Artworks featured artists for October include Kent Sanders and Barbara Marks, and we welcome new artist Amanda Fisher. Kent Sanders pursued his passion for jewelry design after years of teaching, combining his scientific background with natural elements to create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. Barbara Marks is a wildlife artist known for her paintings and carvings inspired by North American big game and their habitats. New to the gallery, Amanda Fisher is dedicated to using her art to bring light and joy to the world. She primarily works with acrylics or watercolors to recreate the wonder she sees while hiking the abundant trails on Whidbey Island. www.artworkswhidbey.com
Museo welcomes artists Don Fels, Leslie Stoner, Nancy Stentz and Jan Lipetz in October. From Fels’ illuminated surfaces, to Stentz’ meditations, from Stoner’s mesmerizing mazes, to Lipetz’s studies of form, the October show explores abstraction in all its beauty. Quiet, contemplative, complex and meticulous – it’s a show not to be missed. https://museo.cc/
Rob Schouten Gallery introduces three exciting new painters to the gallery. Mason Andrews paints powerful portraits emerging from colorful patterned backgrounds. An emerging self taught artist, Andrews’ style evokes an immediate emotional response that grabs the viewer’s attention. Timothy Haslet presents expressive landscapes from his Whidbey Island surroundings. Haslet begins with a neon acrylic base layer and then paints with oils for each subsequent layer, giving the paintings bright as well as muted color moments. In painter Craig Kosak’s new series “Spirit Guides” mythological animals inspired by the sea, forests and wildlife are portrayed on colorful backgrounds that become dimensional spaces conveying emotional experiences. www.robschoutengallery.com
In October the Whidbey Art Gallery will be featuring crows, crows and more crows. Many of the 2D and 3D artists will present their concepts of crows for your viewing pleasure.
Our featured member is Annette Hanna with pastels. Annette is a painter of portraits and landscapes in pastel or oil. Nature is her inspiration. http://www.whidbeyartists.com/
Michael Foley at WICA’s Lasher Gallery
Michael Foley, photographer, will have an exhibition of his work in the Kristin and Earl Lasher Gallery at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) through October 2024.
Michael Foley’s journey with photography began at a young age with a Kodak Instamatic camera. His passion for capturing moments grew as he “borrowed” his Dad’s Nikon during his teenage years. Today, Michael’s love for the outdoors and hiking naturally complements his photography, ensuring he always has a camera within reach.
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts
565 Camano Ave., Langley
360-221-8268 tickets@wicaonline.org
Youth of Color Art Show Through November 3
Enjoy art work created by youth of all ages through
the Youth of Color program at Pamoja Place.
On view through November 3.
Open 7 days a week, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sponsored by Goosefoot and Pamoja Place.
Hub Gallery @ Bayview Cash Store
5603 Bayview Road
Broadway Style Musical Improv at The Outcast BlackBox theater
Thursday, October 3 @ 7:30 pm – 9 p.m.
Welcome to Musical Improv at the Black Box Theater. We will have an amazing mix of musical short and long form for you. Everything made up, on the spot from your suggestions! the night will start with musical short form, and progress to a Broadway musical style show. Tickets: $10.
Friday, October 4 @ 7:30 pm – 9 p.m.
Welcome to Musical Improv at the Black Box! Each performance of the entirely made up, improvised Broadway musical style show, is in reality A Premiere of a never-before-seen musical, that YOU the audience help create with your amazing suggestions.$25.00
Saturday, October 5 @ 7:30 pm – 9 p.m.
Welcome to Musical Improv Extravaganza at the Black Box! Each performance of the entirely made up, improvised Broadway musical style show, is in reality A Premiere of a never-before-seen musical, that YOU the audience help create with your amazing suggestions.$25.
Southern Resident orcas begin entering these waters to search for salmon in October. Please celebrate with us this month by joining in a series of events, learning more about the relationship between Southern Resident orcas and salmon, and getting involved in recovery efforts.
