About WhidbeyWave

WhidbeyWave is a community news hub for Whidbey Island, Washington — a place to find out what's happening, share events, ask neighbors questions, and connect with the community.

WhidbeyWave was started by Matthew Bell — born in Coupeville and island-raised, with 34 of his 38 years spent on Whidbey. Matthew is deeply woven into the fabric of this community: he teaches special education in the local public schools, leads the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church, runs the Whidbey Island DJ Collective, and serves as a founding member of Slaphappy, the island's own neighborhood watch and community safety group. The spark for WhidbeyWave came from a simple, familiar frustration — his wife kept missing events she would have loved, not from lack of interest, but because so much of what happens here never quite finds its audience. Concerts, markets, art shows, workshops, farm dinners — wonderful things, week after week, that too often slip by unnoticed. That felt like a problem worth solving.

The vision for WhidbeyWave is something like what the Langley Community Center is for south Whidbey — a living hub where people come together, find what they need, and discover what's possible. A destination for visitors looking for genuine local recommendations, for islanders who want to stay connected to their neighbors, and for anyone with a need, a skill, or something beautiful to share. Matthew hopes this site grows into a true reflection of the community itself: a place where artists, teachers, musicians, farmers, and everyday neighbors can put their work and their voice into the world — and where anyone, newcomer or multi-generation islander, can find their way into the remarkable community we have here on Whidbey.

WhidbeyWave is independently run, community-supported, and always free to use. Every event submitted, every question answered in the forum, and every local business recommended makes it a little more useful for everyone who calls this island home.