In the May 25, 2011 issue...

Photo by Kathy Elston

La Conner Elementary School Girls’ Running club is now in its second year and sponsored by the PTSA this year.

 

What? No more Sea Scouts?

La Conner’s Sea Scout program is in crisis.

The Skipper who has spent every Monday, weekend and vacation for the past 15 years teaching teenagers to sail, “and loving every minute of it,” she says, is ready to retire.

The Scouts' 80-year-old ship Rejoice, a 56-foot knockabout staysail schooner requires at least a four-person crew, constant maintenance and a skipper with strong sailing skills and the temperament to handle a boatload of teenagers.

Unless such a person steps up, La Conner could lose its Sea Scouts.

 Ancient songs come to life

in new voices 

Writer Mary Evitt has the story about the Swinomish children who are learning their ancestral songs and dances as they prepare to welcome some 20,000 visitors for the Canoe Journey in July. Some 50 children will represent the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community during the week-long Paddle to Swinomish which will start July 25 when at least 100 family canoes are expected to land there.

  Photo by Scott McDade

 Hole in the Wall Gang

Meet some of the talent behind La Conner's literary magazine, Hole in the Wall, during an evening of prose and poetry at the La Conner School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31. High school teacher and writer Scott McDade has the details in today's paper.

An essential link in education

Writer Anna Ferdinand is back in the paper with a story about MoNA Links, the education program connecting area schools with the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner. A noted gallery recently held an artist's reception to feature an exhibit by ... Edison Elementary 6th graders.  It's in today's paper.

 Decades of public service

Photo by Marci Plank

La Conner Town Councilman Don Wright was honored on Tuesday for his 38 years of service on the La Conner Volunteer Fire Department. Wright is retiring from active duty on the fire department, but he’s still serving his community as a member of the Town Council. Mayor Ramon Hayes read a proclamation which drew applause at Tuesday’s council meeting.

And this  – 

A guy who tried to beat the motorcycle speed record set by Burt Munro at the Bonneville in 1967 is ripping into columnist Mel Damski in today’s letters section.  See an old  TV news story about the letter writer here

From the Police Blotter: 

11:31 a.m.: Theft – A garden gnome was apparently abducted from a yard on South 3^rd Street in La Conner. The missing gnome was last seen wearing a tall red hat and holding a shovel. If he is seen in the area, please contact the Sheriff’s Department so he can get a ride home.

 The paper is in the news stands and on sale in all the usual places. Call us and have it delivered to your home. 360-466-3315.

 

Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, May 25, 2011

Photo by Amylynn Richards

In the state's Top Four

Braves Baseball team is in top four in state and will be in the State Championships this weekend in Yakima.

Photo by Ed Baker

Garrett's game face

La Conner Braves' Garrett Wilbur pitched a two-hit shutout and struck out 10 batters in Saturday's game against Concrete. 

 Photo by Christy Hoagland

Tri-District Champs

 For the first time since 1991, the La Conner Braves Boys Track Team has won the Tri-District championship. Shown here from left are track team members Conner Anderson, Todd Hoagland and Sten Mejlaender.

Braves Raves

By Amylynn Richards

ALL SPORTS TO STATE

For the first time in known Brave history, Golf, Track, Baseball and Fastpitch teams are all headed to 2B State competition.  “All four teams have not gone to State at one time, before, least not in recent history,” says Athletic Director Peg Seeling.

BASEBALL

The boy’s Baseball Team is in the state final four – for the first time since 1999, the year that Coach Jeremiah LeSourd and assistant Coach Andy Otis were seniors at La Conner high. 

Making the final four is all the sweeter for the Braves this year; two years ago, the Braves had only eight boys turn out. “Luckily, four boys joined at the last minute, to give us a team of twelve,” LeSourd said.

The Braves won the first round of the 2B State Regional Tournament in Anacortes on Saturday, May 21 15-2 against Toutle Lake. The Braves got off to a quick start scoring four runs on five consecutive hits with two outs in the first inning. The Braves were held scoreless in the second inning, but in the third they scored 7 runs to give sophomore pitcher Tyler Howlett all the run support he would need. Howlett pitched a complete game, allowing five hits and striking out 8. Leading hitters: Dakota Hartley, 3 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI; Matt McCauley, 4 for 5 with 2 RBI; Garrett Wilbur, 3 for 4 with a double; Wil James, 2 for 3 with a double, triple and 4 RBI's; and Kyle McKnight, 2 for 4 with a double a 2 RBI. 

