Thenorthernlight 2016 04 14 issuu by Point Roberts Press

April 14 - 20, 2016

FREE

Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer

IN THIS

ISSUE

Birch Bay aims to set world record, page 3

Council decides on one lane road for Blaine pier

Proposed county districting map, page 8

100-year-old golfer honored in Birch Bay, page 10

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

Splashing towards summer

By Oliver Lazenby

(See Pier, page 3)

s Nuggy McKenna enjoys a low tide in Birch Bay.

Blaine fishermen indicted on pollution charges By Steve Guntli The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted two Blaine fishermen for allegedly dumping harmful waste into Blaine Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. According to the charges, Bingham and Randall Fox, a father-and-son team

who work the commercial fishing vessel Native Sun, ordered their crew to dump oil and bilge into Blaine waters and in the open ocean. The DOJ alleges the Foxes dumped material consistently between 2011 and 2013. The men have been indicted on charges of conspiracy and violations of the Clean

North Whatcom beaches closed to shellfishing The beaches from Sandy Point to Point Roberts are closed to shellfishing due to unsafe levels of biotoxins. The closure order came from the Washington Department of Health (DOH) last week. The department detected unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) biotoxins in molluscan shellfish from the region. The beaches are closed to harvests of all species of clams, mussels, scallops and oysters, and even some smaller invertebrates such as moon snails.

Photo by Jack McKenna

PSP can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and a numb sensation in arms, legs and toes. Symptoms can appear in as little as 10 minutes, and in extreme cases the poisoning can prove fatal. Crab meat is not affected by PSP, but crab butter, the yellow crab entrails often served as a delicacy, can retain the biotoxin. PSP biotoxins cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing. The increase in biotoxins is a common

occurrence. Each year, the increasing temperature in the waters off the coast leads to an increase in algal blooms, which produce PSP biotoxins. The DOH will be monitoring for biotoxins on a weekly basis to determine when it is safe to harvest shellfish. Additionally, The Northern Light will publish regular updates about the biotoxin levels. Check the DOH website at doh.wa.gov/ ehp/sf/biotoxin.htm, or call 1-800-5625632 before harvesting.

Water Act and the Act to Prevent Pollution From Ships. Prosecutors say Bingham Fox ordered his crew to dump materials during dockside maintenance in Blaine Harbor, while Randall, who was a crew member under (See Fox, page 2)

Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Police . . . . . . . . . 15 Coming Up . . . . . 15 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 15

INSIDE

Blaine City Council made a middleof-the-road decision on the future of the road leading to Blaine Pier at its April 11 meeting. In a unanimous vote, council directed city staff to pursue design and construction of a single-lane road that would restore vehicle access to the pier. That was one of four options and a compromise choice between a two-lane road and path that would have only allowed pedestrians and bicycles out to the pier. “For me it’s not too hard a decision. We’ve always been able to go to the end of the dock,” council member Charlie Hawkins said. “If you make it available for handicap access or drop-off, it will get used. The way it is now it won’t even come close to being used as much.” The city closed the road in April 2014 due to structural damage, but the bulkhead was crumbling in the mid 1990s, said Sylvia Goodwin, Port of Bellingham planning and development director. A contractor estimated that the singlelane road would cost either $2.7 million or $3.1 million, depending on whether rip rap or a bulkhead is used under the road, a point that will be decided later in the design process. That’s a lot of money, but the Blaine Park and Cemetery Board in its recommendation to council pointed out that the road repair would be expensive regardless of which option council picked. The cheapest option, a bike and pedestrian path on top of rip rap, would cost $2.5 million. The most expensive alternate called for a full two-lane road and would cost an estimated $3.6 million. The project will repair 1,200 feet of road between the playground and the pier, but the alternatives presented to council are identical except for the approximately 400 feet to the end of the pier. The Port of Bellingham and the city of Blaine are working together to get state

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The Northern Light • April 14 - 20, 2016

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Bingham and later the captain, ordered the open ocean dumping during longer voyages. The vessel does not have a Clean Water Act permit to dump waste, nor does it have legally mandated oil-water separation equipment on board, according to the DOJ. Bingham Fox claims he is innocent of the charges. “I would never do something like this. I wouldn’t stand for it,” Fox said. “The ocean is my living. Why would I want to ruin that?” Fox said the Department of Ecology (DOE) raided the boat in early 2013. The department pushed him to plead guilty to a felony charge to prevent the case from going to trial, but Fox refused. The case has been pending ever since, but Fox didn’t hear anything new until April 7, when the department handed down the indictment. Fox obtained a statement from Walsh Marine, claiming the management never saw oil in the water during the 10 months the Native Sun was moored there for repairs. He also claims that, while he did not have the proper oil-water separation device on board, the DOE had issued a moratorium on the device for fishing vessels through 2014. The men are slated to appear in Seattle Federal Court on April 14. “It’ll probably be another two years before this goes to trial,” Fox said. “This has already been hanging over my head for all these years, and now it’s going to continue.” The maximum penalty for violating the Clean Water Act is up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships is up to six years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each violation. “It’s just an indictment, but unfortunately for most people, you’re guilty until proven innocent,” Fox said. “They’re painting me dirty because of this, and it’s not right.”

