🐹 Outer Orbit 🪐🪐

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

Yesterday, while working outside in the garden, several enormous ospreys flew overhead. I don't remember seeing so many while growing up here in the Ham. They are a lovely addition alongside the increase in vultures and doves. It would be fun to see one up close.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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Weather Forecast

Wednesday: 68°F 🌡️ 55°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 78% | 💨 S 8 mph

Thursday: 71°F 🌡️ 54°F | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 🌧️ 4% | 💨 SW 6 mph

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Pedal, Party & Play

Curious about this weekend’s Northwest Tune-Up Festival? I was too. Here’s the scoop. It sounds like a pedal-cranking blast, with festivities kicking off at noon on Thursday and running through the weekend. Expect a blend of world-class mountain biking, a stellar lineup of live music—think Sound Tribe Sector 9 and Silversun Pickups—and a rich selection of craft beers from eleven local breweries.

Bicycle people 🚲️ - look for free bike demos from top brands, guided clinics, and races, including the Galbraith Mountain Enduro. Families can join in with kid-friendly events.

Beyond the taps and trails, the festival features a makers market with local artisans and live art creations.

Bring your bike, your appetite, a thirst for beers, and weather-appropriate clothing. This puppy runs rain or shine! ☔️ Tickets. 😎 Schedule.

In other news…

🐎 The Bellingham Public Library, Peace Centers, and Skookum Kids are hosting a Animals as Natural Therapy and Early Childhood Resource Fair tomorrow from 2:30 to 4 pm at Lee Memorial Park (Central Library lawn), for children ages birth to 6 and their caregivers. “Visit with community resource providers to learn about childcare, early learning, early intervention, and enrichment opportunities and visit with the Mobile Animals as Natural Therapy (ANT) team.” 

“Mobile ANT provides a unique opportunity for a multitude of community members to experience the joy, comfort, and therapeutic benefits of human-animal interactions. The visiting animals include miniature equines, goats, rabbits, chickens, cats and dogs.” Details.

🏡 The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission meets tomorrow, July 10th, in the County Courthouse Council Chambers at 6 pm. Attend in person or watch via Zoom.

🚜 Whatcom County Councilmembers Jon Scanlon and Mark Stremler will be at the Lynden Library tomorrow, July 10th, at 4:30 pm, to answer community questions.

Local Business Updates

Haggling With Local Folk

Adventure, Exercise, Confidence, and Independence

Michelle Grandy, Program Manager at the Whatcom Council of Governments, reached out to let us know that there are a few spots available in her Smart Trips Adventure Camp for kids ages 12-14, with sessions scheduled from July 14th to July 18th and from July 28th to August 1st. This looks like an amazing opportunity for youths to learn how to safely navigate town at an age when kids start to yearn for some independence. 🚲️ 

“Camp specifically covers biking skills, so understanding how to navigate traffic, roadway positioning, properly use bike lanes, grow awareness of our City's trail system etc. We teach them how to use the WTA bus system. They learn how to read a bus schedule and plan trips by bus. We also teach them how to read a paper map, plan trips with timing in mind, how to ask for help. Camp also includes simple bike maintenance info and learning how to put a bike on the bus. By combining a bike with the bus, you really can get anywhere in Whatcom County, and even beyond.”

Activities during the camp include a bike ride across town, stopping at six parks along the way; an urban hike; a bus day with a loop around town and stops for snacks and treats, and a competitive scavenger hunt by bus. Sign up those kiddos!

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

Mount Baker Theatre
A Mountain Bike Film Festival | Thurs 8:00 pm

New Prospect Theatre
Gruesome Playground Injuries | Fri, Sat 7:00 pm, Sun 5:00 pm

iDiOM Theater
The Sound of Axes Falling | Sat 6:30 pm

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
Bellingham TheaterWorks Summer Repertory Theatre
Translations | Wed, Sat 7:30 pm
The Foreigner | Fri 7:30 pm
The Language Archive | Thurs 7:30 pm, Sun 5:00 pm

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances.

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

 Salsa & Bachata 
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm

 Tango  
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm

 Other  
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 8:00 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

Feature an Event. Reach out.

FEATURED

Downtown Sounds, Bellingham’s free live music festival, kicks off today at 5:30 pm at the intersections of Bay, Holly, and Prospect Streets, with headliner Outer Orbit, and The Whags.

Freehub PRESENTS rolls into Bellingham (Thursday) for a night of mountain bike cinema. Hosted by Cam McCaul, this screening showcases some of the best mountain bike films of 2025 at the Mount Baker Theatre. The event supports the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition, with chances to meet the athletes and creators, win prizes, and celebrate the Ham’s MTB community.

WEDNESDAY

Bellingham Festival of Music Brass Quintet, Boundary Bay Beer Garden - A free performance from the Bellingham Festival of Music Brass Quintet from 4 - 6 pm. Enjoy lovely summer weather, craft beers, and live music from amazing musicians!

Sauerkraut & Fermented Veggies Demonstration, Blaine Library - Learn to make good old-fashioned homemade, delicious and crispy kraut right in your kitchen. It's easy and healthy, and can be made with lower salt levels when you make it yourself. Sauerkraut has natural probiotics and prebiotics to help your microbiome. Starts at 5 pm. Details.

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

THURSDAY

Barkley Market, Barkley Village Green - Bring your picnic blanket and the rest of the family to enjoy the live music, check out the fantastic food truck options for lunch, or shop the various local vendors. 11 am to 2 pm at 2215 Rimland Dr.

Blues, Brews & BBQ w. Mara & the Charm, Hotel Bellwether - Seattle-based Mara & the Charm is a powerhouse ensemble that blends timeless classics with high-energy performances. Fronted by the commanding voice of Mara Baker, the band delivers a diverse repertoire ranging from ‘90s hits and Yacht Rock to One-Hit Wonders and dance anthems. Snag a ticket or two.

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

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Have a great Wednesday!!