Tag: SBE
Clean up and repair of SBE’s school shop after November fire
by Jenny Chissus
Today, Julie Cisco, Risk Manager from the Kenai Peninsula Borough was accompanied by Tim Vlasak from the Kenai Peninsula School District and Kevin Lyons with the Kenai Peninsula Borough to update the community about the process ahead regarding the clean up and repairs to our school shop after the fire on November 24th. I appreciate Julie taking a moment to visit with me to share with the community the plan for our shop’s renovations. There has been concern over the future of the structure, and the good news is that it is a sound building, and though there is a lot of clean up to do – we will have our shop back!
I also had an opportunity to visit with our principal, Alan Haskins after the meeting to go over a few more details and to gain his insight – which we wanted to share with the community.
Jenny: Who reported the smoke that was visible at the site that morning? How long was from the time it was reported to the time of the fire department on the scene? How much time did it take to contain the fire?
Alan Haskins: Tyler Tucker from the city noticed and reported the fire to 911. The fire call came in at 5:45 am, and the fire department was on scene at about 6:00am. Fire was contained in about 1/2 an hour.
Jenny: Please give us a brief description of the damage that was caused?
Alan Haskins: The majority of the damage is cosmetic, but there is some roof damage and damage to the old gym floor from the water. With lots of asbestos exposure.
Jenny: Realizing that we don’t know the timing, but we’re thankful that the process has begun, and that the borough will start cleaning up shortly, what are your hopes for the completion of this project?
Alan Haskins: Here is my analogy there are a 100 steps to the process and we are on step 3. I hope to see that the building would be open at the start of next school year.
Jenny: Julie mentioned that there will be more public input and participation and up coming meetings, what do you feel the community can do to support this project?
Alan Haskins: I will keep the community informed about the project as I receive information. I will request meetings with all parties as we reach major steps in the process.
Jenny: I’m sure you want to give a big thanks to Tyler and to the fire department for a job well done!
Alan Haskins: Yes I want to thank the volunteer fire department and Tyler for making great decisions on the morning of the fire. Their quick response kept the damage to a minimum.
Jenny: Do you feel that with the opportunity to make upgrades and improvements on this building, that there will be different spaces created, or classroom changes to enhance opportunities for student learning in Seldovia?
Alan Haskins: I do see this event as a way to make improvements for the students at Susan B English.
Jenny: It appears that there’s a lot of involvement between the borough, school district and the city, can you elaborate on that any further?
Alan Haskins: The district, borough and city are working together to move the process along smoothly. I want to thank everyone who came to the meeting, it really shows that everyone cares about the education of our young people.
Just say “E hele mai ana au” – I’m coming!
by Jenny Chissus
As you may have noticed – I’m so excited about these three gentlemen coming to Seldovia! Our final glimpse will be of Richard Ho’opi’i who is accompanied in this video by George Kahumoku, Jr.. This concert will feature all three artists: Led, George and Richard – and I didn’t want to give it all away by putting them all together – so you will just have to show up Tuesday night at 6:30pm for the potluck and 7:30pm for the concert! Bring your favorite Alaskan dish to share and get an opportunity to meet these grammy award-winning Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters!
UNCLE RICHARD HO’OPI’I is one of Hawai’i’s most beloved singers. Known as one half of the popular Maui duo, The Ho’opi’i Brothers, which recorded 7 albums, he has practiced the traditional Hawaiian art of leo ki’eki’e (falsetto) for most of his life. He and his late brother, Solomon were recipients in 1997 of the prestigious National Endowment of the Arts Folk Heritage Fellowship, America’s highest honor for traditional artists. After the passing of his brother, his 2003 CD Ululani represented a new journey for Richard as a solo artist. Richard is featured on four of George Kahumoku’s compilation CDs. Born in the tiny village of Kahakuloa on Maui’s remote Northwest coast, Uncle Richard grew up immersed in the rural Hawaiian lifestyle of family, church, taro farming, fishing, and homemade entertainment. There was no TV, not even much radio, so everyone in the village made music. “They taught us so much more than music; it was a whole way of living.” Uncle Richard knows that, like all Hawaiian artists, he maintains a rich cultural legacy. “When you sing Hawaiian music,” he says, “you’re representing the kupuna (elders), who have guided and inspired you, and all the musicians that came before and will come after.”
