This week’s Weird Book is dedicated to all of those that love freedom. If you were just inspired to stand up and say the Pledge of Allegiance by all means do so, but before we start singing America the Beautiful in three-part harmony, I should tell you that we’re talking about a different kind of freedom today.
As some of you may have noticed, our little town has become inundated lately with interesting people from all walks of life. We have quite the global community these days, and I’m thankful for the youthful vigor and enthusiasm brought by so many. But whether they hail from Russia or Roanoke, Virginia, there exists, here amongst us, a group that has taken their love of freedom to a new high. They are breaking barriers, burning socks, and toeing the line to victory one bunion at a time. So say goodbye to freedom fries because there’s a new American hero in town: Freedom Feet.
Now I know this might run contrary to public opinion, but not all who travel naked below the ankles are wild, liberal, tofu-chomping hippies. And even those that are, are still entitled to wave ol’ Betsy with the best of them. I have lived among the midst of these kind people. I have seen more toes than there are stars in the sky. And if I know one thing to be true, it’s that these loyal patriots of podiatry could benefit from a chapter or two from The Family Foot Care Book.
I don’t know about you, but when I think of the word “family”, foot care is never far from my mind. When you have the whole gang gathered around the dinner table each evening, chowing away, fielding questions about the day, the closest parts of your body may be your feet. Doesn’t it make sense then to make sure that you and those you love have happy and healthy ones. No one wants a neglected pair of tired old dogs to ruin a pleasant evening. Not like the Thanksgiving of ’88. Without going into too many details, let’s just say that my cousin Pete still bears the scar of Grandpa’s hangnail. It was a mean one.
So this Fourth of July, why not gather the whole family together for a Freedom Feet parade down Fourth Ave. When I think of all that flag waving with bare ankles, why it’s enough to make old George Washington himself blush three shades of crimson. My goodness what a country! But make sure you stop on by the Library and catch up on a few foot care tips before your big day. We wouldn’t want to scare any little kids now would we?
And so, as you go forth to meet the day, remember that the world is your oyster Freedom Feeters. Let’s show this town that sometimes, these colors do run. Right on down the street, around the block, and straight on to glory! Sing it with me now - God bless the USA.
July 3rd
Evening Food & Crafts booths open on Adams Street
5 – 7 PM U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific “Alaskan Express” performs outside the SeaLife Center
5 - 7 PM Pasta Feed sponsored by Seward Nordic Ski Club/School ski team at Seward High School.
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
7:45 PM Mt. Marathon Race® Safety Meeting at Seward High School
Midnight Spectacular Fireworks by Griz on the Waterfront
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
9:15 AM Opening Ceremony at Grandstand downtown
9:25 AM “Star Spangled Banner” by Paul Hettwer
9:30 AM Junior Mt. Marathon Race® - downtown
11:15 AM Women’s Mt. Marathon Race® - downtown
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
1:30 PM Parade – “Alaska’s Road to Statehood”
2:00 PM U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific “Alaskan Express” performs at the fire hall
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
July 5th
All Day Food & Crafts booths open on Adams Street
July 6th
Morning Food & Crafts booths open on Adams Street
The 1st Annual Carol Eads Memorial Peace Alliance Garden Tour will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2008 from 10:00-4:00. This is an opportunity to see some of the local gardens in our community and remember Carol, friend, neighbor, and avid gardener. Meet at 10:00 at the Wells Fargo Community Garden to check in and pick up a map for the self-guided tour. Tickets for the event are $20.00 and are available at Resurrection Art Coffee House and Wells Fargo Bank. Tickets will also be available at check-in. Funds from the tour will be used to help support the campaign to establish a U. S. Department of Peace. To learn more about the Department of Peace Campaign check out the website at www.thepeacealliance.org.
Seward Senior Center
336 3rd Ave
224-5604
Lunch Everyday At Noon
We have WiFi!
Monday 6/30
10-1 – Foot Care
1-3 – Summer League ~ Oldies, but Goodies ~ Wii Bowling
Tuesday 7/1
10:30-11:30 – Exercise Class
Wednesday 7/2
1-3 – Summer League ~ Soaring Eagles ~ Wii Bowling
Thursday 7/3
10:30-11:30 – Exercise Class
1-3 – Summer League ~ Golden Lions ~ Wii Bowling
Friday 7/4
Closed Today
Happy 4th of July
Question: Our neighbor’s dog continually comes into our yard and relieves itself. We live in the city limits and know there is a leash law. What can we do?
Answer: Try talking to your neighbor first. If that doesn’t work, contact the Animal Control Officer at 224-7495.
