Port responds to questions on PR campaign
In a highly unusual process, Port of Bellingham commissioners have authorized spending $100,000 for a public relations campaign to make the public like them without a word of discussion taking place about the program.
During the commission’s August 13 meeting, commissioners approved a $98,535 public relations contract between the port and Conflux Associates as part of a consent agenda. Consent agendas are typically an aggregation of regular business items that are approved by commissioners without discussion.
The commissioners approved both a three-year proposal from Conflux and a one-year contract prepared by executive director Rob Fix. When asked if commissioners ever discussed the campaign, port public affairs administrator Michael Hogan told the All Point Bulletin on September 11, “The Port Commission did not publicly discuss the strategic communications campaign during a Port Commission meeting, nor was there any requirement to do so.” Hogan later wrote that the commission had not discussed the campaign in executive session, either.
Fix placed the contract on the consent agenda, which was approved by commission chair Ken Bell.
Bypassing Competitive Bidding?
The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) mandates a formal bidding process for contracts between $50,000 and $200,000 unless the port has an alternative policy. Hogan explained that the port uses a Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) roster, allowing them to bypass the formal bid process for contracts under $100,000. Notably, the Conflux contract was priced just $604 under this threshold.
While informal solicitation is allowed for smaller contracts, the law requires multiple firms be considered and the process must be documented. Hogan said Fix directly approached Conflux Associates requesting timelines and deliverables. As evidence of competition, Hogan provid(See Port, page 2)
First phase of drainage study presented
The first phase of a Point Roberts drainage study has now been completed and a pretty picture it isn’t. Whatcom County Public Works staffers presented their initial overview at the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee meeting on September 19 at the Gulf Road community center.
Project manager Eric Vavra began by describing the purpose of the study, which was to review existing information, characterize the watershed, identify surface water problems, evaluate the problems and organize by type and to rank and prioritize capital projects.
Vavra said the Point was comprised of
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five separate subwatersheds, roughly corresponding to the four corners of the Point with the southwestern marina subwatershed extending into the center of the Point and the north- and south-east watersheds separated by an eastern bluff watershed extending roughly from Elizabeth Drive to Lily Point.
A total of 89 distinct drainage problems were identified of which 69 resulted from inadequate conveyance (or limited ability to drain water), five from damaged infrastructure and 11 from inadequate maintenance. The single biggest driver of drainage problems is impervious surfaces, according to county consultant Alex Buescher from Tetra Tech. These include
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From page 1
ed an internal review draft dated January 22, 2024 from another firm, EnviroIssues, which proposed a one-year campaign at nearly half the cost of Conflux’s services.
In addition, Hogan referenced an ad run in the Bellingham Herald on June 5 that invited companies interested in providing consulting services to the port to register with the MRSC roster at any time. The ad made no reference to a public relations campaign or any specific consulting service. The Conflux proposal was given to Fix the following day.
When asked why Conflux was selected, Hogan cited the firm’s local experience and understanding of port-related issues in Whatcom County. He added Conflux owner Peter Frazier had for three decades provided consulting and design services for Fortune 100 companies, small to medium businesses and nonprofits.
According to Frazier’s LinkedIn profile, he graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in
1991 and prior to Conflux Associates, was director of communications and development at RE Sources for Sustainable Communities.
Conflux Associates was registered with the Washington Secretary of State as a corporation in 2017 with a Chuckanut Point Road residential address and lists Peter and Aimee Frazier as principals.
Structuring Contracts to Avoid Bid Requirements?
The contract with Conflux originally outlined a three-year engagement, with a monthly cost of $8,283. However, Fix modified this agreement to be one year, reducing the overall cost to $99,396 – just $604 short of triggering the formal bidding process. The contract allows for extensions at the port commission’s discretion, which could circumvent state bidding requirements.
RCW 53.19.020 prohibits structuring contracts to evade competitive bidding requirements, and while Hogan said the port followed the appropriate process, questions remain about the contract’s structure and the lack of documentation showing a competitive selection process.
There are penalties for fail -
ing to comply with the competitive procurement and other requirements.
The state auditor is responsible for auditing violations of RCW 53.19.020 through its regular financial and accountability audits, while the attorney general is responsible for prosecuting those violations.
While commissioners may not have been vocal about the need for public relations before they approved the Conflux contract, they have since spoken up. At the commission’s September 17 meeting, Bell told fellow commissioners he saw the need for a public forum where the port could solicit input as well as communicate to the public the port’s accomplishments.
“We could put a public meeting together that would be in a very public place, a very large event … just to basically lay down our story to the city, to the county, to the people in our community, so that we are more transparent than we’ve been in the past,” Bell said. “I think it’s really important for us to get our story out.”
While fellow commissioner Michael Shepard was in general agreement with the idea, commissioner Bobby Briscoe bristled at the idea.
“I almost feel like we’re on defense here and I’m not really agreeing with a whole lot of what we’re discussing tonight. …We’ve been attacked by a couple of newspapers for doing a shitty job. We’ve hired a PR company that they’re upset about, which was the people’s request. We had a certain city counselor that told me that we needed to do a better job,” Briscoe said.
The All Point Bulletin emailed Briscoe on September 18 asking Briscoe to elaborate on his comments, pointing out that there was no record of any discussion by commissioners of the need for a public relations campaign in any commission meeting in 2024 or 2023, which Hogan had confirmed.
The All Point Bulletin copied its email to the other commissioners inviting them to weigh in on the subject. To date, no commissioner has responded. Executive sessions and transparency Government officials in Washington state can discuss things in private but they are not allowed to make decisions in executive sessions. They must announce why they are going into executive session.
There are a number of reasons why a governing body can convene in executive session; typically, these include potential or actual litigation, property deals or contracts, the qualification of a job applicant, performance of a government employee or complaints against an employee.
In 2023, 76.4 percent of the port’s regular commission meetings had executive sessions; 39.9 percent of total meeting time was spent in executive session. The most common reason given was potential litigation followed by performance review and land acquisition. So far in 2024, 87 percent of commission meetings have had an executive session with 41.1 percent of total meeting time spent in executive session.
In contrast, the Port of Everett has held just four executive sessions in 2024, or 36 percent of its meetings. Just 12.1 percent of total meeting time was spent in executive session. The Port of Port Townsend has held just one executive session this year lasting 21 minutes in the last 15 regular meetings.
Port of Bellingham attorney Holly Stafford told the All Point Bulletin that “The Port has been involved in lawsuits which began after January 2023, all of which are a matter of public record.”
She did not provide any further information regarding those lawsuits.
S From l., port executive director Rob Fix, commissioners Michael Shepard, Ken Bell and Bobby Briscoe at the port’s regular meeting on September 17. Screen grab from YouTube stream
Council releases report on sexual harassment case handling
Whatcom County Council’s three-member investigative committee released its findings on September 24 into how the county handled multiple sexual harassment complaints against former public works director Jon Hutchings.
