Superintendent, food service director respond to lunch issues
B y N ola N B aker
After parents alleged the food service department (FSD) was both not providing enough meals and not moving lines fast enough for students at the Blaine middle and high schools, superintendent Christopher Granger dedicated more than half of his monthly town-hall style meeting to address concerns and dispel rumors on September 30.
Granger, along with FSD director Brenda Bowles, said that while waits in line were slightly longer than usual at the beginning of the school year, the cafeterias never ran out of food, and wait times in line have reduced.
“Obviously we want the students to enjoy being at school. We want them to enjoy the lunch options that we have, within the guidelines that we have to serve, and we want parents to be happy with what their kids are getting,” Granger said. “Nobody in any department is working in the vein of not trying to be responsive to students.”
To an audience of roughly a dozen parents, staff and community members, Granger and Bowles provided information on how lunch is served, how funding for lunches works, and showed sample meals that secondary students are offered for lunch.
“We can always review what we’re doing and get better,” Granger said. “There’s never been, ‘This is the way it is and it’s never going to be different.’”
Currently, both middle school and high school students receive school meals from the middle school cafeteria. The high school cafeteria is used as a central kitchen but not for serving food. Granger said the district reduced the number of FSD staff in response to a declining number of students purchasing school lunches.
Student participation in school lunch has dropped steadily since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data provided by the school district. During the 2021-22 school year, when school meals were free due to pandemic-era funding, 52,367 meals were served to high school students. During the 2023-24 school year, just 22,700 meals were served, a drop of nearly 30,000 meals not being reimbursed by the state. With a drop in enrollment, combined
Mural festival brings art to downtown Blaine
Blaine Senior
After two weeks of confusion and turmoil at the Blaine Senior Center (BSC), board president Jim West and treasurer Christine Yung, two of three board members voted out from their positions by a September 25 membership vote, have resigned, according to reports from multiple members that were confirmed by executive director Pete Nelson.
On September 25, 190 members attended a special meeting to vote on a petition to remove West, Yung and vice president Adele Berman.
The day before the special meeting, a September 24 letter signed by West, Berman and Yung said the board did not rec-
ognize the upcoming meeting and vote to be legitimate, and would be consulting with legal counsel to go over specific provisions in the BSC bylaws.
“After these legal consultation are concluded a report will be made to the general membership,” the letter stated. “These discussions with the board’s lawyers will not be limited to the issues noted above and will include other matters of high importance such as maintaining the ongoing integrity of BSC and limiting potential legal exposure.”
However, the meeting went ahead as planned. Of the votes cast, 178 voted to remove the three, with eight voting to
Photo by Grace McCarthy
Blood drive comes to Semiahmoo
Bloodworks Northwest will hold a community blood drive at Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 8.
The blood drive is open to the public and appointments are required. To register for the blood drive, visit bit.ly/4etCqFQ or call Bloodworks Northwest at 800/398-7888.
The actual blood donation takes about 10 minutes, excluding other appointment time. Donors can also save time with Bloodworks Northwest’s QuickPass, which needs to be completed on the day of the donation and is available at bloodworksnw.org/quickpass.
As of October 2, the blood drive had slots available from 10:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Most people are eligible to donate blood every 56 days if they are at least 18 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and in healthy condition the day of the donation, according to the Bloodworks Northwest website. Donors should bring a photo ID as well as be hydrated and fed.
Blaine Oyster Fest and Harbor Harvest Festival to ring in fall
B y G race M c c arthy
Blaine Oyster Fest and the Harbor Harvest Festival are returning in tandem to downtown Blaine on Saturday, October 12 to celebrate the local fall bounty.
“We’re calling it a celebration of land and sea,” said Jacquee Sovereign, Blaine Chamber of Commerce executive director. “The event theme is harvesting from the ocean and from the ground.”
Drayton Harbor Oyster Company (DHO) is holding the third annual Oyster Fest from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at its restaurant, 685
Peace Portal Drive, and the adjacent H Street Plaza. Attendees can avoid lines by purchasing food and drink tickets starting at 8 a.m. at the restaurant, DHO co-owner Steve Seymour said.
DHO will sell grilled and raw oysters, a seafood boil, shrimp tacos and alcoholic beverages. Oyster Fest will have an ‘oysteregg’ hunt, shucking contest and other activities. There will also be live music from Doug Allen and Friends, Monk Slippers Jazz Quartet and The Penny Stinkers.
The Harbor Harvest Festival will be held at Peace Portal Drive and H
Birch Bay man leads chase after allegedly stealing vehicle
A 34-year-old Birch Bay man remains in jail after allegedly stealing a vehicle from a Bellingham car dealership and leading sheriff’s deputies on a chase September 20.
Spencer Michael McKay, 34, was
Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival will have a street fair of artisan goods, beer garden and youth activities such as face painting, chalk and cornhole, Sovereign said. Michael Dayvid, DJ Michael, and Shannon Patiño and the Late Night Cravings will perform live music.
