The WhatcomTalk Events Calendar shares things to do around Whatcom County including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine and beyond. Find fun activities and adventures throughout the region on our comprehensive events calendar. Have an event that isn’t listed? Click the green “Post your Event” button and our editors will review and approve within two business days.

Join the City of Bellingham in celebrating this year’s global Earth Day theme of “Invest In Our Planet” with a week of local activities during April 17-23, 2022. The City is hosting free activities for all ages to honor our planet, including:
• A volunteer work party at Fairhaven Park to help restore Padden Creek. Spots are limited so please register in advance.
• A community art project at the Lightcatcher Building – help us populate a giant globe with animal life!
• Earth Day themed online Children’s Storytimes for kids ages birth to five years.
• Themed book lists for adults and children.
• Essence of Bellingham photo contest. Submit your climate action photos for a chance to win the Climate Action Award!
A full list of events with details can be found on the City’s website at cob.org/earthday2022.

Join the City of Bellingham in celebrating this year’s global Earth Day theme of “Invest In Our Planet” with a week of local activities during April 17-23, 2022. The City is hosting free activities for all ages to honor our planet, including:
• A volunteer work party at Fairhaven Park to help restore Padden Creek. Spots are limited so please register in advance.
• A community art project at the Lightcatcher Building – help us populate a giant globe with animal life!
• Earth Day themed online Children’s Storytimes for kids ages birth to five years.
• Themed book lists for adults and children.
• Essence of Bellingham photo contest. Submit your climate action photos for a chance to win the Climate Action Award!
A full list of events with details can be found on the City’s website at cob.org/earthday2022.

Join the City of Bellingham in celebrating this year’s global Earth Day theme of “Invest In Our Planet” with a week of local activities during April 17-23, 2022. The City is hosting free activities for all ages to honor our planet, including:
• A volunteer work party at Fairhaven Park to help restore Padden Creek. Spots are limited so please register in advance.
• A community art project at the Lightcatcher Building – help us populate a giant globe with animal life!
• Earth Day themed online Children’s Storytimes for kids ages birth to five years.
• Themed book lists for adults and children.
• Essence of Bellingham photo contest. Submit your climate action photos for a chance to win the Climate Action Award!
A full list of events with details can be found on the City’s website at cob.org/earthday2022.

Join the City of Bellingham in celebrating this year’s global Earth Day theme of “Invest In Our Planet” with a week of local activities during April 17-23, 2022. The City is hosting free activities for all ages to honor our planet, including:
• A volunteer work party at Fairhaven Park to help restore Padden Creek. Spots are limited so please register in advance.
• A community art project at the Lightcatcher Building – help us populate a giant globe with animal life!
• Earth Day themed online Children’s Storytimes for kids ages birth to five years.
• Themed book lists for adults and children.
• Essence of Bellingham photo contest. Submit your climate action photos for a chance to win the Climate Action Award!
A full list of events with details can be found on the City’s website at cob.org/earthday2022.

Strategies to foster a safe, welcoming environment in Bellingham’s downtown are continuing and new initiatives being added, including a new safety ambassador program, a focus on graffiti removal, and downtown business support through the new ‘City Block’ leadership council.
The City of Bellingham and Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) have partnered on these efforts and others to improve the sense of safety and create a welcoming atmosphere downtown.
A community meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. April 21, 2022, at the Boundary Bay Beer Garden, offering an opportunity for downtown business owners and others to learn more about these and other new initiatives.
Business owners, downtown residents, and the general public are invited to attend.

Join the City of Bellingham in celebrating this year’s global Earth Day theme of “Invest In Our Planet” with a week of local activities during April 17-23, 2022. The City is hosting free activities for all ages to honor our planet, including:
• A volunteer work party at Fairhaven Park to help restore Padden Creek. Spots are limited so please register in advance.
• A community art project at the Lightcatcher Building – help us populate a giant globe with animal life!
• Earth Day themed online Children’s Storytimes for kids ages birth to five years.
• Themed book lists for adults and children.
• Essence of Bellingham photo contest. Submit your climate action photos for a chance to win the Climate Action Award!
A full list of events with details can be found on the City’s website at cob.org/earthday2022.

