Category: Fl!p’s Pix For Music

CONTENTS 12/8/2020
Lundquist Woods Lights
Gingerbread Contest Needs You
Food Delivery
Egg & Cartons
Soup Containers
Cherry Table
When I Cry
Rental Available
Radio Free Fl!p: Dark Old Waters

LUNDQUIST WOODS LIGHTS

We are delighted to cheer up the neighborhood by sharing our magical outside Christmas lighting, including the « tall tree »!!!  From St. Nicholas Day, December 6 to at least Epiphany, January 6, our lights will be on from approximately 5-11 pm. Everyone is invited to enjoy. Warmest holiday wishes to all! ~ Bob and Pat Lundquist
Lundquist Woods, 2707 Jefferson Street (west end)

GINGERBREAD CONTEST NEEDS YOU

my sister and I were feeling blue about there being no Gingerbread House Contest down at the Port of Bellingham this year. Then we read in your newsletter that Habitat for Humanity is sponsoring a contest online and giving prizes! I wrote to get a few more details (basically asking if the general public will be able to see all the entries? Answer: Yes!)  and this is the nice letter I got back from them. I’m going to spread the word to my neighbors and I know your newsletter would help get these details out to everyone in that effort – this is a perfect family activity for all the kids who don’t have school right now, and Habitat for Humanity is such a worthy cause. Let’s get some entries to them!  ~ Julie Larios, Williams St.

Yes, we will be posting all entries on our website as well as on Facebook and Instagram. Here are the links to all 3. 

Website- https://www.hfhwhatcom.org/news-and-events/gingerbread-house-test-page

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HabitatforHumanityWhatcomCounty

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hfhwhatcomco/?hl=en

We just launched the contest last week so no entries have been posted yet but we hope to get some soon. If anyone is interested in donating towards the gingerbread contest they can use our general donation page (linked here) and just note in the comments that the donation is for the gingerbread contest. It’ll be easier than trying to make a straight donation through the gingerbread house page 🙂 

We greatly appreciate you sharing this information with your neighborhood! That is exceedingly helpful for sharing this holiday activity and the Habitat mission in general. Thanks again and we hope you have a wonderful holidays!  ~ Hillary Pritchard,  360.715.9170 x1013  Community Outreach Director, Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County

FOOD DELIVERY

Some of the soup makers are immune compromised or elderly. We could really use a bunch of drivers to pick up prepared soup containers while the soup is still hot, and drop them off at the food tent at city hall. I’ve got one run that needs to happen today at 1 PM. I’d also love to find people willing to deliver my fresh, hot hard-boiled eggs around 9:30 AM. I’d like to be going in fewer days a week to limit my own exposure. Anyone doing deliveries should wear a good mask. ~ Fl!p Breskin, 360-671-4511

EGG & CARTONS

I have run out of egg cartons (empty). You could leave them on my front porch at 2518 Cherry. I need 2 or 3 cartons a day. SmartFoods is the cheapest source for eggs: $18.35 for 15 dozen. I’ve currently got a 5 day supply on hand. Neighbors have been bringing eggs, and that’s wonderful!

SOUP CONTAINERS

The soup brigade is underway! Lots of neighbors have brought pots and ingredients. Others have picked them up and started making and delivering soup to the city hall food tent. Right now I have two more soup pots available if you  We need a bunch more of the 16 oz paper To-Go cups & lids. SmartFoods (formerly Cash & Carry) seems to be the cheapest source. Can anyone help fund these? $83.50 for a case pf 20 sleeves/50 each. Lids are $32.78 for 10 sleeves /100 each. So we’re looking for over $100. Can you help? ~ Fl!p Breskin, 360-671-4511

CHERRY TABLE

My mom has had to move to assisted living where there’s no room for her custom-built cherry dining table. It’s simple and solid and has a 20” removable leaf. Without leaf it measures 48” x 34”  One small spot where the finish got marred by a spill, but it’s fairly unobtrusive. Needs a new home pretty quickly.  Can deliver in Bellingham area. Asking $400 OBO.  ~ Margie Katz,  margiecats13@gmail.com

WHEN I CRY

If, when I cry, I rigorously point my mind towards the goodness of this world, the goodness of other humans, and my own goodness, every teardrop that falls is a piece of confusion falling away forever. Crying as a victim is less helpful than crying in determination on my way out.  ~Love/Fl!p

RENTAL AVAILABLE

A friend and colleague of mine at WWU is going on a year-long sabbatical and looking for someone to rent their place. Although not located in Columbia, it is quite nearby in Sunnyland. Here are the details:

We are looking for renters for our 3 br/2 bath house in Sunnyland, near Trader Joe’s and within 0.5 mile of 5 breweries. If anyone has contacts (or selves) who might be interested in renting our house for a year, please send them my way. We would like to rent for about $2500/mo but that is likely negotiable. The house can be furnished, or not-furnished, depending on what renters prefer.  Lina Dahlberg, Lina.l.dahlberg@ Gmail

Suzanne Lee, Jaeger and Jefferson

RADIO FREE FL!P: DARK OLD WATERS

Gordon Bok built wooden sailing ships, spending quiet years putting heart and soul into them. And then turning them over to the people he built them for, and watching them sail away. Here’s a song he wrote for those ships.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndk1qALRBMA

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511  2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org

If you want to ask me to post something, just email me. If it’s urgent, phone. If it’s a real emergency, call 911.

