Surfing the Tsunami

JANNIE ADDERLY

This past Monday Columbia neighborhood lost a true friend to all – Jannie Adderly. Jannie was a wonderful neighbor. She was a real Bellingham Hamster – she loved  Bellingham! She knew just about everyone, having lived in the neighborhood most of her life. If she didn’t know you, she soon did. She was friends with janitors, teachers, the workers at our nearby Haggens, the kids in the neighborhood, who she encouraged to eat her blackberries each summer, the dog walkers, the cat lovers, the music lovers….all of us. She was kind, generous, sweet, and a great gardener.  She sewed I don’t know how many quilts in her life, all beautiful, many original patterns. She was a member of the Eldredge Community group who put on the Thursday concerts all summer, acting as treasurer until very recently. She could be found every summer Thursday evening, in a chair, with a small group of friends, in the same spot each week at the park, usually covering up as it got cool with one of her many homemade quits.

Jannie died at home, as she wanted to, peacefully, with her daughter, son in law, son and daughter in law  by her side.

Her Funeral/ Memorial service will be on Tuesday, September  14, at 11 AM at  Westford’s Mortuary , on Walnut Street, across from St Paul’s followed by a dessert reception in Elizabeth Park, weather permitting.

HOSPITAL UPDATE

Keep those cards & letters coming! Ask your friends to write too. I got this note: “I want you to know how much it has meant to everyone here at the hospital to have the musicians outside, to see the signs, to read the cards.  The hospital is posting a “gratitude gallery” on our intranet.”  I went over yesterday to listen to the musicians (lovely violin duet!) and see for myself what was up. The hospital now has couches and upholstered chairs in the employee lounge, and some fruit available. I saw a refrigerated dispenser that might hold drinks. It’s still empty. Hoping it may also hold sandwiches and such for workers with mandatory overtime. I saw sweet painted rocks in the gardens with encouraging messages. Musicians are still encouraged to sign up to play for 45 minutes during shift changes. We’re trying to set that up at a more trafficked location. Here’s the sign-up link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zw9JESaPCZ44rhD7szT6crjhwhvZcAqVqFHDBULiORE/edithttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zw9JESaPCZ44rhD7szT6crjhwhvZcAqVqFHDBULiORE/edit

When we have them, we’re setting out a “reverse tip jar” during the music, with gift cards for the hospital workers to take home: local cafes, coffee shops, restaurants. Thank you to the donors! Gift cards can be dropped at our house, and I’ll get them to the musicians.

LANDSCAPER UPDATE

September 2, 2021

by Clarence Dickinson , Kim Eagle’s Son

Sept 2, 2021

Hello and so many thanks to all of you that have helped, prayed and followed Kim’s progress for the last 2 months. Well, today is the day she is coming home!!! We are all so excited beyond words. She will be living with us until her house is remodeled to her needs. Her memory is doing well and her spirits are good. She is moving forward knowing she will do the best she can in her situation with the hope of prosthetic legs soon! You can not keep this woman down. She will be cared for while we work as well. She has requested pepperoni pizza tonight so that’s what we’ll have. Everyone has been so kind and so many people she does not know have helped her in so many ways. Thank you so much for everything ❤ Her neighborhood street is planning a welcome parade today somewhat, as she comes home. We’re not sure on a time, mid afternoon. She wants to see her house and animals first thing. And in about a week we’re planning on meeting the crew that responded to her tragedy and saved her life. There is a photo on our GoFundMe page of the amazing ramp that our construction guy has built at our home for Kim. She is so ecstatic to come home, keeping an open mind to starting a new life and being surrounded by the ones she loves. ❤ Bobbie and Lee

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

HOMELESS UPDATEE

The rains are returning. If you’ve got a tent around (especially big ones), or brown tarps, warm hiking socks, size large and larger warm waterproof coats, this is a good time to donate. We’re still providing meals for neighbors without shelter who can’t go to Base Camp or other congregate facilities. If you’d like to cook, we can provide to-go containers, pots & pans, and even ingredients. And mentors. Everything helps.

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/qm4vz8

DO YOU KNOW A BOB ON UTTER STREET?  

