The Northern Light_February 21 by Point Roberts Press

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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay

February 22 - 28, 2018

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IN THIS

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Photos from Bite of Blaine, page 10

Kindergarten registration day is March 15, page 3

Blaine wrestlers compete at state Mat Classic, page 7

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

Healthy Youth District 42 lawmakers field questions at Blaine forum Coalition outlines goals at meeting By Oliver Lazenby

(See School, page 6)

s From l.: state senator Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale), Luanne Van Werven (R-Lynden) and Vincent Buys (R-Lynden) fielded questions from residents at a town hall meeting on February 17 at the Blaine Senior Center. The city has requested state funding for two large infrastructure projects that would create an I-5/Exit 274 interchange and extend utilities to east Blaine.

By Meg Olson Washington state legislators representing the 42nd district chose Blaine to meet with Whatcom County voters, share their progress and ask for feedback. Mayor Bonnie Onyon welcomed the delegation, thanking them for choosing Blaine as the location for their February 17 town hall meeting as well as for their efforts to get Blaine projects on the state legislative agenda. “The southbound exit (at milepost 274) is really important for

us as well as extending utilities into east Blaine,” she said, reporting on several trips to Olympia to lobby for funds. “We work together as a team,” said representative Luanne Van Werven, referring to the trio of Republican lawmakers. “Everything we do is with Whatcom County in mind.” Serving on the house transportation, higher education and public safety committees, Van Werven said the funds for the new interchange in Blaine were in the budget last year but were vetoed by governor Jay Inslee. “It’s a new day and I

Come June, play disc golf in Lincoln Park B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Lincoln Park will soon be the site of a new 18-hole disc golf course. On February 12, Blaine City Council approved the allocation of $7,489 to purchase 20 disc golf baskets, two for putting practice, to be installed at Lincoln Park on D Street. Blaine community planner Alex Wenger said he hopes to unveil the new 18-holedisc golf course at the park in June. “I’m really excited about this,” Wenger said. “I think it’s going to be a big deal.”

Similar to golf, disc golf players count strokes each time they throw a disc. Discs are thrown from a tee pad and players take turns until they finish the hole or the basket. The player with the fewest total throws wins the game. “Kids can play it and senior citizens can play it,” Wenger said. “Bring your [disc] to the park and that’s all you need.” The idea for the disc golf course was raised in 2011, when the city’s park and cemetery board approved the Lincoln Park Plan. At the time, the 27-acre park

contained walking trails that were in “adequate condition” but required vegetation management. English Ivy that posed a “serious” threat to trees in the park. The plan called for trail restoration, improved safety, entrance design, trash receptacles, parking access, picnic areas and play equipment – including a disc golf course – among other things. “Lincoln Park is a great place to take a walk and get some exercise,” read a de(See Disc golf, page 2)

Photo by Meg Olson

think we have a better project,” she said. Senator Doug Ericksen said they would be looking for $500,000 for an interchange justification study, a prerequisite to federal funding, and up to $13 million in state matching funds. Representative Vincent Buys, who serves as ranking member of the house agriculture and natural resources committee, said he had been focused on “working for a fair and equitable solution so people in (See Town hall, page 3)

INSIDE

At its most recent meeting on February 15, the Blaine-Birch Bay Healthy Youth Coalition outlined how local groups could come together to tackle youth mental health issues. The coalition, which formed late last year, hopes to bring together people from various “community sectors;” youth, parents, law enforcement, civic and volunteer groups, businesses, healthcare professionals, media, schools, youth-serving organizations, religious and fraternal organizations, government and substance abuse organizations. The sectors were well represented at the meeting held at the Birch Bay Activity Center, which organizers said drew about 75 attendees (the meeting doubled as the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting). “It looks like we have 10 sectors here which points out what a healthy and positive force this coalition could be,” said Rod Schofield, who spoke at the meeting and consults for the coalition. Blaine School District superintendent Ron Spanjer and Bellingham-based life coach for teens Jamie Shannon also spoke at the meeting. Spanjer shared school district initiatives to provide social and emotional support for students, many of which the district has already taken on since getting results from the statewide 2016 Healthy Youth Survey last May. Fifty-three percent of Blaine High School seniors who took that survey reported feeling depressed in the previous year and 30 percent reported considering suicide. The district’s initiatives include an anonymous tip line, increased mental health training for district staff and a push to create more student clubs. The number of students enrolled in clubs doubled at the high school this year. “So many of these initiatives are about helping kids build positive relationships,” Spanjer said. Shannon, a teen life coach, spoke about

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

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The Northern Light • February 22 - 28, 2018

Disc golf ... From page 1

scription in the Lincoln Park Plan. “By adding a few pieces of fitness equipment and a disc golf course, people could come to the park and experience nature while getting a good work out.” The park and cemetery board has budgeted up to $20,000 for the disc golf course, Wenger said. They’ve already designed the layout of the first nine holes and volunteers from Whatcom Disc Golf Club have played a large part in the planning process. “They’ve been great,” Wenger said. “This has been a really special and unique project for the Whatcom Disc Golf Club to help with,” said the group’s president Ryan

s An aerial view of Lincoln Park.

Klassen in an email. “As a club, we have been trying for years to find more and adequate places to play, so we are really excited for this opportunity.” Klassen said that he and other volunteers offered to help the city plan the layout of the course to ensure it minimizes impact to the park and current park users. “This has been a lot of work, mostly due to the invasive ivy covering a majority of the park,” he said. For the last several weeks, the nonprofit has hosted work parties at the park to cut back ivy and prepare. “We’re looking forward to the grand opening of the disc golf course and the chance to play this new remarkable course once the work is done,” he said. “We’re hopeful that once complete, the city of Blaine will have one of the best and most northern disc golf courses in the continental United States.” The city’s new disc golf baskets will likely be installed in April or

May, when the weather improves, Wenger said. Volunteers are welcome to help and a work party schedule will be released closer to the installation date. Wenger said Lincoln Park is one of two designated off-leash dog parks in Blaine; the new course will not change that rule. “The new disc golf course has been carefully designed to not impact the primary perimeter walking trails and primary north/ south trail,” he said in an email. “A great deal of effort went into locating the tee pads and baskets so that people walking on trails will not be affected by disc golfers. The course does cross a few internal trails and signage will be posted where appropriate, but the park will remain completely open to everyone, including dogs.” To learn more about Whatcom Disc Golf Club, email whatcomdisc@gmail.com or search “Whatcom Disc Golf Club” on Facebook.

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February 22 - 28, 2018 • thenorthernlight.com

Blaine painter debuts recent work

WSDOT starts improvement project at I-5 in Blaine B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Between now and June, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will upgrade highway barriers in 12 locations along six different highways, including Interstate-5, State Route 539 and State Route 21. On February 21, crews started the project between Peace Portal Drive and D Street in Blaine. Contractors from Petersen Brothers were hired to change the

current three-rope cable barriers to a four-rope system, according to WSDOT. The cable barrier improvements, in addition to new posts, fittings and hardware, will decrease the chances of a vehicle going over or under the barrier. “While work will take place in the medians, there will be the need for some lane closures,” read the WSDOT statement. Crews started work in Blaine at 7 p.m. on February 21 and are expected to complete the project by March 1.

During this time, left lanes of I-5 will close in both directions to make room for a safe work zone, said WSDOT. “Please be sure to be safe and focused around work zones, for your safety as well as the workers,” said WSDOT. “While the cable barriers are designed to keep you safe, we would prefer that you never have to use them.” To learn more, visit wsdot.wa.gov/northwest/construction/.

S Blaine resident Georgia Donovan is the new featured artist at Avellino Coffee House, located at 1329 Railroad Avenue in Bellingham. Ten of her most recent paintings are on display, including “Not Her First Rodeo,” an acrylic on canvas, pictured. “Coffee shops are the perfect venue for my paintings which usually tell a story and often have a whimsical twist. People lingering over a cup of coffee have time to enjoy and connect with the art,” she said. Her work is also featured at The Starfish Café at Semiahmoo Marina, the Whatcom Art Market and online at fineartamerica.com.

