ALAN RHODES P.04 + BLASTING BEAR MT. P.06 + BIZ BRIEFS P.18 c a s c a d i a REPORTING FROM THE HEART OF CASCADIA WHATCOM*SKAGIT*SURROUNDING AREAS 11-25-2020 • ISSUE: 48 • V.15
TURKEY DAY ENDGAME Existential exploration CLASSICS Film fare at the Sylvia Center for P.10 Thanksgiving —P.14 HOLIDAY CHEER Toasts of the town P.19 STAGEAT HOME WITH — ROBERT BLAKE TOP.12 TA B L E
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 At a “press conference” early Tuesday morning at Washing- 14 ton D.C.’s Willard Intercontinental Hotel, a couple of turkeys Editorial named Corn (left) and Cob (right) were introduced in advance FILM Editor & Publisher: of that day’s pardon by a sitting president who has refused to Tim Johnson concede an election that he lost. “Trump has held few events ext 3 12 since Election Day, while the country continues to reel from editor@ the coronavirus pandemic crisis,” NPR opined. “And yet, he cascadiaweekly.com will hold a soft-spotlight event pardoning turkeys with the MUSIC White House in the background and Americana all around him, Arts & Entertainment as if to say, everything is fine. But, it’s not fine.” Editor: Amy Kepferle
11 ext 2 calendar@ ART cascadiaweekly.com Music Editor: 10 Carey Ross music@ STAGE cascadiaweekly.com Intern: Wren Healy Views & News Production GET OUT 02: Mailbag Art Director: 04: Gristle and Rhodes Jesse Kinsman 06: Blasting Bear Mountain jesse@ kinsmancreative.com 08: Last week’s news
WORDS Design: 09: Fuzz Buzz, 52 Women Bill Kamphausen bill@ 6 Arts & Life kamphausendesign.com WHO PAYS THE COST? the hydro dams on the Columbia and Snake riv- Advertising Design: This letter is in response to a recent opinion ers are removed as many people are demanding? 10: Endgame Roman Komarov on an “Emission-Free Future.” Before comment- An electrical supply system that is dependent on
CURRENTS 11: Going public roman@ cascadiaweekly.com ing, I need to state that I absolutely believe in multiple sources of renewable energy requires a Send all advertising materials to 4 12: Kitchen table tunes climate change and the causes of it. I also be- new electrical grid or distribution system. His- [email protected] lieve all levels of society must take technically tory tells us that trying to expand the electri- 14: Turkey Day classics
VIEWS feasible, cost-effective steps that are fully ana- cal grid systems in the United States and Canada Distribution lyzed to reduce climate-causing emissions from brings out the ultimate in NIMByism, so how will 2 2 Rear End Distribution Manager: as many sources as possible. This opinion piece this new grid be put in place? Lastly, who will 15: Free Will, Advice Goddess Erik Burge MAIL MAIL distribution@ presented a number of statements/opinions with pay for all of these changes to our electrical sys- 16: Crossword cascadiaweekly.com no facts to justify these positions, nor was the tem, including the cost of stranded assets for 17: Sudoku, Comix Whatcom: Erik Burge, full scope of the proposed changes disclosed. homeowners and businesses? Stephanie Simms Increasing the use of electricity in our homes The opinion implies the burning of natural gas Biz Briefs 11.25.20 18: Skagit: Linda Brown, and businesses is the right approach when these in our homes or within the City of Bellingham in- 19: Spirits of the season Barb Murdoch changes are technically feasible, economically creases the exposure to certain chemicals. How- .15 viable and accepted by our community. So, as we ever, the article provides no data on the existing 48 Letters # SEND LETTERS TO LETTERS@ increase the demand for electricity, where does concentration of these chemicals in our homes CASCADIAWEEKLY.COM this extra electricity come from? Renewables is or the COB at large. There are many reliable es- the common goal, but where are the renewables tablished standards from universities, medical
©2020 CASCADIA WEEKLY (ISSN 1931-3292) is published each Wednesday by installed? Eastern Washington? Can Bellingham institutions, OSHA, the EPA, etc. that discuss Cascadia Newspaper Company LLC. Direct all correspondence to: Cascadia secure the extra renewable electricity when allowable exposure limits to chemicals. There Weekly PO Box 2833 Bellingham WA 98227-2833 | Phone/Fax: 360.647.8200 [email protected] other cities and companies are taking similar are established air-modeling practices to use to 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 actions to increase their demand for renewable analyze an existing condition (currently burning papers in bulk from our distribution points risks prosecution SUBMISSIONS: Cascadia Weekly welcomes freelance submissions. Send material electricity? Offshore wind farms? natural gas) versus a new condition (substan- 2 to either the News Editor or A&E Editor. Manuscripts will be returned if you Unfortunately, the ocean floor off of Wash- tial reduction in natural gas consumption in the include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. To be considered for calendar list- ings, notice of events must be received in writing no later than noon Wednesday ington and Oregon is too deep for the current COB). Was one of these air models used to estab- the week prior to publication. Photographs should be clearly labeled and will be returned if accompanied by stamped, self-addressed envelope. off-shore wind farm technology. Work is slowly lish the existing and future conditions to justify COVER: Photo by David beginning to develop this technology, but when these proposed changes? Pender Lofgren will it be available on a commercial scale? What Increasing the use of electrical appliances will happen to the supply, cost and reliability of and heating systems in new construction makes the electrical supply to western Washington if sense in today’s market. The new buildings or fa- cilities can be fully designed to accommo- consider the reality of transmission dy- date the requirements of these systems. namics. Now we have 250,000 dead. Requiring existing homes and buildings to It will get much, much worse. We know replace gas-fired appliances and heating this. Yet right here in Woke Bellingham we systems with electrical appliances is ques- are still piddling around with opening a tionable at best. little bit, until—wait for it—it is too late.
Yes, the technology exists, but at what The current policy recommendations 19 cost to the homeowner? In my home, I from Dr. Stern say that what cases do oc- have an instant-on gas-fired water heater cur in younger classroom situations will be FOOD that requires one 110 volt, 15 amp electri- dealt with by clear procedures. Yet it is too
cal feed. To replace this with an electri- late after a case is discovered to un-infect 15 cal instant on hot water heater requires the other folks who have already been in- a 220 volt, 60-80 amp feed. To replace fected by the kids and teachers who were the remaining gas-fired appliances in our infected by being in a classroom. B-BOARD house with electrical appliances require Shut the schools down now. It is hard, similar upgrades for each new electrical but not as hard as the consequences of an 14 appliance. I doubt the existing electrical out-of-control pandemic. FILM supply to my home or many of the homes —Michael Chiavario, Bellingham and businesses in Bellingham are prop- erly sized for this significant increase in FIDDLING IN A FIRESTORM 12 demand, nor is my electrical panel large Since Sept. 30, and particularly in re- enough to accommodate multiple 220 cent days, much economic activity has MUSIC volt, high-amp circuits. ceased in all parts of the country, with The furnace in our home is gas-fired and restrictions or closures of nonessential 11 ducted to supply the heat throughout our enterprises. Perhaps 20 million people ART home. According to the available literature, have either severely reduced or negligi-
the new cold-temperature heat pumps are ble income as we head into winter, with 10 not designed for large duct distribution no immediate relief in sight. Indeed, for systems. These new systems use heat- many people the relief promised by vac- STAGE transfer devices in each room similar to cines will come too late. Homes will be old-fashioned radiators. They also require lost, businesses will be lost, health cover- IS CLOSER significant electrical demands to function age is already lost. THAN YOU during cold weather. From the literature Meanwhile, the Senate has been un- GET OUT one can easily conclude that replacing a gas able to stir itself to relieve the increas- WINNING THINK! fired furnace with a new cold temperature ingly widespread suffering attributable to heat pump is not a one-for-one replacement the pandemic. In six weeks, we have seen but requires significant carpentry, electri- nothing from them, a breathtaking inac- cal and related changes to one’s home. tion in the face of an economic disaster. WORDS The effort by the COB to reduce climate- One hundred well-paid, warm, comfort- Sundays in December causing emissions is commendable. That able federal employees who were somehow 8am - 10pm 6 said, to have the citizens accept the pro- able to confirm a Supreme Court justice Win up to $100 posed changes the analysis behind each in three days and have approved six fed- in Free Play decision must be extensive, robust and eral judges (the only substantive actions CURRENTS Visit a kiosk to play
transparent following established scien- in those six weeks) have been unable to 4 tific and engineering processes; the ben- find a way to provide pandemic relief for
efits and risks clearly defined and, most millions of desperate citizens in those six VIEWS importantly, who will be responsible to weeks. That’s shameful. 2 implement these changes and how will How these 100 individuals can face 2 they be paid for. themselves, let alone the people who sent MAIL MAIL —Paul W. Sheridan, Bellingham them to Washington to represent them, is beyond comprehension. TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE Our Senators have cemented themselves Monday - Thursday Whatcom Health officer Greg Stern’s a place in history alongside those wretch- All football season 11.25.20 logic about in-person classrooms for ed British Parliaments that enabled the Predict NFL game results younger students appears to me to have Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s and the .15
and win. Visit a kiosk to 48 some pretty big holes. He reasons that be- Madras Famine of 1876. How humiliating make your selections. # cause there is less transmission in class- it would be to have a family member be a rooms with younger students so far, that United States Senator in 2020. Better that Weekly $500 Whatcom schools should continue to have he or she played piano in a whorehouse Top Prize in-person classes for younger kids even in for a living. the current context of skyrocketing case I suggest that the Senate is the poster
numbers. Say what? child of a nonessential enterprise and CASCADIA WEEKLY At the outset of the pandemic we were should be closed until the end of the pan- told that if we got out ahead of the spread demic. If they are unable to help us, at 3 by shutting down hard, we could head this least they could stop costing us their sala- thing off. Places that did this effectively, ries and benefits. did indeed head it off (New Zealand, Tai- —Richard Fulton, Bellingham wan, Australia). We waffled and opened a ~ little bit here and there in response to po- SEND YOUR LETTERS TO: SilverReefCasino.com • I-5 Exit 260 litical and economic pressures that don’t [email protected] Management reserves all rights. THE GRISTLE DOWN TO THE WIRE: Whatcom County Council held another lively teleconference meeting this week,
working through the final code amendments to
19 help limit unrefined fossil fuel export projects at Cherry Point. Council is expected to vote on the
FOOD views YOUR VIEWS THE GRISTLE proposed land-use code amendments by the end of this year.
