Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Daffodils, orcas and gray whales

Monday, April 12th, 2010

For your viewing pleasure. Daffodils, cherry trees, crabapples, tulips, boy everything is blooming now. Is Spring the prettiest season? Not sure! But it kind of looks like it.

Daffodils from Skagit Valley

After school, we rushed to the wharf where two adult orcas and a baby orca were sighted earlier. “You just missed it!” Sounds like when you miss the surf break, except they say, “Dude, you just missed it. Epic!”

Yesterday, Local Grown on the pier also said gray whales were sighted. Sounds like a good time to daytrip to Coupeville and hang out in the coffee shop. Don’t forget a piece of pie, or some of the seasoned nuts and other local goodies William stocks. Next door, there’s great Asian food at Kim’s–we ate there on Saturday. I love the prawns with egg rolls and vermicelli–light, veggie-full and flavorful. And for you kite lovers or those needing souvenirs, head to the store next door. She’s got tons of kites, t-shirts, mugs and more.

Or sit at Mosquito Fleet Chili on Front Street. Head down the steps for a great meal! They won this year’s Mussel Chowder competition and my spouse gives it two thumbs up. I love their cornbread muffins. Yum!

Celebrating a Holiday

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Eek…where have I been? Well, we’ve had a bit more excitement and are very happy Whidbey General Hospital is right down the road. I’ll tell you, the ER staff is terrific and the nurses are great too. Wasn’t me this time, but the spouse who scared the living daylights out of me. And so, I longed for a holiday. You know, sipping a cold beverage by a sandy beach. Anyway, I took a break and now I’m back.

But, if you too long for a holiday, and we no longer “send Mommy for a little rest”…how about this–Island Medical Spa will soon be opening their new Coupeville location on South Main Street. Who wouldn’t enjoy a massage or facial? The new location will have a Vichy shower and promises to be very glamorous. 360-678-9005.

Or, visit the The Seaside Spa & Salon on Historic Waterfront Front Street, 678-0508. Check out the Vanity Room, which is a Spa Boutique. Bath salts, scrubs, handcrafted artisan soaps, jewelry, bath fizzy bombs. Hours are Tue-Sat, by appointment. Gift certificates for the holidays are available, or for any occasion. But if you buy one during December, get 15% off purchases from the Vanity Room. This is a full-treatment day spa and salon, offering manis, pedis, hot rocks, body wraps, facials, collagen treatment and more. They are participating in the $1000 Red Ticket Giveaway.

What’s that, you ask? Well, participating businesses of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association will give you a red raffle ticket for each $20 you spend. One lucky winner will receive $1000 at the drawing held outside the Island County Historical Museum on December 20th at 1pm.

Come to Coupeville for your Christmas shopping. Keep your tax dollars local. I always shop Front Street and find great stuff. Santa loves to find goodies at The Honeybear Toystore. Why get something plastic? How about a gift certificate to one of the delicious restaurants? Stop by Penn Cove Co-Op Art Gallery. They have local treasures, from watercolors, cards, baskets, jewelry, pottery, blown glass and more–you can easily find a one-of-a-kind gift around $20! Jan MacGregor Studios has neat stuff too. Well, gee, all the stores do–and I hate shopping. Forget about the mall or Costco or online…shop local!

Don’t forget, we have a lot of great massage therapists in the area too. Can’t think of what to get Mom, or Sister, or Auntie, or Grandma, or your Wife? Women often like being pampered. And if you ever argue with your kids about getting them to bathe…try a fizzy bath bomb. Guaranteed to cause everyone to want to jump in the bathtub!

Volleyball Starts Monday

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Don’t forget, it’s time for adult rec league volleyball. Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm at the Coupeville Middle School Gym. $30 through December 21st.

For more information contact Heather Kortuem hrkortuem@hotmail.com

Everyone is invited from the island or off-island. Get off the couch, turn off the TV and jump around…or in my case, get an inch or so off the ground.

3 Corner Units Left

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Only three corner units left at Krueger Commons.

While I was meeting the local Sears rep for our latest second home buyer appliance delivery, another couple drove up to take a look. Once they toured #206, (the blue one on Wilkes with the patio surround of California lilac bushes and all bedrooms viewing the woods) and the waterview unit, #214, the husband said, “Honey, get the checkbook.” The view from all the bedrooms of the waterview is breathtakingly beautiful, the madrone trees, the light shining in from the protected forest, the water sparkling downhill in Penn Cove.

