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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
February 20 - 26, 2020
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Bay Medical Clinic to close permanently, page 2
Blaine renews animal control contract, page 10
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Design revealed for new Blaine Library, page 13
City contributes $550,000 toward Gateway stormwater pond project By Jami Makan
(See Stormwater, page 3)
s The 20th annual Bite of Blaine took place on February 17 at Semiahmoo Resort. Attendees sampled food from local eateries and participated in silent and live auctions benefitting Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July. For more photos of the event, turn to page 8. Above, former city manager Gary Tomsic volunteers as the evening’s auctioneer.
Photo by Jami Makan
Blaine officials, Lummi representatives meet to discuss no shooting zone in Drayton Harbor By Jami Makan Mayor Bonnie Onyon, city councilmember Mary Lou Steward and city manager Michael Jones recently met with members of the Lummi Indian Business Council to discuss a potential compromise regarding the no shooting zone that the city of Blaine wants Whatcom County to establish over Drayton Harbor. The meeting took place at the request of Whatcom County councilmember Rud Browne, who was also present. The city of Blaine is seeking the creation of a no shooting zone in all of Drayton Harbor, much of which is outside of Blaine city limits, in order to address some residents’ concerns about gunfire near homes and property. Hunters, including tribal members, have largely opposed Blaine’s request, telling Whatcom County Council that tribal hunting rights and ceremonial practices would be affected. At their February 10 meeting, Jones
briefed Blaine city councilmembers on the meeting that took place on February 5 at the Lummi administrative offices. “I would say there was a lot of good back and forth in the meeting, but the general forward progress that we agreed to after the meeting was that I would be speaking with you about a potential compromise position,” Jones said. “And the Lummi Indian Business Council was going to call a meeting of any of their interested hunters, of which they suggested there were 200 to 300 hunters who were likely to participate, and they are going to get some additional feedback from them.” Whereas Browne had previously suggested a 1,000-foot buffer around Drayton Harbor’s shoreline in which no shooting would be allowed, with hunting allowed to continue in the middle area of the harbor under county jurisdiction, Jones has now formulated a different compromise position for consideration. “It’s not consistent with the [city of
Blaine] resolution because the resolution seeks closure of the entire harbor,” Jones said. “The suggestion that I had put forward was the idea of leaving the southern part of the harbor open for shooting, (See Shooting, page 3)
INSIDE
Blaine city councilmembers voted unanimously to contribute $550,000 to defray the cost of a large stormwater pond being constructed on the Gateway parcel. The city took action after a number of businesses that own pieces of the Gateway parcel, also known as the old municipal airport site, expressed concern about the project’s total cost and the amount that each business will have to contribute toward it. At their February 10 regular meeting, Blaine city councilmembers voted 7-0 on Resolution 1790-20 and a second action item providing financial direction to city staff. The resolution essentially contributed the value of the stormwater pond land ($338,000) to the project, while the second action item directed an additional cash contribution of up to $212,000 of city funds, for a total contribution of $550,000 toward the roughly $3.5 million project. “It’s been a priority for the city council to stimulate development on these properties for many years,” city manager Michael Jones said in recommending the expenditure. “It’s been articulated by council that there are three primary reasons for that economic development. One is to increase the tax base, to take these properties from their public holding, which pays no property tax and doesn’t generate much in the way of other tax revenue.… The second would be to increase the number of jobs in the community – to take this vacant land into another more productive use that provides jobs for community members and folks from the surrounding area. And the third item would be to increase the range of services available to residents and visitors.” The $550,000 contribution formalizes and increases an earlier $350,000 commitment from the city. In addition to city funds, the project is being paid for with a grant from the Whatcom County Economic Development Investment (EDI) Board of about $883,000 and a loan of about $1.8 million. In November, city council voted to form a Local Improvement District (LID) to assess part of the cost of the project against the Gateway property
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . 14 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
TheNorthernLight.com TheNorthernLight
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We have sold virtually all of our inventory, so for boats listed in February, we will reduce our commission from 10% to 8% if we don’t sell your vessel within 90 days of listing.
If we don’t sell your boat within 90 days, you pay less. As boat owners and enthusiasts, we understand the urgency to sell your vessel. We know as long as your boat is unsold, you still have to pay for moorage and maintenance. -Captain Randall Parten, USCG 100-Ton Master
dreamboatcompany.com | 360-383-6191 | office@dreamboatcompany.com
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The Northern Light • February 20 - 26, 2020
Voters approve replacement levy for Blaine school district By Oliver Lazenby
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Bellingham Cruise Terminal Historic Fairhaven February 28 and 29, 2020
Dine in Only. Not valid with any other offers.
for information alliedarts.org 866.650.9317
Lunch or Dinner. Exp. 3/5/2020
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH & DINNER! 758 Peace Portal Dr. • Downtown Blaine
360-332-4045
www.pasodelnorte.net
SuperTrack pulls plug on Bay Medical acquisition
Fat Tuesday
By Jami Makan
Mardi Gras Party! Pancakes, Gumbo, Josh’s Mardi Gras Stompers and Blaine HS Jazz Band
Bay Medical Clinic will close permanently at the end of April, after its acquisition by SuperTrack, a group of Whatcom County medical clinics, fell through. SuperTrack started operating Bay Medical Clinic on January 1 and had planned to eventually expand the practice to include urgent care services. However, the partners of SuperTrack recently notified Dr. David Allan, who opened the Blaine clinic four decades ago with his wife Dr. Marta Kazymyra, that the transition will no longer be going forward. “After many attempts, we were unsuccessful in coming up with alternate providers,” said Dr. Allan. “This was our last-ditch effort. We were confident of this last proposal but the logistics of the transfer became insurmountable.”
February 25 • 5:30 - 8:30 Blaine Senior Center 763 G Street
Adults $10 Students $5
CHECK IT OUT AT:
www.BlaineHarborMusicFestival.org
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, State Names, 2000, oil, collage and mixed media on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Elizabeth Ann Dugan and museum purchase, 2004.28, © 2000, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith.
CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN COLLECTIONS The Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Whatcom Museum Now showing at the Lightcatcher!
Presenting three masterworks from one of the nation’s most treasured collections of American art—the Smithsonian American Art Museum—in conversation with the Whatcom Museum’s permanent collection.
Additional support for this exhibition is provided in part by Peoples Bank and Heritage Bank.
Results from the February 11 special election show that property tax money will continue to flow to the Blaine school district for teacher and staff salaries, classroom materials and other daily operations. Voters passed the district’s fouryear $26.45 million replacement maintenance and operations levy with 58 percent yes votes. Those results won’t be final until Friday, February 21, once the next ballot count is completed on Thursday, February 20. According to the Whatcom County auditor’s office, all but seven ballots were counted as of February 14.
The levy will cost property owners $1.26 per $1,000 in assessed value in 2021 and rise incrementally to $1.31 per $1,000 in 2024. Next year, it will cost approximately $378 for a house assessed at $300,000. That’s a slightly lower rate than the levy it replaces. Property owners in the Blaine school district are paying about $1.39 per $1,000 of assessed value this year toward the current maintenance and operations levy. Six of seven school districts in Whatcom County passed replacement levies this election. Only Ferndale’s failed, with a 56 percent no vote.
AUTHOR EOWYN IVEY VISITS WHATCOM COUNTY MARCH 5—7 HEAR THE AUTHOR DISCUSS THE BOOK AND HER WRITING PROCESS AT FREE EVENTS
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
11 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Ferndale Library 7—8:30 p.m. Mount Baker Theatre
FRIDAY, MARCH 6 2—3:30 p.m.
WWU, Wilson Library
SATURDAY, MARCH 7 11 a.m.—12:30 p.m. Whatcom Community College, Heiner Theater 7—8:30 p.m. Jansen Art Center, Lynden Open seating. No reservations or tickets required. Arrive early to secure your seat.
Information and a full event list at whatcomreads.org. Read the book. Join the conversation.
Dr. Allan said that SuperTrack, which operates two medical clinics in Bellingham and one in Point Roberts, was likely deterred by the costs of expanding to Blaine. “With the amount that was going to have to go into it, they said it was getting too complicated,” he said. “They would have needed to fix the building, put electronic records in and so forth.” SuperTrack partners Dr. Sean Bozorgzadeh and Dr. Mae Lary did not respond to requests for comment. Dr. Allan apologized to the clinic’s patients for the “rollercoaster” of the past year, as the clinic made various announcements about its lengthy search for new providers, its impending closure, the last-minute acquisition by SuperTrack and now its permanent closure at the end of April. “We are very sorry that the many direction changes have inconvenienced people and are extremely sad to be leaving patients without a primary care provider in Blaine,” he said. The closure of the decades-old Blaine clinic will leave the city without any MDs or any Medicare doctors. Family Care Network recently agreed to purchase city-owned land for a new medical center, but construction has not yet started and the facility is not expected to open for at least two years. Dr. Kazymyra retired at the end of December, and Dr. Allan, who had planned to stay on board with SuperTrack part-time, will now likely retire as well. He said he plans to do some traveling and volunteering. Medicine has forever changed, he said. “Single family practice is not viable anymore,” he said. “You just can’t pay your overhead. I can’t see that changing.” Dr. Allan said that over the last four decades, he has gotten to know a lot of nice people, and that he will deeply miss his patients and staff. Bay Medical patients are encouraged to make exit appointments soon so that they can obtain enough prescription drugs and arrange to transfer their medical records to new providers. For a list of recommended providers or for any other information, please contact Bay Medical Clinic at 360/332-6327.
