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Dear Friends,
Many of you may know Linda Jo Colley, beautiful wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend in the community for 38 years. You would understand that her presence is one of great love, laughter, compassion, and character, a positive spirit who instantly uplifts whomever she comes in contact with.

Along with Keith Colley, her husband of almost 40 years, Linda has been working very hard, sacrificing along the way her own momentary wishes, toward making positive changes in the world for us all and our children. Their dream has been to see their creation “The Can-Do Project” accomplish their life-long goal of helping to educate and elevate the integrity of our planet through music, arts, books, school curriculums, and multi-media promotion.

Shockingly, Linda has recently been diagnosed with cancer. She is surrounded by her family and we feel ready to fight a fierce fight, and Linda is right there with us. She says she must stay here to see through what she has begun, and feels she was put here to help change the world. We know she already has.

Many of you have been asking how you can help. An immediate concern is financing towards treatment and facility. An account for donations has been set up at Whidbey Island Bank in the name of “Linda Colley Support Fund.” Any help would be gratefully received. Along with lots of prayers, and the love and support of our friends and community we can make her recovery come true.

With Deepest Gratitude,
Linda’s Family

To the Editor:
The Board of the South Whidbey Commons thanks the 150 new supporters in our community who donated over $11,000 in December to help us get closer to our goal of starting construction of an 8,000 square foot multi-generational community center later this year.

Grants from Washington State and private foundations outside of our community have brought in $1,050, 000 ($200,000 waiting for the governor’s signature). The South Whidbey community has pledged or donated nearly $300,000 towards this project, leaving us a balance of $600,000 to raise by June 30th. We continue to seek funds from additional grants and donations from community members to meet this goal.

Located at the popular Bayview Corner area [in Langley] where you can see our sign and capital campaign thermometer, the South Whidbey Commons will be a place for people of all ages and interests to gather, socialize, learn, recreate, and make new friends. The Commons will house the South Whidbey Youth Connection, South Whidbey Children and Family Center, and other tenants. You, your family, and friends will be able to gather in the 3,000 square foot Community Living Room, enjoying coffee or snacks, reading in the alcove hideaway, viewing performing arts on the stage, or participating in other community gatherings. The Commons will provide flexible spaces to meet the needs of your children, your parents, your neighbors and yourselves.

Can we count on you? Help make a difference in your community today by becoming a supporter of this effort. Call (360)321-4159, write South Whidbey Commons at P.O. Box 222, Langley, email info@southwhidbeycommons.com, or use PayPal on our web site at www.southwhidbeycommons.com.

Sue Haworth, Chair
Clyde Monma, Vice Chair

Letter To The Editor
The American Cancer Society has been a very active group in Island County for many years, with dedicated volunteers participating in patient service programs, cancer support groups and fund raising for research and patient services.

The North Whidbey unit of the American Cancer Society needs your help now. Plans have been under way since last November to promote the annual fund raiser RELAY FOR LIFE. This event will be held in June. The funds raised will provide money to fund cutting-edge cancer research, provide free transportation to hospitals, loan wigs to cancer patients, help prevent youth smoking, publish life-saving literature, and develop a new generation of weapons to fight cancer. Our North Island County Relay for Life raised over $120,000 last year. This year we have raised over $11,000 towards our goal of $150,000.

Now is the time for individuals, corporations and small businesses to commit their team participation. The Relay For Life can be the site of a company picnic or family gathering while supporting a great cause.

To sign up, to participate, or to learn how you can volunteer for Relay For Life visit our web site at www.islandcancer.org or call Myron at (360)675-1444 or Terri at (360)672-4559.

Helen Mosbrooker
Oak Harbor

Bits 'N' Pieces

Tango Anyone?
If you enjoyed the Tango!Tango! show at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley this past November, you will not want to miss the evening of tango music and dance coming to Bayview next month. There will be a Tango dance workshop, evening concert and open dancing, and a special dinner available at the Smiling Dog. For more information and to reserve a place, call NW Language Academy at (360)914-0391 or email info@nwlanguageacademy.com.

[Submitted by Northwest Language Academy]

New Business in Freeland
Solcatcher is now opened for business in Freeland. Located on the corner of East Harbor and Main Street. We offer Reiki, Tarot Card Readings and Feng Shui gifts and home decor. Owner, Julienne Audette, is a professional reader and energy worker with over 20 years experience. She has read for people on Whidbey for over a year now, but also reads for people all over the United States and Canada. The cost for a reading is $2 per minute and a Reiki Session is $80. Gift items at the shop include Air Ionizing Salt Crystal lamps, beaded handbags, jewelry, original artwork and more. Julienne is also available to do parties. What could be more fun than having a Tarot Reader at your next birthday party? Please call for an appointment, (360)331-9464. Readings can be done in person or by phone. Drop-ins are welcome, but the shop is closed during sessions, so it’s advisable to schedule ahead.

