Retired teachers and proud grandmas dine with some of the graduating seniors. Heidi Zemach photo.

Here are Joey, John, Brennen and Tyrone, taken before going in to breakfast. Congratulations everybody.

8:30-10 am Sailors’ Breakfast, at Sailing Inc., open to public.

10am-2pm Sailors Swap Meet-sponsored by Kenai Fjords Yacht Club, Sailing Inc. in the parking lot.

11am-3pm Open House aboard Yachts-pick up boarding pass and list of open boats at Sailing Inc.

12pm-6pm Silent Auction at Breeze Inn to benefit Mariner’s Memorial

3pm Seward Mariner’s Memorial Plaque Installation Service

4pm Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet-boats sail from harbor along beachfront to sea life center and back.

7pm-11pm Harbor Plaza Dance at Chinook’s Restaurant with Live Music, Dancing, Prizes, No host bar. Proceeds benefit the Mariners’ Memorial. $10 at the door.

The photo below is of the USCG’s PFD Otter, Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Sue Lang, and Coast Guard Cutter Mustang’s Commanding Officer Lisa Motoi, and other personnel, on their way to a Seward Chamber of Commerce talk at the Breeze Inn on National Boating Safety Week, and related events at the harbor. The Coast Guard auxiliary will conduct vessel safety checks. Call or text sue at 907 491-9110 for an appointment.

PFD Otter with US Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Sue Lang and USCG personnel. Heidi Zemach photo.

Seward Fire Chief Dave Squires explains that these are not light-sabers, although they may be fun to use as such. Heidi Zemach photo.

Here, Mica Mahalak and Alyssa Lucas ham for the camera from within a fire truck.

Possibly Seward’s future fire fighters Alyssa Lucas and Mica Mahalak. Heidi Zemach photo.

]]> http://sewardcitynews.com/2013/05/tis-the-season-for-school-field-trips/feed/ 0 http://sewardcitynews.com/2013/05/keeping-it-real/ http://sewardcitynews.com/2013/05/keeping-it-real/#comments Sat, 18 May 2013 01:06:52 +0000 Freedom http://sewardcitynews.com/?p=162726 By Heidi Zemach for SCN

Qutekcak Native Tribe held a bake sale and ivory carving class Friday March 20 to benefit the tribe’s elders program. The carving class was part of its series of ongoing traditional craft classes that also includes beading, and will grow this summer to include a traditional dogsled making class.

Leona Gottschalk shows some of the raw carving material students are using: fresh white walrus ivory (left) , and darker fossilized ivory (right)  Heidi Zemach photo.

Qutekcak provides cultural programs and social services that aid in the lives of Alaska’s first people in the Seward area. About a dozen people have participated in the carving class off and on, said Leona Gottschalk, a beading instructor who stood in Friday for their regular teacher, Julian Rentenaar. She showed us the pieces of white and brown walrus tusk or tooth ivory, and even browner fossilized ivory that class participants can carve, along with baleen. Both fresh and fossilized are about the same to carve, she said. Fresh walrus ivory, from the migrating walrus, is almost always bright white and can only be carved by a native Alaskan. Ancient fossilized walrus ivory, which can be brown, black, blue, or red, however, is dug up or found, and can be carved by non-natives.

The carvers use a desk-drill saw to cut the ivory, and Dremel drills with a variety of drill bits are used to shape and sand it. Then they sandpaper their item further to complete and polish the final product.  Popular items among class members are miniature mukluk-boot earrings, and ulu-shaped earrings, Gottschalk said.  James Wardlow, who recently started taking classes there, carved some muktuk (whale blubber)- style earrings, with the white ivory representing the layer of whale blubber, and the black baleen on top representing the whale’s skin layer. Muktuk is most often made from the skin and blubber of a Bowhead Whale although the beluga and narwhal are also used. Usually it’s eaten raw, but it is occasionally finely diced, breaded, deep fried, and served with soy sauce.

One of the student’s carved ulu earrings, still in progress. Heidi Zemach photo.

The principal idea for the classes are to get more prospective craftspeople qualified to receive Silver Hand Permits, which certify that the traditional arts and crafts they’re selling is authentic, and produced within the state by Alaska Natives. The official identifying symbol is a silver hand on a black oval background with the words “Authentic Native handicraft from Alaska.” The program is run by the Alaska State Council on the Arts Department of Education & Early Development.

