Zumba studio waltzes onto Main
A new dance studio on Main Street offers a range of Zumba classes.
Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance fitness program that borrows moves from salsa, merengue and hip hop. The studio is upstairs behind the Alaskan Liquor Store.
Licensed Zumba instructor Jacklynn Ruggirello is offering four, one-hour Zumba classes per week and Zumba toning twice weekly. About 20 regulars attend sessions now, but Ruggirello is hoping to attract more and said people needn’t feel intimidated.
“It’s a very non-judgmental place. It’s exercise in disguise. There’s a party-like feel. It’s not about getting the steps down perfectly. It’s about having fun,” Ruggirello said. “Everyone’s welcome.”
A “Zumba Gold” class, a less strenuous session for beginners and active older adults, will be offered starting 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 23. Sessions are $8, with punch-pass and Wisewoman discounts available.
Ruggirello said she plans to offer a “Zumba-tomic” class for youths this summer and is open to using the studio for other classes taught by other instructors.
She has taught fitness classes in Haines the past 12 years, including aerobics, step aerobics and Nia.
The upstairs dance studio includes a changing room and restroom. Ruggirello said she’s excited about having her own space, and a location that’s convenient and centrally located. “I think it will be good to bring some new energy to Main Street.”
Patrons can use the private parking lot at Third and Main, she said. Men are welcome. For more information, call 314-0877.
Boat-building venture moving
A fiberglass boat-building venture once envisioned for Haines appears to be moving south.
Haines commercial fisherman and mechanic John Winge, who partnered in the operation with boat builder John Schumacher, said a mold used to build a boat here recently will likely go to Wrangell.
Winge, who has operated a downtown tire shop and garage since 2006, said he’s selling that business as well, although he might operate a smaller, tire business seasonally. “I’m going into semi-retirement. We basically plan on spending more of the winter someplace warm.”
Schumacher could not be reached for comment.
Theater revival effort ends for now
The recent departure of Krishna Smith from Haines marks the end of an effort to re-open the historic Coliseum Theater building as a movie house.
The Main Street landmark has been vacant since the closure of a video rental business there in 2009. Smith, a computer programmer who moved here in 2009, envisioned a second-run movie house in the spot and approached building owner Gross Alaska with a proposal to lease the building.
The company’s board of directors, however, were interested only in selling the building, said president Dorain Gross. “There’s been no activity on the building whatsoever. The building is for sale,” Gross said.
The Haines Borough posted historic photos in the windows of the vacant building in previous summers. Gross said she hasn’t heard from the borough about decorating the windows this year.