A package arrived at my home addressed to Bob. There is no last name. I called the sender and they confirmed having shipped a parcel to my street address. They tried to contact Bob, but were not successful. It appears to be some kind of office supplies by the package. So if you know Bob, have him call me to identify the contents and arrange for pick up.  ~ Dex Horton, 360 223 6623, 2415 Utter Street

FREE FISH TANK

Free 20 gallon working freshwater fish tank with hood, filter and heater.  Would a school classroom like a fish tank already equipped with fish? – Moving. ~ Emi (360)318-4343

RELIABLE HANDYMAN/GARDEN HELP NEEDED

Can anyone recommend a reliable person to dig up some irises, crocosmia and day lilies in my front yard?  I would like this to be done this month before I put the garden to bed for the winter. You can contact me at:  kshops@tsparks.com or call me at 360-223-2290. ~ Kathy Sparks, Utter Street

SHORT TERM HOME FOR RENT

I am looking to rent out my lovely fully furnished 4 bedroom home in the Columbia neighborhood for 4-6 weeks. If you know anybody please message me.  ~ Caryn Simmons, simmonscaryn@gmail.com. 36-820-2292.

ALLEGRO STRINGS

Dorothy Smith is moving her Allegro Strings Violin Shop to a new location in Fairhaven, and because of a little snafu with the phone, doesn’t have her business phone number hooked up right now. The best way to contact her for the next couple of weeks is email at: dsmith.AllegroStrings@gmail.com or on Facebook messenger. She has asked for help getting the word out 🙂 360 389-1391

BRYAN BOWERS AT BOUNDAY BAY BREWERY

Thursday, September 9, 2021 At 8 PM PDT – 10 PM PDT

8:00- 10:00 pm in the garden

$10-$20 Suggested Donation

This is a REALLY big deal folks!!!! Bryan is playing live in Bellingham, If you are going out to any events at all, you should go to this one. Masked & fully vaxxed of course. Let’s keep each other safe.

Bryan was raised in Virginia, must be 80 years ago. He recalls, “The music I heard while working in the fields was mesmerizing. And I’d see the gandy dancers coming down the tracks, setting the rails and getting their ties straight. You’ve heard that song `Whup Boys, Can’t you line ’em?, Chack a lack.’ Whup Boys, can’t you line ’em? was the call the leader would sing. Chack a lack was the bounce- back of the hammer after falling on the pin. I just thought that music was something that everyone did. It was years later that I realized what I’d been raised around.”

‘For over five decades, Bryan Bowers has been to the autoharp what Earl Scruggs was to the five-string banjo. He presents instrumental virtuosity combined with warmth, eloquence, expression and professionalism.’

RADIO FREE FL!P

BRYAN BOWERS: FRIEND FOR LIFE

When you learn a song, you’ve got a friend for life. This has certainly been true in my own life. And Bryan has such wonderful Song Friends…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZI36QfJMM0

DONKEY LULLABY

So adorable!!! I hope this little donkey doesn’t grow up to be too big for a lap…

https://www.facebook.com/?sk=h_chr

Love/Fl!p

LAST ELIZABETH PARK CONCERT OF THE SUMMER

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

September 2 BANDZANDT, The County’s Happiest Rock Band

Thanks to Marla Bronstein, host, and to the Eldridge Society for History & Preservation, & to Bellingham Parks for sponsoring!

JANI ADDERLEY

From Marla Bronstein:

Peter Roberts and Jani Adderley have been the leaders of The Eldridge Society for History and Preservation that give me the go-ahead every year to coordinate this series for the community. I will be forever grateful. Sadly, we lost Jani yesterday due to illness and we will miss her terribly. She loved these concerts so much, and loved that the community enjoyed them so well. I hope to see you all for this final concert of the season this Thursday. Stay well!!

[Jani also coordinated the neighborhood-wide garage sale every June till this year. She lived her life as a gift to this world!. Love/Fl!p]

CNA QUARTERLY GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

The minutes for the CNA Quarterly General Meeting on Zoom were very long, so I am sending you the Google doc link instead of the full text. ~ Deb Valentine

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VhofIL8WA4anILgmGa1EVN9QNlwYWlBmrqqJtz66Ok4/edit?usp=sharing

DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND EVICTION

“The pandemic has destabilized housing for thousands of fellow community members, creating a situation in which renters are worried about potential eviction and homelessness, and housing providers are concerned about the threat of bankruptcy and lingering impacts from the eviction moratorium,” stated Moonwater, Executive Director of the WDRC. “With our trained and impartial staff and mediators, we are here to help tenants and landlords resolve these issues before going to court. The WDRC also recognizes that people of color and other underserved community members are disproportionately impacted by these difficult times. To that end, we are available to provide free services to all eligible community members who are affected, and regardless of their immigration status.” Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center 360-676-0122 | 360-676-0738  whatcomdrc.org

FREE LA FUMA RECLINER

This comfortable “zero gravity” patio chair needs a bolt replaced in one hinge. Text Fl!p 360-671-4511

BLACK WALNUT TRADE?

