Bellingham Scoop: Thursday Morning

Good morning, Bellingham! It’s January 2, 2025, and here’s a question: What’s faster—New Year’s resolutions going out the window or the line at the Peace Arch border? Well, thanks to a big federal grant, one of those might actually improve this year (hint: it’s not your resolution). Read on for the scoop, plus news about Ski to Sea and what’s happening around town this week.

Today’s Events:

• Deck the Old City Hall: Experience the festive decorations at the historic Old City Hall, beautifully adorned for the holiday season. Open from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Whatcom Museum. These are the closing days (only goes through the 5th). Details here (fee is donations).

• Trivia Thursdays at The Great Northern Bottle Shop & Lounge
  Another chance to showcase your trivia skills from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at The Great Northern Bottle Shop & Lounge. Enjoy a wide selection of beverages while you play. Details here.

• WWU Men's Basketball vs Alaska Fairbanks. Support the home team at Carver Gym from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Go Vikings! Tickets start at $12. Details here.

This Week’s Must-Dos

• Ski to Sea Registration is OPEN: Time to assemble your all-star team for Bellingham’s most beloved relay race. Details here.

• Bellingham Farmers Market (Jan 6): Ring in 2025 with fresh produce and artisan treats this Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Depot Market Square.

Big News: $7 Million to Fix the Border Wait Times

Let’s be real—crossing the Peace Arch border can sometimes feel like waiting for your sourdough to rise: sloooow. But thanks to a shiny $7 million federal grant, that’s about to change. Here’s the lowdown in plain English:

What’s the grant all about?

The funding comes from the SMART Grants Program, which invests in techy fixes to make transportation faster, safer, and, well, smarter. Think of it as a giant helping hand for WSDOT to make our border crossings less of a headache.

What’s changing at Peace Arch?

1. Traffic Sensors: These gadgets will monitor border traffic 24/7, spotting bottlenecks before they spiral out of control. They’ll send real-time updates to border agents, so they can keep things moving more smoothly.

2. Smarter Wait Times: Ever wish you could know how long the wait actually is before committing? With better sensors, we’ll get more accurate wait-time updates on signs and apps.

3. Cleaner Air: Less idling means fewer emissions, so Peace Arch Park will stay greener and picnic-ready.

The goal? Make the border a breeze for road trippers, local businesses, and anyone craving a quick jaunt to Vancouver (hello, Granville Island).

Here is all the nationwide SMART grant details shared here.

Government Website:

Update on the Ragfinery fire …

After the devastating fire a few days ago, the team at Ragfinery is taking things day by day, assessing the damage, and planning for the future—but they need our help to make it through.

Here’s the situation:

• The Damage: Most, if not all, of Ragfinery’s inventory has been lost due to smoke and water damage. The building owners are handling repairs, but it’s clear the shop won’t be operating like it used to for quite a while.

• The Priority: Taking care of their amazing retail staff is at the top of the list. The team is committed to paying staff through January while they figure out how to move forward without their physical space.

• The Goal: Ragfinery is aiming to raise $23,000 to support staff and cover essential operations through this tough transition. The great news? Thanks to generous community support, they’ve already raised $10,000—but there’s still $13,000 left to go.

Link to their website to donate here.