Taking Stock, Part I: It’s one of those days when we’re sitting here on State Street wondering what conscientious journalists everywhere wonder at some point in time, namely: What do we have to do to join the ranks of folks listed as part of the Interglobal vote-fixing conspiracy on the elections blog of the Skagit County Republican Party? (Look for it in the Fiction Section of the Internet). We’ll keep trying. 

Overheard in the Newsroom: Simon Sefzik, conceding election to Sharon Shewmake, when asked on the phone what’s next for him: “Unemployment?” Humor under pressure is an admirable trait.

Overheard at Bob Woodward Public Q/A on Saturday: “Mr. Bernstein, can you tell us ...”

Overheard after Public Bob Woodward Q/A on Saturday: Hammer: “Do you get that a lot?” Woodward: “Yes.”

Best Woodward Quote Recall: “The sonofabitch pardoned the sonofabitch!” (Carl Bernstein on phone, awaking Woodward the morning Gerald Ford pardoned Richard M. Nixon.)

Most Frightening Sly-Grin Woodward Quote: “Maybe President Biden will pardon Trump.”

AHEM: He was kidding. We think. Or else he knows something. What if he knows something? He always knows something. Oh, God.

If It Was Up To Us: We’d have Woodward back to talk politics every Saturday night at the MBT. Alas ... 

Also Overheard in the Newsroom: Does Bellingham have a (seasonally appropriate; we don't want our hats and gloves to end up in Ferndale) rooftop bar? If so, where is it?

Word Is: Mount Baker is opening up on Friday. Thanks be to the freezing-point gods. The NW corner doesn't realize how fortunate it is to not have to deal with a megacorp tourism conglomerate to put on the boards and ride.

Taking Stock, Part II: We already said this on the anti-social media channels, but will say it again here, for paying customers, with the same heartfelt motive: Thanks to all our local election workers, county auditor employees and people responsible for conducting another free, transparent and fair election. Critical work by critical workers.

The Hammer is swung on Wednesdays, powder days, or as needed.