🐹 Whole Lotta Bees 🐝🐝

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

I know the sun is shining and the beaches are beckoning, but holy moly there are a lot of local government meetings today and tomorrow. If you nerd out on council meetings like I do, there’s lots of good viewing ahead. 😉 

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Val & Evan

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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Weather Forecast

Monday: 68°F 🌡️ 49°F | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 🌧️ 3% | 💨 SW 1 to 6 mph

Tuesday: 70°F 🌡️ 51°F | ☀️ Sunny | 🌧️ 0% | 💨 W 1 to 6 mph

Moon Phases

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

Aurora Borealis Viewing Potential High

On Sunday, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch for Sunday night into early Monday, raising the likelihood of northern lights viewing here in Bellingham. While last night provided the most likely viewing opportunity, a chance also exists for a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis tonight. Some fantastic photos are already flowing in. 👇️ We'd love to see more!

SWPC stresses the unpredictability of these events, so as evening nears keep an eye on the NOAA Aurora Viewline Prediction Map. It’s currently showing a “View Line” well south of Bellingham.

Randy Small from the Whatcom County Weather Facebook page posted a great collection of Aurora photos from over the weekend. Check his page for more. 👍️ 

A Whole Lotta Bees

On Saturday, a truck hauling thousands of bees rolled over on Weidkamp Road. Initially, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office posted that “250 million bees are now loose” and warned Whatcomites to “AVOID THE AREA due to the potential of bee escape and swarming.” No need to tell me twice. 😆 Later in the day, the department posted an amended estimate, placing the total number of bees closer to 14 million. Which is still a whole lotta bees. 🐝 

While searching for coverage of this event, I came across a video posted by CascadiaDaily on YouTube. 👇️ It provides an up-close perspective working alongside the local beekeepers who rebuilt the hives in an attempt to save some of the colonies.

Sheriff’s Office indicated that Weidkamp Road would be open for weekday traffic on Monday morning.

In other news…

🚗 Whatcom County Public Works has suggested avoiding Everson Goshen between E. Smith Road and E. Pole Road beginning today (June 2), as crews grind and repave the road surface and restripe the lane lines.

🏙️ The Bellingham City Council meets today (June 2) at 10 am, to discuss Landlord-Tenant topics that have arisen often during regular meetings over recent months. The agenda is available online. This public meeting is held in the Mayor’s Boardroom on the second floor of City Hall or can be watched online. This may be an interesting discussion. The comments I've heard in recent meetings have pertained to various fees charged by landlords, which, in principle, seem worthwhile to regulate. That said, I'm always skeptical of city government regulations surrounding rental agreements. It's often the case that costs are simply shifted in ways that make them less transparent. I hope good intentions don't result in poor outcomes from this potential legislation.

🚜 The Whatcom County Council meets tomorrow (June 3), at 9 am, to discuss budget adjustments and independent legal representation for the council. The meeting agenda is available online. This public meeting is held in the Council Chambers at the County Courthouse or watched via Zoom.

🚢 The Port of Bellingham Board of Commissioners meets tomorrow (June 3), at 4 pm. The agenda is available online. This public meeting is held at the Harbor Center or can be watched via the port’s YouTube channel.

🏡 The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission meets tomorrow (June 3), in the Civic Annex Building Garden Room at 6 pm or watch via Zoom. This is a special meeting to address a proposed amendment that reduces the total number of county council members to five by removing the two at-large positions.

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

Uisce Irish Pub: 
Guffawingham | Mon 8:30 pm

iDiOM Theater
The Cherry Orchard | Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm

Mount Baker Theater
The Addams Family | Wed 7:00 pm

Mount Baker Theater
Whose Live Anyway? | Sat 7:30 pm

WWU
An Enemy of the People | Fri, Sat, Sun 2 & 7:30 pm

WWU
BFA Dance Concert | Fri, Sat 7:30 pm; Sat 2 pm

New Prospect Theatre:
Witch With Her Skirt On Fire | Sat 8 pm

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances.

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

 Salsa & Bachata 
Salsa & Bachata - Viking Union - Mon 7 pm
Beginning Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 6 pm
Int. Cuban Salsa - Cof& - Tues 7:15 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm

 Tango  
Urban Salon Tango - The Majestic - Mon 7 pm
Tango Practica - The Majestic - Wed 6:30 pm

 Other  
B’ham Hop - Crystal Ballroom - Tues 7 pm
Flow Fusion - Karate Church - Thurs 7 pm
Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 8:00 pm
Line Dancing - El Rey - Fri 7 pm
Line Dancing - Alsan Depot - Sat 3 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am
Family Dance Party - Boom! - Sun 10 am

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

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FEATURED

The members of High Tide, Maddy Sullivan (guitar & sax), Rod Burton (keyboards), and Stan Hodson (guitar & bass) play and harmonize on a mix of old rock ‘n’ roll, American standards, folk tunes, and their original songs. Catch them at the FireHouse A&E Center.

MONDAY

The Jordan World Circus, Lynden - Be amazed by jaw-dropping performances, gravity-defying stunts, and non-stop thrills perfect for the whole family. Grab tickets.

Monday at Maritime, Maritime Heritage Park - Take a stroll, grab a bite, relax on a blanket, and soak up the spring vibes. It’s the perfect way to wind down your Monday and connect with your community. Get the deets.

Plutarch: Life of Alexander, The Fairhaven Program - Gather to discuss Plutarch's Life of Alexander. Plutarch's short biographies are collected in editions from Penguin Classics or Modern Library. Read and discuss.

Monday Music & Trivia →

TUESDAY

Community Night w. Sustainable Connections, Stones Throw - Connect with folks who share your love for all things local and sustainable with patio vibes, local beer raffles, and pizza. Learn about Sustainable Connections.

Bellingham Bells Opening Day - Bellingham Bells kick off their 2025 season against the Kamloops Northpaws. Join the fans.

Tuesday Music & Trivia →

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Hakuna matata

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Have a great Monday!!