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🐹 Ivy Comes A-Creepin 🌿🌿

🐹 Ivy Comes A-Creepin 🌿🌿

April 04, 2025

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

Hamster friends, we’re updating the food section to include a few fun food specials or seasonal food opportunities in each edition. Shoot us a note if you have a favorite food special, happy hour, or brunch around town.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Val & Evan

🍰 Birthday Shoutout 🍰

Happy birthday: Linda Widman 🎉

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Spring Neighborhood Delights - 📷 by Jodi Broughton

Fuzzy Bumble Bee Napping in a Crocus - 📷 by Holly Roger

Peach Tree Blossoms - 📷 by Steve Barry

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

Chuckanut Writers Conference

Engage Your Passion for Writing

June 26th-28th

The Chuckanut Writers Conference is more than just a weekend of workshops. It’s an opportunity to engage your passion for writing, connect with fellow storytellers, and nurture your craft in the inspiring Pacific Northwest environment.

Whether you’re just starting your writing journey or you’re an experienced author, the Chuckanut Writers Conference offers a welcoming space for every voice.

We’re excited to come together in person once again to study the craft and business of writing and publishing, but most importantly… let’s network and encourage one another on the journey. Join us for a weekend of learning, laughter, and creativity that will leave you feeling motivated and ready to bring your words to life—register by April 15th using code 2025EarlyBird to save $100 on the registration fee and secure your spot!

Weather Forecast

Friday: 60°F 🌡️ 42°F | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 🌧️ 0% | 💨 NNW 3 mph

Saturday: 64°F 🌡️ 47°F | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 🌧️ 20% | 💨 SSW 2 mph

Sunday: 63°F 🌡️ 48°F | 🌧️ Light Rain Likely | 🌧️ 0% | 💨 SSE 3 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Fri	12:17 AM	H	8.09
Fri	4:52 AM	L	6.57
Fri	8:43 AM	H	7.52
Fri	4:57 PM	L	-0.95
Sat	1:35 AM	H	8.21
Sat	7:50 AM	L	6.44
Sat	9:40 AM	H	6.88
Sat	6:05 PM	L	-0.30
Sun	2:36 AM	H	8.33
Sun	9:28 AM	L	5.79
Sun	11:11 AM	H	6.28
Sun	7:18 PM	L	0.30

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Farmers Market Kicks Off Summer Schedule

This Saturday (and every Saturday through December), the Bellingham Farmers Market will be open from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Depot Market Square. This year, the market website lists over one hundred and twenty vendors, from produce and fresh-cut flowers to local crafts and creations, so there should be something for everyone!

For over 30 years, the Bellingham Farmers Market has been a hub for local culture, community, and connection. Established in 1993, the market grew from earlier iterations dating back to the late 1970s, including a market once held at the old train station on Railroad Avenue, now the WTA bus depot. 🚌

English Ivy in Whatcom County

Bellingham filmmaker Lexie Bright teamed up with the Whatcom Million Trees Project (WMTP) to create this sweet and thoughtful short film about the impact of English Ivy on trees throughout our county.

WMTP posted on Instagram that “English ivy is spreading in western Washington, killing trees as it grows! Fortunately, awareness is also spreading. As awareness grows, so too does our ability as a community to solve this problem and save our trees!”

In other news…

🍻 Stones Throws 9th Anniversary Block Party: Stones Throw Brewery is celebrating its 9th anniversary with a block party in Fairhaven this Saturday from noon to 8 PM. Expect flagship and seasonal brews, live music, and local eats.

The lineup features Cats Like Us Duo at noon, Cardova at 2:30 PM, and Lost at Last at 5 PM. Food trucks Galley 2 Go and Street Dogs will be onsite. One of my favorite memories in Bellingham is walking to Stones Throw from the northside a few years back in a snowstorm. ❄️ Congrats to the Stones Throw team for 9 years in the Ham!!

📚️ Books By the Bay Fair at Village Books: Marking the end of the Chanticleer Authors Conference, Village Books in Fairhaven will host the Books by the Bay Book Fair this Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.

This free, family-friendly event features tables throughout the bookstore where attendees can meet authors, explore their works, and enjoy book signings, alongside door prizes, raffles, and ongoing activities for all ages. Details.

💐 Join the 2025 Sunnyland Garden Party, a spring-themed pub crawl in Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood, kicking off today and running through the weekend. This event features five local breweries—Wander Brewing, El Sueñito Brewing, Kulshan Brewing, Otherlands Beer, and Stemma West—offering new beer releases, fun specials, live music, makers markets, and a pop-up by Garden Spot Nursery.

Participants can grab punch cards at any brewery, collect stamps at each stop, and enter a raffle for themed prize packages with local goodies and brewery swag, all while encouraged to don quirky garden party attire like floral patterns or big hats. Details.

