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Guide to Oak Harbor Easter Services in 2021
After dealing with all the challenges of the past year, many people are anticipating attending services at churches in Oak Harbor to celebrate Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Likewise, churches are looking forward to celebrating these events with people in person and online.
To find out where to go and when, check out the list below for Easter and Holy week service information. Have questions about any specific church? You can contact Don Jaques, the creator of oakharborchurches.com, with specific questions about any church in Oak Harbor. Or you can contact the specific church with questions about their particular Easter services in Oak Harbor. Is your church info missing? Contact Don Jaques to get it added.
Christ the King Community Church | 1036 SE Pioneer Way Oak Harbor
Easter Sunday, April 4 @ 10am
In-person and on Facebook Live. Childcare provided.
Church on the Rock | 1780 SE 4th Ave Oak Harbor
Good Friday, April 2 @ 6pm (in person only)
Easter Sunday, April 4 @ 9am and 10:30am (In-person and on Facebook Live)
Childcare is available. No pre-registration required, sign in as you arrive.
Family Bible Church | 2760 Heller Rd Oak Harbor
Good Friday, April 2 @ 6pm – in person and online
Easter Sunday, April 4 @ 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30am – in person and online. Kids church available at 10:00 and 11:30 services.
Registration is required for attendance due to COVID restrictions. Sign-ups will become available on Sunday, March 28th at https://oakharborfamilybible.org
Facebook Live Stream or YouTube
First United Methodist Church | 1050 SE Ireland St Oak Harbor
Palm Sunday, March 28 @ 1-3pm Palm Parade in church parking lot. This is a come-and-go event for all ages with a few interactive stations to drive through. Two stations will invite people to give flowers for the Easter cross or financial donations for their church camp, “Camp Indianola”.
Good Friday, April 2 @ 7pm
Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday April 3 @ 1-2pm in Smith Park (SE 9th and Jensen Streets)
Easter Sunday, April 4 @ 10am
online and limited in-person (with pre-registration)
www.oakharborfumc.org/live or Facebook Live
Grace By The Sea Anglican Church | 540 SE Pioneer Way Oak Harbor
Palm Sunday, March 28 @ 10am – in-person and live-streamed (with at-home liturgy option).
Maundy Thursday, April 1 @ 6pm – in-person and live-streamed (with at-home liturgy option). (Maundy means “mandate” and it’s the night we re-dramatize the night in the Upper Room. There will be an option for foot-washing, Holy Communion, and then our service ends abruptly as we recall that this is the night that our Lord was betrayed.)
Good Friday, April 2 @7pm – in-person and live-streamed. We are going to do a Tenebrae Good Friday service which is very reflective and contemplative in nature.
Easter Sunday, April 4 @10am – in-person and live-streamed.
Children are welcome to join any of our services! We provide toys or coloring books to keep them occupied if they’re young. We also have a room available for nursing / changing diapers
Living Word Foursquare | 490 NW Crosby Ave Oak Harbor
All services in person and live-streamed. No registration required. Masks and social distancing required.
Good Friday, April 2 @ 7pm – no childcare
Easter Sunday, April 4
*7am – Traditional Service (no kids church)
*9am & 11am – Family Services (Kids Church Available for Birth-1st Grade – sign ups required)
Living Word Easter Services Webpage
Live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube
Oak Harbor Lutheran Church | 1253 NW 2nd Ave Oak Harbor
Maundy Thursday – Thursday April 1 at 7pm
Good Friday – Friday April 2 at 7pm
Easter Sunday – April 4 at 8:00am, 10:31 (drive in service), and 12:00pm.
Registration required for all services except drive-in service on Easter Sunday.
Call 360-679-1561 to register, request child-care, or for more information.
YouTube or Facebook Live Stream
St Augustine’s Catholic Church | 185 N Oak Harbor St Oak Harbor
Many different options on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter (starting on Saturday evening). See their liturgical calendar for full info.
Services live-streamed on Facebook Live and in-person with no registration required.
Whidbey Presbyterian | 1148 SE 8th Ave Oak Harbor
Maundy Thursday, April 1 @ 7pm – live stream only
Good Friday, April 2 – see our website for devotional time available all-day
Easter Sunday, April 4 at 10am – live stream only
Is your church missing from this list? Contact Don Jaques us to get it added.
View the original blog by Don Jaques at:
Woman Owned Businesses on Whidbey
Happy International Women’s Day!