In the second game that same day, the Braves beat the Concrete Lions 5-0 in what started out as a slow, game into a nail bitter by the fourth inning. This was the third time Braves and Lions have played this year, and this win won the Braves a trip to the State Final Four in Yakima.

LeSourd said, “This game was a pitching duel and was the best game between the schools this year.” The Braves offense had the bases loaded in the first inning, but was unable to score and would leave six runners on base through the first three innings. In the fourth inning – with two outs and the bases loaded – Garrett Wilbur hit a two run single up the middle to score Tanner Cyr and Kyle McKnight. Tyler Howlett followed with a double off the Center Field wall, scoring DJ Carr and Garrett Wilbur. The Braves added another run in the sixth inning in exciting fashion. Kyle McKnight walked to get on base. 

Concrete's pitcher tried to pick him off of first, but the throw got past the first baseman and McKnight was able to advance all the way to third base. McKnight then scored on a close play at home on a pass ball. The game culminated with senior Garrett Wilbur pitching a two hit shutout, while striking out 10 batters. He allowed just one base runner to reach third base. “Wilbur's strong pitching and clutch hit helped send the Braves to Yakima,” LeSourd said.

The Braves are schedule to play Warden in the 2B State Semi-final at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 in Yakima at Parker Field.  

TRACK

The Braves boys’ track team has won the Tri-District Championship, for the first time since 1991 – before the current track team was even born.  The Braves scored 126, Tacoma Baptist won second with 121, and Concrete came in third, with 114.  The girls came in fourth out of ten teams.

State competition begins on Friday, May 27 at the University of Eastern Washington in Cheney.  Headed for State are: Sammie Mesman, 1600 meter race; Pricilla Ponce-Venegas, 300 meter hurdles; Chrissy Barsness, Lydia Lenning, Sammie Mesman and Madi Cavanaugh will compete in the 4x400 meter relay;  Conner Anderson, 200 meter race;  Sam Traylor, 3200 meter;  Sten Mejlaender, 110 meter and 300 meter hurdles; Nathan Sybrandy, Sten Mejlaender, Conner Anderson and Todd Hoagland are competing in the 4x400 meter relay; Jamal James will compete in the high jump, triple jump and long jump;  Landy James, high jump and javelin;  Brandon Drye, shot put and discus.

FASTPITCH

The girls are in the 2B Sweet Sixteen statewide, and compete first against Kettle Falls high on Friday, May 27 at 9 a.m. at the Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima.  In the case of a Brave win over Kettle Falls, the girls next play either Mossyrock or Brewster at 7 p.m. the same day.  The winner of that game plays on Saturday, May 28 at noon. Finally, the two teams left standing in this bracket play for first and third the same day at 4 p.m.  Northwest League-mate Orcas Island is also state-bound.

The girls competed on Saturday, May 21 in Stanwood against Seattle Lutheran to earn the State-bound berth. The Braves won 8-2. The Braves’ 8 runs were from nine hits, with three errors. Lauren McClung was 2 for 4 with 2 triples, 2 RBI, and stuck out 11 Seattle Lutheran batters;  Samie Miller was 1 for 2 with 1 triple and 1 RBI; Taysha James was 1 for 3 with a double and 1 RBI; Galena Graham had 8 put-outs and 1 assist; and Alissa McCoy was 2 for 4 with 1RBI.

The Braves played a second game against Orcas that same day, but saved their energy – the game was for seeding only.  Orcas won 13-0.

 

In the May 18, 2011 issue...

Click classified ads to see today's page 7

Photo by Don Coyote

This worker bee took advantage of some recent and rare spring sunshine to get a little buzzy work done.

Rapper Griff J is known around here as La Conner High School graduate Griffin Johnston. His music video and CD album is gaining momentum in the music industry. Reporter Alexander Kramer talked to Griff and has the story about his journey from quiet La Conner to the Seattle music scene. In today's paper!

  

 Photo by Amylynn Richards

Fresh Sushi at the Methodist Church

La Conner resident Keiko Massey will offer her homemade sushi rolls to the public this Sunday for a donation for relief efforts for victims of earthquake and tsunami that devastated her native land, Japan.

She's asking a $5 per plate donation and will make the sushi fresh Sunday to sell from 12:15 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at La Conner United Methodist Church on  South Second Street on the hill in La Conner. Writer Amylynn Richards has all the details in today's paper.

New choirs debut on Monday

By Scott McDade

Call it the Glee Factor, if you like. Whatever the reason, choir has come back to La Conner schools in a big way!

