Birch Bay Buzz - The Newsletter of The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce

Gateway Semiahmoo Project – Blaine Depot Restoration and Train Stop

John Gargett — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:26:15 +0000

To all Blaine citizens and business owners:

All are encouraged to attend the City Council Meeting in Blaine on Feb. 27^th at the Blaine City Council Meeting at 7pm.

Bruce Agnew bagnew@discovery.org, with the Cascadia Institute and Loren Herrigstad lorenh@allaboardwashington.org with All Aboard Washington, will speak about the progress made thus far regarding Blaine regaining a rail stop and the restoration of our historic depot building.

This is a win, win situation for the entire community and all are encouraged to attend.

Tell your friends and business associates to also try and attend, and help support this very important community project.

Also, please visit our website for more information, media releases, etc, and to add your supportive comments.

www.blainestation.com

10th Annual Wings Over Water-NW Birding Festival “The Enchantment of Birds”

John Gargett — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:00:02 +0000

WOW celebrates the incredible variety of migratory birds that flock to this pristine coastal area. The 10th annual festival will be held Saturday, March 17 in the seaside town of Blaine, just off I-5 at Blaine Middle School, 975 H Street. Birding is one of America’s fastest growing outdoor activities and Drayton Harbor/Semiahmoo Bay an Important Birding Area (IBA) located on the Pacific Flyway, is one of the country’s premier bird viewing areas where you can observe a large variety of birds close at hand.

You can access the full announcement by clicking here.

Paddle and Pedal Opening March 1st

John Gargett — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:57:01 +0000

Paddle and Pedal is opening up for the 2012 season starting March 1st. This year they will also be running the golf range. Gail and Britton have really made some great improvements over the winter to their shop.

One new item they are carrying is the ElliptiGO 8C – What if you could run, sprint, and climb hills and never be sidelined by impact-related injuries? On the 8C, you’ll get a high-intensity workout without the jarring impact of running or the discomfort of traditional cycling. It’s perfect for fitness enthusiasts or cross-training athletes who will ride on flat and hilly terrain and desire a wide range of workout resistance levels.

So stop by their shop, check out the ElliptiGO, maybe rent a kayak, hit a few balls, or get a gift. They are located at 7878 Birch Bay Drive and you can contact them at (360)224-0707/(360)224-0602.

Letter From BP To Our Community

John Gargett — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:12:52 +0000

Dear Neighbors,

By now you have probably heard or seen coverage regarding the incident here at the refinery yesterday afternoon. I am writing you to give you an update of the situation and make sure you know how to contact us with questions.

First and foremost – we are thankful to report that all 848 employees and contractors on site yesterday were accounted for very early in the incident. Unfortunately, there was one minor injury. A contract employee received medical attention for a knee injury during the evacuation. The person was treated on site then transported to a medical care center for further evaluation and released.

A combination of BP Emergency Response personnel and responders from Whatcom County and Conoco Phillips worked to extinguish yesterday’s fire at approximately 3:30PM.

Within the first hour of the incident, BP began air monitoring to help ensure public safety. With the assistance of the US EPA and the Washington State Department of Ecology, we can confirm that there have been no air emission issues and no contaminated water runoff to the Bay. We will continue to monitor air and water quality to ensure environmental impacts do not occur.

Over the next few weeks we will perform a thorough investigation to determine why this happened and to make sure it does not happen again. In addition, we will cooperate with any state and federal investigations that take place over the next several weeks.

I appreciate all the notes of support and we value our relationship with everyone in the community. If you have any questions, please feel free to submit questions at www.bpcherrypoint.com and click on the Contact Cherry Point Refinery link.

Michael Abendhoff, BP Refinery Manager

Find Your Fashion Having A Men’s Sale

John Gargett — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:15:01 +0000

Find Your Fashion has placed their first order for Quiksilver and it will be arriving early next week (February 20th).

Therefore, we have all men’s apparel and shoes at 50% off to make room for that new line!

Find Your Fashion is located in Ferndale Station behind Sonic.

Exit 262 From I-5, at 1863 Main Street, Ferndale, WA 98248

There phone number is 360.393.3190 and their website is www.findyourfashion.com

Open House Notice For Birch Bay-Lynden Rd. / Portal Way Signalization Project

John Gargett — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:01:07 +0000

The Whatcom County Public Works Department is hosting an “Open House – Click Here For More Detail” for the Birch Bay – Lynden Rd / Portal Way Signalization Project. The scope of this project includes installation of traffic signals, channelization, and crosswalks. Other improvements will include drainage and storm water quantity and quality treatment facilities. The scope also includes an upgraded railroad crossing with a new crossing surface, signals, and crossing arms. Public Works is in the beginning of environmental permitting and assessment of project right-of-way needs. Public comment is welcomed and local concerns can be addressed, as Public Works is in the design phase. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2013. The open house time and place are as follows:

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Blaine Public Library Meeting Room

610 3rd Street, Blaine, WA 98230-4022

Our Northern Light Community Newspaper Highlighted In Our General Membership Meeting For February

John Gargett — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:56:08 +0000

Come join your Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce next Tuesday, February 21st for our monthly membership meeting at Dee’s Country Diner at the corner of Alderson and Birch Bay Drive (4823 Alderson Road). As always we will begin at 12:00, with social gathering starting at 1130.

This month our featured speaker is Louise Mugar, the Editor of The Northern Light. She will be speaking about the paper - its history, experiences, what makes a good article, the internationally known police reports, and generally share with us her observations of our community.

So please come join us on Tuesday!

Volunteers Still Needed!!! 2nd Request!!! 44th Annual Birch Bay Marathon is looking for Volunteers

John Gargett — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:50:19 +0000

Tammy Pierce of the Bay Cafe is still looking for 10-20 more volunteers for the Birch Bay Marathon! (See Below)

February 19th is the 44th Annual Birch Bay Marathon and they need our help! We need 6-10 people to help man or “woman” the aid stations. All you have to do is hand out water to the runners, cheer them on and have fun!

This race has been a wonderful boost to the Birch Bay economy and we as business professionals owe it to ourselves to ensure they keep coming back!

Please contact Tammy Pearce @ Bay Cafe for more details on volunteering-360-421-6838.

The Race

Sunday February 19, 2012 at 8:00 am will mark the 44th running of the scenic and historic Birch Bay International Marathon, managed and directed this year by Joel Pearson, whose father Jim Pearson created and directed this year for many years. The race will start and finish at the south end of Birch Bay State Park.

The marathon course has been certified (certification code WA 06002 BL) and the race serves as a qualifier for the 2008 Boston Marathon. The course is unchanged from 2007. See www.bostonmarathon.org for qualifying times, noting that the small-print permits a 59 second grace period beyond the listed times for each age group.

January General Membership Meeting Cancelled Until February Due to Snow

John Gargett — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:25:10 +0000

As the snow began falling on Sunday, I don’t think any of us thought we would find 3-6 inches, with another 2-4 inches called for in Blaine and Birch Bay today (Tuesday). Since Blaine Schools are opening 2 hours late, and the snow is to begin to fall again by mid-morning, we have decided to cancel this months meeting at Dee’s County Diner.

Our Northern Light Community Newspaper Highlighted In Our General Membership Meeting For January

John Gargett — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:46:00 +0000

Come join your Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce next Tuesday, January 17th for our monthly membership meeting at Dee’s Country Diner at the corner of Alderson and Birch Bay Drive (4823 Alderson Road). As always we will begin at 12:00.

So please come join us on Tuesday!