Category: Fl!p’s Pix For Music

COLUMBIA NEIGHBORHOOD  ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING

Tonight! Tuesday, Aug 24, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time on Zoom

AGENDA:

1)  Welcome

2)  CNA Announcements- By-law review, annual audit, proposed website, Board openings

3)  CNA Treasurer’s Report by Aaron Ignac

4)  Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission (MNAC) Report

5)  Share Shack developments by Aaron Silverberg

6)  Let’s talk about neighborhood issues (traffic, school, pets, and more)

7)  Beyond Columbia  

8)  Closing 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88269694878?pwd=TW5RN2thQjJCWS9naDlxOUlNRHBydz09

Meeting ID: 882 6969 4878

Passcode: 639466

One tap mobile

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Dial by your location

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        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 882 6969 4878

Passcode: 639466

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k3WZ5PgLc

ELIZABETH PARK CONCERTS

Thursdays 6 – 8 PM At The Gazebo (with food and dessert tents!)

August 26 CRAIGO’S PLANET GROOVE, Grateful Dead meets New Orleans Funk

September 2 BANDZANDT, The County’s Happiest Rock Band

HOSPITAL WORKERS

Please keep those cards & letters coming! Also signs and banners to hang on the walls. Tell our workers how much we appreciate them. They need us so much right now.

Mail to:

The Workers At St Joseph Hospital / Peacehealth

2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225

Also, we need musicians to come play at the employee entrance at shift changes: 7:15 AM and 3:15 PM. Contact me for details.

FREE PLANTS

SOLOMON’S SEAL

I’ve got a gallon pot with a couple plants. Would love to share these beautiful natives.

STRAWBERRIES

Also in little pots. Lots! From my neighbor Bea.

~ Fl!p 360-671-4511 text or email flip@columbianeighborhood.org

LEASE WANTED

My daughter Amelia and her husband Nawab would like to live in Bellingham for at least 6-7 months from about December 1, 2022 through June 30, 2021. Nawab works remotely as a computer engineer for a company based in Boston, MA and Amelia is taking a leave from teaching to take full time care for their nine month old daughter, Zoya. They have $3,000 per month available for a 2 or 3 bedroom house with a small yard and sidewalks in Bellingham (plus $500 for utilities). They currently have a one bedroom condo in northwest Portland, OR (in the Pearl) and it’s not big enough anymore. (Trade possible). Please text (preferred) or call Amelia Johnson-Ali at 360-201-7244. Or, you can call/text me: Carla Shafer at 360-961-2320

Thanks for spreading the news. ~ Carla Shafer, 2308 Lynn Street, cell/text 360-961-2320

RADIO FREE FL!P

Joni Mitchell: Urge For Going

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IasgxpwUOM

COLUMBIA NEIGHBORHOOD  ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING

Tuesday, Aug 24, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time on Zoom

AGENDA:

1)  Welcome

2)  CNA Announcements- By-law review, annual audit, proposed website, Board openings

3)  CNA Treasurer’s Report by Aaron Ignac

4)  Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission (MNAC) Report

5)  Share Shack developments by Aaron Silverberg

6)  Let’s talk about neighborhood issues (traffic, school, pets, and more)

7)  Beyond Columbia  

8)  Closing 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88269694878?pwd=TW5RN2thQjJCWS9naDlxOUlNRHBydz09

Meeting ID: 882 6969 4878

Passcode: 639466

One tap mobile

+12532158782,,88269694878#,,,,*639466# US (Tacoma)

+13462487799,,88269694878#,,,,*639466# US (Houston)

Dial by your location

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 882 6969 4878

Passcode: 639466

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k3WZ5PgLc

ELIZABETH PARK CONCERTS

Thursdays 6 – 8 PM At The Gazebo (with food and dessert tents!)