There are several city ordinances dealing with dog issues. Go to http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=13526&sid=2 for a complete listing of the city codes.
As for the “Leash Law”, the city code says that dogs must be on a leash in parks and schools. Any other place, the dog must be under the owner’s control. Which means a leash is not required if the owner can control the dog with voice commands.
Questions, comments, tip suggestions;
coptalk@cityofseward.net
The Seward Nordic Ski Club will hold its annual pasta dinner fundraiser on July 3rd from 5 - 7pm at the Seward High School. The menu features penne pasta with meat or veggie sauce, green salad, fresh rolls and cookies from Great Harvest Bread Co., and beverage. $8 for adults, $5 for kids under 12, 3yrs & under free.
Come one, come all — racers and public welcome!
The Seward Community Foundation Steering Committee is excited to announce that, due to incredible community support, we have reached our first goal. We have successfully raised $25,000 by our deadline of June 30, 2008 and have received the $50,000 match from the Rasmuson Foundation and have secured $5,000 for community grants. We are well on our way to achieving our next goal of raising $25,000 by June 30, 2009 and securing another $50,000 match from Rasmuson Foundation. Our next step is establishing a local board. For more information, contact Chellie Skoog at 362-7974 or Margaret Anderson at 224-5571. Donations may be mailed to SCF, PO Box 933, Seward, AK 99664.
From left to right the committee includes Patty Linville, Kirsten Vesel, Carol Simonetti, Alaska Community Foundation President/CEO, Margaret Anderson, Committee Chair, Darcie Larson, Chellie Skoog and Julie Tauriainen. Committee member Keith Campbell was not available for the photo.
The Seward Community Library/Museum is hosting a quilt raffle now through August 20th. The quilt is currently showcased at First National Bank. Be sure to stop by and check it out. This beautiful, handmade treasure measures 68″x87″. Tickets are only $1 and are going fast!
Tickets can be purchased at the following locations:
Seward Community Library, Seward Museum, Teresa Roy at First National Bank, Mary Tougas at Hertz, Karla Oates at Sew’n Bee Cozy, and Vanta Shafer at Cover to Cover Books.
All proceeds directly benefit the Library/Museum Project. Help show your support by buying one today.
Blood Bank of Alaska is pleased to announce our first Seward blood drive in our new LIFEmobile July 2 and 3. The new mobile unit, which will assist in collecting blood donations statewide, is customized with screening rooms, phlebotomy chairs, a cantina area and artwork.
The drive will be held July 2 and 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hotel Edgewater. Alaska’s blood supply is dangerously low with a less than one-day supply available statewide. Although Alaska’s need for blood increases in the summer because of increased activity and travel, blood donation rates take a significant plunge. This situation leaves Alaskans at the mercy of Lower 48 blood banks. Please call (907) 222-5630 to schedule an appointment.
The new coach arrived in Alaska after a 5000 mile journey from Tampa to Tok. It was unveiled at an open-house at the Copper River Health Fair in Glennallen, May 10. It will host drives in Fairbanks, Seward and Wasilla. The new LIFEmobile is a 2007 Blue Bird Bus. It is 40 feet long, has a 6 cylinder Cummins 6.7 engine and a 60 gallon fuel tank.
The new coach has hosted more than 33 blood drives since May 16, allowing Blood Bank of Alaska to collect hundreds of pints of blood. Between now and the end of the year, the new coach will complete more than 130 drives statewide, collecting an estimated 2500 pints of blood. Mat-Su Health Foundation, BP, First National Bank Alaska, Combined Federal Campaign, First American Title, The Rasmusen Foundation, and the Safeway-Carrs Employee Giving Campaign have made contributions to help offset the coach’s purchase price of more than $200,000. (END)
A fund raiser for the family of Donald Smith II is being held on 19 July 2008 at the American Legion, Post #5, located at 5th and Jefferson, Seward, AK. The event starts at 5:00 PM with a $7.00 a plate Spaghetti Dinner followed at 6:00 PM by an auction with a raffle drawing being held at 7:00 PM. The raffle is a “split the pot cash raffle ” with one winning ticket being drawn. The winner and the Smith family will split the total amount. Raffle tickets are $5.00 each and are available at the American Legion, from various individuals in the community or from the individuals listed below. Donation of items for auction are being accepted and would be greatly appreciated. Arrangement for pick up or drop off of donations can be arranged by calling the individuals listed below, additional information can also be obtained by calling these numbers. Please join us in supporting this part of our community family.
