December 10 - 16, 2020
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Tutoring program starts in school district, page 5
City seeks new at-large council member following Rule’s resignation
Covid-19 restrictions extended, page 6
Woman facing attempted murder charges, page 12
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Birch Bay berm nears completion
By Grace McCarthy
(See Rule, page 3)
s Granite Construction crew installs stairs up to the pedestrian pathway along the Birch Bay berm while others plant in the background on December 9. Along the south side of the berm, there will be stairs every 100 yards or so for walkers to access the pathway without trudging on the plants. See story on page 7.
Photo by Ian Haupt
Downtown Italian eatery prepares for opening By Grace McCarthy Blaine residents will soon be able to get their Italian food fix, from cream-filled cannoli to gourmet pizza, with the opening of a new restaurant on Peace Portal Drive. The Rustic Fork Eatery is slated to offer indoor family dining, a 21-plus bar area and outdoor seating for community members starting Thursday, December 17. “We wanted to start out with more rustic and authentic Italian recipes from back in the old country,� said owner Gary Slavin. “From there, we developed the appetizers and the pizzas.� Every sit-down meal will include a small, complimentary appetizer of antipasta with crackers or Italian hummus, Slavin said. The menu will include appetizers like bruschetta on vegan focaccia locally
made by Scott Meaker; authentic five-topping pizzas; and pastas with shrimp and Andouille sausage fettuccine with a white wine garlic and cream sauce. For desserts, patrons can choose from four to five regular items like Bombolone, an Italian donut filled with lemon cream and topped with pistachio and lemon glaze, or a rotating assortment of cakes and pies. The restaurant will also serve to-go lunches including sandwiches, salads, pizza slices and antipasta. West Coast craft beers and wine will be the focus of the alcohol selection, in addition to wine imported from Italy. The idea of the restaurant came to life this August, when Nimbus Real Estate owner Mike Mulder approached Slavin about creating an Italian restaurant at the vacant property at 442 Peace Portal Drive.
They decided there was a need for more Italian food in Blaine, Slavin said. Knowing (See Restaurant, page 15)
INSIDE
Blaine City Council member Alicia Rule has resigned from Blaine City Council, in preparation for her new role as a state representative. Rule had served on council since 2018. “It was a tough decision because Blaine is so near and dear to my heart and I’m so excited for all the growth that’s happening in Blaine,� Rule said in a phone interview with The Northern Light. “But I thought my best work would be done at state level for Blaine and that would allow for more opportunity for someone else at the city level.� Rule, a Democrat, will start her position as 42nd Legislative District Position 1 representative in January after she beat Republican incumbent Luanne Van Werven in the November election. Rule made the announcement in a December 4 email to mayor Bonnie Onyon, city manager Michael Jones and Blaine City Council. “It has been one of the great honors and pleasures of my life to have served with you,� she wrote in her email. “I appreciate very much the opportunity to work with each of you and am grateful for all of your hard work to make our hometown a wonderful place to live, work and play.� Although watching economic development grow in downtown was important to Rule, she said it was the smaller things like saving trees in Skallman Park that she’s most proud of during her time on council. Rule said one of her favorite aspects of city council was getting to know local constituents, which she said is important for her to continue as she works at the state. The application to fill Rule’s position opened December 8. The term goes until December 31, 2021, and the city hopes to fill the position by January or February, Jones said. The application deadline is January 15 but Jones said it will remain open until filled. Those who apply must be registered to vote in Whatcom County and need to have lived within Blaine city limits for at least one year, said Jones, adding where in Blaine does not matter because Rule was council’s at-large member. Jones said councilmembers can also
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
TheNorthernLight.com
This Week’s FLYER
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We are just $2,000 short of lighting up the entire city with festive holiday lights.
Blaine Mart • Jen Freeman & Leah Crews @ Windermere Real Estate • Drayton Harbor Oyster Company • New World Properties • Peter Robins Estate
The Northern Light • Spoken Designs • William Hunt • Mike & Rose Kent • The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro • Semiahmoo Men’s Club • Patricia Skannes • C. A. Fairman Semiahmoo’s Women’s Club • Jay Tyrrell • Lindsay Anderson • Tony Tseung • Semiahmoo Condo Association • Je Ferry • Byron Wilson • Diana Meyers • Marjorie Gross
We’re Almost there!
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The Northern Light • December 10 - 16 2020
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December 16-19
Shrimp Scampi with Roasted Garlic Focaccia OR Italian Sausage with Roasted Rapini, Orchetti Pasta and House Salad
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Cioppino with House Salad, Bread, and Lemon Cheesecake or Gingerbread Cake
$37 Each
House pickled Vegetables $4 Bread Basket $5
Served with balsamic vinegar and olive oil
Clam Chowder Cup $6 Bowl $9
Leeks, Potatoes, and Celery. Served with House-made Bread
House Salad (GF, Vegan) $7 Greens with Candied Nuts, Beets, Cherry Tomatoes, Croutons & a Shallot Thyme Vinaigrette
Vault Cobb Salad (GF) $17 Mixed Greens, Dungeness Crab, Ricotta, Tomatoes, Pancetta, Pickled Egg, with Blue Cheese Cream Sauce
Charcuterie Board $25
Meats, Cheeses, Fruits, Focaccia Bread, House Pickled Vegetables and Mixed Nuts
Washington Mac and Cheese $15 With Crispy Parmesan on Top add Dungeness Crab OR shrimp $21
Chef’s Flatbread $16 Crab Melt $23
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Vault Smoked Burger $17
Claus Meats Proprietary Blend of Ground Steak and Chuck, with American Cheese, Lettuce, Cornichon & Mustard Sauce, Served on a Brioche Bun with Vault Pomme de Terre
French Dip $19
Roasted Garlic Herb Crusted Ribeye on a Brioche Bun, Served with Au Jus and Vault Pomme de Terre
*The week of Dec. 23-26 our menu is limited to the prix fixe Christmas meals with pick up on Dec. 24. Donating 10% of all sales Dec. 9-12 to the Blaine Food Bank.
‘TIS THE SEMIAHMOO SEASON It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Semiahmoo! Through the month of December, we’re making things merry and bright with festive socially distanced activities for the whole family. 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway Blaine, WA
More details at Semiahmoo.com
December 10 - 16 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
Rule ...
s Alicia Rule. File photo
Blaine Chamber of Commerce
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serve as state representative, if they choose. “I’d like to thank representative-elect Rule for her service on council,” Jones said. “She will be missed, and I’ll wish her the best for what she’s moving on to.” Applications for the at-large position are available on the city of Blaine’s website at bit.ly/2K1Vl1e. Rule can now be emailed at Alicia.rule@leg.wa.gov.
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• Automotive • Housewares • Fish & Wildlife Licenses • Computer Paint Matching
From page 1
• Paint & Supplies • Nails, Screws, Bolts • Vents • Electrical • Fittings • Bath Hardware & Repair • Signs & Lettering
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The Northern Light • December 10 - 16 2020
Opinion
The Northern L ght The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc. Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Letters Policy The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.
Birch Bay chamber celebrates deputy’s work
Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Ian Haupt ian@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@pointrobertspress.com
s The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce recognized sheriff’s deputy Todd Damon for his three years of work as Birch Bay deputy during a dinner at CJ’s Beach House last month. Damon, who became the Birch Bay deputy in 2017, will be assigned patrol duties elsewhere in the county, a spokesperson for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said. During the dinner, the chamber presented Damon with a framed letter that expressed their gratitude for his service. “Thank you for the sacrifices you made everyday while watching over and protecting our homes and property,”the letter reads. “You have helped to make our community a safer place for everyone to live, work, and have fun!” From l., chamber secretary and treasurer Doralee Booth, director Billy Brown, executive director Liz Thornton and president Vanessa Bell. Photo courtesy Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce
Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVI, No 26 Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
Next issue: Dec. 17 Ads due: Dec. 11
Letters The Editor: As one who has lived his entire life in Whatcom County, I applaud the county’s decision to actively dismantle systemic racism through the allocation of taxpayer dollars and governmentally mandated policy decisions to be carried out in our county. As Abraham Lincoln so famously stated in his message to Congress, December 1, 1861, “It is the primary duty of government bureaucrats to intrude themselves into the lives of private citizens that they may force them to comply to the societal morality as defined by their government for the greater good.” I joke, but your article brought to mind a story told to me by a fellow I worked with for several years, of his own experience. This man had just graduated from college, and wanted to go back to the reservation to help his people. (This was a long, long time ago, when the world, and some of us, were a lot younger, and a lot less jaded.) So, he got a job in tribal government. But it wasn’t long before he ran afoul of the tribal council, and was fired. Why, you may well ask, was an idealistic young man, who only wanted to use his education for the benefit of his people giv-
en the boot? Was he lazy? Didn’t do his job? No. Was he incompetent? Again, no. Then why would the tribal council fire such a person? He was fired because … he was too white. Don’t you just hate bigoted people? So, according to our county agencies, “systemic racism” is bad, I guess. Unless it is practiced against minorities, or anybody, who is “too white?” Mark Aaron Aamot Custer The Editor: We arrived home, minus my purse, on a sunny morning after eating a takeout breakfast in the car at the Blaine marina. We drove back, praying that it had fallen out of the car and was still in the parking lot, but no such luck. We returned home prepared to notify the bank and department of licensing and found a message light blinking on our phone. Hooray! It was the police department with a message for us. An honest and thoughtful citizen of Blaine, who did not leave their name, had turned in my purse with all the contents intact. And the police notified us immediately.