The investigation – which committee members Ben Elenbaas, Todd Donovan, and Barry Buchanan said was to set a scope of work for future investigations, not a fact-finding mission – interviewed 14 current and former county employees for their perspectives on how the county mishandled sexual harassment complaints. The report showed employees lacked trust for HR, the committee recommended the county hire an outside consultant to continue the investigation, and the county make code revisions for how it pays out harassment claims.
County council previously approved $100,000 to fund an outside consultant to continue the investigation during its September 10 meeting.
The investigation revolves around a $225,000 settlement paid in November 2023 to a female county employee who reported Hutchings sexually harassed her in 2020 and 2021 while he ran the public works department. The payout was just under the $250,000 threshold for council to be notified, and media reports revealed Hutchings received a glowing letter of recommendation signed by county executive Satpal Sidhu and then deputy executive Tyler Schroeder for his current position as public works director for Lynden.
Committee members said during their September 24 committee of the whole meeting that their purview was not to find if any person or department needed to be held accountable.
The report outlined a general distrust of HR by county employees, and that Hutchings’ inappropriate behavior was an “open secret” to many in the county, including HR and the executive’s office.
“We head that Dr. Hutchings’ behavior did not change over this period,” the report read.
The report found that those interviewed spoke of a general concern that HR is neither accessible nor effective, “both in terms of the perception of its office door often being locked, and due to challenges in having trust that matters brought to HR would be dealt with effectively or fairly.”
Employees from varying seniority levels expressed concern about the efficacy of harassment training, with some referring to it “a joke,” the report stated. Upper level staff told the committee that they received hardly any training on what constitutes harassment and what reporting requirements exist.
Employees told the committee they were especially concerned about the letter of recommendation for Hutchings.
The investigation found Hutchings requested the letter during the separation agreement discussions in November 2022, which was originally rejected before Hutchings asked again in January 2023, when executive Sidhu signed the letter.
Employees interviewed said they were concerned that the letter was a reflection of how higher-ups at Whatcom County government handled the matter.
“Some leaders, in the face of serious claims about harassment, made themselves appear overly concerned with and responsive to Dr. Hutchings and seemingly unconcerned with those employees who may be suffering harassment in the workplace,” the report stated.
During the committee of the whole meeting on September 24, the three-member committee reminded the public that its findings were not fact-checked, and represented the perspectives of various current and former county employees.
The interviews were conducted in person with Donovan, Buchanan and Elenbaas. The committee apologized for the months-long process, citing scheduling conflicts between the members and interview subjects for the delay. The investigative committee held its first meeting on May 14, and released its finding more than four months later.
“We regret this process has taken so long,” a September 24 memo from the committee read. “Scheduling three councilmembers and an interviewee during the summer months proved to be very challenging.”
In a September 24 letter to county employees, Sidhu said he took full responsibility for the situation, supported the investigation’s recommendations to examine harassment reporting policies, and said it
was important to provide HR with more support.
“This has been a valuable learning experience for me,” Sidhu wrote. “I am committed to cooperating fully with Council’s next steps and implement the recommendations from the Council and the outside consultant. I assure you that we all want to see a culture of wellbeing and respect, an environment where each employee can thrive in their role at the County.”
B y N ola N B aker
All Point Bulletin
The All Point Bulletin is published each month by Point Roberts Press Inc. and is delivered to homes and businesses in Point Roberts and Tsawwassen.
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opinion
Letters to the editor
Ads due: Oct. 25
The Editor:
First, I’d like to thank Samuel for bringing up the issue regarding past- or closeto-date products. As I’ve always said, if I don’t know there’s a problem, I can’t fix it. So having this brought to my attention is important. Over the past few days, our team has taken a deep dive into the shelves, reinforcing the need to check expiration dates with every new load. While our workload increases significantly in the summer, this is no excuse, and we’ve reiterated our procedures with every team member to ensure improvements moving forward.
Addressing a few concerns from the community, some have noted that our cases may appear ‘junky’ or ‘tired.’ However, we recently invested a significant amount of money to replace the systems that run these cases. While older equipment might have looked sturdier, the new mechanisms ensuring the cases function properly are brand new and working excellently. It’s tough to spend large sums on things customers can’t visibly see, but these investments are crucial to keeping us running smoothly. Just like the new roof we’re installing this fall – although it’s out of sight, it’s an essential upgrade.
We strive to do our best, though we know we can’t be everything to everyone. We’re immensely grateful for our loyal and supportive customers; without you, we wouldn’t be here. Samuel’s post generated some fantastic suggestions, and I’d like to address a few. We receive fresh produce twice a week – on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Produce always tends to last longer in your home refrigerators, as they’re kept in colder, darker and more humidity-controlled environments. In the store, we have to expose the produce for easy browsing, which unfortunately leads to shorter shelf life. Summer is particularly challenging. We place large orders in hopes that demand will match, but with
fewer border traffic flows, we sometimes end up with items on the shelf longer than we’d like. We’re actively working on ways to improve this, and your feedback is vital in helping us adapt.
Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. If you have concerns, it’s best to direct them to either Dave or me, as our team members are busy with their daily duties. You can reach us at ptrobertsmarketplace@gmail.com or message me through the NextDoor app. I’ll respond as quickly as possible.
Lastly, I want to give a huge shout-out to our team members. They work incredibly hard year-round, but during the summer, their efforts increase exponentially. Since Covid, they’ve gone above and beyond, and I’m deeply grateful for their hard work and perseverance. Please continue to treat them with kindness and compassion, as they strive to provide the best service possible.
Thank you for your support. We’re not perfect, but we do our best to positively impact this community.
Ali Hayton, Point Roberts International Marketplace Point Roberts
The Editor:
I am writing to express my strong support for the upcoming bond issue on our ballots for the renovation of Blaine middle school. This project is not just about building new facilities; it’s about improving safety, enhancing community spaces, and investing in the future of our children
– without increasing our taxes.
First and foremost, the safety of our middle school students is a top priority. The current school design has limitations in visibility, making it difficult for staff to effectively monitor students throughout the day. The new facilities will prioritize better sight lines, enabling a safer, more secure learning environment. As a parent and community member, I know how crucial it is for our schools to ensure the well-being of every child.
Secondly, the bond will also fund improvement to the performing arts center and the Pipeline Fields bathroom and concession facilities. These upgrades are not just for school use but for the broader community, making these spaces more attractive for events that can generate additional revenue for the school district. With these enhancements, we can increase local engagement and bring more activities to our town, benefitting students and residents alike.
