September 21^st – 25^th :: 11th Annual DjangoFest Northwest in Langley :: This international Gypsy Jazz festival includes workshops led by some of the genre’s biggest names!  The DjangoFest is the premier showcase of Gypsy Jazz in North America with performers coming from as far away as Madrid and Tel Aviv! wicaonline.com

September 24^th & 25^th :: Whidbey Island Kite Festival :: Come see the mass ascension of colorful kites at 12:30 each day followed by the Teddy Bear drop at 1:00.  Sport kite competition, too! whidbeykites.com

September 24^th :: Children’s Day at South Whidbey Sports Fields :: Bouncy houses, clowns and all sorts of fun stuff for kids.  Celebrate children and all their creativity with interactive booths full of fun information and things to do. Lunch, too! SWparks.org

September 24^th :: Annual Tour de Whidbey :: This bike tour of Whidbey is a major fundraiser for Whidbey General Hospital.  Bikers have a choice of 10, 50 or 100 mile rides.  The 50 and 100-mile rides start and end at Greenbank Farm.  The 10-mile ride is an easy one especially designed for families with young children and it starts in Coupeville. WhidbeyGen.org

Wonderful Whidbey Island truly has something for everyone.  It is a great community whether you come for weekend getaways or you call the island home!

There’s much to do on Whidbey as we head into fall. Check out the following events that are high on my list! 

Good Cheer Garden 3rd Annual Harvest Party & Music Fest - Saturday, September 10th – 10am to 4pm :: This is Good Cheer’s way of thanking the community for all their support during the past year – Live music performances all day, kid’s activities, a secret ingredient cook-off, gardening workshops and raffle prizes – Come celebrate all Good Cheer does to help those in need in our community. Info: goodcheer.org

6th Annual Whidbey Island Farm Tour – September 17th & 18^th :: This tour showcases 18 local farms; everything from alpacas to zucchini. Help support our local growers. whidbeyfarmtour.com for details.

Farm Tour Harvest Dinner at Greenbank Farm – Saturday, September 17th – 5:30pm :: An autumn menu of delicious local foods will be served with both meat and vegetarian main course choices catered by Whidbey Pies Café and featuring Three Sisters meats. The proceeds from this dinner benefit the Farm Tour and Greenbank Farm. Tickets are limited – contact Greenbank Farm for details: www.greenbankfarm.net

The Dream Kitchen Tour is our largest fund-raiser of the year and is hosted by the Whidbey Island Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). All $15 tickets fees will fund college scholarships for young women from the island’s three high schools.

The Tour is self-guided and takes place from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday, August 27th. Tour-goers begin at our Hospitality Center located at the Lutheran Church Community Center (18341 SR 525 in Freeland) and then continues on to six unique island homes. Some kitchens are large and elaborate, others are small and simple; each is memorable and gorgeous.

Tickets can also be purchased at The Star Store in Langley, Sound Business Center in Freeland, Lind’s Pharmacy in Coupeville and Ace Hardware in Oak Harbor.

Call Christina Moats with questions or for more information – 360-421-8827

Hearts & Hammers’ slogan is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” and that is certainly what happened on Saturday, May 7th.  

The annual workday was a GREAT success with over 50 projects completed and some 400 people participating. Homeowners needing help apply during the year, then once approved, volunteers do whatever renovations and/or repairs are possible within the scope of a one-day work blitz. Projects include carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, roof repairs, weatherization, heavy cleaning and even yard cleanup! There is no charge to the homeowners for labor or materials. Costs are covered by fund-raising events, donations and grants.   [Read more...]

“First Fridays at the Farm” in Greenbank is quite the fun evening for adults. The Greenbank Farm Wine Shop and Tasting Room is offering a truly special evening on the first Friday of each month, starting Friday, May 6th. Vintners will be pouring an eclectic selection of Northwest wines for you to taste and enjoy.   [Read more...]