News in Brief

Thriftway building changes hands
Local investor K. Dillon Shickli has purchased the former Brown & Cole Thriftway grocery store 638 - 648 Peace Portal Drive, at the corner of G Street, with plans to convert the 16,500 square-foot facility into a warehouse-style furniture store. Sources at Windermere Realty said that Shickli hopes to open his store by the end of April and has hired Brian Hrutfiord as store manager. The name of the store is Worldly Treasures Furniture.
With the sale, The Blender, a youth drop-in center, has vacated the building. The Blender had occupied the space on a rent-free basis since January 2001. Brown & Cole and Worldly Treasures Furniture have each donated $2,500 to the Whole Town Team of Blaine, the operators of The Blender.

Habitat for Humanity to hold annual benefit in Blaine
Habitat for Humanity�s second annual �Raise the Roof� benefit auction is coming to Blaine on Saturday, March 13. The event will feature both live and silent auctions, offering a chance to bid on items such as original art, nights at B&Bs and resorts, as well as aerial tours and food at local eateries. Tickets are $40 each and include dinner and dessert. All profits raised go towards building affordable housing for local families. To purchase your tickets, call 715-9170 by March 5.

Teacher of the year nominations kick off
The Washington state superintendent of public instruction has announced the opening of nominations for the annual state teacher of the year award. Any Blaine school staff member who is a full-time teacher, currently teaching and who plans to continue teaching may be nominated. Two Blaine nominees will be recommended to the regional Educational Service District (ESD), one of eight in the state. Each ESD selects one candidate who receives a $500 award. The eight candidates will then compete for the teacher of the year award. The winner receives a $6,000 award and special training at the NASA space camp and three days in Washington, D.C. Nominated teachers must demonstrate outstanding achievement, community involvement, professional development, and teaching methods to meet the state standards in education reform.Nominations can be submitted to a building principal or superintendent by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 15.

Nominees wanted for annual Woof &Whiskers
The Whatcom Humane Society is seeking nominations for their second annual Woof & Whisker Awards. The awards ceremony, held in early May will recognize special people, businesses, children or animals that have gone the extra mile for animals in Whatcom County. Categories for nominations include �Humanitarian of the Year,� a special individual or group who has dedicated their time and resources to helping animals at the shelter, in the community or beyond, as well as �Humane Educator of the Year,� a special teacher who has incorporated humane education and/or living into their classroom. The deadline for nominations is March 31. More information can be obtained by calling 733-2080 or emailing outreach@whatcomhumane.org.

Birch Bay Sub-Area plan hearing to be set
The Whatcom County Council agenda introduced an ordinance on Tuesday, February 24 that will eventually lead to discussion and adoption of theBirch Bay Sub-Area Community Plan. A hearing before the council is planned but by press time had not yet been scheduled. Council is expected as part of the discussion to take up the matter of Ellen Shea�s appeal of a planning commission decision to deny her rezone application. Shea is hoping to open a spa/retreat in a former residence in Birch Bay.