The Northern Light: July 18-24, 2019 by Point Roberts Press

July 18 - 24, 2019

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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer

IN THIS

ISSUE

Canoe journey Paddle to Lummi approaching, page 7

How to register to vote in the primaries, page 13

County burn restrictions now in effect, page 15

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

Advocates push for passenger rail stop in Blaine By Jami Makan Advocates of an Amtrak passenger rail stop in Blaine met over the weekend, but organizers cautioned that much work remains to be done before it becomes a reality. A meeting hosted by rail advocacy group All Aboard Washington (AAWA) took place on July 13 at the Semiahmoo Resort. The turnout was high, with many in the audience arguing that an Amtrak passenger rail stop in Blaine is long overdue. On the Amtrak Cascades service, there are currently no stops between Fairhaven Station in Bellingham and Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, B.C. The event featured presentations by Bruce Agnew, director of the Cascadia Center; Dr. Laurie Trautman, director of Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI); and others. Audience members including Blaine city manager Michael Jones, Blaine mayor Bonnie Onyon, state representative Luanne Van Werven and White Rock city councilor Scott Kristjanson also addressed the gathering. The consensus was that a rail stop in Blaine would not only serve north Whatcom County, but would also serve those living in southern B.C. According to statistics presented at the meeting, there are almost a million B.C. residents who live south of the Fraser River. “That’s bigger than Snohomish County, which has three rail stops,” said Agnew. In order to determine how many of those B.C. residents would use a Blaine rail stop, the next step is for an “investment grade” ridership study to be carried out, said Agnew. The study would address the requirements of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in terms of new station development, measuring potential ridership through surveys of Washington and B.C. residents. In order to fund the research, AAWA and the Cascadia Center will draft a scope of work and a potential budget, which they plan to bring to state legislators and the (See Amtrak, page 2)

s A runner dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean takes off from the starting line of the Ragnar Northwest Passage relay race at Peace Arch State Park on July 12. In the annual race, relay teams run an approximately 200-mile route from Blaine to Langley, on Whidbey Island.

Photo by Oliver Lazenby

Birch Bay celebration to feature car show, sand castles By Jami Makan An upcoming event in Birch Bay will feature a car show, sand sculpture contest, live music, beer garden, craft fair, food vendors and more. The Birch Bay Rollback Weekend and Sand Sculpture Competition is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 7930 Birch Bay Drive. Rollback Weekend and the sand sculpture competition are annual Birch Bay events that were held separately in the past.

This year, however, the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce decided to combine the two events into one. “The sand castle competition has always taken place in the bay, but the park space wasn’t being used,” said Danielle Gaughen, the chamber’s event coordinator. “Having the car show in there at the same time will help utilize the park space in the best way possible.” Last year’s car show attracted about 200 classic and high performance vehicles. This year, organizers are hoping for an even higher number. Registration costs $10 for each car per day, and can be done online

at birchbaychamber.com. Participants can also register in person at the show, which is being sponsored by Vicious Autoworks. Meanwhile, there is no cost to participate in the sand sculpture contest. Participants can register online at birchbaychamber.com or in person at the event. Each morning on Saturday and Sunday, participants can check in at the registration booth at Birch Bay Beach Park. A plot will be assigned, and building can begin at 10 a.m. depending on the tide. A judging panel of local community members will judge each sand sculpture at

School board to vote on public access to facilities By Oliver Lazenby The Blaine school district board of directors will vote on an update to a policy about public access to school facilities at its Monday, July 29 meeting. The district’s “Use of School Facilities” policy governs how the community and outside groups can use sports fields, playgrounds, gymnasiums, theatres and other school district property. The policy was last updated in 2004, and district staff is updating the language

to reflect current practices and working to make the fees more clear and specific. The district wants the public to be able to use school facilities as long as it doesn’t cost the school district money. A draft of the new policy states that the public is encouraged to use school facilities, but the district aims to “ensure that funds intended for education are not used for other purposes.” The policy sets new rental rates for sports organizations and other groups that use school facilities. Rates vary by

type of organization based on how directly those organizations support local kids and whether they charge money. For example, youth-oriented nonprofits can rent the multipurpose room for the cost of any extra custodial time, whereas a business would pay $40 an hour in addition to custodial fees to use the same facility. During the first reading of the policy, at a June 24 board meeting, board member (See Facilities, page 3)

INSIDE

(See Rollback, page 3)

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

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The Northern Light • July 18 - 24, 2019

Amtrak ... From page 1

governor during the next legislative session, which begins in January. In the meantime, the advocacy groups plan to continue building partnerships across the border through the Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference, which meets in Seattle in early October. Besides the ridership study, there are several other steps that need to be taken. For example, conversations are needed with BNSF Railway, in order to ensure that there is no impact to freight trains from expanding the Amtrak Cascades service. Upgrades are needed between the New Westminster bridge and downtown Vancouver in order to reduce overall travel time. And a newly approved preclearance agreement needs to be implemented, allowing CBP agents to conduct southbound rail passenger inspections in Vancouver. A station would also need to

be constructed in Blaine, although Agnew said that this is the least of their concerns; all that is needed is a handicap accessible platform with adequate parking and lighting. Agnew estimates that a Blaine rail stop won’t be approved until 2021 or 2022 at the earliest. In the meantime, he said the best thing that people can do is write to their legislators and the governor to express support for a Blaine rail stop. “We are going to need letters from folks in Birch Bay and Semiahmoo and Blaine to their legislators and to their governor, saying that the Blaine station makes a lot of sense,” he said. “We also need a parallel effort from White Rock and Surrey citizens.” Despite the hurdles that still need to be overcome, some in the audience warned against overcomplicating the issue. “You don’t have a difficult problem here,” said Louis Musso III, one of the meeting’s attendees. “You already have the train. You already have the track. You just have to make it stop.”

Sponsored by: s The July 13 meeting of All Aboard Washington took place at the Semiahmoo Resort and attracted many advocates of an Amtrak passenger rail stop in Blaine.

