Surfing the Tsunami

CONTENTS 12/19/2020
City Hall Encampment
   Stone Soup
   MealTrain Sign-Up
   Soup Brigade Ingredients
   Storage Needed For Donations
   Big Plastic Bins
   Warm Donations Needed
   On-Site Volunteers Needed
   Bulk Recipes And Equipment
   Firewood
   Sunday Egg Delivery?
Increased Security
Good Information On Covid Vaccine
Covid Symptom Study App
Radio Free Fl!p: Stay At Home

STONE SOUP

Be warned that today’s post is not usual. I’m in the middle of a maelstrom of support for the encampment at city hall. It’s wonderful, but I haven’t found my balance yet. I did NOT expect this! I started by trying to help  in a small way, taking in hot hard-boiled eggs every morning. I mentioned it on this list. Everyone has stepped forward to help, in big ways and small. It really adds up! Together we make quite a difference. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart! Tonight’s update seems to be mostly Soup Brigade and related items.

I’m still gathering posts from artists, artisans, restaurants and small businesses. I’m not even insisting that they are in the neighborhood. If you love them and can write briefly, I’ll take them through tomorrow and try to post on Monday. It’s another way we can care for our neighbors by shopping local.

MEALTRAIN SIGN-UP

Look for meals that have no one signed up yet, and also look for folks who have signed up to bring fewer than 50 meals. Click on their name, and coordinate with them to bring enough food between you. Your meals don’t have to match. Variety is a good thing. If you are bringing fewer than 50 meals, make sure you note that so others can supplement yours as well.

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nnmwke

SOUP BRIGADE INGREDIENTS

I have a BIG pile of fresh soup veggies that better go out and get cooked sooner than later. It all came in today: Potatoes, carrots, squash, yellow onions, zucchini, red onions, cilantro, and bell peppers. I also have rice, lentils, beans, and pasta for Mac&Cheese. We have 16oz & 8oz ToGo cups, 2.5” tall dinner boxes, bakery bags for cookies, rolls, muffins, and half sandwiches. We have two great big soup pots with lids, and a roaster pan. More are coming. I’ll need a volunteer to get more eggs on Monday at SmartFood. They have cases of 15 dozen eggs, and I’ve noticed theirs crack less than the ones from other sources. And they’re very inexpensive. Please check with me if you can go so I don’t wind up with 10 cases, though!

STORAGE NEEDED FOR DONATIONS

Our house is pretty well maxed out. Can anyone else take in donated supplies for up to a couple weeks while storage and distribution for the Encampment is worked out? I believe most objects will leave within a few days.

BIG PLASTIC BINS

Sounds like we need a couple dozen bins to go in the newly donated van for orderly storage. Clear bins are best. I still have some donated money to buy some if you’ve got a good source. But donating stacking bins leaves money for other needs. Bins can come to our house asap. 2518 Cherry. Red house with green trim and more garden than yard, mid block.

WARM DONATIONS NEEDED

Wool blankets, warm throws, neckwarmers, first aid kits, handwarmers, Myler aluminum blankets, plastic ponchos, hats, gloves, tarps, tents, & sleeping bags are all needed. But the supplies tent is not secure.Please let me know you have them. I will call for them as soon as storage and distribution are up and running or when I have a way to get them delivered to the specific folks who need them right now. If you can help deliver, please let me know that too. And thank you for backpacks and rucksacks. They will make more than one life easier!

ON SITE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If your health will permit, more hands are needed at the encampment. It is NOT low risk! I can put you in touch.

BULK RECIPES AND EQUIPMENT

Carly has volunteered before at a retreat, making large quantities of food. She has all of the recipes, which are all delicious, and include great detail about serving sizes for various groups. We can send these recipes for anyone who wants to cook but isn’t sure what to do/how much to make for 50 people. [Request the pdf file from me, Fl!p]

She also went  to Smart Foodservice and got a large pot and some hotel pans. She guessed a lot of people don’t have the equipment to cook for large numbers of people.  Arrange to pick them up and return them at Fl!p’s. Hooray for Carly Benhaim! Thank you!!!

FIREWOOD

Just for the moment, firewood to donate is best kept at your home till the time is right. If you have some to donate, please let me know, and I’ll keep a list and call for it in an orderly way. Or would someone else like to be the Soup Brigade Firewood Organizer? You wouldn’t have to physically deal with the firewood. Just keep a list of who has offered, what they’ve got, and whether they’ve already donated it.

SUNDAY EGG DELIVERY?

I am looking for someone to take on regular Sunday morning (not too early) egg delivery. Pick up hot hard boiled eggs at our house and drop them at city hall while they are still hot. I’ll have them ready to go at an agreed upon time.

INCREASED SECURITY

The best way to increase your own security is to increase the security of those around you. You cannot increase yours by decreasing the security of others.