On Monday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m., the brand-new La Conner high school and middle school choirs will offer their first formal concert. The program will include a wide range of music, from Mendelssohn to Irving Berlin to 80's pop. The program will last about one hour. Free at the School Auditorium.

From the Police Blotter:

1:12 p.m.: Alcohol problem – While on routine patrol, deputies spotted a woman who appeared to be passed out on the side of the road near the intersection of Hill and Whatcom streets in La Conner. The woman apologized for napping so close to the road and was given a ride to a relative’s home. We can't make this stuff up! And there's more in today's paper!

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Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, May 18, 2011

Braves Raves

 Photo by Amylynn Richards

SAFE! – La Conner Braves’ DJ Carr slides into base milliseconds ahead of the ball during last Tuesday’s District Semi-Final baseball game against Rainier Christian. The Braves won 10-5. 

By Amylynn Richards

STATE TOURNEY

The Braves baseball team, which beat the 2010 reigning 2B baseball champions Seattle Lutheran, is ready to take on Toutle Lake at 1:30 p.m. at Daniels Field in the Regional State Tournament in Anacortes on Saturday.

The stakes are high, and the more the merrier to cheer the boys on to victory.  The winner of the Concrete vs. Morton-White Pass high schools and La Conner vs. Toutle Lake games will compete the same day at 4 p.m. 

Sixteen teams at four locations across Washington State will compete the morning and early afternoon of Saturday, May 21. The winners of those eight games will compete later on the same date. The four victors will advance to the final-four game at Parker Field in Yakima beginning Friday, May 27.

Daniels Field is at 13^th Street and G Avenue in Anacortes. Concrete will play Morton-White Pass high earlier in the day, at 10 a.m. 

Admission for Adults and students without ASB cards is $8; students with ASB card, senior citizens and children pay $6. Concessions will be open.

 BASEBALL

The Braves won the District Semi-Final game against Rainier Christian 10-5 in five innings on Tuesday, May 10, at home. “It was an exciting week for the Braves,” reports Coach Jeremiah LeSourd. 

Braves pitcher Tyler Howlett was in control of the game from the beginning, pitching a one hit shutout. Offensively, the Braves got started in the second inning with back to back doubles by Dakota Hartley and Matt McCauley, with McCauley scoring Hartley.

 In the third inning, Tyler Howlett had a two run double, and later scored on an error. In the fourth inning, the first five hitters singled and Matt McCauley hit a Grand Slam Homerun to give the Braves a ten run lead.

Leading Hitters: Matt McCauley was 3 for 3 with the grand slam homerun and 5 RBI's; Tyler Howlett was 2 for 3 with a double and 3 RBI; Garrett Wilbur was 2 for 3 with an RBI; and Dakota Hartley had two doubles.

 The team went to Stanwood high school on Saturday, May 14 to win the District Championship against the 2010 2B State Champion Seattle Lutheran 3-1. “The championship was an intense game and after the Braves settled down they proved to be ready for challenge,” LeSourd said, “the last two times the Braves had played the defending state champion the Braves lost in the bottom of the 7^th inning. The team has learned from those tough lessons and were able to win the District Title.”

The Braves were able to get men on base, but the first Brave did not run home until the bottom of the fourth inning.

“Seattle Lutheran was able to score an unearned run in the top of the first inning, but that was all the Braves pitching would allow,” said LeSourd.  Garrett Wilbur threw 4 tough innings, and struck out seven batters in “some critical situations,” according to LeSourd. Tyler Howlett closed the game with three shutout innings.

Team highlights: Tyler Howlett led off with a single, Matt McCauley followed with an infield single and Wil James walked to load the bases. Christian Johnston hit a two run single to give the Braves the lead. The third run was on a pass ball that went out of play.

FASTPITCH

The girls’ team went to Friday Harbor on Tuesday, May 10. The Braves made a total of 7 errors to the Vikings’ 1 error. The Vikings took the lead 6-1 in the second inning and never looked back, ultimately winning the game 14-4 in five innings.

Galena Graham had 8 put outs at first base; she now has 120 put outs in her high school career and only committed 2 errors during the season, earning herself a .984 fielding percentage. Samie Miller was 2 for 3, 1 RBI and hit her fourth home run of the season. Taysha James was 2 for 3, with a double. Laruen McClung was 1 for 3 with a double and 1 RBI, and Sierra Brown was 1 for 1, with a double.

