Posts by Langley Chamber of Commerce
Why you should never touch a seal pup on the beach: Tips from Orca Network’s marine mammal experts
As summer heats up in the Pacific Northwest, so does the likelihood of spotting one of the most adorable coastal sights—harbor seal pups basking on sandy shores or tucked into rocky coves. With their big, dark eyes and fuzzy faces, it’s tempting to get close or try to help, especially if the pup appears to be alone. But according to Orca Network’s Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network (CPSMMSN) and NOAA Fisheries, the most important thing you can do is nothing at all.
Harbor Seal Pups Are Not Abandoned—They’re Waiting for Mom
From June through August, harbor seals give birth in the Salish Sea. While it may appear that a pup is stranded or abandoned, chances are good that its mother is nearby, watching and waiting for the beach to clear before she returns to feed her young. Human presence—especially hovering, approaching, or touching—can scare the mother away permanently, which could be fatal for the pup.
“Human intervention is the reason they don’t come back,” says Garry Heinrich, Response Coordinator for CPSMMSN. “If the mother sees people near where she left her pup, she’ll stay away.”
What You Should (and Shouldn’t) Do If You See a Seal Pup
- Stay back at least 100 yards: Give the animal plenty of space and keep noise levels down.
- Keep dogs leashed: Even a curious or friendly dog can stress or harm a vulnerable pup.
- Don’t assume the pup needs rescuing: Most pups are healthy and simply resting or waiting.
- Don’t touch or try to feed the pup: This can transmit disease, create dependency, or result in injury.
- Call the experts if you’re concerned: If you suspect the pup is injured or entangled, contact the local stranding network (numbers listed below).
“People often think a pup has been abandoned when it hasn’t been,” adds Orca Network Executive Director Susan Berta. “That is why people need to leave them alone, so mom will come back.”
Risks to People and Pets
It’s not just seal pups who are at risk—disturbing marine mammals can put people in danger, too. Just this month, CPSMMSN responded to a July 4th incident where a mother seal bit a kayaker who attempted to disentangle her pup from netting. Seal mothers are fiercely protective, and other large marine mammals like elephant seals can become aggressive when approached.
“These beaches are nurseries,” says Berta. “We need …
Read MoreJune Highlights in Langley: Celebrating Milestones, Community, and Creativity
June was bursting with energy, milestones, and memories here in Langley! As summer kicked off, so did a slew of celebrations across our vibrant town—each one a reflection of the creative, community-centered spirit we all know and love.
🌿 Anniversaries & Milestones
We’d like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Sugarpill Apothecary, who marked their 2nd anniversary in waterfront Langley location. Artworks Gallery celebrated an incredible 20 years in operation, leading into their July Art Walk with a spectacular sale! Whidbey Island Kayaking paddled into their 21st year of offering tours and rentals, while Sprinklz Ice Cream Parlor and Sweet Mona’s Chocolates each celebrated 11 years in their current locations—Mona’s has been delighting us for 19 years total in Langley! Lilly’s shop, Fairtrade Outfitters also celebrated their 10th year in operation in the heart of Langley.
🎵 Community Highlights
A big cheer for Chris Harshman, beloved South Whidbey High School band director, who retired this June after years of inspiring the next generation of musicians. We also want to send a special birthday shoutout to Josh Hauser, the legendary bookkeeper at Moonraker Books, who turned 90 and continues to be a cherished part of our literary heartbeat.
🐋 Throughout June, the Orca Network led a powerful series of regional events for Orca Action Month, uniting communities across Puget Sound to raise awareness and advocate for the health and recovery of our endangered Southern Resident orcas. The Langley Whale Center serves as a hub of education and celebration. The center welcomed visitors with special exhibits on orca family structures, hosted kid-friendly activities, and partnered with local artists to display orca-inspired works. Staff and volunteers were on hand to share the stories of J, K, and L pods, and the urgent need to protect the salmon they depend on.
🌈 South Whidbey Pride Parade and Festival saw one of its largest turnouts ever, filling the streets with love, color, and community celebration! Though the festivities are over for June, you can still seek our advocacy groups around the island year-long. The celebrations rolled right into LittleBIGFest’s Summer Soulstice Summer Daze event at the Fairgrounds, complete with toe-tapping local bands and bites from Caravan Indian Food and Whidbey Pies.
🎨 Art Walk Glow-Up
Have you seen the new yellow flags lining the streets for Art Walk? They’re the handiwork of David from edit. workshop, bringing a …
Happy 90th Birthday Josh!
