The Northern Light_June 21 by Point Roberts Press

June 22 - 28, 2017

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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer

IN THIS

ISSUE

Seafood truck rolls into town, page 4

Sunny weather spurs complaints about messy yards in Blaine

Blaine grad bound for naval academy, page 8

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

Explore Point Whitehorn, page 15

Graduates say farewell to Blaine High School

B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e The city of Blaine has launched a monthly cleanup program to encourage residents to mow their lawns, pick up trash and help keep the streets clean. Sunny weather spurred a number of resident complaints about overgrown vegetation and discarded debris, according to a June 19 news release issued by the city. Currently, the city is working with 22 property owners to resolve vegetation and trash code violations. In accordance with city code, scrub vegetation cannot exceed 18 inches in height and discarded debris is prohibited on private property or within public rightof-way. “Keeping properties clear of overgrown vegetation and debris reduces the presence of pests like rodents, flies and mosquitos,” said community planner and code enforcement officer Maddie Ottley. “Property maintenance not only promotes the overall health of the community but also results in a higher quality of life for all residents and improves property values.” The monthly program was organized by deputy city clerk Sam Crawford and is managed by the Blaine public works department. The team is calling on volunteers to help and has offered to provide cleanup tools and on-site assistance. “Over the past couple of months, community members have generously volunteered their time by cleaning up the streets of Blaine,” Crawford said. “We want to keep this momentum going by recruiting more people into the volunteer program, which will result in a larger pool of volunteers we can tap into for future projects.” To volunteer, email Crawford at scrawford@cityofblaine.com.

s Blaine High School graduating seniors Jordan Bridges-Thomas, r., and Ethan Gibson, lead a line of classmates in a celebratory walk through campus. See page 10 for more graduation photos.

Photo by Janell Kortlever

Port awards $900,000 contract for harbor repairs B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e The Port of Bellingham has approved the second phase of a three-part project to improve the industrial area near the end of Marine Drive. During a regular meeting on June 6, the Port’s board of commissioners voted unanimously to award a $899,389 contract, in-

cluding a 20 percent contingency reserve, to Tacoma-based American Construction to tackle part two of a multi-phase project to improve Blaine Harbor’s marine industrial area. The project was started last year and is intended to increase dock space and boosting the load-bearing capacity of existing piers.

The project targets Sawtooth dock, located east of the Westman Marine building, north and south docks, located at the end of the industrial area, and includes updates to sewage pump out systems. Phase one of the project reopened part of Sawtooth dock and the north and south piers, all of which were unusable prior to repair, (See Port, page 3)

By Oliver Lazenby When she first heard full-time kindergarten was coming to Blaine Primary School, veteran teacher Teresa Smith was apprehensive. She thought that much time in the classroom would be too much for 5-year-olds. The first year of state-mandated full-time kindergarten at Blaine Primary School ends on Friday, June 23, and Smith’s apprehension about wiggling 5-year-olds kept too long in a classroom has mostly resolved. “I think because of how we did it and because it wasn’t so academic, it made it really comfortable for the kids,” Smith said. “It was more play-based and it just

feels like they’re fine. I was really pleasantly surprised.” While it’s still too early to tell from testing, teachers and administrators believe full-time kindergarten at Blaine Primary School appears to be a success. School and district officials said this class of kindergarteners is better at reading and math than previous classes and better prepared for first grade. “It has gone very well,” said school district superintendent Ron Spanjer. “Student response, staff response and the response of families have all been generally positive.” Previously, Blaine kindergarteners went to school for a full day, but on an every

other day schedule. Some classes would attend on Wednesday and Friday, and others on Tuesday and Thursday, with the two cohorts switching off every other Monday. That schedule made it difficult for kids to learn routines, according to some Blaine Primary School teachers. Learning where to hang coats and backpacks and what to do at lunch can be time consuming for kindergarteners, teacher Sue Steelquist said. “You’d constantly have to be re-teaching them all the things about how to be in school,” she said. “Now, it doesn’t feel like we’re always taking two steps forward and one step back.” (See School, page 6)

INSIDE

First year of full-time kindergarten called a success Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . 13 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14

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The Northern Light • June 22 - 28, 2017

Blaine’s Old Fashioned

Downtown Blaine ALL DAY FESTIVITIES INCLUDE:

JULY 4th Music Line-Up

Pancake Breakfast

Blaine Community Center • 8 am to 11 am

JULY 4th Music Line-Up CAR SHOW STAGE

Show N Shine Car Show 8 am to 3 pm • Downtown

“Army National Guard Brass Band”

10 AM •

Blaine Library Book Sale 10 am to 4 pm

Arts & Crafts Street Fair

Pizza Factory Parking Lot Corner H St. & Peace Portal

10 am to 5 pm Downtown Blaine at Peace Portal & H Street

“Silver City Band”

1 PM • Martin & 4th Street

TH OF JULY PARADE 4STARTS @ NOON ALONG PEACE PORTAL DRIVE Plover Ferry Rides

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“Springman Family Band”

Seaside BBQ @ Semiahmoo Resort • 4 to 9 pm

11 AM • Pizza Factory Parking Lot Corner H St. & Peace Portal

“Checo Tohomaso”

3:30 PM • Pizza Factory Parking Lot Corner H St. & Peace Portal

Live Music FREE ALL DAY BEER GARDEN 11 AM TO 5 PM

4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS! 10:15 pm • Blaine Marine Park

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June 22 - 28, 2017 • thenorthernlight.com

CBP officers seize 53 pounds of MDMA hidden in car B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Two men attempting to cross into the U.S. were caught with seven packages of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine), commonly known as ecstasy, weighing more than 53 pounds. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers made the discovery around 11:30 a.m. on June 10 after two men, age 33 and 40, arrived at the Pacific Highway port of entry in a Hyundai Santa Fe. A vehicle inspection

ensued and led to the discovery of the MDMA in a hidden compartment. Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested the 40-year-old driver; the drugs and vehicle were seized. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle will handle the prosecution. The Blaine Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST), comprised of investigators from CBP, Border Patrol, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard, DEA, Canada Border Services Agency, and the RCMP undertook the investigation.

BEST teams are located across 16 states and partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Teams focus on reducing smuggling, trafficking operations and transport of illicit funds through criminal organizations. “This seizure demonstrates the vigilance of our CBP officers and their excellence in detecting those who try to smuggle illegal substances,” said area port director Kenneth Williams. “Our officers work tirelessly every day protecting our borders and keeping dangerous narcotics out of the hands of our children.”

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Ecology calls for opinions on development The Washington State Department of Ecology is calling for comments on a proposed project. The project, Whisper Lake Development, involves 19.83

acres of soil disturbance for residential construction at 7495 Blaine Road All discharge and runoff goes to ground water. Comments about the project can

be submitted to the Department of Ecology, Attn: Water Quality Program, Construction Stormwater, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696.

Port ...

we can make sure that we’re going to be building the right thing to support seafood buyers and not just people with a working boat.” Port commissioners and staff are confident that the project will boost activity in what they describe as an expanding commercial seafood industry. “The port has seen an increase in demand for marine industrial property in Blaine Harbor,” said Port of Bellingham real estate director Shirley McFearin. “Several of our commercial seafood tenants have expressed interested in expanding operations and outside investors continue to be attracted by Blaine Harbor’s strategic location on the U.S. and Canadian border.” McFearin said two tenants have expressed serious interest in expanding operations. She noted that it was too early to announce which businesses or investors have come forward, but said the interest is noteworthy. A big step forward will be relo-

cating a web locker, now located in the industrial area, next to two other web lockers at Milhollin Drive, she said. The spot is adjacent to Sundance Yachts, which plans to develop a $9 million dry boat storage facility at 199 Marine Drive. All three web lockers are in use, which rules out the option to demolish, McFearin said. “Web house one needs to basically disappear,” said commissioner Bobby Briscoe. “To make that a truly industrial area down there, for both our seafood processors and our shipyard, it needs to move west of web house two.” Moving forward, McFearin plans to solicit input from tenants to forge a plan for the future. She’ll host a design charrette at an undetermined date later this year. Tenants, commercial fisherman and the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition are invited to attend to identify and prioritize forthcoming improvements. “The first priority of the port is to accommodate existing tenants,” McFearin said.

From page 1

project engineer Greg Nicoll told commissioners. “The current phase of work should be the final phase of work to get these piers reopened,” he said. Among other things, the contract requires the replacement of existing timber pilings, construct bull rails (rails that are lifted above the dock surface and used for tying up boats) and the replacement of electrical cables. The contract also calls for the construction of two sewage pump-out floats at marina gates 1 and 2 and to replace existing utility hangers in gate 3. According to the schedule, north and south piers are set for completion prior to September 24; Sawtooth dock between October 1 and November 31; and pump-out floats will be installed after October 1. The entire project is expected to be complete by November 30. “We’ve taken a lot of care to prepare a construction schedule that will avoid impacts to those users for the north and south piers,” Nicoll said. “We are scheduled to complete all work on the piers prior to September 24 so there’s time to reopen those piers for that fishing season.” Phase three, the final step of the project, will focus to improve the industrial area to make it for attractive to the seafood industry. Flattening Sawtooth dock’s jagged structure and removing a web locker to make space in the industrial area have all been suggested. “The seafood buyers seem to be leading the way on uses down there and I know we’ve had some high-level conversations,” said port commissioner Michael McAuley. “I’d like to bring that up to a higher level and see how

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The Northern Light • June 22 - 28, 2016

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, 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. Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@thenorthernlight.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@thenorthernlight.com Editor Stefanie Donahue stefanie@pointrobertspress.com Copy Editor Kara Furr kara@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Intern Alyssa Evans alyssa.thenorthernlight@gmail.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@thenorthernlight.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Janet McCall Catherine Darkenwald sales@thenorthernlight.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@thenorthernlight.com Contributors In This Issue Erik Ellingson, Janell Kortlever The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200 Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXIII, No 1 Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

Next issue: June 29 Ads due: June 23

Seafood truck rolls onto Marine Drive

s Alaska Wild Fish & Chips Co. moved to 225 Marine Drive on June 1. The truck, owned by Christine Johnson, serves beer-battered cod, shrimp, oysters, fries, hush puppies and clam chowder. It’s open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday this summer. For a schedule, go to awfcc.com. “We only use fresh cod. We make our beer batter every morning,” Johnson said.

