Birch Bay Leaders for Obama Ask Respect for Volunteers in New Book

Editors note:  This article was submitted by Ruth Higgins and Al Krause, both long-time members, supporters and volunteers of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce.  You can also hear a live interview when they appear with Joe Teehan on KBAI at 12:00 on April 8th. Congratulations Ruth & Al!

Join Birch Bay residents Al Krause and Ruth Higgins for an author event and discussion on their book, Lessons from the Obama 2012 Grassroots Campaign: What Two Devoted Volunteers Learned on Sunday, April 14 at 4:00 p.m., in the Readings Gallery of Village Books, 1200 11^th Street, Bellingham.

Ruth Higgins was one of the first recruits by Organizing for America in Whatcom County in August 2011, hosting the first organizational meeting in her Birch Bay cottage. Al Krause, her husband, immediately joined and their small team grew to more than 70 volunteers. By the end of that year, the Northwest Whatcom neighborhood team, they were told, had become one of the strongest in the nation.

In February 2012, Krause and Higgins, were selected as two of the few volunteers in the state to be photographed with President Obama when he spoke in Bellevue. (Most of the others photographed were large-money contributors.)

“I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in becoming a political organizer,” wrote a volunteer leader with the Whatcom County Democrats in a review posted on Amazon.

Report On The Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Right of Way Meeting

In the public meeting on the Right of Way for the Birch Bay Drive Pedestrian Facility held on March 26th, County Road Engineer Joseph Rutan briefed the Whatcom County Council, Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee on the surveying and right of way research that has been ongoing in Birch Bay.

Yellow Flagged Stakes Showing Right of Way

Mr. Rutan told the Committee, and the 40 or so residents and interested parties who attended, that the County had gone back and searched records since 1884 and that what we know as Birch Bay Drive is a 60′ Right of Way.  He continued and assured the people present, as well as the Committee, that the new proposed road would be between 35 and 40 feet wide, not 60 feet as some had feared and nearly all work was planned to be to the west (the Bay side).  Additionally, the speed would remain at 25 miles per hour.  In nearly all cases, the Right of Way does not extend into peoples yards, but does extend into Birch Bay, especially in the areas north of Harborview Road that has suffered considerable damage.

When asked by the Committee if any condemnation was planned, Mr. Rutan said there were no plans for the taking of anyones property using condemnation, and if property needed to be acquired, it would be negotiated with the land owner(s).  The Committee made it clear to all present that they would not, either as the Committee, or in their Whatcom County Councilperson role, vote for any Condemnation.

When members of the public were permitted to speak, a number of objections were raised, including flooding fears, loss of beach on the north end of Birch Bay.  Resident Barney Yorkston, suggested that the project be done, but that there basically be no improvements beyond the Resort Commercial zone which ends (approximately) at the Eagles Roost Restaurant   Many speakers did express reservation about the project as a whole, which was not lost on the Committee members.  The Committee asked those in opposition to the project to submit letters or emails to them describing their fears or opposition, which was underscored by Executive Louws.

This was the first in what will be a series of meetings held on this project with the next one hoped to be held before the Committee in April and as this is a Birch Bay Community Project, it is important that residents, property owners, and the business community participate in this project.

Whatcom County Council

If you would like to write the Whatcom County Council regarding this project, here is information that you need to be aware of:

1. The Whatcom County Council Office will not open any e-mail messages that do not have a subject. Please make your subject as specific as possible to help us determine the validity of e-mails. (Suggested Subject – Birch Bay Drive & Pedestrian Facility)
2. The Council Office cannot guarantee that all e-mail messages received will be opened, or that all messages sent will be received. If your correspondence is urgent, please hand deliver the document to the Council Office. (Whatcom County Council, 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 105, Bellingham, Washington  98225)
3. All e-mail messages received are public record and will be made available for public review in the Council Office files.
4. You may email Councilmembers as a group at council@co.whatcom.wa.us or individually at their e-mail addresses (Available on Council Website, Click Here). If you email your comments to the councilmembers individually, also copy the email to the Council e-mail address so your comments are included in the official record.

You can reach Whatcom County Executive Jack Louws via US Mail - 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 108, Bellingham, WA 98225-4082, or via E-mail: JLouws@co.whatcom.wa.us

Easter Community Breakfast And Service At Water’s Edge Church

Water’s Edge Church wants to invite everyone to a special Easter continental breakfast this Sunday morning at 9:30 at the activity center at Bay Horizon Park in Birch Bay.

Bring your friends and family to share a delicious meal with your neighbors at Water’s Edge. This is a free gift from the church family to our community.

Stick around afterward for a special Easter worship service at 10 a.m. and hear how the power of the resurrection can change your life.

You also are invited to join Water’s Edge for a special Good Friday worship service this Friday, March 29, at 7 p.m. In addition to remembering Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary, there will be a time of communion during the service and fellowship afterward.

The church is located at 7511 Gemini Road in Birch Bay, and worships every Sunday at 10 a.m. For more information about Water’s Edge, its upcoming events or its local service projects, visit http://www.watersedgewa.com or call Pastor Jim Carberry (389-3529).

3rd Annual Birch Bay Music Festival: “Paw’s Across the Border” – Help Us Help Them

Dear Fellow Birch Bay Chamber Member:         

Mark your calendars, and join the excitement and be a part of the solution!  For the 3rd Annual Birch Bay Music Festival: “Paw’s Across the Border”, benefiting Whatcom Counties Alternative Humane Society (AHS) & Creature Comforts Cat Rescue and the British Columbia SPCA.  The event will be held between Bay Café & the C Shop at Alderson and Birch Bay Drive, beginning Friday evening August, 9, thru Sunday, August 11, 2013 featuring live bands, A Puss & Pooch Pavilion, vendor booths, a children’s train ride, silent and live auctions, Cronk guitar raffle, and much much more!

