Seldovia Summer Gazette - Alaska Communications

[Pages:28]Seldovia Summer Gazette

Seldovia, Alaska ? No. 4

2005 Annual Edition

Free Paper

Mayor's Welcome

This is the third year as Mayor that I have had the opportunity to welcome you to our little community -one of Alaska's hidden treasures. Seldovia is sometimes referred to as "one of Alaska's best kept secrets" and "a city with about 300 people and a few old crabs." To prove it, on the 4th of July, as Mayor, I will "crown" our Honorary Old Crab of 2005, a much coveted title in the realm of Seldovia history!

This is a very exciting time in the history of Seldovia. As Mayor, I am excited with the direction and progress Seldovia is taking. The City Council and I, together with all our city employees, are doing our utmost to develop, promote and improve the lifestyle that we so cherish in our community. We continually work on the same challenges and opportunities that other small Alaskan communities have and, as the years go on, understand more how to deal with these situations. One of the current projects the City's governing body is undertaking is the Harbor renewal project. Seldovia has a breathtaking harbor and an excellent facility to moor a boat and it only is going to get better! Seldovia has a real sense of community-- we support each other, and, if you should decide to relocate here, we welcome business and children!

By the way, are you coming to Seldovia on a trip? We enjoy a slow, but wonderful lifestyle. The people are friendly too.... but, be very careful, this is a very addictive and special place we call our home. If you love the ocean or walking on the beach, viewing distant active volcanoes or snow covered mountains, hiking through the woods or kayaking in the bay, and kibitzing or laughing with good folk; then this is the place for you.

P.S. The fishing ain't that bad either!

Dick Wyland

Major Summer Events

? June 17-18: Summer Solstice Folk Festival (p. 17) ? July 4: 4th of July - Largest event of the year! (p. 4) ? August 15-16: Sailing Ship S/S Nadezhda in Seldovia!

A Bird's Eye View of Seldovia

Seldovia is home to many soaring eagles. Eagles are to Seldovians as sparrows are to the rest of the world! Imagine if you were an eagle and you could soar above Seldovia. Just what would you see?

You would see the areial view of Seldovia that is almost surrounded by water. There is just a small strip of land near Outside Beach that keeps us from actually being an island. You would also see a lot of people on foot and a few dogs running around town. You might see some people driving ATVs around town. Children might be running and playing and fishing without obvious adult supervision. You might even see some very happy fishermen cleaning their fish at the harbor. One thing is certain, the Seldovians and visitors just love to look up at the eagles!

A fragment of Seldovia history begins in the year 1786. Coal was found at Port Graham, between Seldovia and English Bay by the Russians. It was subsequently mined. The indigenous native Indians were hired by the Russians to work the mines simultaneously with imported Russian convicts. It was reported that 2,700 tons of coal was taken out of this area. ("Seldovia," by Elsa Pederson, July 1958.) Most Russians left the area following the purchase of Alaska by the United States in 1867, but traces of their heritage still remain in Seldovia today.

The St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church is Seldovia's impressive landmark. It rests on a hill overlooking the city, the harbor, and the bay as if it was the protecting influence over its subjects. Built in 1891, it was the town's social hub for many years. The church was restored in 1981. Recently the Russian Orthodox crosses that adorn the pinnacles of the church have also been restored.

"Seldovia or Zaliv Seldevoe," as translated from Russian means "Herring Bay." Captain Tebenkov is credited for naming our city. Apparently, the Seldovia Bay was teaming with herring in the early 1900's. Seldovia has always had an ice-free harbor in the winter, which was great for the fishing industry and transportation access. Seldovia became one of the largest cities in Alaska. At one time, approximately 2,000 people lived here. But, this boom was short lived. With the building of the road from Anchorage to Homer and a decline in the commercial fishing industry, a gradual shift of population has occurred.

After the 1964 earthquake, the land mass in Seldovia dropped approximately four feet. Houses and businesses along the waterfront and the old Seldovia boardwalk were flooded at high tide. During this time, the Army Corps of

Engineers was instrumental. Federal funds were used to remove the damaged buildings and Cap's Hill (a hill in the middle of town) was used to backfill the harbor front. What was interesting about Cap's Hill is that it used to be the place the kids would hide out if they had been in trouble because there were so many places to hide. It also used to have a ski tow which would pull snow skiers up the hill so they could ski down. Today, Seldovia's harbor is lined with large boulders and it looks very secure. A section of the old Seldovia boardwalk still remains at the south end of the town along the slough. You can take a peaceful stroll on this boardwalk. The Alaska Dancing Eagles Cabin Rental and the Seldovia Rowing Club B&B are two wonderful places to experience this old section of town.