Additionally, the bond includes plans to create a much-needed playground space for children in Point Roberts. Our kids deserve safe, accessible places to play, and this investment will provide just that. Most importantly, it’s vital to remember that there will be no increase in our taxes. The current state tax rate for our bonds will remain the same, and Blaine will continue to enjoy one of the lowest tax rates in the county. This is a responsible investment in our schools and community without putting any extra financial burden on taxpayers.
I encourage everyone to vote in favor of this bond. It’s a win for our schools, our kids, and our entire community, and it comes with no new taxes.
Donald J. Leu Blaine
s Marina visitors were surprised by a visit to the Point Roberts Marina by a female orca and its calf on September 3. Screen grab of a YouTube video posted by Charles Wilcock
Undersheriff put on administrative leave pending investigation
Whatcom County Undersheriff Steve Harris was placed on paid administrative leave August 30 amid an investigation of multiple human resources complaints, according to a September 4 press release from Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley.
Little information regarding the details of the complaints were made available by Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), other than that complaints against Harris were sent to both Tanksley and the county human resources department, the investigation did not include criminal allegations and an independent investigator will be conducting the investigation.
“The public holds government employees to a high level of conduct: we do, too,” Tanksley wrote in the statement. “At the
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, integrity is a cornerstone value that helps ensure we are serving all community members and WCSO staff fairly, equitably and consistent with our mission.”
Tanksley added in his statement that paid administrative leave does not mean the allegations against the employee are true, and is a routine, non-disciplinary practice during an investigation.
Harris has served at WCSO for over 28 years where he served as a deputy and detective, and was promoted to undersheriff in 2023. Harris is a former president of the Whatcom County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild, the local sheriff’s union, and ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in 2011.
WCSO public information officer Deb Slater did not respond to questions citing the ongoing investigation.
All Point Bulletin Upcoming Publishing Dates
November issue:
Distributes: Nov. 1
Ads due: Oct. 25
December issue: Distributes: Nov. 22 Ads due: Nov. 15 January issue: Distributes: Dec. 20 Ads due: Dec. 13
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Drainage ...
Tuesdays & Thursdays • 9:00 am pick up at Community Center, 4:30 pm (approximately) drop off at Community Center.
Call 360-788-9473 to schedule your ride. Special needs, please call scheduler to discuss. Please call to schedule after school pick up for your children.
Remember to winterize your summer home.
Winterizing your home will help avoid any broken water pipes when temperatures dip below freezing. Unhook all outside hose bibs and have water service shut off. Please feel free to phone or email the Point Roberts Water District for further information at 360-945-4696 or prwd@whidbey.com.
From page 1
roadways and driveways and rooftops, among others. The more impervious surfaces there are in a given area will result in more runoff as opposed to being absorbed by the ground. Buescher said hydraulic modeling had identified 20 distinct flooding locations on the Point or regional areas where flooding occurs.
Vavra pointed out that keeping driveway culverts cleaned out is a homeowner responsibility as is replacing those culverts if they are undersized or damaged. Ditches, on the other hand, are a county responsibility and the county is still working on the backlog created when county work crews were unable to come to the Point during the pandemic.
The study identified 39 problems that would be considered capital projects. “Those 39 capital projects turned into 16 total projects meaning many of these projects would solve more than one problem,” said Vavra, adding due to time constraints,
he would only describe three of them. Diane Circle off of Roosevelt Drive in Maple Beach would be the most complex problem with an estimated cost of $3 million to fix. It is a very flat area downstream of higher land, has multiple driveway culverts and the downstream end is higher than the upstream end. It would require an underground stormwater sewer system as well as cultural and archaeological surveying and approval.
Over the road flooding on Johnson Road and Monte Drive “is a lot simpler to solve,” said Vavra. Currently, the ditch on the south side of Johnson is two feet deeper than the ditch on the other side of the road which “is supposed to pick up the flow in the ditch and take it north where it will flow into Maple Beach and become someone else’s problem.” The cure is replace the downhill culvert with a deeper one and regrade the uphill ditch. Vavra estimated that project would cost about $450,000 to remedy.
Gulf Road flooding could be solved by extending the stormwater sewer system
(Please see page 7)
Point Roberts Water District No. 4 2002 Benson Road • P.O. Box 39 Point Roberts, WA, 98281
s Top, the five subwatersheds on Point Roberts. Middle, locations of possible capital projects. Bottom, proposed solution to flooding on Diane Circle in Maple Beach. Slides courtesy of
Drainage ...
From page 6
that was constructed in the 1980s to the west of Julius Drive and extend it to Tyee Drive. That would comprise just one of connected projects and that segment alone would cost upwards of $300,000.
“I do want to be clear that tonight you got the technical experts. You didn’t get the people that are holding the purse strings,” Vavra pointed out. Point Roberts projects would have to compete with other projects in the rest of the county and priorities would be set based on severity and frequency of the problem, the size of the affected population, impact on the environment, and available funding sources.
Vavra predicted the final drainage management report would be ready early in the new year at which time they would return to the Point for a followup presentation.
&
Going big on Solar!
B y e ri N k elly
Point residents Shauna Sylvester and Steve Work found themselves frustrated with the complexities of installing solar at their home. Last fall, the couple decided to organize free public info sessions for the Point Roberts community. They brought in experts to explain solar basics, battery storage and financing. These info sessions eventually led to the creation of Resilient Point Roberts: Going Solar, a volunteer initiative, now with over 100 people involved.
“Solar has something to offer everyone,” said Kara Smith, the group’s communication lead. “Besides being good for the environment, solar means energy security and independence. That could be for your home, community buildings, or even powering things like lights, chargers, and cars.”
For skeptics who wonder about the cost of solar, or how it will work here, there is promising news on all fronts. “The data shows that Point Roberts has 25 percent more solar potential than Germany, one of the world’s leading users of solar,” explained Steve Work, who is leading the technical assessment team. “Plus, technology advances and government incentives are making pricing more competitive, something we are going to make the most of together.”
In June, Resilient Point Roberts secured a $133,000 grant from the Washington
Department of Commerce under the Climate Commitment Act. During the week of October 7 through 12, Cascadia Renewables will conduct a solar feasibility study on community buildings and host two public workshops. The workshops will be held at the community center on Monday, October 7 and Thursday, October 10 at 5 p.m. and are aimed at Point Roberts residents who are interested in solar (especially those engaged with Resilient Point Roberts, partner organizations, and volunteers from other allied organizations). There will be a potluck dinner after the workshop on Monday, and dinner will be provided on Thursday.
While in Point Roberts, Cascadia Renewables will train volunteers to offer free solar assessments for interested households. The technical team is still accepting volunteers to learn about building and site assessments, as well as the online tools used by Cascadia Renewables.
The week concludes with SolarFest on Saturday, October 12 at 2 p.m. at the firehall. SolarFest is a free, public, family-friendly event showcasing the power and possibilities of solar energy with engaging and educational activities for all ages. There will be info booths, solar demonstration projects, a lunch, a SUNdae making stand, kids solar games, giveaways and live music. For more information, to volunteer or if you are interested in a free solar assessment please visit: resilientpointroberts.com.
