September 26, 2014 Community Happenings

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Category: News

Created on Friday, 26 September 2014 11:41

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    Science Center
    Hours to Change
    The Sitka Sound Science Center will shift to fall hours on Sept. 30. It will be open to the public 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays.
    The public is invited to fish feedings at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; Sitka Sprouts, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays; and Discovery Days, 10 a.m.-noon every other Saturday.
    For more information call 747-8878 or email visitsitkascience.org.

Fresh From Kettleson
The Litwit
by Greg Mandel
    Greetings, Kettleheads! It is I, The Litwit, bringing you the latest from Kettleson Memorial Library.
    There’s a lot going on at the library these days. For starters, we have a new library director, following the amazing Sarah Bell’s retirement. The new director’s name is Robb Farmer, and he starts on Oct. 1. Robb has been the library director at the Faulkner Law Library in Montgomery, Ala., for the past nine years. So stop by and meet Robb, at our new temporary digs at 831 Lincoln Street.
    That’s right. If somehow you don’t know, we’ve moved, lock, stock and books, to the old Stratton Library, across from the Sitka Sound Science Center, right below the Sheldon Jackson Museum. We brought most of our stuff with us for the 12 to 15 months we’ll be at this location while our old building gets remodeled and expanded. Bookzilla, the T-Rex, made the trip, and so did Liz, the library lizard. Following a brief, uhh, reptile disfunction, they found their way to our new spot and are hanging out amongst the books and DVDs.
    Maite, our children’s librarian, has also got our Preschool Story Time program up and running, upstairs at the library every Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. And Maite’s also starting a Spanish Language Conversation Class for Teens beginning Oct. 7 at 3 p.m., and continuing every other Tuesday. The class is free, but space is limited. Sign up at the library. Maite (she’s actually from Spain, so she knows what she’s habla-ing about) also offers free one-on-one Spanish tutoring for teens, Thursday evenings from 6-to-7 p.m. Call 747-4022 to make an appointment.
   And remember, September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. If you don’t have a library card, now’s the time to get one. If you’ve lost your card, you can get a free replacement library card this month, too. So come see us at the library, where you can find the answer to the question, “How many librarians does it take to change a lightbulb?” (Answer: I don’t know, but I know where you can look it up. At the library!)


    Southeast Conference Presents
    Business, Community Awards
    Southeast Conference has announced the winners for the Southeast Alaska business and community of the year, presented in Wrangell during the annual meeting.
    The Southeast Alaska Business of the Year 2014 is Samson Tug and Barge, a marine freight company based in Sitka. It started as a horse and cart operation in Juneau during its early mining era, and has been providing marine transportation since 1937. Founded by the Baggen family in the early 1900’s, the company is currently run by George Baggen and his daughter Cory Baggen.
    In 2014 Samson Tug and Barge demonstrated an innovative spirit, showed exceptional growth, and provided a regional contribution to the Southeast Alaska business climate, the conference said. In November 2013 the company expanded ports of call to include Ketchikan, Metlakatla, Thorne Bay, Craig, Wrangell, Petersburg, and Juneau, as well as expanding existing Sitka operations.
    “The 2014 Southeast Alaska Business Award goes to an organization that is helping to grow the maritime sector of Southeast Alaska, is positively impacting people’s lives by providing increased access to freight, and elevating the regional economy,” said Lori Blood, president of Southeast Conference.
    Accepting the award on behalf of Samson Tug and Barge was Shawn Richardson, who leads the entire Southeast region for Samson and has overseen the company’s transition back into Southeast Alaska.
    “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the Baggen family and all of the Samson employees,’’ Richardson said. ‘‘I want to thank the public that has supported us, and all of the support that is represented by this award.”
    The Southeast Alaska Community of the Year 2014 winner is Pelican, which was cited for the successful work it has accomplished in ice making.
    In 2014, the City of Pelican began making, storing, and delivering ice to commercial fishing vessels and tenders from across the region. Because ice requires water and affordable electricity, the community also replaced its fresh water system and refurbished its hydroelectric generation plant.
    The City of Pelican Ice Machine project received $800,000 from the Southeast Alaska Chinook Salmon Fishery Mitigation Program to improve the quality for commercial troll-caught salmon.
    Icy Straits Seafoods and Hoonah Cold Storage operate the city of Pelican ice machine at a fish buying station at the Pelican Seafoods unloading dock. Ice generates economic activity in Pelican, income for the city, and has created six jobs on the dock and fish buying station. Ice is part of Pelican’s return to return fish processing to the community and rebuild the economy.
    “This year’s Community Award goes to a town has worked diligently to support the region’s seafood sector,’’ Blood said. ‘‘This is a community that solves problems, drives innovation and by doing so has created jobs in a place that needed them the most.”
    Pelican Mayor Patricia Phillips accepted the award on behalf of the community and expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “Pelican Ice is more than just frozen water. The benefits to the community are immense. It’s wonderful to have the economic activity from the commercial fishing fleet icing up in Pelican, as well as the higher quality seafood that comes from well-iced fish.”

