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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
March 18 - 24, 2021
HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Final football game canceled, page 6
Birch Bay dog groomer earns award, page 10
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Blaine company moves cars, page 15
Washington to begin Phase 3 on March 22 By Grace McCarthy
File photo
What defines essential? A year with a closed border By Grace McCarthy Lyric Bussani attended her step-brother’s funeral the day the U.S./Canada border closure to non-essential traffic was announced. This was the last time the 22-year-old would be in the same country as her family for a year, leaving her to mourn her brother alone in B.C., as many other Blaine community members felt ripple effects from the standstill border. “My family feels like we have been robbed a year of our time,” she said. “We really hope to get that time back soon.” A year ago this week, The Northern Light reported “Temporary restrictions at north border go into effect.” Unbeknownst to Bussani and her hometown, temporary would turn into 365 days with officials on both sides giving no end in sight. Thirty-day extensions after the March 21, 2020 U.S./Canada border closure anguished many people with cross-border connections as months dragged on. Blaine residents with loved ones, some just 15 minutes away, stopped listening to the news altogether, while others checked headlines near the end of each month without hope. “May these gates never be closed” etched on the Peace Arch suddenly
seemed obsolete, many people affected by the border closure voiced. At first, concern arose with city finances. How would a town, experiencing an uptick in growth, survive with reduced revenue that relies on gas, lodging and sales tax largely funded by visitors? The continued border closure and its impact on mental health became a concern for a community with close cross-border ties, BPRI director Laurie Trautman said. “I think a lot of people have struggled emotionally during this pandemic and then you add on the layer of not being able to have the support of your loved ones there,” Trautman said. “You can’t necessarily quantify that impact but it’s a serious situation for a lot of people.” Bussani, who lived in Blaine until she married a Canadian in 2018, used to cross the border six days per week to work at Steamers Espresso, attend church service on Sundays and visit her close-knit family. “Everything I do is in Blaine,” she said. With the border still closed, Bussani said she has been unable to plan when she will be employed again. In addition to her step-brother’s death and unemployment uncertainty, Bussani packed her bags several times after hospital scares from her
Wings Over Water NW Virtual Birding Festival This Weekend: March 19-21, Fri.-Sun. For Free Registration & Information: wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com
mom and grandmother. Not having a place or money to quarantine stopped her in her tracks. “Life has not stopped moving,” Bussani said. “There have been so many things that have occurred in our family that you would never want to happen.” Birch Bay resident Elizabeth Stewart-Gaines, 79, also experienced a hospital scare while separated from her Canadian family. Although she describes her situation as fortunate, Stewart-Gaines was (See Border, page 8)
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
TheNorthernLight.com TheNorthernLight
@TNLreporter
This Week’s FLYER
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Rite Aid
PHOTO BY ERIC ELLINGSON
(See Phase 3, page 15)
s ”May these gates never be closed” etched on the Peace Arch monument at the U.S./Canada border.
INSIDE
Washington state will enter Phase 3 of its reopening plan on Monday, March 22, governor Jay Inslee announced March 11. Phase 3 will allow restaurants, gyms and movie theaters to operate at 50 percent capacity. Up to 400 people will be allowed at indoor and outdoor activities. Sports guidance will also allow for more spectators and high-contact sports like basketball, wrestling and cheerleading will start competing. Outdoor sports events, which also includes rodeos and motorsports, can have 25 percent capacity. Sports changes will go into effect Thursday, March 18 for high school sports, to allow families the ability to watch games before the season ends. “Some of the hardest hit businesses in Washington will be able to return to 50 percent capacity as we continue on the road to recovery,” Inslee said during a March 11 press conference. “On March 22, we make one more step to beating this virus and rejuvenating our economy.” Every county will remain in Phase 3 for three weeks, and then will have their Covid-19 numbers assessed by the state department of health (DOH) on Monday, April 12. The state will analyze Covid-19 numbers every three weeks to determine if the county changes phases on the Friday of that week’s data assessment. For Whatcom County to remain in Phase 3, it must keep a two-week average of new Covid-19 cases at or below 200 per 100,000 people, and five or fewer hospitalizations per 100,000 people in a one-week average. Currently, Whatcom County’s two-week average of new Covid-19 cases is 203 per 100,000. Whatcom County’s metrics for Phase 2 are a two-week average of 200-350 Covid-19 cases and 5-9.9 new Covid-19 hospitalizations on average in one week. Phase 1 metrics are more than 350 cases on average in two weeks and 10 or more new hospitalizations on average in one week. The metrics are adjusted for smaller counties. Counties with a population of 50,000 people or less must have a twoweek average of 30 new cases per 100,000 people and three or fewer hospitalizations
The Northern Light • March 18 - 24, 2021
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March 18 - 24, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com
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WCLS opens online bookstore for county residents By Conor Wilson The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS), in partnership with Friends of the Library volunteers and the county library foundation, have opened a new online bookstore for county residents. The Friends of the Library online bookstore started earlier this month, and allows residents to support the WCLS through purchases of books and DVDs, costing between $1 and $5, and tip donations. The store will feature hundreds of items and be updated with new items each week. “I think it’s great,” said Debby Farmer, the branch manager at the Blaine library. “The Friends of the library volunteers obtain, transport and photograph each book before it goes online.” The store is an online equivalent of the Friends in-library bookstore, which was created as a way to promote the growth of library services and projects not supported by property taxes. Revenue from the store will be allocated between programs. Customers looking to purchase a book through the website will select a pickup date and location at one of five WCLS branches, including Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, North Fork and South Whatcom. All books available for purchase are stored at the Friends of the Everson Library warehouse and distributed to the branch selected at checkout. Although Blaine will serve as
a pick-up location for the online store, Farmer said the Blaine Friends of the library group is currently not participating in the program due to logistical
concerns of transporting books to Everson. However, she said it will be a topic of discussion at the group’s next meeting. Farmer said the Blaine branch
will continue to have a small section of books available for sale inside the library. Neither the Blaine branch or the online store
are currently accepting book donations. To view the online store, visit wcls.org/friendsbooks.
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Waterfront Dining 825 Peace Portal Drive
EVERY THURSDAY STARTING APRIL 1 Thursday, April 1 • 7-9 pm • ‘60s theme + costume contest Thursday, April 8 • 7-9 pm • general knowledge
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Friday, March 19 • 7 pm • Live Music by Trio Sueno Friday, March 26 • 7 pm • Live Music by Alex Kelsh Friday, April 2 • 7 pm • Live Music by JP Falcon Friday, April 9 • 7 pm • Live Music by Lefty & the Right Hand Band No cover charge but food/drink purchase required
March 19-21 • 10am-5pm
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Bayside Treasures 354 Harvey Rd, Blaine 360-319-1920
Whi-Tinker Fibers 3880 Aldergrove Rd, Ferndale 360-319-1215
Daisies & Dust 4076 Bay Rd, Ferndale 360-483-9046
The Drift Shoppe & Birch Bay Roadside Stand 7556 Leeside Dr, Birch Bay 360-220-4225
Yates Fine Arts 2616 Aldergrove Rd, Ferndale 360-823-6747
Speckled Hen Primitives 6640 Trent Ln, Ferndale 360-441-7867 Back in Thyme Lavender & Country Gifts 7247 Everett Rd, Ferndale 360-303-5103
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The Northern Light • March 18 - 24, 2021
Opinion
The Northern L ght The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc. Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Letters Policy The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com. Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com
Public works cleans 2 tons from Marine Park
s The city of Blaine’s public works department cleaned up about two tons of trash, mostly rusted metal, at Marine Park on March 11. The site, a former landfill, was eroded and trash was exposed following storms and king tides in January. City manager Michael Jones told city council March 8 that the park will not be immediately cleaned up due to the tight 2021-22 budget. Public works is spending $15,000 of its parks maintenance budget on preliminary permitting and engineering work. The department will also do basic beach clean up to prepare the area for reconstruction. Photo by Conor Wilson
Letters
Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Ian Haupt ian@pointrobertspress.com Reporting Intern Conor Wilson 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 The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVI, No 39 Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
Next issue: March 25 Ads due: March 19
The Editor: Since Covid-19, I have been hooked on Netflix. But recently I have discovered a book “Blood on a Blue Moon” written by a local writer Jessica Stone. Netflix is now on the backburner. Wow. I can’t put the book down. If you want excitement, entertainment and suspense “Blood on a Blue Moon” is the answer. Encourage our local writer and happy reading. Jocelyne Harsch Blaine The Editor: Our state revenues have never kept up with our needs, and now, our recovery from Covid-19 demands even more to take care of our working families and small businesses, the foundations of our society. That’s because Washington’s upside-down tax code is working exactly as it was designed by our shortsighted populist forefathers: Our lowest-income neighbors pay 17 percent of their income into state and local taxes while the wealthy few pay just 3 percent. This disparity has caused most of the societal issues we are facing in Washington state today: Lack of affordable
housing, lack of family-wage jobs, disappearing jobs market for our graduating youth (with or without a college degree) and the rapidly widening gap between the haves and have-nots. Although there have been more progressive revenue solutions pushed forward this legislative session than in any recent memory, we want to ensure that this isn’t just a one-time math problem solution in our budget but about righting the wrongs in our tax code. Please notify your legislators that it’s time to live up to the promises they made with voters: To put people first, and ensure that all Washingtonians have what they need to live healthy, happy lives. Jim Bloss Monroe The Editor: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.” I cannot change my opinion that Biden was inaugurated into the White House instead of being legally elected. I cannot change that we now define
people by the color of their skin instead of their uniqueness. Didn’t Biden promise unity for all and yet we are more divided now than ever? I cannot change that I was born white and now I’m told the color of my skin is a privilege. I cannot change the paralyzing fear that the media continues to broadcast over this yearlong virus. I cannot alleviate the sadness of countless Keystone XL Pipeline jobs suddenly lost and businesses destroyed simply with the stroke of Biden’s pen. I cannot comprehend the money in the Covid-19 relief bill being sent to failed democratic states, foreign countries and special interest groups while our citizens are trying to make ends meet. Can you imagine the debt our children will pay? I cannot equate the health and safely of U.S. citizens with those of illegals entering America through the unlocked backyards of our southern border without health re(See Letters, next page) Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Civic Meetings Birch Bay Water & Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4:30 p.m., district offices, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Virtual meeting info: bbbparkandrec.org/board-meetings/
Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info and virtual meeting login: ci.blaine.wa.us.
Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.
Blaine Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/2CiMKnk.
Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info and virtual meeting link: blainesd.org. North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 1 p.m. Info: nwfrs.net.
March 18 - 24, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com
Southwest to offer flights from Bellingham
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In need of a vacation? Southwest Airlines announced it will start flights out of Bellingham International Airport (BLI) before the end of the year. “We can’t wait to welcome Southwest Airlines to Bellingham,” Ken Bell, Port of Bellingham’s commission president, said in an announcement. “Southwest’s daily flights will deliver frequent and reliable value service connecting our corner of the Pacific Northwest with the rest of North America, bringing low fares to Bellingham and our neighbors in British Columbia.”
The port operates the Bellingham airport, located at 4255 Mitchell Way. Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said in a message to his employees that the company anticipates Canadian travelers using the airline to escape high fares and taxes once the border reopens. A nonstop flight schedule will be announced later this year, according to the media release. While announcing its service to Bellingham, Southwest also said it had added new destinations to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Eugene, Oregon. The airline
Letters ...
I can, however, pray each day for America and the freedoms our Constitution set forth for us. I can also voice my opinion in this letter and hope that there are others who feel the same and will fight for America! Anne Freeman Birch Bay
From previous page
quirements or proper vetting. I cannot understand the administration’s lack of respect for our freedoms, when my dad and thousands of other American soldiers spent years as prisoners of war in foreign lands fighting for our freedoms! I cannot help but feel that this administration is leading us to the edge of the dangerous slippery slope of complete government control. I can stand up against bullying to accept a Marxist movement that singles out one group of Americans over another. We are all created equal in the eyes of God.
company has announced 17 new airports since the pandemic started. Other airlines that fly through BLI include San Juan Airlines; Alaska Airlines, with daily flights to SeaTac; and Allegiant Air, which flies nonstop to Las Vegas, Phoenix and four popular California destinations. “We thank Southwest for making a significant commitment to our region and seeing the value in this market,” Bell said. “This will greatly improve our ability to serve the economic needs of Whatcom County and the surrounding region.”
(Publisher’s note: To quote Daniel Patrick Moynihan, “You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.” Despite numerous court cases, three of which went all the way to the Supreme Court, no court in the land found merit in any of Trump’s claims that there was significant Mywidespread bad. Please add "4:00pm and election fraud. The fact is, Joe Biden was legally and – Civil Service Commission fairly elected President of the Meeting" onasthe 11th. Also, U.S.)
"Thursday, March 25" should be bold. Thank you!
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Thank you for supporting local journalism. “Love your paper even without the ‘police report’ from the ‘old days.’” - Anonymous
This week’s supporters: Jennifer Plombon and Steve Haines • Anonymous Dave Blondell • Carol Jackson and Jim Pettinger Anonymous • Don and Flori Chovanak • Joyce Dippold Jack Kintner • John Whitmer • Lonna Kooyers
OPENING FRIDAY
Mowers & More Mower & Saw Repair Rentals & Sales 360-393-8767 (Stan) • 360-224-4089 (Kelly) Open Mon-Sat 9-5 • 4579 Shipyard Road, Blaine
TAX SPECIALISTS
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.
Monday, March 22 4:30pm – Study Session: Department Work Plans 5:45pm – Park and Cemetery Board Interview 6:00pm – City Council Meeting
Tax Planning & Preparation U.S. & Canadian Individual & Business Michèle-Marie Cloutier, CPA, CGA 372 H St. • Blaine, WA 98230
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Thursday, March 25 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting Study Session: Amend Central Business District standards to eliminate a Conditional Use Permit process for use of public plazas.
U.S. & Canadian Personal Tax Compliance & Consulting Services Emily Lo, CPA - CGA (Canada), CPA (Washington State)
Thursday, April 8 9:00am – Park and
Tel: (604) 495-0075 (Vancouver, BC) Email: emily@visiontax.ca Website: www.visiontax.ca
Cemetery Board Meeting 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting All City offices are currently closed to the public. Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website. Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website.
Emily Lo is a cross-border tax accountant with 10+ years of experience in providing U.S. & Canadian tax services. Our firm ensures timely filing of your tax & information returns & provides cross-border tax consultation & tax saving strategies.
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The Northern Light • March 18 - 24, 2021
Sports Fall sports season comes to a close By Ian Haupt
s Junior quarterback Cole Thomas, #6, throws a pass over Nooksack Valley’s rushing defense in the Borderites’ 26-18 win over the Pioneers. Photo by Janell Kortlever
CITY OF BLAINE
CIVIL ENGINEER Salary Range: $6,051 - $7,656 per month plus 5% deferred compensation and benefits The Civil Engineer performs professional-level engineering work activities involving water, sewer, electric, stormwater, and street system analysis and other municipal facility construction, including reviewing and preparing plans, project budgets, and change orders; works with private consultants, engineers, and developers on development improvement projects including review and management. Interested persons should complete the online application on the City’s website, https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/. Application deadline is April 16, 2021. Open until filled.
Borderites football won their first game of the season and then had their season cut short after someone in the team tested positive for Covid-19. All other fall sports competed last week and are scheduled to finish their seasons this week as well. Football After going into the fourth quarter down 18-6, the Borderites scored 20 unanswered points to win their first game of the season last Thursday, taking down Nooksack Valley 26-18. The Borderites had a slow start to the game, going into halftime down 6-0 and only managing 24 yards total. A 40-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Cole Thomas to junior Scott Baldwin brought the Borderites into the game but the Pioneers scored two quick touchdowns to finish out the quarter. Junior Jaxon Kortlever caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Thomas to bring the game within one touchdown. Kortlever finished with four receptions for 52 yards. The Borderites then forced the Pioneers to punt. After a deep
drive, senior Braden Stanovich caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Thomas to put the Borderites in the lead for the first time in the game. Nooksack, down by one point, then had their drive cut short when junior Aiden Vezzetti intercepted a deep pass. Junior Gabe Cranford finished the game off for the Borderites with a 54-yard touchdown run. He finished the game with a career-high 123 yards rushing on 25 carries. Senior Tyson Kirk led the Borderites defensively with 12 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. The Borderites last game – scheduled for March 16 against Anacortes – of the WIAA’s adjusted fall schedule was canceled due to a positive Covid-19 case within the team. Girls Soccer The Borderites lost both games last week. They traveled to Lynden March 10 and lost 2-1 to the Lions. On Saturday, the Borderites hosted Lynden Christian. The game ended 4-1. The Borderites traveled to Sedro-Woolley March 16 for their last game of the season. They lost 3-1.
Cross Country The boys and girls cross country teams raced Nooksack Valley and Mount Baker March 10 in a three-school race held at the Deming Logging Show event space. Freshman Cameron Saunders led the boys team, taking ninth place with a time 20:57 in the 5,000-meter race. Senior Abby Higgins took fourth in the girls varsity race with a time of 25:51. Volleyball The Borderites came back to beat Sehome in five sets March 10 after being down two sets to one. The Borderites won the last two sets 27-25 and 15-12 to pick up their third win of the season and second on the road. Senior Mia Scheepens had a personal high of 24 kills to lead Blaine’s attack. Sophomore Anika Hagen added six kills, four blocks and four aces. The Borderites then traveled to Sedro-Woolley where they lost in three straight sets. The Borderites were scheduled to play Lynden at home March 17 and will travel to Lynden Christian Friday, March 19, for their last game of the season.
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FLUSHING The City of Blaine Water Division started flushing the City's water distribution system. This is accomplished by opening hydrants along the system (starting at the well fields) to move fresh water throughout the distribution system. The purpose of flushing the system is to remove any grit and debris in order to improve water quality through the distribution system. During the city flushing program city water customers may experience a temporary low water pressure and/or cloudiness when flushing is going on. The cloudiness condition (caused by air) should be only temporary, and can be cleared by running a cold water tap for a few minutes to clean and flush your service line. If the condition continues for an extended period of time please contact the Blaine Public Works. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, feel free to call Public Works at (360) 332-8820, or visit www.cityofblaine.com for weekly area updates. Blaine Public Works.
s Senior Braden Stanovich, #10, on the way to scoring a touchdown in the Borderites’ first win of the season. Photo by Janell Kortlever
Last football game of season canceled due to positive Covid-19 case By Ian Haupt Following its first win of the season March 11, Blaine football was forced to cancel its final game of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) adjusted fall season due to a positive Covid-19 case. The Borderites (1-3) were scheduled to travel to Anacortes March 16 to play the also 1-3 Seahawks. Athletic director Sean Linville said both remaining varsity and junior varsity games were canceled because all of the football
coaches were direct contacts with the positive case. Linville said all individuals who had direct contact with the positive case will quarantine for the required 14 days. JV (3-2) was scheduled to play its last game of the season on March 15. No other fall sports competitions have been canceled. “As of right now, the rest of our fall sports will be able to finish out their season,” Linville said. This is the final week of the six-week adjusted fall season.
