FEATURES

Photo by Meg Olson

"They need to fine tune it," was one Point Roberts cell phone user's response to the long awaited activation of the the Point's only cell tower.

According to Verizon Wireless spokesman Scott Charleston the Point Roberts cellular transmission tower was "up and running" at noon on April 30. 

The tower, located on land rented from the parks department adjacent to Baker Field, has been in the works since 2005 and has been anticipated by local users and agencies such as the fire and sheriff's office as the solution to spotty cell phone service on the Point. 

Since Monday, users have said their phones were "switching between Verizon and extended" or getting meager reception from the Verizon network. Charleston was not available to discuss the company's plans to improve service. 

  Photo by Meg Olson

Dave Scott is back patrolling Point Roberts streets 20 years after his first posting here as one of two local Whatcom County Sheriff's deputies. 

"I enjoyed it up here last time I was up," said Scott, and it was the perfect choice as he and his wife look towards retirement and work on plans to build a home in Idaho. Scott was on the Point last from 1993 to 1997, and he has since worked in the county focusing on traffic safety and crash investigations, experience he hopes to use to make Point Roberts roads safer. 

"The amount of traffic coming in here is amazing," Scott said. "It's a very transient crowd. Part of enforcement is education and it's hard to educate a transient crowd." He said he and fellow deputy Glen Slick would be making efforts to be more visible as a way to make the point that law enforcement is out and enforcing speed limits and traffic laws.

Weeds, weeds, weeds ... it is difficult to keep up at this time of year. Although the destructive activity of weeding is a gardening pursuit that I enjoy, I admit that this enjoyment has its limits. In spring, when it seems like more weeds than garden plants are popping up, weed removal is time consuming, back-breaking and outright frustrating. For more of Rhiannon Allen's gardening advice, read column.

EVENTS

Donate to the Point Roberts PTO Garage Sale: Through Monday, May 20, weekdays, 1:30-4 p.m., Point Roberts Primary, 2050 Benson Road. Sale Saturday and Sunday, May 25-26, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Put aside your gently used items and donate them to help raise funds for Point Roberts Primary School. Info: 945-2223.  

Brewster's Birthday Wine Dinner: Friday, May 3, 7 p.m., 1379 Gulf Road. All-inclusive five-course dinner, each course paired with a wine. Advance reservations required. Info: 945-4545.  

Reader's Theater: Fridays, May 3 and 10, 7 p.m., community center. Join in with other theater lovers to read one-act plays aloud. Performance at its best - all fun, no pressure. Info: Barb Wayland, 945-3012.

Caffe Capanna Grand Re-Opening: Saturday, May 4, 7 a.m., 1345 Gulf Road. Try out their revamped menu. Info: 945-0234.

Opening Day of Boating: Saturday, May 4, 1 p.m., the flag pole at the marina near Pier Restaurant. Flag-raising and blessing of the fleet.  

"Fotos and Fabric" Opening: Saturday, May 4, 2-5 p.m., Blue Heron Gallery, 1360 Gulf Road. Show by Lowell and Sandy Holland. Chat with the artists and enjoy refreshments. As an added bonus, choose your favorite  and on May 30, one lucky gallery patron will win the popular choice "Foto". Info: 945-2747.  

Music from the Golden Oldies: Sunday, May 5, 7 p.m., Trinity Community Lutheran Church, 1880 APA Road. Info: 945-7105.

Dollars for Students Application Deadline: Friday, May 10. Applications at Banner and Sterling banks and the library. Info: Steve O'Neill, 945-2233.

Celebrate Helena's Birthday: Saturday, May 11, 8 p.m., Kiniski's Reef Tavern, 1334 Gulf Road. Live music by the KORE. Info: 945-REEF.

Bring your camera, bring your questions: Mondays, May 13 and 27, 1-3 p.m., Blue Heron Gallery, 1360 Gulf Road. Photographer-in-residence Lowell Holland will answer questions. Info: 945-2747.

Book, Plant and Community Garage Sale: Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., community center. Rain or shine. Book sale by Friends of the Library, plant sale by Point Roberts Garden Club and free garage sale spaces for the community. Info: Barbara Wayland, 945-3012.

Spring Fling: Saturday, May 25, 6 p.m., community center. Featuring a talent show - sign up now! Tickets $10, or $25 for two tickets and 2013 coupon book. Info: visitpointroberts@gmail.com.

"Banchetto Musicale" by the Bergamasca Recorders: Sunday, May 26, 4 p.m., Trinity Community Lutheran Church, 1880 APA Road. Info: 945-7105. 

MEETINGS AND ONGOING EVENTS

WEATHER