August 10 - 16, 2023
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Outdoor yoga classes this month, page 2
Northwest Steam Society hosts 50th public meet
WTA free fare week, page 3
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Living Pantry reopens in new location, page 7
Lady Washington voyages in Blaine Harbor
By Madisun Tobisch
(See Steam boat, page 15)
s The Lady Washington tall ship enters Blaine Harbor after a passenger voyage on August 5. The tall ship set sail in Blaine for the first time since the pandemic in celebration of the Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival. See more festival photos on page 10.
Photo by Ruth Lauman
Birch Bay incorporation survey open to residents surrounding urban growth area By Grace McCarthy Just months after the first Birch Bay governance survey was released to the public, another survey has opened to include input from unincorporated residents just outside of the Birch Bay urban growth area. The survey deadline is Wednesday, August 16. The Birch Bay Community PAC released the initial month-long survey in April to gauge the community’s interest in incorporating as a city or annexing into Blaine. After looking over feedback, lead
organizer Matt Berry said he decided to open a second survey to residents directly outside of the Birch Bay urban growth area, including those in the Birch Point, Drayton Harbor, Pleasant Valley and Point White Horn areas. The latest survey has eight questions and is anticipated to take about five minutes. Results from both surveys will be used to plan future Birch Bay governance. The Birch Bay Incorporation Committee, which has about 50 members, is separate from the PAC and in charge of the incorpo-
Family files wrongful death lawsuit for Point Roberts couple who died from CO poisoning B y P a t G r u bb The children of Gail Amundsen and Murray Church have filed a lawsuit against Whatcom County and several companies alleging negligence resulting in the wrongful deaths of the couple due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The litigation has been ongoing since the lawsuit was filed January 3 in Whatcom
County Superior Court. Gail Amundsen, 61, and Murray Church, 67, were found dead in their home on Thanksgiving Day evening in 2021. The pair were discovered by family friends who were asked to check on them after their children had been unable to make contact with them for several days. Church was lying in bed while Amundsen was found in an adjoining bathroom. The apparent
cause of death for the couple appeared to be due to the faulty installation of a radiant heating system. The couple had moved into their newly constructed home in August 2021. It was heated by a high efficiency Triangle Tube Prestige Solo 110 condensing boiler which can use either natural gas or propane for (See Lawsuit, page 6)
ration process. The committee aims to have the proposed Birch Bay city boundaries by fall, Berry said, and then will hold a public hearing for additional community input. “We are hoping to get the ball rolling with a notice of proposed incorporation as soon as we have an idea on the opinions of the surrounding areas,” Berry said. “We don’t want to leave anyone out but we also don’t want to include people who would prefer to remain in unincorporated What(See Survey, page 5)
INSIDE
Enthusiasts from the Northwest Steam Society are gathering their fleet of boats and historical memorabilia at Blaine Harbor for their 50th anniversary celebration of all things steam, Friday, August 11 through Sunday, August 13. Five boats arrived for the Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival on August 5-6, but organizers said they hope to see 16 steamboats and two steam cars for their annual public event. The steam society’s relationship with Blaine stretches back to the early years of the maritime festival, said Blaine Chamber of Commerce volunteer Carroll Solomon. “They’ve always been a part of our event on a smaller scale, but this year there are going to be more of them, and they’re going to be here longer,” she said. The steam society plans events throughout the year for members to swap parts and stories, discuss issues and solutions and, most of all, enjoy peace and silence on the water. Those interested in learning more about the steam society can find them at Gate 2 in Blaine Harbor ready to answer questions and show off their steam collectibles on Friday from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon. The Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive, will also have an indoor display of steam memorabilia, including models, engines and two presentations chronicling the history of the steam culture from the 1960s to today. Dave and Bonnie Hogan were in charge of planning the 50th annual steam meet. Dave inherited his love for steam from his father in the 1950s and joined the steam society at 10 years old. Bonnie got involved when the two married over 30 years ago. The public’s interest in steam was so strong that the hobbyists decided to hold an annual public event where non-members could stop by and satisfy their curiosity about the steamboats. That was about
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