Around the Peninsula

Montessori open house planned

The Rideway Montessori Preschool will host an open house at 5:30 p.m. today at the school. Information on programs and summer camp will be available. For more information and directions to the school, call Erin Keene at 262-2699.

Cleanup, green-up day Friday

Kenai National Wildlife will conduct a spring cleaning Friday. All permanent and summer seasonal employees will work with local volunteers to spruce up the refuge in preparation for summer.

Refuge staff will meet at the Ski Hill Road Visitor Center at 8 a.m. The cleaning groups will gather at Upper Skilak Campground at 4 p.m. for a picnic provided by Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Employees Association, the Alaska Natural History Association and Unocal. For more information, call 262-7021.

Dunn to retire

A retirement party will be held in honor of Kenai Central High School Principal Dennis Dunn from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Kenai. It is open to the public.

Letter carriers' food drive is Saturday

The National Association of Letter Carriers' 13th annual food drive will be held Saturday. Residents may give canned or dry food to their mail carrier or leave it at their cluster box to have it collected and donated to the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. The food will help replenish the food bank's stores after winter. For more information, call 262-3111.

Torch Run set for Saturday

The 2005 Alaska Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Alaska will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Kenai and Homer.

The 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) family fun run is conducted in 17 communities across the state simultaneously.

In Kenai, the run begins in front of the CarQuest Auto Parts store on Willow Street. In Homer, the race starts at the base of the Homer Spit.

An entry fee for the race is $25, which includes a T-shirt, or $15 without the shirt. Entrants are encouraged to sign up sponsors to pledge donations to Special Olympics. For more information in Kenai, call officer Kelly Modla at 262-7021, or in Homer, call Sgt. Dave Shealy at (907) 235-3150.

Nikiski fire chief to retire

The Nikiski Fire Service Area will host a retirement get-together for fire chief Daniel Gregory at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Nikiski Community Center (formerly Nikiski Elementary). Presentations will begin at 7 p.m. Gregory has served for more than 30 years. It is open to the public.

KPC looking for council representatives

Kenai Peninsula College is seeking community members interested in serving as council representatives. The council serves a public advisory role for the college and seeks representation from all sectors of the peninsula.

To be considered for a position, send a letter of interest and a resume to Kenai Peninsula College, director's office, 34820 College Drive, Soldotna, AK 99669.