February 20 - 26, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
Stormwater ... From page 1
owners, which include Yorkston Oil Company, Mercer, Chuckanut Bay Foods and IK Truck Repair. Jones said that the city decided to take action now in order to create more certainty for the property owners, some of which have projects in progress, as well as for potential buyers like Family Care Network and the White-Leasure Development Company, which have reached tentative land deals with the city for about 2.5 and five acres, respectively, of the Gateway parcel. The LID assessment against property owners will not take place until later this year, after the project is completed and its total cost is known. Technically, Resolution 179020 transferred the real property from the city’s general fund to its stormwater fund at no cost. “The land has an estimated value of $338,000 and the land belongs to the general fund,” Jones explained. “The stormwater fund, as a separate enterprise, needs to acquire the land for the purposes of the pond being constructed and existing. At the meeting, city council opted to transfer it at no value, or at no cost, so that it would not be a factor in the total cost of construction.” “That action would then have the effect of reducing the total estimated project cost by the value of the land, which is $338,000,”
Shooting ... From page 1
which would primarily be duck hunting, and that a no shooting zone would basically extend from the city limits on one side of the harbor to the city limits on the other side of the harbor, making that whole center portion of the harbor that is under Whatcom County jurisdiction into a no shooting zone.” Councilmember Eric Davidson asked: “And that’s significantly larger than what Rud Browne had initially put forth, correct?” Jones answered, “Yes, it is significantly more than what Mr. Browne put forward.” After he was asked by councilmember Charlie Hawkins to clarify his proposed boundaries, Jones referenced the city’s Urban Growth Area (UGA) limits. “To be a little more clear, my suggestion is from the city’s Urban Growth boundary, the UGA limit, across, so it’s roughly from near Hall Road where that ends at the water across to about Shintaffer Road,” said Jones. “South of that, there are really only a handful of houses, and they are also all in Whatcom County jurisdiction outside of your Urban Growth Area, so those really would be entirely up to the county council to decide how they want to address those citizens’ concerns.” In response to a question from mayor Onyon, Jones said that approval of the proposed compromise is not needed from Blaine City Council, because the decision is up to Whatcom County Council on whether to amend the Whatcom County Code to create a no shooting zone. “Ultimately,
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city finance director Jeff Lazenby further explained at the meeting. He said that city attorney Jon Sitkin provided a legal opinion stating that such a transfer is legal, and that the city had also consulted with the Municipal Research and Services Center, a nonprofit that serves local governments across Washington state. In addition to not charging the property owners for the pond land, the city will not charge them for early engineering costs associated with the project. “There was one decision that was made in concert with some consultations with a number of you, and that was to remove the early engineering costs,” Jones told councilmembers. “Really that analysis was for a different project, a bigger project, a project that served other properties. So there’s really not a benefit to these property owners for that early work, so that’s not included in our project costs, so we took that off the table.” After contributing the value of the land to the project, the second step was for city council to decide on an additional cash contribution. Three options were presented to councilmembers, but city staff recommended “option B” entailing a $212,000 cash contribution from the city. Jones said that “option B” hits the “sweet spot” by providing a stimulus for economic development while not overburdening city finances. “It will increase the city’s tax base,
and it’ll add jobs to the community and provide a wider range of services to Blaine residents and visitors when these properties are developed,” Jones said. Lazenby said that the $212,000 cash contribution will consist of a $100,000 contribution from the city’s Rural Economic Development (RED) Fund and a $112,000 contribution from the stormwater fund. He said: “Why the RED funds? Essentially using RED funds for this purpose meets the criteria of the fund, in that the project promotes eco-
nomic development, and in that it directly achieves job creation, business retention and adds non-electrical infrastructure.” While city councilmembers considered a higher, $412,000 cash contribution, Lazenby said that this would place an undue burden on city services. “An additional commitment would have to come from either the general fund or the stormwater fund or both,” he told councilmembers. “That would essentially place an undue burden on either of those funds, affecting city services and programs as well
as stormwater rates.” Councilmember Garth Baldwin said he hopes the Gateway property owners and tentative buyers will move forward with developing their properties following the $550,000 city contribution. “If this all goes through and everything, I hope that this is the motivation that the participants of the LID are looking for to get them to fulfilling their permits and their promises to develop,” Baldwin said prior to the vote. “I just want to say that because that is my biggest fear.”
their action will be their action, and I don’t really need a nod of approval or any kind of a vote from you, but I wanted to let you know, so that you could reach out to me and give me feedback,” said Jones. “Currently, your resolution says closure of the entire harbor. My impression is, we may need some alternatives.” Mayor Onyon described the position of the Lummi hunters, saying that they have largely been against the creation of a no shooting zone by the county. “They have the right to shoot anywhere in all open waters, and they know that,” she said. “By their treaty, they can do that. But they don’t want to be singled out as being al-
lowed to do that and there to be a question, if law enforcement sees somebody out there shooting, where [an officer] has to wonder: Is that Lummi? Is that non-Lummi or non-tribal? They just don’t want to have to deal with that.” Councilmember Steward said that there are precedents for the proposed no shooting zone, including Wiser Lake. “The one thing that we put forward … was the fact that we’re not setting a precedent here because there is, in the county, Wiser Lake, which has very much fewer houses around it, and it is totally non-shooting, non-hunting,” said Steward. “So I think the Lummi Indians were not aware of
this, and so we put this forward: that we are not setting a new precedent, we in fact have more rational reasons for asking for non-shooting because we have way many more houses around our lake, our harbor, if you want, than Wiser does, so we were not being unreasonable.” Mayor Onyon said that Blaine is in an urban area, whereas Wis-
er Lake is in a rural area, but that this only bolsters Blaine’s case for the creation of a no shooting zone. “All the more reason why we’re justified in asking for the no-shoot zone,” she said. “And our city limits surround it all. How much credence they’ll place on that, because it’s a county council decision on this? We’ll see where it goes.”
s The Gateway stormwater pond project, which is currently under construction between Boblett Court and Pipeline Road on the old municipal airport site in Blaine.
Photo by Jami Makan
Tax Planning & Preparation U.S. & Canadian Individual & Business Michèle-Marie Cloutier, CPA, CGA 372 H St. • Blaine, WA 98230
360-332-4971
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Tasting Events Belgian Beer Tasting
Friday, March 6 • 3-7 pm
Featuring Aaron Cohn with Merchant du Vin European Beer Importer
Wine Cocktail Launch Party Friday, March 20 • Starting at 3 pm
Vote for your favorite wine cocktails for our new menu with mixologist Alexine Langdon Call 360-392-0955 for reservations
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The Northern Light • February 20 - 26, 2020
Letters
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 Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Reporting Intern Grace McCarthy prpintern@pointrobertspress.com
The Editor: In his letter in last week’s paper (February 13-19), Mickey Masdeo exhibited the kind of self-defeating thinking that can ruin school systems. Voting no on levies because you have no children in school is short-sighted and selfish, since good schools benefit the whole community. Voting no because you disagree with the way funds are managed means you’re missing the point. If you feel that way, run for the board yourself. Join the other public-spirited citizens on the board who serve in a volunteer position that takes a year to really learn and do well. I do agree that Birch Bay should incorporate rather than continue to demand city-like services from the county. Because of what incorporation entails (a city hall building, a police force, etc.), the most efficient way (for those of you who hate taxes) would be for Blaine and Birch Bay to merge. We could go back to Blaine’s original name, “Concord.” Perhaps, Mickey, if you oppose this idea, like the school levy, it would pass as well. Jack Kintner Blaine The Editor and Blaine City Council: Now is more appropriate than ever to restore our historic station and push for it to become an active Amtrak rail stop. Think of how well this restoration would fit in with the planned go-ahead of the BNSF Alley along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe right of way. The city of White Rock purchased and restored their station even though it was understood that it would likely never become an active rail stop again. The restoration was part of their overall plan to redevelop the business area along their waterfront. The success is evident. Think of how much more of a benefit Blaine would gain with its train station restored, with a good possibility that it will likely become an active rail stop sometime in the near future as well. Tearing it down to replace it with something much less substantial, such as a simple platform with a cover when Blaine
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 XXV, No 35 Circulation: 10,500 copies
Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
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.
