Wed., April 1
Make the city better
Harbor Pride meets from 6 to 8 p.m. April 1 at Mi Pueblo Mexican restaurant in Oak Harbor to 6 to 8 p.m. Stop be and help make Oak Harbor an even better place to live. RSVP at 678-2030 or harborpride@gmail.com/.
Learn from water experts
Water professionals will gather April 1 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Branch, Skagit Valley College, Hayes Hall room 137, across from the library on the corner of Pioneer Way and Regatta Drive. A panel of water-related professionals will gather for presentations and discussion on local water quality issues, education, restoration, and pollution prevention programs.
Gem club opens doors
The Whidbey Island Gem Club meets April 1 at 7 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Senior Center. Evening includes door prizes, silent auction, coffee, cookies and a short program. Interested and potential members ages 8 and up are invited. Call 679-9297.
Thurs., April 2
Hear about long-term care
Republican Women’s Club of North Whidbey meets April 2 at 11:30 a.m. at El Cazador in Oak Harbor. Evelyn DeVries, administrator of Homeplace Special Care at Oak Harbor, will be speaking about long term care for those involved with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Everyone is welcome to attend this most informative luncheon meeting. Bring a friend. Contact Kristy Miller, president, or kristym@whidbey.net, or call 675-7954.
Newcomers get together
Newcomers Enjoying Whidbey (NEW) meets April 2 at Whidbey Golf & Country Club in Oak Harbor at 11 a.m. Reservations are required. Call 675-2099 for more information. The club is open to women who have moved to the island within the past two years and wish to expand their friendship base.
Save a life, have a treat
The Oak Harbor Lions Club will sponsor a blood drive for the Puget Sound
Blood Center on April 2, from noon to 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland St. All blood types are needed. Imagine saving a life! Homemade treats will be served.
Get ready for reading
Children ages 3 to 5 years enjoy stories, songs and getting ready to read with a parent or caregiver, April 2 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., at the Oak Harbor Library. A playtime or craft may follow Call 675-5115.
Disabled vets gather
Whidbey Island Disabled American Veterans Chapter 47 will hold their monthly meeting April 2 at 7 p.m. in Building 13 (big white building on the top of the hill on the left) in classroom A on the Seaplane Base. For further information please call the DAV office at 257-4801. Hope to see you all there.
Whidbey Weavers show-and-tell
Whidbey Weavers Guild meets April 2 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Quartermasters Building at Fort Casey. Business Meeting, program by Jannie Taylor and show-and-tell; bring a brown bag lunch. Learn the history and mystery of “shadow weave.” In addition, there will be a “trunk show” of shadow weave garments, household textiles and a wide variety of samples.
Fri., April 3
Arts members fling in spring
The Coupeville Arts Center hosts a members-only “Spring Fling” exhibition and sale April 3 at 5:30 p.m. Walk away with a tote bag of goodies just by attending and placing your name into the free drawing. Call 678-3396. The exhibition will remain up until May 19.
Farm mixes wine and art
First Friday at the Farm takes place April 3, mixing fine wines with fine art at the Greenbank Farm from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring Whidbey Island winemakers from Blooms Winery, Fishtalk Vineyards, Whidbey Island Winery, Holmes Harbor Cellars and Greenbank Cellars. At Rob Schouten Gallery, Artworks Gallery and Raven Rock Gallery, you can meet artists and wine makers alike while you sip, nibble on snacks and enjoy art and wine and music. Call 678-7700.
First Friday means dancing
The Country and Western Dance Club, EveryoneCanDance, and Dance On Whidbey invite dancers of all levels of ability to come learn, eat and dance. The First Friday Dance April 3 begins at 5:30 p.m. with a potluck dinner followed at 6:30 p.m., dance instruction by Judy HoganVan Wickler and Debbie Raden, with dancing at 7:30. Location is the Deer Lagoon Grange near Langley. Call Donna Hood at 360-341-1860, or email donnahood@whidbey.com.
