Chambers set schedules

■ The Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce will host a joint luncheon on March 17 at Froso’s restaurant, 35433 Kenai Spur Hwy in Soldotna. The speaker will be Jackie Garcia with the Peninsula Job Center.

■ The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce will host the Alaska Department of Transportation on March 31. DOT will present info on a new paving/resurfacing project that will affect the Sterling Highway this summer. Student of the Month awards will also be presented at Froso’s restaurant.

Homer woman wins Verizon mushing award

Iditarod winner and Homer resident Libby Riddles was awarded the inaugural “Women of Mushing” award in a ceremony at the Verizon Wireless store in Takahtnu commons.

Riddles, the first woman to win the Iditarod, is an author and motivational speaker and helped to draw worldwide attention to dog mushing.  

Upon receiving the award, Riddles credited those who helped guide her, especially the women. “I’m truly honored to receive this award,” she said. “The Iditarod and dog mushing have given women a great avenue to prove their strengths and it is the rare sport where we can compete head-to-head with men. I’m extremely honored to be a part of that.”

Verizon and Riddles are working to contribute $2,500 to a charity focused on empowering and inspiring women.

Following the award presentation, Verizon hosted a celebration in honor of Riddles and women in mushing at the Crow’s Nest in the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage.

Governor announces strong year for Alaskan exports

Gov. Bill Walker on Monday announced that Alaska exported more than $5.15 billion in goods in 2014. It was the second highest year ever for Alaskan exports, according to his announcement.

Alaska primarily exported to China and Japan. Exports to China were $1.46 billion due to strong increases in mineral ores and seafood, according to a media release from Walker’s office. Exports to Japan were $1.02 billion due to the 2014 restart of liquefied natural gas export from Cook Inlet and a stronger export of seafood and mineral ores.

Alaska’s seafood exports increased to $2.26 billion, mineral ores were up to $1.75 billion and energy exports were up to $551.9 million —buoyed by the Cook Inlet LNG exports to japan.

One interesting export was the sale of a jackup to South Africa which boosted the state’s exports to that country by more than $100 million.

Six candidates up for election to Homer Electric Association Board of Directors

HEA directors are elected by the members in their respective district, with members voting only for the candidates residing in their district. This year, the following candidates will appear on each district ballot:

In District 1 (Kenai – Nikiski- parts of Soldotna area), the candidate is incumbent David B. Thomas of Kenai.

In District 2 (Soldotna – Sterling – Kasilof), the candidates are Andrew Alexandrou of Sterling and incumbent Dave Carey of Soldotna.

In District 3 (Kasilof south to Kachemak Bay area), the candidates are incumbent Jim Levine of Homer, Joe F. Singleton of Homer and Don Stead of Homer.

The ballots will be mailed to HEA members on April 3, 2015. Completed mail-in ballots must be received by May 6, 2015, for validation. If HEA members are unable to complete a mail-in ballot, members will also have an opportunity to vote at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Members, which will be held May 7, 2015, at Homer High School. For more details about the election and the Annual Meeting of the Members contact HEA’s office at 800-478-8551 or HEA’s website at www.homerelectric.com.

Junior Achievement Raffle tickets available

The Kenai Junior Achievement Committee has put together a raffle fundraiser for the 2014-2015 school year. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices.

Tickets are $10 each and all proceeds benefit Junior Achievement programs on the Kenai Peninsula. Winning tickets will be drawn on March, 21, 2015 at the Kenai River Brown Bears hockey game. You need not be present to win. First place is $1,000, Second place is $600 and third place is $400.

To purchase tickets, please contact Janet Johnson at johnsoja@denalifcu.com or 907-257-1669 or Renee Rybak at r.rybak@alaskausa.org or 907-395-4505.

Small business series offered

Small business workshops will be offered in Fairbanks and by webinar around the state.

The series is hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, UAF Community and Technical College and the Alaska Small Business Development Center. Extension economic development specialist Kathryn Dodge said the workshops will provide guidance to small business owners interested in starting or expanding their businesses. Participants may attend one or all of the workshops. Topics include:

— Creating a one-page business model canvas, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 12

Anyone who wishes to connect by desktop may contact Dodge at 907-474-6497 or kdodge@alaska.edu.

Each class costs $25. Register online at http://bit.ly/ces-workshops. See details about the classes at www.uaf.edu/ces.

What’s new in your business?

Have you opened a new business, moved to a new location, hired a new person or promoted an employee?

Send us your information at news@peninsulaclarion.com, fax it to 907-283-3299, or drop it by the Clarion at 150 Trading Bay in Kenai.

Questions? Call 907-335-1251.

Business announcements may be submitted to news@peninsulaclarion.com. Items should be submitted by 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to publication.