Luke Haran here on Henry street. I am looking at taking down a tree that’s bombarding our roof with walnuts. I’m sure some woodworkers out there could make some nice pieces out of it. I’m seeing if anyone is interested in trading the felling of the tree for the wood. Old English or black walnut tree lumber available. Looking to trade the lumber for the cost of felling the tree. If interested please email lpharan@gmail.com 

SEEKING CONTRACTOR

Seeking references: I am seeking a skilled and trustworthy contractor to do some work on my 100 year old garage. I need them to reinforce and stabilize the entire garage structure, then frame for a garage door to be installed and fill in some siding. Appreciate your help! Thank you so much, Susan Casey Walnut Street watchmefly@mac.com

HOMELESS UPDATE

The rains have returned, and cold weather is coming. What’s most needed now is tents ( 4- 6 person size so elderly and disabled neighbors can get in and out) and tarps. Brown tarps to draw less unwelcome attention. We can still be a drop-off point at 2518 Cherry. Monetary donations are also helpful. We had an interesting couple weeks where we couldn’t get to-go containers, which we get from the ChefStore (which used to be Cash&Carry, then SmartFoods). There was a severe Covid outbreak at their regional distribution center in Centraiia which left the shelves empty and really impacted local restaurants. It also impacted us! Without to-go containers we were facing being limited to serving sandwiches & burritos and that’s about it. (And WATER! We always need water.) I found containers online, though arrival was delayed. They finally came and we’re able to distribute hot meals again. Whew! We’d used the last stack the day before. We can always use more volunteer cooks. I have pots & pans, ingredients, and mentors to help you create simple, comforting food for our unsheltered neighbors. Thank you! Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511.

HOSPITAL WORKER UPDATE

Folks arriving at work were treated to the sight of someone in a unicorn costume, with a big sign saying We Love Our Healthcare Workers! This had a lovely impact. What a great way to start the morning.

Cards and letters are having a really big effect. Please keep writing! I still have some lovely cards if you’d like to pick up some to write on. What we write is getting photographed and digitized, and added to the internal newsletter. There are also displays in places around the hospital and at some of the clinics as well.

Let’s be sure we don’t add to the workers’ burden. Social distancing, masking, vaccinating, going to your doctor, WALK IN CLINIC or URGENT CARE instead of the ER unless what you have is truly life threatening….

We have now found a way to distribute gift cards if you want to contribute. The best cards are for local cafes, coffee shops & restaurants. You can drop them through the mail slot at our house – 2518 Cherry Street.

CDs can make a great token of appreciation to place in our Caregiver Support Zen Den once it’s finished. Kevin reports the lounge is close to becoming a reality. They are modifying an employee lounge, adding couches & easy chairs, and putting up a tree to hang our cards on.

It turns out many of our hospital workers love painted & sparkly rocks, and heart shaped rocks. Some rocks are adopted and taken home or kept in pockets, so ongoing re-supply is good. Take your gifts to the hospital grounds and tuck them in around the landscape plants and in areas already covered with rocks.

Food: The logistics are complex because of the need to mask, but the hospital plans to make food available for their employees who are working long hours. It will be accessible for grab & go, especially during night shifts when cafeteria isn’t open. We’ve reminded them that their plan to care for their workers is not quite working yet. I’ll let you know when that’s up and running. Meanwhile, if you have friends who work at the hospital, you could offer to bring commercially prepared meals for them (by name) to the front entrance.

Musicians have begun playing at the employee entrance during some shift changes. All are masked and fully vaccinated. No vocals or wind instruments because of worker safety. So far we’ve had a cello duo, a violinist, and the harpist with the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra with her full-size pedal harp! This week there’s a violin duo, a folk harpist, and the cello duo is coming back. We could use more! See the next item for more details.

