The Northern Light: May 30-June 5, 2024

May 30 - June 5, 2024

Memorial Day salutes, page 4

Two men charged with cross-border smuggling

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Two men suspected of smuggling people across the U.S./Canada border using freight trains made their first appearances in U.S. District Court in Seattle on May 24. Jesus Ortiz-Plata, 45, of Independence, Oregon, and Juan Pablo Cuellar-Medina, 35, of Everett, were arrested along with three non-U.S. citizens on May 23 following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

In late 2022, U.S. Border Patrol and investigators started seeing Ortiz-Plata’s phone number as a contact number for people illegally crossing the border. One of the cases where Ortiz-Plata’s number appeared included the August 31, 2023 apprehension of 29 people who tried illegally entering the U.S. on a southbound train from Canada.

According to federal court records, Ortiz-Plata went by the name “Chuy” and was thought to transport people illegally from the Blaine and Sumas area to Oregon and California.

On May 23, investigators GPS tracked Ortiz-Plata’s phone and watched him travel from Oregon to Seattle, where he was then followed to Cuellar-Medina’s apartment in Everett.

Ortiz-Plata was arrested after he left the apartment with three men who were not U.S. citizens. Two of the men had allegedly crossed the U.S./Canada border in a freight train car, while one said he had walked across the border, according to federal court records. One of the people said Cuellar-Medina had picked him up after crossing.

The two men who had crossed by train had paid $2,000 each for help getting to Portland, Oregon, according to court records. The men were reportedly not provided food or water while they were in Everett.

The five people were transported to the HSI office in Ferndale for questioning and HSI booked Ortiz-Plata and Cuellar-Medina into Whatcom County Jail around 9 p.m. May 23. They were transported to federal custody early the next morning.

Ortiz-Plata and Cuellar-Medina were charged with conspiracy to commit illegal transportation of a non-citizen for private financial gain, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $250,000.

Paso Del Norte closure extended, page 5

Track and field shows talent at state, page 7

Scottish festival coming to Blaine

A festival celebrating Scottish culture with a dance championship, athletic events and bagpipe music will be held for the first time in Blaine on Saturday, June 1.

Bellingham Scottish Gathering will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will be split between Blaine Marine Park and Semiahmoo Spit, with “Koinonia,” a 48-pas-

tions, a massed band performance, beer garden provided by McKay’s Taphouse, and food and merchandise vendors will be at Blaine Marine Park, 235 Marine Drive. About a dozen Scottish clans will also have information booths; a storyteller trained in Edinburgh; and a music group from Oregon called Adams, Martin and Linahon will perform traditional Celtic music and sea shanties.

Traditional highland games such as

ijELLINGHAM �COTTISH GATHERING

Saturday June 1, 2024 Hosted

s The Bellingham Scottish Gathering will be held for the first time in Blaine, at Blaine Marine Park and Semiahmoo Spit, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 1. The festival will include a dance championship, athletic events, market vendors, Celtic music and haggis, the national dish of Scotland. Photo courtesy Heather Richendrfer

Photo by Ruth Lauman

Bird of the Month: Barred owl

s Barred owls can be found year-round in the wooded areas around Blaine and Birch Bay, such as Birch Bay State Park and Semiahmoo Drive. They are most active at dusk and at night, but their distinctive call that sounds like, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” can be heard during the day. Reaching about 20 inches tall, they are identified by their round head and dark eyes, and streaked feathers that resemble bars. They mate for life, and can be territorial once they establish a nest. Birth order determines chick size.

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Festival ...

From page 1

off their skills.

From the food vendors, attendees can purchase the national dish of Scotland called haggis, which is organ meat stuffed inside of a sheep stomach lining. Burgers, hot dogs and desserts will also be available to people who want to stick to traditional fair food.

Cascade Radio Group host Bill Davis will emcee the festival.

People are encouraged to park in downtown Blaine or on Semiahmoo Spit as there is limited parking near Blaine Marine Park. The festival will have designated parking lots at the Duty Free Americas parking lot at the corner of 2nd and C streets and at Grace Lutheran Church at 702 G Street. There will be free parking on the streets and designated parking at the Semiahmoo Spit field.

A shuttle bus will make a circular route starting at 8 a.m. and running continuously from Grace Lutheran to the Blaine Visitor Information Center at 546 Peace Portal Drive, Blaine Marine Park, the Duty Free Americas lot and back to the park.

This year is the festival’s fifth event after it started in 2018. Richendrfer started the event after another group stopped run-

ning its Scottish festival in Whatcom County.

Richendrfer’s mother is of Scottish descent and encouraged her to take highland dance classes in Bellingham as a child. She studied to become a judge in Vancouver, B.C. and has since traveled the world judging dance competitions, including the world championships, and has organized about 30 dance championships.

Richendrfer’s dance studio, the Clan Heather Dancers, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Richendrfer said she was most excited for the dancing championship, a new feature this year showcasing the highest level of highland dance competition. In order for the dance championship to be included this year, it had to be sanctioned by the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.

There are only about a dozen dance championships in the U.S. and, like Scottish festivals in general, some of those have disappeared since the pandemic. Richendrfer said entries for this year’s competition are double last year’s total.

“It’s a point of pride to keep not only the cultural aspects going, but also honoring my family,” she said.

Richendrfer said she decided to hold the festival in Blaine after years of trying to find the right location. Blaine reminded her of Scotland, she said, because they

Photo by Chuck Kinzer/ckimageart.com

both historically have a fishing industry, among other similarities.