International Women’s Day is a global day meant to celebrate the achievements of women across the world and call to action greater gender equality. This year we wanted to celebrate the day by highlighting just a few phenomenal women-owned businesses on Whidbey Island, starting with our own brokerage owner – Kristen Stavros!
Windermere Whidbey | 32785 WA-20 #4, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Kristen Stavros is the Co-Owner of Windermere Real Estate Whidbey Island. After spending years as an agent and then managing broker, Kristen stepped into the new role as owner in 2019. Since then she has been the spearhead visionary for the Windermere Whidbey brokerage as well as inspiring change and diversity among all of Windermere.
CreAda’s Hair and Wig Salon | 910 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Ada Moseley is the owner and head stylist for CreAda’s Hair and Wig Salon. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she is a stylist that provides the highest level of hair care and knowledge to her clients.
Bayshore Chiropractic | 840 SE Bayshore Dr # 101, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Dr. Dawn is a much-loved and respected chiropractor on Whidbey Island. With over 20 years of experience and genuine compassion for her clients; she provides outstanding quality service that is hard to find elsewhere.
Frida’s | 721 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Naomi Gamboa Schneider is the owner and operator of Frida’s Arts & Craft store. She has a deep passion for creativity and talks readily about how her store, which features all kinds of great paper and art supplies, is the realization of a long-held dream.
Seaside Salon and Spa | 5 Front St NW, Coupeville, WA 98239
Aaron Wiley’s Seaside Spa and Salon is known for being a place of deep relaxation and joy. With a number of stylists, nail techs, massage therapists, and estheticians; Seaside Spa and Salon’s repertoire of services is sure to impress.
Orlando’s Bar + Southern BBQ | 656 SE Bayshore Dr. Ste 1, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Ms. Jackie had nothing more than two cast iron pots, a tent, and a vision when she started the now-beloved Orlando’s Bar and Southern BBQ. Whether you’re looking for the best-grilled catfish on the island or just a friendly upbeat atmosphere, Orlando’s is an establishment you do not want to miss.
3 Sisters Market | 779 N Holbrook Rd, Coupeville, WA 98239
It is honestly hard to imagine Whidbey Island without the multi-generational 3 Sister’s Farm. In 2013, Roshel and her sisters added to their legacy when they opened 3 Sister’s Market which is dedicated to offering customers the best selection of products from the most local sources.
Little Town Cottage | 851 SE Pioneer Way, Suite #102 Oak Harbor, WA, 98277
Maria Rodriguez is the founder and visionary of the incredible soap shop, Little Town Cottages. With a dream to build a business she can pass down to her children, Maria started her store in 2018 by selling home decor, gift ideas, and body products. The community fell in love with her creative soap creations, and she now has expanded her store.
Collections Boutique | 24 Front St NE, Coupeville, WA 98239
Jennifer Bachmann is the owner and operator of Coupeville Front Street’s Collections Boutique. This quaint store, situated in a historic 1887 building, carries a variety of clothing lines, jewelry, accessories, and baby gifts for consumers.
Forage | No Physical Location
Anyone who has seen a bouquet by Lexi Ochoa knows this woman has an absolute talent for floral arrangements. Lexi’s bouquets are not only stunning, but they also are locally sourced. Forage uses small farms, gardens, and found flowers as much as possible in her arrangements which make them unique and last a great deal longer than other bouquets.
Map to Woman-Owned Businesses on Whidbey:
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Black Owned Businesses on whidbey
Black-Owned Businesses on Whidbey
Windermere Whidbey is a proud supporter and celebrator of Black History Month. This year we wanted to do something extra special to commemorate the month, so we have collected a list of Black-Owned Businesses on Whidbey that we think you are going to love visiting.
Orlando’s Bar and Southern BBQ | 656 SE Bayshore Dr Ste 1, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Orlando’s Bar and Southern BBQ is a community treasure that started with nothing more than two cast iron pots, a tent, and a woman with a vision. Starting at the local farmer’s market, Ms. Jackie and her family served up southern-style food that took the Oak Harbor community by storm. Within a few years the business grew from a tent to a truck, and now an incredible downtown restaurant few can resist. Whether you’re looking for the best-grilled catfish on the island or just a friendly upbeat atmosphere to enjoy, Orlando’s is an establishment you do not want to miss.
