Monday, July 2nd
12 Noon Vendors begin setting up on Adams Street
Tuesday, July 3rd
All Day Food & Crafts booths open on Adams Street
5 - 7 PM Pasta Feed sponsored by Seward Nordic Ski Club/School ski team at Seward Elementary on Sea Lion Drive.
5 – 8 PM Bib pick-up at Seward High School
7:00 PM Auction for Men’s and Women’s Race / Drawing for Junior Race at Seward High School
7:00 PM Aerial Angels / Washington Street & 4th Avenue
7:45 PM Mt. Marathon Race® Safety Meeting at Seward High School
Midnight Spectacular Fireworks by Griz on the Waterfront
Wednesday, July 4th
12:01 AM Spectacular Fireworks by Griz on the Waterfront
All Day Mt. Marathon Race® Headquarters at the Legends Building / 5th & Washington
All Day Food & Crafts booths open on Adams Street
9:00 AM Pie Sale at the Methodist Church – goes until last crumb sold
9:15 AM Opening Ceremony with Mayor Shafer
9:25 AM “Star Spangled Banner” by Paul Hettwer
9:30 AM Junior Mt. Marathon Race® - downtown
10:00 AM 2 on 2 Basketball sign up until noon at the Youth Center
10:00 AM Resurrection Bay Lions Club Booth – snow cones & popcorn at Fire Hall
10:00 AM Quilts & More Silent Auction at the Methodist Church until 3 PM
10:30 AM Coloring Contest on Washington Street
11:00 AM Catholic Church BBQ Chicken at Sacred Heart Catholic Church / 5th & Jefferson
11:15 AM Women’s Mt. Marathon Race® - downtown
11:20 AM Tai Kwon Do USA Martial Arts demonstration at First National Bank / 4th & Adams
11:30 AM Mini Mt. Marathon Race® for 2-6 yr olds at 4th & Adams
11:45 AM Patriotic Speech by the Wimer Brothers at Grand Stand
NOON Nail Driving Contest at the Fire Hall North Lot
12:30 PM Hula Hoop Contest on Washington Street
1:00 PM Egg & Spoon Race on Washington Street
1:30 PM 2 on 2 Basketball at the Youth Center
1:30 PM Parade – “80th Birthday of Alaska Flag”
2:15 PM Tai Kwon Do USA Martial Arts demonstration at First National Bank / 4th & Adams
2:15 PM Water Balloon Toss on Washington Street
3:00 PM Men’s Mt. Marathon Race® - downtown
3:15 PM Pie Eating Contest on Washington Street
6:00 PM Mt. Marathon Race® Awards Ceremony at AVTEC gymnasium
NEWS FROM THE ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER AND THE ALASKA ZOO
Chloe the Harbor Seal Now a Mom; Caregivers Monitor First Marine Mammal Birth at the Alaska SeaLife Center
Twelve-year-old Chloe, a harbor seal from the Alaska Zoo that is currently housed at the Alaska SeaLife Center, gave birth on Saturday June 23, 2007 at 5:18 a.m. Chloe’s pup weighed in at 30.4 pounds and measured 28.5 inches in length. Both mom and pup are doing well.
The pup’s arrival represents a milestone at the SeaLife Center. It is the first birth of a marine mammal at the Seward-based marine research, rehabilitation, conservation and public education facility. The center has celebrated the hatching of birds, fish and invertebrates, but never the birth of a marine mammal.
The pup’s mom, Chloe, a rehabilitated seal from Egegik, is a Pacific harbor seal Phoca vitulina richarii. The father, Snapper is an Atlantic harbor seal, a subspecies, Phoca vitulina vitulina.
According to Alaska SeaLife Center Mammalogist, Elizabeth Moundalexis, the mom and pup are forming familial bonds. There has been a lot of nuzzling and nose to nose touching, says Moundalexis.
The baby seal made a first swim at 6:48 a.m. on June 23. The young harbor seal and mother are currently under 24 hour watch via remote video monitoring.
