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

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Here’s a fun alternative take on Valentine’s Day. 😁 The Whatcom Land Trust invites you to express your love of Whatcom County’s forests, fields, shorelines, bogs, and trails in a short story or poem (200 words or fewer) to share with the community.

Selected submissions will be shared on the Land Trust’s social channels for Valentine’s Day, with the full collection published on their website. They stress that writings can be polished or rough, submitted with your name or anonymously, and that contributors are welcome to include a photo of the place they’re writing about—or even a short video reading their letter aloud. Submissions are open through February 10. 💚🌲

The submission period has closed, and voting is now open for the City of Ferndale’s 2026 photo contest. Check out the photo contest Facebook post. Peruse through the photos in the album, and “like” 👍 to vote. I love how easy they made this.

A couple that leapt out at me, are a Merganser duckling photo captured by Linda Bahrani, and the Metallica Bridge with an Amtrak crossing by Mark Joseph.

CIVIC CORNER

Wednesday
Lake Whatcom Policy Group, 3 pm, Pacific Street Operations Center, view online
Ferndale Schools State of the District, 6 pm, Ferndale High School

Thursday
WTA Board Meeting, 8 am, WTA Office, view online
Greenways Advisory Committee, 7 pm, view online

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday
Galbraith Mountain: The only thing better than being on a beautiful trail, is knowing you helped build and maintain it. Meet at the top of the Breaux Zone at 1 pm. They're planning on working till 4 pm. Register to participate.

Friday
Craver Site: Join WLT in their annual property monitoring visit, to explore winding game trails, while tackling essential restoration work. Tasks for the day include trail clearing and removing invasive vinca and blackberry. Register to participate.

Saturday
Lake Padden/Galbraith Mountain Trailhead: Help plant native trees and shrubs near Bellingham’s favorite new trailhead and recreation hub. The city hopes to be joined by volunteers and friends from the Whatcom Mountain Biking Coalition and the Whatcom Land Trust! Register to participate.
North Fork Nooksack River: Join NSEA along the North Fork Nooksack River in Deming as they return to a property to continue cutting back Himalayan blackberry and replacing it with native trees and shrubs! 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 New Patient Offer, only $63 (regularly $190), includes a consultation, full nerve and muscle assessment, digital X-rays, and a personalized doctor’s report. It’s a simple, science-backed way to begin your body’s natural healing journey. Learn more at desertpinechiro.com.

Whatcom Hills Waldorf School
Screenagers (film) | Thurs

Bellingham Theatre Guild
American Son (theatre) | Thurs-Sun

The Claire Theater
The Nerd (theatre) | Thurs-Sun

iDiOM Theater
Serial Killers (theatre) | Sat

New Prospect Theatre
Cupid’s Island (comedy) | Sat

New Prospect Theatre
Punch Line (comedy) | Sat

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Stemma West - Country - Wed 6 pm
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Flow Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Elks - Country Swing - Thurs 7 pm
Dance Fusion - BSAC - Sat 10:30 am
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 4:30 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Belly Dance - Karate Church - 1 pm

Stand Up Comedy @ Beach Cat brings a night of live laughs to Bellingham with a hosted stand-up showcase and open mic at the South Paw event space, featuring host Jerry Barnett, headliner Lucy Tollefson, and sets from Richard Bowen, with open mic sign-ups at 7:30 pm and the show starting at 8:00 pm for ages 18 and up.

A Celebration of Black Music takes place Wednesday, February 4 at 7:30 pm in Western Washington University’s Performing Arts Center Concert Hall. This free, public concert features the WWU Concert Choir with Dr. Richard L. Hodges and guest conductor Ali Hodges, the WWU Jazz Big Band directed by Kevin Woods, and additional ensembles and soloists, honoring the musical legacy and contributions of Black composers and musicians.

Visceral, uncompromising; The Hobby is a heavy rock band from Bellingham, combining the energy and emotion of early-aughts emo, the sullen atmosphere of the late-90s alternative scene, and the hooks and earworms of contemporary pop. At the Shakedown tonight, February 4, at 8:30 pm.

Ladies Night at The Bike Ranch, The Bike Ranch – A biweekly, open-house-style bike night from 4:30–6:30 pm (all ages) and 6:30–8:30 pm (18+) featuring skill-building, casual riding, and community vibes under the lights, with loaner bikes available and no registration required.

Trivia Night, Penny Farthing (Chuckanut Bay Distillery) - It's FREE to play, from 7:30-9 pm, fun prizes, plus great food and drink specials. Grab your smartest (or loudest) friends, show up early, and claim your spot!

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

Sharon Mayson and the Living Rumors, FireHouse Arts & Events Center – An evening of rock, pop, and americana led by Sharon Mayson’s powerful vocals, featuring a seasoned local lineup performing high-energy covers and original songs from 6:30–9:00 pm.

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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