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

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Puzzlers: It would help if I gave you working links. 🤦‍♂ Sorry about the broken one in the Monday edition. Here’s the game page where you’ll find ALL the puzzles. I double- and triple-checked it this time!

Or, hit reply to send me photos via email. 📧

After 49 years of service, the Assistance League of Bellingham is becoming the Action League of Bellingham. Join the community celebration as this beloved volunteer-run nonprofit unveils its new name and renewed commitment to keeping every dollar raised right here in Whatcom County.

Enjoy live music, refreshments, store coupons, behind-the-scenes tours, and a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Thrift & Gift Shop. Come meet the volunteers whose work helps provide scholarships, books, clothing, and other essential support for local kids, seniors, and families.

Mark Your Calendar:
June 13 • 10am–1pm
2817 Meridian Street

Celebrating the culmination of a month-long residency at the Lookout Arts Quarry, artist Adrien Converse is holding a one-night show called Plastic Angst, showcasing their new body of work exploring “grief over humanity’s relationship with plastics, as well as their hope for our ability to rise to the occasion and create something worthwhile out of it.”

Converse has invited several local creators to participate, including recycled-plastic furniture maker Buddy Chapman of Plasticreate, text artist Phoenix Chicken, and photographer NeverStill Studio.

The exhibition is tomorrow only, June 4, at the Lookout Arts Quarry in Alger, with a brief artist talk scheduled for 7 pm. Forty percent of artwork sales will support the quarry's arts and land stewardship programs. This would be a fun reason to go explore the Lookout Arts Quarry if you’ve not been. 🎨

Tonight, June 3, a community forum hosted by Whatcom Watersheds Information Network (WWIN) brings together local water quality experts to discuss the health of Whatcom County's waterways. Titled Dive In: Protecting Whatcom County's Lakes and Streams, the event will explore who is monitoring for pollution, the biggest threats to water quality, and the work underway to reduce pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems.

The evening features speakers from Whatcom County, the City of Bellingham, RE Sources, the Whatcom Conservation District, and the Washington Department of Ecology. The event takes place from 5:30 to 7 pm at 322 N. Commercial Street (register to attend in person) and will also be streamed via Zoom.

Oh man, can’t help myself. Take a look at this fuzzy feline trio currently bunking at the Whatcom Humane Society. 🥰 Fennel, Fireweed & Nettle… I don’t know who’s who, but I’d adopt all three if I was in the position to.

If you look closely at the one on the left you’ll notice he/she has fabulous stripes running down its back. 👆 Then seen from the side, 👇 a tortoiseshell pattern over white. Like a little crazy-quilt kitty. So flipping cute.

I got a note this week from local artist Carol Sheppard about an upcoming jewelry-making class she’s offering through the Whatcom Museum on June 13. At the afternoon course you’ll learn to craft a ready-to-wear, wire-wrapped pendant using sterling silver wire. Registration closes this weekend, and she's hoping a few more participants will register to attend.

“Select your stone before being guided step-by-step through essential wire-wrapping techniques to create a one-of-a-kind work of art. By the end of this four-hour class, you’ll leave with a beautifully finished pendant that reflects your personal style, perfect to keep or gift. No prior experience is needed; just bring your curiosity and a bit of hand dexterity.”

LOCAL READS

Birch Bay Incorporation Association releases feasibility study, countering county study
By Grace McCarthy · The Northern Light
A new feasibility study commissioned by the Birch Bay Incorporation Association argues that the community could support cityhood through a lean government model built around contracted services. Grace reports that the study challenges a county analysis released last year, setting up a renewed debate over whether Birch Bay should pursue incorporation. Read more →

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Western student Nathan Christner wins prestigious national ADDY Award
By John Thompson · WWU News
Western design student Nathan Christner earned a national ADDY Award for his claymation-style public service announcement “Fish Are People Too,” along with multiple district honors for advertising and motion design projects. John reports that Christner credits long hours of animation, sound design, and support from faculty mentors as he prepares to enter the advertising industry after graduation. Read more →