The baby will be visible to the public at Alaska SeaLife Center.
According to Christy Phillips, mammalogist at the Alaska SeaLife Center, the labor proceeded well. We all spent a lot of time waiting. Everybody has been waiting and excited, but it went really quickly, says Phillips who landed the 4 a.m. shift and observed the birth.
Chloe was brought to the Alaska SeaLife Center to provide a home while her space at the Alaska Zoo is rebuilt - but also in part to provide companionship and potentially to produce offspring. Chloe conceived sometime last summer. Anne Hoover-Miller, harbor seal program manager, notes that seals exhibit a delayed implantation. Seal birth times differ between locations and current theory is that this difference is keyed on either photo period (amount of daylight) or genetics or a combination of the two factors. Once implantation occurs, seal gestation times are not all that different from humans, adds Hoover-Miller.
The Alaska Zoo looks forward to Chloe and her pup’s home coming, says Pat Lampi, director of the Alaska Zoo. The new habitat, which is still under construction, will provide a greatly improved exhibit for her and a better viewing experience for the public, he adds.
Monday, June 25, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
The following resolution requiring a public hearing was approved:
Resolution 2007-060, Authorizing The City Manager To Proceed With The Acquisition Of Land (Griswold property), Comprising Approximately 9.11 (+/-) Acres Of The Southwest Corner Of The Unsubdivided Remainder Of U.S.S. 1864, As Reflected In The U.S.S. 1864 KPB Replat, Plat No. 2004-03, Inclusive Of Right-Of-Ways Of Approximately 1.11 (+/-) Acres Extending South From The Intersection Of Oak Street And Hemlock Street And Such Additional Right-Of-Ways To Provide Connecting Access To The 8 Acre Portion Of The Property, And Appropriating Funds For The Future Long Term Care Site For A Purchase Price Of $830,000.00.
Read More>
A work session to discuss access issues associated with the Long Term Care Facility is tentatively set for Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the Upstairs Conference Room at city hall. The Borough school district has agreed to attend that evening. As always, you’re all invited!!
Pet of the Week: 12 week old puppies- a real Heinz-57 breed. Labrador, heeler, husky, rottweiler. Very cute and already learning to sit!
Wish List: We have a bunch of great cats who need great loving homes- lots of makes and models. Come to the shelter to meet your new best friend.
Jennifer Carrick
Seward Animal Care and Control
POB 2934
Seward, AK 99664
907-224-7495
June 26, 2007
Small campfires will be allowed in designated camping areas with fire rings.
This includes the coastal campgrounds and
Forest Acres camp grounds areas –
Burn permits for open burning will not be issued.
Open burning will not be allowed until further notice.
This burn ban is due to dry conditions and the uncontrolled forest fires
still burning in surrounding areas.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
David Squires
Fire Chief
City of Seward
Seward, Alaska, June 26, 2007—Onlookers this weekend were treated to quite a sight when David Hicks’ 251.2-pound halibut hit the deck. Wrestling the fish aboard was no easy feat – but puts David into good position as we enter the last week of the tournament. Updated results are available on www.seward.com.
Top Weight Leaders
as of June 25, 2007
Weight Caught By From On Aboard the With
251.2 David Hicks Anchorage, AK June 24 Sea Venture Seward Adventure Charters
185.2 Richard Witt Moseley, VA June 21 5 Hole Silverado Charters
184.4 Ryan Leaders Wasilla, AK June 15 Pursuit Profish-n-Sea Charters
The tournament runs through Saturday, June 30th – with David’s fish currently the one to beat. Daily tickets are $10 each, with participating anglers competing for cash prizes. Prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the tournament for heaviest fish caught and the second and third place fish.
For more information or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact the Seward Chamber of Commerce at 907-224-8051; PO Box 749, Seward, Alaska, 99664; www.seward.com
When Millie Sorenson came to Seward, Alaska she was a young mother overwhelmed by the beauty of the Great Land. An avid photographer, she took hundreds of photographs of the local landscapes, cityscapes, building projects, and people.
