The Northern Light: March 7-13, 2024

the school district’s governing body is seeking replacements, with a submission deadline set for 4 p.m. Monday, March 11. Board districts 4 and 5 are now open for applications, and all prospective board members are required to be U.S. citizens, registered voters and reside within the geographical boundaries of each district. Letters of interest should be submitted by email to comments@blainesd.org or delivered to the district office at 765 H Street.

District 4 is roughly east of Blaine Road and includes a large area of Birch Bay, including the Baycrest and Point Whitehorn neighborhoods. District 5 covers Semiahmoo, Selder and neighborhoods south of Dakota Creek.

The three remaining school board directors, newly-appointed president Cliff Freeman (District 3), vice president Ben Lazarus (District 2), and longest-tenured member Erika Creydt (District 1), will decide who to appoint to the two vacant positions.

District superintendent Christopher Granger said the first round of interviews is set for Friday, March 15. District policy requires the board to appoint new members 90 days after a resignation was officially accepted, but appointments are likely to be made well ahead of that deadline with an impending $2.5 million budget deficit that must be ratified by April.

Any newly appointed members will serve until the next local election in November 2025, when they can then run for reelection. The current term of District 4 board member goes through the end of 2027, and the current term for District 5 runs through the end of 2025.

For more information about serving on the Blaine school board, visit the Washington State School Directors Association website, at wssda.org, or contact the superintendent’s administrative assistant, Tina Padilla, at 360/332-0711.

A report into a slide malfunction at Birch Bay Waterslides that seriously injured a man while going down the Hairpin slide last August cites multiple instances of incomplete or missing maintenance records. Despite promoting season ticket sales, Birch Bay Waterslides has not provided information needed before its operating permit could be reactivated. Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) revoked the permit in September after the company failed to provide inspection reports requested by WCHCS.

The report noted that health investigators discovered missing and corroded fasteners where the slide failed and previously repaired damage immediately be-

low the point of failure.

The incident raises questions regarding the oversight by state and local agencies given that state regulations only require water parks to submit maintenance and operations records when requested by county health departments.

Birch Bay Waterslides general manager Iain Buchanan said the company had just received the WCHCS investigative report, which was completed February 29, and needed to review it further before commenting. Buchanan said he had requested a meeting with WCHCS to discuss what he believed were inaccuracies in the report.

“We plan to continue working closely and collaboratively with the health

(See Waterslides, page 6)

The Blaine Chamber of Commerce is hosting its first volunteer fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, March 9 at Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street.

The event will include the following nonprofits: The Community Assistance Program, Friends of Blaine Library, Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2, and Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival.

There will be a prize drawing for gift cards to Paso Del Norte and Starbucks.

Carroll Solomon, event organizer and chamber volunteer, previously said she’s seen from her time at the Blaine Visitor Information Center that some people don’t know where to volunteer, and nonprofits are always looking for help.

Whatcom County Council meeting roundup

B y N ola N B aker

The latest from Whatcom County Council meetings…

BBWARM prepares for possible rate increase

Whatcom County Council authorized a contract amendment with FLO Analytics regarding updates to the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resource Management (BBWARM) district’s fee process during council’s February 6 meeting. The original contract between FLO Analytics and the county was for just under $20,000, and the amendment will increase that deal by $50,965, up to a total of $70,720. Funding will come from BBWARM’s budget.

The contract was changed due to the probability of rate increases for BBWARM’s customers to pay for a “long list of stormwater improvement projects needed in Birch Bay,” the district wrote in a January 3 statement.

BBWARM instituted service charges when it formed in 2009, and rates have gone unchanged for the subsequent 15 years. The district will hold a public advisory committee meeting on

Wednesday, April 17. For more information, visit bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org

Bay Horizon Hostel approved for demolition Council unanimously declared during its February 6 meeting the Bay Horizon Hostel building at Bay Horizon Park to be “worthless,” and will begin the process of demolishing the building. The building, which was once leased and operated as a hostel, has been vacant since 2012, is a consistent vandalism target and has asbestos abatement issues, according to county records.

With the risk and asbestos hazard posed by the decaying building, Whatcom County Parks and Recreation District plans to demolish it to clear space in the popular Birch Bay park.

“With the building removed, parks will have the opportunity to expand day-use and open, grassy field activities at Bay Horizon Park,” a January 26 memorandum stated.

Local shellfish advisory committee appoints new members

Council appointed Katherine Garrah and Steve Seymour to fill vacancies on the Drayton Harbor

Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee on February 6. Garrah will serve a full, four-year term and Seymour will hold a partial term ending January 31, 2027.

Garrah is a biologist working for the Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and has worked in the natural resources industry for 20 years, according to her application. Seymour, the owner of Drayton Harbor Oyster Company since 1985, was a member of the advisory group in 2020.

“Keeping the bay clean is paramount to our business success,” Seymour wrote in his application. “Keeping public beaches surrounding Drayton Harbor safe for shellfish harvest is key to Blaine’s by the sea identity.”

One position remains vacant.

Blaine receives funding for reservoir upgrades

During the February 20 county council meeting, the city of Blaine received a $2 million investment through a grant and low-interest loan from the county’s Economic Development Investment (EDI) program to fund a replacement of the city’s largest and oldest reservoir, the Blaine Wellfield.

The city will commit $500,000

from its water capital reserves toward the project, and funding from county EDI breaks down to a $666,666 grant with a 15-year, $1,333,334 loan, totaling $2 million from the county.

The city recently received a similar grant/loan award from EDI totaling $2.5 million for the G Street Sewer Improvement Project, which began in the spring of 2023, according to previous reporting from The Northern Light

Blaine’s city government has been working toward a replacement of the reservoir for years, and plans to secure an additional $2.5 million in state funding, according to the city’s EDI application.

“The proposed improvements, along with improving pressure issues will also ensure adequate water supply to all the existing water distribution infrastructure within the city,” the application stated.

The reservoir services the majority of homes in Blaine city limits, and the entire downtown commercial district, and also contributes water to three of the city’s four other sewer zones.

According to the city’s water plan, in its current state, the reservoir is projected to be deficient

by about 331,000 gallons by 2038 due to increased demand and lack of adequate storage.

The proposed plan would replace underground reservoirs with aboveground versions, increasing water pressure to the city’s highest users.

