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- 🐹 Hot Dogs & XTRATUFs 🌭🌭
🐹 Hot Dogs & XTRATUFs 🌭🌭

Good morning, Bellingham. This is your Wednesday update from The Hamster Wheel.
With In-N-Out Burger opening its first Washington location in Ridgefield today, the race is on: Who’ll hit Bellingham first—In-N-Out or Dick’s?
Have fun, and stay safe out there!

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP
Photos From the Hoods

Sunset on the High Divide - 📷 by Jodi Broughton

Roses Loving the Summer Rain - 📷 by Susan Grossman

Sucia Sunset - 📷 by Michael Smith
Tag @bellinghamsterwheel on Instagram or reply to this email to get your photos in The Hamster Wheel.

Salish Current
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Salish Current seeks an Executive Director to lead our nonprofit, community-supported newsroom serving Whatcom, Skagit, and San Juan counties. You’ll guide strategic growth, deepen partnerships, and strengthen our role as a trusted source for fact-based local news. Our coverage focuses on the environment, culture, and social justice—bringing diverse voices to the forefront and fostering civil discourse. If you believe local journalism can inspire change, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Weather Forecast
Wednesday: 75°F 🌡️ 54°F | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 🌧️ 1% | 💨 SW 1 to 6 mph
Thursday: 77°F 🌡️ 57°F | ☀️ Sunny | 🌧️ 0% | 💨 N 1 to 7 mph
Moon Phases


Events, Updates & News Around Town
Get off the Hamster Wheel
Hot Dogs And XTRATUFs!!
With all the festivals and new developments around town, it’s easy to forget that Whatcom’s history is rooted in the harvest of resources. From stands of cedar and fir, to the coal seams beneath our streets, and the salmon that return to our rivers each fall. Most of the businesses that supplied those industries have long since closed, but one gem remains: Lummi Fishing Supplies (now officially LFS), my hands-down favorite shop in Bellingham. 😁 Fishing gear, crabbing supplies, work wear, fun PNW birthday gifts ✔️
Today, August 20, from 11 am - 3 pm LFS is hosting their annual Customer Appreciation Day!
This is LFS’s biggest sale of the year, so wander down, or hop on WTA’s Route 47 and you’ll be there in a jiffy!
They’ll have a parking lot sale, plus free hot dogs and sodas during the midday hours. KISM 92.9 will be there broadcasting live, and folks who stop by can enter drawings for door prizes and two big grand prizes: a stand-up paddle board kit and a $500 LFS gift card.

LFS has done an amazing job bridging the gap between the old Bellingham and the new. It was founded over 50 years ago 👆️ by James and Gary Nelson and now has locations as far-flung as Dutch Harbor, Alaska. See you at the sale! 😉
In other news…
🌊 Whatcom County is asking full and part-time residents of Birch Bay to provide feedback about how they “experience current public services and what services need the most improvement,” as the unincorporated community considers the financial feasibility and potential impacts of incorporating.

Incorporating would mean Birch Bay forming its own local government, responsible for delivering and funding services currently provided by Whatcom County.
🦌 The Whatcom Humane Society is asking Whatcomites to donate trimmings and greenery from any species of native plant that is not spiky/thorny and is not irritating to skin (with live foliage, no dry branches or leaves), to feed and enrich habitat for patients at the WHS wildlife rehabilitation center.

“Pictured 👆️ is just one day's worth of food for our current fawns 👇️ (who will remain in care for a few more weeks before release).”

They ask that you call the wildlife center at 360-966-8845 before arriving to get directions and additional information.

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Food & Drink
Hamsters Gotta Eat

Performance Arts This Week
Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM
BAAY Theatre
Chicago (Teen Edition) | Fri, Sat 7:00 pm, Sat, Sun 2:00 pm
iDiOM Theater
The Plague | Fri, Sat 7:30 pm
The Upfront Theatre
Various performances.
PARTICIPATORY DANCE
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Summer Heat - Presence Studio - Thurs 6:30 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 7:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am
Family Dance Party - Boom! - Sun 10 am

Help Spread The Word
Refer three Bellingham friends to join our newsletter community and we’ll include a birthday callout to one person you specify on their B’day 🎂. Get your referral link here. Your current referral count is: 0. You’re so close!.

Events & Nightlife
Spinning Into The Night
Feature an Event. Reach out.
FEATURED

Petunia & The Vipers’ sound may not sit comfortably in one certain genre, but “Good Music” describes it well. They play original music combining elements of classic 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s country, country blues, western swing, alt country rock, Mexicana, French cabaret, Romanian, ragtime, jazz, punk, and folk music. 8 pm on Thursday at Boundary Bay Brewery.

Sip cocktails while the Good Time Guides present historic tales of Bellingham, Washington’s legendary Horseshoe Cafe - “since 1886.” We’ll explore its beginnings as a saloon, the dry years as a "Smoke Shop," the midcentury cocktail lounge era and beyond, and meet some colorful characters along the way. This event features a slideshow, games and good times. Grab tickets now or at the door on Thursday.

It’s the last 2 hour Elizabeth Park concert of the year!! bandZandt, The East County's Favorite Dance Band plays from 6-8pm tomorrow, August 21st! Bring your lawn chairs and relax.
WEDNESDAY
Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, 3888 Sound Way - The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) is hosting an Explorer Program information night for youths between 16 and 21 years old and interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Hear from the Sheriff's Office staff about what it takes to be part of the team. Get a behind-the-scenes look at 6 pm.
Reggae Nights with DJ Yogoman, Boundary Bay - Expect a dynamite record selection, soulful vocalizations, and a whole lot of full joy as DJ Yogoman uplifts the Boundary crowd one last time before they close their doors. Come early, bring your friends, and soak up the good vibes in the beer garden! Beats drop at 8 pm.
THURSDAY
Dinner & Jazz, Bar Cicotti - Enjoy a night of live jazz from 6 to 8 pm while dining on a 3-course prix fixe menu. Reservations are required so grab a table early!
Thirsty Thursday, Kulshan Brewing K2 - Ditch the apps and meet IRL, Thirsty Thursday is Kulshan’s monthly singles night, happening every third Thursday from 6–9 PM at their Roosevelt (K2) taproom. Look forward to talking name tags, ice breakers, games, and great beer.


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Have a great Wednesday!!