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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
April 7 - 13, 2022
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IN THIS
ISSUE
WCLS letter to the community, page 5
U.S. census shows Blaine and Birch Bay growth
Blaine farmers market starts back up, page 5
Pickleball becomes official state sport, page 8
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Relaxed rules result in border rush
By Ian Haupt
(See Census, page 13)
s Travelers lined up to enter Canada on April 1, the day the Canadian government dropped its antigen testing requirement for fully vaccinated travelers. Over 7,400 vehicles crossed both ways through the Peace Arch border crossing on April 1, according to data from Cascade Gateway. Photo by Hannah Cross
Over 100 residents attend Semiahmoo Highlands community meeting, stormwater questions raised By Grace McCarthy Over 100 Blaine and Birch Bay residents packed into Semiahmoo Resort’s Blakely room or joined remotely to attend a community meeting on the proposed Semiahmoo Highlands, a 353-acre development expected to bring over 480 residential units and retail space. Tension between residents and the developer was felt throughout the meeting as people quickly brought up concerns over stormwater management and infrastructure issues. Semiahmoo Highlands developer Wayne Schwandt, who was also in charge of the
Sea Smoke neighborhood along Semiahmoo Parkway, led most of the two-hour meeting on March 30. Presenters planned to answer questions after giving an overview of the project, but were soon bombarded with interruptions and raised hands from concerned community members. Schwandt said he acquired the Semiahmoo property from California-based Ocean View Farms, which left the property undeveloped after it was unable to successfully start a blueberry farm nearly a decade ago. The project will keep a cohesive design despite being divided between the city of
Beachwalker rejects city easement settlement By Grace McCarthy The city of Blaine and Beachwalker Villas Association are in an easement disagreement that have already cost both parties thousands in legal fees to determine whether the city can construct a trail in front of the condominium property. A beach pathway in front of Beachwalker already connects the Semiahmoo Spit trail loop, but the trail the city proposes would connect the adjacent Marin and Semiahmoo Shores properties through a more in-
land pathway. The city and Beachwalker have been split since 2018 on the location of a public access easement that was created in 1985, when the Semiahmoo Spit Boundary Line Adjustment was recorded. The two groups are at an impasse over whether the easement made in 1985 was floating, meaning it was defined in general terms without a definitive location. The city argues the easement was to be measured 30-feet inland from the ordinary high water mark at the time of construction, placing it closer
to the Beachwalker property. Beachwalker representatives argue the easement has a defined area on the beach that would not put it as close to the condominiums. The city gained new easements to Beachwalker’s adjacent properties, Marin and Semiahmoo Shores, in 2013 and 2018. Beachwalker homeowner association boardmember Susan Stearns said Beachwalker learned in 2018 the city wanted to connect an eight-foot-wide gravel (See Trail, page 2)
Blaine and Whatcom County land almost evenly. Single-family lots, townhomes and multi-family buildings will be included in the project as well as commercial spaces, with development being denser within city limits. The project will have a 100foot buffer of mature trees along Semiahmoo Parkway, developers said, in addition to community parks and trail systems through forested areas and wetlands. The first phase won’t be built out for another six to eight years, Schwandt said. It will have 40 lots and a neighborhood ser(See Meeting, page 3)
INSIDE
The 2020 U.S. census was conducted two years ago, and while the pandemic delayed the process, the U.S. Census Bureau has now released in-depth demographic statistics. The estimates show the Blaine and Birch Bay area grew by 22 percent over the past decade and that together they are larger than either of the neighboring cities of Ferndale and Lynden. The federal government uses census data to distribute funds and assistance to state and local governments as well as households and organizations. But the data is also useful for academic research, economic development and political redistricting. The Northern Light looked at the data to see who makes up the Blaine and Birch Bay area and how it’s grown. Typically, about 64 percent of households respond when the census is conducted. The U.S. Census Bureau makes doorto-door efforts to collect missing data, but still all residents do not participate. According to 2020 census data, Blaine’s population is 5,884. It grew by 1,200 people from 2010 to 2020, a 25.6 percent increase. Blaine city limits include downtown and Semiahmoo; they stretch along the U.S./Canada border from just east of Valley View Road across Drayton Harbor to Semiahmoo Park and the neighborhoods to the immediate south. Birch Bay had 10,115 residents in 2020. Birch Bay gained about 1,700 people over the decade, which made for a 20.2 percent increase. The unincorporated area spans from Kickerville Road to the bay, Semiahmoo Drive and Point Whitehorn between Drayton Harbor Road and Cherry Point. Together, Birch Bay and Blaine’s population are greater than either Ferndale or Lynden. Birch Bay and Blaine have nearly 16,000 people while Ferndale has 15,048 and Lynden has 15,749. However, according to the data, Ferndale and Lynden gained more residents over the decade. Both cities’ populations
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The Northern Light • April 7 - 13, 2022
Trail ... From page 1
trail through Beachwalker to connect to the newer, adjacent properties. The city added the trail project to its 2018-2024 Capital Improvement Plan, which has led the city to do design and permitting in recent years in preparation for construction. After three years of disagreement, the city offered a $15,000 settlement in December 2021 in exchange for Beachwalker to amend the existing public access easement. The trail would be three feet below the ground level of the condominiums and enhance native vegetation. With
this offer, the city would maintain the path on the Beachwalker property and oversee signage. The trail would act as a protective barrier for sea level rise and storm surges, of which the city would be in charge of paying and overseeing permits, according to the proposed settlement. In January, Beachwalker’s attorney, Mitchell G. Faber of Adelstein, Sharpe & Serka LLP, wrote a letter to the city’s attorney rejecting the settlement offer. “Beachwalker appreciates the change in the city’s approach to this offer in comparison to the previous discussions and the city’s attempts to address some of the impacts of the proposed path on Beachwalker’s residents,” the
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letter reads. “However, the reality is that an upland path will substantially and fundamentally change the privacy enjoyed by the Beachwalker’s residents, and no mitigating measures can change that fact. The proposed payment does not begin to offset the difference created by moving the easement from its present location on the beach.” Stearns presented the homeowner association’s perspective to Blaine City Council during their March 14 meeting. Stearns said during the presentation that she needed to know whether city council would pursue litigation, as she would need to update the homeowners who would eventually need a supermajority vote to approve a pathway decision that could impact property value. “We’re not trying to block anything. We just don’t want the city to come in and build this new pathway because it sits up higher, closer to the buildings,” Stearns later said. “It’s a privacy issue. People walking down this path the city wants to build will be able to look into the windows of people’s bedrooms and bathrooms and people are on their
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back patio.” If city and Beachwalker representatives can’t figure out an agreement, the city could file for a judge to determine the 1985 easement boundaries in court. Stearns said Beachwalker could file for an injunction if the city started trail construction. Blaine city manager Michael Jones wrote in a statement to The Northern Light that the city
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has been planning on a loop trail around Semiahmoo Spit for three decades to make it a more attractive destination. The city has spent $86,700 on the Beachwalker segment of the trail since 2018, $58,400 of which were attorney fees, according to a city memo. Stearns said Beachwalker has similar legal fees. “It’s always complicated and challenging balancing public benefits and private property rights, and the process to clarify the easement status and work with the property owners to coordinate trail construction is no exception,” Jones said. “The city council has been committed to this project for years. In the end council will have to decide to either finish the trail despite Beachwalker Villas owners being opposed to the project, or not finish it and leave the missing link in the loop trail.”
