Mark your calendar for some happenings in FEBRUARY

(note: SCRC =Sterling Community/ Rec. Center: SSC =Sterling Senior Center)

Sun Feb 4th SUPER BOWL SUNDAY Mon Feb. 5th @ on Kenai Pen Borough Facebook Discuss Comprehensive Plan 10:30 am to 11:30 am Tues Feb. 6th @ SSC Caregiver Support meeting “Coping Skills” 1:00 pm Tues Feb. 6th @ Borough Chambers Regular meeting 6:00 pm Fri Feb. 9th @ Sterling Elementary “2018 Luau Carnival” 5:00 pm Wed Feb 14th @ SSC Ribs for Lunch for Valentine’s Day 11:30 am Thurs Feb.15th @ SCRC Regular meeting 5:45 pm Sat Feb 24th @ SSC Pancake Breakfast fundraiser 9:00 am March 17th @ SCRC save the day “March 17th Fundraiser”

The Assembly meetings in February are on the 6th and 20th

The first meeting of the Material Site Work Group was on January 31st from 2-4. We will be scheduling meetings in February at the meeting. Stay tuned.

Thanks, Johni Blankenship---JBlankenship@kpb.us

FEBRUARY, 2018

CONGRATULATIONS Maggie of Magpye’s Pizzeria for winning the “Commitment to Youth” award from the Soldotna Chamber Award. Maggie, Jeff and her business certainly deserve this award. I have seen her, first hand, serving many sports teams as they come into town. Besides the Youth award, She also deserves the “Serving her local community” award. If there was such a thing. Thank you Maggie for all that you do.

PS: additional information The Kenai Peninsula Borough is in the process of making their Comprehensive Plan and they want to hear from you.

Mayor Charlie Pierce is going to be doing a Facebook Live on February 5th from 10:30 am to 11:30 am and would love for you to join them. Come with your questions, thoughts, and ideas on bettering the Kenai Peninsula Borough. The draft Comprehensive plan is at http:bcompplan.com/ For more details go to the Kenai Peninsula Borough web page or Facebook page.

From Sterling Elementary School: Denise Kelly, Principal (907)2624944

Jennifer Waller <freedomhouse907@outlook.com> Feb 1 at 11:10 AM

Good morning! We are so blessed from the outpouring of generosity and support from our second annual fundraiser. We are well on our way to having our back-parking lot finished come Spring which will put us one step closer to be in compliance with the City of Soldotna. At Freedom House, transportation is a huge hurdle. We have a resident who is trying to get her GED through KPC. Transportation through CARTS (cheapest around) would be $25/week. We are looking for someone to sponsor her for this. Please call Jennifer at 260-3733 if you are interested. Please join us in praying for a Suburban or Large van for Freedom House. With that we would have more expenses like gas, insurance and we would need drivers (more volunteers) to shuttle the ladies. Be praying over this transportation issue as God has a perfect answer to the need. Blessings, Jennifer Waller

GREETINGS from Sterling Lutheran Church,We invite you to attend services during Lent on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm.Come join us at 35100 McCall Rd, Sterling, AK 99672

through Friday.

Pm Monday 6:00 Years old must be accompanied by an adult). Open 11:00 am to 15-Teens $2 (13e, yoga balls/mats, and hand weights. Adults $3, seniors $2, and Machine, 3 station upper body machine

Machines such as: Stationary bikes, tread mill, rowing machine, elliptical Multiuse squat rack and bench press with all bars and free weights, and cardio

. Featuring a Weight Room / Cardio RoomNewest attraction is the Our

We have a lot going on here, lots of new programs and events coming up.

Greetings from the Sterling Community Rec Center

Home School Gym TiHome School and gym time is every Friday from 12:00-2:00. We offer gym time with all the fun equipment. We had a large turnout last week, 30 people, the kids and parents really enjoyed themselves! Adults $3, Teens $2, and children $1.

Our Walking Program is Monday through Friday From 11:00-3:30. We have hot coffee, music in the gym, and your favorite news channel. Come in and see our new living room. The perfect place to exercise and socialize with you friends.

Toddler Time has grown, we have added a day. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00-1:00. Come enjoy an interactive fun time in our gym. We have lots of colorful fun toys and equipment to keep your little person active and happy!

