Thursday, March 30, 2006

At work with: Frank Vesecky
  Frank Vesecky, left, of Soldotna, flips a chicken and vegetable stir-fry at Louie's Restaurant in Kenai as assistant D.J. Dillon wipes the grill clean. Photo by John Hult Occupation:

Business Briefs
Area chambers set schedules Canned food drive events planned Workshop to open doors Scholarships offered Tax refunds available Trail expert to speak in Homer

What’s Happening
Best Bet Events and Exhibits Entertainment Upcoming Events Films Down the Road Anchorage Events

Movie's worth a look "Inside"
At first glance, this week’s film, the bank heist thriller “Inside Man,” looks to be another in a long line of throwaway blockbuster action films. Not bad, but nothing to write home about either. The hook with this movie, however, is in its director: Spike Lee. But, where he can certainly breathe new life into this common caper, any Spike Lee “Joint” comes with plenty of cons to go with its pros.

Art Briefs
Exhibit winners announced Stained glass classes offered Kids’ art sought Arts scholarships available Arts grants offered Scholarship competition set Carving workshops slated Dance club seeks members Storytellers wanted LeeShore sponsors contest

Do you know the muffin matron?
Soldotna’s Connie Hocker is a woman who knows what things are worth. She has to, really. She’s an appraiser for the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Supporters give cabin move a successful lift
An historic Kasilof cabin built before 1920 recently was picked up and moved to the McLane Center on Kalifornsky Beach Road. The cabin once belonged to Kasilof pioneer Abe Erickson.

Reader wills ANWR to open
Quote (from Letters to the Editor, March 22); It is the will of the people of the USA that ANWR be saved for future generations.

Heritage sale lets peninsula residents care for their elders
The purchase of Heritage Place by Central Peninsula General Hospital is the right idea because caring for those among us who are unable to care for themselves is the right thing to do. The purchase of HP by CPGH is not a “bad fiscal idea” as has been suggested because fiscal considerations do not define right and wrong.

Community lucky to have St. Patrick’s volunteers, sponsors
The 15th Annual Soldotna St. Patrick’s Day Celebration was truly a successful day enjoyed by the community.

Businesses played along for good cause
The Triumvirate Theatre is able to bring the arts to the community and raise money for charitable causes because of so many giving organizations, corporations and individuals.

Geography plays into changes
The nature of Region II geography required writing several proposed classifications of water bodies and buffer zone sizes into House Bill 420 and its companion, Senate Bill 262.

School surplus: Who profits from the leftover buildings?
Two years ago, when the decision was made to close Nikiski Elementary School, a hue and cry arose across the Kenai Peninsula in opposition.

Warning: Tsunami test scheduled for today
Those watching TV without the sound this morning may be in for a surprise.

Legislation would change timber practices in Southcentral Alaska
Timber harvesting rules defining buffers meant to protect habitat around Kenai Peninsula rivers and streams would be stiffened under bills now before the Alaska Legislature.

Maintenance helps combat alarming trend in fire safety
Twice annually the calender reminds us to readjust our clocks, but fire officials are urging Alaska residents to add a second step to this biannual ritual to ensure our alarms not only get us to work on time, but out of harm’s way.

Boys illness brings community closer
A life-threatening disease has hospitalized a 10-year-old Kenai boy and triggered a flurry of support among family, friends and people who have never even met the Kenai boy, but are touched by his story.

Fish meeting hooks interest, controversy
Meetings planned to discuss how to disperse public funds in Kenai and Russian rivers watershed areas already are stirring controversy.

Labor figures show steady employment
Slightly fewer people were available for work in the Kenai Peninsula Borough in February compared to the same month a year ago.

David R. Luck
Longtime Homer resident David R. Luck died Thursday, March 23, 2006, of natural causes at the South Peninsula Hospital in Homer. He was 61.

Bill offers hope to kids: Foster children need help to prepare for adulthood
With so much focus this year dedicated to the state’s oil and gas resources, it is important that other issues concerning Alaska’s future not be overlooked. According to the Department of Health and Social Services, there are nearly 2,000 children in Alaska’s foster care system. Most of these children were placed in foster care because they were neglected or abused in their home, and it is unsafe for them to return.

Around the Peninsula
Dog agility class set to run Habitat begins building season Girl Scout leader appreciation set

Around the Peninsula
CPGH plans board meeting Winter livestock series continues Little League registration up to bat Fairy tales to be told HEA youth rally slated Ethics to be discussed Rowing class set to begin Volunteer drivers needed Skyview 1996 reunion slated

As clear as mud
There’s no doubt some of our best and brightest minds are working on environmental issues affecting Alaska and, for that matter, the rest of the world.

Kenai River Guide Academy launched
The culmination of two years of planning has resulted in the establishment of the Kenai River Guide Academy.

Around the District
Free health screenings set Scholarships available Aurora Borealis Charter Connections Home school Cook Inlet Academy Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science Kalifornsky Beach Elementary Kenai Central High Kenai Middle Kenaitze Cuya Qyut’anen Head Start Mountain View Elementary Nikiski Middle-High School Nikiski North Star Elementary Redoubt Elementary Sears Elementary Soldotna High Soldotna Elementary Soldotna Middle Soldotna Montessori Charter Sterling Elementary Tustumena Elementary

In the shadows
My name is Elizabeth Barrett I go to Nikiski High school. For one of my classes were assigned to do a job shadow. So I got the pleasure of job shadowing Patrice Kohl -a writer at the Peninsula Clarion- I got to accompany her to an interview at the Challenger Center, it was a great experience. I was shown around the Center and even got the chance to watch a class do a mission in the simulator.

Bottom of the third quarter finds teenager in rush
Well it’s that time of year yet again. When kids run around turning in late assignments and trying to get their grades to a better spot.