🐹 Local Limbs 🌲🌲

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. 📧

The Whatcom Humane Society is asking Whatcomites to donate trimmings and greenery for use as food, housing, enrichment, hiding spots, perching, and soundproofing for wildlife patients at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

“With July 4th celebrations coming up, our staff and volunteer teams need to take extra precautions to try to minimize the stress of loud noises and bright lights for our patients in care, and for that we need more greenery than usual!”

Native species are preferred, but they are accepting any that are not spiky or thorny and are non-irritating. They ask that you call the wildlife center at 360-966-8845 before arriving to get directions and additional information.

Late last week, the North Cascades National Park Service announced that numerous lightning strikes had occurred across the park on Wednesday. Four of those strikes caused fires which were named the Borderline, Rigby, View, and Little Beaver Fires.

While it appears all four fires were contained quickly and pose no continued threat, there’s a real risk that we could experience a tough fire (and smoke) season this year. If you take a look at the Washington Drought Map managed by NOAA, you’ll see that nearly the entire state ranges from Abnormally Dry (yellow), to Severe Drought (orange). 👇

Yesterday, another fire was reported a few miles west of Winthrop. By late day, the fire was listed as impacting 50 acres.

Here are a few great resources for tracking fire activity as we’re entering the summer months. Randy Small at the Whatcom County Weather Facebook page does a great job posting updates on weather, air quality, and fires. The NOAA Drought Monitoring website is helpful to understand the current conditions. The Department of Natural Resources maintains a current fire map, although I find the Western Fire Chiefs map often more up-to-date.

CIVIC CORNER

Monday
Child & Family Well-Being Task Force Meeting, 3:30 pm, 509 Girard St.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Thursday
Clayton Beach: Help the Northwest Straits Foundation tackle invasive vegetation such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, and scotch broom to create space for future native vegetation. Register

Friday
Rutsatz Salmon Reserve: Join Whatcom Land Trust staff for a day of invasive species removal in the incredible floodplains at Rutsatz Salmon Reserve. Register

Sunday
Birch Bay Beach Cleanup: Support beach cleanup at the Birch Bay Berm after the July 4 festivities. 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Parking is available along Birch Bay Dr.
Beach Cleanup at Locust Beach: Re-Sources be set up in the Locust Beach parking lot (on the right of Locust Avenue just after turning off of Marine Drive) from 9-11 a.m. Cleanup supplies will be provided, along with snacks.

New Prospect Theatre
Myth, Mask, and Puppetry Camp (theatre) | Mon

Bellingham TheatreWorks
@ FireHouse Arts & Events Center
Fairview (theatre) | Tues, Fri
Brighton Beach Memoirs (theatre) | Wed, Sat
Appropriate (theatre) | Thurs, Sun

New Prospect Theatre
The Lament of Morin, Mumphries, Halstrom and Rose (theatre) | Fri

New Prospect Theatre
Kevin McDonald Tells stories of the Kids in the Hall (theatre) | Sat

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Salsa & Bachata - Viking Union - Mon 7 pm
Bellingham Embodiment Collective - Majestic Ballroom - Mon 6:30 pm
Contact Improv - Aikido Peace Education Center - Mon, class 5:30, jam 7 pm
Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 6 pm
B’ham Hop - Crystal Ballroom - Tues 8 pm
Taster Tuesdays (hip hop) - Lost Giants Cider Co - Tues 6 pm
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Revolution Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 8:00 pm
Beginner Ballet - Karate Church - Sat 10 am
Beginner Contemporary - Karate Church - Sat 11:30 am
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Conscious Dance - Bellingham Fitness - Sun 10:30 am

Mountain Grass Unit plays the Wild Buffalo tonight, June 29, at 8 pm, bringing a fast-rising bluegrass band to Bellingham. The Birmingham, Alabama quartet combines four-part harmonies with instrumental playing.

Tonight, June 29, Joe Newberry brings his award-winning blend of Appalachian music to the New Prospect Theatre for a 7:30 pm concert. Known for his expressive clawhammer banjo playing, guitar work, and songwriting, Newberry has spent more than four decades performing, recording, and teaching throughout North America and abroad.

Sustainable Connections Community Night, Stones Throw Brewery – From 5 to 9 p.m., enjoy live music, trivia, and a gift basket raffle while learning about Sustainable Connections, with 10 percent of beer sales supporting the organization's local programs and community initiatives. RSVP

Yoga Night at The Oasis, Beach Cat Brewing – A free slow flow yoga class from 6 to 7 pm held on the first and third Sundays of the month for adults, followed by an opportunity to gather at the taproom, with a $1 discount on beers after class.

Monday Music & Trivia →

Bingo Night, Zeeks Pizza – Free bingo runs from 6 to 8 p.m. with prizes awarded after each round, while 10 percent of event sales benefit Generations Early Learning and Family Center, supporting affordable childcare and its intergenerational childcare and assisted living program.

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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