If all goes well, Richendrfer said she hopes to host future festivals in Blaine.

“We hope to return year after year,” she said. “It’s a beautiful setting.”

Tickets can be purchased online or at the festival. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students, seniors or active duty military. A $62 group ticket can also be purchased for a group of four people. Children under 5 years old are free. Boat transportation is included in the ticket price.

To purchase tickets, visit scottishdancesociety.org/scottish-gathering.

Center,

Number of Employees, Members, and Volunteers: The 800+ member Senior Community Center has an executive director, three part time employees, and 50+ volunteers.

How long in Business: The Blaine Senior Center has been a part of the community for over 57 years and our current annual dues are $45 a year.

Description of the Center: The number one rule at the Center is “kindness” with a focus on seniors and the Blaine community. As a member-driven non-profit 501c(3), the center focuses on promoting active living to include fitness programs and a gym, a library, art, technology, and education classes, scheduled games, dancing, writing courses, community lunches, live music, a robust event schedule and more. We also open our center to the community and to support local entities with over 225 scheduled events, presentations, classes, meetings, and support services in 2023. Future Goals: The center has a focus on being Blaine’s 50+ “Center for Active Living”. We will continue to grow our community center with intergenerational programs and offer community support. Currently the Center is raising money to upgrade its gym and will continue to update and add

and

generational 50+ population.

The Northern L ght

The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.

Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.

Letters Policy

The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on local issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likelihood of publication. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.

Publisher & Managing Editor

Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com

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Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com

Reporter Nolan Baker nolan@pointrobertspress.com

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Doug De Visser, Ruth Lauman production@pointrobertspress.com

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General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com

Contributors In This Issue

Doug Dahl Semiahmoo Resort Culinary Team

The Northern Light

225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230

Tel: 360/332-1777

Vol XXIX, No 50

Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

s American Legion Peace Arch Post 86 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9474 held several Memorial Day ceremonies

and Birch Bay on May 27. The group started the morning at

serving, before holding ceremonies at Blaine Cemetery and

ees had a ceremony and potluck. Clockwise from top; Members of American Legion Post 86 and VFW Post 9474 at Hillsdale Cemetery, the grave of a veteran is honored in Blaine, and Marna Kohn Vinup gives a speech at Blaine’s Veterans Memorial Park.

Memorial Day ceremonies in Blaine, Birch Bay OpiniOn Letters

The Editor:

I was dismayed to read the article: “CDC to put tight restrictions on dogs traveling across the border.” As a new resident of Blaine, this was disappointing news. When I was house hunting last summer, I stayed at my son’s place in New Westminster with my dog, and crossed the border almost daily. Later, I traveled to Europe and my son watched my dog while I was away, saving me hundreds of dollars in kennel fees. My dog was healthier and happier for it and my son and daughter-in-law both enjoyed “babysitting” for me. Being able to cross the border with my dog was both a joy and a convenience.

I find it absurd that they are taking such draconian action over a reported average

of two cases of rabies per year in the entire country, and only 127 cases over a period of 58 years! Clearly, whoever made this decision simply hates dogs, as there is no reasonable or rational argument to be made to justify it.

Meanwhile, pit bulls continue to maul people more than any other breed, including a recently retired friend of mine who just had his nose bit off by one while visiting a friend’s yard. His life will never be the same. A quick Google search will bring up dozens of news reports of such events, often disfiguring children, and sometimes even resulting in death, not infrequently, of the dog’s owner. When it comes to fatalities, which average 43 per year, despite only representing 6 percent of the total

CiviC Meetings

Birch Bay Water and Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district office, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com.

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

Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Meetings are second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

dog population, this breed accounts for nearly 60 percent of all dog attack fatalities. In 2023, pit bulls mauled 57 people to death. Yet, somehow, Susan’s labradoodle coming home from a camping trip in B.C. is an imminent threat.

And what about Point Roberts? Am I, a U.S. citizen, no longer able to travel with my dog to Point Roberts, which is part of Washington state, and return home? How am I importing anything if I’m going from the U.S. to the U.S.?

Chanel Bishton Blaine

Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Blaine Public Works and Park Advisory Board: Second Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine council chambers. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.

Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district boardroom, 770 Mitchell Avenue. Info: blainesd.org. North Whatcom Fire and Rescue: Third Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.

BBWARM: Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District Advisory Committee meets quarterly in-person and on Zoom. Info: bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org.

across Blaine

Blaine’s Veterans Memorial Park honoring military personnel who died while

Hillsdale Cemetery. The day ended at American Legion Post 86, where attend-

Photos by Lourdes Marie Gormon

Paso Del Norte closure extended to fall

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Paso Del Norte’s reopening has been pushed to the fall as kitchen upgrades needed after a fire in late March have become more extensive than the restaurant owners initially expected.

The fire started around 7 a.m. March 29 and is considered to be accidental, according to Joel Nielsen, deputy fire marshal at North Whatcom Fire and Rescue. Investigators concluded that a stock pot burner was turned on and ignited built-up grease on the side of an adjacent appliance. Nielsen said the fire burned into the exhaust hood and the suppression system was activated, but did not discharge an extinguishing agent onto the fire. The fire report was finished May 28.

The downtown Blaine restaurant was originally anticipated to be closed a month to repair the damaged hood ventilation system, but Paso Del Norte’s general contractor found more things

that needed to be repaired or brought up to code, owner Miguel Ramos said.

Necessary updates include the ovens being brought up to code, electrical work on cables that burned, replacing the gas line, a new walk-in cooler, new firewalls and redoing flooring, Ramos said. He said the restaurant doesn’t have an estimate on how much the repairs will cost.

