Hi northcoastbbq

Submitted By: jamesk3nn3r@aol.com – Click to email about this post
I’m looking for a few individuals that would be willing to participate in a investigation that I’m conducting for OLCC
(No I’m not affiliated with OLCC)
I’m acting independently
The olcc has asked me to go into a few bars
and collect video evidence of “overserving” and impaired driving.
You will be paid to sit in a bar and collect video evidence
(Don’t worry the cameras are covert)
If you would like to tap into your “spy” abilities
Email me for more info

Health Center/Pharmacy Permitting Submitted to Tillamook County

Submitted By: marc@nehalembayhd.org – Click to email about this post
Project Timeline Anticipates Groundbreaking in mid-July 2024

(Wheeler) – The Nehalem Bay Health District this week submitted to Tillamook County’s Community Development department design and permitting documents for the new Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy in Wheeler.

The submittal represents a major milestone in the project and anticipates a permit review schedule by the county that will allow groundbreaking in mid-July 2024.

The new Health Center will replace the existing Nehalem Bay Health Center, housed in a building that was constructed in the 1980’s that has no space for expansion or for the development of new health care services. The new Health Center will be located in a prominent location on U.S. Highway 101 across Hospital Road from the Wheeler City Hall. The new facility will have 15 exam and treatment rooms, a large pharmacy, a dental suite, dedicated space for behavioral health services and a large community meeting room.

Health District president Marc C. Johnson said the board is proud that a significant community project has been developed by a talented all-woman team of architects and designers from Scott Edwards Architects, as well as a diverse consultant team that met the Health District’s goal of teaming with multiple COBID certified Oregon firms.

(COBID firms are certified as minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and emerging small businesses).

“This team has worked diligently with the health care and administrative staff of the Nehalem Bay Health Center to plan an efficient, modern facility that will serve our community far into the future,” Johnson said.

The Health District board has also placed a premium on working with firms with substantial health care and coastal design and construction experience. The rest of the District’s team includes The Klosh Group, serving as the District’s owner’s representative and Bremik Construction the construction manager/general contractor.

Here is a timeline of key activities leading to construction of the new
Nehalem Bay Health Center and Pharmacy.

• Health Center/Pharmacy new-build site purchased by Health District: July 2021
• Scott Edwards Architects retained for site planning and highest and best use analysis: Summer 2021
• Schematic Design for Health Center/Pharmacy completed: December 2022
• Federal funding secured via Congressionally Directed Request: December 2022
• Local General Obligation (GO) bond measure for $10.25 million secured: May 17, 2023
• Environmental studies completed: Summer 2023
• GO bonds sold: September 4, 2023
• Klosh Group retained as owner’s representative: September 6, 2023
• Design Development documents completed: November 2023
• City of Wheeler Design Development approval: December 7, 2023
• Bremik Construction retained as Construction Manager/General Contractor: January 2024
• Tillamook County permits submitted: April 29, 2024
• Groundbreaking projected: Mid-July 2024

(Photo) – Scott Edwards Architects (SEA) assigned a talented all-woman team of architects and designers to work on the project for the Nehalem Bay Health District. From left, Jenna Hays, Lisa McClellan, Hayley Purdy (project lead), Amy Cripps and Eugenia Fama-Higgins. SEA, at the District’s direction, has also utilized Minority, Women, and Emerging Small Business subcontractors to develop various aspects of the project.

Stunning Rental Neahkahnie

Submitted By: seasitstay@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Former 5-Star Airbnb soon to be available as a one-year rental. Immaculate, 520 sq ft, 1 bedrm cabin nestled in forest on Neahkahnie Mtn looking towards the sea. High ceilings, views from every window, exquisitely quiet yet 2 mi from lovely Manzanita. Ideal place to try a year of coastal living, telecommute, write, create. 1 or 2 people and a dog. $2100 inclusive.

Visit our airbnb listing for photos and reviews, reply to this email for a showing. Move-in ready June.

www.airbnb.com/rooms/34395982

City of Manzanita Opportunities: Conversations W/Council & STR Committee

Submitted By: cityofmanzanitaoregon@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Couple of quick reminders:
There are two Conversations with Councilors coming in the next week. Tomorrow (5/1) at 11am and Tuesday (5/7) at 10am. The focus of these is Revenue Diversification. Bring your ideas and questions. Due to space constraints you’ll need to RSVP here: conversationswithcouncilors.eventbrite.com/

Additionally the STR Committee has openings and the window to apply to join this important committee closes May 6th. Application is available on the city website (homepage, left column), and you can submit them to cityhall@ci.manzanita.or.us

We look forward to hearing from you!

