Daily Sitka Sentinel

April 8, 2014 Community Happenings

HB77 Celebration
    Slated April 10
    ‘‘The 907 Says No to HB 77: A Celebration’’ is set 8:30-9:30 a.m. April 10 at Highliner Coffee for morning coffee cheers and 8 p.m. at the Bayview Pub for a toast with beers.
    The event is in celebration of the defeat of House Bill 77, also known as the ‘‘Silencing Alaskans Act,’’ organizers said.
    ‘‘If this bill would have passed, citizens, nonprofits and tribes would have been removed from decisions involving the management of our natural resources (and more),’’ local organizers said.  ‘‘Let’s celebrate the bill’s defeat during this legislative session, and strengthen our spirits for what comes next.’’
    For more information call Ray at Sitka Conservation Society, 747 7509.

    Earth Day Parade
    Set for April 25
    The 13th annual Earth Day Parade of the Species, hosted by the Sitka Conservation Society, will be held 3 p.m. April 25.
    Parade participants are invited to dress as their favorite animal or plant and gallop, slither, swim or fly to Totem Square at 2:30 p.m. The parade route is down Lincoln Street to Centennial Hall.
    A number of community organizations will have hands-on Earth Day-inspired activities for the whole family 3-4:30 p.m. at Centennial Hall. Prizes will be awarded for Best Use of Recycled Material, Most Realistic, and Best Local Plant/Animal.
    For more information all are invited to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 747-7509.

    Wilderness Safety
    Classes to Register
    The free Alaska Wilderness Safety Challenge program will be 6-8 p.m. April 23 at Centennial Hall.
    During the past several years, there has been a rise in the number of wilderness related injuries and fatalities in Alaska. The Alaska Department of Public Safety is supporting the effort to help change that with free wilderness safety awareness and education classes for the general public.
    The Alaska Wilderness Safety Challenge is designed as a fun, interactive experience that gives participants an opportunity to learn and practice skills including wilderness first aid, fire and shelter building, navigation, knots and a myriad of other life saving wilderness skills. The goal of the safety program is to increase awareness about backcountry preparation and preparedness in an effort to lower the unintentional injury rate.
    The program is made possible with financial support from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Division of State Troopers. Registration is required and can be found by visiting www.naoiak.org or by calling 376-2898.

    Tongass Forest
    Proposals Sought
    The U.S. Forest Service Resource Advisory Committee is soliciting proposals for projects that would enhance forest ecosystems or restore and improve land health and water quality on the Tongass National Forest, Sitka Ranger District and other near-by lands in Sitka, Tenakee Springs and Port Alexander.
    The RAC will review and recommend projects for funding under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools Act. According to RAC Designated Federal Official, Carol Goularte, “the RAC committee will have approximately $100,000 to obligate on projects, by April 30.”
    RAC Project forms and instructions are available at the Sitka Forest Service office in Sitka, or on the Tongass National Forest website at https://wwwnotes.fs.fed.us/wo/secure_rural_schools.nsf. Navigate to the bottom of the page: Jump to RAC, drop down, click on Sitka.
    The RAC will begin reviewing projects for possible funding in the near future. The public is welcome to attend all RAC meetings. For more information on the Committee or to learn more about proposing projects contact RAC Coordinator Lisa Hirsch at 747-4214, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
   
    Contemporary
    Native Art
    At SJ Museum
    The Sheldon Jackson Museum has added contemporary Alaska Native art to its collection of 19th century Native art.
    With its recent award under the Rasmuson Foundation’s Art Acquisition Fund, the museum has already purchased nearly a dozen new pieces.
    The Friends of the Sheldon Jackson Museum invites the public to ‘‘Celebrating the New,’’ for a first glimpse at some of the new art, light fare, a conversation with local carver Tommy Joseph and curator Jackie Fernandez, 7-9 p.m. April 26 in the Del Shirley room at Allen Hall on the SJ Campus.
    There will be a no-host wine bar.
    Space is limited. Call 747-6233 to reserve a spot. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions and visit the Friends of the Sheldon Jackson Museum Facebook page.

    New Alzheimer’s
    Research Told
    Brave Heart Volunteers and Kathryn Snelling will present new research and prevention information released about Alzheimer’s disease noon April 16 at the Pioneers Home Manager’s House.
    The program may be of special interest to families and friends of loves ones experiencing Alzheimer’s or other related health issues.
    Lunch will be provided. Call Brave Heart Volunteers at 747-4600 for more information about monthly C:ARE luncheons.


    Skippers Show
    At End of Year
    The Sitka Skippers end-of-the-year performance will be 6-7 p.m. April 18 in the Blatchley Middle School gym.
    Donations of are welcome and will help send 19 skippers to the USA Jump Rope National competition.
    For more information call Twila Keaveny at 738-3050.


    Sitkan Earns
    Telly Award
    The Telly Awards has named Jireh Productions as a Bronze winner in the 35th Annual Telly Awards for their commercial titled ‘‘One Store.’’
    The commercial was produced by Jireh Productions for Orion Sporting Goods, and aired in Southeast Alaska on ESPN Monday Night Football 2013. It was also seen on the cable stations A&E, FX, ESPN, CNN and CNN HLN, DIscovery, TNT, USA, Spike, National Geographic and Food Network.
    Jireh Productions is a video production company founded by Marilyn Hauck in Sitka. It has received four other Telly Awards. It has been making television commercials and promotional videos for businesses in Southeast Alaska since 1998.
    Jireh Productions has recently moved to Juneau.