Rental assistance

Council voted 6-1 during its March 5 meeting to approve an additional $1.8 million in eviction prevention funding from a Washington State Department of Commerce grant program. The consolidated homeless grant provides over $12 million to the county to fund crisis response systems for those experiencing homelessness, and to provide rental assistance to those at imminent risk of losing housing.

The grant was amended during the March 5 meeting to include an additional $985,600 in rental assistance through the end of 2025, and the remainder of the new funding will go toward operations and administrative costs.

Councilmember Mark Stremler was the lone nay vote, which he said was over concerns of administrative costs, and that the funding doesn’t fully address citizen concerns on homelessness.

$14.4 million pulled from proposed B.C. biofuel facility

CityNews Vancouver has reported a biofuel facility planned on Semiahmoo First Nation land next to the Peace Arch border crossing has lost financial support.

In a March 2 article, CityNews wrote that the Member of Parliament for South Surrey-White Rock, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, said Natural Resources Canada will

not give the $14.4 million it had previously committed to pledge. Andion Global Inc., a renewable natural gas company, and the Semiahmoo First Nation were jointly proposing the project. Findlay said Andion can apply for future funding but would need to go through the process again, according to the CityNews article.

The plant would occupy about four acres a half-mile north of the U.S./Canada border and about 120 feet from Highway 99. It was expected to process some 70,000 tons of organic food waste and generate approximately 3.5 million gigajoules of renewable natural gas (RNG), roughly equivalent to 136.5 million liters of propane.

Blaine Partnership Project design

s

The project was met with pushback from surrounding residents who held a rally with hundreds of people at the Peace Arch on October 29, 2023. Project opponents were concerned about the number of odors released, the impact on the ecosystem, health risks and public safety, among other problems.

move the skate park. Kulshan Community Land Trust is leading the project with help from the city of Blaine and Whatcom County Library System. The image is conceptual and may be altered during further design development. Image by Zervas Architects/courtesy Paul Schissler

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

Creative Services

Doug De Visser, Ruth Lauman 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 Dianne Marrs-Smith Pete Nelson Semiahmoo Resort Culinary Team

Presidential primary ballots due March 12

Whatcom County residents have until 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 to return their presidential primary ballots.

The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office requests that voters who haven’t received their ballots immediately call the election division at 360/778-5102. To register to vote or update voter registration, visit the

The Editor:

On behalf of Valley Church in Blaine, we would like to thank the following people for their unrelenting support of the Blaine Community Services Outreach:

• Carroll Solomon at Blaine Welcome Center

• Jonathan Jakobitz and his staff at Blaine Library

• Mark and Anna’s Bread

Thank you and god bless.

Ali Sivills

Blaine

Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Correction

In the February 29 issue of The Northern Light, an article titled “North Whatcom Fire and Rescue to hold hearing on levy proposal” incorrectly stated the date of the public hearing on the levy lid lift rate proposal.

We regret the error.

auditor’s office in the Whatcom County Courthouse.

As of March 4, the auditor’s office had received about 30,343 ballots. Ballots need to be turned into ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. March 12. The nearest drop boxes are Blaine Public Library, the North Whatcom Fire and Rescue sta-

tion in Birch Bay and Custer Elementary School. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by March 12 and the auditor’s office recommends voters check the last collection time for the mailbox.

For more information, visit whatcomcounty.us/elections. Voters can visit votewa.gov to track the status of their ballot.

Local Birding: Black oystercatcher

s

Its striking yellow eyes and red eye rings, long, bright red and orange bill, pinkish legs and dark body make identifying black oystercatchers a simple task. Found along rocky shorelines, they are often seen on the shore at Semiahmoo Spit and in Birch Bay State Park. The birds forage in intertidal areas near the water's edge, often as receding tides that uncover food sources. Its strong bill is used to overturn rocks to look for shellfish, barnacles or small crabs, or pry open clams and mussels. Pairs remain together year-round. You might see black oystercatchers on Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival's field trips Friday, March 15 through Sunday, March 17.

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.

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: Meetings are second Tuesday,

Second Thursday,

s The ballot drop box at North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Station 63 in Birch Bay, 4581 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Photo by Grace McCarthy

Photo by Chuck Kinzer

Road Rules: Fitting into

B y D ou G D ahl

Question: Can anything be done about these long pickup trucks that park nose-in along the downtown corridor? I’m most concerned about the ones with the steel trailer hitches that stick out into traffic like can openers waiting to slice open any passing car that gets too close.

Answer: Here’s something I find hard to wrap my head around: You could take your driver test in a Honda Fit and, with license in hand but no additional experience or training, be legally allowed to drive a 45-foot-long Prevost motorhome conversion. Think about that for a second and tell me we don’t have a gap in our driver license requirements. Fortunately, most of us are either wise enough not to do that or don’t have access to a 45-foot motorhome on the day we get our license.

But let’s say you are driving around in a big motorhome. Just because you can legally drive it doesn’t mean you can legally park it wherever you want. That seems obvious, and I’m intentionally taking this to its most extreme possibility to make a point. We all agree that you shouldn’t angle park your 45-foot motorhome on the street, while it’s perfectly fine to do it with your Honda Fit. Somewhere in between there is a line where a vehicle becomes too long for some parking spots. The exact placement of that line (and sometimes it’s a liter-

al line) depends on where you are. Washington has something called the model traffic ordinance (MTO). The goal of the MTO is to have consistent local traffic laws throughout the state. Cities can adopt the MTO as written for their local code, or they can amend it.

The MTO has a law which prohibits parking “in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than ten feet of the width of the roadway for free movement of vehicular traffic.” That sounds reasonable until you look up the definition of “roadway” in the law. In the title on motor vehicles, a roadway is defined as, “that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.”

If we stick to that definition, we have a problem. A single lane for vehicle travel is typically between nine and 12 feet wide, so a normal two-lane roadway is roughly 20 feet wide. A literalist interpretation could conclude that blocking an entire lane with your terrible parking job is legal, as long as there’s 10 feet available in the other lane. I can’t imagine, though, that the legislators had that in mind when they passed this law.

Let’s work from the most rational interpretation and say that a driver can’t park their car in a location that leaves less than 10 feet of the adjacent lane available for other drivers. Do people with long vehicles carry a tape measure with them to confirm that

parking

there’s a full 10 feet?

Many jurisdictions have written their own parking laws. Some cities solve the “roadway” problem by using “adjacent moving traffic lane.” Some limit the maximum length of a vehicle (often 20 feet) for angled parking. That sounds long, but there are models of pickups that exceed that length. From a user-friendly perspective, my favorites are the ones that say an angle-parked vehicle cannot extend past the lines that mark the parking spot. It’s easy to understand, easy to know if you comply and easy to enforce.

