Around Town

About_Town.GIF

Stories about people, places, animals, events, really just about anything that has to do with living on Whidbey Island.   I hope you will find it interesting, entertaining, and sometimes humorous. 

Bayview Cash Store

cash%20store%20at%20bayview.jpgThe Bayview Cash Store is located near the corner of Bayview Rd. and  Hwy 525 in Langley. The Cash Store Building was actually four buildings cobbled together over the years. It has served as a general store, a gas station, a feed store, a food co-op, an art store and a pet laundry. With a need to expand the usable space, update systems, as well as a desire to honor the spirit and history of the 1924 mercantile, the decision was made to use traditional forms and materials but avoid a literal reproduction.  Today it houses some great little business like  The Fishmonger. (360) 321-5345 - Owners Dan and Karen Lennon specialize in "Only Wild" fish and fresh seafood. The Fishmonger is committed to providing the best local, regional and specialty seafood to Whidbey Island including freshly cooked chowder and cioppino. At least a couple of nights a month we have the great crabcakes.   The Star Store  joined the merchants at Bayview Corner in the historic location of Harold Johnston's general store. The full service deli is a great stop for take away lunch or dinner. Or, grab a bottle of wine and fresh ingredients and cook it yourself! Just outside of this wonderful building is where they have the Farmer's Market on Saturday's beginning in May.   Music, food, flowers, and yummy garden goodies, all from the island farmers and artisans.
 

 

 

The Clyde Theatre in Langely

Clyde%20theatre.jpgThe Clyde Theatre was built in 1937—the height of the Depression--by Norman and Hazel Clyde.  Blake Willeford bought the theater from the Clydes in February of 1972.

Blake added a stage so The Clyde could host musical acts like street troubadour Jim Page, Country Joe McDonald, and Eric Tingstad, and provide a home stage for the excellent productions of Island Theatre. Hundreds of local children have also made their stage debuts at The Clyde in the plays and revues of Martha Murphy’s Whidbey Children’s Theatre (including their own son Brook in 1986).

Lynn slowly worked her way up as sweeper, then Sunday night ticket seller, then girlfriend/bookkeeper, and finally married Blake in 1978. At last she had the power to change the ugly colors of The Clyde, which inside featured tan acoustic wallboard and red plastic seats, and outside was an awful mustard color. After a few different color schemes The Clyde segued into its current teal, aqua, rose, and purple exterior, and soft rose interior. Blake did an extensive seismic retrofit of the building in 1992 to make it safer for all of us. In 2002 they retired the 65-year-old seats and installed more comfortable seats, with cupholders.  Blake continually upgrades the equipment at The Clyde as well. They installed Dolby surround sound and switched to xenon bulbs from the old carbon-arc power supplies in time for Amadeus in 1985, and upgraded to Dolby Digital Sound in 2000. They added hearing-assisted devices in the late 1990s.

Today The Clyde show some of the best films available, and at prices under $10 a ticket. The popcorn is pretty darn good too.  To see what is currently playing, visit our calendar section, or www.theclyde.net.   See you at the movies!