La Conner's Events & Happenings for November 2009

Be sure to stop by the Visitor Information Center as you enter La Conner at 606 Morris Street to pick up a Coupon Book. Only $1.00 will get you more than 60 coupons for lodging, restaurants, shopping, museum and services. Value worth $100's of dollars! Open Tuesday-Friday 11-3, Saturday & Sunday 12-3 (closed Monday).

Or stop by Earthenworks Gallery at 713 S. First St. and find coupon books for sale there as well. Open daily 10-5.

LODGING SPECIALS:

Estep's Residences consist of four fully equipped homes. Waterfront Condo is on the water, the Boat House and One Moore Place feature views of the Swinomish Channel, and Gina's Place has a hot tub and private yard. All are located in the heart of La Conner. Stay three nights and receive half-off your third night. Call (360) 466-2116 to make your reservations.

Hotel Planter is offering Stay Two Nights for the Price of One! Stay at the Hotel Planter Sunday through Thursday and when you pay for one night your next night is FREE. -Or stay one night Sunday through Thursday for $20 off. Weekend- Stay two nights over the weekend and receive the 2nd night for half off! Hotel Planter is located at 715 S. First St, La Conner, 360-466-4710.

Katy’s Inn is offering a Midweek Special, Sunday - Thursday. Stay 2 nights and receive $50.00 off second night OR stay 3 nights and receive third night FREE! You can make a reservation online or call 866-528-9746. Katy's Inn is a Victorian house built in 1882. Four rooms, private baths, hot tub, full breakfast, view of the Swinomish Channel! Located at 503 S. Third St. in La Conner.

La Conner Channel Lodge & Country Inn is offering mid-week specials Sunday-Thursday. Click on the dates you want and see the discount. Located at 205 N. First St. and 107 S. Second St. 888-466-4113.

Queen of the Valley Inn is pleased to announce her Cash for Couples Program: 10% off one night, 20% off two nights, 30% off three nights any day of the week.The Queen is determined to do her part to turn the economy around and give you the rest and proper breakfast you so richly deserve. Offer good until December 31, 2009. Not valid with other offers. Located at 12757 Chilberg Rd. 360-466-4578 or 888-999-1404.

DINING SPECIALS:

The Calico Cupboard is offering Early Bird breakfast specials Monday-Friday 7:30am-9:30am for $6.99. No limitations! Stop by 720 S. First St. in La Conner for an early breakfast.

La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House is offering Channel House Dinners. Serving Sunday - Thursday 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Each 4-course dinner comes with appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert. All for only $18.95 or just $13.95 for entree . Banquet room upstairs can accommodate your group up to 100 people. Located at 614 S. First St, La Conner. 360-466-4014.

Seed’s Bistro & Bar is offering weeknight specials from 5-9 pm and live music every Thursday. Monday is Burger & Brew night, Tuesday is Local's Night, and Wednesday is Wine night. Live music every Thursday night! Located at 623 Morris Street, La Conner. Open 11:30 - 9 pm daily, Happy Hour from 3-6 pm. Call 360-466-3280 for reservations or more details.

EVENTS:

November 6, 7 & 8 ~ Art’s Alive! 2009 Celebrating 25 years. Walk through town & experience the gathering of La Conner’s imaginative spirit. Invitational Show features sculpture artist, Georgia Gerber along with 17 other artist’s at Maple Hall in La Conner. New this year is an Emerging Artist Show located at Maple Center and Gallery Cygnus. Exhibiting artists & demonstrations throughout town. Walkable Silent Auction, Sculpture Walk, Guided Tours, Contemplative Viewing, and lots more! $5 cover charge for Friday night’s Opening Reception at Maple Hall from 5-8pm, one drink ticket included. Many businesses will be staying open later Friday and Saturday nights for your viewing and shopping pleasure.

