News in Brief

City to form plant relocation committee
The city of Blaine is interested in forming an advisory committee focused on the relocation of the wastewater treatment plant. The advisory committee will include broad representation from various stakeholder groups with an interest in the various alternatives the city might consider for treatment of wastewater in the future. The committee will serve as both a sounding board and a voice for the stakeholder constituencies during the planning for this project.
To ensure good representation of the varied community interests, the city is proposing a committee of not more than 10 persons comprised of different backgrounds, including environment, business, real estate and development, recreation and education. Elected officials, a state department of ecology staffer and two members of the general public are also hoped to comprise the staff. During the next several months, the committee will meet approximately five times with a facilitator to develop recommendations for city council. Committee membership will be finalized at the May 12 city council meeting. Applications for membership are available at city hall and online at www.cityofblaine.com.

Local individuals, group to be honored
One organization and several individuals in the Blaine community will be honored this weekend with an award for professional excellence. The Woodring College of Education at Western Washington University, will present the awards on Saturday, May 3. The Blaine family service center will be recognized for its contribution and service to education and human services.
John Dennison, a fifth grade teacher, and Tricia Johnson, a lunchroom supervisor and parent volunteer, will also be honored for their commitment to the community. Randy Belville, an active school supporter, will be awarded the Heart and Hands Award, which is sponsored by several groups including the Whatcom Volunteer Center and BP Cherry Point Refinery. Belville was one of eight individuals selected to designate $250 to the nonprofit organization of his choice, at an April 27 ceremony. Western Washington University President Karen Morse will give the awards at a luncheon at the Best Western Lakeway Inn in Bellingham.

Birch Bay residents help launch learning store
Barbara and Dan Sanford, retired teachers and Birch Bay homeowners, have grouped together with seven other retired teachers to start Launching Success Learning Store, a child learning and education store in Bellingham created to help Whatcom County teachers and parents find supplementary curriculum and learning tools for children. The partners� combined teaching experience represents 150 years and their combined business management experience is over 60 years. The store will offer special events including author appearances, storytellers, science demonstrations, art competition, and training in the use of some of the special tools. The store, located in the Northwest Shopping Center on Northwest Avenue, is opening on May 19. However, a grand opening celebration is scheduled for May 31. Other partners are Bob Gwaltney, Sandy and Bob Hiorns, and Kathy and Mike Kettman.

Fire station broken into over weekend
The new fire station on Odell Road was broken into last weekend. About $1,000 in tools were stolen, said fire chief Jim Rutherford. The robbers apparently went around the fence and were able to get inside the fire house. There was no real damage to the building, Rutherford said, however new locks had to be installed. There are no suspects at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Blaine police department at 332-6769.

Shuckin� on the Spit this Saturday
Great food and family fun take center stage this weekend as local seafood aficionados gather together to enjoy the delicacies of the sea, while supporting shellfish habitat restoration, at the second annual �Shuckin� on the Spit Festival,� May 3 at Semiahmoo Resort. Presented by the Puget Sound Restoration Fund, Semiahmoo Resort, the Trillium Corporation and local advocates for clean water, the event celebrates the local seafood tradition while raising awareness and money to help restore Drayton Harbor near Blaine for future shellfish harvests. Last year more than 600 people attended the festival to raise funds for habitat restoration.
Tickets are on sale at Semiahmoo Resort for $20 for adults ($25 at the door), $5 for kids ages 7 to 12, and children under six are free. The admission fee includes the meal and all activities. All profits from the festival benefit the Drayton Harbor Restoration Fund. Festival hours are 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Drayton Harbor was closed to commercial, tribal and recreational shellfish harvesting in 1999, when the harbor was classified as being too polluted for a safe harvest. In 2001, the Drayton Harbor Community Oyster Farm�a project of the Puget Sound Restoration Fund�organized with the goal of cleaning up the harbor to restore shellfish harvesting. The harvest target is 2004.
For more information regarding the Shuckin� on the Spit Festival, please contact Semiahmoo Resort at 800/770.7992 or visit the events website at www.shuckinonthespit.com.

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