SEPTEMBER 2024

SEPTEMBER

2024

September Community Meeting

September 10 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Cordata Park Pavilion

The City of Bellingham zoned the last phase of the Crescent Apartments, just south of the park, with a requirement that the first floor of this building must be set aside for mixed use. What this means is that the building has to retain 16,000 square feet for commercial, retail, restaurant or other commercial uses to serve the community. This gives Cordata an opportunity for a town center right next to our new park.

The September meeting will be a chance for us to think about what kind of services would best benefit all of us. We will hear from urban planning students who can frame our discussion and spark some ideas within the context of design for healthy, inclusive, and vibrant communities.

In addition, the developer of the Crescent apartments, Janicki Residential, will attend the meeting to hear from us about what we'd like to see in this space.

Don't miss this important meeting about the future of Cordata.

As always, we will serve pizza and drinks. In addition, the session will be available via Zoom if you cannot attend. ZOOM LINK

You may not be able to participate on the Zoom link, so feel free to email your suggestions, comments and questions to us directly EMAIL LINK

LIVE MUSIC COMES TO CORDATA

With the completion of Phase 2 of Cordata Park, we now have a stage for entertainment. The CNA has booked the stage for our first three live music showcases. You are invited to bring your chairs or blankets and enjoy a free concert.

The following dates are our next bookings:

August 31 (5:30pm to 7:30pm) The Divas

(The D’vas trio consists of three local women vocalists who play an eclectic mix of covers and originals with a focus on unique harmony and blend.)

September 14 (4:30pm to 6:30pm) Los Armandos

(Los Amandos consists of three local musicians who perform with guitars, a tololoche [double bass] and vocals.)

CHECK OUT OUR CNA WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL PHOTOS

Despite the temperature climbing to the highest it's been this summer, we all had fun at our July 20 park party. Not surprisingly the ice cream went faster than we had anticipated, but luckily we had stocked up with some other ice cream options so everyone who wanted one had a sweet, cold treat. Thank you to everyone who came and a big thank you to our Social Committee for organizing the day.

DO YOU LIKE TO PLAN PARTIES? DO YOU LIKE SEE PEOPLE HAVE FUN TOGETHER?

THE CNA IS LOOKING FOR YOU!

We are so excited to have the Cordata Park facilities of the pavilion and the stage to host events that unite, celebrate and entertain all of us. In addition to the free concerts that we have scheduled, we look at other ideas such as movie nights, game nights, performances, bingo nights and other fun ideas that we haven't even considered yet.

We need a social committee chair (or chairs) to work with the Board to identify the events and help us plan for them in the future.

Please consider this important role and contact us at EMAIL LINK.

Let's Have Some Fun Together!

Looking for Sponsors

We are introducing a new sponsorship program with our 2025 Donation Drive. Sponsors are individuals, organizations, or companies that donate $200 or more to the Cordata Neighborhood Association.

In addition to the benefit of supporting the Cordata community, you will receive recognition in our social media. Donations of $1000 or more will also be able to promote your business or organization in our gatherings and communications.

If interested, please contact us at EMAIL LINK.

THE CITY OF BELLINGHAM SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR UNIQUE SIGNATURE TOURISM IDEA

Have an idea for a unique new event in Bellingham and the connections required to make it happen? The City of Bellingham is seeking proposals from parties interested in and capable of producing a special event or a unique public experience, “signature event.”

This request seeks to identify a qualified producer or operator with the experience, industry contacts and innovative vision for launching an annual Spring event that will encourage commerce, maximize national and regional exposure, enhance the existing quality of life for residents and become self-sustaining. Responders to this RFP are encouraged to offer big, bold, creative ideas. Ideas funded by prior signature event grants include Northwest Tune-up, SeaFeast and Bellingham Exit.

All proposals must be received no later than NOON on September 6, 2024.

What Is Addiction?

Plain Talk for Our Community,

Sept. 12

Addiction touches the lives of millions of people every year. We hear about it, we experience it, but we don't openly talk about it. In honor of National Recovery Month in September, Bellingham Public Library and multiple partners will host “What Is Addiction? Plain Talk for Our Community,” on Thursday, Sept. 12, 7:00 p.m. at the Bellingham High School Performing Arts Center.

More info HERE

We would like to to showcase all the hard work that our neighborhood volunteers are doing to keep our streets clean with an easy, fun and interactive method. We borrowed the digital forms that are used in Seattle to modify it for Cordata volunteers. This is a great way to help keep Cordata clean and welcoming as well as provide a fun little project for your neighbors, HOA/COA, or other groups.

Visit THIS LINK or scan the QR code BELOW to access it. (You may need to enlarge the graphic for the QR code.)

Go ahead and test it out! If you select Clean Up Streets Using "Map (preferred option)" it will ask you to draw a line on the map to represent the area cleaned. The map really is the coolest part, in our opinion.

VOTING IN WASHINGTON 2024

IMPORTANT DATES

Oct. 28

Last day to register

Oct. 29 - Nov. 5

Nov. 5

Vote by 8pm

More Info at

VOTE411 LINK

PARK VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM

As we enter the planning season of our program year, consider getting back outside when the City Saturday Community Work Parties resume this fall.

Look at volunteerbellingham.org now for the release of our fall work party schedule!

WHAT PRECINCT AM I IN?

WHO IS MY PRECINCT REPRESENTATIVE?

A precinct is the smallest geographical area that has elected representation. It is usually around 500 - 600 registered voters or less. Several precincts fit into a neighborhood.

Check out THIS PAGE for information about the Cordata precincts.

Greg Hope (Education and Outreach Coordinator for the City of Bellingham) offers the following recommendations on protecting ourselves, our neighbors and our loved ones.

PREPARE IN A YEAR

Two weeks ready means being prepared to fulfill the basic needs of all members of a household for up to fourteen days in the event of service interruptions resulting from a disaster. While there are primary considerations for the essentials of living safely, being well prepared for emergencies goes further, including supplies for house pets, changes of clothing, copies of essential financial and insurance documents, and more.

VIDEO HERE

ALL ABOUT PLASTICS

Check out this website for all the information you could possible want to learn about plastics.

The Problem with Plastics

The 7 Types of Plastics

Biodegradable Plastics?

How to Solve the Plastics Crisis

What Can We Do About Plastics in Our Everyday Life?

Check it out HERE

Racism is always a sensitive issue and can be a difficult conversation between two people, let alone for an entire community. The Salish Current recently ran an article about Lynden and its journey through racial issues.

"A four-year journey addressing racial prejudice and discrimination. This story unfolded in North Whatcom County, specifically in Lynden, four years ago. It is not always a happy story, but it is developing into an important one. It reminds us that our county has plenty of work to do in addressing our share of racial prejudice, particularly in light of the recent hate crimes in Bellingham."

You can read the article HERE.

This same topic is the topic in a documentary called Lynden: A Portrait of a Small Town, Divided that has been sold out in screenings at the Pickford Film Center. You can learn more about the film and the upcoming dates for additional screenings HERE

Check out the first installation shots of our newly inaugurated exhibition “A Summer Celebration: Six Women Artists”, showcasing the works by six local artists Diana Grant, Carol Hartsock, Mira Kamada, Mary Jo Maute, Joy Olney, and Lori VanEtta.

Open to the public:

June 8 - September 14, 2024

Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11-4 and by appointment

More Info HERE

CNA Website

LINK HERE

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