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

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Puzzlers: The game section is a work in progress. Play the daily puzzles and let me know how it goes.

Or, hit reply to send me photos via email. 📧

What happens when science, engineering, and adventure come together? At Ocean Technology Camp, kids in grades 4-7, investigate the unique ecosystems of the Salish Sea and learn how scientists use technology to study the ocean. Then they put their knowledge into action by designing, building, and testing their own remotely operated vehicles.

This hands-on camp blends Western science with traditional ecological knowledge from Coast Salish communities while developing critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and stewardship. Part of Otter’s Den’s Technology Camp Series, alongside Wind Technology Summer Camp, it's perfect for curious kids who love asking questions, making things, and discovering how the world works.

Setting Sun Circle, formerly Children of the Setting Sun Productions, is inviting the community to three days of events celebrating Indigenous culture, community, and a new chapter for the organization. The Journey Begins: A Community Introduction to Setting Sun Circle takes place tonight, June 5 at 6 pm, at Maritime Heritage Park during the First Friday Indigenous Art Walk.

The evening will feature songs and dances from Indigenous performers, an Indigenous Art Market, and remarks from community leaders. It’s also an opportunity to preview the future home of Setting Sun Circle as they begin renovating and opening a new cultural center, immersive experience, and home for Indigenous stories in downtown Bellingham. 👇

The celebration continues over the weekend, June 6 and 7, with a Spring Powwow at Northwest Indian College’s Health and Wellness Center. There are grand entries scheduled at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm on Saturday, and 1:00 pm on Sunday. All are welcome.

If you’re looking for a fun Saturday activity, the Lynden Municipal Airport is holding an open house from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. There will be aircraft on display, on-site food trucks, and ice cream.

Admission to this event is free, with free parking on the south side of the airport’s fence in the LTI yard. “If flying into 38W, and landing on Runway 08, please stay on the PAPI. There are cars and trucks driving on Benson Road near Runway 08's threshold (west side of airport). Propeller sleeve signs will be provided for static displayed aircraft.”

The last piece of the Georgia-Pacific West cleanup site on Bellingham’s waterfront is one step closer to moving forward. The Washington Department of Ecology has opened a 30-day comment period on a consent decree with the Port of Bellingham, a legal agreement requiring the port to carry out the cleanup plan for the remaining Chlor-Alkali Area contamination. The 36-acre area once housed a plant that used mercury to make chlorine and sodium hydroxide for mill operations, leaving soil and groundwater contaminated with mercury, petroleum hydrocarbons, and PAHs.

Ecology says the remaining cleanup is expected to happen in phases over the next three to five years. Public comments opened on Monday, June 1, and will be accepted through Wednesday, July 1.

Traffic Alert: The Bellingham City Council voted on Monday, June 1, to move forward with a citywide speed limit update that will set 20 mph as the default on unposted streets, and lower some posted arterial limits over the next three summers. The rollout begins this summer with about 50 gateway signs, new 20 mph signs downtown and on High Street through WWU, followed by wider-ranging arterial changes in 2027 and 2028.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Friday
Governors Point: Join Whatcom Land Trust for a day of trail clearing and invasive species removal at Governors Point. Register
Oyster Dome: Help WTA restore damaged portions of the trail, including repairing trail structures and tread. Register

Saturday
Lower Padden Creek Trail: Join the city and NSEA in removing invasive species and spread mulch along this cherished trail near Padden Creek. Register
Blanchard Mountain: Join the WTA crew and other Trail Maintenance orgs on National Trails Day to help improve hiking opportunities at Blanchard Mountain. Register
Lake Whatcom Park: Join Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom County, and the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition (WMBC) improving the trail system through brushing, tread work, and general upkeep to support safe access while protecting surrounding habitat. Register

8125 Birch Bay Square #208 (Fri-Sun 9 am)
Snip Snip Hooray! These are always fun. So much stuff: household, crafting, clothing, odds and ends of collectables. Plus, proceeds from this sale go directly to Snip Snip Hooray, who provides financial assistance to low-income Whatcom County residents to get their pets spayed/neutered.

The Bellingham Dockside Market is open tomorrow (Saturday), from 10 am to 2 pm at GATE 5 in Squalicum Harbor.

