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

After all that chatter about possible snow on Monday, those few soggy flakes that fell were pretty underwhelming. 🤣 I hope that's not all the winter we get this year! ❄️❄️

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

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

Don't miss the Circus Guild's Valentine's extravaganza! After a completely sold out first weekend of shows, the cast is back this Friday-Sunday to keep audiences oohing and awwing. Through circus spectacle, aerial performance, object manipulation, and live music, My Circus Valentine will enliven the senses, leaving you amazed and inspired.

All Ages & 21+ show times are available, plus ticketing options for need-based discounts, reserved front row seats, and upgraded deluxe tables. The Sunday 3pm matinee is a family favorite! Grab your tickets & get ready to experience the circus!

Yesterday, Mayor Kim Lund delivered an overview of the city’s current priorities and recent successes from the Mayor’s Office. The 2026 State of the City is worth a watch. 👍 In just over nine minutes, Lund touches on the budget shortfall and steps taken to balance this year’s budget, highlights several ongoing improvement projects, and outlines future goals, including the planned Civic Recreation Complex.

I will say, and I mean this in good fun, that the first 30 seconds feel a little Orwellian with the high-energy music and smiling delivery. 😆 I had a good laugh once the soundtrack faded and Lund moved into the substance of the address. Local government is a great deal of fun to watch from the sidelines, and I’m grateful to ALL our elected officials, Lund included, for the work they do. 🙏

Parents of 6th-12th graders: there’s still room available on the Winter Ride 2026 ski and snowboard shuttle bus to the Mt. Baker Ski Area. This is your chance to boot those kiddos out into the snow every Saturday through March, with a 6:45 am pickup at Sunset Square and a 4:45 pm return. 😁 It’s a win-win!

Each Saturday shuttle includes trained winter-condition drivers and three adult chaperones, so kids can ride up safely, stay warm and comfortable, and focus on a full day on the mountain. The program is open to all skill levels, though new participants are required to register for lessons through Mt. Baker Ski Area. Scholarships are available through Komo Kulshan Ski Club. Learn more and register.

CIVIC CORNER

Wednesday
Mayor’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission, 6:30 pm, Mayor’s Board Room at City Hall, zoom

Thursday
Bellingham Planning Commission, 6:00 pm, City Council Chambers, agenda, zoom
WTA Board, 8:00 am, WTA's offices at 4011 Bakerview Spur, zoom
Sehome Hill Arboretum Board of Governors, 4:00 pm, Carver Gym, zoom

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday
Galbraith - High Life & Bottle Opener: The only thing better than being on a beautiful trail is knowing you helped build and maintain it. Join WMBC in maintaining Galbraith trails. Register to participate.

Saturday
Cornwall Park (South): The forest understory in one of Bellingham's oldest parks needs some help. Work with the city to protect and restore this critically important habitat by planting native trees and shrubs! Register to participate.
Galbraith: The only thing better than being on a beautiful trail is knowing you helped build and maintain it. Join WMBC in maintaining Galbraith trails. Register to participate.

At Desert Pine Chiropractic, healing starts from within. Using neurologically based chiropractic care and state-of-the-art technology, Dr. Haley and Dr. Anna will help you unlock your body’s natural ability to heal, whether managing pain, recovering from injury, or simply striving for better sleep and energy.

If you are ready to feel aligned, balanced, and restored, Desert Pine’s Hamster Wheel New Patient Offer, only $63 (regularly $190), includes a consultation, full nerve and muscle assessment, digital X-rays, and a personalized doctor’s report. Learn more at desertpinechiro.com.

WCC Heiner Theatre
Alabama Story (theater) | Thurs 7 pm

Mount Baker Theatre
Matt Mathews (comedy) | Fri

New Prospect Theatre
APHRODITE (cabaret) | Fri-Sat

Lynden High School
The Prince of Egypt (theater) | Fri-Sun

Blaine Community Theater
Closer to Home Tickets (theater) | Fri-Sun

Bellingham Circus Guild
My Circus Valentine (circus) | Fri-Sun

Mount Baker Theatre
Wicked Sing-Along (film) | Sat

New Prospect Theatre
The Plight of a Woman (theater) | Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Flow Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Hip Hop, House, Shuffle - Lost Giants Cider - Fri 6 pm
Dance Fusion - BSAC - Sat 10:30 am
Contra - Fairhaven Library - Sat 7 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Belly Dance - Karate Church - 1 pm

Moontricks bring their electro-folk sound to the Wild Buffalo at 7:30 pm tonight, February 18, blending organic folk, roots rock, and blues with modern electronic production. Hailing from the Kootenay mountains of Western Canada, the duo pair introspective songwriting with boot-stomping basslines and arrangements that have earned millions of streams and international attention.

Aurelia Cohen will perform at Honey Moon Mead tomorrow, February 19, from 8 to 10 pm. A multidisciplinary performance artist, songwriter, and aerialist, Cohen blends original music with elements of physical theater and cabaret, creating a genre-crossing set that reflects her background in movement, storytelling, and global collaboration.

Ian Maksin brings his Songs of Love and Peace tour to The Blue Room tomorrow night at 7 pm, transforming the cello into a one-man orchestra through loop pedal layering and multilingual vocals. Drawing on traditional music from across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East alongside original compositions, Maksin blends global folk traditions, classical training, and contemporary electronics.

Born and raised in Hana, Maui, CJ Helekahi brings the spirit of aloha to Stones Throw tonight, February 18, from 6 to 8 pm. Along with local artist Taran Ki’ihele Bowlby, they combine traditional Hawaiian music with contemporary folk and classic rock, creating a unique sound that is truly “island style.” Featuring hula performances by Kimi Bowlby.

Trivia Night at Penny Farthing, Chuckanut Bay Distillery – Free weekly trivia runs from 7:30 to 9 pm, featuring live-hosted rounds, prizes, and food and drink specials in a lively downtown setting.

Community Builder Celebration, Bellingham Cruise Terminal – Whatcom Family & Community Network hosts its 2026 Dr. Ken Gass Community Builder Celebration from 6 to 8 pm, bringing together local leaders and neighbors for an evening with keynote speaker Dr. Greg Hammer, retired Stanford physician and author of The Mindful Teen, highlighting the role of positive childhood experiences in strengthening youth and families. Tickets.

Fish Trivia Fundraiser, Zeeks Pizza – NSEA’s 16th annual Fish Trivia kicks off at 6 pm with an evening of Pacific salmon and local ecology–themed questions, team competition, and prize baskets, with $10 suggested donation per person supporting NSEA’s education and volunteer programs and drink specials benefiting the cause.

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

Run Night with Krissy Moehl, Backcountry Essentials – A community trail running event from 7 to 9 pm featuring Patagonia ambassador and Chuckanut 50K race director Krissy Moehl, with short films, local run club resources, prizes, beverages, and an optional 6 pm group run departing from the shop before the main program begins.

Celebrating the Life and Music of Bob Weir, Wild Buffalo – Sleepy Alligators lead a tribute to Bob Weir’s six-decade career at 8:00 pm, joined by special guests for an evening of Grateful Dead classics.

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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