GOOD INFORMATION ON COVID VACCINE

Since March, I have read Betsy Brown’s blog every single day. She is a doctor in Seattle who began blogging in response to the pandemic. Her information is accurate and up-to-date. She’s humble and honest about the changing situation as we learn more. She knows how to access, read and understand research. I find her deeply reassuring, kind, and brave. I particularly loved last night’s post about vaccine history.

BetsyBrownMD/substack.com

COVID SYMPTOM STUDY APP

Zeke and I joined this national study last spring. I would like to invite you to join as well. It takes about a minute a day to report on your Covid status. What the researchers are learning is useful to all of us. The more of us who join, the faster scientists are able to learn.

https://covid.joinzoe.com/us-2

RADIO FREE FL!P: STAY AT HOME

A Covid Christmas Carol from Joe Vinikow & Julie Sakahara – This just arrived tonight from a couple long-time Guitar Camp buddies, with a special holiday message for you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0xUatIZcD0&feature=youtu.be

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 12/18/2020
City Hall Encampment
   Big Picture
   Soup Brigade Supplies
   Mealtrain Signup
   Used Backpack?
More Artists, Artisans & Small Businesses
5G Protest Planned
Radio Free Fl!p: I Cannot Sleep

ENCAMPMENT UPDATE

Folks from this list have delivered 10 bales of straw (looks like they could use more), many large sheets of cardboard (still need more), at least a cord of firewood, a functioning van that locks for secure storage and transport, and two fire bowls. There has been a wonderful daily flow of hot soup, casseroles, mac&cheese, applesauce, and hard boiled eggs. Also home-made cookies, muffins and other sweet, gentle food. Your donations have also funded individual containers for serving all that food.

Big Picture

You have sent supportive emails and made phone calls about how urgent the need is to the Mayor’s office, City Council, County Executive, County Council. You’ve warmed my heart a hundred times over. We’re not done yet, of course. But it means the world to me that when my heart pulled me forward to try to assist, you had and still have my back. Thank you!

There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” Bishop Desmond Tutu

Soup Brigade Supplies

For the Soup Brigade (which does so much more than soup) a volunteer made a run on SmartFood (used to be Cash&Carry) this evening. We now have plenty of 16oz soup cups and lids, an a bunch 8 oz ones as well for applesauce and other foods that are better in smaller portions. We also have a bunch of flatter, wider dinner packs for serving non-soup meals. We have white parchment paper bakery bags for packaging cookies and half-sandwiches and such. Please contact me before you come so I can meet you with your supplies. I’m trying very hard to keep a safe distance in addition to masking up, so I’d prefer it if you’d come knock and then retreat to the foot of the stairs while we talk.

In addition to individual portion containers, I have lots of rice, pasta, some beans, plenty of onions, and still have some potatoes. Come get ‘em.

I have enough egg cartons now to last at least till next summer. Thank you!

MealTrain Signup

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nnmwke

Look for meals that have no one signed up yet, and also look for folks who have signed up to bring fewer than 50 meals. Click on that person’s name, and coordinate with them to bring enough food between you. Your meals don’t have to match. Variety is a good thing. If you are bringing fewer than 50 meals, make sure you note that so others can supplement yours as well. Together, we can do this well!

Used Backpack?

Needed for 23 year old at encampment who has had his belongings stolen. Can someone spare one?

~ Love / Fl!p Breskin 2518 Cherry Street 360-671-4511

MORE ARTISTS, ARTISANS & SMALL BUSINESSES

My hunch was right. There are more. I’ll do a second edition, much more promptly this time. Send me a short paragraph (emphasis on short!) description and contact info, ASAP.

5G PROTEST PLANNED

Sunday December 20^th 2020, 4-5 PM at the corner of W. Holly Street and Bay Street.

Whatcom Citizens for Responsible Technology ask: If Skagit County and Chattanooga Tennessee, can have safe, inexpensive public fiber, available to all, why can’t we?

https://www.facebook.com/WC4RT/

RADIO FREE FL!P: I CANNOT SLEEP

Rosalie Sorrels sings. Written by the incomparable Malvina Reynolds. Two of my heroes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjrh_p9BEt8

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 12/17/2020
City Hall Encampment
Free “Gingerbread” Houses
Seeking Harry Potter Series
Robin Elwood Concert
Happy Last Night Of Chanukah
Radio Free Fl!p: More Wood

CITY HALL ENCAMPMENT

Thank you to every single volunteer! Soup & cardboard are flowing in. And hay for the mud as well.

A neighbor dropped off a carload of firewood. If anyone can arrange for more on December 24 to tide folks over the holiday, that would be a huge gift. Does anyone know where we might source a cord or even a half-cord of dry wood? I could buy some with the donations folks have brought me.

Thursday dinners are covered every week. I’m going to try to sign up for a few spots, and you can contact me to fill those. That way we can have 2 or 3 folks cooking a reasonable amount instead of someone trying to cook 50 lunches or dinners on their own. Will you check with me for Soup Brigade unless you want to try to do a full 50 meals?

I have lots of rice, pasta, onions and 16 oz carry-out containers. Contact me to arrange pick-up.

