Representative Paul Seaton will be in Seward tonight at the 49ers Ball at the Alaska Railroad Cruise Ship Terminal.
He can be available to meet with the public.
If you would like to set up a meeting to speak to our Representative prior to this evening’s festivities,
please give Seaton’s office a call at 235-2921.

Balloons are being inflated, tables are being put into place and the bands are warming up in preparation for the New Year’s Eve 49ers’ Ball! It’s something for all of us.A kick-off fund raiser for the Seward Community Library Museum project, it’s going to be a blast! Come to the party and help us raise money for a new home for our Library and Museum.

We were asked why we are calling it the 49ers’ Ball, well, 2008 is the 49^th year of Statehood for our 49^th state, Alaska. These two numbers only come together once and the planning committee thought it would be great to celebrate this at our New Year’s Eve Ball!

Come early and enjoy the music of Steve Lemme, have dinner or snacks, watch a slide show of historic Seward photos. Later the band Chill Factor will be performing, bring your dancing shoes! Beer and wine will be available in the beer garden, the Pit Bar will be running the garden this year. Food booths will be open, sodas and coffee will be sold all night long as well.

Photo portraits by One shot Photography will be ready for you, and the family.

Kids corner will be filled with lots of fun filled crafts as well as a selection of Disney movies.

Ladies pull out the dresses and men whip-out the suit and tie! You can dress up if you’d like too, but it’s not required.

Doors open at 7pm, if you don’t have your tickets yet, we will be selling them at the door. Leave your coats at the coat check, and come on in to the 49ers’ Ball!

See you there!

www.somethingforus.org or email at nye49ersball@yahoo.com

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report

Sunrise 10:02 am, sunset 3:58 pm, length of day 5 hours, 56 minutes; tomorrow will be 1 minute and 40 seconds longer.
Weather: Alpenglow just before dawn on the snowy peaks of the mountains west of Seward foretold a very promising day. Though the unusual presence of the sun didn’t last an hour, it was a great day for birding. Temperatures hovered in the low 20s, and the north wind barreled down the valley at a steady 15 mph with occasional gusts to 30.
Snow and snow showers are in the forecast, so be sure your suet and bird feeders are full for our hungry feathered friends.

The dark sprightly form of an AMERICAN DIPPER bobbed in Spring Creek, at Mile 5 Nash Road, disappearing as quickly from view, reminding me that there is a lot of luck to birding.

Sheltered in the birdmobile (or more accurately, dogmobile), a quick scan of the boat basin at the Seward Marine Industrial Center at Mile 5.3 revealed Read More>

Happy New Year!!

We will be closed Dec 29 - Jan 6 for a scheduled holiday break. Our open hours will resume at 5pm on Mon Jan 7.

Thank you for choosing Seward Community Schools for your recreational and educational needs! We appreciate your continued support of our programs!

Tanya Brewi, Community Schools Coordinator

224-4056

tbrewi@cityofseward.net

Next Regular Seward City Council Meeting is

Monday, January 14, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

APPEAL TO THE COMMUNITY

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Want to be involved with your local government, but not sure how?

Want to make a significant contribution in moving your government forward?

In the upcoming year we will need two dedicated people to fill positions on our Planning & Zoning Commission. We would also like to start a list of people interested in helping with elections. If you wish to apply or just want some questions answered, please call Jean Lewis, City Clerk at 224-4045. I’d love to talk to you.

SEWARD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

NOTICE OF VACANCY Read More>

New Year’s Eve Ball Volunteer Sign Up eSheet:

We are trying to fill two volunteer positions for the Library/Museum New Year’s Eve Ball (see www.somethingforus.org).
Next Monday night, selling raffle tickets to the imbibing public for a good cause.  We’ve broken the two positions up into five one-hour shifts,
so you can simply work for an hour of your time at the ball (you are going, right?) to help out.

Please email me if you can help with our effort.

I’ll be emailing updates throughout the week until we have a full schedule!

