🐹 Salish Landing 🏖️🏖️

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

Congratulations to John R., who won the pair of Chris Botti tickets!

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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Weather Forecast

Friday: 72°F 🌡️ 53°F | ☀️ Sunny | 🌧️ 2% | 💨 WNW 1 to 6 mph

Saturday: 70°F 🌡️ 56°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 91% | 💨 S 3 to 8 mph

Sunday: 68°F 🌡️ 52°F | 🌧️ Light Rain | 🌧️ 72% | 💨 SSW 8 to 12 mph

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Salish Landing Work to Commence

On Monday, Bellingham City Council awarded a $49 million contract to Whatcom County-based IMCO Construction to begin remediation and park development where the Cornwall Avenue Landfill and the RG Haley wood treatment facility once stood. These properties follow the shoreline to the southwest of the Nielsen Brothers Building at the end of Cornwall Avenue, and might be fixed in your memory as “the big white tarps” as seen from the South Bay Trail.

See the rendering of the future park above 👆️ and the location of the properties below. 👇️ 

IMCO’s contract is for Phase 1 of the Salish Landing park plan. This three year phase will involve capping contaminated soils on the site with a linear low-density polyethylene layer beneath a soil-capping system, installation of utilities, landscaping, a parking lot, art installation, and beach creation.

I hope that some of the existing shoreline is preserved, or elements from the existing shoreline are incorporated into the planned beaches. I’ve always enjoyed the accumulation of heavily weathered cut-sandstone slabs that litter the eroding banks along the RG Haley property. I would guess these are foundation blocks, quarried right here in Whatcom County, that once supported Bellingham’s earliest buildings.

In other news…

🌉 Whatcom County Public Works has announced that, at noon today, the newly rebuilt North Lake Samish Bridge will reopen, following an 18-month closure.

“The new bridge replaces the aging structure built in the 1950s and is designed to safely serve the community for decades to come. The project involved the demolition of the old bridge, the construction of new in-water drilled shafts, and the installation of a modern bridge deck with updated safety features.”

🧒 Parent Alert! The YMCA is offering a new Parents’ Night Out program tonight, September 19th, from 5 pm to 9 pm. Bring your kids ages 4-11 and take your significant other out to hear The Devillies play at Hotel Leo (or another Celtic Festival show). $40 per child for members and $60 per child for non-members.

“Take the opportunity to say yes to happy hour, date night, or a movie that isn’t animated! Your kids will be safe with us playing games, exploring the Ninja gym, and making friends.“

⛏️ Volunteer Opportunities This Weekend: There are two outdoor work parties this weekend.

• Cherry Point: Join RE Sources, the organization behind the RE Store and other local initiatives, for a Beach Cleanup at the beach at Cherry Point to pick up trash and help protect the Salish Sea this Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm. Volunteer cleaner-uppers of all ages can help prevent trash from getting into our waters. Register to participate.

• Beach Sweep Paddle: A monthly gathering with the goal of keeping local beaches clean. Paddle this Saturday to an area and spend some time picking up as much trash as you can. End with a BBQ at the CBC! The best way to practice your sweep stroke is while picking up trash from your kayak with your friends. Details & Registration.

Garage & Estate Sales

Your Source For Vintage Can Openers

625 N State St (Sat, Sun, 9 am)
This weekend is the annual Bellingham VFW garage sale. There’s a lot to pick through at this one, from homeware and vintage items, to mountains of holiday decorations. map

• 5959 Portal Way, Fri, Sat, 8 am, map

• 2401 Cornwall Ave, Sat, 10 am, map

• 5447 Barr Road, Ferndale, Fri, Sat, Sun, 8 am, map

• 3117 Bennett Dr., Fri, Sat, 9 am, map

• 210 Noble St, Sumas, Sat, Sun, 10 am, map

• 162 W. Laurel Rd, Sat, 9 am, map

• 812 South Pine Court, Lynden, Sat, 8 am, map

• 1500 Main Street, Lynden, Sat, 8 am, map

• 2401 Cornwall Ave, Sat, 9 am, map

• E North St & Grant St, Fri, 4:30-7:30 pm, map

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

6926 Holeman Avenue, Blaine (Open Sat 1-4 pm, Sun 12-3 pm)
Here’s a sweet seaside home at the south end of Birch Bay. It has a really fun interior aesthetic. Check out the radial wood ceiling converging at a river-rock fireplace in the center of the room. Very unique. It creates a wide open shared living area with interesting lines. Plus, this home faces north. I’m picturing the morning sun illuminating the Canadian Rockies on a clear day. Listing.

322 Manley Road (Open Fri 4-7 pm, Sat 1-3 pm, Sun 1-4 pm)
Holy moly, check this beauty out. The home has a modern PNW vibe, which is lovely, but the landscaping and outdoor features are what really caught my eye. Check out the mossy patio with natural stone walls and surrounding forest. Paradise! Listing.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

iDiOM Theater
No Man's Land | Thurs, Fri, Sat

Bellingham Theatre Guild
The Play That Goes Wrong | Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun

New Prospect Theatre
The Shark Is Broken | Fri, Sat, Sun

The Claire
Matilda, The Musical | Fri, Sat, Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances.

