Get On The Hamster Wheel Newsletter

The Wheel’s Newsletter’s 2026 theme

I love highlighting all the things in Bellingham and some of the great Bellingham highlights are these ethereal creations that locals have developed to fill a need we didn’t even know we were missing!

One of those that appeared for me was in October 2024 in the form of the The Hamster Wheel. A curated newsletter that appears in my inbox three (!!!) times a week and is run by a local — is amazing.

What is The Wheel Newsletter?

It’s an e-newsletter that locals, weekenders, and wanderers subscribe to, to get all the insights in the best events, hidden gems, and local stories.

My Bellingham Blog newsletter sends the latest blog post, and showcases an event and open houses, but Bellingham’s #1 Newsletter takes it a step further!

The Author, Evan, finds photos, has developed Daily Games, a Bellingham Tides Chart, curates stories from social media platforms, local government happenings, local reads like The Salish Current, WWU’s Western Front and local writers — even my blog, (I am so grateful to have been featured here and there!!) and the list goes on! A Civic Corner, Volunteer Opportunities, Food Trucks locations, events, AND more?!

The Hamster Behind the Wheel

I am truly so thrilled I jumped on the Wheel so early on and got to email back and forth with one of it’s creators, Evan, years ago. It was when I was debating what I wanted my own corner of the internet to look like, should I do a newsletter, a blog? Obviously, the blog idea won out for about a month until someone said, “Do you also have a newsletter?” Evan graciously shared their insight into the process and I have loved watching The Hamster Wheel transform.

It started with a little cartoon (Hamtaro anyone?) hamster on a wheel and an intro from creators behind the wheel. In 2025, we had the addition of a stunning purple crow fly into the theme. The Hamster Wheel Instagram began to develop. They created those extra webpages for clarity, and easily updateable info.

Whether you call it The Hamster Wheel, The Wheel, or Bellingham Hamster Wheel, the hamster emoji (🐹) has always been a part of the newsletter subject line and signing up is just an email away!

Support the Wheel!

Signing up is one thing. But like all local things, they start with a love, a passion, and joy. But that doesn’t mean they don’t come at a cost. Just like BIKE Bellingham, local theatre, and so many other creations, my own blog included it costs real money and time to be passionate. Which is why I love that dispersed throughout the newsletters is a call out that says:

“The Hamster Wheel is 100% free to read, independently owned, and locally operated (heck, it’s just me). Your contributions help keep The Wheel rolling! ~ Evan”

You can contribute to support Evan and the Hamster Wheel. I think it’s important to showcase this because makers often just create things but there is a reality and bills, taxes, and all those fun things do add up. Also, if nothing else, check out the Hamster Wheel Contributions page just to giggle at the donor titles.

10,000+ People Are Already On the Wheel! Are you?

As someone who has loved The Wheel from the beginning it brings me absolute joy to write this blog post for them. To have so many local goodies gathered and delivered right to my inbox so consistently just feels like I’m in the loop beyond my own exploring. Bellingham is a place where passion hits the ground (wheel?) and keeps on going. I wish The Wheel the absolute best and can’t wait to see that little hamster face in my inbox soon!