Dr. Michael P. Moriarty, D.D.S. welcomes William M. Tudor, RDH,  to his dental practice.  Bill joins Jean Bardarson, RDH, and Sarah Benjamin, RDH, in our hygiene department. Aside from general hygiene services, he has also worked for the Phoenix Indian Medical Center where he successfully administered the Diabetic Periodontal Program and other successful programs.  Bill is moving to Seward from the Phoenix, AZ, area.  Bill is very excited to move to Alaska and has been vacationing here for the last several years.  Other interests and hobbies include photography, snow shoeing, rock climbing, and kayaking. Please join us in welcoming him to Seward by calling 224-3071 or stopping by to say hello.

More produce is coming on Thursday—Annette said she’ll bring plenty so we won’t run out—Romaine lettuce, hot house tomatoes and cucumbers, potatoes, and onions as well as (fresh out of the oven Thursday morning) cinnamon rolls, bread and cookies.  Don’t forget that Annette also has grilled reindeer and bratwurst sausages every Thursday!  Abby Wentworth is back east but her art is here in the shop until she returns next week, so stop in and check out her new book, “A Pea Book”.  New this week in the little red house: Greek nachos—chips, hummus, feta, greek olives, peperoncini and a sprinkle of cayenne—yummy! Of course, you can still have nachos with the “Works”—chips, black beans, black olives, cheese, jalapenos, salsa and sour cream.  Nachos are available Thursday-Sunday.  The market is located at 312 5th Ave. and open Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm.  For information on selling at the market, contact Joanie at 760-815-8498 or thegrazingmoose@gmail.com Interested in selling baked goods at the market?  Check out this link: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/eh/fss/establishments/home_bakers_guidelines.pdf 

The Smith and Wallace family would like to encourage anyone who would like to do so, to go to adn.com, go to the obituaries, find Don’s obituary and sign the guestbook. Any comments, stories, memories, and pictures are welcome and much appreciated. The family can have this guestbook made into a book to cherish. Thank you~

Alaska’s best known artist will be signing her books here in Seward at Cover to Cover Books on Thursday.  This is an exciting kick-off for Seward’s new bookstore.  Come and meet Rie, have a bite to eat, and get a book personally signed!  Six to eight PM, Thursday, July 17th at Cover to Cover Books, 300 Washington Street.  

Scott Griffith, Veterans State Service Officer, will be in Seward at the Job Center, 809 Second Ave.,  from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 23., 2008.  Scott will be available to answer your questions about VA Entitlements and provide FREE assistance filling out the application forms fro VA Entitlements.  **VFW membership is not a requirement.

HB4001 Corresponding Senate bill SB 4001TITLE: “An Act making supplemental appropriations, capital appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize a fund; and providing for an effective date.” http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/25/Bills/HB4001A.PDF HB 4002 Corresponding Senate bill SB 4002TITLE: “An Act establishing the Alaska resource rebate program and relating to the program; and providing for an effective date.” http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/25/Bills/HB4002A.PDF HB 4003 Corresponding Senate bill SB 4003TITLE: “An Act making supplemental appropriations to the Alaska Energy Authority for power cost equalization; making special appropriations to the Department of Revenue and to the Department of Health and Social Services for the Alaska resource rebate program; making a special appropriation to the Department of Revenue for the payment of certain shared taxes relating to aviation fuel; and providing for an effective date.” http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/25/Bills/HB4003A.PDF HB 4004 Corresponding Senate bill SB 4004TITLE: “An Act suspending the motor fuel tax; and providing for an effective date.” http://www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/25/Bills/HB4004A.PDF

 The Seward Legislative Information Office is open for the Special Session. There will be teleconferences and chances for the public to voice their opinions on these subjects. Call the Seward LIO for information for updates at 224-5066 or email requests to Seward_LIO@legis.state.ak.us

From deep within the bowels of the Library, a grunt is heard.  Scratching.  A rustle.  Another grunt.  Wafts of stale malted beverage and pork rinds emanate from the far corner, where I’ve just shelved a few of those bawdy romance novels that always seem to trickle in Monday mornings.  Something’s been awakened. 

