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Hey Whidbey Island, hope your week’s off to a good start! Blue Fox Drive-In nostalgia, underrated island eats, a Seusstacular celebration, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Puget Sound adventure hub: Cama Beach Historical State Park near Camano Island State Park offers 15 miles of trails, shoreline access, and the Cama Beach Cafe. Open 8 a.m. to dusk, $10 day pass — get all the details.
Steps toward clean audit: At NAS Whidbey Island, Capt. Bill Barich of NAVSUP FLC Puget Sound conducted a spot check as part of monthly audit prep for FY 2026, reporting 100 percent inventory accuracy — read the full story.
Worth the drive regional eats: A recent roundup spotlights underrated restaurants outside Seattle, with Whidbey Island and nearby islands praised for fresh seafood, standout sandwiches, and truly scenic pizza views — see where to eat.
Where simple living shines: On January 27, a roundup spotlighted 10 peaceful, affordable Washington towns for debt-free living, including Coupeville, praised for water views and prices gentler than big cities — explore all 10 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 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
A sensory trip to yesteryear: Blue Fox Drive-In in Oak Harbor is a nostalgic local gem, with Friday night double features and a retro snack bar serving popcorn, hot dogs, and milkshakes. The low-tech charm and efficient staff draw visitors from across Washington for a classic Whidbey night. See what makes it special.
Hospital leadership shake-up: After staff pushback, WhidbeyHealth’s board reversed its Jan. 22 move to dismiss CEO Nathan Staggs. Staggs thanked employees, medical staff, and community members. The board also removed Marian Jouas as president and reinstated former board president James Golder. Read the full story.
Weeknight boredom buster: Tossin’ Axes is your no-fuss local hangout…think satisfying axe throws, button-mashing arcade runs, friendly billiards smack talk, and pinball nostalgia. All ages welcome. Shake off cabin fever or surprise the crew with something actually fun on a soggy Whidbey evening.
Closet refresh, island-style: For a smart wardrobe swap without the splurge, Designer Consigner on Whidbey offers a well-edited mix of women’s pieces in all sizes, established in 2015 on South Whidbey. Expect guilt-free treasure hunting and a closet that feels satisfyingly upgraded.
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 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.
This week
📚 Author Talk @ Oak Harbor Library – Sno-Isle Libraries | Tuesday (2/24) at 3:00 PM – This library talk brings award-winning author Kay Smith-Blum to the heart of town, unpacking the deep-dive research behind her books. Expect smart conversation, friendly faces, and that just-right library hush. Perfect excuse to linger downtown, run an errand, and call it culture.
🥫 Food Resilience Working Group @ Langley Library – Sno-Isle Libraries | Tuesday (2/24) at 4:00 PM – Join neighbors for a practical, roll-up-your-sleeves chat about making Whidbey’s food system sturdier, from backing our farmers to swapping seeds, recipes, and know-how. Because when the ferry pouts and the wind blows, you will be glad your pantry, garden, and community are ready.
🧱 Lego @ Oak Harbor Library – Sno-Isle Libraries | Wednesday (2/25) at 3:45 PM – Bring the kids, grandkids, or your inner eight-year-old to the library for a low-stress LEGO session. They supply the bricks, you bring the imagination, and nobody has to fish pieces out of the couch later. Build, swap ideas, admire mini-masterpieces, leave with your sanity.
This weekend
🏃 Rock Solid Marathon, Half Marathon @ Captain Whidbey | Saturday (2/28) at 8:30 AM – Think your knees remember what 13 or 26 feels like? The Rock Solid Marathon and Half return to Coupeville with island views, rolling hills, and that honest Whidbey wind, then you can limp to town for coffee, chowder, and smug satisfaction.
✂ Fruit Tree and Vine Pruning @ Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship | Saturday (2/28) at 10:00 AM – South Whidbey Tilth is turning pruning into both science and sport, with a classroom deep dive followed by a hands-on orchard lab. Expect smart cuts, not hacks, and gear up for classic island weather, meaning cold, damp, and on unless it is pouring.
🧵 Saturday Stitch and Sip @ The Book Rack – Oak Harbor | Saturday (2/28) at 10:30 AM – If your knitting keeps knotting, or you just need out, hit The Book Rack’s Saturday Stitch and Sip. Grab a latte or pastry from the cafe, join the all-ages craft crew in the game room, bring your project, and skip outside food or drinks.
🎩 Seusstacular Celebration @ Convergence Zone, NASWI | Saturday (2/28) at 12:00 PM – If your inner kid still laughs at rhymes and striped hats, head to the CZ for a Seuss-soaked celebration. Expect whimsical fun, silly verses, and bookish adventures, all free, all ages, all delightfully ridiculous. Think storytime vibes, minus the nap.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Whidbey Island report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 46°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 46%
A chance of rain. Partly sunny. High near 46, with temperatures falling to around 43 in the afternoon. North northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. West northwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 48°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 65%
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. South wind around 9 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. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
This house is wild
This architecturally refined Cape Cod crowns a high-bank shoreline with private tideland rights and cinematic views from Mount Baker to Oak Harbor Bay. Massive windows frame the scenery across a 3,303-square-foot plan that flows to a balcony. A secluded primary suite sits upstairs. The lower level adds a bar, family room, and bedroom opening to covered patios. Oversized garage included.
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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