The Harbor Harvest Festival is being organized by the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the city of Blaine, Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 and Christ Episcopal Church.
The parks district shuttle will provide free rides between down-
Street in Bellingham, leaving his own vehicle at the dealership, according to the affidavit of probable cause (APC) filed in Whatcom County Superior Court.
A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputy observed McKay driving at a high rate of speed in the stolen vehicle on Bay
town and Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett Street, for a celebration at its garden. The church will help attendees harvest their own carrots and put on youth games. The first 150 attendees will receive a free pumpkin and flowers will be available while supplies last. There will also be live music, free carrot cake and a quilt raffle.
The Blaine Arts Council will also have materials for children to make free oyster shell ornaments from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Blaine Art Gallery, 922 Peace Portal Drive.
For more information on the festivals, visit blainebythesea.com
s The 2023 Harbor Harvest Festival.
Photo by Madisun Tobisch
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.
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The Northern Light
225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230
Tel: 360/332-1777
Vol XXX, No 17
Circulation: 10,500 copies
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Semiahmoo Resort holds seaside market OpiniOn
Letters
The Editor:
The Blaine Food Bank couldn’t be prouder to be the recipient of the funds raised in the launch of Blaine’s first annual Catoberfest! The event, sponsored by Beach Cat Brewery in Birch Bay and the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, brought hundreds of folks to beautiful Blaine Marine Park to celebrate the season in the true spirit of a Bavarian festival, and raised over $21,000 in support of the Blaine Food Bank’s effort to address hunger in our community.
The weather could not dampen the spirits of folks who enjoyed live music, a DJ, micro-brew and cider offerings from over a dozen different breweries across the Pacific Northwest, cornhole competitions, a costume contest, silent auction and, of course, great food options from local food trucks and vendors. It was truly amazing.
The success of this event was a result of the effort and generosity of so many individuals and businesses who offered their time and talent and went above and beyond to make Catoberfest a memorable and rewarding experience for all. It focused on and promoted the city of Blaine and helped us help individuals and families through the most challenging of times. Our community united on behalf of the Blaine Food Bank, just when we needed it most.
We thank everyone who donated, volunteered and participated in this uplifting and inspiring event for their generosity and kind hearts. The outpouring of support has brought us one step closer to changing the lives of friends and neighbors who struggle to keep themself and their families fed.
We thank you for caring.
Sally Church, on behalf of the entire Blaine Food Bank team
Blaine
The Editor:
Chief Van der Veen, your proposal to abandon North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Station 62 brings up issues. The levy increase failed partly due to negative tone and statements that seemed out of touch. Now Station 62 is also under threat just as new development is happening near it.
You are quoted, “I don’t see us staffing it in the foreseeable future.” Maybe, but why not at least retain and steward this valuable asset; and in a way that the kinds of damage recently revealed do not occur in the future?
With future development of Horizon and other projects, hundreds more homes are coming to the west side of the freeway/tracks. Derailment and fire or chemical spill of one of the mega-trains could put anything west of the tracks in jeopardy, but with access blocked. In an earthquake/tsunami event, the Semiahmoo peninsula would be cut off from I-5 by tsunami water covering Drayton Harbor Road and upper Blaine Road; possibly even Birch Bay Road, as in the Nooksack flood. In such cases a pre-staged Station 62, located on high ground, could potentially be critical for the thousands of peninsula residents.
Giving up this valuable land and building at this time would be a classic example of short-term thinking.
I am writing as a public safety advocate – but NWFR comments, including the one about “people in million-dollar homes” seem tone-deaf to the people and the current times.
I’ve lived here for some years and have never seen a plan about Station 62. An email inquiry about this very station sent during the levy discussions went unanswered.
The homeowners you singled out might
want to remind you that higher cost homes also pay a lot more property taxes to support you and other public employees. Perhaps you also were not aware that many Semiahmoo residents are retirees with late life priorities, which preclude them volunteering to help you and your staff?
How are “lack of amenities” at Station 62 an issue? How does that affect employee assignments anyway?
We are a pro-services, pro-first responder household, but look for more positive planning, content and fewer threats in the NWFR tone and messaging. Pointing to public assets which degraded while under the care of public employees is not effective at generating sympathy. Out here it feels like the standard playbook from many public entities: threats and insinuations whenever any funding increase is denied.
Tom Mintner Blaine
The Editor:
As I write this I am not sure if I am more sad or angry. For a multitude of reasons, real and imagined, chaos has taken over the Blaine Senior Center. Once again it may be without a director. I have unfortunately seen over four-plus years several different directors unable to work with a board of directors.
Thankfully, the current director made the center into a dynamic, welcoming place to grow, learn, socialize and laugh. He created inclusive programs to enhance the life of every member via mental and physical programs. Those members who (See Letters, next page)
Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
s Semiahmoo Resort held a fall artisan market that had local vendors, food trucks and live music on September 29.
