August 1 - 7, 2019
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Seahawks fans to gather at Birch Bay event, page 7
Vandals start fire on school campus, page 10
Peace Arch concert series begins on Sunday, page 11
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Remember to vote in the August 6 primaries By Jami Makan
(See Primaries, page 6)
See website for hours www.haggen.com Offer valid through August 6 with CARD
s The Paddle to Lummi tribal canoe journey took place from July 24 to 28. During the event, canoe families visiting from Washington, B.C., Alaska and beyond asked permission to land in their native languages. After being welcomed ashore by the Lummi Nation, they participated in traditional singing, dancing and gift-giving. The annual celebration of indigenous cultures, hosted by different native nations each year since 1989, attracted thousands of people.
Photo courtesy of Children of the Setting Sun Productions
Lots to do at the Drayton Harbor Days maritime festival By Jami Makan The Drayton Harbor Days maritime festival happens this weekend, allowing Blaine and Birch Bay residents to participate in a variety of maritime-themed activities. The festival will take place on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive. On Saturday, attendees can start the day off with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be arts, crafts and food vendors at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center. There will also be kids’ games and a scavenger hunt, as well as model boat and steam boat displays. Kids’ Pirate Daze will take place across
the street at the Blaine Marine Park playground from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Pirates of all ages can participate in the games and shenanigans. Come in costume and join the parade at noon, with a grand finale water balloon battle at 2 p.m. The Prestigious George Raft Race will kick off at 1 p.m. at the Blaine Harbor public boat launch. Participating teams will race homemade vessels crafted from a wide variety of materials. “The race can get quite competitive with rafts going head to head with near photo finishes,” said founding director Richard Sturgill. On Sunday, a similar range of activities will take place, including arts, crafts and food vendors, kids’ games, a scavenger hunt, live music and model boat and steam boat displays. A pet contest will occur at 1 p.m. at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center.
Free Picnic!
! E E R F
Hempler’s Bun Buster Franks 16 oz
Haggen Stadium Rolls 6 Count
As part of the annual festival, the public will have the chance to climb aboard tall ship Lady Washington after it arrives (See Festival, page 6)
INSIDE
The August 6 primary election is coming up, giving voters a chance to vote for candidates running for various offices in Whatcom County. Offices up for primary election of interest to Blaine and Birch Bay voters include Whatcom County executive, Whatcom County Council district 5, Blaine City Council ward 2, Blaine school district director districts 2 and 4 and fire protection district 21 commissioner position 3. A primary election is only held for offices for which three or more candidates have filed. After a primary election, the two candidates with the most votes continue on to the general election, which takes place on November 5. Those who wish to vote in the primaries must be registered to vote. The deadline to register online or by mail has already passed. However, residents can still register in person, up to and including election day, by visiting the Whatcom County auditor’s office during business hours, where a clerk can assist with the registration process. The office is located at 311 Grand Avenue, suite 103 in Bellingham. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those who register in person will be handed their ballot right away, said Diana Bradrick, Whatcom County chief deputy auditor. They then have a few options to vote their ballot. They can fill it out in the office right then and there, guaranteeing that their ballot meets the deadline. Another option is to take it home, fill it out and return it to any one of the drop boxes in Whatcom County. Drop boxes opened on July 17. The Blaine drop box is located at the Blaine library, 610 3rd Street and the Birch Bay drop box is located at North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, 4581 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. All drop boxes close at 8 p.m. on election day. No stamp is needed. A third option is to mail the ballot through the post office. However, in order to be counted, the ballot must be postmarked on election day or sooner. Because of service cut off times, ballots taken to a post office on election day may actually not get postmarked until
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