in the November 30, 2011 issue

Photo by Karla Reynolds

STREET MUSICIANS – La Conner elementary students Matt Harper, Arlo Liddell, and Mason Schorck shared positive notes with locals and tourists alike Wednesday by performing an impromptu public concert on Morris Street, playing favorite tunes learned from band teacher Brian Fraser. Calling themselves "The Busking Boys," the local trio also hoped to get a head start on future school expenses. The front of their "promo" sign read: "College Fund or Bust."

Occupy La Crema

Photo by Don Coyote

Olympia protesters have nothing on us! Here, peacefully demonstrating their love of fine coffee, Pull & Be Damned writer  Jim Smith and La Conner Mike Heaton occupy La Crema.(OK, this really isn't in the paper today. Blame Coyote.) 

More money for dredging

The town of La Conner has committed $50,000 toward dredging the Swinomish Channel. That promise joins the $400,000 already pledged by the Port of Skagit, whose commissioners earmarked that amount for dredging in the agency’s 2012 budget.

Meanwhile, the cost estimate to remove the silt from the channel so boats can get through has climbed to $1.4 million. In today's paper.

What goes up and seldom comes down?

That's right, taxes. La Conner and other tax supported entities are setting their levy rates for next year -- La Conner's is going up to give the town a little more money. The County Assessor's Office says they'll have the tax rates for property owners throughout the county in early January. Even though property values have dropped, many owners could actually see their tax bills increase since the tax rate per $1,000 in assessed value will go up. In today's paper.

 Photo by Kirsten Morse

Beauty is where you find it. Here the old oak with its fallen leaves, a puddle and the new giant chess board combine for beautiful fall scenery at the La Conner skateboard park.

 Photo by Sue Phillipps

We have a dispatch from Paradise, where our Plant Lady, writer Sue Phillips, has been for the past few weeks. In today's paper, she writes about an island where plastic shopping bags are outlawed.

From the police blotter:

8:43 a.m.: Loose boat – A resident of Shelter Bay reported seeing an unattended fishing boat drifting along the Swinomish Channel. Deputies went out in their La Conner patrol boat and caught the drifting vessel, secured it and contacted the owner. The fishing boat did not appear to be damaged.

There's lots of good stuff in today's paper. It's in the news stands all over town and also on the counter at the Swinomish gas station, the liquor store, book store, and at the drug store and gas station by the roundabout.  Or save 15 cents per issue and call us at 466-3315 to arrange to have it delivered for $30 per year.