Today marks a truly special occasion for Langley and Whidbey Island: the milestone 90th birthday of Josh Hauser, the beloved founder and enduring heart of Moonraker Books!
From Newcomer to Bookseller:
- In June 1972, Josh and her late husband Glenn Hauser moved from Southern California and opened Moonraker Books at 209 First Street in downtown Langley—despite having zero experience in bookselling
- Glenn, a former military pilot, handled renovations, while Josh leaned on her one true superpower: her love of reading—“I can read!” she famously said.
Anchoring the Community for Five Decades
- As of 2022, Josh has been at the helm of Moonraker for 50 years, earning recognition like “Josh Hauser Month” by the City of Langley and being crowned “the welcome wagon” and “Heart of Langley”
- Moonraker stands out as the longest running independent bookstore in Langley still operated by its original owner. Whoa!
Known for Warmth, Wit, and the Nautical History
- The name “Moonraker” evokes nautical charm: it refers to a small, high sail on a ship—fitting for Langley’s maritime atmosphere and the couple’s broader cultural aspirations .
- Her employees and fellow merchants consistently praise her for making every customer feel like an old friend.
Josh’s bookstore is among the oldest businesses in town. By its 40th anniversary, earning a Moonraker Day proclamation on June 15th by former Mayor Larry Kwarsick.
She received the Legacy on Main Award from the State of Washington for her decades of civic contributions.
Moonraker boasts a curated inventory of around 10,000 titles and June has been designated as Josh Hauser Appreciation Month by Langley City Council.
Cheers to 90 – Looking Ahead
At 90, Josh remains as sharp and personable as ever.
“84 is 84 is 84,” Josh says when asked her age. Her passion for books, neighborhood charm, and dedication to nurturing local culture continue to inspire. As we celebrate her birthday, we honor not just the years she’s lived but the chapters she’s written in each of our lives!
What Happened in May: A Month of Community and Celebration
May on Whidbey Island was packed with energy, connection, and a good dose of elbow grease. From new ventures to cherished traditions, our community brought its A-game. Here’s the rundown of what went down last month in Langley and across the island.
New Ventures, Same Charm
Kicking things off, Mutiny Bay Antiques opened their Langley location above Heritage Bank on May 1st. Tamara, the owner, now has the perfect setup to show off a wide range of treasures while enjoying a killer view of Puget Sound. Don’t worry, their Freeland spot is still open for business too. If you’re into discovering hidden gems, this is your kind of place.
Meanwhile, Whidbey Forest Friends debuted their Forest Friends Families classes. Designed to get kids outside and exploring local parks and nature, it’s a refreshing way to connect with our island’s green spaces. Parents, it’s worth checking out!
Milestones Worth Toasting
May 2nd was a big day for Greenbank Cidery as they celebrated five years in business. Owners Jeff and Kim threw a party complete with live tunes from Ike & the Old Man. Their passion for crafting cider and creating community spaces shines brighter every year.
Madrona Supply Co. marked their 10th anniversary on May 22nd with a block party in Clinton. Jenae’s store mixes PNW artisan goods and laid-back vibes making it a hit for locals and visitors alike with storewide sales on Memorial Day weekend. Langley’s hub for audiophiles and musicians alike, Blue Sound Music store also celebrated 8 years in business! And let’s not forget Misfit Cidery, celebrating one year in their downtown Langley Village taproom at the end of May (May 31st-June 1st).
A Month of Giving Back
On May 3rd, Hearts & Hammers rallied more than 350 volunteers for their annual Work Day. They tackled home repairs and yard maintenance for neighbors in need across South and Central Whidbey. It’s the kind of grassroots effort that shows what this community is made of.
That same week, the island’s non-profits geared up for GiveBIG on May 7-8, an online giving event that’s become a major boost for local charities. From food banks to arts organizations, these big donation days showed just how much we can accomplish when we pool our resources.
Meanwhile, the City of Langley broke ground on an infrastructure project that’ll most likely run through summer. Sure, it’s not glamorous, but these updates …
Read MoreThe Essential Needs Program Enters Its Fifth Year
Life on Whidbey Island is idyllic for many, but rising costs and unforeseen challenges can make it difficult for some families to meet their basic needs. Thankfully, the Essential Needs Program, now in its fifth year, is here to help. This powerful partnership between the Whidbey Community Foundation (WCF), Goosefoot Community Fund, and Island Thrift ensures that no one on Whidbey Island has to face life’s toughest moments alone.
