Category: Neighborhood

CONTENTS 5/20/2020
No Neighborhood Garage Sale Or July 4th (Wah!)
Chalk Art?
Alert: Lost Hearing Aid
Advance Care (End Of Life) Planning
Diamond Jim’s Take-Out
Ballet Space?
Drone Is Home
Self-Quarantine Housing?
Song: Wild Mountain Thyme

NO NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE SALE OR JULY 4TH PICNIC

Marla Bronstein (who organizes the Elizabeth Park concerts) and Peter Roberts (president The Eldridge Society that sponsors them) have been meeting with Parks both physically and virtually all year. They had submitted requests for their permits prior to COVID-19, but the Health Dept shut all events down for the whole summer through September. They were able to navigate the Online Concert Series but not the 4th of July, although Parks said if a group of kids wanted to ride around the neighborhood, they did not object. However the Governor’s order prohibits group gatherings and Parks pointed out there is no way to control your numbers without a confined space. With all the uncertainty The Eldridge Society will pass on sponsoring the June garage sale and the 4th of July Parade & Picnic this year.

CHALK ART?

I’m feeling SO sad about the Fourth Of July Picnic & Parade! What if we had a neighborhood chalk art festival that weekend? I’m trying to think about social distancing: like no more than one art square in front of each lot – so 40 feet apart. Have folks decorate in front of their own houses and businesses throughout the neighborhood. Wandering could be a journey of discovery.

We’ve got a lot of kids, and a lot of great artists, and a lot of folks with a little extra time. I don’t care if it gets “judged” – like the kid’s races and games at the Fourth Of July Picnic, that’s not the point. (Though maybe Blocks could try for having the greatest number of participants.) We could decorate each other’s lives and cheer each other on as we do. Musicians could even add live acoustic music from their front porches. I am willing to look for a chalk donor or two, purchase in bulk, & distribute really bright chalk, and set up a map so neighbors could list & locate artwork. What do you think?  Love/Fl!p

ALERT: LOST HEARING AID

While on a walk tonight between 8:00-9:00pm( Wednesday, May 20th) my hearing aide must have fallen out

Somewhere  between Elizabeth Park, Washington to West Street & the Squalicum Park upper trail… Of course, it is like finding a needle in a haystack. BUT if anyone happens to find a curved gray hearing aide, clear ear cup inset with a red dot please let me know. Thanks!  Text or call Vicki Roy, Park Street  360-961-2157

ADVANCE CARE (END OF LIFE) PLANNING

A valuable “tip sheet” for planning in the time of Covid-19 – less than two pages, succinct, from a respected organization — and a very good “conversation starter.” https://theconversationproject.org/covid19/

DIAMOND JIM’S TAKE-OUT

This Fountain District restaurant has re-opened for take-out!

Monday thru Friday: 8:00-1:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00-2:00pm
Call (360) 734-8687 to place your order

Serving breakfast and lunch options: our current Take Out menu can be found on our website: http://diamondjimsgrill.com

BALLET SPACE?

Urgent!  Anyone out there with connections to theaters, or drama departments, or with a big storage space and a big heart?  I am writing on behalf of Northwest Ballet Theater.  Covid-19 has taken its toll on this fabulous ballet company and school, where my daughters have dances for over 10 years, and they have lost their lease.  There is an urgent need to find homes, either temporary or permanent, for some big props and a good number of costumes.  In particular – a 5 foot diameter papier-mache bright yellow teapot and a 2 – 3 foot purple mushroom from Alice in Wonderland, and a magic sleigh from Nutcracker.  If your theater group, school, or garage could make use or at least help with preserving these amazing props and costumes, please contact Artistic Director John Bishop at 360-421-4013 as soon as possible!  Thank you for thinking of some options. ~ Miriam Schwartz, Victor Street

DRONE IS HOME

Someone found it in their yard and it’s already home!!!

Thank you so much, neighbors!!! ~ Jerry McGarity, Victor Street

SELF-QUARANTINE HOUSING?

Separate spaces are needed for two young women returning from working with farm workers in Yakima before they return to their own families. They need somewhere to self-quarantine for two weeks, starting at the end of this week. Each would need a room, with access to kitchen and bathroom. C2C can get food delivered to them. If you know of any place that might fit the bill, please contact Rosalinda at  rosalindag@foodjustice.org  

SONG: WILD MOUNTAIN THYME

Dick Gaughan, Emmylou Harris and the McGarrigles along with Rufas Wainwright. Back to beautiful music.

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

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511 cell/text  flip@columbianeighborhood.org

CONTENTS 5/19/2020
Whatcom County Helpers
Community Food & Supplies Drive!
Little Free Libraries Etc.
Garden Stuff And Magazines
Lost Drone
Cheese Making Supplies?
Wrong Song: Random Canyon

WHATCOM COUNTY COVID-19 HELPERS
Community Food & Supplies Drive!

Saturday May 23, 2020 10 AM to noon

Whatcom County Community Helpers is a nonpartisan, unaffiliated grassroots group of volunteers created to protect our community from the Covid-19 pandemic by connecting Neighbors in Need with Healthy Helpers who complete essential tasks using strict safety protocols. Whatcom County Community Helpers is partnered with local nonprofit Fellowship of Messengers, an interfaith community of people seeking to build social connections through volunteer work. 100% of Funds donated to this account are directed toward members of our community whose employment has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The WCCH team is super excited to host a Community Food & Supplies Drive in collaboration with four Bellingham churches – Cornwall, Grace, Hillcrest and Redeemer. On the morning of Saturday, May 23, 2020 each church will serve as a drop off location for donations of shelf stable foods, personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies. Members of the community who want to participate should shop or clear personal pantries of the items indicated on the list below and find the drop off location nearest their home. A team of WCCH and volunteers from each church will be on hand from 10am to 12pm to receive donations on a drive-thru basis. We will be trading donations of food and supplies for handcrafted masks sewn with love from our friends at Whatcom Mask Collective! Locations of the four churches listed above are on the website. So are lists of needed items.

https://www.whatcomhelpers.org/food-supplies-drive

LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES ETC

A neighbor raised a concern about the risks of Coronavirus transmission through the generous exchanges in our neighborhood. So I went and asked a doctor for his input. His response is that there is some slight risk, and people using the exchanges might want to wear gloves. And let books rest a few days before reading. Wipe down other objects, and wash produce – as well as hands – as soon as you get home. He thinks the likelihood of transmission is reasonably low. And being able to support our neighbors and be supported is so important to all of us.

