It’s Community Choir Time!
Posted on: September 2, 2010 | SewardSchoolsMusic | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
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Hello Everyone! Welcome back for our 3rd year of Community Choir. We will begin this year on Thursday, September 16th, at 6:30 PM in HS Music Room. Please bring your smiling faces, a binder/folder/manila envelope/etc. to put your music in, and your calendar if you so choose! We will have rehearsal schedules and set lists ready for you upon arrival.
Also, if you’re new in town and would like to check it out, this would be the perfect night – no experience necessary! If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kyle Schneider at 224-7566. We look forward to seeing all of you again, and to yet another wonderful season!
Peace,
Kyle Schneider, Director
Sue McClure, Accompanist
Ina Klasner, Asst. Accompanist
Happy Birthday Janessa!
Posted on: September 1, 2010 | Kathiannmom | 1 Comment | Print Article | Rate Post:
(3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)Happy Birthday Janessa! Miss you, Love, Mom
Now Enrolling for the Seward Co-op Toddler Playgroup
Posted on: September 1, 2010 | kirkandjenn | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)We are currently enrolling children for the Fall 2010 semester of the Seward Co-op Toddler Playgroup, held at the Resurrection Lutheran Church. This is a parent-led program open to children from ages 18 months to 3 years. It runs from August 31 – December 17, 2010. There is still time to enroll! You can choose to participate one day a week (or more), and the sessions run from 9am – 11:30am. Enrollment is necessary for participation.
The SCTP is an excellent and gentle introduction to the concepts of group play, following directions, and spending a little time away from the comforts of their primary caregivers. Each day’s group is comprised of 6 toddlers and 2 parents who lead activities and provide healthy snacks. The other parents are welcome to drop off their toddlers. All of the parents involved take turns being the leaders and dropping off, so it truly is a co-operative group.
Currently, we have openings for Monday and Friday and some substitute spots for all days of the week for those who want to participate, but can’t commit to a whole semester.
If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact Jennifer DesErmia at kandjdes@yahoo.com.
Seward Art Councils 2nd Annual Memebership Drive
Posted on: September 1, 2010 | Linnea Hollingsworth | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
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2nd Annual
Membership Event
September 11, 2010
6PM at Resurrection Roadhouse
$25 gets you SAC membership, hearty appetizers, and a SAC mug.
Don’t miss the live entertainment and the silent auction featuring artwork from local artisans.
City Calendar
Posted on: September 1, 2010 | admin | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
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SEWARD CITY COUNCIL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
September 13, 2010
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Seward City Council will conduct a public hearing on the following items of business at its regular meeting of September 13, 2010.
Resolution 2010-078, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Amendment To The Lease Agreement 75-055 With The United States Of America For Lot 2, Block 6, Marina Subdivision, Seward Small Boat Harbor, For The Purpose Of Extending The Term Of The Lease To September 30, 2011
Essential terms and conditions of leases and all other pertinent copies of public hearing documents are available for review at the city clerk office.
The public hearing will commence at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as business permits, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 410 Adams Street, Seward. All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting and participate in the discussion; or, written comments may be sent to the City of Seward, c/o City Clerk, P.O. Box 167, Seward, AK 99664, or e-mailed to clerk@cityofseward.net.
SEWARD PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Thank you!!!
Posted on: August 31, 2010 | Allana | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(No Ratings Yet)Wow! Words cannot describe our gratitude to everyone for their support in the Worst Kitchen Contest. We are so proud to call Seward home!!
