Posts Tagged ‘recreation’

Coupeville Community Classes

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Coupeville Community Education- Fall Programs (Open to Everyone)

Volleyball Open Gym- Adults
Come out and enjoy a workout and a fun game of volleyball with a great group of people! For more information contact Heather Kortuem hrkortuem@homail.com
Oct 5-Dec 21, Mondays, 6:30-8:30
MS Gym
Cost: $30

Step Aerobics
Step Aerobics involving the use of a bench with varied moved on and off the bench or comparable moved on the floor. We will use weights, bands, and balls for muscle toning and exercise to improve flexibility and balance. For more information call Wendy Belew 678-3142 distinguishedhomes1@verizon.net
Sept 14- Dec 21, Mon & Thur, 5-6pm (12 Weeks)
Elementary MPR
Cost: $70


Seibukan Karate

A traditional martial are originating in Okinawa.
Adults, teens and children (7+) will experience physical conditioning and self defense techniques through basic karate exercise. Students will learn alternatives to violence, balance, and stability, develop self discipline and self confidence. Beginners’ class 6-7pm returning students will stay till 7:30pm. For more information call Chad Cloudy 678-6099seibukansue@aol.com
Ages: 7- Adult
Oct 1-Nov 24, Beginner- 6-7:00pm, Returning students 6-7:30pm, Tues & Thurs,
Elementary MPR
Cost: $100 adults, $60 Students

Beaded Jewelry Making- After School Program
Express your personal style by creating your own beaded jewelry. This eight week course includes learning the basics of making earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Then we will branch out and explore wire wrapping techniques plus polymer clay creations. Instructor: Marianne Borozny, mborozny@yahoo.com
Ages: 8-13
Oct 22-Dec 17- Thurs, 3:45pm-5:15pm
Elementary Art Room #16
Cost: $90  + $25 material fee at first class, tools included.

Intro to Voiceovers- Getting Started in Voice Acting
Have you ever wanted to be the voice everyone hears on commercials and documentaries?
This fun and interactive class covers details of the industry, the importance of marketing, and of a demo tape. You will be coached and recorded for a personal evaluation.  Be warned — many who have taken this class have gone on to become real, bona-?de professional Voice Actors! This class is taught by a professional voice actor from the voice acting training company, Voices For All. Instructor Leah Frederick, Voice Acting Coach & Producer, is a vivacious, accomplished, professional voice actor dedicated to motivating her students by sharing her knowledge, experience and charisma. www.voicesforall.com <http://www.voicesforall.com>
Ages: Adult
Dec 1- 7-9pm
HS Annex Conference Room
Cost: $39


Guitar Boot Camp
If you have been playing guitar and are ready to get basic training on how to make yourself a better guitar player, this workshop is for you!
During this hardcore session, you will learn guitar fretboard logic, scales, practice exercises, fundamental chords and progressions, essential strumming and finger picking patterns.
You will learn everything you should know to have a rock solid foundation in playing guitar! Then learn how to put it all to work with some group soloing and jamming at the end.
Guitar Boot Camp is geared toward folks who have some playing experience and would like to take their playing to the next level. This course gives you the tools to play hundreds of songs in different styles. Songs will be derived from both traditional and contemporary sources. For more information call Quinn Fitzpatrick 360-579-3052quinnfitzpatrick@whidbey.com
#1 Oct 17, 1:30-4pm- Saturday
#2 Nov 14, 1:30-4pm- Saturday
Ages: Adult
HS Annex Conference Room
Cost: $45 per session


Beginning Guitar
Have fun while learning how to play acoustic guitar!
Gain a solid foundation and the tools to play thousands of songs using traditional and contemporary sources, in folk, country, gospel, blues and rock styles. Learn fundamental chords, progressions, strums and finger picking. By the end of this course, you will have the resources to play many songs in different styles. For more information call Quinn Fitzpatrick 360-579-3052 quinnfitzpatrick@whidbey.com
Ages: Adult
Oct 1- Dec 17, 7-8pm, Thurs
HS Annex Conference Room
Cost: $198

Beginning Drawing
Learn drawing in a supportive atmosphere! In this class you will experience your natural ability to draw through exercises that emphasize seeing. You will learn the fundamentals of art and basic drawing techniques including line and contour, value, texture, form/shapes, space, proportion, composition and perspective. Projects will focus on creating both realistic and abstract drawings. Working from photos, objects, still life and the imagination, you will develop your ability to see and translate that visual experience into drawing. Drawing improves creative thinking and problem solving skills. For more information call Quinn Fitzpatrick 360-579-3052 quinnfitzpatrick@whidbey.com
Ages: Adult
Oct 1-Dec 17, 8-9pm, Thurs
HS Annex Conference Room
Cost: $198  (Material fee charged at start of class)

