Hi all,

I have a few spots of my ballot that I’m really thinking through and trying to do research for, and one of them is the Port of Bellingham (District 5) position. Currently wavering between Lagestee and Elder; do any of you have an informed opinion about these candidates and who may be the best fit for the role? I’ve watched their brief interviews and looked at their webpages, and am hoping for some insight from my fellow Bhamsters. TIA, and vote!

I had this painting since I moved into a house a decade ago. We held onto it, but never knew who the artist is. If anyone has any clue who's it is, it would be cool to find out! Signature says JJ '06

I have lived in Washington state for a few years now, but this is the first time I have noticed a significant amount of wasps/hornets in all the trees and ground plants on a daily basis. I thought I might have a nest somewhere in my yard, but I noticed the flying insects were multiple species and were also present in other trees in the neighborhood.

I am curious if this is normal, or do I need to do something about it to be a good neighbor? I support the bees, but I am insure if I am supposed to support or oppose the wasps/hornets. Any advice is appreciated.

Have you been wanting to learn more about local candidates and ballot issues? Maybe you've been on the fence about getting involved in local politics but don't know where to start? Whatcom Young Progressives is hosting the event for you!

On July 29th, we'll have speakers from organizations like Community First Whatcom and No Hate Washington share information about local/state initiatives on the ballot this year. We'll also be joined by local progressive candidates and elected officials to answer questions from attendees. You should leave the event feeling well informed about local issues and knowing how to get involved in issues that matter most to you.

FREE dinner will be provided but RSVP is required (ideally by end of day July 27): https://luma.com/odnzerdm

ABOUT US: Whatcom Young Progressives is a new group of people (35ish and under) working to create a space where young progressives in our community can come together to learn about local issues and meet other like-minded people. We meet monthly and alternate between educational events like this and more social-focused gatherings).

There's a lot of local music going on this week but theres a free festival all day Saturday hosted by Woodhaven Mastering Studios.

This is the first time this event has happened.

Quite a few local bands and some local food vendors will be present.

Just thought I'd share and shamelessly promote my own band(s) as well as other local musicians!

Coming to Make.Shift on 8/1-8/2, Bellingham Punk & Metal Scene (fb page) presents it's first Local Fest!

Admission is only $10/day + a can of food (each day)...all goes to the Bellingham Food Bank!!

8/1/26 "Punk Day"

Boxcutter PNW
Proud Failures
Disaster Queen
Seraphic
Jennifer What
Fetus Joe

8/2/26 "Metal Day"
Maldisdeun
Done To Death
Inpathos
Fomorian
Oath ov Hatred
Embryosis

Pick your day, or come to both...which is preferable. This is all for the locals! Come to show your support!

Music starts at 5:30pm on both days!!!!!

I spoke with Eagle Bear Lawrence today outside of Bellingham Food Co-Op and he filled me in on his past few months, since it had been a while since I had seen him (maybe a year or so). A lot of locals know Eagle Bear as he usually beats his drum outside of the Co-Op or Trader Joes in Bellingham. He is a descendant of Chief Si'ahl (Chief Seattle) and he's a storyteller and poet.

Now, I know no one is perfect and I don't claim to know much more about Eagle Bear beyond him being a well known figure in the community, and someone who has always treated my family and me with kindness, but what he told me today was pretty crushing.

Apparently, after experiencing brain bleeding (and subsequent cranial and brain surgeries) in December 2025 (not to mention the flooding of his home, years prior), Eagle Bear was living mainly out of his car, it seems, and was accused of assaulting a young person in March 2026.

He told me the young person had a lifelong history of being trafficked and he was trying to help her so he let her stay in his car. According to him, BPD took his car, which had his drums, his wallet (including his ID and EBT card) and he has not had it for three - four months. Now, I am not saying he is innocent or guilty of his crimes, but I what I know is: he is not currently imprisoned, but he doesn't have his car or his belongings (drums, clothes, wallet, dog's items) and is on the street, after experiencing a serious brain injury.

