Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper
Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper
Sorted by date Results 156 - 180 of 365
As a birder and wildlife photographer I am keenly aware of the impact climate change is having on our wild neighbors. Still, when I saw Natalie Niblack's extraordinary exhibit "66 Birds/3 degrees," a part of "Surge: Mapping Transition, Displacement and Agency in Times of Climate Change" exhibition curated by Chloe Dye Sherpe at the Museum of Northwest Art, I did not expect the emotional response I had to Niblack's work. As I walked the room, viewing her bird paintings, their individual songs...
Now that I live in the beautiful, abundant Skagit Valley after thirty-plus years in an Alaskan coastal rainforest, I have the climate and desire to learn how to grow a vegetable garden. I turned to fellow Master Gardener Cathy Markham and asked her to mentor me. With many years of experience gained from multiple acres of gardens and knowledge collected from gardeners who have gone before her, Cathy graciously agreed to guide me. Here are some of the guiding principles Cathy encourages new gardeners to lean on: Grow what you love to eat. You...
The celebration rollout of the “The Empty Bowl Cookbook,” a new anthology published by the Madrona Project, is 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Pelican Bay Bookstore, 520 Commercial Avenue in Anacortes. Twelve writers will read their work along with other favorites from the book. La Conner poet and chef Georgia Johnson, who co-curates these monthly poetry readings, helped assemble this poetry/recipe collection. Readers include Tele Aadsen, Jane Allyn, Anne Basye, Deborrah Corr, Steve Dolmatz, Jessica Gigot, Melanie Graham, Adam Lafayette, Eva McG...
The Anacortes UNCORKED Wine & Food Experience has been canceled because the Port of Anacortes Transit Shed Event Center has been closed to rentals, the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce board of directors announced earlier in January. The Chamber estimates some “$80,000 to the local economy” in contributions will be lost. The Chamber’s website home page states “Anacortes UNCORKED will be back in 2025” but there are no details. An “appropriate event space” is needed. The Port is returning the Transit Shed to maritime uses. Questions, Anacortes Cha...
Poets are people. They get hungry, make shopping lists, cook. You can find their hankerings and appetites in "The Empty Bowl Cookbook," a new anthology published by the Madrona Project. The celebration rollout of the "Cookbook" takes place 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Pelican Bay Bookstore in Anacortes. Twelve writers will read their work along with other favorites from the book. La Conner poet and chef Georgia Johnson, who co-curates these monthly poetry readings, helped assemble this poetry/recipe...
Dec. 9 was a wretched, cold day with sideways rain and bone-chilling wind. The annual La Conner lighted boat parade, put on by the Swinomish Yacht Club, was scheduled for 6 p.m. and all day long people were speculating whether it would happen due to the inclement weather. I was not looking forward to my assignment to get some photos for the Weekly News. I have shot this parade for years and tried just about every possible angle and I always return to the Rainbow Bridge. Despite the weather,...
"It's time for your audition," announced Director Lyle Forde midway through the Shelter Bay Chorus's holiday concert last Friday evening. The 200 people in the audience at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse embraced the challenge enthusiastically, because the "audition" was the holiday singalong. "We sang songs I knew from church when I was young and it was so much fun," said attendee Patty McCormick. While she probably won't join the chorus, the singalong "changed my attitude about the holidays." With n...
The hardest piece is suspending your disbelief in watching TJ Fantini’s superb performance as Buddy the Elf, is not that a 30 year old believes he is an elf or that elves live and make toys in Christmas Town or that Santa (the real one) narrates a story bringing this tale to life. No. The most amazing reality is that Buddy can be utterly and completely happy all the time, finding good in everyone, and committed to singing and hugging to improve every situation. Go see for yourself, if you can get tickets. “Elf the Musical” plays through Dec....
“Adults are obsolete children and the hell with them.” – Dr. Seuss “Seussical the Musical,” a whimsical, fantastical stage production based on the works of Dr. Seuss, is the most performed show in America. The local production at the Lincoln Theatre by NITE does not disappoint. It is an ambitious show to create but cast, crew and producers delivered. If it is NITE’s mission to give children a sense of confidence, they achieved their goal. The writers, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, transformed Dr. Seuss’s rhymes, his playful use of words...
Santa is coming to town early this long holiday shopping season. He makes his first appearance today, Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the La Conner Swinomish Library to read stories to children from 4:30-5:30 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 2 he is at the La Conner Rotary Club's Pancake Breakfast at Maple Hall, 8-11 a.m. After a breakfast that includes scrambled eggs and sausage, Santa is waiting on stage for dog friendly photo taking. Cost: $10, adults, $5 kids; free, under five. Your wallet will be needed as...
Head up the hill in La Conner to the Skagit County Historical Museum on South Fourth Street Saturday, Dec. 2, to celebrate the holidays. The museum is The combined holiday party and annual appeal kickoff is 6-8 p.m. The museum is decorated for the holidays with trees and lights. Even some of the displays are spruced up for the festivities. A dessert buffet and interactive activities are part of the evening, which is open to the public. “It’s just a time to celebrate and let people see what we’re doing at the museum,” said Executive Director Jo...
