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Lorraine Loomis died nine months ago but her presence was clearly felt Friday during the Swinomish Blessing of the Fleet and First Salmon Ceremony. Loomis truly lived for the sacred springtime ritual – a large community-wide feast and program at the tribal youth center followed by a procession through Swinomish Village leading to a solemn shoreline prayer service marked by a moment of silence for lost fishers. Many of the day’s speakers invoked Loomis’ name, citing her commitment to Nat...
Yes, the three story condominium building at 306 Center Street proposed by Brandon and Katie Atkinson can be built. Hearing examiner David Lowell approved their conditional use permit May 11. In a 20 page decision, Lowell found the couple, doing business as Atkinson Development / KSA, are permitted to construct “14 multi-family dwelling units on the 2nd and 3rd floors and six lodging (i.e. hotel) rooms on the first floor of a new structure” at the site, subject to 12 conditions, including total building square feet being under 30,600 squ...
After a half-century, the Port of Skagit’s La Conner Marina is eyeing not a facelift but a full body makeover. Port officials came to La Conner’s Maple Hall last night to pitch several potential futures, including a mixed used development, with a residential component, marine services and other commercial uses. The site is the 13 acres of marina property between Sullivan Slough and the north basin. Port staff encouraged the public to attend and provide feedback at the specially called combined town council and planning commission meeting. The...
We are facing a crisis with inflation, as happened in the 1980s. Gas prices are at record levels, a different crisis from their spikes in the 1970s, when there were two Arab oil embargoes, both a result of Israeli wars. Russia’s invasion of and war with Ukraine is the precipitating factor now. There are forest fires in New Mexico and the southwest, crises that came earlier in the season than past years. There will be soon be west coast forest fires, from California north into Canada. Thankfully the fire season has not yet begun. Both r...
On March 23 I requested information from the Town regarding any rezone discussion of the property proposed for the Center Street development. On March 28 I received an answer from the town administrator saying that he had the right to take five days to answer me. And he was legally correct. On March 28 he also informed me that he would need another 10 days to get it and review it. Again he was legally correct. But being legally right and doing the right thing are not always the same, are they? I received the documents two days after the record...
For many years there was a Skagit County 300-acre dairy farm owned by a couple with a family. As the couple grew older, they decided to sell the farm. There was a man in Seattle who was interested in the purchase of a farm. His name was Rabbi Raphael Levine of Temple de Hirsch. He was born in Lithuania. When he enrolled in school he was mocked and insulted for being Jewish. About age seven he and his family immigrated to America. Then he went to school and experienced the same insults and mockery for being Jewish as he did in Lithuania. The you...
I am sad that La Conner School District is experiencing declining enrollment. This could force budget cuts that make it tough on kids and staff. My guess is that it has less to do with local children going to private schools or homeschooling than it does with the fact that young families cannot find affordable housing in our district. I know of several families who moved away because they could not find a place to live. Are we a rich retired community now? Gale Fiege Pleasant Ridge...
Marjorie Bickel, beloved wife, sister, aunt, friend and more passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2022, in Mount Vernon, Washington. She was 94 years old. A strong, creative, and thoughtful woman, Marge was born Marjorie Myrn Long in 1928 in Pomeroy, Washington to parents Clark and Hazel Long. Her earliest years were filled with life and stories of growing up, both on the farm and “in town” with her three siblings (Marvin, Eleanor, and Ray). In 1946 Marge moved to Spokane, Washington. A few years lat... Full story
I had a luthier guest at my Airbnb for five nights from Virginia, Steve Showalter, the creator and proprietor of Showalter Guitars. Steve, a very laid back kinda guy brought two of his beautiful guitars to the show for sale. He and I shared some interesting stories about ... wood! The man is a true artisan. Since he had some extra time before the show kicked off on Friday, I took him over to meet one of La Conner’s own wood artisan’s, Stuart Welch. When I called, Stu said to tell Steve that he a had a piece of “The Tree.” Steve’s eyes lit up wh...