Tillamook County Commissioners’ annual compensation

Submitted By: babbles@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post
to tillamook county voters,
i think it’s pertinent to know that one county commissioner’s current annual compensation of $125,000, then multiplied by 3 = $375,000.
i did the arithmetic, and that $375,000 is .26% of this year’s annual budget of $143,414,880. that’s about 1/4 of 1% of the total budget.
so the brouhaha that is being stirred up over the commissioners’ salaries is about an amount that doesn’t very much impinge on the overall dollars needed to run the county. it seems that this issue of the commissioners’ salaries is being presented to the voters as if our county would have so much more money to pay its bills if it weren’t for this “exorbitant” amount being paid to the commissioners.
also, i have to wonder how many people out there would step up to the plate to take the responsibility and time commitment of this job without this “exorbitant” compensation?
om peace namaste
lucy brook nehalem resident

Thank you, NCRD

Submitted By: suemcgrath069@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
On Saturday, Conscious Living and Community Connections hosted Elizabeth Fournier, affectionately know as The Green Reaper. Elizabeth compassionately filled us in on natural burial and other alternatives for “going green.” The event would not have been possible without a venue. We are a lucky community to have NCRD available. Thank you, Kiley K. and your crew, and everyone at NCRD who make such community gatherings possible.
Sincerely,
Sue McGrath

Truth and Passion in Manzanita

Submitted By: Ingsland@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
This post is about general on going interest in Manzanita leadership.

Since moving to Manzanita four years ago, I have heard my junior high English and Journalism teacher’s voice in my head more often than I have since the early 70s. Libby Dunne was one of those teachers who left a lasting impression. She was passionate about teaching her students how to be intelligent consumers of information, how to recognize author bias and persuasion, and how to separate fact from fiction. She taught the difference between informative writing backed by references so the reader can read for themselves where the author had found specific information and entertainment style journalism which leans into hyperbole and opinion, in which the author tells the readers he/she is an expert without any support for that claim. (think Wall Street Journal vs National Enquirer)

Why has Libby Dunne made a sudden reappearance in my head? I was dismayed to read several posts or articles on Facebook or in local newspapers in 2020 that indicated there was a split in feelings towards the Manzanita City Council. The passion about our town was apparent. A sense of community or “team spirit” was not. Manzanita seemed to reflect our national political climate – divided. I did what Libby Dunne would have suggested. I began to run down the facts.

I discovered that there were several apparently disgruntled individuals who felt strongly about how business was being conducted in our town. I learned that one contentious issue was the (at that time) potential city hall. I relearned how unhappy people become when they feel that they are not heard or their opinion disregarded. But mostly I learned, hurt feelings aside, that the system worked as it should. When a fancy and expensive city hall was put forth, the town as a whole said, “No!” When people were unfairly targeted publicly, others came to their defense. When being a city councilor became too odious of a task due to personal attacks or incessant, repetitive meetings, people resigned and were replaced according to the rules. A new, more modest City Hall was planned.

I am grateful for Libby Dunne and all the other great teachers who followed her. I wish all people had that sort of experience in learning to read critically, which means reading with questions about the text and with an eye towards facts or bias, not simply being a critic. I wish all people would find the facts instead of simply swallowing whatever is put into print.

This is a beautiful town. I believe that all the residents here want this town to be the best possible place to live, and that is why passions are so clearly visible. In honor of Libby Dunne, I ask people to read the background information, read the city ordinances, take those steps to be truly informed and not merely indoctrinated. I don’t want any of the passion to be muffled. I do want facts and complete truths to be the currency exchanged in writing.

Best Pet Sitter!

Submitted By: Greerwrites@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Ginger Matyas took wonderful care of my cat Henry while I was out of town with love, treats and toys!
If you have vacation plans I can’t recommend her enough to take care of your fur babies while you are away.
She has many years of experience and has been written up in magazines.
Ginger Matyas 503-440-4858
Below is a link to her website.
www.gingerpetsitter.com/

Best wishes
Jennifer Greer

Hiring short term rental cleaners

Submitted By: tiffany@tiffanycocleaners.com – Click to email about this post
HIRING NOW 3 cleaners needed
Scheduling interviews now for NEHALEM and MANZANITA AREA Short term rental turnover cleaning please email text or call and leave a message with your contact information to move forward with the hiring process.
MUST HAVE OWN VEHICLE AND IN SERVICE CELLPHONE
Email contact info
tiffany@tiffanycocleaners.com
Call or text and leave a message with your contact info
(503)4576177

Spring Garden Fest at White Clover Grange a Grand Success!

