Christmas Lighting Contest Begins

by Chamber of Commerce

Microloans Available for Alaska Businesses

Wanetta Ayers

Dept. of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development

(907) 269-4048

Division Director

wanetta.ayers@alaska.gov

(Juneau, AK) – Alaskans interested in starting or growing a small business will soon have a new source of business financing through the Alaska Microloan Revolving Loan Fund (AMRLF). The Division of Economic Development will begin accepting loan applications for the new fund on November 5, 2012.

 

The AMRLF provides short term loans to Alaska businesses for working capital; purchasing machinery, equipment, and inventory; and, leasehold improvements.

 

“We are pleased this financing option will encourage entrepreneurs to capitalize on their ideas and ingenuity to create job opportunities,” said Susan Bell, Commissioner for the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

 

Loans are available up to $35,000 for individuals or $70,000 for two or more people, with a maximum loan term of six years. The new loan fund is the result of House Bill 121 that passed in the final session of the 27th Legislature.

 

Applications and specific program information for all loan programs will be available on November 5, 2012 on the Division of Economic Development’s website at www.commerce.alaska.gov/ded/fin or by contacting a loan officer at
1-800-478-LOAN(5626).  Email inquiries can be sent to financing@alaska.gov.

4th Of July Brainstorming Session

Why Bring Your Internet Business and Family to Seldovia?

by Seldovia Chamber of Commerce

At the end of the highway and across the Kachemak Bay, lives a small First Class City, with a big heart.  Seldovia, Alaska nestles between two bays and the mountains, providing postcard views at every turn.  The beauty of the setting is only matched by the spirit of our little city.  One hundred and twenty families live in this secluded, quiet, unspoiled paradise.  Our websites provide photos, information, and web cams to allow you to see for yourself what this community has to offer. (www.seldovia.com)  (www.seldoviachamber.org)  (www.seldoviahomeinternetbusiness.com)

If your profession allows you to work remotely,  please consider Seldovia as your home base.  You and your family will be able to live and work in a picturesque community,  a safe haven for your (children – or family), with friendly people!

Though you may run “big business” from your computer desk, office or laptop – you can run the most important business of family as you enjoy the uncluttered and simple living offered only in a location off the road system.  No malls,

Seldovia Will Meet as a Community for AMHS Conference Call

by Seldovia Chamber of Commerce

Comment Period Closing Soon for Proposed AMHS Schedule

by Jenny Chissus
The Alaska Marine Highway has published the proposed schedule for this next year.  We are so thankful to have the AMHS serve the community of Seldovia, and as Seldovians, we need to take advantage of the opportunity to be heard as they finalize their scheduling for the next season.  Your written comments need to be submitted before August 28, 2012.  They may be faxed to (907) 586-8365 or emailed to dot.amhs.comments@alaska.gov.

There will also be a teleconference (Dial in:  1-800-315-6338) on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 1:30pm for the Southwest and Southcentral schedules.

This schedule directly impacts the service to Seldovia as it is proposing to stop on the way to Kodiak as well as on the return from Kodiak.  Also, the Tustumena is going to be out of service for a very extended period of time.

Please click here to download the schedule for your review.

The other issue that directly impacts our community is how the schedule for the ferry affects our special activities and celebrations, i.e.: 4th of July, Summer

2nd Annual Seldovia Garden Tour Begins by Honoring Midge Gruber

by Suzie Stranik

Last Sunday, Aug 19th Thyme on the Boardwalk hosted the 2nd annual Seldovia Garden Tour.  We met at the library at 1pm.  John and Susie Gruber joined us as we placed a plaque at the base of Midge Gruber’s memorial tree planted in 1984 in her honor.  The plaque was made by Bill Schorr two years ago and was just adhered to a stake this summer by Tom Keesecker.  The plaque was a gift of the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce.

The group toured four gardens in town:  Sunni Hilts container gardens featuring red cascade begonias, Mary Ann Driscoll’s perennial flowers, Mary Klinger’s vegetable garden, Suzie Stranik’s vegetable garden, and the many beautiful gardens along Main Street.  Thyme on the Boardwalk served hot cider, halibut salad, and Brittany style shortbread cookies.  The tour then continued out the road to visit the vegetable gardens of

Last Chance to Purchase a Masterpiece!

by Jenny Chissus

Well, the day has come, the two remaining masterpiece carvings from Seldovia’s 2012 Chainsaw Exhibition are set to depart Seldovia on Tuesday’s ferry.  😦

Unless… YOU are interested in purchasing one of these amazing pieces!

This is a rare opportunity to take home one of the masterpiece carvings!  Normally, these immense works of art are not available for purchase, as they belong to the Seldovia Chamber after the competition to be displayed in businesses about town, but this year – we offered them to the master carvers to sell or keep, as they wish!  So, if you have been walking by the site, admiring the jumping whale or the standing tall bear, and been thinking about “How nice that would look on my deck!” This is your moment!

If you think the Bear is the perfect decoration for your deck or vaulted living room, then call Jimmy Kitchens directly at 907-252-4615.

If you are interested in purchasing the Whale, call Ben or Melanie Firth at 907-226-2009 to negotiate that purchase.

Once they are loaded onto the trailer for transportation to Homer (Most likely they will be loaded on Monday) then they will be gone from Seldovia forever!

We sure would LOVE to see these two beautiful carvings stay in Seldovia!! 

Please call Jenny Chissus  907-234-8000 if you have any questions or can’t get ahold of the carvers.   To see more photos and original photo story about this year’s Chainsaw Exhibition, please Click here!

Salmon Shuffle Race Results – Interview with the First Place Men’s Division Winner, Jim McDonough

by Jenny Chissus

I had the opportunity to meet with the winner of Seldovia’s Salmon Shuffle 5K, Men’s Division , Jim McDonough!

Jim and Amber have been coming to Seldovia for a number of years since 2000, always to hike, and run our fabulous hills and trails.  A few years ago, they decided to invest in property here, and we’ve been friends ever since!

Jim and Amber are avid runners and participate in a variety of races around the state.  Equally competitive, they both push themselves to the limits as they run our steep and heavily wooded trails, gravel roads and mountains!  One of the things Jim really likes about our Salmon Shuffle is that it has a lot of variety in terrain.  Even though it is all within our city limits, there are some tough hills that challenge the typical 5k runner who is used to paved and level city streets at other locations.  He strongly felt that was one of his advantages when running our Salmon Shuffle was that he often trains on uneven and steep terrain.

This was their 6th or 7th year competing in our 4th of July Salmon Shuffle (Jim wasn’t sure exactly, but they said that they’ll have to count their shirts!), and it almost didn’t happen!  He had been sick with a cold and sinus infection for the

4th of July Duckie Race Winners!

by Darlene Crawford