CONTENTS 12/6/2020
Soup Brigade
Web Accessibility
Need Shelves & Drawers
Gift Suggestions
For Rent
Longer Term Solutions For Tenters
Radio Free Fl!p: Good Dog

SOUP BRIGADE

I believe we are now set up. Neighbors have donated 8 soup pots, ranging from medium large to huge. Other neighbors have donated 16 oz paper take-out cups and lids. Also some compostable spoons – I’ll find out if more are needed. And a #25 sack of onions. When I take in eggs in the mornings, volunteers at the food tent give me whatever vegetables have been donated and I will pass those on to soup makers. We’re ready! If you would be willing to make a pot of soup for the folks at the homeless encampment outside city hall, set up a time to come pick up supplies from me. You can sign up through the MealTrain, or just make a pot of soup, fill individual containers, and drop them off at the food tent. I nest several cardboard boxes as insulation for transport. You can bring the pot back to me, or keep using it if you’re going to make more often. I would welcome donations of take-out cups & lids, or funds for buying more. 360-671-4511 Love/Fl!p

WEB ACCESSIBILITY

I’m a blind neighbor and work in the field of providing web accessibility for all folks in our community, no matter ones perceptual, cognitive, or perceptual ability, we all deserve equal access to the web. I’d be happy to provide any basics with regards to web accessibility if you or your organization needs some help. Totally volunteer for me. I just want to help provide more accessible experiences for those who use assistive technologies while navigating your web creations and digital communications. I work at Western as the Digital Technologies Accessibility Coordinator and I’m always happy to help folks understand the need for digital accessibility. It’s part of my job to help spread the word. So, here I am, spreading the word! ~ David Engebretson, Walnut Street, 360-318-5573, Accessible.engineering@gmail.com

NEED SHELVES & DRAWERS

Can anyone in the ‘hood help me out? I’m looking for two or three bookcases, preferably for free. I recently moved into a new place and have 0 money for storage like shelves or drawers so currently all my things are still packed away. Even if they have dents or dings, I’d be so so appreciative of anyone had some shelving they’re getting rid of that I could have. I’d also love a chest of drawers. Thank you in advance! ~ Maya Cheval, maya.m.mceachern@gmail.com

GIFT SUGGESTIONS

This is silly, but a friend just asked on Facebook for suggestions of games/gifts for 12 year old boys. I realized I had some very strong opinions! With the holidays coming up, I’m going to share them with you too. Probably ages 6 – 60+. Phooey! I’m 70 and I haven’t outgrown them:

Set! It’s a card game. Once kids have learned to play it, they can sweep the floor with adults on a level playing field. I’ve had my clock cleaned by a 6 year old. There’s also a game with magnets called Yikerz! Purple triangular bag. Loads of startled laughter. Grownups can join in. No electronics for either game. Also: McGroovy’s Cardboard Box Grommets. A bit pricey but re-usable and incredibly functional. Will take kid’s cardboard box creations to a whole new level. And how about a microscope attachment for computer or phone. You’re welcome!

FOR RENT

Nice home in Columbia neighborhood. 3+ bdrm, 2 ba. New furnace, insulated windows, roof, recent interior/exterior paint. Plumbing, wiring, insulation updated in 80’s. Kitchen app., W/D. No Smoking; No Pets. $2200 per mo. First, last, damage. Available soon. 2515 Jaeger St. call Sally Hileman 360-303-7141

LONGER TERM SOLUTIONS FOR TENTERS

I’ve been following the situation at city hall. It’s heart-breaking. Last year I collected supplies for HomesNow outreach when the big snowstorm hit. You all came through wonderfully! My heart melted to be surrounded by such generosity. This year, the pandemic has expanded the numbers of people with no homes to go to. And we had to close the library and other places people could go to warm up. City & County governments are trying to come up with solutions while overwhelmed with everything else at the same time.

I’ve learned this evening that HomesNOW has applied to build and run additional tiny home shelters. I support this! Here’s an excerpt from tonight’s post. You can read the whole thing at the link at the end.

“ We … hope the city will work with multiple agencies at the same time, as HomesNOW is only one group, and there’s many homeless individuals on the streets who need help, it wouldn’t be wise to put all the city’s eggs in one basket.

…HomesNOW is also ready to move quickly to set up a 2nd village, whether it’s at the Clean Green Site, Safe Haven site, or another viable site.

…If we had to construct the homes ourselves, we expect it to take around 2-3 months. If we are able to secure modular shelters from the city or the county, we can set up a site right away. If HomesNOW is also hosted on a large enough site, we would be willing to expand to help with safe parking in the future.

…HomesNOW provides regular outreach to unsheltered individuals, delivering much needed supplies, food/water, warmth, and a smile. The HomeNOW homeless outreach program is fueled by donations from the overall community.

…HomesNOW does not require and is not seeking out any direct funding from the city or county. HomesNOW is requesting city or county sites for setting up future villages. Sites would need to have electricity and water at a minimum, and that might require some small costs for the city directly as a result, but HomesNOW is not interested in taking direct government funding from the city or county. This means that with any future sites can get up and running quickly without a lengthy process of acquiring money for a build or the management of the village.

…There are a lot of people currently on the lawn of city hall and many more who are not at city hall who are unseen. HomesNOW doesn’t have enough capacity to help all of these people, but we can help lighten the load as homelessness gets worse because of the economic fallout from COVID-19. We can guarantee good results on a shoestring budget…

https://homesnow.org

RADIO FREE FL!P: GOOD DOG

From Bob Franke, and in memory of Jake, who’s humans were Jenny Rose and Lucas Hicks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVTqShjnQzc

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511  2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org

If you want to ask me to post something, just email me. If it’s urgent, phone. If it’s a real emergency, call 911.