On Saturday, May 14, the girls hit the road to play Adna. The Adna Pirates won 14-6 in seven innings.  The Braves committed 7 errors in this game; Adna had 1 error. Coach Peg Seeling said of the game, “While this game goes in the loss column, I was glad to see the girls hang in there and play all seven innings.” 

At the close of the fourth inning, Adna was ahead 5-1. Adna scored 8 runs during their turn at bat, making the score 13-1 at the top of the fifth inning. The Braves fought hard to score 5 runs in the fifth inning, and held Adna at bay until the seventh inning, giving up the final run for the Pirates.

Freshman Taylor Edwards provided 3 put-outs from the infield, and 2 assists. Taysha James, 1 put-out and 3 assists; Kelley McClung had 1 put-out and 2 assists; and Galena Graham had six put-outs at first base.

The Braves are 8-3 in League and 11-7 overall.  The Braves will play in Stanwood for the Bi-District championship.

GOLF

Spencer Finley, Spencer Novak and, Brendan McLeod are on their way to State on Monday, May 23 at Meadow Park Golf Course in Tacoma. Monday is practice round, and the competition begins on Tuesday, May 24 for round 1, and round 2 takes place the next day on Wednesday, May 25. Hilary Edwards is alternate for the girls’ team.

Coach Sean Skiles said, “I am really proud of our team. They all stayed focused and put things together to finish strong and win the league championship.  The best part is we did it with two freshman, three sophomores, and one junior. They will all be back and stronger to repeat next year.”

TRACK

The boys won the 2B District championship and the girls came in second place at Stanwood high school on Friday, May 13. The boys’ team had 142 points, Concrete came in second with 108 points,  and Mount Vernon Christian came in third with 56 points. Mount Vernon Christian girls’ team came in first with 125 points, La Conner second, with 98 points, and Concrete in third with 46 points.

The Braves track team boasts twelve boys’ and three girls’ 2B District Champions: Emily Anderson for the high jump (4’08”);  Lydia Lenning in the 3200 meter race (13:37.71a);  Sammie Mesman in the 1600 meter race (5:58.30a); Conner Anderson is the District Champion in both 100 meter (11.83a) and 200 meter (23.93a) races; Todd Hoagland in the 400 meter race (54.20a); Nathan Sybrandy for the 1600 meter (4.52.14a); Sam Traylor (11:06.80a), 3200 meter race;  Jamall James in the 29” 110 meter hurdles and also in the long jump (19’6.5”); Sten Mejlaender in the 300 meter 36” hurdles (41.95a); Brandon Drye in discus (137’10”); Landy James in the 800 gram javelin (141’03”); the four-person 4x100 relay team of Wylie Thulen, Conner Anderson, Todd Hoagland and Sten Mejlaender (46.45a); the four person 4x400 meter relay team of Nathan Sybrandy, Conner Anderson, Sten Mejlaender and Todd Hoagland (3:41.64a);  Kelsie Crawford, Emily Anderson, Katie McKnight and Priscilla Ponce-Venegas for the 4x100 relay race (54.20a). Go, Braves!

Second place winners are: Priscilla Ponce-Venegas in the 300 meter 30” hurdles (51.68a) and also the javelin (97’02”); Kelsie Crawford in the 100 meter race (13.80a) and long jump (14’5.5”); Kirstyn Bell in the 800 meter race (2:57.62a); and Katie McKnight in the 200 meters (28.52a)’Sten Mejlaender in the 39” 110 meter hurdles (16.28a), Brandon Drye in the 12 point shot-put (39”07.00”); Landy James in the high jump (6’00”) and Jamall James in the triple jump (40’11.25”); the four-person team of Kelsie Crawford, Emily Anderson, Katie McKnight, and Priscilla Ponce-Venegas earned second in the 4x100 meter relay (54.20a); the four-person team of Chrissy Barsness, Madi Cavanaugh, Lydia Lenning and Sammie Mesman took second in the 4x400 meter relay (4:45.43a).

Third place winners are Emily Anderson in the triple jump (30’1.25”) and 33” 100 meter hurdles (18.17a); Madi Cavanaugh in the 400 meters race (1:08.02a); Todd Hoagland in the 200 meter race (24.24a); Nathan Parker in the 12 pound shot put;  and Jamall James in the high jump (5’10”).

