I am unable to make links work on my blog tonight. Darn!
INJURED LANDSCAPER UPDATE
(Trigger Warning: Injuries)
Friday July 9, a woman who has worked as a landscaper in our neighborhood for 3 decades was struck by a driver on Eldridge and seriously injured. She was flown to Harborview Hospital in Seattle, where she has undergone multiple surgeries, including amputating both legs. I heard this week that Kim had been taken off oxygen and survived that. The Herald. is still working on the story, and will keep me in the loop. I received this message yesterday morning about a GoFundMe for the landscaper.
Hello, my name is Sherry Boyd-Yost.
To my horror, I was informed my best friend Kim Eagle of “Kim’s Care Gardening Service” was working at a client’s property and loading equipment into her vehicle, when a driver apparently fell asleep at the wheel and smashed right into her, amputating one of her legs. After being resuscitated and air lifted to Harborview Hospital in Seattle she went immediately to surgery, but they were unable to save her other leg and it was amputated as well.
What she is in for is waking to not knowing what happened to her, and finding she has lost her legs from just above her knees. She also suffers a broken pelvis and punctured intestine. She will not be able to continue her business and her income is gone. Months or years of therapy face her, and expenses getting her through this huge life change.
Kim has always been a vital person, loving nature and animals. She has a horse, donkey, four dogs, a fish named Paku, and a parrot.
She has a long way to get home.
I am starting this GoFundMe to help her get through this very tough time that lies ahead. she is a beautiful, earth loving, hard working woman! A person I love so dearly! Thank you for your help!
I also heard from Katie, who set up the first GoFundMe:
I am transferring the funds raised so far to this other account her best friend will be administering. A different GoFundMe is now set up for Kim and here is the link.
https://gofund.me/0c3aa9a0
I have donated, and hope others will too. Every little bit helps.
I found the file number for this wreck on the police daily report but can’t find a way to access the report online: 21B37906. Can anyone help with information on the driver?
Reported: Jul 9 2021 10:18AM
Location: 2000 BLK ELDRIDGE AVE
Offense: VEHICULAR ASSAULT
Case #: 21B37906
ELIZABETH PARK CONCERTS
Thursdays 6 – 8 PM At The Gazebo (with food and dessert!)
July 22 HIGH MOUNTAIN STRING BAND, Bellingham based Progressive Bluegrass Band
July 29 TRACY SPRING AND JEZEBEL’S MOTHER, Rootsy – bluesy – lively – lovely
August 5 D’VAS AND DUDES, Country folk, Rock, Blues, and Boogie Woogie
August 12 4TENS BAND, Fun Classic Rock Party Music
August 19 THE SWEET GOODBYES, Folk/Pop
August 26 CRAIGO’S PLANET GROOVE, Grateful Dead meets New Orleans Funk
September 2 BANDZANDT, The County’s Happiest Rock Band
PRIMARY ELECTION
The smaller the turnout for an election, the larger the impact each voter can have. This is the big one in terms of your own influence!
Ballots have already been sent out. If you haven’t received yours, contact the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office at https://www.whatcomcounty.us/1732/Current-Election
Voter registration and address changes online or by mail must be received at the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office by July 26. Visit our office to register to vote or change your address by 8:00 pm Election Day. Here’s where you can register online: VoteWA.gov
The Auditor’s office has online information. League of Women Voters has online forums and other information: https://www.lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org/welcome-1
LITTLE FREE ART GALLERIES
Here is information about the FLAG (Little Free Art Gallery) in Columbia neighborhood on West Street and Eldridge Avenue.
The Little Free Art Gallery is near the corner of West Street and Eldridge Avenue. It’s the same concept as a little free library, but for art. There are many creative, talented, generous artists of all ages, amateur, dabbling, professional contributing to and collecting from the gallery. I would encourage everyone to come by for a visit! It has been a daily delight to see the creativity and playfulness of this neighborhood and beyond, and to see artists connecting to other artists via the gallery. So fun! There is also another gallery in the Broadway Park neighborhood if you want to create your own art walk.
There is also a ‘free’ supply and kit box. Currently there are some coloring pages in there. I hope to add some more supplies to it in the next couple of weeks, as my day job and summer schedule allow. If you want to know the WHOLE story, Whatcom Talk wrote a really nice article.
There is also a Little Free Art Gallery on Connecticut near Victor, provided by Eberhard Eichner, who does the Pappenspeil plays. And a Poetry site at 1700 W North Street at Utter. What else am I missing?
SQUALICUM CREEK RESTORATION
The City, partner organizations, and the community have worked hard to improve water quality and restore habitat in the Squalicum Creek watershed to protect this important natural space for fish, wildlife, and people. Learn about these efforts in this new video and at cob.org/squalicum-creek.
Watch the video below or at www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO3yKsFrdC8.
LOST DRIVER’S LICENSE
A friend of mine who is visiting from BC dropped her drivers license when she was out running today. Her name is Jamee Brotherton. I live at 2731 Walnut Thank you ~ Michael
FOUND SUPER HERO WALLET
Superhero wallet at Columbia school yard on the “portables” side. E-mail me at bhamscot@gmail.com or call or text 360-318-3815 to identify and claim it!
You could say what color it is, who the superhero is or what is in it, or all three! ~ Leslie Glen, Elizabeth Street
CAT FOSTER?
