Daily Sitka Sentinel

April 22, 2019, Community Happenings

Forest Service Thanks STA

Sitka Tribe of Alaska has received certificates of appreciation from the U.S. Forest Service.

Sitka Ranger District Ranger Perry Edwards presented the certificates on April 17 in response to STA Social Services and “the RIDE” making the food pantry available to federal workers and their families and offering free transportation during the government shut down.

“STA was honored to support all of the federal employees during their time of need and no certificate of appreciation was needed, but we truly appreciate the Forest Service presenting those to us,” said STA General Manager Lisa Gassman.

For information contact Lisa Gassman at lisa.gassman@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or 747-3207.

Mini-Quilt Show

Up at BackDoor

Sitka’s Ocean Wave Quilters Guild has its annual mini-quilt show at the Backdoor Cafe. The quilts will be shown April 29-June 2. 

Peak Program Sets

Summer Registration

Registration for the PEAK Summer Enrichment Program is open. The program will run 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

It is open to ages 5 to 13, who live in Sitka or who are visiting. PEAK students will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of educational lessons that promote STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art and math – activities. Students can participate in the Maker Camp Program, the Science Action Club Program, Citizen Science and NASA Student STEM Program. They also learn about movie-making, sewing, use of power and hand tools, engineering challenges, fishing, hiking, outdoor survival, large cardboard construction, food science, swimming, and many other projects and activities.

Students must provide a daily sack lunch, two pocket snacks, and warm clothes. 

Full-time and part-time rates are available. Pick up registration forms at 303 Kimsham Street, on the lower level of the Methodist Church. It is not affiliated with the Methodist Church.

Contact Karla Horner Raffaele at 747-6224 or email – peakprogramsitka@gmail.com for information.

BIHA Board

Meets April 24

Baranof Island Housing Authority board of commissioners will meet 5 p.m. April 24 at 245 Katlian Street.

Visit Sitka Expo

Set for May 4

All are invited to the 2nd Annual Visit Sitka Summer Expo 4-8 p.m. May 4 at the Westmark Sitka.

It will include free food, wine,  beer and prizes, sponsored by Westmark Sitka, Visit Sitka and Chamber of Commerce.

Drug Take Back Day

Event at Public Library

The DEA National Drug Take Back Day is set in Sitka 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Sitka Public Library.

The Healthy Organizations, People and Environments Coalition, in partnership with the Sitka Police Department, Sitka Public Library and Harry Race and White’s pharmacies, will host the event.

All are being encouraged to take unused, expired and unwanted prescription medications to the event for free disposal.

It is part of a larger prevention program by the HOPE Coalition to reduce substance misuse, especially by youths and young adults. 

In addition, the HOPE Coalition provides free medication disposal bags for in-home use as well as free opioid overdose kits (NARCAN) for individuals, and their friends or family members, who may be at risk for opioid overdose. These will be available at the drug take back event.

Medication drop boxes also are available throughout Sitka, including Harry Race Pharmacy, the Sitka Police Department and SEARHC Pharmacy. 

Organizers said in 2017 Alaska had the highest drug overdose mortality rate in 10 years, as a result of an increase of overdose deaths involving methamphetamine, sedatives and opioid analgesic/pain relievers, which includes fentanyl. Alaska’s rank among states with the highest drug overdose rates did fall between 2014 and 2016; however, this was due to the sharp increase of overdose death rates in other U.S. states.

‘‘The number-one place youths and young adults get medications not prescribed to them is from home and most often without the knowledge of other family members,’’ organizers of the event said in a press release. ‘‘The main goal of the drug take back day is to reduce social access to medications and highlight the safe storage, monitoring and disposal of medications.’’

For information on the DEA National Drug Take Back Day event or other prevention activities contact Loyd Platson at Sitka Counseling, 747-3636.