Julie

Seward Community Schools thanks the following businesses, organizations and individuals
who contributed to our 3rd Annual Children’s Holiday Story Hour.

Safeway donated the best oranges we have ever eaten, and the children loved them!

We appreciate your continued generosity to Seward Parks & Recreation programs.

To our volunteers, Cindy Capra and Maureen Callahan, the children absolutely loved the holiday stories you both shared.

We would also like to thank Karen Corrigan for her talents at Face Painting that evening.

We appreciate your time you gave for the benefit of the kids.

We also thank Paul Tougas for advertising our event in the Seward City News website.

And finally to the custodial staff at Seward High School, thank you for your help with set-up and clean-up.

Tanya Brewi
Seward Community Schools Coordinator

December 28, 2007

The 108th Audubon Christmas Bird Count, Seward Alaska

Twenty-two citizen scientists ventured out from dawn to dusk on December 22, 2007, by car, boat, foot, and skis, intent on counting and identifying every bird in their route within the 15-mile wide Seward Count Circle. Ten others counted their bird feeder visitors all day.

While this may sound rigorous, sunrise was actually at a leisurely 10:01 am, and sunset at 3:51 pm, for a total of 5 hours and 49 minutes. Temperatures ranged from 26º to a balmy 40º. Nevertheless, the weather proved challenging for viewing and optics with the ominous dark gray skies releasing one snow squall after another, mixed with light rain. Occasionally the gray wall split open to reveal billowing, white cumulous clouds, patches of oddly bright blue sky, and short bursts of sun rays, followed all too soon by yet another snow shower. The winds blew from every direction by the day’s end but without bowling over anyone or their spotting scope. The ever-intrepid boat crew sailed 2-foot seas this year, always at the wrong angle, resulting in tough viewing conditions.

The recent exciting sightings of the female Steller’s Eider, trio of Trumpeter Swans, triad of Northern Shovelers, lone Short-eared Owl, 30+ Snow Buntings, and the two Cedar Waxwings flirted on either side of Count Week and then vanished during Count Week from December 19-25th. Instead, a tiny Bonaparte’s Gull, a surprise Northern Pintail, a mouse-hunting Northern Saw-whet Owl, one American Tree Sparrow, and a non-migratory Savannah Sparrow, never recorded before on a Seward CBC, bumped the total
Count Day species to a respectable 66 species. During Count Week, both a Sharp-shinned Hawk and an immature Northern Goshawk put in cameo appearances.

As usual, 35 Robins and two Varied Thrushes neglected to migrate, and instead feasted on an abundant crop of Mt. Ash berries. But irruptive species, those northerners that periodically invade Seward in great numbers such as Common Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks only sent a few representatives instead of tens of hundreds. Pine Siskins, though not as numerous as in previous years, totaled 282 birds, including one brief touchdown of over 100 birds perching in a clump of alders before they zipped away to parts unknown. Dark-eyed Juncos also had impressive numbers totaling 202 birds plus 6 Oregon Juncos. Gray-crowned Rosy Finches fed at 3 different feeders, totaling 18 birds. Seven Rusty Blackbirds, down from a total of 39 recently seen, also made the count.

The rich marine waters, especially near-shore, provided the most species and numbers. Rafts of Common Mergansers topped the list with 330 individuals, followed closely by 309 Glaucous-winged Gulls, 302 Barrow’s Goldeneyes, and 233 Mew Gulls. 81 beautiful Harlequin Ducks, and 7 Long-tailed Ducks vied for attention. One pale Yellow-billed Loon with its upturned light-colored bill, 16 darker Common Loons, and three Pacific Loons graced our waters. 38 airborne Rock Sandpipers flitted over the boat crew during the high tide, unsure of where their favorite rocks went.

Overall, the number of each species was lower than expected. Feeder watchers in particular, were disappointed to see so few birds for all their efforts. Almost all reported a surge of birds the day AFTER Count Day. Regretfully many feeders, especially in town, hung empty and deserted to the dismay of both birds and birders. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, 3511 birds were counted, more than there are people in Seward.

