The Northern Light: August 17-23, 2023

Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay

Power outage closes border crossing, page 3

Manufactured home park code amendments revisited in city council

B y G race M c c arthy

In a roller coaster of decisions surrounding a proposed text amendment that would clarify city code on manufactured home parks in east Blaine, both the prospective developers and Blaine City Council are revisiting their proposals.

City council voted during its August 14 meeting to put off a decision on how it would proceed with a text amendment it initiated earlier this summer to resolve conflicting city codes on manufactured home parks. Councilmembers voiced they wanted to wait on the vote, likely until the September 11 meeting, partly because councilmembers Garth Baldwin and Richard May were absent. Other councilmembers asked for more time to explore their options and potentially hold a study session or talk to planning commissioners.

The council vote came after east Blaine developer Skip Jansen’s attorney submitted an August 3 letter providing notice they would reinstate a text amendment that Jansen had withdrawn in early May. The letter asked that Jansen’s amendment, which harmonized the code inconsistencies to allow for manufactured home parks, be processed as a replacement or in coordination with council’s proposal.

“The code amendment that Mr. Jansen has will move forward to the planning commission anyway,” mayor Mary Lou Steward said after council’s vote. “It just means city council isn’t resolving its issues with the code.”

The tumultuous debate on allowing large manufactured home parks in east Blaine began in fall 2021, when Jansen and his wife, Katie, submitted their amendment. While planning a development in their upcoming East Harbor Hills subdivision, the pair had discovered inconsistencies between the city’s underlying zoning code and the code for planned unit devel-

(See Council, page 15)

Art studio tours to return August 26-27, page 7

Dockside Bar opens in Blaine Harbor

Scientists monitor juvenile European green crab populations in Drayton Harbor

and October.

crabs later than usual.

Scientists are keeping a close eye on Drayton Harbor waters after discovering a sizable population of juvenile European green crabs, indicating growth of the highly invasive species.

In 2022, scientists found 313 European green crabs, about half of which were juveniles, said Allie Simpson, ecosystem project coordinator for the Northwest Straits Commission. Many of the juvenile crabs were found in a small creek between Dakota and California creeks last September

The crabs are considered one of the world’s worst invasive species and are known to destroy salmon habitats, such as eelgrass, and are a threat to shellfish and aquaculture industries.

Scientists have found just over 100 crabs in Drayton Harbor since this year’s trapping season began in the spring, Simpson said. Slightly more crabs have been caught compared to this time last year.

Emily Grason, crab team program lead at Washington Sea Grant, said the warm fall last year allowed scientists to capture

Council tables vote on additional Plover funds

B y M adisun t o B isch

Blaine City Council voted 5-0 to postpone voting on an additional $58,000 to finish the restoration and maintenance of the historic Plover passenger ferry on August 14. Council plans to revisit the topic at the September 11 meeting.

After 79 years of dwelling in Drayton Harbor, the required repairs to get the Plover back to making trips from Blaine Harbor to Semiahmoo Spit proved to be more costly than estimated, according to a

request for council action prepared by city staff.

City manager Michael Harmon advised city council to postpone voting to allow him to meet with Plover captain Richard Sturgill and go over specific items in the contract.

Blaine’s 2023 annual budget allocated $30,000 in capital funding for an initial contract with Drayton Harbor Maritime, the nonprofit that oversees the Plover’s maintenance and operations. Last September, the U.S. Coast Guard found deficien-

cies in multiple areas of the ferry, such as soft spots in the post and planks, during the Plover’s bi-annual out-of-the-water inspection.

Several community members gave impassioned input on the cultural significance of the Plover during the public comment session of the city council meeting.

“The Plover, everywhere it goes, is a shield for Blaine,” Ron Snyder said. “It sells Blaine wherever it goes, and I’m ask-

(See Plover, page 5)

“In some cases, sites in Whatcom and Skagit were reporting the highest capture rates during the final capture efforts of the year,” Grason said. “Many groups weren’t ready to stop trapping because there were clearly crabs out there. You want to see the decline in capture rates before pulling your traps out of the water.”

Those juvenile crabs made up the lion’s share of captured green crabs when trapping resumed after winter, Grason said.

(See Crabs, page 6)

s Christine Johnson, co-owner of Alaska Wild Fish and Chips Co., stands inside the new Dockside Bar, which serves beer out of a renovated shipping container in Blaine Harbor. Johnson and her husband, Steve, opened Dockside on August 4 to offer beer and cider to accompany Alaska Wild’s fare. The bar and Alaska Wild will close for the season on Sunday, September 24.

Photo by Madisun Tobisch

Blaine power outage forces Peace Arch border to close for over an hour

B y n olan B aker

A power outage that impacted swaths of Blaine for over two hours on Saturday, August 12 forced U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to shut down the Peace Arch border crossing until power was restored.

A tripped fuse at a local Puget Sound Energy substation caused the outage, said Gary McSpadden, operations and maintenance manager for Blaine Public Works Department.

The fuse was tripped around 3:30 p.m. on August 12, causing a complete standstill at the U.S. crossing. CBP officers were forced to detour the waiting travelers to alternate ports of entry at State Route 543 and State Route 539. Washington State Department of Transportation announced on social media that power was restored

to the border station at 4:44 p.m.

The Peace Arch border crossing is the third busiest U.S.-Canadian port of entry, and boasted over 7 million crossings in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

In the event of a fuse trip like the one that occurred, it takes time to restore power without tripping again, McSpadden said. This meant that although the cause of the outage was determined quickly after power was lost, it wasn’t fully restored until 6 p.m.

Library supporters organize Blaine jazz events August 18-19

B y G race M c c arthy

Jazz fans have two upcoming opportunities to learn about and listen to jazz, thanks to a pair of free events library supporters are putting on for the community on Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19.

Friends of Blaine Library (FOBL) and the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) are hosting a free event for elementary school children to learn about jazz at Blaine Public Library 4-5 p.m. on August 18. The event, Junior Groove, will center around Bellingham Jazz Center drummer Jerry Steinhilber’s interactive teaching. Registration is not required.

The community is then invited to a jazz performance the evening

of August 19 at the Blaine Performing Arts Center. Steinhilber’s group, The Jazz Explosion, will play for the audience 7-8 p.m. Attendees can either register in advance or show up to the concert.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Sandra Bogen, FOBL board director and treasurer, said she looked forward to seeing the community involved and voicing support for library services.

Bogen hopes the jazz performance will not only provide entertainment, but also educate community members on their library. The event will have information on the feasibility project being conducted by Kulshan Land Trust, the city of Blaine and WCLS to create a building that would house a new Blaine library and afford -

able housing.