DETAILS FOR MUSICIANS

Written by my friend Karee Wardrop. I talked with her about the project I’m trying to put together, and she wrote it up and sent it to her friends. I LOVE how she talked about it, so I asked if I could quote her here:

My friend Fl!p Breskin is heading up a campaign to support our local hospital workers who are under tremendous strain right now. One of the many things happening is local musicians are playing outside the hospital workers’ entrance at the shift changes, 7:15 AM and 3:15PM, playing for a half hour to forty-five minutes. These times catch the workers leaving their shifts and those arriving…the music offers some comfort, some encouragement, and definitely a reminder that our community is thinking of them and supporting them as they engage in such essential, and currently dangerous, work. Because of covid-related concerns, the music performed must not include vocals, wind instruments or brass instruments. 

These shifts are gifts, rather than gigs. Fl!p is a musician herself and is incredibly mindful of the fact that musicians have also been hard hit and need support, so there may be funding available for musicians. She would be delighted to talk with you about it. (Really, she would!)  If you are interested in playing music for a shift, please contact Fl!p (flip@obreskin.com)

There is also a google sheet for signing up.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zw9JESaPCZ44rhD7szT6crjhwhvZcAqVqFHDBULiORE/edithttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1Zw9JESaPCZ44rhD7szT6crjhwhvZcAqVqFHDBULiORE/edit

Please pass this along to others who may be interested. Music is such a strong and healing current in our community. Thanks for the music you bring, wherever and whenever you play!

All the best,  ~ Karee

LANDSCAPER UPDATE

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

There are two new updates on this link. Here’s an excerpt:

August 22, 2021

Thank you all for some wonderful suggestions that are helpful with medical bills. Kim’s Clients, where she was working at the time of the accident, directly called a friend attorney, Paula McCanliss, for Kim, and she has been tremendously helpful. So thankful for her and some very fine clients, Terry and Garrett , who made sure that Kim had some legal help the day of the accident.

This allows us to use all your donations toward orthopedic needs for Kim to come home to stay with her son Lee and daughter in law Bobbie, until she can help to decide the changes she will need to make to her home, for her functionality and using and electric chair where she will be able to maneuver in her house and garden and be outdoors with her animals.

until she can get her prosthesis and learns how to walk with them.

Some very dear friends of Kim’s in the construction trade, Joe Super and Joe Crowe would like to remodel Kim’s bathroom and kitchen and ramp ways in and around her home. Great to hear the offers of friends of theirs who want to help with what needs to be done to get this transition to happen for access in and around her home.

We have a future date of September 2nd, hoping Kim will be getting out of HarborView Hospital in Seattle and heading home to Bellingham, WA. She will have Nursing care and her family around her, with her until she is up and running, the way she is healing we are not surprised, She has always been a fighter. The injuries to her head are another thing we are hoping to trigger more of her memories when she gets closer to family and sees her animals and home, that she has missed so terribly. Kim has always had a stiff constitution! Much tougher than most all the way from her heart.

Kim has been getting more Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, 3 hrs a day, proving to be helpful, the more I talk with her the better she sounds the more sense she is making,

They have her working with numbers, words. She has blocks to fit them in a large square. Getting Kim’s coordination in her hands and arms, strengthened and working again.

BRYAN BOWERS IN CONCERT HERE!

Thursday September 9, Boundary Bay Brewery, 8 PM

I think, but am not sure, that it will be $10 – $20 at the door. Don’t quote me. I’ll find out and get back to you. This will be OUTSIDE in the covered garden. If you don’t already know Bryan’s music, trust me. You want to. He’s the Real Deal. As a kid, he learned traditional music by listening to work gangs singing call-and-response work songs in his neighborhood Down South. He’s an autoharp master. And oh lord, can he put a song across! Here he sings the Bristlecone Pine.

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

RADIO FREE FL!P

MISE EIRE

A bit of calm musical kindness from the recording Aniar released in 2020. Peadar MacMathuna, guitar. Jan Peters, harmonica. Richard Scholtz, autoharp. Jon Sampson, bass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02OcTEIHwVo

Love/Fl!p

HOSPITAL WORKERS UPDATE

Workers are feeling better because of our letters & cards. Please keep writing! Our letters and artwork get scanned and shared with all the workers.

I just got back from speaking at the hospital’s invitation to their dayshift Covid crew, including housekeeping and food service. Tom Hunter’s daughter Irene came with me. She brought 65 $10 gift cards (yes, $650) to distribute. And Richard Scholtz gave me a whole box of his Late Night Conversation CDs with Eric Schoenberg and I passed those out too, and some of Peadar’s CDs as well. Comfort music.  I told the workers that when I feel down, there is always part of the feeling that has to do with feeling alone. That we weren’t from an organization. We were just their neighbors, all over the city & county, who care about them and don’t want them to be alone.

