Celebrate Native American Heritage Month: Join us at the Whatcom Museum on Saturday, November 23, 2024, as we honor the story of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut—also known as Tokitae or Lolita—a beloved orca deeply cherished by the Lummi Nation. The event will feature a live reading of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s Story, a bilingual book created by members of the Lummi Nation. Co-author Tah-Mahs Ellie Kinley and translator Na’tak’ul’tan Tino Kurtz will share selections from the book, accompanied by illustrations by Jason LaClair projected onscreen. Co-author Julie Trimingham will lead a Q&A session, and Shirley Bob and her family will close the event with song and reflection. This free event offers an inspiring opportunity to connect with Native voices, stories, and the enduring legacy of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut.
Get ready for holiday shopping! Bellingham Public Library is excited to announce a new Youth Winter Craft Fair at Bellis Fair Mall on Sunday, December 8, from 2 – 4 p.m. Youth ages 15 and younger will sell their handmade treasures. All items will be priced at $5 or less, cash sales only. The community is invited to support these crafty young people by attending the festive shopping event to find unique items for gift-giving. Mark your calendars now! Entrepreneurs ages 15 and younger can register here for one of 50 booth spaces. Registration closes once 50 spots are filled.
One more week to give feedback on our draft growth strategy: Bellingham is growing, and we need to plan intentionally for more housing, jobs, and services. We spent the past year getting input from the community on how we should grow. Then, we developed a growth strategy based on what we heard and changes required by state laws. Now, we’re ready to hear your thoughts on the strategy we’re proposing. Provide your feedback by December 1 on the Engage Bellingham page.
Galbraith Mountain closure: Galbraith Tree Farm is closing public access to its property on Galbraith Mountain December 4 – 6 to conduct a bow hunt for wildlife management purposes. According to Galbraith Tree Farm, the goal of the bow hunt is to limit the loss of cedar saplings due to the feeding patterns of an increasing number of deer. Closed trails will be clearly marked with signs. For your safety, please respect the closure. Galbraith Tree Farm is private property that is managed by Janicki Logging Co., for timber production. The City secured public access to the property by purchasing a recreational use easement in 2018. Although hunting is prohibited on all City property, licensed hunting is allowed on private property at the property owner’s discretion, per state regulations, and is an authorized commercial forestry practice. For more information, please visit Janicki Logging’s website.
Advancing crime scene investigations: Last week, Bellingham Police Department’s Crime Scene Investigators completed an advanced course in Forensic Ultraviolet and Infrared Photography, equipping them to analyze evidence on-site and eliminate delays from sending items to external agencies for analysis. With their new skills and specialized photography equipment, investigators can now capture crucial evidence that traditional visible light cannot detect. This enhancement in their capabilities allows our investigators to conduct more thorough examinations of crime scenes, ultimately improving support for victims and survivors in our community.
