La Conner Pub lets firefighters moonlight for fun and profit

The La Conner Pub & Eatery was so busy Wednesday that people joked the fire department might be called to red tag the place for exceeding its occupancy limit.

Turns out, members of La Conner Hook & Ladder and the local firefighters' association were already on scene – en masse.

They took over the downtown tavern and diner that night for a major fundraiser, collecting half the food and beverage receipts and all of the gratuities.

Nor did their five-hour serving shifts represent a hostile takeover. Quite the opposite.

The unique benefit event was La Conner Pub & Eatery owner Julie Lennartz's ide...