All of Qutekcak’s craft classes are free, and open to everyone in the community, although they do take donations, said Melanee Stevens, the program youth manager. They are a great opportunity to learn a unique new skill from a group of talented experts who make a living from their craft.

Carving and beading workshops are Wednesdays, from 1:00-3:00 pm respectively, and there’s another carving class on Friday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The dogsled class will held sometime during the summer. Stay tuned!

Senator Selects Rachel Tougas to Contribute to Her Capitol Hill Work

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Lisa Murkowski today announced the selection of Rachel Tougas of Seward as her United States Senate Page this summer – the Senator’s second nomination since earning the seniority to sponsor a Senate page last January.

“The Senate Page Program is an incredible opportunity for young people like Rachel to begin their journey towards becoming our nation’s future leaders and policymakers, and open their eyes to how the federal process operates outside of a textbook” said Senator Murkowski. “I am always excited to see students ask about opportunities to serve, and my new opportunity to select an Alaskan high school junior every semester and summer is truly an investment in our next generation of Alaskans.”

Rachel Tougas, a Seward High School junior, was selected as one of thirty high school juniors from across the country to participate in the Senate’s 3-week summer page program this June. Pages are selected by senior members of the Senate and tasked with delivering correspondence and legislative materials within the Capitol, preparing the Senate chambers and assisting all 100 Senators.

It was during a visit to Seward last January for the opening of the new Seward Community Library Museum, that Senator Murkowski had the opportunity to speak with a group of student volunteers from the Seward High School Debate Team that included Ms. Tougas – when Rachel inquired about an internships in the Senator’s office and was encouraged to apply to the U.S. Senate Page Program.

Rachel Tougas, 2013 U.S. Senate Page, and Senator Murkowski

at the Opening of the Seward Community Library Museum

“I never really had much interest in politics; I never saw a connection until I joined my debate team this year,” said Tougas. “We had to debate different domestic and global issues, and that really opened my eyes to everything. It made me want to be more involved and to educate myself and others about different issues. What better place to learn than Washington, D.C.”

Students looking for more information or interested in applying should visit the Senator’s website by clicking here.

Matthew N. Shuckerow

Press Secretary Senator

Lisa Murkowski (AK)

202-224-8069 Direct

matt_shuckerow@murkowski.senate.gov

Seward, Alaska Sporadic Bird Report

A few days ago, I noticed two BALD EAGLES stroking swiftly with deadly determination towards me. The adult seemed to be pursuing the subadult, quickly closing the gap. I immediately froze, camera at the ready. Whenever two eagles (or ravens) get that close, something interesting usually happens. Sure enough, the fierce adult caught up with the younger bird just overhead, menacing golden talons extended. The younger bird quickly flipped over, presenting its sharp talons in defense. The giants briefly locked weapons, falling earthward, then disengaged, and as quickly sped off. One peeled off and away as the other veered and circled back to attend to whatever business was waiting.

Wow! It happened in a flash and ended so fast! I was just relieved to be an inconsequential, stunned observer, of zero interest to either magnificent bird.

Coincidentally, not a minute later, two RAVENS flew past and repeated the flip-claws-touch-flip-flyby-ta da! But then, these excellent aerial acrobats do this all the time just for fun. Maybe they were inspired by the Eagles to show off.

Mid-May seems to be a very active time for both Eagles and Ravens as mating pairs and territories are established. Youngsters are driven away from the ol’ homestead, as pair bonds are strengthened. Keep an eye out whenever you see two eagles flying too close together; sparks might fly!

Check out this link to a similar situation in Duluth Minnesota, “Two bald eagles in air battle crash-land at airport”:

<http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/two-bald-eagles-in-air-battle-crash-land-at-airport>

Happy Birding!

Carol Griswold       Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter

http://sporadicbird.blogspot.com

This is part of the Schoolyard Habitat project that Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance is coordinating for all three of our public schools. By involving our youth in local habitat restoration programs, they learn key science concepts and get involved with planning and creating special schoolyard and community projects!

Due to our very chilly spring, we’ve had to delay groundbreaking for the new garden until the June summer school session. During the first week of June, we’ll need adult volunteers to complete the garden prep work; adding top soil, placing weed-block fabric and edging, and spreading wood chips and pathway gravel. The following week, during the afternoons, all area youth are invited to help the Boys and Girls Club, and summer school kids plant the garden!