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CreAda’s | 910 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Ada Moseley is the owner and head stylist for CreAda’s Hair and Wig Salon. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she is a stylist that provides the highest level of hair care and knowledge to her clients. She is known for making her clients feel special from the moment they walk through her door as well as cultivating a respectful and diverse atmosphere within her salon. If you’re looking for experience and compassion from your stylist, she is the one to call!
Shaw Photography | No physical Location
Shaw Photography is owned and operated by Willie and Kelsey Shaw. Whidbey Island natives, Willie and Kelsey met in high school and fell in love. As adults, the couple has built a business combining their skills in photography and videography that allows them to work together and gives them more time with their two young sons. Willie is an especially talented videographer who you may recognize as the cameraman behind Annie Cash’s Your Local Look Videos. If you’re looking for an engagement, maternity, or family photographer, you can’t go wrong with this insanely creative couple.
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Lesedi Farm | 2812 Thompson Rd, Langley WA 98277
A truly unique treasure for Whidbey Island, Lesedi Farm is owned and operated by Dorcas Young. Dorcus was born and raised in Botswana on her family’s 500-acre farm where she learned the art of cultivating crops and raising livestock. After meeting and falling in love with a Washington State native, Dorcus moved to Whidbey Island with her husband and four children. She brought with her seeds from Botswana to plant in her garden and soon followed the inspiration for her farm. Dorcas now sells produce from her garden at local farmers’ markets as well as Botswana-styled meals and food products. You can find her products at Pike Place Market, West Seattle Farmers Market, and Bayview Farmers Market.
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Jahleel Vester with Summit Funding, Inc. | 275 SE Cabot Drive, Suite A8
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Jahleel Vester is a Whidbey Island native who absolutely loves his community. Anyone who meets Jahleel knows that he has a passion for living life to the fullest and serving his clients well. As an individual who knows all too well the historical struggles of the black community within the housing market, he desires to be a role model and trailblazer for others. Working with Summit Funding has given Jahleel the opportunity to build a business that aligns with his vision and dreams. If you’re looking for a passionate loan officer ready to educate you and find the solutions you need, look no further.
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Ozell Jackson with HomeBridge | 32650 State Route 20, Suite 201, Oak Harbor, Washington 98277
Ozell Jackson is a Puget Sound native who greatly values community and making a meaningful impact. Through the years he has served the community as a football, basketball, and soccer coach, instilling the discipline of making plans and taking responsibility for mistakes in his students. This passion for service drives his career as a Loan Officer and is why he chooses to work with Homebridge, who he feels shares this goal with him.
We’re committed to helping you with your homeownership questions through this turbulent time. Send me a message today to…
Posted by Team Jackson Ozell & Julie Jackson, Loan Originators on Thursday, April 2, 2020
Mrs. Billies Beauty Salon | 715 SE Fidalgo Ave. suite #201, Oak Harbor
Mrs. Billies Beauty Salon is located comfortably within The Loft on Fidalgo and Dock in Oak Harbor. Billie Foster is an incredibly talented hairstylist with over 26 years of experience who offers a variety of services to any and everyone regardless of their hair type or texture. She’s known for receiving a great amount of joy in making her clients feel good about the way they look. Whether you want to switch up your color, try extensions, do silk presses or relaxers; Mrs. Billie has got you covered.
Dean’s Sports Plus | 730 N Oak Harbor St, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Dean Lewis, the owner of Dean’s Sports Plus, always had the vision to own his own business and be his own boss. His sporting goods store is the realization of the dream. Having spent the last 30 years servicing clients’ sporting needs, he not only has returning customers but multiple generations of them. He has earned a reputation within the community for being an outstanding repairman for sports equipment ranging from bicycles to snow skis. So the next time you need a chain fixed or a wheel adjusted, you know who to call!
Did we miss a business? Let us know in the comments!
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Where to get your Lashes done on Whidbey
Buying Vacant Land on Whidbey Island
If you have always dreamed of building your own home, choosing your own layout, selecting dream finishes, and want all your desires in a home met then you will be looking for vacant land. This is a completely different world than buying a preexisting home where there is complete certainty when it comes to electricity, water, sewage, and condition. Uncertainty is not comfortable for everyone so let’s make sure you feel prepared and empowered.
First and foremost, if you ask anyone who has built their own home, they will tell you that even if you build a home from scratch you will not end up with a 100% perfect house. There are always compromises and unforeseen issues with layout, etc. Remember, vacant land is scarce and becoming scarcer, so if you find the perfect property with an imperfect house, perhaps you can consider a major remodel.