Photo by Jami Makan

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Birch Bay shellfish harvest closed The recreational harvest of molluscan shellfish has been closed to all species in Birch Bay. An increase in biotoxin levels in Birch Bay waters is responsible for the closure, said a July 11 press release from the Whatcom County health department. Other closures remain in effect. Point Roberts beaches remain closed to all species of shellfish harvest pending further testing. Bellingham Bay south to the Skagit County line, excluding Chuckanut Bay and Larrabee State Park, remain closed to butter and varnish clam harvest only. Parts of Chuckanut Bay and Larrabee State Park are closed due to pollution. Biotoxin levels can change rapidly, so shellfish harvesters are advised to always check for current shellfish closures before harvesting shellfish anywhere in Washington state. Harvesters can consult the Washington Shellfish Safety Map at doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety or call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 800/562-5632.

July 18 - 24, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com

Facilities ... From page 1

Laura McKinney said she’d like to see clarification on the process of applying to rent school facilities. Blaine superintendent Ron Spanjer said district staff would work to make that clear before the July board meeting. The district began working on the update earlier this year by gathering public input. At a February 25 work session on the policy, community members expressed desire for more access to Pipeline Fields, the district’s complex of sports fields on Pipeline Road east of Blaine. The recent draft policy mentions informal use of sports fields, but doesn’t specifically address Pipeline Fields. “Because of the value of district’s playing fields to the community’s total recreational opportunity, the fields may be used by all residents. The use must be appropriate and compatible with each play field and its surrounding area,” the draft policy states. Though anyone can use Pipeline Fields when the gates are unlocked, the school district

doesn’t want people there without supervision, Spanjer said. Often in spring, summer and fall, the gates are unlocked for school and recreational teams to use the fields, he said. “There’s a lot of activity at Pipeline in spring and fall and we don’t turn people away,” he said. “To leave it open when no one is there – we don’t know how that would work.” Unsupervised use at Pipeline Fields has led to costly damage in the past, Spanjer said. Unsupervised access to play structures, fields and courts on the H Street campus poses much less risk for vandalism and damage than unsupervised use at Pipeline Fields would, Spanjer said. “It’s not that we don’t trust people in general, it’s just that one person with the wrong intent feeling like no one even knows they’re there could do a reasonable amount of damage,” he said. The July 29 school board meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the district administrative office at 765 H Street in Blaine. More information and the draft of the policy from the June 24 board meeting can be found at bit.ly/30pE9FH.

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Rollback ... From page 1

3 p.m., with an awards presentation to follow at 4:30 p.m. They will be rating overall appearance, originality, teamwork and design. On Saturday, live music will be performed by The Replayzmentz from 1 to 3 p.m. and Last Chance from 4 to 7 p.m. On Sunday, there will be performances by Pacific Twang from 1 to 3 p.m. and Exit 266 from 3 to 5 p.m. There will be a variety of food vendors on site. They will include C&A Wings and Things, Jeckyl and Hyde BBQ, Debbie’s Killer Kettle Korn, Kona Ice (Saturday only), Mike’s Shaved Ice (Sunday only), Paso Del Norte, Spot Hot Dogs and Bay Pops. Along with the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 is also hosting the event. Last year, Rollback Weekend and the sand sculpture contest each attracted roughly 10,000 attendees.

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The Northern Light • July 18 - 24, 2019

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. Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Jami Makan jami@pointrobertspress.com Copy Editor Aly Siemion aly@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Social Media Intern Mataya Siemion socialmedia@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Adam Albert sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com Contributors In This Issue Tara Nelson The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200 Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXV, No 5 Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

Next issue: July 25 Ads due: July 19

s On July 15, the city of Blaine hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for phase one of its east Blaine infrastructure project. The full project will extend water, sewer and electrical infrastructure towards new housing developments in east Blaine. From l., a staff member of state representative Sharon Shewmake, Blaine public works director Ravyn Whitewolf, Blaine city councilmember Alicia Rule, state representative Luanne Van Werven and her grandchildren, Blaine city manager Michael Jones, Blaine mayor Bonnie Onyon, JIJ Corp. co-owner Skip Jansen, Blaine city engineer Ben Kuiken and JIJ Corp. co-owner Katie Jansen.

Photo by Jami Makan

Letters The Editor: The 4th of July parade is something that I have been going to since I was a little girl, standing on the sidelines and enjoying candy being thrown. I enjoyed it with my family through my teenage years and in my twenties. Now with a family of my own, we still attend the parade every year. As of recent years, a major highlight has been the local landscape business that has sprayed water overhead to cool everyone off. This year, however, much to the sadness of many people I have spoken to, they did not allow either candy throwing or water spraying. The people who think this is unsafe and do not enjoy it are greatly outnumbered by the crowds of people and kids who enjoy it. We had even heard some families say the highlight of the parade was getting cooled off by the water. Interaction between parade attendees and participants is key to our enjoyment, and I think, along with many, that this should not be taken away from this great yearly event! Victoria Waldner Blaine The Editor: During a long, rewarding career in healthcare, I witnessed the heartbreak, stress, guilt and burdensome costs imposed when patients and families had not expressed preferences for what care they’d want if a crisis occurred and they could no longer communicate themselves. There are burgeoning efforts in What-

com County to increase awareness about the importance of advance care planning. However, with the recent closure of Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement (WAHA), we need more community partners to support initiatives and programs to keep this critically important message in the public’s view. WAHA provided myriad services, including advance directive facilitation, which will hopefully land in new homes soon. Advance care planning leads to more appropriate care, with improved symptom relief and greater patient and family satisfaction, at a lower cost. PeaceHealth supported the “I’ve Got Mine!” campaign for National Healthcare Decisions Day 2019 that encouraged healthcare providers, patients, caregivers and community members to complete their advance directive. This initiative must grow for wider participation. Will it languish? It’s up to us to make certain it doesn’t. I challenge Whatcom County to get involved in “I’ve Got Mine!” by displaying posters, flyers and billboards to encourage completion of advance directives – in clinics, libraries, credit unions, faith-based venues, college campuses, restaurants, service clubs, high-risk places of employment, city halls, high school health classes and anywhere people gather. I encourage you to make an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss your values, goals and healthcare preferences before a crisis develops. Also, ask your provider, “Do you have yours?” Thank you to Dewey Griffin Subaru! The

