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🐹 Hornets Bee Gone 🐝🐝

🐹 Hornets Bee Gone 🐝🐝

December 20, 2024

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

Have you finished your holiday shopping for the year? Fear not! There are still a few holiday markets open this weekend. 🎁 We also found a few great options to get out and play. 🎭️ 🍷

Have fun, and be safe out there!

~ Val & Evan

In today’s Hamster Wheel:

Bellingham Christmas Ship
Bugs in a Bowl
Food & Drink
Music & Nightlife

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Wind & Tide, Little Squalicum Beach - 📷 by Piper Mertle.

Frost on Leaves - 📷 by Richard Marcus.

Bald Eagles from Welcome Bridge - 📷 by Eduard Schwan.

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

Weather Forecast

Friday: 56°F 🌡️ 45°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 40% | 💨 E 7 mph

Saturday: 54°F 🌡️ 44°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 80% | 💨 SE 7 to 12 mph

Sunday: 52°F 🌡️ 45°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 ESE 9 to 13 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Fri	1:53 AM	L	-0.46
Fri	9:46 AM	H	9.24
Fri	4:43 PM	L	5.50
Fri	7:14 PM	H	6.12
Sat	2:37 AM	L	0.60
Sat	10:18 AM	H	9.03
Sat	5:44 PM	L	4.62
Sat	8:32 PM	H	5.36
Sun	3:21 AM	L	1.78
Sun	10:44 AM	H	8.84
Sun	6:28 PM	L	3.67
Sun	10:14 PM	H	4.84

Moon Phases

Weather & Tides from NOAA. Moon data astronomyapi.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Bellingham Jaycees Christmas Ship

As the Christmas holiday approaches, it’s fun to look back on a tradition that long-time hamsters may remember from their childhood. Since its inaugural voyage in December 1951, the Jaycees Christmas Ship from Bellingham made annual trips to the San Juan Islands, delivering Santa Claus, a brightly lit tree, and candy gifts to children who otherwise had limited opportunities to engage in civic holiday festivities.

Bellingham Jaycees Christmas Ship, 1951

Despite changing ships (and sponsorships) and expanding to include Canadian Gulf Islands, the crews braved stormy weather and rough seas each year to ensure Santa appeared in even the most remote communities. Over the decades, the tradition grew increasingly popular, featuring elaborate celebrations, live music, and heartfelt interactions between Santa, Mrs. Claus, and island families. 👇️

Santa and Crew, Lions Club Christmas Ship, 2014

Sadly, the Christmas Ship tradition is no longer continuing. Factors such as rising operational costs, logistical challenges, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to sustain the annual voyages.

Local historian Lynn Weber/Roochvarg published a wonderful essay about this tradition in December of 2021.

Thomas Wood: Bugs in a Bowl

Looking for a cozy indoor destination to stay out of the drizzle this weekend? Take a scenic drive down Chuckanut to i.e. Gallery in Edison for a “posthumous exhibit of Thomas Wood etchings focusing on the wonderful absurdity of his humor.” Details.

Bald Island Wasp

“This exhibit [...] celebrate[s] the wit, humanity, trenchant observations, satire and political commentary that can be found judiciously sprinkled throughout Wood's etchings.”

Red Sun

While you’re in Edison, stop by Slough Food, Tweets, or the Longhorn Saloon. They’re all on our list of favorite nearby getaway destinations.

In other news…

👽️ UFOs from the mysterious NJ Drones? 👇️

Nope, that’s the hornet eradication team from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). This team is responsible for the recently announced eradication of all northern giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia).

“We’re pleased to announce the eradication of the northern giant hornet in Washington state,” Derek Sandison, WSDA director, said. “I’m incredibly proud of our team, which has dedicated years of hard work to safeguarding our state and the nation from this invasive threat to our native pollinators and agriculture[..]”

You may remember the great murder hornet kerfuffle of 2019 when a northern giant hornet was detected (in a first for Washington) right here in Whatcom County near Blaine. Over the following years, WSDA took aggressive eradication steps, successfully destroying four nests by the end of 2021.

🚗 Whatcom County Public Works advises drivers to avoid the Smith/Hannegan roundabout for the rest of the week as their crews install streetlights at the intersection.

🐟️ The Port of Bellingham is holding its third annual Holiday Dockside Market tomorrow (Dec 21) at its winter location in the Fishermen's Pavilion in Squalicum Harbor.

“Buy the best in local seafood directly from the fishing families who caught it.” The market also features a variety of food and craft vendors, complimentary cookies, and a live performance by the Bellingham Youth Jazz Band at noon. Details.

📰 Read Local: When our oven stopped working earlier this month, we delved into the subject of natural gas vs electric kitchen appliances and, in doing so bumped into an excellent article ( Natural gas restrictions restrained, but battle continues ) by fourth-year journalism major, at Western, Jenna Millikan. The article explores the complexities surrounding natural gas restrictions in Washington, and the ongoing shift towards electric alternatives.

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.

Penny Lane Holiday Bazar (Fri 6-8)
Look for Pop-up shops and a vendor meet-n-greet. Photo booth with Buddy the Elf, gift bags, raffles, hot cocoa bar, discounts, gift wrapping, and more. 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. Details.

Shop Small Holiday Market (Sat 12-5)
50 local vendors will be at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal just down the hill from Fairhaven, December 21st - 22nd. There’s still time to find your family and friends the perfect gift made with care by local artisans! ❄️ A portion of proceeds will be donated to Paper Whale, and non-profit seeking to inspire creatives in the PNW! Details.

Art Junction Pop-Up Market (Sat, Sun 11-5)
The Art Junction Pop-Up Market's final weekend is scheduled for the Whatcom Art Center in Fairhaven. This weekend will feature new vendors. 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

2521 Dean Avenue (Open Sat 1-3 PM)
These craftsman homes in Sunnyland are uncommon to see on the market, and this one is adorable!! I've recently become infatuated with stucco homes in Bellingham. There's something cozy and cottage-like about them. Maybe it’s the weather ☔️. Listing.

2553 Mackenzie Road (Open Sat 10-11:30 AM)
This house is totally rad. It’s so low-hung that it’s almost part of the hillside. It has a big RV parking slot built into the roofline and tons of covered spaces. It’s on the high side of Mackenzie, so the view looks gorgeous. 🌊 Listing.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE THEATRE & DANCE

A Christmas Carol:
Idiom Theatre | Thurs, Fri, Sat, 7:30 PM

Shrek The Musical:
BAAY Theatre | Fri, Sat, 2 PM; Sat, Sun, 7 PM

Hadestown:
Mount Baker Theatre | Wed, 7 PM

The Nutcracker:
Mount Baker Theatre | Fri, Sat, 7 PM; Sat, Sun, 1 PM

The Secret Garden, The Musical:
Lincoln Theatre | Thurs, Fri, 7:30 PM; Sat, 2 PM

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever:
Anacortes Community Theatre | Thurs, Fri, 7:30 PM

Intergalactic Holiday:
Day-to-Day Dance Academy @ Blaine Performing Arts Center | Sat 6 PM; Sun 1 PM

PUBLIC DANCE

Swing : Bellingham Snow Ball @ Hotel Leo's Crystal Ballroom | Tue 6:30 PM Details.
Tango : TangoLeo Practilonga - White Party @ Hotel Leo's Crystal Ballroom | Wed 7 PM Details.

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
Bingo @ Paws For A Beer | 3 PM
Trivia Night @ Stemma Brewing Co. | 5:30 PM

Hakuna matata

To All Our Readers

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Have a great Friday!!