The Northern Light: August 31-September 6, 2023

Parks district won’t collect 2024 taxes, page 3

School district plans for levy on February ballots

Blaine school board discussed plans to include a maintenance and operations levy and potentially a capital bond measure in the February 2024 special election during its August 28 meeting.

The four-year maintenance and operations levy funds day-to-day expenses and would replace the levy passed in February 2020. The new levy would be the same amount as the expiring one and only requires a simple super majority to pass.

The capital bond would support projects focused on Blaine Middle School construction, Performing Arts Center (PAC) upgrades and smaller improvements throughout the district. The district is considering the bond to be around $56 million.

“We’re trying to do our best to stay within the current tax rate,” superintendent Christopher Granger said.

A task force of 14 district staff, parents and community members has been reviewing school facilities since February to determine the district’s priority projects and if there was need for a capital bond or levy. Granger and finance director Amber Porter presented the task force recommendations to the school board during the August 28 meeting.

The task force determined capital funding first needed to address Blaine Middle School, through construction, security improvement and PAC enhancements. Pipeline Fields was next on the task force’s list, with adding running water to restrooms and upgrading the softball and baseball areas.

HVAC, mechanical and electrical work is also needed across the district, as well as lighting and playground improvements at Point Roberts Primary School, according to the task force.

The task force also recommended long-term projects that would be less urgent, such as construction of a Birch Bay elementary school, upgrades to Blaine Elementary School, transportation facility upgrades or relocation, and a district office expansion.

(See School, page 3)

Borderite fall sports preview, page 7

The Wave art studio tour photos, pages 15-16

Longtime Birch Bay advocate honored for service

It’s hard to find something Kathy Berg hasn’t impacted in Birch Bay.

Decades of dedication are evident in everyday ways of life for the community; she’s had a hand in seeing through the long-awaited berm as well as helped establish the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office neighborhood deputy program and Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) Advisory Committee. The bp Heron Center at Birch Bay State Park and Blaine-

Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 Activity Center are also standing, in part, thanks to Berg.

And everything for which Berg assisted sowing the seeds, the list doubles on what she helped maintain and bloom. Those contributions can be seen at North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) and various other Whatcom County government meetings, where Berg kept a close eye on decisions over the years.

However, Berg may be best known for her emails that kept Birch Bay residents

Man seriously injured at Birch Bay Waterslides

A man who sustained a serious injury at Birch Bay Waterslides on August 25 was transported to the hospital for treatment. The water park has closed for the remainder of the season.

The man was injured on one of the main slides at the Birch Bay water park and medical response was immediately provided before first responders arrived, according to a Birch Bay Waterslides Facebook post on the incident.

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) chief Jason Van der Veen said the district received the call at 12:56 p.m. and arrived at 1 p.m. The man was treated and rapidly transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham for basic life support.

Van der Veen declined to identify the man or the extent of his injuries. The Northern Light was unable to confirm how the man was injured or receive a condition update.

Whatcom County Health and Community Services Department began investigating the incident after park staff notified the

department on August 25, spokesperson Marie Duckworth said. More information will be released when the investigation is complete.

The park closed for the remainder of the season before its scheduled Labor Day closure. Park staff offered ticket transfers or requests through its website.

The park has operated since 1983 and has eight slides, two pools, hot tub and other amenities, according to its website.

informed and earned her the nickname “mayor” of the unincorporated area.

The community joined together to celebrate Berg during the Birch Bay Derby Day parade on August 26, where NWFR escorted her as fire marshal. The fire commissioners also made her honorary fire chief of Birch Bay Fire Station 63 during their meeting earlier in the week.

NWFR chair Bruce Ansell said Berg, who he described as a watchdog, regularly attended fire commission meet-

(See Berg, page 6)

Birch Bay Waterslides could not be reached for comment. TheNorthernLight.com

s Blaine school district staff greeted elementary school families as they arrived for the first day of school on August 29.

Photo by Molly Ernst

B y G race M c c arthy

School ...

From page 1

“We don’t want to send the message that there’s never going to be a Birch Bay Elementary because I don’t think that’s the intention,” Granger said. “Just right

now might not make the most sense as enrollment isn’t what it was and the middle school has the highest need and would serve all students in the district.”

Board member Don Leu said he didn’t want to shortchange the middle school upgrades that he could see lasting decades. Board member

W edding A nnouncement

Jami Makan of Blaine, WA and Coquitlam, BC married his partner Zahra on August 5, 2023 in a Nikah ceremony at the Ismaili Centre Vancouver. They are pleased to share this joyous occasion with the wonderful Blaine community.

Dougal Thomas said he was afraid the district would promise more projects than it could afford if construction costs increased.

“This is what we’re hoping we can do, but once rubber meets the road, it may not be all of these things,” Thomas said.

Porter said there were still cost unknowns, but middle school construction, the largest project, would provide a lot of cost flexibility.

The district typically puts its levies on ballots during the Feb-

MODERN SHOWCASE!

ruary special election, which Leu was concerned may not get a strong turnout. Porter said levies have not been passing as well in the past year and other school districts are expected to have levies in the February election.

“It may not be the right economy, but it is a right time,” Porter said.

The school board is expected to vote on whether to officially approve the district putting the replacement maintenance and operations levy and capital bond

on ballots during its September or October meeting. The board will likely vote on the task force recommendations this fall.

School board members also unanimously approved the 2023-24 school budget, which will cut about $3.5 million in spending from last year and eliminate about 60 positions. Reductions are slated to reduce the year-end deficit to $2.1 million and leave the district with a $2.5 million general fund balance.

To review the task force recommendations, visit bit.ly/3OUT5qu.