Photo by Ruth Lauman
Birch Bay author releases children’s book inspired by Birch Bay
B y G race M c c arthy
A Birch Bay resident recently released a children’s book inspired by her family’s adventures sea glass hunting on Birch Bay beaches.
Lacey Young released her first self-published book, “The Sea Shop: A Pacific Northwest Adventure Story,” on September 23. The 31-page book chronicles a girl named Callie being drawn by the nature in her seaside village and love of combing the shoreline for sea glass. Once she finds the perfect pieces, she uses them at The Sea Shop, a nod to The C Shop in Birch Bay, to pay for ice cream.
Local illustrator Bria Block brought the story to life through pastel-colored illustrations of the sea and forest that mesh with Callie’s story. The book also features a map of sea glass beaches in the Pacific Northwest that includes Birch Bay State Park, Young’s favorite place to go beachcombing.
Young said the book was based on a short film that Young’s husband, Caleb, took of their daughter Callie when she was six years old for a video contest. The film follows a similar plot of Callie combing the beach for sea glass, a popular activity in their family, and using her new treasures at The C Shop.
“You don’t always have to en-
tertain kids with elaborate toys or big trips or adventures,” Young said. “You can find things easily where we live without a lot of money or planning.”
Hunting for sea glass, and later agates, is something Young’s family has continued over the years, even now that Callie is 17, Young said.
With her first book under her belt, Young said she would like to release more books that follow themes like berry picking, foraging in the woods and kayaking.
Young said she believes the book, intended for ages 3-8, will be sold at The C Shop next summer and hopes to sell it at stores around Birch Bay. The book can be purchased for $10.99 on Amazon at bit.ly/3Y3C5UD and will be available at Village Books.
Letters ...
From previous page
still work could now find the center open after 3 p.m. and on Saturdays.
There is seemingly no outside oversight, especially when a board has little to no communication with the general membership. It is hard to comprehend and understand why neither the city of Blaine nor Whatcom County, both of which contribute a healthy sum of monetary support, have no oversight or defined responsibilities to the membership.
Why is it difficult to understand that the current “kindness” mission and programs at the center have kept members out of hospitals and doctor’s offices as well as helping to erase the isolation of the senior population of the Blaine, Birch Bay community? Is it fair or democratic that a board of directors has the right to disrupt the lives of paid members without
School Athletic Hall of Fame
Induction Class: Gale Bishop • Brenda Dodd The Dodd Family • Mario Gobbato Mike Magnusson • Gary McGee Brad Scheib • Jerry Wolten
explanation? Why are the bylaws ambiguous and not clear about the will of the members? Why have there been no minutes or reports regarding the executive sessions? Why was the vote of 196 to dismiss three members of the executive board ignored? Where were board members when a public meeting of the membership was being held to question some decisions made by the board? Why is the senior center not a partnership between the members, the director, the city, the county, and the board of directors? What part does the department of parks and recreation play in the operation of the center? How does the staff get paid when there is no director?
A tremendous resource to the community is once again in the throes of being disrupted. Personality conflicts and or power struggles should not be allowed to destroy what has been accomplished and what could be in the future.
Beth Tableman Blaine
s Birch Bay resident Lacey Young holds
Sea Shop,” which was released September 23. Photo by Grace McCarthy
Q&A with Cascadia Insurance on Medicare changes, enrollment
B y G race M c c arthy
The Northern Light sat down with Cascadia Insurance owner
Aaron Abraham to discuss recent changes to Medicare before the open enrollment period starts Tuesday, October 15.
The enrollment period allows
Medicare recipients to make changes to their health or prescription drug plans through December 7, with those changes going into effect January 1, 2025.
About 67.5 million people in the U.S. are signed up for Medicare, nearly 90 percent of whom are 65 years or older, according to
the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare is also available to some people younger than 65 who have a disability.
Abraham, a Bellingham-based licensed insurance agent who has specialized in Medicare policies for 17 years, talks about the biggest misconceptions, changes to the Medicare Advantage plans, and what he recommends for people enrolling this fall.
The responses were edited for brevity and clarity.
Q: What common misconceptions do you see about Medicare?
A: One big one that I think has mostly been dispelled now is we used to get a lot of folks asking how much Medicare is going to cover for themselves or a loved one if they go into a nursing home. There is a nursing home benefit or
recovery, but not for chronic care.
The other misconception is between Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplements. They are two very different types of coverage, and carriers with the same name offer both types of coverage, so there’s a lot of confusion. It’s up to the consumer to decide which works better for them.
A Medicare supplement, as the name implies, supplements original Medicare. Medicare covers 80 percent of approved charges, but there are still copays and deductibles. The supplement fills in the gaps, which is why it’s known as the Medigap policy. You can essentially have nearly 100 percent coverage. There’s still the Part B deductible which this year was
(See Medicare, next page)
Medicare resources
Medicare phone line: Medicare offers a phone line available 24 hours per day, seven days a week during open enrollment for people to ask questions. The line is 800/6334227 or for TTY users, 877486-2048.
