Wednesday, November 23, 2011

in the November 23, 2011 issue



Photo by Marci Plank
NOT ON THE MENU – Other turkeys ended up in ovens on Thursday, but Monty gets to hang out at the hot tub. Formerly a ranking tom in the wild bunch that was run out of La Conner this year, Monty has settled into his new position as Overlord of the Chickens at the Pleasant Ridge home of Marci and Bob Plank.

And we live here... Photo by Don Coyote

 
  Photo by Karla Reynolds
OUR MAN OF THE CENTURY – La Conner icon Austin Swanson was the center of attention Sunday. And for good reason. Family members and his many friends gathered to honor the beloved farmer (and witty philosopher) on his 100th birthday. Austin's nephew Dean says his uncle had yet another reason to celebrate; Austin recently had his driver's license renewed – and it’s effective until he’s 105 or so. Not bad for a guy who was alive when the Titantic was still in dry dock.
Crime wave in town
Residents are asked to stay vigilant, report any little thing out of the ordinary to 911 and above all, keep their doors and cars locked, said Skagit County Sheriff’s Sgt. Bill Wise.
During the past two weeks, there have been at least seven burglaries and car prowls in the La Conner town limits. Also, people who live in Shelter Bay and Hope Island areas say their neighborhoods have been hit too.
Wise said there has been an increase in crimes all over the county, but around here, where some people routinely leave their vehicles unlocked and may not even lock their houses unless they’re going on vacation, thieves are walking in and helping themselves.
 “In every case, a building was unlocked, the car doors were unlocked or a trailer was unlocked,” he said. Items stolen include a purse taken from an unlocked car and power tools stolen from sheds and trucks. 
 Photo by Solveig Lee
Historical Museum has new director
By Adrian Sharpe
The Skagit County Historical Museum now has Clark McAbee at its helm as director.
McAbee was chosen from a field of 44 applicants.
He has a degree in history from Washington State University along with a certificate in museum studies from the University of Washington.
Working in the museum field for more than 20 years, McAbee’s most recent post was with the Northwest Railway Museum working on the restoration of century-old railroad cars. Read Adrian's profile on him in today's paper.

La Conner housing count to grow
Home Trust of Skagit, a new entity that’s grown out of the Skagit Community Action Agency, has plans to expand low-income and affordable housing options in La Conner.
Home Trust has taken ownership of Channel Cove, the housing development at La Conner’s south end formerly known as Southfield, said Dave Malsed, the new agency’s executive director.  Home Trust plans to build out the 10 remaining lots at the Channel Cove, which now has 22 rental units.
Of the 10 structures to be built, five will eventually be Habitat for Humanity homes.Talks are underway with Habitat for Humanity, he said, to start construction next year on three new homes there.

Photo by Kirsten Morse
SWEET REWARDS – Skagit County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Wade encourages safety every chance he gets. Here he presents young skateboard enthusiasts Alex Ring and Skyler Morse with treats for remembering to wear their helmets at the La Conner skateboard park. 

From the Police Blotter:
7:59 p.m.: Really weird – When the owner of a red Honda returned from shopping they found their car had been stolen and replaced with a black Honda. At the same time, a caller at Conway Elementary School reported that their black Honda had been stolen from school. In comparing theft reports, deputies determined that both Honda owners worked at the same school and the red Honda’s key unlocked and started the black Honda. After dark, one of the school employees had accidently driven off in the wrong car and went shopping. Arrangements were made to swap the cars and both stolen car cases were closed. Seriously, how could we make up stuff like this?