November 6-29 ~ Gallery Cygnus accepted the invitation from Arts Alive to show the work of 5 artists in the Emerging Artists section of the festival. Weston Lambert Jite Agbro Andi Shannon Richard Nash Jane Penman. Gallery partners Peggy Doyle, Elizabeth W. Noyes and Maggie Wilder are looking forward to meeting Arts Alive visitors to their gallery and will be welcoming guests for the 3 days of the festival. Cygnus will be showing more work by these emerging artists through November 29. The gallery is located at 109 Commercial Street, La Conner. Hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

November 7 ~ The La Conner Kiwanis Club will host the annual Chowder by the Channel from 3-7 pm on Saturday, November 7th. Located at the Middle School, 2103 N. Sixth Street, in the cafeteria. Come taste the different clam chowders and vote on your favorite. There will also be plenty of prizes to bid on for a silent auction. This popular event is a fundraiser for the La Conner Boys and Girls Club.

November 8 ~ The Museum of Northwest Art presents Kevin Paul, Sunday, November 8, 1-3 pm at Museum of Northwest Art. Master carver from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Kevin Paul will demonstrate his art which is also on sale in the Museum Store. Located at 121 S. First St, La Conner. 360-466-4446.

November 8-28 ~ Kiwanis of La Conner presents the 4th Annual Apple Cup Challenge! This Scholarship Fund is a competition in La Conner between Husky and Cougar fans (or not) during the fall. Whichever side donates the most money gets to fly the mascot flag on the LC High School flagpole for a month during December and give the scholarship to a deserving graduating senior whom applied to that college during graduation ceremony.

La Conner Kiwanis and Key Club members will be at both local markets, Pioneer Market and La Conner Fruit & Produce Market, during November weekends starting on Sunday Nov. 8th, all weekends thereafter on Saturdays and Sundays until Nov. 28th which will be Apple Cup kick-off. Times are 10a.m. till 3p.m. at both markets during these days. Come meet a Kiwanian and Key Club member. We'd love to shake hands with you.

We also take donation by mail: Apple Cup/ La Conner Kiwanis P.O. Box 822, La Conner WA 98257. Put mascot preference on check. Get into this fun competition and help out a graduating senior!

November 13-15 ~ Holiday Festival at RoozenGaarde! Discover your own Christmas Tradition at RoozenGaarde! Our shop is filled with extraordinary gifts, fresh flowers, wreaths, and accessories for the home and garden. Holiday music, the delicious smell of hot cider, cookies and a pre-holiday savings of 20% throughout the gift shop. Please call our gift shop for more information at (360) 424-8531. Located at 15867 Beaver Marsh Rd., Mount Vernon

November 14 ~ Take time to stroll with John Christianson of Christianson's Nursery through La Conner Flats’ 11-acre garden to see up close the variety of evergreens planted in this garden. Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 1:00 pm. Trained topiaries as well as free-spirited conifers grace this property that begs you to walk its paths and inhale its wonderful scents. This annual tour is a popular one so bring your friends and don’t forget your camera! Immediately following the tour there will be tea and other delicacies hosted by Margie Hart at the Granary. The cost of the tea is $12 and reservations should be made early by calling 466-3190.

November 14 ~ La Conner Institute of Performing Arts brings back The Onyx Chamber Players to Maple Hall by popular demand. Saturday, November 14^th at 7:30 pm. The Onyx Chamber Players returns to perform a dual bicentennial anniversary celebration highlighting the music of Mendelssohn and Haydn as performed by Stephen Daniels (violin), Meg Brennand (cello), and David White (piano) and joined by Mel Butler on viola. Maple Hall is located at 105 Commercial Street, La Conner. Tickets can be purchased at The Next Chapter Bookstore 360-466-2665 or at the door.