Photo by Alyssa Evans

Letters to the Editor The Editor: This is in response to the lady who complained about Canadians, drivers and shoppers, and also to Michael Fitzgerald’s letter. Michael, you are right about the speeding on Bay Road. There is no 25 mph speed limit between Jackson Road and Blaine Road; it is 35 mph. Regardless, many Washington drivers go well over 35 in that area and and they also drive very fast further down Bay Road past Kickerville all the way to Grandview even with several 20 and 30 slow down signs. I don’t know the size of her sample the lady took when she complained about the Canadians. After a letter complaining about Canadian drivers was published some time ago, I have been observing more closely driving the habits of all drivers. I shop at Walmart and all area supermarkets and have never seen a rude Canadian. She

claims Canadians drove fast, ran stop signs and tailgate. Not knowing where she has seen all of this, I can only state from my personal observations, Washington drivers speed, run stop signs and tailgate much, much more often than Canadian drivers. For example, yesterday as I exited off I5 to access Grandview, there was a car in front of me waiting to turn left onto Grandview. Suddenly a car driving east on Grandview flew pass us and never came close to slowing down at all. The driver ahead of me pulled into the Arco station so I pulled next to him and asked him if he saw what I saw and he said he saw this lady fly by with kids in the car paying no attention to the stop sign. Today, I went to Best Buy and in leaving, the woman pulled out of the parking area ahead of me and turned left and flew down the street without slowing down and

ignored the stop sign altogether. Washington drivers, be more careful and safety conscious and don’t worry about the Canadian drivers who are driving better than you. Michele Masdeo Birch Bay The Editor: As a relative newcomer to the area I am always amazed and fascinated by this area’s history. Blaine and northern Whatcom County have something in the past that can appeal to everyone. Settlers, Native Americans, original families, commercial fishing, the timber industry, as well as farming, immigration, the struggle to establish the 49 latitude as the boundary, and the list can go on and on. (See Letters, page 5)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Birch Bay Chamber 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.

June 22 - 28, 2017 • thenorthernlight.com

Letters ... From page 4

As a newcomer I would love to learn more and see pictures. If The Northern Light would occasionally (or regularly) include an article about our region’s past I would be your biggest fan. Patty Makowski Blaine The Editor: This letter is to offer information and to express gratitude for all The Northern Light has done to help us promote art and artists in Blaine. Six years ago several artist friends gathered to discuss how art might be promoted in Blaine. Recognizing the value of a strong art presence in a community, they hoped to nurture the artistic climate and provide venues for creative people in North Whatcom County. Although there had been sporadic art shows and live art

events, no group represented local artists. The notion of an online gallery, combined with two live shows a year was born, and in 2012, using personal funds, the group launched The Blaine Harbor Art Gallery. For just $25 per year, artists could show their work online, and buyers could contact them directly. No commissions were ever charged. The gallery’s mission was to provide ongoing opportunities for marketing works of art and developing Blaine as a community of artistic excellence. Over 3,000 visitors attended the art shows. Over the years, artists realized over $110,000 in show sales. Over the past several years, BHAG has proudly represented 80 artists, produced seven shows and promoted Blaine as a tourist destination. Our work together has been joyful and gratifying. We are truly grateful for the generous support received from the city of Blaine, BTAC, Blaine Chamber of Commerce, and many businesses, par-

ticularly Semiahmoo Resort and Jacaranda Corporation. After Springfest, we did the usual post-event calculations and although attendance was pretty consistent, there was a considerable decrease in overall sales, which leads us to the conclusion that we likely have saturated our market. Due to this and personal commitments of board members, we have made the decision to close the online gallery and will no longer produce art events. We live in a community of creative people. We know artists will continue to create, and it is our hope that the community of Blaine will continue to support those artists’ efforts and find ways to showcase their talent. We all remain committed to making Blaine a community of artistic excellence, and look forward to watching the momentum we created continue to grow. Georgia Donovan on behalf of Blaine Harbor Art Gallery

The Editor: Congress and corporations have engineered a system that makes many citizens feel like losers. Businesses building stock portfolios insist that stocks take precedence over workers. Good business practice forces them to cut costs (employment) and use computerized robotics and mergers “for efficiency.” Congress lifted the ban on American crude oil export. For 40 years, citizens were told U.S. production was for security from foreign market control. Now petroleum companies want to export “fracked” crude to China to be refined and shipped back for additives at increased prices. (Seattle Times 5/26 D1) Their stock value is more important than protecting most West Coast petroleum worker jobs. Their “innovation” will cost good paying jobs, tax base and community support. Large real estate corporations buy up housing for investment. Average home buyers cannot af-

ford the competitive prices, causing cuts in consumer buying of furnishings and goods; affecting jobs in manufacturing and sales. They purchase large tracks of land for dubious projects to cover their investment regardless of water usage that limits house building site water wells due to minimum flow issues. Will the Goldman Sachs’ water purchase limit our wells further? Railroads have put in infrastructure for nonexistent projects and want their investments assured. Could it be that the “Preserve Cherry Point and Jobs” signs were paid for by big money which does not have our interests at heart? Donna Starr Blaine

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

Blaine gears up for 4th It’s almost time for Blaine’s annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration. To start off the day, a pancake breakfast will be held at the Blaine Community Center/Senior Center from 8 to 11 a.m. After breakfast, festival-goers can visit the Show ‘N Shine Car Show, which features over 200 classic vehicles. The show goes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. downtown. The Blaine Library Book Sale will offer options for those who want some good reads for the summer, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Arts and Crafts Street Fair will be held downtown from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring local artists and artisans selling their work. The old-fashioned parade will start at noon along Peace Portal Drive. Parade staging is based on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration isn’t required to participate, but organizers recommend filling out the parade registration form ahead of time and bringing it to the

line-up. Forms are available at blainechamber.com. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and parade judging is at 11 a.m. Live music will be performed throughout the day. Artists performing include Army National Guard Brass Band, Springman Family Band, The Replayzmentz, Silver City Band and Checo Tohomaso. The historic Plover ferry, the oldest foot-passenger ferry in Washington state, will run from noon to 8 p.m. from the Blaine Marina to Semiahmoo Resort. The resort is holding a seaside barbecue from 4 to 9 p.m. To cap it all off, a fireworks show begins at 10:15 p.m. at Blaine Marine Park. Blaine’s annual fireworks are considered the best in the county. This year, the city of Blaine and the Blaine Chamber of Commerce are working to reduce landfill waste. At the event, volunteers will help the expected 10,000 attendees sort their waste at designated stations. For more information, visit blainechamber.com.

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The Northern Light • June 22 - 28, 2017

School... From page 1

Some parents felt the same way about the old schedule. Mona Santos had been through halftime kindergarten with her older daughter, who’s now in second grade. “There were so many teacher workdays and holidays and it kind of felt like they never went to school,” Santos said. Sometimes the kids would go to school two days in a row, sometimes they’d have one day off between school days, and other times they’d have four-day weekends. That schedule seemed confusing to Santos’ older daughter, and starting first grade required a lot of adjustment, she said. Her younger daughter, now in kindergarten, has adjusted more easily to kindergarten and has learned routines faster, Santos said. Smith said the full-time schedule allows more time for teachers to help students adjust to school. The academic goals are the same, but the students have twice the time to get there. A school day includes not just academics, but also three recesses and other blocks of time where students get to choose what they do. “The pace now feels comfortable,” Smith said. “We have tried to make learning all the basic skills of reading and writing a really joyful process. If you walked into the classroom, much of the time it would look like we’re playing, especially at the beginning of the year.” That method of teaching is working, said Emily Olsen, whose son is in kindergarten. Olsen, who volunteers in the classroom and used to be a teacher, also has a daughter in second grade. “I see the difference when I’m in the class,” Olsen said “The kids are stronger readers exiting kindergarten this year than before.” For both Smith and Steelquist, teaching is easier because they only have one class instead of two

s Blaine Primary School kindergarten teacher Sue Steelquist with her full-time kindergarten class in early June. Teachers and administrators in the Blaine School District say the first year of full-time kindergarten at Blaine Primary School has been a success.