GARDEN STUFF AND MAGAZINES

There are a few plants and spare seeds out in front of my house on Victor Street. 2500 block, under the huge maple tree. I don’t have as many as usual this spring, but I will try to keep replenishing: horseradish; native groundcovers including wild ginger, “inside-out flower,” beach strawberry, and small false Solomon seal. All of them do well in shade.

 Also – I’m putting out some bags of the magazines I usually would donate to the library. Mostly New Yorkers and New York Review of Books. I think the safest and best thing would be to just take the whole bag as a surprise package rather than rummaging through. They have all had a good long spell untouched at my house.

Lane Morgan – Lmastonisher@hotmail.com

 LOST DRONE

Black Sky Rider (no camera) got caught in the wind and blew northeast this evening. It came down somewhere in the 2600 block of either Williams or Utter, just north of North. Please contact me if you find it. It is not used to being away from home overnight.
~ Jerry McGarity, Victor Street 360) 319-9076

CHEESE MAKING SUPPLIES?

Does anyone know where or if one can get cheese making supplies in our area? ~Fl!p

SONG: RANDOM CANYON

And now for something completely different! And not particularly tasteful. If you are easily offended do not click this one. He uses a naughty word and is quite rude, although no one is being blamed for anything. It’s a pure celebration. It’s possible alcohol may have been involved. (I wouldn’t know. I only use it for cooking.) Do not anticipate mellow and comforting music if you do click. But I promise you won’t be bored.This song & performance has cracked me up from the first moment I heard it over half a lifetime ago. My jaw hit my chest and went downhill from there. I despair of ever singing it with the utter abandon of Van Ronk, but it’s a great dream. If you’re ready to blow off a little steam in a not-particularly-socially-acceptable way, here’s your chance. My sense of humor is occasionally a little warped. It’s possible that my judgement is less than stellar tonight, and I apologize for pushing the limits, possibly right over the canyon wall. You might not want to click on this one. I promise I’ll be nice and sweet again tomorrow.

Random Canyon, by Peter Stampfel, sung by Dave Van Ronk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t-ch6RlG5w&feature=share

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511 cell/text  flip@columbianeighborhood.org

CONTENTS 5/18/2020
Masks In Public Requested Starting Friday
Coronavirus Levels Within Whatcom County
Neighborhood Meeting Tomorrow!
Elizabeth Park Summer Concerts
Elizabeth Park Summer 2020 Lineup
Walnut Street Share Hut
The Bagelry Re-Opens
Found People
Hug Guard For Grandma?
Song: The Water Is Wide
Shop For Fl!p?

MASKS IN PUBLIC REQUESTED STARTING FRIDAY

“This is a should rather than a shall. We will not be issuing tickets. We will not be citing people who aren’t wearing a mask,” Lautenbach explained. “We also ask that the public not call 911 or call the health department with complaints about people not wearing masks.” Read more here, by Kie Relyea:

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/coronavirus/article242820886.html

CORONAVIRUS LEVELS WITHIN WHATCOM COUNTY

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/coronavirus/article242811086.html

COLUMBIA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING
Online – Zoom Call
Tuesday, May 19 7-8pm

Our Neighborhood Quarterly Meeting will be focused on neighbors helping neighbors and beginning a discussion on moving forward towards a zero waste future.

AGENDA

1) Welcome

2) Guest Speaker – Sandi Heinrich, Founder – Whatcomhelpers.org

Sandi will share about the program and help people to understand that they don’t need to go to the store or pick up prescriptions if they are elderly or otherwise at high risk… There are healthy less vulnerable people who can do that for them. We are also able to offer assistance with food and other supplies for low income families who need help paying for these items, Especially if they’ve lost their job due to Covid.

3) CNA Treasurer’s Report

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

5) Food Bank Updates – Jennifer Moon

6) Columbia Share Shack Updates/Discussion(if there is time)- Future use of the Share Shack

7) Guest Speaker – Mark Peterson, Sustainable Business and Food Recovery Program Manager, Sustainable Connections

He will be giving a presentation on: Food Waste A Global Issue Ripe for Individual Action: sharing some of the issues surrounding the global issues of food waste and how we as individuals can reduce our own food waste and make a positive impact.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97412452295?pwd=RXU5a2ZPWnNRQUNPcGlzR25JbWNmdz09
Meeting ID: 974 1245 2295
Password: 531288
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,97412452295#

ELIZABETH PARK SUMMER CONCERTS

Thanks to an incredibly committed community, the Summer of 2020 will include Elizabeth Park Summer virtual concert series, thanks to the continued partnership of The Eldridge Society for History and Preservation and Bellingham Parks and Recreation.  We won’t meet face-to-face in the park, not while grabbing dinner or waiting in line for Mallard’s ice cream while listening to music as we have in the past. But we will all be able to safely and distantly socialize from our own homes. 

These concerts will be a mix of Live and pre-recorded shows, all live- streamed on the Elizabeth Park Concert Facebook page, as well as the Elizabeth Park YouTube Channel. Viewers will NOT need to have either a Facebook or YouTube account to watch either concert feed. But make sure you can turn up your speakers!! If you do have Facebook account; think about hosting your own “watch party.” We will get through this together, while continuing to enjoy what Bellingham has to offer and staying safe.