A Lifeline for Local Families
The Essential Needs Program provides financial assistance to help residents with urgent needs such as utility bills, essential household items, or unexpected expenses like medical costs or funerals. By filling the gaps that other programs may not cover, this initiative has become a critical resource for families living at or below 30% of the county’s median income. This includes essential workers like teachers, shopkeepers, and service workers who keep our island thriving.
Melissa Frasch-Brown, Director of the Opportunity Council Island County Service Center, highlights the program’s impact: “This program has given us the freedom to help the most vulnerable members of our community in MORE ways than we have ever been able to. We are deeply grateful!”
A Partnership Rooted in Community
The Essential Needs Program is made possible by a collaborative effort:
Whidbey Community Foundation and Goosefoot Community Fund: Each organization has pledged $25,000 this year to support the program.
Island Thrift: Through its nonprofit thrift store, Island Thrift has generously contributed $20,000.
Together, these organizations have raised $70,000, but there is still a need for an additional $30,000 by August 31st to meet the program’s goal. Every dollar raised goes directly to the Opportunity Council to provide immediate assistance to local families.
How You Can Help:
This is where you come in! Whether you’re a Baby Boomer who loves giving back to the community, a Millennial looking for ways to make a difference, or a Gen Z-er passionate about social change, your contribution matters. Here are some ways to get involved:
Donate Online: Visit goosefoot.org/essential-needs or whidbeyfoundation.org/essential-needs-program to make a donation.
Send a Check: Mail your donation to:
Goosefoot Community Fund, P.O. Box 95, Langley, WA 98260
Whidbey Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1174, Freeland, WA 98249
Shop and Round Up: In April and August, shop at The Goose Community Grocer and round up your total to support the program.
Why It Matters:
Whidbey Island is a community that thrives on connection. By …
Read MoreLangley Chamber of Commerce launches new website
Congrats to all Langley Chamber staff and board on the launch of the new website! Merchants can sign up online for new membership, new businesses can learn about starting a business in Langley, and island-wide events are listed. In addition our new Business Directory provides a robust listing of Chamber members and island businesses. Join the Chamber today and learn about the benefits!…
Read MoreMystery Weekend 2024 – Another successful weekend!
Many thanks to all that came out for another successful Mystery Weekend! This beloved Langley event attracts thousands of visitors each year and this year was the best by far. Langley merchants were overall pleased with the amount of new visitors in the area for the weekend. Mystery Weekend 2025 will be on February 22-23. Merchant, sponsorship, and vendor opportunities are available. Contact us for more info. …
Read MoreMystery Weekend 2024 Solution
Greetings. As most of you know I am Texas Ranger, Ranger Chase Ketchum. Long ago I developed a relationship with the Langley Police Department as a consultant and I want to thank them for their assistance with this confusing mystery.
When I arrived Friday morning they gave me the car’s registration and informed me that the owner, Claire Voyant, was missing. We quickly discovered that the car had been sold to Del Orien and Ed Sill but where was Claire? My interviews with those who knew her were disturbing. She had, for some days, been feeling an approaching darkness, an impending doom. I wondered if her premonitions had brought her harm. Fortunately, I was able to locate her at her sister’s home in Roslyn. We spoke and she told me the darkness, dread and anxiety had overcome her Thursday night and she fled town. Her credit card receipts confirm her story.
I found myself faced with 24 possible suspects and so started by eliminating those with solid alibis.
Ray and Electra Lux. The victim’s parents. It didn’t take me long to understand why Cy had broken off contact with them and changed his name. Keeping an open mind is crucial to detective work but two minutes into my interview with Ray I wanted to punch that smug, greedy, self-aggrandizing little narcissist in the face and jail him just as a public service.
Unfortunately security cameras at SeaTac confirm that Ray and Electra were both there at 8 a.m. Their limo was blocking several of the departure lanes while the poor driver unloaded and checked four large pieces of luggage. Meanwhile Ray and Electra were carrying on some sort of argument. Security couldn’t get them to move. Traffic backed up. It was a mess. They seem to create bad feelings wherever they go but the bottom line is they weren’t in Langley when their son died.
Blackie Beardsley and Tap Hopper were brought into town by the Luxes very recently and had no history with Cy before arriving, so they seemed unlikely suspects.
At least they did until I found out that Tap suffers from Metamfiezomaiophobia (Met-zam-feez-o-my-o-fobia)- a fear of mimes. Irrational fears do sometimes cause people to kill, however when Cy was around Tap just turned into a pile of quivering jelly – completely unable to function.
Blackie was quite a help to me. His background in robotics helped me …
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