Drayton Harbor Pirate Festival held in Blaine this weekend
A festival treasured by many is returning for a raft race, theater performances and maritime-themed youth activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 2.
The annual Drayton Harbor Pirate Festival will bring swashbuckling fun to the Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive, and the neighboring Blaine Marine Park.
Event organizer Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) will start the day with family fun highlighting Blaine’s maritime history, starting with maritime-themed obstacles at the “pirate cove,” or playground area in the park, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Every participant who receives stamps after completing each obstacle will receive a prize.
A fair with crafts, food vendors and mermaid photo opportunities will be set up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the boating center. For another option on a bite to eat, parks and recreation will sell $2 hot dogs and $1 chips and drinks near the playground.
The festival’s traditional “anything but a boat” boat race will make a splash at 2 p.m. outside of the boating center. Racers may build boats with any materials – except what would traditionally be used for a watercraft. The first “boat” across the finish line wins, whether it’s made from a kiddie pool, cooler or other non-nautical items. Prizes will also be awarded at 3 p.m. for the most creative design, best team spirit and most likely to sink.
Race sign-up will be available at the BBBPRD2 booth in the vendor fair. Teams may have up to four people, and everyone aboard must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Other festival activities include play performances, a water balloon fight, a costume contest, story times and live music. Here is a breakdown of the festival activities:
• 10 a.m. – Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) will host a story time near the playground.
• 10:30 a.m. – Blaine Community Theater (BCT) will put on its “Pirates of Penzance” water balloon performance near the playground.
• Noon – BCT will put on its “Pirates of Penzance” water balloon performance and the WCLS will host a story time near the
Paddle to Elwha makes Birch Bay stop
by Ruth
Birch Bay was the center of discussion during Blaine school district’s second-to-last meeting of the 2024-25 school year on July 28, with talk on adding Birch Bay to the district name and purchasing Birch Bay land for an elementary school. The board also discussed changes to next year’s budget after voting to pause a controversial cost-saving plan to consolidate its primary and elementary school at its previous meeting.
Blaine-Birch Bay school district?
The board discussed the possibility of renaming the school district to include Birch Bay as a way to recognize the unincorporated community that many students and staff call home. Under the
agenda item “Birch Bay Follow Up,” the board discussed how the district could build its relationship with Birch Bay. District 4 director Ryan Swinburnson, who represents portions of Birch Bay, said he did not support a full name change, but recognized Birch Bay residents want more recognition from the district.
“I think buried in that [name change] is some hope that there’s going to be some more recognition of Birch Bay in some capacity, reflecting that it’s a big part of our school district,” Swinburnson said. “They feel there’s not a lot of acknowledgement.”
Washington state law outlines specific
Photo
Lauman
Tsunami advisory lifted from Whatcom County
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration placed Whatcom County in a tsunami advisory on July 29 after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Russia’s Far East region earlier in the day.
A tsunami watch was first placed for Whatcom County during the evening of July 29 before being upgraded to an advisory, which encouraged people to stay away from beaches, later that evening.
The advisory was then can -
celed at 10:30 a.m. July 30 for the Washington state coasts and Strait of Juan de Fuca, though the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management cautioned returning to the water for the rest of the day because of strong currents.
The county’s emergency management team encouraged people to visit WhatcomReady.org or the Whatcom Ready Facebook page for current information during emergency incidents.
SHOP EAT READ LOCAL
How long in business: Established in 1890, Banner Bank is celebrating 135 years in 2025.
Description of the business: Banner Corporation is a $16.44 billion banking holding company operating a commercial bank in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California through a network of branches offering a full range of deposit services and business, commercial real estate, construction, residential, agricultural and consumer loans. How the business started: Banner Bank was founded as a small thrift in 1890 in Walla Walla, WA.
Future goals: We strive to be the bank of choice in the markets we serve. We are committed to being the best provider of financial services in the West.
The Northern L ght
The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.
Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.
Letters Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on local issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likelihood of publication. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.
Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com
Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com
Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com
Reporter Nolan Baker nolan@pointrobertspress.com
Editorial Intern Julia Hawkins prpintern@pointrobertspress.com
Creative Services
Doug De Visser, Ruth Lauman, Isabella Prince production@pointrobertspress.com
Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com
Advertising Sales
Molly Ernst, Gary Lee sales@pointrobertspress.com
General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com
Contributors In This Issue
Doug Dahl, Jonathan Jakobitz, Kelle Rankin-Sunter
Tel: 360/332-1777
Vol XXXI, No 7
Circulation: 11,000 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
Next issue: Aug. 7 Ads due: Aug. 1
OpiniOn
Primary ballots due by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5
s Ballots for the primary election need to be returned to a ballot box no later than 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 5. According to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office, 15,337 ballots have been received as of July 28. Positions for Blaine City Council, Port of Bellingham and Whatcom County Council are up for election as well as Whatcom County Library System’s levy lid lift request. Whatcom County has over 20 ballot drop boxes, three of which are located at Blaine Public Library, the North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Birch Bay station and Custer Elementary School. The auditor’s office, at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham, can help people register to vote, update registration or vote until 8 p.m. Election Day. Ballots postmarked by August 5 will be accepted, though the auditor’s office cautions people to check the last collection time for their mailbox.