Submitted By: vivi@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post
For the first time in recent memory, the Grange hosted a 2-day spring gardening event for the community. Please check out our website www.whiteclovergrange.org for more pictures and to sign up to receive updates on our doings!

On Saturday April 6, vendors, educators and volunteers came together to fill the Grange Hall with plants, garden décor, farmers market products, and opportunities to learn about gardening.

The seed exchange was a lively focal point, as was the Grange cookie table with wildflower seed bombs to boot!

Downstairs the kitchen was filled with children making nature mobiles and later in the dining room presenters shared their wisdom about no-till gardening and living soil.

Customers and learners filled the hall throughout the day. We even had visits from the neighboring farmers’ cats!

There was a good feeling of community connection throughout the day brought about by love for gardening and plants. This comment from Lane deMoll sums it up:

I just want to say to you all what a wonderful event yesterday’s was!! I felt so strongly held in community on many levels. Sweet sweet several hours. Thank you all so much for the work you put into it and for your on-going work for the Grange building! It is truly a place for our Nehalem Valley community to continue to grow from the seedlings that many have planted over the years.

Many thanks to our vendors, teachers and volunteers:

• Kyle and Britt at Moss Creek Farm for beautiful spring plant starts

• Ron Van Dongen for his gorgeous and exotic plants

• Jose Camerena’s plant starts and shrubs

• David Hendricksen and Kelly White for cider and tea

• Hope Stanton for her native wisdom and plants

• Tammi and Lance for their meat

• Deanne for all her garden books

• Karla for her eclectic collection of garden art

• Matt and Lori for their eggs

• Autum for her flower wisdom, bean seeds, and dahlias

• Jody and Gary Lewis for their ironwork

• Barbara McLaughlin and Janice Soots for the seed exchange

• Joe Meyer for his soil presentation and microscopes

• Jared Gardner for sharing about compost on his farm

• The Sharpenator, Dave Rockey

• Bonnie and Roger Neugebauer for the creative art project with the kids

• Presenters Teresa Retzlaff and Joe Meyer

• Tiffany Bay and Vivi for the soup and cornbread to nourish the volunteers and vendors

• All the Grange seed bomb and cookie makers – Constance, Jody, Marie, Fay, Emily, Evelyn, Jennifer, Vivi, Tammi, Peggy

• All the Grange volunteers that held the day together – Ken, Sunshine, Bob, Watt, Jody, Gary, Trav, Vivi, Tammi, Constance, Karla, Jennifer

On Sunday April 7, the Grange held a free heritage apple tree grafting workshop. The workshop is part of a multi-year project to identify and preserve our Nehalem Valley heritage apple trees.

David Hendricksen from Carola Wines + Cider led the workshop with assistance from Jim Fanjoy and Trav Williams. We had a really nice turnout of apple tree enthusiasts from around the community. The Grange Hall was filled with folks trying their hand at learning the craft of grafting, while sipping on David’s apple cider and eating other treats. With deft knife work and flying wood chips, it looked like a whittling convention!

Many thanks to

• David Hendricksen

• Jim Fanjoy

• Trav Williams

• The Tillamook County Cultural Coalition for funding this project

Books open again for Handyman Work

Submitted By: coastrangehandyman@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Howdy, my name is Ryan Bartlett and I am an experienced handyman who works year-round all over the North Coast. My schedule is open for residential work big or small, interior or exterior, and landscaping/power washing. Let’s collaborate to bring the vision for your space to life!

Call or text at (310) 924-9316
Email: coastrangehandyman@gmail.com

Bonded & Insured

School Choice for Oregon

Submitted By: heidiangelaparker@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Open Enrollment and School Choice for Oregon…. on the November Ballot 2024

It’s time to empower parents to choose the educational setting best suited to the needs of their child. Parents deserve to provide their child with a quality education regardless of zip code, income level, or learning style. Education dollars will be allowed to follow students to their preferred educational setting. Stop the government control and protect the autonomy and uniqueness of private schools and homeschools by getting involved now.

