Heads up Coupeville, you’ve been noticed, again. It’s been a while since “Practical Magic” put Central Whidbey on closeup. Earlier this year, Coupeville came back into focus for the world. First, Food Network musseled into town this spring to film along the shores of Penn Cove. And that popular TV land channel is back in town this week, filming at Rosi’s Garden Restaurant and Penn Cove Shellfish.

And smack in the middle of September’s issue of “Martha Stewart Living” is a notice about Penn Cove Mussel Festival. It’s part of a guide to harvest and craft festivals coast to coast; flip to page 215 to read all about it. It’s the only March festival noted and the only listing for Washington. We realize the magazine must limit itself to just the facts but we wonder how anyone can mention the Mussel Festival without singling out the Shifty Sailors.

Martha Stewart was not the first printed notice of the Central Whidbey town by the Big Apple. In “The Wall Street Journal’s” weekend section Friday, Aug. 16, reporter Robert J. Hughes noted a Simple Shoemaking class at Coupeville Arts Center. Hughes’ “Futures and Options: Never Stop Learning” column listed adult education classes that are “well off the beaten track.” All the contact information is listed for the arts center. And Whidbey Island is described as “a resort area in Washington.”

With all this attention, who knows what luminaries may be headed to the island?

We saw a little of Thunder on the Rock from near the CPO Club and wondered what pioneer Charlie Nienhuis, who settled in Clover Valley, would say about how the land has changed.

Relatives came from all over to attend North Whidbey’s pioneer Lang family reunion in Mount Vernon. Kenny Lang came from New Orleans to stay with Jim Neil, a former classmate, and meet old friends. He also visited his son in Seattle.

Oak Harbor Christian School needs band instruments. Anyone who has old, but functioning, instruments stashed away may donate or sell the music-makers to the school. Baritones, trombones and bass clarinets are especially needed. Of course, tubas and xylophones won’t be turned down. Call Clark Donnell, 675-3041, for more information.

Jack and Darlene Kerr have just hosted their high school classmates at their home in L and M Acres for a two-weekend camp out. Jack’s 1922 class from Mount Vernon came for the first weekend while Darlene’s 1935 class from Sedro-Woolley came for the next. They camped and picnicked, visited and remembered old times.

Air Force Airman John G. Lamere has graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He is the son of Gary and Carmencita Lamere of Oak Harbor and graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 2001.

Air Force Airman Daniel Mandel has graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. He graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 2001. His parents are Steven and Lolita Mandel of Oak Harbor.