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La Conner Chamber of Commerce Newsletter November 2011
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November is a great time to give some extra thank you's ... and we'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for not only reading our newsletter, but for continuing to come visit us. Each and every one of us wants to make sure that you have a great time while you're here, whether it's just for a quick stop, a day of shopping and dining, or an overnight stay.
We often get asked: "What's there to do in La Conner during the 'quiet' season?" To which we always answer, "LOTS!" Every month our newsletter is packed with fun and interesting things to do - and we invite you to La Conner this month.
Of special interest in November is Arts Alive!, one of La Conner's most-loved art events which draws artists - and art lovers - from around the country. You can read more about it below in our November Events section. Whether you're looking for truly special gifts for family or friends, or are simply appreciative of very fine art, this is a not-to-be missed 3-day event.
By the way, did you notice our new logo and our new newsletter look? We hope you find the new layout easy to navigate and the content full of information that helps you plan your next trip to visit us. Julie Burgmeier/Skagit Marketing, Janet Gifford/Writeology and I worked on our logo concept, and Eve McCauley/Watered Roots Design created our new logo. It really describes exactly how we feel ... we LOVE La Conner (and our signature bridge)!
Come see us in November - and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Marci Plank La Conner Chamber Executive Director
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Business Spotlight
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 La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib House Located in the heart of town, La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib House was established in 1986, and has been a integral part of La Conner's dining scene - including being voted best seafood restaurant year after year by local guests. Featuring a live Dungeness Crab tank year-round, La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib House offers the freshest and most local seafood available, as well as all-natural aged prime rib, chicken and pasta.
Whether you're looking for a terrific lunch spot, or a scenic location for dinner with friends and family, you'll find your front-row seat to the Swinomish Channel a perfect compliment. If it's cocktails you're after, don't miss the newly remodeled 1890's Lounge! La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib House also features a private banquet room with seating for 100 and off-site full catering services. Open daily from 11:30am-8pm, and located at 614 S. First St, La Conner. For reservations, call: 360/466-4014.
Season of Giving in La Conner!
November 27, 2011 through December 18, 2011
Businesses in the town of La Conner will be celebrating the 3rd Annual "Season of Giving" this holiday season, and we would love to have you participate! For three Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas, 10% of sales at participating merchants will be designated to a different charity, including:
Sunday, November 27th: Hospice of the Northwest Foundation
Sunday, December 4th: Humane Society of Skagit County
Sunday, December 11th: Skagit County Boys and Girls Club
We hope that you will help contribute to these worthwhile causes as you shop, dine and spend the holidays with us in La Conner! Look for an informational flyer in participating shops.
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November & Early December Events | |
November 4, 5 & 6
Opening Reception: Friday, 5pm-9pm, Reception admission is $8
Show hours: Friday noon-4pm,
Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday from 10am-4pm
Admission is FREE, except Friday night's Reception.
La Conner's 27th Annual Arts Alive! Invitational, Open, Jewelry & Emerging Art Shows will take place at Maple Hall & Civic Garden Club! Businesses throughout La Conner will have featured artists in their business, many with live demonstrations. Friday night's reception will take place at Maple Hall and Civic Garden Club with many of the Invitational artists on-site at both locations. Art League North will have an Artist Reception on Friday evening, 5pm-8pm pm at La Conner Retirement Inn, located at 204 N. 4th St. This show of original art by local artists will also be open 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
Many businesses have Arts Alive! specials, or special events, going on all weekend long - click here for the event brochure and details.
 Chowder by the Channel
Saturday, November 5
3pm-6pm
Cost: $8
You know we're all about seafood in La Conner - now you have a chance to sample some of the best chowder around - and vote for your favorite! Hosted by Kiwanis Club of La Conner, Chowder by the Channel also includes a silent auction, with proceeds to benefit La Conner Boys and Girls Club. Chowder by the Channel takes place at the La Conner Middle School cafeteria at 305 N. 6th St.
Holiday Events at Christianson's Nursery
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
November 4, 5, and 6
9:00am-6:00pm
In celebration of Art's Alive! 2011 Christianson's Nursery will be featuring local artists Tim Chomiak, Jack Dorsey, Kristy Gjesme, and Andy Gladish. Meet the artists, see live art demonstrations, and enjoy fresh pressed cider, molasses cookies, and live classical guitar music.
For full schedule and details on the Holiday Open House, and for more information on November and December events, go to Christianson's Nursery, or call 360/466-3821. Christianson's is a short 5-minute drive from La Conner, located at 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon.
 La Conner Co-op Preschool Annual Art Show and Auction
Saturday, November 5
5pm-7pm
Bright, colorful and honest, children's art holds a special place in all of our hearts! At the Annual Art Show and Auction, you can not only purchase amazing art from our littlest community members, but help support our local preschool at the same time. Garfield Masonic Hall in La Conner, located at Third and Benton Streets up the hill from Second St.
Click here to view a sampling of the auction items donated by local businesses.
