Daily Sitka Sentinel

March 5, 2014 Community Happenings

Chamber to Hold
    Annual Banquet
    The Chamber is rolling out the red carpet for its annual banquet and awards ceremony March 29 at Centennial Hall. This year’s theme is ‘‘Hollywood Classic.’’
    Winners of the Business of the Year and Cossack Cap will be announced. All are invited for food, entertainment and chances to win prizes, including  two round-trip Alaska Airlines tickets donated by Alaska Airlines.
    Tickets are $60 and can be purchased online at www.sitkachamber.com, by phone at 747-8604 or at the Sitka Chamber office at 329 Harbor Drive Suite 212.

Evan McArthur
Chaya Pike

    Sitka High
    Honors Two
    Sitka High School has announced its March Students of the Month.
    Evan McArthur, a junior, is the male March student of the month. McArthur is a member of the high school soccer team and the Baranof Barracudas Swim Club.
    His teachers describe him as ‘‘genuine and earnest, with a thirst for knowledge that is exciting to be around. Evan strives for grades that will enable him to earn the governor’s scholarship.’’
    McArthur plays piano for his church and is a voluntary student leader for Wyldlife. He enjoys watching sports, playing video games, and producing electronic music.
    He is the son of Scott and Nicki McArthur.
    Senior Chaya Pike is the March female student of the month.
    Pike is a National Merit Scholar semifinalist.
    She is ‘‘mature, a motivated scholar, a gifted writer, and an excellent musician who plays bari sax like a sumo wrestler and the piccolo like an assassin,’’ her teachers said.
    Pike has been involved in Poetry Out Loud, Youth Orchestra and drama, debate and forensics. Her hobbies are reading, hiking, swimming, playing and listening to music, and knitting and crocheting.
    She is the daughter of Tim and Terry Pike.

    Injury Prevention
    Training Offered
    AMSEA will hold a pre-season workshop for commercial fishermen,  “Strains, Sprains and Pains: Ergonomic Injury Prevention for Commercial Fishermen,” 6-8 p.m. March 20 at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
    ‘‘Learn about ways to avoid musculoskeletal problems common in commercial fishing and share ideas on ergonomic changes that fishermen have made on their vessels. Bring a mat if you want to practice some exercises to tune up your body before, during and after the season,’’ a press release said.
    The workshop is free to commercial fishermen. To register contact AMSEA at 747-3287.

    Drill Conductor
    Class on Tap
    AMSEA will conduct a free, one-day drill conductor workshop 8 a.m.-7 p.m. March 19 at NSRAA.
    The workshop meets the training requirements for documented commercial fishing vessels operating beyond the federal boundary line as is free for commercial fishermen. To register, call AMSEA at 747-3287 or register online at www.amsea.org.

    First Aid, CPR
    Training Listed
     UAS-Sitka Campus, Office of Continuing Education, will offer an American Heart Association first aid and CPR training 8 a.m.-5 p.m. March 15.
    Training fulfills OSHA and Coast Guard requirements. Participants who successfully complete this course will receive Heartsaver cards.
    The cost is $90 and that includes the book. For more information or to register, call 747-7762.






    ABPA Backflow
    Assembly Taught
    UAS-Sitka Campus is offering an ABPA backflow assembly tester workshop 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, April 14-18. The exam will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 19.
    The course will provide participants with the information and hands-on training needed to qualify and prepare for the American Backflow Prevention Association backflow assembly tester certification exams.
    The fee is $1,200. Michael Briesemeister and Steven West will instruct. Call 747-7762 for more information or to register.

    Driver’s Education
    Training April 1-22
    UAS- Sitka Campus, Office of Continuing Education, will offer driver’s education training April 1-22.
     This course is primarily for new drivers and those wishing to prepare for their driver’s license exam, but also anyone interested in improving their driving skills. The course will include classroom instruction, hands-on driving and observing other drivers.
    Student accident insurance included in fee. Students must have a learners permit at time of registration. Parental consent necessary.
    The cost is $369. For more information or to register, call 747-7762.
 
