The Editor:
Summer is quickly drawing to a close and the 2015-16 school year is on the horizon. Even though school is still a few weeks away, the Blaine school district Family Service Center is already anticipating an increase this year in the number of low-income students who will be served with school supplies and backpacks.
Donations are needed to ensure enough supplies for all. Last year we provided more than 280 low-income students with basic supplies during the first few days of school. Donated supplies can be dropped off at the Blaine school district office, 765 H Street, during regular business hours, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Supplies that are desperately needed are: glue sticks, spiral notebooks, pencil pouches, pencil boxes, highlighters, six or eight-tab dividers for three-ring binders, scissors and backpacks. Although these are the supplies that are in the greatest need now, we will gladly accept any and all school supply donations.
If you would like to donate money for supplies you can either drop it off at the district office or mail it to: Jessie Burton, Family Service Center, Blaine School District, 765 H Street, Blaine, WA 98230. All donations of goods and monies are tax deductible.
The school supply distribution for the 2015-2016 school year will be on Monday, August 31 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Family Service Center.
Thanks so much! For more information please contact the Family Service Center at 332-0740 or jburton@blainesd.org.
Jessie Burton
Family Service Center, Blaine school district
The Editor:
I am planning to host a tribute to Loretta Lynn here at Birch Bay, and am seeking information about her local performances at Bill’s Tavern and at the Custer Grange Hall.
My efforts so far to find memorabilia, photos, etc. have all been in vain and can only find information online and at the Blaine library.
I today visited Custer and other areas to make inquiries and was delighted to find the cast iron heater that was from Loretta’s home, and which I might purchase. Her house is still standing on the Birch Bay/Lynden Road.
It is most disappointing to discover that the local history of such a world-renowned entertainer has been ignored. I really hope to correct this. Of all the people I have talked to, only one knew that she entertained here. Loretta is 83 now and likely would be delighted to know of any efforts to honor her.
If you are able to offer assistance, I would sincerely appreciate it. Kindly allow me to suggest that a plea for information in your paper may uncover some posters, etc., that will enhance the
tribute I am planning. This, also, may spark interest for senior readers who will relate interesting personal stories.
Thank you for your attention. I anxiously await your response.
Arlene Hartley
Birch Bay
The Editor:
I wish to commend the city of Bellingham mayor for once again offering to consider joining the county cities in building a jail in Whatcom County. While being constantly aware of addictions, mental health issues and homelessness, the citizens also deserve a degree of certainty regarding their own safety.
Our citizens all deserve safety in their streets, homes and schools as well as public safety facilities, which are precisely that – safe. Hopefully both our county and city executives and our city and county councils will place public safety above partisan politics, gain and publicity.
Susan Blondell Kaplan
Bellingham
The Editor:
This makes no sense. The government wants an environmental review of the Gateway terminal to be done, and from what I hear it is more than halfway complete. Now, the powers that be, who are the Army Corps of Engineers, are thinking about stopping this.
Our Lummi neighbors have told them they want to stop it right now, before it’s even completed. That makes me think that the Lummis are worried about what the review might say. All along, the Lummis have stated publicly they will not consider even talking to the Gateway people about the project. Not very neighborly. Meanwhile, this county continues to struggle, because only a few have good jobs or big pensions, then there’s the rest of us. Just complete the study and let’s get on with this.
Corey L. Mitchell
Everson
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