Blaine Primary School to host registration day B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Parents of soon-to-be kindergartens can come out for Blaine Primary School’s registration day event from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 15. Staff will help parents register their children for kindergarten at Blaine Primary School, located at

Town hall ... From page 1

Whatcom County could use their wells,” in the wake of a Supreme Court decision that found the county failed to follow state requirements to protect water resources. Buys said the delegation was working to help small businesses in the county. “One of the goals for all three of us was to look at duplicate regulations and get them out of the way,” Buys said. Buys also sponsored legislation to make it easier for food trucks to do business and Van Werven sponsored a bill to push back the filing date for state business and occupation taxes. Ericksen discussed on his efforts to protect taxpayers from a big tax increase in 2018. He has introduced a bill to delay a state education tax increase until next year when local school districts tax levies will be decreased. The current state plan is to increase taxes this year while local school districts continue to collect taxes at the same level for one more year. Ericksen said his proposal would save taxpayers a billion dollars, which the state can afford with projected increased revenues due to a stronger economy. “With an extra $3 billion coming in we can fully fund schools and there’s no need to increase taxes,” he said. One audience member asked “If you have a billion extra dollars, isn’t it better to put it away for the lean years?” Ericksen responded that with a healthy ending fund balance from 2017 and a “rainy day fund” also in place the lean years are adequately covered. “A dollar is much safer in your pocket than it is in the hands of the state treasurer,” he added. Another audience member suggested after years of inadequate funding, the state’s public schools needed the extra funds now. “I’m not sure schools can

820 Boblett Street. Children must turn age five on or before August 31, 2018 to be eligible for the 2018-19 school year. Parents must bring a copy of their child’s birth certificate and updated immunization records to register. “We look forward to meeting our new fall kindergarten famiabsorb that much money at one time,” Van Werven said. In the wake of the recent school shooting in Florida, audience members wanted to know what steps legislators would take to curb school shootings. “We don’t have a gun problem we have a problem, with people who shouldn’t have guns,” Van Werven said, suggesting mental health issues were the real problem, and pointing to “psychotropic drugs and violent video games” as the culprits. An audience member suggested bullying and social isolation were to blame, saying “We need to teach them to be good friends.” Van Werven recommended increasing school security. “We guard what we value and what we value the most is our children,” she said. “What will it take to make sure there is an armed guard in every school.” “That’s your plan?” asked a frustrated local mother, pointing out there were two armed officers at the Florida school. Ericksen suggested there needed to be a balance between security and freedom. “Nobody wants to live in a totalitarian state where you have to go through a checkpoint to get into an elementary school,” he said. Asked about governor Jay Inslee’s proposal to institute the first state carbon tax in the nation, all three legislators were opposed. “It’s going to hurt the people who can least afford it and will bring insignificant change to our climate,” Van Werven said. Ericksen agreed, saying the carbon tax was unfair due to numerous exemptions, such as jet fuel. “So what can we do about climate change?” asked audience member. Buys said that “the number one thing we can do is manage our forests,” suggesting forests fires “put more into the atmosphere than anything a carbon tax will ever do.” Buys also said that, rich with hydroelectric energy, Washington should encourage investment in infrastructure and a tax policy

lies,” said Blaine Primary School secretary and registrar Dawn Corcorran in an email. “If you have any questions or concerns about kindergarten registration, you may call the Blaine Primary School office at 360/332-1300.” Learn more about Blaine Primary School by visiting blaine. wednet.edu/bps/Welcome.

Photo courtesy of Georgia Donovan

s State senator Doug Ericksen speaks to a constituent at the Blaine Senior Center. Photo by Meg Olson

that will encourage businesses to come here. “They can build their product greener here than in the midwest or China,” he said.

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How long in business: Two years in March. Description of the business: We are a microbrewery; we brew and distribute Belgian- and French-inspired farmhousestyle ales such as saisons, sour ales and barrel-aged ales. How the business started: The business was founded in 2015, with a buildout of the brewery completed in early 2016. Our first brew day was March 18, 2016. Our first wholesale, to Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, and our first retail sale, at the Bellingham Farmers Market, both occurred on May 14, 2016. Future goals: We want to have a taproom in downtown Blaine in the next several years; grow enough ingredients to be able to produce some 100% estate-grown beers; continue to promote the value of pairing food and beer; and work with other local restaurants, farmers, processors and other small businesses to create a strong economy and community. Featured businesses are selected randomly from the Blaine Community Chamber of Commerce membership.

This is a monthly feature sponsored by the Blaine Community Chamber of Commerce www.blainechamber.com • (360) 332-4544 • Join the chamber today ... membership has its privileges!

The Northern Light • February 22 - 28, 2018

Opinion

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.

In search of the Holy Grail?

Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Stefanie Donahue stefanie@pointrobertspress.com

s Garth Baldwin, a Blaine resident and owner of Drayton Archaeology, recently partnered with the History Channel to investigate a 4,000-mile route going from Paris to Jerusalem by the Knights Templar, a Catholic order active between 1129 and 1312. Baldwin and host Mikey Kay document their trek on a four-part series titled, “Buried: Knights Templar and the Holy Grail.” To watch the series online, visit bit.ly/2nrn6lV. Pictured: Baldwin, third from left, with his cast and crew.

Letters

Copy Editor Kara Spencer kara@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Janet McCall Catherine Darkenwald sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com Contributors In This Issue: Oliver Hamlin The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200 Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXIII, No 35 Circulation: 10,500 copies

The Editor: Be on the lookout for petitions for I-1600 – Universal Healthcare for Washington State. The measure would provide for the establishment of a comprehensive state non-profit program to pay for healthcare for all Washington residents. Rather than the 12-15 percent of salaries individuals now pay to for-profit insurers, the Medical Care Trust would be funded by premiums and assessments on employers, individuals and capital gains, to make individuals pay 8.5 percent, a huge savings and held separate from the general fund! Gone would be profit margin based denials, the lawyers who we must fight for implementation of policies we have paid for, those who divide citizens into acceptable risk pools, or premiums we pay that yield dividends for Wall Street investors. Say goodbye to huge CEO salaries, masses

of offices workers who have to process paperwork for multiple for-profit companies, and Charge Master lists that require negotiation for coverage of hospital procedures. Goodbye multiple competing computer software company programs that process patient records, because there would be one integrated system. Good thing I-1600 includes retraining of displaced personnel. Did you know Toronto General Hospital has only two insurance processor personnel? With our large medical infrastructure already in place, I-1600 would save Washington multiple millions to add to our economy and education, long term benefits for short term adjustments. Donna Starr Blaine The Editor: This is in response to Mr. Skibsrud’s let-

Photo courtesy of Garth Baldwin

ter last week. When I moved to Blaine 14 years ago, I contacted city hall about riding my horses in Lincoln Park. I was told that I can ride anywhere on city property, without worrying about dogs, because Blaine has a leash law. While Whatcom County has a voice-control option, each municipality makes their own law in that regard. Blaine is not a leash-option city. Since then, an off-leash area was established at Skallman Park, approximately a half mile from Lincoln Park. While on my way to, and inside Lincoln Park, I have been chased by dogs, yelled at by the owners, and occasionally politely told that I shouldn’t ride in the “only” offleash park. I can’t seem to get anyone to (Continued on next page) Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Civic Meetings

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Next issue: Mar. 1 Ads due: Feb. 23

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 Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 4 p.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-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Birch Bay Chamber Office, 7900 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay. Info: blainebirchbayparkandrec.org.

Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info: blaine.wednet.edu. North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 1 p.m. Blaine Fire Station. Info: nwfrs.net.

