Bellingham Scoop: Friday Morning

Good morning, Bellingham! It’s January 3rd, 2025! Are you still finding bits of tinsel in places tinsel has no business being? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some tree-mendous news about Christmas tree pickups and the first big meeting of the year at the Port of Bellingham. Let's jump in!

Today’s Events:

• First Friday Downtown – 6:00 PM, Downtown Bellingham. Stroll, sip, and soak up local creativity. Details here.

• Fist Friday @ Whatcom Museum — Free all day!! Details here.

  • Tiny clay sculptures with artist Emily Carey (1–3 PM)

  • Pint-sized plants with Chief Curator Amy Chaloupka (3–5 PM)

  • Minuscule mugs & books with Katrina Lyon (4–6 PM)

  • Shrinky Dinks with Christian Anne Smith (4–6 PM)

• Live Music at Stones Throw! Details here. Free!!

This Week’s Must-Dos:

• Saturday Farmers Market – January 4th, Depot Market Square. Stock up on winter veggies!

• Christmas Tree Pickup! – January 6th (details below). Time to wave goodbye to your beloved evergreen.

• Port Commission Meeting – January 7th at 4:00 PM (see more info below). Get involved!

Port of Bellingham’s First Commission Meeting of 2025

Kick off the new year with a peek behind the scenes of one of Bellingham’s most vital organizations—the Port of Bellingham! The first Commission Meeting of 2025 is set for Tuesday, January 7th, at 4:00 PM. Whether you’re a Port enthusiast or just curious about local happenings, this meeting promises insights, updates, and your chance to chime in.

Where and How to Join:

You’ve got options! Pick what works best for you:

1. By Phone: Call (253) 215-8782 and enter Webinar ID: 833 3980 1980.

2. On Zoom: Click here to join the meeting.

3. In Person: Swing by the Administrative Office at 1801 Roeder Ave., Suite 146.

4. Prefer Watching? Catch the action on YouTube!

What’s on the Agenda?

This isn’t just a sit-and-watch meeting—there’s some exciting stuff in store:

• New Faces: Say hello to two new team members—Joey Swinford (Project Engineer) and Zeke Smith (Maintenance Technician - Grounds).

• Big Decisions:

  • Approving an agreement with the Public Health Institute (Civic Spark) to host an AmeriCorps Fellow.

  • Adding a new fee category for the Bellingham Dockside Market vendors—shaping how our local fishermen and producers bring the goods!

• Broadband Boost: Discussion on amendments to contracts that will improve broadband access in Ferndale and Lynden.

Got Something to Say?

Public comment periods happen at the start and end of the meeting. Each is limited to 15 minutes, so come prepared with your questions, feedback, or words of encouragement (bonus points if it’s under three minutes!).

Mark Your Calendars for These Advisory Meetings:

• Marina Advisory Committee (MAC): January 14th, 6:00 PM (in person only).

• Bellingham International Airport Advisory Committee (BIAAC): January 16th, 4:00 PM (in-person and Zoom).

Want to dive deeper into the agenda? Click here to review it.

This meeting is a great way to stay connected to your community and see how decisions at the Port shape our city. We’ll see you there—or on Zoom!

Goodbye Holidays…

As the holiday season wraps up, it's time to bid farewell to your festive firs. Here's how residents in Bellingham and surrounding towns can responsibly recycle their Christmas trees:

Bellingham and Fairhaven:

Scouts BSA Troop 4019 is offering tree pickup services in the Geneva, Samish Way, and Sudden Valley areas.

• Drop-off Times:

  • Friday, January 5, 2024: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

  • Saturday, January 6, 2024: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Drop-off Location:

  • Sudden Valley Mall parking lot next to RE/MAX Whatcom County

• Curbside Pickup:

  • Have your tree at the curb by 8:00 AM on Saturday, January 6, 2024.

• Donations:

  • Accepted during pickup or via a postcard with a Square QR code.

  • Online donations: www.Troop4019.org

Please ensure all decorations are removed, and note that only Christmas trees (no yard waste or shrubbery) will be collected.

Ferndale and Lynden:

Local Boy Scout troops will be collecting Christmas trees as part of their Annual Christmas Tree Recycling Community Service Project.

• Pickup Date:

  • Saturday, January 6, 2024

• Instructions:

  • Place your undecorated tree at the curb by 8:00 AM.

  • Donations are appreciated; look for the donation envelope left by the Scouts.

This service is available in neighborhoods around Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine, and Lynden.

Additional Options:

For residents with yard debris service, Sanitary Service Company (SSC) offers curbside pickup:

• Instructions:

  • Cut the tree into sections no longer than 4 feet.

  • A fee of $6 per tree (up to 8 feet tall) applies.

Non-subscribers can contact SSC at 360-734-3490 to schedule a pickup.