October 3 - 9, 2019
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Hypnotherapist addresses misconceptions, page 7
Mobile dental program to visit schools, page 10
Bay Properties reopens as independent firm, page 15
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Opioid data: 47 million pain pills in Whatcom County from 2006-2012 By Oliver Lazenby
(See Opioids, page 2)
s On September 27, the Lummi Nation hosted a gathering of tribal leaders, environmental groups and faith organizations to encourage greater protection of the Salish Sea and its orca population. People, kayaks, canoes and boats gathered at the Jorgensen Pier at the end of Marine Drive in Blaine. The event featured speeches, singing, a water blessing and a unity circle.
Photo by Ruth Lauman
Rocktoberfest to feature pumpkins, live music and more By Jami Makan A fall festival in downtown Blaine will feature pumpkin painting, a cake walk, live music, food vendors and other family-friendly attractions. The second annual Rocktoberfest will take place on Saturday, October 5 from noon to 10 p.m. in the Pizza Factory parking lot, at the corner of H Street and Peace Portal Drive. “It helps Blaine tourism by extending the event season and creates an opportunity for youth to invite their families to come to a big community event that they can be a part of,” said Jesse Creydt, co-founder of the Healthy Youth Coalition, one of the sponsors. At noon, Soul Space Studio will be on site to help kids create their own artistic
pumpkins. Pumpkins and art supplies will be provided, while supplies last. There will also be a pumpkin carving demonstration by Bordertown Blades. At 1 p.m., there will be a cake walk featuring cakes donated by local businesses and community members. “Nothing brings a community together like a good, old-fashioned cake walk,” said Creydt. At 3 p.m., the Banner Bank Kids’ Money Hunt will allow kids to search through hay bales for dollar coins, 50-cent pieces, quarters, dimes, nickels and other treasures. “It will be an intense hunt through the hay for treasure,” said Creydt. Meanwhile, a full line up of music and entertainment will keep attendees entertained throughout the afternoon and evening. JP Falcon Grady will perform at noon with a special performance by Kelsey Cooper. KODJ
Trial delayed for candidate accused of obstruction By Jami Makan The trial of a Blaine City Council candidate accused of obstructing law enforcement officers has been pushed back. Steven Tojek, a border patrol agent who is currently running for the Blaine City Council ward 2 seat, 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.
Tojek allegedly became angry and confrontational with the officers after they proceeded to impound his new Ford Mustang, in which he was the passenger. The confrontation allegedly delayed their investigation of the driver, who was later found guilty of reckless driving and driving under the influence. Tojek is facing a trial in Whatcom County District Court. According to the court’s website, his trial is now scheduled for Monday, November 4 at 9 a.m. Before the trial, a motion to dismiss the case will be heard on
Thursday, October 24 at 1:30 p.m. According to Tojek’s attorney, William Johnston, further delays are possible due to the backlog of cases that Whatcom County prosecutors are pursuing. “It’s a real bottleneck over there,” he said. 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, which takes place on Tuesday, November 5.
will perform with Mike Bohnson at 1 p.m. Silver City Band will perform at 2 p.m., Jeffrey Elvis at 3 p.m., the Inis School of Highland Dance at 3:45 p.m., Lynden Line Dancers at 4 p.m., Bilongo Quintet with Sabrina Gomez at 5 p.m. and Exit 266 at 7 p.m. Various food vendors will be on site, including Paso Del Norte and the Pizza Factory. There will also be hot dogs, kettle corn, pie and cider available. Adults can relax with a drink in the beer garden, which will feature beers brewed by Atwood Ales and Kulshan Brewing. Creydt encouraged members of the Blaine and Birch Bay communities to attend in large numbers. “It will be a family-friendly event to help promote Blaine tourism and turn out more of our local young families to our community event,” he said.
INSIDE
Nearly 47 million prescription opioids flowed into Whatcom County during a seven-year period starting in 2006, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) database published by the Washington Post this summer. Drug companies supplied Whatcom County with 46.9 million hydrocodone and oxycodone pills from 2006 through 2012, enough for everyone in the county to have 34 pills a year. That fueled the opioid epidemic locally, which led to 115 overdose deaths in Whatcom County in those years alone. Nationally, the prescription opiate epidemic resulted in nearly 100,000 deaths during that time, according to the Washington Post. The Post released the data to media outlets across the country after going through a year-long legal battle to get it. The database tracks oxycodone and hydrocodone sent to pharmacies and medical providers throughout the county. The staggering numbers released by the Washington Post weren’t surprising to the Whatcom County Health Department, which monitors state records on the number of prescriptions and overdoses. Whatcom County’s syringe exchange program, which provides addicts with clean needles, saw a nearly four-fold increase from 2009 to 2017. Nationwide, many prescription opiate addicts switched to heroin as drugs got more expensive and regulated in the early 2010s. “We know unintended use rises when there is greater accessibility of a substance,” said Joe Fuller, program specialist at the county health department. The problem’s roots go back decades. Many health care professionals falsely believed opioids weren’t addictive because of a 1980 letter to the editor published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The letter, which referred to a survey of patients
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . 14 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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The Northern Light • October 3 - 9, 2019
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Opioids ... From page 1
who were monitored closely in a hospital, said, “we conclude that despite widespread use of narcotic drugs in hospitals, the development of addiction is rare in medical patients with no history of addiction.” Drug marketing companies removed context from that quote and attributed it to the journal, without mentioning that it was written in a letter to the editor. That led to increases in opiate use throughout the country. More recent studies, including one in the New England Journal of Medicine, now disprove that theory. Where the 47 million pills went Countywide, the most pills went to Walgreens in Bellingham, which received 3.19 million pills at one branch and 2.78 million at another. Rite Aid in Blaine received 1.66 million pills – enough to supply the 2010 population of Blaine (4,684, ac-
cording to the U.S. Census Bureau) with more than 50 pills per person per day. Rite Aid did not comment for this story. Hoagland Pharmacy in Bellingham received the second highest number of pills of any pharmacy in the county, getting 3.1 million pills at its main pharmacy and nearly 1.7 million at its long term care pharmacy. Of the pharmacies that topped the DEA’s list, only Hoagland Pharmacy made someone available to talk. Sonia Gale, Hoagland’s pharmacy manager, said about the number of pills: “Sadly, that sounds about right.” A small number of people taking 90 or 100 pills a month skew the average, she said. Before the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) started a prescription monitoring program in 2012, pharmacists didn’t have data or power to do much about prescription pain pill abuse, she said. That prescription monitoring program requires pharmacists
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to report all transactions and includes a database that pharmacists use to look up when and where patients last filled prescriptions. Before it existed, pharmacists wouldn’t be able to tell if a prescription had just been filled elsewhere; patients could drive down I-5 getting pills at different pharmacies, Gale said. Using the database, pharmacists can also tell how often and for how long opiates are prescribed to their clients, and call doctors if they’re concerned about the amount. “Every pharmacy records what they dispense that day,” Gale said. “That has been a huge tool to better regulate painkillers.” The database also allows the DOH to send feedback reports to doctors and other prescribers, letting prescribers know if they are writing more prescriptions than their peers, said Blake Maresh, deputy director for the DOH’s office of health professions. In addition to pharmacies, doctors, podiatrists, dentists and veterinarians also received prescription pills between 2006 and 2012. Seven different veterinarians received more than 1,000 opiates during the seven-year period. Lori Maness, a traveling relief doctor of veterinary medicine who fills in for vets on maternity leave or other long-term breaks, said opiates are prescribed primarily to cats and dogs, and usually for end-of-life pain management or for back surgeries and hip replacements. Maness is currently at Whatcom Veterinary Hospital in Ferndale, which received 9,500 prescription opiates from 2006 to 2012. Since she began her career as a veterinarian in 1992, Maness has seen big changes in opioid regulation, she said; her first boss had a morphine addiction that he covered for years. “What I experienced with my boss was the community was sort of a protective. The board was like, oh send him to rehab,” she said. “That, I believe, has changed. And employers are much more conscious about their staff and the drugs.” Now, most veterinarians don’t have pills at their offices, Maness said. Clients get their pets’ prescriptions filled at pharmacies (Continued on next page)
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instead. Veterinarians also have to report using the state prescription monitoring program. “Things were different from 2006 to 2012. There was less regulation,” she said. How does Whatcom compare? Whatcom County’s average of 34.3 pills per person per year is on the low end for the state. Washington’s average for 20062012 is about 40 pills per person per year. Clallam County, on the north end of the Olympic Peninsula, topped the list, receiving 76.6 pills per person per year. Klickitat County in south central Washington received 18.5 pills per person per year, the fewest of Washington’s counties. Closer to home, 49.5 pills per person per year went to Skagit County and 45.6 to Snohomish County. Nationally, more than a dozen counties received enough pills to supply everyone living there with more than 100 pills per year. Who profited? Those making money on manufacturing and distributing the pain pills that came to Whatcom County from 2006 to 2012 are mostly multinational corporations. McKesson, a Texas-based pharmaceutical distributor, supplied Whatcom County with 13.6 million, or 29 percent of the pills tracked in the DEA database. In a page on McKesson’s website dedicated to frequently asked questions about its role in the opioid crisis, the distributor with more than $200 billion in annual revenue said, “Any suggestion that McKesson influenced the volume of opioids prescribed or consumed in this country would reflect a misunderstanding of our role as a distributor.” Among drug manufacturers, SpecGx LLC, a subsidiary of Ireland-based Mallinckrodt, shipped the most pills to Whatcom County (more than 20 million). Actavis and Par Pharmaceutical, two other makers of generic phar-
maceuticals, ranked second and third, producing 13 million and 8.2 million of the pills that came to Whatcom County, respectively. After 2012? State DOH data on opioid overdoses shows little change since 2012 – the most recent year in the DEA data. The flood of pain pills across the country and subsequent regulation of prescription practices led many addicts to look elsewhere for opiates. Recent national studies show that about 80 percent of current heroin users first abused prescription opioids. Since 2012, the county has averaged 14.4 deaths per year, according to the DOH. That’s about two per year less than from 2006 to 2012. The number of hospitalizations locally due to drug overdoses continues to climb. The situation is only just beginning to improve, said Jennifer Moon, communications and public relations associate for Unity Care NW, a Whatcom County healthcare system with services ranging from primary care to dental, psychiatry and urgent care. “In probably the last five or so years we’ve really reduced our prescribing of opioids,” she said. “We have developed a chronic pain program that offers qigong and yoga as part of alternative treatments.” Unity Care NW has a medication drop box in its pharmacy aimed at getting unused drugs out of circulation and it also distributes naloxone, which is used to treat overdoses. Unity Care NW also has a program for medicated assisted treatment, which uses medication to block opioid receptors so that they become ineffective. The Ideal Option Clinic, which opened in Bellingham in March, also does medication-assisted treatment. “There just haven’t been that many treatment resources in the community,” Moon said. “I feel like that’s now beginning to change.”
