CONTENTS 3/9/2021
Neighborhood
Report Tires Please
Aha!!! Chase Scam: Great Info
Coolest Hand Washing Info Ever
Donate DVDs To Nursing Homes
Kidney Health Awareness
Help For Non-Profits
Free Upright Piano
Free Magazines
Rental (Or Sublet) Wanted
Homelessness
Community First
Upcoming Sweep
Needs
Cast: Coffee And Sandwiches Together
Music
Cindy Kallet Solo Concert, Livestream!
Radio Free Fl!p: Tide And The River Rising
REPORT TIRES PLEASE
Over the last week there have been several people in your neighborhood reporting their vehicle tires being slashed with a sharp object (presumably a knife) sometime in the night. This is mainly happening on West, Utter and Monroe. There are not any suspects. Could you please let your neighborhood know the following:
- Report this to police by either calling 911 or doing an online report.
- Park in a garage or well lit area if at all possible!
- Report suspicious behavior to 911 during the hours of darkness.
Thank you so much for your help!
Take Care,
Katrin Dearborn | Outreach Officer
Bellingham Police Department
kdearborn@cob.org
Also Park, Washington and more… Please do report folks!
AHA!!! CHASE SCAM: GREAT INFO
This actually explains what’s happening. Hooray! (And a hat tip to Carol Baker!) Police have advice for anyone who has been a victim of this fraud.
“If you get anything from Chase Bank, look at it and read it carefully to make sure what it is,” Hendrix said. “If it is where someone has created a fraudulent account, you need to file a report with your local law enforcement, whether it is the sheriff’s office or the police department.
“Then you need to call Chase Bank. They will tell you they have to have a police report before they can close the account. So if you already have that in hand, it makes things go quicker.”
The next step would to contact any credit protection bureaus the person subscribes to alert them of the identity theft and to watch for any anomalies. The Attorney General’s office website has an identity theft packet with helpful information.
https://www.djournal.com/news/police-warn-residents-about-chase-bank-scam/article_d5c366d1-6f01-5cdd-a71a-e37903f70151.html
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/crime/article249787628.html
COOLEST HAND WASHING INFO EVER
The chemistry of soap, written by Tom Noddy, Bubble Guy. Start with a link so you can tell why you might want to listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keJkiYZ6Auc
Soap and detergent molecules are odd. One end of a soap molecule is a lot like grease, it doesn’t like water, it’s “hydrophobic”. But the other end of soap molecules are “hydrophilic”, they like water (they are attracted to water molecules, electrically, like when your socks are attracted to the other clothes in the drier). So, unlike grease, soap goes into solution with water when each molecule works to attach itself to a nearby water molecule.
But meanwhile, the end that doesn’t like water is looking for some place to go to get away from the water. Everywhere it turns there is more water and water repels that end of the soap or detergent molecule … where can it go to get away from the water?
Well, if you can then offer it something, maybe something non-watery, maybe something dirty or greasy, then the end of the soap molecule that doesn’t like water can attach itself to the grease to get away from the water.
For the soap, that’s a perfect solution, the end that likes water is attached to a water molecule and the end that doesn’t is now attached to grease.
If you wipe it a bit then the soap molecules can and do completely surround the grease (and any germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa) that might be stuck to the grease). Then you can float that stuff away in the flood of soapy water.
So, no … soap doesn’t disinfect … it doesn’t kill virus but it can vastly lower the accumulation of them from your skin and remove the hiding places that could otherwise hold virus close.
A 60% alcohol solution is useful between the times that you can get yourself to soap and water but all of that alcohol is going to wreak havoc with your skin and it’s going to kill the good and bad bacteria and rework the ecosystem each time. The first line of defense really is washing with soap (or detergent) and water.
EDIT: Since I wrote and posted this a few people have written to point out that it was correct in most assertions but they wanted me to know that in addition to what I described here, viruses with a “lipid outer layer” are vulnerable to being killed by “Non-polar solvents” which are “typically hydrocarbons used to dissolve other naturally occurring hydrocarbon lipid molecules that do not (or do not easily) dissolve in water.”