“Everything has to go, step by step,” Ramos said. “We’ll have a brand new kitchen.”

Ramos said it was unfortunate the restaurant would be closed through summer, and he worries about business in the winter once it reopens.

Ramos said he hopes the community can support the restaurant by eating there when it opens. People can also purchase gift cards at pasodelnorte.net and a GoFundMe was started on behalf of Ramos and his employees who lost their jobs at gofundme.

com/f/paso-del-norte. As of press time, the GoFundMe, which started shortly after the fire, has raised $5,920 of its $10,000 goal. Ramos purchased the restaurant, previously called “El Sombrero,” at 20 years old and opened

it August 8, 1995. Paso Del Norte is located at 758 Peace Portal Drive.

“I’m grateful to have big support from the community,” Ramos said. “We’re trying the best we can to go faster for it to reopen.”

Tanksley gives sheriff’s office update to city council

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Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley gave Blaine City Council updates from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), including that opioid deaths were trending downward, during the May 28 meeting.

In 2023, there were 130 opioid related deaths in Whatcom County. In 2024, there have been 44 opioid-related deaths, Tanksley told councilmembers.

“One death is too many but compared to 2023, it’s substantially lower percentage-wise than we were,” Tanksley said. “I think it’s great that we’re reducing that number but where we want to be is zero.”

Tanksley said the WCSO drug task force has remained busy. So far this year, WCSO has seized 10,000 fentanyl pills, over 17,000 grams of fentanyl powder, 1,300 grams of methamphetamine and over 43 grams of cocaine.

Crimes have been decreasing the past two years, except for ve-

s Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley provides

Council an update from the sheriff’s office during its

hicle collisions. Stolen vehicle and vehicle prowl reports have both decreased 50 percent compared to 2023, Tanksley said.

The number of incident reports WCSO deputies have taken, which don’t necessarily mean a crime has been committed, are slightly below where they were in 2023.

In 2022, WCSO had 36,266 re-

Design for Birch Bay library express to be revealed

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The Birch Bay community is invited to an upcoming community meeting to see design plans for the Birch Bay Vogt Library Express and provide feedback on those plans.

Whatcom County Library System and Friends of Birch Bay Library will hold the meeting 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, June 10 at the library site, 7948 Birch Bay Drive. Osborn Architects Inc. representatives will show renderings of the floor plan and color scheme.

The Vogt homestead, with bay views and a large front lawn for activities, will have a 1,700-square-

foot library within the existing structure. The express will have a small collection of library materials and an area for online reservations to be picked up. There will also be computers with printing and an area to host meetings of up to 40 people. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025, and the library express is expected to open later that year.

SHOP, EAT

AND READ LOCAL

ported incidents in which deputies took reports, and those increased 8.5 percent to just under 40,000 in 2023. Year-to-date, the WCSO has taken just over 17,000 incident reports.

“If you look at the numbers, we’re tracking a little bit below 2023. However, in the summer, calls for service tend to go up,” Tanksley said.

s Paso Del Norte, 758 Peace Portal Drive, is expected to remain closed until the fall.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

Blaine City

May 28 meeting.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

School board delays vote on superintendent contract, approves 6 percent raises for campus administrators

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Blaine school board met on May 28, voting unanimously to delay its decision on ratifying district superintendent Christopher Granger’s contract until next month’s meeting, citing inconsistent language in the contract, and a lack of prior discussion by the current board. It was the board’s first meeting since approving a reduced budget for next year, cutting about 30 positions to help save the district $2.5 million.

District 5 Director Steve Galbraith said he wanted the board to meet with the district’s attorneys and go over the language of the contract before voting to approve or deny a three-year extension that would employ Granger through the 2026-27 school year. If approved as written by the

school board, the superintendent would earn a base annual salary of $215,979 for the 2024-25 school year, which the board would be able to adjust on a yearly basis.

The figure is in line with other local district superintendent salaries, according to the contract.

The board voted 4-1 to approve a six percent raise for its school principals and other non-represented staff. The lone nay vote was from District 2 Director Ben Lazarus, who preferred a 3.7 percent raise that would require less financial backing from the district’s already thin budget.

“To the admins in the audience, I have the utmost respect for the hard work you guys are doing, and I’m not trying to shortchange anybody,” Lazarus said. “Whatever problem we have we’re just

answering with dollars and now we’re closing our libraries and we’re not giving our students what they really need.”

The board approved 4.8 percent raises for classified staff and 6.7 percent raises for teachers in the most recent budget.

The board also discussed next year’s budget, a draft version of which will be released to the public on July 10 and voted on this summer. The district doesn’t yet know the exact figure that will need to be cut from the school’s budget, one already significantly slashed over the past two years, but presumed cuts will need to be made given expected enrollment numbers.

“If enrollment continues to decline, even at one grade level, we’ll be reducing to respond to that,” Granger said.

s Blaine school district superintendent Christopher Granger speaks to the school board during a May 28 meeting. Granger’s contract is up for renewal through the 2026-27 school year, pending board approval.

Ski to Sea draws thousands of athletes to Whatcom County

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Ski to Sea brought in athletes from around the Pacific Northwest to compete in the classic relay on Sunday, May 26.

Birch Equipment earned its third first-place finish in as many years, beating out another three-time champion Boomer’s Drive-In – and a few hundred other teams – with a time of 6:07:05.