Biographical information is taken from the press release prepared by Pasifika Artists Network LLC. More about each artist may be found on his website.
Masters of Hawaiian Music:
George Kahumoku Jr,
Led Kaapana,
“Uncle” Richard Ho‘opi‘i
coming to Seldovia with much Aloha and fun.
September 23
Bring your family to this community event at
Susan B. English School.
Alaskan/Hawaiian Potluck at 6:30 P.M.
Special performance at 7:30 P.M.
Tickets: $15.00 for adults, $8.00 for children and $35.00 For families.
Jason Farnham Returns to Seldovia
by Susan Mumma
Jason Farnham from Santa Rosa California is back in Seldovia this coming weekend to play at Susan B. English School presented by the Seldovia Arts Council.
On August 16 at 7:30 PM, he returns with his zany piano styles, his sense of humor and his crazy antics which created a delightful family friendly event two summers ago. One could say that he was Classical or one could say New Aged or perhaps even Jazz piano, but one thing is certain. He is pure entertainment. and indescribably fun.
Reaching out from his great “ little piano “ pieces to his multi- media productions, adults and children all over the country have been charmed by Jason’s enthusiasm and sense of fun. You will be too.
Jason has been featured in film and television. He has several acclaimed CDs featuring his original compositions.
He says “An Evening of Piano with Jason Farnham delights audiences around the U.S., again and again. Fans have affectionately dubbed him “Schroeder” from Peanuts because of his toy piano, his witty Victor Borge-style piano comedy antics and the clever way he interacts with the audience.
The variety includes contemporary romantic piano, jazz, bossa nova, blues, stride piano, and classical with a modern twist! Jason is always looking for an interesting spin on the status quo, a way to take a classic and turn it on its ear, so… the newest addition to his piano show is Fur Elise with a techno-rock-dance beat: “Fur Crying Out Loud Elise, Let’s Dance!” And Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca has now become “Rondo Alla Techno”. He’s also re-envisioned Autumn Leaves into a fusion of bossa nova and samba styles. Playing the piano while lying upside down Amadeus-style? Check. And always included in the lineup are a handful of Jason’s signature original piano pieces that his fans adore, like his 2008 original instrumental hit, Lisa’s Song (When).”
Laura’s First Impressions of Seldovia
by Laura Haskins
Coming into the Seldovia harbor the other day, I must admit, I was a bit anxious. Alan and I were very excited when he was offered the principal position, but he had been to town several times before and knew where we were going. And while I love a good adventure, I felt a bit blind coming across the bay that day.
I knew I would find a quaint fishing town nestled among some of Alaska’s most beautiful mountain scenery. I had seen pictures, after all, and Alan had been talking it up for years. But the heart and soul of a community is its people. Individuals create a collective character and give a place its personality and ambiance. I had heard wonderful reports of the “friendly, easy-going folks” who lived here but still I wondered; what would I find?
Well, I believe in first impressions and, Seldovia, you make a great one! I was overwhelmed by the charm of your boardwalks and the majesty of your landscape. Pictures can never really do justice to such an impressive panorama. But I was equally moved by the individuals I met – friendly and easy-going for sure, but also, genuine and sincere. You made us feel welcomed and at ease in such a short visit. We enjoyed walking around town and meeting folks as they worked in their yard and it was great visiting with you at church and at the dessert potluck. Thank you especially to Paul and Jenny Chissus and to Doug, Kathy, Les and Shirley Giles for your gracious hospitality.
Alan and I have said many times we could live anywhere as long as there were good people, and we’ve found good people everywhere we’ve lived. Seldovia is no exception! I’m still anxious about moving but this time it’s not because I’m blind. Now I can’t wait to come to town and really get to know the great people who make Seldovia home!
Editor’s note: Alan will be our new principal at Susan B English school this upcoming year. It was a total pleasure meeting both Laura and Alan on their first visit to Seldovia together! They are a very nice couple, authentic folks, interested in Seldovia and her people, and I am sure they will be a great addition to Seldovia and our school! They made a great first impression on us too! 🙂
Seldovia Time
