The Bellingham Herald from Bellingham, Washington • A6

throughout the process before a draft study about the costs and benefits of a merger was released to the public. That report said it appeared that a merger might save the cities about $124,000 annually after one-time costs of more than $98,000. Rowlson said Pratt had expressed concerns about how her involvement was portrayed and that he tried to leave her out of it more and more as she requested. want this to be negative towards Rowlson said. things cause tension and the bottom line is the report was put together, every- body had multiple opportu- nities to see the report on the way in and provide He said that the report will likely on a but he had no problem with the decision of Nook- sack officials.

great. I would have liked for them to per- haps wait for citizen input, but a democracy, exactly what the Nooksack council gets to do, and he said. Reach Sam Taylor at sam.taylor@bellinghamherald or cal 715-2263. Read his Politics blog at The BellinghamHerald.com/blogs. 10th Street at Mill Avenue.

In addition to entertainment, there are food booths, craft vendors and activities. The beer garden at 11th Street and McKenzie Avenue is open from 11 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Two stages will be hosting musical acts, one on the Vil- lage Green and one adjacent to the beer garden. Here are the acts and times: LIVE BANDS BY THE BEER GARDEN 11 a.m., Tom Sandborn.

Noon to 1:45 p.m., The Pop Offs. 2 to 3:45 p.m., Death by Radio. 4 to 5:45 p.m., Space- Band. 6 to 7:45 p.m., The Wal- rus. BANDS AT THE VILLAGE GREEN 11 a.m., Mhuri Marimba Band.

Noon, Squalicum High School Jazz Ensemble. 1 p.m., What the Chelm. 2:15 p.m., Sehome High School Choir. 3:15 p.m., Brother Dal- Euphonic Elixir. 4:15 p.m., Bellingham High School Showstoppers Chorus.

Reach Sam Taylor at sam or call 715-2263. FEST from A3 2 stages host acts A6 The Bellingham Herald Saturday, May 23, 2009 TheBellinghamHerald.com BELLINGHAM 4190 CORDATA PARKWAY (360) 734-8000 MON FRI SAT SUN 1201 ANDOVER PARK SOUTHCENTER (Across from Costco) (206) 575-1451 19220 33RD AVE LYNNWOOD (Near Alderwood Mall) (425) 776-1499 Gresham, Hillsboro, Portland Delta Park. 360-734-8000 Visit us at www.jrfurniture.biz 11 STORES IN THE NORTHWEST Holiday Hours: Friday 10am-9pm Saturday 10am-7pm Sunday 10am-7pm Monday 10am-9pm cannot be combined and not applicable to markdowns. Minumum purchase $1499. 36 equal monthly payments from date of purchase.

Not applicable to any internet specials. We reserve the right to correct such errors. We speak Russian; hablamos the Memorial Da Weekend SAL Through Mon day 9pm Zero Interest for 36 Emerald Bedroom Set 4 piece bedroom set includes queen mirror, nightstand. $1478 FREE 5 DRAWER CHEST with purchase of Bedroom Set Limited Quantity. 2 per family.

$299 Bonded Leather Sofa DOOR CRASHER Englander 2pc Queen Plush Mattress Set $298 Reg. $649 Visco Memory Foam Queen Mattress $599 Pillows valued at $100 each Plus 2 Pillows FREE with purchase of Queen Mattress 18-hole Championship Links Course free rounds 4 levels of membership discounted play beginning at just $9999 Whether you play us twice a year or 200 times a have a membership that will save you a bundle! Come play one of the best conditioned courses around! GIVE US A CALL! 205 W. Smith Road 360-398-8300 888-322-NBGC NorthBellinghamGolf.com FAIRHAVEN SHUTTLE What: Shuttle between Western Washington University parking lot and All Ends in celebration Sunday, May 24. Departs: WWU Lot at Bill McDonald Park- way and West College Way. pickup: 12th Street near Har- ris Avenue.

