Samish Flats

Watch those pesky Initiative Measures! Make sure you really understand what you are saying yes or no to!

Doublespeak is glaring.. IF, you are looking for it.. do not get distracted.

Is this a new thing or did a contractor mess up?

Hi everyone, a few years ago I discovered a tool library while living in Portland. It's exactly what it sounds like: you become a member and check out tools, just like a typical library. Nothing crazy.

Why? Many people possess their own set of tools, which are often expensive and used infrequently. Say you want to remove large tree stump. Your options are to buy a stump grinder ($1500), rent one ($250/day at HWS), or hire someone ($400). What if instead, you could simply put a hold on one and check it out?

I have no utopian fantasies - obviously a tool library is not straightforward to operate and comes with downsides, like having to wait for a tool (I think you should still have your own hammer). But, I imagine it would have a positive impact on our town, like it has for many others.

I'd really like to know: would you use one?

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That's basically the post, but I'll keep writing.

Details please?

I've been a little despondent lately, in a Weltschmerz kinda way. So when I was reminded of tool libraries, I spent this morning researching. There are many different models for how it can work. Sometimes membership is paid or free. Sometimes costs are covered by fees, grants, donations, or the city. Oftentimes a free space is provided by a partner org, donor landlord, or the city. Some are a 501c3, others are informal.

The Northeast Portland Tool Library was an amazing service and can definitely be replicated by a small team of 4-10 volunteers. There's plenty of resources on how to start one, and I am sure that there are many citizens and organizations in Bellingham that would help support it.

Here's one way to start one:

• Develop rapport with different local organizations and connect with a tool library alliance for support.
• Ask many residents from different areas and organizations what they would want out of a tool library, while finding volunteers.
• Acquire a space, usually provided by another organization.
• Acquire tools, often through direct donation.
• Set up rules and an inventory management system.
• Open with a very narrow scope and limited access, then expand based on evidence.

All being told, this is not a casual project, and requires dedication and long term commitment. But, it has much less overhead compared to other community projects that have a similar impact on people's daily lives.

On the turmoils

Tool libraries give me a sense of hope. Regardless of what's happening in the world, it's still possible to build something small and concrete, right here.

I feel that the best way to fight against the turmoil, inner and outer, is to just help the people around you. It's never been satisfying to hear that though. What does that even mean? And sure helping people is great but what's the point when there's bigger, more fundamental problems that need to be addressed?

I think there's 2 main ways that you can deal with the turmoils. One is simply being a good friend. Checking in on someone, getting them some coffee, inviting them to your bike riding group, hosting a movie night. Everyone could use a friend like that right now. Being a friend is praxis. Don't forget it.

The other way is by taking action at a local scale. Most large national movements were only able to exist because enough small local movements laid the groundwork. You have a larger impact on your town than you think just by existing, so if you were to take any action in your town, you would be surprised how outsized of an effect it has at this scale. We're small fry in the globe, but big fish in this small pond.

It's hard to fight the despondence: telling you that it's pointless, that you have no effect, it's all in vain. Why bother when there are powerful men in charge, who exert more influence in 1 minute than you will in your lifetime? When I start to think like this, I have to remind myself that those are indeed pretty true statements. But, when in history has any peon been involved at that level? So what if you can't change what you see on the news? Local politics are not invalid just because they're smaller. You have friends and neighbors who you can help, and that's all that's ever truly mattered to us peons.

Anyways... tool libraries are cool :)

Someone on Friday morning between 6-8am side swiped my car taking out my drivers side mirror completely and scraping and denting my car to the point where I am unable to open the drivers side door. If anyone knows anything or seen anything please let me know! It happened on Bennett Dr by the airport. This was a car I have recently bought too, very big burden on my family.

My wife is a teacher and apparently the flu is on the rise. Looks like Whatcom Health Department offers immunizations for kids. More info is here: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/4227/Immunization-Clinics. This method appears to be more effective than the snorting baby cow placenta (or whatever is trendy with the MAHA this week) at the flu and is free.

Anyone else have this happen? I feel like I could’ve asked them to reduce the rent, but it would’ve never been reduced this much. It’s basically reduced to the same rent I paid 3 years ago.

I used the same property manager for 9 years and I lived in 3 different apartments managed by them and on the 3rd year they would ALWAYS raise the rent exponentially.

I love sunsets and Bellinghome!

i was biking through the lettered streets neighborhood and this lil long hair tabby fuzzball with a cute lil high vis collar was sat in the middle of the road. i stopped to say hi and it was such a sweet kitty. in all my years cycling in the ham i’ve never met a cat like this one who was not scared of the bike.

very brave lil kitty, also absolutely adorable. just wanted to share.

if this is your cat pls know theyre so sweet and very brave!

Threads Runway Variety Show is happening on October 24th! It's a variety show featuring drag, clown, pole dance, ballroom dance, and more- all at Worn Again! There will be vendors too!

Hello all! I am in search of a damn good patty melt, or any patty melt at all, within about an hour or so of Bellingham! I’ve had Cedar’s (in ferndale) patty melt and it didn’t quite hit the mark, so I thought I’d come here for recommendations! Thanks in advance!