The Shelter Bay Chorus’ annual holiday concerts are Dec. 8, 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 9 in the Shelter Bay community clubhouse, 1000 Shoshone Drive. Admission is by donation. The program offers “Joy to the World,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Let It Snow,” and sacred songs, including “There is Faint Music.” Lyle Forde directs. Sally Riggers is the pianist/accompanist....
The Washington Arts Commission has announced a Certified Creative District in Anacortes. The Anacortes Creative District is located in the heart of Fidalgo Island and nestled between the San Juan Islands, Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. As a part of a Washington state designation program, Anacortes joins communities all over the state in celebrating creativity. The Creative District program provides a platform for communities to expand their arts and creative economies, attract entrepreneurs, educational and cultural opportunities and ongoing e...
In this Thanksgiving week we have so many things to be thankful for here at the library. First and foremost, we are thankful for our many supporters. You are the people who make our amazing library the wonderful place of which we are so proud. Second, we are thankful for our all patrons who come to the library to visit, to study, work, play games and even just to chat with the staff. Personally, I am also very thankful for our amazing staff. You are truly the heart of this library and make it...
The Madrona Poetry Series brings Robert Michael Pyle and Abigail Prout to read Saturday, 7 p.m. at Pelican Bay Books in Anacortes. Steve and Kristi Nebel are providing music....
When power failed in La Conner late Friday night and Saturday, the cell phone flashlights came out at Art's Alive. "It was art in the dark," said La Conner Arts Foundation board member Sheila Johnson – at least in the Invitational Show on Maple Hall's main floor. Upstairs, natural light flooding through the windows made the Open Show pieces easier to see on Saturday. Entrance table volunteers fielded the question "When will the lights come on?" over and over. After some false starts, the q...
Bulbs are an important part of the spring garden. Their flowers provide color and interest when it is most appreciated, as well as food for early pollinators. Early bloomers such as snowdrops, winter aconite, miniature iris, crocus and muscari are typically the first bulbs to bloom in Western Washington. One of the earliest daffodils, “Rijnveld”s Early Sensation,” produces a full-size flower a month before other daffodils. Other varieties of the Narcissus family include “King Alfred and “Dutch Master,” or the tiny yellow “Tete a Tete.” “Jack...
“The Wizard of Oz,” the Theater Arts Guild’s wonderfully performed production has its final shows this weekend, Thursday-Sunday. This stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale features the iconic musical score from the MGM film. Enjoy young Dorothy Gale’s travels and travials from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz. Times and tickets information: lincolntheatre.org/....
The 2023 Rexville Grange Holiday Show is your chance to find fine arts and crafts for gifts. It continues Nov. 18-19 at the Rexville Grange, 19299 Rexville Grange Road. Information: rexvillegrangeartshow.com...
The La Conner Chamber of Commerce organized Jingle Belles Ladies Night of Shopping in La Conner is Friday, 4-8 p.m. Pick up your SWAG bag at the Chamber office, 210 Morris Street. The Christmas tree on Gilkey Square will be lit for the evening. Details: lovelaconner.com....
Expect to see an exciting array of art when Art's Alive opens at Maple Hall this Friday at 1 pm. "Northwest Focus," this year's theme, was inspired by poster artist, greater La Conner resident and Town of La Conner Arts Commission member Craig Barber. "Craig's work in photography brought the word focus into it and all our artists are Northwest regional artists," said Sheila Johnson. She is a board member of the La Conner Arts Foundation, the 501c3 organization that plans and produces the show...
BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! The opening night performance of “The Wizard of Oz” filled the Lincoln Theatre to capacity and the evening ended with a standing ovation. Since 1939 audiences have loved L. Frank Baum’s story of young Dorothy, a Kansas farm girl and her beloved dog, Toto (Sadie Housholder). At first entrance Toto nearly dove off the stage but was quickly rescued by Dorothy. With stage fright now conquered, Toto behaved as expected of any Hollywood talent. He trotted and cuddled through cackling witches, theatrical fog, a whimp...
Skagit Adult Day Program, a local nonprofit which cares for dementia clients, is showing the Academy Award winning movie “The Father” 7 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 15 at the Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon. This is a community awareness opportunity, in honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and Caregiver Month and a fundraiser. The public is invited. Admission is by donation. The movie is 97 minutes long and will be followed by a short video “A Day in the Life of Bradford House,” highlighting the work of Skagit Adult Day Program. Contact leighann@...
Ladies, Nov. 17 is your night of shopping at the La Conner Chamber of Commerce’s organized Jingle Belles, a Ladies Night of Shopping, with downtown stores staying open to 8 p.m. Start at the Chamber office, 210 Morris Street, picking up your SWAG bag after 4 p.m. Information: lovelaconner.com....