August 26 CRAIGO’S PLANET GROOVE, Grateful Dead meets New Orleans Funk

September 2 BANDZANDT, The County’s Happiest Rock Band

SUPPORT FOR HOSPITAL WORKERS

I’m learning a lot and correcting as I go. Here is the latest:

Please send cards, letters & signs thanking and encouraging our local hospital workers. Letters & signs will be hung on bulletin boards and if we get enough, passed around throughout the hospital. If you are part of an organization whose members might join in writing, please share this with them, and share as widely as possible among friends and neighbors. Morale is at historic lows, and hearing from us might help cut through the isolation. I have some really beautiful cards I’m glad to share. Just ask me.

Mail to:

The Workers At St Joseph Hospital / Peacehealth

2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225

We are also seeking musicians who would volunteer to play hopeful instrumental music for a half hour to 45 minutes outside the employee entrance during shift changes. All musicians must be vaccinated and masked. No singing or wind instruments. The space is covered. The hospital will announce scheduled music in advance so workers can plan to linger if they’re able. Music slots are Fridays 7:15 – 8:00 AM or 3:15 – 4:00 PM; Saturdays during the same time slots, plus any one weekday lunchtime out at the Cordata clinic next to SeaMar. Whatcom Symphony Orchestra has decided to pay their own musicians to come play in duos or trios as their gift of thanks to the hospital workers. They have asked to reserve Saturday August 28 at 7:15 & 3:15 both. All other slots are open. We’ll try this for a week or two and see how it goes. The area is covered, level and outdoors.  I’ve got a buddy poking around after some funds for other professional musicians who would need to be paid, musicians being another very hard hit group. Cayley Schmidt has set up a google doc for musician sign-ups. Ask me for a link.

We are looking for organizations who might be interested in distributing gift cards to hospital workers. The hospital says they cannot pass on gift cards themselves, so please don’t send any. If your organization might be able to help, let me know and I’ll get you in contact with the right person at the hospital.

The hospital administration discourages the provision of food (requiring the removal of masks) in favor of cards and signs, for which they have mounted a distribution system.

I’ll let you know more as I learn more. Please do send cards, letters, postcards & signs or banners.

LITTLE STUDIO IS RENTED

Hello neighbors, Thank you for your interest. The studio has been spoken for. As usual, these little places go very fast. I wish you all well in your search. ~ Beth

RENT OR BUY?

Hello (hopefully) Future Neighbors,

In a few weeks I will be moving to Bellingham to work at a local medical clinic, accompanied by my darling and our well-behaved dog. The three of us are on the search for a place to call home, which would ideally be a quiet 2-3 bedroom rental in the Columbia neighborhood starting anytime between now and Sept 22. That said, we are open to other possibilities, including purchasing the right place. We do not smoke anything at all and are happy to provide references, including for the dog 🙂 Thank you for any leads and stay safe! ~ Kate Morgan  ~  kate_m_morgan@icloud.com

RADIO FREE Fl!P

I KNEW THIS PLACE

Written by David Mallet, who wrote The Garden Song. Sung by Ann Mayo Muir, with Gordon Bok & Ed Trickett. I feel deeply connected and incredibly fortunate to live in a house I love this much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVpICBSL96w

OUR HOSPITAL WORKERS NEED US

Can you help? They need us right now more than ever. Morale is at historic lows. Please write cards & letters of thanks and support and send them to the workers at:

Saint Joseph’s Hospital – Peace Health, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225

Apparently the hospital is not permitted to pass on gift cards. Please hold off while we figure out an alternate way to distribute cards. I’ll let you know. You are able to send commercially prepared meals or goodies. I’ll let you know how to arrange this as soon as I can. We’re also working on a place to leave signs, prayer rocks, wishes, visible support.

We would like to have musicians play during shift changes at the employee entrance. But not singing, or wind instruments because of Covid. We’re setting up a sign-up system for musicians. I’ll know more soon and post a link as soon as we can get it ready. Hopefully tomorrow.

I heard this from someone on this list:  We paid for about 40 healthy meals for the St Joe’s Covid units this weekend over 2 days with a note that just said “from a group of guys in Bellingham who really appreciate you and care”.  We hand delivered some of them to share our appreciation in person. The rest were delivered by the folks at Guud Bowls…..they were awesome. You can share this story if you think it’ll encourage others to do the same, but no names please. We’re doing this anonymously and will probably do more.