S Belle, an inflatable 25-foot-high pig, helped launch the Go Solar and Save program at the International Marketplace on September 8. “We spoke to over 50 people in a few hours on Sunday afternoon,” said Kara Smith, a local resident and Solar volunteer.
Photo by Kara Smith
Apple Harvest Festival returns
The eighth Annual Circle of Care Apple Harvest Festival is coming up on Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29. Sponsored by Point Roberts Circle of Care, the event celebrates community and autumn, with proceeds supporting aging-in-place services. All events will be held at the Point Roberts Community Center.
The festival features apple cider pressing on Saturday, September 28 from 11-3 using a handmade Correll cider press collectively purchased by several community organizations in 2017. Bring your own washed apples to press for a suggested donation of $2 per quart. Apples larger than two inches in diameter should be halved or quartered in advance.
On Saturday evening, September 28 from 7 to 10 p.m., the community center
will be completely transformed for a gala with live music, a dance party, and a tiny art auction. Beer, wine, champagne and soda will be available for purchase.
To finish the weekend of fun, there will be Bingo held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 29. Attendees are encouraged to wear their wackiest bingo attire. Prizes and drinks will be available.
Throughout the weekend, anyone who has interest in ordering a pie from Circle of Care for the Apple Pie Fundraiser may do so in person at the festival or by emailing prcircleofcare@gmail.com.
Apple or apple blackberry pies are available in 9-inch ($25) and 5-inch ($9) sizes. Specify crumble or crust top preference in your order.
Pies may be picked up the following week on Saturday, October 5 at the community center.
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s Winners of the hotly contested Maple Beach Bocce Tournament were Jon Morris, seated, and Stephen Fowler. The trophy was presented by Diane Brassington.
Photo by Shaun Dolman
B
peopLe of the point
B y M ar G ot G riffiths
Since retiring to Point Roberts 10 years ago, Bennett Blaustein has been filming aspects of life on the Point and posting them on YouTube. These videos can be accessed on his website pointroberts.tv. This volunteer venture is bred in the bone for Bennett, whose parents instilled in him the value of giving back. His archival labor of love includes filming speakers at meetings, festivals, and events. During Covid, his filming of the July 4th parade was important for those who were sadly missing this community. His video of the Point Roberts Garden Club tour – all nine gardens – has had 30,000 views. Since Bennett initiated Point Roberts TV nine years ago, he has posted 300+ videos about our community. Born in Buffalo, New York, Bennett and his family moved to rural Maryland soon after his birth, where his father was interning at Johns Hopkins Hospital to specialize as an OBGYN. When he was 11, his family moved again to Orange County, California. When Bennett asked his father why he chose the specialty of OBGYN, his father said he’d seen too many people die during WWII. “That one question taught me more about my dad than any other,” Bennett says. His father volunteered at local free clinics and always said how important it was to give back to the community and do good. His parents wanted him to be a doctor or a lawyer but forgave him for studying radio, TV and film at San Francisco State. His discovery of his love for TV was serendipitous. While writing computer code in a media lab, he got tapped to film a PBS show going on at the time, because the director had an actor but no camera man. Though he had no experience, Bennett was a natural. “I was always glued to the
TV and I knew how everything about television worked.”
After completing university, he did contract work on remote television productions. One memorable contract job was doing camera work on one of the first concert videos for Eddie Money. Another time he was hired to work on an instructional video for See’s Candies. “I was doing the lighting, and it got very hot. All the chocolates were melting. The crew were invited to eat them, and we were stuffing them down as fast as we could.” Just like in that vintage episode of I Love Lucy and just as funny.
Bennett met his wife Ramona while working at a public access TV studio in Pacifica, south of San Francisco. They decided to settle down and Bennett gave up television production to work as a video services technician at San Jose University. He worked there until his retirement in 2013 when they headed for Point Roberts. For many years prior to this they made regular visits to the Pacific Northwest, and both fell in love with Point Roberts after reading a National Geographic article on unique zip codes.
They spent 10 years visiting the Point before their move and knew what to expect. Bennett offers this advice: “Don’t bring big city ideas into a small town.” He joined local groups to meet people and learned to ask locals two basic questions about ideas to make changes in the community before even suggesting them: “Has it been done before?” and “Is it a good idea?” Bennett said, “You will know from the answers you receive if the ideas are worth pursuing.”
He and Ramona loved hiking the trails at Baker Field, and this fostered his interest in the parks district. Soon he was elected to the board. “I wanted to help maintain
the trails – they needed work.” He rerouted 2,000 feet of trails and began a maintenance program. Bennett used a small bequest from his mother to do something good for the community which inspired him to create the Enchanted Forest Trail behind Baker Field. “It was close to the school, we got the kids involved. They painted rocks and little wooden doors that we placed on the trees.” Bennett himself provided many of the gnomes, “but mostly I wanted it to be a community project.” He’ll often be on the trail during the summer talking to visitors who are out hiking. “People seem to appreciate the trail, and there might be up to 100 [hikers] on
a summer day.” Many of the visitors are new to Point Roberts and would always ask questions about living here. This motivated Bennett to develop a website for newcomers to help people who are moving here (newtothepoint.org)
Bennett’s encouragement to the community he loves is this: “We have a very small volunteer group here and it’s really important to help out. If you can give your time to help any of our local charities and for any local events then please do.” He has set a strong example, echoing his parents’ belief in giving back by working for the greater good.
s Bennett Blaustein.
Courtesy photo
“It’s a lot of fun cooking for the locals.”
B
Cameron Calvert is the new head chef at the Pier Restaurant, located at the marina in Point Roberts. A local by birth, Cameron is the son of John Calvert, a contractor in the area. His culinary journey began at the same location as the Pier Restaurant, back when it was known as The Compass Rose. His first job was as a dishwasher back in 2015.
At 19, Cameron left Point Roberts to expand his culinary skills. He worked as a sous chef at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island, specializing in casual fine dining. When the head chef at Rosario moved to Walla Walla to work at Kinglet Restaurant, a fine dining restaurant with 15-course menu tastings, Cameron was offered a job as well and followed his chef. After gaining valuable experience, he traveled to Thailand before heading to Colorado, where he took on the challenge of catering at a resort.
Now back in Point Roberts, Cameron was approached by Tamra Hansen, who offered him the opportunity to work at the Pier. He gladly accepted. “I love it. It’s a lot of fun cooking for the locals here,” Cameron says. He now leads a team of three cooks, applying his years of diverse culinary experience to serve the community. As for his future plans for the Pier, Cameron envisions introducing a seven-course tasting menu and aims to expand the restaurant’s menu over time.