dealership is leading by example, displaying “I’ve Got Mine!” messages on their electronic community billboard on Iowa Street – a valuable community partnership! Barbara Aiken, M.A. Bellingham The Editor: I am battling scleroderma, a very painful autoimmune condition affecting the skin, joints and internal organs. I became disabled at the age of 33, and it ended the self-sufficient life I knew. I joined Medicare and am reliant on this coverage to access the medications I need to be able to function at all. As grateful as I am to have Medicare, Congress must work to improve and modernize the program. I don’t think prescription drugs and biologics were as important when Medicare was first developed, so they weren’t taken into account as much as they should have been. Today, even with a prescription drug plan, out-of-pocket costs can get very high. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is considering a rebate rule, which would pass on prescription drug discounts to patients. This would be very helpful to someone like me, who has to get by on a limited income. The other thing that’s important to me is making progress on medical research. No (Continued on next page) Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

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.

Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.

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

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

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

North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 1 p.m. Station 61. Info: nwfrs.net.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

July 18 - 24, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com

one should have to see their whole life change in an instant when they are diagnosed with a disease like this. I hope for new treatments that will improve my life and cures that will prevent other patients from having to undergo the same ordeal I have. I hope Congress will consider adding new medical research funding to the federal budget and doing other things to enable companies to develop new treatments and cures. Jamie Gerity Blaine The Editor: Let me begin by saying I am no longer a Bernie Sanders supporter. But I do give him credit for moving the national conversation into areas we need to discuss and consider. One of the areas is reducing the obstacles to attending college. Although everyone may not need to attend, the experience of college and/or trade schools can be eye-opening and consciousness-expanding. The far, far right calls the media “liberal.” Well, yeah, reporters and photographers have been around the world, doing their jobs, and have seen how other cultures live and operate successfully. So their horizons have been expanded by that. When I was in Europe, several decades ago now, I met two women, twins from North Carolina, who had never been out of their county! Needless to say, they were petrified of their surroundings, the customs and the different lifestyles they encountered while in Europe. And no doubt their eyes are more open now, and their understanding greater. By instituting some way of making college or trade schools more attractive and affordable, perhaps those who now look down on those of us who took the steps to broaden our horizons could broaden theirs. Our understanding of each other could improve, and we could, once again, become a nation of common goals, instead of a nation of enemies who cannot communicate. More educated, open-minded citizens could also help prevent us

from falling behind the other nations of the world. If all this may be possible, it would behoove us all to find and support a presidential candidate who has such a vision. Gary Meader Everson The Editor: This letter writer supports Natalie McClendon for the fifth district seat on the Whatcom County Council. Many who live west of I-5, north of Bellingham in Lummi, Ferndale, Birch Bay and Blaine don’t know they are in this new coastal district and know less about the candidates. My wife and I have known Natalie McClendon since we worked

in the first Obama campaign and she was chair of the Whatcom Democrats. Since then she has been an activist and source of information for other activists. She is now in her second term on the county planning commission, where her awareness of voter needs has been intensified. To learn more, go to her website nataliemcclendon.com. Note particularly her thoughts about building strong communities, support for resilient families and the benefits of a clean energy economy. We have been in her home and she in ours. Most memorable is the twinkle in her eyes. Al Krause Birch Bay

THANK YOU

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Unless noted, all meetings are held at City Hall, 435 Martin Street, Suite 4000 and are open to the public. Agendas can be found on the City’s website.

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The Northern Light • July 18 - 24, 2019

Concerns raised about beach debris and erosion at Blaine Marine Park By Jami Makan On the 21st of each month, Blaine resident Laura Friend visits the beach at Blaine Marine Park in order to collect data on marine debris. She is a volunteer with the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST), a citizen science project housed at the University of Washington. Her role is to keep track of large marine debris – any garbage bigger than half a meter – on the beaches of Blaine Marine Park, a park she chose to focus on back in 2016 when she first joined COASST. Lately, however, Friend has been having second thoughts about her choice of Blaine Marine Park as her area of study. This is because she has noticed a significant increase in the amount of garbage on the park’s beaches. It has gotten so bad that she no longer enjoys going there to collect her data, which now takes twice as long as it did before. “I’m sick of seeing the trash,” she said. “I want to quit Marine Park because it’s so disgusting with all the trash.” Blaine Marine Park was built on top of a landfill, and Friend believes that with recent high tides and wind events, the beach is becoming increasingly dam-

aged and eroded. She believes this erosion has caused the historic landfill to become exposed in certain areas of the beach. “It is dumping trash into the ocean,” she said. “Every month that I go down there, it’s trash, trash, trash.” The city of Blaine is aware of this problem. In 2011, a Bellingham-based company, Element Solutions, prepared a report for the city regarding the Marine Park shoreline. Element was commissioned to come up with a Marine Park Shoreline Restoration Plan. The plan, conceptual in nature, lays out restoration concepts for the entire park and identifies grant funding that the city could pursue in order to help carry out the project. A description of the project appears on the city website, and part of it notes that historic landfill material is a source of pollution into nearby marine waters. “In addition to the habitat and recreational improvements, the project will correct a recently exposed source of historic landfill,” reads the online description of the shoreline restoration plan. “Exposed household pollution is now exposed to Boundary Bay and nearby Drayton Harbor.” The description continues: “During the King Tide storm on

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December 17, 2012, high wave action eroded the shoreline bank that contained a historic dump site. Material from the historic private dump (now owned by the city and contained in Marine Park) is exposed and garbage is falling onto the beach.” Friend believes a more recent storm event, the December 20, 2018 storm that resulted in costly damage throughout Whatcom County, only exacerbated the problem. During the December 20 storm, gusts peaked at 60 mph and sustained winds reached 50 mph, causing storm surges to lift tall waves into Blaine and Birch Bay shorelines. She believes that such weather events will only become more frequent and intense with climate change. According to city planner Alex Wenger, the Marine Park shoreline restoration project has already addressed one segment of the beach, near the apple tree and the picnic shelter. This was done using $50,000 of unmatched grant funds combined with another $40,000 of city contributions. “We were able to clean that garbage debris, remove it from the shoreline, cap it and bring in native materials such as rocks, boulders and logs to rebuild that headland,” he said. However, Wenger said that much work remains, and that the project will require a large amount of funding which has not yet materialized. “The project is rather expensive,” he said. “We don’t have funding iden-

s Every month, Laura Friend collects data on beach debris at Blaine Marine Park, which was built on top of a landfill.

s Friend points out rusted garbage that is falling onto the beach from the eroding shoreline.

