OGG'S WORLD P.08 + BAKER OR BUST P.09 + SOUP BRIGADE P.19 c a s c a d i a REPORTING FROM THE HEART OF CASCADIA WHATCOM*SKAGIT*SURROUNDING AREAS 12-23-2020 • ISSUE: 52 • V.15

HOLIDAY HELPER Festive films and guilty pleasures P.14

RHODES RECAP JINGLE See ya later, 2020 P.04 BELLS ESTELLA SOUNDS OF THE SCROOGE A Christmas Carol SEASON With a Twist P.12 P.10

SPRING FLING Shelter in place with FishBoy P.09 THISWEEK

19  Contact Cascadia Weekly: FOOD   360.647.8200 mail TOC LETTERS STAFF Advertising 15 Sales Manager: Calvin Schoneck  ext 1 B-BOARD   sales@ cascadiaweekly.com  Editorial

FILM 14 Editor & Publisher: Tim Johnson  ext 3 12 She’s no Grinch. As 2020 comes to an end, philanthropist  editor@ MacKenzie Scott has given more than $6 billion this year to cascadiaweekly.com 384 nonprofits and small charities throughout the United MUSIC  States—including numerous YWCA chapters, LGBTQ organiza- Arts & Entertainment tions, Black colleges and universities, women-led entities and Editor: Amy Kepferle

11 far beyond. The no-strings-attached gifts dwarf charitable  ext 2  calendar@

ART  contributions from Scott’s ex-husband—Amazon founder Jeff Bezos—and have turned traditional philanthropy on its head. cascadiaweekly.com

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GET OUT  02: Mailbag  jesse@ 04: Gristle and Rhodes kinsmancreative.com Design: 8 06: Last week’s news Bill Kamphausen 07: Fuzz Buzz, 52 Women  bill@

WORDS  kamphausendesign.com Arts & Life Advertising Design:  6 Roman Komarov AFFORDABLE HOUSING NOW provide affordability at a rate that reflects Bell- 08: Ogg’s World  roman@ Harcourt Developments, which holds an exclu- ingham residents’ real needs, the affordability 09: Snow day cascadiaweekly.com Send all advertising materials to sive contract to redevelop most of the old Georgia- problem will not be solved. Working families will CURRENTS 10: Scrooge reborn [email protected] Pacific site on Bellingham’s waterfront, announced continue to leave town or work two jobs. Parents

4 this week that they will be leasing a large chunk of will have less time to spend with their kids. Less 11: Stocking stuffers Distribution the Granary building to the Korber Group. money will circulate in the local economy. The 12: Sounds of the season Distribution Manager:

VIEWS  Harcourt said that Korber would bring in 120 class and racial inequities in housing will increase 14: Christmas classics Erik Burge  distribution@ jobs. According to a Port of Bellingham commis- despite well-intended rhetoric from officials. 2  2  cascadiaweekly.com sioner, these will be relatively well-paid tech jobs. I am asking everyone—public officials, prop-

MAIL  Whatcom: Erik Burge, I am hoping that the 120 jobs figure is going to erty developers, renters, and homeowners—to

MAIL  Rear End 15: Free Will, Advice Goddess Stephanie Simms be real. If these good jobs really do materialize in make a bold stand for housing equity now. Prices Skagit: Linda Brown, 16: Crossword the waterfront redevelopment then credit is due are rising faster than last year. Rents will shoot Barb Murdoch to Harcourt for facilitating the lease to Korber. up again when COVID is reigned in. 17: Comix, Sudoku 12.23.20 Letters It may be the case that most of the jobs at Ko- The land trust and co-op models of home own- 18: Business Briefs SEND LETTERS TO LETTERS@ rber’s Bellingham facility will pay well enough to ership can provide permanently affordable home

.15 CASCADIAWEEKLY.COM Soup Brigade allow the jobholders to find homes to rent or buy ownership and rentals. Moving existing homes 52 19:

# at a monthly rate that will not cause them to be and buildable lots into permanent affordability cost-burdened in the same way that housing costs will only get harder the longer we wait to re- oppress over 50 percent of Bellingham residents. ally tackle the problem. It is a complex task to

OGG'S WORLD P.08 + BAKER OR BUST P.09 + SOUP BRIGADE P.19 c a s c a d i a REPORTING FROM ©2020 CASCADIA WEEKLY (ISSN 1931-3292) is published each Wednesday by THE HEART OF CASCADIA My concern about affordable workforce hous- transform our local, largely market-based, home WHATCOM*SKAGIT*SURROUNDING AREAS 12-23-2020 • ISSUE: 52 • V.15 Cascadia Newspaper Company LLC. Direct all correspondence to: Cascadia ing was fed again this week when I learned that a ownership system into an equitable model of Weekly PO Box 2833 Bellingham WA 98227-2833 | Phone/Fax: 360.647.8200

HOLIDAY HELPER [email protected] Festive fi lms and guilty pleasures new industrial business in Ferndale that is slated permanent affordability. It is long past time to P.14 Though Cascadia Weekly is distributed free, please take just one copy. Cascadia

CASCADIA WEEKLY Weekly may be distributed only by authorized distributors. Any person removing to have 80 employees reported difficulties in approach this task head-on. papers in bulk from our distribution points risks prosecution SUBMISSIONS: Cascadia Weekly welcomes freelance submissions. Send material finding affordable housing for its workers. If you are an elected official I see no reason RHODES RECAP to either the News Editor or A&E Editor. Manuscripts will be returned if you JINGLE See ya 2 later, 2020 P.04 The urgent need in Bellingham is to provide for you to be patient at all. A bold stand on include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. To be considered for calendar list- BELLS ESTELLA SOUNDS OF THE SCROOGE SEASON A Christmas Carol ings, notice of events must be received in writing no later than noon Wednesday With a Twist P.12 P.10 affordability for the working folks who already housing affordability will guarantee your reelec-

the week prior to publication. Photographs should be clearly labeled and will be SPRING FLING Shelter in place returned if accompanied by stamped, self-addressed envelope. with FishBoy P.09 live here and will not likely earn the level of tion and help to put wind at the back of other COVER: Photo of income that will be unburdened in paying local electeds to do the same. soprano Ibidunni Ojikutu by Danielle rent or mortgages. Come on, Bellingham. Let’s set an example for Barnum Until the market sector developers and owners the rest of the country about how it can be done. (Harcourt and others) are required and enabled to —Michael Chiavario, Bellingham

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SilverReefCasino.com • I-5 Exit 260 Management reserves all rights. THE GRISTLE PATHWAYS FOR PATHOGENS: Admittedly in plain view the entire time, the Year of COVID has nevertheless

peeled back the veil of our shattered social network

19  and the fragility of our most vulnerable communi- ties—the people who must work for bread, whether

FOOD  views YOUR VIEWS THE GRISTLE they’re sick or well; the people with kids to feed who can’t afford to stay home; who depend on public trans-

15 portation and have limited housing security, and who take the virus with them to new communities where it then may spread further. They’re also the most at-risk, B-BOARD  with limited access to health care and who suffer from generational traumas and inherited ailments, often as 14 a result of systemic racial and social inequities. And BY ALAN RHODES they are—with good reason—less trustful of the smil- FILM  ing assurances of government and health profession- als than more advantaged communities. 12 “Particularly in communities of color—African- Good Riddance, 2020 American, Native American and Latinx individuals— MUSIC  they’re much more likely to be exposed to the virus THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY and get sick,” Georges Benjamin, MD, the executive 11 director of the American Public Health Association,

ART  admitted at the national rollout of the first COVID-19 THIS IS the month when I weed cause I don’t want my house fore- vaccine last week. my files, tossing out scribbled closed on or my teeth to fall out.

10 The stark reality is our society cannot fix the crisis notes and fragmentary observa- So let’s suck it up here, folks. CO- of COVID without in tandem the much larger, deeper tions that never made it into a VID doesn’t care if we’re fatigued; STAGE  and durable aspects of social justice reform. Solu- completed column, such as the fol- in fact, COVID likes it when we get tions to the latter feed directly into relieving the lowing scraps of journalistic resi- careless because it wants to kill us.

9 pandemic crisis. due from the year gone by. After carefully weighing both sides Gov. Jay Inlsee rolled out the details of his 2021- Going Viral. COVID-19 is pretty District anymore. Good news, ami- of this issue, I’ve concluded that I’d 2023 biennial budget proposal last week, which in- much out of control, yet millions of go, you don’t have to house-hunt. rather be bored than dead. GET OUT  cludes significant funding for public health, econom- Americans still refuse to wear masks. So many new people have moved War and Peace. I’ve just been ic supports for workers and businesses, and other I’ve noticed that this testy subcul- into the district that the 42nd is perusing some of my favorite right­ 8 services that Washingtonians need to recover from ture throws the word freedom around turning blue. Republicans Luanne wing nutjob websites. I’ve been so the impacts of COVID-19. a lot, but I never hear them use the Van Werven and Jennifer Sefzik lost preoccupied with other issues that

WORDS  “We must invest in the relief, recovery and resil- word responsibility. I’ve pretty much their races for the state legislature. I had forgotten about the War on ience of Washington. We cannot cut the things that gotten used to wearing a mask. I Only Senator Doug Ericksen (R- Christmas which, of course, has al-

 6 we need most during a pandemic,” Inslee said during like the way it makes me feel—sort Khmer Rouge) is left, and his days ready started again as we’ve entered a press conference. “In my proposed operating, capi- of sinister. And I really like it on are numbered. Incidentally, when the holiday season. A few weeks ago tal and transportation budgets, I am investing in the morning walks when it keeps my face Van Werven and Sefzik realized they I learned from these sources that CURRENTS people of our state.” warm. The only downside is that my had lost, both conceded in a timely there’s also now a War on Thanksgiv- 4

4 Inslee stressed the need to rebuild the state’s glasses are always fogged up, caus- and gracious manner—a refresh- ing. Oh man, as a card-carrying lib- economy and continue efforts to support households, ing me to walk into parked cars and ing contrast to the tantrums being eral I’m now expected to wage war VIEWS  VIEWS  students, workers and businesses impacted by the mailboxes. When I was downtown thrown by the overgrown infant in on two fronts. This is a lot of respon- pandemic. yesterday I tried to strike up a con- the White House. Grow up, Donny. sibility, especially considering that 2  The governor’s budget offers funding to shore up the versation with a fellow who turned Food for Thought. I’m tired of I already have some wars on sacred local events to wage as well, such MAIL  state’s unemployment system, which was put under out to be an art installation. my own cooking and of eating take- strain due to staggering job losses, particularly during Creature Comfort. I just thought out food from styrofoam containers as the War on the Deming Logging the first months of the pandemic. Inslee proposes leg- of something I’ll actually miss when with a little plastic fork. When this Show, the War on the Ferndale Old islation that would ease unemployment insurance rate the pandemic is over. The reporters pandemic is finally over I’m going Settlers Picnic, and the War on the

