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September 19 - 25, 2019
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Peace Portal Community Trail extended, page 8
Climate rally to be held at Peace Arch, page 9
Burn ban lifted in parts of Whatcom County, page 13
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
City council candidate allegedly obstructed Blaine officers By Jami Makan
(See Tojek, page 2)
s Large American and Canadian flags were suspended from fire truck ladders at the 18th annual 9/11 memorial service at Peace Arch State Park. The service featured an honor guard parade, a pipe band, the singing of the American and Canadian national anthems, a minute of silence and other ceremonies intended to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Photo by Kira Erickson
Blaine reaches Gateway property deal with White-Leasure By Jami Makan The city of Blaine and the White-Leasure Development Company have reached an agreement for the purchase of about five acres of the Gateway property, formerly the site of the Blaine Municipal Airport. The five-acre parcel is the last piece of the Gateway property that the city owns, so the proposed deal, if it proceeds, would represent a milestone in the city’s history. At a special city council meeting on September 12, Blaine city manager Michael Jones presented a draft purchase and sale agreement to councilmembers, who voted 5-0 (Alicia Rule and Steve Lawrenson were excused) to authorize Jones to enter into the agreement with White-Leasure, which is based in Boise, Idaho and specializes in the development of retail shopping centers, hotels and other projects. The buyer intends to develop a commer-
cial center on the property, with an undetermined mix of tenants. The site is adjacent to a 2.5-acre plot of land that Family Care Network (FCN) recently agreed to purchase for the development of a new medical center. If FCN chooses not to develop, White-Leasure would be required to purchase the entire 7.5-acre site, which is bordered by H Street to the north, the truck route to the west and Grant Avenue to the east. “I’m excited that potentially the last piece of the airport property is getting sold, that we can get this on the tax rolls, and I’m excited about the jobs that it’s going to potentially generate, and adding services for the citizens,” said councilmember Eric Davidson. Councilmember Jaime Arnett agreed, adding that “the added retail and services are just going to add value and attract buyers for the new neighborhood that
we’re building in east Blaine as well.” According to the terms of the deal, price has been established at $5.50 per square foot. The agreement allows for a 180-day (See Gateway, page 3)
INSIDE
A candidate for Blaine City Council is charged with obstructing Blaine police officers during a late-night traffic stop in 2017, after the officers impounded his vehicle, which was being driven 111 m.p.h. by an intoxicated driver before it was pulled over. Steven Tojek, a border patrol agent who is currently running for the Blaine city council ward 2 seat, allegedly became angry and confrontational with Blaine police officers after they proceeded to impound his new Ford Mustang, in which he was the passenger. “You touch my vehicle and I am suing your f---ing a--,” Tojek told the officers. The confrontation allegedly delayed their investigation of the driver, who was later found guilty of reckless driving and driving under the influence. Tojek is charged with one count of obstructing under RCW 9A.76.020, which states that a person “is guilty of obstructing a law enforcement officer if the person willfully hinders, delays or obstructs any law enforcement officer in the discharge of his or her official powers or duties.” He is facing a trial in Whatcom County District Court on Monday, September 23. A call to the prosecutor’s office about potential penalties was not returned. On December 2, 2017 at about 2:39 a.m., Tojek, then 46, was a passenger in his own vehicle, which was being driven northbound on I-5 by Shah Khan, Tojek’s 24-year-old tenant at the time. The pair had gone to a nightclub together and were on their way home. As the Mustang approached the exit 274 off-ramp, nearby police officers activated their radar and observed the vehicle traveling 111 m.p.h. in a 70 m.p.h. zone. Officers followed the Mustang off I-5 onto Peace Portal Drive, where they pulled it over. Khan was told that he was doing 111 m.p.h. on the freeway. He was asked to step out of the vehicle before being placed in handcuffs, placed in the back seat of a patrol vehicle, notified that he was under arrest for reckless driving and read his constitutional rights. An officer then walked back to the
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . 14 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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The Northern Light • September 19 - 25, 2019
Tojek ... From page 1
Mustang, to let the passenger know that they were free to walk home since the driver was being arrested. The officer recognized the passenger as Tojek, with whom he was familiar. The
officer asked whether the Mustang belonged to Tojek. After Tojek said that it was his, the officer stated that the vehicle was going to be towed. “I got to take it home, I got to go home,” responded Tojek, according to a transcript of a police body camera audio recording of the encounter. The officer asked Tojek if he
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had had anything to drink that night, and Tojek said no. The officer asked Tojek why he was allowing his vehicle to be driven 111 m.p.h. “I told [Khan] to slow down and he did, but at the same time I wasn’t really watching the speedometer,” said Tojek. “I was actually kind of sleeping.” The officer advised Tojek that he was notifying a border patrol supervisor, because there had been “too many incidences with you specifically or you as a passenger.” Tojek became upset, pleading with the officer and saying, “You want to talk about my supervisor when I am sitting in the passenger seat?” After Tojek said “I got nothing to say,” the officer discontinued the conversation and returned to his investigation of Khan, while simultaneously telling his fellow officer to watch Tojek. The officer also used his radio to request a border patrol supervisor. “I have one of your agents here that is arguing with me,” the officer said over the radio. “He is the passenger, the owner of the vehicle and this needs to be noted.” What happened next is described in a memorandum prepared by prosecutors and the police body camera audio transcript. As the officers attempted to locate Khan’s identification, Tojek exited his Mustang and approached the patrol car, demanding his key. He came right up to the officers and extended his hand. “Step back right now,”
RGER
ZE BU BAY BREE
s Blaine city council candidate Steven Tojek, who is charged with obstructing police officers in 2017.
File photo
said one of the officers. Tojek did not step away and continued to argue. “You can either walk home or you can step away,” said the officer. Tojek did not step away, and told the officers that someone was coming to get his vehicle. “You are free to walk away, [but] if you stay here you are obstructing,” one of the officers told Tojek, who requested his key again. Tojek eventually took a few steps away, and one of the officers told him that the only way he would get his vehicle was by submitting to a breathalyzer test to make sure he hadn’t been drinking. Tojek refused the breath test, and was again notified that the vehicle was being impounded. “You ain’t touching my vehicle,” said Tojek, who indicated that he could pass the breath test but did not trust the officers. “The reason I don’t trust you is
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because you are not trustworthy,” said Tojek. “You are trying to screw me out of my f---ing vehicle. I am getting somebody to get my vehicle right now. You touch my vehicle and I am suing your f---ing a--.” Tojek was reminded that he was obstructing the investigation of Khan, but he again asked for his key. He then returned to the Mustang’s passenger seat. The Blaine police officers waited for backup to arrive before continuing their investigation of Khan. A DUI investigation was commenced after Khan was observed to have bloodshot, watery eyes and the odor of alcohol. Tojek was eventually taken home by a border patrol supervisor. Meanwhile, Khan refused to submit to a breathalyzer or field sobriety test. Washington State Patrol (WSP) was asked to take over the investigation, and after a WSP trooper arrived on scene, WSP took Khan to the Blaine Police Department where he spoke with a public defender on the phone and again refused a breath test. Khan was placed in a temporary holding cell while WSP applied for a search warrant for his blood. After a judge granted the warrant, Khan was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham, where blood was drawn. The result of the blood test was a blood alcohol content of 0.097, above the legal limit of 0.08. In subsequent court proceedings, Khan was found guilty of the crimes of DUI and reckless driving in Whatcom County District Court. Khan is currently appealing his conviction and sentence. Following the December 2, 2017 incident, Tojek was charged with obstruction of a (Continued on next page)
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September 19 - 25, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com (Continued from previous page) law enforcement officer. His conduct allegedly caused a 28-minute delay in the Khan DUI investigation. Separately, Tojek contested the impoundment of his vehicle in Whatcom County District Court, where it was found that the vehicle was properly impounded. Tojek appealed the decision to Whatcom County Superior Court, where the appeal was dismissed for want of prosecution. When contacted by The Northern Light, Tojek argued that the December 2, 2017 incident was just another example of how he has been targeted by the Blaine Police Department in the past. “I just know I’ve been targeted multiple times wrongfully by the Blaine Police Department,” he said. “I wasn’t the first person, I wasn’t the second person and I probably won’t be the last person, so this is why I am running for city council.” Tojek said that prior to the December 2017 incident, Blaine officers falsely accused him of interfering in a traffic stop. On another occasion, he said that a Blaine officer contacted his managers, claiming Tojek had worn his Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uniform to Blaine Municipal Court in order to influence the outcome of a traffic ticket he received. There were
Gateway ... From page 1
feasibility period, with an option for the city manager to grant an additional 180-day feasibility extension. Earnest money, in the amount of $50,000, would become non-refundable upon granting a feasibility extension. The agreement also requires the White-Leasure Development Company to report the status of their tenant recruitment and contracting to the city manager at 90-day increments throughout the feasibility period. “We’ll be getting kept appraised along the way, and they will have the
additional examples of alleged bias that Tojek said he could not discuss in detail. On December 2, 2017, Tojek said the Blaine officers were trying to get him fired from CBP and were trying to “hustle” him into taking a breathalyzer test. “[The officer] was going out of his way to try to pull something on me,” said Tojek. Tojek admitted to having two drinks earlier that evening with Khan. He said they were celebrating the completion of a home renovation project. “But I was stone cold sober because I didn’t drink enough to even make a difference,” he said. He also defended Khan, saying that Khan “was not drunk and he was not drunk driving … From my perspective, he drove perfect. He didn’t make one mistake. He drove flawlessly and perfect except he was speeding.” Tojek argued that there is a significant difference between speeding and reckless driving, and that there was no evidence of reckless driving that night. He also said that Khan “walked perfect and talked perfect” and that the officers didn’t have any probable cause to investigate Khan for driving under the influence. “Mere odor of alcohol is not an offense,” he said. “They confined him in the back of the patrol car to get the mere odor of alcohol.” Regarding the alleged obstruction, Tojek denied that he beopportunity to work with a variety of tenants and contract for the project,” said Jones. Blaine mayor Bonnie Onyon said the deal was a major step forward. “This is the last major milestone in a long time coming in the disposition of the former airport property and we feel this will be a very positive development for the people of Blaine,” she said. “I think we’ve got a good company, very reputable with a lot of experience in doing major retail, and we’re excited to see what kind of tenants they will be able to attract to this site. It’s quite an exciting thing, having the last piece of the airport property being sold.”
haved in an inappropriate way. “My conduct was the mere exiting of the vehicle to request, not demand, my key … All I did was exit the vehicle. I can’t obstruct an officer for waiting. All they were doing was waiting. The video evidence will show it and prove it. So for me to stand aside and request my key is not obstruction.” Tojek said that if he is elected to city council, he will push for more training of Blaine police officers. In the August 6 primaries, the top two candidates for the Blaine city council ward 2 seat were Garth Baldwin with 284 votes and Tojek with 72 votes. They will compete against each other for the ward 2 seat in the November general election. Asked to respond to Tojek’s claim of bias, Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley said that citizens’ complaints about the department are investigated equally and impartially. “Our police department strives very hard to maintain the ethics and the oath of office that we’ve taken to treat everyone fairly and equally,” he said. Tanksley also said that he could not comment on the December 2, 2017 incident because it is currently before the courts. “Generally, I don’t speak about cases that are actively going through the criminal justice system due to the fact that I want to respect the entire process,” he said.
