September 17 - 23, 2020
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IN THIS
ISSUE
A ride-along with Blaine police, page 2
Local businesses receive Covid-19 grants, page 3
9/11 Ceremony at Peace Arch Park, page 16
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Peace Arch Park becomes pandemic wedding venue Despite USPS mailer, voters need not request mail-in ballots By Oliver Lazenby
s Amelia Vera, from Montreal, and Kyron Nakamitsu, from Maui, Hawaii, say their vows in front of local officiant Matthew Thuney at Peace Arch Park on September 12.
Photo by Ian Haupt
Park hosting 20 cross-border weddings a week By Ian Haupt and Kyra Planetz The coronavirus pandemic has canceled events large and small this summer, from the Tokyo Olympics to family reunions. Some may have thought this year’s wedding season was canceled too, especially for cross-border couples. But since the United States and Canada border closed on March 21, Peace Arch Park has become a popular wedding destination for cross-border couples from all over looking for a way to reunite. The Northern Light spoke with several
couples that married at the park, and they all shared similar stories. They all met online, through dating apps, live-streaming platforms, chat rooms and online forums. Each started their relationship hundreds of miles apart from each other. Many of them, as years passed, closed that distance down to less than an hour travel time and a border crossing. Others, soon after meeting in person, began talking about marriage. Some had plans to wed before the pandemic that were ruined. Others began making plans during the pandemic. Those living close enough to the border began meeting at 0 Avenue, across a ditch from
Outdoor burn ban and smoky skies over Blaine By Grace McCarthy All outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of Whatcom County is prohibited until further notice under a September 9 burn ban from the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office. This includes yard debris, land-clearing and recreational fires. Propane and charcoal barbecues are allowed, along with propane fire pits without solid wood-burning material, according to the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s
Office. Charcoal and ash need to be thrown away in a metal container and doused in water and placed a minimum of 10 feet from any buildings or trees for three days. Wood-burning fire pits are not allowed. Violations carry a minimum $250 fine. The Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA) also called for a stage 2 air quality burn ban in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties on September 9. The ban will last until further notice. “Once the air has cleared, we will re-
move the air quality burn ban,” NWCAA executive director Mark Buford in the press release. “But the fire safety burn bans will remain in place until fire officials determine that fire danger has passed.” On September 10, governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation to give monetary assistance to people affected by the wildfires. The funds are provided through the Department of Social and Health (See Burn Ban page 6)
their loved one. Then they heard from friends, family members and social media groups, for couples separated by the pandemic, that Canadians were allowed into the U.S. side of Peace Arch Park, so they began meeting there. Some proposed at the park, and all were married there. It’s unclear how many cross-border couples have been married at the park this summer. Some Saturdays and Sundays see five weddings a day, sometimes more. Park ranger Rick Blank estimated that there have been about 20 weddings per week at the park this summer. Blank said the ma(See Weddings, page 7)
INSIDE
Whatcom County voters can disregard postcards from the U.S. Postal Service encouraging them to request a mail-in ballot at least 15 days before Election Day. Ballots will be automatically mailed to all registered voters on October 14. The USPS sent a mailer to all households intending to help people vote by mail. Some of the information is inaccurate in Washington and other states with all-mail elections. The mailer instructs voters to “Request your mail-in ballot (often called “absentee” ballot) at least 15 days before Election Day.” “Voters in Whatcom County do not need to request a ballot, as ballots are automatically mailed to all registered voters 20 days prior to Election Day,” said county auditor Diana Bradrick, in a press release. “There is no need to sign up or request to receive a mail-in ballot to vote in the upcoming election.” County election officials and the Washington Secretary of State office were not made aware of the mailer or its content, the county auditor’s office said in a statement. “By the time we learned of the mailer and reached out to the postal service, the mailers were already in the mail stream,” the statement said. Voters can check the status of their registration now at votewa.gov. Voters should contact the auditor’s office if they have not received a ballot by October 21. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day or received in a ballot drop-box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. USPS recommends mailing at least a week before Election Day and voters are encouraged to check the last mailbox collection time in order to ensure their ballot will be postmarked in time, Bradrick said. The 2020 general election is Tuesday, November 3. Find more information on local elections at the auditor’s office, at co.whatcom.wa.us/auditor.
Historical Photo . . 4 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . 14 Police . . . . . . . . . 14
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The Northern Light • September 17 - 23, 2020
BPD ride-along: On patrol, Blaine officers look for things out of place By Ian Haupt As we drove on a warm Wednesday morning in August back into the West 99th Street cul-de-sac, with barely a ditch separating it from 0 Avenue and Canada, telling stories of minor border incidences, officer Timothy Richardson said, “This job is 90 percent boredom and 10 percent craziness.” Sitting in the passenger side of his patrol car for a couple hours, covering every acre of Blaine city limits, I had a feeling I was getting the 90 percent. When out on patrol, Richardson said most often officers are looking for obvious traffic violations, like speeders and reckless driving. “And then you’re looking for things that are out of the norm,” he said. With seven years on staff, working four 10-hour shifts a week, Richardson knows the area
well and when something looks out of place. Driving on East E Street, he pointed out a fence around public property. “If there was a backpack hanging on the fence over there – that’s public property – so it shouldn’t be there,” he said. “That’s something we would look into.” Richardson is one of three public information officers at the Blaine Police Department; a field training officer for Taser, less-lethal weapons, active shooter and semi-automatic pistol; and a winner of a Lifesaving Award for talking a man down from the H Street bridge. Another responsibility as a Blaine police officer, Richardson does follow-ups and interviews with witnesses and victims of ongoing cases, and is prepared for incoming 911 calls while on duty, he said, or to assist the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. The department and sheriff’s
The Whatcom Museum is reopening Sept. 19th!
office have a mutual aid agreement that allows Blaine officers, if granted permission by a control sergeant, to respond to calls outside of the city limits. Richardson said Blaine officers could respond to many calls just outside the city limits much quicker than sheriff’s deputies, which is why he would like to see the city of Blaine grow. Right now, the city limits include the downtown area and surrounding suburbs as well as Semiahmoo, but not the south end of Drayton Harbor. Officers have to drive out of their jurisdiction for about 2.5 miles to cross to Semiahmoo. Richardson hopes the department will eventually cover the whole harbor. He said Whatcom County residents in that area could petition to contract the Blaine Police Department to serve their area – one of his goals as union chair of the Blaine Police Officers Association. Birch Bay also would be a candidate for coverage; with a larger population than Blaine, it has only one assigned deputy and has experienced an increase in burglaries and vandalism in the past
s Blaine police officer Timothy Richardson six months. Richardson said this is how the Semiahmoo Spit fell under department jurisdiction. In 1974,
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according to the City of Blaine Comprehensive Plan, the city annexed the spit and surrounding area that has developed into a resort community with an 18-hole golf course, country club, 201room hotel, 300-slip boat harbor and residential neighborhood. Richardson said he’s grateful to serve a town like Blaine and have citizens who appreciate the work officers do. He added he would never want to live in Seattle, or even Bellingham, because of the treatment and attitude people have toward police, referring to the defund the police and Black Lives Matter movements. Once in a while, he encounters people with some animosity toward him, like someone flipping him off. He said he usually responds with positivity so he can ruin their story for their friends. “‘What did he do?’ ‘Smiled and waved,’” Richardson said, imagining the interaction later. “‘Cool story, bro.’” In Richardson’s eyes, Blaine is a nonracist corner of the U.S. He said working as a police officer, you encounter all different types of people and realize all humans are the same. They have the same motivations and thought processes, he said.
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September 17 - 23, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
Local businesses and organizations receive Whatcom ReStart Covid-19 grants By Oliver Lazenby A countywide program is distributing more than $2.5 million in federal funds to support local businesses impacted by Covid-19. The Whatcom ReStart grants, funded by federal CARES Act dollars, will fund 269 Whatcom County businesses and nonprofits, including eight Blaine businesses and some in Birch Bay and nearby unincorporated Whatcom County. Businesses and nonprofits can receive up to $15,000 each. Of the 23 Blaine businesses that applied for funding, eight were awarded grants totaling more than $100,000. The Blaine businesses to receive grants are: • Chada LLC • Mobile Exchange, Inc. • Orion Holdings • Semiahmoo Marina Condo Association • Peace Arch Café • Crazy Daze #9 • Blaine Senior Center • Blaine Chamber of Commerce The city of Blaine formed a review committee comprised of local business owners, mayor Bonnie Onyon and community development staff to review applications and make funding recommendations to Whatcom County. Blaine city manager Michael Jones called the review process both difficult and rewarding. “The applications we received are a testament to the commitment of our local businesses to continue providing goods and services to their customers, all while they navigate unprecedented economic challenges due to continued border restrictions and social distancing requirements,” he said in an email. “We wish there were funds to help every business that applied, however, we’re
s The Blaine Senior Center, at 763 G Street, is one of eight Blaine organizations to get a federally funded Whatcom ReStart grant.