When buying vacant land, it is all about the level of certainty a parcel can provide you. A parcel that already has a water source, septic system, access/driveway, building site laid out, and electrical nearby is going to be extremely rare. Such a parcel will cost more because of the time and expenses already invested by the seller. There is also inherent value in the confidence you as a buyer can have that you will not run into complications that may make the land unsuitable for development.
Below are our TOP 5 recommendations when considering buying vacant land:
Find a vacant land purchasing specialist.
Complex is the word that comes to mind when thinking about vacant land purchases. Having a trusted guide who loves the complexity that comes with purchasing land is something you really want. Many brokers groan when they think about helping buyers with vacant land but there are a special few who just dig it! Find them! It will make all the difference. If you need a recommendation just call (360) 675-5953 and ask for a recommendation on a vacant land specialist from the manager.
Know your corners.
In the best-case scenario, there has been a survey done and the corners are clearly marked with modern official survey markers however, this is rare. You may need to negotiate to have this done by the Seller. There are other signs that can give an idea of where property lines fall though. One of the coolest technologies that most agents have nowadays is an app that uses geo-spatial technology to locate your position on a map in relation to property lines. An old-fashioned surveyor’s tape measure can help as well if you have a marker of some sort to start from. Fence lines, survey tape marking trees or branches, driveways, and other identifiers can give clues. Nothing beats a proper survey though and you are going to want that when it comes time to build.
Get as certain as possible on the big 5.
Water, sewage, electricity, access, and building envelope. These are the big 5 mysteries when you first look at a raw and overgrown piece of land. The more that these 5 things have been figured out and addressed by the Seller, the more valuable the property is. You are buying risk when these 5 are unknown. You cannot avoid risk completely but figuring out as much as you can about these 5 will help you move forward more confidently.
Work with a local builder.
Get the local builder to the lot sooner than later. Reputable builders on Whidbey will be able to help you through the feasibility process, have a great instinct for what is possible, contacts to get specialists out to the property, and experience working with Island County’s Building department. Here are 5 builders we recommend in no particular order…
Know your critical areas.
Shorelines, native American artifacts, endangered animals and plants, steep slopes and bluffs, wetlands, and streams will affect the property in big ways. There are large set-back requirements for structures, wells, and septic systems around critical areas. You may get into a situation where you do not have much of a choice about where you can position your building site. These unknowns must be understood before you decide to close on the lot. Your Realtor can help you navigate this maze.
Each property is unique, and we could share a lot more with you on the topic of buying vacant land on Whidbey, but the truth is that the best thing you can do is find yourself an excellent guide who will help you assess what it is you are really looking for and how to narrow down the search. Good luck and do not forget your muck boots!
PHOTOS BY: Kelsey Kurtis
How to Become a Licensed Real Estate Broker in Washington
- Pick a school and do your 90 hours of course work. At Windermere, we recommend Rockwell Institute because it is consistent and has proven success at getting people prepared to pass the exam. Current cost $489 (January 2021).
- HOT TIP: There is an add on to get sample exams and extra cramming practice. GET IT!
- Do the following steps as you get closer to completing the 90 hours to break up the studying with actions that will prepare you for taking the exam and getting licensed…
- Fingerprints! The closest location to Whidbey Island is in Mt. Vernon. You can schedule your appointment on this IdentoGO site. At the time of this blog post (January 2021), it cost $42.80 for the fingerprints and background check. Go to this DOL site for more info.
- Set up a SAW account (Secure Access Washington) if you haven’t already for your driver’s license. For more info: https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/accountaccess.html
- Register as a student with AMP through psi here https://ampportal.goamp.com/School/SchoolUser/WAREPStudentRegistration.aspx
- Register for the exam. Cost $138.25 https://online.goamp.com/CandidateHome/examination.aspx?p_category=REAL%20ESTATE&p_client_code=WAREP&p_exam_id=21311
- Once you’ve passed the exams apply for your license! https://secureaccess.wa.gov/myAccess/saw/select.do
* Contact the WA DOL Real Estate licensing department if you need extra help. We recommend emailing them instead of calling for a faster response. https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/realestate/contact.html
Follow these suggestions to get yourself mentally and physically ready to launch your real estate career:
- Pick a brokerage.
