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

It’s getting hot out there!! So hot, in fact, that the National Weather Service posted a Heat Advisory, which remains in effect through 10 pm today. 🥵 

Have fun, and stay hydrated out there!

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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Weather Forecast

Wednesday: 84°F 🌡️ 60°F | ☀️ Sunny | 🌧️ 0% | 💨 SW 1 to 6 mph

Thursday: 81°F 🌡️ 61°F | ☀️ Sunny | 🌧️ 1% | 💨 SW 1 to 7 mph

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

A Focus on Climate

Today marks the start of PNW Climate Week, a regional movement that focuses on innovation, education, and networking related to climate topics that impact the Pacific Northwest. There are events taking place throughout the Northwest from Vancouver BC, south to Portland, and B’ham is in the mix with almost daily happenings.

The week starts with a tour of the Weldcraft Steel cleanup site on Bellingham's waterfront 👇️ hosted by Re Sources. It’s an opportunity to connect with part of our waterfront that has been inaccessible to the public and give feedback on plans to clean up and restore it. Department of Ecology and Port of Bellingham staff will be present to provide project information and address any questions. This 3.3 acre site has been used for boat repair, maintenance, and fabrication work from 1946 to 2000. Registration is open.

The rest of the week+ is filled with fun opportunities to network, learn, and engage. On the schedule, you’ll find happy hours, bike rides, block parties, and even a hempcrete workshop. Check the schedule to find events, times, and details.

In other news…

🎨 Over the next few weeks, the Whatcom Museum has a couple of amazing classes on offer. Space is limited, so grab a spot now if you’d like to attend. 👍️ 

The first, Street Scene Plein Air Painting with Trish Harding, takes place this Saturday. Class begins with a tour of the Verdant French masterworks exhibit, followed by a short demonstration and discussion of the techniques and joys of plein air painting. “Then, let the magic unfold! Expect hands-on guidance, encouragement, and plenty of room to experiment with simplification and stylization—express yourself in your own unique artistic voice.” Enroll here.

Later this summer, local artist Rachel Rothberg will lead an afternoon of birding and sketching at Maritime Heritage Park, followed by bird anatomy and drawing lesson with taxidermy references from the John M. Edson Hall of Birds Collection. Rachel Rothberg ( ⬅️ check out Rachel’s gorgeous works! ), is an oil painter, tattoo artist, and lifelong birder living in Bellingham. Grab a spot.

🌲 The first neighborhood park is being planned for the King Mountain and Meridian neighborhoods. Currently called the East Bakerview Park, it will be built on approximately 29 acres of undeveloped land along E. Bakerview Rd., between Deemer Road and James Street. If you'd like to learn more and provide feedback, the city is hosting an open house tomorrow, July 17th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bellingham Covenant Church.

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Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

New Prospect Theatre
Two Player Game | Thurs 7:30 pm

WWU Performing Arts Center
King of the Neuroverse staged reading | Thurs 2pm

iDiOM Theater
Strange Birds | Fri, Sat 7:30 pm

BAAY @ New Prospect Theatre
Our Town | Fri, Sat 7pm, Sat, Sun 2pm

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

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances.

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Summer Heat - Presence Studio - Thurs 6:30 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 8:00 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

Sustainable Connection's 3rd Annual Food Recovery Party is happening at Trackside tomorrow, July 17th, from 5 to 9 pm. Its a fundraiser for the Food Recovery Program which works with local businesses and restaurants to help them reduce their food waste and feed those in need. This event celebrates the volunteers, restaurants, and partners that make the program possible, with live music from local bands Vibacious and Sportstar, Kulshan brews, a raffle, and lots of friends from the hoods!

“Gandalf, my old friend, this will be a night to remember.” Calling all hobbits, elves, ents, dwarves, humans, and wizards to a special edition of Summer Trivia at Elizabeth Station pertaining to the wonderful world of Middle Earth! Books, Movies, & The Hobbit are all fair game! Costumes encouraged! Special prizes for the best costumed team! Wednesday at 7 pm.

Queen Mother with Veronica are playing at Downtown Sounds today, July 16th, at the intersection of Bay, Holly, and Prospect Streets. Expect delicious local brews and bites, fun activities for the whole family, and dancing the night away in the heart of the city. Musicians take to the stage at 5:30 pm.

WEDNESDAY

Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga, Lake Padden West Entrance - Fall in love with yoga on a Stand-Up Paddleboard in beautiful Lake Padden! Experience the challenge of balancing on the moving water while strengthening your core and leg muscles. After a brief intro to your Yoga-specific paddle board, you will experience a dynamic and invigorating yoga class, using many basic yoga poses. Signup with Flux Yoga.

West Coast League All-Star Game, Joe Martin Field - Watch the best players from the 17 West Coast League teams together for an unforgettable night of baseball. This year’s action offers something for everyone! Celebrate your favorite players, grab limited-edition merchandise, and stay for the fireworks that cap off the night. Details and tickets.

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

THURSDAY

Hamster Art Walk and Roll, Barkley Village Green - An art event during Disability Pride Month at Barkley Village Green. The event will celebrate the creative contributions of individuals with disabilities and connect folks with resources in their community. The event is family-friendly and FREE to attend from 4 to 7 pm.

North Country Highway, Elizabeth Park - Enjoy Northwest Americana music from 6 to 8 pm. Bring your lawn chairs and relax. These Family-Friendly concerts are a recipient of the Mayor's Arts Awards for 2018. Concerts are free and sponsored by The Eldridge Society for History and Preservation, in partnership with Bellingham Parks and Recreation.

Cliffhanger - a Free Film Event, American Alpine Institute - Steroids. Machine guns. John Lithgow. Sly Stallone. Bolt-guns for bolting. Machine guns for cornices...this is a dumb dumb dumb movie. Meet other climbers and make fun of one of the dumbest movies ever… that was based on a true event...? Games and prizes from 7 to 7:30. Steroids and machine guns at 7:30.

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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Have a great Wednesday!!