The Northern Light: April 6-12, 2023

Blaine Oyster Festival returns in May, page 3

NEXUS centers reopening in Canadian airports

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Canada and U.S. government officials announced that NEXUS enrollment centers will reopen at eight Canadian airports within the next month.

The March 20 announcements from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) come after about 350,000 applicants have experienced interview backlogs over the past year.

This will be the first time Canadian enrollment centers have reopened since the pandemic, and nearly a year after U.S. enrollment centers reopened last April.

A debate between governments on whether CBP agents could carry guns in Canadian processing centers was widely thought to be a contributor to Canada’s delay to reopen the NEXUS centers. The debate centered around a 2019 U.S./ Canada preclearance agreement that authorized U.S. agents to carry guns wherever CBSA carried in Canadian airports and ports, according to previous reporting in The Northern Light . But as CBSA agents are not allowed to be armed, there was debate on whether U.S. agents could carry.

CBSA spokesperson Rebecca Purdy told The Northern Light last August that U.S. and Canada officials were clarifying legal protections for U.S. CBP officers working in enrollment centers.

Canadian NEXUS centers will no longer have Canada and U.S. border officials together during interviews, as was done before the pandemic.

Applicants now have three options to complete their interviews. They can either have a joint interview at a U.S. enrollment center; interview at a Canadian land enrollment center and then interview separately at a U.S. enrollment center on the U.S./Canada border; or air travelers can do a two-step process where U.S. and Canadian border agents will conduct interviews separately.

Canadian enrollment centers have already begun interviews with the reopening of the Halifax and Winnipeg international airports on March 27 and Vancouver International Airport on April 3.

Other NEXUS centers will soon reopen at

(See NEXUS, page 3)

Easter egg hunts in Birch Bay and Blaine, page 10

Birch Bay Road Race runners dash to finish line

City sewer project significantly under budget

The city’s large sewer project is expected to come in at nearly half of its previously anticipated $6.5 million budget. The project will update the dilapidated sewer system near Blaine school district, Blaine Senior Center and north of Burger King.

Blaine City Council unanimously approved Bellingham-based Strider Construction Co. to construct the G Street sewer project at $3.9 million, not including 8.8 percent sales tax, during the March 27 council meeting.

Problems with the sewer system culminated in summer 2020 when the sewer overflowed into the streets west and southwest of the Blaine school district campus. The issue was then brought to

city council’s attention in March 2021 and it approved David Evans and Associates to conduct the project’s engineering work. Engineering estimates originally anticipated a $6.5 million project total but city finance director Daniel Heverling said city was bracing to need up to $7.5 million.

In March 2021, city staff advised city council that the General Sewer Plan, a study on the city’s sewer infrastructure finished in 2004 and updated in 2005, recommended the city sewer lines be updated in 2009. The study predicted that, if the pipes weren’t fixed, sewage would leak where overflow was observed in summer 2020.

David Evans and Associates finished engi-

(See Sewer, page 15)

s Runners pushed against strong winds the morning of April 1 as they raced along the 5k, 15k and 30k courses in the Birch Bay Road Race. Orca Running, which will hold 15 races across Washington state this year, organized the annual Birch Bay race. More photos on page 13.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

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Blaine United Church of Christ

Alleluia! He is Risen! Please join Pastor Sandy Wisecarver at the Blaine United Church of Christ (Congregational) for Holy Week and Easter Services.

Thur., April 6 6 pm Maundy Thursday Service with Communion

Fri., April 7 6 pm Good Friday Service

Sun., April 9 9-10 am Light Breakfast 10:30 am Easter Service & Communion

We are an open and affirming church - welcoming all the people of God. Corner of Fourth & Clark • 332-6906

CUSTER UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH

Endtime Message Tabernacle

Good Friday • 7 pm Saturday • 6 pm Easter • 10:30 am & 5 pm

Regular Service Times: Sundays at 10:30 am & 5 pm

Pioneer Pavilion Event Center • 2007 Cherry Street, Ferndale 360-815-5025 • www.endtimemessagetabernacle.com

Maundy ursday: Silent Dinner 6pm Worship 6:30pm

Maundy Thursday: Service 6 pm

Easter Worship: 10am

Easter Sunday: Worship 10 am

Children’s Time: 10:15am with Easter Egg Hunt Brunch: 11 am

Everyone Welcome • Masks Optional Pastor “Bing” Canlas

Easter Worship Services Everyone Welcome

2996 MAIN STREET (PO BOX 500) CUSTER, WA 98240 (360)366-5181

2996 MAIN STREET CUSTER, WA (360) 366-5181 custerumc.org

Good Friday, April 7: 7-8 pm

A candlelight, communion service.

Resurrection Sunday, April 9: 10:30 am-12 pm Worship Service. In Person & Livestream online.

902 Adelia Street, Blaine, WA 98230 360-332-8918 office@bcfcommunity.com www.bcfcommunity.com www.facebook.com/blainechristianfellowship

Holy W Servi

Holy W Servi

Maundy

Maundy Thursday April 6 • 7pm Good Friday April 7 • 7pm Easter Sunday April 9 • 10:30 am Egg hunt • 11:45

Every Sunday: Traditional Service 10:30 Contemporary 4:30 Watch online at blainegracelutheran.com

702 G Street Blaine 360-332-6589

We invite you to Holy Week & Ea

Grace Lu Chur 702 G St Blaine 33 blaine-grace-lu

Good Friday April 7

Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Our Lord 7 pm St Joseph, Ferndale

Holy Saturday April 8 Easter Vigil 7 pm St Joseph, Ferndale

Easter Sunday April 9 Easter Mass 8:30 am St Joachim, Lummi 10 am St Anne, Blaine 10:30 am St Joseph, Ferndale

The NW Corner Catholic Community

Please join us for our Holy Week liturgies!

St. Anne Church, H & 6th Streets, Blaine

St. Joseph Church, 5781 Hendrickson Ave., Ferndale St. Joachim Church, Kwina & Lummi Shore Rd., Lummi

Blaine Oyster Festival returns in May

first

The successful oyster festival that brought crowds to downtown Blaine is returning for its second year this May.

Event organizers who hosted the inaugural Blaine Oyster Festival last October are planning the 2023 festival for Saturday, May 20 and expect another day of good weather, oysters and activities.

The event will have a street fair,

live music and family activities. Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, co-hosting the event with the city and Blaine Chamber of Commerce, will be selling oysters on H Street Plaza. Whatcom County Public Works Department is expected to provide water quality education.

The event is planned for Victoria Day weekend to entice more Canadians to the event, said Alex

BHS alumni invited to play at Gray’s final concert

The Blaine school district is looking for alumni to play at band director Bob Gray’s final Blaine High School band concert to celebrate his retirement.

