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🐹 Ski to Sea '25 ⛷️🛶

🐹 Ski to Sea '25 ⛷️🛶

January 03, 2025

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

The Birch Bay Polar Bear Plunge was a grand (if somewhat chilly) success! And, while I’m not qualified to estimate the crowd size, it sure seemed like a thousand or more Whatcomites were kicking pebbles on that beach.

We had a blast. The kids found a leveled-up reason to complain. And most of all, seeing so many friends and neighbors come together for a fun tradition was a heartwarming way to kick of the new year.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Val & Evan

In today’s Hamster Wheel:

Ski to Sea 2025 Registration
Loïe Fuller Documentary
Food & Drink
Music & Nightlife

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Kona Loves the Bellwether Hotel - 📷 by MJHalsey.

Fossil Palm Near Racehorse Creek - 📷 by Evan.

Blacktail Buck (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) w. Felted Antlers - 📷 by Rich Marcus.

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

Weather Forecast

Friday: 46°F 🌡️ 40°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 90% | 💨 NE 8 mph

Saturday: 49°F 🌡️ 43°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 100% | 💨 SSE 10 mph

Sunday: 50°F 🌡️ 40°F | 🌧️ Light Rain Likely | 🌧️ 70% | 💨 SSE 2 to 6 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Fri	12:50 AM	L	-1.72
Fri	8:30 AM	H	9.43
Fri	2:05 PM	L	5.98
Fri	6:02 PM	H	7.13
Sat	1:32 AM	L	-0.94
Sat	8:58 AM	H	9.44
Sat	3:06 PM	L	5.03
Sat	7:18 PM	H	6.39
Sun	2:14 AM	L	0.22
Sun	9:27 AM	H	9.44
Sun	4:07 PM	L	3.84
Sun	8:46 PM	H	5.70

Moon Phases

Weather & Tides from NOAA. Moon data astronomyapi.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Ski to Sea 2025 Registration Open

New year, new Ski to Sea! Registration is now open for Bellingham’s most iconic race, welcoming teams of three to eight racers. Held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, this year’s racers will take to the hills, trails, roads, rivers, and bay on May 25th.

If you're new to Bellingham or unfamiliar with the event, Ski to Sea is a multisport relay race starting on Mt. Baker and ending at Marine Park in Fairhaven. Here’s a great online map offered by Whatcom Events the race organizer. The miles between are covered by seven sports: Cross Country Ski, Downhill Ski/Snowboard, Running, Road Bike, Canoe (2 paddlers), Cyclocross Bike, and Sea Kayak.

Learn more about the 2025 Ski to Sea from the official Race Guide, or register your team and start training for race day!! 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️

Documenting Grace at the FireHouse Arts & Events Center

Obsessed with Light, part of the Kuntz & Company - Documenting Grace Film Series, will screen on Sunday (Jan 5), from 3-4:30 PM. This documentary offers a look into the life of Loïe Fuller, a visionary performer who transformed early 20th-century visual culture with her innovative use of light and movement.

"Creating a dialogue between the past and the present, the documentary delves into the astonishing influence Fuller's work has on contemporary artists including artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Taylor Swift, Bill T. Jones, Shakira and William Kentridge.”

Sponsored by the CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival, tickets are available for $12.00 and can be purchased in advance here.

In other news…

🍍 While the days are getting longer (just barely 😆), it’s still pretty dark out there. Pineapple Productions NW is hosting an event this Saturday at The Blue Room called Happy Lights, to brighten your winter with “vibrant lights that bathe the space in joy, combined with soothing sound healing sessions that harmonize mind and body.” There will also be restorative massages, tarot readings, mocktails, and tea. Doors open at 6 PM, and the sound healing starts at 7:30. Details.

