Rep. Rick Larsen to hold town hall, page 2 Borderite winter sports start, page 6
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The Blaine school board voted to extend superintendent Chris Granger’s contract for an additional year, through June 30, 2028, after a 3-2 vote during its regular meeting on December 10. This is an extension of the contract approved by the board in June, which was previously set to expire at the end of the 2027 school year.
Board president Cliff Freeman, Ryan Swinburnson and Ben Lazarus voted to extend the superintendent’s contract. Erika Creydt and Steve Galbraith voted against the extension.
Galbraith laid out a host of reasons for why he did not want to extend Granger’s contract, namely the fact that Granger had interviewed for other superintendent positions, and said he views a three-year rolling contract as “not friendly” to the district.
“There’s very little or no protections for the district should Dr. Granger get another job and he’s gone,” Galbraith said. “So I’m not in favor of the contract as written.”
Swinburnson, who voted to extend the contract, agreed with Galbraith that some of the language in the contract needed clarification and amending, but voted to extend Granger’s contract, citing Granger’s work ethic through a five-year tenure of especially challenging circumstances, citing the pandemic and multiple years of budget cuts.
“He’s been the superintendent for five years, which are probably some of the most tumultuous years in Blaine’s history,” Swinburnson said. “It’s very clear to me that the school district has a lot of healing to do, with not only its members but with the community. I think that healing starts at the top. It starts with Dr. Granger. It starts with the administration. With this board, we need to set aside any personal vendetta that we might have and start making decisions for the betterment of the students.”
Virtually every board member that spoke
(See School, page 3)
Food bank leaders honored at city council, page 3
Swift
Whatcom County added to Birch Bay Waterslides lawsuit, park eyes 2025 reopening
A Skagit County man who was severely injured on the Hairpin slide at Birch Bay Waterslides in August 2023 has named Whatcom County, Safe Slide Restoration and Kingworks Consulting Engineers as new defendants in his lawsuit against Birch Bay Waterslides. This comes as Birch Bay Waterslides has announced it is going through various changes, including new
management, as it plans to reopen summer 2025.
Larry Baker, of Skagit County, filed a lawsuit against Birch Bay Jun Yu Waterslides LLC in Whatcom County Superior Court on May 9 after he spent nearly two weeks in Harborview Medical Center’s intensive care unit in Seattle resulting from serious leg injuries he sustained going down the park’s Hairpin slide on August 25, 2023.
The original complaint alleged Birch
Caroling returns to Semiahmoo Resort
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A longstanding holiday tradition is set to return to Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club’s Palmer Room on Saturday, December 14: Christmas caroling. The old-fashioned caroling event will return for its 23rd season at the Semiahmoo Resort after taking a hiatus since the pandemic.
Award-winning children’s entertainer and recording artist Dana Cohenour, who has been hosting the event for the past decade, is bringing it back in partnership
with Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club. The event is free and donations to Blaine Food Bank will be accepted at the door.
“It’s a wonderful tradition in the community that always grew,” Cohenour said. “We’re trying to build it back up into the treasured tradition it has been.”
A visit from Santa will kick off the event at 4:30 p.m., followed by a special children’s program with Cohenour, owner of Dana’s Music Playground. Caroling will begin at 5:45 p.m. with Cohenour on the piano and her son, Jack, on the ukulele.
The event will end around 7 p.m., and complimentary cookies, cocoa and holiday punch will be provided.
The caroling has typically been held at Semiahmoo Resort, but Cohenour said she believes the annual event will start a new tradition at the country club. The event has brought hundreds of people in the past, something Cohenour wants to continue.
“Everyone has always felt the spirit,”
(See Caroling, page 2)
Bay Waterslides was negligent because it had the duty to provide safe and adequate maintenance of the water park, provide customers with warnings regarding unsafe areas and have a system for inspecting unsafe conditions.
In the amended complaint filed December 3, Baker’s lawyers wrote that Whatcom County had the duty to inspect, document
(See Waterslides, page 5)
Photo by Ruth Lauman
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she said. “This is special to try to build it up again to the nice tradition it once was.”
Cohenour has won over 20 national awards for her music, including three Parents’ Choice Awards, and has performed nationally with PBS characters like Curious George and Clifford.
For more information, call Great Blue Heron Grill at 360/371-5745.
U.S. House Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) will host a town hall in Ferndale on Saturday, December 14. The town hall will be held 3-4 p.m. at Pioneer Pavilion Community Center, 2007 Cherry Street.
The town hall is open to anyone who lives within the 2nd Congressional District, which includes all of Whatcom County. Larsen will discuss his priorities for the upcoming session and seek input from constituents. The House of Representatives will convene on January 3 for the 119th Congress.
Larsen will also host a town hall on Sunday, December 15 in Edmonds.
s Rick Larsen (WA-02). File photo
s Bob Conley, l., and David Chapman join a group of singers during Semiahmoo
CJ, Kathy & Kelly
Blaine City Council: Recognitions, appointments and approvals
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The latest from the Blaine City Council meeting on December 9 … Sally and Bill Church honored
The Blaine City Council meeting on December 9 started with mayor Mary Lou Steward recognizing Sally and Bill Church for their dedication to the Blaine Food Bank over the years. The recognition follows Sally Church’s retirement as food bank director last month.
“For three decades your unwavering commitment and tireless efforts have made a significant impact on our community,” Steward said. “Your compassion and hard work have not only provided nourishment, but also hope and support to countless individuals and families. Throughout your years of service, you have been beacons of kindness and generosity.”
The entire audience at the city council meeting, about 20 people, stood to applaud the Churches after the mayor’s recognition. Sally Church then gave a speech about her appreciation for the Blaine community and thanked the city for recognizing all of the food bank volunteers. The audience again stood to give a round of applause to Church.
Councilmember Mike Hill ended
the recognition with a speech about the Churches’ work in the community before asking for a third and final round of applause for the pair.
“These two people are staples in this town that a lot of people probably don’t know about,” Hill said. “They give from their heart and expect nothing in return. You never find two people like this. They’re special people on Earth.”
