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Gary Giovane is both an artist and scientist at his core. As a student of science he came to the Skagit Valley as part of an archeological dig in the 1970s. He returned after decades of teaching science and math, to dedicate himself to art. This past year he has exhibited his work at Hadrian Stone Design & Gallery, Matzke Gallery and the Schack Art Center’s Holiday Art Show. Giovane was a Penn State University student participating in Washington State University’s archeological dig along the...
No one will argue that LaConner exudes romance. This little town on the Swinomish channel offers all the right elements for a special evening out or weekend away. Its vote as “Best Romantic Spot” by Romantic Getaways of Washington State heralds this across the region and around the world. But where do the locals rendezvous for romance? A typical intimate evening might begin with dinner at the Nell Thorn Restaurant & Pub. This is Kim Broadhead’s favorite place to begin a special celebration. That is, if she has the evening off from runni...
I have been visiting the LaConner area every winter for over 15 years for the exceptional bird-watching opportunities. Many of the birdwatching sites also allow hunting, so I am familiar with the mutual accommodation between birdwatchers and hunters. Recently I witnessed a hunting incident that I found deeply disturbing. A huge flock of snow geese were covering a field adjacent to Best Road, south of Chilberg. The geese were quite close to the road, and many people, including a family with small children, had parked on both sides of the road...
The La Conner Chamber of Commerce fully supports the repair and maintenance of an elevator at Maple Hall. Maple Hall is home to several events that will benefit from the additional access to the upstairs. For example: the La Conner Birding Showcase held Jan. 27. We could have added additional speakers, vendors and even activities upstairs, therefore growing the event and keeping it in La Conner. Heather Carter Executive Directo...
The three points raised in Bruce Elliott’s letter are incomplete to say the least. Please allow the La Conner School District (LCSD) and the Swinomish Tribe to jointly set the record straight. State funding does not fully support LCSD’s budgetary obligations With regard to the “McCleary Fix,” the state has made significant progress toward meeting its legal duty to fully fund basic education. Paying teachers a living wage is unquestionably a part of funding basic education. In addition, school districts are required to provide – and pay...
No way am I going to bury the lead in this review of META’s new production of “West Side Story,” which opened at the Lincoln Theatre last week. Some critics love to play with their readers and try to slowly build up to a thumbs up or thumbs down but I’m going to cut to the chase. The production is wonderful. I entered the Lincoln from snowy streets on a wintry day in Mount Vernon and was transported into another world. The story of “Romeo and Juliet” was transformed by some of Broadway’s...
Here is a true fact: the Washington Street hill down to Whatcom has had more sleds than cars on it in the 10 days since the first snow of Feb. 4th. Did everybody but me know about the street closing for sledding? I learned about this from seeing photos in the Weekly News. Town public works staff put road closed signs with orange flags at Second and Whatcom that Monday, opened the street mid-week and closed it again Friday for the weekend. Then, wow: fresh snow Sunday night, Another snow day Feb. 11th and more sledding. If the cold and sledding...
Just a few weeks ago, I was sworn in as a representative from the 40th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives. I’m proud to be the first Native American woman in state history elected to this position and am looking forward to tackling some of the key issues facing our community. As a graduate of Central Washington University, and after spending a majority of my 20 years of governmental services in the Skagit, I am honored to serve in this new position and to know my work will help create a better Washington a...
The trip, but not this editorial, was stalled by weather. Your role and participation are more important now. Since democracy never sleeps, get ready for your assignment. Thursday Mayor Ramon Hayes leads a delegation to the state legislature, taking part in City Action Days. Hayes 2019 commitment is gaining additional state funding for the La Conner regional library, perhaps matching the $500,000 secured by area legislators last year He brings a team for the meetings with our three District 10 legislators and our “neighbor,” newly elected Dis...
As snow piled up in La Conner, so did meeting agendas. A rare extended winter storm, which blanketed the local area with an estimated eight inches of white, led both La Conner Schools and the Town of La Conner to shelve regularly scheduled meetings this week. La Conner Schools cancelled budget and board of directors planning meetings Monday, plus that night’s Tri-District ‘B’ basketball game between the Lady Braves and Orcas. Campus classes were nixed on Monday and Tuesday, the latter cance...
Get out your fishing poles and lace up your running shoes. The La Conner Rotary Club’s 54th annual Smelt Derby Family Festival and Smelt Run are coming up on Saturday, Feb. 23. “Our club has been working hard on the festival and fishing derby with something for everyone,” festival coordinator Patsy Good said. “And we have been partnering with Kelly Harper of the La Conner schools on the Run, which will benefit their booster club as well as our club’s community projects.” Kick things off with a pancake breakfast at Maple Hall from 8-11 a.m. Pric...
After more than 70 years, a storied La Conner High basketball team is sporting a different lineup. Not in terms of a revised roster but instead how the 1948 Braves, who placed eighth at the State ‘B’ Tournament, were lined up for a team photo taken separately from those that appear in the school yearbook or on the history wall in the foyer of Landy James Gym. The black-and-white shot shows players standing sideways to the camera, an angle that focuses on their profiles rather than the sta...
Laural Ballew studied history while a student at La Conner High. These days she’s making history. Ballew, an enrolled member of the Swinomish Tribal Community, created and chaired the Department of Tribal Governance and Business Management at Northwest Indian College. And now she’s blazing new trails. The 1974 La Conner High grad is Western Washington University’s first Executive Director of American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations Relations and Tribal Liaison to the President. In that role, she represents the WWU president and board...