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nnmwke

~ Fl!p Breskin 2518 Cherry Street 360-671-4511

FREE “GINGERBREAD” HOUSES

The most adorable little houses, made of brown paper and pinecones. Beautifully crafted. Think who you know that might really love one, and let’s get them gifted out. I can email you a photo if you’d like. They came from a very kind neighbor! There are 5 left. Love/Fl!p

SEEKING HARRY POTTER SERIES

Our family has been enjoying the Harry Potter book series recently but since the library is currently not doing curbside pickup, our source dried up. Does anyone have books 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 they would be willing to part with for free or a few bucks per book?  I would love to piece together the rest of this series for my kiddos.  I can do a porch pick up if needed.  Thank you!

Courtney Dunne, courtneyfdunne@gmail.com

ROBIN ELWOOD

Tonight at 7 PM. Click on the link right at 7, and it should be live… Robin shares traditional English and assorted songs and tunes, plays button boxes, guitar, and piano accordion, and shares some guest spots with collaborators from the bands Lindsay Street and The Moving Hats. Fairhaven College Music Festival Streaming series weekly live online concerts.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/298533994557015/permalink/385253709218376/

HAPPY LAST NIGHT OF CHANUKAH

Zeke wrote this after his first Chanukah with me in 1993, when neither of us had any idea we would wind up together. I still am deeply moved by his line “an impossible flame burning nothing at all.” We recorded it last night so I could share it with you tonight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goe5JapYbdY&feature=youtu.be

RADIO FREE FL!P: MORE WOOD

Herdman, Hills & Mangsen having a fun time singing a great song written by Dillon Bustin. For our neighbors at City Hall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Pdg7GmLH0

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 12/17/2020
City Hall Encampment
   Support Needed
   Enough Cardboard
   Delivery?
Cards
Thank You Columbia
Rental Wanted
Radio Free Fl!p: The Hills Are Bare

CITY HALL ENCAMPMENT

Our soups are making a real difference. And your donations are funding not only containers and ingredients, but also tents, tarps, hand warmers, and so much more!

You can sign up for the MealTrain here. If you do, make sure you specify how many servings you plan to bring. And if it doesn’t look like there’s room or need for you, look closer. Click on the name of someone who is bringing fewer than 50 servings and see if you can coordinate so there’s enough to go around. Worst case, just make your soup and take it in hot! Everything we take is being eaten at this point.

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nnmwke

~ Fl!p Breskin 2518 Cherry Street 360-671-4511

SUPPORT NEEDED

Besides food & supplies, a really big thing needed is support for our local officials to act immediately. Your emails and phone calls can make a difference. It’s very important to be warmly polite, and brief, while encouraging them to create enough emergency shelter right now, and longer term shelter as soon as possible. County Executive, Mayor, City Council, County Council all have a role to play. And so do we. Democracy is not a spectator sport.

ENOUGH CARDBOARD

Except really big sheets. Or boxes that nest really well for soup transport (not so huge). Nesting boxes should come to me. Big sheets go straight to City Hall. And Elie who owns Samuel’s Furniture told me he would send his delivery van to take boxes that sofas arrive in. Campers and volunteers will also need help getting the cardboard into place if anyone can stay and help.

The car dealerships receive large parts like bumpers in huge cardboard boxes. People who are near dealerships could contact the Parts Depts and ask them to hold some before they cut ’em up for the recycle bin. I’ll do that Friday and see if I can score some at a dealership I have a geezer retirement part time job at. ~ Joel Brossard

Does anyone have a pick-up truck? We’ve got someone with three bales of straw that needs transport to the site as well. Check with Fl!p.

DELIVERY?

Flip, we’re wondering if you have or could facilitate people willing to pick up cardboard and/or firewood from donors in the hood to be taken to the encampment?  We have some but really don’t want to make the trip there ourselves, and are thinking there are probably more older folks like us. ~ John Stewart

[Reply to me and I’ll connect you. There are all kinds of deliveries needed. Thanks! /Fl!p]

CARDS

I picked up some of Jennifer’s free gift cards to send to isolated seniors in facilities. I’ll have some apartment neighbors sign them too… that they’re not the only ones feeling bored or lonely. !! I did this early in Covid and was told they’re really appreciated. ~ Gillian Brightwater

THANK YOU COLUMBIA

Our family asked for leads on urgent affordable housing in Seattle a few weeks ago, and we are so grateful for all of the people who shared ideas, asked friends, posted on forums, and even offered their own rentals to us. Our family has secured a place to live, and we are so grateful to all.

Thank you, ~ Lauren Beven, Monroe Street

RENTAL WANTED

Hello, I’m looking for a rental for February 1. I moved here from Atlanta in September and have been staying with friends in the Lettered Streets neighborhood. I am looking for a house or apartment to rent in this general area.  2 beds and 1 bath are fine as long as there is room for a dining table.  Larger is okay too! I have a cat.  I am recently retired.
~ Joanna Colrain 404-423-3213  colrain@mac.com

RADIO FREE FL!P: THE HILLS ARE BARE

Harper Tasche. Elizabeth Rogers & Eugene Friesen. I learned this song from Harper Tasche, who plays it as an instrumental on (surprise!) harp. He said he got it from his childhood Lutheran hymnal. I looked up the words and knew I needed to sing it. So tonight, you get Harper. You’ll get me, and the words, maybe even tomorrow.

