All Point Bulletin – February 2022 by Point Roberts Press

February 2022

IN THIS

ISSUE

www.AllPointBulletin.com

Year in Review 2021 concludes, page 4

Schools need substitute teachers, page 5

ECRWSS PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14

FREE

Margot Griffiths meets Ollie Otter, page 8

Point Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local

Whoa, pardner! Slow down when passing horses ... A slew of local businesses change hands By Meg Olson In the words of Jimmy Buffett, the three well-known Point Roberts businesses have recently changed hands as their owners decided on “changes of latitude, changes in attitude.” After almost 60 years, ownership of Nielson’s Building Center has passed out of Nielson family hands, but not much will change, even the name. Lorne Nielson, who bought the business from his father Ron in 1990, said the sale of the business to Fred Pakzad was finalized on December 31, 2021. Pakzad is a local resident who also owns the Chevron gas station and Point Pantry. Few changes were proposed, Nielson said. The business will remain Nielson’s Building Center and longtime employee Michelle Schwalback will take over operations as general manager. “She has been here 16 years and knows everything,” he said, adding Pakzad will be more of a silent partner than involved in daily operations. Ron and Bev Nielson opened Nielson’s Lumber and Supply in 1963 after buying a store owned by the Thorsteinson family on the corner of Benson Road and Tyee Drive. Prior to the sale, Nielson said he was looking through old documents and photographs, even super-8 film of Bev serving tea at what he thinks was likely the opening of the lumber yard. He will be putting together a history of the business, which will run in the next edition of the All Point Bulletin. Just down the street from Nielson’s, Lynne and Snyder Vick, owners of the local gas station, store and shipping office for 17 years, have sold the Shell Center on Tyee Drive. Lynne said the sale of the property was finalized on the last day of 2021. When the Vicks purchased the gas station in 2004, it was a Texaco station with a small convenience store. They rebranded as a Shell station because it was more familiar to Canadians, and set about upgrading the store. “There were no espresso shops on the Point, so we attended an espresso school and hired a consultant who recommend(See Changes in attitude, page 2)

All Point Bulletin

e PB

WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN

s Horses can be easily spooked by loud or speeding vehicles leading to possible injuries to the riders or passersby. Please slow down and give plenty of room while passing. Above, from r., Michelle Schwalback, Breeda Desmond, Kimberly Butts and Darlene Gibbs. Schwalback estimates there are more than 50 horses in Point Roberts. Photo by Louise Mugar

Grants will help Whidbey extend broadband on Point By Meg Olson Whidbey Telecom has received grant funding to continue their push to build a fiber network to serve all the businesses and homes on the Point. “We continue to invest in Point Roberts and are excited about these opportunities,” said Whidbey Telecom chief operating officer Donna Hilty at a January 20 Zoom meeting of the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC). “Over the past couple of years, access to adequate internet speeds has gained attention from state and federal governments. Better connections and higher speeds are vitally important in this time where so much is done remotely.” In late 2021, Hilty said, they had re-

Join Our Mailing List!

ceived two federal grants totaling over $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that, combined with matching funds from the company, will be used to extend the fiber network to areas along the south and western edges of the Point. Boundaries of the areas chosen for the expansion, she explained, were determined by which areas experienced speeds under the thresholds for grant eligibility. When grants initially became available they were for areas that had no or extremely slow internet speeds. As eligibility requirements relax and more areas become eligible, Whidbey Telecom will continue to look for grant opportunities. One that got away, Hilty said, was a grant

Online

allpointbulletin.com facebook.com/allpointbulletin

Church ............................................. 15 Classifieds ......................................... 12 Coming Up ....................................... 13 Library ............................................. 14 Opinion ............................................... 4 Sheriffs ............................................. 13 Tides ................................................. 14

(See Whidbey, page 3)

SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Get the latest POINT ROBERTS news every week sent directly to your inbox! SIGN UP AT www.allpointbulletin.com/newsletter

Inside

All Point Bulletin • February 2022

Changes in attitude ... From page 1

ed roasting our own premium coffee beans imported from around the world,” Vick said. “Unused coolers at the back of the store were replaced with small coffee roasters, and Canadians began to visit us for our beans.” They added a wine section and expanded their offerings to include pizza and a variety of fresh baked goods. Having added a warehouse to the property, the Vicks were able to add a shipping and receiving business. Improvements in technology allowed the Vicks to return to mission work in Central America while running their business remotely for part of the year, and in

Roatan, Honduras, they met Chuck and Tia Laird who came to Point Roberts to manage the Shell Center. “They came up with the idea of reconfiguring the front of the store to look like a village and added the popular seating area at the back of the store,” Vick said. The Lairds started the Calvary Chapel in the old house at the corner of Benson Road and Tyee Drive and after telling the Vicks they wanted to spend more time devoted to their ministry, they said it was the right time to sell the business. The new buyers, Pinder and Robin Kallu of Kallu Enterprises, are working with the Lairds, who will continue to manage the business during the transition. Ten years after she opened Auntie Pam’s Country Store on Gulf Road, Pamala Shep-

pard will be handing over the keys and flying south right on schedule. “I always thought I would run it for 10 years and then sell it,” Pamala said. After their return from Puerto Vallarta at the end of 2021, where she and husband John had discussed retiring, the pieces seemed to fall into place to make that happen. Neil and Krystal King came into her store and expressed interest in buying it. An hour later, a local resident came in offering to buy the Sheppard’s house when they retired. “It was like standing on the top of a ski slope looking down and all of a sudden someone gives you a push,” Sheppard said. They plan to move at the end of March. Sheppard opened Auntie Pam’s Country Store in spring 2012 in the space where she had been managing McFrugal’s discount store. “I’d been a shop girl for a long time,” she said, having run her own store on Vashon

Island and having worked in numerous other retail businesses. “My vision was to have a place for the community to buy fun and creative things, a place to sell my line of personal care products, and a place for community fundraisers.” Over the years, Auntie Pam’s has hosted a variety of fundraisers including the Miniature Art Show, cookie contests and flea markets, raising funds for a number of local organizations. Today, Sheppard said the back room of the store has turned into her garage sale as they downsize while preparing to move. The Kings will take over Auntie Pam’s Country Store in March, she said, and rename the business Kora’s Corner Country Store after their new baby girl. “They will be bringing in new products, so there will be fresh ideas but it will have the same flavor,” Sheppard said. “And if we couldn’t laugh, we’d all go insane,” sang Jimmy Buffett.

WESTERN REALTY D!

ED DUC E R CE PRI

L SO

423 Tyee Road Commercial SHELL STATION

1994 E Saturna Place

709 Marine Drive

Crystal Water Beach, includes extra lot with studio.

Low bank, west facing. Amazing waterfront!

$759,000

$4,250,000

$825,000

G! IN D N PE

! NG I ND PE

1996 E Saturna Place

340 Boundary Bay Road

1379 Gulf Rd.

Exceptional Crystal Waters home with beach and tideland rights!

8+ Acres.

BREWSTER’S - Original Cannery Home! Residential/Commercial

$625,000

D OL

$625,000

$489,900

G! IN D N PE

L SO

1871 Johnson Rd.

1937 ASH Avenue

65 Calgary Way

The Ultimate Retreat .68 Acre Compound

South Beach Ocean View

Double Lot.

$279,000

$369,000

2172 Foxhole Rd.

$495,000

Bald Eagle Golf Course Lots Fully serviced lots starting at

$190,000

Ingrid Johnson

Build your custom home or choose from our floor plans.

ingridjohnson7@mac.com

206-391-0224

y r a u Febr

E C I PR ! S R E T S BU

206-658-5762

SPECIAL OF THE MONTH

Garbage Can

$1999

Sealant

10.1-Oz. Alex Flex Molding & Trim $ 29 770660

Tracy Evans

tracy.evans@kw.com

Celebrating 59 years in business! 1963 - 2022

Nielson’s Building Center

SHOP ONLINE:

Visit www.NielsonsBuildingCenter.com for over 65,000 products Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8-5 • Sat. 9-5 • Sun. Closed

391 Tyee Drive, Point Roberts, WA • 360.945.3116

February 2022 • allpointbulletin.com

Whidbey ... From page 1

from the state broadband office. “We submitted for this grant in partnership with peer companies,” she said. “In our original application, we had included Point Roberts; however, we had to take Point Roberts out of the application. One of the requirements was letters of support from Whatcom County officials which we were unable to get.” Whidbey Telecom representative Martha Ford clarified that they were unable to pursue $1 million in grant funding for fiber infrastructure in Point Roberts because county executive Satpal Sidhu declined to

provide a letter of support. “We’re not going to let that slow us down and we will continue to apply for all grants available,” Hilty said. The company is also looking for funding for projects to improve redundancies in the system, from a submarine cable to agreements improving transmission speeds through Canada. Asked for comment by the All Point Bulletin, the county executive’s office released the following statement: “The Whatcom County Executive’s Office received requests for letters of support for the Port’s application and Whidbey Telecom’s application for state broadband funds. The Port’s proposal aims to make available quality and affordable broadband service to at least 1,110 homes in a

timely manner. Whidbey Telecom’s proposal was less impressive in its scope, and questions remained about the timeliness of implementation and affordability of service. Recognizing that the State Broadband Office likely would not award two grants to Whatcom County projects, a letter of support was provided only for the Port’s project. We are happy to see this project receive funding. “At the same time, this should not be seen as a sign that Point Roberts is not a priority for the county’s broadband infrastructure development. The county is working with multiple partners to support broadband expansion in Point Roberts. While not yet finalized, these plans present an opportunity to markedly increase the quality and accessibility of broadband for Point Roberts residents and in a shorter timeframe than has previously been proposed by service providers in the area.”

One of Whidbey Telecom’s ongoing challenges to installing fiber for Point Roberts homes and businesses has been hiring qualified people to do the work on the Point. “We’re hiring!” Hilty said and directed applicants to the company website whidbeytel.com and following the careers link at the bottom of the home page. She also encouraged Point Roberts residents and businesses to write letters to support the company’s grant applications and send them to The BiGGiG@whidbeytel.com. Gina Starr with the Port of Bellingham’s Rural Broadband Project also addressed the committee, explaining the port’s program to build open access fiber infrastructure for unserved and underserved areas. While there are no projects planned for the Point, “We are assessing needs and hearing from the community,” she told the committee, as they plan future projects.

Hugh Wilson, Property Management, & Broker Hugh Call or text: 604-910-5968 Welcome Back our Canadian Friends and Neighbors!

Mr. Wilson

I would love to meet with you to discuss your cabin repair/renovation needs.

Call 360-945-1010 or email hwilson@pointroberts.net ALSO, MY TEAM CAN PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR SALE. Iconic Point Roberts building, the Roof House on

262 Shady Glen. 3BR w/office on quiet, desirable street. Plus garage. Priced to sell at

Marine Drive. Residential. Almost 2 acres.

$375,000.

NATIONAL REAL ESTATE

s Areas covered by the U.S.D.A grants awarded to Whidbey Telecom.

Courtesy of Whidbey Telecom

Auto Freight, Inc.

Residential - Construction - Business

We provide an Essential Service to Point Roberts. Please give us a call, 360-676-1174. WE’RE HERE TO HELP! IN BOUND & OUT BOUND FREIGHT SERVICES in the US and CANADA • In-Store Pick-ups / Freight Shipments

Come check out Dave’s ! W E N expanded produce selection! Come check out Dave’s expanded produce selection! Daily lunch and soup specials at the deli Mon - Fri. such as Lasagna, WeSwedish now have a full line of spirits in addition AMAZING DEALS ON FRESH Meatballs, Meatloaf, PRODUCE • FRESH CUT MEATS French Dip, Asian Rice Bowl. to our fine wine and beer selection! • CHEESES & MORE! A different choice each day!

