Getting on the 232 bus with a smile from the driver and a heads up that it’s “a lively commute today” didn’t prepare me for how fun it would be to listen to a dozen or so little kids RIDING THE BUS so they could GO SEE THE LIBRARY with maximum good manners and excitement. Good job, teachers and parent volunteers!

In June, I decided to start a twice-monthly local business newsletter. I'm not continuing it. But I want to share what was in the final issue here, summarized, just so the work doesn't go to waste. (No clickthrough required.)

1. No local hotel boom from the World Cup here (basically, there were enough hotel rooms in Vancouver). Data from Smith Travel Research showed that, in Whatcom County, hotel occupancy in June was down 4.5% from a year earlier and up in July 1.3%. Average daily rate, though, went up 6.3% in June and 6.2% in July. Local tourism folk said the benefit was the viewing parties for locals.
2. Canadian car counts into Whatcom County continued down at the end of the summer. Whatcom Council of Governments found BC plates headed south in August were down 9% compared to 2025, and down 45% compared to 2024. In September, they were flat compared to 2025 and down 39% compared to September 2024.
3. Border Policy Research Institute at WWU has released a couple of new reports on how some businesses are dealing with the Canadian downturn and how much Canadian shoppers affect taxable retail sales in Whatcom County. Both are available on the BPRI website.
4. Unemployment rates spiked in August in Northwest Washington counties, returning to levels of a year earlier. At the same time, the labor force (people working or looking for work) went up compared to July. August rates were 4.5% for Whatcom, 4.8% for Skagit, 3.1% for San Juan and 4.3% for Island.
5. Median home sale prices in the third quarter (ending Sept. 30) were $633,500 in Whatcom (up 1.5% from a year earlier) and $600,000 in Skagit (up 0.4%). Bellingham's median was down 4% to $725,000.
6. Downtown Bellingham's vacancy rate in Q3 was 12.1% for retail, 8.3% for offices. Both are about double the city's vacancy rates as a whole, and both are up downtown from Q2.

That's it. Don't shoot the messenger, please, if you aren't happy with the news (I just gather and analyze it). If you want more details, you can seek out the final issue of Franksplaining Business.

But if this is enough, I'm satisfied.

Oh. And I'm quitting because the work is too solitary and too time consuming. It was always free.

The Traveller

^{Eternal blessings crown my earliest friend,}

^{And round his dwelling guardian saints attend.}

^{Blest be that spot, where cheerful guests retire}

^{To pause from toil, and trim their evening fire;}

^{Blest that abode, where want and pain repair,}

^{And every stranger finds a ready chair;}

^{Blest be those feasts with simple plenty crowned,}

^{Where all the ruddy family around}

^{Laugh at the jests or pranks that never fail,}

^{Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale;}

^{Or press the bashful stranger to his food,}

^{And learn the luxury of doing good.}

^------

Oliver Goldsmith

When there's fog, please remember to turn on your lights. So many cars in this area are exactly the same shade as the fog and it's easy to have people not see you.

My brother, the fireman taught me long ago that if my wiper blades are on for any reason, my lights should be on as well

Samish Flats

Because it’s been a bit since someone has asked something similar, who do you think has the best sandwiches in town? Looking especially for places that are open later than standard lunch hours.

Turn on your headlights... and good luck out there!

The alarm you are hearing or just heard is a test alarm. Don’t be worried, but do take a moment to think about a evacuation plan, practice getting under a desks or under cover for an earthquake drill, and what supplies you do or don’t have if things were shut down for a couple days!

Have a great Thursday B-Ham!

It's been 2 whole years since we moved into 2010 Moore Street!

We've come to know so many of your names and faces and got to meet so many kind, wonderful humans (+dogs, kitties and a bird too) :)

A big thank you to everyone who shops with us and if you don't yet weed love to meet you!

We wanted to give you all a heads up on some upcoming deals!

Tomorrow 10/16 get 40% Off Doctor & Crook and Ganja Cat Carts and Disposables

PLUS 10/16 50% Off Chill Billy Boys ounces! (Only $12.50 an ounce, while stocks last!)

Friday 10/23 Sweetwater Farms will be in-store with 40% off all their products!

Then keep your eyes peeled on our website for a big Spooky Smokey Spectacular Sale coming at the end of the month!!

🧛👻Happy Halloween Bellingham 🎃🕷️

Did Whatcom County ban kratom?

Is it legal for me to deposit my husband's ballot in the drop box along with my own, or does he have to do it himself? I didn't find an answer on the official sites, so I'm hoping someone knows.