For those who drive long ve-

Blaine book club review: ‘Sourdough’

Like the joy of freshly baked bread, “Sourdough” is a warm and comforting read.

Satire traditionally employs irony and exaggeration to humorously point out social and political failings. Consequently, satire tends to run blunt and stark. In “Sourdough,” Robin Sloan crafts something different: A subtly satirical look at the modern world – a satire with pathos and heart. The story centers on Lois Clary, a recent transplant to San Francisco, who is navigating employment in the tech sector, her relationship with food, and the trials and travails of early adulthood. The absurdity of modern life is highlighted throughout, yet balanced with realism and emotion in such a way that you may miss the satirical elements at times.

Our complex and varied experience with food is a throughline throughout “Sourdough.” Is food for indulgence and enjoyment, or merely utilitarian? Do we need to find the best way to streamline the fueling of our human machines for top efficiency, or is food a communal endeavor that feeds more than just our bodies? Cultural and societal expectations discordantly clash as Lois journeys across the spectrum of approaches to food.

Similarly, “Sourdough” casts its satirical lens upon vocation: why do we do the work that we do? Lois is faced with confronting the dilemma of staying on a financially lucrative path or embarking on a new and tenuous course. How do we find the balance between discovering our meaning and securing a livelihood? “Sourdough” doesn’t provide the big answers to life, but through the gift of storytelling Sloan leads the reader to look at some universal experiences in a new light.

“Sourdough” feels nearly magical at times, with a starter yeast that is a character in its own right, and a mysterious fictional ethnic culture that serves as a plot-catalyst, but ultimately this is a downto-earth story that confronts the realities of modern life, albeit with humor, joy, and warmth.

“Sourdough” should appeal to readers of contemporary fiction, satire and anyone looking for a funny, warm and uplifting story. Visit wcls.org to find “Sourdough” and other similarly themed stories.

Jonathan Jakobitz is an avid reader and the branch manager of Blaine Public Library.

“Sourdough” is the March selection for the Books & Bites book group. Join Books & Bites at the Blaine Library on Friday, March 15th, at 1 p.m. for a time of community and lively conversation.

hicles, there are some places you can’t legally park. It may be inconvenient, but with your choice of vehicle comes an obligation to drive, and park, responsibly. Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Region 11 and publishes thewisedrive.com.

File photo

s Jonathan Jakobitz holds the book “Sourdough.” Courtesy photo

s During an inspection of the Hairpin slide on February 2, 2024, Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) observed a crack in the slide deck near a splash guard that failed last August while a 43-year-old man was going down the slide. The man received treatment for serious foot and leg injuries at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for nearly two weeks.

s WCHCS noticed corroded and missing fasteners near the splash guard failure on February 2, 2024. The damaged fasteners were more common on the slide’s windward side, where the splash guard failed.

Waterslides ...

From page 1

department,” Buchanan wrote in an email to The Northern Light

The injury incident

A 43-year-old man arrived the morning of Friday, August 25 to Birch Bay Watersildes, where about 500 other people were spending their day.

The man began sliding down the Hairpin, one of the park’s four main slides, around 12:52 p.m., according to a serious injury report WCHCS submitted to the Washington state Department of Health (DOH) Water Recreation Program.

While coming down the Hairpin slide, the man’s legs went through a splash guard on the fourth turn, punching out a 1.5by-4 foot opening and causing significant lacerations and cuts to both legs. He continued down the slide, landing in the pool. His shouts alerted lifeguards to the accident who rushed to the man’s aid.

At 12:53 p.m., two lifeguards radioed “code red” at the pool and activated an emergency plan. A third lifeguard ran from the spa area and began providing first aid to the man, while Buchanan exited his office to assess the situation. Lifeguards stopped others from going down the park’s slides.

At 12:54 a.m., Buchanan called 911 and retrieved more supplies from the first aid hut. A bystander who said they were an ER nurse and the third lifeguard applied gauze and pressure to the man’s injuries.

The nurse applied tourniquets

reported to WCHCS that, as of February 2, they had not had contact with the victim or any representative.

Code violations

to both of the man’s legs, according to the injury report, and continued applying pressure to the victim’s wounds with the assistance of the lifeguard.

At 1:01 p.m., EMS responders arrived on scene. Seven minutes later, they left the facility, rushing the man to St. Joseph PeaceHealth Medical Center in Bellingham. He was transferred to intensive care at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle later that day. The injury report shows the man underwent two surgeries while in the ICU by August 30 and required other procedures. Harborview spokesperson Susan Gregg declined to provide more information on the man’s care or the extent of his injuries but said he was discharged from Harborview on September 7. Buchanan immediately closed the park and notified WCHCS of the incident, saying the park would close for the remainder of the season, which had been scheduled to last another week. Guests were refunded their entrance fees.

WCHCS noted the park provided first aid assistance within a sufficient amount of time, had required emergency equipment on-site and the water park was fully staffed with nine lifeguards.

The Northern Light confirmed the man’s identity, which has not been released. The man declined to comment and referred the newspaper to his personal injury attorney in Seattle. As of March 6, no lawsuit has been filed in Whatcom County Superior Court. The attorney did not respond to questions regarding the man’s injuries or subsequent recovery. Birch Bay Waterslides

Three WCHCS staff investigating the incident visited Birch Bay Waterslides on Tuesday, August 29 to photograph the broken slide, record information for the injury report, and discuss staff training, daily operations, maintenance and self-inspection.

The investigators cited the Birch Bay water park for: Failure to monitor and properly maintain recordkeeping, failure to provide documentation of emergency response training, and the existence of an imminent hazard caused by the splash guard that broke off during the incident. WCHCS made recommendations on how the water park could remediate the violations.

During the August 29 visit, the company was unable to immediately provide WCHCS with documents on inspections, repairs, lifeguard training and the facility emergency plan.

During the site visit, the investigators informed the company that WCHCS was suspending its operational permit for the park’s four main slides due to the health risks created by the slide’s failure, according to the report. Buchanan was told that the entire facility’s operating permit would be suspended if operation and maintenance records were not provided, according to the report.

Water park fails to quickly provide requested records to reinstate operating permit WCHCS consequently suspended the operating permit September 1 after not receiving the maintenance and operations records. The company was also requested to supply records on emergency plan and lifeguard training by a later deadline, which it met.