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s Blaine school board members and staff discuss plans to include the maintenance and operations levy on the February 2024 special election ballot. Photo by Grace McCarthy

PeaceHealth to restore outpatient palliative care program

PeaceHealth announced plans to reinstate outpatient palliative care in Whatcom County, just three months after the healthcare system sparked community outrage when it eliminated the program.

Cascadia Daily News first reported on PeaceHealth’s plans August 24. PeaceHealth spokesperson Anne Williams wrote in a statement to The Northern Light that PeaceHealth and the St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation decided to restore the outpatient program after further discussion. The program will be both sustainable and scalable, Williams wrote.

In May, PeaceHealth cut the outpatient palliative care program, which provided com-

prehensive care to people with chronic illness in Whatcom County. The cut was part of larger reductions PeaceHealth implemented throughout the Pacific Northwest, including closing its allergy clinic and sleep lab in Bellingham. PeaceHealth spokesperson Beverly Mayhew previously said outpatient palliative care didn’t receive much reimbursement from insurance companies.

Community pushback challenged PeaceHealth’s decision, which left one nurse and social worker to care for about 65 patients. People also raised concerns that local donors raised $2.5 million for the program’s first five years of funding, set to expire in 2023, and that PeaceHealth committed to sustain it.

“Moving forward, PeaceHealth is committed to continued dia-

Parks and recreation district won’t collect levy in 2024

B y M adisun t o B isch

The Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) will not collect taxes in 2024 after missing the filing deadline for its six-year levy renewal to appear on the November general election ballot. BBBPRD2 commissioners learned of the missed deadline at their regular August meeting, according to a BBBPRD2 press release.

The release states that reserve funds, which are made up of savings for times of financial uncertainty and excess funds from Covid-19, will supplement the tax levy revenue. Blaine residents have paid 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value for the last six years in accordance with the most recent tax levy. Multiple factors resulted in the missed deadline, BBBPRD2 staff director Heather Lindsay said, including employee turnover during the pandemic.

"With the changes in staff, some things fall through," she said. "It was one thing that got missed on the deadline, so we're pivoting and keeping the program going."

Despite the setback, Lindsay said there are no plans to cut

back on programming availability, cost or staff positions. She added that BBBPRD2 expects reserve funds, which totaled $563,600 as of July, to last beyond April 1, 2025, when the levy – if passed – would go into effect. The projected operating cost for 2024 is $311,000.

"The district is here for the communities," Lindsay said. "We've been trying to meet the needs and wants of the community, and we're going to continue doing that."

This summer, BBBPRD2 expanded program offerings, which was part of implementing feedback from last year's community survey, Lindsay said, adding that she expects to see that momentum continue into the coming seasons.

The version of the levy renewal request now set for 2024 is not final, but Lindsay said she does not anticipate any changes from the levy passed in 2017.

for REAL news READ LOCAL

logue and a more transparent and collaborative partnership with the Foundation and the community on this and other important issues impacting the people of Bellingham and Whatcom County,” Williams wrote. Program details are still being finalized and will be shared soon, according to PeaceHealth.

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

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

Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com

Reporter Nolan Baker nolan@pointrobertspress.com

Editorial Intern Madisun Tobisch prpintern@pointrobertspress.com

Creative Services

Doug De Visser, Ruth Lauman production@pointrobertspress.com

Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com

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General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com

Contributors In This Issue

Doug Dahl, Ed Johnstone, Senna Scott

The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230

Tel: 360/332-1777

Vol XXVIII, No 12

Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

Shewmake, Galloway tour Blaine Food Bank OpiniOn

s From l.; Whatcom County councilmember Kaylee Galloway, state senator Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) and Blaine Food Bank manager Sally Church discuss the food bank’s operations during a tour on August 28. In May, Whatcom County Council approved giving a total of $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to county food banks, including Blaine, to meet increased demand. The food bank recently started serving out of its new structure, which replaced the tent it set up during the

Op-Ed: Crabbers must be accountable for their share of harvest

Our shared natural resources are our shared responsibility.

Following federal judge Edward Rafeedie’s 1994 ruling in U.S. v. Washington, state and tribal co-managers have a legal obligation to share equally in the harvest of Dungeness crab.

We do this cooperatively with tribal and nontribal commercial crab fisheries through careful monitoring and in-season management – as we do with salmon. Buyers report their purchases and data is shared between tribal and state co-managers, often within 24 hours.

Our tribal subsistence crab fisheries meet that reporting standard as well. In our world, if you can’t enforce the fishery, you don’t open the fishery.

We need a similar commitment when it comes to recreational crab harvest – with a timely and accurate catch. We think recreational harvest is being underreported. The state and its recreational crabbers need to take accountability for their share of the resource.

Six years ago, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) chair Lorraine Loomis called for better management of recreational crab harvest in Puget Sound.

Since then, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has continued to prioritize recreational harvest of their share, but is not meeting its obligation as a co-manager to accurately report the catch.

According to the state, only 50 percent of recreational crabbers turn in their catch record cards. The penalty is a $10 fine tacked onto their next fishing license – an amount some people consider a “donation to the state,” rather than punishment for failure to take responsibility for their harvest.

Failing to turn in catch cards makes it harder for state and tribal co-managers to manage crab seasons in Puget Sound. Fishery managers need that data to determine future harvest numbers. Catch record cards are a tool that helps us estimate how many Dungeness crab are out there. Improved catch record compliance could lead to increased crabbing opportunities. The only data we have available to us are the reports of landed catch by tribal and state recreational and commercial crabbers.

We know the state is making an effort to improve catch reporting through educational campaigns and phone surveys to let people know that even if you didn’t go crabbing, or didn’t catch anything, you still need to fill out a catch record card. WDFW also is developing an electronic

CiviC Meetings

Birch Bay Water & Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district offices, 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 and virtual meeting login: ci.blaine.wa.us.

Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@ cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Meetings are second Tues-

catch record card so crabbers can report their catch from their phones. But we’re concerned that people who can’t be bothered to turn in their catch cards won’t use the app either.

We also need to see more state enforcement boats on the water during recreational openings to make sure people are only taking home male crabs, and returning ones that are female, too small or have soft shells. People also need to be held accountable for illegally setting pots when recreational fisheries are closed, instead of having their gear returned to them without being fined.

We’re encouraged that WDFW is hiring more staff to conduct dock surveys in Puget Sound and improve monitoring from Neah Bay to the Columbia River, including Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay. This is a good start.

With the amount of resources spent promoting recreational use of the outdoors, the state must be responsible for a full and timely accounting of the crab harvested by its citizens.

The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) is an Olympia-based natural resources management support service organization for 20 treaty Indian tribes in western Washington.

day, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., council chambers and virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.

Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info: blainesd.org.

North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 11 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.

pandemic.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

CAP coat drive begins

Friday, September 1

Faith and Fun

A Children’s Religious Program

For kids kindergarten-5th grade

Starts September 13

After School • 3-4:30 pm

St. Anne Church, 604 H Street • Blaine

Everyone Welcome! • Free! • Info call: 360-319-3643

Grace Lutheran Preschool

Teaching age-appropriate academics with Christian values & love since 1972.

Now accepting applications

Limited fall spots available

Morning Classes

Kids ages 3 - 5

Located at 702 G Street, Blaine

The annual winter coat drive sponsored by the Blaine Community Assistance Program (CAP) will begin accepting donations on Friday, September 1 and continue throughout the month.

The CAP will accept gently used or new coats, gloves, hats, scarves and socks in men, women and toddler sizes. All items must be washed before donation, according to a CAP press release. Donations can be made to any of the collection locations in the area, including the Blaine Public Library, Blaine Senior Center, Pacific Building Center, Birch Bay Village Recreation Center, Cost Cutter, The Market, Windermere – Birch Bay Square, The Bridge Community Hope Center, Semiahmoo Marina Café and Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club. Several local churches are also participating in the drive and will accept donations.

The sizes with the highest demand are XXL and XXXL, according to the release. There is also a consistent need for donations in toddler sizes.

The no appointment necessary distribution begins Monday, October 9 upstairs at the Blaine CAP Center, 508 G Street, from 9 a.m. to noon. The CAP will also be distributed on Wednesday, October 11, 5-7 p.m., Friday, October 13, from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturday, October 14, from 10 a.m. to noon.

TOURISM

A ramp leading upstairs and several accessible parking spaces are available in the back of the CAP Center.

For more information about the winter coat drive, visit blainecap.org. Those interested in volunteering to sort, organize and distribute donations can email Amee Nelson at amee.nelson@ yahoo.com or call 360/319-0269.

For more info call 332-6589

www.blaine-grace-lutheran.org

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

THE CITY OF BLAINE IS CURRENTLY SEEKING MEMBERS FOR THE FOLLOWING BOARD, COMMITTEE, OR COMMISSION:

PARK AND CEMETERY BOARD

REGULARLY MEETS AT 9:00 AM ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF

FOUR POSITIONS TO BE FILLED WITH TERM ENDING 12/2026

PLANNING COMMISSION

REGULARLY MEETS AT 9:00 AM ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH

ONE POSITION TO FILL A PARTIAL TERM ENDING 12/31/2023

Hello Blaine Residents!

It’s cleaning time and we need your help! Common complaints we receive this time of year relate to:

•

• Plants growing over sidewalks

• Windfall debris

• Dumping of household items on sidewalks

Overgrown vegetation and illegal dumping can lead to fines. Please do your part to control vegetation and clean responsibly this spring and summer.

GRANTS ANNOUNCEMENT

THE CITY OF BLAINE IS NOW ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR 2024

TOURISM RELATED PROPOSALS. Grant applications are available on the City’s website www.cityofblaine.com or by emailing Alex Wenger, Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator at awenger@cityofblaine.com. Applications must be emailed to Alex Wenger by 9 a.m. Friday, September 8, 2023. For questions please email or call (360) 543-9979.

Members of boards, committees and commissions receive no financial compensation, but the payoff is great. Members meet other residents with similar interests, they learn about the City, and they help shape the future of Blaine!

Being on a board, committee or commission does require a significant personal commitment, so applicants should consider their ability to commit their time and personal energy before applying.

If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, applications and descriptions of duties are available online at www.cityofblaine.com. Positions will remain open until filled. Per Blaine Municipal Code (BMC) 2.08.028, concurrent service on more than one board or commission is precluded.

supporter: Jane MacEwan

s The Community Assistance Program Center at 508 G Street.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

Berg ...

From page 1 ings. Berg became involved with NWFR’s emergency preparation work, hiring employees, passing levies and monitoring the budgeting process.

“She was a voice of accountability,” Ansell said. “She was holding [the commission] to their word and saying, ‘You said we need to do this and we need to do that. I’m here to make sure you do it.”

Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Berg and her husband had three sons in California before retiring in Whatcom County. While driving in Birch Bay, Berg discovered the Lions Club at Bay Horizon Park, where she spent several years living and taking care of the property.

Berg said she saw things that needed to be done in Birch Bay during her time at the park. She said her passion for community service comes from being a Girl Scout.

“I would find something that needed to be done and looked like something I could do, so I tried,” Berg said. “And it worked. We got other people to work with us over time. It took the whole community. It wasn’t just me.”

In 1997, Berg met Doralee Booth, then a part-time resident, and the two bonded over concern for overstuffed trash cans that they convinced then Whatcom County Executive Pete Kremen to fix.

“That was the first thing,” Berg said. “We found each other and worked really well together.”