February 22 - 28, 2018 • thenorthernlight.com (Continued from previous page) understand that they are in the wrong park. I hope the city puts up some signs, and enforces the leash law throughout the city. Roxanne Hooper Blaine The Editor: Do we need a destination offroad vehicle/all-terrain vehicle park on Sumas or Red mountains in east Whatcom County? If you ask the local residents the answer is a resounding no! The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been working on a Baker to Bellingham Recreation Plan which includes opening up a section of Sumas and Red mountains DNR timber lands to ORV/ATV machines. This plan is dangerous. These forested areas become very dry in the summer and so

are vulnerable to forest fire. The local firefighting system is primarily overburdened as well as the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department. There is no additional provision or support for these areas proposed. These forested lands are home to many of our wild critters and potential habitat for endangered Marbled Murrelets. The mountains host many feeder streams for our local salmon streams and rivers. It is ill advised because the local residents overwhelmingly do not want ORVs and ATVs on these mountains and are concerned about the noise, pollution and disruption to the peaceful areas. They do support all kinds of non-motorized recreation. You can find out about this plan at the DNR Baker to Bellingham Recreation Plan website. Oh, and the DNR has asked the county to amend the law to

allow motorized trail systems for all commercial forest zones in Whatcom County. You can write to them expressing your opinion or show up when it is introduced to the council. Do we really want this? Pam Borso Custer The Editor: Thank you so much for adding “Highlights from Olympia: How did your elected representatives vote?” to the pages of The Northern Light. This is useful and timely information for all of our 42nd district voters. Alice Brown Birch Bay The Editor: A short while ago a surprise sprang up for residents living in the foothills of Sumas and Red Mountain. They discovered that Department of Natural Resourc-

es (DNR) is asking the county to rezone this forestry land to allow motorized off-road vehicle (ORV) trails throughout this DNR land. This request from DNR comes at the request of a very active minority group of ORV users. They have been organized and vocal, working on this for the past two years. If anyone has been to Canada where these activities are allowed, you will see that the land is trashed and devastated with much erosion and packed soils. Their activities are noisy and destructive to the nature they invade. Many years ago, the Whatcom County Council voted to forbid this activity on land zoned for commercial forestry; we must keep it this way. As climate change occurs our public forest land becomes ever more vulnerable to even minor abuses and this activity is not minor. Fires,

erosion and landslides are possible consequences of such offroad activity. Even if a re-zone were done there will be scant resources for oversight and enforcement of any regulations made to monitor the harmful activity. The proposal for a zoning amendment before the council is PLN-2018-0004. We can stop this request in its tracks if enough Whatcom County residents speak out. Call, write or email your county council member to speak out against this request by DNR. If our county council hears from enough concerned citizens, they have the option of not even considering the application. The most important meeting to attend is the council meeting on Tuesday, February 27. Speak out! Ronna Loerch Everson

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Acclaimed pianist Bob Milne has entertained presidents, generals and dignitaries in the US and abroad and next month, he’ll play in Blaine for the third year in a row to raise money for the local public library. Milne will return to perform ragtime, boogie-woogie piano tunes at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 16 at the Performing Arts Center, 975 H Street. The event is a benefit for the Friends of the Blaine Library. Milne, 76, took up playing the piano in the mid-1960s and never looked back. Learning to play piano came naturally to him and he learned solely by ear. To this day, he never practices before a performance. In 2004, he was declared a National Treasure by the Library of Congress. He also served as a music ambassador for the US Department of State. Debby Farmer, an ex–officio member Friends of the Blaine Library, said Milne’s performances always raise a significant amount of money for Friends of the Blaine Library, which is raising money to expand or rebuild Blaine’s 30-year-old library

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The Northern Light • February 22 - 28, 2018

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s Blaine school district superintendent Ron Spanjer (bottom left) spoke at the Blaine-Birch Bay Healthy Youth Coalition’s monthly meeting on February 15 at the Birch Bay Activity Center.

School ... From page 1

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Vivian is a long time member of the club. She loves to get her homework done and spend time with her friends! Whenever there is a problem Vivian is the first to offer a positive solution to help make things better. The staff know that we can count on Vivian to be a great example!

360-380-1800 2055 Vista Dr. Ferndale

we’d be hard-pressed to say that didn’t have to do with how much they live behind their phones,” she said. Shannon has some of her clients do a 30-day social media detox; the result, she said, is an average of two hours less per day than before the detox. She also recommended apps that can limit or track smart phone use, including Freedom and Moment. Since its last meeting, the Healthy Youth Coalition named nine board members: Iain Bu-

chanan, Laura Marshall, James Danger, Matt Durkee, Joyce Dippold, Brian Gilbert, Harley Ridings and Jesse and Erika Creydt. The coalition also hosts a weekly teen night every Monday from 5-9 p.m. at the Pizza Factory in Blaine. Teen night features prizes, music, games and free pizza. The Pizza Factory is matching community donations for pizza. Community members can donate pizzas in person at the Pizza Factory or by calling 360/332-3636.

Meeting regarding the Blaine high school stadium scheduled for March 1 By Oliver Lazenby The Blaine School District is hosting an informational community meeting about the high school stadium complex at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 1 in the district office boardroom at 765 H Street. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the project’s history, options for renovating the stadium, project scope and timeline, and the option of including field turf in an update. The district encourages parents,

staff and community members to attend the meeting. The district planned to upgrade the stadium and grandstands as part of the $45 million bond that voters passed in February 2015, but the school board cut that project when bids for the high school remodel came in over budget in June 2016. Updating the stadium will be a top priority with levy money if voters pass the $12 million school levy in an April 24 special election. For more information, contact the district office at 360/332-5881.

February 22 - 28, 2018 • thenorthernlight.com

Sports Westfall wrestles to 3rd for Blaine at Mat Classic Blaine places 13th as a team at the state wrestling tournament By Oliver Lazenby Blaine’s Jacob Westfall took third place in the 182-pound weight class and led the Borderites to a 13th place team finish at the Mat

Classic – the state high school wrestling tournament – on February 16-17 at the Tacoma Dome. Westfall, a junior, beat two wrestlers who placed in state last year and pinned his opponent in the third-place match. “He wrestled like a madman the whole second day,” Blaine head coach Colt Warren said. “It was quite the performance.”

Blaine wrestlers faced tough competition from schools outside their conference and region and fell short of their team goal of placing in the top eight in the 2A division, Warren said. “The teams from Eastern Washington definitely brought some fire power,” he said. “It wasn’t tougher than we expected, but it definitely was tough.”

Six of the top 10 schools came from Eastern Washington. White River High School, outside Enumclaw, won the team title. Blaine placed better than all its 2A Northwest Conference opponents; Burlington-Edison, the next best Northwest Conference school, placed 17th. Blaine junior Aidan Button wrestled his way to a fifth place finish in the 152-pound class and senior Chase DuBois ended his high school wrestling career with a 7th

place finish in the 160-pound class. Caleb Bullard, Porter Schmidt, Saul Magallon and Josy Delgadillo also wrestled at the event but fell short of placing. Magallon, a returning state champion at 195 pounds, wasn’t “at full health,” Warren said. Though the Borderites hoped to place higher, Warren said the team is looking forward to next year. “It’s been a fun year and I want to thank the community for all the support this year,” he said. BUY ONE COMBINATION MEAL (Lunch or Dinner) WITH PURCHASE OF 2 DRINKS & GET 2ND COMBINATION MEAL (of equal or lesser value)

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s Chase DuBois hugs assistant coach Nate Button after winning the 5th place match for the 160 pound weight class.

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758 Peace Portal Drive Blaine 332-4045 s Jacob Westfall prepares to throw an opponent. He placed 3rd in the 182 pound weight class. Photos by Oliver Hamlin

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Come discover your next outdoor adventure Bellingham, WA - Saturday, February 24th

s Jacob Westfall.

s From l.: Chase DuBois, Jacob Westfall and Aidan Button celebrate after their matches.

New coaches abound for spring sports By Oliver Lazenby New faces will greet many Blaine High School athletes at tryouts this spring. Due to a variety of circumstances, the district replaced five out of seven varsity head coaches for the upcoming sports season, school district athletic director Sean Linville said. “It’s a challenge to try to find that many varsity coaches for one season but I think we’ve got good people,” he said. “We were lucky that some of the coaches had already been in the programs as JV coaches and they wanted to step up.” Tanner Olson will replace Linville to coach the baseball team this season; Linville is becoming the district’s athletic director. Olson was an assistant coach at Ferndale High School last season and is security staff at the Blaine School District. Assistant coach Larry Hoffman, who coached with Linville for the past 14 years, also left the program. Hoffman is taking over as

Ferndale fire chief later this year and no longer has time to coach, Linville said. Nancy Williams is the new varsity softball coach, replacing Alisa Burk. Williams coached the JV softball team last year; she’s also an assistant basketball coach. Ryan Pike, girls basketball head coach, will lead the girls golf team this year. He’s taking over for former coach Laura Vincent. Rick Shockey, a career counselor at Blaine High School, replaced Steve Barthlow as boys golf coach. Fryth Rasar has assisted coaching the track team since 1991 but this year will be her first as head coach. Rasar also took over as head cross country coach this fall. Former track and cross country coach Carey Bacon retired last year after 30 years working for the school district. Head tennis coach John Freal and head boys soccer coach Gio Quesada are both returning to their positions. Spring sports start on Monday, February 26.

