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

One year ago today, I hit send on the very first edition of The Hamster Wheel, with no idea the adventure that lay ahead. 😁 That inaugural issue went out to 165 readers. Fast forward 156 editions later, and this Wednesday afternoon the 10,000^th subscriber joined our community. How wild is that!

I want to thank everyone who has been part of this journey, whether you’ve been here since day one or just signed up this week. Your love letters, feedback, tips, and photos have shaped this newsletter into the zany enterprise it is today. Thank you all! 🙏 

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.

Salish Current

Learn How to Read a City Budget

October 7^th & 14^th

Join Salish Current for a free workshop on how to read a city budget, offered on October 7 and October 14. Bellingham Deputy Administrator Forrest Longman will lead the session and promises that city budgets don’t have to be boring.

The two free, identical workshops are scheduled in advance of Bellingham’s budget discussions and include sessions on how to write letters to the editor and opinion essays. The workshops will be held at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center at 6 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm) and are sponsored by a Project Neighborly grant from the Whatcom Community Foundation.

Weather Forecast

Friday: 65°F 🌡️ 51°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 21% | 💨 SSW 1 to 6 mph

Saturday: 63°F 🌡️ 46°F | 🌧️ Chance of Rain | 🌧️ 21% | 💨 SW 1 to 5 mph

Sunday: 67°F 🌡️ 45°F | ☀️ Sunny | 🌧️ 0% | 💨 N 3 to 9 mph

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Broadcasting From Bellingham

On the first Friday of every month, the Whatcom Museum throws open its doors with free admission, extended hours until 9 pm, and special programming at both Old City Hall and the Lightcatcher building starting at noon. Before you run off to check your calendar… yes, this is the first Friday in October 😁. And, this month’s Free First Friday schedule looks amazing.

This Friday’s theme focuses on print, radio, and television media, inspired by the current Elaine Horn: Broadcasting from Bellingham Photo Archive exhibition 👆️ celebrating the pioneering broadcaster and host of the 1960s talk show Woman’s World. If you can make it to Old City Hall by noon, Whatcom Museum Photo Archivist and local historian Jeff Jewell, will lead a guided tour exploring Horn’s three-decade career in radio and television. 👇️ More on the exhibit here.

Building on the media theme, KAFE 104.1’s Scotty VanDryver will be broadcasting live from the Lightcatcher lobby from 11 am to 1 pm. Later in the day, head to Old City Hall’s Rotunda Room for Community Corner from 4 to 6 pm, where local broadcasters from Pickford Film Center, KZAX Makeshift Community Radio, and KUOW Public Radio will be onsite manning tables. Then, from 5 to 7 pm, Salish Current will host a Live Pop-up Newsroom in the Lightcatcher Studio, offering a chance to meet reporters and pitch story ideas. Find the full schedule.

Sweeten Your Life With Art

This weekend marks the start of the 2025 Whatcom Artist Studio Tour, a two-weekend self-guided journey into the creative spaces of painters, potters, sculptors, printmakers, and photographers, from across Bellingham and Whatcom County.

Running October 4–5 and again October 11–12, the tour features dozens of artists, working in various media. The Studio Tour “offers visitors insight into the creative process, work-life and work-environment of area artists and provides an opportunity for people to purchase original works directly from their makers.”

There are printed maps available around town. WECU is a sponsor, so I’m guessing they’ll have copies available in their consumer branch lobbies. 👍️ There’s also an online tour map. Whether you’re a collector or simply an appreciator like me, the Studio Tour is an open invitation to wander, connect, and see how amazing art is being created behind studio doors around the county.

In other news…

💚 The Green Building Slam returns tonight at the Wild Buffalo! Hosted by Sustainable Connections, this is a fast-paced, idea-packed evening centered on innovations in sustainable design, energy efficiency, and climate-conscious construction. “Presenters will have 10 minutes to present 10 slides on local projects and innovations. Bring your friends, bring your colleagues, and celebrate green building!”

Snag a last minute ticket and enjoy dinner, networking with architects, builders, and green enthusiasts, and a chance to win raffle prizes.

🕯️ Earlier this year we highlighted two Fire and Moss Embodiment classes, Shapes of Grief and Comic & Soul, that drew strong interest from Wheel readers. Now the group is offering Grieving Ground, a five-month intensive designed to move the experience of mourning from solitude into community.

Led by Monika Denise and Kelsey Maloney, with support from Avry Richter and Kai Summy, the course provides a shared space to navigate grief with care and creativity, using embodied ritual, somatic listening, art-making, and song as tools for healing. The first class is this Sunday and we’ve been told there are spots available.

Garage & Estate Sales

Your Source For Vintage Can Openers

443 15th Street (Fri, Sat, Sun 10 am)
They are calling this one the Brigadoon Estate Sale, a South Hill home packed with 50 years of tartans, tools, and treasures. Across three garages, a historic home, and a basement, find antique furniture, Persian rugs, briar pipes, clocks, cookware, art, pottery, clothing, and garden statuary, plus a spread of tools, automotive parts, and collectibles. Details.

8125 Birch Bay Square #208 (Fri, Sat, Sun 9 am)
Snip Snip Hooray is hosting Not Your Average Garage Sale in Blaine, a three-day fundraiser filling 6,000 square feet with everything from holiday décor and antiques to tools, clothes, books, and crafts. Proceeds support the nonprofit’s work providing spay and neuter assistance for pets in low-income households across Whatcom County.