A Night on the Towns
Saturday, November 5
5:30pm-8:30pm
St. Joseph's Center; 215 N. 15th St., Mount Vernon WA 98273
Join us for a night of socializing, great food, entertainment and fabulous raffle items! Catering by Thomas & Danielle Palmer, Oyster Creek Inn. Dinner: $75; Table Sponsorship with 8 seats: $500. To reserve your spot and/or table, click here. For more information please call 360/419-3723.
 Calling all Tulip Festival Collectors!
The 2012 Tulip Festival apparel, posters, and all merchandise will be in stock by Saturday, November 5th at Skagit Valley Styles, 608 South First La Conner, 360 466 3460. Don't wait until spring - come get your collector items now so that you'll be all decked out in your Tulip Festival finest when you visit us in April.
 Hellams Vineyard Wine Events
It's warm, cozy and inviting at Hellams in November - and a great place for some fun with friends! Special Events in November include:
- Saturday November 12th, 1pm-6pm: Washington State wine tasting and Spa Day. Cost is $5 a flight; choose from a selection
 of spa treatments by Joan with Native Springs Spa; $10.
- Saturday, November 19th, 1pm-6pm: Sample wines from Adamant Cellars in Walla Walla, a small boutique winery crafting delicious whites and reds.
- Saturday, November 26th, 1pm-6pm: The annual California vs. Washington blind tasting! Last year California won the Cabernet Sauvignon competition, this year will feature 3 Syrah wines from each state... come taste blind, and cast your vote! Results sent out the following week.
Hellams Vineyard is located at 109 N First Street - La Conner. Details on Hellams winter events, including some very special events in December, can be found at the Hellams Vineyard website.
 Kurtis Lamkin in La Conner!
Friday, November 18
7pm-8pm
Please welcome Skagit River Poetry Project icon, Kurtis Lamkin for an evening of poetry and kora playing. Kurtis will read his poetry and play his kora at the La Conner School Auditorium Theater located at N. 6th St. Donations at the door will support the Skagit River Poetry Project.
4th Annual La Conner Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving Morning, November 24
On-site registration: 7:30am
Race Start: 8:30am
Cost: $10 per race or $30 per family
Runners take your mark, get set, and join us for the 4th Annual La Conner Turkey Trot! Get your exercise in early, before you eat way too much turkey and pumpkin pie! Bring your entire family and join us for a pre-turkey race to support a great cause for kids- The La Conner Skate Park. The fun begins at the La Conner Middle School; the race begins and ends at the skate park. The race is a 5k (there are shorter course options for young children); the objective is to finish the race closest to your predicted time. No watches allowed. Prizes given to those that are closest to their predicted time. Registration: Click here for the registration form; registration is also available on race morning. Please be sure to sign a waiver before racing. After your run, join us at Crescent Moon Yoga at 9:30 for a free yoga class to work out your post-race kinks.
 Saturday, December 3 - Holiday Spirit Comes Alive!If you're looking for a way a really get into the holiday spirit, there's no better place than in La Conner! You can start out with pancakes and a visit with Santa, shop for gifts at the Holiday Craft Bazaar and then join us as we light our annual town Christmas tree in Gilkey Square. It's definitely a day of fun ... for everyone!
- La Conner Rotary will host the annual "Breakfast with Santa" at Maple Hall on Saturday, December 3rd. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 - 11am. All are welcome! $12 Families, $6 Adults and $3 children.
- The La Conner Kiwanis are hosting a Holiday Craft Bazaar. The bazaar will be held from 10 am - 3 pm at the La Conner Middle School on N. 6th St. Proceeds will help fund Kiwanis activities that support the children of La Conner. For a more information contact Joy Neal or call 360-466-3352 (daytime).
- Everyone is invited to a Community Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 3rd at 5:00 pm at Gilkey Square, in the center of La Conner. There will be singing, refreshments and a visit from Santa arriving on a fire truck. Many of the shops will stay open later than normal, with an Open House at several. For questions, please contact the La Conner Visitor Information Center at (360) 466-4778.
Wyman Park & Step Outside Annual Open House!
December 03
Noon-7pm
MUSIC, CHOCOLATE AND WINE. . . OH MY!
Enjoy Chocolate, Wine, Music, Door Prizes, Drawings and more! Come celebrate the season with us, and do a little holiday gift shopping! Wyman Park and Step Outside are located at 101 S. First St, La Conner. 360-466-4148
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Arts and Museums
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Arts Alive! 2011
You'll find all the details on this annual event above in the November Events section of our newsletter.
 The La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum
Join us at the museum during Arts Alive! weekend (November 4, 5 & 6), when we will have three floors of exhibits to explore: Together a collaboration of Fiber Artists with other Fine Artists including painters, potter, woodworker, glass worker; A Quilted Garden with Quilt Artist Ann Fahl; and AWE an exhibit of the outstanding entries that were juried and judged to be the best at our 2011 Quilt Festival.