WCHCS wrote in its report that it needed those maintenance and operations records to set conditions for restoring the operating permit. Tom Kunesh,

environmental health supervisor for WCHCS who prepared the report, said in an interview that conditions for reestablishing the permit could be more stringent than just meeting codes, such as requiring the water park to submit inspection records annually.

On November 28, WCHCS staff met with Buchanan, maintenance supervisor Trevor Parson and operations supervisor Megan Hall because the county department had not received the maintenance and operation records it requested three months earlier.

At that meeting, WCHCS determined it needed more information on inspections than previously requested and asked Birch Bay Waterslides to provide documents including the water park designer’s original maintenance and operation specifications, inspection contractors’ credentials and scope of expertise, and copies of structural support inspections.

On February 2, WCHCS conducted another site visit where the department observed corroded and missing fasteners where the splash guard failed and at other locations on the slide. The damaged fasteners were more common on the slide’s windward side, where the splash guard failed. WCHCS also found a loose splash guard panel just upstream where the splash guard failed and a crack in the slide deck near the point of failure. Investigators also noted in their report a splash guard panel with previously repaired damage immediately downstream of the failed splash guard. The area around two bolts was ripped out and patched to provide material for a bolt attachment, according to the report.

“WCHCS staff are not structural engineers and cannot draw conclusions about the reason the splash guard panel failed, nor can staff draw conclusions based on visual inspections that occurred during the August 29, 2023, and February 2, 2024, site

visits,” the report read.

WCHCS wrote that its findings indicated a qualified contractor needed to inspect the slide surfaces, support structures and hardware holding the slide together. The water park would need to perform and provide proof of recommended maintenance before the permit could be reinstated.

The report stated that the department had not received most of the information on mainteannce it needed before it could begin setting conditions for the permit.

“There’s a lot of steps that will happen between provision of this initially requested information and our readiness to reinstate their operating permit,” Kunesh said.

Waterslide engineering and inspection

The waterslides consist of slide deck panels and splash guard panels. The slide decks are on the lower half of the slide surface and are made to support the weight of guests through reinforced material, according to the report.

The splash guards are 1.5-by8-foot non-reinforced panels bolted together and installed one to three panels high where the slide turns. Buchanan told WCHCS the park doesn’t have maximum weight or height restrictions for guests.

The company told WCHCS investigators that Kingworks Engineering annually assesses the structural integrity of the supports for each slide and has not assessed the structural integrity of the splash guards.

The company contracts Safe Slide Restoration Company to assess slide deck integrity. The company has also provided annual maintenance and repair on slide interiors, the company told investigators.

Both Kingworks Engineering and Safe Slide perform assessments before the season begins and create annual preseason re-

(See Waterslides, page 7)

s WCHCS staff closely inspected the Hairpin slide on February 2, 2024 and observed corroded and missing fasteners where the splash guard failed and at other locations on the slide. WCHCS also found a loose splash guard panel, a crack and previously repaired damage near the point of failure.

Photos courtesy Whatcom County Health and Community Services

Waterslides ...

From page 6 ports, Birch Bay Waterslides told WCHCS during the November meeting. However, WCHCS said that Birch Bay Waterslides hasn’t provided all of the 2019-2023 preseason reports that had been requested.

Birch Bay Waterslides told WCHCS that it inspects each slide one to two times per week throughout the season to ensure there are no gaps or cracks in the panels, there are no leaks and the slides are smooth. The company doesn’t record routine inspections or minor repairs during the season.

The company told WCHCS that it didn’t note damage to the failed splash guard and guests didn’t report damage prior to the incident. The company also said they didn’t know why the splash guard failed and found no witnesses who saw the slide break.

County, state oversight of water parks Washington has state regula-

tions to enforce standards for water park maintenance and operations but doesn’t require water parks to submit those records to either the DOH or county health departments, the lead agencies tasked with water park oversight.

The DOH Water Recreation Program reviews water park design and construction but leaves annual inspections up to county health departments. County inspectors don’t include waterslide structural integrity or safety; the waterparks are responsible for those inspections, which are typically done by third-party contractors.

“Water parks are rare in Washington state so it’s difficult to build up a high level of competency for that very specific kind of aquatic venue just because of their rarity,” said Dave DeLong, program manager of the DOH Water Recreation Program.

While not required by law, county health departments can request copies of maintenance and operations documents from the water park if necessary.

When asked the last time WCHCS requested inspection records on the slides at Birch Bay Waterslides, WCHCS spokesperson Marie Duckworth wrote that WCHCS required the company comply with a 2016 Whatcom County Planning and Department Services inspection before opening for the 2017 season. Duckworth added that WCHS requested inspection records to ensure that the issues found during the inspection were corrected. Details of that inspection were not immediately available by press time.

“If the jurisdiction who has authority for inspection is not requesting those kinds of documents, then there isn’t any check that those inspections are actually being done,” DeLong said. “But the requirement for doing those inspections is in the regulations and the onus for doing those inspections is on the owner.”

In 2023, the state DOH received two serious injury reports at different water parks. DeLong said he believes the number of serious injury reports the DOH

receives for water recreation facilities, whether it’s a water park or pool, are likely underreported.

The state enacted water park regulations in 1989, after Birch Bay Waterslides opened, DeLong said. The Birch Bay water park’s construction would have been grandfathered in, but the water park still needs to meet the state’s operational requirements, he said.

When asked whether WCHCS believed there was sufficient oversight on structural safety of waterslides in Whatcom County, Duckworth responded,

“Water recreation code requires operators to ensure safety, including maintenance and safety inspections. The fact that this incident occurred clearly points to a safety issue.”

Duckworth continued, “Knowing this, we would require additional inspections and assurances from third-party experts that any recommended safety work was performed before we reinstate their permit. However, the operator has not yet provided enough information for staff to determine what kind of work is needed.”

s Birch Bay Waterslides has operated since 1983 and has eight slides, two pools, a hot tub and other attractions.

File photo

How do you know what to look for, what to ask for in life if you do not know what you want? This is a pretty straight forward question. I am going to be 60 years old this spring and there are still moments when I am unsure of what I want to be when I grow up.