Linville said the call to cancel the remaining football games was made Saturday morning. He also said the Borderites’ previous opponent, Nooksack Valley, was notified that contact tracing determined that the positive case had no direct contact with anyone on their team. Linville could not say at the time as to whether any teams in the upcoming season will be affected by the positive case. Competition for season 2 of the WIAA’s adjusted calendar is scheduled to start March 30.
March 18 - 24, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com
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Covid-19 in Whatcom County, by school district boundaries: Recent two-week case rates and cumulative counts Updated 03/16/2021
Blaine Rate: 85 Count: 417
Lynden Rate: 341 Count: 1171 Ferndale Rate: 194 Count: 1383
Nooksack Valley Rate: 244 Count: 679
Meridian Rate: 139 Count: 373
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www.pasodelnorte.net
s The rate is the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people over the past two weeks, from February 28 to March 13. The count is the cumulative cases of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic.
By Grace McCarthy As of March 14, Whatcom County has had a total of 6,995 confirmed cases of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic and 176 probable cases (7,171 total cases), according to Washington State Department of Health (DOH) data. There have been two deaths in the past week, making the number of deaths 85; the percent of deaths per total confirmed cases is 1.2 percent. Every school district dropped in cases. Lynden school district had the highest rate of new cases in the past two weeks, with 341 confirmed cases per 100,000 people followed by Nooksack (244), Ferndale (194), Meridian (139), Mount Baker (95), Blaine (85), and Bellingham (78). The county should receive vaccine shipments of 5,710 first doses and 5,180 second doses. About 10.5 percent of county residents are fully vaccinated and 21.4 percent have received at least one shot of Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson, according to the department. However, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine only requires one shot to be fully effective. The department reports
NEW HEATED OUTSID D IN ING! E &
that 48,311 county residents have received their first shot while 23,629 are fully vaccinated. Statewide, 2,442,206 vaccine doses have been administered. About 11.9 percent of people in Washington are fully vaccinated and 20.7 percent have received one dose. In the past seven days, the state has averaged administering 42,551 vaccines daily, nearly reaching its goal to vaccinate 45,000 people daily. Washington state has had 329,893 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic and 20,613 probable cases (probable cases come from an antigen test). In all, 5,135 people in Washington with the virus have died as of March 14 and 19,891 have been hospitalized. The health department will hold its second appointment-only Covid-19 vaccination clinic on Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nearly 400 people were vaccinated during last week’s vaccine clinic, the health department reported. People can make an appointment at prepmod.doh. wa.gov but people who don’t have internet access or who need translation can call 360/778-6075.
People in Phase 1b Tier 2 – essential workers in congregate workplaces, people who have a disability that qualifies them as high risk for being severely sick from the virus and women who are pregnant – were eligible for the vaccine starting March 17. The county health department will host a vaccine town hall to update residents on vaccine efforts at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, on Whatcom County’s YouTube channel, WhatcomCountyGov, at bit.ly/3tanRij. For more Whatcom County information, visit whatcomcounty. us/covidvaccine and whatcomcounty.us/coviddata. State information is available at bit.ly/3r2URJj. Vaccine locations can be found at bit.ly/3nZiMqr. For CDC data, visit bit.ly/39Kt4qh.
for REAL news
READ
Wings Over Water
NORTHWEST BIRDING FESTIVAL
FUN FOR KIDS! Saturday, March 20 11am-2pm Blaine Marine Park
Birch Bay Chamber
Bird View Shelter
200 Marine Drive Bird Puppet for Racing Art Project
Semiahmoo Spit
Birch Bay Visitor Center
7900 Birch Bay Drive Bird Scavenger Hunt & Bird Count Cards
Birch Bay State Park
Cannery Lodge
9261 Semiahmoo Parkway Ornitherapy Challenge & Bird Seed Cakes
BP Heron Center
7290 Birch Bay Drive Make a Bird Feeder Kit & Window Clings
Virtual Storytime with Marie
Fri. Mar. 19th 10:15am l
Sat. Mar. 20th 6:30pm l
Marie Guenette with Whatcom County Library System will engage kids of all ages with a fun activity and story about birds. SPONSORED BY:
LOCAL
Info: WingsOverWaterBirdingFestival.com
Fix a Leak EPA
WaterSense
Leaks Can Run, But they Can’t Hide! SPONSORED BY: BIRCH BAY WATER SEWER DISTRICT
• Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.
• Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
• Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.
8
The Northern Light • March 18 - 24, 2021
Border ... From page 1
s Lyric Bussani, r., and her mother, Christina, l., hugging on 0 Avenue for the first time since the border closed, with permission from border patrol. Photo courtesy Lyric Bussani
s Debbie Wharton and her sons Justin, l., and Alyk, r., on Christmas at Peace Arch Park.
s Debbie Wharton, sons Justin and Alyk and husband Justin the day after Alyk’s graduation.
Photo courtesy Debbie Wharton
Photo courtesy Debbie Wharton
admitted to the hospital in May for severe pneumonia that had doctors questioning if she would survive. Stewart-Gaines’ sons were denied entry at the border when they tried to visit her in the hospital. “I’m sure it’s happened to more people,” she said. Blaine resident Laurie Hart, 64, said this was the first Christmas she has spent without her sister who lives in Canada. Hart said the holidays carry extra meaning for her family after her brother and his family were murdered on a fishing vessel in Alaska in the early ’80s. Traditionally, Hart stays up late on Christmas Eve filling stockings and drinking tea with her sister but this year, Hart said she had a good cry in the dark. Other significant occasions occurred during the year such as the birth of Hart’s great-niece, Olivia Rose, and the second birthday of her great-niece Brooklyn, whom Hart visited immediately after her birth. “It’s been really, really, really hard and sad to not hold the new babies,” Hart said, adding
that both children were given the middle name Coulthurst to continue her family’s surname name that stopped with her brother. “I don’t have children of my own so these are like having my own kids.” She’s watched her great-nieces grow older over Facetime. While watching the younger generation grow up, Hart said she also worries for her 86-year-old mother. “We’re all just people and we want to be together with our loved ones. And they’re separating us,” said Hart, who can see the U.S./Canada truck crossing from her driveway. “I wish I had the right words for people to say, ‘Oh yeah, I get it.’” Blaine resident Nancy Cook, 77, said having most of her family across the border left her without much support to take care of her 39-year-old grandson, Paul, who has multiple disabilities that require her supervision. During normal times, Cook said she and Paul spend at least one week in Canada every month helping family members with younger children and a granddaughter who was studying for vet school. At the beginning of the border closure, Cook expressed to neighbors the difficulty of balancing
watching Paul, who can’t wear a mask, and running errands like grocery shopping. Cook said her neighbors, the Merryweathers, have gone from being friendly faces to a second family that helps her pick up milk and spends time with Paul. After having two family members pass away this year without being able to say goodbye, one of Cook’s grandchildren is expecting a child in July. “I’m just praying something will happen before then because I want to meet my great-grandchild,” Cook said. Cook said she motivates herself through this strained time by bringing bags of homemade cookies and chocolate cherry candies to family at Peace Arch Park. “Being able to do that keeps me going,” Cook said. “The park has been a godsend for me.” A majority of people with loved ones divided between the border expressed deep gratitude for the ability to hug family and friends at Peace Arch Park. One of those people is Ferndale resident Debbie Wharton, who visits the park at least once a month to share Tim Hortons’ timbits and play cornhole with
ADVICE FROM THE P Q: The American Rescue Plan of 2021 passed on March
11, 2021 may save you tax dollars on the 2020 tax return.
A: 2021 Recovery Rebate – $1400 for individuals or $2800 for married couples. Also, $1400 per dependent including college students and qualifying relatives. 2019 will be used unless the 2020 tax return has already been filed. Income phase outs apply starting at $150,000 for a married couple, $75,000 for single and $112,500 for Head of Household. This credit is for 2021. The previous two economic impact payments were for 2020 and will be reconciled on the 2020 tax return. If the 2020 EIPs were not received, the amount can be claimed as a refund on the 2020 tax return. Unemployment Benefits – While unemployment is usually fully taxable, under the new tax bill, the first $10,200 of benefits for 2020 is tax free. For married couples the amount is $20,400 if both taxpayers received unemployment. To receive this exemption, income must be below $150,000. Premium Tax Credit – There is no pay back of the Premium Tax Credit for 2020. Some taxpayers are required to pay back the premium credits when they buy health insurance through the WA State Health Plan Finder and receive a reduced premium. The credit is reconciled on the tax return. If the taxpayer makes more money than projected for the credit, they must pay it back. This provision has been suspended for 2020. If the 2020 tax return has been filed, the IRS is urging taxpayers NOT to file an amended tax return to make corrections based on the new tax law. The IRS will make the necessary changes at their end and issue a refund or reduce the amount due.
