Recreation provides opportunities for community involvement,
and shared management and ownership of resources.
Sports & Recreation News:
TRECK (Transition from Recreation to Education Camp for Kids)
Join the SPRD staff for end of the summer fun in the sun! Wind down the summer and get geared up for school with two final days of hikes, sports, crafts, games and team building challenges and more with the help from Seward Ranger District for the US Forest Service. Through a unique partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the City of Seward’s Parks and Recreation Department, we anticipate on getting 45 children “into the woods” for a Chugach Discovery Day. The day will be spent exploring sights and environmental points of interest along the scenic Seward Highway as we travel to our destination of the Chugach National Forest’s Begich Boggs Visitor and Interpretive Center. We will also spend a day at the Tern Lake Use site where youth will have an opportunity to learn more about the Chugach National Forest and associated resources. In addition, youth will have the opportunity to learn about the life cycle of salmon and will also get to participate in a fun “Chugach Challenge” educational awareness exercise.
Meet at the Sports & Rec gym by 9 am or you will miss the bus.
Dress for the weather as we will be outside.
NOTE: TYC Closed!
Dates: Aug 18 & 19 Times: 7:45 am to 5:30 pm
Pups Grades 1, 2 & 3 Rookery Grades 4, 5 & 6
Earlybird Fee: $19 due Friday, Aug 8; Regular Fee: $24 due Friday, Aug 15; Late Fee: $29 after Friday, Aug 15 if space available
Need 15 paid participants by Fri, Aug 15 to hold camp.
Campers must bring a cold sack lunch. Call 224-4054 for more info.
BASICS Girls Hoops Camp
Girls don’t miss out! Save the dates! T’Neisha Turner along with her colleagues Robin Smith and Cotelia Bond-Young will be offering a basketball camp for girls ages 9 to 18 this summer. This one week camp will run July 28 to Aug 1, from 8 am to 5 pm at the Sports & Rec gym. Seward Parks & Rec is distributing camp registration forms now only $250 for the entire week. Payment plans are available call 224-4054 for more information.
TYC News:
H2Oasis Pool Day Trip
Fri, Aug 1st. Prices vary depending on how early you register. For prices and to register call the TYC at 224-5472. Earlybird fee due 3 weeks prior to trip, Regular fee due 2 weeks prior to trip and Late fee due 1 week prior to trip if space is available. Non Campers add $15 to regular fee. Participants must bring their own sack lunch.
Nikiski Pool Day Trip
Fri, August 15th. Prices vary depending on how early you register. For prices and to register call the TYC at 224-5472. Earlybird fee due 3 weeks prior to trip, Regular fee due 2 weeks prior to trip and Late fee due 1 week prior to trip if space is available. Non Campers add $15 to regular fee. Participants must bring their own sack lunch.
Public invited to the following free events with the TYC:
Pet Parade
When: Fri, July 25
Where: Wellington Picnic Area
Time: 3 pm
Hawaiian Luau
When: Fri, Jul 30
Where: 1st Lake (behind 2nd Ave AVTEC building)
Time: 1 to 4pm
Join us for music, limbo, food and fun as we celebrate the end of summer Hawaiian style.
On August 2, 2008 the Alaska SeaLife Center will host its 10th annual “Wildlife Rescue Run,” a five-kilometer race that helps raise money for the Center’s rehabilitation department. The event attracts approximately 150 participants walking or running the course, along with families whose children participate in an accompanying “Junior Rescue Rally.”
The Alaska SeaLife Center is the only permanent facility in Alaska licensed to rescue and rehabilitate marine mammals and birds. The rehabilitation program depends on financial support from the community in its continuing efforts to treat these animals, and all sponsorships and entry fees will benefit Wildlife Rescue. For an entry form, go to www.alaskasealife.org
After Los Angeles comedian Steve Mittleman entertained a packed house last Thursday night, Seward Playhouse will welcome another performer from California this Friday. John Craigie, a folk singer from San Francisco, recently added Seward as the twelfth stop on his Alaskan summer tour. “John played in Seward two years ago,” said Seward Playhouse owner Jennifer Swander, “and he’s excited to be coming back.”
