Daily Sitka Sentinel

June 25, 2014 Community Happenings

Deadline Near for
    STA Nominations
    The nomination deadline for Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Tribal Citizen of the Year and Tribal Elder of the Year is 11 a.m. June 30.
    Nomination letters must include the name of the person being nominated, their contributions and accomplishments, and contact information for both the nominee and nominator.
    Send nominations to: Tribal Council Chairman Michael Baines, citizen nomination, Sitka Tribe of Alaska, 456 Katlian Street, Sitka  AK  99835.
    Questions may be directed to Kathy Hope Erickson, 747-7352.


    Silver Bay SHA
    Open to Trolling
    The Silver Bay Special Harvest Area will open to commercial trolling  12:01 a.m. July 1 through 11:59 p.m. July 30, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said.
    The coordinates describing Entry Point Light in regulation (5 AAC 33.375) has been corrected to read “...in waters of Silver Bay east of a line from Entry Point Light at 57°01.98’ N lat., 135°15.00’ W long., to Silver Point at 57°00.82’ N. lat., 135°18.10’ W. long...”
    Waters will open with the following exception:  Bear Cove will remain closed east of a line from a point on the south shore at 57°00.77’ N. lat., 135°09.08’ W. long., to the north shore at 57°00.94’ N. lat., 135°09.23’ W. long.
    Within the Silver Bay SHA only, king salmon 26 inches or greater may be retained. King salmon less than 28 inches in length must be offloaded prior to fishing outside of the Silver Bay SHA. Following the closure of the first king salmon retention period, all king salmon harvested within the SHA must be offloaded prior to trolling outside of the SHA boundaries.
    Fish and Game said that statistical area 113-35 should be recorded on fish tickets for harvest within the Silver Bay Special Harvest Area. Fish harvested in the SHA should be separated from fish caught outside of it so department personnel can obtain biological samples.
    The 2014 Summer Troll Fishery Management Plan is available at all regional ADF&G offices and on the troll website at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon_trollsummer.




EARNS DEGREE – Kari Nelson Paustian recently graduated cum laude with a degree in geology and environmental studies from Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash. She was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society, awarded the Albert Ripley Leeds Prize for excellence in geology and named to the All-Northwest Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team. She is a 2010 graduate of Sitka High and the daughter of Steve Paustian and Mary Beth Nelson. (Photo provided to the Sentinel)





Composer, Arts Activist
To Join Sitka Symposium

Molly Sturges. (Photo provided)

    Composer, performer and facilitator Molly Sturges will be in Sitka as a guest faculty member for the Island Institute’s Sitka Symposium being held July 20-26 on the theme “Radical Imagining: Changing the Story with Stories of Change.”
    Other symposium faculty are Native American activist and writer Winona LaDuke; award-winning novelist, essayist and poet Luis Urrea; and best-selling science journalist Alan Weisman.
    The institute is hosting a series of free community conversations to further introduce Sitkans to the work of the symposium guest faculty. The first session, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at  the Pioneer Home Manager’s residence, will focus on the symposium theme and Sturges’ work. Others will follow on July 3, 10 and 17.
    Sturges’ passion is compassionately and creatively engaging people with challenging aspects of their lives. Working with community members ranging from cancer patients to immigrants, from elders in hospice to at-risk teenagers, from homeless older adults to women war veterans, Sturges uses song, rhythm, music, and patience to hear and convey the extraordinary stories of ordinary citizens.
    The context for Sturges’ activism is the Santa Fe, New Mexico, collective called Littleglobe that engages in art, community and social change. Sturges is both a co-founder and artistic director of the nonprofit organization that has worked locally, nationally and internationally. The team at Littleglobe is made up of seasoned professional artists, activists and facilitators.
    “Molly’s inspiring work is deeply rooted in the power of the human imagination,’’ said Island Institute Executive Director Carolyn Servid. ‘‘Her creative community dialogues and projects that address social/environmental equity and healing cross boundaries that too often separate people from each other – and even from their own difficult experiences. The lives that have been changed by her work number in the thousands, I’m sure. She is actively creating the kinds of stories we’re keen to explore at this year’s symposium.”
    Examples of Sturges’ projects include “Lifesongs,” creating original musical works with elders in hospice and nursing homes performed by youth, community and professional musicians; “Memorylines” bringing together people ages 8 to 87 to create an original opera dealing with identity and immigration issues in Santa Fe; and the national project COAL, a musical fable and catalyst for climate engagement.
    Sturges is also a performing vocalist, recording artist, and leader of creative music ensembles. A recipient of numerous commissions and residencies, she has written and performed original music for a wide array of projects including music for dance companies, silent films, circuses and sound installations. Her ensemble, mJane, has received public acclaim for its first album “Prayers from the Underbelly” on Pax Recordings.
    The Island Institute first brought Sturges to Sitka in 2012 for its Resilient Communities Roundtable.
    “When we learned about Molly’s work, it was clear she was engaged in fostering resilience in community,”  Servid said. “When we saw her at work first hand during our roundtable, we got a true sense of the power of what she does. We’re delighted to be welcoming her back to Sitka.”
    Full-time registration for the symposium is open; those unable to attend the whole conference are welcome at individual events. They include faculty talks, readings, a film night, a community potluck and improvisation choral event conducted by Sturges, and a dinner cruise sponsored by Allen Marine. Full information, including a schedule, is available at www.islandinstitutealaska.org.
    Major funding for the Sitka Symposium has come from the Alaska Humanities Forum, the Skaggs Foundation and Island Institute members. Those with questions may call 747-3794.