What is there to do in Seldovia?

? Get a free Walking Map!

? Experience getting to Seldovia by either boat or air (see Transportation, page 5)

? Stay at one of our many lodging facilities just to relax and enjoy (every business has a different view)

? Go fishing or boating

? Visit the Seldovia Village Tribe Museum & Visitor Center

? Come shop in our local stores where unique gifts abound

? Come and be a birder - record your sightings (page 20)

? Come to Seldovia for an art event or workshop (pages 16, 17, and 26)

? Take a hike (see Happy Trails, page 7)

? Walk the beaches and beach comb or have a picnic at the beach with friends and family

? Take a trip to Red Mountain with ATVentures, a local rental ATV company (see ad page 6)

? Rent or bring your kayak to kayak in our beautiful bay

? See Toby and Elaine Crafts' beautiful woodcarvings

and other local artists' works

? Enjoy the local cuisine and beautiful views

? Come to Seldovia for the Seldovia Solstice Music Festival Special concert boat M/V Discovery 235-7847 (see p. 17)

? Come to Seldovia for the 4th of July festivities

? Ride a bike in town or out-of-town on Jakolof Bay Road (rentals are available at Main St. Market)

? Take the M/V Rainbow Connection from Seldovia on a whale watching tour or a wildlife tour 235-7272

? Come and just enjoy yourself!

It is recommended that you plan a trip to Seldovia and find out what to do during this trip before you get here. If you check out the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce's web site there will be a suggested page of things to do and how to go about doing them. You are welcome to email any of the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce's officers and find out what you might be able to do on any given day. We also invite you to tour Seldovia via the three web cams that can be found on . Pilots who use the internet may remotely view the ceilings before flying into Seldovia. This web site is also the portal information site for Seldovia and contains just about any information you might need or want to know about Seldovia. We in Seldovia, want you to have a very favorable and rewarding experience if you visit our beautiful little city. Also, come see our resident eagles!

Mary Glover, President, Seldovia Chamber of Commerce

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Seldovia Summer Gazette

2005 Annual Edition

2005 Annual Edition

Seldovia Summer Gazette

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Alaska Dancing Eagles Cabin Rental

Come enjoy Fine Alaskan Overnights

Offering the finest in the Alaskan Experience

Enjoy the beautiful decks amid a festive chorus of shore birds and majestic eagles.

The waterfront view is breathtaking!!!! We invite you to enjoy leaping salmon, soaring eagles, primal forest trails, alpine meadows, pristine ocean shores

and much, much more.

In Alaska the summer days are eighteen hours long, divided by a billion stars at night!

Enjoy the untouched beauty of Seldovia, Alaska and

know the warm hospitality of

Alaska Dancing Eagles Cabin Rental

Contacts: Winter 907-278-0288, Summer 907-234-7627 P.O. Box 264, Seldovia, Alaska 99663

or 2981 Wentworth St., Anchorage, Alaska 99508 dancingegl@

Our rates are posted on our web site:

rates.htm

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Seldovia Mini-Directory

Transportation phone numbers on page 5

Basic Services in Seldovia Police, Fire, and Emergency Police Department City Offices Harbor Master Library Medical Clinic - If emergency call 911 SOS Oil Spill Response Team Susan B English School

Business Directory Alaska Tribal Cache Gift Shop Beachcomber Realty Crab Pot Grocery Herring Bay Mercantile Linwood Bar & Liquor Store Main Street Market Remax ? New! Seldovia Cab & Limousine ? New! Seldovia Fuel & Lube Gas Station Seldovia Village Tribe & Visitor Ctr Shoreline Gifts Sweet & Clean Ice Cream-Laundry Tide Pool Restaurant Yesterday's Gift Shop

Phone Number 911 (907) 234-7640 (907) 234-7643 (907) 234-7886 (907) 234-7662 (907) 234-7825 (907) 234-7400 (907) 234-7616 Phone Number (907) 234-7859 (907) 234-7533 (907) 234-7435 (907) 234-5500 (907) 234-7674 (907) 234-7633 (907) 234-8000 (907) 234-7830 (907) 234-7622 (907) 234-7898 (907) 234-7272 (907) 234-7420 (907) 234-7502 (907) 234-7449