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April 7 - 13, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com
Meeting ... From page 1
vice area on the north-end of the project, along Semiahmoo Parkway. Denise Macris, who is developing Semiahmoo’s new luxury neighborhood Muirfield, is also in charge of leading future community meetings and research on what commercial space could be put in the neighborhood service area. Semiahmoo Highlands is zoned for schools but developers said that discussion was a long way away. “Think of this project as being a long-term project that starts out now in response to the needs as the community grows and changes,” Schwandt said. Stormwater management was the top concern among residents who attended the community meeting, especially voiced by Birch Bay Village residents who experienced significant flooding from runoff during the historic floods last November. Craig Parkinson, the project’s civil engineer from Cascade Engineering Group, said the city requires the state department of ecology’s stormwater regulations to be followed. “We’ll be required
to treat all pollution-generating surfaces and we’ll be required to detain stormwater to a forested condition as if the whole site was a natural forest,” he said. The stormwater plan will be a cohesive plan approved by the city and county, Schwandt said. “It makes no sense to parcel this out,” he said. “It’s one large project overall handled in these two different municipalities because that’s the way it is and that’s what we have to work with.” A resident asked Schwandt if stormwater infrastructure that Birch Bay residents approved would be installed before the project broke ground on phase one. Frustration rippled through the audience when Schwandt appeared vague in response. Community members also raised concerns on whether current transportation infrastructure would be able to accommodate nearly another 500 households, especially given traffic backups at the Bell Road and Peace Portal Drive intersection. Gleneagle Villas resident Blair Smith said he was worried about public safety from the Bell Road intersection that can delay emergency vehicles. He also said concerns brought up during the Sea Smoke community meeting sev-
eral years ago weren’t addressed and impact him today. “You’re diminishing west Blaine’s quality of life and slowly and surely, bit by bit, destroying the natural beauty of Semiahmoo,” he said. “One day, those tourists who come to this resort are going to be looking as they drive down this place and say, ‘This kind of looks like what we’re trying to escape from. Maybe this place isn’t too special.’” City manager Michael Jones said the city and county’s planning departments would be working together on the project, although there was no way to guarantee both jurisdictions would receive the same information. Also in attendance from the city were mayor Mary Lou Steward, community planner Stacy Clauson, and councilmembers Rhyan Lopez and Richard May. The community meeting was the developer’s first step to start the development process in the city of Blaine. Schwandt said he expects to submit preliminary plan and PUD applications to the city by mid-May and will start the county process next month. Homes could start being built at the beginning of 2023, Schwandt said.
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The Northern Light • April 7 - 13, 2022
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.
Birch Bay Road Race takes over local streets
Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com
s Orca Running’s Birch Bay Road Race took over Birch Bay on April 2. The annual event held a 5K, 15K and 30K race that supported the Blaine High School Booster Club. Photo courtesy Orca Running
Reporter Ian Haupt ian@pointrobertspress.com Reporting Intern Hannah Cross prpintern@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Gary Lee sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVII, No 42 Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
Next issue: April 14 Ads due: April 8
Letters The Editor: I want to thank Gary and Cindy Lou Vogt for their thoughtful and heartfelt letter to the community, and thank you for printing it in the March 13 issue. When I first learned of the plans to turn their historic home into a community-centered library, I was excited and so pleased that this beautiful home would be preserved. More recently I found out that those plans, sadly, have been changed. Apparently, the research, expertise and estimates that should have been completed before the property was purchased, were either completely overlooked or very poorly done, causing this present dilemma. The property was purchased with the understanding that this beautiful historic
home would be preserved and remain on the original property. Since that is no longer the case, it should most certainly be sold back to the Vogts, as agreed. As the recent voting (twice now) has proven, the community is not in support of moving forward with a library in that location at this time. Another reason to sell it back to the Vogts. It has been my observation that the people who call Birch Bay home have a balance of dreams and practicality, and a knowing that history is valuable. When the time is right, there will be a library. Hopefully, a community treasure like the Vogt home will not be a casualty of that process. I don’t know if it is possible, but I would love to see this property added to the National Register of Historic Places. That
would encourage its preservation for the future, no matter who owns it or what use it may eventually have for the community. It is a lovely example of craftsman architecture and has historic significance to the Birch Bay community. Hopefully, the WCLS will do the right thing. Listen to the voters, keep their word to the Vogts, and sell the property back to them. When the time is right, a suitable property will be found. Christena Miller Birch Bay (Ed note: See WCLS response on the 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 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, 11 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.
April 7 - 13, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com
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WCLS responds to Birch Bay library guest editorial By Christine Perkins, WCLS As reported in the March 31 issue of The Northern Light, following recent elections, the Birch Bay library project is currently on hold while the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) evaluates system-wide facility needs and project funding. This is a pivotal moment, and we want to make the best decision for everyone we serve. While many community members have actively participated in these conversations, others may not be familiar with the history. We are grateful for this opportunity to address concerns shared in The Northern Light and via online forums regarding the proposed Birch Bay Vogt Community Library. Currently, the bookmobile visits Birch Bay once a week. For more than a decade, Birch Bay residents have advocated for expanded library services for their rapidly growing community. In April 2017, after community members approached us with the opportunity, WCLS purchased the Vogt property on Birch Bay Drive as the site of a future library building. The sale price was $675,000. Following the purchase, Friends of Birch Bay Library – a volunteer group of Birch Bay residents – and WCLS staff began a series of public meetings to design the library and to raise construction funds. The signed sale agreement states WCLS would, to the extent reasonably possible, incorporate the existing house on the property or its design el-
ements into the library building. Ultimately, after many design sessions and discussions, it wasn’t possible to use the home because of issues such as square footage, accessibility and building codes. The proposed library design did honor architectural elements of the house. If the ballot measure to build the library was approved, a local group or resident might have been able to move the house to another location. That was our hope, and we did hear from people who were interested in that possibility. We recognize the importance of the home for the Vogt family and the Birch Bay community. Selling a historic family home is a monumental decision. We were honored that the Vogts felt a library was the best use of the property homesteaded by their ancestors. Throughout this process, volunteers and staff have been respectful of the home’s history while supporting community members’ stated goals for the new library. We have been transparent with our plans, sharing updates via multiple community meetings, stories in The Northern Light, websites and social media. The sale agreement does not state that the Vogts could buy back the property if the library project was unsuccessful. The Vogts – via their attorney – later inquired about a right-of-first refusal if the property was to be sold. State law and library policy regarding WCLS’s capital assets, which are taxpayers’ assets, prohibit us from doing this. We declined the request. We also affirmed our intent was to successfully fund the construction
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s The Vogt family homestead. of a new building, not to sell the property. To build a public library, communities raise funds through many sources. In the case of Birch Bay, funding was to come from a $2 million state grant secured by Friends of Birch Bay Library, donations and a bond measure. If voters approved a library capital facility area, 20-year bonds would have been issued to finance construction. Birch Bay residents voted on the bond measure in two elections. The proposition narrowly missed passage by the required 60 percent supermajority in the November 2021 and February 2022 elections. Communities build libraries, and in Birch Bay, although a majority of voters supported the library project, the results require that we go back to
Photo by Grace McCarthy
the drawing board. WCLS is now considering next steps. Our primary interest is determining how best to enhance library services for Birch Bay. We are reviewing information from community meetings and evaluating our system-wide facilities review. We will be discussing options with our board of trustees in June. We will share updates as soon as they are available. Until we meet with our board in June, no decisions will be made regarding the Birch Bay property. Meanwhile, Friends of the Birch Bay Library continue their activities, and we are serving Birch Bay with bookmobile visits and WiFi at the property on Birch Bay Drive. We hope you will visit the bookmobile on Wednesdays 3-7 p.m. to experience it yourself.
