🐹 Library to the TV 📙📺️

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

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

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

Ceramic artist Natalia Arbelaez 👇️, speaking at Western tonight, draws inspiration from a pretty wide range of places, from museum archives and family history to cartoons and reality television. Arbelaez is a Colombian American artist and University of Washington ceramics professor whose work pulls from immigration, Indigenous South American ceramics, television, cartoons, and pop culture. Rather than keeping those influences in separate boxes, she mashes them together into fascinating, funny, sometimes sharp-toothed ceramic figures that explore identity, memory, colonization, and what gets preserved or forgotten.

Arbelaez often works with red terracotta, a material she connects to pre-Columbian ceramics and her Colombian ancestry, while using white majolica glaze, brought to the Americas by the Spanish, as a metaphor for colonization and the whitewashing of Indigenous ancestry. Her research has taken her to Harvard, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and the American Museum of Ceramic Art, where she has studied pre-Columbian art and histories as well as the work of influential women ceramicists of color.

Her talk, From the Library to the TV: Research and Influence in Art Practice, will look at how archival research, oral history, family stories, and mass media eventually find their way into the studio. It starts tonight, Oct 19, at 5 pm in Miller Hall 152 at Western, runs about an hour, and is free and open to everyone.

Cascadia Daily News has published interviews with all four candidates running for the two new Port of Bellingham Commission seats. We approved expanding the commission from three members to five last year, meaning this election will add two new voices to the board overseeing the transforming waterfront. And while candidates had to live in their respective districts to run, every Whatcom County voter gets a vote in both Port races in the general election. Check your mailbox because ballots have been arriving. 📬

I found CDN’s interviews useful because they put the same reader-submitted questions to each candidate letting you compare their answers side by side. District 4 candidates Paul Burrill and Tor Benson and District 5 candidates Chris Elder and Shawn Ensley weigh in on the future of Bellingham’s waterfront, how the Port should approach economic development and business growth, and whether passenger ferry service has a future here. Both articles are part of Cascadia’s election coverage and are available free outside the paywall.

Port of Bellingham Commission, District 4 candidates talk waterfront visions, Bellingham ferries

Port of Bellingham Commission, District 5 candidates talk waterfront visions, Bellingham ferries

All the Koma Kulshan Chapter meetups sound interesting, but this one sounds particularly fun to me. Tonight, Oct. 21, Pam Borso of the North Cascades Audubon Society will give a talk on Plants for Birds, looking at how the plants in your yard can provide food, shelter, nesting space, and a rest stop for migrating birds.

Borso has spent about 15 years combining her interests in birding and native plants, and she’s also a certified Washington Native Plant Society Plant Steward. The free talk starts at 7 pm at Squalicum Yacht Club, with a social hour beginning at 6:30 if you want to show up early for coffee, treats, and plant talk.

LOCAL READS

Finding community on the trail
By Eve Garcia-Torbensen · The Front
Bellingham’s running scene includes weekly groups, university clubs and seasonal races such as the Blanchard Beast, Turkey Trot and Fairhaven Frosty. Eve details how those routines give runners of different ages and abilities a place to train, test themselves and form friendships that often extend beyond the trail. Read more →

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Journalism’s dilemma: When does America’s collapse become hyperlocal news?
By Ron Judd · The BellingHammer
Recent public talks at Western have examined how Americans respond when familiar political rules and institutions are under strain, drawing hundreds of people in person and online. Ron details his case that independent local newsrooms should expand their definition of community coverage when national political questions are filling local rooms. Read more →

CIVIC CORNER

Monday
Lynden Parks Committee, 4:00 pm, City Hall
Ferndale City Council, 5:00 pm, City Hall Annex
Bham City Council Regular Meeting, 7:00 pm, City Hall
Lynden City Council, 7:00 pm, City Hall

Tuesday
Port of Bham Board of Commissioners, 4:00 pm, Harbor Center
Whatcom Co. Food Systems Committee, 4:30 pm, 110 Unity Street zoom
Whatcom Co. Biennium Budget Session, 9:00 am, County Courthouse
Bham Public Library Board, 3:30 pm, Central Library Lecture Room