Letters
The Editor:
On July 14, I was appointed by the city of Blaine to write the statement against the “reduction of city limit” initiative for the voters’ pamphlet. The official title of the city initiative is misleading. It is an “urban growth area swap” process leading to the expansion of city limits by annexing approximately 800 acres of west Blaine, while de-annexing roughly 500 acres of east Blaine. The Secretary of State should change the ballot title to reflect this.
Four other qualified “against” applicants were rejected, including a land use/ environmental law attorney and the vice president of Semiahmoo Residents Association. This leaves me in the position of having to sign the voters’ pamphlet statement and rebuttals to city of Blaine attorneys without the company of other recognized community leaders, placing me at a disadvantage.
This “UGA swap” that the city estimates will cost Blaine taxpayers $32.3 million starts the process leading to city annexation of the Semiahmoo headlands,
where there is a history of damage cause by development related flooding and the pollution of Birch Bay.
The average selling price of a home in West Blaine is $650,000, not affordable housing. The “UGA swap” designating a new urban growth area and urban growth reserve area would allow 1,500 new luxury homes, and raise utility bills for all Blaine residents. The proposed “UGA swap” Avista at Birch Point PUD has significant traffic, flooding and critical aquifer recharge area issues, and no environmental impact statement has been done.
Jay Taber
Blaine
(Editor’s note: The $32.3 million is referencing the estimated cost for sewer improvements to west Blaine, which is $17.5 million more than sewer improvements estimated for east Blaine. City staff said during the April 28 Blaine City Council meeting that developers would mostly fund that infrastructure, but the city would be in charge of operating and maintaining it.)
(See Letters, next page)
CiviC Meetings
Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Town halls typically at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday meeting each month. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.
Birch Bay Community Advisory Committee: Typically the last Thursday of each month, 6 p.m., Birch Bay Bible Community Church, 4460 Bay Road. Updated meeting info: bit.ly/3QmWVcX.
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.
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: Second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Corrections
The article titled “Construction for new Whatcom Search and Rescue building on hold” in the July 24 issue of The Northern Light, had several inaccuracies.
The article previously stated the county approved $1.5 million in funding for 10 years of rent at a new WCSAR facility in Everson. The county set aside the funding, but council has not approved it.
The article was updated online to clarify the county did not have authority to enter a lease for the Everson facility as well as to provide additional context.
The article incorrectly stated that WCSAR could use the $1.5 million in funding for rent at the Northwest Annex.
Due to inaccurate information given to The Northern Light, the article incorrectly stated WCSAR owns its building at the Northwest Annex complex. It does not. The article also previously stated WCSAR’s lease with the county was through 2035, but it is a 35-year lease ending in 2054.
We regret the errors.
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.
Port of Bellingham: First and third Tuesday, 4 p.m., Port of Bellingham Harbor Center, 1801 Roeder Ave., Ste. 146, in Bellingham and via Zoom. Info: portofbellingham.com.
Photo by Nolan Baker
Downtown construction affects some businesses
Street and pedestrians may access businesses from the alley.
Drivers on Peace Portal Drive are now met with large metal fences next to Drayton Harbor Oyster Company. Dotted along the metal fence are signs conveying the same message: “We’re open for business during construction.”
During the first couple of weeks of the Downtown Revitalization Project, some Blaine businesses, such as Bordertown Pizza and Paso del Norte, have faced a 50 percent decrease from business prior to the street closure. The earlier level had already been depressed due to the decline of Canadian travelers, who are forgoing travel for political and financial reasons.
Typically, the summer months are the busiest, with downtown businesses relying on them to save for the slower winter months. Owners are now feeling compounded effects as they were already down due to a decrease in Canadian visitors and general tourism.
“I wish they would’ve waited until the end of August to start this,” Bordertown Pizza owner Laura Massaro said of the city’s construction. “I get they’re doing everything they can and the end result will be great, but businesses here mostly rely on our summer business.”
The first phase of the Downtown Revitalization Project began July 14, which closed vehicle traffic on Peace Portal Drive from H to Boblett streets. A vehicle detour has been routed on 3rd
From previous page
The Editor:
I attended the Fourth of July parade in Blaine. It was wonderful! Thousands of young and old sitting three and four deep scrambling for thrown candy. I wore a Canadian flag and was surprised by the silent stares, which seemed to say, “Why are you here?” As a friendly neighbour, I accepted the invitation by the mayor of Blaine.
The Fourth of July, one of the first national American holidays, demonstrates interesting cultural contrasts. Americans go nuts for parades in a way that Canadians don’t. Parades and sports events are the social glue which unites your country. Two of the main attractions were the “cowboys and girls” on horseback and fire trucks wailing their sirens – although numerous floats from private investors were dominant. The frequency and style of parades are uniquely American.
Another cultural difference is fireworks, their availability temporarily blossoming like weeds on parking lot plazas. Fireworks can be heard from back yards starting around 4 p.m. when happy hour begins and rise to a crescendo after dark when local institutions go all out. Fireworks sounding like bombs is part of your tradition as expressed by the Star-Spangled Banner: “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave
The first phase includes Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, including the replacement of trees buckling the sidewalks, new sidewalks and pedestrian rails.
