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

I may be slow to respond to messages for a couple of days but I promise to follow up with everyone. Heading out to the peninsula for a little R&R but I’ll be back for the Wednesday edition. 👍️ 

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

Tag @bellinghamsterwheel on Instagram or reply to this email to get your photos in The Hamster Wheel.

Academy for Lifelong Learning

Tom Robbins and the Pacific Northwest in Literature

Wednesday, December 10

Finding time to explore a curious topic can be a challenge, especially heading into the holidays. That’s why WWU’s Academy for Lifelong Learning offers courses via Zoom, tapping top-notch expertise from across the country so you can learn something new from the comfort of your home. Feast your mind on the last of three diverse deep-dives.

What makes the PNW’s literary style unique? Join MSNBC journalist and Georgetown University lecturer, Ryan Teague Beckwith, as he shares his theories of how authors often write about our relatively young, self-effacing, “less-loud” corner of the US. Beyond Robbins, he’ll reveal common elements in the works of Dunn, Alexie and Kesey. Watch the preview video 👆️, and register to join the Zoom lecture.

Whatcom Weather

The Raindrop Report

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Take the Plunge! ❄️ 

A hardy band of Bellinghamsters have started meeting each Wednesday morning at 7 am on the Taylor St. Dock for an invigorating dip in the icy blue-gray waters of Bellingham Bay. I know, I know, your brain says no, but insert yourself into this photo 👇️ and imagine how alive you’ll feel… 💦 when you’re immersed in the Bay!

They call themselves the Bellingham Plunge Club. Matt Welch, who sent me a note about the gathering, says they “party on the dock before tackling hump day with revived energy and community connection.” I get it! Sometimes a shock to the system is just what’s needed to finish out the week. 😁

Checking their socials (Instagram, Facebook), it looks like there were a dozen or so plungers at the inaugural plunge. But they hope to make this a big weekly event with broad community participation. Mark your calendar and take the plunge! Or, show up at the dock this Wednesday to cheer them on.

The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for much of Western Washington, including Whatcom County. The watch went into effect late last night and continues through Friday afternoon.

The current prediction for the Nooksack River at Ferndale 👆️ is for rising waters to peak in the late morning tomorrow and continue through late afternoon.

CIVIC CORNER

Monday
Bellingham City Council, 7:00 pm, Council Chambers, agenda, watch online
Blaine City Council, 6:00 pm, Council Chambers

Tuesday
Port of Bellingham Board of Commissioners (public hearing for draft redistricting plan), 2:00 pm, location unlisted
Transportation Commission, 6:00 pm, Pacific Street Operations Center, agenda, watch online
Whatcom County Council, 6:00 pm, Council Chamber agenda, watch online

Wednesday
Community Open House: Civic Complex Master Plan, 6:00 pm, Bloedel Donovan Community Building
Community Conversation (with councilmembers & League of Women Voters’), 4:30 pm, Squalicum Boat House RSVP

Thursday
WTA Board Meeting, 8:00 am, WTA office
Community Conversation (with councilmembers Galloway, Scanlon), 3 pm, Fairhaven Library Fireplace Room

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Saturday
Connelly Creek Nature Area (South): Join Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) in restoring wildlife habitat and protecting wetlands in a lovely park on the south side of Bellingham. Register.

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

Uisce Irish Pub
Guffawingham (comedy) | Mon 9:00 pm

The Claire
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever | Thurs-Sun

iDiOM Theater
Shark Tank: Island Time Edition | Thurs-Sat

Mount Baker Theatre
Saving ChristmasTown (dance) | Fri

BAAY
Esme’s Adventures in Another World | Fri-Sun

Blaine High School
Christmas in Oz | Fri-Sun

New Prospect Theatre
Search for the Christmas Penguin | Sat

Bellingham Theatre Guild
Sister Act | Thurs-Sun

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
Sugar and Honey Holiday Extravaganza (Cabaret) | Sat

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Salsa & Bachata - Viking Union - Mon 7 pm
Bellingham Embodiment Collective - Majestic Ballroom - Mon 6:30 pm
Contact Improv - Aikido Peace Education Center - Mon 7 pm
Beginning 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
Int. Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 7:15 pm
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Flow Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Contra - Fairhaven Library - Sat 7 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 4:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

FEATURED

Join Bellingham Senior Activity Center’s own The Golden Players Theatre Troupe at BSAC Central for their Holiday Variety Show today, December 8, at 1:30 pm. Look forward to songs, music, dance, skits, jokes, trivia, improv, and more. Get ready to laugh, sing, and have fun! It’s a fundraiser with 100% of donations going to BSAC & Meals On Wheels. You’re invited. All ages are welcome. No RSVP required.

Jim Johannessen presents Tide Talk: Coastal and Beach Restoration in Bellingham Bay and Beyond tomorrow, December 9, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Community Boating Center. The talk will explore how Bellingham Bay’s coastal ecosystems have evolved since early settlement and highlight major restoration and enhancement projects throughout the Puget Sound region.

The Gallowmaker Tour kicks off at Shakedown tomorrow at 8 pm, with Spider Cult and California Death Worm. It’ll be a night of heavy, dark-edged sound.

MONDAY

It’s a quiet night. 🤷‍♂️
Brew a pot of tea, and deal a hand of solitaire.

Monday Music & Trivia →

TUESDAY

Scepter Awards, Wild Buffalo House of Music – Downtown Bellingham’s annual Scepter Awards return to celebrate those who have impacted and improved life in Downtown Bellingham. The evening features community honors, lip-sync performances from local Bellebrities, appetizers from Hela Provisions, and a 50/50 raffle. 6:00–8:30 pm

Open Mic Night, Zeeks Pizza Bellingham – Local musicians and songwriters take the stage for an evening of live performances. Sign up with Nick at Bellinghome School of Music. 6:00–8:30 pm

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

To All Our Readers

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