Wednesday, December 29, 2010

In the December 29, 2010 issue

You kept us going another year
     We are very grateful to you – our readers and advertisers and the local artists who contribute photos, stories and poetry – for keeping La Conner Weekly News in business.
     As we head into 2011, we thank you, our community, for helping us through 2010.
     Thank you La Conner. We wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.
     Sandy and Cindy
A gift of masters and mystics
Photo by M. Sharon Baker
 Museum benefactor Paul Gingrich stands next to “Interior Blue,” a painting by Walter Isaacs.
By M. Sharon Baker
When a museum hosts a significant show or collection, it has become customary for the museum to ask the artist or collector to donate a piece to enhance the museum’s collection.
So when Paul I. Gingrich Jr. agreed to show his collection of Northwest works from prominent artists including Guy Anderson, Morris Graves, Mark Tobey, Richard Gilkey, and many others at the Museum of Northwest Art, he was prepared for the promised gift request.
And he instantly said no.
What he said next surprised MoNA’s Lisa Young, curator of the permanent collection, and Greg Robinson, then executive director.
“I will give you the whole collection,” Gingrich told them.  Read about MoNA's biggest gift in today's paper.

 It was snowing this morning... 
     Writer Sue Phillips missed the December dark and drizzle because she and her husband, Barry, have been vacationing in Hawaii all month. They're due back in time to see the white stuff falling out of the sky. In today's paper, Sue shares a story she heard about Makana Mountain on Kauai.
 Makana Mountain in Hawaii -- Photo by Sue Phillips

Meanwhile, here in town ...
  Photo by Bill Stokes
 The swollen Swinomish Channel submerged the intersection of Conner Way and Sherman Street again on Tuesday. The town was not in danger of sea flooding, though, since the extreme high tide was not accompanied by a storm surge.

In the Police Blotter: Read about the guy who called the cops to see whether he was wanted for burglary ... 

   The paper is in news stands all over town and at the drug store, gas station, book store, produce market and liquor store. Or subscribe and stay out of the snow and have the paper delivered to you.

Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, Dec. 29, 2010

Braves Raves
By Amylynn Richards
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
The boys took on 3A League Sedro Woolley, which – thanks to the Braves, now have four losses this season.  The Cubs are 2-4 overall, and 1-3 in their league.  The Braves and Cubs were equally matched the first quarter, and then the Braves pulled away to lead entire game, with a half-time score of 39-30, and final score 63-44. 
“The entire team played well defensively,” said Coach Scott Novak, “especially Garrett Wilbur and Kyle McKnight.”
Team highlights: Landy James, 18 points; Sten Mejlaender, 13 points; Spencer Novak, 12 points; Mike Wilbur, 7 assists. 
The Braves are 4-2 overall and 2-0 in league.
The boys will play next on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at Mount Vernon Christian, starting at 7:30 p.m.
WRESTLING
The co-ed wrestling team competed at the Mount Baker invitational on Tuesday, Dec. 21.
Sixteen teams from all leagues competed; four of the teams from the larger schools sent their junior varsity teams.
“There were 16 wrestlers in most of the weight brackets,” said Coach Mike Compton.  In smaller leagues such as the Northwest 1A/2B league, it is unusual to not have at least one win by forfeit, which means the other team does not have an athlete to compete in that weight class.
La Conner finished 14th, and brought home third place in the 285 lbs. division, thanks to junior Cameron Wischhusen. Brandon Drye finished in fifth place in the 215 lb. class; two athletes place seventh: Ben Harper at 119 lbs; and Austin Wischhusen at 189 lbs.; and Amber Drye won her match by pin in the 171 lb. class.
Mike Compton reports, “It was a pretty tough tournament and we had a few wrestlers under the weather, so we’re hoping that the little break at Christmas will see them come back strong.
The Braves have a home match tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the old gym against Mount Vernon High school and on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. at home against Burlington Edison.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
The girls took a break from competition over the school vacation, but will go to Mount Vernon Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 4 to play the Hurricanes at 6 p.m.  On Thursday, Jan. 6, the sophomore team will play Lummi at home at 7 p.m.
Clear your calendar for the big game at home on Friday, Jan. 7 as La Conner takes on the Darrington Loggers at 6 p.m. Dinner is covered, if you buy supper at the concession stand.
ELEMENTARY BASKETBALL
The schedules and rosters for the 3 on 3 elementary league will come home via backpack the first week of January.

