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🐹 Ogres Have Layers 🧅🧅

🐹 Ogres Have Layers 🧅🧅

December 11, 2024

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

If you're planning to drive to Skagit today, consider taking Chuckanut. We’re hearing that traffic has been knarly during daytime hours on southbound I-5 as WSDOT is clearing trees along the freeway.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Val & Evan

In today’s Hamster Wheel:

Shrek the Musical
Brahms and Beyond
Chamber of Commerce Award Winners
Food & Drink
Music & Nightlife

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Velvety Morning in the County - 📷 by Denisa Anderson.

Harbor Seal with Salmon - 📷 by Richard Marcus.

Lake Samish Christmas Ducks - 📷 by Phil Kuyper.

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

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: 52°F 🌡️ 39°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 70% | 💨 E 2 to 6 mph

Thursday: 48°F 🌡️ 40°F | 🌧️ Rain Showers | 🌧️ 80% | 💨 SE 8 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Wed	2:14 AM	H	6.03
Wed	6:30 AM	L	4.43
Wed	12:36 PM	H	9.30
Wed	8:12 PM	L	-0.24
Thu	3:38 AM	H	7.24
Thu	7:36 AM	L	5.63
Thu	1:05 PM	H	9.36
Thu	8:51 PM	L	-1.48

Moon Phases

Weather & Tides from NOAA. Moon data astronomyapi.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

“Ogres Have Layers”: Young Stars at BAAY

In classic eleven-year-old fashion, my daughter informed me that her good friend Natalie was acting in BAAY's Shrek the Musical twenty minutes before it was to commence… 🙄 We raced to the theater and snagged two remaining tickets in time to catch the opening night performance. And I’m so glad we did!!

A cast of twenty-nine extraordinary young people filled our night with dance, song, and hilarity. The passion and skill this troupe of youngsters brought to the stage was enough to bring any parent near to tears. I want to thank Ollie Stanton, Sadie Claypool, Kailynn Van Grinsven, Annie Lagares, Emma Konikoff, Natalie Moreno, Sam McGough, and the entire Shrek cast for an unforgettable night. 😁

Online tickets are sold out for all but the late show this coming Sunday. Plan to show up at least one hour prior to showtime if you’d like to purchase from the box office. There are 20 seats available at the door for each performance.

Cast 2 will perform this Friday at 7 PM, Saturday at 2 & 7 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM, while Cast 3 will take to the stage the following weekend.

Brahms and Beyond with the North Cascades Community Orchestra

Forty passionate Bellingham musicians will perform at the North Cascades Community Orchestra's Winter Concert tomorrow (Dec 12), at 7:30 PM at Bellingham High School.

Under the direction of conductor Nick Strobel, the orchestra will present “Brahms and Beyond,” featuring Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings Symphonic Suite, selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and Johannes Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture.

The North Cascades Community Orchestra, part of the North Cascades Music Society, is an all-volunteer group dedicated to making classical music accessible.

South Bay Trail Closure at Boulevard Park

Work continues at the railroad pedestrian crossing over the South Bay Trail through Boulevard Park. The city announced on Friday that the trail will be closed today (Dec 11) beginning at 9 AM. Detour signs will direct trail users to State Street and Bayview Drive.

The closure is part of the ongoing initiative to establish a Quiet Zone through Fairhaven.

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. Learn more about this project on the COB website.

In other news…

🎨 On Monday, the City Council approved $250,000 in lodging tax funds to support three new downtown projects: Makeshift, the Pickford Film Center with Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, and Children of the Setting Sun Productions. These projects will enhance public spaces with art, creativity, and opportunities for community engagement.

Alley Activation by Children of the Setting Sun Productions

This is the second round of funding aimed at revitalizing downtown. Last summer, $350,000 in lodging tax and general funds supported seven projects, including murals, sculptures, and interactive installations.

Wayfinding Mural at Old Fire Station

The focus remains on activating vacant spaces like alleys, streets, and building facades to bring life and vibrancy to the downtown district.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑The Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG) Board meets today (Dec 11) at 3 PM. WCOG facilitates mutual cooperation among the County's seven cities, Whatcom County Government, the Port of Bellingham, Lummi Nation, and other regional entities. Attend this public meeting in person at 314 E. Champion St. or watch online.

Local Business Updates

Haggling With Local Folk

Bellingham Chamber of Commerce 2024 Award Winners

The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2024 Annual Awards at its annual awards dinner honoring “businesses that truly stand out in our community.”

Winners this year are:

Small Business of the Year – Bellingham Bells
Large Business of the Year – RAM Construction
Nonprofit of the Year – Whatcom Hospice Foundation
Young Professional of the Year – Lindsey Payne Johnstone
Chamber Ambassador of the Year – Crystal King
Tourism Business of the Year – Whatcom Events
Lifetime Achievement Award – Heidi Doornenbal

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Wednesday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
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
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Mobile Mouth Hole @ Lowes Parking Lot
Outpost Eats @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Sammies Vegan @ Wander Brewing
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)
The Galley @ Ponderosa Beer + Books

Thursday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
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)
Sammies Vegan @ Wander Brewing
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.
The Galley @ Ponderosa Beer + Books

Harbor & Maritime

Whatever Floats Your Boat

Schock 40 Race Sailboat
I know precisely zero about sailboats but this one looks like a LOT of fun 🌬️ ⛵️⛵️ “She recently finished the 2023 R2AK 1st for monohulls and 4th overall (Team Stranger Danger).” So rad. Listing.

Pygmy Osprey Std. Kayak
Wooden kayaks are absolutely gorgeous. While building one from scratch would be more fun, here's an opportunity to grab a pre-built beauty from a local seller. Listing.

Help Spread The Word

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Music & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

Hakuna matata

To All Our Readers

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Have a great Wednesday!!