15 “We did spend many long hours working on this and updating various drafts to finally arrive at some- thing we collectively felt like we could be proud of B-BOARD and support, with the usual caveat that support for these revisions does not necessarily entail an en- 14 dorsement of the ordinance in its final form,” Eddy BY ALAN RHODES Ury, RE Sources’ Clean Energy Program manager, said FILM on behalf of the stakeholders group that reviewed the proposal. The group has proved to be a remark- 12 ably productive assembly of environmental interests Thanksgiving 2020 and petroleum industry representatives who built a MUSIC broad consensus of agreement on the amendments. GIVING THANKS IN TROUBLED TIMES Their consensus helped shut down a great deal of 11 Council acrimony on the topic.
ART “We have a shared understanding of what our CIVIL UNREST, political chaos, truck drivers, grocery-store workers, agreements are, even though clearly different stake- racial reckoning, global pandemic— first responders, nurses, doctors and
10 holder parties that worked on this do have disagree- by any measure it has been a diffi- myriad others. Locally, our Unified ments on policy and purpose,” Ury admitted. cult year. But Thanksgiving arrives Command, Whatcom County Health STAGE Under development since 2016, the Cherry Point this week and even in these times Department, and numerous volun- amendments are the most heavily scrutinized and of turbulence and vexation there teers have worked long hours to pre- commented upon land-use policy in the county’s is still much for which we can give vent COVID-19 from spreading in our history, with scores of hours spent reviewing and thanks. I asked a number of people Greg Winter, Executive Direc- community and to provide for those
GET OUT revising the proposals with community stakehold- around the town and county about tor, Opportunity Council: I’ve most in need. We owe them a debt ers and industry. The amendments had their gen- some of the things they are thank- never been more proud of the staff of gratitude. esis even earlier, as the community debated the ful for this year. Here’s a sampling of and volunteers at the Opportunity Laura Clark, Executive Direc- siting of the largest coal port in North America on what some of them had to say. Council who rapidly transformed tor, Whatcom Humane Society: I’m tribal lands. At their essence, the amendments are Satpal Sidhu, Whatcom County our services to help meet some of extremely thankful to the staff and WORDS intended to improve public process and transpar- Executive: The year 2020 has been the most urgent needs of our com- volunteers who have and continue ency of major projects planned for the Cherry Point the most unique year in my lifetime. munity: housing stability, child- to go above and beyond the “paw”
6 industrial zone. And in the intervening years, the I am thankful for the first respond- care, food security, early learning, of duty to provide essential services fossil fuel industry has meanwhile spent scores of ers, health workers and all employees access to care, and racial equity. to the animals and people in our hours and nearly half a million dollars in local elec- for their resilience to endure the CO- And I’m thankful for the many ways community. No matter the day, no CURRENTS tions, bitterly mischaracterizing and trying to de- VID-19 pandemic with steady resolve. our public and private partnering matter what is going on in the world 4
4 feat these code amendments. I am thankful for all the residents for organizations and donors stepped around us, the dedicated people that Most recently, the refineries donated $52,000 to their cooperation to keep COVID-19 up to help in our efforts to bring work and volunteer at the Whatcom VIEWS VIEWS the 42nd Legislative District Republicans, who used in check. I am thankful for my fam- these services to those who have Humane Society have and continue the money in a series of radio ads and mailers that ily, for their constant support for my been impacted the most. to provide life-saving services to our 2 attempted to smear Democrats as corrupt social- work as a public servant and keeping Shannon Wright, Executive Di- most vulnerable animal populations.
MAIL ists and anarchists supportive of riots. The effort me in good health and spirits. rector, RE Sources for Sustainable Seth Fleetwood, Mayor, City of brought the Whatcom County Sheriff into the fracas, Hannah Stone, Bellingham City Communities: I am grateful for na- Bellingham: I’m thankful that, from sending out a message on the eve of the election, Council: During extremely challeng- ture and the comfort, healing and the compound crises of these times, assuring the peaceful exercise of the public’s right ing times, I am mindful that my cir- respite it has offered in small ways there has emerged a sustaining pub-
11.25.20 of democracy. Curiously, neither the fossil-fuel inter- cumstances can always be worse and throughout this year; for the peo- lic insistence that good come from ests or local Republican Party representatives claim to not take anything for granted. I ple who have rallied for justice and all this. I’m optimistic and grateful
.15 any knowledge or responsibility for the purchase or count my blessings—I am grateful for one another; for the bonds of that the 2020s still has the oppor- 48
# content of the inflammatory ads and mailers. to have a roof over my head, food on family, friends and community; for tunity to be an enormously conse- “I did not and would not authorize or adopt those my table and a family that loves me. being alive on this planet, at this quential, purpose-driven, decade of statements about the Democratic Party,” Sheriff Rebecca Judd, Director, Belling- critical time. vital transformation. Bill Elfo said in a statement. “I also did not see the ham Public Library: I am deeply Carol Frazey, Whatcom County Let me end this month’s column flyer until it was brought to my attention from the grateful for my colleagues at the Council: Even during a worldwide by adding that I am thankful for a chair of the Democratic Party. I contacted candi- library. It has been a heck of a year pandemic, I believe that we have a spouse I cherish, friends I treasure,
CASCADIA WEEKLY date Luanne Van Werven who told me she was not with the pandemic and a major re- lot for which we can be thankful. As a community I am proud to be a part aware that my name was associated with the flyer model happening simultaneously, I reflect on these past nine months, of, and the soul-nourishing beauty 4 containing the derogatory comments. She investi- but they have met each new chal- I realize that there are countless of the Pacific Northwest. A very gated further and reported back to me that the flyer lenge with grace, flexibility and individuals working their hardest happy Thanksgiving to you all. had been prepared and distributed by an indepen- a desire to offer our community to protect us, heal us, and feed us dent PAC without her knowledge (and certainly not the best service possible. What an during these stressful times. These Alan Rhodes can be reached at mr_ mine). I know nothing about the PAC, did not com- amazing, amazing crew! individuals include farmworkers, [email protected] municate with them in any way and again, did not authorize the statement regarding Democrats.” VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF CASCADIA WEEKLY THE GRISTLE
“The Sheriff has informed me, and local media, that he didn’t know that he’d been linked with calling Demo- crats pro-rioting, socialists and cor- 19 rupt,” Council member Todd Donovan noted in an email complaining of the FOOD campaign.
WHATCOM 15 “The Sheriff said candidate Lu- anne Van Werven told him this ad was prepared by ‘an independent expenditure by a political action B-BOARD committee,’” Donovan continued. “If that is the case, the ad is illegal, as 14 it fails to note who the major donors to the PAC.” FILM As state legislators, Democrats
Sharon Shewmake and Alicia Rule 12 have no direct involvement in the county’s Cherry Point amendments; MUSIC nor does the land-use code have any direct linkage to the Defund Police 11 movement—which neither candidate ART supported. The oil industry sim-
ply has loads of cash to spend try- 10 ing to leverage pro-oil Republicans into office, and the local Republican STAGE Party is simply dumb and lazy (and frequently unlawful) with how they spend the money.