Cynthia Polley, Enrolled Agent 8105 Birch Bay Square St. • Suite 102
360-393-3658 • BirchBayTaxAndAccounting.com
Q: It looks like Covid-19 testing is going to be a fact of life for a long time. What are the major tests that are available and what are the differences? A:
Covid-19 PCR Nasal Swab Test. The turnaround time for this test is approximately 24 hours. Yields results in just 2 days after exposure.
Dr. Ken Stiver MD Medical Director 7854 Birch Bay Dr. Birch Bay 1501 Cornwall Ave Bellingham
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Covid-19 Rapid Antibody Blood Test. If you think you have been exposed in the past 7 -10 days. Or if you just want to know for personal reasons. Results in 15 min. Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Nasal Swab Test. One of the newest tests on the market. Approved by the FDA-EUA as are the other two tests above. Results in 15 min. All Tests Include Our Medical Director’s Orders! Prices Start At Just $49 We administer all 3 of tests as well as hundreds of other Lab Tests like DNA Baby’s Gender Reveal, Full Hormone Panels & most medical lab tests.
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Q: Is water pipe damage covered by insurance? A:
Your homeowners or business owners insurance policy should cover any sudden and unexpected water damage resulting from a plumbing malfunction or broken pipe. It is important to note that most insurance policies exclude damage to your structure that occurred gradually, such as a slow, constant leak, as well as damage due a fire sprinkler system or regional flooding. Refer to your policy or contact your agent to determine your coverage limits. Christine Roubidoux Personal Lines Manager Christine.Roubidoux@fortiphi.com
288 Martin St. Downtown Blaine (360) 332-7300 (604) 256-1384
www.fortiphi.com
Advice
from the
PROS
You are the expert and you have the answers for our readers... Your Potential Clients This monthly feature provides you an opportunity to speak to the Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo community and answer some of their specific questions or some general questions from your business that almost every new client wants to know. Your ad will be 5” wide x 4” tall, in full color with your photo and contact information plus your question and answer.
EXCLUSIVITY - Each business category is limited to one advertiser.
Here’s your opportunity to voice your expertise! To reserve space call 360-332-1777 Community Newspaper for Blaine & Birch Bay
March 18 - 24, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com her children. The hardest part for Wharton was not having her two sons, one who lives with her in Ferndale and another who lives in Surrey, celebrate each other’s graduations from high school and college. “Every month it breaks my heart,” Wharton said of the border extensions. Erinn Andrews, who lives in Hope, B.C., also emphasized the hardship the border closure has had on her two teenagers, whose father lives in Birch Bay. Andrews said she made the tough choice last summer to homeschool her children so they could quarantine after visiting their father during month-long trips. “The rules are so unclear,” said Andrews, admitting she still wasn’t sure how to properly quarantine. She said frequently quarantining has affected everything from her 17-year-old being able to maintain a job to adding significant stress to her family’s mental health. “On top of the usual being isolated from everyone in the past year, not being able to leave the house every few months is a huge struggle,” Andrews said. “I used the word anxious a lot but anxiety doesn’t really do it justice.
There’s a lot of emotions for all of us, including fear, sadness and mental exhaustion.” Government officials at the county and state level pleading for special exemptions, considerations and relief have resulted in little action. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said in a press conference Monday, “That’ll be eventually, but not for today” in reference to the border reopening. Trautman said based on conversations she’s had with Canadian officials, the government could be looking at how to open the border for vaccinated U.S. travelers but opening the border hinges on more understanding if vaccinated individuals can transmit the virus. “It sounds like a tepid response, but given how we’ve had almost no engagement or no conversation on lifting the restrictions in a real way over the past year, it does mark a turning point,” she said. Over the past year, Bussani holds one memory closest to her: The first time she saw her mom after her step-brother’s funeral. They met at 0 Avenue on a sunny May day but were separated two feet by the ditch that runs
s Nancy Cook, c., at Peace Arch Park with her family, from l; daughter Barbara, granddaughter Marriella, grandson Paul, great-grandson Jayden, granddaughter Stephanie and great-grandson Tanner. Photo courtesy Nancy Cook
between the two countries. After explaining their situation to the patrolling border agent, Bussani and her mother were allowed to embrace. “I think about what the day the border will reopen will look like a lot,” she said. “The joy I feel, not even knowing when that comes, is not something I can express. When that day comes, I know it will feel like completion, that I have everything I need. We will be on the other side of what we have dealt with.”
PROS
s Laurie Hart’s great niece, Olivia Rose Coulthurst Barone. Photo courtesy Laurie Hart
A Special Section of published monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month
Q: I’m interested in building a
Q: What should I do if I inherit money? A: I hear this question a lot in my practice and each
new house. What should I know about new-construction loans?
A: New construction loans typically involve more paperLoren Adkins Senior Real Estate Loan Officer NMLS# 643779
Office: (360) 647-4425 Cell: (360) 303-8599 loren.adkins@peoplesbank-wa.com
9
work, time, expense, and consideration than your average home loan. That’s why it’s important to establish a relationship with a bank with an active construction loan program before you even find a builder. Despite the extra effort required, there’s no question that building a new home can be an attractive option. A limited supply of available housing inventory is creating greater interest in new home building, and we’re seeing more new construction loan applications in recent months.
Deka Wiebusch CFP® AIF® CRPC®
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
person’s situation is unique in what would be best for their inherited money. Before you take any action though, it is wise to seek the council of a Certified Financial Planner™ and a Certified Public Accountant. Both a CFP® and a CPA are individuals who can work together cohesively to guide you in some pertinent first steps. For example, if you inherit an IRA account there are important decisions to be made on when to take withdrawals. Non-Spousal inherited IRA’s must be completely withdrawn by December 31st of the tenth year. There are exceptions to the rules. Consult with a CFP® to ensure you are receiving comprehensive, experienced advice to help you make your best financial decisions.
Skyline Advisors, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Skyline Advisors, Inc. unless a client service agreement is in place.
405 32nd Street, Suite 201, Bellingham (360) 671-1621 www.myskylineadvisor.com
Bellingham Real Estate Loan Center • 3100 Woburn St. • Bellingham WA, 98226
Julia Mullenix 978 Peace Portal Drive Blaine, WA 98230
(360) 820-2630
Q: How long have you been in Blaine?
Q: What is Physical Therapy?
A: We’ve had a few people ask how long Peace
A:
Arch Real Estate has been in Blaine. We are a family-owned company that just started our fourth year of being in business in Blaine. We are located in the Salishan Neighborhood at the corner of Boblett and Peace Portal Drive. We live and work in Blaine and think Blaine is the best place to own a business. Since opening, sales have grown steadily each year and we hope to close our 150th deal this spring with sales not just in Blaine, but all over Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan Counties. Thank you to all of the people who have supported us! We wouldn’t be here without you.
Doniel Hagee, DPT, ATC, OCS Physical Therapist Capstone Physical Therapy
1733 H Street, Suite 400 Blaine, WA 98230 360-332-5111 www.capstonept.com
Why choose Capstone?
Physical therapists are an important member of your healthcare team. Physical therapists provide care to people of all ages with injuries such as back and neck injuries, sprains, strains, falls and balance, arthritis, injuries related to work, auto injuries, sports and other conditions. Physical Therapy at Capstone begins with an evaluation and assessment of your needs. Subsequent visits are customized to address the patients unique needs. We help to accomplish your goals for mobility, function and return to prior level of activity. Therapists at Capstone have completed advanced levels of education in order to become licensed to practice in the State of Washington. In addition to licensure most therapists at Capstone have advanced specialty training. 825 Birch Bay Square Street, Suite 248 Blaine, WA 98230
julia@peacearchrealestate.com
360-366-5511
www.peacearchrealestate.com Blaine
Cordata
Lynden
Ferndale
Barkley
10
Pets & Pet Care
The Northern Light • March 18 - 24, 2021
Best Photo Clips, Tips and products for a healthier, happier pet!
Canine Divine dog groomer earns international recognition By Conor Wilson A dog groomer at Canine Divine Spa in Birch Bay has achieved one of the industry’s highest levels of certification. Kari Conners, who has 20 years of experience in dog grooming, including five years at Canine Divine, has been awarded International Certified Master Groomer status with the International Professional Groomers, Inc. (ICP). Conners achieved the certification in early February after two years of work. The certification sets industry standards for grooming expertise, safety and animal care. To achieve the master certification, groomers must show advanced skill and demonstrate specialized training in small, senior and double-coated dogs, according to a media release. The award is the highest level of the three certifications ICP offers. “Kari has successfully demonstrated her abilities and skills through testing and independent evaluation of the handling of pets during grooming,” ICP president Linda Easton said in the media release. To complete the certification, Conners said she had to complete two 100-question breed specific tests, as well as a 400-question general knowledge and safety
s Groomer Kari Conners finishes trimming a dog’s fur at Canine Divine in Birch Bay. exam. All tests must be passed with a score of 86 percent or better. Conners also had to groom several dogs to industry-standard requirements, including a miniature poodle, golden retriever and Shetland sheepdog, among others. Conners said some dog breeds
with short fur, like Chihuahuas, only need a bath to be groomed, but breeds with more fur, like poodles or sheep dogs, require three to four hours of work to be groomed properly. Tammy Wojcik, owner of Canine Divine, said Conners is the first groomer at her store to receive the certification. Wojcik
Photo by Conor Wilson
said all of her groomers are working toward getting their master certification over the next several years. Wojcik said it’s important that all her groomers have the certification so they can provide the best service to their customers, and to keep the dogs happy and calm every time they come in.
