Zoom-zoom. Just like the car commercial, another year has zipped by. While wars, economic upheavals and elections have galvanized the glove, here at home in Birch Bay and Blaine has been somewhat less momentous. Still, before we have a chance to break our 2012 resolutions, here’s a look at what happened in 2011.

The Seattle-based shipping terminal company proposing the $600 million Gateway Pacific Terminal for a site south of Birch Bay now has until mid-March to submit the necessary permits to Whatcom County.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials plan to hold a seven-week citizens’ academy so residents can learn more about CBP operations.

Crews spent the better part of the afternoon on December 21 hauling a huge cylinder from the sea floor in the waters off Cherry Point, south of Birch Bay.

Thanks to several Blaine high school students and families in the community, Santa found his way to the New Destiny Orphanage in Douala, Cameroon (Africa) this year.

The 2011 calendar year has been a very exciting and productive one for the students and staff of the Blaine school district.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. That’s how best to describe this past year in Blaine city government. Like many of our citizens, the city struggled financially.

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) responded to 2,459 calls through November 2011. Almost 77 percent of those calls were for emergency medical assistance; 5.5 percent of the calls were for fires. The remaining 17.5 percent of calls were for false alarms, public assists and hazardous conditions.

Last year was highlighted by the Tenth Annual Jazz Camp and Festival. In every way it exceeded expectations. The reviews by students, faculty, and audience members were more enthusiastic than ever before.

A mishandled Volkswagen convertible and a number of local residents intoxicated to varying degrees were just some of the most memorable subjects of the 2011 Blaine Police Reports

New Year’s Day has spurred many of us to resolve to follow healthier lifestyles in 2012, but how many will carry through with their pledges? The journey to better health is not as daunting as it may seem. Slight adjustments to your eating, sleeping and exercise habits can have a dramatic impact on your overall health. Focus on these three aspects, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier you.

We just completed the general election and witnessed four very close races that drew out the final decision longer than we normally see. Many have wondered why the ballots can’t be counted more quickly than they are.

The 40-member Blaine High School Drama Club has scheduled four performances of the musical fantasy, “Umik!”

Oregon State Police Captain (retired) John P. Salle died unexpectedly on December 23, 2011 at his home in Blaine, WA.

Ludwig Kraus, age 83 of Blaine, passed away while working in his garden on Thursday, December 29, 2011.

Linda Fox passed away peacefully in Bellingham on December 29, 2011, after a two-year battle with cancer.

On Christmas morning, Valerie Michelle Minjarez “Little Valerie” passed away at Children’s Hospital in Seattle following a lifetime of illness from leukemia. Her final days were peaceful and were spent surrounded by the family and friends she touched in her short but memorable life.

Locals welcomed 2012 with a bracing dip in Birch Bay during the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce’s annual Polar Bear Plunge, co-sponsored by Birch Bay Waterslides.

Dozens of Birch Bay residents turned out for the annual Ring of Fire and Hope on New Year's Eve, illuminating the bay with soft red glow of flares.

The Blaine girls’ basketball team pulled out a huge win over Lynden Christian at Blaine High School on Monday, January 2.

Despite a revived fourth-quarter effort, Blaine could not overcome Lynden Christian’s devastating outside shooting, falling 66-54 in a Northwest Conference boys’ basketball matchup on Monday, January 2, at Lynden Christian High School.