However, having a vision,

whether with a task, a behavior, material belonging, or a particular activity, is vital in achieving our goals. As we get older, this need to understand our wants and needs is still as important as ever. Conscious living and conscious aging are key ingredients to continuing to stay focused on living well. Yet, we live in a world of chaos and it is easy to get caught in the day-to-day of everyday life. And life is fast. I would often tell my children that experiencing life, whether through adventures, opportunities, trials and tribulations, or education, is how we learn what we want to be, what we like and what we want to do. Often, we will see a younger person with a drive that is so easy to see. Other times, we see those who get caught in the trials of life and soon proceed to move into the day-to-day of existence. And to be fair, responsibilities are important such as jobs, families and community. However, we forget what we want. What we need. The things in life that bring us fulfillment. The things that we love. We often fill our life space just for the sake of doing so.

Time is so valuable. Sometimes we need to slow things down so that we can contemplate what we want. Sometimes we need to take a risk and try something new. Sometimes we simply need to get rid of the things that do not bring us joy. The issue is to be conscious that we live one life and there is so much joy to be had.

Getting older or being younger does not diminish the need to have a vision. A goal. An activity that brings you amazing joy. To surround yourself with things you love. However, how do you know what to look for or ask for if you do not know what you want? How do you manifest things that bring you joy if you do not have the room to enjoy them or the awareness that they exist? This is where conscious living comes into place: To know what you want so you can establish a game plan.

The Blaine Senior Center, a community for people 50 years and older, offers opportunity. A place to meet people. To share yourself and to learn from others. A place to explore. A place to learn and nurture yourself mentally and physically. A place to learn more about what you like and what you want. There is never a time in life, at any age, where we cannot have a vision or a dream. A goal of what we want and who we want to be. You just have to let yourself explore. Let yourself contemplate. And sometimes this helps us to forget or dismiss the things in our life that we do not want or do not love.

One tool to help us evolve is a vision board. A physical tool to help us explore what we love and what we want. An exercise to gain clarity of our vision in the creation of our own personal board.

So join us and take some time for you. Young and old. We should all have a vision board. The Blaine Senior Center and community center will be doing a two-part art workshop at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28 and Monday, April 8 on creating our own vision boards. We will take the time to explore and visually create a board that says, “This is who I am, what I like, and what I want. This is me.” Know what you want so that you can know what to ask for and can set a plan in motion.

The two-part vision board workshop will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28 and Monday, April 8 at Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street in Blaine.

Pete Nelson is executive director of Blaine Senior Center.

s Blaine Senior Center executive director Pete Nelson. File photo

s Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. File photo

March Blaine

Senior Center Lunch Menu

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Thu, March 7: Creamy Clam or Corn Chowder, Tuna Salad Pita, Oyster Crackers, Garden Salad, Honey Oat Bar

Fri, March 8: Teriyaki Chicken or Veggie Teriyaki Sandwich, Sweet Potato Fries, Pineapple Coleslaw, Watermelon

Mon, March 11: Country Fried Steak or Vegetarian Fritter, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Butter Peas, Garden Salad, Vanilla Ice Cream

Tue, March 12: BBQ Pulled Pork or Vegan Pulled Chicken, Hawaiian Rice, Steamed Broccoli, Coleslaw, Applesauce

Wed, March 13: Lemon Pepper Cod or Veggie Lemon Pepper Filet, Scallop Potatoes, Peas & Carrots, Kale Citrus Salad, 7-Layer Bar

Thu, March 14: Chicken Bruschetta or Vegan Cutlet, Pesto Noodles, Italian Green Beans, Caesar Salad, Tropical Fruit Salad

Fri, March 15: St. Paddy’s Day Lunch of Corned Beef or Veggie & Cabbage, Boiled Potatoes, Carrots, Garden Salad, Green Fruited Jell-O

Mon, March 18: Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo or Vegetarian Chicken Alfredo, Italian Vegetables, Caesar Salad, Sliced Peaches

Tue, March 19: Tomato Basil Soup, Country Chicken Salad Wrap or Vegan Tomato Soup & Wrap, Garden Salad, Chocolate Chip Cookie

Wed, March 20: Sweet & Sour Meatballs or Vegetarian Meatballs, Brown Rice, Asian Vegetables, Sesame Asian Slaw, Mandarin Oranges

Thu, March 21: Pork Chops or Veggie Cutlet, Mashed Potatoes w/ Mushroom Gravy, Roasted Zucchini & Peppers, Orange & Pecan Spring Salad, Pudding

Fri, March 22: Asian Chicken Salad or Asian Tofu Salad, Spring Rolls, Fresh Grapes

Mon, March 25: Beef Stew or Vegetable Stew, Buttermilk Biscuit, Garden Salad, Peach Crisp

Tue, March 26: Green Chicken Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Cilantro Corn Relish, Rice Pudding

Wed, March 27: Birthday Lunch of Roasted Turkey or Roasted Veggie Cutlet, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Buttered Green Beans, Garden Salad, Birthday Cake

Thu, March 28: Spinach & Mushroom Quiche, Roasted Potatoes, Orange Juice, Fruit & Yogurt Parfait

Fri, March 29: Easter Lunch of Ham & Pineapple or Veggie Patty, Baked Yam, Green Beans, Spinach Salad, Pistachio Fluff

Subject to change. while quantities last.

health

Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. The current physical activity guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for adults calls for 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week. But what constitutes moderate intensity physical activity?

Moderate intensity physical activity gets the heart pumping. Only around one in five adults and teens get enough exercise to maintain good health, says the American Heart Association. It may be because people are having difficulty figuring out what constitutes moderate intensity activity. Here is a more detailed explanation of the types of activities considered moderate-intensity.

• Walking very briskly (roughly four miles per hour)

• Heavy cleaning, like washing windows, vacuuming and mopping

• Mowing the lawn with a power mower

• Bicycling with light effort (10 to 12 miles per hour)

• Playing recreational badminton

• Playing doubles tennis

• Slow dancing

• Shooting a basketball

• Water aerobics

• Playing volleyball

• Heavy gardening

• Painting and decorating

Anything that doesn’t increase heart rate and breathing speed will not count as moderate intensity activity towards the recommended amount of activity. However, any exercise is better than no exercise at all. As long as an activity breaks up long periods of sitting still, doctors say it is still beneficial.

File photo

Spring Sports Preview: Expectations high for Borderite sports

This is a shortened version of the spring sports preview. To read more, visit thenorthernlight.com/sports Baseball

Borderite baseball will return to Pipeline Field with nine seniors on its varsity squad, a number that should be encouraging after a strong 2023 season was cut short in district playoffs.

