🐹 Mr. Alastor Moody 🐕️🐕️

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

Yep, playing with the newsletter template a little. 😆 Feedback is welcomed!

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Tag @bellinghamsterwheel on Instagram or reply to this email to get your photos in The Hamster Wheel.

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Local Business Steps Up to Help BTC Program in Need

Stories like this make me smile, because so often industry and community benefit organizations operate in separate spheres, but it doesn’t need to be that way! Huge tip of the hat to Dawson Construction. 🤠 

In this case, Dawson Construction is helping Bellingham Technical College’s Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences program stay on the move by donating a flatbed truck to replace one the program unexpectedly lost access to.

The vehicle will be used for transporting everything from insulated fish totes in the fall to heavy field equipment in the spring. “Our shellfish operations require moving 2,000–3,000 pounds of saltwater multiple times a month,” said Fisheries Instructor Brittany Palm-Flawd. “This truck will enable us to continue with our instructional curriculum without disruption. We are grateful to Dawson for their generous donation.”

Okay, can’t help myself. Take a look at this handsome little spitfire named Mr. Alastor Moody who’s currently hanging out at the Whatcom Humane Society waiting for a forever pal. 🥰 That smirk says it all! 👇️ 

Alastor is a 4-year-old gentleman pitbull who was picked up as a stray, but it doesn’t sound like those days roaming the streets of Whatcom County diminished his good nature.. The WHS describes how “Alastor has a 10/10 tail wag/wigglebutt and will full-body-lean into your legs for optimum pets.” Yep, that checks out. 😁 See all the photos of Alastor, or visit the Division Street shelter to meet him in person.

CIVIC CORNER

Wednesday
Open House Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan, 5:30 pm, Bloedel Donovan Park, Multi-purpose Room
Risk-Limiting Audit (RLA) of the November 4 General Election, 9 am, Suite B03 at 311 Grand Avenue

Thursday
Planning Commission Meeting, 6:00 pm, watch online
Community Engagement Workshop for the Justice Project, 6 pm, Pioneer Pavilion Community Center

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
Cornwall Park: Join the city in continued efforts to remove invasive Himalayan Blackberry and English Ivy. They will also be replanting with pollinator-friendly native trees and shrubs near Squalicum Creek. Register.
California Creek Estuary: Join the Land Trust, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, and Whatcom Conservation District to make a lasting impact by planting new trees and caring for last year’s plantings. Register.

Sunday
WHS’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: Join Whatcom Million Trees, this Sunday, as they continue work converting a 12-acre former hayfield into a complex forest of native trees and undergrowth! Register.

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

Mount Baker Theatre
Mrs. Doubtfire | Wed

iDiOM Theater
Twelfth Night | Thurs-Sat

New Prospect Theatre
Bellingham Improv Festival | Fri-Sat

Bellingham TheatreWorks
Bigfoot | Fri-Sun

WWU Performing Arts Center
A Streetcar Named Desire | Fri-Sat

BAAY Theatre
Ferdinand and the French Fry Factory | Sat, Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Flow Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Dance Fusion - Senior Activity Center - 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
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

FEATURED

Petunia & The Vipers bring a blend of country blues, western swing, and cabaret to The Orion on tomorrow, November 20, as part of the Subdued Stringband Jamboree’s Autumn Starlight Series. Known for their rich musicianship and inventive sound that bridges decades of American roots music, the acclaimed Canadian band promises a night of spirited tunes. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Gifts of Music NW is hosting a benefit concert at the Firehouse Arts & Events Center tomorrow, November 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, supporting its mission to bring music education to at-risk youth and seniors. The evening features performances by Bellingham’s Jenner Fox and Jeremy Elliot, along with Casaundra May and James, a local duo with southern blues roots. Tickets support a great cause.

Jazz Overhaul performs at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center tonight, November 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, bringing a creative twist to Seattle’s grunge era. The group features Cliff Colon on sax, Jake Sele on keys, Osama Afifi on bass, and D’Vonne Lewis on drums, playing songs by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and others fit into the jazz structure.

WEDNESDAY

Open Track Night, Civic Stadium – Free, drop-in evening access to the lighted track for running, walking, or workouts, complete with open restrooms and community vibes from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Useless Information Trivia, FrinGe Brewing – Grab a pint, form a team, and test your knowledge in this lively trivia night from 6 to 8 pm, with a $2 buy-in and prizes for the top team, plus food from Pirate Pies and Subs.

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

THURSDAY

Local History Trivia, Aslan Depot - Think you know the City of Subdued Excitement? Put your Bellingham history skills to the test at Local History Trivia Night! Starts at 6 pm.

Fritz & The Freeloaders, Zeeks Pizza – A lively, genre-spanning band playing everything from rock and ska to pop and country, featuring violin, harmonica, guitars, and drums in a fun, high-energy set from 7 to 9 pm.

Holiday Hope Auction, Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County - Bid on unique gifts while helping provide food, housing, and essential support for local families in need this winter. Runs Nov 20 through 23. Online auction.

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

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