Thank you, honest citizen, and our police department employees. Sandra Anderberg Blaine The Editor: Do you suspect that Covid-19 data is being misrepresented to the public? Not having any medical background (other than dealing with life’s 80-year-old physical issues), I do not know. I suspect so. Check it out for yourselves. Recently published Washington state Department of Health data, relative to influenza, for the past 48 weeks of this 2020 season, indicates: zero deaths total, and zero outbreaks in long-term care facilities. Sound strange? For 2019, per the same department’s published data, Washington state had 245 deaths, due to the same strain of influenza. There’s a lot more data in those reports, relative to 2020 and comparable past year-to-year occurrences and deaths, that, I suspect, should cause some head scratching. There have also been serious declines in reported other morbidities this past year. Area total death data, unlike say election data, cannot be fabricated. The assignment (See Letters, next page)
December 10 - 16 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
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Blaine High School student helps starts tutoring program By Grace McCarthy A Blaine High School (BHS) scholastic club is now offering district-wide tutoring to support fellow students with online school. BHS senior Joshua Kim first came up with the idea in April, shortly after the school district shut down in-person learning. He was looking for a project to support the community while preparing to become the president of the school’s local National Honor Society (NHS), a nationwide club that focuses on scholarship, leadership, service and character. “This whole [online] format is really hard for a lot of people so I was trying to think of how we could reach out and help,” he said. Kim said he brought up the idea with NHS sponsor Jeff Worthy in the spring, but waited until the new school year to start the program, when there was more understanding of how classes would be structured. Seeing how online classes were affecting his classmates, Kim leaned into his four years of vol-
Letters ... Continued from page 4 of deaths to Covid-19 has apparently sucked up the opportunities for other deaths. Covid-19 seems to have (tongue-in-cheek) cured many other previously lethal human ailments. Again – I’m no medical authority, however, I have some common sense (or at least there’s been occasional evidence of it). So, check it out for yourselves. Be safe, don’t be scared, and don’t be cowed. Pete Werner Blaine (Ed. Note: The writer is comparing deaths from the entire flu season in 2018/2019 versus the flu season so far in 2020/2021. The DOH number weeks according to the week in the year as opposed to sequential weeks. Each influenza season runs from week 40 of one year to week 39 of the next (roughly October to October). As of Week 48 (November 22-28, 2020), there have been no flu deaths in the state. The average number of deaths as of Week 48 for the past nine years is 2.4 with a range of 0 to five deaths. In the 2019/2020 flu season overall, there was a total of 113 deaths; in 2018/2019, there were 245.) Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
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unteer experience with another high school club, Students with a Purpose, to start the program. “The major issue is trying to get yourself motivated. Basically, it feels like all the good parts of school, like seeing your friends, are squeezed out and you’re stuck with the hard part,” he said. “It’s a struggle to wake up and log in every day, and focus to get through that on a repetitive basis.” The tutoring sessions started November 2 but the program didn’t have students attend until mid-November when the school district publicized it, Worthy said. The tutoring sessions run 3-4 p.m. Monday and Thursday during Worthy’s office hours and have about eight to 11 students seeking help per session, he said. Students are guaranteed at least 20 minutes with honor society volunteers but often can utilize the full hour, Worthy said. Worthy said he greets students when they enter his virtual classroom and then he sends them to separate online rooms with the volunteers to get help in subjects like math, English and science. If no students are waiting to be paired
with a volunteer, Worthy said he will visit each tutoring session to see if the tutor needs help. “It’s clearly a need,” Worthy said. “There’s a lot of kids struggling more than they normally would, and that’s what we’re trying to alleviate.” Students can attend the sessions without signing up beforehand but Worthy said that could change if demand for the program increases. So far, the program has mostly seen third and sixth graders seeking help in math, Kim said. “I can’t understand what it would be like to be a third grader going through this completely alien experience, and it must be so hard for teachers to adapt to this format,” Kim said. “Whatever I can do and whatever I can get other people to do is always a good feeling.” Worthy said he hopes to see the program continue when school returns to normal but the program will need to be restructured to fit the schedules of the honor society students, many of whom are active in other extracurriculars like sports.
CITY OF BLAINE Due to COVID-19 and the Governor’s Proclamation, meetings are now only open to the public telephonically. Information on how to listen to the meeting live will be on the City Council agenda which is located on the City’s website homepage under Your Government, City Council, City Council Agenda. Please check the agenda prior to each meeting as the call in number or location may change.
Monday, December 14 6 pm – City Council Meeting s Joshua Kim. Courtesy photo
“I think one of the biggest challenges that kids are facing is holding them accountable when teachers aren’t directly with them,” Worthy said. “The system is so different; a lot of students are having difficulty adapting. Anything we can do to familiarize them, any support we can give to helping make that easier is our purpose.” District students and families can attend a 3-4 p.m. tutoring session on Mondays and Thursdays by visiting Worthy’s office hours on Google Meet, titled “jworthyoffice.”
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Friday, December 25 City Offices Closed – Christmas Day
Monday, December 28 TBD, City Council Meeting
Monday, January 11 6 pm – City Council Meeting Thursday, January 14 6 pm – Planning Commission Meeting Public Hearing: Use Permit Application for 508 G Street, Blaine, WA All City offices are currently closed to the public. Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website. Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website.
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At-Large Position
2021 Friends of Birch Bay Library Calendars
People living in all areas of the city are eligible. This is an excellent opportunity to serve your community. Regular City Council meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of every month. Attendance is also required at Study Sessions and Special Council meetings. Applications may be submitted online at www.cityofblaine.com. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office for additional information at (360) 332-8311. Applicant must be a citizen of the U.S. and the state of Washington, a registered voter of the city at the time of filing, have been a resident of the city for a period of at least one (1) year. This appointment will fill a vacancy until the November election in 2021.
Each month features photos from Birch Bay by local photographers.
Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM Friday, January 15, 2021.
Get yours today for $20 BirchBayLibraryCalendar.com
Interviews with the City Council will be scheduled for late January or early February 2021.
