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Participants will complete a 3-mile course through Sitka National Historical Park that features six checkpoints, where the runners receive playing cards sealed in envelopes. The people with the best (or worst) poker hands will win door prizes. Since healthy eating habits can help men lower their risk for prostate cancer, grilled salmon and prostate-healthy side dishes will be served after the race. A doctor and prostate cancer survivor will talk about the importance of nutrition, physical activity, regular screenings and quitting tobacco.

For more information, contact Charles Bingham at 966-8504 or charles.bingham@searhc.org, or call Doug Osborne at 966-8734 or doug.osborne@searhc.org.

SEARHC hosts FASD wellness walk, otherawareness activities

JUNEAU - SEARHC's Behavioral Health Department is hosting a wellness walk and other awareness activities on Sunday, Sept. 9, in honor of International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day, National Native American Recovery Month and National Recovery Month.

Juneau residents interested in participating in the FASD Wellness Walk should line up at noon at the Breeze In parking lot for a 1 p.m. walk across the Douglas Bridge. Park in the parking lot across the roundabout from Breeze In. The walk ends at the KINY Radio parking lot, and there is a potluck honoring elders with a grand entrance by dancers and elder speakers after the walk at the Tlingít-Haida Community Center, 3235 Hospital Drive.

Other FASD awareness activities planned in September include a series of events featuring 15-year-old Native American flute player Morgan Fawcett, of Powers, Ore., who has FASD and was born in Juneau. Morgan and his grandparents, Sue and Roy Hempel, will have 60 to 70 donated Native flutes that they will give to young people who attend Morgan's workshops. Morgan will be joined by nationally recognized violinist Arvel Bird, who is of Southern Paiute, Me'tis and Scottish heritage.

Morgan and Arvel will play a concert at 9:15 a.m. Sept. 14, for students at Yaakoosgé Daakahídi Alternative High School. They will appear on KTOO-FM's radio show, "A Juneau Afternoon," at 3 p.m. Sept. 14 with host Jeff Brown. They will do storytelling at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at the downtown library. Arvel will present a concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at Juneau-Douglas High School. Tickets for Arvel's concert are $10 for adults, free for children 12 and younger, and are available at Hearthside Books.

For more information or to volunteer with the events, call Norene Otnes at 463-6670 or 364-4445. For more about FASD Awareness Day, go to www.fasday.com. Event co-sponsors include NCADD of Juneau, AWARE, Tlingít-Haida Central Council and One Heart Creations.

Alaska VocationalInstitute offers free orientation Wednesday

JUNEAU - The Alaska Vocational Institute, one of The Learning Connection's workforce development programs, along with its funding partners - Tlingit and Haida Central Council, State of Alaska Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation, and Workforce Investment Act personnel - will present an orientation about the program and its support services from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at The Learning Connection, 210 Ferry Way.

AVI provides 20 weeks of fulltime training in office and computer skills to help participants get - and keep - an entry level office job. People interested in obtaining or expanding their job and life skills are encouraged to attend this free orientation session.

AVI's winter session begins Nov. 5 and has space for 15 students. Students interested in working on their skills (i.e. reading, math, computer, etc.) before AVI begins can work with TLC staff for free at one of its four locations throughout Juneau.

The Learning Connection provides free GED and adult education, free computer programs, free family literacy programs and free job assistance programs at four locations throughout Juneau.

For more information, please call Susan Bus at 586-5718.

MASST program seeks individuals 55 years or older

JUNEAU - The Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training program is hiring individuals 55 years or older for paid trainee positions.

Individuals will learn how to use a computer or improve their existing skills, find out how to launch a successful job search and get assistance in finding - and keeping - a permanent job.

Today's job market is competitive. Begin building the skills you need through MASST while getting paid to learn. For more information, contact Susan Bus at The Learning Connection at 586-5718.