On the backs of her photographs Millie wrote the tale of a new state being born, of lives lost and celebrated, of children who are now grown and walking amongst us.
Millie’s first album has been scanned, and the contents and comments are now available online. To view them, see http://www.dorenelorenz.blogspot.com. Search keywords: “Millie Sorenson” to see a complete listing. New photographs will be added continually. Please comment on the photo if you know the name of an unknown subject, or the story behind the event she covered.
Who’s waging peace for our children? For our children’s children?
Every day the names of violence are screamed at our children …..Virginia Tech, shootings on the Anchorage Park Strip, Iraq, domestic violence, Afghanistan, child abuse, gang warfare, bullying, Columbine, Desert Storm, and on and on and on.
But, who’s waging peace for our children?
Who’s teaching our little children, who are daily assaulted by tv violence, the simple steps to peacefully resolve their conflicts on the school grounds?
Where are the closed doors behind which sit our brightest sons and daughters as they scrutinize the alternatives to our next invasion on the turf where foreign parents and children also want a life free of death and destruction?
Who’s offering solutions, resolutions, peace for our children?
Ghandi is gone. It’s up to us. Join us and over 60 of our representatives in Congress who are advocating the creation of a Federal Department of Peace. The Department which would be an umbrella for our now scattered efforts to resolve conflict at home and abroad. The Dept. which would create an academy to train our finest young minds to resolve conflicts of all kinds; to be consultants to our Dept. of War, to our leaders in government, to schools, to those seeking answers to our wars at home on our city streets. The Dept. which if funded with only 1% of our military budget (41% of US taxes were spent on war) could wage peace for our children; for our children’s children.
Join us: www.peacealliance.com
Sheila Morrow, member
907-224-3867
Lori Draper
Alaska State Coordinator
Campaign to Establish a US Dept. of Peace
www.thepeacealliance.org
907-224-5495
907-362-1208 cell
A little bit of rain did not deter people from having a great time at this years Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival. There were booths with local crafts, a fantastic BBQ and lots of good beer at this years festival. Thank you to all of the organizers and volunteers for pulling off another great event.
The Whipsaws Played a great set that got the crowd moving.
June 24-30 is the very first National Pollinator Week. The goal is to raise public awareness about the importance of pollinators to agriculture, ecosystems, gardens and parks.
The US postal Service is releasing a set of 4 stamps that beautifully illustrate the relationships between pollinators & plants. This nationwide project is sponsored by the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, US Forest Service, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Gardening Association, United States Botanic Garden, USDA CSREES, US Department of the Interior, PCA, NRCS, Wildlife Habitat Council, and the US Postal Service.
The Alaska Dandelion Festival has been a local participant. Free Pollinator Garden Wheels will be available at the J-Dock Sportfishing Charter office, next to Raini Days Café in the boat harbor. They are a fun & instructional tool for kids and adults. There are a few Pollinator Posters available for $3 each, while supply lasts.
Let us know how you help protect our pollinators or what you are doing to promote pollinator habitat. Pictures & stories will be forwarded to the Co evolution Institute in partnership with the National Academies, Advisors to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Contact Marie Wagner 224-6471
Effective today 6/21 campfires are only allowed in coastal camping areas that have designed fire pits ( rings).
No recreational fires will be allowed in any other camp sites.
There will be no open burn permits will be issued within the City limits until further notice.
We will advise you if there are changes.
Thanks
David Squires
Fire Chief
Some important dates for the Teams:
- July 24th at 2:00 we are meeting at 1st National Bank for a time trial to give the participants an idea of the time to shoot for :-)
- July 1st meeting at the base of Mr. Marathon/picnic tables at 2:00 for a short hike up part of the mountain followed by a pizza party. At this time we will be handing out the team shirts. All the children that are on teams are asked to attend.