Courtesy of the Washington Post
SPO
(Continued from previous page)
Birch Bay
An Awakening Arts
STUDIO
Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Information Center
Pacific Arts Association • Atwood Ales Life Impact Church • Blaine Christ the King Kulshan Brewing Co. • Paso del Norte • Big Al’s Diner
4
The Northern Light • October 3 - 9, 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
Ceremony held for BHS Athletic Hall of Fame
s The first-ever class of the Blaine High School Athletic Hall of Fame was recognized over the weekend with an induction ceremony at the Blaine Performing Arts Center. The class included 12 individuals (nine athletes, two coaches and one contributor) and the 1978 state championship football team.
Photo by Janell Kortlever
Letters
Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Jami Makan jami@pointrobertspress.com Copy Editor Aly Siemion aly@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com 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 Contributors In This Issue PeaceHealth Medical Group Catherine Field The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXIV, No 16 Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
Next issue: Oct. 10 Ads due: Oct. 4
The Editor: Given the daily changes in our economy and climate that we all see, this is not the time for business as usual at the Port of Bellingham. Did you know the port’s impacts extend far beyond their immediate responsibilities for the waterfront district, county marinas and the airport? Their policies and decisions have a large impact on our local economy, environment, housing equity and infrastructure (including installation of fiber optic lines county-wide). Anthony Distefano, candidate for port commissioner, thoroughly understands this. He appreciates the need to address a future dominated by climate and economic change. He is determined that the Port of Bellingham be fully prepared, including creating living wage jobs, apprenticeship programs, durable public infrastructure and low and moderate income housing. I am supporting Anthony Distefano for port commissioner because he has the maritime experience, grit, determination and insight to ensure that the Port of Bellingham will serve all of our community far into the future. I urge you to join me and vote for Anthony Distefano for port commissioner. Dr. Scott Josiah Lummi Island The Editor: Voters in Whatcom County are fortunate to have a slate of great candidates for Whatcom County Council and I’m particularly impressed by Natalie McClendon, running for the district 5 position. This area is also known as the coastal district – reaching from the U.S.-Canadian border to Bellingham and from the coast to roughly I-5. Natalie’s entire life experience has prepared her for this position, most recently as a two-term county planning commissioner. She has been a teacher and is a business owner, volunteer, activist and leader. She recognizes the many issues facing district 5 and the county as a whole, and has strategies to remedy them, such as dealing with climate change by transitioning to a
clean energy economy. This would save jobs and the environment. She is ready to go to work for residents of district 5 and the rest of Whatcom County. Exercise your precious right by voting for an ideal candidate – Natalie McClendon. Ruth Higgins Blaine The Editor: What better time to “make your wishes known” about your end-of-life healthcare choices than at your Thanksgiving gathering? Advance care planning (ACP) for endof-life healthcare wishes and the holidays go together. Seize the opportunity when grandma and grandpa, Aunt Mary and Uncle Jack, you, your kids and your friends are united at the table, and “talk turkey over turkey” about your wishes, goals and values. A little known fact: advance directives are intended for all adults 18 years of age and up. You might want to order the card game “Go Wish,” available in English and Spanish at gowish.org to ease into your conversations. Accepting death’s inevitability lets us sort out the significant from the trivial, the spiritual from the material, to better focus on the time we have to live and love. Given today’s medical landscape, the less prepared we are, the more unpleasant, traumatic and protracted our last days are likely going to be. Preparing, to the extent possible, to lessen stress and gain greater peace of mind when a crisis hits that may signal end of life is a gift to those we care about. Community volunteers offer the presentation, The Realities of Advanced Medical Interventions, which is followed up about a week later with an ACP workshop. This model supports good decision-making before accident or illness occurs. The presentations and workshops are free, including notary service for those who complete their advance directive.
If your service organization, book club, employees/employer, faith community, union membership or other group would like to schedule these presentations, contact micki98226@aol.com. The outcome of this important activity is to say to those you love, “I care about you.” So, let’s talk turkey over turkey while we can still speak for ourselves. Micki Jackson Bellingham The Editor: Climate change has now become a climate crisis. Hardly a day goes by that there is not a new scientific report detailing melting sea ice and permafrost, rising ocean temperatures, disappearing glaciers, faster than expected sea rise, catastrophic fires and more deadly weather events. This November, Whatcom County voters will have to make a choice. Which candidates are most ready and able to negotiate the changes needed to address our rapidly changing climate? Will we be on the forefront of new technologies in response or pursue business as usual? Natalie McClendon has my vote. She is running for a county council seat in district 5, the new coastal district which includes Point Roberts, Blaine, Birch Bay, Ferndale, Lummi Island and the Lummi Nation. Currently serving a second term on the Whatcom County Planning Commission, Natalie has gained valuable insight into the complexities of balancing economic growth with a healthy environment. She gets it. We need to be preparing for the inevitable transition to a clean energy economy. She also wants to ensure adequate water resources for fish, farms and families; provide rural access to broadband; create new family wage (Continued on next page) Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
October 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
jobs; and build the protective infrastructure needed to meet a rapidly changing climate. Accomplishing these goals will not be easy. I believe Natalie has the temperament and experience to meet these challenges. She is smart, thoughtful and respectful. She will listen to all the stakeholders in making decisions. Natalie has my vote because I think she will be a hard-working and effective addition to our county council as they take on these urgent issues including the need for affordable housing and a new jail. I urge my fellow coastal district neighbors to join me in voting for Natalie McClendon for a seat on Whatcom County Council. Meredith Moench Lummi Island The Editor: Regarding the article titled “Canadians increasingly subject to five-year bans” written by Jami Makan in the September 26-October 2 issue, it seems this article was pro-Canadian and didn’t offer insight as to the true issues. Firstly, Jami Makan mentioned “U.S. border guards.” The U.S. does not employ “guards” to perform law enforcement duties. This is an inappropriate characterization. The men and women of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are highly trained and qualified law enforcement personnel. They are not “guards.” Second, Canadians are subject to laws enacted by the U.S. Congress. Under U.S. immigration law, they do not have a “right” to enter the U.S. When they present
themselves for inspection, they are asking permission to enter the U.S. That permission may or may not be granted. That is determined by the inspecting officer who must view that person as an intending immigrant until the applicant for admission provides sufficient information to establish that they are not an intending immigrant. The burden of proof is on the alien to establish his or her admissibility, period. Okay, now let’s talk about the five-year bar. The legal name for it is an Expedited Removal, or “ER.” Previously, when officers determined an alien was inadmissible, they more often than not allowed the alien to “withdraw his application for admission.” The government is under no obligation to allow the alien to withdraw his application. If you look at the immigration situation nationwide you see a more stringent enforcement of existing immigration laws. This reflects on the increased training, proficiency and professionalism of CBP officers. Their inspections are more thorough and their knowledge of the grounds of inadmissibility and how to apply them has increased greatly. When immigration attorney Hayes said, “You are guilty and have to rebut that presumption,” he should remember that just about every country in the world has the same basic tenet to their immigration laws: You ain’t coming in until you prove who you are, what are you going to do here and how long are you going to stay. Not so difficult is it, Mr. Hayes? Joel Helle, retired CBP officer Blaine (Ed. Note: The letter writer
was separated from CBP in August 2011 after pleading guilty to felony harassment following an April incident where he forced a 17-year-old driver to pull over on I-5, grabbed him by the throat and threatened to shoot him, according to a Washington State Patrol report filed in the court case. The follow-
ing month, Helle’s record of expedited removals was reviewed after a petition signed by 26 immigration lawyers questioned his actions. In court, Helle had bragged that “he generated thousands of adverse actions against aliens, more than any other border officer,” according to a report by the CBC.)