Orca Recovery Day Stewardship Event, Cornet Bay, Deception Pass State Park, Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Register here: www.whidbeycd.org/events
Orca Recovery Day Youth Event, Langley Whale Center, Saturday, October 19. Join us for a variety of activities, including watercolor, face painting, orca recovery pledge cards and salmon themed games, puzzles, and crafts.
How You Can Help Salmon and Southern Resient Orcas
• Report whale sightings to 866-ORCANET or info@orcanetwork.org. Reports are shared with researchers and agencies, providing valuable data.
• Drive less – ride your bike, carpool, or take public transit. Research shows that chemicals in tires are lethal to salmon.
• Clean a beach, river, or stream.
• Limit your use of chemicals and plastics.
• Purchase Salmon Safe products. salmonsafe.org
• Get involved in salmon restoration efforts. podmatch.org
• Support salmon and orca conservation organizations.
• Donate to Orca Network’s education and advocacy efforts
• Spread the word!
Octoberfest @ Meerkerk Gardens
Meerkerk Gardens is holding its annual Octoberfest Concert and Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 5.
Grab your Lederhosen and Dirndls! Octoberfest at Meerkerk Gardens is fast approaching.
The festival happens from 12 Noon – 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, just as the gardens start flashing fabulous fall color. Enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Bavaria.
Two local musical groups will perform for your enjoyment:
• Nathaniel Talbot Trio will take the stage at 12 Noon and play a 90-minute set centering on American roots music that combines the soulful edge of tradition with the Pacific Northwest’s legacy of freedom and innovation.
• Pickled Herring Band will take the stage at 2 p.m. and will perform all their favorites with accordion player Lori Hansen.
Get your tickets here: https://square.link/u/oBipwonU
We will have traditional German food from the Chef in the Black Bandana and have beer from Georgetown Brewing in our Beer Garden.Adult admission to Octoberfest is $15 – payable at the Meerkerk gatehouse entry by cash, check, credit card or pay in advance at www.meerkerkgardens.com/events. Kids under 13 are free. Parking is limited so please carpool, take the bus, ride a bike, or walk, if possible.
Rhododendrons also will be a big part of this festive event. Check out the nursery! Choose from hundreds of plants on display just in time for the fall planting season.
Meerkerk Gardens, a 53-acre woodland wonder on central Whidbey Island, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year. Enjoy two-plus miles of trails, stunning vistas and a renowned collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and specimen trees. Dogs on a leash are welcome. Bring a lawn chair!
Build a Scarecrow and Help Good Cheer
Go to the Island County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 5 from Noon to 4 p.m. for scarecrow building. All materials provided for $10 fee. Proceeds benefit Good Cheer.
Don’t miss Apple Day @ Bayview Garden
Bayview Garden’s 24th Annual Apple Day Saturday, October 5
Join us as we celebrate Washington’s delicious, beautiful most iconic fruit!
Enjoy fresh cider straight from the press
Visit our Apple Tasting Station to sample dozens of different varieties of heirloom apples
Enjoy live, local music on the cafe courtyard stage
Enter to win Raffle Prizes
Savor apple pastries and specials from the Flower House Cafe
Apple Day is FREE and fun for the whole family! We hope you join us.
Bayview Garden
2780 Marshview Ave.
Save the Date: October 5
Soroptimist Shred Event in Freeland
Mark your calendars so you won’t miss this great fundraiser organized by Soroptimists International of South Whidbey Island.
Find us at Whidbey Island Bank, 5590 S Harbor Ave, Freeland Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
See you there and then!
Soroptimist International of South Whidbey Island https://soroptimistsouthwhidbey.org/
Mr. South Whidbey Pageant October 5
Only a few tickets remain! The countdown has begun for the October 5th Mr. South Whidbey Pageant at Freeland Hall. This annual event is for such a great cause: Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund. Click on the link for tickets and to vote for all your favorite candidates (there are SEVEN cool guys this year — and all are alumni!). Hope to see you there! https://www.fofmedicalsupportfund.org/mr-south-Whidbey
The Cake Theatre Series @ WICA
October 11-16
Step into the heartwarming and thought-provoking world of Bekah Brunstetter’s dramatic comedy, “The Cake.” Follow the journey of Della, a vivacious, conservative baker from North Carolina, who faces a crisis of conscience when asked to bake a cake for a wedding that challenges her beliefs. This touching story explores themes of love, faith, and personal growth, promising to leave you both laughing and reflecting.