Photo by Oliver Lazenby

– 22 students instead of 44. That allows teachers to work with students more consistently and they don’t have to remind themselves each day which kids need extra help in a given area, they say. “We also get to know the families and the students so much better,” Steelquist said. Blaine’s program is part of a state-wide emphasis on early childhood education. Washington state mandated that all school districts offer full-time kindergarten by the 2016-2017 school year and provided funding for extra kindergarten teacher salaries in its 2015-2017 biennium budget. Although the extra money al-

lowed the school district to hire three more kindergarten teachers, coming up with classroom space, figuring out how to feed and transport more students per day and funding extra specialist time fell to the district. Those obstacles have likely been harder to overcome for smaller districts; for the 20152016 school year, Blaine was one of six districts in Washington that had to turn down state money because it didn’t have enough classroom space, according to the Washington state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. With the primary school addition – a $4 million project funded by a bond taxpayers passed in

2015 – the district added 10,000 square feet to the school, including eight classrooms and a music room. Starting the full-time kindergarten program one year late gave the school district time to learn from other districts. Primary school principal Nancy Bakarich visited other full-time kindergarten programs before the primary school started its program. “I think our transition was much smoother than some districts,” Bakarich said. Kindergarteners took an assessment at the end of the year, but the district doesn’t know how they scored yet, Bakarich said. Perhaps an even better metric

of full-time kindergarten’s effectiveness will be the earliest state assessment in third grade, called the Smarter Balanced assessment. Several studies have shown that though students in full-time kindergarten tested significantly better in reading and math at first, the benefits nearly disappear by third grade. Bakarich is hoping first grade teachers will be able to spend less time teaching routines to this year’s kindergarteners, and will hit the ground running academically. “It will be interesting to hear what the first grade team thinks when school starts next year,” she said.

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s More than 50 American white pelicans took a detour to Birch Bay on June 13. “The last couple of years a few have shown up briefly in Whatcom County,” said Eric Ellingson of Birch Bay. “I was able to watch them for about an hour before they took flight toward Ferndale.”

Photo by Eric Ellingson

June 22 - 28, 2017 • thenorthernlight.com

Bay Builders From Cherry Point to the Peace Arch

Great Kids Doing Great Things Featuring students of the Blaine School District

Jackson Jackson Bray, Bray, 12th 12th grade grade Jackson Jackson works works hard hard in in everything everything he Jackson Jackson JacksonBray, Bray, Bray,12th 12th 12thgrade grade grade he 12th grade

does. does. To Toworks have haveaahard student student ininyour yourclass class Jackson in he Jackson Jackson works works hard hard in ineverything everything everything he he Jackson works hard in everything he who who gives gives 100 100 percent percent is is so so amazing amazing does. To have a student in your class does. does. To To have have a a student student in in your your class class does. To have a student in your class Elaine Kim, and and makes makes teaching teaching worthwhile. worthwhile. Jackson Jackson who gives percent is who who gives gives 100 100 percent percent is isso so soamazing amazing amazing who gives 100 percent is so amazing 11th gradeaa100 provides provides positive positive vibe vibe to to the the classroom classroom and and andmakes makes makesteaching teaching teachingworthwhile. worthwhile. worthwhile.Jackson Jackson Jackson and makes teaching worthwhile. Jackson Elaine completes every and assignment and is is a a great great classmate classmate to to others. others. aaaapositive provides provides positive positivevibe vibe vibeto to tothe the theclassroom classroom classroom provides positive vibe to the classroom with care and shows a strongprovides attention to and is a great classmate to others. and and is is a a great great classmate classmate to to others. others. and is a great classmate to others. detail. She is articulate in communicating her ideas and analyses both verbally and in writing. Elaine is a pleasure to have in class and is a bonus to any class roster.

Seth Seth Blomeen, Blomeen, 8th 8th grade grade Seth Blomeen, Seth Seth Blomeen, Blomeen, Natalie Schmidt, Seth Seth is is aagrade hardworking hardworking 8th grade 8th 8th7th grade grade 8th grade

student student asks questions questions Seth is hardworking Seth Seth is isaaawho awho hardworking hardworking Natalie isasks always wearing Seth is hardworking to to check check his his understanding, understanding, student who questions student student who who asks asks questions questions a smile onasks her face. student who asks questions clarify clarify and and deepen deepen his his She does an excellent to his understanding, to tocheck check check his his understanding, understanding, to check his understanding, learning. learning. Seth Seth gets gets along along joband of giving herhis best clarify deepen clarify clarify and and deepen deepen his his clarify and deepen his well well with with others others and and always always has on assignments and has learning. Seth gets along learning. learning. Seth Seth gets gets along along learning. Seth gets along a a positive positive attitude. attitude. It’s It’s a a following directions well and always well wellwith with withothers others others and and always alwayshas has has well with others and always has pleasure pleasure to to have have him him in class. She aaaapositive positive positiveattitude. attitude. attitude.It’s It’s It’saaaa positive attitude. It’s ininclass! class! has ato pleasure to have pleasure pleasure topositive have havehim him him pleasure to have him attitude and in in inclass! class! class! in class! is respected by her peers. Keep up the great work Natalie.

Steven Steven Reimer, Reimer, Mia McSkimmings, 5th 5th grade grade Steven Steven Reimer, Steven Reimer, Reimer, Steven Steven isisaagood goodfriend friendto to 4th grade 5th grade 5th 5th grade grade 5th grade

others. others. He is kind, helpful, helpful, Mia continues tokind, befriend an effective Steven is aaaais good to Steven Steven is isHe good good friend friend to to Steven is good friend to leader in the classroom. She and and encourages encourages others. others. others. He is kind, helpful, others. others. He He is is kind, kind, helpful, helpful, others. He is kind, helpful, demonstrates when Steven Steven loves lovesleadership to tohelp help ininthe the and others. and andencourages encourages encourages others. others. and encourages others. she pushes herself to come up classroom classroom with withdifferent different jobs jobs that Steven to the Steven Stevenloves loves loves to tohelp help helpin in in the thethat Steven loves to help in the with new strategies in math, need need to to be be done. done. Thank Thank you you classroom classroom classroomwith with withdifferent different differentjobs jobs jobsthat that that classroom with different jobs that and takes on challenges Steven Steven for for making making our ouryou need to done. Thank need need to tobe be be done. done. Thank Thank you you need to be done. Thank you in any and subject She class class and our ourarea. school school Steven for our Steven Steven for formaking making making our our Steven for making our is patient with others, a a fabulous fabulous place place to to class class classand and andour our ourschool school school class and our school and understands the learn. aaaalearn. fabulous place to fabulous fabulous place place to to fabulous place to difference between learn. learn. learn. learn. humor and distracting others.

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Sienna Sienna Boucher, Boucher, 12th 12th grade grade Sienna Sienna is is motivated motivated to to succeed. succeed. Tessa Sienna Sienna SiennaBoucher, Boucher, Boucher,12th 12th 12thgrade grade grade Kelly, 12th grade She Shecomes comes to to class class prepared prepared to to learn, learn, 11th grade Sienna Sienna Siennais is ismotivated motivated motivatedto to tosucceed. succeed. succeed. Sienna is motivated to succeed.

and andtackles tackles tough tough assignments. assignments. Tessa is a self motivated and mature She to prepared to She Shecomes comes comes to toclass class class prepared prepared to tolearn, learn, learn, She comes to class prepared to learn, She Sheasks asks thought-provoking thought-provoking questions questions high school student. She works very and and andtackles tackles tacklestough tough toughassignments. assignments. assignments. and tackles tough assignments. that that make make class class intriguing intriguing for for others. others. hard at every task. She is involved She She Sheasks asks asksthought-provoking thought-provoking thought-provokingquestions questions questions She asks thought-provoking questions This This attitude attitude and andher her wonderful wonderful smile that make intriguing for others. that that make makeclass class class intriguing intriguing for forsmile others. others. in many clubs and sports and that make class intriguing for others. will will take take her far farininlife. life. This and her wonderful smile This Thisattitude attitude attitude and and her herher wonderful wonderful smile smile still maintains a high grade point This attitude and her wonderful smile average. Tessa is very good will will willtake take takeher her herfar far farin in inlife. life. life. will take her far in life. at managing her time and being successful in all of her activities.

Morgan Morgan Zasccheo, Zasccheo, 7th 7th grade grade Morgan MorganZasccheo, Zasccheo, Zasccheo, Colson Morgan Swope, Morgan Morgan has has shownher her 7th 7th 7thgrade grade grade shown 6th grade 7th grade

dedication dedication to toshown academics. academics. Morgan her Morgan Morganhas has has shown shown her her Colson is responsible, Morgan has shown her She She is is incredibly incredibly bright brightand and to dedication dedication to toacademics. academics. academics. organized and polite,dedication and dedication to academics. articulate. articulate. She She is is willing willing She Sheis is isincredibly incredibly incrediblybright bright brightand and and strives to do his bestShe work She is incredibly bright and to to share shareher herShe ideas, ideas, which which articulate. is willing articulate. articulate. She She is is willing willing on all assignments. Being articulate. She is willing enriches enriches the thework work ofofthe the her which to toshare share share her herideas, ideas, ideas, which which new to our schoolto this year, to share her ideas, which whole whole class. class. It It is is he settled in quickly and enriches enriches enrichesthe the thework work workof of ofthe the the enriches the work of the such suchclass. aapleasure pleasure showed a positive whole It is whole whole class. class. It It is is whole class. It is to tohave have her herinin attitude that was an such aaaapleasure such such pleasure pleasure such pleasure class! class! excellent example to have to to have haveher her herin in in to have her in for others to class! class! class! class! follow. We are lucky to have him at BMS.

