Daily Sitka Sentinel

May 29, 2014 Community Happenings

Derby Reveals
    Incentive Prize
    Hidden Weights
    Sitka Sportsman’s Association has revealed the incentive contest hidden weights were 29.6 pounds for May 24; 43.7 pounds for May 25; and 37.7 pounds for May 26, in the 59th annual Sitka Salmon Derby.
    Random target weights were computer drawn, one for each of five derby days. Target weights are announced only after close of the respective days. Contestants may submit an entry form for any day listing weights of one, two or three fish to come close to the target weight by addition or subtraction.
    For example, an entrant of three kings weighing 22.9, 26.5 and 10.2 pounds on May 26 could add the two larger fish and subtract the smaller to total 39.2 pounds.
    Winners for each day will be determined by closest number to the target weight, either over or under. In case of tied entries for a day, the $500 prize will be divided evenly.
    Entry forms are available from the Samson Tug and Barge office at 329 Harbor Drive. Entry forms not previously turned in at the Crescent Harbor weigh-in barge must be received at the Samson office before 5 p.m. on Friday, June 6.
    The intent of this daily prize of $500 is to encourage derby participants to enter all kings they caught each day. Entering up to three fish each day increases the odds of winning.
    The Samson funded prizes will be presented on Derby awards night, Thursday, June 12, at Centennial Hall, along with 45 other hidden weight prizes of $50 each from Sitka Sportsman’s Association.
    Contact SSA President Foy Nevers, 747-3469, or Barge Chairman John McCrehin, 738-8636, for more information.

    Car Wash Set
    At Sea Mart
    Upcoming eighth-graders will host a car wash 11 a.m.-3 p.m. June 1 at Sea Mart.
    Funds raised will go toward a five-day, educational trip to Washington, D.C., at the end of the year. Suggested donation $15.

    Blue Lake Tour
    Open to Public
    The public is invited to view the construction progress at the Blue Lake dam on a bus tour to both the dam site and new powerhouse 1-4 p.m. June 8, beginning at Centennial Hall.
    It will be the second to last tour of the Blue Lake expansion project under construction. To sign up – beginning 3 p.m. on June 2 – individuals should go to www.bluelakeexpansion.com.

    Spelling Bee
    Prizes Listed
    Friends of the Library have announced that the grand prize for the 4 p.m. June 1 Adult Spelling Bee has been contributed by Harris Air of Sitka.
    The company donated a half-hour flight-seeing trip for the first-place winners. For second-place winners, the Friends will offer a one-hour boat ride with edibles aboard the librarians’ boat, the M/V Focus. Other prizes include a “Fine Amnesty” punch card worth $20 toward any overdue fines, and library book bags.
    Rob Woolsey will return as the articulate word pronouncer, with Lisa Busch, Cheryl Vastola and Abby Fitzsimmons serving as judges. Lifelines will again be available for purchase during the bee.
    Pre-registration is open at the library. Participants can spell independently or in teams of two. There is a $20 entry fee for all spellers. Proceeds of the registration and bake sale will go directly into the library expansion fundraising effort. Call the library with questions, 747-8708.

    Wearable Arts
    Sought by Fair
    Wearable arts creators and those interested in information about the Haines Fair should go to Centennial Hall between 5 and 6 p.m. on June 3.
    Representatives from the fair will be in town to talk with individuals about getting wearable art pieces to the Haines Fair, and answer other Haines Fair questions.
    Call Jeff 747-4821 for more information.

    Subsistence Board
    Members Named
    Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel, with the concurrence of Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, has made appointments to the 10 Federal Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils.
    Southeast Alaska board members include: Harvey Kitka, Sitka; Arthur Bloom, Tenakee Springs; Frank G. Wright Jr., Hoonah; Patricia A. Phillips, Pelican; Michael A. Douville, Craig; Bertrand J. Adams Sr., Yakutat; Robert Schroeder, Juneau; Donald C. Hernandez, Pt. Baker; Kenneth L. Jackson, Kake; Aaron Isaacs Jr., Klawock; John A. Yeager, Wrangell; Michael D. Bangs, Petersburg; and Cathy A. Needham, Juneau.
    The councils advise the Federal Subsistence Board on subsistence management regulations and policies and serve as a forum for public involvement in federal subsistence management in Alaska.