 

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

In the December 22, 2010 issue



Photo by Bill Stokes
In the heart of La Conner, Gilkey Square at the waterfront end of Morris Street is aglow in lights that Teresa and Rick Ward put up.  Merry Christmas.
A large gift for La Conner students
    School Counselor Lori Buher shares the good news: The La Conner Community Scholarship Foundation, which provides college money for local high school graduates, received a gift of more than $300,000 from Dorothy Furlong, who died in 2008.  Dorothy, who graduated from La Conner High school in 1932, was a descendant of John and Bessie Cornelius who settled on Pleasant Ridge in 1868. 

Food Bank has a name
     La Conner writer  Mary Evitt tells us about the food bank run by volunteers each Monday behind the Methodist Church is now officially called the La Conner Sunrise Food Bank. It was named for Kevin Sunrise who for five years quietly distributed food to people who needed it from his home on Myrtle Street until he and his wife Amy Han had to shut shut down their unofficial food bank in June. La Conner United Methodist Church Pastor George Lockwood helped them find the volunteers to take over.

 From the Police Blotter:
7:02 p.m.: Harassment – A caller reported that a person he has a no contact order with had driven past him and honked the horn, 900 block Maple Ave., La Conner. The caller was concerned this might be a violation of the court order. The deputy checked; no violation.  (Yes, this really happened here!)

How do you use a parking lot puddle?
You dig it up and plant a garden! Writer Amylynn Richards has the story about a plan in La Conner School District to solve a drainage problem beautifully -- with a rain garden. Runoff that pools in an area of the parking lot near the Middle School will water native plants and give local students experience in eco-friendly landscaping. 

Did you know that in Norway they don't put up Christmas trees until Dec. 23? Mickey Bambrick tells us all about it in her Nuggets from Norway.

And in Notes from Pull and be Damned, Jim Smith brings us "Jimmy Shimmy's favorite yuletide story." 

Holiday Closures
Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25
Banks: Most close early Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24.
Buses: No service Saturday.
Schools: Closed until Jan. 3.
Town Hall: Closed Thursday, Friday and Monday.
County government offices: Closed Friday and Monday.
Post Office: Open regular hours Friday. No delivery Saturday.
Trash Pick Up: Regular schedule.
Pioneer Market: Close at 6 p.m. Friday, closed Saturday.


The paper costs 3 quarters in news stands all over town. You can also pick it up at the drug store, liquor store, gas station, book store and produce market. Better yet, subscribe and get it at home!




Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, Dec. 22, 2010

Braves Raves
By Amylynn Richards

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Mountlake Terrace Cedar Park Christian School rolled into town in a large, black school bus, decorated with an air-brushed neon green lion head, and a mane of neon green “flames” down the length of the bus La Conner to take on the Braves on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
The Lions may have won the school bus awesomeness competition hands down, but were not able to overpower the lady Braves on the basketball court; the Lady Braves won 58-19.
Team highlights: Priscilla Ponce-Venegas scored 12 points for the Braves and provided 11 rebounds; Nikki Finley, 14 points; Kelly McClung, 8 points; Samie Miller scored 6 points; and Aubrey Stewart, 7 rebounds.
“We had a bit of a slow start against Cedar Park,” Coach Marla Quesnell reports, “once we found our rhythm, both offense and defense started to roll.  We are still learning about each other on the court some, but I have seen big steps in the last three games.”
The girls played Seattle Lutheran at home, beating the Saints 77-40. High scorers for this game: Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 26 points and 16 rebounds; Nikki Finley, 17 points; Kelly McClung, 6 points; Katie McKnight, 14 points; Aubrey Stewart,6 points and 12 rebounds; and Samie Miller, 6 points.
Coach Quesnell was very happy with the teamwork on the court. “This was the most complete game we have had this season,” she said, “we shot a great percentage from the field, looked up in transition, and played the passing lanes very well.”
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
The boys hosted the Mountlake Terrace Cedar Park Lions on Tuesday, Dec. 14. The Braves won the game, 63-16. Landy James was the team top-scorer, with 17 points; and Tyler Howlett earned 11. Coach Scott Novak was pleased with the teams “excellent overall effort.”
The boys traveled to play Shoreline Christian on Friday, Dec. 17. The Braves won the game 56-43. Landy James was the top scorer, bringing in 19 points for the Braves; Spencer Novak earned 10 points, and DJ Carr brought home 9 points. “It was a tough game,” Coach Novak reports, “we had a great start. Our team was up 22-9 at one point. Everyone played well.”  The Braves are now 2-0 in league play. Go, Braves!
WRESTLING
Friday Harbor came to La Conner on Friday, Dec. 15 to win the wrestling match 36-30.  “It was a good match,” Coach Mike Compton says, “at the end, our heavyweight Cameron Wischhusen had Willy Dunn from Friday Harbor on his back when time ran out.   If there’d have been a few more seconds left, Cameron would have pinned him and the team would have won 36-33, it was that close.”
Compton was very proud of how Cameron came back from a 12-3 deficit, taking Dunn down on his back with only 15 seconds left. “Although he lost 12-8 he won the hearts of our crowd,” Compton reports, “especially considering that his opponent outweighed him by about 65 lbs.”   
Ben Harper won by forfeit, and then won an exhibition match by pin. Hunter Johnson, Kevin Aske, and Dahlton Zavala also all won by pin.  Compton notes that Wyatt Melton “showed great improvement and nearly pinned his opponent at the end of the 3rd round” but the match was won by Friday Harbor in a close 13-11 battle.   Brandon Drye won by forfeit.   
Dahlton Zavala avenged himself of last week’s loss to Friday Harbor, besting Friday Harbor’s Maverick Blake, much to the delight of the crowd.
On Saturday, Dec. 18, the team competed at the Paul Reiman Tournament at Mount Vernon high school.  The Braves were the only 2B league school in attendance, and took last place against 2A, 3A, and 4A schools.  The tournament winner was 4A league Marysville-Pilchuck, with 282.5 points. Burlington Edison took second, followed by Blaine, Mount Vernon, Stanwood, Anacortes, and then La Conner.
Even so, three Braves competed in the Consolation Finals, and one Brave competed in Finals. Sophomore Dahlton Zavala (152 lbs.) earned second place.  Zavala had the “best turnaround of the week” according to Coach Compton, and was the highest Brave finisher.
Senior Brandon Drye (215 lbs.) won third place in his weight class. Freshman Brave Ben Harper (112 lbs.) is an athlete to keep an eye on as he moves up the ranks; he earned himself fourth place overall in his weight class.
“The competition is tough for our little school,” Compton said, “but history in sports has shown that true competitors improve when they face stiff competition.   Last season we fared nearly about the same at the Mt. Vernon Tournament, but at the end of the season, in our District Tournament, the La Conner Braves wrestled the best they’d ever done.  We are expecting to see the same or better this year in Districts.”
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
Coach Compton announced on Monday that this week’s wrestler of the week honor goes to Cameron Wischhusen (285 lbs.) because of his “tremendous effort in a come from behind near victory,” and ended Saturday’s tournament with two pins in a row for La Conner.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

In the December 15, 2010 issue


Last minute gift guide
   Mall-weary shoppers can find excellent gifts in La Conner without busting the budget. We went hunting for cool presents that cost $25 or less and found lots of them in the local stores. 
   Walk down First Street and find stuff like colorful sterling silver rings set with Swarovski crystals for $20 at EarthenWorks Gallery. 
   Or for a stocking stuffer, how about the $9 grow-your-own boxer shorts from  Skagit Valley Styles -- just put a little packet in water and watch it turn into underwear before your eyes.
   Today's paper doesn't mention the rings or boxers, but it lists lots other wallet-friendly gift ideas.

