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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...
The one contested election for greater La Conner voters in 2023, between John Agen and Janie Beasley for La Conner School District Director Position 2 has Agen with 453 votes, 53.7% after the first vote tally Nov. 7, ahead by 68 votes. Beasley received 385 votes, 45.7%. All Town of La Conner candidates did not have opposition and won: Marna Hanneman for mayor, has 170 votes; Annie Taylor, appointed in 2021, for council position 1, has 162; and Mary Wohleb, an incumbent, 169. They take their...
Trudy Newton enjoyed a five-star horoscope on Thursday. That's nothing new for the woman believed to be La Conner's oldest resident. Hers has been a particularly blessed life and Newton's many friends here insist she generously shares those blessings daily. They, in turn, shared well wishes and congratulations of their own during a special celebration of Newton's 107th birthday at La Conner Retirement Inn Nov. 2. "She's a beautiful soul," Executive Director, Jeff Hendrickson, told the Weekly...
At the public hearing Nov. 14 on the Town of La Conner’s proposed 2024 budget be prepared to discuss the record $6.98 million in revenues and the $8 million in expendituresa, a deficit budget of just over $1 million. It is balanced by tapping the reserve fund balance of $5.5 million. As in recent years, the bulk of the projected revenue, $3.7 million comes from the four wastewater funds. These programs account for over half the costs, $4.2 million. The street fund is projected to take in $1.2 million and spend $1.3 million. The current e...
It is a week after the school children of La Conner and many of their parents, families and friends swarmed up First Street in the town’s annual Halloween parade. Last weekend kids of all ages were on stage at the Lincoln Theatre, performing as Munchkins, crows, poppies, snowflakes and many more imaginative characters in wonderful performances of “The Wizard of Oz.” These are exactly the activities every child everywhere needs to be engaged in. How fortunate and privileged these Skagit Valley families are to enjoy these opportunities. And,...
The need for electric vehicle charging infrastructure will inevitably increase. People who don’t want EVs now because their initial cost is too high or their range is too low will re-evaluate that decision periodically. Some people will change their minds as EVs improve. We’ve seen this movie before and we know how it ends. When Japanese cars arrived in the U.S., only loony west coast liberals wanted them. Detroit’s Big Three laughed them off. Over the next 20 years, Japanese cars impro...
The La Conner Community Scholarship Foundation (LCCSF) began a fund drive in June that will end on Nov. 30. A service minded La Conner High School alumnus has committed to matching all contributions up to $50,000. To date, nearly 40 donors have contributed $13,385. Founded in 1989, our Foundation’s purpose is to provide scholarship monies for graduating La Conner High School students pursuing post-secondary education. Scholarship funds may pay for two or four year colleges, technical/trade schools well as other forms of continuing education. S...
In the article “Paid downtown parking an option” last week (Nov. 1), I want to make a slight correction and offer my two cents on the subject. Correction: The company making a presentation to a joint council-planning commission meeting on Nov. 28 will not be marketing “metered” parking. The solution that will be presenting requires no infrastructure (meters) aside from approximately 25 signs which his company would furnish as part of their start-up. Their parking solution is digital, cellphone based, which allows for expansion and providi...
The Problem: Vehicles parking on First Street for extended periods of time during high tourist traffic periods. Who are the primary offenders? Business owners and employees. First Street residents. Hotel guests. (All of whom should be parking off First Street during business hours.) Simplest solution: Two hour parking limit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and April thru September only. Why not paid parking? 1) Parking is a minimal problem October thru March 2) Pay kiosks would be detrimental to First Street’s historic character. 3) It would discourage l...
On Oct. 28, P.E.O. Chapter JG, La Conner, held a brunch and auction at Maple Hall to support women’s educational opportunities. We rely on donations from members, friends, families and merchants to help us provide the financial needs to help women enhance their lives through education. Our silent auction was a success thanks to donations from chapter members and La Conner merchants. We acknowledge and thank the following merchants for their donations to our auction: Vintage La Conner, The Stall, Country Lady, Ladder’s Clothing, Waterfront Caf...
Place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid test: special.usps.com/testkits or 800-232-0233. COVID-19 tests are available to uninsured individuals and underserved communities. No-cost COVID-19 testing sites: aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/default.aspx. No-cost COVID-19 vaccines for the uninsured: vaccines.gov. Check FDA’s website to see if COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended before throwing tests out. Go to https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19...
