The northern light, july 9 2015 by Point Roberts Press

FREE

Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay

July 9 - 15, 2015

HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer

IN THIS

ISSUE

Grisly incident in Birch Bay, page 3

Legislature approves new pot reform bill

Native American canoe journey stops in Blaine, page 8

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

Blaine coffee shop earns award, page 15

Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July

By Steve Guntli Governor Jay Inslee signed a recreational marijuana reform bill into law on June 30. The bill makes several changes in the state’s recreational marijuana laws that will simplify the tax and licensing processes. The bill, House Bill 2136, passed through the House on June 26 by a vote of 59–38 and the Senate on June 27 by 36–7. Perhaps the biggest change is the elimination of the three-tier tax structure that was implemented once sales commenced. The system imposed a 25 percent tax at each level of production and sale: producers, processors and retailers. That system is replaced by a single 37 percent excise tax at the point of sale at the retailer. The reforms address complaints by retailers who pointed out that medical marijuana outlets were able to undercut regular retail prices as they paid little or no tax on their sales. Now, both recreational and medical users would pay the 37 percent excise tax, which will help level the playing field for retailers and medical dispensaries. Medical users will be exempt from the tax if they are already in a registry created by regulatory legislation earlier this year. The reforms also allow cities and counties to reduce the 1,000-foot buffer zone between marijuana retailers and certain restricted locations. Under the new laws, marijuana businesses can now be within 100 feet of childcare centers, arcades, libraries, public parks or transit centers. The 1,000-foot buffer will still be in place for schools. The measure would also ban marijuana drive-throughs, vending machines or clubs.

s Mike Dahl marches on stilts singing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” in Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July parade. See more photos on pages 8-10.

Photo by Debbie Harger

Wildfires cover western Washington in smoke By Steve Guntli Whatcom County residents have found themselves under a layer of smoke since July 6 as wildfires rage in Washington and British Columbia. B.C. currently has more than 180 wildfires throughout the province. The smoke from the more than 70 fires burning in southern B.C. and Vancouver Island has settled over much of

western Washington, extending as far south as the Olympic Peninsula. The smoke has drastically impacted the air quality in the region. North Whatcom County is facing the worst of it: a monitoring station for the Washington State Department of Ecology rated the air quality near the Canadian border as “very unhealthy” on the morning of July 6. By mid-afternoon, the conditions had been upgraded to “unhealthy for sensitive people,” meaning

Ballots for primary elections arriving shortly The ballots for the August 4 primary elections in Whatcom County will be mailed out on Wednesday, July 15. Blaine and Birch Bay have candidates running for commissioner positions on the Blaine school district and the Port of Bellingham boards. Three Birch Bay residents are vying for an open position on the school board. Joan Lotze, Jesse Creydt and Russ Schutt are each vying for the director district 3 seat on the

school board. Lotze was appointed to the position in 2014 to replace Susan Holmes. One Blaine resident is running for port commissioner. Bobby Briscoe, a local fisherman, is running to replace Jim Jorgenson, who will retire from the commission at the end of this year. He will face off against former Ferndale mayor Gary Jenson and businessman Lloyd Zimmerman. Both the school board and port com-

missioner positions are nonpartisan seats with four-year terms. The deadline for new voters to register is 4:30 p.m. on July 27. Only in-person registration for new voters is accepted. The primary election will take place on August 4. The general election will be held on November 3. For more information, visit the Whatcom County Auditor’s website at co.whatcom.wa.us/199/ auditor.

it still poses health concerns to people with lung or heart conditions. Over the weekend, the county dispatch center was clogged with telephone calls from citizens reporting smoke. Dispatchers received close to 100 calls starting on July 5. Authorities are encouraging citizens to limit their calls to reports on actual fires. (See Wildfire, page 12)

Online

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Inside

Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Coming Up . . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The Northern Light • July 9 - 15, 2015

School district begins work on capital projects bond improvements B y P at G r u bb With school out for the summer, construction work on Blaine school district’s capital improvement projects are in full swing. Beynon Sports Surfaces, a Maryland-based manufacturer and installer of synthetic track surfaces, has begun repairing the base and replacing the surface of the high school track. Operating worldwide, Beynon installed the track

facilities at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon, which is used for Olympic trials. Re-carpeting at the elementary school is close to being finished; however, plans to install a new playground have been put on hold due to the timing and scheduling of other construction projects that impact this particular project. Expected to take two months, the middle school re-roofing job has begun, as has the repaving of the

parking lot next to the middle school gym at the corner of H and Mitchell streets. Prior to the construction of an addition to the primary school, the existing playground needs to be moved. Construction on the new playground will start at the end of the month and take two to three weeks to complete. Bids for the primary school expansion are expected to come in September. Across the bay in Point Roberts,

re-roofing of the Point Roberts Primary School is expected to begin mid-month. The district is in discussions with the Point Roberts parks district regarding various options for a new playground. The school property abuts Baker Field where the current playground is sited. The current structure would need to be removed to accommodate the new playground. Planned site prep work at the high school, which primarily in-

The

Join the Fun Birch Bay at the

10niverYesaarry

2005-2015

cludes relocation of utility services, will not take place this summer following discussions with the city of Blaine. The work is part of the $45 million capital projects bond that voters approved in February 2015. The bond replaces existing bonds that expire in 2016. Approximately $38 million will be used for improvements to the high school with the rest spread over various schools and maintenance items.

Haynie Opry The Best in Classic Country & Bluegrass Music All shows $10

Friday & Saturday,

July 10 & 11 • 7 pm

Sandcast le Compe t i t ion July 18-19

GOSPEL MATINEE $5 JULY 11 • 3 PM

Tribute to Hank Williams

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NEXT MONTH: AUGUST 7 - Pickled Okra, bluegrass band from Seattle AUGUST 8 - Repeat Performance of Hank Williams Tribute The coffee pot is on! TICKETS SOLD AT THE DOOR • Doors open 6 pm • Show starts 7 pm

For guest artists & information, contact 360-366-3321

Judging & prizes in the following categories: Saturday July 18

Sunday July 19

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Family/Groups Youth 12 & Under High School Cash for College

Located at 3344 Haynie Road (Haynie Grange Hall) Blaine, WA

A Night at the Slides Friday, July 17 • 6-9 pm

Individual Business Masters

Check in/Registration at 9 am Register in advance online at www.birchbaychamber.com or day of event!

Judging at 3 pm

A fundraising event benefiting the Birch Bay Music Festival which helps local nonprofit animal rescue groups brought to you by

Awards at 5 pm

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Food • Kids Activities • Vendor Booths Visit www.BirchBayChamber.com for information rules and registration!

Have fun at the Birch Bay Waterslides after hours! Food • Door Prizes • & More! Tickets $20 available at www.BirchBayMusicFestival.com/waterslides.html All ages welcome, children 4 & under free, minors must be accompanied by an adult. There will be door prizes and a special presentation by Cronkguitars.com where you can see them create a guitar, “From Stump to Stage”

There’s something for everyone at Semiahmoo Resort, Golf & Spa! Play golf! $40 at 4PM Sunday through Thursday

Open to the Public Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner:

Standing in the Field Dinner

At the public course – Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club on odd days, Loomis Trail Golf Course on even days.

What better way to celebrate summer but on the greens!

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Come check out Chef Niky Holmes’ delicious new menu! Prepared fresh daily, diners will find the flavors subtle and the presentations clean and simple. Whether for a great, quality burger pre or post-golf … or a more formal yet relaxed couples or date-night dinner, Great Blue Heron Grill is an awesome choice.

Monday July 27 • 7-9 PM

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Enjoy Happy Hour every day from 3 – 5 PM 8720 Semiahmoo Parkway • 360-371-7015

9565 Semiahmoo Parkway • Blaine • www.semiahmoo.com • 360.318.2000

July 9 - 15, 2015 • thenorthernlight.com

Semiahmoo

Birch Bay man attempts hara-kiri

s Sheriff’s deputies and paramedics tend to Morgan Ritchie near Bay Road on June 20.

