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

More on this below, but Toad the Wet Sprocket is playing at the Mount Baker Theatre on Thursday, and we’ve been given three pairs of tickets to give to Hamster Wheel readers! Submit your interest here, and I’ll select three readers at random. Winners will receive an email on Tuesday to pick up two tickets at will call.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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THE GOOD INTENTIONS TOUR

Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Jayhawks, and Sixpence None the Richer

Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Three legendary bands. One unforgettable night.

The Good Intentions Tour is making a stop in at Mount Baker Theatre this Thursday! Grab your tickets today and get ready to sing your 90s heart out.

🎉 Ticket Giveaway 🎉 

The Mount Baker Theatre thoughtfully offered us three pairs of tickets for Thursday’s Toad the Wet Sprocket show 👆️. Submit your interest here, and I’ll select three readers at random. Winners will receive an email on Tuesday to pick up two tickets at will call.

Weather Forecast

Monday: 70°F 🌡️ 60°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 18% | 💨 SSW 2 to 7 mph

Tuesday: 78°F 🌡️ 60°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 15% | 💨 SSW 2 to 6 mph

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Nighthawks High Above

You all are amazing! Many of you replied to the last newsletter letting me know that the birds I saw over our neighborhood last week were Common Nighthawks (Chordeiles minor). Y’all’s bird IQ far surpasses mine! 😆 

Common Nighthawks are nightjars (not actual hawks) characterized by mottled gray-brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage, large eyes, a small beak opening to a wide gape for scooping insects mid-flight, and distinctive white bars across their long, pointed wings.

In Washington, they're summer breeders found in open habitats like grasslands, agricultural fields, clear-cuts, burns, and urban areas, with only a small number in the western part of the state, including around Bellingham.

They're aerial insectivores, active at dawn and dusk, roaming over treetops, fields, and urban areas to feast on moths, and beetles and other flying insects.

Hilariously, these birds, that move with swallow-like grace in the sky, are short-legged, nondescript, and awkward when perched. Less like a hawk and more like an oversized Brown Creeper (Certhia americana).

In other news…

🔥 The Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s office has announced a Stage 2 Burn Ban prohibiting all open burning in unincorporated Whatcom County until further notice. The ban includes all “yard debris fires, land clearing fires, and recreational fires.” Propane fire pits, and BBQs are allowed, along with charcoal BBQs.

💗 Bellingham acupuncturist and eastern medicine practitioner, Elizabeth Otten, is holding a free Qi Gong class today, July 21st, on the Barkley Village Green from 10 am to 11 am. Not heard of Qi Gong before? Me either, 🤷 but it sounds wonderful. A little like Tai Chi, but with slower movements, and more focus on breath and meditation.

🏙️ The Bellingham City Council meets today, July 21st, 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 Council meets tomorrow, July 22nd at 8:40 am, with the Regular Meeting at 6 pm. The agenda is available online. This public meeting is held in the Council Chambers at the County Courthouse or can be watched via Zoom.

Local Business Updates

Haggling With Local Folk

Astrophotography Retreat & Mini-Classes

Hamster Wheel reader and local photographer, Holly Zwolinski, reached out to let us know that she’s holding both a two-hour class later this month, and a weekend retreat in August, designed for photographers looking to master astrophotography and landscape photography.

A Bellinghamster since 2018, Holly has a passion for photographing the Milky Way and half-underwater shots. Find a selection of Holly’s gorgeous photos on her Instagram page.

Both the class and retreat will take place in the town of Glacier (and the Mt Baker area), with the retreat offering three days and two nights to focus on hands-on shooting, expert guidance, and post-processing techniques. Learn more about these classes on Holly’s website, or email her for details: [email protected].

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

Uisce Irish Pub
Guffawingham | Mon 9:00 pm

New Prospect Theatre
Mary’s Wedding | Thurs-Sun 7:30 pm

iDiOM Theater
Strange Birds | Thurs, Fri, Sat 7:30 pm

WWU Performing Arts Center
Hotshots screenplay reading | Fri 2pm

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 7 pm
Int. Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 7:15 pm
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Summer Heat - Presence Studio - Thurs 6:30 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 8:00 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

Rick Baunach joins forces with Phil Paige and Mark Isenhour as RPM for an afternoon of rock and pop songs, a few originals, and sing-along tunes at Firehouse Arts & Events Center today, July 21, at 3:40 pm. The show is free, cash donations are appreciated.

Today's weather digital apps can provide specific and accurate forecasts for the area in which you are adventuring. These forecasting apps depend on complex mathematical models. Join lifelong waterman, Mike Reed for Using and Understanding Digital Weather Forecasting to understand how they work and how to best use them. Tuesday at the Community Boating Center. Register to attend.

MONDAY

Race Week, Squalicum Harbor & Bellingham Bay - Opening day of Race Week, a 5-day sailboat racing event, that attracts the region's most active sailboat racers! Boats range in size from 24 feet to 52 feet, and race courses will be set up by US Sailing-certified race officers in Bellingham Bay. Check the schedule.

Trivia Night, Zeeks Pizza - Hosted by Justin Smith. Teams of 1-6 people, $2 buy in per person, prizes for top 3 teams and group with best team name! At Fountain Brewing at Zeeks Pizza from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Monday Music & Trivia →

TUESDAY

Isaac Tonasket, Lummi Nation Tribal Administration Building - A powerful midday gathering with Isaac Tonasket, a respected young singer and speaker, who brings good medicine through his voice, stories, and presence. Hosted by Children of the Setting Sun, this is a time to come together in community, culture, and song. Details.

Paint Party, Goods Local Brews - Join fellow creatives at Goods from 6-8 pm for a Paint Party hosted by Tailored Treasures. Dive into "Harmony in Bloom," a whimsical painting featuring a vibrant flower and a buzzing bee, with all supplies provided and step-by-step guidance for all skill levels—no experience required. Signup to paint.

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

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Have a great Monday!!