For first year head coach Hunter Anderson, coaching a sport such as baseball that constantly throws failures at young athletes requires building mental fortitude and a supportive team culture. Anderson said that starts with teaching his team how to stay in the moment.

“With our culture, our structure and our attention to the present moment, everything that we do – no matter what type of playing time, no matter what type of involvement –you’re going to become a better young man moving forward after graduation,” Anderson said. “I’m really looking forward to giving kids lifelong habits that they can take with them.”

The Borderites’ first game of the season is set for Friday, March 8 on the road against Burlington-Edison, and its first home game will be on Monday, March 11 against University Prep at Pipeline Field at 4 p.m. Softball

Last season, Blaine softball had a deep run to the state playoffs, where the Borderites were finally beaten by eventual 1A state champions Montesano in the semifinal round.

Head coach Sean Miller knows that with that success comes a giant target on the back of the 2024 team.

“When you do that kind of thing, it makes you the target, the hunted,” Miller said. “So I’m excited about that, I want to see what this group does.”

Opening day for softball is Friday, March 15, when the Borderites travel to face Cedar Park Christian. The first home game will be Wednesday, March 20 at 4 p.m. against Oak Harbor at Pipeline Field. Track and Field

Blaine track and field is boasting a much deeper roster heading into the 2024 season, with a total of 51 athletes set for the Borderites’ first meet on Wednesday, March 13.

The program also boasts a pair of new assistant coaches; Roy Anthony and Blaine cross-country coach Roberto Aguilera.

The team’s first meet is set for Wednesday, March 13 against Ferndale and Sedro-Woolley, but the Borderites’ first home meet won’t be until Wednesday, April 10 at Borderite Stadium at 4 p.m.

Boys Soccer

Head coach Gio Quesada knows this year’s team has a lot to prove, and as always, his expectations are set high.

The reigning 1A NWC coach of the year will be without his conference defensive MVP, Roberto Mott Prado, and goalkeeper of the year, Kael Evinger, and eight other departed seniors. But

what this team lacks in experience it makes up for in raw talent, Quesada said.

“It’s exciting to see how we can play with these new players, and see how the returning players respond and take on a bigger role,” Quesada said. “I’m very interested to see how these guys are going to react to their new roles.”

Boys soccer will start the year with four home games in seven days, starting against Anacortes on Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m.

Girls Tennis

The late winter snow may have put a slight delay into the ramp up of the girls tennis season, forcing the Borderites to practice indoors, but it hasn’t put a damper on the preseason excitement.

“The team has been showing up every day ready to work,” head coach Amanda Dahl wrote in an email to The Northern Light “They listen, they apply their learning, and they’re pushing themselves on the courts.”

Dahl said she’s excited to see how the group of senior standouts lead the team this year, with Sabrina Boczek, Abby Schmidt and Sara Olinger-Stirrat all expected to set the tone as skilled, experienced veteran leaders.

Girls tennis will hold its first meet of the season on Wednesday, March 13 at Sedro-Woolley, and its first home meet will be on Tuesday, March 19 at 4 p.m. against Squalicum.

Boys Golf

This season will be head coach Rick Shockey’s last year coaching Blaine boys golf, but his high expectations are no different than every year before.

“My expectations are always high, I want the kids to do well and enjoy the game and play to their capabilities,” Shockey said. “I’m excited, this is going to be my last year coaching golf, so I’m excited to see what these kids are going to do.”

The program is growing, with 21 boys on the team this year, and Shockey said he’s anxious to see how his seniors shoot, particularly Uno Navarez, Cameron Saunders and Noah Tavis.

After its first few practices of the season were forced inside due to snow on the Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club greens, the Borderites will start the season at home, with its first round of the season teeing off on Thursday, March 14 at 2 p.m.

Girls Golf

Coming off 2023 1A district tournament win and multiple state tournament placements, expectations are high for this year’s team, and a core group of four seniors could be set to make some serious noise throughout the season, Pilon said.

“The girls are working hard for when we can get out there, and I see a lot of potential in all of them,” Pilon said. “My hope is that they all drop a few strokes over the season that we can get back to the district tournament and win for the second year.”

Girls golf will travel to North Bellingham Golf Club on Thursday, March 14 at 3 p.m.

CITY OF BLAINE Seasonal Maintenance Workers

Salary Range: $20 per hour, no benefits.

Interested persons should complete the online application on the City’s website, https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/blainewa .

The City of Blaine is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

C ITY OF BLAINE Maintenance Worker

Salary Range:

$4,950 to $5,995 per month, plus benefits.

Interested persons should complete the online application on the City’s website, https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/blainewa . The first review deadline is 4:30pm on March 1st.

The City of Blaine is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CITY OF BLAINE

Crew Chief - Utilities

Salary Range:

$6,011 to $7,017 per month plus benefits.

Interested persons should complete the online application on the City’s website, https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/blainewa .

The first review deadline is 4:30pm on March 1st.

The City of Blaine is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Legal

assets.

Name

Name

Attorney

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: February 13, 2024

AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S.

STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Personal Representative: REGINALD ROBERT REESE

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Lauri Ann Anderson, Deceased. NO. 24-4-00180-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE:

Evan P. Jones

The

any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800877-0246.

Semiahmoo Resort recipe: Ragu Napoletano

Ragu Napoletano is classically a dish made with pork ribs, beef chuck and Italian sausage that Packers Kitchen and Bar makes a version of using the ground scraps from trimming and portions of our steaks, some spicy capicola and braised short ribs. We are in a shoulder season for cooking, where we all are ready for spring’s freshness but are still hesitant to let go of winter’s cozy comforts. This dish acts as a beautiful farewell to winter.

This style of recipe is more like a formula, as all the proteins are interchangeable with whatever you have on hand. The large batch size freezes easily to provide extra meals on those days you just don’t feel like cooking.

Ragu Napoletano

• 1 pound boneless short rib, large chunks

• 6 ounces capicola or pancetta, diced

• 2 pounds ground beef, 80/20

• 3 carrots, finely chopped

• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

• 10 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup dry white wine

• 3 Calabrian chilis, sliced

• 1 bunch thyme, tied

• 2 bay leaves

• 56 ounces whole peeled tomato (2 large cans)

• ½cup olive oil

• Chili flake, salt and black pepper to taste

Place a heavy bottom stainless steel pot over medium heat, add half of the olive oil followed by the carrot and to sauté. When the carrots start to soften add the onion, garlic and Calabrian chili, continue to cook until onions are translucent. (Seasoning the vegetables with a pinch of salt

will decrease the cooking time and add a baseline of seasoning to your sauce).