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BLAINE LIBRARY
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Candidates Forum
Monday, October 14 at 7 p.m.
Birch Bay Bible Community Church • 4460 Bay Rd. • 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.
Gospel Music WITH
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Monday, October 14 4pm – Study Session – 2020 Prelim-
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Tuesday, October 8 8am – Blaine Tourism Advisory
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FRI., OCT. 4 • 7-9 pm -Alex Ashley SAT., OCT. 5 • 7-9 pm - Sam Halbert & Friends FRI., OCT. 11 • 7-9 pm - Lefty & The Right Hand Band SAT., OCT. 12 • 7-9 pm - Roy Knaak WED., OCT. 16 • Open Mic with Chuck Dingee
al i c e p S t n e i t a P w e N Exam, X-rays ONLY ng.*
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.
Saturday, October 5, 10:30 a.m to 12 p.m.
Live Entertainment!
Wine • Beer • northWest Fusion Cuisine
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(Continued from previous page)
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Enjoy the fresh tastes of locally grown PRODUCE handmade CRAFTS & delicious GOODIES! Vendor Space Available Call 360-332-4544
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The Northern Light • October 3 - 9, 2019
”Saturday, S K C G BU
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By Oliver Lazenby
Mistakes cost Blaine in 28–18 loss at home Blaine varsity football head coach Jay Dodd called his Borderites the better team after a 28–18 loss to Burlington-Edison at home on September 27, and the statistics back him up. Blaine outpaced Burlington-Edison in total offensive yards 377 to 309, but penalties, missed extra point conversions and a turnover at the wrong moment cost the game for the Borderites. “I think penalties hurt us, but we had a significant size advantage – we should have been able to run the ball a lot more than we did,” Dodd said. “For a lot of different reasons we just weren’t able to take control.” After trailing throughout the first half, the Borderites had a chance at the lead in the third quarter. Running back Oscar Caridad exploded past the Tigers’ defense for a 33-yard run, putting Blaine on the 20-yard line with a 14–12 score. A 15-yard penalty on Blaine’s sidelines helped the Tigers force a turnover, and they scored on their next possession to make the score 21–12. Blaine never got within reach of the lead after that. “We needed a score there. We could have taken the lead and finally taken a deep breath,” Dodd said. “We’re always playing so tight and just nervous. Any kind of lead would have
s Blaine senior running back Oscar Caridad rushed for 231 yards against Burlington-Edison on September 27.
Photo by Janell Kortlever
helped with that.” Caridad had a standout night, rushing for 231 yards, including runs of 53, 45 and 33 yards, and scoring on a two-yard run. He also passed a career milestone of more than 1,000 yards rushing, according to Whatcompreps.com. “My O-line was there making the blocks, making holes as wide as trucks. All I did was go and run through them,” Caridad said. “Gavino Rodriguez, Mason Vega, Wyatt Cole, the whole line, they’re just outstanding.” At tight end, Vega caught three passes, including a 15-
yard touchdown. Scott Baldwin also made three receptions, including a 15-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Zane Rector caught two for 39 yards and Jaxon Kortlever snagged a 33yard reception. Blaine quarterback Will McKinney passed for 79 yards and left the game early in the fourth quarter with a wrist injury. Cole Thomas replaced him and completed four passes for 66 yards, including the 15-yard touchdown pass to Baldwin. Next, Blaine (1–3) travels to Archbishop Murphy (3–1) for a 7 p.m. game this Friday, October 5.
Blaine soccer wins two big ones in a row
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After winning a pair of conference games in the past week, the season is heating up for the Blaine girls varsity soccer team. The Borderites beat Bellingham 3–1 on September 26 and Squalicum 2–1 on September 30. After the wins, the Borderites have a 4–3–1 record overall, and a 2–2–1 record in conference games. “Our confidence is growing. I think the team now really believes they can compete against the bigger schools,” said Blaine head coach Gio Quesada. “Everyone went 100 percent on the field, even girls who only played for a few minutes played 100 percent. You can see that the team is hungry to win.” Blaine controlled the September 26 home game against Bellingham. Blaine forward Randi Roose curled a corner kick into the goal to give the Borderites the lead at 20 minutes. On a fast break in the 36th minute, Sky Nolasco launched a bullet into the net from 20 yards out with her non-dominant leg. Bellingham scored its goal in the second half, and Bri Nolasco scored one more for Blaine. At Squalicum High School’s turf field on September 30, Squalicum got an early lead until Blaine evened the score in the 21st minute. The game remained tied until the 75th minute when Sky Nolasco scored to
s Maya Ball, l., and Randi Roose celebrate after Roose scored on a corner kick against Bellingham on September 26 at Pipeline Fields. Photo by Oliver Lazenby
give Blaine the win. Next, Blaine travels to play Lakewood (4–0–4) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 3. Volleyball has an even week Blaine varsity volleyball beat Bellingham 3–2 on September 26 at home and lost 3–0
at Squalicum on October 1. Blaine’s record is now 1–3. Next, the Borderites travel to Lakewood (0–6) to play at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 3. Blaine’s next home match is Wednesday, October 9 against Sehome (3–3).
October 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
7
HEALTH & WELLNESS Encouraging happy, healthy lives!
Local hypnotherapist addresses misconceptions about hypnosis By Kira Erickson If the word “hypnotherapy” brings to mind swinging pendulums and swirling patterns, you are not alone. Newly minted Blaine hypnotherapist Sue Dunstone acknowledges these are common misconceptions hailing from Hollywood films about her choice of practice. Originally a yoga instructor, Dunstone completed a hypnotherapy program at Bellingham Technical College this past year, graduating in the spring with certification. Including those she practiced on from the start of her education, she estimated she’s hypnotized about 50 people. “It’s quite fascinating,” Dunstone said. “When we go through school, we learn so much about what’s happening outside us. All that internal meditation, we don’t learn that as children. It’s not part of our education to look inside.” Inside the blue-hued walls of her home office and under the lull of her northern British accent, it can be difficult for a client to feel anything but calm around Dunstone. Sitting down to a session accompanied by a cushy recliner, a glass of water and a quilt, one may feel as if they are tucking in for a nap or about to begin a good book. Comfort and trust are paramount during a hypnotherapy session. Dunstone emphasized that the client is always in control: they can easily get up and leave if they want. No one is stuck under her spell. She’s not here to make them cluck like chickens. “It’s a funny area, because a lot of people automatically think they’re going to lose control,” Dunstone said. “It’s nothing like that. It’s absolute control all of the time, and totally aware of everything that’s happening.” The deep relaxation achieved during hypnosis is similar to meditation and very subtle, she said. To begin, she has clients focus on the end of her pen and do deep breathing exercises. Once a client is sufficiently relaxed, Dunstone guides them through the hypnosis process. “Learning to hypnotize someone is the initial skill. The more imaginative you are, the more receptive you are to changing, to allowing yourself to be hypnotized – this allows changes to take place,” Dunstone said. “There’s a lot of work for you as the person coming in for therapy. The more you believe, the more you can imagine. It’s all in that subconscious mind.” With her facilitation, she said the subconscious mind can reveal itself. Responsible for memory, emotions, imagination, involuntary bodily functions, habits and motivation, Dunstone said the subconscious mind can react in any of these six areas during hypnosis. During a typical first session, she has clients imagine a safe or
peaceful place for them to visit in their mind when they are in a state of deep relaxation. “It’s all about positivity,” she said. “I want you to feel really good about yourself. By presenting everything in a positive manner, you can take all these good feelings to your safe, peaceful place. And then whenever you think of that, all those good feelings will come.” Hypnotherapy has several applications, including confronting phobias, stress and anxiety, sports enhancement, medical conditions, nightmares and remembering where to find lost items. Dunstone said she sees clients most often for stress, anxiety, health improvement and sleep. When hypnotizing a client to help them overcome social anxiety, for example, Dunstone would have them imagine being cool, calm and collected in a previously terrifying situation. “If you believe it, expect it, really want it and trust in the process, then it will happen,” she said. “I don’t do any counseling. I just get you to that point [of relaxation], ask some poignant questions and you come up with the answers yourself. There’s nothing from me, other than to keep you in that state as best as I can, and guide you through the process.” Dunstone said there are different techniques of hypnotherapy. Regression hypnotherapy may be used to recall past experiences, with the potential to reveal the cause of issues the client may be looking to address. Gestalt hypnotherapy can help settle a disagreement between two people by taking into account the other person’s feelings. It involves role play and being the other party in the experience. Taking on the role of the other person leads to understanding, which leads to forgiveness. “Regression and Gestalt hypnotherapy help accomplish release and relearning of a situation by facilitating adult understanding
at a subconscious level,” Dunstone said. Both techniques “are used in hypnotherapy to help uncover the source of a client’s subconscious resistance to change.” To reinforce the benefits of change, she offers to record the session so clients can listen to it at home.
