LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

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Daily Sitka Sentinel

November 23, 2016, Community Happenings

2017 Green Awards

Nominations Open

Sitka Global Warming Group has kicked off its Sitka Green Business Award nomination season at the Wednesday Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Michelle Putz, SGWG leader, introduced the award program and provide nomination forms and instructions to businesses and customers. Customers, owners and employees can also nominate a favorite local business, agency, not-for-profit group, school and other entity online at www.sitkaglobalwarming.org under Green Businesses. The nomination deadline for the first round of awards is Jan. 30.

SGWG is in its eighth year of awarding Sitka Green Business Awards. Through this awards program, SGWG provides businesses with information and education on ways to save money and conserve resources. SGWG also recognizes and thanks local businesses for using “green” practices and markets those businesses on a website and through other means. 

“Working with our Chamber of Commerce and encouraging participation in Sitka Green Business Awards is a great way to support local businesses and other entities by helping them find ways to save money on fuel, electricity, and waste,” Putz said. “Our list of best practices often has new ideas that encourage our participants to find opportunities to save money and resources in ways they had not thought of before. And we find that most businesses appreciate the recognition they get for supporting Sitka’s community, economy and environment.”

Last year, 15 local businesses received green business practices by SGWG. Thirteen received the highest recognition, the Platinum level award and two businesses received a Gold level award. 

Using energy/money-saving recommendations from local businesses, the group has a list of over 35 green practices that local businesses are already using to save money. These practices determine the “winners” of the green business awards. The program’s four levels recognize different levels of commitment towards green practices. The more actions that a business does to help the environment, the higher the recognition level they received. Two special recognition categories are available for businesses involved in a one-time, major environmental initiative or in on-going environmental initiatives. 

 “Last year, we had no nominations for the special recognition categories,” Putz said. “We hope Sitkans will search their memories for those BIG things that should be recognized as well as for the everyday green actions that rarely get recognized. We encourage everyone to nominate a Sitka business or group. If you know of a business or group that is doing good things for the environment and for Sitka, we’d love to hear from you.’’

Award levels are: businesses using: 1-4 green practices – Bronze Award; 5-9 green practices – Silver Award; 10-14 green practices – Gold Award; 15 or more green practices – Platinum Award. 

“Sitka’s green businesses are taking care of our community through support of local activities, and taking care of the local and global environment through sustainable business practices. As these businesses support us, we encourage the community of Sitka to support these local businesses by shopping locally. And we look forward to the partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to strengthen the bond between sustainability and good business and provide educational and financial opportunities to more local businesses in Sitka.”

The list of green practices and method for nominating a business can be found on the SGWG website at: www.sitkaglobalwarming.org under Green Businesses. 

 

 Sitka wins competitive award to help with Sustainable Land Use Code Audit

 

Smart Growth America, a national nonprofit that advocates for better cities, towns and neighborhoods, announced this week that Sitka is among six winning communities to receive a free foundation for smart growth technical assistance workshop in 2017.

Sitka will receive hands-on assistance from national experts on sustainable land use code audit.

“The City and Borough of Sitka has a great opportunity to utilize technical assistance from Smart Growth America,’’ said Maegan Bosak, city planning and community development director. ‘‘We are excited to continue to learn and make improvements that will have an enduring impact on all Sitkans.”

“This award is a testament to the hard work Sitka has already done,” said John Robert Smith, Smart Growth America’s senior policy adviser. “Our program was more competitive this year than ever before, and Sitka stood out as a community doing great work.’’

The workshops offered through Smart Growth America’s program focus on a range of issues, including downtown revitalization, complete streets, parking management, smart growth zoning, economic development and fiscal health.

More than 50 applications for technical assistance from 27 states and Puerto Rico for its 2017 workshops were received. Winning communities besides Sitka were: the town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; the city of Fitchburg, Massachusetts; the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma; the Osage Nation; and the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.

Smart Growth America offers nine types of technical assistance workshops that help communities build stronger local economies, protect the environment, preserve sense of place and improve overall quality of life. 

The technical assistance is funded through a grant to Smart Growth America from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Sustainable Communities under their Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. The Building Blocks program funds quick, targeted assistance to communities that face common development problems.

For additional information visit www.smartgrowthamerica.org. For more information, contact Will Reckley, assistance@smartgrowthamerica.org, 202-971-3903

 

Event Saturday

At Science Center

Small Business Saturday will be celebrated along with tax-free shopping at the Sitka Sound Science Center on Nov. 26.

Gifts for everyone including ornaments, cookie cutters, shirts and hoodies, cards and stocking stuffers will be included.

 The aquarium and retail booth will be open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at 834 Lincoln Street.

 

Bike Coalition

Slated Nov. 30

The Sitka Bicycle Friendly Community Coalition will meet noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the Larkspur Café.

The meeting is open to everyone interested in promoting cycling in Sitka. For more information contact Doug Osborne at 747-0373 or go to https://sitkacycling.wordpress.com/.

 

 

This Week in Boys on the Run

By Sitkans Against Family Violence

Boys Run I toowú klatseen is an after-school running and life skills program currently in its third season in Sitka. The program incorporates cultural activities that honor traditional Southeast Alaska Native values. More than 25 boys participate twice-weekly at Keet Gooshi Heen elementary school.

