🐹 Toad Lake Turns Toxic ☠️☠️

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

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

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

A heads-up if Toad Lake is in your weekend plans. Whatcom County Health and Community Services says recent testing found microcystins, toxins produced by some blue-green algae, at levels above state and federal recreational guidelines. The county is advising people and pets to avoid touching, eating, or swallowing algae in or near the water. I assume the second two are aimed at pets not peoples… 🤢

The toxins were found in floating algae mats that form on the lake bottom before breaking loose and drifting to the surface or shore. They can look dark green or brown, sometimes like a slimy carpet. Microcystins primarily affect the liver, and swallowing contaminated water or algae can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and diarrhea.

The warning is especially worth noting if you bring a dog to the lake. The county recommends keeping pets away from visible algae and clumps washed onto shore, and rinsing any algae off their fur with clean water before they can lick it. No squishy puppy treats out of Toad Lake for the time being. 🐶

I get a lot of notes from readers about the wonderful art workshops offered by the Whatcom Museum, and I know how quickly some of them fill up, so I thought I’d mention this one a few days early. This Sunday, August 30, Bellingham artist Lisa Dailey is teaching a three-hour Introduction to Gelli Printing, a wonderfully loose process that uses acrylic paint, texture, and a flexible gel plate to build layered prints full of unexpected colors and patterns.

The workshop runs from 1 to 4 pm in the Lightcatcher Studio and is designed for beginners, so no previous experience is needed. Registration includes museum admission, all the materials for making multiple prints, and a gel plate you can take home afterward.

Whatcom Rowing Association’s Fall Youth Programs start next month on beautiful Lake Whatcom, with rowing teams for both high school and middle school age kiddos. You can tell that these kids are feeling strong 💪 and having an absolute blast on the water!

The middle school program is designed for beginners, and no rowing experience is required. Athletes learn the fundamentals of rowing, water safety, teamwork, and fitness while building confidence both on and off the water. Practices are fun, engaging, and focused on developing skills in a positive, encouraging environment.

The high school program welcomes both brand-new and experienced athletes. Students can participate at a level that matches their goals. From learning the sport and enjoying regular practices with teammates to training and competing at local, regional, and national regattas.

In a note last week, board member Jaime Cleveland described WRA’s commitment to making rowing accessible to everyone. So don’t let the sport’s reputation for expensive equipment and high costs keep you from exploring a rowing team membership for your kids.

You can find more information about these and other Whatcom Rowing Association’s Junior Programs on the WRA website.

Artists Alert: Here's a fun opportunity to help shape the next phase of the Bellingham Central Library. The City is looking for an artist or artist team to design, fabricate, and install interior artwork for the renovated children and teen spaces as part of its Percent for Arts program.

The project is still in the qualifications stage, so the City is asking applicants to share past work, experience with interior public art, and some thoughts on how they would approach the space and develop a design. Applications are due Thursday, September 18 at noon.

LOCAL READS

Tuning Into Whatcom County’s Radio Stations for Sounds of Subdued Excitement
By Anna Diehl · WhatcomTalk
Whatcom County’s radio landscape includes commercial music stations, public radio, sports talk, student broadcasting and low-power community outlets from Bellingham to Van Zandt. Anna details how stations such as KUGS, KMRE and KAVZ have adapted through local programming, online streams and volunteer involvement while maintaining distinct roles across the county. Read more →

· · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Beyond the salmon crisis: Northwest may face broad loss of freshwater species
By Sam Fletcher · Salish Current
Northwest Washington faces conservation gaps beyond salmon, with about 30 freshwater species identified as priorities and researchers using eDNA to map lesser-studied fish and shellfish. Sam explains how habitat loss, limited baseline data and cross-border partnerships are shaping efforts to understand and protect these populations. Read more →

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Wednesday
Clayton Beach: Help the Northwest Straits Foundation tackle invasive vegetation such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, and scotch broom to create space for future native vegetation. Register

Fri, Sat, Sun
Olsen Creek: Help Washington Trails Association implement a multi-use recreation opportunity just outside of Bellingham. Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Saturday
Canyon Lake Community Forest: Spend the day with Whatcom Land Trust caring for trails in this stunning old-growth forest, tackling tasks such as moving rocks and dirt, clearing brush, and using hand tools including saws, rogue hoes, and shovels. Register

"Shakes-Bar" Bellingham
@ The Blue Room
Much Ado About Nothing (theatre/comedy) | Thurs

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
Jonathan van Halem (comedy) | Fri

Larrabee Lager Company
Laughs at Larrabee (comedy) | Fri 8 pm

New Prospect Theatre
Pippin (theatre) | Fri-Sun

The Upfront Theatre
ANATOMICA: A Comedy About Meat, Bones, & The Skin You’re In | Sun

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm
Revolution Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 7:00 pm
Beginner Ballet - Karate Church - Sat 10 am
Beginner Contemporary - Karate Church - Sat 11:30 am
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Conscious Dance - Bellingham Fitness - Sun 10:30 am

The Devillies host their weekly Celtic music session at Menace Brewing on Wednesday, August 26, from 6 to 8 pm. The group leads a mix of traditional and contemporary Irish and Scottish tunes, with an instrumental session that tends to move at an intermediate to advanced pace while remaining open to musicians with different levels of experience.

The Hobby headlines a four-band bill at The Shakedown tomorrow, August 27, joined by The Black Velvet Band, MANTA, and August Is Loud. The 21+ show brings together pop punk, post-punk, and alt rock, with music starting at 9 pm.

Sustainable Connections is hosting its 4th Annual Food Recovery Party at the Trackside Beer Garden tonight, August 27, from 5 to 9 pm. The gathering recognizes a local milestone of 1.7 million pounds of edible food recovered rather than sent to the landfill. You can expect live music, local prizes, and a $1 raffle, while 10 percent of beer sales will benefit the Food Recovery Program and be matched by WECU through the Pour it Forward Program.

What Is a Cover Crop and Why Do I Need One?, Hovander Homestead Park – A free presentation from 10 to 11 am by the WSU Whatcom County Master Gardener Program exploring cover crops and their role in the garden.

Flower Market, Ohio Street Work Studios – North Sound Flower Cooperative offers locally grown seasonal blooms from regional farms from 9 am to noon, open to floral professionals and the public.

Music Bingo, Beach Cat Brewing – Music bingo starts at 6:30 pm with free play, prizes, a food truck, and $5 beers.

Trivia, Kulshan Brewing Roosevelt Taproom – Weekly trivia runs from 7 to 9 pm with teams of up to six, a $2 buy-in per person, themed rounds, and cash prizes.

Wednesday Music & Trivia →

Barkley Market, Barkley Village Green – A lunchtime market from 11 am to 2 pm with 30+ local vendors and makers, five food trucks, fresh produce, Bellingham Public Library storytime at 11 am, and live music from noon to 2 pm.

Sun Catchers, Second Life Artistry – A hands-on workshop at 6 pm where participants make single- or multi-strand sun catchers using driftwood, corks, beads, and other provided materials. Register

Thursday Music & Trivia →

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