Jean C Family Fisheries will have whole lingcod, black cod, halibut, live Dungeness crab, and a new ready-to-eat steamed crab option with butter and lemon. Lummi Seafood Market is also expected to have its first fresh king salmon of the season, along with fresh lingcod and halibut that can be filleted on-site.

214 15th Street, Lynden (Open Sun 12-2 pm)
It would be hard to find a cuter house than this. The listing describes it as a French cottage-inspired craftsman. It’s got the white picket fence, the brick path to the front door, and beautiful trees out front. Listing

1494 Greenville Drive (Open Sat 1-3 pm)
There’s something classically Bellingham about a Tweed Twenty rancher. This one has a few interesting features like the a floor to ceiling painted hearth, and a wide variety of wood textures. Listing

Bellingham Waterfront
Shoestring Circus (circus) | Wed, Sun

New Prospect Theatre
Bloom (cabaret) | Fri, Sat

Western’s Performing Arts Center
BFA Dance Capstone Concert (dance) | Fri, Sat

Western’s Performing Arts Center
Into the Woods (theatre) | Fri-Sun

The Claire Theatre
Cinderella (theatre) | Sat, Sun

Mount Baker Theatre
Opus’ Spring Showcase (dance) | Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 8:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Conscious Dance - Bellingham Fitness - Sunday 10:30 am

The Tony Furtado Duo featuring Luke Price comes to the New Prospect Theatre this Sunday, June 7 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, bringing together two accomplished multi-instrumentalists whose roots run through bluegrass, folk, jazz, swing, and Americana. Furtado is known for his work on banjo, slide guitar, cello-banjo, and baritone ukulele, while five-time Grand National Fiddle Champion Luke Price draws from American fiddling traditions alongside soul, pop, and jazz influences. Tickets

Edlyn Clevenger sings her heart out. She plays the rhythms that she’s found, from the High Sierra down to the rainbow rocky beaches of Washington, and every moment in between. The sound is female vocals over non-traditional octave mandolin melodies. Catch her at Honey Moon Mead this Saturday at 8:00 pm.

Singer-songwriter, storyteller, and vocal teacher Rafe Pearlman brings SONIC REWILDING to the Center for Spiritual Living Bellingham on Saturday, June 6 from 8 to 10 pm. The evening blends original songs, stories, and chants inspired by the Alaskan wilderness, with themes drawn from northern landscapes, wildlife, and the natural world. Tickets

The Golden Hour Variety Show, Odd Fellows Temple Room – This 7:00 pm donation-based variety show brings together live music, burlesque, dance, and offbeat performance acts, with appearances from recurring characters and community performers in an evening of eclectic entertainment.

Tides & Tunes at the Pier, Central Avenue Pier at the Granary – A monthly waterfront music series from 6 to 8 pm featuring live acoustic performances, local business pop-ups, and activities along the Bellingham waterfront.

Free Molt Search Workshop, BP Heron Center – From 10 a.m. to noon, participants will learn to identify common Washington crab molts, survey for invasive European green crabs, collect Dungeness crab data, and submit findings through the MyCoast app, followed by a guided practice survey on the beach. Register

The Litch Brothers, The Majestic Ballroom – With music starting at 7 pm, the Pacific Northwest bluegrass quartet brings together mandolin, guitar, fiddle, bass, and vocal harmonies for a set of original songs, traditional material, and folk-inspired covers.

Friday Music & Trivia →

Wander to Wander 1K, Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center – A 10:30 am community stroll from the WDRC to Wander Brewing includes donuts, light calisthenics, costumes, and plenty of room for dancing, skipping, and shenanigans along the 0.62-mile route, with proceeds supporting the WDRC’s sliding-scale conflict resolution services. Register

Family Safety Fair, Barkley Village – A free community event from 10 am to 1 pm featuring first responders, fire trucks, buses, a bike safety course, and a helicopter, with activities focused on helping kids navigate summer safely.

DVSAS Garden Tour, Various Bellingham Gardens – A self-guided tour from 10 am to 3 pm featuring seven local home gardens, offering a chance to explore a variety of garden styles while supporting the work of DVSAS. Register

Bellingham United Double Header, WCC Orca Field – Women kick off at 4 pm against FC Olympia and the men follow at 7 pm against Skagit Athletic, with one ticket providing admission to both Cascadia Premier League matches.

Saturday Music & Trivia →

It’s a quiet night.
🐦 Download the Merlin Bird ID app and listen to the birds sing! 🐦

Sunday Music & Trivia →

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