    Prenatal Yoga Set
    Yoga Union, a nonprofit organization, will offer ‘‘Natural Childbirth and Prenatal Care with Yoga’’ 9-11:30 a.m. June 29, July 13 and 20.
    Students may sign up for one or all sessions, which will be taught by Crystal Bricker.
    Sign up at Yoga Union, or call 752-1028 with questions.


    Stratton Library
    Cleaning on Tap
    Volunteers are needed to help clean Stratton Library in preparation for Kettleson Memorial Library’s move.
    Individuals should arrive with their vacuums, buckets, mops, brooms, cleaning supplies, rags and brushes, and elbow grease 9 a.m. Thursday, June 26, to take off the first layer of five years of dust and dirt.

    On Honor Roll
    Soren T. White, a sophomore in general science, has been named to the Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore., scholastic honor roll for spring term.
    White carried at least 12 graded hours of course work and earned a 3.5 or higher grade point average.
    The Sitka High School graduate is the son of Trish and Dirk White.

    Office Closure
    UAF Cooperative Extension Service Sitka District office will be closed July 3-15.


    Karate Class Set
    Sitka Community Schools will offer a new session of karate July 14-Sept. 3 at Baranof Elementary School gym.
    The cost is $125 for beginners and $150 for advanced. On Mondays, beginners meet 5:45-6:30 p.m. and advanced students will meet 6:45-7:45 p.m. Beginners and advanced combined classes meet 5:45-6:45 p.m. on  Wednesdays. For more information contat Community Schools, 747-8670.

    Items Sought for
    Southeast Fair
    Artists, crafters and wearable artists are being called to exhibit their work at the 46th annual Southeast Alaska State Fair, July 31-Aug. 3 in Haines.
    Twenty exhibit categories, from fine arts to quilting to preserved foods, are offered. Entry is free. Contact the Greater Sitka Arts Council, 747-2787 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , for information. Shipping deadline for local entries is June 30.
    The fair will include four days of music, contests, rides, games and food. Fair information is at seakfair.org.

    Writer Hardy to
    Speak at Library
    Writer Robert Hardy will give a presentation at Kettleson Memorial Library 5 p.m. June 29.
    Hardy recently completed the third book of his memoirs, “An Elysian Passage: A Seasoned Traveler Reflects on His World.” Hardy has traveled the world, annually visiting Sitka during the summer.
    Hardy devotes a full chapter to Sitka, titled “Sitka Summers,” in this third book. He will share readings from his work, and can field questions about writing, his journeys, getting his book published and giving tips on how he distributes his books. His books will be available for signing.


    Marine Safety
    Training on Tap
    Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will conduct a six-day marine safety instructor training at the Public Safety Training Academy Sept. 30-Oct. 5.
    It is an intensive train-the-trainer course that prepares individuals to effectively teach cold-water survival procedures, use of marine safety equipment, and vessel safety drills. Those who complete the course will be prepared to teach AMSEA’s U.S. Coast Guard-approved fishing vessel drill conductor training, pending authorization from the Coast Guard. Participants will co-teach a fishing vessel drill conductor training in Sitka on Oct. 6.
    The cost is $875 for AMSEA members and $995 for non-members. For more information or to register call AMSEA at 747-3287 or visit the AMSEA website at www.amsea.org.

    Harbor Mountain
    Hike on Saturday
    This week’s Sitka Trail Works activity will be a guided hike up Gavan Hill and over Harbor Mountain Ridge 9 a.m. Saturday. Hikers should meet at the Sitka High School parking lot entrance to the Cross Trail.
    Mary Alice Hamberg, a Sitka Trail Works board member, will lead the hike.
    The hike will finish at the upper parking lot on Harbor Mountain Road around 2 p.m. Since it is necessary to coordinate vehicle transportation back down Harbor Mountain, hikers are being asked to call the Sitka Trail Works office at 747-7244 in advance.
    The Harbor Mountain trail is the only sub-alpine hike in Southeast Alaska that is accessible by road. In late June wildflowers are in bloom. Originally built during WWII for access to lookout posts, the trail features views of Sitka and surrounding mountain peaks.
    Hiking distance is approximately six miles and is rated moderately difficult with stairs at the beginning of the hike and some places where footing requires balance, Sitka Trail Works said. Touring poles are recommended. Children under 14 should be accompanied by an adult. For more information visit www.sitkatrailworks.org and click on “Trail Information.”

    Boat Cruise to
    Sail on July 8
    Sitka Conservation Society’s Birds of Sitka Sound boat cruise will set sail Tuesday, July 8, at 5:30 p.m.
    Tickets for the three-hour boat cruise are available for $40 cash or check at Old Harbor Books.



RECEIVES GRANT – The Sitka Health Summit has announced that Sitka Kitch and First Presbyterian Church have received the Northwest Coast Presbytery Community Blessings Grant award. The funds will go toward renovation and improvement of the partnership’s shared-use community kitchen, which will serve as a hub for classes and activities geared toward enhancing food security. Sitka Kitch is a community food project that arose from the 2013 Sitka Health Summit.  Pictured from left to right are: Patrick Williams, Sitka Community Hospital, Sitka Health Summit Coalition member; Marjorie Hennessy, Sitka Kitch; Clara Gray, SEARHC, Sitka Health Summit Coalition member; Cheri Hample, treasurer, Sitka Kitch; Martina Kurzer, Sitkans Against Family Violence,  Sitka Food Hub; Suzan Brawnlyn, Sitka Kitch; Cyndy Gibson, Presbyterian Church; and Betsy Decker, Sitka Kitch. (Photo provided to the Sentinel)