October 4, 2013 Community Happenings

Details

Category: News

Created on Friday, 04 October 2013 10:33

Hits: 8048

   
Biathlon Tests Skill,
Endurance Oct. 13
Running speed and shooting accuracy will be targeted on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 13, when Sitka Sportsman’s Association sponsors its annual Alaska Day Biathlon at the north end of Halibut Point Road.
The race course begins at 2 p.m. on Oct. 13 from the indoor shooting range south of the ferry terminal. A mandatory pre-race safety clinic held will review Biathlon rules, correct shooting positions, safety procedures, and race strategy. Those clinics are offered at 1 p.m. that Sunday or 7 p.m. the preceding Thursday.
The $15 entry fee covers use of the biathlon special .22 rim fire bolt action target rifle provided by the Sportsman’s Association along with all ammunition, hearing and eye protection, awards, and refreshments. Contests are planned for individuals age 14 or older, as well as teams of 4. Beginners are welcome.
Biathlon organizer Foy Nevers, 747-3469, may be contacted for more information.

Russian Re-Enactors
Sought for Alaska Day
The re-enactment Russian naval unit seeks new recruits this year for Alaska Day Festival. All interested persons are asked to contact Cory Baggen at 747-8559 or Tim Holder at 738-3640.
In the parade on Alaska Day afternoon, Friday, Oct. 18, these volunteers will march under the “imperial double-headed eagle” to Castle Hill for the Transfer Re-enactment in which they lower the Russian flag. They may also appear as greeters at various events.
Among the costumes provided are the white sailcloth shirts, dark wool pants, and black wool “bezkozirka”, the official visorless cap piped in white, that was first introduced in the Russian navy in 1811.


Unitarians Meet
The topic for Sunday’s Unitarian Fellowship program will be “Grace.” Kathy Kyle will lead a discussion of the meaning of grace in people’s lives.
Fellowship begins at 10:30 a.m.; the program begins at 10:45 a.m., with children’s religious education concurrent. Soup and bread follows at noon. The Unitarian Hall is located at 408 Marine, with parking behind, off Spruce Street.








    Sitka Science Center Greets
    Scientist in Residency Fellow
    The Sitka Sound Science Center team welcomes Dr. Joe Cook as its current Scientist in Residency Fellow. Cook is professor of biology at the University of New Mexico where he also serves as director, curator of mammals, and curator of genomic resources at the Museum of Southwestern Biology.
    He was professor of biology and chief curator at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and was chair of the biology department at Idaho State University.
    His research focuses on conservation, molecular evolution and systematics of mammals and associated parasites. Most recently, he has worked to engage local communities, resource managers, and scientists in building archival observatories to explore the relationships between environmental change, natural resource management, and human health at high latitudes.
    He has spent decades studying mammals and parasites of the coastal islands of Southeast Alaska.
    The Sitka Sound Science Center, through funding from the National Science Foundation, is hosting the Scientist in Residency Fellowship Program. Each year fellowships are awarded to preeminent scientists from across the country. The SIRF program brings scientists to Sitka for monthlong sabbaticals allowing for undisturbed research. The program provides scientists the opportunity to engage the town in science, sharing their research and career pathways, while also benefiting from the important local knowledge of residents.
    Cook will be working with Sitka High School, Mt. Edgecumbe High School, and University of Alaska Southeast students during his outreach here. He is involved in efforts to encourage greater participation of underrepresented students, especially Native Americans, in biology. He will introduce students to the ISLES Project, a specimen-based field project aimed at understanding the biogeography of the Alexander Archipelago.
    Cook will be in residence from Oct. 6 through Nov. 4. He will be interviewed on Raven Radio, KCAW on Oct. 7 at 8:10 a.m. and will give a talk as part of the Natural History Seminar Series 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at UAS-Sitka Campus. His talk is titled “Island Life: A Mammalogist’s Perspective on What’s Cool About Living in Isolation on the Western Edge of North America.”
    ‘‘Please welcome Joe Cook into our community by participating in one of our public events or by stopping by the Sitka Sound Science Center to meet Joe,’’ SSSC said.
    He also will be a participant in Sitka WhaleFest Oct. 31-Nov. 3.
    Visit the web page for more information on past and current fellows at www.sitkascience.org or contact Tory O’Connell, research director, 747-8878, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    The SSSC Scientist in Residency Fellowship program receives major funding from National Science Foundation with contributions from the Karsh Family Foundation and Skaggs Foundation.

    2 Literary Events
    Set at Kettleson
    Two literary events are set Oct. 13 at Kettleson Memorial Library.
    At 4 p.m., the winning school-age contestants in the Alaska Day writing competition, will present their writing. Following the student presentations, at 5:30 p.m., local fisherman and philosopher Theo Grutter will present his new book “Thinking Wild: It’s Gifts of Insight – A Way to Make Peace with My Shadow.” The presentation will include a short video interview with Grutter and readings from his book. He will also field questions from the audience.


    White E Shop
    Meeting Slated
    The White Elephant Shop monthly meeting will be held 7 p.m. Oct. 9  at the Swan Lake Senior Center. All meetings are open to the public.
 
    ANB to Meet
    ANB Camp 1 will meet 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the ANB Founders Hall to discuss final plans for Grand Camp to be held in Yakutat. All members are being encouraged to attend.

    Items Sought for
    Library Book Sale
    Kettleson Memorial Library welcomes donations of new or virtually new books, DVDs and CDs for the Alaska Day Library Sale, 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 18. Call the library with questions at 747-8708.

    Christmas Bazaar
    Tables Available
    Sitka Counseling is planning for its 33rd Annual Christmas Bazaar, to be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 30 at Centennial Hall. Tables are available, but going fast, organizers said.
    To reserve a table, contact Kerry at 747-1417 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .


    Fish Served Up
    At Local Schools
    The Sitka Conservation Society’s Fish to Schools program will serve local fish every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at Keet Gooshi Heen, Blatchley, Pacific High, Mt. Edgecumbe, Sitka High and the SEER School. The next fish lunch is Oct. 9. For more information call SCS at 747-7509.

    Ukulele Taught
    Ukulele classes are being offered through Sitka Community Schools on Mondays, Oct. 14-Nov. 18, in the Blatchley band room for those in fourth through seventh grades.
    The beginners group, for those wanting to learn the basics of technique, strum, chords and songs, meets 4-5 p.m. Mondays.
    Intermediates, those who know basic strum, a few chords and other experience, will meet 5-6 p.m.
    The cost is $25 per person. For more information call 747-8670.

    Barn Dance Set
    For Alaska Day
    A community barn dance is set 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at Centennial Hall. Alaska Day attire is welcome, but not requested. Donations at the door will benefit the Alaska Day Festival.
    All are invited to participate in mixers, circles and contra dances. Sitka’s Fishing for Cats band will perform. All ages are invited.
    Dances are taught and called. No partner is needed and no dancing experience is necessary. The first hour of the dance will be geared to beginners and young dancers. Call 747-3412 with questions.

• < Prev
• Next >