Quite a day to be a Bellinghamster!
Both of these stories appeared in the Bellingham Herald today:
Bellingham listed among top 10 ‘happiest cities’ in the West
Sunset Magazine has listed Bellingham among its 2011 “Best Towns” in an article headlined “Places to make you happy” in the February issue.
“So depending on what makes you smile, here are the ten best places to live (and find happiness) in the wondrous amusement park of the American West,” the article says in an introductory passage…
Each town makes the list for a different reason. Bellingham is characterized as “a seaside haven 90 miles north of Seattle” with 65 miles of multi-use trails within city limits, plus nearby access to mountains and sea.
Whatcom County ranks No. 2 in US for vitality of independent businesses
Whatcom County residents have a reputation for supporting local, independent businesses. Now it is being noticed nationally.
A new report about the vitality of independent retailers ranks the Bellingham metro area – which includes all of Whatcom County – second highest out of 363 metro areas studied. The top spot went to Ocean City, N.J.; followed by Bellingham, Medford, Ore.; Carson City, Nev.; and San Jose, Calif.
Fish & Bicycles 