Blaine’s Market by the Sea is returning this weekend for another festive farmers market season in downtown Blaine. The farmers market will make its grand comeback Saturday, April 9. Attendees can browse among a dozen vendors that will be selling everything from crafts
to jewelry and baked goods. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday at the G and H Street plazas through mid-October, weather permitting. Carroll Solomon, with Blaine Chamber of Commerce, said there will be a mix of new vendors along with returning regulars. “We’re happy to have it start
again,” she said. “It’s a popular downtown feature and the fact that there may be more Canadians is one thing the vendors are really looking forward to seeing. People are getting pretty excited about that.” Booth registration is $10 per day for Blaine Chamber of Commerce members, $15 for non-chamber members and $5
DOWNTOWN BLAINE
CITY OF BLAINE Due to Governor Inslee’s proclamation in response to COVID-19, this City Council meeting will be conducted in-person and telephonically. Information on how to watch 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 location may change.
Monday, April 11 6:00pm – City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 12 8:30am – Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting - CANCELED
Thursday, April 14 9:00am – Park and Cemetery Board Meeting 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Blaine’s seasonal farmers market returns this weekend By Grace McCarthy
H & G Street Plazas
per day for nonprofits. Children are also welcome to set up a booth. To register for a booth, contact Blaine Chamber of Commerce executive director Sheila Wood by calling 360/332-4544 or emailing info@blainechamber. com. For more information, visit blainebythesea.com/blaine-market-by-the-sea.
Monday, April 25 6:00pm – City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 26 3:00pm – Civil Service Commission Meeting Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website. Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website.
www.cityofblaine.com
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The Northern Light • April 7 - 13, 2022
Sports Sports roundup: Baseball goes 2-0 in mid-week spring break doubleheader By Ian Haupt The Borderites grabbed two big wins against Lynden Christian and Nooksack Valley April 5 at Pipeline Fields in an odd mid-week doubleheader during spring break. Blaine was scheduled to play Lynden Christian the day before but it was pushed to noon Tues-
day due to rain, giving the Borderites a doubleheader. And the boys took away all they could from what head coach Tanner Olson called not an ideal situation, putting up 21 runs total on the day and only conceding four. Blaine ended up hosting both games because Nooksack Valley’s field was underwater. But the day started with Lynden Christian
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with seniors Gabe Cranford and Kortlever swinging well, the boys out matched the Pioneers. Blaine’s second game of the day finished 13-3. Olson said he was really happy with how his team played in a situation that was not ideal. “We’ve got high hopes,” Olson said, referring to the rest of the season. “We’re a team that wants to play in the state tournament.” He said the first goal for the team is to grab the first seed out of the district. Blaine is scheduled to travel to Chief Sealth International High School Saturday, April 9 for a doubleheader. They then travel to Sedro-Woolley Tuesday, April 12 and host Meridian Wednesday, April 13. The team is 6-3 so far this season. Sports roundup With this week being spring
break, most Blaine spring sports teams have a mid-season break from competition. Here’s when and where they’ll be playing upon return. Boys soccer The Borderites are scheduled to host Squalicum Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. at the Blaine High School stadium. They will then travel to Meridian Thursday, April 14. Softball The Lady Borderites will travel to Quincy High School Friday, April 8 for a doubleheader, with a game against Warden and Quincy at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. They will then host Oak Harbor Thursday, April 14 at 4 p.m. at Pipeline Fields. Girls tennis Blaine will travel to Mount Vernon Tuesday, April 12 and host Squalicum Thursday, April 14, starting at 4 p.m.
s Grady Swinburnson grounds out in Blaine’s 8-1 win against Lynden Christian at Pipeline Fields April 5.
Photo by Ian Haupt
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as the boys had to be out on the field bright and early to warm up for the midday game on an unusually chilly, blustery spring day. The Borderites however started hot, taking a three-point lead from the first two innings. With senior Anden Holley pitching and strong batting from junior Axel Puls and senior Jaxon Kortlever, Blaine ran in five more by the end of the game. Only conceding one to the Lyncs, the game finished 8-1. Then it was time for a break before taking on the Pioneers. Luckily, the boys didn’t have to bus across the county, as the game was moved to Pipeline due to rain. Maybe it was the home field advantage or maybe it was just the quality of the team, but the Borderites kept the momentum going. Senior Aiden Vezzetti pitched a good game, Olson said, and
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s Axel Puls making sure his triple stayed in play before running to third in the Borderite’s 8-1 win over Lynden Christian April 5 at Pipeline Fields. Photo by Ian Haupt
April 7 - 13, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com
WORSHIP GUIDE CUSTER UNITED
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Everyone Welcome Pastor “Bing” Canlas
Christ is risen, Alleluia! Easter joy to all! Maundy Thursday, April 14, 6:30pm Good Friday, April 15, 6:30pm
April 10 to April 17 Join us In-Person or on Facebook Live! April 11-15: 8:30 am • Morning Prayer (Facebook Live only) Palm Sunday: 10 am • The Liturgy of the Palms with the reading of the St. Luke Passion Maundy Thursday: 5 pm • The Maundy Thursday Liturgy Good Friday: Noon • The Good Friday Liturgy Holy Saturday: 10 am • The Liturgy of the Word (In-Person only) Easter Sunday: 10 am • The Festival Eucharist of the Resurrection Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett St., Blaine • The Rev. Susan Mills www.christchurchblaine.org • www.facebook.com/ChristChurchBlaine
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Contemporary Breakfast at 9 4:30 a.m. Watch at WeFestival invite youonline to share in the Worship Holy Week & Easter Services blainegracelutheran.com at 10:30 a.m. 702 G Street 702 G Street Blaine 332-6589 We invite you to share in the Blaine 360-332-6589 blaine-grace-lutheran.org Holy Week & Easter Services
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Please join Pastor Sandy Wisecarver at the Blaine United Church of Christ (Congregational) for Holy Week and Easter Services.