City manager Mike Harmon wrote in an email to The Northern Light that phase one was ahead of its September 14 completion date. Phase two will begin after and include closures on Peace Portal Drive from G to H streets.
Paso del Norte owner Miguel Ramos said he is in a tough position. In late March 2024, a kitchen fire closed the restaurant for nearly 10 months before reopening in mid-January. The business didn’t have time to financially rebound before construction started, blocking customers from the main entrance.
“We lost a lot of customers. People don’t come to town like they used to,” Ramos said. “We’re trying to get back up, only to be put back down.”
Harmon said he believes the city has sufficiently prepared businesses. City staff hand-delivered a flyer to the affected business owners three weeks before the beginning of the project. They have been advertising the closure in The Northern Light and have a digital sign stating businesses are open, Harmon said.
However, several business owners, including Massaro, said they don’t feel seen by the city.
“Nobody asked us anything,” Massaro said. “We were just told,
proof to the night that our flag was still there.” Unlike Canada, the explosions of sounds and colours are reminders how America was born out of pain and jubilation. Despite all the noise, hand clapping and flag waving, it is reported that many Americans are deeply divided and troubled because President Trump keeps signing Executive Orders. What will next year be like when you celebrate your 250th as well as the mid-term elections?
I am sure that most Canadians wish Americans well. It would be appreciated if we were treated as a friendly neighbour by respecting our country’s 158 years of sovereignty.
Albert Leering White Rock
‘This is happening July 14, we’re going to close down your street and good luck.’”
Julie Schrader, an employee at Hagen’s of Blaine, said she feels the city did a good job preparing the store and business has remained unchanged. She added the parcel store’s customers have called confused while trying access the store.
Blaine Arts Council president Margaret Owens said she understands the need for and timing of construction.
“I can imagine somebody who’s not spry tripping on those sidewalks,” Owens said. “It’s something that needed to be done. There’s only so much time that we have around here that we can do that kind of work, logistically.”
The revitalization is still im-
pacting the arts council. The gallery will be closed in August because of the construction and the council plans to host art classes in the interim.
For some, on the other side of construction, business has unexpectedly increased.
Monte Landucci, owner of Monte’s Just A Bite, has seen an increase in foot traffic due to the construction. However, he is prepared for the business to drop when phase two of construction begins in front of his storefront.
“The city understands the importance of minimizing impacts to our downtown business owners,” Harmon said. “It will work diligently to communicate changes to the schedule and will strive to keep the project on or ahead of
August 5, 2025 9:00 AM – Public Works and Park Advisory Board Meeting
August 7, 2025 4:30 PM – Planning Commission – Work Session: Manufacturing Land Supply 6:00 PM – Planning Commission Meeting: Public Hearing –Manufacturing District Subzone A Zoning Text Amendment
TOURISM GRANTS ANNOUNCEMENT THE CITY OF BLAINE IS NOW ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 TOURISM RELATED PROPOSALS.
Grant applications are available on the City’s website www.cityofblaine.com or by emailing Alex Wenger, CDS Director at awenger@cityofblaine.com. Applications must be emailed to Alex Wenger by the end of the day, Monday, September 1, 2025. For questions, please email or call (360)332-8311 Ext 2001
August 11, 2025 5:30 PM – Town Hall 6:00 PM – City Council Meeting
August 25, 2025 6:00 PM – City Council Meeting *Cancelled*
August 26, 2025 3:30 PM – Civil Service Commission Meeting
Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website.
Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website www.cityofblaine.com
B y J ulia h awki N s
s Paso del Norte, Chada Thai, Railway Cafe, Hagen’s of Blaine, and Wheelhouse Sports Bar and Grill have open signs posed on the fencing blocking construction on Peace Portal Drive. Photo by Julia Hawkins
A Lummi Nation police officer was shot multiple times while investigating a traffic stop incident on the 3200 block of N. Red River Road in the early morning hours of July 28, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).
A vehicle careened into a ditch just before 1 a.m. on the road.
When the 37-year-old officer attempted to contact the driver, the driver opened fire, shooting the officer multiple times before fleeing on foot, according to the WCSO.
The police officer, who has not been identified, was immediately taken to a hospital for surgery and was still receiving medical care as of July 29, according to the Lummi Nation.
Multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies responded to the shooting and ensuing search for the suspect. By the afternoon of July 28, a suspect was arrested in Ferndale for attempted murder and booked into Whatcom County Jail. Lummi Nation chairman Anthony Hillaire asked for unity from the community in a July 28 statement.
the
School ...
From page 1
ways in which a school district can change its name. The board may vote to change the district name if 10 percent of district voters file a petition and submit the proposed new name to the board, or the board can simply pass a motion to hold a hearing to change the district name. If either occurs, the board must advertise the possible name change for three weeks, during which other names may be proposed, before holding a vote. A simple 3-2 majority is needed to change the name.
“I think it’s less about the name and more about including the Birch Bay community,” District 1 director Erika Creydt said.
District mulls
Birch Bay land purchase
Also part of the Birch Bay conversation, the board discussed rebooting efforts to purchase land in Birch Bay for a potential new elementary school.
“Our hearts are heavy today. One of our own was harmed while serving and protecting our community,” Hillaire stated. “We stand with our officer, their family, and all those working to bring accountability and healing. In times like this, we must come together as one people – strong, prayerful, and united in care for one another.”