Our After School Rec Program continues to grow. Monday through Friday and all early release days too. Just $ 80 per month @ $ 3.60 per day (multiple child discount 25% off) and Drop-ins are welcome at $ 5 per visit and we will pick them up at school too. We have Waffle Wednesdays each week, so it you decide to Drop-In this is a Great Day! We offer everyday: Scooters, roller blades, bounce house, mats, games, Movies Theater, air hockey, fosse ball, Legos, computer and Snack. Come in and visit to check it out Mon–Fri. 3:30-5:45. For more information call 262-7224.

The Community Center still offers our tried and true programs:

Pickleball Monday and Wednesday 1:00-3:00 and Thursdays 6:00-8:00 pm. Adults $3, Teens $2

Zumba: Mondays and Wednesdays 6-7 pm. $ 6.00 per class / free for members

Pickleball Class Skill and Drills : We will start again in the spring.

The next SCC Board meeting will be on February 15th at 5:45 pm, note this is open to the public.

Come in and see all the new programs and equipment!

Two Events happening in the Near Future:

Our annual fundraiser is on March 17th this year, we are moving it from the Fall to the Spring. The theme is St. Patrick’s Day! We will be serving a Gourmet dinner: Corn beef and Cabbage and or Stuffed pork lion, potatoes, salad, and dessert. There will be green beer and wine, music and entertainment, a pie auction with gifts attached to each, a silent auction, split the pot and door prizes. Call today to get tickets, no need to drive.

Each year we do a raffle. Last year was very successful! So we are doing it again. Winning raffle ticket will be pulled at St. Patrice’s Day fund Raiser, Saturday March 17, 2018. You do not need to be present to win.

Kelly Reilly, Facility Coordinator—www.sterlingcommunitycenter.com 262-7224

Here is a list of meats in the freezer Raffle: Crab, Lobster, Shrimp, New York Beef Loin, Ham, Pork Sausage, Boneless Beef Rib Eye, Breakfast Sausage, Bacon, Turkey, Roast, Top Loin New York Strip, Boneless Top Round Roast, and Chicken.

Freezer Pleazer RAFFLE

Sponsored by:

Sterling Community CenterNew Chest Freezer 5.0 cu. ft. &

175 lbs. of Assorted frozenmeats

$10.00 per ticket or 6 for $50.00 Tickets sold at:

Sterling Community Center, Bing Brown’s & CBC Rentals

Drawing will be held March 17, 2018 @ St. Patrick’s Day Fund RaiserNEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN only 750 tickets to be sold

Benefits the Sterling Community Center

Permit # 2913

FEBRUARY CAREGIVER SUPPORT MEETING SCHEDULE

Tuesday, February 6, 2018, 1:00 pm Sterling Senior Center, Caregiver Support Meeting - Topic: Training DVD from The Educated Caregiver on Coping Skills. In this DVD, you will hear valuable strategies on getting support, developing realistic expectations, and especially important, taking care of yourself and your loved one.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 1:00 pm Soldotna Senior Center, Caregiver Support Meeting - Topic: Training DVD from The Educated Caregiver on Coping Skills. In this DVD, you will hear valuable strategies on getting support, developing realistic expectations, and especially important, taking care of yourself and your loved one.

Every 2nd & 4th Thursday 2-3:30 pm Homer Senior Citizens, Caregiver Support Group in the Conference Room. Hosted by Pam Hooker.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 1:00 pm Kenai Senior Center, Caregiver Support Meeting - Topic: Training DVD from The Educated Caregiver on Coping Skills. In this DVD, you will hear valuable strategies on getting support, developing realistic expectations, and especially important, taking care of yourself and your loved one.

Every 3rd Wednesday, 3:00 pm Anchor Pt. Senior Center, Caregiver Support Meeting. Hosted by Paula Koch.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018: Open House every 4th Tuesday of the Month 11am – 2pm. Be sure to drop by our office in the Blazy Mall, Suite # 209 to access our lending library, durable goods loan closet, to view the DVD Coping Skills, to ask questions, or just visit over snacks and coffee.

Please join us to share your experiences as a caregiver, or to support someone who is a caregiver. Please call Sharon or Judy at (907) 262-1280, for more information. caregive2@alaska.net

Office (907) 262-1280 Toll Free (866) 776-8210 Fax (907) 262-3115 www.kpnfcsp.org Sadie Lansing, DPT Active Abilities LLC Sterling, AK 99672 Phone: (907) 262-7748 Fax: (907) 262-7749

Winter Weather Injury Prevention. Part two.