The concert is 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2 in either the Blaine High School Performing Arts Center or gymnasium, depending on expected attendance. Gray is retiring this year after 42 years of teaching and this will be his last concert.

All students who have studied an instrument under Gray are invited to play in the alumni per-

formance. During the concert, alumni will be seated in the audience and called to the stage when it is time to perform. Before the concert, there will be a rehearsal at 4:30 p.m. followed by a social reception with food at 5:30 p.m.

Gray selected three songs that will be easy for alumni to play, regardless if they no longer practice. Alumni are encouraged to RSVP and start practicing, as the sheet music is available.

For more information, the sheet music and to RSVP, visit bit.ly/3nFyH2I.

City of Blaine cancels TIF public briefings

The city of Blaine has canceled two upcoming public briefings for the proposed tax-increment financing (TIF) district.

The public briefings, scheduled for April 10 and April 24, would have informed residents on TIF, including what public improvements TIF would fund and tax revenues other taxing districts would receive.

Blaine City Council voted 4-3 during its February 27 meeting to send an analysis on creating TIF to the Washington state treasurer for feedback. As proposed, TIF would be established in the

NEXUS ...

From page 1

the following international airports: Calgary and Edmonton on Wednesday, April 12, Montreal-Trudeau on Monday, April 17, Toronto and Ottawa on Monday, April 24.

Existing NEXUS cardholders who renew their membership

upcoming east Blaine neighborhoods Grandis Pond and East Harbor Hills to fund $3.5 million worth of infrastructure. The city would take out bonds or loans to pay for the infrastructure and then repay those debts through projected increases in assessed property value. The assessed property value would not grow for other taxing districts, such as the fire district, until the city’s debt is paid.

No information was provided by press time on why the meetings were canceled or if they would be rescheduled.

before its expiration date have five years to complete their interview, according to the Canadian government.

A CBSA spokesperson was unable to provide answers by press time on how many applicants were currently waiting for NEXUS interviews and how long applicants should expect it will take for NEXUS interviews.

Wenger, the city’s tourism and economic development director. Organizers and suppliers were surprised at the turnout last year and are planning accordingly.

Wenger said Blaine Tourism and Advisory Committee (BTAC) made the oyster festival its priority for the year and approved $2,100 of city lodging tax funds for the event.

s The

Blaine Oyster Festival brought thousands of people to downtown Blaine last October.

Photo by Ruth Lauman

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. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on local issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likelihood of publication. 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

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Office Manager

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Contributors In This Issue

Doug Dahl

Helene Fellows

Jonathan Hall

The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230

Tel: 360/332-1777

Vol XXVIII, No 42

Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

Whatcom Business Alliance and Business Pulse held the 36th annual Whatcom Business Awards gala at Semiahmoo Resort on March 23. The event celebrated the accomplishments of the Whatcom business community. Below are the recognized business members and businesses.

• Start-Up Business of the Year: Armory Pickleball. Start-up business finalists in-

cluded: BrightStar Care of Bellingham/ Mount Vernon, Gateway 1890 Taphouse & Grill and Jack’s BBQ.

• Small Business of the Year: Vander Giessen Nursery. Small business finalists included: Living Pantry, Rover Stay Over and Gary’s Plumbing.

• Business Person of the Year: Marv Tjoelker, Larson Gross CPAs. Business person finalists included: Drew Schmidt,

Blaine businesses recognized at Whatcom gala OpiniOn Letters

San Juan Cruises; Jim Haupt, Hotel Bellwether; and Dick Skeers, Skeers Construction.

• Jon B. Strong Employee of the Year: Claire Adams, Bellingham Cold Storage

• Public Service Award: Bill Elfo, Whatcom County Sheriff

• Whatcom Lifetime Business Achievement (presented in memoriam): Bob Bray, Dairy Distributing

The Editor: Regarding the article in the March 30 issue of The Northern Light about probable staff layoffs in Blaine school district’s 2023-24 school year, it would be a great loss to our community if drama teacher Olivia Theilemann was to be removed from the staff roster. She has brought creativity, enthusiasm, expertise, appropriately challenging theater education to our students, and is well deserving of employment at Blaine.

If my voice counts for anything, I hope Dr. Granger and the school board carefully decide to keep our theater program healthy and active with Ms. Theilemann at the helm. After the heart-wrenching losses

caused by Covid-19, especially in the arts (music, theater), let us not go backward; our children are thriving with Olivia.

I have spoken with many students currently involved in the production of “Into the Woods” – April 13-16 and 2023 at the Performing Arts Center at Blaine High School (BHS); tickets available at the door – and they are extremely enthusiastic about “Miss T” (as they affectionately call her). They cite the camaraderie of the company, express admiration and appreciation for Ms. Theilemann, and are hopeful BHS will continue with a healthy theater curriculum under Miss T’s leadership.

“Order of employment” should not be the only reason the school board makes

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 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 Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.

financial decisions. Keeping the arts alive in the Blaine school district is very important to the inspiration and well-being of our students.

Jeanne Halsey Blaine

The Editor:

I met a mother of three boys who she had raised as a single mom, who were in their late teens and early 20s. She told me

(See Letters, next page)

Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., council chambers and virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.

Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info: blainesd.org.

North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 11 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.

s From l.; Blaine business leaders Seppi and Shawna Morris, co-owners of Living Pantry, and Gary and Kristen Slavin, of The Gateway 1890 Taphouse and Grill, were recognized during the Whatcom Business Alliance event gala on March 23.

Photo courtesy Gary Slavin

BP planning for $1.5 billion green investment at Cherry Point

BP’s Cherry Point Refinery could be subject to a $1.5 billion investment that would make the Whatcom County facility a future hub for green energy.

Whatcom County Executive

Satpal Sidhu told county council during its March 7 meeting that the BP corporate office in London has designated its Cherry Point facility as a preferred location for a sustainable aviation fuel production facility with a green hydrogen capability. Sidhu said he had met with BP Cherry Point’s vice president of refining Erik Zimpfer and government affairs manager Pamela Brady the day before who shared the possibility of two low carbon projects coming to Whatcom County.

“These two facilities would produce significant amounts of low carbon energy while creating new jobs,” Sidhu said.

The total investment is currently estimated at $1.5 billion over several years. The exact number of construction and permanent operational jobs has yet to be determined but expected to be in the thousands, Sidhu said.

A BP Cherry Point Refinery representative could not be reached for comment prior to press date.

Sidhu said with Cherry Point selected as one of five BP sites, planning for the facility is underway. BP will undergo Whatcom County’s permitting process and, if approved, Sidhu said could expect to have the facilities operational by 2028.

