Support the Arts!

There are several ways you can support our younger population in their pursuit of the arts this coming month!

On May 2 at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, the American Association of University Women (Whidbey Island Branch) will be holding their annual art show. This venue will showcase art in varying forms from all three of the island's high school's artists. The show goes from noon to 4 p.m. and the free admission includes light refreshments. A donation, of course would be appreciated, to further the groups ability to help students pursuing higher education. I've attended this event several times and the art work is awesome!

The last three weekends of May, The Whidbey Island Theatre for Youth in Oak Harbor will offer a production of Jolly Roger and the Pirate Queen. Contact www.WIT4Y.com for more information.

"Charlotte's Web" is playing on May 2 at Whidbey Playhouse. The show begins at 2 pm.

And May 15 don't miss the All Island Jazz Festival. I can't say enough about this event. It is staged at South Whidbey High School and includes all three island high schools and the two middles schools from Oak Harbor and one from South Whidbey. It's always a pleasant surprise to see how well these students can perform. And it's great to see the wonderful venue that South Whidbey High School has for this type of event. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, Oak Harbor will be able to host this event. If you can possibly attend, don't miss it.

It's Been a Busy Oak Harbor Weekend

And here area a few photos from the past weekend's events!

Mayor Jim Slowick and Councilman Rick Almberg thanked the individuals and companies that contributed to the completion of the beach boardwalk. Captain David assured the mayor that the Navy plans to extend the walk onto Navy property on the Seaplane Base. The boardwalk is a great addition to our shoreline.

The Parade

The carnival.......................

And taking advantage of a windy day!

It Looks Like an Oak Harbor Kind of Week

And there is lots happening...............



Let's start with Holland Happening - the 40th Anniversary

• ART walk - 4 blocks along Pioneer Way will have windows displaying student art. It's fabulous and the best part is that it gets people walking in the downtown area. There was a reception tonight at 5:30 at Angelos.



• The carnival came to town and opens tomorrow!



• The First Reformed Dutch Dinner is Friday at 5:00 to 7:00.



• The Grand Parade is at 11 on Saturday morning - rain or shine, but I predict 56 degrees and partly cloudy. The Grand Marshals will be some of the founding members of the first Holland Happening celebration forty years ago.



• Pioneer will have a street fair and the wooden shoe carving demonstration



• Friday at 3:30 pm the new beach boardwalk will officially open with all of the usual dignitaries present.



• The Bay Leaf will have several demonstrations over the weekend, including a Reisling tasting at the Oak Harbor store on Friday.

Oh shoot! There are too many things to mention. Check the paper or the Holland Happening web site for all of the events.

In the early hours of Thursday, our OHHS culinary team will be heading towards further competition and more recognition. This is a wonderful group of talented kids and dedicated teacher and coaches. We wish them well.

Last night Jim Lynch, the author of The Highest Tide delighted the crowd at Oak Harbor Yacht Club. "He was interesting and humorous!"

Wow! The weather!

So it appears today that spring is upon us. Let's hold the weatherman to that!
Windjammer Park was filled this afternoon with people of all ages taking advantage of the sun and mild weather.

And perhaps I am the last to notice, but another place to take advantage of the milder days is Quizno. Have you seen the screened off patio with umbrella tables? I definitely plan on spending some lunch hours there.

They were starting to set up for the carnival down on Flintstone Freeway this afternoon. This is the 40th anniversary of Holland Happening. I'm wondering if the carnival has been coming for that long.

So what's up this year at Holland Happening???? Stay tuned this week and I'll let you know.

Discount carnival tickets are available now at the Chamber of Commerce office on State route 20. The pre-sale only goes until April 22 at 5 pm, so if you want to save $5 on carnival ride tickets, pay a visit to the Oak Harbor Chamber.

One fun thing at Holland Happening is the Klompen Canal Race. For $6.00 you can buy a shoe to race in the "canal". A klompen is a wooden shoe. You can buy it early and take it home and personalize it before the race. The race actually takes place on April 26 at 2 pm, right on Pioneer Way. There are prizes, including a free ticket to each entrant from Deception Pass Tours. Sounds exciting!

Holland Happening Coming Soon

As I was walking along the waterfront this morning, I noticed that the trucks carrying the carnival rides have arrived. You know what that means! Holland Happening happens soon. Tickets for the carnival are available at the Oak Harbor Chamber office on Highway 20.