CONTENTS 12/5/2020
Lost Glasses
Santa At The Port
All’s Well, That’s Returned Well
Soup Brigade
Free Ping Pong Table
HVAC Recommendations?
Dog Groomer
Radio Free Fl!p: Soup Of The Evening

LOST GLASSES

I lost my glasses yesterday afternoon 12/4 walking in the neighborhood, Little Squalicum park and past BTC to Squalicum beach. They have red metal rims on the top and no frame on the bottom. I took them off when they fogged up from the mask and hooked them on my jacket and I don’t know when they fell off. Please let me know if you find them, shermanlor@hotmail.com. The world is a bit of a blur right now. Thanks! ~ Lori Sherman, Elizabeth Street

 SANTA AT THE PORT

Port of Bellingham Cruise Terminal at the end of Harris.

Yes, it looks very different this year, but Santa Claus is at the Holiday Port Festival from 5:00 to about 8:30 PM Sunday night (tonight!) and there’s even a way to get a picture with him if people have a camera or a phone. Completely socially distanced, but dress warm cause you’ll be outside. There’s even a mailbox to Santa, if kids want to write a letter to him! ~ Lizanne Schader on Victor St.

ALL’S WELL, THAT’S RETURNED WELL

Thank you for returning my painted horse rock, beautifully wrapped, and in such a timely manner. ~ Rhonda Younker

SOUP BRIGADE

Dear neighbors have donated 8 soup pots! And another neighbor (thank you Maggi!)  brought containers with lids, and spoons, and #25 onions. Now we just need people to make soup for the neighbors with no homes to go to, who are camped out at city hall. You can contact me to pick up pots and to-go cups. Call me with questions or for more details. If it looks like there isn’t room on the MealTrain, there probably actually is. Many volunteers can’t actually feed all 50 – 70 people who are there, and supplemental food (and other supplies) are welcome! Call before you come pick up stuff from me so I can be free to greet you. Many hands make light work! Love/Fl!p  360-671-4511. https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nnmwke

FREE PING PONG TABLE

I have a used ping pong table that I want to give away to a good home.  I can deliver it in Bellingham.   Call Laura Brakke 360-739-7400.  

HVAC RECOMMENDATIONS?

I’ve been looking for someone to give my HVAC system some cleaning. Actually, I only have heat. maybe air conditioning someday… Any suggestions from you fine neighbors who have had positive experiences with businesses that provide HVAC maintenance? Thanks!  ~ David Engebretson, Walnut Street, 360-318-5573, Accessible.engineering@gmail.com

DOG GROOMER

I’m looking for an experienced, skilled dog groomer who is interested in transitioning into owning their own business. My shop is at 1212 Dupont Street. It’s been local and successful since 1978. from basically word of mouth referrals. I’ve always had more business than I could handle and over the years I actually helped four other new dog grooming businesses get a good start because of my sending overflow customers to them. At this point I have more business than I can comfortably handle with more calls coming in every week. I need help. I also want to start my retirement from dog grooming. Rather than sending my overflow business to other existing businesses I would love to have an experienced groomer come in and give them the work and referrals as they transition into owning the business.  I’m considering offering to rent space in the shop. I only want two (maybe three) mornings a week to work. The new person coming in would have the opportunity to work all the rest of the time. ~  Ahwren Ayers, ahwrenayers@gmail.com

RADIO FREE FL!P: SOUP OF THE EVENING

Beautiful Soup! From a 1999 version of Alice In Wonderland. With soup on my mind today this bit of Lewis Carroll nonsense kept wandering in. No mock turtles, no gryphons, no walrus, but I did make Tom Kat for dinner. My life is a musical. Fortunately, so is Zeke’s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWxFsJUlBbw

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511  2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org

If you want to ask me to post something, just email me. If it’s urgent, phone. If it’s a real emergency, call 911.

CONTENTS 12/4/2020
Alert: Lost iPhone
Soup?
Gingerbread House Contest
School Pod Teachers Wanted $20-$60/Hr
For Rent
Buy Or Rent
Radio Free Fl!p: Nashville Cats

ALERT: LOST iPHONE

In otter box. Urgent. Between Spruce street and West, between Squalicum Way from West to Roeder Ave by plywood company, up Seaview, the steep street up to Eldridge. ~ Traci Pantuso <traci.pantuso@gmail.com>

SOUP?

Neighbors have been dropping off soup pots all day long. I couldn’t be more delighted! If you’d like to make soup for the homeless encampment at city hall, give me a shout, and come choose your pot! When you deliver your soup, let the volunteers at city hall know that the “Egg Lady” will pick up the pot in the morning. If you need help with delivery, let me know. If you can help with delivery, let me know. You can sign up for the encampment MealTrain here so we don’t all show up at once. https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nnmwke

Thank you everybody!  Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511

GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST

December 2 – 20, 2020

Habitat For Humanity is running an online gingerbread house contest. This contest is free to enter but please consider making a contribution. Each penny donated  to make sure our homebuyer families have a safe, affordable home for the holidays. Thank you so much for your support! [The Port did not run it’s annual show this year. I’m glad HfH has stepped into the breach!]

https://www.hfhwhatcom.org/news-and-events/gingerbread-house-test-page

SCHOOL POD TEACHERS WANTED $20-$60/hr

Hello!  Our school pod is looking to contract one or two teachers for our small group of kids from January to May/June 2021.  Our school is located in the Sunnyland neighborhood and consists of 9 to 11 students, split between grades 1 and 4.  We are looking for smart, motivated teachers, preferably with two or more years of experience in elementary age classes but are also open to hiring a team of recent graduates.  Please email a one page cover letter that explains your teaching experience, including instruction to multiple grade levels, and your resume to Ken at Caspian.management@gmail.com. ~ Dan Dunne, Utter Street

ZIPPER FIX?

