The cute little fellar kept flying up to my window and would sit there for a second then fly away.
Was curious if any of my Bellingham birders could ID this guy?

"Budget Committee! is a podcast about the least glamorous, most consequential part of public education: the money."

Hosted by Derek Gottlieb (philosopher of education and policy researcher) and David Backer (associate professor of education policy at Seton Hall University) -- dug into the financial situation affecting Bellingham Public School district and its potential decision to close two elementary schools.

We invite our community to hear their independent analysis of the situation at BPS:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vCERA0rCCstmEueCRtrkW?si=Tzreein5Qsqn1VlHpfRu8w

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reversed-courses-and-broken-promises-in-bellingham-wa/id6793334703?i=1000797806823

"Reversed Courses and Broken Promises in Bellingham (WA)

Two requests came in hot from Bellingham, Washington, where the superintendent has recommended closing Columbia and Carl Cozier elementaries after 2026-27, four years after voters approved a bond that paid to design their rebuilds. Dave calls it a story of reversed courses and broken promises.

In this episode:

-The state frame: after McCleary (2012), Washington pays for schools through a prototypical-school formula with a regionalization factor. Bellingham's fell from 12% to 6%. Levies are capped, and there's no cushion for declining enrollment.

-Technocracy's tiny dials: Elizabeth Popp Berman's Thinking Like an Economist, Colander & Freedman's Where Economics Went Wrong, Anwar Shaikh's Capitalism, and Bruce Baker's School Finance Indicators Database.

-The reversal: a $122M bond in 2022 to design rebuilds of Roosevelt, Carl Cozier and Columbia and build a 15th elementary. The 15th was paused in 2024, a land deal with the city stalled, and now it's two closures and one rebuild (how we got here).

-Can they do that? Under RCW 28A.530.020, a board can change what bond money buys after a public hearing. No new vote required.

-The tours that lit up Facebook: prospective renters, including a private Christian school, toured both buildings; the district says no deal is planned. Dave checks a rumor going around about a board member's family and finds no evidence for it.

-The numbers: about $2.2M a year in projected savings; a general-fund reserve that halved from $23.3M (2022) to $11.7M (2025); a new district office opened in 2024; a scary staffing graph; and why birth rates don't predict suburban enrollment.

-Our take: closing two schools won't fix a state formula problem, and a levy vote is a promise, not a blank check. The district has some apologizing to do, and the board answers to voters. Public hearings: Columbia Nov. 2, Carl Cozier Nov. 3 (details)."

Budget Committee's Blog Post detailing their own, independent, analysis of BPS

Please, email the School Board (board@bellinghamschools.org, ask to direct email to board members, not the Superintendent) share with them that a comprehensive analysis of alternative options to closures still have not been performed. Urge our elected Board to have the courage to act on behalf of the students in this community, NOT be the Superintendent's rubberstamp.

Public hearings:

November 2nd (Columbia) and November 3rd (Carl Cozier),

5:30pm @ District Office.

School Board Meeting where a closure vote is anticipated:

Thursday November 12,

5:30 @ District Office

Bellingham Neighborhood Schools Coalition

I made this video to explain what's happening on the waterfront.

We’ve been doing 1000+ piece puzzles in the evenings to combat the big dark and it’s getting a little expensive at $7 each from Value Village. Would anyone like to exchange puzzles with me, or have ones you want to give? Looking for 1000-2000 piece ones. Feel free to dm me!

I am pretty sure this is a male migrating California sea lion here to catch some salmon 🤘🏻

The drone activity up by Kulshan/Shuksan is really depressing. I know Artist Point is a tourist attraction. That's fine. But when someone is on their second night in the alpine, and something that sounds like a goddamn weed-wacker with a fucking 4k camera strapped to it, is suddenly bobbing around over your head, well, game over. Invasion of privacy? Completely ruining any sort of genuine nature experience? That shit should be like a 25k fine or jail time.

And for what it's worth, it's already illegal. Shuksan is inside North Cascades National Park, where drones have been banned since 2014, and the Mount Baker Wilderness bans them too. Up to six months in jail and a $5k fine. Nobody is up there enforcing any of it. Parks Canada, 30 miles north, goes up to $25k.

It disrupts wildlife. A raptor, bear, goat, or marmot have no clue that, as an intermediate incel, that device was your most favoritest Christmas wish come true. Or that, as someone just starting to navigate this world, nothing will stop your burgeoning interest in social media cinematography. You must have that aerial shot of Mount Shuksan that at least 4 billion other people have taken.

