July 26 - August 1, 2018
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Rawganique is preparing to open downtown, page 2
Crews battle fires in Birch Bay, page 5
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Police say package theft reports are rising, page 13
Lots to do at New Starbucks now open in downtown Blaine Drayton Harbor Days, Aug. 4-5 B y M at h e w R o l a n d
s A new Starbucks is the latest addition to downtown Blaine. It opened Thursday morning on July 26 at 530 Peace Portal Drive and is located next to the Peace Portal Drive Chevron station owned by developer Mike Hill, above. The project included the construction of the new Blaine Welcome Center next door. Whatcom County resident Maris Holmes will manage the new Starbucks location.
With high B.C. gas prices, sales in Blaine jump 50 percent By Oliver Lazenby Blaine gas station owners deal with huge swings in sales; the U.S.-Canadian exchange rate, the price difference in gas between the two countries, and many other factors affect the number of Canadians buying gas in Blaine. For now, sales are way up and some analysts think the tide of Canadian drivers at Blaine gas stations won’t soon recede. A growing difference in gas prices across the two countries has more Canadians filling their tanks in Blaine than at any
time in the past three years and Blaine gas sales are up 50 percent over last year, according to a recent study. The study, published on June 14 by the International Mobility and Trade Corridor Program, found the amount per liter that BC residents save by filling up in Blaine climbed from 33 cents per liter a year ago to 41 cents per liter in June 2018, or about $21 to fill a 16-gallon tank. Since the study was published, the cross-border gas price difference has grown slightly, said its author Hugh Conroy, director of planning for the
Sailing cruises now offered out of Blaine Harbor B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e A new business operating out of Blaine Harbor is offering residents and visitors the chance to experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest by sail. Aquarius Yacht Charters LLC, owned by Mark and Julie Sampson of Bellingham, was established in 2017 and offers the public cruises out of Blaine Harbor on a 54-foot, Jeanneau sailing yacht called ‘Southern Cross.’ “We take people on what is, hopeful-
Photo by Stefanie Donahue
ly, the trip of their lifetime,” Mark said. “There is no limit to what we can provide.” Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Mark moved to Anacortes in 2013. He quickly became fascinated with the area and started sailing through the Inside Passage. Heavily travelled by freight, cruise and other ships, the passage stretches from Washington to Alaska. “It’s just incredible,” Mark said. “It’s here right in our backyard.” Over the years, Mark improved his sailing skills and developed an interest in
owning a boat of his own. His dream came true after he stumbled upon the Jeanneau 54 at a boat show in Anacortes. “I had this feeling that it was going to be my boat,” Mark said. “And 18 months later, it was.” The luxury sailboat is billed as Jeanneau’s largest cockpit design and contains three staterooms, three heads and a spacious upper deck. It also contains a retractable aft terrace, among other amenities. (See Aquarius, page 15)
Whatcom Council of Governments. Factors include a fuel shortage in BC due to pipeline capacity, temporary refinery shutdowns in BC and increased carbon and gas taxes in BC, according to the study. While BC residents can save even more at the pump by traveling to Bellingham, many are filling up in Blaine. In June 2018, Blaine gas stations sold 2.14 million gallons of gas, a more than 50 percent increase from June 2017, when 1.37 million gallons were sold, according to the City of (See Gas, page 13)
INSIDE
A variety of maritime-themed events are planned for Drayton Harbor Days in August. The event will take place from Saturday, August 4 to Sunday, August 5 at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive. As part of the annual event, the public will have the chance to climb aboard tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain after they arrive to Blaine Harbor on Friday, August 3. Crews aboard the ships will offer vessel tours and evening sails through Sunday, August 5. To see the full schedule, visit bit.ly/2NJnpmJ. “The main highlight is always the tall ships,” said Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce director Carroll Solomon. “Even if you are not going out on a sail, go get a close up look of the tall ships.” Drayton Harbor Days will kick off with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Blaine Senior Center at 763 G Street. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. there will be a 1-mile fun run for ages 10 and younger starting at the Marine Park playground. At 9 a.m., a 5K Run to the Border will begin. All ages can play games or take part in a water balloon battle at the ‘Kids’ Pirate Daze’ from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blaine Marine Park. The public can also peruse steamboat displays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or view a pirate parade and costume contest at noon at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center. The Prestigious George Raft Race will start at 1 p.m. at the Blaine Harbor boat launch and finish at the visitors dock. To register for the race, visit bit.ly/2OgMu9u. Vendors such as Jeckyl & Hyde Deli and Ale House and Alaska Wild Fish and Chips, will also be selling food and drink. All ages will have the chance to ride on the historic Plover Ferry from noon to 8 p.m. at the Blaine Visitor’s Dock, Gate 2 for a suggested donation of $5. The Alaska Packers Association Museum will also be open from 1 to 5 p.m. at 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Starting at 9 p.m., families can view a movie at an outdoor showing at Marine Park. On Sunday at 1 p.m. there will be a pet contest at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center. To learn more, visit bit.ly/2LpsT9x.
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4
Classified . . . . . . 11
Coming Up . . . . 14
Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . 14
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