In 2019, the industry gave $75,000 GET OUT to Republicans to smear Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu, claiming he planned to raise gas prices to $18 per gallon. Needless to say, the County Executive has very WORDS little influence over gas prices in the
United States. 6 In 2018, late-hour campaign contri- butions by energy interests arguably SUPPORT THE kept Sen. Doug Ericksen in office for CURRENTS
another term by fewer than 50 votes. COMMUNITY 4 4 Their efforts have not been particu-
YOU LOVE. VIEWS larly successful, and the Council now VIEWS stands on the threshold of approving the Cherry Point amendments on a very 2 persistent 4-3 divide. MAIL In the intervening years, the make- up of Council, its membership, has changed substantially. The very man- ner in which we elect Council mem- 11.25.20 bers and the districts they represent have changed as a result of the tinker- .15 48 ing of fossil fuel interests. Thousands # of dollars have flowed into our local politics—not all of it appropriate or even legal under the state’s campaign disclosure laws. That influence has created powerful knock-on effects
across the whole spectrum of public CASCADIA WEEKLY policy, far beyond Cherry Point and its refineries. So it can be said that 5 even as Whatcom County has worked THINKLOCALFIRST.ORG to improve public policy at Cherry Point, the influence of the petroleum industry at Cherry Point has worked to cascadia profoundly influence the public policy of Whatcom County. doesn’t think people realize the potential effects of what’s proposed. Among the concerns she and oth- er members of the Skagit River Alliance identify are increased heavy truck traf-
fic to and from the proposed quarry site,
19 noise from blasting and rock-crushing operations, effects on wildlife, and the FOOD currents NEWS POLITICS FUZZ BUZZ INDEX detrimental impact of a large industrial mining operation on an area that bills
15 itself as “The Gateway to the American Alps” at the confluence of two Wild and Scenic rivers, the Skagit and the Cascade. B-BOARD But of all the concerns the Skagit River Alliance lists, none weighs more heavily
14 Bear Mountain site as the material source on members and many in the community for the construction of the south jetty at than the possibility of asbestos pollution. FILM the mouth of the Columbia River on which The Big Bear Mountain rock face, loom- Kiewit had submitted a bid. ing over the village and the two rivers it 12 “The wait for an EIS would have put the sits astride, is composed largely of Shuk- [Columbia River] project off the table” for san greenschist, as is its talus slope. Ac- MUSIC Kiewit, says Jose Vila, president of the tinolite is a common crystal contained in Skagit River Alliance. Ultimately that bid Shuksan greenschist and one of six recog- 11 went to another company, but members nized types of asbestos. Actinolite forms
ART of the alliance remained vigilant. of asbestos yield exceedingly small fibers Vila kept in touch with the applicable that can be taken into the lungs and pose
10 state and county agencies. Nearly a year a larger risk to health than other serpen- after the original application was pulled tine forms of asbestos, according to a STAGE off the table in Skagit County, Vila, who public health statement released by the had been periodically checking online U.S. Center For Disease Control. for any new developments and was doing That danger has led the Skagit River research for a newsletter article, discov- Alliance to demand that DNR conduct an
GET OUT ered that a modified application for the investigation of the site for the actino- Big Bear Mountain site had resurfaced, lite forms of asbestos. That concern also this time submitted to DNR. weighs heavily in the Upper Skagit Tribe’s “Skagit County was just kind of side- consideration of the issue. lined on this,” Vila observes, noting that “We’re concerned on a whole lot of differ- WORDS normally local agencies act as the lead ent levels,” says Scott Schuyler, policy rep- BY JUDE DIPPOLD in State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) resentative for the Upper Skagit Tribe. In
6 reviews required for operations like sur- particular, according to Schuyler, “asbestos face mining. would be a big concern. We’re not con- While Vila was surprised by the change vinced DNR did an adequate job analyzing CURRENTS CURRENTS 6 in the lead agency for the permit, he was the potential adverse effects of mining.” 4 Blasting even more surprised that parties of inter- Schuyler says the possibility of air- est, including the Skagit River Alliance, had borne asbestos contamination in light
VIEWS not been notified of the permitting process of blasting and crushing activity at the and that DNR was preparing to issue a De- Big Bear Mountain site is a large con-
2 Bear Mountain termination of Non-Significance (DNS). cern, given its proximity to the Skagit
MAIL MINING PROPOSAL LOOMS OVER SKAGIT The new proposal differs significantly and Cascade rivers and the tribe’s feder- from Kiewit’s original plan to mine the al treaty rights on the rivers. entire 800-foot face of Big Bear Moun- Shared concerns Schuyler has with the al- THEY THOUGHT it was over. tain. Many of the same concerns from the liance in addition to the salmon fishery are
11.25.20 Late last summer, when Kiewit Infrastructure withdrew its application for an last proposal, which would have required possible effects from the project on species extensive surface-mining permit at a rock face on Big Bear Mountain, just outside an EIS, still remained despite the scaled- such as peregrine falcons, eagles, fishers, .15 of the village of Marblemount, members of the Skagit River Alliance breathed a down plan to mine the 300-foot talus slope lynx, red fox, wolves and marbled murrelets, 48
# sigh of relief. Members had formed the nonprofit due to the scope of the proposed that buttresses the rock face. all of which have been observed by wildlife project and the dangers they saw in it when it was up for approval before the Despite the fact that DNR has denied a biologists and community members on or Skagit County Planning and Development department. first phase reopening of the mine several adjacent to the proposed mine site. “I guess I was in disbelief, but I was elated as well,” recalls Andrea Weiser, an times over the past 20 years because of “Our habitat biologist has submitted active member of the alliance. “But it also left me with a niggling fear that they safety concerns with the fractured rock [those concerns]” to DNR. Noting the lack might be back.” face, alliance members say it appears DNR of an applicable wildlife study, Schuyler
CASCADIA WEEKLY Her fears were well-founded. has based its DNS decision on a 1976 per- says, “We just hope the DNR considers all A little over a year later, a request for a surface-mining permit for the site has mit issued by Skagit County. the adverse effects that could occur.” 6 been filed with the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by Cunningham The alliance argues that the type of That hope is echoed by the Skagit River Crushing Inc., which owns the property. Cunningham had been prepared to allow operation and operational footprint de- Alliance. Kiewit Infrastructure to operate the mine under the previous proposal. scribed in that permit does not fit the op- “It seems like as a state, we generally do At the time Kiewit withdrew its application, the Skagit County’s planning de- eration for which approval is being sought the right thing,” observes alliance mem- partment was preparing to require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as from DNR by Cunningham Crushing Inc. ber Rob Klengler. “I am hopeful that DNR part of its review. Members of the alliance speculate that the time involved in “Something about this doesn’t feel will do the right thing now and call for the having to contract for an EIS caused Kiewit to abandon its plans to use the Big right,” Weiser says, adding that she right documentation on this project.” OPEN DAILY in both
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STAGE 11.19.20 THURSDAY
The Washington state Department of Health reports 1,987 new COVID-19 cases
GET OUT and 11 new deaths, while health officials and doctors urge people not to have Thanksgiving gatherings. The update brings the state’s deaths to 2,603 and 137,411 cases since the pandemic began. The Seattle Times reports that 9,673 people have been hospitalized in the state due to the virus with 31 new hospitalizations since Tribal and environmental groups are calling for Seattle City Light to consider the impact of a series of hydro- electric dams on the upper Skagit River. Diablo, Gorge and Ross dams are under consideration for a new license Wednesday, state officials said. [Seattle Times, WSDOH] from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The multiyear dam relicensing process began in April WORDS when Seattle City Light filed a pre-application document and a list of 24 studies it proposes conducting. The Western Washington University suspends in-person classes because of the utility is seeking a new, 50-year license to continue to operate the dams.
6 recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in Whatcom County. University President Sabah Randhawa says Western has seen what they view as a sudden and significant in- crease in positive student tests. He also notes that there are concerning COVID-19 CURRENTS CURRENTS 6 trends in Bellingham and Whatcom County. [WWU, KGMI] on another coronavirus relief package that Supreme Court. The groups appealed a
4 can be passed and signed into law before Nov. 6 decision by King County Superi- Gov. Jay Inslee announces a cap on fees charged to restaurants by third-party the end of the year. “As the first state in or Court that upheld a permit issued by
VIEWS delivery platforms, such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates, and others. the nation hit by COVID-19, Washington the state Department of Fish & Wildlife The proclamation caps delivery fees at 15 percent and total fees at 18 percent of state has aggressively confronted the vi- to allow such farms in area waters. In 2 the purchase price of an order. Third-party delivery platforms have seen increased rus from the beginning of the pandemic, February, Wild Fish Conservancy and
MAIL usage as fewer people are dining indoors this year due to health restrictions and taking difficult but necessary measures co-counsel at the Center for Biologi- concerns over contracting COVID-19. [Office of Governor] to save lives,” Inslee wrote. “The feder- cal Diversity, Center for Food Safety, al government now has a responsibility and Friends of the Earth, filed a law- A four-week shutdown of indoor service at restaurants and bars prompted by to act as well. Hundreds of thousands of suit challenging the state’s decision to
11.25.20 an alarming statewide spike in COVID-19 cases is expected to cost the industry our residents are already struggling with permit Cooke to stock steelhead in their some $800 million, industry representatives estimate. [Washington Hospitality joblessness, hunger, and housing insecu- Puget Sound net pens. The lawsuit ar- .15 Association] rity, and have watched multiple forms of gued that WDFW violated state law by 48
