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Rise and shine, Whidbey Island!

In today’s planning-your-week edition: Epic eats worth the drive, city hires falconer to shoo gulls, and kids pay age for axe throwing + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Whidbey Island protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Epic eats worth the drive: A roundup spotlights nine underrated restaurants beyond Seattle, naming gems on Whidbey Island, San Juan Islands, and Skagit Valley, from seafood to pizza with views in Village by the Sea — check out the full lineup.

Choice-based pantry model: Good Cheer in South Whidbey named Jonathan Kline executive director in February, after leading Skagit Friendship House and Whidbey Homeless Coalition, focusing on food security and partnerships with local farmers — read the full story.

City embraces natural deterrent: Oak Harbor has hired a local falconer to shoo pesky gulls from big commercial rooftops. The pilot starts this month and runs through July, with staff tracking cleanliness and runoff — see what’s planned and funded.

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.

Highlights this week:

• Learn to reduce your diabetes risk
• Kids pay their age for axe throwing
• Sip and paint bright wildflowers
• You’re probably overpaying for car insurance

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 We got your back

Where wings meet pints: Taproom@Bayview Corner does crispy buttermilk wings, tossed in buffalo, honey buffalo, BBQ, or honey garlic, with a lineup of local beers to back them up. A low-key, weeknight fix for saucy cravings that doesn’t require leaving the island.

Small-batch self-care fix: In its Coupeville shop, Lavender Wind handcrafts soaps, lotions, balms, and other lavender-forward bath treats, turning Monday bathrooms into summer fields. The result is soft lather, herbaceous calm, and a wink of island-local smugness from goods made where the lavender grows.

Make room for mulligans: Whidbey Golf Club is your sunny-day standby, walkable and friendly, with just enough bite to make that one pure shot echo all week. Bring a buddy, sneak in nine or go full eighteen, and let the island trees play gallery.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Our favorite events this week

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.

🎨 “Lucky Gnome” Paint ‘n Sip @ Barrington’s Irish Bar and Grill | Monday (3/2) at 6:00 PM – Swap doomscrolling for a pint and a paintbrush at Barrington’s Irish Bar & Grill, where you’ll whip up a Lucky Gnome, fun art not fine art, with zero experience required. Supplies, light instruction, and cheerful chaos included. You buy the shepherd’s pie and something cold.

👪 Family Resource Night @ Oak Harbor Intermediate School | Tuesday (3/3) at 5:30 PM – North Whidbey’s Family Resource Night is basically the island’s cheat sheet for parenting, with fun, food, and local services all in one room. Bring the kids, grab a bite, and pick up what you need. Helpful, not preachy, and easier than the Deception Pass crawl.

🎸 Mysterium @ Double Bluff Brewing Company | Saturday (3/7) at 5:00 PM – Andre Feriante teams up with Eric Fridrich for Flamenco, Blues, and world vibes you can actually feel, not just name-drop. No cover, so tip like a local, then refuel with Ikaika Grill. Kid and dog friendly, because babysitters and kennels are expensive.

🎨 Art Reception: Body of Work @ Koneksi Co-Creative Gallery | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Head to the Clinton gallery for BODY of WORK, a multimedia show by res plumata on chronic illness, invisible disability, and becoming again. Artist reception is a fundraiser with live music by Lauren Flynn with Corbyn Orchard, originals, prints, and less small talk, more soul.

🍤 OHLCF 75th Anniversary Seafood Extravaganza @ Elks Lodge Oak Harbor | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Grab your bib and head to the Elks for the Lions’ 75th Anniversary Seafood Extravaganza, where Bairdi crab, mussels, shrimp alfredo, and prime rib meet Marty and The Moontans. Eat well, support local vision and youth programs, hit the raffles, and maybe win a cake.

💃 Line Dancing @ Orlando’s Southern BBQ – Food, Beer & Cocktails | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 PM – Whether you two-step like a pro or line up for brisket, Gigi’s free, no-experience-needed line dancing is back at Orlando’s Southern BBQ in Oak Harbor. She teaches the first hour, then takes requests, so bring a friend, shoes, a portable fan, and sense of humor.

🎉 Family & Friends Fun Day @ Tossin’ Axes | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – If the crew needs a Sunday ritual, head to Tossin’ Axes where kids throw for their age per hour, because nothing says family time like supervised sharp objects. Join the Family to add relatives for $20 each, snag perks, and members-only parties.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/4 Open Mic Wednesday @ Bailey’s Corner Store – 6:30 PM
• 3/6 The Buckets @ Dancing Fish Vineyards – 5:30 PM
• 3/7 Date Night @ Tossin’ Axes – 2:00 PM
• 3/7 Mysterium @ Double Bluff Brewing Company – 5:00 PM
• 3/7 The Nick Mardon Trio @ Ott & Hunter Winery Tasting Room – 6:00 PM
• 3/8 Sip, Sit & Enjoy @ Comforts of Whidbey Winery – 3:00 PM
• 3/9 Spring Band Concert @ Oak Harbor High School – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 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.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• Treat yourself: Save $ on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Whidbey Island report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 53°F – Low: 42°F – Precip: 2%

Patchy fog before 7am. Mostly sunny. High near 53, with temperatures falling to around 50 in the afternoon. South southeast wind around 3 mph. Later: A chance of rain after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southeast wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 53°F – Low: 43°F – Precip: 99%

Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 53. South southeast wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This meticulously renovated beachfront retreat pairs panoramic ocean views with front-row sunsets, whales breaching offshore, and eagles overhead. Expansive view decks and walls of windows bring the coast inside, while a modern kitchen and spa-like baths elevate daily living. A dedicated game and recreation room boosts fun. Established as a high-performing short-term rental with durable, guest-friendly upgrades.

Take a peek inside →