Della makes cakes, not judgment calls – those she leaves to her husband, Tim. But when the girl she helped raise comes back home to North Carolina to get married, and the fiancé is actually a fiancée, Della’s life gets turned upside down. She can’t really make a cake for such a wedding, can she? For the first time in her life, Della has to think for herself.
Starring: Alyssa Keene, April Jane Herrild, Carys Zoe Bishop, Tony Salome
Fall Pruning at Venture Out Nursery with Tobey Nelson, CPH
Sunday October 13, 1- 2:30 p.m. OR
Sunday October 27, 1- 2:30 p.m.
To prune well, you need both technical knowledge and a sense of artistry. In this class we’ll cover everything you need to know in order to prune correctly, and how that bears upon the artistry of pruning various types of shrubs and trees. Learn about the when and why, the difference between heading and thinning cuts, what a good cut looks like, and how to encourage the shape you are trying to achieve. Please note that we will only be discussing ornamental plants; we will not be discussing pruning fruiting trees and shrubs in this class (watch for our class on how to prune your fruiting plants in January!). Students will receive a coupon for 20% off plants. Class fee is $15, to register call us at 360-321-9931.
Venture Out Nursery
Artists of South Whidbey Show sand Sale October 11-13
The Artists of South Whidbey announce their upcoming Show and Sale at the Dancing Fish Winery, showcasing a diverse array of artwork from talented local artists, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore and purchase original pieces, prints and cards.
Artists of South Whidbey
Oktoberfest Celebration at Greenbank Farm Saturday, October 19
Get your Gemütlichkeit on and join us Saturday, October 19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for our first annual Oktoberfest celebration as we transform the barn at Greenbank Farm into a lively and rollicking beer hall complete with traditional music, food and drink. Headlining the musical entertainment are The Oompah-sters, Saratoga Orchestra’s own German Band playing polkas, waltzes and marches, and joined by our special musical guests, the Puget Sound Alphorn Society.
Dress in your finest dirndls and lederhosen for this family-friendly event. We’ll have local handcrafted beers, cider and German wines available for purchase along with brats and hot dogs from Coupe’s Last Stand Bratwagon and traditional pastries from Seattle’s Kaffeeklatsch German Bakery. Enter the Saratoga Sausage Toss, Hammerschlagen (Nail Hitting) and Masskrugstemmen (Stein Lifting) for a chance to win prizes, plus a special family-friendly area to include games and art activities. Proceeds benefit Saratoga Orchestra’s Education and Enrichment programs.
Tickets are $20 online presale and $25 purchased at the door. Information and tickets at www.sowhidbey.com or 360-929-3045.
Preschool Storytime @ Langley Library
Fridays, September 20 – November 29 @ 10 a.m.
Share fun books, songs, and creative activities with your preschooler to prepare young minds for the adventure of reading. A play time or art activity may follow. Supported by the Friends of the Langley Library.
Langley Library
723 Camano Ave.
360-221-4383
Nancy Pearl – Recommended Reads
The Friends of the Langley Library proudly present:
Nancy Pearl’s Recommended Reads on Wednesday, October 30th @ 11 a.m.
The Friends of the Langley Library announce the return of Nancy Pearl to Whidbey Island! Join us as Nancy shares her favorite reads of the year with her signature wit and charm. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Seating is general admission, and we expect a full house, so we recommend that you arrive early. This event is free to attend, but we suggest a $5-10 donation at the door to help cover event costs. Your contribution is greatly appreciated!
Purchase raffle tickets at the event for a chance to win a selection of books from Nancy’s list! Must be present to win. Many thanks to Moonraker Books for donating the books!
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts
534 Camano Avenue, Langley Friends of the Langley Library friendslanglib@whidbey.com.
Halloween Events
Black Cat Ball and Creepy Potluck @ Bayview Hall
Trunk or Treat @ Bayview Fire Station
Halloween Events in Coupeville
Spooktacular Langley Halloween Afternoon — Boo to You!