• 609 N Forest Street Apt 2, Fri, 9 am

• 5529 W. 29th Crest, Sat, Sun, 10 am

• Madrona Wear - Fill-A-Bag Sale - 770 East Holly St, Sat, 10 am

• Epic Marine - Marine Part Sale, Sat, 10 am

Bellingham Dockside Market

Seafood From The Salish Sea

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

FRESH AT DOCKSIDE

Bink's Seafood
💙(Fresh) Coho salmon

Crab Bellingham
💙(Fresh) Live Dungeness crab

Drayton Harbor Oyster Co
💙(Fresh) Pacific oysters, 💙(Fresh) Taylor Shellfish clams and mussels

Lummi Seafood Market
💙(Fresh) Local coho salmon, 💙(Fresh) Local king salmon, 💙(Fresh) Live green sea urchins

Slack Tide Fisheries
💙(Fresh) Live Dungeness crab

LUNCH AT DOCKSIDE

Drayton Harbor Oyster Co
Grilled Oysters! There’s nothing better 🦪🦪!!

It's the Sweet Things
Bellingham’s own It's the Sweet Things will serve Smoked Salmon Pastries, Dungeness Crab Pastries, Smoked Salmon Spread, and more!

Jean C Family Fisheries
Grilled black cod, rice and coleslaw plate.

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

1402 Langara Circle (Open Sat 1-4 pm, Sun 1-4 pm)
Here’s another reader submission. Thank you Jan! It’s a beauty in a fabulous spot. When you drive down Lakewood Lane into the heart of the Geneva neighborhood, turn left on Cordero Drive and you’ll find a sweet neighborhood made up of three quiet cul-de-sacs. Gorgeous home, sweet neighborhood, in Geneva. Nice! Check it out. —> Listing.

1416 Marietta Avenue (Open Sun 2-4 pm)
Remember when, in the 90s and early aughts, log cabin-style homes made a big resurgence? Check out this amazing example on the small hill to the northwest of the airport. 3,200 square feet of log cabin!! 😆 Plus, 40+ fruit trees and a greenhouse. 🍒 Listing.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

Bellingham Circus Guild
Gnomecoming | Fri, Sat

Mount Baker Theatre
Pressure Drop (film) | Fri

iDiOM Theater
48 Hour Theater Festival | Fri, Sat

New Prospect Theatre
The Dope Show (comedy) | Sat

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

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances.

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Dance Fusion - Senior Activity Center - Sat 10:30 am
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 6:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

Lydia McCauley returns to the stage for a reunion concert at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center tonight, October 3. The celebrated singer-songwriter will perform music spanning her six albums, including Sabbath Day’s Journey and The Beauty of the Earth, along with new releases. Known for blending contemporary, folk, and classical traditions, McCauley will be joined by longtime collaborators Phil Heaven (viola), Nancy Rumbel (Grammy-winning oboe and ocarina), Brian Cunningham (guitars), Lynne Givler (bass and vocals), and Jay Darling (percussion). Doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets.

You read that right. MUFON is coming to the Ham 👽️ for a discussion on UFO sightings over Whatcom County. Bring an open mind but prepare for objective analysis. Washington field investigators will share cases ranging from the explained to the still mysterious. This free talk takes place at the Bellingham Public Library’s Central branch on Saturday, October 4 at 2 pm. “The truth is out there”.

Andy Koch’s Badd Dog Blues Society will fill the Allied Arts Gallery with live blues during Downtown Bellingham’s First Friday Art Walk tonight. A longtime Allied Arts member, Koch brings decades of experience in boogie, Chicago- and Texas-style blues to this all-ages event. Stop by Allied Arts tonight, October 3 from 6 to 9 pm.

That’s What She Said True stories, told by women for women, this Sunday at The Commons. Modeled after The Moth Radio Hour, each story runs five to seven minutes and is shared from memory, weaving humor, heart, and honesty into an empowering community gathering. Snacks will be on hand, wine and coffee are available for purchase, and ticket sales support Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) of Whatcom County. Doors open at 3:40 pm.

FRIDAY

Veronica North, District Brewing - An acoustic set from local pop artist Veronica North highlights a birthday celebration that doubles as a fundraiser for the Alternative Humane Society, with drinks, bites, and a silent auction to support foster animals. Crash a birthday party at 6 pm for a good cause.

Katie McCamant, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship – National cohousing expert Katie McCamant leads a discussion on how design and shared values can foster connection, sustainability, and intentional community. Hosted by 4th Corner Commons, the event runs 7 to 8 pm. Pre-registration.

Friday Music & Trivia →

SATURDAY

Fall Pancake Breakfast, Fire Station 47 (Ferndale) - Whatcom County Fire District 7 is serving up its fall pancake breakfast from 8 am to noon with breakfast by donation. Families can also take part in car seat checks and explore the fire house.

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.

Friends of the Everson Library Fall Book Sale, Pop-up bookstore behind People’s Bank (104 Kirsch Drive) - A seasonal sale with books, DVDs, library-branded t-shirts and bags, plus special deals like 50-cent cookbooks, 25-cent Christmas books. All in support of the local library. 10 am to 3 pm.

Saturday Music & Trivia →

SUNDAY

Fix-it Fair, Ohio Street Workstudios - A community repair event with free or donation-based help for clothing, small appliances, bikes, jewelry, knives, leather goods, and more, plus a first-time dye bath station for natural fabrics. Noon to 3 pm.

Cars & Coffee, Northwest Rally Sports - A morning meet-up for car enthusiasts featuring classics, imports, muscle, supercars, resto-mods, and daily drivers, free and family-friendly with plenty of coffee. Details on Facebook.

Sunday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

To All Our Readers

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Have a great Friday!!