Young at heart: January

By JoAn Newby

Good wishes are in the air at the Blaine Senior Activity Center. We wish everybody a sparkling and truly wonderful New Year. May all realize those wonderful goals you have set. We have some exciting events for you to attend in January.

Wednesday, January 14, 11:50 a.m.: Chase away the blues on our annual blues day. Come enjoy blues music with Andy “Badd Dog” Koch and the Badd Dog Blues Society. Wear blue and win prizes.

Saturday January 17, 8–11 a.m.: Pancake breakfast. Come enjoy pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and orange juice. Adults $6, children $4.

Monday, January 19, 2–3 p.m.: Strength-training classes. Are you 50 or older? Would you like to use our gym? Come by the senior center and learn how to build muscle and burn fat. $60 class fee. Preregistration, membership at the Blaine Senior Center and a medical release are required. Packets are available at the senior center.

Monday, January 19, 12:30 p.m.: Big Bucks Bingo. Open to the public, bring your friends and family. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. for baked potato and salad bar, $6 with choice of toppings available for purchase until 12:45 p.m. Assorted snacks will be available for purchase during the bingo intermission. Kids can come play too. $20 admission, eight games, three cards each game.

Saturday, January 24, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: Whatcom County Preppers Canning and Food Storage Workshop. Explore the many facets of long-term food storage. We will discuss the science behind the lifespan of various foods, as well as proper handling to avoid spoilage or contamination. Other topics of discussion will be traditional canning, vacuum/heat sealing, dehydrating, curing/smoking, using Mylar bags for bulk foods, perish rates, labeling and stock rotation and freeze-dried bulk foods. You will make your own dry food to seal and take home. Free to the public, courtesy of the Whatcom County Preppers group, a nonprofit, nonpartisan education organization. Sign up at the Blaine Senior Center.

Monday, January 26, 1 p.m.: “Fragile Waters” documentary. Blaine resident and documentary filmmaker Rick Wood recently finished production of a documentary about orca whales and Chinook salmon entitled “Fragile Waters.” This educational, family-friendly film combines breathtaking footage of wild killer whale and salmon with powerful interviews from the leading experts, to help determine the source of the decline of both the orcas and salmon.

Saturday, January 31, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.: Veteran benefits event. Veterans and their families will receive assistance in obtaining information about VA services they are eligible for, apply for VA Healthcare and other VA benefits. Bring your DD214/ military discharge papers if you have them.