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April 14 - 20, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com

Pier ... From page 1

and federal grant money for the project and will both contribute money to the repairs. Michael Jones, city community development director, said the carless option would likely be cheaper than the contractor’s estimate. The estimate didn’t take into account that asphalt could be used instead of stamped concrete, the preferred material for the options that allow car access. I don’t want to put a number on it, but that would make a pretty substantial difference,” Jones said. The Port of Bellingham, Blaine Park and Cemetery Board and city staff all made different recommendations to the council. The port favored a one-lane road on rip rap, the park and cemetery board wanted a two-lane road and city staff recommended a bike and pedestrian path. City staff recommended the cheapest option because shelling out an extra $200,000 to $600,000 or more for 400 feet of road means that money won’t be available for other public

facilities programs. Also, cars parked on the wooden pier will drip toxic chemicals into the harbor, which, in addition to the environmental cost, will make the project harder to permit, Jones said. The cheapest option would also be cheapest to maintain in the long run, he said. “Generally, the larger and more used a facility is the more it costs to maintain,” Jones said. Council’s vote ran in opposition to public opinion on the project. Of the 108 people who responded to the city’s request for feedback – either through an online survey, comment card, or letter – 60 voted for bicycle and pedestrian-only access. The next closest option, a full two-lane road, got 22 votes. Fifteen people voted for the council’s choice of building a onelane road. Public commenter Paula Smith pointed out at the meeting that public outreach drew little response and said people she has spoken with, especially older fisherman, want vehicle access to the pier. The city held several public meetings on the project and city staff felt that response to public outreach was decent, Jones said.

“That is actually quite a bit more public comment then we typically receive on a project like this,” he said. “At the same time, I fully understand council’s desire to allow cars. The pier will be accessible to the most users that way.” The options (costs are estimates): Blaine City Council looked at the following options for repairing the end of Marine Drive before directing city staff to pursue Option 3, a single-lane road to the pier. The substrate material – rip rap or bulkhead - will be decided later. Option 1: Full two-lane road - $3.6 million. Option 2: Slightly narrower two-lane road - $3.4 million. Option 3a: Single-lane road with bulkhead - $3.1 million Option 3b: Single-lane road with rip rap - $2.7 million Option 4a: Bike and pedestrian promenade with bulkhead: $3.1 million* Option 4b: Bike and pedestrian promenade with bulkhead $2.5 million. The cost for a bike and pedestrian-only path could be substantially cheaper, since the estimate didn’t take into account that different pavement could be used, Michael Jones said.

Birch Bay Chamber aims for world record Subaru parade By Steve Guntli

an estimate to help account for any margins of error. “Birch Bay is a great place to try to crack this record, because if you have to be moving slowly in a long line of cars, you couldn’t ask for a better view,” Parten said. After the parade, participants can return to the Waterslides, where contests and prizes will be awarded in different categories, such as longest distance traveled or most miles on a car. Registration for the world record attempt is $10 per driver and $5 for each additional passenger. To register, visit deweygriffinsubaru.com, or go to birchbaychamber.com.

Photo by Steve Guntli

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Randy Parten, the new president of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, has an unusual idea for how to put the seaside community on the map. Parten is spearheading a push to earn Birch Bay a place in the record books by orchestrating the world’s longest parade of Subarus. “We in the chamber really wanted a fun activity that we could do early in the season and that would be resilient to any bad weather,” Parten said. “We’d been talking about doing this for a while, but we’ve got the applications turned in and we’ve got some great community partners, so we’re going for it.” The chamber will be teaming up with Dewey Griffin Subaru in Bellingham to promote the event. Parten said he thought this particular record would be well suited to the region. “The Pacific Northwest is Subaru country,” he said. “So many people drive them up here, so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to bring this record back to the U.S.” The current record was set last year in Moscow, when 549 Subarus lined up in the Moscow Raceway. Parten hopes to top that number, aiming for around 700 participants. Though the event won’t be taking place until June 5, registration for slots in the parade has already begun. Participants can visit deweygriffinsubaru.

com to sign up. Currently, more than 250 people have registered to help break the record. “The slots are going fast, so we really wanted to let people know about this early,” Parten said. The rules for breaking the record are fairly strict. Vehicles must form a continuous line in a 2-mile stretch of road. There can be no more than two vehicle lengths between cars and the count must be verified by counters along the route and through aerial photography. To help get participants up to speed, the chamber will be staging vehicles in the Birch Bay Waterslides parking lot on Saturday, June 4. The chamber will move about 100 cars an hour through the staging area, where participants will be briefed on the route and protocol for the record. They will also be treated to live entertainment from violinist Swil Kanim and others. Seattle Seahawks kicker Norm Johnson, who played for the Hawks from 1982 to 1990 and earned the nickname “Mr. Automatic” for his consistent accuracy, will emcee the event on both days. The parade itself will start at noon on Sunday, June 5. The parade will take up a two-mile length of Birch Bay Drive, starting at the Harborview intersection and ending just before Birch Bay State Park. Residents and businesses should be forewarned that the event could block traffic between noon and 5 p.m., though Parten said that length of time is

s The pier road at the end of Marine Drive.