The Northern Light • February 22 - 28, 2018

Learn about hobby farming at an expo on February 24 B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Learn about growing your own food or owning a small farm business at an expo this weekend. Whatcom Conservation District and Whatcom County Public Works are partnering to host a free exhibition for small hobby farmers from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 24 at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center, located at 1775 Front Street in Lynden. The expo will feature hands-on exhibitions, a lineup of products and services and seminars led by experts in the field. More than 35 organizations representing tractor suppliers, agronomists, veterinarians, butchers, master composters, solar providers, financial resources for farmers and more have committed to attending this year, according to a press release. Seminars will be led by local veterinarians, financial advisors and horticulturalists throughout the day. From noon to 1 p.m., author and professor of geomorpholo-

s Small Farm Expo 2017.

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gy at the University of Washington Dr. David Montgomery will lead a keynote address. Known for his books, “Growing a Revolution: Bringing our Soil Back to Life,” “The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health” and “Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations,” Montgomery will discuss how agriculture can abate environmental problems. The event was created to bring exhibitors, farmers and visitors together and allow them to discover new resources for crop productivity, animal health and more, according to the press release. Guests will have the chance to purchase food and refreshments from Good to Go Meat Pies. Free tarps and soil tests will also be available to qualified farmers, while supplies last. To learn more, search “Small Farm Expo” on Facebook or visit whatcomcd.org/ small-farm-expo. Questions can also be directed to Whatcom Conservation District education specialist Aneka Sweeney at 360/5262381, extension 103.

Windermere Real Estate welcomes new agents Donna Sherwood, l., and Greg Flint, r., are the latest to join the team at Windermere Real Estate’s office at 8105 Birch Bay Square Street. Office manager Tami Dockter said Sherwood and Flint each have 26 years of experience working in the real estate industry. To learn more, visit bit. ly/2EFgcUq.

Small

Free Event !

Farm Expo

Saturday, February 24th 9am-2pm Haggen Expo Building, NW WA Fairgrounds www.whatcomcd.org/small-farm-expo

• Keynote speaker: David Montgomery • Talks every 30 minutes • Over 35 exhibitors • Soil & compost demos • Veterinary & ag experts

Something for every type of farmer!

It’s Free!

Home and Garden Show slated for March 2–4 With spring just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start a home or garden project. For inspiration, consider stopping by the 39th Annual Whatcom County Home and Garden Show. Hosted by the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County (BIAWC), the event will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 2; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 3; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 4 (Continued on next page)

February 22 - 28, 2018 • thenorthernlight.com

A run-down of early-blooming spring flowers The arrival of spring is a welcome occurrence for many people. Spring flowers can cheer up winter-weary people just when they need it most and can provide reassurance that brighter, warmer and longer hours of sunlight are just around the corner. Cold-tolerant flowers are hardy enough to start blooming before the last frosts have dissipated. Other flowers will begin to fill in as days warm a little bit more, according to Better Homes and Gardens. Home gardeners looking to warm up their gardens with early blooms can use these flowers in their early-season containers, window boxes and planting beds. Pansies – Pansies prefer cool weather, making them one of the best flowers to plant in early spring and late fall. Pansies come in a variety of colors, so they will blend with any homeowners’ landscape design. Creeping phlox – Also known as “moss phlox,” creeping phlox is a low ground cover that is a herbaceous perennial. Phlox produces small, fragrant flowers in dense clusters, which can attract wildlife, such as butterflies, to their mats across the soil surface. Snowdrops – Snowdrops can peek out even when there is snow on the ground. But their name is actually a reference to their appearance, as snowdrops

Did you know? Rain barrels provide an eco-friendly opportunity to repurpose rain water while helping homeowners conserve water and save money. But homeowners must exercise caution when using rain barrels in their lawns and gardens. Water collected by rain

have three white petals that hang down like drops dripping off the stem. Violets – These flowers are closely related to pansies and prefer cool seasons. Violets are generally slightly smaller than pansy blooms, but they can be just as beautiful. As with pansies, violets will start to fade when the heat arrives. Crocus – Crocus plants are relatively small, only reaching 3-6 inches in height. However, their grass-like leaves are some of the first sprouts that can be seen among bulb and corm plantings. Preferring full-to-partial sun, these gold, purple, lavender, white or yellow flowers can be enjoyed during the earliest days of spring. Daffodil – Daffodil bulbs produce cheerful, yellow flowers in early spring. They’re one of the most recognizable flowers thanks to their familiar shape and fragrant aroma. Lenten rose – Hellebores, also called the Lenten rose or Christmas rose, can tolerate light frosts. These blooms get their name from the time of year when they bloom, which is typically around Lent. Despite their name, these delicate flowers are not actually related to roses. Early-blooming flowers give winter-weary gardeners hope that spring has arrived.

water should never be used for drinking, cooking or bathing. Pet owners should know that water collected by rain barrels also should not be used to bathe pets. Rain barrel lids should also be tightly secured to prevent mosquito infestations. Secure rain barrels to also protect children and pets from falling in. Overflow valves should always direct water away from structures to pre-

vent water damage to homes or sheds. In addition, to reduce risk of falls and injury, homeowners should be certain that water is not directed toward sidewalks, driveways or other areas where foot traffic is common. Before winter, homeowners should disconnect their rain barrels from downspouts to prevent the formation of ice.

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(Continued from previous page) at the Northwest Washington Fair and Events Center in Lynden. This year, more than 225 vendors will be on the scene to display a wide variety of home and garden products. Industry experts, including Ciscoe Morris from TV show Gardening with Ciscoe, will also be around to offer tips on new products, unique ideas and tips to save time and money. Morris’ demonstration will take place at noon on Saturday, March 4 at the main stage, according to a press release from BIAWC. Prizes will also be up for grabs at the event. Guests must purchase tickets to attend. Tickets cost $8 for adults over age 16 and $7 for seniors over age 55. The event is free for children under age 16. To learn more, visit whatcomhomeshow. com or call 360/671-4247.

Offer ends 3/31/18

BRIM Lynden: Dan Courtney 360.354.4411 • cell 360.815.1792 350 S. Duffner Dr., Lynden • www.brimtractor.com

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JANUARY 13 - APRIL 9, 2018 Bellingham (360) 738-8175 www.LorrainesWindowCoverings.com * Manufacturer’s mail-in rebate offer valid for qualifying purchases made 1/13/18–4/9/18 from participating dealers in the U.S. only. A qualifying purchase is defi ned as a purchase of any of the product models set forth above in the quantities set forth above. If you purchase less than the specifi ed quantity, you will not be entitled to a rebate. Rebate will be issued in the form of a prepaid reward card and mailed within 4 weeks of rebate claim receipt. Funds do not expire. Subject to applicable law, a $2.00 monthly fee will be assessed against card balance 6 months after card issuance and each month thereafter. Additional limitations may apply. Ask participating dealer for details and rebate form. ©2018 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners.

The Northern Light • February 22 - 28, 2018

Bite of Blaine

February 19 at the Semiahmoo Resort ballroom Photos by Oliver Hamlin

The Blaine Chamber of Commerce raised approximately $14,000 at Bite of Blaine. The 18th annual event took place on February 19 at the Semiahmoo Resort ballroom and featured food from local restaurants and food purveyors as well as live and silent auctions. This year, Paso del Norte took home the ‘Best of the Bite – People’s Choice’ award and Black

Forest Steak House won ‘Best of the Bite – Judges’ Choice.’ The Blaine Senior Center won ‘Business of the Year.’ Bite of Blaine is the chamber’s largest fundraiser for Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration. Fireworks for the annual event usually cost around $20,000, while other costs such as advertising, music and supplies are an additional $15,000.

February 22 - 28, 2018 • thenorthernlight.com

NEXT ISSUE: March 1

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Class Applications will be accepted at our business office now through February 28, 2018. No applications will be accepted after February 28, 2018. Interviews for the class will be on March 2 & 3, 2018. Class will commence on March 12, 2018. If you have any questions regarding the class please call Dianna at 360-3321501 ext. 40220. Our business office is located at 456 C Street, Blaine, WA.