Registration- PLEASE pre-register for the following programs through Coupeville School District. For a registration form and information on upcoming programs please check our website at www.coupeville.k12.wa.us <http://www.coupeville.k12.wa.us> . Please hand deliver or mail in registration form prior to start date.
CSD, 2 S Main St, Coupeville, WA 98239, 360-678-6222, kandrews@coupeville.k12.wa.us

Are you interesting in doing a winter or spring class or program for CCE?
Deadline for winter proposals – Nov 9th   (For programs Jan- Mar)
Contact Kim Andrews at 678-6222 kandrews@coupeville.k12.wa.us

Office Hours:
Tuesday 8am-10:30am
Fridays 8am-10:30am

Biking, hiking and more

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Wow, the weather is calling everyone outside. The longer days and flowers in bloom are delightful.

It’s the start of road biking for me…can you ride up the hill at Ebey’s Landing without stopping or suffering? How about Keystone hill? That one’s longer and deceptively tougher. Let’s not forget the doozie on West Beach, starting past Joseph Whidbey State Park. That which does not kill you makes you stronger, and fitter and healthier. It helps to have a spouse like mine who will “assist” with a hand to the back as I climb. He’s been known to help complete strangers too–probably helped five people at the Tour de Whidbey. People are friendly here, and it made him stronger too.

Speaking of which, one of the things I love about mountain biking at Fort Ebey is the variety of trails. If I’m feeling in the mood for a ‘post-partum’ ride, i.e. flat and easy, I’ve got plenty to pick from. Want to see if I’ll pass out from exertion…how about scrambling up Ladder. The first time I made it up that steep, loose rock trail, I rejoiced. Or try climbing Hokey-ka-dodo. It’s twisty, technical and requires some power kicks. If I’m taking the kids, we’ve got options for them too. They both enjoy riding Humpty Dump and even Roy Evans, not bad for five and eight year olds. For a low-stress ride with them, there’s always the Kettles Trail through the park, then along HWY 20 to Miriam’s for a kid cookie pit-stop.

Have you hiked the bluff trail at Fort Ebey or the one at Ebey’s Landing? If not, you’re missing one of the greatest things about Central Whidbey. Pack a picnic, or simply some water, and check out one of the treasures this weekend. The views of the Puget Sound waters and distant Olympic Mountains are breathtaking. For beginning hikers, park at the gun battery at Fort Ebey to eliminate a hill. For advanced, park at the Beach parking area. For beginners at Ebey’s Landing, park at the cemetary viewpoint off Sherman Road to eliminate most of the climb, advanced, park at the Landing.

That’s one of the great things about Krueger Commons–accessing this trail network from the parking lot. Folks can hike, bike or run toward the surrounding parks or head down to the waterfront and enjoy ice cream, a beer, or some candy!

Cool blog to explore & a link for Krueger Commons

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Check out this neat blog I found, Grace Lichtenstein, a former NY Times reporter and writer for Lance Armstrong’s LiveSTRONG organization, writes about vacation homes and also has a blog called Senior Adventures, where she talks about great deals, recreation opportunties and more. She did a piece on Krueger Commons you might want to check out.

Krueger Commons is a perfect match for an active senior or anyone looking for a vacation escape. Coupeville is a charming historic waterfront town, a ferry ride away from the hubub and traffic of the Seattle area. Artistic and recreation activities abound for all ages. Lots of folks thrive with the many volunteer and adult learning opportunities too, from Master Gardener programs, philanthropic service organizations like Lions, to Learning Partners at the local schools, mentoring while tutoring. Miles and miles of road biking, mountain biking, walking and hiking trails start from the parking lot of the community. Both sides of the island are a hike or bike away. Kayaking is magical down the hill at Penn Cove.

Retirement from Stress

Friday, October 31st, 2008

In 2000 AARP looked at great places to retire if you wanted an “Alive Retirement.” They looked at several factors:

  • Walking opportunities
  • Quality dining experiences
  • Health options
  • Lifelong learning
  • Multicultural
  • Safe streets
  • Seriously civic
  • Sports and such
  • And it’s “Vitality” quotient

What does this have to do with Coupeville and a retirement or second home at Krueger Commons? Well, we’ve got walking or hiking trails leading from all directions. People enjoy strolling to the post office (with no lines), grabbing a book at the library,  or beachcombing. How about tandem bicycling, kayaking, hiking, golf, boating, or scuba diving?