New committee appointees
After the recognition, city council appointed Gurdeep (Zeal) Bains, a businessman with background in the hostel industry and owner of downtown property, and Kristen Gomes, lead concierge at Semiahmoo Resort, to the Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee. The nine-person tourism committee meets monthly to discuss improving the tourism and recreation economy in Blaine.
Council then appointed Colin Hawkins, Don Enos and Sam Randhawa to Blaine Planning Commission. Hawkins is a lifelong Blaine resident and currently serving on the commission, while Enos and Randhawa are both real estate agents and newcomers to the commission.
The two new members will fill Jerry Marczynski’s position, which expires December 31, and a position left vacant by James Bring a few months ago. The seven-person commission
School ...
From page 1
regarding their vote said they hoped the district, either with or without a contract extension for Granger, could improve on its messaging and work toward less “negativity” as Swinburnson put it, within the community.
In the past two budget cycles, the board passed reduced education plans, which featured significant staffing cuts that have saved the district millions of dollars at the expense of roughly 90 positions. According to previous reporting by The Northern Light, staff salaries make up roughly 85 percent of the district’s operating budget.
A 2023 vote by the school board to reduce the budget by roughly $5 million, cutting around 65 staff positions, prompted mass student walkouts in support of teachers whose jobs were impacted by the reduction. The next year, the board voted to cut roughly 30 staff positions in a $2.5 million reduction.
“It’s clear to me that there’s conflict out there and there’s been pain associated with the budgeting cycle and the lockdown,” Freeman said. “I recognize that we all need to do our best to resolve some of these tough issues and where pos-
meets monthly to make planning recommendations to city council. East Blaine development moves forward
Later in the meeting, council approved the final plat of The Ridge in east Blaine. The plat, developed by Skip and Katie Jansen, will have 31 single-family residential lots, utility and stormwater improvements, a public road and space for more development. City council approved the preliminary plat and planned unit development for The Ridge, formerly known as East Maple Ridge, in June 2020.
City prepares for winter
One of council’s final actions of the evening was approving the purchase of two salt spreaders for winter. The city’s purchase order agreement was contracted with Nelson Truck Equipment Com pany for $23,200.
sible we’re going to reach consensus on those and move ahead. But when we can’t, and when it comes time to make that tough decision, then my call is that I’ll be supporting Dr. Granger in that.”
Under a separate motion, the board agreed unanimously to have board president Freeman and vice president Galbraith enter into a discussion with the superintendent on new or amended contract parameters and language. A finalized contract will be brought to the board for consideration of approval no later than the May 27, 2025 regular meeting.
“I think the contract, and I’ve voiced this before, is subparly written,” Swinburnson said. “It’s not a well-written contract.”
According to previous reporting by The Northern Light, Granger will earn a base salary of $215,979 for the 2024-25 school year, and the board remains able to adjust the rate on a yearly basis. The salary is in line with superintendent salaries from neighboring districts.
Prior to the vote on the contract extension, the board held a vote on acceptance of an annual performance review, for which Granger was listed as “satisfactory.” The board voted 4-1 to pass the review, with Creydt as the lone “nay.”
Celebrate the Season!
THURS., DEC. 12 • 7 PM GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TRIVIA FRI., DEC. 13 • 7 PM MUSIC BY DOUBLE TROUBLE SAT., DEC. 14 • 5 PM WINE DINNER PAIRED WITH SAVAGE GRACE
THURS., DEC. 19 • 7 PM WINTER TRIVIA & HOLIDAY ATTIRE CONTEST FRI., DEC, 20 • 7 PM MUSIC BY MICHAEL DAYVID
Artist’s Reception in The Studio at The Vault
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 • 2-4 PM
FEATURING 5 WHATCOM COUNTY ARTISTS ENTRY IS BY CASH DONATION FOR BLAINE HARBOR MUSIC FESTIVAL
s The audience at city council gave three rounds of applause for Sally and Bill Church on December 9. Photo by Grace McCarthy
s Mayor Mary Lou Steward recognized Bill Church, l., and Sally Church, r., for their commitment to Blaine Food Bank over the years during the Blaine City Council meeting on December 9.
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.
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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Vol XXX, No 27
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Blaine Harbor provides for serene winter walk
Letters
The Editor:
When someone hands you a gift, there is no price tag attached. I am writing about the CAP “Community Toy Store” that accepts new, unwrapped toys as Christmas gifts, for impoverished children in Blaine and Birch Bay. These so-called “gifts” have a price tag.
I spoke to a woman years ago who helped start the Community Toy Store. She said the poor families in Birch Bay and Blaine can select from the donated toys for their children at Christmas, but they must help pay for them at a discounted price. She wants poor people to pay for free, donated gifts? In a very self-righteous voice, she told me it was very important that these people be given a sense of pride, because they are paying for the gifts. She called it a “hand-up, not a hand-out.”
This money generated from the poor then goes to fund organizations that
support the poor, such as CAP itself, the Bridge Community Hope Center’s emergency fund, and Christ Episcopal Church’s “Loads of Love.” Do these places really need poor people’s money? The church uses this money to cover laundry costs on the first and third of each month, 5-7 p.m., at The Washhouse in Blaine –a very short two hours, twice a month. How generous. None of this passes the smell test.
The Community Toy Store recommends the donated toys be purchased from Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, Michaels, Hobby Lobby: these stores are expensive to begin with. The poor people pay 25 percent of the “gift’s” original price. Multiply this by how many children they have and it adds up.
Since when do we make poor people pay for community services that are supposed to help them, and make them pay for donated, free Christmas gifts for their
CiviC Meetings
Birch Bay Water and Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district office, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com. No meeting on December 26.
Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.
Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Wednedsay, December 11, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
children? They would have used this money to put gas in their cars, extra food on the table and help pay their car insurance, etc. I rest my case. Cindy Kisska Birch Bay
Correction
In the November 14 issue of The Northern Light, the name of a veteran was incorrectly provided to the newspaper for a photo titled, “Veterans Day honors, remembers” The veteran pictured is Neil Reeder of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9474. We regret the error.
Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Blaine Public Works and Park Advisory Board: Second Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine council chambers. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.
Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district boardroom, 770 Mitchell Avenue. Info: blainesd.org.
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue: Third Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.
BBWARM: Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District Advisory Committee meets quarterly in-person and on Zoom. Info: bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org.
s The Blaine Harbor promenade trail provides a peaceful walk along Blaine’s waterfront, as pictured on December 11.
Photo by Grace McCarthy
Waterslides ...
From page 1
The attorneys for Birch Bay Waterslides also requested a summary judgement, arguing Baker’s complaint did not reach the threshold of gross negligence and the liability waiver Baker signed precluded claims against the park. However, judge Lee Grochmal denied the motion for a summary judgement and allowed Baker’s at -
torneys to add the other defendants to the complaint.
Birch Bay Waterslides announced on Facebook on November 14 that it planned to reopen in 2025. Park management wrote it would begin a five-year plan to renovate the park, which turns 40 years old next year. In a second announcement on November 27, park management announced Birch Bay Waterslides was entering a management partnership with Global Management Amusement Professionals, a California-based consulting company.
The waterpark’s website shows it is under new management, though it doesn’t provide more information. The park is also now working with Starguard Elite, a Florida-based company, for waterpark safety and risk management ser-
vices and SlideGuys Restoration, a Michigan-based company, to refurbish its slides in the spring.
The park’s website does not specify what renovations will be completed before the 2025 season. The attractions listed on the website include the Twister, Corkscrew, Snake, River Ride, Ramp and Black Hole slides.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services sent a compliance agreement to Birch Bay Waterslides in April outlining the code violations and other requirements the water park needs to fix in order to reopen. Once the water park has fulfilled all of those requirements, the county health department will inspect the facility within two weeks of a proposed opening date to confirm all criteria have been met.
s Whatcom County Health and Community Services staff observed corroded and missing fasteners where the splash guard failed and at other locations on the Hairpin slide during a February 2024 inspection. Health department staff also found a loose splash guard panel, a crack and previously repaired damage near the point of failure.
Road Rules: The real test for impaired driving
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Question: How can a police officer know if a driver is impaired by drugs? With alcohol there are roadside tests like walking a line, and a breath test. Are there similar tests for drug impairment? Alcohol has a .08 limit, and now cannabis has a limit, but are there limits for other drugs?
Answer: It’s time for a pop quiz: At what point has a driver had too much alcohol to legally drive? This isn’t exactly a trick question, but if your answer was a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08, well, you’re wrong. Surprised? I’ll explain. It’s true that the per se limit for alcohol-impaired driving in Washington is .08 BAC, commonly called the legal limit. But common terms can also be wrong. A driver can be arrested for DUI below a .08 BAC. Having a per se limit in the law sets the point at which a driver could get a DUI with no additional evidence. The blood alcohol level alone is enough.
Imagine this scenario: A driver weaves over the fog line, and then drifts across the centerline into the oncoming lane. An officer observes this and pulls the driver over. When the officer approaches the vehicle, the driver rolls down the window just enough to hear the officer. (And we’re going with “he” because of statistics. Over 75 percent of impaired driving fatalities involve male drivers.)
The driver refuses to do any field sobriety tests (like walking the line, as you mentioned) or provide a breath sample, but the officer can smell alcohol coming out of the car, hears the driver’s slurred speech, and watches as he fumbles to slide his driver license through the barely open window.
Does the officer have enough evidence to arrest the driver for DUI? The law says, in part, that a person is guilty of impaired driving if they drive a vehicle “while the person is under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor, cannabis, or any drug.” The driver in this
example was clearly impaired, in this case by alcohol. And even if the driver later decides to provide a breath sample and it comes in at .07 BAC, it’s still a DUI. The law doesn’t require that a driver reaches .08 to get a DUI, and plenty of people have been arrested with a lower alcohol level. The effects of alcohol begin long before reach -
ing a .08 BAC.
As the law states, DUI includes impairment from other drugs, but recognizing it takes some additional expertise. When you read the above scenario, you probably spotted the driver’s behaviors as consistent with alcohol impairment. Alco -
(See Road Rules, page 9) and issue or decline permits for the waterpark’s operation. The amended complaint also noted Safe Slide and Kingworks, which inspected different parts of the waterpark’s slides, had the duty to warn Birch Bay Waterslides of the Hairpin’s dangerous condition.
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Boys wrestling shines, basketball sweep aside Friday Harbor
Multiple Blaine teams had solid opening weeks to the season, with the boys varsity wrestling team shining at the Mariner Holiday Tournament, and boys and girls basketball each beating Friday Harbor.
Neither basketball team had great performances after making the long road (and ferry) trip to face Orcas Island, but will look to respond this week as Northwest Conference (NWC) play starts up.
In fall sports news, four players from the Blaine football team were named to the NWC 1A AllLeague team on December 4. On offense, seniors Otto Shelton (offensive line) and Jaiden Paez (running back) were named AllLeague after Paez led the conference in rushing yards. Blaine’s fearsome defensive line duo of Zi Yu and Blake Koreski were also named to the All-League team.
Boys wrestling
The Blaine boys wrestling team had a great start to its season at the Mariner Holiday Tournament in Everett on December 7, with the team placing third overall and five wrestlers placing in the top three for their respective weight classes.
Senior Otto Shelton led the way for the Borderites, winning first place in the heavyweight division with four wins all coming in 1:21 or less. Shelton also won the tournament individual award for most pins in the shortest period of time.
Aidyn Hancock and Vinnie Saia each won first place in their respective divisions, Daniel Johner earned second place in his division, Blake Koreski won third place in the heavyweight division, and Thomas Cox, Cole Voight and Christopher Zamudio each placed fourth in their classes.
Blaine faces Nooksack Valley in the first home meet of the season on Wednesday, December 18 at 6 p.m.
Boys basketball
The Borderites started the week with a stellar 61-40 win over Friday Harbor on December 4, the first home win of head coach Chas Kok’s tenure.
Team captain Josiah Weeda led the Borderites on offense with 23 points along with five rebounds, and Abdul Kanagie added 16 points and a teamhigh six rebounds.
Kok said he was impressed with the 6’4” senior’s defensive effort, as well as his offensive contributions.