What can you do? Sign two petitions or donate money to help bring education options to Oregon K-12 students.
Learn more at:

EducationFreedomforOregon.com

Oregon schools are failing our students. Oregon ranks one of the bottom schools in our country. Children in public schools were locked out of schools longer than almost all other schools. You can help by getting involved right away.

Drip, Drip, Drop

Submitted By: ben.killen.rosenberg@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Posting on behalf of Kim Rosenberg loretta.kim.rosenberg@gmail.com

Drip, Drip, Drop

Recent posts and op/eds about the water—monthly billing vs quarterly, why the rate increase, what about tiered usage, where does our water come from and what’s the deal between Manzanita and Wheeler—all made me curious. As is my custom, I’m writing in order to understand. I’ve included the sources I used at the bitter end. Let’s get going.

The last time the city raised the water rates was back in 2014. That council agreed to look at the rates every year to keep up with costs of operation, maintenance, and upgrades but it didn’t happen. It’s been nine years without an increase.

At the June 14, 2023, Council Work Session Director of Public Works, Dan Weitzel presented a water rate study and information about our water. It was clear we needed to catch up with those nine years of inflation and incentivize conservation among heavy users, not because we don’t have the water, but because it costs money to get water to your Slip n Slide.

This isn’t just a Manzanita problem. All over the country there are plenty of cities and towns that have failed to keep critical infrastructure like water systems, power grids, roads and bridges maintained and upgraded so stuff works and is safe. Probably because nobody wants to pay for them. Put things off long enough and you’ve got problems. Do everything on the cheap and you’ll eventually pay in unexpected and unpleasant ways.

We live in Manzanita where the annual rainfall is 81.5 inches according to Climate Data.org, but our water comes from wells on Foss Road. Wheeler has a 99 year lease and a water rights permit to share water with Manzanita as a Joint System. Wheeler pays their share of the costs of operations and maintenance based on the water they use which is about 19%. Water usage is divided between us based on each city’s percentage of the same type of dwelling units in each town. The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) has two categories of charges. One is for stuff like permits, repairs, and labor, which is charged whether or not Wheeler uses any water, and the other charge is for the actual production of water Wheeler does use. That’s stuff like chlorine, electricity, and labor. They do that math on the last day of February by looking at the master meters.

On July 5, 2023, Manzanita’s Council approved a new rate structure with tiers for water usage that is only $7 more a month. It used to be that our bill was 39.50 for 4,000 gallons of water but the typical usage for a full-time two person household is a little less than 2,000 gallons. If the cap was still 4,000 gallons, the monthly charge would go to about $70 bucks a month to actually pay for the 4,000 gallons according to the utilities budget and the Oregon Association of Water Utilities.

So, if you use 2,000 gallons of water or less, you’re paying 47.56. Since we’re now billed monthly you can see right away when you’re using more water than usual. A neighbor of ours only discovered a major and expensive leak after receiving a big bill they weren’t expecting. I know others may disagree but we like a monthly bill instead of quarterly because we can fit $47.56 into our monthly bills better than we can fit 142.68 quarterly. But that’s us not everyone.

In the summer most people do use more water what with the Slip n Slide and the warm weather. For a few months in the summer the average household uses about 4,000 gallons so if you want to keep the water bill down you’ll need to be intentional and dare I say mindful about how much water you use. There are ways to conserve—using gray water to water plants, not watering in the heat of the day, using a drip system, doing laundry less often, fixing all the wonky faucets, only running the dishwasher when it’s full, bringing back the potty rule that, ‘If it’s yellow, it’s mellow. If it’s brown flush it down!”

If you’re a water hog you’re going to pay more, and you’ll be billed more but isn’t that how all of life is. You’ve got to pay to play, and water may fall from the skies here, but it is not free and it’s not infinite. Nothing in our world is except maybe our good intentions.

For those of us who garden, like a hot bath or a long shower and compulsively fill our bird baths and dachshund’s wading pool (oh my, that’s me) we’ll be billed 9.50 for each 1,000 gallons over 2,000 up to 5,000 gallons; $11 per 1,000 gallons from 5001 to 10,000 gallons and for folks using more than 10,000 gallons it will cost 12.25 per 1,000 gallons and that’s a whole bunch of water.

To make sure we don’t get in the hole again the rates will increase annually based on the consumer price index which will vary every year. Council will review the rates every year and do a water study every three years to keep on top of it.

