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That motorhome parked in the Retirement Inn parking lot Sunday was not from an out of town family but a more important visitor: a crew from Consonus Pharmacy bringing a supply of the first of the two-shot Pfizer vaccine to Inn residents and staff. By 3 p.m., the end of the six hour vaccination clinic, almost all residents and staff had been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. The Inn’s lobby was refashioned, with Executive Director Christina James registering people and getting consent f...
Sandy Delaney has built two homes in La Conner during more than four decades here. One is her actual residence, the other a rock-solid career with the La Conner Country Inn and Channel Lodge. Delaney officially retired Friday from the local hotels, truly her second home, after 42 years on the job. Make that, jobs. Delaney began in housekeeping in 1978 at the stylishly designed Country Inn, which opened on Second and Morris streets a year earlier. It replaced small and aging wood-frame cabins, on...
At a special meeting last Thursday, the Skagit County Board of Health decided against an ordinance imposing civil penalties for not wearing masks, a violation of county health orders for stopping the spread of COVID-19. A Jan. 20 public hearing for comments was canceled. The board agreed on the measures unanimously. The decisions reverse the Board’s Dec. 22 decision to impose fines. Public Health Director Jennifer Johnson expressed concern that the proposed $50 fine would fuel public anger and reduce compliance with mask wearing, social d...
Last Wednesday afternoon County Commissioner Ron Wesen posted a statement on the County’s website that “I condemn in the strongest terms the violence that took place in Washington, D.C. last week. The insurrection was shocking to witness.” Wesen was clarifying his statement to reporter Brandon Stone in that morning’s Skagit Valley Herald. Stone’s summary: “County Commissioner Ron Wesen strongly condemned the violence and destruction of federal property, but said he did not know who exactly was responsible. He said he supported the right to as...
Skagit County Public Health will provide COVID-19 vaccinations at the Skagit County Fairgrounds for individuals eligible under Phase 1b1 (also known as Tier 1) starting next Tuesday, Jan. 26. Vaccines are available by appointment only. Eligible are all people 70 years and older or those 50 years and older in a multigenerational (two or more generations) household. The schedule will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturday, dependent on supply. Public Health’s ability to provide vaccine is dependent on supply allocations from the federal and state g...
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John reports Jesus telling his disciples that. Knowing and following the truth is good advice in all times from whomever is advising it. This is a time of people embracing truths shared among friends, neighbors and co-collaborators: “My truth” and “our truth,” are shared certainties between allies. But in the larger, civil society – in the realm of facts and laws and newspapers, what served as “your” truth or “our” truth does not always hold up where facts and measurements an...
For all of us, 2020 was an unusual year, to say the very least. The word that became cliché back in March but really explains it best is unprecedented. For myself, 2020 was already a challenge: It was my first year as the Chief of Fire District 13. In January I became aware of a new strain of the coronavirus in China. By mid-February, when inquiring about N95 masks my medical supplier showed none in stock. By the first week of March I was personally meeting people from Craigslist as far away as Seattle to purchase masks. I met a retired...
Yeah, I’d be a tough taskmaster, sorta like a winning coach, I’d push us to exceed our goals. Improvement every day, by all of us, from the top on down. That would be my goal, to lead us all to share, and soothe each other’s souls. I’d be open to what people have to say, ideas can be works of art, like rows of produce protruding from the nearly silty clay. I’d help make challenges turn into ways to learn, and call it play. I’d be an inspiratory, yeah, a real deep instigator, why I’ve already done a lot of investigation, and none of what I’d p...
During last week’s power outage, 36 hours at my house, with no land line and minimum cell battery, my sister in Florida was worried about me. I talked to her once, assuring her I was OK but really missing my morning coffee. She posted on Facebook that I was fine, but really missing my morning coffee.That’s all she did. Lo and behold: one-half hour after posting this, I got a knock on my door with a special delivery of a “caramel mac”, a delicious blueberry scone and a huge heart cookie. This delivery was personally made by Kim of the Stompin...
Before Feb. 9 we have a chance to improve La Conner Schools. The La Conner School District replacement levy vote will provide for educational programs and operations that are either not funded or seriously underfunded by the state. The renewal of this levy will focus on enhanced offerings in STEAM classwork (science, technology, engineering, arts and math). Also included will be extra-curricular activities and athletics, extended day learning, special education services and safety improvements for the schools. The proposed four year...
In response to Max Monteborne’s opinion about age related vaccine immunizations: Max, after reading your opinion about age related vaccine immunizations I was incensed. But then I read it again and realized this was probably an attempt at dark humor. I could not believe anyone could actually believe what you had proposed. If it was dark humor, I do not think it was very funny. If you really do believe what you wrote was a good idea then shame on you. Those of us who are seniors in our community are not the “throw away” generation. We are at a h...
