July 25 - 31, 2024
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Blaine City Council, page 3
Incorporation study receives funding, page 5
Blaine school district budget, page 6
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Paddle to Puyallup makes stop in Birch Bay Arts festival comes to Blaine July 26-28 By Grace McCarthy
(See Art festival, page 5)
s The Nooksack Indian Tribe greeted canoes landing on the shoreline of Birch Bay State Park during a stop along Paddle to Puyallup on July 22. The Nooksack Indian Tribe and Lummi Nation joined what will be a procession of canoes landing in the traditional territory of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians on July 31. View more photos on page 15. Photo by Chuck Kinzer / CKimageart.com
CDC changes rules for dogs entering the U.S. from countries considered low-risk for rabies B y P a t G r u bb Just days before new rules governing traveling into the U.S. with dogs were scheduled to be implemented, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has relaxed the requirements. Previously, dogs would have needed to be a minimum of six months old, vaccinated for rabies, micro-chipped with a specific microchip and accompanied by an import form. Particularly problematic was the requirement that the rabies vaccination needed to be a U.S. Department of Agriculture-endorsed certificate. The newly revised rules require dogs to appear healthy upon arrival, be at least six months old and possess a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner for identification. In addition, it must be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form (bit.ly/3LD02Lt) completed online and available for inspection. The import form is simple, asking
for basic information from the owner such as name, address, phone number and email address along with a basic description of the dog. It does not appear to require a rabies vaccination. It is reusable for as long as the animal has been in a no- or low-risk country. A form must be filled out for individual dogs. The rules will also apply to American residents who leave the country and then re-enter with their pet. Whether or not a traveler will ever be asked to show the form is an open question – most CBP officers don’t consider checking dogs for rabies as part of their mandate. However, those traveling by air should be sure to have the dog import form available to show the agent behind the counter at the airport as airlines are more sensitive to government mandates. The change came after a hue and cry was raised once the rules became better known through media reports. In fact, Canada’s health minister, Mark
Holland, held a press conference in Ottawa on July 17 after he became aware of the new regulations. He said he was (See Dogs, page 6)
INSIDE
The arts will take over Blaine Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28. Blaine Arts Council (BAC) is returning its annual festival, titled this year as The Wave En Blanc and Art Festival, with an evening fundraiser, festival in the park and gallery showcase. “I want people to experience the caliber of artists we have here because we have some really talented artists,” BAC president Margaret Owens said. “I’m excited for them to have exposure and be seen, and for people to know what we’re doing.” The En Blanc Evening will open the weekend with a ticketed fundraiser for BAC’s new downtown gallery 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 26 at Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive. Nearly 20 juried artists will showcase their art, some of which will be for sale, at the boating center. Guests are asked to dress in all white for the event, which will have food and drink, a wine pull and live music. There will also be a silent auction with prizes including a spring break condominium in Orlando, Florida, preseason Seahawks tickets, private party for six at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville and a five-hour fishing trip for two in the San Juan Islands. Tickets, which include a drink, are available $30 for BAC members and $40 for non-members before the event, with prices increasing $10 the night of the event. The festival will then take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Blaine Marine Park, with about 15 artists showing their work. Additional art shown at the BAC gallery at 922 Peace Portal Drive and at two art studios (studio locations are available at blaineartscouncil.org). The festival is free and open to the public. Festival artwork will include woodworking, acrylics, pottery, kiln-fired glass, jewelry design and more. In addition to art, the park will provide a space for live music, a beer garden and food trucks. Previously, artists had showcased their work at studios across Blaine. Owens said the festival moved to Blaine Marine Park in attempt to bring as much exposure as
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