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

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 12/15/2020
City Hall
  Firewood Needed
  Tents, Blankets, Tarps
  Soup Brigade
  Applesauce
    Apple Picker’s Reel
Swift Haven
More Dog Calming
More Bird Houses
Lost Blue Kids Patagonia Jacket
Radio Free Flip: Sometimes A Little Light Can Be Enough

FIREWOOD NEEDED

For the burn barrel and fire bowl. With nowhere to go inside, fire is increasingly important for warmth.

TENTS, BLANKETS, TARPS

There is an abundance of clothes on site at this point. What they need is more essentials like blankets and tarps. Especially sturdy real wool blankets that stay warm when wet. Hot cocoa packets. Big sheets of cardboard to lay on the ground to deal with the mud.

SOUP BRIGADE

Help! A lovely neighbor with no time to cook just delivered 50# of potatoes, another #25 of onions, lots and lots of dried beans, split peas, noodles, concentrated soup stocks, canned tomatos, rice, coconut milk, curry paste, and more to-go cups. Please, let me know what you want, and I’ll pack it up for you to pick up and cook! Especially potatoes so they don’t turn green… Scalloped potatoes? Chowder? Shepherd’s Pie?

It turns out cardboard boxes are highly valued. They are being flattened and laid on the ground to ease the problem with mud. So pack your individual soup containers in nested cardboard boxes to insulate them for the trip, and leave the boxes.

A MealTrain signup cancelled on making dinner tonight at the last minute, and three different households from the Soup Brigade leaped to the rescue. Thank you SO much!!!

APPLESAUCE

Processed ~20 pounds into 17 hot pints and delivered to the smiles that i was hoping for to find. I will whittle down over the next few days the mound of apples via 3-4 more deliveries. I keep on getting mashers of increasing capacity offered. in no time my apprenticing first steps in saucy things turn towards a “serious” grind in my day.  How fun and sweat can be so happy siblings! And make the outcome sweeter! I would like, of course, to thank all the good souls offering their assistance, down to a handful of incredible earthy cinnamon sticks from Dominica. All there is now, Fl!p, you have to supply us with an applesauce song. Cheers! ~ Max Eberhard

APPLE PICKER’S REEL

[From former Williams Street neighbor Larry Hanks, written in 1966 and recorded almost 50 years ago!]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8KAGW5iFFg

APPLESAUCE…another hot, saucy thing:

the great idea of double boxing the hot pints of sauce or soup in wine boxes for extra insulation (and only those are perfect to fit my trailer) is taking a toll on my consumption. i can’t keep up. with each hot delivery i leave the boxes at the Cityhall camp. to get more from TJ’s by bike (that’s where they are in abundance) can be a fun task with nifty rain shower calculations and thoughtful set up – , but if anybody in the ‘hood who satisfies with certain liquids as well or is just shopping over there anyway may grab a few next time and, please, drop (nesting ones!) under my tarp by my poetry box on the corner of Victor/W. Connecticut  ?!  i would be tickled pink and laugh at the rain a bit more dryly.

i so much appreciate your patience, attention and help with all these boring soup/sauce brigade details. Thanks. Cheers! Max

SWIFT HAVEN

Donations are now being collected for the new emergency TinyHomes Village at Civic Field. First: Cash. Also any of these, based on need.

-beds (frames/mattresses – Twin) -dressers -shelves -desks -internet -water pumps -Kitchen/Laundry facilities -Washer/Dryer -Appliances -Electric cables -hoses -Fridges -Basic household items -Security system -Laptops

Website: https://homesnow.org
Donate: https://homesnow.org/donateVolunteer: https://homesnow.org/volunteer
https://www.facebook.com/donate/148842559988007/10159148214945166/

MORE DOG CALMING

Hi neighbors. Some things to keep in mind when trying to catch a loose dog… do not approach, the dog is in flight mode. Look as non-threatening as possible, crouch down low, look down, have treats on you that you ‘accidentally’ drop & make sounds like you’re eating yummy food. Hope some of these lost pups are found soon. ~ Katie Jorgensen

MORE BIRD HOUSES

Re: bird houses – and do NOT put a peg by the entry hole – predators use them ~ Jack Kintner

Yes, Seattle Times has a paywall, which is why I got Rod to summarize for you.  Love/Fl!p

LOST BLUE KIDS PATAGONIA JACKET

At Elizabeth Park. Validating my wife’s belief that I “lose things all the time,” I may have left our son’s jacket at Elizabeth Park last Thursday. Please help me exit the doghouse and return it if you’ve found it… Thanks in advance. ~ Matt Dowling 360.927.8582

RADIO FREE FLIP: SOMETIMES A LITTLE LIGHT CAN BE ENOUGH

Bob Franke, who has written some of my favorite and most enduring songs. One for the season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-qVoTF9i00&fbclid=IwAR1syYujHwzmFydbCaOp3bOVqAk50P76x0JAwMK9vpUU0q-LZg3RGhhgSUA

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 12/14/2020
Dog Is Home!
Soup Brigade
Dog Calming
What Birds Want In A Birdhouse
I Didn’t Forget
Radio Free Fl!p: Light One Candle

DOG IS HOME!!!!