12.23.20 increases on businesses and increase minimum weekly on the PBS NewsHour have been do- to eat all three daily meals in three Subdued Stringband Jamboree. benefit amounts for unemployed workers. ing most of their broadcasts from different restaurants—and I’m go- Feeling the Spirit. Yesterday was

.15 The unifying core of his proposals were released in home, so when Lisa Desjardins is ing to do this every day for at least one of those days when the cumula- 52

# a separate news conference last week, as the gover- giving her evening updates, her a week. I’ve been having recurring tive deprivations of the COVID life nor announced a historic equity policy package for cat can often be seen in the back- dreams about the biscuits and gra- got me down. But nothing revives the upcoming 2021 legislative session. For the first ground snoozing on the sofa. Some- vy at the Old Town Cafe. my spirits faster than the natural time, the governor directed state agencies to center how the sight of the contented fe- Tough Love. I don’t have a lot of world, and in the early morning budgetary decision packages and legislation around line softens the harshness of the sympathy for people who are be- hours restoration arrived at my equity. His $365 million proposal includes $2.5 mil- day’s events. When Lisa is finally having irresponsibly because they living room window, a panoramic

CASCADIA WEEKLY lion in funding to establish a new office to develop able to go back to the studio, I’m have “COVID fatigue.” Hey, cryba- view of the full moon illuminating and implement a five-year policy plan to assist agen- really going to miss her cat. bies, I’ve got COVID fatigue too, Bellingham Bay. The silver light 4 cies in developing their own diversity, equity and Birth of the Blues. One of my and I’ve also got mortgage payment was ethereal and timeless, bringing inclusion (DEI) plans. fellow left-leaning buddies once fatigue and dental hygiene fatigue. to mind a couplet from Emerson: “The proposed investments follow an unprecedent- considered relocating to another I’m tired of making monthly house “Beauty through my senses stole ed year that exposed the inequities that communities part of town just so he wouldn’t payments and flossing my teeth ev- / I yielded myself to the perfect of color have faced for generations,” the governor’s live in Whatcom’s 42nd Legislative ery night. But I do it anyway be- whole.” Better days will come. office noted in a statement. “These proposals show- case Washington’s commitment to not just changing VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF CASCADIA WEEKLY THE GRISTLE policies affecting these communities but investing in them as well.”

“We have seen Black, indigenous and other people of color dispropor- 19  tionately impacted by COVID-19 be- cause of longstanding racial gaps, all FOOD  of which have as a root cause—rac-

ism,” Inslee said. “Now is the time to 15 implement real change that will have a positive impact on the lives of those most impacted by this crisis. B-BOARD  “I firmly believe Washington will be an anti-racist state, and I will be tak- 14 ing actions that hold our state to that commitment,” the governor said. FILM  “Becoming one of the first states in the nation to establish a statewide Of- 12 fice of Equity was no small feat,” ad- mitted Rep. Mia Gregerson, the south MUSIC  Seattle Democrat who introduced the bill creating the office. The bill was 11 supported by Debra Lekanoff and Alex ART  Ramel in the 40th Legislative Districts and Sharon Shewmake in Whatcom’s 10 42nd District, among other Democrats.

Early in the new year, Democratic STAGE  lawmakers are preparing to introduce legislation on policing and law en- 9 forcement accountability, which will include Inslee’s proposal to create an GET OUT  Office of Independent Investigations. That office would be established in the executive branch, and an advi- 8 sory board would give input into how

OPEN WORDS  the office is staffed and run. Inslee’s Christmas proposal would dedicate $26 million EVE to set up the office, and pay for any  6 resulting prosecutions. in both An earlier effort toward equity was Fairhaven Fairhaven & Lynden Happy passed by the Legislature in 2019 that & Lynden CURRENTS Last Minute Storewide New

sought to restore many of the goals 4 4 of affirmative action. Voters nar- Shopping! Year! VIEWS  rowly rejected the referendum in 2019 VIEWS  by less than one point (it passed in • Books •

• SALE 2  Whatcom County). That made Referen- Unique & dum 88 one of the most closely de- • Local Gifts MAIL  from the comfort of cided ballot measures in recent times • • 20% OFF Candy YOUR HOME! and left affirmative-action advocates • Toys • weighing how they might still achieve Thursday, Dec. 31 at least some of their goals. In the & More! 12.23.20 intervening months, racial and social & Friday, Jan. 1 unrest has pointedly escalated, and Holidy .15 52 along with it troubling and lethal in- ORNAMENTS # cidents of police violence. Thank That unease is unlikely to fade as Check out the pandemic renews its grip on the You for our Pacific Northwest while residents Incredible Original continue to chafe at the tiresome but Support, Ornaments

necessary social restrictions to con- Local Food CASCADIA WEEKLY Whatcom & Holiday tain it. The COVID pathogen itself is County! Decor! more symptom than cause of our so- 5 ciety’s aliments, and the body of our All the Time republic’s immune system has seldom been weaker. As we enter the third de- cade of the nation’s third century, the debris of the past continues to pile up villagebooks.com and drag down our future. FH: 360.671.2626 LY: 360.526.2133 OIL TRAIN DERAILMENT

19  ek tha FOOD  e t

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14 T NEWS DECEMBER17-21 s FILM  BY TIM JOHNSON 12 MUSIC  11 ART 

STAGE 10 12.17.20

THURSDAY OF ECOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON COURTESY PHOTO 9

President-elect Joe Biden selects Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to serve as the first A train carrying crude oil derailed near Custer on Dec. 22. Reports indicate that seven tank cars derailed, with Native American Cabinet secretary and head the Interior Department, a historic reports of a fire in two of the derailed cars, according to BNSF Railway officials. Whatcom County’s Division of GET OUT  pick that marks a turning point for the U.S. government’s relationship with the Emergency Management evacuates residents within a half a mile of the incident. Interstate 5 is closed in both nation’s Indigenous peoples. In addition to Haaland, Biden has turned to North directions. Whatcom Unified Command reports the fire is under control. 8 Carolina environmental regulator Michael S. Regan to become the first Black man to head the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as Obama administration

WORDS  veteran Brenda Mallory to serve as the first Black chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. All three nominees will play a central role in realizing grew into the largest fraud in Washington’s nate a nation confronting a frightening

 6 Biden’s promises to combat climate change, embrace green energy and address history. The audit provides the first ac- surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The environmental racism. [Washington Post] counting of the circumstances surrounding relief package would establish a temporary schemes that targeted Washington state’s $300 per week supplemental jobless bene- CURRENTS CURRENTS 6 Washington joins dozens of states in a lawsuit to prove Google has been me- unemployment benefits as the coronavirus fit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to

4 thodically abusing its power as the internet’s main gateway in a way that hurts pandemic was growing. [SAO] most Americans, along with a new round of consumers. The lawsuit was filed in federal court by attorneys general of 35 states subsidies for hard-hit businesses and mon-

VIEWS  as well as the District of Columbia and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico. It A former internal auditor at Western ey for schools, health care providers and seems likely to be combined with a similar complaint by the the U.S. Department Washington University claims she was renters facing eviction. [Washington Post] 2  of Justice in late October that is also trying to defuse Google’s dominance of on- fired for being a whistleblower, and has

MAIL  line search and digital advertising. Google annually provides billions of dollars in filed a lawsuit in Whatcom County Superi- “This agreement averts an unemploy- financial incentives to pre-install Google Search as the default or exclusive search or Court. The auditor alleges that staff and ment benefit cliff for nearly 100,000 program on established and emerging internet-connected devices ranging from faculty in the Woodring College of Educa- Washingtonians at the end of this year computers and smartphones to voice-based home speakers and internet-connected tion were giving students credit for classes and provides critical assistance to Wash-

12.23.20 vehicles. The bipartisan lawsuit asserts this is an anticompetitive practice intend- they didn’t attend so those students could ington’s industries and small businesses,” ed to protect Google’s monopoly, and, consequently, unlawful. [AGO] receive federal financial aid. Her lawsuit Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement on Con-

.15 claims she alerted the university and the gress reaching agreement on an omnibus 52

# 12.18.20 Department of Education to her conclusions funding package that includes emergency in an effort to protect the school from fines relief to address the health and economic FRIDAY and penalties. She alleges she was fired in consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Jay Inslee announces details of his 2021–2023 biennial budget proposal, November 2019 for exposing what she says “It also invests in vaccine distribution, which included significant funding for public health, economic supports for were “ghost classes” and other ethics viola- rental assistance, schools and broadband. workers and businesses, and other services that Washingtonians need to recover tions by faculty. [WWU, KGMI] It should be passed and signed as swiftly

CASCADIA WEEKLY from the impacts of COVID-19. “We must invest in the relief, recovery and resil- as possible. Make no mistake—this pack- ience of Washington. We cannot cut the things that we need most during a pandem- 12.21.20 age can only be considered a down-pay- 6 ic,” Inslee said. “In my proposed operating, capital and transportation budgets, I ment on the relief needed to fully recover am investing in the people of our state.” [Office of Governor] MONDAY from this pandemic. I am disappointed After months of gridlock and delay, that further aid for state, local and trib- A report from the state auditor finds the state Employment Security Depart- Congress is set to act on a $900 billion al governments was not included in this ment did not have adequate controls to prevent a major fraud scheme that tar- pandemic relief package, finally deliver- package despite the clear need articulated geted Washington state’s unemployment benefits in the spring. Thousands of ing long-sought cash to businesses and by nearly every state and governor,” Ins- illegal unemployment insurance claims paid out totaled about $600 million and individuals as well as resources to vacci- lee said. [Office of Governor] D’ARTAGNAN DETAINED On Dec. 17, Bellingham Police checked on a report of a man swinging a sword OF FUZZ around near Sunset Square. WHATCOM COUNTY

