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. 📧

Rediscover your creativity in this hands-on course exploring the four foundational subjects of art — landscapes, still life, portraits, and design — through the lens of the masters and our own local Whatcom County artists.

Each session pairs a guided introduction with practice time to experiment in the medium of your choice, from pencil and charcoal to watercolor, paint, and mixed media. Don't miss the bonus session on Friday, October 16th at the Whatcom Museum, where you'll explore local artists' inspirations firsthand with the instructor. Space is limited to 24 students.

I caught a solid case of the gold bug in my early twenties and spent ever so many days exploring creeks in Whatcom and Skagit county with my trusty Estwing rock hammer and Garrett gold pan. My finds were modest, but each glimmering flake fueled my dream of staking a mine and ‘striking it rich.’ 😛 ⛏

Over the last few weeks I’ve been enjoying the YouTube content of a local man 👆 who followed through with that dream. Jason Gaber and his father, Steve (Gaber), founded Mt. Baker Mining and Metals in 2010, and Jason has leased or staked a series of mines, the working of which he documents on YouTube.

His latest video is a great watch. 👆 Jason talks about the geology of the Golden Griffin mine without overcomplicating the subject and he takes you along as they work several location on the site over a few working days. If you’re like me, you’ll end up binge watching all his content. Strap yourself in, it’s a fun ride. 😁

It’s a Monday night dilemma: learn about a 1,200-mile trail over a beer, or test your knowledge of food scraps and leftovers. Conveniently, these two events overlap just enough so you could probably do both. 🏃‍♂🏃‍♀

From 5 to 9 pm, Stones Throw is hosting a Good Neighbor Night for the Pacific Northwest Trail Association, with 10 percent of sales going to support the group’s work. The PNTA maintains and protects the 1,200-mile Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, which runs from Glacier National Park all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Their team will be on hand with trail info, swag, and a few all-ages activities, including a “Can You Match the Animal to Its Tracks?” game.

Then from 7 to 9 pm, Sustainable Connections is taking over ‘Ono Kitchen & Bar for Food Waste Prevention Trivia Night. The free event, hosted by World’s Best Trivia, will mix the usual friendly competition with questions and tips about reducing food waste. Whether your specialty is leftovers, compost, or mystery Tupperware in the fridge, head over to ‘Ono and give it a shot.

Cub Scout Heads-Up: I got a note from Paul Opryszek with Cub Scout Pack 4003 about their Fall Invitational this Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 6:30 to about 7:30 pm at Cordata Park. The gathering is for families with kids in grades K-5 who are curious about Cub Scouts, with games and activities led by older Scouts, plus folks on hand to explain the program, registration, and scholarships. They’ll be near the covered pavilion at the park’s north entrance, closest to Cordata and Horton roads, and families with older kids can stick around afterward to see Troop 4003’s regular Scout meeting.

LOCAL READS

Designing her own direction
By Jaelin McQueen · Klipsun Magazine
At 24, Jaden Antonia Rose is building a fashion practice that spans modeling, styling, design and creative direction while drawing on her experiences as a Black and Puerto Rican woman. Jaelin explains how her late aunt’s reworked sportswear still influences her own upcycling and interest in outdoor apparel. Read more →

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Merci, Canada. Let’s keep the lines open.
By Ron Judd · The BellingHammer
An earlier column shared by the Canadian outlet Guard the Leaf brought a flood of responses about U.S. politics, trade tensions and declining trust between the two countries. Ron details how those comments turned into a broader argument for keeping person-to-person conversations open as government relations remain strained. Read more →

CIVIC CORNER

Monday
Bham Parks and Recreation Committee, 1:00 pm, City Hall
Bham Public Health, Safety, Justice, and Equity Committee, 1:05 pm, City Hall
Bham Committee of the Whole, 1:25 pm, City Hall
Blaine City Council, 6:00 pm, City Council Chambers - 435 Martin Street, Suite 4000
Bham City Council, 7:00 pm, City Hall

Tuesday
Whatcom Co. Finance and Admin. Services Committee, 9:00 am, Council Chambers
Whatcom Co. Committee of the Whole, 1:30 pm, Meeting - Council Chambers
Whatcom Co. Council, 6:00 pm, Council Chambers

Wednesday
Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee, 9:00 am, Blaine Boating Center
Whatcom Co. Government Open House, 6:00 pm, Whatcom County Courthouse

Thursday
Whatcom Transportation Authority Board, 8:00 am, WTA offices

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday
Birchwood Park/Squalicum Park: Join Recreation Northwest Trails Coalition and the City of Bellingham to care for the Bay to Baker Trail. You will remove invasive species and litter, apply mulch or wood chips, plant native plants, and learn trail stewardship practices. Register
Fairhaven Community Garden: Join Bellingham Parks Community Gardens at Fairhaven Community Garden. You will care for the Green Belt along 10th Street, remove invasive species, tend the pollinator garden, and mulch. Register

Friday
Spruce Roost Reserve: Join Whatcom Land Trust at Spruce Roost Reserve to remove invasive species, maintain the access trail, and enhance riparian areas for local wildlife. You will help care for this forested reserve along the North Fork of the Nooksack River. Register

Saturday
Catalyst Reserve: Join NSEA and Whatcom Land Trust at Catalyst Reserve. You will remove invasive Himalayan blackberry that is overtaking native tree and shrub plantings, helping protect the restored habitat. Register
Whatcom Creek by City Hall: Join Bellingham Parks Volunteer Program and the Bellingham Kiwanis Club to restore salmon habitat in Whatcom Creek and clean up the trail corridor behind City Hall. You can help with invasive species removal, ecological restoration, habitat restoration, and litter pickup. Register
Silver Lake Park: Join Whatcom Million Trees Project and Whatcom County Parks and Recreation to remove ivy and plant new native seedlings at Silver Lake Park. You will help care for a public campground and year-round recreation area just north of Maple Falls. Register

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

Beach Cat
Stand Up Comedy (comedy) | Thurs 7:45 pm

Bellingham Theatre Guild
The Importance of Being Earnest (theatre) | Thurs-Sun

New Prospect Theatre
Fractured Fairy Tales (theatre) | Thurs-Sun

Blaine High School's Black Box Theater
Clue (theatre) | Fri-Sun

WinkWink Boutique
Battlestar Galacticunt (drag-gameshow) | 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
Taster Tuesdays (hip hop) - Lost Giants Cider Co - Tues 6 pm
B’ham Hop Swing - Hotel Leo - Wed 7 pm
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Revolution Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Dance for people with PD and other neurological conditions - Firehouse Arts Center - Thurs 11 am
The Gnomecoming Dance [21+] - Circus Guild - Fri, Sat
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 6:00 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

Geof Morgan marks his 77th birthday with Celebrating 77: Not Done Yet at the FireHouse tonight, September 28, from 6:30 to 9 pm. The concert looks back across more than 50 years of Morgan’s songwriting, from his Nashville years to the more political and reflective songs he has written since moving to Bellingham. Tickets

Roger Thorne brings an evening of folk-rooted songwriting to The Admiralty Lounge tomorrow, September 29, from 7 to 9 pm. His music draws from influences including Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, Tracy Chapman, grunge, and older folk traditions, with an emphasis on personal songwriting.

Experimental duo ear plays Western Washington University’s Viking Union Multipurpose Room on Tuesday, September 29, with doors at 7 pm and Cranes opening the night. Ear describes its music as a fifty-fifty collaborative art project, combining IDM-influenced production, collage-like textures, and detailed songwriting rather than treating electronics as background decoration. Tickets

It’s a quiet night. 🤷‍♂

Monday Music & Trivia →

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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