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Friday
May 23, 2014
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The Thaw
Silvas Lakes and Twin Peaks. Normally, everything is much whiter and Upper Silvas is still covered with ice several feet thick during May. Consequently, due to the low snow fall this winter, the photographer predicts the watershed will diminish much sooner this summer, this occurs every five years, or so.
Front Page Photo By KEN ARRIOLA ©2014
(Please respect the rights of photographers, never republish or copy
without permission and/or payment of required fees.)
Southeast Alaska: Alaska's First Private Veteran Housing Facility Opening Soon - The first private veteran housing facility in Alaska is now accepting applications for residency. The Soboleff-McRae Veterans Village in Haines will open this summer to any veterans and their families interested in independent living in a welcoming community.
Exterior May 22, 2014
Photo by John Hagan, Photo courtesy Haines' Soboleff-McRae Veterans Village
The housing is a first-of-its-kind, offering quality housing and nearby community healthcare services. It is designed to help relieve housing wait lists for veterans and improve health services for an entire region. The brand new facility opens this summer with eleven 1- and 2-bedroom housing units for any veterans and their families.
The residences are on the top floor of the 2-story, 20,000 sq. ft. building known as the Haines Veterans Village and Wellness Center, located one block off Haines’ Main Street. The ground floor of the building will be a community healthcare center with a separate entrance, opening in 2015. A public park will also be part of the grounds. Housing organization Haines Assisted Living, Inc. (HAL) is managing the project.
“We have put so much work into designing these living spaces for our veterans, it is exciting to be at the point where we can start to meet the people who will live here,” says HAL President James Studley. “We’re proud to offer housing of this quality to those who have served our country.”
The residence floor is almost complete, with veteran move-in expected to start in July. Each individual unit includes full kitchen, private bathroom, closets, fire sprinklers, an intercom to the building entrance and floor-to-ceiling windows with fjord and mountain views.
The residence floor has a shared laundry room, elevator and stair access, large sunroom and outdoor sun deck. Each unit has a designated covered parking space and an outdoor storage closet. Of the 11 units, there are four 610 sq. ft. 1-bedroom apartments, three 775 sq. ft. 2-bedroom apartments and four 860 sq. ft. 2-bedroom apartments.
Monthly rent ranges from $750 - $1050 depending on the apartment and includes utilities, snow removal and access to all resident benefits. The units are for veterans and their families interested in independent living. The project provides limited rental assistance to low-income veterans and veterans with disabilities. - More....
Friday - May 23, 2014
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Fish Factor: It takes creative thinking to market last year's catch By LAINE WELCH - Salmon season is just getting underway, but seafood companies are still selling last summer’s record catch of 226 million pink salmon - and it has prompted lots of creative thinking.
“The challenge is to market all this fish and still maintain the value,” said Tyson Fick, communications director for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI), the state’s lone marketing arm.
“It wouldn’t be any problem for the producers just to flood the market, and then we would see a tremendous downward pressure in years to come. More so, we see this as a great opportunity to introduce more people to wild Alaska salmon at a price they can afford,” Fick added.
ASMI has put forward an additional $1.5 million to promote pink salmon, both at home and overseas. And while Alaska has been shifting away from lower valued canned pinks - 72 percent was canned a decade ago, compared to less than half in 2012 - now it’s looking “back to the future” with a smaller sized can.
“We’ve been really successful in marketing pink salmon which has greatly increased the value over the past 10 years. The idea is that with a smaller can size, and the market will tell us what that is, we can then hit a price point to be competitive with other protein options,” Fick explained.
The smaller size cans also will let processors use the expanded product development tax, passed this year by the Alaska legislature, to upgrade canning lines, many of which are from the 1950s. Alaska marketers also are targeting endurance athletes with magazine ads in Runner’s World, Bicycling and Competitor, Triathlete and others, as well as onsite promotions.
“We’re going to some rock and roll marathons, which is a series of road races with routes lined with live bands and cheerleaders, and we’re working with people like Kikkan Randall who are pressed for time and want a lean protein that is very nutritious. Canned salmon certainly fits that bill,” Fick said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture also announced in January that it would buy $20 million in canned pinks for food assistance programs. Meanwhile, the huge pink pack is moving to market, said Tom Sunderland, VP of marketing for Ocean Beauty Seafoods.
“Prices haven’t crashed or anything and things are selling at an OK rate. Business looks good, so there’s absolutely no reason to panic,” Sunderland said.
State figures show a tally of 2.7 million cases of canned pinks (talls); and 1.7 million cases of halves produced from the 2013 catch. That compares to 1.3 million and 55,000 cases, respectively, from 2012.