A big thanks to everyone who donated their time, energy, vehicles, boat, fuel, expertise, bird seed and suet, and enthusiasm to participate in yet another successful Seward CBC bird count!

For more information on this and other Counts, please visit the Audubon Christmas Bird Count site at http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward CBC Compiler

What a great white Christmas it was this year! All of us on the planning committee for the 49ers’ Ball wish you Happy Holidays! We are still working away on the details for our community event. We wanted to let you know about the food and beverage choices at the 49ers’ ball!

Our beer garden will be open all evening with beer and wine choices, the folks from the Pit Bar will be running the garden this year. Word is they are bringing in a special truck that is set up just for draft service, like what they use for out door jazz festivals, etc. All the beer will be climate controlled. A big thank you to Shelly and Frank from the Pit Bar for working with us. A portion of the evening’s sales will go to our community project. Our logo glass will be sold for re-use in the beer garden and outside the beer garden for $5 each.(see the 49ers’ Ball circle logo in blue to the left). Think green and get a glass for your collection to use at the Ball!

If you will be enjoying the beer garden, please make arrangements for getting home. Don’t drink and drive! The hotels are offering shuttles and we will call taxis for anyone, just let any of the volunteers know that you would like a taxi and we will call for you.

Seward Mini Mart is bringing in an espresso machine! That’s right, you will be able to have all the coffee, lattes, Cappuccinos, Mochas you want all evening long! I’ll be there to get my pick-me-ups during the 49ers Ball! Fountain sodas, bottled water, brewed coffee, (he uses Kaladi Bros.)! There will be plenty of non-alcohol choices for our families attending. Thanks to Sean Carrington of the Seward Mini Mart located inside the Holiday Inn Express. Thank you Sean!

Now for some of the food choices. Food booths will be open at 7 pm and will be open until closing (unless they sell out early!)

Cedar will have her Thai dishes at her booth. Have you tried her chicken or vegetarian curries? Wow! They are wonderful! They come with rice. Spring rolls with sauce, can’t be missed. Cedar has been serving up great food at many of our community events and was the first one to get signed up to do the 49ers’ Ball! Thank you Cedar for your support of our project!

The Smoke Shack is preparing a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw! An appetizer plate with brushetta is on the menu also for the evening! Have you eaten their breakfasts?! If you are coming for the holiday, check them out. They smoke their own ham and bacon. Breakfasts should not be missed! Best chicken fried steak and eggs around. These folks know how to service up some great food. Located right on the corner of Port Ave and 4^th Ave inside a rail car. They will be at the 49ers’ Ball, check them out!

The High School travel group with Lori Krier is doing a booth with food choices for the younger crowd. Nachos with cheese, or deluxe with meat and cheese and virgin daiquiri’s.

All of our vendors will be giving a portion of sales to our Seward Community Library Museum project, the reason for our celebration. A new home for our Library and our Museum in one building, something for all of our community!

New Year’s Eve 49ers Ball, at the Alaska Cruise ship terminal at the end of Port Ave. Dec 31st at 7 pm to 1:30 am. Live music all evening. See you there!

www.somethingforus.org or email at nye49ersball@yahoo.com

We would like to thank all of the participating artists who submitted entries to this years’ show.

Student/Youth Artwork

FAVORITE: Alexandra Stewart’s - “Listen”
MOST UNUSUAL: Alexandra Stewart’s - “Listen and Cory Fry’s - Clock.

Adult 2 Dimensional

FAVORITE: Abby Wentworth - Untitled painting
Runners Up: Elaine Bublitz “Final Fling”, Dave Crane “Fireweed”

Adult 3 Dimensional

FAVORITE: Marcie Treadwell “Piney” basket
Runner Up: Tom and Sharon Irvin “Turtles”

Special thanks to Naomi Karlin, Laura Beck, Lynn Hohl, Marci and Dennis Treadwell, and Raylene and Mike O’Connor for all the help.

