Be a boardwalk superintendent

When I was young, I remember hearing the term "sidewalk superintendent" to describe folks who posted themselves on the perimeter of construction projects to observe progress. Well, the removal of E and F docks at Cap Sante Boat Haven offers the opportunity to be a "boardwalk superintendent" as contractor crews are busy this week with removal of old wooden docks and pilings. This bright red unit "caps" a piling, shivers its way to a solid grip, and then pulls the piling from the harbor. Good stuff.

Anacortes Town Crier Richard Riddell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwIdNBIA4yo

Big news in the Town Crier category: On October 1 and 2, criers from across the U.S. and Canada will visit Anacortes for the 2011 North American Town Crier Championship. Pictured here is Anacortes Town Crier Richard Riddell. Follow the YouTube link to see Riddell do his thing at the recent Anacortes Work Boat Races and Pirate Faire.

Sign up to receive Port newsletter

http://www.anacortestoday.com/docs/portnewsmay2011printb.pdf

If you would like to receive an electronically-delivered monthly newsletter from the Port of Anacortes, call Julie at 293-3134 or email julie@portofanacortes.com. Paper copies of the newsletter are available at a number of places including the Cap Sante Boat Haven Harbormaster's office, the City Library, City Hall and the Chamber of Commerce. Click on link above to see May 2011 issue, published early because it includes details regarding numerous upcoming events (including the Port's Summer Concert Series).

Port publishes newsletter

The Port of Anacortes is a public entity, supported in part by tax dollars. Each month the Port publishes a newsletter, distributed primarily via email. Printed copies are available at locations including the Port Office, the Cap Sante Boat Haven Harbormaster's Office, City Hall, City Library, Anacortes Senior Center and the Chamber of Commerce. If you would like to receive this newsletter electronically, contact Julie Johnson Lindsey, julie@portofanacortes.com. To see past issues of the newsletter on the Port website, click on URL below:

http://www.portofanacortes.com/newsletters.shtml

Dramatic changes on waterfront

It's hard to see detail on a photo this size, but even so, changes on waterfront property owned by the Port of Anacortes are obvious. I got some help from Harbormaster Dale Fowler, who scanned this late 80's photo and recalled the Anacortes of yesteryear. In this photo taken from Cap Sante, you'll note there is no Harbormaster's Building to the right. The brown building near the center was home to the Anacortes Yacht Club, now located near the North Basin of Cap Sante Boat Haven. Also gone are the Captain's Place restaurant (under construction here) and Cap Sante Marine (since re-located to south end of town). Shoreline rip-rap has been replaced with a beautiful walkway (esplanade) and amenities. Gone entirely are the boathouses, most of which suffered major damage in a December 1990 wind storm. In fact, all of the slips in this photograph have been replaced by modern, cement slips. The marina fuel dock has been moved nearer to the harbor entrance, and there is a new boat lift. The large white building on Commercial Avenue in this photo was then Prairie Market, now Sebo's hardware. On the site of today's Safeway gas station was Mendum's service station. In back of that was Anacortes Hometown Hardware, owned by Joe Culley and a partner. Kentucky Fried Chicken was located on the corner of 12th and Commercial. The city's fire and police departments operated out of the 12th Street building now called the Department of Safety. Still running along the route of today's Tommy Thompson Trail was the Burlington Northern Railroad, bringing cargo into and out of the Port and cannery areas. This city's undeveloped waterfront continues to be a subject of much discussion, especially in political circles. Imagine several miles of waterfront improvements similar to those made at the Cap Sante Boat Haven. The Port, now in the process of completing an environmental cleanup near Seafarers' Memorial Park, continues to proceed with improvements. Stay tuned for the rest of the story...

Seaside city

Anacortes, as viewed looking southwest from above the Guemes Channel. Port of Anacortes facilities in the foreground, Cap Sante Boat Haven in upper left corner.