Health care workers want and need to be their best selves. They’ve made personal commitments to care for their community and they are trying their best to keep those promises, so they can look in the mirror without flinching. Please don’t complain about anyone or anything to any of them right now. They don’t need to hear that. They need our care and appreciation. Thank you! Let’s flood them with cards, letters & postcards.

CANDIDATE FORUM FOR PORT

The Bellingham City Club will host on Aug. 24 a free, online election forum with Port of Bellingham candidates viewing for the District 1 position (Michael Shepard, incumbent, and John Huntley) and the District 2 position (Ken Bell, incumbent, and Kelly Krieger). Register by midnight Aug. 23. From the Salish Current online news

BRAND NEW LITTLE FREE LIBRARY!

Across from the Elizabeth Park tennis courts. Thank you Beth Sobel!

FREE! COMMUNITY CLOTHING SWAP

Bring a bag, take a bag!

When: Saturday, September 11th, 10am-2pm

Where: IBC, 2000 W North St, Bellingham WA

What: FREE clothing—all genders, sizes, ages, styles, seasons!!

How: bring a bag of gently used clothing items to swap—no matter how much you bring (even if you don’t bring anything), you can carry out as much as you need/want. (Please, no personal items—underwear/bras, socks, etc— unless they are new and unused)

Why: We are hoping to meet needs for our neighbors and community–it’s been a rough couple years and no one should worry about having a warm coat or clothing for their loved ones. We also hope to donate to local shelters once again!

Who: open to everyone! We want to help locals to be clothed and cared for, so invite your friends and neighbors. We can’t wait to see you all! ~Em Elaine

SCOOTER?

I broke some little bones in my foot and would like to borrow a scooter for about 6 weeks or buy it. ~ Bob Salas bobsalas427@gmail.com

LIFT RECLINER

For sale $500.  It was purchased at Griffith’s for $1200 and used only a handful of times. It is in like new condition. ~ Susan Mulligan Bapoosbride@yahoo.com

CUTE BACKYARD STUDIO

For rent: Located near Elizabeth Park, this small backyard studio apartment in the Columbia Neighborhood is available to show starting this weekend. This stand-alone, no-smoking unit can be lightly furnished if desired. Ideal for single, minimalist, professional without pets. The rent is $875, and includes all utilities, internet, washer/dryer. Shared outside spaces include patio, hot tub, and gardens for tenant to enjoy.  We require the first and last month’s rent and $400 refundable deposit. Please be prepared to provide references from present work and last housing. We (an active retired couple) live in the main house so a quiet responsible single occupant is a must as a good fit for our common spaces. Text: (360) 389-1391 for an appointment to see the studio and ask further questions. 

BACKYARD STUDIO/TINY HOME

We’re renting out our cute, centrally-located, stand alone backyard studio in Fountain/Columbia. The rent is $850, and includes utilities, internet, bike storage and off-street parking (no smoking or pets). We require the first month’s rent and $600 deposit to move in, as well as references from past 2 employers and housing managers. Our family lives in the main house, so a quiet, responsible tenant is a must. We are showing the unit now, and will be available for rent by September 6th. Please email for an appointment. ~ Jill Andryczak jandryczak@gmail.com. Kulshan Street

HELLO POTENTIAL N LAKE WHATCOM HOUSEMATE!
Our co-operative house is looking for a fourth housemate to move in September15 or October 1, 2021 for at least 12 months. The house is located north of Lake Whatcom, a 10-15 minute drive from downtown; a car is required to get to our place. We have a garden,  apple trees, lots of cozy shared indoor space with a piano, and a large patio with a hot tub. The partially furnished room is upstairs & you would share a spacious bathroom with one other housemate. Rent is $600 a month, including all utilities. Moving in will require a reference check, first and last month’s rent, a $200 damage deposit, and signing a 12-month lease ($1400.00 total). We are hoping to find a mature/genuine/active/spirited/artistic/outdoorsy/community-oriented fully vaccinated person who enjoys their professional life. LGBTQ+ friendly. No tobacco or pets. Please email with interest & answer the question: “What are my needs for the perfect shared home environment?” And please be sure and tell us about yourself, & include a phone #. ~ Aurora Fox alaskafox2002@yahoo.com