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7
8
The Northern Light • April 7 - 13, 2022
Health & Wellness Local choices in health, healing & fitness.
Pickleball, a beloved Birch Bay pastime, becomes Washington’s official state sport
s Community members play a game of pickleball at the Birch Bay Activity Center (BBAC) on April 4. The BBAC hosts a variety of pickleball programs for all ages and skill levels.
Photo by Hannah Cross
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A growing Birch Bay recreation has become the state’s official sport, now that governor Jay Inslee signed SB 5615 into law March 7. Pickleball was invented in 1965 in Bainbridge Island and gained popularity over the years,
which led to the founding of Pickleball, Inc. in 1972 to keep up with the demand for paddles, balls, nets and other gear. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 acting program manager Kaileigh Hubbard said community interest around pickleball at the Birch Bay Activity Center (BBAC) has grown ex-
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ponentially since the beginning of the pandemic. “It gave people the chance to connect while safely distancing,” she said. Hubbard said the passing of pickleball as the state’s official sport might lead to increased conversation and funding for the BBAC program, which has about 100 players. Coach and pickleball teaching professional Mark Livingston said his job at the activity center is to help facilitate the growth of all players regardless of skill level. He said the activity center offers three programs, the first being an introduction program for people who have heard of pickleball and want to get started but might not know where or how to. “This six-hour program teaches players how to score a game, hit basic shots and move safely on the court,” Livingston said. The introduction program is taught as a series of three, twohour sessions. The cost of the program is $36 per person and four players minimum are required to hold each event. The second program, Workout with Coach Mark, customizes drills and drill games to address challenges players may experience in their game for $12 per each two-hour session. “No matter your skill level, this program lets you work out and practice gameplay with like-skilled players,” he said. Livingston recently helped implement the third program, the Junior Development Program, which will feature ongoing lessons, practice sessions and the opportunity to develop skills and gameplay performance for those ages 10-18. The cost is $12 per person per session, with registration being capped at eight players per session. (See Pickleball, next page)
April 7 - 13, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com
9
Health & Wellness Local choices in health, healing & fitness. Pickleball ... From previous page
Brian Berg has been playing pickleball for three years with his wife. Berg said they play pickleball 8-12 hours a week, split between the BBAC and Semiahmoo Resort. Berg said Livingston is an excellent instructor for both beginning and advanced players. He also said he is happy the BBAC opens its doors to everyone in the community.
“This is a fast growing sport, with few places to play,” Berg said. “The courts at Birch Bay Village are private, the courts at Semiahmoo are semi-private and only the activity center has public courts.” Berg encourages those who might be on the fence about playing to come to the activity center and give it a try. “With a few hours of instruction, you can get a good workout and meet new friends,” he said. Livingston also encourages prospective players to take ad-
vantage of BBAC’s introduction program. “It’s an opportunity to engage in something fun, to interact with others and to form a social connection with your community,” he said. He also said studies have shown positive health, social and psychological benefits associated with playing pickleball. “This is an activity that is within reach for most people regardless of age because it doesn’t require tremendous physicality.” As players get older and their mobility decreases, their athlet-
s Pickleball players at the Birch Bay Activity Center play a doubles game on April 4.
ic opportunities may decline as well, Livingston said. “This is an opportunity for them to play and master a sport alongside their community.” Those looking to engage with the various programs can visit the parks and rec website bbb.parkandrec.org for more information. “When you step on the pickleball courts, you hear laughter and comradery between players,” Livingston said. “We encourage more of the community to join in.”
PeaceHealth eases visitor restrictions PeaceHealth recently started allowing visitors to its Bellingham hospital and medical group clinics in Whatcom County. Patients are allowed to bring one visitor as of March 17, according to a PeaceHealth press release. Volunteers are also allowed into PeaceHealth facilities. People hospitalized with Covid-19 are not allowed to have visitors, aside from a few exceptions. PeaceHealth officials decided to ease restrictions after Covid-19 transmission rates in Whatcom County showed steady decline, according to PeaceHealth. The healthcare system is following the CDC’s transmission map to ease restrictions and is prepared to add visitor restrictions if cases rise again. Masks are still required in PeaceHealth facilities.
Photo by Hannah Cross
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The Northern Light • April 7 - 13, 2022
Blaine flute player joins musicians worldwide raising funds for Ukraine By Grace McCarthy Blaine composer and flute player Shere Lowe is one of over a hundred classically-trained musicians worldwide who are using their talent to raise funds for Ukraine through a five-volume album series. Lowe, who goes by the artist name Shere Fraser, donated a song to albums raising money for the National Bank of Ukraine through the online platform Bandcamp. The four volumes released to date are named after the Ukrainian word for home, and at least one more volume is on its way. London-based musician Doug Thomas said he started compiling music through his record label, NOOX, in response to watching the war in Ukraine unfold on the news. Over $2,600 have been raised for the National Bank of Ukraine since the first volume was released March 11, Thomas said. A fifth volume is set to be released Friday, April 8. Each volume has 28 tracks with titles such as “Under the same blue sky,” “resilience,” and “love in war.” There are no fixed prices for the music; people can purchase a single track or buy all four albums. “It’s a small amount of money,” Thomas said of the fundraiser. “But the more we can make this bigger, the more useful it can be as an artist project and support for Ukraine.” Thomas, who met Lowe through sharing music online, put out a request for artists for the project. Lowe contributed a song she released last October with Iranian pianist Mohsen Sokard titled, “What am I supposed to do” that was featured on the third volume. Lowe and Sokard found inspiration for the song from the pandemic, but the song’s theme of personal struggle transferred to the invasion in Ukraine, Lowe said. “The mindset at the time was dealing with personal struggles and that music is a source of comfort for so many of us,” she said. “You’re in despair but hopefully you can find a way out. What a tough world it is right now.” Sokard sent Lowe dark chords and she used her flute to bring a ray of hope to the song. Lowe recorded the music in her Blaine home and sent the music through email. Lowe taught herself to play the flute at 13 years old by listening to records before studying under a teacher in her late 20s. She studied the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum through private lessons and then played the flute while working as a flight attendant to calm passengers in the years following 9/11. After retiring, Lowe began streaming her music and taking lessons under the likes of Bevani Flute, a Washingtonian flutist who has garnered millions of videos on her YouTube videos. Lowe now studies under Lisa Friend, who has taught at the Royal Academy of Music in London and is an ambassador for The Prince’s
Trust, a charity started by Prince Charles of Wales. “The beautiful thing that came out of all of this was I was able to connect with other musicians and we have become united,” Lowe said. “Music is a language of love and it has no borders and no divide. I can speak to you with my heart in any language worldwide.” Lowe recently finished composing a neoclassical piano and flute piece titled “Hope and Peace” at Woodhaven Mastering Studios in Bellingham, which was put together remotely with a Dutch pianist. The song, slated to be released in May, was inspired by the invasion in Ukraine, Lowe said. “We decided to compose the piece because one way or another, we’ll still find ways to help Ukraine,” she said. To listen to Lowe’s song and donate, visit dodomu.bandcamp. com/album/iii.