By Steve Guntli A Birch Bay man was sent to the hospital after attempting to disembowel himself while escaping arrest. At approximately 11 p.m. on June 20, Morgan Ritchie, 34, entered the home of his wife, Anne Ritchie, on Outrigger Loop in Birch Bay. Ritchie had a no-contact order for domestic violence and was prohibited from entering the home. Anne was on the phone with Morgan’s brother, Aaron Miller, when Ritchie entered. Miller contacted the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. According to the incident report, Ritchie was extremely intoxicated and behaved erratically. He threatened to commit suicide, going so far as to make small cuts in his throat with a pocketknife. When Ritchie noticed the approaching patrol car lights, he fled out the back door, taking several knives from the kitchen with him. Sheriff’s deputies set up a perimeter to look for him. Deputies checked a ditch running behind Anne’s property and found him lying in a ditch under Bay Road. Ritchie had stabbed himself in the upper stomach with a kitchen knife. According to the incident report, he became verbally aggres-

sive with deputies, yelling at them to shoot him and saying he wanted to “die with honor like a samurai.” Eventually, deputies were able to convince him to come out of the ditch and remove the knife from his stomach. Medics arrived shortly thereafter and took him to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham. Deputies searched the ditch and found three other knives and the garage door opener Ritchie had used to enter the house. None of the other knives had blood on them. Deputies determined his injuries were too severe for him to go to

Photo by Erik Ernst

jail, and advised he receive mental health treatment in addition to the treatment of his wound. Anne refused to sign an incident order or press charges, saying he has never assaulted her and she has repeatedly asked to have the no-contact order rescinded. Ritchie was released from the hospital on June 23. Sheriff’s deputies determined there was probable cause to charge him with residential burglary and violation of a no-contact order. Deputies placed him under arrest on June 25. He is slated to appear in Whatcom County District Court on July 28.

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Summer Fun for Kids!

Monday Themed Activities Waterslides Day Camps - Wednesdays, Just $10/day Movie Nights - Every Friday Night JULY 11 - Dog Days • JULY 25 - Geocaching 101 JULY 18 - Oyster Dome Hike JULY 24 - Kids Boat Safety JULY 28 - Cut Paper Art Classes AUGUST 1 - Pirate Daze Get all the details in our

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The Northern Light • July 9 - 15, 2015

The Northern L ght Salmon boats depart Blaine Harbor The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc. Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Letters Policy The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com. Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@thenorthernlight.com

s A fleet of salmon boats sails past the Plover ferry on their way out of Blaine Harbor. The boats are headed for the Prince William Sound salmon fishery in Alaska.

Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@thenorthernlight.com

Photo by Richard Sturgill

Letters

Editor Steve Guntli steve@pointrobertspress.com Copy Editor Kara Furr kara@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Ian Ferguson ian@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@thenorthernlight.com Office Manager Amy Weaver info@thenorthernlight.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Janet McCall Catherine Darkenwald sales@thenorthernlight.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@thenorthernlight.com Contributors In This Issue Katelyn Doggett The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200 Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXI, No 4 Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

Next issue: July 16 Ads due: July 10

The Editor: Another fabulous 4th in Blaine! Western Display Fireworks put on a great show over the harbor and we must have the best parade in NW Washington! Sincere thanks go our city crew who volunteered to direct traffic, deliver everything, monitor the parade & car show and clean it all up. Thanks also to Ted Goodman, Eloise Nyman, Bob Hines, Police Department, Jim Jorgensen, Fire Department, Debbie & Terry and the terrific parade crew. Special thanks to the citizens of Blaine, who show up every time and are such great supporters of our local events. Caroll Solomon Blaine Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center The Editor: I attended the International Arts and Music Festival and was so impressed with the quality of the music and art that I felt compelled to say thank you to Diane Major, Anne Abrams and the many other people whose names I don’t have for putting together this wonderful and friendly event.

I could go on and on about the diversity of artists, musicians, their creativity and the quality of their work. Short of that, I can only say thank you. It was a great festival and Blaine should be proud to have such creative and dedicated people living in their community. Terry Galvin Bellingham The Editor: There have been so many unpleasant letters written about the Blaine Post Office. Well, mine will not be one of them. I appreciate the privilege of having my mail delivered to the housing development where we live. I wasn’t aware that there was a posted time sheet when the mail was to be delivered. The cut-backs by our government shouldn’t be any great shock to any of us, especially if you watch the news. We were warned, whether or not anyone else was. I just want to say this about our mail delivery person; he deserves to get some

words of praise for his hard work, not all these nit-picking remarks directed at his place of employment. Thank you whoever you are who delivers our mail! Sarah (Sally) Paulsen Blaine The Editor: This year was the worst and wildest Fourth of July celebration to date. Our neighbor told us that this was to be like nothing I’d ever seen before. True to his words, it was. Our driveway, roof and yard is/was full of mortar and firework bomb debris. We had friends over to enjoy some fireworks we got from a stand, but our friends were so frightened from the attack on all Continued on next page Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Civic Meetings Birch Bay Water & Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4:30 p.m., district offices, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info: bbwsd.com.

Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District: Third Wednesday, 6 p.m., location varies. Info: bbwarm.whatcom county.org.

Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.

Blaine Parks Board: Third Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.

Blaine Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 7 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: blainepc@ cityofblaine.com.

Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info: blaine.wednet.edu.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Birch Bay Chamber Officem 7900 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay. Info: blainebirchbayparkandrec.org

North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 7 p.m. Blaine Fire Station. Info: nwfrs.net.

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Thursday, July 9, 7 pm

Planning Commission meeting Public Hearing - Blaine Elementary School Expansion Conditional Use Permit Monday, July 13, 6 pm - City Council meeting Approx. 6:45 pm – Executive Session

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9 am – Finance Committee meeting 5 pm - Council Joint Study Session with Planning Commission 7 pm - Planning Commission meeting Monday, July 27, 6 pm

City Council meeting

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The Editor: If you were dismayed to learn

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South Whatcom shellfishing closed The Whatcom County Health Department reopened the beaches in south Whatcom County, including Portage Bay, Bellingham Bay and Larrabee State Park, on July 2 after the elevated levels of red tide poisoning and paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) subsided. The beaches were closed again July 8. Beaches in north Whatcom are still open to all species. Visit doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/biotoxin.htm or call 1-800-562-5632 for updates.

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The Editor: Canada thanks the U.S. air force for helping to find the Franklin Expedition ship, lost for more than 156 years in the Canadian arctic. The English expedition was lost and trapped in the ice trying to discover the Northwest Passage in 1859. All crew members died. Dozens of searches were made over the 156 years; the ship Erebus was finally found in 100 feet of water and under 6 feet of ice, in 2014. The ship was remarkably preserved, including many British artifacts, markings, cannons and three quarters of the hull still intact. In previous years, some of the crew’s bodies had been found, still quite preserved in the ice. The discovery of the ship further establishes Canada’s claims to the Northwest Passage route and much of the arctic, because Britain gave Canada all its rights of arctic ownership when Canada became a nation. With warming of the oceans, the Northwest Passage will eventually be like the Panama Canal. The Passage route (which has been

The Editor: One of the most exhaustive reviews of any project in this state, the environmental study of the Gateway shipping terminal in Whatcom County is unprecedented in its vast scope. The state of Washington has expanded the study far beyond its regular parameters. Now, over a year into this expensive review, the regulatory agency is being asked to stop in its tracks. Due to objections from the Lummi Nation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been asked by the tribe to cancel the study. What is the harm in completing this lawful process? Are the opponents fearful of what the science and facts will show about Gateway’s impact? And if this government agency is not willing to finish it, why on earth did they start it in the first place? Gateway has committed to complying with all required laws and regulations, and modified their proposal to further improve compliance. I believe the environment and responsible industry can coexist with this terminal. The Cherry Point industries are among the most heavily regulated in the entire country. We can be sure that Gateway will be the same. I am well satisfied that the various impacts can be mitigated. But nothing will happen if the Corps decides to negate an orderly and lawful process that has worked well for countless years. No business will consider locating in Whatcom County (or Washington state) knowing that any single group opposed to industry wields a big “no” vote that carries more weight than any other. No business can operate with this kind of unpredictability. I urge the Corps to keep this process moving forward in a timely fashion, and to let the facts speak for the project, not innuendo and anti-business foes. It’s the right thing to do. Gordon Jonasson Lopez Island

