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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 5d

Fall > Bellingham, Whatcom County > Whatcom Falls

Briefs: Faithlife exodus, pharmacy expansion, company confidence | Cascadia Daily News

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 8d

In this week's Cascadia Daily News letters section.

It's always nice to have made a difference, no matter how small. I'm thankful.

Letter from reader, including "I’m not a businessman, and Frank always helped me understand some of those little mysteries about economic swings, big and small."

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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 10d

Faithlife, leaning into its Logos Bible study software brand, is shrinking its downtown #Bellingham footprint as the iconic Flatiron Building was sold to Place. And it's named a new CEO. More in my (final) Business Briefs column for @cascadiadaily.com. www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/sep/29/...

Business news for Whatcom and Skagit counties

After 13 quarters, a business columnist closes the books | Cascadia Daily News

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 11d

All things end. Including, now, deadlines. After more than three years, I'm ending my regular business contributions to Cascadia Daily News.

It's been a good run. And worthy of a brief essay for a Frank assessment of business in #Whatcom and #Skagit counties.

Thank you, CDN. Because #journalism.

CDN contributor Frank Catalano’s departing observations

Kimmel's benching won't be the end of Trump's anti-American assault on free speech | Cascadia Daily News

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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 11d

Props to Whatcom Museum (and a well-known local LEGO master) for this very #Bellingham fundraiser: Slothy.

A build-your-own sloth, tree and freeway sign? Yes.

If you know, you know. www.whatcommuseum.org/lego-instruc...

LEGO package cover for The Bellingham Sloth, 247 pieces, for the Whatcom Museum. https://www.whatcommuseum.org/lego-instructions/

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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 14d

CDN's Exec Ed Ron Judd on political comedians and #1A: "... the principle that allows their existence matters more than ever. Because from his gold leaf throne, a malignant-narcissist president now asserts the right to go after, punish, marginalize and yes, cancel any and all who don’t praise him."

Our nation teeters at a tipping point for its First Amendment founding ideals

Last words: What Washington is losing with the demise of Crosscut • Washington State Standard

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 15d

I may not agree with where Cascade PBS made its latest cuts, gutting its newsroom. But I do agree that what had been Crosscut did fine reporting in the decade after merging into Cascade PBS. It's worth a reminder of what was accomplished through its #journalism.

COMMENTARY | As a nearly two-decade venture in nonprofit news comes undone, it underscores the precariousness of public service journalism.

washingtonstatestandard.com

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 17d

In the #Seattle area, Sinclair owns ABC affiliate KOMO-TV. I predict a lot more people in Seattle checking out the Jimmy Kimmel Live clips on YouTube as an alternative — especially to find out what Kimmel says upon his return Tuesday night. www.youtube.com/jimmykimmell...

Mediagazer @mediagazer.com · 17d

Sinclair says it will preempt Jimmy Kimmel's show on its ABC affiliate stations starting Tuesday as it discusses the show's potential return with ABC (Loree Seitz/The Wrap)

Main Link | Mediagazer Permalink

Briefs: More Spirit Halloween, Ferndale bakery retirement, TJ’s signs on | Cascadia Daily News

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 18d

The timely work of @ivan-ehlers.bsky.social, cartoonist for The New Yorker, MAD Magazine and others.

Image: A man opens a door to his house. He's looking back into the house as a group of uniformed, armed men point guns inside. Caption: "Honey, did you post something negative about the regime?"

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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 21d

That means Seth Meyers/NBC. Perhaps not John Oliver/HBO Max, because it's subscription based. But Jon Stewart/Comedy Central is on the bubble, because of its ownership by the company that also owns CBS.

This is a striking role for government: as political speech enforcer, not airwaves regulator.

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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 21d

Whose speech is at risk?

I suspect anyone a) with a large free broadcast platform, b) that does biting political humor and c) that has a parent company with a meaningful number of O&O stations (or large affiliate groups with broadcast licenses) that could be challenged by, or in front of, the FCC.