Jennifer Headtke, Ranting Raven

We would like to take this opportunity to wish the community a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year!!!

–The Seward City Council

Next Regular Seward City Council Meeting

Monday, January 14, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

APPEAL TO THE COMMUNITY

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Want to be involved with your local government, but not sure how?

Want to make a significant contribution in moving your government forward?

In the upcoming year we will need two dedicated people to fill positions on our Planning & Zoning Commission. We would also like to start a list of people interested in helping with elections. If you wish to apply or just want some questions answered, please call Jean Lewis, City Clerk at 224-4045. I’d love to talk to you.

SEWARD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

NOTICE OF VACANCY

The City Council is seeking applications from city residents interested in serving on the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission. There two seats available.

Read More>

The Seward Legislative Information Office has moved to SeaView Plaza, 302 Railway Ave., into the offices where the Phoenix Log used to be. The office hours are 8 AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.

The public is able to access legislative teleconferences, information on legislation, Alaska State statutes, and send public comments to the legislators. Contact the Seward LIO at 224-5066.

We have an email list if you would like to get updates on legislation and teleconferences. Please send an email to: Seward_LIO@legis.state.ak.us.

We would like to thank the Seward Chamber of Commerce for their years of support for the Seward Legislative Information Office! Your contributions to the community are many.

The Seward Community Library Museum steering committee asked Royal Caribbean Cruises for a donation, and what a wonderful cruise they have given for our community project! A 7-day cruise good for two people, in the beautiful Caribbean! Take a look at their site for all the different cruise itineraries they have. www.royalcaribbean.com Its for a 7-Day cruise in the Caribbean , good for two people, one cabin, you work out the dates and the cruise port you would like with them. Air fare not included (save up those AK miles!).

A huge thank you to Royal Caribbean for supporting our community and project of a new Library Museum building!

Well, this is our Grand Prize for the raffle drawing being held during the 49ers’ ball! Tickets are on sale now at the Library, Seward Hertz, Holiday Inn Express, Hotel Seward, One Shot Photography. Only $5 per ticket, do not need to be present to win, 2000 tickets will be sold. Get them while you can, we hope to have some to sell on the floor at the 49ers’ Ball also. Speaking of that, we still need volunteers to sell those tickets during the Ball. Like to visit with people? Give Rosie a call at Hertz 224-4378 and sign up for some fun and help us raise some money for the project! Set up and clean up still need people too!

Second prize is a fishing trip for two, with accommodations, with Saltwater Safari. Locals know Bob Candopoulos and Alisa. First class fishing and the lodge is wonderful! See their site at www.saltwatersafari.com

We are looking for door prizes for drawings after our two big prizes. Anyone out there like to donate? B & B overnites, hand crafts, service certificates? Let us know, we could use some more. nye49ersball@yahoo.com or call Rosie at Hertz 4378. Thanks!

Next posting will be about the food offerings at the 49ers’ Ball! We’ve got some wonderful items available that night!

The Boreal Clef Music School will be performing a Christmas Concert.  It is at the Resurrect Coffee House on the 20th of December (which is a Thursday).  Raylene will open the coffee house at 6:30pm for coffee and refreshments and the music will start at 7.  I hope to see you all there.

Linnea Hollingsworth
Boreal Clef Music School
Vocal Instructor

By Russell Stigall

For Seward City News

KENAI PENINSULA - Warnings are a hoot. Actually they’re one long, steady hoot followed by a man’s voice giving the facts and actions one should follow to avoid danger.

By way of Kenai Peninsula Borough resolution and funding, Chicago-based Federal Signal has installed six new disaster-warning signals within the municipal boundaries of Seward. Homer and Seldovia also received Federal Signal warning systems.

To see the system around town, look for a a stack of plastic doughnuts on a telephone pole. The unique shape allows for an efficient 360-degree sound cone that is audible at least 5 miles away. Some say more.

