Good morning, Bellingham. This is your Friday update from The Hamster Wheel.
These spring-like days are sure lovely, and I’ll take all the early blooms we can get. 🌸 That said, we’ve got a couple of cold nights coming up this weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday are forecast to have lows below freezing, so pick those Valentine’s bouquets a day early or cover those unseasonably early flowers to avoid frost damage.
Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Have fun, and stay safe out there!
~ Evan
Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP
Photos From the Hoods
East Across Portage Island - 📷 by Sarah Ketchley
Female Goldeneye on Bellingham Bay - 📷 by Grant Myers
We Walk Amongst Giants - 📷 by Kyle D Bickel
Or, hit reply to send me photos via email. 📧
Holly Z Photography
Where Mountains Meet the Stars
A Guided Astrophotography Retreat
Bellingham photographer Holly Zwolinski of Holly Z Photography is exploring a two-night astrophotography and landscape retreat in the Mount Baker area in June 2026. Designed for photographers eager to deepen their skills, the retreat would include guided Milky Way shoots under the new moon, waterfall and river landscapes, and hands-on instruction in both camera technique and post-processing. Learn more at hollyzphotography.com
Holly is currently gathering interest as she scouts locations and finalizes details. If capturing the night sky in the North Cascades alongside a small group of fellow creatives sounds appealing, you’re invited to join the interest list and be the first to receive updates as plans take shape.
Email Holly ([email protected]) to receive updates.
Whatcom Weather
The Raindrop Report
Events, Updates & News Around Town
Get off the Hamster Wheel
Fellow chocolate lovers, it’s that time of the year again: the Chocolate Walk returns to the Fairhaven Historic District this Saturday, February 14, from 12–5 pm. It’s a fun Valentine’s Day tradition and an opportunity to stroll through our always charming southside shopping district while sampling chocolate creations at 18 locations.
General admission is $35, with an optional $20 VIP add-on that includes four curated beverage pairings—sparkling prosecco, red wine, rich port, and boozy hot cocoa—at select stops. As of my writing this, tickets are still available. 🍫
💘 Less Scrolling, More Smooching 💘
Valentine’s Day Events
Valentine’s Day Swing Dance, The Majestic (Sat 7–11:30 pm)
An annual swing dance featuring live jazz, performances, and a beginner-friendly lesson to get everyone on the floor, with social dancing throughout the evening as part of the B’ham Swing Jam festival; $35 admission.
Workshop for Kids: Woven Valentine’s Cards, Whatcom Museum (Sat 1–3 pm)
A hands-on Valentine’s workshop where Tlingit artist Michelle DeAsis guides kids and families in creating woven heart cards using traditional paper-weaving techniques, with sessions every 30 minutes; $10–$15 registration includes all materials.
BWP Be My Valentine Race, Lynden Fairgrounds (Sat 10 am)
A Valentine’s-themed barrel racing event at the Lynden Fairgrounds featuring open, youth, novice, and peewee barrels and poles, plus a playful couples race and “Be My Valentine” sidepot for teams; race starts at 10 am with multiple entry divisions available.
Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market, Community Food Co-op (Sat 10 am–2 pm)
A special Bellingham Farmers Market pop-up at the Community Food Co-op featuring local vendors, fresh flowers, baked goods, and handcrafted treats, perfect for picking up a thoughtful Valentine’s gift while supporting small farms and makers.
Bellis Fair Valentine’s Day Craft-A-Palooza, Bellis Fair Mall (Sat 12–2 pm)
A free family craft celebration in the former Forever 21 space where kids can make Valentine’s creations, enjoy music, and pick up one of the first 100 goody bags filled with craft kits and sweet surprises.
Valentine’s Day Petting Zoo, Magical Carousel Minis (Sat 12–4 pm)
An indoor petting zoo featuring miniature horses, a highland cow, goats, pigs, rabbits, tortoises, and more; $5 admission benefits the Meridian High School Wrestling Boosters.
My Furry Valentine, Ferndale Events Center (Sat 10 am–4 pm)
A two-day Valentine’s weekend cat show hosted by the Evergreen Cat Fanciers, featuring championship-level competition, dozens of breeds, raffles, and family-friendly fun.
Find Your Missing Piece: Valentine’s Puzzle & Game Day, Stones Throw Brewery (Sat 12–5 pm)
A relaxed Valentine’s drop-in featuring puzzles, board games, hidden prizes, and cozy space to hang; stay for live music from Fickle String (6–8 pm) and a 10% brewery fundraiser supporting a medical clinic trip to Kenya.
