The Hamster Wheel
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🐹 Pups & Cupcakes ❤️🐶❤️

🐹 Pups & Cupcakes ❤️🐶❤️

February 12, 2025

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

The subject line isn’t clickbait. I promise! 😆 Also, a small update in today’s newsletter is the addition of independent film in the performing arts section. There may be times I can’t include them all but a curated selection of screenings will appear alongside live arts from time to time.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Val & Evan

🍰 Birthday Shoutout 🍰

Happy Birthday: Ryan Dobos 🎉

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Diablo Lake - 📷 by Jodi Broughton

Sunset at Squalicum - 📷 by Duffy Brook

Teardrop Ice at Padden - 📷 by Jessica Turner

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

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: 39°F 🌡️ 22°F | ☀️ Sunny | 🌧️ N/A% | 💨 NE 2 to 7 mph

Thursday: 40°F 🌡️ 26°F | ⛅ Partly Sunny | 🌧️ 20% | 💨 NE 6 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Wed	6:06 AM	H	9.15
Wed	11:27 AM	L	5.63
Wed	3:58 PM	H	7.57
Wed	11:10 PM	L	-0.43
Thu	6:30 AM	H	9.03
Thu	12:04 PM	L	4.99
Thu	4:51 PM	H	7.36
Thu	11:46 PM	L	0.20

Moon Phases

Weather & Tides from NOAA. Moon data astronomyapi.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Kennels Overflowing at Humane Society

It’s time to wag your tail down to the Whatcom Humane Society if you’ve been thinking about adopting a pup. They announced on Monday that their “kennels are FULL . . . like REALLY FULL!,” and they are seeking new homes for a group of dogs that includes a lot of larger breeds, strays, and pups in protective custody.

Alpine - German Shepherd Mix 😍

If you’re ready to foster, or provide a forever home by adding a canine to the family, the Humane Society invites you to visit the WHS website to learn about the many dogs currently available.

Tree Giveaway Informational Workshop at Bloedel

The Whatcom Million Trees Project and Whatcom Conservation District are hosting a Tree Giveaway Informational Workshop at the Bloedel Park Pavilion today at 6:30 PM. This workshop is part of the City’s Community Tree Partnerships program, which aims to reduce the financial, educational, and logistical barriers to tree planting on private property.

Residents in the Columbia, Roosevelt, Lettered Streets, Sunnyland, and York neighborhoods may be eligible to receive 1–3 free trees to boost their yard’s canopy and enhance the local urban forest. 👇️ These neighborhoods were selected because they have the lowest tree canopy density in the city.

Participants will receive an overview of available tree species, and practical guidance on tree selection, planting, and care. For those interested in joining the free tree giveaway, find the registration info here. Additional details about the program and the benefits of increased tree canopy can be found on the Whatcom Million Trees Project website.

In other news…

🧁 James Street Cakes and Bloomhaven Bottle Shop have partnered to present Cupcakes & Cheers—a cupcake decorating workshop tonight (Feb 12) from 7–9 PM at Bloomhaven Bottle Shop in Fairhaven. This event offers a relaxed environment where you can learn the art of cupcake decorating while enjoying unlimited pours of non-alcoholic wine. 🍷

Attendees will leave with six beautifully decorated cupcakes, a complimentary wine glass, and a newfound appreciation for NA wines. This is a great event for friends, couples, or solo creatives. Last I checked there are tickets available. Grab them up quick. 😁

🏡 The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission is meeting in the Lynden Library tomorrow (Feb 13) at 6 PM. I'm told they hope to meet once in each County Council district. It will be fascinating to listen to these discussions. More about the Charter and the Review Commission. 👇️

The Whatcom County Charter was written in 1979 by an elected committee of citizens. It codifies the structure of county governance, defining the powers and responsibilities of elected officials, how citizens are represented, and how elections are conducted. It serves as a guide for how the local government operates, much like the U.S. Constitution does at the federal level.

Every 10 years, Whatcom County voters elect fifteen individuals—three from each of the five County Council districts—to serve on the Charter Review Commission. The commission evaluates the Charter’s adequacy, ensuring it meets the county’s evolving needs, and considers potential revisions.

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

What now-closed Bellingham business operated out of a building that was sinking?

Children of the 80s/90s will know this one!

The correct answer to Monday's question: “What location in Whatcom County once housed a “Yoghurt” Sanitarium?” was the Fairhaven Hotel.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

This is the final weekend to catch Home, I’m Darling at the Bellingham Theatre Guild. 👆️ We hear great things! Grab the remaining tickets.

THEATRE - DANCE - FILM

Bellingham Theatre Guild:
Home, I’m Darling | Thurs, Fri, Sat 7 PM; Sun 2 PM

New Prospect Theatre:
36 Questions | Fri, Sat 7:30 PM; Sat, Sun 2 PM

Western - College of F&PA:
The Storyteller | Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30; Sat 2 PM

Bellingham Circus Guild:
My Circus Valentine | Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun (Multiple Times)

FireHouse Arts & Events Center:
Cascadia International Women's Film Festival - Breaking Boundaries | Sat 7 PM

COMEDY

New Prospect Theatre:
Molly’s Comedy Cabaret | Wed 7 PM

Greene’s Corner:
Comedy Open Mic | Wed 7 PM

Nacho Problems:
Comedy Open Mic | Thurs 8:30

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Scottish Country : Scottish Dancing Workshops @ Fairhaven Library | 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
Party : Tiny Dancing Queen @ Wild Buffalo | Sat 9 PM
Party : Heart Beatz Rave @ Blue Room | Sat 8 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

Hakuna matata

To All Our Readers

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Have a great Wednesday!!