Celebrate local media and storytelling at Free First Friday
Enjoy free admission and explore the magic of print, radio, and TV at the Whatcom Museum on Friday, Oct. 3, as part of its Access for All Free First Fridays series. This month’s theme celebrates Elaine Horn: Broadcasting from Bellingham. Create art from vintage media, meet local broadcasters, and tour Elaine’s exhibition with Photo Archivist Jeff Jewell. In the evening, pitch stories to the Salish Current’s Live Newsroom, get a custom poem from typewriter poet Sam Wallin, and catch an improv show inspired by Elaine’s 1960s talk show “Woman’s World.” Admission is free from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (the Family Interactive Gallery closes at 6 p.m.). Visit Whatcom Museum’s webpage for a full schedule of events.
City Council to vote on sales tax increase
Bellingham City Council Members will consider final approval of a 0.1 percent sales tax to support public safety programs at their 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6, regular meeting. The tax would add a penny to a $10 purchase and generate about $4 million in 2026 to help close a projected $10 million gap in the City’s General Fund. While voters must approve most taxes, state law allows cities to adopt this tax with city council votes. If approved, the sales tax would fund existing public safety services in 2026 – not add police officers or other new staff. On Oct. 6, there will also be a City Council work session for the Police and Fire Department budgets at 9:30 a.m. and the first public hearing on Mayor Kim Lund’s proposed 2026 budget at the evening meeting. Learn more at the City’s budget webpage.
Planning Commission recommends adoption of 20-year growth management plan
On Sept. 25, Bellingham’s Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend that the Bellingham City Council approve the Bellingham Plan (our city’s comprehensive plan). The plan now moves to the City Council for consideration, with adoption required by the end of the year. You can share your feedback on the draft plan at the Nov. 3 public hearing or by emailing theBellinghamPlan@cob.org. Materials will be posted on our meetings page ahead of the meeting, but you can also find most of the same information in the Planning Commission material discussed on Sept. 25. The Bellingham Plan will guide how our city grows over the next 20 years – including how we plan intentionally for more housing, jobs, and services.
Interested in salmon recovery efforts?
Save the date for Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Four Points Hotel and Conference Center for a full day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration at Salmon Summit 2025. This annual event brings together restoration professionals, researchers, Tribal leaders, and community partners working to recover salmon populations in the Nooksack Basin and across the region. The City of Bellingham is proud to sponsor this year’s summit as part of our ongoing work to protect and restore salmon habitat through local projects, regional partnerships, and community engagement. The daytime program is a paid event featuring more technical presentations, including contributions from City staff members, while the evening open house is free and open to all – a great opportunity to learn about Nooksack salmon through easy-to-understand presentations and community dialogue. Please register in advance by Oct. 31 to attend either of the events. We hope to see you there!
Free paint recycling event this weekend
Are you looking for a way to get rid of that old paint cluttering your garage? There’s a free paint recycling event in Barkley Village this Saturday, Oct. 4. Properly disposing of paint is a simple yet effective way to protect our local waterways. When paint is poured down the drain or left in a landfill, harmful chemicals can seep into the soil and groundwater, eventually making their way into our creeks, lakes, and bay. By bringing your leftover paint to the collection event, you’re helping to keep these pollutants out of our environment. Find more information about what types of paints are accepted and sign up for a drop-off time online. Visit our website to learn about other ways to dispose of paint and other tips to protect our waterways.
