An old Anacortes church has been transformed into the Croatian Cultural Center by local arts patron Maria Petrish.

Four major books by three great authors are on this week's Northwest Bestsellers list. Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain is second on the list. Also on the list: The Other by David Guterson, Snuff by chuck Palahiak and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.

The Anacortes School District is one of five Washington state school districts to be awarded funds by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help young learners.

The Anacortes Jazz Festival this weekend has an eclectic mix of jazz formats and styles with something for every taste. 

BMW-Oracle Racing Team on Monday launched and commissioned their 90-foot trimaran that they’ve been building here in Anacortes for the past nine months. The boat was then towed to Lovric’s Sea-Craft marina on the Guemes Channel.

A small, local group wants the state Transportation Department to include pedestrians and bicyclists in their plans for improvements to Highway 20, including plans for a roundabout at Sharpe’s Corner.