Fundraiser for Friends of Birch Bay Library building fund
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The Northern Light • December 10 - 16 2020
Inslee extends restrictions, first vaccine shipments available mid-December By Ian Haupt Governor Jay Inslee announced Tuesday a three-week extension to the current Covid-19 restrictions that have closed indoor dining at bars and restaurants, limited occupancy at retail stores and closed gyms. “This is because we remain concerned about Covid activity and we still do not have a clear picture of the situation following the Thanksgiving weekend,” the governor said during a December 8 press conference. Inslee introduced the restric-
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tions, which were set to expire Monday, December 14, in mid-November after a surge in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations. The restrictions are now set to expire January 4, but could end earlier if there is significant
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improvement before then, the governor said. “And, unfortunately, people know it could end up longer if there’s a deterioration,” he said. “But at this moment, we wanted to strike the right balance of allowing business owners to plan their next several weeks and deal with this uncertainty of the data.” Inslee also announced an additional $50 million in grants on top of the $135 million package he announced two weeks ago for businesses that have been hit hardest by restrictions. The additional funding, which is part of the state’s CARES Act funds that expire at the end of the year, allows the state to double the number of businesses that will be receiving grants, state department of commerce director Lisa Brown said. “We are emphasizing that we would like businesses to complete the application by December 11 so we can go through the process to get the grants awarded by the end of the year and get those checks out by December 31,” Brown said. More information on business grants and applications can be found at bit.ly/33TX-rrd. Vaccine Last week, Inslee and the Washington State Department of Health announced that they plan to begin administering a vaccine by mid-December. According to a December 3 press release, the federal government promised to provide the department of health with an initial allocation of about 62,400 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The department of health says it will have 200,000 doses of the vaccine by the end of December. “This is great news,” Inslee said. “We are very appreciative
of the brilliant people who have developed what appears to be an effective vaccine.” But the governor said the state department of health needs help providing the vaccine. He urged all clinics, pharmacies, hospitals and physicians to enroll with the department of health as providers. The first vaccinations will go to health care workers serving patients who either have confirmed or suspected Covid-19, along with staff and residents of longterm care facilities, according to the department. While the number of doses has not been specified, the department of health expects to receive weekly vaccine shipments from the federal government starting in January, Inslee said. The decision on who will be vaccinated in later phases will rely on input from the state department of health’s community engagement and decisions made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. To see where you may be in the vaccine line, check out The New York Times’ interactive tool here: nyti.ms/3nb4wuM. By plugging in your age, county, profession and Covid-related health risks, you can see how many people are likely to receive the vaccine before you. County In a Whatcom County Health Department media briefing December 8, health department director Erika Lautenbach said the county has a case rate of 250 cases per 100,000 people tested. To put into context, the county’s highest surge during the summer was 80 cases per 100,000 people tested, Lautenbach said. No known positive cases are believed to have been contracted
in a school setting, she said. Lautenbach said the state and county health departments are asking residents to stay home for the holidays and avoid travel. She encouraged individuals to find creative and loving ways to celebrate virtually with loved ones. The health department and Whatcom Unified Command (WUC) consolidated the county’s mobile Covid-19 testing sites into one last week, moving all testing to the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center in Lynden. The move to the fairgrounds, located at 1775 Front Street, allows for the health department and WUC to perform tests indoors so they can continue testing through winter weather conditions. “We know that COVID-19 will be with us for some time – and ongoing testing will be needed even once a vaccine is available in our community,” said Erika Lautenbach, health department director, in a November 23 news release. “That’s why it is so important to have this new testing location established for the seasons to come, as it will be safe and accessible regardless of the variations in weather we can expect to experience from late fall through early spring.” Testing is available Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday 12-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. by appointment. Schedule an appointment online via TestDirectly.com/whatcom or by calling the test access scheduling line, 360/778-6075 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. For updates to the testing schedule or locations, visit the health department’s website, whatcomcounty.us/covidtesting, or the department’s social media at Facebook.com/WhatcomCountyHealth.
December 10 - 16 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
Birch Bay berm project manager eyes major completion by Christmas, questions answered
Worship This
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702 G St. blaine-grace-lutheran.org
s A Granite Construction crew lay and level concrete for the Birch Bay berm’s bicycle and pedestrian pathway across from CJ’s Beach House and the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce on December 1. Whatcom County Public Works staff said concrete will be used for the pathway in areas along the berm, which are flush to adjacent parking spots. Parking spots will be put in across from the chamber office, Harborview Drive intersection and South Cottonwood. Photo by Ian Haupt
By Ian Haupt In a December 3 “Coffee with the Contractor” meeting, Whatcom County Public Works’ Roland Middleton said the vast majority of the Birch Bay berm project will be completed by Christmas. “We’re hoping to have all of the flat work, which is the concrete work, completed all the way up to the park property before Christmas,” Middleton said, adding that the pedestrian path from Terrell Creek to Harborview Drive should also be complete by then. Granite Construction, the county’s contractor, will also be placing more gravel on the north side of the bay near Cottonwood Beach area to protect those properties in the event of another king tide storm, he said. According to tide-forecast.com, Birch Bay will see 13foot tides from December 15 to December 17. The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted a third “Coffee with the Contractor” meeting via Zoom on December 3 for residents to ask the project’s contractor and manager questions. In the meeting, Middleton and public works engineer Jim Karcher gave a brief progress report and answered questions from residents. Gairrett Orelup, the usual representative for Granite Construction, did not tune into the meeting. The project, officially called the Birch Bay Drive and Pedes-
trian Facility Project, is in its second phase of construction. This week, Granite Construction installed more stormwater structures along the north side of the bay and continued grading the pedestrian path. Public works staff said concrete will be used for the pathway in areas along the berm and limestone gravel will be used everywhere else. Granite Construction is also planting on the south side of the berm around the finished pathway and, according to Middleton, will likely be planting along the berm through December. This area will start to have a finished look soon, he said. Middleton said the planting is going very well and asked for people in the community to avoid walking through the plants. While some plants are visible, there are others planted between those sticking six to eight inches out of the ground that need to be protected. “After we do the monitoring, we have to go back in and replant, to a certain percentage of what doesn’t come up,” Middleton said, asking that people remind others walking along the bay to stay on the new limestone path. “I agree with stressing the planting,” Karcher said. “Community awareness of that will be a big deal, like [Middleton] said there’s things you’re not going to be able to see and it will really be helpful in giving the plants some time to establish.”
Middleton reminded residents that the berm is still an active construction site and people should avoid the berm when heavy equipment is in use. Below are some questions and answers from the meeting, edited for length and clarity. Q: Will enough material (sand and gravel) be placed on the north side of the berm? The beach on the north side has been ravaged. Middleton: Yeah, we are very confident with the way this works. We saw it with the work that was done back in the 1980s. We saw it with this last storm. I don’t know how many people that I talked to that are on the construction crew and are inspectors that were saying, “Wow, it was amazing. The waves roll up into the rock and they roll right back.” … Yeah, so we’re very confident it will work up there, just like it’s working everywhere else. The amount of gravel needed was anticipated. We’re purchasing enough gravel to finish it off. Rest assured, I firmly believe that it will be working as well as all the other Wolf Bauer (renowned coastal hydrogeologic engineer who provided a shoreline analysis with preliminary design elements for the county planning commission) beaches work throughout the Salish Sea and Hawaii. This is going to be the biggest and best that there is. Q: Will there be any parking along Birch Bay Drive? (See Berm, page 13)
The Blaine
United Church of Christ
Invites you to join us for
Christmas Eve, December 24 7 pm Online Service through Zoom. Call 360-332-6906 to get more information. Blaine United Church of Christ • Pastor Sandy Wisecarver 885 4th St. • Blaine, WA 98230 • (360) 332-6906
Christ Episcopal Church Christmas EvE sErviCE Thursday, December 24 5 pm On Facebook Live www.facebook.com/ christchurchblaine 382 Boblett, Blaine christchurchblaine.org
7
8
The Northern Light • December 10 - 16 2020
Active S eniors
Seniors: Get your flu shot this year. It’s important! Getting vaccinated for the flu is more important than ever. Not only will a flu shot help keep you and your family healthy, it can help reduce the strain on the healthcare system and keep hospital beds and other medical resources available for people with Covid-19. This is no ordinary flu season; it’s a flu season amid a pandemic. With two dangerous viruses going around at once, it’s time for people to protect their communities by getting the vaccine already available: the flu vaccine. While currently there is unusually low flu activity, this is not expected to last. And people old enough to have Medicare are at greater risk for serious complications from flu. A flu shot is an important preventive tool for individuals with asthma, diabetes, and heart and lung disease – chronic conditions that can increase the risk for serious flu-related health complications or even death. It’s the best protection from getting and spreading this flu virus, and Medicare covers it at no cost. Medicare Part B covers one flu shot per flu season per beneficiary. You pay nothing for a flu shot if your doctor or other qual-
ified healthcare provider accepts Medicare payment for giving the shot. A flu shot won’t protect you against Covid-19, but it has many other important benefits. Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there’s no evidence that a flu vaccination increases your risk of getting sick from a coronavirus, like the one that causes Covid-19. Those at high risk for flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people 65 years and older, and people with certain chronic health conditions. Anyone who is six months old or older should get a yearly flu vaccine. While the CDC recommended getting vaccinated in September or October, a flu shot anytime during the flu season can help protect you. Flu season in North America rarely begins before early October and usually lasts from December to March. In the past two years, the peak activity has occurred around mid-to-late February. Your body needs two weeks after
a shot to develop a protective response to the influenza virus, so your best bet is to get vaccinated before the flu rate begins to climb. Workplaces and other settings that usually provide flu shots may not do so this season because of the challenges of maintaining social distancing. For more information on where you can get a flu vaccine, visit www. vaccinefinder.org. When going to get a flu shot, please practice everyday preventive actions and follow the CDC’s recommendations for running essential errands. Ask your doctor, pharmacist or health department if they are following CDC’s vaccination pandemic guidance. Any vaccination location following CDC’s guidance should be a safe place for you to get a flu vaccine. If you have a child over six months old who qualifies for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, you may also qualify for a flu vaccination at no cost to you. What’s the difference between flu and Covid-19? Influenza (flu) and Covid-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but different viruses cause them. Covid-19 is caused
by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. Because some symptoms of flu and Covid-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. It is possible to have flu and Covid-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be. While it’s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, the CDC believes it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes Covid-19 will both be spreading.