Mystery of Storm Survivors
There’s been a murder at the Oak Harbor Library! Can you figure out whodunit? Join us for the live-action murder mystery, “Storm Survivors.” on April 3, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., at 1000 SE Regatta Dr. Snacks provided. Please come to the library to select your character by March 31. Grades 6 to 12. Supported by the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation. Call 675-5115 for more information.
Sat., April 4
Weavers hold annual spin-in
The Whidbey Weavers Guild invites all handspinners to its 38th annual
Spin-In Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oak Harbor High School, Parker Hall. Featured Spinner, Jill Laski, will give a presentation over both days on ”Color Design, from Conception to Completion.” There will also be fiber vendors galore, a basic spinning workshop, a raffle each day, door prizes and more. A donation of $25 is for both days and includes a fiber packet. For further information, see www.whidbeyweaversguild.org, or contact Ann Smith, 678-8486.
Hunt helps autistic kids
Bunny Brunch and Diamond Hunt hosted by Wintros Academy, school for children with autism, is set for April 4 at 10 a.m. at the Greenbank Farm. Cost to attend is $9 per child, $12 per adult, with brunch provided by Just Vel Catering. Other fun activities, too. Call 360-720=4831, or visit www.wintrosacademy.org.
Native plant fans gather
The Salal Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society will meet April 4, 10 a.m. to noon, at Angst Hall, Room 35, Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon. Susan Alaynick, chapter president, will present the program on conifers. Call Pat Youngman, 360-299-1495.
Mon., April 6
Anime, manga fans gather
Oak Harbor Anitakus Anime And Manga Club meets April 6 at 3 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Library, 1000 SE Regatta Rive. Are you a fan of anime and manga? Share your enthusiasm with other teens as we discuss your favorites. Bring your art to work on, too, Call 675-5115.
Tues., April 7
Live with your loss
“Living with Loss” begins April 7 and continues for six Tuesdays through May 12 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Whidbey General Hospital, Conference Room A. Cost is $55, scholarships available. The seminar is designed to help you work through the normal and needed process of grief that follows the death of a loved one. Pre-registration is required. Call 678-7656 ext. 4005. Register online at www.whidbeygen.org.
Navy League updated on EA-18G
Navy League Oak Harbor Area Council’s general membership luncheon is set for 11:30 a.m. April 7 at the CPO Club. An INTEL briefing will be followed by guest speaker, Cmdr. Derek Leney, EA-18G Fleet Introduction Team, who will speak about the transition from EA-6B to EA-18G in the fleet. All membership will want to attend and bring guests and prospective members.
Contact Dick Devlin, president, at dddevlin@comcast.net, or call 360-929-4451.
Wed., April 8
Join relay against cancer
North Whidbey Relay for Life Rally meets April 8 at 7 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Elk’s Club. Everyone is welcome to help plan the fight against cancer.
Library board sets meet
Oak Harbor Library board’s quarterly meeting is April 8, at 1 p.m., at 1000 SE Regatta Drive. Meetings are open to the public. Call 675-5115 for more information.
Impaired panel meets
The Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County presents its next
North Whidbey panel on DUI/underage drinking prevention April 8. Open to all, doors open 6:45 p.m., Hayes Hall 137 by Oak Harbor Library. Attendance required for both driver’s ed student and their parent by GS Defensive Driving, Munros’ Driving and Mr. John LaVassar of SWHS. Call 672-8219 or visit www.idipic.org.
Thurs., April 9
Discussing ‘Highest Tide’
The community’s Whidbey Reads 2009 one-book program is well underway. With assistance from the Friends of the Whidbey Island Libraries, some 350 copies of The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch, including eight talking books, have been flying off the shelves at the five Whidbey Island Sno-Isle Libraries. Book groups throughout Whidbey Island are discussing the book. Join the discussion at Oak Harbor Library on April 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Sat., April 11
Firefighters, bunnies and eggs
The North Whidbey Firefighters Association is having their annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 11 at 1 p.m. sharp at Taylor Road Fire Station, 3440 Taylor Road. Egg hunt areas will be divided into age groups. All children 10 years old and younger are invited to join the fun. There will be prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny!
