In the news...

Blaine man updated to stable condition
A Blaine man has been updated from serious to stable condition at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham after being hit by a vehicle on March 18, a hospital spokesperson said Tuesday.

The Washington State Patrol reported that Christopher A. Fox, 30, of Blaine, was hit by a 1989 Lincoln Towncar driven by Melissa Satterfeal, 23, of Blaine, when he walked into the road near 7806 Birch Bay Drive.

Satterfeal was not injured in the accident.

Blaine home featured in national magazine
Blaine resident Penny Beebe will have her home featured in the May 2006 issue of Country Sampler, a home decoration magazine published in St. Charles, Illinois with national distribution. Beebe, an interior designer, and owner of the interior design service Re Fresh, gained recognition for her heirloom-packed arts and crafts-style bungalow-style home on Semiahmoo Drive. The magazine will be available on stands this week.

Road race this Sunday
More than 200 runners have signed up for the first Birch Bay International Road Race April 9, starting at the Birch Bay Waterslides, said Lynne Hoskins, an organizer of the race. Individuals of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in the 15 kilometer walk/run, which loops around Birch Bay Drive to the Birch Bay State Park, or the 30 kilometer run that begins at the waterslides and trails around Semiahmoo.

The Bellingham Running Club and the Semiahmoo Sun Runners of White Rock, will also compete for a $150 gift certificate for Stephani’s by the Bay restaurant.

A majority of the proceeds from the event will go toward the YMCA’s “Girls on the Run” program, aimed at increasing self-esteem in girls through participation in girls’ high school running programs. Other support will be donated to the Blaine high school cross-country team. The event is sponsored by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, The Northern Light, the Bay Center Market, Mike Kent Realty, Stephani’s by the Bay and the Lynden Family Medical Clinic. For more information or to register for the race, visit www.birchbayroadrace.com or call 360/325-0715. Registration the day of the event is allowed but must be completed before 8:30 a.m. Cost is $50 for the 15 kilometer race and $70 for the 30 kilometer race.

Whatcom County counts homeless
The Whatcom County Health Department and the Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee in coordination with other organizations, partnered to complete a comprehensive “Point in Time” count of homeless people in Whatcom County. The study coincided with other surveys in other counties throughout the country, in an effort to complete the standardized homeless count on Thursday, January 26, 2006. 

The information will be used to create a countywide plan to reduce homelessness as required by the Homeless Housing and Assistance Act, which passed in 2005.

The survey identified more than 1,250 homeless individuals in Whatcom County. Of those, most individuals cited job loss, alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness, inability to pay rent or mortgage and domestic violence, as reasons for being homeless.

People interested in learning more about the 2006 Point in Time Count may view the full report at www.whatcomcounty.us/health or contact Gary Williams at the Whatcom County health department at 676-6724, ext. 30693, or Gail DeHoog at the Opportunity Council at 734-5121, ext 344.