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

So many lawn shrooms are flushing after those heavy rains we had. It looks like gnome villages all over town. Fall in the PNW is the best. 😁 

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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Live at the Mount Baker Theatre

Seattle International Comedy Competition

2025 Finals - Saturday, November 29

The Seattle International Comedy Competition returns to Mount Baker Theatre for its 2025 Finals, bringing the best of the Northwest to Bellingham for one night of rapid-fire wit and unstoppable laughter. After hundreds of hopefuls competed across Washington, five finalists remain—each ready to deliver their best sets in a battle for glory, bragging rights, and a generous prize.

Hosted by Wyatt Cote, a chemistry-student-turned-comedy powerhouse known for his quick, sharp delivery and award-winning performances, this finale promises the energy of a national tour with the intimacy of a local crowd. The best part? You help to crown the winner. Bring your best laugh. They’ll bring theirs. Let the funny games begin!

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Who Killed Harold Finch — and Why?

Mark your calendar, there’s a mystery brewing at the Pickford on Grand this weekend. “As they prepare for the premiere of Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man, a shocking event rattles the downtown community — a local film critic has been found dead in the projection booth.” 🙀 

Harold Finch, a sharp-tongued blogger known for his “Downtown Dishonors” list, was notorious for skewering small businesses. No café, bar, or boutique was safe from his venomous wit.

When his body is discovered among reels of film and burnt popcorn, the police call it an accident. But a few suspicious details suggest otherwise — a melted chocolate truffle, a strand of bright yarn, and a crumpled note reading:

“Everyone loves a good story. Especially one that ends.”

With the town’s detective otherwise occupied (rumor has it Benoit Blanc’s in Mississippi), it’s up to the citizens to solve the case.

This is where you come in. Over the weekend, November 29-30, pick up a map at the Pickford on Grand (105 Grand Ave), then visit participating businesses, gather clues, and determine: Who killed Harold Finch — and why? It’s a good ole fashioned Bellingham whodunit.

Whatcom County beaches are open for shellfish harvest once again! County health officials have lifted the biotoxin closure after new testing showed levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins have dropped below the safety threshold. From Sandy Point to the Skagit County line, and all around Lummi Island, you can now safely harvest clams, mussels, oysters, as permitted by recreational harvest regulations.

Before you grab your shovel, remember that toxin levels can shift quickly with the tides and temperature. Always check the Washington Shellfish Closure Map or call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline (1-800-562-5632) before heading out.

We almost exclusively harvest steamers (Manilas and native littlenecks), and nearly every trip out I hear someone recommend purging in cornmeal. Skip the cornmeal! Just purge in a little salt water from whatever beach you’re harvesting on. Let um’ soak overnight and you’re good to go. 😉 Soften some shallot and garlic in butter then add white wine; add the steamers and cover until they open; squeeze a lemon over, and top with parsley. Yum!! There’s nothing better. 

The Port of Bellingham is seeking community input to help shape the future of air service out of Bellingham International Airport. They want to know here you’d like to fly, how often, and what would make you choose BLI more often. Your feedback will help guide conversations with airlines about new destinations and improved service. Take the survey here: BLI Travel Survey Nonstop to Kona please. 🙏🌴 

CIVIC CORNER

Monday
Blaine City Council Meeting, 6 pm, Council Chambers, agenda

Tuesday
Water Resources Advisory Board, 6 pm, Pacific Street Operations, watch online, agenda

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

Mount Baker Theatre
O Christmas Tea | Tues

New Prospect Theatre
Bellingham Improv Festival | Fri-Sat

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
A Christmas Carol | Fri

Bellingham Theatre Guild
Sister Act | Fri-Sun

The Claire
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever | Fri-Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Salsa & Bachata - Viking Union - Mon 7 pm
Bellingham Embodiment Collective - Majestic Ballroom - Mon 6:30 pm
Contact Improv - Aikido Peace Education Center - Mon 7 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
Contra - Fairhaven Library - Sat 6 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

Feature an Event. Reach out.

FEATURED

The Wild Buffalo hosts Dirty’s Double Boogie Benefit tomorrow, November 25. It’s a community-driven concert supporting local musician Aaron Goude. Featuring performances by Jamnesia, OSO (reunion show), and Vibacious, the evening promises an eclectic mix of classic rock, jam, and groove, alongside a silent auction. Proceeds help Aaron with medical recovery costs.

The Firehouse Arts and Events Center hosts an Eagles and CSN Sing-Along tonight, November 24, at 3:30 pm, inviting singers of all stripes to join in on classic California sounds from the late ’60s and ’70s. Led by a local ensemble on guitar, bass, harmonica, and vocals, this is a free community gathering.

MONDAY

Good Neighbor Night, Stones Throw Brewery – Enjoy an evening of community and craft beer from 5–9 p.m. as Stones Throw Brewery donates 10% of sales to support Whatcom Center for Early Learning, which provides early education and therapy for infants and toddlers with developmental and physical disabilities.

Monday Music & Trivia →

TUESDAY

Retro Videogame Night, FrinGe Brewing – Grab a pint and fire up the nostalgia with vintage NES games, old-school tube TVs, and light gun classics from 4–8 pm. Enjoy retro gaming, craft beer, and pizza from Pirate Pies & Subs in a laid-back Ferndale hangout.

Jazz Night, Aslan Depot – Enjoy free live jazz from 8–10 pm every Tuesday at Aslan Depot, featuring local musicians in a lively setting with pizza, wings, and craft cocktails.

Sunny Blue, Ono Kitchen & Bar – Acoustic duo featuring Jean Mann and Greg Ensminger, make their Bellingham debut as the featured act at Chuck Dingee’s Open Mic Night. Starting at 8:00 pm sharp, the pair bring guitars, harmonica, violin, and harmonies for an intimate set highlighting Mann’s singer-songwriter roots and a touch of hometown nostalgia.

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

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