Gage texted this morning that she is safely home. A neighbor finally succeeded in inviting her inside, feeding her. Settled her kindly on the couch. I was able to pass Gage’s phone number on to the rescuer. My deepest thanks to the many, many neighbors who tried so hard to rescue this poor dog. Our neighborhood did a fantastic job of watching out for her, communicating with each other, keeping me up-to-date as the “switchboard.” We did it!!! Hooray!

By the way, my phone number is 360-671-4511. You might want to put it into your contacts so if I ever try to call you, you know it’s me. I’d love to have your humber too, so I can reach out for help where it’s needed.

SOUP BRIGADE

Hey Soup-er Neighbors – Let’s try this. I got this note from Kelli today. She’s the FoodTrain coordinator, but seems to also be a student at Western, so she has a lot on her plate! Here’s her request:

“I think the best plan of action is to have you sign up for days and then have two people from your crew deliver! That way its easy to coordinate and we can still have enough for everyone, would that work for you? Here is also a list of dates that people have said they can only provide 30-ish meals.” ~Kelli Hall MealTrain Organizer

Lunch on Dec 15
Lunch on Dec 21
Lunch on Dec 22
Dinner on Dec 22
Lunch on Dec 23
https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nnmwke

I’ve also heard from volunteers on the ground at city hall that they put some of our individual hot soup cups into a big insulated cooler and can pass out warm soup late into the night when they have more soup than is needed at dinner. Since there are no buildings that our un-housed neighbors can go into to warm up, our soup makes a real difference.

There were also 10 waterproof, stackable storage containers delivered today, and I have some more to take in tomorrow. These make such a huge difference in the supply tents. One tent collapsed in the wind and rain and everything got soaked. I’m going to try to buy some see-through, hinged ones with some of the money you’ve donated. And I can still keep the ToGo cups and other supplies flowing. Thank you! ~ Fl!p Breskin 2518 Cherry Street 360-671-4511

DOG CALMING

My heart goes to the humans & scared dog! Hopefully dog’s been caught by now? If not, the least threatening human posture is crouching down , turning a little to the side (not reaching for and approaching straight on) lip lick(like a snake) and “soft eyes” squint eyes a bit(like a cat) and calm voice tones. This is calming dog communication that worked many times at a rescue I worked at. Often the dog sits down, relaxes and smiles a.bit. Best wishes for a happy ending here! This dog communication is described in “Calming Signals” by Turid Rugaas. Big hugs & pets to you all, ~ Gillian Brightwater

WHAT BIRDS WANT IN A BIRDHOUSE

In a nutshell – Decorating the houses eliminates a whole range of birds who prefer plain worn wood. That said, there are birds who don’t care about looks as long as the hole is the right size and it’s hung in a good place! ~ Rob Pemble

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/lifestyle/what-birds-want-in-a-birdhouse/

I DIDN’T FORGET

I will get the Local Small Business list out soon. It turned into a bigger job than I expected. Soon though. I was us to be able to support local businesses!

RADIO FREE FL!P: LIGHT ONE CANDLE

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary. Some of you may have heard of them. We had an impromptu Chanukah candle-lighting with my brother and neighbors from our childhood, and their children, over Zoom. And sang this, of course. Everyone lit their own candles. The others aren’t Jews, but they talked about what a huge impact our family had on their own lives. It was really touching. I think the pandemic may have made us braver to tell each other how much we care.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K8ZiNCIFFg

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 12/13/2020
City Hall Report
  Soup Brigade
  Laundry Help?
  Applesauce
  Tangerines
  Zipper Replacement
Dog Tale
Free Holiday Cards
Radio Free Fl!p: Glory Of Love

CITY HALL UPDATE

I am deeply moved by all the supplies flowing in and out of my front entry! The folks at the encampment truly have no place to go inside and warm up.  Hot soup can warm a person from the inside out. We have plenty of soup containers (2 cases!), and #25 onions. We also have some non-soup take-out containers (hot oatmeal, casseroles and other solid-ish foods) and as of this afternoon, thousands of parchment paper bakery bags that will hold cookies, muffins, cake and even sandwiches. I’ve got a couple soup pots available at the moment. They flow in and out. Call me at 360-671-4511 to let me know you’re coming, and come by to pick up supplies at 2518 Cherry Street.