Primary school hosting kindergarten registration day
Circulation Independently Verified by:
By Oliver Lazenby
Next issue: Feb. 27 Ads due: Feb. 21
The Editor: It was fascinating to read the tribute to Kirk Douglas in the latest issue of The Northern Light (February 13-19). Unlike so many celebrity stories, this one had a personal connection since it was written by journalist Ron Miller who had spent time with Mr. Douglas. Mr. Miller’s article was intriguing as he noted Douglas’ answers to some of the unique questions he posed. In this way, readers were treated to a side of this renowned actor that revealed the person behind the Hollywood mask. I was especially captivated by Mr. Miller’s analysis of Douglas’ relationship with John Wayne, given that they were on opposite sides of the political spectrum. This is the kind of detail that only a superb interviewer identifies and recognizes as relevant to readers. I should not have been surprised to read this excellent review of Kirk Douglas, since my husband and I have been treated to a series of programs Mr. Miller has been giving at the Semiahmoo Resort on Wednesday evenings. For those of us who are still enchanted by the golden age of Hollywood and the TV stars who followed, Mr. Miller’s stories, from his prodigious career interviewing many of them, are a rare opportunity. If you are interested in learning more about these great classic film and TV stars, I highly recommend both this program and the books Mr. Miller wrote with co-author James Bawden. Each program – and each book – is a fascinating compendium of famous stars, in a brief but incisive format, far beyond the typical, superficial accounts of today’s so-called celebrity interviewers. Patricia A. Bloom, Ph.D. Blaine
The Editor: I just read the front page article in The Northern Light’s February 13-19 edition, “APA Museum attraction highlights role of Chinese labor.” I know the author of the article to be a compassionate person and am confident the article was seeking to provide an accounting of local history. However, I have to object to repeated references in the article to the full name of the piece of equipment at the museum that was recently painted. That name includes a racial slur, and in the published article, the slur was not partially obscured – no early warning about it, just an acknowledgement, the third time it’s mentioned, that the name is “now racially charged.” To my knowledge, it was a racial slur at the time the equipment was built. The name was repeated five times between the caption and the article content. Four times the name was in quotes, and one time it wasn’t. I was at a grocery store in downtown Bellingham last week and heard yelling in the store. When I got closer to the registers, I could see a woman loudly alternating between describing a newspaper salesman outside the front of the store as a black man, and then using the n-word to single him out. She said she didn’t want to give him money. I see this man frequently and he never approaches me, waves to me as I walk by, and a variety of folks stop and have friendly conversations with him. He had to hear this woman targeting him with slurs multiple times, from inside, and then outside the store close to where he was. It was traumatizing to me, so when I think of how the targeted gentleman would feel seeing that word in the newspaper after that experience, and when I think of even worse encounters that involve the hurling of racial slurs, I can’t really find a justification, history lesson or not, where slurs of any kind should not be treated with the weight of a profanity by a newspaper or by a museum. Dena Jensen Birch Bay
Civic Meetings
Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com
once again becomes an active train stop, would be an outrage. A covered platform would make waiting for the train, especially for those crossing over from Canada, much less desirable. It would be cold, wet and windy compared to a warm, enclosed historic building in which to wait. So how about it? This has been a no-brainer waiting for a long time. Jess Rainey Blaine
Blaine primary school is hosting a registration day for parents of incoming kindergarteners from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. Staff will help parents register their children for the 2020-2021 school year. Parents will also have a chance to see the primary school, discuss health records with a school nurse and learn about the district’s Family Service Center, developmental pre-
school programs and other community services. Parents should bring a copy of their child’s birth certificate and updated immunization records. Children must turn five on or before August 31, 2020 to be eligible for the 20202021 school year. The event is at the primary school multipurpose room. The district wants people to park in its central parking lot off Borderite Way. To learn more, call Blaine primary school at 360/332-1300.
s Kindergarten registration day is Thursday, March 12 at the Blaine primary school multipurpose room. Photo by Oliver Lazenby
February 20 - 26, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival gears up for its fourth year CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is returning April 16 to 19 to celebrate the centennial anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in the U.S. The Bellingham festival debuted in 2017 to give a platform to women, who are underrepresented in the film industry, by showcasing films produced by women, along with events like panel discussions and script readings with directors and actors. It is only one of a few women’s film festivals in the world, said Cheryl Crooks, the executive director of the festival. This year’s feature is Iron Jawed Angels, an award-winning HBO movie from 2004 chronicling the work of Alice Paul and other women activists leading to the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. The festival departed from its tradition of honoring one woman for her recent contribution to film, instead featuring an older film that encapsulates the festival’s 2020 theme of women’s suffrage. Iron Jawed Angels is slated to be the centerpiece of the festival’s annual gala on Friday, April 17 at Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham. The gala will sell one hundred tickets for $100 per ticket as a fundraiser for the festival. The film’s director, Katja von Garnier, is traveling from Germany to attend the event, and the film’s cinematographer, Robbie Greenberg, who lives in Bellingham, will also be in attendance. Crooks said she can’t yet confirm what actors will attend the gala, but the cast of Iron Jawed Angels includes award-winning actors like Hilary Swank, Frances O’Connor and Anjelica Huston. A free screening of the movie will be held in the 1,509-seat Main Stage after the gala in the adjacent Walton Theatre. CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival shows films each year at the Mount Baker Theatre, Pickford Film Center and Western Washington University. In celebration of the centennial for women’s suffrage, the festival will pair up with the Bellingham/
Whatcom County chapter of the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization formed in 1920 to encourage the participation of women in government. Crooks said she also hopes to invite Washington state officials to talk about the state’s legacy regarding women’s suffrage. Washington was the fifth state to allow women the right to vote, 10 years prior to the Constitutional amendment. These events are still being planned, but more information will appear on the festival’s website (cascadiafilmfest. org) once confirmed. Festivalgoers will be able to purchase a pack of six tickets for six films to be reserved in advance, which can include the feature film gala. The festival is still finalizing what movies will be shown, but Crooks said there will be at least two documentaries and three Indigenous films. “One of our goals as a women’s film festival is to show underrepresented viewpoints on a platform that Hollywood doesn’t represent,” said Tara Nelson, the communications coordinator for the film festival. A 20-to-1 ratio of male to female directors was found in the top 1,300 movies between 2007 and 2019, according to a study by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. That means 4.8 percent of the directors were female over 13 years. Jules Koostachin, a four-year veteran of the festival and a member of the Attawapiskat First Nation, will have her film OshKiKiShiKaw: A New Day featured in the Indigenous film series. The 2019 film follows 12-year-old twins Tapwewin (“Truth”) and Pawaken (“Totem”) as they embark on a sacred Cree ceremony to cut their hair for the first time. The coming-of-age ceremony takes place in the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario where the boys’ hair, considered a sacred connection to Earth, is cut as they transition away from childhood. “For me, it’s creating dialogue about reconciliation – how we can respect the diversity that exists in our communities and
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.
Monday, February 24 4:45pm – Study Session – Review of potential cost allocation strategies for East Blaine Infrastructure. 5:15pm – Consideration of 665 Peace Portal Drive and Old City Hall for Sale by City. 6:00pm – Regular City Council Meeting
Thursday, February 27 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, March 2 4:30pm – Special City Council Meeting - City Council Retreat Location: Blaine Boating Center: 235 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA 98230
Monday, March 9 4:30pm – Study Session – OPMA and PRA Training.
6:00pm – Regular City Council Meeting
s Jules Koostachin is an Indigenous filmmaker whose film OshKiKiShiKaw will be featured at the CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival in April.
U.S. PASSPORTS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website.
www.cityofblaine.com
Courtesy photo
respecting the different cultural practices,” Koostachin said. Koostachin said the professionalism of the festival makes her come back every year. A lot of big festivals are easy to get lost in, Koostachin said, but the CASCADIA staff prioritize spending time with filmmakers and helping them network. Crooks said her favorite part of the festival is watching directors receive recognition for their work and build friendships among themselves that outlast the multiday festival. “This is more than just showing movies,” Crooks said. Four short film scripts submitted in January are now in the final rounds of being selected to be read aloud by actors and industry professionals on Sunday, April 19. Reading scripts aloud allows the audience to learn about the behind-the-scenes of filmmaking, while giving writers a chance to receive critical feedback before
they start shooting their films. The festival received four times the number of scripts compared to last year. Crooks attributed this, in part, to the growing recognition of the festival in cities like New York and Los Angeles. “The quality of the short films is a notch above last year’s,” Crooks said. Thirty-six short films from 12 countries including Iran, Finland and Greece were submitted this year. The festival gives Whatcom County residents unique access to directors from across the world who are excited to talk about their films with audiences, Crooks said. The festival has grown over the past few years, as more people have become aware of the festival and how it supports the local economy, Crooks said. More information about the CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival is available online at cascadiafilmfest.org.
