It’s finally happened. Gas is now officially too expensive to use.

Fresh produce and grilled sausages every Thursday. We need lots of local support to keep Annette coming from Soldotna. She said she would try to have Romaine lettuce today. Nachos with “the works” available Thursday-Sunday. The summer market is for our community—we need vendors—contact Joanie at 760-815-8498 or thegrazingmoose@gmail.com for information. Interested in selling baked goods at the market? Click on the link to find out the DEC requirements to provide a safe product: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/eh/fss/establishments/home_bakers_guidelines.pdf

The Seward Community Library Museum raffle quilt has moved around the corner to the new book store Cover to Cover. Located at 300 Washington St, Cover to Cover is open 7 days a week 9am to 10pm. Stop in to see the beautiful quilt, browse the books and don’t forget to buy your raffle ticket! Tickets are only one dollar and are going fast.

All proceeds are going to the building project for a new Library and Museum location. Tickets are available at: Seward 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.

Thank you Cover to Cover for displaying our quilt! Drawing will be August 20th, noon, at the Library. We’ve had questions about shipping the quilt if someone from out of town wins it. The answer is Yes! of course we will ship it!

www.somethingforus.org

Los Angeles headliner comedian, Steve Mittleman, who has made appearances on The Tonight Show and David Letterman, will entertain an audience at Seward Playhouse this Thursday night.“I’m excited to have such a big name comic come to Seward,” said Seward Playhouse owner, Jennifer Swander. Seward’s new community playhouse experienced a successful grand opening weekend. On July 4^th evening, Nellie and Eric from the Moose Pass jug band Big Nellie & the Empty Bottle Boys, took the stage for two shows. And a group of music enthusiasts showed their appreciation on the dance floor. After the 7:30 show, local business woman, Cindy Clark, from The Flyin’ Skein, commented, “Seward really needs a place like this.” And the youth of the community would agree, because by 10:30 the volume was turned up, and Palmer heavy metal band The Suicide Nation rocked the house. When asked why she opened the playhouse, Swander, who recently moved to Seward from California, responded, “I wanted to create a place for the community, as well as visitors, to enjoy performing arts.” A goal of the playhouse is to provide a venue for musicians, actors, dancers, comedians, storytellers, poets, and the like, to showcase their talents. “It’s great to be able to book a huge act like Steve Mittleman one night, and then open the stage for local musicians to jam the next night,” she added.

Swander, a high school English teacher, wants to encourage more young people to get involved. The July 5^th jam session gave Seward High School students Dakota Plush, Jacob Stauble and Tyler Haddow an opportunity to jam with veteran musicians like Jerry Washburn and Kurt Sutton. “It was an amazing mentoring opportunity, and that’s the type of thing I like to see. In fact, the students wanted to know when they could do this again. So we have scheduled another open mic/jam session for this Friday night at 8:30.”

In addition to Thursday’s comic show and Friday’s open mic/jam session, Tuesday, July 8^th, New York singer/song-writer Liana Gabel will play folk and jazz music for two shows, 7:30 and 9:00. And just added for 1^st Friday’s Art Walk from 6-8pm, Kurt Sutton and Gene Dunham will entertain with Alaska Roots music.

Seward Playhouse is located at 215 #B Fourth Avenue, downtown Seward. It is a smoke-free environment and does not serve alcohol. The box office and concession stand open 30 minutes before each show. For information about viewing or booking shows, please call (907) 224-ARTS.

Advance tickets for comedian Steve Mittleman can be purchased for $25.50 at Seward Playhouse, Monday-Wednesday, 5:30-9:30pm, and at Artic Glow (across the street), Monday-Thursday, 10am-7pm. Tickets will be $32.50 at the door.

Seward Senior Center

336 3rd Ave

224-5604

 Lunch Everyday At Noon

We have WiFi!

 Monday 7/7

1pm – Bank Run

1-3 – Summer League ~ Oldies, but Goodies ~ Wii Bowling

 Tuesday 7/8

10:30-11:30 – Exercise Class

 Wednesday 7/9

1-3 – Summer League ~ Soaring Eagles ~ Wii Bowling

 Thursday 7/10

10:30-11:30 – Exercise Class

Birthday Lunch & Ice Cream Social ~ Free Lunch for all July Birthdays

1-3 – Summer League ~ Golden Lions ~  Wii Bowling

 Friday 7/11

10:30-11:30 – Core Balance Fitness Class

11:30 ~ Go Fish

 Saturday 7/12

Shopping Trip to Anchorage 7:30am to 6pm

$35

Call 224-5604 by 7/11 to reserve your seat in the van.

