December 10 - 16, 2020
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Tutoring program starts in school district, page 5
City seeks new at-large council member following Rule’s resignation
Covid-19 restrictions extended, page 6
Woman facing attempted murder charges, page 12
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Birch Bay berm nears completion
By Grace McCarthy
(See Rule, page 3)
s Granite Construction crew installs stairs up to the pedestrian pathway along the Birch Bay berm while others plant in the background on December 9. Along the south side of the berm, there will be stairs every 100 yards or so for walkers to access the pathway without trudging on the plants. See story on page 7.
Photo by Ian Haupt
Downtown Italian eatery prepares for opening By Grace McCarthy Blaine residents will soon be able to get their Italian food fix, from cream-filled cannoli to gourmet pizza, with the opening of a new restaurant on Peace Portal Drive. The Rustic Fork Eatery is slated to offer indoor family dining, a 21-plus bar area and outdoor seating for community members starting Thursday, December 17. “We wanted to start out with more rustic and authentic Italian recipes from back in the old country,� said owner Gary Slavin. “From there, we developed the appetizers and the pizzas.� Every sit-down meal will include a small, complimentary appetizer of antipasta with crackers or Italian hummus, Slavin said. The menu will include appetizers like bruschetta on vegan focaccia locally
made by Scott Meaker; authentic five-topping pizzas; and pastas with shrimp and Andouille sausage fettuccine with a white wine garlic and cream sauce. For desserts, patrons can choose from four to five regular items like Bombolone, an Italian donut filled with lemon cream and topped with pistachio and lemon glaze, or a rotating assortment of cakes and pies. The restaurant will also serve to-go lunches including sandwiches, salads, pizza slices and antipasta. West Coast craft beers and wine will be the focus of the alcohol selection, in addition to wine imported from Italy. The idea of the restaurant came to life this August, when Nimbus Real Estate owner Mike Mulder approached Slavin about creating an Italian restaurant at the vacant property at 442 Peace Portal Drive.
They decided there was a need for more Italian food in Blaine, Slavin said. Knowing (See Restaurant, page 15)
INSIDE
Blaine City Council member Alicia Rule has resigned from Blaine City Council, in preparation for her new role as a state representative. Rule had served on council since 2018. “It was a tough decision because Blaine is so near and dear to my heart and I’m so excited for all the growth that’s happening in Blaine,� Rule said in a phone interview with The Northern Light. “But I thought my best work would be done at state level for Blaine and that would allow for more opportunity for someone else at the city level.� Rule, a Democrat, will start her position as 42nd Legislative District Position 1 representative in January after she beat Republican incumbent Luanne Van Werven in the November election. Rule made the announcement in a December 4 email to mayor Bonnie Onyon, city manager Michael Jones and Blaine City Council. “It has been one of the great honors and pleasures of my life to have served with you,� she wrote in her email. “I appreciate very much the opportunity to work with each of you and am grateful for all of your hard work to make our hometown a wonderful place to live, work and play.� Although watching economic development grow in downtown was important to Rule, she said it was the smaller things like saving trees in Skallman Park that she’s most proud of during her time on council. Rule said one of her favorite aspects of city council was getting to know local constituents, which she said is important for her to continue as she works at the state. The application to fill Rule’s position opened December 8. The term goes until December 31, 2021, and the city hopes to fill the position by January or February, Jones said. The application deadline is January 15 but Jones said it will remain open until filled. Those who apply must be registered to vote in Whatcom County and need to have lived within Blaine city limits for at least one year, said Jones, adding where in Blaine does not matter because Rule was council’s at-large member. Jones said councilmembers can also
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
TheNorthernLight.com
This Week’s FLYER
Rite Aid
We are just $2,000 short of lighting up the entire city with festive holiday lights.
Blaine Mart • Jen Freeman & Leah Crews @ Windermere Real Estate • Drayton Harbor Oyster Company • New World Properties • Peter Robins Estate
The Northern Light • Spoken Designs • William Hunt • Mike & Rose Kent • The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro • Semiahmoo Men’s Club • Patricia Skannes • C. A. Fairman Semiahmoo’s Women’s Club • Jay Tyrrell • Lindsay Anderson • Tony Tseung • Semiahmoo Condo Association • Je Ferry • Byron Wilson • Diana Meyers • Marjorie Gross
We’re Almost there!