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The Northern Light • September 19 - 25, 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, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Letters Policy The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. 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
s Blaine resident Jim Zell recently photographed some historic pictures that were hanging inside the old Wolten and Montfort grocery store on Peace Portal Drive in downtown Blaine. Worried that they would be damaged in the process of being removed from the drywall, Zell wanted to photograph the old pictures in order to preserve them. He is now interested in learning more about the pictures, more of which can be found online at thenorthernlight.com. To share your facts and memories of these pictures with Zell, contact him at jimzellwa3@gmail.com.
Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Reporting Intern Kira Erickson prpintern@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Kristin Siemion sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com
The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200 Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXIV, No 14 Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation independently verified by:
Next issue: Sept. 26 Ads due: Sept. 20
Letters The Editor: The Community Assistance Program (CAP) will be providing Thanksgiving dinner baskets again this year for those in our community with financial need. Last year, over 265 baskets were given out, and we anticipate the need will be as great or greater this year. To fund this program, which is run completely by our fantastic volunteers, we rely solely on the generous contributions of community members and businesses. As we receive no government funding, your help is needed. If you have the means to help your neighbors in need, please mail your check to CAP Thanksgiving Basket Fund, P.O. Box 1067, Blaine, WA 98231.
CAP is a 501(c)(3) organization and is registered with the Washington Secretary of State; all donations are fully tax-deductible. Thank you for blessing those in our community who need it most. The Thanksgiving basket program serves those with financial need, including families with children, seniors and those who are disabled, unemployed or under-employed, who reside in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts. If you qualify and would like to receive a Thanksgiving dinner basket, you must make a reservation between Tuesday, October 1 and Friday, November 15. Please visit blainecap.org for registration and details.
Reservations can also be made by calling the Blaine School District Family Service Center at 360/332-0740 by Friday, November 15. Baskets are to be picked up on Tuesday, November 26, between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., at unit 200 in the Cost Cutter shopping center. A specific pickup time will be assigned to you once you are registered. Baskets will not be available without a reservation. Rhyan Lopez Blaine 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, 6 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.
September 19 - 25, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
Sea Links Golf Course in Birch Bay to reopen next year By Oliver Lazenby The management behind Homestead Farms Golf Club in Lynden is working on restoring Sea Links Golf Course in Birch Bay and hopes to have the course open by next June, with a driving range open earlier in the spring. Mick O’Bryan, general manager of Homestead Golf Course, would manage the Sea Links course, which is behind CJ’s Beach House, at 7878 Birch Bay Drive. O’Bryan also managed Sea Links from 2007 until it closed during the recession in 2008. With a growing population and favorable economic conditions in Birch Bay, the time is right to reopen, O’Bryan said. “We feel like Birch Bay, over the last five years, has made huge strides in population growth. Tourism seems to be back. We just feel like that particular place
is great for that facility,” he said The course will be public. Management is still working on the pricing structure, but O’Bryan said they aim to keep it fairly inexpensive. The nine-hole course will be virtually the same as it was before. A standard golf course is 18 holes. O’Bryan said the shorter course will work well in the area, as it allows people to play a round of golf without dedicating a whole day to the sport. Current owner, Canadian real estate investor Morris Chen, purchased the Sea Links Golf Course property in August 2012, according to the Whatcom County Assessor. To generate revenue before opening, Sea Links is renting out its golf carts at Birch Bay Waterslides. “We’re sending folks for little tours by the bay and they seem to be enjoying it,” O’Bryan said.
2- Year Anniversary P arty Sunday, October 6 • 6-9 pm Food • Beverage • Round of Trivia Vinyl Night Music Finishing with Live Entertainment
CITY OF BLAINE 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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s The greens at Sea Links Golf Course, behind CJ’s Beach House on Birch Bay Drive, are currently being restored so that the course can open next year.
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The Northern Light • September 19 - 25, 2019
e n i a l B
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Saturday, October 5 • noon-10pm PIZZA FACTORY PARKING LOT H St. & Peace Portal
FOOD • MUSIC BEER GARDEN • VENDORS 12 PM 1 PM 3 PM 12-10 PM
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NOTICE OF FLUSHING The City of Blaine Water Division started flushing the City's water distribution system. This is accomplished by opening hydrants along the system (starting at the well fields) to move fresh water throughout the distribution system. The purpose of flushing the system is to remove any grit and debris in order to improve water quality through the distribution system. During the city flushing program city water customers may experience a temporary low water pressure and/ or cloudiness when flushing is going on. The cloudiness condition (caused by air) should be only temporary, and can be cleared by running a cold water tap for a few minutes to clean and flush your service line. If the condition continues for an extended period of time please contact the Blaine Public Works. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, feel free to call Public Works at (360) 332-8820. Blaine Public Works.
Sports
Fun for the Whole Family!
By Oliver Lazenby
B.C. team shuts out Blaine football 21–0 After two early mistakes, Blaine football couldn’t recover in a 21–0 loss on September 13 at home. The Borderites have a 1–1 record after the loss to Lord Tweedsmuir, a Surrey, B.C., team that went undefeated in the regular season last year and is currently ranked among the best in the province. Blaine gave away the first touchdown. The Borderites dropped the kick return and then fumbled the first snap. Lord Tweedsmuir recovered it on the 15-yard line and marched into the end zone in a few possessions. Blaine couldn’t get a first-down on its next possession, and Lord Tweedsmuir returned the Borderite punt to the 50-yard line before eventually running in a second touchdown. Lord Tweedsmuir’s extra-point kick made the score 14–0 in the first quarter. From there, the Borderites played a competitive game but just couldn’t score. They came within 10 yards of the end zone twice – once at the end of the second quarter and again at the end of the third. “We struggled to get into any rhythm on offense,” said Blaine head coach Jay Dodd. “We had some chances and we did move the ball from time to time but we still have a lot of things to get better at. We’re just not quite clicking yet on offense.” Lord Tweedsmuir scored its third touchdown on a 9-yard run in the third quarter. The team’s offense relied partly on running plays along the perimeter of the field, something
Blaine’s defense successfully blocked later in the game. “Our defense played great, for the most part, all game long,” Dodd said. “We forced five or six punts and we were close to creating a couple of turnovers. Wyatt Cole, Mason [Vega] and Gavino [Rodriguez] played great.” Blaine put together 195 total offensive yards (Lord Tweedsmuir had 247). Borderites quarterback Will McKinney completed 11 of 30 passes for 102 yards, and senior wide receiver Kavika Hee snagged six receptions for 64 yards. Scott Baldwin caught three passes for 24 yards, and Vega and Zane Rector each caught one pass. Blaine’s wide receivers are all new to the position. Though he hopes the pass completion percentage will climb toward 50 or
60 percent, Dodd said his crop of receivers is improving. “There are very specific things about the position that they’re still learning on the run and haven’t perfected yet,” he said. “We have to keep working on those details of how to find the open space. I know they’re going to get there, it’s just a matter of continuing to get better every day and trying to learn those things.” Blaine’s most experienced running back, Oscar Caridad, was out of town. Joshua Lopez ran the ball 20 times for 65 yards. Next, Blaine plays at Lynden Christian (1–0) at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 20. The following game, Friday, September 27 at home against Burlington-Edison, is the first conference game of the season.
s Blaine wide receiver Kavika Hee catches a pass in a 21–0 loss to Lord Tweedsmuir on September 13 at Blaine High School. Hee caught six passes for 64 yards.
Photo by Janell Kortlever
In other sports news... Volleyball Blaine girls volleyball lost 3–0 in its season opener, an away match against Sehome on September 16. Next, the Borderites travel to Ferndale (1–0) for a 7 p.m. match on Tuesday, September 24. The team’s next home match is at 7
p.m. on Thursday, September 26, against Bellingham (0–1). Soccer Blaine girls soccer is off to a 2–1–1 start. The Borderites beat Nooksack Valley (0–3–0) 10–1 in an away game on September 12, then lost 4–0 at Burlington-Edison (2–1–0) on September 14.
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In the season’s first conference game, Blaine tied Anacortes (2–1–1) 1–1 on September 17. The Borderites play next at home against Lynden (4–0–0) at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 19. Cross Country Blaine cross country teams had their first race on September 14, the preseason Sehome Invite twomile. In the shorter-than-usual race (high school cross country is typically five kilometers or 3.1 miles), the Blaine boys finished 35th out of 38 in team scores and the girls placed 25th out of 36. Blaine’s fastest individual boys were: Landen Carlton, 12 minutes, 19.77 seconds; Malachi Crump, 12 minutes, 26.79 seconds and Jack Cheatham, 12 minutes, 35.85 seconds. Elee Faulkner finished first out of Blaine’s girls in 13 minutes and 24 seconds, followed by Taylee McCormick in 14 minutes, 18.22 seconds and Claar French at 14 minutes, 44 seconds. Next, Blaine cross country teams will run the South Whidbey Invite on Saturday, September 21. Blaine’s only home meet of the season is coming up on Wednesday, September 25 at 4 p.m. at Peace Arch State Park.