Signals are located in the areas of Nash Road, William H. Seward high school, Seward’s fire hall, small boat harbor, Seward Marine Industrial Complex and Lowell Point.

They system has a battery backup kept charged by a small wind turbine.

Over the upcoming years, during weekly tests and natural disasters, Sewardites may hear up to seven different warning or test messages. Tsunami, Amber Alert, high winds, volcano, test and others. And a new feature, chimes, like those that precede cruise ship announcement.

Seward Fire Chief David Squires said the sound is reminiscent of the tones in “Close Encounters” used to contact aliens.

In case of a real emergency a long steady 30-second tone will announce each message. This process will repeat three times.

With its wind turbine and battery backup, the system’s internet-based communications is its main weakness.

However, Federal Signal added a NOAA radio receiver antenna. This offers an alternate way to activate the system’s warning signals.

Also, warning signals can be activated by Seward Police Dispatch, city of Seward, the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Homer.

The web-based system has advantages to the 1990’s-era radio-activated warning system it replaced, said Philip Oates, Seward city Manager.

“[The system] allows us to be more selective with out warning for specific regions of the city,” Oates said.

Oates said the system has a few kinks to work out. The seven-message signal from Wednesday, Dec. 12 was a protracted example.

“I think it is a significant advance, but it is new and we are still working to make it effective, Oates said.

The system is designed to do weekly, audible tests. Possibly in a pleasing chime, like those that precede cruise ship announcements.

Federal Signal manufactures and installs a turn-key system. The company employed local contractors to assist with the install.

The system will not be set off for just any temblor or pyroclastic flow, Oates said.

If NOAA or the city get a message that, say, within the next 90 minutes Seward might get a tsunami.

“Then we will act,” the city Manager said. “That’s when we want people to move, to start thinking that something is wrong.”

Yoly’s Bistro will be closing for the winter. Our last day will be December 22nd, 2007.
Our time will be spent making up more delicious recipes for the Spring, organizing and spending time with family. The Ifflander family thanks our customers and staff for our second year!

Happy Holidays to all!!

Mark, Yolanda and Naomi Ifflander

Businesses Beware!

There is a quick change scammer in town. He was already arrested for five separate offenses just last month. Seward must be easy prey because he’s at it again. Be extra vigilant when giving change back to customers.

Questions, comments, tip suggestions;

coptalk@cityofseward.net

12-14-07

Dear Editor,

Once again, a big “Thank You!” to City Express for their generous contribution to the 13th annual Seward PTSA “Art and Music for Kids, Wreaths for You” fund-raiser. Local businesses such as City Express support our schools in so many ways throughout the year. Please consider shopping locally at our many fine businesses throughout the year to show your support for them, including this holiday season.

I especially appreciate the help of Sharyl Seese of Book-keeping Services, Tara Jones of the Alaska Sealife Center, and Deb Faust at Providence-Seward who helped to make my job so much easier. Special thanks to Erin Knotek, who again made possible the inclusion of Moose Pass School.

“Thank you!” to all the loyal past and present supporters who purchased these beautiful wreaths and garlands to make this fund- raiser an annual success!

Sincerely,
Carol Griswold
Seward PTSA Wreath and Garland Fundraiser Chair

The 108th Audubon Christmas Bird Count for Seward will be next Saturday, December 22nd from 9 to 4 pm for Field Observers and Feeder Watchers. Field Observers will meet at 9 am at the Seaview Plaza conference room at Mile 0 on Third Avenue to coordinate and verify routes. Note that Field Observers are required to pay a $5 fee that helps pay for the nationwide tabulation costs and the American Birds CBC results publication. Feeder watchers and field birders under 18 are not required to pay the fee. Count Week, in which only different species are counted, not numbers, is scheduled for December 19-25, weather permitting. Please call 224-5620 for more information if you plan to participate. Happy birding!