Photo by Amylynn Richards
Yes, there is a Turkey story in the paper this week. But this gang is not in it. The fowl fugitives of La Conner were photographed strutting in the middle of First Street on Monday, apparently unaware that the town is preparing to deploy yet another turkey capturing system. (For those who missed it last month, here is a link to journalist Amelia Templeton's La Conner Turkey story on National Public Radio.)
Meanwhile, writer Janna Gage tells about the other Turkey -- The Republic of Turkey, where she and three other La Conner residents recently spent 25 days. The information in Janna's story is fascinating and at times surprising. It's a must read today's paper.
In Notes from Pull-and-be-Damned, the irreverent Jim Smith offers his "Xmas Xplanation & the Continuing Alaskan Adventures of Sarah."  
In Nuggets from Norway, local writer Mickey Bambrick, who lives in Norway part of the year, makes readers in both countries giggle over our cultural differences. This week we learn that Christmas decorations in Norway often resemble Valentines.

Richard at the gas station has written some new movie reviews -- not the long-winded kind, either. He cuts right to the chase and lets you know whether a DVD is worth renting.
The gas station is one of the places to pick up a paper. We're also at the drug store, liquor store, produce market, book store and in news stands all over town. 
 
 

Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, Dec. 15, 2010

Braves Raves
By Amylynn Richards
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
The girls had a very busy four-game schedule last week, including a long ferry ride to Friday Harbor on Wednesday and an overnight stay in Lewis County on Friday to compete against Adna and Pe Ell.  
The girls played a home game on Tuesday, Dec. 7 against Grace Academy. “We came out strong,” says Coach Marla Quesnell, and “got our first win.” Every team member got court time in the 49-29 game.  `Team highlights: Priscilla Ponce-Venegas scored 16 points for the Braves, and Katie McKnight scored 14. Aubrey Stewart had 8 rebounds. It was “a great team win,” Quesnell said. 
On, Wednesday, Dec. 3, the girls travelled to Friday Harbor. The Wolverines won 52-32. “We struggled against their press, and hard a hard time stopping one of their guards,” said Coach Quesnell. Team highlights: Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 10 points and Katie McKnight scored 11 points.
Friday, Dec. 10, the girls travelled to Adna. Adna won the game 60-35. Quesnell said, “we missed lay-ins and free-throws early in the game, but broke their press successfully most of the game. We played them mush closer in the second half.”  Team highlights: Samie Miller, 11 points; Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 9 points and 9 rebounds; and Katie McKnight, 9 points.
The girls played their fourth game against Pe Ell on Saturday, Dec. 11. This was a “fun game,” said Coach Quesnell. The girls came back from a 17-2 low, to miss the win by three points, 59-56. 
The girls man-pressed, causing Pe Ell to not be on top of their game in the second and third quarters. 
When there were only four minutes left in the game, the Braves had a six point lead.  “Priscilla fouled out, and we got a look at a 3-pointer in the last 3 seconds to tie, but it didn't go down,” Quesnell said, “We had a good road trip.”
Highlights: Samie Miller, 17 points; Nikki Finley, 14 points; Katie McKnight, 10 points; Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 8 rebounds, and did an excellent job breaking down the defense.
WRESTLING
The Braves took on 4A League Stanwood on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Coach Mike Compton says, “Although we lost 60-18, our wrestlers battled tough.” Brave winners: Brandon Drye (215 lbs.) won by pin; Dahlton Zavala (152 lbs.) by pin; and Dan Biladeau (160 lbs.) by forfeit.
The team went to Friday Harbor on Friday, Dec. 10, to wrestle a total of eighteen matches among five high schools: La Conner; Friday Harbor; Muckleshoot; Chief Leschi; and Tacoma Baptist.
Brave winners were Ashley Norton, Hunter Johnson, Sid Lease, and Dalton Zavala.
The junior varsity team had a third meet last week, at the JV Tournament held at Burlington-Edison high school. “There were a few varsity wrestlers and many big school JV wrestlers,” said Compton.
Even so, the Braves brought home some bling: Amber Drye placed second in her bracket in the girls’ division; Ben Harper placed second; Dahlton Zavala won third; and Cameron Wischhusen also won third place.    
TOP WRESTLER
Coach Mike Compton announced that the Wrestler of the Week is Hunter Johnson, who had 3 pins at the Friday Harbor meet, and won the Sportsmanship Medal. Go, Braves!
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
The boys traveled to Lewis County on Friday, Dec. 10, to play Adna and last year’s state champion, Pe Ell the following day. Coach Scott Novak reports that neither game resulted in a win for the Braves. Adna won 43-32; Landy James “scored 15 points to lead the way,” Novak said.
The Pe Ell won a very close game on Saturday 71-68. Novak reports that Landy James scored 16 points, Spencer Novak scored 15, and Kyle McKnight scored 11 point.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