RENTAL WANTED

Hi neighbors! My husband Dane and I just had our first child Theo, and Dane’s wonderful mom who lives out in the San Juans is hoping to rent a place in Bellingham to be closer to us and to help with childcare for the next year or so. She’s looking for a mother-in-law apartment/ADU/studio somewhere in the neighborhood, move-in date flexible but she’s ready starting September 1! Reach out to her directly if you know of something: lspring@rockisland.com. She’s looking for a quiet studio or one-bedroom apartment with a separate entrance, bathroom (bathtub is a must) and modest kitchen to call home. Please reach out if you know of anything you think might be a fit for a quiet but vibrant lady who loves this area and can’t wait to spend more time with her grandson! 🙂 Thanks all! ~ Springmeyers 2621 Victor St 

AMAZING ONLINE PUGET SOUND GUITAR WORKSHOP CONCERTS

5:30 PM today & tomorrow. Link below.

I co-founded the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop (PSGW) back in 1974 and have been involved ever since. The music and musicians have brought me great joy over the decades. It’s been a very private place, with no visitors, in order to create safety for students and teachers to take musical risks and really show their hearts. There was no camp last year, but this year, for the first time ever, everyone is welcome to join us for two online Teacher Concerts. YOU are invited! Links are below. If you’ve never heard of these musicians, don’t worry. They’re fabulous. I promise. Here are the details:

Today is day one of the concert. We hope to see you there. If you have questions or problems please call Janet’s cell phone 360-224-8007 or email Janet Peterson, jcp1920@gmail.com. Feel free to share this information about the concert. The concert is free and we are asking you to consider donating to Puget Sound Guitar Workshop General Fund which we will distribute to the teachers. You are welcome to join at the beginning of the concert or pop in at any time. To donate online please follow this link https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=FX3REVHTU7NUC and make a note that it is for the teachers’ concert 2021. Or send in a check to PSGW, PO Box 896, Bellingham, WA 98227-0896.

TONIGHT Aug 18, 2021 05:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82562924163

Lineup

Cayley Schmid and Aaron Guest

Suzy Thompson

Cosy Sheridan

Geof Morgan

Marie Eaton

John Knowles

(Becky Knowles interlude)

Olivia Brownlee

Amy Friedricks

Patrice Haan

Tony Marcus

Tom Moran

Nova Devonie and David Keenan

TOMORROW: Aug 19, 2021 05:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88518476393

Lineup

Orville Johnson

Kathy Kallick

Tristan Scroggins

Hubby Jenkins

Sylvia Herold

Jen Hodge

(Becky Knowles interlude)

Kristina Olsen

Marco de Carvalho

Sean Williams

Gina Davis

Kenny Feinstein

———

ARLO GUTHRIE

Thursday, August 19 at 12:00noon PDT https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84690363251 No reservation necessary.

A special free concert from the Kleinstein Scholar Sessions in Portland OR.

Stories, thoughts, memories, and maybe some singin’!  From Woodstock to Alice’s Restaurant to City of New Orleans to (over 40) concerts in Portland to Beit Haverim. Look for links to Arlo’s music on our website here.