Since its opening on July fourth weekend, Seward Playhouse has seen a variety of talent take the stage. Even the types of music have been quite diverse, which was evident during the Open Mic/Jam Session on Friday. Local jazz musician and instructor, Mark Teckenbrock, invited his friend Meghan Holden, founder of Anchortown Circus, to play clarinet with him. A few playhouse patrons commented that the place turned into a little jazz club for twenty minutes. “We will definitely schedule a jazz show soon,” Swander said, in response to the requests.
And more local talent continues to emerge. After an audition this weekend, His Grace, a talented group of young men from Resurrection Bay Baptist Church, has booked upcoming performances. “Tourists came in and sat down during the audition Sunday afternoon, so we decided to actually do an open house show the same time next Sunday,” mentioned Swander. Also there as the piano accompanist for His Grace was Stacie Werner. She commented, “I’m inspired by a young group of guys who want to have fun serving the Lord with their talents.”
Upcoming events at the playhouse include:
Friday, July 18, John Craigie, 8pm;
Saturday, July 19, Open Mic/Jam Session – all musicians welcome, 8pm;
Sunday, July 20, His Grace, 2-4pm open house.
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 or email sewardplayhouse@yahoo.com.
Advance tickets for John Craigie can be purchased for $8.00 at Seward Playhouse, Monday-Thursday, 5:30-9:30pm, and at Artic Glow (across the street), Monday-Friday, 10am-7pm. Tickets will be $10.00 at the door. www.johncraigiemusic.comwww.myspace.com/johncraigie
July 24, 2008 at Legends of the Mountain 6 - 8 p.m.
The City of Seward, the Seward Ranger District of Chugach National Forest and Kenai Fjords National Park are resuming the planning process for the Mary Lowell Center, a multi-agency administrative, visitor and conference facility for downtown Seward. This Center will provide one stop shopping for permitting and information for public lands in the area of Seward and Resurrection Bay.
The Portico Group, the architecture and engineering firm for the project will be in Seward for an open house on Thursday, July 24 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Legends of the Mountain. They will be seeking public feedback on revised schematic design alternatives. This design phase is being repeated due to the following changes affecting the project:
• The USFS revised its plans for participating in the Mary Lowell Center due to downsizing operations in Seward. While still a partner in the project, the amount of office space for USFS personnel in the Center was dramatically reduced.
• On February 11, 2008 the Seward City Council passed a resolution expressing a preference for a design that does not require building across Washington Street reversing direction given in the City’s 2003 resolution.
• In addition, the Mary Lowell Center partners wanted to consider a design that could be built in phases since it is uncertain whether the entire amount required to complete the project will be funded in a single appropriation.
The revised schematic design will be based on the two alternatives selected through the mini-Value Analysis in May 2008. One is a single three-story building on the current site of the Legends Building and the other is a two story Visitor Center/Conference Facility on the Legends site and a two story administrative building on the Harbor Dinner Club/Mai property site on the east side of 5th Avenue.
For more information on this project contact Kirsten Vesel, City of Seward Assistant City Manager (907-224-4074), or Jeff Mow, Kenai Fjords National Park Superintendent (907-224-2118).
Parks & Rec will host Jason Stouder from American Ramp Company Wednesday, July 16 at 2:30 pm at Seward’s Evan Casey Skate Park off Ballaine Boulevard. Stouder wants to meet with local skate boarders to gain input on what are their requests and dreams for skate park elements. Skaters are encouraged to rally friends and attend the short meeting.
Attached is the skate-park-sketch-1.pdf which is a an outline of the park with dimensions to sketch out ideas.
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
Join the folks at the Alaska SeaLife Center for a free lecture, Breaking the Ice on Arctic Research, presented by Dan Oliver, Director of the Seward Marine Center, UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.
The Arctic Region is a challenging place to conduct shipboard research, making it one of the least studied areas among the world’s oceans. Learn from former Coast Guard Captain Dan Oliver about the specially designed ships used to explore the region and get the inside scoop on an incredible new ice-capable research ship, the Alaska Region Research Vessel.
Alaska SeaLife Center - 4 p.m. , Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Please mention the lecture at the ticketing counter upon arrival.
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!
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 4th 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 5th 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 8th, 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 1st 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.
This beautiful quilt is on the move this week to Sew-n-Bee Cozy. Seward’s own quilt shop located at 211 4th Ave. Sew-n-Bee Cozy is displaying the quilt through the holiday weekend. Stop by and see the quilt and get your raffle tickets during their business hours of 10am-7pm M-Sat and Sundays 12-5pm. www.sewnbeecozy.com
The raffle proceeds go to the Seward Community Library Museum building project. Tickets are only $1 each and tickets sales are going fast. Drawing will be at the Library August 20th at noon. A 3-D model of the project is on display at the Library, stop by to see the model and look at the plans. More information is on our website, www.somethingforus.org.