In the future, Dunstone hopes to connect with local community resources such as the Healthy Youth Coalition to work with homeless youth and help them to manage stress and anxiety through hypnotherapy.
Dunstone typically offers one to four sessions for clients. She also plans to offer a group hypnotherapy session, once a month, for anxiety and stress. For more information, email dunstonehypnotherapy@gmail. com or call 360/503-7560.
Meet Lisa
PeaceHealth nurse leader Breast cancer survivor Mountain climber Through early detection and the right team, today she’s climbing mountains and living life to the fullest. At PeaceHealth, we challenge you to put yourself first and make time for a mammogram... you’re worth it! Watch Lisa’s story and schedule your mammogram today.
peacehealth.org/yes-mammo
s Clients are welcome to come to hypnotherapist Sue Dunstone’s home for a session.
Photo by Kira Erickson
8
The Northern Light • October 3 - 9, 2019
HEALTH & WELLNESS Encouraging happy, healthy lives!
Mammography: an investment in your long-term health Do you know someone who survived breast cancer? There’s a good chance that a 30-minute breast health exam or mammogram played a part in saving them. Cancer is most easily treated and cured when it is discovered in an early stage. Mammograms do not prevent breast cancer or reduce a woman’s risk of developing cancer. But for women ages 40 to 70, mammograms may help reduce deaths from breast cancer. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast that is used to screen for breast cancer. Mammograms can find tumors that are too small for you or your doctor to feel. There are several types of
mammograms, including a standard mammogram, which puts images of the breast on film; a digital mammogram, which puts images of the breast into an electronic file and allows your doctor to see different views of the breast without taking more images; and a 3-D mammogram, which uses both digital mammogram and breast tomosynthesis. Breast tomosynthesis puts three-dimensional images of the breast into an electronic file. Using 3-D images with a digital mammogram allows your doctor to see breast tissue very clearly. Is fear holding you back from getting a mammogram? Do you
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think it will be painful? Are you scared of what it might find? Mammography professionals want to put a few of those fears to rest. There are lots of reasons women might shy away from their first mammogram. Some women find the whole physical aspect of the experience unsettling … from discomfort to the loss of a sense of modesty. Mammograms can feel uncomfortable, but they should not be painful. Being exposed during the exam and having your breasts touched by someone you don’t know can be the hardest part of having a mammogram, but it might help to remember that the imaging technologists are skilled in gently coaching women through the process and using the equipment to get good, clear images of breast and lymph tissue. More than the physical aspect of the screening, many women find that it’s the mental side that holds them back. Overcoming
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Our Our Lynden Lynden office office still still remains remains at1610 at 1610 1610 Grover Grover Street. Street. Our Our Lynden Lynden office office still still remains remains atremains at 1610 Grover Grover Street. Street. Lynden office Our Lynden still remains office still at 1610 at 1610 Street. Grover Street. OurOur Lynden office Our Lynden still remains office still atremains 1610 remains at 1610 Street. Grover Street. Our Lynden office still atGrover 1610 Grover Street. Our Lynden office still remains atGrover 1610 Grover Street.
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preconceived notions and fears of the unknown are a big part of it. Family history or watching a loved one’s cancer journey can color someone’s view. Some clinical studies have shown that women tend to avoid getting screened if they know someone personally who has or had breast cancer. Carla Lange, a PeaceHealth caregiver who survived breast cancer, affirms that everyone’s stories are different. Her doctor recommended a baseline when she was 40 years old. “I had no family history or symptoms. It was by sheer luck that I was diagnosed by my first mammogram.” Because of her experience, she encourages all of the women in her life to get screened. While the American Cancer Association guidelines recommend yearly mammograms beginning at age 45, statistics show that more than 15,000 women under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. At this point, mammograms
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Hypnosis is a natural state of mind.
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are the best means to diagnose the disease at its most curable stage, and the new technology used today makes the process go relatively quickly. Unless the doctor orders something different, the screening usually involves taking a set of four images. For each position, you’ll hold your breath for a few seconds while the mammography unit captures your images. Results of mammograms are typically ready within a few days. A woman’s first mammogram is a baseline. This is a critical way for you and your healthcare providers to get to know the makeup of your breast tissue. It sets you up for the future when new screenings can show what is or isn’t normal for you. It’s helpful to remember that some women are called back for additional imaging for a more in-depth study. Your breast imaging is an investment in your long-term health. It could even save your life. This article is courtesy of PeaceHealth Medical Group.
Physical therapy clinic opens new Birch Bay location By Kira Erickson Capstone Physical Therapy opened its newest location on August 26 in Birch Bay Square. Owner Greg Penner noticed a demand for Capstone’s services, leading to the convenience of the new clinic. “We recognized that a lot of our patients who were going to the Blaine and Ferndale clinics were coming from the Birch Bay community,” Penner said. “We just wanted to open a clinic that would be more convenient for them and would serve them better.” Penner said the new location has lots of parking and has great visibility and accessibility. Capstone Physical Therapy has other clinics in Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden and Bellingham. Coming in mid-October, a new location will also open in Fairhaven. The new Birch Bay Square location of Capstone Physical Therapy can be reached by calling 360/366-5511.
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s Staff of Capstone Physical Therapy outside its new Birch Bay Square location.
Photo Molly Ernst
October 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
9
Five questions to help you choose a Medicare plan By Catherine Field If you’re one of 56 million Americans eligible for Medicare, it’s important to understand coverage options when selecting your health plan for 2020. Research can take time, and many people find working with a licensed health insurance agent helpful when deciding between original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans and Medicare supplement plans. Answering these five questions can help you make an informed choice during the Medicare annual election period, which takes place from October 15 to December 7. Are my doctors, hospitals and specialists in network? Most Medicare Advantage plans offer online tools to help you find doctors and hospitals that are in a plan’s network. A licensed agent can also help you look up hospitals and doctors to see if they’re in a plan’s network and taking new patients and confirm what’s in network if you’re a seasonal resident. Which plans will cover my prescription drugs? Original Medicare does not cover most prescription drugs. Many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, or you can sign up for a Part D prescription drug plan separately. A licensed agent can look
up the medications you would like covered and help you estimate what the cost of each drug would be on a plan. Are there new, innovative benefits I should consider? Beyond vision, hearing and dental coverage, if you aim to become healthier, look for fitness program benefits as many Medicare Advantage plans offer a gym membership. If you travel or appreciate technology, virtual doctors are helpful services when you can’t see a doctor right away. Most Medicare Ad-
vantage plans now offer transportation to doctor appointments and the gym. Will a zero monthly premium plan save me money? Private insurers help keep premiums down through programs like disease and chronic care management, which help people better manage health conditions and, in turn, reduce medical costs. You’ll still need to pay your Medicare Part B premium, which covers medical services and preventive care. You might want to use the additional premium dollars you save for
out-of-pocket medical costs, such as co-pays. Do I need to sign up for Medicare parts A and B if I’m still working? If you or your spouse have health insurance from an employer, you can delay enrolling in Medicare until the employment or the coverage stops. At that point, you’re entitled to a special enrollment period of up to eight months to sign up for Medicare without incurring any late penalties. Resources are available to help you in this process, includ-
ing licensed sales agents, local seminars and websites such as medicare.gov and humana.com/ Medicare. You can also call 800/ MEDICARE (800/633-4227) 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or call Humana at 800/2135286 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time seven days a week. As with any major decision, proper research will go a long way toward making the best plan choice for your personal health care needs. Catherine Field is intermountain market president of Humana.
