🐹 ChristmasTown 🎅🤶

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

Stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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Whatcom Weather

The Raindrop Report

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Whatcom & Skagit Flooding

The last 24 hours have been devastating for members of our Whatcom family. Floodwaters from the Nooksack River peaked at levels far above those predicted when we last looked on Monday, with homes and businesses in Sumas, Nooksack, and Everson left submerged. In fact, Whatcom Ready (part of the Whatcom County emergency response system) is reporting that waters “rose higher than 2021 levels that flooded entire communities.”

While the impact of these floods on Whatcom families is heartbreaking, the situation faced by our neighbors in Skagit County is downright terrifying. As I write this on Thursday afternoon, the entirety of Skagit’s 100-Year Flood Plain is under a 'LEVEL THREE - GO' evacuation order, with water levels expected to peak overnight in Mount Vernon. I hope that when this newsletter arrives in the morning, the impact across the Skagit lowlands is less than what is currently feared.

Here are a few resources I found to help navigate the floodwaters’ impact:

Whatcom County dynamic road closure map. There are many roads closed around the county. Please check the map before venturing out. 🙏 Whatcom County Public Works reminds us to never “drive around closure signs or through standing water” as it may “hide washouts or unstable ground.”

Nooksack River Forecasted Flood Levels: Saxon Bridge, North Cedarville, Ferndale

Cascadia Daily published a list of ways to support those impacted by flooding. Many are focused on Skagit County, but Whatcom Community Foundation’s Resilience Fund “gives emergency assistance – such as money, food, or shelter – to our [Whatcom] neighbors in need as fast as possible during a crisis,” and would be a way to help our north county communities who have been most impacted.

Bellingham Parks and Rec closed the Little Squalicum Pier on Wednesday after large sinkholes appeared on the trail by the entrance to the pier in the early morning. An announcement about the closure indicates “that high tides and wave action” are suspected to have caused the damage.

No timeline is provided for the reopening, and the Parks Department askes that we all “stay off the pier until repairs can be made.”

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Saturday
Connelly Creek Nature Area (South): Join Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) in restoring wildlife habitat and protecting wetlands in a lovely park on the south side of Bellingham. Register.

Holiday Markets & Bazaars

Fruitcake For Hamsters ✊

Children's Holiday Market, Bloedel Donovan Community Building (Sat 10-2)
A day of festive fun and creativity as little artisans and entrepreneurs showcase their delightful gifts and goodies.

Holiday Market, Ferndale Pavilion (Sat 11-4)
Support local vendors, enjoy holiday themed drinks and snacks, enter to win prizes.

Holiday Maker’s Market, Cabin Tavern (Sun 5pm)
“It’s that time of the year again. Come buy $h!t.” Plus, I hear there will be delicious poutine!

Bizarre Bazaar, Gabriel's Art Kids (Sat, Sun 11-2)
Find unique treasures - from handcrafted holiday cards and ornaments to ceramics, jewelry, and plushies - while supporting our young artists and creative teachers.

Book & Bake Sale, Birch Bay Vogt Library Express (Sat 10-3)
Grab a warm drink, some great books, CD's, DVD's and some holiday items.

Holiday Festival of the Arts, Sunset Square in the old Rite Aid (daily, 10-6)
Over 100 booths with local artisans and craftspeople presenting their holiday goodies.

Holiday Makers Market, Kulshan Brewing Roosevelt Taproom (Sat 4-8)
Support local creatives who strive to be environmentally conscious in their craft.

Craft Collective Market, Downtown Open Space (Sat 10-2)
Discover standout treasures, handcrafted jewelry, gourmet treats, and gift-worthy goodies.

Holiday Market, Center for Mindful Use (Sat 2-8)
Unique hand-crafted holiday gifts.

Pacific Arts Holiday Market, Bellis Fair Mall (Fri-Sun 10-7)
Everything lovingly hand made by artists.

Holiday Craft Sale, 2468 Pine Dr., Ferndale (Fri-Sun 9-5)
Homemade crafts, baked goods, and gifts.

Farmers Market, Depot Square (Sat 10-2)
A one-stop shop for holiday gift giving and groceries!