2024 U.S. Olympic paddler

Jonas Eckler, from Bellingham, earned the “Top Gun” award in the sea kayak leg, posting the race’s fastest time of 37:17.6 for Beavers Tree Service.

The seven-leg, ski, bike, canoe, paddle and footrace drew thousands of spectators across the county.

Photo by Nolan Baker

s From l., sea kayakers head toward the finish line at Marine Park in Fairhaven in the last portion of the seven-leg relay race from Mt. Baker to Bellingham Bay on May 26. A Ski to Sea kayaker rings the finish line bell on May 26.

Photos by Nolan Baker

spOrts

Freshman Parker highlights busy weekend at state track finals

Blaine track and field sent 10 athletes to the 1B/2B/1A State Championships at Zaepfel Stadium in Yakima over Memorial Day weekend, and despite no Borderites leaving with any hardware, a few sprinters and throwers capped off their seasons with solid performances.

Assistant coach Roberto Aguilera said while the final results may not have been what the team wanted, doubling the state representation for Blaine from last year’s team means a lot for this young program.

“I was ecstatic for them. I was so joyful to see them make it to state,” Aguilera said. “I know they had worked hard enough to get to where they were, and that’s all that matters from a coach’s end.”

Freshman Cheyenne Parker came the closest to a state championship, finishing second in the girls 200-meter preliminary round with a time of 26.03, and finishing first in her heat.

In the 200-meter final on May 25, Parker finished fourth with a time of 26.29, just a few fractions of a second shy of second place.

Parker was one of just two freshmen in the 1A 200-meter final, a fact Aguilera said is a testament to Parker’s raw potential as a sprinter.

“[Parker] has been performing incredibly, especially up with Washington’s best sprinters,” Aguilera said. “We have had a lot of educational prep talks about the sport to educate her, as well as the other freshman, to understand what it takes to be a part of Washington’s 1A best. That includes working on their biomechanics and confidence to hopefully one day be Washington’s 1A top sprinter representing Blaine.”

Her competition in the heat, Bear Creek senior Braelyn Baker, holds multiple state 1A meet records for the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the 300 hurdles. Baker, who committed to sprint at Duke University, ran another stellar 200-meter, beating the field by nearly 2.5 seconds.

On May 24, the boys 4x100-meter relay team raced in its preliminary heat, but weren’t able to qualify for a top-eight time and make it to the final round. Jaiden Paez, Dylan Johnson, Justin Minjarez and Beckum Bleazard ran a time of 49.98.

The boys 4x100-meter relay was a tough field, with Northwest Conference rivals Meridian and Lynden Christian advancing to the finals, and Meridian winning the 1A final with a time of 43.44.

Minjarez was the only Blaine senior to qualify for the state championship, but Aguilera said that the entire cohort of seniors on the track team set a great example all season, even if only one of them was able to make it to Yakima for state.

“They’re all amazing athletes,” Aguilera said of the outgoing senior class. “And they’re also incredible role models. I wish them the best for whatever they plan on doing in the future.”

Later that day, the girls 4x100-meter relay team competed in its preliminary heat, with Parker, Brietta Sandell, Kaitlyn Ritter Von Trautmann and Juliana Zuzarte combining for a solid time of 51.75.

The relay team’s time was a full .75 seconds slower than their 1A District Championship time, and the team missed the eighth and final qualification spot by less than .25 seconds.

As well, the eight-team heat the Borderites competed in was unforgiving, with five teams qualifying for the final heat. Blaine, unfortunately, was that sixth team to finish, just missing out on a spot in the final.

The sophomore Sandell was the Borderites’ lone hurdler to compete at state, racing in the 100-meter hurdles along with the second position on the relay team. Sandell ran a time of 17.41 in the preliminary round, missing out on qualification for the final heat.

Freshman Teia Dube competed in the girls 1A high jump with a 4’6”, tying for 16th.

Junior Jayden Winslow, the only Borderite to qualify for the state championship in a throwing event in shot put, finished his year with a 41’4.75” shot put, earning him 15th.

Blaine track and field has a promising group of talented underclassmen that can make it back to state with a year of experience now under their belts.

Head coach Mark Schultz announced his resignation after the state tournament, leaving a vacancy for who will lead Blaine track and field next season.

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s From top; Blaine freshman Cheyenne Parker, r., sprints in the girls 1A preliminary 100-meter dash on May 23 at the 1A/2B/2A State Championships in Yakima. Blaine sophomore Dylan Johnson, second from right, passes the baton to senior Justin Minjarez in the preliminary 4x100-meter relay on May 24 at the 1A/2B/2A State Championships in Yakima.

Photos courtesy Evan Abell / Yakima Herald-Republic

Home Garden

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People interested in incorporating more native plants into their landscaping have an opportunity on Saturday, June 1 to tour seven home gardens around Whatcom County, two of which are in Blaine.

The Koma Kulshan chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society is holding a free self-guided tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Preregistration is required at bit.ly/3KgwkLO.

The gardens are owned by chapter members and have different highlights. Volunteers will answer questions and provide learning material to attendees, according to the chapter’s website.

Blaine resident Margarette Grant’s garden located near Dakota Creek is among those on the tour.

Grant said she was introduced to using native plants in her yard by a friend who had extra plants from Whatcom Conservation District’s annual native plant sale. Grant began incorporating native plants to her yard in Bellingham, and then focused primarily on native plants when she moved to Blaine.

“It’s a great way to help the environment,” Grant said from her front porch. “I feel like it’s one little thing I can do to help.”

The garden started with a privacy barrier made of trees and shrubs before Grant eventually hired professional help to design and plant the rest of the yard.

