Briefs...

Local pianist celebrates 10 years at Semiahmoo Resort
Local pianist Jon Mutchler will perform this Sunday at the Semiahmoo Resort in celebration of the release of his new Christmas CD Incarnation: Nativity Reflections, and his 10-year anniversary as their in-house pianist.

The performance is scheduled for 4 p.m., Sunday, December 10, at the resort in the Seaview Lobby. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided. CDs will also be available for purchase and signing. His website is www.JonMutchler.com.

$5 million in ecstasy seized at Peace Arch border crossing
Nearly a quarter-million Ecstasy pills were seized at the truck crossing last Wednesday when a Canadian driver attempted to cross into the U.S. James Leystra, 38, of Vancouver, B.C., driving a 1995 Chevrolet Suburban entered the Pacific Highway inspections area around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

According to U.S. Customs and Protection spokesman Mike Milne, customs officers examined the gas tank and found a mechanized false compartment that contained numerous vacuumed sealed bags containing 157 pounds of ecstasy.

Leystra was arrested and faces federal charges for conspiracy to import a controlled substance. Approximately 247,500 pills were discovered in 23 sealed bags.

According to Milne, the pills have an estimated street value of $5 million.

Birch Bay man appointed to crab advisory board
A Birch Bay man has been appointed to serve on a 16-member Puget Sound Crab and Shrimp review panel of the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).

Gerald Larson, a retired Boeing worker and volunteer of the Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee, said he will be representing the Birch Bay and Blaine crabbing areas to the state board of crab and shrimp harvesting.

Larson said he is looking for feedback from local crabbers to communicate community opinions, identify areas of concern, and provide recommendations for current regulations.

Individuals wishing to comment about local crabbing and shrimp harvesting regulations are encouraged to email Gerald Larson at larsong@comcast.net. The information will be passed on to the state DFW to make future recommendations for crabbing and shrimp harvesting regulations.

WWU to offer free counseling
Graduate students in Western Washington University’s psychology department will provide counseling, under faculty supervision, for families and individuals beginning January 9.

Western’s counseling training clinic has openings for families seeking counseling for a wide variety of family concerns.
The clinic also has openings for individual counseling of adults, adolescents and children.

Counselors are trained to deal with a wide range of issues such as depression, anxiety, family concerns, relationship difficulties, vocational choices, grieving, communication problems, parent-child conflicts and childhood issues.

For more information, call Lynn Graham at 360/650-3184 and leave a confidential message with a contact phone number. Calls will be returned before December 16 and after January 2.

Blaine domestic violence survivors sought for study
The Bellingham/Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence is interested in private and confidential interviews with women residents of Blaine who have been involved in a domestic violence incident in Blaine in the past two years where the police were called.

Interviewees will be given a $25 compensation for their time. To schedule an interview at the meeting location of your choice, call 360/312-5700 ext. 203 or email jgertler@dvcommission.org before January 8.