GREAT VALUES! Check outout ourour great selection of: of: GREAT VALUES! Check great selection We offer a full line of spirits GREAT VALUES! Check out ouringreat selection of:

• Refrigerated Transport

• fresh produce fresh meats • cheeses addition to•our fine wine and • fresh produce • cut fresh cut meats • cheeses cut meats • cheeses • fresh produce • fresh beer selection! OPEN EVERYDAY OPEN EVERYDAY 8 A.M. - 10 P.M. 8 A.M. - 10 P.M. OPEN EVERYDAY 8 A.M. 10 P.M. Weekly in our our store storeflyer! flyer! WeeklyHOT HOTspecials specials- -Check Checkthem them out out in

• Flat deck or Cargo Trailer Transport — 24 ft flat deck trailer — 24 ft enclosed cargo trailer

360-676-1174 or email us at:

pointrobertsautofreight@gmail.com Bill and Michele Bennett purchased PRAF on Feb 16, 2019 and are committed to assisting with all your freight delivery needs!

www.pointrobertsautofreight.net

OPEN EVERYDAY!

Weekly HOT specials - Check them out in our store flyer!

Tyee Dr. • 360-945-0237 1 Find hundreds of COUPONS onlineatat COUPONS Find hundreds of online START SAVING! Find hundreds of www.PointRobertsMarketplace.com www.PointRobertsMarketplace.com www.PointRobertsMarketplace.com

Dean Priestman, Manager

Video && DVD DVD Video Dept. Dept.

Dean Priestman, ManagerManager Dean Priestman,

Monday Madness all rentals$ $4949 1

COUPONS Tyee Drive •ONLINE 945-0237 www.PointRobertsMarketplace.com AT

All Point Bulletin • February 2022

opinion

All Point Bulletin The All Point Bulletin is published each month by Point Roberts Press Inc. Total circulation is 9,000 copies including home delivery in Point Roberts and Tsawwassen, subscriptions and distribution to retail establishments on the Point. The opinion expressed by contributors is their own and is offered for the general interest of our readers. Mail and classified ads should be addressed to:

All Point Bulletin P.O. Box 1451 Point Roberts WA USA 98281

Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick J. Grubb Associate Publisher & Advertising Manager Louise H. Mugar News & Features Editor Meg Olson Copy Editor Aly McGee Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser Advertising Sales Molly Ernst

Contributors In This Issue Gina Gaudet, Margot Griffiths Kris Lomedico, Pamala Sheppard Mark Swenson Administrative Services Jeanie Luna Founding Editor Glennys Christie Business & Editorial Office Phone: 360/945-0413 Fax: 360/945-1613 Email: sales@allpointbulletin.com

Visit us online at:

www.allpointbulletin.com Printed in Canada • Vol. XXXVI, No. 10

Letters Policy The All Point Bulletin welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 450 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality and good taste. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Thank you letters should be limited to ten names. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please email your letter to: letters@allpointbulletin.com P.O. Box 1451, Point Roberts, WA 98281 Fax: 360/945-1613

Next issue: March 2022 Ads due: Feb. 21

Letters To The Editor The Editor and Dave Armstrong: Sorry to hear about your missing cat. I have a fabulous cat too; I would hate to have him go missing. But why do you have a collar with a bell on her? That’s like a lunch bell for coyotes! I would never put a collar nor a bell on my cat. He has an identification tattoo in his ear if he gets lost and found, which is all they need. Byron Moore Tsawwassen The Editor: On behalf of all animals in Point Roberts please be aware the maximum speed is 30 mph. Some roads are 25 mph. Please slow down to 15 mph when you see horses on our roads, passing slowly far and wide. This request is for the safety of everyone and would be greatly appreciated. Darlene Gibbs and the horse owners of Point Roberts Point Roberts The Editor: I love being an American and the Whidbey Telecom grant is amazing; Point Rob-

2021

year in

REVIEW

erts needs it. I am just so saddened that the photograph was of a group of socially irresponsible adults with no masks. Carollyne Sinclaire Point Roberts (Ed. note: The writer is referring to a photograph published in the ePB. The individuals pictured had removed their masks momentarily while the photograph was taken.) The Editor: Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “The time is always right, to do what is right.” On this, nearly all of us agree. Where we tend to drift apart, is what we think is “right.” It should be no surprise, that what most concerns the League of Women Vot-

ers (LWV), is the right to vote, as that is the cornerstone of our democracy. In the U.S., over the past 233 years, we have seen more access to voting for more of our citizens. But it has been a tough road with many potholes. The members of the LWV recognize that the source of our power, compassion, conviction, brilliance and resilience, as a country, lies not only in our representative democracy but in the diversity of our citizens. As we begin a new year, it is essential that we guarantee the right and access to vote to all through the Freedom to Vote Act (S.2747), and restore and strengthen the bipartisan Voting Rights Act of 1965 by passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA). King said, “No one is free until we are all free.” LWV has been fighting for the right to vote for over 100 years and voting is the foundation of a strong democracy where all can enjoy the richness of an engaged, diverse society. I urge you to raise your voice and be a voter. Joy Monjure, branch president, League of Women Voters Bellingham

A Look Back at the Year That Just Was

By Meg Olson (Ed. Note: Following is the second installment of the 2021 Year in Review article.) August • Point Roberts celebrated an old-fashioned Fourth of July and on July 5 members of the community met up with community members from North of the border for a hands-across-the-border demonstration. • Governor Jay Inslee visited Point Roberts bringing $100,00 in relief funding to keep the local grocery store open. With him were state representatives Alicia Rule and Sharon Shewmake, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene and county executive Satpal Sidhu. • The U.S. extended the border closure again until at least August 21, 519 days since it was first closed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Canada announced it would open the border to nonessential travel on August 9 for travelers with some conditions: full vaccination with a vaccine approved in Canada, a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours, use of the ArriveCAN app and a quarantine plan in place. “Habitual residents” of Point Roberts were allowed to visit the communities in Delta for day trips without the testing requirement. The failure of the Biden administration to open the border to nonessential travel as well, was widely criticized by elected officials representing Point Roberts. • County executive Satpal Sidhu appointed Bill Zidell to one of three open at-large positions on the PRCAC and the committee scheduled a townhall to allow candidates for the remaining positions to meet the community. • A collection of businesses from both sides of the border helped to sponsor Family Days at Baker Field. • The fire district upped its Covid-19 testing program given requirements for cross-border travel. • Fundraisers for Trinity Lutheran Church urged donations to keep the condemned sanctuary from collapse. • A baker’s dozen of local students received funds from the local branch of Dollars for Scholars to pursue their education.

September • Some parents and community members protested at Blaine schools as students prepared to head back to class under a mandate requiring masks and vaccinations for staff. • PRCAC members committed to establishing a framework to track how much sales tax is collected in Point Roberts as a tool to lobby the county to ensure funds collected here are spent on the Point. • Circle of Care’s community assessment survey results showed strong support for building a physical facility to serve as a retirement community or assisted living facility. • Whatcom County health department staff indicated support for a PRCAC proposed community cleanup event once the border is open again. • Kids Kamp was cancelled for its final week after an increase in COVID cases on the Point and possible exposure of one of the families attending the summer camp. • PRCAC presented a proposal for an offleash dog park at Lighthouse Marine Park to Whatcom County parks commissioners. October • Whatcom County Council approved allocating $250,000 in emergency funding from American Rescue Plan funds to help

Point Roberts businesses. • Results of the 2020 Census showed the population of Point Roberts had dropped by 9.4 percent over 10 years and that residents are on average older than in other parts of the county. • The U.S. government announced that it would loosen restrictions on air travel in November but that restrictions at land borders would stay put, drawing criticism from elected officials from border communities coast to coast. • Whatcom County parks commissioners directed staff to bring them more information, postponing a decision on a proposed off-leash dog park at Lighthouse Marine Park. • The Friends of The Point Roberts Library opened The Commons in the back room of the community center, a space for their used book sales and a place for people to get together a few times a week. • National Geographic with Lindblad Expeditions added the Point to their itinerary exploring the Salish Sea. • With Covid-19 cases popping up in Blaine schools superintendent Christopher Granger urged students and staff to stay home if they felt ill in order to slow (See YIR, next page)

Thank you for supporting local journalism. “We finally got to see our cabin after almost 2 years! Though I read the paper online, I got your January 2022 edition. Now again we can’t get through to visit. I saw your ad and have decided to send you enough to cover my and my daughter’s support. We are a family of 12 with 2 cabins and truly miss our time at the Point. Wishing everyone a Covid Free 2022!” - Linda Schwarz

Kandy & Pat Harper • Carol Fowler • John Uren Linda Schwarz • Julie Schwarz

You can also contribute online at allpointbulletin.com

Support

$24

(or whatever you can)

Name: Email: Address: City: State:

Zip:

MAIL TO: All Point Bulletin, PO Box 1451, Point Roberts, WA 98281 l 360/945-0413

February 2022 • allpointbulletin.com

YIR ... From page 4

transmission and keep schools open to in-person, full-time learning. • Through a 2022 Whatcom County lodging tax promotion grant, the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce launched a new promotion program to draw visitors to Point Roberts one the border opens. • A statewide ban on single use plastic bags in stores went into effect. • The drive-through lunch program offered by the local senior center was booming in popularity. The program has been open to all community members during the pandemic and is serving up to three times as many meals. November • Whatcom County Council members sent executive Satpal Sidhu back to the drawing board on how to spend $250,000 of aid to Point Roberts they had approved in September. Only two of the members at an October 26 council of the whole had an opinion on the three options Sidhu presented, and only expressed lukewarm support for direct grants to businesses. • Point Roberts was designated an affiliate of the Washington Main Street Program, a state program designed to revitalize the commercial core of communities. • High winds and waves battered the Point during a “bomb cyclone” weather event. • The U.S. government extended the closure of the border to nonessential travel until January 2021, with the caveat that fully vaccinated individuals will not be subject to the limitation as of November 8. Canada allowed “habitual residents” of the Point to travel to Delta without a negative Covid-19 test but maintained that

requirement to enter Canada for all other travelers, keeping that barrier in place for visitors to the Point trying to return home. • The Reef closed for the winter. Owner Nick Kiniski said the requirement for a negative Covid-19 test will continue to deter visitors from Canada to support his business. • Fire chief Christopher Carleton reiterated that the state would cover the cost of Covid-19 tests for Point Roberts residents without insurance coverage for the testing. • With the governor’s vaccine mandate about to take effect, the Blaine school district reported 91 percent of employees were vaccinated, while nine percent were exempted. • With the county anticipating delayed response to snow events this winter due to Covid-19 and other staffing issues the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce renewed its request to the county to stage equipment on the Point and set up a roster of licensed local operators to use it under the direction of fire chief Christopher Carleton. • Durring the election of directors at the annual meeting of the taxpayers’ association, an objection by member Jana Walker to candidate Annelle Norman on the grounds she was not a property owner and therefore not a taxpayer by the association’s definition called into question the validity of some memberships and led to a call to revise bylaws to reflect the associations more inclusive practices. • County parks commissioners decided against moving forward on a proposed offleash dog park at Lighthouse Marine Park based on opposition from county parks director Michael McFarlane. • The local clinic added doctor Kelly Evans and nurse Cheryl Kirton to their staff.

Blaine schools in need of substitutes By Ian Haupt The Blaine school district is looking for substitutes in all positions. Superintendent Christopher Granger is encouraging anybody who thinks they may have an interest in education or would like to lend the school district a helping hand to reach out to the district’s human resources department. Granger said the district had an average of 23 jobs open on any given day. Schools nationwide are having similar staffing shortages. Covid-19 protocols require teachers and staff to stay home if they have Covid-19 symptoms when they may have otherwise come to class. This leaves positions open that need filling. Granger said the goal is to keep as many kids as possible learning in the classroom. To do so, he said the district needs more people

available in its substitute pool. The school board recently voted to increase the daily rate for substitute teachers from $125 to $157.50. This is the second highest rate in Whatcom County behind the Bellingham school district, which offers substitute teachers $158 a day. Administrative staff is covering for teachers in classrooms when needed. Communications director Lisa Moeller said Blaine schools are especially in need of support secretaries. “We could really use support in that area,” she said. Other positions include teachers, bus drivers, classroom support, custodial support, food service, maintenance, health room assistant, specialized associate and student supervision. Registered substitutes can block out times when they are unavailable and turn down any assignment, according to the district.