File photo
pleased that over $100,000 will go directly to supporting our local community.” For unincorporated Whatcom County, 33 businesses out of 104 applicants received funds from a pool of about $440,000. Deputy county executive Tyler Schroeder convened a team to review grant applications from businesses in unincorporated Whatcom County. That team included: Rud Browne, Whatcom County councilmember; Tawni Helms, administrative services coordinator for Whatcom County; Christopher Quinn, senior civil deputy prosecuting attorney for the county prosecutor’s office; Gina Stark, Port of Bellingham economic development project manager; Guy Occhiogrosso, CEO of the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and Jed Holmes, Whatcom County community outreach facilitator. The program accepted applications from July 16 to July 31. To be eligible, businesses had to meet a list of criteria, including experiencing a 25 percent or greater reduction in revenue due to Covid-19, having 25 or fewer employees and complying with Washington State Department of Health’s Covid-19 guidelines. Review committees scored applications on three categories with
various weights: Adaptivity/business strength (40 percent), impact/ need (40 percent) and community contribution (20 percent). Funds will be dispersed throughout September and October, according to the Port of Bellingham’s website on the project. Whatcom County and cities in the county pooled CARES Act funds to create the grant program. The county tried to ensure that grant recipients were representative of the county by geography and industry, according to a press release from county executive Satpal Sidhu’s office. “When we started these discussions about supporting small businesses impacted by Covid-19, it quickly became clear just how interconnected our county is and how we need to pool our resources,” Sidhu said in the press release. “So many of our residents live in one town or zip code but work in another. I’m grateful to all the mayors for prioritizing cooperation and collaboration. We are achieving more together than we could ever do separately.” Congress passed the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) in March to provide more than $2 trillion in economic relief to combat the public health and economic impacts of Covid-19.
New partnership working to solve local child care shortage Opportunity Council and the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce have partnered on a project that aims to expand the region’s market of child care providers. The Northwest Center for Care Retention and Expansion will provide current and wouldbe child care providers technical assistance, coaching, feasible studies and planning help. Through support from the state department of commerce, North Sound Accountable Community of Health and other philanthropic organizations, the new center will also award grants to child care providers to retain the market and stimulate its growth, according to a press release. Five areas of focus for the center will be: • Stabilizing the child care market after the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic • Retaining care businesses and nonprofit operations when “natural transitions” are set to occur, such as provider retirements or situations like the recent sale of Kids World in Bellingham, a
large multi-site provider • Starting up new child care enterprises, including those financed in part by local companies or co-ops of local companies • Expanding existing child care businesses and nonprofit operations • Routinely incorporating licensable child care spaces into new housing and commercial developments and altering local, state and federal regulations that pose barriers to child care market retention and expansion A shortage of child care providers is a problem locally and statewide. In 2018, Washington only had enough licensed care providers to serve about 17 percent of the state’s children younger than 13, according to a Washington State Department of Commerce paper on the issue. “The Center has one very big goal: help parents, especially those comprising local companies’ workforces, have more quality care options for their children, whether it’s near their home or place of employment,”
said Bellingham chamber CEO Guy Occhiogrosso, in the news release. “Quality child care supports employers and business today and is also a long term economic benefit resulting in an even greater educated future workforce.” The center, at the chamber’s office at 119 N Commercial Street in downtown Bellingham, had a soft opening in early August. The Opportunity Council is staffing the center with employees from its department of early learning and family services. Washington State Department of Commerce invested $500,000 in the new Center to help fund the child care provider grants and support staffing. “Many forces have contributed to our area being designated a ‘child care desert,’” said Greg Winter, Opportunity Council’s executive director. “We have every expectation that the new Center’s tools and staff expertise are going to help address those forces and create a competitive edge for our communities.”
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The Northern Light • September 17 - 23, 2020
Opinion
The Northern L ght The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc. Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Letters Policy The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.
Historical Photo of the Week: Blaine 1975
Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Reporter & Copy Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com Reporting Interns Kyra Planetz, Ian Haupt prpintern@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser, production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst sales@pointrobertspress.com
s The Bicentennial Wagon Train leaves Blaine on June 8, 1975, at the start of a 3,000-mile journey that would end in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1976, to celebrate the nation’s 200th birthday. The wagon train began in Blaine. Photo by Jack Carver /courtesy Whatcom Museum
Letters
General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVI, No 14 Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
Next issue: Sept. 24 Ads due: Sept. 18
The Editor: I am voicing my frustration. It is a mandate to wear a mask, meaning recommended and not a law. It is recognized that some people cannot wear a mask. I happen to be one of those. When I am feeling well enough, I do try to wear a mask and can usually get in and out of a grocery store if I am only picking up a couple things but it takes at least two hours to recover. I am so angry with businesses who refuse me without a mask. It is making life difficult and unpleasant. Starbucks refused to let me order and wait outside, and today Cost Cutter refused to check me out without me putting on a mask – I had already got my three items but she refused me my human dignity. So much for nice community values. I will not go back to Cost Cutter. What has happened to compassion, common sense and helping people out? I don’t
want to ask someone to shop for me – that’s stupid. Jacque Dunn Blaine The Editor: I noticed that not much attention has been given to the candidates for the two positions in the legislature from District 42. Alicia Rule (D) is running against the incumbent Luanne Van Werven (R) for Position 1 and the incumbent Sharon Shewmake (D) is being challenged by Jennifer Sefzik (R) for Position 2. I offer some thoughts regarding the candidate’s qualifications. Alicia Rule is presently a member of the Blaine City Council. She has worked to improve the opportunities for small businesses in Blaine. Her priorities are affordable housing and living-wage jobs which are both in short supply in
Whatcom County. Luanne Van Werven lives in Lynden. She has stated that she opposes “job-killing taxes and needless regulation.” She serves on the following [state] committees: higher education; transportation; information, technology and economic development. In 2018, she sponsored HB 1775 which would prohibit abortion after 20 weeks of gestation. Her rating from the Washington Conservation Voters is 17 percent. Sharon Shewmake is a Professor of economics and energy policy at Western Washington University and has a Ph.D. in agricultural and resource economics. She serves on the following committees: energy and environment; transportation and is vice chair of the rural development, agriculture and natural resources committee. Her goals are bringing down the cost (See Letters, next page)
September 17 - 23, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
Letters ...
are divided. Donna Wendt Blaine
of childcare, improving the economics of energy and service to the agriculture industry. Jennifer Sefzik was a small business owner. She has no prior government experience. She supports the Second Amendment, property rights, the right to life and opposes tax increases and sex education in the schools. She accuses her opponent of voting like a “Seattle extremist” rather than supporting Whatcom County’s interests. There is no evidence offered that this is true. William McNally Blaine
The Editor: For those who think that liberals are misinformed, it is true. Liberals have been misinformed; and so have you and by design. Trump’s entire administration has been designed to create a stream of chaotic lies and disruptive off putting to our way of governing. By allowing Trump to take office, we gave the most dishonorable man living the honor of governing the United States of America. The devastation caused by that choice is clearly overwhelming at this point in time for all to see. Those who did not vote for Trump knew who and what he is and will not vote for him in the 2020 election. The Trump supporters who voted for him the first time in 2016 probably weren’t sure he would be as bad and contemptible as he has shown himself to be. But, surely, there can’t be any doubt as to the incompetency and depravity of him now. So, those planning to vote to keep Trump in office, your action can only be deemed complicit with that of Trump’s policies. A vote for Trump is a vote is a vote against our democracy and all of our futures. Linda Peterson Blaine
From page 4
The Editor: I’ve been reading the Letters to the Editor column in The Northern Light for the last few months and what has become very clear is that we are now a divided country. Democrats and Republicans cannot find common ground. The days of respectful disagreement, of listening, of open and honest dialog are gone. There is no coming together for the sake of our country. Republicans have their facts and Democrats have theirs. We will never convince each other of the error of our ways. We really don’t like each other. What is also clear is that the morning after the election, 50 percent of the population will hate whoever is elected president. For some, there will be happiness, and others, there will be anger and grief. We have less than seven weeks until the election and in this time, I would love for The Northern Light to stop printing political letters. People writing in, beating their own particular political drum, is a waste of time. No one is listening, no one cares about your opinion. No one will change their minds. The die is cast. We
The Editor: This past week, Bob Woodward’s interviews with President Donald Trump were revealed. In Trump’s own words on February 7, the President knew the dangers of Covid-19 were five times greater than the flu. He played down the danger of Covid-19 and lied to the nation by saying the flu was more dangerous. The U.S. is now approaching 200,000 deaths due to the pandemic. The president’s excuse for mis-
leading us was he didn’t want to create a panic. That is another big lie. Trump tried to create panic and fear in the wake of civil unrest this summer by claiming that rioters and thugs will overwhelm suburban communities. He tried to project his failures on his opponent, Joe Biden. We must remember this Trump’s America and the unrest is happening on his watch. If we want this pandemic to end, rebuild our economy and move toward a more just society, we must have a leader who will tell us the truth and listen to facts and science. That leader is Joe Biden. Please let your voice be heard and vote. Layne Boyce Blaine The Editor: The USPS postcard you just received has it wrong for Washington state: If you are a registered Washington state voter, you don’t need to request an absentee ballot. It will be sent to you. Go online now to votewa.gov to register or make sure your information is current. Notice how your name is listed in the voter rolls; that’s how you’ll sign your ballot envelope. Ballots will be mailed October 14. If yours hasn’t arrived by October 21, call our county auditor at 360/778-5100 or print a replacement ballot at votewa.gov. Vote your ballot all the way down. Our crucial local races can be decided by just a few votes. Complete and return your ballot promptly. Don’t contribute to the last-minute rush. Mail your ballot early; no postage stamp required. Or use a ballot drop box (see
whatcomcounty.us/1863/ballot-drop-box-locations). Don’t waste your vote. Remember to sign your ballot envelope correctly and don’t be late. You can make sure your ballot was received and accepted. A week after you return your ballot, go online to votewa.gov to check your ballot status. Any problem, call the county auditor. Remember, election night returns will be preliminary. With so many mail-in ballots, prepare for election week. Or longer. Be patient and wait for complete and accurate results. Myra Ramos Lummi Island The Editor: Our state merits better representation in both Olympia and Washington D.C. We need public officials who lead with character and humility. Among the many candidates running for political office in November 2020, the Republican Party has some who are especially principled. Jennifer Sefzik for state representative and Luanne Van Werven for re-election as state representative are two such candidates in the 42nd District. Both of these leaders understand the need to create jobs and help families. They support law enforcement and seek to create unity. They consider state representative a full-time job, unlike their opponents. On the national level, I believe that Jeffrey Beeler would be an excellent choice for Congressional District 1. Likewise, Timothy S. Hazelo for Congressional District 2. Additionally, our state needs an Attorney General who will serve the people and honor the law –
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not his personal agenda. That describes Matt Larkin. The Democrat-controlled state legislature established a budget for the new biennium, with projected spending increases totaled approximately $8 billion, or nearly 15 percent. At a time when so many families are struggling, increasing taxes will not help anyone recover. If the past 40 years of Democrat single-party control have taught us anything, it is that you cannot tax your way to prosperity. Now, more than ever, we need to take a stand for our state and elect these and otherwise Republican leaders this November. Ralph L Myers Bellingham Editor’s note: the statement regarding 40 years of single-party control of the state legislature is incorrect. Since 1992, there has been 13 years with a split legislature, 14 years with Democrat control of both houses, two years of Republican control and three years with no house majority.