The Blaine events are the last of a three-part summer series that WCLS and several groups of library supporters have hosted across Whatcom County with the support of library grants and community donations.

The South Whatcom Library in Sudden Valley started jazz events in 2010 that were popular but took a hiatus, Bogen said. The Blaine and Ferndale library supporters became involved this year to resume and expand the jazz program.

“It was a wonderful collaboration and a beginning of some new events and possibly an annual event,” Bogen said. “We want people to know there are many activities available through their library.”

Custer welcomes new postmaster

A new postmaster has been appointed for the U.S. Post Office in Custer.

Susan Sullivan started the postmaster position after working nearly a decade at the Custer post office, according to a USPS press release.

In 2011, Sullivan joined USPS in Bellingham and then began working in Custer as a part-time employee in 2014. There, Sulli-

van honed her customer service skills while keeping customers informed on delivery options and processing mail efficiently.

“I get to interact daily with my customers, getting to know them and their families [and] really in-

tegrating this post office into our local community,” Sullivan said in a statement.

When she’s not overseeing the post office, Sullivan enjoys spending time with her three grown children, gardening or puzzling.

s Susan Sullivan.

Photo courtesy USPS

s Vehicles enter the U.S. at the Peace Arch border crossing on July 20.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

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.

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Contributors In This Issue

Doug Dahl

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

Tel: 360/332-1777

Vol XXVIII, No 10

Circulation: 10,500 copies

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Canadian Forces Snowbirds fly over Blaine OpiniOn Letters

The Editor: How Birch Bay’s registered voter residents get to decide on incorporation is important.

In 2008 the feasibility study that’s often cited by the Political Action Committee (PAC) favoring incorporation was done first. In its summary it stated that the study was done “to provide key information to community members as they debate their governance future. If residents decide that incorporation is something they would like to pursue, they can initiate the process by identifying a proposed area of incorporation, collecting signatures and filing a notice of intent,” (p. ES-2). Thus, other steps would follow the study.

Now, the main argument for incorporation seems to be, “We should be making our own decisions.” How could someone be against making our own decision?

The “make our own decision” banner provokes a probable reaction, likely biasing responses to “yes.” It’s kind of like saying, “Your car is old and needs some work. Are you in favor of getting a new

car?” Who wouldn’t say yes to that? But knowing about pros and cons might make you respond differently.

Yet, according to this week’s issue of The Northern Light, Matt Berry said, “We are hoping to get the ball rolling with a notice of proposed incorporation [those are filed to the County Boundary Review Board] as soon as we have an idea on opinions …” It seems there’s a move to filing a notice of incorporation based on (in my view) flawed opinion surveys that don’t provide valid information.

There are probably real constraints and concerns about raising and spending money to fund a study before knowing if there’s interest in incorporating. Why spend the money if there’s not? But the current surveys are not structured to yield valid information about residents’ interest, and I’m sure there is at least some more relevant background information that could be shared without a full-blown study.

Please revise and redo the survey; don’t use the first or current surveys’ results. To be clear, I’m not against incorporation as

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.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Meetings are second Tues-

it might well be a good thing, I’m just uncomfortable with the surveys and process as I see it.

Chuck Kinzer

Birch Bay

The Editor:

I understand that some people believe we should have more control locally on how our taxes are spent in the Birch Bay Urban Growth Area.

Before we proceed any further with an incorporation proposal, the estimated cost

(See Letters, next page)

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

Correction

Jay Taber’s name was misspelled in his Letter to The Editor signature in the August 10 issue of The Northern Light We regret the error.

day, 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 The Canadian Forces Snowbirds flew over Semiahmoo Bay around 2:30 p.m. August 9 while practicing for their acrobatic performance at the Abbotsford Air Show, which was held August 11-13.

Photo by Abby Jo

Plover ...

From page 1

ing you now, please help it to do that in the future.”

The contract extension proposed a new end date of December 31 for the current contract set to expire August 31. The project was most recently expected to finish in the fall and requires an additional $58,000, according to the contract extension request.

Suggested funding methods for the $60,000 request included

capital funds and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, a federal Covid-19 stimulus. Sturgill said it’s worth considering whether the boat is a business impacted by pandemic closures, which could make it eligible to access the ARPA fund.

The Plover is the second oldest ferry operating in Washington and will celebrate its 80th birthday in 2024. After being built in 1944 for the Alaska Packers Association cannery, where it remained in service until the cannery closed in 1983, the Plover was donated

quired. If instead, Blaine and Birch Bay merged, they’d save money and so would the rest of us.

to Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department.

Sturgill led a seven-year restoration process that finished in the mid-’90s, and the Plover relaunched as a tourist-oriented passenger ferry. It remained as such until November 2022, when Sturgill moved it to his residential shop.

“I’m doing it for the good of the order, not to make a profit,” Sturgill said during public comment.

“I tell you, it’s been a sacrifice having this boat at my property, but I’m doing it because I believe in saving it.”

CITY OF BLAINE

on how

Information

s The Plover prepares to start trips in 2022. Photo by Hannah Cross

Tuesday, August 22 3:30pm – Civil Service Commission Meeting

From previous page

of this endeavor should be upfront and transparent now, not later.

What is the initial cost of a city hall building, mayor and/or city manager, city clerk, finance manager and staff, police station, police officers, jail and staff, public works department, building, and trucks/equipment, and a community and economic development department etc. while Birch Bay roads and parks are still maintained, snow plowed, cleaned up after flooding and repaired? This is a huge initial price tag to get “local control.”

With rumors of the city of Blaine’s revenue shortfalls, national inflation increasing and rising interest rates, is now a good time to be considering such a huge expense?

If only 500 people responded to the governance survey and there is a population of 10,000 plus people in Birch Bay, that is only a mere five percent response to the survey.

It is interesting to note that the main proponents behind Birch Bay incorporation now and in the past (1991 and in 2004 with Kask Consulting) have been chamber of commerce members and real estate persons. Do they have something to gain from incorporation that the average Birch Bay property owners do not?

Cathy Cleveland Birch Bay

The Editor: Birch Bay incorporation? Yes! It costs all of us county taxpayers as Birch Bay residents continue to need the county to provide them urban services, such as police protection. Plus, incorporating its expensive, as Birch Bay would need to build a town hall, police facility and incur other expenses re-

We could call it Birch Blaine (sounds almost the same), or Blirch Bay, or just Blirch, my favorite. There weren’t any birch trees here anyway when Vancouver landed, just lots of alders, so the name’s always been a stretch.