The two cemented their friendship leading the Birch Bay Steering Committee, which created a Birch Bay comprehensive plan that Whatcom Coun -

ty adopted. Berg became active when Birch Bay was the fastest growing area in Whatcom County, Booth said.

After finishing the comprehensive plan, community members said they wanted to address stormwater issues, which later established BBWARM, and wanted to protect the shoreline and create recreational safety by creating the berm, a $15 million project officially known as the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project.

Booth noted Berg also lobbied Whatcom County to purchase the Birch Bay Beach Park and has advocated for a Birch Bay elementary school.

“There was a tremendous amount of protection put around Birch Bay in the way we should grow in the last 20 years,” Booth said.

Carole MacDonald, former president of Mount Baker Chamber of Commerce, said she remembered attending Whatcom County Council meetings with Berg and Lummi Island resident Terry Terry.

“It’s where she lived and it was part of her nature,” MacDonald said.

Roland Middleton, special programs manager for Whatcom County Public Works Department, has worked with Berg since the early 2000s on issues such as water quality and shoreline protection.

“It’s not a small thing to say that so many of those things may not have been accomplished without the energy of Kathy Berg,” Middleton said. “She helped accomplish them by watching them, meeting by meeting.”

Berg always tried to find a solution and would advocate for causes that were important

to the community, even if she didn’t feel strongly about them, he said.

“A community can’t ask for a better spokesperson than her because she did it, not for herself, but for the community,” Middleton said.

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu has seen Berg’s legacy live on in Birch Bay. He echoed similar sentiments to Middleton in a statement, adding that her tireless work ensured community concerns were heard and addressed.

Berg, 80, who now lives in assisted living in Lynden, said she’s looking for someone to take the reins for Birch Bay. Booth said current conversations about changing Birch Bay governance were, in part, set in motion by Berg’s work.

“All of this would be moving forward because of what Kathy has given for the last 20 years,” Booth said. “Now it’s time for some others to care for our community.”

Member of the Month

Peas in a Pod Mobile Detailing

(360)

919-4546

www.peasinapoddetailing.com

Number of employees: We are Trevor and Isabela, a husband and wife duo. We have always been “peas in a pod” since meeting each other in high school, here in Blaine.

How long in business: We have been planning and learning car detailing for five years now. We always enjoyed working together and knew we had what it takes to start a successful detailing business. We officially started Peas in a Pod Mobile Detailing in July 2022, while working a full time job. It wasn’t until March 2023 that we dove head first into going full time, and our community has been amazing to us.

Description of the business: We deliver the joys of detailing straight to your driveway! We offer a unique service that not only resets your car to new, but then keeps it there by offering a maintenance program. We take on the responsibility of keeping your car clean by having various frequency plans that suit your lifestyle.

How the business started: As being a customer once, we found the average detailing experience was either extremely off-putting or inaccessible ultimately driving us to start Peas in a Pod Mobile Detailing. Growing up in this area we understood there wasn’t many services operating out of Blaine and Birch Bay and thought our community needed something like this! The Peas In a Pod experience to us is more than just the detailing, it’s what comes before and after. Future goals: As we continue to grow, our goal is for the Peas in a Pod brand to be a staple in the Blaine and Birch Bay line up of respected businesses. We are very fortunate to have been serving our community as much as we have this past year. We’re just out here putting “love in every detail” and thank everyone for giving us a chance and trusting us.

Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival

extends sincere appreciation to our sponsors:

and to our partners and volunteers: City of Blaine

The Northern Light Blaine Senior Center Blaine-Birch Bay Parks & Recreation

Thank you for making the festival a success and looking forward to the event in 2024!

s Grand marshal Kathy Berg waves during the Birch Bay Derby Day parade on August 26.

Photo by Chuck Kinzer/ckimageart.com

s Berg, l., and Doralee Booth attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Birch Bay berm in August 2021. Photo courtesy Doralee Booth

s Berg drops off documents to the Whatcom County Executive and Whatcom County Council. Photo courtesy Doralee Booth

Borderite fall sports preview: New coaches, new goals

B y n olan B aker

A lot has changed for the coaching staff of Blaine High School athletics, especially this fall. New coaches Andy Olson (football) and Roberto Aguilera (cross country) hope to elevate and enliven their respective programs, while Borderite staples like Jacquie Tesarik (volleyball) and Gio Quesada-Ruiz (girls soccer) hope to raise their already high standards. Hear from all four coaches in our Blaine Borderite Fall 2023 Sports Preview.

Football

Head coach Andy Olson is a familiar face to those who know Whatcom County football. In 2000, he was a ball boy for Lynden High School, played and graduated there in 2008, then came back as an assistant coach in 2013.

When he started teaching middle school English in the Burlington-Edison school district, he took another assistant coaching job at the high school before taking over as head coach in 2019.

During his three seasons at Burlington-Edison, he brought the school from basement-dwellers to a respectable program boasting over 90 student-athletes on the roster.

Now, he’s back home in Whatcom County, coaching for the Blaine Borderites with a gaggle of former Burlington-Edison assistant coaches in tow.

Troy Anderson will take the defensive coordinator role, Hunter Anderson will run offense, Trey Lopez is in charge of running backs and strength/conditioning, and Mike O’Dwyer is special teams coach. All four came along with Olson this past offseason.

“They were like, ‘This is fun, let’s go do this again in north Whatcom County and see if we can compete,’” Olson said. “I was humbled. I didn’t expect that. I think it speaks to our process and how what we value isn’t necessarily on the scoreboard.”

Olson said that as an educator, football is just another way to craft young kids into outstanding citizens. But the first way to do that is to get people signed up.

“What I really care about is having more kids playing football,” Olson said. “Kids loving the game, learning life lessons through it and becoming better men as a result of playing in our program.”

