Daily Sitka Sentinel

January 8, 2014 Community Happenings

Southeast Fossils
    Topic of Program
    “Triassic Marine Reptiles from the Tropics of Southeast Alaska”  is the topic of the UAS-Sitka Campus Natural History Seminar presentation 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at UAS Room 229.
    Dr. Patrick Druckenmiller, curator of Earth Sciences, Alaska Museum of the North, and Jim Baichtal, U.S. Forest Service geologist, will discuss the fossil finds that describe a very different Southeast Alaska.
    Funding for the seminar series is provided by a grant to the Sitka Sound Science Center by the Sitka Alaska Permanent Charitable Trust and by support from the University of Alaska.
    Those with questions may contact Kitty LaBounty at 747-9432 or kitty.labounty@uas.alaska.edu


    Dog Classes Set
    At UAS-Sitka
    UAS-Sitka Campus is offering three classes for dogs, ‘‘Dog Agility 1,’’ ‘‘Dog Agility 2’’ and ‘‘Puppy Kindergarten.’’
    Dog Agility 1 is for dogs 6 months or older that have taken either a puppy class or basic obedience class, or have approval by the instructors. Dogs will learn jumping, tunneling, retrieving, “pause” board and weave poles.  It will be offered 7-8 p.m. Jan. 14-Feb. 18 on Tuesdays.
     Dog Agility 2, for dogs 6 months  or older, will be offered 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays Jan. 14-Feb. 18 at UAS-Sitka Campus.
    Dogs must have taken either a basic obedience class and ‘‘Dog Agility 1,’’ or have the approval of the instructors.  It will build on the beginner class with more equipment, harder moves and a quicker pace.
    Puppy Kindergarten will be offered 6-7 p.m. Thursdays Jan. 16-Feb. 20. The class is for puppies 6 to 16 weeks, using only positive training methods. In addition to basic manners the class will cover nutrition, grooming, first aid. During socialization time puppies will learn proper etiquette and the owner will learn what constitutes acceptable puppy behavior.
    The fee for each class is $100. Susan Royce and Karen Kluting will instruct.  Call 747-7762 for more information or to register.


    Valentine’s Day
    Sale at White E
    The White Elephant Shop will have Valentine’s Day decorations available for purchase while supply lasts, beginning with the noon-3 p.m. Thursday opening. It will continue noon-3pm Saturday.

    Chinese New Year
    Program Jan. 19
    Summer Mayo and Yan Yang will present a Chinese New Year program for adults, and interested children, 4 p.m. Jan. 19 at Kettleson Memorial Library.
    Mayo and Yang will introduce Chinese New Year culture and costume. It will also include lantern-making activities and demonstrations on how to make dumplings including some samples.
    The presentation is part of the preparation for the kick-off of a Chinese New Year’s celebration in Sitka.

    Homeless Connect
    Volunteers Sought
    Project Homeless Connect is set 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 29 at Centennial Hall. The one-day event was created to bring those who are homeless, or on the verge of becoming homeless, together with resources to help them in their time of need.
    Volunteers are needed throughout the event. Childcare will be provided. Those who are able to volunteer at  the event may contact Mary Suminski at 747-6594 or msuminski@gci.net

    Spelling Bee
    Finals Jan. 15
    The finals for the Blatchley Middle School spelling bee will be held 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at Kettleson Memorial Library.
It should last approximately an hour. For more informaiton contact Mr. Allison at Blatchley Middle School.

    Asbestos Online
    Courses Offered
    UAS-Sitka Campus will offer an eight-hour refresher asbestos online training Jan. 16-29. The class meets the requirements of OSHA, DOL and EPA/HERA. The cost is $219. For more information, call 747-7786.

    YAS Board Sought
    Youth Advocates of Sitka’s board of directors will meet 5:15-7:15 p.m. Jan. 13 at YAS, 805 Lincoln Street.
    The meeting is open to the public. YAS is accepting applications for board members. Contact Annette at 747-3687 for more information.

    Poetry Out Loud Set
    At Kettleson Library
    Kettleson Memorial Library will  host the annual Poetry Out Loud competition 3 p.m. Jan. 12.
    Five students from Sitka High School will recite several poems from memory, vying for the opportunity to travel to Anchorage and possibly on to Washington, D.C., for the national competition.
    The contest is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. It is administered in conjunction with the State Arts Councils in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    All poems must be selected from the Poetry Out Loud print or online anthologies. Students are judged on physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, level of complexity, evidence of understanding and overall presentation. One of the poems must be 25 lines or fewer and one must have been written before the 20th century.

    Women’s Book
    Group to Meet
    The Women’s Book Group will read ‘‘The Likeness’’ by Tana French and meet at the Pioneers Home Chapel 7 p.m. Jan. 14.
    All women are being encouraged to participate. Call Dorothy at 747-3412 with questions.

    Pistol Shooting
    Slated to Begin
    Sitka Sportsman’s Association has set Wednesday, Jan. 15, starting at 7 p.m. to sign up for league pistol shooting at the Indoor Range, 5211 Halibut Point Road.
    Shooters will review the range rules, purchase a new shooter’s card, and practice shooting. Regular league shooting nights for 12 weeks begin on Tuesday, Jan. 21, for .22 pistols, and on Thursday, Jan. 23, for center-fire pistols. Open shooting will be each Wednesday night from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.
    For more information, contact SSA President Foy Nevers at 747-3469.

    Sportsman’s Group            Sights in Meeting
    Sitka Sportsman’s Association announces its annual meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at the indoor shooting range, 5211 Halibut Point Road. The public and current members are being encouraged to attend.
      On the agenda are nomination and election of directors, treasurer’s reports, preparation for the Sportsman’s Association sponsored 59th annual salmon derby in 2014, review of on-going programs including indoor shooting range, archery range, trap and skeet shooting, RV park, and education for youth and adults in firearms safety. The commendable service to the Association by Robert Kluting will be recognized. Suggestions will be heard regarding activities of interest to sportsmen.
    Guest speakers will be area biologists Phil Mooney and Troy Tydingco with updates from Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game.
    Tours of the building will be offered along with membership information and light refreshments.
    For more information, contact SSA President Foy Nevers at 747-3469, Vice President Jerry Lindvall, 747-3057, or Treasurer Randy Gluth, 747-5325.
 

    Writing Workshop
    Will be Offered
    Writers of all levels and all genres are invited to a workshop being offered by Island Institute writer-in-residence Mona Susan Power 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at the Pioneers Home Manager’s Residence.
    ‘‘Writing from Intuition: Opening Up Channels of Creativity” will provide exercises that will help any writer trust their voice and the intuition that can inspire and direct their writing. There is a $25 fee. Low income assistance is available.
    Power is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and a native Chicagoan. She’s the author of three books: ‘‘The Grass Dancer,’’ a novel (awarded a PEN/Hemingway prize); ‘‘Roofwalker,’’ a collection of stories and histories (awarded a Milkweed National Fiction Prize); and the forthcoming novel ‘‘Sacred Wilderness’’ (available in February 2014). She lives and teaches in St. Paul, Minn.