Who Actually Votes?

Who actually votes in America? (via Votifi) There are less than 60 days until November 6th. Here is a snapshot of who actually votes in elections.

September's PNA Meeting -- City Scorecards

Tuesday, September 18
7:00 Neighborhood Meeting, 6:30 Social
Community Room at Moles Funeral Home
(corner of Lakeway & Woburn/Yew)

Nicole Oliver, I.T. Project and Training Manager at the City of Bellingham, will provide an interactive demonstration of the City of Bellingham's Performance Measures.  This vast database of 85 community and city metrics can be used in many ways to track over time how well the City, as well as the community, is doing at accomplishing the City Council-approved Legacies and Strategic Commitments.  These long-range goals include things like Clean Drinking Water, Safe and Prepared Community, and Access to Quality of Life Amenities.  

The Performance Measures, also called scorecards, are available to everyone on the City of Bellingham website at www.cob.org/metrics. Take a look in advance of her presentation and come with your questions.

Sexual assault suspect arrested

Bellingham Police asked for the public’s help last week in locating a suspect responsible for the sexual assault of a 25 year old Barista. On 8.25.12 at about 4:20 a.m, the victim was working at Cruisin Coffee located in the 1000 block of Lakeway Drive when the suspect entered the business and sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to fight off the attacker who was last seen walking across Lakeway Drive.

Celebrate Whatcom Water Weeks

Celebrate local water resources with Whatcom Water Weeks September 8-22. Through workshops, lectures, demonstrations, movies, parties, and tours, the two-week long event focuses on education and information about local Whatcom water resources. 

The City is sponsoring the following programs and events:

Over 1,000 boaters surveyed in effort to ward off invasive species

Since July 14, 2012, City and County staff have conducted over 1,000 boater surveys and visual boat inspections at the Bloedel Donovan Boat Launch in an effort to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species to and from Lake Whatcom.

Bellingham Pedestrian Master Plan Approved

City Council approved the Bellingham Pedestrian Master Plan at their August 6 meeting in a 7-0 vote.

Send your ideas to the PNA Board

What topics would you like addressed at the next PNA General Meetings?

September 18^th & November 15^th

The PNA Board will meet August 26^th to plan the September meeting.

Send an email to info@pugetneighborhood.org with your ideas.

Car Prowl & Robberies

Neighborhood Alert

Downtown Planning - Public Workshops start August 14

Activities, workshops and tours continue during the coming months for people throughout Bellingham to shape the future of downtown. Eight events planned as part of the City's myDowntown planning process are designed to have community members identify actions for how the City and others should further invest in a vibrant, thriving downtown.

Upcoming events include creating recreational spaces using "parklets" and plazas, discussions on what it would take to open a downtown grocery or department store, "Placemaking" workshops (based on concepts developed by the Project for Public Spaces), and more!

12,000 Rain Gardens!

Prevent flooding, filter pollution, and add beauty to your yard with a rain garden. 

WSU Master Gardener Rain Garden Mentors are available to provide FREE site visits and help you consider how a rain garden might fit into your yard. 

47th & Consolidation

Property Variance Request & Decision

A public hearing was held July 26th before the Bellingham Hearing Examiner to gather information and make a decision regarding the variance application for reduced setbacks on a small lot at the corner of 47th and Consolidation.

Stop the spread of aquatic invasive species to Lake Whatcom

"Clean, Drain, and Dry" your boat to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. This is just one of many steps outlined by the Lake Whatcom Management Program this boating season to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species to and from Lake Whatcom.

MNAC Notes

Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission

Notes from Puget Neighborhood Representative, Diana McKinney

June 20, 2012 meeting

Agenda:

Medical Marijuana - Update and Discussion

City’s Performance Measures

Neighborhood Updates

Nice Work Nevada St. Gardeners!

    

Proposed rezone protects Chuckanut Ridge

Mayor Kelli Linville is proposing the first step in creating a new community park -- the Chuckanut Community Forest -- with a rezone proposal before the Planning Commission in June.

City Begins Annual Street Maintenance Program

Beginning this week, Huizenga Enterprises, LLC, under contract with the City of Bellingham, will begin the annual crack sealing program.  Cracks will be sealed along portions of many City roadways.

Streets affected during the week of June 11-15 include James St. (Alabama St. to Texas St. and Iowa St. to Kentucky St.), Lincoln Ave. (Meador Ave. to Gladstone St.), Nequalicum Ave. (Eldridge Ave. to Lindberg St.), and Yew St. (Lakeway Dr. to Princeton Ct.).

National Night Out Against Crime 2012

The 29th annual National Night Out Against Crime (NNO) is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7th 2012. 

Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities. In all, over 37 million participated in the National Night Out 2011. This year, we want to see that number grow.

National Night Out is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
• Generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and
• Send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back

Whatcom Food & Farm Finder

The annual comprehensive guide to local farms, fisheries, eateries, markets, and more. This is your resource for finding the most nutritious, freshest, and flavorful products and ingredients made in Whatcom County.

New & Improved in the Neighborhood

Recently spotted -- New fence erected to conceal garbage containers. 

Samish Crest Trail Update

Trail improvement on Bellingham's Samish Hill on hold

Published: May 21, 2012 in the Herald

The city Parks and Recreation Department temporarily halted a $312,000 trail project on Samish Hill, to re-evaluate whether the trail as proposed is money well spent.