BUZZ BAD SANTA 52 WOMEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF BELLINGHAM AND WHATCOM COUNTY On Dec. 18, a Bellingham woman woke 19  to find an unknown man standing sev- FOOD  JOY RIDES eral feet away from her. He fled. “PSD Ida Agnes Baker (1859-1921) began On Dec. 18, a passenger jumped into the Destro and his handler quickly got on her lifelong work for women’s suffrage driver’s seat of a stopped vehicle and led the scent of the burglar and caught up at Central Iowa College. In 1899 she was 15 law enforcement on a high-speed chase to him a short distance away and he one of the nine founding faculty members in Whatcom County. “A trooper stopped a was taken into custody,” police report- of New Whatcom State Normal School vehicle at Mount Baker Highway and Ken- ed. “Destro also showed his handler a (renamed Western Washington Universi- B-BOARD  dall Highway for a traffic violation and neatly stacked pile of tools, staged 100 ty), advocating for education on topics that would come to include environmen- found the driver was suspended. While feet from the house, ready to be hauled 14 the driver was placed into custody the away by the burglar.” The 22-year-old tal studies. She was a popular teacher, passenger of the vehicle hopped into the Bad Santa was booked into jail for sev- environmentalist, writer and a local FILM  leader in the women’s suffrage movement. driver’s seat, stealing the vehicle and eral charges, including residential bur- After white women gained the right to 12 fleeing the scene,” the Washington State glary, theft and possession of a con- vote in the state of Washington in 1910, Patrol reported. Everson Police spotted trolled substance. “Great job by our Baker helped organize the Bellingham MUSIC  the car going more than 100 miles per night shift officers in catching this bur- chapter of the Women's Good Govern- hour toward Sumas. The car swerved at glar, recovering the stolen property and ment League, a national group devoted a U.S. Border Patrol agent, nearly strik- calming a very frightened resident by to promoting reform and combating 11 SPECIAL COLLECTIONS WILSON LIBRARY WWU SPECIAL COLLECTIONS ing him. Whatcom County Sheriff’s depu- their presence. PSD Destro earned his political corruption. In a 1919 article she ART  ties and the State Patrol deployed spike Scooby snacks for the shift,” police said recounted a 10-day hike with 13 female strips to stop the car, but the trooper of their detective. students to Mount Baker, believed to be who performed the stop slid in the mud the first such all-woman hiking trip in off the roadway. He and his pursuit car DOGGONE BUSY the area. In 1900, Baker and her friend STAGE 10 Catherine Montgomery joined forces to received no damage. The ad hoc driver, On Dec. 18, Bellingham Police contin- help found the Progressive, Literary and Baker helped Washington 28, faces a charge of taking a vehicle ued their praise of their four-footed Fraternal (PLF) Club, dedicated to the 9 without permission, felon in possession partners: “Of course our other PSDs Rudy political influence of women. In January women gain the vote a full of a firearm and other crimes. and Prowl and EDC Raven have also been 1921, after attending a meeting of the decade before the nation. GET OUT  busy earning their snacks. Rudy caught League of Women Voters, she was struck On Nov. 26, patrol officers were dis- a robbery suspect who threatened loss by a streetcar at the corner of Laurel and patched to the Anacortes Library after a prevention employees with a knife to Garden streets and died. She was inducted 8 vehicle there was stolen. Police learned retain the stolen property on Nov. 24,” into the Northwest Hall of Fame in 2008. that a man and a woman were sitting in police reported. “Prowl found a robbery WORDS  an SUV in the parking lot. Two men and suspect who assaulted loss-prevention SOURCES: Northwest Women’s Hall of Fame, NAWSASuffragistx, 1890-1920 6 a woman known to them were loitering employees in order to retain the stolen  6 near the vehicle. One of the men pointed property on Nov 19. Destro’s November a gun at the driver of the SUV and told find was a person who committed two CURRENTS him to get out of the car. The man with robberies in four days. During the sec- Bess Riesenman Christman (1924-  CURRENTS

the gun and his female associate got into ond, the robber threatened loss-preven- 2016) was a premier volunteer for many 4 the SUV and drove a short distance before tion employees in order to retain stolen local organizations. She was a faithful

police caught up with them and took the property, then fled, tossed a gun and and devoted member of Sacred Heart VIEWS  66-year-old male suspect into custody. His was found by Destro. During the first, Catholic Church and together Bess and female associate was not in the vehicle he swung a champagne bottle like a husband Bob adopted, loved and raised 2  when it was stopped; however the original baseball bat to intimidate loss-preven- four children. They believed in the power MAIL  passenger was still inside the vehicle, held tion employees and fled,” police noted. of education and the importance of community. When Bob came to Western against her wishes. Officers were able to “Raven worked at the ferry to ensure Washington University in 1960 to teach collect a realistic-looking pellet gun that passengers have a safe journey to Alas- and chair the geology department, Bess afternoon, which may have been the weap- ka and assisted officers in a drive-by put her boundless energies into the 12.23.20 on used in the robbery. The 66-year-old shooting to look for shell casings.” community. Bess was a board member of man was booked in jail for robbery, kid- the Interfaith Coalition and a Founding .15 52 napping, unlawful possession of a firearm, On Dec. 3, Bellingham’s explosives de- Mother of Lydia Place, a transitional # taking a motor vehicle without permission tection K9 team was requested for assis- home for women and children. She served and possession of methamphetamine. tance with a bomb threat investigation on the Board of Trustees for the Whatcom in Whatcom County. Volunteer Center. Her other interests were On Dec. 6, Anacortes Police contacted Catholic Community Services, the Volun- a man at a local convenience store after ALIEN SKIES teer Chore Program, Opportunity Council, Northwest Regional Council, Maple Alley There is a student scholarship

he called 911, requesting assistance to On Dec. 21, Sedro-Woolley Police report- CASCADIA WEEKLY Inn, AAUW, and Church Women United. remove a woman after she locked herself ed, “We currently have a strange white program at Western in In 2000 she was inducted into the North- 7 in his car. Officers removed the woman substance falling from the sky. It appears west Women’s Hall of Fame. That same Christman’s honor. from the car without incident. A search to be collecting on the roadway and the year Mayor Mark Admundson named her revealed that the woman had prescrip- ground. The substance appears to be the Citizen of the Year. When there was a tion pills in her possession. She also left slippery and hard to drive/walk on. We call for service, Bess answered it. pieces of foil with burn marks in the car are working on advising the proper au- along with a baggie that possibly con- thorities. (Although we might actually be SOURCES: Bess Christman Obituary; From 100 Years, Women of Whatcom YWCA; tained heroin. those proper authorities.)” personal communication with descendants doit

A FESTIVE DISPLAY

19 

FOOD  words COMMUNITY LECTURES BOOKS 15 B-BOARD  PHOTO BY SATTVA PHOTO SATTVA BY PHOTO

Enter OGG’S WORLD — if you dare … DOUG OGG in the pages of the Weekly—here was 14 a chance to support a local artist in a Check out Christmas trees decorated by local businesses through December as part of the annual Holiday Tree Festival at Belling- Welcome to a land of laughs where lunacy reigns and “Reading Doug Ogg’s conceptually Welcome to nothing is sacred! Pop culture, literature, vitriolic clowns, clever cartoons, I can almost hear the form I love. “Ogg’s World” is less the wheels turning in my brain. Or maybe FILM  ham’s Hotel Bellwether. Donations of money and clothing will go to space aliens, history, religion, feng shui, the art world, that’s just my refrigerator.” OGG’S WORLD sharp bite of “Doonesbury” and “Bloom climate change, fairy tales, germs with a sense of manifest Skookum Kids. — Jen Sorensen destiny, insanity, and death—it’s all here in OGG’S WORLD. County” and more the loving licks of Cartoonist (SLOWPOKE)

Found in alternative newsweeklies across the US and Canada, 12 this collection brings together the best of this popular comic, as “The Far Side” and “Bizzaro”—and for

personally selected by the cartoonist himself. to Welcome “A gem.” that there is a timeless quality to the COMMUNITY WORDS

Quirky. Off-beat. Bizarre. Often in questionable taste, — Iain Topliss MUSIC  but always funny. Author of The Comic Worlds collection of his panels in book form. of Peter Arno, William Steig, DEC. 23-31 MON., DEC. 28 It’s OGG’S WORLD, and as long as we are living in it, Charles Addams, and Buried in the folds of funnies, Ogg we might as well laugh! Saul Steinberg HOLIDAY TREES: Christmas trees VIRTUAL OPEN MIC: At 7pm, 11 OGG’S WORLD sketches his story: decorated by local businesses will published and unpublished writers

“With jokes this brilliant and “It’s not obvious that I have “What humor and artistic talent this ART  be on display through December as can share their stories, poems and drawings like these … the guy doesn’t any qualifications whatsoever to man has. Thanks, Doug, for “I became the school artist,” he relates. even need the funny name!” comment … but I did download it giving me some much needed part of the ninth annual Holiday essays at Village Books’ monthly and am laughing.” belly laughs.” “In junior high I was given an entire page — Tom Leopold — Dr. Kip Thorne Tree Festival at Hotel Bellwether, Virtual Open Mic. Sean Dwyer, Writer (National Lampoon, — Judith O’Dea 10 Cheers, Ellen, Seinfeld) Nobel Laureate (Physics) in the school paper, and in high school I Actress (Barbra from George One Bellwether Way. The com- emcee and celebrated local author, Romero’s Night of the Living Dead) was the paper’s staff cartoonist, cover art- munity is encouraged to peruse the will host the online event, which STAGE  DOUG OGG grew up in the San Francisco In 2007, Ogg was commissioned $12.95 US Bay Area and is a graduate of UC Berkeley. by the City of Roswell, New Mexico Grossly overpriced elsewhere ist and illustrator. By then I had discov- display and vote for their favorite takes place on the last Monday of As a boy, Ogg was obsessed with horror and to create a print commemorating science fiction movies, carnival sideshows, the 60th Anniversary of the Roswell and pretty much anything that veered Incident. R ered Charles Addams, Gahan Wilson, and by tree. Financial contributions and every month. Pre-registration is towards the kooky and the unusual. ScrofulousHouse

Ogg currently resides on the third 9 clothing donations will go to required; spaces are limited, so se- Launched in 2005, OGG’S WORLD has planet from the sun, and is married my teens, B. Kliban—all of whom continue appeared in papers across the United States to an Earthling. and Canada, and nationally in Funny Times. Skookum Kids, a volunteer-staffed cure your spot as soon as possible. Ogg’s work has been featured on the Coast- to inspire me.” To-Coast AM website, and in books. www.DougOgg.com Q facility that cares for children WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM But the comics page was already in GET OUT  entering or transitioning into decline by the time Ogg pitched his first foster care—buying critical time THURS., DEC. 31 panel for syndication. The so-called “al- for caseworkers to find the right NEW YEAR’S AT NOON: Young 8 8 BY TIM JOHNSON ternative weeklies” were on the rise, long-term placement. children and their families can carrying along with them the counter- WWW.HOTELBELLWETHER.COM register for Whatcom County Library System’s virtual “New Year’s WORDS  WORDS  culture vibe of head comics. DEC. 24-25 at Noon Story Time” happening The big three of the alt weekly scene HOLIDAY SCENES: Celebrate from 11:30am-12:15pm and featur-

 6 Proto-Memes at the time were “This Modern World” the winter holidays by viewing ing stories, activities and a dance THE LOST WORLD OF OGG by cosmpolitan Tom Tomorrow (aka, Dan a “stunning” outdoor viewing party. At noon, watch balloons Perkins), together with “Life In Hell” experience including festive lights drop and make some noise. and decorations through Christmas WWW.WCLS.ORG CURRENTS ANCIENT EGYPTIANS knew the storytelling power by Oregon’s Matt Groening, and “Er- at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal,

4 of words combined with pictures—their pictograms were nie Pook’s Comeek” by Seattle’s Lynda 355 Harris Ave. The display JAN. 1-MARCH 15 the original memes. The capacity of a simple line drawing Barry. takes the place of the annual A FOREST OF WORDS: Teens in Holiday Port Festival—which was grades 6-12 can submit their origi- VIEWS  to project meaning has been around as long as the printed Yet given their dependence on paid page itself. advertising, the alt weeklies have been canceled to protect community nal writing for consideration in

