Registration will soon open for ready-to-cook Thanksgiving dinner baskets through the Community Assistance Program for low-income families in Blaine, Birch Bay, Point Roberts and Custer. Registration, which is required, begins Oct. 16 and is first come, first serve. Supplies are limited to 220 baskets. Once all baskets are spoken for, a waitlist will open. Baskets will include fresh turkeys, potatoes, yams, stuffing mix, onions, celery, chicken broth, gravy mix, cranberry sauce, canned green beans, rolls with butter, milk, pumpkin pie and whipped topping. Households of one or two will receive a deli-prepared takeout meal. Registration will be open through Nov. 13, and baskets will be available for pickup between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Nov. 24 at Christian Way Community Church. After registering, participants will be mailed a postcard with more information. Register at blainecap.org or by calling 360-393-9483. The CAP Thanksgiving basket program is entirely volunteer-run. Donate with a debit or credit card online at blainecap.org or mail checks made out to CAP to 508 G St., with “Thanksgiving baskets” in the memo line.
Whatcom County has reported more positive flu tests recently, and is recommending residents get vaccinated to prevent getting the flu, COVID or RSV. It is recommended that those 6 months old and older get both the flu and COVID vaccines. The RSV vaccine is provided based on age and health needs and is available for adults older than 75, at-risk adults, pregnant people and babies. For uninsured adults and children 18 years or younger, Whatcom County Health and Community Services provides free vaccines; learn more at whatcomcounty.us/4227/Immunization-Clinics. Those with questions may email immunizations@co.whatcom.wa.us for free, confidential assistance.
The Washington State Department of Health has closed Bellingham Bay for recreational shellfish harvesting due to dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxin found in molluscan shellfish. This applies to all species of molluscan shellfish, including clams, oysters and scallops. Cooking or freezing shellfish will not remove the toxin, which can cause severe illness and death. Tingling of the lips and tongue, fingers and toes, and loss of limb control are among some of the symptoms, which can take minutes to hours to appear. The department said that shellfish sold in markets or restaurants is safe for consumption. For more information, visit whatcomcounty.us/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/5725.
Join the Whatcom Housing Alliance for Whatcom Housing Week from Oct. 13-16. The week will feature free events that are open to the public and focus on housing affordability and policies in Whatcom County. Some events on the schedule include ADU lessons with Whatcom County and the City of Blaine on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 5 to 6 p.m., and Whatcom County’s 5-year Homeless Housing Plan on Friday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to noon. To view the full schedule and details, visit whatcomhousingalliance.org/projects/housing-week-2026.
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period will begin on Oct. 15, giving those enrolled an opportunity to switch to a new plan. Washington’s Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors program offers a free Medicare Jumpstart Toolkit, which includes resources such as an envelope to keep Medicare mail and documents in, charts to understand how your current plan is changing and information about additional assistance programs. The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner recommends ordering your toolkit today at bit.ly/47zZNMa, setting up your online Medicare account if you don’t already have one and looking out for the Annual Notice of Change letter from your plan. Those with questions may call the state commissioner’s office at 800-562-6900 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Over 122,000 cases of Gatorade have been recalled in 37 states, including Washington, due to undeclared amounts of Yellow No. 6 and/or Yellow No. 5 dyes. The recall is for 28-ounce bottles in flavors Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange and Orange Zero with expiration dates from April to June 2027. The products were voluntarily recalled, and the FDA classified it as a Class II recall, meaning it could “cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences,” with a low likelihood of serious complications.