Al or Heather Stone 224-6591- Karen Normand 224-6474/cell 362-1638
Dawn Campbell 288-3616/cell 362-1465
Wednesday, July 2, 6:30 pm is the next Old Fashioned Hymn Sing! at Seward Memorial United Methodist Church. This is a non-denominational event and we welcome folks from area churches, summer visitors to Seward, and even those who just enjoy singing out loud, to come and lift your voices in praise, just like a camp meeting from days of old! Invite your friends to come and join in singing the old songs of faith!
Visit the church web site for more information about church programs…
Betsy Smith, a twenty year resident of Seward, passed away June 4, 2008. Betsy had a lung transplant nearly seven years ago and has always told her friends that the years since have been a gift to her, but her friends also consider those years a gift to all of us. Her life will be celebrated on Thursday, June 26, at 4 pm, at Seward Memorial United Methodist Church, 321 Fourth Avenue. Betsy is survived by husband Tom, children Elizabeth, Thomas, Deborah, and Sue, nine grandchildren, and sister Anne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the University of Washington Foundation, Lung Transplant Fund, 1325 4th Ave, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98101.
SEWARD HIGH CLASS OF 1988 REUNION IN SEWARD JULY 4-5
The Seward High Class of 1988 will be celebrating their 20-year reunion in Seward this coming 4th of July weekend, with most of the class expected to attend. The class reunion dinner will take place the evening of the 4th at the Windsong Lodge and is invitation only. On the 5th there will be an informal picnic from 11AM - 3PM at the 1st Lake picnic area, and the alumni welcome all their old schoolmates and teachers from the “Rockin’ 80’s” to join them for some fun and reminiscing.
Can you take two days off work, sit in a seminar, retain days worth of software skills and have time to practice those skills? Skip the mind-numbing seminar and take an online class from the comfort of your home or office.
To participate in an Online Class, all you need is a computer with a reliable internet connection, valid email address and a headset with microphone.* In our weekly two hour LIVE online class, you’ll have time to learn and practice techniques and have questions answered by a Microsoft Certified Master Instructor. You’ll benefit from Microsoft Office Specialist certification—whether you want to take your career further or to improve your company’s bottom line. That’s because this Specialist certification globally recognizes and validates expertise and skills with Microsoft Office programs. Employers around the world know that it’s a smart decision to hire Microsoft Office Specialist certified job candidates. *Microsoft Office Excel or Word 2003 and Textbook will be required for this class
Microsoft Office Specialist Excel 2003:
Sept 8-Dec 1 Mondays 3:30-5:30
Microsoft Office Specialist Word 2003:
Sept 17-Dec 17 Wednesdays 3:30-5:30
For more information
1-800-478-5389
https://avtec.labor.state.ak.us/cehome.htm#MOSC
Hurry, enrollment is limited; registration will close once capacity is reached
Clouds roll in from the Gulf. Dark, turgid sky udders intent on drowning the town beneath. Huddled low beneath a sagging tarp, you watch helplessly as your spirits fall with each passing drop. Small rivers form and flow beneath you, around and through your shelter until all is saturated, cold and clammy. It’s another beautiful day in Seward, and yet, any day that begins with wet underpants gets a frowny face in my book. But no worries. Look yonder! A solution breaks through the clouds faster than a greasy halibut chunk through a wet napkin. Mr. Beard is in the building!
No, he’s not Mr. Clean’s arch nemesis or even a razor salesman, though I believe he did star in a few Herbal Essences commercials back in the 60’s. But no my friends, Mr. Beard, besides having perhaps the coolest name this side of the Chugach, is also an expert in shelters, shacks and my personal favorite, shanties.
With the seasonal housing crunch in play and rent prices rising here in Seward, there has never been a better time to construct your own shifty shack or shingled shed. Single? Married with kids? Seventeen cats? No matter what your living situation, Mr. Beard has an abode for you.
If I might make a recommendation, the Barbara is quite lovely. This ancient Bering Sea coast design emphasizes a spacious, warm, and inviting interior complete with a vintage Streisand-esque motif that is simply to die for. There’s also room for expansion should there be a few more kittens on the way.
For the hermit or floodplain resident, how about the Bog Ken? Perfect for marshy ground, this humble residence has everything a lone wolf could need. The options are as endless as your imagination when you reside an imperial 4 ½ feet above ground. This model also comes with optional “Varmint Guards” that are highly recommended. As they say in the business, “They won’t get you none if you got your gun, but for the times you don’t, there’s Varmint Guards.”