Plus, a larger, merged community would help level the sometimes marginally competent Blaine bureaucratic leadership, and bring accountability to the leadership of Birch Bay, currently in the hands of well-intentioned, if energetic and capable volunteers, and would be a way for our Canadian guests to help pay their way for the services they too enjoy.

Whatever, we need to act fast before rising sea levels make Birch Bay into a destination for little more than driftwood, jellyfish and scuba divers.

Jack Kintner Blaine

The Editor:

Yet another good letter written by Jay Taber last week. Thank you again for your wise words.

Quiet. It’s something that brings people here as a respite from their congested and crowded lives. For those living here, that quiet is so very refreshing. Quiet however is a double-edged sword for Blaine. It can send a signal that residents don’t care. It can be “heard” as acceptance of those profiteers desiring to build up the west side of Peace Portal, and allowing decreased parking requirements as they build.

These profiteers will enrich only themselves while disenfranchising residents who will bear the future “costs.” Their promises of affluence for Blaine are false as they conveniently forget to include any downside with their plans. They’ve been guilty of conflict of interest, distorted in

TOURISM GRANTS ANNOUNCEMENT

THE CITY OF BLAINE IS NOW ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR 2024 TOURISM RELATED PROPOSALS.

documents and in speaking before city council. Their plans will irreversibly change downtown Blaine into something grotesque. Our endowment – the vistas, quiet and smalltown virtues will all disappear forever.

How might their west side of Peace Portal appear? Look at the corner of H and 3rd streets. Imagine a row of those tall (turn of the wrong century) buildings as they block water views. Then too, what’s with the facades of buildings owned by one of these profiteers painted black? A harbinger? How is that welcoming?

Just because someone buys property with a plan to build on it doesn’t mean that the city needs to change its building codes for them. That’s like moving in next to an airport and then demanding that the planes stop flying. It’s a risk taken, not a given. Only recently residents said “no!” to these same requests. It’s too soon to again press for change.

Doesn’t the city comprehensive plan specify major change to codes be presented for mandatory public engagement? When will that happen? The city also has style components in its building codes. How does all this adhere to that? When will our city manager ever meet with residents to know us and learn what we want?

Blaine, it’s time to stop being quiet and to start being heard.

Ray Leone Blaine

The Editor:

We, the people elected Blaine council members to represent us, not their own special interest.

Mike Harmon, the city manager, presented a fantastic infor-

mational sheet to council after 20 years of planning to move forward. He did so after discussing with the city attorney and the planning department. When the city is short on funding, this project brings in sales tax on each new home and greater tax dollars on total development.

Council members decided again to postpone progress, to review policies that are above housing standards instead of following the recommendations of staff, city manager and city attorney.

Shame on them for slowing down progress for their own personal interest.

Bob Boule Blaine

Monday, August 28 9:30am – Special City Council Meeting 6:00pm – City Council Meeting *CANCELLED*

Monday, September 4 Offices Closed – Labor Day

THE CITY OF BLAINE IS CURRENTLY SEEKING MEMBERS FOR THE FOLLOWING BOARD, COMMITTEE, OR COMMISSION:

PARK AND CEMETERY BOARD

REGULARLY MEETS AT 9:00 AM ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF FOUR POSITIONS TO BE FILLED WITH TERM ENDING 12/2026

Members of boards, committees and commissions receive no financial compensation, but the payoff is great. Members meet other residents with similar interests, they learn about the City, and they help shape the future of Blaine!

Being on a board, committee or commission does require a significant personal commitment, so applicants should consider their ability to commit their time and personal energy before applying.

If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, applications and descriptions of duties are available online at www.cityofblaine.com. Positions will remain open until filled. Per Blaine Municipal Code (BMC) 2.08.028, concurrent service on more than one board or commission is precluded.

Please Support This Newspaper $29 (or whatever you can) Community Newspaper for Blaine & Birch Bay MAIL TO: The Northern Light, 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 l 360/332-1777 Name: Email: Address: City: State: Zip: You can also contribute online at thenorthernlight.com Thank you for supporting local journalism. This week’s supporters: Ted Van Overbeek • Cheryl and Jerry Spicer

Letters ...

Recreational crab season delayed in Blaine area

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has delayed the recreational crab season in Blaine, Birch Bay and other areas of north Whatcom County because many crab shells haven’t hardened. An opening date has not yet been set.

WDFW announced the delay of crabbing season beginning in Marine Area 7 North, which runs from Lummi Island to Point Roberts, in an August 15 press release. The season was set to begin Thursday, August 17 and run through September 30 on Mondays and Thursdays.

WDFW plans to open recreational crabbing once more crab have had time for their shells to harden after molting, which is when they lose and regrow their exoskeletons. The department runs test fisheries to ensure at least 80 percent of crab caught have hard shells, as is required before state and tribal fisheries can open.

Soft-shell crabs are often discarded because they don’t have as much meat, according to previous reporting from The Northern Light. They are prone to higher mortality rates if handled.

Several factors impact shell hardness including water temperature, available food and the number of crab in an area.

“There’s more soft-shell crab in the area than we typically see late in the summer, but this delay should reduce potential impacts to vulnerable crab,” said Aaron Dufault, WDFW’s Puget Sound shellfish manager in a statement.

The closing date will be extended to offset the delay, according to WDFW. The opening of commercial crabbing season will also be later.

Recreational crabbing was also delayed in Blaine and Birch Bay in 2020. At the time, a WDFW employee told The Northern Light that delayed openings were very rare.

Crabs ...

From page 1

She added this could be a positive sign because it shows previous trapping has worked if more mature crabs are not being found.

The Northwest Straits Commission, University of Washington’s Washington Sea Grant program and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, with help from other partners, are leading the fight against the spread of European green crabs in Drayton Harbor and across the state. From spring through fall, the crews trap at the old Cherry Street pier and the mouths of Dakota and California creeks. Scientists also survey other areas near Drayton Harbor.

The 313 crabs found in 2022 is more than in 2021 and 2020, which yielded 146 and 253 crabs respectively.

“Even though the numbers in Drayton Harbor are increasing, they’re still very, very low compared to other places,” Simpson said. “We’re still at the early stage of containing the green crabs and making sure we’re dropping those numbers.”

Simpson said the higher crab numbers may indicate scientists are improving their methods through knowing where to trap and using more effective trapping techniques.

“The trapping levels we’ve been able to have has really helped,” Simpson said. “Even though the numbers look crazy, the number of green crabs we catch are less than one percent of the total number of animals we end up trapping.”

Despite the presence of green crabs, they have not caused ecological damage to Drayton Harbor, Simpson said.