543

The Northern Light • April 14 - 20, 2016

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

Steve Seymour of the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company grills up some fresh oysters for Semiahmoo Yacht Club’s Nauti-Friday celebration. The party was held at the Glacial Lake Missoula Winery in Blaine on April 8. Photos courtesy Lynette Morris-Reade

Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@thenorthernlight.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@thenorthernlight.com Editor Steve Guntli steve@pointrobertspress.com Copy Editor Kara Furr kara@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@thenorthernlight.com Office Manager Amy Weaver info@thenorthernlight.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Janet McCall Catherine Darkenwald sales@thenorthernlight.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@thenorthernlight.com Contributors In This Issue Janell Kortlever The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200 Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXI, No 43 Circulation: 10,500 copies

Civic Meetings

Circulation Independently verified by:

Next issue: April 21 Ads due: April 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

April 14 - 20, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com

New sign could change park name to Skallman Dog Park By Oliver Lazenby Skallman Park, Blaine’s primary off-leash dog park, could get a new sign this spring making its status as a dog park official. The park’s sign, which currently reads “Skallman Park,” is worn and needs a replacement anyway. Changing it to “Skallman Dog Park” could promote the park for dog use, said city community planner Alex Wenger. The Blaine Park and Cemetery Board asked Wenger to look into a name change for the park and report back to the board this spring. Bellingham-based Grateful Dogs Off Leash Association helps manage the park. “We want to promote the Grateful Dogs Off Leash facility, but we also want to keep Skallman in the name since the Skallman family donated the park to the city,” Wenger said. The park and cemetery board will likely discuss the name change at either its April 14 or May 12 meeting, Wenger said.

CITY OF BLAINE Unless noted, all meetings are held at City Hall, 435 Martin Street, Suite 4000 and are open to the public.

Thursday, April 14, 3:30 pm – Park and Cemetery

Board meeting

5:30 pm - Planning Commission and

Public Works Advisory Committee Study Session 7 pm - Planning Commission meeting – Minor Municipal Code Amendments Tuesday, April 19, 7 pm

Volunteer Reception

Monday, April 25, 5 pm – Study Sessions: Vista Terrace

ULID 35, and Fireworks Ordinance 6 pm - City Council meeting Thursday, April 28, 7 pm

Planning Commission meeting – Comp Plan Update – Map Folio Tuesday, May 3, 3 pm

Blaine Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting U.S. PASSPORTS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website.

s Blaine resident Linda Lair hangs with her Boston terrier, Bella, in Skallman Park on March 30. Photo by Oliver Lazenby

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The Chums of Terrell Creek and the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) are marking Earth Day by working to sustain the natural beauty of Birch Bay. The Chums and NSEA will be hosting a work party on Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to noon along the banks of Terrell Creek. The purpose of the work is to restore the streamside habitat for salmon along the banks. Workers will begin the preliminary work for a long-term project that will return native plants and shrubs to the banks, helping restore some of the creek’s natural beauty as well as the salmon’s habitat. From noon to 2 p.m., organizers will offer a guided walking tour of the restoration site to help explain the full scope of the project. All ages are welcome to the work party. Tools will be provided, but organizers ask participants to bring sturdy, closedtoed shoes, long pants that can get dirty and weather-appropriate clothes. The first few participants will get a free Earth Day T-shirt for their effort. Shuttles will be available from the parking lot of the former Birch Bay Bible Church at 7309 Jackson Road. The location will be clearly marked with NSEA signs. For more information, visit whatcomcd.org/upcomingevents or nsea.org/work-parties.

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

The Northern Light • April 14 - 20, 2016

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Blaine offense outpaces Sedro-Woolley in 1-1 tie By Oliver Lazenby Borderites varsity soccer was on track to get its first win on April 12, at Pipeline Field, but Sedro-Woolley scored a tying goal on a penalty kick in the second half. The tying goal turned up the intensity in the second half, with both teams hungry for a win. Though Blaine’s offense outpaced Sedro-Woolley’s in shots on goal by 17 to nine, the Borderites couldn’t score in the second half. “I saw a lot of energy and good soccer,” head coach Gio Quesada said after the game. “Both teams

really wanted the win.” The game was sophomore midfielder Alieu Diaw’s return to the field. He missed the last six games after receiving a red card early in the season against Burlington-Edison. Diaw was a key player, scoring Blaine’s only goal and assisting in some key defensive plays. “There was a lot of effort from the whole team, but today Alieu made the difference,” Quesada said. Diaw scored off a corner kick from Gavin McPhail seven minutes into the game.

“I was at the back post. I saw the kick and thought the keeper was catching it, but it slipped past him and I headed it in,” Diaw said. Sedro-Woolley tied the game early in the second half on a free kick. Despite a couple close opportunities on breakaways from Liam Lyons and other Blaine forwards in the second half, the Borderites couldn’t score a winning goal. They did, however, force Sedro-Woolley’s keeper to make 10 saves throughout the game. Blaine’s next game is at noon on Saturday, April 16 against Mount Baker at Pipeline Field.

and introduce its economic initiative strategy on Tuesday, April 19, at 7:00 PM in City Council chambers. The Public is invited to celebrate the accomplishments and participate in this important event. “The City of Blaine receives comments and questions nearly every day about the City’s future... We need to recognize it is possible by first thanking community leaders and volunteers who have made all the great things possible in the past and engage them in the next steps” says City Manager Dave Wilbrecht. The next steps will be to implement suggestions by Roger Brooks from Roger Brooks International, who provided an assessment of Bellingham and surrounding communities, including Blaine. Mr. Brooks’ concepts have worked in many cities and communities across the United States to improve and invigorate economic development. More about Roger Brooks can be found at his website: rogerbrooksinternational.com There have been many important contributions that have occurred in the past several years that demonstrate we can create a better place to live, work, and play. The city is actively seeking to expand economic development through an initiative this spring to create a platform for public involvement and to enhance the opportunity for the private sector to be interested in growing their business here. In order to meet the current and future needs of the City of Blaine, it needs to grow and expand both in the number of people living here and its business base. In order for this to happen the City needs to step up and engage its citizens, local businesses, and others interested partners. The City is working with Beckwith Consulting Group on the economic initiative strategy, and more information can be found on the city’s website: www.cityofblaine.com. Citizens are invited to participate in the many public meetings held by Mr. Beckwith. For more information, contact David Wilbrecht, City Manager at dwilbrecht@cityofblaine.com.

s Borderites freshman Nicholas Wheaton beats a Sedro-Woolley midfielder to the ball.

