News In Brief

Children�s coat drive to be held next week
Cost Cutter is running a children�s coat drive for the communities of Blaine and Birch Bay. The donation site is at Cost Cutter and Classic Cleaners is donating the cleaning. The Blaine Family Service Center will then be coordinating distribution to children in the school and with the food bank for the Interfaith/Readiness To Learn/Corry�s Dry Cleaning Coat Distribution taking place on November 4 and 7 .

Drug bears leave for Texas animal orphanage
Corky and Pumpkin, the two black bears seized by U.S. Customs inspectors in Blaine on January 27, 2003, left Wednesday for the Wild Animal Orphanage in San Antonio, Texas. The bears were found with 166 pounds of marijuana and $180,000 in cash in an aborted smuggling attempt. The bears have been in the custody of EG&G Technical Services, Inc., a government seized property contractor, and cared for at the Sarvey Wildlife Refuge in Arlington, Washington since January. When first found, the bears were malnourished and living on a diet largely of turkeys, but since January, they have become healthier, gained weight and are on a proper diet.

City to hold budget workshop meetings
Blaine city council will be conducting 2004 budget workshops on Wednesday, November 5 and Thursday, November 6 at 5:30 p.m. This will be the first time that the council will have an opportunity to see the 2004 budget. Citizens are welcome to attend and learn about the city�s revenue forecasts for 2004 and beyond, as well as recommended department cuts and proposed funding for capital projects. The workshops will be held at city hall at 344 H Street.

BCBP vacancy announcement closes tomorrow
The nationwide vacancy announcement open for officers within the bureau of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) closes tomorrow, October 31. CBP officers perform the full range of inspection, passenger and cargo analysis, examination and law enforcement activities related to the arrival and departure of persons, merchandise and conveyances such as cars, trucks, aircraft and ships at the ports of entry. For specifics on qualification requirements, pay and compensation or to apply log on to www.cbp.gov.

Absentee ballots available Saturday, November 1
Shirley Forslof, Whatcom County Auditor, is opening her office this Saturday, November 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for voters who would like to pick up an absentee ballot for the November 4 general election. Voters are encouraged to call 676-6745 for more information. Monday, November 3 is the last day to pick up an absentee ballot for this election. All absentee voters are encouraged to sign their ballot envelope and mail it so that it will be postmarked by Tuesday, November 4.

Walk for St. Jude�s to start at Semiahmoo Resort
The Semiahmoo Duck Walkers � a group walking for the St. Jude Children�s Research Hospital � is hoping to raise $10,000 during a walk that will start in the hotel lobby at Semiahmoo Resort on Saturday, November 1 at 9 a.m. Participants can walk for one mile or up to four miles. Refreshments will be served at the health club following the walk. Pledge sheets are available at Olason�s Corkscrew Willow, the Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club or at the Semiahmoo Health Club. Contact Emily with any questions at 318-2024.