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🐹 Northern Giant Hornet Scare 🐝🐝

🐹 Northern Giant Hornet Scare 🐝🐝

October 18, 2024

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

It’s been two weeks since we started writing this newsletter, and we’re so grateful for the tremendous outpouring of interest and support from new and old friends across Whatcom County. We never imagined that nearly a thousand Bellinghamsters would be reading it after only two weeks!

Over the coming weeks, we’ll tweak a few things based on feedback we’ve received, but we’d like to hear from more of you before we do. Please take a moment to fill out our feedback survey to let us know what’s working and what’s not.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

~ Val & Evan

In today’s Hamster Wheel:

Northern Giant Hornet Scare
Artist Point Closed For Season
Estate Sales
Food & Drink
Music & Nightlife

Weather Forecast

Friday: 55°F 🌡️ 48°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 SSE 7 to 26 mph | 🌄 Sunrise 7:35 AM - 🌅 Sunset 6:13 PM

Saturday: 61°F 🌡️ 54°F | 🌧️ Rain | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 SSE 15 to 22 | 🌄 Sunrise 7:37 AM - 🌅 Sunset 6:11 PM

Sunday: 61°F 🌡️ 45°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 SSW 8 to 12 mph | 🌄 Sunrise 7:38 AM - 🌅 Sunset 6:09 PM

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Fri	6:49 AM	H	8.39
Fri	12:04 PM	L	4.18
Fri	5:32 PM	H	8.87
Sat	12:36 AM	L	-1.77
Sat	7:52 AM	H	8.74
Sat	12:53 PM	L	5.21
Sat	6:01 PM	H	8.77
Sun	1:20 AM	L	-2.18
Sun	8:57 AM	H	8.92
Sun	1:48 PM	L	6.03
Sun	6:32 PM	H	8.50

Moon Phases

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

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Mount Shuksan reflecting off Picture Lake.

Sunset over Bellingham Bay

📷 Photos by Barb Rocks: web, instagram.

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

Northern Giant Hornet Scare Near Port Orchard

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) posted this week that they were investigating a report of a possible northern giant hornet spotted near Port Orchard in Kitsap County. Luckily, entomologists with the state reviewed photos from the sighting and confirmed it was most likely an Elm Sawfly.

A good reminder to be on the lookout.

You may remember the great murder hornet kerfuffle of 2019 when a northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) 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. Northern giant hornets have not been identified in Washington since.

The northern giant hornet seriously threatens honey bee populations in the Pacific Northwest. A single hornet can decimate a bee hive in hours, entering a "slaughter phase" where it kills bees by decapitation, taking the brood to feed its young. While not aggressive toward humans, northern giant hornets can sting multiple times and pose a risk if threatened.

WSDA asks: “If you see a northern giant hornet or have seen evidence of a hive attack, please report it!” They provide a Hornet Watch Report Form.

#ThatIsNotANorthernGiantHornet 😆 🐝😆

With Washington on high alert for these invasive pests, the WSDA has likely received a few false alarms. To help residents distinguish between the northern giant hornet and other large insects, the department launched the #ThatIsNotANorthernGiantHornet campaign. It’s a sharable resource that WSDA hopes will reduce the number of false reports and protect native insects from being wrongly killed.

In other news…

Access to Artists Point is closed for the winter. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has closed the final 2.7 miles of the Mt. Baker Highway (SR 542) leading to Artist Point. The Highway remains open up to this closure point.

Tonight, the Mount Baker Theatre will present The Land Has Spoken: Tales of Indigenous Horror, a radio-style drama featuring eerie stories from Native American folklore. Directed by Kyla Tucaya Garcia and Andre Bouchard, and performed by an all-Indigenous cast, this event will showcase haunting tales brought to life with sound effects and spectral music. If you're interested in Indigenous storytelling and dark fiction, this might be an event to check out. Details & tickets.

This Saturday’s Bellingham’s Dockside Market has been canceled due to predicted high winds with gusts up to 42mph! 🌬️ The Port of Bellingham released: “…we are prioritizing the safety of our vendors and customers by canceling all tent vending [..]. Boats will still sell, so please support them and pick up fish!”