“Abdul [Kanagie] has been really good with his energy and just trying to do all the right things,” Kok said. “Defensively, he could be one of the best guys in the conference when he’s asked to do so.”
After a 2-0 start to the season, the Borderites travelled to Orcas Island on December 9 for its first road trip, and didn’t get out of the gate strong, losing 71-55. After holding the first two opponents under 50 points, the Borderites couldn’t keep up the defensive
effort, dropping to 2-1 on the young season.
“With the long trip to Orcas [Island], I thought we struggled with energy, which led to the result that happened,” Kok said. “I think it’s a good teachable moment for us. You have to play with energy and you have to bring it all the time in order to be successful.”
As a first-year head coach, Kok will surely come by lots of milestones and “firsts.” The first loss is, unfortunately, also one of those firsts.
“That can be pretty demoralizing,” Kok said of the road loss. “But I thought yesterday’s practice, energy-wise, our enthusiasm was one of the best we’ve had.” Kok said he’s excited for a chance for the Borderites to get a bounce-back win against Bellingham at home on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:15 p.m. (after press time), and hopes to keep the team level-headed as it marches through a grinding, three-month, 20-game regular season.
The Borderites were slated to host Tamanawis on December 5, but were forced to cancel after a
power outage at Blaine’s home gym. Kok said he is working on rescheduling a 20th game for the Borderites, but couldn’t confirm if the team would play Tamanawis or another team, nor when that game would be played.
The Borderites will face Bellingham in the first NWC game of the season on December 11, then travel to play Sehome on Saturday, December 14. Blaine’s next home game won’t be until after winter break on Friday, January 3 against Squalicum.
Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com
Girls basketball
The Blaine girls basketball team had its best performance of the new season on December 4, holding Friday Harbor to just 24 points on the way to a 40-24 win.
Kate Koreski led the team with 12 points and six steals, and Brie Smith added 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists. It was the first win of the season for the Borderites, and marked a 1-0 start at home.
The Borderites had some of the same problems as the boys team during the December 9 trip to Orcas Island, unable to produce much on offense and letting the hosting Vikings put up 36 points en route to a 36-20 loss.
The Borderites put up 10 points in the first quarter, but scored only 10 points for the next three quarters. Blaine just couldn’t get many shots to drop in despite 32 rebounds, and posted a season-low point total.
Despite the disappointing road trip, the Borderites will have a chance to get back to a .500 record on December 11 at 7:15 p.m. (after press time) when the team travels to face Bellingham.
The Borderites return home to host Sehome on Saturday, December 14 at 7 p.m.
Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com
s Blaine sophomore Marcella Bring drives past a Burlington-Edison defender last season. Bring scored a team-high of eight points in Blaine’s December 9 loss to Orcas Island. Photo by Nolan Baker
In search of the ‘happy bivalve’ (a clam digger’s story)
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It took two trips to haul everything down to the beach: buckets, burlap sacks, a rake, a gas lantern and – of course – a couple cold beers. This happened in the middle of the night, the perfect stillness interrupted by the sound of my jangling equipment.
Checking my watch, snow gently fell on the beach as I raised my lantern overhead to gauge the shoreline. If the tide was just starting to recede, I had six hours to work. This is when I’d pause to savor the moment. Always so serene.
I’m alone, bundled up against the cold weather, and the lantern illuminates snowflakes falling around me. There’s a full moon over Sequim Bay as I listen to the unhurried cadence of gently lapping waves, the sound mixing with the hiss of my lantern.
As a college student I worked a variety of summer jobs, but I also took advantage of the extended winter break to make money as a commercial clam digger. It was convenient for me because my parents lived on Sequim Bay. When I was a kid, my dad – a master clam digger – taught me the necessary skills. He referred to clams as “the happy bivalve,” because he loved cooking steamer clams and was known for his clam chowder recipe.
During winter, the best clam digging tides are at night – typically late at night. And when you dig commercially, you want to get every clam you possibly can, digging down the beach as the tide goes out, and moving back up the beach as it rolls back in.
Commercial clamming is worlds apart from recreational digging. Recreational digging is fun. Summer clamming tides are during the day; you dig when it’s warm and sunny out. With a shovel in one hand and a bucket in the other (and your shellfish license in your back pocket), you hit the beach searching for clam holes – little dimples in the sand – and start digging. You dig in different spots on the beach, depending on where you see clam holes, until you’ve dug your 15-pound limit.
As a property owner, however, you can dig as many clams as you want: It’s your beach. And you don’t need a license, either. If you intend to sell the clams, you dig as long as the tide is out and cover as much of the beach as possible. The tool you use is a rake, and it’s hard work.
Commercial clammers don’t use shovels because they can easily break the clam’s shell and are too cumbersome to use quickly. Pitchforks are used as clamming rakes because of their (See Clams, page 15) s
Christmas Worship Services
Above, view from the northwest edge of Sequim Bay. Below, commercial clam digging involves bending down and digging the beach in long, parallel furrows.
Photos by Mike Nolan
& Wellness
PeaceHealth hires new surgery specialists in Bellingham
PeaceHealth recently welcomed several new surgery specialists to its clinics in Bellingham.
David Droullard, MD, MS, is a fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon at PeaceHealth. Dr. Droullard graduated medical school at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Corewell Health, Michigan State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Patients can schedule an appointment with Dr. Droullard at 360/788-8608.
Bryan Demyan, DO, is a board-certified orthopedic physician at PeaceHealth in Bellingham. His medical interests include orthopedic trauma and complex fracture care. Dr. Demyan received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. He completed his orthopedic trauma fellowship at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. His orthopedic surgery residency, where he served as chief resident, was at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation at South
Pointe Hospital in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Demyan, contact PeaceHealth Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Trauma Surgery at Medical Office Plaza at 360/733-2092.
