Merlot. Chocolate. Blueberries. Lasagna. Romantic? Perhaps. But dangerous? Definitely.

Though you might give pause to hear it, this seemingly innocent entourage of edibles has all the makings for total disaster. Why, ever since the first cavewoman donned the first sleek, satin zebra skin wedding gown, food has not always been our friend. At times it is here to comfort. At others, only to destroy.

We’re talking stains here. You know them. You begrudge them. You can’t escape them. For whether you’re a muck-raking man of mystery or a Chablis sipping maiden of matrimony, there will come a day when you are faced with a stain of such strength that mere plebian powers are naught against it.

With the exception of nudists (though the awesome staining power of cod-liver oil might render this implausible), not one of us is immune to this threat. Each new day presents a fresh challenge to fastidious friends and foes alike, who seek, at times in vain, to keep their garments clean and bright. From Ultra, Tide, to Biz or Bounty. Era, All, or Gain and Downy, the choice is yours when trouble calls. You’ve got ‘em now, right by the…hey now hold the horses. This is supposed to be family entertainment here. My apologies.

Well Moms and Dads, I guess it only goes to show that cleanliness truly is next to godliness. If you mess around with dirty stains long enough, your mouth might just end up needing a little soap as well.

Speaking of soap, did you know the detergent industry spills over 2 billion dollars into their coffers every year! Now I know I’m kind of a sucker for conspiracy theories, but that’s a whole lot of money getting laundered right under our nose. Why it’s enough to make one dream of kinder, simpler times when stains weren’t such a problem. Like back in the days of disco delights, black leather pants and Crystal Pepsi. Where are you now Van Halen? We sure could use your guiding light.

But I suppose we better wash our hands of this book before things get messy. Just remember when you’re out about town though. Whether it’s a heroic dive for the ball across the end zone, that feisty a’meatball that leaps from your fork or even a leaky canine companion, The Stain Removal Handbook has got you covered. There’s no need to be afraid anymore. So toss that bib, grab some ribs, and dive on in. Life just got a little easier.

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.

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)

As of this morning (6/5/08), 18 Steller sea lion pups have been born on Chiswell Island. The first pup of the season was lost to high surf conditions; fortunately, that is the only loss so far. The number of Steller sea lion pups born to date is above average compared to the previous nine years. Researchers predict a good season in terms of the total number of pups born this year.

The Alaska SeaLife Center has monitored Steller sea lions on the island since October 1998 using remote video cameras. It is the only live feed of Steller sea lions in their natural habitat currently running in the world.

http://www.alaskasealife.org/New/research/index.php?page=chiswell.php

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.

Wednesday, June 4^th from 5 to 6 pm; located behind the small pond just north of the airport: turn at the road to the airport, cross railroad tracks, zigzag north onto gravel road and head back behind connex storage containers. Look for our BRGC signs. Come pick up your can. For more information call Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance at 224-4621, email Matt Gray at mgrayrbca@gmail.com or visit http://www.rbca-alaska.org/.

For those who cannot make the 5 to 6 pm on Wednesday, they can stop by Terry’s Tires (224-5505) who is selling them for RBCA. RBCA extends a big “thank you” for this business support of our Wildlife Conservation Community Program (WCCP).

The Seward area WCCP has been 2 years in the making and is finally coming to fruition. 650 bear-resistant garbage cans (BRGC) are now in Seward awaiting distribution to all Seward and Moose Pass area residents. BRGCs are being sold for $50 each (for 32, 65, and 95 gallon sizes), which is a fraction of their retail value. This reduced price is made possible by generous grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ($108,150) and ConocoPhillips ($35,000). All proceeds will go towards buying more bear resistant garbage containers.

The Seward public works department will soon install signs around town announcing Seward as a Wildlife Conservation Community. The WCCP is sponsored by RBCA, the City of Seward, Kenai Fjords N.P., Chugach N.F., the Alaska SeaLife Center, ADFG, US Fish & Wildlife Service, ConocoPhillips, Alaska Waste Inc., Glacier Towing, and Terry’s Tires.

Using a BRGC will make your neighborhood safer for your families, pets, and for area bears!

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday evening.

Use your creativity and artistic talent to express the importance of our oceans and and coasts to you and the world! Winning artwork will be displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. The contest is open to all students enrolled in grade K-12 and college and university students. Deadline for submission is Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at the Alaska SeaLife Center - hand deliver “Attn: Darin Trobaugh, Art Contest”. More information available online at http://www.coastalamerica.gov/2008artcontest.html 

Reminder!  Dr. Jack Hickel will be in Seward to share his experiences while working in one of the darkest and most remote corners in Africa.  His compelling story focuses on projects to dig wells and build a health center in an extremely remote and impoverished village in southern Sudan.   The village is suffering the effects of 20 years of civil war, malnutrition, and infectious diseases.  There is no clean water, sanitation, roads, electricity or infrastructure.  Join us to learn about Dr. Hickel’s challenging work to help this village. 

