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Hello Whidbey Island! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Blue Fox Drive-In nostalgia, ten slow-paced Washington towns, and St. Patrick’s karaoke and bingo + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Whidbey Island movie destination: Blue Fox Drive-In in Oak Harbor remains a nostalgic favorite, offering blockbuster nights with car radio sound, an arcade of vintage and modern games, and snacks like popcorn and milkshakes — get all the details.
Leaders champion inventory integrity: At NAS Whidbey Island, NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound’s Capt. Bill Barich continues monthly spot checks as the command prepares for a 2026 federal audit, with recent checks showing perfect accuracy — see how they are preparing.
Small-town serenity awaits: A January roundup highlights ten slow paced Washington towns where life stays simple, featuring Coupeville and Sequim with unhurried cafes, friendly farmers markets, and Puget Sound views close to home — discover all ten towns.
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 they’re 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/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.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Not-your-average night out: Oystercatcher goes all-in on hyper-seasonal, scratch-made plates, pulling flavors from the Salish Sea and nearby farms. An open kitchen turns dinner into a backstage pass, with cozy drama and zero fuss. The easy local flex when you want weeknight plans to feel a little special.
Dial in your layers: Camp Kid keeps Whidbey weekends rolling with quality men’s clothing and practical gear for drizzle, driftwood scrambles, and spontaneous Deception Pass detours. In downtown Oak Harbor, it’s a relaxed spot when you want a better jacket, warmer beanie, or simply a nudge to get outside.
Movie night, upgraded: Oak Harbor Cinemas just leveled up with comfy rocker seats, VIP motorized recliners, and a CineBar pouring beer and wine, so you can settle in without leaving the island. Ideal for a chill weeknight or snagging the big release minus the crowds.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
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.
🪓 Students Homework Break @ Tossin’ Axes | Wednesday (3/4) at 2:00 PM – Whether your kid is cramming algebra or your grad is dodging thesis edits, Wednesdays mean half price axe throwing for students of all ages. Call it a homework break, call it PE, breathe, and let the chips, and axes, fly.
🎲 Knights Club Bingo @ Knights Club of Oak Harbor | Wednesday (3/4) at 5:30 PM – Knights Club Bingo is dealing out cards and snacks to anyone who still knows the thrill of yelling BINGO without pulling a muscle. It’s low-stakes, high-sass community time, with good-natured rivalries, crumbly cookies, and your lucky dabber getting a workout.
🤝 Options Meet and Greet @ MSE Whidbey | Wednesday (3/4) at 6:30 PM – School search season calls for straight answers, fewer Facebook rabbit holes. Meet folks from Market Square Education and MSE Whidbey for a clear, no-drama rundown of tuition-free ALE and Open Doors, plus private options, and even choices beyond them, all about what fits your student.
🎳 Winter Strike for College @ Oak Bowl & Mario’s Pizza | Friday (3/6) at 4:00 PM – Got kids with cabin fever and decent aim? This winter league lets ages 6 to 17 bowl Fridays, learn sportsmanship, sharpen lifelong bowling skills, and stash a little cash for college, all for $14.25 per week. Sign up at the alley, or online.
🔬 Girls’ STEM Night (6th-8th) @ Oak Harbor High School | Saturday (3/7) at 5:00 PM – Got a middle schooler who can outsmart your WiFi? Team 2980’s annual Girls’ STEM Night has a Saturday session for 6th through 8th graders, with hands-on tinkering, low pressure learning, and plenty of aha moments. Save your kitchen table, and sign up.
🎉 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.
🎶 Spring Band Concert @ Oak Harbor High School | Monday (3/9) at 7:00 PM – Spring calls for brass, reeds, and proud-parent smiles. The students take the stage with Jazz Band, Concert Jazz, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band. Real talent, names you probably recognize, and applause that warms the room more than any space heater.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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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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📻 Whidbey Island report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 52°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 95%
Rain. Cloudy. High near 52, with temperatures falling to around 49 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 49°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 75%
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth 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
Northwest Contemporary meets French Country in this light-filled Whidbey Island home with views across Penn Cove to Long Point. Expansive windows, soaring ceilings, solid cherry floors, and a marble entry set a refined tone. A main-floor primary, entertainer’s kitchen, wet-bar family room, theater, and wraparound deck pair with a lower level featuring entrance, parking, patio, and guest or rental potential.
Take a peek inside →
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