Intrigued, I walk, with cautious steps, following my nose until I reach the edge of the bookshelf and glance askance. 

            Nothing’s there.  Yet the noises continue, growing louder as I make my way towards the back of the room, scanning all directions with furtive eyes.  For a moment I could swear that I hear a TV on, with Rosanne blasting away, and then it’s gone.  A toilet flushes.  All is quiet. 

I pause with the silence, taking shallow breaths, and begin inching forward.  Then, just at the moment I feel myself taking the exit towards Crazy Town, a belch ripples through the air.  There!  Just beside me. 

            It’s a small, blue, unassuming book from which such thunder comes, and once I read the title, my courage comes full circle.  The penitent man has passed.  My time is at hand.  And all of life’s trials seem as naught for finally, against all odds, I have found: Maximized Manhood. 

            Now please, no giggling.  If this was a spam box email the conclusion would be obvious.  And guaranteed.  The only guarantee I can offer, however, is that of spiritual enlightenment.  Sound like a deal?  Then away we go!

            This week’s book is a back-slapping, rump patting, noogie-giving guide for those of us of the male persuasion that want to be “real men”.  Maximized men as the author puts it.  Here, read a passage from the introduction to see if you fall into the category of those needing some assistance in the man department.

            “So, today’s man may wear jewelry—bracelets, necklaces, and perhaps, an earring.  He has long hair, usually styled by a unisex hairstylist; he wears unisex pants and soft, silky shirts opened to display “cleavage.” 

            Whoa now.  Just a minute.  How did they know I wear unisex pants?  And is my cleavage really a problem?  Talk about a blow to the old self esteem.  Suddenly I’m not feeling so confident.  I feel…I don’t know…unisexy.  That’s bad.

            Well, I’m taking the rest of the day off and going next door to Ray’s Reusables.  Sounds like I could use some wardrobe advice.  So, tell you what.  How about we continue this odyseey of awkwardness another time?  Until then, stay strong out there fellow unisex men.  Help is on the way!

Please join Seward’s community Americorps members for a campsite cleanup on Exit Glacier Road, July 5th at 12:00 noon. We will meet at the pullout at the intersection of Exit Glacier/Old Exit Glacier approx 2.5 miles from Seward Hwy. You’ll be assigned a section of road and will leave bags of trash along side the road. We’ll sweep through when everyone reports back and bring it all to the transfer facility.  Bring a bicycle if you’ve got one, as it ought to be a very nice day. We’re focusing our effort on the section of road where people camp. Be prepared to greet groggy campers with a smile and offer them a trash bag for picking up after themselves. You might also ask about the condition of the campsite when they arrived so we can have that information as well. If you cant make it, please tell a friend. If you have any questions, please call Andy Bacon at 491-3228. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you out there!

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.

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

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.                  

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

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.

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!
 

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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Seward Senior Center

336 3rd Ave

224-5604

Lunch Everyday At Noon

We have WiFi!

 Monday 6/23

1-3 – Summer League Wii Bowling

 Tuesday 6/24

10:30-11:30 – Exercise Class

Wednesday 6/25

9:30-10:30 - Strength Training Fitness Class

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

Thursday 6/26

10:30-11:30 – Exercise Class

1-3 – Summer League Wii Bowling

 Friday 6/27

Closed Today

All Kenai Picnic and shopping trip to Fred Meyer

Field Trip to Soldotna 8am to 6pm

Call 224-5604 for transportation.

The bees were here, but only for a day.  On Tuesday, June 17th, the Library was host to dozens of Honeybees that visited us from Moose Pass via a travel friendly Observation Hive.  Many thanks to Irene Lindquist for bringing her sweet friends. 

 If you missed the bees this time around, don’t worry.  We’re working on a new play-date sometime next month.  We’ll keep you informed.  In the meantime, stop in to see the ant’s latest tunneling efforts or let the crickets lull to sleep.  It’s been quite symphonic around here lately. 

Also, as a reminder.  It’s still not too late to join the Summer Reading program.  We have lots of great prizes and gifts.  Stop on by! 