I also said there were things I could say with music that I couldn’t say with words. I described playing a lullaby, feeling like I was sitting on my mom’s lap, with her on her own mom’s lap, and my son on my lap & his kids on his, and we’re all singing together to the baby. Then I played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. And the Alphabet song. It looked like even the workers who don’t know much English were aware of those songs. We sent them off with extra gift cards  & CDs to share with fellow workers. And with our deepest thanks.

It felt like a beginning.

Musicians have begun signing up to play outside the employee entrance at shift changes. The hospital is exploring adding radiant heat to an existing gazebo for the musicians to stand under. We’ve now had three sets of musicians, and it’s gone very well for everyone so far. Ladies Loe cello duo played a couple days ago and then signed up immediately for another shift next week. There was a classical violinist this morning, and tomorrow afternoon the principal harpist for the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra is coming. Next week there will be a violin duo, a folk harpist, and more. Let me know if you’d like to play.

We’re invited to bring painted & sparkly rocks, with or without words on them, and heart-shaped rocks as well. We can place them in the hospital garden beds and in areas where there are landscape rocks already. It turns out the workers just love them! We can keep bringing more, because workers take some of them home.

NORTHWEST WOMEN’S MUSIC AND ART CELEBRATION 2021 FALL CAMP

“More fun than fear.”

That’s our mantra these days, so because of the Delta variant we’ve decided not to hold an in-person Northwest Women’s Music Celebration this fall at Pilgrim Firs.

But because we are committed to fun and to connecting with our community, we are going to host a couple of virtual events that same weekend — October 2^nd (some classes and student concert) and October 3^rd  (afternoon teacher concert). Save the dates on your calendar, and watch for an email soon with more details on classes, links and student concert sign-up.

In the meantime check out the website at http://www.nwmusiccelebration.com/ for updates. (Updates coming soon)

The “teacher/staff concert” on Sunday will be open to everyone. The classes and student concert on Saturday will be open to women only.

YARD SALE

We will be having a yard sale on Saturday Sept. 4th from 9am to 3pm at our house on 1905 Washington St (corner of Victor and Washington). Our yard sale will have a variety of bikes, bike parts, tools, kitchen stuff, boating items and other random items. Lisa Christensen

HOUSING?

A woman in my community is seeking housing for herself and her almost 2 yo son.  She has had an absolutely miserable time finding adequate housing and has recently had a steady stream of rejections from people who do not want to live with a child.  I’d love to vouch for the incredible sweetness and magic of her son.  She co-parents with his father on a schedule each week.  

Currently, she is preparing to move into her van but still trying really hard to find a workable housing option. 

If anyone has a room for rent, a small living space, etc., this mama could use the connection.  Her absolute max is 1200/month and she would prefer something month-to-month right now.  You can reach out to me and I can offer more info or connect you directly. ~ Jess Radovich    jessicaradovich@gmail.com

STUDIO RENTAL?

Hi neighbors, I’m looking to rent an art/writing studio for 3-6 months (longer term if it’s big enough) to finish a book I’ve been working on for the last few years. The subject is creative decolonization. It’s a guidebook especially for women of European descent. I’d be happy to email a full description to anyone interested. My budget is small, so I’m flexible (and grateful) about the space. I just need to get away from my house/kids to focus:) Here’s my wish list:

• Natural light
• Good people, landlord, neighbors, etc…
• Quiet

I can afford to pay up to $300 a month. That’s a stretch, so I’d love to expand possibilities with a partial trade arrangement…I have skills and I’m open to ideas. Thank you ~ Alycia Lund wildwell@protonmail.com or 575-590-5633

BIRTHDAY

It’s my birthday today. I’m 71. No concert this year, but I wish all of you a lovely day with music where you can find it. When I was a lonely child I never dreamed I would ever have so many friends. Thank you for your friendship; it means the world to me!