 Friday, May 30, 2008

7 pm

Rae Building, Third Ave. across from Seaview Call 224-2836 for more information

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 7, 2008; @ the IMS Rae Bldg. Auditorium, 9 am to 5 pm
Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance is developing a Resurrection Bay Watershed Program and will host a one-day Resurrection Bay Watershed Workshop. The mission of the Watershed Program is to protect and enhance the Resurrection Bay watershed through habitat assessment, monitoring, public education and advocacy of science-based resource management. Goals of this public workshop are to:

• Assemble scientists, land managers, university researchers, and other specialists to provide presentations on the ecology and status of the Resurrection Bay watershed.

• Provide a forum for residents and agencies to consider innovative approaches for achieving a diverse economy and a healthy watershed.

• Build partners in the Resurrection Bay Watershed Program and give RBCA input on projects that will lead to improved watershed health while encouraging sustainable economic development.

Please join us for an important day of information sharing and to initiate a long-term, science-based effort to protect the ecological and economic health of the Resurrection Bay watershed. This information is important for Seward’s future, we hope to see you there. For questions contact Matt Gray at 224-4621 or at info@rbca-alaska.org. For more information visit our website: www.rbca-alaska.org.

The free Septic Education Workshop will be in Seward on April 26^th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the K.M. Rae building. Fred Sorensen, UAF/CES Water Quality Coordinator, will be discussing the potential impact on groundwater by septic systems, how they function, proper maintenance and what to do in a flood. Bill Schnabel, UAF engineering professor, will talk about the alternative wastewater systems that are available if a conventional system is not working for the homeowner.

If you are interested in attending, please call 907-786-6341 or 907-224-3340 or e-mail lisa.wedin@uaf.edu . If you would like more information on septic systems call Fred Sorensen at 907-786-6311.

Here are some great tips to use when you are trying to conserve energy and other “green” tips.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/athome/358510_green12.html?source=mypi

If you don’t use an outhouse and your indoor plumbing isn’t connected to the city sewer system, chances are you have some sort of septic system buried in the ground out of sight and mind. But not for long. Fred Sorensen, the water quality coordinator for the UAF Cooperative Extension Service will conduct a workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, about how septic systems work, how to keep them working well and what to do in the event of a flood. Bill Schnabel a Wastewater Engineering professor at UAF will be there to discuss alternative wastewater treatment systems. The workshop is free, but space and materials are limited. Please e-mail lisa.wedin@uaf.edu or call 907-224-3340 or 907-786-6341 to register.

For this week’s unusual book we’re going to delve into the intricate complexities of “the great yogurt controversy” with All About Yogurt. Just when you thought breakfast couldn’t be more fun, along comes a book to add a bit more culture in your life.

“Before the 1960’s, virtually no one in America ate yogurt. Now, with some nutritionists hailing it as the “near-perfect food”, yogurt is fast becoming a national favorite…In addition, there are yogurt recipes you can whip together in just minutes, including such summer favorites as frozen fruit yogurt and cool creamy vegetable soup…The authors also stir up an emotional issue when they give you both sides of the Great Yogurt Culture Controversy - do you want the cultures in your yogurt active or non-active.” -Helferich and Westhoff

Join the great debate! Funny there’s no mention of that other Great Yogurt Controversy - To Stir or Not to Stir your fruit on the bottom. Perhaps some mysteries are best left unsolved.

May 7, 2008

IMS Rae Bldg. Auditorium

9 am to 5 pm

Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance is developing a new Watershed Program and will host a one-day Resurrection Bay Watershed Workshop, scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th. The mission of the Resurrection Bay Watershed Program is to protect and enhance the our watershed through habitat assessment, monitoring, public education and advocacy of science-based resource management. Goals of this public workshop are to:

• Assemble scientists, land managers, university researchers, and other specialists to provide presentations on the ecology and status of the Resurrection Bay watershed.

• Hold a panel discussion with representatives from other Alaska watershed partnerships to discuss the value and successes of watershed-based conservation in coastal Alaskan communities.

• Provide a forum for residents and agencies to consider innovative approaches for achieving a diverse economy and a healthy watershed.

• Build partners in the Resurrection Bay Watershed Program and give RBCA input on projects that will lead to improved watershed health while encouraging sustainable economic development.

Please join us for an important day of information sharing and to initiate a long-term, science-based effort to protect the ecological and economic health of the Resurrection Bay watershed. This information is important for Seward’s future, please mark your calendar. For questions contact Matt Gray at 224-4621. For more information and full agenda please visit http://www.rbca-alaska.org/Com_activities.html

Swim-time, gym-time, movies and fun!