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10
The Northern Light • October 3 - 9, 2019
ANNUAL LISTING OF VACANCIES AND ANTICIPATED VACANCIES THE CITY OF BLAINE IS CURRENTLY SEEKING MEMBERS FOR THE FOLLOWING COMMISSION, BOARD, AND COMMITTEE:
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULARLY MEETS AT 6:00 PM ON THE SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAYS OF EVERY MONTH FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS ONE POSITION TO FILL A FULL TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023
BLAINE TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Local author to speak about following famous father’s footsteps up Mt. Everest By Oliver Lazenby Leif Whittaker, climbing ranger, son of the first American to summit Mt. Everest, and author of “My Old Man and the Mountain,” will speak about his book at the Blaine Library from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 5. Whittaker’s memoir, published in 2016, recounts growing up in Port Townsend in the shadow of
CITY OF BLAINE
REGULARLY MEETS ONE TUESDAY MORNING PER MONTH FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS ONE POSITION TO FILL A TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023. THIS POSITION IS AN AT-LARGE POSITION.
ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN
Members must have lived in the City of Blaine for at least two years.
PARK AND CEMETERY BOARD
REGULARLY MEETS AT 9:00 AM ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF TWO POSITIONS TO FILL A FULL TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023 Members of boards, committees and commissions receive no financial compensation, but the payoff is great. Members meet other residents with similar interests, they learn about the City, and they help shape the future of Blaine! Being on a board, committee or commission does require a significant personal commitment, so applicants should consider their ability to commit their time and personal energy before applying. If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, applications and descriptions of duties are available in City Clerk’s Office at Blaine City Hall, 435 Martin St., Suite 3000, or online at www.cityofblaine. com. Please submit your application by 4:30 PM on Friday, October 25, 2019. The City will continue to accept applications until vacancies are filled. Per Blaine Municipal Code (BMC) 2.08.028, concurrent service on more than one board or commission is precluded.
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his legendary father, “Big Jim” Whittaker. That’s an upbringing that involves constant questioning from strangers about whether he has his own ambitions on the world’s tallest mountain. Whittaker chafes at the questioning, but through an unexpected offer, ends up traveling to the Himalayas for an attempt at Everest. Whittaker brings humor to his telling of challenges big and small.
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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.
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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.
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He climbs out of a tent to pee high on Everest and contemplates death after becoming temporarily lost a few steps away in a blizzard, in an example of the latter. Through the story from childhood to Everest, Whittaker turns over insight into his personal journey, his relationship with his father and the overarching question about why people climb mountains. Whittaker’s presentation will include photos and film from modern and historic Everest expeditions. “My Old Man and the Mountain” is Whatcom County Library System’s Read and Share book – a countywide book group that includes events at libraries throughout the library system. The program is part of WCLS’s celebration of its 75th anniversary. Whittaker lives in Bellingham and works as a seasonal U.S. Forest Service climbing ranger on Mt. Baker.
Mobile dental program to visit schools By Oliver Lazenby Unity Care NW’s Mobile Dental Program will visit Blaine schools this fall to provide exams, sealant, fluoride and other dental services. The program is free for those without insurance, and Unity Care NW bills insurance companies for those who have it. Students who participate also receive a free toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. Participation is optional, and students who want dental services must fill out registration forms, which are available on the school district’s website and at each school’s main office. Students who visit the dentist and receive fluoride twice a year should opt out of the program, said Blaine school district nurse Jodi Greene. Dates for the school visits are: October 8 for Blaine primary, October 17 for Blaine elementary, October 22 for Blaine middle and high schools, and November 14 for Point Roberts primary. Registration forms are due for the primary school on October 4, for the elementary school on October 11 and October 18 for the middle and high school. The mobile dental specialists also work to educate kids about the importance of oral health – an aspect of the program that Greene emphasized. “I think the most important piece of this is the oral health education, and why it’s important to keep our teeth healthy,” she said. “I myself have four kids who do the program. It helps having someone who specializes in oral health telling our kids why it’s important to keep your teeth clean.” The mobile dental program will return to all district schools again in the spring. Unity Care NW’s mobile dental vans have served Whatcom County schools for 20 years. Registration forms are available at blainesd.org/o/blaineschool-district/browse/38416.
October 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
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The Northern Light • October 3 - 9, 2019
Real Estate
Windermere Real Estate/Whatcom Inc. 360.371.5100
8105 Birch Bay Square St. I-5 Exit 270, Blaine
BLAINE, BIRCH BAY & SEMIAHMOO SEMIAHMOO SHORE OPEN HOUSES
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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 FP, 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. Directions: 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
SEMIAHMOO OPEN HOUSES
OPEN:30-3 2 UN 1
MLS#1493911. SEMIAHMOO FAIRWAY CLASSIC. Enjoy southerly vistas of two rolling fairways and lush gardens. Amazing privacy on a quiet, non-through street. Cathedral ceilings and lots of windows / skylights create a bright, welcoming interior. Spacious 3,356 sf plan has both formal & casual living areas, a main floor master suite, 2 guest rooms with ensuite baths plus a large loft. ¾” solid oak floors, 2 fireplaces and a near-new roof! VIEW TOUR: FairwayClassic.com.
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Brenda Mills (360) 319-0072
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. Directions: 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
BIRCH BAY OPEN HOUSES
N 1-3
5395 Quail Run $599,000
9452 Turnstone Ln #37 $1.295,000
OPEN12-5 DAILY
5599 Sanderling Way $749,500
SU OPEN
MLS#1461279. Enjoy new construction at Semiahmoo! This spacious & inviting home takes full advantage of its corner lot location. High ceilings & plenty of windows provide hours of natural sunlight. Master is on the main floor with 3 full en-suites upstairs, providing ultimate privacy. Immense attention to detail, this home has been built with luxurious, yet practical materials. Additional perks include: central-vac, security system (with camera), & 3-car garage!
Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718
7714 Birch Bay Dr. #100 $269,900
OPEN0-2:30 2:3 AT 1
S
MLS#1517120. Beautiful waterfront luxurious ground floor condo, at Grand Bay Condominiums. 1-BD, 1-BA, 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
4765 Tidal Way #102A $289,500
OPEN:30-3 2 SAT 1
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. 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
BLAINE OPEN HOUSES
8375 Shoreline Court $185,000
OPEN- 3 SAT 1
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! Please note, allow 3 days for family to review offer.
Daphne Gastis 360-824-0993
MLS# 1523420. Gorgeous 4 bedroom 2 story home, with two large upstairs bonus rooms. Vaulted ceilings, beautiful cherry laminate floors are accented by tile designs, bedroom features a custom walk-in closet and over-sized double shower. Kitchen with pantry, granite counters, and full appliance package. The backyard patio was recently expanded, and large white vinyl fence encloses the entire perimeter. You are just one block away from beach access and only minutes to the schools, downtown & Blaine & I-5.
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www.CallHugh.com All real advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing All realestate/rentals estate/rentals advertisAct in of this 1968newspaper as amended,iswhich makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation ing subject or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap familial status or national to the Federal Fair Housing origin, or an intention to makeAct any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This ofnewspaper 1968 as will amended, whichaccept makes illegal not knowingly anyitadvertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. toOur advertise any preference, limitation or disreaders 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. crimination 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.
5331 Coastal Loop $480,000
OPEN2-1 1 SUN
MLS #1519338. Nearly brand new construction in the beautiful seaside neighborhood of Salish Breeze, welcome to Coastal Loop! 5 beds/2.5 baths with separate living & family rooms + all the features on your “must have” list: 3 car garage, 9’ ceilings, open concept living/dining/ kitchen, stunning stone fireplace, luxurious Master suite, low maintenance laminate flooring & covered back porch overlooking fenced backyard. Just steps to the Birch Bay beaches or zip down Grandview for easy I-5 access.
