Daily Sitka Sentinel

June 3, 2014 Community Happenings

Fair, Benefit Set
    Saturday for Sitkan,
    McDonald House
    All are invited to join Phineas (Phin) Edwards, and his family and friends, to his welcome-home celebration, kids fair and fundraiser for the Ronald MacDonald House of Seattle 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  Saturday, June 7, at the Crescent Harbor Shelter.
    Included will be Reindeer Redhots hotdogs, cotton candy, snow cones, BIBCO root beer, games, a bake sale, music, prizes, face painting, animal balloons and other activities.
    The event will be held rain or shine.
    Those who can volunteer or donate baked goods are asked to contact Karin Johnson at 738-9256 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Nikki Bandy at 738-0962 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .


    Sacred Harp
    Sing June 8
    The second Sunday Sitka Sacred Harp Sing is set 3:30-5 p.m. June 8 at the Sitka Pioneers Home Chapel. Beginners and listeners are welcome. Call 738-2089 for more information.

    Science Center Awarded
    Murdock Grant of $300K
    The Sitka Sound Science Center announces that the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has awarded the Sitka Sound Science Center a $300,000 grant for its exterior renovation project. The project includes replacing all of the windows in the 1929-era building, repairing the exterior concrete, repainting the building and replacing the roof.
    The M. J. Murdock Trust was created by the will of the late Melvin J. (Jack) Murdock, co-founder of Tektronix Inc., and an innovative, entrepreneurial leader with business involvements and interests throughout the Pacific Northwest. The trust has a strong history of philanthropy around the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
    ‘‘The science center is extremely grateful for the trust support as the project is currently under way,’’ the science center said.
    Other funds for the project come from the Rasmuson Foundation, Douglas Island Pink and Chum (DIPAC) Inc., the Molly Ahlgren family, the McIntosh Foundation, individual contributors and a loan from the State of Alaska Fisheries Enhancement Revolving Loan Fund.
    ‘‘While the science center regrets the inconvenience of the project (dust, noise, plastic wrap!) the staff and board are extremely excited to see the building restored to its original art deco state with divided light windows, restored original green tile work, a solid exterior with the original light-colored paint,’’ the science center said.
    Historic concrete experts WJE has been advising and consulting on the project along with Northwind Architects. FD Thomas, experts in historic concrete renovation and coating removal and repair, is to do the exterior repairs. 
    The board of the Sitka Sound Science Center hopes that the improved building will allow the organization to better meet the science center’s scientific research and education mission and will turn the Sage Building structure into a community asset for generations to come, a press release from the science center said.


    Library Board Meets
    The Kettleson Memorial Library board will meet 7 p.m. June 4 at Centennial Hall.

    Nonprofit Directors
    Support Offered
    An informal support gathering for nonprofit executive directors will be 5:30 p.m. June 18 at the Larkspur Cafe. The gathering is for directors to ‘‘share, listen and learn from each other,’’ organizers said.
    For more information contact Mim at 738-2888.


    Regalia Workshop
    Slated on June 5
    Regalia workshops for this year are scheduled in preparation for Celebration in Juneau. The ANB Founders Hall will be open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. June 4 and June 5.
    SNEP’s seamstress Carol Breece has offered to help with her sewing skills and a sewing machine. Attendees should take their own materials and spend some time with others also interested in completing regalia for Celebration.
    SNEP students (and assisting adults) are invited to attend. Those with questions may call Jean at 623-7355.

    Transportation
    Panel to Meet
    Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Transportation Committee will meet noon June 6 at the STA administration building, 456 Katlian Street, Conference Room.
    Topics include: an update on the construction phase of the road improvement for “the RIDE” bus turnaround/pullout on Indian River Road across from Peter Simpson Road; the bus maintenance facility project, Tribal Transit funding; application for a Tribal Transportation Safety Grant; and the Alaska Marine Highway System’s service to Sitka.
    Tribal citizens and interested public are being encouraged to attend. For  questions contact Gerry Hope, transportation director, 747-5910.

    Music Festival
    Sets Cafe Concert
    Chamber music was originally performed in small cafes and pubs, and on Wednesdays throughout June the Sitka Summer Music Festival will provide an opportunity for Sitkans to hear music in the style of days gone by.
    All are invited to join violinist Paul Rosenthal, violist Marcus Thompson, and cellist Zuill Bailey at the Larkspur Café 6:30 p.m. June 4 for an intimate performance of Dohnanyi and other pieces.
    For more information visit sitkamusicfestival.org.


    Bach’s Lunch Set
    Sitka Summer Music Festival will offer a Bach’s Lunch concert noon Thursday at Centennial Hall.
    All ages are invited to take alunch and listen to chamber music from Bach, Chopin and Dohnanyi performed by violinist Paul Rosenthal, violist Marcus Thompson, cellist Evan Drachman and others.
    Bach’s Lunch, set Thursdays at noon throughout the month, are sponsored by Holland America and presented by the Sitka Summer Music Festival.

    Music Festival
    Concert Friday
    The Sitka Summer Music Festival will present violinist Benjamin Breen, violist Marcus Thompson, cellists Evan Drachman and Zuill Bailey, and pianist Eduard Zilberkant, in concert 7:30 p.m. Friday at Centennial Hall.
    The program includes pieces from Schubert and Menotti. Tickets are $20, $10 for youths, available at Old Harbor Books, online at sitkamusicfestival.org, or at the door.


    Free Windows
    As part of its construction project, the Sitka Sound Science Center is replacing its windows and giving the old ones away.
    ‘‘We’d love to have some of them repurposed, rather than sending them all off in the trash,’’ the science center said.
    Anyone looking for free old, used windows for greenhouses or other projects, can swing by the science center and talk to Bill or Keith.