The Hamster Wheel
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🐹 Hewn From Stone ⚒️⚒️

🐹 Hewn From Stone ⚒️⚒️

November 29, 2024

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

If you find yourself walking by the harbor this weekend and spot the sea lions that have been sporting about, snap a photo and send it our way. We tried to find them on our Thanksgiving afternoon walk but came up empty-handed.

Have a fun weekend, and stay safe!

~ Val & Evan

In today’s Hamster Wheel:

The Bellingham Boulder
Shop Small Saturday
Food & Drink
Music & Nightlife

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Bald Eagles - 📷 by Chuck Hardin.

“A welcome sign” - 📷 by Kellie Shepherd Moeller.

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

Weather Forecast

Friday: 47°F 🌡️ 39°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 40% | 💨 SSE 5 to 8 mph

Saturday: 49°F 🌡️ 37°F | 🌧️ Slight Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 20% | 💨 SE 5 mph

Sunday: 50°F 🌡️ 36°F | ⛅ Partly Sunny | 🌧️ 8% | 💨 NE 2 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Fri	5:28 AM	H	8.10
Fri	9:41 AM	L	6.45
Fri	2:11 PM	H	8.29
Fri	10:00 PM	L	-0.87
Sat	6:06 AM	H	8.64
Sat	10:27 AM	L	6.90
Sat	2:32 PM	H	8.26
Sat	10:30 PM	L	-1.37
Sun	6:43 AM	H	9.01
Sun	11:12 AM	L	7.20
Sun	2:51 PM	H	8.20
Sun	11:04 PM	L	-1.72

Moon Phases

Weather & Tides from NOAA. Moon data astronomyapi.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

The Bellingham Boulder

Ever glance down the ally behind the Mt Baker Theater and notice the enormous boulder that nearly fills the roadway? It’s a great reminder that downtown was once covered in hillocks and stone outcrops that needed to be flattened before a city could be built. A century and a half later, one last boulder remains. 👇️

Here’s a wonderful photo purported to show laborers removing sandstone from the area near where the federal building now stands.

Black Moon Tomorrow in Bellingham

If you look up to the night sky tomorrow (Nov 30), you will notice no visible moon (new moon) for the second time this month. This celestial event, known colloquially as a Black Moon, occurs once every 29 months!

Black Moons exist because of the irregular length of months in the Gregorian calendar. While the moon takes roughly 29.53 days to orbit the Earth, our calendar months range from 28 to 31 days. Over time, this discrepancy creates the lunar pattern we call a Black Moon and its opposite, a Blue Moon, when there are two full Moons in a single calendar month.

Shop Small Saturday

Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Shop Small Saturday (or Small Business Saturday) was started to encourage holiday shopping at smaller local businesses. There are several events taking place in Whatcom County:

Downtown Bellingham
Find unique and delightful gifts at Downtown Bellingham's array of boutiques, shops, and galleries stocked with special finds and one-of-a-kind items. The Retail Directory lists discounts at Backcountry Essentials, Fringe Boutique, The Green House, Third Planet, MW Soap Works, and Quicksilver Photolab. The event runs from 11 AM-8 PM.
Hela Provisions Mini Market
A small business centric, open house mini market from 12pm-3pm. There will be wine tasting with Amy Pickering of Elliot Bay wines. Maria Pickering of MK Reinvents specializing in non toxic soy candles, will also be joining with a selection of products. Tatum with Olio Flowers & Plants will have wreaths and bouquets. Guerrilla Kitchen will have focaccia and other treats. Details.
Bellingham Makers Market
This event will be open on Saturday from noon to 6 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm, offering a fantastic opportunity to explore various creations from 50 talented local vendors. The perfect way to stock up on gifts for your loved ones, from hand-crafted soaps, sustainable goods, and exquisite art to delectable food items, stylish clothing, aromatic candles, and stunning jewelry. Details.

In other news…

🌳 Swing by the City of Bellingham tent at the farmers market this Saturday and pick up a free paper birch or shore pine tree.

This giveaway is part of the city’s Community Tree Program, which aims to meet climate and urban forest goals. “Why trees? They provide a wealth of benefits, from cleaner air to cooler streets, making Bellingham a healthier, happier place for our community and environment.”

🎅 Santa Claus will make an appearance at Boundary Bay Brewery this Sunday (Dec 1) from 12-3 PM. Santa is welcoming visitors of all ages and will be available to take photos with. You’ll need to bring your own camera.

Local Business Updates

Haggling With Local Folk

Hardware Sales Holiday Wonderland

Hardware Sales is hosting its annual holiday sale today and tomorrow, offering 15% OFF everything that fits inside a 5-gallon bucket. On Saturday, power tool enthusiasts can take advantage of exclusive deals with DeWalt and Makita, including free Makita flashlights with select kit purchases, $5 pictures with Santa, free kids' crafts, and opportunities to write letters to Santa.

Trader Joe’s to Open a Location on Meridian

Trader Joe’s has announced they are opening a second Bellingham location in the old Bed Bath & Beyond building across from Best Buy. This location will be in addition to the existing James St. Trader Joe’s. The announcement points to a 2025 opening. “We've consulted our maps and compass and have found a terrific location for a store in Bellingham, WA. We are proud to be joining the neighborhood..”

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.

FireHouse Arts & Events Center Holiday Pop-Up Market (Sat 1-6)
The FireHouse space becomes a festive holiday bazaar, with wall-to-wall handmade goods and specialties by local artisans and vendors, with live music by Pam Wooster and other favorite local musicians.

Boundary Bay Brewery Holiday Market (Sat 11-3)
Featuring 15+ local vendors and artisans, this market is the perfect place to get holiday gifts for everyone on your list, all while supporting locals!

Wander Brewing Holiday Market (Sat 3-7)
Stop by for a beer and a special Holiday Market featuring local makers!

Fairhaven Winterfest 2024 (Sat 12-5:30)
Walk through the village amongst thousands of festive lights, send Santa a letter and visit with him at the Village Inn, watch the lighting of the community tree, old-fashioned carriage rides, stroll through the luminary forest, listen to Victorian carolers, and watch fire dancers.

Holiday Makers Market at Bellingham Cruise Terminal (Sat 12-6, Sun 10-5)
The perfect way to stock up on gifts for your loved ones, from hand-crafted soaps, sustainable goods, and exquisite art to delectable food items, stylish clothing, aromatic candles, and stunning jewelry. Details.

Blaine Night Market and Luminary Walk (Sat 4:30-9:30)
Check out the food trucks, sip hot cocoa, mulled wine, or beer, and shop from the 20 wintery vendors. There'll also be a tree lighting and tree-falling contest, a place to roast smores, and a craft table for the kids. Details.

Christmas Market at Maple Falls Town Hall (Sat 4:30-7)
Welcome in the Holidays with a cozy Christmas Market with local vendors. A great way to support local businesses and get your gift shopping done all in one place. Enjoy cocoa or coffee, festive music, shopping, treats, photo "booth" and more. Details.

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

3410 Aldergrove Road (Open Sat 11-2)
The best of all worlds… 5 acres in the county near Lake Terrell, NW contemporary-style construction, lots of fancy finishes, metal roof, and room for an RV 😍. The home was designed by Haven Design Workshop, the architecture firm behind the Fairhaven Gardens building. Listing.

519 12th Street (Open Sat 1-3)
I love these quirky Bellingham houses. Rooms with interesting ceiling lines, mixed surfaces, and the most gorgeous views in the world. You really can’t get any more Bellingham than that. This one is perched over Boulevard Park. Listing.

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

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!!