“And I want to be around / When all over this world / You can’t hear a sound ‘cept everyone / Singing songs of glory in the sun”

THE EVERATTLES

Friday, August 27th @ 6pm, Firehouse  1314 Harris Avenue

Are You Ready To Rattle & Roll Don’t Be Late!…

Everson’s Keith Carpenter and Lynne Givler on guitar, mandolin and bass, and Seattle’s  Brian Butler and Julian Smedley on guitar and violin

Original songs of love, laughter, current events and anthropomorphism. The band includes  Keith Carpenter and Lynne Givler from Everson (thus the first part of the band name) and Brian Butler and Julian Smedley from Seattle (thus the second part of the band name.) We’ll be doing mainly original songs covering a wide range of styles. It’s first come-first seated. There is no cover, but donations via a tip jar are greatly appreciated! Masks are not currently required for fully vaccinated folks, but that could change by show time. So as always, bring one along.

AGING WELL WHATCOM COUNTY

A pretty amazing series of interviews with local elders, with lovely & revealing portraits. I find them uplifting.

https://www.agingwellwhatcom.org/art-of-aging

RADIO FREE FL!P

GIVE YOURSELF TO LOVE

I got to officiate at my big brother Joe’s wedding last Sunday. Joe married the glorious Maria! It was an honor and a pleasure, and a very big deal. It was a small, outdoor roof-top gathering of 17 nearest-and-dearest in Seattle, all vaccinated & masked. There was no singing because of Covid, which was hard for me. So I’m going to share some of the songs I wish I could have sung to them, starting with this one by Kate Wolf. If you don’t already know Kate’s music, go find more to listen to. If you already know her music, I’ll brag: I got to throw Kate’s 30th birthday party here in Bellingham. We took her by surprise when we had a large audience up at WWU sing happy birthday to her at her concert. Some of you were probably there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTpat76RbV8

Love/Fl!p

SMOKE TODAY

Air quality is unhealthy today. It is a good time to close doors, windows & skylights. And close curtains before the sunlight hits those windows to seal in the coolness. I learned lots of tricks for dealing with heat from my Mom, who grew up in Idaho long before air conditioning. If you have an air cleaner it’s time to get it out of storage. If you don’t you can rig a fan to blow through a furnace filter. If it also blows against a damp towel it will help cool the air. Those good N95 masks will help if you’re outside, not only with smoke but with the new Delta variant of Covid.

DELTA CONCERNS

I just cancelled our pool reservations. I’ve been swimming 3 or 4 days a week. I’ll miss it! I’m going back to staying home as much as possible and limiting my interactions with others. I’d still love to see a few friends, outdoors and masked, one-on-one, at 6 feet. The situation in the world has changed again, and I will change with it.

ELIZABETH PARK CONCERTS

Thursdays 6 – 8 PM At The Gazebo (with food and dessert tents!)

TONIGHT! 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

POPUP BOOK SALE

Bellingham Friends of the Library is having a pop-up sale, Friday, August 13th! We’ll be selling Mystery and History fiction and biography. We’ll also have a cart of Nearly New books for sale. Come browse and buy! Your purchases help support a variety of library programs for children and adults in our community!

We’ll be outside the Bellingham Central Library near the front entrance from 10 AM until 2 PM.  Most books will be $1 and there’ll be lots to choose from!  You may pay using cash, check, debit and credit card.  Keep in mind, however, there will be an additional 10 cents per dollar charge for debit and credit card purchases to help offset the processing fee. Smaller bills preferred; we will not be able to accept bills over $20.

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

Hello Columbia Neighborhood Association members,

Our quarterly general meeting will be held on August 24, Tuesday, 7:00-8:30  pm via Zoom.  You will receive an invitation to the meeting by email closer to the day.

The CNA Board looked into having a dessert social that evening, but in the light of new warnings from our county health department about the spread of the more contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, we did not feel it was in everyone’s best interest to share food in a social setting yet. Hopefully by November we can meet in person again.

The Zoom meeting will include some time to talk with your neighbors in “breakout rooms,” and time to talk about issues that have come up this summer, such as the need for traffic calming along our arterial streets, for example.

    * The CNA Board is working on finding resources for our neighbors when they have to  deal with difficult situations.

    * There is an offer to set up a website for CNA, and we would like your feedback/ help.

    * The Share Shack has become a hub for free goods, so we’ll get an update on that project.