# federal relief expire or be exhausted since issuing the permit without conducting 11.20.20 the summer. These needs will only grow an environmental impact statement worse as additional core provisions of the (EIS), a comprehensive scientific review FRIDAY CARES Act are set to expire at the end of that fully analyzes the environmental Gov. Jay Inslee announces $135 million in grants, loans and other assis- 2020, including Pandemic Unemployment impacts to threatened and endangered tance to help businesses and workers hurt by new restrictions he imposed through Assistance (PUA) and existing Coronavirus species, water quality and the over-
CASCADIA WEEKLY mid-December in response to a rising number of coronavirus cases across the state. Relief Funds (CRF).” [Office of Governor] all health of Puget Sound’s ecosystem. At a news conference, Inslee said businesses would be able to apply for $70 million [Wild Fish Conservancy] 8 in grants, as well as $30 million in loans to help offset the business restrictions 11.23.20 that took effect this week. Those funds come after businesses had started to regain In a last-minute change before leaving activity as restrictions from the initial stay-at-home order issued in March were MONDAY office, the Trump administration finalizes loosened in May. [Office of Governor] Environmental groups are taking a rule that will allow the U.S. Forest Ser- their fight against Cooke Aquaculture’s vice to log 2,800 acres of forest in the Gov. Jay Inslee also urges Congress to act. In a letter to congressional leadership proposal to transition from farming At- West without an environmental review. and the Trump administration, Inslee calls for an immediate restart to negotiations lantic salmon to steelhead to the state [Washington Post] On Nov. 16, Blaine Police checked on a disturbance at a motel. Officers tried to talk to an extremely intoxicated man. The OF FUZZ man had reportedly raised a clenched fist WHATCOM and lunged at his mother, causing her to COUNTY
52 WOMEN involuntarily move out of the way. Police BUZZ BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF BELLINGHAM AND WHATCOM COUNTY were transporting the suspect to the ER for 19 alcohol-related issues when the man began bashing his head into the metal partitions FOOD GRIFT KEEPS GIVING Claire Adriana Vander Griend On Nov. 7, an Anacortes woman called po- in the squad car. An ambulance transported Thomas (1917-2008) was a patron for lice to report that she received a sweep- the man to the ER for a head injury. The arts and culture in Whatcom County, 15 stakes letter and a follow-up phone call man was eventually booked into jail. motivated by a lifelong passion for mu- from someone claiming to represent the sic. She attended the Washington State B-BOARD awarding organization. The caller wanted On Nov. 15, a woman called Blaine Police Normal School at Bellingham (renamed bank account information and a portion to report an ex-boyfriend was at her front Western Washington University), then of the $25,000 prize money. The woman door, constantly knocking. While the po- went on to receive her bachelor's and 14 did not provide information or money to lice were en route the ex-boyfriend left Master of Music degrees from North- the scammer. the area. The woman said she would file western University in Illinois. Thomas FILM for a protection order to keep him from moved to New York where she raised her family and became an audition On Nov. 13, an Anacortes woman was con- bothering her. 12 accompanist for Rogers and Hammer- tacted via phone by a caller who attempt- stein in New York City. After returning MUSIC ed to convince her that police were going On Nov. 20, Blaine Police learned a wom- to Lynden in 1972, Claire became a to arrest her if she did not pay her warrant an believed she was being harassed by community leader, patron and bene- fee. The woman did not provide informa- her ex-husband. “Most recently, several factor of the arts and music. A founder 11 tion or money to the caller. pizzas were delivered to her house that of the Lynden Pioneer Museum and the ART she did not order,” Police reported. Offi- Whatcom Symphony Orchestra (now Bellingham Symphony Orchestra), Claire On Nov. 13, an Anacortes woman called cers explained how to obtain an anti-ha- 10 police to report a fraud call involving a rassment order. chaired Lynden’s Centennial Celebration YWCA 100 YEARS OF CHALLENGE AND CHANGE BY LYNN MASLAND LYNN YWCA 100 YEARS OF CHALLENGE AND CHANGE BY missed court date in Olympia threaten- as part of the national Bicentennial. STAGE ing arrest by an Anacortes Police Officer. On Nov. 19, a Blaine man told police he Claire had founded and led the Queen Julianna Theater in Lynden. In 2001, The woman did not provide information believed his neighbor had backed her ve- the Lynden Performing Arts Guild re- to the caller. hicle into his car when she was parking. named it the Claire vg Thomas Theater Her immense talent gave He did not witness the incident, but he to honor Thomas’ passionate dedication GET OUT On Nov. 14, an Anacortes man called po- confronted her about it. She did not want to music and the arts. Lynden theater a great gift. lice after he had chatted with a woman to talk to him. He told the police he did from out of state a few times and she not want to file a police report about the SOURCES: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30776033/claire-adriana-thomas asked him for Amazon gift cards. Addi- accident. He just wanted to make a re- https://www.lyndentribune.com tionally, the woman sent disturbing im- port about her not wanting to talk to him WORDS ages of other people. The man did not about it. She called the police to report 6 provide any personal or identifying infor- her neighbor was harassing her. She said 6 mation and was advised to block the wom- she did not hit his car. an’s number and cease contact with her. Dr. Kathi Hiyane-Brown has been CURRENTS POSTAL PROBLEMS the President of Whatcom Community CURRENTS College since 2007. Under her leader- DOMESTIC DISTURBANCES On Nov. 7, an Anacortes woman called 4 On Nov. 7, Anacortes Police broke up a police because she thought her locked ship the college rose to the top 150 community colleges nationally by the quarrel between two roommates who mailbox was intentionally broken over- VIEWS were smoking outside their home. The night. The responding officer noticed Aspen Institute’s ranking. WCC became dispute escalated when one of the room- that the mailbox was tilted to the side, the lead institution of CyberWatch 2 West, one of only four National Science mates poured water on a lit cigarette possibly as a result of a vehicle colliding Foundation-funded centers in the nation MAIL in her roommate’s hand. The roommate with it. The woman was unsure if there dedicated to cybersecurity education, then lit another cigarette and once again were any contents removed from the box. and is home to the Area Health Education it was extinguished by a cup of water. Center for western Washington focusing
The 44-year-old douser was arrested and IMPROPER SHOPPERS on strengthening the health care 11.25.20 booked into the county jail on a domes- On Nov. 8, Anacortes Police invesigated workforce in underserved communities. tic violence assault charge. a reported theft at a local grocery store. The college's grant funding grew from .15 48
The store manager told police that she $478,000 to $8.9 million to support the # On Nov. 15, Blaine Police and fire crews thought the man had been already tres- growth in program offerings to serve the tried to assist a woman with a possibly passed from the store when he returned community. Hiyane-Brown is a nationally COMMUNITY COLLEGE WHATCOM broken hand. Her ex-spouse was sur- twice that that day and stole alcohol recognized advocate for community colleges, organizational development and prised to see the woman as their kids and dairy products. Officers located the leadership diversity. In addition to her were not home and she was aware of 22-year-old in the parking lot and took duties as president of WCC, Kathi con- Though WCC has grown rapidly, this. The man was not aware of how the him into custody for burglary and theft. ducts training on leadership and diversity it has retained a commitment CASCADIA WEEKLY woman injured her hand. The woman in venues locally, nationally and interna- would not answer questions about her On Nov. 14, a man and a woman were tionally. She is committed to supporting to personalize instruction 9 hand. Fire crews examined the woman banned from an Anacortes grocery store leadership development initiatives with and promotion of success for and advised her to seek treatment im- after the store manager observed they underrepresented groups, and is a mentor mediately at the hospital. She declined were stashing items in their clothing. to many aspiring leaders. students of all ages. medical and police services. Nothing The woman had some small electronic ac- criminal appeared to have occurred as cessories stowed away, but turned them the injury was old. over to police. SOURCES: Vetted by Kathi’s administrative assistant, Raffeka Kloke doit
THE KIDS
19 ARE ALRIGHT
FOOD stage THEATER DANCE PROFILES 15
Like Hamm and Clov, Nell and Nagg’s re- B-BOARD lationship is a fascinating one. Although they’re both legless and confined to their
14 own bins, a scene where they’re allowed to shine confirms that, despite their ad- FILM vanced age and current predicament, they were once a passionate couple who still 12 carry a spark for each other. Nell and Nagg’s back-and-forth dialogue MUSIC focusing on whether they can still see and hear each other—negative on the former, 11 affirmative on the latter—is a wonder to Raise funds for Fairhaven’s ART behold, as is their con- Firehouse Performing Arts Center by tinued allegiance. But watching Kuntz and Company’s virtual 10 10 when Nagg laughs at performance of from where they are. their son’s psychologi- The ongoing event is a Firehouse STAGE STAGE cal and physical dis- Studio offering. comfort, Nell comes to Hamm’s defense. “Nothing is funnier UPCOMING EVENTS
GET OUT than unhappiness, I SEE grant you that,” she NOV. 25-DEC. 4 WHAT: Samuel replies, uttering one FROM WHERE THEY ARE: Tune in to Kuntz Beckett’s and Company’s virtual performance of from Endgame of the play’s most tell- where they are online at any time as part WHERE: ing lines. “Yes, yes, it’s
WORDS of the Firehouse Studio. The focus of the Livestreamed the most comical thing 20-minute piece explores how area youth PHOTO BY SATTVA PHOTO SATTVA BY PHOTO from the Sylvia in the world. And we ages 7-16 have adapted to life under the Center 6 laugh, we laugh, with a continued threat of COVID-19. Fees are $5 WHEN: 7:30pm BY AMY KEPFERLE to view the collaboration between Kuntz Fri.-Sat., Nov. will, in the beginning. and Co., Bellingham Arts Academy for 27-28 But it’s always the same Youth, and the Firehouse Performing Arts CURRENTS COST: Suggested thing. Yes, it’s like the Center—which will be the recipient of the donation is $15
4 funny story we have “entry” fee. Additional donations to help Endgame INFO: www. heard too often, we still keep the venue alive are welcome. sylviacenter WWW.FIREHOUSEPERFORMINGARTS.COM OR VIEWS A TRAGICOMEDY WITH TEETH forthearts.org find it funny, but we don’t laugh any more.” WWW.KUNTZANDCO.ORG 2 IF SAMUEL Beckett’s Endgame had been set in 2020, the four characters shut In less-capable hands, it would be dif- SAT., NOV. 28