Interview the top brokerages in your area. Since the real estate exam process doesn’t really give you what you need to serve people or build your own business you want to join a brokerage with a robust training program and ongoing support. Schedule a no-pressure introduction meeting with our brokerage today! Email us at WhidbeyCommunications@Windermere.com to do so. - Change your phone number to a local area code if it is not already. Nowadays all cell phones have caller ID and everyone is screening calls from out of state numbers. Do not confuse people, all real estate is local and your phone number should be too.
- If you are beginning your real estate career in November or December then now is a great time to start collecting mailing addresses for Christmas cards.
- Read some books. We give one of our favorites out a lot!
- Snoop on the local real estate brokers. What do you see that you like, what don’t you like? Take note! Social media is one good place to find a broker then check out top brokers’ web pages. If you don’t know any go to the website of the brokerage you’re thinking about, head to the agent’s page, and start clicking links. Ours is right here!
- Interview brokers you admire. Take a broker that catches your attention online for a cup of coffee (they really do like it!). Ask them all the questions but more importantly LISTEN. Some suggested questions are…
- What do you like most about being a real estate broker? Least?
- What do you like most about your brokerage? Least?
- What advice would you give someone like me who is just getting into the business?
- Download our guide to 5 things you can do to give yourself a head start here.
Interview the top brokerages in your area. Since the real estate exam process doesn’t really give you what you need to serve people or build your own business you want to join a brokerage with a robust training program and ongoing support. Schedule a no-pressure introduction meeting with our brokerage today! Email us at 
What do you see that you like, what don’t you like? Take note! Social media is one good place to find a broker then check out top brokers’ web pages. If you don’t know any go to the website of the brokerage you’re thinking about, head to the agent’s page, and start clicking links. 
Moving with Pets
We all know moving can be stressful…
but have you stopped to consider how a move can affect your pets?
Here are a couple of suggestions to consider while moving to help make the transition easier on both you and your pets.
Contact Your Vet:
Let your pets’ vet know that you will be moving. Your vet can provide you good information on the best way to move with your pet and make sure you have enough medications for the duration of the trip. They can answer any questions you have and they might even be able to help you find a good vet in your new location if you are moving out of the area. Do not forget to get your pet’s records before you move.
Best Friend’s Veterinary Center
33285 WA-20, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
(360) 679-6796
North Whidbey Veterinary Hospital
1020 NE 7th Ave #4, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
(360) 679-3772
107 S Main St, Coupeville, WA 98239
(360) 678-6046
Central Whidbey Veterinary Services Inc
771 Patmore Rd, Coupeville, WA 98239
(360) 678-1881
Create a Moving Kit:
Gather supplies to keep your pet comfortable during the travel and supplies on hand for the first several days of unpacking.
- Pet food
- Food, Water, and Bowls
- Medication
- Grooming tools
- Toys
- Blanket
- Poop Bags
- Leash
- Treats
- Documentation and a picture
The Day of Packing:
Our pets feel anxieties, just like we do when things change around them. It is best during a move if you can keep them away from all the action. A simple option is often putting them in a kennel or letting them stay with a friend. If you cannot or do not want to do either of those; try making a quiet room in the house where they can safely stay away from all the hustle and bustle. It is also important to check on them often and try to walk them when you normally would.
Things to remember:
- Make sure they have enough ventilation
- Make sure they are not too hot or too cold
- Make sure they have enough food and water
- Let them have some toys
Taking Your Pet With You:
When possible, it’s best to travel with your pet to curb their anxiety. There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding the best way to transport your pet such as their age, temperament, size, and species. Regardless, it’s always important to ensure your pet’s safety when traveling which is why we have included a few links below with helpful pet gadgets.
Do Not Go Off-Leash in Unfamiliar Areas:
Remember that new locations mean unfamiliar areas. If your pet gets out while traveling they might get lost. Additionally, when you get to your new home it is important that you take the time to be with your pet to discover the new area so they don’t get lost and can find there way back to their new home. This is also an important reason to bring documentation and a picture of your pet with you in case they get lost.
Introduce One Room at a Time with Familiar Items:
Consider setting up one room first with familiar items for your pet to stay in while you prepare the rest of the house. Give your pet a lot of attention and slowly introduce them to each new room giving them plenty of time to adjust to their new surroundings and familiarize themselves with the new setting. You also might consider crating them when you leave them alone for the first few weeks. New environments can cause pets to break house training.