December 13, 2007

To the City Council, City Manager Phillip Oates, Assistant City Manager Kirsten Vesel, City Clerk Jean Lewis, and staff,

Due to natural gas shortages, Chugach Electric cut Seward off twice in December, forcing the city to run its diesel generators. I understand that this can happen any time that Chugach runs low, excluding Spring Creek Correctional Facility, the largest electricity user.

Given the likelihood of further shortages, it would be smart for every electric consumer, including the prison, City, schools, businesses, churches, home owners, and renters to take immediate steps to conserve energy and increase efficiencies.

The previous City Council turned down a tremendous opportunity to hire a well-known and respected company, Siemens Building Technologies, to do a full energy audit of city buildings that would result in instant and long-term energy savings.

While the individual home and business owner can do a lot to reduce energy use, it is up to our governments at the local, state, and federal level to lead the way.

I urge the City Council to address this issue at its next meeting to authorize a professional audit of all city buildings and implement the recommendations.

Some recommendations for easy ways to save are included below.

Sincerely,
Carol Griswold

Energy Saving Ideas
There are many simple ways to conserve energy and increase efficiencies to reduce the overall electric load and personal electric and fuel bills.

Read More>

“Seward Winter Monthly Film Fest”

PRESENTS

Eklutna Traverse

AN ALASKAN BACKCOUNTRY SKIING CLASSIC

The Film Fest will be held in the AVTEC Auditorium, Which is located in the Student Service Center 519 4^th Ave.

December 18th.Tuesday Night from7:00pm until around 9:00 pm. 

Local Seward physician Dr. Ray Robison and his skiing companions Dave Bass, Anthony Larson, Sally Balchin make this 38-mile glacier traverse over White Out pass from Eklutna Lake to Girdwood.

Come and enjoy this digital slide presentation

 IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC & FREE

Got questions?   Call Dano at 224-5575

The “Iditarod Days” Planning Team is seeking volunteers to assist with crowd control during the theatrical, ceremonial reenactment of the Goodwin party departing Seward to mark the course which would become the mail trial and which would become the Iditarod (National Historic) Trail.

The event will be held around noonish Sat, Feb 2, 2008 at our Iditarod Park / Founder’s Monument. (The start time will be confirmed and announced closer to the celebration date.)

Many dignitaries and the press are/will be invited. The Planning Team is hoping for around 300 people. We’re looking for volunteers who can direct pedestrian traffic from parking areas to the Iditarod tripod and to keep people separated from the media and the dogs.

Outdoor attire required.

If you can help, please contact Bobbie Jo Skibo,Event Coordinator, USFS, 288-2123 bskibo@fs.fed.us.

Seward City Council Regular Meeting

Action Agenda

Monday, December 10, 2007

The Following Ordinances Requiring A Public Hearing were approved:

Ordinance 2007-010, Revising Seward City Code Section 5.35.045 (Computation – Maximum Tax), Increasing The Sales Tax Cap From $500 To $1,000, Effective April 1, 2008.

The Following Ordinances Requiring A Public Hearing Failed:

Ordinance 2007-011, Revising Seward City Code Section 5.35.040 (Exclusions And Exemptions), Exempting That Portion Of Residential Rents Above $500, From Sales Tax, Effective April 1, 2008.

Ordinance 2007-012, Revising Seward City Code Section 5.45.015(A) (Hotel/Motel Room Tax – Levy Of Tax), Increasing The Hotel/Motel Tax Rate From 4% To 6%, Effective April 1, 2008.

The Following Resolution Was Pulled From The Agenda By Administration:

Resolution 2007-130, Supporting Application For A Community Development Block Grant For The Purpose Of Constructing The Seward Community Playground.

The Following Unfinished Business Item Was Again Postponed Until 1/14/08:

Resolution 2007-124, Amending The Electric Tariff To Establish A New Fee To Equalize Charges To Customers Outside Of The Seward City Limits, With Customers Inside The Seward City Limits, Effective January 1, 2008.

Read More>