CITY OF BLAINE Due to COVID-19 and the Governor’s Proclamation, meetings are now only open to the public telephonically. Information on how to listen to the meeting live will be on the City Council agenda which is located on the City’s website homepage under Your Government, City Council, City Council Agenda. Please check the agenda prior to each meeting as the call in number or location may change.
Thursday, September 24 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, September 28 6:00pm – City Council Meeting Public Hearing: Old Mill Street Vacation
Thursday, October 8 9:00am – Park and Cemetery Board Meeting
2:00pm – Public Works Advisory Committee Meeting 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Tues/Thurs Mornings Kids ages 3 - 5
Monday, October 12 6:00pm – City Council Meeting
Located at 702 G Street, Blaine
All City offices are currently closed to the public. Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website.
For more info call 332-6589 www.blaine-grace-lutheran.org
If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, applications and descriptions of duties are available online at www.cityofblaine.com. First review of applications will be Friday, October 2, 2020. Position will remain open until filled.
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Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website.
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The Northern Light • September 17 - 23, 2020
County closes four Covid-19 testing sites due to poor air quality By Ian Haupt Due to poor air quality, the Whatcom County Health Department and Whatcom Unified Command (WUC) canceled Covid-19 testing at the Birch Bay testing site this week. The county closed four sites of its mobile testing program, which offers free low-barrier testing at six different locations in the county, in the past five days because of the smoke. Whatcom County health officer Greg Stern recommended testing be postponed on those days to protect staff and individuals from the unhealthy air, according to a public health news flash on the health department’s
website. The county canceled all scheduled testing locations starting the afternoon of September 11 in Lynden through September 15. The health department posted news flashes each day testing was canceled to notify residents. Those with appointments were notified of the cancellation and will be given an opportunity to register for an appointment at a later date, according to the health department Testing resumed Wednesday morning in Deming as scheduled. As of September 16, 1,208 people in Whatcom County have tested positive for Covid-19 and 40 people have died from the vi-
rus, according to data from the Washington State Department of Health. A total of 94 people have been hospitalized because of the virus, with nine people hospitalized this month. Those aged 20-39 make up the majority of confirmed cases with a total of 443 cases; 37 percent. Thirty-one of the individuals who have died from Covid-19 were 80 years old or over, making up the majority of deaths in the county. Seven people between 60 and 79 years old have died and one person between the ages of 40 and 59. About 44 percent of new cases in the county have been connected to a known positive case, which could be a family member,
coworker or friend, said health department director Erika Lautenbach in a September 15 county council committee of the whole meeting. Lautenbach said that percentage is about 56 among the younger population, which means they can identify about half the cases in their existing systems. Twenty-one percent of people who tested positive reported participating in group activities, she said. As of September 14, Whatcom County’s rate of new cases per 100,000 people in the past two weeks was 38.6. That number has increased by eight cases in the past two weeks, straying from the state’s
goal of 25 new cases per 100,000 people in a two-week period, which, before governor Jay Inslee paused reopening indefinitely on July 28, was a metric for counties to be able to apply for a higher phase with fewer restrictions in his Safe Start Washington plan. As of September 12, the Blaine school district has the second lowest rate of new cases in the past two weeks at 11 cases per 100,000 people, with a total of 69 cases, according to the county’s Covid-19 data. For updates on future changes to the testing schedule, visit the health department’s website atwhatcomcounty.us/covidtesting or its Facebook page.
Data show dramatic increase in online use of WCLS resources By Ian Haupt Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) has seen a significant increase in electronic use since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of visits to eBook,
eAudiobook and on-demand streaming platforms is up dramatically from 2019, according to data from an August 18 WCLS board of trustees meeting. Visits to databases that WCLS cardholders have access to – such as Ancestry Library and Consum-
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er Reports – are also being used more frequently. With a dramatic peak in March, some months see twice as many database visits as last year. Libraries have been closed since March and, under the state’s Safe Start Washington plan, will not reopen until phase 3. Mary Vermillion, community relations manager at WCLS, said Whatcom libraries will follow the state’s reopening plan, and plan to reopen when the county moves into phase 3, but that the library is still open online. Vermillion said in March WCLS staff focused on reaching out to people to inform them that the library was still open online. The library has a robust digital collec-
tion and staff have been searching to expand it with more additions, Vermillion said. “There are really amazing things on there for people that haven’t visited our website in awhile,” Vermillion said. Washington’s Anytime Library/ Overdrive, which offers eBooks and eAudiobooks, has seen just under a 40 percent increase in use this year and about 1,000 more users per month since the start of the pandemic, according to the WCLS data. RBdigital, a digital media platform offering an array of content services, has had a similar spike of almost 40 percent. Two newer additions to the library systems online content are
Kanopy, a film and documentary streaming service, and Tumblebooks. Vermillion said Tumblebooks is a learning tool for kids. Throughout the county and in Blaine, the library’s physical circulation is down by about 50 percent. However, WCLS is offering no-contact curbside pickup for cardholders. Fill-in branch manager Patty Macheras said the Blaine Library has over 50 pickups a day with the highest days reaching 60. Macheras said lots of families are using the service, and the library will continue curbside pick-up into phase 3. For more information on WCLS services, visit its website at wcls.org/info.
Burn Ban ...
gorized as “unhealthy,” according to data from the Washington Department of Ecology. Air quality was forecast to gradually improve last weekend and as of September 16, the cleanest air quality in the state was “moderate.” Air quality predominately ranged from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” as of September 16, with little anticipated improvement until at least Friday, September 18, the Department of Ecology said on September 15. Washington state secretary of health John Wiesman said in a department of health press release that cloth face masks don’t provide protection from the
smoke but remain important for reducing the spread of Covid-19. The Washington Department of Health recommends residents keep windows and doors closed, and recirculate air conditioners. The department also said to avoid burning candles, smoking, broiling and frying foods, and vacuuming during this time to reduce indoor pollution. For more information, visit the Whatcom County Burn Information Line at 360/778-5903. To report an illegal burn or excessive smoke, call the Northwest Clean Air Agency at 360/428-1617. Visit lar.wsu.edu/airpact for air quality forecasting.
From page 1
Services’ Family Emergency Assistance Program. Since September 7, over 626,982 acres have burned in Washington, creating the second worst fire season in the state’s history, according to the governor’s office. The Washington Department of Natural Resources placed a burn ban until September 30 on all forest land where the department manages fire protection. September 16 air quality in upper Whatcom County was cate-
HOW HAVE YOUR PLANS CHANGED? Help local businesses...
s A smoky haze hangs over Blaine Harbor on September 16.
