News in Brief is published online every Friday, and updated throughout the week with bite-sized news from across Whatcom and Skagit counties. Read a roundup of the week’s news in print the following Friday.
Thursday, Dec. 21
Local artist donating painting proceeds to those impacted by Terminal fire
Lori Hill, a local oil painter, will be selling signed copies of her painting of Fairhaven’s Terminal Building on Saturday, Dec. 23.
All proceeds will go to the family of Nathaniel Breaux, the owner of the Harris Avenue Cafe and The Old Independent Coffeehouse, who has been missing in connection with the fire since Saturday night when he was last known to be at the cafe working late.
The proceeds will also go to Megan Velthuizen, the artist whose paintings were in the Harris Avenue Cafe when it burned down.
Each print will be $15. Hill will sell them in the Fred Meyer parking lot on Lakeway Drive near Discount Tire from 8:45–10 a.m. on Saturday.
Hill said the response has been overwhelming. She requested people bring $15 in cash and patience, as she’s had so many responses to her Facebook posts. She said she will hand out what she has on Saturday and potentially get more prints made.
“It’s really wonderful to see the community come together like this,” she said Thursday, Dec. 21.
Wednesday, Dec. 20
Whatcom County Council allocates $315K to help construct new Birch Bay library
The Whatcom County Council has allocated $315,000 to support construction of the Birch Bay Vogt Library Express.
The funding was included in Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu’s recommendations for the county’s American Rescue Plan Act expenditures and was agreed to by the county council.
The funds will combine with a $2 million grant from the state, along with private donations, to create a 1,700-square-foot library within the existing structure of the Vogt home at 7948 Birch Bay Drive.
“We are beyond excited and grateful for the county’s support,” said Dianne Marrs-Smith, president of the Friends of the Birch Bay Library. “Having the Whatcom County Council give financial support to our library project is amazing and a bit overwhelming.”
The new library will include after-hours access with a library card for pick-up of library materials. Staff will be on-site at hours yet to be determined to provide services including events, reading recommendations and assistance with research, technology and job skills.
A construction timeline will be created in 2024.
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Port of Bellingham recreation plan available for review
The public has the opportunity to comment through Jan. 22, 2024, on the Port of Bellingham’s 2024 update of its Recreation, Conservation and Public Access Plan.
The plan includes results of an online survey, conducted over the summer, of people who use port facilities. Survey participants ranked beach and waterfront access as the amenities they would like to see the most. The most popular Port locations, according to the survey, were Zuanich Park and Marine Park.
Port properties include the Sumas International Cargo Terminal, Bellingham International Airport, Blaine Harbor, Squalicum Harbor, and the downtown and Fairhaven waterfront districts.
Comments on the plan can be made directly on the online document, through the port’s website.
Saturday, Dec. 16
New Bellingham park recommended to be named Northern Lights Park
A new Bellingham park in the Cordata neighborhood will be recommended to be named Northern Lights Park after an online vote by hundreds of community members.
The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to recommend the name from the suggestions, and Bellingham City Council will consider the name and finalize it during the city council meeting on Jan. 29, 2024.
The name recommendation was announced on Friday, Dec. 15, and the new park will be located just north of Mahogany Avenue and west of Northwest Drive, near Costco.
Friday, Dec. 15
Whatcom County looking for volunteers to write ballot statements
The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office is seeking volunteers to write statements on a ballot measure to appear on the Feb. 13, 2024 Special Election ballot insert.
The ballot measure, which needs statements written against it, is Fire Protection District 8, Proposition 2024-14: Tax Levy Maintenance, Facilities and Operations.
Districts proposing measures are responsible for appointing committees to write arguments for and against each measure.
Committee members are required to be residents of the district to draft arguments, and at least one person must be willing to be named on the insert as a member of the committee.
Those interested should contact the Elections Division by email, elections@co.whatcom.wa.us, or call 360-778-5102 by 12 p.m. on Dec. 20. Statements are due by 4:30 p.m. Dec. 20.
Salish Sea Stewards seeking volunteers for 11-week course
The Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is looking to build its volunteer team by offering an 11-week program called Salish Sea Stewards.
The program, in partnership with the Skagit County Marine Resources Commission, offers around 40 hours of training to those interested in learning about the marine environment and volunteer opportunities with local organizations to help make a difference in the community.
Volunteers learn from local experts on a variety of topics impacting the Salish Sea. Classes are mostly lecture-style and also include some hands-on field training.
The program is from 1–5 p.m. on Tuesdays from Feb. 6 to April 30, 2024.
For more information and to register, visit the Skagit County Marine Resources Commission website.