Free insurance advisor: The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner offers free, unbiased health insurance advisors to help people choose a Medicare plan through the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA). To contact SHIBA, call 800/562-6900 (phone line open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays) or for TTY, call 360/586-0241. For additional information, including finding a SHIBA office or Medicare counseling session, visit bit.ly/3TSqp4N.
Comparisons: Side-by-side comparisons of plans are available on Medicare.gov, where people can also enroll for their plan.
s Aaron Abraham, owner of Cascadia Insurance. Courtesy photo
October Blaine Senior Center Lunch Menu
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Thu, Oct. 3: Florentine Fish or Florentine Vegan Cutlet, Mushroom Rice Pilaf, Normandy Vegetables, Garden Salad, Coconut Cream Pudding
Fri, Oct. 4: Asian Chicken Salad or Veggie Asian Salad,Vegetable Spring Rolls, Fresh Grapes
Mon, Oct. 7: Oktoberfest – German Brat or Veggie Brat, Hot Potato Salad, Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage, Garden Salad, Apple Crisp
$240. Someone can have 100 percent coverage after that deductible, so they would never pay any Medicare-approved bill at all. The supplement is a prepaid system where you pay a higher premium than the Medicare Advantage plan but you have almost full coverage.
A Medicare Advantage plan is the privatized version of Medicare where you select a private insurance company to administer the benefits for you, typically in a copay structure. It’s what I refer to as the payas-you-go system. You have a very low premium or no premium, but then you have copays when you go to the doctor, and it’s billed to a private company, not to Medicare.
Can you tell me about the changes to Medicare during this open enrollment period?
A: There are about 1.5 million people in Washington signed up for Medicare, about half of those are on Medicare Advantage plans. Those plans change each year.
On October 1, Advantage Plan members should have received their annual notice of change letters and some folks got letters stating their plan is no longer going to be in the area as of December 31. Unfortunately, this is an absolutely massive service area reduction. Approximately one in six folks on the Medicare Advantage plan are losing their coverage and have an enrollment window right now to choose another plan.
The positive side is that normally to get on one of those Medicare supplement plans, the so-called prepaid plans, typically you have to go through underwriting where you answer health questions and can be denied coverage. If someone loses a plan because of the service area reduction, they are guaranteed eligible and can move to a Medicare supplement plan regardless of their health conditions.
In essence, someone could be going through cancer treatments and if they are losing their Medicare Advantage plan, they could enroll in the Medicare supplement that would pick up those costs in full, minus a small deductible, starting January 1.
Are there any other major changes you’re seeing to Medicare?
A: This year we are seeing a general erosion of benefits to the Medicare Advantage plans. So not only are some plans leaving, but other plans have added a medical deductible where it didn’t exist or increased copays.
I think a lot of the service area reduction and erosion of benefits on the Medicare Advantage side, the privatized side, is due to the reimbursement rate from Medicare. Each plan is given a star rating out of five stars and the reimbursement is determined by those star ratings. The general reimbursement rate from Medicare has been reduced too.
What piece of advice do you wish people knew about Medicare?
This is an easy one. I wish more people knew they could seek out agents like myself for no-cost assis-
tance specializing in the complexities of
First Responders First Responders
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue
s Division Chief of Support Services, Shaun Ward
Battalion Chiefs
Vwich, Agent
Firefighters
Liz Bronder, Tyler Budwey, Russ Briskin, Kaleb Bruch, Gary DeJager, Jason Donnelly, John Geleynse, Alex Georgulas, Cole Heili, Keagan Kingslien, Mike Lyshol, Steve Latham, Anthony Marra, Brandon May, Patty McDermott, Seth Meredith, Ben Mouser, Alex Ojukwu, Tony Placzek, Alden Roberts, Wayne Sanders, Cody Stamberger, Kat Stewart, Collin Thomas, Tye Thompson, Hayley Urling-Ehinger, Andrew Veith, Delanie Warne, Dylan Witzel
Admin
Jennie Sand, Jessica Koehler, Kelly Freeman
Mechanic
Ryan Mack
Volunteers
Fire Commissioners
Bruce Ansell, John Crawford, Scott Fisher, Kimberly McMurray, Matthew Rigberg
Other Captains
Scott Brown, Tony Esser, Troy Freeman, Jeff Hofstad, John Hollstein, Danny Jensen, Kris Jorgensen
Captains Station 61 (Odell)
Shawn Atwood, Brian Botta Pillo, Stephen Bowerman, Jeff Bowles, Laura Brewer-Yarnall, David Brunnemer, Brian Carlson, Tommy Erickson, Kim Gates, George Hargenrader, Tanner Jansen, Aaron Jonasson, Dalton King, Robert King, Lee Lightfoot, Shane Madsen, Casey Martin, Brandon Millsap, Mel Mulligan, Lane Renskers, Sabrina Renskers, Dale Rutgers, Julie Smits, Melissa Van Cleve, Michael Welch, Scott Wood
s Mike Nelson – B shift
s Chris Hollander – A shift
Rob Mulrooney – C shift
Cody Bowen
s Burr McPhail – B shift
s Jon Ahrenholz – A shift
D.J. Riehl – C shift
Adam Smith – D shift
s Fire Chief, Jason Vander Veen
s Deputy Fire Marshal, Station 61 (Odell), Joel Nielsen
s Mike Schmidt –C shift Captain
Responders Responders
spOrts
Football unbeaten, ranked No. 5 in state
Football
Blaine football continued its perfect start to the season with a 47-22 win against Granite Falls on September 27, advancing to 4-0. According to
the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association, the Borderites are the fifth-highest ranked 1A team in the state, tied with rival Nooksack Valley based on RPI rankings.
