🐹 Crash Course 📘📘

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

Have fun, and 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

101 Stories, Each 101 Words or Less

Local author Jim Schmotzer sent me a note recently about the release of his book of short stories called Crash Course: 101 Stories, Each 101 Words or Less. It’s a collection of very short stories that explore ever-changing human situations and emotions including introspection, tragedy, comedy, relational struggles, and familial connections. Each no more than 101 words!

Jim, who along with his wife Connie, has lived in Bellingham for over 45 years, describes how the work “will appeal to those looking for short stories, with a punch, as twist, and maybe a surprise ending.” 

You can find a copy of Crash Course at Village Books, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.

The Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group is seeking skilled volunteers for the next phase of clean up work in flood impacted Nooksack, Everson, and Sumas. If you have experience in HVAC, electrical, demolition, or reconstruction, and would like to volunteer, fill out the form to sign up.

Local Read: In a thoughtful piece for Whatcom Watch, Western student journalist Hope Rasa explores how educators in Whatcom County are adapting to the growing presence of generative AI in classrooms. The article follows local teachers and university faculty navigating new challenges around academic integrity, shifting assignments to encourage deeper learning, and weighing AI’s potential benefits for accessibility against its environmental costs. It’s an insightful look at how this technology is impacting local classrooms. Worth a read. 👍️ 

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

925 15th Street (Open Sat 11-2 pm)
This 1925 house is gorgeous, and it resides on a 10,000 square foot lot on South Hill! And, being across from Lowell Elementary would really make a person feel apart of the neighborhood. Lovely house, lovely spot. Listing.

7067 Yukon Way, Ferndale (Open Sat 2-4 pm)
Yukon Way is new to me. I don’t recall having explored this neck of the woods. But a lot of these feeder streets that lead to Grandview are beautiful wide-open neighborhoods that mix agriculture and residential lots. And this house is a whopping 4200 square feet. Listing.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 4:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

FEATURED

Hawaiian musician and composer Kalei Yamanoha brings his warm, island-inspired sound to Honey Moon Mead & Cider tonight, December 26 at 8 pm. 21+, no cover.

Bellingham’s beloved rock band The Walrus celebrates 30 years of live music on Saturday, December 27, at 7 pm at the Wild Buffalo. Known for their dynamic covers of classics by The Beatles, Queen, and Stevie Wonder, the group marks three decades of energizing audiences across the Northwest. Expect special guests, merch, prizes, and a full night of crowd-favorite tunes. Tickets.

The Northwest Singles Social Club meets every Saturday from 10 to 11 am at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Open to singles over 55 in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, the group offers a relaxed way to connect over coffee and conversation. Bring your own coffee and drop in to meet new friends.

FRIDAY

The Best Intentions, Aslan Depot - The Best Intentions are Pete Irving and Ani Banani at their Gillian Welch-iest. When you listen to these members of Hot Damn Scandal indulge in their mellow side you can expect original music you swear you recognize, covers you have never heard before, words to give you that far off look in your eyes, and harmonies to bring you right back. 8 pm showtime.

Sam Harris Band, Stones Throw Brewery - Enjoy an evening of smooth, vibrant sounds with this jazz and jazz-fusion duo. Performing a mix of timeless jazz standards, creative covers, and original compositions, their piano and bass set brings a rich, soulful energy from 6 to 8 pm.

Friday Music & Trivia →

SATURDAY

Soul*Drift Live at Zeeks Pizza – Local favorites Soul*Drift bring their unique blend of “hippie pirate music” to Zeeks from 7–9 p.m. Known for their lively acoustic performances and community spirit, this Columbia neighborhood band covers everything from Gillian Welch to Guns N’ Roses with heartfelt energy and good humor.

Shawn Dennehy, Skylark’s Café - A solo singer-songwriter and bandleader for Lucky Lenny with over two decades of experience performing indie folk, bluegrass, and Americana. 6 to 8 pm.

Saturday Music & Trivia →

SUNDAY

It’s a quiet night. 🤷‍♂️
Pull out that puzzle you got for Christmas.

Sunday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

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