ELIZABETH PARK SUMMER 2020 LINEUP

BAND        GENRE            DATE

Free Harmony          Classic folk-rock harmonies                06/18/20

CraigO’s Planet Groove        Grateful Dead meets New Orleans Funk       06/25/20

The Sweet Goodbyes Folk/Pop                        07/02/20

High Mountain String Band Bellingham Based Progressive Bluegrass Band     07/09/20

Free Harmony        Classic folk-rock harmonies         7/16/20

4TENS Band        Fun Classic Rock Party Music         7/23/20

Di Young/Fruit Cocktail        Sultry Jazz and Pop Ensemble/Eclectic         07/30/20

The Soul Shakers        Horn Heavy Funk and Soul         08/06/20

bandZandt        The County’s Best Dance Band         08/13/20

CraigO’s Planet Groove        Grateful Dead meets New Orleans Funk 08/20/20

WALNUT STREET SHARE HUT

In front of my home at 2721 Walnut Street sits a chicken coop sized structure that is the neighborhood share hut.  It was built through a neighborhood grant many years back. I wish I could remember exactly how many years it has stood there but close to ten. Over that time the share hut’s latch has been opened by many; young, old, well off and those without a home. Often it is filled with treasures just waiting to be discovered. Kids enjoy the hand painted rocks and books they find there by parents cleaning their children’s closets. While adults may find shoes, books, cloth, fresh vegetables, canned food and many household items. The highlight of my day is watching the delight on someone’s face as they find that perfect something in the share hut.

The share hut has no rules. In the beginning we had a sign that said, “consider this a place to leave a gift for a neighbor”. What I learned through the years is that people think of “gifts” differently depending on their circumstances. So, when the plastic organizational bins were taken, I assumed they were taken by folks who truly could not afford organizational bins on their own. I replaced them with cardboard boxes. This worked until someone needed the boxes and they were taken. Luckily, this was not a problem as I could get more. Some items folks leave are better off at the goodwill or in the trash but for the most part people leave great things. I try to clean it out once a month but often to my delight, a neighbor has gotten there before me. The share hut provides a place for so many to be involved. It really has helped us develop a larger sense of community.

My favorite stories involve folks who feel that they want to give back to the community through the share hut. One young woman left camping gear that was in terrific condition exclaiming that she had taken so much it was her turn to re-stoke it. Another neighbor leaves beautiful bouquets for anyone to take. A few years back I ran into a street minister who regularly filled it with clean dry socks and warm hats in the winter.

Recently the share hut has been showing its age. A moving van drove into it and now it is off kilter.  As a birthday gift, my partner is putting it on pavers to straighten it and a neighbor is rebuilding the door. This little hut has brought immeasurable joy to my life and the neighborhood as well. I hope you will consider a visit there sometime soon!  Love/Jackie Brown
[This is different from the Share Shack, at Utter & West North Street. ~Fl!p]

THE BAGELRY RE-OPENS

Has anyone else been missing Bagelry bagels? Online orders, or weekly or every-other-week subscriptions are now available. You can even get Challah as part of the Friday big box subscription called “The Works.” If fresh bagels are put straight in the freezer, they’ll still taste fresh for a couple weeks. Orders will be available for curbside pick up or free delivery (within Bellingham city limits ) Mondays, Fridays, or Saturdays. Deliveries will start at 8:30 and be done sometime around 11. If you do curbside pick-up, you could combine your pick-up with Mallard ice cream! Support local businesses!

https://www.bagelrybellingham.com/menu.html

https://www.bagelrybellingham.com/subscription-plans.html

FOUND PEOPLE

We found the lost dog’s people! Thank you all! ~ Megan Noet

HUG GUARD FOR GRANDMA?

https://www.tiktok.com/@staytunednbc/video/6826771482929007877?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20200518&instance_id=18573&nl=the-morning&regi_id=119043319&segment_id=28256&te=1&user_id=b82a088eb50aba75b6ea04b98ca46bfe

SONG: WATER IS WIDE

Karla Bonoff & Nina Gerber. Nina has been a frequent teacher at PSGW for half a lifetime. I remember in the early years of Guitar Camp we realized we had to wait for a young woman to grow up to find our lead teacher. So we did, and she did. (Nina is holding a little doohickey in her right hand called an eBow. That’s why her guitar sounds like that.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHOCi74Wz0M

SHOP FOR FL!P?

Is anyone going to the Food Coop or Haggens today or tomorrow? There are a couple items we’d love to replenish.

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511 cell/text flip@columbianeighborhood.org

CONTENTS 5/17/2020
Alert: Found Dog
Neighborhood Meeting
Found Baby Blanket & Bibs
More Free Plants
Need Help Moving Equipment
Poem
Song: All Shall Be Well Again

ALERT: FOUND DOG

We just found a large, black long haired dog, male. Older, with some white speckling on the paws, ruff, head. White spot on the back. No collar. Very friendly.
Megan & Jeremy Noet
Vallette St.
360-303-0282

COLUMBIA NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

Tuesday, May 19 7-8pm Online – Zoom Call

Our Neighborhood Quarterly Meeting will be focused on neighbors helping neighbors and beginning a discussion on moving forward towards a zero waste future.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97412452295?pwd=RXU5a2ZPWnNRQUNPcGlzR25JbWNmdz09Meeting ID: 974 1245 2295
Password: 531288
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,97412452295#

FOUND BABY BLANKET & BIBS

I found a nice baby blanket (2’x3’) and two small baby bibs in front yard of 3014 Lynn St, recently. Hoping to return to owner and baby.
Jim Fox
(360) 383-7271

MORE FREE PLANTS

Hi Neighbors,
We are still deleting mismanaged plants and several ‘drop-ins’.

Off the curb and east of the telephone pole you will find more white Japanese anemone, love-in-the mist, geraniums that I suspect are blue, 4 little pots of a shrub rose with red/grey leaves. It flowers only once annually and has small 4 pointed pink/purple blossoms and luscious hips. Sorry, forgot its name. Only one jostaberry start. Starts of a rambling rose  that blooms throughout the season and has soft lavender/pink full blossoms. Portuguese laurel that needs to be dug out and may

be 4 individual plants. 5 small native Garry Oak trees. Lots of lily-of-the valley and mint and others. Again, I would be happy to peruse my garden with you for other starts.

