Ferndale Arts Commission Receives Project Neighborly Grant for Downtown Murals

Aaron Brown, Vice-Chair of the WCF Board, poses with Ferndale Arts Commission Members Rebecca Xczar, Andrew Hansen and Colleen Harper

Alleyways throughout downtown Ferndale are about to receive some color courtesy of a grant from the Whatcom Community Foundation. Earlier this year, the Ferndale Arts Commission was awarded a “Project Neighborly” grant to install murals in several alleyways in downtown Ferndale.

Similar to the water tank beautification project last year, these murals will be designed by the Ferndale Arts Commission and installed by volunteers.

“Public art is essential to a vibrant downtown. They prevent graffiti and make our community a more attractive place to live, shop or dine,” said Councilmember Rebecca Xczar. “I’m grateful for the Whatcom Community Foundation’s support for this project and am ready to roll up my sleeves and make it happen.”

Members of the public who are interested in helping install the murals should follow the Ferndale Arts Commission facebook page for updates and volunteer opportunities.

Notice Traffic Revisions and Possible Delays: May 6, 2019 until further notice, 7am to 7pm

Notice Traffic Revisions and Possible Delays: May 6, 2019 until further notice, 7am to 7pm

Hovander Road, between Nielson Road and Scout Place

Drivers should expect delays as traffic is reduced to single lane traffic on Hovander Road, between Nielson Road and Scout Place from May 6, 2019 until further notice, 7:00am to 7:00pm. This work is to complete improvements associated with a private development project. Road will remain open during nonworking hours.

If you have questions regarding this notice, please contact Ferndale Public Works Department at (360) 384-4006.

Vote on the Thornton Overpass Logo

Back in April, we asked for the public’s help to design a logo for the upcoming Thornton Street Overpass Project.

The public sent in several submissions and now we need your help deciding which one is the best. Click here to hop on over to our facebook page and click “like” or “love” on the ones you like the best. The winner will get to wield a golden shovel at the Thornton groundbreaking later this year.

Big thank you to ALL of our artists who participated, we appreciate your incredible creativity and efforts on this.

First Meeting of Poverty Task Force Scheduled May 8th, 5pm

Earlier this year, the City Council formed the North Whatcom Poverty Task Force and they are scheduled to convene their first meeting on Weds. May 8th, at 5pm in the City Council chambers (5694 Second Avenue).

The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The North Whatcom Poverty Task Force is a temporary advisory body tasked with conducting a needs assessment for the greater Ferndale community and presenting a set of recommendations to the Ferndale City Council that will address the impacts of income inequality, homelessness, food insecurity and rising housing prices.

The task force will be looking at issues across North Whatcom because the effects of poverty do not stop at the city limits and a holistic approach is needed to address these issues.

For questions or more information, please contact Communications Officer Riley Sweeney by clicking here or calling (360) 685-2353.

Notice Traffic Revisions and Possible Delays: Monday, April 15, 2019 to Friday, May 3, 2019, 7:00am to 7:00pm

Notice Traffic Revisions and Possible Delays: Monday, April 15, 2019 to Friday, May 3, 2019, 7:00am to 7:00pm

Thornton Street, between Maureen Drive and Vista Drive

Drivers should expect delays as traffic is reduced to single lane traffic on Thornton Street, between Maureen Drive and Vista Drive, from Monday, April 15, 2019 to Friday, May 3, 2019, from 7:00am to 7:00pm. Flaggers will be on-site directing traffic. This work is to complete improvements associated with a private development project. Road will remain open during nonworking hours.

If you have questions regarding this notice, please contact Ferndale Public Works Department at (360) 384-4006.

Drug Take Back Day April 27th at Ferndale Police Station

On Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Ferndale Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 17th opportunity in nine years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your pills for disposal to Ferndale Police Department at 2220 Main Street.  (Sites cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last fall Americans turned in nearly 460 tons (more than 900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and almost 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in almost 11 million pounds—nearly 5,500 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 27 Take Back Day event, go to www.DEATakeBack.com