FIND US ON

Photo by Oliver Lazenby

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Borderite baseball on a winning streak

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By Oliver Lazenby The varsity Borderites baseball team is on a winning streak and on track to have its best season in years. Blaine bats were on fire at Pipeline Field on Monday against Coupeville, leading to a 12–2 win. The team’s overall record is now 7–5, and they’re 3–2 in the Northwest Conference, making them the number 5 team in the conference.

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Softball: 5–5 (2–1 NWC) April 8: Blaine beat Cascade 6–1 in Leavenworth. April 9: Blaine lost to Cashmere 5–6 away. April 9: Blaine lost to Cashmere 5–1 away.

Blaine’s hitting rally started early on Monday. Nearly every Blaine batter got on base in the first two innings and by the end of the second inning the Borderites were ahead 7–0. The team scored a couple more runs in the third inning. The Coupeville Wolves responded in the top of the fourth inning by scoring their only runs of the game. Pitcher Jon Gunderson, backed up by solid defense,

Baseball: 7–5 (3–2 NWC) April 7: Blaine beat Cascade 12–3 in Leavenworth. April 11: Borderites beat Coupeville 12–2 at home.. Boys Soccer: 0–8–2 (0–5–1 NWC) April 12: Borderites tied Sedro-Woolley 1–1 at home.

shut down the Wolves from there on out. The win was the team’s third in a row. The Borderites also won recent games against Lynden Christian and Cascade High School in Leavenworth. The Borderites’ next game is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14 against Sedro-Woolley. They play another home game against Mount Baker at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19.

Girls Tennis: 1–6 No matches this week. Track and Field: April 9: Birger Solberg Invitational at Bellingham. Boys finished ninth out of 32 teams. Girls didn’t compete.

April 14 - 20, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com

Youth Day baseball

s The Blaine varsity baseball team celebrated Youth Day on Saturday, March 26 at their home game against Meridian. Blaine youth baseball and softball players who attended the game were offered a free hot dog and drink courtesy of the Borderite baseball program. Youth ball players also got to play catch with the varsity baseball team after the game. Photo by Janell Kortlever

BHS grad earns Golfer of the Week title

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s Blaine High School graduate Ryan Wallen was named the Men’s Mountain West Golfer of the Week on April 6 after a strong performance at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic in Chandler, Arizona. Wallen tied for fifth in the tournament, swinging below par in each round. It was his second top-five finish of the season, according to a press release from University of Wyoming, where Wallen is currently a junior. Wallen won the 2A boys state tournament by nine strokes as a sophomore at Blaine High School in 2011 and graduated in 2013.

Photo courtesy University of Wyoming

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The Northern Light • April 14 - 20, 2016

s A proposed draft of the new county voting districts. This draft was drawn by districting master Taijing Ypma to reflect the changes implemented by Whatcom County Charter amendment nine, which divided the county into five voting districts instead of three. The map was submitted to the Whatcom County Districting Committee last week and will receive a public hearing April 13.

Photo courtesy Dana Brown- Davis

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April 14 - 20, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com

Photo exhibit remembering the Investor victims coming to Blaine to emerge: a sincere desire for resolution and healing. While the eight victims weren’t technically “lost at sea,” the phrase is meant as a nod to the state’s rich fishing culture and as a metaphor for the kind of unexplainable loss unfortunately known by so many fishing families. Many fishermen have perished in Alaska’s waters, leaving loved ones behind, often without answers for what transpired in those final moments. “I have found that the story of the Investor murders resonates with almost everyone I meet, even those who weren’t alive in 1982,” Retherford said, “We have all lost someone we love, we all carry unbearable pains. I came to learn that while real resolution may be impossible with the Investor case, the pain felt by

s Investor Captain Mark Coulthurst. This September, it will have been 34 years since Whatcom County residents were shaken by the news that a local fishing boat in Craig, Alaska was on fire and that eight people were either dead or missing. Most of the victims were from either Blaine or Bellingham. It soon became apparent that the crew of the F/V Investor weren’t the victims of an unfortunate accident; they were murdered. Their names were Mark, Irene, John and Kimberly Coulthurst, Dean Moon, Jerome Keown, Michael Stewart and Christopher Heyman. At the time, it was the deadliest multiple murder case in Alaska history. One man, Bellingham resident John Peel, was eventually arrested and tried for the crime, but was acquitted in 1988. No one else has ever been charged. Today the case remains one of Alaska’s most horrifying unsolved mysteries. At 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, following the annual Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony in the Blaine Harbor Boathouse, the

Photo courtesy Laurie Hart

community is invited to a public event to remember the victims of that terrible tragedy at the Blaine High School cafeteria. The event will feature a traveling photography exhibit, “Lost At Sea: Remembering the Victims of the F/V Investor Murders,” which launched in December 2015 in Craig, Alaska. Independent journalist Brittany Retherford organized the event, and is working with several local agencies to bring it to Blaine. Since its debut, the exhibit has traveled to Ketchikan and Sitka, Alaska, and Astoria, Oregon. The goal of the exhibition is to recall the tragedy, get to know the victims and provide an opportunity for reflection this violence had on Blaine, Bellingham and the fishing community. Retherford will give a short presentation that will focus on the memories of the victims, including a memoriam the Alaska State Legislature passed March 21 honoring the lives lost. Jon Broderick and Jay Speakman, two fisher-poet musicians from

