Foothills Gazette

Local dog missing! Have you seen him?

Becca Schwarz — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:59:37 +0000

Posted at 6:59 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2010

This is Church Key. He lives on Mosquito Lake Road with his family who very much miss him! He is at least 150 pounds, all white with very thick hair, and is about hip high for most adults. He looks like an adult dog, but is 10 months old. Church Key is a Great Pyrenees, also a herd dog, so he could be chasing animals and people may mistakenly think he is trying to harm them. He has been missing since earlier this week. If anyone sees him, please post a comment here or call the Foothills Gazette office at (360) 599-3320.

Public hearing: 10-foot setback for all properties on Canadian border

Becca Schwarz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:40:10 +0000

The Whatcom County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding a proposed amendment to implement a 10-foot setback for all properties along the Canadian border. The proposal will allow for the International Boundary Commission to manage a 20-foot vista along the border, 10 feet on each side of the border would be managed for this vista. For more information contact Alex Cleanthous at (360)676-6907.

This hearing will be held Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Northwest Annex, 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA. The public can submit written comments and/or attend the hearing to provide oral comments. Written comments may be submitted to:
Whatcom County Planning Commission
ATTN: Becky Boxx
5280 Northwest Drive
Bellingham, WA 98226
Email: PDS_Planning_Commission@co.whatcom.wa.us

Whatcom County Home & Garden Show this weekend

Becca Schwarz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:27:10 +0000

LYNDEN – The 31st annual Whatcom County Home & Garden Show will be held this weekend in Henry Jansen building at the Northwest Washington Fair Grounds in Lynden. The event, sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, features around 175 vendors offering home- and garden-related services, products and information. Guest speakers include: Andy Wappler, of Puget Sound Energy, who will discuss ways to reduce household energy consumption and lower costs, on Friday at 6 p.m.); .Dan Vickery and Matt Locke of HGTV’s “Design Star” competition on Saturday at 1 p.m.; and KING5 TV’s Ciscoe Morris discussing gardening on Sunday at 1 p.m. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available for $7 per adult and $6 per seniors (55 and older). No cost for kids under 16. For more information, visit biawc.com/homeshow.

Mount Baker School District gets $500,000 energy grant

Becca Schwarz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:29:19 +0000

by Stephanie Kosonen
DEMING – The Mount Baker School District recently received a $500,000 grant from the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for energy efficiency improvements.
The district was already looking into how to be more energy efficient before officials learned they could apply for the grant, said Superintendent Dr. Rick Gantman. A contract signed late last year with energy performance contractor Schneider Electric eased the application process, and the sheer need for energy efficiency upgrades helped win the grant, Gantman said.
Old building design contributes to the need for the upgrades. “The oldest buildings in our district are in very, very good shape, but they’re old,” Gantman said, adding some of the buildings were constructed in the 1930s and ‘60s.
According to Schneider Electric’s energy estimates so far, they expect the district to save around 20 percent of its total electrical and natural gas costs once improvements are completed.
“That equals to about 205 tons of carbon emissions saved, or the equivalent of planting 15,000 trees,” said Harrison Eng, LEED engineer with Schneider Electric.
Lighting and heating equipment might be replaced, and walls may be reinforced with insulation to help meet efficiency goals.
“It’s undefined now what the limit of our design work with them will be,” Gantman said.
The scope of work will depend on a cost-benefit analysis, combined with the district’s available capital projects funds. “There are some things we might like to do that might not have a huge energy return, but that might be common sense to improve a building,” he said. “We’ll see what they say.”
What is known is that the energy upgrades will make a big impact on the district’s budget, Eng said.
“An even more substantial impact is in the learning environment,” Eng said. “Updating the lighting levels in the classroom and gyms and making the building HVAC system operate more consistently will create a better environment for students without sacrificing anything financially.”
The next step will be a presentation of what the company finds during an “energy audit” of the district’s buildings.
The audit involves on-site visits from Schneider Electric engineers and computer modeling of the buildings’ current energy use.
For example, light sensors were installed, as well as motion detectors, to record when the lights are on in relation to when people are actively using the space. If the lights are on a lot with little or no motion, the company might recommend motion-sensor light switches that turn on the lights when someone enters a room, Gantman said.
In addition, the company looks at the district’s history of heating bills and other hard data.
Assistant Superintendent Jim Frey compiled the grant proposal. He said the process has been revealing and helpful in determining where the problem spots are within district buildings, and district officials look forward to identifying energy savings and facility upgrades that will crate a better learning environment.
“Our district has done a tremendous job over the years of taking care of the facilities, but some of our lighting, controls, and systems have exceeded their life expectancy,” Frey said. “In addition, some of our building envelopes are not constructed up to modern standards, and we demonstrated that by upgrading, we will experience significant cost savings from a reduction in energy usage.”
Schneider Electric is in the process of working up proposals based on what they have learned, and will make a proposal to the district sometime in March, Frey said.
After that, the district will choose which projects they would like to proceed with.
Gantman said the school board will probably see some project proposals in April or May, and can choose the highest priorities from the list.
“We’re extremely pleased and excited that we get to do some work on our energy usage,” Gantman said. The district has a unique financial model that makes funding these types of projects a challenge, because it is geographically large but contains a small industrial and retail tax base.
“It’s right for Mount Baker School District to get access to this revenue source,” Gantman said. “It’s just plain right.”

