Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 13
Join us for an evening of community, culture, and celebration. We’ll kick things off with dinner catered by Seawolf Surf n Turf, followed by a powerful program featuring Washington state Poet Laureate Rena Priest, student speakers, and music by DJ Big Rez. We’ll close out the evening with singing, dancing, and a community jam led by BlackHawk Singers — all drum groups are welcome to join. This year’s theme is nilh tu o: Weaving the Past, Present and Future. All are welcome — families, students, and neighbors!
Monday, Oct. 13 | 5:30 p.m. – late
Lummi Nation School, 2334 Lummi View Dr., Bellingham
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Explore new art in the Commercial Street alley
Curious about the colorful new artwork brightening up downtown? On Oct. 15, come explore Bellingham’s newest murals, light installations, and sculptures in “Sunset Alley” between Commercial and Bay streets downtown.
Paper Whale, the local organization responsible for leading the design at the Commercial Street end of Sunset Alley, is hosting a walking tour starting at 4 p.m. behind Brandywine Kitchen. The tour will end with an opening celebration for the project, which includes works from more than a dozen local and national artists. Artists from Children of the Setting Sun, who designed Coast Salish Living Mural and other artwork at the Holly Street end of the alley, will also share about their work and process. No RSVP needed — come one, come all!
This project is part of an effort to bring more beauty and activity to our community through the City of Bellingham’s Downtown Activation and Beautification Program.
Dig in to make a difference with us in Whatcom Falls Park
Join the City and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association at a volunteer work party in honor of Make a Difference Day and Arbor Day. We’ll improve the habitat along the banks of Whatcom Creek in Whatcom Falls Park by planting native trees and shrubs and removing invasive species close to Derby Pond.
All ages and abilities are welcome, but participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We provide tools, gloves, coffee, snacks, and, yes, free pizza! We’re also giving away tree saplings as part of our Community Tree Programs. Spots are limited, so please register in advance.
Saturday, Oct. 25 | 9 a.m. – noon
Whatcom Falls Park
Learn more and register
Discover local solutions during Housing Week
We will be at Housing Week Oct. 14-17. Join us to learn more about important housing solutions and new state laws and local regulations that will affect housing rules in Bellingham. We will be part of the following sessions, but there are many more to check out on the Whatcom Housing Alliance website (where you can also register for these sessions):
- Oct. 14 – Working within a changing state legislative landscape
- Oct. 16 – Explore Home Sharing in Bellingham
- Oct. 16 – The ABCs of ADUs: Building, Renting, and Living Small in Bellingham
- Oct. 16 – Aging in Place – What Does it Take?
- Oct. 17 – Lettered Streets Middle Housing Tour
Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant Receives Award
The City of Bellingham’s Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant recently received the 2024 Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance Award from the Washington State Department of Ecology. Of the roughly 300 treatment plants statewide, Post Point ranked among the top operators for permit compliance, monitoring, and reporting. This marks the plant’s fourth consecutive year receiving the award, recognizing the team’s sustained commitment to protecting water quality and public health.
Thank you to our dedicated operators and staff whose expertise and vigilance help us remove contaminants from the community’s wastewater. Every day, they process and treat millions of gallons of wastewater to safeguard local waterways, marine ecosystems, and community well-being. For more information about the City’s wastewater operations and planned facility upgrades, visit our Wastewater Treatment webpage.
City staff support community court food pantry
When Strategic Initiatives Manager for Health & Human Services Jason Korneliussen visited the Bellingham Municipal Community Court (BMCC) late this summer, he noticed their food pantry was nearly empty. That inspired him to organize a staff food drive to fill it back up. He and other members of the Mayor’s Office donated the food to BMCC in early October.
BMCC uses a trauma-informed approach to help people who are in the criminal justice system because of quality-of-life offenses. The program connects participants with social services to address underlying issues and reduce repeated offenses. Learn more about BMCC.