Spottings!
Mary Palmer did an inspirational rendition of "God Bless America" last night at the 2009 St Augustine's Got Talent" dinner and show. There's quite a lot of talent at St. A's .... Joshua Garcia and Andrew Deleon did a great dance, and Jhon and Jomar Dimaculangan were terrific on their yo-yo's. I haven't seen anyone do the "Round the World" trick for years.

Where OH Where is this?

Can you identify where in Oak Harbor this is?

Welcome Weekend!

It's finally Friday and the sun is out. Time to get in the garden and pull those weeds.
I've talked to several people that have already planted their geraniums. I'm holding out for a few more weeks. Could it be that I'm worried about a spring frost, or just too lazy to get started?

Spottings!

The Oak Harbor Chamber hosted an early evening event at Burley Funeral Chapel last night.
Randy Bradford was seen getting a tour of the newly remodeled facility. Cathy and Dick Fakkema were sporting tans from a recent trip to Mexico; Mary Tacia discussed her custom skin care line with Marta Page; and Robyn Bainbridge and Liz Wilson appeared to be in cahoots about something, as they were mysteriously talking in a corner (obviously up to no good!). The event was catered by Angelo's.

Channel 10 Community News

Just by chance this afternoon I tuned in to Channel 10 on the TV. Have you ever taken a few moments to see what's there? At 3:30 this afternoon, it wasn't a program, but a listing of community activities and programs. Here are a few:

• Free Food on Wednesdays at the First Reformed Church - 5:30 p.m.
• Beachcombers Bazaar at Windjammer Park on June 20. It's a big flea market sponsored by Kiwanis.
• Councilman Jim Campbell will hear what you have to say at Angelo's on Thursday mornings at 9 a.m.
• There were quite a few advertisements for events at Sno-Isle library, such as bedtime stories and a Tribute to John Denver.

On Monday, Thursday and Saturday you can watch the previous City Council meeting. It shows on those days at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m., and 9 p.m.

Tune in! You don't know what you might find of interest.

Author Comes to Oak Harbor

Whether you have read The Highest Tide or not you won't want to miss an opportunity to meet the author on April 21 at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. Jim Lynch will be discussing the book and signing copies of the Whidbey Reads 2009 selection.
If you have read the book you will find Lynch very interesting, and if you haven't read the book you will want to after attending the program.



The Highest Tide is a fun read for those of us living on Puget Sound because it is set in Skookumchook Bay on the southern end of Puget Sound and reveals much about the marine life that we view on our beaches here on Whidbey Island. This along with a great coming of age story makes Lynch's debut novel a perfect pick for Whidbey Reads.

The Sno-Isle Libraries have numerous copies, but it can also be ordered on Amazon, or picked up at the Wind n Tide.

This weekend there will be a garage sale put on by the Oak Harbor Lions Club. It runs from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on S.E. Pioneer.



AND....for all of you who use the trail through the Freund Marsh.....volunteers are invited to plant native shrubs and trees on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Participants are meeting behind Whidbey Island Bank. Don't forget your gloves!

25 Things We Love About Oak Harbor

Some great reasons to live in OH, not in any particular order.................

1. The new Career Technology building at Oak Harbor High School (open house on May 6)
2. Vanderzicht Memorial Swimming Pool
3. Whidbey Island Race Week (this year from July 12 to July 17)
4. Honeymoon Bay Coffee Roasters (check them out for great espresso)
5. Walking the Freund Trail
6. Delicious lumpia and pancit
7. Bells ringing from the First United Methodist Church
8. Whidbey Island Marathon (282 finishers in 2009) and Half Marathon
9. Wine tasting at the BayLeaf
10. Fourth of July Fireworks!
11. Friday Night Lights at the new stadium
12. Smith Park (perfect picnic spot)
13. Pick up basketball game at Windjammer Park
14. Culinary Arts Program @ OHHS (winners again!)
15. Beach boardwalk, which now extends from Windjammer Park to Flinstone Park
16. Navy flyover to signal the start of the 4th of July parade
17. Oak Harbor Senior Center
18. Crab Boil at Seabolt's Smoke House
19. Everyone in Oak Harbor owns a piece of waterfront
20. Holland Happening (40th anniversary on the weekend of April 24)
21. Generous volunteers
22. Award winning jazz bands at OHHS, OHMS, NWMS (Jazz Festival is May 15)
23. Oak Harbor Farmers' Market
24. Tuna Tower at Fraser's Gourmet Hideaway
25. Popcorn (or anything for that matter) at Popsies

So what are 25 things that YOU love about Oak Harbor?