Currently we are seeking Sponsorships
*Platinum: $1,500+ *Silver: $1,000 *Bronze: $500
(Click Here For Details On Sponsorship Levels and Benefits)

We will continue our mission is to raise the much needed funds to help Whatcom County and our BC neighbors carry out “Spaying and Neutering of healthy cats and dogs” and preventing of the cycle of  overpopulation of unloved, abused, abandoned animals and ultimately death. Our three animal related non-profit organizations BBMF has elected to support:

The Whatcom County Alternative Humane Society (AHS) and Creature Comforts Cat Rescue are two very important organizations to Whatcom County.  Both are committed to ensuring all Cats and Dogs are Spayed or Neutered before they are adopted into their forever homes, putting a stop of euthanasia of healthy cats and dogs in Whatcom County.

We are very excited to announce our partnership with The British Columbia SPCA.  Since Birch Bay is in the unique position of also being home to many of our friends from Canada, who also adopt many of Whatcom Counties homeless cats and dogs.  All the funds raised will specifically go towards their Spay/Neuter program.  This partnership will continue the goodwill between both countries while affording us the opportunity to educate and raise awareness of the horrific problem of pet overpopulation of Whatcom County and British Columbia.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and we look forward to your response.  Please visit our website at: www.birchbaymusicfestival.com. If you would like further information, please feel free to email birchbaymusicfestival@gmail.com or contact me via my cell 360-421-6838.

Come join the fun for the whole family including your furbabies; there is no cost for admission!

Respectfully,
Tammy Pearce
Birch Bay Music Festival Founder and Event Coordinator

Blaine Visitor Center Manager Carol Solomon Is Retiring This Coming Monday

Anyone who has been active in the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, or who has a business in Birch Bay knows Carol Solomon.  Carol has been the Blaine Visitor Information Center Manager for the last 17 years and she is going to retire.

In recognition of her achievements, the City of Blaine is hosting a public retirement reception on Monday, March 25th at the Blaine City Hall Council Chambers, 435 Martin Street, 4th Floor, Blaine, WA, 98230.  The reception will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM, and then at 6:00 PM the Blaine City Council will present an award recognizing Carroll’s 17 years of service as an employee at the Blaine Visitor Center.

Carol’s work over the years has been extensive not only with the Blaine Chamber, but also with her organizing efforts for the Blaine Old Fashion Fourth of July Celebration, her work on the Board of the Friends of the Blaine Library, and her work in organizing most all of the City of Blaine events.  And, once she retires, she plans to go right back to the Blaine Visitor Information Center, serving as a volunteer.

The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce has truly appreciated all the efforts Carol has put forth in fostering joint efforts between our Chambers, and wants all members to know that they are invited to her retirement reception.

For further information, please contact Deborah Harger, City of Blaine, Community Development & Tourism Coordinator, (360) 543-9982 or via email: DHarger@cityofblaine.com

“The Biggest Loser” Contest By Our Northwest Park and Recreation District 2

Our Northwest Park and Recreation District 2 is presenting “The Biggest Loser” contest for Blaine and Birch Bay from April 1 through May 24, 2013.  They would like to motivate you to reach your fitness goals for Spring and Summer activities! Weddings, reunions, vacations, races, or just to look good in your summer clothes, they are here to help! And, it is going to be fun, here are the rules:

• Form a team.
• Teams can have a minimum of 2 and maximum of 8 people.
• Each team will elect a leader that will stand as a witness to each weigh-in. They will be in charge of recording the results and keeping their teammates accountable.
• Weigh-ins will be done confidentially each week. Only the team leader and the NWPRD2 staff will see these results.
• The first and last weigh-ins will be done by the NWPRD2 staff.
• This contest is open to men and women, 18 years of age and older.
• The loss of weight will be calculated by a weight loss percentage; this will then be averaged between team members to elect a winner.
• If any member of a team has health risks or concerns, they must get a note from their doctor to be able to participate in this contest.
• Each team member must fill out a liability release waver.

Contest Price: $5.00 per person and NWPRD2 will also be offering a discounted price for the gym’s monthly pass for Biggest Loser participants. This pass covers the activities offered at the Activity Center in Birch Bay. Please contact Heidi or Jaclyn at NWPRD2 for more details. Contact NWPRD2 to sign your team up today!

Registration ends March 30, 2013

Whatcom County Issues First Project Newsletter On Birch Bay Drive & Pedestrian Facility

This week the Whatcom County Public Works Department issued their first “Project Newsletter Number 1” for our Birch Bay Drive & Pedestrian Facility.   This Project Newsletter is being mailed to property owners adjacent to Birch Bay Drive (from Alderson Rd to Birch Point Road) as it contains important information on Right of Way on Birch Bay Drive and possible additional acquisition.  Along with the Newsletter, property owners will be receiving an aerial photograph showing their property and the existing Right of Way.  As part of this effort, Whatcom County surveyors will be in our area staking the existing County ROW within the next couple weeks.

In addition, the County Road Engineer will be giving a presentation to the Whatcom County Council Public Works, Health, and Safety Committee and interested public regarding the existing Birch Bay Drive Right of Way next Tuesday, March 26th:

• Where:  Whatcom County Courthouse, Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
• When: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 1:30 PM

If you would like to view the Letter and Sample Aerial Photograph, you can click below:

BB Dr Ped Facility Newsletter 1 & Aerial Photo Example

For additional information on the Birch Bay Drive & Pedestrian Facility known locally as (Wolf’s Beach) you can visit the Waterfront Working Group of the Birch Bay Steering Committee or you can contact Kathy Berg via email: Chairkathy@birchbayinfo.org