s Blaine flute player Shere Lou, who goes by the artist name Shere Fraser, donated a song to a worldwide fundraiser to raise money for Ukraine through online music platform, Bandcamp. Courtesy image
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The Northern Light • April 7 - 13, 2022
Real Estate 8153 Harborview Road, Birch Bay $339,000
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BIRCH POINT NEW LISTING! NEIGHBORHOOD! Don’t miss the opportunity to build your dream home on this amazing large quiet & private lot near Semiahmoo. Very few lots available in this neighborhood of mature waterfront & water view homes! Excellent crabbing & clamming not far from property! Close to Semiahmoo Resort with its Inn & Spa, Private Arnold Palmer Golf Course, & Moorage in 300 slip Marina. Local shops, restaurants and services are available in nearby Blaine and Birch Bay! Minutes to the US/Canada Border and the I-5 with Seattle an hour and a half south and Vancouver under an hour north. This .40 acre lot won’t last long!
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Legal IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: BRUCE K. NELSON, Deceased. No. 224-00302-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Robert E. Olson 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 21, 2022 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: March 24, 2022 Name of Personal Representative: SEAN RYAN LOOMAN-NELSON Attorney for Personal Representative: 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 21, 2022 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Personal Representative SEAN RYAN LOOMAN-NELSON
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: ROBERT F. SPENCER, Deceased. No. 22-4-00343-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Evan Jones The Co-Personal Representatives named below have been appointed and have qualified as Co-Personal Representatives 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 Co-Personal Representatives or the Co-Personal Representatives’ 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 Co-Personal Representatives 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 31, 2022 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: April 7, 2022 Name of Co-Personal Representatives: MARCHIA HALL and ROBERT BAISDEN Attorney for Co-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 31, 2022 STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives: MARCHIA HALL and ROBERT BAISDEN
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In the matter of the Estate of WAYNE ROSS TOMLINSON, Deceased. No. 22-400253-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) Judge David E. Freeman. REBECCA A. TOMLINSON has been appointed as Personal Representative/ Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Deceased must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner provided by 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 have commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator 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 this notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim will be forever barred except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 or 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the probate and nonprobate assets of the Decedent. DATE OF FILING OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS WITH CLERK OF THE COURT: April 1, 2022 DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: April 7, 2022 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE/ ADMINISTRATOR: REBECCA A. TOMLINSON ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: REBECCA A. TOMLINSON 7532 Seashell Way Blaine, WA 98230 ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE/ADMINISTRATOR: Mark W. Stowe, WSBA#16655 ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: Stowe Law PLLC 276 Boundary Bay Road P.O. Box 129 Point Roberts, WA 98281 Phone: (360) 945-0337 Email:stowelawpllc@outlook.com STOWE LAW PLLC: Mark W. Stowe, WSBA# 16655 Attorney for Administrator
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April 7 - 13, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com
Road Rules: How many people are really distracted driving? B y D o u g D a hl Question: I’ve heard the Traffic Safety Commission talking about how most drivers aren’t driving distracted (something like nine out of 10.) I find that hard to believe. When I look around I see people on their phones all the time. How’d you get those numbers? Answer: Before I explain how we got the numbers, let’s consider why you don’t believe them. If it’s any comfort, you’re not alone. Many people, when they hear the statistic that more than nine out of 10 drivers are focused on the road, reject the data as somehow flawed. I’m guilty of it myself. Last week, while in a city I don’t visit often, I walked along the main thoroughfare and thought to myself, “Wow, every driver in this town is on their phone.” To confirm my observation I started counting. After 50 or so vehicles, I counted five drivers that were on their phone or otherwise distracted, roughly in line with the statewide results. The problem here is the human brain. We’re wired to notice and remember the outlier rather than the ordinary. When drivers keep their focus on the road, there’s not much to notice. The distracted folks stick out. This
Census ... From page 1
grew by nearly 32 percent, or about 5,000 people. Blaine and Birch Bay together added about 2,900 people from 2010 to 2020, giving the area a 22.1 percent growth. Blaine’s median income per household in 2020 was $72,772, while the mean – or average – was $83,607. In Birch Bay, the median income was $63,157 and the mean was $86,438. Birch Bay has a reported 4,438 households, making the average household size 2.23 people. The average family size is 2.8 people as the area has a reported 2,861 families. Blaine reported similarly in terms of averages. The data says it has 2,200 households with an average of 2.45 people living in them, while there are a total of 1,440 families with an average size of 2.96. Both areas are predominantly white with small Asian populations. Blaine is 78 percent white, 1.3 percent Black, 1.4 percent American Indian/Alaska Native, 7 per-
wouldn’t be a big deal, except that misperceiving the frequency of a behavior influences our own behavior. A study in Minnesota found that 70 percent of people think most drivers speed 10 mph over the limit, but in reality only 15 percent do. Those who believed most drivers speed were more likely to do it themselves. We tend to behave according to perceived social norms, even when we’re wrong about them. If you think most people are on their phones while driving, you might be more inclined to pick it up to respond to a call or text. As to how we got the numbers, it’s pretty simple. Trained observers went to randomly sampled locations all over the state and counted distracted drivers. Last year, after counting thousands of vehicles, the observational study shows that about seven percent of drivers were distracted. That’s down from a high of about 10 percent in 2016, when Washington first started counting. That also correlates with a decrease in fatalities involving distracted drivers. In 2015, one third of all traffic fatalities involved a distracted driver. Since then that rate has been declining, and in 2020 18 percent of fatal crashes involved a distracted driver. cent Asian, 1.5 percent Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander and 2 percent another race. Nine percent of the population responded that they were biracial. The largest population was white and some other race with 3.5 percent, while 1.8 percent responded as mixed white and American Indian/Alaska Native and 1.5 percent as white and Asian mixed. Birch Bay is 81 percent white, 1.1 percent Black, 1.5 percent American Indian /Alaska Native, 3.5 percent Asian and 3.1 percent another race. Almost 10 percent of the residents are biracial. Of those, 3.7 percent are white and some other race, 2.7 percent are white and American Indian/Alaska Native, 1.3 percent are white and Asian and 0.9 percent are part white and Black. Blaine is younger than Birch Bay. The median age in Blaine is 41.3, while in Birch Bay it is 50.6. Also, 26.4 percent of Blaine’s population is 60 years and older, while 34.6 percent of Birch Bay residents fit that age category. About 10 percent – over 1,000 people – of Birch Bay’s population is 65-69 years old. Ten percent –
13
O B I T U A RY
I should point out that the seven percent number is a “moment in time” statistic. It doesn’t mean that 93 percent of us never get distracted. We still have some work to do there. In a 2019 survey of Washington drivers, 35 percent said they frequently use a cell phone while driving, contrasting 62 percent of drivers said they frequently wait to use a phone until they’re out of the flow of traffic. Even there, most of us don’t usually get distracted by our phones while driving. Doing the math, the above data suggests that using your phone while driving roughly triples your risk of a fatal crash. As you might guess, the type of distraction is part of that equation (texting is worse than talking), and driver age is a big factor. For young drivers (I know, I’m always pointing out young drivers have it worse) talking on the phone quadruples their risk, and texting increases their risk of a fatal crash by eight or more times. Whatever your age, distraction is one of the top factors in fatal crashes, but it’s solvable. If you’re one of the outliers, it’s time to put away the distractions and make driving your priority. Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com. 544 people – of Blaine’s population is 45-49 years old. On the other end of the spectrum, 23.8 percent of Blaine residents and 18.5 percent of Birch Bay residents are under 18. Blaine has a large high school population, with 543 between the ages of 15 and 19, making up 10 percent of the total population. While Birch Bay has 330 residents in that range, it has 721 children – about 7 percent – under the age of 5. Blaine has 243 children under 5 years old, or 4.5 percent. The current available census data also provides information on sex, commuting characteristics, marital status, school enrollment and other categories, which can be found at data.census.gov/ cedsci.