Hi neighbors, I have a nice warm wool P-coat that has a broken zipper. Any suggestions as to who/where to call to get it fixed and/or replaced? I’m not a sewer by nature (and I’m blind so I’m not super willing to try to do the zipper replacement on my own) *smiles*. All suggestions welcome! ~ David Engebretson, Walnut Street, 360-318-5573, Accessible.engineering@gmail.com

FOR RENT

Nice home in Columbia neighborhood. 3+ bdrm, 2 ba. New furnace, insulated windows, roof, recent interior/exterior paint. Plumbing, wiring, insulation updated in 80’s. Kitchen app., W/D. No Smoking; No Pets. $2200 per mo. First, last, damage. Available soon. 2515 Jaeger St. call Sally Hileman 360-303-7141

BUY OR RENT

My partner and I are looking for a two bedroom home to rent or buy in the Columbia neighborhood or surrounding area. We are both WWU alumni working at local nonprofits here in Bellingham. We love having a space to take care of and neighborhood to become a part of. Our pup Kuma is a mixed breed 70 pound sweetheart on track to become a therapy animal for people in need. We do not smoke or party and are looking for something around $1,500. Please contact me if you might have something available and thank you for taking the time to read this post.  – Amanda McKay (503) 803-9155 mandy.mckay9@gmail.com

RADIO FREE FL!P: NASHVILLE CATS

Tony Jackson, Vince Gill, and John Sebastian singing harmony on the song he wrote so long ago. Absolutely joyous!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryTH3KROIqM

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511  2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org

If you want to ask me to post something, just email me. If it’s urgent, phone. If it’s a real emergency, call 911.

CONTENTS 12/3/2020
Soup?
Soup Pots
Costco?
Missing Rock
Car Prowl
Paul Klein Concert Tonight
Radio Free Fl!p: I Brought My Father With Me

SOUP?

The encampment for our neighbors experiencing homelessness at city hall/library has a bunch of products to make soup  but no way to cook it. If you go down and ask for a box of supplies they’ll hook you up so you can bring back soup!  These cold nights any help is much appreciated.  ~ Kamarie Astrid

[ I asked at the encampment this morning when I dropped off hot eggs, and we would not have to package soup. Just deliver it in a big pot and volunteers will serve it safely. They have a lot of canned goods and some produce. You can also just make your own soups from scratch and drop them off at City Hall. Use pots you don’t care about getting back. You can help keep your soup warm by putting the pot inside nested cardboard boxes for insulation. ~ Fl!p]

SOUP POTS

If anyone has spare soup/stock pots lying around unused, and you can get them to me, I will get them into the hands of folks making soup for the City Hall encampment. Pots may not be returned, so having a bunch would be good. I just phoned Goodwill & Value Village and they both have stock pots on the shelf today. Mrs Davis at Goodwill said she was willing to meet someone at the door to exchange money and pots. Call me for details. ~ Love/Fl!p, 2518 Cherry Street, 360-671-4511

COSTCO?

If anyone is going to Costco soon, I’d love to have a couple items picked up. Let me know. ~ Love/Fl!p, 2518 Cherry Street, 360-671-4511

MISSING ROCK

My lovely painted rock, a gift from a friend, has gone missing.  It’s a stylized pic of my horse, and is special to me. If you borrowed it from its spot in the rock pile by my garage entrance (alley between Henry and Victor), please return it. Thanks. ~ Rhonda Younker, 2530 Henry Street

CAR PROWL

Car prowl Tuesday night Kulshan and Connecticut. ~ Caryn Simmons

PAUL KLEIN CONCERT TONIGHT

Fairhaven College Live Streaming Music Festival
College Live Streaming Music Festival Fall Series
Tonight: Dec.3rd Thursday 7:00 pm Paul Klein.https://www.facebook.com/groups/298533994557015/

He first performed at Fairhaven College Valentines Day Dance in 1976 with Wet Paint and the Painter Sisters. Paul Klein, pianist and bandleader of the Atlantics for 40 years (his first gig was Election night 1980). Klein also has played the Steinway at the Boundary Bay weekly for twenty years.  Paul is now retired and he looks forward to sharing his eclectic joys of music.

12/3 Paul Klein 12/10 will be Ara Kataak 12/17 Robin Elwood

RADIO FREE FL!P: I BROUGHT MY FATHER WITH ME

Michael Peter Smith, three days in a row. I could go on for months but this should be enough to get you hooked. With special thanks to my friend Rob Lopresti who brought Michael to Bellingham for concerts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QXXSnz1v6g

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511  2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org

If you want to ask me to post something, just email me. If it’s urgent, phone. If it’s a real emergency, call 911.