Efficiency Projects

Schneider-Electric, the company contracted with the Mount Baker School District to work on energy efficiency improvements, is currently compiling an “energy audit” of the district. The school board will likely see some project proposals in April or May. Mount Baker was one of 59 school districts statewide that received funding.

Published March 1, 2010

North Cascades Highway: Crews to begin snow removal this month

Becca Schwarz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:28:03 +0000

by the Foothills Gazette
NEWHALEM – Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews found lower-than-normal snow levels during a field trip on Feb. 22 up the North Cascades Highway to assess snow conditions, officials said.
“Right now, snow and debris amounts are down compared to previous years. We dug a snow pit near the summit and found a relatively shallow and stable snow pack,” Avalanche Control Supervisor Mike Stanford said in a press release.
Based on the field trip, the assessment team has set a date of March 22 for crews to begin the annual process of snow removal.
Despite the lower-than-normal snow totals, the March 22 start date isn’t any earlier than the previous four years’ start dates, officials said. “We really can’t start any earlier,” Maintenance Assistant Region Administrator Dave Bierschbach said. “Our mountain pass maintenance crews and equipment are on an round-the-clock winter schedule until March 15. That’s the soonest we can release any of the snowblowers and crews from the other mountain passes and bring them here.”
Bierschbach also said that the lower-than-normal snow amounts should make for a faster-than-usual opening and that it could take as few as three weeks instead of the usual six.
The assessment team took snow-depth measurements from Silver Star Gate (milepost 171) all the way to the bare pavement they found about nine miles above the west side closure gate (milepost 134). Measurements included: Silver Star Gate – 3.3 feet compared with 2 feet last year; Cutthroat Ridge #6 – 9 feet compared with 25 feet last year; and Liberty Bell Mountain #1 – 12 feet compared to 40 feet last year.
The highway was closed for the season on Nov. 17, 2009. Last spring, the highway reopened on April 24.
For more information, visit the SR 20 North Cascades Highway web page at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/Passes/NorthCascades/

Published March 1, 2010

Community Clean-Up Day at Saxon Cemetery on March 6

Becca Schwarz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:27:07 +0000

ACME – A Community Clean Up Day event will be held at the Saxon Cemetery on Saturday, March 6.
Whatcom County Cemetery District Commissioner Terri Maleng said the clean up will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The focus will be on rewoving blown down branches, leaves, and other debris on the grounds. Members of the community are invited and encouraged to help. Participants should bring gloves, rakes, and wheelbarrows if possible, Maleng said.
The Foothills 4H group will join the clean up efforts as part of their Community Service Project.
Saxon Cemetery, also known as the Acme Cemetery, is located 1.5 miles off of Highway 9 (Valley Highway), on Doran Road, which turns into Bowman Road. The cemetery includes an American Legion board featuring the names of more than 100 residents who served in the military.

Community Calendar: Local Events

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:48:52 +0000

Tuesday, March 2

Duct Tape Crafts: Teens, make cool stuff with duct tape! All materials provided. 2:45-3:45 p.m. Teens only, free. Refreshments served. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming. Call 592-2422.