The Law Enforcement Mutual
The Birch Bay community has been asking for an elementary school for decades, and the district has made strides in recent years to fulfill that request.
Last August, Whatcom County Council approved a land access agreement to allow the district to evaluate a section of the county’s Bay Horizon Park that could potentially be the site of a new school.
Whatcom County Parks and Recreation director Bennett Knox previously said the parcel has been earmarked as a potential school location since coming under county control in the 1980s. The two entities have had discussions over the years about using that land for a school, he said.
Interim superintendent Dan Chaplik seemed intent on fast-tracking the process of purchasing the property, and the board appeared on the same page.
“The plan is to move forward with purchasing this property,” Chaplik said. “I’m not ready to go make a purchase, but I’m ready to do that work and make sure that we do something that is responsible on behalf of the citizens and the school district.”
District 5 director Steve Galbraith said the land acquisition should be a priority this year for the district, calling it “long overdue.”
“I think all of our constituents need to be recognized as being a vital part of our school district,” Galbraith said. “Whether they’re inside the city limits of Blaine or outside, everything we do here is for the kids, or at least it should be, and it doesn’t matter where the kids live.”
According to the 2020 Census, Birch Bay has a population of 10,115, compared to just 5,884 residents in Blaine. With that comes more students commuting from Birch Bay to the Blaine campus, and more tax dollars coming from Birch Bay.
Preliminary budget to change after consolidation pause Chaplik updated the board on his plans to amend the draft
Aid Response Team (LEMART), which typically investigates police use of lethal force, is investigating the incident. WCSO initially misidentified the suspect to media outlets on Monday, saying the suspect had provided the office with a false name. The suspect, a man in his early 20s, is being held in Whatcom County Jail without bail.
2025-26 district budget ahead of the board’s August vote to ratify it. The interim superintendent has needed to save the district $500,000 after the board voted during a July 14 special meeting to pause the consolidation of first and second grade classes from Blaine Primary School into Blaine Elementary School.
Chaplik said the preliminary budget will change “pretty drastically” over the next month as he works to find ways to cut expenditures without impacting educational programs. Chaplik said he expects to find roughly $400,000 in savings that “doesn’t impact what we do in the classroom.”
Chaplik mentioned declining enrollment since Covid-19, and how the district can adapt to dwindling tax revenue while also trying to return students to the district.
“It is reason to be concerned that there is declining enrollment,” Chaplik said. “We have to understand that, embrace our role in it whatever that might be, and figure out a way to make sure that students and families are feeling good about the Blaine school district, and if they’re not, understanding why.”
According to the 2025-26 draft budget, the district expects to enroll 110 kindergarteners, down from 168.66 in 2023-24. Chaplik said the district has confirmed about 90 kindergarteners and more are expected to sign up.
The school district’s 2025-26 budget will still sit “comfortably” above the school board policy requiring a general fund balance over six percent of the district’s annual budget, Chaplik said.
School board meeting schedule finalized
The board unanimously approved the 2025-26 board meeting schedule, which will keep meetings at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month in the district board room and on Zoom.
As a gesture of goodwill toward Birch Bay, the board discussed moving a meeting next school year to Birch Bay, but did not mention specific locations or dates. The board hosts one meeting per year at Point Roberts Primary School, but does not regularly hold meetings in Birch Bay.
The final board meeting for the 2024-25 school year is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, August 25.
s Blaine school board directors Ryan Swinburnson, l., and Erika Creydt listen to interim superintendent Dan Chaplik, during the July 28 meeting. The board discussed changes
to
Birch Bay
changing
district name to include Birch Bay.
Photo by Nolan Baker
Paddle to Elwha stops in Birch Bay
Tribes participating in the 2025 Paddle to Elwha Canoe Journey were greeted by the Nooksack Indian Tribe as they made a stop along the Birch Bay State Park shoreline on July 23. Canoes across the Pacific Northwest and B.C. are traveling to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, outside of Port Angeles. See more photos at thenorthernlight.com.
to your care. peacehealth.org
While change is constant, PeaceHealth remains committed to your well-being — today, tomorrow, always.
Photos by Ruth Lauman
Home Garden
In the Garden with Kelle:
We bought our house in Blaine 33 years ago. It was an exciting time for me as a gardener, coming from Colorado, where we “enjoyed” 52 frost-free days a year.
Our yard in Blaine came with a few apple and plum trees, but the best treasure was six blueberry bushes. One of the first things I did was mow overgrown grass because most berries do not thrive when competing with weeds and
grasses for water and nutrients.
Blueberries, which are native to North America, have evolved roots that allow them to withstand a wider variety of soils than other berries, such as blackberries or raspberries. Blueberries are perfect for the Pacific Northwest as they need wet climates to thrive.