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SALARY: $13.25 Per hour CLOSING DATE: May 11, 2018 at 4:30 PM. Apply early, first review of applications February 23. Whatcom County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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The Northern Light • February 22 - 28, 2018

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 SUNDAY 12-3

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

OPEN DAILY 12-5

Country Club Villas

Semiahmoo Shore

5410 Snow Goose Ln #505 9424 Turnstone Ln #29 $309,000 Single story, end- $795,000 Mt. Baker &

Sale Pending

9404 Turnstone Ln #20 9146 Aerie Ln $1,079,000 Drayton Harbor $949,000 Gated, tranquil

unit condo. 2-BD, 2-BA unit also has a large office with French doors. Covered patio. Well maintained, high-end finishes. Crown molding, granite counters, ss appls. In picturesque Semiahmoo, enjoy a bite at the Great Blue Heron Bar & Grill and hit a quick bucket of balls on the driving range.

Drayton Harbor views. Pacific NW’s newest waterfront gated community on Semiahmoo Spit & walking distance to Marina, 4 Star Resort w/ Golf courses. Gas firepit, miles of beaches. Dir: Exit 270 West on Birch Bay Lynden Rd., R on Harborview, L on Lincoln Rd., to Semiahmoo Pkwy., Semiahmoo Shore on Left.

Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718

Lisa Kent 360-594-8034 Mike Kent 360-527-8901 Donna Sherwood 360-226-2176 B IR C H B AY O PEN HOUSES OPEN SATURDAY 12-3 OPEN SAT & SUN 2-4 OPEN SAT & SUN 2-4

OPEN SUNDAY 1-3

6963 Ocean Mist Dr $434,000 Natural light,

great room, main-floor master. Quartz counters over white cabinets, ss appls. Windowed laundry w/cabs. 2 generous guestrooms, loft & bath up. Den/office w/closet. Fenced back yard. Big garage room for work bench. Salish Breeze is blossoming into vibrant neighborhood, friendly folks enjoying community.

Brandi Coplen 360-201-3951

7714 Birch Bay Dr #409 $299,000 Top floor luxury

condo beachfront Grand Bay Resort Condos. 2-BD w/ vaulted ceilings +addl loft room +high windows for tons of light. Upscale interior, luxe master suite, deluxe kitchen, great room with spacious deck-all in the heart of Birch Bay. Steps to the Beach! Also includes custom hot tub, elevators.

Randy Weg 360-305-5704

OPEN SATURDAY 1-2:30

and Mt. Baker views. Guest Casita with private entry. Top-of-line finishes, hardware, flooring, full appl pkg. Hardwood flooring, linear fireplace, quartz countertops. Dir: Exit 270 West on Birch Bay Lynden Rd., R on Harborview, L on Lincoln Rd., to Semiahmoo Pkwy., Semiahmoo Shore on Left. MLS# 1200998

water front townhome with amazing views to marinas, cities and mountains. This turn key home offers 4-BD, 3.25-BA with over 4600 SF. Truly so many options to live freely while hosting family and friends. The perfect set up to enjoy a resort style living. Seller financing available. MLS#1232883

8133 Cowichan Rd 8149 Quinault Rd $292,500 3-BD, great loca- $519,900 4-BD, 2-BA in tion. Back yard patio, westerly golf course views! Near private beaches, clubhouse, swimming pool, sports courts and Birch Bay Village private marina. Unique chalet style cabin. Wood fireplace for cozy nights. Kitchen appliances, hot water heater replaced recently. Plenty of parking & room for your RV or boat.

View Home Site

8738 Charel Dr XXXX Semiahmoo Dr $599,000 JWR design w/ $330,000 Semiahmoo Bay

VIEW home site complete w/ pristine private saltwater beach access & sun. Minutes from Semiahmoo deep water moorage marina, restaurants, spa, health club, walking trails & Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club. Survey, neighborly HOA, water/electricity available, gorgeous westerly facing sunsets/sun exposure.

floor penthouse Suite “Marin” luxury 2-BD, 2-BA condo waterfront unit, 1802 SF unobstructed beachfront views. Rich hardwood, fir woodwrapped doors & windows, complete privacy, vaulted great room, granite countertops, chef’s kitchen, owner’s suite. Secure underground parking w/elevator service.

story 3-BD, 2-BA well cared for with new roof and exterior paint! Covered front porch and back patio with park-like grounds serve as a beautiful area to entertain. Hardwood floors, stainless appliances, granite. Spacious dining room and open kitchen floor plan with gas fireplace. Two car garage.

Lisa Viereck 360-348-8842

Lisa Viereck 360-348-8842 FERNDALE OPEN HOUSES OPEN SUNDAY 12-2

Lisa Sprague 360-961-0838

Brandi Coplen 360-201-3951

NEW CTION RU ONST

OPEN WEEKENDS 12-3

OPEN SATURDAY 12-4

8231 Chilliwack Rd $520,000 New 4-BD home

in private gated secure community of Birch Bay Village. ADA access throughout, 5’ swing in the custom shower wheelchair bathroom configuration. Great room with 12’ ceilings and sweeping green belt views, high levels of privacy. MLS #1215188

Billy Brown 360-220-7175 Billy Brown 360-220-7175

Jeff Carrington 360-220-3224

Call Hugh -360.371.5800

9535 Semiahmoo Pkwy #B303 8617 Blue Grouse Wy $750,000 Stunning top $449,900 Meticulous single

superb integration of architectural integrity, indoor/outdoor living spaces, high-end finishes & panoramic VIEWS of Semiahmoo Bay. Prime beach access w/ amenities of waterfront living! Skylights, vaulted ceilings & windows embrace natural light. Master retreat w/ bathroom on main, central AC, tankless H2O, & fireplace.

premier waterfront community. Brushed hickory floors, custom trim, exposed beams, quartz counters, tile, highend fixtures, linear fireplace, elegant master bath, ample storage. Covered entry & back yard entertainment area. Fully landscaped. Private golf course, marina, swimming pool, private beaches.

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

2124 Harksell Rd $395,000 Gated entrance

to gorgeous 5+ acre private park-like setting. Gardener’s paradise w/ fruit trees, dog kennel, chicken run & RV parking. Desirable floor plan, separated master, large updated kitchen, living room w/ wood stove, oversized garage. Gigantic insulated shop with 200 amp, ceiling fans, woodstove, 12x36 heated office.

Lorraine Hoving 360-961-2407

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www.CallHugh.com 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.

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February 22 - 28, 2018 • thenorthernlight.com

Registration Highlights from Olympia: How did opens for your elected representatives vote? amphibian project of the Washington Policy Center, WashingtonVotes.org issues monitoring and Aa periodic report of recent votes cast by state lawmakers in Olympia. Following are the votes cast in February by District 42 representatives identification Vincent Buys (R-Lynden) and Luanne Van Werven (R-Lynden) and state senator Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale). More details on the bills can training be found online at thenorthernlight.com.

Atwood Ales Farm Brewery offers a rare glimpse inside

B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e The Whatcom County Amphibian Monitoring Program (WCAMP) is offering a free training to people to identify amphibians and their eggs. Sponsored by the BP Cherry Point refinery, the training will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 24 at Birch Bay State Park’s BP Heron Center. Participants will learn how to identify the egg mass and adult forms of amphibians in lowland Whatcom County while exploring survey lands owned by BP. “Folks considering getting involved should be comfortable working in water, being outside in all types weather, and traversing uneven ground. Field work will be off-trail, with many obstructions,” according to WCAMP. Training is free, but participants are asked to provide at least 12 hours of volunteer time surveying for amphibians between February and May. Participants must be 18 or older. To learn more or to register for the training visit bit.ly/2ojpV8T. Contact Vikki Jackson at 360/319-6988 or vikki@whatfrogs.org with questions.

Rep. Vincent Buys (R-Lynden) Rep. Luanne Van Werven (R-Lynden)

N N

House Bill 1513: Concerning the collection of youth voter registration sign up information. Passed the House on February 12 by a vote of 52–46.

N N

House Bill 2595: Concerning procedures in order to automatically register citizens to vote. Passed the House on February 12 by a vote of 50–48.