Photo by Oliver Lazenby
September 17 - 23, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
Weddings ... From page 1
jority of weddings he’s seen at the park are following proper social distancing rules. While he is happy there are weddings in the park, Blank said he hopes people will stick to the park guidelines: 10 wedding guests, groups of five spaced six feet apart, 10 foot by 10 foot canopies that do not require large stakes in the ground and no balloons with glitter or confetti. He said large stakes have caused problems with the underground irrigation lines and the glitter and confetti cause a big mess for the rangers to clean up. He strongly recommends couples have a small wedding in the park and plan for a bigger celebration after the pandemic is over and border reopens. Since the park is in Whatcom County, most couples apply for their marriage license with the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. Records and licensing supervisor for the auditor’s office Stacy Hawthorn said although the auditor’s office doesn’t track citizenship of marriage license applicants, they have had many people with Canadian addresses contacting the office about marriage licenses. While the number of marriage licenses issued by the auditor’s office at the beginning of the summer was down from previous years, Hawthorn said the number of licenses issued in August was up four percent from last year. They have also had many people from King and Snohomish counties apply for marriage licenses since those counties have not reopened their licensing offices. Elizabeth and Daniel Like many cross-border couples, Elizabeth Rodriguez of Ma-
ple Ridge, B.C., and Daniel Frausto of San Diego, met online. Their relationship began two years ago on a live-streaming app called Periscope. Rodriguez frequented the app, talking to online friends and occasionally singing along to songs, when Frausto came across her broadcast one day. What started as a friendship soon blossomed into a romance as Frausto would encourage Rodriguez to sing in the online chat, something she was nervous about. “He was always super enthusiastic and supportive, he got me to actually come out of my shell quite a bit,” Rodriguez said. Soon after, the couple exchanged phone numbers and talked almost everyday until finally meeting face-to-face last December. Once they met in person, Rodriguez said the two knew that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. They met in San Diego once more, six months ago, and began planning their wedding. “Being separated for so long, we had enough of the long distance stuff over the years and we just wanted to be together,” Rodriguez said. The two learned about Peace Arch Park through a Facebook group that was aimed at helping cross-border couples reunite. They found a local officiant, set a date and were married at the park on September 2. As Rodriguez walked toward her fiance, her white dress flowing behind her, “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars played softly in the background. The song is special to the couple because Rodriguez would sing along to it on Periscope, prompting Frausto to call it her theme song. Once they were married, the two crossed the border into Canada, hoping to live in Maple
Ridge together for the foreseeable future. They plan to buy a house and try for a baby as well as raise chickens and goats on their property. Rodriguez said, because of Frausto’s unwavering encouragement, she also plans to release an album of original songs and covers titled “Endlessly Chasing Butterflies.” Without Frausto, Rodriguez said, this is something she never thought she’d have the courage to do. Alex and Angela When Angela Renee Andriani, 32, and Alex Andriani, 31, met last year on a Kik Messenger chatroom that Angela created, she lived in Abbotsford, B.C., and he lived in Oakland, California. Last October Alex was turned away at the border when he came up to meet Angela in person for the first time due to an expired passport. Angela met him in Blaine, and the two spent a couple days together in a hotel. Alex moved to Bellingham so he could be closer to Angela, he said. They began staying at each other’s places on the weekends soon after and would usually meet up once during the week for dinner or a sleepover, Angela said. But when the border closed, they began meeting at 0 Avenue at least three to four times a week to have a meal together on the side of the road. “[We’d] literally be on the side of the road with cars whizzing by,” Angela said. Then they heard about other cross-border couples meeting at Peace Arch Park so they started meeting there three to four times a week. Alex surprised Angela when he proposed at the park in May, he said. On their wedding day on August 15, Angela said they arrived at 8 a.m. to claim the spot they wanted since the park is first
“A huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders. We can finally just be together.” - Angela Renee Andriani
7
come, first served. To socially distance, they had tables separated in the picnic area of the park, made sure there were five people to a table and had masks and gloves available at every table, she said. “We tried to make it like as much of a regular wedding as we could, obviously,” Angela said. Angela said every time they visited each other at the park they would stay until it closed at 9 p.m. But on their wedding day, they were so exhausted they left separately around midafternoon because their marriage license still needed to be certified at the Whatcom County Courthouse for either of them to cross the (See Weddings, page 8)
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The Northern Light • September 17 - 23, 2020
Weddings ... From page 7
border. “I’m married now, and I still have to walk away from my husband, on our wedding day,” Angela said. “That was not fun.” The Andriani’s bought and moved into a house together, with Angela’s son Preston, in Chilliwack, B.C. “A huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders,” Angela said. “We can finally just be together.” Alex and Alma Alex of Minnesota and Alma
“It’s so beautiful here that I thought, we may as well get married.” - Alma, from Vancouver, B.C.
of Vancouver, B.C. both 25 and wished to keep their last names private for job opportunities – met online six years ago. Alex made a post on an online forum that Alma responded to, and they have been talking every day since, Alma said. They started dating seriously five years ago, Alma said, usually having dates over Skype. But last year, Alex moved to Whatcom County. Alma said they spent most weekends at each other’s places before the pandemic and subsequent border closure. “It really sucked for him, because he came all this way only to not be able to see me,” Alma said.
So they returned to having Skype dates. Alma said it felt like they were taking a step back in their relationship. They didn’t know about people visiting their cross-border loved ones at 0 Avenue until relatives sent them news articles about other couples having border meet-ups, she said. They eventually started meeting at Peace Arch Park on weekends when they found out it was open for Canadians. Alma said they still met at 0 Avenue during the week because it was a long drive to the park for both of them. Alex proposed at the park, and they were married there on September 6. “It’s so beautiful here that I thought, we may as well get married,” Alma said. Seventeen family members attended the wedding and socially distanced, Alma said. Alex and Alma plan to have a larger wedding gathering in a year or so, or whenever restrictions are lifted and it’s safe to do so. Having the wedding at the park allowed for some of Alex’s family members who don’t have passports to meet Alma’s family. “That was a silver lining,” Alma said. After they were married, Alma jumped on a single-passenger San Juan Airlines flight from a regional Canadian airport to Bellingham Airport in her wedding dress. The airline employees said she was the first bride to make the journey in her dress, Alma said. She met Alex on the tarmac. Alex plans to finish up work and visit his parents for Thanksgiving before he moves in with Alma since he will not be able to leave Canada for about a year while he establishes his permanent residency. They intend to find a place of their own in the lower mainland of British Columbia, she said. Amelia and Kyron
When Kyron Nakamitsu, 26, of Maui, Hawaii, met Amelia Vera, 30, of Montreal, on Mutual, a Mormon dating app, he thought she lived in Hawaii. Nakamitsu said he soon found out that Vera had returned home to Canada and they continued talking, and eventually video chatting. Vera visited Nakamitsu in Maui for three weeks in December. Nakamitsu said they hit it off, and he thought she was the one so he proposed. Since December they were planning to get married in Oahu, Hawaii. “Yeah, it jacked everything up,” he said. During the pandemic, they looked for other options to have their wedding and thought about moving plans to Canada. When they heard about Peace Arch Park a couple months ago through a Facebook group called “Faces of Advocacy,” they figured it was a good backup, Nakamitsu said. They were still hoping to get married in Canada, but once they heard rumors of the border remaining closed until possibly late next year, they saw Peace Arch as their only option to be together soon. Nakamitsu and Vera were married at the park on September 12 in front of a small group of family and friends, and dozens of spread out, onlooking strangers visiting their loved ones at the park that day. The Monday after their wedding, Nakamitsu got their marriage license certified at Whatcom County Courthouse and boarded a plane to Quebec to move in with Vera for the time being. They eventually plan to move to Maui together. “Throughout the whole entire process we were losing hope,” Nakamitsu said. “It felt like a huge blessing to finally be together.”
s Angela Renee Andriani, 32, with son Preston, 7, and husband Alex Andriani, 31, at Peace Arch Park on August 15. Before the wedding, Angela lived in Abbotsford, B.C., and Alex lived in Bellingham. Photo courtesy of Alex Andriani
September 17 - 23, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
ADVICE FROM THE PROS
Q:
pre-qualification and pre-approval for a loan?
A: The main difference is the documentation required
A:
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particularly new buyers. However, we have successfully represented dozens of buyers this year, many of them first-time buyers. To compete in this market, here are some things to help you prepare. First, set a budget and know your financial goals. With competing offers and increasing prices, it is easy to lose sight of goals. Communicate those goals to your agent and loan officer. Be ready to act decisively based on your goals. Viewing homes as soon as they are listed, making offers quickly, and being ready to do an inspection and close quickly all contribute to successful deals.
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Q: A:
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.
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a home in this market?
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If someone skips their mortgage payments does their homeowners insurance get cancelled?
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Therapy help?