The market should see some relief from a much smaller pink run this summer – the Alaska forecast calls for 75 million fish, a 67% decrease from last year’s humpy haul. - More...
Friday PM - May 23, 2014 |
Southeast Alaska: Concerns for harbor seal pup safety - NOAA Fisheries marine mammal experts are actively monitoring a situation with a harbor seal pup seen hauled out at the Auke Bay boat ramp in the area of Juneau. With the busy, sunny holiday weekend, there is a high level of concern for this pup's safety. NOAA is asking for public cooperation.
"It is normal harbor seal behavior for mothers to leave their pups hauled out while they forage for food," said NOAA Marine Mammal Veterinarian Kate Savage. "However, if this pup has too much interaction with humans, the mother may abandon it. We hope that has not happened already. This pup appears to be in good health. We will be keeping an eye out to see if the mother is still in the vicinity."
NOAA is asking that you do not approach or interfere with this harbor seal pup in any way and to keep your pets on a leash in the Auke Bay vicinity to prevent disturbance. - More...
Friday - May 23, 2014
Alaska: Report on impacts of Steller sea lion protection measures on Aleutian Island fisheries released - NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region today announced release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Steller sea lion protection measures for groundfish fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. The proposed action addresses two needs: to protect endangered Steller sea lions, and to minimize economic impacts on the groundfish fisheries in the Aleutian Islands, to the extent practicable.
The western distinct population segment of Steller sea lions is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and the population in the Aleutian Islands is declining. Principal prey species for Steller sea lions in the Aleutian Islands include Atka mackerel, Pacific cod and pollock.
The FEIS analyzes proposed Steller sea lion protection measures for the Aleutian Islands Atka mackerel, Pacific cod and pollock fisheries to mitigate the potential impacts of fishing activity on Steller sea lions. Those measures include limiting harvest and managing the location, gear type, and timing of fishing activity in the Aleutian Islands in sea lion critical habitat, as methods to protect prey resources near haulouts and rookeries and within foraging areas. - More...
Friday - May 23, 2014 |
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Ketchikan: Alaskan Salmon Fisherwoman Publishes Third Cookbook and Travelogue: ‘My Tiny Alaskan Oven’ - LaDonna Gundersen has spent every summer for the past two decades working side by side with her husband Ole on the LaDonna Rose, their 32-foot commercial salmon fishing boat based in Ketchikan in Southeast Alaska. Early next month she is releasing her third cookbook, My Tiny Alaskan Oven.
LaDonna Gundersen
Photo courtesy LaDonna Gundersen
The tiny oven of the title refers to the 18 x 21 inch diesel oil stove on the boat and its tiny ‘easy bake oven’ which is only big enough for an 11 x 7 inch pan. Her galley (kitchen) is only four feet long by five feet wide and her counter space measures a mere three square feet. This serious lack of space would cause many cooks to abandon the kitchen and eat out or turn to take-out menus. But that’s not possible for LaDonna and Ole who spend weeks at a time at sea, miles and miles from the nearest store, let alone a restaurant. LaDonna also refuses to serve ‘heat and eat’ pre-prepared meals, the option of choice for many fishermen. Over the years she’s developed a repertoire of quick-to-fix recipes using easy-to-find ingredients that don’t sacrifice flavor. These form the basis of her cookbooks.
“There are no supermarkets at sea and depending on the tides and the fish, I may have very little time to fix a meal,” says LaDonna. “But just because we’re on a boat doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice taste or quality. I have to plan our meals and make the most out of every single ingredient that is available to me, but a little creativity and planning ahead is all it takes to have plenty of scrumptious meals.” - More..
Friday - May 23, 2014
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 RE: Kayhi Sports Schedules By Ken Lewis - In response to Burt Hooton's letter: I like it. But can't have an much of an opinion about some of it. So I will talk about the baseball part. In 1991 local Little League went from a pennant race format, 1st half winner plays 2nd half winner best of three games. To what we see today, an all teams welcome tourney to determine a regular season champ. I hated the new format when it was changed, and it seems to have been promoted to the HS level, as a way to determine the best team. I don't blame coaches or players because of this All welcome format. But Please understand this about a SE tourney, just because it looks good for basketball don't make it right for baseball. Five guys start a hoop game, the center does not have to rest his arm the next night. Therefore that center plays every game all season long. That's great for the player. - More...