    ‘Being Prepared’
    Presentations On
    Brave Heart Volunteers will offer two free educational sessions in legal and financial preparedness for end-of-life. All ages are invited to attend sessions at the Pioneers Home Manager’s House.
    Sitka Pioneers Home Director of Social Services Klaudia Leccese, LBSW, will discuss the power of a will and advanced directives 6-8 p.m. March 18. On March 25, 6-8 p.m., financial planner Cynthia Gibson, CFP, will give tips on how to maximize one’s financial resources. Call 747-4600 with questions or to RSVP.

    Herring Hop
    Dinner, Dance
    Set March 29
    The Cape Decision Lighthouse Society invites the community to the annual Herring Hop dinner-dance fundraiser, 5:30 p.m. March 29 at the ANB Founders Hall, to celebrate the return of the herring, and to raise funds for window rehabilitation of the former USCG lighthouse on southern Kuiu Island.
    Doors open at 5:30 p.m. to browse the pre-dance silent dessert and silent art auction. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. The one live auction piece is a classic guitar with the lighthouse and maritime art on the face, donated by local artist Kija Rowe-Elstad.
    Dancing will follow around 7 p.m. to the live music of local classic rock ’n’ roll band Slack Tide. All are welcome “to enjoy an evening of old-fashioned family fun, visit with friends and neighbors, rub elbows with local fishermen and swap stories, and ‘cut it up’ on the dance floor” to help the society with the upcoming summer historic preservation projects.
    The dinner menu includes locally caught tempera fish-and-chips, Kari’s  coleslaw, Dick’s BBQ baked beans extraordinaire, and root-beer floats for a suggested donation of $15 for adults, $10 seniors and students, $5 children 12 and under, and free for children 3 and under.
    Dinner and dance tickets can be purchased at Old Harbor Books, starting on March 17, or at the door. Organizers are encouraging people to get tickets early as there is limited capacity at the ANB Founders Hall.
    Fishermen who would like to donate fish – yellow eye, rockfish or halibut – are being asked to contact Bill Grant at Sitka Sound Seafoods or Dave Newman at Seafood Producers Cooperative so they can put the fish in freezers. Any business or individual who would like to contribute an item to the art and artifact silent auction, or is generally willing to help out and volunteer, can call Karen at 747-7803. Those with dessert auction donations can call Brandon at 738-1392.
    The Lighthouse Society has accomplished several historic preservation projects since 1997 to restore the lighthouse with its 214-acre Lighthouse Reserve to accommodate the visiting public. CDLS will have an information table at the Herring Hop, for those wishing to become or renew a membership. Mugs, prints, postcards, CDs and new hoodies and T-shirts with a Rebecca Poulson woodblock on front will be for sale.
    Anyone interested in staying at the lighthouse, participating in a work party there, or joining the 501 (c) 3 nonprofit Cape Decision Lighthouse Society, can find information at capedecisionlight.org and on Facebook, or call Elizabeth at (732)749-0319.

    Parents, Teachers
    Meet at Sitka High
    Sitka High School will host parent-teacher conferences 4:30-7:30 p.m. March 11 in the school commons, and 4-7 p.m. March 12 in the teachers’ classroom.
    Parents should stop by the office and pick up your student’s progress report.  

    Rotary Club
    Meets Tuesday
    The Sitka Rotary Club meets noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Westmark Sitka for lunch, fellowship and to learn more about programs and people in the community.
    Programs for March include Battle of the Books on March 11, featuring the Blatchley battle team taking on Rotarians; Alaskapella, the Juneau a cappella singing group, on March 18; and Abby Long, Ambassadorial Fellow, who studied in India on a Rotary scholarship.
    Nonmembers who are interested in attending a luncheon may call Shannon at 738-0602.

    Open House for
    Proposed Land
    Sale March 10
    The Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on its preliminary decision for the proposed Nakwasina Sound Subdivision land sale, located approximately eight miles north-northwest of Sitka city center.
    A public open house meeting to discuss the land sale has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, March 10, at Centennial Hall. The public comment period for the proposed land sale ends at 5 p.m. March 20.
    The proposal would enable DNR’s Division of Mining, Land and Water to offer up to 50 parcels of state land for private ownership.
    The Nakwasina Sound Subdivision project area is located within the City and Borough of Sitka and partially surrounds existing privately-owned parcels. It is located along the western shore of Lisianski Peninsula and is accessible from the waters of Sitka and Nakwasina sounds.
    To view or download a copy of the public notice and preliminary decision for this land offering, including a map, please go to http://landsales.alaska.gov/mlw/landsale/public_notice/.