They still need basics: firewood, blankets, drinking water, hot cocoa packets, chemical hand warmers, Mylar emergency blankets , gloves , etc. These can be taken directly to city hall and delivered to the food tent or supply tent next to it. Mask up when you go, and look for a volunteer to hand things over to for distribution. I’d receive it here but my front entry is full of food… A neighbor did offer a fire bowl, which is wonderful!

Please sign up if you can find a space on the MealTrain, and include how many servings you will be bringing so others can see where they might best fill in. If it doesn’t look like there’s space, you can take soup anyway. It’s all getting eaten.

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nnmwke

~ Fl!p Breskin 2518 Cherry Street 360-671-4511

LAUNDRY HELP?

A person could stop by the encampment during the day and ask for camper Melissa, who keeps the clothing tent in order. I would recommend asking her for some abandoned wet blankets to put in a bag, then wash/dry and return to the supply tent, as often we are short of warmth as tents get wet. Lack of Dry warm shelter, and lack of lockable dry storage structures for keeping donations dry is a main challenge. There is a real need for big clear plastic totes: waterproof, stacking storage, no more than 13.5” tall. Hinged lids are a bonus, so the lids can’t get separated, but even with separate lids they will be helpful. ~ Heather Ktahdn

HOT APPLE S.A.U.C.E.

Update: I have masher(s)! And other ingredients as well or on their way. Someone will actually take apples from my stash and help process in their kitchen. So the saucy feeling already spreads. I will leave the pallet and the tarp by the little library/poetry box in front at the corner of Victor/W. Connecticut. If there are more donations we can keep this going. I will check the tarp regularly. Also, the very bottom drawer of the file cabinet is now my dry small drop off. Please, don’t open the top one, because the poetry box door swelled enough in the rain to be in the way. ~ ”Max” Eberhard Eichner

TANGERINES?

I have been picking up a box of tangerines whenever I go to any grocery store, and I drop them off at the city hall camp. This is an easy donation for people who work (like me) and might not have the time or energy to cook… I know it’s not hot food— but certainly portable, nutritious and doesn’t need any cooking by the folks there. ~ Aurora Fox

ZIPPER REPLACEMENT?

Is there someone who could replace a zipper on a down coat so it could be donated for the City Hall encampment? Check with me, Fl!p

DOG TALE

Yesterday I started getting messages about a loose dog – black with a pink collar & leash. I sent out one of those very fast messages that doesn’t get to everyone (sorry) but gets out really quickly. And for the rest of the day until midnight I kept hearing from neighbors who had spotted the dog but couldn’t catch it or talk it into coming. I heard from one neighbor who had talked to someone out in a car looking for it. That neighbor gave me a phone number and address. I kept phoning the number (land line) including at midnight when I had yet another report, but no one ever answered the messages I left. I suspect the number was wrong. We started again this morning. I’ve had reports all day, and no luck with the answering machine. I got a phone call just a little while ago that a neighbor on Eldridge had the dog in their back yard, but not contained, and too scared to come. They were putting out food and going way away to not scare it into leaving. And phoned me. So I tried again on the number I had been given. Thought about driving to the address, but my eyes aren’t very good at night. So I looked at my neighborhood list and found an address just a few doors away and texted and called for help. She was wonderful! Walked down to her neighbors and knocked on the door. Gave them my number. They called me, and called the neighbors on Eldridge. Now I’m waiting to see what happened. They had just gotten the dog so we don’t know for sure if the dog will come to them. Fingers crossed.

Darn! Just got this message: “They did come by but we weren’t able to catch it. Maybe they got it after they left! I hope so!!”

Texting now with Gage, her new human: “Sadly we couldn’t find her. We’re going to come back tomorrow and look during the daytime on the tracks. We were able to contact the person who said that she’s been coming into their yard from the railroad tracks so she’s living on the side of that hill right there. She doesn’t know her name yet but she was kind of answering to Shadow or Delilah. She is very skittish. She won’t bite though. Her last owners were abusive; that’s why she won’t let anyone near her. More information about her: she’s wearing a pink collar with paws on it and a pink leash. She is very skittish and runs. She normally keeps her tail between her legs a lot.”

Sounds like, if you see the dog tomorrow, call Gage Moon at (360) 972-1178. Poor thing is out alone on some way-too-busy streets. Her new home is at 2700 Northwest Ave.

But YOU my dear neighbors!!! All of you! Such kindness, and from so many of you! I thank you on behalf of a poor scared lonely dog. With luck we’ll get her safely home in the morning.

FREE HOLIDAY CARDS

30 handmade cards & envelopes, free to whoever needs them (you can take as many as you like). We inadvertently made too many! Contact Jennifer Dannenberg, Lynn St:  510-604-5279

RADIO FREE FL!P: GLORY OF LOVE

Big Bill Broonzy classic. I got to play his guitar back in 1971 at the Old Town School Of Music in Chicago. You can hear why that might have been kind of big deal for me…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJBhfwP6VSQ&list=RDiJBhfwP6VSQ&start_radio=1

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 12/12/2020
City Hall Report
   Swift Haven
   Soup Brigade
   Waterproof Storage
   Fire Bowl?
Applesauce: Hand Mill Needed
   Sugar, Molasses, Cinnamon Sticks
Found Glasses
Free Printer
Robin Elwood Concert Online
Radio Free Fl!p: Deep Peace

CITY HALL REPORT

The new emergency encampment, Swift Haven, for over 30 people will be opening at Civic Field this coming week. Campers will continue to live in tents until the tiny homes arrive later this month. Two or three more sites are under negotiation. I am hoping a secure parking lot for those camping in vehicles is included in the plans. Although this is excellent news, it barely scratches the surface of the need in our community right now.