In The December 8, 2010 issue

Photo by Amylynn Richards
Can you find Santa in this picture? At the Rotary Club's Santa Breakfast on Saturday, the jolly elf had some help from La Conner High School students Amanda Grant, Nikki Finley, Spencer Finley, and standing in back, Bobby Poulton. 
Skate Park gets rolling
The skate board park for La Conner youth, which has been talked about for years, will become a reality in 2011.
La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes said most of the funding, about $70,000, is in place and a group of volunteer contractors and designers are ready to go.
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community recently pledged $20,000 toward construction of the park, which will be built at the north end of 6th Street.
The rest of the money comes from the town, which allocated $40,000 to the park in its 2011 budget, and from fundraising efforts by the senior citizens and other volunteers.


Photo by Amylynn Richards
La Conner Elementary School kindergarten teacher Lisa Hedlund was surprised when a crew from Seattle TV station KOMO 4 and STAR 101.5 radio showed up in her class on Tuesday to present her with the stations’ “Teacher of the Week” award. Hedlund received a $100 scholarship for classroom supplies and her students received T-shirts.

  Artificial Intelligence ...
in the elementary school!
As if anyone needs more proof that La Conner's kids are exceptional, a group of elementary school students built a robot with artificial intelligence then entered their creation in a state contest against more seasoned robot builders. Amylynn Richards has the story on results that are amazing. Teachers Ryan Hiller and Beth Clothier coached the youngsters.
Oh yes, and it's been verified by "experts" that the Grinch suffers from depression. Read about that too, in today's paper.
Pick up a copy at the liquor store, drug store, gas station, book store, produce market or get one when you feed 3 quarters to one of the news stands around town. Better yet, subscribe and  have it brought to you for $30 per year. ($35 mailed to US addresses outside Skagit County)
 
 

Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, Dec. 8, 2010


Braves Raves
By Amylynn Richards 
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
The boys had their first game of the season at home on Saturday, Dec. 5 against 1A team the Blaine Borderites. The Braves won the game 61-35.  The game was a “great all-around team effort,” said Coach Scott Novak.  Team highlights: Mike Wilbur, 12 points; Landy James, 11 points; Sten Mejlaender, 13 rebounds; DJ Carr, 9 rebounds.
The boys have two away games next week: Friday, Dec. 10 against Adna; and on Saturday, Dec. 11 against Pe Ell.  Make plans to see the boys play Cedar Park Christian School on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.


