Favorite Links Friday Week of July 22, 2016

Our very own Dockside Cafe made it at number 5 for the 16 Mom & Pop Restaurants In Alaska That Serve Home Cooked Meals To Die For

Hydaburg City School District Opens Statewide Correspondence High School

(SitNews) Hydaburg, Alaska - The Hydaburg City School District has opened their own statewide correspondence high school named TOTEM Correspondence enrolling high school students in grades 9 and up living anywhere in Alaska. Students must be 19 years or younger on October 1st each year to enroll.

TOTEM Correspondence School is a personalized education model where students can work at their own pace with project based thematic curriculum, receive individualized instruction, participate in college classes, and have the opportunity to graduate successfully with a high school diploma.

As a statewide correspondence school, continued communication between students and teachers is essential which is why the school plans to provide each student with their own laptop computer, in addition to a $2500 allocation for curriculum and services, along with a Personalized Learning Plan.

In addition to project based thematic courses that will meet standards in multiple subject areas, students may also participate in college courses receiving dual college and high school credit, choose single courses for individual subject areas as well as choose credit recovery options for incomplete and failed courses.

Students will have a Teacher/Advisor that will work with them to develop and implement their Personalized Learning Plan. In addition, other tutors and instructors will be available to work one-on-one with students as needed.

Students & parents may obtain more information about the new TOTEM Correspondence School on the school/s website or email info@totemcorrespondence.org. If you would prefer to speak with a school representative, please call Bart Mwarey in Hydaburg at 907-401-3359. An application for enrollment is also available on their website. If the student is under the age of 18, the registration forms will require a parent's or guardian's signature.

Fall Semester begins September 6, 2016. [Full Source]

Southeast’s Columbia ferry stalls in Petersburg

The southbound Columbia ferry arrived in Petersburg early this morning and was scheduled to depart shortly after, but an unexpected delay left the boat parked in town all day.

Alaska Marine Highway System spokesman Jeremy Woodrow says a mechanical issue with the ship’s starboard engine required the ferry to remain moored.

“It will remain there as long as the AMHS technicians are troubleshooting the situation,” says Woodrow. “We’re working on an action plan. We’ve notified passengers on board and all other passengers would be on the southbound sailings of the situation.”

But for those headed to Bellingham, Washington from Petersburg or Wrangell, Woodrow says right now the Columbia is the only option. Updates may be posted on ferryalaska.com and a notice will be sent to customers when they have a better idea of the timeline for repairs. [Full Source]

Wrangell’s water shortage causes borough to declare local disaster

Wrangell is in a water crisis. Between two fish processors and the public, demand is exceeding the water treatment system’s ability to produce clean water. The assembly and borough manager declared a local emergency disaster Tuesday and are asking the public to cut water consumption 30 to 50 percent.

Water Plant Manager Wayne McHolland said Wrangell’s treatment system was never designed for the community’s water source.

“It’s designed for spotlessly clean water going into it. We don’t have that, we never have. It has never worked since the beginning,” McHolland said.

The system was designed for ground water, which is dramatically cleaner than what’s supplied by Wrangell’s two reservoirs. McHolland said the surface water is too dirty and slows the treatment process

The assembly unanimously voted to declare a local emergency disaster to tap into state resources as well as bypassing procurement codes. Bypassing the codes will allow Borough Manager Jeff Jabusch to quickly pursue any solutions to the crisis.

Public Works Director Amber Al-Haddad said Wrangell’s two seafood processors, Trident and Sea Level Seafoods, account for little over half of the demand.

Al-Haddad said both processors have been conserving water. But, both Trident and Sea Level say their production has been limited by the borough for about two weeks, costing thousands of dollars. [Full Source]

High-tunnel program accepting applications

Southeast gardeners can apply for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s high- tunnel cost-share program.

High tunnels or hoop houses are structures used to extend the growing season. They are typically at least six feet tall in the center and differ from greenhouses in that they are passively heated by the sun.

Samia Savell is with NRCS’s Juneau field office. She says programs funded through her department must support conservation projects, and high tunnels have conservation benefits.

“They can help you make watering more efficient. They can reduce the need for nutrient inputs, especially here in Southeast where we have, typically high precipitation. You can really tend to leach the nutrients out of your soil. So, having a covered or controlled environment can make that a lot more efficient and beneficial for your crops as well. And it can reduce the need for pesticide inputs, and control some kinds of pests.”

Those interested in learning more about the services offered by NRCS can contact the Juneau field office at 907-586-7220. [Full Source]

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ak/programs/financial/eqip/

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ak/newsroom/factsheets/