CONTENTS 12/2/2020
Housing In Or Near Seattle?
Donations?
   Road2Home
   Makerspace
   Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
   Firehouse Performing Arts & Events Center
In Need Of A Nanny
Radio Free Fl!p: Sister Clarissa

HOUSING IN OR NEAR SEATTLE?

 Our Columbia family is in need of generously affordable housing in or near Seattle as we begin urgent treatment for life-threatening illness for our first-grader. We can afford $1000-1200/month and we are looking for a furnished 1-bedroom house or apartment in Seattle or as far north as Everett, for 6+ months. We cannot have shared accommodation for medical reasons. Any leads on housing are appreciated. Thank you, neighbors.  ~  Lauren Beven, Monroe Street, laurenaries@hotmail.com

DONATIONS?

If you have some spare money lying around, I consider these to be excellent places to donate. If you don’t have spare money, but have a little spare time, most of them can use volunteers. And if you happen to have neither at the moment, you still might enjoy seeing some of the cool things our neighbors are doing to make our community a better place.

ROAD2HOME

It’s raining, the wind is blowing, and temperatures outside are dropping. Covid-19 is spreading unchecked around the world, across our country, and here at home in Whatcom County. During times like these, we all appreciate having a place to be safe, warm, dry and comfortable.

Unfortunately, right now over 200 unsheltered people in Whatcom County are sleeping outside or in cars with no safe place to go, with only a wet sleeping bag or a tarp strung over a shopping cart to call home. For others, home is a broken-down camper or space in a backyard shed.

Your support is needed right now to help address this crisis. Your donation to Road2Home will support a new Transitional Housing Community that will provide each resident with a home, along with personalized assistance in accessing community-based services. This will give our residents security and stability to get back on their feet. Building is expected to start next year. 

Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, any private individual contributions made to Road2Home before January 16 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to a total of $20,000.  Please take this opportunity to have your gift doubled!

www.road2home.org

MAKERSPACE

The Bellingham Makerspace has been doing great things for our community and they now need our help. Check out all they’ve done this last year: https://bellinghammakerspace.org/

And then donate! ~ Harriet Holmgren, 2212 Victor Street

WHATCOM DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER

Thousands of individuals currently face eviction from their homes. Hundreds of our friends are struggling to co-parent their children who so badly need stability and comfort. And employers, workers, and neighbors alike are at odds as mounting anxiety takes a toll. Amidst all of this challenge and concern, the WDRC is listening deeply, offering support, and affecting positive change. The WDRC was created for moments just like this. whatcomdrc.org

FIREHOUSE PERFORMING ARTS & EVENTS CENTER Needs your tax deductible donation. Firehouse now has a non-profit 501 (c)(3) fiscal sponsor — Allied Arts Foundation, Seattle. This means donations are super easy, and will help Firehouse continue to support the arts by recording your favorite live performances for viewing on big screen or small, anytime, from anywhere.  https://secure.givelively.org/donate/allied-arts-foundation-seattle/firehouse-arts-events-center

IN NEED OF A NANNY

We have a 3, going on 4, month old baby girl and are in need of some in-home help during the weekdays – we both work full-time from home but need some support while the little one is awake! Our needs are currently flexible, just looking for the right fit. Overall looking for someone roughly 20 hours a week so we can get some focused work done! Would require that the caregiver wear a mask during this damn pandemic. Please email Courtney Rambo at corarambo@gmail.com for details. Thank you kindly!

RADIO FREE FL!P: SISTER CLARISSA

Michael Peter Smith wrote a love song to his fifth grade teacher in Catholic school. It brings me sweet tears every time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVusspZoxCA

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511  2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org

If you want to ask me to post something, just email me. If it’s urgent, phone. If it’s a real emergency, call 911.

CONTENTS 11/30/2020
WA Notify
Snow Removal & Pandemic
North Sound Stewards
Egg Assistance?
Condo For Rent
Want To Buy Home
Yule Tide Concert 2020
Radio Free Fl!p: The Dutchman

WA NOTIFY

A simple, anonymous exposure notification tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19. By adding WA Notify to their smartphones, Washington residents will be alerted if they spent time near another WA Notify user who later tests positive for COVID-19. WA Notify uses privacy-preserving technology jointly developed by Google and Apple and works without collecting or revealing any location or personal data. [I have enabled this on my own phone. I think the benefit far outweighs the risk. Love/Fl!p]

https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-announces-statewide-covid-19-exposure-notification-tool-34b5740aa02

SNOW REMOVAL & PANDEMIC

We may see a lower level of snow removal due to impacts of the pandemic. Here are some details:

City: https://cob.org/services/planning/transportation-planning/snow-and-ice-removal

County Interactive Map: https://whatcom.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3b04bbd5cb254d2fb238140be6315b38

The whole story:

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/weather-news/article247251484.html#storylink=mainstage_lead

NORTH SOUND STEWARDS

RE Sources is currently recruiting for the 2021 season of our North Sound Stewards (NSS) program. The program is jointly run by RE Sources and the Whatcom Marine Resource Committee, and we train volunteers to become community scientists and participate in beach surveys. The data that our community scientists collect helps fill gaps that government agencies are too underfunded to study, and provides insight into local trends on marine mammals, forage fish, intertidal species and more. There are a variety of programs within NSS with different skill sets, from photography, to data analysis to kayaking–so there’s something for everyone.