As per the new Kenai Peninsula winter weather norm, we have been graced with miles and miles of shiny, slippery ice. Ice is a great tool to keep our drinks cold and calm down overused achy muscles, but on the ground, it can become pretty dangerous. A slip and fall on the ice can result in a devastating injury such as concussion, fractured hip, shoulder dislocation/fracture, a wrist fracture, or just a gnarly bruise that hurts for weeks to the touch. The following are a few reminders to help you prevent falling and injuring yourself on the ice.

• Slow down – Look for ice where you are walking, pay attention to where you place your feet on the ground, and take controlled steps.

• Footwear selection – Look at the soles of your shoes before wearing them on the ice, you want a shoe with large rubber treads, or raised patterns, to help your feet keep their grip on the ground. Also, make sure your shoe fits snuggly.

• Better traction – Consider purchasing and using a pair of pull over ice grips. They slide nicely over the sole of your shoe and are made in varying degrees of aggressiveness from those with a couple well placed spikes or coils to intense large spikes. Be sure to remove either the grips or your shoes/boots before walking on a hard floor. Another option is a product that installs spikes directly into the sole of shoes or boots.

• Keeps hands free – Don’t walk on ice while carrying objects with both hands, leave a hand free to hold onto a handrail or to reach out and stabilize yourself while on icy surfaces.

Sadie Lansing is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Active Abilities PT in Sterling, AK. She graduated from The University of Montana in 2007 and has been working in out-patient physical therapy ever since. She can be reached at (907) 262-7748 or slansing@activeabilitiespt.com.

STERLING HEAD START;

We had an exciting week! Our first field trip to the Sterling Fire Station to learn about fire safety was fascinating. After that, the children were thrilled to pretend to fly to Mexico as they wore sombreros, they enjoyed hearing “Mama Do You Love Me” in Spanish, looking at the Mexican Flag, pesos, a molcajete (a salsa maker made of volcanic ash) mariachi hats and a Mexican Dress.

The children were also so excited to eat with chopsticks as we pretended to travel to China. We are grateful to have so many wonderful parents join us this week.

For the next three weeks we will introduce ocean animals as we move to the ocean for your children to discover animals that make their homes in bodies of water. Some of the creatures we focus on include sea star, sea horses, dolphins, whales, and octopus. We will discuss water safety.

Head Start School Readiness Goals

We have been working with children on five school readiness goals. The third school readiness goals are: Language & Literacy: Children will communicate using language as demonstrated by an increased ability to listen, comprehend and express selves using language. Children will demonstrate phonological awareness, letter recognition and writing skills.

Citizens Corp Tips: Jackie stringham Terrorism /Introduction Throughout human history, there have been many threats to the security of nations. These threats have brought about large-scale losses of life, the destruction of property, widespread illness and injury, the displacement of large numbers of people, and devastating economic loss. Alaskans are not immune to any or all of these threats. Even relatively quiet Kenai Peninsula is vulnerable. Recent technological advances and ongoing international political unrest are components of the increased risk to national security. Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom. Terrorists often use threats to: • Create fear among the public. • Try to convince citizens that their government is powerless to prevent terrorism. • Get immediate publicity for their causes.

Acts of terrorism include threats of terrorism; assassinations; kidnappings; hijackings; bomb scares and bombings; cyber-attacks (computer-based); and the use of chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological weapons. High-risk targets for acts of terrorism include military and civilian government facilities, international airports, large cities, and high-profile landmarks. Terrorists might also target large public gatherings, water and food supplies, utilities, and corporate centers. Further, terrorists are capable of spreading fear by sending explosives or chemical and biological agents through the mail. Within the immediate area of a terrorist event, you would need to rely on police, other officials for instructions. However, you can prepare in much the same way you would prepare for other crisis events. Citizen Corp tips will feature suggested guidelines, etc. in the next issues STERLING SENIOR CENTER; Please welcome Janet Phillips as the new Senior Center Director. Janet is very excited to work with all the seniors and the whole Sterling community. The senior center would like you to consider them when you are applying for your PFD under the “Pick-Click-Give” program and also to sign up at the Fred Meyer rewards program and checking The Sterling Senior Center as a beneficiary of the reward program. Some dates to remember; Valentine’s Day February 14th, spend lunch with them- ribs on the menu February 4th- Super Bowl Sunday, find a friend and enjoy with them February 24th, Pancake Breakfast

Editor’s note: Thank you all for contributing to this Newsletter. Without you there would be no Sterling Community Newsletter. This Newsletter is emailed to over 40 leaders and groups and then hopefully it is forwarded to a large number of people on their email lists that would like to read it. All information is welcome and will be printed if appropriate. Email me at grace.merkes@yahoo.com Thank you!