Things to do When You Get to Your New Location:
- Register your pet in your new city
City of Oak Harbor
Town of Coupeville - Update your pets chip
- Find a new veterinarian
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Drinking Water on Whidbey Island
Where Does Your Drinking Water on Whidbey Island Come From?
WATER IS A PRECIOUS COMMODITY
As Whidbey’s premier real estate brokerage, Windermere agents get asked about our Island’s drinking water A LOT! Why? Water is a precious commodity, and one of the essentials of life. Knowing where your water comes from should be a primary concern of someone thinking about living on an island.
WATER ON WHIDBEY ISLAND
Many people who move to Whidbey have never experienced life with a well and even those who have rarely understand the implications that a well surrounded by saltwater might have. With the exception of the City of Oak Harbor and NAS Whidbey Island, who get all their drinking water piped in from the Skagit River (yes, it travels under the Deception Pass bridge), the rest of the island depends on tapping into our skinny Island’s network of underground aquifers.
WHAT IS AN AQUIFER?
Think of an aquifer as a of pocket of freshwater, or more like a saturated sponge. Under the surface, sometimes DEEP under the surface, these pockets have enough permeability to absorb new water that seeps through the layers of dirt, rock, and gravel of the ground but can also store enough water to keep from running dry. Maybe a visual would help…
The problem with the graphic above for Whidbey Island is we are not on bedrock and we have very few large lakes. In fact, we are surrounded by saltwater which can become a real issue for saltwater intrusion when removing a large amount of freshwater from an aquifer too quickly.
WHAT IS SALTWATER INTRUSION?
Saltwater intrusion is a condition in which saltwater enters an aquifer and contaminates the water supply. The intrusion occurs when too much water is pulled from the aquifer, too fast. The reduction in pressure pulls in saltwater from the surrounding shoreline, ultimately contaminating the freshwater. Take-a-look at the graphic below for a better understanding.
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/process-saltwater-intrusion
HOW TO PREVENT SALTWATER INTRUSION
One way to prevent saltwater intrusion is to slowly and steadily remove freshwater from the aquifer and store it so when demand spikes, like during summer, the sucking from the aquifer doesn’t become so intense that it pulls the saltwater in. Think of a straw poked into the pocket of freshwater. If you suck too hard it will pull saltwater in from the surrounding sea.
Another important activity is to regularly monitor wells across the island and collect enough data to see signals of wells that have a higher risk of saltwater intrusion than others.
HOW IS IT PREVENTED ON WHIDBEY?
Here in Island County, we are so incredibly lucky to have a full-time hydrogeologist, Doug Kelly. Doug has a very rare and critical position. He has helped develop a data-gathering system and monitoring program that helps to give Island County residents early warning signs if their well is at risk and provides them with steps to take to prevent that from happening.
WHERE DO I GO TO FIND OUT MORE?
There is a phenomenal database that anyone can access on Island Counties website called ICGeo and with the layer for wells turned on you can see where all the wells on Whidbey are located. Within a few clicks, you can also get a report that is hyperlinked with all sorts of additional information and a great color code to quickly gain a bunch of info on the health of the water.
If this gets too confusing and you want info on a specific well just call your trusty Windermere Real Estate Broker! If you do not have one of these gems already, call us today!
Oak Harbor 360.675.5953
Coupeville 360.678.5858
Freeland 360.331.6006
Langley 360.221.8898
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Collaboration, Competition, & Putting the Client First
-Why we are better together at Windermere
Many people think of real estate as a cutthroat competitive sales business akin to the dynamics that are portrayed on a TV show like Million Dollar Listing. The world is always pitting competition vs. collaboration against each other as if these two things are completely exclusive from one another.
This is why it is so darn refreshing when you see collaboration amongst “competitors,” and it’s something we see at Windermere all the time.
One of Windermere’s core values is that we are all better together, and we are huge believers in the very different way Windermere real estate agents operate. But what does “better together” really mean? How does this play out in the day-to-day?
Of course, “better together” in part refers to the collaboration aspect in real estate. No one doubts two heads are better than one when it comes to problem-solving, and how about ten heads or a whole brokerage full of knowledgeable professionals to draw from? In our brokerage, a seasoned agent or a total newbie who comes up against something unusual (which happens more often than you would think) can easily pick the brains of agents representing 100’s of years of experience. From in-person conversations to our Facebook group page; we encourage ideas, questions, new information, resources, and sometimes just funny memes. Real estate is about being creative, not taking no for an answer and problem solving like a maniac. Having a support group you can rely on results in miracles for your clients other agents can’t produce.