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Neither do we. (360) 332-6906 885 4th St. • Blaine, WA 98230 Pastor Sandy Wisecarver
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The Northern Light • February 20 - 26, 2020
Sports By Oliver Lazenby
Vazquez going to state championships Blaine freshman Genesis Vazquez is headed to the Tacoma Dome for the girls wrestling State Championships after a big day at regionals on February 15 at Sedro-Woolley High School. Vazquez, wrestling at 110 pounds, started regionals by beating the top seed from the southern sub-region – Mariana Zhong of Newport – by a 7–3 decision. She lost her second match by pin s Genesis Vazquez, l., wrestling at the Scramble Championship on January 22 at Blaine High School.
Photo by Oliver Lazenby
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and won her third by pin. In the third-place match, Vazquez wrestled Shanoah Shanes from Sedro-Woolley, who she also wrestled the week before at sub-regionals. Though she lost, Vazquez wrestled her better than the week before, said Blaine head coach Damon Higgins. “I’m very impressed with Genesis and her work ethic and desire to win,” Higgins said in an email. “Coming off the mat after losing
to Shanes she was frustrated with the loss. She felt, and I do too, she could have wrestled longer and possibly beat Shanes for third. I was very impressed with her analyzing the match right away instead of celebrating instantly the fact that she was going to state.” Vazquez and the five Blaine boys wrestlers who qualified will wrestle on February 21 and 22 at the State Championships.
Two Blaine wrestlers take titles as Blaine wins second at Regionals Gavino Rodriguez and Colton Pedersen won individual titles at the 2A Region 1 wrestling tournament on February 15 at White River High School, leading the Borderites to a second place team finish out of 16 schools. Only White River High School, a perennial wrestling power, outwrestled the Borderites. Both Rodriguez (182 pounds) and Pedersen (195) pinned their
first two opponents to reach the finals matches in their weight classes. Rodriguez beat Jeffrey Myers of Lindbergh Senior High School in Renton by an 8–4 decision in the championship match and Pedersen beat Bellingham’s Morgan Cavalier 16–7 in the finals. Three other Borderites placed in the top four and will join Rodriguez and Pedersen at State Championships on February 21 and 22 at
the Tacoma Dome. Jack Cheatham (138 pounds), Baruc Vazquez (160) and Tyson Kirk (195) all placed fourth in their weight classes. Owen Hansen (220 pounds), Luke Westfall (170) and Cael Button (113) placed fifth at regionals and will be alternates at state – they’ll get the chance to wrestle if others in their weight class get sick, injured or otherwise can’t compete.
Blaine basketball season comes to an end with close loss to Liberty
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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.
s The Borderites celebrate after beating Sehome 65–53 at home on February 13. Blaine boys basketball had a wild ride through the post season, beating Sehome in a loser-out game to qualify for the district tournament, and then playing aggressive games against two experienced teams. The Borderites season came to an end on February 18 with a 75–70 loss against Liberty (17–6). The Borderites came into the game with a 12–10 overall record, and stuck with Liberty throughout the game. Blaine trailed 41– 37 at halftime, and came within two points of Liberty in the final minutes. Josh Russ and Zane rector concluded their stellar seasons with 29 and 20 points, respectively, against Liberty. Before that, Blaine took on topranked Burlington-Edison, undefeated in conference play, and lost
81–51 on February 15. The highlight of Blaine’s postseason was a 65–53 victory over Sehome in a packed Blaine High School gym on February 13. That game was a rematch – Blaine beat Sehome 61–57 the week before, to earn a home game in the first round of the playoffs. “I was pretty nervous. The kids can get overconfident and I was a little worried we’d come out flat,” said Blaine head coach Brett Farrar after the game. “We showed them the film a couple times just to drive home the point that that first game was really close and anybody could have won.” That worked – Blaine darted off to a 15–3 lead midway through the first quarter. “We just knew we had to keep our tempo up and get it done,”
Photo by Oliver Lazenby
said Rector, who led Blaine with 16 points and four three-pointers. Confident with a 35–25 lead at half, Blaine looked like a different team to start the third quarter. Sehome tied the game at 35 before Blaine’s offense again came alive with Rector sinking back-to-back three-pointers. For the Borderites, it was a big season of growth and the first since at least 2012 that Blaine boys basketball has finished with a winning overall record. To add to the excitement, Blaine will only lose two seniors to graduation – Rector and Mason Vega. “We’re a young, inexperienced team so we’re learning on the fly and I’m really happy with the resolve from our kids,” Farrar said. “I’m really, really proud of our kids. They’ve come such a long way.”
February 20 - 26, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
City to regulate vacant storefronts in Blaine’s central business district By Jami Makan City staff will begin drafting new amendments to the Blaine Municipal Code to address vacant storefronts in downtown Blaine, after city councilmembers voted 7-0 to authorize the development of new municipal regulations. At their February 10 meeting, councilmembers unanimously approved Resolution 1789-20 “initiating amendments to the Blaine Municipal Code to authorize regulation of exterior building maintenance and street-level vacant commercial space in the Central Business District.” Introducing the measure to councilmembers, Blaine community development director Stacie Pratschner said that her department first held a study session with councilmembers in late January. “We covered the statutory background for these sorts of rules and regulations,” she said. “We also included a review of our Comprehensive Plan’s economic development goals and policies and how an ordinance
like this would be in compliance with those goals and policies. We also reviewed some model ordinances together from Yakima, Seattle, Olympia and Everett. What it came down to was talking about the city’s desire to create some additional incentives for folks in the Central Business District who own property that is currently vacant to hopefully fill those spaces.” In discussion, councilmember Eric Davidson said that it’s important to provide downtown property owners with positive incentives to develop pedestrian-friendly storefronts and a high-quality consumer shopping experience. “We’ve had discussions about the carrot and the stick,” Davidson said. “And I see ‘stick’ in here but I don’t necessarily see ‘carrot.’ … I’m all for regulations, but it’s got to be a good balance.… What are our thoughts on not just punishing the people who aren’t doing what’s right but rewarding the people who are doing okay?” Responding to Davidson, Pratschner said that her department will
aim to build on existing economic development incentives like a recently-passed multi-family housing tax exemption and the relaxation of parking requirements in the central business district for new commercial uses. “We do want to continue to emphasize … not just the stick but the carrot as well,” Pratschner said. “We put a lot of emphasis on looking at the city of Everett’s code, which has a bit more of that approach to it, that economic development/aesthetic approach versus a jurisdiction like Yakima or in Seattle, where it is very much focused on making sure properties are properly locked and secured so there’s not folks trespassing. … So we’ll look forward to looking at some incentive programs.” Mayor Bonnie Onyon said she looks forward to seeing what code amendments Pratschner’s department comes up with in due course. “The devil’s in the details,” Onyon said, “and those will come to us at a later time and then we can discuss various aspects.”
BHS music students compete in solo and ensemble competition By Jami Makan Six Blaine High School (BHS) students recently competed in a solo and ensemble competition, and two will move onto the state competition in April. On January 25, six BHS students competed in the San Juan Music Educators Association’s high
school solo and ensemble competition, which took place at Sehome High School in Bellingham. The participating students were freshman Byanca Holguin (flute), sophomore Stephanie Boczek (saxophone), and seniors Samantha Boczek (flute), Charles Streeter (piano), Eli Yost (euphonium) and Sydney Thrall (bassoon).
Streeter placed first on piano, and Yost placed first on euphonium. They will move onto the state competition on April 25 in Ellensburg. Samantha Boczek scored high enough in the highly competitive flute category to become an alternate for the state competition. “They all represented BHS with distinction,” said Dorita Gray.
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The Northern Light • February 20 - 26, 2020
20th Annual Bite of Blaine Fundraiser
At the 20th annual Bite of Blaine fundraiser on February 17, attendees sampled food from local eateries and participated in silent and live auctions benefitting Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July. The Blaine Chamber of Commerce presented its Business of the Year award to Mike and Skye Hill, while Drayton Harbor Oyster Company earned this year’s Best of the Bite trophy. A special award was given to chamber secretary Carroll Solomon recognizing her many years of service to the community. Photos by Louise Mugar, Wayne Diaz and Jami Makan
February 20 - 26, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
ADVICE FROM THE PROS
Q:
Q: What if I didn’t make any changes to my plan
pre-qualification and pre-approval for a loan?
before the Annual Enrollment deadline of December 7th? Will I still be able to change plans now if my doctor doesn’t accept my Medicare Advantage plan in the new year?
A: The main difference is the documentation required Loren Adkins Senior Real Estate Loan Officer NMLS# 643779
Office: (360) 647-4425 Cell: (360) 303-8599 loren.adkins@peoplesbank-wa.com
published monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month
A:
Q: What’s the difference between
by the bank. Pre-qualification is a non-documented process where we ask about your financial status, such as your last two years of employment, residency, annual income, and general banking information. We use this to produce an approval letter which shows sellers that you are a serious buyer. When you have an accepted offer, we’ll request the documents required to close the loan. For pre-approval, we’ll gather the required documents up front to obtain loan approval before you even start looking for a home.
A Special Section of
A: In 2020, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
Period will run from January 1 – March 31. If you’re
Rachel Wallace enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll have a one-time Agent
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opportunity to:
• Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan • Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, Part A and Part B • Sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (if you return to Original Medicare). Be sure to call us if you need any help.
