Mayor’s holiday cards: Each year students are invited to submit artwork to be considered for the Mayor of Bellingham’s holiday greeting cards. This year’s Mayor’s holiday card images (shown above, Bellinghamster illustration by Robin Harris and snowy scenes illustration by Lily Foster) were selected from artwork submitted by students from Bellingham Public Schools – Lowell Elementary School. Special thanks to all students who submitted their delightful drawings, we enjoy seeing student artwork and celebrating our elementary school artists every year. We wish you a happy, healthy winter holiday season!
Speaking of artists: Mayor’s Arts Awards celebrate and honor Bellingham’s exceptional artists and art advocates. Nominations for 2024 awards must be received by December 31, 2023. Nominations are invited for individual artists, art-related businesses, benefactors for the arts, arts educators, arts supporters, notable art-related events and artistic achievements. The awardees and ceremony date will be announced in early spring 2024. See our recent news release for more information or visit the awards webpage to make a nomination.
The park formerly known as Northwest Neighborhood Park: Hundreds of people weighed in to name the new Northwest Neighborhood Park! And while many of the suggestions gave us all a good chuckle (Parky McParkface, Kirkland Signature Recreation Area, etc.), the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to recommend a name from the suggestions with a northerly theme: Northern Lights Park. City Council will consider this recommendation and finalize a name at its regular Council meeting on January 29, 2024. (Please note: We cannot guarantee views of the northern lights from this park. This is still Washington after all!)
Land preservation to protect Lake Whatcom: We’ve come to the end of another successful year of purchasing properties to protect Lake Whatcom. In 2023 alone, we purchased 16 properties in the watershed – removing 44 potential development units and protecting 162 acres of forests. This is in addition to the more than 2,500 acres of forested land we have protected through previous purchases and conservation easements. Learn more about the Land Acquisition and Preservation Program on our website, including how to sell property in the Lake Whatcom Watershed to be preserved for future generations.
Winter weather reminder
Protect pipes from freezing: A little early planning before colder weather hits can save you a lot of trouble later. Avoid frozen pipes by disconnecting outdoor hoses, covering outdoor faucets and wrapping exposed pipes. If you plan to be away from your home for an extended period, be sure to leave your heat on and set your thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees. If temperatures drop below 20 degrees, protect exposed or uninsulated pipes by letting cold water drip from the faucet. A slow trickle will help prevent pipes from freezing. Additional winter weather tips can be found on our website.
