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🐹 Atmospheric Rivers 🌧️🌧️

🐹 Atmospheric Rivers 🌧️🌧️

October 14, 2024

Good morning, Bellingham. This is your Monday update from The Hamster Wheel.

This weekend, we took our daughter Juniper fishing at Lake Terrell, north of the now-dormant Alcoa Intalco aluminum smelter. It was a wonderful reminder of how many incredible opportunities we have here in Whatcom County. Terrell is only minutes from Bellingham, but while sitting on the grassy bank, mucking for leaches and looking out over the cascades, the chaos of modern life felt like a distant memory. Carpe diem.

~ Val & Evan

In today’s Hamster Wheel:

Atmospheric Rivers
Mabel the Cow Saga Continues
Food & Drink
Music & Nightlife

Weather Forecast

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Mt Baker from the Lake Terrell Fishing Dock - 📷 Photo by Evan

Sunset over Mt Baker Products - 📷 Photo by Evan

Tag @bellinghamsterwheel on Instagram or reply to this email to get your photos in The Hamster Wheel.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Atmospheric Rivers Signal the End of Days

If you’ve lived in Bellingham for as long as us, you know that heavy rain marks a shift in the seasons in early to mid-October. 👇️ 😒

Maybe we’re wrong (I hope so), but this team of unqualified meteor-astrologists thinks TEN DAYS OF RAIN might be the start of our low-light, long-haul winter here in the Ham. God help us all.

What’s behind this rain?

The National Weather Service predicts two atmospheric river events. You can watch these fronts play out in real-time on NOAA’s Upper-Level Water Vapor loop viewer. The first wave kicks off on Monday, bringing bands of light rain to western Washington. Then, a stronger second wave will unleash widespread showers Tuesday through Friday.

The Cow Abides: Mabel’s Saga Continues

Last week, we learned about Mabel, Bellingham’s runaway cow. Here’s the latest on Miss Mabel’s adventure:

Mabel has been enjoying daily snacks at a feeding station provided by her new neighbors in the Barkley neighborhood. Here, she can be seen here happily lounging in the fall sunlight with a full belly and a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Photo from Whatcom Humane Society

Whatcom Humane Society (WHS) continues to take steps to secure Mabel’s capture. Over the weekend, WHS staff and volunteers constructed a secure enclosure around the feeding area connected to a livestock trailer generously loaned by a community member. WHS hopes Mabel will continue visiting the feeding station and gradually become comfortable with the setup, allowing for her eventual containment and transport to the WHS farm facility.

Photo from Whatcom Humane Society

We’re glad no harm has come to cow or human in this hilarious episode. It’s been a great example of the community spirit and laid-back activism that makes Bellingham darn special.

In other news….

Learn about candidates Cody Hart and Rick Larsen during the 2nd Congressional District Election Form hosted tomorrow night (Oct 15), 7-8 PM, by the League of Women Voters. The Forum can be viewed live via Zoom or on the LWV Bellingham-Whatcom site afterward.

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Lummi Nation School tonight (Oct 14) from 5-8 PM. The event features a community salmon dinner, Indigenous artists and vendors, and inspiring speakers, including singer, award-winning actress, speaker, and environmental activist Ta'Kaiya Blaney. Enjoy performances by the Blackhawk Singers and listen to panel discussions led by Lummi Nation School youth leaders. With the theme “One People,” this celebration is an opportunity for all community members to reflect on a commitment to shared humanity and values of gratitude, generosity, and respect in a divided world. Details.

The Northwest Mushroomers Association is holding a mushroom foray at Lookout Mountain Preserve Trailhead (Lake Louise Rd at Gate 9) this afternoon (Oct 14) from 3:30-5:30 PM. This open-to-all event is perfect for mushroom enthusiasts and nature lovers, offering a chance to explore the forest, forage fungi, and share knowledge with fellow foragers.

Local Business Updates

Haggling With Local Folk

There’s a new bottle shop in Bellingham, and the inventory is entirely non-alcoholic! Located in Fairhaven's Judson Plaza building (Suite 101), Bloomhaven Bottle Shop boasts a highly curated selection of non-alcoholic spirits, beer, and wine, paired with in-depth knowledge to guide you through picking out your new favorite beverage.

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A new addition to Bellingham’s dining scene is set to open its doors at 207 Unity St., Suite 101, by the end of October. Focused on Northwestern fare and local seafood, Roe will offer a high-low, fine-casual atmosphere. (We had to look up high-low. It refers to high-style, low-cost.) Co-owned by Portland natives Dan and Izzi Rehbein, the restaurant will feature a menu of European-influenced share plates made with seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients from local fishermen and farmers. The Roe website is advertising a walk-in-only soft open on the 25th/26th of October from 5-10 PM.

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Monday Food Trucks
Ah! Chihuahua @ Trackside Portal Village
Big Stick Barbecue @ Closed
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
Dumpling Girls @ Closed
El Pollo Feo @ Closed
El Tapatio @ 4124 Strider Loop Rd
Greektown @ Closed
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
New Public Vegan @ Closed
Outpost Eats @ Kulshan Brewery (James St.)
Rain or Shine Riviera Club @ Closed
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)
Tam Tam Pizza @ Closed
The Galley @ Closed

Tuesday Food Trucks
Ah! Chihuahua @ Trackside Portal Village
Big Stick Barbecue @ Closed
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
Dumpling Girls @ Closed
El Pollo Feo @ Kulshan Brewery (Roosevelt K2)
El Tapatio @ 4124 Strider Loop Rd
Greektown @ Closed
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
New Public Vegan @ Closed
Outpost Eats @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Rain or Shine Riviera Club @ Closed
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)
Tam Tam Pizza @ Fringe Brewing
The Galley @ 6069 Hannegan Rd

Mow the lawn? Nah.

Killer Condos Around the Ham

1134 Finnegan Way, Apt 402
A handful of properties in Fairhaven offer that “heart of Fairhaven Village” feel, and the Fairhaven Gardens Building is one of them. Think views of the bay, the Filling Station below, and Village Books only yards away. Listing.

508 Darby Drive, Unit 302
Located just south of the Whatcom Community College campus, this looks like a great condo with lots of light and open community spaces. The 9’ ceilings are a huge bonus, not to mention walkability to the Co-op and all the amenities that larger complexes offer. Listing.

Music & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

Monday Music
The Deslondes, Sunflecks | The Shakedown | 8 PM
Ramble Tamble | Wild Geese of the West | 7 PM

Monday Games & Trivia
Trivia Night @ Ono Kitchen & Bar | 7 PM
Trivia Night @ Zeeks Pizza | 7 PM

Tuesday Games & Trivia
Bingo @ CHeBA Hut | 7 PM
Trivia Night @ Corner Taphouse | 7 PM

Hakuna matata

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Have a great Monday!!