Wings Over Water festival returns next month

The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.

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The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.

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The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVII, No 36 Circulation: 10,500 copies

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Wings Over Water returns to in-person festival

s Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival is returning Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20 with in-person events around Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo. Photo by Joe Meche/courtesy Wings Over Water

Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival will return with in-person events for the first time in three years. The annual festival educates community members and visitors about migratory birds that travel through Blaine and Birch Bay.

This year’s festival will take place Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20, with most of the activities occurring Saturday, March 19. Guided wildlife tours, youth activities, raptor presentations and a birding expo with vendors at the Blaine Community Pavilion will be included in the weekend-long event.

Wildlife author and photographer Paul Bannick will return as the keynote speaker with the presentation, “Washington’s Bird Habitats: Through the Eyes of Owls.” The historic Plover ferry and San Juan Cruises’ Salish Sea will offer offshore birding cruises.

Event organizers canceled the event in 2020 and made it strictly virtual in 2021. Masks are strongly encouraged at this year’s event, which will include more outdoor options than previously offered.

“Last year it went really well having a virtual festival but there’s something about interacting with people in person that we really, really miss,” festival coordinator Debbie Harger said.

Registration information and schedules can be viewed at wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com. For more information, contact festival coordinator Debbie Harger at wingsownw@gmail.com or 360/220-7663.

Letters

The Editor:

I guess the construction of the home being built by the Freeman family is newsworthy in its unique appearance. Still, I find that choice of design that will shade and hover over its heritage house neighboring properties disappointing. How often have I heard residents here voice that we don’t want Blaine to become what we see (literally and figuratively) across Semiahmoo Bay? Yet, this house will be just that.

The architect was quoted as saying his design reflected “the town’s history” and that he took “aspiration from historic buildings in downtown Blaine.” Is he simply making up his own truths? Do the Freemans actually see the same? Does anyone see as the architect – in any way?

While the project fits into the 2018 city design code plan (that maybe now should be rethought), it doesn’t fit into Blaine. Will this building inspire and set the standard for what Blaine “wants to be?” Again, I beg to differ and hope not. Blaine is actually a rare small town and about quality of life, not the quantity of life that resonates from this edifice. Blaine won’t become better off by imitating the appearance of buildings in Seattle or White Rock.

If we must look at such a building, I imagine it used instead as a venue for many small businesses. A chance for Blaine to have La Conner in one building that keeps the waterfront views open, and to be more than a place for dining and package pick up. OK, one more restaurant with a view from atop works well too. Yet to the owners go the choices. Enjoy your new building, but know too not all of us will as well.

Ray Leone

Blaine

Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

CiviC Meetings

Next issue: March 3 Ads due: Feb. 25

Birch Bay Water & Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district offices, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com. Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info and virtual meeting login: ci.blaine.wa.us. Blaine Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/2CiMKnk. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Virtual meeting info: bbbparkandrec.org/board-meetings. Special board of commissioners meeting 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 24 to possibly adopt the drafted 2022 budget. CHANGE: March meeting will be 3:30 p.m. Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330. Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info and virtual meeting link: blainesd.org. North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 11 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.