The CDC has developed a test that will check for A- and B-type seasonal flu viruses and SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes Covid-19. U.S. public health laboratories will use this test. Testing for these viruses at the same time will give public health officials important information about how flu and Covid-19 are spreading and what preventive steps should be taken. So please protect yourself, your family and your community by getting a flu shot. Visit the doctor, pharmacy or other local providers to get a flu shot today. Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NEED HEALTH INSURANCE? GET FREE HELP BY PHONE!
Unity Care NW’s Outreach and Enrollment staff offer free help by phone to any Whatcom County resident needing to find or change health insurance. Call (360) 788-2669 or visit bit.ly/3bBx8qs
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December 10 - 16 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
9
Why routine checkups are vital to overall health Regular visits with a medical professional are an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Too often people visit the doctor only when they are ill, as they may not realize just how essential well visits and physical exams are. Routine checkups are the smartest way for people in all age groups to stay on top of their health, but they can be especially valuable for those age 50 and older. Regular checkups enable physicians to check current health against past visits, ensuring that any anomalies can be investigated and treated efficiently and promptly. This can make the difference in slowing down the progression of a disease that has already developed or prevent something from becoming a full-fledged issue. The Mayo Clinic says there are no hard and fast rules about how often seniors should visit health care providers. Those who are in generally good health may only require one medical checkup a year. At this point vital signs will be checked, medications reviewed and lifestyle topics discussed. Doctors may recommend or discuss tests. Patients also can bring up any issues they may be experiencing, however insignificant they may seem. Anything from sleep disturbances to memory loss to unexplained fatigue or pain can be addressed. Sometimes getting everything out in the open and being reassured that there’s nothing to worry about can be helpful. General care and geriatric doctors also are adept at asking questions to get a sense of how patients are faring in the world. This may include topics that seemingly have no relevance to health but can be quite important. A provider may ask about topics such as bathing or dressing. Questions about social interaction or typical routines can paint a better picture of both physical and mental health. The recommended frequency of doctor visits may change as
health issues arise or if follow-up is needed after a treatment plan or injury, according to the caregiver company Home Care Assistance. Some seniors may have to visit a provider once a week or once a month. Doctors, nurses and therapists will design a regimen based on a patient’s current health needs. The following are some compelling reasons to be diligent with provider visits. Frequently health issues can be silent and not noticed early on by a patient. Patients will be less likely to forget about important screenings, like mammography, prostate tests, cholesterol tests and more. Vaccines can be administered,
as even adults need certain immunizations to stay healthy. Patients can discuss potential lifestyle changes, like going on a diet or taking up a new fitness regimen. It is essential to follow through with health care provider visits, even if they seem redundant. Physicians may detect issues that
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The Northern Light • December 10 - 16 2020
Road Rules: Clearing the roads during winter with a deicer By Doug Dahl Q: What kind of substance is applied to the local roads during freezing weather? Is the liquid mixture salt or something else? What kind of damage can it cause to cars? A: Rust. That’s the one-word answer. As to what the substance is, that answer is more complicated. But rather than turn this into a chemistry lesson, let’s take a short trip back in time, to the Great Seattle Salt Debate of 2008. Maybe you remember the city of Seattle decided to abandon salt as a treatment for icy and snowy roads, committing instead to using sand. And then the city was hit by the biggest snowfall in a decade. Many roads were impass-
able, leading to a collision that made international news when two buses full of students slid down a hill and crashed through a concrete barricade, the front quarter of one bus dangling over Interstate 5, 30 feet below. (By magic, luck, physics or divine intervention, there were no serious injuries.) In the aftermath, the city switched back to using salt, or other salt-ish chemicals. Some folks speculate that the mayor’s no-salt stance cost him the next election. I share that story to point out that in many situations there isn’t a perfect solution. And when I say “solution,” I mean both the answer to a problem and the homogeneous mix of two or more substances.
In a perfect world we’d have a deicer that was effective, environmentally friendly, didn’t leave behind any residue or sediment (we’re looking at you, sand), didn’t cause corrosion to vehicles and was cheap to apply. In real life, that product probably doesn’t exist. Picking a deicer means making compromises, and when choosing between making the roadways safe right now and the possibility of corrosion in the future, transportation departments pick safety. That’s not to say that all deicer is equally corrosive. There are a lot of options besides sodium chloride (regular old salt). Choices include magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate and more. They come in lots of different mixtures, some with corrosion inhibitors added. Many are mixed into a brine to create a sprayable liquid. Some deicers offset the amount of salt or other chemicals
with vegetable-based additives. A common one is beet juice. There’s some science involved in picking the right deicer for the situation. I checked the lists from several road departments in Washington and all of them included chemical-based deicers as an option. Washington Department of Transportation describes its snow and ice strategy on its website, and it includes salt as one possible tool. We don’t see too many vehicles rusted out from road salt on the West Coast, because we don’t have that much snow compared to places like Michigan or Vermont. But deicer does cause corrosion to vehicles. A study by the American Automobile Association found that corrosion caused by deicing was responsible for $3 billion of damage a year to vehicles in the U.S. Corrosion isn’t just an aesthetic problem. Lots of the parts under
your car are metal – brake lines, tie rods, the frame. You know, important things that make your car safe. To combat corrosion, wash your vehicle regularly, including the undercarriage, during the time of year when deicers are applied to roadways. And the best option, if you can choose it: Don’t drive when roads are icy. When road conditions get worse, crashes increase. You can protect your car and decrease your risk by eliminating unnecessary trips in snowy and icy conditions. As I was writing this, I did think of a low cost, environmentally friendly way to clear the roads. Can we just take all the kids doing remote schooling during the pandemic and tell them that their PE class is going to be shoveling snow? Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.
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Join the Checkup Challenge to make sure every aspect of your health is covered. Check all the boxes for you and those you care about: Get preventive screenings Make sure medications are getting refilled Get new health issues diagnosed Get a flu vaccination and any needed immunizations Check developmental skills (for children) Stay physically and mentally active (especially for older adults) For a complete checkup checklist by age group, visit peacehealth.org/challenge
December 10 - 16 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
11
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Legal NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN the Superior Court of the State of Washington, for Whatcom County, the Estate of Frank de Boer. Probate No. 20-4-00602-37 The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the Clerk of this Court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice (twenty-four (24) months if notice is not published). If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of first publication: 12/10/2020. Personal Representative: Albert de Boer. Attorney for Estate: KEITH BODE, WSBA #7791 P.O. Box 688, Lynden, WA 98264, Tel. (360) 354-5021
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the Superior Court of the State of Washington, for Whatcom County, the Estate of Jeanette Faber. Probate No. 20-4-00590-37. The notice agent named below has elected to give notice to creditors of the above-named decedent. As of the date of the filing of a copy of this notice with the court, the notice agent has no knowledge of any other person acting as notice agent or of the appointment of a personal representative of the decedent's estate in the state of Washington. According to the records of the court as are available on the date of the filing of this notice with the court, a cause number regarding the decedent has not been issued to any other notice agent and a personal representative of the decedent's estate has not been appointed. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.42.070 (http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default. aspx?cite=11.42.070) by serving on or mailing to the notice agent or the notice agent's attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the notice agent's declaration and oath were filed. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the notice agent served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.42.020(2)(c) (http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.42.020); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.42.050 (http://app.leg.wa.gov/ RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.42.050) and 11.42.060 (http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/ default.aspx?cite=11.42.060). This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent's probate and nonprobate assets. First publication: 12/3/2020. Notice Agent: Dorita Bode. Attorney for the Notice Agent: Keith Bode, WSBA #7791 P.O. Box 688, Lynden, WA 98264, Tel. 360-354-5021
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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Chapter 18.27.100 of the Revised Code of Washington requires that all advertisements for construction services include the contractor’s registration number in the advertisement. To verify a contractor’s license, call the Dept. of Labor and Industry’s contractors registration at 1-800-647-0982.