2  members against the dangers of Whatcom County Library System’s In an earthier marriage, cartoons have been bright on the hit especially hard by waves of reces- crowd gatherings during the annual poetry competition, “A

MAIL  black of newsprint. The best fuse cultural metaphors with sions and of competing forms online. COVID pandemic—and includes a Forest of Words,” through March scathing satire to release something deep in the human con- Long before COVID, these were killers. winter wonderland scene inside the 15. All styles of poetry are encour- scious—sometimes we call it laughter. “Some papers folded, and a few can- venue’s dome room that gives visi- aged; a panel selects poems based Testament to their importance, the funnies once took celed ‘superfluous’ content,” Ogg re- tors the feeling they are looking on originality, creativity and craft, through the windows into a large and accepted poets receive a copy 12.23.20 up entire sections in newspapers. Editorial cartoons com- lates. “Almost overnight the balance snow globe. of the collaborative book—and pressed the chaotic headlines of the day into instant between working on cartoons and ad- WWW.PORTOFBELLINGHAM.COM bragging rights. Submissions will .15 meaning: Doodles for the noodle. ministrative duties flipped. Things just be accepted online, via mail, or at 52

# Comics were so central to the newspaper id they often weren’t fun anymore.” DEC. 26-30 one of the WCLS libraries. wrapped the outer pages of the Sunday edition in full col- You’d never know that hardship from LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS: Attend WWW.WCLS.ORG “A Drive-Thru Christmas” from or—like a Christmas gift. the humor and love that’s gone into ev- 5pm-10pm Saturday through MON., JAN. 4 But as the power of print media has faded in modern life, ery panel of “Ogg’s World.” Wednesday in Stanwood at Warm GENERAL LIT: At 7pm, join Vil- so too has the influence of that unique form of storytell- “Appearing in one’s hometown paper Beach Park, 20800 Marine Dr. The lage Books co-owners Kelly Evert ing—the comic strip. was a joy and and honor that I will al- illuminating experience features and Paul Hanson for a monthly more than a million lights, festive General Lit Book Group meeting

CASCADIA WEEKLY As page counts have sunk along with newspaper revenue, ways cherish,” Ogg wrote to me in the displays, sightings of characters to discuss Marilynne Robin- the comics were among the first life preservers to be jet- overleaf of his collected works. such as Santa and Mrs. Claus— son’s book Gilead. Winner of the 8 tisoned—along with personal classifieds, love columns, I feel likewise honored. His story is in from afar, of course—and pre-drive Pulitzer Prize and National Book word puzzles and other features of gleaming Americana. It many ways my story, his passion is my snacks in the form of hot mini-do- Critics Award, the tome is the sounds curmudgeonly, but I don’t think online media has passion, and his sense of loss in fading nuts and warm beverages. advance long-hoped-for second novel adequately replaced these fading forms, and thus we are classic forms is no less my own. admission purchase is required. by Robinson. Please register in Entry is $20-$25 per vehicle. advance for the virtual event. culturally diminished by their loss. WWW.THELIGHTSOFCHRISTMAS.COM WWW.VILLAGEBOOKS.COM When Bellingham cartoonist Doug Ogg first offered his View a short video about “Ogg’s World” here: quirky comic panels, I leapt at the chance to include them www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1vzBWHccno FIRELIGHT STROLL

outside 19 

HIKING RUNNING GARDENING FOOD  15 B-BOARD 

drifted away. The highway was as empty

and quiet as a ghost town. LIGHT THE NIGHT: As the culmination of

Through the dripping forest I could Fairhaven Winterfest, attend a Firelight Stroll FILM  hear the river echoing through a mossy from 5pm-8pm on New Year’s Eve starting from chasm somewhere far below. It chat- 8th Street and Harris Avenue. The one-way walk- 12 tered. It knocked. It whispered. It sang through along a wooded path lined with lumi- me to sleep. naria is said to be a “half-mile of holiday magic,” MUSIC  Waking up about 20 minutes later, I so grab a warm beverage at the entry tent, stick found the gorge enveloped by cottony with your group, wear a mask, and enjoy the 11 mist. The temperature had dropped sig- sights. Entry is free and open to all.

nificantly and my benumbed extremi- ART  WWW.FAIRHAVENWINTERFEST.COM ties tingled with cold. Leaping out the door to stimulate cir- culation, I hopped around the puddled sidestep maneuvers, I transitioned back

gravel, kicking my feet and shaking my to a diagonal stride and skirted blow a STAGE 10 hands until the pins and needles subsid- tree island festooned with bearded lichen

ed. Diving back into the car, I engaged glowing incandescently through dull light. 9 the engine with requisite gusto and Localized breezes began to stir as I peeled out to tackle the beckoning hair- inched across an exposed slope that GET OUT  GET OUT 9 pins in a state of renewed vigor. seemed to stretch forever into a sea of Shuddering gusts buffeted the almost- flat gray light, and all too soon I found

empty Heather Meadows parking area as myself beset upon by another flurry of 8 I pulled into a spot within full view of abrasive gusts.

Mt. Shuksan and Table Mountain. Even Descending into a shallow trough be- WORDS  though all my appendages were fully tween two long parallel snowdrifts suf-

functional, I struggled to assemble my ficed to provide a modicum of shelter,  6 gear in the leeward side of the vehicle. but the cruddy concave surface of that First the microfiber sack for my goggles declivity made me wobble and wince.

flew out of the trunk and went sailing into The raven appeared like a shadow. It CURRENTS

oblivion. Then I came within one lunging didn’t swoop in aggressively or come 4 save away from getting a cherished wind- wheeling out of the sky, but simply float-

breaker blown straight off my arms. ed up over the snowdrift beside me, rid- VIEWS  The scouring gusts soon died down a ing an updraft through the valley below.

little but dense, fast-moving clouds over I’ve been approached by corgi-sized 2  Table Mountain were swirling portentously corvids several times in the mountains, MAIL  STORY AND IMAGE BY TRAIL RAT when I finally clicked into my bindings and but compared to those verbose birds started kicking my boards up the track. this one proved curiously stoic. No The old snow on top had gone a bit clucking. No scratchy caw-caw-caw. It Quiet Riot sticky, but the freshly groomed cordu- just hovered right next to me on out- 12.23.20 roy held firm enough for good gliding. stretched wings, staying strangely aloof

BEATING THE CROWDS AT BAKER I chugged along at a pretty good clip and low to the ground. .15 52

through the lower inbounds area. Instead of moving away, it kept closing # THE HVAC crew arrived to replace our furnace just as I finished loading my skis into Expansive emptiness amplified the in on me until I could have reached out the trunk, but I didn’t stick around to enjoy a tutorial. swishing sound of my skis and for quite and touched it. The weather forecast for that particular Monday wasn’t anything to screech about, but a while the only other noises I could Intriguing as this behavior was, I the slopes at Heather Meadows were beckoning with the promise of fresh tracks and un- hear were the distant hoots of unseen didn’t stop skiing right away. At first the crowded conditions. frolickers echoing from the White Salm- bird kept pace with me. Then, as a head-

Rolling fog and hazy sun breaks mixed with intermittent showers and sleet bursts on side. wind picked up, it gradually slid behind. CASCADIA WEEKLY harried me up the highway into a protected state of tunnel vision. By the time I started Contouring alone through so much After a few minutes, I assumed it had hugging curves along the North Fork, persistent drowsiness took hold. uncontested terrain emboldened me to gone. But as the wind died down it came 9 Once it became evident that screaming, slapping my face and pinching myself wasn’t range wider and generate more forward gliding right back. When I sped up, it enough to stop me from nodding off at the wheel, I finally had to pull over. Whipping momentum than I ever would have dared sped up. When I stopped, it stopped. hard into the first available turnout I nosed discreetly into the back shadows and eased to if there’d been herds of screaming For a long time I stood there, trying myself in nice and tight beside a giant boulder. downhillers mobbing around. to figure out how to outwit it. When it Ensconced amid this mossy respite I cracked the windows, lowered my seat into After gaining critical elevation with finally flew away, I realized it had won. the full recumbent position and killed the engine. Not a single car passed as I a sustained flourish of herringbone and But truthfully, so had I. doit

VISIONS OF

SUGARPLUMS 19 

FOOD  stage THEATER DANCE PROFILES 15

their fan base this De- Through Christmas Day, stream B-BOARD  showings of Northwest Ballet The- cember, Estella Scrooge ater’s seasonal ballet, The Nutcracker. will act as a placehold- The event features performances from

14 er for those eager to in- winter of 2019, plus solo scenes shot fuse their holidays with at the Firehouse PAC. FILM  a familiar tale. In addition to in- 12 corporating characters UPCOMING EVENTS VIEW and plot lines from A MUSIC  WHAT: Estella Christmas Carol, the DEC. 23-25 Scrooge: A VIRTUAL NUTCRACKER: Through Christ- musical also draws mas Day, fans and friends of the Northwest

11 Christmas Carol With a Twist from some of Dickens’ Ballet Theater can schedule time to watch ART  WHEN: Stream other famous novels, Clara, Uncle Drosselmeyer, the Sugarplum through Sun., including Great Expec- Fairy and her entourage, the Cavalier, the Nutcracker, and the Mouse King tell 10 10 Jan. 3 tations and Bleak House a seasonal story where good eventually COST: $30 (among others). A cast for a 72-hour triumphs over evil during virtual showings STAGE  STAGE  viewing for of 24 Broadway actors of The Nutcracker. The online showing in- each household; brings Tony and Olivier cludes scenes from NBT’s 2019 productions $45 for a VIP award-winning direc- at the Mount Baker Theatre and McIntyre Premium Theatre tor John Caird’s vision Hall, as well as 15 solos from the ballet filmed this fall at the Firehouse Perform- Experience to life, and although it GET OUT 9 BY AMY KEPFERLE including ing Arts Center. Tune in at 6pm Wednesday unlimited may take a minute to and Thursday, and 2pm Friday. Entry is viewings, a get used to the digital free, but donations are accepted. 8 download of the theater experience, the WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ CD and exclusive wait will be worth it. NORTHWESTBALLETTHEATER

WORDS  Estella Scrooge behind-the- Soon after the open- scenes footage DEC. 23-30 A TWISTED CHRISTMAS CAROL INFO: ing credits, you’ll meet FROM WHERE THEY ARE: Help raise funds  6 www.bellingham the titular character, for Fairhaven’s Firehouse Performing Arts IS GREED genetic? That’s one of many questions to ponder when you settle in for theatreguild.com a cold-hearted mon- Center by watching Kuntz and Company’s a virtual viewing of Estella Scrooge: A Christmas Carol With a Twist. ey grubber who’s the virtual performance of from where they are online as part of the Firehouse Studio. The CURRENTS The seasonal take on Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella has been updated not only to CEO of Bleak House Capital. When Estella focus of the 20-minute piece explores how