    Elfin Cove Food
    System is Topic
    Gordon Wrobel will speak 1 p.m. April 12 in Room 229 at the University of Alaska Southeast, Sitka Campus, about gardening in Southeast Alaska, in particular in Elfin Cove where he is completing a three-year USDA project to improve local food systems.
    Wrobel will provide an overview of his project, including the challenges and opportunities – such as available land, soils, pests/diseases, climate/temperature, markets, and crop/seed selection. His project objectives and results included creating access to fresh produce in his community, evaluating the economic viability of a floating island garden, evaluating the strategies of a floating island, container, hoop garden and greenhouse, creating a composting program, and evaluating the potential for a sustainable produce business.
    A short question-and-answer session will follow.
    For more information, contact Sitka Local Foods Network board members Michelle Putz at 747-2708 or Charles Bingham at 738-8875, or go to http://www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org/.


    Local Fish to be
    Served at Schools
    Local fish will be offered for lunch at Keet Gooshi Heen, Blatchley Middle, Sitka High and Pacific High schools on  Wednesday, April 9.
    Contact the Sitka Conservation Society with comments or questions at 747-7509.


    Card of Thanks
    When counting our blessings, God the Father and Jesus Christ his son has made all things possible by sending each and every one of you, and it’s so amazing the way all things came together with your love, prayers, your time and financial support.
    We see the lives Michael Kitka has touched and we are so thankful ... for the caretakers: Scott Foss, Jerry Hall, Melina Munoz, Kristol Hammock, Courtney Castillo, Paul Norwood, Jodi Duffield, Kathy Forrester, Kathy Beck, Tamara Brownell, Amy Jordan, Kathy Salo, Angela Joy, Amy Tilleson, Casey Willliams, Faye McMaster, Alisha McKee, Donda Kreitschman, Betty Howey, Dwight Payton, Alex Aviles, Gina Smalley, Patty Ady.
    All of you personal care attendants made it possible for him to face another day to get out and about, helping him with his daily tasks. Scott, although your job may have ended with him, you continue on working with the family, attending the family meetings you shared with us – Michael’s achievements helped with the food preparations and used your time and vehicle for transportation – you truly area blessing unto others.
    The SEARHC medical team, Dr. Owen, Dr. Biccoco nurses Robert Alderman, Bridget Reed, Jeffery Wright, Joe Servito, Mel Ganitano, Val Nelson, Annie Foruria, Dalila Nasseri, Rebecca Phillips, Jennifer Hovden, Rochelle Rouner, Alicia Papoi, Trina Wick. CNAs Byron Hunt, Sandra Bergey, Laurel Eliason, Mylene Famini, Tom Schenk, Marciano Vidad, Evelyn Manuel, Edna Nicolo, Esther Schmitt and Larry Tittel. Respiratory department, the EMTs, Sitka Fire Department, the medevac team and the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. God has blessed you all in a special way to help the sick.
    The St. Michael’s Cathedral – Father Michael, you’re an inspiration to all those who come to know you. Your sermons were beautiful that you gave at his services when he was promoted to life and his 40-day commencement.
    for those of you who laid to rest his remains at the memorial wall.
    the Sitka Tribe – Christine Paul for beautifully putting together his pictures and the program; Douglas Bartels, you did a nice job of printing out the program copies.
    The Sitka Sentinel for allowing us to have these articles printed in your paper.
    The Swan Lake Senior Center for letting us use your beautiful facility to have Michael’s funeral luncheon. We apologize about the misprint in the last article. To the people who contributed all those tasty treat and everyone who came and shared in fellowship, to those who helped serve the guests and also our cleanup crew.
    Much appreciation to the ANB/ANS for letting us use the hall for the 40day dinner, our head cook Dave Kitka and all of the cooks helpers (you know who you are), awesome meal and decorating. Those who helped set up the tables, serve meals and beverages the cleanup crew. Everybody worked so hard and this means so very much to us because you are family. You have lifted our hearts at this time of our loss.
    Mindy, this was supposed to be a special time, because you were coming up to meet your dad for the first time and instead you came home to help lay him to rest. You came back a second time again to help out at his 40-day celebration, that is a long ways to travel back and forth from Wisconsin, but we are so happy to have me you and have you here with us. Know that you have family here who love you.
    If there is any one we may have forgotten, that wasn’t mentioned, please forgive us. We take this time to tell you, we love you and thank you.
Goonalcheesh from
The Kitka Family

    Chamber to Meet
    Hal Spackman, executive director of the Sitka Historical Society, will speak at the Chamber luncheon noon  Wednesday at the Westmark Sitka.
    Luncheons are open to the public. Call 747-8604 for further information.

    Money Smart
    Week at Library
    Money Smart Week, a program to help consumers learn more about personal financial issues, will host a chat with Jay Sweeney about how to develop a personal investment strategy 7 p.m.  April 9 at Kettleson Memorial Library.
    Sweeney will talk briefly about how a person can take control of their own savings and investments, what tools to use and how to get started. He will then share information based on questions from the audience.

    White E Shop
    Panel to Meet
    The Sitka White Elephant Shop will hold its monthly meeting 7 p.m. April 9 at the Swan Lake Senior Center.  Meetings are open to the public.