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Letters
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.
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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.
Flag raising at Peace Arch Park
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 Intern 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
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 22 Circulation: 10,500 copies
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s The Washington State Patrol and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police raised the American and Canadian flags at the Peace Arch on
November 10, 2020. The flags were raised back up after restoration work and painting of the Peace Arch over the summer and fall. The International Peace Arch Association is coordinating six flag raising ceremonies throughout the year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Peace Arch’s dedication on September 6, 2021. Future flag raising ceremonies may be open to the public, depending on Covid-19 restrictions on gathering size. The International Peace Arch Association filmed the November 10 ceremony and plans to release video soon, said Christina Winkler, president of the International Peace Arch Association.
Photo by Oliver Lazenby
Letters
The Editor and Blaine residents:
Have you visited the new Living Pantry on Peace Portal? My husband and I are delighted with this new store. They offer herbs and spices, skin lotions, shampoos, conditioners, liquid body soaps, dish soaps, oils, vinegars and honeys, all of which will be filled for you into your own clean jars, and oatmeal, flours, sugars, nuts, coffees and many other items in bulk, which will be dispensed into paper bags.
Recycling is good, but re-using is even better. I enjoy not having a tub full of plastic and glass bottles for my dear husband to carry out to the sidewalk every other week.
As soon as I have used up my current laundry liquid – in its big plastic container, I am planning to switch to their laundry soap pods – and will never have to recycle another hefty detergent jug. Welcome, Living Pantry. Thank you for giving each of us a means to simplify our lives and to do our bit to heal Earth.
Angela Garvey
Blaine
The Editor:
The holidays are coming. It makes me think with the pandemic bearing on all of us in one form or another, I would like to remind everyone that between now and January 2, 2021, we will be bringing a lot of recyclables into our households and to spend a few extra minutes, if needed, sorting and separating as to recycle everything we can.
In addition, with the holidays coming upon us, I suggest people don’t get in a hurry, take your time. Also, plan ahead if you can. Last minute planning could create last minute mistakes. Try to be extra focused on fraud and theft, above all on the road driving as I’ve noticed in previous months of the pandemic a percentage of drivers don’t seem to be as focused as they should. Let’s be courteous to our fellow drivers on the road and in parking lots. Don’t let your frustration, aggravation get to you. It’s not worth a fender bender, or worse. Also, be attentive to the number of pedestrians and bicyclists that will be out at this time of the year.
It’s going to be a very different holiday season for all of us. Please wear your mask, sanitize your hands, try to give your friends and neighbors moral support if you think they need it. Let’s watch out for each other. Let’s make this holiday season safe as possible for everyone.
Mark Knott
Blaine
The Editor:
In July, the San Francisco Bay area helped California reach Covid-19 levels second only to New York. Today the same area is down to a 0.8 virus level and open for business and jobs. How did they do it? In late July they passed masking requirements, fines for not covering and total lockdowns. As of August 21, cases started going down.
Masks work. We are a consumer society, we need money to spend, jobs to produce what we want, entertainment, travel, donations and tithes for our churches.
If you don’t care about the essential workers that make safety and convenience for all of us, wear a mask to save money spent on hospital care for the uninsured and the PPE required. If you don’t care about your neighbors, help keep our national debt from exploding as employment and businesses implode. If you don’t want to feel your liberty is challenged, make it possible to get back to work, travel and the recreation we want and need for mental and physical health.
Tired of this pandemic? It will not go away, but we can manage it and get back to a new normal. Commit to total masking, cleaning and spacing – at least two months of total attention to combating the spread. We can do this, together.
Donna Starr
Blaine
Hornets ...