N N

House Bill 2751: Concerning the deduction of union dues and fees. Passed the House on February 12 by a vote of 50–48.

Sen. Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale)

Senate Bill 6052: Eliminating the death penalty and instead requiring life imprisonment without possibility of release or parole as the sentence for aggravated first degree murder. Passed the Senate on February 14 by a vote of 26–22 with one member excused.

s Atwood Ales will offer free tours of their small-batch brewery on Sweet Road from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 24. As part of Washington Beer Open House, they’re joining more than 130 other breweries in the state to offer tours and samples as well as shirts and beer for purchase. Participants must register prior to the tour as space is limited to 20 people. To register, visit bit.ly/2EDh4sO. To learn more about Washington Beer Open House, visit bit. ly/2sGLpkz. Above: volunteer hop harvesters. Photo courtesy of Atwood Ales

Senate Bill 6079: Exempting public employee dates of birth from public disclosure requirements. Passed the Senate on February 10 by a vote of 25–22 with two members excused.

Senate Bill 6199: Concerning the individual provider employment administrator program. Passed the Senate on February 10 by a vote of 26–21 with two members excused.

Senate Bill 6353: Concerning procedures in order to automatically register citizens to vote. Passed the Senate on February 10 by a vote of 34–13 with two members excused.

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

DIRECTORY WHATCOM COUNTY

Legislative focus sharpens as cutoff deadline passes Lawmakers are eying the finish line for this year’s 60-day legislative session, after passing more than 550 bills out of their originating chambers in time for last Wednesday’s cutoff deadline. With the exception of budget-related measures, bills that did not make this deadline are most likely dead for the 2017-18 legislative cycle. While the majority of the bills that survived the cutoff deadline are non-controversial, passing by wide margins in their house of origin, several measures will continue to be debated before a final vote to pass the legislature is taken. Democrats hold a slim 50-48 margin in the House and control the governor’s office, but key Democratic agenda items had been stalled in the Republican-led Senate last year. As a result of last November’s special election, Democrats also hold a one-seat majority in the Senate, and their bills are moving through the legislative process. The legislation that cleared the originating house include bills to secure collection of union dues and fees, to shield public employees’ birthdates from public disclosure, to allow automatic voter registration for driver’s license applicants, to pre-register 16- and 17-year olds to vote, and to repeal Washington’s death penalty. The death penalty repeal bill passed the Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 26-22 after passion-

ate debate and an unsuccessful effort by opponents to add exceptions for the first-degree murder of a police or corrections officer. The vote was along partisan lines, but five Republicans voted for the bill, while four Democrats voted against it. This week’s release of the latest state revenue forecast projecting some $1.3 billion in additional state tax collections through the 2019-21 biennium also puts tax legislation currently before the legislature into sharp focus. Lawmakers have three weeks to approve a supplemental budget (HB 2299) to add to the $44.3 billion two-year spending plan approved last year. Republican leaders say that at least some of the unexpected revenue should be returned to property tax payers, whose bills have risen sharply as a result of the state basic education funding revisions passed last year. Senator Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale has sponsored SB 6439 to reduce state property taxes payable in calendar years 2018 and 2019, and to offer property owners a credit on their October 2018 tax bill. Many property owners divide their tax bills between April and October. The measure has been in the Senate Ways and Means committee since January 17 with no action scheduled so far. A house bill to enact a capital gains income tax, HB 2967, is scheduled for executive session

on February 19th. It would impose a tax of seven percent on long-term capital gains income to reduce the state property tax levy and fund the senior citizen, disabled persons, and qualifying veteran property tax exemption. In the Senate, SB 6609 proposes to lower property taxes by creating new taxes on the sale of candy, on carbonated drinks, and on luxury automobiles, as well as reduce the estate tax threshold. These and other proposals will make an interesting race to the finish for this session which is scheduled to end Thursday, March 8. Follow the action on washingtonvotes.org and visit us on Facebook and Twitter #waleg. Courtesy of WashingtonVotes.

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The Northern Light • February 22 - 28, 2018

Coming up

Perched on the Spit

Afternoons with Mary Magdalene: Thursdays through March 8, 3–5 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ, 885 4th Street. Discussion of select theological writings/scripture and a dramatic reading by presenter Olivia Woodford, founder of Bible Women Speak. Info: biblewomenspeak.com. Free Amphibian Monitoring and Identification: Saturday, February 24, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., BP Heron Center, Birch Bay State Park. Come learn how to identify amphibians and their eggs and be a citizen scientist! Whatcom County Amphibian Monitoring Program (WCAMP) is providing this free training. Info: vikki@whatfrogs.org. Small Farm Expo: Saturday, February 24, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Haggen Expo Building, NW WA Fairgrounds. Keynote speaker David Montogomery, over 35 exhibitors, soil and compost demos and veterinary experts will be present for this free event. Pruning in Whatcom County: Saturday, February 24, 10 a.m., VW’s Home and Garden, 8210 Portal Way. Increase your skill in tree and shrub pruning care. Different pruning tools, pruning for larger branches, roses and maximum production are a few topics covered by Mike DeLancey. Info: vwhomeandgarden.com. Garden Design: Saturday, February 24, 10 a.m.– noon, Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Become your own landscape designer by learning about sunlight, air flow, microclimates and soil types as they relate to determining the best places to plant your trees, bushes, and vines. Presented by Blaine Community Orchards for Resources and Education (CORE). Info: 332-7435.

s An eagle perched on a branch at Semiahmoo Spit on Tuesday, February 20.

Photo by Pat Grubb

Crossword

FIND ANSWERS AT THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

Tides February 23- March 1 at Blaine. Not for navigation. 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W

DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT Fr 23 4:02 am 5.6

9:56 am 8.9

5:29 pm 0.9

Sa 24 1 2:59 am 7.6

5:18 am 6.4

10:44 am 8.8

6:33 pm 0.2

Su 25 2:21 am 8.3

6:50 am 6.8

11:46 am 8.7

7:35 pm -0.4

Mo 26 3:23 am 8.9

8:14 am 6.7

12:58 pm 8.7

8:33 pm -0.9

Tu 27 4:11 am 9.4

9:20 am 6.3

9:29 pm -1.2

2:08 pm 8.7

We 28 4:51 am 9.8 10:16 am 5.6

ACROSS

1. Shaded inner regions 7. Overlapping part of a garment 13. Type of smartphone 14. Fall apart 16. Football’s big game (abbr.) 17. Crocodilian reptile 19. Of I 20. Swamp plant 22. Sun can help you get one 23. Hops, __ and jumps 25. Cuckoos 26. Small cavities in rocks 28. American traitor 29. Tooth caregiver 30. Popular fish 31. Ottoman military leader 33. Anger 34. Fish of the mackerel family 36. Some people can’t eat it 38. Amer. Revolutionary War battle 40. Misleading ads 41. Atomic number 76 43. A type of castle security 44. Sunscreen rating 45. Very fast airplane 47. Vigor 48. 007’s creator

51. __ and that 53. Indicating silence 55. Brown and gray rail 56. Nocturnal insects 58. Make an incision 59. Norwegian village 60. Commercial 61. Criminal 64. Northeast 65. Clouds of gas and dust in outer space 67. Mysterious things 69. One who won’t be forgotten 70. Starts over DOWN

1. Straighten 2. Gives medical advice (abbr.) 3. Touts 4. One’s job 5. Afflict in mind or body 6. Proofed 7. Capital of Angola 8. Social insect living in organized colonies 9. Ones who are financially compensated 10. Jacket 11. Electron volt 12. Tuned 13. Syrian leader 15. Reduces 18. Congress’ investigative arm

21. Make uneasy 24. A fake 26. Any thick messy substance 27. Goad 30. Titan 32. Continental Congress delegate for NY 35. Peyton’s younger brother 37. Fiddler crab 38. Delivers the mail 39. Liliaceous plant 42. Mountain Time 43. Where wrestlers work 46. Secured 47. Dog breed 49. Where rockers perform 50. Nostrils 52. Express doubt 54. Pointer 55. Slang for sergeant 57. Selling at specially reduced prices 59. Six (Spanish) 62. Holds nonperishables 63. Between northeast and east 66. Exist 68. Meitnerium