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Braves Sports, Nov. 23, 2011

Photo by Karla Reynolds
Focused Braves eye return to Elite Eight
By Bill Reynolds
The pieces are in place for La Conner High to make another deep post-season run.
But veteran Braves' boys' basketball coach Scott Novak knows how tough a puzzle the newer eight-team State tournament format – pared down from the former 16-school, four-day event – is to solve.
"There are a lot of really good teams out there," cautions Novak, "to get past in order to make it to Spokane."
But history suggests La Conner is among the best of Washington's small school hoops programs when it comes to weathering steep graduation losses and re-tooling for repeat State tourney berths.
Novak and Braves fans are hoping this season is no exception.
La Conner is coming off a fine 22-6 campaign a year ago in which the Braves were perfect, 14-0, in league play and placed sixth at Spokane.
A corps of key returnees from that club plus an influx of talented newcomers bodes well for the task at hand.
La Conner brings back two first team All-League performers in 6-1 senior swingman Landy James and 6-0 junior guard Spencer Novak. They'll be joined in a potent backcourt by 5-9 senior guard Mike Wilbur, a second unit All-League choice last season.
The front court will be bolstered by 6-2 junior forward Tyler Howlett, who saw considerable action in 2010-11; newcomers Wil James, Cameron Sherman, and Sean Hulbert, all sophomore forwards; and 6-6 junior forward Jonah Cook, a transfer from Mount Vernon.
Returnees Jamall James, Jared Fohn, and Bobby Poulton provide versatility as well as game experience, as Novak will be able to employ each at either guard or forward.
An already deep backcourt will welcome 5-10 sophomore Skylar Krueger, formerly of Napavine.
The depth and relative size of this year's roster gives Novak plenty of options. He can go small, using multiple guards, to push tempo and score in transition. Or he can employ a bigger lineup and force opponents into a half-court game.
"This is the first time in several years," Novak said during a recent workout, "that we've had a team with this much height."
Things have meshed well thus far in pre-season practice. Those courtside have been impressed with La Conner's length and athleticism.
Yet Novak, a former Adna standout who has been a fixture here since the mid-80s, is well aware other factors play into the equation. 
The Braves, despite a deep roster, will need to avoid injuries and take care of business in the classroom.
"If we can stay injury-free and don't have any eligibility issues," says Novak, "this can be a special team."
One that can potentially be playing – and puzzling foes – well into March.  
"We have all the pieces in place," Novak says, "for a great season."

 Photo by Amylynn Richards

Photo by Ed Baker
Lady Braves Soccer 4th in State
By M. Sharon Baker
One goal was all that separated La Conner, Napavine, Bear Creek and Crosspoint Academy from the state championship and class 2B bragging rights.
One goal was all La Conner needed to beat Napavine, and a one-goal differential was all Bear Creek needed to best Crosspoint.
Unfortunately for the Lady Braves, the one goal was illusive – they couldn’t get one in regulation play against Napavine last Friday.  In a hard fought game, they had many opportunities, taking 16 shots on Napavine goalie Sami Taylor to Napavine’s four shots on Tessa Bruland. The Braves missed a penalty kick, missed a golden opportunity to put home a wide-open rebound, and an apparent goal by Kelsey Crawford was ruled offside.
“We had plenty of chances, plenty of opportunities to score, but it just didn’t happen for us,” said Coach Amy Freeto. “It was the worst shooting by either team I’ve ever seen.”
The Braves battled Napavine to a 0-0 tie in two overtimes, leaving the game to be decided by penalty kicks. La Conner’s first shot hit the crossbar, its second sailed over the net, and the third scored. Napavine scored on its first shot, missed off the left post, and its third missed too, leaving it 1-1 after the first three rounds.
La Conner then missed their fourth kick and Napavine scored, moving the score 2-1 Napavine.  La Conner’s fifth shot scored, but so did Napavine’s, making the score 3-2 and giving Napavine the 1-0 win.
The win gave Napavine its fourth trip to the finals in four years, and left La Conner battling for third against Crosspoint, which lost to Bear Creek 2-1 in the other semifinal game.
La Conner’s best showing in the state tournament was a fourth place finish just two years ago. In that 2009 consolation game, Freeto said she gave everyone a chance to play rather than battling for third place. This year, she said, she was playing for third, and the program’s highest ever finish.
However, the Braves once again failed to capitalize on many chances in a game they dominated. “Our girls owned the field for the first hour and Crosspoint was in a panic,” Freeto said. “We just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”
Crosspoint, which all year has had trouble fielding an entire 11-man team, entered the second half a man down as their main goalie suffered an injury.  The Warriors, which have two eighth-graders on the team, have played a man down many times this season due to injuries.
La Conner’s sweeper Sammie Mesman and defenders stymied Crosspoint’s forwards for most of the game. But early into the second half, Crosspoint’s Deseree Doty passed the ball to a wide-open Emma Laurion who beat Bruland with a high shot just under the crossbar, giving Crosspoint a 1-0 win.
Bear Creek took home top honors, beating Napavine 1-0 in the state championship game. Playing their last games for La Conner were seniors Finley, Emily Bruland, Baily Cunningham, and Braelyn Whited. A large core of starters return next year, including leading scorer Crawford, defender Mesman and goalie Bruland.
“We turned in our best performance program-wise and this was a tough loss,” Freeto said. “We’ve beaten (nearly) every team in the state finals in the regular season, so this was hard for them.”