They mean that soap can also actually kill the coronavirus! Then my friend Sagah Stylisms Al-Kassab adds the point that viruses aren’t exactly “life” as we know it … so, maybe “deactivate” is a better term than “kill” in this case. ~ Tom Noddy
DONATE DVDS TO NURSING HOMES
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/coronavirus/article249734328.html?ac_cid=DM401286&ac_bid=-329847739
KIDNEY HEALTH AWARENESS
March is National Kidney Month. The Mount Baker Foundation has rolled-out a KIDNEY HEALTH AWARENESS initiative intended to raise awareness of “the silent epidemic.” Silent epidemic? Yes, because 1 in 3 of us is at risk for kidney disease and we don’t know it. Kidney disease is typically diagnosed when it is advanced, at a stage when it is harder to treat. This is an on-going initiative. The two primary causes of kidney failure are diabetes and high blood pressure. Take a one minute risk test: minuteforyourkidneys.org
Local nephrologist, Dr. Bill Lombard, is giving Zoom talks for this effort. You can watch his presentation, “1 in 3 of Us Is at Risk for Kidney Disease — Are YOU the One?” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeEGNWpGDaw
If you’d like informational brochures, bookmarks, and stickers (for water bottles, laptops, etc) related to this community kidney health awareness initiative, contact Micki Jackson at micki98226@aol.com
HELP FOR NON-PROFITS
My friend Jackie Lynch contacted me to let me know she’s retired from the City of Bellingham’s Planning Department. She’s interested in helping non-profits who are considering building, purchasing land, and/or moving into new quarters. She’s seen too many non-profits making plans without a good source of solid advice about the realities of land development and allowed uses. Such mistakes can waste a lot of time and money. She asks that everyone pass the word to non-profits they know. You can contact her at mersha@mersha.org
FREE UPRIGHT PIANO
It’s time for a new family to love this piano. Needs to be tuned up. I can email pictures. You transport. ~ Claire Evans, Tulip Street evans4kids@comcast.net
FREE MAGAZINES
Need some light reading? Or collage material? I have lots and lots of People magazines that I would be happy to donate to a new home! All recent and in good condition. Text or email! ~ Jessie Pemble, Kulshan Street, 360-599-8801 jessiepemble@gmail.com
RENTAL (OR SUBLET) WANTED
Solo woman (with dog) from Eugene, Oregon ISO of housing in Bellingham starting in Mid-May for 4-6 months (or possibly longer). Desires clean, quiet space to myself with natural light, preferably with some kind of access to outdoor space (fantasy place would include a garden). I work remotely full-time for an Oregon-based non-profit law firm that does impact climate recovery litigation. I can supply references and proof of excellent credit. I am hoping to relocate to Bellingham but currently spending time in the areas adjacent exploring. I will be on Whidbey Island until May 9th and available to come check out rentals/sublets and meet with folks. My dog is 8+ years old. Very sweet and chill, not destructive nor much of a barker unless you are a skateboard. ~ Iris Porter porter.iris@gmail.com. 541.819.9236
HOMELESSNESS
COMMUNITY FIRST
An insightful documentary about one successful intervention for chronic homelessness
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/communityfirstmovie/514348545?fbclid=IwAR2rlij2wpNGh3_Oc2MTfjy_5wkiCk82BlFKfLdd71en5LYfb88JDj3uA3Q
UPCOMING SWEEP
Geri Field is just one small part of our unsheltered citizens. It’s a visible part as it’s out in the open along the road. Many more people are huddled in broken cars, tents, tarps, abandoned houses. Most unsheltered citizens are not at Geri Field. They are scattered around the edges of town, in woods and fields, sleeping in tents, cardboard boxes & under tarps. They are laying low and trying not to get swept.
Because of news of the upcoming sweep, the outreachers I work are all currently deeply involved in helping folks move away from the tent encampment in the lower parking lot at Geri Field. This involves hours of one-on-one listening, encouraging the folks currently in the cross-hairs to face their loss without despair and consider where they might move to. It is safest if the unsheltered folks scatter, but they don’t want to lose their community. If they can find ways to fragment into small enough groups, they may attract less attention, both from drug dealers and gangs, and from the authorities. There remains difficulty accessing clean water, food, bathrooms, and other basic resources.
