The Hamster Wheel
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🐹 Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse 🎨🎨

🐹 Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse 🎨🎨

January 31, 2025

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

This weekend, they’re predicting more sleet than snow. However, there is a possibility of accumulation overnight into Sunday. If you take a closer look at the snowfall totals map from the National Weather Service 👇️, you’ll notice that we’re right on the edge of the range where snow is anticipated.

Oh well 🤷‍♂️, I’ll be glad to see even a few snowflakes. ❄️

Mt Baker on the other hand could see 20+ inches! 🏔️

Have a great weekend, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

In today’s Hamster Wheel:

Masterworks on Loan
Winter of Wellness
Food & Drink
Music & Nightlife

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Lost Lake Trail - 📷 by Steve Rose

Chuckanut Bay from Amtrak - 📷 by Astrid Leust

Moss Near Barkley Blvd - 📷 by Cathy Miller

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

Weather Forecast

Friday: 49°F 🌡️ 35°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 SSE 12 mph

Saturday: 42°F 🌡️ 31°F | 🌧️ Rain & ❄️ Snow Showers | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 SW 10 mph

Sunday: 39°F 🌡️ 26°F | ❄️ Snow Showers | 🌧️ 90% | 💨 ESE 9 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Fri	7:09 AM	H	9.24
Fri	12:36 PM	L	5.09
Fri	5:28 PM	H	7.66
Sat	12:30 AM	L	-0.77
Sat	7:34 AM	H	9.32
Sat	1:27 PM	L	4.06
Sat	6:34 PM	H	7.15
Sun	1:10 AM	L	0.38
Sun	7:59 AM	H	9.38
Sun	2:20 PM	H	2.94
Sun	7:47 PM	H	6.60

Moon Phases

Weather & Tides from NOAA. Moon data astronomyapi.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

National Gallery of Art Loans Masterworks to Whatcom Museum

The Whatcom Museum announced “an intimate exhibition of three masterworks” this week, including works by Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, and Henri Matisse. The paintings are on long-term loan from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Matisse’s Still Life with Sleeping Woman 👆️ (1940) “showcases bold use of color and form.”

Cézanne’s The Battle of Love 👆️ (c. 1880) “explores structure and perspective in new ways, which led to movements like Cubism and abstract art.”

Renoir’s Picking Flowers 👆️ (1875) “reflects luminous brushwork and intimate portrayals of everyday life.”

These works will be on view as part of the exhibition Verdant, which opens on Friday (Feb 14) in the museum’s Lightcatcher building. Learn more.

Resources for a Winter of Wellness

Have cold days and long nights left you longing for a tropical beach destination this February? I’ve been dreaming of warm sand and sunbeams dancing on blue waters for weeks! 🌴🌞 Alas, we have a few months before spring arrives, so now’s the time to ramp up the self-care. Bellingham’s Sustainable Connections has made this a little easier by publishing a Winter Wellness Guide filled with special offers from local businesses that are available throughout February.

The discounts and offerings in this guide range from healthcare, yoga, and supplements to fitness and financial planning. There are offers “to help your mind, body, and spirit thrive this season!” Check out the online guide or watch for a printed version in this week's Cascadia Daily News.

In other news…

🥛 Kombucha fans, tomorrow (Feb 1) the Whatcom County Library is holding an educational seminar on “The Elixir of Life“ at the Blaine Meeting Room from 10 AM-Noon. It’s an opportunity to sample different flavors, watch demonstrations about making kombucha, and take home “your own culture (SCOBY) to start brewing.” Details.

🌶️ Tickets are now on sale for a February 15th performance by Bellingham’s Risqué Renegades nouveau burlesque cabaret troupe.

The (mature audiences only) show called Sizzle, promises a “night of elegance, allure, and pure entertainment” at the Lincoln Theatre. If you’re looking for a spicy date night around Valentine’s Day, this could be it. Details and ticketing.

🩸 Bloodworks Northwest has declared a “code red emergency blood shortage” due to “the impact of natural disasters and a decrease in donation appointments.” They are asking the public (especially Type O and platelet donors) to schedule an appointment to donate blood to help them bridge the gap between their current supply and what’s needed over the next eight weeks. Schedule a donation.

🦌 Enrolment opens tomorrow (Feb 1) for Wild Whatcom preschool summer camps, 1-8 summer camps, and 2025-26 nature preschool.

Some of these programs fill up quickly so review the program offerings list today and be ready to grab a spot when registration opens.

Bellingham Dockside Market

Seafood From The Salish Sea

The Bellingham Dockside Market is open tomorrow (Feb 1), from 10 AM to 2PM at the Fishermen's Pavilion in Squalicum Harbor.

Dockside is welcoming new vendors, mother and daughter Kristy and Kodie who will be selling marine-inspired artwork. Kristy is a US Coast Guard Veteran and a spouse to a retired Coast Guardsman and has spent most of her adult life near the water.

