In the March 2015 Print Issue

In the March issue--actually in every issue--of the Bellingham Bulletin, in addition to interesting stories, news releases and information on upcoming events, you'll find reminders to please shop locally and support our Bulletin advertisers. Why do we always include these reminders?

First and foremost, supporting the Bulletin's advertisers will keep them advertising with us, which generates the funds we need to produce and deliver the paper to you free of charge every month; since we do not charge a subscription fee, advertising is our only revenue source. Shopping locally also helps the Bulletin indirectly, but also speaks to the bigger picture. We feel that buying locally is essential for three major reasons:
1. To Build a Strong Local Economy--Independent local businesses employ a wide array of local supporting services (attorneys, architects, designers, contractors, accountants, insurance brokers, computer consultants, waitstaff, etc.) Local businesses also carry a higher percentage of locally-made goods than the chains, creating more jobs for local producers.
2. To Ensure Choice and Diversity--Our freedom of choice is imperiled when a few buyers from national chains choose what reaches consumers. This may be only mildly disturbing for most consumer goods, but truly frightening when you consider the impact on our choice of news sources, books, music and other modes of expression.
3. To Maintain Community Character--Look at the results in any “Best of” polls—they’re almost always local businesses. We embrace the idea of distinctive businesses with local character, but often forget their survival depends on our patronage.

So please, whenever you possibly can, do business in Bellingham, with one of our advertisers, as often as possible.  In the meantime, here are some of the articles you'll find in the print edition of our March issue. You can either click on the individual article(s), or scroll to the bottom and click on the PDF icon and you can page through the digital version of our latest issue. Either way, enjoy! 

Oh, one more thing: Please remember to visit our website, www.BellinghamBulletin.com frequently for news updates, releases we received after deadline, and information we couldn't fit in the print edition. You can also like the Bulletin Facebook page right from our website--we're closing in on 1,000 likes, so please help us get over the hump! Thanks.