The museum will be open extended hours on Friday, Nov 4 from 5-8, enjoy free admission, hot cider, & light refreshments. Saturday & Sunday regular hours, 11am-5pm; general admission $7.00, members and children under 12, free.
Skagit County Historical Museum
Calling All Singers and Songwriters!
November 20th
2pm-4pm
Join Northwest singer/songwriters as they share their music celebrating Skagit County and its history. This family-friendly event will coincide with our featured exhibit "Paint Me A River Too!" The Skagit County Historical Museum is located at 501 S. 4th Street, and features a spectacular view of the Skagit farmland from our deck. For more information, call 360/466-3365 or go to the website.
 Museum of Northwest Art
"Museum of Northwest Art is Celebrating 30 Years!"
The Museum of Northwest Art invites you to their exhibit; THE FIRST 30 YEARS: MoNA COLLECTS, Now through January 1, 2012 More...
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Music
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NOEL ... The Perfect Start to Your Holiday
Saturday, November 26
7:30pm
La Conner Institute of Performing Arts is proud to host the Celtic & Classical ensemble Noel. Join NOEL for a heartwarming evening of music and poetry celebrating the Yuletide season. This exceptional Celtic and classical ensemble is quickly becoming a holiday tradition in the Pacific Northwest. The concert features Celtic tunes, beautiful carols from around the world, a fiery flamenco, as well as stories and poems from well-loved authors. Audience members say they feel the glow of Christmas after the NOEL experience. Maple Hall is located at 104 Commercial Ave, La Conner. Call 360-466-2665 for tickets.
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Stay and Play
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It's a Wonderful Time of Year To Visit La Conner!
Are you looking for a romantic getaway? How about a girls' weekend of shopping, wine tasting and dining? Are you tired of wandering around the same big-box stores every holiday season, but never finding anything close to the perfect gift?
Come stay and play with us!
Our lodging options offer something for everyone, our restaurant menus are full of yummy fall fare to take the chill off, and there are lots of things going on through the months of November and December. The locals will tell you ... it's never boring in La Conner because there's always something going on somewhere in town!
Check out the list of things to do in our Events section above, and then plan your trip. Whether you're in need of a quiet weekend away, or you and your friends are ready for some fun, we've got everything you need.
Take a look at our lodging options, and then book a stay. We'll make sure you have a terrific time!
Shop With Us This Season ... 
November 25, 2011 through December 31, 2011
While you may only think of us during the spring and summer months, La Conner is a fabulous place to buy holiday gifts for your family and friends! From one-of-a-kind custom art and woodwork, to gifts for the collector, and from culinary delights for the foodie to the perfect accessory for the clothes horse, you'll have a terrific time wandering our shops and galleries. You'll love our festive window displays, the shopkeepers and restaurants are decked out in their holiday finest, and many evenings you'll find live music. Many shops will stay open later Friday & Saturday nights, making this a wonderful time of year to come shop, eat lunch, shop some more, have dinner, and shop some more. You might even want to spend the night, and have breakfast the next morning to celebrate all of your clever shopping!
 Why not make it an overnight getaway! La Conner Channel Lodge and Country Inn is featuring a Holiday shopper's package, including two $30 shopper's coupons to featured businesses. Guests will have a choice of a $15 bonus coupon to Hellams Vineyard, or receive a bottle of champagne or wine upon arrival. To book your reservation or for more package options, click here.
Speaking of Hellams Vineyard, don't miss their upcoming events listed above in our November & December events section. This is a great time of year for an overnight wine-tasting trip!
Did you know ...
That for every $100 spent at local small businesses, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures? Small Business Saturday 2011 - a day to support local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods- is November 26 this year, the day between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We encourage you to support our local businesses through this campaign, founded by American Express in 2010.
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Just for Kids
|  While La Conner is often thought of as a wonderful getaway destination, we're also a great place to bring families. There are lots of things to do - and wonderful places for kids to explore to their heart's content. If you have skateboarders under your roof, they'll love La Conner's newest attraction, the La Conner Swinomish Community Skateboard Park. It's quickly becoming a very popular spot for kids - and adults - alike! Here are other favorite things that our local families enjoy; we think you will too: - Playground and picnic bench below Town Hall, on Moore Street
- Walk on the Fish Bridge (end of Washington Street), planks are very educational
- Walk on the beach off Pearle Jensen Way (north end of town)
- Visit the Book Nook at the Library; you can buy a children's book for just $.25!
- Hike in Pioneer Park
- Ride bikes or walk the Padilla Bay trail; great for bird watching!
- Stroll the beach at Deception Pass State Park; look for sea creatures hidden in the rocks and interesting shells, rocks and beach glass along the sand.
- Have an Old Time photo taken at Nasty Jack's, dress up in costumes!
- Visit the Skagit County Historical Museum (2-for-1 coupon in the Chamber's coupon book)
For details, stop by the Chamber of Commerce and pick up a corresponding map or brochure, or ask our friendly volunteers for more information.
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