Those that cannot make the Pizza party I will have team shirts at the high school on July 3rd.
Team sponsors and names:
Bear Creek RV Park
Jack Broughton, Gabe Esposito, Brennan Atherton, Scott Atherton, Aaron Sarka, Jesse Atherton.
Alaskan Northern Outfitters
Nicholas Zweifel, Andrew Buchanan, Jeff Buchanan, Pyper Dixon, Corbin Hohl, Kyle Campbell, Ben Rininger.
Michael Moriarty DDS
Michael Marshall, Brett Chase, Austin Gillespie, Travis Price, Mark Chase, Jacob Marshall, Michael Zweifel.
TelAlaska
Austin Hinton, Dylan Atkinson, Glenn Norcross, Joesph Ryken, Parker Hinton, Montana O’Connell, Sean O’Connell.
Bear Creek Fire Department
Thomas Zweifel, Tommy Reimer, Sam Rininger, Travis Beals, Koal Backlund, Dutch Steward, Zach Hermann.
Providence Seward Medical and Care Center
Allison Ostrander, Cathern Zweifel, Kristina Atherton, Michelle Buchanan, Kelley Sefton, Anna Campbell, Michaela Atherton.
F/V Mary J
Kiana Harding, Hannah Beutler, Jessica Stallings, Erin Moore, Tarrah Beals, Serena Melville, Mikayla Wallace.
Seward Hertz Car Rental/Peninsula Princesses
Iris Dougherty, Mackenzie Barnwell, Madalyn Campbell, Rubye Foldager, Denali Foldager, Allison Barnwell, Kristy D\’Alessandro, and Tara Swanson.
Seward, Alaska, June 21, 2007— The Seward Chamber of Commerce, Conference and Visitors Bureau, is proud to announce that the 9th Army’s Jammin’ Salmon Dixieland Band will be performing in the Seward small boat harbor at noon on June 28, 2007.
The Dixieland ensemble is one of several musical ensembles based at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. Sure to be a crowd-pleaser, the Dixieland ensemble presents a genuine “New Orleans Style” brand of jazz. This lively performing ensemble entertains audiences of all ages. Often heard at fairs, festivals, and schools they perform a wide variety of Dixieland standards from Fats Waller and Jelly Roll Morton to W.C. Handy and Hoagy Carmichael.
The Jammin’ Salmon will be performing in the public “square” in front of the Harbormaster’s office. The concert is open to the public, and free of charge, so plan to spend your lunch hour with the Jammin’ Salmon Dixieland Band.
For more information, contact the Seward Chamber of Commerce at 907-224-8051; PO Box 749, Seward, Alaska, 99664; www.seward.com
Recreation provides opportunities for community involvement,
and shared management and ownership of resources.
Girls Hoops Camp
Seward Parks & Recreation is committed to youth athletics. Our winter basketball program is a rewarding and exciting time… but it’s just not enough hoops! Girls entering grades 5th—9th are invited to our summer camp, specifically designed for this age group’s. We will work on drills, techniques, and provide some coaching, some conditioning. And we will mainly focus on scrimmage, scrimmage, SCRIMMAGE! Scrimmage: because that’s what we believe these young women need. Join the team! We will have fun and play! Shoot, Score, Defense, Pass Dribble! New Date: July 16 – 20th, Mon – Fri 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Call 224-4054 or email sprd@cityofseward.net for more info.
Soccer League
Read More>
Crackerjack Sportfishing of Seward recently provided the necessary expertise for locating and guiding the Alaska SeaLife Center’s success in securing king salmon.
The salmon are now housed in the Alaska SeaLife Center’s new exhibit: Alaska Salmon: The Cycle of Life. Fortunately, the center was able to rely on the knowledge and talents of Capt. Wally Shumway, Capt. Jeff Seward, and their crews who expertly guided the trips and helped the center return with live exhibit fish that will likely be seen by more than 150,000 visitors over the course of this next year.