Sherry Ann Thomas 1952 – 2022
Sherry Ann Thomas passed away peacefully at home March 30, 2022 with family by her side. Sherry grew up in Canada and moved to the states in the late ’70s where she pursued a career in the food industry a job in which loved and took pride in. The last 15 years she worked for Shores Restaurant. Sherry loved listening to her favorite singers from around the bay including JP Falcon Grady, The Replayzmentz, and many others. She enjoyed knitting, planting, feeding and watching her hummingbirds and Poncho, her parrot. She enjoyed all the beautiful sunsets Birch Bay had to offer and most importantly she loved and enjoyed all of her grandchildren and her daughters. She was preceded in death by her son, Kenny Brown and grandson Jordan. She leaves behind sister Kathy; daughters Leeann Kerr and Robin Lessard; daughter-inlaw Rhonda Brown; grandchildren Zachary, Shelby, Corina, Justin, Kennedy, Madison,Taylor and Jackson; and many friends. A celebration of life will be held at Shores Restaurant, 7848 Birch Bay Drive on Monday, April 11, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Birch Bay Library at friendsofbirchbaylibrary.org.
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14
The Northern Light • April 7 - 13, 2022
Coming up
Sheriff’s Reports March 22, 9:29 a.m.: Behavioral health issue on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 22, 10:14 a.m.: Sex offender registration on H Street. March 22, 11:13 a.m.: Juvenile problem on Starfish Lane. March 22, 4:38 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident blocking on Portal Way. March 23, 12:03 a.m.: Music on Alderson Road. March 23, 1:49 a.m.: Civil problem on Birch Bay Drive. March 23, 9:54 a.m.: Domestic verbal on Willeys Lake Road. March 23, 10:34 a.m.: Threat on Harborview Road. March 23, 1:01 p.m.: Sex offender on Zell Road, Custer. March 23, 3:03 p.m.: Parking problem on Bayshore Drive. March 23, 3:35 p.m.: Trouble with a subject on East Street. March 24, 7:52 a.m.: Traffic hazard on Bay Road and Halibut Drive. March 24, 1:36 p.m.: Shots on Castlerock Drive. March 24, 6:03 p.m.: Littering on Zell Road, Custer. March 24, 6:22 p.m.: Traffic hazard on Lincoln Road. March 25, 5:26 a.m.: Music on Harborview Road. March 25, 8:42 a.m.: Domestic verbal on Halibut Drive. March 25, 11:21 a.m.: Civil problem on Anderson Road. March 25, 12:47 p.m.: Shots on Sweet Road.
March 25, 4:11 p.m.: Neighborhood dispute on Welkers Road. March 25, 6:05 p.m.: Threat on Jackson Road. March 25, 7:52 p.m.: Fight on Birch Bay Drive. March 25, 8:15 p.m.: Harassment on Sunrise Road, Custer. March 26, 9:32 a.m.: Theft on Bridge Way. March 26, 7:01 p.m.: Hazard on Gulf Road. March 26, 10:39 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. March 27, 10 a.m.: Harassment on Key Street. Suspect arrested. March 27, 11:17 a.m.: Behavioral health issue on Surf Place.
March 25, 12 a.m.: Criminal traffic violation on Peace Portal Drive. March 25, 9:18 a.m.: Illegal camp notification on Bell Road. March 25, 2:02 p.m.: Threats complaint on H Street. March 25, 9:25 p.m.: Suspicious circumstance on Boblett Street. March 25, 9:40 p.m.: Assist agency on A Street. March 26, 4:41 p.m.: Suspicious circumstance on H Street. March 26, 11:26 p.m.: Notice of trespass on 12th Street. March 27, 10:33 a.m.: Found property on H Street.
27. Famed actress 34. Thin strips 35. Bluish greens 36. Ridiculed 37. Having the shape of a cube 38. Came down 39. Indian religious god 40. “Bewitched” actress Moorehead 41. Leak through slowly 42. Buzzing insects 43. Midway between south and southeast DOWN 1. Skin condition 2. Earlier 3. Right away 4. Vomiting 5. Go to 6. “The Police” frontman 7. Bullfighting maneuver 9. Pacific island
10. A system of algebraic notation 12. A room used for the activities of a group 14. The longest division of geological time 15. Car mechanics group 17. A barrel of liquid (abbr.) 19. Bound to do 20. Explosive 23. Ridicules 24. Adult male 25. Military personnel 26. French and Belgian river 27. Found in the sea 28. A share lost in default (abbr.) 29. Type of medication (abbr.) 30. City on the Rhine 31. Animal disease 32. They’re in martinis
March 29, 4:41 p.m.: Driving under the influence arrest on Marine Drive. March 29, 11 p.m.: Theft on Garibaldi Lane. March 30, 5 a.m.: Assist citizen on 4th Street. March 30, 4:50 p.m.: Domestic dispute, no assault, on A Street. March 30, 7:47 p.m.: Animal problem on 10th Street. March 31, 2:48 p.m.: Auto collision on Peace Portal Drive. March 31, 12:02 p.m.: Assist citizen on H Street. Report by Blaine Police Department.
Blaine’s Market by the Sea: Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Blaine G and H Street plazas. Shop from local vendors selling handcrafted merchandise. Vendor space available. Info: 360/332-4544 or blainechamber.com.
