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🐹 Geminids Shower 🌠⭐️

🐹 Geminids Shower 🌠⭐️

December 13, 2024

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

Think of us like Santa’s elves, working around the clock to bring you the best of Bellingham. 😜

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Val & Evan

In today’s Hamster Wheel:

Geminids Meteor Shower
Dorky Dance Fitness
Food & Drink
Music & Nightlife

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

“Dip Chicks” in a brisk Lake Whatcom - 📷 by Ashley Hulbert.

Robin Eating Berries - 📷 by Richard Marcus.

Sunrise in Whatcom County - 📷 by Denisa Anderson.

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

Weather Forecast

Friday: 51°F 🌡️ 44°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 90% | 💨 SE 8 to 12 mph

Saturday: 51°F 🌡️ 40°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 90% | 💨 SSE 12 to 17 mph

Sunday: 48°F 🌡️ 36°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 50% | 💨 SSE 6 to 9 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Fri	4:40 AM	H	8.36
Fri	8:40 AM	L	6.53
Fri	1:37 PM	H	9.37
Fri	9:32 PM	L	-2.36
Sat	5:31 AM	H	9.20
Sat	9:41 AM	L	7.10
Sat	2:12 PM	H	9.28
Sat	10:13 PM	L	-2.83
Sun	6:18 AM	H	9.70
Sun	10:40 AM	L	7.35
Sun	2:51 PM	H	9.07
Sun	10:56 PM	L	-2.90

Moon Phases

Weather & Tides from NOAA. Moon data astronomyapi.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Geminids Meteor Shower Behind Those Clouds

Val and I stepped outside two nights ago to look for Venus in the night sky. Over the past week, we’ve enjoyed spotting it to our northeast during the early evenings. To our delight, the long tail of a meteor streaked across the sky, followed a few minutes later by a smaller one.

📷️ from NASA

These occurrences are part of the Geminids Meteor Shower, an annual event that’s reaching its peak tonight and tomorrow.

Western University in Canada maintains an excellent Meteor Shower Flux Monitoring tool that shows the current number of meteors per hour. It reads 135/hr as of my writing this newsletter and should rise to more than 150/hr by tonight.

The NASA website describes how meteor showers “happen annually as the Earth passes through the trail of dusty debris left by a comet.” Tiny particles, often as small as grains of sand, enter our atmosphere and burn up, creating bright streaks of light in the night sky.

Weather predictions over the next few days are not favorable for sky gazing. That said, predictions have been wrong before, or maybe we’ll get lucky with a break in the cloud cover. If so, find the time to get outside and look to the stars! 🌠⭐️ 🌠⭐️

Dorky Dance Fitness

After settling into some low-energy habits over the fall, we vowed last week to kick ourselves into gear and exercise. Looking at options around town I stumbled upon Dorky Dance Fitness, and now I know we’ll get Buff!! So amazing. 😆

These gals have hilarious workout videos on their YouTube channel and offer in-person classes, which they promise will be “hotter than a bottle of hot sauce that got put in the oven and then lit on fire and then covered in lava.” 🔥 The look on these faces 👇️ speaks to the power of laughter and endorphins. 😁

Dorky Dance Fitness is offering a drop-in class this Saturday (Dec 14) from 10-11 AM at the Bellingham Circus Guild in Fairhaven. There’s a $0-$25 sliding-scale class fee. Or sign up for one of their five-week sessions on the DDF website.

In other news…

🎄🎤 The York Neighborhood Association is holding its Christmas Caroling Party & Wagon Rides at Nelson’s Market tomorrow (Dec 14). The event includes caroling in the York Neighborhood. Each wagon can accommodate up to 30 participants, with priority given to families with young children, and additional attendees are welcome to walk along.

Bring warm clothing, a flashlight, and cookies to share if possible. The gathering offers free wagon rides, complimentary hot cocoa and hot apple cider, and live music from Sehome High School’s choir and the Celtic folk-music band Gallowglass.

Participants are encouraged to donate cash or non-perishable food items to the Bellingham Food Bank, with digital donations available via a QR code at the event. Details.

🎄🎤 Sunnylanders and friends can show off their caroling skills tonight (Dec 13) at 6 PM at the Sunnyland Elementary playshed. The Sunnyland Neighborhood Association put together a song list with lyrics that you can print in advance or view on your phone. They will provide hot drinks, and invite you to bring some cookies to share. Details.

🚲️✨ Dig that bike out of your garage, slide into those peddle pushers, and get creative with some LED lights! Bellingham’s Lighted Bike Parade is tomorrow (Dec 14), from 4:45 PM to 6:30 PM.

This free event welcomes everyone to decorate their bikes with lights and costumes, and spread holiday cheer along the South Bay Trail. The parade begins with a meet-up at Depot Market Square at 4:45 PM, followed by an out-and-back ride starting at 5:00 PM. Participants will return to Depot Market Square between 5:20 PM and 5:30 PM for live music, hot cocoa, and activities before departing again at 6:15 PM for a self-guided evening.

Holiday Markets & Bizarre

Fruitcake For Hamsters ✊

Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts (Daily 10-6)
A Whatcom County holiday tradition for 45 years! The Holiday Festival of the Arts is an indoor and online, five-week-long festival featuring over 100 artisans from our region. Aside from vendors selling their wares, the festival boasts live music, workshops for children, and artists demonstrating their craft. Details.