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12
The Northern Light • December 10 - 16 2020
Real Estate
Bay Properties Semiahmoo homeS, inc.
NW LUXURY REAL ESTATE AT A HIGHER LEVEL
BIRCH BAY VILLAGE VIEW HOME!
Enjoy beautiful sunsets and views of the San Juan Islands from the spacious deck on each level of this 3162 SF 3BD, 2.5 BA Birch Bay Village home. Features include a completely finished main area, updated flooring throughout, new windows, upgraded kitchens, sauna, two fireplaces and an all season hot tub! Come and enjoy all that Birch Bay Village has to offer: golf course, marina, outdoor pool, tennis courts, playgrounds and miles of beach!
VIEW! VIEW! VIEW!
Terry Conway • (360) 410-0503
CeCelia Breivik • (360) 303-8161
4720 Tidal Way #103K, Birch Bay $339,500
FABULOUS SUNSET VIEW!
PENDING! Three bedroom, 2 bathroom multi-level unit offering southwest view to Semiahmoo & Drayton Harbor and short walk to downtown Blaine. This immaculately well maintained inside and out remodeled and updated unit offers ground floor sunroom, main floor entertainment deck, gas fireplace and a 3rd floor master with view to bay. Features new: furnace, water heater, fireplace, mantle, washer, dishwasher, stove, fridge, cabinets, and garbage disposal. Freshly painted interior with private courtyard/garden and detached garage welcomes you to serene Pacific Northwest living.
MOVE IN READY!
The Tides... BRAND NEW! Birch Bay’s premier community of craftsman NEW LISTING! townhome condos nestled on 11 acres above the bay. This beautiful & private unit is 1,500 +/SF, 3 BD, 2.5 BA, superbly finished w/quartz counters, rock gas fireplace, SS appliances, on-demand HW, quality fixtures, designer flooring & much more! Clubhouse, pool, & spa! Close to all Birch Bay offers. Secure your place in this wonderful beach community.
Carl W. R. Dufton • (360) 815-6637
WATERFRONT!
PENDING!
7806 Birch Bay Drive #302, Jacob’s Landing • $278,900
124 Polo Park Drive, Sudden Valley $399,900
Offering Pacific Northwest splendor! Located in Semiahmoo’s secure, gated Boundary Ridge neighborhood with private beach access and only minutes from marine, golf and recreational amenities. This 3153 SF remodeled/ updated quality finished 4 BD, 3 BA home offers ample living space! Move right in and enjoy all the Resort Semiahmoo has to offer!
This 900 SF 2 BD, 1.5 BA unit is nestled in the quiet setting of beautifully landscaped grounds. Enjoy the back deck for quiet morning coffee or private dinners and the front deck for basking in the sunshine. Features of this condo include wood floors, wall to wall carpet and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy as your primary residence or weekend get-away! A rare find - don’t miss out on making this your new home!
Flawless Masterpiece w/timeless design-no expense spared! Just shy of an acre, a private sanctuary offers 3,419 sq. ft & spectacular 139’ of waterfront w/views of Bay, Canada & San Juan Islands. NW Asian design delivers a rare opportunity to experience refined living at its best! Thoughtful details into the Chef’s kitchen, expansive great room and open floor plan all on one level. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets every evening while surrounded by the Feng Shui inspired landscape. YOU have arrived!
Holiday gift ready to GO! Absolutely pristine-offers high quality finish work. Hardwoods, vaulted ceilings, wainscoting, and more! Spacious main floor office w/ French doors. Cozy up to fireplace in living room. Kitchen w/ granite counters, tile floors & backsplash, upgraded cabinets, fixtures, & lighting. Master suite w/Jacuzzi, shower-custom tile surround. Shelter in place with home brewers set up in garage or enjoy the serene outdoor fire pit and freshly painted cedar deck! Perfection found.
Jeremy Porter • (360) 306-1794
Ruth Skeete • (360) 358-5075
PRICE REDUCED!
9099 Chickadee Way, Semiahmoo $780,000 SPECTACULAR WATER VIEW HOME!
DESIRABLE UPPER END UNIT AT JACOB’S LANDING!
BEACH ACCESS!
Heather Taylor • (425) 785-5771
O L TR A Y “RO
SUDDEN VALLEY PERFECTION!
Rentals - Commercial
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NELSON BUILDING LEASE SPACES FOR:
5366 Night Heron Dr. • Blaine $525,000 MLS #1664909
Warehousing-Distribution Manufacturing or Retail 8611 Great Horned Owl Ln. • Blaine $139,500 MLS # 1585810 Sunny, open, level, easily accessible homesite in Semiahmoo’s highly regarded “Royal Troon” neighborhood. Location, Location!
360.815.6638
briansouthwick@gmail.com
see more pictures at www.briansouthwick.com
Call Hugh : 360.371.5800 Your Local Expert For All Real Estate, Residential Or Commercial Services!
GRAND LIVING SPACE
NEW
E!
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5520 Canvasback Road, Semiahmoo • $699,000 On 17th Fairway, 3490 SF of Grand Living Space, 3 en-suite bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3 car garage, formal dining, bay window. Living room large enough for grand piano.
CALL HUGH TO VIEW 360.371.5800
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • Vacation Properties WE DO • Residential Properties ! IT ALL • Commercial Properties Call Phill Esau Today!
Nimbus Property Management
360-594-8600
Julie Ward • (760) 522-2564
925 Ludwick Ave., Blaine
Build your waterfront dream home on this one of a kind, 37,336 sq ft. homesite hugging 215 feet of peaceful, pebbly Semiahmoo shore of Drayton Harbor. Sunlight sparkles on gentle saltwater. Sea breezes carry the call of Eagles, Great Blue Herons and countless migratory shore birds. Ancient evergreens stand sentinel along the property perimeter. Snow-capped mountains, night lights of Blaine & White Rock BC.
or
www.CallHugh.com
8361 Semiahmoo Drive, Semiahmoo • $1,680,000
NEW PRICE!
callhugh.johnlscott.com/home-evaluation
Hugh Brawford, Managing Broker
1340 4th Street #5, Blaine $349,900
8026 Kayak Way, Birch Bay Village $680,000
What is your house worth?
8045 BIRCH BAY DRIVE, BLAINE, WA 360-371-7252 BAYPROPERTIESNW.COM
Near Truck Route & Shopping Mall
Up to 5,000 sq. ft. Available January Email or Call Don Nelson For Availability & Rates
360-305-0286
Email nelsbldg@msn.com
225 G Street, Suite 102
Downtown Blaine (Across from Hill’s Chevron)
www.NimbusRealEstate.com
This Holiday Season...
Shop Local • Eat Local • Read Local! Allreal real estate/rentals advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair All estate/rentals advertisHousing of 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal to advertise any prefing in thisActnewspaper is subject erence, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap tofamilial the Federal Fair Housing Act status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, of 1968orasdiscrimination. amended, which makeswill it illegal limitation This newspaper not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law.limitation Our readersorare hereby informed that all dwellings advertised to advertise any preference, disin this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD crimination based on race, color, religion, toll-free at 1-800-877-0246. sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, knowcallwhat it felt like ened her neighbor with a Taser, HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246.
Birch Bay woman faces second-degree attempted murder charges By Grace McCarthy A 64-year-old Birch Bay woman is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly trying to assault her neighbor with a hunting knife on December 3. The victim, who had previously reported harassment from her neighbor, Kathy Jo Andersen, encountered Andersen in her yard while she was leaving for work.
The victim told police that Andersen repeatedly charged her with a hunting knife in an attempt to kill her. Using a lawn chair to fend her off, the victim was able to escape to her vehicle while Andersen chased her and tried to open the car door. Using the door, the victim pushed Andersen away, which allowed her to leave the scene unharmed and call 911, the sheriff’s
office said. Deputies arrived at 6 a.m. to the 4700 block of Birch Bay-Lynden Road near the intersection of Harborview Road, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. Police arrested Andersen without incident after a few minutes of negotiating outside Andersen’s home. During this time, Andersen told deputies she wanted the
victim “to to be threatened.” A sheriff’s office spokesperson told The Northern Light that deputies had responded on several occasions where Andersen experienced mental health crises over the past few years. The neighbor had reported Andersen in her yard previously, including an early morning incident on October 12 when Andersen threat-
according an affidavit of probable cause from the sheriff’s office. Andersen is booked in Whatcom County Jail for second-degree criminal attempt of murder and felony violation of an Order for Protection that was granted in October. Andersen is being held on $250,000 bond, according to jail booking data.
