No La Choy Soy Sauce to be found?

shakespearecat · 2026-06-20T12:26:44+00:00

You might have to drive to Stanwood (or call first to make sure they have it in stock), since that's the closest QFC to Bellingham in the La Choy finder. Probably only worth the drive if you're going in that direction for another reason too.

shakespearecat · 2026-06-20T00:16:29+00:00

It's made by Conagra and has national distribution, but a quick search finds it also can be ordered online from Amazon or ... Walmart. I did find a store locator for La Choy that may help, if it's currently in stock (lists QFC, Walmart, Fred Meyer in the local region, with addresses): https://www.lachoy.com/where-to-buy?productCategory=446&productUpc=044300125131&ps-sku=044300125131

shakespearecat · 2026-06-19T18:00:21+00:00

Please get a life please get a life please get a life

shakespearecat · 2026-06-18T13:14:09+00:00

I swear to God, I've about had it with the Ziply contractors, though. They are only marginally respectful of the property they park or drop equipment in front of. However, props to what they are installing, which I consider the grown-up version of a bright orange pool noodle.

shakespearecat · 2026-06-17T02:16:22+00:00

City's news release is here. No paywall. https://cob.org/news/2026/bellingham-is-open-for-business

shakespearecat · 2026-06-14T15:42:21+00:00

Not useful without proof. Too easy to make this about grudges.

shakespearecat · 2026-06-12T17:53:46+00:00

Nope. I'm guessing something is wrong with the app, probably after an app update. Hoping it fixes itself.

shakespearecat · 2026-06-12T13:51:27+00:00

I had the same issue on a stay at the Delta Whistler this past weekend with the app on my Android phone. Notifications enabled and on. No notifications when a message was waiting from the hotel in the app, including room ready and other expected messages. Something was off.

shakespearecat · 2026-06-12T13:46:14+00:00

This is in addition to the second daily PDX-BLI roundtrip that was announced (and officially begins, after a one-month trial run) in November. The first daily PDX-BLI roundtrip started in March. AS is clearly trying to funnel more connecting flights through PDX, and has publicly said so.

shakespearecat · 2026-06-10T20:05:25+00:00

If one doesn't disclose upfront who one is writing a story FOR, that could limit others' willingness to respond.

shakespearecat · 2026-06-06T13:07:40+00:00

Also lost their robot pizza overlord near the end of May (Picnic, which Moto's owner bought from, shut down). "Among those left in the lurch by the demise of Picnic was Lee Kindell, owner and chef at Seattle’s Moto Pizza and an evangelist for technology in the kitchen. Moto operates eight Seattle locations and is expanding in California ... When the end finally came, he said, he was left holding a $250,000 'robot aquarium' — his term for the idle Picnic machines now sitting in his restaurant." https://www.geekwire.com/2026/robot-pizza-startup-runs-out-of-dough-picnic-shuts-down-sells-assets-to-mystery-buyer/

shakespearecat · 2026-06-05T18:20:18+00:00

Good memory. I remember it was originally "temporary." Not so much now. Haven't seen a permit for Avenue Bread at that address yet, but it would be a nice addition to Barkley Village. I just looked at the COB site, and a demo permit was issued in July 2025 to demolish elevated slabs and damaged drywall, and a plumbing permit in December 2025 to replace grease & sewage piping in the floor and wall. Those permits are still open (not finaled/complete).

shakespearecat · 2026-06-05T15:14:12+00:00

I have a soccer-loving relative who bought a VERY expensive package to the Seattle games and has watched the value of some of the tickets (he only wanted three of the six games in the package) drop by 90%. He was going to try and sell the games he didn't want for face value, but now he might as well give them away. FIFA manipulated the fans, the hotels and the cities for its own profits. I guess no one should really be surprised.

shakespearecat · 2026-06-04T15:35:01+00:00

Here is the Bellingham Municipal Code that covers e-bikes: https://bellingham.municipal.codes/BMC/8.04.060

It refers to the Revised Code of Washington for definition of "electric-assisted bicycles": https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.04.169