Quynh Le, DO, is a breast surgery oncologist in Bellingham. She completed her fellowship training in breast surgical oncol-
ogy at the University of Southern California, with an emphasis on oncoplastic surgery during breast cancer management. She earned her medical degree from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima. She also serves as co-director of the Breast Cancer Program at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center. Dr. Le sees patients at Peace-
Health General, Breast and Trauma Surgery at PeaceHealth Marble Clinic. Contact her at 360/788-8608
Danielle Parlin, PA-C, is a physician assistant in vascular surgery at PeaceHealth. Danielle received her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon. She graduated magna
cum laude with a degree in biology from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. She was born and raised in Bellingham.
To schedule an appointment with PA Parlin, call 360/7886063, at the PeaceHealth Bellingham Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Clinic. Courtesy of PeaceHealth
A positive attitude goes a long way
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B a D er -N esse
As we all move into Washington’s season of more clouds, rain, sometimes ice and most
likely snow, consider what’s needed to see you and those you love and care about to move through this time with attitude. Now, of course, some of you might think there are a lot of
negative or angry people out there with negative attitudes. For many, these are tough times. Unfortunately, this can be the root of a negative attitude. Have patience and acceptance, if you are a lucky one and not feeling the tough times.
Find moments of gratitude, and even create them, like letting someone in the line at the grocery store. Building a positive attitude can also be done by parking farther away from the store knowing someone who needs to park closer will appreciate it. Check with your health provider about your need for Vitamin D, which can help you during the winter, along with a balanced dietary intake. Get outside as much as possible and try to think of rain as liquid sunshine. It is needed, as well as the rest of what Mother Nature dishes out.
There are many free and lowcost recreational events and activities, so check with your local parks district or chamber of commerce. Join in on one of the many recreational activities they put on during this time or go to observe the positive interactions going on around you. When you feel like it, participate or volunteer.
The universe rewards bravery. Take those steps. Positive attitude is the best antidepressant and anti-anxiety medicine to weather us until spring.
Marilyn Bader-Nesse is a therapist at TouchStone Behavioral Health.
s David Droullard. File photo s Bryan Demyan. File photo s Quynh Le. File photo s Danielle Parlin. File photo
Ryan Willis, ARNP
Ashley Harmon, ARNP
Road Rules ...
hol is by far the most commonly used impairing substance (62 percent of adults drink alcohol; 19 percent of adults use cannabis, the next most frequently used drug), so plenty of us have witnessed the effects of alcohol. But could you list the common indicators for narcotics or hallucinogens?
Many officers have had additional training to recognize the effects of various drugs, and some have become drug recognition experts. These officers are able to identify when a driver is impaired by a spe -
cific category of drug. That’s important; we don’t want peo ple getting arrested for DUI because of diabetic shock or other medical emergency, even if some of the symptoms are similar to impairment. And we don’t want officers allowing an impaired driver to stay on the road because they don’t notice the indicators of impairment for less common drugs.
The real threshold for violating our DUI law is the moment a person drives while affected or impaired by alcohol or any other drug.
Doug Dahl is a Blaine resident, manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.
Taylor Swift fans backed traffic into downtown Blaine on December 6 in anticipation of the pop star capping off her two-year “Eras” world tour with consecutive shows December 6-8 in Vancouver.
By 11 a.m. on December 6, northbound traffic into Canada was already backed up past the final Interstate 5 exit onto D Street. By 2 p.m., cars had spilled onto Peace Portal Drive, and I-5 was backed up past the Mitchell Avenue overpass, inching toward the truck crossing exit.
The pop star played six shows in Toronto in November, the only other Canadian shows of her mas-
sive, world-spanning tour that began 149 shows ago.
“Taylor Swift was in Vancouver and that caused a tremendous amount of traffic on almost every street in Blaine and the Lynden [border] crossing,” Blaine police chief Rodger Funk said. “We reacted to that with extra patrols and mutual aid from the sheriff’s office and social media posts, everything we could do to minimize the impact.”
Blaine police and Canada Border Services Agency officers were observed being gifted and wearing Taylor Swift friendship bracelets.
s “Eras tour or bust” decorates a vehicle returning to the U.S. on December 9. Photo by Louise Mugar
s Cars back up D Street in Blaine on December 6. Photo by Louise Mugar
s A long border lineup awaits travelers entering Canada for the Taylor Swift concerts on December 6.
Photo by Nolan Baker
s Cars backup traffic on Peace Portal Drive into downtown Blaine on December 6.
Photo by Louise Mugar
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In re the Matter and Estate of: CYNTHIA K. MCGUIRE, Deceased. No. 24-4-01006-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030
The Administrator named below has been appointed as Administrator of this estate.
Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060.
This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Notice of First Publication: November 26, 2024
Personal Representative: Phyllis K. McGuire
Presented by:
Whatcom Law Group, P.S. Casie Rodenberger, WSBA #54348
Attorney for Personal Representative PO Box 1258 / 289 H Street Blaine, WA 98231-1258 (360) 332-7000; Fax: (360) 332-6677
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: DEBORAH KATHRYN WOODRUFF, Deceased. No. 24-4-00955-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Robert 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: November 19, 2024 with Clerk of Court:
Date of First Publication: December 5, 2024
Name of Personal Representative: NEIL ROBERT WOODRUFF
Attorney for Personal Representatives: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262
and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of filing copy of Notice to Creditors: November 19, 2024
Date of first publication: November 28, 2024
Date creditor claim period closes: March 28, 2025
Attorney for the Estate: KEITH A. BODE, WSBA #7791 314 Fifth Street, P.O. Box 688 Lynden, WA 98264-0688 Tel. (360) 354-5021
Personal Representative: WALTER DANIEL MEESTER Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 24-4-00994-37.
City of Blaine to hold last open house on Marine Park designs
The city of Blaine is holding the second of two open houses on design concepts for Blaine Marine Park 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, December 12.
The open house will be held in city council chambers on the fourth floor of Blaine City Hall, 435 Martin Street.
One option would add a pump track, eight pickleball courts, additional picnic tables, vendors row, one-way parking lot and public restrooms while replacing the amphitheater with a stage and keeping part of the lawn.
The second option would add two sand volleyball courts, pump track, skate park, six pickleball courts, vendors area, picnic area and large parking lot while keeping part of the lawn.
The park is mostly a large grassy area showcasing views of Semiahmoo Bay and the U.S./ Canada border. The park also has an amphitheater, picnic areas, benches and art installations.