For J.J. Wilbur and Skagit County Fire District 13, what is old is new again. Wilbur was appointed to the fire district panel May 12 after a four-month hiatus. He had served as a commission appointee through 2021 but was ineligible to stand for the seat during last year’s election because he was also on the ballot for a La Conner school board position. Veteran firefighter Bobbie Scopa ran unopposed for the open seat. But Scopa resigned as a fire commissioner last winter, due to moving to Arizona. That opened the door for Wilbur – who is a...
The La Conner Town Council heard criticism on the Center Street condominium project and La Conner’s upcoming plans for pride month at its May 10 meeting. It ran 75 minutes. La Conner resident Jim Matthews lamented that the Center Street project was decided by a hearing examiner and not council. “This is a democracy,” said Matthews, “and our duly elected officials didn’t have any say in that.” Mayor Ramon Hayes said the hearing examiner format allows decisions to be rendered by a third-party professional from outside town. “The process was b...
La Conner High School golfers dealt with tough conditions last Thursday in Oak Harbor, but at the end of the day their outlook could not have been sunnier. The boys and girls golf teams weathered drizzly skies and harsh gusts to blow past the competition in post-season tournament play as the Lady Braves – led by senior standout Emma Worgum, a Western Washington University recruit – captured top district honors, advancing from bi-district trials as state 2B qualifiers. “It was pretty breezy and rainy out there,” said La Conner hea...
By capturing the NW2B District track crown in Coupeville on Saturday, the La Conner High School girls completed a three-sport hat trick this year. La Conner girls’ teams had earlier won the district volleyball and basketball championships. They kept pace in track, outpointing host Coupeville 78-47. La Conner was led by multiple event winners Ellie Marble and Kaliana Bill plus strong showings in the relays, Marble won the 300 hurdles and shot put while Bill swept the long jump and triple jump. Marble, Lydia Grossglass and Hannah Cook ran 1...
Hundreds of eager musicians, collectors and admirers shuffled through Maple Hall last weekend, May 13-15, taking part in the fourth annual La Conner Guitar Festival. Their eyes sparkled as they browsed and tested the handcrafted stringed instruments on display. Ticketholders had a full itinerary of activities to choose from throughout the weekend. They started off their mornings perusing the instruments displayed on the tables of the over 50 luthiers and vendors that filled the first floor hall...
Many readers will know of whom I speak when I describe the mysterious lady often spotted running through town. The tall, slender figure would materialize from the hill above and glide by seemingly without effort, only to disappear. On my daily bike ride with a group of neighbors we would often cross paths with the “lady who runs” as she traced her path through La Conner. One day I asked if she ran competitively. She answered that she was still developing as a runner and was a member of the Bel...
Sunday, May 8 8:06 p.m.: Twin Bridges Troll – Two punched locks. Clothing, fishing gear, stereo equipment and tools were taken. Under twin bridges, Josh Green Ln., Greater La Conner. Monday, May 9 9:43 a.m.: Inappropriate visitor – Four separate calls about a female. Report of her striking a customer. Customer was not injured and did not press charges. Additional calls were that she was undressing while walking through town. She refused to identify herself and did not wish for any assistance. Fir Island Rd., Conway. Tuesday, May 10...
We regularly drink lemon water. This method was a game changer for us. As for preparation, it’s as simple as it gets. The result, with some added honey is so soothing. Lemons come in different sizes. I look for the largest lemons to have on hand. Ingredients Water, 1 quart Lemon, 1 large Honey, 1 tsp per cup Preparation Bring water to a boil. Cut a fresh lemon into 6ths and squeeze into a tea pot. Then add the squeezed lemon into the tea pot. Pour boiling water over the cut lemon. Place the l...
The La Conner Youth League transitioned from Hedlin’s ballfield to the La Conner schools, an adjustment that has not always been easy. But the players, coaches and families had a much easier go of it on a recent sun-splashed Sunday afternoon at the ideal home away from home: T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The contingent joined others in the region taking part in Little League Day, May 8. Besides seeing the Seattle Mariners edge Tampa Bay 2-1, the group walked on the field before the game, posed f...
