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)

State's Transportation Plan Gets Federal OK
28 Mar 2024 15:06

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    Federal officials on Wednesday approved most of Alaska’s four-y [ ... ]

New Funding Plan Ahead for Visit Sitka?
28 Mar 2024 15:02

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    At an hour-long work session with the Assembly Tuesda [ ... ]

Sitka 'Frankenstein' Puts Classic Tale in New Ligh...
28 Mar 2024 15:01

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    The story behind a classic, though often misunderstoo [ ... ]

State May Los Millions Over Ed Dept. Missteps
28 Mar 2024 14:59

By CLAIRE STREMPLE
Alaska Beacon
    The state government risks losing millions of dollars in feder [ ... ]

Gov Signs Bill On Internet In State Schools
28 Mar 2024 14:57

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday signed a bill that promise [ ... ]

Capitol Christmas Tree to Come from Tongass
28 Mar 2024 14:56

By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
    Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, known for its steep mountains [ ... ]

City League Games Thursday
28 Mar 2024 14:52

By Sentinel Staff
    Playing Wednesday in competitive division City League volleyball matches, Ca [ ... ]

March 28, 2024, Police Blotter
28 Mar 2024 14:50

Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 27
At 2:36 p.m. a dead  [ ... ]

March 28, 2024, Community Happenings
28 Mar 2024 14:48

This Week in Girls on the Run By Sitkans Against Family Violence
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During th [ ... ]

New RFP Sought For Managing PAC
27 Mar 2024 14:48

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
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Seiners Get Second Day with 2 Areas to Fish
27 Mar 2024 14:46

By Sentinel Staff
    The Sitka Sound commercial herring sac roe fishery continued today with open [ ... ]

Braves Take Second in Last Minute Upset
27 Mar 2024 12:41

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    After storming into the state 3A boys basketball brac [ ... ]

Tuesday City League Volleyball
27 Mar 2024 12:39

By Sentinel Staff
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Kodiak Alutiiq Museum Getting New Attention
27 Mar 2024 12:37

By SHIRLEY SNEVE
Indian Country Today
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House Hearing on Inmate Deaths Halted
27 Mar 2024 12:35

By CLAIRE STREMPLE
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Nominee to Bering Sea Council: Not a Trawler
27 Mar 2024 12:34

By NATHANIEL HERZ
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March 27, 2024, Police Blotter
27 Mar 2024 12:26

Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 26
At 2:10 p.m. a man e [ ... ]

March 27, 2024, Community Happenings
27 Mar 2024 12:25

Big Rigs Sought
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Reassessments Raise Tax Bills for Sitkans
26 Mar 2024 15:22

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
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    The city’s reassessment of taxable real estate, alo [ ... ]

Two Areas Opened in Herring Fishery Today
26 Mar 2024 15:21

By Sentinel Staff
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Lady Wolves Rally to Take Fourth at State
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Edgecumbe Girls Close Out Season Up North
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City League Monday
26 Mar 2024 14:55

By Sentinel Staff
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Other Articles

Daily Sitka Sentinel

November 15, 2019, Community Happenings

Climate Connection: Exploring solar energy

By Leah Mason

This week we return to exploring some of the options we have in Sitka to replace more carbon intensive energy systems. Sitka fared pretty well during a summer that sucked a lot of other Southeast towns dry of the clean hydropower that we enjoyed. Other communities are paying high prices for diesel again because it just didn’t rain much.

That could have been us. At a time when it WAS us, two Sitkans decided to see how solar might work up here in a Sunny Sitka. Michelle Putz and Perry Edwards installed a small solar system on their southwest-facing roof back in 2010 to demonstrate solar power that fed into the electricity grid and reduce their personal energy load. Michelle jokes that their small system could run a 100-watt lightbulb for around 20 hours a day. Another way of looking at it is that their system could run a load of dishes every day. Or do a load of laundry in a warm cold cycle every two days. Of course, a bigger system and more energy efficient appliances could do more with this energy that comes from the sky. Which is why energy efficiency actions are usually the first stop on the renewable energy journey.