The statewide fight

Green crabs were discovered in Washington state in 1998, but it wasn’t until 2018 that scientists began seeing an increasing number, and 2019 when they were

discovered in Drayton Harbor. WDFW attributes rising water temperatures as a likely reason why the crabs started appearing.

Scientists have been working to combat green crab infestations along the coast in southern Washington as well as keeping more manageable populations at bay in Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan counties. The state, tribal and local governments have taken numerous actions over the past few years to assist with the green crab fight – including an emergency proclamation that governor Jay Inslee issued in January 2022 and a disaster declaration that Lummi Business Council issued in late 2019 after over 70,000 crabs were found in a Lummi sea pond.

Washington state scientists are working to prevent significant damage, as seen on the east coast, where green crabs are widely thought to be jeopardizing Maine’s soft-shell clam industry.

Citizen scientist program Washington State University’s extension offices partnered with Washington Sea Grant this year to create a European Green Crab Molt Search program for the public to help monitor shorelines. The program will hold its last training of the year virtually on Wednesday, August 23.

The training will teach the public to identify invasive and native green crab molts, where to search and how to upload their photos on the MyCoast app. The session will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom.

Statewide, the molt search program has trained about 250 volunteers and 22 of those volunteers are in Whatcom County, Grason said. The program has not detected a green crab in the over 200 reports it’s received since starting in May, which Grason said is a good sign.

“This program enables us to cover more ground than we can with trapping, so these searches are filling in gaps on places we

haven’t yet had a chance to look,” she said.

Cheryl Niles, water resources educator at Washington State University’s Whatcom County extension, said program organizers have been pleased with the number of submissions. Niles recommended people visit the MyCoast website, where participants upload molt photos, to see where people have searched and try to cover new ground.

Niles encouraged program participants to receive training.

“It is easy to misidentify crabs so we are really encouraging people to get trained,” Niles said. “That said, anyone can download the MyCoast app and submit a report if they know their crabs.”

Green crabs can be identified by five spines on both sides of their eyes, a characteristic that separates them from other crabs in the state. Despite their name, the crabs can vary in color from green, red, brown and orange. The crabs are typically found in protect-

ed areas along the shore, such as mudflats and river mouths. Drayton Harbor residents who own land next to creeks can also help scientists by allowing access to trap on their properties, Simpson said. Landowners can contact Allie Simpson at simpson@nwstraits.org

“We’ve found them pretty far up, at times, in California Creek and Dakota Creek,” Simpson said. “The more that we can access and see where they are congregating would be a huge help to getting numbers down.”

Both Simpson and Grason said trapping will be a continuous effort for years to come.

“Now is not the time to let our foot off the gas pedal in terms of trapping because we are keeping the numbers low,” Grason said. “The numbers tell us our efforts are having a large effort on what could have been a much worse situation.”

To register for the European Green Crab Molt Search program, visit bit.ly/VirtualMoltSearch.

s A recreational crabber throws a trap off Jorgensen Pier during a previous season. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the 2023 recreational crabbing season would be delayed in Blaine and Birch Bay until further notice.

File photo

s A European green crab found in Drayton Harbor in April 2021. File photo courtesy of WDFW/Chelsey Buffington

s Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife European green crab technicians carry traps to set near the old Cherry Street pier in Drayton Harbor.

Photo by Leah Robinson/Northwest Straits Commission

Upcoming art studio tour to highlight Blaine, Birch Bay artists

“We just want to infuse the very bones of Blaine with beauty and art – all kinds of art,” Powell said.

The BAC, which celebrated its one-year anniversary in June, has plans to embellish Blaine one community connection at a time, said event organizer Diane Butts. The group’s free monthly meetings often feature a creative component led by a local artist, such as dance, watercolors or pottery.

Works featured at the studio tours will include paintings, fiber art, sculpture, encaustic and more.

Future events hosted by BAC plan to include partnerships with local businesses that can benefit the nonprofit, the business and the community.

“I hope people come to Blaine, not just for the tour, but that they find this a great place to come for the weekend,” Butts said. “They can take the kids to the beach. They can have a bite to eat. They can get a little bit of culture. It’s a fun destination and doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.”

A weekend celebrating Blaine and Birch Bay’s broad artistic talent returns for its second year Friday, August 25 through Sunday, August 27. The event, formally known as The Wave, will kick off with an opening night gala and silent auction and continue through the weekend with free self-guided tours of art studios in the area.

The opening evening event will run 6-9 p.m. at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center and feature appetizers, drinks and the chance to engage with artists from the area. New this year is the wine pull with local and regional offerings valued between $25 and $90. Tickets for the opening gala cost $25 per adult.

Self-directed tours of seven art studios and two public pop-up galleries at the H Street Plaza and the boating center are August 2627. This year’s tour highlights 25 artists, a number that organizers said they hope grows along with

the local arts scene in future years. Blaine Arts Council (BAC) is hosting The Wave this year after member Kay Dee Powell and the Blaine Chamber of Commerce organized the inaugural studio tours last year. Earlier this year, the council received a grant from the Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee to further its mission of making Blaine a destination arts town.

Tickets for the opening night gala are available on the Blaine Arts Council website; $20 for BAC members and an additional $5 for non-members. The website also features an interactive map of the art studio tour locations, which includes information about the featured artists and photos of their work.

“I’m looking forward to a lot of people coming and being pleasantly surprised,” Butts said.

s Marjie Miller holds up her recently finished encaustic piece of a wave – fitting for Blaine Art Council’s art studio tour weekend Friday, August 25 through Sunday, August 27. Encaustic art uses melted wax treated with resin so it completely hardens after cooling. Miller’s work is among the 25 artists featured in the self-guided studio tours.

Photo by Madisun Tobisch

s An opening night gala and silent auction on Friday, August 25 will kick off The Wave art studio tours showcasing Blaine and Birch Bay artists on Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27. Last year’s gala seen above.

Photo by Louise Mugar

Home Farm hosts Sunflowers and Songs

Home Farm hosted an evening of live music and celebration of blooming sunflowers on the evening of August 12.

The event, called Songs and

Sunflowers, featured music from Veronica North for guests to enjoy at the Birch Bay farm.

Home Farm, located at 8020 Kickerville Road, offers u-pick

crops, a self-serve farm stand and events. Home Farm will host the last market in its summer market series on Saturday, August 26.

Photos by Madisun Tobisch

Q: Our family has finalized our estate planning documents including wills, trusts, and power of attorney. What is our next step?