Jimmy Kimmel at host desk. By Erin Scott - P20220608ES-0526, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=121428153

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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 24d

Items in my Business Briefs for Cascadia Daily News don't often lend themselves to enjoyable writing, but Spirit Halloween and Trader Joe's certainly did this column.

Will that lead to enjoyable reading? I hope so. A writer without appreciative readers, no matter how few, isn't writing for others.

Business news for Whatcom and Skagit counties

If you can't remember the key command for an emdash you can copy one here

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 25d

I am annoyed by those who claim I and other writers should avoid using emdashes because generative AI has co-opted them.

They serve a purpose, along with the semi-colon and colon. They allow for cadence changes and variety in punctuation.

I will not bow to our AI writing overlords — not ever.

Get an Emdash

emdash.fan

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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 26d

Did the annual #Whatcom County Farm Tour for the first time Saturday. Learned a lot about smaller "market farms," visiting four of the 15 that participated.

And saw ... baby lop-eared bunnies.

The cute overload made memorable what we learned at that farm better than any brochure could.

COMIC: 7 signs it's time to call it quits

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · 27d

NPR's Life Kit nailed this one: How to know it's time to quit something, or to give up on a goal.

And it's in comic form.

Never hurts to take time, occasionally, to reassess. This is a good framework of seven easy-to-understand indicators.

It's hard to know when to give up on a goal, especially when you've invested so much time, effort and resources into it. Here are 7 signals you might be ready to move on.

www.npr.org

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Reposted by Frank Catalano

John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 29d

Reminder that muting specific words on social media for a day, a week, a month, or even forever can be laudatory self-care.

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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · Sep 9

So now there's going to be #StarTrek LEGO.

I'll get right on that. As soon as I finally build this AMT model I bought, and still haven't completed, from 1975.

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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · Sep 8

A rare trip to Archie McPhee retail HQ in Seattle had me (um) stocking up on their remaining socks, as one staffer told me demand is down and its unique socks have one foot in the .... you know.

I'll miss the art. And conversation starters.

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · Sep 4

Spotted at a miniature golf course's display near Bellingham, WA.

Wooden rider on a wooden horse in front of a wooden sign reading, "The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution. - Thomas Jefferson"

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · Aug 29

Took a break from my Cascadia Daily News business writing in the second half of August to speak at the World Science Fiction Convention in Seattle. Organized a few historic items and files.

And found time for a short hike to Whatcom Falls in Bellingham at low, late August ebb.

Back in CDN soon.

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · Aug 28

This analysis, with many examples, is worth reading if you're wondering if much of #journalism is up to reporting in a no-blinders-on way about the current reality.

Jay Rosen @jayrosen.bsky.social · Aug 27

"The top story of the moment is the one story that our most influential newsrooms won’t touch: That the United State has become an authoritarian state." — Dan Froomkin @froomkin.bsky.social

presswatchers.org/2025/08/we-h...

‘Game of Thrones’ creator and other science fiction writers trace twists and turns at Seattle Worldcon

Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · Aug 18

More great Seattle #Worldcon coverage from Alan Boyle and @geekwire.com. I mean, I was at the #scifi convention and I'm learning stuff.

Alan Boyle @b0yle.bsky.social · Aug 18

#GameOfThrones author George R.R. Martin explains how one of Edgar Allan Poe's stories helped send him on a twisty trail to literary stardom. Also: #Murderbot author reflects on her success, and an awkward moment at #Worldcon attracts notice. www.geekwire.com/2025/game-of... H/T @seattlein2025.org

George R.R. Martin, Martha Wells and other writers shared backstories about their work at Worldcon, the world's premier sci-fi convention.

www.geekwire.com

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Frank Catalano @frankcatalano.bsky.social · Aug 17

I'm back in Bellingham after three panels and three days at Worldcon. I had/have a similar list which will not get any shorter, now. So. Many. People. And. Panels. Hope you continue to enjoy the con, too.