The program still has a long road ahead if they want to seriously compete in a region that is home to powerhouse programs like Lynden Christian Academy and Nooksack Valley, both coming off deep state playoff runs.

Borderite football commences against Port Angeles High School at the Blaine stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, September 1. Girls soccer

The Borderites are coming off an impressive 2022-23 season that saw Quesada-Ruiz award-

ed the Northwest Conference (NWC) 1A co-coach of the year, goalie Larissa Pluschakov win NWC Defensive MVP, and three departed seniors garner first team All-NWC honors. They finished with a 7-8-2 overall record, and a 5-2-2 record against conference opponents.

With so many impact players graduated, Quesada-Ruiz said his focus at the beginning of the season is getting new players enmeshed with the team.

“It’s a lot of new faces, and sometimes, for the new ones, it’s hard to engage with the old ones,” Quesada-Ruiz said. “That’s going to be one of the keys for success. Finding out how the team can engage quickly.”

He makes a point for student-athletes to follow teams that use the Borderite’s signature 4-4-2 formation. English Premiere League stalwarts Liverpool use the same system, and the Australian team that placed fourth in the 2023 Women’s World Cup ran the formation to near perfection.

“Believe it or not, you will learn,” Quesada-Ruiz said on studying the game. “Really, go and see on TV. Watch what she’s doing, and do something that’s new for you.”

The season kicks off at Borderite Stadium 6 p.m. Monday, September 11 against Sedro-Wooley.

Volleyball

Coming off a disappointing 4-13 record last season, head coach Jacquie Tesarik is focused not on the win column, but on reigniting the fire that creates good teams.

“Our goals this year are to compete more, play together as a team and really communicate with each other,” Tesarik said.

“We work hard in practice so that can translate over to our matches. [We’re] trying not to look to the past and just look forward and make our own goals for this year.”

Incoming senior Teya Zaddack recently committed to play volleyball at Western Washington University, a perennial powerhouse in NCAA’s Division II. Having an example for the other players to look up to, someone reaching success at the next level, warrants boasting, Tesarik said.

“You feel proud of being someone who’s hopefully had an influence on her while she’s been here,” Tesarik said. “Teya certainly has had a passion, and it takes special commitment, but it’s that sense of pride for knowing her and seeing her get rewarded for her hard work.”

Blaine volleyball hopes to turn the ship around starting with a conference matchup on the road against Anacortes at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 6. The first home game of the season is 7 p.m. Monday, September 11 against Sehome High School.

Cross country

Yet another brand new head coach will be pulling the reins this fall in Blaine. This time, avid runner and first-time coach Roberto Aguilera will helm Borderite cross country. A competitive runner for the past decade, Aguilera holds multiple long-distance track records from his time at Ferndale High School.

But now, it’s Aguilera’s turn to coach, and he hopes that the harsh, grueling realities of cross country will not only help his team to learn to run together, but also to grow together.

“The team’s good. Of course – they’re high schoolers – I’ve been in their shoes before,” Aguilera admits. “But [this season] has the potential to help them grow as athletes and students, and being a mentor and coach to them will help them develop themselves to be a better person, that’s what I’m here for.”

Cross country’s first meet of the season falls on Saturday, September 9 at the Gear Up Northwest XC Preview, hosted by Sehome.

Hi, I’m Chuck!

s Andy Olson stands in front of Blaine Stadium’s scoreboard during preseason practice. Olson was raised on Whatcom County football, and hopes to grow and bring sustained success to the Borderite program.

Photo by Nolan Baker

Point Whitehorn net-zero home constructed with efficient features

B y s enna s cott , tc l e G end h o M es

Nestled adjacent to wetlands and with views of Birch Bay State Park, TC Legend Homes’ Point Whitehorn house is not your average house.

The home has a 7.2kW photovoltaic system – the conversion of light into electrical energy – and is built in a highly efficient envelope, setting it up to be a net-zero energy house in Birch Bay.

Net-zero energy means that the solar panels on the roof produce all the power this home needs.

And with a car charger installed in the car port, any excess power is used to charge an electric car.

Not only is this friendly to our environment, it saves the homeowners fuel costs and many utility bills for years to come.

With their kids grown and out of the house, the Point Whitehorn couple was looking for their retirement “forever home,” and wanted a net-zero energy house constructed by TC Legend Homes.

This 1,800-square-foot, three-bedroom, 2.5-bath house is painted white – a great look for not only aesthetics but to help prevent overheating in the summer. The white paint reflects sunshine, in contrast to

black, which absorbs the solar heat. This is a passive solar house with glazing on the south side, engineered to absorb winter sunshine and shade summer daylight from entering and overheating.

Inspired by feng shui aesthetics and the unique land orientation, this custom design was a great challenge for our design team to incorporate specific requests from the customer. Some of the requests were to have bedrooms facing certain directions, the orientation of the house facing east toward the wetlands and Birch Bay State Park, and needing views of the ocean facing north.

The outcome was very efficient, with space for only 1,800 square feet. The build is a proportionate house with identical first and second floors, with the master bedroom on the first floor. The second floor, a great space to host guests or visiting family, has a view overlooking the state park.

Jake Evans, lead designer with TC Legend’s sister company, Powerhouse Designs, said, “The clients were fabulous to work with. They welcomed our expertise and counsel to construct the house the best possible way for the best possible price. I really

enjoyed their nice, high energy and humor.”

Evans designed the home with Ted Clifton.

One cost-saving measure was that the clients decided to opt out of a garage and went for a carport instead. The clients also opted for mostly can lights to reduce the lighting fixture cost. Lastly, they put a lot of intention into their selections to choose budget-friendly finishes that still have great quality with brands like Moen, Kohler, Bosch, LG and Frigidaire.