Just for fun… Here’s a puzzle that has many possible answers:

Can you think of a mnemonic [a device (phrase or sentence) that helps with memory] for the street names if you were going east-west (Meridian to Spruce) or north-south (Maplewood to Madison), or for small sections of streets, in Columbia?

What will yours be? (Maybe there is already one that long-time residents know.) Share it with us at the meeting! Please let the board know of other topics you would like to discuss at the meeting, by responding to this email.

Thank you. / dv

CNA Board members:

President/ Secretary:  Deborah Valentine

Vice-President:  Aaron Silverberg

Treasurer:  Aaron Ignac

Member-at-Large:  David Crook

Mayors Neighborhood Advisory Commission Alternate Rep:  Jennifer Moon

HOSPITAL WORKERS NEED OUR HELP

Bellingham hospital workers are having a very hard time.  I got an email from a neighbor who feels a strong need to stay anonymous. I would love help thinking about how we as a community can support our health care workers as they try to care for us. Here’s the text of the email I received: “We were protested at the hospital today by a large anti-vaccine crowd.  We have 7 Covid patients on life support and 26 in house. They are all un-vaccinated. Many of them are demanding treatment that is not science based, and stressing out out their care team with language calling their diagnosis a hoax. The morale at the hospital amongst the staff is awful. I’m emailing you because maybe your connections could think of a way to cheer us up. In 36 years in the trenches (I worked through the AIDS crisis) I’ve never seen morale so low as today. It was just so hurtful.” ~ Discouraged and Fatigued

I’ve been emailing back and forth with this writer, and their most recent response included this:

“I think what we need here is to feel some community love.  I like the idea of cards or signs at shift change or along those lines.  Also, a loud shout out that you all support vaccines and the vaccine policy mandating all employees be vaccinated.”

Hospital workers morale is at historic lows across the country. Our help is needed. Postcards with thanks, kind words and encouragement sent to workers at your local hospital are good. Not just medical staff. Everyone who works there is under appalling pressure right now. Gift cards for restaurant take-out, groceries & coffee are good if you can afford it. Flowers are problematic due to allergies.  You might support extra pay for health care workers as well. But please, calling unvaccinated people jerks will not actually raise the spirits of these ordinary friends and neighbors. They are trapped by this pandemic and struggling to do their best.

If you know any workers personally (and you almost certainly do) this is an excellent time to give each of them a Good Listening To. No advice, no interruptions, just listen kindly and attentively for a long time. If they have suggestions for helpful actions, see what you can do, and share what you learn with the rest of us.

One thing I learned is we mustn’t add to their burden. Social distance, wear your mask, get vaccinated, visit your doctor, and unless what you have is truly life threatening, go to a WALK IN CLINIC or URGENT CARE instead of the ER. Please share these helpful actions widely with everyone you know.

I’ve been in contact with an administrator at the hospital, but we haven’t managed to connect yet. I should know more this afternoon and tomorrow. But don’t wait for me! Start your own initiatives. There is room for hundreds of leaders on this project.

Aggressive grumpiness towards and about unvaccinated people are NOT helpful. Your feelings of upset do not help your friend’s morale or the community at large. Find someone who is not in the middle of the maelstrom to listen to your own upset in private rather than spreading contempt. The more disrespected and embattled people become, the less likely they are to change. Yes, limits need to be set, but not with accompanying attacks.

Here is the address for our local Bellingham, WA hospital for your postcards and notes with gift cards:

To the workers at: Saint Joseph’s Hospital – Peace Health

2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225

SPORTS DRINK POWDER VOLUNTEER?

I have lots of electrolyte powder that needs to be put into individual bags (I have the bags too). This is to flavor the water and add electrolytes in the upcoming heat. A couple tablespoons per bag, and fold the bag top over. That’s the whole job. I could use a more volunteers if anyone has time today or tomorrow. Or even later. Fl!p 360-671-4511

RADIO FREE FLIP

AN IRISH MOTHER

From the recording Aniar released in 2020. Peadar MacMathuna,  guitar. Richard Scholtz, autoharp. Jon Sampson, bass. Words by Percy French, music by Peadar MacMathuna.

