Daily Sitka Sentinel

August 14, 2019, Community Happenings

Sportsmen Selling

Raffle Tickets

Sitka Sportsman’s Association is selling raffle tickets at Orion Sporting Goods, Guns of Alaska and Munchie Mart for a chance to win a Palmetto State Armory AR-15.

All proceeds go to the operations and maintenance of the Sitka Sportsman’s Associations facility and ranges which is a non-profit organization.

AmeriCorps

Seeks Member

The Sitka AmeriCorps Program is seeking a member for  placement at Pacific High School. 

The contract is for 10 months, and a minimum of 1,200 service hours.  Living allowance and health insurance is offered. An education award is issued upon completion.

The member will be responsible for planning, preparing and serving nutritious meals and will lead a nutrition and meal preparation class. The position requires basic knowledge of health, nutrition and food fields.

For information call 966-1440. A college degree is preferred. For general information on the AmeriCorps program visit: https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps

MEHS Students

Attend Academy

Mt. Edgecumbe High School students David ‘‘Reese’’ Bahnke and Adeline Dyment are among 83 students statewide to attend the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program’s residential Acceleration Academy Summer component in Anchorage on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus.

At the five-week session, students earn college credits with hands-on activities that will kickstart their interest in science, technology, engineering and math careers.

To learn about the program go to www.ansep.net.

Sitka AmeriCorps

Volunteers Sought

The Sitka AmeriCorps Program offers a number of opportunities for people to serve the community.

Placements include the Sitka school district, KCAW, mental health and others. Contracts are  for 10 or 12 months, and a minimum of 1,200 or 1,700 service hours.

A living allowance and health insurance are offered. An education award is provided upon completion. A college degree is preferred.

For information specific to the Sitka program call (907) 966-1440.

For more general information on the AmeriCorps program visit https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps.

United Way of Southeast Alaska 

2019 Day of Caring

United Way of Southeast Alaska will hold its third annual Day of Caring in Sitka on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

Local nonprofit agencies will offer up a service project to be completed. Volunteers can be individual residents, schools, organizations, or local businesses.

In the 2018 event, more than 12 volunteers donated almost 40 hours of service at two Sitka nonprofit agencies. 

 “I was appreciative of all the organizations and employees that donated time and energy to the effort,” said Warren Russell, United Way board chair and Southeast Regional manager for GCI. “Boots on the ground doing great work for communities and organizations make me proud to be a part of United Way of Southeast Alaska.”  

Volunteers will receive a “LIVE UNITED” T-shirt and a complimentary breakfast at a soon-to-be-announced location to kick off the event. Each volunteer will donate up to four hours to complete the designated service projects.

‘‘We are still in the planning and coordinating stages of this event, and are still in search for either non-profits who have a service project they need completing or volunteers who would like to take a day and give back to their community,’’ Russell said.

Agencies and businesses interested in participating can sign up online at https://www.unitedwayseak.org/2019-day-caring-scroll-down-sign-form.

For additional information call Sabrina Boone, office administrator, at 907-463-5530 or email at staff@unitedwayseak.org.

Kaagwaantaan

Meet Sunday

Sitka Kaagwaantaan will meet 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at Blatchley Middle School in classroom 114, to discuss and plan for this fall’s memorial ceremonies.

‘‘This is a good opportunity to learn more about traditional culture and ceremony,’’ a press release said.

For information call Roby at 738-4004.

Doll-Making

Class Aug. 19

The deadline to register for the Sheldon Jackson Museum’s traditional Cup’ik doll-making class with with artist-in-residence Neva Mathias (Cup’ik) is Monday, Aug. 19.

Students will create a traditional Cup’ik-style doll using hide and fur. The class is free, but students must register, and need to acquire materials on their own in advance of the class.

Classes will take place in six parts 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 29, Sept. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. On Sept. 7, students should plan to take part in an informal public presentation in which the class and artist will show the dolls they made.