You can find more info about our North Sound Stewards program here, and the link to apply for NSS here. Our end of year celebration and new year kick-off meeting will be Tuesday, January 12th from 5-6:30 PM, so we encourage people to apply before then. Please pass this info along to your contacts and to anyone who may be interested, and don’t hesitate to send people my way with questions. Thank you!  ~ Destiny Dunbar, (360) 277-7834, destinyd@re-sources.org

EGG ASSISTANCE?

I would love to find a few neighbors who would be willing to deliver the hot hardboiled eggs I’ve been making each morning to City Hall. My dream would be to find several people who would each commit to a regular once-or-twice a week run. I’d be glad to coordinate timing so the eggs can arrive still hot. Zeke and I have enough health vulnerabilities that it makes sense for me to reduce my daily risk of being out in the world, even though it’s outside. If you might be up for helping, please give me a call: 360-671-4511. Love/Fl!p 

[PS: I have plenty of eggs for this week. Thank you SO much to all the kind people who have already helped!]

CONDO FOR RENT

Available Jan 1- Feb 18, 2021.  2-bdrm/2 bath, 1000 sq ft, furnished (linens, towels, kitchenware, etc) Morse Square condo with 9′ ceilings in superb location, water views, incredible sunsets. Right in downtown Bellingham across from Farmer’s Market and Boundary Bay. Walk to everything. Washer/Dryer, one dedicated parking spot. One month, 30-day, minimum. Utilities and Wi-Fi included, TV streaming ready (no TV subscription). $2350/month. Pics available. ~ Dennis DeWitt, 206.948.5212 d.koipoet@yahoo.com

WANT TO BUY HOME

Looking to purchase a smaller home in Columbia. 2-3 bedrooms, one level. Anything from great condition to needs work or in between. Prefer to buy but would consider rent to own or some imaginative concoction. Yard is essential. No busy streets. I would like this to happen by Feb. 1 if possible. Thank you in advance and wishing all health and peace (and yes, I’ve lived here before. There’s No Place Like Home) ~ S.A. Singer, swcosmos@gmail.com, 360-899-9840

YULE TIDE CONCERT 2020

Saturday, December 5th, 5:00pm PST

An annual concert of maritime songs, seasonal songs, and holiday songs (the tides, the yule… Yule Tide. Don’t worry, our music is better than our jokes). Hosted by The Whateverly Brothers, and beamed to a computer screen near you by Maritime Folknet. Concert Lineup:  Windborne, Pint and Dale, Shanghaied on the Willamette, and Dan Maher. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWc2R0G4FTUD5uHKRFQPYNQ)

RADIO FREE FL!P: THE DUTCHMAN

Michael Peter Smith, recorded live in concert, paired with a thoughtful slideshow. Tonight I’m missing being part of a room full of people joining voices in song: unplanned, un-arranged, unrestrained. Welcome to my world. We filled the Roeder Home with song every Wednesday for nearly 40 years. If you never got to hear Micheal Smith when he came to town you missed laughter and tears, illumination and community. I’m glad there are some recordings left behind in this world. I can’t remember if I’ve posted this song before, but even if I have, it’s a gift to hear it again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaKjfTqYfB8&t=259s

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511  2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org

If you want to ask me to post something, just email me. If it’s urgent, phone. If it’s a real emergency, call 911.

CONTENTS 11/29/2020
Fast Vaccine Results
Old Houses Of The Pacific Northwest
Little Free Food Pantries
Jaeger Street Holiday Lights
Free Dark Pink Peonies
Floor Loom For Sale
Sunnyland Studio For Rent
Smartfoods?
Radio Free Fl!p: You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone

FAST VACCINE RESULTS

Usually vaccines take years for approval because there are not enough cases to show effectiveness in prevention. That is what happened with the SARS-CoV-1 virus, the virus causing SARS. SARS was contained and disappeared so that there were not enough infections to show effect. The same with the Ebola vaccine. But SARS-CoV-2 is a different case. Because of the extent of the pandemic and how many people have been infected worldwide (more than 61 million cases so far), proving the effectiveness of the vaccine is so much easier. This is a big reason the data show effectiveness so much faster than past vaccines. [From Betsy Brown MD, who I read every evening.]

betsybrownmd@substack.com

OLD HOUSES OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

A new facebook group has been started by Cameron Miller, an Eldridge neighbor. He’d love to have more Columbia neighbors join. It’s a group for those that own and/or appreciate old houses throughout the Pacific Northwest (roughly Oregon, Washington, and Idaho). Share your pictures, restoration projects, questions, resources, and frustrations.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/386301825822777/about

LITTLE FREE FOOD PANTRIES

A neighbor asked about Little Free Food Pantries so I googled. There is a group called the Birchwood Food Desert Fighters, and the Share Hut on Walnut a few doors north of Connecticut. Sunnyland also has at least one. Birchwood has a map here:

http://birchwoodfoodjustice.org/free-food-boxes/

http://birchwoodfoodjustice.org/share-spots/

JAEGER STREET HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Worth a walk or drive by… You can’t miss it after dark! Thank you Jared & James Jones-Valentine…

FREE DARK PINK PEONIES

Available on parking strip of 2518 Walnut Street. ~ Mary Janell Metzger Mary.Metzger@wwu.edu

FLOOR LOOM FOR SALE

Nilus Leclerc, 4 harness, 36” weaving width, 43” total measure across, 43” tall. Folds up to 14” width (front to back) when not in use. Comes with 2 reeds, lease sticks and 2 boat shuttles. Asking $800. Please call Dorothy Defremery at (360) 856-1727

SUNNYLAND STUDIO FOR RENT 

Daylight basement studio for rent. Walking distance to Trader Joes  and bus station. Very bike-able and walkable neighborhood.  Bike to downtown in 15 min. The studio has about 450 sf living area, a separate entrance, kitchenette with hotplate, shower, restroom and is partly  furnished.  Sorry we have no TV line to the house. No washer and dryer but laundromat is very close by Trader Joe’s, about 10 minute walk. No pets. No smoking. We are looking for a single occupancy renter. Rent is $750 all utilities included. WiFi as well. Security deposit $750. The owner lives in the main house.  