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sides, the noise and the confusion that they went home. The problem here is that Birch Bay is lacking fireworks laws, regulations and police protection against this intrusion. Residents are at the mercy of the mayhem wrought by these lawbreakers that take advantage of Birch Bay’s lack of rules. The people using this arsenal of fireworks are not patriots who respect and celebrate our freedom. We need to bring order and law to this community on the Fourth of July. We have a wonderful place the rest of the year but somehow it just becomes a war zone for one evening a year. The morning of the 5th arose with a red sun rising and the air a very eerie smog color from horizon to horizon and the ground and roof covered in trash. LaVonne Howard Birch Bay (Ed. Note: Whatcom County fireworks ordinances govern the legal use of fireworks in Birch Bay and other unincorporated parts of the county.)

that the candidate you supported for county council in 2013 actually won the race in your council district but was not elected to serve and represent the perspectives shared by you and your neighbors, then you came to realize how “atlarge voting” exaggerates the power of more urban-oriented voters in the city of Bellingham. The charter review commission is working to provide the people an opportunity to restore fair and equitable representation on our county council so that the voices of rural and small city residents, in addition to those in Bellingham, are heard. Recently the commission voted to place a measure on the November ballot which would establish district representation. Passing Proposed Amendment 1 will not, however, solve the problem, as was demonstrated following the 2005 charter review. Voters also need to remove county council’s authority to overturn fair representation. Mark Nelson Bellingham

3rd St.

From previous page

navigated during the summer in the last few years) will eliminate over 3,000 miles for ships traveling from Asia to Europe. Jay James Birch Bay

Peace Portal Dr.

Letters ...

July 9 - 15, 2015 • thenorthernlight.com

Don’t wait! Call 360 332-9534 for your appointment today!

The Northern Light • July 9 - 15, 2015

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An opportunity to witness traditional Native American culture will occur this summer during a two-day event on Friday and Saturday, July 24–25. The G’ana’k’w Canoe Family, the Lummi Nation and the Semiahmoo Nation, paddling three handmade canoes, will arrive at Telescope Beach at Marine Park on Friday, July 24 during their annual multi-nation canoe journey. Other tribe members wearing traditional regalia will welcome them to the land with singing, drumming and a traditional canoe arrival ceremony. Blaine residents Ron Snyder and Cathy Taggett, who own Circle of Trees Studio and Homestead and are members of the G’ana’k’w Canoe Family, are helping coordinate the arrival ceremony and a potlatch, which will be held on Saturday, July 25. This will be the first time in more than 100 years that native canoes have made Blaine their destination and not just a short stop on a journey to another location. The multi-family canoe journeys began in the Northwest in 1986 and have occurred annually since 1993, Snyder said. The G’ana’k’w Canoe Family’s goal has been to involve more

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tribal communities in the Northwest in showing pride in their heritage and preserving their customs, Snyder said. The annual canoe journeys provide the opportunity to teach culture to their youth as well as community members, he said. “Every year there has been a hosted gathering but it has become too expensive,” Snyder said. “We want to keep these traditions alive for our youth, so we are doing shorter journeys.” Blaine was chosen as the destination this year because of its proximity to where most the families are located and because Snyder and Taggett are locals. Community members are welcome to witness the ceremony, which will start when the canoes arrive around 1 p.m. on Friday in order to take advantage of the high tide. The arrival is the culmination of a 60-mile, four-day journey from Cama Beach on Camano Island starting on July 21. Other stops along the way include the Swinomish Nation near La Conner, the Lummi Nation and Sucia Marine State Park. The ceremony will be very traditional, Snyder said. Tribe members will arrive singing songs in their native languages and continue to follow traditional protocol. “Traditions were rediscovered when the canoe journeys started up,” Taggett said. “We looked at how things used to be done in order to teach the youth and to teach each other.” As the canoes arrive, a speaker in each canoe will ask permission from the elders of the tribes to come on land. Once granted permission and thanking the Blaine community for welcoming them,

the members will turn the canoes around and arrive backwards. Arriving backwards is a safety tactic started long ago since it is easier to paddle forward than backwards, Snyder said. The canoes will then be lifted onto the land because it is considered disrespectful to drag them, he said. A potlatch will be held at around 6 p.m. on Saturday. Members of the public are welcome to attend. The potlatch will have speakers, singing, dancing and gift giving. Many community members will receive a gift, since a potlatch is traditionally an event where wealth is given away and shared in order to build a stronger community. “I think the public will find it interesting to find out about another culture and way of life and become aware that there were native people here,” Taggett said. “It’s a big part of the history of the area.” The journey is supported by grants and volunteer work from community members and businesses. To prepare, the members have been practicing paddling and maneuvering the canoes and everyone involved has received cold water capsize training. Snyder and Taggett have been giving presentations about the canoe journey at libraries, schools and city meetings, and many members have been busy making gifts, food to freeze and traditional regalia and preparing songs and stories for the potlatch, Snyder said. To volunteer, contribute or ask questions contact Ron Snyder or Cathy Taggett by phone at 360/305-8231 or 360/332-8082 and by email at circleoftrees@ wildblue.net.

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July 9 - 15, 2015 • thenorthernlight.com

Semiahmoo

Sports Luke Ridnour traded record four times in one week By Steve Guntli Luke Ridnour, NBA player and Blaine High School graduate, endured a pretty crazy week. The veteran point guard was traded to four teams in seven days. The shuffle began on the morning of June 24. The Orlando Magic opted to trade Ridnour to the Memphis Grizzlies for Janis Timma, a 2013 second-round draft pick. At around 9:45 a.m. on June 25, Ridnour was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for player Matt Barnes. Less than three hours later, Ridnour was sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Jeremy Lamb and a draft pick. On June 30, Ridnour was traded once again, this time to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Croatian power forward Tomislav Zubcic. The unusual trade situation made Ridnour a trending item on Facebook and Twitter. Ridnour has now been a member of eight separate teams in his 12-year NBA career: the Seattle Supersonics, the Milwaukee Bucks

(twice), the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Charlotte Bobcats, the Magic, the Charlotte Hornets, the Thunder and the Raptors. Fittingly, the Thunder were once the Supersonics, until the team moved to Oklahoma in 2008. Ridnour has a $2.75 million non-guaranteed contract, which makes him an ideal bargaining tool for managers to keep their teams under the salary cap. For this reason, analysts believe Ridnour may be traded again before the offseason is through. Ridnour is approaching the record for most offseason trades. In 2014, Alonzo Gee, currently a shooting guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, was traded to seven teams in eight months. Ridnour has already surpassed Quentin Richardson’s record for fastest offseason trades: Richardson was traded three times in four weeks in 2009. Ridnour will be in Blaine July 29–31 for the Luke Ridnour Basketball Camp. For more information, visit lukeridnour13.com.

Being there is why I’m here.

vacation where you LIVE!

Commanding sunsets over Semiahmoo Bay! Eagle’s perch, and private beach rights! MLS #771722 • 5883 Normar Place • $689,000

Total average savings of

$825*

when you combine home and auto.

Kathy Stauffer

Even when it rains, I shine!

Managing Broker/Windermere-Whatcom

360-815- 4718 • kstauffer@windermere.com • kathystauffer.com

Call my office for a quote 24/7.

