May 4 - 10, 2017
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Blessing of the Fleet takes place May 7, page 3
Semiahmoo Resort acquired by Columbia Hospitality
Phone scam impacts local residents, page 5
Unified soccer team begins season, page 13
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Borderites baseball buys a break before the playoffs
B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
s Blaine shortstop Jalen Kortlever makes a play at second base in Blaine’s final regular season game, a 2–1 win over Meridian on Thursday, April 27. The win capped an incredible 17–3 season for the Borderites. The team’s first playoff game is Saturday, May 6 against Photo by Janell Kortlever Burlington–Edison at Daniels Field in Anacortes.
Custer resident wins Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2017 By Amy Pollard In a sparkling crown, emerald green sash and black-and-white sheath dress, Kyann Flint sits back in her power wheelchair and smiles for the camera – the photo marks the start of her reign as Ms. Wheelchair Washington 2017. Flint, a 24-year-old Custer resident, won the Ms. Wheelchair Washington pageant on March 11. The annual event recognizes outstanding advocates for people with disabilities. A video of the one-day event shows
Flint speaking to room full of judges, contestants and audience members at the Sea-Tac Holiday Inn Express. Her voice shakes ever so slightly but her words are carefully measured as she discusses providing equal opportunity and fighting ableism. The room fills with applause when she finishes. If you’d told Flint a few years ago that she would be advocating statewide for people with disabilities while wearing a crown, she likely wouldn’t have believed you. Flint, who was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder at 8 years old,
Blaine boating event on deck to educate and entertain B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Developing the skills to master the art of boating may seem like a daunting task to some, but the folks at Bellingham Sail and Power Squadron (BSPS) are ready to help aspiring marine enthusiasts take on the challenge during an all-day event in Blaine this month. Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, the public is invited to stop by the SeaSkills Marine Expo at locations along Marine Drive. Up until 5 p.m.,
guests will have the opportunity to take part in training exercises, view demonstrations, peruse vendor exhibitions and more. Since the early 1900s, U.S. Power Squadrons (USPS) has maintained a fervent dedication to boater safety and education. The local chapter was chartered in 1959 and continues to educate boaters by offering classes and seminars at Bellingham Technical College and local events. The SeaSkills Marine Expo won’t be the first event BSPS has hosted in Blaine. For
about a decade, members have hosted annual training and educational seminars, including their hallmark marine distress flare training, which teaches boaters how to properly light and dispose of a flare. This year, they’ve opted to make the event a bit more approachable for all ages and interests. “The earlier version of SeaSkills North has morphed into a grander 2017 expo,” explained event organizers during the (See SeaSkills, page 10)
had no plans to become an advocate. “Both my parents made it possible for me to try to do as many things as I could,” she said. “For the longest time I never really thought of myself as different.” It wasn’t until she attended Western Washington University from 2011 to 2015 that Flint said she faced challenges that compelled her to speak up. “It was difficult to get the accommodations I needed,” she said. “So I became (See Pageant, page 2)
INSIDE
Adding to its growing portfolio, Seattle-based hospitality management firm Columbia Hospitality announced a sweeping acquisition consisting of multiple management agreements and other assets from Coastal Hotels, the firm behind Semiahmoo Resort, Golf and Spa. “The Coastal Hotels team will bring great experience to Columbia Hospitality, and we’re excited to welcome them to the family,” said Columbia Hospitality founder and CEO John Oppenheimer in a statement. The acquisition of Coastal Hotels and the addition of six hotels and two golf courses to its growing portfolio of now 37 properties went into effect on May 1, making it one of the largest hospitality firms in the Northwest. Out of the deal, Columbia Hospitality will now manage Semiahmoo Resort, Golf and Spa; the Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club; the Loomis Trail Golf Club and two public golf courses located next to the resort. South of Blaine, the firm will also manage a Best Western Plus Heritage Inn located in Bellingham; Landmark Hotel currently in development in Tukwila; Cedarbrook Lodge located in SeaTac; Lodge on the Desert in Arizona and Sheraton Mesa Hotel in Arizona. According to a report from The Seattle Times, Coastal Hotels will transfer its management contracts and 560 employees to Columbia Hospitality. Coastal Hotels president and CEO Yogi Hutsen has also agreed to join the firm as executive vice president. “We have worked alongside Columbia Hospitality for years and have respected their values-centered philosophy and commitment to phenomenal guest service,” Hutsen said. “The sky is the limit in what we can achieve together as we continue to drive performance at our properties, career opportunities for our team members and great experiences for our guests.”
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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