Remove the cooked vegetables from the pan and reserve. Return the pan to the stove and increase your heat to high. Add the remaining olive oil, followed by the short rib. Brown the short ribs on all sides. Add all the remaining meat and continue to cook on high, stirring constantly until the ground beef is fully cooked. Deglaze the pan with the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any fond that developed while browning the proteins.

Combine the vegetables with the now-browned meat and cook on medium until the alcohol smell of the wine is gone. Add all remaining ingredients and simmer on low, stirring occasionally until the short ribs are tender (approximately 2.5 hours). Season to taste with red chili flakes, salt and black pepper.

Ragu Napoletano al Forno

• 1 pound rigatoni or ziti, cooked one minute less than al dente

• 1/2 batch ragu napoletano

• 6 ounces mozzarella, diced

• 8 ounces parmesan, grated

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup parsley, minced Heat oven to 400 degrees F. In an oven-safe dish, combine the cooked pasta, ragu and mozzarella and mix until well combined. Cover with foil and place in the oven for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, toss the breadcrumbs, minced parsley and grated parmesan together in a mixing bowl. After the 30 minutes are up, remove the foil, top with the breadcrumb mixture, and return the dish to the oven for an additional 15 minutes.

Once fully cooked, remove the baked pasta from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Semiahmoo Resort offers dining options at Packers Kitchen + Bar, Great Blue Heron Grill and Seaview Café.

Friends of Birch Bay Library book club review: ‘Boys in the Boat’

In “Boys in the Boat,” rower Joe Rantz recalls a monumental time in his life.

It’s 1936 in Seattle. Joe needs to do something quickly to stay at the University of Washington to complete his degree. If he can get on the rowing team, he can get a job, have a place to live and pay his tuition. Surprisingly, Joe makes the junior varsity rowing team without any rowing experience.

Coach Al Ulbrickson is hoping that his varsity team will get a chance to travel to Berlin to compete in the 1936 Olympics. As the JV and varsity teams practice alongside each other, it becomes clear to Ulbrickson that his scrappy group of nine JV rowers are the faster team. Time after time, the JV rowers prove they have something special. Ulbrickson takes a

risk and sends the JV team to Germany to compete against the best rowers, which include Adolf Hitler’s finest. Through trust and determination, the team makes history and becomes lifelong friends.

Daniel James Brown shares this heartwarming, inspirational story that rowers, teammates and underdogs can appreciate. The author brings familiar pieces of Seattle to life, which enhances the story. This book has been out for 10 years and was a Whatcom Reads book. The film adaptation, which came out in December 2023, is still in theaters. This is a perfect time to read this book and watch the movie. This book is available at wcls. org and the audio book is on the WCLS’ Libby app.

Friends of Birch Bay Library Book Club will discuss “Boys in the Boat” 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 20 at the Bookmobile stop. The book club is open to all.

s Semiahmoo Resort Culinary Team dishes up a Ragu Napoletano for a shoulder season meal between winter and spring.

Photo courtesy Semiahmoo Resort

Dianne Marrs-Smith is the Lynden library manager and Friends of Birch Bay president. She reads and listens to a variety of different books, loves getting book recommendations and her favorite genre is horror.

Image courtesy FOBBL

sheriff’s repOrts

February 27, 11:52 a.m.: Theft cold call on Giles Road.

February 27, 12:23 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Lighthouse Drive.

February 28, 10:17 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Creasey Road.

February 28, 3:12 p.m.: Welfare check on Cedar Street.

February 28, 4:50 p.m.: Welfare check on Skeena Way.

February 28, 7:36 p.m.: Overdose on Skyline Drive.

February 29, 2:53 p.m.: Welfare check on Skyvue Road.

February 29, 3:18 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Drayton Harbor Road.

March 1, 12:26 a.m.: Alarm audible on Blaine Road.

March 1, 5:26 a.m.: Suspicious person on Harbor Drive.

March 1, 9:37 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Bayshore Drive.

March 1, 11:27 a.m.: Forgery cold call on Birch Bay Drive.

March 1, 1:51 p.m.: Fraud cold call on Harborview Road.

March 1, 3:07 p.m.: Trespass on Sweet Road.

March 1, 6:09 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Birch Bay Drive.

March 1, 10:13 p.m.: Welfare check on Drayton Harbor Road.

March 2, 12:22 a.m.: Traffic stop arrest on Valley View Road.

March 2, 8:59 p.m.: Suspicious person on Birch Bay Square Street.

March 2, 9:31 p.m.: Welfare check on Semiahmoo Drive.

March 2, 9:37 p.m.: Alarm audible on Blaine Road.

March 2, 9:54 p.m.: Welfare check on Semiahmoo Drive.

pOLiCe repOrts

February 24, 3:55 a.m.: DUI on Birch Court.

February 24, 6:55 a.m.: Suicidal subject on 3rd Street.

February 24, 8:37 a.m.: Theft on Martin Street.

February 24, 2:24 p.m.: Drugs on B Street.

February 24, 11:14 p.m.: DUI on N. Harvey Road.

February 26, 11:22 a.m.: Sex crime no rape on E Street.

February 26, 5:17 p.m.: Fraud on 10th Street.

February 27, 10:13 a.m.: Van-

CrOssWOrd

ACROSS

1. Chaps

5. Currently fashionable

9. Collision

11. More slim

13. European city

15. Implicitly

16. The side of something that is sheltered from the wind

17. The Mount Rushmore State

19. Gold or silver wire cord

21. Muscles along insects’ diaphragm

22. Trent Reznor’s band

23. Sweet juicy gritty-textured fruit

25. Broken branch

26. Indicates ten

27. Expression of annoyance

29. Brings together

31. Ancient city in Thrace

33. Sailors’ spirit

34. Looked into

36. Muckraking

woman journalist Rheta

38. A type of cast

39. One’s responsibility

41. Where golfers begin

43. Make a mistake

44. Semitic Sun god

46. Ancient Italian-Greek colony

48. Beheaded 52. A place to stay 53. Unwise

54. Most supernatural

56. “Dennis” is a famous one 57. Ointments 58. Exam

59. Leaked blood

DOWN

1. Baseball managers assemble it

2. Revised

3. Mountain is a popular kind

4. Takes to civil court

5. Pouches

6. A type of veil

7. Chants

8. Boston hoopster

9. Elongated appendage

10. Sailboat

11. 2017 Oscar-winning film

12. Actor Gosling

14. Monetary units

15. Assembly

18. Russian pop duo

20. Embellished with expressions

24. Infrequent

26. Temperature unit

28. Hydrophilic amino acid

30. Honk

32. Legislative body

34. Swinish

35. Russian assembly

37. Take over for

38. Put in advance

40. Satisfy

42. Felt

43. Dutch cheese

Coming up

Garden Design 101: Thursday, March 7, 4–6 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Ihis class will discuss principles of art in the garden. Info: nwcore.org.

