The election is still more than a week away, but tens of millions of Americans have already cast their votes. The 2020 election is projected to have the highest voter turnout in over a century: 150 million people and 65% of the nation’s registered voters according to Forbes. There is…
On voting in the upcoming election
Trumpeter brings music to a distant audience
COVID-19 has canceled many things, and for the music industry, which relies heavily on in-person gatherings, some have found creative ways to engage their audiences and use music as a way to connect. For local musicians like trumpeter Pace Rubadeau, music has not been canceled – it’s just found a…
Escaping the virus: trails of Whatcom County
Throughout the past couple of weeks, trails and other outdoor areas have begun to reopen. Like most of us, I have been looking for a way to safely get out and experience something other than the inside of my home. A great place to check out to get some safe…
Art and dance courses adjust to a 2-D reality
Whatcom Community College’s Visual and Performing Arts courses have been functioning online this quarter for the first time due to the state’s stay-at-home order, according to Whatcom’s visual art discipline lead Rob Beishline. Beishline has been working at Whatcom since 2001 running the 3D art classes. In his time at…
Miles for meals: Friends walk for food bank
2020 has been a very different year than normal for all of us. COVID-19 has affected everyone in ways we never thought would happen, and for the most vulnerable of our communities, it has made life even harder. For many in our community, the shutdown means no job, no opportunity…
How has the pandemic affected local film festivals?
Normally, this time of year would have Bellingham’s Pickford Film Center busy with people lining up, ordering popcorn, and enjoying films entered in the CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival. But the COVID-19 lockdown changed all that. This year, the festival was forced to screen its official selections online. What makes…
When freedom of the press is not what law enforcement wants to hear
In the past two weeks, the coronavirus toll in the U.S. surpassed 100,000 deaths, people around the world protested against the killing of George Floyd, and more than 400 journalists have had their First Amendment rights infringed upon. The unjustified deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, sparked…
Passing the time in a pandemic is all fun and games
As the pandemic continues, people have been forced to be creative and develop new ways to get together apart. In an effort to stay connected and ditch the gloomy COVID cloud hanging over everyone’s head, Kulshan Brewing Co. has moved its regular trivia night online. While veterans of this weekly…
Equality is not enough
Imagine you are facing a wall with two friends. This wall is 7 feet tall. You are about 6-foot-2 and your friends are 5-foot-10 and 5-foot-2. You need a stool to see over the wall, so you get yourself a box that is 10 inches tall. The principle of equality…
WCC Health and Wellness Services during COVID-19
Whatcom Community College’s Health and Wellness Committee will not be meeting this quarter due to necessary social distancing, but this does not mean the end of student aimed resources, says a partner and developer of Whatcom’s Orca Food Pantry. Catherine Chambers is an AmeriCorps Vista who has been partnered with…