The current featured exhibit is “Harvesting the Light: Images of Contemporary Skagit Farm Life,” a stunning photography exhibit focusing on the farms, the people and the bounty of Skagit Valley through the lens of 11 local photographers and the words of Skagit farmers. The accompanying award-winning photo book is available at the Museum Store.

The family friendly Museum with viewing deck over Skagit’s farmland is located at 501 S. 4th Street, at the top of the hill in La Conner. For more information, call 360.466.3365. Usual admission is Adults:$4; Seniors:$3; Families:$8.

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In an effort to help citizens regain their driving licenses and reduce debt owed to courts and their collection agencies for unpaid fines and fees, the courts are offering a “debt reduction program” throughout the month of May.

Skagit County District Court Presiding Judge David Svaren declared, “In difficult economic times, government must strive to improve service to its constituents. While this program provides a service to the public in enabling suspended drivers to reclaim their driving privileges, it will also serve to reduce the strain on law enforcement and the courts. This is the sort of win-win scenario Judge Gilbert and I are proud to support.”

Designed to help those with outstanding traffic tickets and fines, Skagit County District and Municipal Courts will be offering reductions for past-due accounts and working with their collection agency to waive interest and a significant portion of collection costs.

The court is offering the program from May 1 through May 31, 2009. Those with outstanding tickets or fines should contact the court directly. Clerks will also be able to provide names of other courts where fines may be outstanding.

One of the main goals of the program is to assist citizens with regaining driver’s licenses after being revoked due to unpaid fines and fees. Once tickets are paid in full and reported to the court, the court will notify the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) to clear the driving record. The driver may be able to obtain a valid driver’s license 48 hours later if no other offense on the driving record prevents it.

More than 100 courts throughout the state are participating in similar Debt Reduction Programs throughout the month of May. For a full listing of courts participating, please visit the Washington Courts website at www.courts.wa.gov.

LOCATION:
Discovery Garden Pavilion WSU Research Station on Memorial Highway near Mount Vernon
16650 State Route 536

DATES:

MAY (Flyer)
Saturday 5/16 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday 5/21 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday 5/28 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

JUNE (Flyer)
Thursday 6/18 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 6/20 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Monday 6/29 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Questions: Callie Martin, Waste Reduction/ Recycling Educator 360-336-9400

WORKSHOPS WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE!

* Sponsored by Skagit County Public Works Department and Washington State Department of Ecology

Visit Skagit County's online recyling page.

With approval of this plan, the following entities are now eligible to apply for a variety of federal hazard mitigation project grants including Flood Mitigation Assistance project grants through April 2, 2014:

• Skagit County
• City of Anacortes
• City of Burlington
• Town of Concrete
• Town of Hamilton
• Town of La Conner
• Town of Lyman
• City of Mount Vernon
• City of Sedro-Woolley
• Dike District 12

Five years ago, Skagit County governments authored the first plan to be accepted in Washington State, and now is the first multi-jurisdictional entity to get approval for an updated plan. “This has been a long but productive process. We can’t thank the cities, towns, county Tribes, and Dike District 12 enough for the cooperation and teamwork,” said Skagit County Department of Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Watkinson.

Additionally, FEMA has approved the Skagit County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan as a Tribal Mitigation Plan for the following Indian tribal governments:

• Samish Indian Nation
• Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
• Upper Skagit Indian Tribe

The plan’s approval provides the above Tribes and jurisdictions eligibility to apply for hazard mitigation project grants through FEMA.

For further information contact:
Dan Berentson 360-419-3461

 

The spices were distributed primarily to restaurants and other food services only.  For a complete list of recalled products and more information, check the following websites:

Peanuts:  http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html
Pistachios:  http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/food/pistachiorecall.html 
Spices: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/unioninternational03_09.html

For the past seven years, Berentson has served as Skagit County Communications Director and Public Information Officer for the Public Works Department as well as working on public participation for the Skagit River Flood Damage Reduction Project and the Skagit County Flood Control Zone District. He will continue in those roles.

Berentson will be responsible for the administration of Skagit County’s Drainage Utility, Clean Water District, Lake Districts, Flood Control Zone District, Skagit River General Investigation Study, and the Water Resources Section of Public Works.

“We’re looking forward to taking advantage of Dan’s community knowledge and communication skills in administering our natural resources programs,” said Sheridan.

Berentson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications degree from Washington State University and worked in the publishing industry for 20 years before accepting his current position with Skagit County in 2001. He is involved in many community organizations and currently serves as President of United Way of Skagit County.

For further information, contact: Dan Berentson

360-419-3461

Researched and written by Janet Oakley, Curator of Education, developed by Janice Baird, Skagit County Geographic Information Services -- based on the popular iMap online map, and designed by Brian Young, Skagit County Information Services, the site features rarely seen materials relevant to these “Lost Cities” including maps, oral histories and photographs drawn from the Museum’s collection as well as other archives in Skagit and Whatcom County.

Also collaborating: Jeff Jewell, Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Deanna Ammons, Clear Lake historian, Evelyn Adams, Anacortes Museum, Dr. Jesse Kennedy, Cascades National Park, and Mary Ellen Langridge, great granddaughter of John and Ellen Warner of Warner’s Prairie and other individuals and groups.

View the “Lost Cities” map

For more information, call the Museum at 360.466.3365