Sheriff’s Reports December 5, 9:10 a.m.: Trespass on Stadsvold Road. December 5, 12:26 p.m.: Drugs cold call on Halibut Drive. December 6, 1:59 a.m.: Security check on Portal Way. December 6, 9:06 a.m.: Senile subject on Boblett Road. December 6, 9:31 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Arnie and Bruce roads, Custer.
December 6, 11:38 a.m.: Subject stop and methamphetamine arrest on northbound Interstate 5 at milepost 268, Custer. December 6, 12:42 p.m.: Non-blocking motor vehicle accident and non-injury on Loomis Trail and Kickerville roads. December 7, 10:19 a.m.: Burglary cold call on Portal Way. December 7, 10:31 a.m.:
Watch for in progress on Seafair Drive. December 7, 10:36 a.m.: Alarm audible in progress on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. December 7, 11:22 p.m.: Follow up on Seafair Drive. December 7, 12:47 p.m.: Domestic order violence cold call on Carstan Loop. December 7, 1:40 p.m.: Assist
citizen in progress on Loft Lane. December 7, 3:07 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Kispiox Road. December 8, 12:15 a.m.: Landlord tenant dispute in progress on H Street. December 8, 3:46 a.m.: Whatcomm record in progress on Birch Bay-Lynden Drive. December 8, 9:28 a.m.: Vehi-
cle theft cold call on Willow Way. December 8, 11:31 a.m.: Theft cold call on Stein Road, Custer. December 8, 11:39 a.m.: Welfare check in progress on Sherwood Drive. December 8, 2:55 p.m.: Theft cold call on Harborview Road. December 8, 6:53 p.m.: Assist agency in progress on Birch Bay Drive.
December 10 - 16 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
Berm ... From page 7 Middleton: We only lost three or four parking spaces, and those were the ones that were right in front of Bay Breeze Restaurant and Bar. Otherwise, there have been a couple spots moved around because of stormwater work, some rain gardens that are being installed to take care of the quality of the water before it goes into the bay. But, otherwise, all those parking spots that were there are going right back in. Q: Is the Harborview Road and Birch Bay Drive drainage improvement project happening? Middleton: That is happening. That’s a Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District (BBWARM) project. Public works and BBWARM are all in the same building. So, the people that are designing that, working on that, are in the same building as the people that are designing and working on the berm. There’s constant communication between the two. The one issue that we always have in construction is timing of permits, so there’s been some coordination. And some things that we’ve had to change and move around. Karcher: People should not be concerned. The berm gravel will be in place before the project’s outfall goes in for the Harborview project that the BBWARM stormwater program is doing. So, we’re
DINING GUIDE
trying to closely coordinate with them to minimize any impacts to permanent work. More information on the BBWARM project can be found at bit.ly/37Gh9rv. Q: How much does each truck of gravel cost? It’s fun to think about, as each truck goes by, the amount of money that’s incorporated in this project. Middleton: I don’t have that information. But we are over $15 million for this project, so you can do the math. And a signifi-
RECENT HOUSE & LOT PRICES
Blaine, Birch Bay & Point Roberts NOVEMBER 2020
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
5521 Canvasback Road, Blaine
HIGHER END HOUSES $600,000 AND ABOVE: 2-story house with 2,416 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 552 SF attached garage, 732 SF deck, built in 1994; marine and territorial view, .51 acres land.
$876,900
6961 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine
2-story house with 2,180 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 400 SF built-in garage, 472 SF deck, built in 1990; marine views, .11 acres land.
$674,000
8783 Clubhouse Point Drive, Blaine
1-story house with 2,434 SF, 1,501 SF basement, 3 BD, 3 BA, 400 SF detached garage, 537 SF attached garage, 368 SF balcony, 368 SF patio, built in 2019; territorial views, .23 acres land.
$1,049,000
Condo with 1,802 SF, 2 BD, 4 BA, detached garage, built in 2013, waterfront; marine view.
$703,000
2-story house with 6,481 SF, 5 BD, 5 BA, 1,344 SF built-in garage, 1,792 SF detached garage, 468 SF balcony, 576 SF carport, 644 SF patio, built in 2005, 1-story house with 896 SF, 1 BD, 1 BA, built in 2005; 1-and a half story house with 4,796 SF, 5 BD, 6 BA, 1,574 SF attached garage, 1,980 SF patio, 360 SF deck, built in 2017; 10.58 acres wooded land.
$1,475,000
1-and a half story house with 2,724 SF, 3 BD, 4 BA, 606 SF attached garage, 470 SF patio, built in 2003, .41 acres land.
$754,000
2-story house with 3,175 SF, 4 BD, 4 BA, 1,000 SF attached garage, 508 SF patio, built in 2007, .37 acres land.
$860,000
2-story house with 1,680 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 792 SF deck, 408 SF patio, built in 1986; marine view, .42 acres land.
$686,000
2-story house with 4,087 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 1,038 SF built-in garage, 1,390 SF patio, built in 2006, .33 acres land.
$960,000
Two condos knocked into one with 4,006 SF, 4 BD, 6 BA, built in 2020, waterfront; marine and territorial view.
$2,932,509
Condo with 2,144 SF, 2 BD, 3 BA, built in 2020, waterfront; marine and territorial view.
$1,449,000
2-story house with 2,099 SF, 2 BD, 3 BA, attached garage, built in 2020, .19 acres land.
$825,000
Condo with 2,003 SF, 2 BD, 3 BA, built in 2020, waterfront; marine and territorial view.
$1,307,798
8045 Makah Road, Blaine
1-story house with 1,431 SF, 1, 343 SF basement, 3 BD, 3 BA, 520 SF attached garage, 743 SF balcony, built in 1989; marine and territorial views, .27 acres land.
$665,000
4827 Timber Lane, Blaine
1-story house with 1,394 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 728 SF detached garage, 250 and 367 SF deck, 196 SF storage, built in 1985; marine view, .15 acres land.
$606,000
Unit B303, Marin Condo, 9535 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine 9572 & 9598 Sherwood Drive, Blaine
8605 Great Horned Owl Lane, Blaine 5597 Sandpiper Lane, Blaine 7398 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine 8870 Comorant Court, Blaine #105, Pacific Point Condo, 9545 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine
5473 Wood Duck Loop, Blaine
442 PEACE PORTAL DRIVE • 360-332-4346 WWW.THERUSTICFORKEATERY.cOM
#302, Pacific Point Condo, 9545 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine
758 Peace Portal • Blaine 360-332-4045
277 G Street • Downtown Blaine
360-392-0955
TheVaultWine.com
TheVaultWine
LAND: .21 acres residential lot.
$197,000
Dogwood Way, Point Roberts
49.63 acres wooded residential land.
$1,075,000
Chehalis Road, Blaine
.33 acres residential waterfront lot; marine and territorial view.
$361,000
8082 Comox Road, Blaine
.35 acres residential waterfront lot; marine and territorial view.
$439,000
9550 Sherwood Drive, Blaine
4.85 acres residential land with 2,208 SF storage, 448 SF storage, built in 2009.
$428,000
Seaside Drive, Blaine
360-922-7902
.27 acres residential lot; marine and territorial view.
$195,000
7403 Jackson Road, Blaine
.26 acres residential lot; marine and territorial view.
$188,500
Whatcom Land Trust Fleet Road, Blaine
8.87 open space land.