Over the 10 years since it started, Grant’s garden has grown to over 60 native plant species.

Grant says she sees many benefits to her native yard, such as encouraging pollinators and requiring little maintenance. She no longer needs a lawnmower or weed whacker, and the yard only takes up to eight hours of work per week in the spring. Nothing is ever urgent, she added, saying it was all about the process.

“Every inch is such a delight,” she said. “Butterflies show up that have never showed up before, and birds hang out regularly that would be occasional visitors. It’s a dynamic space to be in and watch what’s happening.” Grant recommends people interested in incorporating native plants to their yard go on field trips and learn about native plants from the Koma Kulshan chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. She also encouraged Blaine residents to take advantage of Kelle Sunter’s organization, Community Orchards for Resources and Education (CORE), which provides free courses related to home and gardening.

The other Blaine garden is 0.6 acres designed to be a young forest in Semiahmoo, while the other homes included in the tour are around the Bellingham area.

After registering, participants will be sent the addresses and (See Tour, next page)

The City of Blaine Water Division started flushing the City's water distribution system. This is accomplished by opening hydrants along the system (starting at the well fields) to move fresh water throughout the distribution system.

The purpose of flushing the system is to remove any grit and debris in order to improve water quality through the distribution system.

During the city flushing program city water customers may experience a temporary low water pressure and/or cloudiness when flushing is going on. The cloudiness condition (caused by air) should be only temporary, and can be cleared by running a cold water tap for a few minutes to clean and flush your service line. If the condition continues for an extended period of time please contact the Blaine Public Works.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, feel free to call Public Works at (360) 332-8820, or visit www.cityofblaine.com for weekly area updates.

Blaine Public Works.

& Home Garden

Photo by Margarette Grant

RECENT HOUSE & LOT PRICES

Blaine, Birch Bay & Point Roberts

$800,000 AND ABOVE:

2-story house with 4,016 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, 3-car attached garage, built in 2023; marine and territorial view, .30 acres land.

2-story 4-plex with 5,886 square feet, 2,880 s.f. built in-garage, 384 s.f. deck, built in 2022, .24 acres land.

1-story house with 1,561 square feet, 937 s.f. basement, 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, 624 s.f. built-in garage, 690 s.f. balcony, 563 s.f. deck, built in 1991; marine and territorial views, .23 acres land.

1-story house with 3,383 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3-car attached garage, deck and patio, built in 2023; marine and territorial view, .21 acres land.

1-story house with 1,856 square feet, 1,856 s.f. basement, 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, 528 s.f. attached garage, 240 s.f. storage, built in 1999, .28 acres land.

2-story house with 3,071 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 657 s.f. built-in garage with balcony above, 631 s.f. deck, built in 2023; marine and territorial view, .33 acres land.

2-story house with 3,898 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, built-in 3-car garage, built in 2023; marine and territorial view, .32 acres land.

1-story house with 1,964 square feet, 1,858 s.f. basement, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 576 s.f. attached garage, 374 s.f. deck, built in 1998; marine and territorial view, 71 acres land.

2-story house with 4,168 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 1,508 s.f. deck, 928 s.f. built-in garage, 210 s.f. balcony, built in 2006, 1.00 acres land.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES:

2-story 2 office/2 apartment building with 3,000 square feet, built in 1990, .12 acres land.

LAND:

8449 Camas Drive, Blaine

2848 Shore Pine Place, Blaine

5782 Nakat Way, Blaine

While

merit

borhood and identify their target buyers prior to beginning a kitchen or owner’s suite renovation, as such variables can provide direction and inspiration when refurbishing these widely valued areas in a

5425 Lasiandra Drive, Blaine

5600 Whitehorn Way, Blaine

5424 Lonicera Drive, Blaine

8457 Camas Drive, Blaine 8869 Semiahmoo Drive, Blaine 2275 Berry Lane, Point Roberts 357 Martin Street, Blaine

70.46 acres

plus 1,152 s.f. shop (built in 2023)

Cottonwood Court, Blaine 7549 Kickerville Road, Blaine

President Bob Larsen

The notice agent named below has elected to give notice to creditors of the abovenamed decedent. As of the date of the filing of a copy of this notice with the court, the notice agent has no knowledge of any other person acting as notice agent or of the appointment of a personal representative of the decedent’s estate in the state of Washington. According to the records of the court as are available on the date of the filing of this notice with the court, a cause number regarding the decedent has not been issued to any other notice agent, and a personal representative of the decedent’s estate has not been appointed.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.42.070 by serving on or mailing to the notice agent or the notice agent’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the notice agent’s declaration and oath were filed. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the notice agent served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.42.020(2)(c); or (2) Four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.42.050 and 11.42.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate

Semiahmoo Resort: Herb-crusted halibut

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

Kelly Stanley, chef de cuisine at Great Blue Heron Grill, is passionate about local food systems – often sourcing ingredients from farmers, fishers, bakers and cheesemakers throughout Whatcom County. This recipe is no exception, using halibut from Lummi Seafood Market in Ferndale. You’ll find this dish on the menu at Great Blue Heron Grill this spring served with baby potatoes and asparagus. Try your hand at this herb crusted halibut, or come in and have it prepared for you by the talented culinary team at Semiahmoo.