When: Every 15 min- utes starting at 11:30 a.m. Last shuttle leaves Fairhaven at 8:30 p.m. Fare: 75 cents each way or valid WTA bus pass. YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCALLY GROWN NURSERY STOCK! Hours: Monday-Saturday 9-6, Sun 10-5 3410 Northwest Ave. (360) 733-8190 Soil Mixed Soil Bark Turf Washed Rock Sand Compost Crushed Rock Pick-up or Delivered Senior Discount Days Tues Wed off Plant Purchase Plant a Living Memorial Off Rhododendrons Azaleas Lilacs Hydrangeas Japanese Maples Dogwoods Open Memorial Day 10-5pm NURSERIES, INC.

starting. are kind of hard on your fuel he said. So how much fuel will he need? would be a good one to calculate, but not going to be very he said. Avion is one of the new entrants in the parade, which begins at noon Saturday, May 23, starting at Cornwall Avenue and Alabama Street and running down to York and North State streets. The parade has about 115 entries this year.

Sheila Connors, marketing and events director at the Cham- ber of Commerce and Indus- try, said a few of the changes this year include: A new award, the Ralph Pauley Award, for the best nonprofit military or fraternal organization band. The award is presented by the family of Ira Uhrig and Sport- ing Goods and Marine. It has a $125 cash prize. The John C. Burley Award, for best military or fraternal entry, is sponsored and funded this year.

sponsored by the Bellingham Police Association and has a $125 cash prize. Drill teams will be in their own category (with first, second and third prizes awarded to the best teams) this year. A tribute-to-returning- veterans float by Towing. Rick Adelstein, presi- dent of Louis Auto and Resi- dential Glass, was selected as this grand marshal, a position chosen based on the history and involve- ment in the community. Reach Jared Paben at 715- 2289 or jared.paben@ bellinghamherald.com.

PARADE from A1 Cash prizes awaiting in 2 categories MERGER from A1 Report found merger likely to save money safety reasons). About a year ago, that amount was cut to 15 pounds to save consumers a price hike, Blue Rhino spokesman Chris Hartley said. Last year, all energy costs increased sharply, as did the price of steel used in tanks. Those prices have all fallen this year, which would sug- gest bigger profits for propane distributors. Hartley would not say if there were plans to return propane refills to the same levels as before the 2008 price spikes, but he did say that energy markets remain vol- atile.

Retailers who offer pro- pane say they have not in- creased the volume of fuel in each tank because propane companies have not reduced prices. Home Depot, which offers propane tank exchanges, said cutting the amount of propane in 20-pound tanks was an industrywide meas- ure. PROPANE from A1 Fuel still costly, retailers say SKI TO SEA ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS SATURDAY, MAY 23 Whatcom Art Guild Show and Sale, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Bloedel Donovan Community Building. Friends of Bellingham Public Library Used Book Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., downstairs, 210 Central $3 per bag.

Grand Parade, staging at 10 a.m., judging at 10:30 a.m., parade begins at noon, starting at Alaba- ma Street and Cornwall Avenue. Harvey Haggard Hoedown, 6 p.m., Welcome Cen- ter, 6483 Mount Baker Highway, milepost 23, in Kendall (across from the Texaco station). $5.42 per person. 599-1518. SUNDAY, MAY 24 Ski to Sea Race, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mount Baker to Marine Park.

Whatcom Art Guild Show and Sale, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Bloedel Donovan Community Building. Antique Auto Restorers Antique Wooden Boat Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Boulevard Park, 758-4117, aarcbellingham.com. Fairhaven Festival, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fairhaven Vil- lage Green, 10th Street at Mill Avenue. Details: fairhaven.com., 961-6749.

Ski to Sea Main Stage, p.m., Marine Park. Music by Sabrina los Reyes at noon, The Playlists at 2 p.m., and The Joe Coleman Band at 4 p.m. Awards presented at 5:30 p.m. MONDAY, MAY 25 Whatcom Art Guild Show and Sale, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Bloedel Donovan Community Building.

SKI TO SEA WEATHER OUTLOOK Saturday: Sunny, light breeze. High near 65 mph. Sunday: Sunny, light breeze, high near 65 in Bellingham. At Mt. Baker Ski Area, expect temperatures in the 40s for the first legs of the Ski to Sea Race.

CARNIVAL INFO Carnival, through Sunday, May 24, Bellis Fair mall. Open at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sun- day. Closing hours depend on weather con- ditions. For updates, call 671-5895.

Tickets: $23 all-day wristband; individual tickets ticket books are $18 for 24 or $30 for 40. Rides require three to five tickets each. ONLINE INFORMATION For the latest news on Ski to Sea, race infor- mation, photos from the junior events, parade and more, go to TheBellinghamHerald Twitter fans, follow race updates at twitter.com/skitosea..