A: Dizziness (aka vertigo) can arise from a variety
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of situations. Sometimes it’s a new medication, a cold, an ear infection, or other disorder. When dizziness is related to head movements and position it can likely be Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This is an issue that can be treated in Physical Therapy. Therapists at Capstone are specialty trained to help resolve this problem. Therapists at Capstone also can help to resolve other balance disorders, reduce the risk of falls and help with recovery after a fall. Capstone is open in Birch Bay and Blaine. 825 Birch Bay Square Street, Suite 248 Blaine, WA 98230
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The Northern Light • September 17 - 23, 2020
P
s Alex Lionas’s dog Elsa, a rare breed called a Kromfholander.
et P aparazzi
from The Northern Light readers!
s Sophia Levetsovitis’s rabbit, Leia.
s Phyllis Ulrich’s rescue dog, Rocky, waiting for his treat.
s Sophia Levetsovitis’s other rabbit, Luke.
s Jen Olmstead’s Mr. Pickles and Lucy.
s Erika Werdal’s cat, Margo, and dog, Murphy, sharing a kiss.
6th Annual
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Sat., Oct. 3, 2020 at 2pm
Email your photos to:
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editor@thenorthernlight.com
Blaine United Church of Christ
885 4th Street, Outside
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ADOPT A PET! We’re looking for good homes! To adopt one of us please call our Adoptions department at (360) 733-2080
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September 17 - 23, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
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SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM, No. 20-2-00615-37. SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION. Green Truck Financial, LLC, Plaintiff, v. Edwin Calvin Torrence Jones. Edwin Calvin Torrence Jones, is hereby summoned to appear within sixty days after the date of the first publication of this summons, to wit, within sixty days after the tenth (10) day of September, and defend the above entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the plaintiff Green Truck Financial, LLC, and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys for plaintiff, at their office below stated; and in case of Edwin Calvin Torrence Jones’s, failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against Edwin Calvin Torrence Jones according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court. The purpose of this lawsuit is to obtain a judgment for Defendant’s breach of contract and for the collection of monies due and owing. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Plaintiff’s attorneys: Andersson Cross Border Law Corp., R. Dallan Bunce, WSBA #47213, 1305 11th St. STE 304. Bellingham, WA 98225.
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM, No. 18-2-01673-37. SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION. Green Truck Financial, LLC, Plaintiff, v. Iqbal Singh Samra, You are hereby summoned to appear within sixty days after the date of the first publication of this summons, to wit, within sixty days after the twentieth (20) day of August, and defend the above entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the plaintiff Green Truck Financial, LLC, and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys for plaintiff, at their office below stated; and in case of your failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against you according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court. The purpose of this lawsuit is to obtain a judgment for Defendant’s breach of contract and for the collection of monies due and owing. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Plaintiff’s attorneys: Andersson Cross Border Law Corp., R. Dallan Bunce, WSBA #47213, 1305 11th St. STE 304. Bellingham, WA 98225.
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM, No. 18-2-01850-37. SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION. Green Truck Financial, LLC, Plaintiff, v. Reginald Chandra, You are hereby summoned to appear within sixty days after the date of the first publication of this summons, to wit, within sixty days after the twentieth (20) day of August, and defend the above entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the plaintiff Green Truck Financial, LLC, and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys for plaintiff, at their office below stated; and in case of your failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against you according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court. The purpose of this lawsuit is to obtain a judgment for Defendant’s breach of contract and for the collection of monies due and owing. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Plaintiff’s attorneys: Andersson Cross Border Law Corp., R. Dallan Bunce, WSBA #47213, 1305 11th St. STE 304. Bellingham, WA 98225.
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM, No. 18-2-00707-37. SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION. Green Truck Financial, LLC, Plaintiff, v. CallN-Haul Transport, LLC, and Richard Lee Castleman. Call-N-Haul Transport, LLC, and Richard Lee Castleman, are hereby summoned to appear within sixty days after the date of the first publication of this summons, to wit, within sixty days after the twenty-seventh (27) day of August, and defend the above entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the plaintiff Green Truck Financial, LLC, and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys for plaintiff, at their office below stated; and in case of Call-N-Haul Transport, LLC’s, and/or Richard Lee Castleman’s, failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against Call-N-Haul Transport, LLC, and/or Richard Lee Castleman according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court. The purpose of this lawsuit is to obtain a judgment for Defendants’ breach of contract and for the collection of monies due and owing. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Plaintiff’s attorneys: Andersson Cross Border Law Corp., R. Dallan Bunce, WSBA #47213, 1305 11th St. STE 304. Bellingham, WA 98225.
NOTICE OF PRIVATE SALE
The following property will be sold by written bid by 9:00 a.m. MST on 9/25/2020. 2017 Volvo VNL64T 670 4V4NC9EJ0HN986927. 2018 Vanguard R8000B 527SR5328JL012916. To inquire about this item please call Bret Swenson at 801-624-5864. Transportation Alliance Bank 4185 Harrison Blvd Ogden, UT 84403.
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STATE OF WASHINGTON, WHATCOM COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, In Re the Matter of: JOAN DUCHENE (DOB: 12/24/35) A Vulnerable Adult (Protected Person), RICHARD DUCHENE (DOB: 12/31/71), Respondent (Restrained Person), NO. 20-2-00749-37. Summons by Publication (SMPB). The State of Washington to: RICHARD DUCHENE (Respondent). You Are Summoned to appear at a hearing on November 9, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., at Whatcom Superior Court, located at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington, 98225. The date of the hearing is 60 days past the date of the first publication of this summons. At the hearing, you will have the opportunity to respond to the petition that alleges that the respondent threatened or committed acts of abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect, or financial exploitation against the alleged vulnerable adult listed above. The petition requests relief that will restrain the respondent from further such threats or acts, from coming near or having any contact with the vulnerable adult, from transferring the vulnerable adult’s or the respondent’s property. It may also require an accounting of the alleged vulnerable adult’s property. If you fail to appear, the court may grant the relief requested in the petition and enter an order for protection that lasts up to five years. A copy of the petition, the temporary order for protection, if one has been entered against the respondent, the notice of hearing, and/or the notice to vulnerable adult has been filed with the clerk of this court. Dated August 12, 2020 Petitioner: If you wish to keep your residential addr confidential, you may list an alternate address for receiving legal documents. ANNIE HONRATH, WSBA #46789 Assistant Attorney General 2211 Rimland Avenue, Suite 325 Bellingham, WA 98226 Summons by Publication (SMPB) WPF VA-9.030 Mandatory (11/2011) - CR 4, RCW 74.34.120, .135, RCW 4.28.110 ATTORNEY GENERAL OF WASHINGTON Regional Services Division 2211 Rimland Drive, Suite 325 Bellingham, WA 98226 (360) 676-2037
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF CORPORATION
The Washington State Corporation South Beach House, Inc. has been dissolved. Any person having a claim against South Beach House, Inc. must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present a written notice in the manner as provided in RCW 23B.14 by serving on or mailing to the Registered Agent at the address stated below a copy of the claim against South Beach House, Inc. Information included in the claim must contain the following: a) a general description of the known facts relating to a matured and legally assertible claim or liability, or b) an identification of the executory contract with respect to which unmatured, conditional, or contingent claims or liabilities are sought to be disposed of. The written notice of such claim must be delivered to South Beach House, Inc.’s Registered Agent no fewer than 120 days of the publication date of this Notice. Any claim or any executory contract on which the claim is based may be rejected by the dissolved corporation, in which case the holder of the known claim will have a limited period of 90 days from the effective date of the rejection notice in which to commence a proceeding in Court to enforce the claim. The claim may be delivered to South Beach House, Inc.’s Registered Agent. Any claim against the Corporation may be barred in accordance with RCW 23B.14 if not timely asserted. Registered Agent: Rajeev Majumdar 289 H Street/PO Box 1258 Blaine, WA 98231-1258
Real Estate Listings are on page 12.
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The Northern Light • September 17 - 23, 2020
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9598 Sherwood Dr. Blaine • $1,368,000 Unrivaled modern masterpiece in Blaine’s best kept secret - the exclusive gated Sherwood Drive Estates! Stunning pivot door entry, 12’ motorized glass door/wall, suspended floating stairs, polished concrete floors on 5.76 park-like acres. Spaces planned & executed perfectly, custom 4,796 square foot home beyond compare. MLS# 1446049
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The quintessential Blaine farmhouse, barn, guesthouse, studio, potting shed & potential equestrian area. Located on 4.8 acres & tucked away 250’ from the street with easy access to booming downtown Blaine, the waterfront, US/CAN border & I-5. Unbelievable care & detail have gone into restoring this 3-BD charmer. Guesthouse features 3/4 bath + kitchenette area.
A wonderful opportunity awaits: private + peaceful equestrian property set back from the road, updated 4 BD/2.5 BA house, massive 30x60’ heated shop with power + 2 stall horse barn! Home features vaulted ceilings, modern updated flooring, cabinets, quartz counters, s/s appliances & gas fireplace. Zip down Valley View for quick & easy I-5 access or US/CAN border access. Don’t delay, this one checks all the boxes and won’t last long! MLS #1628098
NW LUXURY REAL ESTATE AT A HIGHER LEVEL
8026 Kayak Way, Birch Bay Village $690,000 BIRCH BAY VILLAGE VIEW HOME!
JACOB’S LANDING CONDOMINIUM!