Herb-crusted halibut - Serves 2

• 10-12 ounces boneless skinless halibut filet, cut in half

• 1 cup dill cream sauce

• ½ cup herbed bread crumbs Dill cream sauce

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 6-8 whole garlic cloves, peeled

• 1 package fresh dill (about .75 ounce)

• 1 bundle fresh chives

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus zest

• Salt and pepper to taste

In a small sauce pot, simmer heavy cream with garlic cloves over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes until garlic is soft and cream is slightly reduced. Mix in half of the dill and half of the chives (save the remainder for the herbed bread crumbs). Pour into blender and blend until smooth. Pour back into sauce pot and stir in lemon zest, juice and salt and pepper. Sauce will become slightly thicker with the addition of the lemon juice.

Herbed bread crumbs

• ½ cup panko

• 2 tablespoons melted butter

• Remaining chives and dill, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In an oven-safe baking dish, place halibut, then top with sauce and bread crumbs. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the halibut reaches 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before plating.

Semiahmoo Resort offers dining options at Great Blue Heron Grill, Packers Kitchen + Bar and Seaview Café.

s Chef Kelly Stanley’s herb-crusted halibut provides the perfect opportunity to use local ingredients at home.

Photo courtesy Semiahmoo Resort

Recreational shellfish harvesting closed throughout Whatcom County

Recreational molluscan shellfish harvesting in all of Whatcom County has been closed by the Washington State Department of Health as of May 24. Unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) biotoxins have been detected in Drayton Harbor and Bellingham Bay.

Molluscan shellfish, which include clams, mussels, oysters and scallops, tend to have the highest concentration of toxins. PSP biotoxins cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing. Crab meat is not affected by PSP biotoxins, but “crab butter” and crab entrails should always

be discarded as they can harbor biotoxins.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, “PSP biotoxin can cause severe illness and death. Symptoms include numbness and tingling of lips and tongue, which may begin within minutes of eating toxic shellfish or may take an hour or two to develop. Symptoms may progress to tingling of fingers and toes and then loss of control of arms and legs, followed by difficulty in breathing. Some people feel nauseous or experience a sense of floating. If a person consumes enough toxin, the chest and ab-

domen muscles become paralyzed, including muscles used for breathing, and the victim can suffocate. Death from Paralytic Shellfish Poison has occurred in less than 30 minutes.”

Shellfish sold in restaurants and markets have been tested prior to distribution and have been determined safe to eat.

Always check for biotoxin and pollution closures before harvesting shellfish recreationally. Updated closures can be found at bit.ly/4bHD8OE or by calling the Washington State Department of Health’s Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800/562-5632.

Upcoming events to learn about the Whatcom County comprehensive plan

Whatcom County government will have information booths on the 2025 comprehensive plan at four events throughout the county on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2. The first booth will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 1 during the Blaine Market by the Sea at G Street Plaza in downtown Blaine.

The other booths will be at a youth fishing derby at Howard Bowen Park in Sumas from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. June 1, the Lynden Farmers Market on June 1 and Joe’s Fine Coffee workshop from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Maple Falls.

The event will provide information on the comprehensive plan, a multi-year project that

requires the county to review its long-range development plans. The county is also required to review its development regulations and ensure urban growth areas, such as Birch Bay, accommodate housing and employment growth for the next 20 years.

For more information on the Whatcom County comprehensive plan, visit bit.ly/3KkoeBA.

Road Rules: Terrible turn signals

B y D ou G D ahl

Question: Whose bright idea was it to start putting the rear turn signal lights on the bumper area a foot below the rest of the rear lights?

Answer: I’m going to abandon all tact and just say it. Low-mounted turn signals are dumb. Oh, and your opening pun is brilliant. As to whose idea it was, I have two answers: one wrong, one right, both not great. The conspiracy theorists will tell you that big auto, big insurance, and big government have colluded to increase rear-end crashes through poor vehicle design. Car companies reap massive profit from parts and service on vehicle repairs, insurance companies jack up rates for more frequent crashes, the government gets to tax all that revenue, and the senators get paid off by the lobbyists. That’s the wrong answer, in case you’re wondering.

The real answer isn’t much better: Some car designers think it looks nice. Okay, there’s a bit more to it. Turn signals and brake lights are required by law to be mounted on a fixed part of the vehicle. That makes sense: If your light assembly is mounted in your liftgate and you’re hauling a load of 2x4s sticking out the back of your SUV, your brake lights are now facing the sky. The dilemma is easily solvable; use tall and narrow taillight assemblies mounted in the rear pillars. Plenty of vehicles do this without a problem. But right now, thin is in. Or maybe the opposite: Wide and

short is in. But I couldn’t think of a rhyme for that. Next time you’re out, take a look at the taillight assemblies on new cars. Some of them are more than a foot wide, but only a few inches tall. Much of that foot-wide light assembly extends into the trunk or liftgate. Only the portion that’s on the vertical pillar can be used for signal and brake lights. Within that remaining portion, there are minimum size requirements for the brake light and turn signal. Some designs have gotten so small that there isn’t room for the turn signal, so they opt to move it down to the bumper.

I’ve said this before, and it certainly applies here. Just because it’s legal, it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. The law has some latitude for the height of taillights to allow for vehicle designs, but I bet when they wrote it (many years ago) they didn’t anticipate that vehicle designers would use that law as a loophole to split the brake and turn lights into separate locations.

When you’re gathering information about the intentions of the vehicle in front of you, where

do you look? Yeah, you look somewhere around the beltline of the vehicle, where most taillights have been for most of automotive history. Why would a car designer think it’s a good idea to stick them somewhere else?