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Teresa Garten, Agent 6046 Portal Way, Suite 101 Ferndale, WA 98248 Bus: 360-384-0087 www.whatcominsurance.net

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Leonard D.M. Saunders,Leonard AttorneyD.M. at Law Saunders, Attorney at Law

P097186.1

Summer

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Gallon Geraniums $ 149 Reg. $3.49 Proven Winner Annuals 99 ¢ Reg. $3.79 12” Hanging Baskets $ 2499 Reg.$34.99 (while supplies last, limited stock)

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0.0 0.00.0 JUNE JUNE JUNE

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SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER

enley

The Northern Light • July 9 - 15, 2015

The

Cheese Shop Ferndale, WA

Locally made Cheese at Appel Farms Breakfast & Lunch Cafe

Fourth of July fireworks

Drive-thru for espresso at our new farm store 6605 Northwest Dr., Ferndale WA Mon-Fri 6 am to 5 pm • Saturday 7 am to 5 pm • Sunday closed

360.312.1431 • thecheesefarm.net

Country Gift Shop Beautiful jackets, vests, robes, aprons & purses made from vintage fabrics

Fresh Soaps, Healing Salves, Sachets & Potpourri

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Lavender & Herb Country Garden Gifts

(off Bay Rd between Kickerville & Ham) Open 10-5 most days

ntr y Kat Treasures C ou

New to Antique:

CHARITY RAFFLE

Collectibles • Furniture • Household • Décor One-of-a-kind • & more!

Labor Day get your $1 tickets now!

Canadian at Par!

Vendors Wanted

s Fireworks bloom over Birch Bay.

Photo by Ryan Johnson

360-526-2106 • 8870 Blaine Road • Open 7 Days 6am - 7pm

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Great for after a romp on the beach! HOURS: Monday - Friday: 9 am to 5 pm • Saturday: 9 am to 3 pm • Closed Sunday

Call for your appointment! 360.392.8465 7826 Birch Bay Drive (across from Via)

www.c aninedivinespa.com

s The fireworks display over Semiahmoo Bay in Blaine.

Photo by Tara Nelson

BUY ONE COMBINATION MEAL

WATER WISELY SCHEDULE June 1 - Sept. 15 YES

EvenNumbered addresses

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

OddNumbered addresses

Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

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(Lunch or Dinner) WITH PURCHASE OF 2 DRINKS & GET 2ND COMBINATION MEAL (of equal or lesser value)

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1/2 PRICE! DINE IN ONLY. Not valid with any other offers. Exp. 7/23/2015

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

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Blaine

July 9 - 15, 2015 • thenorthernlight.com

Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Photos

Steve Guntli

In the HEART of

A generational prize! Classic 40’s style that stands the test of time. MLS #779149 • 882 4th Street • $280,000

Kathy Stauffer

Even when it rains, I shine!

Managing Broker/Windermere-Whatcom

360-815- 4718 • kstauffer@windermere.com • kathystauffer.com

Join us on the Patio! Happy Hour & Early Dinner Daily 3-6pm

New at Happy Hour ~ Bistecca Alla Griglia • Shrimp Cocktail Arrancini • Crispy Saffron Risotto Ball stuffed with herbs Cool summer cocktails ~ Basil Gimlet • Ducati Sidecar Giuseppe’s Manhattan

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Open for the Summer!

U-Pick • We Pick

Strawberries Blueberries Raspberries Homegrown Veggies & Cucumbers • Flower Bouquets & Homemade Jams & Syrups

Farm Store open thru September • Mon-Sat 9-6 • Sun 10-4

6211 Northwest Rd., Ferndale • 360-380-2699 • BoxxBerryFarm.com

See more photos on page 10

“A Whale of a Place to Go!”

Fresh Homemade

Peanut Brittle

All Ages

FRIDAY FISH FRY, FARM TUNES

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

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4825 Alderson Rd

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PECAN-CRUSTED $2199 HALIBUT with Raspberry Cream Sauce Served with soup or salad and choice of potato or rice.

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Sunday - Thursday 6am - 9pm • Friday & Saturday 6am - 10pm

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T EVE AY NIGH SATURD

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and OLD FASHIONEDS

7/24 LOST AT LAST CANDY SHOP, CAFE & PIZZA

ING

SERV

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The Northern Light â&#x20AC;˘ July 9 - 15, 2015

Fourth of July, continued Photos

Steve Guntli

See more photos online at thenorthernlight.com

July 9 - 15, 2015 • thenorthernlight.com

Classifieds

DELIVERED TO EVER Y HO E IN THE 98230 ZIP CODEM .

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BUSY BEES UPHOLSTERY has moved to 429-B Peace Portal (beneath Subway). We are experiencing issues with the phone transfer but the line will be fixed soon! Phone # remains 360-332-9991.

Auto

Construction

LocaL Taxi

Websites Print Advertising Logo Design Branding

Supercrew XL 6.5 Bed

Creative, Effective, Visual Communications

Ext color: Oxford White

ruthlauman@yahoo.com

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Remodels Contractor & Additions • General Bathrooms &&Kitchens • Remodels Additions Decks & Porches • Decks & Porches Small Jobs Welcome

Serving Blaine Serving Birch Birch Bay Bay & & Blaine

4152 Meridian, Suite 201 Bellingham, WA 98226

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www.diehlford.com 1820 James St • Bellingham, WA

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HOTLINE ELECTRIC Service/Construction Residential - Commercial Industrial

LOS PINOS LAWN CARE & Landscaping. Mowing, trimming, hedging, barking, fall cleanup. 360-927-5658, free estimate.

Sunshine Landscaping Sabastian

Painting & Design “Get The Edge”

Locally

360-393-5123 Owned

Lic.# EDGEIEI901KF

The Edge Intl., LLC

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COMMERCIAL GROUNDS MAINTENANCE & FULL RESIDENTIAL SERVICES • Retaining Walls • Mowing & Edging • Patios, Walkways • Trimming • Outdoor Living Design • Weed Control • Aerating, Dethatching, Fertilizing

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We look forward to hearing from you!

Kendall’s Tree Service ,LLC Greg Kendall, Owner-Operator

3040 BIRCH BAYLYNDEN RD.

360-366-5340

cleancutlandscapedesign@gmail.com

Full service lawn care & landscaping

Lic# CLEANCL878LL

www.BirchBayLawnCare.com

360.410.8188

• Competitive Salary • 40 hour work week • 401K, Paid Vacation • Professional and satisfying work environment

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Tree Trimming & Removal Chipping & Hauling, Tree Sales Stump Grinding - Bucket Trucks

www.get-the-edge-painting.com

Plumbing

Lic#KENDATS872JW

360-739-1476 • 360-739-1729

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Experienced Customs Release Professionals

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Licensed • Insured • Residential • Commercial Mowing, Hedging, Weeding, Pruning, Hauling, Small tree removal, Pressure washing, Roof moss removal

BE ANOTHER HAPPY CUSTOMER OF

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Landscaping

Painting

Rentals - Rooms

360-220-2916

Lots/Acreage

Handyman

PART-TIME HOUSEKEEPING positions. Apply in person at Driftwood Inn Motel, 7394 Birch Bay Drive. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Natural Play Therapy/ interaction with 14 year old boy with autism. No experience necessary. Call 360-778-2465, 360-441-0908, or for program info go to naturalplaytherapy. com. FEMALE CAREGIVER for seven shifts. 4/hours per shift. 1/2 days Wed-Fri. Doubles on Monday and Tuesdays. Starts at approximately $11/ hour. Experienced caregivers please phone 360-319-0427 for interview.

BEAUTIFUL PARKLIKE setting! D-6 Lakewood Road, Oak Harbor, WA. In Lake Wood Estates (which consists of 15 acreage lots), nine homes currently in the development range in price from $425K to approx. $650K. Property has large Evergreens and Alder, lots of ferns in a beautiful setting. $175,000. 360-720-9095.

For Sale TRAFFIC BARRIER—Type I folding plastic barricade, for use in construction area or use it to advertise your next Garage Sale! 45"Hx 24"w. $15. Leave message at 360-319-8725.