Leah Crews 360-305-4747
www.windermere.com
In case of inclement weather, please call agent to confirm open houses.
FOR ALL REAL ESTATE, RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL SERVICES PLEASE
9001 Bay Circle $489,500
OPEN- 4 SAT 1
Rentals - Commercial
NELSON BUILDING 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
FOR LEASE Retail/Office Space With Waterfront Views of Blaine Marina
Don Nelson 360-332-2743 Email nelsbldg@msn.com
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October 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
Scarecrows to crop up at businesses This month, residents and visitors will have the chance to vote on the best scarecrow window display at businesses throughout Blaine’s downtown core. Sponsored by the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, the contest calls on local businesses to get creative with corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins, leaves and more to build a window display that features one or more scarecrows. Decorations must be on display between Saturday, October 12 and removed by Monday, November 4. The public will determine the winner of the contest by voting online at blainechamber.com or facebook.com/blainechamber or in person at the Blaine Visitor Information Center, located at 546 Peace Portal Drive. Last year, the first place winner was Curb Shots coffee shop, the second place winner was Good Samaritan Society – Stafholt and the third place winner was TouchStone Health Clinic. Contestants need to submit a photo of their display to info@ blainechamber.com by Monday, October 14. Online voting will be open from October 14 to Monday, October 28. Winners will be announced Thursday, October 31.
Blaine publication to host benefit By Kira Erickson Mount Baker Experience magazine will be partnering with 122 West Brewing Company in Bellingham at 2416 Meridian Street to host a benefit event. All proceeds from the event on Wednesday, October 9 will support the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). NWAC is a non-profit organization providing winter weather data collection and free avalanche awareness classes. “We’re really grateful that we have local partners who are willing to raise funds on our behalf,” NWAC development and communications manager Charlotte Guard said. Food, music, prizes, retro Warren Miller movies and decades of Mount Baker Slush Cup videos will be included at the benefit event. Raffle prizes include donated items from Backcountry Essentials, American Alpine Institute, Warren Miller Entertainment, Yeager’s, Backcountry Access and more. The benefit starts at 6 p.m. and entrance admission is by donation.
Dining Guide
13
OBITUARIES Richard “Rick” S. Miller April 11, 1934 - September 26, 2019 Rick was born in Alameda County, CA to Stanley and Virginia Miller on April 11, 1934 and was their only child. His father owned a market in the city of Alameda, was a member of the city council, and scoutmaster of troop 17. In the mid 40s, his father decided to sell the market and enter into the resort business. After a brief stay at Clean Lake Highland, CA, the family moved to St. Helena in the Napa Valley. Rick graduated from St. Helena High School in 1952 where he enjoyed sports, acting, and public speaking. During his junior and senior years, he worked as a game conservationist for the CA Dept. of Fish and Game. Rick was a part of the program that raised pheasants, banded them, and released them into the wilds of Northern California. After graduating from high school, he joined the Marine Corps and retired after 20 years of service. Areas where he served overseas include Puerto Rico, Okinawa, Japan, and Vietnam. After military retirement, he decided to pursue his youthful dream of being a park ranger. At the age of 40, after furthering his education, he applied for the position of park ranger for the San Diego Zoological Society. In 1973, he began a second career at the newly opened San Diego Wild Animal Preserve in the San Pasqual Valley. During the 21 years he was with the zoological society he served as park ranger, EMT ranger, and senior ranger. He also taught emergency medical procedures to students that wanted to pursue a career as a nurse or paramedic. He was a volunteer CPR instructor for the American Heart Association. He later established an emergency medical program made up of park employees trained to respond to any medical emergency on the 1800-acre wild animal preserve. Rick’s story can be found in the August 1985 national publication of The Journal of Emergency Medicine. (Article entitled “On Call at the Wild Animal Park”). After the passing of his wife, Catherine, in 1998, Rick decided to travel in his motorhome. While camping on the marine base at Camp Pendleton’s San Onofre Beach, he was offered and accepted a camp host position. The following year he traveled along the rugged coastline of Northern California to the historical village of Mendocino. Rick spent the next 10 years volunteering for state parks as park host and museum docent. He enjoyed acting out living history skits and speaking to groups about the history of the area. He also conducted tours of the oldest operating Presbyterian Church in CA and of the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. Rick decided to become more involved in the area’s park system and sat on the board of directors for the Mendocino Area Park Association. In 2003, Rick traveled to the Northwest. After making several trips, he decided to settle in Birch Bay, WA. He became a member of United Church of Christ in Blaine where he served on several church committees. He is survived by his best friend, Sarah “Sally” Malby, and her family: Bill, Kathy and Matthew Cole as well as Jim, Debbie, Brandon, Jordan and Carter Brockmeyer and his good friends Cory and Jennifer Dodge. His beautiful, passionate spirit and sweet kindness will definitely be missed by all who knew him. How blessed we were to have had him in our lives! A celebration of Rick’s life will be held Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 2 p.m. at United Church of Christ (885 4th St, Blaine, WA 98230). Please share your memories at www.molesfarewelltributes.com.
Robert (Bob) W. Morrison
February 24, 1926 -September 20, 2019 Robert (Bob) W. Morrison, age 93, of Bellingham and Birch Bay Village, WA, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2019. Arrangements pending, www.sigsfuneralservices.com.
Donald Harvey “Mike” Galbraith March 5, 1933-September 27, 2019
Mike went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 27, 2019. He was born in Conway, WA March 5, 1933 to Harvey and Elise (Barnes) Galbraith. He grew up on a dairy farm and attended Conway and Mount Vernon schools, graduating in 1951. He attended Washington State College (later WSU) and earned a pharmacy degree in 1956. During this time he met the love of his life, JoAnn Walstrom of Bellingham, WA. They were married on August 26, 1955. After graduation, Mike took a job at Aubert’s Pharmacy in Bellingham. In 1958, Mike, John Aubert and Verle Jones bought the Blaine Drug Store and the family moved to Blaine. Mike went on to run the Blaine Pharmacy on his own for many years. He was active in his church, Grace Lutheran as well as in the community. He served on the Blaine Chamber of Commerce and was voted Man of the Year. He was a “hardy helper” always ready to lend a hand and supported many school and sports projects. He was a mentor to many young people either through working for him or just coming into the store to talk with him. He loved to hunt, fish, garden and spend time with his family. Mike and Jo developed lifelong friendships in Blaine and loved to socialize with their friends by playing pinochle, vacationing and serving on various committees and boards in town and at church. He was very proud of his children, Steve who followed him into pharmacy, Mark being an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church and daughter Marijo graduating from the Seattle Art Institute in Fashion Merchandising. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Donald and his brother Pat. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, JoAnn, children Steve (Kristi), Mark and Marijo. Grandchildren Andrew (Dan), Bryan (Danielle), Melissa (Dan), Naomi, Monica and great-grandchildren Daisy and Iris. His family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the staff at Stafholt for their kind, compassionate care of Mike. You are truly wonderful. In lieu of flowers the family would like to suggest a donation to Hospice of Whatcom County. A memorial service will be held October 6, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Blaine. Please share memories of Mike at sigsfuneralservices.com
Gertrude Ann Hall
May 25, 1935 – July 14, 2019 Gertrude (Trudy) Ann Hall, a longtime resident of Blaine WA, passed away July 14, 2019. Trudy was born in Des Moines Iowa, May 25, 1935 to David and Anna Caroline (Briggs) McBurney. Trudy was raised in a Catholic orphanage. Soon after high school she joined the Air Force and was stationed at McCord Air Force base in Tacoma, Washington where she met her husband Anthony (Tony) John Hall. After the Air Force, they settled down in Othello, Washington where they raised their four children. In 1980, they relocated to Blaine, Washington. Trudy was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Blaine. She enjoyed Bible study and was a member of L.W.M.L. and on the fellowship committee. In 2011, Trudy moved back to Des Moines where she lived until her passing. In Trudy’s early 60s she found a new passion…painting. She painted many portraits of family members and recently found joy in making greeting cards. Trudy was a snappy dresser and known for her fun hats. Trudy loved life and lived it to its fullest. Her love for the Lord shown through to everyone she came in contact with. Trudy is survived by three children, Theresa (Clyde) Stephenson, Dennis (Patsy) Hall, Jerry (Gina) Hall; son-in-law Ray Klamn; brother and sister-in-law Ken & Christine Hall along with 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Anthony J. Hall, daughter Stephanie Klamn and brother Larry L. Pierce. A graveside service will be held at Hillside Cemetery, 4504 California Trail, Blaine, WA, October 12, 2019 at 2 p.m. A reception to follow at Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Dr., Blaine, WA 98230.
