The Hamster Wheel
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🐹 Skate for a Cause ⛸️⛸️

🐹 Skate for a Cause ⛸️⛸️

February 17, 2025

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

The rain has returned. Yuck! I think we could all use some early spring flower photos. Snap a pic if you bump into anything spring-like.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Val & Evan

🍰 Birthday Shoutout 🍰

A very special birthday shoutout to Peggy who celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday!

A reader sent us a fun suggestion this weekend, and I'd love to get everyone's feedback. The idea was a discount card for ten fun local restaurants. Maybe we call it a Wheel Deals Card? Is this something you would want?

Discounts at fun B'ham restaurants

If there’s enough interest, I’ll reach out to our favorite restaurants and work on some tasty discounts. Think of it as collective bargaining. ✊😆

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Makeworth Coffee - 📷 by Dario Marcelo

Ice Skating Lake Padden - 📷 by Breanne Huckabone

Moonset over Bellingham Bay - 📷 by Thomas Schneider

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

Weather Forecast

Monday: 47°F 🌡️ 39°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 80% | 💨 N 7 mph

Tuesday: 50°F 🌡️ 39°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 NE 6 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Mon	1:30 AM	L	3.05
Mon	7:42 AM	H	8.53
Mon	2:41 PM	L	2.18
Mon	8:40 PM	H	6.15
Tue	2:04 AM	L	4.14
Tue	8:04 AM	H	8.35
Tue	3:23 PM	L	1.63
Tue	10:15 PM	H	6.06

Moon Phases

Weather & Tides from NOAA. Moon data astronomyapi.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Ferndale Unveils Art Installation

There’s a new sculpture in Griffintown Park in Ferndale. Made possible through grant funds from the Berghoff Art Fund of the Whatcom Community Foundation, this metal sculpture was designed by Robin Larson and fabricated by Chris Larson. The artwork features three abstract figures representing the Augustus Griffin family, for whom Griffintown Park is named, and celebrates family, community, and togetherness.

Left to right: Artist Robin Larson, Funder Larry Berghoff, Pamela Jons with the Whatcom Community Foundation, and Artist Chris Larson

Sculpture Artist Chris Larson explains, “Families – and communities – continually grow and change. We care for and celebrate one another, honoring the past and creating the future. Robin and I feel that it is a privilege of our family to be part of the story of Ferndale the gift of the Griffin family.”

Public Ice Skate for a Cause

The Bellingham Figure Skating Club, non-profit volunteer-run organization whose purpose is to support and build awareness of figure skating in Bellingham, is holding a public skate today at 3 PM to raise funds for the families who lost loved ones on Flight 5342.

All proceeds from the $8 suggested donation and bake sale will go directly to the memorial fund established by US Figure Skating. Pre-registration is not required, and donations can be made at the door. Open to the public, 3 - 4:45 PM at the Sportsplex.

In other news…

🐟️ There’s been a flurry of activity in the Salmon Aquarium at the Bellingham Public Library over the last week as the pocket of eggs transformed into a wriggling school of alevins. A few of the most active ones make regular passes by the livestream camera which makes for fun viewing. 🥰

Alevins are the first stage after eggs have “hatched.” During this phase, their egg yolk sac is attached to their bellies. The yolk sac provides nutrients as the alevins grow and will be absorbed as they transition into the fry stage of their lifecycle.

🚢 Last week we looked at the planned cleanup at the Harris Shipyard in Fairhaven. If you’d like to learn more about this location and the work involved in removing contaminated soils from the site, the Department of Ecology, Port of Bellingham, and RE Sources will be holding a public tour on Wednesday the 26th of February.

The Re Sources website notes “it’s a great way to connect with parts of our waterfront that have been inaccessible to the public, learn about them, and give feedback on plans to clean up and restore them.” Both Department of Ecology and Port of Bellingham staff will be there to provide project information and answer questions. Details and registration.

🏘️ The city of Bellingham Design Review Board meets tomorrow (Feb 18) in the City Council Chambers at 3 PM. Attend in person or watch the livestream online. The board is scheduled to review and discuss the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update to the The Bellingham Plan.

⛵️ The Port of Bellingham Board of Commissioners meets tomorrow (Feb 18) at 4 PM. Attend in person at the Harbor Center or stream live on the port’s YouTube channel. Review the agenda for this meeting online. The Commission will discuss letter of approval for Millworks Phase 2 Development and a modification to the lease between the Port of Bellingham and Halibut Henry’s LLC. The Commission will receive a presentation by Pete Dawson and Lance Calloway on a proposed County Ordinance.

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Monday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
Calcutta by Simmering Tava @ K2
El Tapatio @ 4124 Strider Loop Rd
Falafel Feast @ 4370 Meridian St
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Outpost Eats @ Kulshan Brewery (James St.)
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)

Tuesday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
Burnt Side Down @ Stemma Brewery
Calcutta by Simmering Tava @ K2
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
Outpost Eats @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Tacos El Tule @ West Marine (Meridian St)
Tam Tam Pizza @ Fringe Brewing
The Galley @ Ponderosa Beer + Books

Test Your Knowledge

Bellingham & Whatcom Trivia

What is the oldest surviving house in Bellingham, built in 1870?

The correct answer to last Wednesday's question: “What now-closed Bellingham business operated out of a building that was sinking?” was the The Shrimp Shack.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

Opera Night

THEATRE - DANCE - FILM

Mount Baker Theatre:
Stellaluna | Tues 10 AM, Thurs 12:15 PM

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 | 8 PM

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Bachata : WWU Salsa and Bachata Club @ Viking Union MPR | Mon 7 PM
Tango : Urban Salon Tango @ The Majestic Ballroom | Mon 7 PM
Swing : B’ham Hop @ Hotel Leo Crystal Ballroom | Tues 7 PM
Cuban Salsa : Beginning Cuban Salsa @ Cof& | Tues 6 PM
Cuban Salsa : Intermediate Cuban Salsa @ Cof& | Tues 7:15 PM
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

Monday Games & Trivia
Trivia Night @ Ono Kitchen & Bar | 7 PM
Trivia Night @ Paws for a Beer | 6:15 PM
Trivia Night @ Zeeks Pizza & Fountain Brewing | 6 PM
Trivia Night @ Overflow Taps | 6:30 PM

Hakuna matata

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Have a great Monday!!