“We try to provide the best care we can, so the dogs come back happy,” Wojcik said. “We can try to appease the owners, but dogs don’t lie.” Canine Divine Spa is located at 4855 Goldstar Drive in Birch Bay. For more information on the grooming services, call 360/392-8465.
It’s time to FRESHEN UP your PUP • Full Service Spa Groom • Express Wash • Deluxe Spa Bath • Spa Therapies
OPEN: Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm
s Tyson, l., and Archie, r., having a lazy day. Photo by John Locker
Book Online or Call 360.392.8465 4855 Goldstar Drive • Birch Bay
OWNER: Tammy Wojcik
www.CanineDivineSpa.com
s Bennie, an 11-year-old retriever looking handsome in his pose. Photo by Kristin Vinkes
Submit Pet Paparazzi photos to editor@thenorthernlight.com
ADOPT A PET! We’re looking for good homes! To adopt one of us please call our Adoptions department at (360) 733-2080
Or visit us at 2172 Division St., Bellingham, WA 98226 Hi, I’m Buttons!
Hi, I’m Cody Bear!
Hi, I’m Edith!
Hi, I’m Scout!
View more about us at www.whatcomhumane.org
March 18 - 24, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com
NEXT ISSUE: Mar. 25
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM, IN RE THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM WAYNE STUURMANS PROBATE NO: 21-4-00149-37 JUDGE: DAVID E. FREEMAN. The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the Clerk of this Court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice (twenty-four (24) months if notice is not published). If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of first publication: 3/11/2021. Personal Representative: Harry Stuurmans. Attorney for the Estate: Keith Bode, WSBA #7791 314 5th Street, P.O. box 688, Lynden, WA 98264-0688, Tel. (360) 354-5021
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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Chapter 18.27.100 of the Revised Code of Washington requires that all advertisements for construction services include the contractor’s registration number in the advertisement. To verify a contractor’s license, call the Dept. of Labor and Industry’s contractors registration at 1-800-647-0982.
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: BETSY SCHULZ (AKA FRIEDA) WEAVER, Deceased. No. 20-4-00579-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: March 1, 2021 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: March 18, 2021 Name of Personal Representative: STEVEN DALE WEAVER Attorney for Personal Representatives: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262 Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229 Telephone: (360) 325-2550 Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com DATED: March 1, 2021. AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Personal Representative: STEVEN DALE WEAVER
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Frederick E. Willits, Deceased. NO. 21-4-00166-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030). JUDGE: Lee P. Grochmal. The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: March 18, 2021 Personal Representative: Marjorie Willits 3925 40th Street Bellingham, WA 98229 Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 21-4-00166-37
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Mardel Larson, Deceased. NO. 21-400165-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030). JUDGE: Robert E. Olson. The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: March 18, 2021 Personal Representative: Iris Kingston PO Box 127 Bellingham, WA 98227 Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 21-4-00165-37
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: WILLIAM A. CASSIDY, Deceased. No. 21-4-00179-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Lee Grochmal. SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 AND 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: March 15, 2021 Date of First Publication: March 18, 2021 Name of Administrator: MICHAEL PATRICK CASSIDY Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262 Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229 Telephone: (360) 325-2550 Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com DATED: March 15, 2021 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Administrator MICHAEL PATRICK CASSIDY www.averyelderlaw.com
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: JAY JON LUND, Deceased. No. 21-4-0018037. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Evan Jones. SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 AND 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: March 15, 2021 with Clerk of Court Date of First Publication: March 18, 2021 Name of Administrator: CINDY MAXWELL Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262 Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229 Telephone: (360) 325-2550 Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com DATED: March 15, 2021 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Administrator CINDY MAXWELL www.averyelderlaw.com
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: MICHAEL CLAIR CHRISTOPHER, Deceased. No. 21-4-00153-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Robert E. Olson SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 AND 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: March 10, 2021 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: March 18, 2021 Name of Administrator: JULIANNA LYON Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262 Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229 Telephone: (360) 325-2550 Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com DATED: March 10, 2021 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Administrator: JULIANNA LYON www.averyelderlaw.com
COMPUTER
Repairs & Upgrades NWcascades.com
360-371-7277
11
Find RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LISTINGS on page 12
12
The Northern Light • March 18 - 24, 2021
Real Estate
BLAINE, BIRCH BAY & SEMIAHMOO
Windermere Real Estate/Whatcom Inc. 8105 Birch Bay Square St. #101, Blaine, WA I-5 Exit 270 • 360.371.5100
For the health & safety of our clients, Windermere Real Estate is pleased to follow the State of Washington’s mandate to not hold Open Houses. We are, however, available to show you your dream home by virtual tour or private appointment. Please call your Realtor for assistance.
F E A T U R E D L I S T I N G S - B I R C H B AY
4767 Alderson Road MLS #1724220 $300,000
Hard to find view home under $300,000. Two bedrooms plus den and two bathrooms packaged in a functional and easy to maintain floorplan. Short walk to The C Shop, restaurants, public beaches, and more. This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss! Please see adjacent lot also listed for sale at $95,000. Ask to see AirBnB Rental Forecast Report if considering the property for AirBnB/VRBO.
Matt Berry 360-389-0104 or Gerry Allen 360-920-0563
5550 Salish Road 7448 Clamdigger Drive 6885 Holeman Ave 5768 Salish Road 8239 Cedar Avenue MLS #1735916 $395,000 MLS #1740420 $839,000 MLS #1734392 Built in 2005, but looks just completed. Sought-after Bay Crest turnkey home, welMLS #1683441 $295,000 MLS #1671430 $329,000 $250,000
Well maintained furnished home in Birch Bay Village gated beach & Marina community. Features updated appliances in spacious kitchen w/breakfast bar. Dining room built-ins w/lots of storage. Big living room w/wood burning stove + great room off kitchen w/cozy free-standing gas fireplace. Master & guest bedroom have ensuite bathrooms. Large covered front deck + covered area in back & Workshop/storage shed. RV/ boat space + golf cart shelter. Fruit trees all on sunny corner cul-de-sac entry lot.
Lisa Kent 360-594-8034
B I R C H B AY
Fantastic Birch Bay & Island views, super cute upgrades & finishes, deeded beach access & community garden next to property. Fantastic remodel completed in 2019. Big deck, vinyl windows, new paint & flooring. Special & well cared for home. Ideal snowbird getaway & very affordable primary address w/views in heart of booming Birch Bay. Furnishings negotiable. EZ to make bonus room into 3rd bedroom. Waters edge just 1 min stroll. Stunning South facing Inland Pacific Sunsets fill the picture windows.
Mike Kent 360-815-3898
Don’t miss spectacular north facing waterfront view lot on Point Whitehorn. Situated amongst upscale homes, overlooks Birch Bay & Canadian mountains. Features waterfront access to enjoy clamming, crabbing, beach combing, kayaking, & everything Birch Bay has to offer. Build your dream home & take advantage of gentle slope with daylight basement to capitalize on beautiful view and great evening sunsets. These lots are hard to find, buy now and build later.
Matt Berry 360-389-0104 or Gerry Allen 360-920-0563
F E AT U R E D B L A I N E
3258 sq. ft. mostly turn-key home. Every room is spacious. 3 bed, 2 full baths, dining room, great room, family room, sauna, granite counter tops throughout, Cedar siding, composition room, covered patio & deck, 5 zone in-floor radiant heat including 3-car garage. Kitchen has maple cabinets, slate backsplash, ss appliances. Main level has Great room, kitchen, dining room, 2 guest beds & 1 full guest bath, deck. Downstairs is the family room, master bed with en-suite, utility room, patio & access to garage.
Brian Southwick 360-815-6638
come to Clamdigger Drive! Fresh off a huge remodel: brand new kitchen, quartz counters & ss appliances, new laminate & tile flooring, updated bathrooms + new interior paint. Flexible floorpan with vaulted ceilings + eat in kitchen that flows into family room with cozy gas fireplace. Additional main floor room can be dining room, office, living room...you decide! Fenced backyard + attached 2-car garage. Located steps to Birch Bay beaches & recently completed berm project.
Jen Freeman 360-815-0803
F E AT U R E D L I S T I N G S - S E M I A H M O O
8735 Oertal Drive 8192 Sehome Rd 8370 Harborview Road #11 8676 Ashbury Court 4842 Twilight Place 9131 Chickadee Way MLS #1729790 $1,390,000 MLS #1741494 $259,900 MLS #1725056 $829,000 MLS #1740076 $385,000 MLS #1742160 $1,950,000 MLS #1730785 $429,000
Birch Bay Cottage on the golf course! You will love the open & airy feeling when you walk into this delightful single level home with high ceilings, big windows, & hard wood floors. Beautiful white shaker cabinets in the kitchen with stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops. Feel comfortable with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, office and entry way. Tastefully decorated with option to buy fully furnished. Big shed out back for your yard tools and toys. Enjoy barbeques on the generous deck overlooking a small lake with incredible views to Mount Baker.
