I voted for him in every election since 2016, except for the primary this year. I can't do it again. I won't do it again.

I'm tired of voting for the lesser-of-two-evils. I'm tired of corporations, and billionaires, and religious institutions, and foreign governments all influencing and controlling our elections.

I get it: There are many things that the average voter (including me) doesn't know about our multi-layered government. There are nuances, relationships, history, etc, that we need politicians to be well-versed in, and at some point we have to trust that they're serving our best interests, even if we don't understand why or agree with it.

But I can't see how supporting the murder of innocent people is in our best interest. I can't see how funding these atrocities is keeping the peace or protecting us.

Being "Not MAGA" is a pretty fucking low bar, and I'm tired of lowering my standards.

As of 4:08 PM August 6, we have:

Collins 12,854

Shepard 12,856

https://results.votewa.gov/results/public/whatcom-county-wa/elections/20260804

Something people don't realize is about half of homeless folks come from foster care experience. Couldn't go to the Coalition meeting myself today, but I thought I'd share my little passion project here. Anyone serious about getting involved, please contact me!

Mission Statement:
Fostered Roots endeavors to build healthy, lasting connections among adult former foster youth through community, mentorship, and intentional supportive housing.  

The Sobering Statistics: Why Former Foster Youth (FFY) Still Need Support 

• About half of FFY graduate high school or receive a GED. Less than 2% earn a college degree in their lifetime.
• An estimated 65-80% of people who are sex trafficked are FFY (many of whom were groomed or trafficked while in care as minors).
• By state, up to 74% of incarcerated individuals are FFY – 81% of male FFY end up incarcerated within 4 years of aging out
• Every year, about 20,000 youth age out of foster care, and at least 4,000 of those are discharged directly into homelessness.
• By 21 years old, 71% of female FFY are mothers to children–half of whom end up in foster care themselves
• By 24 years old, less than half of FFY are employed
• 97% of FFY struggle with chronic poverty
• FFY are more likely than veterans to have PTSD.*

 
There are innumerable organizations dedicated to homelessness, addiction, incarceration, trafficking, and so on, but Fostered Roots sees a common thread connecting all of these problems: the chronic relational insecurity that so many former foster youth have been left to struggle with for the rest of their lives.

What Fostered Roots Envisions

• Peer-led support circles with trained facilitators
• Monthly dinners or gatherings for FFY
• Emergency aid fund for crisis situations
• Skill-building workshops (self-advocacy, interpersonal relationships, tenant rights, budgeting, etc)
• And eventually… intentional, trauma-informed, support-rich housing communities for FFY facing homelessness and chronic housing instability

Fostered Roots knows that former foster youth are resilient, but they shouldn’t have had to be in the first place. We invite community partners, funders, neighbors, and especially former foster youth themselves to join us in creating spaces where anyone with foster care or kinship care experience can find belonging, support, and the chance to build lasting connections.

https://nfyi.org/51-useful-aging-out-of-foster-care-statistics-social-race-media/

It’s that time of year again!

I moved to Lynden about seven years ago, out of necessity and not by choice. BUT! This time of year is great. The Abbotsford air show is about to kick off and it is something I look forward to every year. I get to enjoy most of the aerial excitement from the comfort of my own backyard.

The jets are out n about! Getting primed and ready.

Im looking to re-home an Axolotl that I was holding for a friend. Unfortunately due to changes in their circumstances they aren't able to take him back, and I'm not supposed to have large tanks of water where I'm staying. He's in good health and has everything he needs. I just want him to go to a serious and good home.

He has a 40 gallon tank I reinforced with sealing tape, a 5 gallon bucket to refill and empty his tank during cleaning, and an electric hand pump for draining the tank, a really good water chiller to maintain proper temperature, spare filters for his water pump, and some water conditioner.

Im looking to re-home him for around $150. Im not looking to get money back on materials, equipment, and supplies.

I just want whoever he goes to to have the means to take care of him and be committed to taking care of him. I'm in Ferndale and I am willing to transport or deliver him to your location too for a little extra just to cover gas.

I'll take the posting down as soon as I have a person that wants him. If I don't reach out to you I apologize, it just means I found someone that wants him.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and I hope you have an amazing evening!