Read More>

A busy week at the market…Thursday, July 3rd:  Fresh Produce:  hot house tomatoes and cucumbers, potatoes, onions—all Alaska grown.  Annette will also have fresh baked goods and flower baskets and don’t forget the grilled reindeer, bratwurst, and beef sausages!Come check out Abby Wentworth’s illustrated new book: “A Pea Book”  and Catherine Richardson’s hand crafted wood items.”Real” Nachos Thursday-Sunday and we might even have a few special nacho selections for the 4th—all are vegetarian and we use as much organic ingredients as we can get our hands on.  Mermaid art by local artists in the little house. Friday, July 4th Dyan Ferrin’s artwork and sculpture; Regina McAbee’s Birch bark vessels and jewelry and her wonderful sourdough starter kits; Kathie’s unique gifts; Catherine Richardson’s wood crafts; and Abby’s earth flags, art, and cards.Saturday, July 5th:  Abby and Kathie (see above) and we’re hoping for the Belly Dancing Troupe to drop by to entertain us!Sunday, July 6th:  Nachos, art and gifts in the little house.

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.   

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)

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/

Thank you to Major Marine Tours and Doug Capra for the delightful tour, meal and play (Into Alaska A Woman Came) shared with many Sewardites last Saturday night.  As always the meal served by Major Marine Tours was scrumptious.  But, the added entertainment of Linnea Hollingsworh playing Alaska Nellie in the play “Into Alaska A Woman Came”, was truly an evening to remember.  Being on Resurrection Bay with the splendor of the Chugach Mountains surrounding us added to the moment as the memories and stories of Alaska Nellie were told.  I think your idea Doug is a great one of combining a wonderful dinner cruise with the play of Alaska Nellie.  Giving our guests one more special treat while visiting Seward.  I will be sharing this trip with my guests and encouraging them to partake in the experience.  Make sure you let friends, family & guest know this will be happening on 6/14-21-28, 7/12-19-26 & 8/2-9 (most Saturdays).  If you do not get a chance to enjoy the show on the Major Marine Tour, check out the show at Resurrect Art on 6/13-27, 7/25 & 8/8-15 (most Fridays).  Thank you again for inviting us on your maiden voyage.

The Bear Creek Fire Service Area is pleased to announce the results of it’s evaluation in September of 2007 by the Insurance Service Office (ISO).

 Effective July 1, 2008 the Public Protection Classification shall be improved to a 6 from a 7, this may result in reduced insurance rates for homeowners and businesses within the area.

 ISO is an independent company that serves insurance companies, fire departments and insurance regulators providing information about community fire risks. It provides surveys that are conducted in communities and then assigns them a Public Protection Classification (PPC).

 ISO evaluates communities using a nationally recognized standard of performance developed by the National Fire Protection Association and the American Water Works Association. A communities PPC depends on 1) Fire Alarm and Communications 2) Fire Department operations, personnel level and training, and 3) Water Supply System.

 Results of the evaluation show that Bear Creek earned a rating of 48% of 100 points, up 15 % from the evaluation in 1994 where Bear Creek received a 33 % Score and a rating of 7. The department will submit an improvement plan with hopes of accruing a 5 on the next evaluation. Improvements will include increased staffing levels (we need more volunteers) and training.

 The Volunteers wish to thank the Community, Service Area Board and Kenai Peninsula Borough for their ongoing support of Public Safety improvements within our Service Area.  The department is the only rural department without hydrants in Alaska that has achieved a 6 Public Protection Classification.

We also want to thank all the past and current volunteers for the countless hours they have given to the community and the fire department to help make our community a safer place.

 Area residents should advise their insurance carrier of the improvement and may call the station at 224-3345 for a letter of advisory.

Want to get between the covers of a good book? Cover to Cover Bookstore is opening June 14 (Saturday), and is located at 300 Washington Street. Come in a peruse our great selection of books of all types, cards, bookmarks and more! Summer hours are 9:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m.

Researchers at the Alaska SeaLife Center are collecting the otoliths (ear bones) of chinook (king) and coho (silver) salmon for a study on the ocean survivorship of these salmon species.

The Alaska SeaLife Center, in conjunction with a private research company, has been working on a program to help speed the process of transition for salmon from fresh water to salt water in the early stages of their life cycle. This transition period is the time of high mortality rates for salmon smolt, as they linger in shallow areas with many predators. The hope is that with a faster transition, more salmon will survive to adulthood and return to their spawning grounds.

The first SeaReady salmon were released by the Alaska SeaLife Center in 2004, and are expected to begin returning this season. A marker on the otoliths will identify the fish as part of the ASLC project.

Be on the lookout for ASLC researchers on the beaches and docks of Seward and the surrounding areas throughout the salmon season, as they collect otoliths to help determine if the SeaReady process has affected the ocean survivorship and return rate. A higher rate of return means more fish to catch!

We thank you for your support and for participating in this important research.

The Halibut Tournament kicked off Sunday with several hardy souls taking to the seas in search of that “big one”. Thank you to FedEx and local sponsors for helping us make this happen and give the early season an economic boost.