Monday, June 25, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
1. Call To Order
2. Pledge Of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
-
Citizens’ Comments On Any Subject Except Those Items Scheduled For Public Hearing.
-
Approval Of Agenda And Consent Agenda
6. Special Orders, Presentations And Reports
A. Proclamations and Awards
B. Borough Assembly Report
C. City Manager’s Report
D. Chamber of Commerce Report
E. Seward Planning and Zoning Commission Report
F. Other Reports, Announcements, and Presentations
1. Report on the process for home deaths by Police Chief Tom Clemons.
7. Public Hearings
-
Resolutions Requiring a Public Hearing
Resolution 2007-060, Authorizing The City Manager To Proceed With The Acquisition Of Land (Griswold property), Comprising Approximately 9.11 (+/-) Acres Of The Southwest Corner Of The Unsubdivided Remainder Of U.S.S. 1864, As Reflected In The U.S.S. 1864 KPB Replat, Plat No. 2004-03, Inclusive Of Right-Of-Ways Of Approximately 1.11 (+/-) Acres Extending South From The Intersection Of Oak Street And Hemlock Street And Such Additional Right-Of-Ways To Provide Connecting Access To The 8 Acre Portion Of The Property, And Appropriating Funds For The Future Long Term Care Site For A Purchase Price Of $830,000.00.
Read More>
By: City Manager Phillip Oates
Why is the City of Seward considering a different site for the Long Term Care Facility? A number of factors made it prudent to reconsider the original decision. At the site adjacent to Japp Creek, results of the October 2006 flood generated new requirements that increased the time and costs of building a LTC facility in that location. After the flood, the City was told it needed federal certification of the levee or elevation of the site above the flood plain and add armor rock protection to construct the facility in the Japp Creek area. Levee certification was not feasible. That was because of federal reluctance to certify levees as a result of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans. Elevating the site above the flood plain and armoring required a total redesign of the utility infrastructure for each of the five buildings. That would have significantly increased the time and cost to complete the project.
Other factors also became known at the beginning of the reconsideration of sites: (1) only eight acres were needed for the site because it was learned that the facility did not require collocation with a hospital; (2) the revenue bonds that had been approved were not site specific; and, (3) the purchase agreement with the owner of the original site had expired. As a result of these considerations, and consideration of the flood impact, four sites were identified for comparison. These sites were compared in terms of safety, suitability, time, and cost. The site adjacent to the Middle School was found superior to all other sites in each of these categories. Although the price per acre of the site was higher than the other sites, the cost to complete the project at that site was less expensive. It was easy to conclude that the City was getting the best site for the lowest overall cost.
The northwest corner of 3rd and Jefferson has been a hot topic over the years for the Chamber, our members, and the community at large. Again, we are caught between fiscal realities and historic preservation. Our mission, “to promote and support a diversified economy,” reflects our commitment to Seward’s business community, and as Executive Director, it becomes my job to recommend action to the Chamber Board that supports our mission and the members we serve.
The Chamber is not a non-profit charity. We are a not-for-profit business, and our actions need to be in line with sounds business practices. We have received offers to purchase the railcar and the property. Because we also hold a fairly significant mortgage on our Derby Booth Headquarters, sound financial logic suggests selling one asset to secure another.
We have scheduled two previous meetings this spring to allow voices from the community to propose an alternative option to the Chamber Board. The FINAL meeting for this group will be June 22nd, 5 PM, at the Hotel Seward. Following that meeting, I will be presenting the community proposal to the Board for review.
Volunteers are needed for a massive trash cleanup at Gore Point.
Gulf of Alaska Keeper (GoAK) is funding and organizing the project. GoAK’s goal is the removal of marine debris in Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska shoreline through the coordinated efforts of volunteers and funded activities.
Gore Point is located south of Seward and accumulates huge amounts of trash. (including cool stuff like glass balls!)