Piaa Shokair joined the clinic as receptionist. December • A state of emergency was declared for Whatcom County after devastating flooding closed roads and led to hundreds being evacuated. • Fire district personnel, health clinic staff and a squad of volunteers mounted a massive vaccination and testing efforts after returning Canadian property owners drove up demand due to testing requirements to return to Canada. • Mitch Friedman was appointed to one of two empty positions on the parks board. • Heavy rainfall resulting in higher than normal water levels in the lagoon at Oceanview Estates led property owners to ask the marina to open gates controlling outflow to the ocean.

Point Roberts Hair Stylist

t l u a N n i b o R 360-945-1301 Cell: 360-927-5403

REAL ESTATE • PROPERTY RIGHTS ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE BUSINESS • U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE

Visit my Blog www.stowelawpllc.com stowelawpllc@outlook.com

360-945-0337

P.O. Box 129 • Point Roberts, WA 98281

CERTIFIED AGENT

Transfer Station 2005 Johnson Rd.

TRANSFER STATION REGULAR HOURS

Thursdays & Sundays 12 Noon - 4PM Only U.S. funds will be accepted.

CURBSIDE COLLECTION

R E A LT Y

BOUNDARY BAY REALTY LISTINGS: - AVAILABLE $54,900 - Georgia Ct - Building lot on dead-end road $64,900 - Greenwood Dr - 1/4 Acre includes water meter $349,000 - 61 Diane Cir - 2 bed 1 bath near Maple Beach

- RECENTLY SOLD BY BOUNDARY BAY REALT Y: $47,500 - Moose Trail - Vacant lot $266,500 - 1871 Johnson Rd - Cabin on 2/3 acre

Dan Schroeder, Managing Broker dan.schro@gmail.com

360-999-9365

BoundaryBayRealty.com Boundary Bay Realty LLC, WA License #27367

Please contact our office (360) 945-2636, Monday — Friday 10:30am - 2:30pm to arrange for recycling bins and routing information. 2030 Benson Road Clinic Hours: Monday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday 10 a.m.– 6 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. **Closed from 12-1 p.m.

Call 360-945-2580 For info & appointments

EOW AND RECYCLING DATES: Monday Route, Feb. 7 & 21 Tuesday Route, Feb. 8 & 22 Wednesday Route, Feb. 9 & 23

MORE DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE AT: www.candord.com

The Point Roberts Clinic is Owned by the Point Roberts Public Hospital District & operated by SuperTrack Urgent Care.

To arrange, please call or email:

Open Monday-Saturday in Bellingham Also Telemedicine appointments available. Call 360-746-6531

www.pointrobertsclinic.com

360-945-CNDO (2636) www.candord.com

info@candord.com

All Point Bulletin • February 2022

PRO

IONAL

BER

Point Roberts | 360-945-0420 maureen@pointrobertscounseling.com www.pointrobertscounseling.com

American Counseling Association

Private and confidential Call or e-mail for an appointment

Whatcom County Fire District #5 Point Roberts

Community Paramedic CARES Program

Providing non-emergency home medical care, education and referral services.

s Three of four recently appointed parks commissioners were sworn in on December 14; from l., Mitch Friedman, Michael Cressy and Matt Wang. Bill Zidel was sworn in at the parks district first meeting in January.

For an appointment or more information, please contact Chief Christopher Carleton at 360-945-3473 or chief@wcfd5.com

Photo by Bennett Blaustein

The Immigration Immigration Law The LawFirm Firm •• U.S. U.S. green TN (NAFTA) green cards /cards / •naturalization work permits • naturalization Work / investor visas • Inadmissibility waivers • U.S. Citizenship claims •www.blaineimmigration.com Denied entry waivers Martin St., Suite 1010 • Blaine, WA •435Removal hearings • NEXUS appeals

360-332-7100

Leonard D.M. Saunders, Attorney at Law

www.blaineimmigration.com • 435 Martin St., Suite 2010 • Blaine, WA

WE SHIP! Local authors, New releases, Books, Maps, Cards, Stickers

Leonard D.M. Saunders, Attorney at Law

on Coupeville’s historic waterfront 16 NW Front St., Coupeville, WA

360-678-8463

kingfisherbookstore.com

Get the results you want from experienced dentists who LISTEN, SERVE & CARE.

2021

year in

REVIEW A LOOK BACK

POINT ROBERTS Library

B y K r i s L om e d i c o We began the year working behind the scenes, but the Library Express Room was open daily for convenient pick-ups, with a small selection of movies and books for browsers, and curbside service as well. When we opened in the spring, it was masks on, social distancing and sanitizing. Then no masks, then masks, mask protocol, etc. Events and meetings were all by Zoom, but included story times, craft projects, summer reading and book clubs. Currently, masks are required for ages two and up. Items checked out by our Canadian visitors were extended many times to avoid lost status issues, and of course, there are no late fines for anyone. Quite the number of new families began using the library and, of course, there

2021

year in

REVIEW A LOOK BACK

POINT ROBERTS PAWS

By Pam Sarkissian

OUR SERVICES: • Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry (crowns, bridges, bonding, veneers, smile design, implant crowns, whitening, clear aligners) • General Dentistry (hygiene, fillings, fresh breath treatment) • Neuromodulator Injectables for headaches/migraines/TMJ • Cosmetic Injectables for fine facial lines & wrinkles • Venus Viva & Microneedling for skin resurfacing NEW • Rodan + Fields Cosmeceutical skin care

Drs. Jan & Warren Roberts

DENTAL PATIENT SPECIAL! Visit robertsdental.ca for details.

5550 12th Avenue, Tsawwassen • 604-943-3343

The PAWS listserv creates connection for the residents of Point Roberts and for those farther afield. It is free to join and to post notices on our e-bulletin board. The PAWS charity board of directors is grateful for the support of our community through your generous donations toward animals – those family members that are our pets, and those animals in the wild. Some of the projects that we devote our time and resources to include helping with

288 Martin Street, Downtown Blaine (360) 332-7300 • (604) 256-1384 Fortiphi.com

Policies for all your personal & business needs. Great, affordable rates - Call us for a FREE QUOTE today!

Representing over 44 major insurance companies for all your insurance and risk management needs. Foritphi Insurance is an independent insurance agency serving the Northwest since 1954.

Call our team today for all your insurance needs.

was the governor’s visit this summer! His front men were shown the unmarked, rubble-strewn entrance to the airstrip and the governor had to help push the plane into the parking spot. Business owners had a good chance to speak about the consequences of the border closure. With many border restrictions lifted, usage is up and many folks have needed assistance to submit proper ArriveCan entries. A new print policy allows up to $7 free printouts per patron, per week, and has seen many takers. Knit night began again, and is currently sharing that time with board game time, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday nights. Children’s programs continue via Zoom, and there is much to look forward to this coming year. Mainly, we are thrilled to see many people using our lovely space.

spaying and neutering of feral cats. We also help support people in need with vet bills and pet food. PAWS is working on the ongoing development of a roster of people who are able to foster and pet-sit. Our goal is to create connections between animals in need and humans who can help. In Point Roberts, wildlife is of great concern to many of us. We advocate for poison-free pest control and we continue to promote pollinator habitats through literature and the sale of bee houses. Though we have been unable – due to Covid – to hold our very popular “Every Dog is a Winner” event, we look forward to soon welcoming back all the beautiful dogs of Point Roberts to strut their stuff at the community center, hopefully this summer. You may subscribe to PAWS by emailing paws-interface@pointroberts.net and we will be happy to put you on the list. If you have something you want to sell or give away, are looking for something, have a property for rent or looking for one, or have a community notice to send out, simply send it to the same email address and we’ll send it out to our 900+ subscribers. Again, we thank the citizens and friends of Point Roberts for your continued support. The service has been very active this past year and it’s rewarding.

February 2022 • allpointbulletin.com

Stand up, get involved, do good B y P at G r u bb There looks to be opportunities for community-minded individuals to step up and put their name forward to be appointed to one of our local districts. Two sitting commissioners, one at the fire district and the other at the hospital district, have announced their intentions to resign their seats. Fire commissioner Raye Newman told fellow commissioners at the fire district’s regular meeting on January 12 that he and his wife would be moving from the Point and that his resignation would be effective January 31, 2022. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with you,” Newman said. A notice from fire chief Christopher Carleton and commission chair Virginia Lester subsequently called for individuals to make their interest known. “A recent resignation has resulted in an opening that the board of commissioners is seeking to fill by appointment. The commissioners are looking for a motivated, thoughtful, community-oriented individual who understands the importance in helping guide the current and future work of a progressive community emergency services agency. Interested individuals must be a registered voter, U.S. citizen, 18 or older, no felony status and a permanent resident of Point Roberts.

If you are interested, compose a letter stating your reasons for seeking the position, along with a professional resume and send to fire chief Christopher Carleton at chief@wcfd5.com no later than Friday, January 28, 2022 at 5 p.m. If you have questions regarding the position or the process, contact chief Carleton or board chair Virginia Lester at vlester@ wcfd5.com.” The appointment of the position could take place at the regularly scheduled monthly board meeting on February 9. Later that same day, hospital district commissioner Richard Dennis announced his intention to give up his seat. “For personal reasons, I will be moving to Texas at the end of March or beginning of April. My wife and I are selling our house – this is a permanent move and I will be tendering my resignation at the conclusion of the February meeting to give the district time to find a replacement in time for the March meeting. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work with everyone.” After thanking Dennis for his service, hospital commission chair Stephen Falk said, “I would encourage people to consider becoming a commissioner.” Those interested in serving on the hospital board may write district superintendent Barbara Wayland at superintendent@ prphd.org.

Yacht Sales–Power and Sail Service Import export experts - we will help you navigate both Canada Customs and US Customs Services mechanical, electrical, sailboat experts Delivery services Monthly monitoring Your Point Roberts , Blaine and Semiahmoo Broker of choice 27 years in Business

Pacific Coast Yacht Sales & Service

202

year in

REVIEW A LOOK BACK

POINT ROBERTS

Chamber of Commerce

By Louise Mugar The Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce has faced the hardships to Point Roberts businesses since the start of the pandemic, head on. Brian Calder, president of the chamber, has sent out numerous press releases and conducted over 400 interviews locally and world-wide over the past 18 months concerning the isolation of Point Roberts due to international border restrictions brought on by Covid-19. • Submitted presentation to the Wilson Center on behalf of the four exclaves.

• Submitted letters to: The Port of Bellingham urging them to consider a purchase of the Point Roberts Marina. Whatcom County, twice, requesting consideration of allowing a small works roster administered locally to fund emergency services as situations arise. • Hosted Whatcom County Executive at a luncheon to meet chamber directors and to share local business concerns. • Hosted Governor Inslee, state representatives Rule and Shewmake, and Congress(See Chamber, page 14)

Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce

www.pointrobertschamberofcommerce.com

CANADA, WE’VE MISSED YOU! Please come back to Point Roberts! No Covid PCR tests required for fully-vaccinated Canadians returning to Canada after visiting Point Roberts, WA!

BREAKING NEWS

The December 20, 2021 Government of Canada Order in Council No. PC 2021-1050 exempts fully-vaccinated Canadian citizens from Covid-19 testing when returning to Canada from Point Roberts. The only requirement for re-entry to Canada is proof of vaccination and the quick completion of the ArriveCAN app form.

YACHTS SALES • YACHT BROKERAGE • SERVICE Philip A. Cragg, President Point Roberts, WA • 604.708.1980 • Richmond, BC

www.PacificCoastYachtSales.ca

Email: PacificCoast@telus.net

BC CERTIFIED BROKER • BONDED AND LICENSED IN WA STATE

Come visit Point Roberts and take advantage of the many amenities* our community has to offer: • Grocery and Gift Shopping • Gas Stations (gas currently $1.05 US per litre) • Parcel Pick-up and Shipping Services • Pubs and Restaurants • Parks, Trails and Other Outdoor Recreation Services • Marina Services

Come check out our competitive gas prices and our fine selection of beers and wine for all occasions.