Langley merchants are dressed for the holiday and welcome kids and parents to Trick or Treat downtown from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Halloween.
Don’t miss this enchanting afternoon; it is great fun for the whole family!
You should also head downtown during the month of October to see some of the many crows around town created by metal artist Scott Alexander and wood artist Mike McVay. It’s really something to crow about!
Live Music
Dancing Fish Vineyards Live Music
Monday Bites: Dinner, wine and live music, 4:30-7 p.m.
Friday, October 4, Janey Cribbs & The T.Rust Trio
Thursday, October 1, Deja Blooze
Thursday, October 18, Nuages
Dancing Fish Vineyards
1953 Newman Road, Freeland
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Fall & Winter Tasting Room Hours start October 3. Join us for a glass of wine.
Thursday: 3-6 p.m.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12-6 p.m.
Monday: 3-6 p.m.
Double Bluff Brewing Company is a place for community events and live music.
“Solo in the City” at Double Bluff Brewing Co. Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. (no cover charge)
October 5, Octoberfest with The Hipocrats, costumes encouraged
October 9: Jonny Morgan
October 16, Mike Hopkins
Visit Double Bluff Brewing Company in Langley, Monday from 3 to 8 p.m, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:30 a.m to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In the summer Double Bluff has live music every Saturday performed under their outdoor bandstand.
Leo and Leto’s Winery and Bistro
Introducing Chef Kyle O’Neill and Michelle Graham as new owners!
Live Music Saturdays @ 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 12, Brad Thomas
Saturday, October 19, Those Guys
Saturday, Octobert 26, Brant Satala
Leo and Leto’s Winery Tasting Room, 5511 Bistro
New Hours: Open 7 days a week! Monday – Thursday 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. 5511 Freeland Ave, Freeland
360-321-0515 https://www.leoandletos.com/events
Ott & Hunter Live Music Saturdays 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 5, Larry Murante & Nati Popova $20
Saturday, October 12 Nathan & Jessie: An Evening of Swingin’ Jazzy Folk, $25
Saturday, October 19, Jazz Overhaul
Saturday, October 26, Duende Libre Quintet, two shows 6 &8 p.m.
Ott & Hunter Winery Tasting Room
204 First Street, Langley www.otthunter.com
Sales and Markets
Comforts Winery Update
We like to give you a quick rundown on what’s going on here at the Winery and Bed & Breakfast.
Summer has been good to us, however the weather this year was wetter and cooler and different than any year since we started farming. Every year we expect the lawn and fields to brown-out starting in early July and not come back until October. This year, the fields never turned brown and they are already lush and green again, which the cows and alpacas are enjoying. The green pastures are a sign of just how cool and wet 2024 has been. Our grapes however were not happy with the cooler, wetter weather as they need about 1600-1700 heat units to optimally ripen – and don’t need (and we don’t want, significant rain). A heat unit is every temperature degree above 50, every day, accumulated for the season. If it hit 60 degrees on a given day, we put 10 heat units into our total. A heavy rain after a long dry spell, results in the grapes swelling and the clusters closing up. When this happens, you can no longer get spray into the cluster to prevent mold or botrytis. The riper the fruit, the more sensitive it is to rain. We checked the vineyard just to see if there was any fruit worth picking and there was not. It seems that we have chosen the perfect year to “shape” the vineyard and while the original plan was to use this year for maintenance, we have not had the time for that – too many irons in the fire.
We decided to mothball the vineyard this year so there is not going to be a harvest.
No Comfort Estate grape harvest in 2024
Bottling our new wines: We just finished the clean up from bottling our 2023 Estate wines last week. A HUGE “Thank You” to everyone who showed up on such short notice to help. I know many of you have expressed interest in helping to bottle but it only takes about 12 – 14 people and we have had many of the same bottlers each year since we started using the truck. We were lucky and it was a wonderful morning to bottle wine. We averaged 260 cases per hour (and that includes wine changes) and then everyone came up stairs to have lunch and sample the fruits of their labor. Most importantly, everyone had a great time.