So what do you say? With a book this good, there’s no reason not to move on up to the East side. That’s over near Mt. Alice here in our town I suppose. And hey, don’t forget who introduced you when you get that bigger piece of the pie. Could you ask for rhubarb?
Dive in with Anne Hoover-Miller, the Alaska SeaLife Center’s harbor seal program manager, and learn how these “cool” creatures are responding to changing ice conditions and increasing human presence. Location: Alaska SeaLife Center, Time: 4 P.M. today, June 24, 2008, Cost: absolutely FREE!
This year, Providence Seward Medical and Care Center is delighted to have the Providence Alaska Region Board in Seward for their meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 2008. You are invited to meet with the Board during a community reception of hors d’ oeuvres and beverages. Please come and meet the members of our Providence Board and the staff of Providence Seward Medical and Care Center. Tuesday, June 24, 20085:30 pm – 7 pmResurrection Roadhouse(Exit Glacier Rd.)
Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to say a BIG Thank You to Captain Hill Norvell of the One Day who generously donated two fishing trips for Bigs and Littles. We had a lot of fun looking at sea lions, learning about the boat and of course fishing! Most of our Littles had never been on a boat and aside from a few seasick kids everyone had a great time. Captain Hill and his First Mate John were great with the Littles helping them fish and answering their questions about sealife, fishing and whatever else came up. Thanks again Captain Hill and John!
**For more information about Captain Hill and the One Day please visit www.fishwithhill.com **
*If you are interested in learning more about how to become involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters please contact Beth Klein at (907)263-2029 or by email at beth.klein@bbbs.org
The Seward Ranger District (SRD) of the Chugach National Forest (CNF) has education and interpretation programs. Two visitor services or interpretive rangers work with the Vantastic Program. Services provided through this program include a mobile environmental education interpretation display, event visits, and Saturday evening campfire programs.
Saturday evening campfire programs will take place throughout the summer on Saturdays from 7:30 pm until 8:30 pm alternating between Trail River (TRCG) and Quartz Creek Campgrounds (QCCG). The next campfire program will be June 28th at Trail River Campground about ‘Getting to know Brown and Black’.
Programs started June 14th and will continue through August 9th. Programs after that include: July 5th Little Invertebrate Flyers, July 12th Lichenology, July 19th Outdoor Fun for the Long Haul, July 26th Hooting Silent Flyers, August 2nd Get to know Brown and Black, and August 9th Little Invertebrate Flyers.
Campfire programs are at QCCG on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month and TRCG on the 2nd and 4th. QCCG is off of the Sterling Highway at Milepost 44.9 in Cooper Landing on Quartz Creek Road; meet at the interpretive pavilion. TRCG is off of the Seward Highway at Milepost 24.2 south of Moose Pass; meet at the alternate campground host site on way to day use area.
If one of these programs interests you or you are in the area, please feel free to stop by! We’re here to help provide environmental education and interpretation for all to enjoy their CNF. For more information on these SRD programs please contact Carolyn or Ben at (907) 288-7717 or the CNF SRD Office in Seward at (907) 224-3374.
Are you interested in the new Green House project? If so, come to one of two forums being held and bring your questions!
Suzanne Frazier and Ruta Kadonoff will be in Seward to present and discuss any questions you may have about the new and unique Long Term Care facility being built near the elementary school.
June 26 & 27
6 pm – 8 pm
City Hall Council Chambers
For more information, contact Michelle Wilson at 224-2980
Off Piste Expeditions and Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance present: Kayaking the Inside Passage, A Journey Northward Along the Pacific Coast. Please join us as Mik Jedlicka and Mark Dalpes share stories and images from their amazing adventure!
Place: Ressurrect Art and Coffee House Time: 7pm Date: Saturday, June 28th
I was looking at the city web site this morning and saw a section committed to customer service, how to do business and another section where you can email the city about maintenance and repair. I’m not sure if these were there before somewhere on the website, but they are now prominently displayed on the home page. These are great! Check them out.
http://www.cityofseward.net/
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Coast Guard receives approximately 600-700 hoaxes/suspected hoaxes each year. Several of these calls have come into the Coast Guard in Alaska this week. The Coast Guard along with multiple local agencies responded.
RECENT ACTIVITY IN ALASKA
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For Your Safety-
Make a habit of driving with your headlights on at all times.
This makes YOU more visible to other drivers.
13 AAC 04.010 Requires headlights to be used while traveling on roadways where signs are posted requiring their use, like on the Seward Highway. Violators may receive a $50.00 citation and two demerit points.
Questions, comments, tip suggestions;
coptalk@cityofseward.net