RADIO FREE FLIP

ONE SHOE

Richard Scholtz and I played music together yesterday afternoon, and this song by Malvina Reynolds floated up for him when his grandson took off across the yard with one shoe and one bare foot. I used to sing Diddle Diddle Dumpling My Son Jon, to my son Jon when he was little. Another one shoe song. Richard & I had great fun chasing the squirrelly chords of Malvina’s song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JllIgIByr9M

COLUMBIA NEIGHBORHOOD  ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING

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

AGENDA:

1)  Welcome

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

3)  CNA Treasurer’s Report by Aaron Ignac

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

5)  Share Shack developments by Aaron Silverberg

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

7)  Beyond Columbia  

8)  Closing 

Join Zoom Meeting

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

Meeting ID: 882 6969 4878

Passcode: 639466

One tap mobile

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

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

Dial by your location

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 882 6969 4878

Passcode: 639466

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

ELIZABETH PARK CONCERTS

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

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

September 2 BANDZANDT, The County’s Happiest Rock Band

HOSPITAL WORKERS

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

Mail to:

The Workers At St Joseph Hospital / Peacehealth

2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225

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

FREE PLANTS

SOLOMON’S SEAL

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

STRAWBERRIES

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

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

LEASE WANTED

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

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

RADIO FREE FL!P

Joni Mitchell: Urge For Going

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

COLUMBIA NEIGHBORHOOD  ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING

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

AGENDA:

1)  Welcome

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

3)  CNA Treasurer’s Report by Aaron Ignac

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

5)  Share Shack developments by Aaron Silverberg

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

7)  Beyond Columbia  

8)  Closing 

Join Zoom Meeting

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

Meeting ID: 882 6969 4878

Passcode: 639466

One tap mobile

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

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

Dial by your location

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)

Meeting ID: 882 6969 4878

Passcode: 639466

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

ELIZABETH PARK CONCERTS

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

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

September 2 BANDZANDT, The County’s Happiest Rock Band

SUPPORT FOR HOSPITAL WORKERS

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

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

Mail to:

The Workers At St Joseph Hospital / Peacehealth

2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225

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

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

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

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

LITTLE STUDIO IS RENTED

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

RENT OR BUY?

Hello (hopefully) Future Neighbors,

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

RADIO FREE Fl!P

I KNEW THIS PLACE

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

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

OUR HOSPITAL WORKERS NEED US

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

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

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

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

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

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

CANDIDATE FORUM FOR PORT

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

BRAND NEW LITTLE FREE LIBRARY!

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

FREE! COMMUNITY CLOTHING SWAP

Bring a bag, take a bag!

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

Where: IBC, 2000 W North St, Bellingham WA

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

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

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

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

SCOOTER?

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

LIFT RECLINER

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

CUTE BACKYARD STUDIO

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

BACKYARD STUDIO/TINY HOME

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

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

RENTAL WANTED

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

AMAZING ONLINE PUGET SOUND GUITAR WORKSHOP CONCERTS

5:30 PM today & tomorrow. Link below.

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

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

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

Join Zoom Meeting

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

Lineup

Cayley Schmid and Aaron Guest

Suzy Thompson

Cosy Sheridan

Geof Morgan

Marie Eaton

John Knowles

(Becky Knowles interlude)

Olivia Brownlee

Amy Friedricks

Patrice Haan

Tony Marcus

Tom Moran

Nova Devonie and David Keenan

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

Join Zoom Meeting

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

Lineup

Orville Johnson

Kathy Kallick

Tristan Scroggins

Hubby Jenkins

Sylvia Herold

Jen Hodge

(Becky Knowles interlude)

Kristina Olsen

Marco de Carvalho

Sean Williams

Gina Davis

Kenny Feinstein

———

ARLO GUTHRIE

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

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

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

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

THE EVERATTLES

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

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

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

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

AGING WELL WHATCOM COUNTY

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

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

RADIO FREE FL!P

GIVE YOURSELF TO LOVE

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

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

Love/Fl!p

SMOKE TODAY

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

DELTA CONCERNS

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

ELIZABETH PARK CONCERTS

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

TONIGHT! August 12 4TENS BAND, Fun Classic Rock Party Music

August 19 THE SWEET GOODBYES, Folk/Pop

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

September 2 BANDZANDT, The County’s Happiest Rock Band

POPUP BOOK SALE

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

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

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

Hello Columbia Neighborhood Association members,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you. / dv

CNA Board members:

President/ Secretary:  Deborah Valentine

Vice-President:  Aaron Silverberg

Treasurer:  Aaron Ignac

Member-at-Large:  David Crook

Mayors Neighborhood Advisory Commission Alternate Rep:  Jennifer Moon

HOSPITAL WORKERS NEED OUR HELP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225

SPORTS DRINK POWDER VOLUNTEER?

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

RADIO FREE FLIP

AN IRISH MOTHER

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

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

An Irish Mother – YouTube

Love/Fl!p