SHOP DOCKSIDE

Drayton Harbor Oyster Co
💙(Fresh) Pacific oysters, 💙(Fresh) Taylor Shellfish clams and mussels, To-go seafood soups and chowders, Ekone tinned seafood, Anna's sourdough bread

DJ Fish Co
Frozen WA king salmon fillets, Smoked king salmon

Icy Fresh Seafood
IQF side stripe shrimp whole and tails, IQF coonstripe shrimp tails, IQF spot shrimp tails, 5lb mixed whole shrimp (pinks, sidestripes, coonstripes)

Crab Bellingham
💙(Fresh) Live Dungeness crab, Frozen-at-sea whole albacore tuna (F/V Connie H), 💙(Fresh) Taylor Shellfish clams and mussels, San Juan Island Sea Salt (new flavors!)

Slack Tide Fisheries
Frozen local king salmon fillets and portions, Frozen Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets and portions, Canned Coho salmon, 💙(Fresh) Live Dungeness crab

Sea to Shore Seafood Co.
Salmon (various portions), Frozen salmon collars, bellies, and burger meat, Frozen boneless skinless halibut portions, Smoked frozen salmon strips, Shelf-stable smoked salmon pouches and cans, Alaska Weathervane scallops

Lummi Seafood Market
💙(Fresh) Live red and green sea urchin, Refreshed whole and filleted local coho salmon, Refreshed local king salmon fillets and whole, Frozen local spot prawns, Canned local king salmon, Smoked king salmon, 💙(Fresh) Live Dungeness crab, Frozen local geoduck

Jean C. Family Fisheries
Frozen black cod sides and portions, Smoked black cod, Frozen rockfish portions, Frozen ling cod portions, Frozen albacore tuna

Desire Fish Company (Gate 7 aboard F/V Desire)
Frozen Alaskan king, Coho and sockeye fillets and portions

LUNCH AT DOCKSIDE

Bellingham’s own It's the Sweet Things will serve salmon & crab pastries, jalapeno cheddar biscuits, artichoke & smoked salmon dip, and freshly baked desserts.

When they’re not at Dockside, It's the Sweet Things serves “delectable artisan cupcakes, handcrafted desserts, and freshly baked pastries“ from their downtown bakery at 1206 Cornwall Ave.

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Friday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
Back East BBQ @ Wander Brewing
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)
Outpost Eats @ Transition Outpost (5090 Samish Way)
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.
The Galley @ Ponderosa Beer + Books

Saturday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
Back East BBQ @ Wander Brewing
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
Galley 2 Go @ Stones Throw Brewery
Greektown @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Nana J’s @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
New Public Vegan @ Evil Bikes (700 Harris Ave)
Outpost Eats @ Transition Outpost (5090 Samish Way)
Sammies Vegan @ Bellingham Farmers Mkt.
Tam Tam Pizza @ Bellingham Farmers Mkt.
Tam Tam Pizza @ Dockside Mkt.
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.
The Galley @ Ponderosa Beer + Books

Sunday Food Trucks
Back East BBQ @ Wander Brewing
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)
Greektown @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Nana J’s @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
New Public Vegan @ Evil Bikes (700 Harris Ave)
Outpost Eats @ Transition Outpost (5090 Samish Way)
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

1401 Chuckanut Crest Drive (Open Sat, Sun 1-4 PM)
This home is the kind of luxury property that we only see hit the Bellingham MLS a few times each year. It’s enormous, gorgeous, and perched above Chuckanut Bay. Every once in a while, when we glance at Chuckanut after dark, we notice the twinkle of lights far above the scenic highway. This must be one of those homes. What a spot!! 🌊🌲 Listing.

4623 Guemes Island Road (Open Sat, Sun 2-4 PM)
This one’s a sweet Guemes Island home with views to the east over Samish Bay and Blanchard. There’s something so idyllic about Guemes. You’re a five-minute ferry to Anacortes but still tucked away on a quiet island in the Salish Sea. Not too shabby if you ask me. 😁 Listing.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE THEATRE & DANCE

iDiOM Theater:
Tower of Air | Wed 7 PM; Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun 7:30 PM

Bellingham TheatreWorks:
Deep Blue Sound | Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30 PM

Bellingham Theatre Guild:
Home, I’m Darling | Fri, Sat 7 PM

Mount Baker High School:
Little Woman | Fri, Sat 7 PM

Lynden Christian High School:
High School Musical | Thurs, Fri 7 PM

Nooksack Valley High School:
Frankenstein | Fri, Sat 7 PM

Student Theatre Productions:
The Great Gatsby | Fri, Sat, Sun 7:30 PM; Sun 2 PM

Mt Baker Theatre:
Winter Dance Showcase | Sat 6 PM

COMEDY

The Upfront Theatre:
Murder at Mortlake Manor | Fri 7:30 PM
Fifty Shades of Velvet | Fri 9:30 PM
Murder at Mortlake Manor | Sat 7:30 PM
Punch Line | Sat 9:30 PM

Larrabee Lager Company:
Laughs at Larrabee | Fri 8 PM

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Party : The Bad Bunny Party @ Wild Buffalo | 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

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

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Have a great Weekend!!