Week of July 21st

Fire District and Town in toxic stink fight - Sandy Stokes

Town and fire district officials are feuding and fuming. Letters have been flying back and forth between the Town of La Conner and Fire District 13--but the town council and fire commissioners haven't even talked to each other. Now, according to the last missive from the fire district, there is no need for a meeting; the town--with its 325 taxpaying households and 100 small businesses--can just pony up several thousand dollars to buy out the fire district's half of the station they co-own.

Honda commercial fouls afternoon traffic - Alexander Kramer

A film crew recently caused a traffic jam for La Conner motorists on the Rainbow Bridge. Late Monday afternoon, traffic was slowed so that a crew from Lodestar Films, Inc. could film on the bridge. The crew was able to stage their equipment in Pioneer Park, adjacent to the bridge. According to film crew location manager Ken Coble, the crew was "producing running footage for Honda commercials for local dealerships. These were random shots, not a specific shot for one commercial." These types of shots are edited and spliced together in several different commercials.

Cool move - This is Will Davis demonstrating the summer art of boogie boarding on a Slip 'N Slide. The third-grader's family owns Queen of the Valley Inn  near La Conner.

[Photo by Kristen Morse]

Town eyes cuts to police service

The La Conner Town Council is schedule to consider a new contract for police services that would cut in half the number of officers assigned to the town to save money. Mayor Ramon Hayes said he's been negotiating with the Skagit County Sheriff's Office to provide 100 hours of dedicated service per week. The town wants to spend about $301,000 he said, and the county has proposed a price of $325,000 for the service. 

Softball champs - This is the South Skagit Little League All Star Team, which included five La Conner girls, Kahneesha Casey, Chloe Fullington, Matty Lagerway, Sarah McCormick and Ashley Watkins, with their Mount Vernon teammates, Kailey Hanger, Shay Kendrick, Annie McRoberts, Rosie McRoberts, Samantha Silver and Savannah Verdugo. Their coaches are Jeff McRoberts, Maury Kendrick and Jay Silver. The girls won the District 11 Championship and then went on to the state competition.

[Photo by Candace Charles]

Feeding the hungry here at home - Reverend George Lockwood

An effort is underway to continue the La Conner food bank that has been run informally, out of the home of Kevin Sunrise and his wife Amy Han for the last five years. A group of caring citizens has been meeting over the last month to gather information on how to take over the food bank and keep it running for our local residents. Kevin's food bank has served an average of about a dozen individuals and families each week, and the need continues. The clients are estimated to be about 50 percent Hispanic and 25 percent Native American, with the remaining composed of Euro-Americans and other ethnic groups, including elderly people, young families, and residents of the Shelter Bay community.

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Paper is on sale in stores and newsracks in La Conner, WA. Or it can be mailed to any address in the United States.

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July 7 2010 edition

 

(If the page looks weird today, it's because Alex is off this week.)

Canoe Journey: A colorful flotilla of traditional Coast Salish canoes came through the channel along the La Conner water front and visited Swinomish as paddlers from throughout Washington and British Columbia make their way to Neah Bay for the 2010 Canoe Journey. -- Photo by Ann Smock, courtesy Swinomish Kee Yoks

Former Mayor Wayne Everton died

Many in La Conner are mourning the death of Wayne Everton, who died on Thursday, July 8, at the age of 83. Wayne was La Conner's Mayor from 2003 to 2008 and was instrumental  in establishing the La Conner Weekly News. He is survived by his wife Bev of La Conner and sons Mitch of Anacortes and Mark of California. Here at the paper, we remember him most for his quick, witty comments and deadpan humor.

A hippie-era artist's colony

By Anna Ferdinand

I was just a child when my mother led me through fields, up and over a forest ridge and along wood-plank walkways to Fishtown. 

We stayed in the small wooden cabin of Tim Skinner, perched on the waterfront where the Skagit River met the bay ....

This is the start of the piece on the "Fishtown and Skagit River" exhibit at the Museum of Northwest Art, woven into a colorful word picture of the time and place in a way that only Anna Ferdinand can tell the story. 

 Fishtown, 1979 -- Photo by David King 

on exhibit at Museum of Northwest Art

The paper is on sale in the red news boxes along Morris and First Streets and also at the gas station, drug store, book store and produce market. Inside you'll find our local talent: Jim's Pull & Be Damned, Mickey's Nuggets from Norway, Anna's wine find, and of course, the ever-popular police blotter.