September 19 - 25, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
Birch Bay chamber praises county’s tenacity at berm groundbreaking ceremony By Oliver Lazenby Construction is still a couple of months away, but the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Birch Bay berm project on September 6. Members of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, Whatcom County public works officials and county executive Jack Louws poured sand on the beach in front of an audience that included many who have worked on or advocated for the project. Officially called the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project, the Whatcom County project will add 212,000 tons of sand and gravel to 1.6 miles along Birch Bay Drive to “renaturalize” the beach and protect the road from storm surges. It also includes bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure along the road. Hydrologist Wolf Bauer recommended the beach restoration project in 1975 as a way to replace ineffective seawalls along Birch Bay Drive. Birch Bay has been vulnerable to flooding since the early 1950s, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed between 200,000 and 300,000 cubic yards of sediment to build the Blaine Air Force Station. Louws made the project a priority when he took office in 2012. He wanted the berm and a new county jail to be his legacy, Louws told the crowd at the groundbreaking ceremony. The berm became a priority because it benefits the environ-
ment, recreationists and should provide an economic boost to the region, Louws said “I always like to invest people’s dollars in projects that have a shelf life of more than a year,” he said. “This is going to have a positive impact on Birch Bay for generations, I believe.” Roland Middleton, county public works special project manager who has worked on the project for decades, said Louws’ support for the project helped it continue at several crossroads. “I see my role more as an encourager than anything else,” Louws said. “On something this complicated there always ends up being times when you question whether you give up or keep going and we’ve always had the opportunity to think about it in a different way and find a way to keep going. It’s definitely the biggest public works project Whatcom County has undertaken and one of the more complex.” Just getting to this point required almost a dozen individual permits from state, local and federal agencies, nearly 100 permanent easements and temporary construction easements from property owners, and coordination with several tribes with a stake in Birch Bay. That all required not only consistent effort from the county, but long-term support from the community, said Joe Rutan, Whatcom County engineer. Kathy Berg and Doralee Booth with the Birch Bay Chamber have attended county meetings and talked the project
up to county staff and elected officials since its inception, he said. “Kathy and I have talked about this project for at least 20 years, and we kept saying we’re not going to live to see this, but here we are,” Booth said at the ceremony. Booth acknowledged that she still hasn’t quite lived to see the project built. The groundbreaking coincided not with the beginning of construction, but with the project going out to bid. Construction won’t start before November. Whatcom County will advertise the project for most of September, open bids in late October and potentially award a contract by November 2019, according to its website. Once a contract is awarded, the county will announce a detailed construction schedule. The county has agreed not to work on the project during the summer, and it’s also constrained by salmon rearing and herring spawning seasons. It can work in the water without disturbing those fish until February 15. Berm construction will likely take place over the course of two winters. The county now estimates that the project will cost about $14 million. Of that, about $9.4 million is coming from Whatcom County’s road budget. The rest is funded through grants including Federal Highways Administration funds and county Real Estate Excise Tax funds and Economic Development Investment Program funds. Learn more and sign up for updates on the project on the county’s website: bit.ly/2lMP3Gw.
Ballot initiative could impact state funding for local transportation projects By Jami Makan A ballot initiative that aims to limit car tab fees to $30 per year could have a significant impact on local transportation funding across the state, as well as in Blaine. The effects on Blaine wouldn’t be direct, but they could potentially lead to reduced state funding for local transportation projects such as the proposed grade separation at Bell Road. Initiative 976 is an initiative that was filed for consideration in the 2019 legislative session. The state legislature did not act on the initiative, and therefore, Initiative 976 will be presented to voters during the next general election in November 2019, according to the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). Initiative 976 would limit motor vehicle license fees (car tab fees) to $30 per year; repeal or reduce certain motor vehicle weight fees; repeal the authority for city Transportation Benefit Districts (TBDs) to impose vehicle fees; reduce electric vehicle fees to $30 per year; and repeal the 0.3 percent tax on motor vehicle retail sales, among other things. If the initiative passes, the authority for TBDs to impose fees would be eliminated. This would not directly impact the city of
Blaine, whose TBD is funded by local sales taxes rather than vehicle license fees. According to AWC, there are more than 100 cities that have formed TBDs to fund local transportation projects, and over 60 TBDs receive revenue from vehicle license fees. However, there could be an indirect impact on Blaine, which depends on state funding for many of its transportation projects. According to AWC, if the initiative passes, there would be reductions in many of the state accounts associated with transportation funding. “The state estimates lost revenue of $588 million in the 2019-21 biennium, $677 million in the 2021-23 biennium and $758 million in the 2023-25 biennium,” said AWC’s website. According to Blaine city manager Michael Jones, this could make it harder for Blaine to receive state transportation funding in the future. “It could have a significant impact on the state’s general collection of transportation funding, to the tune of billions of dollars over time,” said Jones. “Some of that goes towards projects that help local and regional transportation.” As an example, Jones mentioned the Bell Road grade separation project, which is intended to alleviate traffic delays caused by the Department of Homeland
Security’s train inspection facility just south of city limits. The project would create an overpass over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) mainline. “That’s the kind of project that it would be more difficult to get funding for,” said Jones. “When the pool of money gets dramatically smaller, it becomes more difficult to get funding for any project.”
$6 OFF ANY ORDER OF $30 OR MORE Dine in only. Not valid with any other offers. Exp. 10/3/2019
Blaine High School Athletic Hall of Fame 2019 Inaugural Induction Class:
1978 BHS Football Team • Bob Robertson • Craig Foster Rob Ridnour • Tim Evans • Richard “Handshake” Hanson Chris Jorgensen • Ken “Bud” Markusen • Cherish Morrison Luke Ridnour • Leslie Seelye • Jessica Summers • David Wiens
Special Introduction of Inductees Friday, September 27 • approx. 8 pm
Halftime during Blaine High School Football Game
Induction Ceremony
Saturday, September 28 • 1 pm Blaine Performing Arts Center
Reception to follow in the Blaine High School Cafeteria
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Birch Bay & Blaine
Candidates Forum
Monday, October 14 at 7 p.m.
Birch Bay Bible Community Church • 4460 Bay Rd.
( NE corner of Bay & Blaine Roads)
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758 Peace Portal Drive Blaine 360-332-4045 www.pasodelnorte.net
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ALL are welcome to attend.
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• County Council District 5 & At-Large Position B • Blaine School District 503 for Board Positions 2 & 4
Candidates will answer questions and discuss their platforms and visions for the future. Citizen organized & sponsored by: Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, The Northern Light Newspaper & Blaine Chamber of Commerce.
8
The Northern Light • September 19 - 25, 2019
Second phase of Peace Portal Community Trail now complete By Jami Makan The second phase of the Peace Portal Community Trail project is now complete, creating more options for pedestrians and cyclists passing through the city of Blaine. The first phase of the project involved the construction of an asphalt trail along Peace Portal Drive from Cherry Street to Bayview Avenue. The second phase recently extended the trail from Bayview Avenue to Hughes Avenue. The new stretch of trail con-
sists of a ten-foot-wide separated, hard-surfaced pedestrian path with Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant crossings and driveways along the entire length. “The trail is subtly transforming how people travel to and through Blaine,” said Blaine public works director Ravyn Whitewolf. “It is beautiful, convenient and safe.” The second phase of the project was funded by the Small City Sidewalk Program of the Washington State Transportation
Improvement Board (TIB). The board, which provides street construction and maintenance grants to more than 300 cities and counties in the state, granted the city $293,425 toward the second phase of the project. Meanwhile, the city contributed local funds of $32,603 towards the second phase of the project, which is eligible for funding from the city’s Transportation Benefit District. The special taxing district was created by the Blaine city council and is used to fund transportation
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projects for streets, sidewalks and trails. In April 2017, Blaine voters approved a 0.2 increase in the sales tax to fund the district; the increase to the sales tax went into effect in January 2018. Once completed, the project “will create a viable and scenic pedestrian connection from the new pedestrian crossing at the Peace Arch U.S./Canadian border crossing through the city to the southern Blaine city limits,” according to the city’s phase two grant application, submitted in August 2017. Related to phase two are a series of improvements to Hughes Avenue. “The intersection of that street and Peace Portal Drive experiences significant truck traffic and is skewed in a way that hampers turning, creating a hazard for motorists,” said a news release from the city of Blaine. “Improve-
ments to this area will rectify the intersection challenges, provide pedestrian facilities on the north side of the street and improve pavement so that it better holds up to truck traffic.” The city of Blaine is currently preparing TIB application materials for phase three of the project, which will extend the trail even further, to Bell Road. The Peace Portal Community Trail overlaps with a segment of the Coast Millennium Trail, an initiative of the Whatcom Council of Governments that seeks to create a network of trails between Skagit County and White Rock, B.C. The goal is to boost recreation, tourism, community health and economic development by promoting cycling and walking as viable modes of transportation in Whatcom County and beyond.
s The second phase of the Peace Portal Community Trail project recently extended the trail from Bayview Avenue to Hughes Avenue. Photo courtesy of city of Blaine
September 19 - 25, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
9
Cross-border climate rally to be held at Peace Arch State Park A cross-border rally will aim to draw attention to climate issues and the health of the planet. On Saturday, September 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Extinction Rebellion Bellingham and Extinction Rebellion Fraser Valley are hosting a rally at Peace Arch State Park. The theme of the
rally is “One Planet – A Future to Look Back On.” “On September 21, we believe we can bring members of environmental groups, their supporters and concerned citizens together for a show of strength, celebration and learning,” read a post on the event’s Facebook
page. “Imagine the powerful message and positive energy we can generate together for the planet. Together, in solidarity, we can send a message to our governments, that we the people stand together for the protection of our planet, and for the protection of our coast.”