Lorraine Affek
2325 Eldridge
360 220 0470

NEED HELP MOVING EQUIPMENT

I need 2 strong backed people to help move heavy woodworking equipment. Will pay $200 for 4-5 hours, $25/hr after 5 hrs. There will be a crane. Looking at the last week of the month, depending on weather forecasts. You will be provided with a n95 mask, & all precautions will be taken as much as possible. I have an immune issue, so I ask that you’ve followed the State’s stay at home order, & have practiced social distancing.

E-Mail:  HelpMoving@comcast.net
Dave Lind
Lorraine Ellis Court

POEM

In the end
I want my heart
to be covered
in stretch marks.

www.AndreaGibson.com

SONG: ALL SHALL BE WELL AGAIN

Gordon Bok, Ed Trickett & Anne Muir again. The proper name for this song for Spring is Julian Of Norwich, composed by: Sydney Carter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDhX_P9ehEw

Love/Fl!p

CONTENTS 5/16/2020
Elizabeth Park Concerts Online!
Columbia Neighborhood Quarterly Meeting
Email Problem Solved
Little Free Libraries
Online Film Festival Now
Song: For The Longest Time

ELIZABETH PARK SUMMER CONCERTS!
Hooray!!!! Thanks to an incredibly committed community, the Summer of 2020 WILL include an Elizabeth Park Summer concert series thanks to the continued partnership of The Eldridge Historical Society and Bellingham Parks and Recreation! We won’t be able to meet as we have in the past, but we will all be able to safely and distantly socialize from our own homes.

Sadly, you all won’t be able to see each other in person, but that should not stop you from hosting your own “watch party” from the comfort of your own homes.

These concerts will be a mix of Live and pre-recorded, all live-streamed on the Elizabeth Park Concert Facebook page, as well as the Elizabeth Park YouTube Channel. You will NOT need to have either a Facebook or YouTube account to watch either concert feed. But make sure you can turn up your speakers!!

[I will send the roster and links as soon as I have them!]

COLUMBIA NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Tuesday, May 19 7-8pm Online – Zoom Call

Our Neighborhood Quarterly Meeting will be focused on neighbors helping neighbors and beginning a discussion on moving forward towards a zero waste future.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97412452295?pwd=RXU5a2ZPWnNRQUNPcGlzR25JbWNmdz09Meeting ID: 974 1245 2295
Password: 531288
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,97412452295#

EMAIL PROBLEM SOLVED!
The problem was people who had asked to be subscribed to this list, whose subscription went somewhere in limbo. Noah just helped me figure out what was wrong and showed me how to fix it. So a whole bunch of you are likely to be seeing posts for the first time. You can always email me to subscribe or unsubscribe. And if you want to look back at prior posts, go to columbianeighborhood.org, where you can scroll back through time, or search for specific words. If you are subscribing, I would love your first & last names, email address, street address & phone. I NEVER share these, though I will send my own to you! But contact information will be very helpful as we figure out how to get organized for mutual aid as we go forward.

LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES
I would love everybody’s help telling me the locations of our neighborhood Little Free Libraries. It would be fun to put them on the neighborhood map. For that matter, is there anyone who might install the one that’s been waiting to go in here at our house? I’ve got one that needs a small concrete foundation created and the parts bolted together. I have boxes of great children’s books that I’d love to be able to make available. Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511 cell/text flip@columbianeighborhood.org

CASCADIA INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL
Online Now: May 14-17 so that anyone, anywhere can see this year’s official selections. Passes on sale now through the website!  For $19.95, you receive an all access pass to 30 films during the festival’s four days! Support the festival and its filmmakers. Buy your Online Festival pass now. It’s not too late.

SONG: FOR THE LONGEST TIME
Quarantine Edition: from the Phoenix Choir in Vancouver, BC, Canada!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpAKcQufacc

Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511 cell/text flip@columbianeighborhood.org

CONTENTS 5/15/2020
Columbia Neighborhood Association Meeting
Earthquake Animation: 40 Years
Crocs Free To Healthcare Heroes
Local Online Cooking Class For Kids
Film Fest This Weekend
Fawns
Free Puppy Pee Pads
Free Ladder
Landscape Hauling In Own Truck?
Seeking Short Term Housing
Film: How Can I Keep On Singing?
Song: How Can I Keep From Singing?

COLUMBIA NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Tuesday, May 19 7-8pm Online – Zoom Call

Our Neighborhood Association Quarterly Meeting will be focused on neighbors helping neighbors and beginning a discussion on moving forward towards a zero waste future.

AGENDA
1) Welcome
2) Guest Speaker – Sandi Heinrich, Founder – Whatcomhelpers.org
Sandi will share about the program and help people to understand that they don’t need to go to the store or pick up prescriptions if they are elderly or otherwise at high risk… There are healthy less vulnerable people who can do that for them. We are also able to offer assistance with food and other supplies for low income families who need help paying for these items, Especially if they’ve lost their job due to Covid.
3) CNA Treasurer’s Report
4) MNAC (Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission) Update
5) Food Bank Updates – Jennifer Moon
6) Columbia Share Shack Updates/Discussion(if there is time)- Future use of the Share Shack
7) Guest Speaker – Mark Peterson, Sustainable Business and Food Recovery Program Manager, Sustainable ConnectionsHe will be giving a presentation on: Food Waste A Global Issue Ripe for Individual Action: sharing some of the issues surrounding the global issues of food waste and how we as individuals can reduce our own food waste and make a positive impact.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97412452295?pwd=RXU5a2ZPWnNRQUNPcGlzR25JbWNmdz09Meeting ID: 974 1245 2295
Password: 531288
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,97412452295#

EARTHQUAKE ANIMATION: 40 YEARS
This was so interesting!
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article242759941.html

CROCS FREE TO HEALTHCARE HEROES
Crocs is proud to donate free pairs of shoes to healthcare heroes to thank them for their efforts on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.  We will resume our “Sharing a Free Pair for Healthcare” donations on Monday, May 18th at 12p.m. ET. https://www.crocs.com/

LOCAL ONLINE COOKING CLASS FOR KIDS
Common Threads is offering online cooking classes featuring some of our favorite kid-friendly recipes. Kids ages 5 and up are invited to follow along with our food educators over Zoom to make simple, healthy, and tasty recipes. Parents are invited to join too!