Students can register by calling the museum at 747-8981 or dropping by the museum in person. At the time of sign up, students will be provided a short list of materials. Students will have to mail order some of the materials so signing up as early as possible is recommended.

Neva Mathias first began making baskets in 1979. By 1985, was practicing her art form in expert fashion. She learned to make baskets and dolls and how to prepare the raw materials to make them from her mother. Her dolls, which she makes during the winter months, are made using seal fur, seal skin, kuspuk materials, and fur. Her grasses for basketry, made during the summer while she is at fish camp, are collected from the beaches of Hooper Bay. She will be in residence at the Sheldon Jackson Museum from Aug. 22 until Sept. 12and teaching and creating at the museum most days. To find out more, call 747-8981.

The Alaska Native Artist Residency Program is sponsored by the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum and made possible with the support of the National Geographic Lex-NG Fund, which funded the program in 2018 and 2019, the National Endowment for the Arts, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Arts Southeast Inc., other local arts organizations, volunteers, and the general public. 

Those who are interested in supporting the Alaska Native Artist Residency Program, can call 747-6233 or visit www.friendsofsjm.com. For more information go to museums.alaska.gov/sheldon_jackson.

White E Sale Set

Children’s clothing sizes 0 to 3 will be on sale at half-price noon-3 p.m. Thursday and Saturday at the White Elephant Shop. 

SEER School

Set to Register

The SEER School is accepting applications for the upcoming school year. The first day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 3.

The school is an active learning environment for children in kindergarten through eighth grades. It promotes a community-learning atmosphere comprised of students who are independent, unique and creative, the school said in a press release.

Students from every learning background and ability are invited to apply. Diversity is essential to its dynamic program. Applications are available at The SEER School, located on the lower level of the Methodist Church at 303 Kimsham Street, or through email at greatkids9@gmail.com. Call 747-6224 for information or go to Facebook and Instagram.

Boys Run I

Seeks Coaches

Sitkans Against Family Violence is recruiting coaches for Boys Run I toowú klatseen, an after-school running program for boys that helps build self-esteem, healthy relationship skills, and respect while training for their final 5K fun run.

For information or to fill out a coach application, visit https://boysrun.org/become-a-coach/ or email ethompson@safv.org. Applications are due Sept. 9.

BTS Backpacks

To be Blessed

St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church is holding a Back-to-School Blessing of the Backpacks service 10 a.m. Aug. 18. 

All are invited to attend at 611 Lincoln Street. For information, call 747-3977.

Story Time Set

Sitka Public Library will host a preschool story time 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15.

‘‘Back to School’’ will be the theme of the last story time of the summer. Fall story time starts Sept. 12. Families can check out the calendar at the library website and social media pages.

Story times include readings, rhymes, songs and a craft project. Everybody is welcome. For information call the library at 747-8708.

Water Main

Repair on Tap

The City and Borough of Sitka and its construction contractor K&E Alaska today will begin repairing a significant leak on a section of water transmission main between the Indian River Bridge and Indian River Road.

The work is expected to last up to two weeks. Residents may experience cloudy water or periods of reduced pressure in the higher elevations or increased pressure in the lower elevations. If cloudy water appears, residents should run their cold water for a few minutes until it clears. 

The city apologized for any inconvenience this may cause.  Those with questions, or experiencing a pressure difference, should call 747-1806.

Harp Sing Set

All are invited to learn to sing four-part a cappella harmony in an American tradition 3:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Pioneers Home Chapel.

Beginners and listeners are invited. Singing is from the red Denson book, and loaner books are available. For information call Sara at 747-2915.

Concert Features

Violin, Piano

Sitka Fine Arts Camp will present an evening of violin and piano music 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Sitka Performing Arts Center. 

The concert will feature violinist Wyatt Underhill, assistant concertmaster for the San Francisco Symphony, and Milwaukee-based pianist Joseph Hauer. It will include works by Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Richard Strauss. Tickets are $20 general and $15 for youths and are on sale at Old Harbor Books, online at fineartscamp.org, and at the door.