Faith Ulate 360-220-8685
Make sure you check out the pictures of this modern remodeled cottage in the 55+ community of Birch Bay Retirement Inc. Purchase includes home & 1/18th share in Birch Bay Retirement Inc, an 18 home development with common areas that include some RV parking. May be least expensive place to live in Birch Bay on a monthly basis. The monthly dues of $120.00 a month, include expenses for not only Birch Bay Water and Sewer but all expenses for Birch Bay Retirement Inc. Great location with perfect sun exposure. With modern outbuilding.
Brian Southwick 360-815-6638
Peaceful Private & Safe--as important as location, location, location! Custom built & well-cared for home located in The Greens @ Loomis Trail! 3,452 sqft. 4 bed 4.5 bath with 3 car garage. Open floor plan--dining space, vaulted great room with views & corner fireplace. Japanese cherry wood flooring. Chef’s kitchen--granite, furniture grade cabinets & SS appliances. All main floor living--master with fireplace. Den with private bath. Separate guest ensuites, floating loft & bonus room. Partially fenced backyard. Recent upgrades--AC, exterior paint.
Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718
A beautifully updated, all one level, 3 bedroom with 1.75 bathrooms, 1137 square foot home in a quiet neighborhood! Enjoy the light and bright kitchen with dining space that easily transitions to the open concept living room. A very spacious master bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Enjoy the views of Canada, the mountains beyond, and a lovely peek-a-boo view of Drayton Harbor from this large 9,583 sq. ft. lot (.22 acres). This charming home is in a cul-desac, and only a few minutes from the freeway, local dining, schools, and shopping.
Leah Crews 360-305-4747
A RARE FIND....Ocean beachfront home, commanding sea & skyscape views from nearly every room with world class sunsets! Steps from beach, luxurious 5,400 sq. ft. custom home is stunning yet comfortable, spacious yet cozy. Bright & light throughout with walls of windows & main floor master suite. Multiple living areas include game and theater rooms, plus a large loft over-looking the great room. 3 expansive decks and patio with hot tub nestled amongst the mature landscaping and manicured level yard.
Chet Kenoyer 360-676-9229 or Gina Kenoyer 360-303-7653
Sunsets and delightful water view are captured at their best in this gracious and spacious 3 bedroom + office property in Semiahmoo’s waterfront community of Boundary Ridge. Main floor living features vaulted ceilings and glass doors all across the back of the home. Deck spans the entire length of the house, with covered areas, privacy screening--ideal for lounging and outdoor entertainment. This home has been lovingly cared for and is a timeless design. Updated stack stone exterior/new paint. Interior updates in all baths, flooring and paint.
Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718
www.windermere.com Semiahmoo Marina Boat slips: C-33, 40’ Slip for $46,500 ! DING C-24, 44’ Slip for $52,500 PEN 20+ acres on Kickerville Road $179,000
D! 2040 Ponderosa Ct, Bellingham, SOL 3 bedrooms, 2 baths $419,000 Call Hugh : 360.371.5800 Your Local Expert For All Real Estate, Residential Or Commercial Services! Hugh Brawford, Managing Broker
Rentals - Rooms
Rentals - Residential
SEEKING ROOM TO RENT Lifetime Blaine resident gentleman, non-smoker, seeking room to rent. Meal preparation not needed. References available. Call 360527-6724.
FOR RENT for REAL news
READ
LOCAL
Brand New Construction in Blaine 4BR, 2.5BA, 1600 s.f., duplex. 616 E. St. $2,400/mo. Call Linda 360-808-3838 BUY IT FROM THE CLASSIFIEDS!
www.CallHugh.com
We get the word out! FOLLOW US ON facebook.com/thenorthernlight 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.
RENT IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS!
Rentals - Commercial
NELSON BUILDING 925 Ludwick Ave., Blaine
LEASE SPACES FOR:
Warehousing-Distribution Manufacturing or Retail Vehicle Storage Yards
FOR LEASE
With Waterfront Views of Blaine Harbor
800 - 1600 s.f.
Near Truck Route & Shopping Mall
Prime ground floor office and retail space in The Northern Light Cannery-style building at Blaine Harbor.
Email or Call Don Nelson For Availability & Rates
For leasing info, contact Pat Grubb
360-305-0286
Email nelsbldg@msn.com
Retail/Office Space
360/332-1777
March 18 - 24, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com
Your six-word Covid-19 memoirs Supposedly, Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in just six words. His response? “For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn.” It turns out that Hemingway’s role has never been confirmed. Nevertheless, it’s a great example of what some people call “flash fiction.” Larry Smith, founder of Smith Magazine, has taken the concept and, calling it “six-word memoirs,” promotes it as a way to spur creativity and encourage people to express themselves. Instead of fiction, we asked our readers in September to tell us, in just six words, about their life and experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. To our surprise, we received letters from around the world of people expressing what the past year has meant for them. In honor of the one-year anniversary since Whatcom County declared a public health emergency on March 10, 2020, we decided to publish the well over 100 memoirs we received.
I wheeze, infected with pandemic loneliness. Jonathan Watson, Davao City, Philippines
Pigs fly past Equal Justice Symposium. Hope lost, world in death spiral. Margot Griffiths, Point Roberts
opportunity, another life chapter Theresa Coe, Point Roberts Pointless owning property in ghost town. Ron Grender, Coquitlam, B.C.
Trapped in paradise with loving friends. Linda Hughes, Point Roberts
Making the best of the situation Lola Vankirk, no address
Big effort documenting Pyles family history. Lyn Pyles, Point Roberts
Discovery, awareness, contemplation, awakening, adaptation, life. M. Lynn Morenz, no address
Beach walks, banter, bonding and bullseyes. Tracy Armoogam, Point Roberts
Different ways of showing we care Debbie Jo Johnson Earl, no address
Oh Point Bob. We miss you. Tillamook Ice Cream. Miss you too. Friendly faces all. Really miss you. Have critters eaten up our cottage? Moss running away with the roof? The yardwork certainly off the rails. One place. One love. Two countries. Looking forward to being together again. Todd Romer, Vancouver, B.C.
I am lost. I am depressed. Karin Redcrow, no address
Deflect, defer, deny, disavow, disrupt, dissent. Spandex prevents wardrobe overhaul – inhale deeply. No sushi, no roast lamb, sigh. Madeleine Anderson, Point Roberts
Thank God he is in control Kathy Workentin Richardson, no address
The virus came and we fled. Christopher Brough, Point Roberts
Rather weird in every crazy way! Lonnie Moore, no address
Life with a don’t know mind. Kathleen McInnes, Point Roberts
I survived quarantine, with my ex. Laura Swan, Saturna, B.C. Winter will be a breeze, honey. Don Pinckston, Point Roberts He died. Now it doesn’t matter. Melissa Meyer, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Grateful planet earth working essential worker. Manny Tovim, Vancouver, B.C.
Trying to keep head above water! Angie Deming Czesak, no address Lack of leadership makes me sad Rex Broward, no address Stress renders me bootless and pant-less. Maggie Maize, no address Movies, baking, knitting. Solitude is addictive. Nature blooms. Virus looms. Home alone. Pamala Sheppard, Point Roberts Covid-19 hijacked cherished PR grandkid time. Henk ter Keurs, Calgary Employment, housing,
I pay taxes let me in. Anonymous, Canada Point Roberts, so close yet unreachable. Carol Johnson, Surrey
Live your life, I’ll live mine. Melissa Ridgely, Point Roberts Bells Grove missing you so much. Susan Wood, Langley, B.C.
O B I T U A RY Julia Haggith (nee Callihoo) Julia Haggith (nee Callihoo) began her next journey on March 8th, 2021 in Bellingham, Washington at 99 years old, but always young at heart. She was born October 31, 1921, on her family’s farm located in the Michel Reserve in Villeneuve, Alberta. Born two months early and the fourth of 13, her parents Clothilde and Victor Callihoo kept her warm by placing her in a shoebox on the oven door and fed her milk with a dropper until she grew strong enough to join her other siblings. Throughout her life, she worked various jobs including mangling laundry, grading eggs, and working in a restaurant during the war. She left her life on the farm in Spruce Grove to move to the coast with her sister, Teresa, picking berries and then working at a hospital. One sunny day Julia, her sister, and a friend were hitchhiking on the Patello Bridge in BC when they were picked up by Alfred Haggith- her future husband, in a bright yellow convertible DeSoto. Together they moved to Washington where they raised five children together. After her retirement, she spent her time traveling the world for pleasure with her husband of 59 years and spending lots of quality time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As a devout Catholic, her relationship with Jesus was important to her and you could find her every Sunday morning attending mass at St. Anne’s in Blaine. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred, and all of her siblings except her brother, David (Hilary) Callihoo. She is survived by her children; Kyle (Sarah) Haggith, Linda (Ken) MacKenzie, Nancy Haggith, Bonita (Dan) Hesketh, and Clarice Rhoads. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She will be remembered fondly by many for her infectious giggle, competitive streak when playing the train game with her family, and love for a cold glass of Pinot Gris. Even 99 years was not enough time with our beloved mother, grandmother, and GG, but the legacy and love she has left behind for all her friends and family will endure forever. In lieu of flowers please send memorials and donations to Whatcom Hospice online or at (360) 788-6859.