Blaine couldn’t have had a better start to the season, knocking off four non-conference opponents by a combined score of 16354. The Borderites have defeated their first four opponents by an average score of 27.25 points.
Against Granite Falls, the Borderites jumped out to an early first quarter lead, with the vast majority of the offensive production coming from the ground attack.
Blaine rushed the ball 48 times for 367 yards compared to just 12 pass attempts for 96 yards. Even with limited passing, senior quarterback Colin Davis made an impact on the ground with nine rushes for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Once again, senior running back Jaiden Paez dominated with four touchdowns rushing and a pick-six on defense. Paez rushed for 180 yards on 20 attempts, which was his fourth time rushing for over 125 yards – a mark he’s reached every game of the season so far.
With the non-conference schedule taken care of and Blaine riding a 4-0 start for the first time since 1979, according to whatcompreps.com, the stakes haven’t been higher for the start of Northwest Conference competition.
And what better way to kick off NWC play than at home against rivals Lynden Christian? Last season, the Borderites lost a lopsided, 48-14 game to the Lyncs. A year later, the Borderites look like one of the most improved teams in the conference.
If the Borderites want to keep that top-five 1A ranking, the team will have to beat some of the best 1A teams in the state, with tough games up ahead against Lynden Christian on Friday, October 4 at 7 p.m., then on the road against Nooksack Valley on Friday, October 11.
Stats provided by whatcompreps.com
Girls soccer
Blaine girls soccer suffered a pair of tough 1-0 defeats, first to Sedro-Woolley on the road Sep-
tember 26 and then hosting Meridian on October 1. The backto-back losses put Blaine at 3-5-0 halfway through the fall season, but the team still sits as the second-highest ranked 1A team in the Northwest Conference.
Offensive chances have been hard to come by in Blaine’s losses, with four of the team’s five losses this season being shutouts.
Against Meridian, the Borderites allowed a late goal in the waning minutes of the first half after Meridian made a quick counter attack up the right sideline, and blasted home a goal above senior goalkeeper Larissa Pluschakov’s outstretched arms. The Borderites weren’t able to get an equalizer in the second half.
But with eight games remaining in the regular season, all against NWC rivals, Blaine has a chance to jump up significantly in the conference standings and secure a better seeding for district playoffs.
With a game against Lynden at home on Thursday, October 3 at 7:30 p.m., the Borderites will have a chance to earn three points and leapfrog 2A Burlington-Edison in the standings.
Volleyball
Girls volleyball dropped its last two conference games, one a 3-1 loss on the road to Sedro-Woolley and another as a 3-0 sweep at home at the hands of Meridian.
The pair of losses dropped the Borderites to 1-7 just before the halfway point of the season.
The Meridian game began like many for the Borderites this season, with Blaine jumping out to a strong start, going up 14-10 and forcing the visiting team to take a timeout and regroup. But Meridian was able to bounce back and close the door on Blaine, winning 25-21, 25-14 and 25-20.
The Borderites still showed great offensive production from outside hitters, with sophomore Teia Dube racking up seven kills and senior Kaitlyn Harrington adding six kills on the night.
With the second half of the season up ahead, the Borderites have time to turn the season around.
Blaine will host Lynden after press time on October 2 at 7 p.m. at home and then travel to Mt. Baker on Tuesday, October 8.
s Junior defender Merissa Delgado throws the ball in from the sideline in the first half of Blaine’s 1-0 loss to Meridian on October 1.
Photo by Nolan Baker
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: JAMES EUGENE HEALY JOHNSON, Deceased. No. 24-4-00806-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Robert E. Olson The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: September 11, 2024 with Clerk of Court:
Date of First Publication: September 19, 2024
Name of Personal Representative: DIANE M. BERGE
Attorney for Personal Representatives: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262 Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229 Telephone: (360) 325-2550
Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com
DATED: September 11, 2024
AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S.
Attorney for Personal Representative: DIANE M. BERGE
ed 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: September 19, 2024
Personal Representative: Ann Moore 2716 40th Street Bellingham, WA 98229
Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225
Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225
Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 24-4-00803-37
Construction to close section of Boblett Street through December
A section of Boblett Street between State Route 543 and Ludwick Avenue will be limited to local access only during a construction project that is anticipated to finish late December.