    Sandra Gelber
    Memorial Set
    A celebration of life for Sandra Gelber will be 10-11:30 a.m. June 7 at the Allen Auditorium on the SJ Campus, followed by a potluck lunch at Pioneer Park at 12:30 p.m.
    All who knew Sandra are welcome. The family requests those attending bring written remembrances (stories) to the events so that a book can be put together for her children.
    For more information call 747-6480.

    Wind Energy is
    Subject of Talk   
    Dr. Lucy Vlietstra, Department of Science, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, and Scientist in Residency Fellow at Sitka Sound Science Center, will give the next talk in the Natural History seminar series 7:30 p.m. June 11 at UAS-Sitka Campus, Room 229.
    The seminar, titled “Wind Turbines and Birds: Maximizing the Environmental Benefits of Marine Renewable Energy,” will address the environmental costs of wind energy.
    For more information about the seminar, contact Kitty LaBounty at 747-9432 or 738-0174


    Boat Cruise
    Set June 10
    All are invited to join the Sitka Conservation Society and U.S. Forest Service to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.
    The SCS summer boat cruises kick off June 10 at 5:30 p.m. from Crescent Harbor. Tickets may be purchased at Old Harbor Books for $40 per person. Contact SCS at 747-7509 for more information.
    Participants will learn how SCS advocates for the protection of the pristine habitats and how the USFS manages the resources of the Tongass National Forest.
   
    Emblem Club Sets
    Officers Election
    At its regular business meeting 7 p.m. June 12, Sitka Emblem Club will hold election of officers. Members are encouraged to attend.
    Also to be discussed are plans for Father’s Day and 4th of July. Contact President Glade Morales at 738-0630 with questions or if a ride is needed.

    Quilters Award
    Scholarships
    Ocean Wave Quilters has awarded $750 scholarships to Sitka High senior Zailey Dangel and Mt. Edgecumbe High senior Alan Brooks from Tok.
    Applicants were judged on a variety of attributes, including an essay answering the question, ‘‘If you were to design or make a quilt for yourself or for someone else, what colors and patterns would you use, and why?’’ The money for the scholarships was raised at the guild’s annual mini-quilt auction in March.
    An additional $450 was given to the Sitka Fine Arts Camp for scholarships to aid local students who wish to attend the camp.

    Park Advisory
    Board to Meet
    The Sitka State Parks Advisory Board will meet 7:30 a.m. June 10 at Centennial Hall. The public is invited to attend.

    SCORE to Run
    Registration is open for Summer Camping Outdoor Recreation Education at the Community School office.
    The program, for ages 8-10 and 11-14, runs June 17-July 17, 9:30 a.m.-noon Monday through Thursday.
    For more information call 747-8670.

    LA Children’s
    Chorus Performs
    St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will host 22 young men from the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus June 22.
    They will perform before and during the 10 a.m. worship service. The public is invited to attend.
    “Los Angeles Children’s Chorus provides choral music education of the highest quality to young people who represent richly diverse racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds. LACC’s program ignites a love of singing and nurtures the full expression of each individual’s potential for artistic and personal excellence through the collaborative experience of choral music performance,’’ the chorus website siad. ‘‘Through the beauty of inspired and joyful singing, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus brings the transformative power of music to communities throughout Southern California, the nation, and the world.”

    Gavan Ridge
    Hike May 31
    A free, guided, five-mile round-trip hike up to Gavan Ridge will be led by Sitka Trail Works on Saturday,
    Hikers should meet at the Sitka High School entrance to the Cross Trail at 9 a.m.
    ‘‘This is a great conditioning hike and the reward of ascending the hill is beautiful views of downtown Sitka and the Japonski waterfront,’’ Sitka Trail Works said. ‘‘These informal group hikes are a good way to learn about the trail system, meet new people and get in shape.’’
    Call 747-7244 for more information or click on the trail information tab at www.sitkatrailworks.org.

    Yoga Offered
    Yoga Union is offering several upcoming yoga classes.
    A 10-week advanced beginner series runs 6-7:15 p.m. Mondays June 2-Aug. 4, and is focused on proper alignment, building strength and flexibility, and stress reduction. Drop-ins are welcome on space-available basis.
    The 12-week prenatal yoga series runs 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays June 4-Aug. 27. It is designed for women who have completed their first trimester of pregnancy. Participants will learn yoga positions to strengthen and tone muscles, prepare the body to support more weight and alleviate common discomforts.
    Contact 738-2443 with questions.