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🐹 Gossip & Scandal in the Ham 🎭🎭

🐹 Gossip & Scandal in the Ham 🎭🎭

November 11, 2024

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

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, an armistice between Allied nations and Germany ended the First World War. We observe Veterans Day annually on this date to honor the men and women who served our nation across all conflicts.

In 1919, at the first commemoration, Woodrow Wilson reminded Americans to be “..filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations..”

~ Val & Evan

In today’s Hamster Wheel:

Victorian Drama
South Bay Trail Closure
Food & Drink
Music & Nightlife

Weather Forecast

Monday: 56°F 🌡️ 46°F | 🌧️ Rain | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 S 12 to 15 mph

Tuesday: 55°F 🌡️ 47°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 SSE 14 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Mon	6:13 AM	L	1.43
Mon	1:18 PM	H	8.74
Mon	8:07 PM	L	2.86
Tue	1:28 AM	H	5.86
Tue	7:12 AM	L	2.40
Tue	1:43 PM	H	8.86
Tue	8:38 PM	L	1.30

Moon Phases

Weather and Tides data from NOAA.gov. Moon phase data from astronomyapi.com.

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Kiddo beach finds - 📷 by Evan

Sunset at Glass Beach - 📷 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

Lady Windermere's Fan at iDiOM Theater

We took both our kids, and a friend of each (that’s four 11-year-olds), down to the iDiOM Theater on Saturday to watch a production of Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere's Fan, directed by Matthew Balam.

It was wonderful! And, we’ll never look at Victorian high society the same way after hearing about its scandals and intrigue from a gaggle of middle schoolers.

We want to congratulate Kaitlin Barrailler (Lady Windermere), Dante Zvezda (Lord Windermere), Jennie Olson Six (Mrs. Erlynne), Kharma Stambaugh (Lord Darlington), and the whole cast for putting on an enthralling and hilarious performance.

Lady Windermere's Fan is scheduled to run Wed-Sun this week and Thurs-Sat the following. Get tickets.

South Bay Trail Closure at Boulevard Park

Plan an alternate route if the South Bay Trail through Boulevard Park is part of your daily exercise routine. 🏃‍♀️ The city announced on Friday that the trail will be closed at the railroad pedestrian crossing on the northeast end of the park beginning tomorrow, (Nov 12) from 7 AM-5 PM.

The closure, expected to last up to a week, is part of the ongoing initiative to establish a Quiet Zone through Fairhaven.

The city is working to establish two Quiet Zones in Bellingham to reduce noise generated by train horns at crossings. Under federal regulations, BNSF must sound horns at all crossings, but by upgrading six in the Waterfront Quiet Zone and five in the Fairhaven Quiet Zone, the city aims to eliminate unnecessary horn sounds

You can learn more about this project on the COB website.

In other news…

🚴 On Friday we looked at a draft report on the Holly Street Bike Lane Pilot Evaluation. Tomorrow (Nov 12), the Bellingham Transportation Commission will meet to hear an update on this project and others at 6 PM. You can attend this meeting in person at the Pacific Street Operations Center (entrance off Carolina Street) or watch the livestream via ZOOM.

🌲 The Kulshan Carbon Trust is hosting Trivingo: Trivia Bingo Night tomorrow (Nov 12), from 6-9 PM at the Squalicum Boathouse. This event combines trivia (local history, trails, flora & fauna) and bingo to raise funds for KCT’s mission of supporting natural climate solutions in Northwest Washington. Look for snacks, purchase local beer and wine, participate in a silent auction, and compete for exciting mystery prizes. Tickets are $25 and include one Trivingo board and a drink ticket. Tickets.

Local Business Updates

Haggling With Local Folk

Soups are back at The Bagelry!!

If you didn’t grow up in the Ham this probably sounds like a nothingburger. But to us townies, two things were true about The Bagelry. They refused to toast a bagel 😠, and they were THE soup place. Then they flipped the script, started toasting bagels, and ditched the soup!! WTH (that’s teenagerese). Thankfully, soups are back, and we can only hope they decide to keep the toaster. Please keep the toaster.

Boundary Bay Brewery to Close on Railroad Ave

It’s hard to overstate how central Boundary Bay Brewery has been to Downtown. Long-time hamsters will remember an era when the city core was pretty sluggish, but a few anchor businesses helped sustain a sense of community: Stuarts Coffee House (YouTube video), The Bagelry 👆️, Casa Que Pasa, and of course, Boundary Bay.

After an impressive 30-year run, owners Janet and Ed have announced their retirement and are closing the Brewery & Bistro on Railroad Ave in September of 2025. While scotch ale on the deck will be sorely missed, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that our favorite BBay brews may find a second life in a new brewery location. 🤞

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Monday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
El Tapatio @ 4124 Strider Loop Rd
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Outpost Eats @ Kulshan Brewery (James St.)
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)

Tuesday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
El Pollo Feo @ Kulshan Brewery (Roosevelt K2)
El Tapatio @ 4124 Strider Loop Rd
Galley 2 Go @ Stones Throw Brewery
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Outpost Eats @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)
Tam Tam Pizza @ Fringe Brewing
The Galley @ Ponderosa Beer + Books

Help Spread The Word

Refer three Bellingham friends to join our newsletter community, and we’ll include a birthday callout to one person you specify on their B’day 🎂. Get your referral link here. Your current referral count is: 0. You’re so close!.

Music & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

Monday Games & Trivia
Trivia Night @ Ono Kitchen & Bar | 7 PM
Trivia Night @ Paws for a Beer | 6:15 PM
Trivia Night @ Zeeks Pizza & Fountain Brewing | 6 PM

Hakuna matata

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Have a great Monday!!