The design can be viewed until December 12 at bit.ly/4inn3B6f. Feedback can be sent to Manroop Kaur at mkaur@cityofblaine.com.
s Community members look at the two design proposals for Blaine Marine Park during the city of Blaine’s first open house at city hall on December 5. Photo by Louise Mugar
Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled cucumbers distributed by SunFed Produce LLC
Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) issued an alert to residents on December 2 about a multistate recall of cucumbers grown by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico, due to potential health risks associated with Salmonella bacteria. The recalled cucumbers, distributed by SunFed Produce, LLC, have been linked to 68 illnesses across 19 states, including five confirmed cases in Washington state and one in Whatcom County. So far, no hospitalizations have been reported in Washington state.
The recall, issued by SunFed Produce, LLC on November 27, 2024, includes:
• Whole fresh American cucumbers grown by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.
• Cucumbers labeled with “SunFed” or packed in generic white boxes or black plastic crates with stickers showing “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.”
• Cucumbers sold during the recall period may have stickers reading
“SunFed Mexico.”
What consumers should do:
• Check your cucumbers: Discard cucumbers with “SunFed Mexico” stickers, or any whole fresh American cucumbers purchased during the recall period if the source is unknown.
• Clean thoroughly: Wash surfaces and utensils that may have come into contact with recalled cucumbers with hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Know the symptoms: Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms: Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F, diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving, bloody diarrhea, vomiting where liquids cannot be kept down and signs of dehydration.
Dehydration warnings include not peeing much, dry mouth and throat and feeling dizzy when standing up.
What businesses should do:
• Do not sell or serve recalled cucumbers.
• Wash and sanitize surfaces and utensils that may have been exposed.
• Notify customers who purchased recalled cucumbers when possible. Salmonella infection typically causes diarrhea, fever, chills and abdominal pain within one to three days of exposure. Symptoms usually last four to seven days and often resolve without treatment. However, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness.
Safety tips:
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling food, animals or their environments.
• Avoid consuming high-risk foods, such as raw eggs, undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy.
Courtesy of Whatcom County Health and Community Services
Blaine book review: “No two persons”
B y J o N atha N J ako B itz
Every so often you encounter a story so good you hate for it to end. A book you don’t want to finish and leave behind and yet are compelled forward by the power of the narrative to its inevitable conclusion. “No Two Persons,” by Erica Bauermeister, is a story about just such a book.
“No Two Persons” reads like a collection of short stories revolving around a central idea: a fictional book titled “Theo.” The story flows chronologically from a young writer completing her debut novel, “Theo,” in 2010, to the wide variety of people the book touches once given life in the world: a washed-up actor, despairing free diver, struggling artist and an unhoused high schooler, to name a few. Each chapter reveals another fully fleshed out character, and, as the adage holds, “no two persons ever read the same book,” we find that each character intersects with “Theo”
in unique ways.
The power of “No Two Persons,” is it’s a story about the power of literature that, rather than focusing on the details of “Theo,” spends time dwelling at the intersection of humanity and literature. “No Two Persons” alludes to those times when a book or story strikes a chord with our present circumstances in such a way that we feel moved, we feel seen, we feel validated and we feel challenged. Bauermeister cleverly portrays this array of impacts a story has through each unique vignette of a chapter.
“No Two Persons” should appeal to readers of contemporary fiction, short stories, relationship stories, and stories about stories.
As the 2025 Whatcom Reads title, “No Two Persons” will be the source of many great conversations in the coming months.
Visit whatcomreads.org, for more info on Whatcom Reads and the events surrounding “No Two Persons.” Visit wcls.org to find “No
Two Persons” and other similarly themed stories.
“No Two Persons” is the December selection for the Books and Bites book group. Join Books and Bites at Blaine Public Library at 1 p.m. Friday, December 20, for a time of community and lively conversation.
Jonathan Jakobitz is an avid reader and the branch manager of the Blaine Public Library.
Whatcom County Assessor’s Office unveils new tools for property searches
The Whatcom County Assessor’s Office unveiled new online tools aimed to “enhance transparency and accessibility” for property owners and tenants to access crucial property data.
The new system will be run through Schneider Geospatial’s “Spatialest” software platform, and will provide detailed property information and records in a revamped “Property Portal,” which is a tool to compare property sales throughout the county, and the
“Community” tool, which offers neighborhood information and property trends.
These new features are live on the Whatcom County Assessor’s Office website at bit.ly/49tQGNn.
According to a county press release, the tools will help provide greater transparency and lower barriers to access property data for both residents and professionals.
“Increased transparency for public data has been a goal of mine,” said county assessor Rebecca Xczar.
“I am excited to launch these new online tools for the community.” The website will still offer the real property search and interactive tax parcel viewer features from the previous version of the website.
s Jonathan Jakobitz.
Courtesy photo
sheriff’s repOrts
November 29, 2:42 a.m.: Theft cold call on Surf Place.
November 29, 10:01 a.m.: Harassment cold call on Birch Bay Drive.
November 29, 12:13 p.m.: Harassment cold call on Harborview Road.
November 29, 9:21 p.m.: Vandalism cold call on Giles Road.
November 29, 9:21 p.m.: Burglary on California Trail.
November 30, 4:48 a.m.: Fireworks on Fir Tree Lane.
November 30, 12:56 p.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury on Portal Way.
November 30, 2:36 p.m.: Shots cold call on Titan Terrace.
November 30, 9:12 p.m.: Fight on Birch Bay Drive.
November 30, 10:22 p.m.: Burglary on California Trail.
December 1, 8:54 a.m.: Warrant arrest on Holeman Avenue.
December 1, 2:46 p.m.: Vandalism on Harborview Road.
December 2, 4:25 a.m.: Miss-
ing person cold call on Arnie Road.
December 2, 5:33 a.m.: Runaway cold call on Harborview Road.
December 2, 12:05 p.m.: Trespass on Birch Bay Lynden Road.
December 2, 3:15 p.m.: Theft cold call on Bay Road.
December 2, 5:46 p.m.: Hit and run on Ham Road.