Please email me if interested. Tell me a little bit about yourself and I will send back more information and pictures. The studio  is open for viewing by appointment. (Mask is mandated.) ~Beatrice Degen,   earth_worth@yahoo.com      

SMARTFOODS?

Is anyone headed for SmartFood in the next 3 days? They appear to have the best price/value on big boxes of 15 dozen eggs these days. I’m really running through them at 4 dozen a day, delivering hot, fresh hard-boiled eggs to the chilly people at City Hall. Someone told me my InstantPot would cook eggs well, and it’s true! I steam 2 dozen at a time. Takes 15 minutes, start-to-finish, per batch. The folks there could use more eggs than I can make, if anyone else wants to take some in as well. ~ Fl!p 360-671-4511

RADIO FREE FL!P: YOU’RE GONNA MISS ME WHEN I’M GONE

Anna Kendrick. Cup game. Watch for at least a couple minutes if you want to see something really cool! We used to do this at Guitar Camp and Teachers Camp. Sorta PhD Pattycake. I used to wish that we could create a neighborhood fancy clapping routine for greeting each other on the street…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmSbXsFE3l8

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511  2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org

If you want to ask me to post something, just email me. If it’s urgent, phone. If it’s a real emergency, call 911.

CONTENTS 11/27/2020
COVID Surge Local Numbers
A Fable Each Day Keeps The Doctor Away!
Thanks For Kindness
Endgame At The Idiom Theatre
Quarantine Housing Sought
Renter With Rabbit
Jacqueline Schwab Pianist
Radio Free Fl!p: Year Of The Raccoon

COVID SURGE LOCAL NUMBERS

Here is a snapshot of the COVID-19 case situation in Whatcom county, put together for this list by Michelle Bates (who also does an arts email like mine in better times, and has been helping distribute information with the Vashon Emergency Operations Center during the pandemic), using data from the WA state/Whatcom County dashboard.

28% of the total cases we’ve had in Whatcom County since the beginning of the pandemic have been during the month of November – which isn’t even over yet! 624 of the total 2255 cases were recorded between November 1 and 24th.

Throughout the spring and summer, our county case rate vacillated between lows of 1 case per day to highs of 15 cases per day (7-day rolling average). From late September to late October, it held at 7-9 cases/day, and since then it has shot up without pause to the current rate of 33 cases per day. This is more than double at any time previously.

WWU reports that 21 students have tested positive since the beginning of November, with only 5 total cases before then, totaling 81% of all cases just this month.

The state’s target rate of cases is <25 cases/two weeks per 100,000 residents. Whatcom is currently at 137.2 cases/2 weeks/100,000.

A FABLE EACH DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY!

Your chance to catch some shorter, older thoughts on things over this weekend: Thursday through Sunday, 11 am till dark at the self-guided, walk-by, rain or shine, humble curbside diorama on the Corner of Victor/W. Connecticut. Enjoy! ~ “Max” Eberhard Eichner, puppeteller

THANKS FOR KINDNESS

I wanted to share about my walking-the-streets-life, and that I used to greet and be greeted by most of the people I passed. That changed slowly but surely as the cell phone culture grew. If my “hi” was ignored, it was often due to the fact that their eyes were looking down on a screen, and their ears had plugs in them. They couldn’t even see or hear me any more. Then came Covid, the masks, the feelings of self-and other-protection, and in less safe situations, peoples’ fearful avoidance, or disgust to the point of having to not only turn but stomp, and hurry away. BUT, creativity survives!  Slowly but surely again, we learned new ways. We could tell by the crinkling at sides of our masks that we were giving/receiving a smile. Folks seemed to have to be more focused and aware, especially as rain and cold weather pocketed ear plugs and screens, noticed and responded to each others’ gesture, wave, thumbs up, solidarity fist, or safely distanced words of greeting. There were nods, lots of little nods. There has been plenty of unmasked denial or downright uncaring intrusion, and those are seriously avoided as always, but still, lots of folks have learned how to greet, and show kindness and encouragement to each other safely. ~ Ellen Murphy

ENDGAME At The Idiom Theatre

Online Livestream Performance
Saturday, November 28
Virtual lobby will be open starting at 7:00pm
Performance begins at 7:30pm
Tickets by $5–$15 pay-what-you-can donation.