The more observant amongst us might also have noted the speed reminder devices scattered around town are also using solar, and so are some of the flashers at crosswalks. Putz notes that grid-tie solar works in Alaska, and that where the cost of connecting to the main grid is bigger than the cost of putting in the right amount of solar, on an island for instance, it can make economic sense. She also advises that she and Perry have cut costs because they know how to repair their system. Her advice to others is to be aware that standard microinverters may not be designed for the kind of weather that we routinely get, and our roofs are often not positioned to get the best sunlight. So, some thinking and innovating for solar in Alaska might make someone some money and do all of us a favor. A combined project for our local entrepreneurs, science and shop teachers perhaps?

Do you have a solar Sitka story? Send it to sitkaclimatelobby@gmail.com

–––––––––

Leah Mason is a member of the Sitka Citizen’s Climate Lobby.

 

 

TANF Office At

New Location

The Sitka Temporary Assistance for Needy Families office has moved to a new location, at 204 Siginaka Street, first floor front at the north end.

Call TANF at 747-3324 for further information.

 

 

Native Artists Get

Notice of Market

Local Native artists are being called to register for a free table at the Native Artisans Christmas Market 3-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.

A limited number of tables are available. Call 747-7137 to reserve one. 

 

School Board in

Executive Session

The Sitka School Board will hold an executive session 6-8 p.m. Thursday in the district office board room, 300 Kostrometinoff Street.

The executive session is in accordance with and under the provisions of AS 44.62.310 (c)(2) ‘‘so as not to prejudice the reputation and character of any person,’’ the board said.

 

Wild Foods

Potluck Sunday

The Wild Foods Potluck ‘‘Wild Gratitude’’ is planned 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at Centennial Hall.

Sitka Conservation Society’s annual potluck event features wild foods.

‘‘We will take this opportunity to express gratitude for each other and for the Tongass National Forest,’’ a press release from SCS said.

All are invited to attend and to take a dish that features ingredients fished, foraged, hunted or cultivated in Southeast Alaska. Prizes will be awarded.

For information call Sitka Conservation Society at 747-7509.

 

 

American Education Week

 

By Delta Kappa Gamma

American Education Week is Nov. 18-22. It’s always observed during the first full week before Thanksgiving. 

The National Education Association and the American Legion were the creators and original co-sponsors of American Education Week in 1921. Distressed that 25 percent of the country’s World War I draftees were illiterate and 9 percent were physically unfit, both organizations adopted resolutions of support for a national effort to raise public awareness on the importance of education. 

This year’s theme is ‘‘Reach, Educate and Inspire.’’ Sitka’s Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society of women teachers, has chosen this next week as a wonderful opportunity to highlight and celebrate public education in our town with an article in the Daily Sitka Sentinel each day. 

DKG is also encouraging the public to consider this coming week as a time to honor and thank individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receive a quality education. Think about writing a thank you note to someone – a teacher, guidance counselor, support staff personnel or volunteer – anyone who works or has worked in the school and has helped to make a difference in some special way. 

 

Unitarians Meet

All are invited Sunday, Nov. 17, to the Unitarian Fellowship for ‘‘Fibonacci Numbers in Nature: A Multigenerational Program on Living in Awe and Wonder.’’

Children are welcome to participate, as the program is appropriate for all ages. Unitarians gather at 10:30 a.m. and the program starts at 10:45 a.m. Soup and bread will be served after the program at noon. 

 

Alaska Day Panel

Meets on Tuesday

Alaska Day Festival coordinators will meet 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Harrigan Centennial Hall to review the recent mid-October activities.  

Suggestions will be heard for planning the 2020 commemoration of the 1867 purchase transfer of Russian claim in Alaska to the United States at Sitka.  Regular meetings resume in January on the third Tuesday of the month to propose a theme and elect festival leadership.

Persons having comments about festival activities or new volunteers can attend the meetings or contact Chairman Ted Allio at 747-5124 or Vice Chair Steve Dalquist 752-0750.  The festival’s mailing address is P.O. Box 1355, Sitka.

 

 

Sacred Harp Sing

Lessons Offered

All are invited to learn to sing four-part a capella harmony in an American tradition 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, in the Pioneers Home Chapel. Beginners and listeners are welcome. Singing is from the red Denson book and the Christmas songbook. Loaner books are available. For more information call Sara at 747-2915.

 

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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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