December 3, 8:53 a.m.: Welfare check cold call on Birch Bay Lynden Road.
December 3, 12:20 p.m.: Traffic hazard on Valley View Road.
December 4, 8:09 a.m.: Trespass cold call on Harborview Road.
December 4, 12:34 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Sweet Road.
pOLiCe repOrts
November 30, 8:55 p.m.: Child found on G Street.
December 1, 1:25 a.m.: Assault – simple on Boblett Street.
December 1, 2:03 a.m.: Subject with weapon on Boblett Street.
December 1, 2:26 a.m.: Brandishing on Garfield Avenue.
December 1, 8:41 a.m.: Shots on Clubhouse Point Drive.
December 1, 1:05 p.m.: Trouble with subject on H Street Road.
December 2, 2:14 p.m.: Threat on H Street.
CrOssWOrd
ACROSS
1. Miller beer variety
4. Member of people inhabiting Bering Sea islands
9. Stomach 14. Investment vehicle
15. Fictional soccer coach Ted 16. Irregular in botanical parlance
22. Plant parts 23. Snow house 24. Most contemptuous 28. Note to repay 29. Old English
30. Wings 31. Financial institutions
33. Parks and Lopez are two 37. Mr. T’s “The A-Team” character
38. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.)
39. Give off 41. Semitic alphabet letter
42. Farm state
43. Actress Sarandon
44. Back parts
46. Zoroastrian concept of holy fire 49. Touchdown 50. One point north of due east 51. Refurbishes 55. Silver and Dogg are two
58. Former Tigers catcher Alex 59. Type of envelope 60. Seriously considered 64. Unhappy 65. Past (archaic) 66. Asian wild dog 67. Old English letter 68. Young domestic sheep 69. Football players need to gain them 70. Witness DOWN
1. Dormant Peruvian volcano
2. Norwegian composer 3. Indicates location 4. Pubs 5. Unable to walk easily 6. Electronic warfare-support measures 7. World leader
8. Midsection 9. Jewish calendar month
10. Urological condition 11. A small quantity of anything 12. Mountain Time 13. Affirmative 19. Word element meaning ear 21. Carried away 24. Short-billed rails 25. Newborn child 26. Sword 27. Groups of people 31. Prickly, scrambling shrubs 32. Become less intense 34. Polishes 35. Indicates position 36. Songs sung to one’s beloved 40. The 12th letter of the Greek alphabet 41. Insects 45. Israeli politician 47. Pre-digital 48. Roaming 52. Ambience 53. Brew 54. Late 56. Make ecstatically happy 57. Semitic alphabet letter 59. Blend 60. Dash 61. Self
Coming up
Blaine Let’s Make Presents: Thursday, December 12, 3–4 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. All the supplies and ideas you’ll need to craft beautiful, meaningful gifts for the loved ones in your life. Info: wcls.org.
Marine Park Master Plan Open House: Thursday, December 12, 4:30–5:30 p.m., City of Blaine council chambers, 435 Martin Street, fourth floor. The public is invited to talk with the experts about the master plan and provide input. Info: bit.ly/3Vzv50d Lighted Christmas Stroll: Fridays and Saturdays, December 13, 14, 20, 21, 5–8 p.m., Pioneer Park, 2000 Cherry Street, Ferndale. Stroll the outside of the cabins and see the park lit up with over 90,000 lights. Kids can bring prewritten letters to Santa. Warm beverages and photo booth. Free, donations accepted. Info: ferndaleheritagesociety.com.
December 2, 4:16 p.m.: Theft on H Street.
December 2, 21:09 p.m.: Trespass on 3rd Street.
December 2, 9:55 p.m.: Subject with weapon on Garfield Avenue.
December 3, 7:03 a.m.: Hit and run on Semiahmoo Parkway.
December 3, 5:31 p.m.: Theft on H Street.
December 6, 9:14 a.m.: Death investigation on 3rd Street.
December 6, 2:12 p.m.: Hit and run on Peace Portal Drive.
62. Exclamation of satisfaction 63. Hill or rocky peak
tides
December 12 - 18 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
The Land of Forgotten Toys Performance: Friday and Saturday, December 13, 14, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, December 15, 2 p.m., Blaine High School black box theater (enter behind Borderite Stadium). The Blaine Community Theater presents a fun holiday performance. Adults: $17, seniors/students/veterans $14, 12 and under $12. Info and tickets: blainecommunitytheater.com.
Christmas Festival: Saturday, December 14, 1–3 p.m., Northwood Chapel, 580 C Street. Live music, treats, face painting, carriage rides, petting zoo plus a cake walk to benefit the Blaine Food Bank. Tickets by donation for a chance to win homemade treats or goodies from local businesses.
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa: Saturday, December 14, 2–3:30 p.m., American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. Presents, crafts, games, photos with Santa, sing-along. Free to all children under 12, all others by donation. Sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary. Artist Reception: Saturday, December 14, 2–4 p.m., The Studio at The Vault, 277 G Street. Meet and shop from local Whatcom County artists. Admission by cash donation with all proceeds benefiting the Blaine Harbor Music Festival. Light refreshments.
Gingerbread House Decorating: Saturday, December 14, 2–4 p.m., Birch Bay State Park’s bp Heron Center. Create and decorate a sweet masterpiece with colorful icings, candies and holiday cheer. $35. Registration required at bbbparkandrec.org.
Caroling at Semiahmoo: Saturday, December 14, starting at 4:30 p.m., Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club, 8720 Semiahmoo Parkway. Visit with Santa, special children’s program with entertainer Dana Cohenour at 5 p.m., carol sing-along at 5:45 p.m. All are welcome. Sponsored by Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club. The Coats and BHS Chamber Choir Performance: Sunday, December 15, 4 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. This fabulous quartet displays an awe-inspiring vocal range, harmonies, and catchy music. Tickets $25 at thecoats.net or at the door. Proceeds go to the Blaine Chamber Choir tour.
Christmas Music Concert: Sunday, December 15, 7 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2550 Thornton Road, Ferndale. Enjoy a night of beautiful music. Everyone welcome. Refreshments. Info: 425/931-6261.
