There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

During the Holidays my thoughts quickly turn into checklists....meals to prepare (and wine to buy!), cards to send, a tree to trim, presents to wrap and of course gifts to purchase. But in the midst of all this holiday list-making, there is still a palpable feeling of excitement that hovers in the

air like a light fog rolling in off the Sound on a classic

Pacific Northwest morning. Needless to say, I LOVE Christmas.

There are so many reasons why this really is the best time of the year. Many of these reason

s are personal and involve my family, others are closely held and involve my faith, and some are just downright unique to life on Whidbey Island and the wonderful experience that comes from calling Oak Harbor home.

Shopping the downtown streets of Oak Harbor is one of those things. I love the lighted snowflakes that hang off the street lamps, the holiday displays in the windows, the scented candles burning in the shops, and I get a thrill when I run into people I know and we quickly peek into each others shopping bags to show off our new purchases with whispered promises that we will keep the item a secret!

So when it comes times to shop for the holidays...shopping locally in Oak Harbor is the place for me.

This year, shopping local takes on even more meaning. In addition to the ambiance, the personalized service, and the chance to connect with my neighbors, I know that the purchases I make are doing a lot to improve the quality of life for many people I care about and for a community I love.

Today's economy has taken its toll on many, and if I had a choice (which I do) of spending my money with large faceless corporation, or with one of the local stores in my community, I am choosing my hometown.

It's not that going to the mall is bad. In fact, it can be fun. But th

e holidays are more than just pure capitalism; they are a time to give generously, and a time to take stock of our values. By doing my holiday shopping locally I am supporting local shopkeepers and helping preserve jobs in my community. My shopping decisions create jobs, and those jobs support families. It makes me feel good to know that just by changing where and how I shop; I can have this type of impact.

Local gift-buying supports the local tax-base and funds other thing I value, like parks, roads, and public transit.

Shopping in Oak Harbor preserves our choices, and preserves our community. I read recently that local businesses donate to community

charities and causes at twice the rate of national chains. That means that the money I spend with a local merchant will have twice the effect....and I feel good about that.

I can't give to every great cause, but my shopping can support merchants in our community and give them a chance to give where I can't. It's all about paying it forward. Just doing what you can to care for the people and the places that you love.

So this holiday season remember, there's really "No place Like Home for the Holidays" and that anyone can HO! HO! HO, but the best Holiday's begin with OH! OH! OH!

The Importance of Being Thankful

As the holiday season approached we all become aware of our blessings and our reasons to be thankful. Then we begin to consider those who are less fortunate, those who have less to be thankful for. We are so lucky to live in a caring, generous community where there are so many OHmazing service organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and the Lions Club. All just looking for a chance to help an individual or a family who needs it.

You may decide (in the spirit if Thanksgiving) to volunteer for the school district, the senior center, or... Maybe the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. These organizations need volunteers to give their time, talents and passions to help those in need. You may also share great experiences with others by volunteering at the Community Thanksgiving dinner or gift giving for the Soroptimist’s Tree of Hope.

Volunteers are always needed throughout the year at all our local service organizations and charities, so while you are counting your blessing you may decide to volunteer and be a blessing to someone else. For some ideas or suggestions on volunteering please feel free to email us at info@oakharborchamber.com.

Happy Veterans Day Everyone

Here is a photo of the new flagpole out at Gateway Park

Greetings to all of our friends out there enjoying a day off... Or as it may be, a quiet day in the office. Of course, we can never forget why we may have this day off today.

Today we celebrate our Veterans Day. The people of Oak Harbor had the honor to raise a new flag at our Gateway Park, due because we have so many OHmazing people dedicated to improving our city, and honoring our servicemen. It was a wonderful ceremony, with officials from the Navy, the city, the Shifty Sailors for providing fantastic vocals and local businesses and of course it was hounded by our wonderful media outlets, whom I am presuming took much more spectacular photos than I.

The Shifty Sailors are prepared to sing OHmazingly

It is always so fantastic to see how a community bonds together to make itself better. We get to see that happen all the time in Oak Harbor, and that is our charm. It isn't everywhere that would care enough to do all the things that we chose to do to honor our Veterans. I (as a new Oak Harborite) am proud of this city, and the things it does.