ALL-IN-ONE HANdymAN

Walk ins welcome! We look forward to hearing from you!

*On approval of credit. Ad expires 7/31/2015.

DIEHL FORD

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Please visit our website at http://bellingham.expresspros. com/ to apply or we accept applications Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:00pm

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Cleaning

• 6-Speed Automatic w/OD • Crew Cab Pickup Twin Turbo Regular Unleaded

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for 15 wo

• Forklift Drivers • Machine Operators • Concrete laborers • Merchandising • Food Processing • Lumber Mill • Fish Processing • General Labor/production • Soldering • Shipping & Receiving • CDL Driver • Process Technician • CNC Operator • Dump truck driver • Dishwashing • Payroll • Accounting • Administrative Assistant • Executive Assistant • Medical Office Data Entry

Specializing in Renovations & New Construction

DESIGN BUILDERS,

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WE ARE HIRING!

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Call or Email Amy! 360/332-1777 fax: 360/332-2777

FURNISHED ROOM includes amenities. NS, pet friendly, from $500.00 + deposit. 360-3323449.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Chapter 18.27.100 of the Revised Code of Washington requires that all advertisements for construction services include the contractor’s registration number in the advertisement. To verify a contractor’s license, call the Dept. of Labor and Industry’s contractors registration at 1-800-647-0982.

2015 Ford F-150

$16

Help Wanted

332-1960

SUMMER SPECIAL!

Plus Newstands in:

BELLINGHAM • FERNDA BIRCH BAY • SEMIAHMOLE • CUSTER O • BLAINE POINT ROBERTS

22,050 READERS

When you place your classified ad in our print edition, it’s ONLINE at no extra charge!

360 325.3581 • Home Repairs • Remodels • Kitchen & Bathrooms • Roof Repairs • Doors & Windows • Drywall & Texture • Painting • Fencing

Honest, Affordable, Small jobs welcomed! Contact us for a free quote:

www.handymanbellingham.com Lic.# ALLONOH860O6

26-Years Experience We Beat Any Price!

A-1 Handyman Plus • Remodel & Home Repairs • All Phases of Carpentry • Kitchen & Bathrooms • Doors & Windows • Decks & Porches • Drywall & Textures • Painting • Rot Repair

We get it done!

66-67 OLDSMOBILE 442 hubcaps, 14" set of five. Leave message at 360-319-8725. ENGLISH RIDING outfit--Blk English jacket, size 12L ($50), shirt/collar ($5), riding pants size 30-32" waist ($15), black velvet english helmet size 6 7/8 ($25). All for $75 if quick, uncomplicated sale. Leave message at 360-319-8725.

Boats CLASSIC BOAT lovers! 1964 -17 1/2' Tollycraft, Mahogany hull, 55 hp Evinrude outboard engine, comes with Caukins easy-load trailer, rig has always been stored inside. $4,000. Leave message at 360-3198725.

Open House SUNDAY 1-4. 8784 Goshawk in Semiahmoo $816,000. 4700 s.f. MLS #809479. Brian Southwick 360-815-6638, Windermere.

Want to find a new home?

Lic #A1HanHp962MH

Ron 360-739-5097 Rentals - Commercial

You’ve come to the right place!

HiBay WAREHOUSE AVAILABLE NOW

4000 s.f. @ 1790 Boblett St. Office & WarehOuSe 3 Lg. Grade Level Truck Doors Loading Dock Door too! Large Fenced & Paved Yard also available. NELSON BUILDING 925 Ludwick Ave.

Don Nelson (360) 332-2743 www.nelsonbuildings.com

More Real Estate Listings are on page 12

The Northern Light • July 9 - 15, 2015

Real Estate

“Your home could be SOLD here!”

CALLCallHugh HUGH!

360 371.5800

Just ! Listed

www.

.com

25 years experierce working for you!

See your home advertised here, Call Hugh Now!

SALTWATER VIEW CONDO 7806 Birch Bay Drive #1004 Jacobs Landing – Best Unit 1-3/4-BA

$170,000

MLS #812496

2.1 ACRES - COMMERCIAL & 1.8 ACRES - RESIDENTIAL

7 Residential Bldg Sites & 2 Water Shares

350,000

Possible owner contract or joint venture.

View lot in Birch Bay Village Gorgeous lakefront, Mt. Baker views

ONLY

$118,000

Good price for a lot on a lake!

Living, vacationing… delightfully updated with Cape Cod feel. Furnished. Racquetball & tennis courts, clubhouse, beach and great neighbors. 3/4 bath on master bedroom loft.

Established & Highly Profitable Rhodes Cafe

$110,000

Next to Whole Foods in Bellingham. MLS #798084

$139,000

2 acres Coastal Mountain and Birch Bay view property on Fingalson Creek Dr. Ferndale Schools comes w/ watershare and has all services! Possible owner terms MLS #779908

$14,000 SEMIAHMOO 36’ MARINA SLIP Best Price, well located. Call Hugh - 24 years experience helping buyers & sellers. 2930 Newmarket St. #111 • Bellingham CallHugh.com

HELPING SELLERS AND BUYERS MAKE IT HAPPEN Let me “Make your NEXT MOVE the BEST MOVE.”

I will do the leg work! • I can do the research! I have the resources! • I understand your needs!

I WANT to help!

Call Ruth Skeete at 360-358-5075

2 JACOBS LANDING CONDOS BOTH 7806 Birch Bay Dr. JUST Enjoy the lifestyle of the bay, LISTED! a little piece of pardise!

Unit #708 - $162,400 2-BR, 1.75-BA. Great upper unit just steps away from the beach with partial view of the bay. MLS #810843 Unit #108 - $174,000 2-BR, 1.75-BA. Fully furnished upper level unit ready for year-round living or weekend get-aways! MLS #811629

JUST LISTED!

4243 Lee Lane - $458,900

Rare find. 5-BR, 2.5-BA, 3932 s.f. home on 16,988 s.f lot with mature fruit trees. Close to Blaine Schools, I-5, the border and down town Blaine. Welcome Home! MLS #806776

Ruth Skeete 360-358-5075

Ruth.Skeete@Century21.com

The web address to your next address...

www.C21BayProperties.com

BIRCH BAY VILLAGE 2400 s.f., 3 bedrooms, 2-1/2 bathrooms. Bay view. 2 decks. Recreation room. 8117 Kayak Way. $299,000. Owner 360371-2614.

MOVE TO YOUR LOT!

Experienced real estate professional since 2003

Ruth.Skeete@Century21.com

OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

www.C21BayProperties.com

PRICED TO SELL $344,900

PRICED TO SELL! 2006 Athens Park Model

8795 Wood Duck Way, Gate 3 Semiahmoo • $698,000 5,000+ s.f. luxury with golf course view! Large beautifully landscaped lot, sunny patio w/ outdoor kitchen,5-BR, 2-suites opulence, +upstairs master w/private balcony, double fireplace & spa bath. Office spaces, bonus rooms, extreme theater room, 2nd kit , hobby room & red cedar sauna. MLS #699982

Call Carolyn Jackson

360-220-6636

All real estate/rentals advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246.

Build in Blaine 432 H Street, Blaine Business District for a business & residential bldg. $135,000 933 Cedar Avenue, Blaine 1+ acre for builder/investor, 10+ dwellings, 3 blocks from schools. $265,000

Walk to the beach! 5322 Coastal Loop

Immaculate 3-BR, 2-BA in Salish Breeze near the beach! Open floor plan w/gas fireplace, spacious great room, master bdrm suite & den/office on main floor. High-end appl, granite, lrg pantry, island, custom cabinets. Family rm up w/partial ocean view. Spacious covered patio next to greenbelt, and covered front porch. Walking trails & short distance to Birch Bay State Park & Pt. Whitehorn Marine Reserve.