Hela Provisions is located downtown on Cornwall Avenue and is woman-owned and run!! We’re hosting a really fun halloween costume and permanent jewelry party with The Little Refinery!!

We will have spooky drink specials, including NA mocktails, yummy tapas and sandwiches AND the store will be open to shop from the whole evening!!

Enter our raffle for a chance to win a bag of specialty-grown-up halloween candy and goods from the store

Support local and woman owned businesses!! we hope to see you there 🙏🏻

Is it possible to get close to the ship to just look at it? Is that allowed? Is this a dumb question? I just really really like naval ships and I want to be able to walk by it and take a picture. If it's not possible to walk beside it where would be the best place to just look at it from afar and respectfully?

I am portrait and headshot photographer that moved to Bellingham a couple of years ago and I want to be doing more photography. I now realize that I am not probably going to be able to make it a business here, but I *need* to be shooting. I am offering free images.
What that might mean for you is a free portrait or headshot. I work with black and white film or digitally, and can come to you or shoot in a public setting. I am distinctly un-creepy and interested in shooting solo subjects that are clothed. (No weddings, family group shots, or engagements.) Please message me if you'd like to chat about working together. I am especially interested in period cosplay and vintage fashion. The only thing that I would ask in return is that you would release the photos to me so that I could use them for portfolio purposes.
HMU. If I get flooded with messages, which is doubtful, I may not be able to answer all queries. My profile has a link to my website, and this profile was created for this express purpose.

Quixotic Images Photography - Established 1999

This was launched a while ago under the guise that it would be one ingredient to lower housing costs. The agreement is supposed to be that it's not just another housing platform but that renters take up vacant space that otherwise was not being let in exchange for taking on more household labor, typically and especially for older folks.

These rents listed are still certifiably insane. I have no sympathy for homeowners that think those are fair rents, when they are acting contrary to the idea with the belief they are helping. One listing there has been active since launch.

Lotta cops, aid cars. Freeway on opposite side piled up.

I love sunsets and Bellinghome!

I am not affiliated with this event in any way, but I went last year and it was amazing! Posting here for people who may not have seen any advertisement for it.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/before-i-die-festival-2026-tickets-1998806566246#location

Where do people go to get oil changed? Ive been going to Lynden Lube for years, but their prices have gotten high. I have a subaru wagon and a smaller size suv and they're never under $115. I know everything has gotten expensive in this economy, everything has gone up so maybe they are all that way now? I live in Lynden and work in Bellingham, so location doesn't matter to me. Ill also add LL is great and as always been good to me, but just trying to save money where I can.

Hello! I'm local glass artist (flameworker) & professional cat lady Annie Woods. Next month is the amazing annual Seattle Meow Con. Its my favorite weekend of the year and I want to make sure all the cat people of Bellingham know about this meow-gical event. There are actually a few Bellingham artists (besides myself) that will be vending at this show. November 7th & 8th : seameowconvention.com for more info & tickets. You can see more of my work on IG @spillerwoods or on my website: SpillerWoods.com

Come by table 28 and tell me you came because of my reddit post and you will get a button or sticker pack!!!

I will keep this short and sweet. The McDonald's/Sinclair/Chipotle parking lot outlet needs to be a controlled intersection with a traffic light, similar to Fred Meyer's on Lakeway. I know that being stuck behind a red light sucks, but rush hour traffic accidents suck worse.

The American Alpine Institute has two events coming up at the end of the month:

Free Cocaine Bear Film Screening and Costume Contest (10/29 - 7pm)

AAI will have a costume contest and prizes (guidebooks and climbing equipment) at 7pm, followed by a free screening of Cocaine Bear.

See the trailer here.

Beer, soda and snacks available for purchase.

Info can be found here.

Mountain Festival, Maker's Market and Used Gear Sale (11/1 - 1pm-6pm)

Join the American Alpine Institute for an afternoon of local community, gear savings, live music, and winter backcountry education!

SCHEDULE:

• Annual End of the Season Gear Sale, Maker's Market and Live Music - 1pm-6pm
• Free Seminar: Wilderness Rescue Resources - 2pm-3pm
• Free Seminar: Avalanche Awareness - 4pm-5:30pm

Info can be found here.

I know skagit switched to encrypted but all I see is that whatcom is still unencrypted. However, when I try and listen as of this month they are suddenly offline and have a message about not wanting broadcastify to use them. I've tried multiple avenues to be able to listen.