4 bring the old-timey tale into the present day, but also to make allowances for what it (played by Betsy Wolfe) returns to her area youth ages 7-16 have adapted to life takes to produce a play in the middle of a global pandemic—including utilizing green hometown in Pickwick, Ohio, it’s not for under the continued threat of COVID-19. Fees are $5 to view the collaboration VIEWS  screen techniques and digital environments merged with footage of actors who were a holiday homecoming, but to personally filmed individually to allow for social distancing. foreclose on a hotel her former boyfriend, between Kuntz and Co., Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth, and the Firehouse. Ad- 2  From now through Sun., Jan. 3, purchasing a ticket to the online-only production Philip Nickelby (Clifton Duncan), has ditional donations to help keep the venue

MAIL  will help you see what’s possible when creativity and cutting-edge technology com- turned into a refuge for those in need. alive are welcome. bine. Locally, it will also help raise funds for the Bellingham Theatre Guild, which has If the three ghosts who visit Estella WWW.FIREHOUSEPERFORMINGARTS.COM been shuttered since mid-March. have anything to say about it—includ- While it waits to reopen until it can insure the safety of its patrons, actors, tech ing Ebenezer Scrooge himself—it’s like- SAT., DEC. 26 COMEDY OPEN MIC: Bellingham Entertain- 12.23.20 crew and volunteers, the longtime community theater at 1600 H Street is staying busy ly she’ll wake up on Christmas morning ment will be hosting virtual Comedy Open behind the scenes. Building and technical crews have used the downtime to make with more lightness than darkness in her Mics from 7pm-9pm every Saturday until live .15 improvements and complete various projects, and BTG President Lynn Starcher reports heart, and hotel Harthouse will be saved. events are allowed again. Each open mic will 52

# that the cast of The Smell of the Kill—the play that was in the middle of production Discovering the true joy of giving is a have eight performance spots and room for when COVID-19 first hit—continues to meet up via Zoom to run line rehearsals and theme that always bears repeating, and 100 audience members to watch for free. If you’re interested in watching or performing, keep their spirits up. Estella Scrooge joins its predecessors in contact Nathan Romano. A link to the event Additionally, a small group is working on another show to stage after the dark com- delivering that message. will be sent 30 minutes before showtime. edy about three unhappy housewives who are faced with a life-and-death decision So, too, does caring for other people, WWWW.BELLINGHAMENTERTAINMENT.COM relating to their husbands ends its much-anticipated run. something Starcher commented on while BAAY WINTER CLASSES: Registration

CASCADIA WEEKLY In a Thanksgiving-day message to Bellingham Theatre Guild’s many supporters, sharing her own tidings of the season. is open for Bellingham Arts Academy for Starcher noted they were keeping their eyes on the future and counting their bless- “Throughout the holidays, please Youth’s online winter classes, which start 10 ings for those who have helped keep the theater alive thus far. continue to stay safe for yourself, your in January and continue weekly on Zoom. “When we think of the season, we think of all of you and want you to know how family and friends, and look forward to Students from ages 5 to 17 can explore much we appreciate your kindness and support,” she said. “We were stunned at the better times next year,” she said. “We theater, dance, singing, songwriting, im- generosity of so many of you when we invited you to consider joining us as members appreciate your continued support and prov, costuming, makeup and more. Fees are $90-$180 per class. Also offered are bring- last August. To our amazement, donations sufficient to cover five months of our ‘hold- look forward to seeing you when we can a-friend discounts and scholarships, ing pattern’ poured in. Thank you!” once more stage shows at Bellingham WWW.BAAY.ORG Though they’d rather be in the middle of bringing live showings of Into the Woods to Theatre Guild.” doit

SMALL ART, BIG IDEAS Barbara Noonan’s pastel 19  visual piece, “Spin It,” is one of GALLERIES OPENINGS PROFILES the many small works avail- FOOD  able through Jan. 17 as part of the 32nd annual “Honey, I Shrunk the Art” group 15 exhibit at Matzke Fine Art Gallery on Camano Island. B-BOARD 

I.E. GALLERY: Heidi Epstein’s “Into UPCOMING 14 Stillness” exhibit featuring printmak- EVENTS ing and needlepoint can be perused FILM  from 11am-4pm Fridays through DEC. 23-24 Sundays through Dec. 27 in Edison at

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS: Choose i.e. gallery, 5800 Cains Court. 12 from an online market or shopping WWW.IEEDISON.COM in person at Allied Arts’ annual MUSIC  Holiday Festival of the Arts place JANSEN ART CENTER: Mike through Christmas Eve. The “wired Bathum’s “Emerging Nature 2,” 11 market” will be open through Dec. “Through the Eyes of the Beholder” 11 ART  24 with curbside pickup available, by Malissa Perry and Christen Mat- ART  and the “lite” mini-market can be tix, a Whatcom Artist Studio Tour attended from 10am-6pm Tues.-Sat. showcase, a Juried Exhibit, and the through Christmas Eve in downtown annual “Cup Show” can be viewed 10 Bellingham at Allied Arts’ headquar- online at the Jansen Art Center,

ters at 1418 Cornwall Ave. 321 Front St. Due to recent COVID STAGE  WWW.ALLIEDARTS.ORG restrictions, the Jansen is currently closed to the public. 9 WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG GOOD EARTH POTTERY ONGOING MATZKE GALLERY: “Honey, I GET OUT  EXHIBITS Shrunk the Art” can be viewed from the Lucky Monkey, framed photos from A GUILDED GALLERY: Stanwood- 11am-5pm Fridays through Sundays BY AMY KEPFERLE wildlife guide Drew Hamilton’s “Waiting Camano Arts Guild’s “Celebrate Art” through Jan. 17 on Camano Island juried show will be on display from at Matzke Fine Art Gallery and for Ice” show at Mindport Exhibits, gifts 11am-5pm Wed.-Sat. through Jan. Sculpture Park, 2345 Blanche Way. for cat lovers at Neko Cat Cafe, Turkish 9 in Stanwood at A Guilded Gallery, The 32nd annual small works show WORDS 8  drop spindles sourced from Northwest 8700 271st St. NW. The second in features pieces by 40 area artists. Stocking WWW.MATZKEFINEART.COM Yarns, Salish Sea maps by Fire & Pine at a series of ongoing juried shows  6 Third Planet, hand-painted ornaments features new works by more than 30 regional artists in a variety of medi- MONA: “The Barn Show,” an (and so much more) at Whatcom Muse- ums. All works are for sale. Viewing exhibit commemorating the annual Stuffers um’s Museum Store, and Peaceful Feeling CURRENTS appointments are encouraged. art shows held at the Reims’ farm on WWW.STANWOODCAMANOART.COM Fir Island starting in 1987, can be A LAST-MINUTE GIVING GUIDE blends available at Wonderland Tea & 4 Spice. Numerous gift cards are also list- viewed online from La Conner’s Mu- ARTWOOD: Hours are currently seum of Northwest Art, 121 First St.

WHEN A close friend dropped off a basket of artfully wrapped ed, including the Think Local Gift Card VIEWS  11am-5pm Wednesdays through Following CDC and state guidelines, homemade caramel sauce on my front porch Monday afternoon, I redeemable at a plethora of businesses Fridays, and 11am-6pm Saturdays at the galleries are currently closed bemoaned the fact that, once again, I’d neglected to get equally throughout Whatcom County. Artwood Gallery, 1000 Harris Ave. to the public. The Museum Store 2  creative for Christmas. In the weeks leading up to the big day, In Fairhaven, Good Earth Pottery is Please wear a mask when entering remains open for holiday shopping. MAIL  I did not fashion pendants out of beach glass, conjure batches filling online orders and providing curb- the gallery; gloves will be available WWW.MONAMUSEUM.ORG of tasty baked goods, knit fingerless gloves or make ornaments side service through Christmas Eve for for guests who need to handle the merchandise. PERRY AND CARLSON: “Our out of stained glass. those wanting to limit their holiday WWW.ARTWOODGALLERY.COM Fractured World,” featuring new

Luckily, the abundance of artists, crafters and original thinkers hassle—and you can also feel good paintings by Christian Carlson, can 12.23.20 in our corner of the world means that even though I waited until knowing a portion of the proceeds from FOURTH CORNER FRAMES: Painter be seen through January in Mount the last minute to procure unique gifts for my friends and fam- their “Celebrate Handmade” exhibit Lorna Libert’s “Close to Home” can Vernon at Perry and Carlson Gallery, .15 be viewed through December at 504 S. First St. 52 ily, there are still plenty of shopping options available that don’t will go to Whatcom Land Trust. Village # Fourth Corner Frames and Gallery, WWW.PERRYANDCARLSON.COM rhyme with “stall”—and don’t require me to put in much leg work. Books and Paper Dreams, Fairhaven Run- 311 W. Holly St. The exhibit features One such resource is a handy giving guide put together by Down- ners, Fairhaven Toy Garden, Current & works such as “Windy Day on SCOTT MILO GALLERY: Pastels by town Bellingham Partnership. The online Holiday Marketplace in- Furbish, Posh Upscale Resale, Whatcom Bellingham Bay,” “The Path at Lake Whidbey Island’s Teresa Saia will be cludes a carefully curated collection of retail offerings to be found Art Market, Peter James Photography, Padden,” and “Bad Hair Day.” featured from 11am-4pm Wednesdays in the urban core, including more than 1,600 items available as the Silvery Moon, and Renaissance Cel- WWW.FOURTHCORNERFRAMES.COM through Saturdays through Jan. 26 in Anacortes at Scott Milo Gallery, part of Allied Arts’ 41st annual Holiday Festival of the Arts, which ebration are also among those staying GOOD EARTH: “Celebrate Hand- 420 Commercial Ave. Also showing CASCADIA WEEKLY can be purchased on their website or in person through Dec. 24— open to fill your last-minute gift-giving made” will be featured from 11am- still-life photographs by Randy Dana, as can many of the items on the Holiday Marketplace. needs. Even if you can’t find the time to 5pm Mondays through Saturdays a new style of mixed-media acrylic by 11 Also on the list: Chain rings at Apse, air plants from get creative on your own, you’ll still be (closed Tuesdays) and 12pm-4pm Anne Martin McCool, nostalgic photos Babygreens, cold-weather clothing at Backcountry Essentials, covered for Christmas. Sundays through December at Good on canvas by Lewis Jones, seascapes Earth Pottery, 1000 Harris Ave. and local scenes in pastel by Steven leather ski mitts at Boardworks Tech Shop, Boundary Bay Brew- The exhibit features the work of Hill and brightly painted acrylics by ery’s canvas totes (which are the perfect thing to fill with For more info, go to resident artists. Jennifer Bowman. libations), board and card games from the Comics Place, hand- www.downtownbellingham.com/marketplace WWW.GOODEARTHPOTS.COM WWW.SCOTTMILO.COM poured soy candles at Fringe Boutique, Bellingham Flag caps at or www.enjoyfairhaven.com rumor has it THOUGH IT IS certainly a necessary mea-

sure, I can’t say I was super-excited

19  when I heard the news that the federal government passed an 11th-hour, $900 FOOD  music billion stimulus plan after months of SHOW PREVIEWS RUMOR HAS IT partisan bickering and an historic lack

15 of action that has damaged the lives of millions of Americans. And while I’m cer- tainly not going to tell the federal gov- B-BOARD  ernment to keep my allotment, a $600

 check, when divided by the number of around two hours, and bring a familiar voice months this nation’s citizens have been to the forefront. left hanging, isn’t exactly the support FILM 14 “A Very Subdued Christmas” takes place on people need.