Ingredient and supply lists are posted in the event description on our website – but don’t worry if you don’t have the exact items. Our Food Educators will offer ideas for substitution and creativity. 

Payment is on a pay what you can sliding scale. Please sign up no later than the day before the event. Once you’ve registered, you will receive an email the morning of class with a link to join. The first lesson is coming up on Tuesday May 19 2pm-3pm PST with Ms. Hannah, who will be helped by Ms. Indigo – they’ll be making a colorful kale salad. The next lesson will be on Friday May 22 2pm-3pm PST with Ms. Molly, who will be helped by Mr. Diego – they’ll be cooking up an applesauce that some kids might remember from the 2018-2019 school year. 

CASCADIA INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL
Online, May 14-17 so that anyone, anywhere can see this year’s official selections. Passes on sale now through the website!  For $19.95, you receive an all access pass to 30 films during the festival’s four days! Support the festival and its filmmakers. Buy your Online Festival pass now.

FAWNS
Deer deliver their newborns in the strangest of places! Residents will find them and be concerned about a newborn deer on their lawn, in their garden, under the azaleas, etc. Most call because they think the fawn is in peril and Mom is nowhere to be found. Well, Mom is actually off feeding and helping to keep predators away. Those who call ask what they should do for the fawn … Leave it alone, do not touch, move or attempt to feed it. Here’s the scoop. Deer are NOT like horses. They do not have their legs under them immediately and need time to rest after birth. Horses get up and go that’s the sign of a healthy horse. A healthy fawn will curl up, nap most of the day and move their heads. They have no scent and predators cannot find them unless humans interfere. Mom leaves during the day for 2 primary reasons: to feed, and to keep her scent a distance from the fawn. Mom will come back (unless something tragic happens to her), but don’t expect her until dusk and certainly don’t expect her if humans are hovering around. If you are fortunate enough to have the gift of a fawn please enjoy the experience, respect Mother Nature and let the Mom do what comes naturally. She will move the fawn daily so you may see it in different locations. Please share, thank you.

FREE PUPPY PEE PADS
Two unopened packages of puppy pee pads free for someone who needs them. Great for those of you indulging the “pass the quarantine with a fur baby” strategy like me. Also occurred to me that they could totally be used in lieu of Chux pads for those of you about to have human babies! Text Anna Blick 360-595-8150 and I’ll porch drop.

FREE LADDER
Tall aluminum extension ladder. Older. You haul. Call Fl!p Breskin 360-671-4511

LANDSCAPE HAULING IN OWN TRUCK?
I am an avid gardener without a truck (and without my usual gardening friend’s help), looking for a strong person who would be willing to do the following:

1. Load some concrete debris and yard waste into their truck and haul it to the dump and/or clean green site
2. Drive to Bel-Alger Sand & Gravel on Old Samish Road to pick up 3-4 yards of arborist’s chips, then deliver them to my yard and help me unload them (with social/physical distancing to ensure safety).

Please call me if you are interested, so we can discuss day and time, and settle on what you would charge for your time, gas, etc.
Pamela Fuller
Lynn Street
(360)920-6843

SEEKING SHORT TERM HOUSING
A local family is seeking a short-term 2-3 bedroom rental for July/August. If anyone has any leads for them, please email: amandanayfield@gmail.com. Thanks! ~ Krista Mantello

FILM: HOW CAN I KEEP ON SINGING?
An Online Film Discussion Event
Wednesday, May 27 • 7 p.m.

We invite you to view this film now – an evocative look at the lives of settler and indigenous women 100 years ago in Washington State and British Columbia.

It is now available for viewing here. Then please join a Zoom discussion with Clinton film producers Melissa and Young and Mark Dworkin, plus others who worked on the film.

Join Zoom meeting here: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77739962296?pwd=Mk1JVFQ4NkQyOEoyZ1hGak1kUlFDZz09
Meeting ID: 777 3996 2296
Password: singing

Many Whidbey people participated in and helped fund the creation of this film. The settler stories come from a book of prose poems by the same name by author Jana Harris. Women and girls read these vivid portraits of cooks, teachers, mothers and others who helped their families to survive. Indigenous stories were written by Jeannette Armstrong and Mourning Dove, and are read by members of the Penticton Indian Band.

The film was produced over five years with extensive images of the natural world and some re-enactments of the challenging lives of that era. The film won a production excellence award from Women in Film/Seattle, was nominated for the NW Emmy Awards, and was broadcast on PBS stations across the country.

Sno-Isle Libraries
Marysville, WA 98271
sno-isle.org
[I was alerted to this event by a subscriber who lives way down on Whidbey Island! Thank you Chip!]

SONG: HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?
Here’s where I learned the song referenced above. Glorious acapella harmonies from Gordon Bok, Ed Trickett & Anne Muir, back in about 1975. Ah, Gordon! If the sea had a voice… I spent years trying to lure him out here from Maine to play a concert. He finally came, and has kept coming back occasionally ever since, though he’s been less interested in playing concerts in recent years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dlbF-rcVzs

Love/Fl!p

CONTENTS 5/14/2020
Curbside Service
Pass The Hat
Found Keys
Help Available
Free Beveled Glass
Shout Out To Food Co-Op
Challenging Housing Need
Looking For Housing
Film Fest Now
It Will Be Ok

CURBSIDE SERVICE
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/coronavirus/article242677566.html

PASS THE HAT
This lovely, utterly local non-profit cares for families at the hardest moments. They provide financial relief after tragic events to families in Whatcom County. Anyone can donate, but only $2 a month. The more of us that donate, the more powerful the help we can share in providing.

pass-the-hat.org

FOUND KEYS
We found two keys on a ring near Carl Lobe Park Wednesday evening. Please call to identify and claim. Dave and Rosalie Carlson, 360 671-2115

HELP AVAILABLE
I can do occasional necessary errands for those who need to stay home due to corona. I have a vehicle. Texting is best (360)540-4847 . Thanks, Arielle Stein

FREE BEVELED GLASS
For free. A box of beveled  glass pieces/all clear glass. Average size- 3 to 6 inches. I have them from a past life when I did stained glass. Would love to see them put to a good use. ~ .Jana Williams on Walnut.  Text if interested to 360-920-5518.

