Skate Park party

Today was the Grand Opening for the La Conner Swinomish Community Skateboard Park, and we happened to snap some photos during the afternoon celebrations!

Amylynn Richard's video

Alexander Kramer's video

[Previous shots by Alexander Kramer]
More shots by Amylynn Richards can be found in our Facebook album.

In the August 31, 2011 issue...

Photo by Don Coyote

These cormorants are ready in case any flying fish show up on Swinomish Channel.  

Industrial zone next to houses “pending” 

The La Conner Town Council scrapped a resolution that would have upheld its vote in June to deny the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe a zone change from commercial to industrial uses on 5½ acres of land it bought adjacent to houses.

That means the tribe’s request to have the town change its comprehensive plan so the commercial land the tribe purchased can be changed to industrial zoning is still alive and “pending.” Next, the Council will hold a public hearing, probably sometime in October, on the resolution they voted down.

 So, would a zone change really hurt the neighbors?

During public hearings held earlier about changing the commercial land purchased by the Upper Skagit Tribe back to industrial use, several residents expressed fear that their property values would fall if the land is re-zoned.

We did some research on this issue and it's in today's paper ...

 

Boardwalk plan moving ahead

After years of planning and discussions, La Conner is closer to getting its boardwalk along the waterfront. Permits are all in place to start the first phase. Writer Nicole Jennings has the story in today's paper. Mayor Ramon Hayes has been lobbying state and federal officials and the town is looking for grants to get construction going.

 Photo by Amylynn Richards

You know it's fall when you see this...  La Conner Braves Football players have been sharpening their skills for the fall season that starts Friday when they travel to Friday Harbor. Here Ben Harper prepares to throw the ball, while Zach Harris runs out to catch it. Keith Aske watches from behind.

 

From the genius file:

A reader sent in this photo of a kayak that paddled right into a salmon net on Sunday as tribal fishers were beach seining off Lone Tree Point. 

From the police blotter:

11:25 p.m.: Suspicious – Suspicious noises were reported near the marina on Second Street in La Conner. A deputy checked and found the source of the noises was the propane cannons farmers use to scare away birds from their crops.

 The paper is on sale today in the usual places, including on the counter of the new Swinomish Village Chevron station, the drug store, liquor store, produce market, and in our office right next to the Station House.  Stop by and subscribe or call us at 466-3315.

Weekly Braves' sports capsule

 

Photo by Amylynn Richards

La Conner Braves’ Kory Duran, a senior, practices his goal shots on Friday.

 Photo by Amylynn Richards

La Conner Braves’ Tess Bruland, a sophomore, practices in the goalie position during soccer practice Friday.

 

From Braves Raves

By Amylynn Richards

FOOTBALL

First game is 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2 in Friday Harbor.  As of Monday, there are 35 boys on the roster. “Hopefully that number will increase once school starts,” says Coach Johnny Lee. 

Coach Lee said the starters in offense and defense are pretty much the same as last year, but “many of the skill positions” such as “receiver, running back and quarter back, are all new faces.”  Currently, senior Matt McCauley and transfer from Napavine sophomore Skylar Krueger share the quarterback position. “Skylar Krueger will start at quarterback, but this position will be evaluated from week to week and both will get significant time in that position.”

Lee says the team is “really focused on improving from last year's strong finish to the season. We look forward to playing at home in front of our fans and school community and appreciate all their support thus far.”

The team has six seniors: Jared Fohn, Bobby Poulton, Cameron Wischhusen, Nathan Parker, Keith Aske, Matt McCauley. This is Fohn and Poulton’s first year on the gridiron; the athletes had lent their talents to the soccer team in years past.

BOYS’ SOCCER

There are two returning seniors currently on Boys’ Soccer Team, Todd Hoagland and Kory Duran, and Coach Steve DeLeon says there are fourteen juniors who should be eligible to play.   It’s a larger team this year, but as no other school in the league has a junior varsity, La Conner won’t have one, either. “Larger schools play in the spring,” DeLeon said. With fourteen returning soccer players, there’s a good chance that it will be a strong season for the Braves.

The soccer season starts Tuesday, Sept. 6.

GIRLS’ TEAMS

The girls continue to train hard for their first match-ups. 

Volleyball is headed to Mount Vernon Christian for a jamboree on Saturday, Sept. 3.

The Girl’s Soccer Team hosts Meridian on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 4p.m. on the main field.