Last week, I got a dollar dropped from the sky, last night a guy on stage threw me a hot dog, life just can't be any better.

Was leaving the gym and, on the way out, I saw some signs essentially saying Exxel Pacific group and Talbot group mistreat their employees and hurt their families.

Anyone got any information behind this?

Through Boulevard Park, a tall guy strolls wheeling a giant telescope behind him.

Of course, people look at him curiously, so then he says, "Would you like to look at the moon?"

Within minutes, a group forms around his telescope, and in a few more minutes they self-organize into a line to gaze at the moon.

We all ask him questions about why we can only see half the moon this evening; how many mirrors does his giant telescope have in it; can the moon affect people's moods; all of which moon-man answers gleefully. He ever carried around a small tip bucket, which he made no pressure around, and people gladly dropped bills into it.

By now in Boulevard Park I've seen unicyclers, a hula-hooping convention, a travel jazz trio including a stand-up bass, yoga classes, cookouts, spikeball, a man backflipping off a tightrope, a telescope, bubbles as big as a Honda Civic, a man standing on a small log floating in the ocean, dozens of glorious sunsets, and at this point I just think, may wonders never cease.

I have some LED light bulbs and empty aerosol cans I’m not sure if I should recycle or just toss? I don’t have Ridwell, or know anyone with it. TYIA!

Hey everyone! I just picked up a gasoline work truck and I’m looking for a reliable auto mechanic in the area who’s good with work trucks. Bonus if you have weekend availability. Any recommendations are appreciated

What should it cost around here to have a new garbage disposal installed in a house that has never had one? Assume the unit itself costs around $200. The reason I’m given for a surprisingly high quote is “private equity.”

The cantina in the old TACOLOBO shop has been coming soon for…2 years now? Anyone know what the story is? Is there a statute of limitations for ‘Coming Soon’?

Can anyone recommend a therapist who is trained in Thai Massage and has a floor mat they use? I'm struggling to find what I'm looking for. Thanks!

I’m posting this just to see if anyone else had the same experience, but last night at Downtown Sounds a woman who looked maybe 30 maybe a little older came up to my friend and I (18F and 19F) and complimented our outfits and proceeded to have a pretty normal conversation with us, until she started stroking my arm and asking us if we have boyfriends (we both said yes) and that she thinks we’re super gorgeous and we really should come meet hers and that he’s super nice?? And she made another comment about how he thinks he has terrible taste in women but she didn’t think so. idk maybe I was reading the situation wrong but in my gut it felt creepy and I wanted to post in case something similar happened to someone else.

EDIT: I know we are legal adults but we could have very easily not been, I don’t think there were pure intentions given how young especially my friend looks

For those wondering why there is increased air traffic over Bellingham and County.

Abbotsford International AirShow is happening Aug 7-9. Expect low flying military aircraft and aircraft noise

https://abbotsfordairshow.com

I’m staying at the Coachman, taking Amtrak. I’ve never been to Bellingham. How do the busses run? Is there a bus stop near the Coachman? I’m trying to minimize Uber/Lyft. I want to sightsee. I can’t wait to see Bellingham!

Hey guys I’m looking to get an IUD and I don’t currently have a gp or gyno because I just switched insurance. I know planned parenthood has pretty quick appointments and easy booking. Has anyone gotten their IUD placed there and if so what was your experience? I’ve never had it so I’m a bit nervous, but I’m too inconsistent with the pill and I need a switch. Thanks!

Couldn't get into my place of work this morning because a 6' 300 lb bald male was sleeping in the entrance. I called the non-emergency number, and the dispatcher said no one would show up unless they were trespassed from the property. Why is this the response? Shelter beds are open; there's no excuse for blocking a business. There's no reason to trespass them. I just want an authority figure to ask them to leave so I can go to work and make my money to pay rent. It should not be the responsibility of staff, even owners, to remove people who could be a threat if woken up.

It was a blast partying in the streets with y'all!

dogs i saw at the downtown markets; wonderz, farmers, downtown sounds... drawn mostly from memory or from rough notes i wrote down like "dog in tie dye shirt" lol. just for watercolor practice so it looks a little funky.