May 5 - 11, 2022
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
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Port looks at increasing moorage rates, page 3
Ziply Fiber coming to Blaine and Birch Bay, page 5
Blessing of the Fleet photos, page 8
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Lynden pageant star dies at 16 By Grace McCarthy
(See Posey, page 3)
s Blaine Chamber of Commerce celebrated the start of its new art studio tour with a semi-formal gala April 29. Artists displayed their art and mingled with the public before the April 30 art tour that took over downtown Blaine, Semiahmoo and Birch Bay. There will be two more studio tours, May 28 and June 25. Photo by Louise Mugar
Art studio tour draws crowds first weekend By Grace McCarthy Artists hailed the first art studio tour a success after a sweeping turnout painted downtown Blaine, Semiahmoo and Birch Bay as arts destinations. A semi-formal gala set the weekend event into motion April 29 as over 150 artists and art connoisseurs alike mingled while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and fine wine. The event served as a gathering place before artists sectioned off to home studios and businesses like the Blaine Welcome Center and Living Pantry for the April 30 studio tour. Blaine Chamber of Commerce director Sheila Wood said she was happy with the first studio tour’s turnout and hopes the next two tours, May 28 and June 25,
garner just as large of a turnout. Wood said she saw 60 people visit artists at the welcome center and a handful of people waiting in line to buy art from Semiahmoo artists. Most attendees were local, while a few came as far as Seattle to see everything from watercolors to textile design. “The artists were really excited to show their artwork,” Wood said of the gala. “It inspired people to go the next day and see the artists.” For Bellingham artist Kevin Hoover, the studio tour allowed him to share his work to friends and family in the town where he grew up. Hoover took art classes at Blaine High School but didn’t start creating abstract modern art seriously until the pandemic. Although Hoover has shown his work at Allied Arts in Bellingham and
County to hold short-term rental public hearing B y P a t G r u bb Whatcom County Council will hold an advisory public hearing at 6 p.m. May 10 to gather public comments on proposed amendments to Title 20 zoning to regulate short-term vacation rentals (STRs). The purpose of the advisory hearing is to gauge public interest in whether such regulations are needed or supported by the public. Council first took up the issue of STRs in 2014 after receiving complaints from neighbors abutting STRs. Under Whatcom
County Code, vacation rentals are allowed wherever single-family dwellings are permitted. Council has discussed the issue in committees 12 times so far beginning September 16, 2014 through March 8, 2022. Staff provided a range of regulatory schemes ranging from permitted outright as single-family dwellings, permitted with performance standards, permitted in specified locations, permitted with registration through prohibition. In more recent council planning and development committee meetings, interest
was expressed in the process of registering STRs. Staff has offered one solution in the form of a software vendor, Granicus, which offers Host Compliance. The software automatically monitors over 60 STR websites and provides address information, compliance monitoring and permitting and registration. It also provides a 24/7 hotline with a dedicated phone number to make it easy for neighbors to report, prove and resolve non-emergency STR-related problems. It (See Rentals, page 3)
a Seattle gallery, his exhibit at The Vault Wine Bar and Bistro last weekend was the first time he’s displayed his art solo. “Making art is very gratifying but so is the sharing of it and convening with other people,” he said. “People want to talk and learn about it so that’s pretty fun too. It was a great opportunity for that.” Hoover said he spent a lot of time creating works and preparing for the tour in the weeks leading up to the event. He creates art from his subconscious, following wherever his mind leads him on the canvas. “It feels really gratifying and I can recognize art is so subjective,” he said. “Even the people who love and know me, the art may not speak to them. You can gauge if (See Art studio, page 10)
INSIDE
Law enforcement agencies have not identified the juvenile discovered dead at Birch Bay State Park May 2, but other news sources as well as the family have identified the teenager as 16-year-old Kailia Posey of Lynden. Posey’s family confirmed the death was by suicide to Hollywood news outlet TMZ. Washington State Patrol (WSP) is the lead agency investigating the death. Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office called WSP at 1:26 p.m. May 2 to assist with the death investigation, WSP trooper Jacob Kennett said. Washington State Parks is also assisting in the investigation. WSP has declined to release any information regarding the death other than the fact that it was a juvenile. Whatcom County medical examiner Dr. Allison Hunt did not respond by press time on whether the cause of death was determined for the juvenile found at Birch Bay State Park. “I don’t have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone,” Posey’s mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, wrote on Facebook. “Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.” Posey gained fame as a child starring on TLC’s hit reality TV show “Toddlers and Tiaras,” which followed the lives of child pageant stars. She most recently placed third for Miss Washington Teen USA in February. She was also a gifted contortionist who performed with Cirque du Soleil and played Agnes in the 2019 Netflix film “Eli,” according to her Washington Teen USA bio. She made the Dean’s list for the 2020-21 school year and wanted to become a commercial pilot after graduating. Posey was set to join Lynden High School’s cheerleading team next fall, according to her mom’s Facebook posts. She had celebrated her 16th birthday April 19. International media outlets such as BBC, People Magazine and The Sun have reported on Posey’s death, remembering her for the mark she made in the pageant and entertainment industry.
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