SHOUT OUT TO FOOD CO-OP
My husband and I had a heartwarming experience today at the Community CoOp when we picked up our curbside order. The fact that they are doing curbside is important since we don’t go into any store. We are seniors with underlying conditions. Yay for that, but also we left a tip and the employee said that would go to the Food Bank! To give a tip to the food bank when you’re not making all that much yourself is truly heartwarming.  ~ Carla Martin

CHALLENGING HOUSING NEED
I received a very sad email from a woman searching for Section-8 eligible housing to rent. Her current, long-term rental home has been sold. She has multiple, severe chemical sensitivities and very little money. She is medically fragile as well. If anyone has a lead on a rental for her, please contact Roberta Fargo at beetleful1@hotmail.com and she can send you details on her needs. Thank you! ~ Fl!p

LOOKING FOR HOUSING
My girlfriend and I are seeking housing for the 2020-2021 school year starting August (with some flexibility). We’d love to rent out your private ADU, mother-in-law, basement, or AirBnb to provide some guaranteed rental income in this uncertain time. We are fastidiously neat and quiet. We have one non-destructive dog. Looking for a sweet spot to make our nest while positively contributing to your income! References available. Please call or text, we would love to hear from you. ~ Margot Lewis, (360) 927-4879, Lynn Street

FILM FEST NOW
CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival usually takes place at the Pickford Film Center in April but had to cancel its fourth annual ‘live’ festival of films directed by women.  Instead, CASCADIA is presenting its first-ever Online Festival, May 14-17 so that anyone, anywhere can see this year’s official selections. This means that more people from all over the world will see the stories women tell.

By purchasing a festival pass you help CASCADIA honor its commitment to its 2020 directors and its audiences and send the message to women filmmakers all over the world that you believe, like CASCADIA,  that women’s stories need to be seen and heard. The films are bold, powerful and inspiring.

Passes for CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival’s first Online Festival May 14-17 are on sale now through the website!  For $19.95, you receive an all access pass to 30 films during the festival’s four days! Please support the festival and its filmmakers this year and buy your Online Festival pass NOW!

IT WILL BE OK
I was moved by this.

https://theoatmeal.com/comics/plane

CONTENTS 5/13/2020
Columbia Neighborhood Quarterly Meeting
New Neighborhood Dashboard
Elastic Thanks
More Elastic
Strong Shovel Person Wanted
Bought Too Much!
Extra Yeast
How To Post
Tap Dancing On Roller Skates

COLUMBIA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING
Tuesday, May 19 7-8pm Online – Zoom Call
Get it on your calendar now. I’ll send the link again next Monday. You can search (control or command F) previous blog posts any time at https://columbianeighborhood.org/

NEW NEIGHBORHOOD DASHBOARD
https://carin-wa.com/dashboards/neighborhood/columbia-neighborhood/
Click here to find trusted sources and interactive utterly local information!

ELASTIC THANKS
Thank You beautiful Columbia neighbors! Your response with elastic and ideas of how to make masks without elastic has been completely over the top!  I have enough now to make the masks I have cut and ready. A huge thank you to everyone who reached out, so quickly, with help. I feel really held and I just love our community. Many thanks, ~ Cat Enright, Utter Street

MORE ELASTIC
I see a second message on your blog asking about an elastic source for masks. This is where I recently bought elastic to finish masks for my family. It came fairly promptly. Good luck! ~ Myra Ramos

https://www.etsy.com/listing/786776446/elastic-cord-for-masks-black-stretchable?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=&ref=sc_gallery-1-2&plkey=6172373279b3d83e0af2e03a0676fcde53a3a050%3A786776446&pro=1&frs=1

FOUND EARRING
5/12 Found an earring on Park St. near W North on our walk tonight. Large, thin, gold, vertical eye shape.   ~ Kelly Booker, Park St  360.920.8811

STRONG SHOVEL PERSON WANTED
Large overgrown yard requires a strong and quick worker to shovel out dense weeds. Once weeds are gone you will lay down ground cover cloth and new beauty bark..I can provide the tools. $20 hour. Will pay extra if you have access to a truck for a dump run. ~ Elsa Caron ecaron8888@gmail.com 360-650-0400

BOUGHT TOO MUCH!
36 sq.ft. of grey 3-sized concrete pavers (Belgard/Dublin from Northstar Landscaping) available. Asking $75 which is less than 1/2 what we paid for it last week. Pavers are conveniently stacked on the parking strip at 2116 Williams St. so you can come by and have a look at them. Below is a picture/sample of what you can do with your spare time. You haul. Call:Frank 360 325-3690 if interested.

EXTRA YEAST
I was gifted with some extra yeast for baking bread. Contact me if you’d like to share some of it. ~ Flip@columbianeighborhood.org

HOW TO POST
If you want me to post something, just email me at flip@columbianeighborhood.org  or call me, especially if you’re on a short timeline. It’s still taking sometimes a full day to get messages out, so leave me some lead time. Find a lost pet, phone me, not text, ok? 360-671-4511 Text or phone

TAP DANCING ON ROLLER SKATES
Gene Kelly tap dancing on roller skates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klW2VI8BZ54

Love/Fl!p
flip@columbianeighborhood.org
360-671-4511 Text or phone

CONTENTS 5/12/2020
Columbia Neighborhood Association Meeting
Map Your Neighborhood
Nurses Week
Help Offered
Needs Elastic For Masks
Dog Pee Problem
Scott Katz New Song
How To Post

COLUMBIA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING
Online – Zoom Call
Tuesday, May 19 7-8pm

Our Neighborhood Quarterly Meeting will be focused on neighbors helping neighbors and beginning a discussion on moving forward towards a zero waste future.