If you have not voted, but would still like to, voting goes through MIDNIGHT ON TUESDAY! The link is: http://www.alaskabuild.com/wkc/entries.amp?this_id=122. It takes less than 30 seconds, there is no spam or mailing list involved (all good, solid, local Alaskan sponsors), and as of Saturday, we were just 1.1% behind the lead entry:)
It’s been such a close race, we have no doubt that every last vote counts! The winner will be announced on September 18th, and we will be sure to post the results…
Again, we cannot possibly thank everyone enough for the overwhelming support. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Small Schools Hang on
Posted on: August 31, 2010 | musiclover | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
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Jeff Clay reads aloud to Moose Pass kids
By Heidi Zemach
Moose Pass School teacher Jeffrey Clay sits cross-legged and relaxed in his unlit classroom Monday afternoon, reading aloud from the C. S. Lewis classic The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The students in grades K-6, self-dubbed the “Rock Stars,” the “Bobble Heads,” and the “Olympians,” sit quietly listening and pencil-drawing at three octagonal tables.
These 16 students arrived back to school last Tuesday where they joined a single class, where last year there had earlier been two, and a new teacher replacing the two that had taught at the school before. Former Moose Pass K-3 teacher Lisa Morris is now teaching second grade at Seward Elementary School, replacing Patty Hamry, who is teaching in Anchorage. Douglas O’Brien, who taught 4-8th grade at Moose Pass for the past two years, was transferred to Homer. The school also is in the process of hiring a special-ed aid. Their current substitute aid is Kayce James.
The student population feels a little younger this year, as no middle-school students are attending the school. The two students who would have moved up to the seventh grade are joining the others and taking the school bus to Seward Middle School. About five additional Moose-Pass youngsters are car-pooling with parents in order to attend Seward Elementary School this year.
The school district had earlier projected that only about 10 students would register at Moose Pass this year, and had reduced the school to one teacher because of the dwindling enrollment, but actually 16 showed up –one more than attended last year, said Jim Dawson, the principal/administrator who rotates between Moose Pass, Cooper Landing, and Hope School, and the district central office in Soldotna. (The district had employed two teachers for Moose Pass the summer of 2008, believing that there would be 20 students, but fewer than the 18 required for two teachers actually enrolled.)
Dawson made a strong effort during last year and the summer to convince parents in Hope, Moose Pass and Cooper Landing to support their local schools in order to keep them going as a vital, central part of their community. His efforts may have succeeded, as all three schools are still up and running today, and have thus far made their 10-student enrollment limit.
At the end of the year, Cooper Landing School finished with only eight students, bringing about the fear that the school might be closed, as a limit of 10 is required by the state for schools to remain open. But thanks to a reorganization that allows high school students to attend, the Cooper Landing School now has 10 students enrolled in a single classroom—nine elementary students, and a 10th grader. In prior years, all Cooper Landing high school students had to go to Skyview High School in Soldotna—about an hours drive, Dawson said. The high-school student is taking distance learning classes. Last year the school was K-8th, but this year, unfortunately, no 7th or 8th graders are enrolled. Thomas Gassard is in his fifth year teaching at the school.
“We’re just excited about the new school year,” said Barbara Atkinson, the secretary, says when she went to school, Cooper Landing had 50 students and four teachers. But now, with the help of Dawson, students from all three schools enjoy getting together to participate in activities like soccer, field trips, and science projects, and they all know one another, Atkinson said.
Meanwhile, 13 students registered at Hope School in the first through 12th grades. It’s a drop of five students over last year. Two graduated, and the rest transferred elsewhere. The students are taught by teacher Patti Truesdell, who begins her third year with the school, and has the help of aid, Shannan Roy. While Roy spends time looking after the younger students, Roy teaches the high school group Language Arts and History. They take electives such as Art, Music, and P.E. with the younger children, and the rest of their classes are distance learning, online courses.
“It’s a huge team effort with small schools as you can imagine,” Dawson said. But he believes it worthwhile. Not only do students from small schools often perform at a higher level, but they get to learn at their own ability, receive more individualized attention, and get exposure to things that students at bigger schools don’t have. Last year Hope and Cooper Landing students got ski or snowboarding lessons at Alyeska Resort twice a week, for example. And, with the help of community members, the students do things like woodworking, pottery and swimming. These small schools also are comparatively well equipped with the latest technologies such as Smart Boards, Smart Tables and laptops. Through a technology grant Dawson wrote, Hope School is about to unpack two new Smart Boards, a color printer and a batch of digital cameras for the students’ use.