We had (until this week) intended to bottle reds in November. However, with all that is going on right now, Carl doesn’t feel he has the time to blend, test, and finish everything in time for a November bottling, as well as work full time to support his wife’s wine habit – With the start of cooler weather there could be issues if the wine or glass is too cold when it goes into the truck not to mention weather unpredictability during the bottling process (we are outside). So it looks like we are going to have to push our red wine bottling to March or April of 2025.
We are not bottling reds on November 5, 2024 – new date TBD April 2025
There has been an enthusiastic response to our most recent red wine releases, the 2019 Cab/Syrah blend and the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon – if you have not tried them, make sure you do before the November wine club allocation. A few library wines (not at library prices) are down to the last pallet. If you enjoyed these wines now is the time to pick up a few extra bottles before they are gone. Now is the time to stock your cellar with your favorite Comfort wines.
Estate Pinot Noir
2020 Nebbiolo
2018 Cab/Malbec/Syrah (CMS)
NV (2016/2017) Cab/Syrah
2018 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Malbec
O2 Whidbey
2017 Late Harvest Semillon
Fall Plant Sale at Meerkerk Gardens October 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Don’t miss out on amazing deals this season!
10% off all 1-gallon rhododendrons
20% off all 2-gallon and larger
Members save an extra 10%!
Visit us to stock up on your favorite plants and enjoy the beauty of the gardens this fall!
Harvest Moon Market at Greenbank Farm Friday, October 25 – Sunday, October 27
Ritual Mischief Hours and Events
Five years of mischief!
It’s harvest season, and the herbal studio is overflowing with plant friends and love. Come visit! If you’re in the neighborhood, just stop by. If we’re home, we’re open! Our just-stop-by hours are roughly 10 a.m. to sunset, because it’s difficult to navigate back to the studio after dark (and nobody wants to see Lori before 10 a.m.).
Flying Bear in Langley
Bayview Garden at Bayview Corner
The Pup Stop at Greenbank Farm
ElSage in downtown Mt Vernon (Aug 1-Jan 31 pop-up)
We grow and ethically gather 50 different plants on Whidbey to create our local plant-infused herbal balms, salves, lip balms, lotion bars, infused oils, soaps, shampoo bars, shower steamers, dish soap bars, dog shampoo bars, herbal sleep & dream pillows, and more. Our offerings are small batch and many are seasonal. We also carry a few handmade offerings by friends.
Park in the driveway or in the open field just past the driveway if the driveway is full. The herbal studio is through the gate and around the front of the house. Follow the signs. You can also order online anytime, choose Pick Up to avoid shipping, and then come pick up orders from us in our driveway. We email you to arrange pick-up times. We also ship within the continental US. Thanks friends!
Welcome New Member: Whidbey Island Living Legacy (WILL)
Whidbey Island Living Legacy (WILL) is a nonprofit corporation formed to raise funds, through purchase or donation, to buy and provide land for workplace individuals, retirees, and others challenged by the housing market to build their own tiny houses within a community of tiny homes.
Coyla Shephard is the founder of the successful THINC tiny home neighborhood on Camano Avenue. This will be the second tiny home community she has developed. Where THINC is created for renters, the WILL property is created for home ownership. The land remains the property of the trust.
206-390-6628
Website and social media pending
SUVA sailings for 2024 end October 7
Join us for a Whidbey Island sailing experience on Penn Cove!
Sit back as the sails are hoisted, the engine turned off, and we cruise across the water while enjoying the scenic views of Penn Cove, Mount Baker and the Cascade Range. This is a gentle sailing experience perfect for the whole family. We sail where the wind is the best, perhaps past Snakelum Point where the Lower Skagit Tribes lived to the east, or the Penn Cove mussel farms to the west.
We depart the picturesque Coupeville wharf every Friday, Saturday and Sunday on our historic 1925 wooden pilot house schooner.
2024 Sailing Schedule
All scheduled sailings are approximately 2 hours, and depart from the Coupeville Wharf at 24 Front St NW.
Fridays: About 5:30 p.m., varies depending on sunset
Saturdays: 1-3 p.m.
Sundays: 1-3 p.m.