MAIL inside their house for the duration of the one-act play would likely be part of a “quar- ficult to fully appreciate the inherent hu- COMEDY MIC: Bellingham Entertainment antine bubble” designed to keep infection at bay during a global pandemic. mor threaded throughout Endgame. But will be hosting virtual Comedy Open Mics But iDiOM Theater didn’t tinker with the original 1950s-era script when it came time director Sean Cook—a WWU alum and from 7pm-9pm every Saturday until live to resurrect one of the Irish playwright’s masterworks—meaning Beckett’s existential longtime iDiOM collaborator—kept the events are allowed again. Each open mic will have eight performance spots and room 11.25.20 exploration of the futility of life is intact. set simple and utilized his able cast and for 100 audience members to watch for free. Last Friday, during a livestream viewing of iDiOM’s opening night of Endgame that the complexity of the script to bring the If you’re interested in watching or perform- .15 was being filmed at the Sylvia Center for the Arts, audience members such as myself tragicomedy full circle. ing, contact Nathan Romano at the email 48
# who were watching the action unfold could see that the stage had been transformed Smith and Hergenhahn-Zhao provide listed below. A link to the event will be sent into a dystopian den. Dusky light streamed through two windows, and a couple of impeccable character studies. Hamm is 30 minutes before showtime. [email protected] dustbins and a ragged chair resembling a throne were among the sparse settings. a volatile master who has definitely not We were soon introduced to the man occupying the “throne,” Hamm (portrayed by accepted his lot in life, while Clov man- DEC. 3-4 iDiOM artistic director Glenn Hergenhahn-Zhao), and his servant Clov (visiting actor ages to be simultaneously sardonic and EMME AND THE TAKING: As part of Nathan Smith). Although he’s the master, Hamm is blind and paralyzed and relies upon servile. The accomplished actors play off Western Washington University’s New Works Reading Series, watch a livestream
CASCADIA WEEKLY assistance from Clov, who walks with a painful-looking limp and can’t sit down, for his of each other like they’ve been stuck in of Emme and the Taking of the Woods at continued survival. The interdependent relationship of the odd couple is established purgatory together for eons, and it’s dif- 7:30pm Thursday and Friday on YouTube. 10 right away, but it mutates over the course of the 90-minute play as Clov attempts to ficult to look away. The mythical tale, which is being directed break away from the half-remembered routines and scenarios that have come to define While it’s true Endgame isn’t your regu- by James Lortz and was written by Jef their postapocalyptic existence. lar holiday fare, 2020 isn’t a typical year. Petersen, focuses on Emme, a precocious But the duo is not entirely alone. Hamm’s parents Nell (Ann Shannon) and Nagg (Jeff The fraught nature of survival has rarely 9-year-old who faces a destructive force in the woods in their own backyard. Entry Braswell) emerge from their respective cans of ash at various points to verbally spar been more stark, and the play reminds us to watch is free. with each other and with their son, who treats them with weary disdain and is certain that although things are bad, they could WWW.CFPA.WWU.EDU the suffering he’s had to endure in his life is far worse than theirs. be far worse. doit
UPCOMING EVENTS 5pm Mondays through Saturdays (closed Tuesdays) and 12pm-4pm NOV. 25-DEC. 24 Sundays through December at Good FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS: Choose Earth Pottery, 1000 Harris Ave. from an online market or shopping in WWW.GOODEARTHPOTS.COM
person at Allied Arts’ annual Holiday Festival of the Arts taking place I.E. GALLERY: “Less: Presence in 19 visual through Christmas Eve. The “wired Absence” can be seen from 11am-5pm FOOD GALLERIES OPENINGS PROFILES market”will be open through Dec. 24 Fridays through Sundays through Nov. with curbside pickup available, and 29 in Edison at i.e. gallery, 5800 Cains the “lite” mini-market can be attended Court. The group exhibit features 15 from 10am-6pm Tues.-Sat., Dec. 4-24, works by Marc Wenet, Barbara Stern- in downtown Bellingham at Allied Arts’ berger, J.W. Mahoney, Margy Lavelle, headquarters at 1418 Cornwall Ave. Galie Jean-Louis, Joe Goldberg, Ed B-BOARD WWW.ALLIEDARTS.ORG Bereal, and Sharron Antholt. WWW.IEEDISON.COM 14 ONGOING JANSEN ART CENTER: Mike Bathum’s “Emerging Nature 2,” FILM EXHIBITS “Through the Eyes of the Beholder” by A GUILDED GALLERY: Stanwood- Malissa Perry and Christen Mattix, a
Camano Arts Guild’s “Celebrate Art Whatcom Artist Studio Tour showcase, 12 Juried Show” will be on display from a Juried Exhibit, and the annual “Cup 11am-5pm Wed.-Sat. through Jan. Show” can be viewed through Nov. 28 MUSIC 9 in Stanwood at A Guilded Gallery, at the Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St. 8700 271st St. NW. The second in WWW.JANSENARTCENTER.ORG 11 a series of ongoing juried shows 11 ART features new works by more than 30 MATZKE GALLERY: “Honey, I ART regional artists in a variety of medi- Shrunk the Art” can be seen from ums. All works are for sale. Viewing 11am-5pm Fridays through Sundays appointments are encouraged. starting Nov. 28 on Camano Island at 10 WWW.STANWOODCAMANOART.COM Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture
Park, 2345Blanche Way. STAGE ALLIED ARTS: A “Lummi Island WWW.MATZKEFINEART.COM Artists Show” will be on display from through Nov. 28 at Allied Arts, 1418 MONA: “The Barn Show,” an exhibit Cornwall Ave. The exhibit features commemorating the annual art shows MURAL PAINTING BY JENNIFER DUNN BY MURAL PAINTING works by island artists Ria Harboe, held at the Reims’ farm on Fir Island GET OUT Lynn Dee, and Kimberly Obbink. Gal- starting in 1987, can be viewed blue herons linger contentedly among lery and thrift store hours are 11am- online from La Conner’s Museum of BY AMY KEPFERLE the foliage. 4pm Tues.-Fri. for the foreseeable Northwest Art, 121 First St. future. Safety guidelines are in place. WWW.MONAMUSEUM.ORG In Bellingham’s Fountain District, view WWW.ALLIEDARTS.ORG WORDS a new four-panel mural highlighting the PERRY AND CARLSON: Jean Behn- Going Public thoughts and concerns of fourth-grade ARTWOOD: Hours are currently 11am- ke’s “Falling Into Alignment” can be students from Sunnyland and Birchwood 5pm Wednesdays through Fridays, viewed from 11am-5pm Thurs.-Sun. 6 elementary schools. Located on the side and 11am-6pm Saturdays at Artwood in Mount Vernon at Perry and Carl- OUTDOOR ART FOR EVERYONE Gallery, 1000 Harris Ave. Please wear son Gallery, 504 S. First St. of Bellingham Wind Works across from a mask when entering the gallery; WWW.PERRYANDCARLSON.COM THROUGHOUT DECEMBER, I aim to shine a light on the historic fountain location, the in- gloves will be available for guests who CURRENTS need to handle the merchandise. SCOTT MILO GALLERY: Watercolors
artists who are offering creative ways for people to shop locally stallation is comprised of kids’ photos 4 for the holidays. But for now, a roundup of outdoor murals and and comments that came from in-class WWW.ARTWOODGALLERY.COM by Eric Wiegardt will be featured from 11am-4pm through Dec. 1 in
installations that have recently been completed seems like a and journal exercises that accompanied VIEWS FOURTH CORNER FRAMES: Painter Anacortes at Scott Milo Gallery, 420 good way to celebrate a holiday season in which people are be- an educational drama project, “From a Lorna Libert’s “Close to Home” can be Commercial Ave. 2 ing urged to stay at least six feet away from each other. Child’s Point of View” (www.fromachild viewed through December at Fourth WWW.SCOTTMILO.COM The introductory line item comes courtesy of the Ferndale spointofview.org). The accessible art Corner Frames and Gallery, 311 W. MAIL Arts Commission (www.cityofferndale.org), who in recent weeks focusing on subjects both personal and Holly St. The exhibit features works SMITH & VALLEE: View forest- have added a trio of privately funded murals to the city’s down- global will be up through October 2022. such as “Windy Day on Bellingham focused paintings by Patty Haller Bay,” “The Path at Lake Padden,” and through Nov. 29 in Edison at Smith & town streetscapes, joining several other works of art that have Finally, keep an eye (and ear) out for “Bad Hair Day.” Vallee Gallery, 5742 Gilkey Ave. popped up in the urban core during the past two years. what’s happening in the alleyway be- WWW.FOURTHCORNERFRAMES.COM WWW.SMITHANDVALLEEGALLERY.COM 11.25.20 A sprawling underwater scene painted by Ferndale resident tween Mindport Exhibits (www.mindport.
Jennifer Dunn on the back of the Washington Federal bank build- org) and the Wild Buffalo. The Holly Street GALLERY SYRE: Peruse “David Syre: WHATCOM ART MARKET: Works .15 Envisioning a Better Future” from by as many as 45 Whatcom Art Guild 48 ing facing Alder Street was the first to be finished. Dunn says locale has recently transformed into an # 11am-4pm Tuesdays through Thursdays members can be viewed from 11am- the parking-lot-turned-aquarium was a pleasure to complete. “I outdoor installation named “Songs for (and by appointment) through Dec. 18 5pm Tuesdays through Sundays at sincerely hope this lighthearted mural filled with fish and a fun Five Zones,” and can be experienced from at Gallery Syre, 465 W. Stuart Rd. The Whatcom Art Market, 1103 11th St. change in perspective brings as much joy to our community as I 4pm-10pm daily through Dec 27. works Syre created during quarantine WWW.WHATCOMARTMARKET.ORG had in creating it,” she adds. The project consists of a six-channel have a unique language and message Artist Bruce Todd’s rendition of a giant tree with sprawling recording based on five regional habitat for a better future. Mostly abstract WHATCOM MUSEUM: In response and painted with powerful colors, to Gov. Inslee’s new COVID-19 branches was the next to be completed. Located on the vacant zones being broadcast through speakers these recent canvases inspire people guidelines, Whatcom Museum’s Light- CASCADIA WEEKLY building adjacent to Ferndale City Hall and the library, Todd also housed in sculptural cases. It came about to take a leap into the unknown, catcher Building and Old City Hall painted a selfie-ready backdrop comprised of whimsical wings due to a collaboration between artists to think about new forms of living will be closed to the public through 11 meant to be used as an interactive backdrop for people’s own Sasha Petrenko and Cynthia Camlin, as together—and a new world in which Dec. 15 (or until further notice). The pictures. well as more than two dozen of their stu- humans can coexist with nature again. Museum Store will remain open at 25 WWW.DAVIDSYREART.COM percent capacity. Virtual programs The newest mural, Kelly Hoekema’s “Tennant Lake,” can be dents in Western Washington University’s and exhibits will continue, but all found on the side of FrinGe Brewing, which also faces Alder Department of Art and Art History, and GOOD EARTH: “Celebrate Hand- other events are cancelled. Street. A stately owl presides over the celebration of local flora will remain as long as the technology made” will be featured from 11am- WWW.WHATCOMMUSEUM.ORG and fauna, while ducks, giant dragonflies and a couple of great survives the elements. rumor has it NOW THAT THE holiday season is upon us
in all its consumerist glory, I’d like to talk
19 turkey about shopping local. I’m like one of Santa’s elves, but instead FOOD music of toiling away in Santa’s workshop, I sit on SHOW PREVIEWS RUMOR HAS IT my couch, and instead of making toys, I just
15 lecture people. And I don’t go away after Christmas. Worst elf ever. This holiday season was already shap- B-BOARD ing up to be difficult for retailers, res- taurants and nonprofits, but with COVID
14 who mostly had to transition our workspaces on the rise and shutdown orders in place, from offices to home offices, Blake had to fig- what was once challenging has become FILM ure out how to be a working musician without downright brutal.