Sweeps involve the authorities driving homeless people away, to date without giving assistance in transporting their belongings. It is common for people who are swept to lose their tent, ground pad, sleeping bag and other critical supplies. (As a person who gets to live in a house, I would be outraged to have my belongings confiscated and thrown away. I think you might too.) Outreachers are trying to figure out how to move people before the last minute in hopes of preserving both resources and dignity. They could definitely use help with transportation – trucks & trailers – this weekend. Outreachers are willing to offer guidance to new volunteers.
Quote from city page that makes sense: “The situation is complex, challenging and dynamic. Safety for all – people living unsheltered, volunteers, City employees, and members of the public – remains our primary concern.” I hope the City really does follow through on this, for all parties. It’s unknown how city staff will pass their order in person to our unsheltered neighbors. Are they relying on a handful of volunteers to bring the sad news with no city options of where to place their tent home instead?
NEEDS
* wheeled suitcases
* volunteers willing to assist in camper relocation
* people willing to loan or drive vehicles with supplies
* $$ for U-Hauls ($250 or so)
* Trash Bags – 33 gallon size, approx.
* Colored Ribbon to identify belongings
* Contractor Bags – also largest size
* drinking water – that’s an ongoing need
* A few gallons of white vinegar for laundry
CAST: Coffee and Sandwiches Together
6 – 7 PM Free · Lottie St
Cast began almost 20 years ago as an outreach mission of two local congregations and is now a program of Interfaith Coalition.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, we serve a simple meal of sandwiches, to-go snacks, and beverages to people on the street who are hungry. If you are in need of a meal, please come enjoy a meal. If you know someone who is struggling with hunger, please let them know about CAST.
Our dedicated volunteers serve at the Arch of Healing and Reconciliation behind the downtown Bellingham Library on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
We’re following Whatcom County Health department guidelines on the foods and drinks we serve. Volunteers and guests must wear masks and practice social distancing. Masks are provided for those who do not have one.
MUSIC
CINDY KALLET SOLO CONCERT, LIVESTREAM!
Sunday March 21, 2 – 3 PST, Donations Accepted
I am SO excited! I’ll include a song of hers on Radio Free Fl!p tonight so you can see why. Cindy is a breathtaking guitarist, singer, and song writer. Powerfully honest, transparently emotional, deeply thoughtful. And her music is so movingly beautiful!! Please join me!
People can e-mail her at cindy@cindykallet.com and she will send them a link to either the live concert or the recorded version (assuming she can figure out the recorded version part of it by then).
Cindy says, “I’m taking requests, too, so if there are any favorite oldies or newies that you’d love to hear, please let me know, and I’ll do my best to include them. You can hear all of my recorded songs for free by visiting this page. Just click on each album and you’ll find a list of the songs. There’s a play button next to each of them. You can do the same for my recordings with Ellen Epstein & Michael Cicone and Gordon Bok, but I can’t guarantee I can play them without these wonderful musical partners. (I can play songs with Grey Larsen, as he’ll be in the living room, too, and is prepared to provide his sparkling musical accompaniment!)
If you’re unable to view the concert live, I plan to post it privately for a few days afterwards. Let me know if you would like the link to this recorded video.”
RADIO FREE FL!P: TIDE AND THE RIVER RISING
Cindy Kallet’s song is widely sung around here, but we don’t quite get the rhythm right. When she plays her online solo concert, our versions won’t be in collision! This is a beautiful song: listen to the words…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IPuwRwtxg8
Love/Fl!p 360-671-4511 2518 Cherry Street flip@columbianeighborhood.org
If you’re willing to share your phone with me, personally, I would love that, and would not share it further without your express permission. Nor would I ever exploit it. You might put mine in your phone so if I were to phone you, you’d know it was me. I’d also suggest adding flip@openaccess.org to your contacts because that helps keep my emails from going to your junk mail.
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.