WeSNIP Spay Station: Free and low cost dog and cat spay and neuter services aboard the WeSNIP mobile veterinary facility by local doctors and staff. Free with proof of public assistance low cost to others. Other services available at time of surgery. At Dodson’s IGA, Nugents Corner. Starts at 6:15 a.m. Visit www.WeSNIP.org for more information.

Thursday, March 4

Baltic Cousins: Live music at Graham’s Restaurant, Glacier. 9 p.m. 21+after 10 p.m. Call 599-1964.

Friday, March 5

Homeschoolers Game Time: An open game time for anyone who home schools. All ages are welcome and open to all kids. First Friday of the month, March 5, 1–3 p.m., Deming Library Community Meeting Room. Bring your favorite board games. Game time is a “food free zone.” 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming. Call 592-2422.

Friends of the Lynden Library Spring Book Sale: Sorted fiction and non-fiction books, DVD & VHS movies, books on tape, and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lynden Library, 216 4th Street, Lynden.

Saturday, March 6

Community Clean Up Day: Whatcom County Cemetery District 1 (Saxon Cemetary in Acme) is hosting a “Community Clean Up Day” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The focus will be on picking up blown down branches, leaves, and debris. Members of the community are invited and encouraged to bring gloves, rakes, and wheelbarrows if possible.

Everson Lions Club Steak Dinner: The dinner is only $9 per plate for a steak dinner with all the fixins! Bring the family out, join the neighborhood groups and catch up on old times. 5–7 p.m. at theEverson Senior Center, Main St., Everson.
Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Auction: Silent, live and dessert auction, as well as a buffet dinner and jazz music by the Mark Kelly quartet, from 6-10 p.m. at the Northwood Hall, located at 3240 Northwest Ave., Bellingham. Tickets are available for $50 per person and can be purchased by contacting Jan Stamey at 647-1415 or nwwildlife@netzero.net.

The Replayzements: Music at Club 542, Nooksack River Casino. Starts at 9 p.m.

Friends of the Lynden Library Spring Book Sale: See March 5.

Upcoming

Free Community Pancake Breakfast: Saturday, March 13. The Mount Baker Lions Club will be offering its free Community Pancake Breakfast from 8–11 a.m. at Kendall Elementary School. All are welcome from the community.

Whatcom Farm Forestry Association Tree Sale: Saturday, March 13. 10 a.m. to noon at the Lynden Fair Grounds, Henry Jansen Ag Center. Fifteen types of trees are available, including pine, cedar, fir and spruce varieties, for 85 cents each. For more information, call 332-5803.

Rubber Band Mania! Saturday, March 13. There are so many amazing things to do and make with rubber bands. Join Laurie Dawson and see for yourself! For ages five and up. 10:30 a.m. Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Dr., Everson. Call 966-5100.

Music Extravaganza! Saturday, March 13. Learn how to play the recorder and make a rubber band guitar. With Ellen Dodson. For ages 5 and up. 10:30 a.m. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming. Call 592-2422.

Bead ‘Soup’ Bracelet Class: Saturday, March 13. 3–6 p.m. at Mountainside Gardens, 6900 Mount Baker Highway. Join instructor Aly Brown and learn the peyote stitch and design a bracelet with the color and bead combination of your choice. Cost is $30, plus materials fee of $5 – $10. Call 599-2890 or visit www.mountainsidegardens.com.

Spoonshine: Saturday, March 13. Live music at Graham’s Restaurant, Glacier. 9 p.m. 21+ after 10 p.m. Call 599-1964.
Northwest WA Steelheaders Benefit Auction: Saturday, March 13. Deming Log Show Grounds, doors open at 4 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m., followed by auctions. $25 per person or $45 per couple. For more information, call Dave at 220-0067.

Hambone: Saturday, March 13. Music at Club 542, Nooksack River Casino. Starts at 9 p.m.

Kendall PTO Community Potluck: Friday, March 19. 6 – 7:30 p.m. All welcome from the community. Bring a dish to share.

Ongoing

Bingo in Sumas: Proceeds benefit veterans, charities and local scholarships. Sumas American Legion Hall, 134 Harrison St. Sundays at 12:40 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays at 6:40 p.m. Call 966-4971.