Must have 20 person minimum to hold event. Jan, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Call Josie or Alisa at 224-5472. 

Ed 580 R (1 Graded credit) Sept 21 4:30-8:30
Sept 22 8:00-4:00
TBA 4:30-6:00
Seward High School
Tuition- Free – sponsored by AK Division of Forestry/BLM
Materials fee- $ 20.00
Audience- Teachers, Aides, Home schooling parents, Scout leaders, Anyone interested in Wildland Fire Ecology, Wildland Fire Behavior, Wildland Fire Safety

Fire in Alaska is a hands on, interactive, lab based course designed to help young people learn about fire ecology, fire behavior, and about living safely along the wildland urban interface. The lessons, which use role playing, games, and laboratory and computer simulations, can be taught individually or combined into units. Participants have access to a trunk filled with posters, videos, and equipment to perform experiments. This exciting fire curriculum is being used all over Alaska.
Join us !
Limit 20 participants-First come/first served

To register Contact Jackie Marshall @ 224-2285 injjp1@uaa.alaska.edu for course information please contact Matt Weaver 269-8481

Registration Deadline is September, 14 at 11a.m.   We need a minimum of 10 students for the class to go.  Currently we have 4 students.  Please touch base if you wish to take the class.

Seward Student to Study Plight of Chesapeake Bay with
World Renowned Oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle

To Work Alongside National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, Students,
Educators

Will Investigate Efforts to Restore Chesapeake Bay and other Estuaries

Research To Be Followed by Students and Teachers Across the World
As Part of The JASON Project’s Aquatic Ecology Science Curriculum

Seward, Alaska – Conducting field research with world-renowned scientists is
not the average summer vacation for most high school students. But for Austin
Gillespie, a rising ninth-grader at Seward High School, it will part of an

 Read More>

NEWS FROM THE ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER AND THE ALASKA ZOO
Chloe the Harbor Seal Now a Mom; Caregivers Monitor First Marine Mammal Birth at the Alaska SeaLife Center
Twelve-year-old Chloe, a harbor seal from the Alaska Zoo that is currently housed at the Alaska SeaLife Center, gave birth on Saturday June 23, 2007 at 5:18 a.m. Chloe’s pup weighed in at 30.4 pounds and measured 28.5 inches in length. Both mom and pup are doing well.

The pup’s arrival represents a milestone at the SeaLife Center. It is the first birth of a marine mammal at the Seward-based marine research, rehabilitation, conservation and public education facility. The center has celebrated the hatching of birds, fish and invertebrates, but never the birth of a marine mammal.

The pup’s mom, Chloe, a rehabilitated seal from Egegik, is a Pacific harbor seal Phoca vitulina richarii. The father, Snapper is an Atlantic harbor seal, a subspecies, Phoca vitulina vitulina.

According to Alaska SeaLife Center Mammalogist, Elizabeth Moundalexis, the mom and pup are forming familial bonds. There has been a lot of nuzzling and nose to nose touching, says Moundalexis.
The baby seal made a first swim at 6:48 a.m. on June 23. The young harbor seal and mother are currently under 24 hour watch via remote video monitoring.

The baby will be visible to the public at Alaska SeaLife Center.

According to Christy Phillips, mammalogist at the Alaska SeaLife Center, the labor proceeded well. We all spent a lot of time waiting. Everybody has been waiting and excited, but it went really quickly, says Phillips who landed the 4 a.m. shift and observed the birth.

Chloe was brought to the Alaska SeaLife Center to provide a home while her space at the Alaska Zoo is rebuilt - but also in part to provide companionship and potentially to produce offspring. Chloe conceived sometime last summer. Anne Hoover-Miller, harbor seal program manager, notes that seals exhibit a delayed implantation. Seal birth times differ between locations and current theory is that this difference is keyed on either photo period (amount of daylight) or genetics or a combination of the two factors. Once implantation occurs, seal gestation times are not all that different from humans, adds Hoover-Miller.

The Alaska Zoo looks forward to Chloe and her pup’s home coming, says Pat Lampi, director of the Alaska Zoo. The new habitat, which is still under construction, will provide a greatly improved exhibit for her and a better viewing experience for the public, he adds.

National Public Radio’s Talk of the Nation Science Friday will feature a program on climate change in Alaska, tomorrow. Tune in at 88.1 in Seward.

Program begins at 10 a.m.

The Alaska Dandelion Festival held last weekend at the Seward High School brought vendors & speakers from around the state and visitors from around the nation together.   This event provided a wonderful venue for the sharing of ideas on natural, healthy, simple living.  Natural personal care products made from Alaskan plants & herbs were exhibited and available to the public.  Authors shared their stories about growing up and living in Alaska, both remote & village, from Native & non-Native perspectives.