The flag about to be raised by Sam Bovington, Linda Haddon, Capt. Gerral David, and Beth Munns

It may have been fairly cold out, but the smiles were still firmly stuck on everyone's face... Especially when that flag was standing tall, really adding beauty to the already beautiful display out there.

This type of event, and day really makes you proud to be where you are, and I for one am proud to be a member of this community. I hope everyone took a moment to reach out and make sure that all our Veterans feel our community's love.

The flag flew proudly on a phenomenal day in Oak Harbor

Opinions are like (*ahem), they're necessary

If it were up to me, I would be the only person to ever be given a ballot. How many times have you ever thought that same thing? Come on, don't lie....I know your with me. About this time of year it seems everyone has an opinion on something; I-1033 will destroy the universe (possibly true), the library is a vital part of our community and should be supported (true), Bob Severns will make an excellent City Councilman (an obvious choice since he is unopposed). Go into any coffee shop and listen, everyone has something to say.

When your the Director of a membership organization you are called on to lead and represent the diverse interests of a variety of business and community leaders. You make decisions, implement programs, and fund efforts all in the best interests of your members. But what happens when those members stop sharing, stop talking, stop brainstorming, or stop investing? What happens if they become complacent?

Not sharing your thoughts on how to strengthen the Chamber is a little like letting me be the only person with a ballot. Is that something you would really want? (I already know the answer, you don't have to be so adamant about it!) If you have ever had a great idea, share it. If you don't agree, speak up. Being a part of a community means that you have a chance to help mold this town into the place you would like it to be. So comment, share, engage. You may not always win....but you know at least your opinion was counted.

Great night to warm up inside!

The wind is blowing and there is a chill in the air. Beat the cold and step inside the Lava Lounge and Inferno Restaurant tonight and join us for Tuesday on the Town. The Lava Lounge and Inferno Restaurant is located at: 930 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor. It will be fun and warm inside, great conversations and really GOOD food!!! Stop by anytime between 5:00pm - 8:00pm, hope to see you there!!!

Tuesdays on the Town is an Oak Harbor Chamber Member Program that is open to the public. The featured restaurant donates 10% of their evening proceeds back to the Oak Harbor Chamber.

It is a great evening of fun and a chance for you to try a new restaurant!!!

Fall Colors Everywhere

Isn't it wonderful when you live in a city that has crisp fall air and the ground covered with soft brown and gold leaves. We should tell the South Sounders about our wonderful secret up here. Beautiful weather, little rain, and clean fresh air!

I think if our Seattle friends knew about how OH-mazing our falls were, they would come here in droves. There just isn't anything like catching a late lunch, grabbing a coffee to go and walking along the beach at Windjammer on a beautiful, calm, wonderful Oak Harbor fall day.

We have so many events to get ready for here on Whidbey, Friday (tonight) we have OkSOBERfest at the Elks Lodge and the Wildcats are playing at home. Tomorrow night (Saturday) we have the Rotary Auction, Dan's Classic Ballroom is having a Waltz Workshop, and the Great Apple Rescue at the Coupeville Farmer's Market... Among so many other things. I hope everyone can check out our event site http://www.oakharborchamber.com/eventcalendar.aspx to see if there is anything I forgot to mention that you'd like to check out.

How are we such a well kept secret? I think we'll work on bringing more people up here to see what our hospitality really is all about!!!

An Oak Harbor Kind of Day

The sun has shone through yet again today. It is hard to believe that it is already October, between the fantastic weather and the amazing people it feels like the trees may always stay green, and the sun will never set.

I guess that is just what you get for living in such a wonderful place like Oak Harbor.

This past week we have seen so many smiling faces come visit us from up North of the Border (and because of our location, some from the West). It has been fantastic seeing all these people who have been happy and surprised by our fantastic weather. They have been staying in our campsites at Deception Pass, they have been staying in our hotels such as the Coachman Inn and Auld Holland Inn, and they have been staying with their families on the Island.

We have seen Navy Men and Women who have been formerly stationed at NAS Whidbey, and knew that they had to come back to visit the beautiful, majestic beauty that is Whidbey Island.

I just love the feeling of a crisp fall day with the sun rising, and the kids laughing and playing soccer in the field across from the Chamber. It makes you really appreciate what we have living in Oak Harbor. Between the natural beauty and the awesome people, I think I can stay here forever...

I want someone to promise me that we will have this weather for the rest of the year, and pass that "rainy" season that the Northwest expects and then go directly into an another awesome summer...