Carrie Carrie Balback, Balback,1st 1stgrade grade Carrie Carrie isisaadelightful delightful first firstgrader! grader! Carrie Balback, 1st Carrie Balback, 1st 1stgrade grade grade Carrie Balback, 1st grade She She is is helpful, helpful, attentive, attentive, Carrie grader! Carrie Carrieisis isaaaadelightful delightful delightfulfirst first first grader! grader!Woodin, Lucas Carrie is delightful first grader! smart smart and and kind. kind. She She isisdoing doing She isis attentive, She She ishelpful, helpful, helpful, attentive, attentive, 1st grade She is helpful, attentive,

aaterrific terrific job ofofShe creating creating high high smart and kind. isis smart smart and andjob kind. kind. She She isdoing doing doing Lucas is a hard-working first smart and kind. She is doing quality quality work work and and working working on on task. task. aaaaterrific job of creating high terrific terrific job job of of creating creating high high grader! He is kind, honest and terrific job of creating high I’m I’mand especially especially impressed impressed quality work working on task. quality quality work work and and working working on on task. task. helpful, quality work and working on task. and works hard with with Carrie’s Carrie’s reading reading ability. I’m impressed I’m I’mespecially especially especially impressed impressed onability. all his assignments! I’m especially impressed She She loves loves to to read read and and isis is very good at with ability. with withCarrie’s Carrie’s Carrie’sreading reading readingLucas ability. ability. with Carrie’s reading ability. starting starting to to read read longer, She to read isis She Sheloves loves loves to tolonger, read readand and and is focused on staying She loves to read and is more more challenging challenging books books starting starting startingto to toread read readlonger, longer, longer, his work in class and starting to read longer, with with enthusiasm! enthusiasm! more books more morechallenging challenging challenging books books completing his tasks. more challenging books with with withenthusiasm! enthusiasm! enthusiasm! It is a joy to be his with enthusiasm! teacher!

Jennifer Jennifer LaFoy, LaFoy, 4th 4th grade grade Jennifer Jennifer is is an an amazing amazing young young Jennifer Jennifer LaFoy, LaFoy,4th 4th 4thgrade grade grade BriannaJennifer Bell, LaFoy, 4th grade lady. lady.Every Every day day she shecomes comes Jennifer is an amazing young Jennifer Jennifer is is an an amazing amazing young young Jennifer is an amazing young 4th grade to toclass classearly earlyto tohelp helppass pass

lady. lady. lady.Every Every Everyday day dayshe she shecomes comes comes Brianna is a bright, cheerful lady. Every day she comes out out Chrome Chrome books. books. She She has has to to toclass class classearly early earlyto to tohelp help helppass pass pass student who is the epitome to class early to help pass aaout positive positive attitude attitude about about out outChrome Chrome Chromebooks. books. books.She She Shehas has has of a hard worker. She’s out Chrome books. She has everything we we do doand and always always aaeverything about positive positive attitude attitude about about attentive and helpful, and can attitude aapositive positive attitude about encourages encourages others others to to we everything everything we wedo do doand and andalways always always always be counted oneverything to give everything we do and always do do their their best best work. work. encourages encouragesothers others othersto to to her best effort. Brianna’s encourages encourages others to We We look lookbest forward forward to to do their work. do do their their best best work. work. sparkling smile and do their best work. seeing seeing Jennifer’s Jennifer’s excellent attitude We We Welook look lookforward forward forwardto to to We look forward to smile smiledaily. daily. make our classroom a seeing Jennifer’s seeing seeing Jennifer’s Jennifer’s seeing Jennifer’s better place. smile smile smiledaily. daily. daily. smile daily. Bravo, Brianna!

Evan Evan Larsen, Larsen, 1st 1stgrade grade Evan Evanis is an an attentive, attentive, kind kind hearted, hearted, Evan Evan EvanLarsen, Larsen, Larsen,1st 1st 1stgrade grade grade 1st grade and and hardworking hardworking first first grader! grader! Evan Evan Evanis is isan an anattentive, attentive, attentive,kind kind kindhearted, hearted, hearted, Evan is an attentive, kind hearted, Arisara Ventura, He He always always works workson on task task and and and hardworking first grader! and and hardworking hardworking first first grader! grader! and hardworking first grader! 1st grade stays stays focused focused to to complete complete He He Healways always alwaysworks works workson on ontask task taskand and and He always works on task and Sara is a fabulous firstmanner. grader! assignments assignments ininaatimely timely manner. stays to complete stays staysfocused focused focused to to complete complete stays focused to complete She is smart, kind, and His Hisreading reading skills skills are are blossoming blossoming assignments in manner. assignments assignments in inaaaatimely timely timely manner. manner. assignments in manner. enthusiastic totimely learn. because because of of his his hard hard work. work. What What His reading skills are blossoming His His reading reading skills skills are are blossoming blossoming His reading skillsabilities are blossoming Sara’s artistic really really impresses impresses me me about about because because becauseof of ofhis his hishard hard hardwork. work. work.What What What because of his hard work. What are very impressive. Evan Evan isis his hismath math ability. ability. really impresses me about really really impresses impresses me me about about reallyShe impresses me about really focuses He loves loves totosolve solve Evan is math ability. Evan EvanHe is ishis his his math math ability. ability. Evan is his math ability. on her work and problems and andhas He loves He Heproblems loves lovesto to tosolve solve solve He loves to solve amazing talent! I love find findsolutions. solutions. IIlove love problems and problems problems and and problems and being her teacher! having having Evan Evanininclass! find Iclass! find findsolutions. solutions. solutions. IIIlove love love find solutions. love having Evan in class! having having Evan Evan in in class! class! having Evan in class!

BPNW NWFuels FuelsValue ValueChain Chain We WeWe are areare pleased pleased to topresent present aamonthly monthly look lookat atalook afew fewat of ofathe the many many pleased to present a monthly few of the many BP Cherry Point BP BP BPNW NW NWFuels Fuels FuelsValue Value ValueChain Chain ChainRefinery youthsto inpresent the Blaine School District who enhance our society We are pleased aaamonthly look at few of We Welocal are are pleased pleased to to present present monthly monthly look look at ataaenhance aenhance few few of ofthe the the many many 360/371-1500 Cherry Point Point Refinery Refinery local local youths youths ininthe the Blaine Blaine School School District District who who our ourmany society society Cherry and our lives, as selected by their teachers or school staff.

local youths in the Blaine District who our local localour youths youths ininas the the Blaine BlaineSchool School School District District who who enhance enhance our oursociety society society and and our lives, lives, as selected selected by bytheir their teachers teachers or orenhance school schoolstaff. staff. and and andour our ourlives, lives, lives,as as asselected selected selectedby by bytheir their theirteachers teachers teachersor or orschool school schoolstaff. staff. staff.

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The Northern Light • June 22 - 28, 2017

Blaine grad bound for naval academy

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s Alfonso Dermendziev playing football in ninth grade at Blaine High School. Dermendziev plans to play sprint football at the United States Naval Academy.

Photo courtesy of Magda Dermendziev

B y A ly ss a E va n s While more than 15,000 people apply to the United States Naval Academy each year, less than 1,500 are accepted and attend the school as freshmen – recent

Blaine High School graduate Alfonso Dermendziev, 18, is one of the academy’s newest students. “I’ve just felt the need to repay this country. What better way to do it than defend it? This town and country has done so much

A Benefit for the Blaine Birch Bay Park & Recreation Scholarship Program

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June 24 9 am - 12 pm

JAMBOREE

DANCE the morning away God /Goddess costumes encouraged and $10 • $5 18under

A Morning Dance Party with Steven, Kristina, Carella, Jenny, Denise

Birch Bay Activity Center • 7511 Gemini St. • Birch Bay • BBBParkAndRec.org

HELP MAK DOWNTOW E SPARKLE! N

7th Annual Blaine Beautification Day

Thursday, June 29 • 9 am - noon

Help spruce up downtown Blaine for the 4th of July! Join city employees & community members with a variety of projects. Pizza lunch provided for all volunteers! To volunteer or more info, call Debbie Harger at 543-9982

for my me and my family,” Dermendziev said. “I’ve always wanted to serve my country in the best way possible.” The academy prepares students to become professional officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Students attend the academy for four years and graduate with a bachelor of science degree. After graduation, students must serve at least five years. Alfonso leaves for the Annapolis, Maryland academy on June 27. He plans to major in mechanical engineering and play sprint football – which imposes a 178-pound weight limit on players – for the academy. Post-graduation, Alfonso hopes to become a Navy pilot. “I never thought he was going to go where he is now,” said his mother, Isabel Dermendziev. “It’s a very big step.” Isabel came to the United States from El Salvador in July 1986 to escape the Salvadoran civil war. A few years after, Alfonso’s older siblings were born in San Pedro, California, the family moved to Blaine, which is where Alfonso was born and all three children were raised. “I love this town and I’ve loved growing up and being a product of this town,” Alfonso said. “I’ve made a lot of amazing friends and people who have helped me through this journey.” A job opportunity at a refinery, nearby schools, the water, parks and Blaine Harbor are what led Isabel to Blaine, she said. Establishing herself in the U.S. as an immigrant was difficult because of the language barrier and finances, she said. Being a single mother with minimal education put the family in a financially tenuous position, she said. “His mom is an amazing person and was someone for him to look up to,” said Jay Dodd, Blaine High School head football coach. “She is a very determined Continued on next page

June 22 - 28, 2017 • thenorthernlight.com

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Focus • Discipline • Fun Strength • Confidence Above: Dermendziev during his senior year at Blaine High School. Right: Dermendziev running track in seventh grade at Blaine Middle School. He went on to be captain of the high school track team his junior and senior years.