Astoria, will perform a song they wrote remembering the story. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the event by sharing memories and photos of the lost. A community potluck will also be part of the event and people are welcome to bring a dish to share. Retherford has been researching the case for several years. The exhibition is the final result of hundreds of interviews Retherford conducted in Alaska, Washington and California. Despite the vast differences in perspectives, connections to the case and knowledge of the story, a common theme began

victims’ families and friends has never really been acknowledged. One goal of this exhibition is to re-introduce the fishing community and others to the eight individuals killed on the Investor so that we can know them as more than simply victims of a violent crime. They were each one someone’s sister, grandchild, brother, father, friend. And they should not be forgotten.” The Blaine Chamber of Commerce and the Blaine Blessing of the Fleet Committee are sponsoring the event. Key collaborators include Laurie Hart, Mark Coulthurst’s sister, and Gary Dunster, chair of the Blaine Blessing of the Fleet Committee. To learn more about the project, please visit the Facebook group page at facebook.com/ groups/lostatsea1982.

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The Northern Light • April 14 - 20, 2016

Birch Bay Village golf tournament to honor oldest golfer By Steve Guntli Rex Willis has had a long and varied life, but through all of the ups and downs, golf has been a constant pleasure. Now, on the eve of his 100th birthday, Birch Bay Village Golf Course is holding a special tournament in his honor. The golf club will be holding the tournament on April 23, marking not only Willis’ centennial birthday but also the 50th anniversary of Birch Bay Village. Willis and his wife, Ellie, are regulars at the club, and even if they aren’t feeling up to playing, they regularly eat lunch and socialize with other members. Willis estimates he still gets in around 75 games a year, and plans to at least make the inaugural swing at the upcoming tournament. “I’m still able to swing a club, so I’m going to give it my best shot,” Willis said. Willis is a retired meteorologist, a career that’s taken him all over the world and put him in close contact with some fascinating moments in history. He retired to Birch Bay in 1979, and has been a resident of Birch Bay Village ever since. “I can remember when there were only eight or nine houses in this neighborhood,” he said. “It’s

sure grown.” Willis was born in Sugar Lake, Missouri in 1916. He was always active in sports, playing baseball and hockey in his youth, but he didn’t get around to playing golf until he was 23. He fell in love, and the game became a constant presence throughout his life. Willis joined the Navy in 1937, and was sent to learn meteorology and weather patterns in Lakehurst, New Jersey in 1938. Lakehurst was the site of the infamous Hindenburg dirigible disaster, and Willis got some first-hand insight into how the infamous explosion that killed 36 people may have happened. “When I was in Lakehurst, they would send helium blimps down the coast, and they’d always come back with bullet holes in them,” he said. “Just people along the coast taking potshots. Of course, helium isn’t flammable, but the Hindenburg was filled with hydrogen.” Meteorology would serve as his career for most of the rest of his life. The Navy posted him in weather stations in Manila and China, where for a time he served as the only weather dispatcher for the Asiatic fleet. He completed his service with the Navy and headed home on November 1, 1941, a mere month

before the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor launched the U.S. into World War II. Willis took a job with Trans World Airlines, the former air travel giant once owned by eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes. He would spend the next 37 years with the company, working in weather stations all around the world. He spent six years in Brazil, building a training center for meteorologists to help Brazilian airlines. From there, he went to Lisbon, Portugal for another three years, then Newfoundland for a year before finally heading back to Missouri. According to Willis, while there, he became Hughes’ favorite source for weather updates. “He lived in the Caribbean most of the year, and of course he flew his own planes,” Willis said. “So about once a week I could expect a phone call at about 2 or 3 in the morning from Mr. Hughes asking for a forecast. I’d head down to the weather station, get the information and call him back. He was an odd man, but he did alright by me.” By the time he retired in 1979, golf had become Willis’ full-time hobby, and he was happy to have the spare time to indulge. Now on the verge of turning 100, he’s eager for another chance to take

s Rex Willis in his Birch Bay Village home. a turn on the links, and excited to celebrate his birthday with friends and family. As to the secret to his longevity? He has a few tips. “People always ask me, ‘How have you lived so long and stayed in good health? What do the doctors say?’ And I always reply, ‘What doctors?’” he said. “I don’t keep any regular medical appointments. I just stay away from

Photo by Steve Guntli

spicy foods, have no more than one alcoholic beverage each day, try to always get a good night’s sleep and do plenty of work out in my garden.” The tournament will be held at the Birch Bay Village Golf Course at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 23. A birthday lunch for Willis will be held at 2 p.m. in the clubhouse, after which Willis will host a private party.

Customs and Border Protection offers summer travel tips U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations is reminding travelers planning trips across the border this spring and summer into the United States to make sure they have their proper documents and to plan ahead. Border traffic volumes normally peak from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

CBP strongly encourages travelers to plan your trip in advance and obtain a radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled travel document such as an Enhanced Driver’s License/Enhanced Identification Card, U.S. passport card or a Trusted Traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST/EXPRESS) to