From page 1
is an estimate after some combs were damaged in the eradication. Three queens were found at CITY OF BLAINE the landowner’s home in a water Due to COVID-19 and the Governor’s Proclamation, meetings are now only open to the bucket following the eradication. public telephonically. Information on how to One male hornet was trapped listen to the meeting live will be on the City Council agenda which is located on the City’s near the nest and another male website homepage under Your Government, was found nearby, according to a City Council, City Council Agenda. Please check the agenda prior to each meeting WSDA blog. as the call in number or location may change. Between trapped hornets and the eradication, Spichiger said Thursday, November 12 9am – Park and Cemetery Boardthe state agency has captured 520 hornets this year. Not included in Thursday, November 12 this count was a hornet found in 6pm – Planning Commission Aldergrove, B.C. on November 7 Meeting *CANCELLED* and another in Abbotsford, B.C., on November 2. Monday, November 23 6:00pm – City Council Meeting
“Now that we have a better Public Hearing (continued) – idea how to track and locate a 2021 Budget Public Hearing nest, we can respond a little more efficiently moving forward,” Spichiger said. “If I told you we Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 City Offices Closed – Thanksgivinghad 17 hits in 17 counties, I’d say the genie is out of the bottle but Thursday, November 26 right now it’s just us and British 6pm – Planning Commission Columbia so I’d say it’s a fairly Meeting *CANCELLED* contained event.” All City offices are currently
Although the hornets are still s WSDA entomologist Chris Looney pumps carbon dioxide before opening the Asian giant hornet nest on closed to the public. Contact information in their ‘slaughter’ phase when they are known to attack honeyOctober 29 in a Washington State University lab in Puyallup. Photo courtesy WSDA for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website. bee hives for protein, Spichiger Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website. www.cityofblaine.comsaid the agency has not heard if they find an Asian giant hor- for WSDA staff to respond due reports of decimated hives net, WSDA said. to a heavy call volume. Beekeepthis year. To report Asian giant hornet ers with hives under attack are Whatcom County citizen trappers can keep their homemade sightings, visit bit.ly/34akL4H. People without internet can urged to call the emergency line, 360/902-1880. For more infor- The Immigration Law Firm traps up until Thanksgiving but also call the hotline, 800/443- mation, visit agr.wa.gov/hornets. • U.S. green cards / naturalization • U.S. green cards / naturalizationshould only report their findings 6684, but this will take longer • Work / investor visas • Inadmissibility waivers Rules of the Road: Can you drive • Denied entry waivers • Removal hearings • NEXUS appeals • TN (NAFTA) work permits • U.S. Citizenship claims with parking lights on? Should you? 360-332-7100 www.blaineimmigration.com • 435 Martin St., Suite 2010 • Blaine, WA www.blaineimmigration.com • 435 Martin St., Suite 1010 • Blaine, WA 360-332-7100 B y D O u G D ahl ington is thick.) Washington law does address experience. It likely just means you didn’t learn to drive in WashLeonard D.M. Saunders, Attorney at Law Leonard D.M. Saunders, Attorney at Law
Question: When I started driv- parking lights but, as far as I can ington. As an example, California’s ing in the early ’60s, parking lights tell, only while parked. If you current driving law plainly states, were only to be used when the drive in urban or suburban en- “No vehicle shall be driven at any VACANCY vehicle was stopped. Today, with driving lights and LEDs around vironments where the roads are lit by street lights, parking lights time with the parking lamps lighted except when the lamps are beANNOUNCEMENT THE CITY OF BLAINE IS CURRENTLY the headlights, the distinction of may seem pointless. But in places ing used as turn signal lamps or SEEKING MEMBERS FOR THE FOLLOWING parking/driving lights is blurred where visibility is poor at night, when the headlights are also light- BOARD, COMMITTEE, OR COMMISSION: (in my opinion). How could someone distinguish if a newer car parking lights are meant to illuminate the corners of your vehicle ed.” I do have one question for the · Planning Commission (FOUR OPEN POSITIONS) is driving with their parking lights on, or driving lights? Is it an issue? when it’s parked on the side of the road so it doesn’t get hit by anothpeople that drive with only their parking lights on: Why? I’m a fan · Park and Cemetery Board (ONE OPEN POSITION) Or legal to drive with the parking er driver who doesn’t see it. The of doing whatever you legally can · Public Works Advisory Committee lights on? law requires parking lights when a to be seen, so if you’re turning (TWO OPEN POSITIONS) Answer: This started as a “when” question, but it’s going to get, at least partly, a “where” answer. You vehicle is parked along a roadway “outside an incorporated city or town” at night and “there is insufthat knob to light up your parking lights move it one more click and turn on your headlights, too. · Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee (ONE OPEN POSITION; MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE LODGING INDUSTRY) mentioned that when you started ficient light to reveal any person Doug Dahl is a manager with If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, driving in the early 1960s, parking or object within a distance of one the Washington Traffic Safety Com- applications and descriptions of duties are available online at lights were only for when your car thousand feet …” mission, Region 11 and publishes www.cityofblaine.com. Positions will remain open until filled. was stopped. Given that I was con- This might be one of the least TheWiseDrive.com. ceived in the final month of 1969, observed traffic laws on the books. I’m of no help by way of personal experience. Instead, I dug into the When is the last time you saw a car parked along a county road at Thank you for supporting local journalism. archives to see how our laws on night that actually had its parking parking lights have changed. lights on? But that doesn’t mean it’s What some people have written: This week’s supporters: As it turns out, not much. The chapter on lighting in a Revised Code of Washington from 1961 not a good practice. If it’s dark and you’re parked somewhere where it might be hard to see your car, your “We live near Seattle but our cabin is on Birch Bay Drive. Love our beach community and always look Rhiannon Allen • Kelsy Hartmann Bryan Jones • Anne Morris reads remarkably similar to our parking lights can protect your car forward to reading The Northern Light. Glad to Eric & Kim Nelson • Amy & Gene Quinn current law. I searched through and other drivers. help support!” - Eric and Kim Nelson Cynthia & Ian Thompson both our current law and the ar- Given that it’s not illegal in chived version from 1961 and, on Washington to drive with your You can also contribute online at thenorthernlight.com the topic of using parking lights parking lights on, there’s not a real while driving, came up empty-handed. I’ll acknowledge that need, at least from an enforcement perspective, to be able to differen- Please Support Name: it’s a lot easier to prove something is a violation of a law than prove tiate between parking lights and driving lights. There are differenc- This Newspaper Email: Address: that it’s not. If it’s a violation, I can es, but that’s a topic for another show you the law. If I don’t think it’s a violation, there’s always this voice in the back of my head questioning whether it’s just because I article. Even though Washington doesn’t (and didn’t) prohibit turning your parking lights on while $24 (or whatever you can) City: State: Zip: Community Newspaper for Blaine & Birch Bay haven’t looked in the right place yet. (The Revised Code of Washdriving, that doesn’t mean you’ve misremembered your early driving MAIL TO: The Northern Light, 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 l 360/332-1777
B y G race M c c arthy
Washington scientists finished the first full season of European green crab trapping, leaving mid-October after trapping 253 of the invasive crab in Drayton Harbor.
“We knew there were quite a few but once we reached over 200 we realized this was a lot more than we were expecting,” said Allie Simpson, ecosystem project coordinator for Northwest Straits Commission.
Drayton Harbor was labeled a hotspot for the invasive crab in fall 2019 after trapping worried scientists about the crab’s effect on the ecosystem with the Dungeness crab, oyster and clam populations.
“We’re building a picture of where green crabs are coming from in places like Drayton Harbor, Skagit and Whatcom county,” said Emily Grason, a marine ecologist with Washington Sea Grant marine research program at the University of Washington “It’s a complex picture that they might be coming from multiple places so we’re still tracking that information to learn how we can use it to manage green crabs to reduce spread and infestation.”
This year’s trap rate was roughly eight crabs removed for every
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Directions: Ferndale Main St. Exit 262, off I-5, West on Main St., Left on Labounty. 100 traps, said Chelsey Buffington, European green crab lead for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This data will eventually compare trapping locations in Washington, Buffington said. WDFW partnered with the Northwest Straits Commission and Washington Sea Grant, a marine research program at the University of Washington, to trap in Drayton Harbor this year.
The week of September 14-18 had the season’s highest trapping numbers with 58 green crabs removed from 171 traps, Buffington said. The scientists trapped 34 European green crabs in 302 traps during their last week of trapping that ended October 16.
