Athletes practice new moves while wrestling during a 2023 Labor Day weekend clinic at the Juneau Youth Wrestling Club. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Athletes practice new moves while wrestling during a 2023 Labor Day weekend clinic at the Juneau Youth Wrestling Club. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Neighbors briefs

Juneau Youth Wrestling Club hosting two clinics this summer

The Juneau Youth Wrestling Club is hosting nationally renowned wrestling clinicians to lead clinics taking place this summer at the new Juneau Wrestling Center.

The first clinic will be held July 26-28 and is suited for middle school and high school wrestlers with at least one year of wrestling experience. The lead clinicians are Weston and Wilder Wichman, coaches from the wrestling club that invented the “Funk” style of wrestling, the Askren Wrestling Academy. These coaches are highly credentialed and highly praised by AWA co-founder Ben “Funky” Askren.

The second clinic will be held Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Mallory Velte, three-time USA Wrestling World team member, two-time World medalist, and current USA Wrestling Female Athlete of the Year, will be the lead clinician and sports psychologist. This camp is open to all middle school and high school girls including those curious to try wrestling for the first time, and those interested in learning new wrestling skills to improve their existing technique.

Online registration for both camps is now open at www.juneauwrestling.com. For more information is also available at juneauyouthwrestling@gmail.com.

Nominations for annual Chamber of Commerce awards being accepted until Aug. 9

Applications for the Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards are being accepted by the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce until Aug. 9.

The awards recognize outstanding contributions and achievements within the community. The Business of the Year award honors a company that has demonstrated exceptional business practices and community involvement. The Citizen of the Year award celebrates an individual who has made significant positive impacts through their civic and charitable efforts. The Lifetime Achievement award acknowledges a person whose long-term dedication and service have left a lasting legacy.

For more information and to submit nominations visit https://www.juneauchamber.com/awards.

Applications being accepted for JAHF funding to develop new housing

Round four of Juneau Affordable Housing Fund competitive funding is now open. Developers are encouraged to apply.

To help increase housing in Juneau, the CBJ Assembly has committed $4 million from the Juneau Affordable Housing Fund (JAHF) to projects that create affordable and middle-income housing opportunities.

The JAHF allows for-profit developers, non-profit organizations, public and regional housing authorities, and tribal governments to apply for grants or loans to cover capital costs associated with the development of housing.

Since 2021, JAHF grants and loans have supported new construction and rehabilitation of existing homes to provide housing for seniors, vulnerable populations, and low- and middle-income residents. Currently funded projects are projected to create 315 additional housing units and estimated to bring over $68 million worth of investment to the community.

An informational public meeting about the application process will be held on Monday, July 29 at 3 p.m. via Zoom.

For more information about the Juneau Affordable Housing Fund, including eligibility guidelines and application process, please visit the JAHF website at https://juneau.org/community-development/grants-juneau-affordable-housing-fund.

Bartlett Regional Hospital announces Fireweed Award recipients

Bartlett Regional Hospital has announced its quarterly Fireweed Award recipients for their exceptional care and service to the community. A total of 46 nominations were submitted this quarter and four employees were randomly selected for hospital wide recognition.

• Dennis Hall is a Critical Care Nurse who was nominated by a patient’s family for his compassionate, knowledgeable, and helpful demeanor. “Everyone has been great but we would like to especially commend Dennis. You are lucky to have such a great person on your staff.”

• Holly Cockerille is a Case Manager who was nominated by a colleague for being “the glue that holds the hospital together, especially in the summer. She has been helping cruisers make it home for decades as well as supporting our local folks through it all.” Her colleague recognized that Holly holds a certification in Thanatology and also helps guide patients and families through end of life care. “She has the ability to connect with patients and always makes them feel safe and secure.”

• Maria Taug (t-ao-g) is Surgical Care Nurse who was nominated by a patient’s family member for taking care of their mother in the Emergency Department when they were unable to be at her side. “As a family member who lives out of town and was very concerned, it was a great reassurance that they were in great hands. Maria is an amazing nurse and I really appreciate her taking such great care of my family in my absence.”

• Terra Parker is a Clinical Admin Assistant who was nominated by a colleague for embodying the hospital’s mission and going above and beyond to help all those she serves. “Terra makes a difference on patients and colleagues when she is on duty, provides excellent service, and is a very dedicated employee.”

A celebration event was held on campus and each recipient received a recognition pin, a gift card courtesy of the BRH Foundation and a designated parking spot for the quarter.

Nominations for next quarter are currently being accepted. To submit a nomination, visit bartletthospital.org/fireweedaward. Continuing sponsorship for this award is provided by the BRH Foundation.

School District holds additional surplus sale

The Juneau School District (JSD) is offering another chance for the public to purchase surplus items following the consolidation of schools on July 1. The sale is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Monday at Floyd Dryden Middle School. Surplus items include: File cabinets ($2-4), bookcases ($2-5), desks for both students ($2) and teachers ($10), chairs ($1), tables ($5-10), and other miscellaneous items.

Register now for Juneau pools lifeguarding class

Registration is now open for the upcoming Juneau Pools lifeguarding class from July 31 to Aug. 3 at Dimond Park Aquatic Center. Participants who successfully complete the class will earn an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, valid for two years.

Register online via the Parks and Rec registration catalog (under the Juneau Pools tab). Registration closes on Friday, July 26.

The class will take place from 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. July 31 to Aug. 2, and 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Aug. 3. An hour-long lunch break is included each day.

Class fees are $250 for general participants but free for those who submit an application for employment as a Juneau Pools lifeguard before the class begins. Both Dimond Park Aquatic Center and Augustus G. Brown Swimming Pool are currently hiring lifeguards in both full- and part-time positions, with early morning, daytime, and evening shifts available.

The class is open to a maximum of 10 people.

Prerequisites: Complete a pre-course session in the pool prior to the first day of class. The pre-course includes a 200-yard swim, brick retrieval from 10 feet, and treading water for 2 minutes. Must be 15 years old by the last day of class.

For more information, contact Seth Cayce at (907) 586-0839 or seth.cayce@juneau.gov.

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