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

I have reformatted the Local Reads section to make room for a few more articles in each edition. I’m aiming to source from a broader mix of Whatcom and North Skagit publications.

If you have a favorite niche outlet around the county, hit reply and send it my way. Blogs, newsletters, small papers, it all helps.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

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

Step into the sharp, outrageous, and surprisingly timely world of Aristophanes, the most famous and successful writer of comedy during the "golden age" of ancient Athens. In this five-week course, explore The Clouds, The Wasps, Lysistrata, Women at the Thesmophoria, and The Frogs, works that lampoon politics, education, war, theater, and public life with fearless wit.

Led by classics scholar Andrew Miller, this in-person class is limited to 25 participants, creating a setting for thoughtful conversation.

Whatcom County Amphibian Monitoring Program (WCAMP) is offering two fun-looking workshops in the coming weeks.

Vikki Jackson, program manager at the organization, sent a note last week about a free, day-long, session called the Amphibian Identification Workshop and Community Science Field Survey that runs from 9 am to 4 pm on March 14.

The class begins with a classroom session covering how to identify local amphibian species and their egg masses, then moves into the field on BP Cherry Point land to count egg masses and adults as part of WCAMP’s long-term monitoring efforts. You do need to be at least 16 years old and capable of navigating off-trail terrain and shallow water. To register or request additional info, shoot Vikki a note at [email protected].

Based on the WCAMP website, there’s an additional opportunity to learn about the Oregon Spotted Frog on March 7 from 9 am to 4 pm. That class is being held at the Whatcom Land Trust office. Stephen Nyman ([email protected]) is the contact person for registration. 🐸

NAMI Whatcom has a free Family to Family course beginning March 10 that meets twice weekly through April 2. The class is for families, partners, and friends of people living with mental health conditions and is taught by trained family members.

The course covers communication skills, stress management, crisis response, current treatments, and how mental health conditions affect the whole family. All materials are provided at no cost. Fill out the form on the NAMI Whatcom website to register, or call (360) 671-4950.

Heads up: Fake parking QR codes have been spotted in downtown Bellingham. The city warns that scam QR code stickers have been posted near some parking meters and pay stations. The city does not accept parking payments by QR code, so if you see one, don’t scan it! Report the location to [email protected] so it can be removed.

LOCAL READS

A clucking good time was had by all
By Kari Mar · La Conner Community News
Last Friday we looked forward to the Edison Chicken Parade. Kari was there, as were a few Hamsters as evidenced by the photos. 👆 She delivers a fun, and very funny, recap of the festivities. read article

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

The Planet and a student reporter receive national recognition
By Noelle Reger · The Front
Western’s student-run magazine The Planet was named a national Pacemaker finalist for its 2024–25 anthology issue, even as it competed against programs with far larger budgets. Noelle also highlights student reporter Josh Maritz receiving an honorable mention from the Associated Collegiate Press for his in-depth reporting on chronic wasting disease in deer. read article

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Bridge over a troubled highway
By Jacob O’Donnell · Salish Current
Elk roaming between Concrete and Sedro-Woolley often cross Highway 20, where each reported collision carries an estimated $45,000 in damages. Jacob reports how tribal nations and state transportation officials are planning a vegetated overpass, backed by $8.4 million in federal funding, to reconnect habitat between the Skagit River and forested uplands. read article

CIVIC CORNER

Thursday
Geothermal Energy Community Workshop, 5:30 pm, WCC Syre Student Center, details

Friday
Sunset Pond Loop Opening Celebration, 3:00 pm, Sunset Pond

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday
Stream Team: Help Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) maintain older sites that need love. Meet at NSEA’s campus by 8 am and your group leader will shuttle everyone to the site. You can expect to be back to NSEA at 12 pm. Register

