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.

Samish Flats

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

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

They are on back up power.

No access to refrigerated and frozen items.

The stop lights around lakeway are out causing backups too

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!!!

Saw these downtown ❤️

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

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.

I love sunsets and Bellinghome!

It’s breast cancer/breast health awareness month, so let’s talk about some benefits of breast massage! Whether done by yourself or by a licensed massage therapist, this massage addresses physical tension and mental disconnects in the area.

Legality

Here in Washington State, breast massage is legal and regulated. Licensed massage therapists can take extra training and be able to provide therapeutic touch to breast tissue, similarly to how they do to other areas like the back and the shoulders. Clients must give written and verbal consent before any massage on breast tissue, and can also request to see a copy of their therapist’s certification for breast massage.

General Breast Massage

Techniques like gently compressing, sliding, and kneading breast tissue alleviate tenderness, density, and heaviness associated with swelling. It only takes a few minutes of intentional touch to make the breasts feel lighter and more comfortable.

Scar Breast Massage

Just like other areas of the body, breast tissue is susceptible to tight, restrictive scarring. Surgeries, radiation, and injuries can trigger scars and fibrosis which reduce arm and shoulder movement. Targeted scar massage unwinds this stuck tissue, melts the adhesions, and restores range of motion. Techniques like circular friction, shearing, and lifting the scar tissue work best.

Self Breast Massage

Working on your own breasts can feel incredibly liberating! Being able to relieve your own tenderness and swelling during hormonal shifts is so empowering. It also creates the opportunity to monitor lumps and detect changes. And for some people, self massage is an important step on the journey to reclaim their bodies.

Professional Breast Massage

However, some people are not comfortable massaging their own breast tissue, aren’t sure what to do, or would rather trust a professional to evaluate and treat the area for them. Professional breast massage can be lymphatic and gentle to relieve general tenderness and density; or it can be targeted and specific to address problem areas like scars and radiation fibrosis.

---

I have 2 other (short) blog posts on my website if you'd like to read more: https://www.primrosemassagetherapy.com/blog/lets-talk-about-breast-massage (bottom of page has navigation to the other post)

I'd love to answer your questions! I'm here to de-mystify therapeutic touch of breast tissue. Ask away~

-Alyssa, LMT, C-MLD-T
with Primrose Massage Therapy

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 🙏🏻

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!

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.

Threads Runway Variety Show is happening on October 24th! It's a variety show featuring drag, clown, pole dance, ballroom dance, and more- all at Worn Again! There will be vendors too!

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

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.

Hello all! I am in search of a damn good patty melt, or any patty melt at all, within about an hour or so of Bellingham! I’ve had Cedar’s (in ferndale) patty melt and it didn’t quite hit the mark, so I thought I’d come here for recommendations! Thanks in advance!

Hello we just drove under the bakerview underpass and our sunroof completely shattered. If there is a chance that anyone was driving at the same time as us and has dashcam footage that would be really appreciated. We’re not sure if someone three something over the pass or if it was a rock that fell or what.

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

Did Whatcom County ban kratom?

Hello Bellingham!!

Are you in need of your yearly tabs or wanting to register that new car you just bought? New from out of state and need WA plates? Our friendly staff would love to help at our NEW location!!

Northwest Licensing Company has MOVED to 4182 Cordata Pkwy, right next to Drivers Licensing and Mach 1. We are so excited to serve our community in a bigger space with much better parking ;)

Please reach out with any auto licensing questions you may have! Our phone number is 360-756-9821 or email us at service@northwestlicensing.com