COCOA’S PICKS
Scepter Awards
6–8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St.
Bellingham is home to a wealth of community-minded individuals, and the Scepter Awards are where they get their flowers. Presented by the Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP), the annual event isn’t your average award ceremony: Expect drinks, light bites and lip-syncing from a few local “Bellebrities.”
More than a dozen movers and shakers will be recognized in categories ranging from “Behind the Scenes Superheroes” to “Rising Stars.” This year’s recipients include Paper Whale/Noisy Waters Mural Fest (“Creative Contributions”), Rhiannon Troutman (“Organizational Leadership”) and Pride in Bellingham (“Community Catalyst”). Ticket sales benefit DBP’s efforts to support the vitality of our downtown corridor. Info: downtownbellingham.com.
Wreath Decorating for Washington Conservation Action
6–8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, Aslan Depot, 1322 N. State St.
As a notorious Christmas decoration procrastinator, I appreciate Aslan Depot for scheduling this event so close to Christmas Day. If you’re also scrambling for last-minute holiday decor, why not go the DIY route and support a good cause?
Aslan’s wreath-decorating party benefits Washington Conservation Action (WCA), a conservation and environmental justice nonprofit. (Fun fact: Brothers Free and Raven Borsey of Lummi Nation were recently named recipients of their $100,000 Bullitt Prize, an award for environmental leaders under 35 from underrepresented groups.)
The event itself is free, and $1 for every Aslan beer and hop water sold will benefit WCA. Better yet, all supplies are provided, so all you have to do is show up. Info: aslanbrewing.com.
Late Night Film: ‘Die Hard’
10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, Lincoln Theatre, 712 S. 1st St., Mount Vernon
Discussions about Christmas movies often circle back to an eternal debate: Is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie? Sure, it takes place at Christmas — but the 1988 action flick also contains more violence, hostage situations and Bruce Willis one-liners than your average holiday classic.
Still, plenty of folks make a point to watch “Die Hard” around Christmas. The Lincoln Theater has also taken a stance in the ongoing debate by arranging a late-night “Die Hard” screening the Saturday before Dec. 25.
For those who aren’t familiar, the film stars Bruce Willis as John McClane, a grizzled New York City cop. While vying for his ex-wife’s affection, he gets caught up in a hostage situation at — where else? — a Christmas party. Per the Lincoln’s blurb, “Very soon McClane realizes that there’s no one to save the hostages — except him.” Info: lincolntheatre.org.
10th Annual Darkest Days Solstice Party
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, Elizabeth Station, 1400 W. Holly St.
If the vitamin D deficiency is setting in, here’s some good news: Dec. 21 is Winter Solstice, aka the darkest day of the season. From then on out, days only get longer — and that’s something worth celebrating.
In years past, I’ve spent Winter Solstice cooking a special meal or brewing mulled wine. My (slightly more superstitious) friends are known to read tarot cards. And for the past decade now, the folks at Bellingham bottle shop Elizabeth Station have thrown a big party.
All day long on Dec. 21, Elizabeth Station will be showcasing its finest barrel-aged brews — some of which the shop has been holding onto all year. It’s an event worth attending, whether you love craft beer or just want to celebrate Solstice in the company of others. (Dark days call for dark beer, after all.) Info: elizabethstation.es.
Holiday Dockside Market
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, Fishermen’s Pavilion in Squalicum Harbor, 2599 S. Harbor Loop Drive
I’ve always been charmed by the concept of the Feast of the Seven Fishes. This Christmas Eve dinner is a tradition among Italian-American families and is largely self-explanatory: It’s a grand meal featuring seven distinct types of seafood, from shrimp to squid, sea bass, scallops and anything else you can think of that lives underwater. (Folks with seafood allergies should probably sit this one out.)
Whether you’re planning a Feast of the Seven Fishes or just want to stock up on fresh seafood before Christmas, make sure to swing by the third annual Holiday Dockside Market on Dec. 21. Bellingham Dockside Market happens the first and third Saturdays each month, but the holiday installment is extra special. The usual fishermen will be joined by food and craft vendors, plus a performance by the Bellingham Youth Jazz Band at noon. Oh, and did I mention there are free cookies? Info: portofbellingham.com.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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For questions, ideas and feedback, email cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com.
Before heading out to attend in-person happenings, check with individual venues to make sure the event is still taking place as scheduled.
The A-List appears weekly. To submit an event for consideration, email calendar@cascadiadaily.com.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