Week of July 7th

Don't forget to check out the Classified Ads page!

Hand-crafted by local artists, writers and photographers

 Star-Spangled Fireworks - The 4th of July celebration at Snee-Oosh Beach Sunday night as captured by the photographer who teaches this kind of digital art at La Conner High School.

[Photo by Ryan Hiller]

Fireworks delay baffles spectators - Marci Plank

The $4,700 fireworks show paid for with money donated by local businesses and individuals was so late Sunday some people who came to watch left before the first rocket went off. We were told that the show scheduled to start over the channel at 10 p.m. was dleayed by nearly 45 minutes because the licensed pyrotechnician dropped out at the last minute and the fireworks contractor had to send in a replacement.

 Local talent - This is La Conner's marching band, the Kazookeys. The renowned kazoo musicians took time out of their world tour to perform in Sunday's 4th of July parade.

[Photo by Kirsten Morse]

FEMA flood maps are back - Sandy Stokes

The latest incarnation of the federal maps that are used to determine residents' flood insurance rates were made public Tuesday. In December the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency released its initial set of flood maps for Skagit County, but withdrew them after public officials from La Conner and other municipalities pointed out major errors. In La Conner's case, some elements of the revised and corrected maps still defy the laws of physics. If adopted, the new maps could mean people will get soaked whether or not there is a flood.

Community Skateboard Park Fund

As of July 7, the La Conner Skatepark Fund is at $4,764.74. The most recent donation was from the 4th of July Fundraiser at over $1,200--and that's just admission--other sales of food and beverages haven't been tallied yet.

For information about the park and ways to support the campaign, you can check out the Facebook page, or call Town Hall @ (360) 466-3125.

From Louisa's Memoir - Janna Gage

This is the fourth and final story in the series on Louisa A. Conner's recently re-discovered memoir, which tells us how the woman La Conner was named for arrived here. Her story continues...Life on the northwest frontier was challenging to Louisa Conner who was accustomed to much activity and social life, running businesses and keeping a wide circle of friends. Life was a little easier when her sister and her family joined them in La Conner.

Louisa's sister, Mary Catherine, husband Arch, and baby Minnie arrived here in 1871 and built and opened a boarding house next to the Conner's store. What Louisa really wanted was a church. She was determined to build a community on the rocks and high ground of the Swinomish Channel...  

Turkey resort - From La Conner outcasts to pampered VIPs, last year's relocation to Sequim turned out to be a good move for these former members of the town's wild turkey flock. Caryl Turner of Precious Life Animal Sanctuary is shown here with the happy residents of the new turkey aviary.

[Photo courtesy of Precious Life Animal Sanctuary]

Exiled turkeys in fancy new digs - Alexander Kramer

Since being run out of town last summer, the 11 La Conner turkeys sent off to Sequim are living in luxury. Last year the town's turkey flock had ballooned to 18 birds. The resident fowl were getting a rotten reputation for damaged chimneys, ruined gardens and other foul deeds. After a few Town Council members publicly expressed an anti-turkey bias--and even suggested annihilation of the flock--outraged citizens rallied to the birds' defense. 

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Paper is on sale in stores and newsracks in La Conner, WA. Or it can be mailed to any address in the United States.

Don't miss a single issue!

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Week of June 30th

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Booze burglars are back - Sandy Stokes

It happened again. Someone broke into the Station House Bar & Grill on Morris Street and stole eight bottles of hard liquor during the pre-dawn hours of Friday, June 23. Chef Grace Courthwaite was the first person in to work that day, and noticed glass all over the floor in the bar area from a window at the back of the building that had been busted out.

Summer Saved - Skagit County Sheriff's Deputy Mart Steiner delivered new bicycles to Logan and Luke Lowry on Monday. The children's bikes were stolen and destroyed by bigger kids on the day school let out for the summer.

[Photo by Alexander Kramer]

Deputy puts wheels back on summer - Alexander Kramer

On the last day of school, the summer celebration turned to grief for two La Conner Elementary students, who stood by helplessly while two older kids stole their bicycles right in front of them. Logan Lowry, 8, and her brother Luke, 7, were playing at school on June 16, when two 12-year-old boys came up and took their bikes.

Community Skateboard Park Fund

As of June 30, the La Conner Skatepark Fund is at $3,824.24 (after a few expenses for the upcoming party). The most recent donation was from the La Conner Booster Club. (Earlier numbers near $5,800 were an error from miscommunication).