[Submitted by Solcatcher]

SVC Women’s Programs Launch New Scholarship Fund
Skagit Valley College (SVC) Women’s Programs will launch a new effort called “Dollars for Scholars” which will help raise scholarship money for displaced homemakers and single parents attending SVC.

In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, Women’s Programs will encourage every woman and those in support of women to donate at least $1 for this new scholarship fund.

In addition, businesses and organizations will have an opportunity to participate in a special “Give a Buck” campaign to encourage their employees and customers to donate to “Dollars for Scholars”.

“Our goal is to raise $10,000 through “Dollars for Scholars” and other fundraising activities to enable us to endow a sustainable scholarship fund,” said Linda Nelson, Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator for the LaConner School District and Chair of SVC’s Women’s Programs Advisory Committee.

For more information and to contribute, contact Anne Ziomkowski, Director of Women’s Programs, (360)416-7616, anne.ziomkowski@skagit.edu or Margo Grothe, Displaced Homemaker Center Coordinator, (360)416-7762, margo.grothe@skagit.edu.

[Submitted by Skagit Valley College]

Mark Your Calendar to Eat Well On April Fool’s Day
While it may seem early to be planning April 1 foolishness, it’s never too early to be thinking about the next good meal and marking it on the calendar. That would be Friday, April 1, and it’s not a joke. April 1 is when the public and friends of Washington State University’s (WSU) Extension Programs on Whidbey Island will sit down to their first annual spring Spaghetti Feed at Coupeville Recreation Hall.

The spring Spaghetti Feed is the counterpart to the first annual Autumn Festival, held last October. Both events are designed to raise funds to help benefit the community outreach programs of WSU Extension in Island County - everything from Master Gardeners to 4-H to Beach Watchers. Organizer, Dot Irvin, said the Spaghetti Feed will run from 4:30pm - 8:30pm to accommodate those county personnel whose workday ends at 4:30pm. Tickets are available through the main WSU Extension Office in Coupeville, and from volunteers in the WSU programs. Price is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 years old, and $20 for families. Children five and under will be admitted free. The menu includes salad, bread and the option of vegetarian spaghetti. Music, raffles and kids’ games also will be provided.

[Submitted by the WSU Extension Program]

Hearts and Hammers Calls for Volunteers
On the first Saturday in May, Hearts and Hammers volunteers accomplish one of the largest one day community endeavors by helping many of their neighbors stay in their homes. For the past 11 years over 400 folks from the South Whidbey community have helped those who need home repair but are physically or financially unable to do the work themselves.

This year Hearts and Hammers received over 50 applications for homes needing repair. This is the largest number of requests for one year to date.

Hearts and Hammers wants to help as many as possible, but need a record number of volunteers to sign up before the March 30 deadline, so a good assessment can be made on how many crews can be formed for the May workday.

Volunteers will gather on Saturday morning, May 7, at the South Whidbey High School for a breakfast and team assignments from their house captains. They gather again at the high school at the end of the day for a well deserved dinner and wrap-up of the days accomplishments.

Volunteers do whatever repairs and renovations are possible within the scope of a one-day work party, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, plastering, weatherization, heavy cleaning, roofing, yard cleanup and trash removal.

There is no cost to the home owner. Donations come from the community to cover the cost of the materials, through individuals, organizations, churches, businesses and in-kind donations of labor and materials.

To volunteer, forms are available on-line at www.heartsandhammers.com; also at post offices, nurseries, libraries, building supply yards, and at The Clyde Theater.

Please mail in your forms before the March 30 deadline to Hearts and Hammers, P.O. Box 694, Langley, WA 98260.

[Submited by Hearts and Hammers]

Island Arts Council Announces Individual Visual Artist Grants Program
In the interest of offering ongoing support to the visual arts community on Whidbey Island, an annual work grants program has been established. Grants of $500 each will be awarded in May of each year. The funds for these grants are generated by the fall Open Studio Tour. The number of grants will vary from year to year depending on funds available from the tour.

Artists applying for the grants should have a dedicated need for the grant as part of either ongoing or ensuing work. This need could be as varied as research, documentation, equipment or materials, skills enhancement through workshops or studio upgrades.