To volunteer, please either send an email to SewardSYH@gmail.com or call Matt Gray at 224-4621. Then we’ll send you a signup link so that we’ll know which days and times that you’re able to help. Here’s the schedule: the garden prep will be on

June 4^th    1:00pm  – 5:00pm

June 5^th   10:00am – 9:00pm (with breaks for lunch and dinner)

June 6^th   10:00am – 5:00pm

We invite all area youth (and parents) to help with the planting in the afternoons of June 10 to 14.

In addition to the groups mentioned above, we also want to thank the Seward Community Foundation, the School District and the US Fish & Wildlife Service for supporting this project.

LIBRARY HOURS

Sunday  Closed

Monday 11am—6pm

Tues-Thurs 11am—8pm

Fri & Sat 11am—6pm

MUSEUM HOURS – Museum Admission is $5 (12 & under are free)

Sunday 1pm—5pm

Monday Closed

Tues-Thurs 11am—7pm

Fri & Sat 11am—5pm

Contact the Library at 224-4082 or the Museum at 224-3902 with any questions.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
405 PM AKDT THU MAY 16 2013

...LATE WINTER STORM TO AFFECT AREAS SOUTHEAST OF THE ALASKA RANGE
FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

.COLD AIR FROM THE NORTH AND PLENTY OF MOISTURE FROM THE GULF OF
ALASKA WILL COMBINE OVER SOUTH CENTRAL ALASKA ON FIR DAY. THE
RESULT WILL BE WEATHER MORE TYPICAL OF WINTER...WITH SIGNIFICANT
SNOWFALL NEVER BEFORE SEEN THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.

AKZ101-171315-
/X.NEW.PAFC.WW.Y.0035.130518T0300Z-130518T2100Z/
ANCHORAGE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ANCHORAGE...EAGLE RIVER...INDIAN...
EKLUTNA
405 PM AKDT THU MAY 16 2013

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM FRIDAY TO
1 PM AKDT SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM FRIDAY TO 1
PM AKDT SATURDAY.

* SNOW...3 TO 6 INCHES WITH GREATEST AMOUNTS AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS

* TIMING...SNOW WILL BEGIN TO ACCUMULATE AFTER 7 PM FRIDAY AND
  TAPER OFF TO RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS EARLY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...TRAVEL WILL BE DIFFICULT. VISIBILITIES MAY BE LIMITED
  IN HEAVY SNOWFALL.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

Seminar Speaker:  Katrina Edgar, Ph.D., Alaska SeaLife Center

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

12-1pm (Brown Bag Lunch)

Bear Mt. Conference Room, Alaska SeaLife Center

Free seminar, everyone welcome!

Katrina will be presenting research that she conducted for her doctoral dissertation on streptococcal infective endocarditis in sea otters.  Infective endocarditis was a major cause of mortality in northern sea otters and there were several cases in southern sea otters as well.  Results on how the Streptococcus causes disease in sea otters and possible sources of the bacterium in the environment will be discussed.

We also are looking for a sound system (speakers and microphones)  to borrow if for the staff concert at the Rez Arts, for the kid’s concert at the Lutheran Church, and possibly for the open mikes and square dance.

If you can help with either of these, please contact Heidi at 224-6473.

Or to sign up for the kids camp, or adult evening bluegrass workshop go to:    http://www.bluegrasscampsforkids.com/

“I am honored to be listed alongside such a group of talented Alaskan chefs and too be included in Best Chefs America.” said Executive Chef Slater.  “This recognition gives me yet another reason to be appreciative of my fellow professionals here in Alaska and it shows just how tight our chef community really is.”

“Chefs themselves truly understand what it takes to be successful in this competitive industry, and Best Chefs America offers them a forum to express their views,” states Elizabeth Fishburne, Best Chefs America Lead Analyst. “Based on the overwhelmingly positive response from more than 5,000 participating chefs, it is clear that the chef world was ready for us.”

About Executive Chef Erik Slater and the lodges

In 2011, Executive Chef Slater was honored to be selected by Alaska Governor Parnell to represent the state in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans.

Slater’s love of cooking came from his mother, who began honing his skills as soon as he could reach the range top. By the time he was 18, Erik Slater was a cook at the Elk Café in Spokane, Washington. A couple of years later, he worked at a small Italian café, learning old family recipes and techniques from the owners.