Photos by Jami Makan

tified yet to do the full beach restoration work.” He said that the project is likely to exceed $750,000, and that the city may

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have to apply for grants from a number of different sources, including state agencies. “I can’t really say what council is going to fund,” he said. “This one is a pretty big ask. It might take some other creative sources of funding to pull off this project.” Wenger said another option is to break the project up into phases. Fortunately, the project “checks many boxes” and so there is a wide variety of grants that the city plans to apply for. This includes Puget Sound restoration funds, salmon enhancement funds and water quality improvement funds, as well as funding related to public access, recreation and the natural habitat. The city is waiting on a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, which would allow the city to do restoration work in waters of the United States. “We’re not actually working in the water,” explained Wenger, “but when the tide’s out, the permit will allow us to do work at that level. It will allow us to rebuild the beach.” He said that the city expects to receive the permit soon, which will be one more step in the right direction, allowing the project to become “shovel ready.” In the meantime, Friend will continue to keep an eye on the marine debris accumulating on the beaches of the park. “Coastlines are my field of study,” said Friend, a middle school science teacher in Ferndale who holds a master’s degree in coastal geology. “Collecting data is my passion, and citizen science is the way things need to go.”

July 18 - 24, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com

Intertribal canoe journey expected to attract 10,000 people from region By Tara Nelson Whatcom County residents will soon gather to witness the strength and beauty of coastal canoes landing, by invitation of Lummi Nation, near the Stommish grounds and Portage Island. The Paddle to Lummi tribal canoe journey, also called “Sqweshenet Tse Schelangen/Honoring Our Way of Life,” will take place from Wednesday, July 24 to Sunday, July 28. It will honor the relationship that tribes up and down the west coast have with the land, water and each other. Each year since 1989, different native nations have hosted canoe pullers, support crews and other visitors from Alaska, B.C. and Washington. Upon arrival, visiting canoe families ask permission to land in their native languages. “The Lummi people are honored to welcome all our relations traveling the traditional highways of our ancestors to participate in this year’s journey,” said Jeremiah Julius, tribal chairman of the Lummi Indian Business Council. “Together we will celebrate, honor and share the unique cultural heritage of the Coast Salish people.” Julius said they expect approximately 10,000 people and over 100 canoe families on their ancestral shores – something he says will help build strong bridges with neighboring communities. Rebecca Kinley, special projects coordinator for Lummi Nation, said a traveling canoe can be anywhere from 15- to 40-feet long and hold up to 28 people. As the canoe families begin ar-

riving on July 24 – some traveling more than 100 miles to attend – the entire community will welcome and help them come ashore. “It’s definitely not just one person that can lift up a 1,000-pound canoe,” Kinley said. “It’s an entire community helping facilitate, to ensure they get to our shore safely.” Kinley said the intertribal canoe journey is more than just an event celebrating indigenous cultures. It is also a movement that allows people to reconnect with a way of life. “Often times, we get so busy trying to fulfill a framework – a way of life that isn’t ours – that we get sidetracked about what our culture and ideals are in terms of healing and how we continue moving forward and doing

our work,” Kinley said. “It reminds us who we are, what we stand for and what we believe in, and we find a lot of healing from all the adversity and grief that we see.” The event will culminate with traditional potlatch song, dance, gift-giving, singing, dancing and testimonies of the journey that organizers say have provided their people with hope, healing and happiness preserving their way of life. Visitors to the area, as well as those in the greater Whatcom County community, are welcome to attend and be part of the festivities. The highlight of the event, the canoe landing, is expected to start around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24 at the Stommish grounds.

s The Paddle to Lummi event will include traditional singing and dancing.

Photo by Beau Garreau/Children of the Setting Sun Productions

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The Northern Light • July 18 - 24, 2019

City seeks to establish no shooting zone in Drayton Harbor By Jami Makan The city of Blaine is seeking the creation of a no shooting zone in Drayton Harbor, in order to address residents’ concerns about gunfire near homes and property. Waterfowl hunting in Drayton Harbor has been on city council’s radar for several years. The exact dates of waterfowl season are set by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and vary from year to year. The season

typically starts in late October and runs through late January. During the season, hunters on boats shoot at sea ducks using birdshot, which can be heard as early as sunrise by those who live near the harbor. The Blaine Police Department receives inquiries every year about the issue. “Every year we receive maybe half a dozen inquiries,” said Blaine police sergeant Michael Munden. “They are usually asking whether it’s legal for people to be shooting in Drayton

Harbor. People also want to know how close to the shore [the hunters] can be.” Although portions of Drayton Harbor are within city limits, other portions are within Whatcom County jurisdiction. Whereas it is legal to discharge firearms in unincorporated Whatcom County, it is illegal to do so in the city limits of Blaine, where hunting is prohibited. “Our city limits are drawn in a peculiar way out in the harbor,”