The event will include a demonstration, speeches and a potluck. To minimize the environmental impact, organizers requested that attendees bring food that can be shared without plates or utensils, and discouraged them from bringing single-use plastics. Organizers also encouraged car-
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pooling, public transit and bikes to get to and from the event. According to its official website, Extinction Rebellion is an international network of groups that use “non-violent direct action to persuade governments to act on the climate and ecological emergency.”
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property owner to transfer real estate to one or more designated beneficiaries effective upon death without the need to probate the real estate. The TODD must be Mark Stowe, recorded with the County Auditor to become effective. Attorney After recording the owner retains full control and powstowelawpllc@outlook.com er over the real estate including the right to occupy, • Real Estate lease or sell. If the owner has a change of mind, then • Estate Planning & Probate the TODD is fully revocable. Upon passing there is no • Business US Estate Tax due unless the owner’s estate exceeds • U.S. Tax Compliance • Free 30 Minute Consultation the $11 million exemption. While there are pros and cons with any estate planning tool, the TODD may work well for any Washington State property owner. CERTIFIED AGENT
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10
The Northern Light • September 19 - 25, 2019
School district starting free afterschool program with federal grant By Oliver Lazenby The Blaine school district is starting a free afterschool program this fall for up to 150 primary and elementary school students thanks to a federal grant. The program, called Blaine Thrives, will go from 2:50 to 5:20 p.m. every day, starting Monday, October 14. It’s funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Grant.
The Blaine Thrives afterschool program will be educational, but will also include non-academic field trips and activities. It will offer bus transportation, snacks and monthly community meals for participants’ family members. The district plans to give a registration form for the program to all elementary and primary students. If more than 75 students per building apply they will be-
gin a screening program. Together, the primary and elementary school had about 1,000 students last school year. The school district hasn’t decided on criteria for selecting applicants, said Ashley Walser, special education teacher at Blaine Elementary School and director of the grant programs. “We want to reach kids that have some academic needs,” she said.
The program has 18 staff members – four teachers and five paraeducators per building. This is the first program that the district is taking on with money from the 21st Century Community Learning Grant, which it applied for last spring. It also has plans for an English literacy course for adults starting in October, and the grant will also enhance the district’s summer
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school program, Walser said. According to the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which oversees the grant program for Washington state, the 21st Century Community Learning Grant is intended to support academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools.
Tips and products for a healthier, happier pet!
How to introduce your newly adopted shelter dog to your home Millions of dogs reside in shelters or in foster homes just waiting for someone to make them permanent members of their family. The ASPCA says there are nearly four million dogs in shelters across America. Bringing home a puppy or an older dog can be an exciting, selfless endeavor. Shelter dogs have the capacity to be loving, devoted pets. Unfortunately, many such dogs have been dealt difficult hands, ending up in shelters through no fault of their own. Prospective pup parents should be aware that there can be a transitional period as dogs acclimate to their new homes. Understanding what to expect the first few weeks and months can be helpful.
• Creatures of habit: Dogs are creatures of habit and feel most comfortable when they know what to expect. Moving from a shelter into a home can be a big change. Shelter dogs will need time to understand the workings of a household. By remaining consistent and patient, dog owners can help their pooches acclimate to their new surroundings. Feed the dog at the same time and place each day. Take the dog for a walk the same time each day with the same route. Knowing what to expect can be calming for the dog. • Housetraining regression: New puppies likely do not fully know the rules of housetraining, but even older dogs who may
have been housetrained can regress in a new environment. Pet parents may have to go back to basics and reinforce housetraining lessons. • Shyness and anxiety: It’s impossible to know what dogs went through before landing in a shelter. Shelter workers may have conducted certain tests, such as food aggression or resource guarding, but that only paints part of the picture. It will take time for the dog to trust and understand, and dogs may be timid and experience anxiety for a brief period. Some may even act out by exhibiting damaging behavior. • Safe space: The experts at Hill’s Pets advise employing a crate that can serve as a den for
the dog. It not only is an area that can keep the dog out of trouble as he or she learns the rules of the house, but it also can serve as a safe haven that is familiar and comforting. • Training classes: Enroll in training classes so that the pup begins to learn commands. Obedience training also helps keep the animal safe. • Vet care: Make an appointment to have the shelter dog checked over by a vet as soon as possible. This helps everyone get on a vaccination schedule and can pinpoint illnesses or behavior problems. Many shelter dogs have common communicable illnesses like kennel cough or worms that require
prompt treatment. Shelter dogs can become warm and loving pets with the right care and a little patience.
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When it comes to their pets, many pet owners will go to great lengths to ensure the comfort, happiness and health of their animal companions. Advances in veterinary care have helped pets live longer and healthier lives than ever before. Advances in pet health care can prolong pets’ lives, but that can sometimes come at a steep price. Pet owners continually face the difficult challenge of whether medical intervention is necessary and financially feasible. A pet insurance policy can make such dilemmas easier to navigate. An Associated Press survey found that 41 percent of pet owners are extremely or somewhat worried they could not afford the medical bills if their pets became
ill. According to the American Pet Products Association, pet owners spend between $220 and $250 per year on average on routine well vet visits for their cats and dogs. But unforseen surgeries and emergencies can set pet owners back several thousand dollars. Some emergencies are far more costly than others. Veterinary Pet Insurance says the average cost for a vet to extract a dog’s tooth is $829. But repairing torn cartilage can cost nearly $2,700. Individuals with elderly pets or breeds prone to genetic disorders may be wise to look into pet insurance to defray some of their vet costs. Keep in mind that pet insurers are allowed to refuse coverage for preexisting conditions and can set annual limits
and lifetime payout limits. Here are some reasons why pet insurance can be a worthwhile investment. • Pet insurance typically allows policy holders to choose their own veterinarians. Such policies do not typically mandate that pets be taken to particular doctors to have their costs covered. • Pet insurance allows pet owners to make decisions based on the best interest of the pet and not on their financial situations. • Insurance offers peace of mind because many plans reimburse up to 80 percent after deductibles are met. Some plans even offer multipet discounts. Pet insurance is an option for pet owners who want to provide for their companion animals.
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September 19 - 25, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
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At Rairdon’s of Bellingham you’ll find a wide assortment of new and pre-owned vehicles, a professional service department, financial assistance and more.
Since 1908WWW.DIEHLFORD.COM Diehl Ford has been providing excellent customer sales and service for new & used vechicles. Diehl Ford is proud to be known as the Dealership that does things the right way!
360-389-6261 OR 360-296-4994
360-201-3464 Decks & Porches
Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Bellingham
• I-5 Exit 254
360-332-8861 456 C Street Blaine, WA98230
Kitchens & Baths • Custom & Spec Homes Decks, Garages & Additions
NEW CARS
1820 James St. • Bellingham DiehlFord.com
40 hrs per week • Benefits • Competitive wage • 5 years experience with technical knowledge of how nursing homes operate. • Understanding of life codes and state survey preferred. • Good written and verbal communication a must. Apply at www.good-sam.com/careers
COMPLETE REMODELS
completeremodels@yahoo.com www.completeremodels.net
NEW
MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN
Specializing in Renovations & New Construction
SHOP LOCAL BUY LOCAL
Diehl Ford
PART-TIME, EVENING work, Blaine, 2-3 hours/day, You choose 1, 2, or 3 days/week. More info at washroomwizard.com/work-with-us/ (360) 714-8460
Ron 360-739-5097
InstallatIon & RefInIshIng
360-224-6466
28-Years Experience
• Remodel & Home Repairs • All Phases of Carpentry • Kitchen & Bathrooms • Doors & Windows • Decks & Porches • Drywall & Textures • Painting • Rot Repair We get it done! Lic #A1HanHp962MH
Brick • Block • Stone
sales@thenorthernlight.com Help Wanted
A-1 Handyman Plus
Licensed & Bonded
360-332-1777
Handyman We Beat Any Price!
MASONRY
BARRY L. WIENS
BELLINGHAM 1512 N State St. • 360-734-3840 LYNDEN 407 19th St. • 360-354-3232 LouisAutoGlass.com
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.
TWO BROTHERS
BRICK - BLOCK - STONE
’s
Dollar$ Plus
Since 1973
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL TWO BROTHERS MASONRY
PLUS AMAZING PRICES ON... • Bluetooth Earbuds • Bluetooth Speakers • Long Cords • Battery Banks & MORE AT...
Mike
Construction
2018 Riverside Retro RESIDENTIAL 177SE Travel Trailer
A Diehl You Can Count On
Stk# 7FT5223
• Sport Utility • 6-Speed Auto w/OD • Intercooled Turbo I-4 2.0 L/121
A Diehl You Can Count On
Lic # CCINTEGCN869DD
A Diehl You Can Count On
Savings: $7,735
Greg Kendall, Owner-Operator
Tree Trimming & Removal Chipping & Hauling, Tree Sales Stump Grinding - Bucket Trucks
3 Year Guarantee on all work No Job Too BigVIN#:1FTEW1EPXHKE52909 or Small Stk# 7FT5240 VIN#: 1FMCU9G92HUD41619 • Crew CabFree Pickup Estimates • 6-Speed Auto w/OD
I Turbo V-6 $13,280 $24,582 •• Twin $39,333 New Construction • Remodeling • Siding 2.7Roofing L/164 MSRP: $42,725 Windows & Doors • Fencing • Drywall • Painting
VIN#:1FADP3E28HL231012
3040 BIRCH BAYLYNDEN RD.
360-366-5340
Electric
ELITE LANDSCAPE
HOTLINE ELECTRIC
Landscape Clean Ups • Mowing • Pruning • Weeding Landscape Installation • Mulch • Gravel • Dirt • Dump Runs • Pressure Washing & More! *ELITELM817BB
Service/Construction Residential - Commercial Industrial
& MINI-EXCAVATION LLC
360-296-4824
www.EliteLandscapeExcavation.com
Licensed • Bonded • Insured HOTLIE*914J7
360-393-8246
Garage Sales MOVING SALE Sat., Sept. 21, 9 am - 3 pm, 8080 Harborview Road #F71 (Birch Bay Resort Park). Downsizing! Tools, clothes, furniture, kitchen island, smart TV, washer & dryer & more!
