Fireworks illegal in Bellingham: Be kind to your neighbors, your neighbors’ pets, wildlife and the environment AND stay on the right side of the law. If you enjoy fireworks, attend a public display rather than shooting off your own. Fireworks are prohibited in Bellingham, even those purchased legally elsewhere. More information about our fireworks ban, which has been in place for more than a decade, available in our announcement earlier this week.
New loos coming soon: Over the next couple of weeks, you will see construction activity downtown on Railroad at Magnolia and E. Chestnut as we install two new public loos. These Portland Loos are the same as the one recently installed at Waypoint Park and are designed to be open 365 days a year. The gender-neutral fabrication, with ample space for wheelchair users or strollers, is easy to clean, resistant to common vandalism, and the open grating and interchangeable components make repairs simple and ensure a natural fresh outdoor scent. The downtown loos are scheduled to open in mid-July as part of our many efforts to support a safe, healthy, thriving downtown.
Water Quality Report in your mailbox: Our latest water quality report is in, and we’re thrilled to announce that our drinking water is clean (yet again!). Our dedicated staff work hard to help ensure that every drop of water that flows into our homes and businesses is safe and healthy. As part of our commitment to transparency under the Safe Drinking Water Act, we prepare an annual Water Quality Report that details what substances could be found in our drinking water. Keep an eye out for a copy of the report arriving in your mailbox this week or have a sneak peek of the report online.
July 5 Free First Friday at the Whatcom Museum: In July, we’re all about BIRDS at the Whatcom Museum! Join us for a birding walk with the North Cascades Audubon Society at 11 a.m.; an all-ages Parrot Lady Bird Show in the Lightcatcher courtyard at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.; bird art walks and sketching sessions with local artist Rachel Rothberg also at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., PLUS bird bingo from 4 – 6 p.m. and bird button-making throughout the day. Finally, round out the evening with a North Cascades Audubon Society backyard birding talk at 7 p.m.
History sunset cruise tickets on sale now: Join local legend and historian Brian Griffin, San Juan Cruises, and the Whatcom Museum for another summer of History Sunset Cruises. Sailing every Tuesday at 6 p.m. July 9 through September 10, Brian shares his extensive knowledge of local history, lore and trivia as you cruise around the bay, enjoying an onboard bar with a selection of Northwest beers, wines, and snacks. Passengers are welcome to bring their own dinner and non-alcoholic beverages, too. Ticket prices start at $40, and children 5 and under sail for free. Visit the Whatcom Museum website to reserve your spot!
Parking permit software changes July 1: We are making changes to our parking permit software to streamline the management of permits. The software will come with a new look, updated interface, autopay features, and will make it easier for customers to make changes to their own accounts. Starting July 1, all current permit holders will need to create a new account in the new system. Working or living downtown or in Fairhaven and interested in making parking easier? Visit our Parking Permits webpage to learn how to get one and more.
New firefighters: Graduation season continued last week with 10 new Bellingham Fire Department graduates from the most recent recruit academy. These new firefighters completed over 1,000 hours of rigorous fire and EMS training. We celebrated them on Thursday, June 20, in an official graduation ceremony (pictured below). The next academy starts in mid-July with 11 more recruits!