According to the U.S. Depart-

Letters ...

From previous page

all of them did well in school, while holding down part-time jobs. She said none of them ever smoked, drank or did drugs. I asked her how she accomplished this and she replied, “I never spanked them, grounded them or punished them in any way – we always just talked everything out.”

The following is a story from a parent of a high school student.

“My 16-year-old daughter Carol, told me she was studying child development in her home economics class, and one day their teacher asked, ‘What do you think would happen to a child if he or she were never punished?’

When Carol told the class that she had never been hit or punished by her parents, the other students looked at her with their mouths open. One of the girls said, ‘But … but … you’re good!’ I guess they couldn’t believe that someone could turn out to be ‘good’ without having been punished. I suppose if children were raised with spankings and punishments, it would be hard for them to understand that when parents trust kids and talk to them respectfully, the kids can end up being very ‘good’ and very responsible people.”

Case in point, the parent went on to say she and her husband

ment of Energy, sustainable aviation fuel is made from renewable biomass and waste resources, which include corn grain, oil seeds, algae, municipal solid waste streams and manures, and has the potential to deliver the performance of petroleum-based jet fuel but with a fraction of its

returned late one night to find a note on their pillow from Carol. She had accidently hit a tree while backing out of the driveway and dented the fender of their car. She enclosed some money as a first payment toward repairs and said she would pay a similar amount every month until it was all paid for. Then she wrote, “I’m really sorry!! It was an accident.

Love, Carol”

The above story is an excerpt from the book, “How to Talk So Kids Can Learn At Home and in School” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a more positive approach to successful parenting and teaching.

Cindy Kisska

Birch Bay

The Editor:

An important meeting of the Blaine planning commission on Thursday, April 13 at 6 p.m. in council chambers will consider a zoning code change to allow a mobile home park of 300 sites on H Street Road east of Harvey Road.

Falsely touted as a way to provide affordable housing in Blaine, but instead of that the code change shifts the investment benefit to the developer who retains ownership of the land and rents it to the home buyers, generating him a potential yearly cash flow of potentially $2.8 million (300 lots x $800/month).

This means that the investment

carbon footprint. The Cherry Point refinery currently supplies fuel to Vancouver, Seattle and Portland international airports. The projects are part of the multinational oil and gas company’s plans to be “net zero” by 2050, which it announced in October 2021.

opportunity isn’t there for the homeowner but for the owner or other investors to whom the land is sold in chunks.

Little tax revenue is generated to deal with the impact of so many new residents and schoolage children. Clearcutting the land will dramatically affect drainage and water quality close to Blaine’s source for city water.

So come to the hearing on the 13th and object to this massive land grab that can only hurt Blaine.

Jackie Braverman

Jack Kintner Blaine

s BP Cherry Point.

Photo courtesy BP

Blaine school district to receive Juul Labs settlement

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E-cigarette company Juul Labs will pay $1.2 billion to Blaine and 1,600 other school districts involved in a class-action lawsuit settlement for the company’s role in the youth vaping epidemic.

Blaine school board accepted a resolution in its March 27 regular meeting that instructs Blaine school district superintendent Christopher Granger to file documents necessary to receive claims from the vape company.

The district joined a lawsuit led by Spokane-based law firm Stevens Clay, P.S. last March that sought to hold Juul and its biggest investor Altria Group, Inc. accountable for present and fu-

ture costs school districts will incur for the prevention, intervention and education of nicotine use and addiction.

The $1.2 billion will be spread across 1,600 school districts and a few local municipalities through five different payments over the next four years, according to Garrett Williams, a Stevens Clay attorney handling the suit.

Granger said during the March 27 meeting that the amount the district will receive would be determined once all parties involved agree on the settlement.

“It’s a strong message that we know how much vaping is impacting the youth of, not just our community, but across the country, and how important it is that

we respond to that when we can,” Granger said.

Juul is reportedly paying out a total of $1.7 billion after it settled a consolidation of more than 5,000 lawsuits in the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in December 2022. According to The Wall Street Journal, the 5,000 lawsuits have 10,000 plaintiffs, which include school districts, local governments and individuals, that claimed Juul’s e-cigarettes, or vapes, were more addictive than advertised.

In September 2022, Juul agreed to pay $438.5 million to settle a multi-state investigation into the company aiming the marketing of its products to youth and misrepresenting those products, nicotine content, although the company denied such claims, according to The New York Times. The $1 billion settlement involves more cases that Juul will pay out but it does not put an end to claims against Altria, which owned a 35 percent stake in Juul.

In June 2022, the U.S. Food

and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered Juul to stop marketing and distributing its products in the U.S. to protect public health. However, the FDA later placed a

temporary hold on its decision following a legal challenge from Juul. The FDA is conducting an additional review of the company’s products.

Blaine man arrested for DUI accident, eluding police while out on bond

A Blaine man, 37, who was out on bail for allegedly stealing nearly $1 million from an elderly woman was arrested March 26 for hitting a vehicle while driving under the influence and attempting to elude police.

Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers received a call around 5:40 p.m. March 26 of a hit-and-run collision near mile post 261 on I-5, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in Whatcom County Superior Court. Shortly after, a grey Nissan matching the description of the hit-and-run vehicle almost hit the two troopers

near mile post 270. The WSP troopers reportedly watched the vehicle, which had heavy frontend damage and a missing tire, swerve and drive on the shoulder of I-5.

The driver hit a guardrail as he took exit 270, then ran a stop sign on Birch Bay-Lynden Road and swerved in both lanes of the road before crashing into a ditch in the 8500 block of Loomis Trail Road, according to the affidavit.

The man was noncompliant to an officer’s requests before being arrested, court records show. The man’s blood alcohol concentration

came out as 0.20 on breathalyzer tests, according to the affidavit.

A witness told troopers after the arrest that the vehicle also hit a semi-truck at the northbound Custer area, according to court documents.

The man was previously arrested November 16, 2022, for allegedly stealing $900,000 from a woman in her late 80s who was in his care. He was released on a $152,000 bond the same day he was arrested.

The man is being held in Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday, April 7.

SFU ends football program

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Simon Fraser University (SFU) has cut its football program after over 50 years.

“This is a difficult decision, and not one taken lightly,” SFU president Joy Johnson wrote in an April 4 announcement. “With the recent announcement that the team has not been invited to continue in the Lone Star Conference, we do not have a conference to play in beginning in 2024. The ongoing uncertainty creates an unacceptable experience for students.

“The university has carefully considered all available options and as a leadership team we concluded that football is no longer a feasible sport for SFU,” Johnson continued.

