August 24 - 30, 2023
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
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ISSUE
Last big Birch Bay summer event , page 3
Crab season opens, page 4
Overdose Awareness Day to educate, page 6
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Library supporters bring jazzy tunes to PAC Back to School Pull-out Pull-out sectiononon section pages9-12 7-10 pages
Local artists to showcase talent in the Wave studio tours By Madisun Tobisch
(See Art tours, page 15)
s The Jazz Explosion entertained over 100 appreciative listeners during the Whatcom Grooves jazz concert at the Blaine Performing Arts Center on August 19. The event was the third and final concert in the Whatcom Grooves jazz series, which Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) supporters have hosted across the county this summer. Friends of Blaine Library and WCLS put on the free Blaine concert, with help from library and community grants, to celebrate jazz and libraries. Photo by Conner Helms
Upgraded burn ban prohibits all open burning A dry summer has led to the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office upgrading the burn ban to a stage two ban, which prohibits all open burning in unincorporated county areas. The fire marshal’s office issued the burn ban on August 16 to prohibit all outdoor burning, including recreational, yard debris and land clearing fires. The county burn ban coincides with statewide burn bans on lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Forest Service. The fire marshal’s office will continue allowing propane fire pits without solid wood-burning material as well as propane and charcoal barbecues. Charcoal and ash must be discarded in a metal container and put out with water. The container needs to
BIRCH BAY DERBY DAY SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
remain 10 feet from structures or vegetation for 72 hours. The fire marshal’s office does not allow wood-burning fire pits, charcoal pits or similar enclosures with grates or screens. Liquid gas-fired stoves or barbecues, or charcoal barbecues, on private properties need to be over a nonflammable surface and at least five feet from vegetation or structures. Burn ban violations carry a $250 minimum fine. Illegal fires that escape can result in additional fines and criminal charges. The fire marshal’s office issued the stage one burn ban in early June. The Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office can answer questions regarding open burning at 360/778-5900. Current burn ban information is available at 360/778-5903.
INSIDE
The Wave studio art tour descends on the Blaine area from Friday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27, with local artists ready to showcase their talents. The Blaine Arts Council (BAC) kicks off its event at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center Friday, 6-9 p.m., with an opening night gala including a silent auction, wine pull, appetizers and drinks. Tickets are available on the BAC website with a discount for members. Saturday and Sunday offer an opportunity to tour artists’ home studios in Blaine and Birch Bay. Several artists will be in free pop-up galleries at the Blaine Community Center Pavilion, at 635 8th Street, and the boating center. Artists working with oils, acrylic, metal, sculpture and various other media will be ready to talk and tour with studio visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, according to the BAC website. Suzanne Steel, a professional artist specializing in photography and watercolors, participated in the art studio tour last year before the BAC was created with the goal of bringing more attention to art in the community. This year, she is excited to offer the public a glimpse into her 40 years as an artist by welcoming them to her Birch Bay home. “There’s never perfection. You’re always striving to put a piece of your soul and heart into the production,” she said, adding that she hopes the turnout of this weekend’s event celebrates the hard work she and other artists put into their passion. She also hopes to part ways with some of the collection in her self-described
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . 11, 12 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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Fun Run Parade at 10 am Duck Derby Crab Derby Poker Run For full event details, see ad on page 2 or visit birchbaychamber.com
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