Join the City of Bellingham in celebrating this year’s global Earth Day theme of “Invest In Our Planet” with a week of local activities during April 17-23, 2022. The City is hosting free activities for all ages to honor our planet, including:
• A volunteer work party at Fairhaven Park to help restore Padden Creek. Spots are limited so please register in advance.
• A community art project at the Lightcatcher Building – help us populate a giant globe with animal life!
• Earth Day themed online Children’s Storytimes for kids ages birth to five years.
• Themed book lists for adults and children.
• Essence of Bellingham photo contest. Submit your climate action photos for a chance to win the Climate Action Award!
A full list of events with details can be found on the City’s website at cob.org/earthday2022.

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu and Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood are the featured speakers for Bellingham City Club’s April 27 Zoom Webinar at 12 noon. Registration is recommended for this event at https://bhamcityclub.wildapricot.org/event-4740064/Registration.
Elected November 2019, both Sidhu and Fleetwood faced trial by fire in the first term of their respective seats. The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc over the past two years, exacerbating the dual problems of homelessness and the lack of adequate mental health services that both had hoped to address.
In addition, climate change dished up an unusual heat bomb and wild fire smoke in the summer of 2021, followed by extensive flooding & damage in the fall.
Were they successful in managing these challenges? What lessons have they learned for navigating the future?
For additional information about the program and the speakers, please see www.bellinghamcityclub.org .
Join Bellingham For Everyone every other month for fun, virtual events that will keep our Allies engaged, educated, and mobilized! All events are virtual and great for ALL neighbors. Our hope is to encourage our Allies, community, neighbors, and friends to stay informed.
We will be joined by Hazel Borys from PlaceMakers. PlaceMakers is an organization comprised of planners, urban designers, form-based code wranglers, storytellers, advisors, and advocates. The term placemaker implies a promise. A commitment to cultivating environments that nurture human needs in all their diversity.
Learn more about what is happening with broadband infrastructure projects!
Staff from the PUD and Port of Bellingham will hold an open house/informational meeting on current and future Broadband Infrastructure Projects in Whatcom County.
On June 23, from 7-8:30pm in the Van Zandt Community Hall (4106 Valley Hwy., Deming, WA), The South Fork Valley Community Association will be hosting a town hall event with panelists from law enforcement, first responders, internet companies, as well as local legislators.
We’ll focus on two topics:
• Public Safely
• Community Connectivity
• And dessert will be provided!
Confirmed guest panelists thus far:
• Whatcom County Undersheriff Doug Chadwick
• Public Utility District Commissioner Atul Deshmane
• Chief Hank Maleng or a representative from Fire District 16
• District Court Judge candidate Jonathan Rands
• State Rep. Alicia Rule
• State Sen. Simon Sefzik
• State Rep. Sharon Shewmake
• Port of Bellingham Economic Development Project Manager Gina Stark
Make your plans to attend now, and bring your questions and concerns. Take advantage of this outstanding opportunity to learn what’s in the works and make your voice heard!

Get familiar with the cleanup and redevelopment process at two sites along Blaine’s waterfront! These two sites, Sea K Fish and Westman Marine, have sediment contaminated with toxic substances from past industrial operations such as boat maintenance, petroleum storage, and fish oil processing. You can learn about — and have a say in — how the WA Department of Ecology might address the contaminants!
Tour is on May 24th from 12:00–1:30pm at 218 McMillan Ave, Blaine.
RSVP for the tour at https://p2a.co/1g6U6Hb
There will also be an online meeting at 6:30pm the same day with a presentation and Q&A on these sites’ cleanups.

Bellingham City Club hosts the first in a series of three election forums on Wednesday, August 23 at the Bellingham Yacht Club, 2625 S. Harbor Loop, Bellingham. A catered lunch will be served at 11:45 AM and tickets are available at www.bellinghamcityclub.org. Candidates for Whatcom County Executive, County Sheriff and the County Council At Large seat will face off consecutively starting at noon. Early registration is highly recommended.
The second forum covers Bellingham races on Sept 27 and Ballot Measures will be on Oct 25.

Staff from Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be on hand to answer questions and provide information, guidance and training on administering Naloxone (aka Narcan). Attendees ages 18 and over may request a free nasal Narcan kit along with education on Narcan administration while supplies last. This event is in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day.
This come-and-go style event is intended as an opportunity for casual conversations with experts. This upcoming event will let you find out more about:
• How to identify an overdose.
• How to respond to an overdose.
• How to use nasal naloxone.
• How to safely store naloxone.
• Good Samaritan laws, and any other questions.
Learn more and get local data at www.whatcomoverdoseprevention.org.