This Jacob’s Landing Condominium is ideally located, PENDING! updated and fully furnished! At 880 SF and with 2 BD, 1 BA this ground level courtyard view unit has convenient access to parking, beach and complex amenities including pool, tennis court, exercise room and more. Bring your beach buckets and come enjoy all that Birch Bay has to offer!
PRICE REDUCED!
7806 Birch Bay Drive #302, Jacob’s Landing • $281,000 This 900 SF 2 BD, 1.5 BA unit is nestled in the quiet setting of beautifully landscaped grounds. Enjoy the back deck for quiet morning coffee or private dinners and the front deck for basking in the sunshine. Features of this condo include wood floors, wall to wall carpet and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy as your primary residence or weekend get-away! A rare find - don’t miss out on making this your new home!
Jeremy Porter • (360) 306-1794
Ruth Skeete • (360) 358-5075
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6155 Semiahmoo Lane, Blaine • $2,150,000 Exceedingly rare newer construction show stopper! Medium bank 2.1 acre waterfront property features 200’ of grandfathered beach + tidelands ownership, in-home elevator, 10 & cathedral ceilings, south facing wall to wall windows + 180 degree ocean & mountain views. Tucked away between Seattle & Vancouver, all the details were thoughtfully considered when creating this private modern oasis: ADA accessible, passive solar design, radiant concrete floors, stunning owner’s suite & chef’s kitchen. MLS #1647980
MLS #1622292
T ON
MOVE IN READY!
Carl W. R. Dufton • (360) 815-6637
PENDING!
BEACH ACCESS!
8033 Quinault Road, Birch Bay Village • $935,000
8361 Semiahmoo Drive, Birch Point • $1,680,000
ONE OF A KIND WATERFRONT in BBV! Very unique opportunity to own the largest property in BBV with direct SW views to San Juan Islands, Birch Bay and Mt. Baker. Situated on .65 acre with unlimited possibilities for expansion of current home or building your dream estate. Main floor entry has great open floor plan for stunning views at any angle. Master + 2 more guest rooms on main w/upper level guest suite, bonus room & patio for sunsets. Bring imagination and create your oasis now!
Flawless Masterpiece w/timeless design-no expense spared! Just shy of an acre, a private sanctuary offers 3,419 sq. ft & spectacular 139’ of waterfront w/views of Bay, Canada & San Juan Islands. NW Asian design delivers a rare opportunity to experience refined living at its best! Thoughtful details into the Chef’s kitchen, expansive great room and open floor plan all on one level. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets every evening while surrounded by the Feng Shui inspired landscape. YOU have arrived!
Heather Taylor • (425) 785-5771
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Julie Ward • (760) 522-2564
Premier Southwest sun exposure greets you at this waterfront property. First time on the market in 50 years. Summer cottage offers 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, open floor plan with the kitchen open to the Great room, & access to spacious deck. Newer roof & architectural cedar shakes on outside of cottage, with coastal decor. Generous front & backyards. Hear & see whales & sea lions from the property. Panoramic views of the San Juan and Gulf Island.
Every edition online: thenorthernlight.com
8804 Osprey Rd. • Blaine $769,000 MLS # # 1641328 • 3-BD, 3-BA, 3,111 Sq. Ft. Located right behind the 10th Green, of this Private World Famous Arnold Palmer Design. The home is located on a quiet dead end cul-de-sac with circular driveway. Featuring soaring ceilings, impressive views, 3 or 4 bdrms depending on how you want to use it, & a remarkable entertaining layout. Natural gas, hardwood floors, granite, stainless, tile and carpet. Enjoy the new centerpiece of the deck a sensational new stone horizontal fireplace! Location, Location!
360.815.6638
briansouthwick@gmail.com
see more pictures at www.briansouthwick.com
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Lisa Sprague
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Your Local Expert For All Real Estate, Residential Or Commercial Services!
20+ ACRES - $175,000 Homesite on Kickerville with beautiful, meandering Terrell Creek.
Build your home here!
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 Available!
www.CallHugh.com
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • Vacation Properties WE DO • Residential Properties ! IT ALL • Commercial Properties Call Phill Esau Today!
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360-594-8600 225 G Street, Suite 102
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5517 Maple Way • Blaine $539,000 MLS # 1617183 • 2-BD, 1-BA, 676 Sq. Ft.
8105 Birch Bay Square St. I-5 Exit 270
I’m always available to show you by private appointment all Residential, Commercial, Vacant Land & New Construction Properties!
4720 Tidal Way 101K, Birch Bay $334,900
The Tides... BRAND NEW! Birch Bay’s premier community of craftsman townhome condos nestled on 11 acres above the bay. Beautiful & private unit is 1,500 +/- SF, 3 BD, 2.5 BA, superbly finished w/quartz counters, rock gas fireplace, SS appliances, on-demand HW, quality fixtures, designer flooring & much more! Clubhouse, pool, & spa! Close to all Birch Bay offers. Secure your place in this wonderful beach community.
WATERFRONT IN BBV!
DESIRABLE UPPER END UNIT AT JACOB’S LANDING!
Each of these Bay Rim Condominiums features 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths! Enjoy all this condo development has to offer: an outdoor heated pool, a 2 minute walk to your own private beach and picnic area plus miles of beach for walking, beach combing and crabbing! Grab your beach buckets and come to enjoy all that Birch Bay has to offer!
WELCOME TO THE BEACH LIFE!
NEW 3 BD/2.5 BA CONDO!
Terry Conway • (360) 410-0503
CeCelia Breivik • (360) 303-8161
7650 Birch Bay Drive #H3, #O5 & #S8, Bay Rim Starting at $279,000
7545 Sunset Drive • $599,950
8045 BIRCH BAY DRIVE, BLAINE, WA 360-371-7252 BAYPROPERTIESNW.COM
7806 Birch Bay Drive #511 $265,000
View! View! View! Enjoy beautiful sunsets and views of the San Juan NEW LISTING! Islands from the spacious deck on each level of this 3162 SF 3BD, 2.5 BA Birch Bay Village home. Features include a completely finished main area, updated flooring throughout, new windows, upgraded kitchens, sauna, two fireplaces and an all season hot tub! Come and enjoy all that Birch Bay Village has to offer: golf course, marina, outdoor pool, tennis courts, playgrounds and miles of beach!
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Visit us at: www.JenAndLeah.com
Semiahmoo homeS, inc.
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Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase a beautiful water view property w/ in home elevator to all floors! 3-BD, 4-BA, home has been very lightly lived in & would be an ideal full time residence or vacation rental. Open concept kitchen/dining/living features gas fireplace, 10’ ceilings + leads directly to massive wrap around bay view deck. No detail overlooked: Credo built & rock solid - wide & bright spaces, skylights + just steps to Birch Bay State Park.
Leah Crews 360-305-4747
Bay Properties
3!!! NEW LISTINGS!!!
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3388 Haynie Road • $589,000
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9464 Odell Road • $675,000
MLS# 1604802
Jen Freeman 360-815-0803
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TheNorthernLight.com/newsletter
NELSON BUILDING 925 Ludwick Ave., Blaine
PLACE YOUR
Near Truck Route & Shopping Mall
HELPSPACES WANTED LEASE FOR: AD HERE!
Warehousing & 360/332-1777 Distribution Manufacturing or Retail Yard Storage for Vehicles
Downtown Blaine (Across from Hill’s Chevron)
www.NimbusRealEstate.com Rentals - Commercial
FOR LEASE Retail/ Office Space
Please Call Don Nelson For Availability & Rates
360-332-2743
Email nelsbldg@msn.com
All real estate/rentals advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246.
Ground floor space with fantastic waterfront views of Blaine Harbor!
800 - 1600 s.f. FOR LEASING INFO CALL:
360/332-1777
September 17 - 23, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
Road Rules: Cyclists can legally treat stop signs as yield signs starting October 1
OBITUARIES
By Doug Dahl There’s a new law I want to tell you about (or, more accurately, a change to a current law), but before I do, I’m asking you to have an open mind. And be patient; to give this change of law the attention it deserves, I’m going to split this into two parts. Sometimes the safest strategies seem, on the surface to be counterintuitive, and I think this is one of those situations. Okay, ready? Starting October 1, cyclists in Washington will be allowed to treat stop signs as yield signs. I’ll let that sink in for a minute. Already I can hear the voices of cyclists and drivers in my head pushing against this crazy idea. Cyclists: Are you kidding me? Cars are already the greatest threat to my survival on the road. Why would I run a stop sign and increase that risk? Drivers: Are you kidding me? Cyclists want to ride on the road, but then they don’t want to follow the same rules. How is that fair? Or maybe you are one of the people that’s known about this law for years, wishing it would come to Washington. That’s right. This isn’t a new idea; it’s just new to us. Back in 1982, Idaho passed a very similar law. For decades, they were the only state in the country to allow cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, in what became known as the “Idaho Stop.” Not until 2017 did another state adopt a similar law, when Delaware established what they call the “Delaware Yield.” Since then, several states have adopted some form of the stopas-yield law for cyclists. Why are states now adopting this law? Maybe a better question would be, “Why has it taken states so long?” There’s evidence that, despite most people’s gut reaction to the idea, the Idaho Stop increases both safety and efficiency. In the year after Idaho established the law, bicycle injuries dropped 14 percent.
