Love that jazz …

Bet you can’t sit still when you hear it. And you’ll kick yourself if you miss an unforgettable performance coming to the South Whidbey High School Auditorium on Wednesday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. Last year’s show was a sell-out.

Jazz bands and ensembles from area middle and high schools in Oak Harbor, Coupeville and South Whidbey will take the stage. Proceeds are distributed in college scholarships to Whidbey Island high school seniors. To date, over $45,000 in scholarships has been awarded.

Some of the young people previously honored are COLBY WILEY, DAVID VOYE, ALEXANDRIA HALL, GARY WALTRIP, SARAH BOON, CHRISTINA QUEENO, TAYLOR PRUSS, ERIC WILEY, MATT FROST, COURTNEY JONES, RAY TOGSTAD, BONNIE HANSON, RAY SHELLY, SEAN OWEN, CHRISTOPHER BUCHANAN, DOUGLAS MEIS, MELISSA HENDRICKS, CHRISTY LYNCH, ADORA OLSON, PATRICK MANUEL (former Coupeville band director), JASON LEGAT, CAMERON WILLIAMS, NATHAN LEADBETTER, MELISSA ROUW and STEPHANIE MECHE.

This is not a competition, but a celebration of youth featuring arrangements by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and others as interpreted by the South Whidbey High School Jazz Band, Oak Harbor Jazz Bands, the Coupeville Middle School Jazz Band and the Langley Middle School Jazz Band.

Tickets are only $6 and can be purchased at Whidbey Music, Discount Party or The Daily Grind.

Anyone can

grow zucchini …

Now a giant pumpkin, that’s another matter.

To get you started, sponsors of the tenth annual Whidbey Island Giant Pumpkin Contest want to give you free giant pumpkin seeds.

Find a spot that’s big enough to grow a monster and maybe you’ll win at Coupeville’s October HarvestFest. Growers from Clinton to Oak Harbor come together to compete for prizes and bragging rights to the biggest, ugliest and prettiest giant pumpkins grown on the island

A new island record was set last year by PHIL RENNIGER of Oak Harbor with his 739-pound beauty. PETER DWERSTEG of Coupeville came in second for his 486-pounder and ELLEN GILES of Oak Harbor had a 416-pound entry, big enough for third place and “Rookie of the Year.”

You’ll have to get seeds in the ground soon, so call LEE ROOF at (360) 675-5687 to get started.

Learn from experts …

A Chinese proverb says, “Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.”

Local students can get an inside look at healthcare careers through Whidbey General Hospital’s Student Intern Program.

They’ll be able to observe and question the professionals. Deadline to apply is April 20. Students must be 18 by June 25 to qualify.

Call SALLY FOX at 678-7656, ext. 3246, for an application or visit the Human Resources Department at Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville.

Story of service …

Chosen from a field of more than 40,000 entries, SUE TINGSTAD of Tingstad Bookkeeping and Tax Service in Coupeville is watching the mail for a trophy.

She’s an “Orrtax Champion” for submitting a winning story set to appear in the April IntelliTax News.

Sue has lived on Whidbey Island for more than 30 years and been a certified tax preparer since 1976. Her story about customer service is nothing new to those she has served over the years. She has a solid reputation of trust and going the extra mile.

Disease factories …

Did you know an old tire can generate more than 25,000 mosquitoes in an average summer? It’s the perfect incubator.

Once again, the Health Department has partnered with WSU/Wastewise and Beach Watcher volunteers to raise public awareness of the connection between old tires and the potential for West Nile Virus.

This Saturday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Road Sop, 3125 Schay Road, it will cost you just $2 (not the usual $6) to dispose of off-rim passenger and light truck tires; on-rim tires will be $3.75.

Sunday, March 20, the program repeats at the Bayview Road Shop and alternates again in May at both locations.

Call LORI CLARK at Island County Health Department at 679-7350 for details.

Polished brass …

Finally, the PugetBrass and Quintessence Brass Ensemble play at 8 p.m. Friday, March 18, at the Coupeville High School Performing Arts Center. Call 678-7656, ext. 4020, for details.

Unless you’ve been hijacked by the leprechauns, I’ll see you back here on March 23. Write to me at lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com or call 675-6611.