This symmetrical house has an open floor plan that allows some-

one to see both the front and back doors from the kitchen to view who is coming and going through the house. The owners requested a stove be along the wall to have a backsplash for cooking with high temperature oils.

The home is heated and cooled with a highly efficient Chiltrix airto-water heat pump. The floor has radiant heating that takes latent ambient heat from outside and runs it through the concrete slab foundation.

The home is ventilated using the Fantech 250 Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system with built-in HEPA filtration. This is great as it pipes fresh air into the living spaces, and is especially

helpful during seasons when allergens and smoke are prevalent. Similar to our other homes, the Point Whitehorn home will receive the Indoor airPLUS certification for the superior indoor air quality, which is thanks to the HRV in combination with the airtight envelope.

The owners donated about a third of their lot to Whatcom County for wetland preservation. The conservation easement is north of the house. Noah Booker with Shelterbelt, a commercial wetland rejuvenation company, did a fantastic job designing and planting the wetlands.

(See Home, next page)

s TC Legend Homes built this net-zero energy home in Point Whitehorn.

Photo by John Trax

& Home Garden

Stunning views of Mt Baker & Drayton Harbor w/access to miles of trails and beaches, from this 3 bedroom, 3 bath townhome. Featuring a Gourmet kitchen, stainless appliances, and Butler’s pantry w/wine fridge. Dining room, living room w/gas fireplace, both rooms have french doors that open to a large patio with outdoor gas fireplace and spectacular views. Primary bedroom w/ en-suite on the main floor. Second bedroom on the main. Private casita/bedroom above the garage for guests or home office. Attached 2-car garage w/epoxy floors & built-in cabinet for lots of storage. World Class golfing at Arnold Palmer designed course, private marina, and Semiahmoo Hotel & Spa with all the amenities.

360-961-0838

lisasprague@windermere.com

Home ...

From previous page

We are anticipating the house will receive the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home certification, Energy Star certification, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Indoor airPLUS certification, and a Built Green certification.

Construction is expected to be complete by late September, when the couple will be able to finally move into their dream home.

TC Legend Homes has a passion

for doing things differently. We believe in a carbon neutral future. We dream big and see possibilities beyond the status quo. We’ve spent years refining our net-zero-energy home design approach, and we haven’t waited a moment for the industry or building codes to catch up. We are proud to be pioneers of net-zero-energy home building and design in the Pacific Northwest.

To learn more about TC Legend Homes, visit tclegendhomes.com, or visit our Powerhouse Designs Plans website, powerhouse-designs.com, to start designing your own net-zero energy home today.

Photos by John Trax

Broker Lisa Sprague

Derby Day rings in the end of summer festivities in Birch Bay

Derby Day took over Birch Bay on August 26 with a parade, rubber duck derby, crab derby, vendors market, 5K fun run/walk

and other activities.

Photos by Chuck Kinzer ckimageart.com

ABANDONED VEHICLE

Meridian Towing

DATE: Tues., Sept. 5

Viewing at 8 am • Auction at 9 am AUCTION ADDRESS: 925 Boblett St. Blaine, WA 98230 www.Meridian-Towing.com OR call 360-746-9100 •

QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD 2 BD, 1 BA house near Peace Arch Park. $1400/mo + deposit & utilities. Cory dddts10@ gmail.com.

CO-MANAGER needed for well-established, small business in Custer. Year-round, ThursSat 9-5:30, $17/hr. Monthly bonus after 90 days brings rate to about $19/hr. For job description call 360-366-3153 or email peacearchstorage@ gmail.com.

by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time such claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after

FOOTBALL

CROSS COUNTRY

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

GIRLS SOCCER

Birch Bay Drive construction begins, repaving scheduled for next spring

B y G race M c c arthy

Preliminary work for the Birch Bay Drive construction project started August 28, though the repaving has now been delayed to next spring. Permitting delays pushed the project start date from earlier this summer. Whatcom County Public Works Department contractors will work until about September 15, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, for the first part of the Birch Bay Drive Paving Re -

habilitation Project, according to a public works announcement. Crews are repairing damaged sewer outfall and working on sidewalks, curbs and gutters, crosswalks, signage and short landscaping walls. Intermittent shoulder and partial lane closures are expected. Public works rescheduled grinding and paving to next spring, subject to change depending on the weather.

Critical project permitting approvals delayed the repaving

CelebratiOn Of life

Celebration of Life

project from its original start date in mid-July. The project will repave 2 ¼ miles of Birch Bay Drive, from Jackson to Alderson roads and Lora Lane to Shintaffer Road. Harborview Road is also included, from Birch Bay Drive to Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Public works plans to provide project updates in the coming weeks and before repaving is scheduled next spring. To sign up for text or email updates, visit the Whatcom County website.

Road Rules: No passing zones

B y d ou G d ahl

Question: Are there rules for where no-passing zones have to be placed? Is it just totally to the discretion of traffic engineers or are there regulations to follow? I ask because I find it rather odd that not all intersections are worthy of a no-passing zone.

Answer: If it turns out that the determination for no-passing zones was “just totally to the discretion of traffic engineers” would that be a bad thing?

I’m wondering, who else would you prefer made that decision? Your barber? Your retirement planner? The quarterback from your favorite team? I have as much interest in watching a football game with team rosters made entirely of traffic engineers (I’m sure they’re great, really) as I do consulting with a roomful of NFL players on what zone to set up (assuming we’re talking about road design and not defensive strategies). Generally, I’m a fan of letting the pros do what they’re good at.

I think I understand what you’re getting at though. It’s a question of consistency. You want some reassurance that a no-passing zone in Whatcom County will be similar to one in Walla Walla County. Is there some rule book that the engineers, no matter where in the

state (or country) they’re located, have to follow? The answer to that is yes, absolutely, and no, not really.