SATPAL

F O R

SIDHU

County Executive

said Munden. “We are left with our oddly drawn city limits map. You can’t shoot inside of city limits, but if hunters are in the county, it’s a different story.” Whereas waterfowl hunting is currently permitted in the county’s portion of Drayton Harbor, the city of Blaine now plans to lobby Whatcom County Council to create a no shooting zone for “all unincorporated portions of Drayton Harbor aquatic area, tidelands and shoreline.” The county council has authority to do this pursuant to section 9.32 of the Whatcom County Code. “The Blaine City Council has expressed concern with the fact that members of the public are unhappy about the discharge of firearms near the city,” read a request for council action prepared by city manager Michael Jones for the July 8 council meeting. “Since housing density is increasing around Drayton Harbor, the concerns of discharging firearms in a residential area will only increase.” Based on council direction, Jones recently developed a resolution to seek designation of all the aquatic areas and tidelands within Drayton Harbor located within Whatcom County as a no shooting zone. The resolution passed unanimously at the July 8 council meeting, and Jones now plans to bring it to Whatcom County Council for their consideration. The resolution notes that “it is difficult for members of the pub-

lic to distinguish between incorporated and unincorporated areas particularly on the open water, which causes numerous hunters to inadvertently move into areas where hunting and discharge of firearms is illegal.” State game warden Dave Jones appeared to disagree with this characterization. “In my 12 years of enforcing here, I’ve never had to address someone who is inside the city limits,” he said. He said he understands why a new resident to the area, who is unfamiliar with hunting, might have concerns about noise and safety. But he said the hunters are a “good crowd” who generally abide by the rules. Often, they are accompanied by professional guides. “No one’s in danger of anything whatsoever, but there’s some noise,” he said. “That’s just a reality.” Waterfowl hunters agreed that there is no danger to residents of Drayton Harbor. “There is no danger to any homeowners in the area as long as hunters are following the rules already in place,” said Matt Berry, Whatcom County treasurer of the Washington Waterfowl Association (WWA). “The effective range of a shotgun is much less than the distance hunters must maintain from homes. Hunting is an important part of many Whatcom County residents’ lives and heritage and we are losing opportunities at an accelerated pace. It is a shame that the city council would actively lobby against their interests because of a few complaints.”

Volunteers upgrade Blaine Marine Park amphitheater Members of Blaine’s Christ the King Community Church (CTK Blaine) met on June 30 to continue improvements on the Blaine Marine Park amphitheater in partnership with the city of Blaine. For four hours, CTK

Blaine volunteers refinished and stained the railings, repainted the stage backdrop, did some landscaping projects, cleaned and swept. A few days later, CTK Blaine hosted its second annual Worship in the Park night there.

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s Volunteers from CTK Blaine gathered on June 30 to upgrade the amphitheater at Blaine Marine Park.

Photos courtesy of Taylor Andrews

July 18 - 24, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com

ADVICE FROM THE PROS

A Special Section of published monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month

Q: I want to buy a new house but have an existing mortgage. Should I sell my house first?

Q: Can a trespasser gain ownership of a neighbor’s property?

A: Making an offer to purchase a new home, contingent

A: In Washington a trespasser may become the owner

of property against a neighbor who does not occupy or defend his property over time. But the trespasser’s possesMark Stowe, sion must be (1) exclusive, (2) actual and uninterrupted, Attorney (3) open and notorious, and (4) hostile for 10 years. The stowelawpllc@outlook.com common example involves a boundary dispute where • Real Estate a fence is not located on the true property line. The • Estate Planning & Probate trespasser then goes on to use all the property within • Business the fence. If the neighbor allows this use to go for a long • U.S. Tax Compliance time without raising objection, eventually the trespasser • Free 30 Minute Consultation can claim ownership of all the property inside the fence, including that which originally belonged to his neighbor, CERTIFIED through adverse possession. AGENT

Loren Adkins Senior Real Estate Loan Officer NMLS# 643779

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on selling an existing home, may not be the best route in today’s competitive housing market defined by low inventory and high demand. Instead, I encourage customers to apply for a bridge loan. This type of financing provides up to 80 percent of the current home’s value as a down payment on a new home. Having cash in hand eliminates the need for a contingency and can help assure success when making an offer. Not everyone can qualify for a bridge loan, but if you do, it could be a game changer.

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A: Here is the answer from the Washington State Office of Insurance

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Q: Is it true that Washington state allows Medicare

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was just over a year old. Being so new, one would think that it should not need an inspection. We explained that with any real estate purchase, it is Buyer Beware, and advised getting one. Thankfully, the buyer used a great inspector who discovered a leaking pipe, unnoticed by the builder and first owner. It had been there since day one and had already caused damage, not to mention all of the wasted water. The builder repaired it quickly, the buyer was happy and the deal closed. The point is, yes, please get an inspection. Call me to discuss the cost and how it works.

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Advice

from the

PROS

You are the expert and you have the answers for our readers... Your Potential Clients This monthly feature provides you an opportunity to speak to the Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo community and answer some of their specific questions or some general questions from your business that almost every new client wants to know. Your ad will be 5” wide x 4” tall, in full color with your photo and contact information plus your question and answer.

EXCLUSIVITY - Each business category is limited to one advertiser.

Here’s your opportunity to voice your expertise! To reserve space call 360-332-1777 Community Newspaper for Blaine & Birch Bay

Pet Care

The Northern Light • July 18 - 24, 2019

Tips and products for a healthier, happier pet!

A list of foods that cats and dogs should never eat Nutritious diets are essential to long-term pet health. Many well-intentioned pet owners feed their pets foods they believe are nutritious, only to learn that certain foods, even those deemed healthy for humans, can be quite dangerous to dogs and cats. Cats and dogs metabolize foods

and other substances differently from humans. WebMD reports that each year, there are more than 100,000 cases of pet poisoning in the United States. Many of these instances were caused by household substances that may seem perfectly harmless. Medications, cleaning products and cer-

or cooked, can cause kidney failure in dogs. Not all dogs are affected. However, these fruits should be avoided. Symptoms include lethargy, diarrhea and vomiting within 24 hours of consumption. • Hops: Commonly used for brewing beer, hops have become a greater risk for pets now that home brewing as a hobby or side business has become popular. When ingested, hops can cause a rapid heart rate, anxiety, vomiting and other abdominal symptoms. Essential oils and tannins in hops also can cause high fever when pets ingest them. • Macadamia nuts: These nuts can cause depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. • Milk and dairy: Do not give dogs and cats milk to lap up, and avoid giving them high amounts of cheese and other dairy foods. Pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk.

tain foods can poison pets. Dogs tend to be at higher risk for food poisoning, particularly because they are less picky about what they eat. Before caving into the temptation to share snacks with their pets, pet owners should recognize the common foods the ASPCA and other pet welfare organizations list as the most likely to contribute to pet poisonings worldwide. • Chocolate: Chocolate is accountable for roughly one-quarter of all toxic exposures. Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause excessive thirst and urination, panting, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm and seizures. Serious cases can be fatal. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous for pets. • Grapes/raisins: Grapes, raisins, sultanas, and currants, whether raw

Therefore, diarrhea and digestive upset is likely to occur when pets consume dairy. • Onions/garlic: These aromatic ingredients are not a good idea for pets, particularly cats. Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate, which is toxic to cats and dogs. The ingestion of onions and onion-related foods can cause a condition called hemolytic anemia. This is damage to red blood cells that causes the cells circulating throughout the pet’s body to burst. • Xylitol: Keep pets away from sugarless gums and candies that contain Xylitol, which also may be used in toothpaste. The substance causes insulin to release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. Pet owners should be aware that the foods they eat regularly may not be safe for their pets. Always consult with a veterinarian before giving pets foods commonly eaten by humans.

