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Just A Friendly FYI With The Holiday Season Approaching

(13 posts)

Started 6 months ago by BuffaloHawk
Latest reply from jj

BuffaloHawk

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Please try to buy gifts from small local businesses and self-employed people in our neighborhood. This will make it possible for more people in our community enjoy the holiday season.

peace :)

Posted 6 months ago #
gracie

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Good one, Buff. peace to you also.

Posted 6 months ago #
seattletree

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yeah!.. I love that idea a whole lot.

And speaking of local buying and to get off topic a bit (my apology).... I heard from the regular Real Change man at Sbux on Phinney that he now has about 8 regular weekly customers. Wow... only 2 years ago he had about 32. He takes care of his cat in this way, and "Captain" is a wickedly ... naughty big giant cat that only loves Bob.. but Bob sure needs and loves Captain. I helped get a Fridge over to his place with my truck once. Dang cat like to eat me alive.. he is not so nice ya know.. hahahha.. Never met a cat that went camping with a guy before I met these two.. but he takes his cat camping too. Ya gotta love an old salty guy who hangs with a cranky old cat and takes him camping. hahhaha Ballard sure has some characters eh?...

But anyway, the Real Change paper is the lifeline for this guy. His social security check covers his apartment and a wee bit of food, the cat is a splurge and I know Bob will go without eating in order to feed his buddy. Most of us would. I drop a few extra bucks on him when I can. Lately he's only there on Friday, Saturday since no one is buying the papers. I know, he's a big boy and I ain't his ma... but I hope if you walk by on the way to Starbucks there, if you are able, you could take the paper... because I can't bear the thought of Bob worrying about the cat.

I think that he talks to himself somewhat audibly puts some people off. I do not think he realizes at all, that we can hear him!! hahaha I have heard him remark about me a few times, and I had to laugh. He has new hearing aides that he doesn't like. I really think he doesn't know he's talking out loud, but it's a riot.

He's kinda gritty looking and he mumbles under his breath a lot, but I swear he has the heart of someone you would like as a friend. The middle aged man with the (sometimes) big bushy beard, is Richard. Richard helps a local older woman remain in her home for a place to lay his head. However his only source of income is the Real Change. He does the other days there that Bob "takes off".. they share the spot. I have hired Richard a few times to help with garden work and he was cool, and a very hard worker. I remember him five years ago when he first became homeless and still had a truck. He has become a part of the neighborhood now and he's really a decent man. He's had a few chances to help himself to things I left out, but he has never once done a single thing other than try very hard to be useful. I wish I had some way to employ him more, but alas I do not...
rambling rose here... sorry.

Posted 6 months ago #
lifeisamazing

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good point to bring up Hawk and wonderful story about your Real Change friends Tree, thank you. I think the paper is great and the idea of the paper and how it works is great. I will do my best to remember this when I'm up on Phinney

Posted 6 months ago #
Mondoman

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Thanks for sharing your stories, tree!

Posted 6 months ago #
seattletree

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You're welcome. I like the characters that make up the whole picture. It would be awfully boring without them.

Posted 6 months ago #
Pokerguy

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I'll get most of my gifts from Amazon, is that local enough?

Posted 6 months ago #
allisonw

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Good reminder, Buff. Shop local!!

Posted 6 months ago #
bambooboy

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maybe I can buy a picture from VanGuy? Wonder what kind of art he sells.

Posted 6 months ago #
Oly

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I always buy locally from the independent business owners that hang out around Ballard Commons.

Posted 6 months ago #
onederfullone

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If only afro-dude would deliver...

Posted 6 months ago #
SmartsyArtsy

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An appropriate Save the Date….Many local craftspersons will be selling their wares at the annual Phinney Winterfest Dec 1 and 2 held at the Phinney Neighborhood center.

Posted 6 months ago #
jj

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Yes! Buy local from my local software company that. makes. no. software. Hmm.. something to think of at the next board meeting.

Posted 6 months ago #