News In Brief

Anderson (Dodd) benefit Saturday
A fundraiser for the family of Holly Anderson (Dodd), a Blaine graduate, will be held on March 29. Holly�s husband, Vince, is battling a serious illness, and she is currently pregnant with their second child. They have a young daughter. Proceeds will benefit the family, assisting them with medical costs and other needs. A benefit dance is scheduled for March 29, this Saturday, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Bellingham Boys and Girls Club, 1715 Kentucky Street. There will be classic rock �n roll by Scrub and Megan Hubner, dancing, snacks, beverages and a silent auction. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to donate an item for auction. Donations are also accepted. Tickets are available at the door or at Blaine high school. Call 371-3199 for more information.

City of Blaine completes bond refunds
On Thursday, March 6, 2003 the city of Blaine sold $3,340,000 water and sewer revenue refunding bonds. The purpose of the refunding was to take advantage of low interest rates in the municipal bond market. The city refinanced four outstanding water and wastewater revenue bond issues that had an average interest rate of 5.67 percent. The bond sale resulted in refunding the bonds at an average coupon rate of 3.218 percent. The new bond maturity is 2015. The present value savings for the city of Blaine by refunding bonds is $252,180.36.

Sunset Farm holding open house
Whatcom County Parks and Recreation is holding an open house at the Sunset Farm Equestrian Park on Friday at 1:30 p.m. The park, located on Blaine Road, is seeking businesses to act as partners and assist with funding. The 69-acre park was left to Whatcom County Parks and Recreation by Kay Lowry and her family to be used for recreation.

Chamber to hold �Business of Birds�
The Blaine Chamber of Commerce is holding the �Business of Birds,� a wine social and slide show to discuss the economic opportunities related to birding. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. on March 26 and will be held at the Blaine Boating Center on Marine Drive in Blaine. Joe Meche, of the North Cascades Audubon Society, will present a slide show identifying bird species found in the area. Members of the Blaine, Birch Bay and White Rock chambers, and any interested community members, are welcome to attend. Blaine and Birch Bay were recently listed as an �Important Birding Area� by the National Audubon Society, and were chosen as the location for the first annual Brant Festival, a birding event scheduled for April 12-13.

Math championships headed to Blaine
More than 1,700 5th-to 8th graders from more than 100 schools have registered to compete in this year�s state math championships, held on March 22. Recognized as the largest math competition in the state, the event is underwritten by a $5,000 donation from ConocoPhillips Ferndale Refinery and coordinated and hosted by Blaine school district. The competition starts with each youngster competing individually. After finishing that test, competitors join two or three teammates to compete on tests in Probability & Statistics, Algebra, Geometry and Potpourri (a mix of questions from all categories). Volunteers are needed to serve as proctors and test correctors. Proctors ensure teams are in the correct classroom, explain and enforce rules, and read mental math test questions aloud to the competitors. Proctors start with an orientation at 9 a.m. and supervise a classroom from 9:45 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Correctors check answers on the 3,400-plus tests that are taken. Correctors receive their orientation at 10 a.m. and serve until all tests are corrected or about 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided for proctor and corrector volunteers. If you would like more information or are interested in volunteering, call Gail Wildermuth at 332-6045 ext. 363 or send an e-mail to gwildermuth@blaine.k12.wa.us.