Close-up of two hands working at an old sewing machine.

Hands at Work

Breathtaking natural beauty and laidback island lifestyle a big reasons why Whidbey and Camano Islands are a haven for artists.

Best Coffee is Island Coffee

Best Coffee is Island Coffee

When Seattle held a contest to find the region’s best coffee, the winners were from Coupeville.  They promptly named their coffee, “Seattle’s Best.” Throughout the world, Seattle is known as a coffee capital, thanks largely to that famous mermaid. But locals know it’s the whole Pacific Northwest region that roasts a mean bean, and in…

Movie set of an actor running as the crew records him running.

The Hour After Westerly

When a man who revels in timeliness and predictability loses an hour and finds a mystery, it produces a haunting puzzle about what might have been. That’s “The Hour After Westerly” a short film mostly shot on Whidbey Island. For a limited time, it’s available online.

The Oak Harbor Garry Oaks

The Oak Harbor Garry Oaks

When you walk among the oak trees that dominate Smith Park in Oak Harbor, you can’t help but feel you’re among some very old living things. The 150 or so Garry Oaks in the park predate the town, and, yes, the town was named after the trees.