November 24 - 30, 2016
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Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Borderite basketball players Celebrate the holidays prep for a new season, page 6 special section, page 8-9 hosts its AGM, page 13
Holiday activities on deck through December
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Volunteers pack baskets with Thanksgiving supplies
B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
(See Holiday, page 3)
s The Blaine Community Assistance Program packed about 300 boxes with Thanksgiving food for families in need. Boxes ranged in size with some packed for families of two and some for 11 or more.
Photo by Oliver Lazenby
Library survey opens for Birch Bay residents By Oliver Lazenby To help determine the need for a new library branch in Birch Bay, the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is collecting input from Birch Bay residents through a survey. The survey, online at wcls.org, seeks to find out whether library use would increase if Birch Bay residents had the option of using a library in Birch Bay, according to a press release from WCLS. WCLS determined in September that Birch Bay is one of three communities
in the county in most need of a library branch. A service area analysis found that Birch Bay users checked out more than 110,000 items in 2015 and “made significant use of electronic resources.” Also in 2015, 30 percent of items checked out at the Blaine library were lent to Birch Bay residents, as well as 5 percent from Ferndale and 1.5 percent from Lynden, according to a presentation at a November 15 WCLS board of trustees meeting. WCLS isn’t planning to change its services at the Blaine Library or other nearby
EMS levy pulling through despite early indications of a loss After days on the decline, votes are starting to sway in favor of Whatcom County’s Emergency Medical Services levy but it’s still too close to call. If passed, the measure would impose a tax of 29.5 cents per $1,000 of a home’s assessed value over six years to fund Emergency Medical Services in Whatcom County. To win, the measure requires a 60 percent super-majority “Yes” vote to pass. According to numbers tallied on November 22, the
measure was winning with 60.013 percent – that’s 64,061 “Yes” votes and 42,684 “No” votes, a winning margin of only 14 votes. Whatcom County auditor Debbie Adelstein said an estimated 900 ballots were originally challenged but that number now stands at 804 following review by the Whatcom County Canvassing Board. The majority of challenged ballots were due to a mismatched or missing signature or identification, among other reasons. Voters with challenged ballots have un-
til November 28, the day before results are certified, to respond to requests for additional or clarifying information. Close initiative races do not automatically spark a recount, unlike candidate races. A recount must be requested by five registered voters who must make a $0.25 per vote deposit which, in this case, would total nearly $27,000 to pay for the cost of a recount. The deposit would be forfeited in the event that the outcome did not change.
branches if a location is launched in Birch Bay, said Christine Perkins, WCLS executive director. “This would be in addition to Blaine, Ferndale or other branches,” she said. “The Blaine Library would in no way be impacted. We’re still very supportive of Blaine’s needs.” It would, however, affect the Bookmobile, a traveling library that currently parks in Birch for five hours a week. A permanent library would replace that service. (See Library, page 3)
INSIDE
Thanksgiving may be at the forefront, but festive folks from Blaine, Semiahmoo and Birch Bay are already thinking about the month to come – a slew of holiday events are scheduled through December. Starting this Friday, November 25, the Santa Train at Miniature World is back. It will run on weekends through December 11 and then daily December 16-23. Semiahmoo Resort will host a tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 25. Guests are invited to arrive as early as 3:30 p.m. Through December, the resort will also offer a series of holiday-themed events, including a Christmas dinner and a movie, brunch with Santa and family gingerbread house building. Visit semiahmoo.com for more details. Beginning Saturday, December 3, the public is invited to take part in Blaine’s Holiday Harbor Lights festival. Eventgoers will have the chance to ride through town on a horse-drawn carriage at no cost to view artful holiday displays, including the “Land of Sweets” Christmas village. The annual tree lighting will begin at 4:30 p.m. at H Street and Peace Portal Drive and will feature music, caroling, hot cocoa and even a pit stop from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Festive fitness fiends can take part in the Holiday Harbor Lights Obstacle Dash at 2:30 p.m. on December 3. The fun run is presented by Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 and Lets Move Blaine and is also sponsored by local businesses. The dash starts at the H Street Plaza and spans 1.5 miles. The event includes obstacles for all ages and fitness levels. As always, costumes are encouraged. The public can later peruse an arts and crafts bazaar at the Blaine Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 2 and 3 at 763 G Street. The event will feature raffles, lunch, the Cookie Lane treat sale and goods produced by local crafters. Don’t for-
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