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Great Authentic Mexican Food 758 Peace Portal • Blaine 360-332-4045
14
The Northern Light • October 3 - 9, 2019
Coming up Basketball Sign Ups: Through Tuesday, October 15. Grades K–3. Sign up: blaineyouthsports.com.
beverages, trivia, vinyl music and live entertainment. Tickets $65, call: 360/392-0955.
from concert go to Loads of Love Laundry Program in Blaine.
Thanksgiving Basket Registration: Through Friday, November 15. Families with limited financial resources living in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts may sign up for a ready-to-cook turkey dinner at blainecap.org. Those not able to register online may call 360/332-0740 for assistance. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program.
U. S. Citizenship Class: Mondays, beginning October 7 through November 4, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Prepare for your citizenship interview and study U.S. history and government for the exam. Five free classes taught in English weekly. ELL students are welcome! Space is limited; registration required. Info: 360/305-3637.
Winter Clothing Distribution: Monday, October 14, Tuesday, October 15, and Friday, October 18, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and Wednesday, October 16, 5–8 p.m., Unit 200 in the Cost Cutter Shopping Center, 1733 H Street. Free winter coats, hats, gloves, socks and other accessories will be available for those with limited financial resources. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program. Info: blainecap.org.
Library Closure: Friday, October 4. Info: 360/3053600. Live Music at The Vault: Friday, October 4, 7–9 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Featuring Alex Ashley. Info: 360/392-0955.
Loads of Love: Monday, October 7, 5–7:30 p.m., The Washhouse, 715 3rd Street. Laundry costs covered.
Bellingham Winter Kick-Off: Northwest Avalanche Center Benefit Party: Wednesday, October My Old Man and the Mountain: Saturday, Octo- 9, 6–10 p.m., 122 West Brewing, 2416 Meridian ber 5, 10:30 a.m.–noon, Blaine Public Library, 610 Street. Food, music, raffle and vintage Warren 3rd Street. Leif Whittaker shares photographs/film Miller and Mt. Baker Slush Cup videos. Benefits clips from modern and historic expeditions to Mount Northwest Avalanche Center. Admission by Everest, combining stories from his adventures in the donation. Sponsored by Mount Baker Experience Himalayas and his father Jim’s legendary 1963 climb. Magazine and 122 West Brewing. Info: 360/305-3637. Blaine Community Theater Annual MeetRocktoberfest: Saturday, October 5, noon–10 ing: Wednesday, October 9, 6:30 p.m. Blaine p.m., Pizza Factory parking lot, corner of H Street and Library meeting room. Community input, ideas, Peace Portal Drive. Fun for the whole family. Kids’ and questions welcome. Open voting for theater pumpkin painting at noon, cake walk at 1 p.m., kids’ board members. Visit blainecommunitytheater. money hunt at 3 p.m., plus live music, vendors and com or email blainecommunitytheater@gmail. beer garden. com with questions. Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, October 5, 1-3 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Open to the public. Early bird game at 12:30 p.m. and regular bingo at 1 p.m. Cost $15 for 8 games with 3 cards per game. Cash prizes. Lunch at noon for $6. Info: 360/332-8040. 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 5 p.m., community and youth pie baking contest 6 p.m. Everyone welcome. Free. Info: 360/332-6589.
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. Coffee with the Mayor, City Manager and Chief of Police: Friday, October 11, 9–10:30 a.m., Tony’s Just A Bite, 679 Peace Portal Drive. Gospel Music: Saturday, October 12, 3 p.m., Custer United Methodist Church, 2996 Main Street, Custer. Claudette Dykstra Sterk and the Custer UMC Choir and friends perform. Freewill offering for “Our House” transitional Ferndale housing. Dessert to follow.
Live Music at The Vault: Saturday, October 5, 7–9 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Featuring Backstage @ the Border Presents: Saturday, Alex Ashley. Info: 360/392-0955. October 12, 7–9 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett Street. $7 donation at the door (no Two-Year Anniversary Party: Sunday, October 6, one is turned away!) Featuring: The Band! Kelley 6–9 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Food, Porter, Peter Smith and Susan Thomson. Proceeds
Crossword
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. Lynden Craft and Antique Show: Thursday— Friday, October 17 and 18, 10 a.m.—8 p.m., Sunday, August 19, 10 a.m.—5 p.m., Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, 1775 Front Street, Lynden. Crafts, antiques, upcycled, home décor, food and more. $6. Info: lyndencraftantiqueshow.com. 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. A Taste of Fall: Saturdays through October, 3–5 p.m., Semiahmoo Resort wine cellar. Four tastings of local and international wine per guest and light bites. Additional tastings available for purchase. $18 per person, reservations not required. 21+. 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.
Weather
Answers at thenorthernlight.com
ACROSS
1.Type of relic 7. Type of medical program (abbr.) 10. Outer defense of a castle 12. 1,000 calories (abbr.) 13. A way of using 14. Abounding with surf 15. Expressed violently 16. Shared a boundary with 17. Swedish krona 18. Thick piece of something 19. Wreaths 21. Animated program network (abbr.) 22. Regains possession of 27. Spielberg sci-fi film
28. 2-time Super Bowl winner 33. Ice hockey position (abbr.) 34. Circulatory system parts 36. Supervises flying 37. District in Peru 38. Impudence 39. __ willikers! 40. One point east of southeast 41. Papas’ partners 44. Youngsters 45. Type of tree 48. A hazy or indistinct appearance 49. Poems with distinct pattern 50. Marketing term that denotes price
24. Federally recognized native peoples DOWN 25. Manganese 1.Grenade 2. Off-Broadway theater 26. Senior officer 29. Atomic #18 (abbr.) award 30. Tax collector 3. Small, immature 31. World wonder __ Falls herring 32. Origins 4. __-fi (slang) 35. Car mechanics group 5. 007’s creator 6. Liquefied natural gas 36. MMA fighter Urijah 38. Gland secretion 7. Cleanse thoroughly 40. Gelatinous water 8. Handle of a knife creature 9. Perform diligently 41. Good friend 10. Drink pourer 42. Arab ruler 11. Extreme greed 12. Southern Russia river 43. Capital of Belgian province Hainaut 14. Type of cracker 44. English broadcaster 17. Single Lens Reflex 45. Soviet Socialist Republic 18. Barely sufficient 46. Affirmative 20. Slick 47. Trigonometric function 23. Reference books (abbr.)
Precipitation: During the period of September 23–29, .72 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2019 year-todate precipitation is 20.05 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 73°F on September 24 with a low of 47°F on September 28. Average high was 66°F and average low was 51°F.
51. Fast drivers
Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
Tides DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT October 4–10 at Blaine. Not for navigation. 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W Fr 4
4:09 am -0.11 11:45 am
8.74
4:56 pm
7.83
6.27
9:32 pm
Sa 5
5:05 am
0.26
1:01 pm
8.66
6:24 pm
6.52 10:20 pm
7.27
Su 6
6:05 am
0.68
2:13 pm
8.68
8:12 pm
6.31 11:30 pm
6.78
Mo 7
7:09 am
1.04
8.74
9:24 pm
5.77
Tu 8
12:56 am
6.49
3:07 pm
8:11 am
1.31
3:49 pm
8.76 10:04 pm
5.15
We 9
2:22 am
6.52
9:05 am
1.53
4:23 pm
8.76 10:34 pm
4.49
Th 10 3:28 am
6.77
9:53 am
1.77
8.75 11:02 pm
3.80
4:49 pm
s Leif Whittaker will discuss his adventures in the Himalayas on Saturday, October 5 at the Blaine Library.