This week features the Tahitian Princess Port of Call on Thursday. The weather is not expected to be great at this point, so we will definitely need to put on our best welcoming smiles. Please help us out by volunteering to act as a local host in town that day and see the article below for more details.

Here’s to the week ahead,

Laura

Tahitian Princess Inbound
First Princess Port of Call June 5th

We are pleased to be highlighted on Princess’ new itinerary, a culmination of many meetings and sales calls. Many businesses in town have already been putting in the extra effort to ensure their calls here are a huge hit with the passengers.

We hope this season’s calls will become “the beginning of a beautiful friendship” and we’re looking for local ambassadors who are willing to answer visitor questions around town. Visit with folks in historic downtown or in harbor plaza - either way, we need you to help us to communicate how friendly and welcoming Seward can be.

If you are available to volunteer for a couple of hours on the 5th, please contact Cindy, at 224-8051, or via email.

ALPAR Patrol in Seward
Local Youth Make a Difference

The Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling Program supports Seward-based youth litter patrol jobs each summer.  Local patrols should start this week.  Sponsored in part by ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc, and the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the program often functions a a youth’s first job.

Interested in supporting their efforts?  Local sponsors are always needed for hats and vests, or how about a give-away for those youth that excel in their efforts.

For more information, check out the local program website or contact Karin at Seward Parks and Rec, at 224-4053.

News flash: Just found out that we will have reindeer, bratwurst, polish, and beef sausages opening day (June 12th)!!

GCI has just come out with new speeds and rates that are both fast and reasonable. Only for business customers though.

• 1 Mbps- $49.99
• 2 Mbps- $59.99
• 3 Mbps- $99.99
• 4 Mbps- $149.99

regionalxtreme042108doc-1.pdf

I will be offering an 8 hour American Red Cross CPR / First Aid class next month on June 9th and 11th. 

 The class will be from 5:30-9:30 PM or 6-10 PM depending on the schedules of students.  Location to be announced.

This class will cover Adult CPR, Introduction to AED, and First Aid.  The CPR certification is for 12 months and the First Aid certification is for 36 months.

This class will meet most requirements for Coast Guard and other entities who require CPR certification as part of licensure or other higher level certifications.

 There are no pre-requisites for the class.  All participants must be 13 or older.

Cost for class, including materials and certification fees is $59 per person.

The class is limited to 10 participants and there are currently 7 seats available.

Please contact me at paperman@seward.net or 224-8297 with questions.

May 15, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today unveiled a short-term energy plan to address the skyrocketing costs of energy in Alaska.  The package includes two parts – returning surplus funds through a grant to all electric utilities to reduce ratepayer bills and an Energy Debit Card for the next 12 months.

“Alaskans are feeling the pinch of high energy costs,” Governor Palin said.  “The state treasury is swelling, while family checkbooks are evaporating.  The right thing to do is to return surplus monies to the resource owners through energy relief.  Instead of going to Washington, D.C. for relief, Alaskans should be independent enough to take care of this energy problem ourselves.”Since coming into office, the Palin Administration has been focused on long-term solutions to Alaska’s energy crunch.  In some of Alaska’s communities, consumers are faced with the nation’s highest energy costs.  In 2007, a comprehensive energy supply inventory was initiated to identify alternatives to high-cost energy supplies. Earlier this spring, Steve Haagenson was appointed as the State’s Energy Coordinator.  In his capacity as the Executive Director of the Alaska Energy Authority, he is developing a statewide plan to reduce costs, promote conservation and secure long-term supply solutions for each part of the state.  Results of that work are expected by year-end 2008.“For instance, in Bush Alaska, the best solutions to high diesel prices are to use less and find alternatives,” Governor Palin said.  “We cannot lose sight of the need for these long-term fixes, but as crude oil prices continue to set daily records, Alaska’s families, communities and businesses cannot afford to wait.”Returning surplus funds through grants to electric utilities will result in a 60 percent reduction for all ratepayers.  The benefit will flow to homeowners, renters, schools, governments and businesses.  A review by the Department of Law has indicated that there should be no federal income tax consequence since the grants act to offset the revenue collected by the utilities themselves.  In addition, there will be conservation incentives for the utilities.  For every 1 percent reduction in 2008 kilowatt hour sales from 2007 sales, the state will make a year-end contribution for capital energy projects to the utility. The Energy Debit Card will go out to every qualifying Permanent Fund Dividend applicant.  The benefit will be $100 per month per PFD recipient.  The amount allocated for children’s benefits will accrue to the card of the sponsor on their PFD application.  Money not used on the card one month will carry over to the next month.  It is expected that the amount available to individuals through the card will be considered income by the IRS.The temporary Energy Debit Card can be used for purchases from Alaska energy vendors, such as heating oil distributors, natural gas utilities, electric utilities, gas stations and other retail fueling stations.  The value of this plan is approximately $1.2 billion.  The grant to electric utilities is expected to be $475 million, while the Energy Debit Card totals are forecast to be $729 million.  The Governor has proposed this energy relief plan for one year.