Growler refills available on tap. 5 flavors to choose from. For your

ne i w d n a r e e needs! fuel, dairy, b

Open 7am-11pm 7 days a week! 1557 Gulf Rd.

Across from the Post Office

360-945-7611

* Some businesses may be temporarily operating on a reduced service schedule. We are defined not by our border, but by our bond. - Barack Obama

Public health and safety are our top priorities! Eighty-seven percent of Point Roberts’ residents are fully-vaccinated! Thank you for respecting public health guidelines!

Point Roberts - you’re good to go! www.pointrobertschamberofcommerce.com

All Point Bulletin • February 2022

People of the Point By Margot Griffiths It’s Saturday morning at the Point Roberts Community Center, and a knot of people gather around the corner booth at Your Local Small Market. Ollie Otter Bakery is offering a selection of scones, breads, cookies and petite delectable treats. The jewels in the display case are the lavishly frosted cupcakes. In a few hours everything will be gone. “I’ve always wanted to own a bakery,” Kathleen Friedman says, “And Point Roberts is the only place where there isn’t one on each corner. I put myself through grad school with my baking.” Now Kathleen is

LIFESTYLE CLOTHING

FOR MEN & WOMEN Billabong • O’Neill Element • Rhythm Herschel • Reef SAXX • Corkcicle Native Northwest Obey • Sun Bum Stance

Shop online at www.angelas.ca

4831 Delta St. Ladner Village

Since 1985

604.946.5211

combining two loves – her career as a professor and her joy for baking. With a PhD in education from Capella University in Minnesota, she has 20 years’ experience teaching and mentoring doctoral candidates online. Kathleen does data analysis for students completing their research. If her analysis matches theirs, good. If she finds inconsistencies, they are back to the drawing board. But back to the bakery. Sitting in a kitchen that smells like ambrosia, I watch Kathleen lift bread loaves from the oven. She’s trying out a unique Japanese loaf pan, consisting of interlocking pieces of wood, which she disassembles to free four perfectly baked loaves. “I love experimenting. I don’t like to do the same recipe twice.” Her inventiveness means she doesn’t have to follow recipes. She creates them. Mitch Friedman enters the kitchen, ready for his day of substitute teaching at Point Roberts Primary School. He enters easily into the conversation. “Kathleen’s always been my motivation,” he says. “When we met, she was raising a young child and doing a doctorate.” She was also baking, I’m thinking, stuffing my feelings of culinary envy. “We help each other out a lot,” Mitch continues. “With Kathleen, it’s always worked.” She chuckles. “Well, Mitch has appeased me a lot. He’s very supportive.” Mitch bakes too, specializing in cookies. They have a Cottage License for their business, which means there can only be 50 items, with all ingredients listed, and no meat or cheese products. “Nothing that (Please turn to the next page)

TRUSTED CROSS-BORDER FINANCIAL GUIDANCE We provide cross-border wealth management advice and solutions to both American and Canadian citizens resident in the US and Canada. If you find yourself facing increasing financial complexity due to cross border legal, tax, investment, regulatory, estate and foreign exchange considerations, we can help. Clients that benefit from fully integrated cross-border investment management are: • • • • •

Business owners with companies in the US and Canada Executives and professionals working and living in the US and Canada Canadians and Americans retiring in the US or Canada Americans and Canadians returning home Canadians and Americans receiving or bequeathing inheritances on both sides of the border

If you would like help in navigating your cross-border issues and developing a clear, personalized and integrated financial and investment plan, my office is very close to Point Roberts, give me a call:

Curt Hillier, CIM® Portfolio Manager Raymond James (USA) Ltd. 3 - 1359 56th St., Delta, BC V4L 2P3 T: 800.668.3088 curt.hillier@rjlu.com www.RJLU.com

Raymond James (USA) Ltd., member FINRA/SIPC. RJLU advisors may only conduct business with residents of the states and/or jurisdictions for which they are properly registered.

February 2022 • allpointbulletin.com needs refrigeration, that’s key for safety,” Kathleen says. Though both are originally from California, they met online in Portland. “It was one of the first dating apps, 20 years ago,” Mitch says, “It centered on food. We visited fine restaurants.” Kismet. They became a blended family with three sons. “Yours, mine and ours,” Kathleen says. The two older sons are on their way to adulthood; the bakery is named for their seven-year-old son, Ollie. Kathleen’s introduction to Point Roberts happened years ago. “My grandparents came here from California,” Kathleen says. “They had a summer place and my brothers and sister and I visited. I remember the candy store, the roller rink. I was about five. When my grandparents sold the cottage, I threw a temper tantrum and vowed I would make it back here.” And so she did. In January, 2020 they bought a house and – with her older son, Gavin, in university – Kathleen moved here with Ollie. Mitch continued to work in Portland and parent his teenaged son, Zack. With a degree in elementary educa-

tion, Mitch was teaching, but had to leave the classroom when the pandemic hit. “So, I went back to geology – my first degree from Oregon State – and managed construction projects.” Last August he was able to join his family in Point Roberts. Zack visits from Portland and work opportunities opened up. Mitch is substitute teaching in Blaine and in Point Roberts, where Ollie is one of his students. “It’s working out well. We do a lot of communicating. I was a stayat-home dad for two years; there’s a close bond.” Kathleen and Mitch are foodies from widely different backgrounds. “I grew up on a dairy goat farm,” Kathleen says. “Before it was cool to go from farm to table; that’s how I grew up.” Mitch’s grandfather ran a deli in Queens, New York. Food is in their blood. And now so is Point Roberts. “Everyone talks about the beauty around us,” Kathleen says. “I also see the beauty within. The beauty within the people. The talent here ... for me it’s unique. This amazing culture of talent. Knitters, quilters, bee-

keepers, actors, writers, movie producers. All of this breeds creativity.” Point Roberts is benefitting from their creativity. “Kathleen puts her heart and soul into cooking and baking,” Mitch says. “The bakery – she backed into it. She loves it and wants to please everyone. Talent and skill, yes, but it comes from in here.” He taps his chest. From within.

To make its mark as Point Roberts’ first ever bakery, Ollie Otter needs to be exceptional. And it is. Checking out the website, I’m making a list. The breads, the cakes! Everything is baked to order, and here’s their bottom line: “We can make just about anything you can dream up.” Check out the Ollie Otter Bakery at ollieotterbakery.com

BLOOMING IN SPRING 2022! Clover Blossom Farm local ~ organically grown ~ cut flowers Contact us to learn more about monthly flower shares (CSA) and our Sharing Flowers with Seniors program

s Kathleen Friedman attending her Ollie Otter Bakery booth at Your Local Small Market.

Courtesy photo

cloverbfarm@gmail.com

360-945-1447

All Point Bulletin • February 2022

e t i r e d r o B ort Rep

THE

Brought To You By

The Blaine School

Point Roberts Primary 2050 Benson Rd, P.O. Box 910 Point Roberts, WA 98281 945-ABCD (2223)

District

TEACHER’S CORNER Our learning journey around the world continues. So far this year we have visited Brazil, Japan, France and Egypt. During our country studies students learn about the culture, monuments or places, special foods and celebrations. We are also learning how to say hello in different languages as we travel from country to country. During our France studies, our students learned about the history of the Eiffel Tower and then created their own individual watercolor masterpieces. We hope you enjoy the artistic work from our Kindergarteners and 1st Graders and we look forward to sharing it with you in person at the local library, where some of our student's art from Brazil is currently on display.

Jessie Hettinga, M.S.Ed.

Principal/K-3 Teacher, Point Roberts Primary 360-945-2223 * jhettinga@blainesd.org

by Jeremiah Hen

Just eight out of 34 businesses, or 34 percent, of Point Roberts businesses who applied for funding from the Working Washington Border Business Relief Program received any money from the program. The program was part of the state’s series of Working Washington grants aimed to bring relief to businesses during the pandemic. Applications opened for two weeks in mid-October, with all businesses awarded seeing the money by the end of 2021, said department of commerce spokesperson Penny Thomas. The eight successful grantees received a total of $130,018 in funding. Businesses were able to request funds in $10,000 ranges up to $50,000. In funding rank (with requested amount following), the following businesses received: Bald Eagle Golf Course $39,000 ($40,000+) Point Roberts Marina $39,000 ($40,000+) Kiniski’s Reef $20,000 ($40,000+) Larry’s Liquor Locker $20,000 ($40,000+) Perk You Up Cleaning $6,772 ($10,000+) BM Charmed $3,247 ($10,000+) Breakwaters Bar & Grill $2,000 ($40,000+)

“The Eiffel Tower in Paris”

by Kyleigh Coe

Most businesses out of luck for state funding

by Aletheia Brunsvik

In Whatcom County, 107 of 455 applicants were awarded border town grants, or 23.5 percent of those who applied. Statewide, about 20 percent of applicants received the grant. Blaine and Birch Bay businesses received $226,639 in this go-around. Whatcom County received $1.47 million in grants, meaning Blaine and Birch Bay businesses received 15.3 percent of the county’s

grants. The top recipients in Blaine and Birch Bay were: Big Al’s $29,000 ($40,000+) Birch Bay Waterslides $26,500 ($40,000+) Tru-Line Laser Alignment $20,000 ($20,000+) Hill’s Chevron $20,000 ($40,000+) Tahara Consulting LLC $20,000 ($40,000+) 5dpackages $20,000 ($40,000+) Inficom, Inc. $15,685 ($30,000+). Black Forest Steakhouse $12,000 ($40,000+) Statewide, businesses were awarded $2.6 million. Whatcom County, by far, received the most grant money and number of businesses awarded, 206, than any of the other nine counties eligible for the grant. Skagit County had the second highest number of businesses to receive grants, at 23. Nearly one-third of the 62 Blaine and Birch Bay businesses that applied for the grant received an award. Thomas said award amounts varied significantly because of several factors such as the department subtracting businesses’ previous Working Washington grants and the amount requested. Grants were awarded based on whether the business was located within 20 miles of the U.S./Canada border; industries that have been greatly impacted by the closure such as retail and tourism; business size; lost revenue between 2019 and 2020 or added expenses; and businesses in rural, low-income and/or underserved communities such as minorities and veterans.

Water district hopes for grant funds By Meg Olson by Dylan DeHaan

by Oliver Friedman

by Jasmine Le

by Bay Foster

Here are quotes about France.... The Eiffel Tower is curved and pointy. - Emmett Grade 2

The Point Roberts water district is asking to be considered a high priority when the county decides how to hand out federal infrastructure dollars. In a January 18 letter to county executive Satpal Sidhu and council member Ben Elenbaas, Point Roberts water district commissioners said the funds were needed to replace “most of its water supply infrastructure.” “Most of our infrastructure was put in 60 years or more ago,” the letter states. “This aging infrastructure has been failing at an alarming rate. Based on recent data from the American Society of Civil Engineers, we estimate the cost of replacement to be approximately $34 million. This is well beyond our means to remedy.” District manager Dan Bourks said while

the water district has for the last 10 years been factoring the cost of main replacement into regular rate reviews it has been insufficient to keep up with rising construction costs. “We keep chipping away at it but costs have gone up so much in the last few years,” he said. In all, the district has almost 30 miles of 6-inch and under concrete pipe that is becoming more and more susceptible to breaks and requires replacement. Breaks have been incurring with increasing frequency while an earthquake could cause a widespread failure of the water distribution system. “It is imperative we be proactive in replacing these pipes or face a potential calamity,” commissioners wrote to the county. “The funds available from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act give us hope we can act sooner rather than later.”

