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

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

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

Why do rents and home prices keep rising? Does building more housing actually make it more affordable? Join local housing advocate Kerri Burnside for an engaging look at the forces shaping where, and how affordably, we live.

This interactive lecture explores the economics, policies, development, infrastructure, and community priorities behind today’s housing challenges. Whether you rent, own, run a business, or simply want to better understand the issue, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of how the housing system really works.

A couple of weeks ago I added a postcard to my collection that, while simple, brings me joy every time I look at it. It’s a printed ‘lithographic’ card, so there’s a limit to how much detail survives, but the scene is the Bellingham waterfront circa 1915.

In the foreground is one of the wooden-plank roadways built on piers across Whatcom Creek and the surrounding tidelands. This was before the Holly Street Landfill turned much of that area into dry, buildable land. A handwritten note on the back reads:

“Shows the new block built in 1914. Seattle steamer ?Coarse? lies to the left under the smoke from mill. Steamer in ?picture? believed to be St. Whatcom“

“?Ed Hogue?”

That reference to the Steamer Whatcom sent me sleuthing around the web until I found a photograph 👇 on the Washington Rural Heritage website that does indeed appear to show the same ship. Their description fills in a little of its history: “Built in 1901 at Everett, WA as the Majestic; renamed Whatcom by 1905; converted to a ferry and renamed the City of Bremerton in 1921; dismantled in 1945.”

These lithographic postcards were often mass-produced from an original run of real-photo cards, which means finding the photographic version of this one has now become my white whale. 🐳 I want to zoom in enough to read the sign on the ferry terminal at right and figure out what that wheeled vehicle is sitting on the roadway.

Just imagine what it would have been like to walk along that crowded street in an early Bellingham before the city was transformed by booms and busts, fires and floods, and the unfathomable growth we’ve seen over the past few decades.

In honor of Labor Day, Whatcom County Government posted this great early photo of the Bellingham Labor Temple on its Facebook page. 👇 You can find a high-resolution version of this image in Western’s archives.

“Labor is an integral part of Whatcom's history and growth. The Labor Temple which housed 19 different trade unions in 1930, still stands as part of our community on State Street.”

The building is still there today at 1700 State Street. 👇 The International Union of Operating Engineers continues to use the location, although most of the unions that once called the Labor Temple home have since moved elsewhere.

When I was sixteen, I started a five-year stint with the Laborers Union through the entrance at the far left in the photo. 👆 I met a lot of hardworking men and women through that hall. They showed a lot of grace, welcoming in a clueless kid like me. 😆

LOCAL READS

New-blood culture clash at Bellingham’s Port
By Ron Judd · The BellingHammer
New commissioner Carly James is pushing the Port of Bellingham to clarify bylaws before the commission expands from three members to five next year, meeting resistance from longtime commissioner Bobby Briscoe. Ron details how that procedural dispute reflects a broader effort to make the Port’s public process clearer and more accountable. Read more →

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

From the PGA Tour to Semiahmoo, Jeff Coston Finds a Home in Whatcom County
By Merrick Parnell · WhatcomTalk
Jeff Coston’s golf career took him from caddying at Inglewood and playing alongside Jack Nicklaus to 59 professional wins and more than three decades teaching at Semiahmoo near Blaine. Merrick details how Coston left the PGA Tour while holding a tour card, choosing family and eventually building the Jeff Coston Golf Academy. Read more →

CIVIC CORNER

Tuesday
Ferndale City Council, 5:00 pm, City Hall Annex
Bham Transportation Commission, 6:00 pm, Pacific Street Operations Center
Port of Bham Marina Advisory Committee (MAC), 6:00 pm, Harbor Center
Everson City Council, 7:00 pm, City Hall
Lynden City Council, 7:00 pm, City Hall

Wednesday
Bham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, 7:30 am, Pacific Street Operations Center

Thursday
Whatcom County Planning Commission, 6:00 pm, Northwest Annex
Bham Community Development Advisory Board, 6:00 pm, City Hall
Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District Advisory Committee, 7:00 pm, Civic Building
Whatcom County Public Health Advisory Board, 7:00 am, Whatcom County Health Department
Whatcom County Justice Project Finance and Facility Advisory Board, 3:30 pm, Civic Building

