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

I was lucky enough to have goldfinches crowding every perch on a feeder this weekend. This time of year, they’re in their full golden glory.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

Tag @bellinghamsterwheel on Instagram or reply to this email to get your photos in The Hamster Wheel.

Monday: 79°F 🌡️ 59°F | ☀️ Sunny | 🌧️ 1% | 💨 SW 0 to 6 mph

Tuesday: 77°F 🌡️ 60°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 63% | 💨 SSW 5 to 9 mph

If you've been to Trackside or the Granary Building over the last couple of years, you've likely noticed the evolving skatepark nestled under the Roeder Avenue Bridge. 👇️ It's the product of community effort by members of the Bellingham skateboarding community, which is fantastic!

Over the past year, this location has become a topic of conversation at both City Council and Port Commission meetings, with increased attention as the Northwest Skate Collective (NSC), a skate park advocacy nonprofit, took up the cause of converting it into an official public skate park.

Earlier this year, the city worked out a deal with the port to acquire the property in exchange for park impact fee credits (the value of which I'm still trying to understand) and agreed to partner with NSC to fund the construction and maintenance of a new park. This week, the first conceptual designs were released.

There's absolutely nothing I don't love about this project. It's community-driven, with a passionate group of skateboard enthusiasts promoting the use of land that would otherwise be ignored or barricaded. It's a downtown destination for youngsters, bringing another cohort of our community to the waterfront that might otherwise not find facilities or be welcome. Under their agreement with the city, NSC is responsible for contributing half of the $3 million project cost. They are currently accepting donations.

🐶 The Whatcom Humane Society posted a plea over the weekend for “pet owners that are surrendering owned animals to WAIT at least one week before bringing animals to the shelter.” They describe their Division St facility as over capacity with “NO room to humanely house lost/stray animals from Whatcom County.” They've experienced a massive influx of surrendered pets over the prior 72 hours.

If you’re a German Shepherd person, they currently have three gorgeous shepherds available for adoption. 👆 Look at that pack 😍! “Duke - 11 month old male is large, in-charge, strong, active and smart; Abbie - 8 yr old female is wise, sweet, sensitive and in need of a BFF; Howie - 1.5 year old male is silly, active a bit of a dork and adorable.” Contact WHS if you’d like to visit one of these sweet pups.

🏙️ The Bellingham City Council meets today, July 7th, at 1 pm, with the Regular Meeting at 7 pm. The agenda is available online. This public meeting is held at Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall or can be watched online.

🚜 The Whatcom County Council meets tomorrow, July 8th, at 9:55 am, with the Regular Meeting at 6 pm. The agenda is available online. This public meeting is held in the Council Chambers at the County Courthouse or can be watched via Zoom.

Dream of owning a church? This 1937 Gothic-Revival in Everson is your chance! With 6,960 sq. ft., it offers ample space for a congregation or the opportunity to create a truly unique home.

Explore its warm timber-frame sanctuary, featuring wooden pew seating for 100-120 people, dual kitchens, and versatile rooms—perfect for classrooms, bedrooms, or dreams untold.

It's truly a spiritual experience to tour this wonderful building and imagine its vast potential uses. Visit my website for photos and floor plans.

Uisce Irish Pub
Guffawingham | Mon 9:00 pm

Mount Baker Theatre
A Mountain Bike Film Festival | Thurs 8:00 pm

New Prospect Theatre
Gruesome Playground Injuries | Fri, Sat 7:00 pm, Sun 5:00 pm

iDiOM Theater
The Sound of Axes Falling | Sat 6:30 pm

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
Bellingham TheaterWorks Summer Repertory Theatre
Translations | Wed, Sat 7:30 pm
The Foreigner | Tues & Fri 7:30 pm
The Language Archive | Thurs 7:30 pm, Sun 5:00 pm

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances.

Salsa & Bachata
Salsa & Bachata - Viking Union - Mon 7 pm
Beginning Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 6 pm
Int. Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 7:15 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm

Tango
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm

Other
B’ham Hop - Crystal Ballroom - Tues 7 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 8:00 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am

Feature an Event. Reach out.

Big Band Mondays are back at Boundary Bay Brewery! Every Monday in July, head to the beer garden to dance the night away with Jimmy Lindquist’s Big Band. The Backyard BBQ and Garden Bar open at 5 pm, with live music from 6 to 8 pm. All ages are welcome, and there’s a $5 suggested cover to support the band. Expect classic tunes from the 1930s and ‘40s, performed by Dr. Jimmy & The Swingtime Serenaders—a Whatcom County big band with members ranging in age from 19 to 90!

The Calidore String Quartet will play at Western’s Performing Arts Center on Tuesday as part of the Bellingham Festival of Music. Their program is intriguing with its American and 20th-century focus. Barber: String Quartet Op. 11; Wynton Marsalis: "At the Octoroon Balls" (selections); John Williams' "With Malice Toward None." from the film "Lincoln;" and Korngold's String Quartet No. 3, Op. 34. There are a few tickets left!

Connection Jazz Series - Introspection, FireHouse Arts & Events Center - This special candlelit evening will feature music reminiscent of night—from the sounds of a sweet lullaby to the obscurity of the subconscious mind. Enjoy Jazz in a way you may have never heard it played before, by world-class musicians from the Pacific Northwest. This unique, immersive experience with Bill Anschell (piano), Chris Symer (bass), and Christian Casolary (drums). Tickets.

Jeremy Berry Masterclass - Whatcom Community College - Harmony Chamber Music Festival presents a free string masterclass with the amazing Jeremy Berry of the Calidore String Quartet. The event is free and open to the public. Jeremy will work with Violinist Elsa Jonson and violist Declan Hong, both winners of the HCMF 2025 Chamber Music Competition. 1pm in the Heiner Theatre.

Monday Music & Trivia →

Seize The Bay Beer Release Party, Stones Throw Brewery - Bring a designated driver and head down to Stones Throw to celebrate the release of the 2025 batch of the Seize the Bay Summer Ale, their annual collaboration with the Community Boating Center. 10% of sales from 5-10pm will be donated to the CBC, a wonderful nonprofit that fosters safe small-boat recreation on Bellingham Bay.

Spaceband, Barkley Village Green - Barkley Village is once again hosting the Tuesday Tunes summer concert series. This week's concert features long-time Bellingham favorite, Spaceband, and benefits Skookum Kids. Music starts at 6 pm on the green. 🤘

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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Have a great Monday!!