music venues or the ability to tour. Make no mistake: For local businesses that 12 12 Taking inspiration from those who have depend on holiday brought their work home and without missing shoppers, the next MUSIC MUSIC a beat, Blake transformed his kitchen table month is do or quite into his new stage and where there once was possibly die. 11 an in-person audience, he now has a camera to There are a lot
ART livestream concerts. All that remained was to of problems in the invite his friends to play along—and Blake has world that we can’t
10 quite a few musical coconspirators from which solve right now—CO- to choose owing to his decades spent touring. VID, making Trump STAGE He began broadcasting his “Live From the relinquish the Oval Kitchen Table” series at the beginning of the Office, the plight BY CAREY ROSS shutdown and has shown up nearly every Sun- of the polar bears, day since, even taking the table outdoors dur- Middle East peace (remember that one?)—
GET OUT ing the summer months. Each concert comes but supporting our small-business ecosys- with a suggested donation of $10, and Blake tem is well within our capabilities. firmly believes in giving people their money’s We can do it. We’ve got this one. worth. Like any good folksinger, the number I’m far from the only one harboring of songs he knows is vast and varied. As a this belief. Apex Fitness, in their typical WORDS songwriter, he’s prolific, meaning he has a rich upbeat, get-shit-done fashion, has mobi- amount of original songs to draw from as well. lized and launched an effort dubbed “I
6 Throw in the special guests and each concert Commit 2 Three.” It’s very simple. They’re clocks in at longer than two hours. In differ- asking us to not just “think local” but ent times, that would be a solid and potentially also “be local” by pledging to buy three CURRENTS cumbersome chunk of time to carve out. Nowa- gifts from local businesses. Their move-
4 days, it’s a welcome way to spend a Sunday. ment began in Bellingham, but I’m sure In terms of the collaborators he’s invited to they would not mind one bit if it caught
VIEWS join him, the guest list reads a bit like the on all across Whatcom and Skagit coun- lineup of the Subdued Stringband Jamboree. ties as well. 2 That’s fitting, seeing as how Blake always in- Unlike nebulous admonishments to SCOTT COOK
MAIL tended the annual festival he founded to be a “shop local,” the Commit 2 Three campaign
PHOTO BY STEVEN TEEUWSEN BY PHOTO casual gathering of friends who enjoy playing helps us to be specific and intentional music together. Live From the Kitchen Table about our gift-buying habits. Shortly after is just the pandemic version of that. Thus far, they posted about it on their social me-
11.25.20 BY CAREY ROSS he’s brought the likes of Petunia, Meg Yates, dia accounts, Apex and other businesses Sierra Farrell, and others along for the ride, began sharing the responses they’d gotten
.15 and his bandmate David Pender Lofgren has from members of the public who had taken 48 # Robert Blake frequented the table as well. the pledge to “ditch Amazon” and “make a Blake’s next trip to the table is scheduled difference.” Obviously, this is an idea that FROM THE KITCHEN TABLE for Sun., Nov. 29 and you can end your holi- has caught on with many. day weekend with him, Caleb Klauder and Reeb Given that I’m such a fan, it goes with- EVERYONE HAS adapted to our curtailed COVID existence in different Willms. Upcoming weeks will feature Lake Street out saying that I’m also taking the pledge. ways. Some of us stockpiled food, fed sourdough starters and embraced our Dive’s Bridget Kearney, Canadian troubadour My holiday gifts will include: 1. Bottles of
CASCADIA WEEKLY inner Betty Crocker. Some of us cleaned out our closets, started a workout Scott Cook, and Stringband regular John Elliott. wine from Old World Deli (this is a yearly regimen and dedicated ourselves to healthy self-improvement. Others of us The digital tip jar will be out, Blake takes re- present I give my folks). 2. Hot sauce from 12 became one with our pajamas, rediscovered that frozen cookie dough can quests, stories will be told and it’s the closest HOSAco. 3. Reading material from Village be a complete meal and rewatched Gilmore Girls from the beginning (me, I’m you can come to going to a living-room concert Books (and probably some fudge from Pa- talking about me). short of shacking up with a musician. Even bet- per Dreams). Robert Sarazin Blake, on the other hand, did what he’s always done: played ter, no one will know if you watch while wearing Should you find yourself also wanting shows. As far as carving out a life in COVID times, I can think of few people pajamas and eating cookie dough. to Commit 2 Three, feel free to send me that have adjusted as seamlessly as one of Bellingham’s longest-standing your pledges. If I get enough of them, you singer-songwriters. And doing so was no small feat. Unlike the rest of us For more info, see www.robertsarazinblake.com might read about them in a future issue. Investing with Impact Creating Economic, Social and Environmental Value
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PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES
GET OUT BY CAREY ROSS Turkey Day Classics WORDS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 6 AS PER last week, I’m still eyeballs begin as strangers and airplane seatmates, deep in watching made-for-TV Christmas both trying to make it to Chicago for CURRENTS movies. I’m currently on A Nashville Christ- the holiday. They’re rerouted to Wichita,
4 mas Carol and will shortly be transition- seatmates become bunkmates and their ing to Christmas Next Door. However, on desperate—and desperately funny—dash
VIEWS Thanksgiving, I’ll be taking a break from across Middle America is a comedic specta- hauling out the holly jolly movies in favor cle for the ages. By the time control freak 2 of revisiting some turkey day classics. Martin cracks up in a rental car parking lot,
MAIL It’s not so easy to find these days, but this travel film has gone totally off the the classic of all classics is, of course, A rails. They might not take your mind off Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Every year, the of not being able to spend Thanksgiving timely tale of Charlie and his friends cob- with your extended family, but Martin and
11.25.20 bling together a Friendsgiving dinner has Candy may remind you that there are worse VISIT BTOWNKITCHEN.COM FOR MORE INFO been shown on ABC—not so much this things than staying home for the holidays. .15 714 LAKEWAY DR | BELLINGHAM, WA | 360.392.6520 year because 2020 wants to steal every- Speaking of Home for the Holidays, it’s 48
# thing you love. However, the special can the final film of this holiday roundup. The • BREAKFAST 7-10 DAILY • LUNCH 11:30-3 be found on Apple TV+, where it can be 1995 dramedy helmed by Jodie Foster stars • DINNER 3-9 • HAPPY HOUR 3-6 streamed from Nov. 25-27 for free. Lucy Holly Hunter as a divorced mom who makes yanks the football away from Charlie, Pep- the trip home to spend Thanksgiving with permint Patty invites herself over for din- her folks (Anne Bancroft and Charles Durn- ner, Linus proposes a Friendsgiving meal, ing), and from the outset, it’s clear this
CASCADIA WEEKLY Snoopy serves up a feast of popcorn and family only convenes on special occasions. pretzels—and for some reason they make They’re deeply dysfunctional and wildly 14 poor Franklin sit in a lawn chair by himself. idiosyncratic in a way that feels wholly Like turkey, stuffing and napping after real—and all too relatable. Hunter brings dinner, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is her customary likeability to her role, but a holiday classic. The 1987 John Hughes it’s Robert Downey Jr.—who, in 1995, was comedy has Steve Martin playing a straight on the cusp of the career downturn that man (of sorts) to an increasingly madcap led to his remarkable comeback—steals and endlessly frustrating John Candy. They every scene as only he can. BY ROB BREZSNY and yours. I trust you will devote treasured time to BY AMY ALKON These differences come not from the reviewing in detail the various historical threads that give such rich meaning to your web of life. patriarchy or Disney princess movies
but from millions of years of evolution. FREE WILL LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Those who build walls THE SCIENCE ADVICE Differences in male and female physi- are their own prisoners,” wrote Libran author Ursula K. 19 ology carved out differences in psy- Le Guin. She continued, “I’m going to fulfill my proper
function in the social organism. I’m going to unbuild FOOD chology and divisions of labor along ASTROLOGY GODDESS walls.” I hope that sounds appealing to you, Libra. male-female lines. Women, whose ARIES (March 21-April 19): “A little too much is Unbuilding walls is my first choice for your prime
just enough for me,” joked poet and filmmaker Jean assignment in the coming weeks. I’d love to see you 15
SON OF CLAM bodies are baby food dispensaries and 15 Getting my boyfriend to talk to me about his who are children’s primary caretakers, Cocteau. I suspect that when he said that, he was in create extra spaciousness and forge fertile connections. a phase similar to the one you’re in now. I bet he was I’ll be ecstatic if you foster a rich interplay of diverse feelings seems impossible. I know guys tend evolved the emotional makeup to suss experiencing a flood of creative ideas, pleasurable self- influences. If you’re feeling super-plucky, you might B-BOARD not to be super emotive, but trying to get out the needs of infants, who lack the expressions and loving breakthroughs. He was probably even help unbuild walls that your allies have used to B-BOARD a read on what he’s feeling is like trying to spoken-word skills to yell, “Hey, ma, right to risk going a bit too far, because he was learn- half-trap themselves. ing so much from surpassing his previous limitations understand a foreign language. How can I get gimme a beer!” 14 and exploring the frontiers outside his comfort zone. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “If you can’t help him to open up to me? Men, who evolved to be the warriors Now here’s your homework, Aries: Identify two actions me grow, there’s no point with you being in my life.” —Distressed of our species, benefit in combat situ- you could take that fit the profile I’ve described here. Singer and actress Jill Scott said that. In my view, FILM ations from being less in touch with Scorpios may be the only sign of the zodiac that TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Biologists believe can assert such a sentiment with total sincerity and If only the Rosetta Stone had included their emotions—especially fear and 12 that no tree can grow more than 436 feet tall. As much authority. For many of the other tribes, it might a fourth language: Heterosexual Male. sadness—explains psychologist Joyce as an individual redwood or spruce or mountain ash seem harsh or unenforceable, but for you it’s exactly