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expedite entry and make future border crossings more efficient. “CBP welcomes all visitors to the United States,” said area port director Kenneth Williams. “The spring and summer months are a wonderful time to be in the Pacific Northwest. If you arrive at the border prepared, with all your documents ready to show us, we’ll get you down the road and closer to your destination.” For travelers with RFID-enabled cards, Ready Lanes are open: · Peace Arch: 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Monday–Friday · Lynden: noon–4 p.m. Monday–Friday · Sumas: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday and 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To avoid delays, border crossers may want to use the nearby and less traveled Sumas port of entry on State Highway 9 (open seven days per week, 24 hours per day) or the Lynden port of entry on State Highway 539 (open 8 a.m.–midnight). CBP urges all foreign travelers requiring I-94 or I-94W (visa waiver) entry document processing to obtain the essential document early instead of waiting until the day of their travel to avoid potential delays at the border. Travelers are encouraged to obtain the required document as much as a week in advance for faster and more convenient processing. All travelers requesting an I-94 or I-94W entry document may be required to establish financial solvency,

proof of residency outside the U.S. and demonstrate they have sufficiently strong ties to their country of origin, including a home abroad they do not intend to abandon. All travelers are reminded of seven simple steps they can employ to cross the border more efficiently: Check out cbp.gov. The site provides users quick access to the content they need. It also is optimized for access by smart phones and makes use of a new content delivery network that will improve access internationally. Beat the border rush. Cross during off-peak times, such as between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Most lines at the border start building in the morning and carry on through the afternoon. Monitor wait times on the internet or via mobile app. The app provides estimated wait times and open lane status 24/7 at ports of entry that process commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, and pedestrians. It breaks down wait times at each crossing by lane type (Standard, Sentri, FAST, Ready Lane, Nexus, etc.). The app does not require individuals to register or provide any personal information. Information is updated hourly and is useful in planning trips and identifying periods of light use/short waits. CBP officials continually monitor border-crossing times at area ports of entry and plan to fully

staff all inspection lanes during peak periods to maintain the flow of traffic. Keep travel documents handy. Make sure each passenger has the correct travel document accessible and ready to give to the CBP officer. If you are a frequent international traveler and have not already become a member of a trusted traveler program, sign up now. Know the contents of your vehicles and be prepared to declare all items. Travelers are required to declare all items being imported into the United States from Canada. If you are not sure about what to declare, do not hesitate to ask the CBP officer. Declare all firearms. Travelers are reminded that specific requirements must be met to import or export firearms and ammunition to/from the United States. For more information on the importation or exportation of firearms and ammunition, visit the atf.gov, pmddtc.state.gov or contact CBP at 406-453-7631. Know what food products can be imported. Many fruits, meats, dairy and poultry products are prohibited from being imported into the United States from Canada. Leave medical marijuana at home. Although medical marijuana is legal in many U.S. States and Canada, the sale, possession, production and distribution of marijuana all remain illegal under federal law.

April 14 - 20, 2016 • thenorthernlight.com

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SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY. Estate of JAMES A. IRWIN, Deceased. NO. 16-400815-9 SEA, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. THE ADMINISTRATOR NAMED BELOW has been appointed as the Administrator of the Separate Property of this estate. 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 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty (30) 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 (4) 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 section 11 of this act and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and non-probate assets. Date of First Publication: March 31, 2016. CHRISTOPHER IRWIN, Administrator of Separate Property. Attorneys for the Administrator: MICHAEL L. OLVER, WSBA No. 7031, HELSELL FETTERMAN LLP. Address for Mailing or Service: Safeco Plaza Building, Suite 4200, 1001 – 4th Ave., Seattle, WA 98154-1154.

Plumbing

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FT & PT FEMALE CAREGIVERS needed in Birch Bay home. Experience and references required. Please phone 360-319-0427. SEMIAHMOO RESORT Association seeks to immediately fill a seasonal full time Landscape Maintenance Assistant position. Valid driver’s license required, as well as the ability to operate small power equipment (with training). Please visit our website at: www. semiahmooresortassociation. com, click on the SRA tab, then Employment for job description and application. Questions? Contact Lori at 360-371-7796, option 2.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District is currently seeking an Activity Coordinator to plan, organize, coordinate, administer, and promote recreational programs for the district’s youth and adults. The District includes the communities of Blaine and Birch Bay, WA. Full job description available at bbbparkandrec.com. Please stop by in person at the Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street, Blaine, to drop off a cover letter and resume no later than April 15, 2016. Office hours are 9 to 5 p.m. If you have questions, please call 360-656-6416.

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THE CLASSIFIEDS ARE ONLINE AT: thenorthernlight.com/classifieds

The Northern Light • April 14 - 20, 2016

OPE

Real Estate

1-3 SUN

OPE

7544 Birch Bay Dr. • $349,900 Birch Bay cottage on Terrell Creek, located across from the beach! 2-BR, 1.25-BA MLS #920690

Randy Weg

-2

1-3 SUN

T 12 N SA

7680 Birch Bay Dr. • $309,000 In the heart of Birch Bay across the street from Birch Bay’s sandy beaches. Sweeping water views, home was remodeled in the last few years! MLS #911598

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7386 Birch Bay Dr. • ONLY $218,000 Remodeled 2BD/1BA Creekfront Cabin with private Ocean Beach access across the Street. MLS #868902

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7650 Birch Bay Dr. Oak #6 • $169,900 1098 s.f. 2-BR, 1.5-BA, view, 225’ waterfront MLS #918208

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

Rentals - Residential

BIRCH BAY / CUSTER

3-BR, 2-BA home, Birch Bay Village. Large deck, amenities. New paint and appliances $1195/mo. 5-BR, 4-BA home. Radiant floor heating. Located in Birch Bay Village on Thunderbird Lake $2500/mo.

BLAINE

3-BR, 2-BA APT. Garage, W/D, D/W, stove refrig. W/S paid. Available March 1, W/S paid $875/mo.