Deming Library: Open Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 5044 Mt. Baker Highway. Call 592-2422.

Everson Library: Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday. 104 Kirsch Drive, Everson. Call 966-5100.

Everson Senior Center: March schedule: 3/03: 1 p.m. Board Meeting; 3/10: 12:30 p.m. Nomination for Board Members; 3/12: 12:45 p.m. Loretta Green Sing-a-long; 3/17: 12 noon, St. Patrick’s Day Lunch, 12:30 p.m., Luck of the Irish Party – games & prizes; 3/26: 9:15 a.m., Pool Tournament, 12 noon, Birthday Lunch, 12:30 p.m. Carol Simmer shares healthy soup recipes and chocolate. Water Color Classes on 3/19, 3/24, and 3/31 at 12:45 p.m. 3/31: 12:30 p.m., Speaker with information on the Gate Keeper Program, the advocacy group for seniors. Ongoing schedule is the same. Hot lunch at noon. Cost is $3 – $5.50 by donation. Membership dues $10 a year. Open Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 111 W. Main St., Everson. Call 966-3144.

Glacier Public Service Center: Open weekends 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last day of season is Saturday, march 13. National Register of Historic Places. Permits, trail conditions, books. Call 599-2714.

Karaoke & Piano Bar: Karaoke every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. Piano Bar every Sunday at 6 p.m. Bobby Lee’s, 108 W. Main Street, Everson. Call 966-8838.

Knit Night at Deming Library: Wednesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. All welcome. 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming. Call 592-2422.

Maple Falls Library: Open Tues. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7509 Mt. Baker Highway. Call 599-2020.

Maple Falls Sew and Sews (quilt group) meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 at Kendall Elementary School. Quilters of all skill levels are encouraged to join. For more information, call Kathleen at 392-8717.

Kept in Stitches: Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. Everson-McBeath Library, 104 Kirsch Dr., Everson. For more information, call 966-5100.

Preschool storytime: A half-hour of stories and more for preschoolers. Deming Library: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; Everson Library: Mondays, 10:30 a.m.; Maple Falls Library: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Sumas Library: Mondays, 11 a.m.

Sumas Senior Center: Lunch available Monday and Friday. All welcome. Call 988-2714 for potluck dates, lunch menu. 461 2nd Street, Sumas.

Sumas Library: Open Mondays and Wednesdays 12:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. 451 2nd Street, Sumas. Call 988-2501.

Sumas Library Knit Night: Enjoy conversation while working on needle crafts. Mondays from 6-7:30 p.m. Free, open to the public. Call 988-2501.

Welcome Valley Senior Center: Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 5103 Mosquito Lake Road, Deming. Call 592-5403 for events and lunch menu.

Wickersham Bookmobile: Saturdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Little Brown Chapel, Wickersham and Royer Streets. wcls.org.

The Write Idea: A writing and discussion club for authors of all ages. Bring pen/pencil, paper, and ideas. Thursdays, from 4-6 p.m. at the Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Drive, 966-5100.

Upcoming work party at Bell Creek

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:46:10 +0000

DEMING – The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) and the Whatcom Land Trust will hold a work part at Bell Creek in Deming on Saturday, March 13. The volunteer work party will remove non-native, invasive plant species such as Himalayan blackberry and Japanese knotweed, as well as old barbed-wire fencing along Bell Creek and the North Fork of the Nooksack River. To access this new site, take Bell Creek Road off of Mount Baker Highway and watch for signs. Parking will be available. Volunteers are welcome and need to check in at the blue NSEA tent.