Braves medalists setting a new personal best: Brandon Drye beat his personal best in the 1.6 kilo discus by 7’6”; Kelsie Crawford shaved 0.04a off of her 100 meter time; Katie McKnight raced 0.44a faster in the 200 meter race; Madi Cavanaugh beat her best in the 100 meter race by 0.28a and 1.81 seconds from her 400 meter time; Kirstyn Bell lopped of 4.58 seconds off of her 800 meter race time; and Priscilla Ponce-Venegas increased her javelin throw by 9”.  Conner Anderson shaved 0.21 seconds off of his 100 meter race time and 0.41 seconds from his 200 meter race time; Todd Hoagland improved his time by 0.76 in the 400 meter race; Nate Sybrandy improved his 1600 meter race time by 2.86 seconds; Jamall James improved his 110 meter 39” hurdle time by 0.26 seconds and his distance in the long jump by 6.50”.

The following athletes have qualified for the 2B Tri-District championship which takes place on Wednesday, May 18 and Friday, May 20 at Chief Sealth high school in Seattle : Conner Anderson will compete in the 100 meter, 200 meter, 4x100 meter and 4x400 meter races; Sten Mejlaender will compete in the 110 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles,4x100 meter and 4x100 meter races;  Brandon Drye will compete in the shot-put and discus; Todd Hoagland will compete in the 400 meter, 200 meter, 4x100 meter and 4x100 meter races; Landy James will compete in the 200 meter race, the javelin toss and high jump;  Nate Parker will compete in the shot put; Jamall James will compete in the long jump, triple jump, high jump and the 110 meter high hurdles; Nate Sybrandy will compete in the 1600 meter and 4x400 meter races;  Sam Traylor will compete in the 3200 meter race; Wylie Thulen will compete in the 4x100 race; Alec Azure will compete in the 3200 meter race;  Sid Lease will compete in javelin; Emily Anderson will compete in the triple jump, 100 meter hurdles, 4x100 relay and the high jump; Priscilla Ponce-Venegas will compete in the 300 meter hurdles, 4x100 meter relay, 4x200 meter relay and in javelin; Chrissy Barsness will compete in the 4x400 meter relay; Kirstyn Bell will compete in the 800 meter race; Madi Cavanaugh will compete in the 100 meter, 400 meter, 4x400 meter and 4x200 meter races; Kelsie Crawford will compete in the long jump, 100 meter, 4x100 meter and 4x200 meter races; Lydia Lenning will compete in the 3200 meter race and the 4x400 meter relay; Katie McKnight will compete in the 200 meter race, 4x100 meter relay, 4x200 meter relay and in javelin; Sammie Mesperson will compete in the 1600 meter and the 4x400 meter races.

 

In the May 11, 2011 issue...

Photo by Amylynn Richards

Guerrilla knitting gang exposed 

Writer Amylynn Richards caught up with a the notorious Tree-Sweater Knitter, one of a rogue band of fabric artists known for leaving fuzzy ornaments in public places around La Conner.

Planning Commission turned down industrial zoning request

The La Conner Planning Commission will recommend that the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe’s property on the waterfront south of Caledonia Street not be zoned for industry.

The tribe has asked the town to change its comprehensive land use plan to allow the 5½ acres  of commercial zoned property it purchased in 2009 to be zoned for industrial use, as it was before 2006.

Although the Planning Commission has recommended that the land stay commercial, the Town Council will have the final say. The issue is scheduled for a public hearing and council decision on June 14.

The property is adjacent to a residential neighborhood, where residents worry that an industrial zoning designation could increase the truck traffic through their streets. 

Photo by Sue Phillips

This week's must read is by writer Sue Phillips, who brings us "The adventures of Tomato Mike" with her story about Mike Hackett, the organic food inspector for the Washington State Department of Agriculture. 

Photo by Don Coyote

Off with their heads!

This is the sight that makes tulip tourists sad while some local residents sigh with relief. When the tulips are topped, what some refer to as the tourist Traffic Festival winds down. The tulips are topped to make the bulbs stronger; the beautiful flowers are actually byproducts of the bulb crop. 

And read about traffic in the new Mel Damski column, "If I ran the zoo." 

 

  From the Police Blotter:

5:13 p.m.: Bicycle vs. car – A 13-year old boy rode bicycle down the hill on 4^th Street south of the Catholic Church and blew the stop sign at 4^th and Caledonia streets. The boy careened into the path of a car traveling through the intersection and was hit. The boy was not badly hurt because he was wearing gloves and a helmet. He was treated at the scene for minor injuries. His bike was mangled and the car was dented, but the boy was taken home by a relative. The driver of the car was shook up but not injured.  Skateboarders go down this hill too! 

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