Line Dancing with Santa and Mrs. Claus: Thursday, December 19, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Blaine Pavilion, 635 8th Street. Holiday-themed line dancing class with Santa and Mrs. Claus. $3 per person. Registration not required. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Books and Bites: Friday, December 20 1 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. December title: No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister. Info: Kelly at 360/305-3637.
Family Movie Night: Friday, December 20, 7 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Playing a family-friendly holiday movie. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and watch the movie on the big screen. Free popcorn. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
“Intergalactic Holiday” Dance Performance: Saturday, December 21, 6 p.m. and Sunday, December 22, 1 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. Students of Day-to-Day Dance perform. Tickets $15 at the door or online, under two free. Info: daytodaydance. com/events.
Backstage at the Border 15th Annual Christmas Carol SingAlong: Saturday, December 21, 7–9 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett Street. A festive night of music and merriment. Bucket raffles, Christmas quilt raffle, coffee and goodies. Donations for Loads of Love accepted, No one is turned away. Join us for a festive night of music and merriment.
Christmas Worship Services: See ads on page 7. New Year’s Eve Family Party: Tuesday, December 31, 3:30–5 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Celebrate the arrival of 2025 with a fun-filled family party as we count down to our “midnight” at 4 p.m. $5 per family. All ages. Registration and info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of November 25 to December 1, no precipitation was recorded. The 2024 year-todate precipitation is 35.7 inches.
Temperature: High for the past week was 46.9°F on December 1 with a low of 31.1°F on December 1. Average high was 43.7 and average low was 34.3°F.
Courtesy WeatherUnderground.com
Semiahmoo Resort New Year’s Eve Gala: Tuesday, December 31, 6 p.m.–12:30 a.m., Semiahmoo Resort. 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway. Live music by The Shakedown, black tie, 21+. Tickets $75–120 at Semiahmoo.com.
Ring of Fire and Hope: Tuesday, December 31, 7 p.m., Birch Bay waterfront. Celebrate the old year and light up Birch Bay. Reusable LED flares available for $25 while supplies last. Free disposable flares (limit one per family) available Monday, December 30 and Tuesday, December 31, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. at the Birch Bay Visitor Center, 4819 Alderson Road #103 and at the Birch Bay Beach Park, 7930 Birch Bay Drive on December 31, from 4–7 p.m. while supplies last. Info: birchbaychamber.com/events.
42nd Annual Polar Bear Plunge: Wednesday, January 1, noon, Birch Bay in front of the Birch Bay Beach Park, 7930 Birch Bay Drive. Ring in the new year with a brisk dip in Birch Bay. Registration, certificate pickup, t-shirt and sweatshirt sales, from 10–11:40 a.m. Warming tent, games and live music from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Preregistration and info: birchbaychamber.com/events.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
slender, pointy tines. When the tines are bent into a 45-degree angle, and the wooden handle is sawed off to a three-foot length, you have a proper tool for commercial clam digging.
Professional clam diggers straddle the area they are clamming, bent at the waist and legs wide apart. Digging is done in furrows. Clams are four to six inches deep in the sand, so a clammer will begin by pushing the rake’s tines into the sand and uncover it with a pulling motion, dragging the sand into a furrow between their legs and behind them. Any clams that are uncovered are tossed into a bucket. If the beach is rich enough, a good handful of clams can be harvested with each pull of the rake. Then the clammer takes a step forward, moves the bucket, and sinks the rake into the next section of sand, pulling it back and uncovering more clams, at the same time filling in the previously dug space. This action is repeated over and over, until the clammer has created a long furrow running up the beach. Then they return to the water’s edge and begin another parallel furrow. Since the goal is to totally harvest the beach, furrows are dug parallel to one another and run from one side of the beach to the other, just like furrows in a farmer’s field.
When I begin digging, I “mark my territory” by pounding a stake at my starting point. I pound another at the top of the furrow. Over the course of a few days digging, with the tide rolling in and out, the furrows of sand flatten out, so the stakes are necessary to mark which part of the beach has already been dug.
The search for ‘the happy bivalve’ is backbreaking work as you dig – “grub” by definition – in a bent-over posture for six hours. Your back will remind you about it the next day.
On any given night, I dug as long as the tide allowed, and with the clock ticking, I had to work efficiently. Knowing the different types of clams, I would identify and sort them while digging.
I sold the clams to a distributor in Discovery Bay, who paid for them by the pound and freighted them to restaurants. The distributor bought steamer clams (also known as “little necks”), as well as manila clams. While digging, I would sort out the varnish
clams, horse clams, and butter clams from the “keepers” he was willing to buy. The other clams I pushed back into the sand. It was solitary work, but every now and then I’d look up from my digging and see a light gradually making its way down to the beach. I’d stop, slowly stand and straighten my back, then smile knowing I got to take a break and have a cold beer with my dad.
He would get a driftwood fire going and we’d sip our beer sitting on a log. He was good company. I don’t remember us saying a whole lot, but I felt close to him and knew he understood the hard work involved. I got the impression my dad enjoyed the solitude of the nighttime winter beach as much as I did.
Back to work, I’d continue digging until my bucket was full. I’d dump the clams into a burlap sack and start filling the bucket again. At the end of the night, I tied up the sacks with rope that had a float attached, and leave them on the beach for the incoming tide to cover. Once a week, I’d row our little dinghy out to the float in the daytime, haul up the sacks and load them into my dad’s pick-up, then drive them to the distributor.
Digging clams commercially during wintertime is silent work, tiring work, lonely work. But there’s also a beauty connected with physical labor when a job is done well. The work might be unknown and unappreciated, but even manual labor can engender a sense of self-respect, especially when unloading burlap sack after burlap sack – hundreds of pounds of clams – onto
the distributor’s scale and calculating your pay.
The working environment is uniquely beautiful. That’s the part that stayed with me after my back returned to normal and the clams were being served in a restaurant somewhere.
Clam digging on a snowy beach in the middle of the night and a beer with my dad: That’s my cherished winter memory.
This article was first published in the winter issue of Mount Baker Experience, a special publication of Point Roberts Press, Inc.