Raspberries can be fed to pups, in moderation According to the American Kennel Club, raspberries offer an abundance of health benefits to dogs so long as they are fed to pups in moderation. Dogs do not need to eat fruit for its nutritional value, as the AKC notes those

needs are typically met by serving high-quality dog foods. But raspberries are an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps dogs fight obesity by keeping them feeling full for long periods of time. The dietary fiber found in rasp-

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berries improves dogs’ digestive systems. And because they’re loaded with antioxidants, raspberries can help to reduce dogs’ risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis. In fact, the anti-inflammatory properties of the antioxidants found in raspberries can be especially beneficial to aging dogs by alleviating their age-related joint pain. Low in both sugar and calories, raspberries are rich in vitamin C, K and B-complex, and are an excellent source of minerals such as potassium, manganese, copper, folic acid, iron and magnesium. As beneficial as raspberries can be, the AKC notes that it’s imperative that dog owners only serve them in moderation. That’s because raspberries contain high levels of the all-natural sweetener xylitol, which can be toxic to dogs, potentially contributing to the development of liver disease and hypoglycemia as well. Dog owners who want their dogs to get all the benefits of eating raspberries without putting their pooches’ health in jeopardy should consult their veterinarians before including raspberries in Fido’s diet.

ADOPT A PET! We’re looking for good homes! To adopt one of us please call our Adoptions department at (360) 733-2080

Or visit us at 2172 Division St., Bellingham, WA 98226 Hi, I’m Chester!

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July 18 - 24, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com

NEXT ISSUE: July 25 AD DEADLINE: July 22

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Public Notices

Blaine School District Budget

The Blaine School District has prepared a budget extension for the 2018-19 school year and a preliminary budget for the 2019-20 school year. Copies of the budget extension and preliminary budget are on file at the district administrative office at 765 H Street, and will be furnished to any person requesting one. They include projected revenues and expenditures for the each school year. A public hearing on the 2018-19 budget extension and on the 2019-20 budget will take place during the regularly scheduled Board meeting, July 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the district administrative office. Anyone in attendance will have the opportunity to speak for or against any part of the 201819 budget extension or the 2019-20 budget. Board adoption will take place after the public hearing. For more information, please call 3325881.

Pets PAMPER-YOUR-PETS with PetNanny Petsitting! Professionally petsitting since 2002. Licensed and insured. Former veterinary asst., CPR and First Aid certified. Numerous references. Call Gina at 360-6311336.

Rentals - Rooms

Plumbing PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Chapter 18.27.100 of the Revised Code of Washington requires that all advertisements for construction services include the contractor’s registration number in the advertisement. To verify a contractor’s license, call the Dept. of Labor and Industry’s contractors registration at 1-800-647-0982.

Real Estate FSBO

FOR SALE BY OWNER Birch Bay Village lot, 8078 Kitimat. $95,000. 90’ frontage on landscaped lot. 604-263-8833 or cel 604-218-2584.

Rentals - Commercial

NELSON BUILDING 925 Ludwick Ave., Blaine

Leasing for Warehousing/Trucking. Have an 18,000 SF Fenced & Paved Yard Available Now for Vehicle Storage.

Don Nelson 360-332-2743 Email nelsbldg@msn.com

Rentals Wanted LOOKING TO RENT WEEKLY trailer or small apartment rental for the summer. For professional musician. Late July through August. Excellent local references. N/S. Call 919-225-7687 or email heavenonharp@gmail. com.

More Real Estate Listings are on page 12

The Northern Light • July 18 - 24, 2019

Real Estate 1254 4TH Street • Blaine

8045 Birch Bay Dr. Blaine, WA

360-371-7252 Century21BayProperties.com 7468 Nooksack Road • Everson

$397,000

$199,500

GREAT LOCATION IN BLAINE! Nice level lot, fully fenced yard, 2-BD, 1.75-BA - ready for your upgrades and finishes! New carpet was recently installed and PRICE REDUCED! new paint throughout! Nice big windows for peek-a-boo view of marina! Large 26’x26’ shop with alley access. THIS WON’T LAST!

CeCelia Breivik (360) 303-8161

2680 H Street • Blaine

$329,000

PENDING! Never before on RURAL LIVING AT IT’S the market! Spacious 10.5 acre FINEST! 9.62 partially forested parcel. Idyllic country setting acreage home between Blaine & w/ mountain views. Single level Lynden. In good condition 1989 home built in 1947 with doublewide with brand PENDING! PENDING! 3-BD, 1-BA, multiple outbuildings, 2 detached garages for 3+ newforroofthisoffering 7.18.19 - Instruction are saved under incoming. No photo one. 1,765 cars. Less than a mile to Everson, close to schools, transform this SF of living space 3-BD, 2-BA, 1008 SF detached garage/workshop diamond in the rough into your very own farmhouse! and 408 SF deck. Currently rented for $1500 per month. CC: kindalinda@msn.com

Terry Conway • (360) 410-0503

Amy Bremer • (360) 961-0620

5770 Nakat Way • Birch Bay

$785,000

THE PERFECT NORTHWEST HOME! NW design w/ open floor plan perfectly capturing views from deck, kitchen & casual LR NEW LISTING! w/ FP. Excellent condition. Full MIL suite downstairs with kitchen & garage. Paver patio w/ water feature. Gated, amenity rich community.