13
Vernon Rae Arbuckle
October 9, 1945–August 22, 2020 Vernon Arbuckle, age 74, passed away on Aug. 22, 2020 in Blaine. He and his family stuck together through everything and always looked out for one another. He will be so deeply missed. Vernon will be laid to rest at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale. To read Vernon’s full obituary and share your memories, please visit molesfarewelltributes.com.
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL s Starting October 1, cyclists in Washington will be allowed to treat stop signs as yield signs.
Photo by Oliver Lazenby
Several studies have confirmed Idaho’s results, the most prominent one coming from Jason Meggs, a transportation researcher at UC Berkeley. Meggs compared bicycle crashes in Boise, Idaho, and Sacramento, California. He chose Sacramento because of similarities to Boise in factors that affect cycling: Topography, infrastructure, weather and demographics. The primary difference between the two cities, from a cycling perspective, is the Idaho Stop law. He found cycling was 30-60 percent safer in Boise. Comparisons of other cities had more dramatic results. As an example, the study showed that cycling in Boise is 150-252 times safer than riding in Bakersfield, California. Not only is this research supportive of the Idaho Stop, it also lets me know I should probably avoid bike rides in Bakersfield. We have the data showing that stop-as-yield reduces crashes, but numbers alone can’t explain why this is a good idea. Running a stop sign in a car should be, if you’re paying attention at all, a bit frightening. On a bike it’s terrifying. A conflict between a car and a bike is about as equal-
ly matched as a fight between a grizzly bear and a water balloon. But this law doesn’t legalize red light running. It’s about yielding, and really, a stop sign is just a very extreme version of yielding. Here’s the new change to the law: “…a person operating a bicycle and approaching a stop sign shall either: (A) Follow the requirements for approaching a stop sign… or (B) Follow the requirements for approaching a yield sign…” We know what it means to stop, but maybe a refresher on yielding would be helpful. As described later in the same law, the actions at a yield sign include slowing to a reasonable speed, giving rightof-way to vehicles in the intersection and stopping if necessary for safety. The law does not give permission for a cyclist to carelessly blow through an intersection, but as it turns out, that isn’t a problem anyway. We’ll explore that in part two, along with the outcome of an experiment where I rode through an intersection without stopping and some reasons why you, whether a cyclist or a driver, might like this law.
DIRECTORY
Proud supporters of the Blaine Community! Formerly 1st Propane of Whatcom County 2011 Large Business of the Year
Keep Full Service • Budget Payment Plan • Tank Installation & Rental Modern Equipment •Family SafetyOwned Checks • Locally Owned & Operated and Operated Since 1929!
Louis’
Bridge Community Hope Center hosts volunteer appreciation BBQ
Louis Auto Glass
The Only Validated 360 332-3121 2163 Nature’s Path Way • Blaine Auto Glass Company
Fill your bottles - Easy RV access
in Whatcom & Skagit Counties.
ouis’Auto & Residential Glass We Guarantee Your Safety
Spring Special!
Dinner on Us and90 a Can of Glass Cleaner Celebrating years!
with every windshield purchased and installed
Windshield Replacement
BELLINGHAMFree Pick up & Delivery Bellingham 1512 N. State St. • 360-734-3840
Rock Chip Repairs
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Free Loaner Cars
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(360) 734-3840 (360) 354-3232 (360) 424-9759 www.LouisAutoGlass.com 1512 N. State St.
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Must present ad for special. Not valid with any other offers. Expires June 30, 2014.
13 week commitment. Call 332-1777 to reserve.
Dining Guide DRAYTON HARBOR OYSTERS Farm Fresh Oysters
Served Raw, Grilled, Fried, Stewed & other delicious Seafood Specialities
Local Craft Beers & Wine
360.746.8775 7878 Birch Bay Drive
277 G Street • Downtown Blaine
s The Bridge Community Hope Center celebrated its volunteers with an appreciation barbecue on September 13.
Courtesy photo
360-392-0955
TheVaultWine.com
TheVaultWine
360-656-5958 DraytonHarborOysters.com 685 Peace Portal Dr. • Downtown Blaine
Great Authentic Mexican Food 758 Peace Portal • Blaine 360-332-4045
14
The Northern Light • September 17 - 23, 2020
Games and Puzzles
Crossword Answers at thenorthernlight.com
ACROSS 1. Emaciation 6. Million barrels per day (abbr.) 9. Light dry-gap bridge system (abbr.) 13. Anatomical term 14. Tropical starchy tuberous root 15. Jewish calendar month 16. Round Dutch cheese 17. Western Pacific republic 18. List of foods 19. It can strike the ground 21. Drenches 22. Some are cole 23. __ Squad 24. Expresses emotion 25. One point east of due south 28. Satisfaction 29. Holds nothing back 31. Top of the body 33. Not well-liked 36. Did slowly 38. Greek goddess of the dawn 39. Gland secretion 41. Vital to existence 44. Aristocratic young women 45. Erik __, composer 46. Not young 48. Jewish term for “Sir” 49. Secondary school
51. __ student: learns to heal 52. Regarding 54. Highly excited 56. Mainly 60. Thin, narrow piece of wood 61. Cakes 62. Biomedical nonprofit 63. Dried-up 64. One who is symbolic of something 65. Body part 66. Muslim ruler 67. Women from Mayflower 68. Notes DOWN 1. Not us 2. Helper 3. Bleat 4. Type of chair 5. Jr.’s father 6. Necessary for certain beverages 7. Hillside 8. Dutch painter Gerrit __ 9. Gave a new look 10. Ancient Greek City 11. Confidence trick 12. Type of fund 14. From an Asian island 17. Malay boat 20. Western Australia indigenous
people 21. Cluster on underside of fern frond 23. You need it to get somewhere 25. The woman 26. It may be green 27. Makes less severe 29. One from Beantown 30. Cavalry sword 32. Metric linear unit 34. Hawaiian dish 35. Yokel 37. Dissuade 40. Mutual savings bank 42. __ Caesar, comedian 43. Primordial matters 47. We all have it 49. Hermann __, author of “Siddhartha” 50. Historic MA coastal city 52. Shady garden alcove 53. Small amount 55. Horse-drawn cart 56. Nocturnal rodent 57. Spiritual leader 58. Air mattress 59. Speaks incessantly 61. Auction term 65. Atomic #62
Coming up Please wear masks and follow physical distancing guidelines. United Church of Christ, 885 4th Street. Drive-by blessing (please wear face masks). All animals welcome. Info: 360/332-6906. Winter Coat Drive: Through September. New or gently used coats, Ongoing: hats, gloves and socks for adults and children. Collection locations: Cost Cutter, Blaine Starbucks and Pacific Building Center. Used items Blaine Farmers Market: Saturdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Blaine’s G must be freshly laundered and all items enclosed in a plastic bag. Complete list available at blainecap.org. Sponsored by the Community Street Plaza. Local and fresh produce, crafts and goodies. Flea market on the last Saturday of the month. Info: blainechamber.com. Assistance Program. Vinyl Night and Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, September 17, The Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m. – noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m. – noon. Delivery options Vault Wine Bar and Bistro, 277 G Street. This week’s trivia theme: available. Info:360/332-6350 or blainefood@hotmail.com. Spain. Music starts at 5 p.m., trivia at 7 p.m. Info: thevaultwine.com. Spanish Wine Tasting: Friday, September 19, 5–8:30 p.m., The Vault The Bridge Food Distribution Program: Fridays 3:30–5 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road. Registration Wine Bar and Bistro, 277 G Street. Spanish wine tasting with Crystal required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers Kampling of Cru Selections plus special tapas and wine flights. Info: welcome. thevaultwine.com. The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesdays 3–5 p.m. Run With The Chums Virtual Fun Run: Through September 19. and Fridays 12–5 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Celebrate healthy water, healthy habitat and healthy people through Alderson Road. Donations by appointment, call 360/366-8763. a virtual race during Whatcom Water Week. Visit whatcomcd.org/ run-with-the-chums. Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meetings: Thursdays, Drive-in Movie Fundraiser: Saturday, September 19, Birch Bay Wa- 1 p.m. Meeting ID on birchbaychamber.com. terslides 4874 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Movie: Hook. Gates open at 6 Blaine Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meetings: First Wednesp.m., movies starts around 7:30 p.m. Tickets $25 per vehicle available day, noon. Meeting ID on blainechamber.com. at https://www.wcls.org/library-foundation/donation-form-birch-bay/. Join costume contest by using #hookedthebirchbaylibrary on Twitter, Blaine Library: 610 3rd Street. Curbside holds and pick up and Facebook, Instagram or Tiktok. Benefits Friends of Birch Bay Library. returns. Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Info 360/305-3600. Third Sunday Breakfast: Sunday, September 20, 9 a.m.–noon, American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. Serving eggs to order, Meals on Wheels & More: Wednesdays 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., biscuits and gravy, French toast, pancakes, ham or sausage, coffee, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up one fresh and milk and orange juice. Adults $7, kids 6 and under $3. Open to the six frozen meals. Suggested donation $5 per meal. First come first public. All proceeds support the American Legion and our veterans. serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040. Masks and social distancing required. Info: 360/371-7311. Toastmasters Virtual Meetings: Tuesdays 6:30–7:45 p.m. Info: Winter Coat Distribution: Winter coats, hats, gloves and socks 360/933-1671. distributed throughout October. Preregistration required. Visit the coat page at blainecap.org for info, registration and and appointment or Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to call 360-319-0269. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program. calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on
6th Annual Animal Blessing: Saturday, October 3, 2 p.m., Blaine
Monday.