$220,000
MikeKent.com
www.BayBreezeRestaurant.com
I-5 Exit 270 at Birch Bay Square 360-527-8901 • mike@mikekent.com
O B I T U A RY Marian Dolores Leer
June 3,1943–November 30, 2020 Marian Dolores Leer peacefully passed away on November 30. Marian was born on June 3, 1943 in Glendale, CA to parents Robert and Eva Jarvie. Bob’s early career, as assistant manager of Newberry’s Department Store, meant moving the young family to Fort Collins, CO; Billings, MT; Medford, OR; and Ratone, NM before their final move to Ferndale, WA where Bob founded Jarvie’s Department Store. Marian graduated from Ferndale High School in 1961 and attended Western Washington University in Bellingham. Marian met her husband Conrad (Connie) on a blind date. Connie’s first impression of Marian, “She was very easy to talk to and very pretty.” Connie and Marian were married on December 21, 1962 – a marriage spanning nearly 58 years. They had three children, Stephanie (1964), Brenda (1967) and Sean (1971). Marian created a home filled with love. When Connie left for work every day, they always said goodbye to each other with loud smoochy kisses that made their children cringe! Marian read to her children, colored pictures alongside them, kept the cookie jar full, created fun birthday parties and could easily be talked into going to Chuck’s Drive-In for an ice cream cone. Marian was the “World’s Best Pie Baker” specializing in blackberry pie using berries picked by Connie. She was quite the artist and would transform rocks she found while beach combing at Semiahmoo into wonderful painted houses and animals. She and Connie took great pride in their yard and she was thrilled when they were named “Best Yard of the Week” by the Blaine is Beautiful Committee. Marian had a close relationship with her father and worked for him at Jarvie’s Department Store for many years, until he retired and sold the store. Marian later worked at Blaine Pharmacy and Blaine Bouquet. Marian had many dear friends. One of her closest friends was her sister Celeste who shared a similar sense of humor and an affinity for gorilla jokes. The GERKS began as a fun picnicking group nearly 30 years ago and evolved into a group of very close friends sharing each other’s highs and lows (someone needs to write a book). Marian enjoyed the fellowship with her church family and cherished her friendships in the women’s prayer group. Marian suffered two strokes and a myriad of other health problems over the past twenty years. However, she never gave up and we began to think of her as the “Energizer Bunny.” Every night when Marian tucked her children into bed – even into adulthood – she would say, “God bless you and keep you.” God bless Marian – beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and daughter – keep her in your loving arms until we meet again. Marian was predeceased by her parents Robert and Eva Jarvie. She is survived by her husband Conrad Leer; daughters Stephanie (Scott) Tibbits, Brenda (Brian) Deeley; son Sean (Michelle) Leer; grandchildren Riley, Madeleine, Allison, Bobby and Matt; great-grandchild Beatrice; and sister Celeste (Sam) Hilde and their family. Our deepest gratitude to the Visiting Angels for their exceptional care of Marian, which allowed her to live in the lovely home she created until end of life and her sister Celeste for her constant loving support for Marian and Connie. A celebration of life will be announced sometime in 2021 when it is safe to gather. Memorials may be made to Northwood Chapel, 580 C Street, Blaine, WA 98230. Please share your memories of Marian at www.molesfarewelltributes.com.
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL
DIRECTORY Proud supporters of the Blaine Community! Formerly 1st Propane of Whatcom County
2011 Large Business of the Year
Louis’
5752 Nakat Way, Blaine
Sponsored by: 7829 Birch Bay Drive Birch Bay
$615,000
1-story house with 2,039 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 549 SF attached garage, 517 SF patio, 396 SF guest cottage with bathroom, built in 2014; territorial views; .25 acres land.
OPENING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17th
Great Authentic Mexican Food
SALE PRICE
8789 Clubhouse Point Drive, Blaine
#306, Pacific Point Condo, 9545 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine
With outdoor fully covered and heated, well spaced seating for up to 34 guests!
cant amount of that is just gravel, and work that we are putting back into the community. You know, we take the lowest bid, that’s just what we do, but it was really nice to have a local contractor get the bid for this project. They’re doing great work. Granite is – from at least my perspective – very easy to work with, and they’re very community concerned. All around, I don’t know if it was worth waiting 40 years, but it was worth the wait to get to this point.
13
Louis Auto Glass Keep Full Service • Budget Payment Plan • Tank Installation & Rental Modern Equipment • Safety Checks • Locally Owned & Operated Family Owned and Operated Since 1929!
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Must present ad for special. Not valid with any other offers. Expires June 30, 2014.
14
The Northern Light • December 10 - 16 2020
Coming up
Police Reports November 27, 12:04 p.m.: Blaine officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation. Officers contacted the driver, who was determined to have a suspended license and a warrant. Officers arrested the individual and searched him incident to arrest. During the search, officers discovered a glass pipe with a substance inside that tested presumptive positive for the presence of methamphetamine. Officers requested mutual aid for a K9 sniff of the vehicle, and a Bellingham K9 unit responded. The K9 alerted to illegal drugs inside, and the car was taken into police custody pending a search warrant. The investigation is ongoing. November 30, 7:54 p.m.: Blaine Police Department officers responded to a report of a vehicle collision involving a dog. Officers arrived and shortly after, the dog had passed. Whatcom Humane Society responded to retrieve the deceased dog. December 1, 8:00 a.m.: The Blaine school district requested extra patrol of the bus garage area. They believed an unknown transient might be sleeping on the buses at night. The police department will provide extra patrol as available. December 1, 11:14 a.m.: A woman called the police after receiving a disturbing phone
call from an unknown male. The incident was investigated by an officer. The suspect is believed to have called from outside the United States. The officer suggested further security action the woman could take. December 1, 3:52 p.m.: Blaine police responded to a residence following an anonymous report via fax about people possibly living in a shed on a property. An officer spoke with the homeowners and determined that nothing was criminal. December 1, 5:40 p.m.: During routine patrol, a Blaine officer stopped a vehicle whose registered owner was listed as having a suspended license. The driver was not the registered owner but also had a suspended license. The driver was placed under arrest. They were cited and released with a mandatory court appearance date. December 1, 10:32 p.m.: Blaine Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop in the 1300 block of Yew Avenue. During the traffic investigation, a K9 team responded to the stop and the event evolved into a drug investigation. The vehicle was impounded pending a search warrant. December 2, 3:13 a.m.: Blaine Police Department officers responded to a 911 hang-up call on Odell Road. The location has had several similar calls recently
and this event was determined to be part of the same problem. A notification was sent to the business to inform them of the on-going problem. December 2, 1:53 p.m.: Officers served a search warrant on a vehicle for illegal drugs. Officers recovered a methamphetamine pipe and methamphetamine from the vehicle. December 3, 3:23 p.m.: Officers were called to a construction site for an individual who was caught on camera trespassing on the property. The individual was described as male, wearing camouflage clothing, with blonde shoulder-length hair. Officers arrived and checked the area. A vehicle was located at the front of the property but officers were unable to locate anyone on the property. December 3, 3:57 p.m.: An individual called 911 to report suspicious activity with their bank account. The individual’s bank is located in Bellingham. The individual advised the bank is currently investigating, but requested a case number. December 3, 8:26 p.m.: Officers responded to a burglary. Officers found a garage broken into and checked the area. Officers were not able to locate the suspects and the owner found nothing immediately missing. Officers will conduct extra patrols in the area. Report by Blaine Police Department.