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Q: I want to buy a home. What is my first step?
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(360) 922-0102
Easy answer. Unless you are buying with all cash, talk to a loan officer about a pre-approval letter. There are many great lenders, including Loren Adkins in the next column, who will meet with you for a free consultation. A pre-approval letter is essential in making an offer in this competitive market. It also shows you in advance what you can afford, which saves you time by not looking in the wrong price range. You also will get the lender’s perspective of the local market and see what loan alternatives are available. Most importantly the pre-approval letter shows sellers that you are serious. Call me and let’s get started!
Q: I started a new job and must fill out a
2020 Form W4. Why does it look different?
A:
Employees starting a new job or making updates to their W4 will be required to fill out the new 2020 Form W4. The Form W4 was updated to reflect the elimination of the Personal Exemptions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, so there are no longer allowances. Instead, an individual will choose their filing status, select a checkbox if they have multiple income sources, claim dependent credits, and calculate other adjustments. The intention of these changes is to eliminate large refunds and taxes due by having the accurate withholding on each paycheck, so that when filing the tax return, it will result in a breakeven. Cynthia Polley, Enrolled Agent 8105 Birch Bay Square St. • Suite 102
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Q: Should I have Physical Therapy if I feel
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Patients are often referred to physical therapy before they receive imaging. Imaging can be very useful and necessary in some cases. However, often even with imaging, the treatment will still include physical therapy. Physical therapists at Capstone can help to reduce pain, inflammation, provide an exercise program to strengthen weak muscles and stretch stiff muscles as well as patient education to help you to not re-injure or aggravate your symptoms. Physical therapists at Capstone are orthopedic specialists and have advanced training in physical therapy to offer you the very best care for your individual therapy needs. Capstone is accepting new patients at our new Birch Bay Square location and our Blaine clinic on H Street.
Here’s your opportunity to voice your expertise!
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The Northern Light • February 20 - 26, 2020
Pet Care Tips and products for a healthier, happier pet!
Animal control contract renewed by city of Blaine and humane society imals hasn’t decreased, she said. Animal control calls range from picking up stray and injured animals to assisting law enforcement on calls where animals are involved and investigating cases of animal neglect and cruelty, Clark said. The humane society is an open admission shelter that doesn’t turn animals away; it operates as a domestic animal shelter, wildlife rehabilitation center and farm facility. The partnership between the city of Blaine and the humane society has dated more than 28 years, said lieutenant Ryan King of the Blaine Police Department. Once a call is made reporting a stray animal, police officers are usually the first to respond. The police department will bring the animal back to a holding area in the station that is large enough for at least two dogs, King said. The humane society then picks these animals up and brings them back to the shelter. Stray dogs are picked up most often from Blaine followed by occasional cats, King said. Spring and summer are when the police department picks up the most stray animals. There is no specif-
By Grace McCarthy A new animal control contract that decreases the hours of animal patrol from 10 to three hours per week has been renewed between the city of Blaine and the Whatcom Humane Society for the next five years. The contract renewed during the January 13 city council meeting is an extension of a contract that was signed in 2018. The contract was for a one-year trial in 2019. After being renewed by the parties last month, the contract contains no major changes besides the reduction in patrol hours. The city’s annual cost for the new contract is $7,500, as opposed to the $15,000 it was spending previously. The annual cost will be reviewed at each budget cycle, according to the contract. Patrol hours are separate from animal control, where Whatcom County residents can report concerns about animals in dangerous situations 24 hours per day every day to the humane society, said Laura Clark, the executive director of the humane society. The contract is based on budget decisions and the number of stray an-
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ic area where the police department receives the most calls because stray dogs don’t stay in one place very long, King said. Clark said that over the years, the humane society has picked up everything from hamsters to horses in the Blaine area. In addition to Blaine, the humane society currently provides animal control services to Bellingham, Ferndale, Everson, Sumas and unincorporated Whatcom County. “The humane society is happy and honored to provide services for the people and animals in Blaine and the surrounding area, and we look forward to continuing to do so,” Clark said. King advised residents to call 911 if they see a stray animal in Blaine, or to call the Whatcom Humane Society at 360/7332080 ext. 3017 if the animal is outside city limits. After hours, residents should call 911 and an animal control officer will be notified for assistance.
s Whatcom Humane Society animal control officer Claudia Alvarez with a dog recently picked up by the humane society. Photo courtesy of Laura Clark
New cat café brings the purr-fect hangout to downtown Bellingham By Grace McCarthy NEKO Cat Café opened its doors in downtown Bellingham, making it the first place in Whatcom County where people can enjoy coffee and snacks with feline friends. Since its opening on February 14, people can book a 50-minute visit at $10 per person. In the cat room, 20 to 25 adoptable cats from the Whatcom Humane Society roam while patrons order menu items like cat-themed cookies and donuts and Japanese-inspired snacks. The unique and relaxing atmosphere lends itself well to everything from studying and working to private parties, said Caitlin Unsell, an owner of the café. Some of the cats originate from Okanogan County where animal control services are limited, according to the café’s website.
“We’re excited to help give kitties their forever home,” Unsell said. The café’s owners, Unsell and Cory James, decided to open a second location in Bellingham after opening their first café in Seattle in 2017. After attending Western Washington University, Unsell lived in Japan, where she fell in love with the country’s vibrant café culture. “Neko” means “cat” in Japanese. The café’s opening follows a trend of cat cafés popping up across the U.S. in the past five years. Nearby cat cafés exist in Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. “It feels amazing,” Unsell said of the café’s opening. “It was a huge labor of love.” The café is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays with slight variations on weekends. Photos of the adoptable cats will be posted online once the website is updated.
s NEKO Cat Café opened on February 14 in Bellingham. Courtesy photo
Unsell recommends that people make reservations online at nekocatcafe.com/reservations-bellingham. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult, and there must be one adult for every two children under 10. The café does not take cash. Reservations can be made for groups of one to 25 people.
ADOPT A PET! We’re looking for good homes! To adopt one of us please call our Adoptions department at (360) 733-2080
Or visit us at 2172 Division St., Bellingham, WA 98226 Hi, I’m Graham!
Hi, I’m Ben!
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View more about us at www.whatcomhumane.org
February 20 - 26, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
11
NEXT ISSUE: Feb. 27 AD DEADLINE: Feb.24
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In re the Matter and Estate of: ULF GORAN HANSSON, Deceased. No. 20-400112-37 PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030 THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED BELOW has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. NOTICE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: February 20, 2020 BENNETT F. HANSSON, Personal Representative Presented by: Law Offices of Roger L. Ellingson, P.S. By: Roger L. Ellingson, WSBA #19292 Attorney for Personal Representative PO Box 1258 / 289 H Street Blaine, WA 98231-1258 (360) 332-7000; Fax: (360) 332-6677
Fieldturf, Gregory Weisbrich, 25119 142nd Ave SE Kent, WA 98042-6656, is seeking coverage under the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Construction Stormwater NPDES and State Waste Discharge General Permit. The proposed project, Blaine School District Athletic Field Renovation, is located at 1055 H Street Blaine, Washington in Whatcom County. This project involves 2.5 acres of soil disturbance for athletic field construction activities. The receiving waterbody is Cain Creek. Any persons desiring to present their views to the Washington State Department of Ecology regarding this Application, or interested in Ecology’s action on this Application, may notify Ecology in writing no later than 30 days of the last date of publication of this notice. Ecology reviews public comments and considers whether discharges from this project would cause a measurable change in receiving water quality, and, if so, whether the project is necessary and in the overriding public interest according to Tier II anti-degradation requirements under WAC 173-201A-320. Comments can be submitted to: Department of Ecology Attn: Water Quality Program, Construction Stormwater P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696
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ONE YEAR LIMITED TERM (FULL-TIME) Salary Range: $5,115 - $5,970 per month plus benefits. The position is open until filled. For information on how to apply, please visit the City’s website, https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/. The City of Blaine is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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REAL ESTATE LISTINGS ARE ON PAGE 12.
12
The Northern Light • February 20 - 26, 2020
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
OPEN12-5 DAILY
OPEN12-5 DAILY
9454 Turnstone Lane #38 • $1,195,000
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.
OPEN12-5 DAILY
9452 Turnstone Ln #37 • $1.295,000
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
Mike Kent 360-815-3898
B I R C H B AY O P E N H O U S E
OPEN2-4 SUN
9468 Turnstone Lane #42 • $1,095,000
MLS# 1408430. Newest Semiahmoo Shore waterfront home with soaring vaulted great room design & expansive full width covered patio featuring full height stone fireplace & ample room for shoreline entertaining. All the exceptional design elements you’d expect at Semiahmoo Shore with fantastic guest suites on both main & upper floors. All main living on entry level, gated luxury at Semiahmoo spit with incomparable saltwater & mtn. views. Dir: 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.