If you own a vehicle with this poor design, you might have noticed an increased use of horns and fingers directed at you. It’s not you; you’re being penalized for bad vehicle design. In this column we mostly look at how driver behavior affects traffic safety, but vehicle manufacturers play a big role too, often positive (like seat belts, ABS brakes, and crumple zones) but sometimes not so good. In addition to low turn signals, tall hoods come to mind, and combined they’re even worse.

If any designers at Hyundai, Kia, Chevy, Infiniti and Toyota are reading this (those are the ones I’m aware of – there could be more), there’s more to great design than style; remember the safety of the end user too.

Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.

File photo

sheriff’s repOrts

May 18, 5:18 p.m.: Serve papers on Birch Bay Drive.

May 19, 1:42 p.m.: Trespass cold call on Holeman Avenue.

May 19, 6:07 p.m.: Abandoned vehicle on Birch Bay Drive.

May 19, 7:50 p.m.: Domestic order violence on Halibut Drive.

May 20, 2:04 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Birch Bay Square Street.

May 20, 2:38 a.m.: Mental health check on Surf Place.

May 20, 11:11 a.m.: Civil problem on Harborview Road.

May 20, 2:41 p.m.: Civil problem on Pheasant Drive.

May 20, 5:06 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle cold call on East Street.

May 20, 5:13 p.m.: Juvenile problem cold call on Behme Road.

May 20, 10:31 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Beachcomber Drive.

May 21, 5:10 a.m.: Alarm audible on Birch Bay Drive.

May 21, 11:46 a.m.: Traffic problem cold call on Bay Road.

May 21, 2:28 p.m.: Landlord/

tenant dispute on Elmwood Drive.

May 21, 2:30 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Portal Way.

May 21, 8:01 p.m.: Mental health check on Tracy Place.

May 21, 8:42 p.m.: Domestic order violence on Seawan Place.

May 22, 5:10 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Pacific Highway.

May 22, 3:29 p.m.: Child abuse cold call on Custer School Road.

May 22, 3:55 p.m.: Rape cold call on Anderson Road.

May 22, 10:03 p.m.: Domestic physical on East Street.

May 23, 4:25 p.m.: Burglary cold call on Seashell Way.

pOLiCe repOrts

May 18, 11:26 a.m.: Vandalism on H Street.

May 18, 5:25 p.m.: Drugs on Peace Portal Drive.

May 19, 11:52 a.m.: Burglary on 16th Street.

May 19, 8:40 p.m.: Theft on Boblett Street.

May 19, 9:16 p.m.: Shots on Turnstone Lane.

May 20, 9:23 a.m.: Trespass on D Street.

May 20, 4:34 p.m.: Lewd conduct on 3rd Street.

May 20, 10:13 p.m.: Brandishing on Golden Eagle Lane.

Coming up

Kindergarten Registration Open: If your child will be five years old on or before August 31, 2024, register now at blainesd.org/o/ blaine-primary-school.

Community Breakfast: Saturdays, 8–11 a.m., American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. All-you-can-eat pancakes $5, kids 4 and under get free pancakes. Other breakfast items available for purchase. Hosted by G.O.A.T. Sandwiches. Info: 360/296-4204. Portion of proceeds benefits the American Legion.

Meet Blaine’s New Police Chief: Thursday, May 30, 5 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Learn more about the city’s new chief, our local police departments and ask questions. Free. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. This week’s theme: wine and spirits. Info: thevaultwine.com.

ACROSS

1. Fashion accessory 4. Engine additive

7. Small, faint constellation 8. Gives a job

10. Self-righteous person

12. Caucasian language

13. Surinam toad

14. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.) 16. Former French coin 17. Levels the score 19. What stage performers do 20. Egyptian Sun god 21. Localities

25. Spherical body 26. Licensed for Wall Street 27. Perfect 29. It’s on many people’s heads

30. Boxing’s GOAT

31. Photo 32. Popular HBO show

39. Popular music awards show 41. Pouch

42. Lake in Botswana 43. Unruly group 44. One-fourth 45. Very eager 46. Edward __, author and writer

48. Flying insect 49. Dragged forcibly 50. Thus far 51. Not just “play” 52. Commercials DOWN

1. Occur 2. Show up 3. Capital of Taiwan 4. Brother or sister 5. Secret get-togethers 6. Type of tea 8. Where the action is 9. Cast out 11. Crime group 14. Type of vessel (abbr.) 15. Accept and handle 18. Sacrifice hit 19. One who buys and sells securities simultaneously

20. Month 22. Most thin 23. Naturally occurring material 24. Luke’s mentor __-Wan 27. Postmodernist Austrian “House” 28. Aquatic salamander

29. Baseball stat 31. Beginning military rank 32. Talk rapidly and unintelligbly 33. Paddle 34. Caregiver (abbr.)

35. Old Irish alphabet 36. Japanese city 37. In a way, acted 38. Things to see 39. Nursemaid 40. Type of tooth 44. To be demonstrated

47. Defunct European group

May 21, 6:38 p.m.: Civil problem on D Street.

May 22, 9:38 a.m.: Fraud on 3rd Street.

May 22, 12:18 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Mitchell Avenue.

May 22, 1:19 p.m.: Trespass on 12th Street.

May 23, 12:14 p.m.: Hit and run on H Street.

May 24, 10:35 a.m.: Drugs on H Street.

May 24, 4:25 p.m.: Disorderly conduct on Marine Drive.

May 24, 5:33 p.m.: Vandalism on Bayview Avenue.

tides

May 30-June 5 at Blaine. Not for navigation.