Want to meet your inner artist? The Coupeville Arts Center hosts year-round programs. We have many galleries in town, including a co-op artists group. Worldclass weavers, glass blowers, authors and poets, woodcarvers, painters, photographers, metal artists, quilters, jewelry makers, woodworkers, basket weavers and more call this home!

The “elders” in our community truly make a difference. From Master Gardeners, WSU Beachwatchers, the Lions lending a hand everywhere (need a new library shed, park, mulch at the schools, swimming lessons–ask a Lion!), to Whidbey General Auxialry Guild or Harbor Haven Respite Childcare, there’s a group for your skill and passion in this vibrant town of neighbor helping neighbor.

Safe? Well, I accidentally left my jacket and camera on the patio at the condos–for 2 days! Whoops! Yep, they were still there!

Quality dining? Our choices are limited, but outstanding. Mussels at Toby’s crabcakes at Christopher’s, desserts to die for at The Oystercatcher, fish tacos at The Mad Crab, paninis at Miriam’s, Thai spring rolls at The Cove, the marionberry bearclaw at The Knead & Feed, good old mashed potatoes & gravy at The Tyee, yummy wraps at The County Deli and more! It’s even good at Whidbey General Hospital’s cafe!

Vitality? Wine tastings at The Bayleaf Wine & Cheese shop, art openings year-round, salsa dancing, concerts, festivals, Audubon birding events, barn dances, digging for clams on the beaches, author readings…

On the waters of Penn Cove

Friday, August 29th, 2008

We shimmied into our skirts and slid on our life jackets. The kayaks slid into the water, ripples radiating out from the perfectly flat early morning surface at Monroe Landing. Nothing was graceful or silent though as I climbed into the kayak, my novice experience glaring, out of place from the meditative cadence my friend displayed. She laughed and tossed me my paddle.

Then we started on our journey. While the sun rose higher, pinks and purples shining on the sides of distant Mt. Baker, we sliced through the calm waters. My strokes grew sure, my confidence gaining, the memories of canoeing at summer camps filling me. I experimented with the boat, feeling it rock beneath me, lulling me into confidence until an aggressive dip of the paddle would wiggle me awake. I wasn’t Pocahontas yet.

I imagined the Salish tribes that used to ply this same cove. Each year, Coupeville hosts the Penn Cove Water Festival in honor of the first people of this area. Native American tribes from the region return to the waters where annual gatherings took place. Races are held, music and dance performances fill the streets, storytellers share their history and artists display their wares. The residents of Coupeville still give a freshly baked loaf of bread to each Native family, a tradition that started with the first races in 1930.

But on this morning, it was just my boat and hers, paddling the waters, heading across Penn Cove towards Coupeville. The wharf beckoned us from across the way. The occasional seal would pop his black head up beside us, those gorgeous eyes saying hello, making us smile as he played around us. As we neared the wharf, cormorant birds drifted by, seemingly content to share their space with us. My friend pulled her ‘yak onto the shore, then graciously held mine still while I managed to get out without falling into the water. Getting the skirt off wasn’t as easy as getting it on, but I managed. Then we walked up the beach, shoes squishing water and met our spouses. They held steaming cups of freshly made espresso, an offering we didn’t refuse. It was their turn to paddle. We would go home, shower and change and meet them back at the landing to help them load the boats.

I slipped off my wet shoes and grinned. Later that afternoon, I knew we’d be slipping on our mountain biking shoes. The four of us would meet up with friends to explore the nearby trails at Fort Ebey.

The day of playing outside had just begun…

Biking Around Whidbey

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008

You know, I meant to write earlier about our business partner’s wife who recently competed in the Coeur D’Alene Ironman Triathalon. She completed the grueling day in 13:39 minutes–terrific time for her first Ironman. I can’t even imagine! Congratulations!

One of the great things about Central Whidbey is you’re able to ride a road bike all over, on country roads, with varying terrain, and no traffic. She would routinely train on 8-hour rides. Try that in a metro area and you’d probably die of exhaust, or get run over.

Whidbey General Hospital hosts the Tour de Whidbey which is a great way to introduce yourself to the superb road biking on Whidbey. Options are for 25, 50 and 100 mile loops. The ride is in the fall.

We’d be happy to highlight great rides of all mileages if you’d stop by. Mountain biking…well, that’s a different post, a different map and yep, a hop, skip and jump from the condos.