Saturday
Hundred Acre Wood: Join the Bellingham Parks Department and Whatcom Land Trust for National Invasive Species Awareness Week as they restore wildlife habitat and protect wetlands in this serene forest on the south side of Bellingham. Register
North Fork Nooksack River: Join Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association along the North Fork Nooksack River as they return to a property to continue cutting back Himalayan blackberry and replacing it with native trees and shrubs. Register

Sunday
NSEA Native Plant Nursery: Help Whatcom Million Trees Project get a shipment of bare-root native tree seedlings and plugs safely into pots, so they can survive and grow until it’s time to plant them in their permanent home somewhere in Whatcom County. Register

The Bellingham Chamber Music Society invites young musicians from Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, and Island counties to apply for its second annual Harmony Chamber Music Festival. This two-day Youth Chamber Music Weekend on April 18–19 offers intermediate and advanced strings, winds, brass, and pianists the opportunity to work closely with local performing artists and music faculty in an immersive, collaborative setting.

Students may apply as individuals or pre-formed ensembles, with financial assistance and pay-what-you-can tuition are available to ensure access for all accepted participants. A separate chamber music competition follows in May, featuring live performances and cash prizes.

ʻOno Kitchen & Bar
Sam Miller (comedy) | Wed 7:00 pm

The Shakedown
Variety Show (burlesque) | Thurs 9:00 pm

Larrabee Lager Co
Laughs at Larrabee (comedy) | Fri 8:00 pm

Lynden High School
The Prince of Egypt (theater) | Fri-Sun

New Prospect Theatre
Vox & Friends: Uncorked (cabaret) | Fri-Sun

Bellingham High School
Sister Act (theater) | Fri-Sat

Wink Wink
Love Sucks: A Vampire Valentine's Day Revue (theater) | Fri-Sat

Blaine Community Theater
Closer to Home Tickets (theater) | Fri-Sun

Mount Baker Theatre
The Dance Studio Winter Showcase (dance) | Sat

Silver Reef
3 Sisters Comedy (comedy) | Sat

iDiOM Theater
The Plague (theater) | Fri-Sat

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Flow Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Hip Hop, House, Shuffle - Lost Giants Cider - Fri 6 pm
Dance Fusion - BSAC - Sat 10:30 am
Contra - Fairhaven Library - Sat 7 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 4:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm

Puddlebox, the duo of Jason Ewald and Devon Yesberger, performs at the Oddfellows Temple Room tomorrow, February 26, at 8 pm. Ewald handles drums and vocals while Yesberger plays piano and bass, building songs around rhythm, keys, and close musical interplay.

Tonight, from 6 to 8 pm, Cedar Trio takes the stage at Stones Throw with a set of instrumental grooves. Drummer Stefan Freelan, bassist Mike Medler, and guitarist RJ Rex promise an eclectic show.

Sons of Rainier, Marlo Mudd, Sam Gelband perform at The Shakedown tonight, February 25, with doors at 7 pm and music at 8 pm. Sons of Rainier is an alt-folk/country-tinged group built around songwriter Devin Champlin’s arrangements and vocal harmonies, anchored by longtime collaborators including Sam Gelband.

Crew Connections 2026, Structures Brewing – A 5:30 pm networking event hosted by the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition, Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, and Bellingham Dockside Market, featuring a short presentation from WA Sea Grant’s Robert Maw and open time to connect vessel operators, crew, and industry professionals in the wild seafood sector. RSVP

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

Contact Fusion ft. Wonder Phallen, Karate Church – A 7 to 8 pm Contact Fusion Flow class followed by a social dance from 8 to 10 pm, featuring instruction focused on fusion partner work and contact improvisation, with DJ Wonder Phallen providing music for the open dance; $10 entry at the door.

Thursday Music & Trivia →

Advertise in Bham’s #1 Newsletter
Include a note in the Wheel! Learn more

Thanks for reading today’s edition. If you found something helpful, please share it with a friend and encourage them to click here to subscribe. 🙏

Reply to this email if you have news to share, an event you’d like me to know about, or to send me a love note. 💘