North Bellingham Library Branch Update

The following message comes from Rebecca Judd, Bellingham Public Library Director in response to our efforts to see a library branch in our area:

The Bellingham Public Library is finishing up work on a Facilities Master plan. Thank you again to everyone who met with consultants from Godfey’s Associates in May to inform this tudy. Recommendations will be presented to City Council in September. The final report will be linked on the Library’s website later that month, and emailed to everyone who participated in a focus group. 

Horton Road Roundabout

A committee of Cordata residents as well as members of the Bellingham Arts Commission met to review almost 30 applications from artists all across the world for a chance to submit their vision for art at the center of the Horton/Cordata Parkway Roundabout. The group selected five finalists based on conversations and meetings with the community members to help define what we would like to see in this space. 

The next step is to review the five submissions before selecting the finalist. Keep tuned for these exciting developments.

The following information is provided by Greg Hope, Education and Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bellingham. Among the many hats that Greg wears, he coordinates the Map Your Neighborhood (MYN) program in Bellingham. The MYN program provides a structure for neighborhoods (or even blocks of homes within a neighborhood) to meet and discuss their preparedness for an emergency situation where the City and County services may not be able to respond in a timely manner.

Greg's office shares information about different kinds of emergencies. this month's issue is related to fires. Please view and share the video to learn more about how to prepare yourself and your family for this kind of emergency. You can view the video HERE

Greg will be attending the 9/11 Cordata Block Party announced at the top of this newsletter. He will be available to answer questions and share more information about MYN or other programs.

The following information is reprinted from the 7/17/22 issue of CascadiaDaily about the nonprofit organization called Blue Skies for Children. According to the article,

The nonprofit's mission is to “raise hope and self-esteem” for homeless, low-income and foster children in Whatcom and Skagit counties. Established in 1997, the nonprofit has offered a growing range of programs over its 25-year history. It also distributes shoes and socks, backpacks, and coats and hats to any low-income child who wants them. 

(Executive Director, Kim) Nakatani said one of her biggest goals is to broaden funding sources. Nakatani said the nonprofit’s budget is about 50% donations and 50% grants, but she’s working hard on applying for more grants. she’s also working hard to spread the word. “It’s been a pretty quiet little organization for a long time. And it’s done some great things, but so quietly. Now it’s time to make everybody aware of what we’re doing,” she said.  

Cordata Community Garden News

Do you have ripe produce you will not need? If so, every Tuesday in September and October, you can add it to the cooler in the garden shed located at 4770 Cordata Parkway. We will see that it is delivered to the Bellingham Food Bank.

This is your chance to share and to be sure our carefully grown excess produce is available to those who need it.

Julianna Park News

The Bellingham Parks department has scheduled another cleanup day for Julianna Park on October 1 from 9am to noon. If you haven't had a chance to join a parks work party, give it a try. It's fun to work with your neighbors as we plant trees and shrubs and help remove unwanted growth. The best part is pointing with pride at your work the next time you walk the trail.

You can get more information and register HERE. 

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In other Julianna Park news, Nicole Oliver, the COB Parks Director is visiting all the city neighborhood parks to meet with community members and hear our concerns and complemants on the parks in our neighborhoods. 

She has scheduled her visit to Julianna Park for September 9 from 3pm to 4pm. Please take a few minutes to meet and chat with Nicole about parks and trails in Cordata or any other areas in Bellingham.

It seems like everywhere we turn we are hearing more and more reports of crimes or attempted crimes in our neighborhoods. Recently a community member sent me a link to a source that reports on neighborhood statistics, including crime rates. Here is what was reported about Bellingham:

With a property crime rate of 47.68 per one thousand residents, Bellingham has one of the highest property crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. Your chance of becoming a victim of property crime is 1 in 21. This compares with the following:

Bellingham.    47.68/1000     1 in 21

Washington.    27.28/1000.    1 in 37

United States.   19/1000.     1 in 52

The source for this information is NeighborhoodScout. You can access the site HERE.

We all know that statistics don't tell the full story, but these data raise some serious concners, Therefore, we are very pleased that our new Chief of Police, Chief Rebecca Mertzig will be joining us in our community meeting on September 13 to talk more about this important subject. I hope you can join us.