A: After having completed your estate planning documents, you still have some critical steps that need to take place. First, start by visiting your financial advisor and communicating your updated estate plan and goals. You may need to open new account types, fund a trust, change a trustee, or update a beneficiary. Additionally, having a durable power of attorney can also be important to your future financial success as it will certify your accounts will be taken care of if you are unable to act. Your financial advisor can help walk you through what other steps may be relevant to your estate plan completion. Moreover, if you do not work with a financial advisor, consider finding a Certified Financial Planner™ that matches your needs. At Skyline Advisors we have licensed professionals who can walk you through each step of your estate planning completion.

32nd Street, Suite 201, Bellingham (360) 671-1621

Q: How do short-term rentals impact our local real estate market?

A: If you haven’t noticed, there’s been a significant increase in short term rentals (Airbnb and VRBO) in our area over the past few years. The demand for such rental properties is certainly felt by buyers in the form of extra competition. According to AirDNA, a subscription-based tracking service I utilize frequently, there are currently 251 short term rentals operating in our community that have generated a whopping total revenue of $7.9M in the past twelve months. If you’re contemplating selling your property, it’s important to factor in potential rental income as part of a comprehensive highest and best use analysis. For those interested in investing, feel free to reach out for more detailed data.

Q: A:

Senior

Loan Officer

NMLS# 413608

Office:  (360) 318-2711

Cell:  (360) 325-6252

Should  I choose a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage?

In a higher rate environment, an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) can be advantageous. ARMs typically have a lower start rate than a fixed-rate mortgage. This can provide you more purchasing power or provide for lower monthly payments compared to a fixed-rate mortgage. While a fixedrate mortgage tends to be more popular there are circumstances in which an ARM may be better. Call me today to discuss what is best for you and your financial needs, 360-325-6252.

Q: Can Physical Therapy help with problems dating back years or decades?

A: Physical Therapists work with injuries both new and old. Chronic pain can stem from decades of inactivity or an unexpected diagnosis or illness. It is never too early or late to make lifestyle changes for healthier living. Investing in your health can improve your long-term health and lifespan. Research supports exercise as one of the best things to improve your long-term health. Studies encourage adults to participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five times per week. If pain or disability is limiting you from regular exercise participation, working with a Physical Therapist at Capstone can help you keep moving to improve your health and quality of life. Capstoneisconvenientlylocatedatsevenlocations throughoutWhatcomCountyandisacceptingnewpatientsat ourBirchBaySquarelocationandourBlainecliniconHStreet. 8125 Birch Bay Square Street • Suite 248, Blaine WA 98230 360-366-5511 www.capstonept.com

Jordan Crim, DPT Birch Bay/Blaine

Anndi Pena

Mortgage

Ferndale Peoples Bank • 1895 Main St • Ferndale, WA 98248

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 juvenile maximum-security unit for 14 years. It was rewarding work and I had an amazing team of professionals to work with. I lived in San Diego 62 years before moving here and decided that I didn’t want to cook, do housekeeping or maintenance. My daughter and I searched for a place where I had the freedom to enjoy my time as I wanted. The obvious answer for me was Solstice Senior Living in Bellingham.

Derby Day, Summer Fun in the Park to end summer with family fun

B y G race M c c arthy

The Blaine and Birch Bay communities will end summer on a high note with two family events, Derby Day and Summer Fun in the Park, on Saturday, August 26. Derby Day, previously known as Discover Birch Bay Days, will bring back popular Birch Bay community events for an allday event on August 26. The event will start at 9 a.m. with the Friends of the Birch Bay Library’s Love Your Library 5K Fun Run/ Walk before the Birch Bay Parade starts at 10 a.m. and travels along Birch Bay Drive.

A non-gambling golf cart and bicycle poker run will take place 12-2 p.m. The rubber duck derby begins at 3:30 p.m. at Ter-

rell Creek and a crab derby is scheduled, though the time and location have not yet been determined. A vendors market will run from 11 a.m. until the event ends at 5 p.m.

More information on Derby Day can be found on the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce’s website at birchbaywa.org.

Summer Fun in the Park will offer a last hurrah of the summer

5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Blaine Marine Park playground. The evening will allow kids to play on the pirate playground while adults enjoy beverages from Gateway

1890 Taphouse and Grill’s beer, wine and cider garden. Family Therapy, a Blaine-based band, will perform, and Paso del Norte, Cicchitti’s Pizza and Sugar Shack

Pets & Pet Care

Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival pet contest

Local pet owners showed off their furry friends during Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival’s annual pirate pet contest on Au-

gust 6 at Blaine Harbor.

The pets were awarded medals for their outfits and personalities.

will sell food at the event. The event is sponsored by Windermere Real Estate’s Jen Freeman and Leah Crews.

Photos by Ruth Lauman

s Derby Day in 2022.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

GARAGE/CRAFT/BAKE

SALE Saturday, August 19, 8-1. Latitude 49 Resort, 4751 Birch Bay Lynden Road, gates open from 8-1.

MAKE AN OFFER Moving Sale. August 19 & 20. 9am - 5pm. Cash only. No checks. 9515 Sunrise Rd. Blaine.

LOOKING FOR YOUR DREAM CAR?

We will get it for you direct from the biggest Nationwide Dealer auction. Full service from our door to your driveway. 360-299-0589 www.petersautosalesllc.com

Help Wanted

EXPERIENCED SEAMSTRESS

Earn $18-32 an hour sewing cushion covers and backing to tapestries from home.

Phone 360-312 -3173.

CO-MANAGER needed for well-established, small business in Custer. Year-round, ThursSat 9-5:30, $17/hr. Monthly bonus after 90 days brings rate to about $19/hr. For job description call 360-366-3153 or email peacearchstorage@ gmail.com.

Legal

Blaine School District Budget

the records of the court as are available on the date of the filing of this notice with the court, a cause number regarding the decedent has not been issued to any other notice agent, and a personal representative of the decedent’s estate has not been appointed. 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 11.42.070 by serving on or mailing to the notice agent or the notice agent’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 notice agent’s declaration and oath were filed. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the notice agent served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.42.020(2)(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 11.42.050 and 11.42.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Date of First Publication: August 3, 2023

The notice agent declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington on July 24, 2023, at Bellingham, Washington, that the foregoing is true and correct.

Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Court of notice agent’s Declaration and Oath: Superior Court of Whatcom County Cause Number: 23-4-00741-37

On July 10th, the Blaine School District will have completed its preliminary budget for the 2023-24 school year. A budget summary will be on file at the district administrative office at 765 H Street, and a copy will be furnished to any person requesting one. The summary will include a projected total of expenses and revenues. A public presentation on the 2023-24 budget will take place July 24th at 5:00 p.m. at 770 Mitchell Avenue in Blaine.

