Around the Bays

Meeting seeks input on county issues

Whatcom County planning and development staff will host a community meeting to gather public comments on transportation concerns and potential improvement projects for the Birch Bay Urban Growth Area (UGA).

The meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. June 12 at the Birch Bay Bible Community Church at 7039 Jackson Road in Birch Bay. The meeting will focus on updating the transportation chapter of the Birch Bay community plan to identify future transportation projects to address the safety and mobility needs and anticipated growth in the Birch Bay UGA over the next 20 years.

For more information, contact John Everett at 360/676-6907.

Visitor program helps elderly, disenfranchised residents

The Whatcom County Interfaith Coalition’s friendly visitors program will offer a training session on Wednesday, June 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. for individuals who wish to make a difference in the lives of isolated older adults. Call 756-5179 to reserve a space.

Donate blood in Birch Bay
The Birch Bay Lions Club and the Puget Sound Blood Center have scheduled a blood donation drive on Monday, June 11 at the Birch Bay Fire Station. Donation hours are noon to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m. For more information, or to schedule an appointment contact Kathy Berg at 371-0171 or kathyberg@comcast.net. 

Birch Bay meetings for the month of June

The Birch Bay Steering Committee, a group of residents who organize town hall meetings for the community of Birch Bay, meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Birch Bay Bible Community Church at 7039 Jackson Road in Birch Bay. The group also coordinates the meetings of its implementation subcommittees and invites residents of Birch Bay to get involved in planning for the community’s future. Meetings for the month of June include:

• Tuesday, June 12: The Birch Bay transportation plan open house/workshop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the church. Goals include the updating the transportation element of the Birch Bay subarea plan of the Whatcom County comprehensive plan. 
• Wednesday, June 13: BBWARM/Stormwater Management/Shellfish Protection - 7 p.m. at the Birch Bay Bible Community Church.
• Thursday, June 14: North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (Fire Dist. 21) Board of commissioners meeting – 7 p.m. at the Lynden Station 71.
• Monday, June 18: Park/recreation/open space implementation subcommittee – 7 p.m. at the Birch Bay Bible Community Church.
• Tuesday, June 19: Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce meets at 11:30 a.m. Location is to be announced. Debbye Omlie, of the Small Business Development Center at Western Washington University, is scheduled to speak. www.birchbaychamber.com.
• Monday, June 25: North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (Fire Dist. 21) Board of Commissioners meeting - 7 p.m. at the Birch Bay Station 63.
For more information, visit www.birchbayinfo.org.

Bike “rodeo” event scheduled for June 9

EverybodyBIKE, a program of the Whatcom County Council of Government’s Whatcom Smart Trips division, has scheduled a bike skills rodeo June 9 at the Blaine high school track.

The event is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to noon and coincides with the 6th Annual Run to the Border.

Instructors will provide lessons on bike handling skills and how youth ages 4 through 12 can safely and confidently ride their bikes. Children can practice their balance on a bike, learn rules for sharing the road, such as looking over their shoulder to change lanes, using hand signals and avoiding hazards. Also, children learn how to correctly fit their helmet.

Using a specially-designed course, bicycle safety instructors trained with the League of American Bicyclists will be present to guide and assist the children. Some prizes are available and a number of helmets will be available at no cost. For more information, contact Ellen Barton at Whatcom SmartTrips, 360/676-6974, or visit their website, www.EverybodyBIKE.com.
By Tara Nelson