Wednesday
All Hands Whatcom Summit, 8:30 am, Silver Reef Casino
Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission, 6:30 pm, City Hall

Thursday
All Hands Whatcom Summit, 8:30 am, Silver Reef Casino
Rock Hill Playground Ribbon-Cutting, 4:30 pm,

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday
Bellingham: Join NSEA to remove protective tubes and cages from older restoration sites. You will help maintain planted trees by returning materials that protected them from voles, deer, beavers, and maintenance equipment. Register

Thurs-Fri
SWIFT Center: Join Washington Trails Association at the SWIFT Center to improve a new trail across a rocky knoll. You will clear vegetation, gather and carry rocks, move large rocks with tools and rigging, carry rock or gravel, and help build rock structures. Thurs, Friday

Saturday
Connelly Creek Nature Area (South): Join Bellingham Parks Volunteer Program and NSEA to restore wildlife habitat and protect wetlands at Connelly Creek Nature Area (South). You can help with planting, ecological restoration, invasive species removal, and litter pickup. Register
Cloud Mountain Farm Center: Join Whatcom Land Trust and Growing Veterans to remove invasive blackberry along the stream at Cloud Mountain Farm Center. You will help stabilize stream banks and filter water while protecting salmon habitat as the farm transitions to its future permanent owners. Register

Sunday
Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehab Center: Join Whatcom Million Trees Project to plant trees at the Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehab Center. You will help continue a multi-year reforestation project in a 12-acre former hayfield. Register

Bellewood Farms & Distillery, Lynden (Wed-Sun 9-4)
Bellewood’s fall setup combines a U-pick pumpkin patch with apple picking, a free corn maze, farm store, bakery, cafe, and plenty of cider doughnuts. The pumpkin patch stays open through Oct. 31, and general admission is free.

Cramer's Western Town, Lynden (Fri-Sun 10-5)
If simply picking a pumpkin feels insufficiently Western, Cramer’s adds draft-horse wagon rides out to the patch, pony rides, a petting zoo, hay maze, tractor train, and other farm games. They grow more than 30 pumpkin varieties and are open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October.

Stoney Ridge Farm, Everson (Fri 12-5, Sat 10-5)
Stoney Ridge packs a lot into its short fall season: U-pick pumpkins and apples, wagon rides, a corn maze, bin maze, playground, and farm animals, plus their well-known pumpkin and cider doughnuts made with apples grown on the farm. Admission is $6, kids 2 and under are free, and the final two days this year are Oct. 23 and 24.

Pumpkin Patch in the Pool, Arne Hanna Aquatic Center (Sat 4:30-6)
Skip the muddy field and pick your pumpkin from the pool instead. Arne Hanna Aquatic Center is filling the water with floating pumpkins for an afternoon that also includes treats, games, and aquatic safety activities. Admission is $10, and kids 6 and younger need to stay within arm’s reach of an adult in the water.

Trick-or-Treat on the Berm, Birch Bay Berm Pathway (Sat 3-5)
Birch Bay’s waterfront trail turns into a trick-or-treat route Saturday afternoon, with businesses and community groups setting up decorated stops along the berm. The event is free, costumes are encouraged.

Crave a Beer, Carve a Pumpkin, Stones Throw Brewery (Sat 12-5)
Stones Throw is setting out pumpkins and carving tools for its annual Halloween carving day in Fairhaven. It’s free, all ages, and carved pumpkins will stay on display in the taproom through Halloween, when voting wraps up and costumed visitors get $1 off pints. Pumpkins are first come, first served, so arriving earlier is probably wise.

Pumpkin Painting & Pizza, Fiamma Pizza (Sun 2–4)
Paint a pumpkin and eat some pizza at Fiamma’s all-ages Halloween afternoon. Each $25 ticket includes one pumpkin, painting supplies, and access to a buffet with cheese and pepperoni pizza, green salad, soft drinks, and water. Smocks and coveralls are not provided, so dress accordingly.