3:16 pm 8.8 10:19 pm-1.2

Th 1 5:29 am 10.0 11:06 am 4.8

4:18 pm 8.9 11:07 pm

Weather Precipitation: During the period of February 13 to 19, 1.65 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2018 year-to-date precipitation is 9.9 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 55.0 on February 16 with a low of 25.0°F on February 16. Average high was 46.8°F and average low was 31.6°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

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

Recreation Northwest Expo: Saturday, February 24, noon–5 p.m., Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Avenue. Explore Washington’s outdoor recreation opportunities to find new ways to get outside and play. Meet with apparel and gear manufacturers, retailers, outfitters, outdoor media, activity clubs, stewardship organizations and representatives from your favorite local recreation events and races. Info: recreationnorthwest.org. Live Music at The Vault: Saturday, February 24, 7–9 p.m. The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Featuring singer and guitarist Alex Ashley. The Replayzmentz: Saturday, February 24, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Silver Reef Casino lounge, 4876 Haxton Way, Ferndale. No cover. Winemaker Dinner with Andrew Januik: Sunday, February 25, 5–8 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Enjoy a 4-course dinner paired with wines. $60. Reservations required. Info: 360/392-0955. Alaska’s Breathtaking Inside Passage on a Small Ship: Wednesday, February 28, 6:30-8 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Captains Jeffrey and Christine Smith return - this time to entertain you with stories, pictures, and videos highlighting small ship cruising between Petersburg and Juneau aboard the 65-foot wooden boat, the M/V David B. Info: 360/305-3637. School District Community Meeting: Thursday, March 1, 5-6 p.m., District Office Boardroom, 765 H Street. Community members are invited to hear progress on the High School Stadium complex. Knife and Tool Sharpening Workshop: Saturday, March 3, 10 a.m.– noon, Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Local resident teaches you how to make your kitchen, garden, and shop tools easier and safer to use. Some equipment and tools are supplied; bring any you want to learn about or sharpen. Info: 360/305-3637. Native Plants and Birds: Saturday, March 3, 2–3 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Discover the benefits of native plants in your yard for birds, bees, bugs and beauty! North Cascades Audubon Society shares how and why growing native plants improves your backyard habitat. Great gardening ideas birds love and plenty of materials to get you started. Info: 360/305-3637. Jim Basnight Band: Saturday, March 3, 9 p.m.–1 a.m., Silver Reef Casino lounge, 3876 Haxton Way, Ferndale. No cover. Worms and Composting: Wednesday, March 7, 4–6 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Stop throwing away valuable soil building materials and start your compost project now. Whether you use a compost bin or become a worm wrangler, this workshop gets you started. Learn about the basics of food waste recycling, and how easy it is to manage worms indoors and out. Presented by Blaine C.O.R.E. (Community Orchards for Resources and Education). Info: 360/305-3637. Creepy Underwear: Wednesday, March 14, 3:15–4:15 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Ever had a pair of underwear you were afraid of? Join us for a creepy craft program, based on the hilarious book Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown. Participants will get a brand new pair of green briefs and materials to creep them out. Kindergarten Registration Day: Thursday, March 15, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Blaine Primary School, 820 Boblett Street. Parents of soon-to-be kindergarteners can come to register for the next school year. Children must turn five year old on or before August 31, 2018. Must bring a copy of child’s birth certificate and updated immunization records. Info: 360/332-1300. Wings Over Water Bird Festival: Friday-Sunday, March 16-18, Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street. The annual Northwest Birding Festival returns in its 16th year. Come to build a bird house, view birds, do arts and crafts, take photography workshops and more. Info: 360/5439982. Wings Over Water Opening Reception: Friday, March 16, 5–7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar & Event Space, 277 G Street. Enjoy food and wine, silent auction, wildlife art and photography displays, meet featured artist Annie Moorehead, and enjoy a presentation by Ric Zarwell from Rock Jumper Worldwide Birding Adventures. St. Patrick’s buffet dinner $20, wine $5, beer $4. Info:wingsoverwaternwbirdingfestival.com.

February 22 - 28, 2018 • 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 Cameron Ellis, 12th grade Jackson Jackson works works hard hard12th ininwith everything everything he he Cameron represents class and Jackson Bray, grade Jackson Bray, 12th 12th grade grade Jackson Bray,BHS 12th grade

does. does. To Toworks have haveaahard student student inin your yourhere class class dignity. Throughout his in four years Jackson he Jackson Jackson works works hard hard in ineverything everything everything he hehe Jackson works hard in everything he who who gives gives 100 100 percent percent is is so so amazing amazing has earned the reputation as a go-getter does. does. does.To To Tohave have haveaaaastudent student studentin in inyour your yourclass class class does. To have student in your class and and makes teaching teaching worthwhile. worthwhile. Jackson Jackson and a makes leader. In discussions and writing, who gives percent is who who gives gives100 100 100 percent percent is isso so soamazing amazing amazing who gives 100 percent is so amazing provides provides a a positive positive vibe vibe to to the the classroom classroom Cameron contributes effective claims and and andmakes makes makesteaching teaching teachingworthwhile. worthwhile. worthwhile.Jackson Jackson Jackson and makes teaching worthwhile. Jackson and and isisaagreat great classmate classmate to tothe others. others. supported with evidence. Into class he provides a positive vibe classroom provides provides a a positive positive vibe vibe to to the the classroom classroom provides a positive vibe to the classroom works andto brings a and is great others. and andwell is isaaaacollaboratively great greatclassmate classmate classmate to to others. others. and is great classmate to others. positive attitude with a welcomed sense of humor. He will be missed next year.

Seth Seth Blomeen, Blomeen, Nahum Vazquez, 8th 8th grade grade Seth Seth SethBlomeen, Blomeen, Blomeen, grade Seth Sethis8th isaahardworking hardworking

8th 8th 8thgrade grade grade 8th grade Nahum works hard student student asks asks questions questions Seth hardworking Seth Sethis is isaevery aawho awho hardworking hardworking Seth is hardworking day and never to to check checkwho his hisasks understanding, understanding, student student student who who asks asksquestions questions questions student who asks questions needs reminders clarify clarify and andhis deepen deepen his his to to understanding, to tocheck check check his his understanding, understanding, to check his understanding, stay on task. He is learning. learning. Seth Seth gets getsalong along clarify and deepen his clarify clarify and and deepen deepen his his in clarify and deepen his dedicated to turning well well with withothers others and and always always has has learning. Seth gets along learning. learning. Seth Seth gets gets along along learning. Seth gets high quality workalong and to a a positive positive attitude. attitude. It’s It’s a a well always has well wellwith with withothers others othersaand and and always always has has well with others and always has being strong student. pleasure pleasure to tohave have him him aaaapositive attitude. It’s a positive positive attitude. attitude. It’s It’s a a positive attitude. It’s a ininclass! class! pleasure to pleasure pleasure to tohave have havehim him him pleasure to have him in in inclass! class! class! in class!

Steven Steven Reimer, Reimer, Adriel Brasfield, 5th 5th grade grade Steven Reimer, Steven Reimer, Steven Reimer, 3rd grade Steven Steven is is aagood goodfriend friendto to 5th 5th 5thgrade grade grade

5th grade Adrielis isaaaais wonderful others. others. He is kind, kind, helpful, helpful, Steven friend to Steven Steven is isHe good good friend friend to to Steven is agood good friend to student who works hard 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, every single day. in He always Steven Steven loves loves to tohelp help inthe the and others. and andencourages encourages encourages others. others. and encourages others. trieswith his best and jobs isjobs always classroom classroom with different different that Steven Steven Stevenloves loves lovesto to tohelp help helpin in inthe the thethat Steven loves to help in the willing to help others. need needto to be bedifferent done. done.Thank Thank you classroom with jobs that classroom classroom with with different different jobs jobsyou that that classroom with different jobs that Adriel hasfor improved in Steven Steven for making making our our need need needto to tobe be bedone. done. done.Thank Thank Thankyou you you need to be done. Thank you all areas since the class class and and our ourschool school Steven for our Steven Steven for formaking making making our our Steven for making our beginning of the year aafabulous fabulous place place to to class and our school class class and and our our school school class and ourvery school and I am proud learn. learn. aaaafabulous place to fabulous fabulous place place to to fabulous place to of his hard work! learn. learn. learn. learn.