Lisa Kent 360-594-8034
F E AT U R E D P R O P E R T Y
7714 Birch Bay Dr. #103 $439,000
8201 Chilliwack Rd. $440,000
MLS #1563744. Enjoy unobstructed front & center VIEW of Birch Bay from this ground floor oceanfront condo. This sunny west facing residence features 9 ft ceilings, AC, custom cabinets, slab granite counters, tile & wood flooring & open concept living area. Exceptional quality throughout this 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo. Luxurious bathrooms include radiant heat flooring & jetted tub. A beautiful spacious patio for entertaining accessible from living area & master. Assigned covered parking & deeded private beach.
MLS #1559286. Immaculate home on picturesque green belt with back yard facing west for beautiful sunsets. Birch Bay Village is the premier community in Birch Bay. Amenities include private marina, golf course,24/7 security, clubhouse, swimming pool, sports courts and several private beaches on what is known as the warmest bay on the Salish sea. High ceilings, lots of windows, stainless steel appliances, wonderful master suite overlooking green belt. This home is a must see and priced to sell.
Randy Weg 360-305-5704
Billy Brown 360-220-7175
In case of inclement weather, please call agent to confirm open houses.
www.windermere.com
FOR ALL REAL ESTATE, RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL SERVICES PLEASE
Hugh Brawford
JUST
L
Call Hugh -360.371.5800
D ISTE
Birch Bay Village Fixer-upper!
$250,000
8105 Birch Bay Square St. - Blaine, WA 98230
360-920-0563
GerryAllen@windermere.com
5 acre property has it all. Well-maintained 3-BR, 2-BA home!
3-BD, 2-BA Rambler with 2-car garage, FP, covered deck. Built in 1994, a fixer worth the effort! Cash offer please. MLS# 1566448 Call Hugh 360-371-5800 for details.
Build your home here! 21 ACRES - $175,000 Homesite on Kickerville with beautiful, meandering Terrell Creek.
Owner contract possible AT 20% DOWN, 6.5% 30 year Amortization. Some residential zoning, currently in open space. Great tax advantage.
Semiahmoo Marina Boat Slips
STARTING AT
$15,900
www.CallHugh.com Rentals - Residential BIRCH BAY VILLAGE lakefront home. 2-BR, 1-BA, 1200 SF, complete remodel. 2-car garage, plus workshop. Available April. $2,000/mo. Call Linda 805-451-6979. WATERVIEW HOME 2 BD 1.5 BA,1000 SF, $1500/mo +util. N/S, Pets negotiable. 360-4836474.
Birch Bay Homes FOR RENT 1, 2, & 3 BR, Fully Furnished
No credit checks, Small Deposit Children welcome, Pets negotiable Starting at $1300/mo (month to month)
360-325-2336
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • Vacation Properties WE DO • Residential Properties ! IT ALL • Commercial Properties Call Phill Esau Today!
Nimbus Property Management 7506 Woodland Rd. Ferndale • $459,000 Property has a massive, heated 2,400 SF shop plus 1,200 SF loft. Store an RV, boat, and still operate a business. Enjoy the quiet and secluded country life on five wooded acres with quick access to I-5. MLS# 1565399
360-594-8600 225 G Street, Suite 102
Downtown Blaine (Across from Hill’s Chevron)
www.NimbusRealEstate.com
Rentals - Commercial
NELSON BUILDING 925 Ludwick Ave., Blaine 5100 SF Warehousing/
Manufacturing/Retail SPACE AVAILABLE Also Available Now: Up to 18,000 SF of Fenced & Paved Storage Yard
Don Nelson 360-332-2743 Email nelsbldg@msn.com realestate/rentals estate/rentals advertising AllAllreal advertis- in this ingnewspaper in this newspaper subject is subject tois the Federal Fair toHousing the Federal Act which Act of Fair 1968Housing as amended, of 1968 as amended, makes itlimitation illegal or dismakes it illegal to advertisewhich any preference, to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap familcrimination based on orrace, color, toreligion, ial status or national origin, an intention make any such sex, handicap, familial status or national ori- will preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper gin, or an intention make any for such not knowingly accept anytoadvertisement realprefestate which erence, limitation or discrimination. This is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that newspaper will notinknowingly accept any on an all dwellings advertised this newspaper are available advertisement realTo estate is in vi- call equal opportunity for basis. complainwhich of discrimination, olation of the law. Our readers are hereby inHUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246. formed 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.
FOR LEASE Retail/Office Space
With Waterfront Views of Blaine Marina 800 - 1600 s.f. Prime ground floor office and retail space in The Northern Light Cannery-style building at Blaine Harbor.
For leasing information, contact Pat Grubb 360/332-1777
February 20 - 26, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office to offer Citizen’s Academy in March By Grace McCarthy The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is holding its free annual Citizen’s Academy in March, allowing county residents to learn more about what it’s like to be a sheriff’s deputy. The 12-week academy, which takes place in Bellingham every Tuesday evening starting on March 10, aims to familiarize local residents with WCSO’s mission and values. “We certainly see a benefit to educating the public about what their sheriff’s office does,” WCSO undersheriff Doug Chadwick said. “I think that goes a long way toward the community outreach and public trust that are essential for us to do our job.” Chadwick said the most important thing people learn from the academy is that their local law enforcement does more than what is portrayed on television. There are many different facets of the department that benefit Whatcom County residents, Chadwick said.
In every class, there will be one to four instructors present who oversee the specific patrol operations being discussed that day. The class will start with the instructors explaining what training they received before going into the day-to-day duties for their jobs. The K-9 class is a crowd favorite, Chadwick said. The instructor talks about the work the dogs do and will bring a dog to the class to perform a demonstration. According to WCSO’s website, other topics will include: criminal investigations, patrol procedures, SWAT (special weapons and tactics), the drug and gang task force, traffic enforcement, crime scene investigations, marine patrol and jail operations. The department limits the program to 25 participants to allow all participants to receive a personalized experience. The program allows residents to ask questions they’ve been wondering for a long time, Chadwick said. “Twelve weeks is a big commitment but I think anyone who has
OBITUARIES
been through the Citizen’s Academy has seen the benefits and really appreciates learning more about the sheriff’s office,” Chadwick said. The academy has been held off-and-on for the past 10 years, Chadwick said. Staffing and funding issues have caused it to be canceled in some years. Chadwick encouraged anyone over 18 in Whatcom County to apply. Space is filling up quickly, but Chadwick said there will be other opportunities if people don’t get in this year. Opportunities to have conversations with the department are not limited to the academy, Chadwick said. The academy will run every Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. from March 10 to May 26. Classes will be held at WCSO’s emergency management facility near the Bellingham airport. Applications are accepted until the academy is filled with 25 participants. Participants are required to be at least 18 years old. All materials will be provided during the academy. For more information, visit bit.ly/2SWntDE or call 360/778-6600.
Design team reveals plans for 8,260-square-foot Blaine Library
Thomas (Tom) Alexander, Jr.
December 31, 1959 - January 7, 2020 Tom passed away suddenly on January 7, 2020 do to medical complications. Tom was born on December 31, 1959 to Thomas and Merle Alexander in Seattle, WA. The family lived in Federal Way for most of his younger years before moving to Blaine in the 1980s. Tom worked for the Lawrenson family and the Cafe International and Motel, then in 1995 Tom went to work for the Blaine School District where he put 20 years of service in doing custodial work Tom was a quiet person who kept to himself. He liked the bachelor life doing what he wanted to do. Tom kept busy doing his hobby of miniature futuristic army figurines, spending countless hours putting them together, painting them and going to tournaments in Bellingham. Tom is preceded in death but his mom, dad and stepdad Bill Padden. He is survived by his two sisters Ramona and Kathy plus nieces and nephews. Tom was cremated per his wishes and did not want any services.
Keith Nawman
May 11, 1969 - January 31, 2020 Friends and relatives are invited to a memorial service with military honors at Haynie Cemetery, 8855 Valley View Rd., Custer on February 21 at 2 p.m.
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL
DIRECTORY
By Oliver Lazenby The architects designing a new Blaine Library revealed a final design concept on February 11 that is nearly twice the size of the current library and is informed by three community meetings and an online survey. The 8,620-square-foot design, by the design team of Johnston Architects and King Architecture, incorporates the top priorities the team heard during a three month public input process: more space, a larger collection, more community gathering space and more children’s books. The architect team brought a virtual reality headset and allowed people to take a virtual tour of the space at the meeting, which was held at the Blaine Senior Center. Though the architects call the latest plans a final design concept, materials and elements of the interior can still change. The design team can now begin work on a more precise cost estimate for the building. The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) hopes to fund construction through a joint levy that would also fund a Birch Bay library. Though WCLS doesn’t have a
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s The final design concept for a new Blaine Library. timeline for construction, WCLS deputy director Michael Cox said the library system would provide service during construction. “We’ve been looking into the cost of space around town,” he said at the meeting. “We want you
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to have as many library services throughout construction as possible and we’re beginning plans to make sure that can happen.” Learn more about the Blaine Library design and see a video of the meeting at wcls.org/blaine.