Some of the most famous monuments are in France. - Riley Grade 3 France has really famous paintings. - Tomas Grade 3 They paint the Eiffel Tower brown. - Damian Grade 2 The Eiffel Tower is in France. - Felix Grade 2 The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be demolished after the World Fair. - Oliver Grade 1 They paint the Eiffel Tower every 7 years. - Naeve Grade 2 and Bay Grade 1 They eat a lot of bread in France. - Jasmine Grade 1 France is divided by a bridge. - Alice Grade 3 France has a lot of people. - Aletheia Kindergarten They take a two hour lunch in France. - Dylan Kindergarten They eat slugs. - Jonathan Grade 2

Check out our district website! www.blainesd.org

Providing exceptional senior care & services for more than 60 years in Whatcom County Newly Remodeled & Spacious Private Suites, TV, Wi-Fi, Phone All Major Insurances Accepted • MDCR / MDCD Post-Acute Rehab / Skilled Nursing Edema Management / Wound Care

456 ‘C’ Street, Blaine 98230 • 360-332-8733 www.good-sam.com/stafholt

February 2022 • allpointbulletin.com

Confluence of factors end in tragedy B y P a t G r u bb A combination of driver inexperience, high speed and alcohol resulted in the death of Samuel Morson in a single-car accident last June at Maple Beach, according to the results of a Washington State Patrol investigation. Morson, 18, died after crashing into the Maple Beach seawall at the corner of Bayview Drive and Roosevelt Way on June 1, 2021. Driving his grandfather’s Tesla 3, he had driven from his family’s summer cabin starting at 9:08 p.m. According to a Tesla cloud database, at 9:17:14, the cruise control was increased from 22 mph to 90 mph (at which speed, Teslas are engineered to disable auto-drive features including auto-braking and cruise control) with the throttle applied at a maximum 100 percent. At 9:18:17, or 33 seconds later, the Tesla slammed into the seawall at a speed of 138 mph. No brakes were applied and only a slight steering input to the right was indicated. Depending upon the model configuration, Tesla 3s have a top speed in excess of 155 mph. The corner of Roosevelt Way and Bayview Drive has a suggested speed limit of 15 mph. Immediately following the collision, a number of bystanders including three off-duty Delta firefighters and a Vancou-

ver police sergeant endeavored to help the driver who was trapped and unconscious. Soon thereafter, 10 Point Roberts fire department personnel attended the scene as did two Delta fire department units with nine firefighters as well as three officers each from Delta Police and the RCMP. Using the jaws of life, Point Roberts emergency personnel extricated the young man from the car which was emitting white smoke. After CPR was administered and vital signs of life were restored, Morson was airlifted to St. Joseph PeaceHealth Medical Center in Bellingham. He later died around 4 a.m. on June 2. According to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office incident detail report, a “preliminary blood alcohol test [of Morson] resulted in a 0.09 BAC (blood alcohol concentration).” As per the Revised Code of Washington, the autopsy report on Morson was redacted in toto. The conclusion released last fall by Washington State Patrol officer Brian Thompson reads: “This appears to be caused when a young man with minimal driving experience, and some alcohol in his system, making a decision involving excessive speed that came to a horrible conclusion costing Samuel Morson his life.” Morson would have turned 19 on August 12, 2021.

Recipes of the Point By Pamala Sheppard Today we meet Antonio Sule, Point Roberts’ own Mexican chef! Antonio came to Point Roberts just to help a fellow chef out in her time of need and, as many of us did, just fell in love with the place. Antonio grew up in southern California watching his grandma Nena cook banquets for his large family for every wedding, homecoming, birthday and family event with food aplenty for up to 75 people. This ignited in Antonio a deep love of Mexican cuisine and tradition. With a passion for cooking, he worked in small mom and pop restaurants as well as acclaimed and prestigious restaurants. In 2012, he won an award in the Trip Advisor Service of Excellence in Tucson, Arizona. As the pandemic slowed and eliminated several restaurants in Point Roberts, Antonio began cooking for friends and soon he wasn’t just doing it for favors. Antonio went to Ali Hayton and Nena’s Mexican Grill was born. Chef Antonio keeps his dear Nena close to his heart, her recipes, her love for her family and her joy. Now we can keep the spirit of Nena alive by enjoying her same flavors and aromas prepared with delicious fresh ingredients – thanks to Antonio and his mother Teresa Valenzuela. Check out nenasmexicangrill. com for more information.

Chili Verde Pork Stew, Crock Pot version Prep: 20 to 30 minutes Cook time: three to four hours until pork is tender. Ingredients: 12 tomatillos 3-4 lbs of pork shoulder 3 jalapenos 1 poblano pepper deveined 2 medium onions chopped salt and pepper 2-3 cups of water depending on how thick you want the stew. 1 t. cumin 2 T. lime juice In a large skillet, brown the pork chunks until seared with a quarter cup olive oil. In a different pot, boil tomatillos and peppers with just enough water to cover for three to four minutes. Once pork is browned, deglaze your pan with a little water and place pork and renderings from deglazing in a crock pot. Place the boiled peppers and tomatillos in a blender and turn into sauce. Add sauce to pork in crock pot with uncooked onions, salt, pepper and cumin. Cook on high for several hours until pork is tender, adding water as needed. Once pork is tender, add lime juice and more salt if necessary. Serve with Mexican rice, refried beans, chopped cilantro and corn or flour tortillas. ¡Buen provecho!

To The Point

Alan Richards Ph: (360) 945-2672

Stone n Brick n Tile n Hardscapes New Construction & Renovations Email: tothepointmasonry@pointroberts.net

LICENCED•BONDED•INSURED

Formerly 1st Propane of

WHATCOM COUNTY Including Point Roberts Keep Full Service • Budget Payment Plan • Tank Installation & Rental • Modern Equipment • Safety Checks

Come see us at our new location - 2163 Nature’s Path Way, Blaine

360-332-3121

Locally Owned & Operated by Kal & Tracee Economy

Are Lower Utility Bills in your futire? They could be if you install a Daikin brand ductless

Amundson Heating Amundson Heating 360-961-2914 Amundson Heating 360-961-2914

indoor comfort system. Find out more from your local Daikin brand dealer.

Amundson Heating 360-961-2914 AMUNDHA900CR AMUNDHA900CR AMUNDHA900CR

360-961-2914 Rebates Available from Puget Sound Energy AMUNDHA900CR Rebates Available from Puget Sound Energy Rebates Available from Puget Sound Energy Rebates Available from Puget Sound Energy

Hank’s

Backhoe Service Inc. GENERAL CONTRACTORS Licensed, Bonded & Insured.

Complete Building Services

WE SUPPORT

Point Roberts Dollars for SCHOLARS

Complete Site Preparations Also available: Sand, Gravel, Top Soil and Fill Material

LIC #Hanksbs02102

Dozers, Excavator, Backhoes and Dump Trucks

Call Jeff Peltier (360) 945-0754 s Teresa Valenzuela holding up a mouthwatering special dish for a hungry person.

Courtesy photo

www.hanksbackhoe.net

Email: hanksbackhoe@pointroberts.net

SERVING POINT ROBERTS SINCE 1967

All Point Bulletin • February 2022

Classified Advertising Next Issue: March 2022

Announcements

SUNSHINE CARPET and upholstery steam cleaning, reasonable rates. 360-945-0411 or lawson_brad@yahoo.com.

Ads Due: February 18

The All Point Bulletin is the only newspaper around that delivers your message to Point Roberts and Tsawwassen. Only $15 for 15 words (plus 25 each additional word). Call 360/945-0413 to place your ad!

Home-grown newspaper & home delivery It’s a perfect match!

Cleaning

For Sale

ARBOR BARBER Tree Service ArborBarber.com

Call/text Blake (360) 599-0727 For jobs, $10,000 minimum.

Computer

POINT ROBERTS

COMPUTER SERVICES

PC Repair • Tutoring Home Security WI-FI / Networking Smart Home • Home Theater Custom PC Builds

360-945-1365 VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT

pointrobertscomputer.com

FOR SALE! 29' Spencer Sloop. Yanmar diesel engine. Lots of new updates. View at PR chandlery.

Ready to Sail! $4,900 OBO. Call Jim at 360-525-4706 or 360-945-5555. Help Wanted EXPERIENCED SEAMSTRESS Earn $18-32 an hour sewing cushion covers and backing to tapestries from home. Phone 360-312 -3173.

House Sitting NEED HOUSESITTER? Mature adult female, no kids, no pets, looking for housesitting opportunity. vroom56@gmail.com.

Rentals - Apartment

pointrobertscomputer@gmail.com

Construction

ROOF MOSS SPRAYING Moss Patrol

• Kill the moss growing on your roof with a commercial spray. • Moss will de root and sweep off with ease. • Maintain your place for less than the cost of a new roof. • Roof maintenance available as well as leak repair.

Call or Text Eric:

360-319-6718 WA State Lic actol 794B6

Excavation Work / Manlift Service 80ft. Genie Manlift Available. Tree Removal. Manlift rental available for construction projects / painters & people who are professional & experienced

1480 Gulf Rd. By the week including deliver/pickup

Eric also provides:

clearing, stump removal, wood & brush removal tree removal, dirt & concrete removal disposal, demolition of cabins, mobile homes, travel trailers, drainage work grading AND MORE.

Call / Text Eric: 360-319-6718 WA State Lic actol 794B6

Weekly, monthly or long-term leases 1459 Edwards Drive

OceanViewPointRoberts.com

360-945-RENT

WATERFRONT APARTMENTS - Oceanfront apartment suites available for short-term or long-term rent. Majestic southern view near Lighthouse Park. Call 360-945-RENT or visit Oceanviewpointroberts.com

Storage

Point Roberts

MINI & MOBILE

STORAGE

Store boats, trailers, RV or camper and cars in our completely enclosed secure facilities.

Prices starting at $

3 POINT ROBERTS LOCATIONS

NOW!

Parking Spaces Available!! Pay 1 year in advance get 1 month

FREE

(360) 945-6464 (945-MINI)

PointRobertsMiniStorage.com

February 2022 • allpointbulletin.com

Coming up ...

Sheriff’s Report

Dollars for Scholars 2022 Fundraising Campaign: Local Dollars for Scholars board members are actively raising funds to again award scholarships to high school seniors and our continuing education students. Donations can be made through Umpqua bank for Dollars for Scholars, through bill pay at any bank – Add Point Roberts Dollars For Scholars as a payee P.O. Box 189, Point Roberts, WA 98281 – or by mail to DFS P.O. Box 1354, Point Roberts, WA 98281. Info: pointroberts.dollarsforscholars.org. Point Roberts Clinic Hours: Primary Care: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., appointment needed. Urgent Care can be accessed through telemedicine or at the clinic Monday – Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Always call for an appointment before coming in, even for urgent care services. Hours subject to change. Flu shots available. Info: 360/945-2580. Point Roberts Walkers: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8 a.m., coffee to follow at 9 a.m., Tuesdays on Elizabeth Drive, Thursdays at Lighthouse Park and Saturdays at Lily Point. Location subject to change, the current schedule can be found at prwalkers.wordpress.com. PR Food Bank: Every Wednesday 8:30-10 a.m. at the Gulf Road Community Center. Seniors and More Lunches: Wednesdays and Fridays drive through and pick up available from 11:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., PR community center. Weekly menus published on PAWS and Point Interface. All ages welcome. More info: prseniors@whidbey.com or 360/945-5424. Covid-19 PCR testing: Sundays and Wednesdays, 9–11 a.m., Point Roberts Fire Hall, 2030 Benson Road. Bring ID and insurance information. Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce: Tuesday, February 1, at 6 p.m., via Zoom. Info: info@pointrobertschamberofcommerce.com. PR Emergency Preparedness: Tuesday, February 1, 7 p.m., community center and Zoom. Info: rnewmen@ gmail.com. PR Registered Voters Association: Thursday, February 3, 6 p.m., community center. Info: prrva.org. PR Amateur Radio Club: Monday, February 7, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Water District: Tuesday, February 9, 5 p.m., via Zoom. Fire District 5: Wednesday, February 9 at 4 p.m., via Zoom. Info: WCFD5.com PR Hospital District: Wednesday, February 9 at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: pointrobertsclinic.com. PR Taxpayers Association: Thursday , February 10, 7 p.m., community center dining room or via Zoom. Your Local Small Market: Saturday, February 12 11 a.m.–2 p.m., community center. Local vendors include Ollie Otter Bakery and The Garden Stand/Slow Botanicals. Come out and shop for local and handmade. Info: slowbotanicals@gmail.com. Covid Vaccination Event: Sunday, February 13 1 p.m., at the firehall, 2030 Benson Road. Pfizer, Moderna and JJ shots available. It must be six months from your last Moderna shot to qualify for a booster. For JJ it must be two months since your shot to qualify for a booster. Must be over 12 years old. Bring ID and vaccination card. Email chief@wcfd5.com with which vaccine you are requesting and number of participants. PR Park and Recreation: Monday, February 14 at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: prparkandrec.org. PR Community Advisory Committee: Thursday, February 17, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Craft and Game Night: Tuesdays from 5–7 p.m., Point Roberts Library. Bring a craft to work on or a board game to play. Cribbage and Volcano have been popular.

