Columbia

AT A GLANCE

Average age: 33.5

Housing units: 1,668

Assessed median home value: $110,173

Median home size: 1,180 square feet

Schools: Columbia/Parkview Elementary, Shuksan/Whatcom Middle School, Bellingham High School

Shopping: Shops, restaurants and offices cluster along Meridian Street, Broadway and Northwest Avenue. Albertson's and Haggen are nearest major grocers

Parks: Elizabeth, Lorraine Ellis, Carl Lobe, Fountain Square, Peabody Plaza

Mayor's Advisory Committee member: Vacant

On the Web: www.columbianeighborhood.org

City Council member: Bob Ryan

Police calls in 2003: 1,575

Residential burglaries: 42

Vehicle prowls: 93

Population of neighborhood: 3,733

NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'You couldn't sell me on some other neighborhood'

KAREN DUIM

Age: 37

Lives on: Victor Street

Lived here: 16 years

Lives with: Husband, two kids and chickens

What she does: Owns catering service, Karen's Kitchen

Why do you like the neighborhood? "Because it's such a family-oriented, old-fashioned neighborhood with sidewalks and where people talk with each other. On the downside, everyone knows everybody's business."

What's your favorite neighborhood moment? "I think the 4th of July (annual celebration at Elizabeth Park) because it's such a coming together of community."

Is there anything special about your neighborhood? "One good example of how fabulous this neighborhood is when the man at the Gifford's Market was shot (in 2003). The community came together even though no one really knew him. I think people are really genuinely kind in this neighborhood."

GLENN EASTWOOD

Age: 70-plus

Lives on: Utter Street

Lived here: Has lived in current house for 50 years, but lived in the neighborhood as child

Lives with: Wife; his 3 daughters live in neighborhood as well

What he does: Owns furniture repair business

How has the neighborhood changed? "There used to be mom-and-pop stores around almost every block. It was a rental neighborhood but it's becoming a more wanted neighborhood than before. The neighborhood group and the historical group made the neighborhood closer. A lot of work has gone into making the neighborhood what it is."

What makes your neighborhood unique? "The programs in the park that the neighborhood puts together bring people into the neighborhood. A lot of people say, 'I sure wish I could live in your neighborhood.' You couldn't sell me on some other neighborhood."

DREW WINSOR

Age: 48

Lives on: Park Sreet

Lived here: 15 years

Lives with: Two kids and yellow lab

What he does: Purchasing agent for woodworking company; Columbia Neighborhood Association president

Why did you choose to live in this neighborhood? "I like the intergenerational mix out on the streets, playing and working right in the community."

Is there anything special about your neighbors? "We have potlucks with a number of other neighbors every two to four weeks, we borrow things back and forth a lot, and we watch each other's kids. It's the classic neighborhood."

What's your favorite neighborhood moment? Columbia neighbors have a Cookies for Cops program, as a thank you to the Bellingham Police Department for all the hard work they did to stop the string of burglaries last year. "(The police) just were overwhelmed. That was one of those Columbia moments that I'll never forget."