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

What a beautiful weekend!

I was working outside through most of it, and couldn’t help but stop to take it all in. There’s truly nothing like fall in Bellingham. 🍂 😁 

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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

4th Corner Commons

Living Better Together

Friday, October 3^rd

Join national expert Katie McCamant for a practical and inspiring discussion on how people of all ages can live more connected, sustainable, and intentional lives.

During this event sponsored by 4th Corner Commons, a new cohousing community on Dupont Street, Katie will explore how thoughtful design and shared values help people of all ages build stronger connections, live more sustainably, and create intentional communities that support both individual independence and collective well-being.

Pre-registration and donations are appreciated, and everyone is welcome this Friday, October 3, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship.

Weather Forecast

Monday: 70°F 🌡️ 54°F | 🌧️ Rain | 🌧️ 93% | 💨 SSE 6 to 16 mph

Tuesday: 69°F 🌡️ 55°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 96% | 💨 SE 9 to 17 mph

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

WCC Awarded 1.9 Million for STEM

Whatcom Community College (WCC) just landed $1.9 million in the form of a six-year National Science Foundation S-STEM grant that will provide scholarships of up to $15,000 each, supporting 96 low-income students as they pursue STEM degrees.

As a graduate of the school, and a parent who hopes Running Start is available to my kids in a few years 🤞, I’m always thrilled to hear when WCC receives funding. In my mind, the success of lower-barrier two-year colleges should be a roadmap for the future of higher education in the US. Let’s get our kids prepared for the workforce, or four year college, without the crushing debt. 😬 

The program, known as SEECRS-2 (STEM Excellence through Engagement in Collaboration, Research, and Scholarship), goes far beyond tuition aid. Students will have access to faculty mentors, research opportunities, and tailored advising—tools designed to help them persist through coursework and transition into careers or further study.

For Whatcom County, the impact could be far-reaching. “This grant represents our commitment to ensuring that talented students, regardless of their financial backgrounds, have the opportunity to succeed and contribute to the future of STEM industries,” said WCC President Dr. Justin Guillory. He continued, “WCC is honored to be recognized for actively working to remove barriers around STEM education for our students.”

In other news…

⛰️ Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) North announced the Mount Baker Highway east of Glacier will close today at 7:30 am and reopen at 4 pm while crews work on annual maintenance along the highway. Closures during the same hours will continue through Thursday, October 2, so plan ahead!

"People who wish to travel beyond the closure points during closure hours are permitted to do so at their own risk. They must be past Picture Lake (MP 54) before 7:30 a.m. and will not be permitted back through the closure point until after 4 p.m.”

⛔️ A Week Without Driving is a nationwide movement that started in Washington State in 2021. This year, Bellingham marks the occasion with a keynote from Greg Spotts, former Director of Seattle’s Department of Transportation and now West Coast Client Support Leader for Arcadis Mobility. Spotts helped shape major transportation changes in both Seattle and Los Angeles, with a focus on walking, biking, and climate-friendly transit. Tonight, September 29, at 7 p.m., he’ll speak at the Upfront Theatre about what it takes to build multimodal infrastructure in mid-sized cities like ours.

The event, organized by Walk & Roll Bellingham, will include case studies, ideas for local application, and time for Q&A. It’s a chance for community members, planners, and policymakers to hear directly from a national transportation leader and consider how Bellingham might expand safe, sustainable options for getting around. Tickets support Walk & Roll Bellingham’s work on mobility and street safety.

🔥 Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) shared eerie photos on Friday 👇️ showing the Labor Mountain fire, which forced the closure of US 97 through Blewett Pass on the northern edge of Kittitas County.

It’s a reminder that fire danger remains even as we move into fall. Just last week the National Weather Service issued a Critical Fire Danger alert for parts of the Cascades.

🏙️ The Bellingham City Council meets today, September 29th, at 1 pm, with the Regular Meeting at 7 pm. The agenda is available online. This public meeting is held at Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall or can be watched online.

🚜 The Whatcom County Planning Commission meets tomorrow, September 30th at 1:00 pm. The agenda is available online. The commission will be discussing: the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update to Chapter 12: Climate, and UGA proposals. This public meeting is held at 5280 Northwest Drive or can be watched via Zoom.

JJ's Tree Care

Reduce Wildfire Risk with Tree Maintenance

Consulting services in Whatcom County

Hi Hamster Wheel readers, I’m JJ, founder of JJ’s Tree Care, with 15 years of arborist experience and a degree in Natural Resources and Forestry from the University of Vermont.

With my background in wildland firefighting and tree care, I can help protect your home from fire risks by clearing dead branches, reducing flammable material, and enhancing your landscape’s safety and beauty. Contact me to discuss how I can help keep your trees healthy and your landscape safe, or learn about my services at jjstreecare.com.

Call or text me at 360-319-0482 

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

Uisce Irish Pub
Guffawingham (comedy) | Mon 9:00 pm

Mount Baker Theatre
Pressure Drop (film) | Fri

iDiOM Theater
48 Hour Theater Festival | Fri, Sat

New Prospect Theatre
The Dope Show (comedy) | Sat

The Claire
Matilda the Musical | Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances.

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Salsa & Bachata - Viking Union - Mon 7 pm
Bellingham Embodiment Collective - Majestic Ballroom - Mon 6:30 pm
Beginning Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 6 pm
B’ham Hop - Crystal Ballroom - Tues 8 pm
Taster Tuesdays (hip hop) - Lost Giants Cider Co - Tues 6 pm
Int. Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 7:15 pm
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Flow Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Dance Fusion - Senior Activity Center - Sat 10:30 am
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 6:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

Feature an Event. Reach out.

FEATURED

Join instructor Rachel Carter tonight for an introduction to the basics of belly dance, a free workshop offered through Whatcom Community Education at WCC. Beginners are encouraged to attend. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle. Registration required.

Tonight, September 29th, head to Övn Wood Fired Pizza for an all-you-can-eat pizza night—just $21.95 per person, with rotating slices served tableside and options for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan diets. Feast on pie from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Move With Ranae hosts Taster Tuesdays, a beginner to intermediate hip-hop dance class for adults every Tuesday from 6-7pm at Lost Giants Cider Company. The class includes a 10-minute warmup, 40 minutes learning an athletic dance sequence, and a 10-minute run-through, encouraging high-impact movement in a supportive, judgment-free environment. Details.

MONDAY

KIDS Open Mic with Seán Dwyer, Village Books - Kids Open Mic is held the last Monday of each month at 5:00pm in the Readings Gallery on the bottom floor of Village Books in Fairhaven. Village Books invites everyone to enjoy local young writers as they share their own stories, poems and essays. Kids are encouraged to attend and enjoy a welcoming audience. Details.

Dry Martini, FireHouse Arts and Events Center - Dry Martini was formed in 2019 after Mike Knutson and J. Michael Newlight met over coffee at the Rustic Café in Fairhaven, and first performed together publicly at the grand opening of its successor, Café Blue. Since then, Steve Webber-Plank joined the group, and there have been numerous performances at both private events and public venues. A free concert at the Firehouse from 3:30 to 5 pm.

Monday Music & Trivia →

TUESDAY

Jazz Night, Aslan Depot - Every Tuesday from 8–10 pm, settle in for free live jazz at the Aslan Depot. Pair the music with pizza, wings, craft cocktails, and more for a groovy, and easygoing weeknight.

Adam Gellman, Admiralty Lounge - Adam is a singer-songwriter based in Bellingham Washington, but you're just as likely to find him deep in the North Cascades with a waterproof Ukulele and a Harmonica. Catch Adam at 7 pm.

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

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Have a great Monday!!