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 100^th 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?

Get the paper you know where -- or call us and subscribe 466-3315

 

 

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 4^th 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.

7^th 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.

Election count update

*UPDATED*
Jacques apparent victor in Town Council election

Results of the latest ballot count by the Skagit County Auditor shows that the formerly too-close-to-call La Conner Town Council position 1 election has flipped. Results today showed incumbent Jacques Brunisholz with a comfortable 18-vote lead over his challenger, Marna Hanneman. In earlier counts, Hanneman appeared to be leading by single digits.

At this point it’s looking like the only newcomer to be seated on the Council in January is likely to be Dan O’Donnell, who’s not really new. He previously served two terms on the council and one term as Mayor.

The county estimates there are 30 ballots left to be tallied county-wide. No more numbers are scheduled to be released until the election is finalized and certified on Nov. 29

*UPDATED * UPDATED*UPDATED

count as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday 

Town of La Conner

Mayor

Ramon Hayes* .........284 

Stuart Welch  ............131

Council Position 1

Marna Hanneman .......194

Jacques Brunisholz* ....212

Council Position 5

Dan O’Donnell ............ 231

Don L. Wright* .............180

Fire District 13

Allen (Skip) Cooper* .... 774

Doug Avery ...................864

Port of Anacortes

Bob Eberle ..............4,818

Chuck Davis ...........4,691

Port of Skagit

Steven Omdal ........11,466

Jerry Kaufman*....... .9,880

*indicates incumbent

Jacques pulls ahead in Town Council election count

Results of the latest ballot count by the Skagit County Auditor shows that La Conner Town Council position 1  incumbent Jacques Brunisholz with an almost comfortable 17-vote lead over his challenger, Marna Hanneman. In earlier counts, Hanneman appeared to be leading by single digits.

Town of La Conner

Mayor

Ramon Hayes* .........282 

Stuart Welch  ............131

Council Position 1

Marna Hanneman .......194

Jacques Brunisholz* ....211

Council Position 5

Dan O’Donnell ............ 231

Don L. Wright* .............179

Fire District 13

Allen (Skip) Cooper* .... 768

Doug Avery ...................861

Port of Anacortes

Bob Eberle ..............4,787

Chuck Davis ...........4,658

Port of Skagit

Steven Omdal ........11,390

Jerry Kaufman*....... .9,817

*indicates incumbent

in the November 16, 2011 issue ...

Swinomish channel in dire straits

Writer Adrian Sharpe has the story on the problem with Swinomish Channel filling in with silt and the local effort afoot to dredge it. For more than a century the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintained the waterway, which is very important to the local economy. But federal budget cutback have ended that.

We are not not silly.

(But some people affiliated with this establishment might be... )

This is Don Coyote's new Whalebarrow. 'Nuff said?

(where does he keep getting those flamingos?) 

And don't forget the Melbow 

Columnist Mel Damski says this new greeting, which has led to reckless elbow bumping all over town, is a way to prevent the common cold, among other things .... (Oh how I wish we were kidding)


Here's some good news:
Music students in honor performance

By Scott McDade

Five student musicians were selected to represent La Conner at this fall’s Honor Music Festival, held last Friday at Lynden Christian High School. 

Singers included Lauren Aguilar, Soprano; Zoe Fejeran, Alto; and Hayden Schmidt, Baritone. Instrumentalists were Grace Kim, Trumpet; and Sara Peterson, Clarinet.

The annual festival, which is organized by the San Juan Music Educators Association, gives leading student musicians a chance to perform with other top notch vocalists and instrumental players from schools all over Skagit, Whatcom and San Juan Counties.

The day-long event was composed of three groups, each led by an outstanding guest conductor. The band, choir and orchestra rehearsal sessions began at 9 a.m. on Friday and ran all day.  At 7 p.m. the performers gathered for a full evening concert for parents and friends. 

The festival included a particularly moving Veteran’s Day tribute to all attending service personnel and veterans. At the end of the concert, the choir, band and orchestra joined forces to perform Mansions of  The Lord, a hymn in honor of fallen comrades.

 Photo by Scott McDade

Also ... You'll want to read about the Town Council's plans for your money in the 2012 town budget story in today's paper.

From the Police Blotter:

1:53 p.m.: Lucky Day – La Conner business turned in a found wallet. The wallet had an ID card so deputies tracked him down and returned his wallet just as he was being released from jail.

 If you don't want to go out into the cold and buy a paper from one of our local merchants or feed quarters into one of our frozen news stands subscribe and have it brought to your home or office. 466-3315

 

Weekly Braves sports capsule November 16, 2011

Photo by David Willoughby, www.WPANetwork.com

 Photo by Karla Reynolds

Landy James

Photo by Karla Reynolds

Braves "pull together" with family icon
By Bill and Karla Reynolds

The La Conner football team had plenty of wind in its sails going into Saturday's playoff action in Everett.

Even so, the Braves weren't going to be caught battling upstream without a paddle against highly touted Morton/White Pass.

A special paddle, at that.

La Conner senior Landy James carried with him onto the Memorial Stadium turf a treasured, hand-crafted canoe paddle bearing the image of a graceful blue heron.

The handsome paddle was fashioned by James' beloved granddad, the late Jimi Sam, a La Conner High alum. It belongs to James' uncle, Dr. Wil James, who graciously allowed his nephew to bring it with him to the big game.

"Jimi and Landy were very close," notes Landy's mom, Theresa, now the La Conner High cheer squad coach.