Christmas Eve. The kitchen table will take on But then I heard a piece of news worth 12 12 a decidedly festive tone, with Blake telling celebrating. stories and singing songs that have some- Contained within the 5,593 pages of the MUSIC  MUSIC  thing to do with the holiday season. Special plan that determines how the money will guests will include the Gouran Girls, John El- be divided and who it will be allotted to 11 liott, and Louis Ledford. And although you is $15 billion

ART  can watch for free if you’re low on funds, a in relief money generous gift to the virtual tip jar is most for indie music  appreciated. When: 5pm-7pm Thurs., Dec. 24. venues, movie Cost: Suggested donation is $10. Info: www. theaters, per- STAGE 12 robertsarazinblake.com/concerts formance spac- After remotely joining Blake and company es and other BY CAREY ROSS 9 on Friday night, Ledford will return to the cultural institu- virtual world on Christmas Day for a “Holiday tions as part of the Save Our Stages act. Special” on Facebook Live. For those who are I don’t know what a Christmas miracle GET OUT  glad that the singer and songwriter known looks like, but I have a feeling it closely for performing “literate Americana roots mu- resembles $15 billion in government aid sic” will be dipping his toes into the holiday for an industry that has been decimated hoedown pool, consider that the Southern- beyond measure by COVID-19 shutdowns.

WORDS 8  born artist moved to Bellingham in 2011 af- The specifics of the plan will allow ter a number of years spent performing at independent venues to apply for Small

 6 the Subdued Stringband Jamboree—mean- Business Association grants to cover six ing without Blake in Bellingham, there’d be months worth of payroll and other costs no Ledford here either. I don’t know if that including rent, utilities and maintenance. CURRENTS would be considered a Christmas miracle, but Applicants have to have lost at least 25

4 it’s close. When: 5pm Sat., Dec. 25. Cost: Free. percent of their annual revenue to qualify LOUIS LEDFORD Info: www.facebook.com/louisledfordmusic for the assistance and preference will be PHOTO BY FRANCESCO LUCARELLI BY PHOTO

VIEWS  Speaking of gifts that keep giving, Bell- given to those businesses that have lost ingham Symphony Orchestra will be offering 90 percent or more of their revenue—a 2  free viewings of its annual Holiday Concert on benchmark that a staggering amount of

MAIL  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In addition these venues and institutions will have BY AMY KEPFERLE to a turn by guest conductor Ryan Dudenbos- no trouble meeting. Just as important as tel, the show recorded earlier this month at who is eligible to receive it, are the folks the Mount Baker Theatre features visits by barred from applying: publicly traded 12.23.20 Jingle Bells master storyteller Rosemary Vohs, noted so- companies and large corporations. prano Ibidunni Ojikutu, and Lummi performers Is $15 billion enough to truly save our

.15 CHRISTMAS CONCERTS, TAKE TWO from Children of the Setting Sun Productions. independent stages? No, it isn’t. Nor will 52

# “This year, in addition to the classics, we it bring back the venues—some long- IN LAST week’s online issue of Cascadia Weekly, I chronicled a number of focused on holiday music from a wide range of standing and iconic, all part of the net- virtual holiday concerts designed to bring the sounds of the season to life traditions—music that our guest artists, BSO work of stages that make touring possi- in a year when “bringing to life” means viewing the action from the safety members and I hold close to our own hearts ble and music scenes vibrant—that have of our own screens. I’ll add a few more here in the hopes of drawing more from our own lives,” Dudenbostel says. BSO closed permanently, unable to hang on viewers to the entertaining efforts of local and regional musicians, so stock Executive Director Gail Ridenour adds that for months without an end in sight. It

CASCADIA WEEKLY up on hot apple cider and whiskey, plug in the Christmas lights, unwrap a in the spirit of the holidays, they wanted to also won’t keep other venues from hav- present or two and tune in. make sure all community members had access ing to make the same brutally difficult 12 As he has been doing during the course of the pandemic, Robert Sarazin to the show, decision to shutter. Blake’s to-do list this weekend is focused on making music for the masses. “In this challenging time,” she says, “we feel But it will help. It will absolutely save The Subdued Stringband Jamboree founder didn’t let COVID-19 keep him it’s even more important to make sure classi- some of our venues and give others the from hosting a smaller, more intimate version of the summertime staple in cal music is available to everyone.” When: 6pm breathing room needed to scare up other August, and the beloved folksinger and traveling musician has continued Thurs., Dec. 24 and 7pm Fri., Dec. 25. Cost: Free; sources of funding. It’s been too long in to make the most of staying put by offering “Live From the Kitchen Table” subscriptions are available for the season. Info: coming, but miracles aren’t known for most Sundays. The virtual shows typically include special guests, clock in at www.bellinghamsymphony.org sticking to a schedule. Open Christmas Eve!

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BELLINGHAM Story entered my life, but I do remember who introduced it to me: my grandma Pat, who had an affection for the movie that seemed to come straight from her own life experience. In Ralphie Parker and his

quest for a Red Ryder BB gun, she saw 19  film her youngest son Dennis, and in Ralphie’s mother’s “You’ll put your eye out” admo- FOOD  MOVIE REVIEWS nition, she saw herself. But the real-life reminders didn’t end there. Every year,

15 when we’d watch together, she’d talk about how my Uncle Dennis’ best friend Cornwall was just like Flick, the kid who B-BOARD  stuck his tongue to the frozen pole, and

 the Bumpus’ dogs were all the cats she’d

14  ever had who’d snuck away with part of a holiday dinner. I have to admit, there was FILM  FILM 14 a bit of resemblance between the rough- around-the-edges, working-class Parker 12 family and my own clan, but even if you could never imagine anyone in your fam- MUSIC  ily calling a leg lamp a “major award,” A Christmas Story remains an enduring clas- 11 sic for so many reasons.

ART  I was an insufferable teenager when Home Alone was released and my inter-  est in Kevin McAllister’s hijinks was bordering on nonexistent. As a teen, STAGE 12 I had no minutes or patience for the plot holes so wide you could drive an

9 ocean liner through them and Macaulay Culkin’s charms were completely lost on me. However, via repeated viewings as GET OUT  an adult, I’ve come around. Kevin is an excellent mix of diabolical precocious- ness and scared kid (Culkin is a miracle of perfect casting—one of those times

WORDS 8  when Hollywood got something ex- actly right), and Joe Pesci and Daniel

 6 Stern make for appropriately ridiculous villains. Plus, I’m a total sucker for a John Hughes script and a John Williams CURRENTS soundtrack. And, at the end of the day,

4 HOME ALONE who wouldn’t want to booby trap their own house in the name of self-defense

VIEWS  and outwitting some bad guys? In the arena of films that are less 2  BY CAREY ROSS tor it with the spirits of the season) and Christmas classics and more guilty plea-

MAIL  press play on the classics to which we’ve sures falls a movie that I have watched returned time and again. on TV, complete with commercial breaks, Every year since I was born (give or take as many times or more than I’ve watched A Classic Christmas those years before my memory kicked in), He’s Just Not That Into You (don’t watch 12.23.20 TRIED AND TRUE my mom has forced me to watch It’s a it. It’s not good. Especially with com- Wonderful Life with her. I used to find mercial breaks): The Holiday. I can take .15 NORMALLY, WHEN writing about seasonal cinema, I try and suggest movies the 1946 Frank Capra film starring Jimmy or leave Kate Winslet’s character and 52

# outside the realm of the standards. I operate under the assumption that we’ve all seen Stewart and Donna Reed to be boring and I’ve never really bought into the vague the classics umpteen times and what we’re really after are the outliers. more than a little cheesy (sorry, mom). charms of Jack Black. It’s the British side However, 2020 has not been a normal year. However, as time has gone by, I’ve come of this Hollywood-England house-swap During a normal year, I start watching Christmas films right around, well, Christmas. around to the story of George Bailey’s rom-com that compels me. There’s just This year, bored, a bit sad and looking for cheer, I fired up the yuletide movies before reckoning with what life in small-town something about Cameron Diaz’s Amanda Thanksgiving was upon us. As previously mentioned, I’ve been swimming deep in the Bedford Falls would’ve been like without as a tightly wound Hollywood type who

CASCADIA WEEKLY waters of Hallmark, Lifetime, and now Netflix Christmas movies. Spoiler: They’re all ter- him, and have developed an appreciation is actually a mess under her perfectly rible, none are believable and I don’t care about either of those things one bit. for the film’s inspirational messaging that coiffed exterior—a wholly relatable, 14 Now that the holiday itself draws nigh, I find myself craving the true-blue Christmas our lives are important, regardless of how wine-swilling, cheesy-dancing, bad- classics. Perhaps it’s my longing for pre-COVID days at play or maybe it’s a simple desire we feel about them. Mostly I succumb to decision-making mess—that I find to to immerse myself in worlds where everything turns out just right by Christmas morn- endless rewatches because Stewart’s per- be endearing. And I love the interludes ing, but during a year when I won’t be opening presents with my folks while my Pops formance is multilayered, masterful and when she imagines her life as a movie wears his light-up holiday sweater, and I’m not sitting down to a feast of Christmas rife with surprisingly sly humor—but I trailer. Add those Nancy Meyers eye-can- lasagna with my friend and coworker Amy Kepferle, traditional movies feel like a warm still think they’re too mean to Uncle Billy. dy houses to the mix and it’s a sneaky blanket of Christmas comfort. Pour yourself a mug of hot chocolate (feel free to doc- I’m not sure when exactly A Christmas piece of holiday entertainment. BY ROB BREZSNY LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In my astrological BY AMY ALKON join you once a week in a small private opinion, love won’t be predictable in 2021. It won’t be easily definable or comparable to what you’re funeral for your enthusiasm. experienced before. But I also suspect that love will be

FREE WILL delightfully enigmatic. It will be unexpectedly educa- THE SCIENCE ADVICE FATE CLUB tional and fervently fertile and oddly comfortable. Your 19  I’m a woman in my early 30s. I grew up on assignment, as I understand it, will be to shed your

certainties about what love is and is not so that the FOOD  a steady diet of romance novels, and I keep ASTROLOGY GODDESS wild, fresh challenges and opportunities of love can longing for the true “soul mate” love from ARIES (March 21-April 19): Your capacity for stream into your life in their wildest, freshest state.