1733 H St, Ste 330 (next to Cost Cutter) CHILDREN • ADULTS • FAMILY

Call or Text (360) 685-USTA (8782)

Photos courtesy of Magda Dermendziev

and hard worker so he was able to live with that every day. I think she set the stage for Alfonso to do whatever he wants in life.” Blaine’s community has made a huge impact on Alfonso, he said. Playing AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball, he often was supported by his friends and their parents. “Their parents would always give me rides. They would pay for my hotels and help me out financially because we weren’t always there financially,” Alfonso said. “Helping me through sports was amazing. If I didn’t have that I don’t know if I’d have gone down a different path.” Alfonso’s church, coaches, teachers, family and friends made a difference in his life, said Magda Dermendziev, Alfonso’s sister. In high school, Alfonso did it all. He helped his peers as a tutor, often led assemblies through student government, participated in

sports and took Advanced Placement classes. Throughout it all, he maintained a 3.8 GPA. “It’s been really awesome to see how he’s accomplished so much when he’s been given so little,” Magda said. “His upward mobility chances were pretty low just from the family background. It’s really awesome to see he’s obtained a high honor and it’s a good reminder to myself of what you can do from so little.” During high school, Alfonso played basketball until his sophomore year. He participated in track and football all four years. Alfonso led both by example and with his words, said head track coach Carey Bacon. Alfonso values hard work and consistently drove himself and his teammates to better their performances, resulting in athletes always being able to count on him, Bacon said. Alfonso was captain of the track team his ju-

nior and senior year and was voted most inspirational for three years. Other students want to live up to Alfonso’s standards, Dodd said. Whenever someone does a great job, Alfonso is usually the first to give them a high-five, tell them “great job,” and encourage them after they succeed, Dodd said. “If my boy turns out to be like [Alfonso] I would be ecstatic. If my daughter were to date a guy like Alfonso, I would be OK with that,” Dodd said. Through Alfonso’s education at the academy and his service in the Navy, he will act as an outgoing and inspirational leader, Magda said. “He’ll be able to make an impact in all those kids’ lives and for the country too,” Magda said. “He has this innate desire to serve and give back after being born here and knowing the opportunities that the country has to offer.”

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Celebrate Canada Day and 4th of July during our 5-day extravaganza! Enjoy our farm-to-table backyard BBQ & Beach Party with Live Music June 23 & 24, and June 30, July 1, 2, 3 & 4 Served in the seaside outdoor courtyard from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Fireworks over White Rock July 1 Historic Plover Ferry Rides from Semiahmoo Dock Paddle Boards, Kayaks, Bike Rentals at Semiahmoo Resort Activities Center All Day July 4th Activities in Downtown Blaine Fireworks Finale Over Semiahmoo Bay July 4. W a s h i n g t o n ’s S e a s i d e R e t r e a t .

June 26-29 July 10-13 July 17-20 July 24-27 July 31-Aug 3 Aug 7-10

Reservations Call 360-318-2090 | | 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway | Blaine , WA 98230 | www.semiahmoo.com

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The Northern Light â&#x20AC;˘ June 22 - 28, 2017

Blaine High School Class of 2017

Clockwise from top: Blaine graduates throw their mortar boards sky high in celebration. Valedictorians, from l., Monica Kelly, Kaylee McPhail, Logan Nelson and Lauren Kordas. Katie Ruback on the way to get her diploma. Alyssa De La Rosa with her diploma. Lyric Berry leads a group of Blaine seniors on a walk through Blaine Elementary School. Blaine seniors in caps and gowns on the way to the gym.

Janell Kortlever photos

June 22 - 28, 2017 • thenorthernlight.com

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Greg Kendall, Owner-Operator

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

DIY’ERS/YARD-SALE Fri.Sun., June 23, 24 and 25 from 9am-3pm. MEN, don’t miss this one, so many tools! Plenty for women too. 5072 Alder Street, Birch Bay.

3040 BIRCH BAYLYNDEN RD.

SEA-LINKS COMMUNITY Annual Garage Sale. SAT

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Driver - CDL Class B Connect your business with our most popular with hazmat Special Sections, reaching over 23,100 readers weekly! Salary DOE Driver - CDL Class B with hazmat Salary DOE Email: 1stpropaneofwhatcom@gmail.com

Landscaping

SELL IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS!

Michael Owens, 1536 Willie Lake Road Ferndale, WA 98248, is seeking coverage under the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Construction  Stormwater NPDES and State Waste Discharge General Permit. The proposed project, Lincoln Road Residential Subdivision, is located on the south Side of Lincoln Rd. Approx. 1/2 mi. west of Blaine Rd. in Blaine in Whatcom county. The project involves 6.5 acres of soil disturbance for Residential, Utilities construction activities. The receiving waterbody is California Creek. Any persons desiring to present their views to the Washington State Department of Ecology regarding this application, or interested in Ecology’s action on this application, may notify Ecology in writing no later than 30 days of the last date of publication of this notice. Ecology reviews public comments and considers whether discharges from the project would cause a measurable change in receiving water quality, and, if so, whether the project is necessary and in the overriding public interest according to Tier II antidegradation requirements under WAC 173-201A-320. Comments can be submitted to: Department of Ecology Attn: Water Quality Program, Construction Stormwater P.O. Box 47696 Olympia, WA 98504-7696

BUZZ’N!

rhythmelectric@yahoo.com

June 24, 8:30a - 3:30p. 4801 Birch Bay-Lynden Road at Sea Links Drive.

Public Notices

NOW HIRING NOW HIRING

www.rhythmelectricbellingham.com

BAYCREST COMMUNITIES multi-family garage sales. Saturday, June 24, starting at 8 a.m. Off Bay and Jackson Roads in Birch Bay.

BUY IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Natural Play Therapy/interaction with 16 year old boy with autism. No experience necessary. Call 360-778-2465, 360441-0908, or for program info go to naturalplaytherapy.com.

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Business Services

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Affordable and Reliable Lawn Care & Landscaping. Cleanups, Mowing, Pruning, Weeding, Landscape Installation, Mulch, Gravel, Dirt, etc. Dump Runs and Pressure Washing.

Please call (360) 296-4824

First week of every month

ActiveSeniors Pet Care Second week of every month

Third week of every month

HOME&GARDEN Last week of every month

The Northern Light is the only newspaper delivered by U.S. Mail to all homes in Blaine, Birch Bay & Semiahmoo!

To advertise, call 360-332-1777 or email sales@thenorthernlight.com

THE CLASSIFEDS ARE ONLINE AT: thenorthernlight.com/ classifieds

More Real Estate Listings are on page 12

The Northern Light • June 22 - 28, 2017

Real Estate

Windermere Real Estate/Whatcom Inc. 360.371.5100

8105 Birch Bay Square St. I-5 Exit 270, Blaine

BLAINE, BIRCH BAY & SEMIAHMOO SEMIAHMOO OPEN HOUSES OPEN SAT & SUN 11-5 OPEN SAT & SUN 11-5

OPEN SAT 12-2, SUN 10-1

OPEN SUN 12:30-3

PARADISE @ SEMIAHMOO

BEACH GETAWAY!

18th FAIRWAY LOCATION

8788 Charel Dr. • $480,000

8790 Goshawk • $795,000

Susan Garlock 360-595-4053

9152 Aerie Ln • $1,100,000

Lux 4-BD, 3.25-BA dream condo, high-end beauty, and Baker views. Open main level offers sweeping views from White Rock to Baker.

Julie Brown 360-255-3727

Private comunity beach access, Just Fabulous floor plan, friendly kitchen/ steps away from the beach. 3-BD, breakfast nook, warm family room. 2-BA, built in 2015 and lightly lived in. Main floor living in custom design. Master suite with a water view! Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718

S E M I AH MO O O P E N H O U S E S OPEN SUN 2-5 OPEN SUN 12-3

WATERFRONT AT ITS FINEST

LUSH 18th FAIRWAY

IDEAL FAIRWAY LOCATION 5417 Canvasback Rd • $819,900

OPEN SAT 11-5

OPEN SUN 1-3

ON TURNBERRY POND

SINGLE STORY LIVING

8849 Goldeneye Ln • $799,000

8623 Blue Grouse Wy • $419,000

Stunning well built 2003 home. $100K of improvements - 8” Hickory plank thru main, bright, open feel. Kitchen has new appliances w/ island.

One of a kind, exquisite custom home. Southern exposure; light shines thru designer property. Extensive tile, custom fir built-ins, exceptional granite.

Great room, open floorplan, back yard deck. Covered front porch welcomes to open kitchen w/bfast bar & dining/ den room serves many purposes.

& Cole Markusen 360-389-3696

Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718

Cole Markusen 360-389-3696

FERNDAL E OPEN HOUSE OPEN SUN 2-4

OPEN SUN 3-4

BI RCH BAY OPEN HOUSES OPEN SUN 1-3

OPEN SUN 1-4

COUNTRY LIVING IN THE CITY

THE GREENS AT LOOMIS TRAIL

LUXURY BEACH LIVING

PREMIER BAY VIEW!

9499 Semiahmoo Pkwy B12 8832 Goshawk • $569,000 5911 Shannon Ave • $390,500 4379 Castlerock Dr. • $449,500 7714 Birch Bay Dr #107 • $399,900 4933 Morgan Dr. • $435,000 $499,000 Ground level 2-BD Beach- Single Story; chipshot to the Club- Better than new, 3-BD, 2-BA, 1904 SF 5-BD, 3.5-BA in sought after neighbor- Ground floor fully furnished SW corner Airy & open, spacious 4br/2ba plan is

walker Villa, get-away second home house. Great room w/window wall. home on 21,780 SF lot w/mature ev- hood w/space & flexibility. TWO kitch- res in Grand Bay Resort. Exceptional ideal for entertaining. Great character, or investment property. Amazing sun- Spacious master, barn door to new ergreens & year-round stream. Open ens, TWO master suites! Light-filled quality, design thru. Spacious master huge deck, new roof, 2-min to beach. sets, twinkling lights of White Rock. master bath, generous walk-in closet. plan w/ vaulted ceilings, eng flooring. entry w/ soaring double height ceilings. with ensuite and large patio with view. VIRTUAL TOUR: BirchBayVistas.com.