First, the yes part. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the national standard for all traffic devices installed on any public roadway. No matter what city, county, or state you’re in, the MUTCD sets the rules for sig ns, lights, and roadway markings. If a city wants to put up a no-passing zone sign, the MUTCD has the standards for what the sign looks like, how big it should be, the required retroreflectivity, and what the minimum passing sight distance is for no-passing zone markings, depending on the posted speed limit.

The MUTCD explains how to mark a no-passing zone, but it leaves out a lot of details about where they should go. It addresses locations with limited sight distance, but we also have plenty of no-passing zones that aren’t based on how far you can see, such as roads that cross railroad tracks, in high-traffic urban areas, on bridges, and at intersections.

In some of those locations, establishing a no-passing zone is up to the traffic engineer.

The Revised Code of Washington gives authority to state and local officials to establish no-passing zones when driving to the left of the center of

the roadway would be “especially hazardous.” In addition, the Washington Administrative Code states, “The decision to use a particular device at a particular location should be made on the basis of either an engineering study or the application of engineering judgment.”

Washington law does specify a few locations where no-passing zones always exist , including within 100 feet of an intersection. (When driving, 100 feet is tiny; at 35 mph, you can cover it in two seconds. Any passing done on approach to an intersection should be com

pleted well before the 100-foot range.) But most intersections are not marked as no-passing zones, either with signs or solid center lines.

The Washington DOT Traffic Manual points out that “state law does not imply a need to mark no passing zones for such situations.”

If intersections aren’t marked as no-passing zones, how can a driver know the rules? Short of coming across this article, they’d have to have been taught it.

This is a great example of the importance of driver training. Anyone up for continuing education for drivers? I think I’ll save that for another discussion.

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

Jim Jorgensen

January 29, 1940 – June 8, 2023

The community is invited to celebrate Jim’s life on Saturday, September 9, 2023, 2–4:30 p.m. (program 2:30–3 p.m.), at the Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street.

s Blaine school district families arrive for the first day of school on August 29.

Photos by Molly Ernst

sheriff’s repOrts

August 16, 7:41 a.m.: Trespass cold call on Birch Bay Drive

August 23, 12:41 a.m.: Domestic verbal on Gemini Street.

August 23, 9:28 a.m.: Domestic physical on Stein Road.

August 23, 5:40 p.m.: Moving vehicle accident blocking Birch Bay Lynden Road.

August 23, 7:50 p.m.: Trespass on Drayton Harbor Road.

August 24, 10:44 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Lighthouse Drive.

August 24, 12:36 p.m.: Theft cold call on Harborview Road.

August 24, 2:36 p.m.: Property lost cold call on Blaine Road.

August 24, 8:01 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Legion Drive.

August 25, 11:41 a.m.: Theft cold call on Birch Bay Drive.

August 25, 10:38 p.m.: Domestic physical on Birch Bay Lynden Road.

August 26, 10:13 a.m.: Serve warrant on Harbor Drive.

August 26, 11:51 a.m.: Vandalism on Hazel Lane.

August 26, 4:37 p.m.: Domestic violence cold call on Harborview Road.

August 26, 6:54 p.m.: Vehicle prowl cold call on Birch Bay Drive.

ACROSS

1. Second sight

August 27, 10:58 a.m.: Theft cold call on Morgan Drive.

August 27, 2:11 p.m.: Suicidal subject cold call on Whitehorn Way.

August 27, 7:50 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Whitehorn Way.

August 28, 11:51 a.m.: Domestic physical on Jackson Road.

August 28, 12:44 p.m.: Domestic physical cold call on Harbor Road.

Coming up

August 29, 4:44 a.m.: Bicycle theft cold call on Birch Bay Drive.

August 29, 11:43 a.m.: Civil problem cold call on Birch Bay Lynden Drive.

August 29, 2:20 p.m.: Rape cold call on Haynie Road.

August 29, 2:41 p.m.: Death investigation on Kickerville Road.

pOliCe repOrts

August 12, 7:50 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Cedar Street

August 18, 6:32 p.m.: Burglary on Harrison Avenue.

August 18, 7:05 p.m.: Vehicle theft on Bayview Avenue.

August 18, 9:46 p.m.: Domestic verbal on Peace Portal Drive.

August 20, 2:43 p.m.: Neighborhood dispute on Marine Drive.

August 21, 4:10 a.m.: Death investigation on Turnstone Lane.

August 21, 3:44 p.m.: Runaway on Clyde Street.

August 22, 2:38 a.m.: Suspicious person on Marine Drive.

August 22, 1:10 p.m.: Serve war-

CrOssWOrd

4. Standard electrode potential

7. Type of gibbon

8. John Joseph __: American industrialist

10. Manning and Whitney are two

12. Abrupt

13. Baroque musical instrument

14. Post-burning residue

16. When you hope to arrive

17. Sign up (Brit. Eng.)

19. Sun up in New York

20. Employee stock ownership plan

21. Where people live

25. Method to record an electrogram

26. Angry 27. No longer living

29. Simple

30. Swiss river

31. Portion of a play

51. “Ghetto Superstar” singer 52. Piece of turf DOWN

1. Number of players on each side in a football game

2. Containing salt

3. Reasoning or knowledge: a __

4. Car mechanics group

5. Leave a place

6. Southern Colom -

bian capital

8. Old English letter

9. Tide

11. Walk heavily

14. Chemical compound (abbr.)

15. Artificial openings

18. Luteinizing hormone

19. Unit of energy

20. Circular movement of water

22. A way of holding

23. Popular book of words (abbr.)

24. States’ group

27. Dashes

28. Body part

29. Electronic countermeasures

31. Consumed

32. Small bird

33. Unhappy

34. Football’s big game (abbr.)

35. Valued object offered in good faith

36. Wild goats

37. Precede in place

38. Small edible fish

rant on Harbor Drive.