The Rosetta Stone, for those who Benenson. This would allow a man to might like to sprout so high that it doesn’t have to right—a robust and courageous truth. In addition MUSIC ditched history class to smoke pot be- storm into battle and get up close and compete with other trees for sunlight, gravity is simply to its general rightness, it’s also an especially apt too strong for it to pump enough water up from the principle for you to wield right now. The coming 11 hind the dumpster, was a tablet-like spear-y with the enemy instead of do- ground to its highest branches. Keep that in mind as weeks will be a potent time to catalyze deep learn- rock fragment that turned out to have ing what I, as an emotionally aware a useful metaphor during the next 10 months, Taurus. ing and interesting transformations in concert with ART the same message in three languages: woman, would probably do: freeze, cry Your assignment is to grow bigger and taller and your hearty allies. stronger than you ever have before—and know when
Egyptian hieroglyphics (long consid- and wet my pants. 10 you have reached a healthy level of being bigger and SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “You live best ered undecipherable), another equally Of course, many individual men and stronger and taller. as an appreciator of horizons, whether you reach mysterious form of Egyptian writing, women don’t fit neatly into the “men them or not.” Those words from poet David Whyte STAGE and ancient Greek. The Greek words tend to”/“women tend to” boxes. For GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I haven’t felt the would be a perfect motto for you to write out on were the key, finally allowing scholars example, I’m not surprised by a re- savory jolt of bacon in my mouth since I was 15, when a piece of paper and tape to your bathroom mirror I forever stopped eating pigs. I still remember that fla- or your nightstand for the next 30 years. Of all the to translate hieroglyphics (the ancient cent archeological finding suggesting vor with great fondness, however. I’ve always said I’d tribes in the zodiac, you Sagittarians are most likely Egyptian version of texting somebody ancestral women (and not just men) love to find a loophole that would allow me to enjoy to thrive by regularly focusing on the big picture. GET OUT a slew of emojis). were hunters. it again. And then today I found out about a kind of Your ability to achieve small day-by-day successes Getting back to your own translation I’m likewise not surprised to encoun- seaweed that researchers at Oregon State University depends on how well you keep the long-range view say tastes like bacon and is healthier than kale. It’s a in mind. How have you been doing lately with that issues, it’s understandable you’re frus- ter men who can lay their feelings out new strain of a red marine algae called dulse. If I can assignment? In the coming weeks, I suspect you trated by the language barrier, or rath- like cold cuts on a platter. As for men track it down online, I’ll have it for breakfast soon. I could benefit from hiking to the top of a mountain— er, the lack-of-language barrier in your who can’t, there’s this notion that peo- bring this to your attention, Gemini, because I suspect or the metaphorical equivalent—so you can enjoy WORDS man’s continuing adherence to Mute ple who have trouble identifying and that you, too, are primed to discover a fine new sub- seeing as far as you can see. stitute—something to replace a pleasure or resource
Boyfriend-ese. Shouldn’t two adults thus expressing their emotions can im- that is gone or taboo or impossible. What could it be? CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Sensible Capri- 6 in a relationship be able to engage in prove through study and practice. One corn author E. M. Forster (1879–1970) said, “Passion open discussions about their feelings? tool for this is a poster with cartoon CANCER (June 21-July 22): By age 49, Cancerian does not blind. No. Passion is sanity.” That’s the op- author Norman Cousins had been struck with two posite of what many poets and novelists have asserted Unfortunately, if they’re male and faces showing various emotions, each debilitating diseases. His physicians gave him a one down through the ages, which is that passion isn’t CURRENTS female, maybe not. Men and women labeled with the particular emotion. in 500 chance of recovery. He embarked on a series truly passion unless it renders you half-crazy, driven 4 have some major differences in what (Google “how you feel today poster.”) of unconventional attempts to cure himself, including by obsession, and subject to delusion and irrational- I’d call “emotional literacy”—the abil- Realistically, however, the person “laugh therapy” and positive self-talk, among others. ity. But in offering you counsel in this horoscope, I’m They worked. He lived lustily for another 26 years, aligning myself with Forster’s view. For you in the com- VIEWS ity to read emotions, both in oneself best equipped to put names to your and wrote several books about health and healing. ing weeks, Capricon, passion will help you see clearly and others. Men are not the unfeel- boyfriend’s feelings is probably you. So perhaps we should pay attention to his belief that and keep you mentally healthy. 2 ing louts they’re too often made out Consider that men tend to express their “each patient carries his own doctor inside him"—that to be. However, women tend to show emotions through their actions: slam- at least some of our power to cure ourselves resides AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Alpine swifts are MAIL in inner sources that are not understood or accredited small birds that breed in Europe during the summer more emotion than men and be better ming cupboard doors (mad), sulking by traditional medicine. This would be a valuable and then migrate long distance to Africa for the win- at guessing others’ feelings. (Compared (bummed), etc. In keeping with that, hypothesis for you to consider and test in the coming ter. Ornithologists were shocked when they discovered weeks, Cancerian. (Caveat: But don’t stop drawing on that at least some of these creatures fly for more than with most men, they’re practically emo- ask him not about his feelings but about 11.25.20 tional psychics.) Research by psycholo- events—“What happened when you traditional medicine that has been helping you.) 200 days without ever once landing on the ground. They’re not always flapping their wings—sometimes gist Simon Baron-Cohen suggests that talked to your boss?”—and you might LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In accordance with they glide—but they manage to do all their eating .15 48
women are the emotional specialists notice some feelings slipping out. astrological rhythms, I’m giving you permission to be and drinking and sleeping and mating in mid-air. # of our species, driven from childhood Ultimately, though, you should extra regal and majestic in the coming weeks. You have Metaphorically speaking, I think it’s important for you on to identify others’ emotions “and to consider whether your being happy a poetic license to be a supremely royal version of to not act like the alpine swifts in the coming months, yourself, even to the point of wearing a jeweled crown dear Aquarius. Please plan to come all the way down to respond with the appropriate emotion.” with this man is contingent on his and purple silk robe. Would you prefer a gold scepter earth on a regular basis. Men, in contrast, basically “major” expressing himself like a woman. If with pearls or a silver scepter with rubies? Please keep in engineering from childhood on. Bar- you stay together, you’ll probably in mind, though, that all of us non-Leos are hoping PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): There’s substantial you will be a noble and benevolent sovereign who evidence that when people talk to themselves out on-Cohen explains that they’re driven need to meet him more than halfway,
provides enlightened leadership and bestows generous loud in the midst of doing a task, they improve their CASCADIA WEEKLY to decode the workings of machines, meaning rely way more on guessing blessings. That kind of behavior will earn you the right chances of succeeding at the task. Have you ever math, objects in motion and other his emotions than his putting them to enjoy more of these lofty interludes in the future. heard athletes giving themselves verbal encourage- 15 “rule-governed” (and thus relatively into words. Meanwhile, focusing on ment during their games and matches? They’re using VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the coming weeks, a trick to heighten their performance. In accordance predictable) systems. A boy will take how men communicate through ac- I will refer to you as the Rememberer. Your task will with astrological omens, I invite you to experiment a screwdriver to a radio to see how it tion should help you see the beauty be to deepen and refine your relationship with the old with this strategy in the coming weeks. Increase generates sound; a girl will mentally in, say, your being startled by clang- days and old ways—both your own past and the pasts your brainpower by regularly offering yourself take apart her cousin to figure out why ing metal and yelled profanities some of people you care about most. I hope you will take encouraging, supportive instructions. It’s fine if you advantage of the cosmic rhythms to reinvigorate your just sort of whisper them, but I’d love it if now and she’s suddenly gone all Bummerella. Saturday afternoon. love for the important stories that have defined you then you also bellowed them. rearEnd crossword
31 Annoying DOWN “Rosemary’s Baby” 57 Calligrapher’s supply
34 Deployed with 1 People get steamed 39 Be resigned to one’s 59 Icicle lights locale 19 alacrity? there fate 61 2000s Iraq war
FOOD 37 “The Princess and 2 One side of “the 43 Quick learner subject, briefly the Frog” princess pond” 44 Hebrew alphabet 63 Charging port, 40 Heavy metal singer 3 AriZona alternative starters maybe 15 15 Ronnie James ___ 4 Fix a button 48 It’ll pick up the 64 "Mmhmm" motion 41 Pronounce 5 HHH, in Greek faintest of noises B-BOARD B-BOARD 42 Way to keep your 6 Accelerate 49 Oat-based skin spiky sea creatures 7 Polish site product brand
14 fastened? 8 “___ longa, vita 50 Like some margins 45 City that shares brevis” 52 Weasel cousin FILM Seattle’s airport 9 Golf ball brand 54 Shepherd’s pie bit 46 “The King and I” 10 Like the head of a 56 Paper nest builder 12 actor Brynner tennis racket 47 Chaka who sang “I 11 Lite-Brite bulbs, MUSIC Last Week’s Puzzle Feel for You” really
11 51 Discharges 13 “Hamilton” creator 53 Back-to-school mo. ___-Manuel Miranda ART 55 Fertility clinic 14 Asking for a tiny bit
10 supply of fish, maybe? 56 Disinfectant sheet 17 December cartonful
STAGE 58 Burj Khalifa’s loc. 21 Siberia’s neighbor on 60 Alloy containing tin a Risk board UR Here 62 Bug that might bug 24 Lists of basics AS IF IT ISN'T OBVIOUS you in the kitchen 26 Shrivel GET OUT 63 Tool to help build 28 Hurry back, perhaps a city? 30 Cohesiveness ACROSS 14 It may have a big 20 It had a baby face 65 Descend diagonally 32 “Born,” in some 1 1 of 100 still being impact in “Teletubbies” 66 Battleship blasts notices
WORDS finalized in D.C. 15 “___ Been Thinking 21 Escapees from Pan- 67 “The Flintstones” 33 E. Berlin was its 4 Company with “count- About You” (1991 dora’s box pet capital
6 ing sheep” ads Londonbeat song) 22 “George of the 68 What Portland went 35 “Army of Darkness” LOOKING FOR PUZZLE SOLUTIONS? 9 Beginning (of the 16 Greetings from Jungle” creature back to recently director Sam Last week’s puzzle was published in our digital edition, which can be viewed on the Cascadia Weekly website www. hour) trained bears? 23 “___ and Juice” 69 Printer’s excess 36 Donut, mathemati- cascadiaweekly.com. Last week’s digital edition also includes CURRENTS 12 “The Clan of the 18 Shirt marker 25 California ballplayer 70 Animal in “Jack and cally the solution for the prior week’s puzzle.