Pumpkins and Ponies, Mountain Meets Farm (Sun 12-3)
Mountain Meets Farm is combining its rescue animals with a little fall fun for this annual fundraiser. The afternoon includes pony rides, pumpkin painting, raffles, apple cider pressing, popcorn, and time to meet some of the farm’s rescued animals and learn their stories. Tickets are $20 and support the farm’s animal welfare and education work.

Uisce Irish Pub
Guffawingham (comedy) | Mon 8:30 pm

WWU Old Main Theater
Masks Play III: Return of the Masks (theatre) | Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat

Ferndale High School Theatre
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (theatre) | Thu, Fri

Lincoln Theater (Mt, Vernon)
Wild & Scenic Film Festival (film) | Thurs

BAAY Theatre
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon (theatre) | Fri, Sat, Sun

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
Handle with Care (dance) | Fri, Sat

New Prospect Theatre
OBSCURA: Cabaret Atelier’s Fall Showcase (dance) | Fri, Sat

Bellingham Circus Guild
The Beastly Frightful Unspeakably Spooky Circus of DOOOOOM (circus) | Fri-Sun

Bellingham TheatreWorks @ The Upfront
New Play Cafe: Reading of Vacancies (theatre) | Sat

New Prospect Theatre
Action Fiction! Stories Performed Returns (theatre) | Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Salsa & Bachata - Viking Union - Mon 7 pm
Bellingham Embodiment Collective - Majestic Ballroom - Mon 6:30 pm
Country Line Dancing - Corner Taphouse in Fairhaven - Mon 6:30 pm
Contact Improv - Aikido Peace Education Center - Mon, class 5:30, jam 7 pm
Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 6 pm
Taster Tuesdays (hip hop) - Lost Giants Cider Co - Tues 6 pm
Contemporary Dance - Aikido Dojo - 6:30 pm
B’ham Hop Swing - Hotel Leo - Wed 7 pm
Intermediate Hip Hop - Lost Giants - Wed 6 pm
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Revolution Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Dance for people with PD and other neurological conditions - Firehouse Arts Center - Thurs 11 am
Foundations: Hip Hop, House, Shuffle - Lost Giants - Fri 5:45 pm
Contra - Fairhaven Library - Sat 7 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 5:00 pm
Beginner Ballet - Karate Church - Sat 10 am
Beginner Contemporary - Karate Church - Sat 11:30 am
Dance Fusion - BSAC - 10:30 am
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Conscious Dance - Bellingham Fitness - Sun 10:30 am

Seattle trio Truly plays The Shakedown tonight, October 19, joined by The Purrs and Moth Girl for an 8 pm show. The night is part of Truly’s 30th Anniversary Tour, “Then, Today and Tomorrow,” which reunites original members Robert Roth, Hiro Yamamoto, and Mark Pickerel. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

The Admiralty Lounge hosts Louis Ledford and Norah McLaughlin tomorrow, October 20, from 7 to 9 pm for an evening of original songwriting, and reworked covers. Ledford has written, recorded, and performed for decades, with stops in Virginia, New Orleans, and now Bellingham. McLaughlin brings a long Whatcom County music history of her own, including work with Kitty Kitty, Alamo Social Club, and Yogoman Burning Band.

Movie Trilogy Mondays, Stones Throw Brewery – The original Star Wars trilogy screens in the Backyard from 7 to 9 pm, with Return of the Jedi closing out the series; free, all ages, and outside food welcome.

Magic: The Gathering Commander Night, Beach Cat Brewing – Free Commander games begin at 6:30 pm with Cosmic Games, raffle prizes, and players of all experience levels welcome.

Monday Music & Trivia →

Trivia Night at Sunnyland, Kulshan Brewing – Weekly trivia runs from 6 to 8 pm with teams of up to six, a $2 buy-in per person, and cash prizes for top teams.

Election Integrity & Voting Rights Forum, Fairhaven Library Auditorium – A 7 pm public forum features Liz Darrow, Todd Donovan, Edgar Franks, and Jeremy Harrison-Smith discussing local election integrity and voting rights issues, followed by a Q&A.

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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