Q and A:
All Point Bulletin: If you were stuck on a deserted island what three ingredients would you bring?
Cameron: Lamb is one of my favorite proteins, and carrots and potatoes because they are very versatile.
APB: What is your favorite herb?
Cameron: Rosemary.
APB: What is your favorite world cuisine?
Cameron: I like food from southeast Asia, like Thai and Vietnamese.
APB: Is there any Thai food on the menu?
Cameron: We have a Thai curry inspired cauliflower dish.
APB: What is your favorite comfort food?
Cameron: Corned beef hash.
APB: Do you have a favorite cookbook?
Cameron: It is the Silver Spoon cookbook, also known as the Italian bible. I also like the Noma Guide to Fermentation. I learned how to ferment food when I was in fine dining and fell in love with it.
APB: What is your favorite thing to ferment?
Cameron: I like making misos a lot and Koji. I make my own Koji mold and use that to make miso.
APB: What is your go-to meal to cook when you don’t have much time?
Cameron: Shake and bake chicken and rice.
APB: What is your best-selling dish at The Pier?
Cameron: Definitely the burger, but the steak is starting to catch up now, too.
APB: What is your favorite thing to make here?
Cameron: The steak frites.
Dave Anderson.
“I love the people I volunteer with. They have become family.”
– Jennifer Christle-Walls
s “I enjoy giving back to this beautiful community.”
Rose Hawayek
Adam Rosyskie
s Cameron Calvert . Photo by Erin Kelly
Fall Cleanup MAP
F I r Shore Garden Solut I ons
PICK UP the NEW Point Roberts MAP
Eco-Fr I endly Lawn And Garden Care
Mowing and edging. Specializing in small lawns and gardens. For inquiries text Andrew 360 220 3587 firshoregardensolutions@gmail.com
cells, making transfusions provided solely by generous volunteers absolutely crucial. In just one hour, you can become a lifeline for those battling cancer. Act now. Schedule your appointment today and be the hero they need.
Point Roberts Community Blood Drive
Did you know, a quarter of our blood supply goes to patients fighting cancer? Breast cancer will strike an estimated 370,000 people in 2025. When someone you care about recieves this life-altering news, you naturally want to help. Donating blood through Bloodworks Northwest is a powerful, immediate way to make a real impact, as you can learn firsthand from KEXP DJ, Cheryl Waters - listen to her story as a breast cancer survivor. Chemotherapy takes a heavy toll on blood cells, making transfusions - provided solely by generous volunteers - absolutely crucial. In just one hour, you can become a lifeline for those battling cancer. Act now. Schedule your appointment today and be the hero they need.
Monday, October 7th
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Point Roberts Community Blood Drive
Fire Station – Training Room 2030 Benson Road. Point Roberts, WA 98281
Scan the QR code to book your one hour appt or click this link bloodworksnw.org/giveblood
Appointments are required for the best possible donation experience. Same-day appointments available at most locations. Photo ID required. For safety, we kindly request no visitors under 16 at our donation sites. Eat a hearty meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donations.
Appointments are required for the best possible donation experience. Same -day appointments available at most locations. Photo ID required. For safety, we kindly request no visitors under 16 at our donation sites. Eat a hearty meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donation.
Looking for some Halloween fun?
The fire department’s Spook-tacular Haunted House and Social is taking place on Saturday, October 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the fire hall. There will be a haunted house for zombies young and old, monster fire trucks and creepy equipment, as well as treats for goblins of all ages. Costumes are optional.
Kora’s Corner Trunk or Treat Halloween Party will be held on Saturday, October 26
from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Kora’s Corner parking lot. Join in a thrilling Halloween adventure for attendees of all ages. Register your trunk at koras-corner.com to be part of the boo-nanza.
Nielson’s Halloween Party is scheduled for Thursday, October 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the community center. Nielson’s is expanding their usual Halloween party from their parking lot to the community center. Expect candy, decorations and spooky fun for kids and adults of all ages.
Coming up ...
Scheduled Meetings/Ongoing Events
Final Friday Market: Friday, September 27, 4 to 7 p.m., West side of the Point Roberts Marina. Make it, bake it, grow it market
The Commons: Saturday, September 28, from noon to 2:30 p.m., back room of the community center. Point Roberts Art + Audio: Saturday, September 28, 3 to 4:15 p.m., Point Roberts Library. Decompress from your day by drawing, doodling or painting while listening to an audiobook. Grades six through 12. Apple Harvest Festival: Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, community center. Apple Cider Press: Saturday, September 28, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, September 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Suggested donation for apple pressing: $2 per quart. “Tiny Art” auction and dance party: Saturday, September 28, 7 to 10 p.m. Live music featuring “The Point Band” featuring David Wills, Shaune Ann Feuz, Savilla Kress, Kathy Heinrich, Bruce Whetstone, Casey Carmody and Bill Stannard. Beer, wine, champagne and soda available for purchase. Tickets: $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Kora’s Corner, Nielson’s Building Center or by emailing prcircleofcare@gmail.com. Old fashioned Bingo: Sunday, September 29, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Adult beverages available for purchase. Prizes. $1 per card. Benefiting Point Roberts Circle of Care. Info: prcircleofcare@gmail.com
Jazz Vespers: Sunday, September 29, 4 p.m., Trinity Church. Music, inspiration and guest speakers. Featuring Mike Bell and members of The Living Orchestra.
PR Cemetery District: Mondays, September 30 and October 28, 5 p.m., community center.
PR Amateur Radio Club: Tuesday, October 1, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Link: bit.ly/3yUNk8f.
PR Emergency Preparedness: Tuesday, October 1, 7 p.m., community center/Zoom. prepgroup17@gmail.com.
Point Roberts Community Blood Drive: Monday, October 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., fire station training room, 2030 Benson Road. Book your appointment at bit.ly/4doxSPZ. Appointment required. Photo ID required. No visitors under the age of 16. Eat a hearty meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donation.
SolarFest community workshops: Monday, October 7 and Thursday, October 10, 5 to 8 p.m., community center. The Cascadia team will be briefing the community on the study/identifying priories on Monday and leading a community capacity building workshop on Thursday. Potluck dinner Monday, dinner provided Thursday.
PR Amateur Radio Club: Monday, October 7, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Link: bit.ly/3yUNk8f.
PR Water District: Tuesday, October 8, 5 p.m., 2002 Benson Road. Info: pointrobertswater.com.
PR Fire District No. 5: Wednesday, October 9, 4 p.m., fire hall and via Zoom. Link: bit.ly/45YUv9U. WCFD5.com.
PR Hospital District: Wednesday, October 9, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: bit.ly/3Kw9Ypt.
Your Local Small Market: Saturday, October 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., community center. Come out and shop locally!