Here is one more music slide show with Helen’s images and a song from the recording with Peadar.

An Irish Mother – YouTube

Love/Fl!p

MASKS & DELTA

With the Delta variant now here in Whatcom County, and hospitalizations on the rise, I am returning to masking both indoors and out, based on the fact that although I am fully vaccinated, I am an elder and immune compromised. New discoveries show that this new variant raises the risk considerably that I could unknowingly infect others. Science wasn’t wrong. The situation has changed.

The recommendation that vaccinated people in some parts of the country dust off their masks was based largely on one troublesome finding, according to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New research showed that vaccinated people infected with the Delta variant carry tremendous amounts of the virus in the nose and throat, she said in an email responding to questions from The New York Times.

The finding contradicts what scientists had observed in vaccinated people infected with previous versions of the virus, who mostly seemed incapable of infecting others. That conclusion dealt Americans a heavy blow: People with so-called breakthrough infections — cases that occur despite full vaccination — of the Delta variant may be just as contagious as unvaccinated people, even if they have no symptoms.

That means fully immunized people with young children, aging parents, or friends and family with weak immune systems will need to renew vigilance, particularly in high-transmission communities. Vaccinated Americans may need to wear masks not just to protect themselves, but everyone in their orbit.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/29/health/cdc-masks-vaccinated-transmission.html

PRIMARY ELECTION NOW

Tuesday August 3rd. Ballots must be in before 8 PM.

You can register to vote, even on Election Day, at the county courthouse (but don’t wait till 8 PM). Primaries are important elections, and your vote counts for more since few people vote. Only about 20% of eligible ballots have been returned at this point. Be an influencer! Make a difference! If you haven’t received your ballot, contact the Whatcom County Auditor’s office at 360-778-5102. At this point it’s better to take your ballot to a ballot box instead of a post office box, to be sure it’s postmarked or received in time. Here is a link to a wealth of information, including ballot box locations:

https://www.whatcomcounty.us/1732/Current-Election

VOX PACIFICA

has prepared a short set of songs celebrating the anniversary of voting rights for women and all that it means. We’d love to share this music with you, under the trees, in some of your favorite Bellingham parks! We hope that you and your friends and family will join us for these free performances at any of the following locations.

Elizabeth Park, Gazebo:  Wed Aug 4 @ 7:00pm

Cornwall Park, North Shelter: Wed Aug 11 @ 7:00pm

Whatcom Falls Park, Derby Pond: Wed Aug 18 @ 7:00pm

Learn more from our website: https://voxpacifica.org

ELIZABETH PARK CONCERTS

Thursdays 6 – 8 PM At The Gazebo (with food and dessert tents!)

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

LANDSCAPER ACCIDENT UPDATE

Hello to all of you that have supported Kim in some way. We wanted to let you all know how so very much everything is appreciated. The love in so many ways that so many of you have blessed Kim with and all of your help and prayers. She will have another surgery tomorrow 7/30 to do another cleaning on her legs, there are signs of infection. She still has a clot on her lung, and some short term memory from a few years back. She’s trying to deal with all that has happened to her with so many questions, Why??? The love and blessings you all have shown is amazing. So many people we do not even know. Every dime of this is going toward Kim and will be accounted for. Homebills, medical bills her animals, and when the time comes, a reconstruction of her house so it will be completely wheelchair accessible when she gets to come home. We wanted to put faces to our names and to thank you all so much. Pics: Lee(Clarence) am her only child. My wife Bobbie and our kids. Blessings to you all ❤ (Photos are up on the link below.)

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kim-eagle-lost-her-le

For those who are uncomfortable donating money online, here are two other options. The account is set up in the Nugents Corner ICU Industrial Credit Union.  industrialcu.org. That’s the branch where the account is opened, but you can go to any ICU in Bellingham, WA    https://www.industrialcu.org/about-us/access/branch-information/nugents-corner.