Collaboration was the buzz word of the day when scientists, Skagit County politicians and a Puget Sound Energy staff person shared a panel titled “government and resiliency” at the Museum of Northwest Art Saturday, as part of the exhibition “Surge: Mapping Transition, Displacement, and Agency in Times of Climate Change.” Skagit County Commissioner Peter Browning at the start named the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, the Upper Skagit and the Sauk-Suiattle Indian tribes, pledging listening and working collaboratively and in cooperation on a ho...
As in 2022, precipitation returned in October. The 2.4 inches was the most monthly rainfall since February. Over two inches fell in the Oct. 9-25 period. Another 1.2 inches came down Nov. 1-4. Still, the year’s rain deficit is nine inches. October rainfall was 1.1 inches, 31.3%, below the century average of 3.5 inches. October is typically wet: 10 years this century have had over four inches of rain, six have had five-plus inches and 6.1 inches fell in 2014. More than three inches of rain has fallen 14 years since 2000. Eight of those years h...
Skagit County Public Health is offering up to $200 in rebates for septic system inspection, pumping or riser installation to qualifying residents (one per household). A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant funds this rebate program for residents who pay a certified septic system provider to inspect, pump, or install riser to raise tank lids to the surface. All residents of Skagit County whose homes or businesses are served by a septic system require annual inspections, unless the system is conventional gravity (three-year inspection...
It is time to speak up on Town of La Conner budget and tax issues. The town council will hold four public hearings at its Nov. 14 meeting to consider: 1. Formation of a Transportation Benefit District. 2. 20-year Transportation Improvement Plan updates. 3. 2024 preliminary budget. 4. 2024 property tax levy. The public hearings will be held during the 6 p.m. regular city council meeting in Maple Hall, second floor, 204 Commercial Street. Public comments are welcome, written or oral. Submit written comments by email prior to the meeting, by 12...
Coupeville was on the verge of winning the bi-district volleyball title here last Wednesday. Until it wasn't. The Lady Wolves fell prey to a scintillating La Conner comeback that saw the hosts erase a daunting 2-0 deficit to forge an emotional 22-25, 17-25, 25-23, 26-24, 15-12 two-hour, five-set victory for the 2023 Northwest 2B Bi-District championship and berth to the state tourney today (Nov. 8) in Yakima. La Conner offset Coupeville's relentless power game by playing stellar defense. The...
The Kiwanis Club of La Conner High School Student of the Month for October is Katie Cayou-Lockrem. Katie's parents are Josh and Val Lockrem. She is in the tenth grade. Katie is in Associated Student Body leadership. She enjoys the Breads & Pastries class she is taking. Outside of school she enjoys hunting and fishing with her family. After graduating she would like to attend college and study to be a project manager. Middle School Student of the Month for October is Angus Poprycz. Agnus'...
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....
Calling all artists and crafters. La Conner Kiwanis will be hosting their annual Holiday Craft Show in conjunction with the Rotary Santa Breakfast Saturday, Dec. 2 in Maple Hall. The craft show will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. It is a fundraiser to support the Kiwanis Club of La Conner. For a booth application contact Joy at [email protected]. Submitted by: La Conner Kiwanis...
Unity is a key part of the word community. That theme was stressed throughout the annual La Conner Young Life Dessert Fundraiser held Sunday night in the elementary school commons area. A wide cross-section of folks from in and around La Conner, representing the town, agricultural, Swinomish, Shelter Bay, Snee-Oosh and Fir Island communities attended the two-hour event, supporting the faith-based program that provides summer camp and monthly social and personal growth opportunities for local...
On a morning during which local veterans were honored, La Conner Schools staff employed military precision to blend two indoor student assemblies within 45-minutes. A Veteran’s Day program keynoted by retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Scott Poulton, a Shelter Bay resident, meshed seamlessly into a sendoff ceremony for the state tournament bound high school volleyball team. Students in grades K-12 entered Landy James Gym single file to designated seating areas Tuesday morning for the Veterans Day segment of the twin assemblies.. About a half-hour l...
Make your way to the 2023 Rexville Grange Holiday Show starting with its opening party Thursday, Nov. 9, 5-8 p.m. It is time to find fine arts and crafts for gifts. The show is open this weekend and next, Nov. 10-12 and Nov. 18-19 at the Rexville Grange, 19299 Rexville Grange Road. Information: rexvillegrangeartshow.com...