Pets PA M P E R - Y O U R - P E T S with PetNanny Petsitting! Professionally petsitting since 2002. Licensed and insured. Former veterinary asst., CPR and First Aid certified. Numerous references. Call Gina at 360631-1336.
Plumbing
MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE SAT, Sept 21, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. only. Furniture, household goods, books, like-new clothing, linens, vintage items. 1333 Harrison Ave. Corner of Harrison & Alder, just off Peace Portal, Blaine.
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Salary $8,935 per month. Plus Excellent Benefits. Application packages must be received no later than 4:30pm on Friday, October 4, 2019. Applications are being accepted for a full-time Electric Utility Operations Foreman (EUOF) in the Public Works Department. The EUOF provides daily direction and supervision to the linemen and apprentice linemen in the performance of electric system construction and maintenance including selecting, training, scheduling, directing and coaching employees, conducting performance appraisals, and effective communication within the department and citywide. The EUOF position responsibilities also include planning and analyzing the reliability of improvements, customer service extension, capital projects, developing cost plans, budgeting, contracting and general purchasing. For information on how to apply, please visit the City’s website, https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/, and click on Current Job Opportunities on the homepage. THE CITY OF BLAINE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Local Propane Delivery Driver/Service Tech MUST HAVE:
• Class B CDL with tanker, air brake, haz mat endorsements • Enhanced drivers license or passport
$23/HR STARTING
Plus paid training, health & dental insurance, retirement, paid vacations & holidays.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
• Complete safe & efficient deliveries to residential & commercial locations • Install, maintain & service propane installations & equipment. • Provide exceptional customer service while maintaining professionalism at all times. Driver - CDL Clas • Available for on call/after hours local propane with hazmat delivery & some OT required. Salary DOE
NOW HIRING
Call 360 332-3121
To apply or inquiries, call 360 332-3121 • 2163 Nature’s Path Way • Blaine Email: 1stpropaneofwhatcom@gmail.co
or stop by 2163 Nature’s Path Way • Blain
Rentals - Commercial
Waterfront Views Retail/Office Space for Lease 800 - 1600 s.f.
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Prime ground floor office and retail space in The Northern Light Cannery-style building at Blaine Harbor. Fiber optic internet access.
For leasing information, contact Pat Grubb 360/332-1777
12
The Northern Light • September 19 - 25, 2019
Windermere Real Estate/Whatcom Inc. 360.371.5100
8105 Birch Bay Square St. I-5 Exit 270, Blaine
BLAINE, BIRCH BAY & SEMIAHMOO SEMIAHMOO SHORE OPEN HOUSES
9454 Turnstone Lane #38 $1,195,000
OPEN12-5 DAILY
MLS# 1360795. Remarkable Quality & Location with incomparable Saltwater Vistas of Drayton Harbor & Mt Baker. Exquisite craftsmanship throughout. Soaring vaulted ceilings in Great Room. 2 Luxurious Suites including owners on main. Gated entry. Direct access to trails & Beach and world Class resort nearby with Championship Golf, Saltwater Marina, Tennis, Pool & more. Directions: Take I-5 North to Exit 270, head W (L North bound/R South bound) on Birch Bay Lynden Rd. to R on Harborview to L on Lincoln which becomes Semiahmoo Pkwy all the way to Semiahmoo Spit.
Mike Kent 360-527-8901
9436 Turnstone Ln #35 $825,000
OPEN12-5 DAILY
MLS# 1201008. Semiahmoo Shore 2187 sq. ft. “Sunrise” home w/ soaring 12’10” ceilings in great room & large windows taking full advantage of views over the Open Space meadow & Drayton Harbor. Finished in Driftwood theme including Wide Plank Flooring, Linear fireplace, quartz countertops, full stainless appliance package, dbl. garage w/epoxy floor & Covered patio. Miles of beaches & walking trails connect with this exclusive gated enclave of fine homes. Minutes to U.S./Canada border & under 3 hours to Seattle. Dir: Exit 270 West on Birch Bay Lynden Rd., R on Harborview, L on Lincoln Rd., to Semiahmoo Pkwy., Semiahmoo Shore on Left.
Lisa Kent 360-594-8034
9452 Turnstone Ln #37 $1.295,000
OPEN12-5 DAILY
MLS# 1360756. Spectacular Semiahmoo Shore model Home with bonus Lot making it the largest in development. Also has abutting HOA owned Greenbelt lot. Stunning unobstructed views of Drayton Harbor, Mt Baker & Twin Sisters. Step off your covered patio w/outdoor fireplace onto miles of shoreline trails. Upgrades throughout & constructed by award winning R/H Construction. Dir: Exit 270 West on Birch Bay Lynden Rd., R on Harborview, L on Lincoln Rd., to Semiahmoo Pkwy., Semiahmoo Shore on Left.
Lisa Sprague 360-961-0838
SEMIAHMOO OPEN HOUSES
8687 Great Horned Owl Ln $799,900 MLS#1489115.
OPEN1-3 SUN
Beautifully designed singlestory home. A true testament to satisfaction, peace & serenity. Nestled among towering cedars, an exquisite golf course & backyard park. This level floor plan makes for easy accessibility. Floor to ceiling windows let in natural light shining through the kitchen, great room, family & dining room. This home features: LED lighting, robust sound system, gourmet kitchen, radiant floor heat, 3-car garage, & large covered patio. Located on a cul-de-sac in a gated community.
Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718
5425 Quail Run $692,000
OPE2N-4 SAT
MLS#1462701. Perfect location at Semiahmoo! Views of the 9th fairway offer plenty of sunshine. This singlestory home has 3 bed & 3 baths, large open great room, living, and kitchen. Hardwood floors throughout the main living space, with French doors that open up to the large deck in the back. Stainless steel appliances, granite counters, great attention to detail -- this is a great home for those wanting that sunny exposure!
Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718
F E AT U R E D L I S T I N G
MLS#1419059. Ideal fairway location with expansive open view is the perfect location for this spacious & gracious Craftsman-style home. Custom double doors welcome you! All living on the main floor with high vaulted ceilings-walls of windows that frame the view & capture the light. Large kitchen with tons of storage & exceptional prep space. Lived in very lightly this home is better than new with two private guest quarters, custom 2nd office and ultimate media loft! Quality home and excellent value!
Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718
4765 Tidal Way #102A $289,500
MLS#1517762. Enjoy the interior design features! You will agree this is a great use of space while enjoying the precious setting. Front & back decks offer 2 very different choices. Back deck backs up to green space & front deck has water, Clubhouse & pool views. Excellent sun exposure. Inside new vinyl flooring in Great rm, tile in the kitchen & baths, carpet in bedrooms. Granite counter tops, Island / gas cook top, open to the Great room / natural gas insert. 3 fans. Belongs in Coastal living Magazine!
Brian Southwick 360-815-6638
MLS#1512847. Live exuberantly in this distinctive ground floor harbor & mountain view Marin at Semiahmoo retreat. Expansive partially covered patio accessed by 3 sets of glass French doors +oversized glass door from dining creates a fabulous outdoor room. Fragrant shrubs provide tranquil seclusion. Phantom screens=gentle sea breeze at all times. Great room. Luxe white kitchen features Wolfe range, Sub Zero fridge. 2 gracious suites. Powder rm: backlit onyx vanity. 2 underground parking spots. Storage locker.
Linda Kiens 360-815-6640
BLAINE OPEN HOUSES
B I R C H B AY O P E N H O U S E S
OPEN:30-3 2 SAT 1
9525 Semiahmoo Pkwy #A102 $699,000
8746 Bufflehead Ct $790,000
OPEN2-2 SAT 1
7714 Birch Bay Dr #100 $279,900
OPE-N2:30 SAT 1
MLS#1517120. Beautiful waterfront luxurious ground floor condo, at Grand Bay Condominiums. One bedroom, one bath with large jacuzzi tub, walk in shower, double vanity and heated floors. Kitchen has granite countertops and stainless appliances. Spectacular water views with gorgeous sunsets from your very large ground floor patio! Private beach for Grand Bay owners across the street for your enjoyment. Covered carport close to your front door. Walking distance to all the restaurants in Birch Bay!
Lisa Sprague 360-961-0838
8139 Kayak Way $430,000
OPE1N2-2 SUN
MLS# 1404963. Beautiful Architecturally Designed BBV Home. High ceilings, granite counter tops, engineered floors/carpet. Numerous ADA features all on one level. Large en suite and walk-in closet in master. Completely landscaped, with $8000+ water retention system, over-sized garage, great for hobby and crafts, on demand hot water. Enjoy all that BBV has to offer, 24 security, swimming pool, private saltwater beaches along with year round marina, tennis courts and golf course. THIS IS A MUST SEE HOME!
Gerry Allen 360-920-0563
OPENN 1-3 U T SA /S
8375 Shoreline Ct $185,000
MLS# 1480186. First time offered in Bay Ridge Estates. 1981 Manufactured home on beautiful 9,000 sf+ lot with large, 300 sf+ deck opening to partial water views. This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is ideal for all-around living, weekend escapes or great rental income. Nothing but potential, won't last long!
Daphne Gastis 360-824-0993
www.windermere.com
In case of inclement weather, please call agent to confirm open houses.