Open House Sat. 12:30-3 Lisa Sprague Sun. 12:30-3 Brian Southwick

5161 Heronswood $599,900

360-371-5100

Heronswood: Peaceful & Serene, call to explore it today! 2712 s.f., single-story living! 1.05 acres. Bamboo, granite, stainless, patio, deck, 4-car garage. Gated 13 home community near Resort Semiahmoo. Heronswood is 64 acres. 40+ acres in perpetual conservation easement. Trail throughout. Shops are ok. MLS #776412

(360) 815-6638

Linda Kiens Place your ad in

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HiBay Warehouse Call for Available Space Yard Space is Available Truck • RV • Boat • Vehicle Parking/Storage

Don Nelson 360-332-2743 www.NelsonBuilding.com

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Rentals - Commercial

I’m so excited to announce that I’ve joined forces with Windermere Real Estate, Whatcom County’s premier brokerage and #1 in market share! Just in time for the fabulous Spring market, please call or text me today to chat more about how I can help you!

Check out all the local listings and my reviews at: www.jenfreemanrealestate.com My new email address: jenfreeman@windermere.com

At I-5 Exit 270 • Birch Bay Square Outlet Mall

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925 Ludwick Ave. Blaine

360.815.0803

My new email address: LeahCrews@windermere.com

N/S, N/P, OAC and deposits will apply. WE NEED PROPERTIES TO MANAGE,

NELSON BUILDING

Jennifer Freeman

Whether selling or buying, I look forward to helping you with all your real estate needs. Please stop on by to visit!

130,000

2.1 acres commercial. 1.8 acres residential. 7 res bldg sites, 2 water shares. Possible owner contract or JV.

RES ACREAGE

360-305-4747

350,000 COMM/

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$298,000 R DEER N U FF SALT WATERFRONT LOT O w/50’ moorage.

Jen Freeman!

I will be associated with a first class team offering a strong internet presence, training with emphasis placed on advertising!

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Backs to natural sanctuary.

Fingalson Creek Dr. Ferndale Schools, Water share. All services. Possible owner terms!

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The Indoor Report: recent movies the Oscars overlooked By Steve Guntli This year’s Academy Awards ceremony was one of the best in recent history: swift, topical, and, for the most part, the right movies got the right awards. But even in a good year, things tend to slip through the cracks, either not earning enough recognition from the Academy or being ignored completely. Here are three films from 2015 that were shamefully underrepresented at this year’s awards. Love & Mercy Directed by Bill Pohlad Musical biopics are a dime a dozen, and there are far more bad ones than good. “Love & Mercy,” a film about troubled Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson, is one of the best in recent memory. The film benefits from a relatively small scale; rather than a cradle-to-the-grave retelling of the artist’s life, the film focuses on two pivotal moments in his life and uses them to give a sense of a brilliant but complicated man. The film splits its time between two eras in Wilson’s life: the older Wilson (played by John Cusack) struggling with mental health difficulties in the early ’90s, and the younger Wilson (played by Paul Dano), working on his seminal album “Pet Sounds” and feeling the first stirrings of the schizophrenia that would come to dominate his life. The scenes set in the ’90s have a bit more plot momentum. Wilson falls in love with a beautiful wom-

an (a wonderful Elizabeth Banks), who tries to free Wilson from the control of his cruel and sleazy psychotherapist (Paul Giamatti). The scenes with the younger Wilson have a more dreamlike effect, and we watch the younger man put the full force of his vision behind what would become one of the best pop albums ever recorded. All of the actors are phenomenal, but it’s Dano’s performance as the sensitive, fragile younger Wilson that makes the movie soar. It’s heartrending to watch him start to unravel, frightened and confused as his illness begins to tear apart his family, his band and himself. Creed Directed by Ryan Coogler Seventh time’s the charm, I guess? “Creed,” the latest film in the long-running “Rocky” franchise, is a breath of fresh air, not just for the 40-year-old film series but also for sports movies in general. It’s a movie made with passion and intelligence, and a living argument in favor of more diversity in movies. The film follows Adonis “Donny” Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of legendary boxer Apollo Creed, who was killed in the ring before Donny was born. After spending his early years in juvenile detention centers, the boy is adopted by Apollo’s widow, who helps him build a comfortable new life. But Donny is restless, and can’t get the thought of being a prizefighter out of his mind. He leaves behind

a cushy job in L.A. and heads to Philadelphia, where he implores his father’s best friend and rival, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), to train him. What follows is fairly standard to fans of sports movies: lots of training montages, little victories and losses leading up to one big fight against the world heavyweight champ. But the way director Ryan Coogler approaches the material, and the perspectives that imbue the journey, makes the film soar. Jordan is a revelation in the title role, fierce, determined and likeable. Stallone, though, steals the show in the best performance of his career. It’s remarkable to see the man slip back into the persona that first made him a household name, and to see the years weighing on him as he settles into old age. It’s one of the most loveable screen performances ever. Spy Directed by Paul Feig “Spy” is a hard movie to describe, because there really isn’t any kind of gimmick or hook to it. A pitch for this movie must have stopped after the opening sentence: “OK, so Melissa McCarthy plays a spy…” “Sold!” But despite the generic title, Paul Feig’s espionage comedy manages to surprise with its sheer quality. Melissa McCarthy stars as Susan Cooper, a CIA handler who must go into the field for the first time to rescue operative Bradley Fine (Jude Law), with whom she’s been

