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This year's July 4 celebration in La Conner was a double feature times two. Several entries in the town's Independence Day parade looped downtown a second time. That evening, tribal vendors led by Rodney John filled the sky with fireworks for hours following the official pyrotechnics show over Swinomish Channel. Both the parade and fireworks received positive reviews as did the two-band holiday evening concert at the Port of Skagit's La Conner Marina. Social media was filled Thursday night and...
“Intense Heat Persists, Little Relief In Sight” was Monday’s WSU’s AgWeatherNet outlook through July 14 for west of the Cascades. Temperatures in the 80s are forecast through Wednesday for coastal areas. The end of the week summary is “60s and 70s expected.” The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory through 10 p.m. Tuesday for northern Puget Sound that included western Skagit County. The weekend after July 4 became warmer and warmer, with blue skies and temperatures reaching a record 87.5 degrees 5 p.m. Sunday for the date and 87...
Amy Green has for the past decade been the very uncommon thread binding together diverse exhibits and educational programs at the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum at historic Gaches Mansion. Her focus has been uncommon in that Green brought with her to La Conner in 2013 an extensive background in a wide range of artistic impression and managerial experience, including six years as director of operations at the famed Georgia O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe, N.M. Now Green is returning to...
Mayor Marna Hanneman said the blaze that destroyed one house and threatened others last month is a wake-up call for the town during a July 6 forum at La Conner Swinomish Library. She asked Fire Chief Aaron Reinstra and fire department community outreach officer Natalie Baker to reflect on the incident and share safety tips. The ensuing discussion was robust at times and informative. "I feel it's important for us to communicate with one another in an open and transparent manner," Hanneman said...
Our country is in a pickle, politically, and, oddly, a vast majority of us seem to agree that our two major political parties are the primary factor. While more Republicans are enamored with their presidential candidate, Donald Trump, the polls show that most voters wish we had two different people to choose from to lead the country. Neither the Republican Party, as an institution – or its adherents – have any inclination of dealing with the deficits of their candidate, whether it is his age, his character or his criminal record. The Dem...
I would like to share some clarifying information about the closure of Little Braves Preschool in La Conner. Skagit/Islands Head Start (SIHS) partnered in quality preschool programming in La Conner for many years. We continue to believe it could be an important contribution to the community. It may have been unclear to the contributors writing the Weekly News this spring, but the funding model for the Little Braves preschool was never intended to rely solely on SIHS funding. SIHS agreed to provide a contracted amount to the district preschool f...
“What about airplanes?” That’s one of the most common questions I get when people start talking with me about renewable energy. It’s like asking Henry Ford “Hey, Henry, when’s that Model A going to be able to run 200 miles an hour for about three hours at Talladega?” The answer: Not immediately, but a Ford that’s a direct descendant of the Model A will be able to do that. It’s not like asking when a Ford car will be able to land on the moon. Switching to renewable energy will be possible witho...
As an active community member, I read almost every article in the La Conner Weekly News, usually by early Wednesday afternoon, so I typically find things about which to write. Sometimes I just sit and let the soup simmer, see if it needs some seasoning, maybe some seasoned reasoning should come to bare. I found the town council’s priorities (“La Conner council sets priorities at retreat,” July 3) very interesting. One member of the council brought up the importance of community involvement, another stressed volunteerism, communication and s...
A recent article in your paper reviewed the new exhibitions at MoNA, the powerful paintings and glass work of Joseph Gregory Rossano’s “Portrait of the Divine,” and “Early Rituals,” the iconic creations of a master in glass, William Morris (June 19, 2024). However, two upstairs exhibitions were not mentioned. The first is a beautiful exhibition from MoNA’s permanent collection, “At the Seam,” including new acquisitions and the last is “SOMOS (WE ARE)” in the small Outside/In Gallery. It is the latter upon which I would like to comment. The art...
In the aftermath of a June 20 house fire that threatened neighboring homes, La Conner residents questioned growth management population projections for the town that have increased residential density as vacant lots fill in. “As everybody here knows, we’ve had a tragic fire here on Fifth Street,” Town Emergency Management Commission chair Jerry George said during that board’s July 2 meeting at Maple Hall. “That fire was hot and fast.” George lives a few paces from the home that was engulfed in flames and was among neighbors who helped wate...
The La Conner tourist economy may be back on track. The June sales tax revenues of $58,778 reported to town council by the state’s Department of Revenue, are the second highest total for the month, only below 2022’s record. It is 10.6% above last June’s. This is April’s tax collection, the month of the Tulip Festival. The Special Use Fire Tax revenues, at $5,870 is 10.8% above last year’s and also the second best June. For the first half of 2023, sales tax revenues are at 44.8% of the year’s projected total while the fire truck tax is at 54.2%...