Weather
Police Reports September 5, 4:39 a.m.: Blaine Police Department officers located a stolen vehicle in the 1600 block of Washington Avenue. Officers discovered the vehicle was stolen out of Spokane County. The vehicle was secured and impounded. The case is under investigation. September 5, 11:05 a.m.: Officers were called to a suspicious person sleeping in their vehicle in a closed business parking lot. Officers arrived and found the individual who got lost, parked and slept there for the evening. September 5, 11:09 p.m.: An officer stopped a vehicle for speeding and suspected the driver to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was investigated for driving under the influence and arrested. The driver was booked into the Whatcom County Jail. September 6, 12:40 p.m.: Blaine police were dispatched to assist the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office with a single vehicle, reportable collision. Officers arrived and confirmed there were no injuries. The vehicle was safely removed from the roadway by a passing motorist. September 6, 8:04 p.m.: Blaine Police Department officers responded to a reported motorcycle collision outside Blaine city limits. Officers arrived on scene and located the downed rider. Emergency medical technicians arrived and took over caring for the patient. Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived on the scene and took over the investigation. September 7, 11:38 a.m.: A man called police reporting a possible theft. The man explained he was involved in a civil disagreement with an employee regarding pay. The employee demanded to be paid immediately for half of the work he had done. The man refused to pay the employee until the job was done. The employee returned to the job site and removed the work he had done and took the building supplies with him. September 7, 4:45 p.m.: Blaine police were called to a local business for a report of a possible shoplifting complaint. Two Blaine officers arrived and contacted the suspect outside of the store. The suspect did not have any items with her and a store employee confirmed she left a cart of items by the check stand and did not leave with the unpaid items. No crime occurred and the woman left in an RV. September 7, 5:42 p.m.: Officers conducting traffic enforcement in the 2500 block range of Peace Portal Drive observed a speeding vehicle. Officers stopped the vehicle and determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol. After further investigation, officers arrested and booked the individual into the Whatcom County Jail. Officers cleared with no further incident.
Precipitation: During the period of September 7–September 13, no precipitation was recorded. The 2020 year-to-date precipitation is 23.9 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 87°F on September 7 with a low of 51°F on September 9 and, September 13. Average high was 77°F and average low was 53°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
Tides
DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT September 18–September 24 at Blaine. Not for navigation. 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W Fr 18 12:35 am 2.7
6:21 am 8.8
7:04 pm
12:40 pm 0.8
9.6 Sa 19 1:17 am 1.7
7:23 am 8.9
7:34 pm 9.5
1:26 pm 1.9
Su 20 2:03 am
0.7
8:27 am 8.9
2:12 pm 3.2
8:06 pm 9.3
Mo 21 2:49 am 0.1
9:35 am 8.8
8:38 pm 9.1
3:04 pm 4.5
Tu 22 3:41 am -0.3 10:51 am 8.7
4:00 pm 5.6
9:14 pm 8.7
We 23 4:39 am -0.4 12:15 pm 8.6
5:10 pm 6.5
9:58 pm 8.3
Th 24 5:39 am -0.3
1:41 pm 8.7
6:40 pm 6.8 10:52 pm 7.8
September 8, 8:50 a.m.: An officer on patrol ran the license plate of a motorcycle in front of him. The registered owner of the motorcycle was found to be DWLS 3rd in Washington. The motorcyclist was stopped, arrested, and then cited and released with a mandatory court date. September 8, 2:58 p.m.: A man was contacted by U.S. Border Patrol Agents inside of the Peace Arch State Park and was found to have a felony warrant out of Ohio. A Blaine police officer responded. The warrant was confirmed and the man was transported and booked into the Whatcom County Jail. September 8, 11:54 p.m.: Officers on routine patrol conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. Upon further investigation, officers arrested the driver for driving on a suspended license. Officers also arrested the passenger for failure to transfer the title of the vehicle within 45 days and possession of a controlled substance. Officers released the two individuals with a mandatory court date. Officers gave both parties a courtesy ride to their residence and cleared
Reports provided by Blaine Police Department
A ribbon cutting during the grand opening of Wild Bird Charity thrift store in 2018. File photo
September 17 - 23, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com
15
New thrift store brings second-hand treasures to Birch Bay
Inside Third Time’s A Charm Thrift, at 4823 Alderson Road,
DeAna Kirscheman said she found a love for turning someone’s trash into another person’s treasure after moving to Blaine in April. Kirscheman said she took that passion and created a second-hand pick up service and Third Time’s A Charm.
By Grace McCarthy Opening a thrift store was never on DeAna Kirscheman’s radar as a business venture. But when she moved to Blaine in April, she was left with boxes of items that needed a new home. After selling all of her items to neighbors, she began a second-hand pick up service in June and by August 21, she and her husband, David Kelly, opened Third Time’s A Charm Thrift in Birch Bay. “The idea came up in April and by the end of May I was like, ‘Alright, this is what we’re doing,’” Kirscheman said. “It was born out of necessity.” The store, located behind the C Shop at 4823 Alderson Road, sells discounted second-hand goods – everything from a $120 Phantom of the Opera poster signed by the Broadway cast to children’s clothes and furniture. Kirscheman manages the store and facilitates in-store and online sales while Kelly helps with the store’s marketing and donation pickups. About 60 percent of sales are on Facebook or eBay, Kirscheman estimates. Kirscheman grew up in Ferndale and worked as a restaurant manager at several local restaurants, including Semiahmoo Resort, where she found her love for the Blaine area. Although she said she’s sad to leave the restaurant industry, she’s excited to channel more creative freedom toward her Birch Bay store. “I like this area a lot,” Kirscheman said. “It’s very relaxing. People are friendly and seem to help each other out. It’s nice they can support business
growth during this really, really tough time for businesses as so many people are closing their doors.” Kirscheman hopes Third Time’s A Charm will become a weekly stop for the Birch Bay community, where people can browse items she restocks daily from her free donation pick up service. The service, which Kirscheman started after seeing a need for doorstep donation pickup, runs in Whatcom County on Sundays and Mondays. Residents are asked to set their items outside before 9 a.m. so Kirscheman can do a contactless pick up on her route. All donations are accepted except books, mattresses and furniture. Donations are not accepted at the store, unless they’re prearranged.
“It’s a way to showcase more community because this is all donation-based,” she said. “This is all meant to go to another place to be loved.” Kirscheman said she wants to upsize in the next couple years to allow her thrift store room to grow but right now she’s focused on learning how to balance her work and home life with two four-year-old daughters. Opening the store has given Kirscheman the opportunity to show her daughters how to create something from nothing, she said. “We’re lucky to have been able to do this as a family,” she said. “That’s how we made sense of having such a large time investment, is having our girls here with us and letting them see
A Phantom of the Opera poster signed by the Broadway cast at Third Time’s A Charm Thrift, in Birch Bay. All photos by Grace McCarthy
that you can build something for yourself.” Through the process, Kirscheman said she found a love for rehoming other people’s junk to become another’s treasure. “There’s never ever a guarantee with anything in a thrift store,” she said. “It’s literally all a treasure hunt and that’s the best part
of it. You know someone else doesn’t have it, and if they do, it’s few and far in between.” Third Time’s A Charm is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information on the business, visit its Facebook page, bit.ly/2FE94Jy, or call 360/764-4466 for information on donation pickup.
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The Northern Light • September 17 - 23, 2020
9/11 ceremony at Peace Arch Park
The U.S. consul general Brent Hardt, of the U.S. Consulate General Vancouver, spoke at Peace Arch Park for a small ceremony in honor of the men and women who lost their lives on September 11. Hardt said in his speech: “Today, in 2020, our countries are facing a new and even more devastating global challenge: the coronavirus pandemic. Once again, we face an unprecedented threat to our lives and our well-being. The pandemic challenges our people on both sides of this border. But I am confident that, just as we did on September 11, we will again rise to the challenge and meet the moment.”
Photo courtesy of Henry Hollander
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