SFU football joined the Lone Star Conference as a football-only member in 2022 after the Great Northwest Athletic Conference stopped sponsoring football following the 2021 season. Last

year, the Lone Star Conference primarily consisted of schools from Texas and New Mexico. Central Washington University and Western Oregon University were also in the conference.

SFU played four of its home games at the Blaine High School stadium last October and November after Canada’s vaccination requirement caused difficulty for traveling teams.

Johnson said in the announcement that the university will support its football athletes who want to explore other options and will honor the athletic scholarship commitments for students who choose to remain at the school.

SFU is Canada’s only NCAA team and will continue competing in 18 varsity sports at the Division II level. Its football program formed in 1965.

Photo courtesy SFU

s Blaine High School. File photo

Sports roundup: Baseball on a spring break win streak, softball undefeated

Baseball

The Borderites are on a threegame win streak after beating the Mount Baker Mountaineers 1110 April 4 at Pipeline Fields in Blaine. The day before they beat the Burlington-Edison Tigers 9-2 at Burlington-Edison High School. On April 1, the team beat the Granite Falls Tigers 14-4 at home.

Blaine will play a double-header at home Saturday, April 8 against The Overlake School. Games are at noon and 2 p.m. Then the team travels to Lynden High School to play the Lions Tuesday, April 11 and Meridian High School to play the Trojans Wednesday, April 12. Both games are at 4 p.m.

Blaine is 6-3 so far this season and 3-3 in conference.

Boys soccer

Blaine boys soccer team took a big 3-2 win over the Lynden Christian Lyncs March 30 at Lynden Christian High School to notch another conference win in its positive start to the season.

The boys play the Nooksack Valley Pioneers, who knocked Blaine out of the district 1 1A tournament last season in a golden goal upset win, next. The game is at 7 p.m. Monday, April 10 at the Blaine High School stadium. The team then travels to Mount Baker High School Wednesday, April 12 to play the Mountaineers at 4:30 p.m.

The team is 4-1-1 overall this season and 2-0 in conference.

Boys golf

Boys golf head coach Rick Shockey said Uno Nevarez shot a team-low score and personal best March 27 at Three Lakes Golf Course in Wenatchee.

The boys played in Yakima March 31 at Apple Tree Golf Course, where Shockey said he was really pleased with the play of Noah Tavis and Vance Hoptowit. “We held our own against some 4A schools,” he said.

The goal is to keep improving and be ready for the end of the season district tournament, Shockey added.

Blaine boys golf team plays next at Sudden Valley Golf and Country Club in Bellingham High School’s multi-school Shotgun Start conference match Thursday, April 13. The boys will play at Homestead Farms Golf Course

Tuesday, April 18 in a multischool, conference match hosted by Lynden Christian High School. Both matches start at 3 p.m.

Girls golf

Blaine girls golf play next at Camaloch Golf Course Monday, April 10. Tee off is at 3 p.m.

Girls softball

The Lady Borderites are flying so far this season. The team is undefeated in five games and has only conceded two runs.

Recently, Blaine beat the Bellingham Bayhawks 18-0 March 29 after senior Piper Nissen pitched

a perfect game. Junior Emersyn Bakker pitched a no-hitter against Granite Falls at home April 1, where the Lady Borderites won 17-1.

Head coach Sean Miller said there is a big expectation for the team, after coming up short of a state berth last year and having kept most of its key players. Sean said the goal is to keep the girls focused.

Sean said assistant coach Riley Miller has put in an enormous amount of time into this team through the youth system.

“None of this gets done without youth league coaches and dads and moms getting their girls involved,” he said. “This is collectively a team effort. It’s not just a player or coach, it’s the community.”

Blaine has big games coming up against tough competition.

The girls play defending 1A state champions Nooksack Valley at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 at Pipeline Fields in Blaine. Then they play the Lynden Christian Lyncs at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 14 at Lynden Christian Middle School.

The team is 5-0 overall and 4-0 in conference.

Girls tennis

Upon returning from spring break, Blaine girls varsity tennis will play the Bellingham Bayhawks at Bellingham High School Tuesday, April 11. Then the girls will host the Lynden Lions Thursday, April 13. Both matches start at 4 p.m.

Track and field

Blaine’s track and field team hosted its annual track meet March 29.

Some notable results came from sophomore Kaitlyn Harrington who jumped a personal record (PR) of 4 feet, 10 inches to win the girls high jump. Harrington also won the girls 100 meters with a PR of 14.58 seconds and placed second in the 200 meters with a PR of 29.05 seconds. Junior Deja Dube won the discus with a throw of 83 feet, 6 inches. Madeleine Ernst won the javelin with a PR of 95 feet, 11 inches. She also placed second in both the shot put and long jump. Sophomore Josiah Weeda took second in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 17.33 seconds. Sophomore Makenna Lausier placed second in the pole vault with a PR of 7 feet, 6 inches.

s Grady Swinburnson makes a late throw to first base in the Borderites’ 11-10 win over Mount Baker High School April 4. Photo by Ian Haupt

s Josiah Weeda over the hurdles at Blaine High School track meet March 29.

Photo by Molly Ernst

Health & Wellness Local

Op-Ed: Living kidney donation is a life-affirming experience

B y h elene

F ellows , rn

We tell stories all the time. If we want to inform or educate on an important topic we need to tell a good story because most people are not motivated by data.

It is no accident that traditions and cultures are often preserved through storytelling and narrative. We process a call to action through an emotional lens. It is through that lens that we choose to act or not act. One of my stories is how and

why I became a living kidney donor. As a young girl, I couldn’t wait to check that box on my driver’s license application to sign up as an organ donor. I have no idea where that “need” came from. But it was deep inside of me.

Decades later, in 2017, I donated my “spare” kidney to my husband, Arthur, who was diagnosed with Alport syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive kidney disease. I did the right thing for me and my family. I was fortunate to be able to donate to my husband, but

ultimately I saved his life for our kids. I would have given my kidney to anyone, but we got lucky it worked out the way it did.

Because March is National Kidney Month and April is National Donate Life Month, it’s a good time to share my story. Some living donors report moments of doubt; others say they never had any doubt. For them, they just knew it was the right thing to do. The vast majority of living donors say if they could, they’d donate again, because their donation was a life-affirming, humbling gift that enriched their lives – and saved a life.

The process to become a living kidney donor is not fast and without challenges, nor should it be. A team will walk you through the process of a full medical workup, compatibility testing, coordinating care once a match is identified and addressing financial concerns.

High on a potential donor’s list of concerns is, “who’s going to pay for this?” The recipient’s insurance covers all testing as well as surgical and inpatient expenses for donors. There are stipends for incidentals such as travel, lodging and food for the donor.