The League of Women Voters of Washington and the League of Women Voters of Clark County will present the candidates for the commissioner of public lands to voters in a candidate forum. The forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at Clark College in Vancouver. The 90-minute forum will be in person and will be televised live on TVW and streamed at tvw.org/video/. The forum is co-sponsored by The Columbian and The Reflector newspapers. Voters can expect to hear candidates respond to questions about the office and how they would fulfill...
There will be a Celebration of Life for Holly Gwinn Graham Saturday July 20, 2-5 p.m. at The Evergreen State College House of Welcome Long House, 2800 Dogtooth Lane NW, Olympia, WA 98505. No reservations are required. Holly Gwinn Graham, Feb. 18, 1946-Feb. 4, 2024, was a singer, songwriter, actor, director, writer, artist, teacher, activist, mother and grandmother....
One man helping shape the future of Skagit County hails from a family that has molded much of its history. Skagit County Commissioner Ron Wesen comes from a pioneer family that has farmed in the Bow-Edison area for more than a century and today operates a 1,100-acre organic dairy. The Wesen family will be honored Aug. 1 at the 120th annual Skagit County Pioneer Association Picnic and Business Meeting in La Conner. The Wesens, who through the decades have made significant contributions in fields...
La Conner School District Superintendent David Cram and board members approved key goals for the 2024-25 academic year at their study session Monday night. Before the meeting started, the district hired a special education director, a role former superintendent Will Nelson juggled with other administrative duties after special programs coordinator Andy Wheeler retired in 2023. Cram announced that Beth Mills, who has worked in the special education field for two decades, will run special education in La Conner. She comes from the Granite Falls...
Discovery. Connections. Inspiration. The La Conner Swinomish Library's mission is to create a safe, supportive and welcoming place that goes beyond providing traditional library resources. Over the past four years, a small group of board members, library staff, community leaders, Tribal leaders and patrons of the arts have worked together to develop displays of Northwest art and Skagit historical pieces for our library. A little background is needed. As the library neared completion, the...
The Skagit River Poetry Foundation celebrates the summer sun by "making you wanna holler" at its free, fun and family friendly "Make Me Wanna Holler" from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, July 21, in beautiful Pioneer Park. Come for live music, a barbecue and poetry open mic. The delicious food for purchase includes burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, beverages and vegetarian options. Rock the afternoon away with the Delta Promenade Band. Enjoy acoustic delta, country, ragtime and hokum blues songs on guitar,...
Mark your calendars for these upcoming fun activities. Skagit City School Picnic, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 17508 Moore Road, Mount Vernon. Join us for this time-honored tradition of celebrating community. Food will be available from the La Conner Rotary Club. The 20th annual NW Art Beat Studio Tour sees 22 artists showing their works in 16 studios in a free, self-guided Skagit Valley art studio tour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 20 and 21. NW Art Beat is presented by Skagit Artists. Get the map guide and learn more at NWArtBeat.com. La Conner...
The varieties and brands of mayonnaise are numerous. I use Kraft mayo made with olive oil. It's my current favorite! The dill pickle and dill pickle juice add the best flavor to this dish. Ingredients Potatoes, 4, unpeeled, cut into quarters Eggs, 4, hard boiled Mayonnaise, 1/2 to 3/4 C Yellow mustard, 1/4 C Dill pickle, 1 diced Dill pickle juice, 1 T Paprika Salt and pepper Preparation Boil potatoes. Hard boil eggs. Cool potatoes and eggs in refrigerator. Often, I cook them the day before...
NOT TO BE MISSED Skagit City School Picnic, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 17508 Moore Road, Mount Vernon. Join the Skagit County Historical Society for this time-honored tradition of celebrating community. Food will be available from the La Conner Rotary Club. The 20th annual NW Art Beat Studio Tour sees 22 artists showing their works in 16 studios in a free, self-guided Skagit Valley art studio tour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 20 and 21. NW Art Beat is presented by Skagit Artists. Learn more at NWArtBeat.com. LIBRARIES La Conner Swinomish...
Sunday, June 30 11:28 p.m.: Dog bites dog – Caller reported that a neighbor’s dog attacked his dog and this led to an $1,800 bill at pet emergency. This is not the first time this dog has bit a person or animal and the case is being investigated by animal control. Young Road, greater La Conner. Monday, July 1 10:55 a.m.: Here’s a story – Caller found a set of carpet installing tools hidden in the bushes and believed they may be stolen. A deputy collected the found items and saw it was labeled with a company name out of Kent. The items were co...
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SKAGIT COUNTY No. 24-4-00309-29 PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) In the Matter of the Estate of Clark Tullis Scarboro, Deceased The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the...