SolarFest 2024: Saturday, October 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the fire hall. Showcasing the power and possibilities of solar energy with engaging and educational activities for all ages. Info sessions, solar demonstration projects and info booths, lunch, sundae making stand, kids solar games, giveaways and live music. Sign up for free home solar assessment. Info: resilientpointroberts@gmail.com or visit resilientpointroberts.com/solarfest-2024.
PR Park and Recreation: Monday, October 14, at 7 p.m., via Zoom. Info: prparkandrec.org.
PR Historical Society: Wednesday, October 16, 7 p.m., in the History Center.
PR Community Advisory Committee: Thursday, October 17, 7 p.m., community center and via Zoom. Info: PRCAC.comment@gmail.com. Link: bit.ly/3S8GCB3.
Point Roberts Book & Movie Discussion Group: Monday, October 21, 2 to 4 p.m., library. Info: wcls.org. Booktober party: Tuesday October 22, 3 to 4 p.m., library. Join us for a celebration of all things reading. Make crafts to decorate your home library. Teen volunteers needed from 2:40 to 4:15 p.m. to help pass out supplies and assist kids. Teen helpers grades 6 through 12 can register at wcls.org.
Fire Department Spooktaular Haunted House and Social: Saturday, October 26, 1 to 3 p.m., fire hall, 2030 Benson Road. Haunted house for zombies young and old, monster fire trucks and other super scary equipment on display, treats for goblins of any age and many more surprises. Costumes optional. Presented by the Point Roberts fire department.
Kora’s Corner Trunk or Treat Halloween Party: Saturday, October 26, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Kora’s Corner parking lot. A harrowing Halloween adventure for all ages. Register your trunk at koras-corner.com to join the boo-nanza.
PR Garden Club: Tuesday, October 29, 7 p.m., community center. Info: info@pointrobertsgardenclub.org
Point Roberts Book Club: Wednesday, October 30, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Point Roberts Library. All are welcome to join this lively monthly discussion group at the library. Call the library at 360/945-6545 for this month’s selection. Last Wednesday of the month.
Nielson’s Spooktacular Halloween: Thursday, October 31, 5 to 7 p.m., community center. Sponsored by Nielson’s Building Center. Trick or treating and Halloween party.
Ongoing Events and Hours
Apple Pie Fundraiser: Place your order by Wednesday, October 2, 5 p.m. Pick up pies on Saturday, October 5 at the community center. Apple or apple blackberry pies are available in 9-inch ($25) and 5-inch ($9). Email prcircleofcare@gmail.com with your order and specify crumble or crust top. Fundraiser for Point Roberts Circle of Care.
Basic Tai Chi for seniors: Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m., Mondays at the community center and Fridays at the fire hall. With Shirley Cannon. No registration required. Wear comfortable clothing.
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.
The Raven (WTA): Tuesdays and Thursdays, rides to Bellingham and the surrounding area. To book your ride fill out the form at bit.ly/45PVJFP or call 360/788-9473 or email prtheraven@gmail.com. The Raven does not run on state or U.S. federal holidays. For more information: bit.ly/3RWrRCa. As the new school year approaches, the Raven community shuttle is looking to build its afterschool program. Parents planning to have their children participate in afterschool programs and homeschooling families wishing to do field trips and other events, please contact us at: Prtheraven@gmail.com or 360/788-9473.
Point Roberts Walkers: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8 a.m., Saturdays at Lily Point. Tuesdays and Thursdays vary and locations can be found at prwalkers.wordpress.com.
PR Food Bank: Every Wednesday 8:30–10:30 a.m. at the community center. Info: prfoodbank.org.
Point Roberts Storytime: Wednesdays starting September 18, 10:30 to 11 a.m., library. Ages two to six. Seniors and More Lunches: Wednesdays and Fridays, dine-in or park and come inside the community center to pick up your lunches available from 11:45 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., community center. All ages welcome. More info: prseniors@whidbey.com or 360/945-5424.
History Center Hours: Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PR Library Hours: Tuesdays 1 p.m. –7 p.m., Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Library express hours: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily.
Point Roberts Clinic Hours: Primary care provider schedule: Dr. Lary: Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Dr. Sean: Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Dr. Kelly: Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Doreen (RN): Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sara (RN): Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday hours vary with nurse availability. 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. 360/945-2580.
Illegally removed Maple Beach No Parking signs replaced
Residents in Maple Beach were taken aback when 12 No Parking signs attached with bolts to the seawall were removed by persons unknown in the early hours of September 7. There has been no parking allowed on the seawall side of the street since the construction of the wall, according to residents. The signs were later found thrown into a blackberry bramble.
In a letter to county officials, Steve Hahn, Sr. reiterated the concern raised by the removal of the signs. “We have been part time residents of Maple Beach for over 40-years, both off Bayview, and recently on Bayview. I am a 29-year retired veteran of the fire service, having witnessed way too many accidents involving children and vehicles. I hope to not have that become an issue along Bayview and its tributaries, by allowing parking and increased traffic along Bayview, creating a very hazardous situation,” he wrote.
Of particular concern is the possibility of young children darting out into traffic from behind parked cars next to the seawall. Despite some rumors that the signs were privately placed on the wall by residents in Maple Beach, the No Parking signs are definitely county signs affixed by county works staff. Asked how long the signs had been there, one staffer said they had been there as long as he could remember working for the county.
In any case, the signs have been replaced with new ones as of September 24. The signs would have been replaced sooner but the county was waiting on bolts capable of withstanding salt water.
October Tides
12:23 pm 13.0 5:16 pm 11.7 8:16 pm 12.0 Th 10 4:55 am 4.2 1:39 pm 13.1 7:22 pm 11.6 8:58 pm 11.7 Fr 11 6:01 am 4.2 2:37 pm 13.2 8:42 pm 11.1 10:58 pm 11.3 Sa 12 7:09 am 4.3 3:17 pm 13.4 9:18 pm 10.3 Su 13 12:50 am 11.1 8:13 am 4.4 3:49 pm 13.5 9:52 pm 9.1 Mo 14 2:30 am 11.3 9:11 am 4.8 4:15 pm 13.7 10:28 pm 7.7 Tu 15 3:54 am 11.9 10:05 am 5.4 4:41 pm 13.9 11:04 pm 6.1 We 16 5:04 am 12.6 10:55 am 6.4 5:07 pm 14.0 11:40 pm 4.6 Th 17 6:08 am 13.4 11:45 am 7.5 5:35 pm 14.1 Fr 18 12:20 am 3.3 7:08 am 14.0 12:35 pm 8.7 6:05 pm 14.0 Sa 19 1:00 am 2.3 8:06 am 14.5 1:27 pm 9.8 6:35 pm 13.8 Su 20 1:42 am 1.9 9:08 am 14.7 2:23 pm 10.7 7:07 pm 13.4 Mo 21 2:28 am 2.0 10:12 am 14.6 3:31 pm 11.3 7:41 pm 12.8 Tu 22 3:18 am 2.4 11:20 am 14.4 4:55 pm 11.5 8:19 pm 12.2
We 23 4:12 am 3.2 12:30 pm 14.1 6:47 pm 11.2 9:07 pm 11.4
Th 24 5:14 am
s The old signs.
s The removed signs.
s The new signs.
