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.

In the July 13, 2011 issue...

Famous art center moves to La Conner

Writer M. Sharon Baker has the story on a internationally known art school that has moved to La Conner.  Students from this school have had their work exhibited in a La Conner museum. Pick up the paper today.

Trains could rattle our neighbors

La Conner has no train tracks, but folks nearby in Conway and Mount Vernon could be in for a lot more rail traffic is a plan goes through for a deep water port terminal near Canada to service coal cargo tankers bound for China. Writer Anna Ferdinand has all the details in today's paper.

Canoe Journey is almost here

   Several family canoes from Canada left weeks ago and dozens more from all over the Northwest are already on the water en-route to the Paddle to Swinomish, which promises to be the largest and most spectacular event ever to be held here.

   The Swinomish Tribal Community, Town of La Conner, La Conner School District, Skagit County offices and scores of local volunteers have been working to welcome thousands of visitors to town. The festivities start on Monday, July 25, when about 130 canoes will begin landing at Swinomish.

  Meanwhile, writer Alexander Kramer, has details in today's paper about a special Canoe Journey exhibit that will open next week at the Skagit County Historical Museum.

From the police blotter:

4:39 a.m.: Suspicious – An anonymous caller reported that somebody was yelling in an apartment, 900 block Maple Ave. Deputies contacted the neighbor, who had been singing along to the music on his stereo.

The paper is in quarter-eating news stands all over town and on the counter at the liquor store, in the drug store, gas station, produce market and book store.  (And you can read it at the library, too.) Call 466-3315 to subscribe -- we accept credit cards.

 

In the July 6, 2011 issue...

   As everyone knows, we were without Internet and phone service for much of the day since WAVE Broadband had a catastrophic outage that involved the entire state. Thank you WAVE, for working so hard to get us all back up and running!

   
Check out our Facebook page to see the fabulous Fourth of July Parade album posted by writer and photographer Amylynn Richards.  If you were there, you might have been caught on camera!

In the June 29, 2011 issue...

The last turkey left town

After a two-month stay in the town’s turkey hoosegow following an attempt to hide in a public restroom, La Conner’s last tom turkey had his “bail posted” by Marci Plank, executive director of the La Conner Chamber of Commerce.

Writer M. Sharon Baker has the story on the adoption of  “Monty,” which ends La Conner's Town Turkey era.

Or does it? Somebody was making a turkey gobbling noise this morning.... there are several groups of wild turkeys in the area.

We're out of these...

File photo by Kirsten Morse

But we still have plenty of these...

 File photo by Don Coyote

Fashion Statement 

 Photo by Joy Neal

 Samantha Clark “models” the latest look in snakeskin during last week’s Reptile Man visit to young readers at La Conner Regional Library. Scott Peterson, the Reptile Man, brought living exhibits for the children to learn about.

3^rd of July Fireworks

4^th of July Parade & Picnic

While most places have fireworks on July 4, La Conner's fireworks display over the Channel will be Sunday, July 3.  But the 4th of July Parade and Picnic is still scheduled for Monday, July 4. The Parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. in downtown La Conner and the Old Fashioned picnic and party is in Pioneer Park right after the parade.

From the Police Blotter: 

1:36 p.m.: Rude motorist – Poor driving accompanied by numerous hand gestures on Morris Street in La Conner prompted a 911 call. Deputies were unable to locate the rude driver or the vehicle involved.

Pick up the paper at the usual places, or subscribe and have it delivered. 360-466-3315.