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 in-

Road Rules: Construction speed limits

B y d ou G d ahl

Question: In a construction zone with a speed limit of say 35 mph, where the speed limit is normally 55, once through the construction when does the speed limit change back to 55? Is it at the “end road work” sign, or not until you see the next 55 mph sign, which could be miles away?

Answer: Somebody just read the last part of this question and thought, “come on, miles away? You’re just being dramatic.” Not necessarily. The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Traffic Manual specifies where speed limit signs should be prominently located “for maximum awareness.” It includes the places you’d expect: when the speed limit changes, at major interchanges or intersections, and at state and city limits. Oh yeah, there’s one more on the list. In rural areas, speed limit signs are spaced at 10-to20-mile intervals (for maximum awareness.) No, that’s not a burn on WSDOT. There’s a science to proper sign placement, and they know what they’re doing.

If you slow down for a construction zone on a rural highway and wait for a speed limit sign to resume your previous speed, you might spend your next 20 minutes with a long string of annoyed drivers behind you. No one wants that. But I want to highlight the positive unstated part of your question. You’ve implied that you slowed down in the construction zone. Highway construction is a dangerous job, and the safety of those workers hangs on the driving behaviors of strangers in multi-ton projectiles. Thank you for respecting the speed limit and those workers.

To avoid confusion, I should point out that the law establishes two kinds of work zones. The one you’re referencing is called a “roadway construction zone.” These are the more established construction sites that generally have lots of advance notice with signs and pylons to direct traffic. In these zones, drivers follow the speed limit sign posted for the zone.

According to WSDOT, a roadway construction zone begins at the first warning sign and ends at either the “end road work” sign or the last temporary traffic control device. If you come to what looks like the end of a work zone but don’t see an “end road work” sign, it’s okay. As long as there are no more pylons, barricades, or construction-related signs, you’re free to resume the regular speed limit for that road.

The other type of work zone is called an “emergency or work zone.” This is the area, defined by law, as 200 feet before and after an emergency vehicle, tow truck, or construction/maintenance/service vehicle with flashing lights either stationary or moving slow-

(See Road Rules, page 15)

OBITUARIES

John Tichelaar

November 13, 1952 – April 19, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Tichelaar, “Frenchie”, after a battle with lung cancer. John was born November 13, 1952 in Long Beach, CA and passed away April 19, 2023 in Forest Grove, OR surrounded by family.

He is survived by his loving sons, Steven and Brian; daughter Kelli and husband Ryan; wife Susan; sisters Irene and Annie; nephews Howard, Jeff and Nathan; grandchildren Wesley and Kennedy.

John was a jack of all trades and finished his career with Matrix Services at BP Cherry Point. His passion was for motorcycles, woodworking and family. John was preceded in death by his parents Marie and Bert and his sister Penny.

There will be a celebration of life for John at Hovander Park on Sunday, August 27 from 1–5 p.m. Please join us to share memories of this great man. RSVP to tichelaars@aol.com.

JoAnn Faye (Walstrom) Galbraith

February 8, 1936 – August 7, 2023

JoAnn Faye (Walstrom) Galbraith was born

February 8, 1936, in Bellingham to Ernest and Winnifred (Roberts) Walstrom.

JoAnn (Jo) graduated in 1954 from Bellingham High school. She met her then-future husband, Donald Harvey “Mike” Galbraith, while working at a local vegetable packing plant, and was affectionately known as the “Pea Queen.”

Jo and Mike were married August 26, 1955, and moved to Pullman, WA to attend Washington State College where Mike majored in pharmacy (Go Cougs!). Jo worked to help support their household while Mike finished his education. Upon graduation, Mike began employment at Aubert’s Pharmacy in Bellingham, and in 1956 their first son, Steven Mikel was born.

In 1959, Mike, along with partners John Aubert and Verle Jones purchased Blaine Drug (later Blaine Pharmacy) and the family moved to Blaine. Their second son, Mark Patrick was born July 22, 1959. Daughter Marijo Ellen was born August 6, 1967. Mike and JoAnn settled into their new life in Blaine, where they continued to live up to the day of their respective graduations into life eternal in the hope of our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Jo was the heartbeat of our home. She was many things: devoted wife, mother, homemaker, cook and baker extraordinaire (her roast turkey and duck dinners and cinnamon caramel rolls were to die for!). A couple words that encapsulate who Jo was include “caregiver” and “servant.” She was very active in the Blaine community and Lutheran congregations she and her family were part of, as a Cub Scout den-mother, Hospice volunteer, Sunday school, teacher, lay minister. Jo and Mike hosted youth group gatherings and Bible studies in their home, and for years was front and center in helping prepare so many meals at church for weddings, funerals, and other occasions. Although she never sought recognition, she was chosen Whatcom County volunteer of the month for her work with Hospice. She and Mike were tireless and hospitable supporters of all the pastors that served in the congregations they were part of. Jo never hesitated to prepare and take a hot meal to someone who needed it. She and her family hosted exchange students from many countries and spent hours tutoring all of them in English as a self-taught tutor.

Dean

Estate

- Attorney at Law

Ph:

Jo came into her faith in Jesus as her Savior, as neighbors down the street from her home in Fairhaven would invite her to attend church and Sunday school with them. She kept going, and when she was a student at Washington State University, she was baptized in a Presbyterian Church at the age of 19. Her husband Mike followed a similar path into his faith in Christ. Jo and Mike truly had an appreciation and understanding of what it means to be a Christian and in the Lutheran tradition, a deep understanding of Jesus Christ and his mission, and the mission of the Christian Church everywhere. She insisted that her congregations and other Christian mission and service organizations she believed in were faithful recipients of their offerings.

Jo graduated peacefully into life eternal Monday morning, August 7, 2023. Hers was a life long and well lived. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Winnifred Walstrom, her brother, Thomas Arvid Walstrom, her husband, Donald Harvey “Mike“ Galbraith, and her son (and Mark’s identical twin brother) Donald Harvey Galbraith Jr.