This week, Boys Run participants have been learning about communication, collaboration, and conflict. They learned about different communication styles – for example, in traditional Tlingit culture, it is often considered disrespectful to make direct eye contact, whereas in Western culture, looking someone in the eyes can be a sign of respect. Boys practiced using “I” statements to express their emotions, to speak up for themselves, and to listen with care. Here’s what some of the boys said about what they learned:

– “It’s good to use I-statements because the other people don’t feel like you are attacking them.”

– “When you yell, they want to yell back.”

– “You don’t even need to talk to communicate a lot.”

– “Words can be like sharp sticks coming out of your mouth.”

– “Words don’t go away, [if you say bad things] you’ll still remember them and you still won’t appreciate that moment.”

Throughout this season, Boys Run will be providing the Sitka community with updates on the program. We also aim to give mentors and parents an opportunity to pass on skills from Boys Run to the children in their life. Consider using these conversation starters:

What should you do if your words or actions hurt or disrespect someone?

What are productive ways you can speak up for yourself if you feel like no one is listening to you?

Don’t forget the annual Boys Run 5K will take place 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, and you’re invited! If you are interested in volunteering, either to set up, or to run along with a boy, please contact Lauren Havens at lhavens@safv.org.

BMS Jazz Band

To Sell Apples

Blatchley Middle School jazz band will be selling caramel apples 9 a.m. until sold out Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Wells Fargo bank lobby.

The apples are $10 each, with proceeds benefitting the Blatchley jazz band and music. The apples have milk or dark chocolate over homemade caramel and come plain or with toppings that include peppermint, butter toffee, mini MandMs, and pecans.

Those with questions may call 738-9160 or email kerninm@sitkaschools.org.

Preorders can be picked up Friday, Nov. 25, in the back parking lot entrance of BMS (the home ec room) between 1 and 2 p.m.

 

Landlubbers

Parade Listed

The Landlubbers Christmas Parade will start 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at City Hall on Lincoln Street. From there it will go down Lincoln Street to the Sitka Public Library, where Santa will be delivered and Santa’s Helpers will hand out holiday cheer.

The parade lineup will be at 5 p.m. at the ANB parking lot.

All groups and individuals are welcome to take part in the parade and help bring in the holiday season, organizers said. Those needing more information can call Jim at 747-6201 or Linda at 747-6985.

 

Band to Host

Fish Dinner

Sitka High Symphonic Band will host a fish dinner at the Elks Lodge 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, to raise money for the SHS music program.

The event costs $15 and includes live music by the Sitka High jazz band and a gourmet dessert auction.

Dinners also may be delivered – orders can be called in starting at 4:30 p.m., at 747-3511, extension 24.

The event is open to Elks members and invited guests.

 

‘Standing Rock’

Benefit Saturday

Sitkans can show their support for the Standing Rock Water Protectors 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.

Yoga for All class (by donation) will be 4-5 p.m. Beginners are welcome. The class will be co-taught by Caitlin Way, Amelia Budd and Lexi Fish Hackett. 

More fundraising, action and solidarity is planned 5-7 p.m. Dionne Brady-Howard will open at 5 p.m. with commentary, to be followed by education, letter writing and more solidarity actions. Fundraising and donation opportunities will include food, raffle items and local art pieces.

Cash is requested for raffle tickets and other items. Yoga mats will be available to those who don’t have them.

Food will include smoothies, soup and baked goods.

All of the proceeds will be donated. Call 738-5684 with questions, or with items to donate to the raffle.

 

Little League Sets 

Board Elections

Sitka Little League will hold board elections for the upcoming season 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Sitka Community Hospital classroom.

All board positions are open. Those who are interested in helping with the upcoming season are being encouraged to attend.

 

 

Blue Lake Road

To Remain Closed

The city electric department said that repairs to the Blue Lake Road and Green Lake Road are taking longer than anticipated and the roads will remain closed to all public access – pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic.

‘‘When the public stays out of the way of our contractor our community costs for this project remain low,’’ the city said today. 

The best estimate of the re-openings are as follows: Green Lake Road is expected to reopen to public pedestrian access by Dec. 5; and  Blue Lake Road is expected to reopen to public pedestrian access by Dec. 14.

The extensive road repairs are being primarily funded by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management as repairs from the 2015 landslide, the city said. Repairs will allow the electric department to complete the dam overlook project which will lead to a re-opening of public vehicle access to Blue Lake sometime next summer.

The closure is meant to ensure the safety of the public while large construction equipment is working on the narrow roads. For additional information contact the electric department at 747-4000.

 

School Board

Meets Dec. 5

The Sitka School Board will hold a regular School Board meeting 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Sitka High School library.

Prior to the meeting, the board will meet with the Sitka High School student government at 6 p.m. The public is being encouraged to attend.

 

‘Giving Tree’

Goes Up Friday

The “Giving Tree” at Wells Fargo Bank Lobby will be set up Nov. 25 through Dec. 16 for those wanting to choose a tag and purchase a gift for a Sitka child, youth or elder in need this Christmas season.

 

Unwrapped gifts are to be returned to Wells Fargo Bank with the tag attached. The Giving Tree is sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Sitka. Those with questions may call Julia Smith at 738-6336.

 

Open Mic Set

 

Sitka Folk and the Greater Sitka Arts Council will host an Open Mic at the Larkspur Cafe on Sunday, November 27. Sign up is at 6:30 and the show starts at 7. Contact Ted at 747-5482 for more information.

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

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