We’re excited to announce a Department reunion! This reunion is for all current and former Whatcom County Health and Community Services (previously Whatcom County Health Department) employees, interns, volunteers and their families. Activities include meeting and visiting with current and former Health staff, food truck (Jalapeños), and lawn games.
Our department has a long and storied history, from polio clinics in the 50’s to supporting newly diagnosed HIV patients in the 80’s and 90’s to the many services we provide today, and so many other periods in between.
We invite all department employees, interns, and volunteers, whether you work here now or worked here decades ago, to come to the reunion. RSVP today at the RSVP link! We ask that all attendees RSVP by Wednesday, September 6.

Bellingham City Club hosts the second in a series of three election forums in person on Wednesday, September 27 at the Bellingham Yacht Club, 2625 S. Harbor Loop, Bellingham. A catered lunch will be served at 11:45 AM and tickets are available at www.bellinghamcityclub.org. Candidates for Bellingham Mayor and three City Council races will face off consecutively starting at noon. Early registration is highly recommended.
The candidates include:
? Seth Fleetwood vs Kim Lund running for Mayor of Bellingham
? Eamonn Collins vs Hannah Stone running for Bellingham City Council Ward 1
? Liz Darrow vs Daniel Hammill running for Bellingham City Council Ward 3
? Jace Cotton vs Russ Whidbee running for Bellingham City Council At-Large

How are the City of Bellingham, the Port of Bellingham, and Whatcom County planning for increasing flood risks and future impacts to our shorelines?
• How are they working together?
• How will it affect you?
Steve Sundin, Senior Planner with the City of Bellingham, Kurt Baumgarten, Environmental Planner with the Port of Bellingham, and Chris Elder, Senior Watershed Planner with Whatcom County Public Works will discuss these topics as well as how you can stay informed and involved.
To register: whatcomwin.org/speaker-series

The 2024 All Hands Whatcom Opioid Summit is almost here! We hope you will join us to build on the momentum of the 2023 Opioid Summit with two full days of learning, community building, and action. The more we understand about the experiences of our youth people today, and the protective factors that reduce substance use disorders, the more impact we can have in building systems that result in health and well-being from an early age.
This year’s Summit programming is focused on how the opioid/Fentanyl crisis is impacting our youth and young adults- from grounding in data and evidence-based practices, to building empathy through personal stories, to action planning for community investment, and so much more! Join us to learn from our community’s youth and the organizations and individuals who support them. The Summit will highlight community voices, promote shared learning around systems of substance use prevention and support, and amplify innovative strategies that support our youth into healthy and thriving adulthood.

The 2024 All Hands Whatcom Opioid Summit is almost here! We hope you will join us to build on the momentum of the 2023 Opioid Summit with two full days of learning, community building, and action. The more we understand about the experiences of our youth people today, and the protective factors that reduce substance use disorders, the more impact we can have in building systems that result in health and well-being from an early age.
This year’s Summit programming is focused on how the opioid/Fentanyl crisis is impacting our youth and young adults- from grounding in data and evidence-based practices, to building empathy through personal stories, to action planning for community investment, and so much more! Join us to learn from our community’s youth and the organizations and individuals who support them. The Summit will highlight community voices, promote shared learning around systems of substance use prevention and support, and amplify innovative strategies that support our youth into healthy and thriving adulthood.

Join Fair Vote Whatcom for a showing of the”Majority Rules” a documentary about Alaska’s adoption of ranked choice voting. The film will be followed by a moderated discussion with former Alaska State Representative, Jason Grenn, along with local volunteer, Jessie Post.
Majority Rules answers two of our nation’s most pressing questions: how did the American electoral system become so dysfunctional, and could changing how Americans vote also change politics for the better?
We think yes – changing the way we vote could change politics for the better, and we bet that you do, too. Join us for this film, and bring a friend! It’s informative, entertaining, and will leave you fired up to support RCV efforts in other states and here at home in Washington.