8128 Kayak Way • Birch Bay Village

I N G!

8284 Shintaffer Road • $850,000

If you like to entertain and enjoy a knock your socks off view, then this turn-key property is for you!

8628 Ashbury Ct • Blaine, WA 98230 • $639,000

Remodeled Beach Home with panoramic view and great sun exposure, on large 19,948 sq.ft. home site. 2150 sq. ft. with 650 sq. ft. unfinished workshop area at the garden level. Features 2 bedrooms, office, great room, kitchen, utility room, wall of windows and access to 600 sq.ft deck area with natural gas fireplace. 650 sq ft bedroom suite at the garden level includes kitchen and 3/4 bath. A real gem awaits! MLS #1491920

Strategically tucked beside Loomis’ lucky 13th tee, this charmer enjoys a stellar golf course, Clubhouse & Mt. Baker view! All primary living on main. Rich cherry flooring welcomes. Den/office, stately dining rm flank entry. Spacious living room adjoins high end s/s/granite kitchen. Powder, laundry & expansive luxe master suite complete main. Upper level enjoys 2 generous guestrooms, full bath; glass french doors open to a generous Mt. Baker view bonus room w/wet bar! 3/2.5 + 2 flex rms.

Beautiful properties with numerous amenities.

WATER VIEW! Perfect beach house hideaway! Enjoy expansive views of the bay & best sunsets on the west coast. Granite counter tops, pine plank ceilings lend rustic touch. Over-sized NEW LISTING! shed offers storage space. Be it a first home, vacation getaway, or income producing investment, this private home is a rare and scenic treat!

7806 Birch Bay Dr. Unit #301 • Blaine

A HIDDEN GEM! Updated 850 SF, 2-BD, 1-BA, private corner garden unit comes furnished. Perfect for quiet place to retire, weekend getaway or rental income. New NEW LISTING! floors, windows & sliding door, new cabinets, counter tops & appliances. Enjoy all the amenities of Jacob’s Landing & more!

Jeremy Porter • (360) 306-1794

5384 Night Heron Dr. • Semiahmoo $1,888,000 NEW CONSTRUCTION! Custom NW comtemporary Semiahmoo home! Exceptional detail throughout. 12-ft ceilings, expansive WATERFRONT windows/skylights w/ Drayton Harbor views. Designer kitchen. 4-BD w/ ensuite. Lower retreat family rm, wine cellar option & more!

$249,900

Ruth Skeete • (360) 358-5075

1255 Geneva Hills Rd. • Bellingham

$727,000

RARE OPPORTUNITY for location, size AND income potential! Main house 4-BD, 2-BA, 2 decks, kitchen w/ slab granite, pantry with tons of NEW LISTING! storage. Open floor plan. Upstairs bedrooms & laundry for functional living. HUGE lot facing green space. Secluded at dead-end street & cul-de-sac.

Heather Taylor • (425) 785-5771

Julie Ward • (760) 522-2564

Linda Kiens 360.815.6640

HOMES IN POPULAR BIRCH BAY VILLAGE! COME HOME TO BIRCH BAY VILLAGE, the most unique waterfront community with exceptional amenities: 24/7 security, private saltwater marina, golf course, private beaches, clubhouse, swimming pool & so much more! Call Billy at 360-220-7175 to view these 2 properties!

Christy Imperio • (360) 201-4100

$316,000

More features than we can list. Call for details

Brian Southwick 360.815.6638

NEWLY UPDATED! Remarkable 3520 SF, 5-BD, 3-BA home! Excellent condition, everything updated last 5 years. New furnaces, AC, updated bathrooms and PRICE REDUCED! more.Hardwood floors re-finished cabinets done. Lots of room downstairs boasts large bar area with tons of entertainment room. Roof 5 years new.

Carl W. R. Dufton • (360) 815-6637

5002 Cottonwood Court

$479,000

IST EW L

9056 Winged Teal Ct Blaine • $1,080,000 Listing your property? Call Lisa for a Market Evaluation

Lisa Sprague Owner/Agent

360-961-0838

N 2 OPEN 12SU

5774 Salish Rd. • $169,000

2-BD, 2-BA home with roof & windows updated. Storage area in back. Partial fenced yard. MLS #1476434

5772 Salish Rd.

$134,900

2-BD, 1-BA, home on large lot with plenty of room for a garage/shop. Lots of nice cedar trees. Huge storage shed. MLS #1476343

Billy Brown 360-220-7175 billybrown@windermere.com

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, AllAllreal estate/rentals advertislimitation discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or ing in this ornewspaper is subject todiscrimination. the FederalThis Fairnewspaper Housingwill Actnot knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246. of 1968advertised 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 8105 Birch Bay Square St. - Blaine, WA 98230 newspaper are available on an equal opportunityGerryAllen@windermere.com basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246. Hugh Brawford 29+ years of success assisting buyers & sellers!

FOR ALL REAL ESTATE, RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL SERVICES PLEASE

Call Hugh -360.371.5800

360-920-0563

E OUS N H 1-3 E P O UN S

CALL ME IF BUYING OR SELLING

Semiahmoo Marina boat slips AVAILABLE!

21 ACRES on Kickerville

BIRCH BAY CREEK FRONT COTTAGE

at Headwaters on Terrell Creek

7531 Morrison Ave. • $159,000

2-BD, 1-BA, located just off Birch Bays sandy beaches, with frontage on Terrell creek. Kayaking & crabbing from your own back yard. How cool is that? Nice back yard with plenty of privacy for the afternoon sun. Remodel and make it your own little custom getaway or just live the vacation. Plenty of parking. MLS#1451543

Billy Brown 360-220-7175 billybrown@windermere.com

$175,000

8324 Fawn Crescent • Birch Bay • $445,000 One of a kind quality home, no expense has been spared, hardwood floors, granite counter tops, trex decking along architectural accents. NW living at its best, large lot, peaceful setting, minutes to shared beach. Whether a vacation home, VRBO or full time living, large windows unique loft with room for two more beds, patio and decks makes a bird watchers paradise

EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVERTISE IN

Advice

from the

7806 Birch Bay Dr. #1007 JUST LISTED! $175,000

Owner contract possible at 20% down, 6.5% 30 year Amortization

Some residential zoning, currently in open space. Possible conservation easement opportunity. Great tax advantage. Call Hugh for details!