Time is running out. The first-time home buyer credit expires on November 30th–as in your loan or sale has to be closed by then. Banks are taking about one month for processing, so if you’re going to snatch up the free $8000, better hurry. Prices are their best now.

I’ve got another appointment on Thursday scheduled with a military officer. 3 Corner Units left, only 2 Interior.

Wine tasting, Relay for Life, and more

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Weekend events around Coupeville:

As always the Farmer’s Market, Saturday, 10-2, Coupeville. Also, on Sundays, you can go to the Farmer’s Market at the Greenbank Farm, 11-3.

Speaking of the Greenbank Farm, once again, it’s First Fridays at the Farm. From 5-8pm, enjoy wine and cheese tasting, live music, and new artwork at the galleries. This month, Woodinville’s William Church Winery. $12 for your wine passport.

North Whidbey’s Relay for Life walk to raise money for cancer research. Friday & Saturday, all day, at North Whidbey Middle School. If you’re not walking, you can always stop by to donate, cheer on the walkers (they walk all night long) and show your support.

Saturday is National Trails Day and volunteers are adding a new trail to the Kettles Trail system north of town. Folks will meet at 10am at the end of the paved trail before it turns into the forested Kettles & Fort Ebey State Park area. Please carpool, as parking is limited at the trailhead on Hwy 20. Did you know there are over 35 miles of hiking and biking trails at Fort Ebey? Workers are also finishing up paving of the Kettles Trail extension from Main Street heading south towards Rhodedendron State Park.

Enjoy writing? Take a class from Whidbey Island Writer’s Association instructor, Wayne Ude, and learn all about POV–Point of View. The class is all day Saturday at the Race Road fire station in Coupeville. Email wiwa@whidbey.com for more information. $100, or $80 for WIWA members.

Enjoy an Art and Antique Walk along the historic waterfront of Coupeville this Saturday evening, 5-8pm. Local galleries, antique stores and even the restaurants will have special items and pricing for the walk.

Don’t forget, cribbage players gather at 4pm on Sundays at the Coupeville Pizza Factory.

And since this is my blog, don’t forget to join us on Saturday at Krueger Commons from 11-6 for a free BBQ with food, prizes and a chance to win a flat screen TV!

Whidbey Island Marathon–This Sunday!!

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

This Sunday, March 29th, is the Whidbey Island Marathon and Half-marathon Race! It’s not too late to do the event. Signup online by midnight tonight…whoops…or at the Saturday EXPO event at the Oak Harbor High School Field House between noon and 8pm. Participants will pick up their race numbers, info. packets and browse the clothing, gear, organic foods, tourism and other vendor booths at the EXPO.

If you’re not a runner, that’s okay. Feel free to tour the EXPO too. The EXPO is free and open to the public.

I forgot to post this earlier, probably because I can barely run to the end of the driveway without huffing and puffing! Our partner’s wife though recently finished a 50k trail race up Chuckanut Mountain or somewhere in that neck of the woods, running straight up a mountainside, with over 13,000 feet of elevation gain!

The Whidbey Island Marathon will not be like that. Relax. Instead, racers will enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Whidbey, running across Deception Pass bridge, along country roads with views of the Puget Sound, meandering along the waters of Penn Cove and ending at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor. The event benefits WAIF–our local animal shelter.

Before or after the race, make sure you stop in Coupeville. Come and see our lovely waterfront town south of Oak Harbor. Enjoy the wonderful shops, cafes, museum or even relax at Toby’s Tavern for a well deserved beer. Our town is a walking town, an active town, with great trails for running, walking, or biking right outside the doors of Krueger Commons.

$8000 in your pocket!

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

First time homebuyers…don’t forget the rules have changed for the tax incentive. It’s now $8000 and you don’t have to pay it back (unless you sell within three years–designed to prevent ‘flipping.’)

You have until December 1, 2009 to close on a home and be refunded the $8000 on your taxes. But why wait until December to close? Why wait until later to move into the home of your dreams at dream prices? This is terrific news–instead of waiting until next year to file your 2009 return, you can file an amended 2008 return and get the credit now! So, if you’ve already filed for the year, this is a simple step to get the $8000 in your pocket right away.

If you’re tax liability isn’t that high, don’t worry. You’ll get the difference as a check. Yes, all $8000 is yours!