The hour is fast approaching when Lee Poleske will be giving his Third Annual Summer Solstice Cemetery Tour. If it sounds a bit spooky, don’t worry. The sun will be there to scare any unruly ghosts or spirits away.

The tour begins at 10:30pm at the American Legion Cemetery, near the Chamber of Commerce, and continues on to the Jesse Lee, Masonic, Pioneer, and city sections of the cemetery.

Each person’s story will be taken from contemporary obituaries or news articles. This is a good opportunity to learn about some of the famous and not so famous departed citizens of Seward. The persons covered will be different from previous tours.

The tour is free, but there will be a donation jar for the Library/Museum Building Fund.

Let’s get something straight here.  While the title may be a bit misleading, we’re here today to focus on Home Taxidermy for pleasure, not profit.  For those of you that read The Worm has Turned to Compost and are now squirming in riches from entering the wonderfully exciting field of vermiculture, the same capitalistic enthusiasm need not apply.  Besides, the simple joy of turning an animal inside out, wrapping its deflated pelt around a wire cage and picking out some sparkly glass eyes should be enough.  Let’s not get greedy here.         

So why this book then?  I’m glad you asked.  You see, as a child I had many pets, but only one ever truly owned my heart.  His name was Croaker, and he was a toad.  I used to trick him and the rest of his toad family into leaving the drain pipe that ran under our house by turning on the hose at one end and waiting patiently at the outlet.  As right as rain, the trick never failed to produce a joyous bunch of happy hoppers that, thinking it was time for bliss in the mist, would come frolicking forth.  Then it was simply a matter of gathering them up into a big cardboard box where I would sit amongst my captives, oftentimes clad in not but my Scooby-Do underpants, and spend many happy hours.  Hmmm.  Come to think of it, I was a strange bird.  But no matter.  Croaker is the issue here.         

For a toad, Croaker was unique in having a dazzling yellow throat that always fascinated me.  I never failed to pick him out of the crowd and I felt that after a while, we became best of friends.  Of course, I’m sure the feeling wasn’t reciprocal with his being tossed around and petted by a five year old boy on a daily basis, but we had a relationship just the same.  But oh, if only I had known how to stuff my little amphibious friend after he passed those many years ago.  If I had had Croaker’s dried little body to pet during times of drought, I might never have run away from home and joined that band of Sri Lankan pirates.  I still don’t know what they were doing in Texas by the way, but that’s all in the past now.         

So don’t delay, learn today!  Even if it only saves one kid from a life of piracy on the high seas, learning to taxidermy your household pets after they expire is something we should all consider.  By the way, does anyone have an ageing Guinea Pig?  I’m almost to Chapter 14.   

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.

The Seward Community Foundation Steering Committee is hosting a community fundraiser at the Resurrection Roadhouse, Wednesday, June 11 from 5:30 to 7 pm.  Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.  Committee members will be presenting a short presentation about the Seward Community Foundation and its positive impact on our community.  

Seward has been chosen by Rasmuson and the Alaska Community Foundation to be part of their Community Assets Building program.  The focus of this initiative is to create a vehicle for donors to support local causes through a local foundation.  Rasmuson has committed to matching donations 2:1.  If Seward raises $25,000, by June 30, Rasmuson will match with $50,000. 

All community members who donate before June 30 will be designated as Founders of the Seward Community Foundation.  Please plan to attend and become a part of this great opportunity for Seward’s future.  Call Margaret Anderson at 224-5571 or Chellie Skoog at 362-7974 for details. 

Donations can be sent to Seward Community Foundation Box 933 Seward, AK 99664.

Honey Bee Observation Hive at the Library Tuesday, June 17th

Children of Seward are invited to visit the Seward Community Library on Tuesday, June 17 and check out the bees that will also be visiting the library that day. Moose Pass resident Irene Lindquist will have her observation hive at the library from 10 am until 6 pm. Students will be able to observe the worker bees feeding and cleaning the queen, feeding the larvae, and building cells. Also on June 17, the library will be giving out pollinator wheels donated by the Pollinator Partnership and craft packages from Wikki Stix. These materials were given to the library by Marie Wagner and Wagner World Travel.