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, March 7, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. This week: ‘80s and ’90s music. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Live Music at The Vault: Friday, March 8, 7 p.m, The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring: Darla Kendrick. Info: thevaultwine.com. Community Breakfast: Saturdays, 8–11 a.m., American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. All-you-can-eat pancakes $5, kids 4 and under get free pancakes. Other breakfast items available for purchase. Hosted by G.O.A.T. Sandwiches. Info: 360/296-4204. Portion of proceeds benefits the American Legion.

Volunteer fair: Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults and high school students learn of opportunities to volunteer for local organizations. Info: blainechamber.com.

dalism on Semiahmoo Parkway.

February 27, 2:06 p.m.: Theft on H Street.

February 27, 4:51 p.m.: Runaway on Marine Drive.

February 27, 7:31 p.m.: Vehicle theft on 3rd Street.

February 27, 7:33 p.m.: Theft on Birch Court.

February 28, 9:47 a.m.: Juvenile problem on Mitchell Avenue.

February 28, 10:18 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on H Street.

February 29, 11:52 a.m.: Rape on H Street.

45. Witnesses

47. Strong insects

49. Gasteyer and de Armas are two

50. Ancient people of Scotland

51. Cheerless

55. Sick

tides

Homelessness and the Meaning of Home: Saturday, March 9, 1–2 p.,m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Author and professor Josephine Ensign leads the audience through a values clarification exercise and will share her research on the history of homelessness in Seattle and discuss the contemporary crisis. Info: wcls.libcal.com/event/11455491.

Washington State Boaters Education Classes: Weeks of March 11, April 8, May 6 and June 10. Four-day courses on Zoom. Successful completion qualifies participant for a WA State Boater Education Card – issued by WA State Parks Boating Program (separate application and $10 fee). Cost: $30 and receive a printed book. Sponsored by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Reservations and questions: boatingsafetyWA@gmail.com.

Wings Over Water NW Birding Festival: March 15–17. Speakers, artist reception, guided field trips, viewing stations and more. For complete schedule: wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com. See ad on page 16.

Whatcom READS Author Event: Friday, March 15, 7–8:30 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham. Join author Sasha taqwšeblu LaPointe as she discusses her book, Red Paint, answers questions from the audience and signs books. Free event but tickets required at bit.ly/4c16zvx. Info: Whatcomreads.org.

Native Plant Sale: Saturday, March 16, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Pioneer Park, 2004 Cherry Street, Ferndale. Purchase conservation grade plants for your yard and garden. Info and preorder at whatcomcd.org. Sponsored by Whatcom Conservation District.

A Conversation with Whatcom Reads Author: Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m–noon. Join a lively virtual conversation between Sasha taqwšeblu LaPointe and fellow author, Kristen Millares Young. Registration is required for this online event at wcls.libcal.com/event/11481788.

Supper with the Superintendent: Tuesday, March 19, 6 p.m., school district boardroom, 770 Mitchell Avenue. The community is invited to a questions and answer meeting with Blaine school district superintendent Dr. Christopher Granger. Light meal provided. Info: blainesd.org.

Blaine Community Theater Presents: Terry Pratchett’s Lords and Ladies: Friday and Saturday, March 22-23 and 29-30 at 7 p.m., Sundays, March 24 and 31 at 2 p.m., Blaine High School orange and black box theater (en- trance behind Borderite Stadium). Adults $17, seniors and students $14, children $12. Info and to pre-purchase tickets: blainecommunitytheater.com. Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, March 23, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Over $275 in prizes. Early bird starts at 12:30 p.m. Regular bingo at 1 p.m. Eight games $15. Lunch available for $8 at 11:30 a.m. Info: 360/332-8040.

Ongoing

Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Delivery options available. Info:360/332-6350 or Info@blainefoodbank.org.

The Bridge Food Bank: Fridays, 2 p.m.–4:30 p.m. The Bridge Community Hope Center’s new location, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.

CAP Clothing Bank: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.–noon and Wednesdays, 5–7 p.m. 508 G Street. The Community Assistance Program clothing bank is now located in the basement of the CAP Center providing free clothing and linens. Donations accepted only during open hours or by special arrangement. Info: blainecap.org or 360/392-8484.

Meals on Wheels Frozen Meals: Thursdays 11:30 a.m.–noon, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up five frozen meals. Suggested donation $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

Senior Community Meals: Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Suggested donation of $5 per meal ($8.50 if under 60) or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Donations accepted Wednesdays, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. or by appointment. The Bridge Community Hope Center’s new location, 7620 Birch Bay Drive.

Friends of Birch Bay Library: Meets second Mondays. 6:30 p.m., Birch Bay Birch Bay Vogt Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. Info: friendsofbirchbaylibrary.org.

Weather

Precipitation: During the period of February 26 to March 3, 1.2 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2024 year-to-date precipitation is 10.2 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 50.9°F on February 26 with a low of 30.5°F on February 27. Average high was 48.1°F and average low was 35.6°F.

Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

Friends of Blaine Library: Meets third Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Find out the latest library news at this monthly FOBL Board of Directors meeting. All members and guests are welcome to attend. Info: blainelibraryfriends.org.

Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum: Open Friday–Sundays, 1–5 p.m., 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Free, donations welcome.

Birch Bay Book Club: Wednesday, March 20, 4–5:30 p.m., Birch Bay Vogt Library Express, 7948 Birch Bay Drive. March title: Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Blaine Book Club: Friday, March 15, 1 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. March title: Sourdough by Robin Sloan. Info: Kelly at 360/305-3637.

Narcotics Anonymous: Mondays, 7–8 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ basement, 855 4th Street. Everyone welcome. Info: Blainenarcoticsanonymous@gmail.com.

Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.