For the required care, berries give you a worthy harvest. They take less space than an apple tree, require limited pruning and are significantly less daily work than
vegetables. Additionally, when fresh berries range from $4 to $10, it makes financial sense to install a berry patch. I begin picking red and golden raspberries in June. Every three or four days, I start my morning with a basket of fresh berries. It is my favorite time of year. I like to put about a cup of mashed berries into Ziploc bags to freeze. If you are up for cooking, they can be easily water-bath canned for pie filling or blueberry shortcake. Using green apples in
your berries will add natural pectin, so you don’t need to add sugar until you have cooked it into a thick, jam-like texture. Can without sugar or just sweeten to taste. I have found berries thrive in a location dappled with sun. Most berries are understory plants, or at the very least, found in the interim space between forest and meadow. Deep mulching can create cooler soil temperatures to reduce watering demands and plant
s Blueberries grown in Kelle Rankin-Sunter’s Blaine yard.
Photo by Kelle Rankin-Sunter
Blueberries make great hedges. Berry plants are also great for attracting birds and inspects to the habitat. So, even if you don’t get all your fruit picked, it will benefit the environment. Native plants
Berries ...
From page 9 are good choices for shrubbery and provide edible fruits (though, when looking at natives, you should taste the berries before you purchase the plants).
Nurseries frequently put plants on sale to reduce plant stocks this time of year. This is for a variety of reasons, including that watering plants in containers is an endless task that stresses them, which negatively affects their appearance. Storing your new plants in a shady location where they are well-watered and away from wind will hold them until late September, when cooler temperatures and shorter days reduce
the transplanting stress. Mother Nature will also help with the watering chores.
If you’re interested in learning more about berries and other local harvest, Sustainable Connections will hold the Whatcom County Farm Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 13. Each location on the tour will offer an opportunity to meet the folks who grow and raise our food. The self-guided event is free for all ages. For more information, visit sustainableconnections.org/whatcom-county-farm-tour.
Kelle Rankin-Sunter is founder of Blaine CORE, which holds free home and gardening classes at Blaine Public Library. Rankin-Sunter can be reached at fruit@Blaine-CORE.com.
RYAN, Deceased. No. 25-4-00732-37. 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
In accordance with Sec. 106 of the Programmatic Agreement, TowerCo V Holdings LLC, plans 195' TOWER at 370 SWEET ROAD, BLAINE, WA 98230. Please direct comments to Gavin L. at 818-391-0449 regarding the site WA0271.
7/31/25
CNS-3951002#
THE NORTHERN LIGHT
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
Date
Name of Personal Representative: KEVIN T. RYAN
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: July 22, 2025 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262
Attorney for Personal Representative KEVIN T. RYAN
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: July 25, 2025 with Clerk of Court:
Date of First Publication: July 31, 2025
Name of Personal Representative: JOSEPH VONGSVARNRUNGRUANG
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: July 25, 2025 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. Attorney for Personal Representative JOSEPH VONGSVARNRUNGRUANG
w/Great
5±
next to California Creek (Never Floods) Charming home w/oak-type interior. LOTS of living space; & Park Model w/own kitchen, living rm, & bath - used as home office & music studio. Enjoy 1600± sf of stand-alone decks; Has Camping spaces! Heated/insulated shop. Barn w/mowers. Paul Holtzheimer 360-303-4444
7969 W Golf Course Dr
MLS#2390489 $725,000 Rare Bay View Opportunity! Homes with a direct view of the bay rarely come available in this desirable gated neighborhood, and this one is a standout. Perched to capture stunning ocean vistas, this well-maintained home offers peace of mind with a newer roof, siding, furnace, and hot water tank. Inside, enjoy fresh paint and new flooring throughout, creating a bright, move-in-ready space. The view is the star of the show. Tiffany Braun 360-594-9484 & Ramona Green 360-296-8400
7417 Birch Bay Dr
MLS#2397148 $999,999
This Birch Bay waterfront gem features 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathroom, and 1,036 sq ft with low-bank access and beach rights. Home has been recently remodeled and updated. Step out your back door onto the best hard-packed sand flats in Washington State, with a perfect westerly-facing, unobstructed water view! Large area for RV parking. Enjoy beach fires, sunsets, crabbing, clamming and boating. Ideal for full-time living or AirBNB, within distance of area restaurants. Jeff Carrington 360-220-3224
A 0.7-mile stretch of H Street Road between Allan Street and Harvey Road is expected to be closed in both directions from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 6 to Wednesday, August 27. The closure in east Blaine will be daily except for Sundays.
Construction will install a stormwater system for The Ridge housing development and add a center turn lane on H Street Road.
Traffic will be detoured through Allan Street to E Street and Harbor Hills Parkway. The detour will end at Harvey Road.
Flaggers will guide residents and emergency services to their needed locations. There will be a temporary traffic control plan with detour signs and advanced notice posted.
Developer Skip Jansen, of JIJ Corporation, said the closure would be a minor inconvenience that was necessary to improve traffic flow. The construction is not part of the city of Blaine’s Downtown Revitalization Project.
More information and updates on the closure can be found at ci.blaine.wa.us or by contacting the Blaine Public Works Department at 360/332-8820 or customerservice@cityofblaine.com
Life Line Screening accepting registrees for Blaine clinic
Life Line Screening will offer health screenings on August 6 at American Legion Peace Arch Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. Life Line provides health screening to assess health risks including diabetes risks, plaque buildup, cholesterol levels, and kidney and thyroid function. These screenings can help peo-
ple detect health problems and understand risk factors later in life. The screening packages start at $159; however, consultants can aid in creating affordable packages based on age and risk factors. Pre-registration is required. More information can be found at bit.ly/46yDZBg or by calling 877/237-1287.
will have a pirate costume contest with prizes at the playground.