Kulshan Brewing Holiday Makers Market (Sat 4-8)
Holiday Makers Market aiming to support local creatives who strive to be sustainable and environmentally conscious in their craft. At the Roosevelt Taproom (K2), this event benefits the United Way of Whatcom County.

Nooksack Christmas Craft Fair (Sat 10-3)
Shop local with the Nooksack Tribe on Saturday, December 14th from 10am to 4pm! Entry is free and all are welcome to attend. 2515 Sulwhanon Drive, Everson Details.

Pacific Arts Market (Fri, Sat, Sun 10-6)
40 talented local artists and creatives on site. You'll be meeting them each time you come in! Located at Bellis Fair Mall next to Buffalo Wild Wings.

Mt. Bakery Holiday Craft Fair (Sat 10-3)
The Mt. Baker Mountaineer Band will be present at the Holiday Craft Fair to raise funds for their trip to Disneyland. Visitors can enjoy live music performances by the band, explore offerings from local small businesses, and make donations to support the band’s fundraising efforts. Additionally, food vendors will be available, providing refreshments for attendees. This event offers an opportunity to support a local high school band while engaging with the community’s small businesses.

Whatcom Art Center in Fairhaven Art Junction Pop Up (Sat, Sun 11-5)
A new small coop of local arts and makers who are coming together to sell their wares. Art Junction has rented the newly remodeled space at the Whatcom Art Center in Fairhaven.

Children's Holiday Market (Sat 10-2)
The Children's Holiday Market will be held at the Bloedel Donovan Community Building. The event features young artisans and entrepreneurs showcasing and selling their gifts and goodies. All items are priced at $10 or less, and sales are conducted in cash only. Attendees can browse and shop for free, making the market accessible and enjoyable for the whole family.

Meridian Christmas Craft Fair (Sat 9-4)
The annual Christmas Craft Fair supports the Meridian Music program and features a diverse selection of vendors. Attendees can complete their Christmas shopping, find stocking stuffers, and support local small businesses all in one place. This event offers a convenient and festive environment to explore unique gifts and contribute to a valuable community music initiative.

Holiday Sip & Shop @ Christianson's Nursery (Sat 5-8)
Tickets are available at the door. Each ticket includes 1 drink per ticket holder. A portion of the proceeds goes to support the Valley Made Emerging Artist project. Details.

Saturdays at The J: Holiday Gift Shop Pop-up (Sat 9:30-5)
Explore a unique selection of handcrafted gifts and meet the talented artists behind the creations. This special pop-up event is the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind holiday treasures while supporting local artisans. Details.

The Firs Holiday Market (Sat 10-6)
Experience a festive atmosphere filled with joy for all ages. Enjoy an artisan market, scrumptious lunch and treats from The Firs kitchen, visits with Santa, holiday wreath-making, and much more.

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Friday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
Back East BBQ @ Wander Brewing
Big Stick Barbecue @ Stemma Brewery
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
Dumpling Girls @ Goods Local Brews
El Pollo Feo @ Kulshan Brewery (Roosevelt K2)
El Tapatio @ 4124 Strider Loop Rd
Galley 2 Go @ Stones Throw Brewery
Greektown @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Mobile Mouth Hole @ Lowes Parking Lot
Nana J’s @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
New Public Vegan @ Evil Bikes (700 Harris Ave)
Outpost Eats @ Transition Outpost (5090 Samish Way)
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.
The Galley @ Ponderosa Beer + Books

Saturday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
Back East BBQ @ Wander Brewing
Big Stick Barbecue @ Stemma Brewery
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
Dumpling Girls @ Goods Local Brews
El Pollo Feo @ Kulshan Brewery (Roosevelt K2)
El Tapatio @ 4124 Strider Loop Rd
Galley 2 Go @ Stones Throw Brewery
Greektown @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Lil’ Mamas @ Menace Brewing
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Nana J’s @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
New Public Vegan @ Evil Bikes (700 Harris Ave)
Outpost Eats @ Transition Outpost (5090 Samish Way)
Sammies Vegan @ Bellingham Farmers Mkt.
Tam Tam Pizza @ Bellingham Farmers Mkt.
Tam Tam Pizza @ Dockside Mkt.
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.
The Galley @ Ponderosa Beer + Books

Sunday Food Trucks
Back East BBQ @ Wander Brewing
Big Stick Barbecue @ Stemma Brewery
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
Dumpling Girls @ Goods Local Brews
El Pollo Feo @ Kulshan Brewery (Roosevelt K2)
Greektown @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Lil’ Mamas @ Menace Brewing
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Nana J’s @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
New Public Vegan @ Evil Bikes (700 Harris Ave)
Outpost Eats @ Transition Outpost (5090 Samish Way)
Stella Sopra @ Stones Throw Brewery
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

9788 Samish Island Road, Samish Island (Open Sun 2 - 4:30 PM)
We’ll use any excuse to visit Samish Island… it’s paradise in the PNW. The fact that this home is gorgeous, on a huge property, and has an expansive southern view, is just a bonus!! Listing.

2618 Patton Street (Open Sat 12 - 2 PM)
This one’s in our hood! We love the BTC pocket neighborhood. Access to parks, trails, beaches, and the coolest neighbors you could hope to find. We’re biased… but it’s pretty great. 😉 Listing.

Help Spread The Word

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Music & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

Friday Games & Trivia
None Scheduled

Saturday Games & Trivia
None Scheduled

Sunday Games & Trivia
Trivia Night @ Stemma Brewing Co. | 5:30 PM

Hakuna matata

To All Our Readers

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Have a great Friday!!