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The largest ugly sweater party in Skagit County was an evening of substance over style. About 200 people proudly donning garish holiday sweaters attended, officially designated the 2024 Anacortes Salvation Army Red Kettle Kickoff Program, at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge on Nov. 9. Because the Anacortes Salvation Army service area covers La Conner, local donors in attendance included Mayor Marna Hanneman and her husband, Leroy, and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community civic leader Janie Beasley....
La Conner's kids will show their artistic talent at the inaugural Junior Art Walk Aug. 23. The Museum of Northwest Art, participating local businesses, restaurants and galleries will open their doors to showcase junior artworks in their windows throughout the day and weekend. The art walk takes place along Morris and First streets. It will feature a colorful array of pieces crafted by budding artists ranging from ages 10-18. Young artists have been supported with supplies, space and instruction...
LISTEN AND LEARN TO BE PREPARED – Only you can prevent any fire, maybe. La Conner volunteer firefighter Natalie Baler spoke to about a dozen people at the La Conner Swinomish Library Saturday. Wrote Kathy Shiner: "Very informative. I[n] using a fire extinguisher, we were able to practice PASS, acronym for pull pin, aim, squeeze and sweep. Main take away first call 911 to get the experts alerted and on their way....
Skagit Transit has completed the agency’s annual draft Transit Development Plan. Public comment is open through Aug. 21. The TDP is a visioning document to help plan the future of Skagit Transit. Transportation services are vital to ensuring residents are connected to jobs and recreation in the region. Public input is invaluable as Skagit Transit plans improving the mobility, connectivity and sustainability of Skagit County. A public hearing on the Transit Development Plan is 11 a.m. Aug. 21 at Burlington City Hall, 833 S Spruce Street or v...
La Conner Firefighter/EMT Natalie Baker discusses fire safety topics and will have some firefighting equipment for the community to try out 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 in the La Conner Swinomish Library conference room. Bring your coffee mug and questions. Coffee provided....
Don McMoran’s recent promotion to full professor with Washington State University is built on a lifetime love for Skagit County and its farmers. Born on the driveway of his parents’ home on the dividing line between the Mount Vernon and La Conner school districts, he joined the WSU Skagit County Extension in 2006 as Agriculture & Natural Resources extension educator. He earned tenure a few years later and became the county Extension director in 2012. His two-year quest to become full professor was backed by community members who wrote let...
Residents can support the La Conner Swinomish Library through April 4 as part of Library Giving Day. Contributors join a national community that comes together annually to keep libraries vibrant. Gifts go directly to your library, making possible the youth summer reading program, a wide variety of groups and individuals in our meeting space, exciting programs like author readings and musical events, and much more. The La Conner Library Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization. Mail checks to P.O. Box 1025, La Conner, WA 98257. Donate online:...
Salsa, waltz, swing, cha-cha – take your pick. The La Conner Retirement Inn was hopping on Valentine’s Day to ballroom dance. The most romantic day of the year – Valentine’s Day – is celebrated at the Inn most every year – viruses allowing. Taylor Winningham demonstrated the dances with local dance student Charlotte Decker accompanied by champagne, strawberries and chocolate. Over 30 residents sipped, tapped their feet and got up on the floor to swing and cha-cha. “One of the reasons I lik...
Greg Whiting has rarely – if ever – lacked for energy. Consider that in a robust and wide-ranging professional life Whiting has variously researched, analyzed, helped develop and written about energy systems designed to both improve quality of life and protect the environment. And now, with his partner Jenelle Whitton as co-proprietor of Raven's Cup Coffee and Art Gallery on First Street, he markets beverages that, while served in a laid-back Pacific Northwest setting, are the fuel that kee...
Another year begins in the sweet, joyous life of one of jolly old England's finest exports, Jean Wedin. Jeannie celebrated her (I get confused) 39th or 93rd birthday. It's hard to tell because of her incredible energy for life. An affair to remember was held at the Oyster & Thistle Friday evening, Feb. 2. An astonishing 24 guests attended to celebrate Jeannie, and celebrate we did. The "Crooner-Carver" from the Swinomish nation, Kevin Paul, was there to sing a Native serenade to celebrate her...
Emergency management has been a priority here since channel flooding in 2022 swamped waterfront and low-lying areas. Attention turned last week to fears of catastrophes and disaster at the dilapidated former Moore-Clark warehouse building at South First and Caledonia streets. A fixture in La Conner since before the turn of the century – to the 20th century– and once part of a bustling hatchery fish food processing plant and longtime local industrial hub, it was constructed as a grain war...
Extracurricular learning open to all takes place at Skagit Valley College this Saturday, Jan 27. The 10th Legislative District of Washington Democrats hosts Democracy in Crisis: Taking Action, a free day of inspiration and workshops, working in concert with students from Skagit Valley College Breaking Free Club, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Skagit, FairVote WA, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 3000, Civil Survival, Fidalgo Democrats, Skagit Democrats and additional community partners and elected representatives, to...