Courtesy photo
Police Reports More police reports can be found online at thenorthernlight.com September 23, 5:08 p.m.: A person reported a 3rd party violation of a no contact order. Upon initial statement from the victim, it appears there is probable cause for the arrest of the suspect for violation of the order. An officer will be contacting the other involved parties and either forwarding the information to the prosecutor for review and/or establishing probable cause to arrest the person for the crime. September 24, 3:22 p.m.: During routine patrols, Blaine police located a vehicle where the registration showed the owner had a surrendered license. Officer conducted a traffic stop and determined that the driver, who was not the owner, had a suspended license. The man was cited with a mandatory court appearance date for the violation and released. The vehicle was left parked until a licensed driver could retrieve it. September 25, 11:34 a.m.: Officers responded to a homeless camp at a park. The camp appeared abandoned and consisted mostly of trash. Officers removed the camp. The police contacted public works to remove the garbage. Officers cleared without incident. September 25, 1:35 p.m.: Blaine officers responded to assist border patrol. Border patrol detained an individual who had warrants from another county. Blaine officers confirmed the warrant and transported him to the jail. Officers cleared without incident. September 26, 10:30 a.m.: Officers responded to a two vehicle collision. The drivers exchanged information before the police arrived. Officers did a collision report. Officers cleared without further incident. September 26, 3:55 p.m.: Blaine police responded to a motel at the request of NWFRS for a report of deceased man found inside his room. An officer investigated the incident and did not find anything suspicious. Pertinent information was passed on to the medical examiner by the investigating officer. The medical examiner released the deceased man to the care of a funeral home per the request of the man’s family. September 27, 9:23 a.m.: The school resource officer was called to the Blaine Elementary School for an unknown individual who came onto campus and appeared suspicious. The officer checked the area but did not locate the individual. Officers later located a male matching the description. No crime actually occurred and no law enforcement action was taken. September 27, 10:11 a.m.: Officers responded to a business to trespass an individual. Officers arrived and determined he had already left the area. Officers later contacted the individual and advised him of the trespass. Officers cleared without incident. September 27, 10:25 a.m.: Officers were dispatched to the Blaine Police Department to serve court documents to an individual. Officers provided the person with the court documents. The police cleared without incident. September 27, 2:26 p.m.: Officers responded to a person screaming in front of a business. The business wanted her to leave the area. Officers contacted the individual and the person decided to leave on the bus. Officer cleared without incident. Reports provided by the Blaine Police Department
October 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
15
Bay Properties reopens as independent real estate firm By Kira Erickson After nine months of renovations, Bay Properties is back in full swing. The coastal flood in December 2018 damaged their waterfront office in Birch Bay with over two feet of water, causing $130,000 in damage. Formerly the site of Bill’s Clam Digger Restaurant, the whole office has since been newly renovated. Bay Properties now has an entirely new interior, both upstairs and downstairs. Office manager and co-owner Diane Dufton is thankful to their staff for adjusting during the time that the downstairs portion of the building was uninhabitable. “They really went through a lot and supported us,” she said. Other changes include Bay Properties splitting from the Century 21 franchise after 15 years in order to become an independent brokerage firm as of August 6. The corporation Semiahmoo Homes, Inc. was opened in 1986 by broker Carl Dufton and his father. Starting in 1998, Bay Properties
was the registered name of the firm. In 2004, Dufton was approached by Century 21 to franchise. During the partnership, they had as many as 50 agents between their two offices in Bellingham and Blaine. The business later moved its focus to Blaine in 2008 during the recession. “We wanted to grow our office and thought that the brand would take us to a different place, and I think it sort of did, but we realized we could do a better service to our clients by moving to an independent brokerage,” Dufton said. “We went from a national focus to hyperlocal.” Although he’s grateful to Century 21, Dufton recognized a need to focus on local real estate. The uniqueness of the housing market not being in an urban location contributed to this. “We think we can service our clients in a more focused way and specialize in our area,” Dufton said. “It allows us to change some facets of our business model, which makes more money for our brokers as well as ourselves.”
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all ages welcome.
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Photo courtesy of Carl Dufton
WHEN
s Bay Properties was flooded during the storm that occurred on December 20, 2018, resulting in severe damage to the building.
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The Bellingham winter community comes together for a fun evening of GREAT FOOD, GREAT MUSIC, GREAT PRIZES and retro Warren Miller movies benefiting Northwest Avalanche Center.
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PLUS DECADES OF MT. BAKER SLUSH CUP VIDEOS s After the storm, Bay Properties’ building was repaired and renovated, and the company relaunched as an independent firm. Photo courtesy of Sheila Say
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e perience MAGAZINE
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16
The Northern Light • October 3 - 9, 2019
Blaine kidney donor hopes to spread awareness about living donation By Jami Makan A Blaine woman who plans to donate a kidney to her cousin is encouraging people to learn more about becoming living organ donors, a process that she said is not as scary as it sounds. Amy Ashby, 36, plans to donate a kidney to her 42-year-old cousin, Justin Reilly, who has a condition named IgA nephropathy. The disease involves a build-up of antibodies in the kidneys resulting in inflammation that can hamper the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from the blood. Reilly, who grew up in Blaine and now lives in Houston, Texas, was diagnosed with the condition in 2009, and was able to manage it using prescription drugs for a while. “It’s like any autoimmune condition,” he said. “It sits there and does nothing for a while, and then there’s a flare-up and we scramble to use drugs.” Over time, Reilly’s condition worsened and in April, he started dialysis. In the meantime, it became clear that a transplant would eventually be needed. Because Ashby is very active on Facebook due to her online Tupperware business, Reilly’s mother asked her to prepare a Facebook post searching for a kidney donor. “We sat down at Thanksgiving last year and came up with a story, made a little blurb and posted it on Facebook,” said Ashby. “Because of my business, I have friends all over the world. In one
country, it was even re-posted in a different language. It was pretty cool to see that happen. My cousin, my family going viral on Facebook – that’s just surreal.” Ashby’s Facebook post included a link to an initial medical questionnaire. To test it out, Ashby decided to fill out the link, answering questions on everything from cancer history to history of heartburn. A few weeks went by, and Ashby suddenly heard from Reilly’s medical team in Houston. “They wanted me to provide them with some medical records and they wanted to order some lab work,” she said. Ashby agreed, but hadn’t really processed it yet. “At this point, in the back of my head, I just hadn’t accepted it yet,” she said. Just before Christmas, the team in Houston called again, saying they had prescreened her and wanted her to come to Houston for more testing. Ashby, who has two young children, was hesitant to travel. She asked the doctors to put her name on hold and move to the next person on the list. Soon after, Reilly and his family visited Washington, and during the visit, Ashby learned that Reilly’s condition was getting worse. “I looked right at my cousin’s wife, and without even thinking, I said I will call Houston on Monday and I’ll get my name back on the list,” she said. In March, Ashby visited Houston for three intense days of testing. She participated in a class
about organ donation, and was assigned a coordinator. “Your coordinator is the go-between,” she said. “They are very focused on you as a potential donor. They don’t care what you decide. They tell you that you don’t have to do this, and we will help you with an explanation to your recipient as to why.” Ashby said that this was very reassuring, knowing that someone was in her corner. After further testing, and some repeat tests, Ashby said that the big surgery is tentatively scheduled for October 8. There is a possibility that it could get pushed back if she or Reilly have any changes in health. “I can’t get sick, and he can’t get any sicker,” said Ashby. “We are both crossing our fingers and saying our prayers.” During the surgery and recovery period, Ashby will be gone for almost three weeks. She said it will impact her 5-year-old and her 10-year-old, who will be looked after by her mother and her in-laws while she is away. Her 10-year-old, who has medical conditions herself, understands why she is going through the process. “We’ve had some very real conversations that Justin is very, very sick, and if this goes on too long he could die, so mommy needs to do this to help him live,” she said. Her 5-year-old doesn’t understand what is happening as much, but “thank God for school starting and a phenomenal teacher,” she
s Blaine resident Amy Ashby, l., plans to donate a kidney to her cousin Justin Reilly, r., on October 8.
Photo courtesy of Amy Ashby
said. Ashby is also being assisted by some friends, who will be coming to help her after the surgery and fly home with her. Because she is self-employed, she has the flexibility to take time off from her Tupperware business. Reilly is extremely thankful for what Ashby is doing. “I’m incredibly grateful,” he said. “It’s just a wonderful thing she’s doing.” Reilly, whose job working on power plants took him from Blaine to Texas in 2001, is currently unable to work. He said he is looking forward to a new chapter of his life after the upcoming surgery. Ashby said that after the surgery, her life won’t be very different from before. “It isn’t
really a big impact,” she said. “There are small things. Your body will have to adjust to having one kidney. You cut salt and you drink more water. Contact sports are not recommended, but that’s not my lifestyle.” Ashby is encouraging others to do some research to find out more about living donation. She said resources such as kidney.org, the National Kidney Foundation’s website, offer lots of good information to those considering organ donation. “Once you educate yourself, you learn that you can do this and live a normal life after,” she said. “It’s such a small piece, a small amount of time, to sacrifice for a much larger purpose.”
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WINNING IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK! CHICKEN BACON RANCH PIZZA AVAILABLE 10am - 3am DAILY IN OCTOBER Ranch sauce, mozzarella cheese, seasoned chicken, applewood smoked bacon, & mushrooms. Finished with fresh sliced green onion and ranch dressing.
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