Kathry Stauffer 360-815-4718

Linda Kiens 360-815-6640

BI RCH BAY O P E N H O U S E S OPEN SUN 1-4 OPEN SAT & SUN 12-4

Julie Brown 360-255-3727

BELLINGHAM OPEN HOUSE OPEN SAT 12-4

Jen Freeman 360-815-0803

Randy Weg 360-305-5704

EL IZ A ISL AND OPEN HOUSES OPEN SAT 11-2 OPEN SAT 11-2

Brenda Mills 360-319-0072

FEATURED LI STI NG

AMAZING WATERFRONT! WATERFRONT HOME W/ SALTWATER VIEWS 6937 Holeman Ave 8269 Cowichan • $440,000 4537 Fremont St • $389,000 Lot 95 & 96 • $149,000 Lot 99 • $175,000 8059 Kayak Wy • $324,000 2316 Seaside Dr. • $1,200,000 $1,550,000 Incomparable 127’ For the discriminating buyer, Beautifully maintained split level 2-BD getaway cabin w/ 2 lots, Own your own piece of private Private setting one level home in Inland Pacific views over Drayton

west-facing oceanfront w/direct location says it all, Birch Bay Vil- on serene lot. Turn key condition span over an acre. Clear back island getaway! 2-BD cabin, Birch Bay Village. Gated commu- Harbor, twinkling lights of Semibeach access. Over 4,400 s.f. ar- lage on the golf course. ready to move in. Short walk to some trees to see water views. breathtaking views. Half acre+ nity, golf course, marina, sports ahmoo & sunset silhouettes of tisan quality craftsmanship. lot. MLS #1115177. RSVP with: courts, security & private beaches. Gulf Island in almost every room. Gerry Allen 360-920-0562 Lake Whatcom, Open floor plan. MLS #1115187. RSVP with:

Mike Kent 360-815-3898

Vince McLeod 360-223-9860

Gerry Allen 360-920-0562

t, July 1, 10-2 a S e, July 4, 1 -3 Tu

Hugh Sells Homes!

OPEN HOUSE

• Responsive • Experienced • Professional

8293 Fawn Crescent $649,900

Let 27 years of experience work for you!

BETTER THAN NEW IN BLAINE!

SUNDAY 12-3

BLAINE

LINDA ANDERSON Owner/Agent

• Semiahmoo Marina Slip E8-50’ • SOLD! • Semiahmoo Boat Slips Available! $12,500 to $45,000, 36’ - 50” • Semiahmoo Marina, $29,500, Boat Slips 9540 Semiahmoo Pkwy D-7, Possible Owner Financing

GUEMES ISLAND LOT

NEW LISTING! Semiahmoo Marina #C-48

Water view and salt water access. Includes water share. 44’ Boat Slips

$60,000

MLS #1146753

$21,500

BIRCH BAY VILLAGE LAKEFRONT LOT Chehalis Rd. #40 • 30’ Lakefront Water & Sewer Available Electric, Gas, Hi-speed Internet POSSIBLE BUILD TO SUIT!

Mt. Baker views!

$105,000

www.CallHugh.com

Rentals - Rooms FURNISHED ROOM includes amenities, NS, pet friendly $500/mo. + deposit, references required, 360-332-3449.

Rentals - Commercial

WAREHOUSE FOR LEASE

COMMERCIAL BUILDING. 2650 s.f. for lease at $1500/ mo +triple net. 442 Peace Portal Dr., Blaine. Terry Conway, 360-410-0503 Century 21.

4800 sq. ft. w/900 sq. ft. Office Loading Dock 2 Large Doors RENT IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS

1160 Yew Avenue Blaine, WA 98230

360-371-5943

real estate/rentals advertising AllAll real estate/rentals advertisin this newspaper is subject to the ing in subject Federalthis Fair newspaper Housing Act ofis1968 as which makes it illegal toAct toamended, the Federal Fair Housing advertise any preference, limitation or of 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, to advertise any preference, limitation or disfamilial status or national origin,or an intention to make any crimination based orondiscrimination. race, color, religion, such preference, limitation This newspaper not knowinglyfamilial accept any advertisement for realorisex,willhandicap, status or national estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are heregin, or an intention to make any such prefby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper erence, or discrimination. This are available limitation on an equal opportunity basis. To complain ofnewspaper discrimination, will call HUD at 1-800-877-0246. nottoll-free 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.

1575 B St., Blaine

granite counters, garage, $1050/ mo. 442 4th Street.

Custom built 4-BD, 3-BA home close to shopping & dining. Beautiful, bright & spacious. Granite counters, stainless appliances, two ovens, soft close drawers & a cozy fireplace are just a few of the special touches. Open living space w/ vaulted ceilings, giant mudroom, tons of storage & more!

W/D, D/W, all appliances. $995/ mo.

$350,000

Call Hugh-360.371.5800

NEW LISTING!

DRAYTON HARBOR REALTY 2-BD, 2-BA DUPLEX. Upscale,

Buying, Selling, or Building?

Incredible views of mountains and Boundary Bay, large park-like back yard, beautiful and spacious 3-BD, 2.5-BA view home. Easy 10-minute walk down private community path to the beach for sunbathing, digging clams or picking oysters; 25 minute drive to Vancouver International airport (YVR). Add’l photos at www.landersonrealtor.com For appt to view, call 360-945-2772

Rentals - Residential PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

I’ve sold homes like yours...to Buyers who are looking for homes like yours!

2103 Whalen Dr. Point Roberts • $688,000

Mike Kent 360-815-3898

www.windermere.com

In case of inclement weather, please call agent to confirm open houses.

EN HOUSE P O

Brandi Coplen 360-201-3951 Brandi Coplen 360-201-3951 Jeff Carrington 360-220-3224

Birch Bay Views! One of a kind, first time on the market!

Unique beach feel of this home, take a tour! 3,462 SF home with 5-BD, 3-BA, 2 deck levels & 3 stories of magnificent Birch Bay and sunset views. Kitchen down, with separate entrance for possible MIL or rental suite. Secluded feel at the end of the road. Deeded beach access.

Ron Kulman 360-303-1459

3-BD, 2-BA TOWNHOUSE.

99% OCCUPANCY

WE HAVE RENTERS, call today to list your rental! N/S, N/P, OAC and deposits will apply. WE NEED PROPERTIES TO MANAGE,

360-332-3166

Sommer Cronck ABR, e-PRO, REALTOR

360-647-8049 sommerc@remax.net www.bestbellinghamhomes.com

FIND IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS

Rentals - Commercial - (Cont.)

FOR LEASE Commercial Building On Blaine Harbor

Great location with spectacular marina and park views. 850 s.f. Perfect for private office with reception area.

Must see! Rent depends on term of lease.

Contact Pat Grubb at pgrubb@mac.com or 360-332-1777

June 22 - 28, 2017 • thenorthernlight.com

Fire ravages residence on Garfield Avenue

Obituary Barbara Starr Gregerson

s A fire burned a two-story accessory residence at 1047 Garfield Avenue in Blaine on Tuesday, June 20. The blaze caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to the building, which was under construction, said North Whatcom Fire and Rescue assistant chief Joe Noonchester. The fire’s cause is still under investigation, and the blaze didn’t injure anyone, he said. “We got there quickly. Our firefighters were at the Blaine station and got to the scene within a couple of minutes,” Noonchester said. The fire was out by about 6 p.m. Photo by Janet McCall

Local golfer headed to U.S. Senior Open By Oliver Lazenby A couple of local golfers finished near the top at the US Golf Association’s Senior Open qualifier last week in Bellingham, but only one – at least from this side of the border – made the cut for the big tournament. Keith Henderson, Birch Bay resident and former manager of the Loomis Trail Golf Club, shot for par and a second place finish at the qualifying round on June 12 at the Bellingham Golf and

Breakfast Lunch Dinner 360-778-3826

4823 Alderson Road, Birch Bay

Country Club. Henderson and Philip Jonas of Surrey, who won with a score of 69, qualified for the U.S. Senior Open. For Henderson, 53, this was a standout tournament performance. “In tournament play that’s obviously a highlight,” Henderson said. “My actual score – I’m completely satisfied with it, obviously, but I’ve played the course better.” Henderson currently teaches at Loomis Trail Golf Club. He said

qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open was a goal for him, but one he approached realistically. “It’s still really hard for me to believe,” He said. “There are a lot of great players out there.” Blaine golfer Jeff Coston finished one stroke behind Henderson, and missed qualifying by one spot. The U.S. Senior open goes from Thursday, June 29 to Sunday, July 2 at Salem Country Club in Peabody, Massachusetts.