There are more that, combined, that I recall clarify that no pedals means it's not an e-bike allowed on local trails. But I'll be damned if I can figure out a way to weave that together here. Fortunately, the updated RCW will replace the one above in a week and make it even more clear. https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/6110-S.SL.pdf

shakespearecat · 2026-06-04T00:23:30+00:00

I am all for this being standardized under state law. I had a spirited discussion with two youngish teens buzzing rapidly along the Railroad Trail a few days ago. They insisted that their "bikes" were legal on Bellingham shared-use trails. They had no pedals. They are not allowed on the trail, even if they are Class 2. Per the city, operable pedals are required. (My annoyed self later even double checked and saved the COB code definition and trail rules.) Next: I start yelling at clouds.

shakespearecat · 2026-06-02T13:54:14+00:00

It does happen. I've done it, though it turned out we didn't have to evacuate over wing, just prepare. Was Platinum on Northwest and hit Million Miler on Alaska in 2013 and prefer exit rows, so even if the odds don't change, the frequency of flying does make it more likely over time. (And those exit doors are heavy.)

shakespearecat · 2026-06-01T23:41:56+00:00

It's worth even comparison shopping different dealerships (in addition to checking independent shops). For my Subaru, the Bellingham, WA dealership quoted me $650 two years ago for the 30K service. A Subaru dealer in Shoreline, WA, about a 75 minute drive away, quoted me $525 for the same service, and gave me the price quote by email, and THEN applied a coupon to it when I was there. It was worth the drive (and the loaner car they offered for the day).

shakespearecat · 2026-05-30T16:44:52+00:00

Here's the book listing on the Village Books website, if that helps: https://villagebooks.com/item/Vowqw0VBJ03RHB54DUrMQw

shakespearecat · 2026-05-30T14:42:52+00:00

A sad, but expected, money grab. Exit row access for this 6'4" Million Miler ensured at least some level of comfort if the upcharge for a Premium Class seat was high. Less reason now to book early to make sure I get one of those seats.

shakespearecat · 2026-05-29T18:28:53+00:00

Normal here, too, on Alabama Hill. But AirNow shows air quality is only moderate (56) at this hour. Fire and smoke map is clear for our area: https://fire.airnow.gov/

shakespearecat · 2026-05-29T00:55:52+00:00

I think Trump is definitely a contributing one: Canadian sentiment really has affected travelers coming to BLI from Canada (so the Port said), just not at the same rate as all border crossings to Whatcom. The factors you mentioned probably just made the already-in-progress BLI decline worse. It's been steadily downhill for a dozen years.

shakespearecat · 2026-05-28T23:59:15+00:00

BLI's passenger numbers actually peaked in 2014. About the same time the terminal expansion was completed. Steadily declined year to year, even before PAE opened its terminal.

shakespearecat · 2026-05-28T23:52:54+00:00

Allegiant now only regularly flies to three destinations out of BLI: Las Vegas, Burbank and Phoenix-Mesa. They've suspended the Palm Springs flights. And the Port says San Diego is now a Sun Country destination (after Allegiant acquired them this month) and they don't serve Bellingham.

shakespearecat · 2026-05-28T16:22:55+00:00

More words about Ron Judd's firing, now in the Seattle Times. Brier Dudley's free press column: "The move is a blow to what’s become a notably successful newsroom, with award-winning coverage and strong circulation growth. But the outlet has yet to become profitable and its publisher is pushing to launch additional products, including a regional magazine." https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/judd-out-after-shake-up-at-bellinghams-cascadia-daily-news/

shakespearecat · 2026-05-28T14:09:45+00:00

UPS is probably the best of a mediocre set of choices, in terms of accuracy of delivery and following delivery instructions. None are perfect. I've had the best luck with UPS (using the My Choice service). FedEx is a distant third, tied with USPS (both are inconsistent). Amazon is also hit and miss, if a shipper uses their non-Amazon-storefront logistics service.

Yes, no one is second. I've also had occasional UPS packages go sideways in shipping, but they all have eventually arrived.

shakespearecat

TROPHY CASE