Tack sale benefits horses
Whidbey Island Rescue for Equines will be have their annual tack sale April 11, at 1258 Silver Lake Rd., Oak Harbor. There will be both new and used tack, as well as other horse-related items that will be sold at discounted prices, beginning at 10 a.m. Call 675-9252. All proceeds will go to benefit the horses at WIRE.
Keep our beaches clean
The community beach cleanup April 11 will be at Joseph Whidbey State Park at 10 a.m. and the Ebey Road end at 1 p.m. Show up or call Cheryl May at 678-4100.
Watery types get together
The Whidbey Island Water Systems Association is sponsoring an Island County Water Symposium April 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Coupeville High School Performing Arts Center. Water managers and water board members of water systems are encouraged to attend. This event is free to the first 150 people to sign up. Lunch and refreshments will be provided to the first 150, after that the cost is for your lunch $15. Request a pre-registration form by e-mail from Joe at jkwaldrup2@verizon, or send a request to: WIWSA
P.O. Box 1636, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. This will be a great day for sharing information from the Washington State Dept. of Health, Island County Health and other speakers about water systems.
Workshop calls your bluff
The free Sound Gardening Workshop is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 11 at the Coupeville Rec Hall, 901 N. Alexander. Primarily intended for beach and bluff residents, but all are welcome. Speakers will talk about the basics of bluff stability; use of native plants; noxious weed identification and control; how to create your own compost; and how to build a rain garden. Pre-registration is required; for more details or to register, contact Scott Chase, Island County Shore Stewards, at schase@wsu.edu, or call 360- 387-3443, ext 258.
Grand old work party
Dig into the volunteer Grand Old Oak Community Garden Care project from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 11 at the Oak Harbor Post Office. All ages, and families are welcome. Bring garden tools and gloves if you have them. RSVP by calling-679-1255.
SeaNotes play at Elks dance
The SeaNotes, Whidbey’s resident big band, will play music for all styles of social dancing, including swing, foxtrot, waltzes, the Latin styles, night club 2-step, and others, April 11 at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge. The dance is open to the public and runs from 7:30 10:30 p.m. Admission is $10 $8 for students and teens.
Sun., April 12
Hunt eggs at the farm
Greenbank Farm will be host Easter Sunday to families and kids who want to
have some fun and hunt for eggs from noon to 1 p.m. Come for fun, treats,
wine tasting, shopping and more. Have a piece of pie at Whidbey Pies Cafe
and view the lovely gardens under renovation by Master Gardeners. Visit the
agricultural area where the local farmer training Consumer Supported
Agricultural center is and walk the myriad of trails on over 100 acres,
which includes wildlife viewing and bird watching. There’s lots to do at the farm. Visit www.greenbankfarm.com.
Tues., April 14
AAUW fetes young scholars
The American Association of University Women will host their annual Scholars Night Reception on April 14 at Coupeville United Methodist Church. The 7 p.m. event will honor three girls from each of the three high schools on Whidbey Island. They were selected for their achievements in science or mathematics or technology. The public is invited.
Both genders welcome here
The Oak Harbor Garden Club will meet at 9 a.m. April 14, at the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church. Please join us for snacks and social time and a program that is always informative. Male and female members and prospective members are welcome. For more information please call Marjorie at 675-6151 or Gail at 675-5723.
Wed., April 15
Talk development, eat breakfast
An Open House for Landscapers, Home Owners Associations and Property Managers April 15, 8 to 9:30 a.m., at Oak Harbor’s Maintenance Shop at 1400 NE 16th St. On tax day, let the city serve you breakfast! Discuss water conservation, irrigation systems, storm water and Low Impact Development, bio-retention ponds and control devices, how to properly handle pesticides and fertilizers, natural landscaping, native plants and noxious weeds. RSVP 279-4762.
Thurs., April 16
Mayors report on our towns
The League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island is presenting “The State of our Cities and Towns” on April 16 at 7 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall. Whidbey Island Mayors Nancy Conard of Coupeville, Paul Samuelson of Langley and Jim Slowik of Oak Harbor will share the strengths and challenges of their cities and towns, as well as discuss ways we can all support each other. This event is free and open to the public. Contact LWVWI President Mendy Mclean-Stone with any questions at 678-5567, or mmclean-stone@hotmail.com.
