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The Slider Café is a family restaurant in more than name only. The Morris Street diner, known to locals for its friendly small-town ambiance and mission to "feed the hangry," is no mere workplace for its staff. It is truly home. Owner Pat Ball not only gave his employees paid vacation last month, but closed the café for two weeks so that they could attend the Lake Tahoe wedding of two of their own – cook/kitchen manager Levi Howell and server/dining area manager Kimberly Bonilla. "Pat wan...
Shelter Bay Community board of directors Judy Kontos and Dan McCaughan were sanctioned by their board Feb. 15 based on findings of an ethics committee appointed by the board. Kontos and McCaughan were provided “Board Sanction” memorandums by Board President Wendy Poulton Feb. 16. Shelter Bay residents were informed of the temporarily restricted roles for the two in a community Board Member Update email Feb. 17. The two were elected by Shelter Bay residents to the board in May on reform platforms critical of the board leadership. McC...
The La Conner Town Council met on Valentine’s Day, then its leaders looked for some love from state lawmakers in Olympia later in the week. A Town delegation met with state Reps. Dave Paul and Clyde Shavers and the staff of Sen. Ron Muzzall to discuss flood management measures and other key local issues, including increased funding for law enforcement. By all accounts, it was a positive dialogue with the District 10 legislators. It left Town officials hopeful yet more productive talks will take place. “I think it went well,” Town Admin...
Accusations of ethics violations are being used by the Shelter Bay board of directors to silence and dispense with dissension. As a member of the community, I know I’m joined by many others in completely rejecting the actions they have taken against two elected board members. Sadly, the officers have been unable to lead the board in governing for the community. There are nine board members. Four are appointed, five elected. While the president is an elected member, the vice president, treasurer and secretary are all appointed members. This r...
To those who are concerned from a Skagitonian. Choosing an environment to enhance a business when you’re young, or to enrich each day when you’re old becomes a vital decision. My family members chose Washington state’s Skagit County and have never regretted it. Farms with verdant fields framed by magnificent mountain ranges enhance every outing. Space allows eyes to absorb and minds to respond to our natural beauty. To block the openness with a commercial sign threatening this healthy, developing opportunity is a travesty. I implore you to co...
It has been absolutely heartbreaking to follow the news of the devastating effects of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The number of deaths is nearing 44,000 as I write this column and will definitely be higher when it runs in the paper Wednesday. I’m wondering what we can learn from this. Apparently there is only a short warning period, something like 20 seconds, which is shocking to me considering how advanced we have come in technology. All you can do if you get that warning is d...
Just about everyone in the U.S. has heard the words: “Close the refrigerator door.” Stereotypically, this is associated with an indecisive teenager. How important is that closed door, really? Is it still important, given how much fridges have improved? If you are using a really old fridge as your primary fridge, replacing it will save money in the long run. The easiest way to save money on refrigeration is to replace any fridge built more than 20 years ago with a new EnergyStar-rated refrigerato...
Faced with future major fire protection costs – including purchase of a fire boat and replacement of a 30-year-old fire truck – plus pending necessary upgrades to La Conner’s wastewater treatment plant and aging water lines at Skagit Beach, Town officials are weighing the merits of hiring a municipal grant writer. Town Councilmember Ivan Carlson, noting the fire department’s pressing equipment needs, raised the prospect of a professional grant writer during the panel’s Feb. 14 hybrid session at Maple Hall. “The fire department will have more ex...
Last month, I wrote about the workforce shortage, which is holding back our economy and critical services like healthcare. The housing crisis is intertwined with our workforce shortage. Even if a local business or hospital recruits a great candidate for a job, no one can take that position without a place to live. Sometimes, the only home they can find or afford isn't anywhere near their work. That means they either can't take the job – or they suffer through long commutes every day, adding t...
There is no doubt the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it unprecedented public health, economic, and mental health challenges for individuals and the community at large. While COVID transmission still remains in Skagit County, Public Health is now able to respond within general operating capacity and is no longer in emergency response mode. To gather information about the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement of our local pandemic response, Skagit County Public Health is requesting public comment about COVID-19 emergency...