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Dance Fusion - Senior Activity Center - Sat 10:30 am
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 6:30 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

Join the festivities at Boundary Bay’s 30th Anniversary Party on Saturday, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, featuring classic Bellingham beers, food from vendors like Doug's Burgers and Cicchitti's Pizza, local crafts, family fun, and live music across two stages. The lineup includes the Bellingham Celtic Festival with Irish dancers, plus House Wrens at 11:00 am, Bottle of Smoke at 1:00 pm, Baby Cakes at 3:00 pm, Sleepy Alligators at 5:00 pm, and Hot Damn Scandal at 8:00 pm. No tickets needed—raise a glass to 30 years of memories made!

Brass Against is a collective group of musicians who share the goal of creating music to inspire social and personal change. The band curates songs from a variety of influences from Tool, Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, Black Sabbath, Run the Jewels as well as their own compositions in a heavy brass filled symphony. Catch Brass Against at the Buffalo tonight at 8 pm.

It’s an easy, feel-good family friendly evening—music, community, and sunset views over the bay. No tickets—just a great vibe and tunes from DJ Tru-ah to carry you through the evening. This Sunday, 6-9 pm.

For over a decade Hair Nation has been the Northwest’s premier 80’s Rock tribute band. Hair Nation recreates the experience of the mid-80’s rock and roll scene with authentic live performances. At Bar 211, Saturday night, at 8 pm.

FRIDAY

Neighborhood Songwriters Showcase, Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery - The showcase features three to four local songwriters, each sharing their unique stories through music. Whether you're a music enthusiast, a lover of lyrics, or simply looking for a great night out, grab some friends and come support a rotating roster of local artists and non-profits. Third Friday of every month at 6pm.

Art of Crafting Cheeses, Cordata Pavilion - A culinary experience led by Marisa Papetti of Marie’s Bees, where you can learn the art of cheesemaking using the finest local Twin Brook Creamery milk! In these hands-on classes, you will have the opportunity to create delicious mozzarella and indulge in the flavors of fresh cheese. Perfect for a unique date night or a fun way to discover the magic of cheesemaking, classes typically last between 2 to 2.5 hours. Register.

Southside Comedy Hour, Corner Taphouse - A night of laughs at the Corner Taphouse. Get ready for a hilarious evening starring Joel O'Connor. Grab your tickets and friends and head on over for a night you won't forget. Tickets.

Whatcom Artists Poetry Reading, Whatcom Art Center - Open to all ages, this reading features local Whatcom County writers: Carla Shafer, Bob Zaslow, Peggy Sullivan, and Jeffery St Rose. Details.

Friday Music & Trivia →

SATURDAY

Northwest Singles Social Club, Bellingham Cruise Terminal - A vibrant community of single, divorced, or widowed individuals in Whatcom and Skagit Counties who are over 55 and share a passion for connection, engagement, and simply having a good time. Bring your own coffee, from 10 am to 11 am. Learn more.

Forest Water Scavenger Hunt, Stimpson Family Nature Reserve - Join Whatcom Land Trust for a self-guided scavenger hunt at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve and discover how forests help keep our water clean, cool, and flowing. Pick up a family-friendly activity booklet at the trailhead, then explore the trail as you search for mossy logs, trickling streams, and other natural features that help forests filter and store water. Kids can draw, check off clues, and earn a Water Wise take-home memento. 10 am to 4 pm.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention "Out of the Darkness Walk", Bellingham High School - The 6th Annual "Out of the Darkness Walk", hosted by the Whatcom County Lions Clubs from 9am-Noon at Bellingham High School. Doors will open for registration at 9 am with the Opening Ceremonies beginning at 10 am. Additionally, over a dozen community resource partners will be participating in the Behavioral Health & Awareness Fair. Registration and donation.

Saturday Music & Trivia →

SUNDAY

Bellingham Chamber Music Society, Hotel Leo - Bellingham Chamber Music Society's opening concert of the 2025-26 season. Enjoy classical chamber music in the Crystal Ballroom of the elegant Hotel Leo. This concert features baritone, Richard Hodges singing a delightful work for voice and guitar by John Rutter entitled "Shadows" as well as Samuel Barber's "Dover Beach" for voice and strings. You'll also hear a wonderful duo by Maximo Diego Pujol for flute and guitar, a woodwind trio by Charles Koechlin and Shostakovich's intense "String Quartet No.8". Snag tickets.

Floral Design Class, Whatcom Museum - Join local florist Tatum Brown for a floral design class inspired by the colors and textures of Verdant: French Masterworks from the National Gallery of Art. Create your own bouquet of freshly cut flowers while learning how to arrange your own home garden flowers and freshen up and customize store-bought bouquets. Tatum will share general design and care tips to keep your bouquet looking healthy and fresh after the class. Register.

Sunday Music & Trivia →

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