9598 Sherwood Dr. Blaine • $1,498,000
2297 Dodd St. Blaine • $408,500
5331 Coastal Lp. Birch Bay • $480,000
4754 N Golf Course Dr. Birch Bay • $365,000
8280 Cowichan Rd. Birch Bay • $449,000
Unrivaled modern masterpiece in Blaine’s best kept secret - the exclusive gated Sherwood Dr. Estates! Stunning pivot door entry, 12’ motorized glass door/wall, suspended floating stairs, polished concrete floors on 5.76 park-like acres. Spaces planned & executed perfectly, custom home beyond compare.
Sought after Harborside Estates neighborhood only minutes to booming downtown Blaine & schools. Fantastic curb appeal + 3-car attached garage, 3-BD/2.5-BA features 9’ ceilings, updated kitchen w/ stylish grey cabinets, quartz counters & S/S appliances. Enjoy water view from master suite w/ vaulted ceilings & private balcony. MLS #1519344
Nearly brand new construction in beautiful seaside neighborhood of Salish Breeze! 5-BD/2.5-BA w/ separate living & family rooms + all these features: 3-car garage, 9’ ceilings, open concept living/ dining/kitchen, stunning stone fireplace, luxurious master suite, laminate flooring & covered back porch overlooking fenced backyard. Close to the Birch Bay beaches & easy I-5 access. MLS #1519338
Delightful 3-BD/2-BA home in the gated community of Sea Links! This open concept home is loaded w/ curb appeal & charm - on the inside and out! Interior features 9’ ceilings, gas FP, newer laminate flooring, S/S appliances + crown moulding. Back Trex deck is perfect for entertaining + located just steps to the beach & the heart of Birch Bay. Ideal for full time living or weekend get away! MLS #1513418
Your lakefront single level beauty in Birch Bay Village awaits! Light & bright 3-BD/1.75-BA turn-key rambler features new siding, windows, deck, dock + updated kitchen. 2-car attached garage + plenty of room for boat/RV. Enjoy the unrivaled amenities of Birch Bay Village: pool, golf, marina, 24 hour security, gated entry & more! Birch Bay is undergoing exciting new changes, be a part of it! MLS #1512706
MLS# 1446049
Jen Freeman 360-815-0803 OPEN SU
NDAY 10-
Visit us at: www.JenAndLeah.com
Leah Crews 360-305-4747
4
FOR ALL REAL ESTATE, RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL SERVICES PLEASE
Call Hugh -360.371.5800
8105 Birch Bay Square St. - Blaine, WA 98230
360-920-0563
GerryAllen@windermere.com
Highway Commercial Warehouse FOR SALE BY OWNER 4290 H Street • Blaine $305,000 2-BD, 1-BA w/ open floor plan on 1/2 acre. French doors, new SS appliances, hardwood & laminate throughout, pantry/utility room, new Trex deck with seating, extra large garage w/ canning room. RV/boat parking, fruit trees, roses, blueberries & garden space.
360-220-1457 TWO LOTS approx. 15,000 SF combined water and sewer in street. Potential view of bay. $109,000. Can carry contract. 4747 Highland Drive in Birch Bay. Call 480-266-0304.
for REAL news
READ
LOCAL
8105 Birch Bay Square St. I-5 Exit 270
LY
ON
4
FT!
2748 Peace Portal Dr. Blaine
LE
$140,000
LOCATION IS EVERYTHING, I-5 VISIBILITY.
Zoned Highway Commercial, industrial business warehouses with Blaine water and sewer. Large overhead doors, electric door openers, economical gas heating, bathroom along with 300 sq ft mezzanine. Site has cable, phone. internet and 3 phase wiring. All this and minutes to the I-5, 8 sold, 4 available for sale or lease. MLS #1391879
FREE AERIAL DRONE SHOTS
FOR YOUR HOME WITH EACH NEW LISTING!
Rentals - Commercial
Rentals - Residential
NELSON BUILDING
3-BD, 2-BA 1500 SF in Birch Bay with view. Lot of parking. $1475 + deposit and utilities. No pets. 480/266-0304 or 360/3710334.
925 Ludwick Ave., Blaine
From 4000 SF to 9000 SF Warehousing/Manufacturing Space Available November 1 Also Available Now: Up to 18,000 SF of Fenced & Paved Storage Yard
Don Nelson 360-332-2743 Email nelsbldg@msn.com
SHARED ACCOMMODATIONS 2 bedrooms and separate bathroom available in large downtown Blaine home. $600/ mo. +1/2 utilities. Available Oct. 1. 360-393-6645.
Hugh Brawford
CALL ME IF BUYING OR SELLING
29+ years of Semiahmoo success Marina on Kickerville assisting buyers Boat Slips $175,000 & sellers. STARTING AT Owner contract possible Put my AT 20% DOWN, $15,000 6.5% 30 year Amortization experience to Call Hugh for details! Some residential zoning, currently in open space. work for you! 360-371-5800 Great tax advantage.
21 ACRES
Download my GPS Home Search APP http://jlsapp.com/callhugh
www.CallHugh.com Rentals - Rooms
FIND IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
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.
BIRCH BAY HOME FOR SALE BY OWNER
Located in the popular, gated Sealinks community, this thoughtfully laid out 1259 sq. ft. rancher includes 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and a bright open kitchen, living and dining room with vaulted ceilings and lots of light. The rear of the home features a beautiful view of the ocean, multiple sliding glass doors and a 450 sq. ft. ‘Trex’ deck. This well cared for home was built in 2002 with ’green’ building materials: tile floors throughout, in-floor hot water radiant heating, non-toxic construction materials and a Lifetime Monier tile roof. This home is a special gem that won’t last long on the market!
$365,000
360-319-7555 allwell@telus.net
Place your ad in
CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE call 360-332-1777
September 19 - 25, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
Burn ban lifted in unincorporated county By Jami Makan The Whatcom County fire marshal’s office has lifted restrictions on open burning in unincorporated areas of Whatcom County. Restrictions were put in place on July 12 due to warm weather conditions and decreasing fuel moisture levels. These restrictions were lifted as of 8 a.m. on September 11. Verbal burn permits are now available through the Outdoor Burning Information Line at 360/778-5903. Written burn permits for fires larger than four feet by four feet are available at the Planning and Development Services Office located at 5280 Northwest Drive in Bellingham. All outdoor burning requires a permit, except for legal recreational fires. Not all jurisdictions are relieving their outdoor burning
Local propane business changes its name
restrictions at this time. If your property is located in Point Roberts, Lummi Island or Sandy Point, you must contact your fire district to find out if outdoor burning restrictions have been lifted for those areas. If your property falls under the jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources or a federal forest or park jurisdiction, you must contact those organizations prior to lighting any fire. A permanent ban on open burning remains in effect for the cities and urban growth areas of Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Birch Bay, Columbia Valley and Cherry Point. For more information on the permanent burn ban, you may contact the Northwest Clean Air Agency at 360/428-1617 or visit their website at nwcleanairwa.gov. For those in unincorporated
Whatcom County, the Whatcom County fire marshal’s office reminded people to use extreme caution, as vegetation is still recovering from the long stretch of dry weather and is susceptible to the spread of fire. Violations of the county’s burn restrictions can result in a minimum $250 fine. “In addition, if you have an illegal fire that escapes or needs to be extinguished by the fire department, you may be held financially responsible for fire suppression costs and may be criminally charged for reckless burning,” said a notice issued by Whatcom County on September 9. If you have any questions about open burning in Whatcom County that are not answered by the Outdoor Burning Information Line, please contact the Whatcom County fire marshal’s office at 360/778-5900.
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL
DIRECTORY
By Kira Erickson Formerly known as 1st Propane of Whatcom County, owner Kal Economy rebranded his business this past month, changing its name to Economy Propane. His business provides propane for homes and businesses. Some of propane’s most common applications are for space and water heating. The business originally franchised with 1st Propane in 1999. In September 2016, all services with the franchise ended, and Economy’s business has run independently since then. Three years later, rebranding efforts have begun. Economy hopes the new name will be more recognizable to customers than the old one. “I think everybody’s had a desire, if they’re an entrepreneur, to own their own business with their name on it,” Economy said. “It’s a family name and I think it may resonate with local residents more because it conveys we are rooted in this community and we’re a family-run business that’s been here for 20 years.” “We’re excited and it’s finally going to be carrying on his name and a reflection of the local Whatcom families,” office manager Mary Annala said. Although the name has changed, Annala and Economy said the business remains the same. “We want people to be assured that everything will stay the same,” Economy said. “It’s the same people that will be providing the service.” Economy said he is interested in implementing new ideas for customers in the future. Economy Propane will be releasing a letter to customers announcing the new name soon. The business is still located at 2163 Natures Path Way in Blaine.
Dreaming up the Ideal Retirement is Your Job. Helping You Get There is Ours. To learn more about why Edward Jones makes sense for you, call or visit a financial advisor today.
Terrell V Goertz, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU® Financial Advisor
www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
119 N. Commercial Suite 140 Bellingham, WA 98225 360-738-3454
MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING
13
OBITUARIES Jacqueline Marie Goodsir July 4, 1961-September 6. 2019 Steward of the Land. Sailor of the Seas. Jackie Goodsir, born July 4, 1951 passed peacefully on September 6, 2019. Jackie, born in Passaic New Jersey to Margaret and Howard Goodsir was raised with four siblings. Jackie’s life always marched to the beat of a different drummer. After leaving the east coast in 1969, Jackie was one of the many youth that came west to California in search of a new self. Jackie first settled in San Diego joined a women’s collective, attained a black belt in Aikido and joined the U.S. Merchant Marines as a radio officer “Sparks.” It was the U.S.M.M. that brought Jackie to her beloved cool damp weather of Whatcom County. Jackie gladly accepted a “golden handshake” from ARCO Marine to begin the next stage of her life as a charter boat captain on her beloved vessel BoomTown. It was at this time that she met her husband Jesper Pfeil. At this time Jackie changed her life direction one more time and dove into spending her time “on the beach.” On September 28, 1996 Jackie, an avowed single person, married another avowed single person Jesper Pfeil. Jackie attained her watershed master certificate and began a 10-year stint on the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board. We all can now eat oysters from Drayton Harbor year round thanks to the combined efforts of the shellfish board. Jackie, a ravenous gardener created unique and bountiful gardens at her small farm on the outskirts of Blaine. Jackie was a fighter and succumbed to cancer after a 25 year in-your-face battle with the disease. Jackie was preceded in death by her father William Howard Goodsir and her mother-in-law Kirsten Pfeil. Jackie is survived by her husband, Jesper; father-in-law Harald; mother Margaret; siblings Bill, Peggy, Karen, and Maureen of New Jersey; and numerous nieces and nephews all loved completely and equally. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2 p.m., on the farm, 3850 Sweet Road, Blaine. All donations should be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation as a gift in memory of Jackie Goodsir. In lieu of flowers please plant a tree of your choice and name it Jackie’s tree. We will forever miss your “Million Dollar Smile.”