August 23, 10:44 a.m.: Fraud on H Street.

August 23, 1:37 p.m.: Hit and run on F Street.

August 23, 5:31 p.m.: Suspicious person on H Street Road.

August 24, 10:20 a.m.: Simple assault on C Street.

August 24, 8:56 p.m.: Extra patrol on Shore Pine Place.

August 25, 4:40 a.m.: Extra patrol on Shore Pine Place.

August 25, 10:42 a.m.: Assist citizen on H Street.

Report by Blaine Police Department

39. Notice of death

40. Body cavity of a metazoan

44. Partner to cheese

47. Not around

ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

Wading for Crabbing: Thursday, August 31, 11 a.m., bp Heron Center at Birch Bay State Park. Bring your crab license to participate and come prepared to get wet as we learn to wade for crab.

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, August 24, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. This week’s theme: general knowledge. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Live Music at The Vault: Friday, August 25, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring: Double Trouble. Info: thevaultwine.com.

“Dive-In” Movie Night: Friday, September 1, 8 p.m., Semiahmoo Resort Pool, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway. Abby the Mermaid will be at the pool for a meet and greet, pictures and face painting. “The Little Mermaid” movie (1989) will begin at sunset. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase in the spa lobby. This event is complimentary for resort guests; community members can purchase tickets to enjoy the experience. Info: Semiahmoo.com.

Semiahmoo Spit Bird Walk: Saturday, September 2, 9 a.m.–noon. Join our small group as we check the beaches on Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay, the only designated Important Bird Area in Whatcom County, to locate and observe resident birds and early migrants. Space is limited. Registration required at bit.ly/44lRjnV. Hosted by North Cascades Audubon Society.

Hunters of the Sky: Saturday, September 2, 6 p.m., Birch Bay State Park wildlife theater. Experience live birds of prey up close. Listen and watch as highly skilled volunteer trainers from Sardis Raptor Center show off up to four different winged hunters and provide insight into identification, anatomy of flight, raptor’s role in the environment and much more. Please bring chair.

Music in the Park: Sunday, September 3, 3 p.m. bp Heron Center at Birch Bay State Park. 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.

Whatcom Water Week: September 9-17. Several events at various locations around Whatcom County. Full list of events at: whatcomwin. org/water-week-events.

Run with the Chums 5K Fun Run and Smolt Sprint: Saturday, September 9, BP Highlands, 6898 Point Whitehorn Road. Free 5K fun run and smolt sprint for kids under 10 to kick off Whatcom Water Week. Register: whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums.

Family Field Day at Birch Bay State Park: Monday, September 11, 9–11 a.m., pb Heron Center at Birch Bay State Park. Explore Birch Bay State Park with Beach Naturalists.

Gardening Green Course: Starts Saturday, September 16, 10 a.m.–noon, bp Heron Center at Birch Bay State Park. In the 5-week course, learn the essential principles for successful landscape gardening that is easier on the environment – using more know-how and less fertilizer and pesticides. Cost: $35 for soil lab test. Register at: extension.wsu.edu/whatcom/nr/gardening-green. Sponsored by WSU Whatcom County Extension.

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 blainefood@hotmail.com.

The Bridge Food Bank: Fridays 2:30–4:30 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center’s new location, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.

CAP Clothing Bank: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.–noon and Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m. 508 G Street. The Community Assistance Program clothing bank is now located in the basement of the CAP Center providing free clothing and linens. Donations accepted only during open hours or by special arrangement. Info: blainecap.org or 360/392-8484.

Meals on Wheels Frozen Meals: Thursdays 11:30 a.m.–noon, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up five frozen meals. Suggested donation $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

Senior Community Meals: Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.– 2:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Suggested donation of $5 per meal ($8.50 if under 60) or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Donations accepted Wednesdays, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. or by appointment. The Bridge Community Hope Center’s new location, 7620 Birch Bay Drive.

Narcotics Anonymous: Mondays, 7–8 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ basement, 855 4th Street. Everyone welcome. Info: Blainenarcoticsanonymous@gmail.com.

Blaine Serenity Al-Anon: Mondays, noon–1 p.m. on Zoom. Have you been dealing with alcoholism with a friend or family member? Info: Jerrylyn at 360/305-2246.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at noon, Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at noon, women’s meeting Mondays at 4 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ basement, 855 4th Street. Info: 307/349-0450.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at noon, Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at noon, women’s meeting Mondays at 4 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ basement, 855 4th Street. Info: 307/349-0450.

Weather

Precipitation:

Temperature:

Birch Bay Book Club: Wednesday, September 20, 4–5:30 p.m., Birch Bay Vogt Library, 7948 Birch Bay Drive. September title: Jackdaws by Ken Follett. Blaine Book Club: Friday, September 15, 1 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. September title: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. Info: Kelly at 360/305-3637.

Blaine Arts Council: Meets second Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Meeting is open to the public. The council promotes, cultivates and supports the arts in order to enrich the lives of the community through creativity with a variety of cultural events, education and shows.Info: blaineartscouncil.org.

Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum: Open Saturdays and Sundays, 1–5 p.m., 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Free, donations welcome.

The Wave art studio tour celebrates local artists

The weekend event opened with a gala on August 25 at the boating center.

Photo by Madisun Tobisch

Photo by Ruth Lauman

Photo by Ruth Lauman

Photo by Madisun Tobisch

Photo by Madisun Tobisch

The Wave art studio tour

Summer Fun in the Park

(Continued from page 15)

Photo by Madisun Tobisch

Photo by Ruth Lauman

Photo by Ruth Lauman

s Dozens of people attended Summer Fun in the Park at Blaine Marine Park on August 26. Live music provided entertainment and food trucks and a beer garden were on site. Photos courtesy Jen Freeman