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Articles from the May 21, 2014 edition


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  • Poetry festival - Sublime and a little naughty

    May 21, 2014

    Two of literature’s wittiest voices took the stage in La Conner last Thursday for the opening of the Skagit River Poetry Festival. When asked what inspired him to write, author Tom Robbins launched into what he’d have you believe is his personal story. Voice as deadpan as Garrison Keillor on the “Prairie Home Companion,” the author of “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” claimed it all started when he opened the door of a cheap hotel room at midnight to a dwarf, who handed him a box of manuscripts...

  • A long boardwalk and a pretty little park

    Sandy Stokes|May 21, 2014

    La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes plans a celebration at the new boardwalk next Wednesday. Everyone is invited to the new park next to the Pier 7 building on First Street for a dedication of the first phase of the boardwalk and the groundbreaking on the next phase. The event is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 28. Funding for the boardwalk has come from the state in two chunks — $750,000 for the portion completed last year, and a new grant of $1.6 million to finish it. When complete, people will be able to stroll along the waterfront from the Lim...

  • Campus swap follows addition by subtraction model

    Karla Reynolds|May 21, 2014

    The historic La Conner Elementary School building will be going out with a bang this summer. Fourth of July fireworks will have barely been silenced when demolition begins to remove the old brick structure, built during the height of the Great Depression, in order to make way for a new middle school complex. July 5 is target date for the start of demolition, a major phase related to the ongoing bond-financed La Conner School District capital improvement project that will result in upgraded facilities and a swap of elementary and middle school...

  • Blessing walk

    May 21, 2014

    Young Maddy Miller of Swinomish, dressed in her traditional regalia, was walking with the procession toward the dock during for the annual Blessing of the Fleet. -Photo by Amylynn RichardsYoung Maddy Miller of Swinomish, dressed in her traditional regalia, was walking with the procession toward the dock during for the annual Blessing of the Fleet. -Photo by Amylynn Richards...

  • Braves faithful rewarded with State berth

    Bill Reynolds|May 21, 2014

    Baptists or Lutherans, it didn’t really matter. Neither had much of a prayer last week against the La Conner High Braves. La Conner swept District foes Tacoma Baptist and Seattle Lutheran to earn the program’s sixth consecutive State Baseball Tournament berth Saturday morning in Anacortes. The District champion Braves, now 12-10 overall, face Adna in a 10:30 start. Concrete and Morton-White Pass play on the other side of the May 24 bracket. Winners of the two contests are scheduled to meet at 4:...

  • Little Braves

    Amylynn Richards|May 21, 2014

    Ace Baker of Braves Purple slides safely to third just ahead of Braves Blue third baseman Luke Marble. The two La Conner Minors Little League teams competed at Maple Field on Wednesday, May 14. Most of the kids — and their parents — appeared to be relieved that the game ended in a 7-7 tie. – Photo by Amylynn Richards...

  • Lady Braves complete perfect league season

    Bill Reynolds|May 21, 2014

    A triple play in softball is a rarity. Recording three outs on a single batted ball is no easy task, but La Conner High might’ve done itself one better last week. The Lady Braves won three straight games within a five-day period to cap a perfect NW2B campaign and claim the league title in the process. La Conner edged Friday Harbor 5-1 on Monday, then swept a critical two-game home-and-away set with Orcas later in the week. La Conner blanked the Lady Vikings 10-0 Wednesday on the island before b...

  • La Conner High races to twin District track titles

    Bill Reynolds|May 21, 2014

    La Conner High thinclads literally ran away with the 2B District Track-and-Field Championships at Stanwood on Friday. The Braves bested Concrete 112-15, while La Conner’s girls outdistanced the Lady Lions 88-39 in what was essentially a dual meet between the longtime league rivals. By securing the twin track crowns, La Conner swept five NW2B sports races this spring, Athletic Director Peg Seeling said Saturday. In addition to track, La Conner’s softball and golf teams won outright league championships, while the baseball team shared top honors...

  • La Conner wears league golf crown

    Bill Reynolds|May 21, 2014

    Opposing golfers are tipping their caps to the La Conner Braves. And with good reason. La Conner linksters are wearing some pretty stylish headgear these days, having clinched the league golf crown behind NW2B champion Brendan McLeod. “It was an exciting day,” La Conner coach Chris McKnight said of McLeod’s round and the combined score carded by the Braves’ team. McLeod and teammates Wilson Crawford and Dylan Watkins now advance to Bi-Districts, with a shot at the State tourney looming. The Braves’ trio will be in good company. They’ll be joine...

  • ROBERT EUGENE "BOB" ALFANO

    May 21, 2014

    Former La Conner businessman Robert Eugene “Bob” Alfano died on Tuesday, May 13 at the age of 74 at his home in Woodinville. Bob was born in Seattle on June 29, 1939, the fifth of 10 children born to Larry Louis and Hannah Bertha Fontaine Alfano. He graduated from Seattle’s Franklin High School in 1957. He began his lifelong career in the grocery industry, starting as a box boy at Alberton’s Foods in 1955. Bob worked through the ranks of the industry and went on to pursue his career with Ja...

  • Skagit Co. Sheriff's Office POLICE BLOTTER

    May 21, 2014

    Monday May 12 11:44 a.m.: Theft – It was reported that a kicker motor was taken off a boat at business near La Conner Marina sometime during the past year. 2:02 p.m.: Dog accused – Some called dispatch and said that Rottweilers were running loose onWashington Ave. in La Conner. They told the deputy who arrived that there were pit bulls. The deputy checked and found that the retriever who lives in the neighborhood was home and tethered, as usual. Tuesday May 13 Noon: Unattended death – At the request of family members deputies...

  • Tribal fishing season starts with blessing

    May 21, 2014

    The annual Blessing of the Fleet at Swinomish Indian Tribal Community last Thursday, culminated in an offering of salmon, crab, prawns, clams, mussels and berries being sent out to the four directions by boat. Previously, the Swinomish served a seafood feast to hundreds in the Swinomish gymnasium and outside in tents. Prayers of thanksgiving were given for the resources of the Pacific Northwest; thanks were given to their ancestors; and protection and a bountiful harvest were asked of the Creato...