(Front rows: Daniel Correa, Allana Petty, Ryker Bradford, Evelyn Buttrey, Natasha Letter, Cody Bryden, Clarence Sherril, Hana Cooney. Back Row: Laurel Correa, Blaze Havnen, Katelyn Correa, Jessi Hood, Damnyan Letter, Jacob Hall, Mr. Clay)
After 20 minutes of quiet listening, Clay takes everyone out to the Moose Pass school field for P.E. He makes the oldest ones run two laps around the field, and the younger ones run one lap—although he lets them run two if they really want. After stretching together for a while, they then play “Octopus, Octopus,” a game of catch, until it’s time to head back to class to collect their individual homework assignments for the day.
Clay, who has taught multi-grade classes for the past decade, seems happy with his new job teaching the kids in his own neighborhood. Clay has been living in Moose Pass for a few years, but had been teaching part-time at Whittier School for the past eight years. He’s grateful not to have to commute the 90-minute Seward Highway journey, and through the tunnel any longer. Prior to that he taught at a Yukon River Village school.
It’s always a challenge to rotate three groups of children through their studies in a single classroom, Clay says. But in multi-grade classes, students learn to work independently or in small groups while their teacher works with one group at a time, he said. Clay is encouraging the older children at Moose Pass to help the younger students, which they may not be used to doing. He encourages parents to volunteer.
“I just think he’s doing a great job,” Dawson said about Clays’ first week. “He’s lived in the community a number of years, and I think he’s an excellent addition.”
Cyrus and Allana’s mother Mary Petty waits outside the school for her children to be released. Under an agreement with the district, Cyrus returned to school a little late while the district located an aid for him, but he is now settling in, Petty said. But Allanna, wearing a pink and red dress with little hearts on it, is thrilled to be in first grade after spending the past month and a half bugging her mother about when she could go back.
“They enjoy it here, and the small class makes a big difference,” Petty said.
Community Calendar Photos Needed!
Posted on: August 31, 2010 | SewardSchoolsMusic | 3 Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(No Ratings Yet)COMMUNITY PHOTO REQUEST!
Share some of your fabulous photos from Seward! The Seward Music Association and students of Seward High School are compiling photos for the 2011 Community Calendar.
The 2011 Seward Community Calendar will soon be coming to town. A fund-raising effort for the Seward Music Association in partnership with the Seward Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA), the community calendar promotes community spirit and is used to sponsor music scholarships and activities for local youth. Submissions of community-oriented photographs are requested to illustrate each month of the 2011 calendar, highlighting local events, activities, etc.
Some possible Monthly themes, in addition to music and arts in Seward, are:
• January—New Year Celebrations / Polar Bear Jumpoff
• February—winter sports
• March—local history
• April—harbor opening / fishing
• May—community service / school graduation
• June—summer activities / cemetery walk / boats
• July—July 4th celebrations
• August—salmon derby
• September—art and music festival
• October—harvest / hunting
• November—schools / education
• December—holidays
Photos may be in either electronic or print format, of suitable quality and resolution, must not have copyright restrictions, and will not be returned. Photographers will be acknowledged in the calendar but will not be reimbursed. Solicitations for calendar listings and advertising will begin in September.
Photographs may be submitted to: sewardmusicians@gmail.com or Seward Music Association, PO Box 1438, Seward, AK 99664. To be considered, photos must be received by 20 September 2010.
Questions? Contact Fritz at sewardmusicians@gmail.com or 224-4664.
Tickets still available for cruise this Saturday – don’t miss out!
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | JMC | 1 Comment | Print Article | Rate Post:
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)Start your Labor Day weekend with a Dinner Cruise to Fox Island!