He's always been so respectful and kind and today was the first time I have ever seen him weep and be so low. He explained that he has been unable to get ahold of his public defender, Carl Munson, and does not believe this attorney is acting in his best interest. He said his heart is broken and he and his dog, Baby, are suffering greatly.

I wanted to let folks know, as I know a lot of people know and care for him. Taking a severely disabled elder's food card is basically a death sentence. Does anyone know more information about this situation?

The games are all over and we’re taking down our decorations. Is there a super fan out there who wants one of those 3’x5’ Fanzone banners?

Edit: fixed the dimensions. It is NOT forty five feet wide.

Hey y’all! It’s my birthday tomorrow and I would love to take my friends (one is vegan) to otherlands but they only do brunch on weekends. Wondering where you would suggest getting brunch in town on a weekday that has plenty of vegan options. Thanks!

Booooo it’s back again. Guess my little one and I are chilling inside today.

Hello Bellingham, we’re a band out of Bozeman, MT under the name Jampoke. We’ve booked a show at the Karate Church on August 21st and we need 1 or 2 more bands to join the set. We are a six piece that plays a combination of rock and americiana with a healthy amount of improvisation mixed in. If you are in a band or know some cool homies that would like to play a show, shoot me a message or dm us on instagram @jampokeofficial. We’re comfortable playing with any style of band; in the past we’ve played with anything from acoustic outfits to punk and everything in between. We also have a show in Vancouver on 8/22 that we need 1 or 2 bands for as well. Check us out on instagram or our website, and come down to the show if you can. http://jampoke.com

Has anyone else ever emailed their city council members and not received a response? What the hell do they even do, or what are they even for if they won't respond to constituents?

I was starting a road trip — had a big floaty in the back of my car, blocking my rear view.
State patrol saw me look at my phone- not speeding/ sorting map and message, and didn’t see them- due to said floaty- it was dumb on my part.
I agree.

I will be more careful/pull over for anything important- it is an embarrassing reminder, but also know that everyone does this constantly.

(Not reassuring, I get that. 😂🫣😭.)

Clean record, besides a speeding ticket or two 15-20 years ago. Hadn’t been pulled over since.

My question is - since in another county, than my own- not worth going to court etc.
Is it best to just pay the ticket stat?
($150 I have the money/ but still significant ding, part time work/mom life.)

Amount aside, is it damaging enough to insurance/record that I should first try any other course of action?

Thanks for anyone willing to share your experience or expertise!

Howdy yall! Very excited to be performing my debut album live next Friday at make shift! Jazz and gqom influenced idm/ambient/general experimental electronic stuff. The album is about environmentalism, mental health, and healing.

Here's the pre-sale link: https://makeshiftartspace.org/shop/healyourself731

I am looking for a queer/ safe space vivid hair specialist/stylist. Who do you recommend?

My household is moving, and we are looking for someone to take over our lease for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath apartment located in the Happy Valley neighborhood, near WWU.
Available: September 1st, 2026 | Lease through: July 21, 2027 (with the option to renew)
Square footage: 1,200 Sq ft.
Rent: $2,825/month

Unit Features:
- ADA accessible layout, with large bathroom and detachable showerhead
- In-unit W/D
- Full kitchen with dishwasher, microwave, & garbage disposal
- Walk-in kitchen pantry
- Generously sized patio (covered), with lockable outdoor storage
- First-floor convenience

Building Amenities:
- Attached parking garage
- Interior corridor from parking garage to unit
- Secure entry access (door code)
- Well-maintained landscaping (included in rent)

Utilities:
- Included in rent: Landscaping
- Not included in rent/ Tenant pays: Water/Sewer/Garbage, electricity, and internet

Location Highlights:
- 15 min walk to WWU
- 5 min walk to convenience store
- Quick access to Fairhaven, parks, and trails
- Low-traffic neighborhood
- Close to I-5 ramps

Pets:
- Cats allowed
- ESA/Service animals welcome upon approval

Building owned and managed by Landmark Real Estate Management LLC.
Website: https://www.visitlandmark.com/

Application fee: $50 per tenant/applicant
Once potential applicants have been selected by current tenants, Landmark will reach out with an invitation to apply to the unit for approval. Each tenant and co-signer (if applicable) must complete and submit a separate application and pay the application fee. Once all applications have been received, the screening process will begin.