Whatcom County sheriff’s reports, March 28 - April 7 March 28, 6:13 p.m.: Burglary cold call on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 29, 10:18 a.m.: Threat cold call on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 29, 2:43 p.m.: Death investigation on Alder Street. March 29, 9:28 p.m.: Security check on Portal Way. March 29, 9:38 p.m.: Prowler on Andreson Road. March 30, 2:58 a.m.: Vehicle prowl on Birch Bay Drive. March 30, 3:33 a.m.: Vehicle prowl on Sole Drive. Blaine men, 19 and 18, arrested and cited for minor in possession of/consuming alcohol. March 30, 11:12 a.m.: Traffic stop on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Blaine woman, 80, arrested and cited for operating with a suspended license in the third degree. March 30, 11:38 a.m.: Assist citizen on 16th Street. March 30, 2:54 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Alderson Road. March 30, 4:44 p.m.: Security check on Alder Street. March 30, 8:01 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Zell Road. March 31, 5:05 a.m.: Motor vehicle accident non-blocking, non-injury cold call on Custer School Road. March 31, 12:03 p.m.: Burglary cold call on Sweet Road. April 1, 12:55 a.m.: Serve warrant on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. April 1, 5:19 a.m.: Welfare check on Birch Bay Drive. April 1, 12:30 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Oakridge Drive. April 1, 3:05 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Bay Ridge Drive. April 1, 4:10 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident non-blocking, non-injury on Bay Road. Oak Harbor woman, 51, cited for failing to yield at a yield sign. April 1, 4:39 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Treevue Road. April 1, 5:10 p.m.: Music on Seaview Drive. April 1, 8:31 p.m.: Theft cold call on Arnie Road. April 1, 8:58 p.m.: Domestic order violation on Giles Road. April 1, 10:44 p.m.: Party on Birch

Bay Drive. April 1, 11:18 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on First Street. April 2, 4:20 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Birch Bay Drive. April 2, 9:37 a.m.: Civil problem cold call on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. April 2, 11:48 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Harbor Drive. April 2, 3:49 p.m.: Assist citizen on Sunrise Road. April 2, 8:51 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Sunburst Drive. April 2, 11:59 p.m.: Driving while intoxicated on Kickerville Road and Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Blaine man, 24, arrested and cited for driving under the influence. April 3, 12:53 a.m.: Trespass on Hillvue Road. April 3, 1:38 p.m.: Hot rod cold call on Custer School Road. April 3, 3:37 p.m.: Theft cold call on Seafair Court. April 3, 6:18 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Alderson Road. April 4, 12:22 a.m.: Suicidal subject on Birch Bay Drive. April 4, 10:08 a.m.: Domestic verbal cold call on Mountvue Road. April 4, 11:50 a.m.: Theft cold call on Lincoln Road. April 4, 3:52 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Haynie Road. April 4, 7:50 p.m.: Domestic physical on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Lynden man, 26, arrested for assault fourth degree and felony harassment. April 5, 12:16 a.m.: Traffic stop on Kickerville Road and Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Blaine man, 54, arrested and cited for operating with a suspended license third degree. April 5, 10:20 a.m.: Civil problem on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. April 5, 11:38 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Helweg Lane. April 5, 5:07 p.m.: Littering cold call on Kickerville Road. April 5, 9:17 p.m.: Suspicious person on Lateener Lane. April 5, 10:55 p.m.: Music on Hillvue Road. April 6, 1:44 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

April 6, 1:47 a.m.: Suspicious person on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. April 6, 4:27 p.m.: Serve warrant on Second Street. Bakersfield, Calif. resident, 61, arrested on fugitive from justice warrants. April 6, 6:43 p.m.: Burglary cold call on Loft Lane. April 6, 8:33 p.m.: Juvenile problem cold call on Outrigger Loop. April 7, 9:30 a.m.: Hit and run cold call on Birch Bay Square Street. April 7, 10:40 a.m.: Domestic verbal on Salish Lane. April 7, 11:20 a.m.: Suicidal subject on Beach Rock Loop. April 7, 2:31 p.m.: Assault simple cold call on Helweg Lane. April 7, 5:22 p.m.: Burglary cold call on Drayton Harbor Road. April 7, 5:49 p.m.: Domestic verbal on East Street. April 7, 8:10 p.m.: Assist citizen on Kettle Way.

Dining Guide

McCarthy is one of the most reliable comic voices working today, but she’s rarely given the quality of material that she gets here, and she makes the most of the opportunity. Byrne is gaspingly hilarious as the ice queen Rayna, perfectly modulating her posh British accent to deliver withering barbs. Statham is the real surprise here, though. The prototypical action star has a real knack for comedy, perfectly embodying a lunkheaded He-Man who doesn’t seem to realize he’s not the star of his own movie. The Academy doesn’t generally acknowledge genre pictures, but the performances and the writing on display in “Spy” warranted more attention. Each of these films is available through the Blaine library or on the streaming service of your choice. To reserve a copy, visit the Blaine branch or go online to wcls.org.

secretly in love for years. Often underestimated due to her size and gender, Susan is actually a powerhouse, a skilled martial artist and gifted chameleon who can easily throw her weight against the swaggering men’s men, typified by the unhinged Agent Rick Ford (Jason Statham). To save Fine, she must worm her way into the inner circle of Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), a psychotically icy heiress and possible criminal mastermind. The plot isn’t really all that dissimilar to your standard Bond picture, and that’s where it’s genius lies. This is a film that delivers what’s written on the tin: it’s a spy movie, and if you thought it would be about a bumbling or inept spy because McCarthy is on the poster, well, that’s just one of the many expectations this movie manages to subvert. But more than a quality action picture, the movie is really, really funny.

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