The city of Blaine announced October 1 that the Boblett Street traffic channelization and corridor improvements project was antici-
Lunches ...
with free meals being curtailed, the school district could not justify keeping the same amount of staff, and the district decided to consolidate and serve food from a single location for secondary students, Granger said.
According to Bowles, the food service department has 10 employees preparing food and seven as cashiers, serving and checking out food. That number is slightly down from previous years, with one employee being laid off due to budget reductions, and another retiring, Granger said.
Parents had reached out to
Seniors ...
keep all three, according to a copy of meeting minutes provided to The Northern Light. None of the three board members or Nelson were at the meeting.
Nelson, BSC executive director since January 2023, said problems between him and the board originated after he unsuccessfully asked the board for medical and other employee benefits.
Nelson had originally told the board he would resign on September 30, but rescinded the letter, saying he would work through the end of the year to help the transition to a new executive director.
After West and Yung announced their resignations from the board on October 2, Nelson said he was unsure if he would step down at the end of the year as the board remains in flux.
West declined to comment when asked for a response by The Northern Light, citing possible litigation between the board and Nelson, saying, “No one from the board of directors is authorized to speak on behalf of the board due to this potential litigation.”
According to the members who filed the petition to remove the board members, it satisfied all requirements stated in the organization’s bylaws and cited state laws that allow members to vote to remove board executives.
Multiple BSC members said that the center’s bylaws are antiquated and unclear in relation to board member removal, and are in need of updating.
With West and Yung stepping down, the board will meet to find replacements to serve out the remainder of their terms until new elec-
pated to begin the first half of October. Construction is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The project will create a roundabout just west of Chuckanut Bay Foods at Boblett Court, widen Boblett Street to add a two-way left-turn lane, add a right-turn slip lane on Yew Ave -
administration with complaints about long lines for secondary students during lunch, with some saying students were late to their next classes due to delays.
Bowles said the FSD has a goal of getting students through the line in 10 minutes or less, and said that the longest observed wait during the first week of school was roughly 14 minutes.
“We attribute that to new kids at the middle school coming up, getting used to new environments and our own cooks getting used to new setups,” Bowles said. “We rarely go over 10 minutes.”
Bowles said the FSD serves about 190 meals to middle and high school students on an average day, but that number can
nue and restripe the area. It will also add a sidewalk, crosswalks and ADA ramp installation and replacement.
Crews will make an effort to maintain access, but brief interruptions may occur, according to the announcement. There will also be a limited sidewalk closure.
fluctuate depending on the menu and interest from students. During the September 30 town hall meeting, Bowles said that she hasn’t seen a day where there was no food available for the last students in line, but that hot food can go quicker than cold, grab-and-go options.
School food service departments cannot legally make a profit, and all funding for school meals are reimbursed through the state. If more students continue to purchase meals at school, FSD may be able to hire more staff in response, Bowles said.
Bowles encourages any students, parents or community members who have questions about school lunch to call her at 360/332-0358.
s Blaine Senior Center members stand outside the center to petition to keep executive director Pete Nelson. Nelson had originally planned to resign on September 30, but rescinded the resignation and said he will work at least through 2024 to find a replacement, if needed.
tions are held in May 2025, Nelson said. The remaining board members will regroup on Thursday, October 10 to discuss next steps. The next general membership meeting is on Monday, October 14.
Nelson said that funding from the city of Blaine and Whatcom County could be hanging in the balance due to the impending legal battles. Blaine city manager Michael Harmon told The Northern Light the city’s roughly $34,000 in funds to BSC would need a full city council vote to be stopped, and said neither he nor mayor Mary Lou Steward plan on bringing that to council.
Blaine city councilmember Sonia Hurt, who has been liaison
to the senior center since January 2024 and is a member of BSC, voted to oust the executives, and attended the September 25 special meeting along with Harmon and director of community development services Alex Wenger. In an email to The Northern Light, Hurt supported Nelson, saying she believed the senior center had growing membership figures and a consistently balanced budget.
“The Blaine community is very fortunate to have Pete Nelson at our senior center,” Hurt wrote. “We were baffled as to why [West] would want to stay on as president when the majority of the membership wants him gone.”
Photo courtesy of Sieneke Stevenson
sheriff’s repOrts
September 21, 9:25 a.m.: Burglary cold call on Seafair Drive.
September 21, 3:14 p.m.: Disorderly conduct on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
September 21, 11:20 p.m.: Overdose on East Street.
September 22, 9:21 a.m.: Vehicle prowl cold call on Wooldridge Avenue.
September 22, 12:35 p.m.: Vehicle prowl cold call on Morrison Avenue.
September 22, 2:22 p.m.: Vandalism cold call on Harborview Road.
September 22, 4:04 p.m.: Threat on Custer School Road.