My heart has been cracked wide open by the generosity of neighbors and friends far and near. We’re pretty well set up now for the Soup Brigade, and I expect it will be needed for weeks and maybe months yet. I have volunteer drivers to deliver soup. A wonderful couple brought a second set of hundreds of ToGo cups and lids. We still have a couple soup pots folks can pick up to cook in. I have onions, potatoes, squash, lentils, and some canned goods that could go into your soup or stew. You can cook once, or weekly, or whatever works for you. You can sign up with the MealTrain at the end of this post, with how many you can feed, or even just take it in. So far, everything is being eaten. Our soup is all being delivered hot (they have no way to heat food) as individual portions. The last few days we’ve also gotten to take down some cakes and cookies – individually wrapped again. Sometimes food is love. And respect for human needs.

I plan to take some of the funds folks have donated, and put it towards waterproof, stackable storage containers so clothing and such that has been donated can be kept dry. Apparently the supply tent blew down in the rain and everything got soaked. So I’m holding the scarves, gloves and socks that a few folks have brought till we can get the storage containers down there. (Please take donations to city hall or Unity Village in Fairhaven, not here. My space is full of food supplies.) I hope to come up with storage containers tomorrow.

There is also a question of whether anyone has an outside metal fire-bowl they might donate. Cold people appreciate being able to gather around a fire to warm their hands. Multiple fires help people stay more socially distanced. Check in with me, OK? ~ Fl!p Breskin 2518 Cherry Street 360-671-4511

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nnmwke

APPLESAUCE: HAND MILL NEEDED

The apple goods procurement for project  S. A. U. C. E. (Simple Act of Unity: Cook and Eat) is under way… thanks to the many direct responses. I will have to see by the end of Saturday of what I will have. Looks like a lot. I will put a pallet with a tarp for cover next to my curbside library and prose&poetry box to act as a no contact drop-off spot, just so it’s simple for anybody. It looks like i will have my work cut out. i am not set up anymore for volumes that I expect for this and to fill the big pot you gave me. With my own small batches i am used to just hand peel and core before cooking and be done with it. with this many I would like to cook them whole and squish them through the mesh of a hand mill. so, now I will need to borrow one. Anybody? Cheers. ~ Eberhard Eichner pappenspiel@gmail.com

S. A. U. C. E. UPDATE

Thanks to the apple angels I have now a total of 80 pounds of apples. In good shape and great varieties too as is apt for this project and the season the procurement turned into an all around celebration of light.I rode my bike with trailer on Saturday through fog into the brilliance of the county, northwest of Ferndale. At a farm i loaded about 30+ pounds, a full trailer, which didn’t cramp as much my style as it is now my legs. but I will be putting them up anyhow until I start cooking. which could be as soon as I find a masher.

…And, yes, a few more things to scrounge up among us neighbors came to mind while riding past many dozens of pairs of trumpeter swans on the swampy fields in the wetlands: I imagine that a few pounds of a sugar infusion, healthy dollops of molasses and a handful of cinnamon sticks would render any other possible doubts about proper yumminess at the end of this project a moot point. Please, contributors, send “applesauce” related emails to pappenspiel@gmail.com. Cheers ~ Eberhard Eichner

FOUND GLASSES

Someone called me about a pair of glasses that they found on the Samish Crest trail and apparently someone in our Columbia neighborhood posted about losing a pair in that area. Here is contact info: Tracy, 360-920-2599

FREE PRINTER

We just discovered that a HP Deskjet F4400 printer that we have had for awhile in storage is not compatible with our MAC! We have all the installation guides etc… If anyone has the tech know how to figure out how to use this device they are welcome to it… It is now bound for Goodwill & will be leaving our abode next week. Text 360-961-2157 if interested & we can arrange pick up info ~ Carol Oberton & Vicki Roy

ROBIN ELWOOD CONCERT ONLINE

Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 7 PM PST
Tune in right at 7 PM and the link should open:
Fairhaven College Music Festival Streaming Series
https://www.facebook.com/groups/298533994557015

Robin shares traditional English and assorted songs and tunes, plays button boxes, guitar, and piano accordion, and shares some guest spots with collaborators from the bands Lindsay Street and The Moving Hats.