Question: Too often I see drivers give maybe one blink of their turn signal before turning. That can’t be enough to meet the requirements of the law, right? How far in advance of an intersection or lane change are you required to activate your turn signal?
Answer: Our turn signal law is imperfect. Why? Maybe because we don’t like math. To see how I reached that conclusion, let’s dig into the history of turn signals and Washington’s turn signal laws.
Karl Benz gets credit for inventing the car in 1886. Success has many fathers, and there were folks before Benz building carlike vehicles, but we like heroes and had to pick someone. The first patent for a turn signal device (this one mechanical) was filed in 1907. In the years following, several other turn signal ideas were invented and forgotten.
A hundred years ago, turn signals were still an experiment, and 1927’s session laws suggest that maybe too many drivers were experimenting. The law prohibited drivers from using mechanical or electric devices as a substitute for hand signals, unless the device had been approved.
The 1932 Talbot 105 was, as far as I can tell, the first car that came with factory installed turn signals. Only 330 were sold to the public. The 1939 Buick gets credit for being the first car to
come with turn signals, because no one remembers the Talbot car company.
In 1937 Washington overhauled its traffic laws, which included a section on using turn signals. The law required drivers to signal “continuously for a reasonable length of time,” and defined reasonable as the time it takes to travel a distance in feet equal to five times the speed limit in miles per hour. If the posted speed limit is 25 mph, you’d have to signal for at least 125 feet. The law forced drivers to do math, and you couldn’t count on your fingers. Electric turn signals were rare, so your hands were busy signaling.
The 1953 session law required that all vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1954 be equipped
playground.
• 1 p.m. – There will be live music near the boating center.
• 2:30 p.m. – BCT will put on its “Pirates of Penzance” water balloon performance near the playground, and there will be live music near the boating center.
• 3:30 p.m. – Parks and recreation
• 4 p.m. – BCT will put on its “Pirates of Penzance” water balloon performance near the playground, and there will be live music near the boating center.
• 4:40 p.m. – A water balloon fight will round out the activities on the playground.
For more information on the festival and “anything but a boat” race, visit bbbparkandrec.org.
“Chlorine,” by Jade Song, is a work of literary fiction that plunges into the disquieting depths of a second-generation Chinese immigrant’s adolescence.
Touching on weighty topics like abuse, self-harm and body mutilation, “Chlorine” can be a profoundly unsettling read. Yet, it also offers a look at the challenges of assimilation, self-iden-
tity and navigating sexuality. Ultimately, it’s a fascinating coming-of-age story.
From an early age, protagonist Ren Yu was captivated by mermaids. As a young child, her mother pacified her with a storybook of mermaid legends. Years later, Yu convinced her mother to allow her to take up competitive swimming, ostensibly an extracurricular activity for college applications – though Yu’s true motive was simply to become a mermaid. Shortly after, Yu’s father returns to China to work, leaving Yu and her mother to navigate life alone in America.
From here, the story progresses as Yu’s subtle psychosis deepens her identity as a mermaid, while maintaining her human facade: excelling as a star athlete, succeeding at school and navigating relationships. Further complicating matters, Yu and her best friend Cathy share a sapphic connection. However, neither knows how to express
their feelings and instead conform to what they perceive as socially acceptable hetero roles. Underlying the narrative is the sadly all too prevalent reality of abuse and harm in competitive youth sports. Yu’s drive to perform, coupled with her need to meet familial expectations, leaves her vulnerable. “Chlorine” tackles heavy topics and should appeal to readers of dark coming-of-age stories, narratives of self-discovery and unsettling contemporary fiction. Visit wcls.org to find “Chlorine” and other similarly themed stories.
“Chlorine” is the August selection for the Blaine Books and Bites book group. The group will discuss the book at 1 p.m. Friday, August 15 at the Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, for a time of community and lively conversation.
Jonathan Jakobitz is an avid reader and the branch manager of Blaine Public Library.
s Blaine Community Theater performs “Pirates of Penzance” during the 2024 festival. Photo by Ruth Lauman
s Jonathan Jakobitz holds “Chlorine” by Jade Song. Courtesy photo
sheriff’s repOrts
July 18, 3:01 a.m.: Burglary on Birch Bay Drive.
July 18, 10:43 a.m.: Civil problem cold call on Harbor Court.
July 18, 10:57 a.m.: Civil problem cold call on Arnie Road.
July 18, 2:21 p.m.: Threat cold call on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
July 18, 2:26 p.m.: Fight cold call on Valley View Road.
July 18, 3:48 p.m.: Theft cold call on Birch Bay Square Street.
July 18, 5:18 p.m.: Harassment cold call on Birch Bay Drive.
July 19, 12:03 p.m.: Civil problem on Ham Road.
July 19, 1:20 p.m.: Theft on Ham Road.
July 19, 4:26 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Willeys Lake Road.
July 19, 6:43 p.m.: Juvenile problem on Main Street.
July 19, 7:43 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Boblett Road.
July 19, 8:10 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Morrison Avenue.
July 20, 1:44 a.m.: Domestic –physical on E Street.