The process has gotten easier for

donors over the years. Surgery and recovery time have improved exponentially. Along with a much easier surgical process for donors, the success rates for recipients has greatly improved, too. I can attest that choosing to donate is all voluntary and there is no coercion.

I’m a registered nurse, so I recognize that data matters but stories are the motivator.

• 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. is at risk for kidney disease

• Diabetes is the top cause of kidney disease

• High blood pressure is the second top cause

• Kidney disease can strike anyone

• 37 million U.S. adults have kidney disease

• 48 percent of people with severely reduced kidney function and not on dialysis are not aware they have kidney disease

• Every 24 hours, about 340 people begin dialysis treatment for kidney failure

• Over 90,000 people are on the kidney transplant waiting list

If you or someone you know is considering becoming a living kidney donor, or simply want to know more about it, contact Helene Fellows at hjfkidneychampion@gmail.com.

Fellows is a registered nurse in Bellingham, who volunteers with the Mount Baker Foundation’s kidney health awareness initiative, mtbakerfoundation.org.

s Helene Fellows. Courtesy photo

Masks not required in clinics, and other news

Masks no longer required in clinics, correctional facilities Covid-19 masks are no longer required in healthcare, long-term care and corrections facilities in Washington state as of April 3. Washington State Department of Health (DOH) cited Covid-19, RSV and influenza numbers that have declined since the end of last year as the reason for no longer needing masks in its announcement in early March.

The DOH still recommends masks for patients, healthcare providers and visitors in clinics. State worker protections remain in place for those who want to continue to wear facemasks.

New chief medical officer at PeaceHealth PeaceHealth has named Dr. Lorna Gober as new chief medical officer for PeaceHealth’s northwest network.

Gober previously worked as medical director of sound physicians at PeaceHealth centers in Bellingham, Sedro-Woolley and Vancouver, according to PeaceHealth’s announcement. She also had a role in executive leadership at Family Care Network, and worked at Western Washington University Student Health Center,

(See Health, page 10)

Hi, I’m Chuck!

Hi, my name is Chuck Rudolph. I moved to Bellingham from San Diego, CA two years ago to be close to my daughter and her family. I have four children, 11 grandchildren and soon to be 5 great grandchildren. After College I was drafted into the U.S. Army for two years. I then started my career as a U.S. History teacher at the Catholic High School level and realized I needed to make more money. At that time, a teacher’s weekly salary was $90. I searched for another career and after taking many tests through the county for police, fire and probation I was offered a job with the San Diego probation department. I spent 30 years in that department before retiring. I worked in adult casework, juvenile investigations and ran the

and

Health ...

From page 9

Sea Mar Community Health Clinic and Nooksack Tribal Health.

Gober received her bachelor’s

READ LOCAL

degree from the University of Oregon honors college, graduating magna cum laude, and received her doctor of medicine from the University of Washington.

The northwest network covers PeaceHealth’s medical centers in Bellingham, Friday Harbor, Sedro-Woolley and Ketchikan.

PeaceHealth pediatric unit opens

A new pediatric care unit opened at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham.

The unit has four rooms, containing seven beds, and two rooms for overflow patients, according to a March 29 PeaceHealth announcement. One of the rooms is for children whose outpatient procedures may require observation such as infusions or medication monitoring. The unit opened in February. PeaceHealth has plans to continue growing its pediatric services, according to the announcement.

Easter egg hunts around Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo

Families have several options to search for candy at Easter egg hunts in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo during the holiday weekend. Below are a list of events coming up for Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9.

Blaine Marine Park egg hunt: Christ the King Community Church (CTK) Blaine will host an Easter egg hunt 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 8 at Blaine Marine Park. Four hunts, separated by age groups, will start around 10:20 a.m. The free event will have a bounce house, lawn games and prizes. Complimentary fresh donuts, coffee and hot chocolate will be served. The event is intended for children up to 12 years old.

American Legion egg hunt: American Legion Post 86 and CTK North Bay are co-hosting a free Easter egg hunt at 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 8 at the American Legion, 4580 Legion Drive. The egg hunt starts at 2 p.m.

In addition to the egg hunt, children up to 12 years old can enjoy bounce houses, face painting, crafts and taking pictures with Easter bunnies. Children who find golden eggs will receive prizes such as toys, gift baskets and gift cards from event sponsors. Complimentary hot dogs, chips and soda will be served.

Semiahmoo Resort activities and brunch: Semiahmoo Resort is hosting an Easter egg hunt for the public and hotel guests at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, April 9 on the hotel’s waterfront lawn. Two golden eggs will be hidden during each hunt with certificates for a movie night at the resort’s

theater with pizza from Packers Kitchen and Bar.

The Easter Bunny will be in the lobby 10:30-11:30 a.m. for photos. Other events include a petting zoo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Easter brunch buffet, and special brunches at Packers and Great Blue Heron Grill.

Northwood Chapel egg hunt: Northwood Chapel will host an egg hunt at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 9 after its Easter service at 580 C Street. The hunt, which will have candy prizes, is intended for children three to 12 years old. Refreshments and cookies will be provided.

Easter Bunny photos: The Easter Bunny will make an appearance 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 9 near the playground at Blaine Marine Park. Greg Nuzum, who is known for dressing in costumes around Blaine and Birch Bay, is coordinating the event.

Natural history: Wetlands in the Blaine and Birch Bay area

Wetlands in the Blaine and Birch Bay area occupy about 20 percent of the land surface. These wetlands range from tidal marshes along the estuarine shoreline to forested wetlands in areas where restrictive soil layers keep water from percolating downward. Some wetlands are located

where water collects in depressions on the landscape, while others occur where seeps and springs discharge water near the base of slopes. Wetlands in the vicinity of Blaine and Birch Bay are also common on stream floodplains. If you travel south from Birch Bay on Jackson Road, a beautiful example of one of

(See Wetlands, page 16)

B y J onathan h all

s Riverine wetland bordering Terrell Creek at Jackson Road. Courtesy photo

s The Easter bunny visited Blaine and Birch Bay families last year. Photo courtesy Greg Nuzum

CAR SALES & CAR RENTALS

BLAINE, WA

See inventory at petersautosalesllc.com

Financing OAC

Most major credit cards accepted 360-922-0589 Office

& Toddlers F/T & P/T

Help Wanted Legal

lace, Deceased. NO. 23-4-00188-37.

PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030). JUDGE: Evan P. Jones.

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 9, 2023

Personal Representative: Kim Raper PO Box 51 Deming, WA 98244

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. 23-4-00188-37.