“Better together” also means we have a lot of pride in the standard Windermere sets in the real estate industry. This translates to holding each other accountable when a colleague is delivering less than their best. For those of us who thoroughly understand the benefits of holding the real estate industry to a high standard, it literally hurts our hearts when we see agents acting in ways that are embarrassing for our profession and even worse, harmful to the client. This is why we believe in continually raising the bar on this industry so others have to stretch themselves just to keep up.
We take the idea of “better together” seriously but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to have fun doing it!
The video below was envisioned, orchestrated, and paid for by the agents. It is a pure collaboration amongst some of the most successful agents at Windermere in Oak Harbor who have intense respect for one another and understand that being better together helps everyone.
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Winterize
Winterize
Have you been outside lately? There has not been a coatless day in WEEKS and the trees downtown are one harsh wind away from officially being bare.
The point is…it’s cold.
We all know the drill here. We put away our summertime flip flops in exchange for wool socks and thick boots. Our tank tops get pushed to the backs of our closets as sweaters emerge. Winter is coming and we are preparing our closets accordingly.
But how are you preparing your home?
It’s hard to imagine failing to maintain the greatest investment we’ve ever made yet every year a shocking number of homeowners fail to do basic winterization tasks. Some don’t even know that they should! To lend a helping hand here are the Top 5 Winterization Tasks you should do every year.
Clean out the gutters
Those beautiful fall leaves we’ve been watching descend so gracefully from the sky are the same ones descending into your gutters. Although that might not mean much now, when the temperature dips down to freezing it can mean a whole lot. Water unable to escape the drains due to fallen leaves expand as it freezes. This can cause gutters to become damaged or pull away from the house. Eventually these become overhead hazards that threaten to fall from above.
Cleaning your gutters may not be fun, but it is vital and pretty easy. Simply grab a ladder, some work gloves, a trash bag, ang get to work! You’ll probably find it goes faster than you ever imagined.
Flush irrigation systems
If you have a sprinkler system for your home, it is of the utmost importance to have the lines professionally blown out before the cold hits! As we talked about with the gutters above, when water freezes it expands. This is bad news for those underground pipes! Frozen water that expands within irrigation pipes can cause pipes to crack or burst destroying your system and your yard. Below are some local companies certified to service irrigation systems:
Precision Plumbing and Backflow Testing | 360-914-0321
Everflow Irrigation | 360-840-4793
GCF Backflow Services | 360-320-9871
Evergreen Landscape & Maintenance | 360-679-2363
King Water Company | 360-678-5336
Cover outside faucets
Going hand in hand with blowing out that sprinkler system is covering ALL outside spigots. BURSTING PIPES! It’s a very real issue that can cause thousands of dollars in property damage. Luckily, covering your pipes can be as easy as going to your local hardware store and picking up one of the below faucet covers. They are extremely easy to install and if you are even a little concerned we have found a helpful video to guide you through!
Fertilize the lawn
Winter months seem to only to bring with them frost and death. Luckily, that doesn’t have to be the story for your lawn. Winter fertilizer helps your grass recover from minerals lost in the scorching summer sun and stock up on the nutrition it needs to withstand the cold winter months. This will prevent it from dying away when spring hits.
However, living on an island brings with it special considerations when it comes to fertilizing your lawn. Traditional fertilizers often contain high amounts of hazardous chemicals such as zinc, lead, cadmium, chromium or sometimes even arsenic. The risk of these chemicals is only elevated with the addition concern of their runoff into the Puget Sound. Living on Whidbey increases this risk drastically even for the most centrally located island properties. That’s why we highly suggest using eco-friendly fertilizers such as Milorganite’s Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer which you can pick up Home Depot today!
Replace weather stripping
Every year countless sums of money are spent on the excess heating required to keep our homes warm in the winter months. But is all that money necessary? You’d be shocked to learn all the different ways in which the sacred warm air inside escapes from your home. Although some of these issues require big solutions like reinstalling insulation in your roof or switching to a better heating system altogether; quite a lot can be done in simply replacing some of your weather stripping around the house!
How long has the weather stripping along your exterior doors been there? Since you’ve moved in, right? Well every time that door opens and closes there is a little more wear to the stripping and after a few hundred passages it’s no wonder it starts to give way.
Replacing weather stripping is easy and relatively cheap! Check it out:
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