Program has ups and downs
The Rise and Fall of Puget Sound will be presented at 7 p.m. April 16 at the Coupeville Library, presented by Island County Beachwatchers. The discussion is part of the Whidbey Reads 2009 series celebrating “The Highest Tide” by Jim Lynch.
Sat., April 18
Art for History Weekend
Artists from Whidbey Island are invited to display and offer their work for sale at the Island County Historical Museum in Coupeville, April 18 and 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 11 to 4 Sunday. Artists will display work of various subjects with a special emphasis on historic buildings or events in Island County history. A portion of art sale proceeds will benefit the operations and development of programs at the museum. Call 678-3310.
Grow your own dahlias
What could be more satisfying than growing award-winning dahlias right in your very own yard? Join other gardeners at Whidbey Island’s popular Swede Hill Dahlia Sunflower Farm, 3116 Swede Hill Road, Clinton, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn the “how-to-do-its” from John and Kathy Willson, who have cut more than 10,000 dahlia stems annually for the past ten years. Cost, $30 per person. Email jwillson@whidbey.com or call 360-579-2590.
Thurs., April 23
Spend high school in college
Skagit Valley College will host an information session regarding Running Start and Tech Prep programs April 23 from 7 to 8 p.m. in Hodson Hall 112, which is located at the Mount Vernon Campus. These programs allow high school students, who qualify, to gain college and high school credit simultaneously for classes completed. Contact Rose Brierley, 360-416-7632, or email rose.brierley@skagit.edu.
Fri., April 24
Youth summit visits Coupeville
The fourth annual State of Island County Children and Youth Summit will be held April 24 at the Coupeville United Methodist Church, sponsored by the Island County Children’s Commission with Partners for Young Children.
Join them for a day of connecting with: Current data about how children and youth are doing in Island County and how well we are serving them; legislative updates from our regional, state, and federal governments; strategies to support our children and youth; and collaborations during this critically shifting time. RSVP at your earliest convenience to Dan Bond, staff to Island County Children’s Commission, at DanB@co.island.wa.us.
Splish, splash, have some fun
“Can You Make That Puget Sound?” will be presented April 24, 1 p.m., at the Coupeville Elementary School Multipurpose Room, as the early release day program. Charlie Williams, the Noiseguy, creates splishy, splashy fun for everyone. With your eyes closed, you will believe you are at the beach hearing ocean waves and the sounds of sea life. Funded by the Coupeville Elementary School PTA, the Coupeville Lions, and the Friends of the Coupeville Library.
Sat., April 25
Be a bike buff
Take part in the bike clinic at the Oak Harbor City Marina followed by a guided ride on the waterfront. Learn to care for your bike, fix a flat and get safety tips for cyclists, then go on a guided ride. Clinic runs from 1 to 2 p.m. Now you’re ready for the Like2Bike Whidbey Campaign through the month of May! Call 279-4762 for more information.
Sun., May 3
North Whidbey’s Sustainability Fair at Skagit Valley College in Oak Harbor will run from noon through 5 p.m. Dance to marimba music, attend classes, bring the kids for children’s activities, shop at a mini-farmer’s market and eat local food. The Like2Bike Whidbey Campaign will be officially launched at 4 p.m. Bring your own bike for a guided ride along the waterfront. Call 279-4762 for more information.
Mon., May 4
Lunch and card party
The Polly Harpole Hospital Guild is sponsoring its largest fundraiser of the year for Whidbey General Hospital, to benefit the hospital’s wish list. Attend a special luncheon May 4 at either noon or 1 p.m., your choice, for only $10. Enjoy a variety of card and table games starting at 11:30 a.m. for $15. Lunch will feature chicken, pea, and fruit salads. This always fun activity will take place in Centennial Hall at the First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland St., Oak Harbor. All reservations must be in by April 28. For tickets or further information, contact Renee Faber at 675-1271. For information about joining the guild, contact Carolyn Milat at 675-4850.