Support Volunteer Firefighters
$50 donation for Cruise & Dinner
- Kenai Fjords Sightseeing Cruise to Fox Island
- Prime Rib & Salmon Dinner on Fox Island
- No Host Bar – Alaskan Beer & Wine
- Outcry & Silent Auctions* *Credit cards accepted
Bring your piggy bank – all proceeds go directly to firefighter education
Saturday, September 4, 2010
- Check in at Kenai Fjords Tours office at 5:00 pm
- Pick up “will-call” tickets at this time
- Departs 5:30 pm – Returns 9:30 pm
Purchase tickets (cash or check) at these Seward locations:
- Ranting Raven 228 Fourth Avenue
- Cover To Cover Books 215 Fourth Avenue
- Breeze Inn 303 N. Harbor Drive
- Seward Fire Department* 316 Fourth Avenue*
Call (907) 224-3445 for more information or to purchase “will-call” tickets in advance*
*Credit cards accepted
All proceeds benefit the Phoenix Chapter of the Alaska State Firefighters Association
~ a non-profit organization ~
Cruise Generously donated by
.
Tags: Alaska > Announcement > auction > Beer > celebration > charity > City of Seward > Education > entertainment > environment > Event > fire department > Firefighters > Food > fun > Fundraiser > local > music > News > non-profit > Recreation > Seward
Rotten To The Core
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | musiclover | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
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This picturesque 45-year old wooden storage shed on Sixth Avenue is doomed. In the near future it will be torn down, and replaced by another structure, according to W.C. Casey, the city public works director. A recent engineers report commissioned by the city manager concluded that it was in poor condition and should be demolished. It was built the year after the ’06 earthquake, and has been used by the Seward Public Works Department to store the city’s two large sand trucks, tires, and other miscellaneous items that needed to be kept dry. In addition to the gaping hole, the sill plates at the bottom of its walls have rotted out. Snow and wind load construction standards have changed in the past 45 years, and the shed was no longer up to code. Another covered area will be needed to store the sand trucks as when the sanders are left out in the open, and rained or snowed on, the sand freezes in the back of them and turns to ice, Casey said. Meanwhile, the city is considering various options to replace the storage shed with structures including a pole barn, Conex structure, or tent. Whatever they decide, Casey hopes it will be a structure that can be moved if, or when the city shop is moved to another location, and idea which has been under discussion for about 25 years. Last summer the city built a new sand-storage building across from the storage shed. That building has stood empty, but will soon be filled with sand for the winter, Casey said.
Rotten To The Core
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | musiclover | Comments Off | Print Article | Rate Post:
(No Ratings Yet)Seward Chamber of Commerce Thanks for 2010 Events
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | sewardchamber | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)As Programs Coordinator for the Seward Chamber of Commerce, I would like to extend a special thank you not only to our dedicated volunteers and the committees that work year round on the events, but also to the citizens and businesses of Seward. Thank you for your continued support – you make my job both possible and fun!
The Military Appreciation Picnic, the Halibut Tournament, the Mount Marathon Race®, and the Silver Salmon Derby® are great successes due to the support of our generous sponsors and the community. We are very grateful and look forward to working with you in 2011 and on into the future!
Cindy Clock
Public Relations/Programs Coordinator
Seward Chamber of Commerce
Kenai Fjords National Park July 2010 Weather Summary
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | Kristy Sholly | 2 Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(No Ratings Yet)Seward Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Appreciation event for 2010
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | sewardchamber | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)We invite those who have worked on or sponsored a Chamber event to join us for our annual Appreciation Gathering.
Enjoy camaraderie, share your favorite stories about the events, and help us recognize our Volunteer of Year.
Kenai Fjords Tours Resurrection Bay Cruise
to Fox Island for a delicious
Prime Rib & Salmon Buffet Dinner!
Date: Sunday September 5th, 2010
Time: Check in 4:30 PM at KFT Desk
Cruise Departs 5 PM, arrive back in Seward about 8 PM.
Please RSVP to The Chamber no later than Friday, Sept 3rd.