pioneering feats and impressive accomplishments will 15

DROP DUD, GORGEOUS my fictional world. No guy ever seems right, 15 I typically avoid conflict to keep from having so I never feel that yearning, intense desire be at a peak in 2021. So you could become the best SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Until 1893, Hawaii human ever at balancing a ladder on your chin or was a sovereign nation. In January of that year, ugly conversations. I’m in an unhappy rela- and connectivity I’ve been searching for. I typing with your nose or running long-distance while a group of wealthy foreigners, mostly Americans, B-BOARD  tionship, and it’s clearly not fixable. I always feel more of those emotions reading romance holding an egg on a spoon with your mouth. But I’d overthrew the existing government with the help of B-BOARD  rely on the other person to end a relationship, novels than I ever did with any boyfriend. Do prefer it if you channeled your triumphal energy into the U.S. military. They established a fake temporary more useful innovations and victories. How about mak- “republic” that excluded native Hawaiians from posi- even when it’s making me really miserable. you believe each person has a “true love?" 14 ing dramatic strides in fulfilling your most important tions of power. Their goal, which was to be annexed by Why do I do this, and how do I change? Am I too much of a romantic? goal? Or ascending to an unprecedented new level of the United States, was fulfilled in July 1898. I propose —Stuck Girl —Lonely Dreamer inspiring people with your passionate idealism? Or that you use this sad series of events as a motivational FILM  setting a record for most illusions shed? story in 2021. Make it your goal to resist all efforts to be colonized and occupied. Commit yourself passion- Note that fighter planes have an So, going by the romance novel stan- 12 TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Ark Encounter is ately to preserving your sovereignty and independence. “ejection seat” and not a “go down in a dard, you’re just looking for that hand- a fundamentalist Christian theme park in Kentucky. Be a tower of power that can’t be owned. flaming wreck” seat. some, rapey, billionaire sociopath who Its main attraction is a giant replica of Noah’s Ark. MUSIC  Fighter plane seat design is a help- follows you around like a puppy. Constructed mostly from spruce and pine trees, it’s one SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In 2021, you of the world’s largest wooden structures. Even though may be smarter than you have ever been. Not necessarily 11 ful model for relationships that have Unfortunately, a belief in “soul I don’t believe that there was in fact such a boat in wiser, too, although I have reason to hope that you will run their course. Facts don’t change mates” is about as realistic. Each of us ancient times, I do admire how its builder, Ken Ham, leverage your smartness to also deepen your wisdom. But ART  because you refuse to acknowledge supposedly has our one and only perfect has been so fiercely devoted to making his fantasies as I was saying, your intelligence could very well soar real. I encourage you to cultivate an equally zealous beyond its previous heights. Your ability to speak articu- their existence. Your approach— romantic match. Naturally, this person 10 commitment to manifesting your own visions and lately, stir up original thoughts, and solve knotty riddles which I’ll call “nonfrontational”—is is conveniently located and culturally dreams in 2021. should be at a peak. Is there any potential downside to particularly counterproductive. Clini- in lockstep and is never, say, a nomadic this outbreak of brilliance? Only one that I can imagine: STAGE  cal psychologist Randy Paterson calls desert goatherd who thinks his life will GEMINI (May 21-June 20): From 1961 until It’s possible that your brain will be working with such 1989, a concrete barrier divided the city of Berlin. dominant efficiency that it will drown out messages from this a “passive” style of responding to finally be perfect if only he turns you 9 Communist East Berlin lay on the east side of the your heart. And that would be a shame. In order to do conflict, driven by a goal of avoiding into wife number eight. Berlin Wall, and capitalist West Berlin on the west. what I referred to earlier—leverage your smartness to conflict “at all costs.” In fact, what A person who believes in soul mates It was an iconic symbol of the Cold War between the deepen your wisdom—you’ll need to be receptive to your you end up avoiding is not conflict but has a “destiny theory” of love, explains U.S. and Soviet Union. More than 100,000 people heart’s messages GET OUT  temporary emotional turbulence—the social psychologist C. Raymond Knee. tried to escape from east to west, but just 5,000 succeeded. The standoff ended in 1989, during the CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The birds known queasy/fraidy/anxiousness—that They think two people are either fated peaceful revolutions that swept through Eastern as red knots breed every year in the Arctic regions. would come with taking steps to re- to be together or they’re not; whether Europe. In subsequent months, the Berlin Wall was Then they fly south—way south—down to the south- slowly demolished. Today, tiny fragments of the wall ern edge of South America, more than 9,000 miles solve it. So, by avoiding conflict, you a relationship is good or bad is beyond WORDS 8 end up having much more conflict for their control. They can be quick to give are marketed as medicines for asthma, headaches, away. A few months later they make the return trip to narcolepsy and ulcers. Now I will propose that in the far north. In 1995, ornithologists managed to put a much longer stretch of time. the boot to “less-than-perfect candi- 2021, you adopt the demolished Berlin Wall as your a monitoring band on one red knot’s leg, making it  6 But say you braved up this after- dates” and to see any conflict as a sign metaphor of power. May it inspire you to be gleeful possible to periodically get a read on his adventures noon and told your boyfriend it’s over. a relationship should be abandoned as and forceful as you dismantle psychological obstacles over the subsequent years. The bird’s nickname is and impediments. Moonbird, because he has traveled so many miles in It would feel miserable in the moment, “just another distraction in the search the course of his life that it’s equivalent to a jaunt to CURRENTS and that misery would have plenty of for perfection.” CANCER (June 21-July 22): The year 2021 will the moon. He’s known as “the toughest four ounces 4 company as you did all those fun break- Back here in reality, all humans contain 525,600 minutes. But I suspect you might on the planet.” I nominate him to be your magical up things like sawing the couch in half. are fallible, and being two different enjoy the subjective sensation of having far more creature in 2021. I suspect you will have stamina, than 525,600 minutes at your disposal. That’s because hardiness, persistence and determination like his. VIEWS  But then you’d be out—instead of neck- people often means wanting conflict- I think you’ll be living a fuller life than usual, with deep in still miserable for another three ing things. People who understand greater intensity and more focus. It may sometimes AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): An Aquarian park 2  months, or as long as it takes for your this have a “growth” or “work-it-out” seem to you as if you are drawing greater riches out of ranger named Roy Sullivan was struck by lightning boyfriend to notice he’s had enough. theory of love. They believe a happy, the daily rhythm—accomplishing more, seeing further, seven times in the course of his 71 years on the MAIL  diving down deeper to capitalize on the privilege of planet. (That’s a world record.) None of the electro- Healthy assertiveness starts with satisfying relationship doesn’t just being here on planet earth. Be grateful for this bless- static surges killed him, although they did leave a few telling yourself that you have a right happen. It takes work. It’s something ing—which is also a big responsibility! burns. After studying your astrological potentials for 2021, I’ve concluded that you may be the recipient, to try to get your needs met. Feeling two people create through what Knee 12.23.20 worthy might take some emotional describes as a paired process of “con- LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Our lives are filled with on a regular basis, of a much more pleasurable and puzzles and enigmas and riddles. We all harbor aspects rewarding kind of lightning strike: the metaphorical renovation. If so, do get on that, ei- quering obstacles and growing clos- of ourselves that we don’t understand. I hope that in kind. I advise you to prepare yourself to be alert for .15 52

ther on your own or with a therapist. er.” 2021, you will be on a mission to learn more about more epiphanies than usual: exciting insights, inspir- # However, there’s a secret to asserting Probably the best anyone can do these parts of yourself. One of your superpowers will ing revelations, and useful ideas. yourself, even as a person who’s long in seeking a partner is figure out be a capacity to uncover secrets and solve mysteries. Bonus: I suspect you’ll be able to make exceptional PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Coral reefs are in avoided it. You don’t have to feel their personal must-haves (physi- progress in getting to the root of confusing quandaries danger all over the world. These “rainforests of the worthy or even comfortable in order cally, emotionally, ethically, and any that have undermined you—and then fixing the prob- sea” are being decimated by ocean acidification, toxic to do it. Admit that it’ll feel scary, other essential “ly”s) and then find lems so they no longer undermine you. runoff from rivers, rising temperatures and careless tourists. Why should we care? Because they’re beauti- totally foreign and generally like a somebody with enough of them to

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): When actor Gene ful! And also because they’re hotbeds of biodiversity, CASCADIA WEEKLY big pile of suck to assert yourself— make it worth working to build some- Wilder was 8 years old, his mother began to have providing homes for 25 percent of all marine species. and then do it anyway. thing together. Realistically, maybe heart-related health issues. The doctor that treated They also furnish protection for shorelines from erosion 15 You might also apply this to other your soulmate is that Mr. Wonderful her suggested he could help her out if he would try and storm damage, and are prime spots to harvest to make her laugh. From then on, Wilder cultivated seafood. So I’m pleased people are finding ways to areas of your life, from friendships to who finds you beautiful while you’re an ability to tell jokes and got interested in becom- help reefs survive and recover. For example, a group in work. When a situation you’re in be- drooling into your pillow—who you ing an actor. Ultimately he appeared in 22 films and Thailand is having success using superglue to reattach comes irreparably toxic and awful, can sometimes hear from the next was nominated for two Oscars and two Golden Globe broken-off pieces to the main reefs. I hope this vi- there’s a reasonable thing to do, and room chewing like something that Awards. I foresee a comparable development in your gnette inspires you to engage in metaphorically similar life in 2021: A challenging situation will inspire you in restorative and rejuvenating activities, Pisces. In 2021, it isn’t staying in it and having the cat eats hay out of a bucket. ways that generate a major blessing. you will have an enhanced power to heal. rearEnd crossword

45 Button alternative 4 With 2-Down, inter- 41 Like 50/50 odds 52 “Allergic to Water”

46 Greek M’s viewee for John Len- 42 Alphabet where X is singer DiFranco 19  49 Long-running forensic non retrospectives “X-ray” 55 Fledgling pigeon

FOOD  drama with an upcom- 5 ___ Dots (cryogenic 43 Bridge section 57 Rome home ing reboot ice cream brand) 46 Argentine soccer 60 Royally named liner, 50 Mineral spring 6 “thank u, next” singer superstar Lionel briefly 15 15 53 Airport posting Grande 47 1960s United 61 Arm bone (connect- 54 Catchall abbrs. 7 Hires competitor Nations secretary ed to the leg bone?) B-BOARD  B-BOARD  56 Largest moon of 8 Platform for the “Ani- general 62 Force to leave Saturn maniacs” reboot 48 Dish prepared with 66 Objective  58 Particle accelerator 9 Bhutan’s continent garlic butter and 67 Letters on British particle 10 Retailer that filed white wine battleships FILM 14 59 “Me shooting 40% for bankruptcy in 50 Google gaming at the foul line is 2018 service as of 2019 12 just God’s way to say 11 No divider, they 51 Inventor’s concern nobody’s perfect,” for 12 Spanish currency MUSIC  instance? pre-euro Last Week’s Puzzle

11 63 Playwright Beckett 16 Briefly stated 64 Suffix for Gator or 21 Ball club VIP ART  Power 22 Leicester lineup

10 65 Idaho neighbor 23 “Kindergarten Cop” 68 Midway through a director Reitman

STAGE  migraine, e.g. 24 Model/actor Delev- 69 “In the Heights” Tony ingne 9 J'Accuse! 15 Early online news- 27 “Batman Forever” ac- winner ___-Manuel 30 “For real?” response THEY'RE IN THERE group system tor Kilmer Miranda 31 ME zone, in winter

GET OUT  17 “The Caine Mutiny” 28 “Messenger” material 70 Adult ___ (Cartoon 34 Holly Hunter, in novelist 29 Talent for detail, Network offshoot) “The Piano” ACROSS 18 ___ squared (circle maybe 71 Leg bone (connected 35 Astronaut Grissom 1 Sluggish formula) 32 “Call Me Maybe” singer to the arm bone?) 36 “Pretty sneaky, ___”

WORDS 8 5 Arm gesture done 19 Act as a go-between Carly ___ Jepsen 72 China’s Sun ___-sen (Connect Four ad by kids graduating 20 Bygone laptop 33 General ballpark 73 Male cats line)

 6 elementary school company’s fiscal year 35 It may be educated 38 Storyline progres- LOOKING FOR PUZZLE SOLUTIONS? 8 Hosts in one’s apart- division? 37 “How does a company DOWN sion Last week’s puzzle was published in our digital edition, which can be viewed on the Cascadia Weekly website www. ment (remember 23 “Bleh!” reserve a symbol to 1 Ocelot foot 39 Many Super Bowl cascadiaweekly.com. Last week’s digital edition also includes CURRENTS that?) 25 “As Seen on TV” knife trade?” and “How does 2 See 4-Down MVPs the solution for the prior week’s puzzle.

