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🐹 Yule Be Dazzled 🎄🎄

🐹 Yule Be Dazzled 🎄🎄

November 27, 2024

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

This Thanksgiving, we are grateful to all of you for being a part of our Hamster Wheel family! 🙏 Have a wonderful holiday filled with gratitude, loved ones, food, and joy.

~ Val & Evan

In today’s Hamster Wheel

The Big Fir of ‘49
Cross Country World Championships
Food & Drink
Music & Nightlife

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Eye at sunset - 📷 by Deborah Wessell.

Neptune Beach Dino - 📷 Photo by Deborah Wessell.

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

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: 47°F 🌡️ 38°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 40% | 💨 S 5 mph

Thursday: 47°F 🌡️ 38°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 50% | 💨 SE 5 mph

Bellingham Bay Tides

Day	Time	H/L	FT
Wed	3:52 AM	H	6.56
Wed	8:01 AM	L	5.08
Wed	1:34 PM	H	8.30
Wed	9:11 PM	L	0.56
Thu	4:44 AM	H	7.39
Thu	8:52 AM	L	5.84
Thu	1:51 PM	H	8.29
Thu	9:34 PM	L	-0.21

Moon Phases

Weather & Tides from NOAA. Moon data astronomyapi.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

The Big Fir of ‘49

On December 4, 1949, a 153-foot tall Douglas fir was cut down near Nooksack Valley High School. Days later, this tree was transported to downtown Bellingham, where it was erected as “the tallest Christmas tree in the world” at the time. The project, spearheaded by the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), involved a coordinated effort using multiple logging trucks, cranes, and extensive rigging to safely move and install the tree in the city’s heart.

The tree’s lighting ceremony drew nearly 1,000 spectators and earned a mention on CBS News Radio by the renowned broadcaster Edward R. Murrow. It was decorated with 1000 colored lights and topped with a 15-foot tall lighted cross.

Find Your Fir of ‘24

U-Cut in the Wild
If Clark Griswold’s tree-hunting escapade in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is your jam, consider a Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Christmas Tree Permit. This permit allows you to cut a Christmas Tree within designated areas of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Permit details.

U-Cut Tree Farms
For those who don’t mind a bit of tree sap but would rather skip the frostbite.

Fullner Christmas Tree Farm: A rustic barn gift shop, free hot drinks, and candy canes set the scene for a festive outing.
Stoney Ridge Farm: Famous for its homemade doughnuts, this farm also offers custom wreaths, garlands, and tree shaking and baling.
Old Man Miller’s Tree Farm: A small family operation with Nordmann Firs (limited stock over 6 feet). Be ready to bundle up for the walk!
Vedder Tree Farm: With approximately 100 trees (6-12 feet) ready to harvest. They’re either Nordmann or Turkish fir with a few Nobles. RSVP required.
Smit Hilt Farm: Exclusively Nordmann Firs, loved for their lush appearance and needle retention.
Alpine Meadows Christmas Tree Farm: A family-run business for over 40 years, this farm offers kid-friendly activities like a scavenger hunt and complimentary hot drinks.
Vrieling Christmas Trees: Hundreds of U-cut trees and some precut and living varieties are available.

Pre-Cut Options
Skip the sap and the frostbite.

Goods Local Brews: Find a tree and have a beer in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Garden Spot Nursery: With over 30 years of history, this nursery offers pre-cut trees, elegant wreaths, and festive décor in a cozy, twinkle-lit environment.
Avalon Apiaries & Christmas Tree Farm: In addition to trees (Douglas, Grand, and Noble Firs), this farm features Washington-made wreaths and holiday gift baskets filled with honey products.

Thanksgiving Cross Country World Championships XVI

BBay Running describes it as “the most beautiful footrace the world has ever seen... or maybe just a bunch of people running through the park in silly costumes on Thanksgiving morning.” 😆 Round up the fam and get some steps in before gorging on that Thanksgiving meal.

The 5.4km (3.4 mi) cross-country run through Cornwall Park starts at 9 AM on Thanksgiving morning. They invite all comers. “Run, walk, smile, wear a costume, wear your underwear. We don't really care.” Details.

Mabel Update From the WHS Farm

The Whatcom Humane Society posted this wonderful photo of Mabel, the cow that roamed loose for several months in the Barkley neighborhood. WHS states that “She continues to gain confidence at our farm facility and is now allowing our staff and volunteer teams to handle her daily. The sweet girl has a sweet tooth and loves apples and grain.”

If you’re unfamiliar with Mabel’s bovine exploits, you can read our prior coverage here, here, and here. 🐮 We’re glad to see her looking healthy and comfortable in her new home.

In other news…

🤶 Ready to show off your Gingerbread House decorating skills? Today (Nov 27) is the final day to submit your entry form and reserve your spot in the Holiday Port Gingerbread House Contest hosted by the Port of Bellingham. This year’s optional theme is “Under the Sea.”

Entries will be showcased at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal during Holiday Port on December 7th and 8th, where attendees can view the creations and participate in People's Choice voting. Contest form.

🏘️ Last week, Mayor Kim Lund announced the second executive order of her term, committing the City to take immediate steps to increase housing opportunities. The order focuses on three main areas: expanding and diversifying housing options in all neighborhoods; simplifying the City’s permitting processes to encourage development and lower costs; and supporting the creation of affordable and transitional housing through incentives, funding, or partnerships.

“We have a critical shortage of housing in Bellingham,” said Mayor Lund. “We have yet to catch up from the deficit of housing that resulted from the 2008-2012 economic recession, and we aren’t adding enough new housing today. We need more housing overall, and more options that are within reach for everyone.”

Read a summary of this order, or the full order.

🏙️ Before you settle into that Thanksgiving Dinner food coma, take a few minutes to review and provide feedback on the 2025 Updates to “The Bellingham Plan.” This week is your last chance to voice your opinion as the feedback period closes on Monday (Dec 1). Review the plan’s eleven chapters and submit feedback on the Engage Bellingham page.

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Wednesday Food Trucks
A Que Tacos @ Goods Local Brews
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
Luchadora @ Wander Brewing
Mobile Mouth Hole @ Lowes Parking Lot
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
Happy Thanksgiving!!

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

Thursday Music
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thursday Games & Trivia
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hakuna matata

To All Our Readers

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Have a great Wednesday!!