You can also just mail in a check, the account is under Clarence Leroy Dickinson, account name is Kim’s Fund, Please feel free to pass this along.

We have set up her monthly bills to be auto paid out from this account. So she doesn’t need to worry about it. Some of our friends on fixed income are putting a $25-$50 donation which will really help with her monthly bills. Thanks so much neighbors!

POPUP BOOK SALES

The Friends of the Library is holding two book sales this August with a new experience.  They will be held at the front entrance of the library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

August 6th – Mystery and History

August 13th – Fiction and Biography

Most books will be $1.  You may pay using cash, check, debit and credit card.  Keep in mind, however there will be an additional 10 cents per dollar charge for debit and credit card purchases to help offset the processing fee.  Smaller bills preferred; we will not be able to accept bills over $20. All proceeds support the work of the Bellingham Public Library. ~ Kathy Sparks, Utter Street

REDUCING DIABETES RISK

Do you feel like trying to stay on top of all the COVID news is like trying to drink from a fire hose? Well, here’s some good news that’s easier to swallow — something you can do for a healthier life. Bonus: it’s fun!

Washington State University Extension service offers a Diabetes Prevention Program in Whatcom and Skagit counties. If you are at least 18 years of age and have risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, WSU DPP will help you take charge of your health, now and in the future. The 22-week program incorporates lifestyle change interventions that guide you to make lasting commitments to reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes — which could save you from blindness, kidney disease, damage to your heart, blood vessels, and nerves, even possible amputations.  The good news is Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. How do you know if you might be prediabetic? Take this quiz: www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention

If your score shows you are at high risk for prediabetes, talk to your health care provider or contact the WSU diabetes program, Diane Smith, 360 395 2355, to see if you qualify for this low-cost program. Some insurance plans and Medicare cover the $430 cost. WSU also offers scholarships and payment plans for people with limited income. You learn the skills you need to manage stress, be more active, lose weight; a trained lifestyle coach will guide and encourage you with the support from other participants with the same goals as you — to live your life to its fullest. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.~ Micki Jackson

RESPONSIBLE, HARDWORKING, RESPECTFUL MIDDLE SCHOOLER LOOKING FOR SUMMER JOBS

My name is Reis Ramsey and I am looking for summer jobs in the Columbia Neighborhood. Examples of tasks/ jobs- chopping vegetables, cleaning baseboards, carrying/ moving items, walking dogs & etc. I am enterprising, responsible, capable, respectful  student at Whatcom Middle School. 314-517-2024- (Laura)  This is my mom’s phone number so she can help me reply quickly with any questions etc.~ Reis Ramsey, Victor Street

FOUND CAT

Last night around 11pm a very sweet and small kitty came right up to me on my porch. No collar, but super shiny and soft.  VERY friendly. No picture but the kitty has a dark slightly striped body and a face that’s half orange/half black with yellow eyes.  Seemed young. Corner of Victor and Walnut. ~ Kamarie Astrid

MEET YOUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBOR

Jamie: https://vimeo.com/553813129

DONATE AROMATICS?

Gardeners, cooks, etc! Do you have extra: Lavender, Mint, Eucalyptus, Catnip, Citronella, Cinnamon, Tea tree, Thyme, Peppermint? Willing to donate to your unhoused neighbors in need? Mosquitos are BAD in camps we visit. Fran Bond has come up with a natural bug repellent. Thanks Fran! Help us collect the supplies to make bug repellent pouches.  Contact Fl!p to drop at her place.

WATER NEEDED

We’re headed into some hotter days. Please donate flats of bottled water if you can. You can drop them at our house: 2518 Cherry Street. Around back is best. Thank you!

RADIO FREE FL!P

SHALLOW BROWN/CARGO

Cindy Kallet & Grey Larsen. I needed a lullaby. Sometimes shared grief is also a comfort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cls25KnUwl0&list=PLuVviDccPmWpy2vfGP6ev_LFgy7b7SFxg&index=14

Love/Fl!p