For information about the park and ways to support the campaign, you can check out the Facebook page, or call Town Hall @ (360) 466-3125.

This Sunday, from 6-10 pm is a Fourth of July Party on the deck at the south end of First Street. This is a fundraiser for the Skate Park; food, music, beer, wine, and firework-viewing seating will be available (bring your own chairs).

Wholesale Berries - Nate Youngquist of Youngquist Farms brought colorful flats of fresh-picked raspberries and strawberries to the first farmers market for bulk buyers held at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op parking lot last week.

[Photo by Fred Owens]

A farmers market for wholesale buyers - Fred Owens

Skagit farmers have started meeting bulk buyers under a bridge in Mount Vernon. The Puget Sound Food Network with the Skagit Valley Food Co-op, opened a weekly wholesale farmers market last Thursday in the portion of the co-op parking lot beneath the Riverside Drive viaduct. The market is designed for restaurants, grocery stores and institutional buyers. The location underneath the Riverside Drive overpass means farmers don't have to set up a canopy to keep the sun and rain off their produce. Plus, it's very close to the Kincaid Street exit on Interstate 5.

Reporter's notebook--
Surprise encounter with Louisa's kin  - Janna Gage

Shortly after last week's paper with the story about Louisa A. Conner's recently discovered memoir rolled off the press, the great-great-granddaughter of the town's namesake just happened to show up in town. Cindy Abrams, who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, picked up a copy of La Conner Weekly News at La Conner Fruit & Produce Market. On the front page was the story I had written about Louisa A. Conner's account of her adventures in Colorado from a memoir that the Conner family in Colorado knew nothing about. "I've visited the hotels John and Louisa Conner started in Colorado. They are still there. But this memoir blew me away!" exclaimed Abrams.
The third installment of Louisa A. Conner's memoir is also in this week's paper, on page 4.

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Paper is on sale in stores and newsracks in La Conner, WA. Or it can be mailed to any address in the United States.

Don't miss a single issue!

To subscribe or for ad rates, please call us at (360) 466-3315. 

Week of June 23

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Sun power shines in La Conner - Alexander Kramer

La Conner is seeking investors to finance the town's proposed solar project at the wastewater treatment plant. To let people know, Town Administrator John Doyle arranged a public workshop with industry professionals. Mike Nelson, the representative for Silicon Energy, the state's only manufacturer of solar panels, talked about the benefits of using solar energy and explained the state and federal incentives for people to invest in them.

Bubbly Outlook - Merissa George took a break from bubble blowing to take a peek through one of her soapy creations.

[Photo by Amylynn Richards]

Council to consider marketing position - Sandy Stokes

The La Conner Town Council will consider hiring a "Facilities Event Coordinator" to attract more bookings for Maple Hall, the Garden Club and Pioneer Park. Councilwoman Cindy Tracey and Councilman Stuart Welch, who make up the council's facilities committee, want their coleagues to approve a proposal to spend up to $7,500 for a person to book events during the remainder of the year.

Sky Eyes - A bald eagle watches the world from a lofty porch.

[Photo by Don Coyote]

Community Skateboard Park Fund

As of June 23, the La Conner Skatepark Fund has collected a total $5,863.72! The most recent donation was from the La Conner Booster Club last week.

For information about the park and ways to support the campaign, you can check out the Facebook page, or call Town Hall @ (360) 466-3125.

Tonight at 6 pm there is a Skate Park Meeting at Maple Hall. Plans for Fourth of July will be discussed.

Hop into Summer - The school year ended on a high note for Andre Knudson, Ketelina O'Brien and Shannen John, who participated in a sack race during the La COnner Elementary School play day last week.

[Photo by Amylynn Richards]

From L.A. Conner's Memoir - Janna Gage

In Louisa A. Conner's recently discovered personal memoir, we learn how the woman La Conner was named for arrived here. The story continues...Swept out of Missouri by the Civil War, John and Louisa arrive in St. Joseph, Missouri, ready to venture west with 30 other families. 

"At noon on Saturday, Aoril 15, 1865, we joined the other campers. The two-wheeled cart behind our wagon contained our bedding, camp chairs and a table that folded down from the side. We corralled the cattle at night or let them graze, with always some one of us on watch..."

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Paper is on sale in stores and newsracks in La Conner, WA. Or it can be mailed to any address in the United States.

Don't miss a single issue!

To subscribe or for ad rates, please call us at (360) 466-3315.