⛏️ Volunteer Opportunities This Weekend: There are two outdoor work parties this weekend if you want to get outside and work in the community. On Saturday from 9-noon, join the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association to plant trees and shrubs in the upper reaches of Squalicum Creek, a waterway supporting pink, chum, and coho salmon.

Also on Saturday from 9-noon, the city is holding a community work party at Lower Padden Creek Trail to remove invasive species and plant native trees along the trail—tools and gloves will be provided at both. Registration is required. Padden creek work party. Squalicum creek tree planting.

Garage & Estate Sales

Your Source For Vintage Can Openers

Lincoln Street near Lincoln Blvd (Sat, Sun 10-4)
In the trailer park across from Freddys, this estate sale looks packed with cute treasures. Vintage Pyrex, fine and costume jewelry, household goodies, and a few vintage ephemera items to boot. map

Noon Rd north of Smith Rd, Sat, Sun 10-4 PM, map
5296 Olson, Sat 8-4 PM, map
8125 Birch Bay Square #208, Fri, Sat 9-4 PM; Sun 10-3 PM, map
808 Bentgrass Way, Sat 8-2 PM, map
1998 Midway Ln. Unit 183, Fri, Sat 9-3. map

Bellingham Dockside Market

Seafood From The Salish Sea

The Bellingham Dockside Market is open tomorrow (Saturday), from 10 AM to 2PM at the Fishermen's Pavilion in Squalicum Harbor.

FRESH AT DOCKSIDE

Drayton Harbor Oyster Co
💙(Fresh) Pacific oysters, 💙(Fresh) Taylor Shellfish clams and mussels

Lummi Seafood Market
💙(Fresh) Live Dungeness crab, 💙(Fresh) live geoduck, 💙(Fresh) Live green sea urchin

Slack Tide Fisheries
💙(Fresh) Live Dungeness crab

Plus preserved seafoods from: DJ Fish Co, Icy Fresh Seafood, Sea to Shore Seafood Co., Jean C. Family Fisheries

LUNCH AT DOCKSIDE

Seashells Coffee Co
Hot coffee and tea beverages, Iced coffee, Lotus, Italian sodas, smoothies, and specialty drinks.

Legoe Bay Reefnetter
The Lummi Island-based Food Truck will be onsite this Saturday to serve pink salmon and chips, pink salmon tacos, shrimp tacos, and hot clam chowder.

It's the Sweet Things
Bellingham’s own It's the Sweet Things will serve Smoked Salmon Pastries, Dungeness Crab Pastries, Smoked Salmon Artichoke Spread, and more!

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Sunday
Brunch at Roe

Roe and Makeworth Coffee are teaming up for brunch on April 6th - expect dishes that fulfill your wishes plus the caffeinated bevies to top it off. 10-3 PM

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

2014 39th Street (Open Fri 4-6 PM)
This beauty is just down the street from the home where I grew up. It’s a great location. Close to Lake Padden and the Samish Crest trail system, or turn the other direction on Samish Way and drive into downtown. Plus, it’s gorgeous. 😍 Listing.

5337 Elder Road, Ferndale (Open Sat 11-1 PM)
I LOVE this home!! There’s something romantic about a simple cedar shingle exterior paired with a rich interior, featuring high-contrast white walls and warm, lacquered fir floors. Add to that a 2-acre lot on the corner of Elder and Unick, making this property a dream location for anyone seeking room to breathe. 😉 Listing.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

THEATRE - DANCE - FILM

BAAY Theatre:
Farewell to the Hundred Acre Wood | Fri, Sat 7 PM; Sat, Sun 2 PM

iDiOM Theater:
Serial Killers | Sat 7 & 9 PM

Bellingham Theatre Guild:
Play On! | Fri, Sat 7 PM; Sun 2 PM

Pacific Northwest Opera:
Rusalka | Fri 7:30 PM; Sun 1:30 PM

New Prospect Theatre:
New Play Cafe | Fri, Sat, Sun 7 PM

COMEDY

Larrabee Lager Co:
Zane Lamprey | Fri 8 PM

The Upfront Theatre:
D&D | Fri 7:30 PM
D&D After Dark | Fri 9:30 PM
D&D | Sat 7:30 PM
Punch Line | Sat 9:30 PM

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Party : Dance Romance @ Wild Buffalo | Fri 8:30 PM
Party : Crank That @ Wild Buffalo | Sat 9 PM
Line Dancing : Boot Scootin Fun’Raiser @ Firehouse A&E Center | Sat 2 PM
Belly Dance : Belly Dance Fusion @ Bellingham Senior Center | Sat 10:30 AM
Swing : Spring Swing @ Pioneer Pavilion Community Center | Sat 7 PM
Salsa : The Salsa Collective @ The Majestic Ballroom | Sun 5:30 PM

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

Thanks for reading today’s edition. If you found something helpful, please forward it to a friend 🙏.

You can reply to this email if you have something we should know about or want to send us a love note.

Have a great weekend!!