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Hi Whidbey Island, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Blue Fox Drive-In nostalgia, a Chinook airlifting a World War II Catalina, Murder on the Links, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Small town rhythms and history: A January 26 feature spotlights ten Washington towns where life moves slower, and Coupeville makes the list. Think easy mornings, leisurely cafes, and farmers markets where conversations linger — check out the full lineup.
A throwback night out: Beloved by Whidbey locals and visitors, Oak Harbor’s Blue Fox Drive-In delivers nostalgic movie nights with radio audio, an arcade of vintage and modern games, plus popcorn, pizza, and milkshakes — read the full story.
Where neighborly spirit endures: Coupeville makes a recent list of ten peaceful Washington towns where neighbors still know each other, alongside Sequim and Steilacoom, highlighting small town warmth and inviting downtowns close to home — get the full list.
Nonprofit leader champions food choice: Jonathan Kline has been named executive director at Good Cheer in South Whidbey, with experience from Skagit Friendship House and Whidbey Homeless Coalition to strengthen access and farmer partnerships — get his plans and background.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Long-awaited museum arrival: A Washington Army National Guard Chinook airlifted a World War II PBY-5A Catalina from downtown Oak Harbor to the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum on January 21, 2025. The aircraft first operated from Whidbey Island in 1942 and now rests at its permanent home, honoring the island’s aviation roots. See how it came together.
Arrive by kayak: Fort Worden Historical State Park in Port Townsend is a former military base turned coastal getaway with beaches, tunnels, and camping. The park holds more than 100 historic structures and bunkers, with shoreline views and trails. It sits just across Admiralty Inlet from Fort Casey on Whidbey. Read the full story.
Seasonal comfort, unlocked: The Oystercatcher in Coupeville is a farm-to-table standby where the menu follows Whidbey’s seasons, with just-baked bread, Penn Cove shellfish, and vegetables so fresh they might have biked over. Ideal for weeknights when dinner should feel like a little celebration.
Kitchen refresh, anyone? From replacing that wobbly nonstick to snagging a real griddle, Bayview Appliance and Mattress Center stocks cookware, bakeware, and coffee-and-espresso gear. Practical upgrades you’ll actually use, from sturdy pans to small appliances, all close to home in Langley.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🔭 JWST: The Very Latest Discoveries, Mysteries, and Controversies @ Freeland Library – Sno-Isle Libraries | Friday (2/27) at 2:00 PM – Think you know the night sky? This talk dives into the James Webb Space Telescope’s images, fresh discoveries, lingering mysteries, and a few controversies, all explained without a PhD. Your chance to time-travel billions of years, then argue about it over coffee.
✍ Meet the Author: Barbara Bennett @ Langley Library – Sno-Isle Libraries | Friday (2/27) at 2:00 PM – Author Barbara Bennett is sharing excerpts from her new memoir, Dialogue with Kelsey, and opening a candid conversation about loss, love, and healing. It is tender, honest, and very human. Bring tissues, blame allergies, and maybe call your people after.
🐦 Beached Bird Training @ Coupeville Library | Saturday (2/28) at 1:00 PM – Whether you’re a beachcomber or just need an excuse to wander Whidbey’s shoreline, COASST trains you to survey beached birds, no lab coat required. Bring a buddy, curiosity, and a refundable $31 kit deposit, scholarships available. RSVP to [email protected] for the Whidbey training.
🎶 Dogcrush and more @ Koneksi Co-Creative Gallery | Saturday (2/28) at 5:30 PM – Consider this your communal tune-up: music and art as Dogcrush facilitates a Friendship Ceremony, plus songs about digestion and devotion, with Annie Jesperson, Ashley Eriksson, Eli Moore, and San Juan’s Glenn Hendrick. Quirky, wistful, a touch apocalyptic. Bring cash, grab an NA bev, masks encouraged.
🎭 Family Variety Show @ Whidbey Playhouse Inc | Saturday (2/28) at 7:00 PM – If you miss the days when entertainment meant people on a stage, not buffering, hit the Whidbey Playhouse Family Variety Show for music, comedy, and magic from island talent. Family friendly, locally made, and every laugh chips in for the Theatre Improvement Fund.
🎤 Kelley Johnson Trio @ Ott & Hunter Wines | Saturday (2/28) at 7:00 PM – Upgrade date night at Ott & Hunter’s tasting room with the Kelley Johnson Trio, an intimate jazz set with that Langley view and better vocals. Sip something red, let the room do its cozy magic, and pretend you planned culture. Tickets are $30, worth it.
🕵 Murder on the Links @ Whidbey Island Center for the Arts | Saturday (2/28) at 7:30 PM – WICA is teeing up a classic whodunit with Murder on the Links in Zech Hall. Expect Agatha-worthy banter, slippery suspects, and bodies on the fairway, no golf shoes required. A cozy Langley night out, perfect with a glass of red and your sharpest alibi.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Whidbey Island report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 51°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 69%
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 51, with temperatures falling to around 48 in the afternoon. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 48°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 56%
Rain likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 48. West southwest wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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