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

This week’s project has been updating the list of Whatcom County food trucks and preparing to track their hours of operation. If your favorite food truck isn’t on the list yet, please shoot me a note so I can add it. 👍️ 

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.

Northwest Mushroomers Association

33rd Annual Wild Mushroom Show

Sunday, October 12 @ Zuanich Point Park

Discover the hidden kingdom beneath your feet at the 33rd Annual Wild Mushroom Show—Bellingham's biggest celebration of all things fungi! Featuring hundreds of stunning species, presentations from renowned mycologists, whimsical Mushroom Gnomes, natural dye displays, vendor tables, and mushroom-inspired food trucks.

Bring the whole family for a day of wonder! Kids can assemble their own take-home mushroom grow kit while adults explore the art, science, and smells of our region's fungi. Whether you're a seasoned forager or simply mushroom-curious, you'll leave with a greater appreciation for our region's fungi delights. Tickets are just $8 in advance ($10 at the door, free for kids).

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: 61°F 🌡️ 47°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 41% | 💨 SW 5 mph

Thursday: 64°F 🌡️ 48°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 45% | 💨 N 2 to 7 mph

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Visiting From the Oort Cloud

Two comets from the distant reaches of our solar system are offering Bellingham stargazers a rare double feature during the month of October. Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN) have journeyed from the icy edges of the sun’s gravitational influence. A theoretical region called the Oort Cloud (no joke 😆), where sunlight is faint and billions of icy comets float about.

Both comets are now visible from Bellingham in the hours after sunset, though some magnification is necessary. A good pair of binoculars should suffice. 🔭 This website offers a great breakdown of Solar System objects visible, and at what time, each night. Sorry if there are ads. It’s not a .gov site I’m afraid. If anyone knows of a better resource let me know.

C/2025 R2 (SWAN) will make its closest approach to Earth on October 20th at which point it may be visible to the naked eye. To better visualize the trajectory of this approach, check out the Small-Body Database registry for SWAN offered by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 👆️ It takes a little messing with to get the angle right but it’s an exceptionally cool tool. 😁 

Lastly, there’s a group called Space Time With Robert that meets weekly, on Sundays, at Taylor Dock to share telescopes and view the night sky. Check the website spacetimewithrobert.space to ensure the event is a GO. ☄️ This might be a fun month to check them out. S.T.W.R. on Instagram.

In other news…

⛵️ This week the Port of Bellingham released a Point Roberts Economic Development Strategy report that offers “strategies to diversify the economy, attract new investment, and activate underutilized assets”

It’s a fascinating read, although I wish the document was vertically oriented. 😵 Highlights of the strategy include the acquisition and revitalization of the Point Roberts Marina by the Port, expanding access to broadband internet to foster remote work opportunities, and construction of a centralized sewer system for the community.

“The Port’s mission is to support sustainable economic development throughout Whatcom County,” said Port Economic Development Director Tyler Schroeder. “This study highlights opportunities to overcome the unique challenges in Point Roberts and build a more resilient local economy.”

🧹 Several Hamster Wheel readers have emailed over the last few weeks about the opportunity to join this year’s Halloween Dancing Witches flashmob.

“Every Halloween season, we practice and perform The Witches Dance made famous in Harz, Germany. Anyone over 18 can participate. Join us for 4 practices to learn the dance.” Find practice times and locations on the Dancing Witches Facebook page.

⚓️ The Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County is holding a Port Commissioner 2025 Candidate Forum tomorrow, October 9, at the Squalicum Boathouse. “The forum will be moderated by an independent moderator and attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions at the beginning of the event to potentially be answered by the candidates, if enough time remains after the formal panel questions are through.“ RSVP to attend.

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

FireHouse A&E Center
BEFORE US | Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun

Mount Baker Theatre
Demetri Martin (comedy) | Fri

iDiOM Theater
DRACÜL | Thurs, Fri, Sat

New Prospect Theatre
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde | Thurs, 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 6:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

Feature an Event. Reach out.

FEATURED

Mount Baker Theatre welcomes I’m With Her, the Grammy-winning trio of Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins, for an evening of modern folk brilliance. Known for their seamless blend of storytelling and musical precision, the group brings songs from their acclaimed new album Wild and Clear and Blue, an exploration of ancestry, connection, and resilience. A few tickets available.

Local journalist Matt Benoit of Whatcom Talk joins the Whatcom County Historical Society for an evening exploring the ghost towns of Whatcom County. The program begins at 7:30 pm in the Roeder Home this Thursday. Admission is free.

Tomorrow, October 9, Wild Buffalo hosts Magoo, a Denver-based progressive bluegrass quartet known for blending the genre’s roots with bold, improvisational flair. Featuring award-winning musicians from the RockyGrass and Telluride competitions, the band delivers high-energy performances that bridge tradition and innovation.

The Whatcom Horticultural Society presents Hot Hardy Plants for Super Shady Gardens, a talk by Dr. Ross Bayton, director of the Heronswood Garden in Kingston. Drawing from the garden’s collection of rare and striking plants, Dr. Bayton will share expert insight on cultivating lush, textured beauty in the Pacific Northwest’s shaded landscapes. Thursday, October 9, 7:30 pm at the Whatcom Museum.

WEDNESDAY

Benefit for Road2Home, Sweet As Waffles - Enjoy dinner for a cause at this community fundraiser, where 15% of all sales from 5:00–10:00 p.m. support Road2Home’s local housing and outreach programs. A cozy atmosphere and signature waffles make this midweek meal both delicious and meaningful.

The Life of a Showcat Listening Party, NEKO Cat Café - NEKO’s resident showcats host a playful Taylor-inspired listening party complete with baked goods, themed cookies, and plenty of feline company. Guests enjoy a 45-minute cat room session, an exclusive sticker, and music from The Life of a Showgirl surrounded by 20 adoptable cats.

80 Years Past: Hiroshima & Nagasaki, WCC Simpson Intercultural Center - This Talkin’ History event explores the historical, political, and military context surrounding the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Facilitated by Yusuke Okazaki, Associate Director for Intercultural Services and a scholar of Japanese history, the noon to 1 pm discussion examines key decision-making factors and alternative strategies considered near the end of the Pacific War. Details.

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

THURSDAY

Tall Juan, Gallowmaker, Verboten, The Shakedown - Argentinian-born rocker Tall Juan brings his alt-rock and new wave energy to The Shakedown, joined by local acts Gallowmaker and Verboten. Known for his raw vocals and punk-infused songwriting, Tall Juan’s latest release Raccoon Nights blends psychedelic pop with bold, emotional storytelling. Doors at 8:30 pm, show at 9:00 pm.

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

To All Our Readers

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Have a great Wednesday!!