Dawn Durand 360-739-3380

. 2–4 T A S N E

Neighborhood Beach Access! 8869 Semiahmoo Dr. • $699,000

Wonderful Semiahmoo area Craftsman home! Unobstructed, west facing panoramic views of White Rock and Boundary Bay. This home features 4 bedrooms + den, media and rec room, 2.5 bathrooms, 2 fireplaces, 3,822 +/- square feet of living space, master on the main floor, a full size sports court, deck for entertaining and RV parking. Undivided share in a private beach access. Two championship golf courses plus Semiahmoo golf & country club house, community tennis court and swimming pool only minutes away.

Leah Crews 360-305-4747

Leah.Crews21@gmail.com

Joyce (360) 332-1169 Terry (360) 410-0503

$49,500 USD or OBO Call Dave Black

360-739-6938

or email: dblackbellinghamview@msn.com

Rentals - Residential BLAINE- VERY nice large 3-BR, 1.5-BA townhouse. All appliances, garbage paid, N/S, N/P, references. $850/mo. +deposit. 360-384-5743. BIRCH BAY VIEW condo. Steps to beach! Available Labor Day 2015 to Memorial Day 2016. 2-BR, 1-BA, luxury condo fully furnished and stocked. 760433-5849 or 360-223-5295.

BIRCH BAY / CUSTER 3-BR, 2-BA in BBV. Large kitchen, W/D, D/W, stove, refridg, Quiet location. Large Deck $1150/mo.

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Wildfires ... From page 1

According to the Northwest Clean Air Agency, the air quality is likely to remain poor until Thursday or Friday, when the forecast calls for a shift in wind direction. Many of the fires in B.C. remain serious, but those affecting Whatcom County have mostly been contained. Firefighters battled four fires across the county last weekend: one on Stewart Mountain, another on Portage Island, a third northwest of Sudden Valley and a small fire near Paradise Valley Road. The Stewart Mountain fire is of the most concern to firefighters. The blaze began midday on July 5 and grew from about 5 to 20 acres overnight. As of July 8, the fire had spread to 32 acres. The fire is mostly contained and is being mopped up by firefighters, according to Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spokesman Chris Hankey. The Stewart Mountain fire is entirely on state-managed lands. On July 5, the DNR dispatched crews, helicopters and

bulldozers to fight the fire. Hand crews worked through the night to establish a fire line. The nearest home is 1 mile away from the blaze, and no evacuations are expected. The other county fires are contained, according to Hankey. The 8-acre Portage Island fire started on July 4. Approximately 50 campers were evacuated from the island until DNR crews could contain the fire. On July 6, the fire was 100 percent contained and crews have begun cleaning up the site. The third fire, near North Shore Road and Agate Bay Lane northwest of Sudden Valley near Lake Whatcom, grew to about 4 acres before it was contained. Crews from North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, Fire District 7 and the South Whatcom Fire Authority responded to the scene to contain the fire and keep it from spreading to nearby homes. No one was evacuated. The fire on Paradise Valley Road near South Pass Road was called in late Sunday night and was contained. The blaze spread over approximately 1 acre. The causes of the fires are still under investigation.

City encourages less water use during heat wave Due to record heat and high water usage, the city of Blaine is encouraging all local citizens to ration their water use until current conditions moderate. According to the city’s department of public works, the city is experiencing record-breaking water use. The typical range is between 2 to 2.4 million gallons per day. Water usage so far this summer has been much higher. On June 28, the city reported a daily high of 3.7 million gallons. The public works department is urging citizens to cut back on water use so the water flow for fire hydrants will not be affected. Voluntary watering schedules have been

in place since June. The schedule restricts watering for houses with even-numbered street addresses to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and those with odd-numbered addresses to Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. There is no watering on Mondays. The city has begun sending out notices to customer who have been using more than their standard allotment of water. Birch Bay Water and Sewer District, Blaine’s largest wholesale customer, is also sending out notices to its customers. For more information visit ci.blaine.wa.us.

PeaceHealth and union agree on contract By Steve Guntli After months of contentious union negotiations that led to a strike in late May, PeaceHealth medical group has reached a contract agreement with its union employees. PeaceHealth, which oversees St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham, agreed to raise employee wages 6 percent by fall 2016. The contact is the first between PeaceHealth and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. PeaceHealth agreed to a 3 percent wage increase at the time of the contract signing, plus another 3 percent by September 2016. Workers will also receive a signing bonus of $1,000 for full-time employees, $500 for part-time and $200 for per diem. Workers will also get premium increases for evening, weekend and training shifts, and a wage scale will be put in place to compensate workers based on years of service. Workers joined the union, which represents approximately 900 PeaceHealth employees, in 2013. Union leaders and PeaceHealth management have been trying to agree on a contract for more

than 18 months. On May 13, PeaceHealth workers staged a one-day walkout, citing understaffing and insufficient compensation and benefits. Workers were kept away from their jobs for several days, as the hospital had entered into mandatory three-day contracts with temporary workers to cover the strike. Kari Revelstoke, a lab assistant with PeaceHealth and one of the union’s designated spokespeople, said she was happy about the contract. “We’re all very excited and very happy,” she said. “Management really came forward with the wage increases we wanted. It’s a great start and a great opportunity to build a framework for the future.” Revelstoke said the management wasn’t willing to budge on the union’s requests for better benefits. “That was a little disappointing,” she said. “But it’s high on our priority list for our next contract negotiation, and in the meantime management has offered to sit down with employees to hear suggestions and try to get some new programs up and running. It’s a start.” The contract agreement expires on August 31, 2017.

July 9 - 15, 2015 • thenorthernlight.com

By Steve Guntli This month’s selections prove the old adage that truth is often stranger than fiction. These true stories are every bit as funny, sad, engrossing and downright weird as any work of fiction. Book: “The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside the Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made” (2013) By Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell I have a soft spot for truly terrible movies, and 2003’s “The Room” is a doozy. Written and directed by Tommy Wiseau, a man of unknown origins and bizarre mannerisms (many speculate he’s actually a vampire), the film is a hysterical barrage of terrible acting, ludicrous subplots and baffling dialogue. Somehow, a group of hundreds of people gathered to make a movie and didn’t get one thing right, even by mistake, which makes “The Room” something of a backwards masterpiece. Since its release, the film has taken on a life of its own, earning a cult following on the midnight movie circuit and a place of distinction on the list of best bad movies of all time. While the stuff that made it to the screen is weird beyond belief, things got even stranger behind the camera. Greg Sestero, Wiseau’s best friend and one of the male leads of the movie, offers an invaluable backstage perspective on the making of the movie. Wiseau was every bit as weird as he came off on camera, and the way he spends his seemingly inexhaustible budget will make your head spin. Surprisingly, though, “The Disaster Artist” isn’t just a Hol-

lywood gossip fest; it’s a fascinating glimpse of the creative process, and the passion, hard work and resources it takes to get any movie, no matter how confused, to the screen. It’s also a wonderful examination of an extremely unlikely friendship between the handsome, laid-back Sestero and the unceasingly odd Wiseau. This is an absolute must-read for movie buffs of all tastes. Movie: The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007) Directed by Seth Gordon This documentary follows two men with big dreams of glory: one an established champion with the acclaim of the community, the other a struggling schoolteacher with something to prove. These two titans duke it out for the ultimate prize: the all-time high score in “Donkey Kong.” Oh, you were expecting a sports movie? That’s one of the “King of Kong’s” greatest strengths: subverting tired sports movie clichés to lend drama and tension to two geeks playing video games. All the beats are there: Billy Mitchell is the villain you love to hate, with his big house, synthetically beautiful wife and army of sycophantic fanboys clustering around him to see what he’ll do next. Steve Weibe is the perfect underdog, a gifted musician and athlete suffering a terrible run of bad luck who needs to learn to believe in himself to achieve greatness. The fact that these are real people, and that their chosen battleground is vintage arcade games, gives the film an agreeable level of absurdity. Whether you’ve been playing

video games all your life or if you’ve never looked twice at an arcade cabinet, it’s impossible not to get caught up in this story. Album: “Made of Bricks” By Kate Nash (2007) Kate Nash has a disarming honesty to her that sets her aside from other British pop ingénues of her generation. Her earthy songwriting style, coupled with her appealing, lower class London slang, gives her music an edge, even when the compositions themselves are as catchy and appealing as any top 40 radio hits. “Made of Bricks,” Nash’s 2007 major-label debut, is autobiographical in the best way possible, meaning it isn’t afraid to dig through the dirt to find the core of who she is as a person. Released when Nash was only 20, her songs are sometimes vulgar, often sweet and occasionally heartrending. The highlight of the album is “Foundation,” which is both infectiously catchy and deeply uncomfortable. Chronicling a particularly vicious argument between two people in a crumbling relationship, Nash shows a sharp eye for detail in the way people speak and cuts to the deep fear of being alone that leads people to endure toxic relationships. Other gems include the sweetly goofy “Birds,” the buoyant “Pumpkin Soup” and the melancholic “We Get On,” in which Nash nakedly pines for a man she knows will never return her affection. Each of these titles is available at the Blaine Public Library. To reserve a copy, visit the local branch or go to wcls.org.

