August 15, 2014 – Bear festival ready to go,  with or without star attractions 

On the eve of the Chilkat Valley’s first bear festival, one group of guests was conspicuous by its absence early this week: bears.

“The bears aren’t here,” said Ann Puffer, an organizer of the two-day event that starts at Harriett Hall Friday evening. “Speedy (a 10-year-old sow ear-tagged #235) is the only one that’s been active at the river this…