As was demonstrated at this past summer's Canoe Journey hosted by the Swinomish Tribal Community, ceremonial paddles are revered family icons passed down from generation to generation.

They are uniquely carved and shaped, often bearing images symbolic of important family events.

Saturday's game, while a 32-13 setback to Morton/White Pass, now counts as such for Landy and his relatives.

At halftime, when Landy returned to the field from the locker room, he was bearing the cherished paddle. He proudly propped it against a sideline table, then looked skyward, well above the pressbox.

It was a fitting tribute to a grandfather whose lasting gift made even plying the troubled waters of a playoff loss a sacred memory.

"I cried," Theresa said afterward, "when I saw him run onto the field with the paddle."

Nor was she alone.

Landy's grandma, Ava Goodman added, "We were all in tears when he came running out with it."   

Photo by David Willoughby, www.WPANetwork.com

Photo by Karla Reynolds

Photo by Amylynn Richards

from Braves Raves ...
 

By Amylynn Richards

ROLLER SKATING

La Conner freshman Hayden Schmidt and mother Brenda Schmidt will represent the United States in at the World Roller Skating Precision Show Groups Championship in Brazil on Sunday, Nov. 20 as part of team Northern Dynamics.

This is the fifth consecutive year Northern Dynamics has qualified for the World Roller Skating Championship, but it is the first year for Hayden to skate. The team qualified by earning silver at the national championships earlier this year.

The Schmidts and 17 team members are the only team representing the U.S.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

The Braves girls’ soccer team earned the program’s first-ever trip to the state 2B semifinals last week, beating Brewster 2-0 Saturday, Nov. 12. “They seemed to exude a confidence and ownership of the field the moment they left the bus,” Coach Amy Freeto said. “In a unified group, music blaring, they walked onto the field in a mass of Braves Blue, together and poised.  They seemed to dwarf the Bears with not only our athletic size, but with their confidence.”

The athletes agreed that everything went just right, starting with the warm-up, which teammate Sammie Mesman described as “our best ever.” The Braves scored midway through the first half when Madi Cavanaugh crossed the ball to senior Emily Bruland, who blasted a shop that hit the crossbar and ricocheted into the back of the net, Freeto said. “This set the tone for the rest of the match.”

Five minutes into the second half, Nikki Finley crossed the ball to Kelsey Crawford, scoring the team’s second goal.

Coach Freeto then moved Crawford, the Braves’ leading scorer, back into the defense to “help preserve the win and the defensive shutout,” Freeto said. “The Braves not only kept the Bears leading scorer and all league MVP Veronica Arrez from scoring, but from even getting a single shot” on goal.

La Conner will now face Napavine, a team they beat earlier this year 4-2, in the final four at the 1B/2B State Championship tournament this weekend at the Sumner Chevrolet Stadium. The girls’ play Friday Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. If the Braves win, they will play the winner of the Bear Creek - Crosspoint Academy game for the state 2B crown at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.

Should they lose to Napavine, the Braves play at 10 a.m. Saturday for third or fourth place. 

VOLLEYBALL

The Bi-District Champion La Conner Braves faced a tough draw in the State finals, facing the Colfax Bulldogs in the first round. Colfax took the Braves out in three (22-25, 11-25, 19-25) in the first round of play, removing the Braves out of the winner’s bracket.

 This left seventh place the highest possible ranking the Braves could earn, which the Lady Braves did.  “We could not get the momentum going throughout the first set and that dictated our play in the second and third, Coach Suzanne Marble said. “We played a bit timid and reserved and didn't attack and go after the ball the way we know how.  It is tough because you only three hours to shake off a loss and have to come back to win your next match just to stay in it and that is exactly what they did.

 The girls made quick work of NWC Lacey and played relaxed and in control throughout the entire match. Marble said.  The Braves won matches against North West Christian (25-22, 25-8, 25-17), and Asotin (25-14, 24-16, 25-11, 25-12).

The Asotin win was “a solid match,” Marble said, and secured the Braves 7^th or 8^th place; the Braves successfully battled for 7^th against Kittitas (25-14, 25-16, 25-20).  “We played Kittitas really well and made quick work of them,” Marble said. “We played relaxed and confident. We had a strong tournament going 3-1 and I am very proud of the way the girls fought hard and never gave up after the disappointing loss to Colfax.”

Brave State Championship highlights: Kelley McClung had 118 assists, 7 aces, 26 digs, and 6 blocks; senior Emily Anderson 42 kills, 12 aces, 47 digs and 10 blocks; senior Priscilla Ponce-Venegas had 43 kills, 12 aces, and 32 digs; and Carly Anderson had 52 digs.

BOYS’ SOCCER

The boys’ soccer team ended the season with 2-1 overtime loss to Providence Classical Christian at the 2B State tournament Saturday, Nov. 12 at Everett Memorial stadium.  The Brave goal was scored by Taylor Fay, who headed the ball in the net off a throw-in from senior Todd Hoagland.

The Braves played with a ton of heart and determination, said Coach Steve DeLeon. “We came from behind to equalize and we took Providence to overtime.”

DeLeon challenged the team to “leave everything on the field, be physical… Providence should know they were in a war…It didn't work out for us, but I'm proud of our effort.”

FOOTBALL

The boys ended their season Saturday, Nov. 12 in a state playoff game at the Everett Stadium losing 41-13 to Morton White Pass. The player of the week was Dahlton Zavala for his 45-yard run and two running touchdowns.