OBITUARIES Paul P. Menendez Paul Menendez, age 73, of Blaine, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, June 26, 2015. A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 25 at Dakota Creek Christian Center, 8732 Blaine Rd., Blaine, WA.

Richard William Hull

December 16, 1935 – February 8, 2015 Richard Hull, 79, of Yachats, OR, passed away on February 8, 2015. He was born in Vancouver, B.C. and raised by Roy and Jean Hull. Richard’s family immigrated to Blaine when he was 13. After graduation from Blaine High School in 1954, he majored in music education and minored in English at Central Washington University. He then received his Masters of Music from the University of Oregon, and went on to finish graduate studies in family and child counseling. Richard was accepted into the San Francisco Opera Chorus as a bariton, and music was his lifelong pursuit. He enjoyed reminding friends that he shared the same birthday with Beethoven! He taught music for 30 years, and directed church choirs, taught private voice lessons and directed classical programs with The Richard Hull chorale in Sacramento, CA. Richard’s most rewarding years were spent teaching in the Sacramento inner-city schools, where his sense of humor, warmth, and ability to listen, along with music, art, drama and writing, made him an exceptional educator. Richard cherished his family, and is survived by his wife Nancy of nearly 27 years, and her son Hugh; his first wife, Mary Hull and their 4 children Richard (Connie), Katherine (Mark), Kelly (Patty) and Keven (Andrea).

Noma E. Winchester April 26, 1947 – July 4, 2015 A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 16 at 3 p.m. at Cornwall Church followed by a reception at Hovander Park in Ferndale, WA at 5 p.m. Please visit www.molesfarewelltributes.com for Noma’s life story.

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The Northern Light • July 9 - 15, 2015

Coming up

Police Reports July 2, 7:26 a.m.: About 7:30 a.m. a pedestrian on the Semiahmoo Spit walking path heard someone call out from the bushes across the road, just north of the county park buildings. When she looked toward the sound she saw that the voice belonged to a man whose upper body and face were concealed by branches. His naked lower front torso was sadly in plain view, as was his active but lamentable attempt to take a tiny bit of pleasure from being seen. The lady admonished the suspect to put on some clothes and he instead loped off southward as police were called about his indecent exposure. The arriving officer was assisted by Border Patrol field agents on foot which confirmed he had left the area. July 2, 4:40 p.m.: Officer was dispatched to a hit and run that occurred in the Cost Cutter parking lot. An officer arrived and determined the suspect was a local person. Just as officers were clearing the incident scene to make contact with the suspect, she returned. The adult female claimed her vehicle was parked and rolled into the other parked vehicle on its own. Witnesses did confirm this, but officers explained that where the suspect was in the wrong was at the point of leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a

suspended DL. The Blaine resident was arrested for DWLS 3rd and Hit and Run Unattended. She was cited and released pending court hearing. July 4, 5:40 a.m.: Dispatch reported aid personnel were en route to a residence where an emergency medical beeper was going off. Officer arrived and found the beeper had accidently been set off by a curious feline companion. July 4, 11:45 a.m.: A woman called police to say that someone had punched her windshield. The woman said she would await police at the intersection of Mitchell and Boblett Street. She did not give her name nor a description of her car. Police checked the area at length but the woman was gone. July 4, 1:22 p.m.: A woman called 911 to report that her two year old son had become lost in the 4th of July crowds. Police, city personnel and private citizens searched vigorously for the boy. Members of the department’s Auxiliary Communications Service found the boy and reunited him with his grateful mother. July 4, 2:46 p.m.: A person turned in what appeared to be heroin to an ACS volunteer during the 4th of July Parade. An officer impounded the small amount of suspected heroin and

placed it into evidence to be destroyed. The person who lost their heroin near G Street and Peace Portal Drive is highly encouraged to contact the Blaine Police Department as officers would like to reunite the person with their lost property along with a set of shiny handcuffs and a courtesy ride to jail. July 4, 8:46 p.m.: Several people, upset about a dispute over fireworks, began yelling and arguing with each other in the street. One man retrieved a hammer. Officers were on scene quickly and were able to diffuse the situation before it got completely out of hand. All parties involved were warned to return to their homes and to leave each other alone. July 7, 4:40 p.m.: A Blaine resident, house sitting for a neighbor, called police after witnessing a transient entering the back yard of the neighbor’s home. An officer contacted a woman behind the fenced back yard who stated she was resting her feet because they hurt. The woman was trespassed from the property and advised that if she returned she would be arrested. This report is provided by the Blaine police department. A full listing of the week’s police report can be found at thenorthern light.com.

Crossword

ACROSS 1. Long, narrow cuts 6. “Ick!” 11. Distilled liquors 13. Marine algae 15. One with little or no material wealth (hyph.) 16. Country surrounded by foreign territory 17. Bauxite, e.g. 18. Ornamental work in Gothic window 20. ___ green 21. Cleave 23. Chip away at 24. Source 25. Makes level, square or balanced 27. “Don’t give up!” 28. Onward 29. More vague and dreamy as if by drugs 31. Celebrate 32. Being held in low esteem 34. Broom made of twigs 36. Extraction

39. Evening hour 40. Drivel 41. Stops in for a visit, with “by” 43. Horse’s gait between a walk and a canter 44. Small shelters for pigeons 46. Slam-dance 47. Abbr. after a comma 48. Fastest land animal 50. Conk out 51. Main body of an algae or fungus 53. Subject to legal proceedings 55. Surfeit 56. Near the beginning (2 wds) 57. Bulrush, e.g. 58. She had “the face that launched a thousand ships”

DOWN 1. Those who use without wasting

Tides 2. Energize (2 wds) 3. Anger 4. Hair colorer 5. Abundance 6. Romance, e.g. 7. R-rated, maybe 8. Hooter 9. Harbor accessible to ocean vessels 10. LXX 11. Cheat, in a way 12. Not a substitute 13. Down at the heels 14. End 19. Place into mutual or reciprocal relation 22. Fixed (2 wds) 24. Body part between the elbow and wrist 26. Grafting shoot 28. In the cards 30. An end to sex? 31. Bit of paronomasia 33. Lab tube 34. Wide, deep capelike collars 35. Summon 37. Farewell (hyph.) 38. Fifth letter of Greek alphabet 39. Nullifies a correction 40. Poem 42. Bishop ___, early televangelist 44. Smokejumper’s need 45. Fergie, formally 48. Horsefly 49. Bring on 52. Removable or hinged cover 54. “Is that ___?”