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL
DIRECTORY
Counseling and Personal Coaching Transformational Hypnotherapy
What the hell is going on? Fern Peltier, Point Roberts Concerned Fear Hope Empathy Forgiveness Thankful. David Stumpo, Point Roberts
co-creating rapidBusiness change forYear personal growth 2011 Large of the
Louis’
Officers on both crossing are excellent. Rich Richardson, Point Roberts
13
Louis Auto Glass Evelyne L. Hendricks BA, LHT 360.739.5606 evelynehendricks@gmail.com
Family Owned and Operated Since 1929! The Only Validated Auto Glass Company in Whatcom & Skagit Counties.
ouis’Auto & Residential Glass We Guarantee Your Safety
Spring Special!
Dinner on Us and90 a Can of Glass Cleaner Celebrating years!
with every windshield purchased and installed
Windshield Replacement
BELLINGHAMFree Pick up & Delivery Bellingham 1512 N. State St. • 360-734-3840
Rock Chip Repairs
LYNDEN
Free Loaner Cars
Lynden 407 19th
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(360) 734-3840 (360) 354-3232 (360) 424-9759 www.LouisAutoGlass.com 1512 N. State St.
407 19th St.
1721 E. College Way
To Our Canadian Friends
Dining Guide
Proud supporters of the www.louisautoglass.com Blaine Community!
Enjoy Huge Savings with U.S. Prices
7829 Birch Bay Drive Birch Bay
360-922-7902
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Must present ad for special. Not valid with any other offers. Expires June 30, 2014.
Formerly 1st Propane of Whatcom County
277 G Street • Downtown Blaine
360-392-0955
TheVaultWine.com
TheVaultWine
Steak
Open with outdoor fully covered and heated, well spaced seating for up to 34 guests! Take Out & Curbside Pick-Up Online Reservations Available info@therusticforkeatery.com
Great Authentic Mexican Food
442 PEACE PORTAL DRIVE • 360-332-4346 WWW.THERUSTICFORKEATERY.cOM
758 Peace Portal • Blaine 360-332-4045
House
638 Peace Portal Dr. Downtown Blaine 360-306-8342
Keep Full Service • Budget Payment Plan • Tank Installation & Rental Modern Equipment • Safety Checks • Locally Owned & Operated
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Fill your bottles - Easy RV access
2163 Nature’s Path Way • Blaine
Place your ad in the Business & Professional Directory for only $37 per week. with a 13 week commitment. Call 332-1777 to reserve.
14
The Northern Light • March 18 - 24, 2021
Sheriff’s Reports March 10, 8:08 a.m.: Motor vehicle accident, injury on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 10, 10:30 a.m.: Forgery cold call on Kitamat Way. March 10, 11:20 a.m.: Civil problem cold call on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 10, 4:23 p.m.: Burglary cold call on Anderson Road. March 10, 5:07 p.m.: Trespass in progress on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 10, 5:14 p.m.: Forgery cold call on Willeys Lake Road, Custer. March 10, 8:30 p.m.: Driving while intoxicated on Harborview and Anderson roads. Suspect arrested. March 10, 9:58 p.m.: Domestic physical on Haynie Road. March 10, 11:25 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 11, 8:25 a.m.: Civil problem on Behme Road, Custer. March 11, 9:22 a.m.: Suicidal subject on Morningside Drive. March 11, 11:51 a.m.: Domestic verbal on Birch Bay Drive. March 11, 2:58 p.m.: Theft cold
call on Birch Bay Drive. March 11, 3:10 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Custer School Road, Custer. March 11, 4:25 p.m.: Suspicious person on Birch Bay Drive. March 11, 7:55 p.m.: Motor vehicle blocking on Loomis Trail Road. March 11, 11:10 p.m.: Domestic physical in progress on Anderson Road. March 12, 12:23 a.m.: Suicidal subject on Anderson Road. March 12, 10:25 a.m.: Missing person on Golf Course Drive. March 12, 12:26 p.m.: Trespass on Sunburst Drive. March 12, 12:45 p.m.: Civil problem on Semiahmoo Drive. March 12, 2:39 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Birch Bay Drive and Alderson Road. March 12, 2:50 p.m.: Civil standby on Alderson Road. March 12, 9:52 p.m.: Traffic hazard on Anderson Road. March 12, 11:22 p.m.: Traffic stop on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 13, 9:08 a.m.: Lewd conduct on Highland Road.
March 13, 2:55 p.m.: Music on Fir Street. March 13, 3:43 p.m.: Traffic stop on Birch Bay Drive. Suspect arrested for driving with a suspended license. March 14, 12:53 p.m.: Trespass on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 14, 1:50 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident on Harborview Road. March 14, 8:14 p.m.: Domestic verbal on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 15, 1:47 p.m.: Vehicle recovery on Delta Line Road, Custer. March 15, 5:44 p.m.: Domestic physical on Birch Bay-Lynden and Blaine roads. March 15, 6:24 p.m.: Sex offender registration on H Street Road. March 15, 6:56 p.m.: Sex offender registration on Anderson Road. March 15, 7:33 p.m.: Sex offender registration on Giles Road. March 15, 11:15 p.m.: Domestic physical on Ironwood Court. March 16, 8:21 a.m.: Missing person on H Street Road.
Crossword ACROSS 1. One who manufactures 6. Science degree 9. Database management system 13. Desert 14. Inventor Musk 15. Welsh valley 16. Round Dutch cheese 17. Saying 18. Comedian and TV host 19. Uppermost portions of the brain 21. City in Transylvania 22. Where astronauts go 23. Men’s hairstyle 24. Indicates position 25. One point east of due south 28. Businessmen may have one 29. Grass part 31. Running back Gurley 33. Unwavering 36. Options 38. Annoy 39. Greek mountain 41. Pastas 44. Fishes 45. Wrap 46. Potentially a
criminal (slang) 48. Seize 49. The Constitution State 51. Upset 52. 1991 men’s Wimbledon champ 54. Central Chinese province 56. Predisposition 60. A notice of someone’s death 61. One-time Kentucky Rep. 62. Swiss river 63. Dried-up 64. Finger millet 65. __ Allan Poe 66. German river 67. Brew 68. Kenyan river DOWN 1. Millisecond 2. Acts as military assistant 3. Knot in a tree 4. Husband-andwife industrial designers 5. The Ocean State 6. Point the finger at 7. Parts in a machine 8. Midway between northeast and east 9. Portray precisely
10. Blister 11. Mental illness 12. Nose of an animal 14. What students receive 17. Semitic peoples 20. Beats per minute 21. Family of drugs 23. Atrocious 25. Type of microscope (abbr.) 26. __ or bust 27. Icelandic poems 29. A citizen of Pakistan 30. Very pale 32. Metric linear unit 34. Sea eagle 35. Biblical judge of Israel 37. Isaac’s mother (Bib.) 40. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.) 42. Cool! 43. Large hotel room 47. Type of boat (abbr.) 49. Picked 50. Type of hookah 52. Attack 53. Directs 55. Belgian WWII resistance fighter 56. Finished negotiation
57. Heroic tale 58. Middle Eastern country 59. Protein-rich liquids 61. Malaysian Isthmus 65. Spielberg’s alien
49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W
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Mo 22 2:43 am 7.9
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Tu 23 3:39 am 8.3
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Th 25 4:47 am 8.9 10:26 am 5.7
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Live Music at the Vault: Friday, March 19, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar and Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring Trio Sueño. Info: thevaultwine.com. Pleasant Valley Shop Hop: Friday, March 19- Sunday, March 21, 10 a.m5 p.m. Visit six local shops and artisans from Northern Whatcom County. Locations include Back in Thyme Lavender, 7247 Everett Road; Bayside Treasures, 354 N. Harvey Road; Daisies & Dust, 4076 Bay Road; The Drift Shoppe, 7556 Leeside Drive; Whi-Tinker Fiber, 3880 Aldergrove Road; Yates Fine Arts, 2614 Aldergrove Road; Speckled Hen Primitives, 6640 Trent Lane. Outdoor Birding Adventures for Kids: Saturday, March 20, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Kids of all ages get outside and experience some ornitherapy. Kids visit four stations located at Marine Park, Semiahmoo Spit, Birch Bay Visitor Center and Birch Bay State Park for activity bags. Part of Wings Over Water Birding Festival. Sponsored by the Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation. Info: wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com. Wings Over Water Virtual Northwest Birding Festival: March 19–21. Live webinars, video bird walks, kids’ activities and more to enhance your outdoor experience and love of birding. Info: wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com. Birch Bay Historical Society virtual meeting: Wednesday, March 24, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Email cshop@birchbay.net for Zoom invention or call Kathy at 360/746-1446. Birch Bay-Blaine Virtual Community Conversations: Thursday, March 25, 6:30 p.m. Topic: Handling Stress, Holding Hope. Join Kaatri Jones, parent and K-12 mental health counselor for Blaine school district, Chris Cochran, parent and mental health counselor for Bellingham schools, plus special guests in a conversation about how students and adults and the community are handling stress to balance their lives during these challenging times. What are the signs of hope, shining a light in the tunnel? Zoom info: bit.ly/30PFBn9.
Blaine Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meeting: Wednesday, April 7, noon. Featuring Cassie Cichorz, Asian Giant Hornet Community Outreach and education specialist for the Plant Protection and Pest Program, WSDA. Cichorz will share information about the Asian Giant Hornets (aka Murder Hornets). There will be a question and answer session for the public. Zoom info at blainechamber.com. Ongoing:
March 19-25 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
HEIGHT
Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meeting: Thursday, March 18, 1 p.m. Featuring chef Brock Craig with the Silver Reef Casino demonstrating how to make cherry chipotle short ribs. Zoom info on birchbaychamber.com.
