Tod Sebens, wife Margaret and daughter Bozhi enjoyed 10 days in Cabo San Lucas during the break, soaking up sun at a resort there on the beach. Tod stayed on a few extra days to make six dives for sharks at Cabo Pulmo, on the Sea of Cortez side of the Baja peninsula. Tod is a member of Shark Savers, a group hoping to help save sharks from extinction. They’re threatened by factors including overfishing and demand for shark fin soup.

If you missed Lynn Canal Community Players’ performance of “Dixie Swim Club” in December, there’s another chance to see it. All nine original cast members will perform the show again 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Eagles’ Hall in Skagway. Director Tod Sebens is sailing the show there aboard his 30-passenger tour boat Taz, and said there will be a few extra seats. A fairly simple set and help from the Skagway Arts Council are helping take the show on the road. Cast members include Michele Wing, Hannah Reeves, Cheryl Mullins, Judith McDermaid, Lorrie Dudzik, Suzanne Newton, Jerrie Clarke, Jacque Horn and Pam Randles.

Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, which typically offers a scholarship every other year through Alaska Indian Arts, now offers the half scholarship annually. Sessions are held in summer and typically last three weeks. “You can pick whatever glass work you want – glass blowing, painting on glass – there are a lot of different options,” said AIA’s Lee Heinmiller. For more information, call Heinmiller at 766-2160.

Krista Kielsmeier is back from visiting family in Johnston, Iowa. The trip included a side trip she made with mom Linda to see high school friend Elicia Ross and her newborn baby, Lydia, in Omaha, Neb. Elicia is a high school biology teacher. by daughter. Side trips included ones to Milwaukee and Chicago. She got back on New Year’s in time to see alma mater Northwestern top Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl, the team’s first bowl win since 1949. She said congrats to fellow Northwesterners Genny Szymanski and Fred Shields.

Nori Nash and husband Brian Pindel have moved to La Paz, Bolivia, Nori’s new posting in the U.S. Foreign Service. Nori spent an extra week at her previous post in Bangkok, Thailand, preparing for the December visit of President Barack Obama. Nori’s 19-year-old Siamese ragdoll cat Skakti, was fine with the latest move. Shakti also has lived in San Francisco, Portland, Haines, and China.

David Owen has been visiting aunt Doris Ward since before Christmas. From Beebe, Ark., he’s the son of Doris’ late brother, Bill. It’s his fourth trip here and first winter visit. He has worked in real estate and home sales and as a bank manager. He’s now looking for work in this area, he said. He said he’s enjoying winter’s slower pace and getting to know people.

James Alborough, Joe Parnell and wife Holly Jo joined Dave Nanney to watch Dave and James’ alma mater, Stanford, beat Wisconsin during a Rose Bowl party at Dave’s Fort Seward home on New Year’s. Dave, a 1965 graduate, said the team’s recent success is a departure from when he attended the school. “When I went to school there, we’d go to football games to see the other teams.”

Haines High School women’s alumni players haven’t lost their touch. Former players Sarah Swinton, Stoli Lende, Amy and Ashley Messerschmidt, Teslyn Visscher, Fran Daly and Ivanca Jones played for the graduates in the annual high school alumni game Jan. 4. The game raised $627 for the high school girls’ basketball account.

Thanks to Mountain Market, Alaska Marine Lines, Leigh Horner and Erwin Hertz for help with the 8th annual Polar Bear Dip.

Victoria Moore and the Haines Alcohol Task Force organized the alcohol-free New Year’s Eve party at the ANB Hall. Door prizes were donated by local businesses. Moore said the event will happen annually. “It’s geared for families and people wanting an alternative night out.”

Byrne Power’s recent documentary work in Europe included interviews with noted Czech puppet animator Jan Svankmajer and stop-motion animators Stephen and Timothy Quay. Power conducted 10 interviews in eight countries during the two-month trip, gleaning material for “Gravity from Above,” a planned documentary on puppetry in the 21st century. He also met with Swiss officials who may help fund a series of films on European puppet history. In Prague, he met up with Sean McNamara and former resident and guide Blair Argust for a night out that included “one of the stinkiest cheeses in the world.” Power’s puppet company “Reckoning Motions,” is planning a small puppet show here in March and he’s also planning a library slide show on his trip.

Dan Henry’s short story, Chilkat Style, has just been published in the Winter 2012 issue of Connotations - which is the Sitka Island Institute Journal.  This is one of several they have published over the years.  He is also on his way to Sitka, where he will be teaching a writing workshop, Writing History.