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14
The Northern Light • February 20 - 26, 2020
Open Call for Student Art: Through Friday, April 3. Whatcom County students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit a two-dimensional piece of artwork inspired by the theme “living without the internet.” More info and application form: gallerysyre.com or email gallerysyre@gmail.com.
Coming up
Live Music at The Vault: Saturday, February 22, 7-9 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar and Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring: JP Falcon & Michael Longeneker. Info: 360/392-0955.
Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival 2020 and Friends of the Ferndale Library. Free admission. Blacklisted!: Wednesday, February 26, 7–9 p.m., Semiahmoo Resort Discovery Theater. The post-war era in which Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) tried to root out the communists in Hollywood is now regarded as one of the darkest periods in film history. Featuring some of the work done by major filmmakers both before and after they were blacklisted. Info: semiahmoo. com/ron-miller.php.
Modern Paste Papers Workshop: Sunday, February 23, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., 235 Marine Drive. Learn to Foreign Policy Forum: Friday, February 21, 1–2:30 create fabulous paste papers with visiting Santa Fe p.m. Blaine United Church of Christ, 885 4th Street. artist Madeleine Durham. Using a range of Japanese papers, you’ll learn Madeleine’s wonderful unique Topic: India and Pakistan. Info: 360/332-6906. techniques for creating modern patterned papers for Murder Mystery Night for Teens: Friday, Febru- use in collage, bookbinding, calligraphy, printmaking ary, 21, 6:15–9 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd and book arts. $145. Info and registration: washiarts. Celebrate 100 Years of Voting Rights: Thursday, Street. Play your part and discover clues to unmask com/workshops. February 27, 6:30 p.m., Western Washington University the murderer (it could be you!). Pizza and snacks Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Party: Tuesday, February Performing Arts Center. Elaine Weiss discusses her included. Space is limited; registration is required, 25, 5:30–8:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G book The Women’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the and you can choose your character in advance. For Street. Family dinner with a professional Dixieland Vote. Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters, Ralph grades 6-12. Info: 360/305-3637. band (Josh’s Mardi Gras Stompers!). Featuring Blaine Munro Institute for Civic Education and Village Books. High School jazz band. Pancakes, gumbo and good Free parking. Info: lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org. 10th Annual Pasta and Lights: Friday, February music. Tickets $10 per person, $20 per family at the 21, 5:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Delicious spaghetti dinner, garlic rolls, salad, dessert door. Proceeds benefit Blaine Harbor Music Festival. Allied Arts Cultural Arts Festival: Friday and Satand complimentary beverage. Live music at 6:30 p.m. Blaine/Birch Bay Toastmasters Public Speaking urday, February 28–29, the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and throughout Fairhaven. Activities, events and vendor Tickets $12 adults, $6 kids 9 and under. Proceeds Contest: Tuesday, February 25, 6:30 p.m., Ferndale booths focused on arts, music, performance, food, prebenefit Blaine Senior Center. Info: 360/332-8040. WECU, 5659 Pacific Highway, Ferndale. sentations and workshops highlighting diverse cultural communities in Whatcom County. Info: alliedarts.org. Live Music at The Vault: Friday, February 21, 7-9 Tsuru (Crane) Paper Folding Party: Tuesday, p.m., The Vault Wine Bar and Bistro, 277 G Street. February 25, 12:30–2 p.m., Ferndale Library, 2125 Foreign Policy Forum: Friday, February 28, 1–2:30 Featuring: Stirred Not Shaken. Info: 360/392-0955. Main Street, Ferndale. Tsuru for Solidarity is a nonp.m.. Blaine United Church of Christ, 885 4th Street. violent project by Japanese American social justice Topic: Red Sea Security. Info: 360/332-6906. Garden Design: Saturday, February 22, 10 a.m.– advocates working to end repeated history and close noon, Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn detention sites in America. The Tsuru Paper Folding Belgian Beer Tasting: Friday, March 6, 3–7 p.m., The best placement areas for fruit-bearing trees, bushes, Vault Wine Bar and Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring AarParty will be led by founding member Holly Yasui. vines and vegetable gardens. Hardscape assessThe cranes will be taken to Washington, D.C. for the on Cohn with Merchant du Vin European beer importer. ments, sunlight observations and air flow. Presented Info: 360/392-0955. Tsuru National Rally in June. The free activity is fun by Blaine C.O.R.E. Info: 360/305-3637. and family-friendly. Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock ExperiTelling Stories Through Textile Maps: Saturday, Never Give Up! Minoru Yasui and The Fight ence: Saturday, March 7, 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 8, February 22, 2–3 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. For Justice: Tuesday, February 25, 7–8:30 p.m., 3 p.m., White Rock Playhouse Theatre, 1532 Johnston Bettina Matzkuhn’s textile maps tell stories through Ferndale Library, 2125 Main Street, Ferndale. A doc- Road, White Rock. Script and lyrics by Mo Williams and unusual forms not normally associated with embroi- umentary film screening by The Bellingham Human music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. For tickets call the dery. Info: 360/305-3637. Rights Film Festival in collaboration with the Ferndale box office at 604/536-7535.
Crossword Answers at thenorthernlight.com
ACROSS 1. Yields Manila hemp 6. A type of gin 10. Japanese ankle sock 14. Swiss city 15. Applied to 17. Achievements 19. Japanese title 20. Possesses 21. Belgian city 22. Child 23. Great delight 24. Petty quarrel 26. Gathered 29. Zoroastrian concept of holy fire 31. Path 32. Legendary hoops coach Riley 34. A citizen of Denmark 35. Flat 37. Upper-class young women 38. Payment (abbr.) 39. Distort 40. Affirmative! (slang) 41. One who has a child 43. Without 45. Workplace safety agency 46. Political action committee 47. Period of plant and
animal life 49. Swiss river 50. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.) 53. State of being kept secret 57. Hobbies 58. One-time Korean ruler 59. Sudden attack 60. Born of 61. Assists DOWN 1.Ancient Greek sophist 2. Famed composer 3. Spore-bearing fungi cells 4. Chief executive officer 5. Defunct Syrian political party 6. Thin wood 7. Polynesian garlands 8. Fluid replacement (abbr.) 9. Flammable hydrocarbon gas 10. Multi-leveled 11. Influential diarist 12. Gambles 13. Many subconsciousnesses 16. Current unit 18. Illumination unit 22. Tantalum 23. Steps leading down
to a river 24. Kids love him 25. Before 27. Fencing swords 28. Mountain range in China 29. Payroll company 30. A way to pack together 31. Business designation 33. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (abbr.) 35. Forage fish 36. Greek temple pillars 37. Internet mgmt. company 39. Rouse oneself 42. In a way, covered 43. Elaborate silk garment 44. Cooling unit 46. Riley and O’Brien are two 47. __ fide: genuine 48. Ancient Incan sun god 49. Poker stake 50. Trigonometric function 51. Interesting tidbit 52. Adieus 53. U.S. Treasury position 54. Midway between east and southeast 55. Doctors’ group 56. Women’s __ movement
Blaine Primary School Kindergarten Registration: Thursday, March 12, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Blaine Primary School, 820 Boblett Street. For the 2020-2021 school year. Bring proof of child’s birthdate and immunization records. Info: 360/332-1300. 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. Free studio time. Sponsor: Healthy Youth Coalition. Info: 435/704-1598. Toastmasters Meeting: Tuesdays, 6:30–7:45 p.m., 382 Boblett Street. Improve your public speaking skills. Community Meals: Wednesdays, 5–6:30 p.m., Blaine Community Center, 763 G Street. Through May, except holidays. Info: blainecap.org. WW Workshop: Thursdays, 5 p.m., Northwood Alliance Church, 508 C Street. Registration/sign-in from 5-5:30 p.m., and half-hour meeting to follow. The Alaska Packers Association Museum: Saturdays and Sundays, 1–5 p.m., 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Info: 360/371-3558. Teen Nite: Saturdays, 5–9 p.m., Border Town Pizza, 738 Peace Portal Drive. Kids ages 13–18 come enjoy open mic, karaoke and games. Free pizza at 5 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous Meeting: Sundays, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett Street, entrance on 4th Street. Nwwana.org. Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Weather
Police Reports February 9, 4:01 p.m.: Officers responded to a physical domestic. Officers investigated the incident and developed probable cause. A suspect was arrested and booked into the Whatcom County Jail. February 10, 7:23 a.m.: A Blaine officer was contacted by an outof-state resident who explained her credit card was used fraudulently to purchase coffee online and it was shipped to an unknown address in Blaine. The individual further told officers she was unable to obtain the suspect’s information from the coffee company and did not have much information. Officers determined the individual was reimbursed by her credit card company. The officer explained to the individual how to make safer online purchases utilizing companies that specialize in protecting private information. Officers cleared with no further incident.
