy feels more even, and my whole routine just feels a little steadier when I give my body that bit of daily support.

Consistency really is everything. If you have been thinking about trying these or getting back into your own routine, consider this your friendly nudge from a neighbor who has now learned her lesson about letting things run out. If you’re interested in learning more about Bravenly, just let me know below!

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Nick Offerman Brings “Big Woodchuck” to Mount Baker Theatre This February

Bellingham friends, get ready for a night of comedy, clever storytelling, and a healthy dose of sawdust. Nick Offerman is coming back to Mount Baker Theatre on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 7 p.m., and his new show, Big Woodchuck, promises an evening filled with handcrafted humor and bookish fun.

Offerman is arriving even hairier than before and ready to remind us what a real, living, breathing human looks like. His newest tour blends comedy, music, woodworking inspiration, and stories tied to his latest book Little Woodchucks. Woodworker and co author Lee Buchanan will join him onstage, and together they may inspire you to pick up a tool and make something with your own hands. Offerman insists this is a foolproof way to earn a kiss, especially if your first project is sausage rolls.

Fans will recognize Offerman from his many roles, including Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation, his Emmy winning performance as Bill in The Last of Us, and his work on Fargo, Devs, The Great North, and more. He is also the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers and a devoted woodworker who spends his spare time crafting everything from spoons to canoes.

Ticket details (Buy Tix here)

• Tickets start at 45.62 dollars
• Presale for MBT members: November 20 at 10 a.m.
• General public on sale: November 21 at 10 a.m.
• Early access presale promo code: SYNTH

VIP Experience

VIP ticket holders receive premium seating, a signed copy of Little Woodchucks, and priority access for book personalization after the show. All attendees can join the book signing in the Harold and Irene Walton Theatre, but VIP guests will get front of the line access.

If you are a fan of woodworking, wordplay, quick wit, or simply want to spend Valentine’s Day with one of television’s most beloved humorists, this is a night you will not want to miss.

Shoreline Makeover at Boulevard Park Moves Forward

What to Expect Through Spring 2026

If Boulevard Park is one of your regular happy places, here is a heads up about a big shoreline restoration project that is officially underway. The City is giving two of the park’s beach areas some long overdue care, all with the goal of protecting the waterfront we love while making it easier and safer for everyone to enjoy.

Why the project is happening

Boulevard Park is a favorite for locals and visitors, so the shoreline takes a lot of wear and tear. This project focuses on creating healthier natural habitat, improving beach access, and protecting important park infrastructure from erosion. The area also supports forage fish such as surf smelt, so the improvements help local marine life too.

And just to clear up any confusion, this work is not connected to the South Bay Trail closure between Boulevard Park and Fairhaven.

What is happening right now

Construction is in progress and major work is expected to wrap up by December 2025, with additional restoration continuing into spring 2026.

While crews are on site, visitors will see some temporary disruptions.

• Limited or no access to parking, including EV chargers
• Closures near the shoreline and turf areas south and west of the coffee shop
• Night work during low tides, which may bring some evening and early morning construction noise
• An alternate trail detour will remain open during most park hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• The South Bay Trail will be closed after hours

Other parts of the park, including restrooms, will stay open. Full project page.

Improvements along the eastern beach

This side of the park will see the most change. Crews will:

• Remove old rock revetments and riprap in the intertidal zone
• Build a new rock revetment farther inland to better reduce erosion
• Relocate an eroding trail, utilities, and a storm drain trench to safer spots within the park

Improvements along the western beach

Work here is focused on stability and native plant restoration. Crews will:

• Add a small rock revetment and rockery for shoreline protection
• Remove invasive blackberry patches to support healthier native vegetation

Benefits once it is all completed

When the work is finished, the shoreline will be in better shape for both people and wildlife.

• Improved habitat for surf smelt
• Native plantings that help buffer against rising sea levels and erosion
• Safer, more stable beach access for visitors
• New educational signs to help share the story of the restoration and the ecology of Bellingham Bay

Funding

The project is supported by:

• 1,000,000 dollars from the Greenway Levy
• 500,000 dollars from a pending state grant through the Aquatic Land Enhancement Account

Who is involved

The work is a partnership between Parks and Recreation and Planning and Community Development, with the South Hill neighborhood most directly affected.

If your evening walks or coffee dates at the park take you through the construction area, thank you for being patient during the messy stage. The finished shoreline will be sturdier, healthier, and more welcoming for all of us.

Countdown to Camp Season: Whatcom County Opens 2026 Reservations on December 1

Bellingham friends, if you are dreaming of campfires, cabin weekends, and long summer nights under the trees, here is your official reminder. Whatcom County Parks opens its 2026 camping reservations on December 1 at 9 a.m. sharp. This is the big day to claim your favorite spot before they fill up, so consider this your neighborly nudge to set an alarm.

How to book your stay

Reservations for campsites and cabins open online at:
https://secure.itinio.com/whatcom/

If you are hoping to snag the Group Camp, a picnic shelter, or a day lodge, those must be booked by phone only. Call 360 778 5850 to reserve. The County expects high call volume, so a little patience will go a long way.

Where you can camp

Whatcom County has some beautiful options, and here are highlights from the two most popular parks.

Silver Lake Park

Silver Lake Park offers:
• 90 campsites across three campgrounds
• A Group Camp area
• A mix of accommodations depending on your style
• Camping from mid April through October 31
• 6 rustic cabins available year round

This park is a favorite for forest lovers, families, and anyone who wants easy access to lake time and mountain views.

Lighthouse Marine Park

Located in Point Roberts, this park offers:
• 30 regular campsites
• 5 small group camps (up to 25 people)
• Camping from mid April through October 31

It is a beautiful place to watch sunsets, walk the shoreline, and enjoy a quieter coastal atmosphere.

Facility rentals for gatherings

If you are planning a wedding, reunion, retreat, performance, class, or celebration, Whatcom County also offers an impressive lineup of rentable indoor and outdoor spaces. These are available on a per day basis and include:

Hovander Homestead Park

• Group Picnic Shelter, capacity 150
• Water Tower Site, capacity 50
• Blue Picnic Area, capacity 50
• Red Picnic Area, capacity 50
• Orchard (must be reserved with the Group Picnic Shelter)

Roeder Home

• Capacity 50 seated or 125 standing

Samish Day Lodge

• Capacity 60

Semiahmoo Cannery Lodge

• Capacity 63

Silver Lake Park Options

• Maple Creek Picnic Shelter, capacity 75
• Cedar and Fir Picnic Shelters, capacity 12
• Red Mountain Picnic Shelters, capacity 25 (reserved only by campers)
• Silver Lake Day Lodge, capacity 30 seated or 90 standing

If you have a favorite campsite you return to every year, do not wait. December 1 at 9 a.m. will arrive faster than we think. Here is to a future filled with starry nights, fresh air, and peaceful mornings in the woods.

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