Briefs

Discovery Days moves to state park
The Discovery Days arts and crafts festival will be moved to Birch Bay State Park this year.
Genée Haws Kay, president of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event, said the chamber board of directors had been looking for a space near the water for some time but the state park became available only after parking fees were removed earlier this year.
“Everyone is excited,” she said. “We’ve been getting emails and applications since we’ve announced the location. It’s a good thing.”
Only 10 food-vending spaces are available and vendors will be granted space on a first come, first served basis, Haws Kay said. Applicants will receive 10 percent off the cost of their booth space and Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce members will receive a 20 percent discount on booth space if payment is received before April 30.
The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 15 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 16. Set-up spaces will be available starting at 3 p.m. Friday, July 14.
The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce is also still looking for volunteers for the parade, as well as the Sandcastles contest in June. For more information or to volunteer, call 371-5004.

Run to the Border still seeks help
Organizers of the fifth annual Run to the Border fun run are still seeking volunteer help and donations for the event on June 3.
Dan Persse, a Blaine elementary school physical fitness instructor who helped organize the run, said he is still seeking $250 cash or in-kind donations to raise money for Girls on the Run, a 10-week program that aims to increase girls’ participation in high school running programs through self-esteem.
Persse said money is still needed for scholarships to keep underprivileged girls involved in the program.
“These programs cost $140 per child but these are girls that don’t necessarily fit the $140 profile,” he said. “Scholarships are what keep these kids in the program.”
The event includes a 1.5 mile run around the track at Blaine high school and a 5K run from the high school to Peach Arch Park and back. Both the 1.5 mile and 5K courses start and finish at the Blaine high school track in front of the grandstands.
Hawaiian leis will be given out after the completion of each lap and pre-registration includes a free Run to the Border cotton t-shirt.
For more information, to register, or to donate to Girls on the Run, contact Persse at 371-3882 or runtotheborder@comcast.net.

Paso del Norte moves south
Paso del Norte owner Miguel Ramos has announced plans to move his popular Mexican restaurant to 758 Peace Portal Drive, the current location of Café International.
Ramos said he had been looking for a new space for some time after he learned of the proposed redevelopment of the Peace Arch port of entry near his restaurant at 289 Second Street. So when Café International owner Steve Lawrenson decided to shut down the café part of his business, he offered to rent the space to Ramos.
“We’ve entered into a lease with Paso del Norte,” Lawrenson said. “They’re very nice, hard-working people. This will hopefully give them some more space.”
Ramos said is excited about the move and the chance to create a new look and some additional menu items including more low-carb items and a possible salad bar. He also said he would like to create an outdoor seating area on the sidewalk.
“Everything’s going to be new,” he said. “We will also have bigger booths, more seating and a nice lounge.”
Lawrenson, whose father Art first opened the Café International in 1960, eventually adding a motel, card room and tavern, said the closure of the café came after he and his father both decided they wanted more free time. The Lawrenson family will continue to manage the motel, tavern and the building, which they own.
“We just decided 33 years in the restaurant business was enough,” Lawrenson said. “We’ve met a lot of wonderful people and had a lot of wonderful staff, but it’s quite a bit to handle.”
Café International is scheduled to close June 24. Ramos said Paso del Norte will be open at their new location in early September. They will remain open at their current location until that time.