4 Cave Bear” author 19 “Can you wait just a 27 Burn a little the Beanstalk" 37 Boy king of Egypt Jean freaking minute?!” 29 Modern, to Merkel 38 Levin who wrote ©2020 Jonesin’ Crosswords VIEWS 2 MAIL Home OF Bellingham's Best Bloody Mary
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14 11.25.2020 BY CAREY ROSS to join them in the ensuing days. FILM GONE FOR GOOD
12 COVID OPENINGS MT. BAKER SKI If you’re wondering what
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11 open! The mountain is open! Like every- will be in the ab- ART Covered & heated thing else in 2020, sence of government aid programs, it a day at Baker looks looks like this: Streat Food has closed 10 outdoor dining + different this year, so bone up on their permanently. Everson’s Little Roadside Tavern has closed permanently. 122 STAGE Takeout COVID policies and procedures when you Pepper check the day’s snow report, mask up and West will soon close permanently. get ready to ride. Without help, they’ll soon be in excel- Let us cook you dinner! lent and too-plentiful company. PARIS RESTAURANT GET OUT Sisters Southwest Cuisine Anacortes’ Paris peppersisters.com 360-671-3414 Restaurant got to to Korean Bo Ssam, all a result of owner be open for almost Aaron Horowitz’s extensive travels. two whole weeks
WORDS before the order DO THE EVOLUTION Now seating on our semi-enclosed to pause indoor Constant adjust- dining went into ment is the name of 6 patio, and offering takeout! effect, and without missing a beat, the the game for restau- new eatery fired up its delivery machine rants right now and
CURRENTS and converted one of its cold cases into toward that end, 1-Up a butcher case, offering house-made Lounge has renovated 4 sausages, cured meats and more. and rebranded as Uncle Hugh’s BBQ, an endeavor that be- VIEWS THE HELIOTROPE RESTAURANT gan as an experiment, but proved hugely
2 Just in time for Mt. Baker’s opening popular. Newly opened Juxt Taphouse day, the Heliotrope also opened its doors brought back the drive-thru window that MAIL in the former home of Milano’s in Glacier. was once part of that space, and Farm- The restaurant’s menu is small, but strong Brewing is donating its currently manages to touch several corners of the unused dining-room space to local makers globe, from South African Bunny Chow and creators to sell their wares. 11.25.20 .15 48 # COMMIT 2 THREE order restrict- BUYING LOCAL ing capacity, When they’re not posting daily work- but make no outs that make my body fear I will start mistake: This working out, Apex Fitness is promoting holiday sea- local small businesses via its “I Commit son is criti-
CASCADIA WEEKLY 2 Three” initiative. Anyone can partici- cal to the pate—all you have to do is pledge to survival of 18 buy gifts from a trio of local vendors our small- instead of Amazon. Easy peasy. business ecosystem. MORE BUYING LOCAL Shop early. Businesses are showing great Shop often. And creativity in adapting to the latest above all else, shop local. doit
GRATIS GRUB Birchwood Food Desert Fighters host a Share Spot 19 from 12pm-2pm Saturdays 19 in the parking lot of the FOOD chow Industrial Credit Union on FOOD RECIPES REVIEWS PROFILES Northwest Ave., offering free food for those in need. 15 B-BOARD UPCOMING EVENTS NOV. 28-29 BLAINE MARKET: Find fresh
NOV. 25-30 produce and herbs, homemade 14 FILL A BOWL: Paint a bowl and pastries, jams and jellies, coffee
support the community at a “Fill beans and grounds, a variety FILM a Bowl” fundraiser taking place of face masks, unique treasures through Nov. 30 in Mount Vernon and gifts and more at a Blaine
at Tri Dee Arts, 215 S. First St. Indoor Farmers Market taking 12 Fees are $16 to paint the bowl; place from 10am-2pm Saturdays
half of the sales will be donated and 10am-4pm Sundays through MUSIC to the Skagit County Friendship December. Due to social distanc- House Cafe—which serves an ing requirements, vendor booths 11 average of 5,500 meals per month will be spread out.
(more than 66,000 per year). WWW.BLAINECHAMBER.COM ART (360) 336-6131 NOV. 30-DEC. 1 10 SAT., NOV. 28 FOOD BANKING: The Foothills DOCKSIDE MARKET: Bellingham Food Bank—which serves com- SeaFeast, the Port of Bellingham, munity members from Mt. Baker STAGE and the Working Waterfront to the South Fork Valley—is Coalition of Whatcom County have seeking volunteers on Mondays,
MIRACLE HOLIDAY POP-UP BAR joined forces for a Bellingham Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Dockside Market happening from Fridays. Before the pandemic, PHOTO BY MELISSA HOM MELISSA BY PHOTO 10am-2pm most Saturdays at FFB was serving approximately GET OUT Gate 5 or 7 at Squalicum Harbor. 150 families a week, but the ner space on 11th Street with nearly two Product availability and sale dates number has now doubled and is BY AMY KEPFERLE dozen Christmas trees of various sizes, a will vary; the operation of the expected to grow during the hol- life-sized Santa and plenty of seasonal market will reflect the dynamic idays season. While the number
circumstances local fisher-folks of families served has signifi- WORDS cocktails and associated merch. navigate. Check the market’s cantly increased, the number of Holiday Cheer When my date and I first checked out Facebook page prior to sale days volunteers to distribute food has Miracle in the winter of 2018, I ordered to see what sort of fresh seafood decreased. FFB is seeking more 6 THE SPIRITS OF THE SEASON a tequila, mezcal and pear brandy con- will be on the menu. helping hands to ensure Foothills coction called a Partridge in a Pear Tree WWW.BELLINGHAMDOCKSIDE.ORG families get the food they need. NOELLENUTRITION98@OUTLOOK. while my guy went for the aforementioned CURRENTS FAIRHAVEN WINTERFEST is going to have a different BELLINGHAM MARKET: Attend COM OR WWW.BIT.LY/FFBV2020
vibe this year, but from Nov. 27-Dec. 20 the annual holiday cele- Christmaspolitan, which he said tasted the Bellingham Farmers Market 4 bration in the historic district will go on—albeit with less events “like frozen fizzy fruit and happiness” (I from 10am-2pm Saturdays through TUES., DEC. 1 December at the Depot Market FOOD DISTRIBUTION: Bell-
apt to draw a crowd, pandemic-related safety protocols in place, tested his to confirm, and he was correct). VIEWS and shorter, socially distanced visits with Father Christmas. Swim Club is only open for takeout at this Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. At the ingham Food Bank will begin modified market, social distancing distributing prepacked food 2 One thing there will be more of are the spirits of the season. On point, as is its sister bar, Gainsbarre. But is strongly enforced, patrons are boxes at cold weather locations opening weekend, Holiday Cocktail Kits can be preordered from from 3pm-6pm Wednesdays and Thursdays,
not allowed to touch the food, and beginning today from 1pm-4pm MAIL select Fairhaven bars and restaurants for pickup from 12pm-5pm and 3pm-8pm Fridays and Saturdays from a limited number of vendors are at 1175 Jersey St. People can Fri., Nov. 27 or Sat., Nov. 28 at event headquarters. Most cost Nov. 27 through Dec. 23, the latter will allowed on site. Entertainment, join a car queue and when it’s $50, and will contain all the ingredients needed for as many as transform into a pop-up retail shop com- music and eating areas have been their turn, volunteers will offer suspended until further notice, and the food boxes without requir- 12 cocktails. Not only will you be setting yourself up for a series plete with Miracle cocktail kits, glassware masks are mandatory. Please stay ing person-to-person contact. 11.25.20 of post-Thanksgiving toasts, you’ll also be helping out the ven- and festive decor. They’ll also be serving up home if you are sick, and be pre- There will be a bike and walk-up
ues during a time of constrained service—something you should warm beverages for customers of all ages to pared with small bills to offer exact option as well. Each household .15 48
continue to do until and after they’re safely able to reopen for enjoy in their outdoor holiday parklet while change to vendors when possible. represented in a vehicle may # indoor dining. bringing cheer to the Southside. WWW.BELLINGHAMFARMERS.ORG pick up for up to two families. Menstrual products, baby formula Examples of what’s available include Mexican Hot Chocolate “Think of a cozy ski lodge in the moun- SHARE SPOT: Birchwood Food and diapers will be added to from Evolve Chocolate + Cafe, Winter Mules via the Black Cat, tains during Christmas time, a place to Desert Fighters hosts a Share Spot distributed items as availability Hot Apple Toddies from Colophon Cafe, London Sunrise courtesy grab your warm drink and enjoy the smell from 12pm-2pm Saturdays in the allows. Folks may visit twice per of Milano’s, Bundle Love by Big Love Juice, Sonic the Hedge Nog of pine trees,” Gainsbarre’s Dutchie Bro- parking lot of the Industrial Credit week and may choose among all Union, 3233 Northwest Ave. Thanks locations which they visit. Hours
at 1-Up Lounge, a Ginger Elixir concoction sourced by Galloway’s ersma says. “Our goal is to be as safe as CASCADIA WEEKLY to a collaboration with the Miracle are 1pm-4pm Tuesdays and Thurs- Cocktail Bar and, from the magical elves at Swim Club, “Christmas- possible during this time but to bring you Food Network, the weekly event days at the Jersey St. locale, and politans” comprised of vodka, spiced cranberry sauce, elderflower that very special holiday comfort and joy featuring the sharing of free food from 3pm-6pm Wednesdays at 19 syrup, lime mixer, rosemary garnishes and associated glassware. we have had the pleasure of sharing with will likely continue through the the parking lot at Christ the King In the past couple of years, Swim Club was also the headquar- you the past two years.” winter. Volunteers are often needed Church, 4173 Meridian St. Folks ters for the Miracle Holiday Pop-up Bar. The cocktail-focused on Saturdays and during the week. may visit twice per week and may COVID safety protocols are in place. choose among all locations which event began in New York City in 2013, and five years later was For more details about these events, WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/ they visit. taking place at more than 80 locales across the world—includ- go to www.fairhavenwinterfest.com or BIRCHWOODFOODDESERTFIGHTERS WWW.BELLINGHAMFOODBANK.ORG ing Swim Club, which joined the party by decking out its cor- www.miraclepopup.com/locations WHITE-HOT
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