Precipitation: During the period of February 10–16, 0.21 inches of precipitation were recorded. The 2020 year-to-date precipitation is 12.5 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 55°F on February 14 with a low of 32°F on February 10. Average high was 52°F and average low was 40°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
February 10, 8:46 a.m.: A Blaine business owner called police to investigate someone dumping garbage in his dumpster. Officers identified the suspect through a piece of mail inside the garbage bag. Officers contacted the man who admitted to dumping his trash in the dumpster. Officers advised the business doesn’t want to press charges but would like him to stop dumping his trash in the business receptacle. The man told police he would no longer dump his trash at the business and officers cleared with no further incident. February 10, 1 p.m.: A Blaine business contacted police to report two burglaries that occurred in the last five days. The individual advised police that two storage units were broken into at an unknown time and date. Officers provided the individual with a Blaine Police Department case number for the tenants of the units in the event they determine they are missing property. Officers are continuing to investigate these burglaries. February 11, 3:46 p.m.: Blaine officers working traffic enforcement observed a vehicle that had a listed suspended driver as the registered owner. Officers stopped the vehicle on Interstate 5 and contacted the driver. The driver was uncooperative and would not exit the vehicle when instructed. Officers arrested the driver for driving on a suspended license and obstructing a police officer. The suspect was also found to have a felony warrant for his arrest. The driver was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on the felony warrant and a licensed driver was allowed to drive the vehicle. The suspect was given a mandatory court date for the driving offense and for obstructing a police officer. February 11, 4:05 p.m.: An officer took a civil matter/fraud report by phone. The victim was reporting his car was sold, but the new owner is keeping his license plates and racking up fines. The reporting party will be referred to the jurisdiction where the incident occurred. February 12, 2:11 p.m.: Blaine Police Department officers took a report from a local business owner concerning a former employee saying a variety of statements tarnishing the reputation of the business. No physical threats were made against the business owner or any employees. The owner was advised to contact law enforcement if the behavior escalates.
Tides February 21–27 at Blaine. Not for navigation. 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W
DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT Fr 21
5:23 am
9.4
10:40 am
6.5
3:00 pm
8.2
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-0.5
Sa 22 5:53 am
9.5
11:20 am
6.0
8.1
11:01 pm
-0.3
3:52 pm
Su 23 6:21 am
9.5
11:54 am
5.5
8.0
11:37 pm
0.1
Mo 24 6:45 am
9.4
12:26 pm
5.0
7.9
4:40 pm
5:26 pm
Tu 25 12:09 am
0.6
7:09 am
9.2
4.5
6:12 pm
7.7
1:00 pm
We 26 12:41 am
1.3
7:29 am
9.1
4.0
6:58 pm
7.5
1:32 pm
Th 27 1:13 am
2.2
7:51 am
8.9
3.5
7:48 pm
7.2
2:08 pm
February 12, 3 p.m.: Officers responded to the corner of School Drive and Mitchell Avenue for a report of a collision. Officers arrived and determined one of the drivers was intoxicated from alcohol. Officers arrested and booked the individual into the Whatcom County Jail for driving under the influence. Officers cleared with no further incident. February 14, 12:59 a.m.: Blaine police were called to a suspicious vehicle parked at the dead end of a street. Occupants of the vehicle quickly turned off their lights when a passerby saw them. Officers arrived to find marijuana smoke billowing from the vehicle’s open windows. The 18-year-old driver of the vehicle was arrested for underage possession of marijuana. A juvenile male was returned home. A third, 19-year-old male was allowed to leave the area.
Reports provided by Blaine Police Department
s A Birch Bay resident got creative with driftwood for Valentine’s Day. Photo by Ruth Lauman
February 20 - 26, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
15
Foreign Auto Clinic is one of Blaine’s last old school auto shops By Grace McCarthy Eight years ago, Lee Doane bought Foreign Auto Clinic from former owner Tom Ryser, but Doane’s history with the shop at 1240 Peace Portal Drive dates back much further. Doane started working at the auto shop in 1984, shortly after Ryser opened it the year before. Doane is the shop’s sole employee and jack-of-all-trades who runs the shop, works on foreign and domestic cars and sells the occasional car. Working as both service writer and mechanic allows Doane to give better recommendations and feedback to his clients, compared to bigger service shops where the mechanic never sees the customer. Three to four cars are currently for sale, Doane said. Doane has always been mechanically inclined, which is why he’s worked at the shop for its longevity. The uptick in electronic repairs has been the biggest change the shop’s seen over the years. “I’m trying to keep it as an old school repair shop where you can come, have a cup of coffee and talk about your personal prob-
lems,” Doane said. “Most of the customers have a story to tell.” The stories Doane hears range from historical tales to military experiences, he said. At one time there were eight repair shops in Blaine, Doane said, but it’s now a dwindling specialty. Doane’s shop and Alley Auto Parts at 365 D Street are the last old school repair shops left, he said. Dozens of toy cars and trucks line the windowsill of his office. A “Therapy in session, gone ridin’” sign hangs above the door, and a blue Texaco Motor Oil sign is placed below that. Half of these knick-knacks have been gifted over 30 years, Doane said. The most sentimental gift he’s received? A ’73 Buick Riviera. Doane worked on the car before the owner moved to Pennsylvania, and when the owner passed away, their partner gave Doane the car. Long-term customers are the ones who turn into friends, he said. “Once they saw I started collecting, they started donating more,” Doane said. About 30 cars are in the shop at any given time, and Doane works on approximately 250 cars per year. His personal collection of au-
s Foreign Auto Clinic owner Lee Doane. tomobiles and motorcycles nears 50, all of which are housed around Whatcom County. Throughout his career, Doane said he’s owned over 400 cars, trucks and motorcycles – but he stopped counting at 400. He eventually sells the cars, saying that he’s never had a favorite because the cars all blend
together over the years. Older American muscle cars are Doane’s favorite to work on. Mopar, a parts unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles that also designs customized vehicles, is Doane’s top pick of muscle cars. Mechanics who work on older cars are becoming more of a rari-
1973 Plymouth Duster (Not for Sale) The ’73 Plymouth Duster has been in the auto shop for eight months. The quasi-race car has a big motor, a 360 V8 engine and 450 horsepower. The Plymouth, which was originally sold for around $3,000, now has 86,000 miles on it. Low miles, little rust and its light weight are its best features. The car’s rarity helps it stand out while the four-speed transmission makes it more fun to drive, Doane said. Minor engine work, a new set of piston rings and a final tune are the biggest repairs for the car. The car is best fit for someone who is a collector or wants a muscle car.
1960 Plymouth Sport Suburban Wagon (Not for Sale) A customer from New York bought the ’60 Plymouth Suburban in Canada and plans to drive it nearly 3,000 miles back to where the customer lives. The car that has over 200,000 miles was originally bought for around $2,800. The wagon’s distinctive features are its tailfins. Other features include a 318 V8 engine and drum brakes. The car is best suited for a Plymouth collector, Doane said.
1962 220S Mercedes (Not for Sale) Doane has been working on the classic car that’s originally from Nevada for over a year, making it the shop’s longest current customer. The Mercedes is being fixed up so the owner can eventually sell the collector car, which originally sold for around $6,000. Fine tuning with the carburetion and brakework are the biggest concerns of the car with 90,000 miles on it. Small tailfins are distinguishable features on the car. Other features include drum brakes and a six-cylinder with dual carburetors.
1962 Ford Econoline Pickup (For Sale) Doane is selling his ’62 Ford Econoline pickup for around $6,000. He has owned the car for three years after searching three decades for the right one in decent shape. Before his purchase it was owned by various Whatcom County residents. Ford quit making the cab forward truck, where the seats are in front of the wheel, due to safety concerns from that style. The pickup has 300,000 miles on it, a six-cylinder 144 engine and drum brakes. Its best feature is its rarity and that most of its parts are still original.
All photos by Grace McCarthy
ty, Doane said, due to the finicky behavior of these cars and their growing scarcity. Nonetheless, Doane said he still sees Blaine residents come through his doors intrigued by the selections and looking for collectibles. “It’s a small-town shop that serves the local community,” Doane said.
1975 BMW R90/6 Motorcycle (Not for Sale) This bike is one of eight that Doane owns, but the only one Doane keeps in the shop. “For me, it’s less stress. You get out, hit the wind and hear everything around you, as opposed to being in the car,” Doane said. He last took it for a ride a year ago, something he enjoys doing as a day trip to eastern Washington for lunch. Doane’s owned the bike since 1986 when he needed it for a trip to Arizona and bought it two days before departing. Memories like that, and sharing the bike with a friend before he passed away, add sentimental value to it, he said. Doane said preferences vary for everyone but for him, the best features on the bike are the handle and the acceleration. Doane estimates the motorcycle, which now has 59,000 miles on it, once originally sold for $3,000 to $4,500. This is a performance bike rather than being built for road trips. There are newer, faster bikes but Doane said this one has classic BMW style. Other features include drum and disc brakes, a Boxster engine and telescopic forks for the front suspension with a swing-arm suspension in the rear.
16
The Northern Light • February 20 - 26, 2020
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