Photos by Stephen Fowler
in the Garden
B y V ictoria s M ith
Autumn is officially here. The days are growing shorter and there’s a refreshing nip in the morning air.
Summer gardening will soon be a memory and we’ll be spending much less time outdoors over the next few months. All of us – people, plants, and wildlife – are getting ready to hunker down for winter.
October is the perfect time to plant garlic, as well as seeds or seedlings of cool weather greens like spinach, hardy lettuces, Swiss chard, kale, and bok choy. They’ll be happy in outdoor pots or beds, in an unheated greenhouse, or beneath a low plastic tunnel in your garden.
Spring flowering bulbs should be planted between now and late November. Place them pointy end up in well-draining soil, in holes three to four times as deep as the width of the bulb. I use an auger that attaches to a power drill: it creates individual planting holes in mere seconds.
October and November are the traditional months for cleaning up the yard for fall and winter, something I’ve never enjoyed doing. I’m happy to say that current research encourages gardeners to do far less in the fall, which benefits our gardens as well as our wildlife.
Like us, our animal friends – the deer and coyotes and raccoons, birds and hummingbirds, beneficial insects and essential pollinators – are also preparing for the change of seasons. They’re entering the time of year when they’re most in need of a steady supply of food and water and a safe habitat.
Our local wildlife has had to learn to live side by side with all of us, narrowing their feeding grounds and causing them to rely more heavily on us for their survival over the colder months. Their entire lives are spent outdoors, in the forest, near the roads and in our yards. As good stewards of the earth, we should consider their needs in the coming months.
Treading lightly while putting our gardens to bed in the fall helps provide food and habitat for the thousands of species of non-humans – above and below the ground – with whom we share our community while also protecting and preserving our soil and groundwater.
Doing less when preparing our yards for fall and winter allows us to give up the notion that we should cut everything to the ground or remove all the past-their-prime plants. Empty beds and bare soil invite soil erosion, root rot, and depletion of essential soil fungi and minerals. Overly cleared yards create excessive water runoff that carries away nutrients, mulch and topsoil, contributes to blocked and flooded ditches, and decreases the amount of water that is stored below ground in your own yard. We encourage diversity and preserve species by leaving most dying-back plants in place until spring. Insects lay their eggs in the stems and branches of these plants, to repopulate our gardens next year. Birds depend on the seeds of faded flowers like sunflowers, coneflowers, cosmos, and rudbeckia for winter food. Leaving these
plants standing for the next few months saves time and effort, and results in healthier soil for planting next year’s food and vegetable gardens.
If you have unoccupied birdhouses, clean them and put them back in the yard for winter shelter. Overwintering birds will snack on non-hibernating insects, slugs, and snails. If you provide feeding stations for birds and hummingbirds during the warm months, think about your winter plans and whether you’ll be here to keep the feeders clean, filled, and frost-free all winter long. If not, take them down now so that the birds can find a new source of winter food before the end of October.
If you have a lawn of any size, or a grassy meadow, the cooler months are a good time to let the grass grow taller to protect the soil and the many underground inhabitants. Taller grass helps prevent weed seeds from sprouting in your lawn. Consider let-
ting dandelions remain in the ground, as they are the first food available for ground bees and bumblebees in the spring; without this necessary food, native bees will have nothing to eat. Dandelions provide many benefits to your soil, increasing tilth and creating essential air pockets beneath the ground, thereby making it more permeable for water and nutrients.
Collect tree leaves as they fall and spread a one- to three-inch layer over empty garden beds, the soil between your plants, trees, hedges, and any other bare soil in your yard. This, too, builds soil structure and helps prevent weeds. Do not shred the leaves first, as you want a light, fluffy layer in place so that water can pass through. Add a second layer of leaves after the first freeze. Small branches or chicken wire will help keep the leaves in place.
Have a wonderful October doing less in your garden!
s Angelika Hedley gave garden club members at their September meeting advice on how to protect their plants from winterkill from fall through spring. Courtesy photo
ChurCh news
B y B ar B ara W ayla N d
We are pleased to be welcoming two guest pastors to Trinity Church this month. On Sunday, October 6, Reverend John Roddam will be offering the morning service. On Sunday, October 13, Father Martin Pommerenke will be returning to lead worship. September 29 will be the fifth Sunday of the month, and we will once again be hosting Jazz Vespers at 4 p.m. Members of The Living Orchestra, including local musician Mike Bell, will be performing. As always, there will be three or more speakers relaying uplifting anecdotes. There is no 11 a.m. church service on fifth Sundays. Jazz Vespers was created to reach out to the spiritual community who do not attend more religious services. Begun in summer 2022, Jazz Vespers has been growing steadily in popularity. Guest speakers have met with amazing enthusiasm and
surprised local audiences for over two years.
Presenters such as Paul Lucas, Arthur Reber, and Mark Robbins have shared true life stories inspiring the audience to join in upcoming Vesper events and share their own stories.
Lynn Johnston, the creator of the For Better, For Worse comic strip, delighted audiences when she appeared as a guest speaker for Jazz Vespers.
All are welcome to attend and enjoy the inspirational speakers and the amazing music. Donations are appreciated but not required.
Trinity is multi-denominational and open to everyone. Whether you enjoy a traditional religious service or something more spiritual, keep Trinity in mind for your Sundays. A potluck always follows morning service. Everyone is welcome to attend.
obituary
Christine “Kiki” Grinsted Dec. 3, 1962 – September 10, 2024 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Christine “Kiki” Grinsted, beloved daughter, sister, mother and friend, who left us too soon. Born on December 3, 1962, Kiki grew up in both Tsawwassen B.C. and California, bringing a bright light into the lives of everyone she met. Kiki was the cherished daughter of Marrianne and William, and a loving sister to her brothers Robert “Bob” and Bill, and her sister Stephani. She was the devoted mother of two beautiful children, Cierra “Cece” and Nicholas “Nicky,” who were the center of her world.
Kiki had a creative soul and a passion for art. She was known for her love of food and wine, often indulging in her favorite
cheeses. A true foodie, Kiki’s zest for life was contagious, and she found joy in every moment. Her love for animals was undeniable, and she cared deeply for the creatures she encountered.
