University Ridge Update

The Herald ran an article on March 19th about a public hearing for the height variance. The article was subsequently corrected -- that the hearing had been cancelled.

WWU Student blog & University Ridge article

Puget Neighborhood frequently receives information requests from journalism students at Western Washington University. (Thanks to your previous president, Mary Chaney, for fielding most inquiries.) Recently WWU student Francine attended the PNA meeting and spoke to several Board & Association members.

Here is what she wrote. It includes a detailed summary of the University Ridge presentation from the February PNA meeting.

Blockwatcher newsletter

March newsletter from the Bellingham Police Department

• Child Safety
• Hotel Safety
• Abandoned Vehicles
• Accidental 911 calls

Click on this link: http://www.cob.org/services/safety/police/BlockWatch.aspx

Look on that page for the "current newsletter" link (right side).

Samish Crest Trail Project Update

We are still planning to begin construction April 8 or 9, 2013. I think the first couple of days will be installing erosion control measures, mobilizing, etc. I will be staking the centerline of a section of trail later this week. There will be some colored flagging and stakes set in the ground.

Roving Garden Parties Begin

SB Roving Garden Party – 4/2 – Sehome Hill – 6pm

Join Sustainable Bellingham’s 5th annual Roving Garden Party series, where volunteers help their neighbors create an edible garden. These fun events consist of approximately 90 minutes of gardening, followed by a shared meal. Everyone is welcome!

Victory Gardens for the Food Bank

"Did you know that one in six residents of Bellingham depends upon Bellingham Food Bank every year to have enough food to eat? That’s over 10,200 visits per month, 35% of which are kids and at least 15% of which are seniors. You can't imagine what fresh veggies mean to food bank families. That’s why we’re asking you to help us help food bank clients by growing a bit extra this summer.

Whatcom Plant Sales & Swaps!

Spring Fever!

Events Listing from Transition Whatcom

Plant Sales & Swaps beginning now!

See Grow Northwest magazine http://www.grownorthwest.com/ for best listing of annual sales & plant exchanges. 

For more listings – see sale links in comments section on the Transition Whatcom site

Fire Chief stakeholders reception

Save the date -- April 17th

Dear friends and valued community stakeholders,

Please save the date, April 17 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the Museum’s Rotunda Room at Old City Hall – 121 Prospect Street. I will be hosting a stakeholder reception introducing candidates being considered for Fire Chief. 

Bloedel Donovan Park Improvements

Project Update April 2013

A recent master plan update for the Park was approved by the Bellingham City Council in 2012. Future improvements included in the master plan consist of new stormwater facilities to treat existing runoff, removal of a concrete bulkhead, and construction of a new boathouse. The Parks Department is coordinating stormwater improvements with the City of Bellingham Public Works Stormwater Division through a grant funded by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Here are some activities planned at Bloedel Donovan Park for April 2013:

Clean Green season opens

Saturday, March 3 starts the season for the Clean Green Transfer Facility. Bellingham and Whatcom County citizens can bring their residential yard waste to the corner of Lakeway and Woburn Streets on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The fee for disposal of residential yard waste at the transfer station is $4 per load.

Bellingham life -- photo competition

Amateur and professional photographers of all ages are invited to participate in the 2013 Essence of Bellingham photo competition, sponsored annually by the City of Bellingham and the Whatcom Museum.

The Markets Drops PNA

The PNA has participated in the Markets "Good Neighbor" receipt donations box since the store opened after remodeling.  Yes, the grocery store is in the Puget Neighborhood.  However, it appears not enough receipts were placed into the PNA box.

University Ridge - City website info

Here is the link on the City website to Puget Neighborhood information.
Scroll to the middle of the page to follow the next link to University Ridge updates.

http://www.cob.org/services/planning/neighborhoods/puget.aspx

University Ridge - Public Notice contact info

If you would like to receive public notices for this project, please submit your name and address to Kathy Bell:

• Planning and Community Development Department (PCDD), City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 or email: kbell@cob.org. 

PNA Membership

Puget Neighborhood Association

Annual Membership Dues: 

• Household $15
• Renters/low income $5
• Resident Sponsors $35
• Businesses $50-$500  

Send this information with your check addressed to:

     Puget Neighborhood Association

      PO Box 28418

      Bellingham, WA 98228-0418

Name(s) _____________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________

           _______________________________________________________

Phone Number______________   Email ____________________________

---

Questions about PNA?

Send your email to info(at)pugetneighborhood.org

  

---

  

The Puget Neighborhood Association is a non-profit organization – 

·   providing an open forum with government and business to address Neighborhood concerns, and

·   promoting a sense of community within the Puget Neighborhood.

Association Membership is open to all persons living, or owning property or business in the Puget Neighborhood. All Puget Neighbors are welcome to meetings regardless of Association Membership.

The Association provides Neighborhood representatives for the MAYOR’S Neighborhood Advisory Commission.

Board Member Elections Feb. 19

Who will we elect to the Board of the PNA?  Here is a great opportunity to know what’s happening in the neighborhood. Help organize the 4 General PNA meetings.

Think about it.  Let us know! 

Place your name in nomination now – email: info(at)pugetneighborhood.org

As a Board Member you will: 

• Know the inside scoop in the neighborhood
• Learn how City actions affect the neighborhood
• Enjoy tasty potlucks
• Meet all kinds of fun, interesting people           

Reasons for being a Board Member

• Be a part of the action
• Build a network
• Offer your expertise and personal experience

Current Members Running for PNA Board:

• Mary Chaney
• Diana McKinney
• Gaythia Weis
• Greg McKinney
• Marcia Ford 

Place your name in nomination now – email: info(at)pugetneighborhood.org

Neighborhood Blockwatcher newsletter

From the Mayor's office -- Community Outreach

Here is the latest version of the Police Department’s BlockWatcher, including an introduction to Police Chief Cliff Cook.

Chief Cook will be attending the March 20th Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission (MNAC) meeting.

Click here  to find The BlockWatcher online.

Alabama Corridor Study Open House

From City of Bellingham, Public Works

You are invited to view several Alabama Street transportation safety alternatives from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 in the Roosevelt Elementary School cafeteria, 2900 Yew Street. This will be an opportunity for the public and business owners to see the major safety alternatives that will be examined in depth as part of the Alabama Corridor Study. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and provide information prior to the City committing each alternative to in-depth analysis.

PNA Survey Completed

Thank you to all of you Puget Neighbors for taking the time to provide your input.  We've had a great response.  The survey is now closed. There will be a summary report at our next PNA General Meeting on Tuesday February 19th.  Stay tuned for more info.

Sign Volunteers

Thanks to Laurel, Gaythia, Marcia, Cindy & Greg for getting 25 signs into frozen & rocky ground on the first weekend. And, then moving those signs to 25 new locations on the 2nd weekend (in the pouring rain). A big thanks to Diana & Greg for assembling & printing on all 50 sides of our new PNA lawn signs.

Professional Donation

We have boundless gratitude to Pamela Jull of Applied Research Northwest -- who generously provided expert input and guidance in the development of this survey.  

Boulevard Park playground improvements open house

From Bellingham Parks & Recreation Department

Community members are invited to an open house on Feb. 13 to review and comment on plans for proposed playground improvements at Boulevard Park.

7-8:30 p.m. 
Wednesday, Feb. 13 
Maritime Heritage Park Pavilion
downtown at 514 West Holly Street in Bellingham