Tuesday - May 20, 2014
Legalize Marijuana By Anthony M. Johnson - I am writing this letter in response to Ms. Abbott. I’m also a lifelong Ketchikan resident raising children in this fine rainy town. I’m completely in support of legalizing Marijuana. I don’t smoke it, however for my children’s sake I do support the legalization of it, please read on… - More...
Tuesday - May 20, 2014
No smoking in restaurants - yes!! By Cherry Rice - Yep, I'm one of those ex-smokers who can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. I am thrilled to hear of restaurants banning smoking! - More...
Tuesday - May 20, 2014
Ostracize Bigots By Donald A. Moskowitz - The despicable remarks by Robert Copeland, a police commissioner, Wolfeboro, NH; Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers; Kanye West, singer; Louis Farrakhan, spokesman for Nation of Islam; Clevin Bundy, Nevada rancher; and Glenn Miller, Kansas killer and Ku Klux Klan member; show there are still ignorant radicals in this country. - More...
Tuesday - May 20, 2014
University of Alaska Board of Regents Should Halt Southeast Timber Sale By Rebecca Knight - Two timber sales scheduled by the University of Alaska near the southeast island communities of Petersburg and Kupreanof are stirring up controversy and local opposition. The sales, known as the South Mitkof and Wrangell Narrows East timber sales could log up to 17 ½ million board feet of mostly old growth trees on 1,066 acres. That's roughly the size of over 800 football fields. - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014
Kayhi Sports Schedules By Burt Hooton - How extremely disappointing it is to see that there are three varsity sports HOME games being played at the same time Friday night. What a terrible situation for the fans, parents and players of these games. - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014
RE: Biggest Economic Punch, Commercial or Recreational Fishing? By Doug Burkman - Did not the author leave out the impact on the resource, which is the biggest $ return per pound of fish? Commercial or Recreational? How about in terms of recreation hours per pound of fish? I, personally, would rather catch my own fish for consumption? I would rather not buy my salmon or any other wild fish in a store. Maybe there are some that would think driving to the store to buy fish would be recreation. - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014
Shooting farmers? By A. M. Johnson - The following inquiry was submitted to all three of our Congressional members. A response was requested via Representative Young's site and an expectation of a response from both Senator Murkowski and Begich is in order. Hearing none in a reasonable period of time will have that fact submitted to the voting public via your fine publication.- More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014
Marijuana Legal? By Bonnie J Abbott Allen - I am writing to reply to some of the letters SitNews has received from Ketchikan residents who believe marijuana is OK and should be legalized! - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014
Consequences of Marijuana Abuse By Marvin Seibert - I would recommend people read what the National Institute on Drug Abuse has to say about the effects and addiction to Marijuana. - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014
Smoking Bans By Bill Kerschner - I am a longtime Republican Conservative and a business owner. I recently vacationed in the beautiful State of Alaska and hope to visit again. I strongly support Smoking Bans, especially for restaurants and other work places. - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014
Inflation, wage slavery, greediness By Lois Morgan - You go David Hanger. Your thoughts and figures need to be read by every working stiff, and by every ethical voter. - More...
Saturday - May 17, 2014
THE TIME VALUE OF MONEY, Or How the Rich Are Destroying the American Middle Class By David G. Hanger - For the past several months I have conducted a simple, one-question test that I have presented to dozens of local individuals, all but two of whom answered extremely inaccurately. What this test has demonstrated is a clear disconnect that most of you have in understanding the value of money. The consequences of this lack of cognition are fundamental and quite serious. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 13, 2014
AN OPEN LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL By Teri J. Wilson - I am sick to death of anti-smoking laws, expecially those making smokers unwelcome. In Ketchikan, I am now recduced to eaing at Cape Fox, since all other restaurants have chosen to go non-smoking. Since these business owners have chosen this, as is their right, it's entirely up to them, and no doubt is a boon for the non-smokers. I, however, also choose not to patronioze a place that makes me unwelcome, that is MY RIGHT.. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 13, 2014
Ferry Fare for Lituya By Norma Lankerd - This letter is in regards to the ferry Lituya that runs between Metlakatla (Annette Bay) and Ketchikan on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I know when they put in the road the plans were to make trips 3 to 4 times a day (7 days a week) so people from here can seek employment in Ketchikan and travel back to Metlakala at the end of the day. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 13, 2014
FACT: Marijuana does cause violence! By Marvin Seibert - I have seen comments that Marijuana does not cause violence. Just look to Denver Colorado where it is not legal. One example is the Headline Denver man accused of killing wife after eating marijuana candy formally charged with murder The last I checked killing your wife is an act of violence. - More...
Tuesday PM - May 13, 2014
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