    Garlic-Planting
    Workshop Set
    Sitka gardener Linda Wilson, of Sea View Garden and the Sitka Local Foods Network education committee, will host a garlic-planting class 1 p.m.  Sunday, Oct. 5, at 3509 Halibut Point Road.
    Gardeners will learn about the two main types of garlic – hard-neck garlic, which grows a flower stalk during the summer, and soft-neck garlic, which doesn’t flower – and common varieties grown in Alaska (German white, Nootka rose and elephant).
    Participants will learn why garlic bulbs should purchased in the fall, to be planted or stored in a cool place over the winter.
    ‘‘This is the time when most people are thinking about making their final harvests and then preparing the garden for the winter,’’ the SLFN said. ‘‘This also is the perfect time to plant garlic in Alaska, which does best when it is planted in late September to early October and has a chance to be in the ground over the winter.’’
    The education committee is hosting a series of “It’s time to …” workshops  designed to help local residents learn about various aspects of vegetable gardening and fruit growing. Many of the classes will be informal get-togethers at various gardens around town.
    Those who have an “It’s time to …” workshop they would like to teach, can contact Michelle Putz at 747-2708.

    Boot Donations
    Ready for Event
    Just before the ceremonial boot gets tossed in the air to start the 20th annual Running of the Boots Saturday, Honeywell and Russell’s have stepped forward to provide more than 16 pairs of new Xtratuf boots for prizes.
    Honeywell and Norcross Distributing will provide a new pair of boots to winners of the following categories: Fastest Boots, Best Looking Boots, Zaniest Outfit, Most Creative, Best Couple and Wild Card. Russell’s will  providing new boots for each member of the Best Family and Best Adult Groups.
    Sign-up begins at 10 a.m. under the big tent next to St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church. The race begins at 11 a.m. For more information call Kerry at 752-0654.
 
    SCVB Board Meets
    The Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors will hold a meeting 1 p.m. Sept. 30 at Centennial Hall. Questions can be directed to the SCVB at 747-5940 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .


Health Happy
Hour Monday
The Health Happy Hour videoconference presentation ‘‘Preparing Food During a Power Failure’’ will be presented at Kettleson Memorial Library 5:30 p.m. Sept. 29.
The presentation – part of the Alaska OWL (Online With Libraries) project – will cover what to consider when storing food for emergencies and what food preparation options are available during a power failure. 

Unitarians Meet
 At Sunday’s Unitarian Fellowship meeting, Gretchen Matiatos will present “Princesses: A Conversation about the Limitations of Role Models for Young Girls in the Media.”
Fellowship begins at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45. A children’s program is provided. Soup and bread follows the program at noon. The Fellowship Hall is located at 408 Marine Street, with parking behind off Spruce Street.

Municipal Election
Candidates to Speak
Raven Radio will host a series of on-air forums next week with the candidates for Sitka mayor, Assembly and School Board.
Assembly candidates will take  questions live 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 29. Listeners can call in, submit questions via Facebook or email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
School Board candidates will take questions 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 30, and the mayor forum is 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 1.
Municipal Elections are Oct. 7.

Merrill Project
Presentation On
The Merrill Project is sponsoring a free presentation and exhibit of the photography of E. W. Merrill  7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, in the Exhibit Room of  Centennial Hall.
Photographer Dan Evans will present “In the Footsteps of E. W. Merrill,” on his research into Merrill’s work, and there will be a display of Merrill’s photographs, including some originals printed by Merrill himself. The Merrill Project (merrillproject.org) is raising money to purchase 961 original glass plate negatives by famed photographer E. W. Merrill, in order to donate the collection to the Sitka National Historical Park. The SNHP has committed to keeping them in Sitka, preserving them, and making the images available to the public.
Refreshments will be available. For more information, call 747-3448.

BMS Carnival
Set for Oct. 25
Blatchley Middle School will host its annual carnival 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 25. Face-painting, a cake walk and  carnival games are slated.

Squishy Hike
Group on Oct. 1
The Squishy Hike Group will explore stream macroinvertebrates with Tania Spurkland, visiting Scientists in the Schools presenter, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 1.
The Squishy Hike group will be at Thimbleberry trailhead to collect macroinvertebrates in the lake. Participants will take their treasures back to the science center to take a closer look at them.
Select carpool space is available from the science center at 4:15 p.m.
Spurkland works for the Seldovia Village Tribe, but joins us in Sitka to help fourth-grade students learn about healthy watersheds. For more information call Ashley at 747-8878 ex.3.

Herring Panel Meets
Herring Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 429 Katlian Street. The public is welcome to attend. Contact Jessica at 747-7168 with questions.

Clothesline
Exhibit Set
The Clothesline, a visual display that bears witness to the violence against women, will host a public T-shirt decorating event 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 4 in Room 106 at UAS-Sitka Campus.
Attendees can take their own plain T-shirt – or use a provided one – to decorate. Supplies will be provided.
The Clothesline is a visual display that bears witness to the violence against women. During the public display, a clothesline is hung with shirts that are decorated by the survivor or a loved one to represent a particular woman’s experience.
Donations of T-shirts – plain or already decorated – are being accepted at the UAS front desk, Ben Franklin and SAFV.
The event is in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and is sponsored by UAS-Sitka Campus, SAFV, Sitka Tribe of Alaska and SEARHC.
For more information contact the Student Success Center, 747-7717, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

PAC to Meet
Blatchley Middle School will hold a Parent Advisory Meeting 6-7 p.m. Sept. 30 at the BMS library.

Biathlon Tests
Endurance Skills
Running speed and shooting accuracy will be targeted on Sunday afternoon,
Oct. 12, 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. 12 from the indoor shooting range south of the ferry terminal.  A mandatory pre-race safety clinic will review Biathlon rules, correct shooting positions, safety procedures, race strategy, and shooting practice time.  Those clinics are offered at 1 p.m. that Sunday or 7 p.m. the preceding Thursday, Oct. 9.
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.

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