September 22, 8:44 p.m.: Trouble with subject on Halibut Drive.
September 23, 4:34 a.m.: Prowler on Holeman Avenue.
September 23, 7:22 a.m.: Domestic assault arrest on Clamdigger Drive.
September 23, 9:43 a.m.: Theft cold call on Birch Bay Drive.
September 23, 12:24 p.m.: Vehicle prowl cold call on Birch Bay Drive.
September 24, 12:17 p.m.: Assault, DUI arrest on Birch Bay Drive.
September 24, 2:14 p.m.: Vandalism cold call on 4th Street.
September 24, 3:38 p.m.: Death investigation on Harbor Drive.
September 25, 2:11 p.m.: Harassment cold call on Custer
School Road.
September 25, 5:00 p.m.: Theft cold call on Harborview Road.
September 26, 11:04 a.m.: Domestic physical on Stein Road. September 26, 3:41 p.m.: Fraud cold call on Bruce Road.
pOLiCe repOrts
September 21, 7:24 a.m.:
Vehicle prowl on E Street.
September 21, 11:31 p.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury on D Street.
September 22, 10:29 a.m.: Theft on Boblett Street.
September 22, 1:18 p.m.: Vehicle prowl on E Street.
September 23, 7:11 a.m.: Vandalism on Martin Street.
September 23, 6:46 p.m.: Trespass on Cedar Street.
September 24, 7:01 p.m.: Domestic – physical on A Street.
September 25, 10:55 a.m.: Vehicle theft on Boblett Street.
CrOssWOrd
ACROSS
1. Unsheared sheep
5. Rock TV channel
8. Streetcar
12. Concerning 14. Exclamation
15. Greek goddess of youth
16. Popular type of device 18. Alcoholic beverage
19. Ancient Olympic Site 20. Sharpshoots 21. Tyrion Lannister was characterized as one 22. Pointed ends of pens 23. Measuring instruments 26. Midsection body part 30. Made a mistake 31. Adjusted 32. “Partridge” actress Susan 33. Yell 34. Civil rights city in Alabama
39. Young boy
42. Type of sea bass
44. To call (archaic)
46. Unfortunate
47. Separate one -
self from others 49. Hero sandwiches
50. Spy group 51. Florida is famous for them
56. Irritating individuals
57. Luck 58. Hunting expedition
59. WWII diarist Frank 60. Peyton’s younger brother 61. Type of wrap 62. Type of overseas tax or levy 63. Soviet Socialist Republic 64. Wake up DOWN
1. Works of body art 2. Israeli politician Abba 3. Renowned desert
4. Eat greedily 5. She didn’t make it through the Fr. Revolution 6. Beat 7. Bloodsucker 8. From a place already noted 9. Counted on 10. Alberta Assn.
of Baccalaureate World Schools 11. Something one can make 13. One who abstains 17. Wild ox 24. Type of student 25. Bacterial infection of the skin
26. Expresses surprise 27. What engaged couples ultimately say 28. Crony 29. Where one begins (abbr.) 35. Architectural designation 36. “Matt Houston” actor Horsley 37. More (Spanish) 38. Autonomic nervous system 40. Indigenous peoples
41. Deflections
42. Circulating life force
43. Executes with a rope 44. Natives of an island nation
45. Girls
47. Logician and philosopher
48. Nocturnal hoofed animal 49. Relaxing spaces
Coming up
Community Breakfast: Saturdays, 8–11 a.m., American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. All-you-can-eat pancakes $5, kids 4 and under get free pancakes. Other breakfast items available for purchase. Hosted by G.O.A.T. Sandwiches. Info: 360/296-4204. Portion of proceeds benefits the American Legion.
Wendy Donaghy Performance: Friday, October 4, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. An elegant evening as Wendy, accompanied by the wonderful Terhi Miikki Broersma, who heads up the Lynden Music Festival, shares the masterpieces of jazz, pop, musical theater and opera. $8. Reservations required for this limited seating special event. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.
Habitat for Humanity Community Build Day: Saturday, October 5, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in Everson and Nooksack. Volunteers needed. Info: hfhwhatcom.org/build-community-day.
September 25, 1:11 p.m.: Theft on Peace Portal Drive.
September 26, 10:24 a.m.: Harassment on Blaine Avenue.
September 26, 6:28 p.m.: Theft on 12th Street.
September 27, 10:17 a.m.: Lewd conduct on Boblett Street.
September 27, 5:55 p.m.: Theft on 3rd Street.
September 27, 7:10 p.m.: Theft on Boblett Street.
September 27, 7:20 p.m.: Drugs on Adelia Street.
Reports provided by Blaine Police Department
52. From a distance
53. Form of Persian language
54. Amounts of time
55. Mathematical designation
THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM
tides
September 26-October 2 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
Fall Festival: Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street, Featuring vendors, giveaways, music and more. Free. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Bellingham Exit Music Festival: Thursday–Sunday, October 10–13, various venues in Bellingham. Multi-day, multi-stage, multi-sensory music and arts festival boasting four days of music & comedy, the art market, and in-venue art installations. Info: bellinghamexit.com.