Residents can learn about a feasibility study for a grant to allow solar and storage of energy at the La Conner’s fire department and school district campus at 10 a.m. Feb. 3 at the La Conner Swinomish Library. The presentation explores solar and storage opportunities and how they can help build resilience and support community needs. The Town of La Conner Emergency Management Commission will be available to discuss their work with emergency preparedness. Information: townoflaconner.org/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=51; [email protected] or M...
ANACORTES — Skagit Bay Search and Rescue has been granted $25,000 by HF Sinclair to support the basing of a new marine emergency response boat in Anacortes. A ceremony with a representational presenting of the donation will be held at Seafarer’s Memorial Park Tuesday Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. by the Lady of the Sea Memorial, 601 Seafarer’s Way. The public is invited. City of Anacortes Mayor Matt Miller and Port of Skagit commissioners will attend. Skagit Bay Search and Rescue is a nonprofit, volunteer organization founded in 2002 and formed under...
When the iconic Rainbow Bridge, the often-photographed arched orange span synonymous with La Conner opened in 1957, it looked like a million. Fast forward to 2024 and the now faded local landmark requires several millions – as in dollars – to reclaim its original bright orange appeal. The estimated cost of repainting Rainbow Bridge, which links La Conner and the Skagit County mainland with Fidalgo Island and Swinomish Reservation, is about $4 million, town resident Linda Peterson learned fro...
Skagit County Fire District 13 cares. In both deed and name. The district has implemented a proactive injury and illness prevention program that is providing medical care and assistance while reducing strains on the 911 system. Its coverage area includes Swinomish Reservation and rural La Conner, Early statistics show the effectiveness of District 13’s CARES (Community Assistance Referral and Education Services) program, staffed by three full-time paid personnel. Medical officer Capt. Drew Farrell presented graphs at the Jan. 11 District 13 m...
La Conner Planning Director Michael Davolio has come up with a way to follow both the letter and spirit of a new state policy that limits to a single public meeting topics reviewed by a hearing examiner. He wants the planning commission to receive all pertinent information in advance of hearing examiner sessions so they can chime in before a decision is rendered. “I want to make sure the public and planning commission has an opportunity for input,” Davolio said at the 90-minute Dec. 19 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall. “I want the planning commi...
Cynthia Elliott isn't the retiring type. The proof is in her willingness – eagerness, actually – to become a La Conner Planning Commissioner, a role not for the faint of heart, just 13 months after wrapping up a 35-year career. Mayor Ramon Hayes announced his choice of Elliot during the Dec. 12 town council meeting to fill the seat vacated by Marna Hanneman, who becomes mayor Jan. 1. Hayes stressed that three "very qualified candidates" had applied and that he and Hanneman reviewed applications....
Throughout their shared histories, La Conner and Concrete high schools have been fierce foes vying for league, district and state sports titles. But when they next meet it will be a friendly rivalry in the truest sense of the term. La Conner teams and fans have been invited to participate in celebrations Jan. 5 honoring the “70-plus anniversary” of the opening of the Concrete High School gymnasium to coincide with that night’s girls’ and boys’ basketball games. La Conner was the visiting team in the first-ever boys’ high school junior vars...
The Grinch was on his best behavior at the Swinomish community dinner last Wednesday. The reclusive green grump, best known as the Dr. Seuss character intent on ruining Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville, showed his softer side during an appearance alongside beloved toymaker Santa Claus. The Grinch entertained dozens of children before and after they shared with Santa their Christmas gift wish lists. The spirit of goodwill was present throughout the gymnasium. A mountain of door...
Thank you to everyone who came out for the Tiny Trees Auction on Dec. 1 and to those of you who came to the library during the week to preview the trees. This year we had trees, gift baskets and art. The library was very festive and this year the trees were more beautiful than ever. Thank you to all who purchased items; the library received approximately $10,000 which will be used for library programs and resources. Thanks to our volunteers, tree decorators and to the committee for all the work that went into making this a successful event!...
As a youth, Grace Hubbard experienced history. As an adult, she helped make history. And now, having completed her first century of life, the local icon is keenly focused on the here and now, checking off a diverse to-do list of activities at La Conner Retirement Inn and the community's senior center as well as outings with longstanding friends. Shortly after her 100th birthday this month, Hubbard enjoyed dinner with one of those friends, Joan Cross, former owner of Balance Point Physical Therap...
La Conner Rotary Club members and La Conner parks commissioners joined forces the morning of Oct. 19, planting tulip bulbs in nine wine barrels inside the roundabout east of town. Special care was used as some of the bulbs planted are individually donated "Ethan Smiles" bulbs. They are in the three barrels located at the points of the roundabout as you drive into it from any direction. The remainder of the six barrels were planted using bulbs purchased from the Roozens at Washington Bulb...