July 20, 3:15 a.m.: Suspicious
circumstances on Creasey Road.
July 20, 4:27 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Drayton Harbor Road.
July 21, 1:27 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle cold call on Jackson Road.
July 21, 5:19 a.m.: Domestic –physical cold call on Creasey Road.
July 21, 10:14 a.m.: Fraud cold call on Cowichan Road.
July 21, 10:30 a.m.: Civil problem cold call on Cowichan Road.
July 21, 12:12 p.m.: Death investigation on Jackson Road.
July 21, 8:33 p.m.: Domestic –physical on Bay Road.
July 22, 12:33 a.m.: Fight on Birch Bay Drive.
July 22, 2:07 a.m.: Fight on Creasey Road.
July 22, 7:26 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle cold call on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
July 22, 9:54 a.m.: Moving vehicle accident blocking on Anderson Road.
July 22, 10:59 a.m.: Fraud cold call on E. Shoreview.
July 22, 11:12 a.m.: Fraud cold
CrOssWOrd
ACROSS
1. Spiritual leaders 7. Salt 13. Fortified wine 14. Edible mollusk 16. They precede C 17. A way to compare 19. State lawyer 20. “Game of Thrones” actor Ciaran 22. Eighth month (abbr.)
23. Very willing 25. __ ex machina 26. Satisfies 28. Mountain in New Zealand 29. A doctrine 30. Popular Dodge truck model 31. Dekagram 33. Naturally occurring solid 34. Company officer 36. Villains 38. Cricket frogs 40. One of the founders of modern psychology 41. Endured 43. A female domestic 44. You can get stuck in one
45. Partner to feather 47. Passive optical network
48. French ballet dynasty 51. Employee stock ownership plan
53. Bottom layer 55. Sound 56. Yankee great Judge 58. Dickens character
59. Late beloved TNT sportscaster 60. South Dakota 61. Exposing human vice or folly to ridicule 64. Gold 65. Longtime Braves hurler Julio 67. Humor 69. Shawl 70. Hospital unit DOWN 1. Animal disease 2. Commercial 3. Necklace materials 4. Containers 5. Investment account 6. Colorado Heisman Trophy
winner 7. Dipped down 8. Head injury category (abbr.) 9. Lay about 10. Intestinal 11. Not yes 12. Caused to be loved 13. Muslim spiritual leader 15. Showing sincere conviction 18. Not in 21. Number above the line in a fraction 24. Lawn pest 26. Pouch
27. Ancient language in India (abbr.)
30. Start over 32. Wild white flower 35. Fourteen 37. Visual way to interact with computer (abbr.) 38. Side by side and facing the same way 39. Religious conflicts 42. Touch lightly 43. “Boardwalk Empire” actress Gretchen
call on Beachcomber Drive.
July 22, 11:45 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Sunset Drive.
July 22, 11:47 a.m.: Threat cold call on Seashell Way.
July 22, 11:56 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on California Trail.
July 22, 1:54 p.m.: Fraud cold call on Morgan Drive.
July 22, 6:05 p.m.: Suspicious person cold call on Beachcomber Drive.
July 22, 6:58 p.m.: Fireworks on Oertel Drive.
July 23, 5:29 p.m.: Hulk vehicle cold call on Cottonwood Court.
July 23, 9:39 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on H Street Road.
July 24, 2:53 a.m.: Disorderly conduct on Semiahmoo Drive.
July 24, 4:33 p.m.: Domestic –physical cold call on Anderson Road.
July 24, 5:24 p.m.: Domestic order violence cold call on Anderson Road.
For a complete list of WCSO reports, visit whatcomcounty.us/2120/Activity-Reports.
46. Violent seizure of property
47. One who supports the pope
49. Malaise
50. Body fluid
52. Inauthentic person
54. Title of respect
55. Chilean city
57. Japanese city
59. Silk garment
62. Draw from 63. Automobile
66. The man
68. Top government lawyer
ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM
tides
July 31 - August 6 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
Coming up
Splash Day: Friday, August 1, noon–2 p.m., corner of Third and Martin streets. Fire hydrant sprinklers, ice cream by Sugar Shack, hot dogs and refreshments. Kids must be supervised and shoes recommended. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Junior Groove: Jazz for Kids: Friday, August 1, 2–3 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Join local jazz drummer Jerry Steinhilber for this interactive program. Learn about where jazz comes from, how it works, and even try making music. For grades K-5. Info: wcls.org.
Aquatic Invasive Species: Friday, August 1, 3 p.m., Birch Bay State Park’s wildlife theater. Come learn about aquatic invasive species at Birch Bay State Park! Join the ranger as she talks about the green crab and how to identify them and many other invasive critters.
Live Music at Station 49: Friday, August 1, 3 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Featuring: honky tonk country band, Troy Fair Band. Free admission and family-friendly. Info: station49.fun.
Live Music at The Vault: Friday, August 1, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring Jacob Seyer. Info: thevaultwine.com.
Movie in the Park: Friday, August 1, 8:30 p.m., Blaine Marine Park. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch a family-friendly classic movie. Free. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Live Music at Station 49: Saturday, August 2, 3 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Featuring: Urban Cowboy. Free admission and family-friendly. Info: station49.fun.