January 2, 7:37 a.m.: Alarm audible on Uscandia Lane. January 3, 7:50 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Sunset Drive. January 8, 1:33 p.m.: Theft cold call on Dogwood Way. January 8, 4:20 p.m.: Theft cold call on Jonna Drive. January 11, 11:29 a.m.: Assist citizen on Boundary Bay Road. January 12, 7:41 a.m.: Assist citizen on Bound-

ary Bay Road. January 16, 3:26 p.m.: Suspicious person Cliff Road. January 17, 2:03 p.m.: Welfare check on Boundary Bay and APA roads. January 17, 3:58 p.m.: Suspicious person cold call Boundary Bay and APA roads. January 17, 9:08 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Uscandia Lane. January 20, 7:50 p.m.: Threat cold call W Bluff Road. January 20, 11:12 p.m.: Traffic hazard on Johnson Road and Donegal Drive. January 21, 10:05 a.m.: Vandalism cold call on Benson Road. (More online...)

RECENT HOUSE & LOT PRICES Blaine, Birch Bay & Point Roberts DECEMBER 2021 DESCRIPTION

LOCATION

HIGHER END HOUSES: $750,000 AND ABOVE: 1-story house with 2,365 SF, 4 BD, 4 BA, 617 SF attached garage, 467 SF patio, built in 2002, .36 acres land.

SALE PRICE

8620 Great Horned Owl Ln, Blaine

$989,000

1-story house with 2,004 SF, 1,680 SF basement, 4 BD, 4 BA, 556 SF attached garage, 808 SF deck, 540 SF patio, built in 1991, waterfront; marine and territorial views, .95 acres land.

9045 Shearwater Rd, Blaine

$2,190,000

1-story log house with 2,175 SF, 2 BD, 2 BA, 1,080 SF detached garage, 672 SF storage, 1,068 SF deck, built in 2002 and 2004, 12.30 acres wooded land.

8443 Kickerville Rd, Blaine

$945,000

1-story house with 1,997 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 632 SF attached garage, 660 SF patio, built in 2000, .34 acres land.

8823 Goshawk Rd, Blaine

$777,500

1-story house with 1,588 SF, 3 BD, 2 BA, 440 SF attached garage, 400 SF deck, 400 SF patio, built in 1988; marine and territorial view, .24 acres land.

5649 Nakat Way, Blaine

$1,060,000

2-story house with 3,100 SF, 4 BD, 4 BA, 950 SF attached garage, 390 SF deck, 126 SF patio, built in 2000; marine views, .59 acres land.

5846 Semiahmoo Ridge, Blaine

$1,170,000

1-story house with 2,896 SF, 2,289 SF basement, 4 BD, 5 BA, 802 SF attached garage, 1,042 SF deck, 1,090 SF patio, built in 1994; marine and territorial view, .57 acres land.

2212 Whalen Dr, Point Roberts

$1,350,000

391 Tyee Dr, Point Roberts

$1,100,000

PR Library Hours: Tuesdays 1-7 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Library express hours: 6 a.m.–11 p.m. daily.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES: Warehouse/store with 9,668 SF, built in 1948, 1968, 2009 and 2010, 1.20 acres land.

History Center Holiday Hours: Saturdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Masks required. Hand sanitizer available at the door.

Mini Storage complex with 43,200 SF, built in 2012 and 2018, 9.22 acres land.

8027 Blaine Rd, Blaine

$6,200,000

3-story historical building used as offices/warehouse with 14,013 SF, built in 1903, .15 acres land.

288 Martin St, Blaine

$1,400,000

2-story fourplex with 4,270 SF, 1,080 SF attached garages, 416 SF patios, built in 2002, .28 acres land.

220 14th St, Blaine

$1,000,000

2-story office/retail building with 9,676 SF, built in 1965 and 2010, plus parking lot, .22 acres land.

638 Peace Portal Dr, Blaine

$1,350,000

Restaurant with 11,736 SF, 2,332 SF balcony, built in 1928 & 2007, Golf Course with 4,840 SF utility building, built in 1984, 2,641 SF store/office, built in 1946 & 1967, 2 old houses, 126.15 acres commercial/ residential land, 317 ft waterfront; marine view.

7878 Birch Bay Dr, Blaine

$3,150,000

Gas station and convenience store with 2,189 SF, 2-15,000 gallon tanks, 1-10,000 gallon tank, built in 1986; 1,878 SF warehouse, 546 SF mezzanine, built in 2007, 2.43 acres land.

423 Tyee Dr, Point Roberts

$1,544,000

8725 Bufflehead Ct, Blaine

$205,000

.25 acres residential lot; marine view.

5518 Whitehorn Way, Blaine

$255,000

.65 acres residential land.

2649, 2671, 2683, 2697 Sandlewood Ln, Blaine

$735,000

.29 acres residential land.

2668, 2680 Sandlewood Ln, Blaine

$365,000

.46 acres residential land.

2912 Sandlewood Ln, 2834 Shore Pine Pl, Blaine

$365,000

3.44 acres residential land, waterfront; marine and territorial view.

8291 Semiahmoo Dr, Blaine

$950,000

3.24 acres (12 lots) residential land; territorial view.

Lonicera Dr, Blaine (Horizon at Semiahmoo, Div. 1)

$3,800,000

6.26 acres (27 lots) residential land; territorial view.

Lasiandra Dr, Lonicera Dr, Tolmiea Ct, Blaine (Horizon at Semiahmoo, Div. 1)

$3,870,000

218 11th St, Blaine

$285,000

8358 Blaine Rd, Blaine

$210,000

8455 Pointe Rd, Blaine

$450,000

1590 Peace Portal Dr, Blaine

$500,000

8306 Portal Way, Blaine

$1,500,000

Camas Dr & Lonicera Dr, Blaine (Horizon at Semiahmoo, Div.1)

$4,800,000

H Street, Blaine

$1,089,473

Get your business on the 2022/23 map! It’s time to get back to business again! GET SEEN! NEW edition Spring 2022

Let visitors and locals know about your business. Claim your ad space today, space is limited! A Special Publication of the All Point Bulletin Newspaper

R U O Y E V RESER NOW! SPACE 45-0413 Call 360-9

press.c ts r e b o tr in o p @ s le a or email s

LAND: .38 acres residential lot; territorial view.

.17 acres residential lot. 7.35 acres residential land. .51 acres residential lot; waterfront, beach access; marine & territorial views. .34 acres residential land; good marine view. 17.55 acres commercial land. 7.91 acres (24 lots) residential land; territorial view.

4.55 acres industrial land.

All Point Bulletin • February 2022

S i nSince c e 1973 1973

TWO BROTHERS COMMERCIAL

MASONRY

NTIAL

RESIDENTIAL BROTHERS MASONRY

R I C K -BARRY B L OL.CWIENS K Licensed & Bonded

• COMMERCIAL • Block • Stone S T O NBrick E (360) 332 - 6300

BARRY L. WIENS Lic #2BROTB1945DA Licensed & Bonded

S 32-6300

MATT WIENS www.twobrothersmasonry.com

Ken Calder Construction SEPTIC DESIGN, INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST

Ken Calder,

Cell: 360-220-0133

Owner, General Contractor

kencalderconstruction@gmail.com

BONDED & INSURED Contractors License: # KENCACC882MO Designers License: # 21015017 • Septic License: # PT0003241 • OSS O&M License: # PT0003625

Kelly & Son Roofing Roofing • Re-Roofing • Repairs 30 Years

SERVING Point Roberts!

Established 1991 • FREE ESTIMATES

360-945-ROOF (7 6 6 3)

Chris Kelly • Licensed #KELLYS*8016MH

SEAMLESS GUTTERS GUARD • CLEANING

YIR Chamber ... From page 7

woman DelBene at the International Marketplace with owner Ali Hayton. • Active support for the Main Street Program. • Active support and dialog with Senator Murray’s office regarding the Federal Small Business Relief Program. • Supported the Hands Across the Border

event on July 5 with Canadian and US participants. • Received reimbursement grant from Whatcom County Tourism for specific tourism programs to attract and support Canadian tourists. • Continued development of the new website. • Increased chamber membership to more than 400 including businesses and associate members of local property groups.

February Tides Tides at Point Roberts

Library Picks KR I S L O M ED I C O Bestsellers: Fencing with the King . . . . . . . . . . Diana Abu-Jaber The Lightning Rod . . Brad Meltzer French Braid . . . . . . Anne Tyler Shadows Reel . . . . . . C. J. Box Movies: Ace of Hearts . . . . Adam Moore American Rust . . . . . Jeff Daniels Around the World in 80 Days . . . . . . . . . . . David Tennant Belfast . . . . . . . . . Judi Dench Music: Cinnamon Girl . . . . . . Various Barn . . . . . . . . . . Neil Young All I Know So Far . . . . . . Pink In These Silent Days . . . . . . . . . . . Brandi Carlille Teens: I Must Betray You . . Ruta Sepetys Akata Woman . . Nnedi Okorafor To Paradise . . . Hanya Yanagihara Kids: Cornbread & Poppy . . . . . . . . . . Matthew Cordell 189 Canaries . . . . . .Dieter Boge Crowbar, the Smartest Bird in the World . . . Jean Craighead George Hours: Tuesdays 1–7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Library Express: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. wcls.org

PST Not For Navigation

49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W

Date Tu 1 We 2 Th 3 Fr 4 Sa 5 Su 6 Mo 7 Tu 8 We 9 Th 10 Fr 11 Sa 12 Su 13 Mo 14 Tu 15 We 16 Th 17 Fr 18 Sa 19 Su 20 Mo 21 Tu 22 We 23 Th 24 Fr 25

QUALITY SEAMLESS GUTTERS LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED

Sa 26

# GUTTEG*820C8

HAYDEN KELLY • (360) 922-9435

Serving Point Roberts • Treating ants, mice & rats and all structural pests

• Locally owned and

operated since 1997

Service You Trust. Experience You Expect.

Call BIO BUG today for a free estimate!