AGENDA

1) Welcome

2) Guest Speaker – Sandi Heinrich, Founder – Whatcomhelpers.org

Sandi will share about the program and help people to understand that they don’t need to go to the store or pick up prescriptions if they are elderly or otherwise at high risk… There are healthy less vulnerable people who can do that for them. We are also able to offer assistance with food and other supplies for low income families who need help paying for these items, Especially if they’ve lost their job due to Covid.

3) CNA Treasurer’s Report

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

5) Food Bank Updates – Jennifer Moon

6) Columbia Share Shack Updates/Discussion(if there is time)- Future use of the Share Shack

7) Guest Speaker – Mark Peterson, Sustainable Business and Food Recovery Program Manager, Sustainable Connections

He will be giving a presentation on: Food Waste A Global Issue Ripe for Individual Action: sharing some of the issues surrounding the global issues of food waste and how we as individuals can reduce our own food waste and make a positive impact.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/97412452295?pwd=RXU5a2ZPWnNRQUNPcGlzR25JbWNmdz09

Meeting ID: 974 1245 2295
Password: 531288
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,97412452295#

MAP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
I am delighted to report that I found Dr Mary Schoenfeldt, a disaster preparedness expert who lives in Marysville. She has amended the Map Your Neighborhood block-at-a-time disaster preparedness program for Covid. I’m busy studying right now. One of the cool things Mary did was activate dog walkers. You’re out there anyway with your dogs, you can help keep an eye out for neighbors who might need help. As we organize our blocks, we’ll ask vulnerable folks to post an OK sign in their windows, which can be turned around to become a HELP sign. Write your phone number on the side that says Help, so it can be read from outside your house. Dog walkers: if you see a help sign, call that number to see what help the person needs. If you can’t get an answer, call 911. Pretty simple; pretty effective!

And the Herald just ran this on Earthquake Preparedness because that’s still important too.

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/article235710562.html

I would love to get every single block in our neighborhood to meet and organize themselves, and I am willing to help! Love/Fl!p flip@columbianeighborhood.org 360-671-4511 Text or phone

NURSES WEEK
is celebrated annually from May 6th and culminates today, May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. I can think of four gifts particularly appropriate for our nurses this year. 1. Adequate PPE 2. A raise. 3. Cancelling their student debt 4. Respect. They are finally getting some of the last.

HELP OFFERED
I’m happy to help store runs and/or any other things people need who are staying home.  ~ Michael Little,  917-573-9471, mlittle05@gmail.com

NEEDS ELASTIC FOR MASKS
Can anyone, please, help me find elastic for masks?  Everywhere seems to be sold out still and I’ve used up all my elastic and the elastic of my friends.  I even harvested some from camisoles!  I am happy to pay you or make you a mask (I have 5 different fabrics).  I would really love to keep making these and maybe you have some old 1/4 inch elastic you are ready to pitch!  Or you know where I can buy some myself! Text me please if you can help (360) 920-5297.  Thanks so much. ~ Cat Enright, Utter Street

[I have five Singer sewing machine needles, new packet, if anyone wants them – Fl!p]

DOG PEE PROBLEM
When you allow your dogs to urinate on our bushes, they’re killing them. Please be respectful of others property. ~ Elaine Wood

NEW SCOTT KATZ SONG
Scott is an old buddy from Guitar Camp, and his new song is classic Scott – dry, slightly self-deprecating, “more honest than we are supposed to be in public” humor, till you get to the very end. And then I’m all in. Thanks, Scott!

https://youtu.be/P6JRKkYvcdM

HOW TO POST
If you want me to post something, just email me at flip@columbianeighborhood.org  or call me, especially if you’re on a short timeline. It’s still taking sometimes a full day to get messages out, so leave me some lead time. Find a lost pet, phone me, not text, ok? 360-671-4511 Text or phone

Love/Fl!p

CONTENTS 5/11/2020
Neighborhood Dashboard
Donations Process Changes
Food Share Boxes?
Big Maple Is Gone
Ask The Doctor
End Of Life Planning
Seeking Summer House/Pet Sit Or Short Term Rental
Editor’s Corner
Donations
Song: Caladonia

CHECK THE NEW NEIGHBORHOOD DASHBOARD
Our neighborhood has been gifted with a website on which all of us together can collect and share information. It’s now live. You can click on the link. There are forms to fill in so we can all update information. This will be more and more useful as neighbors fill in information. Noah & Jonny can modify the dashboard if we need more or different information categories. Please take a look!!!

https://carin-wa.com/dashboards/neighborhood/columbia-neighborhood/

WHATCOM UNIFIED COMMAND DONATIONS PROCESS CHANGES
The novel coronavirus that produced COVID-19 has been in the news for more than 100 days. Our community experienced its first local loss to COVID on March 19. Earlier that week, Whatcom Unified Command (WUC) was activated to mitigate and prevent the spread, support the community’s most vulnerable populations, provide for first responders and healthcare workers, and to enable continuity of essential services. Almost immediately, WUC established a Donations Center to receive and distribute vital materials. Just as swiftly, citizens responded to meet the need.

“This community is amazing,” said Wally Kost, WUC Logistics Section chief. “The outpouring of response in the first month of the pandemic got us over the hump.” Kost said that initial needs included funds to activate the WUC facility, including software and materials, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and first responders.

Since that time, regular supply chains have been reestablished for healthcare and other agencies for PPE and other needs. As well, initial competition for supplies locally has diminished as more normal purchase patterns resumed. As a result, the WUC Donation Center will be decommissioned at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 17.

