The real estate market was steaming up in 2017, so I produced a booklet on the topic for the Anacortes American.  I provided the content and directed the layout.  Best viewing of the pages below is through this link on Issuu. 

Linda Sorensen, Bev Brooks Nevin and Cindy Bendixen were part of a crowd  gathered at Commercial Avenue in Anacortes on Thursday in support of democracy one year after the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol that was aimed at stopping President Joe Biden from taking power.

Steven Jones and Corrine Salcedo joined residents gathered at Commercial Avenue in Anacortes on Thursday in support of democracy one year after the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol that was aimed at stopping President Joe Biden from taking power.

Residents gathered at Commercial Avenue in Anacortes on Thursday in support of democracy one year after the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol that was aimed at stopping President Joe Biden from taking power.

Residents rally for democracy one year after Capitol riot

Dozens of peaceful demonstrators waved American flags and held up signs Thursday, Jan. 6, in Anacortes to show support for democracy one year after the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol by a mob that fought police and forced their way into the building to keep President Joe Biden from taking power. CLICK HERE for the story.

Chris Sparks enjoys his office at sea.

Chris Sparks prepares to dive for sea cucumbers.

A net full of sea cucumbers is pulled to the surface after they are collected by divers.

A net full of sea cucumbers is hoisted onto the boat.

Freshly harvested sea cucumbers.

Fresh sea cucumbers

Terra Johnson inspects a haul of freshly harvested sea cucumbers.

A sea cucumber

Sea cucumbers are processed right on the boat before it returns to dock.

Sea cucumbers harvested for niche market

Sea cucumbers are more animal than vegetable, but divers do “harvest” them by hand from the bottom of the sea.  They are a delicacy in some countries, though not yet particularly popular in the United States. In Washington, a very limited number of commercial divers are licensed to harvest them during a short season. Chris Sparks of Anacortes is one of them.  CLICK HERE to see the story and video. 

Jay Ham is a ham radio operator in Anacortes  with the Skagit Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Club.

Dean Becker of Anacortes, president of the Skagit Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Club, takes questions from guests to Field Day, an event involving ham radio operators all over the world. The event in Anacortes was held at Seafarers’ Memorial Park.

Local club shows off the power of radio

ANACORTES, Wash. — On a sunny July day, a dozen or so gentlemen gathered near the shore of Fidalgo Bay in northern Washington state to take part in a friendly worldwide contest. Field Day, as it is known, is a ham radio event that takes communication old-school. It’s a hobby for some, but it’s also much more than that. In a serious disaster — the kind that takes out power, internet or cell phones — ham radio operators could be the primary way for Fidalgo Islanders to make contact with the outside world. .

CLICK HERE to read about a Field Day with the Skagit Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Club.

The city of Anacortes takes its Fourth of July celebration seriously and hosts a parade that encourages anyone and everyone to participate or join the crowded sidewalks to watch the procession. From motorcycles to horses to baby strollers, there are always plenty of people to watch.