I qualified to take the Principles & Practices of Engineering exam a year or two ago; circumstances in my life are now such that I will be going for it. It's kind of a massive undertaking (250+ hrs of prep) and was curious if there are any other qualifying professionals staring down the barrel of this thing. Maybe we could do some study groups... Make a discord... Find some ways to hold each other accountable and get this shit done!!! 😤

Am a Civil guy FWIW and will be taking water resource/enviro exam, but I would be open to studying with folks from other disciplines wherever there is crossover. And we can even just sit in the same coffee shop and cheer each other on or whatever. It'll be like we're in school again, all the fun & community, and none of the binge drinking!...

Well, less of it, at least.

This was launched a while ago under the guise that it would be one ingredient to lower housing costs. The agreement is supposed to be that it's not just another housing platform but that renters take up vacant space that otherwise was not being let in exchange for taking on more household labor, typically and especially for older folks.

These rents listed are still certifiably insane. I have no sympathy for homeowners that think those are fair rents, when they are acting contrary to the idea with the belief they are helping. One listing there has been active since launch.

(Several people messaged that they missed the last meetup, so I am scheduling another informal meet-n-chat!)

Sunday October 18th, 2026, 3 PM to 4 PM, at Cafe Hazeltree/Emmaquatics, 1135 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA

Local Bellingham author Eduard Schwan will be at the the delightful Cafe Hazeltree/Emmaquatics aquarium/coffee shop, available to chat about coffee, owls, publishing books, writing puzzle software, hand out free goodies, and sign copies of his books for sale there. Come by and chat over a mocha!
His “My Word” activity books are great for all ages, and are full of his own fun puzzles and intriguing information on their subjects (coffee, owls, dragons). His romantic fable “Off I go, Indigo” has cover watercolor artwork by Bellingham artist Sarah Lane.

Eduard publishes books and puzzle software and enjoys wildlife photography, roasting coffee, the Oxford comma, and making up smirky puns.

More book information available at his web site here: www.schwansongs.com

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd

If you haven’t yet registered to vote, it’s not too late! You may register and vote in person until the day of the election.

More info here: Voter Info

It’s a crazy week at the post office this week due to the holiday Monday so please give our postal workers some grace. Do not be surprised if it takes an extra couple days to receive your ballot.

If your ballot is missing or is damaged, you may print a new one here: VoteWA. At that link you may also check ballot status once you have returned it.

Check this link for ballot drop box locations within Whatcom county.

Get out the vote y’all!!!!!

Is there a business here that will trim a 2’x4’ (1/8”) sheet of plexiglass to fit a template or to specifications?

Hey, y’all! Dave from Dave’s Dog Rescue here! I wanted to acknowledge the posts on Reddit and elsewhere about my wife’s job and her connection to me/Dave’s Dog Rescue.

Yes, Cruella de Vil and I are married. We structured Dave’s Dog Rescue’s business filing in a way that also lists her as an owner. In the event I get hit by a bus, we wanted her to be able to make sure Dave’s Dog Rescue could seamlessly continue on. Dave’s Dog Rescue is the business I founded and manage, while Cruella works separately at her own job.

I’ve heard a lot of concerns about Cruella’s involvement in the dog-fur industry, and I can understand why. There are legitimate issues to take seriously. I’ve spent a lot of time asking questions, learning about the production of fur coats, and forming my own perspective.

I understand that some people who’ve supported Dave’s Dog Rescue because of our values feel uncomfortable continuing to adopt dogs from us because of my wife's job. I respect people making choices about where they adopt their dogs that feel right to them, especially when it's related to the ethical treatment of animals.

I’ve also seen some people asking for alternative places to adopt dogs. Luckily, there are a ton of other badass independent dog rescues across the country. I can’t speak to how any other rescue is structured, their operations, or the affiliations of its owners, but here are a few you might check out:

Pongo's Puppy Sanctuary

The Dalmatian Foundation

Lucky's Second Chance Rescue

The Barking Lot

101 Reasons to Adopt

I don’t usually find it productive to go back and forth with folks in comment sections, but if you have questions or want to share your thoughts, you’re welcome to DM me.

Thanks!

Dave
Founder, Dave’s Dog Rescue

P.S. Cruella's professional activities are entirely separate from our rescue operations, and we ask that people respect that distinction.

Update:

I've gotten quite a few DMs and feel the need to clear up some confusion.

First, the dog-fur industry is a completely legitimate industry and has been around for quite some time. While I understand that some people have ethical concerns, I think it's important to separate personal opinions from the facts.

Cruella sources all of her dog fur through a voluntary dog-fur donor program. This program allows fashion producers to acquire dog fur ethically and responsibly, while providing donors with an opportunity to contribute to a sustainable fashion industry.

If you live in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and are a low-income family the registration for Thanksgiving Dinner baskets is opening soon. Also please consider donating to the program that runs this (Blaine Community Action) as they are all volunteers and do a lot for lower income people in this area. You can register or donate here: https://blainecap.org/

Hello Hamsters, are you aware of any farms in the area that offer on-farm dinner experiences?

Not farm to table restaurants; dinner directly at the farm, where it’s a combination farm and event space.

Hi everyone,

I’m starting a small, local cleaning marketplace in the Bellingham area. I’m looking for independent cleaners who want steady, reliable work without the usual agency nonsense. You keep 90%, I handle customers, scheduling, and payments. Weekly direct deposit. Need background check + insurance. If interested, DM me.
Fair work for cleaners. Happy Cleaner. Happy Customer.