 Photo by Amylynn Richards
from Braves Raves...
By Amylynn Richards
FOURTH IN STATE
The girls’ soccer team has won fourth place for Washington State 2B League. The girls played for adoring family, friends and soccer team alumna on 18-19 November at the Chevy Stadium in Sultan.
Friday’s match was against Napavine for the final four; winners moving on to the championship; losers battling for third and fourth place.
The girls played harder than they ever had before in both games; Braves fans have every reason to be proud, Freeto said. “On Saturday I felt like, again, we dominated the match.  The girls were physically and mentally exhausted, we made some mistakes that Crosspoint capitalized on and again –we just weren't able to put that ball in the back of the net.”
SOCCER ALL LEAGUE
The Northwest 1A/2B girls soccer all league teams were announced last week; nearly fifty percent of the first and second teams are La Conner Braves. Senior Nikki Finley was named the 1A/2B Player of the Year. Selected for First Team are: Senior Bailey Cunningham, defender; junior Sammie Mesman, defender; junior Ashlyn Reinstra, midfielder; junior Kelsey Crawford, forward, and senior Nikki Finley, forward. Selected for Second Team are: Sophomore Tessa Bruland, goal keeper; junior Lydia Lenning, defender; sophomore Taylor Edwards, midfielder; senior Emily Bruland, midfielder; sophomore Madi Cavanaugh, midfielder.
VOLLEYBALL
Senior Priscilla Ponce-Venegas shares the League Most Valuable Player award with Darrington Logger Jessica Brooks. Selected for first team are: Senior Emily Anderson; Kelly McClung; Katie McKnight; and Priscilla Ponce-Venegas. Selected for second team are Carly Anderson and Emma Christianson. Darrington’s Coach Greg Powell was selected as Coach of the Year. Shoreline Christian took Team Sportsmanship Award.
BOYS SOCCER
Senior Todd Hoagland has been named the sole 2B/1A Northwest League Player of the Year. Hoagland is also named to the First Team as midfielder; junior Tanner Cyr as defender; and freshman Hayden Schmidt as forward. Named to League Second Team are: freshman Erick Reinstra, keeper; junior Jamall James, defender; sophomore Tyler Baker, midfielder; and senior Kory Duran, midfielder. Junior Dylan Sicklesteel was selected as honorable mention forward.
7th GRADE BASKETBALL
The seventh grade boys’ basketball team played against Conway on Thursday, Nov. 18 at home. Scores are not often kept at the middle school level – the focus is on skill development.  Coach Michael Bliss estimates that Conway won by approximately 30 points. “Conway just had a ton of talent,” Coach Bliss said, “We actually did a good job defensively, especially the second half.” Case in point: although again stats are not kept,  Coach Bliss reports that “at one point, they had ten fouls as opposed to our one.”
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
The La Conner Boys and Girls club is hosting “Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children,” a free training seminar designed to help concerned adults take proactive steps to protect children from sexual abuse. The training is Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the La Conner Boys and Girls Club. Call Club Director Christine Valdez at 466-3672 to register or get additional information. 
BRAVES T-SHIRTS
The Parent Teacher Student Association is bringing back the very popular “I bleed blue” t-shirts and sweatshirts, just in time for Holiday giving. Order forms are available in each school office.