My husband and son and I are moving to Iceland for the next year, leaving August 2nd. We’re looking for someone to foster our cat while we’re gone. I wonder if you know of anyone who would enjoy a snuggly lap cat, indoor only? He’s a year and a half old and very timid. He can’t be in a home with dogs, but another mellow cat might be okay. He likes kids. ~ Laura Engelhoff engel.hugh@gmail.com
SHORT TERM RENTAL AVAILABLE
I’m looking for someone to rent a downstairs unit in a two unit house. In this unit, there are two small/medium size bedrooms with carpet and closets, there’s a bathroom with shower (no tub) a small kitchen (has oven, no dishwasher), full size fridge, a good sized living room and a shared laundry. There’s a big yard. Near Geneva Elementary School. Pets considered. Rental is short term, available now through end of September. $1100/ month. For more details, please contact Arielle by TEXT at 360-540-4847 to arrange further conversation. Thank you! ~ Arielle Stein
MUSICAL FAMILY RENTAL WANTED
My dear friends and bandmates Brian Dolphin and Elizabeth Laprelle, and their 19 month old Noah, are looking for housing in Bellingham starting September 1st! Two bedrooms, under $1600/month (ideally closer to 1000-1200) somewhere in town. They would prefer their own house, apartment or mother-in-law, but sharing with the right roommates could work too. I am so excited to welcome these wonderful friends and musicians to the community in Bellingham. Right now we are having a music residency (also with Annie Schermer) where I live on Waldron Island, and we are hoping to find them a good landing spot in Bellingham. Brian is a songwriter, community song leader and audio engineer who will be in his last year of grad school (remote) for ethnomusicology. Elizabeth is a ballad singer, banjo player and music teacher. They are parents to a very sweet boy who will be 2 in November. Please forward this e-mail to any friends you think of, as it can be hard to find things simply through craigslist. We appreciate your assistance!
SHORT TERM RENTAL WANTED
Seeking a short term 2+ bedroom home for my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and two well behaved pets starting in early August. If you have a comfortable place for them to stay while they house hunt for their forever home in Bellingham, please reach out to me at korey.krause2@gmail.com.
Appreciate any help!
Korey Krause
Elm Street
AGGRESSIVE CHILD?
I had a question from a far-away friend, and decided my answer to him could be useful to more of you. I’ve expanded it somewhat.
“Hi Flip! An 18-month-old toddler who likes to hit other kids. Throws things at them. I take his hand, look at him severely, and tell him “No!” Am I doing the right thing?”
Ah!!! You’re right to set a limit, but it will take much more than that. Fortunately this one is still very young. You can make a HUGE difference for him.
He’s feeling intolerably disconnected from others. It’s time to start, yourself, connecting with him through play, at moments not when he is in crisis. Even a few minutes of vigorous play, several times a week at least. Daily would be better. Play that puts him in charge, in a powerful position, even for a few minutes.
You’re the big, clumsy, confused, well-intentioned adult who can’t quite catch him as he runs away, who wants him desperately but can’t quite catch up as you lumber behind him. Find things that bring laughter, and then keep the laughter coming. (But no tickling, none at all! Trust me on this one.) It’s the laughter you’re looking for. Build closeness over time. There’s no instant fix. It’s about the relationship.
From that close relationship, you can kindly set limits, without harshness. None of us got such kind, loving limits – especially not us White people from the US. But it can be done. Move right in close and say, “No dear. I can’t let you do that,” in the warmest, calmest, most loving tone. That’s something you can do even today. Put your body between him and those he’s trying to harm. Physically keep him from hurting others. Promise him that you won’t let him hurt others, and that no one needs to be hurt in order for him to heal.
And he will melt down when you bring him the limit lovingly. All the horrible tensions inside will boil up and pour off him. He’ll be on the ground, screaming and flailing around. At this point, you move in even closer. Offer eye contact. He won’t be able to meet your loving eyes, but you stick with it. Right in close. He’ll probably say he hates you, and scream that you’re hurting him. Be ready to spend an hour or more while the waves of anguish roll off him.
Eventually he’ll reach the point where he can meet your eyes without falling apart again. At this point, he’s done, and will head off to play in a far more relaxed way. You, on the other hand, may need an adult to listen to your own feelings!
Between the attacks, limits, and melt-downs: play, play, play! Be delighted to see him each time you meet. Flirt with him. Over a few months you will see this child blossom. Reach out to other adults to join you in this project.
His parents also need your kind, warm attention. Somewhere in the young one’s life, there is an overwhelmed adult passing on their own pain. The adult isn’t bad. Just in pain. They also need to be listened to. And taught new parenting skills – these ones: play that puts the child in charge, setting kind limits and then staying close and listening through the melt-down. Every parent wants closeness with their children. It won’t work to come in with harsh judgements on anyone. It really won’t help.
There’s a website and a book. The woman that taught me these skills is Patty Wipfler, from California. She got in there with me and my sons, in person, up to the elbows, many decades ago. Her website is HandInHandParenting.org. The book is Listen! It will change this child’s life, and yours. Love/Fl!p
HOMELESS HELP
We particularly need drinking water, bug repellent & sunscreen. It would be good to get a supply of N95 masks in preparation for smoke season. 100 masks would be a beginning. Every little bit helps. And we still need more cooks. Thank you! You can always contact me: flip@breskin.com or text 360-671-4511.
FL!P HELP?
We may need a hand, perhaps as soon as tomorrow, Tuesday, evening. We need to move some furniture and belongings in our living room to clear space for window replacement. The date is still tentative. My guess is no more than an hour. All the heavy items are on slides. There are some fragile items on the wall. Zeke and I are both fully immunized, but I am immune compromised and would prefer it if everyone was not only immunized but also still wore masks. flip@breskin.com 360-671-4511
RADIO FREE FL!P
TODAY
I’ve been teaching my 12 year old grand twins to play guitar over Zoom for this past year. Lucy fell in love with this song, so I went looking for it online so she’d have a version to play along with. John Denver did an easy to follow version.