Sunday Shamble: Sunday, March 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Loomis Trail Golf, 4342 Loomis Trail. Four-person shamble tournament. $60 public, $50 social members, $35 members. Info: golfloomis.com
Tides TIME
Please wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
Live Music at the Vault: Friday, March 26, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar and Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring Alex Kelsh. Info: thevaultwine.com.
ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM
DATE
Coming up
9:57 pm 0.2
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of March 8 to 14, 0.2 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2021 year-to-date precipitation is 9.9 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 61°F on March 8 with a low of 30°F on March 11. Average high was 46°F and average low was 40°F.
Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
Boys & Girls Club After School Care: Monday–Thursday until 5 p.m. Serving students in grades 1–6 at Blaine schools. Registration required weekly. Info: parentportal.whatcomclubs.org or contact the Club at 360/332-3008. 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 available. Info:360/332-6350 or blainefood@hotmail.com. The Bridge Food Distribution Program: Fridays 3:30–5 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road. Registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome. The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesdays 3–5 p.m. and Fridays 12–5 p.m., 4815 Alderson Road. Donations by appointment, call 360/366-8763. Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meetings: Third Thursdays, 1 p.m. Meeting ID on birchbaychamber.com. Coffee With The Contractor Virtual Meetings: Fourth Thursdays, 8 a.m. Learn the progress of the Birch Bay berm project with members of Granite Construction, Whatcom County Public Works and the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce. Meeting ID on birchbaychamber.com Blaine Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meetings: First Wednesday, noon. Meeting ID on blainechamber.com. Blaine Library: 610 3rd Street. Open to in-branch visits, Monday–Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Curbside holds and pick up, Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Info 360/305-3637. Meals on Wheels: New dates, beginning week of February 1, Thursdays 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up one hot and six frozen meals. Suggested donation $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040. Toastmasters Virtual Meetings: Tuesdays 6:30–7:45 p.m. Entertaining and educational. Have fun speaking, learn to overcome fears. Info: Call Pete 360/933-1671 or visit bit.ly/30Sa9Vw. Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Police Reports March March March March March March
6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8,
4:30 p.m.: Harassment on Bayview Court. 10 p.m.: Theft of a bicycle on 10th Street. 10:02 p.m.: Traffic stop violation on Peace Portal Drive. 12:30 a.m.: Burglary on H Street. 2:54 a.m.: Trespass authorization letter on 12th Street. 12 p.m.: Suspicious circumstance on Cherry Street.
March 18 - 24, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com
15
Blaine importing company helps move cars, items across border
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s Jayde McElroy, vice president of Bidbuy Importers, poses with San Juan Airlines’ plane at Bellingham airport, after helping Canadian snowbirds travel to the U.S. Photo courtesy Jayde McElroy
By Conor Wilson After the U.S./Canada border closure last March, many Canadians had left behind cars, boats, bikes and other equipment in the U.S. With the closure to non-essential travel, it was nearly impossible to retrieve these items, which presented an opportunity for Jayde McElroy, vice president of Bidbuy Importers in Blaine. Bidbuy Importers, an auto importing company, usually imports cars for dealerships and private buyers, but with the border closed and importing in decline, McElroy said the company began returning Canadian residents’ property across the international boundary. However, the opportunity did not end there. “We got so many people saying, ‘I want to travel. I want to go to California. Could you transport my car or RV over the border?’” he said. “We thought about it and said, ‘Yes, we can do that.’” Although Canadian travelers cannot drive across the border, they can still fly over it. But they would be unable to bring their own car or RV. To help those trying to take their vehicles to the U.S., Bidbuy began transporting customers’ cars from B.C., while their customers catch a flight on San Juan Airlines from Boundary Bay or Abbotsford. When customers land at Bellingham International Airport, their vehicle is waiting for them, with the whole process taking
Phase 3 ... From page 1
on average over one-week. In addition, all counties will move down one phase if the state’s ICU capacity surpasses 90 percent. Currently, the state’s ICU capacity is at 75.7 percent, with 8.5 percent beds occupied by Covid-19 patients. Previously, Inslee’s “Roadmap to Recovery” plan was two phases and grouped counties into
about three hours. It costs between $400 and $600 to ship a car, and about $1,000 for an RV, McElroy said. Bidbuy is able to make these crossings because it is considered essential as a commercial business. Since the company already had the infrastructure and car carriers from car importing, McElroy said the transition to helping residents cross the border went smoothly. Bidbuy has helped roughly 150 customers cross the border since the start of the pandemic, McElroy said. The busiest time was between December and January, when the company was helping nearly three to four people cross every day. Many of Bidbuy’s Canadian customers are ‘snowbirds,’ people who travel to warmer climates during the winter to escape cold temperatures. For those on the West Coast this often means California. Others, he said, are crossing to visit loved ones separated by the border. This new business venture came at a perfect time for the company, who was beginning to see a decline in operations due to the pandemic. “Early in the pandemic, dealerships were slowing down and people in Washington and down south weren’t buying cars,” McElroy said. “Border crossings helped us a lot.” Recently, McElroy said the number of people crossing into the U.S. has declined due to regions. Every county will automatically move to Phase 3. Inslee also moved up the next eligible vaccination group – people who work in congregate settings such as agriculture, food processing, grocery stores, public transit, and remaining first responders and workers in jail – to start vaccinations March 17, instead of Monday, March 22, as previously planned. “If we do this, we have a lot of confidence that we’ll have a good summer,” Inslee said.
concerns about stricter restrictions making it difficult to return home. The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued warnings on travel restrictions, advising Canadians to avoid non-essential travel. In his short time helping residents cross the border, McElroy said his favorite memory has been when his company was featured in a story on CTV, a national news network in Canada. McElroy said he and the camera crews set up on an airstrip at the Bellingham airport when a couple traveling to the U.S. landed and had their RV waiting for them. “The customers were out there smiling. They had a big RV and their dogs,” he said. “The sun was out. It was a great day.”
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The Northern Light • March 18 - 24, 2021
U.S. Coast Guard offers online course in boating safety By Conor Wilson The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering two opportunities for residents to take online
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classes on basic boater education skills, with class starting late May. Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla members teach the courses designed for
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those who would like to obtain a Boater Education Card (BEC), which is required for anyone operating a boat above 15 horsepower in Washington. Some insurance companies also offer discounts for completing the course. “The course is based upon actual incidents that have happened around our waters,” said Chuck Dalldorf, public affairs officer for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11. The courses will teach several subjects including boating
law, safety, navigation and sports boating. Dalldorf said some of the most important skills in the class are use of radio communication, safety around cold waters and basic engine maintenance. “There’s a mix of skill levels, but you’ll always learn something new,” Dalldorf said. “Boaters of all levels having discussions is really good for everyone.” The course will be eight hours in total, broken into four twohour segments, and will take place entirely over Zoom. Dalldorf said the course will retain
all the same material as a faceto-face class. The course will cost $25 in total, $20 for the class and $5 for a downloadable handbook. The two opportunities to take the course are May 24-27 and June 7-10. All classes will go from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. An open-book exam will follow the final class. After successful completion of the safety course, students can submit their certificate of completion and a $10 fee to obtain their BEC. For more information or to enroll, visit bit.ly/38psTzA.
Bellingham Food Co-op donates to Whatcom County farms By Conor Wilson
Community Photo Project: Celebrating Our Matriarchs In honor of Matika Wilbur’s exhibition, Seeds of Culture: The Portraits and Stories of Native American Women, the Whatcom Museum is hosting a community photo project celebrating matriarchal role-models. To participate and submit a photo visit whatcommuseum.org/community-photo-project/
The Community Food Co-op in Bellingham has provided a total of $95,206 to 20 local farms across Whatcom and Skagit counties as part of its 2021 Farm Fund program. This year’s donation is the largest in the program’s 21-year history. Since the program first began, the Farm Fund has awarded grants to 98 farms, totaling over $500,000. The grant was created to support the production of local farms and encourage sustainable agriculture. “The co-op has been championing and partnering with local farmers for years to help them meet local demand and increase
the market for local products,” Mauri Ingram, CEO of fund donor, The Whatcom Community Foundation, said in a press release. This year’s recipients include: Ashmore Acres, Cabrera Farms, Legacy Lamb, Mariposa Farm, Ebb & Flow Herb Farm, Monkey Puzzle Farm, Reginos Farm, Winding Road Farm, Silva Family Farm, Steensma Creamery, Tops & Bottoms Farm, Pollen Folly Farm, Twin Sisters Market, Helianthus Acres, Alluvial Farms, City Sprouts Farm, Springtime Farm, Crows Farm, Sunseed Farm and Free Range Flowers. The funds can be used for purchasing machinery, equipment, plant materials, animals or increased labor, according to the
co-op’s website. To be eligible, farms must provide local production to Whatcom or Skagit counties, practice environmental stewardship, and demonstrate a strong business plan and new market. The co-op will begin accepting aid applications for next year’s grant recipients in November. Additionally, the co-op, in partnership with the Industrial Credit Union, is currently accepting applications for its secured loan program. Loans can range from $500 to $12,000 at a 3 percent interest rate, and can be used for farm equipment, products or labor. To learn more information, visit bit.ly/3vb02ch.
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