CIVIC CORNER

Wednesday
Lake Whatcom Policy Group, 3:00 pm, Pacific Street Operations Center

Thursday
WTA Board, 8:00 am, WTA Office
Greenways Advisory Committee, 7:30 pm, Pacific Street Operations Center
Bellingham Planning Commission, 6:00 pm, City Hall
Greenways Advisory Committee and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, 6:00 pm, Pacific Street Operations Center

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday
Stream Team: Help Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) maintain older sites that need love. Meet at NSEA’s campus by 8 am and your group leader will shuttle everyone to the site. You can expect to be back to NSEA at 12 pm. Register

Friday
Governors Point: Join Whatcom Land Trust for a day of trail clearing and invasive species removal at Governors Point. Register
Oyster Dome: Help WTA restore damaged portions of the trail, including repairing trail structures and tread. Register

Saturday
Lower Padden Creek Trail: Join the city and NSEA in removing invasive species and spread mulch along this cherished trail near Padden Creek. Register
Blanchard Mountain: Join the WTA crew and other Trail Maintenance orgs on National Trails Day to help improve hiking opportunities at Blanchard Mountain. Register
Lake Whatcom Park: Join Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom County, and the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC) improving the trail system through brushing, tread work, and general upkeep to support safe access while protecting surrounding habitat. Register

Bellingham Waterfront
Shoestring Circus (circus) | Wed, Sun

New Prospect Theatre
Bloom (cabaret) | Fri, Sat

Western’s Performing Arts Center
BFA Dance Capstone Concert (dance) | Fri, Sat

Western’s Performing Arts Center
Into the Woods (theatre) | Fri-Sun

The Claire Theatre
Cinderella (theatre) | Sat, Sun

Mount Baker Theatre
Opus’ Spring Showcase (dance) | Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Revolution Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 8:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Conscious Dance - Bellingham Fitness - Sunday 10:30 am

New Prospect Theatre hosts Sage & Aera on Thursday, June 4, at 8 pm. The indie folk duo features Sage Cook, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist of Elephant Revival, alongside vocalist and upright bassist Aera Fox. After years of working together in other projects, the pair launched Sage & Aera as an acoustic collaboration focused on original songs and instrumental interplay.

The Naughty Blokes take to the stage at Zeeks Pizza tomorrow, June 4, for an evening of live music from 7 to 9 pm. Pizza pie and rock and roll… there’s no better combo. 🤘

Hot Tomatoes perform at Honey Moon Mead & Cider tomorrow, June 4 from 8 to 10 pm, bringing swing-inspired music influenced by Django Reinhardt, French musette, and early American jazz traditions.

Author Event: Lisa Taylor, Look Up, Look In, Look Out, Village Books in Fairhaven – A 6 to 7 pm author talk with San Juan Island writer and spiritual mentor Lisa Taylor discussing her new book on intuition, personal reflection, and decision-making. Reserve a seat.

Open Jam, The Blue Room – Signups begin at 7 pm, with music from 8 to 11 pm during this all-ages open jam where local musicians of all experience levels can improvise and perform together using a full backline provided by Bellingham Helps Access Music (BHAM).

Flower Market, North Sound Flower Cooperative at Ohio Street Work Studios – A weekly flower market from 9 am to noon featuring locally grown, seasonal blooms from regional flower farms, with fresh cut flowers available to both floral professionals and the public.

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

Haus Jam Open Jam Session, Schweinhaus Biergarten – Weekly open jam nights begin at 7 pm, with guitars, bass, percussion, microphones, and other gear provided for musicians of all skill levels to join collaborative performances or take the stage solo.

June Breakfast Club, Her Connection Hub – A women’s storytelling gathering from 8:30 to 10 am featuring guest speaker Jody Bauer of Solidarity Consulting and the theme “That’s What She Said, When the Body Says ‘What If?’,” with participants sharing personal stories from memory in a format inspired by The Moth Radio Hour.

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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