She is survived by sons Steve (Kristi) Galbraith and Mark Galbraith, daughter Marijo Galbraith, grandchildren Andrew (Dan) Galbraith, Bryan (Danielle) Galbraith, Melissa (Dan) Healey, Naomi Galbraith, Monica Galbraith, and great grandchildren Daisy Galbraith, Iris Galbraith, and Rosalyn Healey, Sister Susie Berker, sisters-in-law Mary Lue Walstrom and Ellen (Bill) Wiegand, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Jo will be held Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church in Blaine, Washington at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Grace Lutheran Church in Blaine or Stafholt Cascadia. The family would like to recognize the staff at Stafholt Cascadia in Blaine for the exceptional and loving care given to Jo in her final days.

sheriff’s repOrts

August 8, 8:08 a.m.: Trespass on Birch Bay Square Street

August 8, 8:23 p.m.: Missing child on Birch Bay Drive

August 8, 9:08 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Bruce Road

August 9, 7:15 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Gulf Road

August 9, 8:49 a.m.: Burglary cold call on Haynie Road

August 9, 12:52 p.m.: Abandoned vehicle cold call on Birch Bay Square Street

August 9, 1:59 p.m.: Threat cold call on Sunburst Drive

August 10, 3:04 p.m.: Traffic hazard cold call on Portal Way and Valley View Road

August 10, 8:15 p.m.: Trespass cold call on Birch Bay Drive

August 10, 10:32 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Sehome Court

August 11, 2:09 p.m.: Trespass cold call on H Street

August 11, 2:52 p.m.: Littering cold call on Custer School Road

August 12, 11:42 p.m.: Vehicle prowl cold call on Haynie Road

August 12, 5:20 p.m.: Domestic physical on Markworth Road

August 12, 6:05 p.m.: Security check in progress on Harborview Road

August 13, 12:36 p.m.: Moving

vehicle accident on Portal Way and Loomis Trail Road

August 13, 1:14 p.m.: Sex crime no rape cold call on Haynie Road

August 13, 2:12 p.m.: Vehicle prowl cold call on Haynie Road

August 13, 7:21 p.m.: Trespass on Birch Bay Lynden Road

August 13, 10:21 p.m.: Suspicious person on Grouse Crescent Drive

August 14, 5:51 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Drayton Harbor Road

August 14, 1:32 p.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury on Portal Way and Loomis Trail Road

August 14, 2:01 p.m.: Domestic physical on Birch Bay Square Street

August 14, 4:05 p.m.: Domestic order violence on Harbor Drive

August 14, 9:19 p.m.: Trespass on Birch Bay Lynden Road

August 15, 7:32 a.m.: Assist citizen on Custer School Road, Custer.

pOLiCe repOrts

August 4, 7:35 p.m.: Neighborhood dispute on Peace Portal Drive

August 5, 4:06 p.m.: Fireworks on Mitchell Avenue

August 5, 4:08 p.m.: Fireworks on Alder Street

August 5, 9:17 p.m.: Shots on D Street

August 5, 10:26 p.m.: Shots on Sandwood Lane

August 6, 1:13 a.m.: Domestic –verbal on Martin Street

August 7, 5:28 a.m.: Vehicle prowl on 5th Street

August 7, 10:20 a.m.: Bicycle theft on Adelia Street

CrOssWOrd

10. Colorless crystalline compound

11. Unsatisfactorily

12. Plant of the parsley family

14. Determines time

17. Causes the birth of

20. Small ornament on a watch chain

21. Richly decorated cloth tapestry

23. Vito Corleone was one

25. Igbo musical instrument

26. Put in harmony

27. Japanese alcoholic drinks

29. Tinseltown

30. Closes tightly

32. Songs sung to one’s lover

August 8, 11:27 a.m.: Hit and run on Peace Portal Drive

August 8, 3:27 p.m.: Missing person on H Street

August 9, 5:43 p.m.: Theft on Drayton Court

August 10, 1:02 p.m.: Domestic order on Bayview Avenue

August 11, 6:32 p.m.: Trespass on Grant Ave

August 11, 10:45 p.m.: Extra patrol on Harbor Hills Parkway

August 11, 9:12 p.m.: Follow up on Alder Street.

Report by Blaine Police Department

49. Town in Surrey, England

50. Enquiry

52. Murdered

53. Bura-__: Chadic language

55. Crater on Mars

56. Mammal genus

57. Sock

58. Make

59. Stony waste matter

61. Partner to cheese

65. Pound

ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, August 17, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. This week’s theme: general knowledge. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Crabbing 101: Friday, August 18, 11 a.m., Birch Bay State Park bp Heron Center. Learn the rules and regulations for crabbing.

Junior Grooves at Library: Friday, August 18, 4 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn where jazz comes from, how it works, and try your hand at making your own music. Info: wcls.org.

Live Music at The Vault: Friday, August 18, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring: The Unknowns. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Ancient Archeology of Birch Bay: Saturday, August 19, 10 a.m., Meet at Birch Bay State Park bp Heron Center. Explore the ancient archaeology at State park with local archeologist. Learn about the Coast Salish peoples who in the past had summer long houses at Birch Bay State Park.

Garlic Braiding Class: Saturday, August 19, 10 a.m.– noon, Home Farm U-Pick & Events, 8020 Kickerville Road. Free. Info: homefarm.farm.

Handbags for Housing Fundraiser: Saturday, August 19, 5–8 p.m., Fishermen’s Pavilion, 2599 S. Harbor Loop Drive, Bellingham. Enjoy an evening filled with a runway show, exclusive live handbag auction, live entertainment, beauty bar, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and shop-til-you-drop legendary Handbag Bazaar! Info: handbagsforhousing.com. Proceeds benefit Lydia Place.

Whatcom Grooves Jazz Concert: Saturday, August 19, 7 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. The Jazz Explosion late ensembles, led by jazz drummer/innovator Jerry Steinhilber and features some of the Pacific Northwest’s most in-demand artists. Reserve free seats at wcls.org/jazz. Mermaid Meet-and-Greet: Monday, August 21, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Semiahmoo Resort beach, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary as you capture the magic in a photo with Abbey the Mermaid and stick around to see what beach treasures you might be able to find and decorate!. Info: Semiahmoo.com.

Harmful Algal Bloom Info Session: Tuesday, August 22, 6-7:30 p.m., online and in-person at the bp Heron Center in Birch Bay State Park. Presented by BBWARM, Whatcom Conservation District and Whatcom County Health and Human Services. Zoom link: bit.ly/3OAxFPb.

Virtual European Green Crab Molt Search Training: Wednesday, August 23, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Invasive European green crabs threaten our shellfish beds, clamming beaches, and nearshore habitat for salmon. Join Washington State University Extension and Washington Sea Grant in this effort to monitor our beaches for signs of green crab presence by searching for their molts. Info: wsg.washington.edu/crabteam/moltsearch/.

Community Spaghetti Dinner: Wednesday, August 23, 5 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Enjoy pasta with marinara or meat sauce, salad, Italian bread and more. Cost: $5. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.

The Wave Art Studio Tour Opening Night Event: Friday, August 25, 6–9 p.m., Blaine Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive. Reception, refreshments, silent auction and wine pull. Tickets at blaineartscouncil.org.

The Wave Art Studio Tour: Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free self-guided tour at private studios, the Blaine Boating Center and Blaine Senior Center Pavilion. For a tour map, visit blaineartscouncil.com.

