‘Perfect storm’ for mosquito invasion

Only two things in life are certain, as the saying goes: Death and taxes. Alaska could add one more to that list — mosquitoes. And this spring, the inevitable swarm of the relentless bloodsuckers has hatched in such ferocity as to make the first two certainties seem not the worst of the list.
“It’s probably going to be a nice buggy year,” said Janice Chumley, integrated pest management specialist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service Office in Soldotna.

Commercial fisheries important part of Kenai Peninsula

As the push-pull of allocative arguments continue to churn in Cook Inlet fisheries, the Alaska Salmon Alliance has released an economic report to support its position that commercial fisheries are a significant part of the Kenai Peninsula economy, and so should have a place in the water and at the regulatory table.
The “Cook Inlet Drift and Setnet Salmon Fisheries” report, prepared for ASA by Northern Economics, based in Anchorage and Bellingham, Wash., was released this month, and estimates the 2011 ex-vessel value of the Cook Inlet salmon …

Girl Scouts get up-close experience in Chinitna Bay

Very few middle school students from Homer have had a chance to go across Cook Inlet and explore. Even fewer have experienced having a brown bear run full speed right at them. But a group of 12 middle and high school Girl Scouts recently experienced all that and much, much more. And despite a hair-raising experience for the young women, everyone seems more than willing to repeat the experience.
“It was pretty amazing,” said Emilia Halstead, who is going into the seventh grade next year. “I would …

Heatwave brings high fire danger

By Carey Restino
Homer Tribune

By all accounts, the Kenai Peninsula has had some extraordinary weather this month. Day after day of warm, sunny weather, however, has done more than add a little extra color to the cheeks of local residents — it has dried grasses and lowered humidity to a dangerous level prime for wildfire.
A fire on Alan Drive off East End Road on Sunday grew to a half-acre before it was put out by firefighters, said Andy Alexandrou, public information officer for the State Division of Forestry …

Art Briefs – June 19

Lots of sun, loads of fun
The Down East Saloon is one of the lively spots celebrating the longest day of 2013 this weekend. They have scheduled several popular performing groups to liven Summer Solstice, starting Friday June 21 at 9 p.m. with the Wasteland Hop.
The fun continues Saturday with the “Wasteland Hop” playing from noon to 2:30 p.m., followed by the “Hot Strangs” from 3-6 p.m. “Headwater” will follow from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the evening wraps up with the Los Holy Santos Gang performing …

Si Kahn headlines ‘Stop Pebble Mine’ performance tonight

International recording artist Si Kahn will perform with former Alaska state senator Suzanne Little tonight (Wednesday, June 19) in a concert at Pier One Theatre to help protect Bristol Bay by opposing the development of the Pebble Mine.
In August 2010, recognizing the role that music could play in motivating people to join the fight to stop the Pebble Mine and protect Bristol Bay, Palmer resident fisherman Dan Strickland invited Si Kahn to come to Alaska to write songs about the struggle to stop the Pebble Mine.
Former …

Sports Briefs – June 19

Skeeters third in varsity shooting
In late May, members of the Kachemak Skeeters Youth Shooting Club went to Grouse Ridge Shooting Club in Wasilla to shoot in the Brianna Gregory Foundation Supershoot. The event helps to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis.
Four Kachemak kids and two coaches shot 100 targets of sporting clays in the fundraiser. No one placed, but team secretary Amy Fetterhoff said everyone had a great time.
Earlier in the month, the Skeeters sent six kids and two coaches to the Alaska SCTP State Championship again at …

Homer, Anchor Point extreme athletes ‘Tri-the-Kenai’

Nearly 200 athletes from across the Peninsula — and some from further away — gathered at the Skyview High School pool early Sunday morning to test their mettle in the 2013 “Tri-the-Kenai” triathlon. The three-event marathon for adults consisted of swimming 500 yards, (that’s 20 lengths of the Skyview pool for those of you keeping track), a 10-mile bike ride around Soldotna and a 5-kilometer run along Tsalteshi Trails.
Organizers of the event choose a different beneficiary each year to donate proceeds from the event. This year, funds …

Sport Briefs – June 12

Lady M’s earn All-Conference honors
Following an impressive season and a near-miss at the State Championships, five Homer softball players were chosen for All-Conference softball teams for the Northern Lights Conference.
First Team: Miranda Beach, Katie Kirsis, Hannah LaRue, Maggie LaRue.
Second Team: McKi Needham

Holes “Fore” Hospice looks to raise funds
The fourth-annual Holes “Fore” Hospice golf tournament will be held at the Shoreline Golf Course out East End Road this Saturday, June 15.
Registration is at 9 a.m. and the $50 entry fee helps support Hospice of Homer. The entry fee …

Sports Briefs – June 5

Sailing the Cooney Cup
The Homer Yacht Club will hold a two-day race, the “Cooney Cup,” this Saturday and Sunday. Boats will tie up in Seldovia for the night and picnic on the dock.
As usual, captains and crews will meet on P Float at 11 a.m. at the Homer Harbor on the day of the race start to discuss plans. Anyone wishing to crew, experienced or not, can show up at the meeting and see if anyone needs crew….

Homegrown photographer goes ‘Vogue’

Ask any one of Joshua Veldstra’s 1,494 Facebook friends, and they will tell you the 28-year-old lifelong Alaskan is not only a brilliantly talented artist/photographer, he’s also just a really nice guy.
Ask Joshua Veldstra about his talent behind the camera and you’ll get a bit more modest answer.
“Why did I choose photography over any other art medium?” Veldstra repeated the question. “Well, I can’t draw, paint or sculpt to save my life, so thank goodness there is photography.”
Don’t let him fool you.

Holy Santos Gang debuts full-length album, ‘Twain’

If you live in Homer and have never heard of Los Holy Santos Gang, chances are you’re living under a rock.
If you’ve heard of the Gang, but haven’t had a taste of their music, Saturday offers you that opportunity with an official CD release party at the Down East Saloon.
Now is a great time to seize that opportunity.