Thank you Sew-n-Bee Cozy for displaying the quilt! Donated by Pam Ventgen, a quilter from Anchorage. Pam will be in Seward doing quilting classes for Seward’s local quilters in October and January.
Tickets available at the Library, Museum, Teresa Roy at First National Bank, Mary Tougas at Hertz, Karla Oates at Sew-n-Bee Cozy, Vanta Shafer at Cover to Cover.
A Vacation Bible School with the theme “Faith Alive!” will be held this coming week, July 7-11, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Third Ave. and Jefferson St. The program will run each morning from 9AM until Noon. Enrollment is open for children ages Kindergarten through Middle School. You may pre-register your child/ren by calling the church office at 224-3628 and leave your name, your child’s/ren’s name/s and the age/s. Thank you.
Here we go again, this year is gearing up to be better than last year. The Seward Racing Lions have been putting a lot of effort into building up and cleaning up the SRL Motorpark to be ready for this years Mud Bog competition. We have revamped the course and made the mud pit bigger and better than ever! This year we will have snacks, sweatshirts and don’t forget the best part… MUD! This years Mud Bog is on Saturday, July 5th at NOON. The event will be held at the SRL Motorpark at the end of Nash rd. Signs will be posted to help you find your way. Registration starts at 10:30am. The prizes for this years competitions will be for First place of your category 75% of the competition fees and Second place will receive the remaining 25%, so the more competition the better the prize. Cars, Trucks, Fourwheelers, Snowmachines and anything else you want to get dirty are all welcome. “If you bring it, there will be mud.” We are looking forward to seeing the community come out again for what should prove to be another fun in the mud year! For more information please call (907) 362-1742 or email sewardracinglions@hotmail.com
Fireworks Have Become a Way to Celebrate During the July 4th Holidays…It’s Our Responsibility to Celebrate Safely
With the excitement of loud rumbling explosions and beautifully colored sparks flying through the air, people often forget that fireworks may contain dangerous chemicals and combustibles that can destroy property and injure people. Alaska State Fire Marshal David Tyler reminds Alaskans that fireworks can cause severe injuries or even death if not used properly. Tyler also reminds Alaskans that fireworks can cause fires that might get out of hand, destroying homes and wild lands.
“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by attending a public fireworks display,” said Tyler.As reported by the American Pyrotechnics Association, some states ban the use of fireworks by consumers, while other states permit some or all consumer fireworks. TheAlaskaOffice of State Fire Marshal along with the National Association of State Fire Marshalsand the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission join in advising you to observe applicable local and state laws. If the law allows you to shoot your own fireworks, pay particular attention to the following safety tips to help reduce the chances of a destructive fire and/or injury:
Only purchase fireworks from a licensed dealer that sells certified fireworks.
Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional shows and could pose a danger to consumers.
Never allow young children to play with fireworks.
Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don’t realize that sparklers have caused more injuries to children under age five than any other type of firework. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework device when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after lighting.
Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak with water and throw them away.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
Light one item at a time, and then move back quickly.
Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
Avoid the combination of alcohol, drugs and fireworks.
Enjoy the July 4th celebration safely and remember to practice fire safety every day. Plan your escape, install and maintain smoke alarms, and install fire sprinklers. The life they save may be yours.
Also joining us in the welcome will be the 2008 Seward Sister-City Exchange Participants:
Seward High Senior David Herbert Seward High sophomore Trevor Clark 1982 Alumni & SIFA Member Marci Treadwell SIFA member & retired Seward High Teacher Mary Daniels
If you have traditional Japanese clothing or a SIFA/Obihiro 35th anniversary “happi” coat, please wear them to the potluck.
Thank you & see you there!
If you have any questions, please contact SIFA President Dale Hoogland at 491-1556 or email the Seward International Friendship Association, sifa1973@gmail.com
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.)
The Portico Group, the architecture and engineering firm for the project will be in Seward for an open house on Thursday, July 24 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Legends of the Mountain. They will be seeking public feedback on revised schematic design alternatives. This design phase is being repeated due to the following changes affecting the project:
dramatically reduced.
