TOGETHER WITH

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

Those fall colors are in full swing! If you haven’t taken a wander around your neighborhood lately, now’s the time. 🍁🍂 

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Now That’s A Bat!

In one of the many feeds and newsletters I follow, a notice popped up declaring this week officially Bat Week. Official or not, it seemed like an appropriate time to read up on bats of the PNW. 😛 Just look at this beauty called the Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii). 👇️ If any bat captures the spirit of Halloween, it’s this one.

Corynorhinus townsendii is a medium-sized, insect-eater distinguished by its remarkable ears, each of which reach nearly half the length of its body. It has a wingspan of 12–13 inches, yet weighs no more than half an ounce. These bats are moth specialists, gleaning them from leaves and catching them midair during their slow, deliberate flights. They are considered a subterranean-obligate species, roosting in caves, tunnels, and old buildings, where colonies can be easily disturbed.

Interestingly, I found minimal information online about the distribution of these amazing bats across Washington state. One report on the Whatcom County website indicates Corynorhinus townsendii were identified in the Bat Caves on Blanchard Mountain many years ago. I don’t recall spotting one. Have you? If so, I’d love to see photos!

🌬️ There was a small casualty during this weekend’s blustery weather. 👇️ Yep, the Mount Baker Theatre is temporarily the Mt. Ker Theatre, pending reinstallation of two missing letters. 😂 

The theatre is owned by the city, so BPD swooped in with a drone to scope out the situation, and the Bellingham Fire Department responded with a ladder truck to remove both the dangling B (and a wiggly A) before they could fall and cause any damage to the historic structure.

The theatre has a good sense of humor about the whole event, with a reminder that they have lots of great shows this fall and an invitation to tag them “in your "Mt Ker" tower photos.” 😜

🦉 The Whatcom Humane Society posted a few wonderful photos this weekend showcasing three raptors currently receiving care at the wildlife rehabilitation center, including this lovely photo of a Northern Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma). 👇️ 

Every experience I’ve had with these amazing little owls has been under a canopy of dense tree cover. Seeing one in full light is an opportunity to appreciate their speckled heads and adorable ‘eyebrows.’ There’s probably an official term for that feature. 😆 Remember this little owl is not much bigger than a robin!

🚗 Traffic Alerts:

• Crews will begin night paving today, October 27, as part of the Meridian Sewer Main Improvement project. Work will occur between 7 pm and 7 am, weather permitting, along Meridian, Orchard Drive, Baker Street, McLeod Road, and Bakerview Road. Expect traffic impacts and temporary lane closures.

• WSDOT will close the left lane of southbound I-5 near SR 11/Chuckanut Drive (milepost 250) from 8:30 am to 3 pm today, October 27, for guardrail repairs. Plan for possible delays and use caution when traveling through the area.

🏙️ The Bellingham City Council meets today, October 27 at 1 pm for a budget work session. The meeting will include a closed to the public executive session addressing potential litigation. The agenda is available online. This public meeting is held in the Mayor’s Boardroom or can be watched online.

🚜 The Whatcom County Council meets tomorrow, October 28, at 9 am, to discuss an ordinance amending the 2026 Whatcom County Budget, and proposed amendments to the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update. The meeting agenda is available online. This public meeting is held in the Council Chambers at the County Courthouse, or can be watched via Zoom.

🏒 The Bellingham Tourism Commission meets tomorrow, October 28, at 3:30 pm, to discuss the 2026 budget and hear an update related to the Bellingham Fan Zone in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Find the agenda packet here. This public meeting is held in the City Council Chambers, or can be watched online.

🚢 The Blaine City Council meets today, October 27, at 6pm. Details.

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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

Bellingham Circus Guild
Circus of Doom | Thurs-Sun

Stones Throw Brewery
Salish Sea Poetry Festival Qualifier Slam (poetry) | Thurs-Sun

BAAY Theatre
 Noises Off | Thurs, Sat, Sun

New Prospect Theatre
O Pole Studios Fall Showcase (dance) | Sun

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
The Sea (film) | Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances
Hellingham

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Salsa & Bachata - Viking Union - Mon 7 pm
Line Dancing - Corner Taphouse - Mon 6:30 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 5:00 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

Singer-songwriter Jeffrey Foucault brings his distinctive blend of Americana and folk to New Prospect Theatre tomorrow, October 28 at 8 p.m. Known for his stark, literate songs and emotionally resonant performances, Foucault has earned critical acclaim for his evocative storytelling and timeless sound. He’ll perform selections from his new album The Universal Fire, a collection shaped by reflection, beauty, and loss.

Western’s Department of Music presents Tuned In: A Collaborative Faculty and Friends Chamber Recital at the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall tomorrow, October 28, at 7:30 pm. This free event features WWU music faculty, guest artists, and members of the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra performing a program spanning more than two centuries, including works by Beethoven, Boulanger, and contemporary composer William C. White.

Join B’ham Hop for Lindy at the Leo in the Crystal Ballroom tomorrow, October 28 from 7 to 9:30 pm. A lively evening kicks-off with a beginner-friendly Lindy Hop lesson followed by a social dance set to vintage swing tunes. No partner or experience is needed—just bring comfortable shoes and enjoy an energetic night of music, movement, and community in one of Bellingham’s iconic venues.

MONDAY

Ferndale Cub Scout Pack 4026 Fall Festival, Good News Fellowship – A family-friendly evening of carnival games, crafts, and fall fun hosted by Cub Scout Pack 4026. Costumes are encouraged, and goodie bags will be available for kids. 6:15 to 7:15 pm.

Good Neighbor Night with NW Straits Foundation, Stones Throw Brewery – Enjoy a pint for a purpose as Stones Throw donates 10% of beer sales to the NW Straits Foundation, supporting marine restoration and stewardship across the Salish Sea. 5 to 9 pm.

Monday Music & Trivia →

TUESDAY

Movie Trivia: Killer Edition, Uisce Irish Pub – A horror-themed trivia night packed with frightful fun, challenging questions, and costume contests for the bravest movie buffs. Teams of up to six can join the game for $2 per player from 7 to 9 pm.

Teen Mortgage, NIIS, The Shakedown – Washington, D.C. duo Teen Mortgage brings their blistering blend of punk, hardcore, and garage grit to The Shakedown alongside NIIS. Expect raw energy in a show that channels the chaos of late-stage capitalism into pure sonic fury. Doors 7:30 pm, show 8 pm.

Trunk or Treat, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Families are invited to a festive evening of Halloween fun with decorated trunks, treats, and community cheer at this free, family-friendly event. 6 to 7:30 pm.

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

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Have a great Monday!!