Hello and welcome to the last newsletter of 2017. This final month is action packed. The list is rather extensive so you can get right to perusing. One thing I must do is apologize to all of you without Facebook, because a lot of the links shared go to a Facebook page.
Our Winter Speaker Series kicks off with Roger Christophersen!
Are you curious about elusive wildlife roaming the North Cascades? Come learn about current wildlife research and monitoring projects and with Roger Christophersen, wildlife biologist at North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Roger will take you exploring and share information on species like wolves and wolverines, explain modern data collecting strategies, and investigate what these data have revealed about wildlife populations. The North Cascades Park Complex encompasses nearly 700,000 acres of stunning landscapes with varied habitats that support a wide array of wildlife species, including over 200 species of birds and 75 species of mammals. The park plays an increasingly important role in conserving species and ecological processes. Although the park is largely protected wilderness, it is not isolated from natural and anthropogenic challenges that threaten the viability of some species. Roger will also speak about current and proposed conservation plans.
This is a free event.
Friday & Saturday, Dec 1 & 2
Art On Tap: Holiday Art Sale
The Alley District, 929 N. State Street
If you’re anything like me, you are thinking about holiday shopping but don’t know where to begin. Art On Tap brings goods from dozens of local artists to a central location for your shopping enjoyment. Shopping local keeps those in our community employed. Admission to this is free and there will be live music and exciting performances. Food and refreshments are available for purchase.
Saturday, December 2. 5:30-6:30pm
Holiday Tree Lighting
Depot Market Square
The city of Bellingham is hosting this party. There will be cocoa and cookies, a Santa photo opportunity, ornament making, caroling, live music and performances. It’s a full on holiday extravaganza. Get bundled and come share some holiday cheer.
Saturday, December 2. 6:00-7:00pm
Lynden Lighted Christmas Parade
Downtown Lynden
If you’re north of town and cannot make it in for the tree lighting, be sure to head to Lynden for the parade. The parade starts at Fairway Shopping Center at Front Street and 17th, heading east on Front St. towards 3rd and Front in downtown
Sunday, December 3. 11am-3pm
Santa Paws Photos
Mud Bay at 1022 Lakeway
This event benefits the Whatcom Humane Society. Bring your pooch, kitty, iguana, piglet, whatever in to get a photo with Santa. The cost is $20 but that money goes towards helping animals at the shelter. In return, you’ll get an amazing photo of your critter with Santa.
Tuesday, December 5. 7:00-10:00pm
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Mt Baker Theatre
WWU AS Productions is hosting this evening of epic films. This festival brings a wide variety of films featuring a range of styles and themes, including topics around climbing, skiing, kayaking, biking, adventure, culture and the environment. The films shown are ones selected by WWU students
Bellingham Branch News
Our Branch Meeting will be held:
December 4. 6:00 social time, 6:30 meeting begins
YMCA Mezzanine Room
We have a whole heap of items to address, including a discussion of all the Basic Mountaineering Course applicants. It has potential to be a long meeting, so come prepared with snacks. We will see you there!
We would like to congratulate the graduates of our 2017 Basic Mountaineering Course (not listed in any particular order):
- Jonathan Haas
- Cheryl Perry
- Ethan Tucker
- Jack Duffy
- Korey Nayebi
- Clint Carrell
- Jimmy Parks
- Galen Shea
- Ryan Ulsberger
Congrats to you all! We look forward to climbing with you in the future 🙂
There are a lot of activities to do this month, and we hope that you enjoy your free time. If you get out into the mountains, please be careful. There is a lot of snow falling and we want every person to come home safe and sound.
From our Mountain Family to yours, Happy Holidays!
Cheers!