🐹 Forty Drops 💧💧

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

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Or, hit reply to send me photos via email. 📧

Several readers reached out to me over the last few days about a cherished local business and creative space that is seeking support from the community. Over the weekend Northwest Yarns & Mercantile owners Echo and Heather posted on Instagram about how tariffs, and a drop in Canadian customers, has impacted their business.

“This past year has brought unexpected challenges. We’ve seen a sharp decline in Canadian business (we miss you, lovely Canadian customers, but understand!), which has always been a vital part of our customer base, and new tariffs have made it even harder to keep our shelves stocked and our doors open. Despite our best efforts, these hurdles have put a strain on our ability to continue serving the community we love.”

If you’re a knitter, crafter, artist, or fiber enthusiast, you’ve likely been to Northwest Yarns in the past and you know what a lovely space they’ve created. Consider if you’re in the position to support Echo and Heather through a donation to their GoFundMe page, or stop by the shop this week to pick up supplies for a new project. Downtown Bellingham won’t be the same without these locally owned specialty shops. The yarn aisle at Wally World just ain’t where the joy is at.

If you live in Ferndale or are visiting this week, stop by the It’s About Time Cultural Arts Center on main street to enjoy the works of youth artists from Cascadia Elementary, Horizon and Vista Middle Schools, and Ferndale High School.

The show which opens at 3:00 pm, showcases works inspired by the art of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s blend of pop art and minimalism, alongside self-portraits that explore identity through symbolism.

Good news from the Bellingham International Airport this week that Alaska Airlines has decided to add a second flight to Portland.

“Effective November 1st, you can catch a midday flight in either direction: PDX → BLI arrives at 11:55 AM, and BLI → PDX departs at 12:35 PM opening same-day connections through Portland’s massive network of 65+ nonstop destinations. “

I’ve heard from friends and family that these PDX connections are fabulous, and much less stressful than navigating SeaTac. ✈

LOCAL READS

WWU students grow thousands of pounds of veggies at City Sprouts Farm in the Birchwood neighborhood
By Mary Gallagher · WWU News
Western students cultivate four to five tons of produce each year at City Sprouts Farm, supplying the WHOLE food pantry and neighborhood food access programs in Birchwood. Mary reports that the half-acre farm grows up to 80 crop varieties while giving students hands-on experience in urban agriculture and food justice. Read more →

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Conserving land for future generations
By Sydnee Chapman · Salish Current
Land trusts in Whatcom and Skagit counties are experimenting with new strategies to preserve working farms as land prices continue to rise beyond the reach of many younger farmers. Sydnee details how conservation easements can reduce costs, protect wildlife habitat, and support future generations of local agriculture. Read more →

CIVIC CORNER

Wednesday
Whatcom County Ranch Quarry EIS Scoping - Public Meeting, 6:00 pm, Zoom

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday
King Mountain Community Garden: Join the city in tending to community spaces at King Mountain Garden. Register

Saturday
Rock Hill Park: Join the City and the York Neighborhood Association in removing Himalayan Blackberry and sprucing up the Butterfly Garden. Register
Schell Creek: Join NSEA and the Whatcom Conservation District in stewarding Schell Creek by picking up pet waste and litter and removing some invasive species in the riparian zone and surrounding greenspace. Register
Miyawaki Mini-Forest at WWU: Join Whatcom Million Trees Project, L.E.A.D, WWU Students for Ecological Restoration, City of Bellingham, and Washington Trails Association to help with the next stage of development of Bellingham’s first Miyawaki mini-forest. Register
Natural Delights Trail: Join the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition for a trail day at Natural Delights Trail. Register

Sunday
Cougar Ridge Trail: Join the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition for a trail day at Cougar Ridge. Register

Nooksack Valley High School
Footloose (theatre) | Thurs, Fri

Bellingham Circus Guild
Vaudevillingham (circus) | Fri

Sehome High School
Anything Goes (theatre) | Fri, Sat

Squalicum High School
One Act Play Festival (theatre) | Fri-Sun

BAAY
Honk! JR. (theatre) | Fri-Sun

Mount Baker Theatre
Michael Carbonaro (magic) | Sat

iDiOM Theatre
All Our Tragic (theatre) | Sat, Sun

Blaine Performing Arts Center
World Wildlife Dances (dance) | Sat, Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Revolution Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Foundations: Hip Hop, House, Shuffle - Lost Giants Cider Co. - Fri 6 pm
Potluck & Square Dance - Fairhaven Library - Sat 6:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Belly Dance - Karate Church - Sun 1 pm
Open Floor Conscious Dance - Bellingham Fitness - Sunday 10:30 am

Forty Drop Few and Hannah Wyatt play at The Orion tomorrow, May 14 at 7 pm for an evening of stringband, hillbilly, country blues, and jazz-rooted music. Forty Drop Few perform pre-war inspired tunes and originals featuring Candra Edwards, Ethan Francis, and Elliot Kennedy on a rotating mix of instruments, while Hannah Wyatt joins the lineup for the night’s second set.

The Jazz Center of Bellingham brings the George Colligan Trio to the FireHouse Arts & Events Center tonight, May 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Pianist and multi-instrumentalist George Colligan has built an international career as a performer, composer, and bandleader, with collaborations spanning artists including Jack DeJohnette, Cassandra Wilson, Ravi Coltrane, and Christian McBride.

No frills, no gimmicks—just honest, soulful storytelling wrapped in raw country and Americana. Charlie Partin brings a down-to-earth, no-nonsense style to Stones Throw tonight that pulls you right into the heart of his songs. His music isn’t just something you listen to—it’s something you feel. Music starts at 6:00 pm.

Cee Cee James and The Mission of S.O.U.L. bring roots, blues, and Americana to Zeeks Pizza Bellingham tomorrow, May 14 from 7 to 9 pm. Led by vocalist and songwriter Cee Cee James alongside guitarist Rob “Slideboy” Andrews, the band draws from years of touring and recording to deliver a set shaped by original songs, storytelling, and blues influences.

Sustainability Social Hour, Kulshan Brewing K2 – A casual gathering from 5:30 to 7:30 pm bringing together local sustainability advocates, organizers, and neighbors for conversation and connection hosted with Sustainable Connections, Maul Foster Alongi, and ReSources.

Touch-a-Truck with Ferndale Public Works, Pioneer Park – A family-friendly community event from 1 to 4 pm offering kids and adults a chance to explore dump trucks, backhoes, street sweepers, and other public works vehicles while learning how city crews help keep Ferndale running.

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

King of the Pier Dart Tournament, Waterfront Tavern Seafood and Bar – This one’s a weekly dart tournament running from 7 to 10 pm. Players of all skill levels to compete for the “King of the Pier” title in a casual pub competition.

Grateful Dead Night, Wild Buffalo – Bellingham’s own Sleepy Alligators lead a 7:30 pm celebration of Grateful Dead music with jams, rotating special guests, and a setlist drawing from classics like Sugar Magnolia, Playing in the Band, and The Music Never Stopped.

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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