IN THE DISTRICT COURT FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM ATLANTIC SPECIALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff(s) V. JODI WATERMAN; DAVID SAENZ, Defendant(s). No. CV22-1137. SUMMONS FOR PUBLICATION.

The State of Washington to David Saenz,

Defendant:

You are hereby summoned to appear within 60 days after the date of first publication of the Summons, which date wasMarch 30, 2023, and defend the above-entitled action in the above-entitled Court, and Answer the Complaint of the Plaintiff, Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company, and serve a copy of your Answer upon the undersigned attorney for the Plaintiff, Dellwo, Roberts & Scanlon, PS at their office address below stated, and in case you fail to do so, judgment will be rendered against you according to the demand of the complaint which has been filed with the Clerk of the Court.

This action seeks to recover the sum of $13,733.35 plus Plaintiffs statutory fee and taxable costs. This claim arises from a motor vehicle accident which occurred on October 6, 2021 between a vehicle owned by you and operated by Jodi Waterman to a vehicle owned by Pacific Cruises Northwest, Inc. and operated by Nancy Schmidt. The accident occurred in Blaine, Washington.

DATED this 30 day of March, 2023.

DELLWO, ROBERTS & SCANLON, P.S.

Robert C. Scanlon, WSBA #07493

Attorneys for Plaintiff 1124 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 310 Spokane, Washington 99201-1109

Tel: (509) 624-4291

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Willemina

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:

6, 2023

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY In Re The Estate of: DONNA L. SMITH, Deceased. No. 234-01467-4 KNT. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030)

The person named below has been appointed as Executor 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 Executor or the Executor’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 Executor 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 30, 2023.

Kimberley A. Smith, Executor

Michelle R. Siebenaler, WSBA # 42137

Attorney for Executor SIEBENALER LAW, PLLC 909 S. 336th St., STE 102 FEDERAL WAY, WA 98003 253.397.4674

PENDING

Call Hugh to View 360-371-5800

Parklike Setting

Jeff Leghorn, Real Estate Attorney & Real Estate Agent

Assistance with Buying, Developing, Leasing and Selling Real Estate. Reasonable Flat Fees.

Call Jeff: 360.366.4925 • jeff@law-office.net

LAW OFFICE OF A. JEFF LEGHORN, PLLC • WA REALTY LAW, LLC

Rentals - Commercial

NELSON BUILDING

925 Ludwick Ave., Blaine

LEASE SPACES FOR:

• Commercial

• Warehousing

• Distribution

• Manufacturing

4100 SF w/Loading Dock

Coming Available in Fall

“Near Truck Route & Mall”

Email or Call Don Nelson

For Availability & Rates

Call: 360-305-0286

Email nelsbldg@msn.com

All real estate/rentals advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246.

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.

Road Rules: Preventing billboard dystopia

Question: In our city of Kennewick there are several large signs near the street that include bright white lights at night. One is a large LED sign that flashes from subdued colors to mostly bright white, giving your eyes no time to adjust. Another has bright white lights that all blink at the same time, lighting up the area. Are there any safety laws to protect bright lights from interfering with a driver’s eyesight at night?

Answer: In 1982, Ridley Scott’s movie, “Blade Runner,” envisioned a future (set in 2019) with flying cars, synthetic humans and a Los Angeles population of 106 million people. He was way off on those three predictions, but he nailed one thing for sure: digital billboards. Their pervasive presence adds to the dystopian future that the film imagines.

Twenty or so years after the release of “Blade Runner,” the first digital billboards started showing up along highways in the real world. Now digital signs are so abundant it feels like they’ve al-

David Hugh Allan, MD

May 5, 1949 – March 30, 2023

The family of Dr. David Allan is saddened to announce his recent passing. A full obituary with information regarding his memorial service will be announced shortly.

ways been there.

Billboards themselves have been around a long time, gaining popularity in the 1830s as a way to announce the circus coming to town. It took over 100 years, but by the 1960s Washington adopted laws to regulate outdoor advertising along state highways. We now have the “Highway Advertising Control Act – Scenic Vistas Act,” an entire chapter in the Revised Code of Washington.

The purpose of the law, as stated in the opening section, is to “promote the public health, safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of public travel” and to conserve natural beauty and scenic areas along our state highways. That’s a lot to expect from a group of laws that regulate signs, but those laws do play a part in traffic safety.

The law includes some prohibitions about illuminated signs near roadways. It prohibits “signs which contain, include, or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent, or moving light,” with a few exceptions for public service signs that provide information like the time and temperature. The law also prohibits signs that allow light to shine on the highway at “such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair the vision” of a driver or “otherwise interfere” with driving.

From what you’ve described, you’ve found a couple signs that violate state law, assuming they’re along a state highway. But what if they’re on a city street? The state law says nothing about county

(See Road Rules, page 15)

Birch Bay Road Race returns for 2023 event

s Runners and walkers cross the starting line for the Birch Bay Road Race near Birch Bay Waterslides on April 1. Racers spent the morning traveling along Birch Bay Drive and neighboring roads for the 5k, 15k and 30k. To view the results, visit Orca Running’s website at bit.ly/3nR2pl6.

Photos by Grace McCarthy

sheriff’s repOrts

Mar. 19, 6:10 p.m.: Juvenile problem on Sole Drive.

Mar. 20, 4:02 a.m.: Motor vehicle accident injury on Peace Portal Drive and West Road.

Mar. 20, 3:18 p.m.: Vandalism on Harborview Road.

Mar. 21, 9:59 a.m.: Suicidal subject on Clamdigger Drive.

Mar. 21, 2:10 p.m.: Trespass on Helweg Road.

Mar. 21, 8:52 p.m.: Domestic order violation on Harborview Road.

Mar. 21, 11:06 p.m.: Domestic physical on Harborview Road.

Mar. 22, 2:24 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Birch Bay-Lynden and Harborview roads.

Mar. 22, 3:24 p.m.: Forgery on Ashbury Court.

Mar. 22, 8:09 p.m.: Sex offender registration on Lincoln Road.

Mar. 23, 10:25 a.m.: Neighborhood dispute on Alder Street.

Mar. 23, 8:50 p.m.: Mental health issue on Surf Place.

Mar. 25, 10:31 p.m.: Domestic verbal on Birch Bay Drive.

Mar. 26, 1:30 a.m.: Music on Pipeline Road.

Mar. 26, 5:18 p.m.: Domestic order violation on Pacific Highway.

Mar. 26, 6:36 p.m.: Subject with a weapon on Birch Bay Drive.

Mar. 26, 7:21 p.m.: Suicidal

ACROSS

subject on Forsberg Road.

Mar. 27, 8:57 a.m.: Domestic order violation on Birch Terrace Drive, Custer. Suspect arrested.