Holy Week Worship Services: See ads on page 7. Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, April 14, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Hosted by Trevor Andrews. Info: thevaultwine.com. Live Music at The Vault: Friday, April 15, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Featuring: Sigge the Vintage Man. Info: thevaultwine.com. Annual Auxiliary Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, April 16, noon, American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. Free lunch for kids under 12, all others by donation. Prizes. Info: 360-371-7311. Third Sunday Breakfast: Sunday, April 17, 9 a.m.–noon, American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. Serving eggs to order, biscuits and gravy, French toast, pancakes, ham or sausage, coffee, milk and orange juice. Adults $9, kids 4–7 $4, ages 3 and under are free. Open to the public. All proceeds support the American Legion and our veterans. Info: 360/371-7311. Sip and Paint: Wednesday, April 20, 6:30 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Instructor Brian Drake of Art and Happiness brings a night of enjoyable artistry, food and beverage. $75 per person includes $30 food/beverage credit, supplies and instruction. Info: thevaultwine.com.
Ongoing
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.
April 7-13 at Blaine. Not for navigation. 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W HEIGHT
TIME
4:25 am
6.7
8:23 am
7.6
4:28 pm
0.7
Fr 8 12:44 am
8.2
5:39 am
7.0
8:31 am
7.3
5:20 pm
1.0
Sa 9
Live Music at The Vault: Friday, April 8, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Featuring: Louis Ledford. Info: thevaultwine.com.
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.
Tides Th 7
Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, April 7, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. This week’s theme: Celebrating National Beer Day with beer trivia. Info: thevaultwine.com.
Live Music at The Vault: Friday, April 22, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Featuring: Michael David. Info: thevaultwine.com.
ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM
TIME
Household Emergency Preparedness Seminar: Thursday, April 7, 8:30-9:30 p.m., Christ Community Church, 4310 H Street Road. Free to the public. This introduction to emergency preparedness will focus on family needs in real-world situations. Five-part seminar will be held every-other Thursday through June 2. For information and updates, check facebook.com/cccblaine.
Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. This week’s theme: vintage TV trivia. Info: thevaultwine.com.
33. Get away 34. Wampum 36. Lacking brightness
DATE
Semiahmoo Women’s Club Luncheon: Thursday, April 7, 11:15 a.m., Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club, 8720 Semiahmoo Parkway. $30 buffet lunch. RSVP by 5 p.m. Saturday, April 2 to Debbie Kittrell, 865-567-7711 or SWC.Reservations@gmail.com. Women from all communities welcome to join the club. Info: semiahmoowomensclub. org.
Haynie Opry: Saturday, April 9, Haynie Grange, 3344 Haynie Road, Custer. Join Matt Audette and the Circle of Friends band for an evening performance at 7 p.m and a gospel matinee at 3 p.m. Tickets at the door $5 for matinee, $10 evening show. Info: 360/366-3321.
Police Reports
Crossword ACROSS 1. A power of perception 4. Slotted hinged metal plate 8. Popular crop 10. Siamese fighting fish 11. Larval crabs 12. South American mammal 13. Occur as a result of 15. Slavic language 16. An electric underground railway 17. Transporting 18. A direction 21. Opposite of start 22. Mock 23. People love and hate it (abbr.) 24. A people of Myanmar 25. A Queens ballplayer 26. Southern Thailand indigenous person
March 27, 12:07 p.m.: Domestic physical on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Suspect arrested. March 27, 6:46 p.m.: Shots on West Badger Road, Custer. March 27, 9:51 p.m.: Domestic order violence on Quinault Road. March 28, 7:44 a.m.: Motor vehicle accident blocking on Birch Bay-Lynden Road and Portal Way. March 28, 5:19 p.m.: Trespass on Valley View Road, Custer. March 29, 5:39 a.m.: Traffic hazard on Birch Bay Drive. March 29, 11:39 p.m.: Death investigation March 30, 11:03 a.m.: Vehicle prowl on Blaine Road.
HEIGHT
2:00 am
8.2
6:19 pm
1.1
Su 10 2:55 am
8.3
7:22 pm
1.2
Mo 11 3:34 am
8.5
9:55 am
5.9
12:55 pm
6.2
8:22 pm
1.3
Tu 12 4:02 am
8.6
10:13 am
5.1
2:31 pm
6.4
9:14 pm
1.4
We 13 4:26 am
8.7
10:37 am
4.2
3:43 pm
6.8
10:02 pm
1.7
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of March 28 to April 3, 1.0 inch of precipitation was recorded. The 2022 year-to-date precipitation is 13.0 inches.
Temperature: High for the past week was 63°F on March 29 with a low of 40°F on March 29. Average high was 51°F and average low was 46°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
CAP Clothing Bank: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.–noon and Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m. 508 G Street. The Community Assistance Program clothing bank is now located in the basement of the CAP Center providing free clothing and linens. Donations accepted only during open hours or by special arrangement. Info: blainecap.org or 360/392-8484. The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m, The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road. Donations by appointment, call 360/366-8763. Meals on Wheels: Thursdays 11:30 a.m.–12 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 360/739-5375 or email him at pcorcorran@gmail.com for the Zoom link. Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) Meetings: Mondays 6:30–8 p.m., CAP Center, 508 G Street, Blaine. A support group for parents of adult children dealing with addiction, but open to anyone (18 or older) seeking to learn a better way to help an addicted love one. Evidence-based, structured curriculum and offer peer support at no cost. Info: palgroup.org or email Bev and Dave at wamillards@comcast.net. Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum: Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, 1–5 p.m., 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Free, donations welcome. Info: 360/371-3558. Birch Bay Book Club: Meets third Wednesday, 4 p.m., Birch Bay Vogt Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. Book for April: Golden Spruce by John Vaillant. Info: klia1@mac.com. Blaine Book Club: Meets third Friday, 1 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. April title: Leonard and Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession. Info: Kelly at 360/305-3637. Blaine Serenity Al-Anon: Mondays, noon–1 p.m. on Zoom. Have you been dealing with alcoholism with a friend or family member? Info: Jerrylyn at 360/305-2246. Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at noon, women’s meeting Mondays at 4 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ basement, 855 4th Street. Info: 208/750-8772 or shannonsessions2020@gmail.com.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
April 7 - 13, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com
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CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival announces 2022 lineup By Hannah Cross The CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival returns to the theater this year with a slate of 32 films from 12 countries, all directed by women. The festival will spotlight in-person viewings of features, shorts, documentaries, animation, experimental and narrative films at the Pickford Film Center in the Bellingham Downtown Arts District May 12-15. For those who may not be comfortable returning to the in-person festival, an online viewing will be available May 19-30. Executive director Cheryl Crooks said she’s most excited to return to the theater after two years away. “To keep everyone safe, we require everyone to be fully vaccinated to attend the in-person viewings,” Crooks said. CASCADIA will continue the festival tradition of showcasing work by Indigenous and women directors of color with feature films selected by program director Claudia Puig and members of the program’s selection committee. Opening night will feature a retrospective of five short films from the first five years of CASCADIA followed by three additional features shown in previous festivals before closing with two of the new feature films. Crooks said she is excited to have a retrospective to honor and celebrate how CASCADIA has matured as a festival. This year’s films represent a variety of styles and stories told by women directors from around the world. “Only a handful of festivals do what we do,” Crooks said. “CASCADIA has showcased more than 125 women directors since the festival began in 2017.” The short films include “7 Star Dinosaur Entertainment” directed by Vaishali Naik, “The Tracker” directed by Sarah Menzies, “71 Seconds” directed by Jazmin Bryant, “Artistic” directed by Nina Lee, “Le Monde En Soi” co-directed by Sandrine Stoïanov and JeanCharles Finck and “Miss Alma Thomas: A Life in Color” directed