The Town Council last week amended La Conner’s Comprehensive Plan to rezone historic Hedlin’s Ballfield for residential use. But the unanimous action does not prevent the nearly two-acre site from remaining an open public use area. Town Planner Marianne Manville-Ailles told Council during its almost two-hour Jan. 12 Zoom meeting that public uses are allowed within residential zones. That has kept the door at least slightly ajar for a recently formed local citizen’s advisory group to raise funds and work toward retaining the present status of th...
Six years ago, I saw hate on the rise toward American Muslims. This hate was carefully cultivated by well-funded, flag-pinned profiteers. If you demonize a faith of 1.8 billion people you can sell a lot of weapons. Ibram X. Kendi, in his book “Stamped From the Beginning,” proposes that racism starts with economic interests, gets expressed in policies that benefit a few, and becomes rationalized by propaganda, that then creates racist feelings and attitudes in the population. This begins an ever-expanding cycle of violence. When we learn to hat...
The La Conner Planning Commission has been around for more than a half-century yet has no qualms about sporting new wrinkles. It enters 2021 with replacements in its lineup. These were unveiled at the Town Council’s Jan. 12 meeting, once again teleconferenced on Zoom. For starters, the commission will be led by a new Town Planner. Kevin Cricchio has been tabbed by Town Council members to succeed Town Planner Marianne Manville-Ailles, who has accepted a full-time position with the City of Mount Vernon. Cricchio has prior planning experience w...
Interim superintendent Rich Stewart has been a virtual presence around greater La Conner in recent days. Stewart, who assumed the district helm last July, has given a series of Zoom presentations to the Town Council, Swinomish Tribal Senate and local service organizations and residents, outlining the upcoming La Conner Schools replacement levy proposal. The Feb. 9 ballot measure seeks to collect $1.45 per $1,000 assessed taxable property value, a five-cent decrease from the rate district voters approved in 2019, Stewart explained to Council...
Challengers bested incumbents in Swinomish Tribal Senate primary balloting last Saturday, continuing a trend that has emerged over recent election cycles on the reservation. Candidates Greg Edwards and Bruce James advanced to the tribal community’s Feb. 13 general election, turning back a bid by incumbent Kevin Paul to retain his seat. Edwards polled 142 votes in the contest for Senate Seat 4. James ran a strong second with 123 votes. Paul, a nationally recognized master carver and La Conner Schools staff member, was the choice of 52 voters. I...
Skagit County has recorded 498 new cases of the novel coronavirus in January, through the 16th, an average of 35.6 daily cases, based on Skagit Public Health data. Ten to 96 new cases have been reported daily since Jan. 3, for a total of 3,584 cases since last February. The state Department of Health lists another 212 probable cases, where data are uncertain. There will be over 1,000 new infections this month if the trend holds. New cases, and community transmissions from travel around New Year have not yet peaked. Another six people have died...
Sunday, Jan. 11 7:18 p.m.: Unwanted entry – Caller reported she rents a room and an unknown male had entered her room while she was away. The incident was captured on a security camera. Bradshaw Rd., Greater La Conner. Tuesday, Jan. 13 12:33 a.m.: Accurate assessment – Caller reported a large tree that had fallen on his truck and fence. The falling tree caused extensive damage. Photo, page 1. State / N. 5th Sts., La Conner. 12:58 a.m.: Log jam – Down tree blocking the roadway. La Conner Whitney / Flats Rds., La Conner. 2:20...
Each holiday season I stock up on seasonal favorites. They are often on sale. Stouffers Turkey stuffing was two for $4 this past fall. I bought two. This recipe needs a few simple ingredients that requires some preparation and dirties a few pans. I used a fry pan, a sauce pan and a covered casserole dish. Ingredients Pork chops, 2 to 4 Stove Top Stuffing, seasoned, 6 ounces Cream of mushroom soup, 10 ½ ounce can Milk, ¼ cup Salt and pepper, to taste Olive oil, 2 tablespoons...
It is often said that an ill wind blows no good. That being the case, the storm that blew through here last week was plenty sick. Fierce winds downed trees and power lines, caused major property damage, and left some residents in the La Conner area without electricity for up to four days. Images of the early Wednesday morning storm painted a grim picture. A Ford pickup parked at Jim White’s State Street residence was totaled by a fallen tree. A large Douglas fir blew over near the community k...
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John reports Jesus telling his disciples that. Knowing and following the truth is good advice in all times from whomever is advising it. This is a time of people embracing truths shared among friends, neighbors and co-collaborators: “My truth” and “our truth,” are shared certainties between allies. But in the larger, civil society – in the realm of facts and laws and newspapers, what served as “your” truth or “our” truth does not always hold up where facts and measurements an...