FINAL SECONDS – La Conner Braves’ Priscilla Ponce Venegas tries for one final shot as the buzzer signals the end of the girls’ basketball game on Friday. Kelly McClung, number 14, and Katie McKnight, number 34, look on. Lakewood Cougars won 37-31. – Photo by Amylynn Richards
 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
There was a large turnout to watch the first home game coached by Marla Quesnell on Friday, Dec. 3 against the 2A League Lakewood Cougars.  The Braves played hard, but in the third quarter, the Braves were not able to score. The Cougars took control and the game became intense, keeping the heat on the Braves through the fourth quarter. The Cougars won the game 37-31.    
“We couldn’t shoot them out of their zone,” said Coach Quesnell, “they are a 2A school. It was not their first game, so I was happy.”
 Team highlights: senior Sammie Miller scored 12 points; junior Nikki Finley, 8 points; junior Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 7 points; freshman Kelly McClung, 2 points; and freshman Katie McKnight scored 2 points.
The Lady Braves took on the Blaine Borderites, which is a 2A school, on Saturday, Dec. 5.  The Borderites won 40-37
“We had some foul trouble early on in the game,” Quesnell said, “a pivotal player, Priscilla, was fouled-out of the game.”
Quesnell had the big picture in mind before the start of either game: to get the girls ready for league play, and put three freshmen on the court during the Blaine match up to help them build confidence and experience before the first league game of the season tonight, away at Friday Harbor.
The Borderites got a lucky break in the final moments of the game, sinking a 3-pointer; the Braves “didn’t have time to get a shot up,” Quesnell said. “I’m happy with our first two games. We played bigger school; and we’re aiming to win league games.”
 Team highlights: Katie McKnight scored 16 points; Sammie Miller, 9 points; Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 8 points; Nikki Finley, 2 points; and Kelly McClung, 2 points.
“Katie found her shot and she was confident with the ball. She was a scorer on Saturday night.”
 The next home game will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. against Cedar Park.
WRESTLING
On Saturday, Dec. 5, the La Conner Braves joined much larger schools for a Jamboree on Saturday, Dec. 5 in Stanwood: 4A team Marysville; 4A Stanwood; and 3A Glacier Peak.  
Coach Mike Compton said, “The La Conner wrestlers held their own with the big schools. Many of our kids had victories and we had 4 wrestlers in the finals.”  Dalton Zavala, Dan Biladeau, and Cameron Wischhusen each earned second place in their weight classes, and Brandon Drye was Jamboree Champion at 215 lbs.
COACH OF THE YEAR
The Braves volleyball coach, Suzanne Marble, was selected again this year as the Northwest 1A/2B League Coach of the Year. She shares the title with Darrington coach Greg Powell.
VALUABLE PLAYER
Senior Lauren McClung was voted the 1A/2B Northwest League Most Valuable Player.  McClung shares the title with Darrington’s Hailey Wales. 
VOLLEYBALL 1st TEAM
The Braves hold three out of nine possible honor positions for league “First Team,” which is voted upon by coaches in the 1A/2B Northwest League at the end of each season.  Senior Lauren McClung was selected as Middle Hitter, senior Candice Pedroza was selected as Setter, and junior Priscilla Ponce-Venegas was selected at Outside Hitter.
For Second Team, junior Emily Anderson was selected Middle Hitter and Kelly McClung as Setter and Right Side Hitter.
Honorable mention went to senior Samie Miller.
The Braves concluded the season as second place in State.
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
The Braves football team was selected for the Northwest League sportsmanship award. Go, Braves!
FOOTBALL
Brandon Drye was selected to the First Team for the 1A/2B Northwest and 2B Seatac leagues All-Opponent Team for the running back position.
Two Braves were named to the Second All-League Offense Team,   Cameron Wischhusen, Offensive Line and Travis Silva, Offensive Line.
Honorable Mention Offense Team went to Conner Anderson, Quarterback and Garrett Wilbur, Running Back.
Two Braves were selected for the First Team Defense, Nathan Parker, Defensive Line, and Brandon Drye, Linebacker.
Conner Anderson was selected to the Second Team All-League Defense as Linebacker, and Landy James was selected Defensive Back.
Honorable Mention, All-League Defense Team goes to Mikey Wilbur, Defensive Back.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

In the December 1, 2010 issue


Town presents investment opportunity
This doesn't happen every day -- investors can put money into a town project, help the environment and make a profit! 
In today's paper, Town Administrator John Doyle explains the town's photovoltaic energy project and how an investor could turn a very nice profit while helping the town save money on its electricity bills.

 Photo by Amylynn Richards
Have you seen the new sign on the back of the bleachers at the La Conner High School stadium yet? Next time you're driving on La Conner Whitney Road look over and be assured that yes, you are in Braves territory! Amylynn Richards has the scoop on the sign in today's paper.

Holiday events this weekend
Saturday Dec 4
8:30 to 11 a.m. – Santa Breakfast: The Rotary Club of La Conner’s annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa is at Maple Hall in La Conner. Every child receives a free photo with Santa. Breakfast with pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee is $6 for adults, $3 for kids or $12 for a family.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Holiday Bazaar: Find unique gifts at the La Conner Kiwanis annual craft sale at the La Conner Middle School gym.