Love the Library Fun Run: Saturday, August 26, 9 a.m., Birch Bay north berm entry (Cottonwood Avenue and Birch Bay Drive). 5K Run Run/Walk on the berm. $25 for 13 and up, $14 for 12 and under. Register at wcls. org/events. Fundraiser for the Birch Bay Vogt Library Express.

Birch Bay Derby Day: Saturday, August 26. A day of family fun with a parade down Birch Bay Drive at 10 a.m., vendor market behind The Beach at Birch Bay from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., poker run from noon–2 p.m., rubber duck derby in Terrell Creek at 3 p.m., and crab derby. Register for the events and purchase ducks at birchbaychamber.com.

Summer Market: Saturday, August 26, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Home Farm U-Pick & Events, 8020 Kickerville Road. Local goods from over 40 local artisans, food and activities for the whole family. Admission $3, 12 and under free. Info: homefarm.farm.

1. “Iron Man” actress Leslie 2. Wings 3. Adjust the spacing 4. They’re usually locked 5. Atomic #43 6. Wise individuals 7. Horse mackerel 8. Pearl Jam’s debut album 9. Confines

34. One thousandth of an inch

35. Small drink of whiskey

37. Political divisions in ancient Greece

40. Helps little firms

42. Baby’s eating accessory

43. Very long periods of time

47. Small block of wood

Weather

Precipitation: During the period of August 7-13, no precipitation was recorded. The 2023 year-to-date precipitation is 11.8 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 86°F on August 13 with a low of 54°F on August 11. Average high was 81°F and average low was 59°F.

7 Elements Wellness Spa Anniversary Celebration: Saturday, August 26, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., 7714 Birch Bay Drive. Food, beverages, free chair massages, free skin care consults, games, live music and auction benefiting the Blaine Harbor Music Festival. Info: 7elements.life.

Summer Fun in the Park: Saturday, August 26, 5:30–8:30 p.m., Blaine Marine Park playground. Fun for the whole family with food trucks, beer and wine garden and live music by Family Therapy. Sponsored by Jen Free- man and Leah Crews of Windermere Real Estate.

Blaine School District Family Resource Fair: Monday, August 28, noon–4 p.m., Blaine High School cafeteria (behind Borderite Stadium). Connect with school and community organizations, sports physicals and immunizations (first come, first served with parent or guardian). Info: blainesd.org. Run with the Chums 5K Fun Run and Smolt Sprint: Saturday, September 9, BP Highlands, 6898 Point Whitehorn Road. Free 5K fun run and smolt sprint for kids under 10 to kick off Whatcom Water Week. Register: whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums.

Ongoing

Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 5-7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Delivery options available. Info: 360/332-6350 or blainefood@hotmail.com.

The Bridge Food Bank: Fridays 2:30–4:30 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center’s new location, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome. Meals on Wheels Frozen Meals: Thursdays 11:30 a.m.–noon, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up five frozen meals. Suggested donation $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

Senior Community Meals: 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.

Narcotics Anonymous: Mondays, 7–8 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ basement, 855 4th Street. Everyone welcome. Info: Blainenarcoticsanonymous@gmail.com.

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

Whatcom County food system plan aims for ‘seed to table’ change

A 10-year plan for future development of Whatcom County’s food system was approved unanimously at the July 25 Whatcom County Council meeting.

Over four years of planning, community engagement and revising went into creating the plan, which aims to improve each step in the food system from soil, water and land, to labor and processing and eventual waste management.

The plan takes a “seed-to-table” approach, according to a Whatcom County Health and Community Services press release, and includes partnerships with community organizations to move toward five overarching goals. The

Council ...

From page 1

opments, which are required for manufactured home parks over five acres.

The Jansens’ amendment request garnered objection from east Blaine residents who voiced concerns on the future project, which had not been officially proposed. Concerns covered traffic, environmental and taxing impacts.

In early May, the Jansens withdrew their proposal after the planning commission had spent about a year debating whether to send it to city council for a

Road Rules ...

From page 13

ly on the road or shoulder. Think traffic stops, collision response, broken down vehicles, and emergency repairs. Given the often impromptu nature of these zones, there are no signs or advance warning. Drivers are required to move over a lane if possible, or slow down at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit. For both kinds of work zones, violating the law has enhanced consequences. A speeding ticket is double the regular penalty and cannot be reduced. Anyone who drives “in a way that endangers

five goals work toward issues of food justice, environmental regeneration, bolstering the food economy, increasing food access and mitigating emissions.

The food system plan shows a 2022 community survey aimed at narrowing specific action plans received nine out of 227 total responses from the Blaine zip code.

Water quality, rising sea levels, food access and food economy are areas Jensen recognized as direct concerns for north Whatcom County.

Blaine and Birch Bay could see direct impacts from some of the more than 100 action items agreed upon in the final version of the plan, said Ali Jensen, program specialist with Whatcom County

final vote. They also threatened to sue the city if they were denied the opportunity to make a manufactured home park application. Shortly after, council imposed an emergency moratorium on all manufactured home park applications until the city fixed the code.

Council directed staff in mid-July to create its text amendment proposal to fix the code preventing large manufactured home park development.

The planning commission will open a public hearing on the Jansens’ request at a future meeting, while council will determine whether the city should continue working on its amendment.

or is likely to endanger any people or property, or who removes, evades, or intentionally strikes a traffic safety or control device is guilty of reckless endangerment of roadway workers.” That’s not just a traffic ticket – it’s a gross misdemeanor. Along with the fines (and theoretical potential jail time) it’s a 60-day driver license suspension. Plus, there’s that embarrassing moment when the driver’s potential future romantic partner asks, “So what did you do to get a criminal record?”

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

Health and Community Services.

The food system plan could help expand Blaine school district’s meal programs, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County afterschool meal program and Blaine Food Bank community support, Jensen wrote in an email.

“I would encourage folks interested in improving food access in the area to reach out to me to get involved,” she said. “There are a lot of informal food access initiatives that

deserve more credit and support.”

Food industries in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo were recognized as fundamental pieces to the overall health of the county’s food economy.

“From the tourism at Semiahmoo to the local food highlights of Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, the food system plan lays out actions to encourage and promote this industry,” Jensen said. “We know that people come from Canada specifically to go to Edaleen’s.”

Those interested in learning more can review the final draft of the food system plan on the Whatcom County website at bit.ly/3KvSBpm. To get involved or leave feedback, Jensen encourages people to reach out to her via email, ajensen@whatcomcounty.us.

“North Whatcom is such an important part of our food economy and the Food System Committee’s job is to support that,” she said.