“That number is higher than most other sites in the Salish Sea where we have been trapping,” said Grason, speaking to the overall numbers this year. “For reference, Dungeness Spit, which in the past we would have considered our hot spot within the Salish Sea, captured only three European green crabs this year.”
However, Grason said it’s good news that the average capture rate was roughly in line with last year.
“Obviously we want that capture rate to go down but the fact that it didn’t explode in the first year or two is actually very promising news,” Grason said. “To me this is a hopeful sign that we have the potential to be effective in Drayton Harbor.”
Other areas of concern in Whatcom and Skagit counties include Lummi Bay, where green crab numbers surpass Drayton Harbor and Samish Bay in Skagit County, where about 100 crabs were found, Grason said.
In early September, the scientists started seeing an increase in younger crabs that had recently hatched and were the size to catch in traps.
“We were expecting it but we didn’t want to see it,” said Simpson, who noted an even split in young crabs versus older crabs. The scientists predicted seeing younger crabs this year after they emerged in fall 2019.
The scientists trapped at four core sites near the Blaine marina, the old Cherry Street pier, the small creek between Dakota and California creeks and the mouth of California Creek. In addition to the core sights checked every other week, scientists set prospecting traps throughout Drayton Harbor.
“You can trap in one location but you want to go out there and see what’s going on in other locations,” Buffington said.
Scientists caught one crab in the mouth of Terrell Creek after they dedicated a week to setting 50 traps in Birch Bay. Semiahmoo yielded no captures during prospective trapping.
“We identified a few hotspots, as well as confirming our best guess that green crabs aren’t necessarily found everywhere in Drayton Harbor,” Grason said. “We thought that was likely to be the case but you need to be looking in those areas to verify that estimate is accurate.”
In all, 3,222 traps were set this year in Drayton Harbor, Buffington said.
As for the next steps, the organizations will analyze the data to help inform next year’s trapping that will likely include focused trapping in Dakota Creek, where a higher population of crabs were found.
Buffington said the group didn’t have the funds to do a bay-wide assessment this year but plans to trap in deeper waters next year. The project is funded through June 2021 but the organizations are working to secure funding past that date.
“In order to effectively manage the effort it’s going to take a little bit more money than what the state has so far been able to allocate,” Grason said. “We’re hopeful, but we know this is a tough budgeting year for everybody in the state so it’s still very uncertain.”
The trapping season ends in the fall because low tides occur at night, which makes trapping in muddy terrain more difficult and creates a safety concern for the scientists who walk into the water, Simpson said. The crabs also burrow themselves during the winter, making it hard to catch them in the traps.
“I suspect we’ll be catching some next year,” said Buffington, quickly adding, “But hopefully we won’t catch that many.”
European green crabs can be confused with native species, according to the Washington Sea Grant website. The adults are smaller than a Dungeness crab, with 3-inch wide shells, and can vary in color. Five spines outside of the eye help differentiate the crab.
If you believe you’ve seen a European green crab or shell, photograph different angles of the crab with a reference to show the crab’s size. It is illegal to possess a green crab in Washington because they are a prohibited level 1 species so leave it where it’s found. Email photos and location information, or geographic coordinates, to crabteam@uw.edu.
Landowners willing to allow scientists trap on their property next year can contact Allie Simpson at simpson@nwstraits.org (And for those curious, Washingtonians are unable to eat the crab due to the illegality of having them in your possession. Buffington said they have been eaten on the East Coast but their small size doesn’t provide much meat.)
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Kids serving coffee at Birch Bay through job training program
s From l.: Shekinah Bowers, Lori Morrison and Micah Theragood start
a coffee order at The Bridge Coffee Bar. Youth started serving coffee at the Bridge Hope Community Center in Birch Bay on November 4.