5 p.m. – Tree Lighting: Enjoy music and refreshments when the guy in a red suit shows up to light up the Christmas tree in Gilkey Square in La Conner. Many of the local merchants will stay open late.
Sunday Dec 5
6 p.m. – Christmas Concert: The 15th annual Skagit Habitat for Humanity benefit concert, “The Sound of Christmas,” will be held at Maple Hall in La Conner. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated.


Pick up a La Conner Weekly News at a news stand in town. Just 75 cents keeps you up to date on everything worth talking about in town. 
 

Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, Dec. 1, 2010



By Amylynn Richards
BASKETBALL
Boys and girls basketball are gearing up for the start of the regular season. There is a boys’ basketball jamboree this afternoon; the Braves are scheduled to play at 4 p.m. and again at 5 p.m.  Jamboree match-ups last ten minutes each.
The boys’ sophomore team hosts Highland Christian on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. 
The junior varsity girls host Lakewood high for the first game under their new coach, Marla Quesnell, at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. and varsity plays at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Dec. 4, both the boys’ and girls’ teams host Blaine. Junior varsity games are at 4:30 p.m. and varsity games are at 6 p.m.
YOUTH BASKETBALL
Registration has begun for the La Conner 3-On-3 Youth Basketball League, run by boys’ basketball coach Scott Novak. The league is open to boys and girls who are La Conner students in grades Kindergarten through Third grade. The fee is $25, payable to the La Conner Booster club, includes a team T-shirt and four Saturday games, starting the second week in January.  Family members are encouraged to volunteer. Sign up deadline is on Friday, Dec. 10, participant and volunteer forms are available at the elementary school office.
Final year for impressive boys’ soccer trio
 
 Photo by Edward Baker
Braves Boys's Soccer Team senior captains David Carr, Sten Mejlaender and Kyle McKnight were a force to be reckoned with on the soccer field.