Recreation Directory

Alaska Tree Tops Fishing Lodge ? New! Alaskan Grace (fishing) Algonquin Outfitters (fishing) ATVentures (4 Wheeling) Boys & Girls Club (center for kids) Fantasy North (fishing) Kayak `Atak (kayaking) Mad Viking Charters (fishing) Seldovia Fishing Adventures (fishing)

In-Town Lodging Directory Alaska Dancing Eagles B&B Alaska Treetops Fishing Lodge ? New! Bear Paw B&B Bridgekeeper's Inn B&B Fantasy North B&B Gerry's Place Harbor's Edge B&B ? New! Laid Back In ... Seldovia ? New! Seaport Cottages Seldovia Bayview Suites Seldovia Fishing Adventures B&B Seldovia Rowing Club The Seldovia Boardwalk Hotel The Seldovia Harbor Inn Swan House B&B

Out-of-Town Lodging Directory Across-the-Bay Tent & Breakfast Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge Tutka Bay Wilderness Lodge

Phone Number

(907) 234-6200 (907) 234-7811 (518) 370-1353 (907) 234-1440 (907) 234-7577 (907) 234-7557 (907) 234-7425 (907) 234-7838 (907) 234-7417 Phone Number (907) 234-7627 (907) 234-6200 (907) 234-7297 (907) 234-7297 (907) 234-7557 (907) 234-7471 (907) 234-4343 (907) 234-7510 (907) 234-7483 (907) 234-7631 (907) 234-7417 (907) 234-7614 (907) 234-7816 (907) 234-1414 (907) 234-8888 Phone Number (907) 235-3633 (907) 235-2350 (907) 235-3905

Seldovia Facts & Figures

Seldovia City Population

Outside City Population Alaska Borough City Type Recording District Latitude Longitude Township Winter Temperature Summer Temperature Annual Precipitation Phone & DSL Service Electric Service City Water City Sewer Garbage School Medical

300 (plus a few old crabs)

170 Kenai Peninsula Borough 1st Class City Seldovia Recording District 59.438060 North 151.71139 West T008S, R014W, Section 32 Average 12? to 21? F Ranges from 48? to 65? F 34.5 inches ACS (Alaska Communications) HEA (Homer Electric Assoc.) Reservoir, treated Community septic tank Borough operated landfill KPB District, K through 12 Seldovia Medical Clinic

Seldovia Summer Gazette

2005 Annual Edition

? Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council (Reprint permission granted)

Annual Seldovia 4th of July Celebration 2005

2005 Theme: "A Dog's Day in Seldovia"

This schedule is subject to change; final schedule will be posted in June 2005 Sponsored by the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce

7:00 am

Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at the Seldovia Firehouse

9:00 am

Adult 5K Salmon Shuffle Foot Race

11:00 am

Parade on Main Street

11:30 am

Grand Stand Celebrations ? Flag Pole - Raising of the Flag ? Top of the World Choir Singing the National Anthem ? Parade Announcements and Judging ? The Chiles Family Celtic Dancers from Anchorage

? Piper Dan and the Pipers from Anchorage

? Parade Awards, Costume Contest Awards, Announcements and Presentations

? Pie and Cake Auction

? Old Crab Auction ? "Old Crab" this year our special guest is still a mystery! Win the auction a Grand Seldovia Lunch with this year's "Old Crab."

11:00 am

Food Booths Open; Craft booths open

12:30 pm

Judging for Spam Carving Contest

1:30 pm

? Kids Foot Races and Kids Games

? Adult Games

TBA

Rubber Duckie Race with incoming tide (purchase your Rubber

Duckie from June 1 until July 4. On July 4 there will be a table

at the craft booths location to purchase a ticket (duck). Sales

will close at 12:00 noon to get ready for the race.

3:00 pm

Canoe Jousting, Canoe Race, and Log Roll

5:00 pm

Men's Annual Baseball Game

Seldovia Summer Gazette

Published annually by the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce ? 2005, all rights reserved

Mary Glover ................ Managing Editor, Page Layout and Photography

Tom Glover.............Editor, Page Layout and Photography

Darlene Crawford, Crystal Collier, and Peggy Boscacci.......Gazette Committee Members

The Seldovia Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank all contributors, the Gazette Committee, the businesses who placed the ads, and all those who helped to make this publication possible.