by Cherie Gaulke. Director Jazmin Bryant, based in Los Angeles said she is excited to have her film showcased in the upcoming festival. “71 Seconds” is a depiction of the Trayvon Martin story and the tragedy that occurred February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. “My goal is to show audiences we are more alike than we are different,” Bryant said. “The tone of this film resonates with our current political culture and aims to uplift and humanize young men of color.” Bryant said she admires CASCADIA’s push for inclusivity and hopes to attend the in-person festival and discussion panels in May. The lineup of full-length features include “Daughter of a Lost Bird” directed by Brooke Pepion Swaney, “Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest” directed by s Directed by Brooke Pepion Swaney, “Daughter of a Lost Bird” is a featured film on the 2022 CASCADIA Nancy Svednsen, “Secret Name” International Women’s Film Festival lineup. This year’s festival will be held at the Pickford Film Center in the Photo courtesy CASCADIA Film Festival or “La Place d’Une Autre” di- Bellingham Downtown Arts District May 12-15. rected by Aureila Georges and “Valley Girl” directed by Martha Each year, CASCADIA selects 1 and can be purchased through Coolidge. Director Brooke Pepion the festival’s website, cascadi- an honored guest to recognize Swaney said she is honored her afilmfest.org. “I expect “Daugh- during the festival. The honored film will be screened at CASCA- ter of a Lost Bird” and “Pasang: guest is a woman who is chosen DIA among many accomplished In the Shadow of Everest’’ to sell based on her career’s achieveand powerful storytellers. She out quickly, so if people want ment, contribution to the film said she is especially excited tickets they should buy them as industry and role as an advocate soon as possible,” for women in the industry. because the film’s This year’s honored guest Crooks said. protagonists have She also said the is director Martha Coolidge. strong ties to the “Film can entertain, Lummi Nation. educate, inspire and directors are excit- Crooks said she is very excited ed to interact with about this nomination because “Daughter of enlighten,” Not valid with any other offers. the audience again Coolidge is a well-known advoa Lost Bird” exLunch or Dinner. Exp. 4/21/2022 plores the eth- executive director through the view- cate for women and has opened HAPPY ics surrounding Cheryl Crooks said. ings as well as the many doors for women directors DINE IN & H OUR two back-to-back since the creation of her feature Native American TAKE OUT DELIVERY EVERY DA ! thru Viking Food “Film as Activism” film “Valley Girl.” adoption, via a in the BarY Those who may want to get singular story as an entry point discussion panels on Saturday, NOW ORDER ONLINE! into a more complicated nation- May 14 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. involved with the festival as a bit.ly/pasodelnorte in the Bellingham Downtown volunteer are more than welal issue, Swaney said. OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK “As a film, the approach to the Arts District. The panel will be come; the only requirement for FOR LUNCH & DINNER! story and topic has always been made up of directors who will be getting involved with the festival 758 Peace Portal Dr. • Downtown Blaine character driven – one woman’s able to answer questions on the is proof of Covid-19 vaccination. “Film can entertain, educate, injourney to reconnect,” she said. films. 360-332-4045 A script studio will be hosted spire and enlighten,” Crooks said. “In so doing, we hope that audiwww.pasodelnorte.net ences will have a deep emotion- the following day on Sunday, “If people walk away from this fesal connection to the issues, and May 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tival having felt one of those four a better understanding of why it at the Mount Baker Theater En- things, then we’ve done our job.” is important to keep Indigenous core Room. This event provides children connected to their an opportunity for four script writers, chosen by submission, cultures.” Artist Name: Anika Hagen Tickets and passes for this to read their work to film profesTitle: "Antique Abandonment" year’s festival went on sale April sionals and receive feedback. Media: Pastel Art work by Senior, Art 1, 2021
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Please join in the tradition of a community coming together celebrate the efforts and Arts &toJazz is an auction lover’s delightofwith and silent accomplishments our live students. Arts & Jazz is featuring donations of the a communityauctions based, family fun celebration from businesses and individuals Fine Arts programs in the Blaine School District that believe in our students as and will include displays of art plus much as we do. 100% ofmusic funds and theater performances by scholarships Blaine students. raised benefit andArts & Jazz is anexperiences auction lover’s delight beyond the with live and silent auctions featuring donations from curriculum in the Blaine School District. Arts &who Jazzbelieve is a in our businesses and individuals community based, funraised students as much as we do. 100%family of funds celebration of Fine Arts beyond go towards scholarships andtheexperiences programs in the Blaine School the curriculum for students of thea highlight Blaine School District and is truly District. It isoftruly community highlight! the aWinter calendar.
SAVE THE DATE! 7pm Saturday, February 4th 2017
7pm Saturday, April 16, 2022 Blaine Fine Arts Association presents Blaine Fine arts association presents The 25th Annual
Arts & & Jazz The 20th Annual
s “Daughter of a Lost Bird” chronicles Kendra as she reconnects with her birth family and discovers her Lummi heritage after being adopted. Photo courtesy CASCADIA Film Festival
Blaine School Cafeteria /PAC Admission - $ 5.00 PAC BL AINE MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA
Admission - $5 students/seniors, $7 adults, children 4 and under no charge
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The Northern Light • April 7 - 13, 2022
DelBene awarded for closing loophole impacting Blaine company The American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) awarded congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) with the 2022 Honorable Thad Cochran Leadership Award for her work to close a loophole that would have severely impacted a Blaine anchor chain company. In spring 2021, DelBene spearheaded efforts to help Lister Chain and Forge, an anchor chain company on Loomis Trail Road that was facing severe staffing cutbacks if a federal loophole wasn’t closed. The loophole allowed the U.S. Department of Defense to outsource purchasing anchor chains over 4 inches, which lawmakers previ-
ously said the U.S. Navy tried to do by purchasing 4.02-inch chains abroad for a new class of fleet oilers. Lister Chain and Forge, a 36-person company, is the only domestic supplier of anchor chains and had been in contract with the Department of Defense for 3-and5/8-inch chains. DelBene pushed for the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act to close the loophole by requiring the Department of Defense to only purchase anchor chains manufactured in the U.S. President Joe Biden signed the act into law last December. “This allows our company to
continue to provide our products to the Navy without the threat of competition from countries not members of the National Technical Industrial Base,” Lister Chain and Forge president Mike Stobbart said in a press release on DelBene’s award. He added DelBene’s efforts exemplify her commitment to Biden’s Buy America directive to strengthen manufacturing on U.S. soil. DelBene received the third annual ASSA award given to public servants dedicated to strengthening national security through supporting building U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships.
s U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) being presented with the 2022 Honorable Thad Cochran Leadership Award. Courtesy photo
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