Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Opportunities missed
It never ceases to amaze me that for such a small community we seem to constantly struggle with communication between organizations. I am referring to the recent lighting of the new Soldotna river bridge.

Whatever happened to 'one person, one vote'?
"Attorney" Dolifka said he had been disenfranchised by the assembly's decision not to seat the candidates Sprague, Fischer and Superman, effectively denying him his constitutional right to vote, to have his vote counted.

How do we get our reputation back?
I suspect that by the end of this week you and I will be up to here with the pros and cons of the Murkowski tax (PPT) passed during the last few days of his term. There is one question I have and I hope I am not the only one out there that is concerned with the answer. I want to know how are we Alaskans ever going to get our reputation back?

Dinner, auction successful with the help from many
The 13th annual Thelma McConnell Scholarship Auction and Dinner was successful again this year. Many thanks goes to all the businesses and individuals that participated. Thank you to the Nikiski Recreation Center for letting us hold this event in the facility and to Tammy Bardahl, Daniel Zulkanycz, Johni Libert, Casey McClure, Laura Smith and the Nikiski Fire Department for their help.

Novel ideas
Shannon Bradford's "Dumbo the Flying Elephant" was one of the winning entries in Soldotna Public Library's pumpkin decorating contest. Participants were asked to pick a character or scene from a favorite book and recreate it with a gourd.

Getting into the spirit
Treats came early this year as anyone could attest to that attended the Halloween Family Fun Day on Saturday at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. From sword swinging ninjas to fairy princesses to muscle bound superheroes, dozens of costumed children of all ages took part in festivities.

Trapping season begins
Some people might think snaring a wolf or coyote is cruel and inhumane, but Laine Lahndt thinks otherwise.

Olson's committee pushes for substitute
A substitute bill adopted Sunday by a House special committee that revises Gov. Sarah Palin's proposal for revamping the way Alaska taxes oil and gas developers has a reasonable chance of surviving to a floor vote, Rep. Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna, said Monday.

Soldotna voters heading to polls
Registered voters in Soldotna will be returning to city hall today to decide who replaces Jane Stein as council member to fill seat D of the Soldotna City Council.

Of 'corpse' it's fun
There are whispers, suggestions and suspicions where the Triumvirate Theater in the Peninsula Center Mall now stands. There used to be a sanitorium and the ghosts of those that died there walk the halls two nights a year, or so the story goes.

Plant years from rehire
Appearing to hold onto any amount of hope, an Agrium employee asked the plant general manager Thursday when she could be hired back if the company decides to go through with plans to build a coal gasification plant in Nikiski.

Ninilchik Community News
On Oct. 17 and 18, four teens from Ninil-chik teamed up with Cooperative Extension youth agent Nancy Veal and 4-H leader Suzan Cobb to help with the health fairs in Nanwalek and Port Graham.

Kasilof Community News
There's a mess of gooseflesh in Kasilof this Halloween, but it has more to do with fortunes than urchins.

Around the Peninsula
Pingpong continues Toastmasters to meet Community Harvest, Halloween carnivals slated Book sale fundraiser planned VFW holds scholarship contest Developmental screening offered Holiday bazaars seek crafty people Passport fair set Driver safety program offered Library seeks volunteers

Soldotna Community News
Happy Halloween. It's that time of year when howling ghosts, cackling witches and grinning jack-o'-lanterns abound. A few safety tips are include from Central Emergency Services for a safe and enjoyable evening.

Nikiski Community News
Good day to all of my Nikiski neighbors.

Scouting out fun
Cub Scouts are shown cheering on their hand-carved and painted pinewood derby cars Oct. 13 at Alaska Carousel Carving in Soldotna. The winners were: Byron, first place; Joseph, second place; and Luke, third place. The derby was attend by 22 peninsula scouts, who are part of the Tustumena and Rural Districts Great Alaska Council. For more information on Boy and Cub Scouting on the peninsula, call Camille Sun Vega at 283-1699.

Around the Peninsula
Toastmasters to meet Fall bazaar, bake sale slated Fall fun day planned Historical society to meet Counseling association seeks members Gardeners to gather Internet workshop rescheduled Hospice open house set Fish and Game to meet Reading council seeks members Crooners sought

4-H shines
On Oct. 20, the annual 4-H awards program took place at the Ninilchik Fairgrounds. Winners of the 4-Her of the Year awards are: Senior, Sarah Cobb of Ninilchik; intermediate, Noelle Schmitter-Schrier of Soldotna and Kade Foust of Sterling; junior, Vienna Schmitter-Schrier of Soldotna; runner-up, Kassidy Foust of Sterling; and honorable mentions, Abi Daniels, Aurora Lambert, Caleb Daniels, Maya Johnson, Maya Chay, Garrity Fabich, D.Anne Martin, Freya Chay, Joanna Daniels, Mattie Cobb, Jenna Fabich and Kody Knox. 4-Her of the month for November is Kassidy Foust and December is Nathan Carrico. District medal winners shown above are: back row, from left, Megan Hansen, Kayleen Hansen, Mattie Cobb, Mary Hauptman, Maya Chay, Veinna Schmitter-Schrier, Noelle Schmitter-Schrier, Maya Johnson, Christian Carrico, D.Anne Martin, Sarah Cobb, Carla Pherson and Joanna Daniels; and front row, Kassidy Foust, Cody Warfield, Cassy Dobson, Mariesha Derkevorkian, Taylor Calderwood, Logan Boyle, Kody Knox, Misty Knox, Hannah Kelson, Esther Knox, Jenna Hansen, Kade Foust and Caleb Daniels. Winners not pictured include Timaney Anderson, Josiah Martin, Tera Schnabl, Courtney Lewis, Michael Lewis, Daniels Lewis, Carol Clonan, Katie Clonan, Lauren Countryman, Aurora Lambert, Vicki Glick, Heather Schade, Ben Miller and Abi Daniels. For more information on 4-H, call the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Office on Kalifornsky Beach Road at 262-5824.

There's no trick to Halloween safety; keep these tips in mind
BOO!

Sterling Community News
A few nights ago I got a reminder of one of the reasons I love living in Sterling. I woke up at some ungodly hour of the morning because the dog was insisting she needed to go outside now!

Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be stressed-out cowboy
At the beginning of the summer I had one goal win a belt buckle.

Around the District
Aurora Borealis Charter Connections home-school IDEA home-school Kalifornsky Beach Elementary Kaleidoscope School of Arts and Science Kenai Central High Kenaitze Head Start Mountain View Elementary Ninilchik School Nikiski Middle-High Nikiski North Star Redoubt Elementary Sears Elementary Skyview High School Soldotna High Soldotna Elementary Soldotna Middle Sterling Elementary Tustumena Elementary Wings Christian Academy

So much to do ...
Things are happening at Ninilchik School.