♻️ The new all-in-one recycling bin schedule totally broke my brain for the first few rounds of pickups. 🤯 We missed one entirely and had a couple of last-minute hauls when we heard the truck coming. I poked around a little to see if there was an app to remind me when to take out the bins. And, it turns out SSC will send you reminders to put your garbage or recycling out!! 🤦 You probably already knew that, but if not, find your schedule and sign up for reminders on the SSC website.

Local Business Updates

Haggling With Local Folk

Stemma Brewing Expanding Into Sunnyland

Stemma Brewing owner Jason Harper announced that in early 2025, they will open the doors to a new brewery, taproom, and beer garden in the former Twin Sisters Brewing Company location.

Jason Harper & Family

“We have so many visions, ideas, and dreams of what may come with this expansion, and will share more as they come to life [..] and look for a Grand Opening date in the coming months.”

If you've not been to the current Stemma location at 500 Carolina, we suggest visiting. It's kid-friendly and hosts several food trucks like Tepozteco Tacos, Big Stick BBQ, and one of our favs, Burnt Side Down. Good beers too. 🍻

Bellingham Dockside Market

Seafood From The Salish Sea

The Bellingham Dockside Market is open tomorrow (Jan 4), from 10 AM to 2PM at the Fishermen's Pavilion in Squalicum Harbor.

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

Crab Bellingham
💙(Fresh) Live Dungeness crab, Frozen-at-sea whole albacore tuna (F/V Connie H), 💙(Fresh) Taylor Shellfish clams and mussels, Lummi Island Sea Greens dried sugar kelp

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

Sea to Shore Seafood Co.
Salmon (various portions), Frozen boneless skinless halibut, Smoked frozen salmon, Shelf-stable smoked salmon, Alaska Weathervane scallops

Lummi Seafood Market
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

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

LUNCH AT DOCKSIDE

Lummi Island-based Legoe Bay Reefnetter Food Truck will be onsite this Saturday to serve reefnet-caught pink salmon and chips, reefnet-caught pink salmon tacos, and smoked salmon chowder.

When they’re not at Dockside, Legoe Bay Reefnetter can be found at 2106 S Nugent Rd, Lummi Island, from 11-7 Tues-Wed, and 11-6 Fri-Sun serving “the freshest and most delicious seafood the Salish Sea has to offer.” Field trip!! ⛴️

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
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)
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
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)
Lil’ Mamas @ Menace Brewing
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
Dumpling Girls @ Goods Local Brews
El Pollo Feo @ Kulshan Brewery (Roosevelt K2)
Greektown @ Kulshan Brewery (James St. K1)
Lil’ Mamas @ Menace Brewing
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)
Stella Sopra @ Stones Throw Brewery
Tam Tam Pizza @ Lost Giants Cider Co.

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

4286 Creston Way (Open Sat 11-1)
We drove past this development a few weeks ago and were struck by the slick modern look of the homes. It really gives the neighborhood a fun aesthetic that’s very different from the older Bham hoods. Interiors look just as mod. 😎 Listing.

1305 E Smith Road (Open Sun 1-3 PM)
This one looks amazing. Five acres just north of town. “Mini farm already set up w/ luscious grounds, garden areas, raised beds, fruit trees, herbs, pasture area, redone historic barn & roadside farm stand.” I feel relaxed just imagining tending to those gardens. ☺️ Listing.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE THEATRE & EVENTS

48 Hour Theater Festival :
iDiOM Theater | Fri, Sat 7 PM; Fri, Sat 9 PM

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Salsa : The Salsa Collective @ The Majestic Ballroom | Sun 5:30 PM Details.
Tango : Tango Practica @ The Majestic Ballroom | Wed 6:30 PM.
Tango : Tango Milonga @ The Majestic Ballroom | Sat 6 PM.
Jazz : Trad Jazz Society Dance @ VFW Hall | Sat 2 PM Details.
Party : NYE Dance Party @ Uisce Irish Pub | Tue 9 PM Details.
Party : NYE Dance Party @ The Thirsty Badger | Tue 8 PM Details.

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

To All Our Readers

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Have a great weekend!!