Though she lived a mostly private life, Kiki was also social and the life of the party, always bringing laughter and fun to every gathering. A free spirit at heart, Kiki embraced life with optimism and kindness, always living in the moment. She was fashionable and full of humor, with a deep appreciation for nostalgia and music. Kiki had a generous and giving heart, always thinking of others with empathy and love. Her headstrong nature made her a force to be reckoned with, yet she was a beacon of warmth and well-wishing for her loved ones.
Kiki adored traveling, exploring new places, and immersing herself in new experiences. She also loved to shop and could be found frequently making lists for the next spree. More than anything, family was her priority, and her love for them was unwavering.
Her vibrant spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew her. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
“She sleeps in peace. The sleeping princess forever dreams over all of us.”
UPPER END HOUSES: $800,000+:
1-story house with 1,936 S.F., 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 784 S.F. attached garage, 968 S.F. deck, built in 1978, remodeled in, 97 feet waterfront; marine view, .71 acres land.
1-story house with 2,797 S.F., 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, 462 S.F. attached garage, 416 S.F. carport, 1,080 S.F. storage (built in 2007) 240 S.F. deck, 277 S.F. patio, built in 1974, 6.62 acres land.
1-story house with 2,142 S.F., 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 630 S.F. attached garage, 728 S.F. patio, built in 1993, waterfront; marine and territorial view, .26 acres land.
2-story house with 3,615 S.F., 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, 638 S.F. attached garage, 298 S.F. deck, 1,136 S.F. patio, built in 2000, 5.00 acres land.
2-story condo with 2,974 S.F., 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, 435 S.F. built-in garage, 280 S.F. patio, built in 2018; marine view.
2-story house with 3,367 S.F., 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 864 S.F. built-in garage, 1,090 S.F. patio, built in 2006, .40 acres land.
1-story house with 2,288 S.F., 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 462 S.F. attached garage, 520 S.F. carport, 2,800 S.F. storage, 469 S.F. patio, built in 1991, 3.37 acres land.
2-story house with 3,026 S.F., 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 676 S.F. detached garage, 265 S.F. patio, built in 2017, 5.01 acres wooded land.
2-story house with 3,200 S.F., 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, 786 S.F. deck, 864 S.F. detached garage (built 2012) outbuilding, built in 1998, 14.55 wooded acres land.
1-story house with 2,524 S.F., 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 779 S.F. attached garage, 450 S.F. patio, built in 2006; territorial view, .38 acres land.
1-story house with 1,871 S.F., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 698 S.F. attached garage, 466 S.F. patio, built in 2022, 2.51 acres land.
2-story house with 3,898 S.F., 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3-car built-in garage, built in 2024, .40 acres land.
Chehalis Place, Blaine
Sunrise Road, Blaine
#19,
BY:
s Kiki Grinsted.
Yacht Sales–Power and Sail Service
LoCaL stats >>>
Fire Incidents for August 2024 (2023 figures following)
Total calls (57); EMS calls (20), resulting in the following transports: St. Joseph Hospital (1), Airlift Northwest (5), County Medic (1), County BLS Unit (1); fire classification (21) resulting in outdoor burn – permit (4), outdoor burn – illegal (4), smoke investigation (1), false alarm (5), power lines down (2), animal rescue (5); public service (4); EMS CARES/MIHC (12).
Point Roberts health clinic numbers for August 2024 (2023 figures following)
Total 212 (167); office visit 165 (103); labs 9 (11); PT/INR 2 (9); telemedicine visit 17 (21); Physical exams 1 (0); skin clinic 9 (7); B12 and flu shots 9 (16).
sheriff’s report
September 1, 11:44 a.m.: Serve papers on Marina Drive. September 1, 1:37 p.m.: Traffic stop on Tyee Drive.
September 1, 7:37 p.m.: Assist citizen on Benson Road. September 1, 10:53 p.m.: Mental on Boundary Bay Road.
September 3, 12:44 p.m.: Suspicious person on Harbor Seal Drive.
September 4, 1:12 a.m.: Mental on Boundary Bay Road.
September 5, 9:09 a.m.: Neighborhood dispute cold call on Boundary Bay Road.
September 6, 3:17 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Boundary Bay Road.
September 8, 12:46 p.m.: Assist citizen cold call on Gulf Road.
September 13, 11:14 a.m.: Assist citizen cold call on Benson Road.
senior’s
point
M e N us for o cto B er
Wednesday, October 2: Greek turkey meatballs with pita bread, tzatziki sauce, Greek salad and dessert.
Friday, October 4: Pulled pork, brown rice, spinach and fruit.
Wednesday, October 9: Chicken parmesan, orzo, steamed broccoli and dessert.
Friday, October 11: Cincinnati chili over spaghetti, garden salad and dessert.
Wednesday, October 16: Baked salmon, quinoa, steamed kale, whole wheat dinner roll and dessert.
Friday, October 18: Cobb salad with chicken, bleu cheese, hard boiled egg, bacon, tomatoes and avocado, and strawberry cake.
Wednesday, October 23: Patty melt, French fries, garden salad and dessert. Friday, October 25: Creamy spinach chicken, rice and dessert.
Wednesday, October 30: Chef’s choice.
Lunches are served in the dining room at the community center from 11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or until food runs out. Contact prseniors@whidbey. com or call the community center at 360/945-5424 for more information.
September 13, 3:06 p.m.: Neighborhood cold call on Boundary Bay Road.
September 13, 9:56 p.m.: Not available on Greenwood Drive.
September 14, noon: Assist citizen cold call on Gulf Road.
September 15, 1:53 a.m.: Threat cold call on Simundson Drive.
September 15, 6:07 p.m.: Vandalism on Mill and Johnson roads.
September 21, 11:36 a.m.: Assist citizen on Gulf Road.
September 23, 12:04 a.m.: Vandalism cold call on Gulf Road.
September 23, 3:43 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Williams Road.
Library piCks
kris lo M edico
Bestsellers: Den of Iniquity J. A. Jance The Life Impossible Matt Haig All the Colors of the Dark
Chris Whittaker
Tell Me Everything Elizabeth Strout
Movies: Arthur the King Simu Liu Fast Charlie Pierce Bronson
Challengers Josh O’Conner
Sasquatch Sunset Jesse Eisenberg
Music: Luck and Strange David Gilmour Evolve Phish Forever Bon Jovi
Artificial Paradise OneRepublic Teens: The Lies We Conjure Sarah Henning
The Loss of the Burying Ground J. Anderson Coats Chasing Embers Glenn Beck
Kids: Impossible Creatures
Katherine Rundell
When We Flew Away Alice Hoffman
When You Find the Right Rock
Mary Lyn Ray
Hours: Tuesdays: 1 to 7 p.m.
Wed. & Sat.: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Express: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. wcls.org
s Canadian group Shag the Band made it easy for getting the crowd to dance at the End of Summer Daze fundraiser for Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars. The event was held September 7 outside the Pier Restaurant at the marina.
Photo by Louise Mugar