Mar. 27, 4:01 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident injury on Peace and

Coming up

H Street roads.

Mar. 27, 4:55 p.m.: Death investigation on Blaine Road.

Mar. 27, 7:27 p.m.: Disorderly conduct on Birch Bay Drive and Deer Trail.

pOLiCe repOrts

Mar. 24, 9:57 a.m.: Suspicious circumstance on H Street.

Mar. 24, 11:19 a.m.: Landlord tenant dispute on D Street.

Mar. 24, 3:21 p.m.: Threat on Grand Avenue.

Mar. 24, 6:09 p.m.: Assault on Bell Road.

Mar. 24, 10:31 p.m.: Serve paper on 15th Street.

Mar. 25, 9:41 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on H Street.

Mar. 25, 10:43 p.m.: Abandoned vehicle on Kingsley Avenue.

Mar. 26, 4:13 a.m.: Assist citizen on Martin Street.

Mar. 26, 5:03 p.m.: Harassment on Alder Street.

Mar. 26, 9:47 p.m.: Suspicious circumstance on H Street.

Mar. 27, 9:36 a.m.: Assist agency on H Street.

Mar. 27, 11:31 a.m.: Suspicious circumstance on Odell Road.

Mar. 27, 4:03 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident injury on Peace Portal Drive.

11. Atomic #13

12. Tranquillizing

13. Metric weight unit

15. Indicates

18. Unwanted rodent

21. Partly cooked with hot water

24. One who can be recommended

26. Resembles a bag or pouch

27. Midway between south and southeast

30. Sets up for a photo

32. California white oak

35. More (Spanish)

37. After B

38. Decorated tea urn

39. Island

42. Car mechanics group

43. Wordplay joke

46. Cut a rug

47. Prickly plant

49. Speech in praise of a deceased person

50. European buzzard

52. Influential linguist

Mar. 27, 4:56 p.m.: Trouble with subject on Cedar Street.

Mar. 28, 9:13 a.m.: Assist agency on H Street.

Mar. 28, 11:29 a.m.: Property found on H Street.

Mar. 28, 12:48 p.m.: Theft on Boblett Street.

Mar. 29, 9:56 a.m.: Juvenile problem on H Street.

Mar. 29, 10:41 a.m.: Domestic physical on Adelia Street.

Mar. 29, 10:44 a.m.: Welfare check on H Street.

Mar. 30, 9:28 a.m.: Theft on Marine Drive.

Mar. 30, 3:11 p.m.: Property found on H Street.

Mar. 30, 3:51 p.m.: Theft on Leighton Street.

Mar. 30, 7:58 p.m.: AED required on Snow Goose Lane.

Mar. 31, 8:21 p.m.: Trespass on 3rd Street.

Report by Blaine Police Department

59. Oblong pulpit 62. Consumed 63. Small, mischievous sprite 66. Powerful lawyer 68. Indicates position

Whatcom Dream Financial Empowerment Class: Mondays, April 10–May 8, 12-1 p.m., CAP Center, 508 G Street. Learn techniques to improve your financial management skills for a more secure financial future. Free. Info and registration: 360/296-0441 or kevin@thewhatcomdream.org. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program.

Introduction to Podcasting: Thursday, April 6, 6–7:30 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn what a podcast is, discover some examples of different types of podcasts and get an overview of what it takes to create your own podcast. Presented by Neil McKay, creator of the local podcast, WCLS in Whatcom County presents Library Stories for the Whatcom County Library System. Join him for a lively discussion of tools, tricks and tips and you’ll walk out thinking “I can be a podcaster too!”

Not Your Average Garage Sale: Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday, April 9, 10 a.m–3 p.m., 8125 Birch Bay Square Street #207. Proceeds benefit Snip Snip Hooray with pet spay/neuter surgeries for income-qualified individuals in Whatcom County. Info: 360/398-8262. Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m., Blaine Marine Park. Egg hunt, donuts made on-site, bounce house, lawn games, prize boxes, coffee and hot chocolate. Free. For families with kids ages 0–12. Hosted By CTK Blaine.

Birch Bay Egg Hunt: Saturday, April 8, 2 p.m., American Legion, 4580 Legion Drive. Kids ages 0-12 come hunt for eggs, special prizes for golden eggs, take pictures with Bernie and Bonnie Easter Bunny, bouncy houses, face painting. Free admission and food. Hosted by CTK North Bay and American Legion Post 86 with several businesses sponsoring.

Easter Worship Services: See ads page 2.

Easter Egg Hunt: Sunday, April 9, 11 a.m., Northwood Chapel, 580 C Street. Info: northwoodchapel.com.

Community Orchards for Resources and Education (CORE) Class: Wednesday, April 12, 6-7:30 p.m. Daffodils, care, cultivation and new varieties. Please join us for a fascinating presentation on daffodils, the unsung heroes of our spring gardens! Local Ferndale resident Bill Carter is a professional grower and develops his own varieties. Questions, call Kelle @CORE 360/342-7435, leave a message.

Scholastics Elementary School Book Fair: Wednesday–Friday, April 12–14, 1–4 p.m., Blaine Elementary School Library, 836 Mitchell Street. Just in time for summer reading. Proceeds help purchase books for our students to borrow from the library. Info: blainesd.org.

Boating Skills and Safety Course: April 17 to May15; Monday evenings 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Blaine Senior Center. Bellingham Sail and Power Squadron offers full introduction to boating with government regulations, navigation, safety equipment, skippers’ responsibilities, boat types, emergency procedures and weather. Applies to both sail and power vessels. Qualifies for the Washington Boater Safety Education ID card. Register with M. Tompkins “seo@boatingisfun.org” or 360/318-9888 by April 15. $90 includes text and exam.

Into the Woods Theater Performance: April 20–22, 27–29 at 7 p.m., April 23 and 30 at 2 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. Blaine High School Theater Arts department perform. Adults $12, students $7.

Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Luncheon: Thursday, April 20, 11:30–1:30, BP Heron Center, 7290 Birch Bay Drive. Speaker: Amber Forest, park ranger for Birch Bay, Peace Arch and Larrabee state parks. RSVP: Birchbaychamber.com.

Family Movie Night: Friday, April 21, 8:30 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Playing family friendly movies. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and watch the movie on the big screen. Free popcorn. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Free Community Earth Day Event: Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free Unitarian Church, 1218 Harrison Avenue. Included will be local artists and vendors, music, crafts from the Blaine Senior Center, the Whatcom Humane Society Wild Animal Rescue, the Alternative Humane Society, kids’ crafts, demonstrations, and local environmental education and activities. All are welcome! Info: sienekestevenson@gmail.com.