September 9, 1926 – June 16, 2017 Born on September 9, 1926 at the home of her grandparents in Monroe, WA, she lived there with her mother, Marian Elizabeth Fleming Cheatley, her beloved brother Bill Cheatley and extended family in the home that her grandparents homesteaded in the early 1900's. She attended school in Monroe until 8th grade when the family moved to Warm Beach, WA. Barbara attended Stanwood High School and graduated in the famous class of 1944. She met her future husband Jerry F. Starr of Arlington and they moved to Bellingham while Jerry attended Western Washington University and played basketball. They lived in campus housing and had their first child, Janet, in 1948. Jerry was an entrepreneur and ran concessions at Battersby Field to earn money while continuing his education. They bought their first home in Bellingham and welcomed their second daughter Mary Jo. Barbara and Jerry were very active in community service all their lives. She was state president of the Jaycee wives, and very active in Blossomtime activities serving as chaperone for the Blossomtime Court for several seasons. They were members of the Yacht Club and Bellingham Golf and Country Club. Barbara and Jerry welcomed third daughter Margee and moved to their long time residence on North Park Drive. Son Joel was welcomed in 1955. The house was a beehive of activity, with neighbors and friends playing marathon bridge games and enjoying oyster feeds in the back yard. Jerry passed away in 1970. Barbara was a homemaker until she hired at the Whatcom County Community Alcohol Center in the early 60's. She later took a position as the first Director of the Clark County Alcohol Center and was instrumental in starting SWARF Treatment Center, which still exists today. She attended Rutgers University and the University of Utah in the field of alcoholism. Later she moved to Bellevue, WA and ran the center there for many years until her retirement. She was instrumental in working with experts and legislators to decriminalize alcohol offenses and get help for people afflicted. She worked tirelessly to have alcohol addiction declared a disease. Recognized for her abilities and dedication to ‘get things done’ she eventually was the first and only female Chair of the National Council on Alcoholism. She was asked to take a cabinet level appointment serving on the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) during the Reagan Administration, again the only woman and non-academic. She was part of a group of 20 who traveled to the Soviet Union in the late 1980's to help educate the Soviet physicians and scientists on the concept of alcoholism as a disease. This was during the Cold War and they were followed, recorded and searched, but were somehow allowed to do their work. People in that region now have many more options open to them. Upon her retirement Barbara moved back to Bellingham. She became a champion golfer, team captain of the Women’s Division at the Country Club, and traveled the world with her golf buddies. She was a champion duplicate bridge player. In 1994 Barbara attended the 50th reunion of Monroe High School and there she met her kindergarten boyfriend, Johnny Gregerson. They were married later that year. As her grandchildren came along, she doted on each and every one. They could do no wrong in her eyes and whatever they wanted was the menu of the day. "Who's going to spoil them if I don't!" Barbara is survived by her 4 children, Janet Starr, Mary Jo (Bob) McCoy, Margee Starr (Mike Goff) and Joel (Karen) Starr, step-daughter Jackie Shaffer, 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, sister Nancy Sparrow and brother Jack Ihde. Barbara was preceded in death by her first husband Jerry F. Starr in 1970, her second husband Col. Johnny O. Gregerson, USMC, in 2015, step-son Eric Gregerson in 2016 and her beloved brother Bill Cheatley in 2012. The family wishes to thank Dr. Rick Binder for his compassionate care, the staff at North Cascades, St. Francis and Shuksan. The people who work in elder care are the unsung heroes. Memorials in Barbara’s name may be made to the Lighthouse Mission. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Church of the Assumption on Friday, June 23 at 10:30 a.m. Reception following at the Church. You may share memories with the family at www. westfordfuneralhome.com.

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Great weekly SPECIALS! Farm Store & Country Café Open 8 - 5 Wed - Sun 6140 Guide Meridian

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Proud supporters of the Blaine Community! Keep Full Service • Budget Payment Plan • Tank Installation & Rental Modern Equipment • Safety Checks • Locally Owned & Operated

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Fill your bottles - Easy RV access

2163 Nature’s Path Way • Blaine

The Northern Light • June 22 - 28, 2017

Coming up

Police Reports June 12, 11 a.m.: Police were advised of two recent incidents of the Semiahmoo Drive roadway being blocked late at night. On both occasions traffic pylons had been stolen from a construction site and positioned across the road, forcing approaching drivers to stop abruptly. It’s unknown whether it is vandalism or a ruse to catch an unwary driver outside their car on the dark rural street. All officers were advised of the incidents for their patrols, and the company that owns the pylons is assisting to secure them. June 16, 12:01 a.m.: A transient gentleman turned himself in to Blaine officers, advising that he believed he was wanted on a felony arrest warrant held by the state department of corrections. An officer confirmed and executed the warrant, and transported the man to jail. June 16, 2:52 p.m.: Dispatch reported the fire department was en route to a residence on an alarm company report that a subscriber had activated their personal emergency distress alert. An officer arrived, and the responder team gained entry to the home when no one answered their knocks and calls. They found that no one had let them in because no one was home. Follow-up revealed this device can be activated from any location, and in this case that location is unknown.

June 17, 2 a.m.: Police responded to a business downtown to contact a distraught pedestrian there who needed police protection. On arrival he explained that the occupants of a vehicle had followed him around town for the past 20 minutes. An officer located the suspicious vehicle and interviewed its stalking driver nearby. It turned out that both guys were independently playing Pokémon and coincidentally chasing the same characters at the same time. June 17, 12:15 p.m.: A motorist brought a woman to the police station, explaining he’d found the senior citizen wandering in Birch Bay, disoriented and unable to remember where she lived. An officer interviewed the lady, determined her identity and address, and arranged to take her to her ex-husband’s home. He will take steps to help her get proper supervision, and an ID bracelet. June 17, 7:48 p.m.: Police were dispatched to a neighborhood where teenagers were reportedly smashing a vehicle with axes and sledgehammers. Officers arrived and contacted three young men who explained that they had been using a hatchet to knock some dents out of the car one of them had just purchased. The officer provided the teens with information about how their activi-

Crossword

ACROSS 1. Long, long time 5. Ziti, e.g. 10. Bet 14. Ad headline 15. Carafe size 16. Shrek, e.g. 17. Arrangement of music for an orchestra 20. “Act your ___!” 21. Any thing 22. Bright 23. Slog 24. Forest growth 26. Filter 29. Heaved 30. The “p” in m.p.g. 33. Cardinal 34. Dead duck 35. Bauxite, e.g. 36. Paying in fixed amounts at specified intervals (2 wds) 40. “For shame!” 41. Ooey _____ 42. Bringing up the rear

43. “___ Town Too” (1981 hit) 44. “Men always hate most what they ___ most”: Mencken 45. Round lot’s 100 47. Balcony section 48. The Everly Brothers, e.g. 49. Patriots’ Day month 52. Welfare, with “the” 53. Grand ___ (“Evangeline” setting) 56. Stooping shoulders 60. Strengthen, with “up” 61. Trigger, for one 62. Attention getter 63. Coaster 64. Aden’s land 65. Information unit

DOWN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

___ Minor Jets or Sharks, e.g. “... or ___!” Undertake, with “out” Igneous rock formed

below earth’s surface 6. Targeted 7. Check 8. Big ___ Conference 9. “A jealous mistress”: Emerson 10. Water lily 11. Not “fer” 12. “Pumping ___” 13. Contradict 18. Anger, with “up” 19. Declare 23. Confined, with “up” 24. Bank contents 25. Microwave, e.g. 26. Forger 27. Birchbark 28. Stage item 29. Comfortable 30. Frigid 31. Clear, as a disk 32. Doesn’t own 34. Winter hand clothing 37. Ancient 38. Marathon 39. ___ du jour 45. Gloomy 46. Attention 47. Like composition paper 48. Drench 49. Song and dance, e.g. 50. “Dirty” activity 51. Ancient alphabetic character 52. Quad building 53. Beseech 54. Cost of living? 55. Halftime lead, e.g. 57. Diffident 58. Clod chopper 59. “Chicago” lyricist

ANSWERS AT THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

ty might cause consternation to passersby, and closed by pointing out the futility of trying to pound dents out of fiberglass. June 19, 2:09 p.m.: A resident on Mitchell Street called police for help when an adult relative became aggressive and started acting bizarrely. The victim locked herself into a bathroom, and the man fled the home before the first officer arrived. The man had assaulted the woman while making threats to kill her. Police were not able to locate the man in the area, and a felony assault probable cause watch for has been provided all agencies in the county. June 21, 3:32 a.m.: Police were dispatched to a one-car non-injury collision on Semiahmoo Parkway in which the driver had fled the scene. An officer arrived to find that the remaining 19-year-old passengers were both very intoxicated, and suffered minor scrape injuries when the 2005 Pontiac completely rolled at least once. The crash occurred as the group left an alcohol-fueled beach party. The car was a total loss and towed. An investigation is ongoing with charges expected against the driver and his passengers. This report is provided by the Blaine police department. A full listing of the week’s police report can be found at thenorthernlight.com.

