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

Yesterday was a gift of fall. The sunlight was soft and warm, a gentle breeze rustled through yellow leaves, and I had the company of a dear friend to share it all with. Grateful for those sweet moments.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

When the Farmer's Away, the Goats Will Play

Whatcom County writer and podcaster Hilde Festerling sent us a note announcing the release of the final episodes of The Goat American Novel Podcast, her all-ages barnyard gothic audio drama set against the backdrop of rural Whatcom County. It’s a project she describes as “a not-for-profit labor of love.” I’m two episodes in, and it’s amazing! 🐐 

So far, I’ve met a kid named Goatina, her sister Mangoat, alongside friends Silver and Dandy. Follow these feisty young goats (and the rest of their herd) as they experience goat rivalries, goat hauntings, goat legends, goat nemeses, and goat drama. “Think Bunnicula the Vampire Rabbit meets Babe the Pig, but it’s all goats.”

These barnyard tails are narrated by three generations of Hilde’s family. It’s fabulous and hilarious. Give it a listen: https://goatamericannovel.podbean.com/

The City announced this week that Whatcom Museum’s archivist and historian, Jeff Jewell, has been awarded the Lifetime Accomplishments in the Humanities award by Humanities Washington “for his stewardship of the Museum’s collection of more than 200,000 historical images of life in the region.”

If you’ve not had a chance to explore the photo archive that Jeff curates, it’s so worth a visit!

Gaining entrance to it feels a little like visiting a speakeasy. 🍸️ The archive is housed in Old Fire Station #1 (the building next to Old City Hall), where you’ll find a buzzer on the wall in the alley. Give it a buzz between 1–5 pm, Wednesday through Friday, and follow the stairs to the second floor photo archives research room.

Ready to show off your Gingerbread House decorating skills? You have until November 26 to submit your entry form and reserve your spot in the Holiday Port Gingerbread House Contest hosted by the Port of Bellingham. This year’s theme is HOLIDAY BLOOPERS. “Use this category to work with friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to build a gingerbread structure that represents your idea of a holiday cabin.”

Entries will be showcased at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal during Holiday Port on December 6th and 7th, where attendees can view the creations and participate in People's Choice voting. Contest form.

⛏️ Volunteer Opportunities This Week:

• Saturday - Cordata Park: Support riparian and meadow restoration efforts at one of Bellingham’s newest and most popular parks! Work with the City, and NSEA to remove invasive plants and planting native trees and shrubs near East Bear Creek. Register to participate.

• Sunday - Whatcom Humane Society’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: Help Whatcom Million Trees Project and the Whatcom Humane Society as they continue converting a 12-acre former hayfield into a complex forest of native trees and undergrowth! Noon to 3 pm. Register to participate.

JJ's Tree Care

Tree Risk Assessments and Removals

Consulting services in Whatcom County

Hi Hamster Wheel readers, I’m JJ, founder of JJ’s Tree Care, here to help Bellingham brace for winter storms.

With leaves falling, now’s the perfect time for my ISA-certified tree risk assessments to spot and remove dead or hazardous branches, ensuring your property stays safe. Enjoy peace of mind while the wind howls—contact me at jjstreecare.com.

Call or text me at 360-319-0482

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

iDiOM Theater
Twelfth Night | Wed-Sun

New Prospect Theatre
Phoebe in Winter | Thurs-Sun

Mt. Baker Theatre
Warren Miller's Sno-ciety (film) | Fri

The Shakedown
Cvnt Coven: Faerie-Tales (pole dance) | Fri

Bellingham TheatreWorks
Bigfoot | Fri-Sun

BAAY Theatre
 Finding Nemo Jr. | Fri-Sun

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
 A Very Queer Ballet: TRANScendence (dance) | Fri, Sat

BAAY Theatre
Ferdinand and the French Fry Factory | Sat, Sun

The Blue Room
Cabaret in the Fog (cabaret) | Sat

Bellingham Circus Guild
VAUDEVILLINGHAM | Sat

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
 Nika And Madison (film) | Sunday

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Salsa & Bachata - Viking Union - Mon 7 pm
Bellingham Embodiment Collective - Majestic Ballroom - Mon 6:30 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
Dance Fusion - Senior Activity Center - Sat 10:30 am
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

Feature an Event. Reach out.

FEATURED

Makia Oaks brings a warm soulful voice and a guitar to the Admiralty Lounge tomorrow night, November 11, at 7 pm. Expect a mix of heartfelt originals and beloved covers for an intimate evening of music.

Poet and essayist Maya Jewell Zeller will be at Village Books in Fairhaven this evening, November 10, to present The Wonder of Mushrooms, a lyrical exploration of the fungal world that blends mycology with watercolor art. The book, illustrated by Jenny deFouw Geuder, invites readers into the mysterious ecosystems beneath our feet, where science meets poetry and nature reveals its quiet intelligence. The evening includes readings and discussion in the Readings Gallery at 6:00 pm. Tickets.

Mexico City’s Diles Que No Me Maten brings its electrifying blend of experimental psych, post-punk, and krautrock to The Shakedown tonight, November 10, joined by Bellingham’s The Sheen. Formed by brothers Raúl and Gerardo Ponce, the quintet channels the pulse and tension of urban life into hypnotic, cinematic soundscapes that echo chaos and beauty. Doors open at 7:30 pm, show at 8:00 pm, ages 21 and over.

MONDAY

Habitat for Humanity Fall Bingo Fundraiser, Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery – A lively evening of bingo supporting Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County’s efforts to build safe, affordable, and sustainable homes for local families. Runs 5:00–7:00 pm.

Bingo Night 2025, Sumas Community Center – A family-friendly evening of bingo hosted by Friends of the Sumas Library, featuring prizes and snacks provided by local businesses. Doors open at 6:30 pm with games beginning at 7:00 pm.

Monday Music & Trivia →

TUESDAY

Retro Videogame Night, FrinGe Brewing – Classic gaming takes over the brewery with an NES setup, vintage cartridges, and light gun games on an old-school TV. Runs 4:00–8:00 pm, with Tam Tam Pizza serving food from Pirate Pies & Subs.

The Great Cordata Bake-Off (sort of), Cordata Neighborhood Association – You are invited to compete for the title of Best Pie in Cordata by bringing a homemade or store-bought creation for judging. The evening also supports a winter clothing drive in partnership with Ascend Chiropractic, collecting coats, gloves, and other warm items for Hope House. 6:30–8:00 pm at 4500 Cordata Pkwy.

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

To All Our Readers

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