Happy weekend, Whidbey Island! In today’s happening-today edition: Teacher of the year, cinnamon-roll magic, and a Pride parade + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Honoring a devoted educator: Oak Harbor’s Carlene Ogren was named regional Teacher of the Year for championing students in need, and will compete for 2027 Washington State Teacher of the Year -- meet the teacher of the year.
A bakery worth the detour: Coupeville’s Little Red Hen turns out pillowy, frosting-laced cinnamon rolls and crackling loaves inside a tiny storefront. The attention to detail makes every morning taste a little magical -- taste the cinnamon-roll magic.
Waterfront fan zone fun: A Langley to Everett foot ferry is running through August 29, with four free all-ages watch parties at Boxcar Park featuring live match broadcasts and a beer garden -- see what’s planned here.
Thoughtful Father's Day gifts, ready by Sunday. Father's Day is tomorrow, which makes shipping anything now a gamble you'll probably lose. Skip it entirely. A whole range of Father's Day gifts is ready for same-day pickup in hours, so something personal is well within reach by tomorrow. -- get it today.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Backyard getaway, sorted: Cliffside RV Park gives you sunset views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca, easy beach access, walking paths, and pavilions with grills, plus free Wi‑Fi and laundry. If you’ve got base access or a sponsor, it’s an effortless staycation that feels delightfully far from errands.
Nautical night out: Kraken’s Cove serves up laid back steak-and-seafood comfort, window-seat harbor views, and a full calendar of live music, open mic, DJ nights, and karaoke. When the island feels a little too sleepy, this is where Oak Harbor wakes up... and your week instantly gets better.
Fix that slice already: Your on-island excuse for a smoother round is here. Rebecca Brooks Golf Lessons helps Whidbey golfers of every level groove real, repeatable swings, from first-time jitters to mid-season slumps. Book a lesson now and watch your next round feel less ‘search party’ and more ‘fairway casual.’
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🥕 Bayview Farmers Market @ Bayview Corner (Langley) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’re hunting peak peaches or a saucy new hot sauce, Bayview Farmers Market serves up live tunes, handmade finds, and plenty of neighborly gossip. Stroll the stalls, sip a coffee, and pretend you only came for greens. Running all season through fall.
📚 Friends of the Clinton Library Book Sale @ Clinton Community Hall | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Whether you hoard hardcovers or just need a new mystery for the ferry, the Friends' book sale at Clinton Community Hall is the score. Expect stacks of loved reads, neighborly gossip, and that library-dust perfume, all priced to part you politely from a few singles.
🪁 Whidbey Island Kite Fliers Fun Fly @ Fort Casey State Park (Coupeville) | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Feel like letting the wind do the work? Whidbey Island’s Kite Fliers Fun Fly is a breezy excuse to park by the water, watch a sky full of color, and pretend it counts as cardio. Bring a kite, a Discover Pass, and your inner kid.
🎂 Father's Day Cake & Cookie Decorating Event @ The Goose Community Grocer (Langley) | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Make Father's Day sweet at the Goose, decorating a heart cake for $12.99 or a jumbo cookie for $16.99. Buy your treat, flash the receipt, then get artsy while Dad samples the pours, crushes a chili dog, and claims he invented sprinkles.
🏳 South Whidbey Pride Parade @ Downtown Langley | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Nothing beats a brass band leading a Pride parade through downtown Langley, then a joyful hangout at SWCC. South Whidbey shows up, shows color, and brings the heart, courtesy of Mutiny Bay Brass Band, neighbors, and plenty of glitter. Sensible shoes, big smiles.
🛠 Repair Cafe @ South Whidbey Community Center (Langley) | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Bring that busted lamp, wobbly chair, or sweater with a tragic hole to the Repair Cafe, where volunteer fixers mend it by donation. It’s at South Whidbey Community Center’s Art Cafe, the old cafeteria by the gym on Camano Ave, because of course it is.
🪵 Olive Wood Pen Turning Class @ Ember & Elegance (Oak Harbor) | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Skip the plastic clicker and turn your own Holy Land olive wood pen at Ember & Elegance, with Tim guiding a lathe safety, tool control, and finishing crash course on SE Pioneer. It’s $50, and you will guard a pen like a family heirloom. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Whidbey Island report Weather forecastToday — High: 74°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 74°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 74. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. This house is wildPerched above coveted Bells Beach, this extensively remodeled coastal retreat pairs sweeping Salish Sea and Cascade Mountain views with polished 2024 updates. A Wolf-equipped kitchen, designer lighting, artisan shelving, new decking, and a metal roof set the tone. The luxe primary suite feels spa-like, while the refreshed lower level adds a second kitchen, flex space, and extra laundry.
Take a peek inside → |
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