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🐹 Peachy Orcas 🍑🐋🍑

🐹 Peachy Orcas 🍑🐋🍑

February 19, 2025

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

You’ll notice we’re experimenting with the branding a little this week. ☝️ Hoping to land on a clean look that doesn’t lose any of the whimsical vibe that is the Wheel. Let us know what you think.

Do you like the new Hamster Wheel logo?

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Val & Evan

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Boulevard Park - 📷 by Dario Marcelo

Sunset Car Wash Ice Sculpture - 📷 by Kellie Shepherd Moeller

Rope Walk at Taylor Dock - 📷 by Jessica Turner

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

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: 48°F 🌡️ 41°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 ESE 5 to 13 mph

Thursday: 50°F 🌡️ 39°F | 🌧️ Rain Showers Likely | 🌧️ 60% | 💨 S 5 to 13 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Wed	2:38 AM	L	5.17
Wed	8:27 AM	H	8.12
Wed	4:09 PM	L	1.22
Thu	1:11 AM	H	6.44
Thu	3:12 AM	L	6.08
Thu	8:51 AM	H	7.89
Thu	5:00 PM	L	0.89

Moon Phases

Weather & Tides from NOAA. Moon data astronomyapi.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

New Female Confirmed in J Pod

Over the weekend, the Center for Whale Research confirmed the newest member of the Southern Resident orca J-pod is female.

After receiving reports of the pod’s location off the west side of San Juan Island, the Center for Whale Research found and photographed the pod, including the infant J62, whose birth was confirmed in early January of this year. They report that “J62 appears to be doing well and was seen bouncing around between J41 and other members of the J19s. J62 seems to be filling out nicely.”

You’ll notice that J62 has a peachy-orange complexion in both photos above. This is normal for juvenile orcas as they have only a thin layer of blubber which does not entirely obscure their blood vessels. Over the first year of her life, she will gain as much as 400 pounds, and her coloration will transition to the black and white most commonly seen in adults.

Return of the Pedicab

Remember a few years ago when the YMCA offered a pedicab service to people with low mobility in Bellingham? Well, it’s back on the road! 🚲️

During COVID and the following years, the pedicab was stored at Fanatik Bike Co. Recently it was tracked down by the Mount Baker Bicycle Club which assisted with its original sourcing. After an inspection, it’s been adopted for use by The AIROW Project where it had found a new role in adaptive and inclusive recreation. Watch for the pedicab around town.

In other news…

🏔️ The Bellingham Parks & Recreation is hosting guest speaker and Bellinghamster, David Inscho tomorrow (Feb 20) in the Rotunda Room of Old City Hall for an exploration of Washington’s Pasayten Wilderness.

Davis has been exploring Washington’s northern wilderness for 30 years and has found “The Pasayten the most beautiful, mysterious, and sometimes confounding terrain in the Northwest.” This free event is open to all (no registration required) with a suggested five-dollar donation. It begins at 7 PM.

👨‍⚖️ It’s a bit last minute, but this opportunity looks fascinating! Washington State Supreme Court justices will be at the Wilson Library Reading Room this morning from 9:30-11 AM for a Q & A discussing the Role and Functions of the Court. Then tomorrow, they will hear two cases: State v. Thompson, and State v. Abrams. This is a unique opportunity to hear from the justices directly about the scope and impact of their roles, and watch the Court in action. Details.

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Wednesday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
Big Stick Barbecue @ Stemma Brewery
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
Calcutta by Simmering Tava @ K2
Dumpling Girls @ Goods Local Brews
El Pollo Feo @ Kulshan Brewery (Roosevelt K2)
El Tapatio @ 4124 Strider Loop Rd
Falafel Feast @ 4370 Meridian St
Galley 2 Go @ Stones Throw Brewery
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Mobile Mouth Hole @ Lowes Parking Lot
New Public Vegan @ Evil Bikes (700 Harris Ave)
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
Calcutta by Simmering Tava @ K2
Dumpling Girls @ Goods Local Brews
El Pollo Feo @ Kulshan Brewery (Roosevelt K2)
El Tapatio @ 4124 Strider Loop Rd
Falafel Feast @ 4370 Meridian St
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)
Sammies Vegan @ Wander Brewing
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.
The Galley @ Ponderosa Beer + Books

Test Your Knowledge

Bellingham & Whatcom Trivia

The claiming of what mine in 1897 set off the Mount Baker gold rush?

The correct answer to Monday's question: “What is the oldest surviving house in Bellingham?” was the Pickett House.

Correction: Several readers correctly noted that the Picket Home was built in 1856 not 1870.

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Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

Opera Night

THEATRE - DANCE - FILM

iDiOM Theater:
Exit the King | Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30 PM

Hotel Leo:
Opera Night at the Leo | Wed 7 PM

New Prospect Theatre:
Calypso | Fri, Sat 6:30 PM; Fri 9:30 PM; Sat 9 PM

Lynden High School:
Hello Dolly | Fri, Sat 7 PM, Sun 3 PM

Unsubdued Theatre Collective @ Wink Wink:
The Time of Cherries | Thurs, Fri, Sat 7 PM

Ferndale High School:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Thurs, Fri, Sat 7 PM

COMEDY

Uisce Irish Pub:
Comedy Open Mic | Mon 8:30 PM

Corner Taphouse:
Southside Comedy Hour | Fri 8 PM

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Scottish Country : Scottish Dancing Workshops @ Fairhaven Library | Wed 7 PM
Swing : Winter Whirl @ The Blue Room | Wed 7 PM
Tango : Tango Practica @ The Majestic Ballroom | Wed 6:30 PM
Bachata : Bham Bachata @ ‘ONO Kitchen & Bar | Thurs 7:30 PM
Social Partner Dance : Flow Fusion @ Karate Church | Thurs 7 PM
Contra : Schmoneil + Abigail Golden @ Fairhaven Library | Sat 7 PM
Party : Sleaze Freaks @ The Shakedown | Sat 8:30 PM
Salsa : The Salsa Collective @ The Majestic Ballroom | Sun 5:30 PM

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!!