November 15 ~ The Skagit River Poetry Project and the Skagit County Historical Museum present “Valley Voices: Poetry from the Skagit” on Nov. 15, 1:30-4 p.m. at the museum in La Conner. Local poets include Jim Bertolino, Jean Hallingstad, Nancy Pagh, Thelma Palmer, Michael Daley, Georgia Johnson, and Washington State poet laureate Sam Green. The museum is located at 501 S. 4th Street in La Conner. Suggested donation at the door is $12. Proceeds benefit the museum and the Skagit River Poetry Project, which holds ongoing literary events, puts poets in classrooms throughout the area, and organizes the biennial Skagit River Poetry Festival. For more info on the reading, call the museum at 360-466-3365.

The next Skagit River Poetry Festival will be May 20-22, 2010, in downtown La Conner The 2010 lineup includes such literary luminaries as Seattle author/poet Sherman Alexie, West African kora player Kurtis Lamkin, and former U.S. poet laureate Ted Kooser, a major poetic voice for America’s rural heartland. Tickets for the festival will go on sale soon.

November 20 – 12/31 ~ The Swinomish Casino has a lot to offer! Comedian Andrew Dice Clay 11/20 at 8pm 11/21 at 8pm, $50/ticket. Pacquio vs Catto Fight November 14 Free tickets available to Players Club Members while supplies last. Naughty or Nice Promotion November 16 - January 2 Earn drawing tickets daily. Sixteen winners per drawing night. Drawings every Friday and Saturday of promotion. Bonus drawings on 11/26, 12/23, 12/24, 12/29, 12/30 and 12/31. Sounds of Elvis Holiday Concert with Danny Vernon December 15 Two free shows: 2pm and 6pm Tickets available while supplies last starting November 9. Limit four tickets per Players Club Member. New Years Eve at Swinomish Casino Spectacular Buffet in the Two Salmon Cafe Live entertainment on the Main Stage by the Pop Offs starting at 9pm. Cash drawings throughout the day Balloon Drops, Confetti Cannons Free party favors for all Players Club Members. Swinomish Casino is also on Facebook and Twitter and provide special offers via EClub as well. Located at 12885 Casino Drive, 888-288-8883.

December 2-6 & 9-13, 11am-5:00pm ~ Celebrating the spirit of the season, the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum invites you to a Holiday Bazaar at the Gaches Mansion. A special fund-raising event for the Museum, the bazaar offers unique gifts and handcrafted items, plus new & vintage quilts. The proceeds from your purchases assist with Museum operating expenses during the long, dark days of winter. Located at 703 S. Second St, 360-466-4288.

December 5 ~ Rotary Club of La Conner will host a pancake breakfast with Santa at Maple Hall in La Conner on Saturday, December 5^th from 8:30 - 11am. All are welcome! $10 Families, $6 Adults and $3 children. Located at 101 Commercial Street.

December 5 ~ MUSIC, CHOCOLATE AND WINE. . . OH MY! Step Outside and Wyman Park will be having their annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 5th from Noon to 7:00PM. Enjoy Chocolate, Wine, Music, Door Prizes, Drawings and More! We hope to see you there! Located at 101 & 105 S. First St, 360-466-4148.

December 5 ~ The La Conner Kiwanis are hosting a Holiday Craft Bazaar. The bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the La Conner Middle School, Saturday, December 5th. Get a picture taken with Santa, enjoy a bowl of chili, and shop for unique holiday gifts. Proceeds will help fund Kiwanis activities that support the children of La Conner. For a more information contact Joy Neal at jneal@lclib.lib.wa.us or 360-466-3352 (daytime).

December 5 ~ Hellam’s Vineyard will host the 2^nd annual 2009 Holiday Lights & Wine Cruise! When: Saturday, December 5th, 6 – 9:30 p.m. Where: Lake Union & Lake Washington Cost: $125 per person, plus tax (this covers everything!) Featuring world-class wine and food, a fantastic route along Lake Union and Lake Washington to see the lighted boats and houses onshore, plus a guest winemaker onboard! A 100’ cruise boat (Mystic Sea) will pick everyone up at Fisherman’s Terminal in Ballard, located at 3919 18th Ave. W. Dock 9 West, Seattle, 98119 Parking is available nearby, within walking distance of the boat. We’ll then cruise for 3 hours through the Montlake Cut, into Lake Washington, around Mercer Island and back to Fisherman’s Terminal. Onboard will be special guest winemaker Jill Noble, owner/winemaker of Couvillion winery out of Walla Walla. The cruise will be fully catered, with a varied menu including meats, seafood, cheeses, breads, pasta, salad, dessert and more. RSVP is required by calling the wine shop at 360-466-1758; a credit card is required. Cancellation policy: there is a 14 day cancellation policy in effect.