An absurd world frozen between existence and death, Samuel Beckett’s landmark 20th century play was his follow-up to his first absurdist masterpiece, Waiting for Godot. Four characters, Hamm (played by Hergenhahn-Zhao), Clov (Smith), Nagg (Braswell) and Nell (Shannon), cling to sanity while performing daily rituals, sometimes comically, as they wrestle some sort of order from the cyclical, repetitious, seeming nothingness of life.

https://sylviacenterforthearts.org/event/endgame-by-samuel-beckett/2020-11-28/

QUARANTINE HOUSING SOUGHT

Hi, I live in the Columbia neighborhood, am leaving town to see family, and looking for a place to self-quarantine for two weeks when I return. My wife is a nurse, and we can’t risk contact until I’m unequivocally Covid-free. I could rent a hotel room, but would be happy to keep the money in the neighborhood if anyone has a vacant studio or ADU they’d like to rent to me from 12/9-12/23. It would have to be a stand-alone suite–no shared spaces. Good wifi also essential, as I’ll be working. Kitchenette and pet-friendly would be nice but negotiable. Please email me if interested–mrweaver8@gmail.com. Thanks! ~ Michael Weaver

RENTER WITH RABBIT

My name is Amber I am looking for a low cost place to live in Bellingham. I work part-time at City Dogs Grooming, as a Dog Bather. I am able to afford around $300-$600 a month. I have a pet rabbit who is litter trained and lives in an x-pen in my room. I also own a queen-sized bed, making space requirements difficult, as I would need a larger room. I offer dog walking and drop-in visits, as listed on Rover under Amber H. 

With a detail-oriented mindset, I enjoy organizing and keeping things clean. I don’t own a car and therefore rely on public transportation. I am respectful, honest, and friendly. You can contact me at ottercharmer@aol.com. Thank you for your time. ~ Amber

JACQUELINE SCHWAB PIANIST

Saturday, Nov. 28, 3 pm PST

There Is a Balm—Vintage American Music of Love, Loss, Solace, Gratitude and Hope, from my Facebook page. I’ll choose from African-American spirituals, Irish and Scottish airs and dance tunes, parlor songs, an American anthem, gentle ragtime, my favorite habanera La Paloma, and perhaps even some Elgar. I’d love to “see” you there! Tune in to my personal FB page at 6 pm ET this Saturday, Nov. 28, 3 pm PST, to get the stream (you’re welcome to “friend” me—but do it soon!). No admission fee—but Paypal.com or Venmo.com tips are welcome!—please designate for jaspianist@gmail.com, as there is more than one Jacqueline Schwab on those sites. [I taught at a music camp with Jacqueline years ago. From anywhere in camp, I could tell it was her touch on the piano by the end of the first phrase. Ken Burns clearly agreed. She was the pianist for his Civil War series.]

https://www.facebook.com/jacqueline.schwab

RADIO FREE FL!P: YEAR OF THE RACCOON

I’m going to be brave. Zeke wrote a new song and I helped him record it and even got it up on YouTube (a first for me). Here we are in our own living room.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1masl65ICKc

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511  2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org

If you want to ask me to post something, just email me. If it’s urgent, phone. If it’s a real emergency, call 911.

CONTENTS 11/25/2020
City Hall Encampment
A Fable Each Day Keeps The Doctor Away!
Lost Necklace
Do You Knit?
Small Rental Needed
Radio Free Fl!p: Thanksgiving Eve

CITY HALL ENCAMPMENT

Needs donations of
solar lights,
battery lights – all styles hanging , held, string.  And batteries like c, d, aa, aaa.
* tent stakes
* tarps
* tents, sleeping bags/ mats
* electrical strip
* Duct Tape
* Camp chairs
* pants m/w
* hot meals
* hot water
(No fire no fuel lights). There is a tent that accepts donations of food (individually wrapped) and another that accepts other supplies. When I am dropping off fresh, hot hard boiled eggs each morning, I wait in the car until a moment when things are quiet in front of the food tent, and then put on my mask and take my eggs over.

A FABLE EACH DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY!

Your chance to catch some shorter, older thoughts on things over this weekend: Thursday through Sunday, 11 am till dark at the self-guided, walk-by, rain or shine, humble curbside diorama on the Corner of Victor/W. Connecticut. Enjoy! ~ “Max” Eberhard Eichner, puppeteller

LOST NECKLACE

I lost my necklace somewhere in the neighborhood yesterday, between Elizabeth station and the corner of Victor and Connecticut. It’s a sterling silver necklace with a pendant about the size of a penny that has an opal in the center. It was a gift from my parents, I’ve had it for a long time and it has a lot of sentimental value to me. If anyone comes across it, I would be eternally grateful to have it returned. ~ Isabel Kowacz, bellkowacz@hotmail.com, 425-737-3136

DO YOU KNIT?

I am hoping to find someone who would knit me a cotton pillow cover, maybe a foot square, based on a design my sister created many years ago. I could email you a photo. ~ Fl!p Breskin, flip@columbianeighborhood.org

SMALL RENTAL NEEDED

Our dad is coming to Bellingham for 3-4 months December through March/April.  We are looking for a room to rent, a backyard cottage, a basement apartment, or short term house-sitting option for him to be here for the winter season. Ideally we would find him a place for the whole stretch, but we can also work out a couple of shorter rentals within those months. Since we both live in the Columbia neighborhood our preference would be to find him a place here, but if you have friends in other parts of town with a small rental we are open to that as well. He travels really light, the place could be furnished or unfurnished. He is friendly, easy-going and responsible. Thanks!

Laura Todd , Williams Street
lauratoddcoaching@gmail.com  360.224.0116

Alexandrea Spaulding, Williams Street
willynalex@comcast.net.  360.224.0094

RADIO FREE FL!P: THANKSGIVING EVE

By Bob Franke, sung by Sally Rogers. Bob wrote it for this night of the year. It sings in my heart often.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYSqFcWubD0

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511  2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org

If you want to ask me to post something, just email me. If it’s urgent, phone. If it’s a real emergency, call 911.