Kathryn “Kit” O’Connor
February 25, 1947-September 5, 2019 When it comes to your to-do list, put your future first. To find out how to get your financial goals on track, contact your Edward Jones 2011 Large Business of the Year financial advisor today.
Louis’
Anne Bowen
Louis Auto Glass
Financial Advisor OnlyStreet, Validated 360-671-6400 1943The Main Suite 201 • Ferndale, WA 98248 Family Owned and Operated Since 1929!
Auto Glass Company in Whatcom & Skagit Counties.
ouis’Auto & Residential Glass We Guarantee Your Safety
Spring Special!
Dinner on Us and90 a Can of Glass Cleaner Celebrating years!
with every windshield purchased and installed
Windshield Replacement
BELLINGHAMFree Pick up & Delivery 1512 N. State St. •
Bellingham 360-734-3840
Rock Chip Repairs
LYNDEN
Free Loaner Cars
Lynden 407 19th
Vernon St. •Mt.360-354-3232
(360) 734-3840 (360) 354-3232 (360) 424-9759 www.LouisAutoGlass.com 1512 N. State St.
407 19th St.
1721 E. College Way
To Our Canadian Friends
Kathryn “Kit” O’Connor, age 72, of Blaine passed away from cancer Thursday, September 5 in Bellingham. She was born February 25, 1947 in Longview, WA to parents Charles Richard and Sara Kathryn (Jamieson) O’Connor. She attended Campus Grade School at W.W.S.C. and graduated from Bellingham High School in 1965. Kit received her teaching degree form W.W.U., her master’s degree from W.S.U. and her administrative credential from P.L.U. She taught for 24 years in Olympia and finished her 31 years of teaching in Bellingham. Kit is survived by her two brothers, Dave and Pat O’Connor; two nieces, Christina (Jeff) Goldy and Jackie (Dan) Patterson; great nieces and nephews, Morgan, Jane, Peter and Clifford. She spent her retirement years between San Juan Island, Yuma, AZ, Birch Bay and cruising the oceans. She was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Blaine. At her request no services will be held at this time. Please share your thoughts and memories of Kit online at www.sigsfuneralservices.com
WHATCOM COUNTY Proud supporters of the Blaine Community!
Enjoy Huge Savings with U.S. Prices
www.louisautoglass.com
Must present ad for special. Not valid with any other offers. Expires June 30, 2014.
Keep Full Service • Budget Payment Plan • Tank Installation & Rental Modern Equipment • Safety Checks • Locally Owned & Operated
360 332-3121
Fill your bottles - Easy RV access
2163 Nature’s Path Way • Blaine
This space can be yours for only $37 per week.
Dining Guide
Great Authentic Mexican Food 758 Peace Portal • Blaine 360-332-4045
13 week commitment. Call 332-1777 to reserve. 7829 Birch Bay Drive • Birch Bay
360-922-7902
www.BayBreezeRestaurant.com
277 G Street • Downtown Blaine
360-392-0955
TheVaultWine.com
TheVaultWine
14
The Northern Light • September 19 - 25, 2019
Coming up Basketball Sign Ups: Sunday, September 15–Tuesday, October 15. Grades K–3. Sign up: blaineyouthsports.com. Depression Bipolar Support Group: Thursday, September 19, 6–7:30 p.m., downstairs Blaine United Church of Christ (doors on Clark Street, elevator available). No cost; donations accepted. Live Music at The Vault: Friday, September 20, 7–9 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 270 G Street. Featuring: Sonja Lee Band. Info: 360/392-0955.
BP Cherry Point Refinery Open House: Friday, September 27, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., BP Cherry Point Recreation Area. Reservations required. Photo ID required. Refreshments/picnic lunch provided. Reservations/event details: bpopenhouse.com. CERT Training: Eight weekly classes on Saturdays starting September 28, 1–4 p.m., Fire Station 61, 9408 Odell Road. North Whatcom Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). $50 course fee includes CERT manual and backpack of safety equipment, $25 if equipment/ backpack is borrowed from CERT instead. Info and registration: lizparker64@gmail.com.
Pancake Breakfast: Saturday, September 21, 8 a.m.–11 a.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G street. Choice of pancakes, French toast or waffles, biscuits Overdose Prevention Education: Saturand gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and day, September 28, 1–2 p.m., Blaine Public orange juice. Adults $6, kids $4. Info: 360/332-8040. Library, 610 3rd Street. Whatcom County Health Department will host this overdose prevention One Planet: A Future to Look Back On: Sateducation session. Learn what an opioid is, how urday, September 21, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Peace Arch to identify signs of overdose and how to respond State Park. This is an international event involving with Naloxone. the U.S. and Canada. Event by Extinction Rebellion Bellingham and Extinction Rebellion Fraser Valley. The Sounds of Chile: Saturday, September 28, Celebrating Greta Thunberg’s visit to the U.S. Carpool 7 p.m., and Sunday, September 29, 3 p.m., Trinity link: bit.ly/2koya4S. More info: bit.ly/2kPIjYv. Church, 1880 APA Road, Point Roberts. Renowned Chilean musical artists Viviana Morales Live Music at The Vault: Saturday, September 21, y Los Reptilianos performing original and Chilean 7–9 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 270 G Street. Featurfolk music. Their musical repertoire will take you ing: El Colnel. Info: 360/392-0955. on a journey from the north to the south of Chile, including music from indigenous communities. Wine Education Event: Sunday, September, 22, Benefit concerts for Trinity Music Camp. 2 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Featuring Riedel Glass representative Sarah Shannon. $75 Music in Motion: Sunday, September 29, 3 includes four glasses, four tastes of wine and appep.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial tizers. Reservations required: 360/392-0955. Street. Featuring: Jon Kimura Parker and Bellingham Symphony Orchestra. Tickets: MountbakWhatcom Dream Financial Literacy Class: ertheatre.com. Eight weeks beginning Monday, September 23, 7–8:30 p.m., Community Assistance Program office, Semiahmoo Men’s Breakfast: Thursday, 382 Boblett Street. Free course for anyone 16 and October 3, 7:30 a.m., The Great Blue Heron Grill. older to improve financial management skills. Learn Coffee, big breakfast $15, all men are welcome. techniques you can apply today for a more secure Member and world sailor David Lieu on the ten financial future! Info or to register: 360/319-3759. years he and his wife spent sailing aound the Sponsored by Community Assistance Program. world in their catamaran. Film and TV Discussion Series: Villains and Rocktoberfest: Saturday, October 5, noon–10 Vixens of James Bond: Wednesday, September 25, p.m., Pizza Factory parking lot, corner of H Street 7–9 p.m., Semiahmoo Resort. No tickets necessary. and Peace Portal Drive. Fun for the whole family. With Blaine author and former syndicated entertainKids’ pumpkin painting at noon, cake walk at 1 ment columnist Ron Miller. p.m., kids’ money hunt at 3 p.m., plus live music, vendors and beer garden.