Seldovia Chamber of Commerce, PO Drawer F, Seldovia, AK 99663

(907) 234-7612 (messaging service only)

Chamber of Commerce Website: ~seldovia email: seldovia@ Seldovia Portal Website:

2005 Annual Edition

Seldovia Summer Gazette

Page 5

Homer Air

Serving Alaska, and especially Seldovia, since 1954

Daily Service to ? Homer ? Seldovia ? Port Graham ? Nanwalek

Bear Viewing in Katmai National Park

Scenic Glacier Flights

Air Taxi Charter Service

2190 Kachemak Drive, Homer (907) 235-8591

(800) 478-8591 in Alaska

Travelling to Seldovia

By Car:

You can drive your vehicle to Homer, but driving on to Seldovia requires using the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) ferry, the M/V Tustumena. The M/V Tustumena makes scheduled vehicle/passenger round-trips from the Homer Spit AMHS dock to Seldovia. During the summer,

the Tustumena comes every Tuesday and Sunday (including holidays) and stops over for 4 hours. In the winter, the ferry only comes on Tuesdays. Travelers need to be ready to load one hour before departure time and the trip over takes at least one and one-half hours. Call the Seldovia City Ticket Office at 907-234-7868 for more Alaska Marine Highway System ferry information and to make reservations. Reservations are very important to insure passage. It is convenient to have a car when coming to Seldovia, but not necessary. If you have a car, you will be able to take a short drive out Jakolof Bay Road and view some gorgeous scenery. If you wish to drive to Red Mountain, a 4-wheel drive vehicle is necessary.

By Boat:

Water Taxis: Mako Taxi Service, M/V Triton, M/V Beowulf, M/V Discovery and M/V Rainbow Connection.

The M/V Discovery services Seldovia and has tours and passenger service, wildlife and bird tours and Bike & Hike packages. Time to Seldovia: 1 hr. 15 minute straight run time or a 3 hr. 45 minute with tour time. The boat docks in Seldovia at the Seldovia Small Boat Harbor transient parking float. Depending on the tide level (20 foot tides!), access up or down the dock ramp can be difficult for physically impaired persons. Check for tide tables.

The M/V Rainbow Connection will take you on a onehalf hour mini-cruise from Homer to Seldovia. The boat docks in Seldovia at the Seldovia Small Boat Harbor transient parking float. Depending upon the tide level, access up or down the dock ramp can be difficult for physically impaired persons. Check for tide tables.

The smaller water taxis (Mako Taxi Service, M/V Triton, M/V Beowulf) will take passengers from Homer to the Jakolof Bay Public Dock, which includes a maritime cruise through the many islets between Homer and Jakolof Bay. Be sure to make your own transportation arrangements from Jakolof Bay Public Dock to Seldovia or ask your water taxi service to help make arrangements. Seldovia Cab & Limousine (907234-7830) provides taxi service from Seldovia to the Jakolof Bay Public Dock.

Piloting your own boat:

If you are coming to Seldovia in your own boat, the Seldovia Small Boat Harbor has transient rental mooring slips available. Water and power hookups are available in some slips. Contact the Harbor Master at 907-234-7886 (VHF - Channel 16, CB-Channel 3) for additional information. Marine fuel is available from the Seldovia Fuel and Lube float at the Seldovia Main Dock (the same dock where the Tustumena docks.) Call the Seldovia Fuel and Lube at 907-234-7622 or VHF - Ch16 or CB 3 for fuel service hours.

Flying to Seldovia:

Smokey Bay Air, Homer Air and Great Northern Airlines all fly into Seldovia.

From Anchorage, you can fly ERA, nonstop to Homer, and then fly Smokey Bay Air or Homer Air to Seldovia (15 minute flight). The ERA Homer Terminal is on the north side of the Airport so you will need to take a taxi from the Homer Main Terminal to the Homer Air or Smokey Bay Air Taxi offices on the south side of the airport. Great Northern Airlines, a charter service based in Anchorage, makes direct flights from Anchorage to Seldovia during the summer months (approximately a one hour flight.)