4 13 The A in A.D. brand it differ from NYSE?” 3 Sonic the Hedgehog’s 40 Capital at over 14 Public radio host Glass 26 Dinnerware collections 44 Photographer Diane echidna friend 9,000 feet ©2020 Jonesin’ Crosswords VIEWS  2 

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STAGE  precautions at RainbowAutoService.com doing after months of brutally hard work. rebuilt their joint outdoor space, Bayou Among them are Saltine (closed until Jan. on Bay expanded its canopied area, work • Diagnosis • Repairs • Service 6), Good to Go Meat Pies (closed until is underway at Mallard/Bantam, and

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CURRENTS mas Eve pasta feed. The show goes on, table giving, and but this time the feed takes place in the Aslan Brewing is a 4 comfort of your own home. The brewpub proud participant is offering take-and-bake pasta kits in a in that practice. They recently made a VIEWS  number of varieties, all to be washed down $21,573 donation to Black Lives Matter

2  with a pint (or several pints) of Boundary’s of Seattle-King County, and during De- beer. See their website for more details. cember are partnering with Bellingham MAIL  Occupied Protest and Mutual Aid Wagon Home OF Bellingham's Best Bloody Mary THE GREAT OUTDOORS Brigade to provide monetary and meal With no end to the curtailment of indoor support to Camp 210 at Bellingham City dining in immediate sight, eateries Hall. Drop some dollars at www.aslan 12.23.20 Now open for covered continue to show a remarkable ability to brewing.com, and Aslan will match all adapt, in this case by building outdoor donations up to $2,000. .15 outdoor seating and to-go! 52

# Order by phone or at bayouonbay.com Tuesday - Thursday 3-9pm Friday 12-9pm WITNESS THE FITNESS Saturday 10am-3pm JOY OF PILATES Sunday 10am-7pm They moved classes online and even moved a reformer to a canopied area outside their Brunch menu available CASCADIA WEEKLY studio, but despite all they’ve done to adapt, Saturday & Sunday until 3pm pandemic shutdowns are threatening to shut 18 Mention this ad to get lunchtime happy hour all day Friday down Joy of Pilates permanently. They’ve launched a GoFundMe to cover costs, and even amid their own constrained circumstances, they’re still hosting a diapers and book drive for Cajun, Creole and Southern cuisine since 2007 Lydia Place. Find them at www.joyofpilates.net (360) 752-2968 | www.bayouonbay.com | 1300 Bay St. Bellingham if you’d like to help. doit

FILL THEIR

19 BOWLS 19  As part of a Holiday Pet Food FOOD  chow Drive, drop off donations of dry FOOD  RECIPES REVIEWS PROFILES cat and dog food in front of the Anacortes Police Department

through Christmas Eve. 15 B-BOARD  DEC. 23-24 be added to distributed items as from neighbors who’d be willing to de- BELLEWOOD CHRISTMAS: Gifts availability allows. Folks may visit

liver the eggs to Camp 210 each morning, made by local residents, daily twice per week and may choose 14 and people were happy to help. baked goods, nine different home- among all locations which they

made pies and a new cinnamon- visit. Cold-weather options are FILM  As the weather deteriorated and the en- flavored vodka can be procured 1pm-4pm Tuesdays and Thursdays campment spread across the street to the for the final week from 10am-5pm at the Jersey St. locale, and from

library lawn, Breskin and others realized Wednesday and Thursday at 3pm-6pm Wednesdays at the park- 12 they could help feed the need in a larger Bellewood Farms & Distillery, 6140 ing lot at Christ the King Church, capacity. By Dec. 5, a “Soup Brigade” was Guide Meridian. Attendees can 4173 Meridian St. MUSIC  also take free socially-distanced WWW.BELLINGHAMFOODBANK.ORG gathering a supply of large pots, getting photos with Santa, purchase 11 donations of to-go containers with lids Christmas trees and gather around SAT., DEC. 26

and spoons, sourcing ingredients such the bonfire while warming up with SHARE SPOT: Birchwood Food ART  as lentils, squash, carrots, potatoes and apple cider or a hot toddy. Desert Fighters hosts a Share WWW.BELLEWOODFARMS.COM Spot from 12pm-2pm Saturdays in onions, and soliciting volunteers to make 10 the parking lot of the Industrial the soup. An online MealTrain was started, MIRACLE POP-UP SHOP: The Credit Union, 3233 Northwest Ave. and since then the group has been pro- holiday pop-up shop known as Thanks to a collaboration with the STAGE  viding soup and a variety of other menu Miracle at Swim Club wraps up this Miracle Food Network, the weekly

items on a daily basis. week from 3pm-6pm Wednesday event featuring the sharing of 9 “I asked for help, and you sure came and Thursday at Gainsbarre, 1143 free food will likely continue 11th St. Holiday cocktail kits, through the winter. Volunteers through,” Breskin wrote in a Dec. 9 Miracle glassware and festive de- are often needed on Saturdays, GET OUT  post. “I am so touched! My front entry cor can be found in every corner, and during the week. COVID safety is filled with soup to-go containers and and warm beverages for customers protocols are in place. lids. Neighbors have donated cash to of all ages can be enjoyed in a WWW.BIRCHWOODFOODJUSTICE. buy more. Some of the money may go for festive outdoor “parklet." ORG/SHARE-SPOTS WWW.MIRACLEPOPUP.COM other things, as other urgent needs arise, MON., DEC. 28 WORDS 8 but it will all assist neighbors without PET FOOD DRIVE: Anacortes FOOD BANKING: The Foothills

shelter this winter… Plus, I now have a Animal Control will host a Holiday Food Bank—which serves com-  6 lovely list of delivery volunteers, though Pet Food Drive through Christmas munity members from Mt. Baker to we can always use more. We are an amaz- Eve. Drop off donations of dry the South Fork Valley—is seeking cat food and dry dog food in the volunteers on Mondays, Tuesdays, CURRENTS ing community. Thank you for answering cardboard donation box in front of Thursdays and some Fridays. Before

when I call. It means the world to me.” the Anacortes Police Department, the pandemic, FFB was serving 4 With a “many hands make light work” 1218 24th St. Canned cat and dog approximately 150 families a food, beds, blankets and towels, cat week, but the number how now

ethos, the Soup Brigade is going strong, VIEWS  and is still needed even though the City litter, toys for cats, dogs or horses, doubled and is expected to grow new or gently used horse tack, during the holidays season. While BY AMY KEPFERLE 2  of Bellingham recently approved an emer- cleaning supplies, gift certificates the number of families served has gency encampment for more than 30 peo-

to local feed stores, and monetary significantly increased, the number MAIL  ple in the parking lot at Civic Field—with donations that will go directly to of volunteers to distribute food has two or three more sites under negotiation. local animal organizations such decreased. Soup Brigade WWW.BIT.LY/FFBV2020 If you go to the MealTrain to sign up as Anacortes Animals Relief Fund, Saving Pets One at a Time, Humane

to deliver a hot meal, Breskin says to 12.23.20 HELPING FEED THE NEED Society of Skagit Valley, the Cat’s THURS., JAN. 7 remember to include how many serv- Meow, and Skagit Animals in Need ZOOM AND EAT: At 7pm,

FOR YEARS, I’ve been one of many Bellinghamsters receiv- ings you will be bringing so that others will also be accepted. Whatcom Community Foundation .15 (360) 293-1916 OR WWW. 52 ing regular email alerts about the local music scene from Colum- can see where they might best fill in the and South Fork Valley Community # bia neighborhood resident Flip Breskin. blanks. Even if it doesn’t look there’s ANACORTESWA.GOV Association will host a virtual presentation, “Zoom and Eat: Can- But with the arrival of COVID-19 and the subsequent cancella- space, she says, you can take soup any- THURS., DEC. 24 ning, Preserving and Sharing Our tion of most live shows, “Flip’s Picks” pivoted its focus to ways way, as it’s all getting eaten. FOOD DISTRIBUTION: Belling- Resources.” The topic of the “Proj- residents can stay connected with one another during the pan- “Look for meals that have no one ham Food Bank will be distribut- ect Neighborly” event will focus demic. From helping organize a socially distanced chalk art fes- signed up yet, and also look for folks who ing pre-packed food boxes from on people sharing their harvest. 1pm-4pm at 1175 Jersey St. People New South Fork Valley resident

tival in the summer to drawing attention to livestreamed con- have signed up to bring fewer than 50 CASCADIA WEEKLY can join a car queue and, when Aubrey Redmon will discuss certs to informing people about where to spot Santa Claus, get meals,” she says. “Click on that person’s it’s their turn, volunteers will preserving and freezing, longtime tested for the coronavirus, or find free food pantries, the emails name, and coordinate with them to bring offer food boxes without requiring canning expert Judy Torfin will 19 and blog posts offer solid details about a variety of topics. enough food between you. Your meals person-to-person contact. There share tips, and Foothills Food In late November, Breskin posted that she’d starting deliver- don’t have to match. Variety is a good will be a bike and walk-up option as Bank Executive Director Cheryl ing hot hardboiled eggs every morning to homeless residents thing. Together, we can do this!” well. Each household represented Thompson will talk. Questions will in a vehicle may pick up for up to be encouraged. Please register in who’d set up camp in front of Bellingham City Hall as a way two families. Menstrual products, advance. to draw attention to the need for safe housing and shelter for For more details, go to www.mealtrain. baby formula and diapers will [email protected] vulnerable community members. She was looking for assistance com/trains/nnmwke DECEMBER 31 & JANUARY 1

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