The past is over, and the future isn’t here yet. We build it by making good choices about how we use what we have, and how we treat each other. If we plan on leaving anything behind when we exit stage left, we need to figure out new ways to live together using our resources wisely no matter how much money we do or don’t have.

Sources:

June 14, 2023, Special Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3jXaUP5zdY&t=36s

ci.manzanita.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Work-Session-Packet-061423.pdf

July 5, 2023, Council Meeting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcu2wzbFl6k&t=4s

Manzanita Today Newsletter archives issue July 10, 2023.

Kim Rosenberg loretta.kim.rosenberg@gmail.com

MEET A FEW FAB MANZANITA ON SALE SUNDAY!

Submitted By: barbaraandchuck@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post
Posting for ketzel.levine@gmail.com
Please DO NOT reply to barbarandchuck@nehalemtel.net
Thanks.

We volunteers at the Hoffman Wonder Garden are pretty psyched about Sunday’s plant sale. That’s ’cause we know what’s on offer, 100 fabulous manzanitas and assorted native and worldly wildflowers you DO want in your sunny garden.

Here’s a few of the manzis we’ve got for you, the pictures below in the same order as these descriptions:

‘Howard McMinn’ – Whoa, is this guy handsome, ultimately 7′ tall and just as wide. You might think him a bit roly-poly but no! More like a pink-flowering, multi-stemmed small tree once pruned. As with all manzis, though, let him bulk up for a few years before revealing his shape.

‘St Helena’ – Big gorgeous Helena! Since she’s capable of 10’x10′, be sure to plant her in the open where she can flex her might and not be crowded by small fry. Wait for those white flowers, twinkling like holiday lights winter through early spring.

‘Harmony’ – Its name describes how you’ll be feeling about your garden when you add this easy-growing, floriferous rounded shrub. A good beginner’s manzanita, reaching – at most – 7’x7′ at absolute maturity, it’s super easy to tip back and keep smaller. Morning shade but aft sun? Go for ‘Harmony’!

Tall & Statuesque? Broad & Muscular? Buy both Sunday!

Submitted By: ketzel.levine@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Come Sunday, when the doors open to shop for manzanitas at the Hoffman Center’s Manzanita Plant Sale (11AM!) , a little knowledge will go a long, long way.

Tall & statuesque? Broad & muscular? Big, medium, or groundcover? Let size and shape be your guide.

We’ll be selling a fantastic assortment of manzanitas, THIRTEEN different kinds. Insane! You’ll want to be sure from the get you’ve got the right plant in the right place ’cause these kids don’t like to be moved around.

Got a shady garden? Don’t buy a manzanita. Got overhead irrigation? Ditto. Soil super rich with amendments? Nope. Not gotta thrive.

But if you’ve got at least 6 hrs of sun in fast-draining soil without irrigation or fertilizer, manzanitas are your kind of plants.

Tomorrow on the BBQ: Meet A Few Manzanitas!

North County Water

Submitted By: mkuestner10@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
The July 11 2022 issue of the newsletter Manzanita Today has an in-depth report on water use issues in North Tillamook County. It also explains in great detail the water use agreement between Manzanita and Wheeler, who pays for what, and why. The links in the footnotes are valuable as you can follow them to separate fact from fiction for yourself. If you don’t subscribe to Manzanita Today, you can find the most recent issue posted on facebook’s North County News or Nehalem Manzanita Wheeler groups–and click on its Archives to find the older issues
mcusercontent.com/1697bcf6a8e7243c316921c9e/files/36e305ac-186d-1288-22aa-32fd73944544/07_11_2022_Manzanita_Today_Newsletter.pdf

Manzanita STR Committee Openings

Submitted By: cityofmanzanitaoregon@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
The City of Manzanita is seeking members for the Short-Term Rental Committee. The City values community engagement and industry expertise in helping to balance the needs of the rental industry and the neighboring properties. The committee makes recommendations to the City Council on policy, weighs options for future STR livability opportunities, and helps to support STR outreach and educational information. The term is 4 years and the committee currently meets monthly on the third Friday of the month on Zoom.

Criteria for Committee members:
• Have a strong interest in representing and serving the broader community regarding STRs.
• The ability to balance the needs of the greater community regardless of personal needs or agendas.
• Be able to work in a collaborative and respectful manner, maintaining an open mind with solid listening
skills.
• Hear and appreciate multiple perspectives and ultimately reach a consensus on a variety of topics.
• Objectively review and provide input on qualitative and quantitative information.