Live Music at Birch Bay State Park: Friday, May 31, 5 p.m., Birch Bay State Park’s bp Heron Center. Enjoy music from a group of five musicians performing classic pop, swing, blues and more. Great for all ages. Bring a camp chair and picnic. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Birch Bay 5K Fun Run: Friday, May 31, 6 p.m. Leave from the Birch Bay Activity Center at 7511 Gemini Street and run to Beach Cat Brewing. $35, kids and pets run for free. Info and registration: bbbparkandrec.org.

Live Music at The Vault: Friday, May 31, 7 p.m, The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring: Song Wranglers. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Bellingham Scottish Gathering: Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Blaine Marine Park. Highland dancing, piping and drumming, bagpipe bands, athletic competitions, vendors, clan tents, Scottish breed animals and more. Adults $25, students, seniors and active military $20, group or family of four $62, children under five free. Info: scottisdancesociety.org.

Container Gardening: Saturday, June 1, 9–11 a.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. An “out of the ground and into the box” introduction to container gardening. We will start with the basics from choosing containers and the right plants to learning how to water them. Info: nwcore.org.

Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan Update Event: Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Blaine Market by the Sea, G Street Plaza. Come talk to the project team regarding growth in unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. Info: https://www.whatcomcounty.us/887/Comprehensive-Plan.

Hunting Strategies with SARDIS: Saturday, June 1, 3 p.m. Birch Bay State Park wildlife theater. Raptor Hunting Strategies presented by SARDIS Raptor Center. Listen to highly skilled volunteer trainers who will provide insight into identification, anatomy of flight, the raptor’s role in the environment and much more. Please bring a chair. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Senior ’24 Worship Celebration: Sunday, June 2, 6–7:30 p.m., The Christian Way Community Church, 1733 H Street (next to Westside Pizza). The UNIFIED youth groups are coming together to honor Whatcom County’s 2024 high school graduates in a multiyouth group worship service. Graduates are encouraged to wear their cap and gown. RSVP to your youth leaders.

Karaoke Night: Friday, June 7, 6:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Come sing, watch and even dance. Free. Snacks provided. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.

Beach Fest: Saturday, June 8, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Birch Bay State Park’s bp Heron Center and beach. Kids activities, refreshments and opportunities to learn more about the stewardship of Birch Bay. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Weather

Precipitation: During the period of May 20 to May 26, 1.6 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2024 year-todate precipitation is 15.5 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 57.7°F on May 23 with a low of 46.2°F on May 22. Average high was 55.2°F and average low was 47.7°F.

Artists Reception: Saturday, June 8, 2–4 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Browse the gallery and purchase art from our featured artists. Advanced tickets $15 by calling 360/392-0955 or $18 at the door. Ticket includes a beverage and nosh. Percentage of ticket sales benefits the Blaine Fine Arts Association. Info: thevaultwine.com.

What’s Next Resource Fair: Friday, June 14, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Enjoy a variety of community vendors and presentations on estate planning and advance care planning. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.

Live Music at Birch Bay State Park: Friday, June 14, 5 p.m., Birch Bay State Park’s bp Heron Center. Enjoy memorable country western and swing music from On the Loose. Bring a camp chair and picnic for a rockin’ good time. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, June 15, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Over $275 in prizes. Early bird starts at 12:30 p.m., Regular bingo at 1 p.m. Eight games $15. Lunch available for $8. Info: 360/332-8040. Live Music at Birch Bay State Park: Saturday, June 15, 3 p.m., Birch Bay State Park’s bp Heron Center. Bellingham’s Homegrown Irish-American folk band The Devillies perform an eclectic mix of original and traditional songs and tunes from dear auld Ireland and beyond. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Ongoing

Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Delivery options available. Info:360/332-6350 or Info@blainefoodbank.org.

The Bridge Food Bank: Fridays, 2 p.m.–4:30 p.m. The Bridge Community Hope Center, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New? Register at thebridgehope.com or 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.

Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

COMInGtOBLaIne THISWEEKEND!

S aturday , J une 1S t

Blaine Marine Park & Semiahmoo Spit • 9am - 6pm

A celebration of Scotland’s culture in Blaine by the Sea!

• 200 Competitors; Bagpipers, Dancers, Drummers & Athletes

• Live Celtic & Sea Shanty Music in Blaine Marine Park

• Beer Garden

• Clans, Vendors, Food & MORE!

• Scottish Athletics at Semiahmoo Spit!

• The Koinonia passenger ferry will shuttle event ticket holders from Semiahmoo Dock starting at 8:15 AM to Blaine Marina, Gate 2. Last run will be at 5:45 PM.

• Birch Bay Park & Rec’s Red Bus will make regular and all-day stops at designated parking lots and Blaine Welcome Center to shuttle people to and from Blaine Marine Park. (See map)

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE!

Admission Costs: Adults: $25 • Students/Seniors/Active Duty Military: $20 Family or Group of 4: $62 Children under age 5: Free

Adams, Martin & Linahon will be playing Celtic music and sea shanties in Blaine Marine Park.

Bagpipers from WA, OR, BC and Alberta will be taking the field in Blaine Marine Park.

Ferry service will be provided aboard the 48-capacity Koinonia throughout the day. PLEASE NOTE: The passenger ferry is only for Bellingham Scottish Gathering ticket holders.

Scottish Athletes will be competeing on Semiahmoo Spit. Ride the Koinonia Passenger Ferry to Semiahmoo and back to Blaine.

Scottish dancers will compete in Blaine Marine Park.

Drumming competitions will be taking the field in Marine Park.