Fall Festival: Saturday, October 5, 4–7 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 702 G Street. Kids’ crafts, bouncy house, games, freshly-made apple cider at 4 p.m., community chili cook off at 5 p.m., community and youth pie baking contest at 6 p.m. Everyone welcome. Info: 360/332-6589. 2-year Anniversary Party: Sunday, October 6, 6–9 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Food, beverage, trivia, vinyl music and live entertainment. Tickets $65 available by calling 360/392-0955. Sip & Paint: Thursday, October 10, 6–8 p.m., The Studio at The Vault, 277 G Street. $30 plus tax. Reserve your seat: 360/392-0955. Candidates Forum for Birch Bay/Blaine: Monday, October 14, 7 p.m., Birch Bay Bible Community Church, 4460 Bay Road. RSVP: 360/371-0171. Birch Bay Book Club: Wednesday, October 16, 4–5:30 p.m., Birch Bay Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. All are welcome. Third Wednesday each month. Al-Anon Meetings: Mondays, noon, United Church of Christ, 885 4th Street. Info: Call M.J. 360/920-3679 or Bob 360/920-3676. ArtScape Teens: Tuesdays, 3–5 p.m., Soul Space Studio, 264B H Street. A safe place for teens to set their imaginations free through art mediums. Free studio time. Sponsor: Healthy Youth Coalition. Info: 435/704-1598. Community Meals: Wednesdays, 5–6:30 p.m., Blaine Community Center, 763 G Street. Through May, except holidays. Info: Blainecap.org. APA Museum: Through September, Friday–Sunday, 1–5 p.m., 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Learn about the area’s commercial fishing history with antique machinery, historic photos and an original sailboat. Info: draytonharbormaritime.com. Teen Nite: Saturdays, 5–9 p.m., Pizza Factory, 738 Peace Portal Drive. Kids ages 13–18 come enjoy open mic, karaoke and games. Free pizza at 5 p.m. Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Crossword
Weather
Answers at thenorthernlight.com
ACROSS
30. Force unit 1. Google certification 31. Repaired shoe 4. Cloths spread over 33. English theologian coffins 37. Commercial 9. Disorderly 38. Exchange money for 14. “Star Wars” hero Solo goods or services 15. Toward the rear 39. Give off 16. The order of frogs 41. One from Utah 17. Alternative pain 42. Computer departtreatment (abbr.) ment 18. “Wolf of Wall Street” 43. Begets star 44. English navigator 20. Evoke 46. C C C 22. Units of metrical time 49. Of I 23. Helps to predict 50. Pouch eclipses 51. Add notes to 24. Some say they attract 55. A way to fall into ruin 28. Pitching statistic 58. Cunning intelligence 29. Baseball box score 59. Blood disorder (abbr.) 60. Disgraced CBS
newsman 64. Tax collector 65. Type of grass common to the Orient 66. Cosmic intelligence 67. No (Scottish) 68. People who rely on things 69. Stairs have them 70. Mathematical term (abbr.) DOWN
1.Clarified butters 2. Primitive Himalayan people 3. Completely 4. Steep cliffs along the Hudson River 5. Assist 6. Language spoken
in Laos 7. Type of screen 8. An attempt to economize 9. Volcanic craters 10. Still outstanding 11. Takes responsibility for another 12. California think tank 13. Former Rocket Ming 19. A pigeon noise 21. Central part of 24. Academy Award statue 25. Distinct unit of sound 26. Relative on the female side of the family 27. Passover feast and ceremony 31. The brightest star in Virgo 32. Made with oats 34. Subjects to laser light 35. Beloved Hollywood alien 36. Neatly brief 40. The Great Lakes State (abbr.) 41. Soon to be released 45. Swiss river 47. Become involved in 48. More dour 52. They’re on floors 53. Boxing’s GOAT 54. Swarms with 56. Quantum mechanics pioneer 57. Facilitated 59. As fast as can be done (abbr.) 60. Regional French wine Grand __ 61. Owns 62. Tell on 63. Precedes two
Precipitation: During the period of September 9–15, 2 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2019 year-to-date precipitation is 18.35 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 75°F on September 11 with a low of 55°F on September 10. Average high was 70°F and average low was 57°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
Tides DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT September 20–26 at Blaine. Not for navigation. 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W Fr 20
3:56 am
1.46 11:02 am
7.55
4:01 pm
5.71
7.91
9:13 pm
Sa 21 4:46 am
1.13 12:20 pm
7.68
6.36
9:47 pm
7.76
Su 22 5:42 am
0.80
1:44 pm
7.99
6.71 10:41 pm
7.60
5:05 pm
6:29 pm
Mo 23 6:46 am
0.46
2:50 pm
8.43
6.61 11:59 pm
7.45 8.86
7:59 pm
Tu 24
7:52 am
0.11
9:07 pm
6.09
3:40 pm
We 25 1:31 am
7.50
8:54 am -0.17
9.21
9:59 pm
Th 26 2:53 am
7.80
9:50 am -0.25
9.46 10:47 pm
4:20 pm
4:58 pm
5.27
4.23
s Over 120 people registered for a pickleball festival that took place on September 14 and was co-hosted by Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2.
Photo courtesy of Heidi Holmes
Police Reports More police reports can be found online at thenorthernlight.com September 7, 1:21 a.m.: Blaine Police Department officers located an abandoned and apparently inoperable vehicle. Officers tagged the vehicle as abandoned. September 7, 10:40 a.m.: Officers working traffic enforcement observed a vehicle with expired registration. Officers stopped the vehicle and determined the driver had a felony warrant for his arrest. Officers arrested the individual for the warrant and an additional driving without a license charge. Officers transported the individual to the Whatcom County Jail for booking. Officers cleared with no further incident. September 8, 2:53 p.m.: Blaine police responded to the truck crossing port of entry at the request of the WCSO for a person who was reported as being missing out of Omaha. The officer checked on the welfare of the woman and cleared her as a missing person after finding her in good health and well-being. September 8, 8:42 p.m.: Blaine Police Department officers took a telephone harassment report occurring in the 600 block of Peace Portal Drive. The suspect has reportedly sent multiple harassing text messages and has made several harassing phone calls. Case is under investigation. September 9, 2:32 p.m.: An unknown person spray painted over the solar panel of the Blaine police radar trailer. Officers removed the trailer from its location and brought it back to the police department to be cleaned and serviced. September 9, 5:30 p.m.: A Blaine resident came into the police department to report she was a victim of internet fraud. The individual advised she applied for a loan online and was scammed out of several thousand dollars. Officers documented the circumstance and provided the individual with a case number. Officers cleared with no further incident. September 10, 10:16 a.m.: Officers were dispatched to a student who ran away from the Blaine Primary School. While en route, officers were advised that the student returned. The school resource officer spoke with the student about the dangers of running into the street and how to better calm himself down. School staff advised they would handle the issue per school policy. No law enforcement action taken. September 11, 2:59 p.m.: Officers working traffic enforcement observed a vehicle with a registered owner who has a suspended license. Officer stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as the registered owner. Officers arrested, cited and released the driver with a mandatory court date. Officers identified the passenger as an individual with two active warrants. Officers arrested the individual and found her to be in possession of illegal drugs. Officers booked the individual into the Whatcom County Jail. Officers cleared with no further incident. September 11, 3:35 p.m.: Blaine police responded to the Peace Arch Port of Entry for a report of a woman being in possession of multiple controlled substances. An officer arrived and investigated the incident. The woman was arrested, cited and released with a mandatory court date. September 12, 11:59 a.m.: Blaine officers responded to a domestic dispute outside of the Blaine Police Department. Officers separated the two individuals and conducted an investigation. Once officers determined that no crime had occurred, they let the individuals go, each in their own separate direction. Blaine officers cleared without incident. September 12, 3:25 p.m.: Officers working traffic enforcement observed a vehicle with a registered owner who has a suspended license. Officers stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as the registered owner. Officers arrested, cited and released the individual with a mandatory court date. Officers cleared with no further incident. September 12, 5:52 p.m.: Blaine officers responded to a report of an individual on the sidewalk with his pants down. The individual defecated on private property in full view of pedestrians and motorists. Officers arrested the individual for lewd acts. The individual was issued a criminal citation and was released with a court date. Officers transported the individual to the hospital at his request. Police cleared without further incident. Reports provided by the Blaine Police Department
September 19 - 25, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
15
Community garden thrives with new improvements By Kira Erickson Blaine’s community garden has seen new improvements since the start of this summer. The garden now has the potential for 34 spaces. These include 18 flat plots and 16 raised boxed beds. Two of the raised beds are reserved for kids’ programs and one for the Blaine Food Bank. Flat plots are 12 by 20 feet and raised beds are four by eight feet. Either can be rented by anyone in the community for $12 per year. Garden manager Kelle Sunter led the new improvements, including creating more parking spaces with her tractor and building accessible plots. Four new raised beds are 21 inches tall, approximately the seat height of a wheelchair. A new eight-footwide gravel path provides a hard surface for people using wheelchairs and walkers to access the raised beds. Five more elevated beds are accessible along the new pathway for those with mobility challenges. They were finished at the end of June and are now available to rent. “It’s pretty exciting to be involved in the community garden right now, because this is a good chapter for it,” Sunter said. Started in 2002, Blaine’s community garden has gone through waves of activity. It provides opportunities for those who don’t have a yard to start a garden, such as renters. “Lots of times landlords won’t
let you dig up the front yard and put in a garden,” Sunter said. “This way, you can walk a block or two and be at a space that’s really yours.” The community garden is built on city land, and the city supplies tools, water and compost in the spring. During the new improvements this summer, the city helped relocate the fire hydrants closer to the garden spaces. “We can grow food year-round in a garden space with some protection and having the city being willing to support a community garden like they do is such a gift,” said Sunter. Food security has always been a priority of Sunter’s. As the community garden manager, she works with kids from the Boys and Girls Club during the summer and Blaine elementary school’s Grow For It! program during the spring. The Grow For It! program was created in 2017, following Let’s Move! Blaine, a similar program with the mission to provide educational opportunities and health resources to kids. Grow For It! is an eight-week class for kids in grades three through five focused on gardening. “They’re not manufacturing food in the back of the grocery store,” Sunter said. “Our goal is to get people to understand that, especially kids. For me, part of this food security process is getting kids to un-
derstand that they can actually grow their own food.” With the harvesting season wrapping up, there is still a surprising amount of activity happening in the community garden. Sunter said she has seen Swiss chard, kale, tomatoes, carrots, beets, green onions, yellow onions, garlic, beans, corn, cabbage, kohlrabi, broccoli, winter squash, pumpkins, peppers, celery and potatoes growing in the plots into October. During this time of year, gardeners might be putting down cardboard or black plastic to protect their plots. Planting cover crops – such as chopped leaves or grass – can help protect the topsoil from sunlight during the winter. “It really depends on the gardener,” Sunter said. “The big change is when we get a hard frost.” To Sunter, initiating a demand for renting the plots in the garden creates a sense of need in the community. “I would like to see people signing up for plots,” she said. “We need to create demand, and we need to help people learn how to do it. If you can go and grow enough fresh spinach and chard and carrots to feed your kids out of a little garden space, that’s a good thing.” If you are interested in renting a plot for next year, contact Blaine city hall to submit a new gardener reservation form.
TRINITY CHAMBER
s The community garden in early September.
s Kids from the Grow For It! program working in the community garden.
Photos courtesy of Kelle Sunter
CONCERT SERIES
The Sounds of Chile
TWO E S! PERFORMANC
Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 pm Sunday, Sept. 29 at 3 pm TRINIT Y COMMUNIT Y LUTHERAN CHURCH 1880 APA ROAD POINT ROBER TS, WA Church contact: Lucy Williams, 360-945-2883
Viviana Morales y los Reptilianos - from Valparaiso Chile! Their musical repertoire will take you on a journey from the north to the south of Chile, including music from indigenous communities. You’ll want to get up and move to the music! RECEPTION TO FOLLOW - ADMISSION BY DONATION PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE
Trinity Summer Musical Camp
16
The Northern Light • September 19 - 25, 2019
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