• Residential & commercial • WSDA #48346 and insured 360.647.7500 Bellingham 888.323.7378 Toll Free

www.biobug.com

Su 27

Hardwood & LVP/Laminate Flooring Installation & Refinishing

360-224-6466 Over 20 years experience. Licensed • Bonded • Insured CASCAFL912J8

Mo 28

Time Height 6:35 am 4:16 pm 7:11 am 5:18 pm 12:25 am 1:28 pm 1:05 am 2:18 pm 1:45 am 3:08 pm 2:23 am 3:58 pm 3:01 am 4:48 pm 3:41 am 5:40 pm 1:16 am 10:31 am 3:00 am 11:03 am 4:02 am 11:47 am 4:42 am 12:45 pm 5:12 am 1:43 pm 5:38 am 2:39 pm 6:04 am 3:29 pm 6:28 am 4:19 pm 6:50 am 5:09 pm 12:04 am 12:59 pm 12:38 am 1:37 pm 1:12 am 2:15 pm 1:48 am 2:59 pm 2:28 am 3:49 pm 3:16 am 4:45 pm 12:23 am 9:44 am 2:09 am 10:32 am 3:19 am 11:40 am 4:07 am 1:04 pm 4:47 am 2:22 pm

Time

Height

10.7 11:50 am 9.1 11:41 pm 10.6 12:40 pm 8.7 -1.6 7:43 am 5.2 6:18 pm -0.4 8:15 am 4.4 7:20 pm 1.0 8:43 am 3.6 8:26 pm 2.5 9:11 am 3.0 9:44 pm 3.9 9:37 am 2.4 11:18 pm 5.3 10:03 am 1.9 6.8 4:31 am 8.8 6:34 pm 7.5 5:45 am 8.5 7:26 pm 8.1 7:31 am 8.3 8:14 pm 8.6 8:57 am 8.2 9:00 pm 9.0 9:57 am 8.2 9:40 pm 9.2 10:39 am 8.1 10:20 pm 9.4 11:17 am 8.1 10:56 pm 9.6 11:51 am 8.1 11:30 pm 9.6 12:25 pm 8.0 -0.1 7:12 am 4.8 6:01 pm 0.7 7:32 am 4.0 6:57 pm 1.7 7:54 am 3.1 7:59 pm 2.9 8:16 am 2.2 9:11 pm 4.3 8:40 am 1.4 10:39 pm 5.6 9:08 am 0.6 7.6 4:18 am 9.1 5:47 pm 8.3 5:48 am 8.9 6:55 pm 9.0 7:36 am 8.7 7:59 pm 9.5 9:00 am 8.6 8:57 pm 9.8 10:00 am 8.5 9:51 pm

6.8 -2.3 6.0 10.5 8.2 10.2 7.6 9.9 7.0 9.6 6.6 9.3 6.5 9.0 6.4 1.4 7.2 0.9 7.6 0.5 7.6 0.0 7.4 -0.4 7.1 -0.6 6.6 -0.7 6.1 -0.5 5.5 9.6 7.8 9.6 7.7 9.5 7.5 9.4 7.3 9.3 7.3 9.2 6.8 0.0 7.6 -0.6 7.8 -1.1 7.4 -1.5 6.7 -1.5

Fire District

Fire Incidents for December 2021 Total calls (36); EMS calls (16), resulting in the following transports: PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center (4), Airlift Northwest (0), North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (0); Fire classification (6) resulting in false alarms (2), gas leak (2), wrong address (1), carbon monoxide (1); public service (5).

Top Soil, Bark Mulch, Gravel and Sand

Licensed and Insured

Deliveries to Point Roberts

Call 360-540-6786 candoservices.jman@gmail.com

February 2022 • allpointbulletin.com

George Vancouver and Henry Roberts, esteemed friends

Church News By Gina Gaudet and care. And we are part of a small but also very large (we are international!) community of hearts and souls who know how to love and support this life we live together in Point Roberts. I remember this song from Sunday School: “I am the church; you are the church; We are the church together. Yes! We’re the church together!” The church is not a meeting place; the church is a people!” Yes, we are fixing a building with a steeple, and rebuilding a meeting place. But we are doing this as a people. We are diverse in our connections to this place, in our memories and stories of this building’s rich history, and in our love for this beautiful, unique community. And its teeny tiny church. On a teeny tiny speck of a peninsula. With a heart as big as the world.

Greetings and blessings in this new year! And much gratitude for all of the blessings of the year we just left behind. A year ago we were in the process of assessing the damages that time and weather had wrought on our sanctuary building, and strategizing how we were going to pay for this project. After all, we are just a teeny tiny church, on a teeny tiny speck of a peninsula, on a fairly small planet, under the viral siege of a pandemic. So having just dramatically stated the obvious of that moment in time, here is the update a year on: To put it briefly, our little church grew. It grew and it grew as our fundraising committee put out the word, and the support began to flow in like high tide. And as the months passed it became obvious that ours is not a teeny tiny church on a tiny peninsula. And we weren’t just a small congregation gathered in a back room on Sunday morning. We were a broad community of people who knew and loved a rickety building, who remembered weddings and funerals and memorials and, yes, Tuesday school! Christmas Eves (singing “Silent Night” in Icelandic), and music camps and bazaars and concerts (Oh, the concerts!), beautiful quilts on the walls, and gathering in the parish hall to make more; yoga and Knee Club and Healing Touch (we feel so much better now!), and the Power of Music! And we were reminded that our little church is part of a wider circle of support

as master’s mate on the HMS Resolution under the infamous William Bligh. In 1778, the crew were the first Europeans to visit Hawaii. From there, they went on to Vancouver Island, spending a month in Nootka Sound before continuing north to the Bering Strait and eventually back to Hawaii, where they were present for Cook’s death in 1779. Roberts is noted for having advanced skills as a cartographer who created beautiful and accurate charts detailing the official account of the voyage. The Point Roberts History Center displays a painting of the HMS Resolution by Roberts, sent to the historical society all the way from Australia by Garry Roberts, a descendent of Henry Roberts. In 1790, Roberts was appointed captain of a round-the-world voyage of his own on the newly-built HMS Discovery. He named Vancouver as his first lieutenant. As preparations were underway, escalating tensions on Vancouver Island between the British and the Spanish led the Royal Navy to change their plans. Vancouver was given command of the HMS Discovery to explore the Pacific Ocean, including the Salish Sea. It was on this voyage that Vancouver became the first European to set foot on Point Roberts, coming ashore on June 12, 1792 to walk among the six Coast Salish longhouses at Lily Point (unpopulated at that time of year). He named this place Point Roberts for his buddy Henry, writing in his journal, “This point … I distinguished by the name of Point Roberts, after my esteemed friend and predecessor in the Discovery.” Their 20-year friendship didn’t last much longer. Roberts died four years later, and Vancouver passed away in 1798, both at age 40.

By Mark Swensen Any local schoolkid can tell you Point Roberts received its name in 1792 from George Vancouver, in honor of his good friend Henry Roberts. This month commemorates the 250th anniversary – a quarter of a millennium – of George Vancouver and Henry Roberts first meeting. Begun in 1772, Captain James Cook’s second world voyage proved there was no great landmass in the southern hemisphere, the fabled Terra Australis. Vancouver, 15, and Roberts, 16, were among a crew of 112 serving together for three years on the HMS Resolution, a ship barely as long as three school buses. The pair also served on Cook’s third voyage – an expedition to determine if the Northwest Passage existed – which departed in 1776. Vancouver was midshipman on the HMS Discovery and Roberts served

S HMS Resolution Courtesy of the Point Roberts Historical Society

Proudly Serving Local Communities & Businesses for 37 Years! Your connection to a family of publications serving the Pacific Northwest

Community

Adventure

Travel

waterside.

Weddings

FREE

WINTER 2021/2022

FREE

Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay

September 9 - 15, 2021

HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer

Former BHS student wins big with tuba, page 5

IN THIS

ISSUE

Free financial literacy class offered in Blaine

Borderite sports are back, page 7

Blaine featured in new novel, page 10

PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230

IN THIS

Here comes the 100th Concert Celebration, page 11

ADVENTURES IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

FREE

YEARS

By Grace Mccarthy

ISSUE

Discover the best of coastal Washington and British Columbia

Discover Birch Bay Days brings community fun

If you struggle to balance a healthy budget, local nonprofits are here to help. Financial literacy nonprofit Whatcom Dream will offer six money management classes from Tuesday, September 28 until Tuesday, November 2 at the new Community Assistance Program (CAP) building, 508 G Street. Classes will be held 6:307:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Whatcom Dream is a nonprofit that started in Bellingham in 1999 to educate residents struggling with finances. The nonprofit’s founders realized the reason why their working low-income neighbors remained in poverty was because they didn’t know how to manage money properly, said Kevin Stray, a Whatcom Dream volunteer who will teach the Blaine classes ECRWSS July 2018 www.AllPointBulletin.com FREE PRSRT STD this fall. U.S. Postage PAID “We think finances are an important Permit No. 14 slice of everyone’s life and if we can hanPoint Roberts, WA 98281 Postal Patron Local dle [money] well, we can make everyone’s lives better,” he said. The classes will teach budgeting, handling new and old debt, credit scores and history, achieving and maintaining finan- s Birch Bay’s seaside festival offered another weekend of family fun September 3-5. The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted the cial stability, retirement planning and the fun-filled event, with help from Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 and Friends of Birch Bay Library. Attendees enjoyed activities such as a pancake breakfast, outdoor kid games and rubber duck derby. More photos on page 16. psychology behind money. Photo by Chuck Kinzer/CKimageart.com Stray, who has a business degree from St. Martin’s University, said he sees people struggle the most with debt, long-term planning and responsible spending. Financial classes are geared toward people earning low incomes, but Stray said all are welcome. Classes will be offered to about 20 peoBy Meg OlsOn ple, but there’s not a set limit. Scheduling foot warehouse in September 2020 that al- cused on what he can control. in advance is recommended, but attendees B y G r a c e M c c a r t h y Whatcom County Council hascan approved lowed it to store over 20,000 boxes awaitTodd Robinson, Security Mail Services also show up to the classes. changes to county code that will eliminate Over a year-and-a-half after the U.S./ ing cross-border customers. manager, echoed Baron’s sentiments. The “We hope a lot of people will be interexemptions to mandatory garbage pickup “We used up all of the creativity we had last year-and-a-half has been hard but with ested, come out, learn more about money Canada border closure and Blaine mailbox in Point Roberts. and how to deal with it,” Stray said. “We’re stores wait patiently for the return of loyal to maximize the space we had, which is boxes stacked high around him, he said At their June 5 meeting, council heard always excited to put on another class in Canadian customers, all while they’ve set- what prompted renting the warehouse,” he’s in a much better place than he would from an almost evenly split 15Blaine.” commutled into an adapted business routine. Baron said. have predicted. nity members on the proposal,The which Mail Boxes International owner Brant Baron and other mailbox operators are “When [the border] first closed down, I program will offer free financial would establish a mandatory mentoring minimumto people who finish the course. Baron said his parcel store has changed its mostly catering to Canadian companies would have never anticipated being closed service level of a 32-gallon can No of garbage childcare is available during the eve- business strategy to stay busy during the that need products from the U.S. forward- this long. I thought three months, maybe, to be picked up twice-monthly ning and billed ed. Although business has been better, he tops,” Robinson said. “I’m pleased with classes, so people will need to plan border closure. through the property tax roll. To deal with parcels yet to be picked up, emphasized his situation is not detrimen(See Financial classes, page 4) (See Box stores, page 2) Opponents of the proposal cited a numthe H Street business rented a 4,800-square- tal and he has leaned into his faith and fober of reasons for their opposition, primarily that the minimum service level was Coming Up . . . . . 14 too high. “This exceeds the needs of 80 Classifieds . . . . . . 11 percent of those surveyed (in a 2016 onLetters . . . . . . . . . . 4 line survey sponsored by the county solid that are compliant with the ban or custom“Nothing is preventing a business from waste division) who self-haul orBuse Police . . . . . . . . . . 14 y tags,” eMily Feek ers can bring reusable bags. charging a fee and using compliant bags Kimberly Butts said. s Back plastic in 1976,bags a group people got together plan adu4th ofright July now,” celebration, first“We sinceencourage 1916. On June 20, they hadSports . . . . . . . . . . 7 of single-use willofbecivic-minded Stores can sell paper bags orto more Bennettthe said. Ken Calder, also opposed to theSales changa reunion atstate Ruby beginning White’s house. Seeplastic story, page from l.:The Fred DeHaan, Rosy Negron, Scherer, Pauli DeHaan, George banned in Washington rable bags16. forStanding, eight cents. those businesses to do Carla that and start makTides . . . . . . . . . . 14 es, submitted a petition signed by 364 seaScherer, Pat Jorgensen, Doreen Peltier. Seated: Norma Peltier, Ruby White, Kris Manning. Photo by Shelley Damewood on October sonal and full-time residents asking that 1 after governor Jay Inslee eight-cent charge, mandated by law, is not ing those changes now.” The bag ban is intended to cut down on council delay the decision until rescinded Septemberthe proclamation delaying the a tax, but is kept by the merchant both to January 1, 2021 start date. encourage customers to bring their own pollution caused by plastic bags, which are to allow a recently formed solid original waste subThe ban prohibits the sale of single-use bags and to account for the increased cost difficult to recycle and can clog recycling TheNorthernLight @TNLreporter @TheNorthernLightNews committee of the Point Roberts Commuplastic bags for grocery stores, restaurants, of compliant bags. sorting machines, according to the DOE. nity Advisory Committee to continue to TheNorthernLight.com small vendors and retail businesses, acWhile the ban goes into effect on OctoIn addition to the ban, Inslee signed a look at the issue. erts hospital district on June 26 that Unity according to Unity Care. Cites client base(DOE) and “increasing cording to a department of ecology ber 1, businesses can implement changes new state law regarding plastics use and Those in favor of the change as well as Care NW would end its contract to proThe number of people being served at press release. community Instead of using these bags, sooner, said Dave Bennett, DOE solid waste turmoil” county staff pointed out that PRCAC had vide services on the Point as of December the Point Roberts Clinic, as well as the businesses can either sell customers bags management program spokesperson. (See Plastic bags, page 4) FLYERS been pondering the garbage collection B y M e g O l s O n 31, 2018, but would provide services on a number of visits, have been declining, acfor over two years, held numerous public a n d P a t g r u B B month-to-month basis if needed until June cording to the resolution. The number of meetings, sponsored an online survey and 30, 2019 and help with a possible transi- visits per year shrank from 1176 to 1033 sent out a mailer. Unity Care NW is done with the Point tion to an alternative service provider. between 2015 and 2017, which is de“There have been numerous opportuni- Roberts clinic. According to the June 25 resolution, the (See Hospital, page 8) ties for people to put in their two cents’ Citing declining use, a disproportionate Point Roberts Clinic does not fit with worth,” Arthur Reber said. “This process administrative burden and “communi- the other clinics Unity Care NW operhas been very thorough and collaborative,” ty turmoil,” the board of directors of the ates in Ferndale and Bellingham, which said taxpayers’ association president Mark non-profit health care provider voted at its it described as “patient centered mediRobbins. Chamber of commerce president June 25 meeting to discontinue the con- cal homes.” Close to half of the visits to allpointbulletin.com Dee Gough said her association also sup- tract to operate the Point Roberts Clinic. the Point Roberts clinic are for urgent facebook.com/allpointbulletin ported the proposal, agreeing that mandaNotice was delivered to the Point Rob- care, and not for primary medical care, tory trash pickup was the obvious solution to the perennial problem of dumping garbage on the roadsides. Classifieds ........................................ 20 Jeff Hegedus with the Whatcom County Coming Up ...................................... 19 Health Department said by establishing a B y M e g O l s O n running three weekends in August. Garden ............................................. 15 mandatory minimum service level for all Kiniski’s Reef Tavern is partnering with Library ............................................ 18 developed properties, as determined by “The Point Roberts Arts and Music the foundation, offering a location, planwhich properties have a water connection, Festival is back on the water,” says Arts ning assistance and funds for this year’s Obituaries ........................................ 22 it would lead to vendor stability because Foundation founder and festival organizer event. “We decided to make it longer so Opinion .............................................. 4 more users would support the system. Craig Jacks. more people can enjoy it,” said tavern Seniors ............................................ 18 After being put on the shelf for a year, manager Allison Calder. The first weekend Tides ................................................ 10 (See Garbage, page 7) the festival will be back for its 23rd year, (See Arts & Music, page 14)