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July 10 – July 16 at Blaine. Not for navigation. 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W

DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT Fr 10 12:20 am 9.8 7:45 am 0.7

2:37 pm 6.8 6:54 pm 5.2

Sa 11 1:04 am 9.7 8:39 am -0.2

4:01 pm 7.5 8:12 pm 6.1

Su 12 1:50 am 9.5 9:31 am -0.9

5:05 pm 8.3 9:26 pm 6.5

Mo 13 2:38 am 9.3 10:17 am -1.4

5:57 pm 8.9 10:36 pm 6.6

Tu 14 3:28 am 9.0 11:03 am -1.6

6:41 pm 9.3 11:36 pm 6.5

We 15 4:14 am 8.8 11:43 am -1.6

7:19 pm 9.6

Th 16 12:30 am 6.3 5:02 am 8.4

12:23 pm -1.4 7:53 pm 9.7

Weather Precipitation: During the period of June 30 to July 6 there were 0.0 inches of precipitation. The 2015 year-todate precipitation is 14.92 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 86.2°F on July 1, with a low of 60°F on July 6. Average temperature for the week was 70.9°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

Bellingham Festival of Music: Through July 19, Bellingham. Classical music festival at various locations. Info: bellinghamfestival.org. Open House: Thursday, July 9, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Blaine Bouquets, 625 Peace Portal Drive. Refreshments and fun. Info: 332-6700. Beautiful Bubbles: Thursday and Friday, July 9–10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher Museum, 250 Flora Street, Bellingham. Explore the magic of bubbles. Children ages 3 and up with an adult. Free with museum admission, members free. Info: whatcommusum.org. Fun with LEGO Robotics: Thursday, July 9, 6:30–8 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn how to program motion and color sensors on the robots. For ages 10 and up. Bimonthly. Info: 305-3637. Big Band Benefit Concert: Thursday, July 9, 7:30 p.m., Semiahmoo Golf Club. Live big band music by Drayton Harbor Music Festival faculty and dancing. Tickets $50. Info: draytonharbormusic.org. Return to the Hiding Place Screening: Friday, July 10, 7 p.m., Dakota Creek Christian Center, 8732 Blaine Road. Cost: $10 adults, $8 and up for youths. Movie rated PG-13. Info: echolightcinemas.com. American Legion Post 86 July Picnic and Barbecue: Saturday, July 11, 1–5 p.m., 4580 Legion Drive, Blaine. Officer installation and membership drive, social hour, live music, barbecue dinner at 3 p.m. Adults $12, children age 11 and under, $6. Raffle tickets for tsunami sculpture available. Open to the public. Info: 371-7311. Marine Distress Flare Demonstration and Practice: Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m., field west of water reclamation facility, Marine Drive, Blaine. Free. Bring your expired flare or use ours. Bring gloves, eye and ear protection. Info: Graham Hunter, 332-5526 or gndhunter@telcomplus.net. Dog Days: Saturday, July 11, 10 am–noon, Skallman Park off-leash dog park, 1190 Yew Avenue. Bring your leashed canine friends to the park. Photographer on hand. All ages. Free. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Sea Skills and Flare Shoot: Saturday, July 11, 1–5 p.m., Blaine Boating Center. Entertaining, skill-building seminars. Public welcome. Free. Info: 647-6176. Art-2-Jazz Street Fair: Saturday, July 11, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Peace Portal Drive between H and G Street plazas, Blaine. Music festival students perform plus arts and crafts vendors. Info: blainechamber.com. Gardening for Alternative Pollinators: Saturday, July 11, 7 p.m., Birch Bay State Park Wildlife Theater. How to provide habitat, what to look for, how to identify, planting flowers and what to avoid when attracting pollinators. Free. Discover Pass required to park. Info: fobbsp.org. Touch for Health: Sunday–Tuesday, July 12–14, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Lummi Gateway Center, 4920 Rural Avenue, Ferndale. Three days of training in muscle testing and emotional stress release. Cost: $125 per class; prepayment discount for all three classes $300. Info: 739-0408. LEGO Club: Monday, July 13, 3–4:30 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Meet new kids and build things. Free. Ages 4–11. Info: 305-3637. Marine Stranding Network Training: Monday, July 13, 6:30–9 p.m., Birch Bay State Park BP Blue Heron Center. Train to be a volunteer responder for marine strandings. Registration required. Email crookedlion@gmail. com. Cost: $25. Info: wmmsn.org. Meet the Heroes - Pet Fair: Tuesday, July 14, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. You are the hero this week as you share your pet with others. Registration required. Info: 305-3637. Learn to Play Chess: Tuesday, July 14, 6:30–8 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. For ages K–12 and parents too! Info: 305-3637. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation Waterslide Day Camps: Wednesdays through August 26, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Birch Bay Waterslides. For grades 3–11. Kids must be dropped off by 10 a.m. with park and rec staff and picked up by 5 p.m. Registration recommended. Cost: $10. Info: blainebirchbayparkandrec.org. Fun with Snap Circuits! Wednesday, July 15, 3 to 4 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Explore the basics of electronics while you build exciting projects such as a flashing light, an alarm, a doorbell and more. For ages 6 and up. Info: 305-3637. Clay Days: Wednesday and Thursday, July 15–16, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher Museum, 250 Flora Street, Bellingham. Sculpt, smoosh and create. Children ages 3 and up with a supervising adult. Free with museum admission, members free. Info: whatcommusum.org. Beach Walk: Friday, July 17, 11 a.m., Birch Bay State Park Wildlife Theater. Free. Discover Pass required to park. Info: fobbsp.org. Night at the Slides: Friday, July 17, 6–9 p.m., Birch Bay Waterslides, 4874 Birch Bay Lynden Road. Fundraiser for Birch Bay Music Festival, which helps local nonprofit animal rescue organizations. Food, door prizes and fun! Tickets $20. Info: birchbaymusicfestival.com. Birch Bay Sandcastle Competition: Saturday and Sunday, July 18–19, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Birch Bay Beach Park, 7930 Birch Bay Drive. Multiple categories. Registration begins at 9 a.m., judging at 3 p.m., awards at 5 p.m. Vendor booths, food and kids activities. Info: birchbaychamber.com. Hunters of the Sky: Saturday, July 18, 7 p.m., Birch Bay State Park Wildlife Theater. See live birds of prey. Learn about identification, anatomy of flight and more. Free. Discover Pass required to park. Info: fobbsp.org. Pound Fit: Mondays starting July 20, 4 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Childcare provoked. $30 for six weeks. Full-body cardio jam session with simulated drumming. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Chalk it up to Art: Wednesday and Thursday, July 22–23, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher Museum, 250 Flora Street, Bellingham. Play with chalk. Children ages 3 and up with a supervising adult. Free with museum admission, members free. Info: whatcommusum.org. Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

July 9 - 15, 2015 • thenorthernlight.com

Semiahmoo

Blaine’s Border Brew earns Silver Platter award from health department

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B y K at e ly n D o gg e t t The Whatcom County Health Department has released its annual list of Silver Platter Awards for 2014 and out of 39 establishments that won an award, one is from Blaine. Border Brew Espresso, located at 678 14th Street, received its first Silver Platter Award. Border Brew is a family owned and operated drive-through business that was established in 2000. They offer a variety of espresso drinks and other snacks. “All of us at Border Brew are very pleased to be recognized for our commitment to safe and healthy

work habits,” said manager Colin Hawkins. “It’s a great honor to be included with so many great businesses from around the county.” Border Brew, along with the other winners, will be given an award to display at their business. The Silver Platter Award program has been in place since 2008 and recognizes excellence in safe food handling. The health department awards dining establishments that achieve outstanding scores on food safety inspections throughout the year, according to the release made by the Whatcom County Health Department. About 3.4 percent of licensed dining establishments in What-

com County met the criteria created by the health department for the Silver Platter Award. To qualify for an award, an establishment must comply with Washington State Retail Food Code, score zero red high risk factor violation points and fewer than 10 blue violation points on all routine inspections in a calendar year. Questions about the Silver Platter Award can be directed to the Whatcom County Health Department’s Food Safety Program at 360/676-6727. For a complete list of award recipients, visit the Whatcom County Health Department website at co.whatcom. wa.us/360/health-department.

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