Turnabout is fair play. After having lost two tense games to conference hoops foe Coupeville – one on a desperate three-point buzzer beater – the underdog La Conner Braves avenged themselves with a dramatic 63-61 triumph Thursday, securing an improbable bi-district title and state tournament berth. La Conner, seeded 15th out of 16 state entries, faces No. 10 Chief Leschi this weekend in a loser-out contest. The winner advances to the state 2B Hardwood Classic round of 12 March 1 at the Spo...
The girls' basketball team is going back to Spokane. Winners of the Northwest Bi-District title, they were seeded sixth in the 16-team state girls 2B Hardwood Classic. They face No. 3 Napavine in first round regional action this weekend. The winner advances to the Spokane Arena March 2 against either Davenport, Raymond, Adna or Warden. The loser tips off March 1 opposite Forks or Northwest Christian of Colbert. La Conner (19-4) enters state action after Coach Joe Harper's team drubbed NWC-Lacey...
UPDATE: The show will go on. Get tickets and go see "Prelude" this last week of its run, March 3-5. That old story line: "Boy meets girl." Then: Girl falls for boy. Boy falls for girl. They marry. Boy loses girl. When the story turns in a strange fantastical way you have an original plot and the play "Prelude to a Kiss." It opened before an enthusiastic and friendly audience Feb. 17 at the Lincoln Theatre. Peter (Matthew Twining, in a strong performance) is the slightly disheveled, somewhat...
New library cards have arrived! Come by the library to get your brand-new library card featuring our new logo. Our system requires us to use a new barcode number, so everyone will get a new card. If you are an online reader, no need to worry, we can merge your old number and your new number so you will not lose any of your saved information. Please see a library staff member if you have any questions. Don't miss our special event with Bob Abrams today from 5-6 p.m.. Mr. Abrams will talk about...
Boaters mooring their vessels at the La Conner Marina will pay more this year. At its Feb. 14 meeting Port of Skagit commissioners approved an 8% rate increase for all moorage slips. Harbormaster Chris Omdal had briefed commissioners the week before, pointing to supply and demand and the rates at marinas in the region, inflation and the expense of infrastructure replacement. With the new rates, a 50-foot covered slip is $973. The monthly cost for that size slip at the Everett Marina was $1,036 last year. Omdal reported that La Conner is at the...
At its study session Feb. 13, the La Conner School Board heard and accepted Amanda Bourgeois’ resignation from their body. The board continued its examination of declining student enrollment numbers, accepted two major cash donations and met with and sought feedback from middle school and high school students. Board President Susie Deyo presented a spread sheet showing 56 students from outside the district have enrolled. Forty-seven students have left for other districts or remote learning programs. Despite the net gain, K-12 enrollment has f...
Saturday Sam and Sally Green and poet friends read from “Art in a Public Place,” the latest issue from the Madrona Project Poetry Reading Series. Washington state Poet Laureate is among the dozen poets reading at 7 p.m. at Pelican Bay Books, 520 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes. Source: The Madrona Project...
This soup bean is awesome. I have cooked with it twice. It is so flavorful and makes a dark broth. Soaking beans is optional. I rinsed and soaked the beans in plain water for three hours. This package of beans was gifted to us by a local friend, Giuliani. I chose to cook on the stove in a big soup pot, one that has a lid. These are basic, simple ingredients. My signature dishes will have basic, simple ingredients. Ingredients Vaquero beans, 16 oz Water, 1 liter Olive oil, 2 tbsp Red onion, one...
La Conner Soroptimist honored student for February Taylor Rae Cayou has demonstrated an aptitude for leadership in several significant ways. As a member of Peer to Peer at La Conner High School, Taylor and 8-10 other students work on addressing important issues affecting the high school population. During suicide prevention month, they presented a lunchtime slide show explaining how to talk about suicide. They also are creating a movie, "Most Teens Don't Vape." As a school board student...
Sunday, February 12 2:59 p.m.: Territorial dogs – Report of neighborhood dogs acting aggressive toward the caller when they entered the property where the dogs live. There were no injuries reported. Park St., La Conner. Monday, February 13 11:47 a.m.: Abandoned car – A vehicle left abandoned was removed by a tow company. Best Rd., Greater La Conner. Tuesday, February 14 6:21 a.m.: Car in ditch – A vehicle spun out and landed in a ditch near Snow Goose Produce. The driver was able to get the v...
