Not the Whole Picture exhibition to open at the Whatcom Museum
Western Washington University art professors Garth Amundson and Pierre Gour’s new exhibition, Not the Whole Picture, opens to the public at the Whatcom Museum on Saturday, March 22. The exhibition includes sculptures, paintings, and collage pieces, as well as a photography installation composed of more than a dozen large-scale, circular forms ranging in size from 6- to 15-feet in diameter. With radiating rings of hand-stitched, 4-by-6-inch photographs, the pieces explore the perceptions and politics surrounding immigration, concepts of home, and queer identity. To prepare for the opening, last fall the artists asked community members to donate images to create a new piece for the exhibition. They received more than 800 photographs, which they have turned into a stunning reflection of the many faces and places of Bellingham. This work will become part of the museum’s permanent collection after the exhibition.
Less train noise in Fairhaven
Fairhaven residents and visitors should now hear fewer train horns, thanks to the newly established “quiet zone” that became active on March 10. After nearly two decades of careful planning and significant safety upgrades by the City and the Port of Bellingham, train horns in Fairhaven are now only required to sound in emergencies, when trains accelerate from a stopped position, during track maintenance, or in other specific situations. This change is the result of a comprehensive upgrade of five rail crossings along 1.25 miles to meet federal safety standards. The Fairhaven Quiet Zone is the first of two planned for Bellingham. We’re making progress on the Waterfront Quiet Zone, which includes the downtown waterfront area. Learn more in our news release.
Happy AmeriCorps Week!
We’re fortunate to partner with some amazing AmeriCorps volunteers, including two restoration educators who support our Parks Volunteer Program and a Washington Conservation Corps crew that supports ongoing restoration projects in our parks – projects made possible by the Greenways Levy. Through the Parks Volunteer Program, 3,239 community members completed 13,524 hours of stewardship last year. We are grateful for every person who has chosen to serve the community through these programs.
Bellingham Plan feedback opportunity: Climate and Environment material available
Phase three of the Bellingham Plan – our project to update Bellingham’s growth plan (a.k.a. the Comprehensive Plan) – continues. We just dropped draft material for two more chapters, Climate and Environment. Provide your feedback on the draft chapter materials ahead of the corresponding Planning Commission meeting. This phase of the project is your chance to provide feedback on draft chapter materials as we continue to roll them out. The next phase is finalizing the plan and bringing it forward for adoption.
Improving public spaces
Heads up travelers! You may notice some delays around town as we continue work on important infrastructure improvements. Next week, a one-day lane closure is planned on the west side of Woburn Street (between Lakeway Drive and Old Woburn Street) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – likely Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on the weather. Crews will be preparing to install a new sidewalk. You should also expect temporary traffic delays during the day for the next three to four weeks along Roeder Avenue near Squalicum Way as construction continues on our new lift station. Lastly, you’ll see additional flaggers and traffic enforcement at night in the Meridian Street and Telegraph Road intersection as we continue the Meridian Sewer replacement project. Please watch for flaggers and shifting road conditions.
