Welcome to Bellingham

Bob’s sister Tracy arrived in Bellingham late Wednesday night, despite ice storms, mechanical failures, and cancelled flights. Airline travel is not what it used to be… no more comfy pillows or blankets, no movies, and you have to pay extra for food. But she arrived safe and sound, and what fun to have her here, and to show her around. Village Books and Fair Trade Haven in Fairhaven, Avenue Bread Company for lunch, Little Cheerful for the best breakfast in town, and a drive in the country in search of bald eagles. (Tracy spotted three.)

Thursday, while driving through old town, we stumbled upon the first annual “Project Homeless Connect.” Within a one-block area around the YWCA and Farmer’s Market building there was a mobile dental clinic, a free spay and neuter clinic for pets, and much more. As the Bellingham Herald reported, Hundreds turned out Thursday, Jan. 29, to cut hair, fix bicycles and cook lunch while others cleaned teeth, checked eyes and dispensed antibiotics during the first Bellingham/Whatcom County Project Homeless Connect in Bellingham. Up to 800 of the needy were helped by the one-day event. Thank you Bellingham. What better way to show the heart of this community to a visitor?

... P. L. Morningstar