He later moved to the Mars Hotel as sous chef, before leaving Washington for Anchorage, Alaska, to work as head chef of Sorellas. He then moved to Napa Valley where he did fresh sheet menus paired with Napa Valley wines at the Dutch Treat Café. Slater took some time off to travel through Thailand, learning the authentic details of Thai cooking, returning to Alaska to work at a small Asian fusion restaurant in Juneau.

In 2000, Slater moved to Seward where he was head chef at Ray’s Waterfront Restaurant and a partner in Seward’s Railway Cantina, before joining Seward Windsong Lodge in 2004, as executive chef. He serves on the board of the Alaska Culinary Academy.

Seward Windsong Lodge and Resurrection Roadhouse, the on-site restaurant, operate the 2013 season from May 17^ththrough September 17^th. Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge unveils a new main lodge building with an expanded kitchen and new culinary program to its guests on May 31^st for the 2013 season.

About Best Chefs America

Best Chefs America is the ultimate chef’s guide to chefs. Analysts conducted more than 5,000 confidential telephone interviews with chefs who were nominated by other chefs, culinary professionals and food enthusiasts across the country. The interviews consisted of a series of proprietary questions, and software was used to aggregate the data.  Chefs earning the highest scores among their peers in their region were included in the guide. The results were compiled into a 386-page coffee table book, complete with chef listings broken down both geographically and alphabetically. Best Chefs America also features stunning photography and highlights emerging culinary trends and ingredients uncovered during the interviews.

Best Chefs America costs $75.00 and can be purchased online at http://bestchefsamerica.com/orde

Best Chefs America Contacts:

• Mike Hicks/Gina Stouffer
• LOU HAMMOND & ASSOCIATES
• 561-655-3836
• michaelh@lhammond.com
• ginag@lhammond.com
• www.louhammond.com
• www.twitter.com/louhammondpr   ##

Dee Buchanon
Director of Marketing
907-777-2837 / 907-441-9191 cell
Email: dbuchanon@ciri.com
Media Photos: www.ciritourism.com/media

Alaska Native owned and operated, CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation is the umbrella company for Alaska Heritage Tours, Kenai Fjords Tours, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, and Seward Windsong Lodge. CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation is a Minority Business Enterprise, MBE#PS0313.

“I am honored to be listed alongside such a group of talented Alaskan chefs and too be included in Best Chefs America.” said Executive Chef Slater. “This recognition gives me yet another reason to be appreciative of my fellow professionals here in Alaska and it shows just how tight our chef community really is.”

“Chefs themselves truly understand what it takes to be successful in this competitive industry, and Best Chefs America offers them a forum to express their views,” states Elizabeth Fishburne, Best Chefs America Lead Analyst. “Based on the overwhelmingly positive response from more than 5,000 participating chefs, it is clear that the chef world was ready for us.”

About Executive Chef Erik Slater and the Lodges

In 2011, Executive Chef Slater was honored to be selected by Alaska Governor Parnell to represent the state in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans.

Slater’s love of cooking came from his mother, who began honing his skills as soon as he could reach the range top. By the time he was 18, Erik Slater was a cook at the Elk Café in Spokane, Washington. A couple of years later, he worked at a small Italian café, learning old family recipes and techniques from the owners.

He later moved to the Mars Hotel as sous chef, before leaving Washington for Anchorage, Alaska, to work as head chef of Sorellas. He then moved to Napa Valley where he did fresh sheet menus paired with Napa Valley wines at the Dutch Treat Café. Slater took some time off to travel through Thailand, learning the authentic details of Thai cooking, returning to Alaska to work at a small Asian fusion restaurant in Juneau.

In 2000, Slater moved to Seward where he was head chef at Ray’s Waterfront Restaurant and a partner in Seward’s Railway Cantina, before joining Seward Windsong Lodge in 2004, as executive chef. He serves on the board of the Alaska Culinary Academy.

Seward Windsong Lodge and Resurrection Roadhouse, the on-site restaurant, operate the 2013 season from May 17th through September 17th. Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge unveils a new main lodge building with an expanded kitchen and new culinary program to its guests on May 31st for the 2013 season.

Alaska Native owned and operated, CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation is the umbrella company for Alaska Heritage Tours, Kenai Fjords Tours, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, and Seward Windsong Lodge. CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation is a Minority Business Enterprise, MBE#PS0313.

CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation Contact: Dee Buchanon, Director of Marketing, 907-777-2837 / 907-441-9191 cell
Email: dbuchanon@ciri.com
Media Photos: www.ciritourism.com/media

About Best Chefs America

Best Chefs America is the ultimate chef’s guide to chefs. Analysts conducted more than 5,000 confidential telephone interviews with chefs who were nominated by other chefs, culinary professionals and food enthusiasts across the country. The interviews consisted of a series of proprietary questions, and software was used to aggregate the data. Chefs earning the highest scores among their peers in their region were included in the guide. The results were compiled into a 386-page coffee table book, complete with chef listings broken down both geographically and alphabetically. Best Chefs America also features stunning photography and highlights emerging culinary trends and ingredients uncovered during the interviews.

Best Chefs America costs $75.00 and can be purchased online at http://bestchefsamerica.com/orde

Best Chefs America Contacts: Mike Hicks/Gina Stouffer
LOU HAMMOND & ASSOCIATES
561-655-3836
michaelh@lhammond.com
ginag@lhammond.com
www.louhammond.com
www.twitter.com/louhammondpr

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK
600 PM AKDT WED MAY 15 2013

AKZ101-111-121-145-161800-

...EXTREMELY UNUSUAL LATE-SEASON SNOWFALL POSSIBLE FRIDAY EVENING
THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

CONFIDENCE IS INCREASING THAT A VERY LATE-SEASON SURGE OF COLD AIR
WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHERN ALASKA ON FRIDAY. THE COLD AIR WILL INTERACT
WITH A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING INTO THE GULF OF ALASKA CAUSING
RAIN TO CHANGE OVER TO SNOW FRIDAY AFTERNOON OR EVENING FROM THE
WESTERN KENAI PENINSULA TO ANCHORAGE AND THE MAT-SU.

THERE ARE QUITE A FEW UNCERTAINTIES WITH THIS STORM...INCLUDING THE
ARRIVAL TIME OF THE COLD AIR AND HOW INTENSE THE PRECIPITATION WILL
BE. THE INTENSITY OF SNOWFALL WILL BE THE KEY TO WHETHER SNOW
IS ABLE TO STICK TO THE GROUND AND ACCUMULATE.

CURRENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE HIGHEST LIKELIHOOD OF ACCUMULATING
SNOW WILL BE FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. IT IS
TOO SOON TO FORECAST SNOWFALL AMOUNTS...BUT WE CAN SAY THAT THE
HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF ANCHORAGE AND THE MAT-SU (INCLUDING THE
ANCHORAGE HILLSIDE) HAVE THE HIGHEST POTENTIAL FOR ACCUMULATING
SNOW. GRASSY AREAS WILL BE THE FIRST TO SEE SNOW BEGIN TO
ACCUMULATE...WITH PAVED SURFACES TAKING THE LONGEST TO COOL DOWN
ENOUGH FOR SNOW TO STICK.

THERE ARE ONLY TWO INSTANCES IN THE RECORD BOOKS WHERE MEASURABLE
SNOWFALL WAS RECORDED IN ANCHORAGE (AT THE OFFICIAL CLIMATE STATION)
DURING THE 2ND HALF OF MAY. THESE OCCURRED ON MAY 17 1989 AND MAY
22 1964. BOTH OF THESE STORMS DEPOSITED 0.2 INCHES OF SNOWFALL.
THE UPCOMING STORM HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF PRODUCING THE LARGEST
SNOWFALL IN THE 2ND HALF OF MAY SINCE RECORDS BEGAN IN 1917.

ADDITIONALLY...IF ANY MEASURABLE SNOWFALL AT ALL OCCURS THIS WEEKEND
IT WOULD MAKE THE 2012-2013 SNOW SEASON THE LONGEST SINCE RECORDS
BEGAN. THE SNOW SEASON IS DEFINED AS THE NUMBER OF DAYS BETWEEN THE
FIRST AND LAST MEASURABLE SNOWFALLS OF THE SEASON. THE CURRENT RECORD
IS HELD BY THE 1981-1982 SNOW SEASON WHERE 230 DAYS ELAPSED BETWEEN
THE FIRST AND LAST SNOWFALL.

AS MENTIONED EARLIER THERE IS STILL QUITE A BIT OF UNCERTAINTY
WITH THE DETAILS OF THE APPROACHING STORM. OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS SHOULD
PREPARE FOR THE LATE SEASON COLD AND SNOW BEFORE HEADING OUT. PLEASE
STAY TUNED TO THE LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER FORECASTS FOR THE MOST
UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS UNUSUAL LATE SEASON EVENT.