By M. Sharon Baker
La Conner’s third place state finish and 18-3 season marked the end of the high school soccer careers for a trio of seniors who are considered to be among the best players in the state by opposing coaches and players.
Senior captains Kyle McKnight, David Carr and Sten Mejlaender have been forces to contend with since they stepped on the field as freshmen.
And while McKnight and Carr missed their sophomore soccer seasons – McKnight sat out with a knee injury and Carr because he decided to play football – the trio still managed to set many records over the course of their 2B high school soccer seasons. They were feared by nearly every opponent due to Carr’s and McKnight’s offensive prowess, McKnight’s ability to control the midfield, and Mejlaender solid defensive play.
The three contributed nearly 61 percent to the Brave’s goal production this year, scoring 57 of 94 goals. Those 94 goals placed the team second overall with the most goals scored of schools their size. McKnight and Mejlaender, when they played sweeper, also anchored a defense that only allowed 15 goals the entire season, making them the second stingiest defense in the state, and helping Braves’ goalie Taylor Fay to seven shutouts.
Carr: State’s leading goal scorer
Carr, who started playing soccer at age four, racked up 36 goals this season and became the state’s 1B 2B leading scorer, possibly scoring more goals in a season than any other 2B player ever. He also had seven assists. A year earlier Carr scored 27 goals, and as a freshman, he notched nine, bringing his three-year total to 72. He earned 2nd Team All-State honors as a freshman and then again in 2009, and this year made the 1st Team All-State.
Carr has garnered annual All-League honors as well and this year was named Senior of the Year and Forward of the Year, and given the Golden Boot award for most goals, awards from Washington Soccer Central, which provides the only coverage of 2B/1B soccer statewide.
La Conner coach Steve De Leon calls Carr a goal scoring predator. “If there's a way to get even just his toe on the ball and score a goal, he'll do it,” De Leon said. “He has a tremendous drive to compete. Right after his scary head injury, he was back at practice waiting to get medical clearance and got back to playing as soon as he could.”
McKnight: Best player in state
A multi-sport athlete, McKnight became a First Team All-State soccer player as a freshman and a junior. While he played forward and midfield last year, this season he split his time between midfield and sweeper, where he became the state’s second-leading assist maker with 16 assists. The only player ahead of him was teammate Todd Hoagland with 18.
McKnight, an unselfish player who didn’t play offence until high school, scored 12 goals this season, 24 goals in 2009, and 17 as a freshman for a total of 53.  Coaches throughout the state praise McKnight’s ability to control the midfield, burst through double coverage, and put the ball in the net.
“Kyle is the best player in the state,” said Nathan Morris, Providence Classical Christian’s coach, on the night his team beat La Conner in the state semi-finals 2-0. “If he had played center mid, I’m not sure we would have won.”
McKnight was named Northwest 2B/1A League Most Valuable Player in the three sports he played in 2009 — soccer, basketball and baseball, which led to his selection as the county’s Athlete of the Year, and soccer’s 2B Player of The Year. This year, he was All-League Co-Player of the Year.
“Kyle is an all-around great kid, and a pleasure to coach,” De Leon said. “He knows what it means to be a teammate.  On top of that, he is a great athlete with a combination of pace, skill and intelligence I've never seen before in a high school player.”
Mejlaender: Feared defender
Sten Mejlaender earned honorable mention in 2007 as a freshman midfielder and has been feared ever since. At 5’11 and 180 pounds, Mejlaender is built like a linebacker, and sometimes plays like one too. He is renowned for his ability to beat opponents to the ball, keep it under tremendous pressure, power through triple coverage and line drive the ball at the net. Mejlaender started playing soccer in kindergarten where he was quickly dubbed Rocket Man by his coach. He’s been playing soccer ever since.
A quiet leader, Mejlaender scored nine goals and had six assists this season, making him the team’s third leading scorer, a spot he shared with junior Kory Duran. Like McKnight and Carr, he excels in other sports as well. In addition to his annual All-League honors, Mejlaender was named Defender of the Year by Washington Soccer Central.
“Sten has raw power,” said coach De Leon. “He was the "engine" in a lot of our games, especially towards the end of the season. He really matured this year and came in to his own.”  
On Sunday, Carr, McKnight and Mejlaender traded the soccer field for the gym, where they will now play a season of varsity basketball.
As seniors, they will not be returning to the La Conner soccer field next fall.
Says Scott McKnight, who coached the boys in middle school, “The planets just won’t be aligned without Kyle stealing the ball from a forward, passing to Sten who sends a monster cross over to DJ who flicks the ball with his heel past the defense and (into) the net.”



Wednesday, November 24, 2010

In the November 24, 2010 issue

Photo by Edward Baker
Moves like this are the reason La Conner Braves Boys Soccer Team is Third in the State. This shows DJ Carr heading the ball with team mate Sten Mejlaender at the ready during Saturday's state championships. Writer M. Sharon Baker has the details in today's newspaper.

 Photo by Edward Baker
M. Sharon Baker has the story on The Great Turkey Escape -- Yes, the La Conner town turkeys will be home for the holiday. The Town Council has banished the birds from town, but after watching 15 of their kin captured, the 8 remaining turkeys know a trap when they see it -- even a trap they'd never seen before. They flew out of the town's newfangled dropping net contraption before the net could hit the ground. 

Photo by Kirsten Morse
Speaking of town birds, this little guy is on our cover this morning. La Conner photographer Kristen Morse was out in Monday's storm documenting the first snowfall of the year. See more of her work in today's paper. And see lots of it clicking here. 

Brrrr!
Monday evening when the temperatures were in the teens a fellow who was checking his boat slipped off a dock and into the water at Shelter Bay Marina. Witnesses say it was so cold, there was ice floating on the water!
Fire District 13 firefighters pulled the man to safety, warmed him up and everyone is fine. But the firefighters still shiver just thinking about it!   

From the Police Blotter:
9:06 a.m.: Lost boat – Duck hunters anchored their boat and went ashore on an island near La Conner. While they were ashore, their boat drifted away, dragging its anchor with it and stranding the hunters. The Sheriffs boat responded to reunite the hunters with their wayward vessel. 

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