Take the Garden Tour, page 15

YEARS

Get ready for the 4th of July, page 17

Whatcom The folks who brought back the 4th of July County Council mandates curbBlaine mailbox stores use creativity as side pickup they wait for the U.S. to open Canada border

exploring the Salish Sea

YEARS WHEN MOUNTAINS MOVE

INSIDE

Single-use plastic bags ban starts October 1

YEARS

MT. DANIEL TO BIG SNOW SKI ALASKA

A special publication of The Northern Light

2021 - 2022

Unity Care NW decides against renewing clinic contract

This Week’s

Mt. Baker WASHINGTON

Rite Aid

Online Inside

Arts and music fest makes a comeback

Regional Maps

YEARS

Point Roberts July 4 Happy Birthday USA BEGIN THE DAY AT THE Community Center 1437 Gulf Rd.

Pancake Breakfast 7:15-11:15 am PREP benefit Flag Raising Ceremony 11:30 am featuring PR Winds

PARADE

STARTS AT 12 NOON along Gulf Rd. from Marine Dr. to Tyee Dr.

AFTER PARADE FAMILY ACTIVITIES: H Breakwaters Bar & Grill at Point Roberts Marina.

H Kiniski’s Reef Tavern

FIREWORKS:

POINT ROBERTS MARINA AT 10:30 PM

Greater Ferndale

MAP

WASHINGTON

MAP 2018

Proudly Created & Brought To You By Point Roberts Press, Inc. LOCAL • INDEPENDENT A special publication of

X 225 Marine Dr., Suite 200, Blaine, WA • 360.332.1777 • sales@pointrobertspress.com Mount Baker

e perience MAGAZINE

www.MountBakerExperience.com

www.pointrobertspress.com

A special publication of

All Point Bulletin • February 2022 JamesJames H. James H.Julius, Julius, H.Broker* Julius, Broker* Designated Broker*

Notary Public

CELEBRATING

Maureen Stevens, Broker Notary Public * Successfully listing and selling

Point Roberts real estate since 1968 and selling E-Mail: prprty@Whidbey.com * Successfully listing YEARS E-Mail: prprty@Whidbey.com pointrobertswashington.com • www.pointrobertswashington.com Point Roberts real estateSELLING sincePOINT1968 ROBERTS

79 Tyee Drive Point Roberts, WA 98281

E/Mail: prr@pointroberts.com

Phone: 360/945-1115 Fax: 945-0804

“NOBODY KNOWS POINT ROBERTS LIKE POINT ROBERTS REALTY” visit our website: www.pointroberts.com

REAL ESTATE • 1339 Gulf Road, P.O. Box 17 • Pt. Roberts, WA 98281 360/945-5555 360-945-5555 • Cell: E-Mail: prprty@Whidbey.com • 360-525-4706 www.pointrobertswashington.com

1339 Gulf Road, P.O. Box 1 • Point Roberts, WA 98281

BEACH PROPERTIES • 1339 Gulf Road, P.O. Box 17 • Pt. Roberts, WA 98281 360/945-5555*LISTING & SELLING POINT ROBERTS REAL ESTATE SINCE 1968

BEACH PROPERTIES

FEATURED HOME 285 ELIZABETH

UPDATED DAILY! View color photos, listings and complete information of all properties for sale.

FREEMAN BEACH

697 MARINE DR. on 3 lots247 3-BR, 2-BA home . BAYVIEW DR. 2 BR cottage at Freeman Beach. 3BR, 2BA waterfront home facing Beach rights. $219,900

1275 BROUGHTON LANE 2BR, 3BA beautiful west side home. $199,000. Adjoining lot $35,000.

Mt. Baker. Crabtown. $595,000

Updated kitchen with granite and new appliances. setting. FREEMANPrivate BEACH One697 of the better locations MARINE DR. 247 BAYVIEW DR. 2 BR at Freeman Beach.to 3BR, 2BA waterfront home facing oncottage the Point for proximity Beach Mt. Baker. Crabtown. $595,000 Maplerights. Beach.$219,900 CALL JIM ... 360-525-4706 2117 ROOSEVELT. Maple Beach 1920s cabin, 2 BR, wood-burning FP, 2 blocks to beach. $169,000

SOLD NEW ROOF - NEW TRIM & DOORS UPDATED BATH AND PAINTED INSIDE & OUT Like new, this home has been professionally refreshed and updated inside and out. 2 BR, 2BA, large master with walk-in and fireplace. Dream three bay over height garage and an additional detached workshop storage building. This is an exceptional property.

$469,000

If you’re serious about purchasing at the “Point” do yourself a favor and visit our office for a complete list of everything for sale in the area and also check out our website for general information, color photos, maps and full property search function.

1845 JOHNSON. 75 x 200 lot. Furnished, private, excellent condition. $115,000

1275 BROUGHTON LANE 2BR, 3BA beautiful west side home. $199,000. Adjoining lot $35,000.

668 SOUTH BEACH RD. 2BR cottage plus 2 lots near beach. $200,000

The LOWEST PRICED HOMESDUCinED Point Roberts! RE

2117 ROOSEVELT. Maple Beach 1920s cabin, 2 BR, wood-burning FP, 2 blocks to beach. $169,000 542 MCLAREN RD. 3BR cottage w/front and rear deck. Adjacent to Lily Point Park. $159,000

1845 JOHNSON. 75 x 200 lot. 668 SOUTH BEACH RD. 2BR cottage plus 2 lots near beach. Furnished, private, excellent $200,000 condition. $115,000 1877 WASHINGTON 676 CLAIRE LANE 3BR, 2BA backs onto Lily Point Park. $299,000

2 BR designer home. A must-see! Make an offer!

ED C U ACREAGE: 6.39 ACRES, DESIRABLE EAST SIDE, SUBDIVIDABLE $299,000 WEST BLUFF ED R www.JuliusRealty.com 2nd row back from bluff. Golf 173 KENNEDY DR. 1959 DRAKE

course area. Lot size 5,227 s.f. Close to stairway to beach. Private & exclusive area. As is...

$149,000

2-BR double-wide on 70‘x119’ lot. Metal roof. Nice neighborhood. Recent septic.

Studio post & beam warehouse. Fixer-upper! Septic approved.

$125,000

$99,000

1877 WASHINGTON 542 MCLAREN RD. 676 CLAIRE LANE 3BR, 2BA backs onto Lily Point 2 BR designer home. A must-see! 3BR cottage w/front and rear deck. MOOSE lot! BEAR TRAPMake RD. Park like setting $299,000 Park.building an offer! Adjacent to Lily Point Park. TRAIL. Good Large Lot on Cul-De-Sac. $159,000

D! L O $49,000

LOTS:

$49,000 S View more listings at www.juliusrealty.com www.JuliusRealty.com ACREAGE: 6.39 ACRES, DESIRABLE EAST SIDE, SUBDIVIDABLE $299,000

COME TO THE POINT!

1385 Gulf Road, Point Roberts

360-945-1011

www.pointroberts.us ING

D EN

PERFECT VACATION GET-A-WAY SPOT or Airbnb cottage on double lot in quiet subdivision. Large south facing deck. $249,000

G DIN

PEACEFUL AND PRIVATE SETTING on dead end road, backing onto acreage and 10 minute walk to Monument Park on the ocean. $59,000

NEWER MODEL MANUFACTURED HOME located on the outskirts of Maple Beach. Great vacation home or AirBnB opportunity. $337,000

LIKE NEW, this home has just been refreshed and upgraded inside and out. Over size and over height garage for all the toys. $469,000

HUGE DOUBLE LOT - beautifully situated south facing home. Extremely well built with exceptional finishing touches. Hardly lived in - like new condition. $499,000

U ED

GREAT FIXER UPPER OPPORTUNITY. Centrally located close to amenities and shopping in Point Roberts. $119,000

OCEAN VIEW PROPERTY overlooking Boundary Bay. Just a 5 minute walk down to Maple Beach. $99,000

Paul

604/968-4006 paulrusk@pointroberts.us

Kristen

778/686-7625

SPACIOUS 3 BEDROOM AND 1-1/2 BATH COTTAGE. Fully fenced front yard with large south facing deck on quiet street. $329,000

Hugh

604/910-5968

kristenrockrealestate@gmail.com hwilson@pointroberts.net

Greg

604/690-1468 gheppner@pointroberts.net