Cover Story
by Fred Rhoades A bitter invader — Marasmiellus peronatus “fuzzy foot” The subject of this column is a common local mushroom that hasn’t always been in Whatcom County. This mushroom has roundish (convex) yellow to light-brown caps, yellowish gills producing … Continue reading
Cover Story
Recent Attacks on the Environment
by Simon Bakke September 2019, Week one: Trump administration announces plans to undo energy-efficient lightbulb standards first set in motion by George W. Bush. Week two: The Environmental Protection Agency repeals Obama-era definitions of “Waters of the United States,” cutting … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
From the South Sound to Bellingham
by Joe Meche We took a long weekend recently to meet with my sister and nephew in Gig Harbor and as we started making plans, my mind started thinking about birds … of course. With time of the essence, … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at August 13, 2019 Meeting Shall the commission: 92. Authorize the executive director to sign a 7,338 contract with Anchor QEA of Seattle for phase 2 of the Whatcom Waterway cleanup project.? This contract … Continue reading
Watching Government
Presentation at August 19 Meeting Representatives from Governor Jay Inslee’s office presented the Governor’s Smart Project Award — now in its 14th year — to Mayor Linville, the City Council and public works director for the rapid implementation of the … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at August 7, 2019 Meeting Shall the council: 158. Authorize the executive to accept a 8,705 state grant for a pollution prevention assistance specialist? The specialist will provide technical assistance and outreach to small … Continue reading
Letter to the Editor
As a frequent rider, I’m impressed with the way the buses are able to keep to schedule. They have many unknowns along the route: people adding bicycles, and those needing extra assistance are just two unknowns. Those are legitimate and necessary. Then, there are … Continue reading
Letter to the Editor
Natalie McClendon for District 5
County elections are coming up soon, and residents of Coastal District 5 have a clear choice for the County Council. Who has the preparation and experience to represent us most effectively? Natalie McClendon has served two terms on the County … Continue reading
Letter to the Editor
Bellingam Needs April Barker for Mayor
We’ve both worked on homelessness issues professionally and outside of our work roles. As our next Bellingham Mayor, April Barker will bring an understanding and skill set that our community desperately needs to address the horrific situation that so many … Continue reading
Letter to the Editor
Support April Barker for Mayor
I write to urge my fellow Bellinghamites to vote in the upcoming November 5th election and to support April Barker to be Bellingham’s next mayor. As an outgoing member of the City Council, April has a keen understanding of the … Continue reading
Letter to the Editor
Supports Natalie McClendon for County Council
This November, we can take action to combat the climate crisis by voting for Natalie McClendon for the County Council. She is running in the Coastal District (Ferndale, Blaine, Lummi Island, Birch Bay, Lummi Nation, Pt. Roberts). Natalie supports transitioning … Continue reading
Northwest Gardening
by Peter Heffelfinger By now, the late August plantings for the next three seasons should be established. The goal is an initial level of plant maturity, established before the first frost, which allows continued slow growth through our relatively mild … Continue reading
Opinion
by Lynnette Allen There are movements stirring and big changes happening. From Bellingham and the grassroots everywhere, people are “being the change” we know we can be … connecting and transforming our reality into what we truly are. Bellingham’s participation … Continue reading
poetrywatch
Boris Schleinkofer, poetrywatch editor “When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — … Continue reading
Transportation
What WTA, the City of Bellingham and Major Employers Could Learn from Kingston Transit
by Preston L. Schiller How Kingston Transit Was Reformed Part 2 Brief Review of Part 1 Part 1 of this three-part series on Whatcom Transportation Authority’s (WTA) bus system described and documented its trend of stagnation and decline in ridership … Continue reading
City of Bellingham Candidates – 2019
Bellingham Candidates