Crossword
Tides DATE
TIME
HEIGHT
TIME
HEIGHT
Fr 11 2:52 am 7.4
7:37 am 5.0
1:37 pm 10.1
8:56 pm -0.4
Sa 12 4:04 am 8.5
8:45 am 6.0
2:15 pm 10.1
9:40 pm -1.7
Su 13 5:06 am 9.6
9:51 am 6.7
2:53 pm 10.1 10:24 pm -2.6
Mo 14 6:00 am 10.3 10:53 am 7.2
3:33 pm 9.9 11:08 pm -3.0
Tu 15 6:52 am 10.8 11:53 am 7.4
4:15 pm 9.6 11:54 pm -3.0
We 16 7:40 am 11.0 12:51 pm 7.4
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1. Driver 2. Bone cavities 3. Menacing 4. Where coaches patrol 5. Greek mythological figure 6. War-based board game 7. Midway between northeast and east 8. 18-year period in astronomy 9. Mid-century term used to describe Japanese-Americans 10. Large bodies of water 11. Eurasian ryegrass
12. Perform on stage 13. Greek island 19. 10th month of the year (abbr.) 21. One point east of southeast 24. Belgian city 25. Praise excessively 26. River in France 27. Edible lily bulbs 31. Quarterbacks take them 32. Organic compound 34. Tears down (Brit.) 35. Beloved Hollywood alien 36. Unconscious 40. Missouri 41. Firemen use them 45. Pig noise 47. Greatly dismay 48. Imitator 52. Moves by turning over 53. Boxing’s GOAT 54. Swarms with 56. Margarines 57. Feudal superior 59. As fast as can be done 60. Reciprocal of a sine 61. Chinese city 62. Tell on 63. United ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM
Holiday Food Drive: Through Saturday, December 12. Blaine High School’s Students With A Purpose club is seeking non-perishable food donations. Collection bin is at 1221 Blaine Avenue. Monetary donations can be sent directly to the Blaine Food Bank, P.O. Box 472, Blaine, WA 98231 or online at blainefoodbank.org. Friends of Birch Bay Library Calendar Fundraiser: Purchase a 2021 calendar featuring photos of beautiful Birch Bay taken by local photographers. Cost: $20 available at friendsofbirchbaylibrary.org. Lighted Christmas Stroll Through Pioneer Village: Friday and Saturday, December 11, 12, 18, 19, 5–8 p.m., Pioneer Village 2004 Cherry Street, Ferndale. Stroll around the cabins, see the lights, hear music, see costumed volunteers, mail letters to Santa. Info: ferndalechamber.com. School district holiday radio show: The Blaine high school and middle school choirs, in collaboration with the jazz band, will release the first ever “Holiday Radio Show” on Monday, December 14 at 7 p.m. The show will premiere on the district’s YouTube channel, Blaine School District, WA, in an audio format similar to a radio show from the 30s and 40s. Virtual Trivia - Christmas Edition: Wednesday, December 16, 7 p.m., on Zoom. Free. Test your knowledge on all things Christmas. Preregister encouraged at bbbparkandrec.org. Zoom Call With Santa: Thursday and Friday, December 17 and 18, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Calls will be about 8 minutes each. Reserve your time at birchbaychamber.com. Curbside Christmas with Santa: Friday, December 18, 6:30–8 p.m., CTK North Bay, 4895 Birch Bay Lynden Road. Join us for a COVID-safe drive thru Christmas experience. Free Christmas cookies and candy. Info: ctk.church. Virtual Backstage @ The Border Benefit Concert: Saturday, December 19, 7–8 p.m. Join Kelley Porter, Susan Thomson and Peter Smith for an evening playing and singing some favorite songs and carols. Singing along is encouraged. Fundraiser for Loads of Love. Visit bit.ly/3n3cMNn.
Birch Bay Ring of Fire and Hope: Thursday, December 31, 7 p.m., Birch Bay waterfront. Light up Birch Bay as we reflect on the old year. Flares available at Birch Bay Visitor Center, 7900 Birch Bay Drive, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. while supplies last or bring your own (without a spike). Limit one flare per family. Info: birchbaychamber.com.
49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W
1. Popular pickup truck 4. Profoundly wise men 9. Camera company 14. Folk singer DiFranco 15. Passerine birds 16. Plum-shaped fruit used for preserves 17. Popular kids channel 18. Dodgers’ skipper 20. Removes 22. The Atlantic is one 23. Badgerlike mammal 24. Foulness 28. Luke’s mentor __-Wan 29. Commercial 30. A type of gin 31. Temptress 33. Shuts in an enclosed space 37. Milligram 38. Actress Adams 39. Strive to equal or match 41. Health insurance 42. A detective’s source 43. Small American rails 44. Alfred __, Brit. poet 46. Crest of a hill 49. Atomic #52 50. __ Caesar, comedian
Point Roberts Primary School Virtual Winter Performance: Thursday, December 10 at 7 p.m. It will go live on the Blaine School District YouTube channel and remain on the channel for future viewing.
Christmas Worship Services: See ads on pages 7 and 15.
December 4-10 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
ACROSS
Please wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
4:59 pm 9.2
Th 17 12:38 am -2.7
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Brrr-tual Polar Bear Plunge: Friday, January 1. Celebrate the new year with a dip in the waters of Birch Bay. This year’s event can be viewed virtually. Submit photos for the virtual costume contest and plunge video contest to events@birchbaychamber.com. Scout Tree Pick Up: Saturday, January 2. Place trees curbside or drop off at Birch Bay Waterslides. Please email blainescoutstreepickup@ gmail.com or text 360-389-8091 in order to get on our driver map. Donations welcome. Ongoing: Friends of Birch Bay Library Calendar Fundraiser: Purchase a 2021 calendar featuring photos of beautiful Birch Bay taken by local photographers. Cost: $20 available at friendsofbirchbaylibrary.org. Blaine’s Holiday Market By The Sea: Saturdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Sundays 12–4 p.m. inside 648 Peace Portal Drive. Local crafts, art, décor and goodies. Info: blainechamber.com. Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Delivery options available. Info:360/332-6350 or blainefood@hotmail.com. The Bridge Food Distribution Program: Fridays 3:30–5 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road. Registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome. The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesdays 3–5 p.m. and Fridays 12–5 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road. Donations by appointment, call 360/366-8763. Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meetings: Third Thursdays, 1 p.m. Meeting ID on birchbaychamber.com.
Weather Precipitation: During the period of November 30 to December 6, 0.09 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2020 year-to-date precipitation is 36.0 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 57°F on December 5 with a low of 31°F on December 2. Average high was 49°F and average low was 38°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
Coffee With The Contractor Virtual Meetings: Fourth Thursdays, 8 a.m. Learn the progress of the Birch Bay berm project with members of Granite Construction, Whatcom County Public Works and the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce. Meeting ID on birchbaychamber.com Blaine Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meetings: First Wednesday, noon. Meeting ID on blainechamber.com. Blaine Library: 610 3rd Street. Closed in-branch visits. Curbside holds and pick up, Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Info 360/305-3637. Meals on Wheels & More: Wednesdays 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up one fresh and six frozen meals. Suggested donation $5 per meal. First come first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040. Toastmasters Virtual Meetings: Tuesdays 6:30–7:45 p.m. Info: 360/933-1671.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
December 10 - 16 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
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Restaurant ... From page 1 it would take 90 days to obtain a liquor license, the pair decided on a three-month construction schedule to open the restaurant by November 6, which was delayed after discovering tree roots blocking sewer lines. Although the restaurant won’t be able to start with indoor seating, due to current Covid-19 restrictions until January 4, they look forward to utilizing the back patio, fitted with a fireplace and three 10-foot industrial heaters. “It’s one of those things where you can’t let life stop,” Slavin said. “I think we want to get it going; pray for the best, hope for the best coming in the new and see where we can end up with it.” Once indoor dining is permitted, Slavin said about 40 customers will be allowed to dine inside under previous Covid-19 occupancy guidelines. The covered patio, decorated by hanging photos of American mobster Al Capone, allows for 34 seats, he said. “We’ve dubbed it ‘Capone’s Hideaway,’” Slavin said. “Back in the day or in the movies when you see restaurants and the mobsters all go through the secret door into the back where they’re counting money, etc., that’s what we did. It’s a hideaway from the street.” Design was a key element for the restaurant, said Slavin, who previously worked as a graphic designer for Glacier Media in
s Bruschetta on focaccia.
s From l., Kristen Freeman, HR for the Rustic Fork; Jon Freeman, head chef; and owner Gary Slavin. Photo by Grace McCarthy
B.C. before moving to Blaine with his wife, Kristen Freeman. With the help of friends and family, Slavin said he was able to decorate the restaurant with special aspects of the community. The restaurant is filled with elements like a bookshelf that acts as a secret entrance to the back patio, lined with books donated by mayor Bonnie Onyon, and a countertop that is made from Mulder’s father’s cherry tree. The restaurant will have “10 percent Tuesdays” every week, where customers will get 5 percent off their meal and the other 5 percent will go to a Blaine High School sports team. Two sports groups will be selected every six
months and at the end of that time, a check will be given to each of those sports, Slavin said. “As we get going, I want to give back to the community as much as we can and I thought we’d start with sports,” Slavin said. “I’ve always been in sports, and I know what it takes for kids to be in sports, what it takes for organizations to run sporting programs.” The Rustic Fork won’t be the last of Slavin and Mulder’s ventures. Slavin said he is already planning Gateway 1890, a tap house named after Blaine, the
gateway to the Pacific Northwest that was incorporated as a city in 1890. Slavin said he hopes Gateway 1890 could get going as soon as this spring. “I think 2021 is going to be exciting here in Blaine with a number of different things,” he said. “When the border opens, the Canadians are going to be surprised by what’s new here in Blaine.” To make reservations, email info@therusticforkeatery.com. The restaurant will designate half of its patio to reservations during the closure of indoor dining.
s From l., clockwise: Pazookie, cannoli, Italian cream filled donuts with chocolate, tiramisu lady fingers and bombolini.
s Sicilian pizza. Food photos courtesy Gary Slavin
s The Rustic Fork patio can seat 34 people and has three 10-foot industrial heaters. Photo courtesy Gary Slavin
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