Coming September 25! Bellingham City Club Hosts General Election Candidates Forum 2
Bellingham City Club presents the second of three General Election Forums at the Bellingham Yacht Club.
Panelists include:
40th Legislative District Senate: Liz Lovelett (Charles Carrell has not responded);
42nd Legislative District Position 2: Joe Timmons and Kamal Bhachu; and
PUD Commissioner Position 1: Eddy Ury and Jeremiah Goggins
Prices: $25/member, $30/non-member, $10/under age 25, and $10/program only (includes coffee & cookie). Catering by Guud Bowls.
Opens: 11:30AM. Meal: 11:45AM. Program: 12:00PM. Ends: 1:30PM
Register: Coming September 25! Bellingham City Club Hosts General Election Candidates Forum 2
Bellingham City Club presents the second of three General Election Forums at the Bellingham Yacht Club. Panelists include 40th Legislative District Senate: Liz Lovelett (Charles Carrell has not responded); 42nd Legislative District Position 2: Joe Timmons and Kamal Bhachu; and PUD Commissioner Position 1: Eddy Ury and Jeremiah Goggins
Prices: $25/member, $30/non-member, $10/under age 25, and $10/program only (includes coffee & cookie). Catering by Guud Bowls.
Opens: 11:30AM. Meal: 11:45AM. Program: 12:00PM. Ends: 1:30PM
Register: https://bhamcityclub.wildapricot.org/event-5854465/registration
Tickets sold until 6:00 PM on 9/22/24.
Tickets sold until 6:00 PM on 9/22/24.

Please join Wildhaven Writers as we share poetry and stories concerning women’s issues such as abortion care, reproductive freedom, and motherhood. Alicia Rule, Washington State Representative, and Lucia Pearson, Assistant Director of Student Health Services at WWU, will speak about relevant legislative issues and reproductive health issues confronting young women. The Mildreds will add humorous feminist songs to the evening’s program
.
The Wildhaven Writers—Nancy Canyon, Leslie Wharton, Suzanne Harris, Courtney Kendall, Amy Alice, and Katie Dexter—will read new pieces and work from their book,
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Words: https://www.villagebooks.com/book/9798988619406
Let’s gather in community for pre-election excitement, optimism, and connection!
Suggested donation $10. All profits benefit Planned Parenthood.

Three years ago, Putin’s army invaded Ukraine starting the first land war in Europe in over 80 years. Ukraine has fought valiantly but now President Trump seems to be switching sides. He is experiencing significant pushback from our national security, intelligence, and military sectors and European nations. What implications and consequences for US alliances, international leadership, and Third World countries? Join guest speaker and career foreign service officer Nick Mele to hear his take on how the US is now perceived internationally and how these changes affect us.
Register by 6pm on 3-23-25 at https://bhamcityclub.wildapricot.org/event-6090319/registration
Please purchase tickets in advance by 6:00pm Sunday, March 23 at https://bhamcityclub.wildapricot.org/event-6090319/registration
Only a few lunch tickets will be available for purchase at the door.
Time: Doors open at 11:30am. A buffet luncheon starts at 11:45. Meeting runs from 12:00pm to 1:30pm.
Ticket prices: Member, $25; Non-member, $30; Youth under 25, $10; Program only (no meal), $10. Tickets are nonrefundable.
Mission of Bellingham City Club: To inform, connect, and engage our community to strengthen the civic health of our region. Founded in 1993 by a group of citizens, we are a non-partisan civic organization of around 500 members. We foster dialogue and debate on important issues facing our community.
FMI: Allison Roberts, pr@bellinghamcityclub.org

In just a few months, the Trump Administration’s foreign and domestic policies and its changes in Canadian and Mexican sentiment, tariffs, and stricter immigration and border policies have had notable impacts in border communities like Whatcom County. Drs. Laurie Trautman and LaTrelle Scherffius will explore how shifting policies are shaping a new narrative concerning U.S. border security. Through the lens of U.S./Mexican border history, they’ll delve into the hardening of the U.S./Canadian border and explore how past policies on the southern border might indicate what the future on our northern border and impacts those changes could have on border communities including Whatcom County.
Purchase tickets in advance by 6:00 pm Sunday, April 20.
Location: Bellingham Yacht Club, 2625 S Harbor Loop Drive, Bellingham, WA.
Registration: https://bhamcityclub.wildapricot.org/event-6130990/registration
Time: Doors open at 11:30 am. The meeting starts at 12:00 pm and ends at 1:30 pm.
Ticket prices (tickets are nonrefundable): Member, $25; Non-member, $30; Youth under 25, $10; Program only (no meal), $10.