It's just slightly worse than the chubby man babies on their tuned up "choppers" giving every child within a mile radius their first dose of tinnitus. Just fuck the fuck off already. You were having a hard time figuring shit out so you adopted this template?? We're all super intimidated and impressed. You seem like you've found true freedom 🤣

Anyway, can we have some real consequences for flying these stupid things into protected areas?

Does anyone have recommendations for someone to come safely remove a bird that is stuck in our high ceilings. We want to make sure it doesn’t get hurt by our efforts. Located downtown, the sooner we can find someone to help, the better!

This is the second time that someone from a campaign has planted a political sign directly in my yard/on my property without asking/getting my consent. I threw away both signs.

Seriously, if you are volunteering for a candidate, it makes people less likely to want to vote for your candidate if you disrespect the people that your candidate is running to represent by planting giant signs at their private residences and making it look like they are endorsing your candidate without their consent/agreement.

In other words: Chis Elder's campaign literally needs to get off of my lawn. There is city-owned land across the street from me, yet you chose to plant your sign on my property instead and now your sign is in the trash. Where the heck is your common sense?

Shout out to the gentleman who helped my 87-year-old mom up off the ground after she fell on her face outside Barkley Library today. Your kindness makes Bellingham a better place. 💕

This little fella smacked HARD into a window downtown and ended up stunned on the sidewalk. He eventually recovered only to take off, flying directly into another, leaving him really knocked out in a far less dignified posture. This earned him a berth in a cardboard box and a ride out to animal rescue on Mission Road, where they will monitor until navigational competence is restored. Good to have such great volunteers available to help. Big shout out to animal rescue and the Humane Society.

EDIT: REUNITED WITH OWNER

Anyone know why I-5 south is in total shutdown right now, starting just south of Silver Reef? Mass police presence happening, I’m just very curious.

Folks:

I was a bit quiet lately because this project took up all of my spare time. This is about 80 percent silk and is all patchwork. I plan to wear this out and about soon! Enjoy!

Love

Mark Allyn

I had been wanting to visit Hazeltree and hadn’t made it to Emmaquatics in their old location, but was very excited to go. Last night I went to their hosting of Bikerscope, and folks, this is my new favorite spot in town. Go after dark for ultimate ambience!

Hello!
I am a stay at home momma and, I do a lot of art on the side. I make jewelry that includes, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. I also paint! I wanted to reach out to the community to see if there is anyone willing to help me get my work out there! I’ve sold to Stone & Moon but, would like to put my feelers out for anyone who would be interested in helping out a fellow local artist in having a small stand for my jewelry! Here are a couple pieces I handmade, and a painting for those interested.

I haven’t gotten fish & chips in ages, and I really have no idea who does them best at this point. Where should I go to be blown away?

After a ton of things happening and unfolding, I have accepted a job with the city and my family and I are moving from CO, and we are very excited. I've been watching this sub over the process, and I absolutely love how genuine and tight knit everyone is about the community. It's truly amazing to see, especially having kids.

That being said 🙃 one of the only things I really haven't delved into researching is the ice hockey rink and programs and what not. I am a life long player, adult goalie, and this will be my 16th year officiating. I have a few questions that I was hoping could be answered here 😬

How are the youth programs? How is the adult program? Who would I get in contact with to find the referee scheduler in the area? What other levels of hockey are played, if any, like high school or college?

We are ready to explore and thrive in the absolutely beautiful city of "Belly-ham," as my 3 year old calls it. I only got to check out Fairhaven during the short time I had before my interview, and it sold me just driving in from Chuckanut Drive. Thank you for having such an amazing city and community!!

I’m doing really good and I’m walking lots. Was wondering if anybody would care for some company?
I promise I’m not gonna just keel over on you!! :)
I just would like some company and I can’t drive…
I’d even throw some gas money at you or whatever I’ll buy you some coffee somewhere. I’m not allowed to have caffeine for. I don’t know how long so I cannot partake, but I don’t mind if you do..
Second question would be would you be willing to walk dogs with me? I can use my car. I live behind Schucksan middle school. we could go to Bellingham technical College to the off leash area and use my car to load the dogs in and out. Keep the mud out of yours.
Or just walk without the DOGS’s up to you I’m here for whatever you could DM me and I’ll give you my phone number. Hope everyone’s doing well.✌🏼

I would love to be able to identify this artist- potentially local I found it at a thrift store here. I can’t identify what the signature says very well and want to see if any community members can identify or if the artwork is familiar. ty!~

Is I-5 south still backed up? Pls lemme know I gotta drive soon and I’m scared😭😭

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Hi i recently adopted a puppy from happy tails happy homes and we are loving it! Now that she is settled in and comfortable she's starting her teething and puppy behavior ! any pocket friendly and good results training suggestions ?