Applying visual artists should produce original work, live on Whidbey Island, and not use the funds for work that accrues academic credit. Artists who serve on Island Arts Council (IAC) or subcommittees, their partners (domestic, business, or family members) are not eligible for these grants while they are actively involved in the IAC in these capacities. Recipients will be asked to verify residence prior to grant awards.

For grant information and application procedures visit the website www.whidbeyopenstudiotour.org or pick up the application materials at either Bayview Arts or Coupeville Arts Center. The application deadline is April 15, 2005.

[Submitted by Island Arts Council]

HOPE Looking for Volunteers
HOPE Therapeutic Riding Program needs volunteers now for the upcoming lesson season. HOPE is Whidbey’s only therapeutic riding program for Island residents with disabilities. Volunteer Training Classes are now being offered. No experience is needed. SVC students can earn LIA credit too! Check us out at www.hope-whidbey.org. For more information or to sign up, call (360)221-7656 or email hope@whidbey.com.

[Submitted by HOPE]

More Heart In Heart-to-Heart Community Service Program
The Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County (IDIPIC) can use more volunteers to help with panels for DUI offenders, driver’s ed. students, and general public.

How? Setting up chairs, checking people in, and putting the room back in order. Being a speaker. People, many of them our future drivers (Whidbey driver’s ed. students are required to attend) need to hear your story if you are someone who:

· Has been injured in a DUI crash
· Has had a family member injured or killed in a DUI crash
· Has caused a DUI crash with injury and /or fatality
· Works with DUI victims or offenders, such as law enforcement, EMTs, ER staff, etc.
· Has several years of sobriety
· Has been convicted of DUI

When? Volunteers can help out as little or as often as they wish. Once a month or once a year, or any amount in between. Where? Hayes Hall 137, down the hall from the Oak Harbor Library. Why? With your help, IDIPIC is truly a community service helping to make the roads safer for those who live here and those who travel through here. What? For more information, please visit www.idipic.org or call JoAnn Hellmann, coordinator, at (360)675-8397.

Besides the DUI panels and youth safety talks at schools, IDIPIC provides free safety seminars to businesses, organizations, military commands, agencies, churches, etc. throughout the county. They are enlightening, entertaining and empowering.

[Submitted by IDIPIC]

Photographs Wanted for South Whidbey Soroptimist Calendar
The South Whidbey Soroptimists are looking for 12 wonderful Whidbey Island photos to feature in the 2006 “Isle see you...” calendar. Do you have a photo that depicts life on Whidbey Island? Send us your photo and you just might see it in the 2006 South Whidbey Soroptimist calendar.

Please send the picture with your name, address, and phone number on the back to South Whidbey Soroptimist, PO Box 633, Freeland, WA, 98249 along with a stamped self-addressed envelope if you would like them returned. The deadline is March 1. Please note: A negative or slide of the photo must be available for printing; if digital, it must be taken by a 5 (or higher) megapixel camera. If you have any questions, please call Marlane Harrington at (360)331-3458 or Mary Solt at (360)331-4756.

[Submitted by South Whidbey Soroptimist]

Healthcare Career Opportunity For Students
Responding to student suggestions, Whidbey General Hospital’s Student Intern Program has changed. The purpose of the program is to give students with a demonstrated interest in healthcare careers an inside look at those careers. Students are able to spend time observing and questioning the professionals they might become and doing the routine work that maintains every hospital department. The program part hasn’t changed. What has changed are the dates to apply. In 2005, applications are due by April 20. This will allow students to be interviewed in May, thereby giving them time to make other plans if necessary. Students must be 18 by June 27, 2005, to qualify.

For an application, please contact Sally Fox at (360)678-7656 ext. 3246 or (360)321-7656 ext. 3246. You can also call or stop by the Human Resources Department at Whidbey General Hospital.

[Submitted by Whidbey General Hospital]

Traci Winn Named Verizon SuperPages Regional Account Manager
Traci Winn has joined Verizon Information Services, the leading U.S. print and online directory publisher, in the newly created position of regional account manager. Winn will manage the advertising for businesses in the Verizon yellow pages and SuperPages.com throughout the Whidbey Island area. Winn recently served as a senior account executive for Advo Inc. a Direct Mail Company. At her new position with Verizon yellow pages she will direct day-to-day sales, sponsorships and community activities within the Island community.

Winn has been involved in several civic and business groups, including the Oak Harbor, Freeland and Langley Chamber of Commerce organizations, Providence Guild # 21, Useless Bay Country Club, Island Athletic Club, and has sponsored a number of local tournaments and business-to-business after hour meetings throughout the area since March of 2004. “It’s all about the people. I really enjoy doing my part to help promote and grow local businesses,” says Winn.

