Daily Sitka Sentinel

June 11, 2015 Community Happenings

Solstice Yoga Set

Yoga Union will hold a solstice donation-based fundraiser with 108 sun salutations 9-11:15 a.m. Sunday, June 21. For more information call 623-7022. 

 

Yoga Workshop On

Former Sitkan Maddy Dapecevich will lead a workshop on chakras at Yoga Union 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 28. For more information call 623-7022 or go to yogaunionsitka.org.

 

School Board Meets

The Sitka School Board will meet 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, in the district office board room. The public may attend.

 

Tribal Council

Meets June 17

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council will meet 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, in the Sheet’ka Kwáan Naa Kahídi.

The council will also meet in a work session with representatives of Laborers Union Local 942 at 5 p.m.

For information, contact KathyHope Erickson, 747-7352.

 

Wine-Making

Class June 26

Those wanting to make homemade wine during the current rhubarb season are invited to register for the annual “Wine-making at Home” class to be held Friday, June 26.

Those 21 and older will be taught make wine at home in this beginner’s class.

Taught by Perry Edwards and Michelle Putz, it will focus on making wine from locally-grown fruit like rhubarb, berries and apples. The class will offer simple wine-making tips, techniques, tools, and their award-winning rhubarb wine recipe. Classes begin promptly at 7 p.m.

The class is free. Space is very limited; pre-register soon to assure a spot. Sign up by calling Putz at 747-2708. The wine-making class is sponsored by Sitka Global Warming Group.

 

 

Sitka’s Vivian Prescott Chosen

Rasmuson Foundation Fellow

Vivian Prescott of Sitka has been awarded one of 10 Rasmuson Foundation Fellowships for 2015-16, worth $18,000 each.

Artists were chosen from more than 300 applicants by a national panel of artists and arts leaders. This year’s winners represent 12 different communities – Anchorage, Chevak, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Glennallen, Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan, Port Alsworth, Sitka, Skagway and Talkeetna. 

Prescott will complete a poetry manuscript. Because her poetry requires research into language, history and place, she will live at her family’s fish camp on Wrangell Island.

“I come from many generations of storytellers, and poetry is the medium I chose to tell our stories,’’ Prescott said.  ‘‘Poetry as story classifies my poetry as narrative. My poetry creates a juxtaposition between reality and imaginary – women in my poems transform into reindeer and wolves walk like men. 

‘‘Poetry gives insight into the human condition and as a writer it’s important for me to take on that task. My poetry tells a bigger picture using small details. I often use historical and scientific documents as well as other research materials to lead my way into a poem. I view the sciences and poetry as complimentary – I’m a cross-culturalist poet.’’

Prescott said that acquiring a Ph.D. in cross-cultural studies and then pursuing an MFA was her pathway through education.

‘‘This path has allowed me to explore culture and my indigenous worldviews among the Saami diaspora. For me writing poetry requires research into language, history and place,’’ she said. ‘‘Therefore, I will be residing at my family’s fish camp on the small island of Wrangell.’’

The fish camp is located nearthed ancient Tlingit village of Ḵeishangita.aan, which translates to Red Alder Head Village.

‘‘At fish camp I will explore the island’s history and my relationship to the landscape, including the Saami diaspora (Scandinavian indigenous peoples who migrated to Alaska),’’ she said.

Prescott was born and raised in Wrangell, with her family going back six generations. Most of her recent work explores the indigenous worldviews of her Sáami and Suomalainen heritage in relationship to the landscape of Southeastern Alaska and how those world-views relate with her family intermarrying among the Tlingit.

Prescott is the author of a full-length poetry collection ‘‘The Hide of My Tongue’’ (Plain View Press) and two chapbooks, ‘‘Slick’’ and ‘‘Sludge.’’ Her linked story collection is forthcoming from Boreal Books. Her poetry has appeared in the North American Review, Drunken Boat, Yellow Medicine Review and Cirque, as well as other journals.

Prescott is a co-founding member of the Blue Canoe Writers, a multi-cultural writers group in Sitka, and she co-facilitates a teen writers group at Mt. Edgecumbe High School. She is also a member of Wednesday Writers group, a critique writing group also in Sitka. 

In December 2003, the Rasmuson Foundation Board of Directors launched a multi-year initiative to make a significant investment into the arts and cultural resources of the state. 

This is the 12th year of the Individual Artist Awards program. It has awarded 373 grants, totaling more than $3.1 million, directly to Alaska artists. More information about the Rasmuson grants can be found at http://www.rasmuson.org/PressRelease/index.php?switch=view_pressrelease&iReleaseID=345.

 

 

Tickets on Sale

For Melodrama

The Greater Sitka Arts Council announces tickets are now on sale for  the melodrama ‘‘Paris of the Pacific’’ at Old Harbor Books.

The family-friendly melodrama is about the 1867 exchange. Annabel Lund will direct the play to run 7 p.m. both Thursday, June 25, and Monday, June 29, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.

Those with questions may call Jeff at 747-4821. 

 

Presbyterians

Meet Sunday

Interim pastor Dr. George Gilchrist will preach on the topic of “Training for the Tour de France – oops – for the Tour of Life” based on Jesus’ Great Commandment 11 a.m. Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church.

 

Harp Sing Canceled

The second Sunday Sitka sacred harp sing has been canceled for June 14 but will resume for the fourth Sunday sing on Sunday, June 29.

Those with questions may call 738-2089.