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Caitlin Butters, 12th grade Sienna Sienna Boucher, Boucher, 12th 12th grade grade Caitlin is an outstanding pick for student Sienna Siennaisis motivated motivatedto to succeed. succeed. Sienna grade Sienna Boucher, 12th 12th grade grade Sienna Boucher, Boucher,12th 12th grade

oflearn, the month. She takes pride in her She Shecomes comes to tois class class prepared prepared to to learn, Sienna motivated to Sienna Sienna is is motivated motivated to tosucceed. succeed. succeed. Sienna is motivated to succeed. involvement at BHS. She has directed and andtackles tackles tough tough assignments. assignments. 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, the new bocce ball club, been involved She Sheasks asks thought-provoking questions questions and tackles and andthought-provoking tackles tacklestough tough toughassignments. assignments. assignments. and tackles tough assignments. in ASB, participated in athletics and that thatasks make makethought-provoking class classintriguing intriguingfor for others. others. She questions She She asks asks thought-provoking thought-provoking questions questions She asks thought-provoking questions engaged in rigorous classes. Caitlin 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. that make class intriguing for others. is very active and has always 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 promoted school spirit and unity. This attitude and her wonderful smile will will willtake take takeher her herfar far farin in inlife. life. life. will take her far in life. She is an incredibly kind individual and is always willing to help a fellow student or teacher, and does it with a smile.

Morgan Morgan Zasccheo, Zasccheo, Stella Nunamaker, 7th 7th grade grade Morgan Zasccheo, Morgan Zasccheo, Morgan Zasccheo, 6th grade Morgan Morgan has hasshown shownher her

Jennifer Jennifer LaFoy, LaFoy, 4th 4th grade grade Jennifer Jennifer is is an an amazing amazing young young Jessica Pilar, 5th grade Jennifer Jennifer LaFoy, 4th 4thgrade grade grade Jennifer LaFoy, LaFoy,4th 4th grade lady. lady.Every Every day day she shecomes comes Jessica has Jennifer is an amazing young Jennifer Jennifer is isdemonstrated an an amazing amazing young young Jennifer is an amazing young to to class class early early to to help help pass pass outstanding empathy and lady. Every day she comes lady. lady. Every Every day day she she comes comes lady. Every day she comes out out Chrome Chrome books. books. She She has has perseverance at to early to help pass to toclass class class early early to toBES. help help pass pass to class early to help pass She consistently strives aaout positive positive attitude attitude about about out outChrome Chrome Chromebooks. books. books.She She Shehas has has out Chrome books. She has to understand and use everything everything we we do do and and always always aaaapositive positive positiveattitude attitude attitudeabout about about positive attitude about new strategies inothers math encourages encourages others to to everything we everything everything we wedo do doand and andalways always always everything we do and always and gives her full effort do do their their best best work. work. encourages encourages encouragesothers others othersto to to encourages others to when participating in ato We We look lookbest forward forward to do their work. do do their their best best work. work. do their best work. math or social studies seeing seeing Jennifer’s Jennifer’s We forward We Welook look look forward forward to to We look forward to group. Shedaily. also to smile smile daily. seeing Jennifer’s seeing seeing Jennifer’s Jennifer’s seeing stands up Jennifer’s for other smile smile smiledaily. daily. daily.have smile daily. students who been wronged and extends friendship to others easily.

7th 7th 7thgrade grade grade 7th grade Stella is one of the most dedication dedication to toshown academics. academics. Morgan has her Morgan Morgan has has shown shown her her Morgan has shown her amazing young ladies in She She is is incredibly incredibly bright bright and and dedication to academics. dedication dedication to to academics. academics. dedication to academics. the 6th grade. Stella articulate. articulate. She Sheisisbright willing willing She incredibly and She Sheis is is incredibly incredibly bright and and She is incredibly bright and has made abright huge to to share share her her ideas, ideas, which which articulate. She is willing articulate. articulate. She She is is willing willing articulate. She is willing impactthe on work the class -enriches enriches the work ofofthe the to her which to toshare share share her herideas, ideas, ideas, which which to share her ideas, which she is hard working, whole whole class. class. Itof isis enriches the work the enriches enriches the the work workItof of the the enriches the work of the kind, helpful, and such such a a pleasure pleasure whole class. It is whole whole class. class. It It is is whole class. It is gentle. to tohave have her herinin such aaaapleasure such such pleasure pleasure such pleasure class! class! to to tohave have haveher her herin in in to have her in class! class! class! class!

Carrie Carrie Balback, Balback,1st 1stgrade grade Carrie Carrie is is a a delightful delightful first first grader! grader! Meeka Carrie Balback, 1st grade Carrie Balback, 1st 1st grade gradeFranks, Carrie Balback, 1st grade 1st grade She She is is helpful, helpful, attentive, attentive, Carrie Carrie Carrieisis isaaaadelightful delightful delightfulfirst first firstgrader! grader! grader! Carrie is delightful first grader! Meeka smart smart and and kind. kind. She She isisdoing doing is a delightful She isis attentive, She She ishelpful, helpful, helpful, attentive, attentive, She is helpful, attentive, first aaterrific terrific job ofofShe creating creating high highgrader! She is kind, smart and kind. smart smart and andjob kind. kind. She Sheisis isdoing doing doing smart and kind. She is doing smart, and attentive! quality quality work work and and working on ontask. task. aaaaterrific job of high terrific terrific job jobworking of ofcreating creating creating high high terrific job of creating high She has a positive I’m I’mand especially especially impressed impressed quality working on quality qualitywork work work and and working working on ontask. task. task. quality work and working on task. attitude with with Carrie’s Carrie’s reading reading ability. ability. and always I’m especially impressed I’m I’m especially especially impressed impressed I’m especially impressed works on task. I’m She She loves loves to to read read and and isis with with withCarrie’s Carrie’s Carrie’sreading reading readingability. ability. ability. with Carrie’s reading ability. most impressed with starting starting to to read read longer, longer, She She Sheloves loves lovesto to toread read readand and andisis isMeeka’s ability to She loves to read and is more more challenging challenging books starting to longer, starting starting to toread read readbooks longer, longer, starting to read longer, get along well with with with enthusiasm! enthusiasm! more books more morechallenging challenging challenging books books more challenging books others. I love being with with withenthusiasm! enthusiasm! enthusiasm! with enthusiasm! her teacher!

Evan Evan Larsen, Larsen, 1st 1stgrade grade Evan Evanis is an an attentive, attentive, kind kind hearted, hearted, Trevor Pereira, Evan 1st Evan EvanLarsen, Larsen, Larsen, 1st 1stgrade grade grade 1st grade 1st grade and and hardworking hardworking first first grader! grader! Evan is an attentive, kind hearted, Evan Evan is is an an attentive, attentive, kind kind hearted, hearted, Evan is an attentive, kind hearted, Trevor isand a hard working He He always always works workson on task task and and hardworking first grader! and and hardworking hardworking first first grader! grader! and hardworking first grader! first grader! stays focused focused to to complete He always works task He Hestays always always works workson on oncomplete task taskand and andHe is attentive, He always works on task and completes his work on task, assignments assignments ininaatimely timely manner. manner. stays to stays staysfocused focused focused to tocomplete complete complete stays focused to complete and does it all with a positive His Hisreading readingskills skills are are blossoming blossoming assignments in manner. assignments assignments in inaaaatimely timely timely manner. manner. assignments in timely manner. attitude. I’m because because of of his his hard hard work. work. What Whatmost impressed His reading skills are blossoming His His reading reading skills skills are are blossoming blossoming His reading skillswith are blossoming Trevor’s reading ability! 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 He has really blossomed Evan Evan isis his hismath mathability. ability. really impresses me about really really impresses impresses me me about about really impresses me about as a reader this year! He He loves loves to to solve solve Evan Evan Evanis is ishis his hismath math mathability. ability. ability. Evan is his math ability. Way to go Trevor! problems problems and and He He Heloves loves lovesto to tosolve solve solve He loves to solve find findsolutions. solutions. IIlove love problems and problems problems and and problems and having having Evan Evan in in class! class! find find findsolutions. solutions. solutions.IIIIlove love love find solutions. love having having havingEvan Evan Evanin in inclass! class! class! having Evan in class!

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