[Submitted by Verizon Information Services]

2nd Annual Oak Harbor City Planter Contest
It’s time for the second annual “Visions of a More Beautiful Oak Harbor” city planter contest. Individuals, businesses or organizations can enter and adopt one or more city planters. Join the fun and show off your gardening talents by entering one of three categories; Most Patriotic, Most Colorful, or Most Creative. The deadline for entering is April 1. For more information call Helen at (360)679-9139 or Karla at (360)679-9478.

[Submitted by Oak Harbor Garden Club]

Nationally Renown Acting Coach Coming To Whidbey
Whidbey Children’s Theater presents an incredible opportunity to work with a nationally renown acting coach to the stars. Gary Austin of Los Angeles, founder of The Groundlings, improvisational theater, and currently coaches TV and movie personalities, is coming to the Porter Building in Langley to provide workshops for kids, teens and adults on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 4 - 6.

Austin has received impressive endorsements from actors like Helen Hunt, Lillias White, (Broadway Tony Winner and co-star of the film Pieces of April) and Laraine Newman from the original cast of Saturday Night Live. One of Austin’s young students, Jordan Fry, is currently co-staring in the film “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” along side Johnny Depp.

For more information on dates and times see Whats Going On or call (360)221-8707.

[Submitted by the Whidbey Children’s Theater]

Reduced Cost Tire Collection Event
In May and June 2004 the Health Department partnered with the WSU/ Wastewise and Beach Watcher Volunteers to raise public awareness of the connection between old tires and mosquitoes by organizing two, three-day used tire-recycling events. Old tires are nearly ideal mosquito incubators, offering persistent standing water, high humidity, warm temperatures, and lack of large predators. Over the course of a warm summer an old tire can generate over 25,000 mosquitoes. With the potential onset of West Nile Virus (WNV), old tires can pose a very real threat to community health. The 2004 tire event brought in 4,679 recycled tires.

Island County Health Department and WSU/Wastewise & Beach Watcher Volunteers will be sponsoring this event again this year. Currently, the cost for tire disposal is $6 at the Island County Transfer Station. We will be accepting off-rim passenger and light truck tires for $2 and on rim tires will be $3.75. Holders of Solid Waste Low Income Cards from the Opportunity Council or Senior Services may bring 5 off-rim passenger or light truck tires for free and on-rim passenger or light truck tires will only be $1 (limit 5).

The following are the locations, dates and times for the events:
Saturday, March 19, 9:00am - 3:00pm, Oak Harbor Road Shop. (3125 Schay Road, Oak Harbor)
Sunday, March 20, 9:00am - 3:00pm, Bayview Road Shop. (14566 SR 525, Bayview)
Tuesday, March 22, 9:00am - 1:00pm, Oak Harbor Road Shop. (3125 Schay Road, Oak Harbor)
Saturday, May 21, 9:00am - 3:00pm, Bayview Road Shop. (14566 SR 525, Bayview)
Sunday, May 22, 9:00am - 3:00pm, Oak Harbor Road Shop. (3125 Schay Road, Oak Harbor)
Tuesday, May 24, 9:00am - 1:00pm, Bayview Road Shop. (14566 SR 525, Bayview)

For more information call Lori Clark at the Island County Health Department at (360)679-7350 or (360)321-5111

[Submitted by Island County Public Health]

Local Artist Gains International Recognition
Penn Cove is pleased to announce that one of its members, Sue Martell, is now a published artist and is represented by Geme’ Art, Inc in Oak Harbor. Sue’s mastery of capturing the authenticity of nature’s fresh botanicals is the basis of her first print series. Her designs will be introduced at an international trade show this month and will be available at the Penn Cove Gallery during the Arts and Antique Walk March 5. Penn Cove Gallery is located on Front Street in Coupeville.

[Submitted Penn Cove Gallery]

Curves 7th Annual food Drive
Curves for Women, 30 Minute Fitness and Weight Loss Center, in Freeland will be joining Curves international Inc. “Curves Food drive” to benefit local food banks. Last Year, the Curves drive collected over 4,000 tons of food for local communities.

Anyone joining the Curves in Freeland the week of March 7 may bring in a bag of groceries and have the normal service waived. Anyone may drop off nonperishable food items at Curves Monday through Friday during business hours during the month of March.

“The Curves Food Drive promotion allows us the franchisees, to help women reach their fitness goals, while giving back to the community simultaneously,” Bonnie Davis, the owner of the Freeland club, said.

For more information call (360)331-694, Curves for Women in Freeland is located in the Harborview Mall on Main Street in Freeland.

[Submitted by Curves for Women]