Life of a Fake Journalist

 One of the few issues on the City Council’s agenda Monday night was the Fairhaven Branch Library funding.  City Council met with the Library board earlier that day to discuss transferring up to $600,000 for further repairs of the Fairhaven branch from funds budgeted to the Central branch. 

      The Fairhaven Branch Library has already been guaranteed $2.2 million in the budget for repairs to the roof, steps, new stucco on the outside of the building and seismic protection.  The library is now requesting up to $3.2 million for further renovations, such as a new interior design and further seismic protection.

      John Servai, chair of the Advocacy Budget of the Friends of the Fairhaven Branch Library, spoke up at the meeting urging City Council to stick with the current budget so renovations could start in June without delay.  Servai said “we are out of time” and many of the renovations requested were not needed, such as the updated interior layout and seismic protection in the ceiling.

      Servai went on to say that the library board and the administration had not allowed the Friends to be a part of the plans, but that “you can bet we tried.”  Servai said the Friends do not support the presentation earlier that day given to the City Council.

      Bruce Deile, a homeless man living in Bellingham, also showed his support of the library.  Deile said he goes to the library to get out of the cold and that “the only recourse some of have is the library.”

      City Council decided to hold off on any decisions regarding the Fairhaven Branch Library branch until a public meeting, scheduled for Feb 5 is held, and public opinion can be heard on the matter.

      After the meeting, Councilman Terry Bornemann said “we just don’t have the extra [money].” Bornemann also said that he was concerned that the Central Branch was willing to give up its $600,000 for its needed repairs to the Fairhaven Branch Library, and wondered if the money could have been budgeted elsewhere in the first place.

      The public meeting scheduled for Feb 5 will be held in the Fireplace Room at the Fairhaven Branch Library from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Brad Cornnwell of RMC Arcitects will be there to review the Fairhaven Branch Library renovations, according to a press release.  The public is invited to attend and provide input on the Fairhaven Renovations. 

The City Council ratified the Bellingham noise ordinance to allow piling removal along Bellingham Bay around some residential areas.

The Sehome neighborhood’s development project may be in jeopardy, according to Council Member Terry Bornemann. The biggest issue council members face is “how to deal with the current financial crisis” caused by the poor economy.

In an interview with Bornemann Thursday, he said the current economic situation is affecting the local revenue that pays for city projects. Bornemann also said the council needs to “really work to adjust for that.”

The Sehome neighborhood project, which has been in the works for many years now, may be set on the backburner if City Council cannot find the resources to fund the project. The proposed “urban village” redevelopment would convert the strip malls and motels that currently line Samish Way into sidewalk shops and businesses with residences above.

Mohinder Singh, a manager at the Coachman Inn on Samish way says he thinks the project “will be good for the area” and “help us to compete with the Guide [Meridian].”

The idea is to make the Sehome neighborhood into a place where people shop, live, and work, much like Fairhaven is designed. The current plan will help to accommodate the growing population throughout the area.

The Sehome neighborhood development project is just one of many neighborhood redesigns that are currently in the works; however Sehome has taken the lead, according to Bornemann.

The project will require rezoning of many areas, and possibly new ordinances to allow for taller buildings that can house both businesses and residences. The project will also include a landlord accountability law to make sure buildings are up to code and that landlords are responsible for their tenants.

The final project proposal is set to be reviewed by the Council sometime in the next few weeks.

This was a "practice" story for a website that our stories will soon be loaded to-- you can check it out here.  I will be writing for the Sehome neighborhood.

This is a story I wrote for my news writing class this summer. It's not the best thing I've ever written, but i figured I'd put SOMETHING up on here for now.

Garage Sales: An American Tradition

As summer weather finally hits the northwest, another summer tradition kicks into gear as people throughout America attempt to clear the clutter with garage sales.

So many people have participated in this summer tradition; it seems to have become a staple in American springs and summers. Almost every weekend, you will find new signs and posters on major intersections advertising for new sales.

Lena Harrington, a student at Western Washington University who recently moved to a new home in Bellingham, posted cardboard signs at each end of her road to try to attract potential buyers to take away her surplus of clothing, furniture, and other miscellaneous items.

Andrea Bjazevich, also of Bellingham, used colorful poster board and cardboard boxes to attract people to her garage sale. She was attempting to get rid of her old toys and clothes so she could buy newer toys. When asked what she would do with the things she didn’t sell, she said “I’ll probably give stuff to my friends, or donate it to Value Village.”

Vera Henychova was visiting Bjazevich from the Czech Republic and helping with the garage sale that day. When asked if they have garage sales in the Czech Republic, she said, “No. [Garage sales are] very American.” Henychova said that in her country, when people have too many things, they donate them to charities.

While many who hold garage sales do first attempt to sell their items, most donate what they do not sell to organizations such as Value Village, the Goodwill, or the Salvation Army.

Donation seemed to be the case with both Bjazevich and Harrington, as neither sold as much as they hoped, nor made much money, averaging about a hundred dollars for each sale.

The Goodwill website says that its organization is about bettering communities, through jobs in their stores, to turning the profit from their stores to provide educational classes for community members.

Items that the goodwill receives come, in part, from garage sales, but also receive items from people who do not want to go through the trouble of planning and executing a garage sale.
Many people can be found “bargain hunting” as a weekend activity- going from sale to sale to see what they can find. This can be a great solution for college students.

Russell Ritchie, also a Western Washington University student of Bellingham, said “You can find some really good deals at garage sales […] a lot of people practically give away stuff that you would have to spend a fortune to buy new.” Ritchie said that he has found furniture, dishes, televisions, and clothing at garage sales.

Whether you’re trying to get rid of the dozens of sweaters that you never wear anymore, or looking for some bargains, everyone can benefit from garage sales. Sunshine and hot weather seem to go hand in hand with garage sales, and it seems that this American tradition is here to stay.

Ali
bookgirl2005@gmail.com

1. I don't like orange juice in the slightest.