For more on Gore Point, read this news story: http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=6449977
Volunteers will be transported to Gore Point via boat. There will be two 10-day trips.
Trip 1: Depart Seward June 29
Return to Seward July 8
Trip 2: Depart Seward July 15
Return to Seward July 24
8 days at will be spent at Gore Point, with a cruise day at each end.
Volunteers need to bring their own food, personal gear, life jacket (PFD), rubber boots, rain gear, good quality hiking boots, sleeping gear, warm layers of fleece clothing, personal forks and spoons, drinking mug, and a good serrated folding knife (for cutting lines), etc. A 5-gallon collapsible container full of water it would also be helpful.
GoAK will provide tents, cots, cook stove, pots and pans, cooking utensils…basic things everybody will use.
Volunteers will spend the day collecting trash and have evenings free for socializing, fishing or exploring.
GoAK requires volunteers to make a $40 non-refundable donation to reserve their spot. The money will be given to the vessel captain who volunteered his services, to help offset fuel cost.
A signed liability waiver is also required.
For more information or to volunteer, please e-mail Chris Pallister: chris@alaska.net
Aquetec Water Taxi Service and Adventure Sixty North Sea Kayaking are teaming up to offer a Summer Solstice, Midnight Sun Overnight on Fox Island.
Take a water taxi ride out to Fox Island Spit on the evening of the 21st. Enjoy a fire cooked meal on the beach and a midnight paddle to watch Seward’s all night sunset to the North. Explore the ghost forest, unique lagoon, and resident bald eagles of Fox Island Spit. Morning will include breakfast and a return to Seward by early afternoon. Water taxi service, food, taxes and state park fees are included. $175 per person. Call Adventure 60 North for more details at 491-0412.
We will also offer it on Friday night and maybe even Saturday night if folks would like that.
Admin Note: We here at the Seward City News try to keep commercial content to the advertising section of the site to maintain a stream of valid news items. We have posted this because it is short notice and, hopefully, suitably interesting. Sincerely, Paul Tougas
The Seward Police Department has a large box of found keys. If you are missing keys, stop by during business hours and take a look.
Questions, comments, tip suggestions;
coptalk@cityofseward.net
It was disappointing to see the lack of enthusiasm for Flag Day from the town they call an “All American City”. Flag Day is both a day to fly the national flag and also to recognize the anniversary of the official adoption of the American Flag by the Continental Congress in 1777.
Periodically, over the years, I have tried to encourage businesses in the harbor to fly their flags on flag day. I mostly get a blank stare or confused mumbling. The summers that I have worked in the harbor, I have requested my employer fly a flag on Flag Day and they are always willing to do so.
As one with entrepreneurial tendencies I wonder about the merchants who sell flags. Some years they have almost no stock. And rarely, if ever, have I seen them fly one. What a great business opportunity it would be to promote the sale of flags and fly them from your own establishment.
Flag Day is past for this year, but it will come again next June 14th. Mark your calendar, buy a flag and fly it proudly. In fact, it isn’t necessary to wait, fly it everyday in support of our nation, our people and our heritage.
Marie Wagner
Friday, June 22, 2007 at Noon
City Council Chambers
SEWARD CITY COUNCIL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
June 25, 2007
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 June 25, 2007.
Resolution 2007-060, Authorizing The City Manager To Proceed With The Acquisition Of Land (Griswold property), Comprising Approximately 9.11 (+/-) Acres Of The Southwest Corner Of The Unsubdivided Remainder Of U.S.S. 1864, As Reflected In The U.S.S. 1864 KPB Replat, Plat No. 2004-03, Inclusive Of Right-Of-Ways Of Approximately 1.11 (+/-) Acres Extending South From The Intersection Of Oak Street And Hemlock Street And Such Additional Right-Of-Ways To Provide Connecting Access To The 8 Acre Portion Of The Property, And Appropriating Funds For The Future Long Term Care Site For A Purchase Price Of $830,000.00.
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 7:30 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.
