Join Travis Beals, 2013 Iditarod Rookie and owner of Turning Heads Kennel, at the Seward Brewing Company this coming Thursday December, 6th from 5-7 for family night. Kids will enjoy playing dog sled themed games, and young and old alike will enjoy meeting a few members of Beals’ kennel — including some puppies, and learning about mushing. Beals has lived in Seward his entire life and has owned and operated his own kennel since the age of 14. He is an accomplished racer having placed second in the 2009 Jr. Iditarod.  He also received the humanitarian award for best dog care in the 2010 Tustumena 200, and recently finished 3rd in a very competive field for the Northern Lights 300. Beals’, 21,  is tremendously excited for the upcoming Iditarod; it’s been his goal since grade school.

“I love mushing and there is nothing more satisfying than sharing my passion.” He is looking forward to meeting the young faces in Seward Thursday night. “I got interested in mushing when I was a kid, so sharing it with kids is something really special. You never know, who you could be encouraging,” he said. “I hope to inspire a new generation of Seward mushers.”

Thursday’s festivities will also include a chance to take a picture with a dogsled and to try on some mushing gear.  In addition to racing, Beals recently started offering dog sled rides this summer out of his home on Exit Glacier Road to help pay for his racing. Learn more about Beals at his website, www.TurningHeadsKennel.com and on facebook at www.facebook.com/TurningHeadsKennel.

At last a comprehensive guide to Arts & Events in Alaska to be published this summer by the same people that did the new Whittier Visitor Guide.

The link below outlines the project, the goals & purpose.  Join with us in making this a relevant, informative & valuable resource for visitors & residents alike.

As a thank you for your support, a selection of prints by artist & photgrapher, David Wagner.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1479194715/arts-guide-for-alaska

**Update** — CLASS IS NOW FULL — Email if you’d like to be placed on the waiting list or get on the mailing list to receive information directly about future tai chi classes. Thank you!

Starting next Tuesday, April 24th, Julie Rosier will offer a 9-week community sampler series of Beginner Tai Chi at REZ Fitness Gym. Classes will continue every Tuesday evening, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., until June 26th. If interested please email jrosier06@gmail.com to confirm your spot. Space is limited, so please register early. Preference will be given to students who can attend all nine classes.

Tai Chi Ch’uan is an ancient martial art that fuses exercise and spirituality, the embodiment of Chinese Taoist philosophy.  Physically, the cultivation and circulation of Chi, or life force energy, increases muscle strength, balance and flexibility. On a spiritual level, it fosters relaxation and the harmonization of opposing forces.

Julie Rosier teaches the Yang-style short form of Tai Chi, developed by Cheng Man-Ch’ing. Known by his students simply as “The Professor,” Cheng Man-Ch’ing was instrumental in introducing Tai Chi in the U.S. during the 1960s. Both of Julie’s teachers, Maggie Newman, in New York City, and Carol Yamaski, in Detroit, studied directly with Professor Cheng. Watch a video of Cheng Man-Ch’ing practicing the form here.

Forget the fair – we’ve got two events this weekend and next you don’t want to miss!

Due to popular demand, the ASFA Phoenix Chapter Rummage / Quilt / Bake Sale is being held over to this Saturday! 

Location:      Seward Elk’s Lodge
                    419 Fifth Avenue
Date:            Saturday, August 28
Time:            10:00 am – 5:00 pm

We’ve got something for everyone –

• Handmade quilts & wall décor – made by Seward area quilters
• Hand tools, plumbing supplies, electrical supplies, vehicle parts, shelving, etc.
• Clothing & shoes for men, women, and children (all you can fit in a grocery bag for $5)!!
• Toys and baby stuff
• Bicycles & helmets
• Kitchenware, glassware & housewares
• Holiday decorations & costumes
• Computer equipment
• Exercise equipment
• Books
• And more!

Also remember that the Phoenix Chapter – thanks to Kenai Fjords Tours – is also hosting a dinner cruise to Fox Island next Saturday, September 4!  For only $50 you get a cruise to Fox Island PLUS prime rib dinner!  Visit www.alaskafireconference.com for details and to purchase tickets.

The Science and Engineering Experience Kamp (SEEK) Trust is offering partial scholarships for SEEK Alaska summer camp to students entering grades 7 through 10. SEEK Alaska is a five-day summer camp where science, math, and engineering principles are presented in a way that young people will enjoy and learn. The camp is held at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The two camps this year are held 12-16 July or 19-23 July. Scholarships of $375 are available on a first come first served basis. This brings the cost of a 5-day resident camp at UAA to only $200! This expanded scholarship program is only available through 19 June 2010, so please act now. Please visit www.seekalaska.org to register or call 907 830-3595 for more information.

In the usual spirit of free and open discussion of the issue the Council will hear the pros and cons of Fluoride at the END of tonight’s meeting.

Get ready for poison in your drinking water folks and thank [Admins Note: content cut- articles must address the topic and not who may or may not agree with the author] for all these “benefits” by rail roading this through with the absolute minimum of public comment.

Seasons Greetings Seward! It’s funny how this particular time of year is supposed to embody relaxation and time spent with family, and how it really translates into, “run your butt off between here anchorage, the post office, gift shops, and stuck in traffic until you’re dizzy/half crazed and succumb to Holiday Madness!!” Well stop chewing on the steering wheel, we want the dream of rest and relaxation to truly come true for you, the holiday warrior hero. The Seward Arts Council’s Music Fest Team is putting all of the finishing touches on the 2009 New Year’s Ball to be held at the ARRC Cruise Ship Terminal. All you have to do is show up, boogie down and help us toast the dawn of yet another new year here in The GreatLand!
We clean up after so you don’t have too. No sinks full of dishes, no turkey or ham coma to struggle with. This is a turnkey operation, unlike that annual replay of dad’s ‘turkey operation’ at family dinner table.
Anyway, if you want to buy advance ticket go to any of these handy locations: Sea Bean Cafe, Ranting Raven, Resurrect Art, Cover To Cover Books, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, APEX Gym, BC Music School. Or at the door. More info at www.sewardfestival.com and/or call Mark at 224-6800 See you there! Salut!

Bring the whole family down to the Sports & Rec gym (AVTEC) on Friday night from 5:30-7:00pm for some rollerskating! Music with DJ CYN, colorful disco lights, limbo, prizes for costumes and plenty of laughs…just $2.00! It’s gonna be a hoot! Call or email SPRD for more info: 224-4054 or mwilkins@cityofseward.net

At 5:30 p.m. today there will be a wee St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
It will start at the small boat harbor, moving south down 4th Avenue and end at Railway Avenue (Sea Life Center).
Please come and enjoy the Spirit of the Irish.
If you would like to decorate your vehicle and join the parade, meet at the parking lot across from the Holiday Inn Express between 5 and 5:30 to decorate. (Bring your own decorations) Everyone is welcome to participate, Irish or not!
The parade will start promptly at 5:30, so if you don’t want to be a participant, please come and enjoy the parade!
Hope to see you there!
Happy St. Patty’s Day!