Bellingham ComiCon is this Saturday (Oct 19), at the Ferndale Events Center from 10 AM to 5 PM. This year's convention features special guests like Randy Emberlin (Spider-Man, Star Wars), Stefano Gaudiano (The Walking Dead), Rick Hoberg (Star Wars), and more! All proceeds from concessions and photo-ops will benefit the Alternative Humane Society.

Local Business Updates

Haggling With Local Folk

Tacos and Cocktails on State St.

The new Red Star Taco Bar announced an impromptu Grand Opening on Wednesday, bringing another option to the downtown Bellingham food scene. Red Star is located at 1323 N State, previously home to Jack’s BBQ and The Copper Hog before that. No menu has been posted online for the Bellingham location, but the menu for the Seattle location lists interesting taco options like “Agave Shrimp and Elote” and “Sriracha Honey Tofu” alongside a list of fruit-focused cocktails.

Mindport Announces Closing Date

Mindport has announced on Instagram that November 3 will be its final day. This closing marks the end of a 29-year run in its location at 210 West Holly St. Many of us have memories of Mindport from our childhood or from bringing our children to explore exhibits focused on biology, physics, electronics, and art. Mindport has been a wonderful part of Bellingham’s downtown for nearly three decades and will be missed.

Garage & Estate Sales

Your Source For Vintage Can Openers

Artist Estate in the Woods: Oriental Ave. (Fri, Sat, 10-3)
This looks like a fun sale with eclectic artwork, home goods, books, and furniture. The listing also mentions sports memorabilia, books, plants, jewelry, local pieces, records, games, yard tools, and baskets. map.

6187 Tyler Lane, Sat 9-4, Sun 10-2, map
270 E Laurel Road, Fri, Sat 10-3, map

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Friday Food Trucks
Ah! Chihuahua @ Trackside Portal Village
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
Greektown @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
New Public Vegan @ Evil Bikes (700 Harris Ave)
Outpost Eats @ Transition Outpost (5090 Samish Way)
Rain or Shine Riviera Club @ Trackside Portal Village
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.
The Galley @ 6069 Hannegan Rd

Saturday Food Trucks
Ah! Chihuahua @ Trackside Portal Village
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
Greektown @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
New Public Vegan @ Evil Bikes (700 Harris Ave)
Outpost Eats @ Transition Outpost (5090 Samish Way)
Rain or Shine Riviera Club @ Trackside Portal Village
Tacos El Tule @ Closed
Tam Tam Pizza @ Bellingham Farmers Mkt.
Tam Tam Pizza @ Dockside Mkt.
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.
The Galley @ 6069 Hannegan Rd

Sunday Food Trucks
Ah! Chihuahua @ Trackside Portal Village
Big Stick Barbecue @ Stemma Brewery
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
Dumpling Girls @ Goods Local Brews
El Pollo Feo @ Kulshan Brewery (Roosevelt K2)
El Tapatio @ Closed
Greektown @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
New Public Vegan @ Evil Bikes (700 Harris Ave)
Outpost Eats @ Transition Outpost (5090 Samish Way)
Rain or Shine Riviera Club @ Trackside Portal Village
Tacos El Tule @ Closed
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.
The Galley @ Closed

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

1907 F Street (Open Sunday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
I’m a sucker for turn-of-the-last-century craftsman-style homes. This one is a beauty. Love all the craftsman details, the dormers, the gable roof, and the fun ceiling lines in the second story. Plus, this home is across from Battersby Field! Listing.

38 Harbor View Drive (Open Sunday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Curious what living in Sudden Valley might be like? Here’s a beautiful newer home with tons of space (2895 sqft) and access to all the fun Sudden Valley amenities. The listing agent, Steve Wade, messaged us earlier this week and mentioned that he will be giving visitors a gift certificate for a free large specialty pizza 🍕 at Tino's, and serving hot apple cider with pumpkin spice cookies. Listing.

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!!