EVERYDAY LIFE: The dentist

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:44:54 +0000

It was time. A 35 year old root canal had given up and the tooth was ready to go. Where I don’t know, maybe to the Tooth Fairy, but I think the fairy gave up on getting that tooth years ago. Probably have to pay to get it out from under my pillow at this point. One way or another it was going to come out soon, so I decided to let a dentist look at it. At least they’d know what to do with it. And maybe I’d be able to eat cold pizza without a fork again.
So where do you find a dentist? The last one I went to 28 years ago was in Edmonds, WA. Surely he was dead. And his name was Dr. Cruikshank. I had no desire to see any dentist named Cruikshank ever again. I’m sure he was a good dentist, but the name still makes me shudder. The only thing I clearly remember is that getting the Novocain shot felt worse than not getting it. He’d wiggle the needle around to make sure you felt it, and every section of your mouth got at least 4 shots.
I could have used a phone book. But that was just too confusing, so I pulled an issue of the Gazette out of the kitty litter box. That’s where I found my dentist. Not in the litter box, in the paper. Truth is we don’t have a cat or a litter box, but I do have a dentist. And his name isn’t Cruikshank.
Before I had time to think about it I was walking through the door to Ellis Dentistry for my first appointment. What I found there was scary, but only in the incongruity of not being what a dentist office is supposed to be. Or how it’s supposed to be when your dentist is Cruikshank and you haven’t been there in 28 years. The people there are nice. Nothing they did hurt. And Barb my hygienist was stoked to clean the disgusting filth of 28 years out of my mouth.
But first the x-rays, sure enough that tooth was ready to come out. In fact the x-ray showed it hanging there without a stitch of bone holding it in. Looking at it all you could do was wonder how it hadn’t dropped to floor years ago. Seems cracks associated with the 35 year old root canal had allowed bacteria to get into the bone and eat it away. Yuck and ouch. But did it bother me ever? Well it used to once in awhile but the pain only lasted a couple of days then would go away. I’d forget about until the next time. And frankly, it hadn’t really hurt in over a year. Well no wonder dumb___. You can fill in the blank.
Three hours later after what to me was a thorough clean, I found out I had to come back for two more two hour deep cleaning sessions. And still Barb remained stoked. I guess she figured by the time she got done with me she’d finally be able to stand my breath. I sure hope so. So does my wife.
Next stop is the orthodontist. He doesn’t advertise in the local paper, so I won’t mention his name. But I’m sure I’ll have more stories after he yanks out my tooth, and the little one next to it for good measure. Amazingly after 28 years without seeing a dentist, or a Cruikshank, I didn’t have one cavity. But my teeth are falling out anyway. It’s going to cost me about $200 apiece to have them yanked. And no Tooth Fairy, these teeth are well past their prime and not worth a wooden nickel.

John McKnight has been exploring Whatcom and Skagit counties for over 25 years. He can be e-mailed at john@foothillsgazette.com.

March Mud Madness: Having fun with spring’s main ingredient

Becca Schwarz — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:44:02 +0000

by Joe “Grizzly” Beeks
It’s officially March. The days are getting longer again, kids are waking up earlier, and the birds are chirping each morning. There may be snow in the hills, but March for most folks means the start of Spring, or at least the fact it’s starting to be near the start of Spring. Heck, it could be weeks – or months (remember last year?) – before we see continual warmer weather, but we know it’s coming. We know we have made it through the winter blahs that often come in January and February.
While plenty of folks will continue to seek fresh powder at Mt. Baker and beyond, others look longingly at their garden, hiking shoes and t-shirts. The time is coming. And I’m not just saying that.
Growing up, this time of year signified one thing for my brother and I. Well, actually two. It was the start of Spring (even though March 1 was not the official start of the season on the calendar), which meant only one thing to us: mud. Ah, mud. The Mucky Underbelly of Dirt, as my dad liked to call it.
The mud season, most often plentiful in March, April and May, was sort of like summer vacation (but not as good!). It’s arrival signaled longer playing time outside and the coming warmer weather that would eventually bring bare feet, swimming holes and barbecues. But until we could have bare feet, we had our mud boots. We wore them plenty, and they were plenty dirty.
My boots were green with a thick black line at the top. My brother had brown boots with paw prints on them. But many times one could not tell whose boots were whose. Except for the small difference in sizing, our boots were often completely covered in mud. When we would head back to the house for dinner, my mother smiled and shook her head at the same time.
Mud is a universal joy for kids, our folks knew that and let us revel in it. We made mud pies, jumped in puddles (what kid doesn’t jump in puddles?!), dug trenches, built forts, and buried all sorts of things. We played under rainy skies, we played under sunny skies. Sometimes we played under dark skies by the light of the moon or by the front porch light.
My brother and I may be adults now, but we still love to play outside. We don’t make mud pies much anymore, but muddy mountain biking is certainly in order.
And yes, we plan to get plenty dirty, so dirty we won’t be able to tell the difference between our boots.

Published March 1, 2010