    Culmination at
    Pacific High
    Pacific High School is holding culmination 5:30-7 p.m. March 12. Students will present their work from Session 4.
    Culmination is mandatory for all PHS students. Parents and community members interested in supporting its students are welcome to attend. Dinner will be served. For more information,  call 747-0525.

    Stop Donations
    The staff at Kettleson Memorial Library will be cleaning cupboards and preparing to move out of the library for the expansion project over the next several months.
    Library personnel said they will not be accepting donations until the library has relocated to new temporary quarters.

    Natural History
    Seminar on Tap
    Richard Carstensen and Bob Armstrong will present “The Nature of Southeast Alaska” at the natural history seminar 7:30 p.m. March 13 at UAS-Sitka Campus, Room 229.
    Carstensen, Armstrong and Rita O’Clair have written a new edition of their book ‘‘The Nature of Southeast Alaska.’’ More than 20 years have passed since the book was first published. They have added more than 100 new drawings, maps and photos, 52 new sidebars, and made sweeping updates and elaborations to chapter narratives.
    They will show slides and discuss what was most interesting and exciting to them in putting together this new edition. 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    Women’s Book
    Group to Meet
    The Women’s Book Group will read ‘‘The Weird Sisters’’ by Eleanor Brown and meet at the Pioneers Home Chapel 7 p.m. March 11.
    Women are invited to participate. Those with questions may call Dorothy at 747-3412.

    Scholarship
    To be Offered
    Delta Kappa Gamma Iota Chapter of Sitka is offering a scholarship to a student majoring in education and of college junior standing or higher.
    Application deadline is April 1. For more information contact Catherine Hawk at 747-5328.

     ANB, ANS Meet
    Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 1 and Alaska Native Sisterhood
Camp 4 will hold a combined meeting 6:30 p.m. March 11 at the ANB Founders Hall
    Those interested in becoming Grand Camp delegates this fall are being encouraged to attend. Call Jean at 623-7355 with questions.
    Ukulele Group in
    Monthly Grind
    The Hundred Ukuleles will practice for the March 15 Monthly Grind 5-6:30 p.m. March 9, 6:30-8 p.m. March 13 and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 15 at the Sitka Pioneers Home Chapel.
    ‘‘We are hoping to fill the stage with ukers, singers and cups,’’ organizers said.
    For more information text Jeannie at 510-610-0075.

    Girl Scouts to
    Sell Cookies
    Girl Scout cookies will be for sale 8 a.m.-2 p.m. March 8, and  5-7 p.m. March 11 and 13 at Sea Mart.
    Flavors available include Savannah Smiles, Trefoils, Do-si-dos, Tagalongs, Thin Mints and Samoas at $4 a box.
    For more information contact Verna Peterson at 623-3996.


    Bear Cub Seen
    At Indian River
    The Alaska Department of Fish and Game received a report last night of a small cub in the Indian River area, and said that tracks in the snow support the sighting.
    Fish and Game said that currently the plan is to allow the cub to reunite with the sow – who may have multiple cubs and may have not exited the den – and not inadvertently push the sow from the den prematurely.
    ‘‘The bottom line is that this sow, or any other bear(s) showing up in the community this early, is going to have little natural food resources available to it,’’ said Phil Mooney, ADF&G Wildlife Conservation Sitka Area Management biologist.  ‘‘Residents need to tighten up their garbage control, secure bird feeders, outside grills, pet food, and other attractants, PRIOR to bears showing up.’’
    He said that trail users should also be alert to increasing bear activity on the trail system, especially in the early mornings and evenings.
    ‘‘Predicted weather is calling for warmer temperatures in the 40s and rain, so it is likely we will see bear activity increase,’’ Mooney said.
    Bear sightings should be reported to the Sitka Police Department, 747-3245, or ADF&G, 747-5449, so they can keep tabs on bear activity by location and time and respond if necessary.
    Mooney said that residents should be proactive and bear aware.