907-224-8051 / events@seward.net
Note: Due to the nature of this event, you MUST RSVP by Friday Sept 3rd to be able to board the cruise.
SEWARD SENIOR CENTER HAPPENINGS
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | Dana Paperman | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(No Ratings Yet)336 Third Ave 224-5604 Open Monday-Friday 9:00-4:00. Closed weekends.
LUNCH MENU (11:30-1:00pm) week of August 30th: (Mon)SOUP, SANDWICH & SALAD; (Tues.)PIZZA; (Wed)MEAT LOAF (Thurs)ORIENTAL CHICKEN; (Fri)TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE.
FITNESS: Monday & Wednesday, Qigong 9:30-10:30am, Core Balance 10:30-11:30am; Tuesday & Thursday, Walking for Wellness, 9:30-10:30am; Beginner’s Stretch ‘n Strengthen, 10:30-11:30am; Wednesday, Line Dancing, 10:30-11:30am; Friday, Core Balance 10:30-11:30am.
TUESDAY: Quilting, 1pm.
WEDNESDAY: Alaska Hearing Aid Institute, 9am-4pm; Senior veterans eat free beginning today, 11:30-1pm, Mon-Fri.
THURSDAY: Pinochle, 1pm.
FRIDAY: Red Hats Lunch, 11:30-1pm.
Wii FALL bowling league now forming. $15 reserves your place on a team. First games begin on Tues., Sept. 7th.
SURF CAMP 101 begins Tues., Sept. 7th, 10:30am. $25 registers you for this monthly, 4-week course for seniors to learn computer basics.
If you would like more information or are interested in volunteering, donating, or to receive our newsletter call the Center at 224-5604. An online version of the newsletter is available.
I Am Your Child Parenting Series
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | bswanson603 | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(No Ratings Yet)SeaView Community Services Infant Learning Program will be presenting the I Am Your Child series for soon to be parents and parents with children age 0-3.
DVD’s, workbooks, activities and discussions will cover topics including:
Nutrition during pregnancy, bonding and attachment, communication, self-awareness, discipline, sleep/bedtime, establishing a routine, childproofing, car seat safety, setting effective limits, literacy, quality child care, and many more!
Cost: $10.00 single or couple (assistance available if needed)
Location: SeaView Plaza 302 Railway Avenue
Schedule: Thursday nights September 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, October 14th, and 21st @ 5:30-7:00 pm
(There will be no class Thursday October 7th)
Child care and light snacks will be provided.
If you would like to sign up for the parenting series, contact the Infant Learning Program at 224-5257 by September 7th, 2010 or email for more information at prevention@seaviewseward.org
Foxy Lad
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | musiclover | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5) 
This young man summoned the spirit of his favorite critter, the fox, as he fished for Silvers at a local snag hole Saturday. Love the tail guy!
Founders Day at Seward Museum
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | musiclover | No Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Seward Museum hosted another Founders’ Day event Saturday. Seward Historical Association members and visitors chatted, and snacked. Sue McClure played old favorites on the organ. The mens’ restroom was decorated by old magazine covers and this delightful Mountain Goat mount, found at the dump and donated by Carol Griswold.
Smoother Sailing
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | musiclover | 2 Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
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Bruno Road uplift
Residents of the Questa Woods Subdivision have a smoother ride these days. A major portion of Bruno Road was recently paved there, so they no longer have to dodge potholes and eat the dust of the cars in front.
Former Seward Family update in Worst Kitchen Contest
Posted on: August 30, 2010 | Uncle Andy | 2 Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
(No Ratings Yet)What can I tell you that you haven’t heard? You need to vote so the Drossos Family (Allana DeRuwe, Phil and baby Scout) moves from 3rd place to 1st place by the end of the day Tuesday, August 31st. Their kitchen needs this makeover. PLEASE, nudge the person next to you and have them vote too. Go to http://www.alaskabuild.com/wkc/ and vote for #17. Thank you to everyone for your support and vote.
Aunt Peggy
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