Around Blaine and Whatcom County ...

Blaine chamber to host downtown block party

The Blaine Chamber of Commerce has announced that it will move Oysterfest from May to October and replace the festival with a new spring block party on May 18. The block party will have “a laid-back backyard BBQ vibe” with a street fair, live music, food trucks and beer garden, according to the chamber.

The chamber made the decision to move Oysterfest to October because the chance of red tide increases in May. Oysterfest will occur at the chamber’s Harbor Harvest Festival in downtown Blaine on October 12. The chamber held its first Harbor Harvest Festival in 2023, with similar events as the block party.

Applications for Whatcom Conservation District board open until March 31

The Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) is seeking candidates to apply to its board of supervisors. The Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC) will appoint two candidates to the board. Those applying need to submit applications to WSCC by Sunday, March 31.

A board of two appointed and three elected supervisors governs the WCD. The district was formed in 1946 and serves Whatcom County to advance resiliency and ecological processes on working lands, residential landscapes, waterways and open space, according to WCD.

Applicants for the appointed positions must be registered to vote in the state and may be required to own land or operate a farm. Appointed applicants don’t need to live within the district boundary, according to WCD.

For more information on applying, call WCD at 360/526-2381 or view the “CD supervisor appointment guide” on the WSCC website, scc.wa.gov/elections-and-appointments.

Port of Bellingham marine trades job fair set for May 9

The Port of Bellingham is hosting its annual marine trades job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 9 at the Fishermen’s Pavilion at Squalicum Harbor.

The free event will provide the public with networking opportunities and information on careers in the marine trades. All American Marine, Bellingham Technical College, Drayton Harbor Oyster Farm, Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship, Seattle Maritime Academy, the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building, Marine Spill Response Corp. and more will be at the fair, according to a Port of Bellingham news release.

In Whatcom County, marine trades support or create more than 6,000 jobs, port executive director Rob Fix said.

Marine trades apprenticeship

The Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship, which began in October 2022, was given approval from the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council to become a permanent program, allowing the program to provide official long-term certification and recognition.

The Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation founded the apprenticeship program to provide certified training to marine service technicians while allowing them to work their day jobs. The apprenticeship is a four-year, nonunionized program that allows graduates to earn a nationally recognized journey-level certification.

The program, which provides education on subjects ranging from diesel engine repair to boat building, is aimed to bring more trained workers to marine trade businesses in the area.

Upon receiving permanent status, the program will expand to more apprentices, companies, and into neighboring counties, according to a press release from the Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation.

The program is now located at 708 Coho Way in Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham.

Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center holding youth contest

The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) has launched its 2024 peace poetry contest for youth ages 4-18. The contest will accept submissions until June 14.

The contest encourages youth to hone their creativity and use poetry, or other forms of written word, to explore themes of peaceful conflict resolution, according to a WDRC release.

WDRC is a Bellingham-based nonprofit aimed at tackling conflict through meditation, training, facilitation and community engagement.

WDRC will host poetry writing workshops throughout Whatcom County before the contest deadline. Winners will be able to read their poems at WDRC’s annual Peace Builders Awards Gala in October, and at a youth peace poetry reading event at Village Books.

The poetry contest is part of WDRC’s youth program, which helped over 600 youth last year.

For more information about the contest, visit bit.ly/49IbeR6.