Click here to learn the full details, information and helpful examples. Feel free to call Gerry at (360) 672-6847. He’ll be happy to answer any further questions you may have about this great opportunity.

Mussel Festival Weekend Update

Saturday, March 7th, 2009

Well, the Johnny Bulldog concert last night, benefiting the Coupeville High School Senior Class, seemed to be a resounding success! As usual, the band rocked the house. Lots of neat silent auction items were sold too.

Right now, it’s sunny and clear, but the wind–she is a blowing this morning. Dress warmly for the wind chill and don’t forget your sunglasses.

UPDATE: Weather isn’t so hot today–a spring storm of wind. So, inside activities are the name of the game for Saturday. Sunday should hopefully be better. Indoor options include the special exhibit at the Island County Historical Museum, browsing and finding treasures in the wonderful shops along Front Street, the Central Whidbey Co-Op Preschool is having a garage sale Saturday at the Methodist Church on Main Street, enjoying a bite to eat at one of the restaurants, viewing the art exhibit in the Rec Hall, or even enjoying some of the art studios on the Whidbey Working Artists Tour.

We stopped by the studios of painter Linda Shaefer’s and Karen Schroeder–oils and pastels. Boy, what a treat. Both of these artists had amazing abilities with light and color. From gorgeous notecards, unframed matted paintings or prints to beautifully framed pieces of artwork, there was a treasure to take home in everybody’s price range.

Enjoy! Oh, and Open House hours are today 3-6pm and Sunday, 1-5.

Upcoming Events, February 27-29th

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

What a beautiful day in Coupeville! The sun is shining and the bit of snow we got last night is gone. The prairie looked lovely in a white blanket as I drove the kids to school. Here are a few things you might think about doing this weekend:

Parents, Friday is an early release day again. Free program at the Multi-Purpose Room at the elementary school. Author/illustrator Caroll Simpson will read from her new book, First Beaver. Learn about the Native culture and do a traditional craft after the program. You don’t have to have kids at the elementary to attend.

This weekend is the opening for the CHS production of The Fantasticks musical at the Performing Arts Center. Opening night is this Friday at 7pm. Shows are also on Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2. The musical runs for 2 weeks, through March 8th. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, children and students with an ASB sticker. Purchase early, and get a $1 off. Tickets available at the CHS office or at the door. Call 678-4409.

The deadline for the upcoming Art Celebrating Cancer exhibit at the Coupeville Arts Center is fast approaching on March 2. Artists who have been affected by cancer are invited to submit an application to be included. Anything from paintings or quilts to prose or poetry. Click here for an application. The show will be held Mussel Festival weekend, Saturday, March 7th, from 10-4 at the Coupeville Arts Center.

Speaking of the Coupeville Arts Center, through tomorrow is the Member’s Only Exhibition from 9-4 on Friday. More than 100 works in mixed media, fiber, photography & paintings.

Did you know you can get free tax help on Wednesdays from 1-4 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville? For those with low to moderate income, provided by IRS-trained AARP volunteers. Free tax help is also available in Oak Harbor and Langley.

I met our newest homeowners this week and what a great match for them. They’re so excited about their new second home and eventual retirement home at Krueger Commons and about living in Coupeville. The town will be thrilled to meet them and welcome them to our active community. We talked about the WSU Mastergardener program, Learning Partners mentoring at the local schools, the biking opportunities and more. Welcome!

Wednesday, 1/28 & Thursday, 1/29/09

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

A few mid-week events:

Whidbey Island Chapter American Rhododendron Society, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, Firehouse at 1164 Race Road, Coupeville. Program by Eric Studebaker of Bayview Farm and Garden on dwarf and compact conifers as companions to rhododendrons. Free; 360-678-1948, slrodden@comcast.net.

Ready Readers: Preschool Storytime, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, Coupeville Library, 788 NW Alexander. Children ages 2 to 5 years enjoy stories, songs and getting ready to read with a parent or caregiver. A craft will follow; 360-360-678-4911 or lfranzen@sno-isle.org.My kids always enjoyed the storytime events at the library.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for this Saturday’s “Secret Life of Salmon” event at the Island County Historical Museum (near wharf) Swinomish and Samish tribal leaders will be on hand for music, storytelling and native crafts. There is a minimal fee. Click on the link for more info.

I’ll update some more events for this weekend tomorrow or Thursday.