Live Comedy at Station 49: Saturday, August 2, 8 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Featuring: comedian Sam Miller. Tickets and info: station49.fun/sam.
Pirate Festival: Saturday, August 2, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Blaine Marine Park. Live music, food and craft vendors, family-friendly games and activities, mermaid appearance for kids, Pirates of Penzance performance by Blaine Community Theater, water balloon fight, “anything but a boat” race, and costume contest for all ages. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Live Music at Station 49: Sunday, August 3, 3 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Featuring: The Jack Benson Band. Free admission and family-friendly. Info: station49.fun.
National Night Out: Tuesday, August 5, 5–7 p.m., Birch Bay Beach Park, 7930 Birch Bay Drive. Enjoy fun photo opportunities, explore agency equipment, learn and ask questions, and meet local first responders. Free slice of pizza and water for the first 300 attendees. Info: birchbaychamber.com.
Lifeline Screening: Wednesday, August 6, 10:45 a.m.–noon, American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. Preventative health screenings. Info and scheduling: lifelinescreening.com.
Beach Exploration: Wednesday, August 6, noon–1 p.m., Semiahmoo Park, 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Join friends and neighbors with Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum on a low tide beach exploration. Get an up close look at some of the amazing creatures in the intertidal zone right here at home. Info: gardensalishsea.org.
Semiahmoo Seaside BBQ Series: Thursday, August 7, 5 p.m., Semiahmoo Resort, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway. A rotating menu featuring fresh seafood, locally sourced meats and seasonal veggies. Live music by Hockey Sawtooth. Tickets $65 at semiahmoo.com.
Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, August 7, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. This week’s theme: general knowledge. Info: thevaultwine.com.
Live Music at Station 49: Friday, August 8, 6 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Featuring: Wicked Timing. Free admission and family-friendly. Info: station49.fun.
Live Music at The Vault: Friday, August 8, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring Free Harmony. Info: thevaultwine.com.
Movie at the Bay: Friday, August 8, 8:30 p.m., Birch Bay Vogt Library, 7948 Birch Bay Drive. A movie night under the stars on the lawn. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and favorite snacks for a relaxed evening with the community. Food available thanks to Friends of Birch Bay Library. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Custer Days: Saturday, August 9, 10 a.m.–11 p.m., 4th and Main streets, downtown Custer. Parade at 11 a.m., corn hole tournament 1–3 p.m., vendors, live music, beer garden and food trucks.
Beach Exploration: Saturday, August 9, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., meet at Birch Bay State Park’s bp Heron Center. Explore the shoreline and view marine critters at low tide. Rocks can be slippery, so appropriate footwear advised. Free. Info: bbbparkandreg.org.
Live Music at Station 49: Saturday, August 9, 5 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Featuring: Ten Feet Thick. Free admission and family-friendly. Info: station49.fun.
DJ and Dance at Station 49: Saturday, August 9, 8 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Free admission and family-friendly. Info: station49.fun.
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of July 21 to 27, no precipitation was recorded. The 2025 yearto-date precipitation is 15.5 inches.
Temperature: High for the past week was 80°F on July 23 with a low of 52.6°F on July 26. Average high was 76.7°F and average low was 54.8°F.
Live Music at Station 49: Sunday, August 10, 3 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Featuring: JP Falcon Band. Free admission and family-friendly. Info: station49.fun.
Summer Day Camp: Monday–Friday, August 11–15, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Northwood Chapel, 580 C Street. A Minecraft-inspired day camp. $40. Register: cefwhatcom.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:360/332-6350 or Info@ blainefoodbank.org.
The Bridge Food Bank: Fridays, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Road Rules ...
From page 13 with turn signals. It also updated the minimum distance for signaling, requiring drivers to signal 100 feet before turning or use the five times rule mentioned above. I’m not sure how to interpret that. Was the 100-foot requirement a minimum no matter what the speed limit? If so, it would only apply to speeds below 20 mph, which is almost nowhere. Can drivers choose one option over the other? If so, that would make the five times rule pointless because it’s almost always going to be longer than 100 feet.
My puzzlement is moot, though, as the law eventually dropped the five times rule. It now only requires signaling 100 feet before turning (and I consider that a loss). With the five times rule, no matter the speed limit you’ll always be signaling for
about 3.5 seconds. That doesn’t seem like much, but consider this; at 70 mph you travel 102 feet in one second. Turn signals blink at a rate of 60 – 120 flashes per minute so, if a car’s turn signal is on the low end of that, at 70 mph you’d only get one blink in 100 feet.
That complies with the law, but it’s not too helpful to other drivers. At most speeds our turn signal requirements are insufficient. It’s an example of the law setting bare minimums, while good drivers know that safe driving requires a higher standard. We have limited tools for communicating with other drivers, so we should make the best of them and give more than one blink.
Doug Dahl is a Blaine resident, manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.
The 2025 Birch Bay Sand Sculpture Competition and Rollback Weekend
The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted the 42nd annual Birch Bay Sand Sculpture Competition on July 26 and the 11th annual Rollback Weekend Car Show on July 27.
About 3,000 people attended the sand sculpture competition and 1,500 people came to the car
show, according to chamber executive director Danielle Gaughen. The winners were not available by press time.
