NOVEMBER

2025

November Community (Pie) Celebration

November 11, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Cordata Park Pavilion (South Park Entrance)

Let Them (& us) Eat Pie

This is our annual gathering to celebrate and show gratitude for everyone who has participated, supported, or resided in Cordata. We put aside anything that is causing us stress, anxiety or calorie count, join with our friends, family and neighbors to relax, garner our strength for the upcoming holidays, and celebrate each other.

Bring a pie and get a raffle ticket. You will also have a chance to win the pie-tasting contest with your pie -- homemade or store bought. Think "The Great Cordata Bake (or buy) Off" in a subdued Bellingham way.

Because this is the season for giving, we would also like to ask for donations for several great causes that support our community members who may be struggling. Please bring your donations of any of the following items:

Winter Clothes -- All Sizes

Non-perishable Foods

Children's Books

Everyone who brings a donation will also get a raffle ticket for prizes over and above the great feeling that will keep you warm this winter.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

CORDATA NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSLETTER CHANGES

Your CNA newsletter editor will be turning in her editing hat with this final issue. I intend to step back from some of my roles in the CNA, including the newsletter. I plan to "hit the road" with my newly (oldish) converted Honda minivan and travel. My plan is to see new areas, hike new trails, and meet new people.

My hope is that the newsletter will continue with what I'm sure could be improvements and enhancements. If you or someone you know has an interest in helping make that happen or would like more information, please email me. I will be happy to assist as needed and/or step out of the way. I'm proud to report that as of this issue we have 400 subscribers with an 78% open rate. Hopefully, one or more of those subscribers would like to ensure that the newsletters continue.

It has been a pleasure to share news and resources with my Cordata neighbors and beyond, and I am very grateful for the support of all our subscribers.

Kate McDonald

City of Bellingham Planning Commission Recommends Plan Adoption

Comment on the draft plan before or at the Nov. 3 City Council public hearing.

September 25, we reached a project milestone when Bellingham’s Planning Commission decided 6-0 to recommend City Council approve the Bellingham Plan. The plan now moves to City Council for consideration, with adoption required by the end of the year. You can share your feedback on the draft plan at the November 3 City Council public hearing, or before it by emailing at THIS LINK.

WTA PROPOSED FARE INCREASE

For the first time in over a decade, WTA is proposing a fare increase.

Why is WTA considering a fare increase?

WTA fares have not increased since 2008
Like most transit agencies, the cost of providing service (buses, fuel, wages, utilities) has steadily risen over the years.

What are the proposed new fares?

Fixed Route (bus): $2 per ride
Reduced Fare: $1
Paratransit: $3 per ride
Daily Fare Cap: $6
Monthly Fare Cap: $60

RIders, partners, and community members can review the proposal and share their thoughts. LINK HERE

Wild Bird Charity was started in 2016 by a group of old friends who were determined to give back to their community. Their pathway led to the realization that some Whatcom County school children were going hungry on the weekends.

Wild Birds Charity's Food Bag program bridges this gap. They now deliver 950+ bags to 33 elementary, middle and high schools per week.

Community support is vital and every person can make a difference. For more information, visit them at THIS LINK or call 360-519-7856

The November CNA meeting will also collect non perishable foods that can be donated to Wild Birds.

FOOD BANKS NEED YOUR HELP

At the same time as federal employees have been furloughed, food banks have lost federal funds. SNAP benefits are likely not to be paid in November. If you have ever wondered if you can do anything to help, now is the time.

Use THIS LINK to donate food, money or your time.

You can also bring non perishable food items to the November meeting and we will donate them to the food banks as well.

If you or someone you know is in need of food and other resources, use the link below to get a list of places and times to get help. Whatcom County Food and Meal Resource Guide LINK HERE

The City asked for input in the planned street improvements for Meridian.

A summary of summer 2025 community engagement efforts is available on the project webpage. In short, over a five-week period, 630 questionnaire responses were received and 244 people requested to be included in updates to this project. WSDOT project staff met with employees and owners at 37 local businesses. Information was distributed in English and Spanish across Bellingham and Whatcom County, including through partner agencies and local organizations. As you will find in the summary, six major themes were delivered to the project office for consideration.

I hope you were able to provide your thoughts. I hope, like I did, you emphasized the need for more bike and pedestrian friendly access to the businesses on Meridian. In any case, check out the summary above.

Guided Bus Trip Friday, November 7, 2025 1:00-3:30pm Whatcom Museum by Bus

Enjoy an afternoon exploring the arts district with no worries

about parking or admission fees! Practice taking the WTA bus from the Cordata Station to the Whatcom Museum to enjoy Free First Friday.

