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

We might get a few sprinkles today. I’m excited for that rain-on-a-dry-sidewalk smell. ☔️ 

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Val & Evan

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.

Bellingham Flower Farm

Mother’s Day in Bloom

May 11th, 10-3 pm

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Bellingham Flower Farm! We’re opening for a one-day-only ticketed event designed to create a memorable experience. Each $79 ticket includes exclusive access to our flower fields for the whole family, a premium handpicked peony bouquet for mom, a seasonal plant sale, and a visit to our farmstand featuring locally crafted goods.

Enjoy coffee and sweet treats as you take in the beauty of a working flower farm in full bloom. Space is limited, and tickets must be purchased in advance—secure your spot today and give Mom the gift of a blooming, joyful experience.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: 63°F 🌡️ 44°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 40% | 💨 S 3 to 9 mph

Thursday: 61°F 🌡️ 43°F | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 🌧️ 0% | 💨 SW 6 mph

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Pup and Hiker Pulled From Cave on Lookout Mountain

I stumbled into this a couple of days late but thought the story and photos were worthy of a look. Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council posted that a hiker was rescued with his dog from a cave on Lookout Mountain on Saturday evening. Lookout Mountain is located just west of Sudden Valley.

I can’t imagine how frightening it must have been to slip into this cave. 👆️ One commenter suggested it might be an abandoned coal mine adit. The photo below shows the dog being lifted to safety by a member of the Mountain Rescue team. 👇️ 

BMRC went on to describe how “Highly trained volunteers from Bellingham Mountain Rescue, as well as Summit to Sound Search & Rescue, hiked to the site and rappelled to access the cave, where the duo were found unharmed. They used ropes and pulleys to bring the hiker up, then his dog. Fortunately, both were uninjured and able to walk out with rescuers.“

In other news…

🦪 An employee at Taylor Shellfish posted on reddit this week that business has dropped by 60% since a rockfall closed Chuckanut Drive just north of Bow. They mention that “summer is our busiest season and the time we can actually make money. As someone who makes minimum wage and relies on tips to pay the bills this is devastating.” They go on to point to other businesses on both sides of the slide are struggling, and ask Hamsters to consider making a trip to any of the following businesses:

North of the Slide: Taylor Shellfish (retail + dine-in), Oyster Bar

South of the Slide: Terramar Brewstillery, Breadfarm, Farm to market Bakery, Samish Bay Cheese, cob + cork, Brandos, Tweets, Longhorn Saloon, Old Edison Inn, Chuckanut Manor, Mariposa Taqueria, The Edison Cafe.

🏙️ The Downtown Neighborhood Association meets today from 5:30–7:00 pm at Boundary Bay Brewery’s Outdoor Beer Garden. Open to all interested in Downtown Bellingham’s vitality, the event starts with drinks at 5:30 pm, followed by a discussion at 6:00 pm.

Mayor Kim Lund and others will address the Mayor’s executive order and share ideas to enhance Downtown’s future. Dress for PNW weather; beer, wine, cider, and non-alcoholic options available for purchase. Free to attend. Details 

🏡 The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission meets tomorrow (May 8) in the Mi'sq'eq'o Community Building (Nooksack Indian Tribe) at 6 pm, or online via Zoom. If you’re the kind who likes to watch the sausage be made, start watching the Charter Commission meeting videos in order from the beginning. It’s better than Netflix. 😉 

Business Update

Haggling With Local Folk

Cell phones are terrifying in the hands of children and not much better in the hands of us adults. What if there was a safe, fun way for Hamsters to chat? It’s called TeleHamster! 😆 We just learned about this a few days ago, and it’s beyond rad!! ☎️

Hamster Wheel reader Simon Graves created a private telephone network that functions like a landline. It’s BYOF, bring your own phone. Simon provides a black box that plugs into your internet router and your phone plugs into the box. With that, the TeleHamster community is only a few rotary spins away.

Simon also provides a handful of special numbers where you can hear things like a joke, a story, or a poem. Love it.

Check the Friends of the Wheel section (for a discount) if you’re interested in joining the TeleHamster network. Look for it at the bottom of the newsletter. 👇️ 

Food & Drinks

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

Nooksack Valley High School
Into The Woods | Mon-Sat 7 pm

New Prospect Theatre:
The Catastrophist | Thurs 9:30 pm; Sun 4 pm

Firehouse A&E Center:
A Trio of American Opera | Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30 pm; Sat, Sun 2 pm

Mount Baker Theatre:
David Cross | Fri 7:30 pm

Blaine Community Theater:
Let's Bump Up the Lights | Sat 3 & 7 pm

Blaine Performing Arts Center:
Mother Earth Danzas | Sat 6 pm; Sun 1 pm

The Upfront Theatre
Canadian Steam | Thurs 7:30 pm
Space Trek | Fri 7:30 pm
Movie Mayhem | Fri 9:30 pm
Space Trek | Sat 7:30 pm
Punch Line | Sat 9:30 pm

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

 Salsa & Bachata 
Bachata - ‘ONO Kitchen & Bar - Thurs 7:30 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm

 Tango  
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm

 Other  
Flow Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 7:30 pm
Belly Dance - Bham Senior C. - Sat 10:30 am 
Contra - Fairhaven Library - Sat 7 pm

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

Feature an Event. Reach out. 
Tell us about an event. Use this link.

FEATURED

Bellingham’s longest-running open mic is known for bringing out the best in performers and audiences alike. Get on the list.

A Pacific Northwest indie folk artist music project founded by Nick Clack in 2017. Get tickets.

WEDNESDAY 7TH

Painting Wild Flowers, Chuckanut Bay Distillery - Enjoy this wonderful venue and all they have to offer while painting your very own masterpieces with step-by-step fun instructions. Reserve an easel.

Pet Loss Support Group, WHS - Support group meeting to provide a safe, supportive place for grieving pet owners. Find support.

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

THURSDAY 8TH

A Trio of American Opera, Firehouse A&E Center - Three American one-act operas tied together by the thread of family. A night at the Opera.

Faculty Horn Recital, WWU - A recital featuring horn faculty and brass area coordinator Dr. Gustavo Camacho, with assistance from Amy Kavanagh on tuba. It’s free!

Meet Kustom Kulture Artist Rupert Ayton - Ayton brings firsthand experience with Kustom Kulture, and a renewed passion for oil painting to every piece he creates. At Solstice Senior Living.

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

To All Our Readers

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Have a great Wednesday!!