SHOPPING:

Childhood Bliss – win a $100 gift certificate! Post a picture of your lil’ cutie with a Childhood Bliss purchase on the Childhood Bliss Fan Page to enter.

RoozenGaarde is having a Fall Sale – All Bulbs 25% off beginning November 1st! They still have a great selection of bulbs available on their porch and all bulbs are marked 25% off! There is still time to plant so don't miss these great savings! Bulk quantities are still available! Stop in today! Please call our gift shop for more information at (360) 424-8531. Store hours are Monday – Saturday 9a-6p and Sunday 11a-4p. RoozenGaarde is located at 15867 Beaver Marsh Rd, Mount Vernon. Also, Tulip Town is offering 100 bulbs for $43.00 (mixed) Visit www.tuliptown .com

MUSEUMS:

La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum invites you to see their newest exhibit, "Play with Your Food: The Delicious Quilts of Sandy Bonsib". September 30 - December 27, 2009 Featuring textile artist and author, Sandy Bonsib. Also featuring “As the Needle Turns” with the students of Nancy Chong, and Quilts from our permanent collection featuring quilts from the Schlotterback Collection. Located at 703 S. Second St. and open Wednesday - Sunday from 11 am -5 pm. Admission is $5. 360-466-4288.

The Museum of Northwest Art present “Representing Abstraction” exhibit through January 3, 2010. Five Northwest artists; Mary Iverson, Margie Livingston, John Keppelman, Philip Govedare and Kelly Neidig combine the abstract and the representational with very different results. Another exhibit; “Tony Angell: Spirits of Place” will run through January 3, 2010 and is displayed in the second floor galleries. Located at 121 S. First St, La Conner. (360) 466-4446. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday & Monday 12-5. Admission $5.

Art meets history at the Skagit County Historical Museum for the "Paint Me A River" exhibit. Over 75 original works will be on display and for sale in paint, glass, bronze, neon, photography and multi-media, revealing the wide variety of interesting, amusing and surprising exhibit. Skagit County Historical Museum is located at 501 S. Fourth St, La Conner and is open Tuesday - Sunday 11-5 pm. Admission: Adults: $4; Seniors & Children 6-12: $3; Families: $8; Children under 6 and Museum Members: Free. For more information, call 360-466-3365 for more details.

FEATURED BUSINESS:

The Wild Iris Inn is a charming and romantic 18-room country inn located at the entrance to La Conner. The Inn is one of only 8 inns in Washington included in the Select Registry’s “Distinguished Inns of North America” and is consistently ranked by Trip Advisor members as the number 1 Inn in La Conner. The Inn is just a short walk from the downtown shops and activities. Built as an inn, amenities offered with your stay at the Wild Iris Inn include in-room jetted spa tubs, fireplaces, high speed wireless internet access, cable television, DVD and CD players and private balconies or porches that offer serene pastoral and mountain views. The Inn also has meeting space that is ideal for corporate retreats of up to 30 people. Regardless of whether your visit to La Conner and the Wild Iris Inn is for business or pleasure, each morning of your stay, you will enjoy a generous and delicious complimentary two-course breakfast served in the Inn’s dining room at tables for two. Or, if you prefer, you may choose to relax and enjoy your breakfast from the comfort of your own room. Warm and attentive service and attention to detail are the hallmarks of the Inn. We look forward to welcoming you soon to the Wild Iris Inn!