Tides June 23–June 29 at Blaine. Not for navigation. 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W

DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT Fr 23 3:57 am 9.7 11:26 am -2.8

6:58 pm 10.0 11:59 pm 6.5

Sa 24 4:45 am 9.5 12:14 pm -3.1

7:48 pm 10.5

Su 25 12:59 am 6.4 5:35 am 9.2

1:00 pm -3.1 8:34 pm 10.6

Mo 26 1:59 am 6.2 6:29 am 8.7

1:48 pm -2.6 9:20 pm 10.6

Tu 27 3:01 am 5.8 7:25 am 8.0

2:34 pm -1.7 10:06 pm 10.5

We 28 4:05 am 5.3 8:25 am 7.2

3:20 pm -0.6 10:48 pm 10.2

Th 29 5:11 am 4.6 9:35 am 6.4

4:06 pm 0.7 11:28 pm 9.9

Weather Precipitation: During the period of June 13 to June 19, 0.58 inches of precipitation were recorded. The 2017 year-to-date precipitation is 18.81 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 72.4°F on June 16 with a low of 49.4°F on June 13. Average high was 66.2°F and average low was 52.9°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

Summer Reading for All Ages: Through August 31, Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Pick up your Bingo card and start reading. Kids and teens set their own goals to earn their own free book of choice. Adults can win cool reading related prizes. Info: 305-3637. World Swim Lesson Day: Thursday, June 22, 4:30–5:30 p.m., Birch Bay Waterslides, 4874 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Kids ages 0-14 learn the basics of water safety. Free. Info: 371-7500. Steve Loeffler Performance: Thursday, June 22, 6–8 p.m., The Pastime Bar & Eatery. Bellingham guitarist Steve Loeffler performs music from the 1960s to now. Clamming 101: Friday, June 23, 10 a.m., BP Heron Center, Birch Bay State Park. Learn about the proper way to harvest clams and discover the different kind of clams that live in Birch Bay. Come and learn the basics. Discover Pass required to park. Info: fobbsp.org. Beach Walk and Low Tide Critter Search: Saturday, June 24, 11 a.m., BP Heron Center, Birch Bay State Park. Guided beach walk conducted by Katharine Sells and other beach naturalists. Learn what lies beneath those rocks on the shore. Discover Pass required to park. Info: fobbsp.org. Summer Solstice Jamboree: Saturday, June 24, 9 a.m.–noon, Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Dance the mooring away. God/goddess costumes encouraged. $10 adults, $5 for 18 and under. Proceeds benefit the Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation scholarship program. Info: bbbparkandrec.com. Music at the Market: Saturday, June 24, 2–4 p.m., Blaine’s H Street Plaza. Singer/guitarist Jim Smith performs a great mix of well-known music from the 20th century. Info: 332-4544. Jr. Ranger Program: Saturday, June 24, 4 p.m., Wildlife Theater, Birch Bay State Park Rangers. For children of all ages. Learn exciting and cool things about nature and protecting our parks. Discover Pass required to park. Info: fobbsp.org. Read “GREEN” with Washington Tractor: Tuesday, June 27, 10:30– 11:30 a.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Nate from Washington Tractor will read a story and demonstrate his John Deere tractor in the north parking lot of the library. All ages welcome. Info: 305-3637. Blaine Beautification Day: Thursday, June 29, 9 a.m.–noon. Join city employees and community members to help spruce up downtown Blaine for the 4th of July. Info and to volunteer: Debbie, 543-9982. Birch Bay Community Holiday Potluck: Sunday, July 2, noon, Bay Horizon Park, 8711 Gemini Street. Bring your favorite dish, your favorite beverage and your family and friends and celebrate Canada Day and the Fourth of July. Hosted by Water’s Edge Church. Info: watersedgewa.com. Blaine’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration: Tuesday, July 4, downtown Blaine. Pancake breakfast, show ‘n shine car show, arts and crafts street fair, parade, Plover ferry rides, live music, beer garden and fireworks. For complete schedule and locations, see ad on page 2. Blaine Chamber of Commerce Meeting: Wednesday, July 5, noon, Pastime Bar & Eatery, 658 Peace Portal Drive. Speaker: Dan Persse with Let’s Move Blaine!. Info: blainechamber.com. Killer Queen: Friday and Saturday, July 7–8, 8 p.m., The Pacific Showroom, The Skagit Casino Resort. Info: theskagit.com

Ongoing Birch Bay Activity Center Events: 7511 Gemini Street, Birch Bay. Pound Fit, pickleball, yoga, Country Heat and Total Barre Basics. Days and times: bbbparkandrec.com. Zumba, Line Dance, Country Heat and Yoga Classes: Blaine Pavilion, 763 G Street, Blaine. Sponsored by BBBPRD2. Info: bbbparkandrec.com. AA Meetings: Monday and Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, noon; Wednesday, 7 p.m. (women only); Saturday, 11 a.m., United Church of Christ, 885 4th Street, Blaine. Pound Fit: Monday and Wednesday, 6 p.m., Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Childcare provided. $5 drop-in fee. Alzheimer/Dementia/Memory Loss Caregiver and Care Partners Support Group: First Tuesday of the month, 1:30–3 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street, Blaine. Info: 671-3316. Shotokan Karate: Tuesday 5–6 p.m. and Thursday 4:30–6 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street, Birch Bay. $40/month. Info: 656-6416. Peer to Peer Grief Support: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Sunrise Baptist Church high school room, 2480 W. Badger Road, Custer. Info: 360/350-8089. Birch Bay Toastmasters Club: Tuesday 6:30–7:45 p.m., Windermere building, second floor, Birch Bay Square, 8105 Birch Bay Square Street. Learn leadership and communication skills. Info: toastmasters.org. Al-Anon Meetings: Wednesdays, 1–2 p.m., Free Church Unitarian, 1218 Harrison, Blaine. Info: 332-6062. Semiahmoo Men’s Breakfast: First and third Thursdays, 8 a.m., Palmer Room, Semiahmoo Golf Course clubhouse. Breakfast ($15) and a speaker. Toddler Time: Thursdays, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Bring a lunch or snack and let the kids run around the gym before naptime. Free. Blaine Weight Watchers: Thursdays, 5–6 p.m., 580 C Street, Blaine. Alaska Packers Museum: Friday–Sunday, 1–5 p.m., Semiahmoo Park. Free admission, donations welcome. Info: 371-3558. Buddy Break: Free respite program for families with special needs kids. Second Saturdays, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Birch Bay Bible Community Church, 4460 Bay Road. Reservations required. Info: 371-2300. Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

June 22 - 28, 2017 • thenorthernlight.com

Guided exploration at Point Whitehorn this weekend B y A ly ss a E va n s Community members can explore Point Whitehorn Marine Park in a hands-on setting this weekend. The annual What’s the Point beach exploration event goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, at the park, which is south of Birch Bay State Park. Admission is free and open to all ages. Participants will be able to learn about intertidal creatures and seaweeds, birds, native plants, forest ecology, and local geology from naturalists, who will lead tours and answer questions. Children may play naturalist Bingo while hunting for plants and animals. They will also be able to explore tidepools with storytellers. There will also be a booth with touchable marine animal pelts. Point Whitehorn Marine Park features a 0.75-mile trail that goes through forested wetland and includes views at the top of the bluff overlooking the beach and the Strait of Georgia. The

trail is wheelchair accessible. The 54-acre park is part of the 227-acre Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve. Whatcom Land Trust took possession of the park in 2007 and transfered the land to Whatcom County Parks and Recreation. The trust has a conservation easement over the park, meaning the park has long-term protection. Whatcom Land Trust and Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee sponsor the event. The Marine Life Center, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation and RE Sources for Sustainable Communities are partners of the event. Participants are asked to bring picnic lunches and drinking water, outdoor clothing, sturdy shoes, waterproof sunscreen and bags to take trash out of the park. Pets should be left at home, as the park does not allow dogs. Those interested are asked to RSVP at facebook.com/ events/139319099952828/.

A tidepooler explores the beach at Point Whitehorn during What’s the Point.

Photo courtesy of Whatcom Land Trust

Whatcom County Sheriff’s reports: May 28-June 2 May 28, 8:07 a.m.: Vandalism cold

rested and cited for operating with

call on Jackson Road.

license suspended third degree.

May 28, 3:24 p.m.: Custodial in-

May 31, 5:39 p.m.: Hot rod on Har-

terference cold call on Birch Bay

borview Road.

Square Street.

June 1, 8:53 a.m.: Motor vehicle ac-

May 28, 4:05 p.m.: Theft on Birch

cident non-blocking, non-injury on

Bay Square Street.

Treevue Road.

May 28, 10:03 p.m.: Domestic phys-

June 1, 11:38 a.m.: Suicidal subject

ical on Morningside Drive, Blaine

on Loomis Trail Road.

man, 26, cited for assault fourth de-

June 1, 5:55 p.m.: Traffic stop at

gree.

Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Bellingham

May 29, 5:41 a.m.: Motor vehicle

man, 54, arrested and cited for op-

accident

Kickerville

erating with license suspended third

Road and Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

degree and cited for failing to renew

Blaine man, 18, cited for passing in a

expired registration and operating a

no passing zone.

motorcycle without helmet.

May 29, 8:27 a.m.: Vandalism cold

June 1, 6:19 p.m.: Traffic stop on

call on Seashell Way.

Birch Bay-Lynden Road and Portal

May 29, 10:03 p.m.: Serve warrant

Way. Bellingham man, 26, cited for

on Second Street.

driving with license suspended third

May 29, 10:26 p.m.: Counterfeit on

degree and operating a motor vehi-

Blaine Road.

cle without insurance.

May 30, 12:20 p.m.: Death investi-

June 1, 9:10 p.m.: Traffic stop on

gation cold call on Sunrise Road.

Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Ferndale

May 30, 12:47 p.m.: Theft on Birch

man, 24, arrested and cited for driv-

Bay Square Street.

ing with license suspended third de-

May 30, 1:28 p.m.: Shots on Park-

gree and cited for operating a mo-

land Drive.

tor vehicle without insurance.

May 30, 3:55 p.m.: Traffic stop on

June 2, 8:34 a.m.: Vandalism cold

Birch Bay-Lynden Road and Blaine

call on Birch Bay Drive.

Road. Bellingham resident, 42, ar-

June 2, 12:45 p.m.: Civil problem

rested and cited for operating with

cold call on Masterson Road.

license suspended third degree and

June 2, 1:23 p.m.: Theft cold call on

cited for operating a motor vehicle

Birch Bay Drive.

without insurance.

June 2, 5:18 p.m.: Burglary cold call

May 30, 4:14 p.m.: Civil problem

on Gemini Street.

cold call on Birch Bay Drive.

June

May 30, 6:36 p.m.: Traffic stop at

cious

circumstances

milepost 276, I-5. Blaine man, 56, ar-

Bay-Lynden Road.

blocking

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