Explore the current exhibits at the Lightcatcher building and the permanent collections at Old City Hall at your own pace or with the group. Dress for a short walk and wait at the bus stop. WTA passes will be provided if needed Bring a gold card if you have one.

SPACE IS LIMITED. RSVP or ask for more info at

360-756-TRIP (8747) or THIS LINK

MEET AT CORDATA STATION AT 1PM SHARP! Will return by 3:30pm

1:00 Meet at Cordata Station

1:15 Catch Route 15 to Downtown

1:30 Arrive at Downtown Arts District - Enjoy museums

on your own, or with the group

3:10 Catch Route 232 back to Cordata

3:30 Arrive at Cordata Station

FREE EVENT!

Cordata Neighborhood Association

Two Free Little Libraries

We have a set of adult and children free little libraries at the pedestrian entrance to Cordata Park and at the Cordata Community Garden. The Cordata Park little library has been exceptionally active. Unfortunately, more (much more) books go out than come in to the children's library. In a year, we restock the children's library to the tune of 2560 books.

Luckily, we have been getting donations from Assistance League; Lions Club; and Bellingham Public Library. These donations along with some private donations have kept us on top of it--mostly due to the amazing efforts of our Cordata Park little library librarian, Barbara Sardarov. As we see cuts to federal, state and local budgets, the agencies that have been supporting our little library are starting to see increased need for their support from other areas.

Please consider donating books. You can place them inside the children's little library or bring them to the November meeting. You can also donate money that we will use to buy used books at places like Goodwill or Valye Village.

THANK YOU!

As a reminder, check out our new webpage. We will continue to send monthly newsletters, but the website provides a great deal more information such as the following pages:

Introducing the CNA

All About Cordata

CNA Newsletter

Events and News

Resources

Contact and Support

This is the community website, so we invite you to submit your HOA/COA or neighborhood news and events, photos that you'd like to submit that speak to our shared community, and any questions or comments you may have.

If you have a business that you'd like to promote, please feel free to send us text/images as well.

We hope you enjoy the website and find it useful.

And remember to use the "Send Us a Message" form on the Contact and Support page of our new webpage LINK HERE to send us your suggestions for speakers or topics for future community meetings as well as anything else you'd like to share.

We love to hear from our neighbors.

CHECK IT OUT!!

Looking for alternatives

to calling 911?

Homeless Outreach Team: Weekdays 7am to 9:30pm 360-312-3717

Mobile Crisis Outreach Team: 24/7 –

1-800-584-3578

Report a crime not in progress without a suspect Bellingham Police – Weekdays: 360-778-8804

Report a crime not in progress with a suspect Bellingham Police – Weekdays: 360-676-6911

Dispute Resolution Center – Not a crisis line: Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – 360-676-0122

Looking for a place to donate clothes or other items other than "for profit" places? Here's a list that I found on NextDoor. Some of these may not still be accepting, so check it out before you go.

Whatcom Humane Society

Hope House

Agape House

Lighthouse Mission

Bridge2Services and Homes Now

_________________________________

Report Non-Emergencies

If you see something that you feel needs to be brought to the attention of the City, e.g., graffiti, broken glass in a bike lane, vandalism, the City wold like you to use their SEE-CLICK-FIX site. You can get more information at SeeClickFix FAQ

We are now able to take CNA Membership fees/donations through Paypal. You may continue to use a check and mail to the address below.

CNA Membership

We \happily accept memberships fees/donations to the Cordata Neighborhood Association. Join either through the Paypal LINK (You do not need a PayPal account to use this link.) or through regular mail at

CNA

PO Box 30061

Bellingham, WA 98228

All donations are tax deductible: ID# 17053217309029

The CNA is proud to support two other funds. Please consider supporting either or both by sending a check to the addresses below.

Donations to CNA Scholarship Fund

Whatcom Community College Foundation,

237 W Kellogg Road,

Bellingham, WA 98226-9912

Donations to a Children's Room in our Bellis Fair Branch Library

Whatcom Community Foundation

Attn: Children's Library Fund

1500 Cornwall, #202

Bellingham, WA 98225

Interested in learning more about serving on the Cordata Neighborhood Board, or just curious to know what we do? Send an email to k8mcdonald1016@gmail.com and I'll invite you to a Board meeting.

THANK YOU!

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

The COB publishes a lovely Playbook each year with outdoor activities for everyone.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors has a Facebook page as well as a Hotline: 360-778-2762.

Bellingham Food Bank website is providing food boxes.

The Nextdoor app or website to stay in touch with your immediate neighbors.

Common Sense Media has resources for parents and caregivers working with children at home.

The Bellingham Library online has resources for children and adults.

Support local businesses with the help of this website.

Aging in Place: A Guide to Growing Older at Home