*Please note: The photos may not depict the exact unit. If you would like a better idea of the space, updated/current photos, a video tour, or a floor plan can be sent to potential applicants upon request. Additionally, we would also be happy to schedule a date to do a walk-through of the unit.

Feel free to DM me with any inquiries and to exchange contact information.

This makes 5? 6? power failures in a few months, at least for areas near Fairhaven. Any official work from PSE on what happened yesterday afternoon?

Sadly rethinking our plan to go all-EV since the grid seems unstable. Maybe drop $$ on a full backup capable solar panel setup once the budget allows it. I've always held the theory that grid-scale renewables made a lot more sense than home solar, but maybe not when it's this unreliable.

Anyone from PSE care to comment?

Has anyone noticed that there's been an increasing amount of police drones around town lately? I keep seeing them flying up Lakeway toward downtown, and over the apartment complexes in the area. Seems like theyre making regular passes too. Anyone know what's up?

I heard their ad on the radio and looked them up. It appears from pics that they have a heavy Sikh population but are nonreligious in approach. Has anyone experienced this school as a parent/student/teacher/community member?

I don’t like Reddit. I think the only thing I dislike more than Reddit is traffic. Yet the only thing I dislike more than both at once is being wrong. Which I was, spectacularly, when I posted this yesterday: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bellingham/comments/1v1yfx9/psa_merge_when_you_know_you_have_to_dont_use_the/

So, if I5 is closed and one lane is closed, and there’s a line of people single file - miles ahead of you - pass them, and merge at the end. They’re doing it wrong.

Teachable moment as this is, especially to yours truly, it might be a good thing to have signs up there so the people doing the counter-intuitive thing (at least to those inclined to not cut queues) can be informed that the correct protocol is to use all lanes. My next question would have been “so the folks in the left lane are just suckers, eh?” Well, apparently the answer is yes. Damn.

And no, I have no intention of deleting the prior post. If I’m wrong I’m wrong and I’ll leave it up as a testament to what happens when you place too much confidence in misplaced belief.

I stand corrected.

The summer heat hits harder east of I-5

Hello Whatcom County! The Church of the Moon’s Whatcom County community is hosting a casual Lammas gathering at Padden Park on August 1st at 11 AM.

Join us as we celebrate the first harvest and the turning of the Wheel of the Year with a relaxed, community-style gathering. This will be a potluck, so feel free to bring a dish to share. Crafts, seasonal activities, and creative projects are encouraged!

This is not a formal religious service, it’s simply an opportunity for local pagans, witches, nature-based folks, and anyone interested in connecting with the community to meet, build friendships, share traditions, and enjoy time together.

Whether you’re new to pagan paths, have been practicing for years, or are just curious and looking for like-minded people in the area, you’re welcome to join us. We hope to see some fellow Whatcom County pagans there!

To the amazing lady that stopped and helped my son with his dislocated knee after numerous cars drive right past him,I want to Thank you from the bottom of my heart..My son was hurting very badly and numerous cars drive right by him and his friend,until our hero stopped and jumped into action..You comforted him with a blanket ,pillow,water and waited with him until the ambulance came,then proceeded to drive his friend to his car..I want to thank you and not just for doing the right thing,but for not being scared to help our fellow human beings like the 10 cars before you..You are a hero amongst today's scaredy cats..Thank you for keeping it real..My son is at home with me and doing good.