1-BD end unit with updated kitchen & appliances. Large floorplan with patio close to Birch Bay Beaches. Cozy wood burning FP, partial saltwater & sunset views. Amenities; Tennis courts, indoor pool, hot tub, racquetball court, game & exercise room. Laminate floors throughout. HURRY, THIS WON’T LAST!

www.CallHugh.com

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July 18 - 24, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com

OBITUARIES

Learn more about 2019 primary candidates By Jami Makan The League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County is organizing a primary election candidates forum to help county residents learn more about candidates appearing on the 2019 primary ballot. The event will feature the 40th district senator candidates and the Whatcom County Council district 4, district 5 and at-large candidates, as well as the candidates for Whatcom County executive. It is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Whatcom Community College’s Syre Auditorium, 237

West Kellogg Road, Bellingham. All candidates who appear on the primary ballot for these races have been invited. Those candidates who attend will participate in a moderated forum, answering questions from the audience as well as the moderator. The event will also include a lunch break so that attendees can engage informally with the candidates. In Washington primaries, the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. Voters do not need to declare their political party to vote in the primary election. Primary election day is August 6. Voters may register, update

their voter registration or find their voting districts and representatives by visiting the secretary of state’s website at sos. wa.gov. Alternatively, voters may contact the Whatcom County auditor’s office for assistance. Founded in 1920, the League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization with 800 affiliates across the country. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to men and women of all ages.

Register to vote in the upcoming primaries By Jami Makan The August 6 primary election is approaching, giving voters a chance to vote for candidates running for various offices in Whatcom County. Offices up for primary election of interest to Blaine and Birch Bay voters include Whatcom County executive, Whatcom County Council district 5, Blaine City Council ward 2, Blaine school district director districts 2 and 4 and Fire Protection District 21 commissioner position 3. The goal of the primary election is to narrow the field of candidates. A primary election is only held for offices for which three or more candidates have filed. (Exceptions are park and recreation districts and cemetery districts; positions for these districts advance directly to the general election.) After a primary election, the two candidates with the most votes continue on to the general election, which takes

Dining Guide

277 G Street • Downtown Blaine

360-392-0955

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place on November 5. Those who wish to vote in the primaries must be registered to vote. One can register online at sos.wa.gov. A Washington state driver license or ID is required. Alternatively, one can print and mail registration forms, which are available in a variety of languages. A third option is to visit the Whatcom County auditor’s office during business hours, where a clerk can assist with the registration process. The office is located at 311 Grand Avenue, suite 103 in Bellingham. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The deadline to register online is Monday, July 29. Similarly, mailed registration forms must be received at the Whatcom County auditor’s office by July 29 in order to be processed. The deadline to register in-person is later; one can register up to and including election day. Ballots were mailed out on July 17 and usually arrive three

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to five days after mailing. (Military and overseas ballots were mailed on June 21.) Ballots must be postmarked by primary election day in order to be counted. Alternatively, ballots can be placed in a designated drop box. Drop boxes will open on July 17 and close at 8 p.m. on primary election day. A map of ballot drop box locations is available online at whatcomcounty.us. No stamp is needed. For voters with disabilities, accessible voting units will be available starting on July 17 at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103 in Bellingham. Large print ballots are available upon request. Various resources are available on Whatcom County’s website, whatcomcounty.us. These include a sample ballot and an online voters’ guide. Those with questions or concerns about the primary election can contact Whatcom County’s election division at 360/778-5102 during business hours.

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Rogan Neyens

January 22, 1935 - July 9, 2019 Rogan Neyens passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife Irene of 63 years by his side in Lynden on July 9, 2019. Rogan was born on January 22, 1935 in Bellingham to Jacob and Mildred (Nesmith) Neyens. Rogan and Irene had six children, Margret (Richard) Neyens, Lori Morrison, Kevin (Erika) Neyens, Andy Neyens, Rodger (Kat) Neyens and Tami (Daryl) Grimme; 16 grandchildren, Roshell (Jeff) Neyens, Naomi (Randy) Roose, Sarah (Eric) Morgan, Vickie & Logan Huff, Haley Neyens-Dupas, Justin & Jason Neyens, Mackenzie (Marissa) Graham, Erica (Sunwoo) Kim, Sarah (Robert) Gardner, Logan Brittain, Kasia Calise, Travis (Darrein) Grimme, Austin Grimme, Dylan Grimme and 12 great grandchildren. Rogan was predeceased by his parents Jacob and Mildred Neyens, brothers Eugene, Gordon, Anton, Kenneth, and Daryl Neyens, sisters-in-law Nellie, Betty, and Lucille Neyens. He is survived by his wife Irene, 6 children, 16 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and sisters-in-law Esther and Phyllis Neyens. Rogan was loved by everyone who met him and will greatly be missed by all. Heaven gained an amazing angel and those of us left here on Earth lost a very kind and gentle soul. A private family graveside service was held on July 17. You may share your memories with Rogan’s family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.

Harlen "Darrel" Clark

September 10, 1940 - July 5, 2019 Harlen “Darrel” Clark, age 79, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2019 in Bellingham, Washington. Darrel was born in Hamilton, Montana. He met the love of his life, Joan, at the University of Montana in Missoula, He spent many years in the aerospace industry in Seattle and Canada, the Vancouver Stock Exchange and with UPS Supply Chain Solutions in Blaine. Darrel is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan; son Jay Clark, daughters Stacy (Mark) Clark Thomas and Kendra (Brad) Clark; grandsons Beau and Jay Ramsby; and many cousins in Montana. His joys were his family especially time with his grandsons and walking his dogs. A memorial gathering was held July 10, 2019 at Blaine United Church. The family requests that any Memorial donations may be made to Good Samaritan Society-Stafholt in Blaine or the Whatcom Humane Society in Bellingham.

William Charles Murphy October 23, 1930 - May 28, 2019

A service will be held on Saturday, July 20 at 2 p.m. in Blaine School District’s Performing Arts Center.