Photo by Grace McCarthy
B y G race M c c arthy they’ve done it so well,” Morrison said. “Pretty much off the bat,
Young volunteers at the Bridge all of them did amazing. They’re Community Hope Center start- quick learners.” s The Bridge Community Hope Center volunteers, including kids in the Bridge Coffee Bar program. ed serving coffee to the Birch Bay Morrison said the coffee bar was Photo by Grace McCarthy community on November 4. slammed with orders the weekend
Bridge volunteers began a train- before the youth were slated to a job setting. said. “It’s buying from youth who “They could be doing so many ing program at the beginning of start on-the-job training, but the “It’s mostly the mind part that are learning.” other things but they’ve chosen to October to teach teenagers hands- trainees stepped into their new has been the most valuable part for Bowers said there are still some come here and serve,” said Roseon professional development for roles and made 15 orders. “They me and how to keep myself calm drinks she’s learning to make so mary Connors, executive assistant future jobs. After a month of learn- just stepped in and did it,” she with my anxiety to actually have a she’ll ask Morrison for advice. to the director at The Bridge Coming to steam milk and handle cash, said. job in the future,” Bowers said. “It’s my coffee bar and I’m just munity Hope Center. “It blesses the 16 volunteers are now serv- The café gives community Bowers and Micah Theragood, showing them how to run it,” my heart.” ing community members at The members the opportunity to learn a 13-year-old trainee, said their said Morrison, who added there The coffee bar is open 2-5 p.m. Bridge Coffee Bar, located within more about the Bridge’s center, favorite part was learning how will always be an adult supervis- Wednesdays, 2:30-4 p.m. Thursthe community center at 4815 Al- which also provides food distribu- to make their favorite Starbucks ing. “Now the youth are going to days, 1-5 p.m. Fridays and 1-4 derson Road. tion, a boutique for residents with drinks. make the drinks, and I’ll sit back p.m. Saturdays. For more info, vis-
The teenagers serve everything financial constraints, and ameni- “I thought it would be cool for and make sure they’ll make them it thebridgehope.com. from $1 coffee and tea to $3 mo- ties for remote learning, Morrison my first job when I actually got right.” cha and caramel macchiato in 12 said. Drinks can be ordered to-go old enough to work at Starbucks Theragood said his favorite ounce cups, or 16 ounce for 25- or patrons can relax at the tables or Woods, it would be a good idea memory has been hanging out 50 cents more, depending on the and couches in the café’s indoor to do this,” Theragood said. with friends while learning new drink. seating. The young baristas said the most skills, while Bowers has enjoyed
Lori Morrison is one of two Shekinah Bowers, an 18-year- popular drinks are milkshakes for getting to know customers and baristas who trains the volunteers old Blaine resident who attends adolescents and Americanos for hearing about their days. in pairs during two-hour sessions Bellingham Technical College, adults. Bowers said she’s seen customon Wednesdays, Fridays and Sat- said the program has created a “When they’re buying from us, ers who are hesitant to try the cofurdays every week. comfortable work environment as it’s not like they’re buying from fee, but are happily surprised with
“They all impress me because she works to overcome anxiety in Starbucks or a Woods,” Bowers the end result. Combination Meals Covid-19 in Whatcom County by school district Buy One, Get Second 1/2 PRICE! recent two week case rates and cumulative counts with purchase of 2 drinks! DINE IN OR TAKE OUT. Of equal or lesser value. Not valid with other offers. Lunch or Dinner. Exp. 11/26/2020 cases were diagnosed in the past been hospitalized with the virus vious seven-day period. About B y O liver l azen B y week and one person with the vi- in Whatcom County and seven in 2,500 people in Washington with DINE IN OR TAKE OUT As of November 9, Whatcom County has had a total of 1,737 confirmed cases of Covid-19 rus died in the past week. The Ferndale school district had the highest rate of new cases the past week. Washington state has had 120,011 total confirmed cases the virus have died as of November 9. Learn more at the WashingOPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH & DINNER! NOW ORDER ONLINE! bit.ly/pasodelnorte since the start of the pandemic in the past two weeks, with 135 since the start of the pandemic, ton State Department of Health’s 758 Peace Portal Dr. • Downtown Blaine and 52 deaths, according to the per 100,000 people. Blaine had with 10,000 of those coming in Covid-19 data dashboard at bit. 360-332-4045 Washington State Department of Health. One hundred of those a rate of 40 per 100,000 in that period. In total, 116 people have the past week – about double the rate of new cases from the prely/37uiCT2. www.pasodelnorte.net
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