Around the Peninsula

Community to discuss foster care

An independent foster care group meeting will be held at 7 p.m. today in the Cook Inlet Academy gym.

The purpose of the meeting will be to address: the financial and emotional cost of unaccountability in social work; the issue of establishing a foster parent advisory board; pros and cons of a foster parent union; how foster care effects a community.

For more information, call Lance or Leslie Robert at 262-1911.

Forest Service to hold hearing

A public comment meeting for Seward residents interested in the national roadless area conservation proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the AVTEC Building.

Two versions of the Roadless Area Conservation Plan and draft environmental impact statement will be available for public review and comment. Individuals and organizations may provide oral or written comments. Oral comments will be recorded and time limited.

For faxed copies of the documents, call 1-800-777-5805.

Free walk and geology lesson

The Kenai Watershed Forum presents a geological perspective of the Kenai River with geologist Robert Ruffner.

The walk and drive is Thursday and begins at 1 p.m. at the Kenai River Flats viewing platform on Bridge Access Road. Participants should dress for the outdoors. All walks are one to two hours long.

Walks are free. Donations are welcome. The event is open to the public.

For more information, call Kelly or Robert at 260-5449.

Vacation Bible School in Nikiski

Vacation Bible School will be conducted Monday through Wednesday at Nikiski Church of Christ. The church is located at Mile 24.5 Spur Highway.

Class begins each day at 9:30 a.m. and dismisses at 12:15 p.m. There will be Bible classes for children in grades six and below. All materials are free, including refreshments. There will be no collections. Everyone is invited.

For more information, call 776-8431.

Gebhardt to speak at Kenai chamber luncheon

The speaker this week for the Kenai Chamber of Commerce luncheon is musher Paul Gebhardt, second-place finisher in this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Meetings are open to the public and are held on Wednesdays at Paradisos Restaurant at noon.

Tour offered of archaeological excavation

Dr. Alan Boraas will lead a tour of a 1,500-year-old village site on the Kenai River on Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Boraas and his students are excavating the site to learn more about how earlier residents of the Kenai Peninsula interacted with each other and the environment. The tour is $10 per person and $20 per family. Proceeds support Kachemak Heritage Land Trust's conservation work on the Kenai Peninsula. To register, or for more information, call 260-1999.

Swimming lessons at SoHi

The Soldotna High School pool is offering swimming lessons throughout the summer. Classes are taught by Red Cross-certified instructors. Pool hours are 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information, call the SoHi Pool at 262-7419.

Kenai chamber sponsors Fourth of July

The annual Kenai Fourth of July parade will begin at 1 p.m. on July 4, starting on Willow Street and continuing on the Kenai Spur Highway. The parade theme is "Kenai -- A Great Place for Space!"

Booths will be located in front of the softball fields on Main Street and will feature food, crafts, live music and much more.

Progress Days Parade accepting entries

The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce is accepting parade entries from clubs, organizations, businesses and community groups for the 41st annual Progress Days Parade. The parade will be held on July 22. All entries must be received by the chamber office before July 17.

For more information, call 262-9814.

Visitor center offers guided tours of Old Town

One-hour guided walking tours of Old Town Kenai are available through the summer from the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. Tours will take place Tuesday through Saturday, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost is $5.

For more information or to schedule large group tours, call Ricky Gease at 283-1991.

Free child developmental screening

Parents with questions about their child's development are invited to free developmental screening. For more information, call Frontier Community Services Early Intervention at 262-3144.