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

8491 Blaine Road, Blaine (Open Sat 2-4 pm)
If you’ve been reading this newsletter for any length of time, you’ll have gathered that I’m a sucker for craftsman-style homes, and larger lots with room to play. This property offers all that and it’s gorgeous! 😍 Listing.

1131 16th Street (Open Sat 1-3 pm)
There have been a string of lovely Happy Valley and Fairhaven homes popping up in the MLS lately. This is another great example. Because of the sweet rooflines, it looks quaint, but it’s a whopping 2900 square feet! Built in 1890, this one has history and the kitchen is adorable. Check the photos. 😉 Listing.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

The Claire
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever | Thurs-Sun

iDiOM Theater
Shark Tank: Island Time Edition | Thurs-Sat

Mount Baker Theatre
Saving ChristmasTown (dance) | Fri

BAAY
Esme’s Adventures in Another World | Fri-Sun

Blaine High School
Christmas in Oz | Fri-Sun

New Prospect Theatre
Search for the Christmas Penguin | Sat

Bellingham Theatre Guild
Sister Act | Thurs-Sun

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
Sugar and Honey Holiday Extravaganza (cabaret) | Sat

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
SOS - Signs of Strength (film) | Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Contra - Fairhaven Library - Sat 7 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 4:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

FEATURED

Whatcom native Elea Plotkin will be playing piano in the Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall Rotunda Room tomorrow, December 13, from 1 to 3 pm. Raised in the South Fork Valley, the pianist, composer, and singer-songwriter will take you on a musical odyssey that weaves together the artists who influenced her music, including Carole King, Billie Holliday, George Gershwin, and the ground-breaking jazz improviser, Keith Jarrett.

The youth performers from Dance Studio are bringing you the 14th annual production of Saving ChristmasTown, an original dance spectacular brimming with artistry, humor, and heart. This family-friendly show runs about an hour, with performances tonight and Saturday at the Mount Baker Theatre. Tickets

The Bellingham Community Chorus presents Shining Night: Moments of Peace and Wonder at the WCC Syre Student Center at Whatcom Community College tonight at 7 pm, and Saturday at 3 pm. Under the direction of Eileen Brody, this program celebrates the beauty and tranquility of the season. Tickets are $20, with free admission for children 12 and under.

Local poets take center stage at the New Prospect Theatre this Sunday, December 14, from 5 to 7 pm for Poet AF: The Poets of Whatcom County, a reading and signing event celebrating the 2026 Poet AF calendar. More than a dozen featured poets will share their work, sign calendars, and connect with the community in support of the Salish Sea Poetry Festival. Admission is free.

FRIDAY

STILLS Poetry Book Launch, Aslan Depot – A celebration of CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival’s 10th anniversary, this free all-ages event features readings from poets inspired by the festival’s films, live jazz from 8–10 pm, and a special cider crafted for the occasion by Greenwood Cider. Begins at 6:30 pm.

Friday Music & Trivia →

SATURDAY

Winter Faire, Whatcom Hills Waldorf School – A magical family-friendly festival featuring local holiday vendors, puppet plays, children’s crafts, live music, and festive food and drinks. From the Snow Queen and Gnome Village to hands-on workshops and sweet treats in the Wooden Spoon Café, it’s a cozy winter celebration. 10:00 am–3:00 pm.

Jingle Bell Run, Options High School – The Arthritis Foundation’s annual fundraiser invites participants to run or walk a 5K or 1-mile course through the Sunnyland and Lettered Streets neighborhoods, with options for families, kids, and dogs to join in the holiday fun. Register

Saturday Music & Trivia →

SUNDAY

Bellingham Community Band, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship – A festive afternoon of live music featuring musicians of all ages, from students to seasoned performers in their 90s. Led by director Frank Kuhl, the community ensemble will fill the hall with holiday favorites starting at 3 pm. Tickets are $20, with free admission for children 12 and under.

Christmas Concert, First Christian Church (Bakerview Road) – A Christmas Concert at 5 pm featuring soloists from Western’s Music Department with pianist Emily Perry, opera singers Nehemiah Jones and Bek Gruber with Cellist Sara Kaiser and Pianist Tuscan Harper, the Joyful Noise Ecumenical Bell Choir, and The So and So’s Jazz Quartet. You are are encouraged to bring food or toiletry donations for the church’s Free Food Pantry.

Sunday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

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