This past budget cycle was a very high-profile one for our community, and some of the issues remain unresolved.  May 8th, at 7 PM, the City Council is holding a worksession on the sales tax cap (along with the 1st quarter financials).  It is your opportunity to be heard and explore in depth what sales (and which businesses) would truly be impacted by an increase in the sales tax cap.

Sales to government entities and non-profits are excluded.  These charges already account for a large amount of Seward’s gross sales.  The tourists will not be paying more as our hotels are taxed on an individual room rate per night, and our sightseeing boats and charter trips are taxed per seat, per day.  None of these charges exceed $500.

What about our commerical fishing vessels, ships repair services, construction projects, home heating fuel?  Please attend, and be sure that we all know who is impacted when we implement a sales-based program.

Laura Cloward

Executive Director

Seward Chamber of Commerce

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080502/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/transportation_ids_2

Help Roll out the Red Carpet in Seward

Seward will be hosting 2 U.S. Navy Destroyers from May 2-4.   So far, the American Legion and Alaska SeaLife Center have offered activities for the sailors.  However, with three days in town, we know they’ll want to get out and about.

If you are interested in offering something special to crewmembers, send us the details, including price, and we’ll be sure that word gets to the visiting ships.  Items can include activities and tours, a home-cooked meal, guiding them on the local trails, or just spending an evening hanging out. 

For more information, contact the Chamber at 224-8051.

Seward is Their Kind of Town 

Kicking off with an Armed Services Day picnic on May 17th, Seward has the potential to be the military R&R hot spot.  The Seward Military Resort and the Air Force Camp are the only military recreation sites in the State, and the Military Combat Fishing Tournament on May 22nd is one-of-a-kind! 

We’d like to promote Seward on Alaska’s military installations as the place to be in May - especially the “week” from Armed Services Day through Memorial Day.  These 10 days include Seward Harbor Opening Weekend (SHOW), the Exit Glacier Race and Torch Run, Kid’s Fishing Day, the new Mural dedication, and many other community events.

If you have an event going on during these 10 days, or would like to publish a special military discount - let us know so we can put it on a special “military week” web page. 

For more information, contact the chamber by email or call 224-8051.

Arts and Crafts Fair

Sunday, May 18, 2008

11:00am – 7:00pm

QNT Culture Center

Seward, Alaska

Native Arts and Crafts Vendors

You are Invited

Qutekcak Native Tribe will host its first Alaska Native Arts and Crafts Fair on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at its culture center at 221 Third Avenue in Seward, Alaska. Native artists and craft persons are invited to exhibit and offer for sale their original handmade Native arts and crafts products. The fair hours are 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (setup begins at 8:30am).

Vendors must submit an application form including applicable fees so that they are received by Wednesday, May 7, 2008 (early bird applications by Thursday, May 1, 2008.) For information, vendor applications with fair guidelines and fee schedule, please contact Chellie at QNT by telephone at (907) 224-3118 or by email at bookkeeper@qutekcak.net.

Seward Senior Center

336 3rd Ave

224-5604 

Lunch Everyday At Noon 

Monday 4/21

1-3 - April League Wii Bowling

 Tuesday 4/22

Movie @ 12:45 ~ In the Underground Theatre

 Wednesday 4/23

1-2 - Edward Jones Presentation ~ Senior Income Opportunities

Beginners Wii Bowling 1-3   Sign-Up to learn!

 Thursday 4/24

1-3 - April League Wii Bowling

 Friday 4/25

Bowing Party for April League Bowlers ~ Contact Sharon @ 224-5604 for info.

Bingo @ 12:45

The Bear Creek Fire Service Area is hiring a temperately 8 – 10 week position to perform general maintenance and annual testing of fire hose and apparatus.  This is a part-time, 40 hours per week without benefits, paying $ 12.50 per hour.  Position requires a High School Diploma, valid driver license and minimum age of 18.

 Essential duties and responsibilities to include: Maintaining apparatus and equipment of the Bear Creek Fire Service Area.  This to include inventory, checking of all equipment, minor repair, hose testing and cleaning and annual apparatus testing.  Apparatus records including maintenance, of hose and pump tests to be maintained

 Preferential hire to members of the Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department with additional $0.25 per hour for ETT/EMT or Firefighter 1 certificate

 Application may be pick-up at the Kenai Peninsula Borough office at Sea View Plaza from 10:00 to 2:00 weekdays.  A letter of interest, resume, and KPB employment application shall be mailed to Fire Chief P.O. Box 1565, Seward Alaska 99664, no latter than May 9th.  Anticipated start date is May 26^th, 2008.