While the Donations Center will close, a series of ballot boxes designated as drop-off sites for hand-sewn masks remain open, including a new location in downtown Bellingham.

• Bellingham County Courthouse, 201 Grand Avenue
• Deming library, 5044 Mount Baker Highway
• Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street
• Lynden Library, 216 4th Street
• Ferndale City Hall, 2095 Main Street
• Sudden Valley, Security Gate One

To make a donation, please email WUC_Donations@co.whatcom.wa.us.

Food Share Boxes?
I know of a couple free library type boxes that have become food give/take boxes in the Birchwood neighborhood.  But I was wondering if we have any such boxes here in our own neighborhood.  I have some food items I’d like to donate from time to time to such a sharing place.  ~ Christy Mann

BIG MAPLE IS GONE
Crews took down the huge old maple tree at the foot of Meridian Street at Broadway today, as was announced here last week. I find it heartbreaking, but also a relief that our Parks Department researched carefully and and took a long time to conclude that it was at the end of its life-span and would have to be removed. There will be a new tree as part of the Plaza renovation. I watched this video of the removal, which shows the decay at the heart of the old tree. I was happier with the cheery music turned off.

https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article242661376.html

ASK THE DOCTOR
Question:
Dear Dr. Lombard,
Years ago I saw two ICU nurses give the Realities of Advanced Medical Interventions talk. I left promising myself I’d do my advance directive right away. I didn’t. One excuse after the other. After watching your video, I need to apologize for not giving a tinker’s dam what my lack of planning could potentially do to those nurses, to you, to your frontline colleagues, to first responders who all do so much for us now at greater risk to themselves. Covid-19 changed my attitude.  I got my advance directive done last night with help from your video and slides. 

I don’t have an Ask the Doctor question about my healthcare choices, but would you be willing to share some thoughts on the importance of us doing our advance care planning as it relates to medical providers doing their job and their well being? It could enrich our conversations as we get through these trying times. My family would be more willing to listen to a medical professional than to me. 

Thank you. 

Answer:
Thanks for asking how this impacts us as healthcare providers. My motivation for becoming involved in Advance Care Planning advocacy has its roots in my experience of taking care of critically ill patients whose loved ones struggled with life and death decisions because they had not had the important conversation about end of life care. It was the pain that I saw on their faces but also continuing care and interventions to patients that I/we knew had very little chance of survival. I recall feeling that we were desecrating the spirit of the person lying there who could not say, “Please, stop all this and just make me comfortable.”

In a communication with Micki Jackson, one of the ICU nurses with whom I worked and who started the “Realities” presentations, I think said it best: 

“I think for me, the big motivator to present Realities is to help deal with the moral distress I witnessed in families and experienced myself in the ICU setting. What was offered to patients by the health care community was often not realistic in terms of the patient’s chances for a meaningful survival. Life was prolonged and everyone suffered. No one knew how to just tell people in simple, heartfelt words that there was nothing more we could or should do, and that comfort and peace should be the goal. Too often we embark down the road of ‘do everything,’ knowing people had no clue what that meant, and it likely wasn’t going to mean a return to any former meaningful life or health. I feel that by helping to educate people in my community, I have somehow atoned for my part in what is wrong in our system.”

With thanks,

Bill Lombard

END OF LIFE PLANNING
Making your own choices, and letting both your family and your medical providers know your choices, is a huge gift to others, and is a way of taking charge of your own life during these uncertain times. What better time than the present?

Dr. Bill Lombard’s Realities Of Advanced Medical Interventions Video:
https://vimeo.com/398065453

Dr. Lombard’s Realities Powerpoint Slides
https://tinyurl.com/sxq22em 

The Realities Of Advanced Medical Interventions – Glossary
https://tinyurl.com/texoxcf

After reviewing this info, if you need clarification on an aspect of a medical intervention before you tackle completing your Advance Directive, email micki98226@aol.com and she will contact Dr. Lombard, who has agreed to clarify wherever possible. Please DO NOT ask for personal medical advice.

SEEKING SUMMER HOUSE/PET SIT OR SHORT TERM RENTAL
Are you planning tentative summer travel plans? Do you need a house/pet sitter while away? Or someone to water your garden? If so, we would love to help. 

My partner and I (former Columbia residents) are now educators working abroad. We will be visiting family in Washington State from ~June 7-July 31. We come with lots of pet-sitting experience and solid references from previous sits in Bellingham and abroad. Our original house sitting plan may be disrupted by covid-19, and as such, we are seeking alternative arrangements to stay in Bellingham. Based on previous experience (for the benefit of all) we would ask to video chat in advance to make sure your home/needs are a good fit, and vice versa. Ideally, we would prefer a swap (we provide care for your pets/home in exchange for a place to stay). However, we are also open to the prospect of a short-term rental. 

Please contact me by email if you have any questions, leads, or would like to contact our references. 

Breeanna Caudill
(formerly of Jaeger street)
Email: breeannacaudill@gmail.com 

EDITOR’S CORNER
I have sent or will send donations to the following local organizations from our stimulus checks. A couple people have asked. These are just my opinions. There are thousands of urgent needs we can help meet.

Food Bank

Whatcom Community Foundation

Chuckanut Health Foundation

Homes Now

Community To Community (C2C)

Farmworker support

Checks for C2C can be mailed to:

  Community to Community Development                         203 West Holly, Suite 311                                                       Bellingham, WA 98225

SONG: CALADONIA
Written and sung by Dougie MacLean. I learned this at Guitar Camp from a couple ‘Hamsters back in the 1980s – a love song to a place, and a story of going home. I have been very aware of being home this last stretch of time. I’ve never managed to capture in a song the sweet wind off deep water, the green hills and soft grey skies of Bellingham but I promise you, the green is worth the grey. Even in a hard time, what a joy and comfort to spend it here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP8A9rtg0iI

Love/Fl!p
360-671-4511 text or phone
flip@columbianeighborhood.org