A variety of artists, craftspeople, quilters, and baked goods rounded out the several non-profit informational booths.  One woman made attractive, functional bags using the discarded scraps of other quilters. 

Scott Waterman from AHFC, State Energy Programs Manager, Research & Rural Development, explained the Hubbert peak oil theory that states that world oil production has already peaked in 1979 and will rapidly decline as world demand increases and costs of production rise.   Other observers believe that it peaked as late as 2005.  He outlined the negative implication for the future global economic outlook as world production wanes.   Numerous alternatives to excessive dependence on oil were discussed and examples were given of some simple steps individuals can take to reduce energy consumption.

A local bee keeper explained the chemicals, pesticides, and antibiotics found in all commercial honey.  She explained the importance of knowing your bee keeper and the methods used, in avoiding ingestion of those chemicals.

Hunger Awareness evoked several simple and creative ways to feed people in a healthy & economic way.  For those willing to proxy fish for elderly, blind or disabled individuals, it is important to understand the cultural & diet preferences of the recipients.  For example, we were informed that many elders prefer their fish, gutted, but left whole.  They use the whole fish, including the head, and don’t want to waste the meat left after filleting. 

Jeff Lowenfels, the longest running garden columnist and radio personality from Anchorage, entertained listeners with his humorous stories about teaming with the microbes for successful, chemical free gardening.

In addition to the variety of speakers and networking with others of similar interests, was a selection of musicians performing throughout the weekend. 

For more information contact Marie Wagner

224-6471

Thanks to many community volunteers the 3rd annual Resurrection Bay Beach cleanup was a huge success.

Forty four community members Participated in the May 19^th Resurrection Bay Beach cleanup. A total of five boats delivered these volunteers for trash pick up from seventeen beaches throughout the bay. The event started and finished from the North ramp of the small boat harbor. A full rolling dumpster load of various plastic, iron, and polystyrene items were removed from the beaches.

Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance would like to thank these community members for their exemplary assistance:

• All the trash collectors and boat operators. (You made it happen!).

• AK Sea Life Center for boat assistance.

• AK State Parks for boat assistance.

• Matt and Amy Gray for the use of their boat.

• Ozzie Osborn for the use of his boat (the “trash tender”).

• Dan Walker for boat trailering.

• Matt Cline with aqua-tec water taxi service for helping with overflow trash.

• Alaska Waste for volunteering a dumpster for the cleanup.

• The NOAA Community –based Marine Debris Cleanup and Prevention Program for their grant contributions.

• Christo’s Palace for their delicious pizza after the cleanup.

• Leigh Ray for making the desserts.

• Resurrect Art Coffee House for hosting the pizza dinner.

• Mary Fischer at ALPAR for supplying the bags.

Please keep an eye out for the next cleanup!

- Tim Johnson (for RBCA)

Task for will meet Monday, April 30, noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Edgewater Conference Room.

The group will be headed by Assistant Vice President for Health Safety and Environment Mark Mitchell, CIH, CSP, and include the City of Seward, appropriate regulatory agencies, and community members.

The objective is to discuss current and future dust control methods at the facility, which is now owned and operated by the ARRC.

For more information call 224-4046.

The Alaska Railroad is forming a technical and community task force to deal with dust control at the Seward Coal Loading Facility.

The group will be headed by Assistant Vice President for Health Safety and Environment Mark Mitchell, CIH, CSP, and include the City of Seward, appropriate regulatory agencies, and community members.

The objective is to discuss current and future dust control methods at the facility, which is now owned and operated by the ARRC. The railroad has been working continuously over the last several weeks with agency representatives and technical contractors, conducting sampling, reviewing current and past practices, and inspecting equipment.

The task force will go to work the first part of next week.

Tim Thompson
Manager, External Affairs
Alaska Railroad Corporation
Office 907-265-2695
Cell 907-748-2079
Fax 907-265-2312
thompsont@akrr.com

www.alaskarailroad.com

Resurrection Bay
Conservation Alliance
invites you to the
eighth in a series of
alternative energy
presentations.

Have all your questions about exciting renewable energy resources for Seward answered by the leader in Alaska’s renewable energy future. RBCA welcomes Chris Rose, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) who will present a variety of viable options for Seward’s energy future.

Alternative Energy Presentation

Thursday, February 8, 2007

6:30 pm—8:30 pm

Rae Building

Admission is Free!

Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) is a coalition of urban and rural Alaska utilities, businesses, conservation groups, consumer groups, and Alaska Native organizations with an interest in developing Alaska’s vast renewable energy resources. REAP’s goal is to increase the production of renewable energy in Alaska. REAP believes that the development of those resources will provide numerous important economic opportunities for the state.