Local Read: The Salish Current published a fascinating article this week, Lopez moth hunt engages community in bat fungus research, by photojournalist Lukas Prinos. It follows a winter moth hunt on Lopez Island that aims to “fill in the knowledge gaps around moth and bat ecology while involving community members in a way that boosts scientific literacy.” The story centers on high school senior Sophie Citro and the nonprofit Kwiaht as they catalog cold-weather moths, searching for clues about what local bats are eating as white-nose syndrome spreads.
CIVIC CORNER
Friday
Storybrook Park Ribbon Cutting, 2:30 pm, Storybrook Park
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Saturday
Julianna Park: Join Bellingham Parks & Rec, and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association in removing invasive species, planting native trees, and sprucing up one of Bellingham’s newest parks. Register to participate.
Locust Beach: Join RE Sources at Locust Beach to help ensure our beaches are clean and pollution stays out of Bellingham Bay! Impress your bae (or your friends) by showing them you care about protecting our local waters! Cleanup supplies and snacks from the Bagelry will be provided. Register to participate.
Support The Wheel
The Hamster Wheel is 100% free to read, independently owned, and locally operated (heck, it’s just me). Your contributions help keep The Wheel rolling! ~ Evan
Food & Drink
Hamsters Gotta Eat
Performance Arts This Week
Dance of The Hamsters
My Circus Valentine - Bellingham Circus Guild
LIVE ARTS & FILM
WWU Performing Arts Center
Fresh Plays From The Cascades (theater) | Thurs-Sat
Bellingham Theatre Guild
American Son (theater) | Thurs-Sun
Bellingham Circus Guild
My Circus Valentine (circus) | Thurs-Sat
The Claire
The Nerd (theater) | Fri-Sun
iDiOM Theater
Serial Killers (theater) | Sat
Mount Baker Theatre
Nick Offerman (comedy) | Sat
Bellingham Circus Guild
Vaudevillingham (circus) | Sun
The Upfront Theatre
Various performances
PARTICIPATORY DANCE
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 4:30 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Belly Dance - Karate Church - 1 pm
Events & Nightlife
Spinning Into The Night
FEATURED
Subdued Sessions brings singer-songwriter Tekla Waterfield and acclaimed guitarist Jeff Fielder to Welcome Road Winery tonight, February 13, from 6 to 8 pm for an evening of original music. Waterfield, celebrating her new release Mother Mind, joins forces with Fielder, a longtime Pacific Northwest musician known for touring with Amy Ray and the Indigo Girls. Tickets.
Beach Cat (South Paw) hosts the world premiere of JENN-X tomorrow, February 14 from 6 to 8 pm, offering a Gen X cover-band alternative to traditional Valentine’s plans. It’s a no-cover show for anyone in the mood for something a little different. Spend the evening with live music and good company.
Hayes Carll takes the stage at the Wild Buffalo tonight, February 13, for an evening of Americana anchored by songs from his latest album, We’re Only Human. More than two decades into a celebrated career that includes a Grammy nomination and praise from outlets like The New York Times, Carll is known for pairing wry humor with honest reflection. Tickets.
Vaudevillingham is a community open-stage variety show that’s unexpected, uncurated, unapologetic, and UNBELIEVABLE! Will you see axe juggling? Aerial silks on roller skates? A symphony made purely from conch shells? Find out Sunday, February 15! Tickets.
FRIDAY
Bellingham Celtic Festival Fundraiser, Honey Moon – A 5 to 8 pm gathering supporting the annual Bellingham Celtic Festival, featuring The House Wrens and a lineup of varied performers for an evening of live music.
Sunnyland Art Walk, Sunnyland Neighborhood – From 5 to 9 pm, the neighborhood transforms into a walkable art party with open studios, late-night shopping, local food and drink, and plenty of chances to discover original work and connect with the creative community.
Rising Tide Speaker Series with Kacie Cleveland, Paper Whale – From 7 to 10:30 pm, the 2026 Rising Tide series opens with endurance athlete Kacie Cleveland sharing her story of overcoming heart failure and skating across the U.S. in 47 days, followed by live jazz, short community stories, a Q&A, and a neon-lit roller disco afterparty with DJ Loveli; tickets by donation.
SATURDAY
💘 Valentine’s Day 💘
See V-Day section above. 👆
SUNDAY
Chorus Girl Academy – Spring 2026, Unique Technique Dance Studio – A four-week vintage-inspired dance class, where students of all levels learn a swingin' routine to Blue Skies by Count Basie, with an optional performance opportunity at the Rhythm Belles’ Seasons and Celebrations cabaret at the end of the session. Register.
Peace Walk, Waypoint Park – An interfaith Peace Walk hosted by Red Cedar Zen Community from 1:30 to 3 pm invites you to gather in solidarity for peace and justice, walking approximately two miles through downtown Bellingham before returning to the park. Learn more.
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Hakuna matata
To All Our Readers
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A very happy Valentine’s Day to you all!! 😘