We encourage you to apply!

The link to the application is:

Send applications to cityhall@ci.manzanita.or.us The deadline is: May 6, 2024, at 4 pm.

Club Manzanita Don’t Ask Those Questions!

Submitted By: rkinor@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
The City’s “new ask us your questions initiative” should perhaps be better described as “ask us your questions that we want to answer”. Given that the City Budget for next fiscal year is now under development and the Budget Committee held a workshop on April 9 to begin this process, I submitted some observations and questions based on what the City Manager told us during development of the FY 22/23 Budget in the hopes some answers would be forthcoming. The City Manager and Mayor apparently believed that questions were really not what they wanted citizens to ask and did not include mine in the Budget Committee packet for citizens to see nor were citizens invited to ask questions at the meeting. As you may recall, the City hired a consultant four years ago for about $30,000 to deliver a model to justify taking overhead allocation transfers from the Water Operating Fund for City Hall staff. After two years, the Council decided that neither they nor citizens could understand the model and they stopped using it in favor of the new Warrenton methodology. It now appears that rather than admit that they can not now explain how this model works in Manzanita, they will simply ignore answering any questions. I have observed a pattern with the City over the years of making statements or representations that were expedient at the moment to convince citizens to see things as the City wants us to see them. Whether it’s the City Hall project or in this case, the ever evolving justifications to take money out of the Water Operating Fund to spend on non water utility related expenses through transfers to the General Fund, the strategy relies on the expectation that we will forget what we were told earlier and be satisfied with newly discovered explanations today. Until the City can figure out how it wants to pursue its newfound interest in being transparent and answering our questions on important issues, I will continue to share my observations and ask my questions on available social media. In the meantime, if you are interested in seeing the questions that the Mayor and City Manager did not want you to see at the Budget Committee meeting, you can find them here: tinyurl.com/czsdb798 Randy Kugler

Chess Club Tomorrow (4/13) at the Pine Grove

Submitted By: lesleyanctil@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Hi All! Chess club at the Pine Grove will be held tomorrow from 4-6. This is a relaxed opportunity for pick-up chess . All ages and abilities are welcome and encouraged to join us 🙂

AND…congrats to all those at Neah-Kah-Nie Middle School, Neah-Kah-Nie High School and Nehalem Elementary School who participated at the Chess for Success State tournament this weekend!

Hope to see you there!

COMING SOON: OUR MANZANITA PLANT SALE!

Submitted By: Ketzel.levine@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
As the Hoffman Wonder Garden continues its mission to put the manzanitas back in Manzanita…

It’s almost time for our annual Manzanita Plant Sale!

Sunday, Apr 21st 11am till they’re gone (don’t blink!)
Hoffman Center for the Arts
In-person shopping inside the Hoffman

Come meet these happy guys!

Amicus Brief – Remembering Lanisha

Submitted By: jettkeyser@gmail.com – Click to email about this post
Amicus Brief – Remembering Lanisha

What they call you is one thing.
What you answer to is something else.
 
Lucille Clifton, 1936 – 2010

That night it was her birthday.

We were at the Lighthouse,

a local bar and gathering place.

You were sitting by yourself at

the bar. Not for you and you alone

did I refuse to kiss your angry,

drunken axe, dismiss or ignore

all the times you were wronged,

not heard, demeaned, all the times

you were frightened and confused.

When I came to order at the bar,

what you apparently saw and were

imagining, was not what was actually

there. For your own reasons you were

wanting to hurt, get down, fight.

Full of partying intentions, I was wearing

my favorite old coat, unraveling a bit,

threadbare, and apparently from Bolivia.

When you asked if I was homeless

it was clear you believed I had no

right or reason to be at the bar,

the gathering, or occupy space at all.

It was all very sad and a response was

needed that was not available.

When I answered the fist of your

surprising question, “What are you

homeless,” I could not sanction nor

join yet another confused distraction,

nor support the ignorance that brought

this violence to you that you were now

bringing to me. My factual answer,

“Not at this time.” did not in any way

quiet what was burning in you and the dance

of our random meeting continued in ways

I have now forgotten. Finally someone,

claiming to know each of us, said something

that allowed you to let go, begin to settle back,

release. I was grateful that at on this night,

loathing quieted, no more blood would be lost.