RADIO FREE FL!P: DEEP PEACE

Cabin Fever NW. Did anyone walk along the 2500 block of Park Street during the Chalk Festival last summer? Tara Caldwell & Dianne Bochsler were out playing socially distanced music for passersby. They are dear friends from Guitar Camp, and here they’re joined by Ed Johnson, also from PSGW. I have loved dropping in on them at Cabin 7 to bask in their glorious sweet music. Besides right here in the neighborhood, I was delighted to find them online where I can share them with you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q8RRypL_Rw&feature=emb_title

https://cabinfevernw.com/

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 12/11/2020
City Hall Encampment
Soup Brigade
Firelight Stroll Luminaria Walk
Whatcom Humane Society Birdhouses
Free Vintage Sheet Music
Rental Available February 1
Happy Chanukah
Radio Free Fl!p:  One Strong Arm

CITY HALL ENCAMPMENT

“Due to the significant health concerns associated with potential COVID-19 exposure among our unsheltered community members, the City will be establishing a limited-duration emergency encampment in the Geri Field parking lot at the Civic Complex.” 

https://cob.org/services/safety/emergencies/covid-19/city-county-addressing-tent-encampment-and-emergency-winter-shelter-needs

The City, County, and HomesNOW are working together to create more sites. There are vastly more neighbors with no homes to go to than there are emergency shelters. And Covid has made shelter far more difficult this winter.

SOUP BRIGADE

I have lentils, carrots, potatoes, and onions at the moment. And still have plenty of ToGo containers. And three big soup pots. Neighbors have outdone themselves volunteering and bringing supplies. Please call me to arrange pickup. (We have PLENTY of egg cartons now! Thank you everybody.) At this point we have several volunteers willing to pick up your hot soup and take it down to City Hall if needed. Once again, contact me and I’ll play Yenta to pair up cooks and drivers. Most of the MealTrain signups can’t actually provide enough food for all the 50 – 70 campers. Your soup can supplement. It’s still worth checking the link and signing up to fill gaps. Say how many you plan to feed:

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/nnmwke

~ Fl!p Breskin 2518 Cherry Street 360-671-4511

FIRELIGHT STROLL LUMINARIA WALK

Tomorrow Sat. Dec 12, plus New Years Eve in Fairhaven

Now in it’s second year, Fairhaven Firelight Stroll has quickly become one our our favorite holiday happenings! Grab a hot cocoa or spiced cider at the entry tent and stroll the wooded path lined with luminaria. Start at 8th & Harris. We ask that you wear a mask, stick with your group, and observe the one-way walk through. It’s a half mile of holiday magic!

https://enjoyfairhaven.com/event/fairhven-firelight-stroll/2020-12-12/

WHATCOM HUMANE SOCIETY BIRDHOUSES

The Whatcom Humane Society needs our help! They’ve got a fun new fundraiser planned to support their Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and the animals in their care. They are looking for artists, builders and animal lovers to build and decorate birdhouses to donate in an online auction. To help, The RE Store is offering fifty $10 gift certificates to help you purchase supplies.

Here are the ways you can help:
– Build and decorate a birdhouse
– Build a birdhouse for others to decorate
– Decorate a birdhouse

This is a really fun project for families and kids to do while home for the holidays or when looking for a safe quarantine project. To get started, stop by The RE Store and pick up a $10 gift certificate today. Completed birdhouses can be dropped off at Whatcom Humane Society any time before March. To learn more about how you can get a birdhouse to decorate or other ways to help, contact Samantha at The RE Store at samanthah@re-store.org or Dana Whatcom Humane Society at events@whatcomhumane.org.

Samantha Hale, The RE Store, (781) 635-2722

FREE VINTAGE SHEET MUSIC

I have a stack of wonderful vintage sheet music I’d love to pass along to someone else. Music from Broadway shows, movies, POP 1950s-60s, Walt Disney, Vaudeville, etc. 1920s-1960s. Here’s the catch: You have to take it all (probably 30 pieces)! ~ Michael Flaherty, Victor Street, 360-733-0093.

RENTAL AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 1

Two bedroom, 1 bathroom on sunny corner lot near Broadway Park. Approximately 1,100 square feet. Hardwood floors in master bedroom, dining room, and front living room with fireplace. A bonus sunny family room with wall-to-wall south-facing windows. Dishwasher and washer, dryer. Driveway for parking; garage space for storage. Fenced backyard with lawnmower, new deck and raised beds. Rent is $1,700 per month, plus utilities. Prefer one-year lease; six-month negotiable. 901 W. Connecticut.  ~ Austin Teer, 217-710-8995  austinteer@gmail.com

HAPPY CHANUKAH

One of my very earliest memories in life is of helping my father light the Chanukah candles. I am standing on his lap and must be about 18 months old. I have my hand on his arm as he lights the candles, but in my toddler mind, *I* am in control, guiding the Shammes candle as it lights the rest. I can feel my father’s chest vibrate against my back as he sings the blessings by candlelight in the darkened room, surrounded by my family. Happy second night of Chanukah dear friends.

RADIO FREE FL!P:  ONE STRONG ARM

John McCutcheon wrote this for his favorite relative, who only had one arm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdiHdsf6GWk

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.