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Tuesday
Bowman Bay: Join the Salish Sea Alliance and Skagit County Marine Resources Committee to care for Bowman Bay and its native plants. You will weed, spread compost and mulch, and plant native vegetation. Register

Wednesday
King Mountain Community Garden: Join Bellingham Parks Community Gardens to care for King Mountain Community Garden. You can weed and mulch paths and tend the Victory Garden by weeding, watering, and harvesting produce to donate. Register

Thursday-Friday
Olsen Creek: Help Washington Trails Association implement a multi-use recreation opportunity just outside of Bellingham. Thursday, Friday

Saturday
Salish Coast Trail: Join Recreation Northwest Trails Coalition for trail work along the Salish Coast Trail at Interurban. You will remove invasive species and litter, spread mulch or wood chips, plant native plants, and learn stewardship practices in partnership with the City of Bellingham. Register

Uisce Irish Pub
Guffawingham (comedy) | Mon 8:30 pm

JUXT Taphouse
Laughing Hamster Comedy Festival: "Best of the Fest" Showcase (comedy) | Tues 8:00 pm

Mercato delle Bontà
Jokes on the Waterfront Starring Nathan Hart (comedy) | Fri 8:00 pm

Lucas Hicks Auditorium
The Lament of Morin, Mumphries, Halstom, and Rose (theatre) | Fri, Sat

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Salsa & Bachata - Viking Union - Mon 7 pm
Bellingham Embodiment Collective - Majestic Ballroom - Mon 6:30 pm
Country Line Dancing - Corner Taphouse in Fairhaven - Mon 6:30 pm
Contact Improv - Aikido Peace Education Center - Mon, class 5:30, jam 7 pm
Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 6 pm
B’ham Hop - Crystal Ballroom - Tues 8 pm
Taster Tuesdays (hip hop) - Lost Giants Cider Co - Tues 6 pm
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Revolution Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Beginner Ballet - Karate Church - Sat 10 am
Beginner Contemporary - Karate Church - Sat 11:30 am
Dance Fusion - BSAC - 10:30 am
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Conscious Dance - Bellingham Fitness - Sun 10:30 am

The Connection Jazz Series brings Surrender to the FireHouse tonight, September 7, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The quartet features Hans Teuber and Rick Mandyck on saxophones, Jeff Johnson on bass, and Christian Casolary on drums.

Singer-songwriter Gabriella Coniglio brings her multilingual repertoire to the Admiralty Lounge tomorrow, September 8, from 7 to 9 pm. Her performances move between sultry, sweet, and playful songs, with improvisation also playing a regular role in her work. Coniglio has performed internationally and now lives in Mexico, where she continues to perform and leads vocal workshops.

After more than 1,500 performances in Europe, Washington native Joe Whitney is bringing the StreetLIVE Family to Station 49 in Birch Bay tonight, September 7, from 3 to 6 pm. Now based in Lynden, Whitney fronts a band that moves through funk, soul, rock, pop, country, and familiar crowd favorites.

Fall Car Show, The Cedars RV Resort – An all-makes car and motorcycle show from 9 am to 2 pm features trophies, raffles, a 50/50 drawing, and free spectator admission, with vehicle registration at $20.

Movie Trilogy Mondays: Back to the Future, Stones Throw Brewery – A free 7 pm backyard screening kicks off a three-week run through the Back to the Future trilogy, with all ages welcome and outside food allowed.

Monday Music & Trivia →

Laughing Hamster Comedy Festival: “Best of the Fest” Showcase, JUXT Taphouse – Stand-up comics from the 2026 Laughing Hamster Comedy Festival perform from 8 to 9:30 pm, with Mariah Dodd featured and admission free.

Mt. Baker Vintage Trailer Rally, Northwest Washington Fair & Event Center – Gates open at noon for registered rally guests, with vintage trailers, campers, and RVs arriving for a week of camping and activities.

Community Singing Vigil, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship – Singing Resistance Bellingham/Whatcom leads simple resistance songs from 7 to 8 pm in solidarity with immigrant neighbors, with donations supporting Whatcom Faith Community Immigrant Support.

Karaoke Night, Schweinhaus Biergarten – Paige hosts free karaoke from 8:30 to 11 pm, with singers of all skill levels welcome to sign up and take the mic.

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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