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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
Oct. 27 - Nov. 2, 2022
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IN THIS
ISSUE
‘Goatscaping’ used in Semiahmoo, page 10
Candidate Q&As, pages 3, 6 and 7
Nunamaker resigns from school board, page 3
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Spooky events in Autumn in Blaine Marine Park Blaine, Birch Bay for Halloween By Ian Haupt
(See Halloween, page 2)
s Autumn comes to Blaine Marine Park as the leaves turn to gold. Photo by Grace McCarthy
Birch Bay is below its planned residential density, buildable lands report shows By Ian Haupt The 2022 Whatcom County Buildable Lands Report shows Birch Bay’s population and housing development are growing slower than the county expected. Whatcom County senior planner Matt Aamot presented the report during a Whatcom County planning commission meeting October 13. He said that from 2016 to 2021 the unincorporated area fell behind its projected residential density, population growth and single family housing capacity. Blaine, however, met its planned density. The buildable lands report provides information for the planning commission to update the Whatcom County Comprehen-
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BellinghamSymphony.org MountBakerTheatre.com for ticket sales
sive Plan, which is due June 30, 2025, according to the project website. It assesses how recent development in the county’s cities and urban growth areas compares with planning assumptions, targets and objectives and whether there are inconsistencies for the county and cities to address. Aamot said the current planning period is through 2036, but will be extended to 2045 in the next update to the county’s comprehensive plan. Along with its cities, Birch Bay, Cherry Point and Columbia Valley make up the county’s three other urban growth areas. In 1997, the Washington state legislature amended the Growth Management (See Buildable, page 5)
American Voices Anthony McGill, clarinet Ashley Becker, soprano
INSIDE
Residents in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Semiahmoo will have plenty of events for the whole family to enjoy this Halloween. Below are some options in the area for trick-or-treating and other spooky celebrations. BSD Trunk or Treat Friday, October 28, 5-7 p.m. Blaine Elementary School parking lot Students, staff and clubs will have their trunks decorated and ready to see Borderites dressed in their best Halloween costumes. Sponsored by Blaine High School Associated Student Body. All are welcome. Trick or Treat on the Berm Saturday, October 29, 3-6 p.m. Birch Bay berm promenade Kids come trick or treat at different stops along the berm. The event, sponsored by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, will have a photo costume contest, treats and Halloween activities for the whole family at the Birch Bay Community Library, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. An outdoor movie showing of “Scoob,” a 2020 film based on the Scooby-Doo franchise, will play at 6 p.m., weather permitting. Trunk or Treat Saturday, October 29, 5-7 p.m. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Blaine Ward, 2550 Thornton Road, Ferndale Chili cook-off, kids carnival games and trick or treating. Info: 360/6033393. Trick or Treat at Semiahmoo Resort Sunday, October 30, and Monday, October 31, 5-7 p.m. 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway Trick-or-treating in the resort is open to the public. The resort will also host a Halloween movie night 7 p.m. on October 30 in its Discovery Theater. Tickets are $5 for the public and free for resort guests, with costumes encouraged. The Freeman’s Halloween Carnival Monday, October 31, 4-8 p.m. Freeman house, corner of C and 6th streets Rain or shine, the Freeman family will be putting on their eighth Hallow-
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 8 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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This Week’s FLYERS
Elect Jaime Arnett PUD#3 People for Sharon Shewmake Rite Aid Vote Yes for Whatcom Kids