What’s Next: Exploring Your Medicare and Healthcare Options: Friday, October 11, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Presented by the Blaine Senior Center and sponsored by Guided Solutions. Free and open to the public. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.
Blaine’s Oyster Fest and Harbor Harvest Fest: Saturday, October 12, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., downtown Blaine. Grilled oysters, street fair, Lummi Nation salmon bake and tribal dancers, food vendors, Christ Episcopal’s Giving Garden, kid-friendly beer garden, live music, oyster shucking contest, kids activities and more. Info:blainebythesea.com.
Blaine Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Saturday, October 12, 1 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. Introducing the 2024 inductees.
Kids Booktober Party: Thursday, October 17, 3 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. A celebration of all things reading. Tell us about your favorite books and discover some new ones. Make crafts to decorate your home library. Comfy clothes are encouraged. Info: wcls.org.
Family Movie Night: Friday, October 18, 7 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Free Halloween-themed family-friendly movie and popcorn. Bring a chair or use a folding chair. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, October 19, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Over $275 in prizes. Games begin at 12:30 p.m. Eight games $15. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. for $8. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.
Ongoing
Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Info:360/3326350 or Info@blainefoodbank.org.
The Bridge Food Bank: Fridays, 2 p.m.–4:30 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.
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 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.
The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Donations accepted Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. or by appointment. The Bridge Community Hope Center’s new location, 7620 Birch Bay Drive.
Narcotics Anonymous: Mondays, 7–8 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ basement, 855 4th Street. Everyone welcome. Info: Blainenarcoticsanonymous@gmail.com.
Blaine Serenity Al-Anon: Mondays, noon–1 p.m. on Zoom. Have you been dealing with alcoholism with a friend or family member? Info: Jerrylyn at 360/305-2246.
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of September 23 to 29, 1.9 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2024 year-to-date precipitation is 26 inches.
Temperature: High for the past week was 66.7°F on September 27 with a low of 43.5°F on September 29. Average high was 60.9°F and average low was 48.9°F.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at noon, Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at noon, women’s meeting Mondays at 4 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ basement, 855 4th Street. Info: 307/349-0450.
Friends of Birch Bay Library: Meets second Mondays. 6:30 p.m., Birch Bay Birch Bay Vogt Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. Info: friendsofbirchbaylibrary.org.
Friends of Blaine Library: Meets third Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Find out the latest library news at this monthly FOBL Board of Directors meeting. All members and guests are welcome to attend. Info: blainelibraryfriends.org. Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum: Open Friday–Sunday, 1–5 p.m., 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Free, donations welcome.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to
Lummi Seafood Market brings fresh seafood to Whatcom County
B y J oshua k or N feld
Lummi Seafood Market owner Terry Phair has been fulfilling the market’s mission of providing Whatcom County with fresh seafood.
“[I was] trying to add value to our products, and keep our products close to home so we have food to eat all year long,” he said of opening the market in 2017. “That’s healthy for us, healthy for our community.”
The market offers fresh and frozen products, a majority of which are caught by Indigenous fishers. Some products that can’t be sourced locally are brought in from other sellers, Phair said. Popular products include wild sockeye, coho, king salmon and halibut.
Lummi Seafood Market also commercially cans salmon through
its product line called “Salmon Woman,” which includes canned sockeye, king and coho in both regular and jalapeño.
Phair said while working for the market he wears different hats including diver, boat owner, buyer and wholesaler. Most recently, he has begun cooking.
“We’re cooks,” said Phair, a tribal member of the Lummi Nation.
“Now we have a pop-up called Cha•k’os, which means fire pit.”
The Cha•k’os barbecues follow a traditional Lummi seafood technique where fish is cooked on sticks over an open flame. The pop-up barbecues will be held at Bellingham SeaFeast on October 5 and 6 at Zuanich Point Park in Bellingham and a Halloween event at the Bellingham Portal Container Village on October 31. Next year, Phair plans to expand the menu and availability of Cha•k’os.
Phair has been diving for 14 years, searching the Salish Sea for red sea cucumbers, geoduck, and green and red sea urchins. Phair said he has to meet state fishing regulations enforced by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Sustainability is important to Phair, who incorporates it into his business by turning leftover seafood into fertilizer.
“If we harvest it ourselves, sell it ourselves and cook it ourselves, it’s more sustainable,” he said. “We’ve got to remember how to preserve and hold on to our salmon.”
Products can be found at Lummi Seafood Market at 4920 Rural
Avenue in Ferndale, the seasonal Bellingham Farmers Market, during Cha•k’os pop-ups and at Bellingham Dockside Market,
a bi-monthly seafood market at Squalicum Harbor.
“We have always been a people that survived,” he said.
To learn more, visit the Lummi Seafood Market Facebook page, lummiseafoodmarket.com or call 360/920-3447.
