Swadabs Park dedication...

Swinomish Tribal Chairman Brian Cladoosby unveiled the plaque at the new Swadabs Park on during its dedication on Friday. Three cedar hat shaped pavilions make up the eye-catching centerpiece of the park. More than 100 canoes are expected to land on shore in front of the new pavilions on Monday.

Photos by Anna Ferdinand

In the July 20, 2011 issue...

Canoe Journey

2009 file photo by Annabelle Vergne

    In today's paper find everything you want to know about Canoe Journey 2011, Paddle to Swinomish. We are expecting thousands of guests in town on Monday to see the spectacular landing of more than 100 Coast Salish family canoes followed by a whole week of celebration. 

    Also in today's paper is your free copy of the full-color 36-page Canoe Journey souvenir program packed with information and including a wonderful history article on canoes and the Salish culture written by Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Archivist Theresa L. Trebon. 

file photo by Mary Evitt

The Swinomish Family Canoe, left, and the Salmon Dancer Swinomish Family Canoe during their practice landings in May.

 photo by Ann Smock, courtesy of KeeYoks

    New this year! The third Swinomish Family Canoe, Natasha Yakanak's Swaltcelitca upside e, joins the journey this year. 

    Natasha graduated from La Conner High School in June and writer Anna Ferdinand has the story in today's paper about the young woman's life journey and her spiritual home on the water.  

Ragnar's coming

    The annual Ragnar Relay race from Blaine to the southern tip of Whidbey Island will be running through La Conner during the wee hours late Friday and early Saturday. Writer Alexander Kramer has the story about La Conner's "home team" in this race. For the first time a La Conner couple is in the race. Find out who's running in today's paper.

From the Police Blotter:

11:22 a.m.: Trespassing – A transient was reported to be sleeping in front of the old hardware store building on Morris Street in La Conner. Deputies called the property owner and determined that nobody had permission to be on the premises and that anyone there would be trespassing. When deputies went to the closed business, they found several suitcases but the transient was not around. Deputies left a note advising the person they were trespassing. The person later moved on.

The paper is on sale on the usual stores and in the news stands -- This week's paper is fat with the Canoe Journey souvenir program inside.