Flying your own aircraft:

Seldovia City Airport is a heavily used and well maintained 1,850 foot long, gravel, unlighted runway. No tower, no fuel, no FBO. SOV CTAF 122.9 SOV ASOS 135.4

Transportation Details

Mode of Transportation

M/V Tustumena (36 vehicles plus 210 passengers; twice a week only)

M/V Discovery (90 passenger boat)

M/V Rainbow Connection (99 passenger boat)

Red Mountain Marine, M/V Beowulf (18 passenger)

Mako Water Taxi (6 passenger boat) M/V Triton (6 passenger boat)

ERA Airlines (Twin Otter, 17 passenger plane and DSH8, 37 passenger)

Great Northern Airline (Cessna 206, 5 passenger plane) Smokey Bay Air (Cessna 206, 5 passenger plane and Cessna 172, 3 passenger plane) Homer Air (Islander twin engine, 7 passenger plane and Cessna 206, 5 passenger plane)

Depart from Homer or Anchorage Departs from Homer Ferry Terminal at the end of the Homer Spit Docks in Homer, Ramp 1, Slip C6; Offices at 4241 Homer Spit Road Docks in Homer, Ramp 1, Slip E6; Offices at Cannery Row #5, Homer Spit Road.

Docks in Homer, bottom of Ramp 1

Docks in Homer, bottom of Ramp 2 Office at top of Ramp 2 Docks in Homer, bottom of Ramp 1 Anchorage Main Terminal. Flys to Homer but does NOT fly to Seldovia; take one of the Homer to Seldovia planes below to finish. Anchorage, Lake Hood airport direct to Seldovia airport.

Smokey Bay terminal on the south side of the Homer airport runway

Homer Air terminal on the south side of the Homer Airport runway

Arrival Location in Seldovia Docks at Seldovia City dock next to the Seldovia City offices Docks in Seldovia small boat harbor

Docks in Seldovia small boat harbor

Docks at Jakolof Bay (11 miles out.) Docks at Jakolof Bay (11 miles out of town) Docks at Jakolof Bay or Seldovia Homer Airport, main terminal. Take a cab from the main terminal to Smokey Bay Air, Olson Air or Homer Air or one of the boats listed above. Great Northern Air building at the airport

Smokey Bay building at the airport

Homer Air building at the airport

It is a short walk into the town center from the airport. We suggest that when you make your lodging reservation, ask the proprietor if they will pick you up at the airport - many of them provide this service. There are no wheelchairs or facilities for the physically challenged persons at the airport.

Float planes may land in the Seldovia Bay and tie up at the seaplane dock in the small boat harbor. Contact the Harbor Master at 907-234-7886 for rules and local conditions.

For the latest airport information: Pilots forecast 907283-7211; Seldovia airport 907-234-7407. Live webcams of the airport and flight path south of the airport are provided on if you want visual confirmation.

Mary Glover

Transportation Contacts

Travel by Water - Homer to Seldovia

M/V Tustumena Large ferry with car and RV transport

234-7868 Seldovia 235-8449 Homer 800-382-9229 Main

M/V Discovery - tour boat

235-7847 Homer

M/V Rainbow - tour boat

235-7272 Homer

Travel by Water - Homer to Jakolof Bay (11 miles from Seldovia - ground transport needed)

Red Mountain Marine/Beowulf 235-6384 or 399-8230

Mako Taxi

235-9055

M/V Triton (also to Seldovia) 235-7620 or 299-1900

Travel by Air

ERA - Anchorage to Homer

800-866-8394 Anch. 248-4422 Anchorage

Great Northern Anchorage to Seldovia

800-243-1968 Anch. 243-1968 Anchorage

Smokey Bay Homer to Seldovia and vicinity

235-1511 Homer 234-8511 Seldovia 888-482-1511 Homer

Homer Air Homer to Seldovia and vicinity

235-8591 Homer 234-7899 Seldovia 800-478-8591 Homer

Seldovia Ground Transportation

Seldovia Cab & Limousine In-town and out-the-road

234-7830 New this year!

Homer Ground Transportation

Homer Stage Line Van - Anchorage to Homer

235-2252 Homer 868-3914 Anchorage

Chux Cab - Homer only

235-2489 Homer

KacheCab - Homer only

235-1950 Homer

Good Time Cab - Anchor Point 235-8579

AlasKab - Homer only

299-3301 Cell

Kostas Cab - Homer only

399-8008 Cell

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