Flea Market: Saturdays beginning April 22, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Free Church Unitarian, 1218 Harrison Avenue. Clothes, books, tools, kitchenwares, new and lightly used. Vendors: $25/table. Info: joyceck10@gmail.com.

Clam Harvesting 101: Saturday, April 22, noon–2 p.m., Birch Bay State Park, meet in front of the playground. Learn how to dig for clams, shellfish regulations, different clam species and methods of cleaning and cooking. Please come prepared with a shellfish license, shovel or trowel and a small bucket. Info: fobbsp.org.

Ongoing

8. Queens ballplayer 9. Geological times 10. Twofold

54. West African languages

55. Siskel’s partner

57. Skinny

Weather

Precipitation: During the period of March 27 to April 2, 0.2 inches of precipitation were recorded. The 2023 year-to-date precipitation is 7.8 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 67°F on March 28 with a low of 34°F on March 27 as well. Average high was 49°F and average low was 42°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.

Meals on Wheels Hot Lunches: Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Suggested donation of $5 per meal ($8.50 if under 60) or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) Meetings: Tuesdays 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 loved one. Evidence-based, structured curriculum and peer support at no cost. Info: palgroup.org or email Bev and Dave at wamillards@comcast.net.

Birch Bay Book Club: Wednesday, April 19, 4 p.m., Birch Bay Vogt Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. April title is One of Ours: by Willa Cather. Info: klia1@mac.com.

Blaine Book Club: Friday, April 21, 1 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. April title: Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy. Info: Kelly at 360/305-3637.

Blaine Arts Council: Meets second Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Meeting is open to the public. The council promotes, cultivates and supports the arts in order to enrich the lives of the community through creativity with a variety of cultural events, education and shows. Info: blaineartscouncil.org.

Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Sewer ...

From page 1

neering work last spring after delays due to staffing challenges, soil conditions and easements. Construction was expected to begin last summer but was delayed.

The project will install or replace 6,600 feet of aged sewer lines with larger PVC pipe. The sewer lines will be added on G Street, north of the senior center; on 8th Street, north of G Street;

and will run northwest to southwest of Blaine schools from just north of G Street to Boblett Street.

The sewer project has remained similar to the original plan aside from a few grade changes for flow improvement. Design work is also being done to replace another 930 feet of sewer line on 14th and E streets, northeast of Burger King.

Construction is expected to start in May, depending on the supply chain, and will take four months, said Gary McSpadden, acting Blaine public works director.

The engineer’s estimate was conservative to ensure all of the city’s costs were covered, which is why the project came out significantly under budget, McSpadden said. Six companies bid to work on the project and the majority of those projects were in the $4 million range, according to city documents. Strider Construction was the lowest bidder.

“Those were some very reputable companies,” McSpadden said. “Those numbers are reassuring for me when they come in like

that in a cluster.”

Whatcom County Council recently authorized giving Blaine a nearly $1.9 million grant and $625,000 loan for the sewer project. Blaine City Council is expected to accept the funds, which are being paid for through the county’s Economic Development Investment Program, at an upcoming meeting.

City council also approved the city to take out a $5 million bond last year that will be paid back from the sewer fund. The bond has a 3.2 percent interest rate for 15 years.

“If the project comes in at $4 million, it would be a dramatic impact because we budgeted that it would be around $7 million,” Heverling said. “It saves us money we can use on other sewer and water projects.”

The saved money won’t help the city’s projected $1 million budget deficit for 2023 because that shortfall is in the general fund. However, Heverling noted the leftover funds could be used for other projects, such as wellfield improvements, that would be beneficial overall for the city.

McSpadden said public works is working to minimize inconvenience to surrounding residents and businesses. The city plans to do more outreach to inform residents about the construction as the start date gets closer, he said.

“Construction is construction,” he said. “You are going to have some detours and traffic control, that’s just the nature of construction. We’re thinking about the citizens and trying to minimize that impact as much as possible.”

Road Rules ...

From page 13

and city roads, but local laws do. For example, in your city, the Kennewick Municipal Code has a section on signs with prohibitions similar to the state law. Kennewick’s law aims to “minimize the distraction to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians from signs” and prohibits signs with unshielded lights or strobe-like lights.

When we talk about distracted driving, we often jump to phones, and with good reason; they’re probably our most serious distraction. But they’re not the only one. Distractions outside the vehicle contribute to somewhere around 6 to 9 percent of vehicle crashes. Billboards can be a distraction, and signs with changing displays draw attention from drivers more than static displays. And as you mentioned, the glare from bright signs at night can impair a driver’s ability to see the important stuff.

When there’s a sign that’s also a driving hazard, who enforces the law? On state highways, it’s the Washington State Department of Transportation. At the local level, your city or county has a person or department responsible for code enforcement. A talk with the sign owner or the code enforcement folks could help keep Washington from becoming the kind of place “Blade Runner” predicted (at least with signs).

Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.

Do You Want To Significantly Increase Those Sales?

Did you know?

s The city of Blaine will update its sewer lines near the Blaine Senior Center and Blaine school district campus. An additional 930 feet of sewer line, not shown on the map, will be constructed on 14th and E streets, northeast of Burger King. Map courtesy city of Blaine/Whatcom County

Wetlands ...

From page 10

these riverine wetlands can be seen as you cross the bridge over Terrell Creek.

Our wetlands provide many important functions including habitat for birds, mammals, fish, amphibians and other animals. They intercept and temporarily store excess water from storms, which can reduce downstream

flood damage. Wetlands adjacent to water bodies are known to act like a filter that can intercept harmful contaminants and sediment before this material can enter the stream or pond. I worked for many years in

wetland habitats throughout the U.S. I always enjoyed putting on rubber boots and walking through these fascinating habitats to collect data on vegetation, soils and hydrology. I think the most unique wetlands I worked in were the Florida Everglades and the vast wetlands underlain by permafrost in Alaska’s arctic regions.

Jonathan Hall resides in Birch Bay. He is a retired biologist who has worked in many regions of the U.S. while employed with the State of New York, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, several environmental consulting firms and the Tulalip Tribes of Washington.

Lecture on truth in the news set for April 13

Local organizations are teaming together to put on a free presentation on combating misinformation titled “Truth, Trust and the News” on Thursday, April 13.

University of Washington researchers Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West will present a lecture on discerning truth and false information. The pair authored the book “Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World.”

The event will be held 7-9 p.m. at Whatcom Community College’s Heiner Auditorium.

News outlet Salish Current is hosting the event with help from Whatcom Community College and Village Books. Western Washington University’s Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education is sponsoring the event. Salish Current is a Bellingham-based online news outlet that covers Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties.

For more information, visit salish-current.org/events.

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